JV. The Field Hospital. Peaceful Times

[dens_extra_pups]

Bethany: Lizzie, what's this? *holds up printed out picture of a page displaying a doll named Marley and her price. Shoulder bumps her daughter's horse as the animal turns its head and nuzzles her*

Lizzie: *looks* *smile* Christmas gift idea.

Bethany: Did you take a good look at the price on this? *frowns at the picture* And I thought you already ordered one of these.

Lizzie: Not Marley.... And the price isn't that bad compared to some of the dolls I've seen.....

Bethany: I don't know, honey... *shakes her head slowly*

Lizzie: *innocently* Cat put together a treasury for me of creepy dolls.

Bethany: *braces herself as the horse gives her another nudge* Do you really want things like that? I thought you wanted a scooter for Christmas.

Lizzie: *and there's that look that Cat wore only a few short years ago, when she said she wanted to go into the army* I'm sure.

Bethany: *frankly* Lizzie, you've hated dolls all your life. *absent glance as she registers that Cat's horse, Sasquatch, is running back and forth over by the back of the canyon, but doesn't really pay attention to the animal once she sees that it's happy*

Lizzie: That was before I found out how creeped out some of my friends are by Moosh. *stinker grin. Cat has created a monster*

Bethany: *hands go to hips* How long do you think you're going to keep having friends with that attitude?

Lizzie: If they ditch me for this new bout of weirdness, then they were never really meant to be my friends in the first place.

Bethany: *face palms* Lizzie...

Lizzie: *so serious* What's wrong with wanting friends who accept me for who I am, weird hobbies and all? *where did this attitude come from?*

Bethany: *serious right back* I need you to think about your wish list. *and then frowns and finally focuses on Sasquatch* What the heck is he... He's playing fetch with Ironhide. *facepalms again*

Lizzie: *snerk* Goldilocks does it too.

Bethany: Since when? *bemused/amused look for younger daughter*

Lizzie: Since Ironhide became one of her favorite peeps. *so amused*

Bethany: Why is he playing with the horses?

Lizzie: Cat was worried about them not getting enough exercise, and Ironhide's a nice guy like that.

Bethany: That's not what you said about Ironhide this morning.

Lizzie: Well, he shouldn't have honked his horn right outside where I was sleeping.

Bethany: *a last head shake, and then groans softly as she catches sight of Cat's big Oldenberger Warmblood sitting like a dog and offering a foot to shake* I'm going back inside.

Lizzie: Have fun fangirling Bill. *brat grin*

Bethany: *smacks her on the rear and heads into the base*

Lizzie: *laughing her butt off until the door closes*

Bethany: *as she shuts the door* Bill's asleep, anyway.

Cat Scan: *nursing a cup of coffee and leaning against a wall. Ratchet made her go get some breakfast, and she's only now starting to finish up.... maybe* *quietly* Bill will be awake soon....

Bethany: *jumps* Whoa! *frown* Catherine...

Cat Scan: *looks up* Hm?

Bethany: You scared me. *and then frowns and walks over to take her firstborn's face in her hands* Look at those big dark circles.

Cat Scan: *quietly* 'M not all the way awake yet, Mom.....

Bethany: *gently rubs Catherine's cheek with her thumb* When did you get to sleep last night?

Cat Scan: .... What time is it now?

Bethany: *glances at watch* It's just after eight.

Cat Scan: *slight frown as she tries to think about how much sleep she got last night* Might've been.... Three? *not sure*

Bethany: What did you stay up that late for? *lets her hands drop as she frowns*

Cat Scan: *attention going back to her coffee* *quietly* I couldn't sleep.....

Bethany: Have you had anything to eat?

Cat Scan: *small nod* *quietly* Made some toast....

Bethany: Did you eat it? *knows her child well*

Cat Scan: ....

Bethany: *sighs and grabs her arm, then leads her over to the table that's set by the kitchen area that used to be a room* I don't know what I'm going to do with you...

