mlev. ABC grounds and nearby river. Lightning Sand Basketball

[mylittleeek]

Optimus: *doubled over laughing with his hands on his legs* No, Swoop! This isn't... hahahaha! This isn't football!

Wheeljack: Wait, Swoop has the ball? What was I chasin' 'Dive for?

Ratchet: *in the middle of trying not to facepalm* *although he usually has the resolve, it's kinda hard right now* *to Wheeljack since Prime seems to be taking care of his other wayward kid* You need to be open so we can pass it to ya, and I think she had it when you were chasing her.

Wheeljack: ...Open? OW! *grabs head as ball bounces off it*

Perceptor: *stops short with dismay* Oh, my stars...

Optimus: *more laughter*

Slingshot: I got it! Ack! Kia! *drops ball*

Ratchet: *hands around his mouth* Grab it, Kia! *back to Wheeljack* You okay?

Wheeljack: Yeah. *blink blink and quick head turning* ...Where's the ball?

Kia: *dribbling for all she's worth*

First Aid: *over by opposing hoop* I'm open, Kia! *so serious*

Ratchet: *yeah, is basically in one place right now* *he's got a lot on his plate* *looks over at First Aid and seems to be doing some calculations* *no, First Aid's in the right place . . . he thinks*

Swoop: *just tackled First Aid*

Optimus: Ack!

Perceptor: Ack!

Skydive: Ack!

Air Raid: Ack!

Wheeljack: Buh?

Ratchet: *now he facepalms* Swoop, the teams are supposed to stay on their feet in this game. *and then he's going over to make sure First Aid is okay*

First Aid: *blinks up at him, and then watches the ball sail over both their heads toward the hoop*

Silverbolt: *watches from where he had been at least trying to guard First Aid* *doesn't do more than watch, however*

Slingshot: Perforated scrap, she did it!

Optimus: *praises the youngster, even though she's on the other team*

Silverbolt: *blinks up at the goal before turning to give Kia a smile*

Ratchet: *had looked up when everyone else did* *looks back at Kia* Nice work. *smile*

Kia: *big happy grin* Now what?

Swoop: Where whistle guy?

Optimus: *looks around* Did Gears leave?

Hoist: *at the other end of the court, helping Gears get figuratively unflattened after being under an Aerialbot that got Swoop tackled* *notices a lack of commotion from the court and looks over there* Hmm? Oh. He's over here.

Gears: *owgrumblegrumbleow*

Perceptor: Are you damaged, Gears? *hurries over there with concern*

Kia: *wibbles from where she's standing by Silverbolt*

Swoop: *cheerfully offers Silverbolt the ball*

Optimus: *watching to ascertain the functionality of the referee*

Silverbolt: *will give Kia a hug since she seems to need one*

Gears: *just gives Perceptor a glare, hands the whistle to Hoist, makes his uneasy way to his feet, and limps off the court to the nearest sitting thing*

Hoist: *looks after him and then looks down at the whistle incredulously*

Ratchet: *looks after the retreating Gears*

Air Raid: Hey, Ref! Did Kia's goal count?

Slingshot: This isn't hockey, you dope.

Air Raid: ...Touchdown?

Slingshot: *moving away lest the uncool rub off*

Hoist: *looks between the whistle and Gears again* *guess that means he's the ref now* *shrug* Shot or basket? *looks to Optimus for that* *turns back to the rest of the Aerialbots* Swoop had the ball when he did the last Aerialbot tackles, so I think there's less of a foul there. Not sure what happened on the other side of the court, but I think that it should still count.

Optimus: *nods* Basket, yes. *grins then* Alright, bots, that's one to nothing! Let's even out this score! *slaps hands together and starts getting his team hustled into position*

Wheeljack: *looks at Ratchet with hilarious helplessness* I have no slaggin' idea what's goin' on out here.

Ratchet: *she's not the only one* Uh, I think we're going that way still, but first I think we go to our side of the court to defend while the Aerialbots bring it in.

Silverbolt: *gives Kia a little goodbye squeeze when he finally takes the ball from Swoop and then goes to their line to pass it to one of his teammates*

Hoist: *moving away from the middle of the action with his whistle ready to go*

Wheeljack: Okay! *pause* ...Which way we goin'? *glances over as Perceptor acks his protest of being picked up and set down by Swoop*

First Aid: *in the right place, facing the right way, and ready to play*

Ratchet: *points to the basket that Kia just shot in* That way. But we're defending ours first. *glad that at least two people on the team knows what's going on*

Wheeljack: Okay! I'm ready!

