Sari smiled faintly and gently tried hugging him back. Ratchet smiled a bit as he put things back into his bag. "Of course." He murmured and began leaving the room. Riley went to him and the two talked quietly for a moment. Ratchet followed her and wrote something down on a paper and she took it then left the house quickly. Ratchet sighed softly and glanced at Bumblebee.

The scout looked at him then moved out of the way. He watched him then hesitantly followed. He wanted to see what he was doing and ask because he was worried. Skye watched the doctor and stood to follow. They were all worried.

Ratchet looked at them and frowned a bit. "She's taking a copy of the recipe to the lab to see if she can make more of this cure." He explained shortly as he took a seat. Skye nodded slowly and stayed standing as she watched the door. She was happy for them and it made her think of her father. She glanced at Ratchet then Bumblebee before looking at the door again.

The doctor looked at Skye and blinked. "Are you alright, Skye?" He asked, frowning with worry as she seemed on edge.

"What? Um... ya... I was... just thinking about dad..." she whispered quietly and folded her arms as she looked at the ground.

Ratchet looked at her quietly before walking over to her and gently hugging her. "Why don't we go visit him then?" He muttered.

"I don't want to be rude and leave..." she whispered quietly and looked up at him. Bumblebee watched the two and wanted to see Jack as well.

The old doctor looked at Bumblebee then her. "We can just tell Raf that we want to visit Jack. He will understand." He said calmly. "I'm sure he would really want to know as it would be just him, Sari, and Quinn here." He said as he began to leave, going to tell the young father. The scout nodded slowly and watched his friend go then glanced at Skye as she stared at the floor. Raf was rocking his wife as Quinn sat by them.

Ratchet went over and calmly sighed. "Raf, I'm taking Skye and Bumblebee to visit Jack. Riley went to the lab. I should be back soon with them." He told him quietly as Sari was asleep again.

"That's alright... I'd like to go with you though... if that's alright. We can wait until Riley gets back at least." He whispered. "Well... it's okay. Go ahead and I'll visit him later." He changed his mind as he smiled slightly.

The doctor blinked at the man and shook his head. "We can wait for you." He said gently. "I'm sure Riley won't be long." He said as he leaned against the door-frame a bit. ''I know you wouldn't want to leave Quinn here by herself with Sari." He said with understanding.

"No... that's not the best thing for me to do..." he sighed forcefully and looked at him. "I just don't want Riley to feel left out." He whispered quietly.

Ratchet nodded a bit as he looked at him. "Well... you can always ask if she would like to come or not." He suggested.

"I will when she gets back." He said as he smiled slightly. "Thank you both for all your help." He whispered quietly.

"Of course." Ratchet said gently, smiling a little. "Don't mention it." He muttered before leaving the room quietly, going to where Skye and Bumblebee were. Skye was sitting on the couch hugging herself as Bumblebee watched her with concern. He hesitated and set his hand on her shoulder.

Ratchet went over to her and sat next to her. He frowned and gently rubbed her back. "We will visit him once Riley returns." He said gently.

"Okay...." she whispered quietly as her leg bounced a little. She was nervous about seeing him again. She was worried. The grandfather frowned and rubbed her back gently. After a while, Riley returned wearing her lab coat, looking around for something. She rushed around, opening drawers silently.

"Everything alright?" Skye asked quietly as Bumblebee looked up. He had been drawing with Quinn again and keeping her happy. The two of them had managed to become good friends in a short amount of time.

"I'm looking for something. I have to run back to the lab." Riley murmured, shaking slightly, her hands twitching as she dug through things. "I need my notes..." she muttered as she adjusted her glasses a few times as she searched anxiously. Ratchet slowly got up and walked to her.

"Riley? We need to go visit my son, do you want to come?" He asked quietly. Riley paused to look up. Skye looked at her friend with concern and went to stand by her grandfather.

"I... don't think I should. I should watch Quinn and Mom..." she murmured nervously. Bumblebee watched her intently then slowly walked over and gently gripped her hands between both of his. Trying to stop her nervousness and help her think. He stared at her and cocked his head a little.

