Chapter 7 Part 2

Let's continue this. Enjoy!

000000

They all made it to the Darby household a few minutes later after putting their alts in the garage. They all went inside. Micheal pulled some chairs from the dining table. Miko and Raf sat on the floor. Optimus and Arcee sat on the couch with Jack laying there with his head on Arcee legs and his legs sort of on Optimus'. He was sound asleep with his face twitching and going between relaxed and grimacing. "Well, he's out like a light." Miko joked looking at him. Raf nodded. Arcee put her hand on his hair and started playing with it. Jack relaxed fully after that. Micheal smiled.

"So um you got any board games?" Miko asked. Micheal smiled and stood. "We have Scrabble, Puzzles, and well, it's not a board game, but we could play truth or dare. I love that game. But you choose." Raf raised his hand. "Bee, Ratchet, and I can do a puzzle." He said. Micheal handed them the puzzles. Miko smiled. "Well, I'm doing truth or dare." She said excitedly. Wheeljack and Bulkhead nodded. Micheal sat down on the floor with them. He looked up at the couch. "Hey you guys wanna play?" He asked. "No, that's fine. We'll watch." Arcee said looking down at her partner who was grimacing again. Jack then opened his eyes a little waking up but not moving. "Hey, sleepy head." Arcee said when she saw he was a awake. Jack smiled. The only acknowledgement that he'd heard her. He was comfortable watching the others enjoying themselves.

Miko turned to Micheal first. "Truth or dare?" She asked. "Start out simple. Truth." "Okay, um, Have you ever had a girlfriend?" Miko asked. Micheal grinned. "Yes, I did. But she wasn't the right one." Micheal said shrugging. "Truth or dare, Bruce." Micheal asked. "Uh, dare." Jack smiled. "He's living dangerously. Micheal's the reason I hate this game." He said glancing up at Arcee. "Well, he is a wrecker." She said smiling down at him. "I dare you to play a prank on sunshine over there." Micheal said pointing at Ratchet. "That's not a good idea." Bruce said warily. Miko smiled. "Don't worry, Bruce. I'll help you." She said grinning evilly. Jack groaned. "That's not gonna end well." "Truth or dare, Jackie." Bulkhead asked Wheeljack. "Oh. I'm not playing. I'm watching." He said. Miko glared at him, but didn't say anything. She frowned. "Let's play scrabble. I'm bored of this game." Micheal chuckled and brought scrabble out.

Jack tried to get to sleep. But he couldn't. His ribs were really hurting. He kept squirming to try and get more comfortable. "Why don't let Ratchet give you a pain killer? I can tell you're in pain." Arcee asked gently still stroking his hair. It seemed to relax him some. "No…. Please, no pain killers." Jack said weakly. Arcee sighed. This was the fifth time she had offered. It was hurting her spark to see him so uncomfortable. "At least stop your squirming. Lay still and relax. Please." Arcee said. Jack stilled, but twitched some. Jack's breathing finally slowed as he slept once again. Arcee sighed in relief at his relaxed face. She turned her attention back to the game. Optimus was watching both games and sparing secret glances at Jack. Agent Fowler had joined the Scrabble game. Miko's next question brought Optimus and Arcee's full attention to Micheal. "So, do you two have any other siblings?" Miko asked while making a word. Micheal tensed and looked at the sleeping Jack. He made sure he was asleep before answering. He lowered his head. "You best not ask Jackie that. He's very sensitive about it, and with good reason." Micheal said warningly looking Miko in the eyes. She frowned but nodded. "To answer your question, yes, we did have a younger brother, Jack's twin. H-…" "Was his name Joshua?" Raf suddenly asked. Micheal looked at the boy shocked. "Jack spoke of him?!" "Uh, no. Vince did. When Jack and I went on our walk earlier. Jack had walked off looking around because he thought something was wrong. After he left Vince came out and tried to beat me. Jack slammed into Vince. I was scared. Vince mentioned something about Jack replacing Joshua with me. When we were on our way back. I asked. And he couldn't tell me. And please don't tell him I told you. He didn't want you guys to know." Raf explained. "Well, yes his name was Joshua. We won't. Anyway, I can't tell you details because Jack might not want you to know them. He died in the fire that caused our scars, although mine were smaller back then." Micheal said in a far off tone before shaking himself. "Anyway we do have a half-brother that Agent Fowler knew about, Jason. But I personally don't want Jack to meet him. I have tried to reach out to him to help and become true brothers, but either he doesn't care or I've got the wrong number." Micheal said sadly. "I don't know if Jackie knows. He's never mentioned it anyway."

