mbv, The /Ark/, Slight Change in Plans, part 2

[microbots]

Continued from here



Nearby table

Simon: You, Grandma want me Simon to get you anything else?

Hattie: Ah'm fahn hon, b't th'nk y'u.

Simon: *hovers* ...Coffee?

Greg: *notices siblings and migrates over to that table with the food Raoul brought him* Me Greg sit right here. *plunk*

Hattie: *Snerks softly, before shaking her head* Not rahght now hon... *Patpats Simon's hand*

Simon: Oh. Okay. You Sven have what you need?

Sven: *nodnod*

Ryan: *settles over to one side so he's not hogging a good grandma space but he can still talk to her if she wants to*

Sandra: *Clicking and making a face at her chili* Her Melissa not make chili today?

Ryan: No. Aunt Melissa didn't make the chili today. Aunt Lisa did. *offers Sandra a buttered bun*

Sandra: *Slight huff* Her Aunt Lisa need to stick with casserole. *noms the buttered bun*

Ryan: Hey, it's not that bad. *turns his dark eyes toward Hattie* Right, Grandma?

Greg: You, Ryan already have gramma!

Hattie: C'ld be worse... *chuckling as she blows on a spoonful of the chili*

Sarah: Him Ryan Grandma us Dinobots Mama.

Hattie: Who's 'is Mama th'n? *curious*

Ryan: *turns and nods toward Sora* That's my mama, Sora. And the guy beside her is my second dad, Raj.

Hattie: *looks, nodding a greeting when Sora makes eye contact with her, then her attention returns to Ryan and the rest of the kids at the table* *She didn't miss the second dad comment, but something tells her she should keep her question about that for another time* So wh't d' y'all lahk t' do f'r fun?

Ryan: *as the Dinobots look at him* Well, we like to do different things. Sandy and Sven like to fight. Greg likes to play basketball while he's in root mode, and Sarah, Simon, and I like to learn about nature and take care of things.

Sarah: Me Sarah also like dollies! :3

Hattie: 'N y'all've met Jake... *chuckles*

Ryan: I like him. *grins at Sarah* I know, you take care of those too.

Simon: Me Simon also like the hugs game.

Greg: Stupid game. *digging the ravioli out of his chili and stink eyeing each one before eating it.*

Hattie: Hugs game? *wondering to herself if Ryan's one of the adults*

Ryan: Sarah, did Sean ever settle on a name for that game?

Sarah: Umm... Me not know....

Ryan: *cocks his head for a moment, then grins* Sean says he just calls it Happy Hug Land. *looks back to Hattie* It's a simple text game one of the Seeklets made. You play a character and give things hugs to cheer them up. Then they give you muffins, and you bring them back and share them with your friends. And then the friends give you happy points.

Sarah: Use happy points to buy pretties!

Ryan: *chuckles* Yes, and then you use the happy points to make your character look nicer.

Simon: Me Simon like that game. But me not remember what me play.

Greg: That 'cause you stupid.

everyone: *ignores Greg*

Hattie: Huh... *notes that everyone else is ignoring Greg, will ask about that later*

Simon: *decides to put his arm around Sandra* Me Simon love baby sister.

Sandra: *snuggles against Simon and eats her lunch*

Greg: Stupid baby sister. *stuffs the last bite of his bun, which he says he doesn't want, into her mouth*

Sandra: *Didn't just kick Greg, you can't prove it*

Greg: STUPID SISTER!

Ryan: *gives him a creamer*

Greg: *cuts off in mid bellow* ...Little milk. *is going to play with that now as he eats*

Simon: *pat pats brother and is ignored*

Hattie: *amused, will continue to eat lunch*

Ryan: *offers her a bun*

Simon: Sarah, when you birthday again? Me Simon want to remember.

Sarah: Birthday in August.... August.... *Small frown* Not sure what day....

Simon: You remember how old you are?

Sarah: Was eight months old when went to court....

Simon: *trying to count on his fingers*

Ryan: You're a little over a year old, Sarah. Uncle Brawn says the long winter hadn't started yet when Grandpa made you.

Sarah: 'Kay. *Snuggles Ryan*

Ryan: *arm around the little girl as he grins*

Simon: So me Simon am little more than a little over a year old.

Sandra: *nomming chili and bun*

Hattie: *surprised* 'N 'ow old're th' rest 'f y'all?

