Sari listened quietly and smiled a bit. She felt his tears and gently moved her hand to cup his cheek, barely opening her eyes to watch him as she brushed away his tears. "Love... you.."

Rafael stared at her then smiled just a little though it was sad. "I love you too... I love you so much." He whispered quietly. "I need you... please... hold on... I'm trying..." he rasped.

Sari rubbed his cheek with her soft thumb. "I'm... here... holding..." she spoke in breaths, staring at him, drained. She struggled to smile back at him. 

He watched her then gently gripped her hand and rested his forehead against hers. "Get some rest... gather your strength..." he whispered. "I love you so much..." he muttered.

Sari nodded a little. "Love you...always. I'll... be fine." She murmured, trying to grip his hand tightly but could only squeeze his hand a tiny bit. She closed her eyes tiredly. 

Raf nodded and stayed there as he held her hand to his heart and kept his forehead against hers. She had gotten sick shortly after she had Quinn. He didn't want the child to think it was her fault.

Riley watched sadly from the doorway, and began leaving the room to grab something to eat, taking Quinns hand gently and having her come with. Sari began falling asleep, her hand only hanging on his grip. 

Quinn looked back at her father who was still with their mother and just being with her. "Where are we going?" she asked quietly to her sister.

"We're going to set the table and make some spaghetti. Hows that sound? Want to help me?" Riley asked gently, smiling faintly as she looked down at the girl.

Quinn nodded happily and grinned as she looked up at her. "Okay." She squealed and ran into the kitchen. She worked on setting the table as she told her about her day. Her older sister smiled as she began putting water in the pot and making the noodles before making the sauce. She occasionally asked questions.

The child giggled and soon finished then walked over to help her as she answered the questions. She told her a few more stories and climbed on a chair to help stir. Riley smiled as she placed the lid over the noodles. She began taking a few seasonings and putting them into the sauce she stirred.

She smiled as she listened. "Sounds amazing." She told her patiently.

"Really?" the little one asked and looked up at her then went back to her stirring. She fell silent as she thought. "How was... you day?" she asked.

Riley smiled faintly and nodded at her as she grabbed the noodles and went to strain the water. "My day was okay. Nothing as eventful as yours." She spoke with a smile. 

Quinn smiled as she looked her then followed her around as she watched intently. "Why don't you stay here?" she asked. "Then you can have fun... and not boring day." she grinned.

Riley chuckled a bit. "I wish I could." She said as she poured water and the noodles through the strainer. "But I have to go help people." She said and set the pot to the side. Quinn thought for a while and looked at her again as she grinned happily.

"You can help me." she said. "I'm a people." she said and pointed to herself.

Riley smiled in amusement, laughing softly. "You're a person." She said gently, tapping her nose with a finger. "And I help you when I get home." She smiled brightly. Quinn giggled and covered her face with her tiny hands. The four year old grinned up at her again.

"You stay here help me people and be happy and have fun." she grinned. "Mommy a people and we can play doctor and help her." she said. She didn't want her sister to be bored.

Riley smiled faintly as she poured the strained noodles into the pot and set it back onto the stove. "I'd love to help Mom but..." she paused, her eyes growing sad. "I don't know how to help her." She admitted as she began making plates. She knew how to help take care of her but she didn't know what to do about her illness. 

The child looked at her and then up at the dinner as her stomach growled lowly. "Shh." She whispered quietly and gripped it. "But you super smart and know everything." She grinned 

Riley poked her little sisters belly before handing her the small plate of spaghetti. "That's Dad." She smiled in amusement as she grabbed two plates and went to set them on the table, walking around Quinn. "Dads the genius." She told her gently. 

Quinn looked at her then giggled happily. "Daddy said you are." She whispered.

The older sister blinked, blushing a bit as she smiled a little shyly. "That's nice of him to say." She murmured, shaking her head as she placed the plates down. "Want to see if Mommy wants to eat?" She asked gently. Quinn smiled brightly and nodded as she giggled.

"Yes!" She squealed and ran off then quietly went into the room. Riley smiled a bit and went to wash her hands. "Mommy?" The child asked quietly. "Do you want food?"

