From Within The Sand (Sunstreaker and Sideswipe Bayverse)

Chapter 17

            I lay in the sand, staring up at the clear blue sky. The sun is beginning to sink, giving me an approximate time of it being in the evening. It was afternoon when we went to see Sideswipe. That could have been hours ago. The cliff is high above me. I can make out the coconut tree up top. My only assumption is that I teleported from on top of Optimus to where my body lay deep within the sand. It is unclear how it happened. All I remember is a bright light, then darkness. I felt as if I had finally left this world. Coldness surrounded me. I haven't felt frozen in so long. It made me remember why I don't like winter.

The ocean breeze whips over me. Mist from the waves go right through my body. I'm not sure how long I continue to lie there. My head still feels heavy. Another concept I haven't felt in a while. I don't know how long I lay there. I know I should probably get back to base, but the whole situation confuses me. I also feel like I'm being forced into the ground. Like my entity is trying to fuse back with my body. So, I keep my eyes on the sky. That is until I feel dirt starting to fall on top of me. My eyes glance to the overhanging ledge. A very frantic looking Sunstreaker starts sliding down the cliff wall.

"Hart!" He calls out.

"Sunstreaker!" I call back, forcing myself to sit up, loose bits of sand falling from me.

"I've been looking all over for you. Thank Primus you're still here." He sighs. His form towering over me.

"Is Optimus awake?" I blurt out.

"Yes. You did it." He says happily. He bends down, his servo reaching towards me. I hold myself together as he picks me up.

"How's Sideswipe?" I ask, leaning against his digits.

"He's fine. I just sent too much energy through our bond and made us go into stasis. Both him and Ratchet aren't too happy with me. But I was able to play it off. When I woke up, Prime was walking out of the surgical room. Ratchet behind him, yelling at him to lay back down." I couldn't help but laugh, causing Sunstreaker to smile.

"Well, I'm glad everyone is alright. No one suspects anything?" I carefully ask. A part of me is afraid of his answer.

"Sideswipe asked where you were, but no one else seemed to notice." He says, but I have a feeling he isn't saying the whole truth.

"That's it?" I push, hoping for more.

"Yes." He says sternly. Clearly not wanting me to continue.

I am tempted to push him for more answers, but he doesn't give me a chance as he starts walking away with me. I glance over at the rock structure before he fully turns around. The top rock had fallen off. It now lays in the sand next to the pile. My face scrunches together, thinking hard on how or why it fell off. Sunstreaker is focused on what's ahead of us, paying no attention to me for once. I wonder where we are going. I'm assuming base but are we going straight to Sideswipe or to someplace else. I unfortunately can't read his mind. No do I really want too.

Sand flies up as he takes large strides through the beach. The cliff starts to slant down the further he walks. The beach rising to meet it. He trudges up the hill. I can hear the sand grinding within his gears. I'm surprised he's not complaining. If a single drop of mud falls upon his coat, he whines. Sand in his gears can't be comfortable either. He isn't saying a word. There must be something on his processer. Probably eating away at him. If he would tell me, maybe I could help him.

"Do you want me to help clean the sand from your gears later?" I ask quietly as we get closer to base.

"No, you got duty in an hour. It will take at least 3-4 hours to get all the sand out. I'll make you wax me tomorrow." He says adding a smirk.