Cat Scan: *has no argument for that right now*

Stormshadow: *sitting on Mama's toast and trying to spread strawberry jam on the cold stuff with his hands*

Bethany: Ack! No, baby, don't do that. *lets go of Catherine to pick up her grandson*

Stormshadow: *startled by her reaction* *clicks SOS!*

Cat Scan: *blink. Blink. Will go get some wet wipes*

Bethany: *brings Stormshadow to the sink and gets the dishcloth* Poor little guy, look at how sticky you are.

Stormshadow: o.0?

Cat Scan: .... *frowns at her handful of wet wipes*

Stormshadow: *runs from the cloth! He's not a dish, Gramma!*

Bethany: *watches the transformed tinybot scoot away across the counter* What the...?

Cat Scan: *will move to intercept*

Stormshadow: *transforms in Mama's hand... and boy howdy is he sticky now* *looks up at her with that wise little black visor*

Cat Scan: *soft clicks, will use some of the wet wipes to clean the stickiness off*

Bethany: *nonplussed* Was that the problem? *watches for a moment, and then looks at the cloth in her hand and uses it to wipe sticky little tire tracks off the counter*

Cat Scan: *soft chuckle* Yeah.... He's used to wet wipes....

Bethany: *shakes her head and rinses out the cloth, then hangs it up* I never used those things on you. *takes the cold toast and puts it in the bin for horse treats, then starts fixing cheesy scrambled eggs*

Cat Scan: ... *has no argument for that, either* *will fuss over Stormshadow a bit more*

Bethany: *chopping up pieces of the huge blocks of mild cheddar and mozzarella cheese that are in the fridge* How many eggs do you want?

Stormshadow: *all clean! Holds up arms in victory pose, then tilts his head and looks at Gramma*

Cat Scan: Two's fine.... *sooo not awake again. Coffee has failed her*

Bethany: *nice big pan, lotsa cheese. Sorry, Heavy Duty, she's cooking every egg she can fit in that pan. You won't have to make breakfast this morning* After you eat you better go back to bed.

Cat Scan: *small headshake* Gotta help Ratchet 'n 'Aid.....

Bethany: No. You don't. You have to take care of yourself, or you won't be any good to anyone else. *pan on the stove and heating. Likes this nice big stove*

Cat Scan: *frowning* But....

Bethany: No buts. *looks up as a shadow falls over her* Right, Ratchet?

Ratchet: ....What am I agreeing with?

Bethany: Catherine needs more sleep after breakfast.

Ratchet: ... *scans Cat Scan* Yes. You do.

Cat Scan: *frown*

Bethany: And you're having a mug of Postum and milk.

Cat Scan: *pulls a face* You fight dirty, Mom.

Bethany: You need to rest. *adds cheese to eggs*

Ratchet: *looks to see what Bethany is cooking, before moving to go and try to wake the soldiers who are still asleep, since he knows cheesy eggs are best when they're warm, and that that is clearly not just a portion of breakfast for Cat Scan*

most of the men in the barrack room: *up and doing morning exercises and insult sessions*

Wild Bill: *buried beneath blankets on his tumbled bunk, hugging the large body pillow/doll that scares his nightmares away*

Ratchet: *will attempt to wake Bill as gently as possible* *relayed the message about cheesy eggs to the soldiers who were already up and about*

Wild Bill: *blinking groggily as he pushes the blankets down. Is a bit pale and plainly too warm for the amount of clothing and coverings he's using* Huh? Oh... Ratchet. Mornin' already?

Ratchet: *scans Bill as he answers* It is.... Bethany is cooking breakfast....

Wild Bill: Hmmm. Gotta get me some of... that... *faceplant and conk out on his doll*

Ratchet: *soft sound of concern, will let First Aid know that Wild Bill has the flu*

First Aid: //Oh, poor Bill. Which symptoms does he have?// *a rustle of opening medicine bins sounds in the background*

Ratchet: //He's got a fever, and was lethargic when I spoke to him....//

First Aid: //Alright. I'll bring ibuprofen and orange juice.//

Wild Bill: *lifts his head* Huh. Right. Breakfast. *starts getting up*

Ratchet: Easy, Bill... *hand out to gently stop the soldier* You need to rest.....