Sari slept quietly until she heard her daughter. She slowly opened her eyes. "No, sweetie...I'm okay...thank you." Her mother barely whispered. Quinn nodded and looked at her father who was laying by his wife on the bed and hugging her close. The child quietly left and went back to her sister. Sari watched her go before closing her eyes again, exhausted. She began going to sleep again.

Riley frowned as she began going back to the table. She looked to the four year old. "Did she?"

The little one sat down and shook her head as she stared at her hands. She thought for a while then looked up at her again. "Was... mommy always... sleeping before... I was here?" she asked with concern.

Riley frowned as she sat down. She looked at her plate. "Well... yes. Whys that?" She asked as it was mostly true. Their mother had worked a lot and slept a lot because of the work. 

Quinn nodded but didn't say anything for a few minutes then looked at her with tears in her eyes. "I made her sick..." she choked as her tears fell.

The young woman looked to her and shushed her gently. "No you didn't, Quinn. I'm sure Mommy just caught a nasty bug." She told her calmly, frowning as she hugged her gently from her chair. "She will be better soon."

The child shook her head and hugged her close. "No... a lady said... I did dis... She was talking to daddy..." she sobbed. Her speech seemed worse the more she was upset.

Riley shook her head. "We don't know that for sure, Quinn. We don't know what Mom has just yet, alright? Let's not blame people yet." She spoke calmly and she rubbed the little girls back, frowning deeply as she wanted to reassure her.

Quinn nodded and hugged her tightly as she sniffed then buried her face. She slowly calmed, and after a moment she sat up to eat a little. She didn't know what to say or why the lady said that. The older sister watched her sadly. She let go to let her eat, slowly poking at her dinner.

She sighed softly, bouncing her leg a bit as anxiety filled her. "Don't worry, Quinny. Dad will take care or her and help her get better."

The child looked at her and wiped her tears away before eating a little more. "Promise?" she asked as she looked up at her with big eyes.

Riley looked down at her, taking a napkin and gently blowing her nose. "I promise." She smiled shakily, though she wasn't sure herself. The little girl smiled and went back to eating as she giggled and forgot how sad she was. Just happy to be with her sister again.

Riley smiled sadly and set the napkin to the side. She began eating slowly, her stomach twisted in knots which made her lose some of her appetite. She looked to the door as an envelope slid under it. She got up and quietly went over, crouching down to pick it up. She adjusted her glasses as she looked at it. She slowly walked back to the table as she opened up the envelope and began reading it. Quinn looked at her as she ate and kicked her little legs back and forth. She smiled at her then glanced around more.

The older girl frowned deeply at the letter and folded it and put it into her pocket. She sighed softly and sat down again. "Honest opinion," she began and turned in her seat, looking down at her sister. "What should we do to cheer Dad up? I was thinking cookies." She smiled a bit.

Quinn stared at her then grinned happily and squealed as she jumped up and down in her seat. "Yes please!" she said and quickly finished eating.

Riley smiled happily, chuckling. "Don't eat too fast to where you get sick now." She spoke in amusement as she took her little sisters plate. "Do you remember where the cookie dough is?" She asked gently. 

Quinn nodded and finished then jumped down and rushed over to the cupboards. Riley smiled a bit at her energy. "Start putting little balls of dough on the tray. I'll be there in a minute, I'm going to make sure Dad doesn't want any dinner." She said gently as she grabbed his plate and went to their parents bedroom. 

Rafael was still laying on the bed as he held his sleeping wife. He looked up and carefully sat up to look at his daughter. "Everything alright?" He asked quietly and stood, realizing he was neglecting them. "I'm so sorry... I lost track of time..." he mumbled. 

Riley shook her head a bit. "Its okay, Dad." She smiled a little, her expression softening a little as she walked over to him. "Relax, I have your dinner." She said as she held it until he laid down again, knowing how tired he was. "Are you okay?" She asked quietly. 

Her father nodded slowly as he stared at the ceiling. "I'm... going in circles... constant circles... can't find them or help the people here... can't find my friends that can defeat the enemy... the cons... Decepticons... and Autobots..." he whispered and fell silent for a moment. She remembered him telling her some sort of story about the robots. 

