Archive of Our Own ^beta

Chapter Text

In the early morning a young librarian smiled. She was back again. She always came here in the early mornings, right on time for the opening of the college library. His boss never liked to have people like her in the library. But he didn't mind, she never bothered the other students, and she kept to herself. She never checked out any books, nor did she steal, though anyone would be the first to say that she would. She smiled gratefully at him as he held the door open for her moving silently to the light switch that would turn on the lights to the massive three-story collection of books. Soon after, she disappeared amongst the shelves.

She always hid from the students because she didn't like their scrutiny. Or their pity for that matter. She once had a boy offer her the shirt off his back, as a joke. All she had asked was for him to pass the free notebook paper. "They aren't all bad." She thought to herself as she secured her large encyclopedia and sat down on the floor. And she was right. Some of the students were nice to her. Some gave her food, and nonperishables. One kid even gave her a large backpack with camping essentials in it. "Like The Hunger Games." She said as she traced the picture of the poisonous berries and their leaves. She continued to read, studying everything that she could about nature, and the constellations and anything she could just about get her hands on. She had finished about five books when the young librarian came to find her. He had brought a box of doughnuts and a couple bottles of water. He smiled as he saw her putting her books away by the dewy decimal system. She always did so before she left so that none of the staff would get mad at her.

"Hey. I uh, I brought you a little snack. You know if you want it."

He said as he set the box down by her backpack. She looked back over her shoulder and smiled. "Thanks." She said as quickly began to put her self-made notebooks back into her backpack. "Trying to write a dissertation on the environment?" He asked in rapt curiosity as he noticed her cursive written science notes. She shook her head shyly as she hefted her bag and began to walk away. "Hey! Wait, where are you going? At least take the doughnuts." The librarian said to her as he caught up with her. "Where you off to so quick?" "Your boss comes in exactly three hours after you open. He doesn't like me. Plus, the usual Monday rush is about to start." She said as she continued to walk faster to the exit door. "Oh. Well, I guess I'll see you tomorrow?" "Nuh uh. Wednesday." She nodded as she took the offered box of doughnuts and water before she all but sprinted out the door. "Wait! What was your- "The boy shouted after her.

The girl left the college campus in a hurry. The students who were groggy from a night of partying hard barely noticed the thirteen-year-old as she scurried away into the surrounding forest. She smiled as she looked at the large box of doughnuts. The café on main had the best chocolate glazed ever. As she pulled one of the glazed beauties out of the box, she passed a rather large Lilac bush. Smiling she took a bite while enjoying the delicate fragrance of the still blooming bush. "Good to see you me." She said softly as she passed the bush and continued to hike up the trail. Once she was a good five miles in, she veered off the trail and made the six-mile hike to her camp. Setting the now empty box of doughnuts down in her tent she reached for her quickly depleting grocery basket and metal canteen. She left her tent once more to walk half a mile to the riverbank where she gathered a canteen full of water silently hating herself for not being able to carry the bigger water holder so that she could get the water she needed for a shower. Not having much meat in the last week had taken its toll. Thankfully she had caught a fish with the basket. It was small, but it was better than nothing. On the way back to her tent she gathered some tubers from the mud, and some fresh raspberries from a natural thicket, remembering carefully where to step so that the thorns wouldn't tear through her grungy jeans. Once she got back, she made a small fire with some of the extra paper she snagged from the library. After cleaning the fish and cooking it, she dug in. She didn't have much, for that matter what orphan on the run did? All Lilac had to her name was 27 bucks, 2 canteens: one large one small, a watch, hygiene materials, a tent, a backpack, a Swiss army knife, a general first aid kit, some rope, her favorite stuffed panda, and a picture of her mom. Twelve things. Not a whole lot compared to what she witnesses people throw out. She didn't really even have another set of clothing. All she has is a second pair of underwear. She's worn the same green long-sleeved t-shirt, blue jeans, and purple converse for almost a year. And that's only because it was all that she could keep from when she had to move the last time her camp was found. She's had to move six times thus far in the two years she's lived alone. Technically it was three years, but the first didn't count because the local hobos took her in and helped her get a long way away from her small town in Kentucky.

Lilac smiled as she got up and made the long walk farther into the forest past the thicket to where she buried her fish carcasses. She definitely didn't want to have to make another a lean-to because the bears found her camp and the forgotten fish carcasses. By the time she returned to her camp her watch read that it was a little after one thirty. The town nearby wouldn't be that busy. Looking at her supplies she shrugged. Having no need for soap or deodorant yet and not having enough money to get another set of clothes, she decided that she would try and lug enough water up from the river to have a quick shower.

About halfway there, her foot got caught in a hunting snare. "Damn poachers!" She growled as she cut herself loose. Thankfully she hadn't sprained her ankle, but she did get a few cuts from the snare itself. With a groan she got up and forged on, collecting barely enough water for bathing. Once her shower was over, she rinsed and rung out her clothes, tying them to the rope she had strung between two trees in the sun to dry. While her clothes dried, she decided to lay down in her tent, unintentionally falling asleep.

Lilac awoke a few hours later to soft voices. She poked her head out of her tent and listened closely. A bunch of college kids had taken a hike and were on their way back. "Whoa! Dude! Look at the tent!"

"Awe c'mon Shane! I wanna go already!"

"You think somebody lives in it?"

"Maybe…HEY HOMELESS PERSON! ANYONE LIVING IN YOUR TENT?"

Lilac froze, praying that they didn't come to search the tent. "Nah, though judging by the clothes over there, I'd say that somebody lives here." One said. "At any rate, we gotta get back. We should tell the campus police that there's some weirdo living out here though." Another said as they walked off talking about who they would tell. After a few minutes, Lilac left her tent and got dressed. After which she began to pack up her home. She kicked herself for choosing an area so close to the trail, now she'd have to move somewhere new. After she had everything squared away in her large backpack Lilac made the tiring hike towards the river to get a little more water.

"Hmmm." She pondered as she looked downstream. With a small smile she began to follow the river upstream. After several hours she reached a rather large clearing. More of a glade. It was positively green, the trees were old and sturdy, and there were a few boulders that would make great dryers in the summer. Deciding that this would be her new home, she began to set up camp once more. Smelling the ozone on the breeze, she groaned. Reaching into her backpack, she pulled out the waterproof covering, and the heavy-duty stakes for her tent. Once she had the tent secure, she boiled her water for the night, and brushed her teeth. In the twilight her pale skin almost seemed to glow.

"Today's high will be 73, sunny with a small chance for rain in the late afternoon that will give way to a crystal-clear night here in Knodingham Kentucky! Perfect for cheering on the Knodingham knights against their rivals the Bayfield bears! Or for watching the falling stars!"

The radio called cheerily as Lilac passed by the café. She had decided to venture into town for some food and fishing line. She was looking forward to the meteor shower tonight and sincerely hoped that the weather wouldn't prevent her from seeing it. Inside the store she noticed she had a shadow. Moving slowly, she calculated her purchase including the tax, happy that she had kept the coupons from her last visit. When she was through, she took her purchase up to the counter, and waited in line patiently. She didn't mind waiting while the salesclerk purposely chose to wait on others behind her. Finally, the clerk took a deep breath and forced a smile as he rung up her food and fishing line and hooks. "That'll be 15.29." He said brazenly, expecting her not to have the money. "Here." She said sweetly with a smile as she handed him the large stack of coupons. The clerk's smile melted slightly as he took the coupons from her. The people behind her smiled, impressed that a little kid could clip enough coupons to get her whole transaction for free. The clerk tapped the keys on the screen a few times and nodded to himself. "That'll be 15.29." He repeated. "What? Bu- "

"Young lady, if you do not have the funds, I suggest you remove yourself from the store."

"But my coupons- "

"I may not be able to deny you service, but I can deny you your groceries if you cannot afford them."

"But that isn't fair. I- "

"Life isn't fair sweetheart. Now pay and leave and take your foul odor with you. Or do I need to call the authorities?"

He said with a cruel smile, as he lifted the phone. Lilac sniffled slightly as she gave the man sixteen dollars. "Thank you. Have a nice day." He said as he denied her the change she was owed. Lilac gently took her bags and walked out the door. This happened more often than not. And she couldn't argue, because the salesclerks would always threaten to call the police. Police meant going back. And she definitely didn't want to go back. She had barely gotten forty feet from the store before one of the customers behind her ran up to her. "Hey, miss? Here"

"Oh, no I…I- "

"No. I made him give me your money back. Nobody has the right to treat anyone like that. Ever."

They said as they gave her the money back. She smiled gratefully as she hesitantly took it. The person smiled back before jogging back to their car. Lilac internally winced seeing them join their family as they all got in the car and drove off. She absently wished that she knew what it was like as she continued up main street.

Disappearing once again into the woods, Lilac hummed a song as she climbed back up the hillside. Two hours later, she reached her camp, and was ready to pass out. The trip to town was far longer now that she lived farther into the woods. But it was a small price to pay for her freedom. After she gathered some firewood for the night, and after she caught herself a large fish, Lilac settled in for the day, excitedly anticipating the night's events. Luckily, she didn't have to wait long. After taking a short cat nap through the rainstorm, she awoke to the symphony of the night. Fireflies hovered gently on the breeze, crickets and bullfrogs called out in their high sopranos and low bases as she looked to the sky. The moon made her skin milky and pale, it illuminated her sky-blue eyes giving them an off-set glow, just as it had the night before. Her long, dirty blonde hair whipped this way and that as she began to watch the meteors fall.

"No way are we alone." She said to herself as she continued to watch nature's main event in awe. Suddenly she noticed one of the meteors growing slightly larger as it flew. She idly remembered what her mom used to tell her; "Never think that you are alone. You will always have someone there for you, be it me, God, or those who inhabit the farthest reaches of space." It was comforting to her, yet oddly specific. More than anything she wished she still believed that wishing on stars could make a dream a reality. She had long ago given up that hope, yet something felt different tonight. "Ah, what the heck?" She said as she shrugged looking up to the shooting stars. "Mom, God, those who inhabit the farthest reaches of space…I hope you are right, and I hope this works." She said as she picked up her mother's picture and hugged it to her chest. "Star Light, Star Bright, ummm… the 3rd star I see tonight. I wish I may, I wish I might, Have the wish I wish tonight." She said softly to the dazzling night sky. She took a quick look around to make sure that no one saw her before she turned back to the sky. "I wish. I wish…I wish I had a family, and a home full of people who actually love me and care about me, and if that wish cannot be achieved, then I wish for someone who will love me unconditionally, someone who I could love back." She said softly.

After a few hours the meteors began to fade from the sky, and Lilac began to grow weary. Heading into her tent for the night she sighed. Wishing on stars never worked. Until now. The moment her head touched the lining of the tent a large sonic boom sounded. With a startled yelp she jumped back up and poked her head outside of the tent. Seeing nothing she stepped out wielding the large stick she kept in the tent for safety. With another hefty BOOM she jumped and spun to the north. The portion of sky she had been watching the meteors soar by in was lit up as a rather large projectile lowered, flying faster than she had ever seen anything move before. She yelped and hit the dirt covering her head as the projectile soared over her camp, setting some of the trees on fire. Panicking about the fire she ignored the loud, earth shattering (literally) thud that sounded less than a mile from her camp. She packed up quickly, knowing that the authorities would probably come to put out the fire. However, with a loud thunder crack, that problem was soon taken care of, as ice cold rain began to fall from the sky. She hadn't noticed the rapidly approaching storm clouds on the horizon. Now she had no shelter from the pouring rain.

With a soft whimper she began to trudge away. Promising herself that she would return to the spot when she was certain that no one was combing through it.

Unbeknownst to her, the meteor that had crashed, stood up with a soft metallic groan and began to crawl out of the large crater it had created. "Slag. Galaxy wide positioning systems down. Communications systems down. A sprained hip strut, and a very low signal on my twin's end of the bond. Is anything that I need working?!" It growled as it stood up on the rim of the crater only to barely catch itself on a tree before it fell over. "Reflexes and sensors, working within normal parameters. Fragging great." It said just as Lilac had stepped out of the bushes. She looked up at what she was sure to be a talking tree, that is until a flash of lightning showed the back of the tall metallic looking being. Her breath hitched in her throat, causing the creature to spin around looking for the source of the noise. She was startled by the sudden light its blue eyes cast off, and it was surprised by the small organic that creeped up on him.

"AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

They both screamed as they scrambled away from each other. The creature fell back into the crater with a loud "OOOAF!" While Lilac tuned tail and ran for her life, a small part of her head chastising her, saying; "Be careful what you wish for."

Chapter Text

Running was nothing for Lilac. She had outrun the police several times before, so she had a knack for finding hiding places while she ran. Sure, enough about four miles away from the giant talking metallic like beast there was a cave. This cave if followed all the way through would lead to the other side of the mountain. It wouldn't take long at the rate she was running at to reach the other side, but when she got a few hundred feet within the cave, she fell over in exhaustion. Lilac curled into a ball for warmth and fell asleep against a stalagmite that was jutting out of the ground.

Unbeknownst to her, the giant had crawled out of the crater, and slowly followed her to her new residence. Curious thing it was, stared at her worried that it had accidentally killed her. So, it sat there for the duration of the night watching her and trying to think of a plan. (since it was clearly lost) When Lilac began to stir, it grinned and leaned into her personal space, trying to get a better look at her.

Lilac's eyes fluttered open to the sight of a very large metal being peering down at her with a psychotic grin on its face…assuming it had a face. It looked positively weird.

"Hello!"

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEEE!"

She screamed at the top of her lungs as she backed into the stalagmite. Giving into her fight or flight instincts she got up and ran behind the nearest rock formation. She didn't have enough energy to keep running, so this is where her brain auto piloted to. Peeking out she saw the machine…pout?

"Awe. I'm not gonna hurt you squishy! I'm not allowed to anyways."

She kept still, refusing to move since it was blocking her exit, and since she didn't trust giant machines, she'd only seen once at night.

"Aw, c'mon! I won't bite! Wait…do you speak my language?"

It asked. It was beeping and chirping the whole conversation thus far. Lilac shook her head silently in the negative. The machine frowned, and its eye's dimmed slightly. "Вы говорите на этом языке?" another shake of the head. "这个?" She disappeared behind the rock completely. A giant machine that can speak Chinese? Not okay or normal. After it struggled through Spanish, it finally settled on speaking English. Lilac peered silently from behind the rock at it, only for said "it" to smile widely baring some sort of teeth at her in response. "So, you do speak English!" It shouted, making her shudder and hide behind the rock once more. "Oh no you don't! C'mere!" It called as it roughly picked her up and began to start poking and prodding at her, making her scream in terror. She didn't like heights, and being lifted ten feet up into the air was not on her list of things to do. "There. Now I can get a good look at you. Huh, you're smaller than I thought. Heh, and mushier too. My name is Sideswipe. Do you have a name? Or do you organics go by numeric codes, or maybe by appearances? I- "He was cut off by a soft beeping noise. "Aw slag. Thaaaaaatssssssss noooooooooootttt gooooooooooood" He slurred as his eyes went black and as his head slumped. With a shriek Lilac clutched his hand for her life as it too went limp. All Lilac heard was the soft creaking of metal as she hung from the being's hand. Looking at her watch she saw that it was 6:30. The library would open in half an hour, and that was a long way away from where she was now. It also meant that she had a way of escaping, now that the giant wasn't moving. Looking down she gasped. It was a long way down to the floor of the cave. She did the math. At 4'5'' it was easily a 6-and-a-half-foot jump. Having read "The Daring book for Girls" as well as "The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook", she made an educated guess and swung back and forth a few times. "One for the money, two for the show...three to get ready…and…here…we…go!" She said as she swung away from the machine's hand letting go. She tensed for a moment as she dropped, but loosened up right before she landed on the cave floor about two feet away from a stalagmite. She sat there staring at it in horror until she stopped hyperventilating. Shakily, she grabbed her bag and trotted out of the cave into the twilight.

The librarian was surprised that the girl wasn't waiting outside today. Thinking that she had left town he sighed as he opened up the archive for business. He was sorting through the returned books when she walked in, with small traces of fear in her eyes. To his surprise she walked into the technology department and grabbed a few books on robotics, then she detoured through nature and picked up "The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook" before she sat down at a computer. He noticed that she had picked that book up a lot from time to time, especially after what he could only guess was "a hard night". For the next four hours she immersed herself in her studies writing down anything that she could.

Lilac was secretly ecstatic. The librarian had told her that his boss was sick, and with most of the students still asleep or in classes she had free range of the facilities. She first researched the being's name. Apparently, it was a glancing blow. "Interesting." She mumbled. She then looked up the general programming of A. I's which lead to the general laws of robot-ethics. "He can not hurt me. He really can't because it is a base of his core programing. No loopholes." She said taking a large sigh of relief. Perhaps that is what it was trying to convey earlier. But it still didn't explain the strange language it was speaking, or the crater it came out of. She then began to research giant robots, and she found a few video clips from a couple of months ago. A meteor shower, and several craters were constants in all of the videos. Getting a vaguely ominous feeling she exited out of the websites and logged off the computer quickly. When she spun around, she yelped softly when she saw the librarian standing behind her.

"Hey. I um…just wanted you to know there were some military and government dudes in the area yesterday. They might still be hanging around town."

Lilac paled. If the government was poking around, then she needed to leave. Government meant authority, that authority meant that she could either be sent to federal prison for not coming forward with what she knows, or worse, being sent back to where she came from. With a nod she got up and got ready to leave. As she was putting her books away, the librarian stopped her. "Hey, whoa, slow down! Why so panicked? "

"I have to go. Like right now."

"Well, if you must. I guess I'll see you this Friday?"

"No. I'm…I'm not gonna be here. I…I have to go."

She said hastily. As she put the copy of "The Worst-Case Scenario Survival Handbook" back on the shelf. The Librarian stopped her again and took the book off the shelf. "Hey. If you like this book so much, take it. We have other copies in the back, and I already wrote this one off."

"A…are you sure?"

"Yeah. And, here, come with me."

He said gently as he pulled her to the back office where some supplies sat on the table. "I know first-hand what you're going through. Here, take this. It'll help you keep warm, and it will give you an alternate for your outfit. "He said giving her a hoodie, a t-shirt and a pair of used jean shorts. "This duct tape can be used for pretty much anything. And this food should go about a week. In case you find another library, these notebooks will be sturdier."

He said as he began to stuff the items into her bag. She was surprised and she tried to stop him, but he looked up at her with a sympathetic smile.

"I lost my parents when I was about fourteen. I was on the streets for a year before CYFD got to me. They tried to place me with the worst family, so I ran. A couple months later a couple of guys helped me out. Got me a job working minimum wage as a bus boy at the café on main. And well, the owner helped me apply for a scholarship when I was old enough and here I am."

Lilac sniffled and wiped at her eyes. The kid was right. He knows just where she was coming from. "I. I can't go back. I won't go back."

"I won't make you. But if you ever need help, and you want a summer job, all you have to do is ask."

He said giving her a side hug. "Oh, and before you leave, take this." He said as he handed her a large piping hot pizza. She smiled and hugged him back. "I'll keep that in mind. Maybe when I turn seventeen, I'll come back."

"How old are you now?"

He asked as she made her way to the door, silently groaning to herself when she saw that it was raining again. Turning with a microscopic smile, she did the calculations in her head, and she answered him. "I'm about thirteen."

The librarian's jaw dropped as he watched the girl dart out into the pouring rain, hoping that she would be okay. Lilac wanted to head to the train depot. She knew that she could get away but for some reason, she found herself taking the familiar trails back to the cave. At one point she tripped landing face first in a large puddle of cold mud. "WHY?!" She screamed at the sky. With a whine she picked herself up and continued to trudge up the hill to the cave, thankful that she had saved her pizza from the mud. Once she got there, she noticed that the robot hadn't moved. She was tempted to leave. If the government was looking for it, then it had to be of some importance. They would surely thoroughly search the woods for it. But at the same time, this was a once in a lifetime opportunity to study technology she had never seen before. Maybe this was a sign, maybe she was meant to study this creature, and in return a butt load of good karma would be given to her.

With a sigh of resignation, she wiped her face and made a fire for the night. Grabbing her trusty stick and gathering a few stones nearby she carefully approached the machine. It really hadn't moved, allowing her to circle it all the way around. She saw an opening on the creature's neck and stopped. After jotting down a few observatory notes, she sucked in a gasp of air and climbed up the creature's back to its neck. She looked at it curiously and poked a wire experimentally. No electricity seemed to come off of it. Thinking it to be safe, she crawled further into the opening and looked around. Thousands of wires greeted her, and most were intact, though there were a few that looked worn out. Seeing a few disconnected and acting on impulsive reflex, she plugged them back in. After another few minutes of looking around, she crawled back out and slid down the machine. Slowly she backed up watching the machine. "HEY! HELLLLLOOOOOOOOO?! GIANT ROBOT?!" She yelled at the top of her lungs. Seeing no movement, she shrugged thinking the thing was broken. Grabbing her notebook and her pizza, she wrote down what she had learned about it, unaware that it was slowly waking up.

She was mid sentence when she thought of something. Surely the robot had a serial number on it. Looking at its feet, she scooted closer and used her stick to scrape the mud off its left foot. Seeing no response and no serial number, she switched to the right one, and was immediately greeted with hearty laughter.

"Heh...hahahahahaha! Hey! Ahahahahahahahaha! Stop that! That tickles!"

"AHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

She screamed as she literally jumped back four feet and grabbed a large rock.

"Why do you always do that?"

It asked her as it leaned forward only for its nose to be hit firmly by a rock. "OWWWWWWWW! Hey, that hurt!" It whined. But she didn't care, she continued to pelt it with the heavy stones denting it in some areas, until the creature was driven from the cave. She hyperventilated for a while staring out of the cave watching the creature as it tried to hide under a tree for shelter, only for it to grumble when it hit its head on a few of the branches.

A few hours later

Lilac sat near her warm fire guiltily watching the machine. It had tried to find shelter and failed, slipping and falling like she had in the mud a few times. Now it sat pathetically outside her cave, occasionally looking up at the sky whining. She felt bad, because she saw some of herself in the robot. How many times had that been her, stuck outside in the rain with no shelter and no resources? She was conflicted, it could be dangerous, but seeing that the military, nor any government of any form had come to claim it she felt bad.

"Please squishy? Its cold out here, and your atmosphere is leaking all over me, and I promise not to hurt you."

Thinking for only a second more, she got up and walked towards the opening of the cave and waved him in. With a grateful whimper it ripped out a tree and crawled into the cave. "My leader told us through a transmission once that it was customary to bring a…hous-e warming gift. I hope this will warm your domicile." It said as it gently placed the tree down next to her. She rose an eyebrow and giggled softly. "You mean housewarming gift. Thanks…though this isn't technically a house. Nor is it mine."

"Then why do you reside here? Do all organics live like this?"

"No, not all humans live in caves, and I'll only live here for a little while longer."

"Hu-man? Are you a mech of your species?"

"Uhh… what is a mech?"

"I am."

It said proudly puffing out its chest. She raised an eyebrow and thought hard. Did robots have genders?

"Well…I know I'm of the class Homo Sapiens, more specifically the female class. Does that help?"

"Female? OH! You're a femme! Well, that explains a lot."

"Really?"

"Yeah. You were attracted to my mechliness and therefore had to reach out and touch me. I don't mind having a femme crawl all over my protoform, but I draw the line at interfacing before the first date."

She reddened deeply. It had felt her the whole time? She felt dirty, for an entirely different reason than her mucky appearance suggested.

"You okay there squishy?"

"I…I…um…sorry isn't even close to what I feel right now."

She whispered as she sunk in on herself.

"Are you damaged? Your pigment has changed. Though the hue is lovely, is it normal for humans to do that?"

"Only when we're embarrassed."

She whimpered.

"My bad. I was only kidding. Our species isn't even compatible for that sort of thing…I don't think we are anyways."

"What kind of robot are you?"

"Hey! I am not a robot!"

It growled at her.

"I'M SORRY! I'M SORRY! I'M SORRY! I'M SORRY!"

She wailed as she curled into herself and covered her head. The machine raised an eyebrow and poked her gently.

"It's okay…you didn't know. Just for the record, robots are unthinking beings that do what they are told without question. I and my species are sentient, meaning we think freely and make our own choices. Out of curiosity has your species discovered the ability to travel at the speed of light?"

"Uh… not that I'm aware of. Does it exist?"

"Yeah. Has for a while."

"Oh. So…you aren't from this planet, are you?"

"Nope! I am from a planet called Cybertron. It's a long way from here."

"So that would make you…a…Cybertronian?"

"Exactly. I and others like me are here because the tyrannical leader from our planet is trying to take over yours. But last I heard, he was offlined by a human, so I guess we're here to help keep this planet safe from his troops. My leader is based I think…somewhere called Nevada. Is that close by?"

Lilac yelped. Nevada was clear across the country from where she was now.

"No. you landed pretty far from Nevada. We're in Kentucky, which is on the same continent and in the same country, but in the opposite direction."

"Oh." He said deflating. "But...I'm sure it's not too far…are you okay?"

"No. I…you probably wouldn't understand."

"Maybe I might. I won't tell anyone, I promise. And it's not like anyone would believe me anyways. I'm just a kid."

"You are? I thought that younglings were still supposed to- "

"Well, we are but it's complicated. Seriously though. What's wrong?"

"I…have a twin…well that's the literal translation your language has for it. We're brothers…and he…we were supposed to land together."

"What happened?"

"We got separated…some asteroids knocked into us and our comet formation broke. I guess, I'm the only one that landed out here, the rest must have gotten there. It's hard, cause the 'twins' of our species sort of share a bond that allows us to feel each other. I can't feel him at all."

He said mournfully. Lilac frowned heavily as she took a bite of her pizza. "He has a family? Wow, universe. Wow." She thought sadly. "Is that human fuel?"

"You mean food? Yeah…it's called pizza…you…you wanna try some?"

"Is it like energon?"

"What's that?"

"It is pure energy. Our species drinks or eats it depending on its form for fuel."

"Is that like gasoline?"

"Yeah, I think so. Before I crashed, I had a brief glimpse of your world wide web and you feed your vehicles gasoline. Is there a place that I can get some of that?"

"Well…yeah, but I don't know how to get you some. I…I don't have a lot of money, but I guess I can get you some. Do you need to drink it or- AHHHHHHHHHHH!"

She screamed as he lifted her off the ground and crawled out of the cave. "You do that a lot." He said as he began to walk quickly towards town.

"I really don't like heights! WAIT! WHAT IF SOMEONE SEES YOU?!"

"Don't worry, I can fix that. And since I can't fix my gps, my com link, or gain access to your world wide web, or feel my twin, you are going to take me to Nevada."

"What?! Bu- "

"Shh! Quiet or you'll scare it away!"

He said as they snuck up to the parking lot full of old cars. He set her down for a moment and stared at a car. "What are you do- "She stopped as she saw a blue light shoot out of his eyes and filter over the car in front of him. Sputtering, she quickly fell to the ground and crawled backwards as Sideswipe's body folded and compacted to match the car in front of him. "The frick! What the frick?! OH MY GOD!" She shrieked as the door popped open and the engine revved in what sounded suspiciously like laughter.

"You gonna get in or what?"

A teenager asked her from behind. With a scream she jumped up and ran towards the trees only for the teen to grab her by her backpack and spin her around. "Relax squishy. It's only me!" The teen said. He was about 6 feet tall, thin yet lean, with silver frosted tips at the end of his jet-black hair that was swept away from his dazzling blue eyes.

Lilac's eyes grew to the size of dinner plates as a smirk stretched across his face…his very handsome face. "H…how?" She asked skeptically. "Holoform. I look and feel like a true organic. Wanna feel?" Sideswipe asked wiggling his eyebrows. Lilac couldn't help herself. She bawled up her fist and swung, landing a blow directly in his eye.

"OWWWW! HOLY SLAG! WHAT THE PIT FEMME?!"

He yelled. She looked at her hand and at his face. No bruise, no black eye, nothing. "Whoa…that is totally awesome. Did you feel that? Did it hurt? H- "

"YES! Primus! You hit hard!" He whined as he continued to pout and rub his eye, muttering something about a mean left hook. "Sorry" she said sheepishly as he directed her to his passenger seat. She looked skeptically at him, and he insisted that she wasn't going to be sitting on anything important, or perverse.

It was only a five-minute drive to the gas station. Once they got there, Lilac instructed Sideswipe to drive up next to the machine and to put the nozzle into his gas tank. After a near failed attempt at telling him that nothing bad would happen, Lilac walked into the gas station mini mart and bought 20 dollars' worth of gas. Once she had her receipt she made her way to the door, only to see a cop glaring at her. She smiled nicely at him as she continued to the door. Once she got out of the store, she looked at the police cruiser and winced. It belonged to the next county over, the one where she was wanted for running away. Out of her peripheral vision she saw the cop say something into his radio and winced. "This is so weird. I think this'll last me for a bit." Sideswipe said as he took the nozzle out of his gas port and put it back with a shiver. Lilac paled as she heard sirens in the distance. "HEY! GIRL! STOP!"

Turning Lilac saw the cop coming out of the store. A firm frown on his face. Acting on reflex she began to run. She sprinted as hard as she could, leaving Sideswipe in the dust as she continued to ignore the shouts of the officer that was quickly falling behind in his pursuit of her. The sirens were getting louder as she crossed the college campus and made a bee line for the woods. A car stopped in front of her, a policewoman got out and called to her. She changed direction and ran around it. Further into the woods.

Sideswipe had peeled out of the gas station not long after his guide had run off with the larger organic chasing her. She looked terrified and he never knew how she was able to run so fast. It seemed like all of the town's enforcers were out looking for her. Some even had small animals similar to petro hounds with them. Quietly he drove into the forest and transformed. Slowly he began to roll forward looking for her. He was about eight miles in when something bounced off his head. Looking up he saw his guide in a tree, eyes wide with fear. "What's wrong? Who are all those other organics?" He asked as he gently removed her from the tree. "If she's hiding in such high places and she doesn't like heights something must be wrong." He thought. "I…I…they…want me…and I…I…don't want…to…go with them." She stuttered, tears brimming. "You won't. You have to get me to Nevada." He said as the sound of people calling out and the baying of the hounds grew louder. "Hold on." He said as he began to roll through the trees with her in his hands. Once he found a road, he quickly put her down to transform and opened his door for her to get in. Throwing her backpack in first, she scrambled into the 71' classic Corvette Stingray as it quickly sped off into the twilight.

Chapter Text

Sideswipe drove as fast as he could. He wanted to put as much distance between himself and the enforcers as possible. The female he had acquired was leaking, and she had been for a while. Concerned about his guide, he quickly drove into an abandoned yard. It had grown dark, but in the interest of keeping a low profile, he kept his head lights off as he stopped and nudged her out of his seat. She crawled out and sat pitifully on the ground, making strange noises. Leaning down over her, he scanned her to see if she was damaged. She yelped loudly as she scrambled back and away from him, fear running wild in her eyes. "Whoa! Easy! I'm not gonna hurt you…I never learned your designation…What is going on? You're leaking!" He yelled vaguely panicked. She looked up at him, wiping her nose on her sleeve as her body shook violently. "I…I'm s-s-sorry. I…hate it when I cry." She sobbed. Sideswipe raised an optic ridge in curiosity. Apparently, humans expressed fear through leaking a saline lubricant from their optics. Gross. "What happened back there? Why were all those enforcers after you?" He asked, determined to learn more about this femme. She sniffled heavily as she shook violently, making Sideswipe focus on her more, she seemed to be vibrating. Projecting his holoform he slowly sat next to her, and gently put a hand on her back. She flinched at first before she slowly began to calm down. "I…I…(cough) they want me."

"Ooohhh. Found myself a troublemaker, did I? What did you do? Glue another youngling to the ceiling? Paint your weapons instructor neon pink? C'mon you can tell me!"

Lilac looked at him like he had grown a second head and raised an eyebrow when she saw that he was serious. "Na no…I…I ran away from home. Well, it wasn't really my home…they hated me."

She said dejectedly. Now it was time for Sideswipe to raise his eyebrows. "Hated you? I mean I don't really know you, but I don't see how someone can hate you."

"Hatred is blind and irrational. That's why it still exists."

"I still don't see how your opi and danni could hate their creation. Are they glitched?"

"What?" She asked as her face morphed into a look of pure confusion. "I don't understand how a person's parents could hate their kid."

"They weren't my biological parents."

"What?"

"They didn't create me. They were my 'surrogate family' or foster family, and they abused me!"

She wept. Sideswipe's demeanor changed. Who the frag abused younglings her size?! No youngling deserved to be abused. "What about your original creators?"

"My mom died…and my dad…didn't…want…me." She stammered. "Those…cops…they want to take me back. They want to "help" me, put me back in foster care or worse, send me back to those people, but that doesn't help! It never ever helps!" Sideswipe's frown deepened seeing how much pain the girl was in. It seemed like she knew what she was talking about, but he knew that she wasn't sharing everything.

"I know I don't know you, but…I'm sorry. I won't let them take you back. If they can't take care of one youngling, and she can escape them like you did, then they don't deserve to have you, they aren't smart enough." He said to her as he stopped rubbing her back. She looked up at him, the smallest glimmers of hope in her eyes. "Really? You…you mean it?"

"Well duh! How many times did I tell you that you are taking me to Nevada? You…still with me? Are taking me to Nevada!" He said with a determined smile. Lilac weighed her options. She could get up, and run screaming at the top of her lungs, she could tell him no and hitch hike to the nearest town and start over, she could say yes and then leave him when they get there and become a city hobo… "Honest obliging, be polite, observative" she thought to herself as she remembered what her friends had taught her. She knew it made very little sense to go with him, a part of her knew that it was going to be dangerous, a part of her wanted to say no. But she couldn't. "S…Sideswipe?"

"Yeah?"

"Did your leader say anything about working with the human government?"

"Yeah, he said that we would be working with a bunch of you squishies. I think it's your military…something called N.E.S.T.?"

Lilac mentally groaned. Secret military divisions usually meant responsible people, which usually meant that she would be put back into foster care, but at the same time, she felt bad for Sideswipe. He was lucky, he has family out there missing him. She couldn't tell him no, not when she could try to help him. She wanted to help him because nobody had done such a thing for her, she wanted to be better than those who were meant to help her who only hurt her. After all…city hobos were nice people too, right?

"Well…I've always wanted to travel…and I've heard that Nevada is quite beautiful this time of year."

"So that means you'll help?"

"Yes. I don't know where we are, but I'll try to help you get to Nevada."

"We are someplace called "Welcome to Illinois" is that close to Nevada?"

"No…Was that…on a sign?"

"Yeah, it read just like that. Where is Welcome to Illinois?"

Lilac almost laughed. "He has a lot to learn about if he is going to live on this planet." She thought to herself. Smiling she looked up at him and said, "It's not like that. Illinois is a state in the United States of America. One of fifty and was established as a state in 1818. Did Cybertron have states?"

"We have city states. This would be so much easier if I had my gps."

"You have a gps? I guess you would have a global positioning system of some sorts."

"Actually, mine is a galaxy positioning system and it- HOLY SLAG! WHERE THE PIT ARE WE?!" He yelped as he stopped leaning on a rusted-out Chevy truck and accidentally stumbled into another pile of rust ridden cars. Unbeknownst to Sideswipe, he had driven into what most Cybertronians would consider a graveyard. Lilac stood up, prepared to run at his sudden reaction to being in a scrap yard, but after a few more seconds she realized (to an extent) why he was freaking out. With all the courage she could muster she shouted; "SIDESWIPE! ITS OKAY! WE'RE IN A SCRAP YARD, PLEASE CALM DOWN!"

The mech fell to his aft and hastily scooted away from the pile of cars he'd drug himself out of only seconds ago, venting heavily. Before Lilac could say anything more, he looked down at his armor and a strangled noise sounded throughout the establishment. "RUST! RUST! I'M GONNA FRAGGING RUST! PIT I DON'T WANNA RUST!" He wailed. Lilac stood still trying to find a way to placate him. "SOLVANT! I NEED SOLVANT! SQUSHY PLEASE TELL ME THERE'S SOME KIND OF SOLVANT HERE TO CURE YOUR VEHICLES OF RUST!"

"I…um- "

"PLEASE!"

He begged, sounding suspiciously close to crying…if giant mechanical beings can cry. Lilac rushed forward and put a gentle hand on his leg, giving him a consoling look. "Hey. It's okay, I promise you won't rust, just calm down. Look, we need to get to a town, a…a truck stop would be best. There we can figure out where we need to go, and hopefully, they will have a car wash for you to use to get rid of the rust."

"A…a what? You humans have places you take your vehicles for them to bathe?"

"Mm, kinda? From what I've read they're good for keeping a car in good working order for a long time. I've never had a car before…and I've never thought of bathing one…so, yes?" She said with a shrug. Sideswipe vented heavily as he looked around but was gently reassured that everything was alright by the presence of the small femme's servo on his thigh. He gently scooted away from her and transformed, opening the passenger side door he allowed her in, finally taking in her appearance. He wasn't the only one that needed a wash. Aside from the rust dust on her, she had several layers of dirt, dust and dead skin cells, and the fur on her helm looked worse for wear. While driving to the scrap yard, he saw a few other organics in their own vehicles, and she certainly didn't look as…sanitary as they did.

"Are you some kind of feral human or something?"

Lilac looked up with a soft squeak, startled by hearing his voice come through the stereo system. "Wh..wh…wh…what?" She stammered as she looked around, slowly calming down. "Sorry. I didn't mean to offend you." He said sheepishly. Lilac thought for a second, replaying what he had said in her head before she burst into a small fit of giggles. "I suppose in a rather strange way I am a feral human." She said as they drove onto the road. Something about his comment made her feel comfortable even as they pushed 90 miles per hours on the freeway. "One that needs a bath. Unless you humans aren't supposed to wash?"

"Actually, we do wash. I'm sorry, I must really smell. Humans usually bathe at least once every 24 hours, but I don't have a place to do that, so I have to skip days sometimes."

"Actually, you don't smell too bad. I once landed on a planet that smelled at least ten times worse than you do."

"Really? I'd love to hear about it, oh look. Take the next exit and we should find a pit stop." She said as Sideswipe got over a few lanes. "You know I never got your designation." He said as he came to a more law-abiding speed. "Oh, sorry. My mother named me after the Syringa vulgaris the grew all over my hometown." Sideswipe's holoform raised an eyebrow at her and she smiled back. "But in English, my name is Lilac." She said sweetly as he pulled into the TA rest stop. Looking at her money, Lilac saw that she might have just enough to afford the fare to have Sideswipe cleaned and sighed as her stomach gave out a low growl of protest. "Uh…are you okay? You are…making strange noises again." He said concerned as he pulled into a parking space. "I…I'll be okay. Just hungry is all." She said wistfully remembering the pizza she had been forced to leave behind the day before. "Do humans refuel often?" He asked innocently. "Usually, a person eats three meals a day, sometimes with snacks in between. But I don't have a lot of money. I'll be okay though. I have some canned goods in my bag- "

"ACK! RUST!" Sideswipe cut her off as she held up the canned ravioli. Lilac looked at the can with slight horror. She didn't notice the small rust spots on her cans when she had bought them, and to make matters worse, they were far past their expiration date. With a resigned sigh she put the can back in her bag. It wouldn't be the first time she'd go hungry. "So, you only have enough credits to get the rust off of me?"

"I think so yes."

"Well, can't you just get more?"

