Crosshairs found a place to sit away from everyone, a place where no one would look, terrified that Jamie would flatline again.
No, this can't be happening again. How much more can Jamie take?
Crosshairs tried not to think about it and let himself cry.
"No!" J.R. abruptly woke up and yelled. Hound quickly held on to her. Bumblebee was ready in case he had to take her as he watched J.R. fight Hound's grip, calling for Crosshairs.
"Do you know where he went?" Hound asked Bee, but Bumblebee didn't know where Crosshairs went. "Something is wrong for her to be this scared and call for him."
Shit, Jamie. Not again.
J.R. broke free while Hound was distracted.
"Shit, get back here," Hound and Bee ran after her.
"What the.." Cade heard Hound yelling. He ran out of the building to see what's going on. When he noticed J.R. running towards him
He rushed to stop her from running into the building. He had to jump on her to stop her.
"Stop!" He yelled as he tried to keep her from running off, "where is Crosshairs?"
"I don't know," Hound replied as he helped Cade keep J.R. from running off. Cade had to restrain J.R. with his arms and legs.
"What happened? Why's she terrified?" Cade asked.
"I don't know, she woke up, yelled 'no' and ran off."
Shit, I know why she's like this.
Bulma comes out caring a syringe, Cade watches her inject J.R. with something, and J.R. calms.
"Did you just..?" Cade asks, shocked.
"Yes. Nothing else will work."
"What's going on?" Hound asks. Bulma tells him.
"... I'm guessing Jamie's energy is dropping, and J.R. senses it. In her mental state, she's not thinking straight, and well, you know."
"Is Jamie ok?"
"She has a low heart rate again."
"Shit wasn't that the-.?"
"Yes, but do you remember she had a low heart rate for several days after Jadin's attack? Unfortunately, you're right, she could flatline again, but this isn't an immediate sign of that. It's complicated, for now, it's stable though still low. Unfortunately, Crosshairs heard us talking about it, and he ran off. He's terrified Jamie will flatline again. I wouldn't be mad at him. He will not like hearing about J.R."
"You see why he doesn't leave her alone? She's getting more difficult too. Putting up a fight now," Cade added. By now, J.R. is asleep.
"Take her, Hound," Bulma instructed, "I will look for Crosshairs."
Hound took J.R. back to the spot she sleeps, Bumblebee follows him. Bulma walks away, and Cade goes back into the building.
This isn't good. If Jamie's energy is dropping while having a slow heart rate, yet it wasn't a concern to Jayce or J.R. when all this started, is their mental state that bad? Can they sense something else that tells them Jamie isn't doing good? Cade wondered.
Fifteen minutes alone didn't help Crosshairs. He could only get himself to stop crying, but he was still terrified. He just wanted to hide from everyone. It was getting harder not to think about Jamie dying.
Bulma finds Crosshairs five minutes later.
"She's stable," Bulma said as she walked up to Crosshairs.
"For how much longer? How much more can her body take?"
Shit, he's losing hope. Is that why Drift won't come back? Now's not the time to tell him.
"I don't know. You need to get back to J.R."
"Don't tell me she woke up?"
"She did," Bulma sighed, "frightened and calling for you."
"Shit."
"Bumblebee and Hound tried to take care of it, but she was difficult. I had to use a sedative to get her to calm down and sleep. She may wake up in a few hours or sleep all night."
"Unbelievable, I left her when she needed me."
"It's ok. I know you didn't want J.R. to see you upset," Bulma walked away. Crosshairs stayed where he was a little longer.
"You didn't tell him, did you?" Cade asked as Bulma walked into the building.
"Now's not a good time. Crosshairs needs to go back to J.R."
"There will never be a good time, but I think not telling any of them isn't good either."
"Either way, they'll worry. It's a matter of how much do we want them to worry. I don't know if I can tell them."
"It's late. Think about it tomorrow," Cade says and walks away.
"I'm sorry," Crosshairs said to Hound.
"It's fine. Better she didn't see you upset," Hound walked away.
