Chapter 5

"Oh, shh, Starscream, sshh" Scavenger mumbled softly, pulling the distraught mech into a hug, "I know, I know." The old mech watched his teammates as the youngling cried openly into his chest. He bit back a growl as the rest of the Autobots peered from around the corner, the humans at their pedes. He could hear them asking questions, trying to find out what was going on. Jetfire turned to address them, speaking in a near whisper,

"You have all been told the circumstances around Starscream joining us but while you were away, kids, he lost someone very close to him. Now, if you don't mind, would you all please go back to the ."

Scavenger smiled gratefully, Starscream certainly didn't need an audience. Optimus approached quietly, placing a servo on the Seekers' shaking shoulders,

"come on, let's go to the medbay. You'll get peace there." Feeling the Seeker tense and nearly cling to Scavenger, he added, "don't worry, Scavenger is coming too."

Red Alert was relieved when Starscream was sitting on one of the medical berths, his cries finally quietening down to shallow sobs but the medic was still worried. The young mech seemed to be having trouble controlling his intakes. He didn't expect him to be calm, far from it, but he was sure the Seeker would have been able to calm the trembling and shallow intakes. He handed him a warm cube of energon before sitting on a berth opposite him, Scavenger standing close by.

"Starscream?"

The Seekerling looked up at the medic, "I need you to take deep intakes for me, okay?"

Red Alert was pleased to find the youngling co-operating so easily, Scavenger keeping a comforting servo on his shoulder the entire time. He glanced to the door as Optimus entered, carrying Starscreams' tarp.

Starscream simply ignored the other mechs in the room, struggling to carry out the medics' instructions. He barely flinched as a damp, cool cloth wiped away the tear stains from his faceplates. He looked up when he heard his name being called once again.

"Listen to me, Starscream." Scavenger said, demanding his attention, "I want you to list some things for me, okay?"

The Seekerling nodded, taking a small sip of the warmed cube, not caring what the purpose of the exercise was, "What are five things that you can see?"

Starscream cocked his helm in confusion before glancing around the room. He spoke quietly, his voice sounding so young even to his audials.

"Monitor, lights, berth, tarp, you."

"Good." Scavenger smiled encouragingly, "and four things you can touch?"

"Berth, tarp, servo, cube of energon"

"Uh huh, and three things you can hear?"

"Air circulation vents, computer, intakes."

"Two things you can smell?"

"Energon and disinfectant" his voice suddenly quieter.

"And finally, one thing you can taste?"

Starscream suddenly yawned, intakes slowing and deepening as he rubbed a fist against an optic, "energon", he mumbled.

Red Alert gave Scavenger an impressed nod, surprised how the old mech had managed to calm the youngling so quickly. As Starscream yawned again and the medic spoke up, "take another drink of that energon, Starscream, and then I think it would be best for you to go into recharge."

Optimus' optics softened at the exhausted Seekerling, wishing him a 'good night' before excusing himself out of the room. The young mech took another sip of the cube before handing it over to Red Alerts' awaiting servo. He was tired and allowed Scavenger to help him lie down on the berth before the older mech tucked the tarp around him, whispering, "get some rest, Star, I'll be right here."

Starscream mumbled a 'good night' before falling quickly into recharge, his intakes deepening.