dens_tf_den | mbv, Rachel's house, Awakening...

Rachel: *closes the door behind Lisa and the Dinobots, and watches them go down the front walk. Waves to Sarah and Simon, and then turns to go back to Jack's new room, where he's tucked into a borrowed hospital bed. Has a look at the monitors, and then settles down warily beside him. She's too tired and worn out to remember giving Merlin what for for suggesting she sleep next to her friend. Right now her only thought is that this is a bed, and she needs sleep. Jack's silence disturbs her though, and she frowns, but then lifts her brows as an idea comes to her. Carefully, she pulls out her link cord and plugs it into Jack's jack, then closes her eyes and looks to see if there's anyone home in her best friend's mind.*

Jack: *dreaming of home, and of Earth, though most of his thoughts center around Rachel in those settings*

Rachel: *sigh* -You know, you're a big suck.-

Jack: *starting to wake up, thinks he's still dreaming* *soft chuckle* -you would know, Ratchet...-

Rachel: *starts slightly as she feels that awareness, her own surprise and hope surging over the link* -Jack?-

Jack: *soft sound* -Ratchet... I'm... not dreaming... am I?-

Rachel: -I linked with you to see if I could find any sign that you were going to wake up.- *tries to mask the sadness and fright, but they leak through.*

Jack: *picks up on the leaked-through emotions, concerned about Rachel and the Dinobots* -Did something happen? Is everyone alright?-

Rachel: *sighs* -Just... your old stuff acting up.- *leans her forehead against his shoulder both in reality and in their minds*

Jack: *moves slightly, putting a gentle hand on Rachel's back* *quietly* -How bad this time?-

Rachel: -Don't over exert yourself.- *shows him the crack in his circuit board and his going into stasis lock*

Jack: -...Jeeeeze...- *quietly* -I'm sorry...-

Rachel: *quietly, managing to mask her emotion this time* -You've been unresponsive for nearly eleven days.-

Jack: -...Slagging pit...- *moving a little more, opening his eyes, and blinking* -...Ratchet... where am I? This isn't home...-

Rachel: *slight amusement* -It is now. There were just too many of us for the attic anymore. And Skylar and Melissa needed a place of their own.-

Jack: *manages a tired look of confusion* -That doesn't tell me where we are...-

Rachel: -We're right where Merlin's neighborhood changes to older houses. One of the bungalows there.- *adds the address*

Jack: *soft snerk* -Rent's going to be a pain... but I think we'll be alright...-

Rachel: -Someone else is covering the rent.-

Jack: .... -Who? Patrick?-

Rachel: -If it is he's gotten better at lying.- *doesn't think it is*

Jack: *small frown* -...Where're Fred and the other drones? And where's Steeljaw?-

Rachel: -In the living room, either watching, or sitting on, the new widescreen TV.- *slightly amused*

Jack: *quietly* When'd we get a widescreen?

Rachel: -That is the chief's fault.-

Jack: ... *raised brow* -Why? It's not like you and I watch that much television anyways...-

Rachel: -Because it keeps Greg quiet for hours. He can watch the same disk over and over.-

Jack: *soft snerk*

Rachel: -Autumn comes and watches with he and the other kids sometimes. And sometimes Sean Robertson comes to join them and read to them.-

Jack: Who?

Rachel: *pictures Merlin's little prize pupil*

Jack: ... did his mom get married or something?

Rachel: -She and Samuel have word bonded.- *slight amusement leaking through*

Jack: .... *floored by this*

Rachel: -Sean's real name is Sundog. He's a Seeklet.-

Jack: ... -Who are his creators? And how did he get here?-

Rachel: -I'll tell you the rest when you're stronger. For now I'll just say he's made from Sunstreaker and Skywarp, and that Skylar's family is all with him or near him now.-

Jack: -Alright...- *quiet chuckle* -How many casseroles did Lisa make us?-

Rachel: *guilty spurt as she realizes she forgot to eat again* -I lost count.... Melissa sent some too.-

Jack: *gently* -Help me sit up... and then go get something to eat...-

Rachel: *stern* -You're not sitting up yet.-

Jack: -Awww... why not?- *small pout, trying to get Rachel to laugh*

Rachel: -Because you're not strong enough.- *static over the link as she yawns hugely*

Jack: *soft sigh* -Alright... but you still need to eat... And it sounds like you could use some sleep, too...-

Rachel: *unconscious mental snuggle that she's too tired to be aware of* -Yeah. I can sleep now.-

Jack: -...Ratchet... How long have you gone without sleep?- *concerned*

Rachel: *sigh* -It wasn't for lack of trying, Jack. But nothing short of sedation tabs would put me out.- *and then she had nightmares she couldn't get away from*

Jack: *clicks quietly, moving his arms in an attempt to hold Rachel close in a gentle hug*

Rachel: *arm around him, and she sighs as she thinks of the question she still hasn't answered*

Jack: *holds Rachel close, thinking of the other times they've had close contact like this, including all the times they've both worked themselves to exhaustion only to wake up in a snuggle pile*

Rachel: *quietly* -We've known each other a long time, Jack.-

Jack: -That we have...-

Rachel: -We never dreamed things would come to this, back when I was just out of medical school and you were the engineering nerd with the crazy new ideas for shell modifications.- *rubs her cheek against his pink kitty pyjama shirt*

Jack: *soft chuckle* -It's been an interesting journey... one that I'd repeat in a sparkbeat if given the choice...-

Rachel: *random attack due to weariness* -That new fabric softener smells good.-

Jack: *gently* -Get some sleep, Ratchet... I'll be here when you wake up.-

Rachel: *snuggles warm soft flannel and sleeps*

That afternoon...

