Hope's Return

Galloway's Last Day

Some time later Hope found herself in the door of Medical Bay watching Ratchet hum quietly while he cleaned his tools. Slipping up behind him, she wrapped her arms around his chest plate and laid her helm against his back. 

Contently they stood for a moment before Ratchet turned and pulled her into his arms, tucking her firmly against him and lifting her helm for a kiss. Hope smiled into it then sighed and buried her helm again, relishing in being held once more. 

Part of her was troubled  feeling so loved and secured in his arms, knowing that there was a possibility that Optimus was still alive. Was she going to have to choose between them?

Shaking her helm in frustration, she lifted it and met Ratchet's concerned optics. 

"What is it Sweetspark?"

His warm voice so full of love and concern made up her mind in that instant. There was no way she was going to give up either of the mech's she loved! There had to be an answer to her dilemma. But for now, she had to make sure Ratchet knew how much she loved and needed him.

Meeting his optics once more, she hugged him tightly before disengaging and stepping back but continued holding his servo.

"Just thinking about how much I love you, that's all."

His gaze softened at her words. As he leaned forward a loud shout echoed in the hanger. Ratchet groaned and turned towards the door. Hope followed his gaze to see a furious Galloway berating Will and Epps while waving a sheaf of papers in his hand. Hope answered Ratchet's groan with one of her own. 

"I thought  he was going to be reassigned."

"Humans have red tape to go through or so I've been told. Ironhide wanted to squish him shortly after you left. He figured he was in charge during your absence."

"Well, then I guess he's my problem then. Hold tight, I'll go talk some sense into him."

"Good luck with that one."

Hope walked out of the medical baby and over to where Galloway was still yelling at Will and Epps. The relief in their stances when they saw her was palatable and Epps directed Galloway's attention behind him where she stood waiting. 

"I think the one you want is right there Director."

Galloway turned and grumped up at Hope.

"Finally back from your little vacation? It's about time. While you've been gone, your Autobots have been running amuck causing all sorts of mayhem!"

"Uh Director, some of them are Decepticons..."

Epps backed up as Galloway turned his murderous gaze back at him. Slowly he backed up, his hands slightly up in surrender.

"Director, what are you talking about?"

The man shoved his sheaf of papers up at Hope who merely sighed and held up a finger in a give me a moment gesture. Transforming into her alt mod, she switched on her holoform and got out. Taking the papers, she started perusing them. 

"And who in the seven hells are you supposed to be?!"

"Sir, that's Commander Hope in human form."

The small man stared at Will Lennox in horrified shock before pointing at Hope.

"They can turn into humans now?! We could be invaded any time they feel like it!"

"No one's going to infiltrate the base Director. At the moment, I'm one of the few who are able to access a holoform and that was purely by accident."

Hope continued flipping through the sheets noting that Skids and Mudflap had been the cause of most of the incidents. 

"Those two never seem to learn." she finally muttered. "Don't worry Director, I'll take care of it."

"You had better or I'm going to send all of you packing. In my opinion, you should've all stayed on that accursed planet you called home and destroyed each other!"

"Enough!"

Galloway broke off his tirade to stare up at the enraged warrior. The normally calm Hope had finally had enough. She stood tall and stared down at the little man.

"I think it's time I talked to Sergeant Morshower about your reassignment. You are no longer welcome on our base. Gentlemen, if you would kindly show the former director out. I have some house cleaning to do."

"You can't do this! You're only machines here to do our bidding!"

The rest of the base watched as Galloway was dragged away still protesting. Hope continued to stand there trying to regain her composure but was startled by a servo on her left shoulder and a helm on her right. Turning her helm, she saw Ironhide and Sunstreaker.

"Permission to squash the squishy?"

"I second that motion little sister, can we?"

Her bad mood broken, Hope let out a short laugh and sighed. 

"No, I'll have a talk with his senior command. He should have been reassigned long ago. So much hate and fear will only spread if left unchecked."

"I still think he should pay for how he treated you."

"He will but by the humans hands, not ours. Am I clear?"

"Yes mam."

Sunstreaker wrapped his arm around her waist and lightly knocked his helm against hers.

"Are you okay?"

The answer was soft when she finally spoke again.

"No...but I will be. I need to take care of a few things. Comm you later?"

"Of course."

Nodding in agreement, she headed out of the hanger, spine straight and emotions clamped down.

"She's becoming more like Optimus every day. I just hope she realizes that, that much control comes at a price."

"She's been through just as much as he had to deal with. The difference? She has a family to support her. Before her, Prime rarely let himself get close to any bot."

The weapon specialist simply looked to the door Hope had disappeared through. 

"I hope to Primus that you're right kid."