Temerity
Part 26-Sobriety
Disclaimer: I don't own Transformers. They belong to Hasbro and Takara. I am merely taking them for a short spin.
Hot Rod left Optimus recharging in his berth, letting his inebriated leader sleep off his bender. As he walked down the corridor to ops for his morning assignment, he had a grin on his face. He just hoped Ratchet didn't find Optimus, because if he did, there would be hell to pay. And for his own sake, it was best to get off base for a while on patrol, the better to not tempt the medic just in case he found out where Prime holed up during the night. The lack of responsibility showed the past couple of days by first Kup then Prime and Prowl had Ratchet worked up and on a rampage that impressed even the Decepticons in their midst.
"Hey hot shot--you're with me today," Jazz said, seeing Hot Rod come into ops. "And this afternoon, you've got security detail filling in for Kup, so we better get going."
Hot Rod nodded, watched Jazz transform, following.
-----
The med bay was full, mainly because of Ratchet's latest rampage. Springer didn't mind having Kup around, but the ancient mech was doing everything he could to get on the medic's nerves. Plus the later appearance of Prime and witnessing the throw that brought down their leader scared even Springer silent. Now, Prime was laid out on a berth while all Springer could do was read data pads to keep himself from going crazy. Ratchet was muttering to himself about dismembering Primes as he went about the business of setting straight his med bay.
The monotony was broken when Hot Rod showed up, except he stopped when he saw Prime's prone form laying on a berth, optics wide.
"What happened to him?" Hot Rod asked Springer, who had an optic ridge cocked, interested in his friend's reaction.
"Get me out of here and I'll tell you," Springer said.
"You're supposed to stay here, and you know it. And I don't relish the thought of doing anything that'll land me back here," Hot Rod said, glancing over at Prime.
"Fine. Be that way," Springer said.
"Wise decision," Ratchet said. "Although getting him out of here for a bit would be a good idea. Rec room and no further. Understood?"
Both young mechs nodded, and Hot Rod helped Springer off the berth and out the med bay, sparing a backward glance at Prime.
--
Hot Rod grabbed a container of energon for himself and Springer, setting them down, then taking his own seat.
"Make this fast, Spring, I've gotta be back on duty in a half-hour," Hot Rod said. "I have to help Perceptor install the surveillance modules from the shuttle in the armory and the sooner I can get it over with. . ."
"'Jack's not helping, is he? Hope nothing goes boom," Springer said, grinning.
"Yeah. No kidding," Hot Rod said. "So, what happened to Prime?"
"What's got you so rattled about it? Ratchet laid him out this morning with a well-placed wrench throw. He went down hard. Guess he wasn't expecting it, when he should have. Ol' Hatchet had to strap Prowl down last night when he onlined, wanting more high grade and yelling for the music to be turned up. You should have seen it," Springer said.
"I heard about the falling off his desk," Hot Rod said.
"Who hasn't? You'd think everyone would know to keep a tighter leash on him when he drinks, especially Prime and Kup. Although it is kinda funny, don't you think?" Springer said.
"Even Optimus needs to unwind sometime," Hot Rod said.
"Speaking of unwinding, when was the last time you had fun? You've been working pretty hard lately," Springer said. "That's a good thing, by the way, but c'mon, Rodi, go pull a prank with 'Sides, will you?"
"I haven't been spending all my time working lately," Hot Rod said. "Ask Jazz. Or Barricade. Or Kup."
"OK," Springer said. "But when I get out of the med bay, we're going to have some real fun."
-----
"Are you sure about this?" Sideswipe asked.
Hot Rod nodded.
"If we get caught, it's both our afts," Hot Rod said.
"I'm just saying--this is stupid, even for us. Ratchet will kill us," Sideswipe said.
"Then we'll have to avoid getting caught, won't we?"
"You're crazy, you know that?" Sideswipe said.
"Never said I wasn't," Hot Rod said. "Now give me that grenade. . ."
-----
Hot Rod stood at attention in front of Prowl's desk. Prowl sat, arms crossed, keeping the young mech waiting, hoping he'd break him, get a confession out of him. So far, it wasn't working. Twenty minutes had ticked by, and Hot Rod wasn't showing any signs of fidgeting. This one was obviously made of sterner stuff than I thought, Prowl considered. By now, Sideswipe would be out of his office already. But not this one.
"Just what were you hoping to accomplish with this show of irresponsibility?" Prowl said.
Hot Rod met his optics for a brief second. "Hoping to prove a point?"
"And what point would that be?" Prowl asked.
No answer. Hot Rod went back to staring off into space.
"I take it Ironhide was your intended target?"
Hot Rod again met his optics, this time a small trace of mirth there, a slight smile gracing the features. "Ironhide was just collateral damage," he said.
"So it was Ratchet then. And are you going to tell me who assisted you?"
Again, Hot Rod didn't answer.
"You will help clean up the mess you made and repair the damage. And I'd stay out of Ratchet's way," Prowl said. "Dismissed."
-----
Prime saw Prowl was none the worse for wear after falling off his desk the night before, although he knew his second in command was nursing the Cybertronian equivalent of a hangover as was Prime himself. His own was exacerbated by Ratchet's excellent aim, but he pushed it aside long enough to get a report on the most recent prank. The Autobot leader listened as Prowl detailed the prank, which culminated in both Ironhide and Ratchet getting covered in red, orange and green paint from paint grenades. And he was surprised to hear who the culprit was, and a little relieved at the same time.
"You let him off easy," Prime said.
"I know. . ." Prowl said. "But. . .I'm relieved he did this."
"Because he hasn't done anything since he got here," Prime said.
"Yes."
