Quiet Reverence

Chapter two

Written by Wrath of an Aerow

The ride to the Lennox farm was very quick and quiet. Juliet found herself staring out at the passing field while she sat on Will's lap. She didn't know what were in the bags on the rolling stretchers, but something nagged at her brain that she didn't want or need to know, and what she needed to worry about was the now. She was heading to the Lennox house, to where she'd be staying the night because her mother had told Will to do it.

Ironhide did not turn the radio on, nor did Will say anything as his hand circled around her arm protectively, but loosely. The Major felt sorry for this little girl, who had just lost her mother and father to a hands of a burglar, who set their house on fire after killing the couple. He then forced Juliet into the corn field, and left her there. The culprit pulled a gun on an officer, and when he shot, the bullet missed, and a few nearby cops had shot him down. Will didn't know if the criminal killed Juliet's parents in front of her eyes, but from what she had been saying, he probably had not. Therefore, that meant that he wasn't aware of a child in the house.

Juliet eased back and laid against Will's chest, yawning. It was, in fact, twelve-forty seven at night; the little one should've been tired.

The only reason Will caught news of his neighbors situation was because Thomas baker, the head chief in the force, had called him up and asked for assistance if needed, and Will accepted without hesitation. It was what he was trained for.

As Ironhide rolled up the dirt path to the Lennox farm, he stopped just a few feet from the porch so Will could get Juliet inside easily. Setting the six year old on the seat beside him, Will Lennox hopped out of Ironhide and scooped up Juliet. "You can come in if you'd like, 'Hide," offered the soldier. "Just make sure you're in your holoform; I live here, you know."

Ironhide grumbled about something and shut the passenger door. Then, the Autobot went into stasis. Suddenly, Juliet saw something flicker inside of Ironhide's cabin and open the driver's side door, hop out, and shut the door. Walking in front of the now turned off headlights, she saw that a man with tan skin and scars decorating his skin was approaching the duo. He had short-cut pitch black hair and bright blue eyes that seemed to pierce through the dark. He wore a leather jacket with the sleeves rolled up to his elbows with a white muscle shirt underneath, also having nice-fitting denim jeans and combat boots.

Juliet blinked a few times, and the new man half-smiled at Juliet. He came over and ruffled her hair slightly and Will took her inside.

Setting the six year old on the long, circular couch, he asked if he could get a closer look at her foot, and she agreed. Looking at her foot, Will could see that a few fairly-large pieces were stuck in her foot and scratches littered them. He could tell some must have fallen loose once she was in the corn field, since a lot of glass looked to be missing. He pursed his lips to the side, and decided Ratchet could get the glass out easily, and if all else failed, Will could find a way to get that crap out of her foot. But he trusted Ratchet and he knew if he could fix a beaten-up Ironhide, he could take glass out of a youngling's foot.

While waiting for Ratchet, Will told Ironhide to get a wet washcloth and Will went to get a band-aid for her elbow. Once cleaned, Will put a simple, tan band-aid on her elbow and pretended to smile like he made the biggest, awesomest creation in the world.

"There you go, all better. Do you need anything else?"

Juliet shook her head, "No…but when is the glass going to come out of my feet? It stings," she winced after flexing her toes.

This time, Ironhide replied, who was leaning on the side of the doorway, apparently watching for Ratchet. "He should be here at any time, little one. That old Hatchet has a knack for getting distracted when he spots shiny things."

Will chuckled, "Karma's going to get you, 'Hide. Be lucky he wasn't here to hear that."

Ironhide grumbled something that strangely sounded like: "Oh, I would say it if he was here anyways, moron."

Again, the Major chuckled and Juliet gave a soft laugh. Maybe these two could be her friends, and she could feel a friendship already sprouting.

"Thank you for fixing me, Will," she beamed and suddenly hugged his neck. The soldier was taken a little by surprise, but smiled and patted the young girls' back. Ironhide caught glimpse of it and a very small smile curled the corner of his mouth. He could get used to that sparkling around here; he saw little enough of Annabelle as it was. If Will could keep this little one, he was sure that Will would be happier to come home rather than sulk after losing his wife. He could smile, coming home every day or returning to his quarters at base to a happy, black-haired Indian girl that wanted attention.