Wild Bill: *blinks at him, blue eyes creasing at the corners with confusion* But ya just said...

Ratchet: You've got a fever....

Wild Bill: I do? Well now... *starting to list to one side, too*

Ratchet: *will make sure Bill doesn't fall over*

First Aid: *gently taps her husband on the arm as he leans down to look into the barracks* Here are the things for him. Should we bring him to our room?

Ratchet: That might be a good idea.....


Back at the kitchen


Bethany: *just knocked Rock 'n Roll's fingers with the spatula* Ask to have things passed.

Rock 'n Roll: *blushing red right to his ears* Sorry, ma'am.

Cat Scan: *to Rock 'n Roll* She used to do that to Dad too.... *just a bit more zonked looking*

Rock 'n Roll: *frowns at her with concern as Heavy Duty passes the bread* Are you okay, Cat Scan?

Cat Scan: 'M fine....

Vato: *as he works with Hermie on the younger Mrrpt-Nyaah's English lessons* Did you eventually go to sleep, Cat Scan?

Cat Scan: *bit of a stinkeye for Vato*

Red: *comes in, attracted by the smell of good things* Hmmm. Oh oh. *frown* Cat Scan, sha, you pull anot'er all nighter?

Bethany: *pointed look for her daughter*

Cat Scan: I did sleep... *hunkering down a bit at the look from her mother*

Bethany: *as she passes a plate of cheesy eggs to Red and goes to get a couple lobster tails out and heat them up for Goldwing* Finish your breakfast and go have some more.

Red: *looks in Cat Scan's mug, and then picks it up and sips from it*

Hermie: *chirp of a greeting, will tell Aunt Red about how Aunt Cat won't share the good drink*

Cat Scan: *tired stinkeye for her friend*

Bethany: *glances over and spots the mug gankage* Red, give that back. I'll make you some.

Red: *grins at the stink eye, but then blinks with surprise at Bethany* Hermie'd like some too, Mama.

Vato: *moving to get up and grab a mug so he can make some for himself and the others now that he knows it's alright. Bethany seems a bit busy at the moment*

Bethany: Thanks, Vato. *smiles at him and turns her attention back to the lobster tails. Gets them nice and warm, and then sprinkles bone meal and vitamin powder on them like Roadblock showed her the last time he was here* Hermie, do you need more eggs?

Hermie: *eyes his empty plate for a few moments, then nods and moves to bring it over to Gramma* Please.

Bethany: How much? *smiles down at the little guy as she scoops a single scoop of eggs into his plate, then pauses to await his verdict*

Red: *accepts her mug of Postum milk from Vato* Mmmm, dis's nicer'n coffee.

Heavy Duty: Don't speak sacrilege, woman. *gets bapped by Gung-Ho*

Hermie: *nods* Thank you. *is happy with the single scoop. There's still toast to eat, and juice to drink, plus the good drink Uncle Vato just set at his place* *careful scoot back to the table*

Bethany: *grins at the cuteness, missing having kids that age. Then whacks Gung-Ho with her spoon before refilling his plate*

Gung-Ho: *just grins and tells her thank you*

Ratchet: *coming over to check on everyone, blinks a bit when he sees how relaxed and groggy Cat Scan is* .... *scans her. Brow ridges up as he realizes she doesn't have any sort of sedative in her systems* Huh....

Stormshadow: *uses a piece of bread to push together the last of Mama's eggs, then looks up and makes his small clicks to her. Yes, he's standing on her plate again*

Cat Scan: Hm? *looks down at her plate, soft snerk* Silly kiddo.... *offers her hand*

Stormshadow: *points to the eggs and bread even as he obediently climbs up on Mama's hand. Pat pats the hand gently, the tiny pats from a tiny bot feeling like taps*

Cat Scan: *will work on finishing her breakfast*

Stormshadow: *watches her, and then looks up as he senses a Ratchet hand coming their way* *tiny clicks*

Ratchet: *waited until Cat Scan was totally finished eating and drinking to lift her up* I'll bring Cat Scan to her bed.

