Hidden Spark on Earth (TFP)

Chapter 80

Saphira sat on the med berth while Ratchet finished examining Optimus's system. The air around her was filled with sadness and tension. It wasn't exactly how she had envisioned when returning home to the base. Though it seemed that it wouldn't have mattered if she was home earlier or not, this would be happening regardless. She felt bad for the children, and June...this wasn't easy for any of them. And she knew that June meant well...but Raf would still be in danger from the decepticons, even if he was taken home.

"Prime!" Saphira jumped when she heard Fowler's voice through the com link. "Prime!"

"Agent Fowler hails," Arcee said with a smirk as Optimus stood from the med bay. "We better see what he wants."

Optimus nodded and walked towards the door. Saphira placed her stair formation device on the edge of the berth and activated it, walking down it quickly. She pressed the button again so she could carry it and followed Optimus. Ratchet turned his head to the berth and widened his optics when he didn't see Saphira. He glanced around in a panic and spotted her on the ground with the device in her hand.

"How did you get down from the berth safely?" Ratchet asked curiously.

Saphira turned and smiled when she saw his baffled expression. "This..." She points at the device in her hand. "You can thank Megatron for this. It creates stairs for any level, so I don't need the hand of a Cybertronian all the time."

"Well...that's impressive..." Ratchet definitely didn't expect such a device from Megatron to be given to Saphira. "Regardless, I still need to examine you. You were exposed to dark energon too."

"Ratchet, it can wait!" Saphira responded, turning to walk away. "I do not feel sick, I do not feel weak...I feel tired, sure, but that is from...before with Optimus and myself. I was never harmed by the decepticons, so you need not worry. You can examine me later. As far as I am concerned, there are more pressing issues than my own health."

Ratchet watched Saphira follow the bots and he followed her. "I know that is what you feel, Saphira. But I really should ensure there is nothing invisible going on that I can't see. And...give me some peace of mind."

"I know, and I promise I will go back to the med bay with you soon." She looked up at him with a reassuring smile. "I know you have been worried for me, Ratchet. I am not going to stop you forever from examining my body. I just want to see what Fowler has to say."

Ratchet exhaled, looking away from her in slight frustration. Saphira was as determined to know what is going on as the rest of them. Especially now that the entire world could be at stake. "Very well...but I want not one word of complaint when I request that you go into the med bay when it is time."

"Got it." She gives him a thumbs up and continued to follow the other autobots to the lobby.

Ratchet smiled a little. Saphira wasn't showing signs of any mental or emotional trauma right now. It seems being with Megatron was a far less traumatic experience than it was when she was at the mercy of her own father. Ratchet didn't know if he should consider that a good thing or not. But...he still wanted to do a complete examination of her body. He still feared Megatron has interfaced with her, and she has not yet admitted it.

Saphira ran up the stairs to meet Jack and Miko on the platform as Optimus approached the console. "Prime! Do you copy?" Fowler spoke again impatiently through the com link.

"I hear you, Agent Fowler," Optimus confirmed affirmatively.

"Well, it is about time!" The man snapped in irritation. "Been watching the new lately? Mother natures got a twitch in her bridges?"

Saphira frowned and picked up the remote to turn the TV on. "I wonder what he means by that..." She was a little afraid to find out what Fowler meant, but...Saphira did have a sense that the man was right.