The silence in the Maximal medical bay was heavy, as was the severity of the situation.  Even with Rattrap’s warning, the others weren’t prepared for what was coming their way.  Rhinox shook his head as he inspected Hysteria. 

“Is she gonna be okay?” asked Cheetor.  “How bad is it?”

“Well… it’s not pretty.  The R Chamber can fix this crack in her side, but she’d need a transfusion or else it won’t do her any good.  Making sure that there’s enough fuel in her to power her spark is the priority here,” said Rhinox.  “So, I’m going to have to mend this manually first.  It can be done, but it’s not going to be quick or easy.  After we get that patched, while we have her offline, might be best to access that processor of hers—”

“Do not reprogram her,” Dinobot snarled before he could finish.

“It’s not reprogramming,” Rhinox explained.  “It would be reverting her programming.  If we don’t do it now…”

“I will not allow you to make that decision for her.  Fix her up.  Get her back online, and then she can state whether or not she desires that operation.”

Rhinox looked towards his superior.

“Do as he wishes, Rhinox,” said Primal with a defeated sigh.  “I believe you said yourself that Maximals don’t tamper with that.  Predacon or not, our current priority is getting her back operational.”

“Understood,” he replied.

Primal turned from Rhinox back to Dinobot.

“We’ll get her back online,” he said.  “In the meantime, you look like you are in need of your own repairs.”

“Do not pity me, Optimus,” spat Dinobot.  “I do not intend to leave my post until I am certain she is in… unbiased servos.”

“Well, uh… dibs,” said Rattrap and began to walk off towards the CR chamber.

“Hold it, Rattrap.”

He stopped in his tracks, letting out a defeated sigh. 

“Yeah?” he asked.

“A word, if you don’t mind.”

Primal met him where he stood, then the two walked out together.  Dinobot shot Cheetor a look, which the younger mech quickly took as his cue to exit as well.  This left him alone with the stasis-locked Hysteria and Rhinox, who was already preparing the equipment necessary to proceed.  He wanted to say something, to question Rhinox to ensure he was confident that what he was doing was the best course of action, but he decided against it.  Antagonizing the one who would be repairing her would only prolong the process.  Instead, he stepped back, to quietly observe while being out of his way.

As he watched Rhinox diligently work, he couldn’t help but reflect on the events that led to this point.  There was a lingering remorse that gnawed at his heavy spark.  Dinobot had believed that Megatron’s control of Hysteria was for his own personal gain— for an advantage over the Maximals, as a way to humble a proud femme, just because he could.  He never once stopped to consider that it had been from the very beginning a direct attack on him.

Dinobot cursed the heavens, and he cursed himself.  Everything that transpired was what he had feared would happen should they acknowledge their attraction to one another.  Attachments like these made fools out of the wise and weaklings out of warriors.  The moment that Dinobot had come to terms with these feelings he had for her, Hysteria had become his sole weakness and his former superior wasted no time exploiting said weakness.

Dinobot hung his head, unable to bear viewing the consequences of his momentary lapse of reason.  Violent delights do indeed have violent ends, but he wished that end would not have to come as soon as it began.  He could not help but wonder if it was worth it.  If he knew things would end up like this, would he have reciprocated her sentiments at all when she confessed that all she wanted was him?  There was a nagging at his spark when this thought manifested and guilt consumed him once more.  He could not allow thoughts like that to thrive, for if this truly was the end, discrediting the bond they shared would render her demise in vain.  In her honor, he dared to acknowledge these feelings as what they had always been— love.  He was in love, no matter how imprudent or defenseless it left him.  He loved Hysteria, and he had loved her all along.  Unfortunately, the course of true love never did run smooth.  He lifted his optics again, hoping that he would have the chance to confess this love to her.

The cycles dragged on and eventually, Optimus Primal reappeared in the med bay.

“How are things looking?” he asked.

“Well, I think we’re getting somewhere,” said Rhinox without looking up from his work.

Primal then looked over at Dinobot, who had propped himself up against the wall as he kept watch.  He approached the mech, who was still too busy ruminating on everything to spare him a glance as he stood by his side.

“Rattrap told me what happened,” Primal said.

Dinobot let out an irritated growl.  The last thing he needed in this moment was to be reprimanded.  If this was about disobeying the order to keep his wits, he wished it would wait until after he was certain of Hysteria’s fate.  He knew Primal had seen right through his concern of Hysteria from the very beginning, and hoped he had enough tact to respect that.

