Well now, something didn't want this chapter written.

Seriously, if it wasn't a convention to prepare for, it was me catching the mother of all flu's, or writer's block (hence why it's a very short chapter considering how long I had you all waiting for it). Ironically the final segment only came into being after being sent to EH for betaing.

I promise that the next chapter will be superior – this one I felt, just had to go out on its own.

Upgrade 4 – Interlude

"Ratchet?"

"The answer is still the same, Bumblebee," the medic snapped. "There is no explanation for the collapse."

Seconds after the youngling had fallen; Ratchet had rushed him to a table and inspected him while contacting the others. Both Will and Maggie had watched from the sidelines, before the time made it prudent to leave. With a firm 'call me if there's a change,' Will had left with Maggie, offering an invite to meet his wife, which she accepted.

"I don't understand it!" Ironhide growled for the tenth time. "Mechs don't just collapse!"

"Well whatever the reason is, I can't find it," Ratchet replied, gesturing to the now achingly familiar diagrams. "As far as I can tell, he should be up and complaining right now."

None of them brought up what they were all thinking. That this incident was related to the damaged received during his abduction. Deuce had been through enough. They prayed to Primus that this was just a random occurrence.

Finally not an hour after sunset, Deuce's optics flashed online, and pushed himself up to face Autobots ploughing through the door.

As the pull became impossible to ignore, Hax slipped from Mikaela's computer and fled back down the invisible line to Deuce as he had so many times before.

It didn't take a second before he realised something was wrong. A moment after realisation, the line snapped, leaving him frozen in nothingness.

-What the? –

The darkness filled with images, millions of tiny TV screens flashing on and off, their sounds clashing together in an impossible symphony.

Running down a street…

…Bells ringing…

…A blonde human grinning over bloody knees…

…A Decepticon screaming…

…Dog barking…

…Calm intermingled with panic…

Memories. Each and everyone on of them. And not a one his.

Suddenly, as quickly as they had come, they vanished, and Hax was flying once again.

-Ugh…what hit me? –

-What the hell was that? –

Deuce wanted to wince at Hax's shriek, soundless as it was, but his body was still refusing to listen. Instead he took the direct route.

-Hax shut up! Hurts to think. –

-Hey…what are you doing in stasis anyway? –

The lights of the med bay hit his optics and Deuce groaned. –I have no idea, but I think I'm about to find out. –

The lights became clearer, and the blur above him solidified into Ratchet, who quickly masked his obvious relief with irritation.

"I don't know what you did to yourself youngling but if you ever sca-"

He yelped as another yellow mass pushed past him, jerking him out of the way to make room for the Camaro.

"Bumblebee!" Ratchet yelled moving back to his spot. "Show some res-"

He squawked again as Jazz bolted past him, cuffing his shoulder and sending him swerving again.

"Deuce," Bumblebee soothed. "Are you alright?"

"Gave us quite the scare little buddy."

"Bumblebee, Jazz," Optimus boomed, walking into the room at a slightly more sedate pace. "Try to show some respect for Ratchet. This is his med bay."

"Thank you!" Ratchet snapped, glaring daggers at the two, who at least had the sense to look guilty.

"Wh-what happened?" Deuce asked, forcing himself to sit up. "I was cleaning with Ratchet, and then…"

"You collapsed for no reason," Ratchet continued. "It's been hours since then."

Deuce looked at the medic in disbelief, but his own chronometer agreed – it was far later than his processor was insisting.

"But…why?"

Ratchet sighed. "I don't know. But it looks like you're going under medical watch again."

-Oh boy- Hax sighed.

The youngling's optics bugged. "But I just got out!"

"Tough."

Deuce threw a pleading gaze at Optimus. "It won't happen again. Promise!"

Optimus's optics narrowed. "I highly doubt you can promise that, Deuce, given that you don't know what caused it in the first place. Or am I mistaken?"

He wasn't, and Deuce dropped his head. "No…"

"Then you'll report to Ratchet when he requests it," Optimus continued. "If you don't we'll have to confine you to the med bay. Understood."

Deuce kicked the table in irritation, but nodded.

-Guess this means no more hiding all day- Hax mused.

-Shut up. –

Despite his best attempts, Deuce had been quarantined to the med bay that night, and only released in the morning with the understanding that he stay in contact with at least one of the Autobots at all times. So when Maggie had arrived once again, Ironhide hadn't been surprised to find the youngling following him out to the firing range, as far as he was allowed to go from the base.

