After a long while... another chapie yey! Sorry for the lateness!
READ AND REVIEW PLEASE!
"I see."
There was tired sigh from the other side of the phone, followed shortly by more helpless words.
"Do not worry, I know you, and everybody else will help him in the future should our fears come to pass."
More words were exchanged. Promises of future actions and get togethers were passed.
"Yes, goodbye."
The phone was gently hanged up, only the click of the receiver was heard in the large room.
It was dark, only a candle being the only source of light. A lone figure sat on a small cushion. Back straight and hands on his lap, fingers laced in a silent prayer. The soft smell of incense hang in the air, adding a certain exotic touch to the room.
After a moment lost in his thoughts, he picked up the phone once again, softly dialing a number he could never forget even if he wanted to. It only took a few rings for the other to pick up, and as always, a snapped 'what' came from the other end.
"He's awake." There was nothing more that had to be said. There was no need to specify who 'he' was. Nothing more mattered then that simple fact to the other at the moment.
After a few moments of shocked silence, where only the others surprised breathing could be heard, the figure heard a harsh click followed by several beeps signaling the end of the conversation, if the few words spoken could even be called a conversation.
Like before, the phone was hanged up and the figure let out a long tired, yet content sigh. Everything would be okay. That person would make sure of it.
This day couldn't get any worse. Two days had passed since he had been told of the horrors he had gone through for the past two months. And things were not good.
Prowl always prided himself in being a logical person. He always sorted out his emotions depending on the gravity of them. If he was sad or distressed, he just locked them away and wouldn't stop working on the projects from college so as to distract himself from those intense emotions. If he was angry or conflicted, he'd just vent by exercising or sparring with Jazz or some other student at the dojo. Now though, as he laid in the medical bed, staring at the annoyingly white ceiling, he had no clue on what he should do.
He wasn't sad, but he wasn't happy either. Which he should be! He survived torture. His heart had stopped twice! Yet he had survived. He had entered a coma, a coma that according to Ratchet, he could have never come out of. Yet, after only a month, he had woken up. He was alive and safe yet, he did not feel happy or relieved where he should. That confused him a lot.
He wasn't angry. And he should be! He had been hurt! Badly. He should be angry that something like that had happened to him. And worse still, that his kidnappers were unknown and running free.
Now there was an emotion he recognized. Fear. Prowl was scared. No matter how emotionless and stable he looked on the outside, no matter how much he waned to deny it, he was freaking out on the inside. He knew it and he didn't know why.
It could be that, just as he had thought before, his kidnappers, the ones that had tortured him, were running free.
That was something that had caught him by surprise. All of a sudden, he was scared of things he had never been scared about in his life! Small and trivial things no one in their right mind would ever fear. He had panicked when night had fallen and the nurse had turned off the light! Thoughts like, 'there's someone there, in the darkness, waiting for me' and 'I'm surrounded' had come to mind immediately leaving Prowl perplexed and scared by the sheer fear and panic that that simple act of turning the lights off and being submitted to darkness had caused him.
Other small things, like loud noises had freaked him out, his heart rate raising considerably. One of the nurses had accidentally dropped a tray with a several metal materials on it just outside his room. He nearly jumped to the ceiling by the noise made. Jazz had instantly been at his side when Prowl couldn't seem to get his breaths to steady.
Then, there had been the touches. Casual, friendly, and completely normal. When he had first woken and Jazz had hugged him, he had felt panicked and trapped. After that, he had nearly always flinched when someone would put their hand on his shoulder. Once, Ratchet had been next to his bed and had lifted his hand to change the serum and Prowl had automatically lifted his good arm as if expecting to be stricken.
That action had left Prowl confused and Ratchet disturbed.
Now, Prowl wasn't stupid. He knew that his frightened and defensive reactions were due to all the trauma his body had gone through. He knew that even if he didn't remember all the stuff that had been done to him, his body clearly did and so did his subconscious. He wouldn't be so freaked out about certain stuff if he wasn't.
He just wished that the others wouldn't treat him like an idiot, or worse, as if he were made out of glass and tell him what he already knew would probably happen.
He knew that if his subconscious still remembered his hellish time at the hands of some sick people, he would eventually remember. Prowl admitted to himself that he was scared of remembering. He had taken a shower that morning with Jazz's help. The state his body was in made him sick. It didn't matter that he was half healed. The cuts and burns on his arms, thighs and stomach were still visible. To make things worse, there was, for some reason, a full body mirror. He decided to look how bad his back was, since it itched like hell thanks to all the scabs he felt. He went pale when he saw the whip marks. Jazz had immediately demanded for the mirror to be taken out of the bathroom.
That was another thing. The others were acting like the air itself was a threat to him. At first, he had understood. They had all been on edge and his state was only incrementing they anxiety. But now it was just ridiculous.
According to Ratchet, he would be discharged next week. Something told him that Ratchet would prefer to keep him much longer. But the thought of getting out of the hospital to a more friendly environment was very appealing.
"What'cha thinking 'bout?"
Prowl looked to his right at Jazz who stood leaning against the door frame. His usual smirk plastered on his face, though Prowl could see that it didn't hold the same carefree presence it usually did. The young man had been worried about his friend. He had lost weight and when he had removed his visor, he was shocked at the exhaustion in his eyes and at the dark rings that were like a neon sigh screaming 'I NEED SLEEP!' He had talked to Jazz about it. He had commented on it just yesterday, but Jazz had said that of course he hadn't slept. What kind of person would sleep when their best friend was missing?