Riley paused and looked at him, her eyes darting back and forth for a moment. She looked down and tried to think, her hands twitching a bit in his hold. "I... can work here and keep an eye on them. You guys go ahead." She murmured softly. "When you come back I'll go to the lab and start right away from my equations and ratios for the right dosage and-." She blushed in embarrassment at her anxious rambling. 

Ratchet studied her and nodded a bit. "Alright." He smiled a bit, Skye watched her and wanted to hug her, but didn't want to make her more nervous.

Bumblebee watched her then smiled brightly, noticing how she took after her father. He stared at her then brushed her hair out of her face, since it was hiding her eyes. "If you need to go to the lab... we can wait." Raf said seriously as he walked out of the room. Bumblebee smiled brightly and went over to the others.

Riley blushed a bit in embarrassment before looking to Raf. "No it's alright. I can work on the equations here. You should go ahead." She smiled a bit as she began walking over, sitting down by Quinn. Ratchet set a hand on her shoulder gently and then looked down at her with a small smile then looked to Skye.

Skye smiled a little and looked at him and Raf. Bumblebee grabbed a few things and grinned as he went to the door. He then walked out and waited again. Raf hugged his girls and kissed their heads then left. Ratchet followed them, gently taking Skyes hand to help calm her. He shut the door behind them and began thinking about Jack as they made their way to the hospital. His eyebrows furrowed with worry and he glanced at his granddaughter.

She stayed silent as she followed him and gripped his hand gently. They got to the hospital room and entered, then carefully crowded around the young man. Skye sat by him and gently took his hand. She quietly spoke to him and told him that Ratchet, Raf, and Bumblebee were there. After a few minutes, Jack squeezed her hand weakly and she stopped suddenly. 

"Dad?" She whispered and looked at him. The man didn't respond for a few minutes and they heard him grunt. Raf furrowed his brow then gasped as Jack slowly opened his eyes.

Ratchet looked at his son and his eyes widened. He went to his side and gently took his other hand. "Jack?" He breathed, relieved to see him wake. "Can you hear me?" He asked softly, his eyebrows furrowing as he looked at him. 

Jack groaned softly and began looking around a bit. "What...?" He murmured, slightly disoriented as he woke.

Ratchet gently squeezed his hand. "Its your family." He whispered as he felt hope filling his heart. His son was finally awake.

"Dad." Skye whispered as tears filled her eyes and she grinned as they fell. "Dad, it's me... do you recognize me?" she asked and he stared at her then smiled weakly.

"Yes..." he rasped and she choked back a sob as she kissed his hand. Bumblebee smiled and Raf was grinning from ear to ear.

"Dad, this is Rafael, Bumblebee, and Ratchet..." She explained as she motioned to each of them. Jack blinked in surprise as he looked at his stepfather. He was still weak and trying to focus.

"Ratchet?" he rasped weakly and winced a little as he moved his aching body. He started to drift again but tried to fight it. "I... have...." he trailed off as he dozed but tried to stay awake. He was so weak and had little to no energy. "Tell... you..."

The grandfather blinked as he listened to him, frowning deeply. He shook his head as he began shushing him. "No, just rest right now. Get some sleep." He said calmly as he gently pushed back his black hair. "Tell me when you wake, alright?" He spoke quietly, smiling brightly. He began to stand and brought the blanket close to his neck, making sure he was comfortable.

"No... I..." he trailed off as his eyes closed and Skye looked at him with concern. He mumbled something in his sleep and she glanced at the others before leaning closer to him and whispered to him. He grunted weakly and passed out again. She stared at him then furrowed her brow and looked at the others.

"He... he said Optimus is alive." she explained then furrowed her brow in confusion on what he meant. Bumblebee's eyes widened and he gasped in surprise as Raf's jaw dropped.

The old medic watched over his son then his eyes widened as he looked to Skye. "How... how?" He breathed in shock. "That... that's not possible. He... he died." he frowned deeply. "He stayed behind. I don't understand." He whispered, shaking his head.

"Neither do I... and how does Jack know?" Rafael asked as he looked at him then the others. "How does he know it's Optimus?" He said as he furrowed his brow. "And when or where did he see him?"

