A/N i'll keep this brief as i am running out of mb on my dongle, but we got some whismy stuff going on seeing how, its been like 10 chapters since Ellen and Optimus were on good terms :S so i hope this is alright :) anyway i've missed out the time gap lines and grammer but i'll correct that when my internet monthly refreshes :D
A Few Hours is enough for me
Ellen had ended up turning a resting eye to falling asleep despite how chilled the wind had turned, despite it barely near evening, she mumbled to herself as she twitched now and then, she hadn't slept well until then so despite the wind she consciously didn't want to wake, her sleeping form groaned from time to time frowning to the ambient sound of a thumping sound as she tried to hold onto dreaming.
A metal hand lightly rested on her back as it curled its digits around her torso. She was lifted from the ground, she moaned as though she knew she was being moved, the being that picked her up lightly placed her at the crook of his neck as she nuzzled into the barrier trying to get comfortable again, he cupped a free hand around her form as he sighed silently to himself, making his way back to the hangar.
His body was in a terminal condition that was the reality of it, to join with the Allspark he could not even protest, though he did not fear it, he had no choice if he did so or not, he did not have that kind of power, he had his concerns for his Autobots, the Matrix, the new candidate Prime, how she would manage without him, but despite his fears, they had all managed it seemed, but what he saw, what could have been, if he hadn't been pulled away from death. "I do not ask forgiveness for my choice back then, i ask on every occasion where i or a contributing factor causes you distress or potential harm; was i wrong to intervene back then?"
"Stop that..." she groaned quietly lifting her head, "H-Hi, Dad." she shyly said weakly smiling only realizing now that this was reality and snapped to a wakened state.
He bowed his head slightly in exchanging greetings.
"You can keep thinking about it but your not getting rid of me nor can you change that. So don't start with the regrets." She then grinned to herself as she put on a face of pity, "what are you saying anyway? You don't want me? A humans only for Christmas?"
"Hmm, you're going to have to improve an attempt to get the desired response you want from me." He said poking her in the shoulder.
"Oh gee you got me i'm an attention seeker. But in all seriousness i think if you didn't take me in, i would've only grown, angry and bitter, and even felt it then even though i kind of knew loss i never understood the concept of killing someone, i just wanted to hurt someone and that was it." She looked down slightly from the stare she knew to be getting, "i'm sorry, but that's what i thought then, what i thought with Silas and i thought it again when you were...gravely injured. I wanted to hurt them, but i..."
"Why can you not look at me?" he asked interrupting her.
"I, can't look at you...i tried to be calm, but i just get really angry it's like i can control it but i can't...i'm just, a being of chaos as it will always be." she said without tone.
He shook his head lightly "There is always a limit with control, and i have made choices that ultimately lead to consequence be it good or bad, how many times must i reinforce this?" he said lightly as she thought that he would still have to remind her a thousand times more. "You re-call my, recent outburst? Though rare i am still a sentient being and come with emotional and mental limits" he added.
"Y-Yeah but that's not for the same reasons all these years you..."
"You have only wanted for our War to end, because as long as it still raged on you only saw failure, some victories but for you personally mostly failure and that frustrated you, especially the events you could not control. You are no different for feeling this."
She tilted her head lazily to one side, "And for you losing Cybertron, technically twice. I guess it just builds up." She lifted her head up to him looking at his face more clearly since the base evacuation, she felt teary to his 'non-expressive face' no judgement whatsoever. Though she wanted to reach a hand out, just to be sure. "i was scared." She told him, "I understand why you were so distant to begin with so worried to make those ties again...it hurts, it does, it felt harder this time around because i had so much build up around my fear, it just got out of control. Dad, i-i don't want to be separated from you, or anyone else who's close to me. I'm...i'm sorry i didn't believe what was in front of my eyes, my heart hurt so much i thought that...was a message of your demise."
He felt his spark ache, though only small an impact, what they had was damaged which made it all the harder, "I-I'm rambling again. I can't stop doing that." She said shaking her head.
He cupped a finger under her chin like a brushing hand, as she almost gasped, "you were merely confused..." he started as she trailed her eyes across his face still fascinated with him suddenly being here.
"You are real." She said in a small breathless voice.
"But that is past, and you will not separate from me." He said quietly.
"You say that all the time, b-but i meant not here, in-in the world of the living i meant..."
"I know what you are referring to." He hushed. "We can discuss that particular subject later right now..."
"No." She argued, "I want to discuss it now."
"Right, now." he repeated firmly making her heart jolt, "i want, to converse with you. Now. In typical human fashion. Without the anger, the sorrow." He said as he laid his free arm to one side in a casual manner, before allowing a moment to pass before switching tones. "How...how are you?" he asked.
She sighed, so many things happening all at once. "Feeling fine, now that your here, you?"
"Satisfactory, however..." he started looking himself over, "The new acquired, frame was something to adjust to. Like it was with my first transformation."
"You're telling me are you holding me? Or are you planning on eating me?" she jested on his rather firm hold he had on her.
He sighed to himself loosening his grip, "So the humour continues and in higher scale it seems." He noted laying a hand on his face as he rubbed the crest of his helm with one finger.
"Your right it's higher, look at you, you-you have your own climate but wait, there's more..." she started as she counted her fingers of some of the puns she had come up with, Optimus relaxed his stance recognising how long she had prepared it. "You could put Primus to shame. Are you sure you're not the chaos bringer? No wonder you guys aint got a sun, no one can see it. Hey what's your new alt form? An aircraft carrier? At least a cargo aircraft? Take your pick i got more Metroplex." She stuck her tongue out winking as Optimus slightly bowed his head though.
"A swift mind is a desirable trait but let us exercise restraint hm?" He said lightly.
"Meh, they were terrible puns anyway. But give me a chance and i can prove that i can insult you to the very fullest of my ability." she shrugged waving a lazy hand. "As much as i can." She then expressed fondly.
"Now may i ask you something?" he said taking her away from his form and putting her a foot away from his face.
"That's usually how we start conversation." She jested leaning her elbow on his hand.
"During my absence, have you been, co-operative?" he asked somewhat grimly.
"You mean have i behaved?" she corrected.
"For Ratchet essentially and our new arrival." He asked as though interrogating her.
Her eyes turned anxious, "Oh." She emphasized "you mean the blue blooded buzz kill." She then stopped as she looked over her shoulders, she had her suspicions that he'd be one of those guys that appear out of nowhere or had acute audio receptors. She then cupped two hands around her mouth as she whispered, "between you and me I'd prefer to call him Ultra Douchebag or something similar along those lines in my head mind you, and to him when i feel as though he's satisfied with the outcome of missions."
"Ultra Magnus's intentions are always the best interest of the mission ahead; we owe him a debt of gratitude for his limitless courage." He argued admittedly.
"Yeah sure...but he lacks social interaction and...Appeal. Well not appeal he just has his, 'Aww jeez, pinch and rub the bridge of your nose' moments."
"No one is a species of perfection." He noted. "He has fine qualities, acceptance, a realistic and logical view. And above all gets the mission completed."
She placed a finger to her chin, "He's alright, but you have to have, patience. I mean i may need to get checked out mentally, being on that ship with him for that short amount of time whilst suppressing my...my. What's a better word for saying things that aren't positive?"
He took a moment to encrypt her phrase, "frequent complaining?" he noted playfully.
"Ha...ha. Comedic lame joke drum please. Accurately known as a rimshot." She said folding her arms.
"Which brings me to my own concern, what were you doing in accompanying Ultra Magnus to Megatrons fortress?" he questioned narrowing his optics.
"i-i-da, w-w-who-da, w-what happened to typical human fashion?" she protested anxiously.
"It was presented appropriately in either fashion..."