"It's not that easy. I'd have to get a job, and that could take a while on its own. Plus, I'm too young by law to have one so we're still up the creek without a paddle."

"I don't see how we are up a creek without a paddle. You humans say some strange things."

"I guess we do."

"What does A.T.M. stand for? That other squishy just got credits like yours from it."

"It stands for Automated Teller Machine. People can take money from their bank accounts using them."

"Okay…do you have a bank account?"

"No…this is all the money I have." She said as fingered the seven dollars again. Sideswipe frowned before his eyes narrowed suspiciously. "Uh…" she stammered as he held up a hand. "I'm hacking the machine. You fleshies aren't very technologically advanced. I already have the whole place's cameras knocked out, and this machine has a bunch of credits in it."

"Sideswipe no! That's stealing, and it's wrong to break the law!"

"Relax, I'm not using anyone's bank account. I'm just telling the machine to give me all of its credits." He said casually as they watched the machine begin to spit out 20-dollar bills. Using his holoform, Sideswipe got out and mentally stopped hacking the machine. Collecting the thick stack of twenties, he walked back to his alt and got inside. "Will this be enough?" He said with a cocky grin as Lilac counted the money with wide eyes. He had handed her 800 dollars. With a nod, Lilac placed 80 in her front pocket and the rest in her backpack as she got out of the marvel that was a sentient robotic car.

Walking into the Lobby, Sideswipe watched and tried to mimic Lilac. Since she was a native, she would know how to best interact with the few other humans around. Most of which seemed to be male in make, and much larger than his guide. Walking up to the counter where an older femme with a vaguely sad smile stood, Lilac tried to smile back. "She's nervous." He said to himself as the little femme asked for a wash for himself and one for her. The femme obliged and gave her a ticket with a number in exchange for one of the credit notes that Lilac held. With a soft quiet "thank you" Lilac walked away. Sideswipe was momentarily distracted by one area of the establishment, where all sorts of strange things were stored. It also appeared that humans could buy a spare change in armor should they need it. Looking at his guide, he decided for her, and gently pulled her in the direction of the armor.

Sideswipe made sure that she had a spare set of armor, a map of the country, and a strange keepsake; for every state one would enter, they were to color it in. It was slightly magnetized, but not nearly close enough to damage his systems. Once she had paid for it, she led him back to his alt, so that he could get cleaned up. He wasn't fond of the idea at first sight of the machine. But after a quick pep talk from his guide he went in and loved it. Warm water blasted away grime, soon after the water was replaced by soft soap and bubbles that ate away at the last of the contaminants before large brushes massaged the suds into his armor. After a full chassis rinse including his undercarriage, a light coat of wax was applied leaving him spotless.

"That was incredible! If this is how you humans treat your vehicles, then your wash racks must be something spectacular!"

He said as he re-parked allowing his guide to walk back into the lobby seeing that her shower was ready. Smiling gratefully, she took the key and walked down a long hallway lined with doors. Sideswipe was curious of the human's wash racks, but the leering glares he got from the other male organics stopped him cold. Deciding to sit somewhere, he looked at the many postcards and brochures that were available. This planet was a total mud ball, but Sideswipe couldn't deny that there were some pretty parts of it. After what seemed like forever to the frontliner, his guide returned from the wash, bright pink. Her fur was still a little wet and she had changed armor. The biggest difference that Sideswipe noticed was that she smelt good. She ducked her head shyly before looking back up at him with a miniscule smile. "Amazing what some hot water and soap can do huh?" she said as her stomach groaned. Looking over to the restaurant Lilac's smile grew. Not too many people were at the stop.

Slowly the two made their way into a booth and sat down. A waitress in her mid-thirties greeted them and took their order for drinks, both opting for a water. Everybody at the truck stop was talking about the two. It wasn't often that they had a young girl and a boy, who looked to be anywhere between fifteen and twenty come in. Everyone was fearing for her safety, suspecting the man to have abducted her, especially since there was a police report circling around that described her perfectly. Once the waitress returned with their drinks, they were ready to order. The boy wanted to try a burger and fries, and the girl wanted a grilled cheese and fries. She needed the burger more than the boy did, she looked like a starved dog. Putting in the order she and all the other workers and truckers listened closely to their conversation. Once the boy started rambling about getting to Nevada soon, they collectively decided to step in. She approached the two prepared for anything when she asked a loaded question.

"Are ya'll in some sort o' trouble? Now be straight with me cause there aint a person in here that aint prepared to fix it." She said firmly to Lilac eyes darting to Sideswipe. Lilac sank in her chair a little bit noticing the menacing looks on all of the truck driver's faces. "I…I can't say. We're- "

"Trying to get to Nevada. We're not sure how though."

"And just what's in Nevada? Why are ya'll in such a hurry to get there?" A trucker asked.

"My brother. I'm trying to get to him and get away from our abusers."

Lilac's eyebrows shot up quickly before Sideswipe gave her a lightning-fast wink. The waitress looked back to her, silently asking if it were true. "Y…yeah. I…I…I…" she stammered before a soft tear traced down her cheek. The waitress looked at Sideswipe accusingly before Lilac was able to pull herself together. "He…his father was hitting him. He was coming from West Virginia when we met up. I…I've been running from my foster family for two years. They kept me locked in a closet, only feeding me table scraps for a year. The people in CYFD put me in two abusive homes before that. Please, please don't make us go back." She sobbed. Sideswipe grabbed her hand and rubbed small circles in it, hoping that he wouldn't have to take drastic measures. The people in the restaurant went silent looking at the two, until one trucker spoke up. "Ya'll don't know this, but the police put out an apb for you in this county and all of Kentucky. Now normally I aint the type to say defy authority, but in your case, we never saw ya."

"My old man used to hit on me too. How'd ya get away?"

"My brother, my twin actually escaped first. We have this friend in the military out in Nevada and we combined our savings so that he could get a bus ticket to go there. Only made dad madder. It was only a couple months ago that I got a postcard from him saying that they couldn't get a lawyer, so he suggested I run. Had enough money to buy the car out front from an old neighbor and made my getaway later that day."

The people nodded their heads in sympathy at Sideswipe's false tale and changed their minds about reporting the two. Instead, they brought them to the counter and sat them down on the stools with the map in front of them. "Now, ya'll are gonna want to take this route here. It's the fastest." One trucker said. "Mmm, actually they're doin' work out there. I'd know, just came from that-a-way. Take this route instead. Bout an hour or two slower, but the sights are nicer, and ya don't have to pay tolls." Another said before he noisily slurped his coffee. Setting down their orders the chef pointed to the map again. "As a matter of fact, avoid Kansas all together." "Why?" asked Sideswipe as he munched on a fry. "Cause the only thing in Kansas is cornfields and Jesus." This had Lilac laughing so hard, water nearly shot out of her nose. The people in the restaurant smiled back at her as a trucker shrugged. "The man's right. Helluva borin' drive, spooky too if ya'll were to do it at night." He said.

The people at the TA truck stop happily sent the two teenagers on their way, with extra food for when the money got low, and many cautionary tales about cornfields and mountain passes. At seven the next morning, when the police and the sheriff pulled up asking about them, everyone at the truck stop conveniently gave a different story and direction in which they were headed, most saying that they were going to Tennessee, while the others feigned ignorance of their destination. The two had left a little after one that morning after catching a quick nap in their car, and truthfully nobody knew where they were now, or that they had just come in contact with a highly advanced alien life form.

Chapter Text

Sideswipe had gotten the two through Iowa quickly and was slowly making their way into Nebraska when he looked over at his guide. She had eaten and then fallen asleep but only for twenty minutes. She had woken with a soft startled yelp before she looked around silently. Sideswipe wasn't much for silence. He didn't mind cold silences, after all he was subjected to them with his twin most of the time they were together. But there was nothing worse than a forced silent drive. His guide had quietly watched the other vehicles pass by as well as the scenery barely saying anything at all and it was beginning to wear on the frontliner. He thought back to the conversation he had had with her the day prior. What kind of planet forced younglings to live with negligent and abusive care givers?

"Hey, um. You, okay? Do you need to refuel?"

He asked using his holoform to look at her. She sighed and stretched slightly before looking at him with a small kind smile. "I'll be okay. A…are you okay?" She asked shyly. The temporarily silver mech shrugged. "I'm fine, aside from my still damaged hip strut, communications system, gps, and lack of twin." He said angrily. He wasn't angry at her for asking, but he was angry that he was in the situation at all. She looked sorry for a moment before she curled back into his seat and continued to watch the cars go by. He cursed himself for making the situation worse before he tried again. "So, why did those other organics not put you with a good family unit? What is it based on and why didn't they understand that they were doing more harm than good? Are your adults that dense?" He asked barely able to contain his rage. This femme was fragile, not only in personality but physically. He watched the other migrating organics and they seemed…bigger than her. Even the younglings appeared to be portlier than her. He could have sworn he saw her spinal array as well as her hip struts through her flimsy armor when she was in recharge. Her skin clung desperately to her frame making her look gaunt and weak, and her pale skin didn't do much to help her.

She sighed before she sat forward, looking at a sign as it passed. "Turn down the next exit please. I…I…need to make a pit stop." She said almost embarrassedly making Sideswipe look at her in confusion. "You need to make a what?" He asked as he continued to get off the highway. "I…need to go to the bathroom." She said as her cheeks turned red again. "Didn't you bathe already?" He asked as she directed him to a building where strange noises could be heard. Sideswipe remembered them to be the baying of hounds, but they sounded much sadder, mournful in a way.

Once Sideswipe was parked, Lilac jumped out of him and jogged into the animal shelter. She really did need to go to the bathroom, and it was only convenient that the animal shelter had appeared after he had asked her that question. "Excuse me, ma'am? May I use your restroom?" She asked apprehensively. With a kind smile the volunteer led her to the restrooms, leaving Sideswipe to stand alone in the lobby.

He listened to the odd noises and looked around at the pictures and wares. "Adoption fair?" He said under his breath as he wandered into the next room over. Sideswipe was shocked to see a handful of kennels all filled with hounds varying in size and breed. The smell put him off, but only for a moment as one hound in particular caught his attention. It was the largest animal the facility had, and his displayed paper work showed that he was also the oldest. Said animal wagged his tail happily when he saw Sideswipe and gave a loveable yip when the frontliner looked at him.

Lilac had been in the bathroom longer than she wanted. The food that the kind people at the truck stop had given her upset her stomach. "Too much grease." She mentally moaned as she began to look for Sideswipe. She eventually found him playing in an adoption pen outside with a large Siberian Husky. "I really hope he gets adopted today."

A worker said as she replenished the dog's water. "Poor guy's been adopted and returned so many times. Breaks my heart." She said walking over to said husky petting him lovingly. "Isn't that right Yukon?"

"Why would anyone return him? He's awesome!"

"Nobody knows why he keeps returning. People just drop him off and leave. I think he was adopted from here as a puppy, and then the family had to move and couldn't afford him, so they left him with us. Then he got re-adopted to another family that left him at a day camp for pets and never picked him up. That was his second time coming back to us, and the most recent was someone leaving him chained up outside for weeks on end with no food or water. He finally put the weight he lost back on. Poor guy's seen a lot." She said sadly as she rubbed the dog's belly.

It was at that moment that Sideswipe saw the look on Lilac's face. It was a look of understanding, but her eyes told a vastly different story. She knew what that animal had been through. The fear, pain and sorrow in her eyes confirmed it. Quietly Sideswipe pulled himself off the ground and came over to her, silently guiding her out of the pen and through the rest of the festivities. He made sure she had something to drink and something to eat, seeing how flushed her skin seemed to be as they looked at all the animals.

Though neither planed it, the spent the majority of their morning at the animal shelter, and watched as the pound grew emptier and emptier. Sideswipe circled back to the husky many times seeing other humans playing with him but noticing those same humans later driving away with smaller hounds, typically described as "puppies". Sideswipe didn't understand. The dog was very loveable and friendly, and far superior to the other smaller hounds in terms of protection and in size. It was the most logical choice.

Lilac watched Sideswipe grow more and more confused about why the Husky wasn't adopted, and so when the staff placed it back inside its kennel, she pulled him into the room and stood against the wall. Waiting. There was only one other dog in the room, and it just so happened to be the last of the litter of puppies.

"I don't get it. He's bigger, friendlier, and smarter than the other's here. Why hasn't anyone picked him?"

"Because he's too old."

"What?"

"Nobody wants him because he's too old."

"He's only three earth years old!"

"Exactly. Sideswipe, people don't want dogs like Yukon because they think that he's set in his ways. They think that they can't change his behavior if they don't like it, or that due to his friendliness that he'd be too hard to control."

"But that shouldn't matter. He deserves a chance! Not only that, but he could better protect a family unit than those baby hounds that everyone seems so fond of! His charts even say that he's potty trained! Whatever that means… unlike the other little ones. And he's smart, he does what you tell him!"

"That doesn't matter. People want something small, cute and trainable. They want to raise the dogs how they want and to do as they specifically say. They don't pick dogs like him because they want to raise a puppy into what they want it to be. To mold and shape it into exactly what they want. A puppy is a blank slate that they can do anything with. Yukon isn't."

She said with an edge. Sideswipe got the feeling that she and Yukon might have a lot in common. Just by the way she was speaking made Sideswipe upset. He was upset because she sounded like she knew what she was talking about. Like she was the one passed over time and time again. Just as he felt this, an energetic five-year-old came running into the room squealing about how excited he was at getting to pick the new family pet. "Oh, he's totally gonna get adopted! Look at the youngling! They're perfect for each other! They both have lots of energy, and he looks like he loves to play!" Sideswipe said excitedly seeing the child run up to the Husky's kennel. Yukon yipped playfully at the child and bowed wagging his tail. For the extra appeal he sat when the boy asked, and he howled playfully, making the boy squeal with excitement. "See?" Sideswipe said smugly as the kid's parents walked in mid howl. "Mommy! Mommy! Mommy! I want this one!"

"I don't know. He's awfully big, isn't he?"

"And look at that fur! He must shed year-round!"

"Oh, but I'll feed him, and brush him, and play with him!"

The kid said petting Yukon from between the bars. The dog seemed to give an earnest whine as he slowly wagged his tail. He liked the little human a lot too. "Oh but look at this one! Aww look at her! Isn't she cute?"

The women cooed. She had discovered the puppy, who in turn whined adorably up at her and wagged its tail playfully. "See son? This one has much shorter fur! And you can teach it any kind of tricks you like!"

"But what about- "

"Sweetheart, that dog is old, he probably doesn't want to learn any new tricks. And besides look at her, she already likes you!"

The woman said looking back to the puppy that rolled onto her back with a sweet yip, presenting her belly to be rubbed. The child looked to the puppy and smiled.

Sideswipe watched sadly as the manager took the puppy and the family unit to another room to get acquainted. "I don't get it. Why didn't they want him? He was perfect for them!" He said angrily as another worker he had met earlier walked into the room. "I know what you mean. Unfortunately, Yukon's time with us is almost up."

"What do mean by that?"

"Sideswipe, it means they're going to euthanize him."

He gave the two a blank stare, unaware of what they meant.

"Animals that come to this shelter can only stay for a certain amount of time before we have to dispose of them humanely. Most pounds across the country kill off the animals they can't get people adopt. It's a sad fact." The worker said watching the family interact with the puppy through the window.

"What?! No! No! Can't you guy spare him or something?!"

"I'm afraid not. He's been here too long."

She said sympathetically as the manager walked by with the family and their newly chosen puppy. However, her expression changed once they were alone in the room. "Do you guys wanna help me? And Yukon?"

"Yes!"

Sideswipe said hastily before Lilac could open her mouth. "Okay, here's what we're gonna do; there happens to be a husky rescue nearby. My dick of a manager wouldn't let them adopt Yukon for whatever reason. But what I can do is make it look like you adopted him and then sneak him to the rescue. I hate to ask but- "

"We'll do it. I don't care where it is, give her a map we'll find it. He is not going to die today."

Sideswipe said firmly. It took them three hours in total to get Yukon out of the pound and to the Husky rescue that was a few counties away. Turns out the rescue had changed locations and gotten themselves more land and better facilities for their animals. Once Sideswipe saw that Yukon would be properly cared for, and that he'd have plenty of female huskies to play with as well as male, he consented to Yukon becoming a part of the rescue. Both parties were a little sad, but after one last belly rub and lick to the face, Yukon galloped off into one of the many play yards with a happy departing howl.

In turn, Sideswipe and Lilac were given a business card with a link to the rescue's website. There they could watch Yukon all they wanted and learn about his progress in their biweekly newsletter. With their good deed done for the day, the two ventured back onto the road.

To make up for lost time, Sideswipe began speeding. Poor Lilac still wasn't feeling too well, and the fair food wasn't helping as he took wild turns around corners. He was also talking a mile a minute; "Three years old? That's crazy! I knew that you organics were short lived, but to fragging kill a creature off at fragging three years old?! That's just cruel!"

"What do you…mean by short lived?" Lilac managed to ask after a well-hidden burp. That greasy slice of pizza was certainly coming back to haunt her. "Oh, well one of your lifespans is basically one year on our planet. Give or take a few years mind you. To us they're called vorns." He said cheerfully as he swung around a bend at 120 miles per hour. Lilac internally groaned and looked at the sky. The blurring road lines, and scenery was making her nauseous. She watched as a fancy military jet flew overhead seemingly doing aerial acrobatics seeing as it flipped and flopped every which way before it sped off and disappeared from her view. Sideswipe was still talking as she absentmindedly wondered how she always seemed to be in places with lots of trees. She was trying to think of anything to keep her from throwing up again. "-And so by human standards I guess you could say I act closer to a 15 or 16-year-old, but in reality, I'm much older than that!"

"R…really? (Urp) How…how old are you?" She asked trying to control her dry heaves. She was losing the fight to the pizza quickly. "Oh about 1,328, give or take a year or two. My twin and I are amongst the youngest of the bots on earth, Bumblebee is a few vorns younger than us. He's about- "

"Pull over."

"What?"

"PULL OVER!"

She shouted as she slapped her hand over her mouth. Sideswipe pulled to the side of the road amongst the trees, watching as his guide ran from his alt and purged her tanks. "Her distance was impressive." Sideswipe noted to himself. The undigested food left her body and landed about a foot and a half away from her. After a few more gags, and some hard coughing Lilac stood up and popped her back. "Okay…(sniff) Can I have my backpack?"

"The frag?! You just purged your tanks, and you want your bag?! What the pit?! Are you okay?"

"I'm good. I only really need to throw up once and then I feel fine. Although if I have a virus or something, that isn't always the case. But I feel better now!" She said as Sideswipe cautiously handed the backpack to her. She needed to brush her teeth. "Primus! I knew that some humans found old age to be revolting, but I wasn't expecting that!"

"That's not why I threw up. The food I ate made me sick." She said after she spit out the mouthful of water and began brushing her teeth. "That slag made you sick?! Frag it! I didn't know that your own source of fuel could do that! Slag! We'll have to find you some more, and we'll have to make sure it isn't poisonous or whatever!" He said as he rolled back and forth in an odd sort of pace. Lilac smiled internally as she saw this. At least he seemed to care about her. She watched Sideswipe continue to mother hen and noticed something out of her corner of her eye. The jet from earlier was flying closer to them, and it seemed to be getting lower and lower. She spit out her toothpaste and was rinsing her mouth again when she swallowed hard, choking. The jet had disappeared and then reappeared only less than a mile behind Sideswipe. Her choking made him panic more as she grabbed her throat and began pointing behind him. "Holy frag! Are you- "

"S…S…SIDES! DE PLANE! DE PLANE!" She hacked out before she began to run in the opposite direction. "De what? OH SLAG- "

He grunted as the jet slammed into him, forcing him back ripping and breaking through the trees. Lilac screamed from where she was hiding behind a rock. Suddenly the area grew quiet. She listened to the sounds of dark laughter and the sounds of a transformation sequence. "Well, well, well. Would you look this. One pathetic Autobot out all on his own."

"Skywarp."

"Oh…Even better! What happened to your prissy twin? Don't tell me! He's left you alone and is off having a spa day at the local car wash?"

"You're gonna fragging pay for that con!"

"Oh? And who's gonna make me?"

He asked right before he warped away. Lilac blinked rapidly at where the petrifying being once stood before she felt a chill slink down her spine. She swallowed hard and turned around, trembling. The sight that greeted her made her blood run cold. She subconsciously added what she was seeing to the lengthy list of things that appear in her nightmares. Blood red optics stared down at her from a face that looked as though it had seen better days, if the scars were any indication. The creature was surprisingly filthy, especially since it flew around. She knew this due to the indescribable odor, and the ashy streaks amongst the purple highlights on his armor. He smiled sinisterly showing an array of stained teeth and allowing the stench of his breath to make her hair stand on end. Oh yes, this thing was most certainly going to be rearing his overly sharp features in her nightmares. Assuming she lived to have any. "And who is this? One of the Autobot's squishy pets?"

He said as he lifted her off the ground by the collar of her shirt. Sideswipe snarled as he tackled the seeker making him throw Lilac. Thankfully Sideswipe caught her and dropped her closer to the ground so that she could run away and hide.

Lilac ran for her life or at least she tried. She was caught up in watching the battle from where she sat in the tree, she had inadvertently scaled in her rush to get somewhere safe. Surely falling from a tree was safer than getting stepped on.

The two titans snarled and yelled at each other, the red eyed one making what seemed to be snide comments in what Lilac had to guess was Sideswipe's native language. He in turn snarled as he charged at him, drawing what looked like two very large triangular swords from his wrists. The monster in turn, drew what looked to be a very large gun out of nowhere. Sideswipe dodged the first few shots skillfully, but growled as one scuffed his paint. This had the other laughing at his vanity, but not for long. Sideswipe slashed at the creature drawing some form of blue liquid and making it howl in pain. After that Lilac couldn't tell who was doing what. They had kicked up enough dust and dirt so that she couldn't see. All she could hear were laughs of triumph, howls of pain and the odd insult in either language. She wasn't sure how long the two were fighting until there was a mighty shriek of pain and then silence.

"Here fleshy fleshy fleshy! Come out come out wherever you are!"

Lilac paled. The red eyed demon was looking for her.

XXXXX

Sunstreaker was furious. He and his twin were supposed to land together, but no, that slagger had to intercept the asteroids protecting both him and Jolt from being damaged and taken down. And he had the gall to say "Don't worry, I'll see you there! Say hi to the Hatchet for me!" before he was knocked into the atmosphere, and before he and Jolt were smacked into by more asteroids! Nobody knew where he landed. His locating beacons were down, and who fragging knows what else was damaged in his fall? To make matters worse, he couldn't even feel his twin. He could fragging feel his twin when he was stationed in Iacon and Sideswipe near Polyhex. And that was a far larger distance and Cybertron was far larger than earth! Yet somehow, he couldn't feel his twin now.

Sunstreaker gave an unsettling snarl to the humans that wandered a little too close to his wheeled feet. That was another thing. He wasn't just stuck on some mud ball of a planet, he had to learn to work with the primitive, annoying, fleshy inhabitants of said planet as well. "Primus, you must love to torture me." He thought angrily as he skated into the rec room, if that's what you called it. A few couches and tables for the soldiers and, somehow, they had found furniture big enough for them too. 'Seriously where the pit did they find a Prime sized couch, let alone tables, chairs, and a fragging desk for Primus sakes?! It's barely been a month after Mission city!' He snarled internally.

Once he had his cube of Energon he skated to the main hanger. Sure, he and his twin could walk, they did have normal peedes like everybot else, but using their tires to skate got them places faster. Which is important on the battlefield even if the humans don't know it yet. "Sunstreaker, any word on Sideswipe?"

Asked Prime. "What do you think?!" He snarled viciously as he went to a darkened corner to sulk. Ironhide was about to say something to him, but Prime stopped him. Sunstreaker didn't hate his commanding officer. Quite the contrary. He had a deep respect for the Prime, even if he didn't always agree with his ideals (some of these fragging humans were too damn annoying!). In turn, Prime knew why his frontliner was so livid. If Sunstreaker had his way, he'd be out searching for his twin day and night without rest until he found him. But Prime couldn't allow that. What with human relations being so new, the slow disintegration of Sector Seven, (who were hoping to get in on the action, and that the bots wouldn't press some sort of charges for what they did to poor Bumblebee) and not even knowing where his other frontliner had landed. It wouldn't be wise to allow what many began to call "The sociopathic Lambo from hell" to roam across the country freely…at least not without proper supervision by Prime or another officer. He had promised Sunstreaker that they would look for him, and that they had to scavenge for the facilities to do so seeing that there was only a thin line of trust between Prime and the human governments.

Optimus Prime, Ironhide, as well as Captain William Lennox and Sargent Robert Epps, were currently going over the possible trajectory that Sideswipe had taken when Sunstreaker snarled viciously before falling to the floor dropping his cube and clutching at his spark casing. The two humans instinctively panicked, but Prime and Ironhide didn't. Instead, they took a few steps closer to him, seemingly knowing what was going on. "Sunstreaker?"

"That son of a glitch."

He chuckled ruefully as he sat up on his knee joints. "He's alive. And he's getting his aft kicked." He said with only the tiniest hints of a smirk. He was still furious, but now he knew his twin was okay. Well, as okay as he could be since he was in danger. "Can you tell where he is?"

"No, I can barely feel him. I don't even know if he feels me."

He growled as Lennox began to swear. "Those mother fu-…sorry sorry." He said realizing everyone's eyes and optics were on him. "Those idiots from Sector 7, just called me! They found a crater, and some odd imprints in- "

"Kentucky? Cause that's where his trajectory said he landed."

"Yep. Get the soldiers ready. We gotta get to Kentucky asap."

Will said as the two dashed off. Sunstreaker sent waves of concern, hope, and strength to his twin. For his sake he'd better survive, or Sunstreaker would personally bring him back just to kick his aft.

XXXXX

Lilac was silently crying. That monster had done something to Sideswipe and was still looking around on the ground for her. The dust had settled, she could see his prone form on the ground, surrounded by a small pool of that blue stuff that she now was beginning to believe to be some form of blood. "Oh fleshling! Where are you?" It sang out from right next to her. She silently prayed that it didn't find her, and nearly cheered when she saw Sideswipe twitch. "Oh, there you are!" It called making her scream out in horror. She climbed the tree higher, trying to get away from its sharp claw like fingers. "Now now! No need to fear me! I simply want a pet is all." He said as he leaned in closer to the tree. His back was towards a now slowly rising Sideswipe. "Then again, should anybot find that I have you, it might get you terminated. No matter, there are many of you humans. I suppose I could just go get another!" He laughed darkly as he reached for her again just barely missing. Sideswipe saw this and quickly crept up on the stupid seeker. He reared one of his wheeled feet back and made the tire rotate quickly. Nobody would ever know the satisfaction he got from kicking Skywarp, or from leaving a painful skid mark on his aft and groin area as the seeker flew unassisted, thirty feet up into the sky, where Sideswipe then shot him in both the aft and in his wings.

Skywarp howled in pain and looked down on his now smirking enemy. "This isn't over Autobot!" He snarled as he warped away. His wounds were painful, but he did take satisfaction in the amount of energon that Sideswipe had lost. "He won't get far." The seeker thought cruelly as he made his way back to the Decepticon outpost nearby.

Sideswipe was in pain, and he was exhausted. Grabbing Lilac, he barely made it back to the roadside where he collapsed wordlessly. Lilac watched in fear as he transformed back into the old corvette, leaking blue from his undercarriage in far too many places. He popped the severely dented driver's side door open for her with a fading whisper; "Kid, you're gonna have to drive me to Nevada. I don't know if I'll make it."

Chapter Text

Captain William Lennox was two breaths away from having a conniption the size of Optimus Prime himself. Not only had they gotten the majority of the bots onto the plane and in the air in what would seem to be record time, (apparently even though they crash landed on the planet, many mechs had reservations on flying) they landed in the backwoods of Kentucky in a small town that got very little big news. So, when they arrived 3 whole news crews tried to follow them until the authorities told them to stand back. To top that off Sector Seven had apparently neglected to mention half of their findings. As far as Will was concerned this was their way of still trying to operate in the dark. So now, here he stood at Sideswipe's crash site trying very hard to stay calm as a S7 agent tried to boldly lie to his face.

"So, you mean to tell me, that you…somehow misplaced a crater the size of half an Olympic sized swimming pool?!"

"Man, that's the biggest load of bull shit I've ever heard! There are fucking footprints in the damn mud for God's sake!"

Epps shouted from where he stood next to one of Sideswipe's prints.

"Not to forget to mention that the fucking site was found by someone else!"

Will snarled furiously at the agent who had the indecency to snarl back a "No it wasn't."

"Then what the hell is this?!" He shouted pointing to the clear imprint of a converse shoe that was a mere twenty feet from Sideswipe's first footprint. "It even has the fucking label and all!" He growled loudly at the now pale agent. "Great, now we gotta find some college punk and warn him not to share our secret." Epps grumbled from where he was beginning to follow the footprints. "Captain William Lennox, I believe that there is something you should know in regards to the "college punk" you must warn against. "Please Optimus, just call me Will. What did you find?"

"The prints were made at the same time. Whoever found Sideswipe was running away from him."

Ratchet said smartly as he continued to walk along the prints after Sunstreaker, who was skating with haste towards a large mountain side. There was a large opening, one of which he could just barely stand up in while using his tires. His twin had been here and- *squish* "Ughhh! Filthy organics! What is this slag?!" He snarled as he lifted his tire off of the pizza Lilac left behind. Ratchet scanned his tire with curiosity. "Crushed tomato product, coagulation of the milk protein casein, deceased beef flesh, deceased pork flesh, and some form of acidic bulb.

"In other words, it's a pepperoni, sausage and onion pizza." Will said dryly from where Ironhide was holding him on his servo as he walked up to the cave entrance. "You humans actually eat this…pizza?" Ironhide asked looking vaguely disgusted.

"Well, not now that Mr. Happy there ran over it. But yeah, it's a big staple in a lot of people's diets." Epps supplemented from where he was standing next to Will on Ironhide's hand. "Thanks for the lift!" Will called as the giant mech set them down at the entrance of the cave.

Sunstreaker rolled his optics before he continued to study the area of where his twin last sat. He could still read his energon signature clearly. He had just missed him.

With a growl of pain Sunstreaker fell to his knee joints once more. This time, he didn't get up right away. He snarled out in pain as he fell to his side. Sideswipe was losing too many fluids.

XXXXX

Lilac was panicking. Sideswipe told her that she had to drive him to Nevada. "Sideswipe? Sideswipe?! I'm only thirteen! I can't drive!" She shouted only to be greeted by more silence. Still shaken up she grit her teeth. "I can't drive…legally…but I made you a promise Sideswipe. I'm not breaking it now."

She thought as she threw Sideswipe into gear and slammed her foot on the gas pedal. "GAAAAAAHHHHHH!" She shrieked as she and Sideswipe flew backwards into a tree, knocking it over. With a heavy pant, Lilac looked back before she looked forward again and down at the gear shift. This time, she put Sideswipe in drive and gently pressed down on the gas, this time she rocketed forward and onto the desolate road with a scream. She could barely reach the pedals and steer at the same time, heck she could just barely see over the dashboard normally without craning her neck.

Lilac raced along the road, trying to stay in her lane and looking at passing signs. She needed a plan. A good plan with a small lie. "Sideswipe? Sideswipe! SIDESWIPE! She shouted frantically as she punched his radio with all her might. "Owwwww. That hurrrrt!" He whined tiredly. "Wake up! Stay awake! I need you awake and in holoform for this to work!" She shouted as she saw a small rundown looking business. She prayed as she veered across another two lanes that she wouldn't hit anybody or anything as she did so. After getting down the exit ramp in speeds that would make anyone choke, she veered into the parking lot of the rundown business, a garage.

"What…what is this place?"

"A doctor's office for cars. Or in our case an emergency room."

She said as she hastily threw him in park and stumbled out to meet the older man and what appeared to be his son running out of the shop. Thankfully, Sideswipe's holoform still worked, but at the rate he was losing energon, it would only last for a while longer.

"You okay there missy? What happened?"

"We…we…road rage. Some goons accidentally hit us and when we went to confront them, they beat my boy friend up!"

She said stumbling over her words. "Boyfriend?! The younger one asked alarmed. "Yeah, he's my friend who happens to be male. They did a number on the car." She said sadly, sounding close to tears. 'It's not a total lie. There was a goon and he did beat up Sideswipe.' She thought as the older man helped Sideswipe hobble into the lobby as she hopped into driver seat and put him in neutral. Once they got him into a bay, he settled on his axels in pained exhaustion which was something that only Lilac seemed to notice. "So, what happened?"

"We got into a small accident. The people that ran into us…had a nasty temper. We tried to be calm about the situation, but they just went nuts. I had to hide…"

She said sadly as a couple of tears traced down her cheeks.

"We…we need this car. We need it to get to Nevada."

"Hmmm. It doesn't look so bad, but the leaks down below have got to be fixed and the dings will have to be banged out- "

"He said not to worry bout the dings, just focus on stopping the leaks."

The older man said as he came out of his office. "O…okay. Do…do you guys take cash?" Lilac asked as she held out a shaky hand with four hundred dollars of the remaining money that she and Sideswipe had. The two men looked at each other before looking at her with a worried expression. "Miss, repairing all those busted lines down there might not be so expensive- "

"But the labor and finding parts for this old classic will be."

The older man said as he took off his baseball cap to scratch at his balding head. "Please…I…I have more. I'll find a way to pay you. What if I paid you for your tools?"

"Now calm down there lil' missy. Tell you what? I got an old roadster out back that's going up for scrap. Why don't we pull it apart and see what we can salvage?"

"Okay."

"Good, now I need you to take a deep breath and calm down. Jonny, go check that old scrap heap, will you? Now what do you know about cars young lady?"

Lilac sighed through her nose as she pulled her backpack out of Sideswipe's back seat and began looking through one of its pockets. She knew her filing system well enough to pull out the few pages of notes she took on cars months ago. She didn't know a lot, but she hoped that she knew enough to fix Sideswipe.

The Older man flipped through the notes and hummed. Things didn't add up. Two kids show up to his shop, one in need of a little more than a bag of ice the other looking as though she had witnessed something horrifying and both wanting to make sure that the car got fixed asap. Kids weren't wise creatures, but something certainly wasn't right.

"Alright, it aint much, but you can help."

"Don't know how much more we can salvage from that old thing. I pulled out a hose and a couple of lines but that's about it dad."

"Well…"

"What if we melt a few of the lines shut? I have some duct tape that we can use to seal them, then maybe we can melt them?"

"Well, it's worth a shot, but first we gotta get the leaks to stop."

"Okay. I can do that. My neighbor showed me how to use a welder once. The big kind, like for melting two pieces of sheet metal together and the small kind for working on circuitry." She said as pulled her hair up into a high ponytail. Both men looked at her suspiciously before she shrugged shyly and said "He was a really into science and stuff. He was always building something." as she grabbed a roll of duct tape and slid under Sideswipe.

XXXXX

Sideswipe's holoform lay on the couch in the owner's office groaning softly. He knew that his self-repair systems would eventually kick in, but at the moment, it certainly didn't feel like it, especially since the humans were talking about repairing him. They knew nothing about his systems, and he couldn't reveal himself without breaking protocol or causing damage to the building itself thus putting his guide or the other humans in danger of being crushed. He'd give anything to see his twin one last time. To say sorry for not making it back to him.

"OW!" He yelped as something hot touched one of the wires in his undercarriage. Using his sensors, he saw that Lilac was using a small flame to melt his damaged tubing shut. "OWWW!"

He shouted again as she continued to weld. He couldn't believe it; she and the other humans were trying to fix him! He was going to be okay…so long as none of them messed up his already functioning systems. With a sigh, he shut off his holoform and used his holographic systems to create a blue glowing sign. Lilac almost screamed and dropped her welder when the blue sign popped up. It read "Thank you for helping me! Mind if I guide you?". She nodded hesitantly and watched as the sign changed into a blue arrow with instructions on where to weld and what to weld.

Within the next four hours Sideswipe was feeling better. He guided Lilac in her welding enough that he no longer had any leaks, and he was no longer in immediate danger of off-lining. The two men banged out the majority of his dents leaving him tired and sore all over. He sighed softly, sinking on his axels and falling into light recharge where his systems began to finish the healing process. However, before he fell into recharge, he noticed how the two men stepped into a separate room…the lobby…and came out with saddened faces, especially when they looked at Lilac.

Meanwhile, Lilac was enjoying a sandwich curtesy of the two men for a job well done.

"So…you positively sure it was road rage?"

"Yes sir."

She said watching as the younger of the two chew his food thoughtfully before he looked at his father with a skeptical look. "Alright. I don't know what happened, and I get the feeling that you're not gonna tell us. But dad and I won't say a word."

"Really?"

"If anybody asks, we never saw ya."

The older man said as he sipped his coffee. "But in return, you two need to be more careful. Not everyone in this world is as nice as us. Not only that, but the gangs in this area are meaner than hell."

"Yes sir. I promise we'll be more careful."

She said as Sideswipe's holoform walked into the room with a soft groan. His holoform still had a black eye and a few bruises, but for the most part, he looked better now than he did before.

"He's awake. You want something to eat son?"

Sideswipe groaned again as he shook his head trying to clear the fog in his processor. Thankfully both men took his head shake as a no and left it at that.

XXXXX

As Lilac refueled his true form, Sideswipe thought it only necessary to thank the two men for helping her save his life. He also wanted to make sure they got paid.

"Thank you two for uh…helping us."

He said grabbing the older man's outstretched hand and letting him shake it. 'Odd custom.' He thought taking notice of the man's grimace as he paid him the money for fixing him. "Is this enough?"

"It's more than enough really…but ya'll probably need the money more. Here, take some back. After all, we ain't gonna stay open here for much longer."

"Really?"

"Nah, we're movin' to the city. Already got a garage set up there. Ain't many coming to this location anymore."

"Oh. Well…"

"Thanks again for all your help, and for letting me work on the car to save money."

"Don't mention it. Ya'll drive safe now!"

"We will!"

Sideswipe said chipperly as he pulled back onto the road and back onto the freeway. The old man watched them go before walking back into his office with a sigh as his son got off the phone. He looked to the bulletin board where a few pictures sat pined. He took the ones of him and his son off the wall before looking to the picture on the counter. It had sat on the board longer than most for many reasons, the reward being one of them. "You sure we did the right thing?" His son asked as he looked outside to the freeway already hearing the sirens in the distance. His father looked at the old sign in the driveway "John and John Automotive Repair" would live to see the next generation thanks to that reward money. Could even afford some commercials for the new location maybe. "We did the right thing Jonny. You know that if that were you, I'd be torn apart. Even if the lead was a mistaken identity, I'd still want to know that people haven't forgotten you or how much I missed you."

He said watching the local sheriff speed down the highway hopefully to stop the two kids and take one home to their distraught family. It was times like this he was thankful that his wife (God bless her soul) encouraged him to watch "America's Most Wanted" with that John Walsh fella. Hopefully the couple would get their daughter back.

XXXXX

"What's with the sirens?"

"I don't know…you weren't speeding, were you?"

For once Sideswipe admitted that he was going the speed limit. Neither of the two had a good feeling about the Sheriff catching up to them. Especially Lilac. Seeing the look on her face, Sideswipe decided to take matters into his own servos. "Hold on." He said as he sped up. The sheriff saw the silver corvette speed up and frowned.