Ryan: *looks up, points and recites ages, ending with himself*

Hattie: *Boggling a bit by the time Ryan gets to himself*

Ryan: But I'm in my first dad's protoform... so I'm kind of strange.

Hattie: ... Huh.... *will ask about that another time. For now, she's just going to worry about getting to know her new grandkids*

Destiny: *gonna try and gank a bun now, kthx*

Ryan: Hey, Desti. Aren't there buns over at the other table? Want me to butter that?

Destiny: *Clickstorm*

Hattie: *Amused* 'Re y'u 'un 'f th' grandkids too?

Destiny: *Giving Hattie a wide-eyed look*

Ryan: She's my mom's baby sister. *buttering bun as he talks* And she calls Grandma Ratchet 'Mom'.

Hattie: Gotcha. *is starting to get an inkling of how complex Cybertronian families can get*

Sven: *Grousing at his chili*

Greg: *pours his little milk into Sven's chili*

Ryan: Ack! *quickly gives bun to Destiny and then prepares to avert war*

Sven: *Reaching to mush another buttered bun into Greg's face*

Ryan: Guys, come on, what would your mom say?

Sven: *Setting up to sulk* Him Greg start it.

Greg: Me Greg fix stupid chili!

Rachel: *from behind Hattie* This is weird chili. What the heck?

Greg: *head snaps up* MOM! *chair flies as he leaps to his feet and charges*

Sarah: Mama! *on her feet and hurrying over for hugs*

Hattie: *looks over her shoulder*

Rachel: *bracing self, but then relaxes and chuckles as Greg gives her a gentle hug* Good boy. Hey, sweet girl. *hugs for Sarah and for Greg*

Simon: *looking at Sven and Sandra* One of you go take hug turn?

Sandra: *Getting up* Me Sandra go take hug turn.

Simon: Good, you Sandra do. ^_^

Rachel: And my tough girl. *croons and clicks as she hugs, then sits her chili down on the end of the nearest table and smiles at her other three*

Sven: Him Beau and him Raoul here with them Cousin Jake.

Rachel: *looks over to where Beau and Raoul are sitting with Brawn and Autumn, but doesn't see anyone new* Really?

Sarah: *nodnod* Her Starpounder and him Seamus sitting with him Cousin Jake. *Grin* Him Jake and him Beau share them Grandma with us Dinobots!

Rachel: *turns her attention to Seamus' table, and then to the grey-haired lady sitting with her children, her brows lifting with interest as she does so*

Jake: *is that big, burly strawberry blond guy that's currently feeding Silas and talking with Seamus*

Hattie: 'S nahce t' meet y'u. *looks like a shorter version of what Denver might have ended up looking in about fifty to sixty years, if a certain miracle hadn't happened*

Rachel: *grins* Denver's talked about her Grandma. So has Tracks. *offers a hand* Rachel Ruteger.

Hattie: *Shakes hands* Hattie Lamont. *Smile* Y'u've gotta good sahzed family, Rachel.

Rachel: *chuckles* This isn't all of them. Tracks is mine now too, and so are his creche brothers.

Hattie: ... *Laughs*

Destiny: *Clickstorm* *quietly* Sister is too.

Ryan: *nods* That's why she's my Grandma.

Rachel: *big grin* Yup. And then I have my little guys. *turns to show the Moofy clinging to the back of her sweater*

Moofy: *Happy chirrup, has picked up on the spark signature he caught awhile back*

Hattie: W'll ain't th't s'methin? *amused, will offer Moofy one of the cookies on her tray*

Moofy: *doood, cookie! Happily chattering to the cookie as he holds onto it with one hand*

Rachel: *chuckles and offers hugs to Sven, Destiny, and Ryan* He'll keep that forever... till Steeljaw eats it.

Sven: *Snuggles Mama*

Hattie: Steeljaw?

Rachel: *kicks the beast lurking under her broomstick skirt*

Steeljaw: *Yowl, HISS, scoots out from under the skirt and gives Rachel an offended look*

Moofy: *Deedles at Steeljaw*

Hattie: *SNERK* Crazeh cat....

Rachel: And proud of it, right, Tiger? *smiles at the big orange floof fondly*

Steeljaw: *:P face at Rachel*

Ryan: *comes over for his hug and adds a kiss* How's Grandpa?

Rachel: *snerk*

Hattie: *Concerned* 'S y'ur 'usband sick?

Rachel: *amusement fades* He had a processor stroke.

