Hope's Return

Adjustments

Back at base Ratchet was puzzling over the emotions that had leaked through his bond with Hope. There had been surprise, then sadness followed by curiosity and joy before a brief jolt of anger tempered by humor came through.

Shaking his helm, he returned to his data pad. With Hope gone on official business he had no desire to return to their empty quarters. Instead, he found it easier to bury himself in work like so many times before.

Meanwhile,  a short distance away in his own berth room, Sunstreaker mused over his brief contact with Sideswipe. He wondered why the connection hadn't held and worried about the faint tremors echoing from his sibling bond with Hope.

Of course the distance in miles played a factor in the strength of the bond so only strong emotions came through. Still, something must have happened to upset her for even that brief reaction to flow through.

Idly he wondered if Sideswipe was with her. Surely it was through her that their bond was enhanced however briefly.

Rolling onto his back, he growled in frustration.  It would be difficult to find peace in his agitated state. Snarling in defeat, he rose from his berth.

Perhaps challenging Ironhide to a sparring match would help ease his mood. He'd either wind up unconscious in med bay or to exhausted to stay awake. Either way, he'd get some rest.

******************

"You mean to tell me that Blurr on the rescue team is your brother?!"

"You've met?"

"Well yeah, I chased a rouge mini-con through the ground bridge and we ended up on Griffin Rock. Nice kid I guess. A little reckless and determined to prove himself though. Reminded me of you."

"Funny, he reminded me of someone else."

"Sunstreaker?"

Smiling slightly, she leaned onto him.

"Do you miss him? He's to stubborn to admit it but I know he misses you."

Sideswipe stared moodily into the fire

"Why did you boost our link earlier?"

Hope sighed and rolled her shoulders before staring into the fire. The flickering flames crackled and swayed in the dark. Finally she reached out and took Sideswipe's servo in hers before laying her helm on his shoulder.

"I guess I was lost in the moment.  I'm sorry if it hurt you."

Sideswipe simply slung an arm around and tucked her next to him.

"Yeah... I guess I do miss his shiny, yellow aft...sometimes at least."

"Do you want to return home to base with me?"

"Nah, Bee needs me here on the team right now. There's still rogues to track down. Besides..."

At his pause, she lifted her chin to meet his optics. Smirking a little, he gave her nose ridge a tap before shuddering in mock horror and continuing.

"How ever did you decide to bond with Ratchet of all mechs?! Now Sunny and I will never get away with anything!"

Hope just grinned devilishly and shoved him off the log before flying off to her temporary berth for the night.

Watching her go, Sideswipe could only chuckle. Laying down where he had fallen instead, he gazed up at the night sky and wondered what Sunstreaker was up too and when they would meet again.

****************************

Up in the realm of the Primes, the peace was broken by a very angry Optimus Prime. Roaring in fury, he faced his mentor Micronus Prime. His mouth guard covering his face plate, rage filled his optics as he stared down the mech he had once admired.

"You told me she was dead! Her spark extinguished in the rebuilding of Cybertron!"

The smaller mech stayed quiet and merely moved his transport further out of Optimus's range.

"Her spark was extinguished or so we thought. It seems Primus has other plans for her."

"Return me to Earth now."

His normally calm voice was a low growl as he stood his ground.  Micronus sighed and moved closer.

"You need to continue your training. There is a greater danger coming that even she may not survive without your help."

Optimus's stance relaxed slightly as he thought over Micronus's words. Finally he nodded in agreement but held up a digit to silence Micronus.

"I will train as you wish but only so she will be protected from the danger you speak of...but I request that she be protected as well until then."

"Agreed."

At the smaller mech's agreement,  Optimus Prime once more went into a battle stance. Soon he would be with his beloved Hope but until then he would continue his training if only as a distraction from the pain of separation.