{"This is Sheriff Baxter calling in all units! Repeat I need all units to stop a Silver 1971 Corvette Stingray. There may be a missing child in the vehicle."}

{"10-4. What are the plate numbers?"}

{"P as in Pat. L as in Lee. 8. 4. B as in Bell. 9. A as in André. And it's got a funky hyphen."}

{"What is it?"}

{"Some sort of sad face or something. Its red I can tell you that."}

{"10-4. I see him."}

Said one of the police officers from the city they were passing. The sheriff smirked to himself. Between the state police, himself and the other police stations in the cities the driver didn't stand a chance.

Sideswipe had to admit, the earth enforcers were persistent. But they were no match for him and his speed. Each time the sheriff or another enforcer caught up to him, he sped up and held a new speed. He snorted as he passed by Grand Island watching as six more enforcers began to chase after him. At the speed they were going, he and Lilac would get away easy. And they'd shave off hours of drive time to Nevada to boot! Just as he thought this, two cops came up on his sides while another behind him tried to close the space between them. They wanted to box him in. They wanted him to stop. Just who did these enforcers think they were?! Trying to make him of all people stop!

"Sideswipe! Please, just stop! They're really mad!"

Sideswipe felt the thrill again. It was the same thrill he felt when pranking the Hatchet or Ironaft. It was the thrill that only a purely mischievous deed could create. There was no way in pit that Sideswipe was going to stop. Not until he lost the pack of pathetic enforcers.

Up ahead, the police laid down a spike strip. The car wouldn't be able to drive too far without tires. Then they'd nab the speedster and check on that poor sweet girl with him. Hopefully she was safe.

Safe. Lilac just wanted to be safe. Was that too much to ask? She looked over to Sideswipe and saw that he was grinning like a maniac. He laughed wickedly as he sped up once more pushing 180 miles per hour. Lilac looked ahead and paled. The cops had made a blockade…no…wait…

"Sideswipe slow down!"

"No way! They can't catch us! Pfft! They even gave up! Look, all the enforcers are parked on the side of the road!"

"SIDESWIPE! THEY LAID A SPIKE STRIP! SLOW DOWN!"

"HOLD ON TIGHT KID! HERE WE GO!"

Lilac screamed in terror as they approached the strip. Sideswipe cackled mischievously as he flew over the strip, ignoring the momentary pain that the spikes caused his tires. All of the cops watched in awe as the car kept going with no sign of stopping. They continued to watch in awe as one cop read out what the speedometer in his hand said as Sideswipe passed them. "280 miles per hour."

One of the officers got on the radio and told the sheriff what they saw.

{"That…that's  not  possible. Not for a 71 corvette…"}

{"Sir…"}

{"My uncle had one when I was a kid! They can barely reach 190 and that was back  then!  There's no fucking way it hit 280! A  Lamborghini  can't even go that damn fast!"}

The sheriff swore.

{"With all due respect, we know what we saw sir. I know what I felt as the backdraft hit me. What the hell were we chasing?"}

{"Whatever it was, it wasn't legal. That's for damn sure."}

{"And it's gone now. There's no tracking whatever it was. Even the helicopter up ahead lost track of it."}

The sheriff sighed. He'd have one hell of a time explaining this in a report. Not to forget to mention that he'd have to put the alert out for the car. It surely had to stop for gas at some point. Too bad he never got a good look at the kids inside, what with the illegal tint and all.

What's worse is that this little incident would be all over the news. Freeway closed, cars forced off the freeway at all exits, 10 cops from different towns, 9 state police officers and a sheriff chasing an illegal supercar disguised as a beat up 71 Corvette Stingray. Oh yes, the press would have a field day with him yet. Especially since he couldn't catch it to prove his story. And for that matter, the mechanic who called about the car and the kids inside must not have looked the car over right. How he missed details that would allow something so old to move so fast was beyond him.

XXXXX

Sideswipe was still laughing as he pulled into a more secluded part of the Lake Ogallala campsite, one where he could transform and not be seen. Lilac got out of him shaking. She was petrified at what had happened.

"Oh! Slaggit! You should have seen their faces!"

He laughed hysterically as he transformed, only to bend over clutching his midsection with mirth.

"A…An…and you! (snicker) You should have seen your face! You were so scared!"

He laughed, not noticing Lilac's lower lip tremble. She was scared, traumatized, nauseous, and angry. So. Very. Angry.

Without a word, she picked up her backpack and began to storm off. "Hey hey wait! Where are you going?"

"Away."

"Away? Away where?"

He asked only to be ignored. "Oh, alright. I'm sorry for speeding and scaring you. Okay?"

He said in a dry mirthful tone. "Now come on! If we keep up this speed, we can make it to Nevada in a few hours!"

He said still watching her retreating form. With an annoyed sigh, he shouted "Oh come on! I said I was sorry!"

This got Lilac to slowly turn around. "Sorry? Sorry?! Do you have any idea what you just did?! I can't be seen with you!"

"What the frag is your problem? I got us away from them!"

"Yeah. Great job! You got us away from them- "

"I just fragging said that!"

"I KNOW THAT YOU IDIOT! ITS CALLED SARCASM! GEEZE! HOW STUPID ARE YOU?!"

"HEY! I AM NOT STUPID!"

"Whatever. You can get to Nevada yourself! I'm done helping you. Find some other human."

She snarled as she continued to storm off, with tears streaming down her cheeks. Sideswipe was confused. He really didn't mean to upset his guide. For the last day and a half, she seemed fine but earlier today at the adoption fair, he could tell that something was bothering her. He didn't want to ask for fear that she'd get angry and abandon him, not to forget to mention that he still didn't know what common social habits were for humans. For once he tried to play it safe and all it did was get him yelled at.

"Look, I know you're mad. But when I get yelled at, I at least like to know why."

He said to her retreating form, hoping that she'd stop. And she did, but Sideswipe was not expecting her to look so hurt.

"Let's see, just hours after you fought a monster, where you got seriously hurt and told me in essence to drive your corpse to Nevada- "

Sideswipe winced.

"Which by the way let me tell you is ILLEGAL for me to do since I don't have a license to drive, nor will I have one for some time; you helped me save your life and then you draw attention to yourself and potentially hurt yourself by going insane speeds and running over spikes designed to tear apart tires!"

"I really am sorry. But I have a feeling that there's something that you aren't saying. I get you're mad at me for all of that, and you have the right to be but…why are you leaking optical lubricants?"

He said noticing that her body began to shake with silent sobs. Slowly she reached into one of the smaller pockets of her backpack and brought out a small piece of folded paper. With shaky hands, she unfolded the paper and handed it to Sideswipe who looked at it with interest. It was a picture of her! In the picture, she looked younger, and she wasn't as skinny, or as pale, but one thing stayed the same. The sad almost hopeless look in her optics was the same, only now his guide looked more hurt and afraid. It was a missing child flyer.

"So, those enforcers were after you?"

She nodded solemnly through her tears.

"Well look at that! I really did find myself a troublemaker! I don't think that Sunny or I ever got a wanted poster for the stuff we did! I think I'm a little jealous!"

He chuckled only to stop at Lilac's cries. She had crumpled to the ground, and she was holding her face as she sobbed.

"Hey…I was only kidding. Please don't leak…"

He placated as he skated towards her. He took another look at the flyer this time reading what it said aloud; "Missing; Lilac Andromeda Dixon. Age; 10 years old. Has blonde/dirty blonde hair and blue eyes. Weighs 90 pounds. Missing since August 9th, 2004. Last seen in Bonnieville Kentucky. $10,000 reward for her safe return. Please call the police department at (270)-339-8385 with any information regarding her safe return."

Slowly things began to make sense to Sideswipe. "They're…really looking for you. But why if they didn't like you?"

"B…be…cause if I tell some…someone what they d…did to me they could go to jail."

"So, they put a bounty on your helm in hopes of someone returning you for the credits. Is 10,000 a lot?"

"Yes…"

"But why don't you just tell the enforcers what they did? Then you wouldn't have to go back to those fraggers!"

"Because they won't believe meee!"

She wailed pathetically. Despite that she was leaking from both her optics and her olfactory sensors, which Sideswipe found to be incredibly gross, he knew that she needed comfort of some sort. He just hoped his species and hers had similar ways of showing it. Slowly he kneeled and gently picked her up before bringing her to his chassis in a gentle hug.

"Hey, easy. It's gonna be okay. I promised you that I wouldn't let them have you. I don't break promises like that." He said hoping that she'd stop leaking, and that he wouldn't wind up covered in her olfactory slime. Then something dawned on him. She risked her life, her well-being for him. She barely knew him, and she went out of her way to find a way to save his life, even if it meant putting her own in danger. But why? Why do something so courageous for someone you've barely known for a day? It was then that her words finally hit him. She wasn't mad at him because he put her life in danger, she was mad at him because she cared about him. 'She cares for me…but why?' he wondered. He then thought of what she may have had to go through in the last few years. 'She said she was 13…so she spent 3 years all by herself, with nobot to talk to, living like a feral human, just to stay alive and functioning. I can't imagine being alone without Sunny for that long. It hurts not to have him around now. No wonder she cares about me! I'm the only one who won't rat her out for credits.'

"I can't trust people. Anyone."

"Even me?"

"You…I trust you."

"But why?"

"Because you didn't go straight to the police and tell them about me. You could've, but you didn't."

"Because I need you."

"No, you don't. You can read a map. All you really have to do is follow the same line west."

He hadn't thought of that. Their maps although primitive, were very easy to read.

"Okay, maybe I don't need you like that…but it would be nice to have someone to talk to. And to help explain your culture, and to fix me when I get hurt…"

She looked up at him from where she had previously buried her face in his chest with a raised optic ridge. "Okay, for the record I don't break easily but I don't trust any other fragging humans to touch my systems."

"Really?"

"Well yeah! You did a pretty great job all things considered. And when we get to Nevada my leader and the humans there can help you get your life together!"

"No! I can't go with you to your base!"

"Why not? I won't let anyone hurt you! And I surely won't let those fraggers take you back!"

"It's not up to you Sideswipe! I legally belong to those fraggers. Until I turn 18, they are my legal guardians! Until I turn 18, I have no rights, aside from remaining silent, knowing that anything I say can and may be used in a court of law against me, the right to a lawyer before and during questioning, and the right to have a lawyer appointed to me if I can't afford one before and during questioning."

"So, we just have to get you a lawyer! That has to be easy!"

"Not really, the law isn't on my side. In Kentucky, where you found me, it is illegal to run away from home. And as such, when the cops find me, they have to take me home, back to those who hate me whether I want them to or not. If they don't take me there, or if they don't want me, then I either go to a detention center which is basically jail for kids, or a program for runaways or back to social services. There is no happy ending for me Sideswipe."

She cried softly. Sideswipe's frown deepened. "What about social services? Can't they do anything to help?"

"Do…do you remember that shelter we visited today?"

"Yeah. But what does that have to do with anything?"

"That's what it's like. I won't get adopted because I'm…too…old. I'll stay in the system until I age out. Maybe they'll put me with another foster home…but after everything that's happened…"

She whimpered out before she dissolved into more tears. He understood now. Why she was so sad, so scared to be found. If the enforcers ever caught her, she'd go back to living in an abusive home. If they didn't want her, she'd be forced to return to a system where she would sit and watch as other younger younglings got placed in loving homes. It wasn't fair.

When Sideswipe looked down to her again, ready to ask another question, he found her looking back up with half closed optics. He was startled to see the whites of her optics were now a vibrant pink almost bordering red. With a soft whimper, she closed her optics and her breathing slowed.

Sideswipe panicked, scanning her frantically while also gently poking her and shaking her. "Lilac? Wake up! WAKE UP! WA- Oh wait. Are you recharging?"

He asked as his scans came back showing that her breathing patterns matched those of when she was in recharge earlier that day. "She must have lost too many fluids! I have to get her more! …Or maybe…is she too low on fuel? She purged her tanks earlier. Fragit! I need help! But I can't take her to their medics. Not after what she said about their enforcers."

He thought mournfully as he skated back and forth in the odd pacing fashion Lilac had observed earlier. "Not to forget to mention that their enforcers are looking for me…"

He grumbled internally as he looked down at her again seeing how oddly peaceful, she looked as she recharged. It was then that Sideswipe decided to make his own special promise to her. "I will never let anyone harm you again. I'm gonna get you out of trouble, and I know the others will help me when we get there. But first, I have to get us out of the trouble I caused."

He said as he gently set her down before transforming and putting her backpack in his back seat. "Primus you're difficult to move!" he groaned as tried to maneuver a heavily sleeping Lilac into his passenger seat. Once she was inside, he strapped her in and reclined her seat before silently driving off into the night.

Chapter Text

Legend

"Text" = Means internal thoughts

XXXXX= Means new scene

Sideswipe was panicked as he drove. It was late, and his guide seemed to be out of commission. It was all his fault. Prime did say that the humans were fragile, but he didn't know they'd be this fragile. She was either in need of more fluids, or she was in need of fuel. Perhaps both. But the first thing he needed to do was change his appearance. The local enforcers would be looking for them, so he scrambled the letters in his license plate to read something more obvious and appropriate. He then quickly scanned the next vehicle he passed, which conveniently was a few model years newer. He was still a corvette, but now he held a frame that was made in the 80's, was a two door as opposed to his last one having four, and now, he was a dark shade of emerald green. The cops completely disregarded the roadster as it passed by the checkpoint, only pausing to snort at its license plate. "2fst-4yu…I swear kids these days."

"I know Paul." They said chuckling to themselves, completely unaware that they had just let the two people they were looking for pass them. Looking to his guide's backpack, he quickly opened it and began looking for the map. Sideswipe was surprised at the contents of the bag. It seemed to be where she stored her possessions as well as her spare sets of armor. Inside he saw a box that contained a collapsible building, a stuffed…creature, and lots and lots of papers that were neatly filed. He also saw a picture of someone. She looked a lot like Lilac, and she had a very big smile on her face. He'd have to ask her about the photo later, right now he needed to fix her, as well as stay on course to get to his twin. Looking at the map he huffed. "Straight line my aft! There's two different routes I can take!" He grumbled worriedly as he came to the literal fork in the highway that he was currently reading about. If he continued going north, he'd eventually leave Nebraska and enter Wyoming. However, if he changed course and went south, he'd end up in Colorado. "Hmmm…That way!" He said veering from their course and heading for the Colorado border.

Sideswipe drove at a constant speed all night, wondering just how long the lunar cycle would last. At 4 am he stumbled across a what looked to be a rundown business with lots of cars and trucks parked around it. A lone neon sign reading food glowed in the dirty window. It looked open, but even he had to admit that it didn't look entirely safe. But looking at his guide he made his decision. The bright moon made her seem even more pale, and Sideswipe took a moment to look her over, stunned by the electric blue veins he saw under her visible skin. She looked so…delicate. Using his sensors, Sideswipe looked into the bar. There were several large male organics, all of which were doing rather odd and nasty things. Some were grumbling, others swearing and banging on counters for service. One opened his mouth and let out the most disgusting and obnoxious noise Sideswipe had heard since coming to the planet. "Gross! Did he just backfire out of his oral cavity?!" He thought with horror. His horror grew as the man next to him vomited up some form of liquid into a waste receptacle before yelling at the staff to bring him another drink.

That was enough for Sideswipe to reverse out of the parking lot and get back on the road. "Slag that place!" He thought as a shudder went through his frame. He was convinced that the smoky air, the foul odors, and the general brutish behavior of the male organics was in no way beneficial to his guide's health. Dragging her into a place like that could offline her! So, he continued to drive until he found another truck stop. This one looked very similar to the one they had driven to shortly after they met. Only this one didn't have wash facilities. But it did have a re-fueling station for the both of them. "Denny's…maybe he can help her." He said softly as he found a parking space. "Lilac…Lilac! Wake up! SLAGIT FEMME! WAKE UP!"

"Mmmm…Sideswipe? (Yawn) What's wrong?"

"YOU'RE FUNCTIONING!"

He cheered with relief as his holoform hugged her tight.

"Functioning?"

She asked tiredly. Slowly the events of the day prior started to come back to her more clearly. She had fallen asleep in Sideswipe's arms after yelling and crying at him about..." Oh." She whispered softly as a smile came to her face. "Not so funny when it happens to you is it?" She said into his chest, taking notice of the faint gasoline scent he held. He looked down at her puzzled before realization kicked in. He smiled sadly at her as he answered. "No. It sure as pit isn't funny. I'm sorry."

"It's okay. It's not your fault. You didn't know about…all that." She said with a shrug as they let go of each other. "Where are we?"

"At Denny's. I brought you here for repairs, since we can't trust enforcers or most medics."

"We?"

"Well yeah. I'm not letting any slagger take you away. Pit after what I know now? And after all we've been through? I'd be insulted if they tried. Now come on! Let's see if this Denny person can repair you. And then we can get you fuel and a disguise." He said urgently as she laughed. "What's so funny?"

"I swear, you slay me sometimes!"

"I…kill you?"

"Figure of speech. It means you make me laugh."

"Oh. Why do you humans say weird stuff like that?"

"Why do you take everything so literally?"

"Never mind! We need to get you repaired."

"You should know that there's nothing wrong with me. But I thank you for the concern."

She said before she felt a tingling sensation. Blinking she looked at Sideswipe only to see him smirking smugly. "You are dehydrated. And you require fuel." He said. "How do you know that?"

She asked as her stomach growled. "Your tanks always do that when you require fuel. Now come on, we need to find this Denny person."

"Sideswipe, "Denny's" is just the name of the business. I don't think he actually works here. But I can get something to eat while we're here."

"If that is the case, then why is this place named after him?"

"Because we often name things after people, places or things we like."

She said as she got out and began walking into the building. Once inside, the two were seated by a waitress in a booth facing the parking lot and handed menus. Sideswipe cocked his holoform's head to the side in curiosity.

"You humans have so many different types of fuel."

"Food. It's called food. And yes, we do have a lot of different types, although, we've become very good at making the same thing in different ways."

She said softly as the waitress came back up to them with their complimentary waters.

"You two decided in what you're getting?"

"Oh! Um…I'll have- "

"The grand slam? With orange juice? Good choice! And you're having fruit with it. And for you young lady- "

"I'll take the Lumberjack slam…. also, with some fruit."

"And some milk. I'll have that right out for you folks. HEY BERRY! WE GOT AN ORDER!"

She shouted as she walked toward the kitchen. Sideswipe sat stunned. He didn't even get to choose his meal!

"What the pit just happened?"

Lilac laughed softly at him. "I think we can try to change it if you want…."

"No, no its fine. It's just that the other humans at the last truck stop were so nice…and she- "

"Has a lot of sass. You run across waitresses like her every now and then. She chose our food because she thought it was what was best for us, whether we like it or not."

She giggled mentally thanking the fact that they were almost completely alone. She'd have to talk to Sideswipe about the words he used in public.

"What is a "Grand Slam" anyway?"

"Pancakes, eggs, bacon, and sausage."

"Is it good?"

"Ummm. I think so. I haven't really had much of this kind of stuff in a while…so based off of memory yeah. It's good."

"Okay…"

He said as the waitress brought their drinks. Sideswipe took one sip of the orange juice and visibly blinked. "Sugar…and acid? It makes my glossa tingle. I like it!" Lilac shook her head with a smile. "You mean sweet and sour? Yes, orange juice is often like that. And its tongue, not…whatever a…glossa is." She said softly as a couple of truckers walked by, both shooting them a perplexed yet happy smile after overhearing Sideswipe.

It wasn't long before the food arrived. Sideswipe gawked at the large meal Lilac had ordered, and almost asked if it were physically possible for her to eat it all. He stopped himself remembering that she was not only smaller than many other organics, but that she had also purged her tanks the solar cycle prior. It was only logical of her to consume a larger portion now to overcompensate for what she had lost the day prior.

Much to his own surprise, Sideswipe found everything he ate to be incredibly delicious. His favorite was the so called "pancakes". He liked how soft they were, and how the sticky stuff called syrup made them taste sweet. The butter added a nice sensation and flavor too. And when the pancakes were consumed, and then washed down with that white substance…milk, it was even better! He still liked the orange juice though. The fruit was aesthetically pleasing, and sweet, but still not as good as the pancakes!

Once the two had cleaned their plates, and paid the bill, they made their way back to Sideswipe's alt, and got on the road again. Before long Lilac was redirecting the frontliner onto a different route. Instead of taking the 76 to Denver and then taking the 70 straight through Utah eventually getting on the 50 and getting to Nevada, they decided instead to avoid the major city and all of its cops by taking the 76 to the 80, quickly going through Cheyenne and taking the 80 all the way through Wyoming, down into Salt Lake City Utah before taking the 93 and reaching their destination.

With the route decided, Lilac unrolled her window and kicked her shoes off. The rolled down window was something that Sideswipe was grateful for. Her peedes stunk! Moreover, they looked so…odd. Her peedes looked completely different from his own. And for that matter, from any other bot's he'd known. Despite having wheeled feet, both he and his twin could subspace their tires if need be, for stealth missions or when dealing with extremely treacherous landscapes and environments. But even their own peedes didn't look so…unique. She had five round, (yet oddly also square) spindly toe stabilizers, and a circular heel. Jutting out of her toe stabilizers were oddly shaped pieces of keratin, each looking relatively neat and clean. "Do all human peedes look like this?" he idly thought as she curled her toes. When he last saw them, Prime only had two toes, and a heel stabilizer, Bumblebee had a single toe-cap and two stabilizers, as did Jazz. The Hatchet (the cranky old bot!) had one toe-cap that connected directly to his heel, with two stabilizers per peede on the sides, and O'l Ironaft had what looked like two toe stabilizers, but was really four stabilizers and a heel stabilizer, probably to help keep the old mech better balanced.

After a few more breems, Sideswipe's curiosity got the best of him and while still driving, he quickly reached over and grabbed one of her feet off of his dashboard. Lilac squeaked in surprise as the frontliner began to poke and prod at her foot and its toes.

"Sideswipe! AH! Wha…ha! WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"

"Relax! I just want to look at them! How do they move like that? Do they have some other function?"

He asked innocently as he continued to manhandle her foot before noticing a brown dot roughly the size of thumbtack on her sole. "What is this thing? You have a spot! Does it come off?"

He asked as he scratched at the freckle mercilessly, causing poor Lilac to erupt in laughter, further perplexing her unintentional tormentor. "What's so funny? Is this another side effect of your fue- food?"

"AHHHHH! Nohohohohoho! NO! Oh ho ho stop it! Sideswipe! THAT TICKLES!"

She squealed.

"Tickle?"

The word wasn't entirely unfamiliar to the Cybertronian in any obvious way. After all, metal didn't really tickle. But he did remember Jolt going on and on about the similarities between their two races. Most notably in the physical department. Humans and Cybertronians were indeed very similar on the physical level, both had multiple senses, but the Autobot's senses were far more advanced than the humans. The average non-military framed bot could see farther, could see in infrared wavelengths as well as a few other wavelengths, could hear conversations as far away as the distance of one human football field, and could break down and isolate smells by chemicals and chemical reactions. Taste was really the only sense they were inferior in, seeing that by scent they could discern what chemicals were toxic to their frames, unless completely unfamiliar with it. However, the one thing that both humans and Autobots had in common was their sensory array. Both species had sensors located all over their frames that allowed them to feel and touch. The humans however, couldn't turn their nervous system off, or at the very least deactivate certain receptors like the Autobots could. Not to forget to mention that they have more sensors on their frame than Autobots do. It was something that Sideswipe barely paid attention to when he was helping Jolt study the anatomy information about humans when entering the atmosphere.

But now, looking back to the information he had learned, as well as what he said when his system rebooted in the cave a few days ago when Lilac was unintentionally stimulating one of his sensors, he couldn't help but grin.

"Ohhh. I'm over stimulating your sensory array aren't I?"

He asked mischievously as he continued to scratch at her foot. Lilac tried to answer back, but was too breathless to say anything.

"Consider this pay back for stimulating mine two days ago!"

"AIIIEEEEE!"

She squealed as he continued his torture of her feet. Before long, Sideswipe had decided to try and overstimulate other parts. Quickly, as Lilac tried to push him away, his holoform's hands darted up and into her armpits wiggling madly.

"AH! AHAHA! NOT THERE! NOT THERE! STAAAAAAAAAAHAHAP!"

"I don't wanna! Who knew you humans were so easy to over stimulate? And in a lot of the same places as us no less! You're easier to over stimulate than a sparkling!"

He said as he darted his hands down to her tummy making her thrash and laugh even harder. It was only moments later that Lilac had tears of forced joy rolling down her cheeks. When Sideswipe saw this, he immediately stopped feeling guilty.

"I am sorry. I didn't mean to upset you again."

Lilac simply laughed a little more before wiping the tears of joy from her cheeks. "Heh heh. You didn't upset me."

"Then why are you leaking?"

This had Lilac laughing hard once again. "He has so much to learn!" She thought as she once again wiped the tears from her eyes with a giggle. "Okay, you my large metallic abductor have a lot to learn about humans."

"I am so confused. And I did not abduct you!"

"Technically you did…or wait no you're right. It was all really bad timing on both of our parts."

"Yeah it was! Now why were you leaking? Are you permanently damaged?"

This had her giggling once more. "I am, but not in the way you think. Sideswipe, humans cry for more than one emotion."

"What?"

"Yeah. Humans usually cry for three reasons. You've seen me cry for at least two. We usually cry because we're sad, scared, or hurt. However, we can also cry because we're angry, frustrated, lonely or in my case just recently, happy."

"You cry…because you are happy?"

"In some cases, yes. Like for example, when you hold your baby for the first time after birth, or when someone you love comes home safe from war, or in my case when we laugh too hard, or are made to laugh too hard."

"So…you are alright?"

"Well, that depends on one's definition of "alright". I suppose for someone who is homeless and on the run from the police, that I am "alright"."

"This is more of that sarcasm, isn't it?"

"Yes, yes, it is more sarcasm. You'll find that some humans are very partial to it. I find it peculiar that for an advanced alien race you aren't familiar with it."

"We are. To a point that is. Our languages are very different, so we find that there are very few perfect translations of our words into your language."

"Is that why you keep saying things like fuel, and leaking?"

"Yes."

"But why? Don't you guys cry?"

"We can, but we really try not to."

"Is it some kind of cultural thing?"

"More like, it's a pain in the aft to replace cleaning fluids or coolant if we were to start leaking about random things frequently."

"And you can't just get more? Wait, your bodies don't make what you expel?"

"Pit no! We don't necessarily make anything within our frames. Well, except maybe for sparklings, but that is a very long and complex conversation."

"I'm sorry, but this is just so strange for me. Most people think that any alien that comes to our planet would…I suppose to some degree be similar to us. Not…well…"

"Actually, that's where you're wrong kid. Our species are actually very similar. Mine is just more advanced. I think the best example there is was that one human…he jumped around, had a blue armor shell on, a red piece of fabric draped on him…had an "S" on his chest…"

"Wait…Superman? You mean to tell me that you're like us but closer to Superman?"

"Yeah. Bigger, stronger, faster…we can see and hear farther than you can, and our olfactory sensors are built to distinguish chemicals and chemical reactions."

"Wow."

Lilac said amazed as she sat back in the seat, idly noticing the farmland scrolling past them on either side. Just as she watched a wheat field roll by, her eyes narrowed at a thought.

"Wait a minute…"

She said slowly as she turned back to Sideswipe and leaned across the seat, further narrowing her eyes.

"What?"

"You don't have a sense of taste, do you?"

She said curiously as the frontliner stuttered for a moment.

"Of course we do!"

"No, you don't…"

"Yeah we do- "

"No, you don't! If you can break down smells by chemicals and their reactions, then why would you need to taste anything? Especially if you had certain smells flagged as dangerous?"

"Well…"

"You don't really, do anything in the same way humans do. You analyze everything that you come into contact with! YOU CAN'T TASTE ANYTHING!"

"WE CAN TOO!"

"No you can't! You said it yourself! You're more advanced than us, and with being bigger, stronger, faster, and with more advancements in avoiding dangers, comes the lack of need for something as simple as taste!"

"That's not entirely true!"

"Oh?"

She laughed as her companion sulked.

"We can taste things. But- "

"Ohhhh."

She said as the realization hit her.

"We have a smaller variety of fuel choices. A much smaller variety. Even your gasoline isn't as favorable to energon."

"So…you taste things…but oh wow. You mean you guys eat the same thing everyday?"

"Well yeah to a point. I mean we have different types of energon, and you can add flavors to it too. Pit, Sunny and I's favorite was copper, and magnesium infused high grade. Well, you know before the whole planet went to slag."

"Whoa, whoa wait! What do you mean "the whole planet went to slag"?"

"I thought I already told you this in the cave."

"No, you said something about a tyrant that tried to destroy humanity and subsequently got killed by a human. You said nothing about your planet."

"Oh. Yeah, the war that's currently wrapping up on your planet, ultimately destroyed ours and ripped pretty much any usable resources we had out of it, leaving it a desolate wasteland of pitted and burnt metal that will float through its galaxy forevermore."

He said plainly. Lilac stared back in unadulterated horror. "So…basically you're stuck here?"

"Yep."

"I'm sorry, I had no idea."

"It's okay. We'll get used to it…eventually."

He said softly, almost wistfully. "You know, it might not be so bad. After all, you humans have great fuel. Those pancakes were fragging delicious!"

He said with a smile. Lilac looked at him and relaxed a little more. Knowing more about Sideswipe makes it easier to trust him. "I have to admit, knowing that your species isn't carnivorous is a relief."

"Carnivorous?! Ewww! Eugh! Gross! Of COURSE, we aren't carnivorous! That is so disgusting! What kind of warped creature eats flesh?!"

"Hello."

Lilac deadpanned with a small smile and a wave.

"Wait…what?"

Sideswipe asked in mild horror.

"Humans eat meat Sideswipe. It's a fact of life. Are we seriously the first creatures you've run into that eat meat?"

"No! But…but…"

"But what? It's not that bad. You should know. You ate meat this morning, and you ate meat at that truck stop."

She said casually, while also trying to keep from laughing at his expense as he paled and began to shudder. Much to her surprise, Sideswipe slammed on his brakes and swerved onto the side of the road. He opened his door, tossed her out and transformed, immediately grabbing his stomach. "Sideswipe? What's wro- "

She started only to be cut off as Sideswipe bent over and purged his tanks.

XXXXX

Ratchet stood over the currently recharging Sunstreaker and sighed. The golden frontliner was in so much pain that he had to sedate him, just to keep him from writhing around on the cave floor and possibly hurting himself more. His spark ached for the mech both in sympathy and in concern for his twin. If Sunstreaker was only feeling the echoes of his twin's injuries, he couldn't imagine what shape Sideswipe was in. Especially since Sunstreaker's processor placed him in emergency stasis to help cope with the pain. Whatever Sideswipe was doing, it was excruciatingly painful and insanely dangerous.

"Ratchet?"

"He's stable. For now. But I fear that if we do not get to Sideswipe soon, his condition may grow worse."

"What the hell is going on?"

Will asked, more frightened for the mech than angry.

"Yeah. Why did he just start twitching like that? And what has it got to do with his brother?"

Epps asked in concern as Prime and Ratchet stepped out of the cave. "Twins of our race are extremely rare."

"Yeah, they are for us too- "

Epps started only to be cut off by Ratchet. "Yes, but even your twins occur more frequently than they do in our race. Sunstreaker and Sideswipe are what is known as split sparked twins. The closest comparison your species has to it is identical twins."

"Okay…"

"The reason why the twins are so special Captain is because of the bond they share. Though very little is known about twins of our race, we do know certain important facts of their creation and of their lives."

Optimus said to the two, who stood there nodding their encouragement. "Twins of our race, split spark twins, are unique in the fact that they share a single spark, a single essence between the two of them."

Ratchet began.

"And as you already know, our sparks are our life forces, just as your heart is your life force. Because they share a single spark, the twins have abilities unique only to them. They can locate each other through a bond that they share. This bond when unblocked allows them to communicate with words, and emotions, allowing the other to feel what their twin feels."

"Something tells me that you don't mean that figuratively."

Will said darkly. "I do not. Sunstreaker can quite literally feel and experience what his twin does without being in his twin's presence. We believe that Sideswipe was attacked by something, or someone, and so Sunstreaker felt the pain of the injuries inflicted on his twin."

"Man…that's…that just sounds agonizingly painful…"

"Moreover, with the ability of being able to feel what the other does, comes with a rather unfortunately side effect. If one of the twins were to be captured by the Decepticons, and tortured, they could use the pain to draw the other twin out, for capture, or unfortunately for termination."

The two men swallowed hoarsely.

"If one twin were to offline, the other would soon follow after."

"Wait, what?!"

Will said in horror. "Indeed. The strain of the bond caused by a wide distance is enough incentive for twins not to leave each other's side or to stray too far from each other. But if one twin were to offline, the other now missing the other half of their spark usually follows soon after, because it is not able to fill the gaping hole where the bond of his sibling was, or because individually their sparks are not strong enough to survive without the other, and of course the pain is so great that it is also a common theory that twins simply offline from the pain if their twin offlines."

"This is why it is so important to find Sideswipe."

"The pain of being separated from his twin is already painful, but if something has happened to Sideswipe…"

"We could very well lose two of our best frontliners." Optimus said gravely.

"They really can't live without the other?"

Epps asked. "I can assure you Sergeant, that it is highly unlikely that one would survive such trauma, but there was one documented case on Cybertron. A mech lost his twin in an accident, and miraculously survived for an entire vorn without him. But from what we know, most twins do not last past the first orn of separation."

"That sounds horrible. I can't even imagine how painful that must be. It just sounds…so torturous."

"It is."

A rough and husky voice said from behind Ratchet. "Stay down. I need to check your systems."

"Don't bother. He's fine."

"Sunstreaker- "

"Optimus. You need to see this."

Ironhide called as he walked up. "What is it?" Optimus asked, only to be shown a hologram of a news cast.

"-That's right Bob, I'm here right now at the scene. Nobody knows what happened in this area, but as the evidence shows, something did happen here last night. Entire trees upended, disturbed dirt in strange shapes and patterns, and this strange blue ooze. Whatever happened, one thing is certain, it was not of this world. This is Kathleen Marie, reporting in for action news four."

Optimus groaned wearily as he placed a servo over his optics. "Shit. You have got to be kidding me." Epps cursed as he looked at the fading frozen image. "Don't we all wish." Will sighed as he rubbed at his tired eyes. "You mean that we have to go investigate that shit? Man! We just barely got here and got this shit under control- "

"Epps. Shut. Up. We already have a team and a cover up story for this. As far as the public is concerned, a small satellite part made planet fall, after an asteroid knocked it off of a satellite. We need to get there now. Where was this?"

"Near a small town in Nebraska."

"Alright then. Let's get back on the plane. We have business in Nebraska."

XXXXX

Lilac stood leaning against the post of a fence as Sideswipe quite literally ranted and raved, while skating back and forth in his odd pace. Lilac simply watched, slightly amused at his reaction, and relieved that he wasn't severely hurt…as far as she was aware.

"I CAN'T BELIEVE I ATE MEAT! I ATE FLESH! WHAT THE PIT IS WRONG WITH ME?! I CAN'T EVEN! I TOOK AN OATH! "DO NOT HARM SENTIENT LIFE!" AND WHAT DO I DO?! EAT SENTIENT LIFE! AND HOW ARE YOU SO FRAGGING OKAY WITH THIS?! ARE YOU GLIITCHED?!"

He raged, coming to a halt. His cooling fans were whirring in protest as they tried to cool down his rapidly overheated frame. Lilac stared back at him for a moment or two before pushing herself off the fence post. "Are you done?" She asked with a raised eyebrow. He was about to answer her when she put her hand up to him, palm forward in the quite literal universal sign of "stop". "Sideswipe, calm down. You are freaking out over nothing. You didn't harm sentient life."

"Then what do you call the consumption of organic flesh?!"

"A good day." She said dryly as she looked up at him as he narrowed his optics down at her.

"Look, I understand that this is hard for you. But you didn't kill what you ate this morning. Unless you own a slaughterhouse, and I don't know it."

"That is fragging vile! I would never own something like that!"

"Okay then. Now- "

"And you humans shouldn't either! I mean that is just gross! Eating flesh?! Eugh!"

"I hate to break it to you, but that is the social norm for a lot of humans Sideswipe." She said in a slightly sing-song voice. "But…why?"

"Well for starters, we as a species are omnivorous. You can tell by our teeth." She said before baring her teeth in a grin. "The sharp pointy ones, are our canines these help us grip, pull, and rip whatever we bite. These flat looking ones are molars, premolars, and incisors, these help with shredding plant material, gripping, cutting and crushing seeds and nuts. We eat both plants and animals Sideswipe. And we usually kill what we eat first. Then we cook it, so it's even more dead."

"Great. So, I ate formerly living sentient creatures, that have been processed."

"So what? You said that we have great food just twenty minutes ago. Does this really make a difference?"

"YES! I was fed FLESH! FROM DECEASD SENTIENT CREATURES!"

"(Sigh) Sideswipe, what you ate- "

"I knew I should have been leerier of those circular yellow and white things! And the brown and pink looking stuff too! And Primus only knows what creatures had to offline to make those pancakes…a- "

"Sideswipe!"

She shouted getting his attention. "Nothing, died to make your pancakes! They don't have any meat in them!"

"And how do you know?"

"Because my mom…"

She paused. Sideswipe noticed the sorrow in her voice as she mentioned her carrier. "My mom, used to make me pancakes sometimes. There's no meat in them. I promise."

"And the yellow and white things called "eggs"?"

"I'm not sure I want to tell you."

"Just tell me. I'm not gonna eat them again anyway."

"Okay. I'll just break down what you ate for breakfast then, in terms you may understand. Eggs are the unincubated babies of chickens, popular barnyard fowl that is often eaten. Sausage, bacon, and ham come from pigs, who share similar anatomy traits with humans. Milk is the nursing fluid of cows, another popular animal that is often eaten by humans. Fruit comes from plants and trees, non-sentient life as far as I'm aware, Toast is made out of bread, which is made of flour, which is ground up wheat, water, and yeast, and pancakes are made of milk, flour, sugar and vanilla extract. Well, that's how mom made hers. You'll have to check to see the specifics of theirs, but it's basically the same, I'm sure." She said bluntly.

Sideswipe just stared at her with horror-stricken features. Behind her a cow stood in a pasture grazing. It paid no attention to the two beings standing by the road. It barely looked up when its calf came over and began nursing. Lilac looked over her shoulder and smiled before pointing. "Those are cows."

Sideswipe just nodded dumbly as she walked over to him and put a hand on his shin. "You okay? I know it's a lot that I told you."

"I…will never… eat human fuel… again. Unless I know for certain that it contains no sentient life."

"So you're a vegan. That's good to know. And Vegans don't eat any food with a face. No animals, fish, eggs. No meat."

"Fine with me. What is all this green slag anyway?"

"Aside from that pasture? I'm pretty sure this is all corn. You don't know what corn fields look like?"

"Pit no. Why would I?"

"I thought aliens made crop circles and stuff?"

"Where the pit did you hear that slag? We don't make crop circles…whatever those are!"

He said mildly insulted. "A crop circle is like some symbol burned into a field of corn. Interesting. Well I guess that aliens didn't do it, and that it was a man-made thing. Or now that I think about it, a prank by some bored- "

"Prank?! Squishy, you are talking to the king of pranks! And if these crop circle things are one of them, then let the master show you how it's done!" He said haughtily as he picked her up, ignoring her screams of fright. Sideswipe un-subspaced his blaster, which freaked his guide out before he set it to the second lowest setting and began writing in the corn. "Wait! What does that mean?"

