Once again I've been blown away by the feedback on this story. I can't thank you all enough you have no idea what a positive outlet this has been for me, considering the massive pile of slag I have to deal with in my life right now. I'm sorry this chapter took longer than the others to post, I had some trouble figuring out where I wanted to go with the story.
nighty - Thanks so happy to hear you're enjoying it
StarlitDreamer92 - I'm working hard to keep updating consistently!
XinnterestingX - Thanks for catching that! Yeah, I do silly things like that all the time, and one always slips through my editing grasp. And I absolutely agree. My inspiration for Optimus is how military guys can walk so quiet no matter how big they are. I think the slightly mysterious, showing up right as you're getting your aft in trouble nature suits him. I also think he secretly finds it highly amusing the way the others jump when he sneaks over behind them XD
latenightstoryteller - I've been there, I've dehydrated myself way too many times ;-; And thank you SO much, your comment means a lot to me 3
I don't own Transformers or the characters.
BumbleBee transformed into his vehicle mode and opened his back doors. Miko slid in first, helping Arcee slide Jack in with surprising carefulness. She positioned her friend with his head in her lap. Once he was situated Raf climbed in the back with them and looked out at the rest of the Autobots. The Ground Bridge would have been faster, but it was too dangerous with the storm brewing.
Crouched beside the scout, Arcee took one more look at Jack and found two pairs of fear-filled eyes staring back at her. She swallowed her own worries and smiled at the kids. "I'll be riding right beside you. Everything will be okay once we get to June, don't worry."
"Contact me as soon as you've arrived at the hospital." Ratchet instructed while Arcee transformed into her sleek altmode.
BumbleBee chirped a confirmation and the two bots sped from the base and into the mouth of the storm.
Any earth car would have struggled through the mud and sand being blown across the long stretch of road ahead of them, it's driver unable to see through the gray curtain of rain. The Cybertronians, however, barreled through it effortlessly.
In the scout's interior the kids were silent aside from Raf's occasionally sniffling. Miko absentmindedly twirled her fingers through Jack's dark hair.
The Autobots turned hard to the left as the highway changed into Jasper's main road. Raf and Miko clung tight to Jack as they slid across the back seat with a panicked squeal. BumbleBee beeped a shy apology as they righted themselves again.
"We're fine, Bee," Raf assured him, fixing his crooked glasses. Miko only nodded, staring out the window at the whirlwind.
As they entered town Arcee activated her Sadie hologram, though no one was around to see it. The streets were deserted, garbage blowing around unobstructed. The lights were dark in each building they passed, making it feel like a ghost town. The kids cried out again as BumbleBee slammed on the breaks. Tensing, they struggled not to be thrown forward.
"What gives?" Miko yelled but grew quiet seeing the downed tree across the road in front of them.
"Follow me." Arcee's voice came through the comm system as she took a hard right down a side road. BumbleBee's tires spit up water and leaves as he raced after her.
As they tore down the roads their path became less clear. The Autobots were forced to weave between debris scattered around. Finally, the hospital came into view, its lights glowing with warm light. As they approached they could make out the form of June Darby just outside the front doors. Her hair was whipping around her, pulled loose from her ponytail. Even though she stood under the concrete overhang her clothes were damp with rain. As the bots skid to a stop in front of her, she motioned for her colleagues waiting just inside. Two men in matching green scrubs rushed out with a stretcher and followed her to the car.
BumbleBee popped the doors before June could reach for the handle. Miko carefully laid Jack's head on the seat as June helped her out. She stood to the side, being assaulted by the wind as she watched the medics carefully pull Jack from the back. Rafael climbed out the other door before struggling over to her. As soon as he was within reach Miko locked her arms around him, afraid of losing the small boy to the storm.
June whispered a thank you as she turned to follow the other men inside with Jack, but she knew the Autobots heard her. As she passed the other kids she pulled them to her and hurried them inside.
Half an hour later, Miko and Raf were drying off in a small, empty waiting room. Chairs lined the walls, occasionally broken up by an end table with tissues and magazines. A muted TV hung overhead in either corner, displaying news coverage of the storm. There was a water fountain near the door and the pale green walls were covered with posters of health tips and bad puns. Two more lines of chairs stood back to back in the center of the room, making the tiny space feel cramped. Heaters hummed underneath the two windows, their plastic blinds were closed.