Ratchet waved his hand. "Ep, ep, ep, let's ask Jack tomorrow when he can keep up a conversation. Let's not worry ourselves over it tonight." He said gently though several questions ran through his head as well. "We are here for Jack right now." He said as he looked to his stepson, sighing softly.

They nodded slowly and Bumblebee glanced at his friend before he nodded once. "I'm going to head home with Bee so Riley can head out.... we need to catch up." Raf said as he smiled slightly. Skye continued to stare at her father as she held his hand.

The doctor looked over and nodded a bit. "Alright." He glanced at Skye then back to Raf. "We might swing by to grab a few clothes and blankets. I think we're staying the night here." He informed him gently.

"That's just fine." He said as he smiled slightly and Bee hugged them before they left, Ratchet hugged him back before looking at Jack. Skye smiled a little but didn't look at them as she watched her father.

The Autobot medic smiled a bit, at ease knowing his stepson was alright and that Optimus was alive. He was relieved to know so far everyone was alright. He just needed to find Miko, June, and the others. Skye watched him then smiled a little again. She looked at the others as they left then went back to tending to her father. Ratchet smiled a little and closed his eyes as he relaxed, feeling everything seemed to be going alright. He released a sigh of content. It would get better from here on out.

Skye looked at him from across the bed then gently gripped his hand as she also held her fathers. "It'll be okay." She whispered.

Ratchet looked at her and smiled a bit. "I know." He murmured softly. "I'm beginning to think it." He said gently.

"It will be... promise." She whispered quietly and smiled a little. She looked at her father and kissed his hand. Ratchet smiled and nodded, believing her. He leaned back in his chair and sighed softly as he studied Jacks face, looking at the small healing cuts and bruises on him. He looked at his relaxed expression and squeezed his granddaughters hand gently. Skye slowly rested her head against the bed as she held his hand and her fathers. She was so relieved that they were alright. 

The doctor picked up his head and looked to the door as a nurse entered the room. She came over and began checking his vitals silently. "Would you like a blanket? It can get cold here at night." She spoke softly.

Skye looked up at her then nodded slowly as she smiled slightly. "Thank you." She whispered and let go of her grandfather so she didn't hurt him.

Ratchet smiled faintly and nodded to the nurse as well. She smiled a little and began leaving, soon returning with two folded blue blankets and two pillows. She gently gave Skye a pillow and blanket as she gave the other to the old man. Ratchet unfolded the blanket and set it over his lap, putting the pillow behind him, sighing faintly. The nurse made sure they were alright before leaving. 

"Are you comfortable enough?" The young woman asked as she sat up and looked at him with concern. She was worried about him and being able to sleep.

"I'm fine, Skye." Ratchet smiled a little as he looked at her. "I can manage. Are you alright?" He inquired as he leaned against the cool soft pillow, his back relaxing. 

"Yes... but please if you get uncomfortable... there's a couch." She said and looked at it. She rested her head against the bed again and closed her eyes.

"Alright." Ratchet smiled faintly. "Just for now, Skye. I'll be fine." He said calmly and sighed a bit. He closed his eyes as he rubbed his face, looking around a bit.  She looked at him then smiled a little as she thought. She knew he would and rested her head again. She was happy that her family was coming together once more. Ratchet watched over the two for a long time, fiddling with his ring subconsciously as his mind wondered. He soon began sleeping in the quiet empty room. 

~~

When the others arrived, Riley had papers filled with words and numbers beside Quinns coloring pages. She listened to the little girl talk as she worked, her brows furrowed. She wanted this to work. Raf furrowed his brow as he watched her then walked over to help. Bumblebee sat with Quinn and grinned as he played with her. Grateful he was able to relax for once.

Riley looked at him seriously as she adjusted her glasses. "I think I have the right amount to be condensed into a powder. I believe we can turn this into a pill. I have to go to the lab of course to see if it can be done and test it but... we can create more of this cure. We could help others and if a Decepticon ever does still have a recipe... we have these still." Riley explained.

Rafael stared at his daughter with a blank expression and glanced at her paperwork. He looked at a few without moving them much, except for setting a finger on them. He studied the papers then looked at her again. He grinned and hugged her tightly. "I'm so proud of you!" He cheered and kissed her cheek.

