Jasmine's P.O.V.
I don't know what to think about Sunstreaker being my guard. No matter how many times he told me he wants to.
"Just don't steal her from me," Ratchet jokes.
We know Sunstreaker has no interest in falling in love. Interestingly, he's trying to be my friend. I don't feel like this is a 'my job is done, goodbye' kind of situation. Though it wouldn't exactly be goodbye since we both live and work at the base.
The camp is secluded, and we can use the ground bridge. Many soldiers panicked as the bus went through. It's an interesting experience going through a ground bridge.
All the girls in N.E.S.T. — except me — share one cabin. Eight femme Autobots and the one other female soldier I met. N.E.S.T. just relaunched a year ago, plus people are still unsure about Autobots being allowed on Earth; I'm sure more females will join.
"Shame it's a bunk bed," I tease.
"Hey, I'm here too!" Jolt exclaims.
I laugh; I guess he thinks I was thinking about having a little fun with Ratchet. I'll probably be too tired for that, and I'm not ready. I just want h close to me. Ratchet is more concerned about the arrangement, worried this will cause my nightmares to come back. If the only reason they've stayed at bay is that I'm right by Ratchet, then there's a problem.
Ratchet's P.O.V.
After the recent events this month, her mental state isn't the best, and with the change of location; I worry the nightmares will return.
Jasmine is expected at the mess hall with the other new recruits. Sunstreaker is already waiting for her. He tells her he'll wait outside of the mess hall.
"This will not go well," Jolt frets, "you know she can't use sleep aid."
"She would have been ok, if not for the attack."
There's no easy solution.
The mess hall is open an hour later for dinner. The rest of the soldiers and Autobots who aren't instructors can enter the building. Jasmine is calm and already eating with the twins when I sit next to her. I read her schedule, seeing she will not be in the medical cabin with me for the first half of the week. I have to trust Lennox, Prime and Prowl to have good intentions. It's tricky; she's training to be a soldier and a doctor.
Tonight there's a bonfire, and some decide to have a night swim in the lake.
Enjoy it; we may be a different military unit, but this will not be a day in the park. Though we have a fun day planned at the end of the week.
It's nice sitting on the log carved into a seat with Jasmine, enjoying the fire. She leans on me while I have an arm wrapped around her.
It's seven at night, early enough for Jasmine to take a sleep aid and be up at six in the morning. The problem is how she will be while training. Yazmine is hoping we'd decide Jasmine can't go to boot camp and eventually kick her out of N.E.S.T. I don't know if she's hoping I'd break up with Jasmine.
The bonfire lasts two hours before going out. Optimus wants to talk to me. Jolt takes Jasmine to the cabin.
"Training hasn't begun, no one is injured, and you're already stressed," Optimus observes.
"I worry I made a mistake letting Jasmine do what she wants; but I'd have to be here, so she'd be a wreck back at the base."
"Trust Sunstreaker will protect her. She is relaxed when he's around."
"That's a problem, sir; that she needs someone with her. You know she asked for an increase in the dose for her medication? That's not good. Unless we find Yazmine and kill her, I don't think Jasmine will feel safe, but even if that happens, she's afraid we'll think her mental struggle is too much."
"I tried to show her that'll never happen, but it'll take time. Unfortunately, you're right about getting Jasmine to feel safe."
We go to our cabins.
Jasmine and Jolt are in their beds when I walk in. I am tempted to stay up all night, but I can't do with all week. Jasmine is asleep a half-hour later, and I make myself go to sleep.
Jasmine's P.O.V.
I'm up at six in the morning, amazed I slept well, but worried that'll change.
"Sunstreaker, you're going to be running with us?" I ask when I see he's waiting for me outside.
"I said I'm serving as your guard; therefore, I go with you to most places. Also, everyone runs, then we split into groups. Well, everyone but our leader and medics."
Hard to believe Sideswipe is up and ready to be a strict instructor.
"Oh, believe me, I had to drag his aft out of bed," Sunstreaker whispers.
But Sideswipe is not pissed enough to make Sunstreaker do push-ups like the rest of us. I try to tell Sunstreaker he doesn't have to join us on the two-mile run, but he argues he must come with us. It's a rough two hours before we're allowed to shower and get breakfast. The good news is no one is injured in the rookie group — yet.
I didn't think Ratchet would wait for me.
"Shouldn't you be in the medical cabin?"
"Jolt's there," he replies as he hugs me, then he kisses me.
?'s P.O.V.
"So, when do we put this plan in motion?"
"Give it a few days. I'm hoping she'll relax and think she's safe. Just keep working on your end of the plan."