Bethany: *just turned, saw giant hand, and startled and dropped her spatula* Oh! Alright. Thanks, Ratchet.

Ratchet: *nods to Bethany, will bring Cat Scan and Stormshadow to the bin bed*

First Aid: *is there, checking on Snake Eyes and clicking softly. Looks up as Ratchet comes in* *quietly* His brainwave activity's gone up.

Ratchet: *smiles* *quietly* Good.... *will move to tuck Cat Scan in* *softly* I found out how to get Cat Scan to sleep without having to sedate her....

First Aid: *had started to turn back to Snake Eyes, but now she jerks her attention back to her husband, eyes bright with surprise behind her visor* Really?

Ratchet: *nods* Warm milk with Postum in it.

Cat Scan: *would comment, if she wasn't currently conked out and snoring*

First Aid: Ohhhhh. That is good to know. *chuckles and turns back to tending Snake Eyes*

Stormshadow: *SOS. Mama is in bed and holding him. Knows this is not a good thing. SOS*

Ratchet: *looks for Cat Scan's poofy spider* *headshake as he spots it over by her books. Will retrieve it and carefully extract Stormshadow from Cat Scan's grip*

Stormshadow: *bows his respectful thanks, and then transforms and scoots away*

Ratchet: *soft chuckle, will turn his attention to assisting First Aid*


kitchen


Stormshadow: *scoots into the kitchen! Bumps into the place where the kitchen wall used to be before Ironhide decided to take it out. Then transforms and peeks over it*

Bethany: *humming as she starts to clean up the breakfast dishes*

Gung-Ho: Here, lemme do dat, Mama. *pushes between her and the sink*

Bethany: *protests this, only to get gently ushered aside by Vato and Hermie*

Rock 'n Roll: *coming in from the other side, apron on over his uniform and a determined blush on his young, bearded face*

Bethany: But....

Rock 'n Roll: *hands in the water!*

Gung-Ho: *ditto, as he laughs*

Vato and Hermie: *have towels ready to dry dishes*

Bethany: .... Good grief.... *amused*

Stormshadow: *little clicks, calling to Grama. He heard Grandpa and Grandma talking and knows about something she can do!*

Bethany: *looks for the source of the clicks*

Stormshadow: *waves from where he's now standing on the little wall remnant*

Bethany: *soft chuckle, will move to approach*

Stormshadow: *tilts his little head, and then hops down and runs toward the human sleeping rooms. Stops and looks back to see if Grama is coming*

Bethany: *more chuckle, will follow*

Stormshadow: *runs over and goes into the mens' barrack, then peeks out again*

Bethany: *hesitates for a moment when she sees where she's being lead, but then she's following again*

Wild Bill: *has been moved from the top bunk he'd been sleeping on to a cot, in preparation of being moved out of the barrack. Is awake and talking muzzily to his doll, which looks a little bit like a slender snowman with an hourglass shape* Cain't remember feelin' this low fer awhile... Ratchet said I'm supposedta stay here, right?

Stormshadow: *points to the cot and then looks back up at Grama*

Bethany: *concerned, will move to put her hand on Bill's forehead*

Wild Bill: *startles and blinks up at her* What? Oh... Miss Bethany. Didn' hear ya come in. I... don't reckon I can git up... *eyelids flutter as he dozes off again*

Bethany: :/ *will go to get a washcloth wet with cool water since she can feel that Bill's got a fever*

Wild Bill: *jerks awake a few moments after she's gone, and wonders if he was dreaming that she'd come in* *and then he jerks again as he feels his cot move*

First Aid: Shhh, Bill. I'm just moving you out where we can take care of you more easily. *sets him down a little distance from the fireplace. But then has to hurry to see why Lifeline sounds so upset at her papa*

Wild Bill: *feels spaced*

Bethany: *back with the washcloth, blinks a bit as she realizes Bill has been moved. Will approach, and gently put the folded washcloth on the ailing man's forehead*

Wild Bill: *startles again and loses his doll* *slight scowl as he turns his head to look for it* Now where'd you get to...?

