A/N: As always, a great big thank you to my beta, TFPKOFANGIRL, for her work on this chapter!

...

CHAPTER 6
Trauma Spell

Ratchet spent the evening promising Dylan that his home had the greatest security system money could buy. And it was true, though he knew Dylan also somewhat feared him, he had no reason to fear someone getting in. Even if Ratchet had only known when Reese had begun to explain over the phone, he would have checked and double checked that day. And of course, that was what Ratchet did when they were in the home for the night, just to make sure Dylan felt safe and secure while he slept that night.

Dylan was surprised by how much effort the mech was putting into it. Why did he care so much if he felt safe while he was asleep? He'd also talked to him about a woman he had talked to on the phone, and said Dylan would be going to therapy for what happened to him. Not to torture him with what happened to him when he was a child, but, as he put it, to help him move past it and heal.

He wasn't sure how he felt about it all, it was all so different. Most foster parents didn't care this much when they were told about his history. But Ratchet wasn't much like other families, and not just because he was a giant, sentient robot. No, he tried, or at least seemed to try to care about him. But even then, Dylan doubted it would last. He figured that the first nightmare, or flashback episode, or outburst of anger he had a hard time controlling, he'd throw him out like everyone else had.

He laid on the guest bed silently, the books that First Aid had bought him settled on his nightstand. He shifted slightly, stretching out and putting his hands behind his head. What could he do though? This was his home now, for better or worse, Ratchet WAS his foster father. But at the very least, for the moment, Ratchet was nice, and hopefully, as caring as he tried to make himself out to be.

He carefully pulled his legs to his chest slowly, resting his chin under his knees. There were few times that Dylan would admit he was scared out loud, but in his head, in his head he could. He was scared Ratchet would eventually start using him like his dad did, scared that he would get attached and then have his heart broken again. No one but Dylan could understand that, at least in his mind. No one could understand how much he hurt.

A knock on his door rustled him from his thoughts, but he didn't look back at the person. "Dylan?" It was undoubtedly Ratchet's holoform. "Are you feeling okay? You haven't come out or said anything in a few hours," He commented. "The pizza I ordered should be here soon," He added.

Dylan sat up, taking a deep breath and looking over at Ratchet. Did he ask the mech now? Or did he continue to act quiet and mysterious? That was the question. After a long moment, Dylan took a deep breath, and looked him in the eyes. "What is this, Ratchet?" He asked honestly, his tone quiet. "I mean why are you doing this for me, exactly?"

Ratchet was silent as he crossed over and seated himself on the edge of the bed. He crossed his arms slightly, and looked at Dylan. He knew better than to reach over and touch the boy, so instead he gave a warm smile. "What this is, is me giving someone what Siren gave me," Ratchet told him gently. "From the first time we met, I saw something in you. Something I don't quite understand," He added. "But it told me to help you, to guide you. And ultimately, I knew that you deserved better than you had. And perhaps to give you that, it was time for someone who felt that way about you to step up."

Dylan looked at Ratchet, chewing his lip and trying to take what he just said in. But the more he thought about it, the more he knew it made sense. In some way, Ratchet had that thought, about what Siren had done for him all those years ago. And now he saw what Dylan felt must have been a chance to repay the mech that had long passed on. Or so, Dylan figured was the case. "You may think that's it, but it probably isn't," Dylan told him softly. "I wish you wouldn't put so much time into a room or anything. Because you'll give up on me, everyone eventually does," He admitted.

That's when Ratchet did something that Dylan wasn't sure how to react to. He felt the hand that gently moved onto his knee, and for a moment, he nearly yanked back, but there was something about it. There was a gentleness to it, a softness, nothing like when his father had touched him anywhere on his leg. Was this... Comfort? Dylan wasn't entirely sure, but none the less, Ratchet gave him a soft look. "Dylan, I am going to make a promise to you now," The medic told him firmly. "No matter what happens between us... I am not going to give up on you," He added.

"What if you don't want me here anymore?" Dylan asked, disbelieving.

"Then I'll mentor you, be simple friends with you," Dylan's eyes stared at him, his look practically spelling out how bewildered he was. "But I know what it feels like to have the world give up on you. And even though I found a place where I was appreciated, under the leader of the Autobots especially," He explained calmly. "I know how horrible a feeling that is. And I never want to see someone go through that same thing as long as I still function."

Dylan was even more surprised when Ratchet didn't remove the hand, instead rubbing his knee gently. The mech looked into his eyes for a long moment, but didn't expect a reaction. Dylan was, simply put, probably still taking in what he had just said to him. And so he carefully removed his hand, and nodded his head as the doorbell rang. "Well, there is your pizza," He added. "Come along."

