A/N: I wrote most of this ages ago, all I needed to do was wrap it up with a Jazz scene (which didnt need Aj's voice ayyyyy) so here y'all go! It feels weird to me, and I'm not super happy with it but maybe it's b/c I haven't wrote in a while? Idk. Hope y'all enjoy though! Lemme know what you think!
Chapter Fifteen:
Ask First
"Repeat after me: I do not need permission from anyone in order to do what's best for me. I'm doing this for me, and I've got work to do." -Kyle Francis
Sunstreaker sat in front of the half-finished painting in front of him. Technically, it was supposed to be done an orn and a half ago, but the mech had been…distractedas of late. His optics drifted away from the blue lines to the femme who was bouncing around the back wall where her souvenir crystals lined the window. She tended to them, while making a humming sound that was unfamiliar to him, and the entire time her doorwings couldn't seem to remain still. They fluttered and twitched constantly.
'She's like a little sparkling.'Sideswipe peeked through the bond and cooed in amusement. Sunstreaker agreed with his brother and tried to focus back on his work. 'Primus, she's so cute.'
Sunstreaker hit his brother over the bond. He'd never be able to fully focus if his twin was ogling the new femme over the bond, 'Don't you have work to do?'
'Me? Never.'
His systems snapped online and the first feeling that hit him was frustration. Sunstreaker bit back a low growl that tried to escape through his vocalizer and he peeked over to the other berth to see his brother was still in recharge. The yellow mech checked the walls he had put up, making sure nothing would leak over and disturb his twin, and then sat up.
Was this going to be the new trend? He didn't get to recharge in the medbay because of these- these falsememories, and now they had interrupted his recharge cycle again. Since Austin, he had only around 12 Earth hours of light recharge. It was hardly enough and at no point had he truly fallen into deep recharge. He stood up silently and went to leave the berth room. Fine. If recharging meant putting up with his glitching processors, then he just wouldn't recharge. Problem solved.
It was late, probably around 10 at night, and the base was mostly quiet. The night shift was always less lively than the day shift and it seemed like their main focus was to just make sure the base didn't come crashing to the ground. Galloway also didn't lurk the halls this late, which left me free to roam. Last I heard though, he was supposed to be heading back to Washington soon. Granted, he was probably going back to Washington to bitch to the president about my presence, but at least I wouldn't have to hear his voice or look at his dumb face anymore.
"Aj." My feet stalled in surprise of someone calling out to me. I turned to see Lennox jogging in my direction.
I pointed to him curiously, "Lennox? Shouldn't you be home? Or sleeping or…I don't know what you do in your free time, but that?"
"It's going to be a late one for me tonight. Paperwork." He came to a stop beside me. The guy was still in his military uniform and had a few datapads tucked under his arm. "Plus, Aubrey and the kids leave tomorrow for Disney Land, so it didn't seem to make sense for me to go all the way out to Vegas."
Aubrey and I had talked over the phone when she found out from her military brat son that I had fought trained soldiers today. Tyler was a little snitch. It gave me a chance to tell her goodbye though and to have fun with the kids. I also told her to pick me up a souvenir. If she didn't bring me back one of those expensive as hell hats with the ears on it I was going to rage.
"Well you can make yourself helpful." I chimed, "I'm looking for Grimlock. I didn't get to talk to him much today."
Lennox motioned for me to walk with him and I did so, "He's with Wheeljack, but I think he's resting."
"What makes you say that?"
"He isn't tearing apart my base looking for you." Lennox replied and I chuckled. My brother-in-law shook his head, "I wanted to talk to you about something though."
I shrugged, "Shoot."
"You did well today, better than I expected at least." Lennox complimented. The look in his eye was contemplative, but he also seemed excited about something to some degree, "Pararescue has some good fighters."
"Like Andrew Byl?" I scoffed, "Why did you hire a guy like him anyways? He's a total ass, plus he called the Autobots 'robots'. He obviously doesn't respect them and I'm not sure how a soldier working on this base can have that kinda view."
Lennox shrugged, "You have to understand that not all the soldiers on this base are as close to the Autobots as you. Some of them don't interact with them at all really." I stopped walking since I reached the hangar I needed to be in and Lennox did the same so he could keep speaking, "People like Hemi and Joey know the Autobots well because they're part of the Field Cybertronian Unit. They've gotten to know the mechs and femmes we work with well. People like Andrew though, they know we're allies, but they haven't given themselves the opportunity to truly understand."