"Nothing really." He said instead sitting up. Jazz came to his side to help him, trying not to touch him to much in fear of his reaction. Prowl scowled frustrated. "I can do it myself Jazz."
"Ah know. Still wanna help. Or can't Ah?"
Prowl huffed. "I'm not saying you can't. But you barely let me lift my own water cup this morning. Don't you think you're exaggerating a bit in your attempt to 'make my life easier' as you put it?"
Jazz sighed. "Look, Ah just feel res-"
"You better not be annoying my patient Jazz, or I'm calling security to drag your ass out of here." The detective was caught off as Ratchet entered the room holding a chart, no doubt Prowls.
Jazz glared. "Ah'm not annoying 'im. Just keeping company. Whats dat?" He asked nodding at the chart.
Glaring back, Ratchet walk to the other side of Prowl's bed, doing a quick check of his vitals.
"Some results I got back. You're healing fine. The slight infection you had from your back is gone. Your arm is healing nicely, and we can take some stitches off from the gash above you eyebrow and some of the deeper cuts on your arms and legs. But the rest I would prefer to give one more week…"
Both Ratchet and Jazz went silent as they tried to avoid looking at each other. Prowl looked from one of them to the other. He knew they were mad at each other. Jazz at Ratchet for hiding the origin of some of his most serious wounds and Ratchet at Jazz for overworking himself and for being an idiot.
The medic was not sorry for not telling the others about the wounds. He knew he'd have to tell them once Prowl woke up. But having the knowledge of what happened hanging over their heads while Prowl was still in a coma would have done more harm then good. There was one thing he hadn't told anyone though, and he prayed to Primus that Prowl didn't remember that. If he did. He didn't know if the kid would recover.
Prowl winced hearing the news. He looked a the stitches on his arm and shivered. He hated needles. And those stitches had be put there by needles and where going to be taken off, meaning the cord would be slipped out of his skin and he would feel it. He knew it wouldn't be painful but… the prospect felt so awful and uncomfortable, feeling as something was pulled away from under his skin… He shivered again.
"I'll be able to leave on Wednesday next week right?" He asked instead to get his mind out of the stitches. Going. Off.
Ratchet sighed. "Yes Prowl. You can. But that means you have to rest and let the rest of your wounds heal. And before you ask. I want you to wait another month before you go back to college."
"What! Are you joking! I've missed two months already! I can't miss another one! I was planning on calling Mirage to send me all the work that I've missed! "
Great. Just what he needed. College had been the one thing he had been looking forward to since he had time to think straightly. It would occupy his mind of the troubling thoughts running around in his mind. And he really hated being behind in something.
"I don't object to you catching up on what you missed and having Mirage or another of your classmates bring you back the material to study but, at home!" Said Ratchet crossing his arms.
Sighing, Prowl knew he had no other choice. It wasn't that bad now that he thought about it. He'd have more time to catch up on every thing in the month he had to endure with bed rest and would probably manage to be on the same lessons his classmates were in by the time he could go back to college.
"Fine. But I want to call Mirage as soon as he's out of class."
Jazz, having the next month off, made sure to do everything Prowl wanted or needed. Once they finished talking about college and what he could and could not do-with much frustration on Prowl's part- he had gone to the hospital's cafeteria to call the headmaster of the college Prowl was attending to.
Alpha Trion was a good man. He had been honestly concerned about Prowl when he turned on the T.V for news one night and saw the picture of one of the students attending his college, and whom he had talked with many times, being shown as a victim to a kidnap. He had called Jazz immediately and asked if there was anything he could do to help.
Jazz had been grateful and asked a few protocol questions. But nothing came up at all. Alpha Trion had reassured Jazz that he would handle everything at college while Prowl was away, making sure his teachers knew what had happened so when Prowl came back, he could catch up with no problem. Jazz had not missed the hidden message in his words. 'Prowl will come back'.
Now, after two months he could call back with the good news.
-Hello?-
-'ello? Director Trion? This is Jazz. We spoke some months ago regarding Prowl.-
-Ahh yes, detective Jazz. I heard the good news that Prowl had been found.-
-Yes, he was.-
-I am relieved. I- I also heard he was in a coma?-
Jazz clenched his teeth. Damn reporters. It had taken a lot of self control not to kill the reporter that had somehow made it past security and into Prowl's room for a 'snapshot' of the victim while he was still in a coma. It had also made Jazz scared. If a simple reporter could get in, so could anyone. And thanks to the news channel, Everybody that cared knew where Prowl was and his condition. Which meant that his captors also knew. Security had been reinforced since them.
-Yes, it is true. He woke up two days ago.-
-Oh that is wonderful news!- Was the relived answer.
-Yeah. Well, he was kinda hoping ta go back to college and-
-So soon? From what I understood, he was hurt quite badly. Shouldn't he rest some more?-
Jazz smiled at the concerned Director. He truly was a good man. -Ah won't lie ta ya, he's hurt really bad. The doctors are ready ta discharge him on Wednesday but have given him a full month of bed rest. But he stills want ta work. We discussed it wouldn't do him no harm ta have his work delivered at home. We were planning on calling a friend o' his ta bring the material he had ta study over. But Ah was wondering if ya could have a talk with da teachers ya know? Get them ta help a bit?-
-Oh but of course! Who is this friend you were planning on calling? I can tell him today myself if you wish.-
-That would be great! He's names Mirage.-
-Ah yes Mirage, excellent student. Do not worry I will talk to him oh but, does he know that Prowl is alright? Or would you rather tell him yourself?-
Jazz smiled again. -Yeah, we called him earlier.- He paused as if something deeply bothered him. -Never heard him speak so much.-
Laughter greeted him from the other side. -I'm sure. Well then, I'll have it all organized don't you worry!-
After agreeing that Trion would get the message delivered and the teachers taken care of, he called Mirage to assure him that yes, he could come by and visit that day.
