Many thanks to my beta reader Khalthar!
Disclaimer: If I owned Transformers, I would have stopped at number three.
Thank you to all you awesome people! You are the best readers an author could ever ask for!
Jaime repressed the urge to shuffle her feet. She was in the Med Bay with Ratchet. Apparently, during her little impromptu meeting with the Primes, Prowl had spilled the beans about her meditation/freak-out session. She had hoped—with everything that had happed afterwards—that everyone had forgotten. But they hadn't. The Autobot leader had been promptly informed the moment things had settled down. So here she was now, with Ratchet scanning her with just about every kind of sensor that he had in his arsenal. Also in the Med Bay were Optimus and Prowl. Jazz would have been present as well, but had been needed off base along with Ironhide and Jolt. However, Jaime had the sneaking suspicion that her guardian was receiving a live feed of the proceedings. This was Jazz after all.
Ratchet growled and crossed his arms. Silence.
"Well?" Optimus asked when the CMO failed to react further.
"Nothing! I've tried everything and I can't find any readings to suggest that Jaime has undergone any sudden changes!"
"Why did you ask to meditate in my office?" Prowl asked Jaime.
"I already told you," she huffed.
"You stated that you wanted to…'check something out.' You have failed to provide any further specifics regarding the success of your endeavors," Prowl clarified. Jaime fought the scowl threatening to make itself known. She was beginning to see why Sideswipe was so wary of the SIC. He was a freaking bloodhound—he never stopped!
"Jaime," Optimus finally spoke. "When you were in my cab…you asked me not to continue my line of questioning. Why?"
Jaime bit her lip. She doubted saying that she was told not to would go over well.
~ Ugh, this would be so much easier if I could just tell them! ~ She mentally shouted at the Allspark.
~ Patience child, it is just as much for your benefit. Think for a moment what would happen if they learned that you have a closer link with me than they previously believed. What would happen? ~
~ Uh…they'd be ecstatic? ~ She guessed. The Allspark was a priceless artifact, a conduit to their god Primus. ~ They'd probably have a bunch of questions.~
~ And though they are all my children, what do you suppose would happen if the self-proclaimed Decepticons found out? ~ Jaime pondered the seemingly innocent question.
~ Well…aside from being shocked that a mere squishy could have such a strong connection to such a powerful being? They'd…they'd probably use it to their advantage, I guess. ~ She mused. She didn't receive a reply. Jaime blinked as the implications to what she'd just said set in. She paled suddenly.
"Jaime?" Ratchet broke her concentration. A scan immediately washed over her.
"Jaime, what is wrong?" Optimus leant closer, peering at her with concern in his azure blue optics.
"Huh?" Optimus frowned upon noticing her slightly dazed expression. Jaime blinked a couple times, returning to the present.
"You did not answer Optimus," Prowl answered. "You remained silent and then—without any noticeable stimulus—your face lost color. According to many medical articles on the World Wide Web, this change is most commonly linked to serious medical changes or stressful emotions."
Jaime peered at Prowl as he rattled off his explanation.
"You shouldn't believe everything you read on the internet," was the only quick response she could think of.
"I do not detect any medical conditions," said Ratchet. "Whatever the reason for your sudden change in color and discomfort, it is not physical."
Optimus knelt closer to the girl so that they were only a few feet apart.
"Jaime, you know that you can trust me, yes?" he asked, his voice incredibly gentle.
Jaime gazed at him before closing the gap between them and leaning her small forehead against his large metal forehead. The barely noticeable hum of life underneath his faceplates and its warm touch were soothing. Wordlessly, she opened up her bond with the Prime. She shoved it wide open, letting him feel everything. He could feel her fear of the unknown, her sorrow over the disastrous meeting with Sunstreaker, her love for Will, her happiness that Sideswipe was finally reunited with his twin, and her longing to see Charlie again. But most of all, he could feel her overwhelming and absolute trust in him.
Optimus' POV
The Prime accepted everything that she gave him. He understood, what she was trying to convey. She did not doubt him. Her hesitance to speak about whatever had happened was not a matter of a lack of trust. No, there was another reason. When she finally pulled away from him, he reactivated his optics. She was waiting for his reaction. She seemed lighter than before, and he realized—with a pang of guilt—that their questioning was tiring her. For all he knew, that could be the cause of her stress. He vented a sigh and returned to his full height. His CMO and SIC straightened ever so slightly, recognizing the shift in his bearing. He was Prime now, and he was going to pass his judgment.
"Is the reason for your sudden…meditation…hazardous to your wellbeing?" he asked her.
"No," she shook her head. "I don't think so."