We both glanced over at the entrance at the sound of a vehicle. Bumblebee drove in through one of the halls and then transformed as soon as he had enough room. He waved to us happily before stepping to the side where it seemed a soldier was waiting for him.
"Andrew is also loyal to the cause despite his ignorance. He's a good soldier."
"He's still an ass." I grumbled and crossed my arms.
Lennox chuckled in agreement, "You held your own against his unit though. I assume you haven't had formal training?"
Formal training? Let's see, I had an actual teacher in high school when I first learned. Sometimes after a fight, if the person wasn't a total jerk, they'd give me pointers and vice versa. Sunstreaker and Sideswipe had taught me tricks in my garage once. I assumed this wasn't what Lennox considered formal training though.
"Not really. I think my learning was more… trial by fire." I replied. His smile grew and I became curious as to what this was all about anyways. Why did Lennox seek me out at 10 PM to have this conversation? I tilted my head, "What's this about, Lennox?"
"I hand pick the people on the Field Cybertronian Unit. They come from various branches, but I pick who I think can make a good addition and then I bring them here for training and assimilation meetings. Usually they have a military heavy background, but Epps and I tend to make exceptions when we truly believe they can bring something to our squadron."
My eyebrows rose slowly as his words began to settle in my mind. Was he offering me a job? As a soldier? Here? I mean, it'd get Galloway off my back that's for sure, but could I be a soldier? Lennox cut off my train of thought and continued speaking, "We have a new group of recruits scheduled to come in for training in the next two weeks, but we have our last board meeting tomorrow morning to accept new recruits. Care to put in an application?"
"I'd be working with the Autobots? The same unit as Tyler?"
He nodded and pulled one of the human sized datapads out from his arm to hand to me. I took it from it and pressed my hand against the screen. It came to life and I could see the application form. It looked to be about three pages or so. Easy enough. There wasn't even an essay portion.
"Think about it. All you have to do is fill it out and send it in. We'll review it in the morning." Lennox gave me an encouraging smile before walking away. I stared at the screen and skimmed through the questions. There were a lot of pros to doing this. I'd get to work with my Autobots, I'd get to keep an eye on Tyler potentially, and most of all I'd be doing something. Keeping myself busy in the gym and visiting with my friends, though a good distraction, wasn't enough. Ever since I got here it felt like there was an itch just out of my reach begging to be taken care of. I had never been good at sitting idle and I definitely wasn't good at sitting back and watching the people I love do dangerous jobs alone.
On the other side of things, there was really only one con, but the con was pretty big. It was the fight I'd have to have with a long list of people. Aubrey wouldn't want me doing this, Ratchet wouldn't like it, Jazz would definitely have his arguments…
But at the end of the day, this was my choice to make and I was making this choice forthem. Not only would this give me a purpose, but the training I would get was invaluable. I'd be able to be useful again. I'd be able to do the one thing that always came natural to me, I'd be able to protect.
"Aj?" Bumblebee crooned from above me. I glanced up at his bright blue eyes which were currently watching me with worry, "You've been standing there alone for a while. Are you ok?"
I chuckled and darkened the datapad screen, "Yeah, thanks Bee. Listen can you give me a ride to the medbay?"
Bumblebee startled, "Medbay? Are you sure you're ok?"
"Really, I am. I just have to talk to Ratchet about something." I reassured him. The mech scooped me up gently and then activated the elevator. Ratchet had been glued to his main, downstairs medbay since Moonracer came in. As Bumblebee stepped in, I spoke up, "Have you seen Jazz lately? I was supposed to meet him tonight."
"He's still in a meeting, but I think it should end soon. They were just trying to spread some jobs apart now that Blaster and Ironhide are gone."
"Are those the two that went with Aubrey and the kids?"
Bumblebee stepped off the elevator and took a right down the empty hall, "Yupp! Smokescreen was bummed he couldn't join Lexi, but we couldn't spare more than two mechs for the job."
The black and yellow mech peeked his head into the medbay as if expecting a wrench to hit him just for entering. The fear seemed unreasonable, but when Ratchet stepped out of his office with a wrench raised and a glare on his features I chuckled. Maybe that fear was completely justified.
