[Amanda]
For the next hour after I woke up, Ms. Darby had been fussing over me. She had cleaned out the cut and gashes, put ice on the massive bruises, and given me a weird sort of syrup that would help with my aching body. She also didn't let me get off of the cot the others had made by putting two lawn chairs together and taking off the armrests, which was really starting to drive me crazy.
"Ms. Darby, I'm fine," I insisted, shoving away her hand as she rechecked the bandage on the top of my shoulder, where there was a large wound from when Typhoon slammed me into the ground. "Really. I can barely feel it. Can I please go?"
She frowned. "Amanda, you're injuries can become serious if you don't let them heal properly."
"I know, but I'm fine."
"Amanda," She repeated, then sighed. "Fine. But the second you feel even a little nauseous or dizzy, you get right back here. Understand?"
I nodded and she gave me a hard look before putting a gentle hand on my uninjured shoulder. "You did well."
A bitter feeling filled me. "Not really. I could barely do anything. Finn got hurt because of me. So did Arcee. All because Typhoon wanted me and they stood in his way."
"You stalled him for long enough to let Optimus and Arcee show up," She gave me a half smile. "If that isn't doing well, I don't know what is."
I replayed her words in my head, allowing them to sink in. Maybe I didn't do so badly after all.
"Thanks, Ms. Darby," I said and she smiled fully this time before standing. I followed, but more slowly to prevent me from over doing it already. "Where's Finn and Optimus?"
"Optimus is overseeing the military transport of Typhoon's body with Arcee," She replied. "And Finn is resting in the living room."
I followed her inside. "Is he okay?"
"He will be," She said as we walked through the back doors. "He might have a small concussion, but I won't be able to tell until he wakes up. Otherwise, he's cut up and bruised just like you."
My eyes scanned the living room once we entered it and immediately saw Finn lying on the largest couch, the four seater one. I rushed to his side as fast as I could, taking in his paler skin and the bruises forming on his exposed skin.
"I tried not to get any stains on the couch," Ms. Darby said from behind me. "But I think there still might be some. I'm sorry."
I shook my head. "It doesn't matter. He's going to be okay?"
She put her hand on my uninjured shoulder again. "Yes. Don't worry. I'll be right outside if you need anything." And she headed back outside. I grabbed a nearby chair, not bothering to wonder where it had come from, and sat next to Finn. He looked a little peaceful like this, and I couldn't help but reach out to brush his dark brown hair back a bit.
"I'm sorry," I muttered, looking away for a moment. "I'm a magnet for bad things, especially now. I shouldn't have dragged you into this."
"Can't take credit for something you didn't do," Finn's voice made me whip my gaze back at him, seeing that his eyes were cracked open and a smirk played on his face.
"Look at you, snarky already," I said with a small smile. "How do you feel?"
"Like I've been run over by a train, but I've felt worse."
I raised an eyebrow. "How have you felt worse than being run over by a train?"
"You'd be surprised." He smiled and my heart lifted.
"Hey!" I turned to see Miko, Jack, and Raf walking into the living room. They all rushed over to the couch.
"You're awake!" Raf exclaimed and I gave the younger boy the chair I was sitting on, seeing the worry that was etched on his face. He and Finn had grown close over the past few months.
"Sure am." Finn gave him a grin, then winced slightly. "Barely."
Miko moved to stand next to the chair. "I was watching from the security cameras, and I had no idea you could use a machine gun! It was so cool! You were all like 'take this Typhoon' and he was all like 'ahhh' and itwassocool!"
"I am military trained," Finn said, his tone slightly offended that she doubted his skills.
She shrugged. "You don't seem like the violent type. You seem like the type to talk things out, and then punch them when they don't suspect it."
He opened his mouth to protest, then closed it and nodded. "Actually, that's true." I laughed at that.
"I should get my mom," Jack said. "She wanted to check up on you when you woke up."
"I'll go with!" Miko said, but tugged my arm back, whispering in my ear, "Finn is totally crushing on you."