"Oh, that symbol there is "hello" in cyber standard."

"Wait really?!"

"Yes really. Now quiet! The master is at work!"

He said in a playfully mighty voice as he continued writing. Once he was done in one field, he walked up the street and began in another. He was having fun, writing random things in the corn. Well, to any human or Decepticon they would be random things. This crop circle thing wasn't a bad idea. And just as Sideswipe finished blasting a section of corn, his sensors picked up on a nearby signal. He looked up and around seeing what looked to be a cop car in the distance. "Aw slag! RUN!"

Sideswipe said as he began to skate down the path between the cornfields, only to turn around in horror as the cop car followed them, turning on its lights and sirens. Sideswipe sneered as he quickly transformed around a screaming Lilac. "Pit! Me and my slagging luck! How many fragging Decepticons are on this planet?! I thought they all died!"

"Sideswipe! That's a cop not a- "

She choked as Sideswipe's rear view mirror readjusted to show her the large gun mounted on the hood of the cop car as well as the lack of driver.

"DRIVE DRIVE DRIVE DRIVE DRIVE!"

She shouted as Sideswipe drove roughly over the landscape, avoiding pot shots from the mech behind him. "I can outrun him! But he isn't making it easy!"

"THEN MAKE IT EASIER! DRIVE FASTER AND DODGE!"

"WHAT THE SLAG DO YOU THINK I'M DOING?! RECHARGING?! HOLD ON!"

He shouted as he drove through a fence and into a muddier pasture. "There's a ditch nearby with a bridge. Get under it and don't come out until I've won!"

"And what if you don't win?!"

"Well then it was nice knowing you! But I've fought his aft before, I'll win!"

He said furiously as he spun around, throwing her out of his interior and closer to the ditch. Lilac scrambled under the bridge just in time to see the cop car transform and tackle Sideswipe to the ground. The two wrestled around seemingly punching each other until they became unentangled from each other. That was when Lilac got a good look at the mech. He was truly a scary sight. He had four blood red optics and some sort of spinning blade. "Really, Barricade? You really think that you'll win against me?" Sideswipe snorted. "You do not have your twin with you. You are easier to defeat alone."

He said as the two seemed to pace each other around in a circle. "My track record alone, should remind you that it doesn't matter." Sideswipe said venomously as the two rushed each other. Sideswipe was right, he was indeed holding his own against his enemy. But Lilac really didn't want to take any chances. She had to do something to help…

Looking around, she found a small piece of thin sheet metal. With a grunt, she took the metal and bent it into a cone through which she could speak. Maybe, just maybe she could lure the bot away and give Sideswipe a chance to knock him out…or something. With another grunt, she lifted the metal to her face. Her throat went dry at the thought of distracting the giant creature, but something had to be done. At the very least, if a farmer walked out and saw the brawl, it could make things way worse. So with a cough, Lilac spoke in a far raspier tone then she had meant to do. This coupled with how the metal was bent, made her voice deeper. "LEAVE SIDESWIPE ALONE!"

She stated in a very calm, yet angry voice. This had both mechs slowing their advances, especially when the one with red optics one looked over. "Prime…"

The mech said in quiet disbelief. Sideswipe seeing his advantage played along. "I never said that I was alone, now did I?"

He said easily pinning the distracted bot's arms behind his back. Lilac seeing the mech's lighting fast wink continued. Thankfully the tunnel and the surrounding hills and fields created an echo that wasn't traceable. "Good work luring him out for capture Sideswipe."

"What should we do with him sir?"

"We will do with him, what we did with the others- "

"Slag that! I am not about to be captured by you filthy Autobots!"

"Was that a jab at my paint job?! I'm gonna make you pay for that! -"

"No Sideswipe! His punishment is already severe enough- "

She began as Barricade broke away from Sideswipe before transforming and driving off quickly away from the two, leaving them alone in the pasture. A few moments passed before Lilac released the breath that she didn't know she was holding, falling onto her rear as Sideswipe began to laugh.

"That…was the single scariest thing, I have ever done. And that's saying a lot!"

"His face! It was so fragging funny! Primus!"

He laughed, once again clutching his midsection. Lilac took a deep breath and shook her head in humorous disbelief as she too began to laugh. The two remained there laughing until finally Lilac pulled herself together. "

"Goodness! I'm sorry, but is everyone out to get you? We barely get a state away from the last monster, and then this one just appears? I really think they're out to get you!"

"Ah, nothing I can't handle! Especially with you here! Good work on the distraction by the way, I wasn't expecting that!"

"Well heck! I had to do something! We got lucky with the first garage! I really don't want to try our luck like that again!"

"Yeah. I don't really want to re-live the last 24 hours. You fully functional?"

"If that means, 'Am I okay?' Then yes, aside from some scrapes and bruises I'm okay. You?"

"Yeah, need a wash, but I'm fine."

"You are a vain mech aren't you?"

"What makes you say that?"

"Because you got really really offended both times those guys mentioned something about you or your twin's paint. Is like cleanliness a major thing with your race?"

"Isn't it with yours?"

"Yeah, but still, we sweat and stuff you don't. …I don't think you do, heck at this point who knows?"

"We don't sweat, but we don't like having muck and grime sliding around in our joints or on our protoforms either. Its…uncomfortable."

Well, in that case, I won't tell you the matter in which you're covered in."

"What do you mean? It's just wet dirt. …Smelly wet dirt at that."

"Sideswipe, that's not dirt. Its manure. Or natural fertilizer."

"So?"

"Ahem, its where manure comes from that makes the difference."

"So, stop being vague! Where the pit does manure come from?"

As if to answer his question, a nearby steer mooed loudly whilst lifting his tail. Sideswipe made a face of disgust as Lilac fought off laughter at the animal's natural bodily function. "Sideswipe, that's where manure comes from."

She said with a straight face as the mech began to shudder. "You mean…I'm covered in?!"

"Uh huh."

She said nodding her head in the positive. She nearly fell to the ground laughing at what the mech did next. He started running around the field. While shaking his frame back and forth, and practically dancing around on wheeled feet, he screamed.

"EWWW! EW! EW! EW! EW! EEEEEEEEEWWWWWWWW! GET IT OFF! GET IT OFF! GET! IT! OOOOOFFFFFFF!"

XXXXX

It took Lilac a solid hour to get Sideswipe to calm down. She learned that getting the mech to calm down was quickly becoming a useful skill, seeing that she has had to do so on at least three separate occasions across three days. It was a fact that startled Lilac. She had spent three days with an alien, and not only was she still alive, but she was also happy. Genuinely happy. Had she not have met him, she would have spent her Saturday in the library, keeping to herself. Yet here she was, at yet another gas station, buying gas, a pink baseball cap and another wash for him. She had to explain in simple terms that no, as badly as she wished it to be possible, she in fact could not use a car wash as a form of getting clean since the chemicals and high-pressured water would easily damage her skin while also making her very sick. Speaking of sick…

"So, what fuels are you damaged by? What you consu-ate this morning seems to have had no effect on you."

"I don't know. I think it would be good to avoid most greasy foods."

"And meat."

"No, I never said anything about me avoiding that."

"But its gross!"

He whined as she rolled her eyes playfully. The gas station, like many didn't have the best cuisine, but it had enough. With the remaining three hundred dollars she had, Lilac bought more supplies for her first aid kit, a few week's rations of canned goods, a couple bags of fun size chocolate bars, a few cases of water, a lighter, the pink baseball hat, gas for Sideswipe, a wash for Sideswipe, and Spam. Lots and lots of Spam.

The total came out to be just over 200 hundred dollars. At this rate, she would be able to get gas for him a couple more times, but hopefully they'd be in Nevada by then. Once they had their bags, and after Sideswipe had his wash, (and complained that he preferred the kind with the brushes instead of the no touch system he had just experienced) they hacked another ATM and got back on the road.

"So why didn't you buy that fruit stuff? It's better for you than…what is Spam?"

"Ham, and pork in a can. Nobody knows why they call it Spam though."

"Oh. Still, why didn't you buy fruit?"

"Because they didn't have fruit Sideswipe."

She said smartly as they continued to drive through the country land of Wyoming. As they drove, Sideswipe saw a sign that said.

"All Natural, fresh organic fruit! Come to the commune! Take the first right in 20 miles!"

With a conspiratorial grin Sideswipe picked up speed. "So…if there was a place to get fruit…"

"Sideswipe. Would you be happy if we bought some fruit?"

"Yes."

"Okay. By the way, you look surprisingly good in green."

"What the- Aw slag! I am not staying this color! It looks so wrong on me!"

He whined as his color scheme slowly changed back to silver. He ignored his guide's laughter in favor of turning onto a dirt road, leading him across farmland, and into a tree filled area. He was surprised to see so many people there. All of them looked different but they seemed to be getting along nicely. "Sideswipe? Where are we?"

"A human commune. They sell fruit."

He said as he got out of his interior. Lilac shielded her eyes from the sun as she got out and looked around at the many gardens, stands and people who were milling around. This wasn't just a human commune, nor was it a simple farmers market. This was something similar to what Lilac had run across by accident once before. "Sideswipe- "

"Hey, welcome brother and sister!"

"Huh?"

"Sideswipe, this is a hippy commune."

"Welcome! C'mon dudes don't be shy! We don't bite!"

Sideswipe looked at his guide and watched as a big smile blossomed on her face. He looked back to the male who had spoken to them. He had long blonde hair, on both his head, and on his face. He was wearing a multicolored shirt of some sort, and brown pants. "Why isn't he wearing armor on his peedes?" He wondered as the man and his guide began walking and talking. "So yeah, you guys are totally welcome to hang out and have some goods. We grow everything right here, organic only, free range, we even make our own tofu."

"What's tofu?"

"It's a meat substitute."

"Yeah, man. We respect all here, meat eaters, veggie eaters and all the little critters in between."

"Oh."

"Don't mind him. He's new to all of this."

"Oh?"

"He doesn't live the kind of lives we do. I'm a Hobo, or as he likes to call me, a feral human."

"Ohhh! You're a back to mama earth, flower child!

"Pretty much. I practice pacifism, though I won't lie I do like meat."

"Hey, hey! No shame little sis, if that's how you live, then live and let live!"

Sideswipe furrowed his eyebrows as his guide and the man laughed together, almost as if they were privy to a joke he was not. "So, anyway my name is Cedar, but you guys can call me Ced, I'm not one for formalities and all that stuff. Welcome to our place, like I said you can sit back and kick it. You know? We got lots of room if you guys want to stay a while. We can put you up in the big tree house."

He said as he put an arm around her shoulders. Sideswipe noticed Lilac shudder slightly at the man's touch. Without warning his engine snarled loudly. When the two looked back at him and his alt mode, he turned quickly to look too. "Huh. I dunno where that came from. Anyway, we can't stay long. We're on our way to Nevada and we'd rather get there sooner rather than later."

"Oh, bummer."

The man said looking truly hurt. "But at least get some goodies and stuff for the road you know? Life's all about the journey after all."

"Uhhh, sure."

Sideswipe said as they continued walking further into the commune. He didn't understand why he looked so hurt. Did leaving this place so soon really upset the man? His answer came in the form of several other organics of varying ages walking up and greeting him and Lilac. She took it all in stride, greeting them back and even asking how they were doing. She showed them the same kindness that she had shown him, and he knew her longer! Well as far as he was aware. There were still some things about humans he didn't know.

Like why they had so many different types of fuel. There were so many different types. "These are blueberries. These are raspberries, and these are strawberries. And this is- "

"Lilac! Why are there so many different kinds?! And what's the point?!"

"Sideswipe, that's just how the world is. Each food does different things. And this food happens to be the best for you in nutrition."

"Well can't you just get some so we can go?"

"You're the one who brought us here."

She said in a sing song voice as she skipped around the stands gathering different kinds of food. Before she knew it, she had a canvas bag full of fresh fruits and vegetables to eat. "Good. You have more food. Now can we go?"

"Leave? But you haven't eaten anything!"

Said an older woman who had children gathered around her skirt. "Yes, but we can eat on the way. We really need to get going."

"Youngling, the world is full of many beauties. If you rush, you will miss them all."

Sideswipe was taken aback by what she said.

"What did you call me?"

"Come here."

She said gently. Sideswipe wanted to walk away. He wanted to drag Lilac with him so that they could get back on the road. But yet he found himself walking towards the woman.

"You are a kind boy. You may not believe it, but it is true. You need to take a moment and enjoy life and all it has to offer. Your destination will not change, nor will it move. Come and rest for the night. We will care for the both of you."

She said softly. Sideswipe wanted to say no. He wanted to scream it to the heavens! But he couldn't. This older femme, though he didn't know her, reminded him of someone from his past. Reluctantly he nodded. They would stay the night. But only one night.

"Okay…"

"Wonderful!"

She cheered as she hugged him tight. Sideswipe stiffened at first, alarmed at the show of affection, but soon returned her hug, since his sensors told him that people were watching. "Frag humans are so strange!" he thought as he tried to back away only for the woman to tighten her hug. He looked over at Lilac and mouthed the word "Help!" Much to his dismay she simply shook her head and walked away joining the other younglings who were walking away.

XXXXX

After the fresh produce was stored in his trunk, Sideswipe drove further into the commune. He was surprised to see Lilac playing with the other younglings. Both the small ones and the larger ones as well. She had a wreath of flowers in her hair, which now had a section in the back that was braided. Sideswipe never noticed, but her hair was long. Like really long. It reached all the way down past her rear end. She could literally sit on it if she wanted to. "Humans are so weird." He thought again as he walked over to them. "What are you guys doing?"

"Playing soccer. Wanna play?"

Lilac asked as she dribbled the ball between her bare feet. "Uh…sure. How do you play?"

"You don't know how to play soccer?! What did you do as a kid?"

Asked one of the older younglings with a puzzled expression. Before Sideswipe could answer, they surrounded him and began teaching the game. It took him a few hours, but once he finally got the hang of it, Sideswipe really liked the game.

As a matter of fact, he was beginning to like everything about the commune. There wasn't any yelling, no fighting, nobody to really tell anyone what to do, delicious produce that he could eat as much of as he wanted…the whole place seemed peaceful. He could see why Lilac liked it so much. There was freedom to do what you wanted, when you wanted, and nobody there said say otherwise. After they got done with soccer, he played hide and seek with the younger younglings, and had a blast! For once he didn't feel pressured to be anything, a fearless soldier, a happy go lucky mech, nothing. He got to wear a flower crown and dance around a decorative pole before dinner for Primus's sake! This place was awesome!

"Dude, how's the organic vegan mac and cheese man?"

"So good dude so good!" He said back to an older male…Shade if he remembered right. They were all sitting around a large fire eating and sharing stories. "So, sister Lilac, what brings you and the Puck to the commune?" Asked an older youngling, one maybe a few years older than Lilac.

"Ah, travels sister Meadow. We're on our way to Nevada."

"Bit early to be heading out that way for burning man."

"No, we're going out that way so Puck can reconnect with his twin brother."

She said coolly as she stretched. Sideswipe wasn't sure what Puck meant, and he wasn't sure if it was a good thing or not. From the expressions, the others had on their faces when he had gotten the name, he surmised that it was supposed to be fitting. He'd feel a lot better if he knew what it meant. All he was doing was throwing small pebbles at Lilac and pointing at another youngling to say that they did it. Then someone said he was acting like a Puck and the name stuck.

"Twin Pucks? That must be interesting."

"It is. I haven't seen my twin in a while."

"Man, that's awful. Dude, tell your bro hi for me. That totally sucks man!"

"I know dude I know."

He said. He was feeling a little…off. Something just didn't feel right with his bond, and it was something that the others noticed by his visible grimace. "You okay Puck? Too much to eat?"

"No…my…chest…just hurts. I'm fine."

"No, you're not. Here have some of this special herbal tea. It works wonders for pain."

Said an older organic…Willow if he remembered correctly. "What's in it?"

"Hibiscus, ginger, green tea leaves and just a small hint of ganja."

"Uhh, I don't know if that's a good idea Sideswipe…"

Lilac said as he began to drink from the cup. He immediately began to feel strange. He felt warm and fuzzy all over. And calmer. He definitely felt calmer.

"Duuuuuuuuuuuuuuude…I can't feel anything! Is that bad? And why does my face tingle?"

He asked only to be greeted by gentle laughter. He began to laugh too. "I have no fragging clue what's so funny!" He giggled internally.

XXXXX

At long last, it was time to go to bed. Lilac was happy that the tree house had a working shower. She was done cleaning and was contentedly relaxing in the warm water. That is until- "Whoa, so this is it?"

"ACK! Sideswipe! What are you doing?!"

"I've never seen human wash racks before! Where are the nozzles? And the brushes? Surely you can't clean your whole frame by yourself!"

He said innocently as Lilac continued to cover her body with the shower curtain. "Sideswipe! Please! You're not supposed to see a human without clothes on!" She hissed as she tried to swat at him. With a pout the mech left the room allowing her to dry off and change into the white peasant top and skirt the hippies had gifted her. When she entered the room where she would be sleeping with the other little girls, she was surprised to see two of the older girls, Meadow and Rain, singing alongside a video.

"Here on our island the days are a dream! Hanging together we work as a team! And the magic extends, through our family of friends! Here on our island the fun never ends!"

They had finished the song, and the girls were cheering and begging for another.

"Well… there is time for one more."

"Maybe if you all ask nicely, our guest will sing us all a song."

The whole room turned to Lilac, and several girls gave her pleading looks. "Pleeeeeaaaasssse?"

"I don't know…I'm not a very good singer…"

"Pretty please Lilac? Please?"

The youngest, Lila, asked with big blue eyes.

"Well…okay. But I'm not very good!"

She said as the room cheered.

With a deep breath, she chose a song from the video, and began to sing the lyrics as the music played.

"Where is the land I come from? Who lives where I was born? Why do my memories start with a storm? What if I have a family, somewhere beyond the sea? Could there be someone there missing me? Tell me, why I'm not sleeping, and my heart is leaping inside me! Could this be one of those times when your feelings decide?"

She took a deeper breath and continued.

"Why does he look through circles? Why does he hide his feet? Why do I feel shy when we meet? Is this the tree he sleeps in? What can he see from there? Could there be new horizons to share? All these, questions keep turning and churning and burning inside me! What are these feelings I feel when he's here by my side?"-

Lilac kept her eyes closed as she sung. It made her feel better, and a little bit more confident.

- "I need to know these answers! I need to find my way! Seize my tomorrow, learn my yesterday! I need to take these chances, let all my feelings show! Can't tell what's waiting, still I need to go! I need to know!"

Lilac was about to walk away, then the music's tone changed, and someone else started to sing!

"Isn't she just amazing? Daring and bold and sure! Different from girls that I've met before! Do you think she might like me?"-

It was Sideswipe! He was singing! And the girls were encouraging him with excited head nods!

- "How do I look tonight? I just want everything to be right. All these, questions keep turning and churning and burning inside me! What are these feelings I feel when she's here by my side?"

He sung pausing long enough for her to swallow hard before they finished the duet.

"I need to know these answers, I need to find my way! Seize my tomorrow! Learn my yesterday! I need to take these chances, let all my feelings show! Can't tell what's waiting, still I need to go! I need to know!"

Everyone in the room cheered loudly for the two as Lilac turned beet red.

XXXXX

After it was clear that everyone was asleep, Lilac crept out to the balcony overlooking the forest where she saw Sideswipe leaning against a tree in his bipedal form.

"You wanted to talk?"

"I thought that you didn't have a family?"

"I don't."

"Then why were they calling you sister?"

Lilac sighed as she leaned against the wall of the treehouse. "Because they meant it as a term of endearment. I am not related…that I know of… to any of these people. But we call each other brother and sister because we care about each other."

"But why? You barely know them."

"Some people are just like that Sideswipe. Some trust easier than others. Some people just care for other people."

She said.

"And I thought you didn't like heights."

He said teasingly. "I don't. But if I have to be in high places, I stay very close to a solid structure. The base of the high place I suppose."

She said as she gently patted the wall she was leaning against.

"Closing my eyes also helps. If I can't see it, it can't scare me."

"That's silly."

"But it works."

She said shrugging. Unfortunately, neither of them heard the small footsteps coming from inside the treehouse.

"Lilac…. what- "

Lila had said as walked out onto the balcony only to freeze at the sight of Sideswipe, who froze in horror at the sight of Lila.

"Lilac…who is that?"

"Oh, uhh. That Lila is the mighty earth spirit! He and I talk sometimes."

"Why is he made of metal?"

"Because he uses earth's resources to take a form! He is very kind, as he protects the earth."

"Is that why he looks like a knight in shining armor?"

"Yes. His armor is made of the metals that are buried beneath the ground. And his eyes are sapphires!"

"Oooo! He's pretty! Oh! I mean handsome!"

The little girl cooed as she looked back at Sideswipe with wide innocent eyes. Lilac looked back at Sideswipe too, only she had a look on her face that screamed play along. Sideswipe cleared his throat and pitched his voice deeper, somewhere between Ironhide's and Optimus'.

"Why thank you child. I am truly glad that someone appreciates me, my beauty and what it is I do." He said nodding sagely, as Lilac playfully rolled her eyes. "Now, I must finish my conversation with Lilac. And I believe that it is far past your bedtime."

"Aww!"

"I know small one. But it is important that you rest. And do your part to take care of your planet."

"Okay…bye mister spirit."

"Come here for a moment."

Sideswipe said surprising Lilac who was slowly walking the girl back into the room. Lila ran to the railing and squealed in delight as Sideswipe picked her up and gently hugged her. Once he returned her to the balcony, she willingly walked inside the treehouse with Lilac. Half an hour later she was sound asleep, and Lilac walked back outside.

"That was so close!"

"Yeah. I think I'm gonna call it a night. We'll talk more tomorrow."

"Okay. By the way, tomorrow it's my turn to ask you like 80 questions."

"I didn't ask you that many! And besides, they were all explanatory."

"Fine. But I still have a lot of questions for you."

"Fair enough. Good night."

"Good night Sideswipe. Sleep well."

"We don't sleep!"

He hissed as he skated away into the forest.

"Then what do you call it?"

She yell-hissed back.

"Recharging! See you tomorrow!"

He said watching as she nodded her head and disappeared into the structure.

XXXXX

Sideswipe decided that he would take a short stroll through the forest before transforming and settling down on his axels for some recharge. He decided to keep his sensors on high since Barricade could still easily be in the area. That's when he felt the strange burning sensation in his spark again. Fed up with the annoying pain, he sent a mental jab at it only to be angrily jabbed back. Confused, he pushed with more pressure and urgency until finally some of the wall gave way and another presence could be felt. Both Sideswipe and the new presence were still with surprised silence, before the other one nudged him gently and then earnestly before it grew angry and started sending waves of anger, hurt and mental slaps through the hole in the wall. Sideswipe stumbled when he felt the jabs and the feelings. There was only one person who held that much hostility while also holding that much concern.

Sideswipe's presence embraced the other with waves of joy, excitement, and concern while the other did the same. Sunstreaker who had just taken off on the plane to Nebraska after several hours of refueling, talking to the press and sitting around in his alt in boredom smirked under his hood. He and his twin could feel each other again. Though he couldn't hear his twin's voice over the bond like usual, he could at least feel him, completely. The wall blocking their bond was nearly gone, and in time he was sure he'd here his own twin's voice again.

But for now, the two nudged each other's end of the bond happily. Sideswipe had to transform and drive back to where he was parked, and when he got there, he felt the recharge protocols taking over, for both him and his twin. He and Sunny knew each other well enough to know not to tell anyone about their bond activity. At least not yet. Not when there was a prank on the officer team to be played, and not when he had ulterior motives for his guide. After all, how often would an opportunity like this come around? He and Sunny could get one over on both the officer team and the humans they would work with! And then he could introduce his friend to them, and she wouldn't have to live alone anymore! With his mind made up, and with one last happy nudge, and with one reassuring one to his twin that he was okay and that they'd talk later he settled down on his axels for the night.

"Good night, Sunny, see you soon."

Chapter Text

After a good night of sleep, or recharge in Sideswipe's case, the two prepared to leave. The commune was sad to see them go, but sent them off with a hearty breakfast, and a few tins of organic herbal tea. Lilac discreetly checked the ingredients for any hallucinogenic materials before she stored them in her backpack.

Her backpack was stuffed to compacity at this point, with the excess of her supplies sitting in Sideswipe's back seat. Seeing that the mech was unsurprisingly chipper as they said their goodbyes made her wonder if he knew something she didn't. Of course, he could just be happy to get on the road. If she was right, they'd make it to Nevada in the next day and a half or so seeing that she'd only need to stop to go to the bathroom.

The thought of their fast-approaching destination made her sad. She had really grown to like Sideswipe, and she'd miss the company he provided.

XXXXX

Sideswipe drove at a moderate pace as his guide catalogued the items she had gained. When he last checked her list, she had; five sets of armor including the set she was wearing, enough fuel as she claimed to feed her for a few weeks if she metered it out correctly, more than enough credits to last her into the next earth vorn as she claimed, and after that he stopped paying close attention. He didn't want her to live as she had before meeting him. She kept telling him that she would be fine, but he could tell that she was saying it more for her own reassurance.

As he drove through a residential area, his sensors investigated the multiple dwellings and he observed those who resided inside. He saw family units sitting down to consume fuel together. He saw a sire playfully pull one of his younglings from their berth making the youngling chase him. He even saw a family unit cuddle together on the couch in front of a large viewing screen with moving pictures on it. The parental units held their younglings close. Sideswipe idly wondered why his friend refused his offer to bring her to base. He was confident that he and the others could help her find herself a good family unit.

"Lilac…do you want a family unit?"

"I'm not answering that."

She said not looking up from what she was doing, which happened to be cleaning a small blade that was sticking out of a strange contraption.

"Uhh…why…why not?"

He asked hoping that he didn't offend her by accident.

"Because today I get to ask you all of the questions, remember?"

"Oh. Okay. What do you want to know?"

"First, are you ticklish?"

"What? No! What kind of question is that? We don't 'tickle'. We're metallic creatures remember? Metal doesn't tickle."

He said certainly as she raised an eyebrow. Faster than he'd seen her move, she dropped the contraption to the floor and began to flutter her fingers lightly and rapidly across his dashboard.

Sideswipe swerved as he laughed.

"AHHH! Stop! DON'T DO-HOO-HOO THA-HAT! AHAHAHAHAHHAHAHAHAHAAA!"

"I knew it! You are ticklish! Okay! Next question!"

She laughed as she sat back and picked up the doo-dad.

"Mean! What now?"

"Who is Optimus, and who is Prime and why do I sound like him?"

Sideswipe laughed again at her misunderstanding from the day before.

"Optimus is Prime. It's a title."

"Ohhh. Is Prime special?"

"Very special. He is the commander of all Autobot forces everywhere. He leads us in the war against the Decepticons, you know those slag heads with the red optics you keep referring to as monsters? Though in truth you weren't far off, they are monsters."

"And I sounded like him?"

She asked surprised.

"Well, not really like him. His voice is hard to describe, but you got the deepness correct."

He said as he pulled up the basic file he kept on his commander and displayed it on his windshield. "Uhh. Can you see where you're going with that?"

Sideswipe snorted haughtily. "Of course, I can."

Lilac blinked owlishly before looking at the profile picture closer. "He's…so…" she said trailing off as she looked the picture in the optics. To her, his outward appearance wasn't necessarily frightening, but it was certainly intimidating. And yet, there seemed to be kindness in his eyes.

Sideswipe looked at her curiously as she stared at the picture. "He's actually nicer than he looks."

"He is?"

Sideswipe smiled. "Yeah. Prime actually has a sense of humor despite the fact that he's not really supposed to have one."

"What do you mean?"

"Well, he's Prime. He's in charge of all the Autobots. And we've been at war for a long time. It's not like he gets a lot of opportunities to laugh."

"So?"

"Sunny and I provide him some when needed. I wasn't lying when I said you were looking at the king of pranks. Depending on the prank, we can usually get him to at least smile. Mind you most people who don't know him don't know this because he usually has his battle mask up, so he can hide it, but still, if you know him well, his optics are a dead giveaway."

"So, I see."

She said smiling. Something about the mech secretly finding something funny when he wasn't supposed to made her smile.

"It's no secret, Prime's got a soft spark."

"Is that bad? It…actually sounds painful…"

"It's not painful. Oh, what was the human expression I saw? Oh yeah! He's got a soft spot for younglings, sparklings, femmes, intelligent sentient lifeforms…a lot of things now that I think of it. He cares a lot about the people around him."

Sideswipe said an admirable tone. Lilac smiled. "So, he must be really scary when you make him angry."

"What makes you say that?"

"The friendliest people are usually the most dangerous."

"Well make no mistake, Prime can more than hold his own in battle. I think I've only seen him really, truly angry once. It was not a pretty sight. Then again if somebody hurt my sparkmate, I'd go berserk too."

"Sparkmate? What's that?"

"A sparkmate is the one bot…or in some cases two, that is meant to spend the rest of their life with you. I think that the most similar thing that you humans have is marriage. Sparkmate's sparks have to call out to each other first, then when they are certain that the bot they have found truly is the one they are destined to be with, they…become sparkmates."

"Is there like a ceremony? Do people get to see it happen?"

"Primus no! When two bots become sparkmates they only tell the world after it is done, and when they are ready. Sure, the higher castes would have parties and even in some cases arrange the bonding of the two bots, sometimes arranging it after the sparkling was newly sparked. But…for a crowd to watch something so intimate, it's just not right. You wouldn't watch a couple bond, would you?"

"I don't think I understand. I think that marriage is probably way different from what bonding entails."

"What does your marriage intel?"

"Well…I guess a man and a woman, or in some cases, although I think they're rare, two people of the same sex decide that they really love each other, one proposes the marriage to the other, and then they have a ceremony where they become legally married to each other, and they kiss at the end of it and then there is usually a party with food and cake and stuff. I…I've only seen one from afar before…but I think that's usually what happens."

"Oh yeah, you humans don't have sparks like we do."

"Sparks?"

Sideswipe sighed as his holoform leaned back into his chair. This could be a long and depressing conversation. "Our sparks are our life sources. They are what make us unique as individuals."

"Your souls."

Sideswipe raised an eyebrow at her in confusion. "Our soul is what makes us as humans unique. When…when we die, our soul leaves our body."

"And they go?"

"Heaven. You were saying?"

She said as she swallowed thickly. Sideswipe got the memo. He didn't really wanna talk about the end of life either. "Our sparks are basically the same things as your souls. However, the cool thing with us is that we can put our sparks in another body if need be. And shouldn't you be eating?"

"I don't want to be rude. I wouldn't want someone eating and getting things all over the inside of me."

"Well, your tanks keep growling. We have enough credits for me to be cleaned a few more times if need be. So, eat please."

"Okay…you want a blueberry? It's not sentient."

Sideswipe shrugged as he took a few and ate them. "These are good."

"I know right? You were saying?"

"Right. We as a species transfer our sparks from frame to frame as we get older, or in the worst-case scenario, when we need a new frame."

"New frame? Wait wait wait…you guys don't grow?"

"Grow how?"

"Like you know…grow. Like get bigger? Undergo natural development by increasing in size and changing physically? The progress to maturity?"

"Sure, we do…in a way I guess. We just grow through upgrades and building new frames. But what I was saying was that if we need to be put in a new frame because we get too beat up, a medic can do that."

"Really?"

"Yeah! And I know the best medic in the universe. He could probably do it while recharging."

Sideswipe said chipperly. "Sideswipe, you can talk to your twin, again can't you?"

Sideswipe looked at her with surprise. "How did you know? I can feel his presence and some of his stronger emotions, but I can't hear him yet."

"You're happier than you were last night when we last spoke. It was the only logical explanation."

"You sound a lot like a bot I know."

"Not the first time I've heard that in the last 48 hours. You and your twin are special, aren't you?"

"Well…we are pretty fragging good at what we do. And we can't help but be insanely handsome. Yeah we're special."

Lilac rolled her eyes playfully as she began to open a bag of snickers. "I mean like with your sparks."

"Oh. Well yeah. We are."

He said quietly. "It's okay, you can tell me. Or not tell me, I mean it's not like it really matters."

"It does matter."

"How so?"

"Sunny and I are what are known as split spark twins."

He said looking over to Lilac who was quietly chewing. "That in simple terms means that we share a spark between two bodies."

"Interesting."

"Oh yeah. Sure, for you and everyone else it's interesting. Fascinating."

He said mockingly. "I sense some hostility."

"You're fragging right you do."

He growled angrily before he continued. "All we are to most of our race, before the war, and sometimes even now, are freaks."

"What makes you say that?"

"When you hear enough people say, "Oh wow twins! How strange!" or "Wow, look at those two!" or "How freaky is it to know what your sibling is feeling all the time?" you get a feeling for what you are."

"I don't think you're freaks."

"Of course not, you haven't met Sunny yet. You haven't seen one of our bad days, when we go berserk and can't be stopped by anything less than a stasis dart, or some mech bashing our helms in to get us to stop. Of course, to you we aren't freaks!"

He snarled. Lilac crossed her legs under her facing him directly before he continued. "All Sunny and I have ever been were freaks. Our creators, our parents were the only ones who didn't think that about us. But none of that mattered. Not with the war. Kaon was fragged up before the war, but when the Decepticons began to move in, things got worse."

He said tensing up with rage. Lilac didn't interrupt him, feeling as though he had to say what was on his mind. "It started with the bombings. Most of north Kaon was destroyed, but it didn't matter to us. Our Carrier and Sire still had good work, and we were financially stable for a while. Then one day, our sire simply disappeared. Sunny and I were still sparklings, but we knew that there was something wrong. He seemed to be coming home later and later, until one lunar cycle, he just didn't return. Our sparks didn't react until the beginning of the next solar cycle. His end of the bond just…snapped. It hurt more than any pain I've ever felt. Our Carrier fell to the floor when it happened. Sunny and I didn't figure out what had happened until a few vorns later. He was a merchant. A…a good mech…"

He said sadly. "Our Sire had been on his way home from work. He had made decent credits that day. Enough to pay the bills for a while, and get Sunny, Carrier and I treats. He had paid the bills before he started to walk home. Unfortunately, some wannabe Decepticons jumped him that night. They had been pressuring him at the docks for a long time to sell his wares only to the Decepticons, but my Sire didn't want to. He wanted to sell to everybody."

"What did he sell?"

"Sire sold lots of things. To both sides. Trinkets, precious metals for frame detailing, but the two things that he sold the most of, ironically, were the handmade blades, and homemade polish he used to make."

"How is that ironic?"

Sideswipe snorted but smiled as he did so at her question. "Sire didn't like the idea of fighting for no reason. If our Sire were to fight, there had to be a good reason or a worthy cause to make him fight. Sire also worked so hard that he often didn't polish himself. Heh, Carrier had to remind him to wash before he'd go to the docks, and sometimes when he came home too. He was always too busy working or playing with us to really notice or care that he wasn't shiny and clean."

"Oh."

She said seeing how happy and sad that the memory made him. She was about to stop him before he continued. "When he got jumped that lunar cycle…they told him that he should have done what they said. Our Sire was knocked out and drug to the Pits."

"The pits?"

"The Pits were a popular place in Kaon for Nobles and higher society bots to go and watch performances. Sometimes the Pits were used for concerts and parties. But the Pits were known for bots going to watch the middle and lower classes slaughter each other in blood sport."

He said darkly. Lilac gulped. "Our Sire wasn't given a weapon. He was given a dented shield and forced to fend for himself that night. The Decepticons didn't necessarily own the Pits, but they certainly had whoever did on their side. Some bots would sign up on their own to fight in the Pits for credits, while others were forced to fight as slaves. The Decepticons that ambushed him were paid for delivering him to the Pits, where my sire was slain in front of a cheering crowd."

He said angrily. Lilac sat silently staring at him in muted horror, not sure on how to respond. She sat there silently for five whole minutes before taking a deep breath and asking the single most uncomfortable question she could think to ask of the mech. "How do you know?"

Sideswipe glared at her, with a look that she was sure killed on a few occasions. "Sunny and I saw the footage of the fight vorns later."

"I- "

"After what happened, our Carrier moved us out of Kaon. She moved us closer to Iacon. We went to the academy, Sunny got into art, I took after Sire and began making blades, just for fun. And then…"

"Sideswipe. You don't have to tell me. I know it hurts."

"How could you possibly know how I feel?! You don't have a twin! You didn't have a war destroy your family or your home! You couldn't possibly understand how slaggy my life has been!"

"Oh yeah?"

"Yeah!"

"I suppose you're right. I've never lost a planet to war. I've never had a biological sibling to back me up, and wait for me and care for me, or love me enough to wonder if I'm okay. I've never had anyone in my corner, and the few who did stand up for me and cared about me either were taken away from me by force or betrayed me soon thereafter. Heh, hell! I have to live in total obscurity from the world! If I don't hide myself, I'll get caught and sent back to a family that not only hates me but will probably kill me at the first chance they get and make it look like an accident! I don't get to be comfortable! I have to live every moment I have in fear that today will be the day that somebody finds me and returns me for the damn reward money! I DON'T GET A HOME WITH A PICKET FENCE AND A DOG AND A MOMMY AND A DADDY! I DON'T GET A HAPPY BIRTHDAY, A MERRY CHRISTMAS, OR AN I LOVE YOU! THE ONLY THING THAT I GET TO FUCKING DO IS DIE ALONE!"

She shouted furiously. Sideswipe was surprised at her. He had never heard someone so young sound so…so bitter before. He noticed then how upset she was, how angry, sad, lonely and bitter she was. "You at least get to live your life. Your war is ending. You have a brother that is probably worried sick about you! I don't have any of that!"

She hissed furiously. "If and when you die, hundreds of thousands of years from now mind you, which is something that most humans myself included would wish for and envy you for, you will have someone to die with you! Your twin will meet you in the afterlife! I don't get that comfort! I get to die alone, either by, starving, freezing, or getting too dehydrated! Those are my options. And I have to get comfortable with that knowledge. So, don't you dare try and compare your tragedies with mine! Your life can and will get better. Mine won't."

She spat as she pulled her knees up to her chest. Sideswipe looked at her quietly. She had a point. Even when he eventually offlines and joins the matrix, Sunny would offline too. He'd never really been alone. He had his twin and their bond to keep him going no matter what. She didn't have anything close to that. She was alone.

"I'm sorry. For what I said."

"Everyone is sorry. But you don't have to be. You didn't do anything to me. Not that I'm aware. I just hate it when people feel like they're the only ones who have problems. Or that their problems are the worst in the world. You have to look on the brighter side of things, otherwise life is no longer worth living."

"I know. I'm the happy go lucky twin."

"Really?"

"Yeah."

He said as they drove on in silence. Neither Sideswipe nor Lilac said anything to each other for several miles. They just watched as the scenery rolled by alongside the highway they had gotten onto. Slowly but surely the traffic began to slow down until it barely crept along. Sideswipe growing slightly uncomfortably at being boxed in and at moving so slow began to cast his sensors out in front of him, curious as to what was causing the back up.

"C'mon!"

He moaned petulantly only to moan more when they barely moved forward. He didn't like being in one place. He didn't like being boxed in, he needed to move. "COME ON!"

He shouted angrily as he blared his horn. Lilac shot him an angry look. "Sideswipe, you don't know what's going on up there."

