o24 ★ THERE'S NO PLACE LIKE HOME.

[electrowhipit]

[ There's a clatter as the phone is knocked off the hook. Another as Jolt tries to pick it up you can hear him muttering: ]

I'm back- it can't be true, it can't-- I'm back.

[ A final scramble for the phone and he manages to grab it. There's no mistaking the urgency of his tone ]

Sideswipe-- I need to talk to Sideswipe!

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[weaponsparked]

[This has just been the weirdest day of his life. He's mood-swinging all over the place for some bizarre reason, people are breaking down left and right, that woman is back...]

What--? What is it?

[... and now Jolt is apparently panicking over the phones.]

[electrowhipit]

Where are you.

[ Someone's been learning how to ask questions from Ironhide. ]

[weaponsparked]

[CLEARLY. Which makes him pause a moment.]

... My house. Why? Are you all right?

[electrowhipit]

Just don't-- [ his voice breaks and he has to pause for a second ] Don't. Go anywhere.

[weaponsparked]

I... won't.

[He pauses too.] Jolt, what's happened?

[electrowhipit]

I'll explain when I get there.

[ he just. hangs up and heads out ]

[weaponsparked]

All right, if you sa--

[And the line goes dead. He just stares at the phone for a moment or two before setting it back down.

Time to go get that present, while he waits.]

[electrowhipit]

[ A short time later, there's a knock on the door. ]

[weaponsparked]

[A short time after that, it opens...

And Sideswipe almost literally staggers backward, thanks to the sudden rush of pain, confusion and fear he gets in response.]

Not... not again.

[electrowhipit]

[ He reaches for Sideswipe, concerned, but then he's suddenly unsure and he stops ] Sideswipe?

[weaponsparked]

[The confusion just gets worse, and he shakes his head slightly, his hand to his face.]

Everything is... I don't know what's wrong with me. I can't get... my mood's everywhere.

[He swallows.]

... I'm suddenly terrified and confused and damn if I know why.

[electrowhipit]

[ he looks at the ground ] That's how I feel, too.

[weaponsparked]

[He steps forward, despite the fact his head is all but spinning.]

What happened?

[electrowhipit]

[ He recoils, still afraid and a little doubtful ]

I-- I went home.

[weaponsparked]

[And he... is jerked back by those feelings. He still can't comprehend why. Jolt's backing away only adds to the confusion.

But what Jolt says makes his mouth go dry.]

You... you what?

[electrowhipit]

I went home. [ He didn't really, but it felt so real that he's certain it happened. ]