"Is it hazardous to the wellbeing of my Autobots and myself?"
"No."
"And what of the wellbeing of the human race?"
"No."
"Then…I suppose it would be rather selfish of me to pressure you into revealing something that appears to be personal in nature." Ratchet looked like he wanted to disagree, but he remained silent. Although they were close comrades—friends, really—Optimus was first and foremost his Prime.
"You will still be coming in for your regular checkups," the medic couldn't help but add. Optimus' lip plate twitched in amusement. He wasn't the only one amused by the CMO's inability to not do his job.
"If you felt any differently, I would think there was something wrong with you," Jaime smirked. She glanced at Optimus.
"It's…not that I don't want to tell you. It's just…" She bit her lip as she struggled to find the right words. "I don't think now is the right time." Optimus tilted his helm to the side but didn't say anything. He offered her his servo and set her on the floor. With one last smile, she waved and left the Med Bay. Optimus turned to his fellow Autobots.
"Prowl?" he prodded, noticing his SIC's thoughtful expression.
"Of the three questions you asked her, the first she was unsure of…" the mech thought aloud.
"I noticed," the Prime nodded.
"The only thing I can think of that may negatively affect her wellbeing is her connection to the Allspark," Ratchet added. Optimus' optics widened.
"You don't think…"
"I think it is entirely possible that her connection is stronger than we thought. She came to my office to meditate," Prowl stressed. "She does that often when using her connections. But she was doing something she has not tried before. She wanted a witness, Prime, in case something went wrong. I am sure of it."
"Before she left your office, you said that she seemed…concerned" Optimus mused aloud. Prowl nodded.
"And when she tried to…bring you back into commission, she was knocked unconscious by an unknown factor. When she awoke, she acted as though something important had occurred," the SIC further elaborated.
"She also seemed to change her mind rather quickly about bringing Optimus back," Ratchet added.
"Agreed," Prowl nodded. "As if she knew that she was incapable."
"Or not meant to," Optimus murmured, thinking of Samuel Witwicky.
"This would be so much easier to figure out if she would just share what happened," Ratchet grouched.
"But she's given us the impression to keep quiet—at least—for now," Optimus rubbed his chin. "Perhaps…perhaps she was right when she said the timing is not right. Because whatever she will not speak of, most likely involves the Allspark." Ratchet inhaled sharply. His comrades' helms snapped to his direction.
"Yes?" the Autobot leader studied his medic.
"If her connection to the Allspark is stronger than we imagined…could…do you think it's possible that she…"
"Yes?" Prowl encouraged him when he trailed off without finishing his thought.
"…shares a connection with anything else commonly believed to be connected to the Allspark?" Ratchet finished, his voice only a whisper. Optimus' helm shot up.
"Primus?" he breathed in disbelief. Prowl snapped to attention as well, but for a different reason entirely. There was a pop, then a crash. His two fellow Autobots were so dazed that it took them a few minutes to realized the SIC was sprawled on the floor.
Optimus' POV
The Autobot Commander remained silent, waiting for the fuming mech to run out of steam.
"—the fragging worst idea he's ever had!" to emphasize his point, a servo digit was jabbed—quite disrespectfully—in Prowl's direction. The SIC's door wings hiked up indignantly, but the furious mech was not done. "I am NOT going to stay at a pit-spawn disgusting pile of slag on this pathetic excuse of a planet! Have you SEEN how revolting and messy they are?! They leave fluids EVERYWHERE! I'll be covered in organic fluids within nanoseconds! And don't get me started on being drenched in layers of this pitiful mudball's surface! I DEMAND you reconsider this half-aft plan!"
The Prime leveled the enraged Sunstreaker a heavy look of authority.
"…Sir." he added curtly.
"My decision is final Sunstreaker." Optimus finally spoke. "You shall be part of Jaime's rotating protection detail until Jazz returns from his deep space mission." The volatile twin snarled.
"Ah know Ah got nothin' ta worry a'bout, righ'?" Jazz's smooth dialogue smothered any possible outburst from the mech. Sunstreaker glanced at the saboteur, hearing the warning in his voice. Jazz was casually inspecting his claws. "'Cuz yo'r gonna keep 'er safe, yea?" He glanced at the twin when he said this. Sunstreaker shifted ever so slightly away from the dangerous mech. Short he may be, but there was a reason the saboteur was so highly feared.
"You questioning my abilities?" the frontliner growled, not to be easily intimidated.