Rachel: *frowning as the dream starts. Brawn insisting everything's going to be alright as things explode all around them*

Jack: *gently nudging Rachel both physically and mentally* -Ratchet?-

Rachel: *wakes up with a muffled cry*

Brawn: *looks in, frowning with concern and Bubba tucked under one arm*

Jack: *clicks and gently rubs Rachel's back* Shhhh....

Rachel: *blinks, disoriented, and then hides her face against him* Ugh. *groan*

Jack: *clicks more, trying to be soothing*

Bubba: *Cheery beep! Jack's awake!*

Brawn: Did she say yes yet?

Rachel: *groans again and throws a pillow*

Jack: *gives Brawn a warning look, before shaking his head as Bubba beeps again* How's Lyra doing?

Brawn: *looks down at his leg* How're you doing, Lyra?

Rachel: *opens eyes and lifts her head to look over there*

Lyra: *deedles, lets go of Brawn's leg to beetle over to the bed and attempt to climb up the side*

Moofy: *Gleeful chirps, peeks from behind Brawn's head* ^^

Brawn: *goes over to help her up, and then gently set Bubba, Moofy, and Fred beside her*

Fred: *bouncing and flailing slightly*

Lyra: *snuggles Rachel and Jack, playing a cheery melody*

Brawn: *heads for the door and slips out of the room*

Moofy: *deedles and moves to snuggle as well*

Rachel: Shhh, Fred. Shhh. Jack's going to be okay. Hey, Moofy. What are you doing? *soft words for all the little ones*

Jack: *reaching to gently pat Fred's head* You guys been keeping outta trouble?

Fred: *gives him as soulful a look as his little featureless face can manage*

Jack: *chuckles* Where's Fluffy?

Rachel: Where do you think Fluffy is? Down in the basement behind the water heater.

Jack: ...We have a basement now?

Rachel: We have a finished basement. Simon and Greg sleep down there.

Jack: ... When I'm feeling better, you owe me a tour, Rach...

Rachel: *slight chuckle* I think the kids will want to do that.

Fred: *nod nod*

Lyra: *nod nod, plays a different tune*

Moofy: *happy deedlebeeping*

Brawn: *comes back with a nice warm dish of casserole and two forks. Sets it on the bed tray and withdraws again*

Fred: *points!*

Jack: *chuckles* Let's see what we've got here then...

Rachel: *presses the button to sit the bed up, and then unhooks all the wires from Jack and carefully tosses them over the side of the bed*

Fred: *hurrying to hop over and turn things off as they start to beep*

Jack: *boggling slightly at all the different wires that were hooked up to him* ... *low whistle*

Lyra: *moving to help Fred*

Rachel: *just firms her chin and looks at Jack a bit challengingly.*

Jack: *manages a sheepish look as he tries to duck down*

Rachel: *sighs, and then bows her head and gives God thanks before reaching for the other fork and stuffing steak shepherd's pie into her mouth*

Jack: *blinks* Has Lisa been trying new recipes?

Rachel: This is Melissa's. *eat eat eat*

Jack: ... Huh...

Rachel: And she did it all in the microwave. The woman actually reads and follows recipe books.

Jack: Huh... sounds like Skylar's got it made then... *chuckles*

Rachel: *slight grin* Remember that two room apartment that included the living room with the big window? The big echoing room with the high ceiling.

Jack: *nods*

Rachel: Pandita's living there now, I hear.

Jack: ... *snerks* Bet the parties will start to be fewer in number...

Rachel: Maybe. But those happened in the basement anyway. *eats more* And TC is staying with Skylar and Melissa.

Jack: ... *blink blink* TC?

Rachel: *looks at him* Think about it.

Jack: ... *quietly* Slag...

Rachel: *remembers they're still linked* -I said all of Skylar's family is here now. When those crazy 'Cons choose a family member they hold onto them.-

Jack: -What does this mean though? Will we have to keep an optic out for Megatron and the rest of his lackeys?-

Rachel: -I don't know. You said there were others there besides Skywarp and Thundercracker on the day we took the fuel dump. That means there are already Decepticons on Earth.-

Jack: -...*cusses softly* That's right...- *even though Rachel said he wasn't to be sitting up yet, he's going to try to sit up more anyways*

Rachel: *drops her fork and leans on him, her feeling of stern warning coming over the link*

Jack: *small pout* -We've gotta figure out where the heck they are so we can keep 'em from causing more trouble...-

Rachel: -The others are already working on that.- *gently pats his chest, and then glances at the clock* -I think we have a voice mail saying that the kids are going to stay overnight at Autumn's again.-

Jack: -Autumn's got a place of her own?-

Rachel: -She's sharing.- *eats more*

Jack: ... Oy, lemme have some of that...