Miko paced in a circle around the room, the towel June had given her abandoned on the chair beside Raf. He was sitting with his legs crossed as he used his towel to dry his hair.
After what felt like an eternity, the door opened to reveal June. She had changed into dry scrubs but her hair still hung heavy with water. She smiled at them, but her eyes were bloodshot. "Miko, Raf, I-" She was cut off when the kids did something she hadn't expected. They both rushed forward to hug onto her. She hadn't even thought Miko liked her.
"Hey, it's alright." She soothed, holding them lovingly.
Miko pulled back to look up at her, looking unusually vulnerable. "How's Jack?"
June sat down before she answered. "He's going to be okay. They're running some tests right now, then we'll know more about how to help him."
"Has he woken up yet?" Raf asked hopefully, but June only shook her head no.
After a bit there was a click and all three turned to see a doctor standing in the doorway. Clipboard in hand, he called for June.
Miko and Raf watched anxiously as they spoke in hushed tones. The doctor must have known June as his eyes were soft with worry. She put her hand up to cover her mouth as she gasped, and he gripped her shoulder in support. They exchanged a few more hurried words before he slipped back into the hall.
Ratchet stood in front of the main computer, glaring at the blank screen. Optimus put a reassuring servo on his friend's shoulder. At the other end of the room Bulkhead and BumbleBee were half-heartedly kicking a round clump of scrap metal between each other.
Arcee had refused to leave the hospital parking lot, storm be damned.
Ratchet rumbled under his breath with impatience. Just then the communication system activated, a picture of Miko's grinning face popping onto the screen. Ratchet leapt forward and answered. "Miko, what's going on? Any news?" Within seconds the other Autobots came to stand around the computer.
"Ratchet, it's June. The kids are here with me," They heard two little hellos as proof. "They just finished a round of tests." There was a pause before she continued, speaking slowly. "It wasn't the flu like we thought it was, but an infection. One of his ribs had broken and moved, causing an internal tear in his chest. They said the original wound is nearly two weeks old."
Arcee voice burst through the line, patching in through the commlink system. "He was wounded for two weeks and didn't say anything?" She seethed.
"I know it's-" June sighed, "It's so like Jack. He probably didn't realize how bad it was. But please, can you think of how this may have happened?" She was nearly begging, her voice trembling with pain. "I'm not angry I just..I need to know."
Arcee growled, "Yes."
Miko peeked from behind the boulder, trying to focus her camera. A hand grabbed her by the shirt and yanked her back. An offlining Vehicon flew past, carving a hole in the ground where she once stood.
"Miko," Jack hissed as she snapped a picture of his motionless form. He spun her around using his grip on her shirt. "Are you insane?!"
"I could've dodged," She insisted calmly, leaning around again to watch the battle. "Besides, you didn't have to follow me."
"If I didn't you'd be a pancake right now."
The battle raged on in front of them. Starscream and his lackeys laid in wait when the Autobots came to check out the energon signature. It was a trap, but the Autobots were ready.
Starscream shot at Optimus from above. The Prime was unfazed, dodging his shots and returning his own. The rest of the team was making quick work of the Vehicons. Bulkhead took a Decepticon in each servo and smashed them into each other. Arcee stood on the back of one, stabbing her blade down into its helm. BumbleBee raced around the group, drawing Vehicons into each other's fire.
Miko's eyes widened as a Vehicon raised its gun and the scout zoomed past them. "Run," she squeaked. The teens dashed to the side as the boulder exploded. The force of the blast sent them flying.
Bulkhead turned hearing their screams. "Miko?! Get out of here!"
The teens groaned and stood. Bruised and dazed, Miko looked toward his voice only to be knocked back to the dirt. A metal claw scrapped the air in front of her face. She scurried back with a gasp.
Starscream stood to his full height with a triumphant smile, Jack thrashing in his grip.
