hsv, Autobot HQ, A Wedding and An Almost Funeral
Ironhide: *with his brother and their mates are on crèche duty today. Brought the youngsters out to the sunny space by the bull pen that he and brotherHide spent most of yesterday sleeping in, and is now sleeping there again this fine afternoon*
bvIronhide: *soft whirr of a snore, has plating hot enough to cook on*
Ferdinand: *sleeping at the feet of the big black guys*
Carina: *snuggling her Papa and sucking on her thumb*
Rap: *sitting on a fence post, watching Grimlock in the bull pen, and yakking about it*
Cragbuster: *bweee! Is balancing on one of the fence posts as well*
Silverstreak: *yappin' at Grimlock!*
Sweep: *scooting around Grimlock to try and get a good idea of who this big person is*
Nova: *sitting on her Papa and warming her little butt as she watches the others. Beeeg yawn*
bvChromia: *glances up from her crossword puzzle book, checking on the youngsters and taking a quick headcount*
Chromia: *being napped on by Sunstreaker and Showtime's sons, also has hot plating*
Snarl: *peeking at Grimlock from behind the fence post Cragbuster is balanced on*
Grimlock: *exploring the boundaries of the enclosure, intrigued by the idea of being shut in by something like this*
Sari: *sitting in the shade of an Ironhide with her knees pulled up and her chin resting on them as she watches Grimlock* *dark eyes thoughtful*
Sam: *playing a game with some of the Autobots over the internet, is laughing as he watches Sunstreaker's character get zapped by lightening*
Sari: *turns slightly, exposing her lower back to Sam, and letting him clearly see for the first time the tattoo she has there*
Sam: *blink blink* .... *snerk* Kilroy. Nice.
Sari: *lifts her head and looks over her shoulder, eyes now twinkling as she grins* I figured if guys are going to look there and try to see something I'd give them something to see.
Sam: *amused twinkle in his eyes as he also grins*
Sari: *affectionate look, and then looks back to the sparklets*
X-Brawn: *squeaks as Sideburn and Hot Shot accidentally shove him off his perch*
Chromia: *catches the little guy without unshuttering her optics, returns him to his perch*
Doozy: *whomps Sideburn without looking up from her picture book*
Sideburn: *squeak!*
Doozy: *and then starts telling him about the hive building aphids in the 'National Geographic' article. Yes, her picture books have content*
Sideburn: *headtilty, scoots over to look*
Grimlock: *puts his big head down to listen, and then lays near the bitties* *quietly* Me Grimlock like story.
Sweep: *gonna sit on your back now, Grimlock*
Grimlock: *doesn't care. Actually, probably doesn't notice*
Uno: *head out of a burrow over in the corner of the pen. Sees sister, and comes over to listen as well*
Sari: *soft squee at the cuteness, and then looks up and touches Ironhide* *gasps and pulls her hand back* Ow!
Sam: *going to fuss over Sari now*
Ironhide: *soft snort, and then turns his head to peer at the young couple* ...What is it, Samuel?
Sam: Your armor's hot from sitting in the sun all afternoon... *worry, fret*
Ferdinand: *lifts his head to give Sam a puzzled look*
Ironhide: *slow blink* I know. *comfortable sigh. Isn't going to need any supper at this rate*
Nova: *standing to try and see over to Uncle Sam* *curious chirrup*
Sam: *moving to help Sari to her feet, intends to take her to get her hand checked out*
Sari: *wincing, but looking over her shoulder toward the Ironhides* ...Sam, do we still have those steaks?
Sam: *blink blink* Er... I think so, unless Bobby got to them first...
Sari: *wide grin, and points toward Ironhide* *point point point!*
Sam: *had a good hunch as to why Sari just asked about the steaks. Now has an amused look as he raises both brows and grins*
Sari: *little bounce* I have tin foil. And that good sauce.
bvMia: *watching the two young humans. Then gives her sister a quizzical look*
Chromia: *soft chuckle, databursts information about outdoor barbecues to her sister*
bvMia: *brow ridges lift* //On 'Hide?// *looks at her mate, and feels amused*
Chromia: //'N prolleh on me, 'cause mah platin's jes' 's 'ot...// *very amused*
bvMia: *watches Sam and Sari disappear into the base* Dunno. They weren't lookin' at you.
Hot Shot: *peeks at bvMia and clicks*
Chromia: *soft snerk* Th'y don' gotta.
Medbay quarantine room
Raoul: *sitting on the floor, one arm around Chip's shoulders, and watching Tracks sleep*
Dixie: *coming back with a tray of easy-to-eat hangover food for Tracks. Glances to Raoul, a question in her eyes*
Chip: *sees the look and shakes her head* *softly* No change, Mrs. Lamont.