Optimus' and Fowler's eyes met in realization. Optimus spoke calmly, "I fear he already knows." Micheal eyes met the prime's in shock. Optimus calmly and carefully explained what had happened with Jack and Agent Fowler. Micheal's eyes softened and he looked at his still sleeping brother. "*Sigh* He was not mad at you for hurting me, Agent Fowler. He was mad at our dad. I hope you know that." Micheal said looking at the agent. Fowler nodded," I do now. I never understood why he suddenly got so angry until now." After that, Micheal went back to his chipper attitude and the games continued. No one noticed Jack's eyes flutter open a little and his brows furrowed except Optimus.

After a while, everyone was just relaxing. Jack was sitting on the couch, now. Except Arcee and Ratchet had left earlier. Ratchet had ordered her to rest. Jack was watching everyone. Everyone for the most part were relaxed. They were all chatting about different things. Optimus had left also. But he said he was coming back later. Raf was beside him on the couch conked out with a blanket over him. It was about sunset now. Jack was disappointed that he didn't get to see the sunset, but he was happy to be with his friends, no his family. "Hey, does your TV work? We could watch a movie before we have to leave." Miko suggested. "Sure, but keep it down. Mom's asleep and so is Raf." Miko smiled. "Okay." Jack chose the movie. And put it in.

They watched the movie quietly. When it was over, Optimus walked in again. He looked tired almost. Miko and the two wreckers had left. Agent Fowler walked up to the two brothers and said his goodbyes. Bumblebee picked up Raf and left also after signing his goodbyes. Micheal stretched and yawned. "That was an awesome day. Your friends are nice, Jackie. You're lucky to have them, even Dr. Grouch." Micheal said yawning. "Well, Orion, you stay as long as you like, I guess. I'm going to bed. Goodnight all." He said going into his room.

Jack watched him go, and then turned to Optimus. The prime looked deep in thought. "Hey, you want some water? I mean I don't know if you guys drink water or not." Optimus nodded. "Yes we can drink water, but we do not require it." He answered. Jack nodded and got their water. "I had fun today. How did you like being human for a day?" Jack asked grinning and doing air quotes at the the mention of human. "It was…relaxing." Optimus said after a moment struggling to find the right words. "I bet you'll be glad to be back to 25 ft. tall tomorrow. Your joints and gears have to be sore by now." Jack said. Optimus grinned a little. "Yes, we will look forward to being in our true forms, but we have enjoyed this day. One day of peace after millennia of war is something to appreciate." Optimus said fondly. Jack sighed." I hope your war ends soon. Who knows? Maybe you will find a way to revive your planet and live in peace again. Though that would mean, you would leave." Jack said sadly. "It may sound selfish, but I don't want you to leave." He continued. "Jack, I too would like this war to end. And perhaps it will, but that is not in the foreseeable future. Do not worry, Jackson, we will be here for a while yet. And if we do leave and find a way to revive Cybertron, then we will find a way to communicate and visit if at all possible." Optimus said reassuringly. Jack nodded. "I'm sorry. I was being selfish there for a second." Jack said looking down. Optimus lifted Jack's chin up so they were eye to eye. "You are not selfish. Anyone would want to keep their friends close." He said gently. Jack nodded. " Family." Jack mumbled a correction before shaking himself and changing the subject. Optimus got a tiny grin when he heard the mumbled correction. "You look tired, Optimus." Jack finally said after a few minutes of silence. "Yes." Was the simple reply. "Then you should go get some recharge. I don't mean to kick you out, but we both need the rest." Jack said. Optimus stood and nodded. "Rest well, Jack." Optimus said. "You too." Jack replied as Optimus left.