I'm sorry J.R. Crosshairs watched J.R. sleep, hating that Bulma had to use a drug to get her to sleep. Though he's also hoping the drug will last all night so she wouldn't have a nightmare.
It relieved Drift that Jayce didn't wake up from a nightmare, but he figured it was the painkillers that kept her asleep.
"How was she overnight?" Bulma asked as she walked into the room and closed the door.
"Slept all night, but I hate how it was because of the painkillers."
"I know, would be great if they'd both stop having nightmares."
"J.R. didn't have a good night; I take it?"
"No, you need to go back and talk to Crosshairs. I'll stay here; I want to see how Jayce is doing anyway."
Drift didn't want to leave until Jayce woke up but figured Bulma could keep her calm, so he left.
"What are you doing here?" Crosshairs whispered as Drift sat next to him.
"Bulma insisted I come back. Says J.R. didn't have a good night."
"No. Bulma even had to use a sedative to get her to calm down and sleep."
"What!?" Drift was surprised J.R. was that bad and that Bulma would even do what she did.
"It's my fault. I stepped away for twenty minutes. She woke up frightened and wanted me."
"Why was she frightened?"
"I don't know," Crosshairs lied.
"It's obvious she's getting more difficult. You need my help, but I can't leave Jayce alone."
"Let me stay with her," Hound insisted, "I know you want to make sure Jayce is ok with me staying there. Let's go now before J.R. wakes up. Bumblebee can watch her."
Crosshairs didn't want to leave J R. alone. Not after last night, but he'd make sure he'd be quick.
"You're going to tell Jayce how J.R. was difficult last night?" Bulma asked Crosshairs and Drift. They were standing in the hallway by the room.
"What else can we say? Not much room for a lie here," Crosshairs pointed out.
"How about I want to help, and Drift could use a break?" Hound asked.
"That might work. It's true; both of you need to take a break. The problem is it's impossible now."
"Did Jayce eat?" Drift asked.
"She tried to but ended up vomiting."
All three mechs are concerned.
Jayce was awake though Drift knew the painkillers would wear off soon. Drift explained to her what they wanted to do. Jayce was a little hesitant but knew Drift had to help Crosshairs with J.R. For now, the plan is just for today, but Drift would come back if Jayce wanted him to. Crosshairs left before J.R. woke up. Drift stayed a little longer. Jayce tried to sit up to hug Drift. Hound hated how she wasn't doing good. Drift hugged her as she let tears roll down her face.
I hate how you can't be with Jamie or help Crosshairs with J.R. more than my condition.
"It's ok. You'll feel better soon," Drift wanted to say that Jamie would be better soon, but he knew it was still unknown. As Drift expected, the painkillers wore off. He knew Jayce was trying to deal with the headache without painkillers, but it was clear she was very uncomfortable. He got her to take more painkillers and lay down.
"She might sleep most of the day."
"It's fine. Now go."
Hound sat on a chair by the bed.
They both need to be with both Jayce and J.R. They both need to be with Jamie. I hate even with my help; they still can't be with Jamie.
It relieved crosshairs to see J.R. was still sleeping. He and Drift could talk and still watch her. Bumblebee left him alone. Drift joined him ten minutes later.
"How long are you having Jayce stay in Bulma's dimension?"
"Maybe until she recovers," Drift sighed, "and J.R. isn't in a good mental state to see her. It's clear she's troubled about what she did."
"Damn it, so all we can do is take turns being with each of them. Bad enough, we can't make them the slightest bit happy, and now they'll be separated for a while. It was bad enough they have to be separated at night but now separated in two dimensions."
"I know. I hate it, but there's nothing else we can do. Go take a break and recharge for a while."
Crosshairs knew J.R. would be ok with Drift, so he left.
J.R. woke up a half-hour later. She was happy to see Drift but wondered if Jayce came back and where is Crosshairs? Drift hated how J.R. started tearing up as he told her he was having Jayce stay in Bulma's dimension until she recovered.
