Hidden Spark on Earth (TFP)

Chapter 53

Arcee glanced between Saphira and Optimus before nodding. "Bumblebee, come with." She turned with a stern gesture with her hand and walked out of the med bay towards the lobby.

"Arcee..." Ratchet called after her with a grim expression. "Quickly..." The two bots didn't look back as they exit the med bay to the lobby to bridge to the ship. Ratchet looked down at Saphira, seeing her huddled right against Optimus's cheek. "If you need to get any food, water or use the toilet, I can keep a close watch on Optimus for you, Saphira."

Saphira shot a glare to Ratchet for even suggesting that. "I'm not going anywhere!"

"I know...it's only if you have the need to go," Ratchet said in a soothing tone as he turned to his equipment to see if he could try and make Optimus more comfortable by relieving the pain and discomfort of the virus. "I know what you're feeling, Saphira."

Saphira sniffled and let out a light sob. Optimus glanced at her when he heard her sob and opened his mouth to speak. "No, don't speak Optimus. Save your strength." She gave him a slightly smile as he relaxed, stopping himself from speaking. "I will be here the whole time...I will not go anywhere."

Jack, who was leaning on the railing, knew that Saphira likely felt like she was in the same position that she was in when her mother passed away. It would be really hard for her. "I am sorry this is happening close to the same time as...another horrid event in your life."

Saphira tensed a little and looks up at him sadly. "I know...but..." She let out another sob and Optimus really wanted to comfort her, despite how uncomfortable he was right now. Seeing her this sad hurt his spark. "I...carry a lot...o-of g-g-guilt..."

Ratchet looked at Saphira with a curious expression when she said that. It sounded very strange to him. "Why would you be feeling guilty, Saphira?"

She trembled and struggled to speak, the words got stuck in her throat. She looked at Optimus and he gave a very weak nod that only she noticed, encouraging her to speak. "W-W-When m-my m-m-mother was...d-d-dying...f-f-from the...t-t-terminal cancer..." The kids glance at each other sadly when Saphira said the words while Ratchet listened intently. "I...I-I w-w-was there...e-e-everyday...I...told h-her stories...I r-r-read b-books to her...I s-s-sang songs to her...but..." She clenched her eyes shut and sniffled loudly. "I...I w-w-was n-not th...there w-w-when she n-needed me m-m-most...the d-d-day she died...I-I w-w-was a-a-at school...but...she d-d-died that...d-d-day and I wasn't there t-t-to hold h-her hand and s-s-say goodbye..." Saphira struggled keeping herself together. "I h-have n-never...for...forgiven myself!"

She buried her face into Optimus's neck, sobbing and wrapping her arms around it. Optimus really wanted to hug her, but he was took weak to even lift his arm right now. He only managed to hum gently, and when she heard that, Saphira felt a little bit of comfort. Ratchet had heard the word cancer before...but as Saphira seems to have carried the weight of not being there for her mother the day she died, he understood why Saphira refused to leave Optimus. Even though...Ratchet had a feeling that her mother might have understood Saphira's reasoning for not being there for her.

"Cancer's such a curse," Miko comments in a sad voice. "My grandpa died from cancer before I was even born." She rests her chin on the railing as Ratchet turned to look at her. "Thankfully...I don't have to worry about the cancer he got."

"Why do you say that? Is it genetic?" Jack asked curiously. "Usually that means it passes down to the next generation."

"If I were to have boys in the future, they would likely have the gene," Miko responded. "He had prostate cancer." She shuddered at the very thought of it. "Still...cancer is not nice...especially as it can be very quick, or very slow."