Snapping his cellphone shut with a satisfied sigh he leaned back on the chair he was currently occupying on a table at the far wall of the cafeteria. He looked around the big room his eyes hidden under his visor. The cafeteria was full of families and friends of other patients, all with an aura of worry surrounding them for their loved ones. Even so, it was rather loud and he could barely make out what they were all saying.
For the thousandth time, the detective sighed, his resolve wavering. His chest constricted in that awful way that reminded him he had been one of the friends fretting for a loved one. He knew what all the family members and friends were going through and he sent a silent prayer so that everyone in the hospital would make it out okay. Since Prowl's admittance at the hospital, he had become intimately aware of what emotional pain felt like, and no one deserved that.
"You're doing it again."
To his credit, Jazz didn't even flinch. Instead, he put on his usual smirk and turned in his chair to look up a his lover, dressed in black jeans, with sleeveless shirt and jacket, a bad hanging from his hand.
"Hey 'Cade. Ya know, this stalking persona of yours is starting ta creep meh out." He said teasingly.
Barricade glared at him, going around and sitting in front of the younger detective. They both looked at each other, observing and analyzing.
Jazz was, for no better words, a mess. His usual 'style' was lacking. He was wearing the same shirt for four days, all wrinkled and dirty. His jeans were in the same state, the bottom of the legs dirty with mud and street water. He visor needed a good cleaning as did the man himself. He could easily guess that the ever present bags he had under his eyes for the last two months were worse then usual. He didn't like seeing how his partner's lack of food and sleep were affecting not only his appearance but his abilities. Any other time, Jazz would have sensed Barricade from the moment he came into the cafeteria. Instead, the older man had been able to sneak up on him. Something no one had been able to.
Sighing, Jazz let himself slump in the chair.
"'m fine 'Cade." He whispered.
"Bull. I've seen homeless people better then you." He snapped.
Jazz ran a hand over his face, taking off his visor. His eyes were red from lack of sleep and the rings around his eyes were darker then usual.
"You look like a panda."
That earned the smirking man a glare.
"A'm just-"
"Worried, yeah I know. I'm too Jazz. But you'll be no help at all if you suddenly collapse in the middle of the day because you haven't been able to take care of yourself. And I know Prowl. He'll take your example as an excuse to do all the things he shouldn't in the next couple of days. Mark my words, you're being a bad example."
They grew silent for a moment, Jazz avoiding meeting his lover's gaze as he looked around the room, a man with two little girls had just entered, a fake small on his face as he reassured his daughters that everything would be fine.
"A'm just afraid- this is all a dream." He said finally.
Barricade nodded understanding. "Well it isn't. He's back and safe with us and I know that from now on, all of us are going to make sure nothing like this ever happens to him again."
The detective smiled recalling having heard the same words before. "Ah know 'Cade. Ah just wish there was something more ah could do fer 'im."
Sighing in defeat, the older man got up and grabbed his lover's arm, making his get up from his seat as well.
"There is something you can do for him."
"There is?"
"Yeah and Ratchet agrees, he even lend us his private shower in his office. You are going to take a shower and get into these new clothes." He said gesturing at the bag he was carrying.
Jazz glared openly at his lover, putting his visor back on and following the smirking man out of the cafeteria.
"How is that gonna help 'im?"
Turning with a grin, they stopped in front of the elevators. "Prowl told me he almost suffocated when you hugged him again yesterday."
Pouting, a small trace of the old Jazz seemed to peak through. "Ah don't smell that bad!" His pout deepened when his lover snorted.
"Fine! Ah'll get a shower and change but Ah don't want ta hear any complaints from him when he gets told ta do the same!"
"I'm just glad our spare room has it's own bathroom with a shower." Muttered Barricade. Remembering the time they had both slept on Prowl's couch when they were too tired to get back to their own apartment. Prowl had freaked when he entered his bathroom for a shower and found both of them, ejem… occupied.
"Ah can't believe he made a bigger fit 'bout staying over then he did about not being able ta go ta college."
They reached the medics office and went straight to the small bathroom at the back of the room.
"I can't imagine why, after all, we did traumatize him that first night." Barricade said dryly, turning his lover to help him out of the deserving to burn clothes.
"Hey! How was Ah supposed ta know he could hear us!"
"Well he did. Poor kid couldn't look at us straight in the face for a month."
Jazz was already out of his jacket, shirt, boots and socks. Pouting he went for his belt as the older man turned on the shower.
"Needs ta find someone he does." Jazz muttered. He hoped one day Prowl found someone to care for him. He had even tried to hook him up a couple of times. But Prowl just didn't want a relationship, said he didn't find anything about one that draw his attention.
"Well, we can work on that later. Now." A sly smile appeared on the handsome face of Barricade and Jazz felt a sudden rush. It had been so long. Two months and three days to be exact. "You've been incredibly tense since this mess started. Let's see if we can get you relaxed." He said huskily as hands ran over his bare chest.
Damn how he loved showers.
Prowl laid on the medical bed looking at the ceiling, lost in thought. There was something bothering him and he didn't know what. There was something he was missing.
