Chapter 18

It was the following morning, and my guardian was still in recovery. I was still laying next to him, not willing to get up. The other guardians had brought the kids to school and back, and were now stacking the processed Energon they had secured yesterday. Optimus was off on the monitors, doing Ratchet's job while he was out.

I had my eyes open and was watching Ratchet in hopes I would see his optics open. I wanted for him to say my name; I wanted him to speak. To wake up. I brushed his warm metal faceplate again, glad I had no more tears left to cry.

"Please," I whispered again. "Please come back to me.." I leaned forward and placed my forehead on his cheek, closing my eyes and breathing in deeply.

To me, it was like a miracle. I'm sure to anyone else, it would seem almost normal. But that's what it was to me. A pure miracle. Flickering like dim lights, his optics lazily opened. I gasped, bringing my hands to my mouth. I sat up quickly, my eyes widening as he groaned quietly, his optic lids fluttering. Finally, they rested on me, widening ever so slightly. I cry of relief and joy escaped from my mouth, and I burst forward, hugging his faceplate. He jumped slightly, blinking in surprise.

"Taylor...," he said quietly.

I cried quietly, a bubbly feeling in my chest. "You said my name! You said it!" I backed away, wiping away my tears with a big smile.

His optic ridge cocked in confusion. "I..I did, yes..."

It was then he realized the pain racking through his chassis. He closed his optics as he cringed, a slight moan escaping from his derma. Optimus heard his groan and approached us, placing a servo on his friend as he tried to sit up.

"Easy, old friend," he told him. "You lost a lot of Energon, good, and bad."

"I..I never meant to.. hurt anyone," Ratchet said weakly. "I just wanted.. so badly to.."

"Help us," Optimus finished, looking over to me. "But you nearly caused the loss of something.. irreplaceable. Our medic... a most trusted friend.. and a guardian."

I smiled up at the Prime, then down to the Ratchet.

"You did lead us to a much needed Energon supply," Optimus explained. "And for that, we are all grateful."

Ratchet's helm leaned up, observing. "The Synthetic formula clearly needs reforming before it can be tested again," he explained.

Optimus smiled at him and nodded.

"On machines," he continued. "Not Autobots."

"Let us take comfort in the fact you were able to dispose of the quantity that remained," Optimus assured him.

I turned my head back and forth between the two, beaming at each of them. The other Autobots approached and each expressed their relief, all of which I watched with a warm feeling in my chest. I didn't really know what it was, but it felt good. At the same time, though, I wanted to be alone with him. Just for a little while.

"Taylor?" Ratchet called, and I realized I had dozed off while leaning on his shoulder plate.

I flew my eyes open and shot him a grin. "Hey! How do you feel?"

He gave me a bemused look. "Not nearly as well as I did earlier." He paused, optic ridges furrowing. "Listen.. I am sorry that I... worried you."

"No, it's okay, I'm just glad you're safe!" I told him, waving my hands frantically in dismissal.

He sighed. "No, it's... I'm supposed to be your guardian.."

I jumped. "You are!" I said in assurance, hugging his shoulder pad.

His optics were tired.. and regretful. "I could have hurt you.."

"But you didn't!" I protested, getting up and scooting towards his faceplate. "I'm fine, you're the one who's hurt."

He cringed, hissing in pain slightly. "This is my consequence."

I really hated crying so much, but I couldn't help the tears. "Please don't talk like this! I don't want you to feel bad." I hugged his faceplate, embarrassed that I was so close but couldn't stop now.

His optics turned gentle as he slowly lifted one servo up and hugging me with it. "Don't cry.."

I sniffed, chuckling a little bit. "Sorry. Annoying, right?" I joked, but I wasn't angry.

He chuckled slightly with me. "Yes.. and, no. I just... don't want to see you upset right now."

I blinked in surprise. Was it just me or did he seem.. kinda sweet? Maybe it was the pain getting to him.. he did look pretty tired. His optics were half open, struggling to stay that way. I giggled at him and his drowsiness.

"Are you tired?" I asked quietly. I realized that the whole day had passed again and it was getting late. I was honestly getting a little sleepy, too.

"Mmm.." he muttered, his optics finally falling closed.

I smiled, warm and fuzzies falling all over my body. I stroked the warm metal again gently, my own eyes closing as I leaned on his neck cables. "Get some rest, okay? I won't cry while your asleep."

"It's stasis, actually.." he grumbled sleepily, sighing.

I chuckled as I fell into my own deep slumber.

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I knew I was in a dream; there are times when you just know. This was one of those times. I was floating in a starry night sky, lit up by the brightness of the moon. The stars were millions of memories with my mom. I took the little things and cupped them in my hands, my eyes trickling at the sights. They were so light and fluffy, the best ones warm and overwhelming. I looked through as many as I could, going back and forth between the stars. My first baking lesson. The time I had spent with her after a long day of work and school. So many small, wonderful things that seemed so big now.

I eventually was hanging in front of the moon, watching them all with love.

"They are beautiful, aren't they?"

I turned and smiled big to her. I knew it wasn't real, but it was good to see her nonetheless. "Yes, they really are." I ran forward and hugged her. "I miss you, you know."

"I know, honey," Mom soothed, stroking my hair. "I wish I didn't have to go so soon."

"Why did you have to go?" I sobbed, squeezing her. "Why?"

She sighed, looking up at the star memories. "Sometimes, things don't go as planned. I didn't want to or plan to, but there isn't anything we can do now."

I let go and looked at her sparkling face. "I know, but I wish.."

"Shh, shh, shh," she cooed, brushing my face. "You found others that love you. Even though you thought you never could. They love you, right?"

My eyes darted away. "I'm... not sure.. ever since you left.. I have a hard time reading emotions."

She smiled warmly. "Do they console you when your upset? Do they enjoy spending time with you? Play games? Ask you questions? Talk to you? Are they concerned about you?"

I shrugged slowly. "I.. think so? I've seen them do all those things.."

She wiped away my tears with her thumbs. "I hope they ask you not to cry so much!" she laughed.

I giggled, taking her hands in my own. "Yeah! They do!"

She kissed my forehead, slowly beginning to fade away. "Good. Then I think they love you, too."

"I love them, too," I laughed, tears rising to my eyes as she disappeared.

I glanced up into the moon, alone in the starry night sky. Full of treasures.

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Another update! Yay!

Bye.

*waves*

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