Damn it; I can't believe she's that injured. J.R. thought. She knew it could have been worse, but she didn't mean to hurt Jayce at all. Drift was expecting her to convince him to let her see Jayce and surprised that she didn't. He got her to drink one of the nutrition drinks Bulma made, hating how that's how they have to make sure she doesn't starve herself. He was hoping Jayce wasn't the same way.
"You need to go be with Jamie," J.R. insisted.
"No, I'm not leaving you alone."
I can't tell him Jamie's energy was fading last night, but how much more can she take?
"No, go."
J.R. is trying not to tear up, but she couldn't fight it.
Something happened last night, but I can't ask her. Drift thought as he hugged J.R as she let herself cry. She was considering going somewhere away from here. Maybe her dimension, Maybe she'd just go somewhere away from the junkyard. Still, she also felt she had to stay here even though Jayce would be in Bulma's dimension for a while, and she hated sensing Jamie's energy fading.
Damn it, I was hoping to get her to do something, but I doubt she will now.
Drift didn't expect J.R. to break free fifteen minutes later. He tried to keep a hold on her, but he broke free. He ran after her. She was running towards Bumblebee. Bumblebee tried to grab her. J.R. decided; she opened a portal and jumped into it. Drift tried to go after her, but he was too late.
"No! Not good."
Drift and Bumblebee ran to the building.
"Bulma!" Drift yelled as he ran into the building.
"What's wrong?" She asked. She knew it was about J.R.
"J.R. left. I couldn't stop her."
"Shit," Bulma knew Drift meant J.R. left the dimension. She tried to figure out where she went but couldn't, "I can't find where she went. I don't know how she even masked where she's going. I will keep trying to figure out where she went."
"Not -your-fault-Drift," Bumblebee was standing at the entrance.
"Bee's right, I doubt she wouldn't have done this if Crosshairs was with her."
"Please find where she went. I'm worried she will harm herself."
"I am too. I'll do my best."
Bulma watched Drift sit by Jamie. She knew he wasn't trying to find a distraction. He was worried about all three of the girls.
I was hoping I'd be sitting here because I could, not because I'm waiting to find out where J.R went. Come on, Jamie, we need you to recover. I don't want to lose you.
Bulma watched as Drift let himself cry.
There will never be a good time to tell them They don't need the extra worry. I'm not telling them.
Crosshairs only wanted to do a quick recharge though he could have used a longer recharge. He activated his holoform and headed towards the building.
He found Bumblebee sitting on the pile of cars by the building.
"Is something wrong?" He asked Bee, and Bumblebee pointed to the building.
Oh shit. Crosshairs thought as he walked in, he didn't expect Drift to be by Jamie, sleeping.
"What happened?" He asked Bulma.
"J.R. left. Drift tried to stop her. She tried to mask where he went, but I figured it out. J.R. deleted the location from the system."
"Where did she go?"
"Back to her dimension. I should have known."
"It's ok, Bulma," Crosshairs debated waking Drift or going by himself.
"He better go with you. J.R. will be difficult, might need Bumblebee."
"No, Drift, and I will handle it."
He walked over to Drift to wake him.
"I'm sorry I couldn't stop her."
"I don't think I could have either. Come on, Bulma found where she went."
"You better go with them, Bulma," Cade insisted.
"When did you walk in?" She asked.
"Just after Crosshairs did. I hate to add to everyone's worry, but J R. may have hurt herself."
Sure enough, everyone is concerned. It took Bulma four hours to figure out J.R. went back to her dimension. Bulma grabbed her box of capsules with medical supplies. She was worried she'd need more than a first aid kit.
"You go, Jamie is barely stable. I don't think this will be quick," Bulma whispered.
"I don't know how to take care of every serious injury. Jamie should be ok. I know this is a high risk, but I think J.R. needs you more. The Autobots can detect human energy if she's not surpressing it, which I doubt she is if J.R. thinks she made it so you can't find her or if she's injured."
Do they know Jamie's energy is low then? Shit. Bulma worried.