Dylan nodded his head slowly as the holoform disappeared, sucking in a breath. That moment had, perhaps, been one of the most genuine moments of affection he received. And it scared him, it really did. What he was afraid of exactly, he couldn't tell. Of the fact that Ratchet may not keep his promise? That maybe, just maybe, he had a chance at a real life here? Of a real family?

He carefully stood to his feet, and started toward the door. he thought about all of this. After his father had done all that he did, could he really bring himself to trust a mech? He crossed his arms slightly, and let those thoughts continue, he really had no idea if he could. But maybe Ratchet wouldn't be too bad a start at trying.

...

Ratchet heard Dylan crying that night, and it was something that actually scared him. He hadn't even noticed it until he got loud, if he'd had a nightmare he expected a scream. But he could think of nothing else that it could have been, that much he knew as he stood outside Dylan's locked door. What did he do in this situation? Ratchet didn't know, he'd never dealt with a situation like this, but he had been prepared for it.

So he simply crouched down by the door, and spoke softly. "Dylan? Are you okay?" He asked calmly. "Can I come in?" He asked.

There was no response, and to say the least, that scared him. And that was why he projected his holoform inside, not knowing what he'd find. What he found? Probably would have sent a caregiver that knew nothing running away right then and there. Dylan was in the corner of the room rather than on his bed, his blankets drawn around him as he sobbed, and he sobbed hard. Ratchet watched as Dylan rocked back and forth, his eyes closed, and his body shaking.

Ratchet looked over at the bed, wondering if he had wet it after the research he had done. Knowing one of the most common reactions was that, even when a child was older. It was said the "unpleasant odor" was supposed to protect the abused child, at least in their minds. But luckily, Dylan had not done that, and had no reason to be embarrassed. But his reaction was none-the-less a sad one to witness. What had his father put him through during the abuse that made him react in such a way? He couldn't imagine, he didn't want to imagine.

"Dylan?" Ratchet spoke calmly. "You're alright, son. Just relax," The boy looked up at him with fear. "Whatever nightmare you had was just that, a nightmare."

Dylan trembled slightly, only shrinking inward into himself. For the first time, Ratchet could finally see not a tough young teenager. Rather, he saw a terrified young child, which was exactly what Dylan probably was. "Go away," Dylan sputtered. "GO AWAY!" He shouted one more time.

"No," Ratchet told him calmly, approaching him. "Dylan, I'm not going to hurt you," As he reached him, his holoform crouched low to him. "Remember? It's Ratchet, not your father," Dylan stared at him, still shaking. "Deep breaths youngling, get yourself calm and then we'll see about getting you back to bed," He added.

Dylan didn't say anything, continuing to curl up into himself. But Ratchet didn't touch him, even as his holoform slinked down beside him, and seated himself close to the boy. Even if he couldn't give Dylan comfort physically for the moment, he did want the boy to know he was there. And more importantly that no one would hurt him there. And they sat there for a little bit, Dylan sobs slowly losing momentum and Ratchet's eyes firmly settled on him without even a second thought.

When Dylan finally had composed himself the best he could, he looked at Ratchet. "I'm sorry," He sniffled slightly, rubbing his tears off on his arm. "I didn't mean to yell at you, I was just scared. I thought you were..." He shook his head. "You just showed up in my room so suddenly I thought maybe he could have gotten in. He's getting out soon, and..."

Ratchet stared at Dylan's window, relieved to see that it was still closed. But there was a tree outside just near Dylan's window, and Ratchet could already tell what it probably was. Dylan must have heard the tree scratching against the window and reacted in such a way. Not a nightmare at all, but a terrifying flashback. "You probably heard the tree scratching against the window," Ratchet informed him slowly. "The window's closed, Dylan."

Dylan held his hands against the sides of his head, his cheeks flushing in clear embarrassment. "O-One time when I was first taken in," Dylan muttered. "I was taken by neighbors... He found out, and he snuck in through the window," His voice was low and quiet. "I thought maybe..."

Ratchet thought of what he could possibly do, his eyes looking over at the window. A few minutes later, Dylan could hear the loud footsteps of Ratchet's real form. He peered at the window, and saw a large, white and red leg standing outside. "No one is getting through that window," Ratchet told him gently. "If they try, they'll be answering to me. I can recharge standing up, a technique I learned as an Autobot," He explained. "I'll turn on my proximity alerts to wake me up if I even feel the slightest disturbance."