Bethany: Here... *will retrieve the doll and gently tuck it back in with Bill*

Wild Bill: *sighs, and then takes her hand. Groggily heartfelt* Thank you kindly, Miss Bethany.

Bethany: *gently* Get some rest, Bill. I'm not going anywhere.

Wild Bill: *sighs and nods, then closes his eyes obediently... and still holding her hand*

Bethany: *very faint blush as she realizes that.... Though she's not going to try and get her hand back*

Stormshadow: *over there trying for all he's worth to push a camp chair to Bethany*

Hermie: *looks over, chirps and moves to help Stormshadow*

Stormshadow: *clings to the leg of the comfortable chair as it's shoved across the floor*

Bethany: *looks over at the the sound of a chair being shoved across the floor, very soft snerk* Thank you, boys.

Hermie: *smile* *will make sure Gramma is comfortable with where the chair is before scooting back to help dry dishes*

Stormshadow: *hops off the leg and looks up at Grama, his little head tilted to one side as he too checks to be sure that she's comfortable*

Bethany: *sits down carefully, so she doesn't disturb Bill's rest*

Stormshadow: *satisfied clicks, then transforms and scoots away. Will be seen briefly up in the rafters some moments later*

Bethany: *soft chuckle* *will keep an eye on Bill for now*

Rock 'n Roll: *over to the door* Hey, Lizzie? Hermie says you didn't eat very much breakfast. You want some toast or somethin'?

Lizzie: Sure. Wasn't very hungry earlier.... *coming in to get some toast*

Bethany: *very slight quirk of a grin as she remembers how Catherine ate at sporadic times when she was about the same age.... Suspects she'll be going clothing shopping and shoe shopping for Lizzie within the next few months*

Rock 'n Roll: *heads over to the kitchen area that used to be a room, thus clearing Lizzie's view of the area in front of the freestanding fireplace*

Lizzie: *looks around for a bit..... and then goes 0.o as she realizes where her mom is* *soft snickerfit as she scoots for the kitchen area*

Heavy Duty: Look, Lizzie. Kippers. *stops when he sees her expression* ...What? Gung-Ho, if you throw anymore soap I'll drown you in the sink.

Gung-Ho: You 'n whose army?

Lizzie: *so amused* Mom's holding hands with Wild Bill.

Hermie: *nod nod* *soft chatter as he tells Uncle HD about it*

Heavy Duty: *snerks* Bill is a suck.

Gung-Ho: *laughing now, though quietly so he doesn't disturb his sick friend*

Rock 'n Roll: *intent on the toaster and trying to make himself stop blushing*

Vato: *absent hum as he dries dishes* *says something softly in his and Hermie's native tongue that has the young boy covering his mouth with both hands to muffle giggles*

Gung-Ho: *glances over there* Snuggle buddies? Nah. Mama ain't dat type.

Vato: *slight headtilt* Then perhaps *different word with a similar, though less romantically inclined, meaning*?

Gung-Ho: *glances at Heavy Duty*

Heavy Duty: I think that one's more like sweethearts.

Lizzie: Fffft. Mom's crazy about him. *plops down in chair after washing hands*

Vato: *trying the word in English now, small nod* Or only starting to become sweethearts.

Gung-Ho: *quietly* Bill, he need somethin' like dat. He ain't ben the same since the Baroness broke 'is heart.

Heavy Duty: *rolls eyes* Man, that was a long time ago.

Gung-Ho: So?

Lizzie: .... *frown* Why would anyone wanna do that to him?

Gung-Ho: *looks over* The Baroness ain't a nice lady. Bill was lucky his heart was all dat got broke.

Heavy Duty: *shows Lizzie the kippers, now nicely heated and their butter melted, laying on a plate*

Lizzie: *at least she's easier to distract with food than her sister* Thanks, Heavy Duty. *will work on eating*

Heavy Duty: *steps aside to let Rock 'n Roll add the toast* You're welcome. Want anything else?