"And his accomplices?"
"Sideswipe--the wiring on the triggers was his work. I've seen enough of it to know it by now and possibly Skywarp because the armory was not accessed," Prowl said. "And I'm also surprised Hot Rod managed to keep a straight face when he called Ironhide 'collateral damage.'"
Prime raised an optic ridge.
"He was gunning for Ratchet?" he asked.
"Yes," Prowl said.
"Ironhide is annoyed at his new paint scheme, but he'll get over it," Prime said.
"The red does rather suit him, doesn't it?" Prowl asked.
"Although I am curious as to where they got their hands on paint grenades," Prime said.
"Unknown at this point, but I will get to the bottom of it," Prowl said. "Will there be anything else?"
"No," Prime said, dismissing Prowl.
-----
Mikaela sat at the lookout, watching the sun go down. Her homework was done, so she had every right to be out. Being alone was all she wanted at the moment, but she knew she wouldn't be much longer. Her well-trained ear recognized the sound of a Dodge Hemi engine, and of the three Autobots with said engine, it was Hot Rod. She could tell them apart now, but that didn't matter. Hearing the transformation and footsteps, she quickly wiped the tears from here eyes as Hot Rod sat down beside her.
"Beautiful night, isn't it?" Hot Rod asked.
"Yeah," Mikaela said, trying to stifle a sniffle.
Hot Rod cocked an optic ridge, hearing her. Either the girl was coming down with something or she was upset. A quick scan showed no abnormalities in her operating parameters, so it was the second.
"Is everything OK?" Hot Rod asked.
"I'm fine," Mikaela said. "I just wanted to be alone a while."
"I can leave if you like," Hot Rod said.
"No, it's OK, really," she said.
"You've been crying, haven't you?" Hot Rod said.
Mikaela frowned, didn't answer.
"And you don't have to talk about it if you don't want to," Hot Rod said. Having too many mechs pry trying to help lately, he knew how she felt if she didn't want to talk.
"I just had a fight with my mom," she said. "Same old stuff, that she always brings up. I get tired of it, you know? I know she works hard but she doesn't have to take it out on me when she has a lousy day at work. Sometimes I wish my dad was here. . .he was always easier to talk to. But I don't know when I'll be able to see him again, and she won't take me, so. . ."
"You're here," Hot Rod said. "Why didn't you go to Sam's?"
"I didn't want to bother him with this," Mikaela said. "And don't even tell me I should go home and try and talk to my mom. She's already asleep."
"I wasn't going to suggest that at all," Hot Rod said. "But it is getting late, and you shouldn't be out on that scooter alone this far out after dark."
Mikaela raised an eyebrow in surprise. Hot Rod. Giving a lecture on safety.
"I was going to leave in a few minutes," she said. "Maybe she won't chew me out again if I can sneak into the house without waking here. She hates it when she gets woken up. . ."
"I can take you home," Hot Rod said. "Or anyplace else you'd like to go. Is there anyplace you'd rather go?"
"My Nana's. She can deal with my mom, even though she can't stand her," Mikaela said.
"Nana?" Hot Rod asked.
"My dad's mom, my grandma. I call her Nana," Mikaela said. "She doesn't mind when I stay with her, although sometimes I feel like I'm imposing, you know?"
"I don't think it's ever 'imposing' when your family wants you around," Hot Rod said.
"Really?" Mikaela said. "Hey--do you guys have family, too?"
"Yes," Hot Rod said. "A little different than human families, but we have them."
"Like Springer's kind of your brother, right?"
"Yes," Hot Rod said. "C'mon. I'll take you home."
-----
Optimus raised an optic ridge, seeing Hot Rod coming back so late. Seeing his leader, Hot Rod entered the rec room.
"It's not what you think," Hot Rod said, seeing the look on Optimus' face. "I ran into Mikaela at the lookout, took her for a drive. She needed to talk."
"That was good of you," Optimus said.
"I couldn't just leave her out there to ride that contraption home, could I?" Hot Rod said.
"No," Optimus said. "I'm just glad to see you're not planning anymore pranks today."
Hot Rod suddenly found himself staring at the ground.
"Yeah. . .about that. . .it was kind of a dare," Hot Rod said. "So if you want to lay blame. . ."
"I'm not looking for anyone to blame, considering you were caught," Optimus said. "And if I were you, I'd stay out of Ironhide's way."
"I plan on doing that," Hot Rod said. "How's your head?'
Hot Rod had to hide a smile at Optimus' suddenly sheepish expression.
"Much better now," Optimus said. "As is Kup, and I believe it will be a while before anyone brings the high grade out in the open again."
"I can see why," Hot Rod said. "Prowl's always been out of control when he drinks, Kup gets interesting depending on how much he has and you. . ."
"If I said or did anything inappropriate last night, I apologize," Optimus said.
"Don't you remember hiding out in my quarters?"
"Yes, and I did wake up in your berth," Optimus said.
"It's OK," Hot Rod said, grinning.
"You're sure? Usually I'm not so. . ."
"Out of control?" Hot Rod said. "Actually, it was more than OK. . .but. . ."
"What?"
"Just unexpected," Hot Rod said.
"If I'm, as the humans say, 'moving too quickly,' again, I apologize," Optimus said.
After all this time, you're not moving quickly enough, Hot Rod thought, but pushed it away. He'd waited for Optimus this long, and he could wait a little longer, lucky to have him even willing to consider a relationship of any sort.
"Like I said, it's all right," Hot Rod said.
"You're sure?"
"You don't have to keep repeating yourself," Hot Rod said. "It's all right, really. Look, it's been a long day, and I think I'm going to go get some rest. Good night, Optimus."