mlev. Out on the road and back at base. Pothole and pony.

[random_xtras]

Ironhide: *grouching and grumbling as he lays on the rutted ground a little distance from the pothole that he managed to hit JUST RIGHT to crack his wheel off completely* *complains to Ratchet* Ah maght as well jes' go rust. Fallin' apart as Ah stand.

Ratchet: *getting down to kneel on the ground next to him* Don't say that, Ironhide. *scans to see what's been done to his axle*

Ironhide: Lookit me, Ratchet! Ah wasn't even goin' that fast! Ah was behind GEARS! *right front tire, wheel and all, has been snapped right off and is laying back there on the road. Remains of axle are slightly bent, and that other front tire is DEFINITELY off balance now*

Ratchet: *raises an optic ridge and is gonna look at that POTHOLE right now*

Gears: *is ignoring Ironhide* *instead, looking at the pothole* *absently* It makes me shudder just thinking about it!

pothole: *courtesy of the rain storm last night... have a little GULLY!*

Ratchet: . . . I'm not surprised your tire came off, Ironhide.

Ironhide: *grumbles and twitches and succeeds in rolling onto his side* Aw shucks...

Gears and Ratchet: *both startle*

Ratchet: *comes and checks out the other offending tire, just now noticing it* When did you last go into Hoist for maintenance, buddy?

Ironhide: *grumpily* Th' day b'fore yesterday. Kin Ah transform?

Ratchet: *looks surprised* And he didn't catch your off-balanced tire? . . . Yes, just be careful.

Gears: *moves to the other side for possible interception*

Ironhide: Ah think th' pothole did that. *transforms and winds up on his face in a puddle* ...Ain't mah day.

Gears: *looks down at empty hands*

Ratchet: Maybe we should just head back. . . After we take care of this pothole.

Gears: . . . Awh, crud. As if I wasn't muddy enough.

Ironhide: *pushes himself up and spits out muddy water*

Ratchet: Can I give you a hand, Ironhide? *already coming over to give him some help as Gears starts leveling that part of the road*

Ironhide: *stink eye from his mask of mud* Y'u start clappin' 'n Ah'll start swingin'.

something: *buzzes around Ratchet's head*

Ratchet: *helps him to his feet* Not quite what I had in mind. *would swat at the buzzing thing, but his hands are full*

Gears: *doesn't noticing whatever's going around Ratchet's head, is cleaning up pothole*

Ironhide: *pauses in mid grump to blink at the thing buzzing Ratchet, then rubs his eyes with his fists and stares*

Ratchet: *watching to make sure Ironhide doesn't fall again* *tenses when he's got the sense from Ironhide that something's behind him* *cautiously looks*

Ironhide: *slowly* Ah'm glitchin', Ratch.

Ratchet: . . . Then I'm glitching too. *taking care not to call out too much attention to the thing* *glances without moving his head to see what Gears is doing*

Gears: *still oblivious*

Ironhide: But Ah'm seein' one'a Kia's lil' toy ponies flyin' round y'ur head.

Gears: *!!!!*

Ratchet: Aw, crud.

Gears: *swipes out his gun from subspace and aims*

little blue pony: Don't shoot! I'm unarmed!

Ironhide: *blink blink* Rumble?

Ratchet: *had moved to intercept* *pauses halfway*

Gears and Ratchet: Rumble?!?

Rumble: I surrender! I'm unarmed. Yous can't shoot an armed 'n helpless bot! *tiny wings buzzing furiously as he gives them a beseeching look through what looks like a tiny pair of red pony sunglasses*

Ratchet: *frowns as he tries to process this* . . . But you're no longer a bot. *startles out of frown as he turns to yell* Gears! Put that thing away!

Gears: *lowers his weapon and subspaces* *looking quite disgruntled* *folds his arms and scowls*

Rumble: No, I ain't. *hangs head, and then yelps and gets his wings buzzing again as he nearly falls out of the air* Ugh... low... energy. *faints and plummets*

Ironhide: *automatically sticks out a hand, and then frowns down at what he's caught*

Ratchet: *goes over to look at Rumble too, setting his scanners for organics*

Rumble: *run down, dehydrated, and starved*

Ironhide: ...He's fuzzeh.