Kia: No you aren't. You're in my place. *looks up at the engineer with her sweet, forgiving smile*

Swoop: *wanders over, picks up Wheeljack, and carries her over to her spot*

Air Raid: *having a LMBO*

Ratchet: *just shakes his head*

Hoist: *smile apparent on his masked face*

Optimus: *serious face as he advises Skydive and Silverbolt... the only two of his team that he was able to get the attention of*

Fireflight: *BUTTERFLY!*

Silverbolt: *is indeed paying close attention* *although he's tempted to try to get Fireflight's attention*

Slingshot: *notices the huddle and drifts over there to listen. And lo! The 'rent is actually saying something important!*

Swoop: *finished with his team. Now goes over and picks up Air Raid to bring her over to the rest of her team*

Air Raid: Hey! You goof! You're supposeta be over there. *laughs*

Swoop: And you supposed to be here. *sets her down, and then turns to go get Fireflight*

Kia: *little grin for Ratchet after watching this*

Ratchet: *isn't as good of a coach as Optimus is but glances over his own team to see if they're in about the right places* *notices Swoop setting Fireflight down* He's all right, Swoop. We should be getting ready over here.

Hoist: *waiting patiently* *as if humoring a particularly grouchy patient*

Silverbolt: *okay, Fireflight's in the right spot now* *will pass the ball to Skydive--who actually paid attention enough to be set up for the pass in--to begin play* *and then moves into the opposing court to get open*

Optimus: *watches Swoop hare across the court to his own position, and then turns his focus to encouraging and coaching his team even as he does his own part. Put himself nearest to Swoop*

Ratchet: *okay, ball's started to move, First Aid looks like he knows what's he's doing* *Kia, too. So just keep an eye on the other three* *Oh, and he's supposed to be playing, too* *sees an opportunity to guard and takes it!*

Skydive: *reaches right over Ratchet's head to catch the ball, then sends it looping toward Optimus*

Ratchet: *reached up to block it too late* *and theeeeeeeeeeeeeeere it goes!* Crud.

Optimus: *gets ball! Gets SWOOPED!* OOOF! Owwww...

Hoist: *WHISTLE!* Foul! *walks over to check up on Optimus* Team Prime gets two free throws.

Optimus: *bit peeved sounding as Swoop picks him up and tries to pat the dents out* That's great, because I'm seeing two of everything.

Silverbolt: *looking on with concern*

Ratchet: *comes over to check on Prime as well* *starting to think this is a dangerous pastime*

Hoist: Do you need a sub?

Optimus: *voice still a bit rough* I'm alright.

Skydive: Who'll do the throws?

Air Raid: ... *pokes Prime in a dent*

Optimus: *flinches and gives her a reproachful look*

Ratchet: *automatically* Leave the dents alone, Air Raid. *gives Prime an unconvinced look* *remembers what happened in the aftermath of the landslide*

Silverbolt: . . . I think I can.

Hoist: *looks at Silverbolt, surprised* Are you sure?

Optimus: He's got the best aim of the team. Air Raid's next best, but only when she's aiming at her brothers' heads.

Air Raid: :D *see her halo?*

Kia: *softly, as she hangs in Swoop's arms like a dolly* You shouldn't throw things at the boys.

Air Raid: ... :( Sorry.

Optimus: *notices his CMO's look* What is it, Ratchet?

Ratchet: You sure you're all right?

Optimus: Nothing hurts, and my vision's clearing. *lifts brows quizzically. Is ready to sit out or be scanned if Ratchet or Hoist think he needs it*

Ratchet: *gives Prime one last long, hard look* *apparently decides not to push it as he finally turns to get into position*

Hoist: *watches Ratchet go and the picks up the basketball* If there are no further objections, I think we should get to those free throws. Line up along the key. *or at least that's what he thought it was called* *moves to stand by the basket*

Silverbolt: *hesitates briefly before moving to stand at the top of the key*

Fireflight: Key? *blink blink*

First Aid: *points his friend in the right direction, then jogs over to his own place*

Swoop: *in his place* *hasn't remembered to put Kia down though*

Wheeljack: XD I'm lost again.

Hoist: I believe it's this rectangle and half circle painted on the court. *gives as an explanation* There should be players from alternating teams in the areas marked by the lines on the sides, and only one player per slot. *last directed to Swoop*

Ratchet: *points to where Wheeljack should go* Stand over the open space over there and get ready for the rebound. *will stand in the open space on his own side since there's only room for six players total on the key*

Wheeljack: *turns and scoots over to where she was pointed*

Swoop: *blank look for Hoist*

Hoist: *gently* You need to put Kia down.

