Jasmine's P.O.V.
Ratchet walks into the room at three. Audrey is taking a nap, and Sideswipe is playing video games. He tells me we're going out. Hard to believe he doesn't have Sunstreaker with him. Sideswipe has been helpful with Audrey. Ratchet must think Sideswipe will be fine taking care of Audrey.
Ratchet and I go to our room to get ready.
I have a light jacket to hide the injury since my dress isn't long-sleeved. Hopefully, I don't have to take it off until I can get changed in the bathroom. I know Ratchet wouldn't care if I didn't wear a dress, but I still want to for our date.
"You look beautiful," Ratchet smiles and kisses me.
Ratchet dresses professionally and only had to take off his white lab coat.
I didn't think Ratchet would borrow a soldier's car. We must be going further than Ratchet wants to walk. I doubt we're going on a weekend trip.
We drove ten miles, now I know why Ratchet didn't want to walk. This is a formal restaurant compared to the ones within walking distance from the base.
"I have wanted to take you somewhere nice compared to where we usually go," Ratchet smiles.
I hold on to his arm and we head into the restaurant. It's packed...
Ratchet's P.O.V.
I knew this wouldn't be easy for Jasmine, but this will be good for her. I know what to look for to get her out of here before she panics and people stare. Rung agrees we need to do this to help Jasmine. I just don't like how she might panic for a while before feeling safe in public around people. I failed to think she might think her food is poisoned. This will be hard to avoid others looking at us.
It's good Jasmine is telling me what she wants to get. She's not sounding scared. This will be good if she does fine tonight.
Jasmine doesn't question the food or drinks. I didn't think she'd order alcohol. I don't smell fear from her. I'm ashamed I thought she'd be panicking.
"I talked to Dr. Webb," I begin. I know Jasmine is worried about her future as a doctor, "this is an unusual situation, and he agrees not to kick you out of the program even with the potential issues."
Jasmine smiles at the news, making it hard to tell if she's remembering things Yazmine did to her. We found Jasmine very sick, but she wasn't missing long enough to catch a cold and decline. I tell her for at least a week, I want her to review what she's learned on practice dummies. No doubt she knows I'm concerned she'll be terrified to use needles. I know logically it's the other way, that she's getting poked with a needle, and she'd be terrified seeing an IV was placed, but it's wise to be certain before she needs to work with needles and panics. This is why I'm not telling her that if she does well, I'll let her work with Jolt and me after a week of review, but she'll be starting with a few hours a week, and working toward full-time.
We got a brownie covered with ice cream to share. It's a good-sized brownie for two. I didn't think Jasmine would be ok with me feeding her a piece of the brownie. I'm finding I'm underestimating how far she's recovered mentally.
We return to the base at seven. Neither of us expected the terror twins to tell us we are back too early. With Audrey asleep, Jasmine suggests going for a walk to and around the nearby park. This won't add much more time out.
"And go back to your room," Sunstreaker insists before going back into his room.
Jasmine's P.O.V.
Waking up to Ratchet getting ready to go down to the medbay, I feel like last night was a dream, especially hearing I'll be able to resume my residency. I don't think I'm terrified of needles even after what Jadin and Yazmine did. Ratchet says he'll be waiting by the cafeteria before he leaves the room. I doubt he means he'll be standing in the hallway. The twins are probably going to be informed I'm up and one of them will make their way here.
I get ready, and as I thought, one of the twins is knocking on the door within ten minutes.
"Did you rush here?" I ask Sunstreaker.
"No, we're up by now. Sideswipe, oddly, is happy to take care of Audrey. Wonder how long that'll last?"
"That's funny. She's getting his lazy aft out of bed early."
I grab clothes and go into the bathroom.
Sideswipe and Audrey are now in the room. I still can't believe Sunstreaker will hold Audrey. I sit on the bed next to him. A few minutes pass before he has disgust on his face.
"You pooped!" He scolds Audrey, "ewe, you take her."
I take Audrey as Sideswipe pulls out a diaper bag from his subspace. I go into the bathroom to change her.
Sunstreaker's P.O.V.
How can a tiny human stink? It's disgusting, but mostly I'm trying to get Audrey to laugh. I know Jasmine thinks this is funny.
So are we kicking the baby out? Sideswipe asks.
No, but I'm hoping Ratchet cuts back his hours. We'll still be babysitting when Jasmine can go back to work.
How strange you're still wanting to babysit. I still have my class to teach. Sideswipe sulks.
Which is done by noon and not every day. I remind him.
We both hope things will go better for Jasmine and Ratchet. Even if I'm babysitting. I think I can ask Jasmine's aunt to babysit a few days a week. For now, I'd rather not add to who's watching Audrey, even if it's Jasmine's aunt. Considering how she panicked about Roy wanting to hold Audrey.
Audrey is not happy to be put back in her stroller. She stops crying once I'm holding her.
"I think she likes you, Sunstreaker," Sideswipe smiles.
Ratchet waits for us in the hallway. Amused by the events before we left the room.
Sideswipe takes Audrey from me, and I go into the kitchen with Ratchet.
Ratchet tells me that Jasmine will do some medical review. Depending on how that goes, Jasmine will be back working in the medbay. She'll be part-time so she can train to be a soldier. Though that won't be for a while. She still needs to build up strength even if she's not recovering from broken bones.
"I hope everything will be as it should soon," Ratchet sighs.
There's still a lot to do even if things are looking better for Jasmine. There is still six months before the court date. Hopefully, they can adopt Audrey.