(Please see all previous disclaimers)
Just outside the med bay, Skyfire had left Ultra Magnus and headed to the med bay. Not to visit a sick bot there, but to see if Aquaformer was there, as he knew Aquaformer likely would be there. And he was not disappointed when he found her there. He was cautious as he approached her, as he learned from Magnus' episode that she was feisty when disturbed. "Hi, Aquaformer. I see you and Ratchef are taking care of the med bay" Skyfire offered up.
"Well, someone has to. It won't take care of itself" Aquaformer retorted a bit sarcastically. If he could have, Ratchef would have rolled his optics at that.
"You don't have to be rude, Aquaformer. He was being polite to you" Ratchef reminded the femme.
Aquaformer sighed. Ratchet was right but she was fearful of letting her guard down. "Sorry, Skyfire. I don't mean to be rude. Very few mechs approach me and treat me like I am a bot, much less like a femme. Most insult me" Aquaformer explained, trying to explain her defense mechanism.
"Those who insult you are fools. They don't see the unique bot underneath" Skyfire replied. Aquaformer was stunned to hear that but tried to bury the emotion. She didn't want to show weakness. She wasn't weak, she was strong. "No one is strong all the time, Aquaformer. No Optimus, not Ultra Magnus, not Grimlock, not even Ratchet. We all have times where we are not as strong as we wish we were."
Aquaformer sighed, as that was easier said than done. Too much had hurt her for her to feel like she could just start being herself. "Maybe…maybe you are right" Aquaformer replied and then headed off. The med bay was prepared and she wandered off, a bit overwhelmed.
"She okay?" Skyfire asked, confused.
"She just needs time. But be careful, Skyfire. She hasn't had an easy life. Anyone who is interested in pursuing her must realize that. She is fiercely protective of her independence and doesn't like those who will restrain her or try to change her. But take care, as she can have a temper too" Ratchet told Skyfire. Skyfire nodded. This wasn't going to be easy and with Ultra Magnus likely completion for her spark, things were even tougher. But Skyfire wasn't planning on being deterred. But then again, Ultra Magnus likely wouldn't be deterred either.
Elsewhere, in his assigned quarters, Lancex was trying to figure things out. Usually he wasn't bested, and he almost never let himself get pinned like he had. Yet, in some ways in felt…right? Like it was supposed to happen. He wasn't sure. He would wait to talk to Aquaformer as Jazz was out on a mission and Aquaformer would be back soon. He hoped she had some idea of what might be going on, especially since she was medically trained. For now, he waited, hoping things would be explainable.