Swoop: Ooops! *gently sets the little grey femme on her feet*

Kia: *scoots over to where she's supposed to be, her big optics twinkling with laughter*

Optimus: *in position*

Hoist: *one last check to see that everything is okay* *blows his whistle once and then passes the ball to Silverbolt, who is at the top of the key*

Silverbolt: *catches the ball, dribbles it once, and then preps to take his first shot* *he's trying not to look in Swoop’s direction as he does so*

Swoop: *BUTTERFLY!*

Hoist: *watching Silverbolt carefully*

Ratchet: *finding himself doing so, too, despite himself*

Silverbolt: *Swoop looks okay* *takes careful aim and takes the shot!*

Perceptor: *watches it sail toward the hoop*

Wheeljack: *ditto*

Swoop: Pretty bug. :D

Fireflight: *watching the birds flying overhead now*

shot: *gets agonizingly close but fails to go in*

Air Raid: *groan*

Wheeljack: *says a word Ratchet asked her not to say around Kia*

Kia: *calmly puts hands over audios*

Ratchet: //Wheeljack . . .//

Hoist: *calmly gets the ball and passes it back* It's all right, Silverbolt. You have one more.

Silverbolt: *gets the ball back and starts going through the process again*

Slingshot: *hiss* Don't miss again, dork.

Optimus: Slingshot...

Slingshot: *zips it*

Silverbolt: *deep breath* *Slingshot says such things all the time* *takes aim again* *shoots the ball*

shot: *misses again! Better luck next time!*

Slingshot: 'Bolt, you SUCK!

Swoop: 'Shot, that MEAN!

Kia: *wibble!*

Skydive: Don't cry, Kia.

Wheeljack: I know where the ball is!

Air Raid: You jinxed it, Slingshot!

Silverbolt: *looking forlornly at the basket*

Ratchet: Slingshot, not around Kia! *might be part of his frustration that he's making a bigger deal out of this than he usually does* Grab it, Wheeljack!

Wheeljack: I got it! *so shocked!*

Optimus: *over to give Silverbolt a quick pat on the back, and then he's coaching his team into position to play!*

Perceptor: Don't stand still, Wheeljack!

Silverbolt: *smiles after Prime before getting back into position*

Ratchet: Dribble towards the basket, Wheeljack!

Hoist: *prepared to call anything he sees!*

Wheeljack: Dribble, dribble! *fumble!*

Perceptor: *groans*

Air Raid: *jumps on ball!*

Swoop: *jumps on... Whoops! somebody got there first*

Slingshot: *jumps on the pile!*

Optimus: No no no... *facepalm*

Hoist: *whistle!* *hustles over there to begin unpiling the young bots*

Optimus: *comes to help, because he can see there's some armour locked there, and cursing is happening because of it*

Wheeljack: *staring with a slightly dazed expression as she realizes she could have been where the ball is now*

Ratchet: *sees the trouble and begins helping out as well*

Optimus: *trying to keep Slingshot from punching Swoop on the head* Silverbolt, we need another pair of hands.

Silverbolt: *wide optics and then he's rushing over* Slingshot, leave Swoop be. *reaches to help*

Optimus: *with Silverbolt's help has Slingshot lifted enough for Ratchet to be able to get his armour uncaught* Hurry, Ratchet.

Ratchet: *deftly gets the Aerialbot's armor uncaught since he knows how difficult Slingshot can be*

Optimus: *to Silverbolt* On three. *swings Slingshot*

Slingshot: Don't you dare slaggin' throw me!

Silverbolt: *luckily on top enough to catch Optimus' drift* *swings on cue*

Optimus: Three.

Ratchet: *well, that was kinda extreme, but Slingshot can be that difficult* *starts to check on the condition of Swoop and Air Raid's armor*

Swoop: *apologizing now*

Air Raid: *slightly dented, but okay*

Slingshot: *muffled vinegar from where he landed*

Ratchet: *gives Swoop a pat* You're okay. Just a bit eager. *ignores Slingshot's vinegar*

Hoist: *trying to figure out who had the ball last*

Air Raid: *sits up and looks at the flat ball* I knew I didn't backfire.

Kia: 0.0

Wheeljack: o.0 *snerk*

Hoist: *picks up the ball and turns it over to see just how dead it is*

Swoop: *uncertainly* Is pancake?

Air Raid: Nope.

Hoist: *paraphrasing in such a way that it might as well be a quote* You see here, this ball is only mostly dead.

Air Raid: *groans and snickers as Wheeljack does the same*

Optimus: I'll get the spare. *turns toward the supply duffel*

Hoist: *gives a bow*

Ratchet: *shakes his head in amusement*

Slingshot: *now doing the adventurous grasshopper dance*

Silverbolt: You all right, Slingshot?

Slingshot: Sure, just slaggin'-MEEP!- fine. *dance dance*

Wheeljack: ... XD Grasshopper?

Slingshot: *SCOWL*

Hoist: If you stop moving, we might be able to take it out!

Wheeljack: Before it starts spittin'.

Optimus: *pauses as he comes back with the new ball* ...Grasshopper?

Perceptor: Yes.