My eyes widened slightly and I swatted her. "Go away." I shoved her playfully and she grinned.
"Open your eyes, A!" She called as she followed Jack outside.
I shook my head and turned to Raf. "How were things down in the media room?"
His face practically lit up. "That room is amazing! The tech is nothing like I've ever seen, and Cam's whole system.... I can't believe you kept that hidden down there until now!"
"It... never came up," I said, then made a decision. "You can use it if you want, though."
Finn gave me a surprised look, but I didn't take my gaze off of Raf, who immediately perked up.
"Really?" He asked. I gave him a half smile.
"Sure. You've earned it, for having our back earlier. Also, having someone actually managing it beside Cam would be nice."
"Thanks, A!" He exclaimed, bouncing to his feet. "Can I-?"
I nodded, smiling fully now. "Go ahead. Have fun."
He grinned and dashed down the hall. Finn's surprised expression never left.
"I didn't expect that," He admitted.
"You can't expect everything," I sighed. "Besides, aren't you the one who's always telling me to open up more and share this sort of thing?"
"Yeah but... you never listen to me."
I raised an eyebrow. "I listen. Sometimes."
His expression went serious all of a sudden and he grabbed my hand. "I'm glad you're okay. I was worried that..." He didn't finish, didn't have to.
"I told you," I squeezed his hand gently. "I'm not going anywhere."
"Finn!" Ms. Darby hurried into the living room and I stepped back, giving them some room. "How are you feeling?"
She launched into her medical inquiry and I used that as an excuse to head outside. I passed by Jack and Miko, who were talking in the kitchen, and walked out the back doors, surveying the area. I couldn't see the battle area from here, not with the hill in the way, but I could see Optimus and Arcee walking back to the mansion. I headed out to meet them, and once I did, Arcee gave me a nod before continuing to the mansion. Optimus crouched in front of me.
"I am glad to see you awake, Amanda," He said. "How are you feeling?"
I shrugged. "Worn out, a little sore, but nothing I won't recover from. Just a few bumps and scratches. It would have been a lot worse if you guys hadn't shown up when you did." I met his gaze. "Thank you for that."
"There's no need to thank us," He said. "I am only sorry we didn't arrive sooner."
"Nonsense." I peered past him, towards sector B-8. "How bad does it look back there?"
He glanced back. "Would you like to see?" When I nodded, he put his hand down and I climbed on. Then he walked towards the hill, stopping at the top of it so that I could see the entire area. I sighed. It looked pretty bad, with the broken machinery strewn across the ground and the grass ripped out in most of the place, but it could have been worse. Nothing some hired help wouldn't fix. I was just glad Typhoon hadn't been able to get to the main part of the backyard or the mansion.
Typhoon... he won't be the last after me....
"Hey, Optimus?" I spoke up.
"Yes, Amanda?"
"Typhoon said there were others like him. Others who wanted revenge on Cleona and were coming after me. Do you have any idea who they might be?"
He was silent for a bit, processing this. "I'm afraid I do not. Cleona was alive since the creation of Cybertron, and she had fought many different Cybertronians who wished to spread chaos and destruction. Typhoon had murdered the leaders of the Council and couldn't be caught by the authorities, causing Cleona to intervene and banish him. I only fear that those he was referring to are as cruel as he was."
That would mean they'd also be as hard to fight as Typhoon was, maybe even harder. Probably harder, judging by how Typhoon was so sure the others would be the ones to kill me if he didn't. I barely survived this attack, and only because Optimus and Arcee had shown up. But I did learn that the powers of Cleona could make even the smallest weapons powerful enough to fight a Cybertronian. I couldn't be caught off guard again, not after this.
"Optimus," I said suddenly, causing him to look down at me. "I- I need to know how to fight Cybertronians. I know I'll never fight a Decepticon or do anything like you, but I need to know how to defend myself if anyone attacks me like Typhoon did. I don't want to be made the victim here; I want to learn how to fight."