"You're not exactly being subtle, Deuce," he'd mocked between shots.

The youngling just shrugged, watching the weapons specialist fire round after round. When the set of targets had been obliterated, and he waited for them to reload, Deuce was by his side, looking up at him in awe.

"Teach me."

His arm was already twitching, wanting to morph into his gun, and his optics endearing. Technically, Deuce could have used the practise range himself. But although he could fire with no problem, he had no idea how to aim, how to gauge the power needed in a shot. It was difficult to say no. But no it was.

"No."

Deuce's optics dimmed – reminding Ironhide of Annabelle's so called 'puppy dog eyes.'

"Don't even think it, kid."

"But whyyyyy?"

Ironhide sighed. Oh for the days when the youngling couldn't talk back.

"Prime and Ratchet's orders for one thing, runt," he started, glancing down at the bike.

"And you're too young."

"Technically I'm too young to be talking and transforming," Deuce muttered, crossing his arms. "But I can do them just fine."

"Fine, you're physically old enough," Ironhide continued. "But not emotionally. I can't in good conscience teach you how to fight. Not yet. Not to mention you're on medical watch right now."

Deuce let out a cry of frustration, kicking at the dirt. He seemed to be kicking things a lot lately.

Ironhide sighed and started heading back for the base. His spark wasn't in it anymore. A few steps behind him Deuce followed, clearly irritated.

"Look," Ironhide began. "The second Ratchet gives you the all clear, and you can tolerate being around humans again, and that's more than just Will and Annabelle, then I'll drag you out here in a heartbeat. But until then, the gun stays offline."

"Not fair," Deuce muttered, then stilled.

Someone was driving up to the base.

"I thought Will had the day off," he said.

"He does," Ironhide replied. "But last I checked, Will doesn't own a scooter."

Deuce's optics widened.

Mikaela had barely had time to take off her helmet when a shadow blocked the sun from her. Bracing herself, she looked up, giving a small smile to the Autobot still standing some feet away.

"Hi, Ironhide."

"Mikaela," the topkick greeted her, not without relief. "We haven't seen you in a while."

The girl nodded. "I know. I'm sorry."

There was movement behind the truck, and her eyes caught side of the red and white figure, optics staring at her. She rewarded him with a larger smile.

"Hey, Deuce. How are you feeling?"

Deuce didn't answer, but smiled back.

Looking between them, Ironhide sighed. "All right, I get it. Deuce, stay in range, and come inside when you're done or Ratchet will have me fighting Decepticons as a Skoda."

As the Autobot headed inside, Mikaela slipped her hands into her pockets and walked over.

"You grounded or something?"

Deuce shook his head. "Medical watch."

"What happened?"

Deuce wasn't really interested in bringing up the collapse, so just grinned.

"Stupid Ratchet being stupidly scared. It's no problem."

It was rather frightening how much Mikaela could look like Optimus when she raised an eyebrow, clearly buying it as much as the Prime had. "Uh huh."

When Deuce shrugged rather than answer, Mikaela sighed.

"Let's head over. I need to stretch my legs."

"How's Bumblebee?"

Deuce gave another halfhearted shrug. With neither wanting to go in and unable to go too far, both were walking around the base walls, Mikaela's hand brushing against the building.

"Okay. He's still too coddly though."

Mikaela chuckled. "That makes sense. Don't think you'll ever get rid of that."

"Why are you here?"

The girl stopped, realising that the minibot wasn't by her side anymore. He was a few feet behind, looking at her strangely.

"Why?"

Deuce's optics flicked away. "You stay away for months, don't even call. Then you come back like nothing happened?"

Mikaela had looked at him strangely, and her lip began to waver. For a moment Deuce feared she was about to cry, only to have her burst into laughter, hand quickly coming to her mouth and leaning against the wall. There were at least a dozen ways Deuce had suspected her to reply.

This hadn't been on that list.

"Uh…?"

"I-I'm sorry, D-Deuce" she snickered. "It's just…you really need to start talking to yourself."

Deuce frowned.

-Hax… -

-Yes? – A far too amused voice called back.

-You wouldn't happen to know what she's talking about would you? –

-Beep! Hax is unavailable at the moment; please leave a message after the be-

Deuce screeched in frustration, not even bothering to reply in his head.

"That's what you were doing yesterday? Why don't you just butt out!?"

-Temper temper. –

"Deuce."

He turned to see Mikaela staring at him.