Optimus: *grumble of sympathy. Is wearing a few of those things on his chest right now*

Ratchet: *looks to see who else is getting grasshopper glomped*

Silverbolt: *looking a bit concerned himself*

Swoop: *is munching. Given what's edible on this field, anyone wanna guess what that Dinobot's got in his mouth?*

Ratchet: Swoop, grasshoppers aren't fuel!

Wheeljack: Ack! Oh good grief. *looks green*

Optimus: *shocked look for the Dinobot*

Swoop: Them bugs taste good. :(

Ratchet: *lightens up a bit* *sigh* Taste isn't always the best thing to go off of, buddy.

Hoist: Might I suggest we adjourn for today?

Optimus: *clearly disappointed, but he nods* I guess we need more practise before we can play a real game.

Hoist: *cheerfully reassures* I think you've got a good start.

Optimus: *passes his ball from hand to hand* Yeah... *brightens* Who wants to play Chinese Checkers?

Kia: *hopping across the court after a big grasshopper*

Silverbolt: I'll play.

Ratchet: I should probably give Swoop a check up.

Hoist: *had moved to help Slingshot remove the grasshopper*

Skydive: *quiet smile* I'll play too.

Perceptor: Is this the game with the star shaped board? *interested*

Optimus: *nods* It is.

Perceptor: I too would greatly enjoy playing. :D

Fireflight: I like Chinese Checkers. *is dreamy and smiling*

Optimus: *to Ratchet* Will you have a look at the other people he tackled today, too?

Ratchet: *nod* That too.

Optimus: *pats Ratchet on the shoulder, then turns to go put the spare ball back into the duffel* *surprised sound as he opens the bag*

Silverbolt: What is it?

Optimus: *very gently uses both hands to scoop a tiny form out of the bag and lift him up* *softly, his voice holding concern and amusement* Danny.

Daniel: *big grin that lights his whole little round face*

Hoist: *as the grasshopper hops out of Slingshot’s open panel* There you are! *reshuts the panel, but quickly looks over at Prime at the revelation*

Ratchet and Silverbolt: *both shocked* Danny!

Kia: *turns, her optics enormous* Danny's here?

Air Raid and Skydive: *come over to see, but don't push*

Slingshot: *is a worried scowl toward Optimus*

Daniel: *has nooo idea why his friends are looking so worried. Happily chatters and offers hugs*

Optimus: *calling the baby's mother to let her know where he is* *looks up* Jazz was taking care of him. She's usually more careful than this.

Ratchet: *frowns at that*

Silverbolt: *looks concerned*

Hoist: Well, at least we found him before he could get into too much trouble. *always the bright side of things*

Optimus: *and then remembers something* Wasn't Jazz supposed to come see you later today to have her communicator repaired, Ratchet? *gently turns Daniel over and sees that the knees of the baby's little overalls are black with dirt*

Ratchet: *double takes as he remembers* Yes, yes she was! *and also concerned that maybe something else happened* *comms Autobot City's security to see if they can locate her*

Perceptor: *studying the ground* We should call one of the trackers.

Kup: //Jazz? She was goin' ta the river.//

Optimus: *offers Daniel to Ratchet* Kup says that Jazz was going to the river. Is this river mud on Danny's hands?

Daniel: *looks at his hands* :p

Ratchet: *distracted from action by getting a Danny* // How long ago was that, Kup? And is Hound on site? //

Kup: //Only about an hour ago. And yeah. He's over by his flower garden.//

Optimus: *turns and looks toward the fenced in area in question*

Perceptor: *comes back and looks into Ratchet's hands* This ... Oh dear. Optimus, this is quicksand.

Optimus: *calls Hound!*

Ratchet: *looks down at the little guy in shock*

Silverbolt: *also looking at him worriedly*

Hoist: *is waiting for the go ahead to move out*

Optimus: *hurriedly, as Hound joins them at a run* Hound, Perceptor, Hoist, Wheeljack, roll out. Aerialbots, reconnoitre the nearest patches of river bank.

Air Raid: *just launched into the air and is reaching for the sky, Fireflight in her wake*

Swoop: *joins the airborne Aerialbots*

Hoist: *already transforming* Will do! *moves out*

Optimus: Ratchet, prepare the infirmary. *turns and rolls after the others*

Kia: *as Skydive and Slingshot take off, she gives a little pout* What about me?

First Aid: *gives her shoulder a squeeze* Why don't you help me and Ratchet?

Silverbolt: *watches the other Aerialbots leave, feeling the old itch . . . and then he remembers the sky*

Ratchet: *distracted from watching the others go* *looks down at Kia* We'll need some help watching Daniel when we prep the medbay.

Kia: He's not going back to his Mommy?

First Aid: She has a meeting right now.

Daniel: *spitting. Just tasted his hand*

Ratchet: *notices that* *searching his subspace for some wipes* Not too good, huh, Daniel?

