17. Feelings
"You're all fixed, Alexis. Your armor is a little weak, so don't overstrain it by running or transforming. Other than that, you're free to go."
"Thanks, Red Alert," She said, slipping off the bad and walking to the medical lobby. She stopped at the door as she saw several people there waiting for her. Starscream was sitting in one of the chairs with Shiori sitting next to him with one of his arms around her. Nearby, Hot Shot was in another chair, looking exhausted, and Optimus stood behind him with his hands resting gently on the younger Autobot's shoulders comfortingly. Leobreaker was pacing near the door, and another green and white seeker was standing in the center of the triangle they'd unconsciously created.
Alexis hesitated, looking around at them again. She blinked as her optics met Optimus's gold ones, sending warmth and strength towards her. Alexis smiled silently and walked towards Shiori and Starscream. Starscream noticed her coming first, and gently hugged Shiori, letting her know. After getting a warm hug from almost everybody in the group- the green seeker apparently didn't want to hug anyone- Alexis was scooped up into her father's arms and carried home. Shiori stayed behind with Hot Shot to talk with him for a moment about something. Optimus, Leobreaker, and the green seeker followed Starscream and Alexis part way home before turning off to go to the park...
"We really don't have to talk about this, Shiori... I didn't just save Alexis; I sort of saved Leobreaker too... And myself, I guess... But really, Shiori, we don't-"
"Hot Shot, I want you to know. I talked with Starscream about it and he agrees with me. We don't mind. We want you to know that if you ever want to ask. Starscream couldn't be more happier if you even asked us if we would mind you being her bondmate if she agrees to you. We know you well enough to know you'd treat her kindly. I'm not saying that it's going to be anytime soon or anything else like that."
"I... Shiori... This is really random, you know that?"
"Sort of. Better now at a random moment rather than you never get the chance."
"Rather than...? What?"
"I can't explain it, Hot Shot. I just know you'll probably never get the chance to ask us."
"... ...?" Hot Shot found he couldn't find anything to say in return. He found himself staring into Shiori's blue optics that kept fading from her normal light blue, to an incredibly dark navy, to a white-blue back to normal, only to go through the fading and brightening colors again. She's really unsettled about something, He realized, and found a rather uneasy feeling growing in him as well. If she's nervous, there's got to be something bad about to happen soon...
"Are you feeling alright, Shiori?" He asked. Shiori's optics flashed as she looked around quickly.
"Something powerful is coming... It grows closer every day. Even Megatron and Blazestorm feel it coming. The Minicons in the park speak of the Chaos Bringer stirring in the depths of space. Many are building up Iacon's defenses. The overall sense of danger overwhelms everything, Hot Shot. It tries to take a hold on everyone. I've seen Optimus shiver at one of its attempts to grasp us while we were looking for you and Alexis."
Hot Shot found himself shaking suddenly. The Chaos Bringer, He thought worriedly. Primus, please tell me he hasn't been rebuilding himself in the Alpha System...
"If it is the Chaos Bringer that everyone is feeling, then we ought to be helping the Minicons build our defenses," He said aloud, sharply aware of the hollow sound in his voice. Shiori nodded, turning to leave.
"We can only hope we're not too late," She said quietly as she left the room, leaving Hot Shot staring after her...
Subi: Don't you just love complications? >p
Shiori: oo; You really are evil...
Subi: At least I admit it... (mutters) Unlike Megatron... >>
Shiori: True... Oo I still don't know what to think about the whole concept...