"I'm glad he did."

As the minibot stared in something akin to shock, Mikaela felt a heaviness that had been with her the last few months begin to ebb, and walked back to him.

"Come on, I'm gonna do you a favour."

In preparation for the regular stream of humans wandering in and out of the base, the Autobots had set aside a recreation room for them. However, they'd left it to Team Lennox for furnishing, resulting in nothing more than two food and drink dispensers and a fooseball table. There was also a three-piece suite lining the wall, but it was an open secret it was only there because Epp's wife had wanted a new one.

It was here that Maggie could be found, kicking the drinks machine for its inability to tell the difference between coffee and cola, when Mikaela strolled in.

"Maggie Madsen?"

The analyst flung herself around at the sound of another female, taking in the fashionably dressed teen, hair groomed with an enviable smoothness. She was also irritatingly familiar.

Eventually, she reasoned, she was going to stop experiencing déjà vu at this base. "That's me."

The girl smiled and held out a hand. "I'm Mikaela."

Oh. Oh!

"Oh right" Maggie greeted, giving up on the beverage for now and shaking her hand. "I've heard a lot about you. I didn't think you still came."

A smile-with-a-story flashed across the girls face. "It was complicated. Anyway, I'm here to try to fix things."

Before Maggie could question the statement, Mikaela was looking over her shoulder.

"You can come in now."

For a moment there was nothing, and then Maggie could hear the thrumming of an engine. Moments later, a Ducati motorbike had slipped into the room, slowly and carefully.

"You going to come any closer?"

The Ducati didn't answer, and Mikaela sighed, turning to Maggie again and tossing her the helmet.

"You got some free time?"

"IRONHIDE!"

The topkick winced, the medics thundering footsteps following him down the hall.

"What have I done now?" he snapped back.

"Where is Deuce? He was with you last and now I can't find him. He's not even answering his comm.!"

Oh.

His optics shut in apprehension. "I left him outside."

"ALONE!"

"Not exact-"

"This is just typical! You know what he's like! Give him an inch and he'll take a mile!"

"I know that but-"

"No buts! How could you be so irrespons-"

"Ratchet!"

The yell cut off the hummer's tirade for only an instant, but Ironhide took it gratefully.

"I'm sorry, but Mikaela just showed up. I thought they could use some peace – I didn't think they'd run off."

"Mikaela's here?"

At the medic's surprised look, Ironhide relaxed, danger clearly over.

"Showed up outside not too long ago. Looked like she wanted to talk to Deuce."

Both their comm.'s buzzed, and Jazz's bemused voice came through.

"All bots to the communications room. There's something on the camera's that you've just got to see."

Jazz finished the page and turned his attention back to the screen. Bumblebee was by his side transfixed, a happy grin on his face.

On the screen, Deuce was in his motorcycle mode, driving through the targets of the firing range. Riding solo was a human, clearly Mikaela judging by the build, though she didn't seem to be the one in control.
Then, when they turned at the edge of the range, the driving style changed completely, and the human was in charge of manoeuvring through the targets.

"Well that's a sight I never thought I'd see again."

Jazz sent a lazy salute towards the door. "Hey Optimus."

"You haven't seen the best part yet" Bumblebee added, still focused on the screen.

Curious, Optimus followed his gaze, only moving when Ratchet and Ironhide arrived.

Once at the start of the firing range again, another figure became clear, and Optimus blinked in surprise.

"Is that Maggie?"

Sure enough, the other woman was walking up to the Ducati, catching the helmet thrown to her. Hesitating for just a moment, Maggie swung a leg over and took off, Deuce in control.

And not throwing her off, or trying to get away.

"Slag it all, it's a trust exercise" Ratchet gasped, slapping a hand over his optics. "How could we have not thought about that?"

"Deuce has her life in his hands on the way down, while the rider takes control on the way back" Ironhide mused. "But at the same time, Deuce can take control whenever he wants. Clever."

"I don't think it would have worked if Mikaela hadn't been the one to come up with it" Bumblebee added. "He's never voluntarily been this close to Maggie before. She must have said or did something."

As the Ducati swung around, control was given to Maggie, who struggled at first, but quickly evened out.

Optimus chuckled, spirits lifting for the first time in a while. "Jazz?"

"Yes boss?"

"The US government gave us a yearly stipend for whatever we require yes?"

"That's what I was told."

"See if you can't get Mikaela a wage packet."

Jazz laughed. "Already on it."

To be continued . . .