I can hear bickering over me, but my eyes are still glued shut. I can almost feel the light trying to burn my retinas through my eyelids. Something soft is under my head, but it's definitely not my pillow. Something's not right. I'm wracking my brain trying to remember what happened.

Oh, I fainted from my migraine after seeing the bots in the mine while I was at base.

Totally normal.

"I'm taking her to the hospital if she doesn't wake up soon, and you cannot stop me."

"Agent Fowler, her vital signs are normal and steady. There is no reason for-"

"You don't know that for sure."

"I beg your pardon, but that's-"

If I don't do something now, they'll never shut up. Letting out a sigh quickly silences both parties, and I slowly blink open my eyes. "Can you two bicker a bit quieter? My head is still pounding as it is." I can see Fowler first, but Ratchet is right in my peripherals. The darker man leans over the makeshift hospital bed I was in, worry on his face. "Iris, what happened? They said you suddenly collapsed." I shake my head, then hold it in regret.

"Honestly? I'm not sure. I just got a pounding headache that really made my head spin." I feel the back of my head throb and make an 'ah' sound. This causes Fowler to tilt his head. "I must have hit my head when I fell, probably knocked me out good." I pray he takes the bait. I didn't need him taking me from Ratchet yet. I could see with mech standing by the computers, but his optics are on me. It would seem he didn't forget what happened earlier either, but he wasn't going to spill to Agent Fowler.

"You need to get checked out. This could be something much worse." I can already see Ratchet moving, but I hold up a hand.

"I'd rather stay here." He opens his mouth, but I move to hold my hand out towards him now. "Ah! No. Ratchet has been taking good care of me already and knows the ins and outs of my allergies. I also have a doctorate, or did you forget that already?" 

Fowler grows quiet, then shakes his head. I can see the hint of a smirk on his lips. "You never change." I simply shrug as I sit up more in the bed. "What can I say? Besides, it's possible this is all just from the stress of the Decepticons showing up again and..." I stop myself, unable to finish the sentence. I reach up and hold the chain around my neck in my hand. Fowler notices this and looks away.

"I am sorry for your loss. Cliffjumper was a fine soldier."

I can't reply, but Fowler leaves before I can anyways. He makes his way up the stairs and to the lift. The minute the door closes, I turn to Ratchet. He was already moving closer to the rails as I swing my legs over the edge of the bed.

"Ah ah! You stay put, Iris."

"Aw, come on, Ratchet! I'm fine-"

"Stay."

With a pout, I keep my rear end on the bed. Ratchet lowers his servo, then his optics dim as his holoform fizzles to life in front of me. He moves closer and I see his eyes glow red as he scans my body.

"The kids?"

"Home and safe. Fowler doesn't know still."

"Good, let's keep it that way."

I only get a grunt as Ratchet gently grabs my arm and holds my wrist in his fingers. Despite being able to 'sense' my heart rate and vitals, he has started double-checking himself and learning more about human biology should the need arise again. I carefully reach over and move his fingers up just a smidge.

"Almost, but this is the best spot for most patients."

He only nods, and I can hear the gears in his mind grinding together. It's as if he's waiting for the right moment to ask a question. I don't know what he wants to ask, so I just continue making small talk.

"Where are the others?"

"Arcee, Bumblebee, and Bulkhead have been assigned as guardians to Jack, Rafael, and Miko respectively. Optimus is on patrol." 

I nod my head, gazing around. I was starting to run out of things to ask. Ratchet moves behind me, and I feel him lift my hair. I feel him touch a sensitive spot, and it takes all my willpower not to flinch away. A hiss escapes my lips however, earning an apologetic grunt from Ratchet.

The silence is defeaning.

"Just ask it already-"

"How did you know to open the ground bridge?"

Oh, guess that is the only question he'd have.

He moves back in front of me, and I watch him. His stance is rigid, but his eyes are glowing. He's making sure I'm not lying. I let out a defeated sigh and clasp my hands together.

"Honestly? I don't know how to describe it."

"Try."

I glare at the holoform, but Ratchet returns it evenly. With a growl, I try my best to explain everything.

"It started with the cannon fire. I could hear them fighting in the mine. Then suddenly, I was in the mine, seeing them fight and break through the drones. I saw..." I stop, feeling the tears threaten to return. I've already done enough crying, and I don't wish to add to that growing puddle. I can see Ratchet's facial features soften for a moment. He moves closer to me, kneeling slightly to make himself eye level for me.

"You saw Cliff, didn't you?"

I nod, struggling to continue. "He... He was cut in half, that purple ooze flowing from him as if it was energon. Then Starscream appeared and dropped a grenade. That's why I knew the bridge needed to be opened." I stop, trying to maintain what little sanity I had left. "I saw the whole fight, the explosion, and the bots driving away from the blast."

Ratchet's eyes widen, then narrow. He stands, fizzling away as his mech form regains power. He looks me over, then moves to the computers.

"Uh, Ratchet? Can you say something please? You're freaking me out a bit here."

He continues on, ignoring me completley. I growl, moving from my bed and gripping the railing. "Ratchet!" I shout, getting no response. This was an obvious sign, and I cross my arms.

"You're hiding something."

He stops typing instantly. His helm moves towards me slightly. I lock eye to optic with him. He finally sighs, then types once more. Before him on the screens, a diagram of a human skeleton appears. I look it over in confusion. Why was he showing me this?

"This is what an average female skeleton looks like for your species." He states. I only nod. I know this already, what is he trying to-

Another image appears next to it, but it was slightly altered. In place of the heart was a glowing spark. The skull is illuminated with the shine of a processor, and the 'bones' of the skeleton are silver. I could tell immediately this was a humanoid cybertronian. Did Ratchet finally create solid holoforms?

"This... this is what you show up as on my scans."

My blood runs cold. My eyes feel like they are about to bulge from my head. This must be a practical joke. It's impossible! I look at Ratchet, but there is no hint of mischief in his optics. He was being serious. I shake my head, gesturing at myself. "That.. That's not possible! I bleed red, human blood! I bruise, break bones, I've nearly died and I have a family!" I shake my head again, holding the railing to keep myself standing. "There's no way. You're tools are glitching. I am human." I look up to see Ratchet facing me fully. He lifts a servo and points at the railing.

"Then how are you bending metal with your bare hands?"

I quickly release the rails and see the metal crushed into the shape of my hands. This can't be happening right now. I know I am human, there's no way this is real. This is all one big dream, right?

"There is an old Cybertronian myth that Primus would send a protector after each Prime during times of great sorrow." My eyes meet Ratchet's optics, and I feel my heart skip a beat. That wasn't at all comforting. Sure, losing Cliffjumper hurts more than words can describe, but there is no way of protecting Optimus from that.

Which meant this was only the beginning if mythos are to be believed.

That doesn't matter to me right now. 

"Ratchet, you're going to tell me everything you know about me right now."

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

What? An update? Yeah! I got stuck with where I wanted to go with this since I didn't want to plagerize from the insporator (babsgordon152, go check her out!). I couldn't remember the idea I had from reading her story, and even now I'm struggling to remember it as her idea was SO FREAKING GOOD! But, I think I have a relative idea, and I'll see if it works out.

No promises of when the next update will happen, but I'll try to get another out before next month happens. T^T

Anyways, as always,

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