Drift's P.O.V.
This is terrifying and complicated. Jamie's safety is more important, but I don't know how easy getting her to be with friends will go if we have to use the ground bridge. It's hard enough since we can't easily plan days in advance. It's good she's spending time with the twins and Lily, but that's still questionable daily. Then there's everything else. Crosshairs isn't hiding how worried he is as we sit on my bed. I hold Jamie while she sleeps. Neither of us know what to say.
Lightning, Rung, and Optimus walk into the room. Right away, Rung asks a stupid question.
"How stupid are you?! And you call yourself a psychiatrist?!" Crosshairs rages, "no, we're not ok! I don't think anyone is!"
Crosshairs leaves the room, slamming the door behind him. Which wakes Jamie up, but she's half-asleep and doesn't know what's going on. Lightning takes Jamie into the bathroom.
"I don't think that's going to work," Rung says.
"I don't know, but better than she sees Crosshairs livid," I argue, "but he's right, no one is ok watching Jamie struggle. I don't know what we're going to do."
Rung and Optimus regret having no clear solution. Our only option is to watch Jamie and hope she does better. I hate it.
With nothing else to add, Optimus goes after Crosshairs while Rung goes back to his office after telling me that talking to him, or anyone is good.
Crosshairs' P.O.V.
"Get out of my way!" I yell.
"Crosshairs, stop!" Vivian yells and stands in my way, "stop, this isn't helping anyone if you land in the brig."
We're close to the conference room for Vivian to take me there.
As embarrassing as this is, I can't avoid crying once we're in the conference room, and Vivian hugs me.
"You two should take Jamie to one of the houses," Vivien insists, "I think it'll help with stress and she'll be safe. That's important before getting Jamie to spend time with friends."
I suspect Vivian is doing this a little backward, and hasn't talked to Optimus and Prowl, but I'm sure the two will allow Drift and I to take Jamie somewhere else and figure out how to have friends spend time with us. I'm thinking there's going to be another meeting later.
I didn't think there'd be a meeting without Drift. He'd do anything to keep Jamie safe, so hopefully, he'll agree with whatever plan we come up with. Of course, this is complicated since it's still hard to plan days in advance and be certain plans won't be canceled. When there's planning schedules and days off, this isn't helping. Prowl isn't thrilled with Drift and I being off the schedule for now. We know Jamie doesn't like this either. Even when she's happy we have time off, she worries if it's too much time and if Prowl would be mad. I don't think Jamie has realized that Drift and I aren't scheduled for a large number of hours. Though this is thanks to Hound, and Ironhide — who we often work with at the base — agreeing with this.
"We still plan nights with Lily and the terror twins," I tell Optimus and Prowl, "I know using the ground bridge is quick so we can keep the routine."
Though if Lily didn't live here, it likely would be harder.
"I advise holding off for the week," Optimus suggests, "I worry with Jamie's mental state, a new location is going to be an adjustment."
I hate hearing that. It's a reminder of how bad Jamie's mental health is.
Optimus and Vivian come with me to talk to Drift.
"I know, you're tired of hearing her cry and hurt. I'm hating how long this is going to last," I tell him.
"This has to be done," Vivian adds, "I know it's hard to watch. She will not get better if we don't help," she takes his hand, "everyone knows to be careful while helping."
Optimus Prime's P.O.V.
I know Drift is afraid to lose the one he loves. Crosshairs is afraid to lose most of his family. Believing Drift would offline himself if he loses Jamie. With Jamie wanting to be dead, and even trying to end her life. I understand the uncertainty the two have. The same with Lightning. I need to talk to Prowl about letting her go with Crosshairs and Drift.
"Yeah, she needs to be there," Prowl agrees, "we should be able to deal with the cons, should they attack. Hopefully they don't because we know Jamie will not like if her guardians and sister missed the battle."
"She's too used to being alone. I should have done more sooner. Maybe we wouldn't be dealing with this if I had."
"The hard truth is we'd still be dealing with her mental health. This bad... likely."
I will not tell Prowl what he doesn't know. Maybe he's right and it wouldn't have differed if I could have done more sooner. This just adds to the fear that Jamie will always struggle mentally. Even if she's not like Sunstreaker, I can't accept this.
Drift's P.O.V.
Jamie says nothing about going to one of Cade and Vivian's houses. Crosshairs and I tried to get her to pick which of the two in the states, but she won't say anything. Crosshairs and I decide we're going to Texas. It's October, so I doubt there'd be beach days in Florida. Already getting texts from bots who want to come with us. I know they're asking me first. Though I doubt Prowl would let them come if I told them they could.
Lily and the terror twins don't like they're being told our routine is on hold for a week.
We'll have one last night tonight. I know they're worried about returning to the routine will be a challenge. Everything is a challenge.
Then who the frag knows what'll happen ' kind of challenge.
I should have known Mirage would look to continue his security duty from December, but I didn't think Knockout would want to help. Figured it's his idea of being with Jamie.
"I'm not assigned to any duties here, and I'd rather watch her and make sure she's safe," he explains, "I'll leave if she's too stressed."
"You can't be invisible the entire time," I remind Mirage.
He unhappily agrees to leave if Jamie gets too stressed seeing many friends. I hate he said that, and Knockout agrees with Mirage.
"Hopefully soon she'll start doing better," Mirage sighs and the two mechs walk down the hall.