"Yeah in a typical 'Mother' fashion." She said before sighing. She looked at the hand that held her, even with the obvious scolding optics she was fine with where she was right now, even weirdly took it in as just usual banter. "I had something that could help. Ultra Magnus must have mentioned that."
"Indeed he did, i just want to hear your perspective of the matter, but i still question your presence despite what you had." He said reluctantly.
"Look my 'Sire', your speaking as a...er, Sire. You gotta do your bit around here and i...tried. i wasn't doing it for thrill i used the resources that were given to me, but that 'thing', went down with the fortress anyway. Can't hang on to what you haven't got so let's just forget about it." She said.
"You used it?" he asked concerned and solemnly.
"...i attempted to terminate Megatron but failed miserably, nothing else." She said finishing her say in it by brushing her hands in front of her like a closing curtain.
"You were sent to intercept Vehicon units, are you saying that you did not encounter a single one?" he asked wise to her half answered question.
"No." She replied flatly.
"I will ask again."
"Don't bother, nothing happened, Ultra Magnus must've lured more units away then he thought." She said turning the conversation to debate.
"Ellen, Ultra Magnus did provide a report. Why are you, lying?"
She lightly glared, "don't call me a liar. I am not a liar it's just when you're forced to answer and are not comfortable with revealing certain truths..." She argued, "Whatever he said, he didn't see anything. Therefore no valid evidence."
"No but a reference from Starscream and the probability of units, the odds are against you."
She turned her head downwards as she frowned clenching her fists, "Fine. It happened, and...I regret it. There it's been referenced can we move on now?"
"Are you sure you do not wish to, go on?" He asked with concern noting her frustration and that she repeated what she had done so in the past that only led to more problems, repressing anger.
"Go on what?" she started agitated.
"Tell me what you did." He asked putting her on the spot, though she scrunched her face up slightly wondering why he was so pushy with wanting to know, he knew what she referred to why does he want it in plain terms?
"I have nothing to say." she said through her teeth.
"I know otherwise." He said sterner in tone.
"Well what you know..."
"Tell me." He ordered assertively to get her undivided attention.
"I killed them alright!?" She stated angrily being forced into a corner, "i...i took lives, but only if...i mean for all i know one of those cons could've shot...but i would never know that." she shook her head growling to herself she had no valid argument to present, it was, what it was. "The killing thing naturally doesn't sit well with me. And i don't think i would've killed Silas back then either, because i saw no point despite my anger. But now, i still don't see the point in what i did. Despite what was at stake, your cause. I still feel, hollow." She said wearily her form falling limb.
He cupped his free hand and placed it next to her as she leant into it, "I am more relieved that you admit this, but we cannot second guess 'if' or 'maybe'. The circumstances were different, it was not the same when you encountered Silas, you were on a battlefield. The terms of War applied."
"Terms of War, those words don't seem to fit..." she mumbled in shameful tone.
"I agree."
"So, am i wrong for ever going? I have my own thoughts, my reasons, but, i always like to hear your 'advice'." She said lightly smiling at him but a little wary.
"Despite the argument of if it was right or wrong, you regret it. Acknowledged them as living beings not as some objective or target. But remember to not become accustomed to that path. Many Cybertronians have turned to mere killing machines because that is all they knew. In the end whatever reason, protection, War, its still wrong."
"Then how do i not? If i did? I mean i do over think actions, even when i'm about to do it." she asked.
"Some, after missions would discuss what they have done, to discuss it openly amongst themselves. Then to move on. It works similar to pressure; so much can only build up until you finally implode. Only when you release the pressure that you feel that weight removed." He said.
"I guess that would help, like a social group or something. Can i join?" she asked clasping her hands together.
"Perhaps for now you can discuss it with me." He said patting her on the head as she stuck her bottom lip out at the action.
"Yeah i don't think I'd be able to discuss something like this with anyone else, not even Jack, i would ask you to do the same but i know you wouldn't."
"You understand why." He said.
"Yeah, you solitary tiger you. Can, we talk about something else now?" she said resting her chin into her hands. "You scared me when you snapped like that." she slightly pouted.
His optics averted to the side as he expressed a look of sympathy, "Do you want to sit up on my shoulders?" he asked presenting reassurance.
She weakly smiled to herself as she averted her gaze, "Sure if i don't slip off, you have nothing to hang onto, we'll have to get you some handle bars like Ultra Magnus heh."
"Hm?" he said tilting his head at her.
"What? What's wrong? Don't do handle bars? How about we strap surround sound to you instead, now you can fight Cons musically..." but he continued to stare, "I got a nosebleed or something?" she asked shielding her nose.
"What is that?" he asked she felt her chest tighten to the 'Primus Almighty' expression he was suddenly producing.
"What? What?!" she hollered poking and prodding her face for a source.
"This." he said pointing a finger at the bottom half of her face.
She stroked a hand down her mouth desperately consistent, "w-wait i don't feel anything." She said.
"I feared as much." He stated seriously.
"Will you stop being so cryptic what's wrong with me?" she demanded.
"The lack of flexed muscles, contraction of the muscles in the eyes. A common facial expression." He finally said.
Her eye twitched as she had given her leg cramp from tensing so much, realising he was referring to a smile "You! I thought a parasitic alien was going to burst out of my head or something." She said. "I mean really? I'm not smiling so you go all melodramatic on Gandalf levels? Maybe even Christopher Lloyd levels? That's a huge level. A huge level."
"So why are you without one?" he asked taking a moment for her to state random outbursts.
"Does it matter? I'm sixteen most things are just, meh, so-so, fifty-fifty. Besides i know i'm supposed to have a huge grin on my face constantly like a Cheshire cat right now but i can't even make one, too tired. Well, i'm-i'm trying anyway." She said as he noticed that she repressed a yawn.
"Not as a willing action." He said.
She furrowed her brow, "Nooo, i guess not." She said suspiciously.
"That is unfortunate." He said his tone growing softer and playful. She watched his movement warily as he tilted his head upwards, though his hand hovered next to her like some spider creature from her perspective.
"What is this..." she said narrowing her eyes at his hand that edged a little closer, his fingers started to move up and down in an unpredictable pattern. "No Dad." she warned trying to get out of his grip, though he turned his fingers closer to her neck, "D-Dad don't, i'm not a one digit age anymore you can't-you can't do that anymore, you-you know i have Hypergargalesthesia, so-so no gargalesis..." she pleaded kicking her good leg in no particular direction as he lightly brushed under her neck, "h-ha..." she squeaked accidently slapping both hands across her mouth, "s-stop that. I sounded like a right girl." She huffed in a lower pitch as he proceeded to do it again, "No, no don't, Da-aadd!" she squealed, "Not the neck!" she continued, trying to push his hand away as she threw her head back laughing. "Hiiii mean it! I mean it! Stop! My leg! My leg!" she cried and he ceased in an instance as she gasped for breathe painfully shutting her eyes to her protesting leg.
"Easy now." he said tilting his hand so he could let her breathe better.
"I...hate being forced into laughter." She hissed at him.
"I found it in your best interests, i do not feel suited to a forcible response but i think it was appropriate."
She chewed her lip a little, "well you! Yeah i guess you're right and my stupid leg had to ruin it." She said giving up on stubbornness, "i may have been slightly down for a while now, even when i smile, it's something fake to hide behind i guess." She then tented her fingers and played with her hair "Hey. Can i still take you up on that shoulder sitting?" she asked shyly.
