Hidden Spark on Earth (TFP)

Chapter 53

"And from what I understand, unless caught early, there is no cure," Ratchet said thoughtfully as he kept working on getting Optimus as comfortable as possible.

"Yes...but cancer does come back too, and it sadly is something we don't like talking about. But...I know Saphira's hinted that her mother's cancer was genetic, it means Saphira may get it in the future." Jack hoped that it didn't happen, though he knew that it was likely she might get it. "Hopefully she will have had a longer life to enjoy before it happens."

Ratchet hoped that Saphira's bond with Optimus will help prevent ailments. Seeing her heal due to the bond developing naturally between them, he hoped that would also help keep Saphira from getting sick. He wasn't sure if that was how it will work, but it was what he was observing so far. "For the moment, we should not focus on that." He looked at Optimus, he could see that Optimus wanted to comfort Saphira, but he could not. "We have more pressing worries than human cancer at the moment."

Saphira managed to stop sobbing a lot and she was now simply laying her cheek against Optimus's while she stroked his cheek gently. Bulkhead was observing them silently and he smiled, Bulkhead had been guessing there was some kind of relationship growing between the two, and it seemed he was right. He thought it was wonderful. He didn't even care that Optimus and Saphira weren't the same race, as long as they were happy.

Bulkhead walked around the med bay and Saphira glanced at him curiously. "You're doing good, Saphira. You seem to be the best medicine we have for Optimus right now." He winked at her as she smiled at him. "I hope, for the both of you, your happiness will not be cut short." Saphira widened her eyes and Optimus looked at him curiously while Bulkhead grinned at them. "We'll get that cure, don't worry."

"I'm in the network," Arcee's voice over the com link announced, making everyone flinch in surprise, and Saphira looked up, hoping that the femme will find something quickly.

Saphira did wonder if other Cybertronian viruses were this quick like the Cybonic plague. She assumed because this one had been created by Megatron, it was designed to be quick and painful. She sighed and planted a kiss on Optimus's cheek, keeping it subtle so the children do not see. Ratchet did not see, only Bulkhead did and he smiled sadly, hoping for the best for their future.

Optimus appreciated the kiss, however...in his processor, he suddenly remembered Ratchet standing beside him when he was infected. "Ratchet..." He said in a very weak, and forced tone, making Saphira flinch and look at him while Optimus turned his head slightly to look at the medic. "Were you...?"

"Infected, no," Ratchet responded gently, stopping Optimus from speaking more. "Please rest, Optimus. You don't need to worry about me, just worry about yourself for today, alright?"

"If it's here, I don't see it," Arcee said through the com link.

Ratchet glanced at the screen and frowned slightly. "Are you certain, Arcee?"

"I've searched every file. Nothing!"

"Well, search again!" Ratchet barked, making Saphira and Optimus flinch at the sudden fierceness of his voice. "Clearly you missed something!"

"I scanned the entire database!"

Saphira winced as she listened, it sounded like that Ratchet and Arcee were bickering, and she didn't like it. Not while Optimus needed them. "Did you use a redundant quantum algorithm?"

"Don't tell me how to research! You think you're the only one who cares about Optimus?!"

"STOP!" Saphira snapped, surprising everyone in the med bay, and causing Optimus to flinch again at the loud voice. "Stop, fighting! Please! Arcee is doing what she can, Ratchet! You're not helping by yelling desperately. It will be there, just keep searching Arcee. Be creative and try to use words that only the decepticons would think of."