Chapter 12

When I woke up I felt a million times better. I felt refreshed and not as anxious as I was last night. Thought I'm not sure how long I've been asleep. But honestly I don't really care at the moment. I'm curled up comfortably against something nice and warm and... buzzing? What the what?

I snapped my eyes open in alarm, jumping away from whatever it was that was buzzing and transforming in half a second. But I calmed down instantly when I saw Ironhide's motionless form and remembered that I had fallen asleep beside him. I sighed in relief, running a hand over my face to get rid of any remaining sleep.

"What is wrong with me" I muttered exasperated and shuffled my way to the bathroom and got ready for... well I'm not sure what time it is but I'm already awake so what the hell.

I came out fully awake and ready to get back on schedule. I had changed into and old pair of jeans and tight white tank top. Looking to the giant clock Ratchet insisted on having I saw it a little after eleven in the morning. Though most of the lights were off in the back area of the barn; most likely so that I could get some shut eye in peace and darkness. The front of the barn had a few lights on by the conference table were the guys were having a meeting.

Pursing my lips in mild displeasure I turned on the rest of the lights, bringing brightness to the formerly darkish area and squinted as my eyes adjusted. I was just about to make my way over to the guys when I gave a glance at Ironhide as I walked passed. I stopped mid step when I took in the sight.

When he was brought in and during my time emptily staring at him I failed to notice ow beat up he actually looked. Probably due to the lack of actual consciousness I was running on at the time. But now that I'm more awake, I saw the way his metal plating bent in some odd angles and all the scrapes he had running along the length of his body. This made me frown deeply, anger and worry filling me up quickly.

But I kicked those down in favor of walking up to his metal berth and climbing back on. I examined him sleeping face for a while, smiling vaguely at his large bull like nose. This guy really was an enigma to me. I've barely interacted with the guy and yet he is the most constant thing on my mind. That should probably mean something in the way of hinting as to why my beast felt connected to him. But what can I say? Sometimes, I'm as dense as Osmium. The densest naturally occurring element on earth.— That's right bitches, I'm smart... Sort of— After another five minutes of just watching him I felt my beast settling down in her corner of my being. So I took that as a queue to leave, now that I had the chance.

But before I got off the hard slab of metal, I gently laid my hand on his unmoving arm as a symbolic goodbye; only to feel a small electric shock at the contact. I jumped a bit in surprise, not expecting it and letting out a small startled yelp. It didn't hurt but it was sure as hell unexpected. I quickly looked toward the conference table to see if anyone had seen that. But no one even seemed to notice I was even up. Good, that could have been embarrassing.

Breathing a small sight of relief I put my hand on his arm again, expecting the little shock this time and patted it a bit. "See ya' later big guy" I muttered half-heartedly before finally moving away from his form.

After that my day went pretty much back to normal with the exception that I was forced to check on Hidy every few hours or little miss beast of the blessing would get testy. But yeah, other than that I got all my usual chores done, had my daily afternoon meeting with the team and even had a little extra time for myself.

I took that time to take a little walk around the property. I wasn't allowed to leave thanks to beasty, but I didn't mind much. As long as I have Bee' and Jazz down my patrols I have little to worry about; though I can't wait to be able to get out there again. Probably hunt something big and meaty like deer or even a mountain goat. Those are always good.

There wasn't much big wild gain in the immediate area but I could afford to stray from the border for a couple of miles. These lands are un-inhabited by demons until way up north and two whole states away in Texas. And just so you don't get lost in geography we're in Nevada; home of large prairie fields and rocky mountain grooves.

I eventually returned to the house for dinner. And after playing a little bit with Annabelle I made my way back to the barn. Inside I saw that both Bee' and Jazz were gone, leaving Optimus and Ratchet alone in the room.

Ratch' was by Ironhide, working on him and fixing some of the dents and scratches while Big boss sat in his alt-mode, his holoform doing paperwork on the conference table. I passed by Optimus glancing at the papers for a brief moment in curiosity before looking back at him. He had noticed my approach and now was looking at me with small friendly smile. I smiled back but didn't approach the table any more than the few feet between it and I.

"Good evenin' Optimus" I said nicely, putting a hand on my hip to give my spine a little break.

"Good Evening Ren, I trust you've had a pleasant day?" he asked, putting his pen down and sitting back in his Boss man chair.

"Better than I thought my first day back would go actually." I responded. "A bit tired though" I added massaging the back of my head with my free hand.

"Then you should get some rest." He said with a slight frown, and turned back to his papers. "Good night Ren" he added as an after though.