"Ok." Bulma still wasn't sure. Drift and Crosshairs deactivated their holoforms and transformed. Cade and Bumblebee watched the three of them leave.
"Something tells me this won't end well, Bee."
"I did my best to get us as close to the location where she opened the portal to," Bulma told them.
"Why the woods?" Crosshairs wondered.
"Can you find her energy signature?" Bulma asked. The two didn't have to search long.
"Shit. Hold on, Bulma," Crosshairs grabbed her and put her on his shoulder. The two mechs ran as fast as they could in the woods.
Not good. I can't believe J.R. would harm herself; she was worried about Jayce and Jamie. Was she feeling that bad about what she did to Jayce?
They couldn't believe what they saw. Crosshairs put Bulma on the ground. Crosshairs and Drift activated their holoforms, hoping to help.
"Come on, J.R., wake up," Drift worried.
"She doesn't have serious injuries. I'd like to know where the hell she got a weapon to cut herself."
There wasn't a weapon around the area.
"You think she jumped from there?" Crosshairs asked, worried as he points to a ledge that was fifty feet high.
"I don't think so. There are no injuries on her head. I won't be able to figure out what happened, but I'm guessing she ended up with a severe panic attack and passed out. The problem is I don't know how long ago. Longer than five minutes, though, not good."
Crosshairs and Drift looked at each other, worried.
Unbelievable, now all three of them are down. Both Crosshairs and Drift thought.
"Well, at least Jayce and J.R. won't be separated in two dimensions. I have to take J.R. back to my dimension."
Shit, if Jayce is awake and senses J R.'s low energy. Drift worried.
"Sorry, I tried to lighten up the situation. Bad idea, let's go."
Bulma got the capsule with the stretcher out. She put J.R. on it and buckles the straps.
"I will see if Jayce is awake. Won't be good if she is," Drift said once they arrived at Bulma's dimension.
"Go with him, Crosshairs. I'll get you both when I'm done with J.R."
Crosshairs and Drift watched Bulma wheel J.R. into a room before walking away.
"No!" Jayce cried.
"You're ok," Hound had to keep Jayce from getting up.
"J.R. is here and not ok."
"What?" He helped her sit up, "What do you mean?"
Crosshairs and Drift walk in.
"Crap." They both say as they walk to the bed.
"What's going on?" Hound asked as he moved so that Drift could be with Jayce. Crosshairs motioned for Hound to join him in the hallway so he can explain what's going on.
"Shit. Is J.R. ok?"
"Bulma is sure she's ok, but she's still unconscious, and that's concerning. I can't believe the girls are harming themselves and each other. Emotionally hurting is bad enough now physically. I'd love to find that bastard and kill her."
"Even if you knew where to find her, you need to stay here. The girls need you and Drift."
They walked back into the room. Crosshairs sat on the chair next to the bed. Drift was still hugging Jayce. He tried to get her to lie down, but she grabbed his arms.
Bulma comes in a half-hour later. Drift is still hugging Jayce.
"She won't let go," Crosshairs told her, "she knows J.R. is here."
"You think she'll be ok seeing J.R?" Bulma asks.
"I doubt it, but she will not let go," Drift said as he stood up, holding Jayce, "I'll get her out if it's too much for her."
They knew Jayce was already struggling with dizziness. She already had to rest her head on Drift's shoulder. They weren't sure if she'd have light sensitivity or the painkillers were working enough that light wouldn't bother her.
They walked past several rooms before getting to the one J.R. was in.
"The scan showed nothing like Jayce's, but I'm sure she doesn't have a concussion. I have her on low oxygen," Bulma informed them before opening the door. J.R. is still unconscious. The mechs were used to seeing all the medical equipment but hated how J.R. is hooked up to it.
"It's a nasal cannula—1 liter a minute, 24% oxygen. I still can't figure out how J.R. ended up unconscious. There's nothing wrong with her. Well, you know what I mean. All I can do is monitor."
Jayce couldn't take much more of the dizziness but, she wanted to stay with J.R. Bulma told them she could move a bed in the room for her. Crosshairs and Drift hesitated but agreed.