"That would be two months worth of memories." He thought dryly.
But to his surprise, that didn't bother him as much as the thought that there was one thing in particular that he should remember. And every time he tried to think about what it could possibly be, he always came up with on thing. Tattoos.
Sighing in frustration, Prowl turned onto his side, putting his good arm under his head while his broken arm laid gently on the mattress. Tattoos, what a stupid thing to remember. Why would tattoos be important?
"Heya Prowler!"
Prowl jumped at the loud interruption and looked up to glare at his smiling friend. His glare turned to a frown as he looked a his friend, trying to find what was different about him. Then it hit him.
"You took a shower."
Chuckling, Jazz entered the room and walked up to Prowl's bed, as the younger man was sitting up. Grabbing the control, the detective pressed the bottom that would elevate the mattress so Prowl could be more comfortable.
"Yeah well, 'Cade said it was 'bout time. Got me new clothes too. And Ah believe it was something ya said that made him drag me into the shower. Not that Ah was complaining after a while."
The smug and satisfied smirk on his face gave Prowl all the information he needed. He groaned.
"Thank you Jazz, I did not want that image in my head. Again."
Jazz smirked, and although Prowl could still see some strain in it, there was more of 'Jazz' in it.
"Ah already apologized about that."
"Where's 'Cade now?"
"Went back ta his post. Something about a lead on another case he was working on before… well before."
A small awkward silence fell. Both not sure what to say at that.
"Anyway, Mirage is coming today, and so is Blaster. They're eager ta see ya!"
Sighing Prowl let his head drop on the pillow Jazz had put behind his head. He was nervous. He wanted to act like he was fine, but in reality, he was still feeling unprepared to see other people. Specially if they didn't know the extent of his injuries. Jazz had made it clear that only Ratchet, Optimus, Bluestreak, Barricade and him were the ones that were to know.
The detective noticed the troubled look in his friends face and carefully sat beside him, facing him.
"Hey," He started softly, using a hand to cup his face and turn to look at him. He acted oblivious to his friend's flinch at the contact. "If you're not up to it, Ah can tell them today's not a good day."
Prowl shook his head. "No. I- I'm ready. I have to leave this behind me. I-" Should he tell him? Jazz would understand and in another time he would never have doubted to tell his best friend anything but, now anything he said seemed to hurt the detective more.
"What is it?"
"Nothing. I'm fine."
Jazz frowned, feeling like he had just lost something.
"Pr-"
"Brother!"
Both men turned to see Bluestreak come running in and then halt. Shifting from foot to foot, seeming uneasy.
After he had bolted from the room two days ago, it had taken them three hours to find him. Poor Optimus had panicked, images of Prowl's broken and bleeding body replaced with that of the youngest of his charges. Barricade had been the one to find the teen, sitting with his arms circling his legs and face buried in his knees, on the roof of the hospital where patients could go to get fresh air.
He had called Optimus when the youngster refused to move. The man had rushed up and after he hugged the teen making sure he was alright he had gotten angry and yelled at Bluestreak never to go off on his own again.
Jazz had told Prowl that Bluestreak had gone silent and hadn't wanted to come back. Worried about his younger brother, Prowl could do nothing since Optimus had decided to take him home. Now though, it appeared that the teen had finally been able to get the courage to come back.
"Blue'?" Prowl called sliding a bit as if to get out of the bed.
Suddenly, unable to take it any longer, Bluestreak ran the rest of the way and hugged Prowl, minding his injuries.
"I'm sorry! I'm sorry I know I shouldn't have left you alone and worried Optimus like that, but I was really mad that you wouldn't leave it alone and I only want you to be happy and not hurting but then you just wanted to know about your injuries and I couldn't bear it and I just had to leave because I didn't want to hear it and-"
"Blue', Bluestreak! Calm down, it's okay. Shh it's okay." Prowl said softly wrapping his good arm around his brother and running his hand through his hair in a soothing manner.
Bluestreak started to sob quietly, but was happy to see his brother okay and glad he wasn't mad at him. Jazz had moved a bit back on the bed to let the teen have more space. Again, that feeling of protectiveness over the two younger men hit him hard. He'd make sure nothing happened to any of them. Now that Prowl would be under his care, he knew he had to change from who he was during the last two months. He knew this was Ratchet's doing, but couldn't find it in him to mind the medic's interference.
It had taken a while for Bluestreak to calm down, but once he did, Prowl distracted him by asking what he had done while he was away. To say he had not been pleased when the younger teen told him he had skipped school a lot was a given. Prowl had scolded his brother who was now looking very sheepish. Jazz had intervened, stating the time Prowl had gone on a temperamental tirade, skipping school and running away from home. Shocked to know his big brother had done such a thing as a youngster Bluestreak had proceeded to ask everything about it which earned Jazz a rather impressive hard smack to the head by Prowl.
And that was how Optimus, guiding a nervous Mirage and Blaster found them a couple of hours later. Prowl vibrating in embarrassment and trying not to kill his friend, while the detective laughed along with Blue' as he retold several embarrassing moments in Prowl's life.
"Well aren't ya a sight fer sore eyes."
"Blaster!" Cried cheerfully and a bit nervous Jazz skipping over to his friend. He was tall and had tanned skin, his hair dyed in a dark red. The detective was feeling guilty, since over the past two months he had never bothered to call on his friends. Blaster has been just a tiny bit upset with him and teased him merciless over the phone when they talked again.