"What is going on?" Ratchet barked gruffly.
"Just wanted to keep you company." I turned and pressed a quick kiss against Bumblebee's chest as thanks. The mech's doorwings fluttered as he gave me a quick hug. Ratchet shook his head and plucked me from the scout's hands. "Bee, can you tell Jazz to just pick me up here after his meeting?"
Bumblebee gave me a thumbs up, "Comm sent!"
The mech waved one last time before hurrying away. Ratchet looked down at me skeptically, "What do you want?"
"You know, it's that cheery disposition of yours that keeps patients rolling in through the doors." I shook my finger at him. The medic seemed non impressed and I questioned my choice of coming here. Truly, I didn't have to. I could fill out the form and send it in no problem. I didn't need anyone's permission.
However, I respected my guardian too much to blind side him like that. Especially since he was going through a rough patch with his 'sort of' girlfriend lying in a coma with no memories.
"Can we talk in your office?" I asked softly. First Aid wasn't around again and I was starting to wonder if I'd ever get to meet the mech, but his absence was helpful this time. Ratchet took me into his office, set me on the desk, sat himself, and then waited for me to speak. The entire time he wore a look of worry mixed with skepticism on his features. I cleared my throat, "Ratchet, you mean a lot to me." His glare softened. "Which is why I've come with this warning." The softness disappeared as quick as it came. Yikes. "I'm going to join the Field Cybertronian Unit as a soldier under Lennox."
Silence. The medic didn't say anything and that was almost scarier than him yelling at me. His face remained the same level annoyance and worry.
"No."
I blinked, "Um what?"
"No. You will not."
I sucked in a sharp breath, "Ratchet-"
"Did you think I'd give you my blessing? That'd I'd let you do this-"
"Ratchet this isn't-"
"-my permission to join a fragging war!?Have you lost your Primus forsakenprocessors, youngling?!" He threw the wrench he had been holding to the ground, the clang making me jump, and stood up. "I have just gotten you back and you think I'm going to let you slip away so easily!?" He slipped into Cybertronian briefly before flawlessly transferring back to English, "There is noslagging way! I'd rip my spark out before allowing this!"
Ok, maybe the silence was better than this. I shook my head, and spoke softly, "Ratchet, I wasn't asking permission. I was, if anything, apologizing." He sat back down with a glare, but I didn't let him start ranting again, "I haveto do this. I haveto be useful again. I can't help you in here, I'm not like Taylor. I can't go toe to toe with people like Galloway, I'm not like Peter." I tossed the datapad on the cot behind me and scoffed, "As it turns out, the apple didn't fall far from the family tree with Tyler. I'm not going to be doing the special ops path, probably. I've never had enough tact for that, but being a solider—fighting alongside the Autobots, is something I cando."
"We can find you another task, other skills-"
"Should I just float around the base? Annoying any soldier who's off duty long enough to put up with me? Mooch off supplies and get into fist fights with holoforms?" I shook my head. Ratchet buried his face into his hands and I felt guilt at adding to his stress. "I'm sorry, Ratchet. I just didn't want you to find out from someone else or in the middle of a meeting. I wanted you to hear it from me."
Ratchet heaved a very human like sigh and let his hands fall. One rested on the desk next to me and I put my hand on his wrist, "Thank you for telling me now. I'm still not happy and I'm half tempted to lock you in this office for the remainder of your life, but…thank you."
"You know me. Thoughtful as can be." I joked.
Ratchet chuckled at my words, but he grew grim again, "Do you know how many people I've lost to this war, youngling?"
"Ratchet…"
"I've watched countless sparks fade from existence, often in my medbay, right in front of me." There was a deep rumbling in his chest as his eyes suddenly filled with fear, "My youngling, I cannotlose you as I've lost others, I cannot."
I leaned against his wrist and he brought his other hand to rest on my back, "You won't lose me. You're going to be stuck with me forever and ever, Ratchet. I promise."
Ratchet exhaled out of his vents, "Is this… Is this something you trulywant?"
"Yes, Ratchet. More than anything."
He paused in his own thoughts and I didn't dare interrupt him. I could nearly see the gears turning in his head as he mulled over every possibility and option. Finally, he focused his full attention on me with a hardened gaze, "I will have rules."
