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Characters:Ratchet Location: Omega Outpost, Medical Bay Content Warnings: n/a Plot Summary: After promising to go see a medic Prowl reluctantly goes to see Ratchet in hopes of getting a definitive answer to his sudden bout of mood swings and restlessness.
His doorwings were moving in the slightest of movements as he came to the doors that lead into the room that contained the medical bay of the Autobot base. He had promised Jazz he'd come, but he'd put it off as long as possible before doing so. He wouldn't break a promise, but he was so anxious about actually going in there he'd talked himself out of it logically for several days. So now he'd forced himself to go, to keep his promise and get it over with. He didn't think anything was really wrong, but it couldn't hurt to ask Ratchet to give him a look over.
The black and white mech vented softly then gathered himself and walked into the bay. "Ratchet? Are you busy?" His tone was low, not wanting to bother any patients that were recovering if there were any. The medbay was a place for the injured and healing, not for those that were unharmed and not sick. Hopefully the medic wouldn't throw something at him for coming in like this. Primus knew Ratchet could be irritable at times.
A dull ache in his spark told him he'd made the right choice in coming to see Ratchet today. The pain came and went, little pulses and pulls that tended to guide him either towards where Jazz was or out of the base before he stopped following the trial. Perhaps the medic could tell him what was going on, why he was between one extreme and the other some days and perfectly normal on others. And the restless energy that had originally plagued him hadn't returned, but that too was a symptom. Hopefully it wasn't anything too serious and he could take care of the matter quickly.
Delaying doctor's visits wasn't typically a wise idea, but for once it had actually been goof for Ratchet. This had been one of the very rare days that Ratchet had been in an extremely good mood. That night out with Wheeljack had been exactly what he needed. To get away, get some decent recharge, refuel, and to just have a good time. It left a lasting impression on the medic, and who knew how long that effect would last.
One thing was for certain though, the sudden change from super grump to happy didn't come without fear. Who knew when that next wrench was gonna fly, and who knew who's direction it would be flying in. Only time would tell.
Ratchet worked diligently in the medical bay, a soft smile forming as he recalled the events of his date with the Wrecker. He'd organized all of his datapads containing everyone's medical data that he had needed, organized his tools, and even fit in a moment to get some Energon before thinking about starting his research for Synthetic Energon back up.
But that would have to wait, as he now had a visitor.
The CMO turned, facing the black and white mech. "Prowl. This is certainly a surprise." Ratchet nodded to Prowl in greeting, but not quite yet approaching him. "I actually am not terribly busy at the moment. Is there something that I can help you with?"
Something wasn't right here. Ratchet was notoriously foul-tempered when someone uninjured ventured into his medbay. So that he was greeted with a mild and somewhat friendly greeting was a startling thing. It took him off guard for a long moment before he shook his helm and settled himself.
"I have been experiencing some out of the norm changes in my mood recently, ranging from mild to fully hostile and back again. With very little provocation. Also paranoia and restlessness." He rubbed a hand against his chassis, remembering the other thing he was thinking on. "Also pain from my spark, ranging from slight stinging to incapacitating pains." He forced his hand to drop down, legs spreading out more to balance out on his weight.
"Jazz noticed the out of character behavior as well, and suggested I come and see you. To make certain there was nothing wrong with me." In other words, the smaller mech had made him.
Ratchet thought to himself as Prowl described the symptoms that he had been experiencing. Mood swings could mean anythings, really, and could be caused by a great deal of factors. Stress, an illness, you name it. It didn't leave the medic many clues, so he would have to investigate it further by asking more questions.
The spark pains, however, were definitely concerning.
"Even if there is nothing wrong, I would feel better just taking a look, not to mention it would give you concrete proof as to whether something truly is wrong or not. I'm sure that it would bring Jazz some comfort as well. Why don't you take a seat on the berth?" Secretly, Ratchet was glad that the saboteur had managed to find a way to get the extreme rule follower to come to the medical bay. Now if only other mechs would come to see the doctor so willingly.
"You had described these changes in mood to me. You haven't undergone any stressful situations that you can recall recently, have you?"
