Haven ✔️

Ch. 37 Afraid to Leave Them

Mirage's P.O.V.
I was informed of a possible complication before I ask  Jamie if she wanted to come with me. I don't have the time to watch the footage of the day Jadin betrayed the other girls, but I'm going to when we get back.
"...she's unpredictable, and you may cross paths with her," Prime finishes.
"I understand, sir," I assure Prime. 
I'm given a box of capsules for first aid for myself and Jamie. I wish I could think this is silly, but Jadin is dangerous. I'm sure some things in here are for Jamie's condition.

Jamie is in a good mood and smiling this morning, sitting with her guardians, Lightning and Knockout. The terror twins are sitting at a table across the cafeteria.
"What do you want?!" Sunstreaker scowls.
"I've been informed you were the one who insisted I be told about Jadin."
"So?"
"I know you wouldn't if you didn't care. You must know how dangerous Jadin is."

Jamie is uncertain about coming with me; I can tell she wants to, but also, I see how terrified she is we'll come back to Crosshairs and Drift dead.
Do you think Sunstreaker is that jealous? Oh, Jamie, you don't understand.
I know Jamie won't believe me if I tell her Sunstreaker is trying to be her friend, but it's challenging for him.
"And I thought Drift worries too much about you," Crosshairs jokes, but he gets an elbow in the gut from Drift, "it's not like it's a secret, Drift."
Neither is it secret you also worry about her, Crosshairs. We all worry about Jamie, but not as much as these two. I think Ratchet and Prime also worry more than the rest of us.
"Jamie," we hear Prime's voice as he walks towards us. He crouches down to make eye contact with Jamie and takes her hands, "listen to me, Crosshairs and Drift will be ok. No one will hurt them, not even Sunstreaker. Remember, he's on thin ice and will be sent to Diago Garcia if he messes up. I know you want to go with Mirage."
Jamie says she wants to come and will come with me. I tell her we're leaving in three hours.

"I don't like this, sir. Her personality is changing. I know she worries those two will offline like she worries about the rest of us, but this is not like her," I point out.
"I know," he sighs, "not even Lennox or Ratchet know what to do about this. All we can do is hope things get better. I'd like Sideswipe's idea to happen, but we must first focus on Jamie's mental state. I'm hoping time away from here will help."
I don't say anything, but maybe I'll take Jamie on vacation after our mission unless she wants to return to base.

I didn't think Jamie would come to my office fifteen minutes before we leave. She came alone with a backpack on her back. The mission will take three days, but knowing Jamie and the adventures she's been on, I'm not even going to ask why she doesn't have at least a small suitcase.
She sits at my desk, uncertain about leaving. I tell her we are going to Hartford, Connecticut.
We are searching for a man named Connor Haines. He has the information I need for a case. Jamie knows why I want her to come.
"I can get them to talk as well if you want," she says.
"I'm sure you can while we argue he's lying. We'll look for him tomorrow as we won't reach our destination until five — assuming traffic isn't horrible."
I already talked to Prime about getting Jamie to talk to me. I plan to use my skills to get her to tell me what's on her mind. I know she will likely end up crying. If I get answers, I'll deal with her crying. In a way, she is another case I'm working on, my most complex one in a while.

Sunstreaker's P.O.V.
Do you really think we can start to repair our friendship while Jamie is away with you, Mirage?
Drift is already leaving the hangar, walking by me, not pleased. Crosshairs sighs in frustration as I approach him. We end up sitting on the floor talking about the nightmare situation and how it's affected Drift. Eventually, Crosshairs opens up about how the situation affected him. I can only imagine how Jayce and J.R. were affected. This turns into Crosshairs talking about Jamie's mental and emotional struggle since he, Drift, and Hound met her from his point of view.
"Really, how does she keep going?" I ask mostly to myself, but Crosshairs answers me, which turns into more details about Jamie's life back in her dimension.
"More proof you two can help each other," we hear Sideswipe say.
"No, she's terrified of me, her personality is changing, and Drift is pissed at me," I reply.
I didn't think Crosshairs would still be behind Sideswipe's idea. We talk about phase one of a plan.

Mirage's P.O.V.
We got to the city at six. Jamie slept most of the drive. When she wasn't asleep, she had her headphones on, listening to music. I'm not going to try to get her to talk while we're out for dinner, but I feel like something — along with how she left Crosshairs and Drift — is bothering her, likely multiple things. All I can do is tell her she can talk to me when she wants to. I worry she knows Jadin is back and could attack at any time.

Jamie's P.O.V.
I know whatever I tell him, Mirage will tell at least Prime. There's nothing they can do. They won't send Sunstreaker sway, and I hate he sees how pathetic I am; I'm showing that fragger what he wants.

Mirage got a hotel room with two full-size beds. I didn't think he'd call Drift. I wait ten minutes before he hands me the phone and sits on the bed next to me.
"I don't like how much you're worrying; we'll be ok," Drift says before hanging up.
"Sunstreaker needs to go before he hurts anyone else. He tried to kill me three times already. How long before he goes on a killing spree? Everyone is in danger if I stay."