Dylan stared at Ratchet, again, at a loss for words. Had Ratchet just sacrificed a comfortable recharge to make sure that he could sleep soundly? Dylan stared at the mech, and nodded slightly, standing to his feet. He wordlessly helped Ratchet make his bed before standing there, still trembling slightly. "It's alright, Dylan, I won't move," Ratchet noted, pulling back the covers slightly. "Come on, son, you need to sleep."

After some hesitation, Dylan climbed inside the bed. But just as he was about to pull the covers over him, he found him beat to it by Ratchet's holoform. The mech carefully tucked the blankets over his body, up to his chin. "If you want, I'll sit here until you go to sleep," Ratchet commented.

"No," Dylan replied fearfully, Ratchet should have known better. "I'll be okay. Just, don't leave... The window, please?"

Ratchet nodded his head, gently stroking his bangs slightly. "I swear on my spark, Dylan. No one is coming to hurt you tonight," He told the boy gently. "Goodnight, young one."

Dylan watched as he moved away, but before he sent his holoform away, Ratchet heard his small voice again. This time, it spoke a statement that Ratchet had to do a double take at. "Thank you."

As it disappeared, Ratchet tried to comprehend what his holoform had heard. A break-through? Maybe a small one, but a small victory was better than none in this case. Quietly, Ratchet prepared himself for his standing recharge, but decided to keep his optics onlined for a while, just a few minutes he told himself. Long enough that if Dylan had the trauma spell again, he'd be aware.

But even in the back of his mind, he knew recharge would not be possible that night after what he'd witnessed.

...

"So you didn't send him to school?"

"Primus no, he's still sleeping," Ratchet replied to the voice on the other end, belonging to Optimus Prime. "You didn't see him last night, it took a full two hours to get him back to sleep," The medic shuddered slightly. "I'm sorry I'm calling you. Especially because it's not my place to tell you what's wrong. But Aid's at work, and well. You're the only other person that listens when I go on these rants."

And rant he had, but not without good reason. Seeing Dylan like that last night had destroyed him, and for a moment, Ratchet felt his confidence about taking care of him waver. If there was ever a time he needed the wise words of his leader, now was the time. "It will be easier to give advice when I come for my visit next week," Optimus replied honestly. "But I do not think the answer is to give up now, Ratchet. You knew the boy had - whatever trauma he does," He commented. "Now you'll be more prepared to handle it next time."

Next time? Ratchet really didn't want to think about there being a next time. That was like reassuring himself that Optimus, for all accounts a youngling-whisperer if Ratchet ever knew one, would be there in a week. It only caused him to feel more worried and stressed. "Optimus, that's not what I need to hear," Ratchet groaned. "I need some advice on what to do to help him now. He doesn't start therapy until next week, I couldn't get him an appointment until then. He doesn't have friends to connect with, except Scarlet, who he doesn't see until Friday," He felt himself tensing up. "I need someone other than his family who can... I don't know, talk to him? Be a friend? Maybe help him overcome this same as me."

There was a long silence on the other end as Optimus seemed to move into deep thought. "Have you thought about taking him to meet Bumblebee?" Ratchet's optics lit up at Optimus's words, as he felt stupid about not thinking of that already. "Not only is he younger, but he also knows what it's like to suffer abuse. As I'm guessing that is what we are dealing with from what you've told me," He explained. "Perhaps that would help him form some kind of common bond-."

"I'm trying that with my own experience."

"But Bumblebee has only been around for twenty vorns," Optimus explained. "Mentally, he is only six years older than Dylan. You told me you wish for someone who could form a bond and aid in getting him to come out of his shell, did you not?" Ratchet sighed, thinking it over. "Perhaps what needs to be continually driven home is a simple fact: he is not alone."

Ratchet knew Bumblebee had never been sexually abused, but Optimus made a fair point. Before Optimus had taken Bumblebee in, he'd run away from a cruel youth sector run by future Decepticons. He'd been ten vorns old, and it'd only been ten vorns since then. "It's worth a shot at least," Ratchet replied, crossing his arms. "The closer age proximity at least is. If that doesn't work, hopefully he can make a friend out of Bee," He added.

"Indeed, but I'm afraid I must go old friend," Optimus replied. "I will talk to you soon."

"Yeah, talk to you soon."

Ratchet leaned against the wall in the living room silently, his optics lowering to the floor. Bumblebee was really the only chance he had for Dylan meeting a victim closer to his own age really. He and Aid were the only other people he knew, mech or femme, that had been victims of abuse at some point in their life after all. Most of the foster kids he'd met had been in care for other reasons, or simply not shared that part of their history with anyone. "Why didn't you wake me up for school?"

