Chapter Text
Obviously, Hook couldn’t get away.
No – First Aid had fragged up! He must follow him, stop him, tell him what an egocentric idiot he’d been; how he’d ignored his Iacon teachings and hadn’t seen the obvious, and of course he would help ….
…. and how he honestly, he truly, he absolutely really did not object to any ‘interface’ sequence. Especially one with ‘ninety five per cent compatibility.’
First Aid went to take off after the surgeon. But he found himself again restrained, a hand on his arm. He turned, startled. And looked into the face of the beige and white paramedic.
Groove gave him an ‘understanding’ look. “Hey …” he said.
First Aid had had quite enough restraining for one cycle. He looked at Groove’s hand.
“If you wouldn’t mind letting me go, Groove!” he said. “I have screwed up, and jeopardized my career. I must try and make amends!”
Groove chuckled. “I knew you were different!” he said, letting go of First Aid’s arm. “But look - I wouldn’t bother chasing. You won’t catch him. Those legs of his – he can almost keep up with my alt mode!”
First Aid looked along the corridor. Hook had, indeed, vanished altogether. “He’ll be halfway to ER by now!” Groove grinned.
First Aid looked at him helplessly. “What am I to do, Groove?” he said. “I don’t want to leave! I’ve learned things I could not have even dreamed of learning before ….” He had an idea. “Maybe I can go to the hospital authorities and reaffirm my position here?” he shook his head. “I’m such an idiot!”
Groove regarded him kindly. “Eh – Hook has that effect on mechs,” he said. “My advice? Let him cool down.” He smiled. “You ain’t goin’ nowhere. Believe me, main thing for him will be that you turn up in the op room – once he’s over his tirade!”
“It wasn’t a tirade ….” First Aid began. But then, he registered what Groove had said. First Aid’s optics opened wide. “Really?” he said. “How – uh – I mean, how do you know?"
Groove hooked his arm loosely around First Aid’s shoulders and began to walk him along, away from the mortuary area, back in the direction of the main hospital. “Look,” he said. “I’ve watched hundreds of interns come and go. But hell – I never seen him look at anyone the way he looks at you! He just makes sure you ain’t lookin’ every time!”
They paused at the junction to the main concourse – the one where, First Aid realized, he should have taken a left and not a right turn. Groove sighed. “Complicated mechanism, old Hook is,“ the para said. “Got quite a history. Him and his ‘companions.'"
First Aid looked at him in surprise. “Oh yeah – he does have them!” Groove said. “Non medical types. Construction mechs. Good looking, solid kinda types.“ He raised an optic ridge. “All right, actually!"
But First Aid didn't take that in. He was too busy digesting the amazing discovery that Hook - apparently - had 'friends.' Indeed, there was much about this incredibly talented, troubled, good looking boss of his that he did not know.
Groove was looking at him curiously. “You know – I got a strange feeling about you,” he said. “Like I’m gonna know you for a very long time.” He looked distant for a moment. Then his face brightened again. “I've been in Kaon a while. Got to know a few things. You wanna have a drink when the heat’s died down?’”
Now First Aid thought about it, he’d been so busy trying to please Hook and save lives that his social life here really had been lamentable. “That would be nice!” he said politely. “When, as you say, the emergency’s over.”
Groove gave him a friendly pat. “Good,” he said. A buzzer beeped on his arm. “Yep – duty calls. Better get to ER! See you soon!”
As he zoomed away, First Aid reflected that whatever happened with Hook, one thing was certain. He had the same ‘uncanny’ feeling as Groove.