He raised his hand up and placed her on his shoulder carefully. She nuzzled his helm like a friendly cat as she petted him as such, "i hate your fingers. And i will find some kind of metallic spasm in your biology, something that will make you keel over besides stasis. And then, when you've fallen i'm going to eat a whole cake and dip cookie dough into the three inch thick icing and you'll be powerless to stop me ha!" She cackled, "Ha...ah!" ...before slipping from her sudden movement, "W-W-Whoa, it's like trying to sit on a newly waxed hood here." She said trying to stop herself slipping. Optimus pushed a finger under her good foot as he pushed her back to a more levelled out part of his shoulder. "thanks." She said.
She noticed inside the hangar that everyone was moving around doing something. The one who stood out was Ultra Magnus mainly because his arm extended every so often in giving orders. "I kind of feel bad for him though, Ultra Magnus i mean. But whatever, it's his lifestyle he can be content with whatever he wants what's odd to me isn't exactly odd to others, like a cuckoo. Don't get me started on cuckoo's, you know there are one hundred and forty two species of cuckoo? And forty percent are brood parasites?"
Optimus nodded to her notifying that he was listening but drawing herself off one topic wasn't uncommon and he merely continued as normal. "Not the usual reaction for a new arrival who presents a potential threat to you personally." He noted.
"Well he is only a step down the ladder from you, and me who is hanging onto that step as he 'by authority' shoves me to one side. But this isn't the time Arcee came to Earth, its different now i'm older and i thought..." she started mumbling to herself.
"Thought?" he said encouraging her a little.
"Him being commander and all, i wanted to make an impression because i wouldn't want to ruin your memory, if! And when i thought you were a memory. By acting like a total idiot. And i know you'll probably say that i didn't have to and you prefer me for me, but they don't know that nor see it like that, and i'm not referring to everyone i mean bots like Ultra Magnus even Ratchet had huge doubts to begin with."
"Does it matter? If you know i prefer it you be yourself? That i know it?"
"Yeah i know it, heck i even like me, but, I wanted to 'co-operate'. You're a well known symbol on Cybertron and you can't desecrate that." she stated seriously but Optimus had to admit whilst watching her, that she looked completely opposite to it. "Ultra Magnus, i want to be like that with, i'm not really down with the 'serious' personality but at the same time i respect that. I never grew up with him around so he has to take me on by first impression...which i kind of screw up with, but i apologized and explained."
"I can paraphrase, 'Emotionally compromised'." He said. "Using that broadened vocabulary were we?"
She nudged her elbow into his helm, "Tease. Who knew I'd turn into such blabber mouth." She sighed, "But i wanted to do this alright? You don't care what others think of me or how this looks on you. But i just wanted to 'represent' you." She said folding her arms defensively.
He turned his head slightly towards her as she noticed a gracious smile, "i try to teach you the faults of what too much of something can sometimes be harmful, but perhaps now is not appropriate for that." He said noticing her playing with her jacket in a childish manner. "Your expression of devotion, from my perspective, you appear very...Delightful in nature." He noted she was never good at looking serious in appearance.
"You kind of, had to think then." She said suspiciously.
"i had to acquire a more suited description for myself to express, i was going to use another term of phrase but, forgive me you are clearly trying to show it, but you have yet to master a serious representation of yourself." he said.
"What?! What do you mean that i can't look serious?" she demanded despite his best efforts to avoid confrontation by choosing an appropriate argument.
"No, you misunderstand, you do, its just you appear through my optics more..."
"More, what?"
He said some very quietly to her as she looked towards the hangar. "H-Huh?" she said slightly blushing. "That doesn't sound right coming from you, we'll cross that off your vocabulary for sure." She joked with him as she slightly shivered.
"There was no other word for it, there are many words i could use to describe you, but how you appear now in this moment. Perhaps it is because of my optics own perspective on certain beings."
"Well it's weird, but our language doesn't do your monotone any justice heh like silly and sparkles and...hey wait a minute! Are you saying i look like a little kid or something then? I'm a young woman I'll have you know with plans of going to theatre."
"i will remind you that this is from my own perspective, some see you as a friend, some see you as family, some see you, as you say a young adult female, and i agree, however i also see you as forever young despite the realism that your life span is short." He added with solemn realism. "There is a saying on Cybertron; parental glitched optics, not registering the difference between child and adult."
"Similar sayings here, different but similar, but i understand what you're saying." She said adjusting herself as his hand twitched to any sudden fall. "Still, man what an insult." She said flicking his antenna. "Cute is for baby sugar gliders named Faith."
"Is this a clear sign that we are on better terms now?" he asked.
Her eyes widened to how long ago that felt to her, "Of course, i'm way past the Omega Keys incident." She said confidently before choking on her words, "i-i mean! Oh no." She sighed rubbing a hand over her face as her face turned crimson red.
"You meant no harm; i know you meant to portray those words in different concept." He reassured.
Despite this she turned very uncomfortable and her leg wasn't helping. "I know that was a beacon of hope for you guys." She started as she sprawled her arms over his helm, "but i don't regret my feelings then. I'd be lying otherwise."
"I expected no less. But now we cannot linger on what could have been, only forward." He reassured holding a hand over her lap because of the awkward position she had put herself in that could lead to a potential fall. "We have all made ties to this planet, but which ever future, i would prefer you to be a part of it."
"You don't have to say that, i know. But during then i was angry but i wouldn't turn you into 'estranged'." She hummed, now leaning on him like a sprawled cat bathing in the sunshine. "Dad?" she started as she mock quivered her lip, "i broke my bike."
"My sympathize." He said averting his optics upwards. "But an inanimate object is expendable."
She sighed relaxingly at his response, "So..." she started as she looked to the hanger, "I'd better let you get on with your job and all." She noted finding her way down, "you know i had your old frame all figured out like a climbing wall but this is a customised level..." She said as he cupped his hand a little firmer as she was almost stiff from not being able to move her legs.
"Stay with me." He said. "Foremost, you still need medical attention." He reminded firmly.
She looked at her lap that was practically in custody, "Then what? You're going to leave me with human medic in training Ratchet? Have you seen his vision of a bandage? I've seen century old trees with slimmer barks then his bandages."
"Nothing i am doing is too hazardous for you to remain where you are. Ratchet can tend to your injury, then we can continue, however we are currently void to resources and until Agent Fowler can present myself with a means of disguise, i am currently 'limited' to action." He said somewhat wearily.
"Anything you do right now, is aiding 'me'. So maybe you could check this off your list of duties." She said performing a gesture of a flicking pen.
"A privilege." He corrected, "He has become anxious of your whereabouts."
"Who Ratchet? Must be rushed off his feet though."
"Ratchet is a bot of Science and medicine, he has a constant role." He said.
"Despite his age." She sighed swaying from his walking movement, his hand over her legs seemed to thin down the throbbing, thumping pain in her leg, she puffed a laugh in thought that he had stopped the blood flow and her leg would merely fall off, the silence was good for that moment, she took time to look him over, a small part of her still thought that this was a trick but she wavered off her anxiety and just went with what she was given. "Remember when you called me Little Roller?" she mused with eyes closed half way, "when you say things on a few occasions and not say why it kind of sticks with me until then so what was the reason behind it?"
He recited it like it was mere hours ago, "i, do not know, it was more of thoughtful thinking and it rolled off my vocal processor and admittedly by accident, i just hope i have done as much as i can before your age of independent living."
She almost choked on her own saliva, "Hey man you sound like as soon as i turn a certain age your gonna run me outta this pride or something." She argued, though the thought of a bot standing over thirty feet chasing her out of base was something she had to get Miko to draw on paper.
"No, i am only referring to how quick the change has happened, your growth, it has not felt gradual more spontaneous." He said regrettably.
She lent her cheek into her hand as she lightly rolled her eyes, "i think that's called old age on your part, besides you sound as though the parental role is a set task for a number of years, man even when i'm forty i think I'll be that loser still living with her Dad, well semi-living, i have no idea what to call it. i stay at my place when i need my space but then i just come back to base to see you guys, i don't know, i'm homebound i guess. Not the desired lifestyle my society expects but then again the government never desired interstellar parental roles."