"People are moving too slow! That's what's going on!"

"Sideswipe- "

She said sternly as the traffic at last began to move. "Finally!"

"It's barely been five minutes."

She said as they began to pick up speed. Sideswipe snorted arrogantly as they passed the first police car. Sideswipe's sensors slowly began to pick up what each of the vehicle were. Police cars, and ambulances partially blocked off a crumpled-up motorcycle and a black tarp that covered a human sized mass. The road was stained red and was studded with little pink and white bits. Looking over to his passenger seat as they passed by the scene he saw his guide shake her head before looking down at her hands. Slowly he began to put the pieces together as they passed the bloody helmet. Someone had died.

Sideswipe felt awful. Here he was complaining about the slow traffic, when there was a truly dire reason for it to be moving slow.

"I'm sorry."

"Why are you sorry?"

"I didn't mean to pry into your life."

"It's okay…you didn't know. It's not something that Sunny and I talk about a lot. But I'm confused about something."

"What?"

"How did you know that Sunny would die if I die."

Lilac sighed as she readjusted herself in her seat. She handed Sideswipe one of the fun sized candy bars before speaking. "I drew the conclusion from what you've said about your race. How your sparks are your life forces, what sparkmates are…the fact that you share one essence between two bodies. It was a lucky guess, and it was one that I shouldn't have made. I'm sorry."

"Don't be. I probably needed to hear it. You're right. My life has been…I don't even know what to say, but to assume that I'm worse off than everyone else…just isn't fair."

"No, it's fair. I mean…you lost a planet. When comparing tragedies, you win. Besides, most people do that. It's part of what makes us unique I suppose."

"If you say so. But if it's all the same, I think that you should know the rest of the story."

"Sideswipe, you don't have to tell me if you don't want to."

"Yeah but that's just it. I want to tell you. It's not like Sunny and I talk about it, and the rest of the bots probably don't know."

"So, you think I should? Not that I don't want to know, but what makes me so special?"

"You care. You don't think that Sunny and I are freaks. You're my best friend."

He said looking at her with sad eyes and the smallest smile that Lilac had ever seen. "And what you just gave me tastes really good."

Lilac smiled as she handed him another one. "I'm glad you like it. It's not sentient. And it is referred to as candy or more specifically chocolate."

"Kay."

He said as he put the whole bar in his mouth before he took a handful of candy out of the bag. Lilac smiled at this laughing at the grin that came to his features.

"At any rate, Sunny and I went to the academy in Iacon as the war began to really pick up. About a vorn after we were in our second frames is when the Decepticons bombed the small area outside of Iacon where we lived. Our Carrier died in the bombing, and Sunny and I didn't handle it well. We got kicked out of the academy, for a number of reasons, and had to live on the streets. Half a vorn later, somebody took us in, and told us that they would care for us, only for them to turn around and sell us to the Pits. That's where we saw the footage of our Sire, and what remained of him. One of our opponents kept his arm as a trophy. They also found a way to rob his subspace, taking the remaining blades that my sire didn't sell that day."

"What happened?"

"We beat him. He was our last opponent that we faced in the Pit. The Autobots did a raid on the Pits, and we were saved. At the time we were closer to your age maturity. Maybe something like twelve earth years old?"

"Oh man. I'm so sorry. You guys must mature really really slowly."

"And what is that supposed to mean? I'll have you know that I am quite mature for my age!"

He said in a playfully snooty voice. Lilac laughed shaking her head, happy to move on from such a dark topic. She was also happy to know she had a friend.

XXXXX

"I am really beginning to hate the media."

Will said as he rubbed his eyes wearily. When they had arrived, they had cordoned off the area where Sideswipe was attacked and were trying to investigate, but the media as well as the police and any moron with a camera were crawling all over the area making it hard for them to figure out what happened. Unfortunately, Will had to use the big guns. He had to get the S7 agents to scare the people and the police away. He wanted nothing to do with the agents of Sector Seven, especially since the secret agency was scheduled to be disbanded in the oncoming weeks but given that they still existed and were by a small technicality under his command, Will thought that he might as well use them.

Two hours later, the area was devoid of people for miles around. "I know what you mean."

Epps said as he surveyed the area. The two men stood back as the Autobots worked the scene with the efficiency of the world's best crime scene investigation team. No rock, pebble or bolder went unchecked, no drop of energon untested, no broken branch unscrutinized. While Ratchet, and Optimus search the scene, Sunstreaker and Ironhide followed the trail of energon drops away from the scene. "So, do you guys know what happened?" Will asked curiously. Ratchet shook his helm positively. "Sideswipe was attacked here. His energon, as well as a known Decepticon's is more than present here."

"As is a familiar print."

Optimus added, as they walked over. Sure, enough at the base of a tree that had been near cleanly broken in half was the familiar imprint of a converse shoe. "He has someone with him?" Will asked curiously. "The same someone who made first contact with him I presume." Optimus said.

"Hmm. This someone has left us a sample of their DNA."

Ratchet said as he pulled a few of the dangling strands of hair out of the tree Lilac had been hiding in. "Maybe we can use it to see what we're dealing with."

Will said as he walked back to the road where Ironhide and Sunstreaker were driving up. Once they transformed it was plain to see that Sunstreaker found something amusing. Though what he was unsure of. "Ironhide, Sunstreaker, report."

"We followed the trail to an old closed up garage about twelve miles from here."

"Was there any sign of Sideswipe there?"

"Plenty of energon stains on the floor and some tools. But the pit spawn isn't there."

Ironhide said while giving Sunstreaker an angry glare. "Would've been back sooner if this aft had helped me."

"I did help you Ironaft. I picked up today's paper."

He said with a smirk as he showed everyone the front-page headline. "UFOs over your town?" Optimus read in confusion as both Will and Epps groaned. Somebody had burned through several acres of corn to create crop circles.

"What does this have to do with Sideswipe?!" Ratchet grumbled irritably. "None of those symbols look familiar to you?"

Sunstreaker asked in a near borderline cheeky tone. Whatever it was, he found it funny.

All three of the mechs leaned forward to read the page and groaned softly, before Sunstreaker began to snicker, and as both Ironhide and Ratchet fought off a few small chuckles knowing that the situation wasn't really a laughing matter. "What's it say big guy?" Epps asked curiously.

"It says many things Sergeant." Optimus said as he shook his helm, trying not to find what his frontliner wrote to be amusing.

"I'll read it." Sunstreaker said before reading some of the symbols out loud. "Sideswipe was here. Humans are corny. The king of pranks has arrived. Kicked Decepticon aft, have a femme squishy guide. Heading to base.

"Well at least we know the gender of who he has with him."

Will sighed tiredly. "He…won't hurt her will he?"

"No. Sideswipe might be reckless, but he would never harm a human."

Optimus said. "He's going to the base. We should meet him there."

Sunstreaker said. "He's right. If that Pit spawn is injured, we need to be back at the base to help. Not only that, but it will also give me the proper facilities to analyze who his guide is." Ratchet said as he began to walk back to the road. With a respectful nod, Optimus agreed before they transformed and began to make their way back to the base where they flew in.

XXXXX

Sideswipe and Lilac were making great time. They hadn't had the need to stop aside from Lilac needing to use the bathroom. They had just made their way out of Wyoming and into a small town in Utah when Lilac asked Sideswipe to stop. "Seriously? Bathroom again?! This is the second time we've stopped for that!"

"Listen, when you get a bladder, then you can dictate how often a human can to go to the bathroom okay?"

"Fine! But I'm listening to rock'n'roll until you get back!"

"I don't mind that. I like rock!"

She shot back playfully. While they were cruising along, Sideswipe was finally able to gain access to the local radio stations. She had shown him rock'n'roll, pop, hip hop, country, and classical music stations. Sideswipe liked all the different types of music, but he really liked the instruments used in rock. While he was flipping through all the channels he couldn't help but be reminded of and talk about Jazz. It was near impossible for him not to talk about the musician turned saboteur when it came to music!

It was also a part of Sideswipe's secret plot to get her to stay with them at the base. After all, Lilac wouldn't be able to claim that she didn't know anyone if he told her about his teammates before she met them. He had already told her about Optimus and Jazz, he mentioned Ratchet, but would have to go into greater detail…

"LET ME GO! LE- MMMMPPPPPHHHHH!"

Sideswipe turned his holoform around, only to see two girls get dragged into a white van near an alley across the street, before the van sped off with a squeal of its tires. Lilac came jogging out with a concerned look on her face and was about to say something to him when a little girl, no older than maybe six ran into her crying and shaking with fear!

"Miss! Miss! Please help me! Please don't let the bad men take me!"

She wailed. Lilac looked around before she moved Sideswipe's seat forward and guided the child into the car. "Sides, I need you to follow that van at a good distance. And be subtle."

She said as she hopped into him and put her seatbelt on. "Sweetheart, I need you to calm down. What is your name?" She asked as she turned around to look at the child. "S…S…Sadie."

"Sadie, my name is Lilac, and this is my friend Sides. We're not going to hurt you okay?"

"Please, you have to help them!"

"Them? Who is them?"

Sideswipe asked as he continued to follow the van. "My friends! They're my big sisters! And those men just took them!"

"Okay, okay, calm down. What happened?"

Lilac asked as the girl leaned forward between the seats. "Me and Ro and Mari and Leslie are trying to get to Arizona, cause Mari's grandma is going to take care of us. But then these bad men started to follow us, and then they just took them!"

"How long were they following you?"

Sideswipe asked as they slowly began to drive into a fairly abandoned looking warehouse district. "They've been following us for I think 2 days now. I can't loose them…they're all I got…"

She whimpered as more tears began to roll down her cheeks. Lilac grabbed her hand and squoze it gently before she noticed the light pink bandana around her neck. "You know Maria Ortega?"

"You know Mari?"

Sadie gasped in surprise. "Lilac you know who she's talking about?"

"Yeah. She's an old friend of mine. I haven't seen her in years."

She half whispered as Sideswipe came to a stop outside of the warehouse where the van, two others and an old school bus was parked. "We gotta get them out of there." Lilac said looking at the building. "Why would those men take them?"

Sideswipe asked as his sensors looked inside the building. "I think I know why. But I seriously don't like the reason. Stay here."

"Where the frag do you think you're going?!"

"To look through one of the windows. I'll be right back!"

Lilac snarled as she opened the door and snuck up to the building. She heard voices before she got to the dirty broken window. "SHUT UP! SHUT THE FUCK UP OR I WILL GIVE YOU ALL A REALLY DAMN GOOD REASON TO CRY!"

Lilac winced at the tone as she stealthily peered through the window. What she saw confirmed her fears. Girls from ages 4 to 28 were kept in cages and handcuffed to metal pipes coming out of the walls. A furnace was turned on and long rods of metal were sticking out of it. As Lilac scanned the room she counted 18 girls, including her friend Maria who was in a cage with a few others next to a table where a bald man sat counting money. Lilac re-scanned the room and counted twelve armed men, including the one counting the money. Just as she was about to sneak away, she heard one of the men snap at one of the girls again, before he opened the cage she was in, and slapped her. He then drug her out of the cage and chained her to a pipe. "You wanna cry? I'll give you a damn good reason to cry! Ay! Get Lucas on the phone and tell him we're delivering his bitches to him tonight! Fernando, heat that fire up! It's time to brand the merchandise." He said coldly as he grabbed the girl's face in one hand. "And since you can't listen, you're going first."

That was enough for Lilac! She crept away from the window quickly, but not before picking up some old handheld bolt cutters she found under a wood plank near her foot.

"What did you see?"

"Sides, it's not good. They're sex traffickers. We have to get them out now."

"And how exactly do you think we'll do that?"

He asked. He wasn't sure what a sex trafficker was but from how his guide was speaking it couldn't be good. Not only that but, his communications were still down, and Lilac didn't have one of those personal communications devices like the male organics in the building had!

"We could use a payphone! Or maybe someone could lend us theirs until-"

"There's no time for that! They are going to brand them soon, and by the time we get back from finding a phone, they may already be gone."

Lilac said as she pulled her hair up into a high pony tail. "Worse still, even if we do get the cops to get here before they leave, the sirens will make the bad guys nervous, and they'll try to run, or worse, they may hurt or kill the girls." She said gravely as she took her Swiss Army Knife out of her backpack. "So, what do we do?"

Sadie asked tearfully. Lilac looked at Sideswipe with a determined glare. "Lilac… I'm not- "

"Who said anything about you? You stay here and take care of Sadie. Make sure that none of those goons leave before I can call the cops."

"But you don't have a phone!"

Sideswipe said annoyed and not liking where his friend was going with her idea.

"I don't have a phone…but they do."

"Pit no! I am not about to let you go in there! What if you get hurt?! What if they capture you?!"

"We don't have a choice Sides!"

"Uh, yeah we do! It's called- "

He trailed off as he saw the heartbroken look on Sadie's face. "I have to try Sides. For her sake and for Maria. I owe Maria a lot, and I can't let something like this happen to her." She said as she gestured with her head over to Sadie. "Can I talk to you outside?"

Sideswipe asked as they both left his interior.

"WAIT!"

Sadie cried. The two looked back at her with worry before they checked their surroundings. "Yes?"

"Take this with you. For good luck, and to cover your face so they won't know who you are."

She said as she handed Lilac her pink bandana. With a nod and a quiet thank you, Lilac closed the door. "Okay, you do know how fragging dangerous and stupid this is right? RIGHT?!"

"Like you can talk! After some of the stories you told me-!"

"This isn't about me! This is about you! And news flash human, I'm considerably larger, and more heavily armed than you!"

He hissed quietly as he looked at the building she wanted to storm. "Never underestimate a homeless person, let alone a Hobo."

"What the pit is the difference?! Lilac, you can't go in there!"

"I can and I will. I already have a plan."

"What plan?! How could already have a plan?! THEY HAVE GUNS AND YOU HAVE A TINY BLADE AND SOME BOLT CUTTERS!"

Sideswipe whispered-yelled while making wild arm gestures. "Do you trust me?"

Sideswipe looked at her dumbfounded before answering. "Yes, I trust you…but-!"

"Then have a little faith in me that I know what I'm about to do. Sideswipe, you can't stop me from doing this, I get that you're scared and worried for me, and believe me, I am too…but for her sake" Lilac said looking back at Sadie how was watching them with anxiety. "It's not only worth the risk it's a necessary one. If she is right and knowing how Maria is, she is, then by me not going in there and saving those girls, I would be taking that poor girl's only hope at a home off of the streets and the only family she has away from her. I can't do that Sideswipe."

Lilac said with grit. Sideswipe was both amazed and impressed by his guide. The quiet, and timid femme he had met four days ago was standing before him ready to kick some aft and save her friend, even though the odds were not in her favor. "Sometimes a girl's got to do what a girl's got to do." She said while looking at the building. "This is one of those times."

"Alright."

Sideswipe said sounding resigned. "You go in there and kick some aft. I'll be watching with my sensors, and if they capture you, which you better make sure they don't, or hurt you and again, you better make sure they don't, I will not hesitate to bring that fragging building down to rescue you and the other femmes. Got it?"

"Yes."

"Good. Now be careful."

"I will. I'll come get you guys when I'm done."

She said as she jogged off toward the building. She had found the door when she had first crept up to the building. While hiding in the shade and in the blind spot of the windows, she put the bandana over her face and put her pink baseball cap on before she snuck around the corner and into the building. Luckily for her there were some large metal drums and crates by the door that she could hide behind. Lilac swallowed her fear and crept behind the crates up to the first girl, the one who was to be branded first and hissed to get her attention. Thankfully the thugs were playing loud music, so much of her louder movements and sounds were muffled a great deal, but she still had to be careful. The girl, who looked to be about 16 looked down at her with fear filled teary eyes. Lilac made a shushing motion with her fingers. "I am going to cut the chain and set you free. Stay put so they don't know I'm here!" She hissed right before she cut the chain and ducked back down. The girl did as she was told, and Lilac silently thanked her as she moved onto a group of girls chained to the wall. She had only cut through two of their chains when one of the men saw her. He had his gun trained on her, and was about to shoot, when the 16-year-old she had freed attacked him from behind. At that point, all hell broke loose as the men began to rush them and as Lilac cut the last two chains before handing the bolt cutters off to one of the youngest girls in the room, a 9-year-old who kicked the immediate threat in front of her in the crotch before running off and freeing more girls. Lilac exploded, dodging punches and wriggling out of people's grasp as she tried to get to the other side of the room where the cages were. She yelped as she heard and felt a bullet fly past her head. Lilac paused in shock only to be grabbed from behind by a much larger man. With a savage snarl, she stomped on the man's foot and elbowed him in his gut before opening wide and biting down hard on his arm.

Sideswipe heard the shot and was immediately driving towards the building, preparing his systems to transform as soon as Sadie was out of him, what stopped him was what his sensors saw and the gruff scream he heard. His guide had bitten a man and drawn blood. She did this before she spun around in his grasp and kicked him in his groin, a place that Sideswipe knew to be extremely sensitive on both humans and Cybertronians. He watched in awe as his guide slid under the older male organics and as she threw quick jabs and punches that had the males groaning out in pain when struck. However, they eventually cornered her against a wall, growling murderously. But before Sideswipe could act, he saw most of the freed femmes come to her aid, some brandishing shovels, others hot pieces of metal that they immediately pressed into the males who yowled with pain at first contact with the branding irons. The brawl continued for a few minutes more, before Lilac and the other femmes finally over powered the men and corralled them into one of the cages without their weapons. However, one of the males hadn't been captured, and was sneaking up on Lilac, who swiftly turned around and swung the shovel that was in her hands up high near the man's face. The man ducked laughing at her, until Lilac allowed the momentum of her swing to spin her around quickly, landing a solid smack on the opposite side of the man's head, knocking him out.

Sideswipe was stunned. "Okay…Listen up! We need to get out of here! I am going to call the cops, but before they get here I am leaving. If you were kidnapped, or if you want to talk to the cops, you can stay here. Personally, I think that it would be best to go to the station and make a statement so that your captors can't try to dupe the police, but it's up to you! Anyone who is homeless, or does not want to talk to the cops, is more than welcome to leave before they get here!"

She shouted before going over to the cage with Maria in it and letting her out. "Uhhh…thanks."

"Don't mention it! You ready to go?"

"Listen, I don't know who you are, and while I appreciate the assist…"

She trailed off as Lilac dialed 911. One of the women, a 28-year-old from the cage Maria and her friends were in took the phone Lilac held out to her and began speaking to the police.

"I'll stay behind, get the other girls and yourselves out of here and to a police station!" She mouthed as she continued to speak to the police. Maria looked to Lilac skeptically before she darted over to a table and took several sets of keys off the table. "Alright! Listen up, my friend Rochelle here is going to drive the bus. Since there is a lot of us I think it would be good if we all took one vehicle, but my friends and I are not going to go to the police…not just yet, we need to get to family in another state, but we will make a statement when we get there. So, we're gonna split ways and we need someone to drive the bus the rest of the way. Cool?"

There were a chorus of positive responses before they all made a break for the doors.

XXXXX

Sideswipe was surprised. He never knew that his guide could do what she had. She was so timid and meek…for her to take charge and lead a rescue was impressive! "I can't believe she did that!"

Sideswipe said as he drove after the bus that contained his friend and the other femmes. "Me either! I hope that when I grow up I can be brave just like her! And like Mari, Ro and Leslie too!"

She said as Sideswipe began to listen in to the conversations on the bus while also looking inside with his sensors. "Okay, seriously…who are you and why did you risk your life for ours? Not that I'm ungrateful."

Leslie asked. "Yeah, we don't even know you and you just came in and kicked ass!"

"You know me…you just don't recognize me."

Lilac said in a gentle yet happy cheeky tone. Maria looked closer at her and Lilac smirked under the bandana she was wearing. "Lye?"

"At your service!"

She said playfully as she removed her hat and preformed a low sweeping bow. "Lye lye?"

"In the flesh!"

"Androm?"

"That's my middle name, don't wear it out!"

"Lilac?!"

"Enough Mar! It's really me!"

She laughed as she took off the bandana. "Oh my God it really is you!"

She yelled in a relieved tone as she hugged her tight. "Good to see you again Maria."

"Same! Although I wish it were under better circumstances!"

"Oh, you're telling me? What in the world happened back there? What happened to being observing!"

"Don't you think we were?! We've been running from those slime balls for the last two days!"

"Oh, holy shit. Mari! We left Sadie behind!"

"And furthermore there's a car that's been following us since we left the warehouse!"

Leslie and Ro said in a panic.

"Oh, don't worry about him."

Lilac said casually as she stretched.

"Him?"

All three of them said in confused unison. "Yeah…he's a friend of mine. Sadie's with him right now."

All three girls looked at her in alarm. "Who is this guy?!"

Lilac sighed through her nose. "He's a decent guy from the military- "

"MILITARY?!"

"Will you please let me get a word in edgewise!"

Lilac snapped at the three. "Look it's a long story, and I'll tell you everything, but Maria you have to tell me yours first."

Lilac said in a stern tone.

Maria sighed heavily. "You remember all that court stuff with my mom? And my Grandma?"

"Yeah."

"Yeah well…my mom's dealer sent those goons after me. He wasn't lying when he told me that he had connections a couple of years ago."

"What about your mom?"

"She died a year and a half ago. And she had a lot of unpaid debts…to a lot of people. A lot of people who either would be satisfied if I fried like her or would be satisfied if I worked off the debt."

"Dealing or…"

"Both."

She said with a grim and weary sigh. "I called my Grandma after I found out she died. We both thought that she could get custody now…but the dealer used his connections, and we've been running ever since. My Grandma and I have been talking on and off when we can, and I came up with a plan. It's gonna be hard enough for her to get custody of me because of the legal system, but with those creeps chasing us…it means that I can't stay in one place, and I'm pretty sure that the cops might not be as helpful as they think." She sighed. "Not only that, but I can't leave Rochelle, Leslie, and Sadie. We're a family. Those creeps know that, and I'd never be able to live with myself if something happened to them because of me."

"So, her grandma is taking us all in."

"Really?"

"Yeah. I told her that I had two friends with me, and then three in December when we met Sadie." Maria said as the bus came to a stop. One of the teenagers from the back of the bus came up to the front and took Leslie's seat at the steering wheel.

The girls said their goodbyes to each other and their well wishes for the future before Rochelle, Leslie, Maria and Lilac got off the bus with their things. The four watched as the bus containing the rest of the girls turned down the road up ahead and towards another part of town. Lilac was only worried for a moment before she saw the sign on the side of the road that directed people towards the Sheriff's office. "Think they'll be okay?"

Leslie asked as they watched them go. "They'll be just fine. You know assuming the Sheriff isn't corrupt." Rochelle said with a scowl.

"Ah, I met her at the gas station a few hours back. She seems nice enough. Heh, better than most cops I've encountered."

Lilac said ruefully as Sideswipe drove up. Before any of the girls could say anything, Sadie jumped out and ran to them as fast as she could. "SADIE!"

Maria and the others cried as they wrapped her in a hug. "I was so worried about you guys! And then the bad guys almost got me! And then-!"

"Shh, shhh, shhh. We've got you. It's okay. It's okay. We've got you."

Rochelle said softly as she cradled Sadie to her. "Todo está bien cariño. No tengas miedo. Nosotros te protegeremos."

Maria soothed as she gently held Sadie's head as she cried. Sideswipe mentally translated the words and was touched by what she said. "Everything is okay sweetie. Don't be afraid. We'll protect you." Sideswipe looked at the girls in amazement, before looking at his own guide. She was smiling, and she was crying too. They were showing so much concern, so much care…so much love, that it truly amazed Sideswipe. Here were these five girls, who as far as he could tell were not related but cared for each other so much that they would risk their very lives for each other.

"Now that's camaraderie."

He said, getting the attention of all the girls. "Who the fuck is he?"

Leslie said blankly as they stared at him. "Guys… this is Sideswipe…my friend."

"He kept me in the car while she saved you!"

Sadie said chipperly. "He stayed in the car?"

"For the record, I wanted to storm the building so that Lilac could be safe…but she's stubborn."

He said with a roll of his holoform's eyes. "Yeah she can be a bit stubborn."

Rochelle said as she ruffled Lilac's hair. "Yeah well only when I'm protecting people I care about. And none of you can really talk! Especially you Sides!"

"So…Sideswipe. How do you know Lilac?" Maria asked skeptically.

"I was going to ask you the same question." Sideswipe said equally as suspiciously.

"Why don't I save us all the trouble and explain how you both know me hmm? That way we can all become friends and stop staring at each other like we're about to get into a Mexican standoff?"

Lilac said dryly as everyone stared at her. "I resent that comment." Maria said in an equally as dry but slightly playful tone. "After today and what happened in that warehouse, I think you resemble it. And then there was that one time a few years ago when…"

"Lilac!"

Maria said in a stern tone that made Lilac smirk. "Anywhoo…Sideswipe, Maria, Leslie, and Rochelle and I know each other because of where we used to live."
"Outside?"

"Kinda. We met Lilac when she was a part of the Lost Boys. Back then we were all staying in an old run-down train tunnel system. It was where old trains went to get turned around and re-routed but when the county built a new track a couple miles southeast, they shut those particular tunnels down."

Maria said.

"The tunnels were kinda like middle ground for all of us Hobos. We came together there to sell things, hang out, hear news about the various communities and do a bunch of other stuff." Lilac said with a sigh. "Maria actually wanted me to join her group."

"Why?"

"Because the group she was with was all male. With us she'd at least have people who get her."

Sideswipe wasn't sure what she meant, but he nodded his head anyway. "Maria, Ro, and Leslie are like the big sisters I've never had. And so, when I saw Sadie wearing their bandana…"

"You knew it was us and wanted to save us."

Leslie said with a smile. "Of course! I could never let something like that happen to you guys, or to Sadie!"

"Is the bandana special or something? How did you know it was them?"

Sideswipe said in confusion. Maria, Leslie, and Rochelle each pointed to a bandana on their person, Maria's was in her hair, Rochelle's was folded nicely and tied around her neck in a choker style, and Leslie's was folded nicely and tied around her wrist. "Our pink bandana is like our calling card. It's our group signature."

Leslie said. "Not all groups have one, but we have one for identification reasons."

Rochelle said. "But why?"

"Sideswipe, there are a lot of groups of homeless people out there. A lot of groups of kids like us, Hobos. Each group is different. Some groups are only male, some only female, like Maria's and some mixed like…like my old group."

"And each group is close knit. Our bandana's help us find each other in a crowd, but they also give us something else, something decidedly happy to have in common aside from being homeless."

Rochelle said.

"Our bandanas connect us because we're a family. We may not have the same genetics, and we may not look the same, but that doesn't mean that we still can't be a family. The bandanas are like a family crest, or like a resemblance of sorts so that people know that we are together."

Maria said with a nod and a small smile. "Now that you've asked all the questions, I think it's time that we ask you some questions."

Maria said as she eyed Sideswipe suspiciously. "I met Sideswipe in Kentucky. He made his commander, his friends and his twin brother a bet that he could navigate his way to their base in Nevada without the help of a GPS when he got back to the U.S."

"And?"

"He got horribly lost. I found him trying to get a vantage point in Kentucky. We kinda bumped into each other. He saved me from the cops, and I decided to get him to Nevada to win his bet."

"How? He can't have any help!"

"No…I can't use a GPS…Nobody said anything about having a personal navigator."

"You're in the military, and you can't read a map?"

"Yeah…that seems kinda odd to me."

Leslie and Rochelle said suspiciously. "We don't use maps like we used to. Not exactly. We're using more and more technology, and I was trained to use it. Maps were never my strong suit."

"Uh huh."

All three of the girls said in a dry tone before they looked at Lilac. "Can we steal her? For like an hour or two?"

Maria said skeptically. "I won't be long Sides. Meet us at the train station say at 2:30?"

"And where are you going?"

"The library."

They said in unison before they pulled Lilac along.

XXXXX

Maria, Leslie, Sadie and Rochelle walked Lilac to the library, where they then sat down at the computers. "Do you have any idea just how shady he sounds?"

Rochelle said angrily. "Guys,"

"No Lilac! Rochelle is right! You just 'found' him in Kentucky?! What are the odds of that?!"

Leslie hissed quietly as she logged onto her computer. "Not only that, but he's military! You know that they have to follow orders!"

"So, what?"

"So! So Lilac, what if he just keeps driving? What if he takes you onto his base! You know everybody is gonna wonder why he has you with him!"

Maria whispered angrily. "I'm not gonna let that happen! I already told him that we're parting ways when we get into a city in Nevada. Trust me, that is the last thing I want!"

She said while logging on to her computer. It's not like Lilac really wanted to leave him…she truly thought of Sideswipe as a friend. But she had no choice. Getting that close to a military base, with all their rules and regulations…it made her skin crawl! Going somewhere with so many rules like that was bad for her wellbeing. She knew what they would do to her. They could send her back to foster care, or worse back to where she came from. And she definitely didn't want that! "Lilac."

"Yeah?"

"Has he…done anything to you?"

"No! Of course not! Geeze!"

Lilac whispered in outrage.

"Are you sure?"

"Positive! You know I'm a light sleeper."

Lilac said with a soft laugh. "He really is a good guy!" She said as finished searching the distance between Nevada and the Redwood national forest. She'd always wanted to see those big Redwood trees in person. And that's what she was going to do.

"Are you sure he's a good guy?"

"Yeah. He's taken better care of me than the majority of adults I've encountered."

"And that makes him a good person?"

"Given the fact that he promised not to tell anyone about me? Yeah, I'd say so."

She said with a snort. All three of the older girls looked at her with a skeptical look. "Uh huh."

"Sure."

"Okay…"

"Guys-!"

Lilac whispered in a chiding tone. Maria sighed heavily. "You got a plan for if your plan goes south?"

Lilac thought for a moment. She hadn't gotten that far yet…" Well, no."

"Ughh!"

"But there isn't a place on this planet that can contain me for long. We all know that!"

She said with a small smile. All three of the older girls rolled their eyes good naturedly. "Okay Lye. Just be careful!"

Leslie said softly. "Yeah and remember what My Chemical Romance said."

"And Sum41."

"And Good Charlotte."

"Yeah, yeah I know. I'm not gonna let someone make me conform to societies rules. I'm not changing for anyone anytime soon."

"Good! Now give me your email so we can keep in touch!"

Maria said. "Yeah and mount a rescue if we need to!"

Rochelle laughed softly as they leaned over to her computer. "I don't have an email. I live out in the wild remember?"

"So? We'll make you one."

Leslie said as she stole Lilac's keyboard. "Yeah! Just because you live out in the wild doesn't mean that you don't still go to libraries!" Rochelle said as they began to make her a Gmail account. "You okay with the email lilacandrom23 ?" Maria asked with a smile. "So long as no one can figure out that it's me and turn me in, sure!" Lilac said with a snort.

"Well, there are a lot of Lilacs in the world. So, you should be safe. Just try and lay low okay?"

Maria said again as they finished the process. "Laying low is all I do. Now email me so I have your contact info!"

Lilac said as she began to fiddle with the background of her email. Once Maria had sent Lilac an email, the girls printed out their maps, and logged off their computers. They then proceeded to pick out some books for themselves to read before Lilac had to be back. Though they didn't read much. They spent the remainder of their time together talking and catching up on each other's lives. Lilac learned that they had found Sadie back in December when they were passing through a town and that she had been abandoned recently by her mother. She also learned that Leslie's dad had been attacked and was sadly killed in prison, and that Rochelle planned on getting a job when they got to Arizona so that she could eventually afford a lawyer and gain access to her mother's estate, seeing as her step-father had seen it fit to kick her out after her death back when she was 12. Lilac laughed to herself internally. Here she was two and a half years after having last seen her friends and they seemed to pick up right where they left off as if no time had passed. In reality, they were all getting older, and times seemed to be getting harder for all of them, but they were still happy with their lives.

"So Ro, have you had someone drill your mom's safety deposit box yet?"

Lilac asked as she put their books away. "No. Should I?"

"Yeah. If your mom left a Will, then it might be in there. Or a copy of it could be in there."

"I dunno. I mean…I know I'm supposed to have a trust fund and all, but I don't know if that bastard has spent it all." She growled. "It's worth a shot. Might be cheaper than a lawyer right now too. Just check the laws, and stuff if and when you look into it."

Lilac said casually as they walked out of the building. "You been reading law again Lye?"

"All the time. Hey, when you're a known criminal, you have to find a way to get the law on your side somehow."

She shrugged. "What about you Mari? Aren't you supposed to be planning some Quinceañera or something?"

"Oh, I don't know. I mean I'm 15 and a half…"

"Give or take."

All five girls said out loud in unison before laughing at their coincidence. "But seriously?"

"I don't know. My Abuela is no doubt going to throw us a welcome home party."

"You should ditch the military dude and come with!"

"Yeah Lye lye, it'd be loads of fun if you came with!"

Rochelle and Leslie said as they gently nudged her. "Guys…."

"It would be neat if you came with us Lilac! Mari says her grandma is gonna make us a feast!"

"A feast huh?"

"Yeah!"

Sadie said with excitement! "And what will be at this feast?" Lilac asked, more to keep Sadie busy than anything else. Maria, Rochelle, and Leslie looked at each other conspiratorially. Lilac was as thin as could be! Surely a nice hot meal would sound good to her!

"Well…you know Lye…. enchiladas, menudo, pastel azteca, sopes, taco al pastor, Arroz a la tumbada…"

Maria said casually, while winking at Rochelle and Leslie. "And that's just the first part right Mar Mar?"

Rochelle asked innocently. They were trying to bribe Lilac with food, in hopes that she would leave her current ride and go with them instead. "Oh yeah! Abuela loves to cook! And she loves to make sweets too."

"Really?"

Lilac and Sadie said in unison. While Sadie sounded more excited and hopeful, Lilac sounded very wistful as she forcefully swallowed her building anticipatory saliva as discreetly as she could.

"Oh yes. I bet Abuela is making flan..."

"Mmmmm!"

Leslie and Rochelle hummed together at the sound of the yummy custard. "Yeah…and she's probably making my favorite… pastel de tres leches, or three milk cake."

"That sounds really yummy!"

Sadie moaned as her stomach growled. Lilac was thinking the same thing. Maria had made a modified version of the cake for her once not too long after they first met, and she hadn't had it since. Maria and the others smirked to themselves. They knew that Lilac loved sweets. Her sweet tooth was legendary, especially since she could be bribed with a simple bag of candy whenever a mundane task needed to be done. They secretly hoped that she would come with them just because of the cake. "It is Sadie. It really really is!"

Lilac said jovially as they continued to walk quickly to their destination. "And to wash it all down, Abuela is probably making Agua de Jamaica, hibiscus punch."

"I thought that was a tea?"

"Not the way she makes it! It's almost like a fruit punch, but with flowers!"

"Man, that sounds so good!"

Leslie moaned as her stomach growled. The girls had reached the padlocked fence and tossed their gear over before they began to climb over themselves. With soft grunts of effort, all five girls landed safely on the other side where they gathered their things and began to walk towards the trains.

XXXXX

["WHERE THE FRAG ARE YOU?!"]

["Sunny- "]

[WHERE. THE FRAG. ARE YOU SIDESWIPE?!"]

Sideswipe mentally rolled his optics as his twin continued to snarl and growl at him from across their bond. The signal had strengthened earlier that morning, allowing the two to really feel the other, and to talk to each other.

["Look. We're close okay?"]

["How far is close you fragger?!"]

Sideswipe snorted in annoyance before answering.

["We're in Utah okay? Now will you- "]

["We? Who is this 'we'?!"]

['A femme I met the night we made planet fall. She's helping me get to Nevada."]

["You're letting a slagging  organic  give  you  directions?!"]

["Given that my communication links, and GPS are down it's not like I have a choice. Can't even access their world wide web. All I can access are radio waves and you."]

["Then get rid of her! I can guide you the rest of the way!"]

["Oh really? Less than a klick ago you were asking me where I am. Meaning my location beacon isn't working either."]

Sideswipe said dryly. All he got as a response was more yelling, swearing and flashes of anger over his bond.

["Look. We'll be there in a solar cycle at most okay?"]

["No."]

["Not like you have a choice Sunny."]

Sunstreaker growled in annoyance before giving off an irritated vent.

["What are you gonna do with the squishy when you get here? Optimus said they are not pets."]

["That is for me to know, and for you to learn tomorrow brother dearest!"]

Sideswipe said chipperly. Truthfully, he did not have a solid plan for what he was going to do with Lilac when they arrived. He planned on convincing her that she should stay on the base, make her home there instead of wherever she fell asleep. He'd even be willing to share quarters with her as a friend. Bumblebee was ready for guardianship of his human, but Sideswipe didn't really want the responsibility of taking care of her. Not like that at least. He liked the idea of keeping her around as a friend. Protecting her as a friend. Making sure that she was safe from whatever has been secretly bothering her…as a friend.

["Don't fragging call me that!"]

["Whatever! I gotta go. She's back, and we're leaving soon! Don't tell the others about her yet okay?"]

["Why?"]

["Picture the looks on all of their faces when they see her! It'll be hilarious for them to see someone like her with someone like me!"]

["Sideswipe- "]

["C'mon Sunny. Just promise!"]

["Fine you fragger!"]

["Great! Bye!"]

Sideswipe said as they mutually ended their bond conversation. Sideswipe watched as Lilac and her friends snuck further into the train depot, avoiding officials and slow-moving trains. Quietly he followed them in alt mode, having to quickly step over a fence before he was able to catch up with her and her group. As he was moving, he worried about his guide. Would she leave him for her friends? After all, she didn't seem to want to go to base with him…at least not yet. But Sideswipe wondered if she would leave him, secretly hoping that she wouldn't. He liked having her around…she was fun and funny and energetic, she knew lots about Earth and the people on it, and as reluctant as he would be to say it out loud, without her, he would have never gotten this far. When he rolled up, he found them exchanging items, and writing things down. "Alright. That is the last of the recipes and the list of medical herbs needed for treatments. And here is a copy of all of our recipes for food on the fly, party snacks and so forth!"

Rochelle said as she handed Lilac a stack of papers, of which she immediately filled neatly into her backpack. "Thanks Ro! Now I can officially add apothecary to my list of trades."

She giggled. "Don't mention it!" Her friend chuckled as she ruffled her hair. "What list of trades?"

Maria asked teasingly. "Running, hiding, breaking out of people's homes, avoiding the police…"

Leslie began in a gentle teasing tone. "And then there's fire maker, food catcher, professional wild child…" Rochelle continued equally as lighthearted. "Don't forget navigator."

Sideswipe added, making them all jump. "Jeepers creepers! Sideswipe! Don't do that!"

Lilac sighed before giving a nervous laugh. "Sorry, but I have to admit, your faces were priceless!" He sniggered as they all rolled their eyes at him. "So, what do you say Lye? You coming with?"

Maria asked recovering fast. "Wish I could, but I made a promise. And you all know how I feel about that."

"Are you sure?"

"Yeah, Ro is right! Can't you figure out how to get to Nevada alone at this point dude?"

Leslie asked exasperatedly. "Hey now. It's not like I don't want to come with you guys."

"So, come with us!"

"I can't."

"Yes, you can!"

"Guys! Can I at least see my Redwoods first?! That was half of my goal by coming out here!"

"Wait what?"

Everyone said out loud. "The California Redwoods? I wanna see them! They're huge!"

"And then?"