I nodded quickly, already agreeing, "Name them."
"Wheeljack, Perceptor, and I will build and update the suit you wear in the field and you will nevertake it off while out on missions. No exceptions."
"Easy peasy."
"Ironhide will most likely be in charge of the training process, but you will also do other more extensive training sessions with the twins."
"Of course!"
"I will think of others, but the last one for now—the most importantis this…" Ratchet leaned closer, "Whether it be a mission or an attack on base or anything of that nature, if myself or any other Autobot tell you to runyou must swear to me that you will." He shook his head once, "I don't care what is happening, I don't care who is in danger, you must swearthat you will obey and fleefor your own safety."
This was the heaviest rule of all. It had never been in my nature to run, period, let alone when someone I knew was in danger. Ratchet knew me well though, and I wondered if he knew this promise would be hollow? A part of me wondered if he just needed to hear me say the words to put his spark at ease. If that was the case, I could do that.
I gave him a soft smile, "I swear it, Ratchet."
We spent the next ten minutes filling out the application together, and despite the somber conversation we just had, we managed to keep it light. There were even a few jokes cracked between the two of us and it warmed my heart.
"Do you plan to share this news with Jazz?" Ratchet questioned. I was finishing the last few questions on the application as he sat in his chair and worked on his own datapad for Prowl.
I scoffed, "Hell, no."
"Why not?"
Jazz would be upset with me when he found out about this and he'd probably be more upset that I didn't share it with him, but I couldn't count on him to not sabotage this for me. I loved the mech, but I had the gut feeling that's he'd do something sneaky to prevent my enlistment. Ratchet understood and even though every part of him didn't want me to do this he allowed me to anyways. Jazz would do something like tell me he understood then turn around and delete my application without my knowing or something.
I couldn't risk that.
"I just don't think he'd understand completely." I typed in the answer for the last question and hit send. The datapad darkened as the document was whisked away to Lennox.
Ratchet hummed, "I already informed the twins. I sent them a comm requesting their schedule so I can work in your new training sessions. Didn't think they'd see until they woke up tomorrow, but Sunstreaker was already up."
"What'd they say?" I didn't mind that the twins knew. They were probably going to chew me out, ask if I was really sure, but at the end of the day they trusted me to do what I needed to do. They wouldn't sabotage this for me.
"They are skeptical, but they do agree to the training sessions. Sunstreaker and Sideswipe wanted to work with you regardless in case of an emergency at base." Ratchet replied, "Sunstreaker will let you know when training will be. He's rearranging his schedule now."
I shook my head, "I don't want them to have to change things, I don't wanna impose on them."
"They don't care." Ratchet replied, "More importantly they wouldn't want anyone else training you."
I gave my guardian a lopsided grin, "It'll be like Alabama all over again. The twins training me in my garage while you barked at me from the kitchen. Good times. You still planning on harping at me every chance you get?"
"Of course." The words came out in a scoff, but the look in Ratchet's eyes was soft.
It took a good amount of maneuvering and shifting to get off the berth without waking the small femme curled up in a bundle of blankets and pillows. It had been late when Jazz picked her up in Ratchet's medbay and whisked her back to his room to hang out. Then the two had stayed up even later just catching up and hanging out. Pit, Jazz could've stayed up even later, but Aj basically passed out on him. He was happy that the blankets and pillows he brought into his room were being put to good use.
The last time she had slept on his chassis he had wished she had something soft to curl into and prepared accordingly. Jazz's spark hummed that the planning had actually paid off. That she was here with him and she was safe. He stood in place just softly gazing down on her. Aj still being able to sleep, even with him slipping off the berth around her, was a testament to how tired she must have been. Her mouth hung open slightly and there was a damp spot under her face.
Jazz chuckled to himself transforming as quietly as he could, which granted wasn't very quiet, but Aj still didn't stir. A second later he pushed his holoform across base to the meeting room where everyone already was.
"Nice of you to join us, Jazz." Lennox chirped from where he sat at the table between Optimus and Prowl. Jazz gave him a cheeky grin and ignored the glare Prowl was currently shooting him.
He sat in his usual seat between Wheeljack and Ratchet, "Sorry, slept in a bit."
"Can we continue this? I'm needed on the firing range." Ironhide scoffed.