Drift laid Jayce down on the bed. Everyone hated how worried and uncomfortable she is. The mechs and Bulma left the room to talk.
"I can't believe she's that weak. Not even ten minutes, and she had to lie down," Hound commented.
"And that's with painkillers. Jayce will be like that for at least two weeks," Bulma sighed.
"Damn it," Crosshairs went back into the room.
"You all right?" Hound asked Drift
"No, I can't take seeing all three of them down. Crosshairs can't either," Drift tells him before joining Crosshairs.
"Well, so much for talking about a plan. I have to go back to Jamie. I'll be back in a few hours. If J.R. wakes up, contact me."
"All right," Hound walked into the room. He saw Crosshairs sitting by J.R. and Drift by Jayce.
Damn it. Not what I had in mind to get the four of them together.
Drift watches Jayce fight sleep.
"This is why I debated letting you stay here with J.R. I knew you'd be too worried about her."
"Come on, Jayce, not doing any good if you will rest to get better," Crosshairs added, "she'll be ok."
Jayce gave in and let herself fall asleep. They waited ten minutes to be sure she was asleep.
"Well? What's the plan?" Hound asked.
"I guess we're staying here for a while," Crosshairs replied. Drift nodded in agreement.
"Maybe one of us can go back and be with Jamie for a few hours," Drift suggested, "Jayce is too weak to get out of bed, but J.R. is a problem."
"I can stay here and help." Hound suggested.
"Maybe," Crosshairs replied, looking at J.R., worried Bulma could be wrong, and she could end up being like Jayce. It's bad enough Jayce is dealing with a concussion but having both of them deal with one.
"Well, one of you can go now."
"No." Crosshairs and Drift both
"Ok, maybe later then."
Hound decides he's staying with them.
"Well?" Cade asked.
"I don't know where J.R. found a weapon and cut herself several times, nor can I figure out how she ended up unconscious."
"What!?"
"She'll be ok. I don't think she has a concussion as Jayce."
"Don't tell me Jayce found out?"
"She did and wanted to stay with J.R. We'll see how that works out. The problem is she ends up worrying about J.R. or Jamie and neglects herself."
"You didn't tell them, did you?"
"No, and I never will. They'll find out anyway." Bulma walked away before Cade could say anything more. She checked on Jamie. As Bulma expected, no good change, but Jamie was stable. She returned to her work on her laptop.
Drift leaves the room; he sits on the chair in the hallway. Crosshairs joins him two minutes later, and they sit quietly.
Bulma returned a half-hour later. She didn't expect to find Crosshairs and Drift in the hallway, but she didn't disturb them.
"She's still not waking up, crap," Bulma commented. She noticed Jayce laying on her stomach, trying to relieve the headache. She tried to get Jayce to take more painkillers, but she didn't want to.
"She only slept for an hour then woke up when the headache came back," Hound told Bulma.
"That's not helping, but if this is what she wants," Bulma turned her attention to J R.
Crosshairs and Drift come back into the room, not liking what they're seeing.
"Come on, Jayce," Drift and Crosshairs got Jayce to sit up, "you're not doing yourself or J.R. any good."
They noticed she was about to vomit. Hound got the trash bin before Jayce ended up vomiting on herself. They waited a few minutes to make sure she wouldn't vomit again before Drift gave her more painkillers. He knew she wouldn't lay down yet. Thirty minutes pass before she falls asleep, allowing Drift to lay her down.
"I take it I'm moving her?" Bulma asked.
"I don't think it'll matter; Jayce will try to get to J.R. somehow."
Crosshairs stood beside J.R.'s bed.
Come on, wake up.
They were all getting worried. J.R. finally woke up five minutes later. No one thought she'd see Jayce right away, and seeing her sleeping scared J.R.
"It's ok. Jayce is sleeping," Drift assured her.
Crosshairs and Drift knew J.R. felt weak. They worried she is like Jayce with a concussion. J.R. just stared at Jayce.