"Come here ya!" Grabbing the detective in a headlock, Blaster proceeded to rubbing his head hard. "Ya little idiot not calling ta see if ya were alive! And I've been hearing from the department guys that you've been neglecting yourself! Idiot!"
"Ow, ow owieee! Ah'm sorry! Mercy please!"
Prowl rolled his eyes at the sight, murmuring something about how he deserved it before his eyes turned to a fidgeting Mirage. He was a bit shorter then Blaster, white short hair and fair skin. Many teased him that he looked like a girl.
"Hello 'Raj." He said gently. Both students were good friends, their love for books and history bringing them together.
Ignoring the pleading Jazz and currently angry Blaster, he made his way to Prowl, nodding a hello to Bluestreak who went to help Jazz in order to give the two friends some sort of privacy.
"Hello Prowl. It's really good to see you again." He tried to sound clam, but he couldn't help his eyes as they wandered across Prowl's visible skin, taking in every cut and some bruises that were still healing, saying a lot about the damage he had received.
Prowl sighed. "Not a pretty sight right?"
Mirage ducked his head in apology for the staring. "I'm- sorry Prowl. I knew it would be bad. When you were found, we tried to come see you but Jazz wouldn't let us."
Hearing a bit of anger in his voice, Prowl unconsciously shifted a bit to distance himself from Mirage.
"Wh- what happened?" He asked trying to mask the sudden nervousness he felt.
"He just wouldn't let us come in, said we didn't 'want' to see you and well…" He took a small sigh. "I blame it on the stress of the first month. Blaster and Jazz had a big argument. So loud that a nurse had called security to get them out of the hospital. Blows were exchanged and they didn't talk since."
Prowl looked at the white haired man with shock. He understood why Jazz had wanted to save their friends any trauma with seeing his broken body, but he would have thought he would handle it nicely.
"Anyway, I get why he did it, but then he just disappears. I mean, I know where he was and all, but he never called us, never even hinted about your condition. Frustrated, Blaster called Ratchet. That was when we heard you were in a coma."
Mirage trailed off, lowering his head.
"You had us really worried. Hell, half our classes were grim, knowing you were out there, caught and going through Primus knows what. I can tell you right now that everyone is eager to see you back in class, even if they know you'll just keep ignoring them."
Prowl was taken aback by the sudden confession. He wasn't the most popular of people, preferring to keeping to himself. Mirage was his only friend in college and he felt as if to the rest of the students he was just a presence in the room. They rarely talked to him, except when they had a question about something as trivial as the time or when they had team work, which was not often. To hear that he had been missed that much made him feel… odd. But a good odd.
"I… see." He couldn't help the small smile appearing on his face.
"Well, I've brought your books and notebooks from your apartment. After we got you back, Jazz made sure your door locks were changed in case... well just in case. I asked him for the key and went to retrieve some of your things. There's also a copy of my notes for you to use." He said quickly setting down the bag he was carrying.
"Thanks Mirage, I hope it wasn't of any inconvenience?"
"None at all. I hope to see you in class as soon as possible." He said seriously.
"I'd be there sooner if Ratchet hadn't sicked Jazz on until I die." Prowl said dryly, sighing in defeat.
Smirking at his friend, Mirage started to say something teasingly when he was suddenly pushed aside by Blaster, who all but threw himself at Prowl.
"Prooooooooowl! We did you have to go missing? Ya gave us a great scare ya! And Jazz has been a total ass!" He cried dramatically sprawling himself on Prowl.
Jazz tensed as he saw the sudden contact between Blaster and Prowl. If the younger man's reactions were anything to go by, he would freak. And freak Prowl did. For a moment he felt the need to scream for help. But he managed to reign in that desire. He sat rigid, not allowing himself to move even a muscle. He closed his yes tight. desperately trying to take in calming breath to gain some control over his body.
"Come here you!"
Strong and rough arms tackled him as he tried to run again. He fell to the floor hard.
"S- stop let me go please!" So much fear was in that voice.
"Never letting you go." Hissed the featureless man into his ear. His warm breath stinking of alcohol and nicotine bled onto his neck.
His control was slipping as those scene played in his mind as if he was reliving the moment. It was by sheer will that he did not lash out. His breathing became more erratic. He knew what was happening.
Noting the sudden panicked increase in the others breathing, the red hair stood up to see what was wrong. He panicked when he saw Prowl trying to clam himself, as if something bad had just happened.
"Oi, Prowl? Are you-"
"Ya idiot!"
The red hair was pushed back as Jazz took his place Optimus close behind, making sure not to touch the younger man. Bluestreak came around the bed to the other side, watching his brother anxiously, but staying still and silent.
"It's alright Prowl. Deep breaths, come on like that. There ya go." The detective had inhaling and exhaling motions with his hands as if that would help the raven head.
"Everything is okay Prowl. Nothing and no one is going to hurt you." Optimus added hoping he was saying the right thing.
Prowl felt himself relaxing at Jazz's and Optimus's words and the lack of contact, bringing him back to the real world. With one last deep breath, he felt ready to open his yes and face the world again.
What greeted him made him cringe. Mirage and Blaster were a nervous mess, not saying anything in case of breaking the sudden spell that seemed to fall on the room, but their expressions and twitches of hands was all he needed to know that they were freaking out. Jazz was a lot calmer then he had been the first time this happened and was already handing him a glass of water.
Nodding his thanks, Prowl didn't wait before gulping it down.
"Wh- what happened?" Mirage braved in a quiet voice, suddenly afraid that their actions could cause Prowl to have another one of… whatever had just happened.
