Sunstreaker's Charge ✔️

Ch. 14 Your Plan Isn't Working

Sunstreaker’s P.O.V.
“She’s not dying,” Fred starts, “this has been a long process I started last summer.”
“The only reason you wanted her to stay with you is for experiments!” I rage, “she didn’t even know about us. What was the plan if Luke never thought Lily would like to meet the Autobots? One day she finds out her blood is blue and can’t get answers?!”
“Luke was considering it—.”
“That’s your valid reason to experiment on a youngling?! Who are you working for?!”
“No one.”
I can’t believe I feel sick that he experimented on Lily and he decided to on his own.
“Lily is at the end of the transformation, and she should have the heightened senses soon,” Fred continues to explain, “I gave the nanobots a second task; to influence Lily’s dreams about you.”
“Well, it’s not working!”
“Give it a little more time. Though this might not work. The nanobots won’t last much longer. I’m unsure how terrified Lily is of you, and the nanobots will be offline in July.”
Fred tells me Lily’s headaches are normal and should stop soon. Her health shouldn’t decline further. 
“You better be right, or I will kill you!”
I leave the police station, heading back to the base to have Ratchet listen to the audio recording.

Ratchet has the other two medics, Optimus and Prowl, who also listened to the audio with him. I unintentionally got more evidence to get this fleshie in prison. 
“Fred is right; Lily is healthy,” Ratchet assures us, “but I’d like Lily to be half homeschooled, two days a week. We might have to do three days until the nightmares stop.”
“I think that’s a good idea,” Prime agrees.
I hate I can’t do anything to help Lily aside from sneaking into her room with notes. Ratchet isn’t sure if this is scaring her.

Lily is still asleep when Sideswipe lets me into the room. I was only gone ninety minutes but worried she’d be awakened by a nightmare again. I don’t know what to write for a note this time. I leave before she wakes up.

Sideswipe’s P.O.V.
“This is interesting, seeing Sunstreaker worried about a human,” Crosshairs comments.
“I just worry this is going to take a bad turn,” Drift points out.
We know how quickly Sunstreaker can go from worrying about Lily to having no problem killing her.

I plan on taking Lily to dinner and the arcade to get her out of the base for a while. Aside from her kidnapping, she hasn’t been outside the base since we met her. I don’t mind Crosshairs and Drift wanting to join us, and I doubt it’s solely due to concern about Lily. We talk about inviting Sunstreaker and coming up with a plan, knowing Lily will panic.

“I don’t know, Sideswipe,” Sunstreaker says after hearing the plan.
“I must be dreaming for you to worry about a human,” I smile
“I said don’t get used to it!”
I smile as Sunstreaker leaves the room.

“N-no!” Is Lily’s reply when I tell her what I want to do.
“We’re coming as well,” Crosshairs quickly adds.
Lily isn’t sure but knows we’re right when we say she needs to get out of the base.
“You heard her; she’s not sure if she should avoid Sunstreaker,” Crosshairs observes as we wait for Lily.
“I hate how uncertain she is. Though she’s just a child who watched someone be killed,” Drift sighs, “and I fear her nightmares replay that scene.” 
“I know this differs from dealing with Jamie, but seriously you two should have been assigned to be her guardians,” I argue.
“Well, at this point, all three of us are,” Drift points out.
“I think we need to try to do things that more Autobots can join us,” I suggest.
Crosshairs and Drift also notice how the others don’t spend time with Lily or lecture me about how I’m a terrible pick to be Lily’s guardian. Even though it’s only been eleven days since we all met her, this is concerning if Lily will be coming here often.

We cross paths with Sunstreaker as we head to the hangar. It’s strange seeing Sunstreaker stop and look uncertain.
“You’re ok,” I hear Drift.
He crouches down to Lily’s level to hug her. Crosshairs gestures for Sunstreaker to come closer. I think the idea is hoping she’ll know Sunstreaker can’t do anything while the three of us are watching. It’s interesting seeing Sunstreaker slowly approach us and crouches down in front of Lily. He tries to hug her, but Lily hugs Drift. I feel Sunstreaker’s sadness as we watch him walk away. I know he doesn’t want to give up now, but we must be careful.
Is it even possible to get her to like me again? Sunstreaker asks through the bond.
It’s only been two days since you frightened her, and it’ll take time.
I wouldn’t be surprised if he feels it’s been at least a week.
“Lily, he just wants to be your friend,” Drift tells the frightened girl.
At least she’s not crying.

Crosshairs and Drift insist we go to a restaurant rather than McDonald’s. Lily is relaxed and happy, and I take some pictures to send to Sunstreaker. I feel he’s both happy Lily is happy but sad he has to miss out.
I think he likes her.

Sunstreaker’s P.O.V.
Sideswipe told me they were on their way back, and Lily is asleep. I sit at the desk in Lily’s room, waiting for the others to walk in.
I don’t have to wait long before Sideswipe walks in carrying Lily.
“Glad she’s wearing sweatpants, and I don’t think jeans would be comfortable to sleep in,” Sideswipe whispers as he lays Lily on the bed and takes her boots off. I kiss her goodnight once she’s covered with blankets.
“Should I even bother?” I ask, “you saw how frightened she is and the nightmares.”
“I know it’s hard, but it will take time. I don’t think there’s a way to know if that’s it or she’ll never...”
“Just say it; she’ll always hate me.”