Daniel: *little whimper and a big ick face*

Kia: *has wipes! Cupcake scent!*

Ratchet: *oh!* Could you wipe his hands, Kia? My hands are somewhat full.

First Aid: *gently* And large.

Kia: Alright! *small hands make short work of wiping the human baby's tiny ones* *wipes the little face too, and then carefully untucks his shirt to wipe the tongue that he's stuck out beseechingly*

Ratchet: That too. *agrees* *and then watches*


meanwhile, on the river bank


Air Raid: *zeroing in on where Hound is cautiously exploring the river bank* //I don't see anything.//

Slingshot: *buzzes her*

Swoop: //Me Swoop see him Hound!//

Hoist: *driving what he considers to be a safe distance from the river, optical sensors peeled* // Nothing yet here either. Only the things the pranksters amongst us have left behind. //

Hound: *doesn't look around as Optimus and Wheeljack transform behind him* She's right here, guys. *points to something sticking out of a pool on the river bank* There's her Teletubby whapper.

Optimus: *optics white with concern and surprise* Her bo staff. I didn't know there was quicksand here.

Hound: *as Wheeljack moves over and cautiously sticks a hand in the water* It can form pretty fast, with the right conditions.

Hoist: *makes his way to where the rest of the group is forming and transforms* You just need flowing water. *about to examine the area himself when he notices Wheeljack* Careful, Wheeljack.

Wheeljack: And fine sand. *ducks a Swoop tossed fish* Hey!

Hound: Here, give me your tow hook, Hoist. *reaches a hand*

Hoist: *steps a bit further back from the river and transforms again, waving the hook towards Hound*

Hound: *reels out more cable* Here goes! *dives into the pool*

Wheeljack: ... I should'a known we'd be havin' shenanigans after Hoist started quotin' 'Princess Bride'.

Optimus: *pinches his nose* //Be careful, Hound.//

Hound: *common channel* //Always am, Prime!//

Hoist: *Hound jumps in before he can make a suggestion about the cable* *which might be why he is unable to come up with a witty comeback* *makes sure there is plenty of cable for Hound and is on the alert for any sign that they want back up*

Wheeljack: *headfirst into the pool*

Optimus: *hauls her out by one leg and shakes the water off her*

Wheeljack: *sheepish, and wondering if she's going to catch slag from Ratchet, because she yelped over his comm channel when she fell in*

Hoist: *considers quoting Vizzini*

Ratchet: *sounds like he got interrupted from something* // Wheeljack, please tell me you didn't just fall into quicksand! I have enough here to deal with with Gears' grumbling, Perceptor’s fussing, and Silverbolt's wanting to pace for you to get in trouble out there! //

Wheeljack: //Uh. Nope!// ^_^ //Never fell in the quicksand. ...Just the water.// *and then, both aloud and over comms* //Ack! Swoop, you know I don't like fish!//

Swoop: *flies away* Oops.

Ratchet: *grumbles over comms and sounding like he's facepalming* //Just . . . be more careful. Ratchet out.//

Wheeljack: //You got it, Ratch.// Uh, Optimus? Can I go down now?

Optimus: *intent on the pool* Not now, Wheeljack.

Wheeljack: Oh. Alright, then. *tries to fold her arms behind her head and get comfortable in the awkward position*

Hoist: *concentrating on the cable, has tuned most everything else out*

Hound: *suddenly gives the cable two sharp jerks*

Optimus: *saw the cable twitch and leans forward, his optics on the water* Reel them in, Hoist.

Hoist: *steels himself for the work it'll take to bring the two bots out, adjusting to a slightly more stable position, and then he starts to slowly reel them in* Here we go!

Optimus: *gently sets Wheeljack down* Here, let me give you a hand, Hoist. *goes over and takes hold of the tow truck, anchoring him so that he can pull harder*

Air Raid and Slingshot: *land and test the ground, then reach into the water to see if they can help with the pulling*

Fireflight: *just hit the river further downstream, but he's done that before, and Swoop is with him*

Hoist: Most appreciated, Optimus, sir! *allows himself to access more of his towing capability since he's gotten more stability*

Grimlock: *comes wandering down the hill to the river. Pauses to study everything that's happening. Then walks over to Optimus, eats Swoop's fish, headbutts Wheeljack, and commences helping hold Hoist down*

Hoist: Ack! Well, I guess I won't be sliding in now! *he just hopes the ground holds up!* Now I know how Fezzick felt.

Wheeljack: *cackling softly about the big dino laying on the tow truck*

Optimus: *knows better than to say anything about the situation, or to challenge Grimlock's right to take charge in his way. Instead lets go of Hoist and goes to crouch carefully beside the two Aerialbots* Anything?

Slingshot: *sudden grunt* Yup. I think Jazz just grabbed my hand.

Air Raid: *snorts* You wish. It's probably Hound.