His doorwings shifted just slightly when he was told to sit down, letting out a soft venting sound before doing as he'd been told. One did not disobey the medic, not and hope to live through the experience. Repetitive incidents reported to him from other mechs told him that much. Personally, he tried very hard not to get injured enough to need repairs. Ratchet was, quite frankly, a very terrifying mech. Particularly during his fouler tempered days.
And, of course, he invoked the power of Jazz. That is to say, he stated that it would be of comfort to his partner, and so the black and white tactician sat himself down and resigned himself to actually being checked over.
Stressful situations? Other than fighting very briefly with Jazz? Was that something Ratchet needed to know? Doorwings drooped the smallest bit before he decided to answer. "I had a small disagreement with Jazz about a week ago, but nothing prior to that. And the symptoms were persistent before that." He paused, looking down at his legs for a long moment as he tried to put into words the sensation he was getting in his spark. It was probably one of the most personal things about a mech, regardless of their affiliation. So hopefully Ratchet wasn't going to smack him for taking time to explain himself.
"I feel as if my spark is being literally pulled in two different directions. It is...uncomfortable, to put it mildly."
Thankful that Prowl had followed his instructions, Ratchet watched carefully as Prowl's doorwings shifted downwards. He'd long-since learned how to read emotions through doorwings, especially after everything he'd been through with Pharma and having raised Strongarm. Down.. was usually a sign of distress, but not nearly as bad as when they had been hitched all the way up. This was clearly bothering Prowl, even if he wasn't willing to admit it vocally.
When he had asked about stressful situations, he hadn't quite expected to hear about an argument with Jazz. Thankfully it hadn't been anything too bad, but hopefully they had made amends after their disagreement. Whatever it had been about, it didn't appear to be the cause of Prowl's issues. "I suppose it's possible that it could have started before that, but has it worsened since your disagreement with him in any way?" Just what could be the cause if Prowl couldn't think of any other stress factors?
Pulled in two different directions.. An interesting way of describing things.
"If you don't mind my asking, Prowl.. do I have permission to look at your spark directly? I know this seems like a personal question, but it would help me determine the cause of your spark pains if nothing else. To be honest, I'm primarily concerned with the pain than the mood swings, but if we're in luck I may find the cause to both."
"Not at all. In fact being around Jazz seemed to ease the symptoms considerably." Provided they weren't upsetting each other, which had happened. Miscommunication and his own inability to comprehend the most common of social norms had lead to that little incident. It was odd that he didn't have a problem admitting that Jazz had made the situation better, but he supposed it was because he was describing it in his typical clinical tone. He had no attachment to the knowledge, it didn't really seem personal to him.
The black and white's doorwings went into a high arch on his back and stayed that way, optics brightening at the question presented to him by the medic. His hand flew to his chassis protectively and he scooted back somewhat on the berth before realizing what he had done and forcing himself to be still. Ratchet wasn't going to hurt him, he told himself. Ratchet was a medic, and one that he had previously trusted. His lack of trusting any of his fellow Autobots except for Jazz was another symptom of his current situation. Paranoia, which he'd told Ratchet about.
"You may have to sedate me for that." At least he was honest about it. He gave a slightly pained look to the medic. He wanted to obey, to do as he was asked, but he physically could not. His systems refused to open anything up. He didn't feel safe. "The paranoia is too extreme to allow me to do as you ask, I am sorry."
Despite the argument, it seemed that Jazz had actually helped Prowl when it came to his symptoms. Ratchet smiled softly at the thought, just glad that someone close to Prowl had been there for him in his time of need. Primus knew that Wheeljack was getting that way towards the medic, and Ratchet wanted to be just as helpful for him, too. "Surprisingly enough, I've realized that.. just being with someone you care about helps significantly. Sometimes when you're with them, you forget about your worries, even if temporarily. I'm glad to hear that Jazz was able to do that for you."
Prowl's reaction came with a fair amount of surprise, but not enough to anger the medic. While the reaction itself was strange coming from the police bot, it had been partially expected with what Ratchet had asked to begin with. Revealing the spark was not something you did for just anyone, and Ratchet hadn't exactly been the closest with Prowl.
Or maybe this was one of the symptoms he'd been describing? Prowl seemed to think that it had been, what with the paranoia.
"Prowl.. I won't hurt you, I promise. And I understand if you don't want me to look. It's.. a rather personal thing, I know. If you feel that this is the best option, I will sedate you like you asked, but I will drop it and find another way if you feel it would make you more comfortable. I wouldn't ever do something to hurt you, or anyone for that matter. Just know that."