The young woman smiled brightly, blushing a bit. She hugged him back proudly. "Thanks, Dad." She said quietly before beginning to let go. "I should have this done in a week... probably two weeks." She told him calmly.

Raf smiled brightly and gripped her shoulders. "I'll help you if you like." He promised.

Riley smiled a bit and nodded. "Only if you're not busy. I don't want you to overwork and stress yourself, okay? You work a lot and get stressed out easily." She spoke quickly, looking at him with worry, pulling at her fingers.

The father smiled a little as he looked at her and gently set a hand on her cheek. "I'll never be too busy for you." He whispered quietly. "I will help you."

She blinked before smiling a little as she relaxed. "B-But what about Mom? How... how can we be sure the cure works at all on her? What if... what if she suddenly gives out?" She whispered as her voice got shaky, her smile fading as she spoke. Her eyes filled with scared tears and she squeezed her eyes shut, shaking her head.

He shook his head then gently gripped her face and rested his forehead against hers. "Don't worry." He whispered quietly and fought his own tears as he wiped hers away. "You need to stay positive." He said gently.

Riley sniffled a bit, taking off her glasses and closing her eyes, trembling a bit. "I know..." she whispered, fiddling with her glasses. "I'm trying. It's so hard sometimes... you never know with her health..." she murmured shakily, choking on a sob.

He stared at her then gently pulled her into a hug. He bit his lip as he held her close and rested his hand on the back of her head. He listened to her cry and rested his head against hers. "She'll be okay...." he whispered quietly. "She will... she's strong...."

The young woman trembled as she cried, hugging him tightly again. "I-I know... I hate... seeing her... like this..." she rasped as she sobbed into his shoulder and neck.

He rocked carefully and continued to hold on to her. He rubbed her back soothingly as he nodded. "Yes... I feel the same..." he whispered.

Riley trembled but began calming down. She slowly let go of him and began wiping her cheeks as she began trying to find a way to change the subject. "I talked to Ethan on my way home. I told him to keep a lookout for anything suspicious and patients with the symptoms." She murmured as she put her glasses onto her red puffy face, calming down.

He nodded slowly as he watched her then glanced at the doorway. "Good idea. And a good way to keep things on the down low." He whispered quietly knowing they could still get into trouble with the soldiers.

She nodded a bit and began getting up, going to the kitchen, opening a cabinet. She grabbed her medicine quietly for her anxiety and sighed. "Hopefully none have it."

He nodded slowly and followed then leaned against the wall. He watched her intently then smiled mischievously. "So... Do you like this boy?" He asked, wanting to make her happy. Her mom normally teased her but he felt he should try.

"What!?" Riley suddenly blushed as she put away the pill bottle. "Where did you get that from?" She looked at him in surprise, fiddling with her necklace, her ears turning a light red.

He chuckled softly realizing why his wife enjoyed this. "I was just asking." He shrugged and glanced at her necklace. Trying to remember where she got it from.

Riley shook her head and leaned against the counter a bit. "Do you think we will find Miko... June... the twins...?" She asked quietly, curious about his opinion as she let go of the silver necklace. The heart shaped pendant from her mother when she was in her teenage years but broke the chain. Ethan gave the chain to her a while back for her to wear it.

Rafs smile faded and he looked off to the side and at the floor. He stared for a long time then sighed quietly. "Yes... I think we will find them..." he whispered quietly. He honestly didn't know but didn't want her to lose hope. He furrowed his brow and looked at her again. He had to keep his head up for the others. "We will find them." He said seriously.

Riley nodded and sighed softly, smiling a bit. "Glad you didn't leave on your own?" She asked him gently, knowing he had planned once to go find the others.

"Yes and no... I wanted to go find them but..." he trailed off and looked away again, this time in shame. He still felt as though he had been cowardly for not going.

Riley's expression fell a bit, feeling guilty. "I-I'm sorry..." she whispered, looking at him sadly. "We have Bumblebee and Ratchet with us now. I'm sure we can find the others with time." She said gently as she hesitantly touched his arm. She had doubted about Smokescreen though. If Optimus was gone then who knows if Smokescreen was alive still.