"Hooooold on!"
Magnolia paused mid sentence as Miko decided to randomly interrupt the story. Her hands were picking at Magnolia's blouse while confused eyes looked over at Ratchet.
"Ratch, you learned about the human body from Mags?"
The medic turned away from his typing and simply gave a curt nod. "Yes."
Magnolia did not see the relevance of her asking such a question but upon seeing the rocker's smirk widen, she frowned. The specific details of what Ratchet had seen or done was not told (obviously) but of course Miko would assume the worst.
"So this physical...did you get naked?"
Jack gasped before covering Raf's ears. "Miko! What is wrong with you?!"
"What? It's just a question."
"A question that doesn't involve us!"
Magnolia looked over at the medic as he shook his helm in disappointment. His exam was purely innocent! Why did humans always have to think so foul? He would NEVER look at Magnolia or any other human in such a manner.
"Miko I am a doctor for Primus sake!"
"I knew it! You really do have a crush!"
Ratchet growled, that's it! He was done playing that stupid game with this girl. He was going to shut this down for good.
"Are you using this false narrative of ours to distract others from your affections for Jack?"
The group of humans went still as their mouths gaped in utter shock. Magnolia whipped her head down to gaze at Miko before turning her attention to a blushing Jack. Did she really? Holy hell.
"I-I DO NOT! TAKE THAT BACK!"
"Oh I seriously doubt that Miko. Your heartbeat increases when he-"
"AHEM! Ratchet darling, I think that is quite enough. Miko, Ratchet and I are good friends, nothing more. I'd appreciate if you stopped teasing him. In return, Ratchet will never say the obvious fib again/"
The rocker huffed, burying her red face into Mag's stomach. A muffled 'fine' was her response.
"Good! Now, why don't you lot go ahead and make your way to the mess?"
Jack, finally out of his stupor released Raf's ears and sat back. "Why?"
"Well considering it's 5pm, I need to get you all fed before bed."
The eldest teen frowned, "We aren't children."
"You rather I don't make dinner?"
"W-well we do but don't make it sound like we're 5."
The singer playfully rolled her eyes but nodded all the same. "Have it your way. Mr. Darby what can I serve you and your esteemed colleagues on this lovely evening?"
"We're not ordering takeout?"
"You had takeout already."
They looked down below at the mess of empty pizza boxes, crushed soda cans and empty ice cream cups. Magnolia had a point. She really did let the indulge today, which wasn't a rare thing. They typically got what they wanted from her.
"Fair. How about spaghetti?"
"Good choice sir. Duke Raf, Lady Miko would you be interested in the same?"
The young boy gave a thoughtful look before eagerly nodding and helping Jack with cleanup. Miko however stayed silent, her face still buried.
"Miko, are you alright? Ratchet didn't mean that."
"Mmmm."
"Jack has already forgotten about it. Do not worry."
Magnolia turned to jack with a serious look, a warning to not bring the matter up. He looked shy but approached his reckless friend.
"I bet I can make it to the mess hall before you."
The potential of competition drew the young girl from her hiding spot. Her cheeks were still flushed but a smile soon appeared.
"The first one to drop any trash while running loses."
Quickly Miko picked up what was left, and hauled her body down the stairs. Magnolia watched as Raf and Jack joined her at the imaginary start line.
"Ready! Set! GO!"
The three sped off with young Rafael surprisingly keeping up. The woman took this opportunity to reorganize the sheets for their return and stretched her limbs.
"Do you ever cease doting on them?"
"I love those kids Ratch, I can't help but spoil em. Since I can no longer have kids of my own, they are my kids. I guess I am a part time mother to them."
Slipping her shoes on, the woman made her way down the stairs to follow her children's voices. Ratchet sadly looked at her form before she disappeared around the corner. Magnolia had changed so much since he first met her. Sadly, that change was forced upon her after what those Decepticons had done to her. What Megatron had taken from her.
"Ratchet?"
The medic jolted from his spot in surprise at being caught off guard. He looked down at his servos, didn't realize he was gripping his console so tightly. How embarrassing.
"Ironhide. Looking for Magnolia? You just missed her."
"Nah I wasn't here for her. I am looking for those punk twins."
The medic sighed, "What did they do now?"
"Punkasses drenched my berth in oil!"
Of course they did. Those Lambo twins, while very much loves, were Team Prime's helmache.
"Bold of them to mess with you after the beating you gave them last week."
"That as nothing compared to what I have in store for them!"
"Well if I see them, I will be sure to let you know."
The Weapon's specialist looked at Ratchet's slightly solemn expression. He was typically delighted when the twin would be receiving punishment.
"What's the matter with you? Don't tell me those afts got you too."
"No. It's Magnolia."
Ironhide tensed, "Did something happen to her?"
"I'm just dwelling on what those despicable, low grade, monstrous cons did to her."
Both mechs looked down in sadness, the entire team blamed themselves for the tragedy that befell her. They weren't quick enough and for that. Magnolia paid the ultimate price. There are worse fates than death and Magnolia could now agree with that statement. She had fallen into a deep depression from the incident and it took so much effort to help her out of that darkness.
They thought she was going to die.
And maybe she was, until the kids showed up. They saved her life and Ironhide would forever be in their debts for it.
"I wish I could bring that bastard back online just so I can kill him again!"
"As do I but I am glad she managed to find some peace."
"So is Jazz. He practically went insane trying to make her happy."
"As I recall, so did you."
"Couse I did! She's-eh, well you know."
Ratchet chuckled, "I know. You know, she was telling the children about when she first met us."
"She's telling them that glitch show?! Oh man. They are in for a shocker."
"They are and I am looking forward to it."
"You're sinister for a medic."
"I never claimed to be otherwise."
"She's not going to mention...the ugly parts is she?"
"...I do not know. I doubt she would."
"Let's hope she doesn't. Can't have her going back into that state."