"I dunno Mari! I mean I'll figure it out, but irregardless of what I do, he's a friend. And you can't just leave friends at the side of the road."

She said aggressively. Everyone stared at her in surprise before Maria, Rochelle and Leslie sighed sadly. "It's not like I won't ever see you guys again. I have all of your emails. And I'll know where to find you after I'm done. I'll send you an email and then I can go out there and hang for a bit."

"And get off the streets for good."

"Maybe."

"Lilac…"

Maria said in a chiding tone. "Maria…."

She mimicked. "Look you know me. I like my freedom…love it even but- "

"But what?! Lilac we all love our freedom, to come and go as we please, and to do what we want when we want. But even you have to admit that it is getting dangerous to live like you do. We're a group, and you saw what happened to us! What almost became of us!"

She said with fear and hurt in her voice. Lilac wrapped her in a fierce hug as Maria and her friends wiped at their eyes. "I know. I know the risks and the dangers, and after today I won't lie I'm scared too. But at the same time, after all I have been through, the circumstances…I don't know if I can ever have a normal life. It's not that I don't want to have one. Really, I do. I would love nothing more than to be able to sleep in, in my own bed in my own room. To be able to wake up and be surrounded by people who love and care about me, who want to look out or me and take care of me for the rest of my life. But that may never happen because of them."

She said bitterly as she wiped away her own tears. "But you can Lye! Just come with us!"

Rochelle pleaded. "I can't! Back in Nebraska we ran into some car trouble. So, we went to a garage and got the car fixed up. The old man that owned the business had recognized me and he called the cops on us."

"Lilac…"

"Someone recognized me. I have to lay low. Worst case scenario, if Sides and I get caught, I get drug back and he gets to live his life. If I'm with you guys and we get caught, then all of us get drug back kicking and screaming to foster care or worse. I can't do that to you guys. I…I won't."

She said as she wiped her tears. The girls came together and hugged her. "It's not like I won't ever see you guys again."

"But how do we know that?"

"I have your emails. When I'm done in California I'll come see you. And even if I can't, I'll still keep in touch!"

"But when Lilac? When?"

Sadie cried softly.

"How about once a week? More often once I find a safe place."

"You promise?"

She asked. "I promise." Lilac said as she hugged her tight. Moments later a train horn sounded, signaling that the train was going to leave soon. "C'mon guys. Otherwise you'll miss your train." She sniffled. Lilac gently lifted Sadie into the box car before handing her, her backpack. When Lilac was handing back Sadie's bandana she shook her head no. "Keep it. That way you remember to email us."

"And besides you're always a part of the Ortega's, even if you aren't physically with us." Maria said as she lifted her gear into the car. With a teary nod of her head Lilac hugged Maria once more before rushing to the back of Sideswipe's alt. She opened the trunk and took out a bag of the fresh produce she and Sideswipe got from the hippies the day before. She made sure that her friends would have a little of everything before she trotted back and gave Maria the bag. "For your trip, or the feast if there is anything left." She said with a small smile as the girl's eyes widened at the food. "Where did you get all of this?!"

"We stopped at a hippie commune yesterday. Sides wanted me to eat more fruit and veggies and less meat." She chuckled watching as they all looked at him with disbelief. "What? Do you know what humans do to meat? It's disgusting!" He said with a shudder. "Never pegged him to be a vegetarian." Leslie said softly in surprise. "I'm vegan!" He corrected as he walked to the back of his alt, silently laughing at their startled looks and Lilac's soft laughter. "And you're sure you want to go with this weirdo?"

Rochelle asked cautiously. "I heard that!" Sideswipe almost sang mischievously. "He has really good hearing and yes I'm sure. I'll email you when I get to a library and am safe."

She said while the others looked at her worriedly. "If you don't get an email from me in exactly one week's time, then you can panic. That means I am captured or worse."

"I'll do you one better." Maria said as she took a sharpie and a piece of paper out of Rochelle's backpack. "If you need us, call this number. They can't keep you anywhere or deny you a phone call. If you get trapped, call this number. My Abuela or I will pick up. If it's her just tell her that you are a close friend of mine and that you are in trouble and where and we will come get you."

"How?"

Lilac asked curiously. "My Abuela and I aren't above lying if it will keep the ones we love safe. You know this." She said as she gave Lilac one more tearful hug. "I know. And I will. If I can call I will try. But keep an eye out for any contact okay?"

"Of course!" Maria agreed as she climbed into the box car. "Are you positive he doesn't like…look at or touch you?" Leslie asked as quietly as she could, not wanting Sideswipe to hear. "No. He never has. I can protect myself if I need to." She said with a nod as she hugged her friend close. "Good. You let us know if he does. We'll have his nasty ass arrested." She and Rochelle growled. "I'm standing right here! And Ew!" Sideswipe said sounding disturbed by what he had heard Leslie say. "GOOD!" She and Rochelle shouted before they gave Lilac one more hug and loaded themselves and their things on the train. Slowly the train started to move ahead. "Good bye Lilac!"

Sadie waved. "It's not 'good bye' Sadie! I'll see you again soon!"

"She's right! We're not saying goodbye to Lilac because we will see and hear from her again." Maria said over the loud train.

"You only say goodbye to people you will never see again." Rochelle added as the train began to pick up speed.

"Exactly! I'll see you later! One way or another, we will meet again!"

Lilac called as she trotted along with the train. "But until then; Be safe my sisters! Make new friends and enjoy life on the other side! Send my regards to your grandmother for me Mar Mar and enjoy the food and the ride there! Remember the code! Hobo!"

"See ya Lilac!"

"Safe travels sister!"

"Adios mi amigo!"

"See you soon!"

Each of the girls called before shouting together in a sing song tone, "Hobo!".

As the train sped off, it was headed for a quick check point to make sure nothing was missing, and that no one was hiding on board. The girls having stolen rides on trains before, were ready and knew how to fool the workers. Lilac was sad to see them go, but happy to know that her friends were okay, and that they were headed for bigger and better things. Walking slowly back to Sideswipe she discreetly fought her tears. She would love nothing more than to have gone with them, to rest her weary body and rest knowing that to some degree she was safe. But such was not her fate. She had a job to do, one that was nearly complete, and nothing was going to stop her.

"So…you okay?"

"Yeah. I'm good. Sorry for the delay."

"It's all right. You had some slag to handle."

Sideswipe said as they both got in and he reversed out of the train yard.

"I only wanna know one thing."

"Yeah?"

"Where the pit did you learn to fight like that? That was amazing!"

"Just drop it Sides."

"But- "

"Sideswipe. Drop it."

She groaned tiredly as he drove on.

XXXXX

Sideswipe didn't drop the subject. He had pestered her and pestered her until she finally cracked about three hours later. "I'm a pacifist okay?! Geeze-a-loo!"

She snapped.

"But why? And how- "

"Sideswipe!" she sighed exasperatedly. "Look. When you live a life like mine and you see an entire life time's worth of violence, you get tired of it. By being a pacifist, I break a cycle of violence."

"What cycle of violence?"

"Sideswipe!"

"Okay okay! Never mind. Forget I asked."

"Thank you! Now what were you saying about Ratchet?"

"That he is a cranky old medic and loves nothing more than to throw wrenches and Sunny and I."

Lilac stared at him in shock. "Just what is old to you? Cause from where I'm sitting…"

"What are you saying?"

He asked in a playful tone. "Nothing. Nothing at all…just that you're decrepit…"

"WHAT?!"

"Oh, I'm just kidding! Seriously though, what about Ratchet were you saying?"

"I wasn't lying. He is an old medic and he is usually cranky."

"Does that have anything to do with you pulling an obscene amount of pranks?"

"No…"

Lilac raised an eyebrow at him before he sighed. "Okay yeah, we do pull a lot of pranks, but at the same time he needs them!"

"Really?"

"Eh, it keeps him on his toe caps. Wouldn't want the best medic in the universe to get slow or rusty on us!"

"Wait…is he the one you were telling me about before?"

"Yep! Hatchet can be a mean fragger sometimes, but he really does care for anybot under his care."

"Really?"

"Let me say it this way; If he didn't care, Sunny, I and a lot of other bots would have been little more than piles of scrap by now. He's more than skilled enough to handle the big operations and save a mech's life, yet at the same time is resilient enough to repair all of the stupid injuries that he sees me, Sunny, Jazz, and even Prime and Hide coming into Medbay with."

"That takes a special kind of person."

"Yeah. He has no…what's the phrase? Manners on the side of the bed?"

"Bedside manners?"

"Yeah that. He's brutal and blunt, but deep down he really does care for his patients."

Sideswipe said as he turned his head lights on. They had begun making their way into a more mountainous terrain and it was getting dark. Sideswipe only needed Lilac to explain one road sign about crossing deer before his sensors were put on their highest level. No way in pit was he going to let some organic life form leap out in front of him, scare him and possibly send him over the edge of a cliff!

"Well, it's good that he cares. He sounds more caring than most people I've met. Then again with my track record that's not so hard."

"Really?"

"Oh, you don't wanna know. Need gas?"

"Uhhhmm…not really. Need more credits?"

"I think I'm good."

"Ah pit, I'll stop anyway. Give myself a chance to rest my tires and stretch."

"Rest your tires and stretch? Sideswipe you can't reveal yourself to the public. You know that!"

"Ah c'mon! Its dark out! Who's gonna tell?"

"Sides!"

"Fine! But I'm still stopping!"

He mumbled as Lilac playfully rolled her eyes.

At the next gas station, he stopped and let Lilac out. She went into the mini mart to use the bathroom and stretch her own legs. And to buy one last bag of candy. She and Sideswipe had eaten all of the fresh fruit, candy and nearly all of the vegetables. Well…she had eaten most of it. Sideswipe didn't mind trying new things, but she was so hungry that once she started eating the fresh produce it was hard for her to stop.

As she paid for the candy, she watched Sideswipe's holoform at the ATM across the street. She also watched as a hooded man came up behind him with what looked like a knife in his hand. Much to her surprise the man checking her out didn't seem to notice. He was so bored and resigned to his work that he never really looked up from his comic book, even when ringing up Lilac's bag of candy. Just as the man was about to attack his holoform, Lilac watched as Sideswipe, still in alt. mode tiptoed up behind the man on all four of his tires before blaring his horn! The man jumped and spun around only to be greeted by Sideswipe's half transformed self, still partially on all fours as he rose slightly, and wiggled around. The man's face was so scared and at the same time, so funny looking to Lilac she had to literally bite her tongue to keep from laughing out loud!

"That'll be 1.67 please."

"Uhh..."

Lilac stammered as the man ran down the road screaming, while Sideswipe in both forms fell over laughing!

"1.67 Please."

"Uh…sure. Did you see-"

"Huh?"

The man said as he took out an earbud and looked up at her for the second time in the three minutes she had been standing in the store. "Never mind. Thanks!"

She called as she paid the man and ran out to Sideswipe's still shaking vehicle mode. Said store employee simply shrugged before putting the earbud back in as he resumed his reading.

"I can't believe you!"

Lilac laughed as she opened Sideswipe's passenger side door.

"His face! Hahaha! He…his fahahahahahahace!"

He laughed as he tried to pull onto the road. "That was so wrong!"

She giggled as they drove on. "Hey! He was the one trying to do the wrong thing!"

Sideswipe chuckled as he recovered from his hearty laughter. The two continued to drive on into the night through the small town laughing at what Sideswipe did until they came to a red light. A storm had rolled in and it was raining pretty hard, something that Sideswipe whined about as they waited at the light. For some odd reason, they were the only ones on the road. Sideswipe didn't seem to care, but Lilac immediately knew something was off.

"Ughhh! We're the only ones here! I'm just gonna drive through it!"

"No Sideswipe, just wait a few seco-"

She stopped speaking when she gasped sharply as she heard a sharp tapping on Sideswipe's window. It even made Sideswipe jump a little! There standing outside his driver's side door were two teenagers, both boys around Lilac's age, one maybe a year older. Both were somehow paler than her, and both wore long dark hoodies. Their faces were not easily seen.

"Uhhh…hi there!"

Sideswipe said curiously. He was checking his sensors. There was no way two humans, especially two male younglings, could have snuck up on him like that…at least no way that he liked…

"Hey…can you give us a ride?"

"Uhhh…"

"Sideswipe…"

Lilac hissed apprehensively. She didn't trust the two boys one bit!

"C'mon, please?"

"Yeah! It's pouring rain out here!"

The boys said taking an even closer step towards Sideswipe, making him even more uncomfortable. "Sideswipe…no. Don't."

"Why not?"

He asked, noticing Lilac's panic-stricken features as she repeatedly pressed the door lock down.

"L…L…L…Look at their eyes!"

She squeaked timidly as she continued to stare in horror. Sideswipe looked at the two boys again as they loomed outside his window. Sure enough, both of the boys had jet black hair and black soulless eyes. Unlike Lilac's eyes which were white with blue irises and black pupils, the boy's eyes were completely and totally black, almost as if they had no eyes at all. "LET US IN!"

One yelled furiously as he yanked on Sideswipe's door handle. Like a rocket, Sideswipe shot off driving like his life depended on it. Sideswipe didn't know what was wrong with those humans, just that they weren't right. Something about them…everything about them was wrong. His thoughts on this were confirmed by this as Lilac began muttering words under her breath. "Dear God, please protect us from evil and the snares of the devil as we continue on our journey. In Your name I pray Amen."

"WHAT THE FRAG WERE THOSE THINGS?!"

Sideswipe yelled as they swerved back onto the mountainous highway. They were driving so fast that Lilac barely caught the "Curves ahead" road sign, as well as the warning for inclement weather and landslides. "SIDESWIPE!"

"SERIOUSLY! WHAT IN THE PIT WERE THOSE THINGS?! AND HOW DID THEY AVOID MY SENSORS?!"

"SIDESWIPE! THE ROAD! WATCH THE ROAD!"

Lilac screamed as he barely rounded the first set of curves. However, he was so startled that he barely had enough time to register the loud grumbling of mud and rocks, and the trembling of the road beneath his tires. "LANDSLIDE!" Lilac screamed as she braced herself. Sideswipe was able to beat the landslide, but just barely. His tires screeched as he slid to a sliding stop on the wet asphalt. His systems were on high alert as he scanned his surroundings. "You…you okay?"

He asked as he vented steam from his systems. His only response was a soft whimper from her. She was balled up in his seat shaking with fright. "It's okay. You're safe." He tried to console as he reached over. Much to his surprise Lilac grabbed him in a hug. He held her close as she trembled within his grasp. "Don't be scared. It's okay. It's okay." He soothed gently.

The two stayed like that for what seemed like hours before they heard it. The deafening roar of another landslide. Sideswipe started his engine and was about to speed away when he realized that the landslide wasn't coming down the cliff above them, but that it was coming down further ahead of them. Slowly, Sideswipe drove on to where the mud was still sliding down the precipice carrying debris with it across the road and over the sheer roadside cliff. "Primus. This planet is scary." Sideswipe grunted as he watched the muck continue to cascade over the edge of the road and down through the trees below. That was when he heard the screams and cries from below for the first time. The screams from four different people, coming from one place. Two distinctly young, the other two older. Sideswipe re-calibrated his sensors to see better through the rain and felt his engine stall. There was a forest green car, hanging partially off of the road-side ledge farther ahead. The mud had knocked it off the road, and partially through the guard rail, but not all the way over.

"Sideswipe…"

Lilac said, startling them both.

"I see them…but- "

"I have a rope, we just need to tie it to their axel, and pull them to safety!"

"How? I mean not to be rude, but you're smaller than my smallest digit. I've seen you do some impressive slag, but this…this- "

"Is where you'll have to transform and help me. I can get close enough and tie the rope, and you're strong enough to pull the car back."

She said as they heard the car lurch forward and the screams of those inside. Without saying another word, Lilac got out of Sideswipe, and he picked her up before he jumped over the still flowing mud in front of them, racing for the car. As soon as Sideswipe put her down, Lilac was running as fast as her legs could carry her. She took the rope out of her backpack and slid over to the car. She could see the car's inhabitants through the rear windshield. There was a man in the driver's seat, a woman in the passenger seat, and two children in the back seat, both only a little younger than Lilac. They were the ones who saw her. "Don't worry, I've got you!"

She said as she crept closer to the rear axle of the car. She was just a little out of reach! "Lilac! Watch out!" Sideswipe shouted as tree swept past him. "WHOA!" She shouted as she hopped out of the way of the speeding tree. Looking back to the car she nearly swore as the car began to tip forward even more…" SIDESWIPE! NOW'S A GOOD TIME!"

Lilac called as she hastily tied a strong knot around the axel and began running back with the rope. "I GOT IT! I GOT IT!"

"DON'T PULL TOO HARD!"

"GOT IT! NOW MOVE!"

Sideswipe shouted as he began to pull and skate backwards toward the rocky wall. The car slowly began to come back up over the edge. With one strong pull, the car was almost brought back up onto the road, but with a whine of tearing metal, the car's axle broke in two, and the car pitched forward, falling over the edge. Lilac screamed as Sideswipe dove for the car, catching it by its trunk and hanging onto the ledge. With a frightened pant, Sideswipe looked down at the car, seeing that its occupants had passed out. With a grunt, he hefted the car back up over the ledge, and climbed back up onto the road. He then picked up Lilac, put her on his shoulder, and then picked up the car and began skating carefully down the road.

Once they were far enough away from the landslide site, he put Lilac and the car back down.

"Whoa…that…that was totally wicked!" Came the cry of someone in the car! "Huh?! Oh slag!"

Sideswipe groaned as his shoulders hung. His cover was blown. Again. Optimus was so gonna have his aft for this…

XXXXX

Lilac was able to come up with another good lie to explain away Sideswipe's presence to the young boy. After that, it wasn't hard for her to get a phone from the boy and to call the emergency services. Within two hours, emergency search and rescue was on the mountainside road, and the family was getting treatment for their minor injuries. As the man who was driving the car was talking to Lilac, Sideswipe watched his family unit interact with each other. He also observed the search and rescue vehicles. Many where red, or white, but one was a rather loud shade of yellow green. Sideswipe couldn't help but smile and think of Ratchet, wondering what vehicle form the medic took. He mentally saved the obnoxious color, thinking about how he could use it in a prank against said medic in the future. After all, his basic white with red highlight's armor could always use a pop of a different color.

"Really, I…I owe you two my life. We all do. "

"It was nothing sir, really. My friend and I barely escaped the landslides ourselves. And we couldn't just leave you on the side of the road."

"I can't thank you two enough! Really, I can't. I'm on leave for less than a week and…and…I don't even want to say it." He shuddered as he shook his head.

The man reached into his wallet with shaking hands and pulled out a card. "You're a lawyer?"

"I am…for the military. I'm on leave for the next month with my family, so that we can spend time together. And, stupid me, I thought that we could make better time by driving at night…."

He sighed before continuing. "Anyway, I heard my son saying that your friend is in the military, but the offer extends to the both of you. If you ever need anything, a favor whatever, just call. It's the least I can do."

Lilac was stunned. "T…thank you. I really appreciate it." She said as she began to walk back toward Sideswipe. "You guys take care!"

"You too!"

Sideswipe and Lilac called back before driving off.

"Well…that was…intense."

"Yeah. I'd like to get you to Nevada with little issue if you don't mind."

"Hey! It's not my fault your planet is insane!"

Lilac laughed and shook her head. He had a point. "I never thought you'd be the courageous type. I mean, you fought those men and saved all of those other humans…"

"Siiideswiiiipe! Please. Please just…just- "

"What? I can't pay you a compliment?"

"You can…it's just…I'm…not…. that…strong or brave, or courageous…I'm not."

"But you are!"

"But I'm not!"

"Yes, you are! You've saved lives, you've helped people! You're helping me!"

"But- "

"But nothing! Bravery isn't something you're born with, not where I'm from. It's something you gain, through experience, from facing your own fears, or a nitrogen rush or whatever it is for you humans. I don't know what's happened to you, but I do know that you can't stand to see others hurt, or in danger and that you feel compelled to help. And that, to me is bravery."

He said as they drove out of the mountains and into the planes. Lilac couldn't help but smile. Somehow hearing him say that about her…it made her feel better about herself. "So… tell me what is the rest of your team like? What's your twin like?"

Sideswipe smiled. There was a lot to cover.

"Well, I've told you about just about everyone, except for maybe Jolt, Bee, Ironhide, and Sunny."

"Okay, tell me about them. We've got the time."

"Ironhide is a hard aft. But- "

He began as they continued to drive. Lilac smiled. If nothing else she could live vicariously through Sideswipe and his experiences, at least for a little while longer. Hearing him speak animatedly about his team, his pranks, and the things he'd been through made her happy. It was nice to hear about a good group. To live vicariously through Sideswipe would allow her to feel like she belonged, at least for a little while longer.

XXXXX

Sunstreaker was working hard. He was trying to match the paint of his twin by memory, and it was pissing him off. Matching red was always impossible. There were just too many shades of it to ever get the color just right. And then there was the fact that red always looks different under different suns and atmospheres, let alone the fact that Sideswipe's last stash of red paint was left behind when they began their trip to Earth. Sunstreaker highly doubted that his twin has more than a small can for touch ups, and he'd be lucky if his twin had that. Not to forget to mention that what Sideswipe had told him over the bond the day before, indicated that he was going to need a major overhaul when it came to detailing his frame.

Slowly, a smirk came over his faceplates as he got up from his seat on the Autobot sized couch. There was only one place that his twin's paint might be. Striding carefully into the Medbay, Sunstreaker found what he was looking for as it came flying through the air towards his helm.

He swiftly caught the wrench and examined it. Sure enough, there was a ruby red scarlet scuff mark on the wrench. Sideswipe's signature color. "Thanks Hatchet! I'll return this when I'm done!"

He smirked as he trotted out of the Medbay with the wrench in hand. Now that he had an example of his twin's color, and the chemical components that made it up, he had some paint to create. The only thing he needed now was Sideswipe to show up. Hopefully clean and without a fleshy human in tow.

XXXXX

Lilac awoke with a groan. She was lying in a puddle of dirty water next to a tall building. With a soft groan she got up and looked around trying to source the odd sounds she was hearing. Sure enough, she found what they were and where they were coming from. It was Sideswipe. Lilac fought back her laughter, but not easily. Apparently, Sideswipe found yet another place to get a wash…an abandoned truck wash specifically. He was standing up, whistling and trilling some sort of tune as hot water blasted his frame clean of suds. Large brushes stood off to the side, covered in a lather of bubbles. Lilac sniggered quietly as he used what looked to be a comically large long handled back brush to scrub his back and under his arms as he continued to warble, blissfully unaware that she was nearby. That is until he ducked under the spray of water to rinse his chassis and saw her giggling. He was startled at first, but then smirked down at his mud adorned guide. She'd need a wash too.

"And what's so funny about washing?"

He asked making her squeak and jump. She was about to run away when Sideswipe grabbed her. "Ah, ah, ah! Not so fast! You haven't had your wash yet!"

"Sideswipe no! NO!"

"Relax, it won't take long!"

He said mischievously as he pulled her under the harsh spray with him. Lilac screeched out in surprise and slight pain as the hot water hit her skin. Sideswipe immediately put her back down outside, only to watch as she dashed around the corner and smothered her skin in the cool water puddle she was originally laying in. Thinking carefully, he came up with an idea. First, he got out and dried his chassis. Then he opened the service door and plugged his systems into that of the wash's. He changed the temperature of the water first, then the pressure. Next, he flushed the nozzle systems with water before attaching Lilac's own washing solvent to the system. He then slowed down the speed of the brushes before testing the systems with his holoform. Satisfied that the wash was now human safe, he proceeded to pull Lilac from her cool mud puddle.

"C'mon. I fixed the wash. It won't hurt you now."

Lilac looked at him skeptically. "Look, you're not getting into me looking and smelling like that. And Sunny will have a fit if he has to come all the way out here, and he will. He doesn't bluff often."

"Or, you could just leave me here. That's an option too."

"Ha! No way. Now come on. I promise you'll like it."

"Side-"

"I know that you like nice warm washes. And a good brush massage will make you feel like you came right off of the assembly line! You can even test the water if you want."

He said. It did sound enticing…With a cautious sigh she looked back into the wash at the many nozzles, hanging shammies and brushes. She wasn't so sure…but then again…it's not like she'd never used unconventional means to shower before. She and her friends had used self-service car washes to clean up before. So, really there wasn't much of a difference.

With a resigned sigh she began to pull her hair up, only to be stopped by Sideswipe. "Uh uhn. You need to wash your fur too. C'mon."

He said chipperly. "It's called hair."

She corrected as she nervously stepped under the nozzles. Lilac hated to admit it, but Sideswipe was right. A nice warm shower did feel good. He left her alone once she was under the spray of the soap. What she wasn't expecting was for the shammies and brushes to tickle so much. They were made of a soft plasticky material that was somehow fuzzy and soft to the touch, and they barely moved fast enough to fully agitate or rotate. And of course, Sideswipe found amusement in her ticklish laughter as he guided the brushes to clean her all over. However, once she was rinsed, his laughter turned into excitement as he threw one of his drying cloths at her, demanding that she get dried off and changed.

Once she did, Sideswipe disconnected his system from the wash, retrieved Lilac's soap, and made for the road like his life depended on it.

"Easy, slow down there speed demon!"

"I am not a demon. And no, I will not slow down! I finally get to see my twin today!"

He said excitedly as they cruised closer and closer to the city limits of Tranquility. Sideswipe had made great time the night before when Lilac was asleep. He was so excited to see his twin that he didn't notice the jet creeping into his sensor range until it was right over head of him.

"By Primus code… What did I do to the universe to make it hate me? And how the frag did this coward live through Mission City?!" He snarled as he swerved off of the road and onto the desert plane as the air craft above him began firing at him. "I don't know! I'm really beginning to wonder how we're running into all of your enemies! Seriously! Does everyone of your species hate you?!"

"I'm glad that you have a sense of humor about this! HOLD ON!"

"THIS IS THE THIRD FREAKIN TIME THIS HAS HAPPENED IN A WEEK! I'D HARDLY SAY ITS FUNNY!"

She screamed over the roar of the jet. Sideswipe slid to a stop so that she could tumble out. "RUN! GET AWAY FROM HERE AND HIDE!"

"HIDE WHERE STUPID?! WE'RE IN THE FREAKIN DESERT! THERE IS NO PLACE TO HIDE!"

She spluttered furiously.

"Precisely why I chose this location to ambush you. Now you have nowhere to run this time fleshy!"

"Back off Starscream! I'm in no mood to deal with you. No matter how fun clipping your wings sounds right now."

"Oh, big talk from a small mech! Missing your other half, I see."

"Not entirely. I was on my way to meet him. You should come with. It's been a while since Sunstreaker's gotten to do Jet Judo."

Sideswipe said as he discreetly motioned for Lilac to get behind him and run. She didn't need to be told twice! She was gone!

Faster than Sideswipe was prepared for, Starscream fired his null ray and he had to dodge the shot. "Whoa!" Both Lilac and Sideswipe shouted in unison, but it did nothing to stop the Decepticon as he continued to fire at the two before taking off in his jet form, chasing after Lilac. "GET BACK HERE INSECT!"

"GET AWAY FROM HER YOU CREEP!"

Sideswipe snarled as he tackled him to the ground. But it was to everyone's surprise when another jet swooped down and transformed, grabbing Lilac in the process. "Seriously Starscream? You can't handle one puny Autobot? He's half of a fraggin' spark too!"

"SHUT UP! AND ITS LORD STARSCREAM TO YOU!"

He snarled as both the new mech and Sideswipe rolled their optics, a habit they both quickly picked up from humans. Meanwhile, Lilac had found a way to squirm out of his grasp and was shimmying down his armor. She had reached the ground and was running away by the time anyone had noticed. "WHAT THE FRAG ARE YOU DOING?! GET HER!"

Starscream roared as his trine mate took off after Lilac, quickly catching up.

"C'MERE HUMAN!"

"NO! GO AWAY! NOOOOOOOO!"

She screamed as he snatched her up before transforming and flying away.

Starscream sneered down at Sideswipe as he struggled. "It's too bad that your twin will only feel his demise through you! So, tell me puny Autobot! Where is your twin now?!" he roared.

Meanwhile Lilac was pounding on the glass of the cockpit, trying to get some sort of reaction, trying desperately to escape, knowing that she was trapped.

CRUUNNNNCCHHH

Or so she thought. With a screech of pain, the seeker twirled midair, trying to dislodge something, or perhaps someone.

"I'm right fragging here!" The new mech snarled murderously as he took hold of the jet's wings and bent them at a harsh vertical angle.

All Lilac saw was a brief glint of gold before she saw the very hard ground quickly coming up towards the nose of the plane. The glass covering the cockpit shattered, and acting only on instinct, Lilac leapt from it going into a tuck and roll, being sure to cover her head and neck as she leapt up. She turned slightly as she ran only to see the mech that previously had her trapped getting up and dislodging some sort of blade from his wing before it's owner swung another at his head. At this sight Lilac stopped and stared. The four brawling before her was the single most astounding scene she had ever seen. The newer mech looked almost exactly like Sideswipe, with the exception of his golden paint job, and his audio fins. Both he and Sideswipe moved with a demonic type of grace that she wasn't sure if she had ever seen before. But just as soon as it started, it ended with the two flyers fleeing for their lives as the two swordsmechs yelled and jeered curses at them in English and their native tongue.

With a sigh of exhaustion, she located her backpack and grabbed it before she walked up to the two who were looking at each other with matching smirks. "Needed some help there huh?"

"Hey! I was doing just fine! I only wanted you to get some practice in! I had it covered!"

The new mech huffed out of his vents exasperatedly before clapping Sideswipe on the back in a friendly manner. "Whatever. Where's the squishy?"

"Uh…h…hi there!"

She said bending at the waist in an old Cybertronian style bow. Though she would probably never admit it out loud, and she would deny it all the way to the grave, she couldn't help but find the two of them, both of them, to be rather…handsome. But nobody needed to know that…. or hear that.

Sunstreaker scoffed at her at first before she continued speaking. "You must be Sunstreaker. I'd shake your hand, but it looks like you just polished your armor, and I'd hate to ruin it by leaving finger prints or dust. Thank you for saving me." Lilac said sheepishly.

This time Sunstreaker smiled approvingly. "You trained her well."

Sideswipe snorted. "I didn't train her. She's just really polite. She doesn't even like eating in my interior."

"You'd let her do that?!"

"It was either that or continue to stop frequently so that she could re-fuel."

Sideswipe smirked. "Well, to be fair, I wouldn't want someone to eat inside of me, and make a mess. Speaking of which, I truly hate to be so blunt, but- "

"Your neck is bleeding human."

Sunstreaker said dryly making her blink. "Huh? It is?" She said as she felt the back of her neck only to find a wet spot. With a frustrated groan, she dug into one of her backpack's many pockets and pulled out her first aid kit, from which she pulled out an alcohol wipe and a large band-aid. She tore open the wipe's package and grit her teeth before scrubbing at the cut on her neck with the sterile alcohol wipe. Both mechs winced at her snarls and growls of pain. Once the cut was clean she placed the band-aid on the cut and put her trash in a Ziploc baggie that came with the kit. "I'm terribly sorry you both had to see that. Thank you Sunstreaker for telling me about my neck."

"Right."

The mech said sounding a little disturbed by how calm the human in front of him was. "You should probably see a medic for that."

"Oh, no. But thank you though. Really. I'll be fine."

She said as she put her first aid kit away before hefting her bag onto her back. "I actually really need to get going."

"Lilac,"

"Sideswipe,"

"Don't mock me right now! You're hurt. You need a medic!"

"Sideswipe, I've survived worse. I'll be fine. Can I please have my stuff?"

"No. Not until we get to base, and you get checked out!"

Lilac blinked up at him and sighed. "Sideswipe, you know why I can't go with you. We've discussed this! C'mon don't make this harder than it needs to be!"

"You should talk! All I want is for you to get checked over!"

Almost as if she could read his thoughts, she looked to Sunstreaker as he spoke the truth. "No, you want her to come to base so that she can live there."

"Sunny!"

"Sideswipe look…"

She sighed sadly. "I don't like this any more than you do. But you know what will happen if I go to base with you."

"You don't know that!"

"And you do?! Sideswipe, there is no real happy ending for me, remember? Now come on! Please give me my stuff!"

She said sadly as he stood there with a sullen expression. Finally, he began to take her stuff out of his subspace. "It's nothing against you. You know that. And you have my email too. I promise to keep in touch. Okay?"

She said as she finalized her packing. "No…"

He said as he bent down, bringing her in to a close hug. "I'm really gonna miss you Lye."

"I know. I'll miss you too. But you guys have some stuff to deal with. A war to end, a home to make. And besides, this isn't goodbye remember? I don't do goodbyes. I'll just see you later."

"When will that be?"

"When the time is right. But for now, I gotta go. And you, have a lot of catching up to do with your twin, and your team."

She said as she returned his hug before he put her down. "It truly was a pleasure to meet both of you, and I hope that you two can find peace of some sort on Earth. Till we meet again, Sideswipe, Sunstreaker. It's been great!"

She called as she began to jog up the side of the road. "See ya Lye!"

Sideswipe called, with his usual mischievous grin blooming on his face.

"You do know that she needed to come back to base for questioning. Right?"

Sunstreaker said lazily. "Yep!"

"Then why did you let her run off slag head?!"

"I wanted her to get a head start. Prime and the rest are coming up the hill, right?"

"Yeah…why?"

Sunstreaker asked now annoyed and confused. His twin's mischievous grin and excitement translating across the bond were enough to explain what would happen. He snorted and smirked back at him, glad that his more chipper and yet equally as devious half was back. "C'mon. Let's go get her." He said with a smirk and shake of his helm as he called ahead to their superior officers, giving them an image of Lilac so that they'd know what they were looking for.

"Missed ya bro."

"Missed you too. Don't get all squishy on me like the humans. I can barely tolerate them as it is."

Sunstreaker said as they transformed and made their way back to the road.

XXXXX

Lilac was making decent time. She was running at a very good speed, and the road was literally downhill. She idly noticed a large group of cars go flying up the hill in the opposite direction. The first was a loudly colored emergency vehicle, who had its lights and sirens on. The second one was a large black truck, and the last one was a very pretty red and blue flame decaled semi-truck. She payed them no mind as she continued to pick up speed as she ran down the hill. A few minutes later she heard sirens again, this time however they were coming towards her. She slowed down and looked behind her, only to see the same loudly colored emergency vehicle rolling up next to her. She was about to stop, when her instincts immediately began to scream and raise vivid red flags. The vehicle rolled down it's window, to reveal no driver. And then it started talking. "Human femme! Stop this instant! You are coming with me!"

Lilac screamed and ran in the opposite direction as the vehicle slowly began to transform. Talking vehicles that transform into mechanical beings? There were only two options for what that could be, and Lilac didn't want to push her luck by sticking around to see which faction the chartreuse demon with the spinning head belonged to. Screaming bloody murder, she scrambled up the slope on the side of the road, and into the small patch of desert pine trees.

"Nice goin' Hatchet. You scared her away."

"Cram it Ironhide!"

"Don't worry. I'll retrieve the little human femme since it seems too hard for you."

He grunted as he transformed. "C'MERE LITTLE HUMAN!"

He bellowed as he ran after her into the trees. "And he said that I scared her. She'll need the human's best therapist with the way he's chasing her." The medic grumbled as he climbed up the hill.

Lilac was running for her life as a large black behemoth ran after her. She was doing everything she could do to get away from the thing. Taking sharp turns, leaping over logs, she even fell to the ground and hid in a ditch while the creature stopped to search for her before he ran past her hiding spot. She got up and began to run, only to hear and indignant shout of "HEY!" Before it was back on her tail. She was running out of options. Suddenly she was faced with a sheer cliff face in front of her. Without a second moment of thinking, she began to climb up the cliff. If she could just get to the top…

"And where do you think you're going?"

The being snarled as it plucked her off the wall. Lilac screamed and fought trying to get out of its grip. "Stop squirming youngling!" It growled. Lilac was furious and frightened. She was not going to go down without a fight! Seeing an exposed wire poking through the seam in his finger, she quickly grabbed ahold of it, and bit down with all her might, silently praying that the bite wouldn't kill her. "ARRRGHHAAAOOOWCH!"

It roared as it dropped her. Lilac braced herself as she fell about 13 feet to the ground. She had surprised the creature more than she had actually hurt it. Nonetheless, she got her desired result and was off running once more. She didn't get far before she saw the original chartreuse nightmare that sent her running into the trees trotting towards her. Lilac poured on some speed as she changed direction, but it wasn't enough, as the black behemoth grabbed her by her backpack and lifted her back up into the air. Lilac began to scream at the top of her lungs in fright.

"Don't grab her like that! If she slips out of that backpack she could offline from the fall! Even if she does survive, she could sustain internal injuries!"

"She bit me! The little fragger- "

The behemoth barked as he changed his hold on her. Now he was holding her by the back of her shirt, and she was screaming even louder.

"STOP SQUALLING YOU LITTLE- "

"SSSIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIDESWIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIPE!"

Lilac shrieked at the top of her lungs, making the two mechs wince. Suddenly there was a ferocious roar of twin engines, as said mech and his twin arrived, blades drawn and ready for a fight.

"Whoa! Whoa! -"

The chartreuse one growled as he ducked a swing from Sunstreaker's blade. "WE'RE FRIENDLIES SLAG HELMS!"

The other barked. It was then that the fog cleared from Sideswipe's vision and what he saw was quickly becoming a less than funny sight. His guide was still screaming and crying as she hung from Ironhide's fingers despite being in no real danger at all. He had expected the two to corner her and take her to base, or to talk some sense into her about why she should come to base with them. He knew that they'd probably scare her a little, but not to the extent that she currently was.

"Give her to me."

"What!?"

"Giver her to me! Primus! Can't you see that she's scared?! Hand her over!"

Sideswipe snapped. Ironhide glared and growled at him, but nonetheless handed Lilac over to him. Once Lilac was given to him, he gently hugged her to his chest plates before turning around and gently speaking to her. Neither Ratchet, nor Ironhide could hear what he was saying, but Sunstreaker could and he was surprised. His twin was consoling her as if she were a sparkling of their own species! It was no secret that between the two of them, Sideswipe was better with sparklings and younglings than he was, but to see his twin kneel down onto the ground, and steady her as she continued to cry was something he hadn't seen Sideswipe do for a very long time.

Both Ironhide and Ratchet were surprised as well. Usually Sideswipe and his twin were very rough, and edgy. But to see the care he took in calming down the child was truly a sight to see.

"Take deep breaths, okay? They're not gonna hurt you contrary to what they just made you think. Okay? Just take deep breaths."

Sideswipe said as he stood up and stood in front of her. If he knew Lilac well, he knew that she wouldn't want the others to see her like this. And truth be told, the times where he and Sunny felt the same way, they were rarely if ever given privacy, or a chance to really work through their emotions. Such as the reason why they had so many walls around certain emotions and behaviors. Sideswipe knew the importance of saving face and putting the barriers up between one's feelings and the world around them. He'd done it and seen Sunny do it too many times not to know what it looks like, even when a human does it.

"Looks like the time was right now since we're meeting again!"

Sideswipe said chipperly as Lilac pulled herself together. Meanwhile Optimus Prime slowly began to make his way through the trees and over to his troops.

{"Is everything all right?"}

He asked over the communication relay, seeing the tenseness of his soldiers and medic.