Slingshot: Hound's hand's're bigger, rusty bolts.

Wheeljack: //We got somebody, Ratch!//

Hoist: *trying not to let getting squashed get to him, instead concentrating on finishing the job!*

Ratchet: //*audible sigh* What a relief! //

Wheeljack: //Yeah, and now 'Shot 'n 'Raid're arguin' over who's hand 'Shot's holdin'.// *amused*

Optimus: *grabs the cable and pulls on it, aiding Hoist in that way*

Ratchet: *sounding worried now that the conversation's caught up to him* // Did someone go in after her? //

Hoist: *feels the line ease up and is grateful for Optimus' help in pulling* *keeps up the pace!*

Wheeljack: //Yup. Hound did. But he had hold'a Hoist's cable.// *sitting now on the grass and holding her toes as she watches*

Ratchet: // Well, I guess that's somethin'! //

Wheeljack: *sends him an image of how Hoist is being anchored*

Ratchet: *there's that sound of a facepalm again* // . . . I guess I'll be giving everyone a check up today. //

Wheeljack: //I'll help! If ya lift that ban on me in the infirmary.// :D

Ratchet: *sounds surprised* // When'd I ban you from the infirmary? //

Wheeljack: *also surprised* //Last night, when I was tryin' ta show ya my new stuffed platypus.//

Ratchet: *sounds like he's rubbing his face* // I wanted to go to bed, Wheeljack, and then you stuck that bright thing in my face! //

Wheeljack: //Uh... okay.// *not sure what point he's trying to make* *perk!* //Optimus has Jazz!//

Ratchet: *sees he's not gonna win* // . . . Nevermind. // *then gets the latest news* // Good. Bring her back here as soon as you can. //

Wheeljack: //And Swoop just got 'Flight outta the river. There's Hound!// *earlights bright and cheery as she watches Slingshot and Air Raid haul the tracker free of the sand*

Jazz: *spitting and coughing. Raspy* Danny?

Optimus: *gently, as he wipes her face with a cloth from his subspace* Danny's alright. He came to where we were playing basketball.

Jazz: Heh. *more coughing*

Hoist: *finishes reeling them in and makes sure they're both out before retracting his cable* *somewhat squished* All right, Grimlock, they're out. Let me up, so I can give them a check up before we go back!

Grimlock: *half asleep* Me Grimlock, comfy.

Hoist: *okay, this is a little too much* A little help here, please?

Swoop: *at just the right moment* Me Swoop and him 'Flight bring FISH!

Grimlock: *stands up with surprise as he sees the beautiful big river pike hit the ground, then jumps over Hoist to go investigate* Me Grimlock, hungry!

Wheeljack: *gleefully recounts this, with visuals, to Ratchet*

Hoist: Oof! *transforms with a stumble and rubs what would be his belly if he were human*

Ratchet: *trying to have patience* *is kinda failing* // Are Hoist and Hound okay? //

Wheeljack: *gets up and goes over to put a supportive arm around Hoist's waist and scan him* //Checkin' Hoist now. Hound looks okay other than turnin' red after Jazz kissed 'im.// *transmits a bit of Optimus' soft lecture on the subject as he hauls his CO2 toward the city*

Ratchet: // So Jazz is conscious? //

Hoist: *his frame was not really made for being laid on by a Dinobot, but the damage isn't that extensive* Oh, it'll take more than that to bring me down! *but accepts Wheeljack's support* . . . *since he knows Wheeljack always gives Ratchet detailed commentary* Tell Ratchet that we're heading back and that I wasn't able to give Hound and Jazz an assessment.

Wheeljack: //Hoist needs a little work. I kin do it. He says ta tell ya he couldn't give Hound 'n Jazz a lookover. And yup. She's still talkin'.// *looks over* //Swoop 'n the Aerialbots're bringin' Hound in.// Sure, Hoist. Here, lay down 'n lemme tend those crunches.

Hoist: No, no. I'll be all right until we get back.

Ratchet: // All right. Thanks for the heads up. We'll be waiting for ya. Ratchet out. //

Wheeljack: *laughs* What, you think I'm gonna blow ya up? *lets the repair bot go, though, and ducks a flying fish as she turns her face toward home*


back in the main ABC infirmary


Kia: *sitting on a beanbag chair over by the wall, grinning at Danny as the baby sits on her belly and chats to her and Rumble*

Rumble: *utterly fascinated by little chatty thing*

Silverbolt: *distracted from his pacing in worry about his team by giving Ratchet a hand with Gears--well, kinda* *Ratchet himself keeps getting distracted by all of Wheeljack’s calls* *so the progress is slow*

Optimus: *pushes the sticking door open with one shoulder, quietly apologizing even before he's come into the room* I'll clean all this mud up as soon as I've put Jazz down. I wanted to get her here without delay.