Rachel: *pokes a forkful at his mouth*

Jack: *manages to get the forkful eaten without making too much of a mess*

Rachel: *offers him some more, her mind flicking to the question as she once more absently ponders it*

Jack: *reaching to gently pat Rachel's hand, even as he accidentally knocks some of the casserole off of the fork*

Rachel: *blinks at the pat, and then snerks at the mess and goes to pick it up. And then she stops and blushes slightly.* -Forgot we're still hooked up.-

Jack: -At least this way, we don't have to whisper...*chuckles*-

Rachel: -If the kids aren't here by now they're with Autumn.- *offers him some more* -I've thought over that question.-

Jack: *trying not to get his hopes up* -yeah?-

Rachel: *looks at him, her eyes searching his face* -We've known each other for around nine million years, Jack. Why are you asking now?-

Jack: -Because I was an idiot for not asking before now.-

Rachel: But what's different now? Why do you want to change things?

Jack: *quietly stammers something about being scared*

Rachel: The guy that ripped part of his own spark out for his daughter is scared?

Jack: *looks down at his hands* -I am... I'm scared to death that one of these days... something could happen... I know I've cheated death a lot... but knowing that I'm more than likely going to die before you isn't as terrifying as the thought of losing you.-

Rachel: *puts down the fork and pushes away the tray so she can put her arms around him comfortingly* -But Jack, how will being spark bonded change whether we go or not?-

Jack: *being completely honest* -there wouldn't be any regrets...no "If only I'd have"s...No "Woulda, Coulda, Shoulda"...-

Rachel: *softly* -You know the people at the school are convinced we have been married for several years? Or that I'm your mistress and you had to move here after your wife found out about our daughter.-

Jack: -...- *can't help it. the idea of Rachel as a mistress has him cracking up and shaking with laughter*

Rachel: *grins* A few people were scandalized. But others pointed out that I wasn't some young thing.

Jack: *still chuckling, but manages to regain some composure* What's stopping us from doing a civil ceremony? It'd be similar to being word-bonded...

Rachel: Are you sure you'd be happy with just that? *searching his face again*

Jack: *serious* I won't try to push you into something you don't want... if the idea of being sparkmates isn't what you want, then that's fine by me.

Rachel: *lets him feel how she feels about him; the affection tempered with the knowledge that he's always been there through all her big plans and schemes and projects and she has always helped pull him out of the rubble after he miscalculated. She lets him feel her inability now since the crash to imagine life without him there. And she accidentally leaks just how nice flannel pyjamas on a Jack feels*

Jack: *moves to hold Rachel, letting her feel just how much she means to him, even when she used to scold him for not being more careful when his projects would explode or malfunction and leave him buried in rubble. Rachel will see that he'd rather go into stasis lock than spend even a day without her... and then he's blushing and accidentally letting it be known how much he likes the moments when they've inadvertently wound up snuggling*

Rachel: *hides her face a little* -You realize that if we ever added to the family the normal way that I'd have to flay myself again.-

Jack: -I think... we've got enough kids to keep us busy for awhile...- *gently nuzzles Rachel's head*

Rachel: -Yes, but bonded femmesparks tend to add to the family on their own accord and their own schedule.- *though she's kind of hoping that the damage she's already inflicted on hers will render more sparklets a distant... very distant... possibility*

Jack: -Well... We'll cross that bridge if we come to it.-

Rachel: .... Someone's at the door. I hear Brawn talking to them. *thinking of witnesses*

Jack: *blink blink, will make another attempt at sitting up more* Wonder who it is?

Rachel: *pushes him back down and turns her head to listen, then gently unplugs her link cord and slips off the bed to go and look* Brawn? Do we have visitors?

Brawn: *Turns and looks at her from where he'd been giving the guy Patrick has hold of a hard time*

Patrick: *rare smug look as he holds a guy with short brown hair by his arm*

Brandon: *looking very sheepish*

Rachel: *pauses and looks at him, then scans and calls Steeljaw* Blaster....

Steeljaw: *loud thud as he jumps down from the top of the kitchen cupboards* Mrrrpt? Mrrrrow?

Brandon: *ducking as much as the grip on his arm will allow* Er...hi?

Rachel: *putting two and two and eight together* That rent money had better be legal.

Brandon: It is. Casino dealers make good money.

Patrick: I caught him dropping rent money off at my box.

Steeljaw: *Swishes his tail* Mrrrpt?

Rachel: *looks down at the big cat* Your father's here. *turns her attention back to Brandon* You're pulling a Smokescreen?