Ratchet turned, noticing as Dylan had entered the room, rubbing his eyes tiredly. He let the holoform he had been using disappear and finally moved inside with robot form, shaking his head. "After the night you had, I thought you could use the sleep," He explained. "You're moving schools tomorrow anyway, I just signed you up online. So it really doesn't matter much," He added. "But as you can see, I never left my spot outside, as promised."

Dylan looked at him for a long moment, but didn't seem to have a reply. Until finally, he let a small smile escape his lips and nodded. "Yeah, uh, thanks... Again," Dylan managed as he allowed Ratchet to lift him and put him on the kitchen table. "You really need to get some human sized furniture," He told him.

"I know, I know. I mostly used to have Team Prime's human charges here. Or their kids, or their grandkids, so they usually had no problem putting up with me picking them up for a day. So I never really got around to it," Ratchet admitted with a half-shrug as he carefully placed a bowl, milk, a spoon, and some cereal in front of Dylan with assistance from his holoform. "We can go out and do that on Friday, after group."

Dylan looked at him, surprised that he would still be attending group. After all, clearly their "deal" was off now that he was his foster son, so why? "You're still going to make me go to group?" Dylan asked. "Really? They hate me there, and I'm living with you now," He added.

"Ah, but I'm still holding you to those three months. Even if I won't send you to juvie," Dylan groaned as he put together his breakfast, giving Ratchet a death glare. "Don't give me that look young one. You made a mistake, and you still need to learn that there are consequences," He told him gruffly, putting his fists on his hips. "And any youngling that is living under MY roof is going to learn to take responsibility for their actions."

Like a broken record, Dylan groaned again at that. Of course, his foster parent had to be that type of foster parent. The type that wanted him to "learn his lesson" like that was somehow such a big deal. Through his somewhat-bitterness, Dylan paused a moment, thinking of what happened the night before. "I'm... I'm sorry about last night," Dylan replied. "I know that was kinda a pain in the neck."

Ratchet stopped as he took his morning energon cube out of his cabinet. He looked at Dylan, his optics softening. It hadn't been a pain, Ratchet knew that, just a little upsetting to see him like that, overwhelming maybe. "That wasn't a problem, Dylan. If anything I was merely concerned for you," He told him honestly. "I haven't seen anyone react so horribly to... A situation," He then added. "Mostly because I admittedly have never met someone in... This situation..."

"Just say it," Dylan replied. "You've never met someone who was raped, molested," He scooped up the cereal from the bowl, and ate a big mouthful. "Take your pick. I've heard it called everything, really," He explained.

Ratchet couldn't contain his cringe, the words hitting him hard. He wished they lived in a world where no child knew those words, let alone had memories of them. He instead turned his thoughts to Bumblebee again, taking a deep breath as he looked at Dylan. "Speaking of... Your situation," Ratchet explained. "I hope you don't mind, but I'd like to arrange for you to meet a friend of mine from my Team Prime days," He explained. "Someone that went through the system but is closer to your age," He explained.

Dylan blinked slightly, the idea of meeting another member of Team Prime actually intriguing him. They were legends, to say the least. But what would that entitle? Who would it be, and why? "Okay," Dylan replied uncertainly. "Who are they?"

Ratchet smiled slightly, relieved that Dylan seemed at least seemed to be okay with the idea. He took a sip of his energon, and locked eye contact with the boy. "His name is Bumblebee. And he's a very good mech, if you're wondering," He told him calmly. "I think you'll like him a lot. Most younglings do, Primus, most mechs and femmes do too."

Dylan seemed to think about it for a long moment, but then nodded. He wasn't sure if he was okay with it because he didn't want to upset Ratchet, or because of the intrigue he felt. But, at least for the moment, he felt that he probably was better off at least trying. "Well, if he'll meet me... I guess I don't mind," Dylan told him finally, then thought about it. "You'll... Be there though, right?"

"If you want me there, yes," Ratchet nodded. "I'll go and call him while you finish supplementing yourself. Then I'm going to need you to get washed up and dressed," He then added. "I saw the state of the clothes you came back with. And I insist on taking you to get some new ones."

New? Dylan nearly choked on his cereal at that, no one had ever offered to buy him new clothes. Everything was hand-me-downs, but this, this actually caused him to get a little excited. The thoughts swirled around in his head as Ratchet left to go call Bumblebee. Was he actually getting excited? Really? He hadn't felt that feeling in a while, and it almost felt foreign to his body.

But as he began to finish his food, he let himself feel it, at least for a change. With any luck, this time, he wouldn't be disappointed.

...

A/N: Woo, that one was a bit hard to write to be honest. I had to make sure I got it just perfect. But yes, for those asking about the other members of Team Prime, this does mean they'll be coming around soon. :)