Hope's Return

Home Once Again

A few hours later she was awoken by voices off the port bow. Stretching lightly, she rose to her feet and spread out her wings. Satisfied with what she felt, she transformed carefully and walked towards the noise. 

Rounding the deck, she saw the Burn's family boat pulled alongside the ship, the Chief in deep conversation with High Tide. They broke off their chatter as she approached before greeting her with a smile and wave. 

"Yea all right there lassie?"

"Yes, thank you High Tide. Did I miss anything while I was in recharge?"

"High Tide and I were just discussing the newest incident with Dither and its possible connection with the Kraken earlier this year. What are your thoughts?"

Hope was silent for a moment.

"I think it's a good possibility that someone is targeting your team. Cody mentioned a Doc Morocco?"

"We've had issues with him before but this seems more sinister then his usual work."

"Do you think perhaps he's working with someone else?"

"It's possible, but at the moment I have no idea who that may be."

A grunt from Heatwave drew their attention. The red bot stood tall with a stubborn expression on his face plate. 

"Whoever it is, we'll handle it."

"I know you will Heatwave but I'll only be a com-link away if you need me."

"You mean WHEN we'll need you." Blurr muttered in a stage whisper. 

The two teens snickered at Heatwave's answering growl while Hope hid a laugh of her own. Nudging her brother in the side, she moved over next to Heatwave and placed a servo on his elbow joint. 

"It's best to remain cautious. As of right now, we only have a guess as to whom is attacking Griffin Rock. Your team is strong Heatwave, but this enemy is proving to be a dangerous opponent."

Mollified by her words, Heatwave relaxed his stance and smiled ruefully at her.

"Fine, we'll keep you on standby."

Hope rolled her optics at his response but nodded in agreement.

"In that case, I'll be on my way. I've been away from home long enough as it is. Ratchet's probably over working himself without someone to keep an optic on him."

Stretching out her wings, she turned to Blurr and embraced him briefly. Lifting into the air, she waved to the rest before rising into the clouds. As the rescue crew watched her leave, a small camera rose out of the water and observed the team before  retreating unnoticed back into the water.

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Back at base Ratchet had given up on his work and was now tossing and turning on their shared berth. Finally exhaustion took over and forced him into a fitful recharge. 

The base was quiet when Hope arrived. Nodding to the soldiers at the gate, she stepped silently into the darkened hanger. Glancing up at Ratchet's office, she noted it was dark and surmised that he had gone to their berth room. Before heading that way she sent a silent query in Sunstreakers direction but encountered only a vague sense of irritation in response. She hoped he had stayed away from the High grade this time while she was gone. Stubborn mech,  Hope thought fondly.

She entered their room deep in thought. Instead of portaling, she had decided to take the long flight home. During the trip she had attempted to contact Optimus once more through the bond but her attempts had been in vain. Puzzled, she resolved to try again later. 

Her attention was caught by Ratchet's noise of agitation and she quickly walked over to the berth. Placing her servo against his helm, she sent a loving pulse through their bond. She was rewarded by his optics opening and a arm pulling her down next to him. 

Nuzzling his helm into her wing, Ratchet murmured a sigh of contentment and fell back to sleep. Hope sighed but snuggled closer, draping her other wing over both of them. Gently touching his face plate, she pressed a kiss to his helm. As she drifted off to sleep herself, her thoughts wandered towards Optimus. How was she going to explain the possibility of him being alive to Ratchet?

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

Ratchet groaned as he opened his optics and for a moment he was confused by something blocking his view. Reaching up, he pushed whatever it was out of his way and sat up. Turning his helm, his optics landed on Hope's relaxed form next to him and a delighted expression graced his face plate as he gazed down at her. Brushing a kiss to her brow, he left for his office, in a good mood for the first time in weeks. 

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

Hope was mildly concerned when she woke alone the next morning but a quick pulse through their bond showed Ratchet contently working in medical bay. After a quick shower in the wash racks, she ventured out onto the base floor.

She hadn't gone to far when she was tackled to the floor. Rolling to her back, she glared up at the grinning yellow mech above her.

"Primus Sunny! Give me a spark attack why don't you?!"

The mech in question laughed and offered a servo, pulling her up and into and embrace.

"Base was to quiet without you little sister. Next time don't stay away so long. I swear Ratchet about tore off my helm the other day."

"Oh and I'm sure you didn't do anything to provoke him."

"Of course not, that was usually Sides doing...speaking of the devil, how is Bee keeping him out of trouble?"

"I think Strongarm has that issue under control."

"Strongarm? As in Ultra Magnus's daughter?"

"Uh yes...I believe so...why?"

"Does Sides know that? No of course he wouldn't know she's Magnus daughter. I almost feel bad for the bastard...almost."

"I'm sure they'll make a good team, well eventually anyways."

At Sunstreaker's raised optic ridge, she merely chuckled and patted his arm before hooking it in hers and walking towards the refueling station. 

"Join me for a drink and I'll fill you in...unless you'd rather go irritate Ratchet again?"

Sunstreaker just groaned and walked faster, dragging a laughing Hope behind him.