A Soldier's Will (Transformers Prime Fanfiction)

Self-Doubt and the Final Lead

(Back at Base...)

Raf and Ratchet had been working on the search for Smokescreen while Claire slept. Ever since she collapsed, everyone was working even harder to find him. Raf would look over at the sleeping teen, worried. He then looked at Ratchet.

"Is Claire going to be alright?" He asked.

"She will be fine after hours of rest and plenty of food," Ratchet stated. "Now we need to make sure that we find the leads and assist Claire's team until she recovers."

Raf nodded, then continued helping Ratchet with work. The time would pass by as the two communicated with Claire's team and led the search.

The time would pass by as the rest of Team Prime returned to base. Agent Fowler even arrived, looking serious.

"Prime," he said. "How is Sergeant Chevalier doing?"

"She is currently resting under Ratchet's care," he explained. "Nurse Darby has also assisted him with her care during her visits here."

"And her team?"

"Ratchet and Rafael have been leading her team during her recovery."

Agent Fowler nodded, understanding. He walked over to where Raf was, checking on his progress.

"How is everything going, son?" He asked.

"Claire's team has been looking for any traces of Smokescreen, or any Energon traces," Raf replied. "So far, they haven't found anything yet. They'll check the mission site where he was."

"Understood. Keep up the good work son."

The search kept going, heading into the night. Eventually, Claire woke up from her long rest and Ratchet went to her side as she tried to sit up.

"Ep ep ep!" He said. "You stay laying down. Allow me to check on your condition. You had put your body in a great state of duress before you fell unconscious."

"B-But I-" Claire started.

"No buts! You did not eat or sleep for two days during the search. Rafael and I were able to lead your team while you rested. Jack told me Nurse Darby will be coming to provide you some food soon."

Claire sighed. There she goes again. Every time she works hard, it always feels like she's failing by stopping her work. It wasn't fair; she felt like she wasn't doing enough for the team. She stared at the ceiling, silent. All she could do was play with the hem of her shirt while Ratchet checked on her health.

Once Ratchet cleared her, she would sit up. She would watch everyone before she looked down. Agent Fowler noticed and tried to talk with her. When he asked, she just said that she was fine and left it alone. He sighed, then walked away. Optimus eventually noticed her behavior and decided to talk with her himself.

"Claire, how are you feeling?" He asked.

"... I'm fine," she said. "Did Agent Fowler send you?"

"I came on my own. However, I would understand if he did want me to talk to you."

Optimus would go into his holoform before lifting her head up with his hand. She may have looked rested, but he could see that something was not right.

"What is the matter?" Optimus asked gently. "You normally don't hide your feelings from Agent Fowler. Is something on your mind?"

Claire was silent, not saying anything for a while. She wasn't sure if he would even understand what she's going through. She sighed, then looked up at Optimus.