Jazz: *sneezes sand all over the place and makes a wry face*

Ratchet: *waves it off* *he knows that medbays always get dirty before things get better* Put her down over here. *indicates a table with what looks like suction devices to get the sand out of a bot and moves that way himself*

Optimus: *does as told, and then goes to the bench by the wall and sits down, because he knows Ratchet wanted to look at him on the basketball field, and having all his patients in sight always keeps the medibot calmer*

Swoop: *coming in next, Hound held like a big doll in his arms* Where me Swoop put him Hound?

Perceptor: Oh, over here. We have a nice cleaning station right over here.

Swoop: *brings Hound!* Them Aerialbots in waiting room. *looks toward Silverbolt*

Silverbolt: *surprises even himself with how fast he leaves the room after one brief salute in Optimus' direction*

Hoist: *sidestepped Silverbolt on his way in and sees an empty table to rest on*

Swoop: *after putting Hound down and giving the tracker an energon lollipop, he goes to check on Hoist and offer him a candy too*

First Aid: *comes in with the light oil that is good for cleaning fine sand out of uncomfortable places. Pauses and looks around to take stock of the newcomers, and then nods to Optimus before coming to Ratchet's side*

Hoist: *beams up at Swoop* I knew I was a good patient.

Ratchet: *as he notices First Aid coming in* Thanks, 'Aid. *to Hoist* Wheeljack not coming in?

Hoist: She seemed to think that I thought she would make me explode.

Ratchet: *shakes his head and does a mental roll call, surprised that he doesn't have to track anyone else down today*

Wheeljack: //Yeah, Ratch?// *sounds absent*

Ratchet: *double takes* *doesn't remember pinging her* // You're not gonna help with Hoist? //

Wheeljack: //Thought he didn' want me to. I've got a piece 'a Aerialbot armour off out here.// *sound of dent tapping comes through the half open door*

Ratchet: // Hoist seems to think otherwise, but taking care of them would be good too. I think Silverbolt's been out too long. //

Wheeljack: *slight confusion in her voice* //'Bolt's right here with me.//

Ratchet: *not sure if he's gonna get an answer, but here goes* // Is he helping out? //

Wheeljack: *pauses, as she looks around* //Yup. 'Raid was gettin' cranky at 'Shot. ‘Bolt's takin' care'a that.//

Ratchet: // Good. //

Air Raid: *voice raises up in ire, and it sounds like the effort of not-cussing is telling on her*

Silverbolt: *that whisper of a softer voice that's trying to make peace, just like he used to*

Optimus: *perks as he catches the sound of his son's voice, his attitude saying that he's smiling with quiet pride*

Jazz: *just sneezed again* Bleah. Xp

Ratchet: *had glanced in Optimus' direction, and Ratchet smiles when he sees that Optimus noticed it, too* *'Bolt still has a long way to go, but he's improving* *reassuringly to Jazz* Easy, Jazz. We're working on it.

Jazz: *raspy* I know. *then quirks a tired grin* I hear, Danny.

Swoop: *talking away to Hoist as he examines the dark painted bot*

First Aid: *laughing softly at something Hound said as he works on cleaning the tracker up*

Ratchet: *nods as Hoist returns Swoop’s comments amiably* He's sitting with Kia and Rumble in her beanbag chair.

Jazz: Heh. *shutters her optics* Rechargin' okay? *reacting in her usual way to being made to hold still*

Ratchet: *takes a moment to remember what kind of sleeper she is* I don't think it should be a problem. *teasingly* Just no sudden moves.

Jazz: *snerk* Dunno. Might have bad dreams. That was slag scary. *grimaces, but doesn't shudder*

Ratchet: *pauses in his work to look down at her in concern* I can give you sedation to put you in stasis if you want.

Jazz: *coughs* >.o Yer call.

Ratchet: *gentle reminder* You know the call is not mine while the patient is able to make decisions for themselves. *smooth move, Ratchet, no wonder you were able to sedate Ironhide*

Jazz: *remembers the last time she slugged Ratchet because of a dream* *grimaces again* Dope me.

Ratchet: *gives her a reassuring pat* I'll try to work quickly.

Jazz: *grins* Yeah, we all know how nervous OP gits when I'm quiet.

Ratchet: *chuckles as he reaches for the sedation tab*

Swoop: *happy pat pat for Hoist* You go home, lay down, watch movies. Be okay in few days.

Hoist: *sits up and sees how he feels* *grin obvious despite his masked face* That is sound advice, doctor. Is Gears still in agony over there?

Swoop: *goes over and gives the Minibot a gentle poke* *softly* You, Gears in agony?

