From Within The Sand (Sunstreaker and Sideswipe Bayverse)

Chapter 27

"What are you saying, Sunstreaker? She is not a ghost. You must be dead to be a ghost. Ghost aren't even real." Ratchet moves all his attention to us three now. His optics moving back and forth from Sunstreaker to me.

"Why are we talking about ghost?" I would slap my forehead if my arms weren't pinned to my side by Sideswipe. Lennox just so happened to walk in and hear Ratchet.

"She's been dead for over a year. She somehow came back as a very human like ghost. But she can teleport, phase through things. She doesn't need sleep or food. Her body is..."

"Sunstreaker!" I cut him off. I'm fuming at this point and all I can do is glare at him.

"You can save Prime. You've already saved him once." Sunstreaker pleads looking up at me.

"What does he mean, Hart?" Lennox's eyes narrow in on me.

"I have no idea. I'm not dead. How can I be dead if Sideswipe is holding me?" I try to lie, but my voice weavers.

"Please, don't do this." Both twins say at the same time. The puppy dog look has never been so strong.

"We will protect you." Sunstreaker promises.

"Protect her from what?" Lennox has moved closer, watching me suspiciously.

"What is going on?" Ratchet growls.

I can't speak, words are failing me. Eyes are all on me at this point, but I can't look at any of them. So, mine are focused on Sideswipes servo wrapped around me. Staring directly at the metal covering the delict wiring made to move his fingers. The ones currently gripping to me tightly. This is not how this is supposed to go. No one is supposed to find out. Now everyone that shouldn't know are in this room waiting for an answer. One I have no desire to give them. Why did this have to happen to me?

"Hart, if there is something going on, you can tell us. We can help." Lennox offers carefully.

What's the point anymore? I can't lie my way out of this. So, I decide to make it known. I disappear from Sideswipes servo and reappear on Sunstreaker's thigh. The gasps fill the room.

"You can't help with this." I tell Lennox, looking straight at him.

"What?" He can barely get out.

"I can help Prime." I try to keep the sadness from my voice.

"Explain." Lennox orders.

"I will fix Prime, then I will explain." I don't even recognize my voice as I speak. It's flat and void of emotion. Like a switch turned off in me.

Lennox takes a step back, not expecting my tone. I jump from my spot over to Optimus, landing next to him. Ratchet and Jolt jumping back from my presence. I look him over, inspecting the wound. It looks worse up close. Wires have been ripped away, some still sending small sparks. The metal, that's supposed to protect him, is shredded. Megatron did a number on him. I try to look inside the damage area, but with the split energon and mangled mess, I can't see the leach attached to him. It must have worked itself deep within. Something inside me tells me I must do this.

"Where do I need to go? What do I need to be careful of?" I ask Ratchet, not looking away.

"It's attached to his inner back strut. That leads to his spark. You will have to maneuver through the wires and bent metal. I have gotten the energon lines secured, but he is still covered in it. You will need to be careful of that. You know it's toxic to humans." Ratchet explains.