"I had no knowledge of human culture, understand it from there view the factors they considered even the possibility of a threat." He said.
"But they watched you all the time, waiting for a slip up. Thank the deities that the soldiers had our backs. Covering up any 'hazardous' events..." she trailed off as she held a hand to her mouth, "Man i can't stop doing that." she scolded.
"Continue." He said.
She turned to him appreciating his patience, "This hasn't been the easiest life, i mean good lord I've barely got through..." she shifted her eyes left and right, "w-well you-you know, but I'd go through it all again if i could. Because i know you. I'd never have seen you again if i went with my family. I had nothing to give. I wasn't even supposed to be there."
"I would repeat my choice, but even if i did not, i would have greatly attempted to see you." He said.
She swayed back and forth on his shoulder like a swing as she grinned to herself stupidly, "Much easier for you than me. But still unlikely, think of all the clearance and the rules, i think they would bring you to 'justice' with the military being your judge. All guns blazing you know?" She said.
"There is no personal justice so long as your law is absolute. Your government would have given me little choice." He stated.
She folded her arms as she looked to the far ground. "If something like this happens again you better let me stay."
"No." He said flatly.
"Come on, besides the family status, we're partners."
"Your part of a generation that needs to be preserved." He argued.
"Say what you want next time i'm going to weld my feet to the floor." She sighed swinging her arm around his antenna abruptly as his spark fluttered, "I've missed you." She said quietly, "those past few days felt a lifetime."
He stared at her, scanning her, face, legs, arms, even her voice, suddenly realising something as he looked past his own relief. "What?" she said as he turned suspicious in nature.
"Allow me a moment." He said continuing to look her over like Ratchet would.
"C-Can we not go back inside?" she asked nervously "there's like nowhere to go now everything is open but whoa!" he had abruptly stopped making her dip forward and fall in his palm.
"i have been distracted by this conversation." He said to himself. "Your core temperature is low, and..." he lifted her slightly up and down in a consistent rate, "decrease in body mass? Pigmented skin?" he started as he pointed at her face, "Open your orifice." He ordered.
"I beg your pardon?" she said.
"Open." He said as she sighed.
"Jeez." She said opening her mouth.
"...you have been neglecting basic needs?" he questioned still scanning her.
"Errrr, i never really noticed? My temperature is probably low because I've been sleeping outside, my skin colour, is just minor stress anyway, the weight loss is probably a few pounds you just state it like some huge concern its fine I've been hoarding energy bars. You-you didn't notice until now so i must be fine." she said.
"When considering the factors, Agent Fowler should most likely have included that into the supplies." He pondered to himself as she tilted her head back the furthest she could pretending to play dead from his own self rambling.
"I'm fine." She sighed.
"I was more concerned with how you would be able to adapt, not lose basic instinct and additionally in only a few days?" He continued to himself.
"Dad i'm not a baby wild animal you found on the side of the road, well...an alleyway, but i have had interaction with my own kind and wasn't bred in captivity or anything." she did miss the awkward part of conversation that usually took place with him.
Though he seemingly ignored her as he continued to have a discussion with himself, "First priority, is to take you to Ratchet, then nutri-..." he stopped as he looked around, "Agent Fowler has informed me that this used to be a very flourishing operation, there should be a specific area for sanitation."
"Oh what i stink now?" she spouted lazily.
"Injury, nourishment, sanitation, rest..." He counted.
"b-but i was already sleeping." She interrupted.
And of all things she said in that moment, argumentative behaviour finally caught his attention, "In an incorrect position as well as wrong materials, you may have caused damage to your temple and vertebrae..."
"Hey, hey!" she protested as he practically speed walked back to the hangar, "i'm being held against my will here."
"Ratchet." He called through his comm link.
"I-I e-eer, hello? Am i an ethereal being or something listen to the pleading stressed human." she said.
"Finally." Ratchet said out loud moving from the screen for the Groundbridge.
"Hey you got the Groundbridge up is it working ye-...Wah!" she exclaimed as now Ratchet picked her up by the upper torso. "Wait, wait! Where's June?" she pleaded innocent like.
"Home." Jack said amusingly from below her in the new seating area.
"Jack!" she exclaimed scratching the air, "May i ask for your aid?" she inquired politely.
"Urgh...i think I'll take the peaceful route." He said scratching his head and sinking into the couch.
Her expression darkened, "Fine then, but the next time you get into mental distress I'll take the 'peaceful route'." She told him as he shrugged innocently.
Ratchet placed her on anything that could substitute as a table as he transformed his arm into a cutting laser, the green glow reflecting off his face, "Jack knows sense not to interrupt my work." He said as her lip twitched at the look of determination in his face.
"Whoa! Whoa!" she said backing off. "If i were a bird I'd be dead right now from exposure to stress, I've told you this Ratch rem-remember? When you showed me Starlight. You may want to hang onto that." she said expressing random words.
"Will you stop with the outcries it's on a low setting just enough to cut the clothing up the limb." He told her. "You're terribly attentive for someone who used to be timid."
"But these are my comfy jeans." She said mock whimpering.
"There replaceable." Ratchet grumbled back grinding his jaw.
"Aw but these are pretty old that's why there comfy if i get new ones I'll be walking around like you guys. And they'll be itchy for months."
"Stop complaining and hold still." He assertively told her cupping her leg as though it were the Groundbridge lever; she clamped her teeth together scared that he was going to yank it.
Her head shook as she looked upwards, "C-Can i hold y-y-your finger?" she asked Optimus with the discovery of a new found fear; Ratchet and his wrathful handy work.
"The procedure does not cause irritation or pain." He reassured. "Ratchet has performed something similar before when you were injured."
"You don't know man you weren't there." She told him imitating a different accent, "my leg just hurts, the patient care is terrible these days you're just a number and i'm beyond stressed now a sister is looking for love here. Just stay close okay?" she said in a fast paced manner.
"I will."
In the foreground Ultra Magnus was conversing with Arcee where certain resources are to be stored in this less then practical base, he was not one to listen in to other conversations but he took them into account for future reference. "Sir. Should the Energon cubes really be moved to another hangar?" Arcee said a little reluctant to have a vital resource not as close as it should be.
"For safety reasons, Energon is highly unstable as you know; being relocated to another hangar lessens the risk. Your former base i believe was a whole section in itself?" he said.
"Yes, Sir." Arcee stated solemnly, "it was. We'll get to work on clearing the storage hangar."
"Very good." He started as he looked over to Ratchet and Optimus.
"Ow...ow...owowowowow..." Ellen repeated.
"Excuse me soldier." Ultra Magnus said as he stepped back from her. She herself returned to the assigned task. "May i intervene?" he then said approaching the medic and Prime.
"Oh-Magnus-Sir." Ellen greeted with robotic sarcasm as she gripped harder onto Optimus' finger exchanging worried glances with him.
"He can speak freely Ellen." He told her.
"Yeah but i have a bad feeling with what he's going to say. e-erm with the greatest respect of course Magnus Sir." she said.
"He cannot give you his full attention; he has other matters to attend to." Ultra Magnus said looking as though he had a lot of evidence to back up that statement.
"Wh-..." she started before Optimus raised a finger to her to stop. "Hey man..." she mumbled, protesting.
"She is aware of this Ultra Magnus." He told him, "What needs attending to?" he asked placing his hands behind his back.
"The Groundbridge as you know is currently undergoing engineering, with that said i have noticed how 'comfortable' our soldiers are since dark mount perhaps you could extend the formalities? I know this is not Cybertron but we should set an example nonetheless." He said.