Lizzie: I'm good, thanks. *smile for Rock 'n Roll*

Heavy Duty: *as Rock 'n Roll grins his friendly grin* Okay. *pushes up sleeves and starts plotting lunch and supper*

Lizzie: *will share some of her kippers with Hermie when he comes over and asks nicely*

Vato: *will come over and investigate, since he can smell something nice, but isn't sure what it is*

Lizzie: *bit of a Look for Vato, will offer the older Mrrpt-Nyaah a single bite* That's all you're getting from my plate.

Vato: *pleased chuckle at the flavor of the noms*

Rock 'n Roll: *brings over more toast, and a tub of spreadable natural yogurt 'cheese'*

Vato: *attention on that* *decides to make himself a couple slices of toast with this good smelling stuff on it, and then go out on perimeter duty*

Gung-Ho and Rock 'n Roll: *finish with the cleaning up, and then tell Lizzie they'll see her later and go out to join Vato at guarding the box canyon*

Lizzie: *will work on eating breakfast, and sharing some of it with Hermie, until the Mrrpt-Nyaah boy scoots off to find a sunbeam. Once she's finished eating, she'll wash her dishes, and go see if Hermie hid her books again.... after she snaps a stealthy picture of her mom holding Wild Bill's hand*

Wild Bill: *has hold of that hand as tenaciously as he usually holds onto his doll as he sleeps, but is more relaxed than usual. Part of it is the exhaustion of fever, but part is the reassuring warmth of the hand*

Bethany: *is gently smoothing Bill's forehead with her free hand* *is worried by how high the man's fever seems to be, though she's also thinking about how he looks when he smiles. The thought of Bill's smile makes her pulse speed up just a bit in a very pleasant way*

Blades: *comes out of her and Blitzwing's room and hunkers down to frown at her partner, but then turns her head slightly to smile at Bethany before standing and walking out*

Bethany: *surprised by seeing a smile on Blades' face, though she'll smile and nod a greeting to the Cybertronian woman and then watch her go*

Wild Bill: *starts awake as he registers the familiar footfalls* Time ta head out, Blades? *puzzled frown when he sees no partner leaning over his cot*

Bethany: *soothing sounds* It's alright, Bill.... *will smooth his forehead a bit more*

Wild Bill: *blinks at her, and then gives her a rogue smile that's full of unconscious sweetness*

Bethany: *bit of a blush and a somewhat shy smile*

Wild Bill: *quietly* Purty... you oughtta do that more, Miss Bethany.

Bethany: *so much blush.... will gently squeeze his hand*

Heavy Duty: *touches her shoulder and offers her a drinking bottle with a straw*

Wild Bill: *hazy stink eye for his friend*

Bethany: *thanks Heavy Duty, will carefully poke the straw at Bill's mouth* *is still blushing*

Wild Bill: *distracted from watching Heavy Duty walk away by the straw. Frowns in concentration for a moment and then drinks deeply*

Bethany: *holds the bottle steady*

Wild Bill: *drinks most of the juice, and then sighs and reaches up with his free hand to try and take the straw from his mouth. Isn't too well coordinated right now* Thank you kindly...

Bethany: *will help with that* You're welcome, Bill.

Wild Bill: *turns head slightly* ...Holdin' hands.

Bethany: *blush* Yeah..... I can let go, if you'd like....

Wild Bill: *quietly* Reckon I like this. *tired smile, those groggy blue eyes asking her questions*

Bethany: Alright... *and there's that shy smile again* *will gently squeeze his hand*

Wild Bill: I got... some leave comin'. Ever... seen the Rio Grande?

Bethany: *headshake* To be honest... This is the farthest south I've been in my life....

Wild Bill: *surprised sandy brows move upward* Gotta show ya... real horse country.

Bethany: *quietly* I'd like that....

