Transformers Prime - Healing Distance

Flashbacks

            Ratchet smiled; he had gotten through to her.

Ratchet: “My work can wait.”

And he walked over, sitting down next to the spark-broken femme.

Ratchet: “I know this must be hard on you.”

Shadow: “Completely unbearable.”

She admitted; then she went quiet for a moment, thinking of a way out of her pain.

Shadow: “Hey, Ratchet, do you have any-?”

            He knew where she was going however, and refused to let it happen.

Ratchet: “No. I know what you’re going to ask and I will not help you drug yourself into the land of ‘ignorance is bliss’ nonsense! You have to face this head-on if it’s ever going to get better, MoonShadow.”

            She was stunned silent for a moment before she even tried to respond.

Shadow: “. . . I-I know. I’m sorry.”

She buried the rest of her faceplate in the safety of her knees.

Ratchet sighed, knowing he’d hurt her further just with his vocalizer.

Ratchet: “Shadow, I . . . I didn’t mean to yell, but you know I can’t help you. Not in that way. I . . . never mind.”

            She looked up at him, exposing her faceplate to the world again, but it was because something rang familiar in her hard drive.

Shadow: “What is it?”

Ratchet: “It’s nothing.”

            He refused to say, and wouldn’t look at her now. She was getting desperate to know.

Shadow: “No, Ratchet,”

She grabbed hold of his arm from where they sat, her optics pleading.

Shadow: “please tell me.”

            The medic took a deep intake, then confessed.

Ratchet: “I would love to help you an way I can. Just not like that.”

            And the words rang true with memory, as she fell into her hard drive’s depths.

~Flashback~

            MoonShadow was walking with CliffJumper in a deserted area of Cybertron, the big brother leading his little sister, her steps close behind and a sense of humor in the air.

Shadow: “Cliff, stop!”

She was trying desperately not to laugh, but it wasn’t working so well. A few giggles escaped her.

Shadow: “What if someone hears you?”

            She whispered, as though stressing the fact that someone might. CliffJumper turned around to face her.

Cliff: “Oh, please, do you see how empty it is out here? There’s no one but us, sis.”

            He gestured wildly. exaggerating his point.

Shadow: “Still,”

She did an obviously fake pout; one she often used on her brother.

Shadow: “it’s not nice to tease your sister about her crush.”

Cliff: “Lighten up, short stuff.”