Raoul: *doesn't look up. Just watches his guardian*
Dixie: *small nod, moves to set the tray where Tracks will see it when he wakes. Then she's moving to sit down near Chip and Raoul*
Raoul: *peeks at her in silence around Chip, then shakes his head slightly*
Dixie: *trying to keep her worry for Tracks off of her face*
Raoul: *very quietly speaks for the first time since she came* He ain't gonna eat that.
Chip: *gives him a quizzical look*
Dixie: *attention going to Raoul, puzzled*
Raoul: He just drinks. He wouldn' even eat the stuff he got in his Easter basket.
Dixie: ... Well, shoot...
Chip: But he's human now, so maybe things will be different?
Raoul: *slow head shake*
Dixie: *considering look, before she's getting up and going to see if she can find a blender in the human kitchen* Mebbeh a fruit smoothie'd work...
Chip: *perks and gives Raoul's hand a quick squeeze, then hauls herself into her wheelchair* I know a really good recipe, and I think we have blueberries too.
Dixie: *nods and starts listing off fruits she's made smoothies with in the past as she and Chip head out of the room*
Raoul: *doesn't watch them go. Instead he drinks the orange juice, and then moves the tray over to the human size table by the door before returning and resuming his place on the floor by Tracks' mat. Watches for a moment, and then scoots forward on hands and knees to pull the corner of the big sheet down over Tracks' bare foot*
Tracks: *soft sound, slight foot twitch*
Raoul: *looks toward his face, then pulls the Autobadge afghan down over the foot too*
Tracks: *turns his head slightly, is pale and slightly clammy due to discomfort*
Raoul: *scoots up to the top of the pallet. Gentle hand on his guardian's forehead*
Tracks: *slightly feverish, startles at the hand on his forehead. Then, both of his brows are climbing slightly as he recognizes Raoul*
Raoul: *quietly* Hey. *takes hand back as he sits on his heels*
Tracks: *quietly* Raoul... Where...?
Raoul: Med ward. The private room.
Tracks: *very slight frown*
Raoul: *lifts his eyebrows, his expression questioning. Tracks doesn't remember why he's here?*
Tracks: *quiet sigh as he closes his eyes and tries to think past the dull throb in his head*
Raoul: *relates the shutdown in the street, and then the going drinking with Powerglide after going to the reality that turns bots human*
Tracks: *winces* *quietly* I owe Mrs. Lamont an apology....
Raoul: *surprising slight quirk of a grin as he ducks his head a little* I kinda think you did that, man.
Tracks: *opens one eye to give the teen a confused look*
Raoul: *softly* You were huggin' her when Chip 'n I came in.
Tracks: *and now he's blushing*
Raoul: *quietly, as he remembers how Dixie had looked curled in his guardian's arms* She looked really happy.
Tracks: *so embarrassed. And wondering whether anything happened in the period that he can't remember....* *and now he's just spotted what he remembers wearing over there behind Raoul*
Raoul: *knows Tracks is embarrassed. Isn't looking up so that the man can keep his dignity*
Tracks: *moves to try and sit up* *soft groan as his head and stomach protest this*
Raoul: *snaps his gaze up, and then puts a hand on Tracks' chest* Man, don't be stupid. Just lay still.
Tracks: *queasy, trembles slightly* *quick breathing* Feel like slag....
Raoul: *softly* That happens when you drink enough to get a BAC that scares the docs. *pushes Tracks' hair away from his face, knowing from experience that the coolness will be comforting*
Tracks: *eyes screwed shut as he focuses on breathing*
Raoul: *gently tucks the covers around his shoulders* Just take it easy. You're gonna be okay.
Tracks: *breathing slowing as he calms down. It's then that he realizes his hand is kind of hurting*
Raoul: *softly, as he notices the change in expression* What's wrong?
Tracks: *quietly* My hand hurts...
Raoul: *frowns slightly* I don't know nothin' about that. Which one? *moves to pull the covers down to have a look*
Tracks: *right hand is in a lightweight, but sturdy cast, and two of his fingers are in splints*
Raoul: *winces as he looks at it* Man... what'd you hit?
Tracks: *quietly* I don't know.... *quieter, as he remembers something* Had to protect her....
Raoul: *eyes flick quickly to Tracks' face, his brows going up in question*
Tracks: *not sure who the 'her' in question is, just that he knew he had to protect her*
Raoul: *slight frown as he sees the uncertainty, but only pulls the blankets back up and makes sure that Tracks is warm and as comfortable as possible* Want some crackers?