Ratchet: And in need of some desperate medical attention. *comming medbay to give them a heads up . . . and asks Kia something on the side* *transforms and opens up his back door* Get in.

Gears: *hanging back to give help if needed*

Ironhide: *looks at Ratchet's carrying bay, and then offers Rumble to Gears* Here, Gears, Ah don' wanna squorsh th' lil' gah.

Ratchet: *slightly hoping that Gears will look the whole thing over . . .*

Gears: *. . . takes the thing--er, Rumble* *tries not to scowl too much*

Ironhide: *crawls stiffly into Ratchet's bay, and then settles on his side after trying to lay on his back wound up hurting* *gruffly* Ready

Ratchet: You done with that pothole, Gears?

Gears: *looks over at it while keeping an eye on the thing--er, Rumble* Almost. Can you take him, Ironhide?

Ironhide: *holds out his hands* Sure, give 'im here. *he's tired and achy, and he knows he sounds it*

Gears: *hands him to Ironhide* *makes sure Rumble is actually in his hands before he gets back out of Ratchet* *once he's out* I'll catch up with ya later after I'm done.

Ratchet: All right. Stay safe, Gears. *shuts his door and preps for rolling out*

Ironhide: *reaches over and puts the pony into a bin hanging on one of Ratchet's inside walls, then winces as some system inside him starts a whine* Don't tell me Ah shook somethin' loose. *groans and puts arm over eyes*

Ratchet: Just hang in there, Ironhide. We'll get everything sorted out once we're back at base. *starts to carefully head out*

Ironhide: *grumpy again* D'y'u call 'Mia?

Ratchet: *taken out of prep thoughts* Uh, no.

Ironhide: Good. Y'u 'n Percy fret enough.

Ratchet: *suggestion* Shouldn't she know about this, though?

Ironhide: *weary sigh without moving his arm from his eyes* Yeah... Ah guess.

Ratchet: *driving* I'll leave it up to you.

Ironhide: *grumbles and calls his wife* *and then spends the rest of the trip home relaxing as sympathy and promises of nice hot oil baths sooth his rattled circuits*

Ratchet: *that did the trick* *Aaaand they're soon back at base* *will drive all the way to medbay*

Perceptor: *is busy showing Kia how to make the vacuum cleaner capable of pushing itself around the room*

First Aid: *watching quietly from where he's sitting in his chair with a mug of fuel, but jumps to his feet when he sees Ratchet* Did something happen?

Perceptor: *turns his head and blinks* Oh...

Kia: :o *Ratchet's back so soon. She'd kind of thought that he and Gears and Ironhide had stopped to look at ponies, from the question he'd asked her over comms*

Hoist: *waves from where he's standing by a readied repair table* All ready, Ratchet.

Ratchet: *had paused to figure out where he needs to go* Ironhide found a pothole, and we've picked up a passenger in need of some attention. *drives over to Hoist's table and opens his door* Thanks, Hoist.

First Aid: *hurrying to help Hoist unload Ironhide as Kia scoots to watch from an out of the way place* Oh dear. Poor Ironhide.

Hoist: We'll have you as good as new in no time, old friend. *grins*

Perceptor: *just now listened to his messages* My goodness, has the damage to the road been seen to?

Ratchet: *tries to wait patiently as they get Ironhide out of his hold, itching to help Rumble* Gears is taking care of it.

Perceptor: *blinks and winces slightly* I'll see about sending someone to help him. *pats Ironhide and tells him that he's in good hands, then hurries from the room*

Hoist: *as he and First Aid lay Ironhide on the table* Kia, sweetie, could you run and get some of the granola from the human mess?

Kia: *blinks her big optics and goes*

Perceptor: *watches her go as he returns, and then reaches into Ratchet's carrying bay and gently removes the container. Scans the contents and sighs with relief* It will be safe for her to see him. He's in no danger of expiring.

Ratchet: *will transform once Perceptor's clear* *nods* But he's in pretty rough shape.

Perceptor: *picks up one of Kia's doll beds from where it was sitting neatly in the corner out of the way, and gently tucks Rumble under the blankets, being careful of his bright little insect like wings* He is indeed.