000 Next day. 000

Jack and Micheal were outside saying their goodbyes. Jack was leaning on Micheal's shoulder. Micheal had an arm around his shoulders. Micheal had gotten a call from his commanding officer that if he was healed to return to work immediately. Micheal was indeed healed, quicker than his doctors thought. Micheal had packed his things that morning. Now, he was comforting his brother before he left. "I'll call when I can, Jackie. I had loads of fun. I like your friends." Micheal said grinning down at Jack. "Yeah, I did too. I just wished you could've stayed longer. But I understand why you have to leave. I'll tell the others bye for you. I-I'll miss you, bro." Jack said his voice breaking as he separated from Micheal and hugged him. Micheal returned the embrace gently. "I'll miss you too. I always do. But let me go." Jack let go after a few moments. Micheal got into the car. "I love you, Mickie." Jack said before his mom drove off. "I love you, too, Jackie." Micheal called sticking his head out the window and waving. Jack smiled a weak smile.

He went into the garage and closed the door. He stood there for a while composing himself before picking up his phone and calling base. "Can I have a groundbridge to base? I'm in my garage." Jack requested in a calm and composed voice, but it was quieter than normal. A few minutes later the green vortex opened and he hung up. He walked through to see everyone there including the kids. The groundbridge closed as soon as he was out of it. He stopped just outside the tunnel and sighed. The others didn't really pay attention. Jack usually came to base on Saturday. They just thought Micheal was off somewhere meeting with an old friend or something.

Optimus and Wheeljack weren't there. Arcee was looking happier and a lot better. She was standing by the wall until she noticed him. Bumblebee was over by the human area playing a video game with them. Bulkhead was nowhere to be seen, but if you listened hard enough you could hear banging sounds from the training room. He was probably in there. Jack walked over to Arcee and motioned for her to come closer. She did so. He explained what had happened. And that Micheal had gone back. "I am sorry, Jack. I know it's disappointing to you." She said gently. "It's okay, 'Cee. It was just the suddenness of it that really got me." She nodded. "Jack, I don't know if he can help, but Optimus is with Wheeljack up top fixing the Jackhammer." Arcee said knowing there was a special bond between the two, but like Optimus didn't know what it was. "Thanks, 'Cee. Are you allowed to go for a ride later?" Jack asked hopefully. "Yes, Ratchet cleared me for rides and some recon, but not action yet. He says I need to rest, but I don't think we should. You're still pretty badly injured, partner. Even though I would be gentle. It would jostle you too much still. Now, go. I'll tell the others." She said gently shoving him along. "Okay I'm going. Thank you."

He went to the elevator and went to the top. When he stepped out, he was about covered in dust from the Jackhammer taking off. After it was gone, Jack lowered his arms from his face to see Optimus sitting at the edge of the mesa watching Jackhammer disappear into the distance. Jack walked up. He stopped and started brushing himself off. "Jeez, mom's gonna have a fit." He muttered as he sat down too. "Is Wheeljack coming back?" Jack asked. "Yes, he always does." Optimus said quoting Bulkhead. Without wanting to beat around the bush, Jack explained that Micheal had left. Optimus looked at the teen. "It was just so sudden." Jack said. "I understand, Jackson. Do the others know?" Optimus asked. "They should by now. Arcee said she would tell them. I don't think I could handle it." Optimus nodded. "At least my ribs aren't bothering me too much. That's a plus, right?" Jack said trying to see a bright side to this. Optimus looked over the landscape and replied with a grin. "Right." Optimus said getting up and walking toward the Cybertronian entrance. He stopped and put his servo on the ground with the palm up in a clear message. Jack quickly got on as the prime walked inside the base. He put him down once they were inside. "Come, Jackson." Optimus said heading to his quarters. They had to walk through the main room. That confused the raven teen. What could the prime want? Did he do something wrong? Jack was so lost in his confusion that he didn't see the pede until was too late.