Tracks: *quiet as he shakes his head. He does know what 'crackers' are, but he's not sure his stomach could handle them right now*
Raoul: They're dry, and soak up the urge to puke. *finishes the tucking and sits back again*
Tracks: *soft sigh, before he nods*
Raoul: *goes and gets the soda crackers off the tray and brings a handful over. Breaks one on the dotted line and then pokes it at his guardian's mouth*
Tracks: *fumbling a bit with the cracker, but eventually gets it eaten*
Raoul: *waits a moment, and then carefully offers the other half of it. The lessons he learned while caring for his dying grandmother coming back to him now as he gently tends his ailing heart father*
Tracks: *awkward eater, but at least he's trying*
Raoul: *infinite patience, and all the time in the world*
Meanwhile
Chip: *staring after Sam and Sari as they exit the human mess* ...They're going to barbecue the steaks... on Ironhide?
Dixie: ... Ah ain't even gonna ask 't th's point... *though she has a strong suspicion about the color of Ironhide's armor*
Chip: *turns and looks up at the older woman ruefully* I think I'll stick with the lunch I brought today. I like burgers sometimes, but anything that looks like it used to be part of a body just... *shudder*
Dixie: *quiet as she nods* 'Ot dogs 'n burgers ain't so bad on occasion.... Jes' can't stand seein' anehth'n th't looks lahk 't c'ld be stuck rahght back 'n....
Eclipse: *coming to steal some of Bobby's leftovers from the fridge, since WakeJumper is helping some of the soldiers with something in another part of the base* *pauses when she sees Chip and Dixie, before she's offering them some of the so-called lava pockets* Here.... These only have cheese in 'em.
Chip: *had turned a little pale at Dixie's words, but shakes her head in response to Eclipse's offer* No thanks. I can't eat tomato. *slight smile as she wheels toward the fridge* Do you know if WO Figueroa ate all the blueberries?
Eclipse: Um... Lemme look... *ducks and checks, before pulling a pint container of the dark blue fruit out* Nope! *cheery grin as she offers the container to Chip*
Chip: *brightens and turns her chair to smile at Dixie, then turns back to Eclipse* Is the plain soy yogurt there?
Eclipse: *duck and check, before getting the container out* Ooo, there're strawberries in here too!
Chip: Yeah, but real yogurt and blueberries are better for a sick stomach. *smiles at the other girl as she reaches for the desired goodies*
Eclipse: *gives the yogurt, is nomming strawberries*
Chip: *takes the yogurt and the blueberries and sets them on her lap, then heads for the food prep counter where a high quality food processor is sitting* Okay, now... oh, do we have any ice? *looks back again*
Eclipse: *looks in the freezer* *gets the partial bag out and offers it to Chip*
Dixie: *gets the offered bag and brings it over to the food processor*
Eclipse: *just found fruit juice popsicles, noms a grape one*
Chip: Thanks, Mrs. Lamont. *pulls herself up to sit on the counter, and then sets to work crushing ice and then making a big thing of smoothie*
Dixie: *going to look for cups so there's something to pour the smoothie into*
Chip: *as she works* Eclipse, have you met Mrs. Lamont?
Eclipse: *blink blink, headshake* I don't think I have... I mean, I would've remembered if I had and I'm pretty sure I hadn't earlier today or yesterday or sometime after everyone got back here safely....
Dixie: Er.... 'Lo?
Eclipse: *and then her expression's brightening* Oh, wait! You're the lady that Tracks tried to do a word-bond with last night!
Chip: *looks around with surprise, her mind flashing back to how content Dixie had looked snuggled against Tracks as she and Raoul had come into the quarantine room*
Dixie: *puzzled expression is a go* Wh't's a word-bond?
Eclipse: *launches into an excited explanation that includes mentions of claiming a mate*
Chip: *blinks a little, but turns back to smoothie making as she listens*
Dixie: *figures out that most of what Eclipse is talking about can be summed up by the first ten words out of the young woman's mouth, and then she's blinking* So th't's wh't 'e meant wh'n 'e said th't Ah'm 'is.... *and now she's blushing faintly*
Chip: Yeah, but it doesn't count unless you claim him too. And... Well, he... was awful drunk.
Dixie: *small nod, is still blushing. It's been awhile since anyone showed interest in her like that....* *thinking back to how safe she felt when she woke up to find that Tracks was holding her*
Eclipse: *still rambling and adding a few armflails*
Dixie: *soberly comparing her feeling to having a drink of water after a long, very dry and exhausting walk* *slightly wistful expression is a go*
Chip: *sees that expression as she turns off the food processor. A bit loudly* So, who wants a smoothie?
Dixie: *slight start. Was getting lost in her thoughts* Er...
Eclipse: *holds up her ganked food* I'm good, thanks. ^_^ *and then she's startling and hurrying out of the room*
Chip: *more quietly* It's ready, Mrs. Lamont. *shows the filled cups*
Dixie: *small nod* *quietly* Le's git back t' Tracks 'n Raoul...