Hattie: *wince, small nod* Ah 'ope 'e feels bettah soon...

Rachel: Oh he's feeling fine. *can't hold her grin in as she thinks of the mental shenanigans her husband was up to when she left him to come and check on the sparklets*

Hattie: *Blink blink* Th't's good t' 'eah...

Rachel: *nods* So what brings you to the Ark?

Hattie: 'M 'eah t' 'elp Denver 'n Tracks.

Rachel: *eyes widen slightly* If the boys are back then they are too.... *expression goes to concern*

Ryan: *grins* Denver's going to have a baby.

Rachel: *looking over at Raoul and Beau again* So how's Denver doing?

Hattie: She w's doin' 'kay 'f're 'Tilda 'n BJ got 'er worked up.... *Scowling a bit*

Rachel: *attention back to Hattie as one hand absently goes to her chest* Got her worked up? *contacting Russell to ask him*

Hattie: 'Tilda's son, BJ, 'it Will, 'n th'n 'Tilda trahd t' 'it Dion. *More scowl*

Rachel: ...Tried to hit a baby?

Hattie: 'Parently, Dion bit BJ f'r trah'n t' pull Beau's 'air...

Rachel: *frown deepening as she works on regulating her breathing* How old is BJ?

Hattie: BJ's 'few days youngah th'n Jake.... 'n Jake's 'bout 17.

Rachel: *growls*

Greg: *meeps and goes to sit back in his chair*

Destiny: *Going to go hide behind Greg now*

Hattie: Dixie's said th't 'Tilda 'n BJ ain't gonna be welcome 'round th' farm aneh more. 'N Ah've alreadeh talked t' mah lawyer 'bout changin' mah will.

Rachel: *reassuring hand out toward her babies, but is still trying to deal with her flash of anger as her newest baby raises a slight fuss* *manages a nod*

Sarah: *Quiet clicks*

Sandra: Him BJ stupid. Her 'Tilda stupid too. *'Hmph's and snuggles Mama*

Rachel: *hugs her little brawler* Shhh, baby. It isn't nice to call names.

Greg: *very intent on his chili now!*

Hattie: Ain't callin' names 'f 't's th' truth. *amused*

Rachel: *tiny bit of a Look* Saying rude things about people only brings you down to their level.

Hattie: *Raised brow, actually felt that Look*

Sandra: Him Will here too?

Hattie: 'F Tracks 'n Denver 're 'eah, th'n 'e's 'eah too, hon...

Rachel: *shuts her eyes for a moment as she pats herself on the chest* Tracks won't leave Will behind, sweetheart.

Sarah: Him Will not here... *Worried*

Sven: *quiet clicks*

Rachel: *deep breath and looks at Hattie* Is Will with Denver and Tracks?

Hattie: Ah'd guess so... Ah came wit' th' boys wh'n th'y brought Jake's button quails....

Rachel: Hmm. *turns her attention to the table across the way* Beau, where's Will?

Beau: Snugglin' wit' Denver 'n Tracks.

Rachel: How's he doing?

Beau: 'E w's a bit spooked f'r a bit... But Ah th'nk 'e w's feelin' bettah aftah we got back.

Rachel: Good. How's your sister doing?

Greg: *sneaking back over for more Mom snuggles*

Beau: She w's snugglin' Tracks wh'n we left t' git Jake's quails....

Rachel: *chuckles, the slight distress and concern leaving her expression* Right, you said Will was with them. I need to recalibrate my audios, huh, sport?

Beau: *chuckles* 'Ave Simon 'n Sarah told y'u 'bout th' birds?

Sarah: *Perks* Him Cousin Jake have little birds!

Rachel: Really? Smaller than your little hens?

Simon: *grinning and nodding*

Sarah: *nodnod* Him say them button quails not get very big.

Rachel: *slight absent look and then nods and lets go of kids to cup her hands together* That big. They're as big as your hens were when they just got feathers all over.

Sarah: Aww!

Rachel: Only their legs are shorter. *turns her attention to Brawn as he sets Stormsong down and transforms*

Bert: *transforming Stormsong* The bus is here to take the kids to the zoo.

Rachel: Right... that's today. *looks at her kids*

Sarah: Zoo trip! *Hopeful look for Rachel*

Sven: *Perked up*

Simon: *gathering plates*

Rachel: I paid for you guys' tickets. Do you have your packs and your water bottles?

