The next morning he heard whispering in the other room and saw his door was open a little. He could smell breakfast and heard Quinn giggling. Raf shushed her gently as he whispered. The old man rolled onto his back, sleeping hard enough to have stayed in the same position throughout the night. He rubbed his eyes, groaning softly as his senses began working and his face felt tired. He began slowly sitting up with a grunt, feeling like he was limp. He looked to the door and began getting out of the bed, his shoulders and wrists popping as he pushed himself and standing straight. Ratchet stepped out of the room, his socks sliding a bit as he walked down the hall and to the kitchen, wanting to see if his family came at all.

He got to the living room and saw Rafael and his daughters in the kitchen making breakfast. Riley looked tired but happy. Quinn was drawing and giggling quietly. He glanced to the couch and froze. Laying on her stomach with her hand hanging off to the floor was Skye. Her other arm was over her head and her shoes were still on. She was covered in mud, dirt, dust, soot and a few sticks were in her hair. She had scratches and bruises all over. She sighed shakily as she continued to sleep.

Ratchet frowned with worry and walked over. He knelt down shakily to her and began carefully taking the sticks and leaves out of her hair. "Rafael, do you know when she got here?" He asked worriedly as he began carefully caring for his granddaughter.

"An hour after you fell asleep. Riley helped her in. She's fine though except for the bruises and scratches." He explained. Skye stirred a little but didn't wake as she smiled in her sleep. 

The doctor nodded a little then turned back to his granddaughter. He took a rag from the kitchen eventually, and began wiping the dirt off her face gently before standing up and leaving to the back room. He soon returned with the first aid and began tending to her scratches quietly. Riley smiled a bit as she watched him. He seemed to enjoy taking care of her.

Rafael was smiling a little as well while he watched. He was glad the doctor had come a long way. That he had opened his spark up to someone. He smiled more and put an arm around his daughter. Skye slowly opened her eyes and stared at the doctor then smiled a little. "Hey... Grandad..." she rasped tiredly. 

The old medic smiled a bit at his granddaughter as he worked on cleaning her up. "Hey Skye." He murmured softly. "Just lay still for me. I'll be done bothering you in a moment... so you can sleep."

The tired young woman smiled a little as she watched him then carefully rolled on her back so he could work better. "Did... you... sleep well?" She asked as she smiled a little more. She glanced at her muddy self and furrowed her brow. "Oh... sorry..." she whispered. 

Ratchet frowned at the scratches he saw on her as he worked. "I slept fine. You should take a shower and clean up and perhaps take a nap." He advised her as he tended to her.

Skye nodded slowly and shakily sat up. "Thanks..." she whispered quietly and hugged him tightly. She was so happy to see him again.

The doctor nodded and hugged her back, smiling a bit. "Of course youngling." He muttered softly. He held her tightly, glad she was back in his sights. 

Riley smiled a little and leaned against him. She closed her eyes tiredly. The young father smiled a little and rested his head against hers. He loved his little girl so much. Riley smiled a bit and hugged him gently, sighing softly as she felt calm. She wished Bumblebee was here though. Rafael smiled a little as he rubbed her head then glanced at her phone as it rang. He furrowed his brow as he stepped back so she could get to it.

She blinked then grabbed her phone as she opened her eyes. She answered it and brought it to her ear. "Hello?"

"Hey Riley! This is Ethan. I went to the train station to check for Skye, but I ended up meeting a group of people looking for your dad. The- hey!" He shouted and they heard talking.

"Riley? Riley it's Miko." A woman said quickly. "Where do you guys live? I forgot if you've moved." She said and huffed. 

The young woman smiled at hearing his voice then blinked hearing Miko. She began grinning and sat straighter. "Hey, yeah uh we live in the home just down the street from the hospital and pharmacy." she informed her.

"Perfect! We'll be there soon bye!" She said quickly and hung up. Rafael looked at her and furrowed his brow.

The young woman blinked then set her phone down on the counter. She looked to Rafael with a smile. "They called. Miko didn't know where to go. They know now though."

Rafael grinned excitedly and hugged his daughter then looked to Ratchet. He wondered if he should tell him but then figured it should be a surprise. He smiled and went to tell his wife the news. Riley chuckled, hugging him back tightly. She glanced at Ratchet too as she let go of her father.

Skye nodded and hugged her grandfather tighter as she rested her head on his shoulder. "I'll be back in a minute then." She said. Ratchet nodded and let her go. He stood and began packing the first aid kit away then went to the others in the kitchen, waiting for her. The granddaughter smiled a little and went into the bathroom then closed the door. Quinn looked at the doctor and grinned as she doodled.

Ratchet put the kit on the counter before looking at Quinn. He walked over silently and crouched down beside her, soon sitting down. "What are you drawing?" He grunted, looking at her calmly. 