Steeljaw: *headbutts Brandon's leg, before rubbing against Rachel's and heading to check on Jack*

Brandon: No, because Smokie only played. He never stood on the other side of the table.

Rachel: *still not too sure she's happy with taking money from people who are sometimes too stupid to know they can't afford to give it up* Whatever. *frowns at him, and then frowns at Patrick*

Patrick: He works at the high-end Casino. He makes more every two weeks than I make in two months. *reaches to bap Brandon* You could've told us you were here on Earth.

Brandon: Ow! Hey! Someone had to lay low better than all of y'all have been... and someone had to cover for everyth- *realizes he just ratted himself out*

Rachel: *eyebrow*

Patrick: ... Well, now we know who's responsible for that. *lets go of Brandon, but not before making the younger man step forward slightly*

Brandon: *Sheepish* I didn't want anyone to get captured by the humans... but with Starscream nearly blowing our cover...

Rachel: *abruptly, showing she really hadn't been listening to them* You two, and Steeljaw make three officially. And Brawn's here, too.

Patrick: ... Three what?

Brandon: ... Brawn?!

Brawn: *looking at Rachel, his optic band very bright. Starts when Brandon says his name* What?

Brandon: *boggling*

Brawn: *optic band darkens* You have a problem?

Patrick: *nods to Brawn* How's Jack doing?

Brandon: H-How?!

Brawn: *bit of his old scowl* I couldn't settle down, so I came back.

Patrick: *Clears his throat* Brawn, how is Jack doing?

Rachel: Never mind all this. Get in here, all of you. *turns and heads back toward the master bedroom*

Brawn: *looks after her, and then it clicks and he really looks like he's grinning*

Patrick and Brandon: *Share a 'huh?' look before following Rachel*

Lyra: *sneakpounces Brawn, playing a wedding song* ^^

Brawn: *laughs and catches her* Yes. Finally.

Lyra: *Happy deedling*

Steeljaw: *Standing on his hind legs and leaning against the side of Jack's bed, 'talking' to Jack* Mrrrpt, mrrrrrrrrow, mrrrrpt...

Rachel: *goes to where Jack's in the propped up bed, her eyes telling him the answer to the question as she sidesteps Steeljaw and reaches for his hand*

Jack: *trying to keep from grinning like a loon as he takes Rachel's hand*

Patrick: *watching, chuckles as Brandon moves to stand beside him*

Rachel: *looks toward Patrick and Brandon, and then down at Steeljaw* *quietly* I can't transform to do this in my natural mode. This is how I am now. But if you want to do it then go ahead.

Patrick: *small nod as he watches Jack gently squeeze Rachel's hand* I will bear witness.

Steeljaw: *drops down to the floor and gently headbutts Rachel's leg*

Brandon: As will I. *serious expression for once*

Brawn: And so will I. As much as I'm able. *standing straight and partially at attention*

Lyra: *Deedling agreement*

Fred: *looking at everyone and wondering what's going on from where he's hugging Bubba*

Bubba: *Has no clue what's going on, doesn't care, will chirp happily anyways!*

Jack: *trying not to crack up at Bubba's chirping*

Rachel: *grins a little* Shhhh, Bubba.

Jack: *trying to remember what was said during Patrick's and Emilia's word-bonding, and coming up with nothing*

Rachel: *squeezes his hand* Ad-lib it, buddy.

Brawn: *soft clink as he facepalms*

Jack: *Faint blush, nods* *quietly, in Cybertronian* [Will you be my mate, Ratchet?]

Rachel: *serious* [For as long as I have spark and existence.]

Fred: 0_0

Lyra: *Deedling ceases while she waits for Jack and Rachel to do the other half of the wedding vows, like what she's seen on TV*

Rachel: [You are my mate, Wheeljack. I bond myself to you in word as I am already bound to you by love and respect. I will stand by your side through all that life should send our way, and I will be true. Because you are my mate.]

Jack: *doing his best to remember the right response, comes up with* [From now 'till All are One, and beyond.]

Brawn: *leans over and makes like whispering from the side of his mouth* [No. That's the end. You have to claim her too.]

Jack: *Sheepish*

Rachel: *squeezes his hand*

Jack: *trying again, his cheeks bright pink with embarrassment at saying the vows wrong* [You are my mate, Ratchet. I bond myself to you in word as I am already bound to you by love and respect. I will stand by your side through all that life should send our way, and I will be true. Because you are my mate.]

Brawn: [Good!]

Rachel: *quietly* [Till all are one.]

Jack: *just as quietly* [Till all are one.]

Fluffy: *from where he's standing by the door. John Wayne voice* You may kiss the bride.

Rachel: *startles*

Jack: *Starts, looking at Fluffy with wide eyes*

Brawn: .... *frowns at the little drone* Kiss the bride? That's not in the ceremony.

Lyra: *Plays the wedding song again*

Patrick: *soft snerk* It's an Earth tradition....