"Of course Commander, any other matters you wish to bring to my attention?" he said.
"Sir, if i could send you further matters via exchange?"
"Proceed." He said.
"Exchange, e-mailing by using your head? Well either way you guys look like awkward silence by doing that." Ellen said.
Optimus' optics glanced left and right as though reading something. "I know we are lacking most of our lieutenants." Ultra Magnus pointed out relevant to the list of 'matters' he had provided him.
He himself turned down towards Ellen, sitting there looking naive in expression and vulnerable in appearance, though on purpose. "Ratchet how soon will the Groundbridge be operational?"
"Human time? Five hours, with Raphael, three." He said.
"I can stay here. I think Ratchet would just love to have a long pointless conversation with me" Ellen said grinning evilly at him.
"For the love of Primus, please take her." Ratchet struggled to say.
Looking past the mocking threat, he did not want her to stay where she was, he had to make this time for her especially now that there work was currently in limbo, and there would be no other opportunity. "What you have sent me Commander can be completed in less amount of time..." he started as he draped a hand around her, "she does require my presence so i do my part to provide that. Despite my responsibilities she falls into that category as do i try to provide this with all present humans." He added eyeing up the group of humans in the seating area.
Ultra Magnus followed his vision to Jack, Miko and Raf. "I understand Sir." He said reluctantly though in actual reality he did not. There was much he had to learn of this world, but that was not a priority. "I don't have much experience with, charges. It is irregular and somewhat alien for me. I do not know how to, categorize them, or her, for the status as Prime has always been, solitary and without distraction to ties." He said.
"Screw that idealism sounds too...outdated. Come on say with me 'yes, i can'." Ellen said unaffected by what he said.
"Commander, there has been rapid change since we were all forced to leave Cybertron, Earth is different and its natives function different. The same scenario occurred when i set you the task of commanding the Wreckers." Optimus said.
"And i have never truly been content with there, ways. Though i will say i had to adjust." He admitted.
"It was a short time. But you performed well." Optimus said bowing his head slightly. "I re-call never giving you proper recognition." He added as Ultra Magnus looked on with integrity.
"Sir..." He nodded slowly, he had seen Optimus go through changes, he had seen him at the start of the War, middle, the darker times and that sense of hope that lingered in his optics when presented with opportunity and now on Earth, this was another change, though only subtle he noticed.
"Did you ever, interact with them socially?" Ellen then asked snapped him from these thoughts.
"You know that conversation was brief during the War for Cybertron." Ratchet reminded.
"Well, if you could have had a conversation?" she asked.
"We work differently and in nature are different." Ultra Magnus answered with.
"Hmm, o-ow." She said cringing.
"Hold still it's like adjusting optical enhancement with how delicate i have to be." Ratchet said, Ellen had to admit he was getting better and he had a sure look of determination with how perfect he wanted to get it, the bandaging felt firm but not tight and didn't feel bulky. Like an artist he used the laser to cut the trail of bandage that made it look untidy. "There, all done." He said as she looked over her white bandaged leg. "Don't put weight on it, Nurse Darby is still trying to provide me with the means to caste It. that's another reason for her absence." he said.
She held her bandaged leg feeling it. "Much improvement since your last attempt Ratch, that one during gym was..." she stopped as her face dropped, "Urgh..." she moaned as three Mech's stared at her leg. "I'm getting three different looks here, please stop staring."
"What is that?" Ultra Magnus asked curiously.
"It works similar to a sling, keeping the limb in place and restricted to movement allowing it to heal." Optimus explained.
He lifted his head to him, "Regrettably i was a contributing factor." He said in usual tone. "I thought to bring her along."
"Your reason Commander?" he asked lightly.
"The cannon. A resource at our disposal, but it lacked the size for any bot of average frame to wield." He said as Ellen nodded smugly at her guardian before she realised that wasn't much to go on.
"Is that all?" she slightly huffed, "i had to go all 'professional' on you and the weapon gets more recognition?"
"You presented yourself satisfactory, that should be recognition enough." Ultra Magnus said almost sighing as he turned to Optimus, "if i may be frank, from first impression alone she was not, what i expected. But from a prolonged argument i saw something tolerable. I have yet to analyse the rest of the native life forms, i only know them through Ratchets word, however if they are, are allies there is always room for improvement."
"You don't have to make that sound like we're intolerable as a whole you know. I was adjusting myself to your specific requirements. This is my casual side now. You can't lose yourself to career." She said as she then pointed at Optimus, "You see? I can behave when the time calls for it." She said lying back sprawling her arms out.
"Does she usually question ones role?" Ultra Magnus asked him.
"She expects retaliation, questioning leads to an impression." He said.
"Analysing." Ultra Magnus added looking at her roll from side to side downgrading his impression on her and making it one sided. "I think i would prefer her to at least act one dimensional, her behaviour is somewhat..." he stopped as she groaned, "unpredictable."
"Urgh, just harvest my organs now, salvage me, it's not worth keeping me around." She moaned.
"You're not using that much resources." Ratchet noted rolling his optics as he set his attention back on the Groundbridge.
"I can't even stand, bet Fowler didn't have crutch on his shopping list." She continued.
Ultra Magnus looked over to the right of him as he noticed the clutter of objects that Ratchet had to assimilate somehow, he took a couple of steps towards the mess, Ellen tried sitting herself up as she pulled herself up on Optimus' finger. She watched him but was hard to understand what he was doing as she only saw movement in his shoulders, he stepped back as he handed her what looked like a railing, a long pole with a part of the connecting beam at the end where she could rest the top of her arm on. "Realistically, she would be 'dead cargo'." He argued to the two bots.
"Realistically yes." Optimus repeated as he handed her the crutch.
"Thanks Magnus Sir. Though it still makes me appear, n-eurgh..." she moaned.
"Injuries are frequent and common." Ultra Magnus noted her expression though the sound effect was unregistered.
"What he means is that, there is no shame in wounds." Ratchet said metres away.
"Yeah i know i'm just too...proud." She noted standing herself up with her crutch. "But even with this 'thing' don't think i'm not going to stop 'not' following you." She said pointing at Optimus, "i'm going to be on you like, Ultra Magnus' nose which is clearly lost up your af..."
"Afterburners!" Ratchet cried.
"Which was what i was going to say." she grinned.
"Just watch yourself." he warned.
"Okay, my leg is completely compacted but feeling more restrained. And i guess if there are showers here i can avoid the bandaged leg. Hmm but i guess Fowlers going to have his work cut out for the all the things we need. We haven't eaten for a while." She said looking below her.
"We have our couches back, minus the TV and any kind of entertainment for now. But you could probably sleep down here. That's what i'm doing anyway." Jack said.
"Hey." She started looking around the room well there bots were here clearing any obstructions. "Where's Miko? And Raf?"
"I think there checking out the other hangars to see if there all empty and i think Miko mentioned she'd take one for herself." He said.
"Which is unfortunate because i would prefer it that Raphael assist me in this otherwise time consuming task." Ratchet said.
"Noo thars a lonely Marn" she said imitating a Scottish accent.
"Don't." He said.
"Okay legs done, let's roll." She said childishly raising her arms up to Optimus. "Easy, easy, leg. Hurts not good." She pleaded as she clung to her crutch and his hand, balance was definitely drastic in change. "Look at my jeans." she noted, the jean leg that was cut now draped over the bandage like a dress. "I might as well just go on in my underwear, but i am in the presence of many males and isn't appropriate." She jested. "So what's on the check list?"
"As i have said before, the Groundbridge will be a few hours before it is up and running, it will be even longer to get out scanners working, we're technically blind to be able to track any kind of Decepticon movement. The only one able to get sources of Con activity is Agent Fowler and who by the way is not currently present." Ratchet explained.