Suddenly, two headlights caught Ironhide's attention as he saw the yellow Hummer stop in the driveway. Leaving his post, Ironhide jogged over to the medic and came to his passenger door. "Activate your holoform, Ratchet."

After a few seconds, the medic retorted, "What, hasn't she seen you yet, Ironhide?"

Ironhide's holoform rolled his eyes, "Of course she has. But I doubt you want to take out glass from her feet while you're in your bipedal mode, now activate that holoform!"

Ratchet grumbled and his holoform activated. Ironhide moved aside as he let the holoform come out of the vehicle. "You could just say please for once, Ironhide."

Ironhide crossed his arms over his chest, "Why should I?"

Ratchet half-smiled, "You get what you want easier." Leaving a quiet weapons specialist behind, Ratchet walked up to the Lennox house, knocked on the rim of the door, and let himself in. Ratchet's holoform had brownish-golden hair that was curly and untidy. He had hazel colored eyes and a pair of sideburns crawling down his jaw. He wore a simple white doctor's coat with a black shirt underneath, with dark brown slacks. Glasses rested at the tip of his nose and he smiled casually, nodding a greeting at Will. His hazel eyes drifted to the little girl, who was sitting on the white couch. Ratchet saw a tip of a band-aid on her elbow with the help of his un-human sight.

He came over to the two, kneeled down and let out a hand for Juliet to shake.

"Hello, little one, you must be Juliet," he smiled and she nodded. "I hear you're having some glass trouble? Let's take a look." Ratchet gently took the youngling's foot and examined it, seeing the shards of glass in her feet. "Well, this will be no problem to get out, Juliet," he smiled. "Do not worry; I'm a doctor and I promise it will not hurt a bit."

Ironhide could have laughed. Ratchet was anything but merciful, but Ironhide would love to see how he'd get that glass out without Juliet screaming in pain. Because everyone knew that when a doctor said that 'this won't hurt at all', that it meant 'it's going to hurt like hell, so get prepared'. Ironhide watched with interest, and his arms crossed his chest as he leaned against the doorframe.

Ratchet, having experience with Annabelle Lennox, dug into his doctor's coat and pulled out a cherry lolly-pop. He held it out to Juliet, who grabbed it with a little hesitation. She then unwrapped it and stuck it in her mouth, admiring the flavor.

Ironhide's jaw dropped as he saw Juliet extremely content with the sucker as Ratchet began to get the glass out with metallic tweezers. It didn't look like she felt, much less cared that glass was sliding out of her feet. I guess Ratchet was right:

He could work miracles.

After a few moments, Ratchet was done with the extraction of the glass and cleaning out the wounds (which she whimpered a little when the alcohol entered her wounds, and Will had to calm her down by holding her hand) then began to wrap her feet in wrapping band-aids. When he was finished successfully, he gave the little Juliet a smile.

"There. All better. Now, you can walk on the balls of your feet, but it may hurt a bit for the rest of tonight and tomorrow. Do you know where the balls of your feet are?"

She shook her head. Ratchet held up her foot and tapped the end of her heel. She 'Oh'd' and Ratchet stood up, turning to Will.

"How long shall she be in your residence, William Lennox?" asked the medic.

Crossing his arms, Will told him; "I'll have to discuss that with you later, Ratchet. Now's not the time."

"I see," Ratchet nodded, and looked back to Juliet. "I hope to see you again, little one. Thank you for being such a wonderful patient."

Juliet smiled up at the doctor as she chewed on the paper stick of the lolly-pop, which left a red tinge on it.

"Thanks, Ratch'," Will thanked and shook his hand.

"No problems. Contact me tomorrow and we can discuss about our current adventure."

It took William a few seconds to realize that he meant Juliet. "Oh! Of course, I'll call you up tomorrow."

Ratchet nodded, and told the duo to have a nice night. When he walked past Ironhide, he whispered something and Ironhide rolled his bright blue eyes.