{"By Primus, she's only a sparkling."}

Ratchet said in awe as they watched Lilac slap angrily at Sideswipe's hands as he tried to pick her back up. She was snarling and growling things angrily up at the mech who was looking down at her with a mixture of exasperation and sadness. She was hissing words too low for them to hear, but loud enough that Sideswipe could. That combined with her various and somewhat wild hand gestures towards them and the rest of the surrounding area meant that while she had just about stopped crying, she was still very angry and that they were a topic of her anger.

"You shouldn't have run."

"You shouldn't have told them to chase me!"

She hissed as she sat down and pressed her head between her knees, taking deep breaths to try and stop her mounting panic attack.

"How did you know that I told them to- "

"Because you are one of the most mischievous, conniving, driven and annoying people that I have ever met. And that is saying a lot."

She wheezed.

"Not only that…but you have your twin bond back. I may be organic, but my memory is still pretty good. You can talk to him, and he could have, probably did, tell the others where I was and what I looked like. If you were going to do something this blatant, and try to play innocent, you shouldn't have told me about the pranks you've pulled, or the fact that you two can communicate in such a way."

She said dryly as she looked up from her knees at him. "I didn't tell you about our bond!"

"Yes, you did! To a certain point you did tell me about your twin bond, why it's important, and about other bonds too!"

"Yeah and you figured the rest out on your own!"

"That I did. But that is not the point, and you need to stop trying to change the subject!"

"Okay! Okay! I'm sorry!"

He said exasperatedly.

"No, you're not."

She said angrily as Sideswipe prepared his 'Hurt-why-don't-you-love-me?' look that Lilac had quickly learned was a favorite of his when he didn't get his way, or when he wanted her to do something he wanted. "The 'look' isn't gonna work on me Sideswipe. Not this time. We discussed this."

She snapped. as she got up and brushed her clothes off.

{"She sounds like you Ratch!"}

Ironhide said in surprise eliciting a small growl from said medic. Meanwhile Sideswipe pouted at her. "Mean…"

"Mean?! You're saying I'm mean?!"

"Yes, I am! If you just came with us, none of this would have happened!"

"YOU WARPED OVERSIZED CONNIVNG SON OF CAN OPENER! WE'VE GONE OVER THIS-!"

She roared as she continued their argument.

{"Now she sounds like you Ironhide!"}

Ratchet snorted humorously as Ironhide growled.

"Do you have any idea how many years you scared off my life?! DO YOU?!"

"I didn't scare you this time!"

"You might as well have! Sending them after me like that after we were just attacked! Why if I didn't abhor violence so much…I…I'd-!"

CLAANG!

"OW FRAGGIT!"

Sideswipe cursed as he grabbed his helm where Sunstreaker had punched him.

"Feeling vindicated?"

Sunstreaker asked, the tiniest hint of a smile or smirk at the edge of his lip plates.

"Actually, yeah,"

She exhaled as a rueful smile came to her face. "Yeah I do feel vindicated. Thank you. I needed that."

She chuckled softly at Sideswipe's miffed glare. Meanwhile Optimus and the others simply stared in awe at what was transpiring in front of them.

{"And she dislikes violence too."}

Optimus mused.

{"What is the human phrase? A femme after our own sparks?"}

Ratchet asked as the three turned to them.

"If you need me to do that again, all you have to do is ask."

"Oh, thank you very much but I don't think that will be necessary."

She said as a soft red glow came to her cheeks when she noticed that the others were staring at them.

"Oh, how embarrassing!"

She squeaked as she darted back around Sideswipe's tire to hide.

All three officers were surprised at this as they took a few steps forward. "Please little one, do not be afraid. We mean you no harm."

Optimus said gently. "His voice…it's so…strong. Yet gentle. He has the strength to be gentle." She thought as she peered around Sideswipe's tire. Said mech smirked as he lifted his tire up and nudged her with it before setting his tire back down behind her. She stepped forward and repeated the old Cybertronian style bow she had done earlier when meeting Sunstreaker.

"My a…apologies."

She said timidly. Once more the three bots were surprised. It had been a while since they had seen the old greeting of their race.

"You have nothing to apologize for little one."

Optimus stated as he kneeled before her. Lilac blushed a deeper shade of red as she looked down at her feet. "With all honesty, I should have checked the insignia before I ran. But with all due respect,"

She stated while looking up at Ratchet. "I, like many humans I imagine are not comfortable with seeing a person's head spinning around like yours did. To the best of my knowledge, there is not a species on Earth that can fully spin or rotate their head 360 degrees. Owls come close perhaps, but they can only turn their heads 270 degrees."

She said innocently. This got a bark of laughter from Ironhide and some sniggers from Sideswipe.

"R…Really though…I should have checked. But to give you some context, we have been attacked three separate times by your enemies, of which I now know have vehicular forms as well as aerial forms. I did not want to take any chances so soon, such is why I ran."

"I find that to be a perfectly logical and acceptable reason for why you ran from us. You are forgiven."

Ratchet stated calmly.

{"Her language patterns are different."}

{"That is because she is using proper grammar, and a lack of 'slang' while speaking. This may suggest that she has a higher education."}

{"Even the soldiers don't speak like that Ratch."}

{"Remember that human languages, English especially are adaptive to their environments. She may have a different background than the humans we have been dealing with as of late."}

{"Prime, I know good manners when I see them. She had to have learned them from somewhere."}

{"Are you insinuating that she has come into contact with a Cybertronian before Sideswipe?"}

{"It makes the most sense. How else would she have learned how to bow like that?"}

"I'm glad that you accept my apology Dr. Ratchet."

"What did you just say?"

"I…I'm sorry…did I- "

"How do you know my designation?"

Lilac blinked before she smiled. "Oh! Sideswipe has told me many great things about all of you!"

The officers gave light reprimanding and accusatory glares at said mech before she continued. "He said that you are the single greatest Medic in the universe!"

Ratchet was astonished! He had never expected the child to say that of all things!

"Are you certain?"

"Oh yes! He said that you care deeply for those in your care, and that you would do just about anything to keep them safe and healthy! He also said that you have great natural talent, and that you could perform certain procedures with your optics closed or without a hand!"

Ratchet stared in disbelief at her before looking over to the mech in question with a truly dumbfounded look on his face plates. Meanwhile, Lilac continued on.

"Although, I doubt that you would, given your vast knowledge of medicine, safety, and ethics! And you must be Ironhide!"

Said mech grunted. He could only assume what Sideswipe had told her. He was no less surprised than Ratchet was. "Sideswipe told me that you are a master of weapons, and that you are among the bravest of warriors."

Ironhide blinked.

"He also told me that, while you are hard on people, it is usually because you care about them. He also told me that it is good to fight alongside you because of your immense fire power and skill as well as your desire to protect others including the ones you fight with."

Lastly, she turned to Prime who was still kneeling in front of her with a slightly bemused look on his face plates. "And last but not least, you must be Optimus Prime, Leader of the Autobots. Sideswipe told me a lot about you too."

"Oh?"

"Yes. He told me that you are a compassionate leader, and that you work harder than many think you should or do so that the best outcomes can become a reality not just for yourself but also for your troops as well."

Optimus couldn't stop the smile that was coming to his face plates. She sounded so…proud. Almost as if she were talking about her own accolades.

"He also told me that your compassion and generosity almost know no bounds, and that when you are on the battlefield, you can easily shed your noble exterior and are ferocious and a true warrior when put to the test."

She said smiling. All three officers swiveled their gaze to Sideswipe, their optics wide in disbelief.

"What?"

Ratchet scanned him. Surely there had to be some sort of damage to the mech's processor. Sideswipe glared at the medic with a look of disbelief and anger.

"Really?!"

"Scan him again Ratchet, the fall may have jarred something in his processor."

"Oh, but everything he said about you all seemed so nice. Was it untrue?"

"He usually does not give compliments like that."

Ratchet said as he recalibrated his scanners.

"We wouldn't put it past the pit spawn to taint your ideals of us, as some sort of heinous prank."

Ironhide said darkly as he looked at the frontliner. Sideswipe looked affronted as she chuckled.

"Oh, yes. He also told me about many of his pranks too. Sideswipe, your reputation precedes you."

"But they already know me!"

"And we know that you enjoy playing practical jokes on people you have recently met."

Optimus said dryly as the mech pouted.

"The first time that I actually try and do the right thing in not pulling something, you guys don't believe that I could do something kind! Unbelievable!"

He protested with a pout.

"Well to be fair…Sideswipe after some of the stories that you told me, I wouldn't be surprised either if you did what they are saying you've done. But having said that, he was more than the perfect gentleman, or rather, gentlemech during the duration of this trip."

"He was?"

Ratchet asked suspiciously.

"Oh yes! And then some! He made sure that I was very comfortable, and that all of my needs were met for the trip…he is quite the conversationalist too!"

The Autobots stared at her in surprise. It was Optimus who spoke next.

"And you seem to be one too. You know of our designations, but we do not know yours."

"Oh, how rude of me! My na-"

"Syringa Vulgaris!"

"The common Lilac?"
Ratchet asked sounding confused by Sideswipe's outburst.

"Yes."

Lilac deadpanned with a wry tone.

"That is my namesake. My given name however, is Lilac Andromeda. Once more it is a pleasure to meet you all."

She said with a polite nod of her head.

"Once more, your neck is bleeding squishy."

Sunstreaker said with an equally deadpan tone. Lilac and Ratchet froze. Ratchet looked at her as she reached up to the back of her neck and pulled her hand back with crimson covered fingers.

"Fudge!"

She swore, making the officers jump. Ratchet immediately began to walk towards her, his caregiver instincts beginning to take over.

"Hold still. Let me see youngling."

"Oh, I'm okay. It's just a scratch. My Band-aid probably moved or got unstuck because of my running during the chase."

She said as she took out her first aid kit. Ratchet raised his optic ridges before narrowing his optics at her as she removed the bandage and proceeded to snarl in pain as she cleaned her wound and re-dressed it.

"Youngling, you should let Ratchet see your wound."

Ironhide presaged.

"Oh, he doesn't need to bother himself with this. I'll be fine."

She said as she put her trash into the Ziploc bag and stood up with a pen. Lilac then began to write things down on her hand.

"What are you doing?"
Ratchet asked as he leaned in to see. Lilac looked up at him with a little concern.

"I'm just writing down the supplies that I'm gonna need. Nothing major. Just more bandages and disinfectant."

"And why, pray tell, do you need more supplies?"

Ratchet asked with a gentle yet stern tone. Lilac swallowed thickly.

"For my trip. I'm on my way to see the California Redwoods! I…I actually really need to get going."

She said as she picked her bag back up and began to re-situate it on her shoulders. Lilac took a timid step back as Ratchet began to walk closer to her. He did not look happy. She swallowed thickly once more as she felt her hair stand on end and her skin prickle. She felt as though she had passed through a field of static electricity.

Ratchet's optics were narrowed in on her. Lilac and the others watched as his optics widened and a wide array of emotions played across his face before he narrowed his optics at her once more, this time with a look of quiet disbelief.

"Ratchet- "

"Youngling, when was the last time you properly refueled?"

"Ummmm…I think it was either last night or this morning. I don't remember. Wh…why do you ask?"

"Are you aware of your current health status?"

"Ummmm…"

She squeaked timidly as she looked at her feet trying to think of something to say to the very large, very intimidating doctor. Meanwhile the other Autobots looked to Ratchet in confusion and concern.

{"Is there something wrong with her Ratchet?"}

{"Prime, she…her skeletal frame looks to have been  severely  damaged and healed several times during her life span thus far."}

{"Humans are fragile Ratchet, remember?"}

{"OF COURSE, I REMEMBER GLITCH HEAD!"}

{"What did you find Ratchet?"}

{"Prime! Her frame shows evidence of abuse, and neglect.  Severe  abuse and neglect."}

He said gravely. The communications relay went quiet as the medic continued to speak.

{"She is under weight, under height, and she is in dire need of more vitamins and minerals in her diet."}

The medic said worriedly. Optimus got the message in his urgency.

"I would really like to thank you for helping Sideswipe navigate his way here. Our allies are expecting us back, and it is almost time for their evening refueling. We would like to extend the invitation for you join us this evening."

Lilac blushed a gentle pink. She didn't want to be rude, but at the same time, she knew that she shouldn't go.

"She'd love to come!"

"Sideswipe!"

"Ah c'mon! It's just one evening of refueling! You can stay for one night!"

"Sideswipe! We've been over this!"

She moaned tiredly at the mech.

"As much as I would like to accept the invitation, I'm afraid I'll have to decline. I really must get going."

"Are you certain? It would be less strain on your frame if you rested for the evening at our base, and then left in the morning. Perhaps we could even transport you to these Redwoods."

"Oh, you don't have to do that! Really! Though I appreciate the offer very much, you all have your own things to worry about. My job was only to get Sideswipe to you, and I have certainly completed that task. For me to stick around would be unnecessary. You all have better things to be doing than helping me, I'm sure."

She said innocently. "Our allies also have some questions for you as well."

"Oh? Well then perhaps I can answer them for them now. If you don't mind? This way there is less to worry about. I've already promised Sideswipe that I wouldn't tell anyone about you guys."

"And why is that?"

"Because it's not my secret to tell. You deserve a safe place to live, the same as anyone else. It would be wrong to expect some type of reward for helping someone in need, and it would be equally as wrong for me to tell everyone what I know about you. I wouldn't want someone to do that to me."

"Then tell us human, why did you really help the Pit Spawn?"

"Because he was far away from the only family he had, and he had very little idea on how to get to where he needed to be, and blend in while doing so. It was common decency to help him, and I'd hope that someone would do the same for me if I needed it."

She said sagely. "As it is, the relationship was mutually beneficial. Sideswipe got reunited with all of you, and I got a friend. Seeing the Redwoods is only a bonus that I thought of on our way here."

She shrugged as the mechs stared at her. They could tell that she was telling the truth. She didn't want a reward for her monumental good deeds in assisting a handicapped mech across the country. She was happy to help. But yet, her urgency to leave and not come back to base with them was suspicious. Why go through all of the trouble of helping someone foreign to the planet, and not accept some sort of reward? Why the eager haste to get back on the road? Unless…

{"The youngling is hiding something."}

Ironhide said gruffly. Optimus could hear the suspicion in his voice.

{"I agree with Ironhide. Her heart rate is slightly elevated, her pheromones suggest high levels of stress and anxiety, and she keeps discreetly looking past us, almost as if she is debating on running from us again."}

{"Yet outwardly, she seems calm."}

Optimus observed.

{"She keeps squeezing two of the digits on her left hand. It's a tell. She's been in enough situations where she has had to be discreet about outwardly showing her emotions."}

{"The humans refer to it as a 'Poker face'. An expression that is meant to mask their other emotions."}

Ratchet added as he continued to look at the scan of her he had taken.

{"Perhaps, she is hiding her abuse from us. Not coming to the base with us means that we cannot learn more about her, or what may have been done to her."}

Ironhide said thoughtfully as he watched her check the time device on her wrist and frown as she looked up at the sky.

"Odd. My watch says six, but the sun is…oh! How silly of me!"

She chuckled. "I completely forgot that we went through two time zones! Its…three p.m. here, correct?"

She asked the mechs. Optimus was the first to respond. "You are correct."

"Oh, then I really should get going! By the time I get into town, buy my supplies, and get a bus ticket, it'll be nearly dark!"

She sighed with a nod of her head.

{"Optimus,"}

Ratchet said, getting his attention.

{"We can't let her go. Not just because our allies have questions, but because her health is at stake."}

{"What are your findings?"}

{"Based off of my scans  alone , her future looks dower. I'm sure if I ran tests… the information would not be as positive as we would hope. I wish to put her under extended medical observation and through treatment until her condition greatly improves."}

{"Prognosis?"}

{"If she is exposed to the elements and does not come with us, her systems will begin to malfunction."}

{"Meaning?"}

{"Unless she comes back to base with us and stays there, she will offline in a few months. Sooner if her atrophied muscle structure is anything to go by. She  needs  medical treatment."}

Ratchet stated gravely.

Even though Sideswipe was completely unaware of what his team mates were talking about, he could tell that they were talking about Lilac. Ratchet's grim expression was enough for him to know that there was something very wrong with his friend. Said friend was currently starring at the Medic and his Prime as the two spoke over the internal communications relay. Slowly but surely, she tried to inch away from his tire, and past the two as they continued their momentary staring contest. In actuality, the two's conversation was only about 30 seconds, but it was enough for her to try and sneak away. Or so she thought. Ironhide had given her a stern glare companied with a soft growl as the other two officers turned back to her. She faked a stretch, trying to cover up what she was doing so that she could try and fool the others. Sideswipe however wasn't buying it.

["Don't interfere. Let her go."]

["Sunny, I can't just let her go. She needs help."]

["She doesn't want help! She's made that very clear!"]

["That doesn't mean that she still doesn't need it!"]

["What is your attachment to this…this meat sack?! She's gross, and oily, and fleshy and smelly, and they secrete mucus, and other nasty looking and smelling things! Why do you like her so much!?"]

["Because she helped me. She barely asked me of anything at any time and did her best to make me happy on the way here! She offered me shelter, fuel…Sunny she was prepared to starve and offline if it meant that I'd be able to make it here! She saved my fragging life! She didn't have to. She could have run off at any time, told me to frag off, but she didn't."]

["So, what!? She's kind. Not my fault she was stupid enough to want to help you!"]

Sideswipe smoldered at hearing his twin's cold callused remark.

["I don't think you got that last part. She. Saved.  My . Life.  She saved my life! Our lives!  I was bleeding out on the side of the road and she took me to a place, and she helped fix me! If I offline, you do too! We  owe  her our lives! The least you can do is be the least bit grateful that I made it here in one piece, let alone thanking her for keeping me online."]

Sideswipe grumbled as he looked down at his friend who was Pit bent on not coming with him. That was when he remembered something. Something particularly annoying about Ratchet, yet oddly useful at the current moment.

["Has Ratchet been getting on the humans for their health?"]

["Yeah. He rants about their diet all the fragging time! So, fragging annoying! Just let the squishies eat what they want and offline early! Primus!"]

Sunstreaker grumbled. Sideswipe smirked.

"Are you certain that you must leave now?"

"Unfortunately, yes. I really must go."

"Aw, c'mon Lilac! You were just saying how much you'd love to have a…what was it? A…a home cooked meal! Yeah that was it!"

"Oh?"

Optimus and Ratchet said curiously.

"Sideswipe- "

"Well you did! Right after you ate that greasy food we got at that truck stop."

"Greasy food?"

"Uh…"

"Yeah! The people at the truck stop were nice and gave us extra fuel for her, but it made her sick cause it had too much grease."

Ratchet frowned down at her and she swallowed hard.

"Ye…yeah. I did get sick. But! But I'm fine! Really…"

"But doesn't eating canned food get old after a while?"

"Canned food?!"

Ratchet barked making Lilac jump.

"Ye…yes. It's all really good stuff! I have green beans, corn…some pears…"

She trailed off seeing the medic's look of disapproval.

"Some SPAM."

Sideswipe said casually, barely containing his gleeful smirk as Ratchet glowered at the child.

"Youngling, how much of this…canned fuel do you have?"

"Oh! I have enough to last me…ummm…. maybe two weeks? It depends on how I meter it out really."

"Meter it out? How often are you re-fueling?"

"At least twice a day."

She said as she pulled a can of peas out of her backpack. "See, I have plenty to eat. I'll be- "

"And when you run out? What then?"

Optimus asked. Before she could answer, Sideswipe began to speak again.

"Yeah Lilac. Are you going to buy more SPAM, or are you going to buy more of that food that can be prepared quickly? And what about that chocolate stuff? Snickers are good, but wouldn't you get bored eating that all the time?"

Ratchet sputtered in shock and rage! "YOU'VE BEEN FEEDING HER THAT SLAG THE WHOLE TIME?!"

"She chose her own fuel!"

Sideswipe defended. Ratchet turned his murderous glare from him to Lilac who visibly flinched at his expression.

"Youngling! -"

"I do not eat fast food and candy all the time!"

She protested! Ratchet could tell that she was afraid, but that she wasn't lying to him.

"Then tell me youngling…what do you consume?"

He said as he leaned over her menacingly.

"I…I eat vegetables…fruit, fish, meat, bread…not all of the food I eat comes out of a can. But canned goods are okay too."

"I thought you threw away all of the rust spotted expired cans."

Sideswipe said as he pointed to the can in Lilac's hand. She blinked quickly before she looked at the can and squeaked softly in surprise. He was right!

"That is more than unacceptable! Youngling you need proper nutrition! You need to come back to base with us now!"

"What do you mean I need proper nutrition? I feel fine."

She said innocently. Sideswipe smirked. He had planted the seeds to get the CMO riled up, and his friend was playing into his plan perfectly.

"Youngling,"

Ratchet ex-vented through his olfactory vents, using the last of his patience to speak to the child.

"You are gravely underweight, and under height. You are deficient in Iron, vitamins D, C, B-12, A, Calcium, and Magnesium. And you are beginning to suffer from sun exposure. You are dehydrated, and you have inflammation of the skin caused by overexposure to ultraviolet radiation especially from sunlight-or a sunburn developing."

He said pausing as he noticed Lilac writing something down.

"What, are you doing? Were you evening listening?!"

"Yes, I am listening. I wrote down everything you said."

"Why?!"

"So that I can go and get vitamins from the store when I get into town. It shouldn't be too hard to get a bottle of multivitamins…and of course water and sunscreen are a must too."

"Absolutely not!"

Ratchet snapped furiously, making Lilac cower in fear.

{"Ratchet- "}
{"Permission to put her under my medical care."}

Ratchet asked. Though it sounded more like a statement, Optimus knew what his Medic and close friend was saying. The child was not going to willingly accept help despite her conditions. Nor would she voluntarily come back to base with them. She was hiding something from them and Optimus though having a solid belief in what he thought it was wanted to be sure. If that meant making the child who seemed to be growing more and more nervous around them upset, then so be it. But his allies needed answers and there was no stopping Ratchet once he decided that someone, be they bot or human, needed his care or expertise.

{"Permission granted."}

Ratchet ex-vented once more to cool his elevated core temperature before speaking.

"Youngling, I have tried to be as kind and gentle as I can. But you leave me no other options. Seeing that you will not willingly care for yourself correctly and in fact may not be capable of doing so, and since you will not willingly accept our help you leave me no choice."

Lilac gulped.

"As of this moment, you are hereby under my medical jurisdiction and as such you will have no choice but to return to base with myself and the others where you will receive medical treatment from myself for your wound which will be cleaned and re-dressed, your weight, and any other damage that has been dealt to your frame until I deem you healthy. In addition to this, you will not be permitted to leave under any circumstances unless I deem it acceptable and or necessary for your treatment."

Lilac shook her head in dismay. This was the last thing she wanted. They couldn't do this to her…could they?

Meanwhile Sideswipe giddily bounced on his tires with mischievous excitement. His plan had worked! All he needed Ratchet to say were the two words that would make any bot, Optimus Prime included obey the medic out of sheer terror and he would be ecstatic!

Lilac had gone pale. For some reason both Sideswipe and Ironhide found the scenario to be funny when it clearly wasn't! Sideswipe was bouncing like a giddy child, and Ironhide was smirking deviously for some odd reason. Optimus Prime looked apologetic but also resigned, as if he knew there was no point in fighting with the chartreuse monster. Sunstreaker simply looked bored and annoyed.

"N…n…no. No! You can't do that! You…you have no right!"

She said as she continued to back away from the medic who frowned even deeper before snorting at her. "I do. And I just did. You are coming back to base with us, whether you like it or not, and whether you want to or not. Doctor's orders."

Sideswipe gave a happy whoop of "YES!" as he jumped. Lilac shook her head no as she began to back away from the medic. "No…"

"Oh yes! You heard him! Doctor's orders!"

Sideswipe sang as Lilac continued to back away. Ratchet grunted as he turned and began to walk back to the road alongside Ironhide, Optimus and Sunstreaker.

"Make sure that she does not get away from you. And if either of you so much as think of running and trying to get out of a medical exam, you'll regret it."

He snarled. Lilac was about to do just that, But Sideswipe picked her up first. "Ah, ah, ahhh! You're not getting out of this Lilac!"

Sideswipe crooned mischievously. "S…Sideswipe! N…no! Please! You can't do this! I'm begging you! Please!"

"I have to. I don't want a wrench to the helm! And besides it won't be so bad! Now you won't have to worry about finding fuel, and a place to recharge! It'll be fun!"

He chirped as he quickly set her down before transforming and herding her into his interior. Lilac tried to open his door with all her might, but it was no use! Sideswipe tossed her backpack into his back seat and pulled onto the road. With a pitiful whine, Lilac pressed her hands against her window and watched the scenery begin to roll by.

XXXXX

The drive to the base was fairly short. This was something that Sideswipe didn't mind. He was however concerned when he saw the base. It looked like one strong gust of wind would knock the structures over. The buildings weren't new, but he could tell that they were recently connected to each other with a newer material. One area was still under construction, and by the looks of it, it would be done soon. Sooner if any of the bots were to help.

Sideswipe felt his friend tugging and banging on his door, trying desperately to get out as they approached the base. She looked positively terrified, if her distressed grunts, whines, elevated heartbeat and the beginning of tears forming in her eyes were anything to go off of. There was a human at the gate that opened it once Optimus rolled up. Ratchet had positioned himself behind Sideswipe during the convoy over to the base, so as to ensure that his two patients didn't escape. Once they were through the gate, Ratchet herded Sideswipe into the first hangar, the main hangar that also doubled as a sort of rec-room for the base.

Lilac would have been amazed at the sheer size if she wasn't so terrified. It was big enough to house a sitting area for the Autobots and humans alike with chairs, tables and couches for both parties and a coffee table big enough for the bots to use. In addition to this there was a small area with a swinging door, where two soldiers walked out with mugs, possibly a kitchen.

Ratchet then herded them through the hanger out the back door and into a hallway. They turned right in the hall before turning left and driving down a long hall with a set of large doors at the end of it. The Medbay.

Lilac was bawling in fear. She did not want to be there, but she was trapped. With a hiss, the Medbay doors shut behind them, locked.

"Alright. Sideswipe let the youngling out. Jolt, you'll be giving her a maintenance exam. Sideswipe, on this berth here."

Ratchet commanded. When Sideswipe looked over, he saw Lilac frozen in fear. She had a distant and far off look in her eyes and she was trembling.

"Lilac, it's okay. You have to get out."

All she could do was whimper.

"I promise, nothing bad is gonna happen. They won't hurt you."

He said as Jolt opened his door making her scream. Ignoring her screams he gently pulled her out of his interior and carried her over to a berth. As soon as she was placed down on it she scrambled back from him as fast as she could, and he pulled a curtain closed around the berth.

"Easy there. I'm not gonna hurt you. I just want to help you."

He said seeing the distant look in her eyes and the look of horror and fear on her face. Deciding to take a different approach, Jolt turned on his holoform and began to walk towards her.

He had sandy brown hair and bright blue eyes and wore dark blue scrubs with a stethoscope around his neck.

Lilac screamed and pushed herself to the back of the berth. When her body hit the wall, she began to look at the edge of the berth.

"Whoa, now. Don't go thinking about jumping off the side. Wouldn't want you to get hurt."

"Please! Please leave me alone!"

Lilac wept.

CLAAANG!

"OW!"

"SIT BACK DOWN!"

"WILL YOU GIVE ME A MINUTE?!"

Sideswipe snapped. "Primus!"

Sideswipe swore as he tore the curtain back revealing the two. Jolt gave him and Ratchet a confused and slightly helpless look as he stood near the berth, disengaging his holoform.

"Lilac take deep breaths. It's okay. This is my friend Jolt. Remember? I told you about him and how he is a medic in training?"

Lilac sniffled and nodded her head.

"Good! Jolt, this is my friend Lilac. She's very scared as I'm sure you've noticed."

"Hi."

He said sheepishly with a small wave. "Good! Now that you've been properly introduced, I can safely say that Jolt here won't hurt you. He knows how to treat femmes. And if for some odd reason he did try to hurt you, he knows that I'd re-arrange his faceplates…painfully. So, having said that, are we all good here?"

"GET BACK OVER HERE PIT SPAWN AND SIT DOWN!"

Ratchet barked making Sideswipe look over his shoulder. Before he left, he gave Lilac a gentle nudge with a digit and a smile. "I'm serious Jolt."

He called as he rolled away leaving the two feeling very uncomfortable. They stayed like that for a few minutes until Jolt decided to turn his holoform back on. With a sigh he looked at her again.

"I really mean you no harm. I just want to make sure you are healthy."

Jolt said. Lilac looked at him unsure if she should let him come near her or not.

"Can I listen to your spar-heartbeat? Sorry, I'm still getting used to the new terminology."

He said sheepishly. Lilac blinked up at him hesitantly.

"May I?"

He asked as he took a small step forward. Lilac nodded yes in return. Jolt walked across the berth and kneeled before her. Making slow movements, he used the stethoscope to listen to her heart. After a few moments he smiled. She was still scared, but she sounded healthy.

"Good. Now, if you wouldn't mind laying down, and holding very still, we can finish your maintenance exam. Oh, and I'll need a sample of your DNA."

"W….why?"

Lilac asked timidly. Jolt smiled. She sounded so young and innocent.

"Because we want to make sure from a genetic standpoint that you are healthy too. Don't worry, it doesn't have to be blood. It can be saliva, or even a few small strands of your hair."

"Blood is fine."

Jolt looked at her in surprise. But then as she moved to lay down he saw the blood on her neck. With a nod he smiled at her. "Now hold still. This may tickle a little."

He said as he performed a deep systems scan on her. She gave him a bemused smile once it was over. "Why does that tingle so much?"

"Because we scan down to the molecular level. We see more, with a less physically invasive method. It saves us time and our patients from feeling too uncomfortable. Having said that, may I see your neck? Ratchet informed me that you needed a wound treated."

He said gently. Lilac smiled. She liked him. He seemed nice, and gentle. And young. Much in the same way that Sideswipe and his twin seemed to radiate a sort of adolescent vibe.

Lilac slowly lifted her hair from her neck and showed Jolt the cut. He nodded with a frown as he trans morphed his fingertips into a pair of tweezers. "Okay, I need you to look at my holoform and take a deep breath. Don't move. There's some glass in your neck that I need to get out. But first…"

"No! no anesthetic! I don't do medicine! Or shots!"

"Whoa, whoa, whoa! Calm down! Okay I won't give you an injection! BUT you still are going to need a small painkiller once I'm done. The disinfection part is gonna sting a little."

"I know, I cleaned it twice this afternoon."

Jolt raised an optic ridge in surprise. "I carry a first aid kit in my backpack. Sideswipe has it right now."

"Okay…How did you meet him anyways?"

Jolt asked curiously as he began to remove the many small and one large shard of glass from her neck. Lilac raised an eyebrow before she cautiously began to tell him her version of events.

From where Sideswipe was sitting it looked like Lilac was beginning to warm up to Jolt. It made him smile. "What the frag did you do to your frame?! And what is this slag wrapped around your cables and wires?!"

He sighed in exasperation at the medic. He forgot that by dragging Lilac along with him and to base that he wouldn't get out of a maintenance exam or Ratchet's scrutiny either.

CLAAANGG!

"OWWWW! RATCHET!"

He whined. "Stop whining and answer me slag head! And stop squirming!"

["Help me!"]

["You're on your own fragger."]

["Sunny!"]

He whined while looking at his twin. Sunstreaker rolled his optics and shook his helm. This was gonna be a long exam.

XXXXX

Will and Epps stood on the platform of the Crisis room and were talking about their strategy.

"So, we'll sit the kid down, give her a nice steak dinner, and talk to her about what happened. We'll have her sign the paperwork and we'll be fine."

Epps said casually as he set the table on the platform as Will leaned against the railing. He was letting the steaks rest on the grill outside and would bring them in to serve them in a few moments. "You make it sound so easy."

"Isn't it?"

"No. C'mon Epps. You know it's never that easy. She'll probably want us to pay for her college or something."

"I'm not so sure Captain."

Optimus said as he walked into the room. The two men looked up at the leader curiously. Especially given the fact that Ironhide was following behind him grumbling and that he was wearing his battle mask.

"What makes you say that?"

"The youngling seems to want nothing to do with us. In fact, she tried repeatedly to evade us."

Optimus said. The two men looked at the two bots, noticing some clues. While Prime was wearing his mask, they could easily see the amused sparkle in his optics as well as hear the amusement in his voice. Ironhide on the other hand was grumbling as he looked at his digits.

"Something wrong 'Hide?"

"That little fragger bit me! She bit me! Me!"

He growled. Both men noticed Optimus' shoulders trembling in a silent chuckle. "She bit you?"

Will asked in incredulous disbelief.

"Did I not just state that?!"

Ironhide snarled as Will and Epps laughed. Optimus chuckled softly. "I'm sure she meant you no harm old friend."

"Tell that to the denta indents in the cable in my digit! Fragging feral femme!"

"You might want to have that looked at. Wouldn't want you to catch something."

Will laughed as he went down the stairs to get the steaks from outside. Ironhide grumbled to himself as he flexed his digit once more. Will brought the steaks inside and Epps went into the kitchen in the next hanger and got the mashed potatoes and broccoli as well as some beers for Himself, Will and their guest of honor. Upon seeing this Optimus frowned. "I was under the impression that younglings were not allowed such beverages."

"Ah, she's a college kid. Probably will say it's not as good as what she has at parties."

"Optimus is right. We shouldn't be giving the kid Alcohol. C'mon dude you know that!"

"Yeah but after a drink or two, the lips get looser and inhibitions go out the window…"

"We're not interrogating her!"

"No, but she'll have less to hide if she has something to drink! And besides if we treat her like an adult, she may be more likely to work with us instead of against us! You know what I mean. A couple of drinks won't hurt."

"Or we can be responsible adults and treat her like a young lady, and not give her any alcohol to drink."

"Aw c'mon!"

Epps moaned as his shoulders sagged. "Put 'em away Epps!"

Will called from where he was finishing setting the table. Epps marched back into the kitchen and put the beers back before he got three glasses and the jug of milk. "Hope she's not lactose intolerant." He grunted as he walked back into the Crisis room. Once he got up the stairs he set the glasses down and poured the milk. "Satisfied?" Epps grumbled at Will who snorted back at him. "Yes. You ready to meet the kid?"

"Let's meet this punk ass college girl."

"Ah, get over it Epps!"

Will said good naturedly as he jabbed his friend in the ribs. "I'm over it. But I'm drinking yours later tonight when this is over." He grunted with a smirk. "Ratchet has informed me that they are coming up the hall now." Optimus said with a short nod. "That slag would have fried the youngling's processor any way." Ironhide said as an afterthought as the two men looked over the railing expectantly. Will had his hands behind his back, and Epps had his arms crossed. Both had a serious no-nonsense look on their faces, a look that they usually reserved for missions, meetings, or training. Ironhide snorted. "You're not gonna get info from the youngling looking like that." Ironhide grunted. The two men looked at him questioningly before they heard the high hum of tires on the floor as well as Ratchet's large footsteps. Looking back to the door they saw the Medic walk in with Jolt right behind him. A silver mech skated his way inside after them and Sunstreaker walked in after him. The silver mech gently bent over and placed whom he was holding in his cupped hands on the ground.

Will and Epps faces went blank. "She's…she's just a kid man!"

Epps hissed in surprise at seeing Lilac who looked fearfully up at them before she tried to dart around the silver mech's tire to hide. Said silver mech pushed her out from behind him with a smile that was the embodiment of mischief. With a gentle nudge, the child took a few stumbling steps toward the platform's stairs. This gave the two men enough time to wipe the surprised looks off of their faces and try their hardest to not look concerned, confused, or coo at her like she was a little kid. At least not yet. They both notice the dried blood in her hair and her scrapes and bruises as well as how pale and thin she was. Both internally confirmed that it was a good thing they opted for the steaks. The three stood in awkward silence when she got up to the top of the stairs. Will was the first to fully recover and say something. "Well hi there!"

"Hi."

She said shyly as she swept a strand of hair behind her ear. "So, you're the girl who has been helping Sideswipe." He said before looking up at the mech. "And I presume you are Sideswipe?"

"Yep! That's me!"

He said chipperly. "And this is Syringa Vulgaris! Feral femme extraordinaire!"

Lilac face palmed as the two men looked at her confused. "I swear by all that is good…what is wrong with you?"

She mumbled with a short laugh towards Sideswipe. "My namesake, is Syringa Vulgaris. My name is Lilac Andromeda. It's nice to meet you…Captain Lennox and Sergeant Epps."

She said extending her hand for a handshake. The two men once again stared at her blankly. "How…did you know our names and ranks?" Epps asked as he narrowed his eyes at her. Lilac blinked before she smartly raised an eyebrow at them. She tapped her chest on the right before she tapped her arm just below the shoulder. "I beg your pardon, but you are wearing your names and ranks respectively." She said with a small smirk as she once again gestured to where the two would be should they be on her person. Will smirked at this. "Smart kid."

"Thank you."

"You hungry?"

"Uhh, well…"

"Aw, c'mon!" Epps said as he placed his hand on her shoulder, noticing how she squirmed before she stepped out from underneath it. "It's chowtime! And my man Will here made some good-looking steaks!"

"I'd hate to impose."

"You're not imposing anything. C'mon sit down and eat. It'll give us a chance to talk to you anyways." Will said as he guided her to her seat, where a plate already sat with hot food on it. "Nothing's more irresistible than a hot juicy steak!" Epps said as he rubbed his hands together and sat down on her left. "You only say that because you eat so much and don't cook!" Will ribbed from where he was sitting on her right. Both men sat a little way from her, to give her enough room, yet were close enough to pounce on her if she tried to run.

"Yeah whatever man! C'mon kid. Dig in!"

Epps said as he picked up his utensils. Lilac looked to Sideswipe uncomfortably only to see him smiling back at her. He had pretty much got what he wanted, but she could still escape yet! Exhaling softly, she picked up her fork and knife and cut into the steak. Epps wasn't kidding when he said they were juicy! Lilac fought the soft moan and instinctual muscle tense that usually came when she ate real food. She kept her eyes open and silently reveled in the taste. She hadn't had steak in 7 years.

XXXXX

Conversation was slow at first, but before long the three were comfortably talking. Lilac skillfully dodged any questions that would have her giving too much of her information out and she learned a little about the two men. She learned that Will was married and had one child, a baby girl, and that Epps had a few siblings but no wife yet. After they discussed some of their personal life, they asked Lilac questions about the trip. Lilac and Sideswipe wound up telling the whole story of how they met, (with Lilac conveniently leaving out any parts about her living arrangements) and how the trip went. Everyone leaned in as they told their story, laughing at some parts and nodding gravely as they spoke of their fights with the Decepticons. From start to finish the story that spanned over a week's time took an hour and a half to tell, including answering questions along the way.

When all was said and done the two men nodded their heads in understanding. They heard most of the story, but they were both thinking at length about Lilac, her parents and what they were going to do next now that she knew so much. "Well…that's one hell of a road trip." Epps said. Will cast an angry look at him for swearing where the child could hear him. "Yeah, that sounds like a long trip. You're probably exhausted."

"Oh no, I'm quite fine really. Did I answer all of your questions?"

"We only have a few left. You do understand that you can't tell anyone about the Autobots right?"

"Of course. And for good reason." Lilac said as she sipped from her glass of milk. "And what would that reason be?" Optimus asked curiously. Lilac smiled up at him kindly.