Chip: Alright. *gets back into her chair and reaches up to get a tray to set on her lap so she can carry smoothies*
Dixie: *moves to help with that*
Chip: Oh, thanks. *smiles up at the older woman, then pauses. Softly* You... like Tracks, don't you?
Dixie: o_o *blush*
Chip: *cheeks pink and she looks down* Sorry...
Dixie: *quietly* Ah nevah meant t' fall 'n love 'gain....
Chip: *softly, still looking down at her lap full of smoothies* I don't think it's a bad thing. I mean... you and Tracks looked so happy when Raoul and I came in...
Dixie: *very quietly* Ah... Ah felt safe....
Chip: *shy smile as she looks up, her blue eyes curious and sympathetic*
Dixie: *fiddling with her wedding ring* *quietly* Ah lost mah 'usband awhahl back....
Chip: *smile fades and her brow furrows* I'm sorry.
Dixie: 'T w's a farmin' accident...
Chip: *quietly* How long ago was it?
Dixie: *quietly tells her* 'Bout fahve yeahs 'go....
Chip: *eyes widen slightly* Wow. That... You must really miss him.
Dixie: Ev'ry day....
Chip: *bites her lip and tries to think of what to say*
Dixie: *one hand goes to rub the other arm as she realizes that last night was the first time in a very long time that she didn't have any nightmares about trying to find Matt*
Chip: *sees the gesture and winces* I'm sorry. I shouldn't be so nosy.
Dixie: *quietly* Last nahght... Ah di'n't 'ave aneh nahghtmares...
Chip: *stops short with her hands halfway to the wheels of her chair. Brows rise slightly as the smile creeps back into her eyes* Really?
Dixie: *small nod* *softly* 'T w's... kahnda nahce...
Chip: *cheeks pink again as she thinks of how it feels when Raoul puts his arm around her shoulders, as he's taken to doing in the last few days* *very softly* Like he's protecting you, and asking you to protect him at the same time.
Dixie: *slight pause. Never thought of it that way before.... And now a slight smile's crossing her face*
Chip: *brows lift slightly, and then she meeps and catches one of the smoothies on her tray* Oh, we better not let these get too warm.
Dixie: *nod* D' y'u want me t' carry th' tray?
Chip: Oh. If you want to. But I can do it, too.
Dixie: *one-shoulder shrug* Le's jes' git back t' th' boys... *is worried about Tracks*
Chip: *offers the tray* Yeah. *bit of a frown* I hope Raoul's alright.
Dixie: *will carefully take the tray* *quietly* Ah 'ope Tracks 's feelin' bettah...
Chip: Do you think he's finally woke up? *turns her chair the rest and starts toward the door*
Dixie: No ahdeah.... But we won' know 'til we git back.
Chip: Yeah, that's true. *and then startles and twists her chair to the side as a shout comes from outside the room*
Denver: Jes' git 'way fr'm me, 'Raid. Ah'm mad 't y'u!
Dixie: *startles and looks up. Then she's boggling at the sight of the massive red robot that just stomped by*
Chip: *as an apologetic Air Raid follows, crying that he loves Denver* Wow... she sounds mad.
Dixie: .... *winces as Denver backhands Air Raid with enough force to rattle the walls*
Chip: *hugging herself and wide-eyed, but then relaxes as she hears Optimus speaking sharply* Okay... it'll be safe now.
Dixie: *quietly* Wh't th' 'eck....
Chip: *heads out and looks to the left, her brows drawing together as she sees Optimus down on one knee by the prone and weeping Aerialbot* Optimus? What's wrong?
Optimus: *without looking up* It is a private matter, Chip. Here, let me clear the way so that you may pass. *lifts his son into his arms and stands*
Dixie: *wondering what the heck is going on, why the red robot was being called by her niece's name, and why the winged guy is so upset, but will focus on carrying the tray*
Chip: *zips down the hall and into the med ward, only to squeak with surprise as she nearly runs into Slingshot's foot*
Slingshot: *hands to the side of his head* That OIL SPILL! How could he be so fragging stupid????
Garnet: *just sitting on his shoulder and trying to be comforting with her purring*
Dixie: .... *raised brow as she follows Chip into the med ward*
Skydive: *biting his lower lip components slightly and trying not to wince* *quietly* At least he's the one who told her... Think how much worse it would be if she had found out from one of us...
Slingshot: None of us would have been stupid enough to tell her! We like living!
Chip: *eyes wide as she scoots along the wall toward the quarantine room*
Skydive: *gives Slingshot a slight Look that says he wouldn't have put it past the smaller mech at one point*
Dixie: *quick to follow Chip, will nudge the door closed with her foot*
Slingshot: I would n... urk!
Chip: *winces at the sound of big metallic knees hitting a reinforced concrete floor, and the feeling of the building shuddering slightly* Wow. I wonder what that's all about.
