No More DayDreaming [DISCONTINUED]

How to End an Argument

Aubrey sat in band class, zoning out as everyone began to pack up. She couldn't stop staring at the saxophone section. There were only three members, and without Blane, it seemed empty. Theo was laughing as the tenor sax player told a joke. She didn't know either of them well, but apparently Theo was the self proclaimed class clown. He must've noticed her staring, and nodded her way with a raised eyebrow and sly grin. Aubrey rolled in her eyes, turning her attention back to packing up her clarinet. She blinked, noticing a piece of paper in her case she hadn't noticed before. She grabbed the small sticky note, that been folded so much it was small enough to fit in the small crack between the hard case and velvet inner lining. She closed her case, grabbing her bag and walking out the door quickly enough to get outside before teenagers flooded the hallways. As she walked to her next class, she unravelled the paper with curiosity and anger. As much as she wanted to know what it said and how it got there, she was about to hunt down whoever went in her case without permission.
The handwriting was neat and small, written in black ink. It read:
Hey, Aubrey. I wanted to thank you for coming with me to visit Blane. The hospital kinda intimidates me... And Blane was glad to see someone from school again, and he says thanks too. I always wanted to thank you for being there to comfort me. It must've been awkward for you, but I really appreciate it. I wrote this note because I'm not really good at thanking people properly with words.
Sincerely, Raf.
P.S. - Sorry for going in your case with out permission.
There was a small smiley face with glasses at the bottom of the paper as well. Aubrey chuckled, smiling as she put it in her backpack's side pocket. If everyone was like Raf, the world would be in a lot better place than it was now.
•••
Aubrey walked down the steps of her school, meeting up with Miko, Jack, and Raf. She gave Raf a big grin, and scooped him close for a hug. "You didn't have to thank me, but it meant a lot that you did." She smiled. He blushed, shrugging with a small smile as they walked towards Bee. A honk made Aubrey's head turn. Ratchet was parked a few spaces away, taking Aubrey by surprise. She waved good bye to Raf and ran over to him. "Slow day at the base?" She asked as she hopped in the passenger seat.
"I needed to speak to you in private." Ratchet replied as he pulled out from the parking lot. "Ok... Is everything alright?" Aubrey asked, growing weary from his tone. "CliffJumper isn't making as fast as a recovery as I originally believed he would..." Ratchet began. Aubrey's heart lurched, and she swallowed, realizing her throat was dry. "But that isn't to say he's not recovering. He awoke for a few moments, and he seemed to recognize where he was, and who I was." The medic explained as he fell behind the other autobots driving their own friends home. "Did he... Say anything..?" Aubrey asked. She knew even if he had, he probably would have asked for Arcee, or said Ratchet's name. Though part of her hoped that he would have mentioned her.
"It was more of a indiscernible groan, and he tried to move. He responded when I told him to be still, and I swear even in his state he wanted to crack a joke. I saw it in his optics." Ratchet huffed, at the surface seeming gruffy about it, but Aubrey heard the slight hint of amusement in his tone. "Heh, sounds like him alright." She smiled, chuckling. "He went under a few moments after that, unfortunately. He was asleep when I left the base, but I was thinking..." The old mech trailed off, and Aubrey leaned forward. When the silence persisted, she finally asked, "You were thinking what?"
"I was wondering what effects your... Oh, what do you call it again?" Ratchet chuffed in frustration. "My... Force field..?" She tilted her head. "Yes, that. I know it as plasma energy barrier, but never mind that. I was wondering exactly how your barriers affected CliffJumper. I don't want to rush his recovery, but we're low on numbers..." Ratchet was dancing around what he really wanted to tell her. "Are you asking me to... Just try to revive him?" Aubrey finally asked. "Oh by the Allspark no." He laughed heartily, "I just... I wanted to run a few tests, but from what I've heard of humans' view of aliens, getting you to agree to experiments seemed like it would be... Difficult."