Prowl knew Jazz was about to give them an excuse to get them off his back. But the student knew that if he did in fact, remember in the fitter, his actions would be much, much worse. It be best if they knew now.
"I'm not as 'fine' as you think I am." He said somberly. Jazz turned to look at him in shock along side Optimus, Bluestreak looked like he wanted to cry and the others just looked at him confusingly.
Even if Prowl had decided to let that little truth out, he didn't really feel well with speaking of all that haunted him. Specially with Jazz and Bluestreak in the room.
"Well…" Blaster said uneasily, trying to lighten the grim atmosphere. "we'll leave ya alone for a bit until ya feel better. We'll be back later right Raj'?"
Mirage nodded, not really wanting to leave. But what had happened left him confused and he had no idea how to deal with something he had no idea of what it was.
"I- it was good seeing you Prowl." He said quietly.
Prowl nodded and looked at both of them apologetically.
"Yeah, don't become a stranger ehy Prowl?" Blaster said.
"Heh, don't worry Blaster, Ah'll make sure he appears in a few parties without the Hatchet knowing. You'd like that right Prowlie?" Jazz said teasingly trying to get Prowl off whatever thoughts were grossing his mind at the moment.
But it was the wrong thing to say.
"Hello again Prowlie. Time for round two."
The twisted smile seemed to shine in the darkness.
...
"Where are you going Prowlie dear? We're not done with you!" Sneered another featureless shadow, an arm swinging back.
This time, Prowl did scream.
Prowl's screaming fit had scared all the occupants in the room. They watched wide eyed as the young man screamed in fear, his eyes unfocused as if he was not with them but somewhere far away and unpleasant. The panicked screaming had turned to whimpers of pain. Ratchet had barged in, kicking everyone except Optimus and Jazz out. Two nurses had to come to help them restrain Prowl as he started thrashing when Ratchet had tried to give him a sedative.
"Come on Prowlie, this will make you feel good, you know it will."
A needle was place in front of him, mocking him. Then, one of the figures slammed him down on the floor and impaled his neck with the needle. Just like all the times before.
"No! No more please! No more!" He had screamed in blind fear. The small relief they had experienced when they realized Prowl wouldn't remember anytime soon was crushed.
Optimus felt his heart clench at the sight of his charge in so much emotional pain and fear, as well as anger at the ones who did this to him. Ratchet was fuming. He understood. Prowl must be remembering when they had drugged him. Jazz managed to grab onto Prowl's arms and was hugging him close, not letting go even if he was crushing his broken one in the process. He was filled with rage. These people, would pay.
"What just happened!" Demanded Jazz once Prowl had been sedated and now rested limply on the bed, a few quiet whimpers leaving him once in a while.
"I should be the one to ask that question!" Snapped Ratchet. "What started this?"
Sighing, Optimus told him about how Blaster had tuckled-hugged him and Prowl had gone tense. It had seemed that he had managed to control himself but then…
"Ah called 'im Prowlie. That's when he just lost it." Jazz said grimly. "Fuckers. Sick fuckers. Bet they called him that whenever they did… whatever they did."
Ratchet rubbed a hand through his brown locks. "I think you're right. Must be why he reacted so intensely to it. It's probably linked to almost everything that happened to him."
"Will- will he remember when he wakes up?" Optimus asked, running a hand over his charge's head as soothingly as possible.
"I don't know Optimus, we'll have to wait until he wakes up. "
Prowl woke slowly, the effects of the sedative immediately recognized. He was getting damn tired of waking up from an induced sleep. He turned his head to the left, staring out the window. It was sometime in the afternoon, probably five.
What had he been doing before, no doubt Ratchet, had sedated him? He took a deep breath and back tracked. He had been woken extremely early by a nurse that had come to take a sample of his blood like every other day. Breakfast had been served after and had been as always, incredibly large. He had eaten it begrudgingly, not really hungry but knowing that not only Ratchet, but Jazz and Optimus would force feed him if he didn't do it himself. Bastards.
Jazz had arrived like every other day at eight and had helped him shower. He was still weak after a month of hunger and thirst and drugs and another month of being fed only serum through his veins. His muscles needed a bit of exercise and his body more food, hence the large breakfast. He winced as he remembered the moment he took off his clothes. Even if a month had passed, the large bruise on his leg remained. It started right above his ankle and ended mid-thigh and was darker on his front and back, almost as if it had been crushed. While it wasn't broken, he needed Jazz's help to keep upright.
The full-body mirror hadn't helped at all nor had his curiosity to see his back. Of course it would have been bad. Though he personally thought Jazz had over-reacted. The poor nurses had had to rush to get the mirror out.
He wasn't embarrassed to have Jazz help him shower. When they were kids they would go down to the lake just outside the city and swim naked, and after take a bath together as Prowl's still living mother yelled at them for going there in the first place again.
Jazz had left then to call Alpha Trion and Mirage and- Oh. He remembered. Just a bit after lunch, Jazz had come in and soon his little brother had joined them. Then Mirage and Blaster had arrived to see him. Blaster had tackled him. And he remembered… he remembered?
Prowl shook his head. He remembered that he remembers something but couldn't place what that something was. He sighed deicing that it was probably better that way.
"Prowl!"
When the young adult turned to see Ratchet entered followed by a worried Optimus and blank faced Jazz, he knew it was definitely better, specially if they looked at him like was going to start screaming at any moment. Wait.
He groaned, vaguely remembering having screamed. No wonder his throat hurt and was dry.