Greg: Stupid pack. *pulls on the strap over one shoulder*

Sarah: *Gets her pack out of subspace* Have pack. :3

Sandra: *Grumbles and moves to go get her pack from under the table*

Rachel: *straightening the ears on Sarah's fluffy bunny pack* Sven, where's your pack?

Sven: Is under table.... *Goes to get it*

Rachel: Now I know why you guys were eating in your coats. *pulls Sarah's hood up and chuckles* You look like a mama bunny with a baby.

Sarah: *Giggles*

Rachel: *gives her a kiss on the cheek, and then offers one to Sandra, though she knows the answer to that already*

Sandra: *Harumphs and pokes at Sven's butt*

Rachel: *chuckles and catches her hand, then gives Ryan a kiss as he pauses on his way to Sora*

Destiny: *Clickstorms and moves follow Ryan*

Greg: *sorting through his leather packsack and fussing*

Rachel: *kisses the Destiny too, then chuckles as she stoops to pick up the girl's sparkly purple backpack*

Destiny: *Clickstorm, snuggaMama*

Rachel: *offers Destiny's backpack to Sarah, and then hunkers down to kiss Song as the little girl runs over and demands the affection*

Sarah: *Holding Destiny's backpack and clicking to Song*

Song: *smiles about the kiss, then clicks happily as she goes to Hattie for one too*

Hattie: *Will gladly oblige*

Song: *hug and a little cuddle, and then she's wriggling down to catch Sarah's hand and lead her toward where Bert and Autumn are standing at the door* Me Song bring you to bus line!

Sarah: 'Kay! *Will grab Destiny's hand as they go past*

Destiny: *Clickstorm!*

Naomi: *turns her brand new image inducer on and then laughs at Raoul's expression*

Beau: *turns to look*

Naomi: *now looks human. And if poked she'll feel it too* Oom Blaster got it for me from the Nexus.

Beau: ... *grin* Y'u look good, Nomi.

Naomi: ^_^ Danke. *stops* Did you und Raoul get tickets?

Raoul: *Can't reply due to Dion deciding it's kissy time*

Beau: *headshake* We di'n't even know 'bout th' trip....

Dion: *Kissies!*

Bert: Do you want to come? *bit of a frown as he catches Endstar's happy leap of faith to him*

Beau: C'n we bring Jake, too? 'E's gonna be part'a th' creche...

Bert: Sure, if he wants to. *looks over toward the other boy and calls his name*

Jake: *looks up from holding Daniel*

Bert: Do you want to come on the field trip with the rest of the kids?

Simon: *stands and nods toward Jake encouragingly*

Greg: *busy pulling Sven out from under the table*

Jake: *Small nod, will gently transfer Daniel back to Starpounder*

Starpounder: *smiles as she takes the tiny boy and cradles him close*

Seamus: *Pats Jake on the shoulder as the teen gets up*

Jake: *Small smile for Seamus, and then he's moving to approach Bert*

Simon: Oh oh! Him Jake have no backpack and water bottle. Me Simon fix. *turns and hurries toward the kitchen*

Dion: *Clickstorm and more kissies for Raoul*

Raoul: ACK! Hey... hahahaha, Simon, hahahaha, EEEK! He's an old guy like, ACK pthooie, us. He don't, MEEP! need none!

Dion: *Happy babbling*

Rachel: *laughs as she pulls a spare diaper bag out of subspace and offers it to Beau* We have it, Simon. Thanks, though.

Simon: Okay, me just kiss Aunty Lisa then.

Beau: *chuckles and puts the strap of the diaper bag on his shoulder*

Simon: *back with a handful of quarters for the peanut machines at the zoo* Look! Look! Loot!

Bert: *laughs as he gets Simon and Jake herded up with everyone else, then nods as Sky and Sean arrive with the triplets* Alright, we have everyone but Slipstream.

Sky: He's not coming.

Bert: Thought not.

Beau: *moves to give Hattie a good-bye hug*

Sarah: Him Raoul, him Jake, him Beau and him Dion no have coats! *Worried*

Raoul: *blinks, and then wraps his jacket around baby brother*

Bert: I have a little bunting Dion can wear. Do you guys want to go grab something, or are you alright?

Raoul: Alright? Man, Jake'll freeze! *PINs away and then returns with winter coats... his, Beau's, and Wesson's*

Greg: Coats now! Let's get show on road!