The child looked at him then smiled brightly as she scribbled. "Robots. I like to draw." She grinned and pointed to her other pictures. They were the ones Bumblebee and Riley had seen. The doctor hadn't seen them until that moment.

The medic hummed softly as he looked them over. He frowned deeply at the bots then, realizing who they were supposed to be. He stood without a word and went to the bedroom, going to change into new clothes. What did this mean? He wasn't sure how to address this.

The little one watched him go then looked around for her dad before coloring again. She glanced at her sister then seemed to remember something. She looked down and colored a little as she worried. Raf came back into the room and looked at his girls. "Quinn can you go get dressed please?" he asked.

"Um... no..." she muttered then looked at them before running to her room with her papers and crayons.

Riley blinked as she watched her sister run off, then smiled. She chuckled a bit and shook her head in amusement. "Sorry Dad, she's on her own schedule." She teased as she looked at where her sister ran to. 

He furrowed his brow as he watched her go then looked at his daughter. "Somethings off... can you go check on her?" He asked quietly and looked to where the others went. "Please..." he whispered. 

Riley's expression fell to concern. She looked to the hall and worry began creeping up on her. She nodded and got out of the chair from the kitchen and went to her sister's room, gently knocking on the door with her knuckles. "Quinn?" She called softly.

"Um.... um... just a minute!" She shouted and moved things around quickly. Her older sister opened the door and the small child froze. She had all her bedding in her arms but some were still on the bed. "I... am... busy...." she whispered. 

The older girl blinked and looked around her room, to her bed, then back down to her sister. "Busy doing what?" She asked in confusion, furrowing her brow.

"Um... um... uh... cleaning..." she whispered and looked down in shame. Her sister realized she had had an accident and was too embarrassed to say anything. 

Riley glanced at the bed then back to her. She smiled reassuringly. "I was your age too you know. Want some help cleaning? I don't mind." She ruffled her sister's hair gently.

"Okay..." she whispered quietly and looked at her then set her things in her basket. She then worked on getting the rest off. The little girl was embarrassed about what happened. 

Her sister was calm and patient, being reassuring as she took the sheets off. "Do you have your clothes?" She asked gently as she stuffed them into the basket, picking it up.

"I'm clean. I bathed when I got up." She whispered and looked at the basket. "My gross clothes... in the basket." She whispered sadly. She listened to the door as Skye left the bathroom and went to the main one.

Riley nodded at her. "Alright, I'll go put these in the washer and get these cleaned and ready for tonight okay? Nothing to be ashamed about. Everyone has done it, alright?" She smiled a bit, rubbing her cheek as she held the hamper close to her hip with her arm.

"Thank you...." she whispered quietly and looked at her. She then hugged her tightly. They put the clothes in the wash and went to have breakfast. The little girl went back to coloring. Feeling a little better.

"Grandad?" Skye asked as she looked around then to the kitchen. She felt she needed to ask him something, tell him what she discovered above on the surface. She also feared he was gone once more. Leaving her alone.

Ratchet walked down the hall, buttoning the final button at the end. It was a white wrinkled flannel that was a bit stained but still something to keep the old man warm than just his white shirt. "I'm alright, Skye. I'm still here." He reassured as he entered the living room. As if sensing her unspoken fear.

Skye sighed shakily in relief and looked at him, hugging him tightly before sitting on the couch once more. They had breakfast and talked for a moment before someone knocked on the door. Rafael went over and hesitantly opened it. His eyes widened in surprise and filled with tears.

"Rafael!" Bulkhead boomed and hugged him tightly as the young man laughed. He hugged the wrecker as Miko, Wheeljack, and the twins came in. Skye screamed and hugged her brothers as she sobbed uncontrollably then her mother hugged her. She was so happy to see them.

"Doc!" Bulkhead grinned excitedly and hugged the old man. The wrecker gripped his shoulder and looked at him as he smiled. The bigger man had a scar from his hairline all the way down his left eye and down his neck. The said eye was blind and he had another scar from his blind eye running across the side of his head, part of his ear was missing. The doctor also noticed the man only had one arm. His left arm was missing at the shoulder. Though the man didn't seem to mind. 

The doctors eyes were wide with shock and surprise. He was thrilled to see his family back, looking to Wheeljack, Bulkhead, Miko, and the two men. He hugged Bulkhead back, gentle with him. His eyebrows furrowed with concern as he noticed how battle scarred he was. But he didn't show the concern much as he scowled a bit. "My name isn't Doc, Bulkhead. You know this." he grumbled but hugged him a bit tighter before he let go. "But I am glad you all made it here." He said calmly, sighing softly as he looked around.