"Before you ask." He started swallowing. "I remember that I had a fit but I don't remember why."
The three men stopped surprised to hear this so soon. But they were relieved nonetheless. Jazz for one part, had hoped Prowl never remembered while a part of him wished he remembered some details, names, faces, places. Just so he could go and bring the bastards in.
"Well, " Ratchet started, checking his vitals and running his flashlight/pen over his eyes making Prowl squint at the suddenness. "I can't say we're upset about that and we won't ask you anything more. We pretty much figured out what and why you reacted as you did. If you remember though,"
"I'll tell you. Yes I know."
"We've been discussing what we should do if you don't remember." Optimus said. "Ratchet suggested we could tell you, see if you remember but we were afraid you may react as you did last."
Prowl shifted. He remembered the fear and didn't really wish to feel such fear again.
"I- I'm not sure…"
"Don't worry, we won't push ya." Jazz said smiling a bit. "Ya up for receiving visitors though?"
"Visitors?" Then he remembered who had been in the room with him. "Oh no, how's Bluestreak?"
"Shaken. He got really scared when you started… when you had an episode." Ratchet said diplomatically.
"Yes, I would like to see him. Are Mirage and Blaster still here?" He asked a bit cautious. Bluestreak was a must, but he wasn't sure he could deal with his friends right now.
"Nah, they just left. Raj's got a night class and Blaster was off ta his part time job."
No one missed the relieved sigh that came from the young man. Running his good hand over thought his black hair he winced when he passed his neck as he went to massage it. Suddenly having an image of being stabbed by a needle he glared at Ratchet.
"As much as I know that it was needed, would it kill you to be gentle the next time you have to sedate me?"
"Gentle? Gentle he says! What next you're going to ask for a treat?" Grumbled the medic glaring right back, but his eyes narrowed. Even in their panic to calm Prowl down, he had been as gentle as he could to administer the sedative. He shouldn't feel any pain in his neck.
"Echos." He thought. His brain was receiving pain signals from his body. Ratchet chewed on his lip. Prowl associated the pain to him sedating him but that was not possible.
Chuckling at his friend, Jazz turned to leave the room in search of the anxious teen.
"Prowl, are you sure you're alright?" Optimus asked as the door closed.
Looking into his blue eyes, Prowl realized that he had probably wanted to speak with him alone for a while. But Jazz was always hovering and then he had to take care of Bluestreak, get him to school and go to the firehouse for his shifts.
Ratchet busied himself with his chart, sending Optimus a knowing look as he went to sit on the one-man couch at the far corner of the room next to the door.
"I'm fine Optimus."
"Really?" He asked raising an eyebrow. "Because I can clearly remember that you told the others that you were not as fine as they we thought."
Prowl sighed. "I know, it's just. I'm not sure you're the right person with whom I should talk to about the things that haunt me." He said apologetically, looking at Optimus with saddened eyes, knowing he had probably hurt his guardian with his words.
Sighing, Optimus slowly bent forwards to hug his charge. It had hurt, knowing that Prowl did not want to speak with him. But he understood.
"It's okay Prowl, I won't push you, just know that I'm always here if you ever need to talk." He let go when Prowl tensed a bit. "I believe though, that there is someone you might feel more comfortable speaking to. He came here today while you were still asleep but he stayed waiting for you to wake up."
"Who?" Prowl asked confused.
Just then, the door opened and as he expected, Bluestreak came rushing in. Forgetting himself, the teen jumped on the bed and hugged his brother much like he had done when he had first woken up from his coma.
Curious. Prowl thought. He did not flinch nor tense as his brother buried his face in his stomach.
"I'm okay Bue'" He said softly.
"I know, and I'm glad, just what to hug you." Were the muffled words that reached him.
Smiling, Prowl turned to see Optimus smiling fondly at both of them.
"Well, this is truly a lovely sight. I thought I might have to come another day."
Turning his gaze to the door he froze as he saw the person standing next to Jazz. He was tall, white short hair. His face showed that he had been very handsome in his young age, but he kept himself incredibly well, not truly showing his old age. He stood straight, his skinny arms to his back, bony fingers lacing together. He was wearing a white and golden yukata. His soft blue eyes showed wisdom and warmth, his smile showing his fondness and hidden concern for the young man laying on the bed.
"Master Yoketron!"
"Oh don't say it like that Prowl, one might think you're not happy to see me."
It wasn't always that Yoketron made a joke, his sense of humor usually hidden in his words. But when he did outright say one, it always took him by surprise.
"N- no no no I meant no offense Master I-"
Chucking at his student's stuttering, he came closer standing next to Optimus and nodding his head in greeting, one the Optimus returned, grateful to Yoketron knowing that he would probably be who Prowl turned to with his problems.
"Calm yourself Prowl." There was a small silence as he looked over his student, like Mirage had, he couldn't help but see all the injuries on the boy's skin, the most eye catching being his arm in a sling, the gash above his eye and a sickly yellow bruise on his cheek. Of course, he didn't miss every cut, burn and bruise on his arms and a bit too close to vital points in his neck.
"I am so glad to see you are well."
Ducking his head in embarrassment Prowl searched for something to say. He never knew what to say to this man, even if there were a million things he wished to say. He looked at Optimus, understanding in his eyes.
"So this is who he meant."
Optimus caught the look and decided that now was as good as any time for Prowl to talk to someone.
"Come Blue', lets leave them alone for a while." He said gently as he grabbed the teen by the shoulders in a sign to let go.