“What exactly did he tell you?”

“He just said that he ran into the two of you about the same time that Megatron did, and that she had been followed and ambushed when they found her with the two of you.”

He waited for Primal to continue, then raised the ridge of his brow when he said no more.

“… Anything else?”

“Not really.  He was eager to get to the CR chamber before you changed your mind and beat him to it.”

In spite of it all, Dinobot eased his posture.  Perhaps, he thought, that rodent was not so bad after all.  In fact, if not for his meddling, the situation could have ended up a lot worse than it was currently.

“It’s free now, if you wanted to take a break,” said Primal.  “I can stand guard for you, if you’d like.  You have my word that I won’t allow anything to happen.”

He wanted to decline, but he knew it was in his best interest to step away.  Adrenaline protocols were no longer active, leaving him to begin to feel the extent of his own injuries.

“… Very well,” he mumbled as he pulled himself upright.  He looked down at Optimus.  “I expect to be informed immediately should there be any updates on her condition.  Access my core consciousness if you must.”

“You’ll be the first to know,” Primal promised.

With a nod of acknowledgement and one last glance in the direction of Hysteria, he dragged himself away to the restoration chamber. 

Inside, Dinobot was not aware of how much time had passed.  It felt like an eternity and an instant all at once.  The physical injuries he had sustained no longer impaired him when he stepped out, but the ache deep in his spark was one thing no nanobots could repair.  He hoped that some progress had been made while he was out.  As he returned to the med bay, he bumped into Primal, who appeared to be on his way out.

“Perfect timing, Dinobot,” he said, his tone giving Dinobot a sense of relief.  “She’s all patched up, and ready for a round in the CR chamber.”

Dinobot stepped into the med bay to get a closer look.  He approached the berth where she still lay perfectly still.

“It’ll take care of that crack,” Rhinox said upon noticing that his optics were fixed on it.  “If I fused it shut like I did the fuel line, it’d leave a scar.”

He nodded.  Though it was clear there were still repairs to be done, she looked much better than she did previously.  It was a relief knowing that the worst was behind her.

“I will take her from here,” Dinobot said.  He paused, turning to Rhinox with a subtle, but appreciative nod.  “I… am grateful for your diligence.”

“Don’t mention it.  All in a day’s work,” Rhinox replied.  “Just be delicate.  Wouldn’t want to rupture that line again.”

Dinobot was careful as he lifted her off the berth.  She felt so small in his arms, but looked so peaceful.  He held her close to his chest as he made the trek to the command center where the chamber was located.

“Shame she’s not awake for all that.”

Dinobot turned around to face Rattrap who had entered the room behind him.  He narrowed his optics upon seeing the smug look of the Maximal.

“What are you on about, rodent?” he flatly asked.

“Hey!  Not tryin’ to start nothin’,” he said, holding his servos up defensively.  “Just throwin’ you a bone, fossil face.  Maybe she was just talkin’ out of ‘er tailpipe, but she seemed real hurt that you didn’t get the honor of sweepin’ ‘er off ‘er struts first.”

Dinobot chose not to respond to this, instead turning back to place Hysteria inside of the chamber.  He tried not to think about whether or not Rattrap was just figuratively pulling his tail as he activated the unit.  Once he confirmed that the restoration process had begun, he turned his attention back to Rattrap and met him where he stood.

“You… did not tell Primal what you heard?” he questioned in a low voice.

“What’d I hear?” the other mech replied.  The smirk he wore was clear proof he was feigning ignorance, confirming to Dinobot that he had decided to keep his mouth shut about what led to the ambush.

“I appreciate the reinforcement, vermin.”

“Eh, it was nothin’,” said Rattrap with a shrug.  “She might be a Pred, but I couldn’t let a lady get scrapped.  Especially not one with the bearings to blast Megajerk without hesitation.  Oh man, I’ll never forget that dumb look on his faceplate.  I can see why you, uh… enjoy ‘er company.”

Dinobot fought the urge to grumble at this statement.  Despite the fact he had accepted his love for her, he was not comfortable with admitting it aloud— not yet.  Even if it was already painfully obvious, even if Rattrap had caught him showing her affection, he believed he owed Hysteria the honor of being the first to hear him acknowledge it.

“Hey, before I forget,” Rattrap said, regaining Dinobot’s attention.  “You should ask ‘er what she was tryin’ to get me to tell you when she’s back up.”  He didn’t give Dinobot a chance to question him before he gave him a pat on the bicep and walked away with a wink.