Riley sighed softly. "Dad..." she frowned and set the plate down on the bedside table before sitting on the edge of the bed. "You're so stressed. You don't need to put the fate of us in your hands." She frowned a bit. "We're doing great. And...I don't know how to find the...Autobots..." she murmured, remembering Bumblebee only when she was very young. She doesn't remember or know why the yellow bot is gone to this day. "I'm sure they're out there coming up with a plan." She said gently and took the letter out of her pocket and gave it to him. "And this virus... its just the flu. I gave the sample and the results came in." She said quietly.

Raf sat up and furrowed his brow as he looked at the results. "What? No this can't be right... that man died... but he couldn't have from the flu...." he mumbled and stood then paced a little.

Riley frowned deeply. "What do you mean? People can die from the flu." She muttered, blinking in confusion. 

Raf sighed forcefully and rubbed his face then nodded. "Yes... yes I know... sorry... I'm just..." he sighed forcefully and shook his head again. "How was your day?" He asked changing the subject. He hated forgetting little details and felt that was why his wife was still ill. 

Riley frowned as she watched him. "Dad, sit down." She murmured and stood. She took his hands and led him back to the bed for him to sit. "Don't bring work home with you." She muttered, worried to see him this way. 

Raf looked at her then smiled a little as he sighed shakily. "You're right... I shouldn't bring my work home." He whispered quietly. "I apologize, Riley." He whispered.

Riley smiled a little. "Its alright, Dad. Just relax, okay?" She said and handed him his plate. "Eat, I have to make sure Quinn isn't messing with the oven." She said getting up to check on the little girl.

Raf blinked in surprise and looked at her. "Why would she be playing with the oven?" He asked. 

Riley gave a small sheepish grin. "Um, not for you to worry about right now. Just stay here." She said hurriedly and rushed out of the room and to the kitchen. Raf raised an eyebrow as he watched her then looked at his food. He sighed shakily and took his glasses off for a moment. He stared blankly then started eating dinner.

Sari chuckled softly with her eyes closed, having been quietly listening when they were talking. "You three are... always on your... your feet." She said in amusement.

Raf looked at her then set the food on the table by them. He carefully picked her up and held her in his arms. "I want you to be with us... on your feet one day." He whispered quietly and gently buried his face in her hair. "Do you want to eat something?" He asked. 

Sari smiled a bit, only leaning against him tiredly. She opened her eyes a little, sighing softly. "No... I can't eat..." she murmured quietly but frowned, knowing how weak she was. She knew if she were to continue not eating then her weak body would shut down. "But... try... I'll try.." she whispered, closing her eyes again.

Raf smiled sadly as he watched her then carefully worked on feeding her. He gently kissed her forehead and held her close as he gave her some food. Making sure to give her a little at a time. Sari frowned deeply as she took the bites, slow and barely able to chew. She felt so weak and tired after a few bites, laying her head back against him, shaking it to tell him she was done. She closed her eyes tightly, tears filling her eyes in sadness and frustration.

Raf watched her intently then quietly finished eating. He set the empty plate aside and simple held her as he rested his head against hers. "I love you sweetie..." he whispered quietly. 

Sari laid her head against his chest, breathing slow. "Love you.." she whispered in exhaustion, slipping into sleep once more. 

He didn't respond as he listened to her sleep and held her against him. Tears slowly fell down his face as he tried to figure things out. He carefully set her down and tucked her in, then went to check on the children.

Riley was helping Quinn quietly, setting the hot cookies onto the plate calmly. She took the tray and put it into the sink as she talked to Quinn, smiling a little. She looked up as he came in. "Hey Dad, you okay?"

He looked up and smiled a little as he walked over to see what they were doing. "Yes... I'm fine. What are you two up to?" he smiled.

"We made you cookies." Riley said taking the plate and handing it to Quinn to give their father as she began cleaning the tray in the sink. "Quinn and I agreed it would help you feel better." She said gently as she looked up at him, smiling a little. 

He looked at the cookies then smiled a little before taking a few and glancing at them. He took a bite and smiled more. "That is so good." he said and looked between them. "You two girls were right." he said.

