Ensconce Transformers Prime AU (Book 2) (Wattys 2017)

Chapter Thirty Four

Once they had all calmed down and gained control of themselves, the three children led their father into the home. Cliffjumper had gone to the hospital to make sure Jack was taken care of. The others had stayed behind to make sure everything was alright before they left. Chief Burns had just sent Hardshell off before Optimus came by. He looked at the chief who just stared at him in surprise.

"Charlie." Optimus said as he smiled slightly and gently gripped his arm. "I've missed you friend." He said. Chief Burns blinked a couple times to get over his shock and hugged him tightly.

"How are you alive?" He asked quietly as a tear fell down his face.

"That... I don't know." He admitted and the others on the rescue team shook his hand. He smiled a little but it faded when he saw the con.

"Soundwave." He growled lowly and the others stopped him before he could strike the other man.

"It's okay!" Heatwave yelled as he stood in front of his brother protectively. "He's on our side now. Like how Knockout helped us during the bomb threat." He quickly explained.

Optimus stared at him blankly for a few minutes. He remembered the explosion and he grunted as he gripped his head. He felt the pain again and grit his teeth.

"Dad? Dad it's okay." Bumblebee said as he steadied him then helped him sit down on the couch. Andi felt horrible and hugged herself as she stepped back.

"My head hurts..." he mumbled and blinked a couple times. Arcee sat by him and gently set a hand on his shoulder.

A few minutes later someone knocked on the door. Arcee tensed and glared at the door as Bumblebee stayed by his father. Bulkhead stood in front of them as the rescue team stood around them protectively. Steve hesitated and glanced at them before going and opening the door.

"Cliffjumper said there mi..." Ratchet trailed off as he stared at the unfimailar man. "Who the heck are you?" He asked and Steve smiled nervously before letting him in. Ratchet glared darkly at the man as he passed then looked at the others.

He stopped suddenly and stared blankly at the almost unrecognizable man sitting on the couch. He dropped his bag of things and just stood there. No one moved as the doctor just stood there. Optimus stared at him then slowly stood up. He walked over and stood in front of his friend.

"O.... Optimus..." the doctor rasped as he stared at him. He took in the burns and scars on the man. He couldn't believe he had been gone for so long and didn't come back.

He was angry with him for abandoning them. He had been abandoned by mother, his father and then his best friend. He was mad but at the same time happy to see him. The man wanted to hug him and punch him at the same time. Optimus could see the turmoil in his eyes and felt horrible.

"Ratchet..." he mumbled but couldn't think of anything to say. He didn't know what to do and the home was left in an awkward silence.

The doctor stared at him then narrowed his eyes and clenched his fists in anger. He shook his head slowly and hugged him tightly. The father stiffened a little and blinked in surprise. He hugged his friend and squeezed his eyes shut.

"It's good to see you old friend." He muttered. Ratchet just nodded and hugged him tighter. He didn't trust himself to speak at the moment. He let go after a moment and looked at him.

"Why?" He asked with hurt in his eyes as tears formed. "Why did... why did you abandon us?" He asked. Optimus felt as though Ratchet had stabbed him in the heart. He realized why his friend was in so much pain.

He slowly hung his head as he tried to gain his thoughts. He didn't know what to say first and his mind kept going blank. The young nurse hesitated then stepped forward.