You should never be alone!
Chapter 15
The journey back to Isabella's home was longer than Smokescreen anticipated but that might have been because they were silent. Bella was so consumed into her mind that he was struggling to find a way to bring her back to the surface. He made sure to hold her gently against him for comfort but that was only doing so much. It seemed that she had calmed slightly but was in a depressive state. If his suspicions were correct then he would not give up on her; he would care for her if he had to. He was after all her guardian.
He had already disobeyed protocol though and did intend to do so again but he knew what was best for his charge at the moment. And the best thing he could think of doing was to report his status. Best that then being in contacted later when he was needed. "Smokescreen to base" he waited for answer as he kept the majority of his concentration on his driving and on Bella. He let his holoform stroke Bella's cheek to help sooth her, he also kept his speed slower hoping that he wouldn't freak her out.
"Smokescreen, we are receiving you" Ratchet's voice spoke over his com link waiting for Smokescreen to report.
The rookie really didn't know where to begin. He already knew that he was going to be lectured for not following protocol properly but it was his best option. "Decepticons had taken Bella but I was able to stop them..."
Smokescreen was going to carry on with his little story when Ratchet spoke up and interrupted him "Smokescreen, you should have called for backup. What if the predacon was there?"
"Look, I know what I should have done but I got her back. The issue now is that she is conscious but unresponsive. She was having one of her panic attacks but it looks like she's having trouble getting back to herself" Smokescreen couldn't help the worry that was in his voice. He didn't like seeing the red head like this but he couldn't stop it only help her through it.
It took a moment before Optimus's voice came through his com link "The best thing you can do for her now would be to bring her back to base so Ratchet or Ms Darby can help her"
Smokescreen could see the logic in doing so but he knew Bella the best. He had listened to her and had taken the liberty of researching into her disorder. She didn't need a doctor because there would be nothing they can do. She needed him. "With respect Optimus, I know what's going on inside her head. She needs her medication and to be in a familiar place. Please, allow me to watch over her until her status improves and then I will bring her to the base" he didn't receive anything back and knew that Optimus was considering his request. "She told me about this before. Bella needs patience and care" he hoped that what he was saying was helping Optimus make a decision in his favour.
"As her guardian you have a duty of care; if her condition worsens you must bring her here to be examined" Optimus ordered
Smokescreen felt a little relived at that and made to end the call "Thank you Optimus. When she improves I'll bring her back to base. Smokescreen out" his com link clicked signalling that communications were cut off.
He was a bit happier now that he could resume what he was doing and that it was now his orders to care for Bella. They soon came to the house and Smokescreen grasped Bella close to him as the door opened and he stepped out. He carried her bridal style and struggled with the front door but was able to bend slightly and unlock the door with his hand that was wrapped under her knees. Once inside he closed the door with his foot and moved carefully past all the delicate canvases to the living room where he gently placed her down on her couch. He acted quickly placing a cushion down under her head and grabbing the blanket that was laying on the back of the furniture over her lying form.
He crouched down beside her and pushed a few stray strands of her hair out of her face. She blinked a couple of times but she was still distant. She didn't look at him only stared straight ahead at nothing. He sighed which was a very human thing to do but he was using his holoform and he didn't know how to feel at that moment. He was glad that she was safe but scared. How long was she going to be like this?
Standing up he moved to the kitchen and got a glass of water for her. He placed it on the table in the living room and searched around for her medication. He quickly searched her bathroom upstairs but there was no sign of the medication. He even searched the kitchen cupboards even though it was a bit of a long shot. He then remembered that she set a timer so that she could remember to take her medication. "She's got it on her" he whispered and approached her carefully and crouched beside her.
Seeing her like that he just wanted to hold her close but he didn't want to frighten her. He could understand why she put herself down quite a lot and why she had so many dreams; particularly about seeing the world. She painted a lot of places she wanted to go from pictures she saw on the internet and there they all were cluttering up her house. He truly felt bad for her but that only gave him more determination to make her happy and be there for her. He was hesitant as he reached forward to her and searched her jacket pockets. He watched in case his movements made her scared or uncomfortable but she only seemed distant. It gave him a little bit of hope that she knew he was there and that she was safe. When he didn't find her medication in her jacket he went to search her jeggings pockets and found what he was looking for. It was a small white box with directions written on. He read it carefully and saw that he only had to give her a single capsule. He broke the top foil and let the capsule fall onto his hand before putting the rest of the medication on the table behind him.