"Naw, 'course not." Jazz replied nonchalantly. "Ya wanna know why?" Jazz didn't give the mech a chance to answer. He shifted his frame so that he was now facing the twin. "Ah know yo'r a smart mech Sunny." He took a step towards the mech. "Ah know ya c'n guess jus' wha' would happ'n if ya failed ta protect Jaime." Sunstreaker's rebellious expression faltered for a moment. Jazz took another step towards the mech. His posture was reminiscent of a predator stalking its prey. "Ah know…tha' ya won' let meh down...righ'?" He was only a few meters from Sunstreaker now, and though he was shorter than the golden twin, he was somehow able to appear that he was looming over the other mech.
"Yes." Sunstreaker bit out, with hint of nervousness.
"Great!" Jazz chirped, his behavior doing a complete one eighty. "See ya when Ah get back, boss bot!" he gave Optimus a salute, bordering on insubordinate, and jaunted out of the room. "Later, Prowler!" he called over his shoulder. Prowl's door wings flickered in annoyance. The Prime saw Sunstreaker let out a silent vent of relief out of his peripheral but chose not to comment.
"You start tomorrow, Sunstreaker." said Optimus, effectively ending the conversation. The golden mech grounded his dentas but did not comment. "You are dismissed." The frontliner immediately spun on his heel and stalked out of the room.
"Perhaps this is not such a good idea," Prowl mused aloud.
Optimus glanced at his SIC, surprised by the uncertainty he heard. Prowl was known for creating the best thought out plans. For him to be questioning something that had been his idea…
"And why do you think that?" The Autobot leader asked.
"Sunstreaker has made it clear that he does not wish to be in Jaime's presence." Optimus hummed in agreement. "And Jaime…she can be rather stubborn and…temperamental at times."
"I am aware that she is capable of holding grudges," the Prime smiled. Prowl's face twitched at his leader's comment, but continued on.
"There is the possibility that Sunstreaker's presence on the Lennox farm may do more harm than good," he finally admitted the source of his unease.
"Perhaps…but you said so yourself. Jaime and Sunstreaker need a chance to become acclimated together. They must settle their differences." Prowl did not reply. "However, your concerns are not unfounded." Optimus' optics narrowed in thought. "I shall speak with Ironhide to ensure Sunstreaker does not do any…serious damage." Prowl gave a short nod.
"By your leave?" Optimus gave a nod and the SIC strode out of the room.
Jaime didn't say anything as the conflicting feelings warred inside her. On one hand, she was glad that Sunstreaker would be staying on the Lennox farm. She missed the close friendship she'd had with the twin. On the other hand, she wasn't too sure about having the violent mech so close to Annabelle. She hummed to herself. Well, perhaps as a last resort, Sarah could always set him straight like she did for Ironhide.
"How long will you be gone?" was the only thing she could bring herself to say aloud. Jazz shrugged.
"A few months, at least. Hard t' tell wit' these kinda missions," he replied. She hugged him extra tight, trying her best to ignore her churning emotions. Of course, trying to hide anything from her guardian was pointless. He knew her too well. He didn't say anything aloud, but he held her close through the bond, giving her the impression of being covered in warm fuzzy hugs.
And then he was leaving along with Jolt, Arcee, Skids and Mudflap. ~ Come back. ~ she thought.
~ Ah promise. ~ And then he was gone.
"C'mon!" Jaime snapped the reins, her legs clinging to the sides of her mount. Jaime laughed as Orion galloped around the corral, the cool wind tousling her dark hair. After half a dozen laps, she gave a light tug on the reins.
"Whoa boy," she called, bringing the buckskin down to a walk. Will was watching on the porch with Ironhide parked nearby in alt-mode. Sarah and Annabelle were in town running some errands. They would be coming back soon.
After the first dozen times of Jaime riding the buckskin and nothing happening, Will had relaxed some and no longer stayed in the corral. But he still insisted on being nearby. Jaime let him have his little security blanket. She might have found his attention a bit stifling, but after the whole incident in Egypt, she didn't have the heart to snap at him. Really, to him, she had come back from the dead. And after years of hardly any attention—and any attention she had received was negative (thank you, Miss Narcissa)—it was really nice to have someone willing to drop everything for you. So she just soaked up the attention.
Will seemed to be talking to Ironhide about something since he was only half paying attention to Orion. Jazz wasn't on the farm. It had only been a couple weeks since he left with his team for his deep space mission to respond to an Autobot SOS transmission. Optimus had decided to assign the twins Sunstreaker and Sideswipe on guard duty at the farm. That way Ironhide wouldn't have to cover the farm on his own. The weapons specialist had voiced his opinion loudly, saying that he was perfectly capable without the twins help, thank you very much.
