Sari nodded a little. "It's going to be alright, Raf." She whispered and took his hand. "Look at me." She looked up at him. "What happened to you was horrible but you can't let it control you now. Quinn is fine. Riley is fine. I'm getting better. You're getting better. We're getting our family all together, there isn't anything to worry about, alright? I love you and were going to get through this together." She said softly as she gently squeezed his hand. "What happened isn't affecting you right now. No one is hurting you. No one is after you. You're safe."

Rafael looked at her and nodded quickly then gripped her face between his hands. "I know I'm safe... I know I am..." he whispered quietly and hung his head. "I... I'm not worried..." he tried to convince himself as he sighed shakily. He didn't want her to think he was crazy. 

She nodded a little, placing her hands over his. "Hey, its okay... it's okay to worry... alright?" She smiled a bit, turning her face and kissing his palm. "I love you. Try to relax. Have you been taking your medicine?" 

He stared at her then smiled a little before it faded. "No... I missed a day because of the confinement." He admitted. He sighed shakily and hugged her then slowly got up. He put a clean shirt on then found his medication and took it. He stared blankly at nothing in particular as he thought about their situation. 

She nodded in understanding and scooted back a bit, laying down with a tired sigh. She watched him for a moment. "Will you be alright?" She asked quietly, seeing him so distant.

He nodded and looked at her then walked over and sat by her side. "Yes... thank you..." he whispered. "You've helped me with so much." he smiled and gently kissed her head.

She smiled a bit, taking his hand and kissing the top of it. "I'm your wife, of course I'm going to help you. No need to thank me silly." She spoke with amusement, shaking her head a bit. She closed her eyes for a moment of rest.

The young father chuckled and kissed her forehead then glanced at the door when he heard a small knock. He smiled a little and opened it to see Quinn. "Is it safe?" she asked and he chuckled as he picked her up and hugged her.

The mother opened her eyes and smiled at the two. "Hello sweetheart." She greeted, sitting up some, her heart warming as she saw her daughter. Quinn giggled and hugged her father then grinned at her mother. He sat down and they snuggled with Sari. The child quickly told stories to cheer them up, even as it started to get late. Sari smiled and hugged her daughter. She listened to her intently, always loving her stories. She glanced at the clock after a while, noticing how late it was. Worry crept into her mind but it didn't show in her face. They realized Miko wouldn't make it back that evening. Raf noticed she glanced at the clock then looked as well before he carefully got up to make dinner. He knew the others were going to come soon.

Sari watched him leave and continued talking to Quinn about things until she could smell dinner throughout the room. She began to get up, holding onto the bed for support as she tried to gather enough strength. Hit with a wave of nausea once she stood, she sat back onto the bed tiredly. 

Rafael came in and smiled a little as he set up a small table by the bed. "Take it easy love." he whispered and kissed her forehead as Quinn giggled and covered her eyes.

The mother looked at him and smiled a bit but wanted to get up. She glanced at Quinn and chuckled at her giggling. She kissed Rafs cheek before just getting comfortable sitting on the bed. "I'm sorry... maybe tomorrow we can all eat in the dining room together." 

He smiled slightly and hugged her carefully. "We always eat together." He whispered and kissed her. Quinn giggled again and flopped on the bed as she covered her face. 

Sari smiled, hugging him back for a moment. "You know what I meant." She said gently, giving him a look then looking to Quinn, amused. She took her by the shoulders and pulled to her side gently, planting a kiss on her head. 

The child giggled again and hugged her tightly as Raf laughed and kissed his wife again. "Ew gross." she said and smiled at them. "You guys are always eating your faces." she giggled.

Her mother laughed and smiled in amusement. "We are not." She shook her head. "Silly." She gently ruffled the little girl's hair, entertained by her innocence. Rafael chuckled again and held the two close. He then ate with them and they listened to the child tell more stories. Sari smiled some as she listened, eating with them calmly in peace. She glanced at the clock occasionally as well, worried for her friend.

~

Ratchet was silent, feeling the scouts stare but never looking at him. He knew he was upset with him. "I wasn't leaving Jack." he muttered in defense but without his usual bite in the tone. Knowing exactly why the young man was angry.

Bumblebee stared at him intently then hugged his knees to his chest again as he stared off to the side. He didn't say anything, knowing the man was right. He wouldn't leave his family either, but Ratchet was part of his family. He thought for a long time then realized he didn't actually have a family like he did. He buried his face again and shook his head. 