Brandon: Just like getting the newlyweds a fondue set or a new toaster! ^_^

Rachel: There's nothing wrong with my toaster. And I don't want my kids near that much melted cheese. *leans over and gently pecks Jack on the cheek*

Jack: *soft snerk* Yeah, because you won't let me touch it... *leans a little to try to kiss Rachel on the cheek*

Rachel: *turns her face so he can reach properly, then lays her head on his shoulder for a moment before turning toward the others* We don't really have the energy for a party. But there's dark ale in the fridge, and lots of casserole. You're free to help yourselves.

Brawn: *hurrying back in with the camera and offering it to Patrick* This is part of it too, isn't it?

Rachel: *looks at the camera, and then licks her hand and goes after Jack's hair*

Patrick: *nods, chuckling and taking the camera*

Jack: ack! Hey!

Steeljaw: Mrrrpt...

Rachel: I am too doing it right. *pauses and looks at her handiwork* There.

Brandon: *getting out his cellphone, which also has a camera, why no, he's not making a video of Jack and Rachel, he's just lining up his shot*

Patrick: *chuckles at Jack's slight pout, before moving so he can get a clear shot* Alright you two...

Rachel: *looks at Brandon* I know you're not thinking of prank or blackmail material. Because I still remember that one time you don't want anyone to know about. *sits by Jack and holds his hand and smiles*

Brandon: You think I'm crazy? *pushes a button and his phone quacks, before he's turning it around to show Rachel the picture*

Patrick: *gets the picture taken, is doing his best not to snicker, even as Steeljaw lets out a soft noise that sounds suspiciously like a snicker*

Rachel: *looks at Brandon's picture and grins, then glances at Jack as she once again thinks how funny it is that his human form looks so much older than hers when he's younger than she is*

Patrick: *chuckles* Should I download the picture to Emi's laptop?

Brandon: Heck, naw... *messes with his phone a bit and then grins* I just e-mailed it to ya, boss.

Jack: ... *knows that grin all too well* He'd better be the only person you e-mailed that to, Blaster.

Rachel: *gives the Autobot head of Communications her quiet but meaningful Look*

Brandon: I swear, Patrick's the only one who's got the picture besides me!

Rachel: *looks down at Steeljaw*

Steeljaw: *Stretching* Mrrrpt...

Fluffy: *cutting remark in the voice of a certain barmaid character from an old show about a bar*

Brandon: ...He didn't just quote "Cheers" at me, did he?

Jack: *trying not to laugh*

Rachel: *cracking up*

Fluffy: *says an even better one, and then asks Brawn if he's feeling lucky when he goes to shoo him out*

Rachel: Let's see yours, Chief.

Patrick: *offers Rachel the digital camera*

Rachel: *takes it and looks at the screen, then looks at Jack for his opinion*

Jack: *small frown* I really look like slag...

Rachel: *smile fades and she pats his hand* You'll get better.

Jack: *nods* And next time we get pictures like this, we're going to the gal in town who does the pictures for the football team.

Patrick: ...so I can't take good pictures, big deal. *trying not to laugh at the look Jack is giving him*

Rachel: *smile comes back* Alright, you guys. Jack just woke up today, so it's time for you to all say see you later.

Fluffy: *snorts and stomps off*

Brawn: *shakes his head at him*

Patrick: *nods and moves to usher Brandon out of the room* If you need any more help, just call, alright, Rachel?

Rachel: Sure, Chief. Thanks. And Brandon, I want to look at you this time next week. Do you understand?

Brandon: *nods* Yes, Rachel, I understand.

Rachel: And it won't be too hard to find out where you sleep now that I know you're in town. Like I say, if you two want something there's drinks and food in the fridge.

Brandon: ... Somehow, I don't want to know...

Moofy: *Peeks into the room, deedles* ^^

Rachel: *just gives Brandon a cheerful grin and waves him out, then clicks to Moofy*

Fred: *loses it and noogies Bubba before jumping off the bed and going after Moofy*

Patrick: *Hauls Brandon out, but stops to grab a quick plate of casserole before he leaves*

Moofy: *gleeful, pounces on Fred and tussles with his older brother*

Rachel: *laughs at the drones, and then goes to get one of the bottles of dark ale from the fridge before she comes back, hugging Brawn and speaking to him softly as she passes him on his way to his entertainment center abode in the basement. This done, she gets her phone off the charger and listens to the voicemails as she comes back into Jack's room*

Jack: Anything interesting, voicemail-wise?

Rachel: I was right about the kids. And Merlin called to make sure we're alright. *presses the right button to call the redhead back and let him know that Jack's awake*

Jack: *glances over to the door, where Patrick is poking his head into the room again* ?

Patrick: I almost forgot... *holds up a couple of bags*

Rachel: *slight frown* You didn't get us take out.

Patrick: Think of these as wedding gifts.