Aubrey laughed, shaking her head. "You should've just said so." She giggled, "You oughta know by now my view of aliens are a lot different from any of that bogus stuff." She smiled. "Anything that'll get Cliff feeling better, I'll agree to." She nodded, patting the ambulance's dash board. "Well I suppose that will make things easier, won't it?" Ratchet seemed relieved. "So... Can we do these tests over the weekend? I have homework." Aubrey sighed, heaving her back pack onto her lap as the base came into view. "Why doesn't the school system just do the work at school? Why must you do the work at home? It just seems inefficient." Ratchet grumbled. Aubrey shrugged with a smile. "A billion kids around the world ask the same question, Ratch. Yet not a single one can answer it." She shared a small chuckle with the medbot. Aubrey beamed at making Ratchet laugh, but the short rest of the ride was quiet. Ratchet must have hoped she hadn't heard. As the entrance tunnel came over their heads, Aubrey unbuckled her seatbelt. The feeling she got when the tunnel made way to the immense base, feeling so small as the titan of a robot watched as she entered, would never go away. Nor did she want it to. A chill went up her spine as Optimus' helm turned to Ratchet as he parked. She opened the door and slid off the seat, grinning as Optimus gave her a nod. She was pulled from her trance as Terry barked when he saw her. He stood on the nearest platform, jumping up and down in excitement as Aubrey climbed the latter.
"I'm taking Terry outside, I'll be right back." Aubrey called to Ratchet as she came off the latter, with Terry in her arms. She clipped on his little leash and walked back through the tunnel. When she was out of sight from the bots, she giggled and broke into a jog. Terry sprinted beside her, tongue lolling out and his eyes wide with excitement. Aubrey smiled at the sound of her echoing feet. She saw the light of outside, and Terry pulled of her. She laughed, letting go of the leash and watched as he darted away. He stopped a few feet outside the entrance, taking a moment to do his business. Aubrey sat down to catch her breath, laughing airily to herself.
Terry kicked the ground with his back legs, kicking up dirt and running over to Aubrey. She grabbed his leash, turning her head as she heard the sound of a helicopter. Terry began barking at the newly arrived aircraft as it landed on the roof of the base, and Aubrey started to run back into the tunnel.
By the time she was inside, a familiar voice raked at her ears. She quickly put Terry back in her room, moving to a platform closer to Ratchet, and where she could see. "I'm sorry, Agent Fowler, I understand your concern but there are times when staying hidden is no longer an option." Optimus said calmly. "So your people transform directly underneath heavy traffic?! And have a fist fight in front of a few civilians?!" Fowler screamed, his eyebrows furrowed in fury. "When is there heavy traffic in Jasper?" Aubrey huffed, angered by how Fowler disrespected Optimus. Both of them turned to look at her, one with rage in his eyes, the other with surprise. Optimus opened his mouth to let her know he could handle Fowler, but the man beat him to it.
"Who do you think you are back talking a federal agent?!" He growled. "I'm not trying to be disrespectful, but who do you think you are being rude to him of all people? The guy who's been, you know, helping you?" She shrugged. Ratchet turned his head to watch at this point. Maybe he thought this would be entertaining. Fowler was boiling, and before anyone could protest, Aubrey jumped from her platform to Fowler's. She made the small jump and climbed over the railing so she could speak to him face to face.
"You've got a lot of nerve, kid..." He said lowly, glaring at her. "I'm serious, I'm not trying to be rude. Just sayin' maybe you oughta be a little nicer to the guys on our side." Aubrey shrugged. "These guys on our side, have rules to follow! And not transforming in front of the 5 o'clock rush hour is one of them!!" He hollered, fist clenched at his side. Aubrey's eyebrows raised, and she took a step back. "Agent Fowler, enough. Your anger is with me, not her." Optimus said sternly. "No, I'm tired of you smart alic kids who think they can do what they want, when they want..!" Fowler was steaming, and obviously he had some serious stress on him from his superiors. It seemed like Aubrey's outburst was his breaking point for today.
"Hey, come on, I'm only standing up for my friends..." She put up her hands. "How can you be friends with them? They're just machines!" Fowler snapped at her. Aubrey's eyes went wide, then squinted into a glare. "Just machines?" She huffed, taking a step forward. "They. Are not. Machines!!" She yelled at the top of her lungs, everything in her body tense. She was absolutely done with people taking Team Prime for granted, treating them like they owe humans something. Everyone just stared at her, utterly shocked. Even Ratchet,s optics were stretched to their limit. Optimus' optic ridges were raised, and Fowler seemed startled rather than furious.