"Jazz would never hurt me." He said it deadpan, as if it were an undeniable truth rather than just him trusting the other mech without exception. "And as of yet he is the only one the paranoia hasn't risen against." His optics dimmed a little bit and he turned his head away, now embarrassed. Discussing Jazz was personal, except when it was about a mission or other such mundane topic. He wasn't discussing the Jazz matter any further, certainly not with Ratchet.
He worked his intakes for a few minutes in silence, forcing his systems to idle down out of attack mode. He was still protecting his chassis with one hand, but the other had gripped the side of the medical berth and was digging into it, showing how hard he was fighting with his own control.
"These reactions lack all form of logic. I know I can trust you. I know I can trust Optimus, but I don't. My protocols have me lacking trust in all others save for Jazz. I know it is illogical, and I have done everything I can think of to remedy the situation. As of yet nothing is working and so here I am. Jazz thought there may be a medical reason behind my behavior, and I am inclined to agree." If reluctantly went unsaid. He liked his helm shaped exactly how it was, thank you.
Prowl had excellent control most of the time, so that he was so far out of control bothered him on the deepest of levels. He needed things to go back to normal, he needed the well-ordered structure of his processes and life to be back on track. He could function this way, but not productively or efficiently. So what were his options?
"If you believe, in your professional opinion as a medic, that having a look at my spark will help you figure it out then I give you permission to do so. If there is another option please tell me. I am extremely displeased with how I've been acting lately. I would like to go back to work." He'd actually taken himself off the active roster after the violent reactions he'd show towards Jazz.
The tactician regarded the other mech in the room for a long moment before admitting to one final thing. "I have been violent." His doorwings went down slightly, though were still in the high arch of alarm. "I had to excuse myself from Arcee the other day before I attempted to dismantle her. There are times where it seems I am not in control of myself, as if another is controlling my actions and reactions. I want it to stop. This behavior is irrational and unacceptable." He finally vented, letting his systems cool somewhat for a moment.
"What would make me more comfortable is for this entire matter to be over with. I want to be able to trust my comrades again, Ratchet."
And there it was. Another clue to this entire mystery of what had been going on with Prowl. The only one that hadn't been effected by this sudden paranoia as Jazz himself.
"I know that he would never hurt you, and neither would any of us. I'm simply saying that I'm happy that if nothing else, he was the one who could help you in your time of need. But of course.. that's what I'm here for today." It all seemed so very strange, and just as illogical as the tactician had described. There was no reason to have a distrust in Optimus, or even the CMO himself. Something was very wrong with Prowl, and Ratchet was determined to get to the root cause of it.
"I think that Jazz may be correct that there could be a medical reasoning behind this change in your behavior. I know that you don't want to distrust anyone, least of all Optimus, but I'm going to do the best I can to find out what is wrong. And even if it isn't a medical reason, we'll keep working until we eventually figure out what the issue is." Ratchet sighed to himself, crossing his arms as he thought aloud. "I know there are other ways we could go about this, but none nearly as conclusive as looking at your spark. I absolutely refuse to do a cortical patch on you or anyone else here, and we don't have any mnemosurgeons available as far as I know."
He'd been surprised that Prowl had taken himself off duty with this sudden behavioral change, but perhaps it was for the better.. in case this worsened and he took it out on the wrong Autobot. Poor Arcee had taken some heat from the tactician already, but if it were to be someone like Optimus next..? Primus help them all.
Pulling some of his tools closer to the berth, he glanced over to Prowl with a soft smile. "I promise I will do everything I can to assist you. Why don't you lie down on the berth, and then we can begin. Don't worry. I'll sedate you as promised, but I want you to do your best to relax first. I won't be upset if you can't, but it will be easier this way."
"It is my sincerest hope that this isn't a corruption of my processors." He wanted there to be a physical reason, but not one that required extensive surgery. He vented again, uneasy all of a sudden. He didn't like being in medical at all, and the situation didn't make things any better. He wanted to go back to work, or back to Jazz, anywhere other than right here talking about things with Ratchet.