Rachel: 0.o *hands Jack the ale and goes to get the packages, noticing that each one encloses a mail parcel, and that the upper one is from an online shop that she recognizes*

Jack: *raised brow, has a sip of the ale as he watches Rachel*

Rachel: *gives Patrick a quizzical look, but then hugs him* Thanks. *gets Merlin's voice mail and leaves a message letting him know that Jack's awake*

Patrick: *nods and hugs Rachel back* *quietly* Take care of him... and if he makes another appliance melt, don't hesitate to call.

Rachel: *just shakes her head and grins* My appliances are safe, Chief. Be careful on your way home, alright?

Patrick: *nods as he steps back* I will.

Rachel: And tell Brandon to put Fred's 'Dr. Who' first season back. *chuckles and goes back to Jack's bed*

Patrick: *Snerks and goes to tell the Communications Officer off, before both men leave*

Fred: *tells Brandon off too! And then goes and puts the first disk into the machine before climbing up on the couch and beeping for his siblings to come join him*

Rachel: *can hear the beeping as she sets Jack's gift on his lap, then takes the ale back and has a sip herself*

Moofy: *Deedles and moves to scrabble onto the couch with Lyra close behind*

Jack: *opening the package, pausing when he sees what's inside the box* ... And here I thought he didn't have a sense of humor... *chuckles as he removes the oven mitts from their packaging*

Rachel: *Blinks and shakes her head, then takes one and sticks her hand in it* These things are good. They use them in the chem lab at school. *then gives him ale, mitt, and sets Bubba on the floor, before taking her own package and ripping it open with her usual blithe disregard of the possibility of reusing the wrapping. Pauses when she gets to the box* Genibo? *shows Jack the picture*

Jack: *raises an eyebrow* ... like we don't have a crazy enough house as it is? *amused*

Rachel: *chuckles* He got Autumn a giant stuffed penguin. And Emilia a stuffed cheetah. I think he's getting all the femmes something cute to cuddle. I wonder if he knew how fast you're going to have this guy reprogrammed and upgraded?

Jack: *snerk* Yeah... but that'll have to wait, right?

Rachel: *sets the box on the floor by Steeljaw* Yes. You need to rest for a few days yet.

Steeljaw: *Snuffs at the box a bit*

Jack: *nods a bit, giving Rachel his best 'cute' pout*

Rachel: *checks to make sure that she or Steeljaw has finished the plateful of food, and then turns back and grins at Jack. Puts a hand on his cheek that's further from her and kisses him on the one closest to her* It's doubly my job to take care of you now, buddy. I bet you didn't think of that when you proposed.

Jack: ... *soft chuckle*

Rachel: *makes the bed lay flatter, and then kicks off her shoes and settles beside him again as she calls Autumn's number* Steeljaw, you want to help Bubba find the others?

Steeljaw: Mrrrt... *grabs Bubba by the scruff and carries the gleefully oblivious drone out to where the rest of his siblings are*

Autumn: //Guys, settle down! Hello?//

Rachel: Rachel here. How are the kids?

Autumn: //Well, I'd have gotten everyone settled down if Ramhorn hadn't decided to be a brat...*sounding amused*//

Rachel: Tell him I'll tell his father he's acting up. *grin*

Autumn: //...Someone found Blaster?//

Rachel: Patrick found Brandon just a little while ago with his hand in his mailbox. *grin widening*

Autumn: //...I owe him a good sharp kick to the skidplate.//

Rachel: *chuckles* You might have to stand in line. Oh yeah, and.... *holds phone to Jack's mouth just as he's going to have another sip of ale*

Jack: *sputters and coughs, spilling a bit of the ale on himself*

Rachel: Whoops. *takes phone back* The guy just wakes up and I nearly choke him to death on our wedding beer. *grabs a wiper and wipes*

Autumn: //He's okay, right?//

Rachel: He will be. He's going to need more rest before he's back to his usual ninety nine point nine nine eight percent. *grinning at Jack as she finishes the wiping*

Jack: *razzes Rachel*

Autumn: //That's good... and what's this about "our wedding beer"? Did you two go to Vegas and elope?//

Rachel: Don't be silly. He's in no shape for Vegas. And neither am I. *raises a brow at Jack, asking if he wants to try again with the phone*

Autumn: //...Don't tell me you two...//

Jack: *nods and reaches for the phone, only to flinch when Autumn squeals gleefully*

Rachel: *sympathy wince even as she takes the ale for a drink herself*

Jack: *trying to get a word in, and failing, sighs and decides to let Autumn talk herself out*

Rachel: *finishes the ale and sets the bottle beside the empty plate, then lays her head against Jack's shoulder to listen to Autumn talk*

Autumn: *Talking excitedly and trying to find Lisa, Emilia, and Mia, while still on the phone*

Jack: *raised brow as he listens*

Rachel: //Here, Jack.// *sticks her mouth by the phone* Bee, you're Streaking.

Lisa: *from nearby* //I heard that, Rachel!//

Rachel: I love you, Lisa. *grinning*

Lisa: //First Petra, now you... everyone's picking on me...//

Rachel: Ask Autumn what just happened here.

