(Y/N) is so excited to go on a mission with her sparkmate, Wheeljack, Bulkhead, and Ultra Magnus that she hides being sick. Eight hours later and Ratchet discovers how sick she is, worried she might get to the point where she can't fight the sickness. Oh, and there's a terrible wind storm that might prevent Ratchet from giving (Y/N) vital care.

Wheeljack's P.O.V.
"Absolutely not!" Ultra Magnus argues, "this mission is far too dangerous for a native."
"You realize I wouldn't put my sparkmate in danger?"
"He's right; Jackie has changed since meeting (Y/N)," Bulkhead points out.
"And (Y/N) is skilled to handle anything that could happen," Optimus adds.
"Fine," Magnus agrees though annoyed.
I go to my room to tell (Y/N).

She's so excited to join us; I have to remind her to pack her backpack to be prepared. That's easy, but trying to get her to sleep is not.
"How are you going to help if you're exhausted? Go to sleep."

The next day

(Y/N)'s P.O.V.
I'm up at six in the morning, but I feel like shit. My throat hurts, and I'm aching all over. This could be a simple cold. Aspirin should take care of this. I get a little breakfast and lay in bed until Wheeljack wakes up.

I feel much better by the time Wheeljack is up. I'm hoping I don't look sick at all. I didn't want to put makeup on since we're going in a cave.
"Did you sleep at all?" Wheeljack asks.
"Of course I did. Didn't you wait until I fell asleep to slip into recharge?"
"Fair point."

Optimus Prime's P.O.V.
"...as always, contact us for backup if you encounter any Decepticons, good luck."
While Ratchet opens the ground bridge, I notice Ratchet looks worried. Once the team leaves and the bridge closed, I ask him what's troubling him.
"I thought (Y/N) looked pale and sick."
"She would have said something," I assure him.
"Not when it's the first mission she's allowed on in a while and with her sparkmate."

(Y/N)'s P.O.V.
Inside an abandoned Energon mine is so cool. We've been walking around the cave system for two hours
"You do realize these mines are unstable, and any sudden movement can trigger a cave in?" Magnus asks, annoyed.
"(Y/N) is always careful," Bulkhead tries to assure grumpily.

We go deeper into the mine; another hour passes, and I realize I'm in trouble. I brought water but not the aspirin. Sure enough, I begin coughing. I lie and say it's the dust and fight the need to continue to cough. I'm getting cold, which again, I can lie and say the excitement of this trip caused me to be underprepared. Thankfully, the mechs don't check the tempura in the caves. I don't know if it is cold down here or not. Another twenty minutes pass before Magnus says Prime orders us to go back home. Good, I'm tired.

Wheeljack's P.O.V.
It's strange (Y/N) is tired and wants to go to sleep. I guess she didn't get as much sleep as I thought, but something doesn't feel right. I get distracted by Bulkhead and Miko for an hour before going to my room. I activate my holoform and lay on the berth by (Y/N). It's strange the way she's sleeping with her arms around herself. I know humans do this when they're cold, but we have several blankets on the berth. Add she feels warm; must be a cold. I go to sleep with her.

An hour passes before I'm woken up by (Y/N) moaning and thrashing around before she starts coughing, but she's not waking up. This continues for a few minutes before she's struggling to breathe. This is not a cold.
"Wake up, (Y/N)."
I gently shake her, but she's not waking up. How the frag is difficulty breathing not waking her up? Oh my Primus, is she dying?! I pick her up, rush out of our room and towards the medbay.

"RATCHET!" I yell.
"What!?" Ratchet yells, but his expression turns to horror as he sees (Y/N).

I lay her on the bed, and immediately Ratchet tells me to get out.
"No!" I argue, "if she's dying, I want to stay here."
"Let him examine her," Optimus says. To my surprise, Bulkhead and Magnus' holoforms drag me out of the medbay.
"NO!"

Ratchet's P.O.V.
Who would have thought Wheeljack had a panicking side to him — or that he is right to panic. The basic vitals assessment reveals (Y/N) is sick, but I don't think this is the flu. 103° F (39.444° C) fever and 95% oxygen level. She needs oxygen support. A little for now, and we have a few oxygen tanks.

As I tell everyone that (Y/N) has viral pneumonia, and it's likely just started, the lights begin to flicker. The others know this means we could lose power, which means no keeping tabs on the cons, but we have another serious problem if (Y/N) needs more invasive oxygen support. I don't know what's scarier; the fact June insisted we have a ventilator and I learn how to use it, or I might have to use it. Do I add the scary possibility I might have to tell Wheeljack his sparkmate is dying? For now, she's doing ok, but things will get worse before she gets better.

To be continued...