Hidden Spark on Earth (TFP)

Chapter 31

It was now the end of the week. Saphira woke up with so much anxiety, she didn't want to get out of bed and considered calling school to stay at the base. But...she knew it was not possible at the moment. Saphira managed to eat something and put some training in, but she was far from relaxed. She was certain that her anxiety would make her sick at some point during the day, but she didn't care. Saphira remained in her room for as much as possible, pacing in front of the island counter with her arms folded as she didn't want to face the world.

However, the world came to find her. She heard the door open and glanced up to see Ratchet looking at her with concern. She stopped when she did not see Optimus with him. "Is Optimus waiting in the lobby?"

Ratchet shakes his head. "He's gone with Bumblebee to check on Raf to see how he is. He's concerned about the kid's health, he will be back soon. I've contacted him, but he won't be back on time to take you to school. I think he intends to remain in the town all day keeping an eye on you."

Saphira was a little upset that Optimus was not there, but she knew that he cared about the others, and it was fine for him to find out if Rafael was well again. "Okay...um..." She glanced at her watch nervously and breathed out a shallow breath. "I could use a day off again."

"As much as I agree, I am afraid that it is not possible," Ratchet said in a gentle voice. "If you somehow manage to convince the school to let you leave early, such as due to being sick, then you can come back."

"I think it will happen. But I also don't want to miss out on a shift...as much as I want to." Saphira knew hiding wouldn't make the situation go away, but she was still nervous about it. "I guess I have to face it head on." She opened her bag, making sure she had her pepper spray and taser with her. She looked up at Ratchet with a forced smile. "We should get going."

The bot nodded, dropping to one knee and holding his hand to her. She allowed him to carry her out of the room to the lobby. Saphira liked that none of the autobots grab her without asking first, she would understand if there was a situation where they needed to grab her to protect her, she would be okay with it. Though it was definitely nice on how gentle they were treating her.

"I don't suppose any pep talk will make you feel better?" Ratchet asked gently as he entered the lobby, lowering her to the ground. "I may not always be the best company, but I do my best."

Saphira chuckled softly as she watched him transform into his vehicle mode. She climbed into the cab and relaxed as best as she could. "It may not help, Ratchet. But I would like to talk to someone for a little bit. Even if you can be grumpy at times, I like you. You've been a kind, good friend to me. I'd rather talk to you than a rock any day."

Ratchet chuckled loudly, she looked out the window as he drove through the tunnel towards the exit of the base. "I sure would hope I am better than a rock. And I am proud that you see me as a good friend. I have worried at times that I am little overbearing with you. Arcee even told me I'm acting like you're my child, which is totally ridiculous."

"I don't think that it is wrong for her to think that. But...I don't know why she thinks that either, unless you have had sparklings at some point and Arcee knows how you treated them." Saphira shrugged as she wasn't sure if that was true or not. She looked out at the desert as Ratchet drives on the road towards town. "I was told you were doing some upgrades to yourself to make it easier for you to help a sick or injured person. Has that been going well."

"I am happy to say that I have succeeded with those upgrades," The medic said cheerfully. "I have few other upgrades that I might look into so it will be even easier for me to help humans if needed. But I am doing other things at the moment. After all, I wanted to get the major upgrades finished before you...uh...you know."