Weeks went by like hours, and the time flew past me before I could catch it. A muscle in my leg had been torn terribly, but thankfully Nurse Darby and some hospital doctors saved it in time. My cut was stitched and it only brought me slight pain when I strained myself. I had almost been put in a wheelchair, but after a few days of trying it out at the hospital, they decided that I was okay with crutches. I only used them in school, which I returned to a few days later. When I went home to base, I would rest, per my guardians strict instructions. He never allowed me to move myself, and if I wanted to see anything or go anywhere in base, he would take me gently. It didn't offend me at all; it was sweet, and I was actually grateful.

For a bit, Ratchet was in a foul and regretful mood again. While I was still healing at base, Bumblebee lost his wheels. It brought back painful memories for the medic, who hadn't been able to fix his voicebox so long ago. He tried his best to make things right, and almost gave up his own T-Cog in the process. I had been scared for my guardian and the scout, being at base for the whole thing. Thankfully, they got Bee's T-Cog back, and Ratchet's faith in himself was restored when he repaired. I was overjoyed when I saw Bee speeding away, Raf in tow, while Ratchet laughed after him. It lifted my heart and spirits.

However, with so many things happening, me and Ratchet still really hadn't had the chance to be together. We weren't talking as much as we used to, and he was so busy with my and the other Autobots help, and I was occupied with school and my recovery, that neither of us really had the chance to. We were still around each other every day, but it wasn't the same. I missed it.. but I knew that it had to be that way at times like this. It was sad and disheartening, but I would be okay.

It was a calm morning now, and I was itching at my cast as I tugged my sweater back over my head. Last night had been full of strange dreams, and I was ready to get my mind off them at school. As I reached for my crutches, I saw Optimus approaching me. I looked up as I grabbed them and smiled.

"Hello, Optimus," I said.

"Hello, Taylor," he greeted back, leaning over to speak to me as I tugged at my cast some more. "How are you feeling?"

I shrugged my shoulders. "My leg isn't really aching or anything, and the stitches are coming out soon. I'll be healed up in no time." I smiled cheerfully.

His derma turned up ever so slightly in his own kind of calm Prime smile. "I am pleased to hear you are recovering well, Taylor." He paused, glancing back for a moment. "How are you and Ratchet getting along as of late?"

I stiffened for a second before sending him a smile of assurance. "I mean, we've both been occupied lately.. we aren't interacting as much as we used to, but he's making sure he's taking care of me. It's okay, really." I tucked my sweater into my pants with a sigh.

He cocked his helm as I spoke, listening. His optics turned the tiniest bit playful, and I bit of the innocent Orion I saw before peeked out. "Ratchet has informed me several times," he told me, outstretching his servo, "that he regrets not spending as much time with you as of the past few weeks."

This made me beam happily and my cheeks burn a berry red. "R-Really?" I asked hopefully, carefully stepping on his servo.

He misses it, too?

The Prime stood straight and walked away from the human area where I had been getting ready. "He enjoys spending time with you, Taylor," he said. "I am glad that you changed his perspective on human kind."

I giggled. "I don't know about every human," I joked. "He's still on edge with Miko."

If I didn't know any better, I'd say that Optimus was holding back a chuckle. Instead, he hummed deeply as he bent over and let me down by the exit, where Ratchet would be waiting to take me to school soon. He had just saved me the trouble of walking down the stairs with crutches, which I'm sure my guardian would be thankful for. I smiled gratefully up at him, my face still pink.

"Thanks for getting me down," I thanked him. "And thanks for telling me that."

Prime nodded. "Of course, Taylor. Do not strain yourself at school today." He stood back up again, and with another gentle nod, he went over to work on something at the monitors for Ratchet.

The medic nodded to him as he approached, exchanging a few words in Cybertronian, before walking over to me. He knelt down, his arm resting over one knee plate while the other bend down to me. His derma turned up only slightly in a small smile.

"Are you ready to leave?" he asked.

I shot forward to the best of my ability and hugged his digits happily. "You bet! Thanks for taking me!"

He nodded, bringing his servo back before quickly transforming into his alt mode. The door swung open and his headlights lit up as he beeped twice, signaling for me to get in. The other guardians had already left to go pick up their charges, so he could do stuff like that without getting teased or embarrassed by the others. I laughed cheerfully and limped in with my crutches. If I wasn't injured, I would've leaped right in. Ratchet shut the door with a slam as soon as I got comfortable, and his engine started up a moment later. I leaned by the window and waved Optimus goodbye from behind the glass. As we drove away, he smiled kindly and waved once in return. I hunched my shoulder giddily as we drove into the open road.

The drive was uncomfortably silent for a while, and I shifted in my seat awkwardly, scratching at my cast again. Ratchet's wheel swiveled slightly as he went down the road, eventually reaching the town. I looked up in his review mirror, which turned towards me as I did.

"Hey," I said quietly. "Are you okay?"

He was silent again for a short bit, before I heard a vent from the engine. "I apologize if my behavior seems... strange as of late."

I cocked my head in confusion. "What do you mean?"

He sighed again as he turned the road sharply. "I have not... harmed your feelings in any way?"

"Umm.. well, not really, but I do miss hanging out like we usually do," I said, fiddling with my fingers. "We haven't been talking to each other much. But you're busy, so..."

He was silent again for a moment. "I think I was.. avoiding you, without even realizing or trying."

I jumped, looking up in the mirror in shock. "W-What?"

"After you were injured, again, might I add," he said grimly, "I felt powerless to protect you. I'm not a warrior like the rest of the team, yet the medic in me hasn't studied enough of your human medicine. Perhaps I am not cut out to be your guardian.."

"No!!" I suddenly screamed, pushing forward and grabbing the desktop.

He yelped and swerved in surprise, the tires screeching as he regained his balance. "Primus, Taylor! What on Cybertron was that for?!"

Tears were once again in my eyes. It seemed like half of my life was built up of crying. "Don't say that! You're the one I want!" Realizing what I had just said, I clapped a hand over my mouth, my cheeks turning bright red. Another thing I seemed to do all the time.

He sighed again as he slowed down a red light. "Taylor..," he said quietly. "Thank you."

My hand left my lips, but I didn't dare look up at him with my red cheeks. "I want you as my guardian..." I said again quietly, before wincing in slight pain. My stitched wound was beginning to throb from the sudden movement. "Ow..."

"I've told you several times to be careful!" Ratchet scolded as he sped back up again.

I giggled in nervousness. "Sorry.."

He was silent again until we reached the school. I sighed as I reached over and grabbed my crutches. I slid over to the passenger door, but it didn't open. I turned to his desktop with an eyebrow raised.

"Ratchet?"

His engine seemed to hum, either in uncomfortableness or embarrassment. "Ah... listen, Taylor..." he trailed off.

"Yes?" I played, smiling teasingly.

"Y-You.. said you wanted to go for a drive, just the two of us, correct?"

My grin broadened. "Yep! And you said you would drive, remember?"

He chuckled, relaxing. "Yes, I did say that. After I pick you up from school... would you like to?"

I clasped my hands excitedly. "Yes!! Thank you, Ratchet!!"

I could tell he was smiling as he opened the door for me. "I will see you then."

I jumped out the best I could with my crutches, limping around the ambulance and stopping in front of him. "Thank you so much, my guardian." I blushed, but was smiling happily as I patted his hood.

I heard his engine hum in a slight cheerfulness, but he didn't say anything as he back up and drove away. I grinned giddily after him, limping up the stairs with my face still red.

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I can't stop updating this!

I really liked this chapter it was so cute!