Raoul: *quietly, from where he's sitting by Tracks* Sounds like Air Raid finally confessed to Denver that he courted her on a dare.
Dixie: .... *raised brows*
Tracks: *small frown* *quietly* At least he did it... I'd hate to think what the collateral damage would be if Slingshot had said something to her....
Raoul: *indifferent to Slingshot's plight* Like he said. He likes livin'. *then rolls to his feet and comes over to take the tray from Dixie*
Dixie: ... *a bit of a brain-broken expression on her face as she tries to make sense of what she just learned*
Raoul: *notices this and frowns* You okay?
Dixie: *quietly* Ah... *sits down suddenly* *totally had no idea about Denver*
Tracks: *manages to lift his head, and then a worried expression is crossing his face as he moves to try and turn over*
Raoul: *gives the humanized Transformer a worried glance as he sets the tray by the pallets* Don't get up. *planning to hurry back to Dixie and tend to her*
Chip: *hovering by Dixie* Mrs. Lamont?
Dixie: *so very brain-broken at the moment* *quietly* Denver's....
Chip: *'oh darn' expression* Um... you didn't know about Denver?
Tracks: *doesn't quite make it to a crawling position... but he's sure trying!*
Raoul: *tries to shove Tracks back down*
Dixie: *slow headshake*
Tracks: *would probably be able to put up more of a fight if he were sober*
Chip: *winces* Oh. Yeah. Um. It was something like what happened to Tracks... and then Dion made a wish and it stuck.
Dixie: .... *trying to make sense of this*
Raoul: *suddenly over beside them and scooping Dixie into his arms*
Chip: Wow! Raoul, what are you doing?
Dixie: *startles badly*
Raoul: *absent clicks as he carries her over and sets her down by Tracks*
Tracks: *butt in air, is trying to reach for Dixie*
Raoul: *slight eye roll and moves to shove down that butt and get his guardian sitting up*
Tracks: *going to hold Dixie close, and click softly to the confused woman*
Dixie: *deep breaths as she tries to wrap her brain around what she's learned*
Raoul: *finishes propping him up with the pillows, and then settles down to drink one of the smoothies and pretend he sees nothing*
Chip: *will stay by the door, feeling embarrassed, confused, and uncomfortable*
Tracks: *very soft clicks as he holds Dixie, and tries to ignore how blucky he feels*
Dixie: *has to close her eyes, but is starting to calm down. Feels safe in Tracks' arms. Will focus on that. It's not long before she's resting her head on his shoulder*
Tracks: *continues to click softly, wondering to himself at the feeling of peace he's experiencing*
Dixie: *calmed down considerably after a few minutes, continues to rest her head on Tracks' shoulder*
Tracks: *feeling a bit of the possessiveness he felt last night, but is also looking pretty ill. Quietly, so only Dixie can hear him* I remember now... I wanted to protect you....
Dixie: *lifts her head to look at Tracks, surprise clear in her eyes*
Tracks: *softly* We need one more witness if I'm to make a proper wordmate claim, though...
Dixie: *hand going to Tracks' forehead, worried expression when she feels how feverish the man is*
Raoul: *looks over with a snort* Man, you don't just tell a lady you're marryin' her. You ask her.
Chip: *turns and looks toward the pallet with surprise*
Dixie: *worriedly* 'E's burnin' up... *going to try and get Tracks to lay back before she looks around for a cool washcloth*
Tracks: *very quietly* Dixie... Marry me?
Raoul: *didn't think he'd do it. Just sputtered smoothie*
Chip: *holds her breath*
Dixie: *very surprised, but nods before she's fussing over Tracks even more*
Tracks: *very small smile as he reaches for her hand*
Raoul: Whoa, hold on. Did you just say yes? *comes close and puts a hand on Dixie's shoulder* You remember he's a giant robot, right? And that I live with 'im?
Dixie: *quietly* Ah know full well wh't Ah'm doin', Raoul... *will also show the teen just how feverish Tracks is*
Tracks: *leans into the touch to his forehead slightly, eyes a bit glazed-looking. Some of his illness is from the gin, and some of it is from stress, but if something isn't done soon, he might not get better*
Raoul: *deep frown of concern, and then a violent startle and a soft yelp as the door slides open and Tsubasa enters, carefully steering her larger wheelchair around Chip's*
Tsuabasa: *over to the pallet, and then lifts herself from the chair and lowers herself to her knees as she clicks softly to Tracks* Shhh. Easy. Let me help you.
Tracks: *very soft sound of discomfort as he tries to move closer to Dixie. Is afraid that the woman will be taken away from him again*
Dixie: *gently pushes his bangs away from his forehead* *softly* Y'u're mahn, Tracks....
Tsubasa: *pauses and looks down, her hand hovering over the pair*
Raoul: *jaw dropped*
Tracks: *very small smile* *quiet* Mine....