Hoist: You have told Chromia what happened, haven't you, Ironhide?

Ironhide: *irritated peek at the mechanic* Uh huh. *eyes covered again*

Hoist: *chuckles and looks to Ratchet*

First Aid: *going for his drink, feels Ironhide could use it*

Ratchet: *looks down at Rumble, mulling his situation over for a few moments before going over to go help with a problem he can fix* *manages a smile at the situation with Ironhide* I've already suggested that to him.

Kia: *back, and then Ratchet and Hoist will hear her exclaiming over by Rumble, and then asking Perceptor for hot water. A bit of concentrated silence follows, and then she's speaking softly and telling Rumble that he needs to drink the drink she's made for him, because it will help rehydrate him and make him feel better*

First Aid: *looks over from where he's taking Ironhide's tire off the broken axle stub*

Ratchet: *relieved that Kia came up with something that should work in the meantime*

Perceptor: //Ratchet, do you know what Kia has done?// *sounds amused and proud*

Ratchet: //Solved our problem in the short term?// *can't do much else other than be relieved as he helps replace Ironhide's axle.

Perceptor: //She went to the internet and studied standard procedure in cases such as ours. Finding that Rumble is currently far too tiny for any of our IV needles, she instead mixed him a proper electrolyte and honey solution and is now encouraging him to sip it slowly before she rewards him with a little warm, soft granola.//

Ratchet: // . . . Resourceful.// *sounds shocked*

Perceptor: //Indeed! She would make a most excellent science model.//

First Aid: *softly, as he hears that* //Oh dear.//

Ratchet: *Percy, we've been over this* // . . . Maybe. But it's a good trait to have in the medical field when it comes to life and death decisions.// *would know, has done so many times in the past* *just dropped the ball this time*

Hoist: *diplomatically, as he leans to one side to dodge an Ironhide swat* //I'm sure Kia has gotten all her medical knowledge from the best.// Ironhide, don't make me get the sedation gun.

Ironhide: *growls*

Ratchet: *no immediate reply to that as he finishes replacing Ironhide's axle and examines his old one to check for Cybertonium loss or any out of the ordinary chemical structure* *is trying to figure out why he has been increasingly feeling he way he does now--he can't even really describe it--every time Perceptor brings the subject of Kia's function up, particularly today* *he knows the mech means no harm by it, and yet he still has that reaction* *the only thing that makes sense is that this possibly a late reaction to what happened to First Aid and the others* . . .

Kia: *from her table* Ratchet, Rumble's glycemic level's 'proaching normal. I'm gonna give him some granola now.

Ratchet: *seems a bit distracted* Good, Kia. Just make sure he doesn't have too much at once.

Kia: I know. *soft murmurs and clicks*

Ratchet: *hint of a smile as he goes down the list of things that could have possibly gone wrong with 'Hide's axle other than just plain old physics*

Perceptor: //...Ratchet?//

Ratchet: *instead of dwelling on his emotions, he tries to figure out what would say if his emotions weren't getting the better of him* *finally, he shuts off his emotions as he explains* //It's a choice she's gonna haveta make--when she is ready for it. It's like I explained to Prowl when he tried to take Kia out on patrol soon after we got her and the Aerialbots from Vector Sigma: Her not being sparked with programming means that, while she's fully capable of operating at our own level, different approaches have to be taken in order to get her there. And from what I understand--and I don't pretend to completely understand her situation either--even after all these years, she's still in what in a human would be her elementary and junior high years: she's taking in as much as she can from whatever she can in a variety of subjects. She's not yet at the high school and college age where she's examining herself and narrowing her activities down to what she wants to do with the rest of her life. I guess what I'm saying is: giving her science material is fine, but we shouldn't be siphoning her off in different directions yet. Let's not repeat the situation with Wheeljack and assume she's medical when actually an engineer, all right? When she's ready, she'll make the choice.// *and despite shutting off his emotions, it probably comes off sharper than intended*

Perceptor: *turns and gazes toward his friend with surprise* //I have no intention of assuming with Kia.// *hesitantly* //Have I given that impression? I know I do tend to be overly zealous at times if a subject is dear to my spark.//