When asked to lie back the black and white gave the medic a flat look before folding his doorwings flat to his back and doing as he was told. There was a sarcastic comment in there somewhere, but he managed to fight it off. Again, he liked his helm shaped the way it was.
He knew putting himself in that position was a bad idea the moment his back hit the berth. His spark shrieked and his frame gave a violent shudder before various warning messages flashed at him. Every protocol he had was telling him to bolt, to retreat tactically before any further damage was done. As if he were under attack. Only long years spent fighting the endless war they were in and trusting his life to Ratchet time and again kept him from reacting. His optics did flash straight into red and he had to grab either side of the berth to keep himself grounded in the present.
His intakes started working overtime, his frame suddenly overheating and poised to run. He was trying to be calm, to do as Ratchet told him to and relax, but it wasn't working. This was then this terrible wailing noise from the general vicinity of his spark and a bluish field of energy discharged from his chassis outward, giving the nearby medic a mild static shock.
Once the discharge had happened Prowl felt remarkably better and was able to calm himself down. He sat up and swung his legs over the berth again. "Ratchet? Are you alright?"
"Even if it were a processor corruption, we will find a way to fix this, I promise. Even if I have to find someone who is better with the mind than I. I won't toss you into the hands of someone I don't trust, of course. But for now.. just try and think of the positives. Don't let your processor jump to the worst case scenario."
If only he could take his own advice.
As Prowl gave him such a flat stare, Ratchet returned it just as equally. One did not simply disobey the chief medical officer, especially when he had a good throwing arm as it was and had a stockpile of wrenches he could use. With some luck, the tactician actually made to lie down, however.. the initial result was not one that Ratchet has anticipated. It was like he was fighting to actually keep himself from getting right back up. It confused the medic, taking notice of how he moved, and the fact that his optics had even flashed red for a moment.
"Prowl?"
Ratchet stepped closer, gently reaching out to Prowl when a sudden blue field of energy shot forward, shocking Ratchet. He yelped, immediately stepping back as he recovered from the shock. Just what in the world had that been? Whatever it was, it seemed to end whatever had been causing Prowl's issues for the moment. "I'll.. be fine. Don't worry about me. However, I would really like to know what in the name of Primus that was just now."
Maybe getting him to lie back down was a bad idea..
"Want to try this while sitting up? I really think I do need to look at your spark, but if lying down is what triggered this, perhaps sitting upright will have a better reaction."
"Sorry Ratchet." It had not been his intention to shock the other like that, in fact he had no idea how it had happened. Just that the discharge eased some of the pain that had been pulsing in his spark. At least it had been little more than a static shock, if a powerful one. Nothing that ruined systems, just staggered. At least he hadn't attacked the other outright.
"I don't know what that was, other than static." Which happened sometimes, but he hadn't been off base and around any power lines or electrical cables.
The option to try again sitting up didn't set him off so the tactician nodded, shifting so that he got his legs up on the berth and could brace against anything that may happen. He vented lowly and offlined his optics for a long moment before explaining himself. "Perhaps it would be best if I didn't know you were just there while you look over my spark. I know you are, logically, but whatever is wrong seems to run from sight rather than logic."
If it came down to it he hoped Ratchet either sedated him, or perhaps disabled his motor functions to get this thing done.
Not even Prowl knew what this was, which lead Ratchet to believe that this was something more than just a simple processor corruption. No, something else had to be the cause. Something like that wouldn't have caused such an electrical outburst from the tactician. When it was over he seemed back to normal, so..
Just what the heck was it?
Prowl did take the medic's suggestion, and seemed more accepting to having this exam done while sitting up. Ratchet listened carefully as the other mech expressed his concerns, making suggestions as to how to make this process all the more easier. To trick his processor into thinking that the CMO wasn't there would be no easy task.. "Perhaps it would be easiest if you kept your optics shut. You won't see me, but you would still hear me, which could trigger another reaction similar to the one you just had. Let me try something, and we can see if that helps any."
Ratchet stepped towards his datapad, powering it on and allowing soft, relaxing music to emit from the device. It had helped him stay on task when it came to his research, so maybe it could help Prowl as well. "I almost want to think, now that I've given it some time to sink in, that whatever caused that electric shock was something.. protective towards you. I could be wrong, but it's the only thing that makes sense to me. Now.. is this music helping to distract you, or is it bothering you?"
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