"Jack!" Miko cried out, drawing the attention of her teammates. Arcee raised her arm cannons at the Seeker with a vicious growl. The Vehicons paused their assault.
Optimus Prime took a step forward, his hands up. "Release him, Starscream."
"And if I don't?" His tone was teasing. His claw tightened around Jack. The teen gasped in pain.
BumbleBee surged forward and grabbed Arcee before she could attack.
"Now, unless you want to be short one pet, I suggest you all get on your knees."
"Don't!" Jack cried out. Starscream shook him.
"Quiet, vermin. As I was saying, weapons down. Kneel and face your deaths peacefully, or the boy dies."
Jack watched in horror as Optimus went slowly to his knees, and lowered his arms. After a second the rest of the team followed.
Starscream laughed. "Finally! Say hello to Primus for me, Optimus Prime." He aimed the gun on his free arm at the Autobot leader's spark and took a step forward.
No one saw Miko sneak up behind Starscream, a jagged chunk of rock in her hand. While he was busy gloating, she thrust the pointed end of the stone into the exposed wires of his ankle.
"You little glitch!" Starscream shrieked in pain, dropping Jack and reaching back for Miko. Jack tumbled through the air. Arcee darted forward and grabbed him just before he hit the ground. The seeker continued to hiss, "I'll peel the skin from your frame, you-" Optimus swung upward with his glowing sword, striking Starscream under his chin. The Seeker lost his balance and stumbled backward toward Miko as she fled.
Bulkhead came from the right and decked Starscream, knocking him away from his charge.
Jack smirked up at Arcee as he caught his breath painfully, "Good catch,"
She smiled, placing him down at the edge of the battleground. "Thanks, partner. Are you hurt?"
He shook his head no, "Just really sore thanks to grabby over there."
Bulkhead approached with Miko beaming from his shoulder. "Jack!" She cheered, "did you see that? I-"
"This isn't over, Auto-scum!" The four turned to watch Starscream retreat into the skies. The final few Vehicons we're dispatched by BumbleBee and Optimus. The dust began to settle.
Arcee turned and looked between the children with narrowed optics. "You're in so much trouble."
Ratchet slammed his fist on the desk in front of him, causing Bee and Bulkhead to jump. "I scanned him when he came back. How did fragging I miss this?"
Optimus shook his head, "Do not torture yourself, Ratchet. Your knowledge of the human body, though it surpasses the rest of us, is understandably limited."
He whirled to face the commander. "But it's not understandable, Optimus. What kind of medic can't take care of their team? I should have learned human medicine when the children first joined us!"
"It isn't your fault, Ratchet." The medbot was so surprised to hear Miko attempting to reassure him that he went quiet. "It's mine. He wouldn't have been there if it wasn't for me in the first place, and then he pushed me out of the way instead of running from Starscream."
"Miko," the Wrecker cooed, "don't blame yourself."
"Bulkhead is correct, Miko," Optimus added sincerely, "True you should not have been so reckless. However, it was Jack's decision to follow you, as was the decision to move you from Starscream's reach. You showed great bravery in your assault on the Seeker's ankle, as well." Though she couldn't see it, his eyes twinkled with pride. "Nurse Darby, thank you for the update. I am confident in your colleagues' ability to assist Jack in recovering."
"Thank you, Optimus. A lot of the doctors and nurses knew him as a baby, so they're working extremely hard. He'll probably be in surgery most of the night, but I'll be sure to call if anything changes." The woman sounded exhausted.
"June, before you go," Ratchet added, rubbing his metal chin in thought, "could you tell me Jack's location in the hospital?"
"Sure," she said, a bit confused. "He'll be staying in room 340." Ratchet thanked her and the call ended.
"Arcee," Optimus added, knowing the femme was still on the line, "return to base."
Silence.
"Arcee-"
"No can do, Optimus sir."
Ratchet huffed, "What good will it do to sit out in a storm? You aren't doing anything but denying yourself rest."
Optimus held his hand out to Ratchet, stopping his rant. "Arcee, I understand this is a difficult time for you. As such you may remain posted at the hospital until such time that Jack has emerged from surgery. Then you must return to base to recharge."
"Yes, sir." She retorted before the comm line went dead.