Jaime suspected that Ironhide's complaints had been more for her benefit than anything. She knew that he was aware of the treatment she had received upon Sunstreaker's arrival and had just about torn the frontliner apart. Jaime didn't know where the twins were currently. Sunstreaker hated how much dust was on the farm and tried his best to stay away from areas with the most dust, which included the house's immediate area.
Jaime reached the corner of the paddock and turned Orion around. A loud rumbling was the only warning she had as a yellow Lamborghini tore around the corner of the barn—no more than three meters from her position. Orion neighed in surprise and reared back on his hind legs. Jaime gasped and clung to the saddle with her only hand.
"Jaime!" Will jumped out of his chair.
"Sunstreaker, you miserable slagger!" Ironhide growled. An angry Sunstreaker transformed within a matter of seconds.
"Say that again!" he snarled, his foot stomped the ground for added measure. Orion—eyes rolling and showing the whites—turned sharply and bolted in the opposite direction. Jaime's grip slipped, unable to handle the sudden change in direction. She fell. Her arm reflexively shot out to cushion her fall. There was a loud crack. Jaime screamed. Surprised, Sunstreaker whirled around, eyeing the girl's crumpled body with trepidation. Before he could do anything else, he was slammed to the ground.
"You fragging glitch head!" Ironhide bellowed. The weapons specialist pummeled his frame. Sunstreaker's temper flared and he tried to squirm out from underneath the bulky mech. But Ironhide was not having it. He was pissed and he was focused, a dangerous combination.
"Jaime!" Sideswipe had skidded around the barn and transformed as well. He was staring at her lying on the ground. Will was bent over her.
"Call Ratchet!" he barked at Sideswipe. "And change back so we can race her over!" Jaime let out a whimper.
Sunstreaker's twin glanced at him nervously. Actually he was pretty sure he was looking at Ironhide nervously. His armor was really taking a beating.
~A little help here!~ he snarled over their bond.
~What did you do?~ was his twin's brilliant reply. Sideswipe transformed back into this alt-mode and Will carefully slid Jaime into the back.
"I'm sorry," he murmured when she whimpered again. He slid in next to her. "Sideswipe, activate your holoform." The twin appeared in the driver's seat, twisted around and watching Jaime with a great deal of concern and nervousness in his eyes. "Go in the house and get me an icepack and a towel." Sideswipe dashed out of the car and into the house. Will was whispering to Jaime now. "You need to stay still now, Jaime. No jostling that arm. We're gonna put some ice on your arm and then take you to Ratchet. Ratchet's going to fix it up. Okay? Just hold on."
Sideswipe was back with the items. By this time Will had made a sling with his jacket to stabilize her arm. He wrapped the icepack in the towel and gently placed it over the break. It was already swelling. Jaime hissed. "Sorry, sweetheart," Will brushed her bangs out of her face. "Sideswipe, back in the car. You're driving us to base." Jaime's dazed eyes focused on Will's face.
"Orion," she whispered hoarsely. Will snorted.
"He's fine."
"Sure?"
"Not a scratch on him." Jaime's eyes fluttered closed.
"Sunstreaker…"
"Ironhide's taking care of him," Will scowled.
"No!" Jaime's eyes opened again, but is was a clearly a struggle.
"Jaime," Will frowned.
"Don't let Hide…" she trailed off, distracted by the pain, eyes closing once more.
"Let's go Sideswipe," Will glanced up front at the red head. Sideswipe glanced over at Ironhide and his twin.
"But…what about…" Will let out a harsh exhale.
"Ironhide!" he barked. The weapons specialist froze mid-punch. He glanced down at his partner. "You're coming with us to base."
"I'm not done with this punk," he growled.
"Then finish it later!" Lennox was running out of patience. "We need to get Jaime to Ratchet. I don't know what kind of a break she has." The black mech, with a great deal of reluctance, straightened and walked towards Sideswipe.
"Fine," he bit out, but not before sending once last withering look at Sunstreaker, and transformed. "Let's go then." Sideswipe glanced at his twin to make sure he didn't have any life-threatening injuries.
"Sideswipe. Drive," Will grounded out. The twin swallowed and kicked his transmission into drive. Jaime whimpered again. "Shh, you're going to be fine." He stroked her forehead. Please just be a clean break, please just be a clean break, he chanted in his mind. Jaime only had one arm. He didn't want her to lose another.
Optimus' POV
The Autobot leader was with Prowl when it happened. They had been discussing the pros and cons of moving the base to Washington D.C. when Sideswipe came tearing around the corner.
"Sideswipe!" Prowl admonished. "You are not supposed to—" Sideswipe breezed by the SIC. Prowl's door wings hiked up in irritation. Before he or Optimus could comment on the frontliner's behavior, Ironhide's alt-form roared around the corner.