Kia: *quiet talk to her patient*

Ratchet: *confirms that the axle was taken out by physical means alone and sets it down on the table, visibly hesistating* // . . . It . . . could have gone that way. . . . I just . . .//

Jazz: //Hey, Ratchet?// *sounds slightly worried*

Ratchet: *forcibly taken from his thoughts* //Yes? What is it, Jazz?//

Jazz: //You cats said you were bringin' Rumble in. Well, I'm down here in the lockup, 'n I don't see 'im. And he ain't in the mess this time either. Did he change his mind about comin'?//

Ratchet: *looking towards the others in the room* //No one mentioned that he was coming in as a patient?//

Jazz: *moment's silence. Then* //Nope. What's the damage?//

Perceptor: *meeps and ducks as he gets a comm*

First Aid: *softly, as he continues to help Ratchet* Oops. Sorry, Jazz.

Ratchet: *makes sure the line is secure to Jazz before he continues* //You know that pony incident that happened a few months ago?//

Jazz: //Uh. Yeah. Why? They come back?// *sounds just a bit spooked at the thought, but also ready to rumble*

Ratchet: //In a sense. . . Rumble's one of them.//

Jazz: *more silence. Then, cautiously* //Come again? I think Blaster's messin' with the lines again.//

Blaster: *no protest of innocence, because he's not listening in*

Ratchet: //Rumble is currently a little blue winged pony of the same type that attacked a few months ago. And he's looking the worse for wear.//

Jazz: //You're slaggin' me.//

Ratchet: *looks over at Rumble's table* // I don't know how I would be. Kia's had to find an alternative to IVs for us. //

First Aid: *talking quietly to Ironhide as he goes to get the buffer and the cleaning tools* We'll have you looking as good as new in no time.

Ironhide: *grumbles but can't do much else because Hoist's holding him down*

Jazz: *finally* //...Dang.//

Ratchet: *looks down to realize that somewhere in there, he had started fumbling with a rag* *tosses it aside and turns to put Ironhide's wheels back in order, so Hoist doesn't have to stay there all day* // . . . And then there's the ramifications of what this could possibly mean. //

Jazz: //Can't mean Percy got jacked up, because I've seen Wheeljack try it.// *thoughtful sounding as she eliminates what seems to her to be the first possibility*

Ratchet: // . . . // *not what he meant, but he will get back to fixing Ironhide's wheels instead of face palming*

Jazz: //I better talk ta Op about this when 'e wakes up.//

Ratchet: //I'm hoping that Rumble will be able to give us answers when he's recovered.//

Jazz: *amused* //You've never actually talked ta that cat, have ya?//

Ratchet: *caught* *stumbling over his words* //Um, not really, no.//

Jazz: *chuckles* //Yeah. Thought not. Rumble's the guy that Hound rolled past in a rock disguise, remember?//

Ratchet: *sighs over comms and covers the frustration by smiling encouragingly at Ironhide* //That's right.// *sounds like he would be rubbing the area between his optics if he could* //Just too many questions.//

Jazz: *cheerfully* //Don't worry, man. We'll get ta the bottom of it.//

Rumble: *weakly* Hey! What're yous... doin'?

Kia: Shhh. I'm going to wrap you up in this nice warm blanket, and then put you in my real space pocket so you can stay warm.

Rumble: ...Buh?

Perceptor: *quiet encouragement for the changed Decepticon* The treatment would be most beneficial to your health, Rumble. I highly recommend that you allow Kia the liberty.

Rumble: *very confused* She's bein' nice ta me?

Ratchet: *tinkers with Ironhide's wheels some more, making sure they're in the right spot for now* //I certainly hope so, Jazz. I certainly hope so.// *half listening to what's happening over by Rumble*

Jazz: //Anyway. Tell me quick what's goin' on with the little ca...// *snerk* //Report on the pretty pony's health.//

Ratchet: //He's run down, starved, and has some exposure. But he should recover.// *double-takes when Ironhide seems to give him a wide smile*

Chromia: *from the door* Yeah, grin at me now, you old backfire.

Ironhide: *grins more widely, knowing that he's going to be brought home and babied as soon as Ratchet lets him go*

Ratchet: *turns to see Chromia* *to Ironhide* So that's what's got ya so beamy. Just hang tight for a second more, mech. *returns to making adjustments on Ironhide's wheels* We'll have to finish getting this sorted out in vehicle mode at a later time.