Raoul: *quickly* I saw that. I witnessed it.
Tsubasa: *glances at the boy, then back to the couple* *hesitantly, unsure if the words are the right ones* I too have witnessed this union.
Slingshot: *uses his hand to close his own mouth, his optics white with shock from where he was standing in the doorway*
Garnet: *softly from his shoulder* I witness too.
Tracks: *startles, winces as the movement jostles his injured hand*
Dixie: *worry, fret*
Tsubasa: *soft clicks as she gently scoops Tracks and Dixie up* Skydive, are you there?
Skydive: *gently nudges Slingshot aside* I'm right here, Tsubasa...
Tsubasa: Will you lift me so I can bring them to the berth? *doesn't look up, is busy scanning Tracks*
Raoul: *scooting out of the way as Chip does the same*
Tracks: *fever nearly at a dangerous level for humans, is struggling to stay awake even with how much pain is radiating from his injured hand*
Skydive: *carefully lifts Tsubasa and the two humans* *will bring the group over to the berth, clicking softly all the while*
Raoul: *scoots back, grabs the air mattresses and the bedding and brings it over*
Tsubasa: *settles into the chair by the berth, then looks down* Thank you, Raoul. Skydive, will you please spread that out in the proper way?
Skydive: *nods and gets everything set up correctly*
Tsubasa: *gently lays Tracks down, setting Dixie beside him. Then asks for T3s*
Skydive: *goes to get the requested medication*
Dixie: *will gently smooth Tracks' forehead and talk quietly to the feverish man*
Tsubasa: *also speaking, in the form of gentle clicks. Is also cooling one fingertip before carefully setting it over Tracks' heart*
Tracks: *slight squirm, soft whine*
Ratchet: *coming to see what's going on, was alerted to the request for T3s, which has him concerned*
Tsubasa: *softly* Shhhhh. We must lower your temperature to a safer level, Tracks. Skydive will bring the painkiller medication soon.
Ratchet: *small frown, scans Tracks, before he's going to get a cold compress, gauze, and some rubbing alcohol*
Skydive: *back with the medicine*
Tracks: *more squirm, doesn't let go of Dixie's hand though*
Tsubasa: *takes the bottle and thanks Skydive, then reaches for the water bottle that Dixie had left on the berth side table earlier* Here, Mrs. Lamont. Will you please assist Tracks in ingesting two of these tablets and at least six ounces of water?
Dixie: *nods and moves to do so, gently reassuring Tracks when he flails upon getting the tablets in his mouth* Easeh....
Tsubasa: *soft clicks as she rearranges the bedding around the ailing man* You're safe, Tracks. Your mate is here. Your son is here. Shhh. You're safe.
Raoul: *climbing a Skydive leg*
Chip: *watching worriedly*
Skydive: *moves to help Raoul onto the berth, clicking softly*
Tracks: *sputters a bit as he gets help with the water*
Dixie: *hand behind Tracks' head, supporting him as he drinks, worry clear on her face*
Tracks: *tries to pull Dixie closer, manages to get his head on her lap again. Then he's shutting his eyes and feeling miserable*
Tsubasa: *gently applies her chilled finger to his chest again, her brow ridges drawing together into a light scowl as she reads his vital signs*
Raoul: *scowling and phoning Beau*
Beau: *answers on the third ring* //'Lo?//
Raoul: *voice low and terse as he watches his mentor's struggle* Tracks is real sick, man. Where are you?
Beau: *quietly* //Trah'n t' comf'rt Sis...//
Raoul: *lips thin as Tracks cries out* *quietly and without condemnation* Whatever. We're in the infirmary. *hangs up and looks over toward Tracks*
Tsubasa: *taking the things that Ratchet brought and applying them*
Dixie: *smoothing Tracks' forehead and murmuring reassurances*
Ratchet: *going to get patient monitoring equipment*
Skydive: *moves to offer assistance to Chip, if she wants to sit on the berth as well*
Chip: *quiet surprise, but isn't certain. Not so familiar with Cybertronian habits yet*
Tsubasa: *uncovering the side of Tracks furthest from her, and then gently picking Dixie up and tucking the woman in next to him* *clicks softly as she does so, and continues to scan her patient's vitals*
Tracks: *soft sound, turns towards Dixie and clings to her as he sleeps*
Dixie: *and now it's starting to sink in that she's gotten a new husband... Pales considerably*
Tsubasa: *notices Dixie's reaction and turns her scanning to the human woman as she frowns with concern* Mrs. La... wait. That's not your name any longer. Forgive me.
Dixie: *it's a good thing she's already laying down.... since she just fainted*
Tsubasa: *alarmed! Works gently to revive her*
Raoul: *creeps closer, scowling darkly with concern*
Tracks: *curls around his mate as he sleeps, soft clicks*
Dixie: *eyelids fluttering a bit*
Tsubasa: Dixie? Please respond if you register my voice.