It all happened so fast it was a blur. Jack's ribs flared in pain making him cry out, when a something bumped hard bumped into his middle from behind. He fell into Optimus' open servo just in time. Jack just lay there on his stomach on the servo dazed. His pain was slowly lessoning, very slowly. He finally tried to sit up when the pain was bearable. He only managed to turn over onto his back, dazed once again from trying to move. He looked up into Optimus' concerned and surprised optics. Jack tried to speak, but it only came out as a mumbled whimper. That was enough for Optimus to snap out of it and look at his team. "What Happened?" He asked slowly. Jack still looked dazed, but it was clearing. Bumblebee was looking frantically at Jack. He beeped frantically and quickly in a clearly panicked voice. It clearly had apologies in it, but Jack was holding his ears. His was getting was getting a headache from the room spinning and the loud beeping. He curled in on himself, in a fatal position. Optimus' eyes softened a little when he saw Bee's frantic state. "Bumblebee! Calm yourself. It is alright. Ratchet, are there any further injuries?" Optimus asked. Ratchet scanned jack and shook his head. "No, he is just stunned. A few minutes of quiet and he should be back to normal." Optimus nodded and turned to a very shameful looking Bumblebee. "It is alright, Bumblebee. There is no harm done. I stand by what I said when we first met the human children. We must watch where we step." Optimus said putting a servo on Bee's shoulder before leaving again.

After he left, Jack seemed to calm down and uncurl himself. "How do you guys get kicked so much. That hurt." Jack asked exasperated. "And that was just a bump." He continued with arms in the air. Optimus almost smirked and knocked his knuckles against his metal plating on his chest with a clang as a form of answer. "Metal." Jack interpreted. Optimus nodded. Jack huffed. Sometimes he wished he had metal armor, then maybe he would be able to help in their war. 'But that won't ever happen.' He thought bitterly. Optimus continued on to his quarters. It was a simple room. A large crate that acted as a table that had a few data pads piled on it, a large berth by the wall and a smaller crate against the wall to act as a chair. Optimus put Jack on the 'desk' and went over to his berth for a moment. Jack letting his curiousity get the better of him, walked over to a stray data pad. Jack looked at it for a what felt like a long time to him. Hmm, that's the amount of energon we had. That's the amount we have now. Wow, that's a big difference." Jack mumbled to himself, then let his own words sink in. "I can read your language?!" He asked shocking himself and Optimus, who had come back and was sitting on the smaller crate watching curiously, not wanting to disturb the teen. He was surprised by the sudden outburst. "How can I read that?! I've never learned it before." Jack said still shocked. "I believe the key affected you more than we realized, Jackson." Optimus said holding up the key in three digits in front of the boy. He nodded to it and it shrunk in on itself. Optimus held it out to the teen. Jack frowned. "You're not going to give the matrix up and lose your memories again, are you?" He asked half joking. Optimus almost chuckled. Almost. "No, I believe you have earned the right to safe guard it." Optimus said with a smile which disappeared when Jack frowned and backed away. "What is wrong, Jackson?" Jack narrowed his eyes angrily. He clenched his fists. "Have you ever failed to protect or save someone?" He suddenly asked taking deep breathes to calm himself. Optimus laid the key down. He frowned. "Yes. You are referring to your younger sparkling mate (little sibling)." Optimus stated instead of asked. Jack looked down and nodded before looking up with determined eyes. "I-I'm ready to tell you about him and my dad." Optimus exvented. "Are you sure, Jackson?" He asked calmly. Jack nodded his tears already falling down his face. "I can't hold it in anymore. And you're the only one I think would understand." He said. Optimus nodded and put his servo behind Jack so he could lean on it.