Lisa: *sounds of her grabbing the phone from Autumn* //She squealed really loud just a little bit ago, did Jack wake up or did something even better happen or something?//

Rachel: *looks at Jack, winking for him to answer*

Jack: *small smile, eyes twinkling as he does so* Well, there's the whole thing about Rachel and me getting married...

Lisa: //...// *Squeals and launches on an epic ramble-fit*

Rachel: *hand on Jack's chest as she laughs against his flannel pyjama shirt*

Emilia: //Rachel? What did you say? Autumn and Lisa are spazzing....//

Rachel: *muffled and still laughing* Two bucks she squeals too.

Jack: *quietly* Do I look like Smokescreen?

Emilia: //...Glad to hear you're doing better, Jack... but seriously, what got Autumn and Lisa so wound up?//

Rachel: *peeks at him, eyes twinkling*

Jack: Rachel and I are word-bound now, Emilia. *moves to hold the phone away, just in case*

Emilia: //...// *loud celebratory whoop as the phone hits the floor*

Rachel: *cracks up and once more laughs heartily into Jack's flannel shirt*

Mia: *as she's stooping to pick up the phone* Th' heck's goin' on 'ere?

Jack: *gives Rachel a look that clearly says "Your turn"*

Rachel: *laughs harder* When you talk to Alex again tell him I beat him to it!

Mia: //Y'u di'n't... 's jes' a word-bond, rahght? 's Jack 'kay?//

Rachel: It's a word bond. And he'll be fine if he just listens to his doctor. *wiping the laughter tears out of her eyes*

Mia: //'re y'all gonna do lahke Skylar 'n Missy 'n get a legal thang?//

Rachel: Maybe sometime. Right now we're getting Jack back on his feet and making sure the kids have what they need.

Mia: //Gotcha. 'N if'n y'all're needin' a place f'r 'em t' stay f'r a few days'r so, don' hesitate t' call.//

Rachel: *looks at Jack* Actually, that might not be a bad idea. I'm going to need to be able to pay attention to Jack now that he's awake. *slight frown of concern at how her sparklets might take that*

Mia: //Wan' me t' call 'em o'er?//

Rachel: Yeah. If you don't mind.

Mia: //Jes' a moment...// *Hollering for the kids without bothering to cover the mouthpiece of the phone*

Rachel: *holds it away just in time*

kids: *babble of questions and demands, and assertions from Greg that he was being good*

Sarah: //Him Daddy awake yet?//

Rachel: Daddy's awake, Sweetheart. But he still needs a lot of rest. Do you think you'd be alright staying with Autumn and your other aunties till he's feeling better? Your brothers would be with you.

Sarah: //Me Sarah be alright... She Autumn tell good stories.//

Rachel: Good girl. Will you tell Simon? *already knows Greg will have a cow, and then forget all about her in a few moments*

Sarah: *nod nod* //Me Sarah tell him Simon.//

Rachel: Thanks, Sweetheart. You nearly ready for bed?

Sarah: //Is too early for bed.. She Lisa making dinner though!//

Rachel: *chuckles as she looks at the clock* You're right. It is too early. I guess I'm just tired. What're you having for dinner?

Sarah: //... *sniffing the air* Me Sarah smell burgers...//

Rachel: Real burgers? Not a meatloaf or a casserole?

Sarah: //Think so... Me see bready thingies...//

Rachel: Promise me you'll tell Aunty Mia to keep Greg away from the sauerkraut?

Sarah: //Me promise. No sauerkraut for him Greg!//

Rachel: Good girl! The last thing we need is friendly fire incidents. Do you want to say hi to Daddy?

Sarah: //Him Daddy awake enough to talk?// *sounds like she's all but bouncing in place*

Rachel: *glances at Jack, her eyes twinkling* Daddy's awake enough to talk.

Jack: *grinning and reaching for the phone again*

Rachel: *gives, and then settles her head on his shoulder again*

Simon: *whispering* //Tell him Daddy me Simon loves him.//

Jack: *chuckles as Sarah relays Simon's words* I love you too, Simon. *more chuckling as Sarah tells him about how Autumn took them on a walk through the field next to the house and how she saw a baby bunny*

Rachel: *hides her face as she silently gives thanks for this time, here beside her oldest best friend and listening to their children talk*

Jack: *moves to gently hug Rachel as Sarah gets distracted by Lisa telling everyone that it's time to eat*

Rachel: *looks up* Tell her I said good night for when Simon and Greg go to bed. *the boys can't sleep without this assurance, but it doesn't have to come at bedtime* And that I love her.

Jack: *does so, smiling when Sarah responds in like*

Rachel: *grins as she listens to the two of them say goodbye, then lifts her eyebrows as Jack looks at her*

Jack: *closing the phone and moving to gently kiss Rachel's forehead*

Rachel: *takes the phone and pokes it under the pillow, then whistles so that the lights go off and settles her head back on his shoulder with a sigh*

Jack: *quiet chuckle* Femme of many talents...