The doctor felt guilt wash over him and into his shoulders and heart. His chest felt heavy and he reached out but just gripped one of the many bars instead. "You're family to me Bumblebee... but Jack is close to being critical..." he whispered, trailing off. 

The scout nodded slowly but still didn't look at him. He rubbed his face, feeling awful now. He nodded again in understanding and hugged his knees again. He gripped his hair as he thought about his own 'family'. Did he have one?

Ratchet sighed softly as he watched him. "Rafael is probably worried for you. They all are." He murmured, trying to get more nods or shakes of the head out of him. He sighed again and looked around then back to his friend. "I missed you youngling. It's been a long time." He smiled a little. Bumblebee didn't respond for a few minutes then slowly looked over at him. He sat there and stared for a while as if trying to decide on what the man was trying to do. Was he being honest or just saying things? The scout studied him and furrowed his brow a little. 

The old man frowned a bit, seeing him so off. He sighed, wishing he at least got more of an acknowledgment. He knew he wasn't able to speak but he felt as if he was just ignoring him. Ratchet didn't leave though and pressed his forehead against the cool bars. "Hopefully Miko and the others are alright." He murmured, filling the silence.

The scout nodded slowly as he watched him and glanced towards the other wall. He couldn't stay mad at the doctor. He slowly got up and walked over then sat in front of him. He stared at him then gently gripped his hand as he rested his head against the bars.

Ratchet looked at him, watching with surprise. He smiled a little then it faded, gripping his hand tighter. "Are you alright, Bumblebee?" He asked quietly, looking at the blonde with concern. 

He hesitated then nodded slowly before looking down at his lap as he stayed leaning against the bars. "I'll... be... fine..." he rasped quietly and glanced around the room. He understood why Raf didn't like it in here. They were too similar to the cons cages. He frowned and wondered if Ratchet remembered that.

The doctor looked up at him with a sharp expression. "Stop using your voice." He spoke sternly. He then sighed as he looked at the cell. He didn't remember being held. They came back in flashbacks usually. Bumblebee could tell it didn't bother him and he smiled sadly. He envied the man's ignorance but also felt bad for him. Wondering how it happened to his friend.

The old man looked at him and smiled back a little, but not for the same reason. His smile faded and he looked around again, knowing it bothered his friend. He sighed a bit and looked down at his old dry calloused hands. He wanted to say something to fill the silence but wasn't sure what.

Bumblebee looked at him then reached over and gently gripped his hand. He stared for a moment then smiled a little, wanting him to feel better about the situation. He honestly didn't know what to say and that was alright. Ratchet glanced at their hands and gently gripped his again. He looked at him with another small smile. Bumblebee wanted to comfort him but wasn't exactly sure how to, he just sat there with his friend and let his fears fade away. He was grateful his friend came to help him. The scout wasn't alone again.

~

Riley was in the base as the soldiers looked around at the car that they were shown. They were curious and wondered how the alien was in it. They then worked on getting the car turned on. She took in her surroundings and noticed the yellow car was inside now. She watched soldiers circling the car and open the hood. She hurried over to see what they were doing, frowning deeply. The commander ordered them around and hooked up a few machines to the car's engine. They got out computers and started working.

She frowned and looked at the computers. "May I ask what you are doing? Are you trying to give the battery a jump-start?" She furrowed her brow but wasn't sure. They wouldn't need computers for that.

The soldiers looked at her then frowned deeply. "Running a program to see what it needs to function. Then we can do a jump start." He said seriously. They finished and brought another car over. They then hooked it up and shocked it. 

Riley's eyes widened and she snatched the computer away, shaking a little. "What!? No! You can't do that! They don't run off electricity and programs. He is a sentient being." She told him seriously, unplugging the wires from the computer.

They paused and looked at her for a moment then frowned as they glanced at the car. "Do you know something?" The commander asked and narrowed his eyes. "What are you hiding?" he growled remembering that her father had something to do with them. "If they are good as you claim, why don't they help in the war?" he said angrily. He motioned to his men and they tried to jump the car again.

She stiffened at the man's questions but narrowed her eyes. "Stop, please. This isn't how it is done." She told him seriously, going to stop soldiers from shocking the engine again. "They are helping us, believe me." She frowned deeply at the man. 

The commander frowned and looked at her. "Then what do you suggest?" He asked coldly. "We are getting somewhere and you are just getting in the way." He mumbled. 

"I suggest... energon." Riley spoke quietly, thoughtful. "You will only cause an explosion within the Autobot. A sentient being cannot be reprogrammed either so I suggest you don't try."

