Hey guys! I feel like I'm on a role! Lol! Thanks to everyone who has reviewed my story so far! I'm so glad you're enjoying it! I have to say, I'm having a lot of fun writing it!

And now, on with the story. We left Ratchet praying to Primus that he could save Lyn, and save their friendship. After that OOCness in chapter 11, let's see if he can pull it back, shall we?

"Talking"

Thinking

:Comming:

Disclaimer: Don't own. Rightful property of Hasbro et al.

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Ratchet had never been so worried about anyone in his entire life. Even all of the worst casualties that he'd ever treated before put together didn't match up to this. Not even close. He felt like he was going to go offline at any moment.

Calm down Ratchet he berated himself. Lyn needs you now, more than ever. He'd searched the internet for the best possible treatment of Lyn's condition. He had to keep her warm. Laying down blankets, clothes and towels next to the human sized bed that Wheeljack had set up (with help, courtesy of Sam and Mikaela) he activated his holoform and gently picked up the young woman. She was still as cold as ice. I have to work fast. Acting on impulse alone, Ratchet began to quickly undress the female until she was in nothing but her underwear, gently and carefully patting her skin dry all the way. He seemed to take no notice that there was a practically naked female in the med bay; he was far to intent on righting the wrong that he had caused. In fact, he was so absorbed in his work that he barely heard or even sensed someone else enter the med bay.

"Ratch? Need any help?" The medic's holoform looked quickly to the teenager and then back to the unconscious paramedic. It was only then that he realised just how little she was wearing. He blushed furiously, and quickly threw a couple of the blankets over the older woman.

"Erm," he cleared his throat, pulling his more…professional thoughts to the front of his mind.

"Mikaela, I need you to help me. She's suffering from hypothermia, and I…"

"…you need someone to dress her?" Mikaela finished for him. Again, the CMO blushed, cleared his throat and nodded curtly. Mikaela suppressed the giggle that was threatening to form. She nodded and hurried over. Ratchet quickly returned to his bipedal mode, checking that he had everything he needed to help warm the female up. He scanned the net for more information.

Fresh dry warm clothes; check. Towels and blankets; check. Warm, sweet drink…where the slagging Pit am I going to get that! When he returned, Lyn had been completely dried off and was now in dry, warmed clothing, lying in the bed, and covered with blankets. Mikaela was searching through a bag that Ratchet hadn't noticed her bring in. The hi-vis green medic watched as she pulled out a flask and unscrewed the top of it.

"Mikaela, what is that?" he asked curiously, once again activating his holoform.

"It's warm milk. I've added some extra sugar into it. It should help." Ratchet sighed, quickly helping her to lift the unconscious female up into a sitting position. Mikaela tapped her shoulder slightly and spoke softly to the paramedic.

"Lyn? Lyn, if you can hear me, I need you to drink this, ok? You don't have to wake up, just swallow." Slowly and carefully, she poured a very small amount of the warm liquid passed the paramedic's lips, speaking softly and encouragingly the whole time. Lyn must have heard because within seconds, her throat bobbed and the milk disappeared down her throat.

"That's it. Good girl. You need to drink more, I know it's sweet, but it'll do you good." Lyn unconsciously drank a bit more before Mikaela replaced the lid. Some of the colour had come back into her cheeks. Ratchet performed a quick scan on her vitals. She was stable. In fact, she was sleeping.

"Where did you learn to do that?" he asked her as he gently pulled Lyn into a recovery position.

"My mom did this for my dad once when he was ill. He'd been out all night and he was suffering the same thing as Lyn." Ratchet nodded a little. Lyn coughed slightly, mumbling something.

"What did she say? Ratchet?" Mikaela looked at the medic when he didn't answer. He was smiling softly, and what looked like tears sparkling in his holoforms eyes. Mikaela nodded in understanding. Ever since Ratchet had upgraded the Autobots' holoforms, with Hound's help, she couldn't help but notice the many emotions that their robot forms allowed them to hide.

"Will she be alright?" she asked. Ratchet, pulling himself from his reverie, performed a scan.

"Her body temperature has risen slightly, but it's still a little lower than I like. I'll have to keep her warm." Mikaela nodded, turning to leave. She turned back round to him.

"Another person's body temperature can help, you know?" Ratchet looked up sharply.

"What?" Mikaela sighed.

"Using another's body temperature. It'll help warm her up. You'll figure it out." Smiling at the confused look on the holoform's face, Mikaela exited the med bay.

Use another's body heat? What did the human female mean by that? Ratchet knelt down next to the sleeping paramedic. Some of her hair had fallen over her face. Without thinking, Ratchet gently pushed it out of the way. In doing so, his fingertips brushed against her forehead. She grumbled something, shifting slightly. The medic smiled, placing the back of his hand against her forehead as he had witnessed the humans do when one of their own was sick. He was actually surprised to feel her temperature. That drink did seem to have done her good. Speaking of which, Mikaela had left it by the side of the bed. Obviously it was there to be used. He sighed melancholically.

"Lyn, I hope you can forgive me. I should never have lost my temper with you. It wasn't your fault. It was mine. It's all my stupid fault that you're in this mess now. I'm so very sorry, Lyn. I really am. And I will make it up to you. I promise I will." His thoughts suddenly went to the other Autobots. What would they think of him now? What would they do? What would Optimus do? He'd be kicked off the team, surely! He didn't notice that Lyn's eyes had flickered open while he was lost in thought.

"Rat-chet?" she asked weakly. Ratchet looked quickly down to the female.

"Lyn, you should be sleeping. How do you feel?" he asked softly. She shifted slightly, but was still too tired to actually move from her position.

"Tired. And I have a headache." Ratchet smiled softly.

"Well, that's what you get for running out in the cold and the rain. You're a medic, Lyn. You should have known better than that. What happened out there, anyway?" The paramedic simply shook her head. She didn't want to go into that right now. The medic sighed and bowed his head.

"Ratchet?" her voice was quiet as sleep began taking her over again. Ratchet looked at her, his bright blue eyes meeting her bright green ones. He found he couldn't look into them without an overwhelming feeling of shame wash over him.

"I forgive you." The absolute sincerity in that one sentence made him look towards her. She forgave him! After he'd almost hurt her, made her flee the base in absolute terror and put her life in danger, she still forgave him! Ratchet suddenly felt very humble towards her. He was about leave when he felt her hand hold his arm, almost as if preventing him from going.

"Please, Ratchet, stay with me? I don't want to be on my own." Her voice was still hoarse and quiet, but there was enough meaning there to make strong. Unconsciously, Ratchet stroked her pale cheek. While they were tired, her eyes shone slightly. There was something there, behind her eyes, something she wanted to say but just couldn't. Ratchet sighed and nodded.

"Alright, but just until you go to sleep." Lyn nodded slowly. Pulling back the covers, Ratchet slipped in, making sure to keep at least one of the thinner sheets between them. Lyn instinctly snuggled into him, making the battle worn medic blush even more. She was still cold, but only slightly. He threw his arms around her, pulling her as close as he could until she was lying comfortably on his small, yet toned bicep. He carefully rubbed up and down her back with his hand, hoping to warm her up. It seemed to work, because within minutes, she was asleep. And the normally roughly spoken medic couldn't help but let that rare smile he had seemed to have developed over the past few weeks creep over his features as he too, drifted into a much needed recharge.

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Phew! This took a while! Sorry for the wait, guys, and sorry it's a bit short. I'll try to make 'em longer next time. Hope you enjoyed!