When All Lights Go Out I (TFP)

Chapter 79

"Well, since she has kept herself busy while I assisted Ratchet with Bumblebee, and while you took a bit of time to enjoy a cube, check the scans for anything that might have shown up and checked the oil, so I think you are right. I imagine she still needs medicine." Optimus nodded, which was another reason why he knew he had to get Azura for. "Good thing it is only temporary. Medicine always tastes gross, but we all know she won't have it all the time."

"She knows that. But that never stops a sparkling from complaining about it." Optimus walked towards the hallway to make his way towards Azura's room. He could hear Arcee chuckling, as the femme knew well that sparklings complain about the taste of medicine when they need it all the time. It was not new. "Go and see if Bulkhead can go into town with you to collect the children, Arcee. I am sure Ratchet won't need him all the time."

Optimus did hope that Ratchet has been able to isolate what is causing Bee discomfort and to act differently. He knew it was not usual for any bot to be behaving this way, and he had every confidence that Ratchet would be able to cure what might be ailing Bee. For the moment, he wanted to focus on Azura and ensure that she had her needs taken care of. He would certainly have Ratchet double check the oil to ensure that it would be suitable for a sparkling, and he knew it would not take long.

Optimus walked into the room and smiled as he saw Azura was running with two of her toys in hand, but she stopped immediately upon seeing Optimus and she smiled at him. "Daddy!" She dropped the toys and ran over to him, and Optimus leaned down to pick her up. "Do you have any news yet on Bumblebee? Is he feeling better? I haven't heard anything for a few hours, so I have been in here...but I hope there's good news."

"I am afraid I have not heard anything yet, Azura. But Ratchet is the best medic we have, and I know it will turn out good." Optimus kissed her forehead gently as the sparkling frowned, a bit unhappy to know that he did not have any good news for her. "However, I assume you are hungry." She nodded immediately, and he adjusted her in his arm as he opened a panel for her. "Arcee and Bulkhead should be heading into town very shortly to retrieve the children, though Jack has to work today, and we have yet to know if Miko is in detention again or not."

Azura giggled softly. "I wouldn't be surprised if she is, honestly. That girl seems to like getting into trouble, even if she gets annoyed about it." Azura grabbed a hold of the fuel line from the open panel, excited to fill her tank with energon. "At least Rafael will be here. He's probably not been able to concentrate properly all day, not that I blame him. At least he will feel better when he is here for Bee."

Optimus nodded in agreement as he began to gather the toys that had been left around the room to place them back where they were, even though Azura would have put it all back herself. "Bumblebee and Raf have a connection that I don't understand. Ratchet has not worked out why Rafael can understand Bumblebee, but it could just be that Raf is special to understand the language he speaks. And it is nice that Bee has that friendship with Rafael."

"And I guess Bee will probably appreciate his best friend being near this afternoon. Fully understandable. But..." She looked at the fuel line for a moment as she watched the line fill with low-grade energon. "I guess I need to have medicine now, don't I? Or after I have filled my tank."

"You will get the medicine after you have filled your tank, Azura. You don't need to worry about that right now." She immediately made a disgusted expression before placing her mouth over the end of the line to drink the energon. Optimus smiled, amused by her reaction, even though it was necessary. He continued to gather the toys until they were all back in their correct place. "Oh, and I know you were hoping for me to say yes to an oil bath. But I will need Ratchet to have another look at the oil so that he can give an answer as well."