"We're inoperative until then?" Ultra Magnus asked.
"Sooooo. Looks like your free to just casually hang out together, hey Lieutenant Dan wanna join the social group?" Ellen said stretching her arms.
He saw sense that she was referring to him as her eyes were set on him, "I need to recalibrate my ships systems for a full recovery after our encounter." He said flatly "Sir." He nodded before turning towards the hangars entrance.
"Sorry Dad, you're stuck with me." She said sprawling her arms behind her head.
"Not the words i would use." He said as he started to walk out of the hangar.
She thought to get certain things out of the way for things were speeding up and she had to get everything in now, "On a serious note, can i ask that i can join the fight now? I mean without being just back up?"
"Ratchets creation was in the base was it not?" he asked almost hoping that was true.
"Yeah about that, he helped me move it back to my place when you guys went to Cybertron." she said awkwardly scratching her head.
His optics scanned the floor as he vented air through his chassis, "I, like many need to acknowledge change as well, nothing stays the same, everything is always changing."
"Even you." She added.
He dipped his head as he looked to the side, "Yes, you can join us. No more limitations." He added shaking his head but he never thought that the stakes would come to this.
She wanted to but she didn't instead in her head, her little inner self squealed like a girl going to her first slumber party whilst holding pom-poms. "And in my life that's a comparison to 'i trust you act responsibly when you have your friends over'. But thanks, I promise I'll pull my weight do what needs to be done."
"I know, i already established this." He noted.
"Dad? What was it like?" she blurted.
He snapped his head around, "Sorry?"
"You know, what i mean." She argued placing hands on hips.
"I have already told you, a subject for the end of day. I do not wish to cause you further distress during what is supposed to be casual interaction."
"Fine but at the end of this day you better tell me. I want to know, and i won't get upset."
"When the evening sets." He said.
"And seeing how it's the peak of summer that's going to be a while." She sighed, before hold pinched fingers to her head, "Mm..." she mumbled holding her head as her vision turned slightly white and blurry.
"...i hope Agent Fowler can deliver soon." He said.
"I-I'm fine, just a little light headed. Running low."
"I know." he said quietly, as she watched his glowing optics, so alive but spiritual in themselves.
"Okay so I've made a memo, quick interaction with the bots, updates on the Groundbridge, then check with your human charges because you made vows dude."
"What am i..."
"'No harm will come to our human friends?' You don't know, they might be mentally harmed, look at Raf and Miko they've been absent of their family. Well, i still think Miko missed her 'host' parents despite what she says." She said pointing a finger to the sky.
"Yes, perhaps..." he started coming up with an idea before she interrupted.
"Then after that check the bridge again, and finally I'll go motocross across a pool of sharks that have been exposed to a pint full of my own blood, make a Jaws reference and then do it again backwards." She announced cheerfully.
He had to take a few minutes before speaking, "...No." he merely said.
She snickered to herself, "you have no idea what i'm taking about do you?
Ellen remained on Optimus' shoulders as bot and human gathered around Agent Fowler who had returned with a truck and trailer attached by the side of the building. "I've spoke with our science officers, and with the right scale, a few tinkering we should get you a new alt form soon, our boys are working non-stop on triple the normal rate of pay there over the moon that they can finally eat." He told Optimus.
"You mean like, something with wings?" Miko said.
"More like a hybrid of wheels and wings." Fowler corrected.
"I appreciate it Agent Fowler give my regards to your government." Optimus said.
"Will do, so, i have parked up the supplies in hangar two, everything you need, but if you're missing certain things I'll add it to a clearance list."
"Why not do that now?" Ellen asked.
"I have other work to do in my office; you think i'm just flying around?" he argued, "This is my base of operations and you are all my guests."
"Aw and i forgot to wipe my feet." Miko said.
"Wonder what your alt form will be." She pondered to him, "wheels and wings? Hmm, an aero car? And where would you put those jets? Would it just turn into a magic trailer that comes and goes out of nowhere?"
"Hook me up with one of those." Smokescreen said waving a hand.
"I, don't think your frame would be able to hold a trailer kid." Bulkhead said poking him in the chest plates.
"Well, maybe if i waited a few cycles my frame might decide to get a will of its own and grow." He said folding his arms.
"Like a chia pet. Or a montage that makes you an instant pro." Ellen said.
"Sure, one of those." He said nodding sarcastically.
"Don't mock me Sir, i will smear chocolate all over your seats, the stains will never come out." she announced triumphantly.
Wheeljack had turned restless even claimed that this was some early retirement or something with how suddenly inactive they had become, but he and Bulkhead turned to round back to play some friendly target practice involving grenades in which Smokescreen and Miko joined in.
Arcee spoke of returning to the old base as she felt that a certain someone was left behind, and Jack tried to reassure her over wise.
Raf and Bumblebee were assisting Ratchet in the Groundbridge, though Bumblebee got a scolding from Ratchet for distracting Raf with video game pass time instead of his much needed assitance.
And Ultra Magnus...was otherwise engaged.
Ellen intended to drag Optimus around continuing to speak utter nonsense as she felt she should get it all in now, but the time she ran out of things to talk about she felt the strain of the past few days on her body and had Optimus place her on one of the roofs of the hangar again. He himself stood up beside it.
"The main hangar provides better seating." He offered to her.
She lay her head on her knees as she felt like sleeping there, but just mumbled to herself as she shut her eyes, "We share the same fate is what you said but i said 'is that all we share?' and i left." She started, "i couldn't, i couldn't finish the discussion."
He leant his head in closer to her as he curled his arm around the area she inhabited, "I refuse to let you fall." He said with a gentle hiss. "We have our conflicts, but in the end we are all the same in the end."
That, was enough for her to shuffle a little closer to him, she hummed to herself nuzzling into his side as much as she could, "I know i'm just...playing fairy tale now but...say if you were to pass before me, because i know that will always be a risk, but when i finally die, will you..." she stopped slightly to her silly words, "hmm, never mind."
He gently stroked her back as she swallowed a lump in her throat, "i will come for you. You have nothing to fear."
"Hmm but an eternity with you? With my friends and family? I may need to see other people." She jested gently. "There's just one thing i'm a little unsure of. I mean if i were to go first, because of my short life span in comparison to yours. I-I don't want to go alone, i mean i like my privacy and don't do well in huge crowds but i do like company. I mean where would i go?"
"There are other worlds past this one, like the universe we inhabit now."
"So, what. What your saying is I'd pass into what another world? Like a dimensional plain? I don't get what you mean. I mean sure I've thought theories like that. But then theres words like 'mystical' and 'mysterious' and i'm completely thrown off altogether."
"It is not a theory, and i do not believe in calling it 'death', just a second life and then in that stage is when you live forever."
"So say i died, I'd go to this dimension my parents passed to?" she asked her voice almost scoffing to that thought.
"Originally, but they may need to wait a little longer." He said regrettably.
"What do you mean?"
"Allow me to share some Cybertronian lore." He started.
"Like myth?"
"Yes but as this day in age has proven myth comes from truth."
"It probably turns to myth because you guys have a habit of being half explanatory."
"May i continue without the commentary?"
"S-Sorry." She said curling up.
"Now to explain, there has always been a set population for Cybertron. Beings that have risen from the Well, when one returns another rises. Primus set this for the very reason of balance."
Ellen raised a hand to speak, "insert jested comment?" she asked.
"Proceed." He said humouring her.
"I wish we had a set population on Earth, the Christmas rush gets worse every year i swear."
"The planet produces large quantities of Energon but enough to run the planet and its population. But many thought the well of Allsparks was not producing enough sparks, particularly Sparkmates wanted more then to just be one with each other, or just to exist as children of Primus but wanted to create life themselves a being that carried their genetic material, their abilities, something to pass on instead of their identities falling back into the well. And all that genetic material was contained in there sparks."
