When All Lights Go Out II (TFP)

Chapter 29

"Do you have any plans today, daddy? Or will it just be a normal day?"

"At this time, we will be scanning the planet for any energon deposits. That is our main priority." Azura whimpered a little as she wished she could reopen the cavern in the Arctic for them again, but she still had to wait. Optimus smiled at her as he walked out of the nursery and proceeded towards the lobby. "I know what you are thinking, Azura. But you need to be patient. It has not been that long since your rebirth. And since it appears to be taking longer than anticipated for you to walk around again, so your recovery isn't exactly how Ratchet had suspected." Azura giggled a little as that did not bother her. Optimus smirked slightly as he has had suspicion she was not telling the truth. "Unless you do have something to tell me regarding that."

Azura shook her head immediately. "No, I don't. But I am getting better at walking."

"Yes, you have been." Optimus also had noticed she wasn't feeling pain when she practices anymore, which is good, but that is why he was suspicious. "I should remind you that I do not approve of dishonesty, Azura. So if you are lying to me, I will not be impressed. Even if it is over something like walking." Azura just nodded as she did know that, and a part of her felt bad for lying, but she also just wanted to surprise the autobots at the same time. "I will not press for information if you do not wish to give it, Azura. But I suspect you are not telling the whole truth." Azura did not react as she continued to drink the energon quietly. Optimus just let out a light sigh as he could tell she was not going to say anything. "Well, you already know there will be consequences for lying. I don't need to remind you of when Jack, Arcee, Bulkhead, Bumblebee, Raf and Miko lied to me about those races." He did not. Azura remembered that clearly. "And don't forget, with our bond, I can sense things too. So if you are lying, I may already know. I am simply waiting for the truth to be said."

Azura didn't respond to Optimus as she knew she might say something that will tell the truth. She knew it was silly to lie about being able to walk, but she was doing it mostly to find a moment to make everyone feel happy. Not to grab attention, although that would be part of it. She did guess that Optimus would know, since the pain in her legs have gone, and he would have noticed. But she hoped he wouldn't question it further.

Optimus walked into the lobby where Ratchet was at the panel while Bulkhead and Bumblebee were chatting and enjoying a cube each. Optimus glanced around as he noticed Arcee was not present. "I assume Arcee is in town."

"No, she came back after dropping Jack off at his job. She's just up on the top of the silo having a moment with Cliffjumper." Azura whimpered a little at the mention of the autobot, immediately feeling sad regarding him. Ratchet looked at Azura sympathetically. "I know you miss him too. Arcee does it from time to time. Usually when you are in recharge. He was her sparkmate, after all. It makes sense she needs to just sit by the grave and grieve. You can ask to join sometimes if you want." That was something that Azura may want to do since she did miss Cliff immensely. Ratchet looked at Optimus with a smile. "Did she have another nightmare? I could hear her calling your name and yelling no from the monitor."

"Yes, unfortunately. She hasn't told me everything, but she saw the knights again." Ratchet was surprised and concerned at the same time. "It could be Unicron, but we don't really know for certain. Even the dream she had while within me is still something we haven't been able to answer for her. But..." Optimus looked down at Azura with a smile. "I think she will have a harder time recharging again. She recharged pretty much the whole night last night, which I was happy about."

Ratchet let out a soft chuckle. "I suppose that isn't much of a surprise. She has not recharged properly since her rebirth, so it probably caught up to her. And it didn't go well. I wish I could give something for it, but we can't control dreams."