Lennox nodded, "Right well, there is only one more thing on my docket and it's Field Cybertronian Unit centric so those non associated are dismissed."
Some of the human head of departments collected their belongings and began to clear out of the room. It left only the Cybertronian heads, Lennox, and Epps. Eight in total. Jazz leaned over to Wheeljack, "Seems like I got 'ere right on time."
Wheeljack chuckled and Prowl cleared his holoform's throat. Yeah, he was definitely going to get chewed out once this meeting was over. What was really new though?
"So, new recruits for the program. We have a bulk of them coming to base in two weeks to begin training, all that is finalized, but I have one last application." Lennox spoke up and Jazz felt Ratchet stiffen beside him. He glanced over at the medic briefly, but Lennox kept talking, "I have it uploaded to your datapads."
Jazz glanced down at the datapad on the table in front of him. He heard Wheeljack gasp, but before he could question why or look up to see what was happening the application loaded up and a single name appeared.
Aimee Jane Bradshaw.
"No." Jazz growled and his gaze snapped up at Lennox, "Is this some sorta joke?!"
"It isn't." The answer hadn't come from Lennox, but rather Ratchet. Jazz turned in his seat to give him a look of disbelief. Ratchet's face looked tired but not angry or surprised. Both of which left Jazz scrambling. "I spoke to her about it, and I'd like everyone here to know as her guardian I give full approval."
Jazz couldn't help but push himself up to stand, "You what!?"
"We-"
"She nevertold me abou' this. I was with 'er allnight!"
Lennox shook his head, "I know you're upset, Jazz, but we have to move forward. Epps and I have looked over her application. She doesn't have any professional experience or training, but we feel her personality, her current skillset, and her knowledge of Cybertronian shows a lot of promise. Five or more votes are required. My vote is yes."
Epps lifted a hand, shooting Jazz an apologetic smile as if that helped, "Yes."
"Yes." Ratchet added.
"No!" Jazz barked, "Why are we considerin' this? She is a civilian. I don' care if she knows how to fight a human or two. That does nothin'for 'er out there in the field."
Wheeljack nodded. He had been silent leading up to this point, but there was a look of frustration drawn on his face, "I don't think this is a good idea either. We forget because she's so active and athletic, but she is injuredby human status. Without that brace, she is… this is dangerous. Ratchet, how could you even approve her for combat?"
"You think I don't know that? That I haven't considered every scenario that could come from this?" Ratchet snapped at the engineer. The playful undertone their arguments usually had was missing. "This is what she wants-"
Jazz scoffed, "So what!?"
Ratchet glared at him, "She can't just sit in this base and do nothing. It is drainingher, I see it in her optics every time we talk."
"She was finelast night."
"She's wilting." Ratchet scoffed. "I don't want her anywhere near the field, but I know who my youngling is. I know this is what brings her happiness. She wants, needs, the ability to help those around her and this gives that to her. Besides, she needs the training. We all know that."
Wheeljack shook his head, "Be that as it may, I have to vote no."
Ironhide huffed from his seat, "I don't know why y'all act like this femme is made of glass. From what I've seen she's almost too tough for her own good. I vote yes."
"No." Prowl replied, "She isn't unbreakable, and she isn't a soldier. No."
Lennox sighed and Jazz focused his eyes on Optimus who hadn't said a single word. His face was neutral, and Jazz was unable to pick up any of the leader's usual tells. Epps cleared his throat, "So, it's up to you OP. Your vote ties and we all know a tie goes to the negative vote."
Optimus' gaze was on the datapad in front of him. His servo at his chin while he thought. Slowly, his gaze lifted to meet Jazz's. Jazz shook his head at the familiar look in his Prime's optics, "No. Don't, OP."
"I have to vote yes." Optimus nodded once.
Before Lennox could say anything more or put the stamp of approval on her application, Jazz let his holoform fizzle out of view while simultaneously transforming back into his bipedal mode. Aj still slept soundly. She hadn't moved an inch from where he had left her, and as much as he wanted to wake her up he couldn't bring himself to move.
Aj hadn't said a word to him. She hadn't mentioned it at all. Not that she had done it, not that she had wanted to do it, nothing and for the life of him, he didn't know why. For some reason the sleeping femme hadn't trusted him with this decision, and it made his spark ache.