Riley watched them all interact with a look of surprise, smiling warmly. She glanced over her shoulder as Sari gripped the doorframe, she struggled to walk to them. "Miko." The older woman smiled brightly, tears filling her eyes.

The wrecker shrugged and his smile faded a little before tears filled his eyes. He hugged him tightly and buried his face in his shoulder. "I missed you, Ratchet...." he rasped. The man was bigger than him and stronger, but he was careful with the doctor. Wheeljack limped over and chuckled as he hugged the doctor tightly.

"Hey Doc!" He grinned and stepped back to look at him. "You're looking good for being old." He winked. The other wrecker had a brace on his leg as if he struggled with it, and his right ear was missing completely. Where his ear was, there were ugly burn marks and they went down his neck. As if something went off too close to him. He also had a few missing fingers on his left hand. The twins had one or two minor scars as well as Miko, but they weren't as damaged as the two men. It was as if the wreckers risked everything to keep the three alive and unharmed.

Miko looked at her friend and screamed in surprise. She let her daughter hug the boys and rushed to Sari then hugged her tightly. Raf grinned as he watched and couldn't wait for Bumblebee and Jack to be here.

Ratchet stiffened a bit seeing the men in such terrible shape. He frowned deeply, glaring at him a bit. "My name isn't Doc!" He scoffed, having the two men sit down on the couch as his concern began taking over as he inspected their burn marks and braces. "What did you two do to yourselves?" He asked firmly but worry was on his expression, gently touching Wheeljacks leg to see if anything was broken.

"It's okay... Sunshine. I broke it a while back and it healed wrong." Wheeljack smiled then laughed but it sounded a little bitter. Bulkhead glanced at the boys then at Miko. He looked to the old man then gently gripped his hand to stop him.

"We're okay... we did everything we could to keep them safe and keep them from getting hurt... we just paid the price." He smiled sadly. "I promised Miko I'd get her and the boys home no matter what..." he whispered.

Sari laughed happily and smiled brightly, hugging Miko for a bit. "Easy.." she murmured from the tight hug. She gently patted her back, glancing at the boys as they hugged Skye tightly too. They ruffled her hair, grinning as they teased her gently in their brotherly manner.

Miko nodded and helped her sit down then smiled brightly. "I'm so glad to see you.... how are you?" She asked quietly. She glanced to her boys and smiled as their sister laughed and cried with them. Hunter was more like his mother and Adrien was like his father. They paused their teasing and just hugged their sister tightly.

The red haired mother held onto the chair as she began sitting and relaxed against the cushions. "I'm alright... I'm weak though. I got very sick but Bumblebee brought a cure thankfully." She smiled as she looked at her. "How are you?" She asked gently.

The other woman smiled and sat by her as they two talked. "Bumblebee is here? That's awesome. I'm fine... just missed everyone and grateful to actually relax for once." She smiled.

Sari nodded with a faint smile. "Yes, it is nice." She agreed. Riley smiled and walked close to them. "Bumblebee should be coming home today. He got arrested." She then frowned a little. "Jack is here too but he's hurt... but he's healing." She informed the woman quietly.

Hunter glanced over with a small frown. "Dads in the hospital?" He asked worriedly. "How bad is he?" He asked, looking to Skye then Riley.

"I... it's better to ask Ratchet on those details." Riley said quietly, frowning more as she pulled at her fingers.

Miko sighed shakily and blinked a couple times. "That's awful... they didn't do anything wrong... I miss Jack so much..." she whispered quietly as tears filled her eyes.

Skye hugged her brother tightly and buried her face in him. "You... you remember when the robot... took you guys? Or tired to? You guys disappeared and Dad went after you.... the con stepped on him." She whispered as she choked back a sob.

The usually playful and silly older brother froze, his expression turning into shock and seriousness. He wrapped his arms around her and hugged her tightly. "I-I... I can't believe this..." he whispered, burying his face into her hair. "Dad... he shouldn't have come after us..." he muttered shakily.

"We should never have left." Adrien added quietly, hugging them both sadly, the eldest holding his siblings tightly.

Skye looked at the twins and hugged them both. "He woke up... and said Optimus saved him though." She whispered and smiled sadly.

Riley gently rubbed Mikos back. "I-I'm sorry..." she whispered sadly. "I can take you to the building tomorrow to visit Jack." She said quietly. Sari looked between them, humming a little.

"I... I want to come as well." The woman spoke firmly, determined. She wanted to be there for her family.

Miko smiled at her and nodded slowly. "Thank you... thank you so much." She said and stood then hugged her tightly. She smiled then went over and hugged Sari as well.

Riley nodded with a smile. She then frowned seeing the old doctor suffering and hurried over, worriedly trying to get him onto the couch. Hunter held her tightly in a protective hug with Adrien. "That's good.." he murmured then glanced to their grandfather. 