Dion: *laughs*

Beau's coat: *Wiggles a bit, and then Will's head is poking out of it*

Dion: Will! :D

Bert: *chuckles and gives Will a hug, and then with Sean, Naomi, and Raoul's help herds all the kids out of the mess*

Rachel: *sighs and grabs her chili, then drops into a seat by Hattie*

Hattie: *reaches to patpat Rachel's shoulder, understands all too well how having a big family can be*

Rachel: *grins a bit tiredly* It's easier when I don't have a passenger. *attention flicks toward the door*

Wesson: *wanders in* Anybody seen my coat? Hey! Granny! *here he comes*

Hattie: *nods* Ah know 'ow th't c'n be... Denver's Ma w's th' youngest 'a fahve.... *And then her attention's on Wesson* Johnny! *Grin*

Wesson: *will scoop you out of your chair and squorsh you, Hattie!*

Hattie: *Laughs as she's scooped out of her chair*

Wesson: *love love* ^_^ *then remembers something and lets her go slightly as he gives her an apprehensive look*

Hattie: 'Ave y'u been keep'n outta trouble, Johnny? *Giving him a Look*

Wesson: *lets her go completely and rubs the back of his neck* Uhhh... I married Maria.

Hattie: ... *raised brow* 'N th' Col. ain't bustin' y'all f'r fraternization?

Wesson: *quietly* I ain't a Marine anymore, Hattie.

Hattie: Oh... *Patpats his hand*

Wesson: I'm still part'a NEST... just. *quieter* On the Cybertronian side of things.

Rachel: *slight grin as she watches*

Hattie: *Raised brow* Well, y'u ain't th' first Cybertronian Ah've met th's month.

Rachel: Actually, this base is mostly Transformers. It's just that Johnny never told anybody till he accidentally gave himself away.

Wesson: *tries giving Rachel a Look. Fails*

Hattie: *blink blink* 'N 'ow'd y'u give y'urself 'way?

Wesson: Put a buzz around my hands so I could catch a little baby spark that got away.

Hattie: Ah... So y'u gave y'urself 'way doin' th' rahght th'n'... *chuckles*

Wesson: *slight glint in his eyes* Still got me busted 'n transfered.

Hattie: 'T least y'u ain't locked up nowh're th't Ah can't give ya grief 't. *slight bit of mischief sparkling in her eyes*

Wesson: *softens and moves to hug her again* Yeah, I guess so. How long're you gonna be here?

Hattie: D'pends 'n 'ow long Tracks 'n Denver need me.

Wesson: *frowns with concern* Tracks still messed up?

Hattie: Ah ain't 'zactleh sure Ah sh'ld share th'ir news 'r not...

Rachel: Tracks is fine. And your coat just went to the zoo.

Wesson: *humor back* You kickin' me out, Doc?

Rachel: Yup. *eats*

Wesson: *chuckles*

Hattie: *soft snerk* Yep... 'Un 'f mah grandkids 's borrow'n 't 'cause 'e's bigga th'n most'a th' othas....

Wesson: You got a grandkid here besides Beau 'n the Major?

Hattie: *nod, grinning* Raoul, Dion, Jake, th Dinobots, Destiny, 'n Ryan.

Wesson: *doesn't even blink, just grins* Dinobots, Desti, 'n Ry? You adopt them, or they adopt you?

Hattie: Both. *amused and pleased*

Rachel: Don't forget Will. *leans around Hattie and kicks Wesson in the shin*

Hattie: *nods, saw what you did there, Rachel* 'Ow're Vato 'n Gavin?

Wesson: *snerks* You need to talk to them, Hattie. They've ben bad boys.

Hattie: *Snerk* D'fahn "bad".

Wesson: *sidesteps another kick* You'll just haveta find out. *turns to head for the kitchen* Now I gotta get my lunch before Mr. Garcia eats it all.

Hattie: Guess Ah'll jes' 'afta track 'em down th'n.... *chuckle*

Rachel: Well... They just told us all a secret that isn't really all that secret to NEST people. *stirs chili and muses about the ravioli*

Hattie: *Blink blink*

Rachel: *quietly, though amused* They're just as human as John is, though they're not Transformers.

Hattie: ... *Soft snort* Well, th'y ain't JDs.... 'N th'y ain't Wustfee.... *Yes, she knows about the Wustfee*

Rachel: Mrrpt-Nyyah. *eats a ravioli* //Lisa, is this really chili?//

Hattie: *blink blink* D'd Ah 'eah y'u rahght?

