Arcee, this is Optimus. I apologize. Ratchet and I have not found a single Energon deposit, but we will continue looking. How is Wheeljack? I am sure he is safe in your care. I do expect Bulkhead and Bumblebee to be back soon enough, so do not believe for a minute you are on your own. Optimus out.

Arcee saved that message and played the second one she had received moments ago. Wheeljack was already chuckling, but he hadn't heard the one from Bulkhead!

Hey, Arcee. Bulkhead here. I heard Jackie got hurt, and I'd like to be there to give you emotional support, but the concert took longer than expected, so Bee and I are taking the children to the campground, you know? The one with Firespark and the crew? Yeah, so, umm... Looks like you're on your own for a bit until Optimus and Ratchet come back with that Energon they promised. I can't wait to refuel! See you later, Arcee. Bulkhead out.

Wheeljack chuckled more and hugged himself. "Bulk's such a good emotional support."

Arcee crossed her arms and she leaned back against Ratchet's computer, something he would never let her do if he was there. She somewhat considered this as pay-back. "Aren't they all? So looks like we'll be on our own today." She walked over and unwrapped his helm.

Wheeljack smiled and he sat up, moving his helm around just to be irritating. Arcee growled. "What's with the holes in your thighs?"

She flinched and looked at him. Didn't everyone know what was wrong with her thighs? "An improvement," she said simply, but it really was what allowed her to keep her legs. "It's a long story."

"And I still have my audios, so enlighten me!" Wheeljack blinked his optics several times when Arcee removed the cloth. She bit back a sigh. His optics were worse.

"I was kidnapped by Airachnid, forced to watch my partner die, and when I tried to escape, she threaded a pole through my thighs and left me to hang until some Wrecker and a scout came through with a grenade and-"

"Oh, that was you? Frag..." He rubbed his helm, grunting when Arcee took his chin and jerked his helm back so she could examine his optics further. "You reeked of infection. I'm glad you got back on your pedes. Bumblebee was worried you wouldn't."

She nodded absently, groaning.

"What's wrong, doc-bot?"

"Your optics," she said. "They're failing. They've gone from blue to white since I've checked them last."

Wheeljack was silent. He knew what that meant. Blue meant there was Energon fueling them. White meant that the body decided it liked not fueling his optics and would prefer to stumble around in the dark.

Arcee stroked his helm in a soothing way. She didn't know what else to do. She hadn't treated Wheeljack before. Different bots had different ways of being soothed. Bumblebee preferred physical contact while Optimus refused it.

Wheeljack finally spoke. "I'm sorry."

"Why? For your accident? Come on, Wheeljack. Accidents happen."

"No, you're stuck with me, your least favorite 'bot in the world."

Arcee snorted and sat down in a chair next to him. "Rather you than the giddy kids and Bulk and Bee. You're even a vacation from Ratchet."

"I note you do not rank me higher than Optimus." Wheeljack was laying on his back, lifting a servo with his index finger erected towards the ceiling as he made his comment. Arcee giggled.

"Optimus Prime is...well, Optimus Prime! Come on!" She watched him lay his servo back down on his chest. He folded his hands over his spark. "You're jealous aren't you?"

"Of Optimus? Nah. He needs a good femme to keep him alert and on his pedtips."

She shrugged and sighed. "I really don't think getting into a relationship with another mech is going to help me..."

Wheeljack turned his helm as if to look at her. "Why?"

"I've lost too many, Wheeljack. Who's going to stick around me? I'm bad luck."

"Or you've just been given bad luck," he said softly as he lifted his helm off the pillow. "I'm sure you're not the bad luck itself. Primus just has a sense of humor, that's all."

She scoffed. "It's not a sense of humor I'd like to get involved in...I'm probably the punchline of every one of his jokes."

Wheeljack shrugged and yawned, rubbing at his chest, then scratching at his side. "Perhaps. You must truly feel honored."

Arcee got up and she pulled the blanket back over him. "Good night, Wheeljack..."

She watched him sleep a little longer before she turned away to gather some Energon for when he woke.

In case you get confused, I sometimes reference other stories, like Losing It, which is about Arcee almost losing her legs and her sanity to Airachnid, but I will try to help you guys understand what's going on.

To be honest, I have no idea where this is going, but I have the end already planned x3 Muahahaha.

-Prime627