"Bu- but I just got here." He said, putting his puppy eyes to use.
"Come on Blue' Ah'll treat ya ta some ice-cream and then ya can come back 'fore ya have ta leave fer the night." Jazz said smiling at guilty looking Optimus. The man could never resist those eyes.
Tented, the boy turned to his brother. "I'll be back 'kay! I want to tell you lots of stuff and maybe even play a game! But it might be too late. But that's okay cause we can play tomorrow right?"
"Yes, Blue', I'd like that very much." Prowl said smiling and kissing his brother's forehead.
Ratchet stood up last nodding at Prowl. "Make sure he stays put." With that he was out the door followed buy the rest of their small group. He had some things to talk about with Optimus and Jazz.
Yoketron sat on the edge of Prowl's bed, not missing the small flinch his student had tried to suppress. Jazz had told him everything that had happened. And had confessed that he thought he was the best to talk with Prowl. The detective was too emotionally involved, not that Yoketron wasn't, but he was calmer and wiser and wouldn't blow up in the middle of anything Prowl decided to tell him.
"So." He started.
"So?"
"How are you? Really?"
Prowl sighed. "I'm, not well Master."
"What troubles you?"
"I- I can't. I can't talk about it right now. Even I am not sure as to what haunts me. I want to talk, but I just… need time."
Yoketron nodded in understanding.
"I will wait patiently for you as I'm sure Optimus will."
Prowl's head shot up looking at the old man in shock.
"He has talked with me before he came in. He told me about the possibility that you might not want to speak with him but Prowl, I think that you should confide some of your fears to him."
"I know it's just." He sighed frustrated. "There's a part of me that just doesn't want to talk with anyone and another that wants someone to understand what I'm going through. A small part of me wants someone to talk with. But, it can't be Bluestreak, out of the question. Jazz would be the most logical choice, but he's so angry at what's been done to me, anything I say just fuels him and I don't want to agitate him any further. And I just can't see Optimus as being able to help me."
A small silence reigned in the room.
"I don't know what to do Master. There are many things I feel that confuse me. I understand what happened to me and I'm not ignorant to the fact that I will remember the tortures I went through but, I hate being treated like I'll break, like a child!" His fist hit the bed as hard as he could, trying to expel his frustration, but the soft mattress didn't offer such release.
"I understand Prowl. And I for one won't treat you as if you were a child. You're an adult and aware of what you face. But you must understand that the others are merely afraid. They could do nothing to stop you from being taken, they could do nothing to find you, and they almost couldn't save you."
Yoketron spoke the words Jazz had said when he came to the dojo a week after Prowl was admitted into the hospital. He had confided with his Master exactly what he had told Prowl. He knew Prowl wouldn't break, but there was just nothing else he could do!
"They must bare with the knowledge that they couldn't keep you from harm and that the ones that caused you harm are still out there, this terrifies them."
Prowl sighed. "… I know. I know."
So what could he do but let them keep fretting over him?
"He's frightened and confused."
Silence was his only answer.
"He will be haunted by the memories, the pain and the fear he felt."
A low grinding noise could be heard, one he could recognize as teeth grinding together. There was also the noise of knuckles cracking, letting him recognize clenched fists.
"What will you do now?"
Again only silence greeted him, and the presence that lurked in the shadows of a dark hallway vanished.
Prowl dreamed that night. It was the first dream he had had since he woke up.
He dreamed of a broken body, laying on a medical bed, how his chest would rise and fall slowly, heart beat steady.
He dreamed of a dark room, lighten only by the little light that passed thought the thick curtains and by the dim lights of the monitors the body was attached to.
He dreamed of a man, tall and intimidating standing next to the broken body. He dreamed that the man, with a softness one would never expect he possessed, would cup with face and gently run his thumb over his still healing cheek.
He dreamed that the man would bend over the small form on the bed, his face millimeters from his own.
He dreamed of words, whispered by the mysterious figure into his ear. Two words that were both simple, yet holding a fierce promise.
"You're safe."
- . -.-.-.-
Prowl woke with a start. He was panting though he didn't know why. He sat up and looked around the room, but he couldn't see a thing. He didn't know why the dark all of a sudden was a source of fear. He had always been happy with the dark. Jazz had teased him to be a vampire as his apartment was always dark and he'd study under a weak light for hours. Yet, now he felt vulnerable and lost in the vastness of the darkness. He started to breath harder as fear overtook him. He started to panic when he noticed he had no idea why he was so scared. The recently steady beeping of the monitors started to increase, showing the his heart rate increasing rapidly, the sound only serving to feed his panic.
He was about to bolt from his bed, into the hospital's corridor where there was light, but suddenly, out of nowhere, he started to feel… warmth, followed closely by a sense of tranquility. To his surprise yet not unwelcome, a feeling of safety enveloped him like a warm mantel, and sighing softly, his heart slowing to a normal beat, he laid back down and was asleep within seconds.
In the blackness of the room, where the only sounds were the soft and constant beep of the monitors and Prowl's peaceful breathing, only the four walls were witness to the figure that suddenly seemed to materialize in the room, as it stood from the lazy-boy in the darkest corner of the room, right next to Prowl's bed. With one last look at the sleeping boy, he turned and left just as silently as he had come.
FINISHED FINALLY!
Okay I know you're going mentla and screming WHERE IS THE LOCKDOWNXPROWL YOU PROMISED US?
Dun worry it will come just e patient. 'Kay? I'll give you cookies =)
REVIEW PLEASE!