My Rescuer (Heatwave x Quickshadow Fanfiction)

4. Stricken

Quickshadow bolted for the door and bounded outside. She was relieved to be back in the forest in the open area where it wasn't so claustrophobic. Where the darkness wasn't enshrouding her, seeping between her plates. And where...he wasn't there.

The Burns family gaped at the femme who had just burst out of the husk door like something was chasing her, and even peered behind her expecting something. The special ops femme was venting heavily and was clutching her chassis with one servo and her helm in another.

"Quickshadow are you oka-" 

"YES, I'm fine!" Quickshadow yelled, cutting off Cody. She immediately regretted it when his face fell yet still looked worried for the femmebot. "I'm sorry Cody," she started, kneeling down to his level. "It's...It was...I-, " Quickshadow shut her lip components not finding the words she really wanted to say. Cody eyes gazed into hers almost as if he could read her thoughts and nodded. "I understand." Only those two knew what that meant. Quickshadow bit her lower lip component wondering how she would explain her issues AND this new problem to the still-young Cody Burns. Obviously, it wouldn't be fair to him if she told him everything that was going on in her spark. 

"What did you find in there?" Dani asked. Quickshadow looked at the only other female rescuer with worried optics. 

"Something shocking."

As if on que, the bots slowly emerged from the wreckage, all four of them carrying the stasis pod. Quickshadow forced herself to stay calm, though she felt her spark beat more rapidly and solvent beads forming on her forehelm. The bots carefully placed the pod down and the Burns family ran over to investigate. Quickshadow felt Heatwave's fiery orange gaze on her and tried to avoid his optics. Ugh. She had a LOT of explaining to do. She was sure the firebot wouldn't leave her alone until he knew the truth behind her behavior. 

"What is it?" Kade asked looking at the bots. "It's a stasis pod." Boulder answered for him. "It's a special device used to keep Cybertronian life, mainly bots and cons, in a state of sleep over an extremely long time period, a form of restraint, or even in the case of a medical emergency. This Cybertronian must've been in stasis for a while now. I wonder if Earth was its desired destination."

"Well whatever it is, it's weirding me out." said Kade. 

"For once, I agree with him." said Heatwave. He looked over at Quickshadow who was still adamantly avoiding his gaze. What the frag was wrong with her?? Why was she being so secretive and acting so out-of-character? The fire mech didn't like being in the dark about things, especially if it regarded the wellbeing of his team. 

"What is wrong with you!?" Heatwave shouted at her, his thoughts tumbling out of his mouth. Everyone turned to the crimson bot in shock of his sudden outburst.

Quickshadow stared at him appalled. Her arctic, blue optics were watery, making Heatwave feel slightly remorseful. Her lip components opened and closed again. 

"What are you talking about!?" She finally said.

"You know what I'm talking about," He seethed. "Why are you being so secretive and acting so weird? 

"I don't necessarily have to share everything, Heatwave!"

"We're a team! You could at least try to be more open with us! This isn't one of your solo missions!!"

"I'm fully aware of that!"

"Then nothing's wrong!?"

"I didn't say that."

"Then what is it?!?!?"

"I CAN'T TELL YOU!!!"

Everyone was dumbfounded. No one had ever expected the composed femmebot spy to lose her cool and shriek like that. Tears were streaming down her cheek plates. She squeezed her optics shut wishing that she were anywhere else. Her servos turned into fists and she turned her back to them.