As much as this felt to be another version of the 'talk' she had to intervene, "Wait, when did this happen you guys have been talking about Sparkling's for years, i thought it was 'natural'? and-and don't get me having that kind of talk with you seriously i'm broke enough." She shuddered.
"Before my time, before Ratchets time, it was just as our society was flurrossing after the fall of Unicron and Cybertronians content society but not completely in those still dark times. Our race after all was going through an age of conflict."
"So you guys were just like screw Primus and wanted Sparkling's?" she said slightly bewildered.
"to begin with the first generation from the original parent were unaffected but, Primus' life-force grew thinner and thinner with each generation some even losing what makes them sentient beings and Primus was not able to be a part of these offspring, for their sparks to be extinguished and cease their existence forever, how could the parent rest peacefully in the next life?"
"That's true, so did he do anything about it?"
"He bestowed an ability to be able to bind that offspring with the parent, if the parent were to pass, it did not affect the offspring until they passed and returned back to the parents spark via the 'bond' being equal to 'bind' and therefore returning to the well.
She was very interested in the story now, "Oh. So one word meaning allot of words? Bind. So the...then what of my parents?"
"It is said that the idea of a Spacebridge came from Primus himself and that he had seen different worlds but not in this universe. In this world we are not meant to know of the other until it is our time to see it."
"Why didn't you tell me this before?" she asked toning down her voice.
He cupped his hand around keeping her close to him as he explained, "You have suffered, a large part of your life, but as much as i wanted to, you needed to learn this, overcome it and you have. You need your pain."
"It's a main contributor to who you are." She said resting up against him.
"Exactly."
"So, i saw this kind of coil of an Energon signature around my heart, is that basically binded? Whatever word is for it?"
"Yes."
"...so, if i die before you..." she started shyly, "my, soul returns to yours? Instead of going to another place? Like your my vessel." She said biting her lip to how 'sugar coated' she felt from this.
"My knowledge of how universal the connections are were limited, but it seems Earth has always had significance in connection our world. I hope i can apologize to your creators for my ignorance." He said.
"I think they'd be cool about it, and i don't really like that word ignorance anyway your still learning, still i think about it and think about it and it still doesn't seem logical, but i guess it's not meant to be? Urgh, existence sucks, you think you know but your only being played."
"Everything cannot be achieved by logic alone."
"Well you know, we've always thought of ways to conquer death because of how afraid we are of it. you said so yourself that we're still pretty young as a race, frightened of allot of things mostly of each other and dying. And you know that i was apart that group." She said.
"Ellen, if my spark were to be exiquinshed in the future, i am not gone only waiting." He started, holding her firmer, "do not grieve for me, visit your memories embrace your past, but let yourself live in the present."
"Don't worry I've got a list of things to do. Most of which are historical wonders...wow, thinking about it i'm a real dork aren't i? Meh, i have odd tastes, i love thrill but i also love culture, i can be loud and eccentric but i can tone it down as well." She sighed, "You should've told me this before..." she said feeling that 'weight' removed.
"I did not want to come off as 'bizarre' as you have informed me many times when explaining certain aspects of our culture."
She felt limp and had no cares, like waking up on a Sunday morning, "I never felt so unintentionally happy before, but, i'm so relieved you don't even know it." She hoarsely said.
"I do, as distant as it feels."
She looked up slightly hearing that familiar hum as she placed a hand on his chest plates, that glowing orb of his life, she lay her head against him, "▖ ▗ ▘ ▙ ▚ ▛ ▜ ▝ ▞" she whispered, something unidentifiable by key or symbol.
His optics widened slightly but was pleasantly surprised as he brought her up closer, "and i too." He replied, "no matter how incomprehendable you are." He added softly.
"So if Cybertron had a set population, was co-existing monitored?" she asked looking up to him as her head was practically welded to his chassis.
"Yes, but now we often refer to them as 'rare' to practically non-existent."
"Hmm, now that we've talked about that now can you tell me?" she asked.
He thought for a moment, "Are you sure?"
"Yes. I'm curious, what did you see?" she asked genuinely fascinated.
"Light, passed by my optics that grew and eventually i found myself standing, walking, but felt no pain, i heard a voice beckoning me..."
He continued his experience of death as she listened intently, here face shifting back and forth between motions, but only told her of what he saw and did, not what he said. Her face was slightly pale after his talk, as his had fallen, "i'm-i'm alright, your very descriptive is all. But you were almost there." She shuddered holding onto him, "i'm no good with the supernatural, and it's still pretty creepy. If you were like a ghost I'd just point, tr-tr-tr-truck!" but she was fine.
"Now you know." he said. She groaned slightly as she hunched. "Is it causing discomfort?" He asked noting her leg.
"No, my heart hurts." She noted in a small voice.
"And it will mend in time, only in time." He said with reassurance.
"Hey can i still call you Dad? Be it casual or mission wise?"
He lightly chuckled, "you call me many things, why the sudden permission?"
"I don't know i'm worried Sir Buzz Killington might 'correct' me or something so i need it in writing, like a seal or something." She said brushing her chin like a corny villain.
He tilted his optics upwards. "He recognises the informal relationship, but i understand his argument for formality in certain situations because of the nature of our missions. Though i prefer the status as it is."
"Hmm well maybe when i call you Dad on missions maybe i can pronounce it as a formal title. But i'm sticking with Dad either way."
"Whichever suits you." He said.
"Cool, because then i got an excuse to tell him otherwise, Maybe i could have it on paper anyway? You know just to 'subtly' and with a hint of 'humility' lightly dangle it in his direction?" she grinned.
"Or demonstrate humility by not doing either?" He suggested.
"Hushing my buzz huh? I expected as much." She told him lightly, "Well this was great." She noted as she pointed to the floor, "but maybe i should try and make my legs stronger by actually using this crutch?"
His optics looked to the side as he shook his head, "come o—oon. It's only a small walk." She teased as he placed her back on the floor, crutch and all.
"With your injury, recharge may be difficult. We can find an alternative in alt form, but the seating area is the only thing suitable for humans." He said.
"Yeah, with the others...i don't snore or anything." She started scratching her cheek, "but er, i do tend to talk in my sleep, and sometimes role play, and swear, and imitate the Joker. I think my swearing has toned down, i don't know i think being around Eve has rubbed off on me."
He glanced to another hangar, "We can arrange the supplies later."
"Sure." She said limping her way after him as he took very slow steps for her.
From afar, Smokescreen stood outside the hangar as he leant up against it in a casual manner. "Smokescreen." Optimus greeted.
"Optimus, Agent Fowler left but he'll be back and with your new alt form." He said standing to attention.
"I look forward to his return." He said nodding to him, "from this point forward, we need to conceal our strength as much as possible. As soon as Ratchet gets the Groundbridge in full working condition we need to locate Energon sources as soon as we are able."
"I'll do as much as i can Sir." Smokescreen said.
Optimus walked inside the hangar as he looked over his shoulder noticing that a certain someone's absence, "Ellen?" he said worried that she had fell over.
"Yeah i'm coming, just got a little cramp." She said from the hangar entrance kicking the ground with her good leg.
Smokescreen looked Optimus over as he sighed slightly, "Is it still bothering you?" Ellen asked him rubbing her leg.
"No." He said shaking his head.
She shrugged "if you say so." She said calling his bluff.
"Maybe when he...you know." he sighed, "i'm still thinking about it."
"Well good." She said.
"What?"
"You felt fear."
"What are you bragging about conquering fear now?" he teased.
"Fine your right you didn't ask for it so i won't give it...jerk take my ramblings away." she sneakily mumbled to herself.