Wild Bill: *and here's that sweet, tired grin again as his fingers gently squeeze hers*

Bethany: *gently* Get some rest.... I'm not going anywhere... *will set the drink bottle aside and reach to smooth his forehead a bit more*

Wild Bill: *turns his head slightly to cuddle his face against her hand even as he obediently closes his eyes*

Bethany: *very slight quirk of a grin, will make sure he's comfortable. Has no intention of moving from this spot for now*

First Aid: *from where she's standing in the doorway of she and Ratchet's room* *softly* We don't need to bring Bill in here, Ratchet.

Ratchet: *as he baby dances with Lifeline* Oh?

First Aid: *nods her head* *still soft* Come and look.

Ratchet: *will do so, clicking softly to Lifeline as he goes* *blink blink* *softly* Huh.....

First Aid: *quiet and gentle amusement* Remember when she thought Vato was flirting?

Ratchet: *nods, very soft chuckle*

First Aid: And Cat told her Bill was. *eyes brighten in a grin behind her visor. Grin is also palpable over their bond*

Ratchet: *more soft chuckle* *quietly* And Bethany didn't believe her....

First Aid: *chuckles her own soft chuckle, but then stiffens and whirls as she hears movement from Snake Eyes' futon* Oh!

Ratchet: *turns to look as well*

Snake Eyes: *has turned his head very slightly. Brain wave monitor shows that he's awake and aware*

Ratchet: *soft sound of surprise, moves to approach*

First Aid: *beside her husband, absently reaching for Lifeline as the baby reaches for her*

Ratchet: *transfers Lifeline to First Aid* *will scan Snake Eyes* *quietly* Welcome back, Snake Eyes.

Snake Eyes: *slowly opens his eyes, his expression quiet and calm as always, but questioning*

Ratchet: We're in a field hospital.... It's near The Pit, but not near enough to give away the location.

Snake Eyes: *brow lifts as he subvocalizes quietly in the back of his throat* Why're we here?

Ratchet: Because Bethany and Lizzie flew down to see Cat Scan.... And Cat Scan has never been very good at lying when she's worried.

First Aid: *softly* She needed the rest of her family.

Snake Eyes: *blinks once to show he understood, then clears his throat and grimaces slightly with discomfort at how dry it is*

Ratchet: *will go get a drinking bottle of water for Snake Eyes*

Snake Eyes: *looking around again with just his eyes as his brows draw together in a confused frown*

First Aid: *gently shifts Lifeline to one arm, and then reaches into Cat Scan's bed and lifts the young woman into her hand* She's right here, Snake Eyes.

Cat Scan: *absent murmur, turns onto her side, hides her face on her spider, and continues to sleep*

First Aid: *smiles slightly, and then lays Cat Scan beside Snake Eyes*

Snake Eyes: *soft sigh of relief now that he sees Cat Scan*

First Aid: *softly* You're welcome.

Cat Scan: *snuggles a bit closer to Snake Eyes, expression content as she dreams*

Ratchet: *back with the bottle and a straw*

First Aid: *steps aside so that her husband can reach the table, one hand gently rubbing Lifeline's back*

Ratchet: *will gently offer the end of the straw to Snake Eyes after carefully propping the injured man up with his hand*

Snake Eyes: *drinks carefully, then quirks a faint smile of thanks*

Cat Scan: *turns her head a bit, looking for Snake Eyes*

Ratchet: *quietly* You're welcome. *will help Snake Eyes lay back, then gently cover both of the people on the bed with a blanket*

Snake Eyes: *sighs again, and then drops back to sleep. Asked no questions about his son. Knows that if something was wrong with Stormshadow he would be told*

Ratchet: *very soft chuckle, will look to First Aid, relief clear on his face*

First Aid: *smiles back at him, her own relief clearly seen and felt* *softly* I'm so glad.

