"Don't send me back to helicopter mom!" Miko stated in annoyance over the comm system.
Following her outburst, June looked over at her son who was perched on a desk before retorting, "Is that really such a bad thing?"
Jack responded by shrugging his shoulders and walking away. It had been a couple of days after June's introduction to the crazy mess her son was involved with. However, while she was rather accepting of his newfound friends, she still obsessed over the children's safety.
Ratchet proceeded to open the groundbridge and allow Miko to come through. After closing the bridge, he looked over at Jackson who noticed the bot's expression and realized what he knew was coming. Jackson simply raised a finger to his lips before motioning the medic to follow him into a corridor.
Once the pair was far enough from the main area of the base, specifically away from the others, Jack turned around to face the med Bot, motioning it was safe to talk.
"Jack, we need to have a really in-depth discussion about your blood samples" Ratchet stated while analyzing Jack's movements.
"Before we begin this 'discussion', it should be mentioned that I already know what you're about to say" Jack looked back at Ratchet who was taken aback by this revelation.
"Then…" Ratchet began, "You know you're dying… right?"
"As unfortunate as it sounds…" Jack stated almost emotionlessly, "I have been trying to keep it a secret from the others…"
"Jack…" Ratchet looked at his human acquaintance in shock, "Look, I won't tell you how to conduct your business but…"
"Ratchet, the way I see it, the less they know the less it will hurt." Jack looked away slightly.
"Well then…" Ratchet lifted his hand against his helm, "Can I know the name of your ailment for documentation...?"
Jack looked back at the medic as he found Ratchet's reaction almost amusing in a way, "Sure Ratchet, the disease is referred to as hemolytic anemia"
Ratchet opened the side panel on his arm to write down some notes, "Okay… and how long does a patient have before they expire from it...?"
"You know, there are smarter ways to ask how long a person has to live right?" Jack remarked as Ratchet's eyes went wide as he realized Jack understood what he was trying to do.
"Don't worry Ratchet, I've still got maybe a month or two at best" Jack retorted with a wicked smile watching the med Bot fumble over his tools.
"You know…" Ratchet looked at his newest patient, "You and Optimus get more and more alike every day."
"What can we say" Jack replied while shrugging, "Death doesn't want to let us go any time soon"
Ratchet turned to walk away but Jack caught up to him quickly, "Before we go back… Please keep this conversation a secret."
Ratchet looked down at Jack, "Trust me, we know a thing or two behind patient confidentiality"
Jack began to laugh slightly before grabbing his side and wincing. "Are you-" Ratchet began before being cut off by Jack raising his hand, "I'm fine, just a symptom."
Ratchet went back to his notes and wrote in 'quicken pace' which was wrote beside 'patient treatment'
As Jack finally stood up, the duo began walking towards the main area of the base and returning to their previous positions. Ratchet had opened a side tab among his other screens and began searching for possible cures that could assist Jackson.
37 minutes later…
Arcee and Bulkhead finally walked through the groundbridge with their prized relic in hand. Bulkhead quickly (As swift as he could) walked away to put the relic in their storage. Arcee on the other hand was confronted by June who wanted to have a conversation with the bot.
Jack watched on in both interest and horror. 'What could those two be talking about' he thought as he looked over towards Ratchet who was sifting through multiple screens and what appeared to be databases.
Looking back at the two women in his life, Jack had another thought cross his mind. 'The secret's out, and if these two find out about it, I'm gone before this disease gets the chance.'
With Arcee and June…
"Arcee, I apologize." June started as she looked towards the towering autobot.
"You do?" Arcee questioned as she looked on in confusion.
"Look, I worry about Jack, and I know I can be a bit much and I just want to say sorry to you." June continued as she looked over to Jack who was looking at Ratchet.
"Apology accepted June" Arcee retorted while also looking at Jack, her optics analyzing his body movements and noticing he had his hand at his side again.
Arcee looked back at June and kneeled, "Can I ask you something?"
June looked back towards the autobot, "What is it?"
"Is Jack the type of person to mask his pain in pride?" Arcee bluntly stated while dawning a serious look.
June was taken aback by the question, "He... normally does yes, why?"
"No reason" Arcee finished as she stood up and walked towards the human's living area.
Jack noticed Arcee's approach and began leaning on the railing, "Hey Arcee, what's goi-" Arcee stood mere inches from Jack as she began to recognize what he was doing. She put on a false smile as Jack looked on in confusion and terror.
Jack took a step back as Arcee began to try and grab her charge. "Arcee! What's this about?" he began before being swiftly caught in Arcee's hand and put on her shoulder.
"You and I need to have a little discussion" She stated before walking towards a corridor.
The pair walked (or were carried) deeper into the base before coming upon a door that was about the size of Bumblebee. Arcee tapped what appeared to be a console on the side of the wall which caused the door to slide open revealing a rather dim room.
Jack looked around the room as his eyes adjusted while Arcee carried him inside. The autobot gently grabbed and set her human charge on what seemed to be a desk. Jack stood and looked around realizing that there was also a berth accompanied by weapons and such.
Finally, it clicked, he was in Arcee's room. Jack looked slightly up at Arcee's optics realizing he was around chest level. Arcee wore an expression of seriousness and softness, something Jack rarely saw.
Arcee crossed her arms, "So, you wanna tell me what's going on or will I need to interrogate you?"
Jack was taken aback by his partner's accusation. "W-what do you mean? There's nothing going on Arcee?"
"Don't lie to me Jack." Arcee dryly stated, "I know you're trying to hide something."
"Arcee, I am not hidi-" Jack began before being cut off.
Arcee slammed one of her servos on the desk, "I said don't lie to me Jack."
Jack remained frozen in fear as the comfort he had once felt vanished within seconds. He looked over at Arcee's hand which had made a small dent in the desk he was standing on.
"Jack," Arcee began softly, "Partners don't hide secrets from one another."
Jack looked at Arcee's optics as they softened while looking back at him. Jack slightly looked away trying to not show how embarrassed he was by the situation. However, Arcee put a digit under his chin and gently forced him to look at her.
"You know you can tell me anything, right?" Arcee asked as she lowered her face towards Jack.
Jack's face went red because of the close proximity "Of course, partner."
Arcee stood back up, "Good." She opened her hand allowing Jack to walk on.
The pair walked back to the main area where everyone was gathered. Arcee let Jack go into the human's living area and walked away as Miko walked towards Jack.
Miko jabbed into Jack's side, "So, what were you two lovebirds up to huh~?" she asked teasingly.
Jack laughed lightly and retorted, "I don't know what you're talking about pipsqueak." Miko started lightly pummeling Jack.
Arcee stood still and watched Jack closely, both fantasizing the moment that was shared between the two and never forgetting that his hand was a telltale signal of his pain.