Sari hugged her tightly even though she was a bit weak. "We have two guest rooms... you and Jack can stay there whenever he is let go... the boys can sleep in here on the couch. Wheeljack and Bulkhead deserve the other room." Sari muttered seriously, knowing the two men must be very tired.

"Thank you." Miko said and smiled before looking to Ratchet. Her eyes widened and she rushed over with her family. The two wreckers quickly moved and watched in worry. They didn't mean to set him off.

~

The doctor was silent for a long moment, calmly checking his leg with furrowed eyebrows. He glanced at Bulkhead. "Would it kill you to exercise caution when you retrieve them?" He grunted, sighing heavily but was relieved they were alright still.

Bulkhead looked at him then at his friend who became serious. The two wreckers looked at him again as tears filled the mans eyes. Feeling hurt by the mans accusations. His friend frowned deeply and looked to the sensitive wrecker.

"Ratchet... we were careful. If we were being reckless, we'd both be dead as well as your grandsons." Wheeljack said seriously as he narrowed his eyes. "It's hard to be 'careful' up there when you're miles away from civilization and any help you could get... is too afraid to come." He growled lowly. Bulkhead glanced at his friend then at the doctor.

"We really did try... but if we hadn't... gotten in the way... they'd be dead... as well as June." He mumbled quietly for him to hear.

The doctor sighed softly as he let go of his leg and began to sit down on the couch. He sighed realizing how insensitive he was being. He frowned deeply and looked at them. "I know you both took good care of them. You... are too brave for anyone." He muttered then blinked, snapping his gaze to Bulkhead. "What about June!? Where is she!?" He exclaimed, his eyes widened. "Is she okay? Do you know? Why did you leave her alone!?" He rambled, panicking.

"Ratchet... Ratchet... calm down." Bulkhead said as he gently set his hand on his shoulder. "We tried to get her out of Darkmount... but there was complications and she refused to leave... we tried to get her out but she wouldn't go... she said she had to help people." He mumbled and looked off to the side. Wheeljack nodded slowly and sighed forcefully as he thought of the stubborn woman.

The old medic trembled with shakes, scared and worried for his wife. He looked away, his mind trying to wrap around the situation. This did sound like June. He closed his eyes tightly. "Why... it is so dangerous..." he whispered. June was brave but she wasn't that risky. Something in Darkmount had to have made her stay. "No, I refuse to believe this nonsense. June would have come home to us..." the old doctor spoke firmly but his voice was shaky, as if he was unsure. Adrien went to help the stressed doctor sit back down, but Riley managed to get him onto the couch, handling it.

Wheeljack sighed forcefully and shook his head. "This was a while ago. Like... almost three months ago. She wanted to help the people-"

"She didn't want to leave without you, Ratchet." Bulkhead muttered as he stared blankly at the floor. "She refused to leave without you..." he whispered.

Ratchet shook his head. "But I'm here! She is just going to run in circles looking for me!" He exclaimed, standing up worriedly. He looked down to his shoes. "This... this isn't good. Someone has to go after her." Ratchet began trembling, panicking a bit. He pushed by them and went to grab his coat, shakily putting it on. "She can't be in that.... that awful place. Darkmount is dangerous... she can't survive on her own and-" He cut himself off as a sharp throbbing pain entered his head along his scar. He cried out in pain, stumbling back into the wall as he gripped his head, several flashes of Megatron and the tortures filling his head.

"Grandad!" Skye shouted and rushed over to his side, but stayed out of the way. Everyone gave him space and watched in worry. Raf frowned and went to get something that would hopefully help.

Adrien frowned as he watched his grandfather go through an episode, thinking. "We should worry about Dad tomorrow. He is safer there than on the streets." He spoke quietly. Miko nodded knowing the doctor's state needed their attention right now. Riley tried to calm down the old doctor, frowning worriedly.

The old medic trembled and began quieting down, the pain subsiding. He trembled a bit and frowned deeply seeing the others looking at him. He looked away with embarrassment and shakily got up, clearing his throat as he went to the bathroom. He shut the door behind him, not wanting to be bothered. Ratchet took a moment before glancing at the mirror, his eyebrows furrowing as he noticed his scars were purplish red. It was his first time seeing them. That he could recall.

Sari frowned deeply as she watched the old man leave the room quickly. Hunter frowned as well as he thought. "What's going on with Grandad?" He whispered, looking to his sister.

She shook her head with worry and bit her lip as she went to the bathroom door. She hesitated then slowly knocked. "Grandad?" She asked quietly as she rested her forehead against the wall. "Are you okay?" She whispered with worry in her voice. She heard a beep and looked at her phone.

They needed her to go to the surface again. She stared at it for a long time and bit her lip again. The old man had heard the beep and knew what it meant. They were taking her away again to the surface.