"Aw come on, if you get worked up you might keel over." He teased.
"Hey i may be in a psychically compromised state but i can still preach like it was my last day on Earth." She said.
"You know that reminds me, what was it like on there?" he asked kneeling down in an eager manner.
"What, what was like on where?" she said.
"Don't shrug it off like it was nothing." He said as she took opportunity in his words and looked vainly at her nails.
"Well, you know, explosions bore me now i basically walk away from them as the fire behind me can't even handle me and that's why i don't get blown fifty feet ahead of me." She jested. "But seriously, it was nerve racking but you know how it is. Just another day no point in dragging it out."
He looked at her leg, "who did that anyway?" he asked irritated in tone.
"Starscream, but it's only a broken leg if it was any other con they would've just turned me to dust so in comparison this is kind of pathetic from him." She said loosely. "Don't worry; i won't let the score be 2-1...that is, well i don't know what the score is but that's just sad if i did."
"You know, i still owe you some 'Elite moves'." He said lightly.
"I'm not sure that we have the time anymore for training or anything to improve one's self anymore." She said.
"Your going all bot now aren't you? I'll fit you in then?" he argued.
"Fit me in, what are you? Hard to get an appointment with now?" she said as she noticed him play around with his arm for a while even before his greeting. "What are you doing?" she inquired.
"Arms been giving me a bit of trouble." He said rubbing it.
"Have you seen Ratchet?" she asked.
"No, because i think it's something simple." He admitted.
She gave him a flat expression as she walked towards him forcibly, "give me your arm." She told him. He wanted to protest but he saw no point. She opened a panel on his arms as he checked his scanners.
"w-what are you doing?" he asked warily.
"Hmm, when was the last time you performed a recalibration on your blasters?" she asked him seriously/
"Uhh, i uh...Can't remember?" he admitted grinning at her innocently. "Alright, not since Cybertron."
She raised an eyebrow at him, "It's causing interference with your motor receptors." She said as she patted his arm, "Look after yourself alright?"
"Yes Creator." He grinned as he pulled back his arm, "i think its adjusting itself already." He said rubbing his arm.
"And it only takes minutes." She said, "Jeez it's like telling a kid to brush his teeth."
"It's tedious." He argued.
"But necessary." She stated as they exchanged smiles, even found themselves snickering for some reason, but it turned to more of a stare as she cleared her throat, "anyway."
"Uh yeah." Smokescreen said rubbing his arm, "Well we'll find the time anyway; maybe I'll catch you early in the morning?"
Her crutch hitting the ground making a cracking sound, "whoa, whoa, hold up, where do you think you're going?" she said to him.
He stopped his movement as he looked himself over, "Do you think my armour is a little...bright?" he asked.
She rubbed the back of her head as she tucked her lips into her mouth, "well you know, maybe if you lose the numbers, but you-you can keep the white just be more...more, stealthy to make up for that?" she said holding up two thumbs up when he asked if his armour was a little bright it felt as though it questioned his self in general.
"Paint job it is then." He grinned.
"Well where are you going to go to get a new paint job? I'm not good with a spray can, but i could probably write my name all over you and maybe a little cat emoticon with little whiskers." she said.
"I'll see if i can, find a vehicle with a colour scheme that might do for me or i don't know are there any, frame installers around?"
"Yeah in Jasper sure, main problem for street racing round here remember?"
"Why don't you come with me, be a lot quicker?" he said tempting her.
She looked to her crutch then to her leg slightly biting the inside of her lip, "nah i..." she sighed, "need to take care of my leg first." She said lightly smiling.
"It'll be fine in no time; it's just a leg injury." He stated confidently.
"If you say so Smoke." She said looking past his lack in understanding of the human body.
"Oh and can i ask a favour?"
She slightly glared at him "it's nothing like covering for you or anything is it?"
"No, just don't tell anyone where i went, but if they do ask you can just tell them, i want to catch them off guard."
"How by using the phase shifter to come in through the roof?"
"Nah another way. More like, 'friend? Foe? Evolutionary breakthrough? No, better it's Smokescreen!' way." He jested before performing a small salute, "See ya." He said turning around.
"Hold it!" she called.
"What?" he protested almost stumbling and losing his balance.
"It's pretty late, and you haven't got a buddy. So i think i'll just give you some ground rules to follow." She said counting her fingers.
"What? You're practically my age in comparison." He argued dumbfounded.
"Hey, my age is irrelevant, when there is concern for safety." She cleared her throat, "anyway, i'm just doing this to be sure, i mean what else are you 'vessel-ing' in there? The covenant itself?" She teased. "So rule number one, don't talk to strangers. Two, Stop at the stop signs, watch the speed limits, and pedestrian crossings, and..."
"t-that's alright I'll be fine when driving." He wavered off.
She glared at him as he turned apologetic, "May i continue?" she asked hands on hips.
He sighed lightly in response as he transformed. "Alright."
"I...hmm, i think that's it, everything else i'm just hoping you use your processor for, you get my drift?" she asked slightly threatening.
"See you later." Was his response as he drove off though the engine noise was next to silent.
"Do-Don't tailgate!" she called; but he was out of sight, but still she continued to holler, "You better call base! I know you have my frequency!"
"Ellen!" Ratchet hissed quietly whilst nudging his head in the direction of the seating area, Miko, Raf and Jack all resting.
"o-oh, my bad." She said walking to the area herself, "our body clocks are definitely ruined, we are now a new race of nocturnal humans...oh wait, they already exist."
She tiredly made her way towards the stairs, crutch in hand as she yawned. Eyes drifting as she lazily turned her up towards Optimus, he placed a palm out for her in natural response to eye contact, "Thanks Dad." she said limping into it. He placed her into the small area of seating as she placed her crutch to one side.
She looked to the couch as she saw small cracked eyes from Jack. "You need a hand?" he said in his half asleep state.
"No i'm fine thanks, but can i use you as a pillow?" She asked.
"Sure." He said lightly as she steadily tried to sit herself down without falling onto it. Jack went back to sleep as she leant her head on his shoulder.
Jack rolled his eyes as he picked up a pillow from his side, "here." He said placing it on his shoulder, "bone pillow isn't exactly Egyptian silk." He said.
"u-huh." She said letting him lift her head up to place the pillow under her, "Good sleep Jack. I have no idea what time it is so I'll just say that." she said.
"That's good enough for me, Good sleep." He said back.
She turned onto her back as she looked to above her and the bot who watched them, speaking tiredly, "want to see my Duff man impression?" She said drowsily to him.
"Regain a more refreshed frame of mind before anything else." Optimus told her draping his hand over the couch careful not to disturb them.
"Wake me up when stuffs happening." She said with eyes shut.
"I will."
"Dad?" she said still in a drowsy state.
"Yes?" he chuckled.
"I need to call people."
"That will be a long while before you can contact the outside world."
"D-Dad?" she said again, "am i un-rankable?"
"Hmm, circumstances are different, but if you prefer i could give you one?"
"Nah, i was...just...asking. 'Zod' over there calls me Juvenile..."
"He see's..."
"Dad?" she said again, cracking her eyes open as she stared at him, "i...i, like you." She expressed fondly before letting her form relax to drift off into slumber.
"I understand." Optimus replied with a gentle smile, looking over the resting humans. "I am glad i still function."
"We all are." Ratchet expressed as Optimus lifted his head up to him surprised slightly. "Don't look so solemn. You did what you had to do." He added allowing a crept up smile to form across his face.
Optimus nodded to him, as words could not be expressed.
A/N so i'll be quick again, i hope you like this chappy, R + R please, fave, follow its all good ^^ and like i said i'll make corrections when i get my internet back in ten days... :O oh dear god