Hope's Return

Sorrow, Surprise and Irritation

Hope could hardly believe the mech facing her was her beloved friend Ratchet. He seemed so tired and worn, as if life had passed him by. Was the death of Optimus the only reason or was there more to the story?

She reached up and cupped the side of his face plate in her servo and gently turned it side to side. Finally she vented softly.

"You haven't been taking care of yourself, have you? Probably over-working too, no doubt. That's going to change now that I'm back."

Ratchet leaned into her touch, relishing the fact that she had returned before smiling ruefully.

"Never could put one past you."

She smirked and patted his cheek. Entwining their arms, she pulled him towards the bay doors where Blurr and Sunstreaker were entering. He raised a brow as he took in Blurr's wind swept expression.

"Gave him the catch and toss treatment,  didn't you?"

Hope's sheepish grin was her only response before she continued tugging him towards them. Reaching her brothers, she swiftly introduced Blurr to Ratchet.

Ratchet's expression was incredulous when she explained about Blurr being her spark sibling.

"Let's hope he's not as big of a trouble maker  as this one over here." he remarked while jutting a digit towards Sunstreaker. "Sometimes I think you attract mischief Hope."

His optics softened as he saw the slightly guilty expression on her face plate. It was soon replaced by a cheerful grin as she swung an arm around Sunstreaker's waist.

"I promise to be good Ratchet, can't promise for these two though."

"Hey!"

Two voices spoke in unison and both brothers glared at her in indignation before laughing. Hope merely linked her arm through Sunstreakers and waited for them to finish.

At last it was quiet with the exception of a soldier running here and there. Hope glanced around her at the busy base. Most of the personnel had gone back to their assigned tasks. It brought back memories of a time long ago and she found herself wiping moisture from her optics.

Ratchet looked at her with concern in his own optics before taking her servo and pulling her away from her brothers who made sounds of protest. They relented at Ratchet's stern glare though Blurr did attempt to protest further. Sunstreaker smacked him across the helm, whispered wrenches of doom and that he'd explain later before dragging the smaller mech away.

Satisfied that he had scared the brothers away for a few minutes,  Ratchet led Hope to a quieter part of the base to allow her time to compose herself. The silence was soon broken by a very loud, excited and familiar voice.

"Holy frag! Hope is that really you?!"

There was no mistaking that high pitched voice or the low groan from Ratchet. Hope knelt down and scooped up the young woman, bringing her up to her face plate and cupping her in a hug.

"Miko!"

Venting deeply. She pulled Miko away to get a better look at her. She hadn't changed much these past years, except to get taller. Same ole purple streaks and all remained in her youthful appearance.

"Bulk is going to be so excited to see you!"

As if being summoned, a set of heavy ped steps was heard accompanied by a deep voice calling Miko's name. A large green mech rumbled into view and stopped short at the sight in front of him.

His optics darted back and forth between Hope with Miko in her servo and Ratchet standing behind them, a bemused expression on his faceplate. Gulping air through his vents, his thought circuits went blank as he tried to process the sight in front of him. Finally he focused on Ratchet.

"Uh Ratchet, I think I may need a checkup. I'm seeing off lined bots."

"Bulk!"

"Come down from there Miko. This isn't a very funny prank to pull."

"Bulkhead...this really is Hope."

Stepping forward, Bulkhead cautiously held out a servo for Miko. Hope gently handed her to him and watched as he sat her behind him.

Growling a little, he stepped closer to Hope who held her ground.

"How dare you impersonate such a noble femme. Who do you think you are?!"

"Hope."

With a roar of rage, he flung himself at her. Quickly forming a shield, she blocked his attack.

"Cool it Bulkhead before I have to sit on you!"

When he refused to give in, she resorted to her dragon mode and tackled him. Pinning him to the floor, she snapped at him.

"I warned you..."

Bull's optics blinked in shock at the fierce femme holding him down. Finally he gave a weak laugh and let his shoulders hit the ground in defeat. Hope eased off of him and watched warily for signs of a repeat performance.

Miko ran over to him and climbed up on his chest plate. He cupped her body close as he slowly sat up. Placing a hand on each side of his helm, she turned it in Hope's direction.

"Bulk, it's really her, I promise!"

As Miko's words echoed in the air, his optics met hers once more.

"It's really you, isn't it? Well it's about time you got here. Base has been boring since you left."

"I missed you too Bulk."

Nudging him with her closed claws, she teased him a little.

"Now you have another wrecking ball teammate to cause trouble with."

Their light moment was interrupted by a loud, irritating voice as a man in suit coat stalked in, ranting at the top of his lungs. Not seeing Hope and Ratchet at first, he strode up to Bulkhead and continued yelling.

"What in the seven hells is going on in here?! I warned you bots not to be fighting inside the base!"

Ratchet nudged Hope and whispered under his breath.

"That's Director Galloway.  He's been in charge of this division since your and Optimus's passing. No one, including the humans like him. He has a real stick up his aft."

Watching the man berate Bulkhead made her energon boil.

"Well, that's going to change now that I'm back to stay."

Having finished his lecture, Galloway turned to leave only to smack into Hope's front legs.

"Damn robots, watch were your stand..."

Looking up at Hope's dragon mode, the man gave a high pitched scream. Hope bent her head until she was eye level to him and snorted a little in disgust. Galloway's eyes grew huge and he covered his head with his arms.

"So, you're the one in charge. Consider yourself relieved of duty."

Galloway blinked up at her in shock but sputtered out a protest.

"You can't make that decision.  The authority fell to me when Prime and his mate perished."

Pulling herself to her full height, Hope looked haughtily down at him.

"I am Hope, former sparkmate to Optimus and Champion of the Primes. I relieve you of your authority.  Now get out of here before you say something you'll regret very painfully. "

Snapping her jaws to prove her point, Hope gestured towards the door. Galloway took the chance and ran. Clapping a servo on her shoulder, Ratchet smiled a real smile for the first time in ages.

"I think that went well. Welcome home Hope."

"Dude, that rocked!"

"Miko!"

Hope's spark lightened.  She was home once more.