Lisa: //I couldn't find spaghetti to make chili three-way...//

Rachel: *chuckles* They're metamorphic beings of the feline persuasion. //...You are strange, Lees.//

Roddy: //Clearly, we need to take you to Steak 'n Shake again, Rachel.//

Hattie: ... *Snerks*

Rachel: *waves an impaled ravioli at Roddy, then looks up and smiles at Hattie* They 'fessed up the day Denver showed everyone her miracle.

Hattie: *moves to sit back down* 'Ow long aftah Jethro w'nt 'n acted stupid d'd th' miracle 'appen?

Rachel: *squints one eye slightly as she chews the formerly waved ravioli* Not more than a few days. One of the kids used a wish.

Hattie: Huh... Well, 'm glad th't Denver's found s'me'un she ain't gonna scare off, 'n who she ain't scared'a...

Rachel: *chuckles and glances at Raj* Yeah. It's nice to see somebody who can see through Tracks' slag too.

Raj: *Razzes Rachel, earning an elbow to the gut courtesy of Sora*

Rachel: *snerk* *nods toward him* Raj is Tracks' creche brother.

Hattie: *looks, raised brow* So 'e's 'un 'f y'urs?

Rachel: His wife is, so he is by default. *smug mama*

Hattie: *chuckles* 'N 's th're 'notha brothah th't Ah gotta meet?

Sora: *Getting up and coming over, Raj in tow and a little orange kitten peeking out of her sweater*

Rachel: Yes. But Magnus is currently honeymooning.

Hattie: Gotcha...

Sora: *Sitting down at the table, chuckles as the kitten mews and makes with the cute* Pumpkin, behave....

Raj: *sits next to his wife*

Rachel: He and Rain should be sentient again in a couple more days. *grins at the kitten* Sheesh, mini Steeljaw.

Hattie: *chuckles and scritches kitten ears, earning a bitty thunderpurr*

Raj: *Amused* I think you're right about Pumpkin....

Rachel: Guys, this is Denver's grandma, Hattie. Hattie, this is Raj and Sora Mahi.

Sora: *nods* It's nice to meet you, Hattie.

Raj: *gives Hattie a friendly nod*

Hattie: *chuckles* 'S nahce t' meet y'all 's well...

Sora: *will feed small pieces of meat to Pumpkin once the kitten starts patpatting her face with one paw*

Rachel: *waits till Raj tips his drink up* Raj nearly froze his motherboard when he first met Denver.

Raj: *Sputtering now*

Hattie: *Snerks*

Sora: *Slightly mischevious look* What was that you said about us being a whirlwind romance, Rachel?

Rachel: *pauses with food halfway to mouth* *squint* Did I?

Sora: Something to that effect.... But I seem to recall that the socialite news feeds were making a fuss over my "Mystery Mech" for at least a vorn... *decidedly smug look as she leans against Raj*

Hattie: *Snerks, getting what Sora's hinting at*

Rachel: *snerks too and stuffs food in mouth* Since when do I watch socialite news feeds? I was busy teaching Jack to respect property.

Sora: Ask Jack sometime if he ever caught the socialite news feeds...

Rachel: *tips her head back slightly and comms her hubby to ask him*

Jack: *A bit distractedly* //Which newsfeed are you talking about? The one that plays regularly near the lab?//

Rachel: //I'm such a nerd I don't even know. Just wondering if you've ever heard of a celeb named Sharpshot.//

Jack: //The singer? Yeah... 'Parently she's got herself some big-wig politician or something...//

Rachel: *snerrrrk* //Jack. Sharpshot is our Sora.//

Jack: //...You're slagging me...//

Rachel: //Ask her yourself.//

Jack: //...//

Sora: *and then she's snerking and explaining that no, Raj was never a politician, he was just good at slipping under the radar*

Rachel: *cracks up, and then looks at Hattie and fishes for an earbud*

Raj: *looking just a bit smug* Rachel, you're not allowed to tell Tracks or Magnus.

Rachel: *offers Hattie the earbud* Thrrrpt.

Hattie: Th'nks... *Will carefully put the earbud into her ear*

Raj: I want to have something that will make Tracks facepalm....

Rachel: Do you honestly think you'll ever be able to out smartaft Tracks?

Raj: One of these days, I will.

Rachel: *snerk* Keep telling yourself that.