"Ironhide," Optimus spoke, thinking Sideswipe had done something to anger the mech. "Cease—"
"Jaime's injured!" he cut off the Prime as he raced by. Both Autobots tensed and immediately followed. When they reached the Med Bay, it was bustling with activity.
"Lay her down so that I can scan her," Ratchet instructed Sideswipe. "Careful!" Optimus's spark trembled as he watched on. Jaime seemed completely out of it. Will remained nearby, whispering comforting words to her.
"Slaggit, she's broken her radius and ulna," Ratchet growled.
"Is that bad?" Sideswipe asked.
"Well, it's certainly not good!" the medic bit out. "Back up, I need to set it quickly or I'll have to re-break it."
"What? Why would you break it?" Sideswipe glared at the CMO.
"Because if the bones are not set correctly, they'll heal wrong," Ratchet explained as he prepared to do so. "And since Jaime's healing rate is far above average, I have less time to set them. Now get out so I can concentrate."
"But—"
"Now!" he barked. Sideswipe slowly backed out of the room. Ratchet glared over his shoulder at Prowl and Optimus. Yes, that included them.
"Keep us updated, Ratchet," Optimus sighed before turning to leave.
"Of course," the medic snorted.
"Ratchet—" Optimus could hear the stubborn determination in Major Lennox's voice.
"Just stay out of my way," the CMO grumbled, not even bothering to fight the man on the issue. The Med Bay door shut behind the Prime, and he faced his waiting comrades. Optimus narrowed his optics. Something was not right.
"Where is Sunstreaker?" he asked.
"I'm gonna rip him apart!" Ironhide snarled. Sideswipe shifted his weight uneasily.
"Explain," Prowl ordered. "Now."
It took her awhile to wake up. And when she did, everything felt…fuzzy. It was as if her brain had been wrapped in cotton. She cracked her eyes open and realized she was in the Med Bay. A movement to her right caught her attention. Her gaze adjusted and she realized that it was a worried looking Will.
"Jaime!" There was…so much emotion in that one little word. She dazedly took in his unkempt appearance. He looked terrible. "Gee, thanks," he grinned. Jaime blinked. She'd said that aloud?
"Sorry."
"It's fine," he quickly assured her. He gave her fingers a reassuring squeeze. Jaime's eyes dipped down in response and were met by the sight of a cast. It was a bright neon green and it went all the way past her elbow. She studied it, rotating her arm so that she could view it fully. It was was almost blinding. Skids would have loved it.
"It's green," she said dumbly.
"I…we thought you'd…" Will stuttered. "I can ask Ratchet to change the color."
"No, it's fine," was her reply. Jaime glanced up at the man again, tilting her head ever so slightly. He seemed anxious. And he'd sounded rather eager to please her over something as little and unimportant as the color of her cast.
"What is it?" she frowned.
"What do mean?" he asked. She gave him a look. Lennox broke eye contact and shifted uncomfortably in his chair. Jaime waited for him to tell her what was bothering him.
"I…I'm so sorry, Jaime." She stared at him.
"What?"
"This is all my fault," his grip tightened. "I'm sorry, I never should have—"
"Whoa, whoa," Jaime interrupted him, very confused by the direction of the conversation. Although that could be due to the exhaustion. "Hold up. How is this your fault?"
"I should have been in the corral with you," he ran a distressed hand through his hair. "I should have—"
"It was an accident," she rolled her eyes.
"But—"
"No." Will huffed a weak laugh at her quick denial. Her eyelids were drooping shut again. She was so tired.
Will's POV
"'s not your fault, dad," she mumbled so lowly he almost missed it. His breath caught in his chest. Her eyes were closed and he was pretty sure she was already half asleep, but he knew he didn't imagine it. Will stared at her, eyes wide. His thumb brushed across her knuckles as a smile slowly stretched across his face. Dad. She'd called him dad.
He knew that she viewed him as a father figure, but she'd never called him dad before. Until now. His heart fluttered and it felt like his chest is going to burst. With great care, Will bent down and kissed her forehead. He held her hand and watched over her as she slept. He was so focused on her, that he didn't notice when Ratchet peeked in to check on them.
Author's Note: Well, here it is! The long awaited update. Things are getting intense for Jaime! :D Review!
Hubero: Eep! *ducks under some cover*
Ironhide: *stomps by* I know you're hiding somewhere! And when I find you, I'm gonna break your arm. See how you like it! *cannons hum as emphasis*
Hubero: *whispers* Please review! Preferably before Ironhide squishes me!
Ironhide: *rounds the corner* Found you!
Hubero: Eeek! *runs like her life depends on in* REVIEWWWW!