Ratchet's P.O.V.

How was I going to explain to Optimus I had a charge?

The question continued to occupy my mind as I drove down my charge's street to pick her up for the day.

Then again, how was I going to tell the others?

They didn't know yet, as Optimus was still in recharge when they left to pick up the humans. For all they knew, they thought he was still in stasis.

I slowed to a stop in front of Charge's residence, where she showed up a few minutes later. I noticed a younger human female-the same one who questioned who I was-watching from the doorway as she left, a skeptical look on her face. I started to mentally thank June for the tinted windows, but then stopped myself, remembering the terrible trip to the mechanic.

Charge quickly got in the passenger's seat, and I sped off as soon as she closed the door, wrapping my seat belt around her and clicking it into place in the process. She flipped to a page in her notebook and took the pencil that was perched on her ear. A few seconds later she showed her notebook up to my side mirror, and I read it.

Are we in a rush?

"I...well...yes and no. I just want to get to the base before the others. Oh, and when we get there, stay behind me, okay? Don't let yourself be seen until I tell you that you can come out."

She gave me a puzzled look.

"Long story short, Optimus lost part of his memories. He won't know you."

She hesitantly nodded, leaning back into my seat as she placed her pencil back on her ear. I was silent the rest of the ride and my charge didn't try to bring up conversation.

Once we drove into the base, I parked toward the entrance so she could get out without Optimus seeing, and I transformed. I could feel her hide behind my ped. I looked around; no one seemed to be back yet. Optimus was lying on his berth, and I walked forward. Charge followed, which for some reason made me smile as I checked up on the Prime.

"Ratchet? Where were you?" Optimus asked quietly, trying to sit up.

"I...went out for a while," I replied as I helped him. Jack and Arcee sped into the room before Optimus could ask anything else.

"Optimus, you're looking better," Arcee nodded as she transformed. Optimus nodded, but I could tell he was confused. Jack averted Optimus' gaze, going over to their area. Optimus watched, still confused, most likely on Jack's behavior, but let it drop.

We heard Miko and Bulkhead long before we saw them, as Bulkhead was playing the band Miko liked (I believe she called it slap maniac or something...I don't remember) at maximum volume, and Miko was singing, more like screeching, at the top of her lungs. Raf and Bumblebee followed close behind.

The music stopped as soon as Bulkhead transformed, and I let out a sigh of relief.

"Hey, Optimus, how are you feeling?" Raf greeted as he exited Bumblebee's alt.

"I...feel confused," Was Optimus' reply, though it was very quiet.

"Since you guys are here now, there's something I need to tell you," I said to the others, who turned to look at me.

"Ratchet, where's Cas-"

"Arcee, just wait a second," I said quickly, interrupting her.

"As you all know, Optimus was, and still is, recovering from a recent encounter with Megatron-"

"Recent? You could be a little more specific and say he's still recovering from yesterday's incident with Megatron," Miko replied. I chose to ignore her. Optimus only raised an optic ridge.

"-and his injury caused him to go into self-induced stasis. Unfortunately, this course of action caused him to receive damage to his processor, and he no longer remembers anything that happened in the past six weeks," I informed them, and they all turned to Optimus in shock. Optimus frowned slightly.

"Is this true?" Bulkhead asked, and Optimus nodded. Bumblebee warbled.

::What is the last thing you remember?::

"The last thing I remember is June Darby learning of our existence," Optimus replied. I saw Jack's ears perk at the sound of his mother's name.

"So...you can't remember anything?" Jack asked, finally meeting Optimus' optics. He shook his head.

"We're all just going to have to adjust to this, and fill Optimus in on what has happened. Some things changed in the past six weeks," I stated, and looked behind me to my charge, who took the hint and stepped out from behind my ped.

"Oh, there you are! I thought Ratchet left you," Miko greeted her. I scoffed.

"Please."

Optimus, meanwhile, looked at my charge curiously.

"Ratchet, I'm afraid I don't entirely understand..." he trailed off.

"This is my charge," I explained. "You won't remember, but you assigned me to be her guardian after I...ranherover," I mumbled.

"I'm sorry, Ratchet, I don't think Optimus heard you," Miko taunted. I could see the others snickering, even my charge.

"I...ran her over," I said louder. Optimus gave me a look that meant he didn't believe me.

"It's true. We were there," Raf said, gesturing to Jack and Miko.

"And you gave her the long speech about the Autobots and the war and all that. She hid behind us when she met Ratchet. And again when she met the others," Miko added. I could see my charge smiling. Optimus nodded, accepting the fact that there was another human to add to the list.

"What is your name?" Optimus asked her, and she held up her notebook.

"How long have you been under Ratchet's protection?"

She held up three fingers.

"Three days, including today," Miko translated. He nodded.

"You got run over your first day and blew up a cave the second. What lies in store for the third?" Miko said excitedly to my charge, who only shrugged.

Things died down. Bumblebee stayed next to Optimus and told him about everything that happened in the past few weeks as I checked his vitals to see how he was doing. The humans were talking quietly amongst themselves. Miko had a sketch book in her lap and her guitar was sitting next to her. Raf was on his laptop, and my charge had her notebook open on her lap. I overheard snippets of conversation, stuff about 'past experiences' and the relationships with their guardians. I purposefully ignored the conversation, going over to the monitor and making myself busy.

Soon I heard a screeching guitar, and I rolled my optics, figuring Miko decided to play. I turned to look, and noticed my charge was the one holding it and playing, while Miko was guiding her.

Around thirty minutes later the melody could be plucked out. By this time Miko had set up some sort of area for practice and she was going on about a band again.

"Jack, you could sing, I could be your backup singer and play, Raf can work on all the techno-stuff, and Cassidy could help me with the electric guitar."

"Miko, it isn't going to work like that..." Raf sighed.

"You know I can't sing," Jack protested. Cassidy only made a face.

"Come on, just one song," Miko offered. Cassidy waved it off, taking a seat on the couch.

"Only if you won't nag us about a band anymore," Jack sighed. Raf nodded.

"Fine," Miko sighed, starting the introduction to a loud song.

"Jack, if you don't know this song, I might hurt you!" Miko called over her music.

"I don't live completely under a rock!" Jack shot back. "Skillet is one of the bands I actually do like!"

He then started singing a song about monsters. Cassidy was tapping the beat on the table.

"Bravo," Arcee said sardonically when they finished. Optimus and Bumblebee went back to conversing and Bulkhead had been bobbing his helm to the noise. I only had fought the urge to turn my audio receptors off.

~~~

Well, this chapter was scrap.

I blame the stress of finals. -_-

I probably shouldn't have updated.

Oh, well, I did anyway. Hope you enjoyed it. :P

After Thursday I have two weeks off of school. So hopefully I can update more. :)