Sora: Rachel, he's got me to help him now.

Rachel: *keeps grinning* *till she finds another ravioli. Then she eats it*

Jack: //Rachel, did you know Mirage was courting Sora?//

Rachel: //Yeup.//

Jack: //Nobody told me....//

Rachel: //Sorry, sport. You knew before. I wasn't sure if the memory file would refresh or not.//

Jack: //Huh...// *pauses, is likely checking over his memory files again*

Rachel: //Don't worry about it. If it's gone you can make new ones.//

Jack: *Quietly, sounding a bit defeated and frustrated* //Alright...//

Rachel: //Hey... it's only been a few days.//

Jack: //I know.... It's just....// *Struggling to find words to say what he means* //Never thought I'd be stuck in bed...//

Rachel: *sucks in air* //You know...//

Jack: //Hm?//

Rachel: //You know you're in bed.//

Jack: //I can feel it...// *Doesn't quite get why this is a big deal. If he weren't so scrambled still, he likely would realize why this is significant*

Rachel: //Remind me to kiss you stupid when I get back there.//

Jack: *is likely grinning that silly little grin of his* //Okay...//

Rachel: *soft chuckle* //I'll be back soon, buddy.//

Jack: //Okay.// *Sounding a lot happier now*

Sora: *has her hand to her mouth, is smiling behind it*

Raj: *hopeful look for Rachel*

Rachel: *blinks at Raj, and then blushes as she realises that she and Jack were talking over the open channel*

Raj: He's doing better....

Hattie: *soft chuckle, patpats Rachel's hand*

Rachel: *bit of an embarrassed but pleased grin* He'll be up and around soon.

Hattie: Th'nk goodness f'r small miracles... *more chuckle*

Sora: *nods, looking like she wants to cry with how relieved she is*

Raj: Someone should let Patrick know...

Rachel: *mouth full of chili. Pings Patrick's comm*

Patrick: //Yes, Crusher?//

Rachel: *chuckles* //We've got a new member.//

Patrick: //Oh? Who is our latest addition?//

Rachel: *nods to Hattie* Poke yourself in the ear and talk, he'll hear it.

Hattie: *nods and proceeds to do so* 'M Hattie Lamont. Mah eldest grandkid's Denver Trach.

Patrick: *surprised* //I apologize for not being there in person to welcome you, Mrs. Lamont... But welcome to the Ark base.//

Rachel: *grinning*

Hattie: 'N who'm Ah speakin' wit'?

Patrick: //My name is Patrick Oberson. I lead the Autobots, and my unofficial rank in NEST is Lt. Col.//

Hattie: Alrahght th'n, Lt. Col. Oberson. *wondering just what this gentleman looks like*

Rachel: *snerk!* Just call him Patrick. The Chief's never been a formal guy.

Hattie: *raised brow*

Patrick: //I apologize, but I have to get back to work... Finals are coming up, and the library's really busy right now... I'll be returning to the Ark later today, if you have any questions, Mrs. Lamont.//

Hattie: Ah'm sure Ah'll 'ave s'me bah th't tahm, Patrick.

Rachel: //Oh, and Jack knows he's in bed.//

Patrick: //...That's great, Rachel!// *Actually sounds excited about that*

Rachel: XD //And he's starting to work out present identities in connection with people he can remember.//

Patrick: //At this rate, he'll be up and about in no time...//

Rachel: //Yup.// *scrapes her bowl* //Right after dessert I'm going to go feed him some more energy.//

Patrick: *chuckles* //Have fun... Patrick out.//

Rachel: //You too, Chief. Crusher out.//

Hattie: *Soft chuckle as she hears Patrick close the connection*

Rachel: Hmmm. I think I'll skip dessert. Do you need a hand getting back to Tracks and Denver's, Hattie?

Hattie: Ah don' ev'n know wh're th'r place 's....

Raj: We'll take her there, Rachel.

Rachel: I was just going to volunteer you, Raj! *grin*

Raj: Go snog your husband stupid.

Rachel: Thrrrpt! See you, Hattie. *grins, picks up Steeljaw and gets up to PINpoint away*

Hattie: Talk t' y'u latah, Rachel. *chuckles and moves to get up with Raj and Sora*

Pumpkin: *bitty snore*

Raj: *telling Hattie about the Ark as he, Sora, and Pumpkin show her the way to Tracks and Denver's family quarters from the cafeteria*

((Co-written with random_xtras))