Dixie: *soft sound, barely opening her eyes*
Tsubasa: Do you require anything? I can find no medical cause for your sudden shutdown.
Dixie: *quietly* Ah'll... Ah'll be alrahght....
Tsubasa: *softly* Very well. *snags a Raoul and lays him next to his mentors*
Tracks: *snuggles family and sleeps*
Dixie: *turns her head slightly to give Raoul a small smile*
Raoul: *quiet smile in return as he snuggles* *softly* I should be on Tracks' other side.
Dixie: *small nod, before she's shutting her eyes and taking deep breaths as she thinks of how the rest of her family will react*
Tsubasa: *moves Raoul, and then scans Tracks again*
Tracks: *sound asleep, and his fever is beginning to subside*
Raoul: *sighs and settles down with his arms folded over his chest. Watchful dark eyes follow Tsubasa as she turns away from the table*
Tsubasa: *looks at Ratchet*
Ratchet: *quietly getting patient monitor equipment set up for Tracks. Will also get a blood pressure monitor set up for Dixie, as a precaution*
Tsubasa: *concerned as she spots the duplicate machine and deduces its purpose* Do you feel that that is necessary, sir?
Ratchet: *quietly* It will give warning when she's about to faint...
Tsubasa: That's likely to happen? *takes the equipment and sets it on the berth, then turns to Skydive* Please move me out of Ratchet's way?
Ratchet: *quietly* It's only as a precaution....
Skydive: *moves to gently lift Tsubasa*
Raoul: *watches as the white femme is lifted and moved away from the berth, then turns his attention to Ratchet* M'I in your way?
Ratchet: I just need to get this onto Dixie's wrist... *holds up the sensor strap*
Raoul: Okay. *stays where he is, though he continues to watch the medic*
Ratchet: *very gentle and careful as he gets the sensor strap around Dixie's wrist*
Dixie: *has fallen asleep in Tracks' arms again*
Tsubasa: *curious look for Chip, who is sitting in her wheelchair a little distance from the others*
Chip: *just watching. And praying. And wondering why Raoul's laying by his dad*
Tracks: *soft, absent murmur*
Skydive: *quietly praying, even as he moves to gently set Tsubasa in her wheelchair*
Tsubasa: *turns the chair as soon as she's in it, her optics going to Ratchet as she awaits orders*
Ratchet: *quietly* Now, we wait... and pray... *moves to lead Tsubasa and Skydive out of the room*
Elsewhere
Optimus: *pings Denver's private channel*
Denver: *garbled and upset-sounding response*
Optimus: //Denver, please pull yourself together. I need you to speak to me.//
Denver: *hiccuping and trying to pull herself together, intakes hitching*
Optimus: *quietly* //Mrs. Lamont saw your outburst in the hall.//
Denver: //...// *stunned into silence*
Optimus: *more quietly* //And Air Raid is trying to shut down.//
Denver: *quietly* //'E said 't w's a dare, Optimus.//
Optimus: //Please report to my and Elita One's quarters.//
Denver: *quietly, sounding defeated and uncertain* //Yessir...//
Optimus: //Please make all possible haste. Optimus out.//
Denver: //Denver out.// *closes the line with a soft click*
Beau: *a bit frightened by how uncertain and upset Denver is, but is doing his best not to show it as he watches the red femme sit up slowly* Sis?
Denver: *quietly* Ah've gotta report t' Optimus.... *behaving so unlike her usual self*
Beau: *small frown* Did 'e say whah?
Denver: *small headshake, optics dim. She feels like she's had the rug yanked from beneath her feet* *quietly* Ah've gotta 'ustle... *won't reveal what Optimus told her about Dixie and Air Raid*
Golda: *small sound* I don't understand. *wants to stay near Denver and take care of her*
Beau: *more frown, before he's moving to climb up onto his sister's shoulder, as he has a bad feeling there's something she's not saying*
Denver: *quietly* Please, Beau... Jes'... Jes' stay 'eah... *wants to spare Air Raid from humiliation as much possible*
Beau: *firmly* Ah ain't lettin' y'u slip off s'mewh're t' sit 'n stew, Sis... Th't's th' worst th'n y'u c'ld do....
Denver: *cringes* *quietly* Please, Beau... Optimus onleh ordered me t' report....
Golda: But... but we need to take care of you, sister.
Denver: *gently moving Beau back onto the berth* *quietly* Please... Ah 'ave mah orders...
Golda: *ducks her head and moves close to her husband, her optics nearly white in her distress*
Beau: *moves to put his arm around Golda's waist, frowning as he watches Denver leave the room* *quietly, once Denver's gone* Th're's s'meth'n she ain't sayin'....