Riley smiled faintly, looking to Quinns happy expression. She was glad she could distract the four year old from her earlier concerns. It seemed to be one thing Riley had to do for their family... get happy... stay distracted. She finished cleaning the tray. "Glad you like them. Want some milk with it?" She asked as she began drying her hands.

Raf nodded and smiled a little as he walked over and got out a glass. "Yes thank you. I can do it though. You've done enough for us... let me do something for you." he said gently, wanting to help his daughter. He felt bad that he was a burden in a way.

Riley shook her head as she opened the fridge and grabbed the milk. "Its okay, I like helping you guys." She said softly as she took the glass from him and poured him the milk. 

He watched her and fixed his glasses as he furrowed his brow a little. "Riley.... are you okay?" he asked quietly wanting to make sure she was.

Riley looked at him as she put the milk back into the fridge. "I'm fine." She said gently, giving him the glass of milk. She smiled a little at him. "I just want to take care of you." She said quietly. "You haven't been doing that for yourself lately."

Raf furrowed his brow and sat down as he thought about what she said. He glanced at himself then up at her again. "I haven't? I thought I was..." he muttered.

Riley sighed softly and looked at him, walking to him. "No... you haven't." She muttered. "You're tired, you can't stop obsessing over work, your hair is more crazy than usual." She smiled a little then frowned. "You're worrying me." 

Her father sighed shakily and rubbed his face a little, trying to think of something to say. "I'm sorry to worry you... it'll be over soon though..." he promised.

"What do you mean?" Riley suddenly sat beside him, frowning deeply. "What will be over soon?" She asked quietly, fidgeting and moving her glasses.

He looked at her and gently brushed some hair out of her face as he thought. "This disease... and your mothers illness... I'm so close... I know it." he said. "Then I'll go find all the missing people." he admitted.

Rileys expression shifted. "You'll- Dad, what are you saying? Do you mean look here or above ground?" She asked with sudden worry, anxiety filling her once more. "You can't do that. It's not your job or responsibility."

Raf blinked in surprise and gently gripped her hand in both of his. "I need to find my friends... they can help defeat the enemy... I lost my two best friends to this mess and am... almost losing a third. I can't lose my family anymore." He whispered.

Riley frowned deeper, shaking her head, her short ponytail waving back and forth gently. "What are you talking about?" She asked quietly. "What best friends?" 

Raf looked at her ad then down again before he stood and went over to his bag. "Jackson Darby... Miko... well Darby... Bumblebee... the bots... Ratchet..." he trailed off as he pulled his book out and walked over. "They're all gone... and all I have left is this-" he stopped suddenly and flipped through the book again. "The picture..." he gasped and looked around. "Oh no..."

Riley watched him quietly, curious. She then blinked and stood up, going over to him. "Maybe it just fell out and into your bag." She frowned and began looking through it, her eyebrows furrowing as she didn't see it. "Are you sure it's in there?"

Raf nodded and gripped his hair as he looked around. "Yes... I could get into big trouble if anyone finds it." He said seriously and glanced at Quinn who wasn't paying attention. She was doodling and eating cookies. 

Riley frowned deeply. "I can go by the lab and see if it's there... if it fell out. Okay?" She asked gently and began getting up, putting the bag down by the door. She went to grab a jacket. 

Raf grabbed her arm gently and shook his head. "No... I need to go. You don't understand how dangerous this is." He said seriously. "Watch over your mom and sister." he whispered and quickly left.

Riley frowned deeply, worried, paling a bit. She grew extremely worried for his safety but couldn't leave her sister and mother alone. Riley shook a bit, adjusting her glasses in fright and nervousness. She took a breath to try and calm down as she went to Quinn. 

Raf put his coat on as he walked quickly towards the lab and looked along the way. He had to be careful and calm about this. If anyone found it, they would automatically assume he was working with the enemy and a traitor. They only knew the Cybertronians to be horrible and murders. They didn't know the good like he did.

He knew he could lose his life over a simple photo. He couldn't let his family get hurt over this either. He'd take all the blame if it came to it. He couldn't risk this and vowed to destroy the picture when he found the thing.

At the lab Percy was working calmly, the picture tucked in Rafs papers. He was murmuring quietly to himself and patiently waiting.