A yawn escaped Juliet's lips as she snuggled into the couch. Will then scooped her up. "C'mon, Juliet, let's get you upstairs." The soldier then escalated the stairs and down the hallway. Across from his room was a guest room, and Juliet would have to stay in there for now. Tucking her under the blanket and leaving the nightlight on, he saw that she was already fast asleep. He smiled sweetly and tucked a strand of smooth, black hair behind her ear. Then, Will quietly retired the room, leaving the oak door ajar and set back downstairs.

As soon as the major got downstairs, he saw Ironhide setting on the couch.

"Will," started Ironhide before Will could even get to the opposite side of the couch. "What are you going to do with the human sparkling?"

Will sighed as he plopped on the couch. "I'm not so sure yet, 'Hide…but I'm thinking about taking her in. I like her already. But, if her family from Idaho wants to take her, I'll have to let her go." Will shrugged. "Simple as that."

"Hmm. I've taken interest in Juliet as well. It was amazing to see Ratchet acting so…friendly to her," Ironhide remarked.

Will laughed, "He's that way to Annabelle too; he must have a weakness for little girls with blue eyes."

"Or just plain ol' femmes and sparklings."

Will shrugged at his guardian, "Guess so."

After a long moment of silence, Ironhide again asked a question.

"Will she be introduced to the Autobots?"

Will Lennox sighed, "I don't know. I hope so. She's already seen you, and she doesn't look like she's scared."

"The only ones she'd be scared of would be the twins," grumbled the holoform. "Don't let them have contact with her."

"Oooh, someone's being overprotective," chuckled Will.

The holoforms brows narrowed, "Are you saying you would let her spend time with those two?"

"Not at all. I find it pretty comical how you're already asking questions." He paused. "You want her to stay, huh? You won't admit it because I know you too well, and you know it's a weakness."

Ironhide turned his head to the side and his jaw tightened.

Will sighed, "Sorry, 'Hide. I didn't mean to offend you."

Almost immediately, Ironhide replied. "No, you're right. It is a weakness."

"And you still don't admit it," he smiled.

"I don't have to admit myself to you, William Lennox."

"Hey, you sleep in my garage. I have a right to know," Will grinned.

Ironhide rolled his bright blue eyes, but still didn't say anything.

Again, Will chuckled, "I'll see what I can do about Juliet, 'Hide."

When Will woke up the next morning, he woke up to the doorbell ringing. Rubbing his eyes with his knuckles, he huffed, and climbed out of bed. He wore a simple white T and plaid pajama shorts. His black hair was messy and his eyes red from lack of sleep.

Walking down the stairs, he went to the front door and opened it, to see Police officer Baker at his door.

"Mornin', Lennox," said Baker, handing him a simple slip of paper. "Here's the number for the family in Idaho for ya. How's the little one?"

Will yawned as he plucked the piece of paper from Baker's hand. "She's doin' fine. I had Ratchet take the glass out of her feet last night."

Baker pinched the bridge of his nose. "Will, you can't be introducing her to the Autobots if you don't even know if she'll be staying with you, and you know that. What if that Galloway guy finds out? You know that guy will make you get rid of her if he finds out she knows about the Autobots."

"Who said he'll find out?" asked the major. "Ratchet was in his holoform; so she never saw him fully standing in robot mode."

"But she's seen Ironhide," the officer pointed out.

Will nodded, "Yeah, I know. You want to come in? Best to get the call out of the way."

Thomas came in and sat at the counter across from Will. Will grabbed the portable phone and punched the numbers in.

It rang a few times, and when Will was about to hang up the phone-

"Hello, my name is Will Lennox, and I am calling to see if you've heard about Linda and James Everett? Yes…Yes, I'm calling to tell you that your niece is safe and well. Are there any family her other than…no? I'll be willing to pay for a ticket for her to fly there…sir…sir?"

The line went dead.

Baker tilted his head, "What happened?"

Will blinked a few times, then slowly looked up at the officer, "He said to leave her here."