So, with that Jack sat and told Optimus every detail of that night. He poured his heart out to the prime. By the time he was done, he was crying. "I failed! I failed him! Optimus, I didn't protect him!" He was saying over and over again. The prime was feeling secret rage at the teen's creator for causing this youngling so much pain, but he buried it down for now. He scooped the teen up and held him close to his spark. "Jackson, you did all you could in that situation. You protected your brother with all you had and got scarred for it. If you are to blame anyone for this, it is to be your creator. Listen, Jackson, I have fought to protect many a soldier in the war. I have failed many of them. I failed to get to Bumblebee on time, for one. But I have forgiven myself as you must. The guilt will consume you if you do not." He said soothingly. "Can you help me forgive myself? I don't know how." Jack said calming down a bit. Optimus' optics softened and he held the boy closer. "Yes, Jackson. When you need me, I will be there." He said sincerely. Jack smiled feeling lighter than he ever had since that night. "Thanks. I don't know if this means much, but you are like the father I never had, Optimus." Jack said softly. Optimus' eyes widened for a moment. He remembered Prima's words. The answer had come. He smiled fondly down at Jack who was smiling kindly up at him. "It means more than you know, Jackson." Jack smiled wider. Optimus set him down once again. He picked up the key up again and held it out to the boy again. Jack once again backed away. "I am not worthy to hold that." He said uncertainly. Optimus smiled remembering when he had said those very words to the counsel and to Primus himself. Then he smiled wider almost smirking. "You are, more than you know." Jack looked unsure still, but he smiled and held out his hand to take the key. When he had it in his hand, it glowed a bright blue. Jack had to shield his eyes. When he looked again, a strong looking chain was attached to the key, and the key was glowing softly. Somehow Jack felt calm and warm holding it. He looked up at Optimus who had also shielded his optics. "What just happened?" Jack asked confused. "The key will now answer only to you. We do not know what all Vector Sigma does, as such; we do not know what the key does. But one day you will find out. It is imprinted with your DNA now. You wear it around your neck, so it will be near your heart." Optimus said as Jack put it around his neck and it landed above his heart. He put it under his shirt. He looked up at Optimus, and the prime swore he saw himself standing there, with determination a hand over where the key was. "I will not fail you. I will keep this safe and close for as long as I live." He vowed. Then he yawned. Optimus nudged the boy into a laying position gently . Jack smiled tiredly. "Thank you, Optimus. I won't let you down." He said yawning again. Optimus rubbed the boy's back with a digit to relax him, which he did. "I know you won't, Jackson." He said softly. Jack looked up with bleary eyes. The prime then smiled fondly again. "Sleep, Jackson. You deserve it." And Jack slept with a smile on his face. Optimus got up after a while and stretched. He spared a glance at the slumbering teen then he left to check on the others.

He walked in to see Arcee once again being scanned by Ratchet. The children were gone with their guardians. Optimus walked up behind Ratchet. "Old friend." Ratchet turned around. "Yes?" "Please call Nurse Darby, and tell her Jack will be staying here tonight. He needs rest and I would like to keep an optic on him." Optimus said. Ratchet grumbled about being a medic not a messenger, but did as told. "Optimus." The prime turned around from the hall way he was going back down. "Is Jack okay?" Optimus smiled and nodded. "Jackson is fine. He is just in recharge." Optimus reassured continuing on his way.

"Uh, Ratchet, Why is Optimus acting so strange ever since Micheal came here?" Arcee asked. Ratchet turned and actually smiled a little. "He sees Jack as his sparkling. And he just realized it. But don't worry. You are still very much Jack's guardian and partner." Ratchet said softly. "Oh, that's good. Jack told me once that he always wandered what it was like to have a creator. I guess he's finding out. Thank you, Ratchet." Arcee said going back to take a short recharge cycle (nap) on the berth (bed).

Optimus went back to his quarters to find Jack looking around frantically. "Optimus?" He called. Optimus went over and sat on the crate and smiled at the teen. "I am here. What do you need?" He asked. "I-I had a nightmare about that night again." Jack said scooting a little closer to the prime. Optimus once again picked him and held him close to his spark letting the warmth come over him. "You are tired, Jackson. Rest. I am here. I will not leave." Jack nodded and snuggled closer to the warmth. He gripped a piece of chest armor and refused to let go even after he closed his eyes. "Sleep, my son, sleep. I will be here when you wake." Optimus said smiling fondly down at the teen. Jack fell asleep with a smile on his face. Optimus went and lay on his berth. He went into recharge as he brought his servo almost instinctually up over the teen protectively.

000000

Okay! I don't know if this story is done. I might do one more chapter. But I am brainstorming ideas for a sequel or a sort of oneshot thing. Or both I don't know. I'm gonna probably not update as often. Maybe once a week. Twice if I feel like it. Thank you for reading and please review and let me know what you think of this.