"... Aubrey..." Ratchet said lowly, a servo extending slowly. Aubrey looked at him confused, and the silence was broken as Arcee walked in. She looked around, confused. The minute she saw Aubrey, she froze.
"... What? What is... What is everyone looking at..?" Aubrey chuckled nervously. "Aubrey, just... Stay calm, I'm going to scan you..." Ratchet said quietly, slowly walking toward her and Optimus. "I- I don't understand.. What's-" Aubrey stepped back, raising her arm slightly. She froze. Her arm was metallic, thin, glowing blue lines running up to her wrist and branching out at her fingers. "What the hell..?" She muttered, her chest tightening. A barrier grew around her, and she began to pant. "What in Uncle Sam's beard..?!" Fowler gasped, stumbling backwards. "Aubrey-- we can't help you if you have the barrier up..." Ratchet's concern grew. Aubrey shook her head, frozen in place as she shook in fear. "What's with... The robot arm?" Fowler asked, his face slightly paled. Aubrey whimpered quietly to herself. As Ratchet attempted to talk her down, Arcee walked past Optimus and straight to the platform where Aubrey was.
"Aubrey." She said her name calmly, and Aubrey looked up into her optics. The femme slowly extended her servo towards the barrier, raising her optic ridges. "Do you trust me?" She said softly. Aubrey paused, swallowing hard before letting the force field fall away.
"... Yeah." Aubrey nodded weakly. The metal arm was covered again with skin in small sections crawling up her arm as she reached for Arcee's servo, wrapping her hand around one of the giant fingers. Arcee smiled ever so slightly, and Ratchet came in quickly. "I'm sorry Aubrey, but I'd like to run some tests-" before he could continue, Optimus out a servo on his shoulder. "You can do your research later, Ratchet. Let her rest." Optimus said nodded at the girl, who could barely stand up. Agent Fowler had miraculously stayed quiet for Al this, but all good things come to an end.
"Is somebody going to tell me what in the Star Spangled Sam just happened?" He motioned his arm at Aubrey. "Agent Fowler, I think it's best you leave for now. We can discuss your concerns later if it is needed." Optimus said in a stern, polite tone. As much as the agent wanted to protest and argue, one look at Aubrey and he headed towards the elevator. Ratchet turned to Aubrey as the doors closed, frowning slightly. "Are you alright?" He titled his helm, leaning down. Aubrey nodded, pulling herself to her feet with some help from Arcee. "I think so... I'm just tired I guess..." She shrugged. "What... What just happened?" She looked up at Ratchet, a hint of her fear in her eyes. "I'm... Not entirely sure, Aubrey. But, I am sure it's related to you other... abilities." He felt slight guilt in not being able to tell her why or what happened, and it would seem that the answer she wanted would put everyone at ease. It seemed Ootimus was thinking same.
"Why don't you go rest, Aubrey? Ratchet can find the answer later." Optimus looked towards her room. Aubrey nodded, and Arcee scooped her into her servo and brought her there. "Thanks, Arcee..." She smiled weakly as she put down by her room. "Don't mention it." Arcee gave a small hint of a smile and walked away. Aubrey fell onto her bed in a heap, Terry quickly moving to snuggle in by her feet. Aubrey couldn't fight if the exhaustion, and drifted off to sleep in minutes...

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Hey guys! Sorry this update took so long! I know it's Summer, but I've been busy with school stuff like a research project and marching band camp. But don't expect updates to go fast very often... School'll be starting up again, and I'll have even less time to work on this. And to be honest, this is such an old story that I don't even have an actual plot to it... And to me, it's not very good. It's cheesy and immature compared to what I write now. I want to finish, since you guys like it so much, but honestly it's kind of becoming a chore and I don't enjoy it as much. So I am writing a separate story that I do think is fun, and (in my opinion at least) is better. Do you like Batman? Yeah me too. I don't even know why I bothered to ask. I've got a new story called Little Bat, and if you like Batman, it's basically an AU NightWing story. So again, sorry for slow updates, and please check out Little Bat if you want to keep reading my things :)
Bye!