Gears: *can only think to give a glare in response*

Swoop: *compassionate chirr, and offers him a lollipop*

Gears: *had felt himself kinda forgotten over here, but he can't help but lighten up at the lollipop* *reaches to take it in surprise*

Swoop: And now me Swoop will help you, Gears feel better. *pings Ratchet to ask for a report on Gears' condition*

Optimus: *smiling again as he watches Swoop, absently lifting a hand to wave to Hoist in the meantime*

Ratchet: *visibly blinks and probably would facepalm at himself if his hands weren't covered in sand from trying to clear out the now sedated Jazz's systems* *Gears' repair job from being tackled is only about half done because of all of Wheeljack's interruptions* *points out the things to look for while he gets back to finishing Jazz's job*

Hoist: *makes his careful way over to sit down by Optimus* And how are you feeling, Optimus?

Optimus: *frankly, with amused ruefulness* Bored. And I suspect that Ratchet's going to tell me that my whole morning doesn't count as a day off and that I need to do it over again. *watches Swoop croon to Gears and set to work on him*

Hoist: *reflecting on what he's seen of Ratchet's behavior* I may be off in my guess, but I think Ratchet himself is hoping for a vacation--or at least some quiet time. I don't think he's going to bother you about yours any time soon.

Optimus: I hope not. *blinks at something he just heard over a private channel, then pinches his nose*

Hoist: *tilts his head quizzically since he didn't hear what Optimus just heard*

Optimus: *glances at him, then turns to Ratchet* Ratchet. How many days do you want me to take off? Elita just commed me with a list of American vacation destinations.

Ratchet: *turns to him* *somewhat snarkily--forgive him* How many days do you think you can take off?

Optimus: *mildly* Considering Prowl has decided he's not letting me back into my office till you give him signed notice that I'm adequately rested?

Ratchet: And yet as your Chief Medical Officier I can only give you advice that you can either take or leave.

Optimus: *silent for a few moments. Then, gently* Do you want to come to Disney World with us?

Kia and Rumble: *PERK!*

Ratchet: *blinks* *glances towards where he thought he heard a perk* Kia and Rumble seem to.

Optimus: Ironhide and Chromia will be coming too. *amusement leaks past his mask*

Ratchet: *seems to be thinking* . . . When would we be going?

Optimus: *expression goes absent as he asks, then focuses again* She's asking us that.

Ratchet: *looks down at his hands* I need to finish with Jazz . . . and I also suspect I need a nap.

Optimus: *soft rumble of amusement* The earliest plane tickets that she can buy are for the end of the week. This is Saturday.

Kia: *soft little squee as she hugs Rumble, who carefully holds Danny and grins widely*

First Aid: So there's enough time to finish up and rest. *looks over his shoulder to smile at Ratchet behind his mask*

Optimus: Yes. *nods*

Ratchet: *sees how excited Kia and Rumble are* *takes note of First Aid's comment and smile before turning back to Optimus* *nods* That's . . . good then.

Optimus: *smiles at him* *gently* Are you sure Perceptor and First Aid can't take care of the clean up? You look like you really need that nap.

Daniel: Nap! :D

Rumble: Nahhhh. XD

Ratchet: *first impulse is to shoot a glare in Prime's direction* *starts that to an extent before he glances around*

First Aid: *mildly* I think we can handle this, Ratchet. And it is Kia's usual nap time.

Kia: :o

Hoist: *had given Prime a subtle scan since he knew that Ratchet had expressed concern about it earlier, looking over the results now*

Ratchet: *looks blankly at his hands before he pats the table* Make sure Jazz gets finished up fairly soon; I told her I'd be quick.

Perceptor: Of course. *pat pats his friend from where he's standing behind Ratchet*

Ratchet: *starts and then shakes his head at himself* . . . I'm going to get cleaned up now.

Perceptor: *softly* And may I suggest that you go to your apartment to do so? There are quite lovely cleaning facilities there.

Ratchet: *knows what Perceptor was implying there since Perceptor knows Ratchet prefers his office* *sigh* Yes.

Perceptor: *gently* And if I recall rightly, Kia has a doll cradle there which will serve as a place for Daniel to rest.

Ratchet: *restrains himself from making a comment about Perceptor's wonderful use of logic* Thank you, Perceptor.

Kia: *scoots over, Rumble wrapped in one arm, and a delighted toddler held in her other hand. Big happy grin for Ratchet*

Ratchet: *looks at Kia, careful not to touch her while he hasn't scrubbed down yet* Ready to go?

Kia: *nods* My doll babies will be safe here. They won't wake up till I come back.

Ratchet: *smiles in return* I'm glad to hear that.

Rumble: *with his usual dopey grin* Can I have a nap too, Boss?

Ratchet: *raises an optic ridge* I don't see why not.

Rumble: Yay!

Daniel: *likes cheering* Ayyyy!

Kia: *little laugh*

Ratchet: *smile grows a bit bigger despite himself, and with a last farewell to those in the infirmary, he leads his little troop out*




((co-written with random_xtras))