Ironhide: *totally happy and agreeable patient now as he lays there and watches Hoist walk over to look at Kia's patient* Sure thing, Ratch.

Jazz: *now singing the very first 'My Little Pony' themesong over comms. Faintly in the background Blaster can be heard protesting that he was trying to sleep!*

Ratchet: *chuckles as he finishes up, his friend's happiness momentarily allowing him to forget his own concerns* *and then he's hoping that Gears has got his comm off*

Jazz: *rollicking laugh* //Op might be gettin' a little peace 'n quiet tonight while he's tryin'ta work, Ratch.//

Blaster: //Jaaaaazzz!//

Ratchet: *customary smile in his voice* //Well, as much as I disagree with the methods to get it, Prime does need it.//

Jazz: *gleeful cacke* //Catch ya later, cat. Keep me updated on Rumble.//

Ratchet: //Will do.// *finishes what he was doing on Ironhide and steps back, giving Ironhide a friendly pat* All yours, Chromia.

Kia: But don't get mushy! *laughs*

Rumble: *muffled* What? Doze two get mushy? Dat's disgustin'!

Ironhide: *shakes head as he sits up and reaches for his mate's hand* 'N ta think Ah was so careful not t' squorsh th't punk...

Ratchet: Don't pay him any mind, Ironhide. Just go spend time with your mate.

Ironhide: *glances at the medic, and then his scowl fades into bliss as Chromia starts rubbing the spot on his lower back that aches despite all repair attempts*

Hoist, Kia, and First Aid: *laughing or chuckling at the old soldier's rumbling*

Chromia: *wide grin* Thanks, Ratch. *leads hubby home*

Ratchet: *with a grin on his own face* *waves her off*

Kia: *watches them go, then bounces over to her mentor and grins up at him, her small hands reaching for his* I'm glad Ironhide's okay.

First Aid: *from where he's putting things away* Me too.

Perceptor: *has found the energon goodies that he lost the other day. Om nom nom, share with Hoist*

Ratchet: *takes Kia's hands and grins down at her* A pothole's not gonna bring Ironhide down for long . . . Even one that has canyon aspirations.

First Aid: *slightly startled look at he turns toward his mentor and baby sister* You said it was washed out by the storm last night, but just how big was it?

Kia: Tell us all about it over lunch? *big happy grin* We ordered you a pizza.

Ratchet: *about to tell when Kia brings up lunch* Mmm. That sounds good right now.

Kia: *little dance, still holding his hands* Lancer and Greenlight are guarding the pizza. I remembered all your favourite stuff that you like on top!

First Aid: *optics sparkling in his usual gentle, happy grin*

Ratchet: *worries faaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaar away now* *grin at how her doing something for him's making her happy* Good work, Kia.

Kia: *more dancing, and then a big hug that includes First Aid*

First Aid: *once more nearly face to face with his mentor* *chuckle* Hi, Ratchet.

Hoist and Perceptor: *have paused in talking and munching to d'awwwwwww quietly*

Ratchet: *chuckles at Kia's enthusiasm* Hello, 'Aid.

First Aid: *soft grunt at Kia squish attempt, and then takes the hand she gives him* Are we ready to eat now?

Kia: *turns big eyes and big grin to Ratchet*

Ratchet: *will pick up Kia if she'll let him* Let's go get some of that pizza.

Kia: *lets go of First Aid to cuddle with her head on Ratchet's shoulder* Okay!

First Aid: See you later, Hoist and Perceptor. Don't eat too much candy.

Perceptor: *intent on looking for the prize from the box because Hoist mentioned that he collected them* Oh, don't worry, First Aid. We won't.

Hoist: *cheerful wave*

Ratchet: *smile for Kia before turning to the others* I'm turning the call back over to you. Comm me if something comes up.

Perceptor: Of course, Ratchet. *looks up from the candy box and smiles*

Ratchet: *waves with his free hand and heads for the impromptu pizza party, his step light and his smile content because Kia's in his arms and First Aid's smiling again*


((Co-written with marsthewriter))