Ratchet: *quietly* Everyone else will be as well... *moves to put an arm around his wife's waist*

First Aid: *leans her head against him* We should sit in the sun. *knows she needs to have a little quiet time now*

Ratchet: *nod of agreement* I think that's a good idea... *will move to lead her outside*

First Aid: *last check for Snake Eyes and Cat Scan, and then a glance toward where Wild Bill is resting with Bethany watching over him as she walks beside Ratchet*

Hermie: *decided Gramma's got a usable lap, is in cat form so he can lay there* *quiet purring is a go*

Lizzie: *laying in the sunbeam previously occupied by the Mrrpt-Nyaah boy, is contentedly reading one of her books*

Stormshadow: *quiet, nearly silent purr of sound from the front of Lizzie's shirt over her belly*

First Aid: *soft chuckle* Ratchet, look where the boys are.

Ratchet: *quiet chuckle as he spots Hermie and hears Stormshadow's purr*

First Aid: *and then steps out into a fullblown Springer vs Ironhide snark war* o.0

Ratchet: .... *facepalms* *quotes Bethany* Good grief.

Springer: *pauses and looks over toward the medics* Oh, hey. I'm supposed to tell you the Prime's married.

Ratchet: .... *looks to First Aid*

First Aid: Oh. Who did Rodima marry?

Springer: A new guy. His name's Hot Spot.

First Aid: We hadn't heard of any new arrivals. *uncertain look for husband*

Springer: That's because he showed up this morning, and was married before he ever reached the base.

First Aid: 0.0

Ratchet: 0_0 *more facepalm*

Springer: So, yeah. *cheesy grin* You should see the state General Hawk's in right now.

Ironhide: *slaps Springer in the back of the head for laughing*

Lifeline: *squeal of protest at that hit!*

Ratchet: *sigh* So much for a nice day....

Ironhide: *chagrin* Ah'm sorreh, babeh. *big hand reaches gently toward Lifeline*

Lifeline: *slaps the hand and TELLS him good!*

Ironhide: *so meek and sad now*

Ratchet: *quiet, soothing clicks for Lifeline*

Ironhide: Ah'm sorreh. *hangs his big head*

Springer: *has skedaddled! And his partner's laughing at him*

Ratchet: At least things are quiet inside...

Ironhide: *as Lifeline finishes up her scolding* Yes'm. *turns and walks away, still hangdog*

Lifeline: *blink blinks, and then stretches and yawns mightily* *looks around* Tsunsine...

First Aid: *gasp*

Ratchet: *blink blink, smile* Yes, that's right, Lifeline. We're going to sit in the sunshine...

Lifeline: *little hands in the air* Yayyy! ^_^

First Aid: *laughs*

Ratchet: *chuckles and moves to bring his family over to a nice sunny spot*

Sasquatch: *oh, more metal people?* *will approach the people and whicker quietly*

First Aid: *pauses and looks down at the tall horse* Hello, Sasquatch. Did you play with Ironhide this morning?

Sasquatch: *ears forward, friendly nudge of greeting*

Ratchet: *soft chuckle, will reach to gently scratch the tall horse's ears* I see why Cat Scan likes you so much.....

First Aid: Oh, this looks like a nice spot, Ratchet. *moves a little to one side, and then settles down and leans back against the sun warmed canyon wall*

Lifeline: *makes a little whickering sound and reaches for Sasquatch*

Sasquatch: *whickers back and moves to follow the people* *will lower his head and study Lifeline curiously*

Ratchet: *nods as he moves to sit down next to First Aid* I'm glad things are getting better.....

First Aid: *softly* Me too. It will be good to get back home. *lets Lifeline go*

Lifeline: *hugs Sasquatch and gives him kissies!*

Ratchet: *nods his agreement as he watches Sasquatch nose Lifeline and whicker*

First Aid: *leans against husband, content to let her baby play*

Ratchet: *quite pleased with the morning's events, for the most part*

First Aid: *quietly, as she checks on the guards and the other horses* You haven't finished your last medical journal, have you?

Ratchet: *blinks a bit* No.... Not yet.....

First Aid: *tips her head to smile up at him, feeling that he's got time now*

Ratchet: *soft chuckle, will settle down to read*

First Aid: *reads with him in between checking their surroundings. Finally feels as though her family is actually on leave*

((written with random_xtras))