The monitors flared up again, only this time it was a notification of Decepticon activity, "Cons have hit an energon mine." Smokescreen announced from his pomonitor."Where?" Optimus's deep voice was heard for the first time since Wheeljack got there."A small rural area in the west of England.""Bulkhead, Bumblebee, Smokescreen you three will accompany me. Wheeljack, you are also welcome to join us." Optimus offered, silently hoping that Wheeljairrational as Optimus knew it was, he didn't want to leave him with Arcee."Thanks, but no thanks. I'll stay with 'Cee for a bit."Once again agitated, Optimus nodded at the Wrecker then turned to the rest of Team Prime, "Autobots, roll out." The mechs drove into the groundbridge andof light."Come on kids, it's getting late, I should get you all home." June stood up and began to walk down the stairs to her car, Raf and Miko following her."But mom, what about Arcee? I can't just leave her, not until she wakes up at least." Jack protested."She's not on her own Jack; Ratchet and Wheeljack are here. We need to go home; Miko's parents are still suspicious, Raf needs to get home too. You all haveand you have work. Arcee will be fine here, she's in safe hands." Reluctantly Jack agreed and followed his mother into the car."Tell Bulk I said bye!" Miko shouted out the car window as June drove away."Bee too!" Raf copied the her actions."I should probably get going too, I have my monthly meeting with General Bryce in an hour. If he asks, what should I tell him about Arcee's condition?" Fowleelevator."Tell him what I've told everyone who has asked so far: She is stable but we'll know more when she awakens!" Ratchet said, annoyed.Fowler nodded at the medic and left."Hey, Doc, how long do you think it will be until she wakes up?" Wheeljack inquired."Shouldn't be too long now, it's been nearly 7 hours. Why are you so interested in her welfare? I didn't know that you and Arcee were close.""We have a history." Wheeljack's answer was short and he barely looked up from the femme to answer Ratchet."Care to share?""We knew each other on Cybertron. End of story." Wheeljack slightly looked over to the medic, "What's up with Prime? He seems more agitated than usual.""He's concerned for Arcee. He's her Commander, he feels responsible for her well being, guilty for not protecting her." Ratchet wasn't lying, Optimus did feel gable to reach Arcee in time to protect her; Ratchet just simply left the sparkling aspect out of the conversation."I need to get something from the back, watch her vitals." With that, Ratchet turned and left the main hanger.Wheeljack looked down at Arcee again when he heard a small groan, she was slowly opening her optics and reaching weakly for her stomach. Ratchet had giveher pain, but it didn't help with the soreness she felt."Hey." Wheeljack put his hand on Arcee's back to steady her as she sat up."Hey. Where is everyone?""The humans have gone home; you'll want to let Jack know your awake, he didn't want to leave you until you woke up. Ratchet's somewhere in the back andEngland.""And you? What are you doing here?""Oh, that's all I get, is it? No 'Thank you Wheeljack, for coming to see me on my possible death bed.'" Wheeljack said in a sarcastic, mocking tone. Arcee hit hbefore trying to stabilise her body and sit up by herself; Wheeljack was still ready to catch her if she fell."Thanks Wheeljack.""Your awake then?" Ratchet re-entered the room, bringing both bots attention to him."Seems that way, doesn't it?" Arcee looked at the medic, who stopped next to her."Seems like your back to normal, but I will need to check you over, as a precaution. Wheeljack, could you give us some space please?" Wheeljack shrugged anthe medbay, stopping to rest on the wall by the groundbridge tunnel and tossing his grenade up and down. Ratchet helped Arcee to her feet and checked her bbefore sitting her back down on the berth, checking her leg reflexes and her back for any messed up circuits."Everything seems in working order. But you will remain off of duty until I see fit.""Ratchet... can I ask something which you must keep to yourself?""You sparkling is fine." Arcee breathed a sigh of relief. "Optimus knows too."Arcee looked at Ratchet quizzically, trying to attempt to act as if Optimus hadn't sired her sparkling."He is the father. Isn't he?" She gave in on her act, Ratchet already knew and had spoken to Optimus about it."Yes... Who else could it be?"Ratchet tilted his head in the direction of Wheeljack and in return got a kick in the leg from the femme."Wheeljack? Really?" She whispered as quietly as she could through her exasperation."Where did you two go when he was here the other week?""Training room. We sparred for a bit until Bulk got back to base." Ratchet left it at that. Mainly because he received a groundbridge request from Bulkhead, "Wgroundbridge." The medic didn't get an answer, all he heard was the groundbridge open and tyres on the floor."Miko and Raf said bye." sequel.
