The Hunt (TFP Book 2)

The Doctors Nickname

The wind blew slowly through the Nevada desert. Clouds had gathered in and gave the day a quiet feel. A month had passed since school had been out, and since the team had rescued the others.

The two wreckers had gone off to see if they could modify Wheeljacks space ship. Bumblebee and Arcee were racing Smokescreen and Jack in their cars down a dirt road. Miko and Raf were playing video games at the base. Miko sighed heavily as Raf beat her again. The boy smiled up at her, and she slumped against the couch.

"Easy now..." They heard June say.

The two kids walked over to the rail and peered down. Rachet was sitting on a berth gripping the edge, as June unhooked the brace. He winced as she carefully pulled it off. Once it was off he relaxed a little and looked at his pant leg. He furrowed his brow as he wiggled his toes in his shoe. It hurt a little but he figured that would be normal. June looked up at him and smiled softly.

"Ready." She asked. He smiled back and furrowed his brow in concentration. He gripped her shoulder and grunted as she helped him stand. He stood up straight and wobbled a little.

"Come on Doc..." Miko whispered softly as they watched.

They knew it had been hard for him the past month to get around. The brace had help his leg heal, but it had mostly irritated him. The girl had insisted he was becoming grumpier as the days progressed. He would yell more and get frustrated with every little thing. The only time he was less grumpy was when June came around.

"Come on Rachet..." Raf whispered, as he watched the doctor shake a little as he shifted his weight.

He steadied himself and smiled at the nurse as she let go. He slowly released her shoulder, and took a step forward. Pain shot up his leg and he grimaced as he took another step. More pain shot up his leg as he put weight on it. His leg buckled and June caught him as he fell. He growled in frustration and she helped him back up. This went on for a few minutes, were he would try to walk but would fall instead, and June would catch him. At one point his leg buckled and he was too tired to get back up. He sighed heavily and hung his head.

"Sorry..." He mumbled. She smiled sadly as he shifted and sat on the floor. He stretched his leg out and winced as he did. June sat next to him and thought for a moment. The room was quite as the kids watched.

"If this is going to be permanent... Maybe you should try and focus on something else." She said smiling. He looked at her with confusion.

"Are you telling me to change my attitude?" He asked raising an eyebrow. She smiled and grabbed his hand as she stood up. He grunted as she helped him up and steadied himself.

"Exactly." She said smiling as she handed him the cane. He looked at her for a minute before taking it.

"I might have a permanent limp." He grumbled as he looked at the floor. She turned his head to face her again.

"That doesn't change anything." She said, and she took his free arm in hers. He smiled and they walked back to his computer. Miko smirked at Raf who rolled his eyes.

~~

The next day, Rachet was less grumpy so Miko figured it would be okay to tease him. She did for a couple days, which irritated him and the others kept telling her to stop. One day she waltzed in and saw him at the computer, as usual.

"Hello Doctor House." She called and waved lazily. Rachet growled and whipped around.

"Why do you insist on calling me that?" He snapped. She looked at him as if she had no idea what he was talking about.

"Call you what?" She taunted. He groaned and drug his hand across his face.

"Doctor House or House." He growled angrily. Miko bit her tongue to keep from laughing.

"Well it was either that or The Doctor." She said smirking. He gave her a funny look. "But Doctor House fit you better." She folded her arms and smirked.

"You children have weird customs." He mumbled and turned back to his computer. She shrugged and walked off.

"You should check it out sometime, I think you'll like it." Miko said as she wandered out of the room.

"I highly doubt that." He mumbled to himself.

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Dedicated to Bumblemus_Prime for being awesome and giving me the idea. :)