Golda: *lifts those big optics to his face, then shivers and looks toward the door*
Meanwhile, in the hall
Denver: *intakes hitching as she makes her way to Optimus and Elita's quarters. Part of why she's so upset is because even before he started courting, she'd had a bit of a crush on Air Raid. And now she's kicking herself as a blind idiot as she thinks of how fast she fell for him*
Elita: *waiting for Denver at the door, will let the distraught frontliner into the family quarters, and let Optimus know what her emotional state seems to be*
Optimus: //I dare not leave Air Raid, love. Please ask her to enter the spare berth room?//
Elita: //I'll bring her...// *concerned for the couple, and praying silently as she moves to guide Denver into the spare berth room*
Denver: *visibly shaken and upset*
Optimus: *doesn't look around as the door slides open behind him, has a hand on Air Raid's shoulder and is sharply commanding the younger mech to focus on his voice and stay online*
Air Raid: *uncharacteristically laying flat on his back with his arms at his sides. His optics are shuttered and his face glistens in the lights*
Denver: *freezes when she sees Air Raid*
Elita: *gently rubs the frontliner's back*
Denver: *silent and still for a few moments, before she's doing floor time after taking down her block on Air Raid* *soft sob*
Air Raid: *low whimper* Denver... Sorry. Sorry. Going... Sorry...
Optimus: No. I forbid it! *voice trembles slightly as he snaps the words, and his hand on Air Raid's shoulder gives the younger mech a shake*
Denver: *whimpers* No... no.... *trying to get over to the berth, wants to be close to her mate*
Elita: *trying to help Denver* *tension in her voice* Optimus, help me with Denver.
Optimus: *turns and looks down, then drops to one knee to scoop the red femme into his arms. Turns swiftly and lifts her over Air Raid, then lays her on the berth beside him before watching tensely, his optics white*
Denver: *reaching for her mate, optics nearly dark* 'Raid...
Air Raid: *tiny, shaky intake as more tears trickle slowly from the corners of his optics* Sorry...
Denver: *trying to lay her head on Air Raid's chest. Can feel just how much the Aerialbot loves and treasures her, and his feeling of shock that she'd ever loved him.... And Air Raid will be able to feel how long she's admired him even before he had started courting...*
Air Raid: *gasps and starts to shake with sobs as his arm comes up to rest on her back* I love you.
Denver: *snuggles close* Nevah stopped lovin' y'u....
Air Raid: *both arms around her now in a grip that nearly bends plating* I'm sorry.
Denver: *very soft clicks, nuzzles her cheek against his plating*
Optimus: *watches them for a moment, then intakes shakily and turns to leave the room*
Elita: *moves to follow her mate, optics a bit bright*
Optimus: *continues toward the center of the living room as the berth room door swishes shut, but then drops to his knees and bows his head as his shoulders shake*
Elita: *moves to pull him close for a hug, her own optics shuttered as she cycles air quietly. Seeing just how close they came to losing Air Raid has scared her, because she knows how likely it would've been that Air Raid wouldn't have been the only loss...*
Optimus: *knows she can feel his horror at the thought of how close they came to losing their light hearted son, because he can feel her similar feelings echoing back to him over their bond* *quietly, as he holds her and weeps soundlessly* I... thank the Greatest Creator...
Elita: *small nod, hiding her face against his plating. Is trying so hard not to dwell on what nearly happened*
Optimus: *and then that undefeatable nature asserts itself once more, and joy and thankfulness replace the horror of what might have been* *wipes his optics with his thumb and forefinger before lifting his head and smiling down at Elita*
Elita: *quietly thanking Primus, and the Greatest Creator*
Optimus: *kisses her on the forehead, and then rises to his feet with her still in his arms* They will be alright now.
Elita: *small nod, snuggles close*
Optimus: *and then nearly takes a step back as he intercepts a call on the public comm frequency* They're roasting steaks on Ironhide!??
Elita: .... *facepalm*
Med ward
Raoul: *turns his head as he hears Beau and Golda coming up the library ladder* Hey. She okay now?
Beau: *quietly, as he moves over with Golda to lay down next to his aunt* She went t' talk t' Optimus... 'N she ain't come back....
Raoul: *cell phone out and calls Optimus, then cracks a very small smile as he closes it again after the call* She's alright. They're sleepin'.
Beau: *relieved expression is a go*
Raoul: *glances toward Chip and sees her sitting in her chair on the foot of the berth, busy with computer work as she unconsciously stands guard over them. Again with the small smile, and then closes his eyes and settles his head on the pillow beside Tracks'*
Tracks: *soft, contented sound. Has his mate, has most of his sons... and he's feeling a bit better. Can sleep peacefully now and heal*
((co-written with random_xtras))