Rachel: Nah. I bought the light thing from ThinkGeek.

Jack: *snerks*

Rachel: *sits up with a slight frown*

Jack: Rachel?

Rachel: Sorry, buddy. I like the taste of that ale, but the smell gets old pretty fast. Let me get you a new shirt. *out of bed and heading for the dresser*

Jack: ... *chuckling*

Rachel: Do you mind not matching? *pulls out a nice soft shirt by feel as she glances back toward him*

Jack: Doesn't bother me if my shirt doesn't match my pants... or whether my socks match for that matter...

Rachel: *laughs* Or if you have black socks in your sandals. *comes back and gives him the shirt*

Jack: *laughing now, even as he moves to unbutton the shirt he's wearing*

Rachel: *hand behind his back to help as she sits next to him* Careful, buddy, I don't want to have to try and lift your caboose off the floor.

Jack: Hey...I'm not that heavy...

Rachel: *laughs and doesn't bring up her wonky suspension* You're not heavy, you're... well, it' be kinda weird to finish that line now.

Jack: XP *razzes Rachel a bit, before shrugging off the shirt that had ale spilt on it*

Rachel: *helping him into the new one and then fastening the buttons by feel, her fingers searching for each one as she frowns blindly into the darkness caused by the thick curtains*

Jack: *reaching to help, might accidentally bump hands a few times*

Rachel: *chuckling as their hands collide again, and then counts buttons with her fingers* I think that's all of them.

Jack: *frowning as he watches, his eyes having adjusted to the lower light levels. Then he's reaching to gently hold Rachel's hand in his own*

Rachel: *curls her fingers around his and muffles a yawn* You ever scare me like that again, and I think I'll have to try something like I hear my alternates do and weld you to the ceiling or something.

Jack: Then who would drive at night?

Rachel: *sighs and settles down next to him, her head once more on his shoulder* You noticed, huh?

Jack: *gently* I did... how bad is it?

Rachel: *quietly* I can't see anything right now. Not even a glow from around the drapes.

Jack: *gently squeezes her hand* How long has it been like this?

Rachel: Since I first woke up after the crash. I didn't say anything at first because I was waiting for the self repair to take care of it. And then... well, I don't say anything. *slight shrug*

Jack: *small frown* Ratchet... If you're going to be getting on my case to take better care of myself, I'm going to do the same to you...

Rachel: All the other features work. And if I get the optics replaced I'll lose those other features, because we don't have the stuff here to redo all those fancy bells and lenses and whistles. I need those to take care of you guys.

Jack: *already forming a plan in his head, which gets filed away for later review and more planning* It's just... *quieter* It doesn't seem fair that you've been through so much...

Rachel: *softly* I haven't been through anything compared to Brawn and Melissa. *drops her voice* Or Windcharger and Huffer and... 'Aid.

Jack: *squeezes her hand again, trying to keep from having his breath catch in his throat*

Rachel: *buries her face against the warm flannel of his shoulder* We need to get some sleep.

Jack: *nods* I'm guessing the blankets are nearby?

Rachel: Probably somewhere around your feet.

Jack: Help me get 'em so we can cover up?

Rachel: *pulls up the bed rail behind her so she can't fall out of bed, and then sits up and reaches down to feel for the flannel sheet and handmade quilt.*

Jack: *reaching for the end of the blankets so he can tug them up and over Rachel and himself*

Rachel: Here they are. *gives them to him and then lays down again*

Jack: *soft chuckle as he pulls the blankets over the two of them* I just hope I don't have to stay in this bed once I'm better...

Rachel: I think Lisa's ordered you a new bed. I know she did for me, and then got hurt when I told her I couldn't sleep on the thing. *sigh*

Jack: She means well...

Rachel: I know. I just feel like I've kicked a puppy when I have to tell her no.

Jack: She's good at that... I don't think she realizes it.

Rachel: She's totally... *her words break off into a yawn that she muffles against his shoulder* ...Innocent.

Jack: Maybe we should link again... That way, we could just think at each other till we go to sleep...

Rachel: *chuckles and offers him her port wrist* Is your wire in working order? I'm not sure I could find mine right now. *because that wrist is kind of tucked under his arm, and she's comfortable, and nearly asleep already....*

Jack: *chuckles and moves to get his link cable out, before he's plugging the end into Rachel's wrist port*

Rachel: *inadvertently floods his senses with weariness, contentment, and silent squee at how nice his PJs feel*

Jack: *amused, content, and idly wondering why Primus gave someone as innocent as Bluestreak the ability to shoot a fly off of a horse's ear without breaking its stride*

Rachel: *sleepily* -So she wouldh't get cocky and start shooting our skidplates off for us.- *snuggles and sighs*

Jack: *soft snerk* -Unlike Alice?-

Rachel: *no comments on that, and then starts a conversation about their children that lasts till both of them are peacefully conversing in dreams*

((co-written with

random_xtras))