He moved towards her a little more and readjusted her so that she was sat up and slumped against the back of the couch. He sat beside her and pushed the small capsule into her mouth before raising the glass to her lips and gently tipping it so that water went into her mouth also. "Come on Bells, you need your medicine. I'm not going to let anything happen to you" when he brought the water away from her, he noticed that she swallow her medicine so he was slowly getting through to her. When he was sure that she had swallowed it he pulled her towards him. She laid back down on the couch now but her head was resting in Smokescreens lap. He smiled and pulled the blanket back over her to keep her warm. He couldn't help but stroke her head to sooth her more. If anything he wanted her to sleep and hopefully wake up later back to her normal self. "Don't worry; I'm not leaving you. You're safe" he tried to reassure her but what he said was a promise. He wasn't going to leave her not unless there was someone else he could trust to watch over her but even then he still wouldn't want to leave her. He was her guardian and even more so he loved her too much to leave her now. So he would stay by her and protect her for as long as he could. He didn't want to take her to base knowing that she really didn't enjoy being there because it only involved her more in the war and made her worry but it really was the safest place for her.
He wrapped his arms around the red head a little more for protectiveness. But he knew he couldn't stay like that forever. Sooner or later he was going to be needed by the rest of the team and he was going to have to count on Ratchet to watch her.
The next morning Smokescreen awoke still in his holoform. His arms draped protectively over Bella's form that was lying across him. The rookie couldn't help the small smile that grew on his lips at seeing that she was safely with him but then her unresponsive nature reminded him that she wasn't completely back yet. He leaned over and took notice that her eyes were shut and her breathing was calm which made feel a bit happier and he hoped that she would back to her normal self when she awoke. He debated whether he should call into the base again and just report on things but he didn't know if it was all too soon. He didn't exactly know Bella's status; though she looked fine she could still be in a really depressive state.
He couldn't stop himself from stroking his thumb over her cheek and he felt her lean into his touch. He felt her give out a long content breath which made him a little more relieved. The unknown making him worry a bit more about her but he was patient and would wait for her. He'd always wait for her; no matter how long it would take. "Smoke" he could just barely make out her murmur the beginning of his name then again she did like to use the first part of his designation as a little nickname that he loved to hear. It sounded just right and sweet rolling off of her tongue.
Smokescreen leant forward a bit more and swept away the hair that had moved to cover her eyes as he did he was allowed to look into her soft blue gaze. She was awake and with him. The rookie felt his spark pulsate hard seeing her looking healthy again but he couldn't be completely sure just yet. "Hey Bells, how are you feeling?"
The red head moaned closing her eyes for a moment. She didn't answer him and she allowed her brain to wake up and catch up with everything that was going on. She gasped as it came back to her. She remembered walking to one of the office buildings to drop off her sketch when she heard the loud noise of speeding car behind her and then the mechanical sounds of something transforming. She recalled being lifted into the air and then falling back down towards the ground but instead of falling onto the floor she was caught inside a car; the wind knocked out of her. Her eyes flashed open immediately and her heart rate quickened. Bella pushed herself off of Smokescreen and her couch – dizziness sweeping over her from her quick movements. "Woah Bella! It's okay" she heard Smokescreen voice and focussed on him as he too stood up and tried to calm her "You're safe" she looked into his eyes and the fear that had filled her up dissipated. She did feel safe, he was right by her. Tears filled her eyes and she fell into his warm embrace.
Smokescreen wrapped his arms around her and let her rest her head on his shoulder. "They're gone?" she sounded unsure and wary. But he didn't blame her. The decepticons must have been watching her to have known her whereabouts so he could fully understand not trusting that nothing was watching her now.
"They're gone" he reassured her and stroked the back of her head; he quickly planted a soft kiss on the top her head. She let out a deep breath that she must have been holding and moved back out of his arms. "You're not going to be alone ever again" she nodded a little glad that Smokescreen was feeling possessive. She didn't want to be left alone and had to control herself from just running into his arms and staying there.
"I'm going to wash up" she was hesitant about going anywhere without him. But she was warmed knowing that although he had a way of making her feel comfortable with him in her home; he was truly outside protecting her.
"Bells" at her little nickname she turned to face him "we need to go back to base. I still have a duty to the autobots and the decepticons have become more deadly"
She nodded and stepped to him; pushing her lips against his that he did not expect. He returned the kiss and felt the warmth. His Bells was back – just a little scarred. As she broke the kiss she whispered in his ear "I never expected you to let the autobots down for me; that's just not you. Rookie or not" she smiled as she teased him. Bella stepped away and moved to go wash up as she said "I'll be quick"
She wouldn't take too long knowing how important it was no for him to be with his team but she could also understand him not wanting her to left on her own now. Particularly if the decepticons knew where she lived so she would listen to him and not go anywhere without him.
A/N: It's not exactly the chapter I was hoping for but I hope it'll do. I've kind of lost touch with this but I'll still finish it anyhow. Please let me know what you think and thanks to all my readers and reviewers.