The commander frowned again and had a soldier go retrieve the said liquid. They had some stored after figuring out what it was, thanks to Raf's help. "Every machine can be programmed once you find the right thing." He said seriously as they took notes on the car and what she told them.

Riley nodded and went over to them, taking the liquid. She went to the gas tank, set a hand on the car for a moment and poured the energon in. She closed the gas cap and glanced to the soldiers. "You have to feed these bots with energon. It's how they survive. You can't fuel them like an electronic." She told him.

They watched her intently and they gasped in surprise as the car seemed to hum a little. "Fascinating." The commander said as he watched and his eyes widened. "Try getting it to start now." He said seriously to a soldier. He nodded once and grabbed the key Fowler had provided. Which he found and got from a safe box. The man sat in the car and started it. The car struggled then slowly started up.

She watched then frowned, remembering a comment in her fathers notes. This could kill him. "Wait! Turn off the engine, just let the battery run. Trust me." She spoke hurriedly, worried this had effects on Bumblebee. She doubted it but she decided she couldn't be too careful.

The soldiers frowned as they looked at her then the commander. "We just got the car working. You want us to stop already?" He asked as the soldier revved the engine again. They opened the hood up and looked at it as they gasped quietly in awe at the alien tech that now lit up.

"Yes!" Riley snapped seriously, shaking with worry and for snapping at soldiers. "Please," she spoke with a small plea. She wasn't quite sure why but knew she had to. She trusted her father's words, including written words, with her life. He was an intelligent man and always knew what he was doing. 

The commander frowned deeply as he watched her then glanced at the soldiers as they started running tests. "Fine." He huffed. 

Riley relaxed a bit and went to the front of the car. She gazed down inside, frowning worriedly. "He will need energon at least once a day. I suggest turning the engine on again after a week. It's best not to strain his systems after he's been resting for twenty something years." She muttered to the commander.

The said man frowned deeply and looked at her. "Okay. Fine we'll do it that way." He huffed and motioned for them to do as she said.

The girl noticed he was impatient but was glad he stopped them. She relaxed a bit, hoping Bumblebees alternative form would adjust by using just the battery throughout the week. She thanked the commander quietly and went to take a seat by the table, looking through the journal quietly for something useful. The soldiers were disappointed they couldn't wake the titan and just stood guard around the room. They were silent as she worked and did what she asked them. The car was silent and seemed to barely be functioning. 

Riley soon closed the journal and went to the car. She placed her intertwined fingers onto her head, thinking as she stared at the car. She then went close and began taking one of the computers, watching the car as she took out her phone, calling Bumblebees real form. The car sat there quietly and seemed to be unresponsive. The phone just rang for a few minutes, no one answered. The soldiers found her methods curious. Riley ended the call to his commlink and hummed softly. She then began writing something in an empty journal she brought then began calling again. She watched the car intently, wondering if something happened to his comm. The car sat there for a while as she called and she heard a faint beep. He was trying to communicate with her but he was struggling. It was hard for him to do both. There was a small chirp but it was faint.

Riley smiled a bit. "Don't worry... I hear you." She spoke softly to him and wrote things down. "I'll take care of you." She muttered and ended the call. She then sighed softly and began putting the journal away. "You should let him rest." she informed the soldiers. The car sat there for a few minutes and the soldiers glanced at her. They nodded slowly and worked on getting things put away or set aside. The car sat there and moved a little then chirped before going completely dead. She stuffed her things into the bag and went to the car, blinking at the chirp. She frowned seeing the headlights turn on. She went to the drivers and turned the car off, taking out the key.

"Ah man. You killed the dang thing." The soldier huffed angrily as the car just died and powered off again. "We were making progress." He mumbled. 

She ignored him, gently closing the car door. She frowned, staring at it for a long moment, thinking. She then sighed and began going to the table and set the keys down. "I told you, it's strenuous."

"It's a car. They're machines. Why don't you understand that?" He asked and frowned as he glanced at the keys. An idea coming to him.

Riley paused to look at him. "Because they aren't just machines. They are sentient mechanical self-configuring modular robotic lifeforms from the planet Cybertron. Not just... machines." She informed with a small bite to her words, almost as if she was offended he called Bumblebee just a machine. "These aren't just alien cars and you won't get much research done if you just assume such." 

The soldier looked at her then blinked in surprise. He looked to the car and huffed then nodded, knowing he couldn't argue. They led her out of the room when she finished and one asked if she wanted to see her uncle, since he was still in prison for attacking them. 

Riley left quietly with them before nodding. "Yes please." She spoke worriedly, wanting to see if he was alright. Had the experiments with his alternate mode harmed him?