I bid him goodnight as well and made my way to get ready for bed. I released my hair from its half up dew and ran my fingered threw it a bit to ease it back down to the sides. I didn't bother changing my clothes. I'd probably just sleep in my demon form again anyway. And morning showers are always nice and refreshing. I took off my shoes though, no one wants smelly feet.

Once I was comfortable enough I hopped off my loft and made my way towards Ratchet and Ironhide's large forms. Ratch' was still working on Hides dents and scratches silently. Almost silently, he had been muttering to himself about this or that; making observations and checking Hide's vitals – or what I think are his vitals. All I know is he waves a touch-pad in front of Hides chest and stuff then tinkers with the controls for a while before seeming satisfied— I didn't know what he was doing but he was the doctor here, I can't really question him on his skills... Well I can but it would be rude.

I got up on the berth and walking around the length of Hidy's unconscious body, making my way to Ratch' who was on the other side.

"Hey Ratch" I said as I finished my approach. He didn't seem to have heard me at first or just ignored me, but for a few seconds it was quiet as he worked and I ran my eyes over Hide's for like the eleventh time today.

I pursed my lips at him with a slight grimace. "Good talk" I muttered with a nod and settled myself on the top of Hide's hand and leaning against his side. The gentle shock that ran through me tickled lightly but I ignored it and adjusted my legs to be gable to prop up my arms when I put them on top.

We stayed essentially ignoring each other; I spent the minutes watching his hands as they worked on Ironhide. It was actually quite interesting to see. "I've been told by earthlings that it is rude to stare" Ratchet said, snapping me out of my empty mindedness.

"They're human they get uneasy when you stare to long" I said making a face at him. Immature I know. "So when do you think he'll wake up?" I asked, nodding towards Ironhide. He thought it over while re- checking Hidy's vitals.

"It's hard to tell, it could be any second or it could be in a few weeks." He said, putting his metal hand up to his chin in a very human way of thought. "His injuries we're not too critical to put his in stasis for too long though, most are superficial but he was exhausted from escaping the Decepticon base. He just needs time." Ratchet explained as he went back to buffing out scratches on Hide's chest.

As he spoke I mindlessly put a hand on Hide's and rubbed the metal slowly, internally enjoying the tingling from the expected sparks that ran through the contact. "Hn" was all I said in response.

We spoke about other things for a while until I decided that it was time to sleep. I transformed right there on my perch on Hide's hand and shook my body around like a wet dog. Jumping up on to hides stomach area I walked over to the other side of the table and jumped down on his other hand. I was going to go back to the spot where I slept last night, but settled on curling up between the crook of his elbow and his side.

"Goodnight Ratch" I said to the Doctor as I snuggled into Hide's warm buzzing body. He replied with a short goodnight, not even looking up from his touch pad. I didn't mind though, since I was already half conscious. I drifted off to sleep at the combination of Hides buzzing and Ratchets quiet mutters.

As I slept peacefully Bumblebee and Jazz were just returning from their shared patrol trip. They entered the barn quietly in their alt-mode and made their way the conference table to give Optimus their report with their Holoforms.

Once Optimus saw them he put aside his papers and beckoned them forward. As expected the patrol went smoothly with only a sighting of a few straggling teenagers on the streets causing trouble. Nothing the police couldn't handle on their own. Eventually the report turned into a conversation about their concern over Ren's well being when Ratchet joined in o the chat. Making observations of her erratic behavior and making a few assumptions on what is causing her to become so emotionally attached to their weapons specialist.

But he came out short, confessing that his limited knowledge on her species social behaviors was nowhere near insightful as to make a clear explanation other than it being the same bond she has with the Lennox family. It they were to help Ren get back to normal they would need to get a better understanding about her species.

Unfortunately even with their special government influences, chances of attaining access to such files had ranged difficult to absolutely impossible. Ren had been right when she said that information concerning the inner workings of Demons was guarded with an iron fist. If they wanted to know they would have to ask her herself. And in her current state of unrest and slight self-destructive tendencies; Ratchet didn't deem it wise to pressure her into giving out sensitive information.

Eventually their conversation shifted towards their injured comrade, and what it was that he was forced to endure during his brief imprisonment in the hands of the enemy. They worried that whatever had been done to him could have changed their dear friend. But they could not afford to think of the horrors that he might have gone through.

Once Ironhide was secure, their primary concern was finding and eradicating the Decepticon base to prevent the accident from re-accruing.

With that they all deactivated their Holororm's and prepared for Recharge.