Exigency

"If all else fails, I will unite it with the spark in my chest."

Flashes of a familiar face.

"That's suicide! The cube is raw power, it could destroy you both!"

No, two faces. Or was it three?

"A necessary sacrifice to bring peace to this planet. We cannot let the humans pay for our mistakes. It has been an honor serving with you all."

He was comfortable with being one of the small among giants. It had always been like this. The largest of his friends was also the most noble, humblest, and most willing to die for an ideal, for another being.

Had Optimus really gone through with it?

Or was this just another one of the hallucinations that had been plaguing him– would plague him forever? He'd heard the familiar voice a short time ago, hadn't he? Part dream, part memory, perhaps. He didn't know.

If the Allspark of the dream was destroyed, that meant that things had gone very badly indeed, and his leader had been forced to use the last resort even with Megatron's demise...

But how could Jace be... one of them, when he was so obviously frail, obviously human.

Was this a sign of madness that Danni had wanted to protect him from, that the government agents had been trying to help him avoid?

The scattered memories still insisted that whoever– whatever he was, it certainly wasn't a mere organic creature called Jason Hunt. They still refused to give up his name, however. They still refused to give up the moments between that life, and this one.

But if Optimus were alive, if the scout was alive... wouldn't Ratchet or Ironhide have mentioned them, even if they didn't know who he was?

Yes.

The dimness of overwhelming memories faded with the dizziness, and Jace found himself in Mikaela's arms, as she kept him from falling to the ground yet again. The strange comforting softness of human arms curling around him, a strength that, in his frail human shell, he was lacking.

He was so tired of that.

Not because he kept missing large chunks of time– and because the nightmares taunted him during these moments, but because it was embarrassing to have to rely on the strength of creatures that a part of his mind thought of as weak. Barely able to defend themselves, let alone–

He was one of them, Jace reminded himself with a dry bite of sarcasm, Possessing the same physical frailties, and –

"What's wrong, Ratchet? Why did he just pass out like that?" Mikaela's tones were low, but clearly audible over the sound of the medic's scan.

"I believe your kind have a name for this. When the mind cannot escape some past trauma, it expresses itself in physical manifestations–"

"Post traumatic stress disorder?" Mikaela interrupted, "Then he does remember what happened in Mission City. Why'd he say he didn't?"

"Perhaps he doesn't consciously remember," Ratchet answered, "This happened in the desert as well."

"Jus'... flashes." Jace managed to speak, trying to find his legs and disengage from the woman. He was awkward in this body. So very cumbersome. "Bits and pieces of things that don't make sense, if I'm... Jason Hunt."

"Jace?" Mikaela let him move away, but kept a wary hand on his arm. "Are you–"

"I'm ok." Jace told her, and took the half step to look up at Ratchet. The robot was on one knee as he calmly disengaged his scanner and watched the two organic creatures in his care. He looked oddly tired. For a robot.

Enormous, and yet, Jace was nowhere as intimidated by the size as he'd expected. One hand could crush him easily, and yet he knew the medic wouldn't do any such thing.

"You know."

Clumsy. The language was inadequate to express all that he wanted to know, all he needed to know in one single sentence– but the two words he had chosen seemed to be the correct ones.

Ratchet nodded.

"Please," Jace sighed. "Could you tell me what happened, and who I really am?"

"I cannot tell you precisely what happened." Ratchet told him. "We are waiting for someone who may be able to enlighten us to arrive. There is a distinct possibility that you are–"

"Jason Hunt." The familiar voice called loudly from just outside the door. None of them had heard the vehicle arrive– Ratchet's scanners had apparently been fixed on him, rather than any possible external threat. "If you would be so kind as to step away from the girl with your hands in the air, we can avoid the use of force."

"Who are you?" Mikaela stepped defiantly between Jace and the three men who were training significant firepower at the trio.

'Mr. Government'. Simmons was nowhere to be seen.

The sharp click of a safety being released echoed in Jace's ears. They were serious.

"What is the meaning of this? We were promised–"

"We don't want to have to use these against you... Ratchet, is it?" Mr. Government was smiling in that snake-like way. "But you are harboring a fugitive, who assaulted several government agents, and is wanted on federal murder charges."

"Murder?" Mikaela glanced back at Jace, "Assault? But he can't even–"

"I didn't kill anyone–" Jace frowned, eying the weapons that were currently aimed in their direction. Heavy weaponry– artillery. The rounds looked like...

"I wouldn't try any stunts like the one you pulled out on the highway, friend. These weapons can hurt both you, and your metal buddy there." The government agent pulled off his sunglasses, and gestured towards Jace. "Now. You have a choice. We can do this the easy way, or the hard way. The hard way might get your friends killed."

Mikaela didn't move. Ratchet seemed to glower, almost protectively.

"The others will be here shortly. We will not let him–"

Mikaela was dirty, clothing torn. Bruises forming. A missile going off that closely could have killed her– she was lucky...

Ratchet was hurt. The shots had grazed him, but he was still in pain. He had to find a way to cover for the medic, before someone figured that out–

"Your friends were delayed. Be reasonable, now."

Jace shook himself. No. The images may or may not have been real, but he couldn't let these two get hurt. Not for him– not when there were so many questions.

"Stand down." Jace said shortly, not really thinking about the words. Mr. Government didn't look surprised at the tone. "If I go with you, you'll leave them alone."

"You have my word." The man nodded, carefully replacing the sunglasses.

Jace set a hand on Mikaela's shoulder, and gently pushed her out of the way.

"It's all right. You guys don't need to get caught up in my mess any more. Don't want anyone gettin' hurt because of me." He stepped away from the newfound friends, and towards the men in black. "C'mon. Let's get this show on the road."

Mr. Government himself put the handcuffs on Jace, and led him towards the waiting car.

Just before the door slammed shut, Jace thought he heard Ratchet's voice saying something. He could only make out one word. And that one syllable sent a tremor through his entire body.

"Jazz–"

The engine started, and they pulled away from the sanctuary.