Sunstreaker's P.O.V.
"... I worry nightmares will return," Crosshairs sighs as we watch Drift and Jamie sleep for a few minutes.
I worry sleep is the only time they're relaxed, but for how long?
"And he'll panic if Jamie stays with us," I sigh, "not sure if sleep aid is a good idea. How about getting Jamie out of the room more? Maybe an afternoon in the poolroom."
"I'm not sure. I'll talk to them."
I leave the room before either of them wake up. I feel like I'm not helping enough even though Jamie wants to stay away from everyone but her guardians and sister. For all we know, yesterday was the only time she'll spend time with friends for a while. There's got to be more I can do.
Crosshairs' P.O.V.
I still can't get used to how much he cares about Jamie and is in love with Lily. I doubt he's stopped killing humans, though. I wonder if he'll ever heal from the scrap he's dealt with before the war started? And Jamie? Even though Sunstreaker dealt with a lot worse, it's looking like both can't fully heal mentally. Even if that's the case, Jamie isn't in a good mental state right now.
I ask Lightning to go to Dunkin' Donuts and get breakfast for us. I don't want to leave my friends alone.
Jamie wakes up before Lightning gets here. I hate how there's sadness in her eyes already. Worried, she wants to cry as she looks at me
She moves to her side, and I'm looking at her back, and I watch Drift move to his side and rests his arm on Jamie.
I can only assume he's trying to assure her she's ok in Japanese. Sometimes it's easy to figure out what he's saying.
After a few minutes, Drift moves to the edge of the bed, with Jamie sitting on his lap.
I tell them that the terror twins and Lily want to spend the afternoon at the pool. Drift trying to be encouraging, but I can hear he's worried he's being forceful. I sit on my knees by the bed, hoping to add to Drift's encouragement. Lightning walks into the room, seeing what's going on. She puts the box and drink carton on the coffee table before sitting on her knees by me.
Lightning's P.O.V.
I hate seeing my sister hurting. I still feel like I don't know everything, but I doubt I could help better if I knew. Considering the challenges Crosshairs and Drift are dealing with.
"What's the matter?" I ask Jamie, taking her hand.
Crosshairs tells me that Drift is trying to get Jamie to want to go to the pool. I hate how Jamie loves swimming, but her mental state is causing her not to be interested. Even though we went to the beach yesterday and she didn't mind Drift holding her in the water, I know with depression her mood can change quickly. Bringing up yesterday will not be wise.
Drift sees the box of doughnuts and drinks on the coffee table.
"Come on, you need to eat and maybe we'll go to the pool," Drift says.
I don't know when the twins and Lily are going to the pool. It's only ten in the morning. Hopefully, by the time they stop by, Jamie will want to go to the pool.
"I'll be back later," I tell the three.
"Sir?"
"Lightning, come in," Optimus says. I sit on the chair in front of his desk, "what troubles you?"
"I worry about Jamie, sir. I know you do and—." I realize I shouldn't be talking to Optimus. Though would Rung not feel worried about Jamie even if he doesn't know her well?
"It's ok, I know it's hard to watch Jamie struggle. To not know how to help her. To see her guardians struggle. They help her, but tough days are still possible. Those days have never been like this. From what I've been told, Jamie wasn't like this after Buddy's death. She was depressed, and it was hard to deal with, but this...," Optimus sighs.
Optimus Prime's P.O.V.
I had an early meeting and haven't been able to go to Crosshairs' and Drift's room. Lightning comes with me.
"... it's hard seeing her like this," Crosshairs sighs, hating he's telling me it's already a rough morning, "and the fine line between forcing and encouraging."
"Take her to the pool room with the others, but don't make her go into the pool," I suggest, hoping Jamie won't give her guardians a hard time.
I go back into the room with Crosshairs, happy Jamie is eating breakfast. Though Ratchet and I have been informed about the issue of getting Jamie to eat. Her guardians know they can't just give her what's considered junk food. It's clear how stressed both mechs are, and Lightning. The others don't know everything, but they know Jamie is struggling.
Once Jamie is done eating, I sit next to her, hoping to get her to go to the pool, hating the sadness in her eyes. We can tell when Jamie is agreeing even though she doesn't want to. Ratchet and Rung will not like this. I tell the three I'll be back later and leave.
"Unbelievable!" Ratchet rages, "no wonder they don't know what to do. I'm will not accept that all we can do is keep her safe!"
"I worry about the four of them," Rung adds, "but I don't think talking to me will help for long. They'd have to talk to me often."
"I hope staying here will help her soon," Jolt sighs, "but then when she needs to go home..."
"What the frag happened?" Ratchet asks.
"Does it matter?" Jasmine asks, "the damage is done, and Jamie is hurting emotionally and mentally. Hopefully not beyond help."
We hate how we need to be slow and careful. This just feels like nothing can help Jamie. Hopefully, we can help her.