Learning Curve Chapter Four
Chappy summary: Red Alert is there and sometimes that's all that matters
Disclaimer: Still own nothing
A few days later Fireflight had to go on a routine patrol with the other Aerialbots so the lessons were put on hold. Red Alert found he was actually disappointed that he wouldn't be seeing the younger jet. With Fireflight and the twins out the night promised to be quite. Deciding to use his free time to catch up on some reports he headed toward his quarters. Contrary to popular belief he didn't spend every moment he was online in the Security Room and he did trust someone else to watch over the Ark for him. Of course, that 'someone' was Teletraan-1, but in Red's opinion that counted.
After a few hours of reading the most uninteresting reports Red Alert had seen in awhile (the twins were still on their best behavior) the security director was settling into recharge when he received a ping over his internal comm. “Red Alert.”
“It's Prowl. I need you to come to medbay.” The SIC's voice sounded unusually strained. Red thought he heard Ratchet yelling in the background something that sounded like “watch those vitals.”
A spark couldn't actually jump into a 'bot's throat, but Red's managed a good imitation. There was only one reason he could fathom that would cause Prowl to comm him with those words. “The twins?” he forced past his spark and out his vocalizer. Primus, don't let the twins be hurt. He was already moving toward his door when Prowl replied.
“It's not the twins. Starscream's trine got the jump on the Aerialbots. Skydive, Slingshot, and Air Raid took some heavy damage.”
“They going to be okay? And what about Fireflight and Silverbolt?” Red asked. He was almost to the lift now.
“Barring any unforeseen complications they should be just fine.” There was noise in the background that seemed to indicate Prowl was moving to a more private area. “Fireflight is actually the reason I commed. Prime and I need to talk to Silverbolt, but Fireflight seems disinclined to release his hold on his commander's hand.”
Despite the seriousness of the situation Red found himself chuckling. “I can just imagine. But, what does this have to do with me?” He felt relief at hearing the news that Fireflight was okay. And Silverbolt his CPU added.
“I thought you could sit with Fireflight until we were done.”
“You have to talk to Silverbolt now?”
“It's imperative we find out exactly what happened so we are better prepared to prevent a reoccurrence.”
“Yeah, but now?” What were Prime and Prowl thinking?
“You know as well as I do that it's best to get details while they are fresh,” Prowl sounded unhappy with the situation. Red knew him well enough to realize that his friend would let the meeting wait if he could.
“Be there in a moment,” Red said. Right before terminating his side of the comm link he thought he heard Ratchet yell something else about watching “those vitals”. Red stepped off the lift and hurried toward the medbay. He hoped that an “unforeseen complication” wasn't taking place.
The scene that greeted him could only be described as organized chaos. Ratchet was barking orders that First Aid, Swoop, and even Wheeljack were jumping to obey. If Red had to guess he would say that Slingshot was the worst off since most of the action was centered on him. He couldn't get a clear view though so he couldn't be sure.
He headed through another set of doors and into the designated waiting room. Silverbolt and Fireflight huddled together. Silverbolt, who seemed to be holding it together well all things considered, was trying to draw Fireflight's attention toward him and away from the drama going on just on the other side of the glass. Prime and Prowl stood on either side of the younger mechs offering what comfort they could.
Prime was the first one to notice Red Alert and waved him over. “Thank you for coming,” he whispered before turning his attention back to the two Aerialbots. “Fireflight, Red Alert is going to sit with you until we're done with our meeting. Is that okay with you?”
Fireflight simply nodded as he continued to stare straight ahead at nothing. Prowl and Prime exchanged worried looks before gently guiding Silverbolt to his feet and toward the door. Prowl paused long enough to give his friend a gentle squeeze on his arm before leaving.
Red slipped into the chair vacated by Silverbolt. He wasn't sure what to say which was ironic. He couldn't count the times he was in Fireflight's place waiting on news about the twins with Prowl by his side. He could never recall what if anything Prowl said in those times though.
Sometimes it just mattered that another was there for you. With that thought, Red reached over and gently took Fireflight's hand in his own.
They sat in silence for several long moments until Fireflight spoke. “It's my fault,” he whispered.
“What do you mean?” Red asked.
“Slingshot and I were arguing. Everyone was paying attention to us and telling us to knock it off.” Fireflight gripped Red's hand harder. He hoped Red didn't ask him what the argument was about. Fireflight wasn't sure he could remember.
“What does that have to do with what happened?” Red studied Fireflight's profile. The poor mech's face was completely crestfallen.
“Everyone was paying attention to us and not our surroundings. Then they just appeared out of nowhere. We weren't ready. Starscream shot Air Raid before we even realized they were there. Then Thundercracker....” Fireflight trailed off. He would never forget how effortless Thundercracker made it seem when he took out Slingshot mere feet from where Fireflight had been.
A thousand thoughts raced through his processor. He was so worried that the stupid fight was the cause of this disaster. What would the others think when they got better? Would they want to throw him off the team? Could you get kicked out of a gestalt? Be replaced? Would they just stop talking to him? He almost didn't hear Red's response.
“'Flight, it wasn't your fault,” Red reached out and turned Fireflight's face toward him. “Yes, you shouldn't have been arguing while out on patrol. But,” Red rushed to add when it looked like Fireflight was about to interrupt. “You said they just appeared. And with Skywarp it's possible that's what happened. No amount of warning would have been sufficient.”
“You think?” Fireflight asked hopefully. Maybe the others wouldn't hate him after all.
“His name is Skywarp,” Red replied simply. And, the seeker had pulled that exact same stunt on the twins a few battles ago. Of course, the twins came out on the winning side, but they had vorns of experience over the Aerialbots and stronger armor as well.
“Yeah, but...”
“No buts, 'Flight. This wasn't your doing. Or Slingshot's. Starscream and his trine are to blame,” Red gave his hand another squeeze. “This is on them.” And Primus help that screeching pile of bolts when Red saw him again in battle. He would tell the twins to go crazy with the Jet Judo.
“Hey, Red Alert?” Fireflight said after a few more moments of quite.
“Yes?”
“You called me 'Flight.” Fireflight sounded if not happy at least not as depressed as moments ago. “Usually only 'Bolt calls me that.”
“Yeah, I guess I did,” Red paused. He hadn't realized he had used a nickname. “Do you want me to stop?”
“No. I don't mind,” Fireflight leaned his helm against Red's shoulder. “Kinda like it.”
They didn't speak again until Prowl and the others returned.