"Well for starters, not every human can handle the knowledge that aliens are real. I don't want to create mass panic and hysteria. Not only that, but it is not my secret to tell. When you all feel that the world is ready to know about you guys then you and or these nice gentlemen here should be the ones to tell the world. Not me."

She said with a soft chuckle. "We're glad you're willing to cooperate. We just need your parent's phone number and email address and then we'll work on getting you sent back home."

Lilac looked at Will with muted horror in her eyes. She had to leave. Now. "Oh, there's no need to worry about sending me home. I'll just sign the paperwork and get out of your guys' way."

"Actually, we need your parents to sign the paperwork. It's just a formality, you know just to make sure that they know that you can't tell anyone, blah blah blah, and that there would be consequences if you did." Epps said, noticing how uncomfortable the girl became at the mere mention of 'parents'.

Lilac swallowed hard. She had to think fast and come up with some fake information…" She can't go back to her parents." Sideswipe said defensively. Lilac froze in horror. Slowly she turned to him with a look on her face that not only conveyed her horror, but also with an expression that was pleading with him to just stop talking. "Oh, and why is that?"

"Because I have places to go and things to see!" She said cutting Sideswipe off from speaking out loud. "Like what?"

Will asked perplexed. "Oh well lots of things! The California Redwoods, the beach, Las Vegas maybe if I'm feeling daring!" She said with a big smile. Everyone in the room could tell it was fake though as they continued to stare at her. "Aren't your parents worried about you?"

Epps asked. Lilac shook her head and snorted playfully. "Oh no! They know I'm helping a friend. They don't know that he isn't human, but they're cool with me being out here."

"I dunno. If you were my child and you just told me that you were going to help a friend that I never met cross the country, I'd be extremely worried." Will said as he narrowed his eyes at her. Lilac swallowed gently before she spoke again. "Oh, but they don't mind though. We're very free-spirited people. And besides, I have some friends down in Phoenix that I can crash with before I go all the way back home." She said with a shrug and a smile. Both men looked at each other with matching frowns before they looked at her.

"Kid, we both know that no normal family would allow this sort of thing."

Epps said with a shake of the head. Lilac swallowed hard.

"Now either you tell us the truth, or we'll look it up and ship you back the hard way."

Will said firmly. Lilac was at a loss for words. "This can't be happening." She thought to herself.

"She can't go back to her care givers because they're abusive to her!" Sideswipe blurted. Lilac's eyes got as big as moons when she saw Sideswipe project the missing child flyer she had shown him. Lilac bowed her head as fear took over her body. The room was dead silent, and surprisingly cold for how hot it had been outside that day.

"Kid."

Lilac didn't move. She didn't want to. She didn't want to look at them. At the people who would ultimately be the reason she was sent back to the hell hole she escaped all those years ago…

"Kid look at me."

Epps said. With a silent sigh, she looked up at the two men and at the room full of concerned looking Autobots. "How long have you been away from home?"

Lilac swallowed her anger and bile before she answered. "It's not home."

"How long?"

"About three years... give or take…maybe four."

"How old are you?"

"Thirteen…give or take a year."

"You don't sound thirteen."

"I read. A lot." She said through her gritted teeth as she tried not to cry. "So…this is where you give me a long-winded apology about how you wish you didn't have to call this in, but as a responsible adult you have to, and that it won't be so bad and that you're sure I'll find a good home that's safe."

Lilac said with resigned bitterness. "What makes you think that we'll say something like that?"

Will asked. "Because, that's what people like you always say. They never want to hear my side of the story, the reason why I'd rather live on the streets…in the woods on my own than live with them! Everyone always sees the flyer and thinks 'Oh those poor parents! They must miss her terribly! She's probably an immature brat that didn't get her way!' or 'You're too young to understand what's best for you! Your parents miss you! You need to be in a safe facility!' "

Lilac spat. "Are those statements not true? Do you not wish to live with your caregivers, or at the very least in a facility where you will be cared for?"

Optimus asked curiously. "NO! I…I'd rather DIE than live with them! And those facilities aren't any better!"

"Okay, calm down- "

"No! I'm not gonna calm down! I…I…I…I will not go back! To either! I don't care if I have to escape or die trying! I'M NOT GOING TO LIVE THROUGH THAT AGAIN!"

She snapped as tears rolled down her cheeks. "Not again." She wept. Epps reached into one of his pockets and pulled out a small package of tissues. He scooted himself closer to her before he offered her the package.

"Take it easy. We're not gonna call anybody. At least not yet." He said gently.

"I'm not about to send a child, who is clearly afraid for her life back to a place that could kill her."

"And neither am I."

Will said solemnly before he sighed. "Look, I don't know what happened to you, and I know it's gonna be hard for you to talk about it…but we need to know what happened."

Will said. Lilac sat there, crying. She didn't want to talk about it. Not only because of the painful memories, but because she didn't want to be disbelieved yet again.

Sideswipe gently placed a digit on her back, and she looked up at him. His look held grim determination, but also an air of protectiveness. All of the Autobots had the same look in their optics. She swallowed hard and wiped her eyes on her sleeve before she used a tissue and wiped her nose.

She looked at her audience with a steely gaze before she began to speak.

"It's a long story. And yes, I have to begin at the very beginning as cheesy and cliché it sounds."

"That's okay. Just tell us what you can."

Lilac nodded her head before she began again. "I do have biological parents, obviously. But my biological father is still alive."

"How come you don't reside with him?"

"Because he abandoned me. Like I said I have to start at the beginning."

"Please, begin." Optimus said solemnly. Lilac exhaled.

"My mom married my father when she was really young. She quickly realized that he was abusive, but because of her age, it was impossible for her to get away from him because he made her dependent on him. I…was not supposed to happen. My mom got pregnant, and…and he told her that she should abort me…but something happened, I don't know what exactly, but it changed his mind. I don't remember a lot about my early life, not that there is a lot to remember, but I'm sure I've got repressed memories of some of the things he said…some of the things he did to my mom…and to me."

She said before taking a deep breath. "The metaphorical road I'm on starts around me turning five. This is about as far back as I can willingly remember I think."

She paused. "My father was an alcoholic…a raging alcoholic. He worked in construction and knew a lot of people in the town we lived in, making it that much harder for mom and I to leave him. On the surface, we seemed like a normal nuclear family, my mom stayed home with me, and took care of me until I started school. But when my dad would get home…"

She said with trepidation…"He didn't just physically abuse my mother in front of me, he also verbally did it too. He preferred to slap us. Open palm. It hurt, a lot, but it was easier to cover up and faster to fade away than a bump from a bat, or a welt from a belt. But that didn't stop him. If my mom was in bad shape, or if he simply was in the mood, he'd turn his focus to me and he would abuse me while she watched. He liked to call me worthless, stupid, a burden on all I meet. He said that I was a waste of space and that no one would ever truly love me. Not really."

She said lowly as she fought back tears. "I didn't believe him at first, but then he started beating it into me. And it began to make more and more sense as time went on. He didn't allow us to have much. I didn't have toys, I couldn't go to parties and functions at school or on fieldtrips and as the year went on he started to get worse. He'd show up at home drunk, and he used his gun to threaten my and my mom's lives…"

"Why did your carrier not remove you from the home?"

Ratchet asked. Lilac looked at him sadly. "We had nowhere to go. Mom didn't work, and she had barley graduated from high school. We couldn't run off because we had no money, no transportation, and because of my father's contacts we had no place to go."

She said sadly. "That is…until my father crossed a line. One night he had come home after I was asleep. I heard him and my mom arguing in the hall. I crept out to see what was going on, only to see my mom huddled against a wall holding her face…her eye and crying. I rushed over to her to see if she was okay, but my father pulled me off of her. He was intimidating her with his gun again. I don't really remember what he said to me, only that he hit me really hard in the head with the butt of his gun, and that it sent me tumbling backwards down the stairs in our house. I remember being in pain and crying…I remember feeling like my arm was on fire…and then the next thing I knew I was in a hospital, with a pink cast on my right arm and mom was talking to a nurse and another lady about my father."

"What happened?" Jolt asked. "While I was in the hospital, mom went and got our things from the house. She packed up all she could and when I was released from the hospital, we left my father behind. We moved to another small town nearby…Bonnieville. Mom got a job at a local diner as a waitress, I went to a new school and life was great for a while. She took good care of me…we went on field trips with my class, she bought me toys, one weekend we even went to the zoo…but it didn't last long."

She said sadly. "Somewhere near my sixth birthday, my father found us. I remember the day vividly. He showed up to my school in a big new, shiny red truck, and he had my mom in the passenger seat. She looked so happy. When he picked me up and strapped me into my car seat, he said that he was sorry, and that he promised never to be that way again. To prove his point, to make it up to us, and to celebrate him getting a promotion, he was taking us out to dinner at a restaurant. I'm not sure if it was fancy or not, but I remember that he bought my mom and I new dresses to wear for the occasion. As soon as I got home from school, my mom gave me a bath, and she took a shower before we both got dressed and went out with him. The night was nearly perfect. The kitchen was moving slow because of a lot of orders, and so I didn't get my food until after my parents did. My father…gave me some of his steak. My mom gave me a little of hers…that was the last time I had steak until today." She said darkly. Everyone in the room was enraptured with her story. "What happened Lilac." Will asked dreading what she was going to say. "My father wasn't happy about the service, and he had a few beers with his meal that night. My mom went to the bathroom before we left the restaurant, and while she was in there…I...I…saw my dad take some pills. He finished his beer and when my mom came back, we left for home. It wasn't long into the drive when my parents started fighting. My father was driving faster than he should have been. I was so scared…" She said as she wiped her eyes. "My father struck my mom, and the truck was swerving all over the road. The next thing I hear is him shouting at the top of his lungs; "IF I CAN'T HAVE YOU TWO, NO ONE ELSE WILL!" and my mom screaming. Then we crashed. We crashed into a tree. My head was spinning, and I somehow got out of the truck on my own…I'm not sure how…but when I looked at my mom, all I could see…all I could see…was the low hanging tree branch sticking out of her chest and stomach." She wept. The men in the room swallowed uncomfortably. "The paramedics said that she died on impact. She didn't feel any pain after the initial impale. Yet somehow, my father survived the crash without a scrape!"

She said angrily. "I was sent to live with my grandmother, while he was put on trial. He pled insanity! And he got away with it! He was sent to a facility until he was fully "cured" of his illness. He was there three months before he was "cured" and let out on parole. He came and got me from my grandmother. I never saw her again. I later learned that she died of Alzheimer's. She forgot to take her heart medicine and had a fatal heart attack. As for me, my father and I lived in his house for another month. Then one night, he told me to pack up everything that I cared about. I didn't know what was going on, so I packed up the picture of my mom and I, the stuffed panda she bought for me at the zoo, a blanket, and some coloring books before I met him in the living room. He put my coat on me and carried me out to the truck. He put me in the front seat and drove me to a hospital. Once we got to the emergency room entrance, he told me to get out and wait from him in the lobby. I walked into the hospital with my backpack and sat on a chair and waited. And waited. And waited for several hours until one of the staff finally noticed me. A male nurse asked me what I was doing and if I knew where my parents were. I told him I was waiting for my dad. A female nurse, who was new, and was having some trouble with her glasses read the note my father taped to the outside of my coat out loud. It read "I don't want it anymore. Take it somewhere else." "

Lilac said lowly. "He called me an 'it'. He abandoned me at that hospital that night and I haven't heard from him since."

"That slagger just left you there?!"

Ironhide growled. Lilac nodded her head yes before she took a deep breath and continued on. "I was placed into foster care. I was sent to live in a group home, a facility of sorts until the social workers could find foster parents for me. It was there that I learned the nature about my situation. The social workers said that they were certain that I'd get placed right away, and that the chances of being adopted were pretty good. But the reality is that I was at the tail end of a very short shelf life for being adopted."

"Shelf life?" Will asked confused. "Statistically speaking, adoptions drastically drop when the child turns six. By seven or eight the chances of getting adopted are very low. We're too big, have too many problems and everyone always wants babies. The average child spends three to five years in the system and twenty percent of kids spend five or more. And some just don't get adopted. The average age of an adopted child is about 8."

"So, you still had a chance to be adopted."

"I did. But it wouldn't come for a while. The kids who were already in the system told me what was going to happen. All the lies that the therapists and psychiatrists and social workers, and caregivers would tell us to make us feel better, to make us behave when they wanted…the chances that we would be adopted, what some of the red flags to look for with parents were…its depressing to say the least. But I was lucky. I got placed with a foster family pretty quick, and I stayed with them for four months."

"Why such a short time?"

"Despite the fact that they were caring and good parents, they were using my older foster siblings to sell drugs."

"Wait, what, seriously?!" Epps spluttered.

"Yeah. They grew marijuana on their land and they were learning how to make meth. They didn't use the meth, they just sold it. This was the first place I learned to weld a little bit." She said looking up at Sideswipe with a small smile. She sighed before she continued on. "But yeah, the DEA busted them, and we got sent back into the system…though one of my older foster siblings from that home did get tried as an adult. He was seventeen…I don't think that it was really fair, especially since that is all that he knew since he was thirteen. My next foster family came about six months after that. I was about to turn seven around that time…I think. Once I was placed with them they insisted on changing my name because it was too silly, and too much like and I quote "What those God forsaken gays would call their child."."

She said as she paused to take a drink of her milk. Looking up she saw the perplexed and bewildered looks on Will and Epps face's. "Oh, yeah. They were extremely religious. Not that being religious is a bad thing. By no means am I saying that. What I am saying is that they were the type of religious people who interpreted the bible differently than what I suppose is normal for many. I mean they said they were going to beat Christ into me. And yes, they were serious. And yes, they did try. They home schooled us, making us read religious texts all day, at times kneeling on grains of rice while we did so. They told us that we were fasting to become closer to God, when in reality they were starving us. They only allowed us to eat so much and for only small moments of time. I remember one time, they took all the food out of the fridge and put it on the table, and they told us we had five minutes to eat it all before they put it all away again. One of the other foster kids, a boy named Terry that they re-named Ezekiel who was younger than me ate so much so fast that he threw up all over the table and the food. They beat us so hard that it hurt for me to breathe for two days! And on top of that, they made us scrub the vomit out of the carpet and they forced us to eat the food on the table. Yes, the food covered in vomit. And just for the record, they did this to us once every five days."

"Shit." Epps muttered as he rubbed his face. "That's not the half of it. They were very easy to agitate. Any small thing could set them off on a tirade about how we are sinners, and how we are a burden to all those with pure souls and that we must repent and be punished for our sins. They told us that we were placed with them because we were the worst members of society, that we needed discipline and that only by beating Christ into us until we were adults would we be able to join society as valued members before we inevitably die and are greeted with open arms at the gates of heaven. What's worse, Ezekiel my younger foster brother, who at the time I think was five always got the brunt of their rage. They always hit him the most. One night he accidentally spilled some water on the floor in front of our foster dad. He used a computer wire to beat him to within an inch of his life. My foster siblings and I knew that we needed to get out of there, but they had bars on the windows and doors. We knew that we needed to get him to a hospital, so we came up with a plan. My oldest foster sibling, Paul distracted our foster parents, while I snuck out through the front door. My foster mother had left it open as she was bringing in the groceries that night. I took my stuff with me just in case. I was at the end of the block when I heard the outraged scream of "HEY!" from her. She chased me out of the suburbs and into town, which as it turns out was a mile and a half away in distance. While I ran for my life, I was screaming at the top of my lungs."

Lilac said while her fingers ghosted across her right ribs. "When I got into town I ran into a diner that had a child safe zone sign in the window. And to make things better, there were four cops sitting at the counter. I ran in screaming and crying about my foster mother and attached myself to one of the cop's legs. She came in right behind me and struck me two times in my ribs with a small lead pipe."

Lilac said as she gestured to her ribcage. Both Will, and Epps winced.

"What happened next youngling?" Optimus asked worriedly. "Well…my foster mother was tackled by the police. My foster siblings and I were rescued and put in the hospital for our injuries and then placed back into foster care. Terry and Paul were later adopted to good homes. As for me and my other two foster siblings, we were sent back into the system. I tried to escape the group home shortly after that…when I was almost eight. The cops drug me back and I was labeled a 'problem child'…and then…the Dixson's came along."

She said softly.

"Your current foster family?"

Epps asked curiously. "No…they went the full mile. They adopted me…" she said looking at her hands. She swallowed hard and took another drink of her quickly depleting glass of milk. She fought back tears as she prepared to speak again. "By the time I was eight, I got pretty good at reading people. I always knew which potential parents were looking for a child to love and which were not."

"And the Dixon's?" Will asked curiously.

"When my social worker initially spoke to me about them, I picked up on some red flags. So did the other kids at the group home."

"Red flags?" Optimus asked confused. "By red flags I mean indicators of danger. The Dixon's had a few. For example; Mr. Dixon was running for a Mayoral re-election. Why adopt a child during an intense and stressful time like that? Especially when she has been labeled a 'problem child'?"

Lilac said with narrowed eyes. "Another red flag for me was that they already had two kids who were two years older than me. Why adopt a third child around that age? The last red flag for me was the fact that Mrs. Dixon said out loud that she was more than capable of conceiving another child and had the medical paperwork to prove it with her! Why, would a perfectly happy and healthy couple with two happy and healthy kids want to adopt a 'problem child' during election season? It didn't add up right to me. Add in the fact that they actually wanted to adopt a few of us group home kids at the same time but couldn't because of procedure and paperwork and you have all the reasons I was leery. When I told my social worker this, she shook her head and chastised me! She said that I was going to a good home, where I would probably want for nothing and that I should be happy. She had no idea how far she was from the truth. I had a gut feeling that something was off about the family. So did the other kids in the group home. But it didn't matter. They filled out the paperwork correctly, and the visit to the home to inspect my future living conditions went well. They passed all of the screening procedures, answered all of the state's questions and there didn't seem to be anything wrong. They were given the green light to adopt me."

"What about your social worker? They were supposed to check up on you."

"And she did. A few times. But the problem is that there are so many kids in the system, that the social workers and case workers often times have trouble keeping up with the workload. Plus, to her the Dixon's seemed totally legit, and I'm sure by the second meeting, she knew that she wouldn't have to check up on me."

"What really happened then?"

"As soon as the Dixon's took me in, they made it blatantly clear that I was not there to be cared for, and that I was there to make them look good. They are a wealthy family, and Mrs. Dixon was a socialite so aside from caring for her own children she didn't want to be bothered with me. In fact, she…she told me several times that she hates me and that she'd do anything in her power to see me suffer if I so much as think of getting out of line or tell someone about the way they treat me."

"And how did they treat you?" Ratchet asked with concern. "Poorly. They made me live in their daughter's second walk in closet, which was used to store her extra winter clothes. They did not feed me often and if they did feed me it was usually a little bit of bread and water or their table scraps, which usually wasn't much. They did not allow me to use their bathrooms, so I was forced to do my business in a bucket that they kept in the closet."

"How long did they make you live like this?" Jolt asked in horror. Lilac looked up at him from her lap. The whole room was looking at her. They all looked disturbed and distraught. She was surprised. She had told her story to others before, but she had never seen people look so… put off about what she said.

"I lived like this for a year." She wept. Those with her in the room collectively grunted or growled in anger. "They did so much to me." She cried softly. Epps reached out and tried to put a hand on her shoulder, but she squirmed away. "You don't have to tell us anymore if it's too painful."

"No. I can tell it." She hiccupped.

"They lied to the social workers. And they lied to the private school that they sent me and their kids to. They said that I had Prader–Willi syndrome. That I was mentally retarded because of my genetics."

"My scans prove just the opposite." Jolt said defensively. "I know. But try telling that to teachers and staff that see a hungry kid with lots of scars and bruises and who has trouble focusing. Because according to her sweet, loving, caring adoptive parents, she was abused so much by her prior caretakers, that she not only has Prader-Willi, but is also depressed and self-harms herself."

"Those idiots bought that?!" Epps snarled. "They ate it up. I was treated like…like…like everything was a challenge for me! The spoke really slowly to me, they would pat me on the head like I was simpleminded and that I wouldn't know or care! They treated me like an overgrown toddler! I tried to prove them wrong, I tried to tell them what was being done to me, but all the staff and teachers ever did was nod their heads and pretend to look alarmed. They didn't believe me! And the Dixon's made sure of that. They came up with false papers for tests to show the school that I really had mental problems. And because the Dixon's upstanding reputation, their money and political standing, the school believed them."

She said lowly. "As bad as it was at school, with all of the teasing from the students and being talked down to like an animal from the adults, it was nothing compared to what they did to me in public."

"What did they do?" Ratchet asked. "First of all, unless I was needed for a public appearance, I was kept in the closet, as dark and funny as that sounds…"

"I fail to see the humor of you being abused little one." Optimus said gravely. "I don't mean funny as in amusement. Not entirely. More in the realm of strange. Anyways if I was needed for a public appearance like for a family outing to the ice cream parlor after my "brother's" baseball game, I was not typically allowed to speak. I was not to ask for anything when we were out. I was meant to look happy. Like I belonged."

"When in reality?"

"…When in reality, if I spoke up, told the truth, asked for something, or looked at her or any family member wrong, Mrs. Dixon would inflict punishments on me. Some so severe that I'd have to stay home from school while I either healed, or she and Mr. Dixon continued to teach me a lesson." She said. "When in reality, the family left me for a three-week vacation out of state during the summer with only two loaves of Wonder bread to eat and two gallons of water to drink, and no cooling system turned on in the house." She said keeping her head down as the others stared at her with horror. "When in reality…they didn't allow me to interact with their own kids, aside from staying away from them or allowing me to watch them from the windows as they had birthday parties, and played with their friends outside, something they told me I was never allowed because I was scum. What made matters worse sometimes is that their kids would treat me just as poorly as they did. My "siblings" would lie and say I did things so that their parents would punish me."

"How in the pit did you get away from those slaggers?!" Ironhide said.

"It wasn't easy." She said looking down at her watch. "The watch I'm wearing, I found it during recess at the private school before I left. I remember the day I planned my escape…the whole event vividly." She said as her eyes seemed to grow distant at the memory.

"I was coming in from recess. I had just found the watch and hidden it on my person when I passed a few classes lining up to go inside. My "siblings" were standing in line with their class making fun of me as usual. I had had enough of it…so I followed them into their class. The teacher didn't see me at first, but a student called me out. She immediately began speaking down to me, asking me if I was lost. When I told her that I belonged there, the class laughed. She gave them a light reprimanding look before she said that she was going to call my teacher so that she could come and get me. I told her that I could prove that I wasn't mentally challenged. There was a math problem on the board…pre-algebra. I had been sneaking looks at it from my "sister's" math books when I could. I walked up to the board and solved the problem. Everyone was laughing at me, even the teacher looked at me like it was cute that I was trying something that was, by what she knew, far above my understanding of math. They all stopped when they realized that the math was right. That I had gotten the right answer. They were all silent when I explained my work, and how I got my answer. My "siblings" were very angry with me, but I didn't care. I had enough witnesses to prove that I was smarter than what I was supposed to be. And since the teacher saw, you can understand that the Dixon's were furious when their kids told them what happened."

She said with the tiniest of smiles on her face as she told them the last part. She winced as rubbed her back softly as she began to speak again. "I was beat really badly that night, and if the banquet at which Mr. Dixon had to address his campaign team and a good chunk of his voters at wasn't a few days away, they would have done worse to me. I stayed home from school for the rest of the week while the Dixon's did damage control and prepared for the banquet. I was on my best behavior during that time, meanwhile I was creating my plan of escape. By the night of the banquet, I was ready. They pulled me from the closet, washed me up, put my hair up and dressed me up in something nice. We went to the banquet and I was silent the whole night. When we got back, I went straight to the closet. Mr. and Mrs. Dixon had had too much to drink that night, so they didn't notice that I still had the bobby pins in my hair to keep it up." She said.

"Once I knew that everyone was asleep, I made my move. The Dixon's had put the lock to the closet I lived in on the outside, but the hole that a tool could be inserted into to unlock the door was on the inside of the closet. I used my bobby pin to unlock the closet door. I took only what belonged to me and nothing more as I left. In the year that I lived with them, I had memorized the sounds of the key pad on the alarm. That week I listened and memorized the sound pattern used to disarm and re-arm the house. I disarmed the house so that it wouldn't go off when I opened the door and left. I did however, lock the closet door and set the alarm to silently re-set after I left, so I could get a decent head start. I got all the way to the rail yard before I realized I hadn't thought my plan through. I didn't have any money, and thanks to the Dixon's the whole county knew what I looked like." She said darkly before continuing.

"Just as I realized this, a guard at the station saw me. I ran for my life into the rail yard, dodging trains and running in between them. The guard was catching up to me pretty fast, when out of nowhere, I got hoisted up off of the ground and into a box car. The guard ran past, not seeing what happened, and the train I was on began to move."

"What happened?" Ratchet asked curiously. "A boy named Jack who would later become my self-adopted older brother heard my screams and pulled me into the train. His self-adopted brothers Colby and Cooper hopped onto the train before it picked up too much speed, and I told them what happened. From then on, they took care of me."

"What happened to them?"

"Yeah, I didn't see any male younglings around when we first met." Sideswipe said, making Lilac jump. He had been so silent, she had forgotten that he was standing next to her. Lilac swallowed the lump in her throat and fought back her tears for the umpteenth time that night before speaking again. "It was about a year after we met up. I think I was ten at the time…"

She sighed. "We were in an old train depot, in the tunnels cause it was cold…I think it had snowed recently…" She said sadly. "It was us and a whole bunch of other Hobos…a lot of us were kids. We were happy, celebrating something…I…can't…remember if it was Jack's birthday or mine…but I remember the panic. I remember hearing the sirens outside and seeing a boy come running inside saying that we had to run, that we had to get out before they caught us. I remember going with Colby and Cooper as we ran out of an old exit. I remember hearing the shouts and cries of people as they were drug by the police out of the tunnel and forced into cop cars and police vans. I saw up the road that a bus…a police bus was coming. Colby, Cooper and I were in the trees, but we could see it… we could see and hear dogs barking and howling as they pulled their handlers, wanting off of their leashes. We were running farther into the trees when I heard a cop speak into the Radio…He…he…he said…. he..." Lilac stuttered as she choked up at the sad memory. With a sob, she continued to speak. "He said that they were going to take everyone in. Jack…Jack was among the crowd of kids they were forcing onto the bus. Colby told Cooper and I to hide. He was going to go back and try and rescue Jack. Cooper and I continued to run into the woods, but we were getting closer to the road. We were so scared we had looped around and were walking towards the police. That's when we saw Colby. The cops had him, and he was trying to fight and get away!" Lilac cried softly. "Cooper…Cooper wanted to rescue Colby. I begged him not to go. Not to leave me…but…but he'd said he'd be okay. He promised he'd be back. Before he left me…he…he gave me a card…and this."

She said as she held up her Swiss Army Knife, showing it to the room before she gently sat it on the table. "It was a gift from Jack…he…he wanted me to have it…" She said as she began to cry harder. "Little one," Optimus said gently, wanting her to stop so she wouldn't exhaust herself. But she went on. "I…I climbed up into the trees. And I watched Cooper. He got caught. They put him on the bus too!" She said before she blew her nose. "I stayed in that tree all night. The dogs couldn't track my scent well because of all of the snow and wet ground. I heard the cops as they walked through the trees. One of them said…he said that it sucked that the tip about me…the Dixon kid didn't pan out. They were looking for me. My brothers got caught…because of me." She wept. After she blew her nose again, she continued to tell her story. "I didn't leave until all of the cops left. I watched the bus drive away…I watched my older brothers get taken away from me… and I never saw them again!" She sobbed brokenly. This time it took her a while to calm down. Lilac was inconsolable.

It was only after a few minutes of Sideswipe silently stroking her back that she was able to talk again. "I…I've been on my own ever since." She hiccupped. Will and Epps looked at each other with matching grim expressions. There was no doubt in their mind that Lilac had suffered enough. Both knew that the other wouldn't send Lilac back to the Dixon's…but they also knew that they had to do something with her. She couldn't return to the streets…but at the same time, her returning to foster care would probably kill her in some sort of way.

Just as they were about to say something, Lilac spoke again. "This is the part where you apologize to me for all that I have been through."

"Excuse me?" Will said confused. "This is the part where people say 'I'm sorry you went through all of that, but we still have to do the right thing. We still need to call your parents and the police.'." She said. Her eyes were a supernatural shade of red from all of her crying. She looked tired and defeated. Like she was ready for death to come and take her away.

"Kid, we're not- "

"It's okay. You guys wouldn't be the first to do it. I understand." She said before she looked up to Sideswipe. "Congratulations. You helped the government catch a kid who's been escaping and avoiding them for the better part of three years." She said softly.

"Lilac, I won't let them take you! I won't let them hurt you! Not again!"

"It's not up to you. It never was Sideswipe." She said sadly as she put the knife back in her pocket. "If it's any consolation, I'll miss you. I'll miss our talks and your humor. At the very least…I have our adventures in my memories…" She said as she wiped a tear away with the back of her hand. "Thanks for caring about me Sideswipe…I…haven't known what that feels like in a long time. I'll try to be strong like you and I'll cherish the memories we made on this trip." She said wiping more tears. "Thank you two for the meal. The steak…was delicious, best I've had since…since I was six." She said as her voice broke. Both men reached an arm out to steady her as she stood up. "If you'll excuse me, I'll be waiting in Medbay for child protective services to show up. I'd rather not be here when you make the call…" she said as she dashed towards the stairs with one last tear filled "Excuse me." Lilac bolted down the stairs and out through the doors into the hall. Sideswipe was right behind her, calling for her to wait as he skated after her. Jolt hastily followed the two to make sure Lilac was alright, leaving the room and its painful silence behind.

Chapter Text

Lilac ran. She ran out of the crisis room and back down the hall until she was back in the Medbay. When she got there, she hid under one of the medical berths and cried. She didn't want to be there. Didn't want to be on base, but as usual she didn't have a choice. Lilac stayed under that berth until she wept herself to sleep. All of the stress from the day had finally taken its toll on her. Sideswipe and Jolt came in shortly after she had fallen asleep and began calling out to her. It was Jolt who found her and told Sideswipe to leave her where she was. After seeing her reaction earlier that day to being moved without warning he thought it was best to leave her be for the time being.

{"We found her."}

Jolt said over the open communications link.

{"What is her status?"} Ratchet asked.

{"She is physically unharmed and is recharging under one of the medical berths. Scans show that she has dehydrated a little…"}

{"She cried herself into recharge."} Sideswipe said lowly as he lowered himself to the floor so that he could see her better. The words that she said to him rang in his audios over and over.

"Congratulations. You helped the government catch a kid who's been escaping and avoiding them for the better part of three years."

This was his fault. Suddenly everything she said began to make sense. Why she said that she didn't want to go to the base, how she said that she would never be able to have a family…

By bringing her here he doomed her to a fate worse than death. While Sideswipe was confident that Prime would not allow the humans to send her back to her current abusive caretakers, he realized that the Prime's power was indeed limited due to their current standing as allies from another planet. He wouldn't be able to make decisions regarding Lilac. She would have to go back into the system, and she would watch as she was passed over again and again for younglings who were smaller and cuter than her.

It wasn't fair. What would happen to her when she was no longer a youngling? Would the humans kick her out?

{"Sideswipe, report back to the crisis room."} Came Prime's command. Sideswipe stared at Lilac's sleeping form. He couldn't leave her. Not after what he did…

"Go. I'll watch her. I promise." Jolt said. Sideswipe looked at him seriously before seeing the mech nod. "I'll alert you if she wakes up." Jolt said as Sideswipe slowly walked back to the door. He took one last look at Lilac before he made his way to the crisis room.

XXXXX

The Autobots were speechless as the child ran off. It was a few minutes before anyone spoke, and it was Captain Lennox who spoke first. "Oh, dear God." He groaned as he laid his face in his hands before he began rubbing his face quickly. Everyone was shocked at what Lilac had told them. "I agree." Epps groaned as his actions mimicked those of his good friend. "That….that….those were easily some of the most disturbing stories I have ever heard." Will said exhaustedly. "And that is saying a lot." Epps grunted.

"But the question is, is anything she told us true?"

The Autobots were disturbed by what the Captain said. "Why would the youngling lie about such atrocities?" Optimus asked, with concern.

"It's not that I don't believe her…it's just that if what she did say was true, and she has been living on the streets…well…"

"She could be missing a few things upstairs?" Epps supplied.

"My sensors indicated that the youngling was being truthful about her past." Ratchet stated firmly in defense of the child.

"Of course, she was telling the truth. She's a good person!" Sideswipe defended as he skated back into the room.

Everyone looked at him as he slid to a stop. Sideswipe stared down the people in the room with determination.

"That femme is one of the kindest and most honest people I have met. And yeah, I haven't been on the planet long, that much is true, and yes, she did try to deceive you, but that was only to protect herself!"

He was not going to let his friend get hurt! He would protect her no matter what, even if he had to break her out of a facility and run away with her, or even keep her hidden under his berth! He would never let her suffer again. He owed her that much. She mattered that much.

"Okay… well there is one way to see if what she said is true." Epps said as he got up from his chair and walked over to where a laptop computer sat on a counter. He picked up the computer and sat back down at the table. Once he booted up the computer, he began to do a specialized search through government records. After what seemed like forever, he found what he was looking for.

"Here's a file on her." Epps said as he opened the file on the computer and projected what was in her file on the wall for everyone to see.

If Lilac's file would have been printed it would have been a foot thick. "Oh, my God." Will said under his breath as he read.

"Shit." Epps muttered in shock and agreeance as he looked back to the file on his computer and began scrolling through page after page of incident reports until he finally reached the section that contained the reports of where Lilac had been placed. As the room read what was in the report, they grew sadder and sadder.

"I…its true…" Will said breathlessly in shock.

"It's all true." Epps confirmed solemnly. Everything that Lilac had told them was in the reports in her file. Well, most of it anyway. There were a few things missing that Lilac had told them. But as far as anyone in the room was concerned, the items that were conveniently missing were most likely missing due to the fact that they incriminated someone, including the Dixons.

"How, in the pit, can someone lie about a youngling's well-being?" Ratchet asked, his voice betraying his disgust.

"And to such an extent as this?" Optimus added. They were all currently staring at the last page of the report; the final write up of the home visit to the Dixon household.

"They didn't just lie." Sideswipe spat. "They made it look like Lilac was well cared for. They threatened her to make her play along. They staged their home to make it seem like she was integrating well into her new family, her new life."

Everyone turned to stare at the silver frontliner in shock. "How do you know that?" Epps asked.

"I might be young, and I might be new to your planet, but I'm not ignorant." He said darkly.

"Lilac said herself that those slaggers staged the home visits. You all heard her say it." He added before pointing back at the projection on the wall. "That social worker didn't care about Lilac. That social worker cared more about that family. The rich, high in political status family." Sideswipe said with disgust. "We all heard her say that the family was wealthy. Of course, the social worker would give a good report!" Sideswipe sneered. "With money, they could create any illusion they wanted. All they had to do was ensure Lilac would play along. And with Lilac playing along the social worker assumed she was fine, like many would given the quality of the deception. Why would they check on her when she became a part of a wealthy, seemingly perfect upstanding family that has a large presence in their community?" Sideswipe asked. "You tell me how a report like that," Sideswipe said pointing to the report on the wall before continuing. "Could be written if the person writing it knew that what they were seeing was fake." Sideswipe said firmly as he crossed his arms across his chest with a scowl.

"They couldn't have…" Will started to say, only to be interrupted. "Unless the person writing the report knows what is truly going on." Ironhide stated before continuing "And is okay with it.". The room was silent as everyone turned to the black burly mech in the back of the room. Ironhide looked at them with a dark expression. "It would not be the first time that a politician has bought off others to make themselves look more favorable or to hide something from the public. We know that." Ironhide grumbled darkly before continuing. "I'd wager that that social worker had something to gain if they wrote a good report about that family and their home."

"Even if they did not, that does not change the fact that Lilac is in danger." Ratchet said.

"We clearly can't send her home." Will said.

"Won't send her back foster care. That would be worse…assuming that she doesn't get tagged by the system and sent back to the Dixons." Epps stated firmly.

"And the Decepticons are after her." Sideswipe confirmed with a sigh. The room looked at him in surprise.

"Sideswipe, are you certain about that?" Optimus asked gravely. Sideswipe winced a little as he thought back to his previous encounters with the Decepticons.

"At first I didn't think so. Skywarp being the glitch he is, is one thing. But Starscream…" Sideswipe said trailing off.

"What about that glitch?" Ironhide asked as he pushed himself off the wall. "He said she had nowhere to run this time…Like he knew about what happened in our fight with Skywarp…"

"So what? They're trine mates." Sunstreaker sneered. "He probably told him what happened." He said.

"Yeah, and I'd think that too if he didn't chase her. And then there was the fact that he had Thundercracker kidnap her."

"So?" Sunstreaker asked again moodily. "So…" Sideswipe began, while shooting his twin a dark look. "Why kidnap her? Decepticon M.O. is to kill anyone affiliated with us. Typically, in front of us. Why take her?" He said. That made the look on Sunstreaker's face change.

"You think, that they think she knows something?" Epps asked.

"What would she know?" Sunstreaker said in a slightly snide tone.

"Our location." Ironhide said. Sideswipe hesitated before he shook his helm. "No…I knew that the coordinates of the message were sent in Nevada. But neither of us knew where in Nevada. Let alone the location of the base." He said.

"But they don't know that. " Will said as he crossed his arms. Sideswipe narrowed his optics in skepticism as he spoke again.

"Even if that were the case, why not just get that information from me? Starscream and Thundercracker could have taken me down…raided my processor…" Sideswipe began only to stop at the scathing look that Sunstreaker was giving him.

"Look, I'm not saying that I am not one of the best swordsmechs on the planet. I know for a fact that I am. But I am saying, that from a strategical standpoint, going after me for information is smarter than targeting Lilac, and killing me."

Sideswipe said. "As much as I hate to admit it, the pit spawn is right." Ironhide said darkly, making the room turn towards him to give him their attention. "Why go after a human who may have some information, when you could go after a mech who you hate, hold a longstanding grudge against and who you know has more information regarding the location, or locations of enemy bases, and the locations or arrival dates of his comrades?" The room was silent as everyone processed the information. Both Sideswipe and Ironhide were right. Why would Starscream chase after a child who had little to no knowledge of the Autobots? Was it simply to get information, or was there another reason? Everyone in the room jumped when Optimus spoke. "While Starscream is many things,"

"Like a pit slagging glitch," Ironhide supplied only to receive a reprimanding glare from Optimus before the leader continued.

"He is not thoughtless. There is a reason for his pursuit of Lilac." Everyone in the room stared at him. He was right. All of the Autobots were right.

"Regardless of the reason, she can not leave this base." Ratchet said before continuing.

"Not only because of our uncertainty of what the Decepticons want with her, but also because of her current health status. She will not survive long if I do not begin treating her for malnourishment." Ratchet said.

Will and Epps looked at each other worried. Both men noticed that the child looked very thin, but they didn't know that she was malnourished.

"Ratchet?"

"Yes Captain?"

"You scanned her right? Gave her a full checkup?"

"I did a preliminary scan of her upon our first meeting yes. Upon her arrival to base, Jolt completed her medical exam."

"And what were your findings?" Optimus asked.

"As I noted before, she is deficient in several vitamins and minerals, and is greatly underweight. Upon DNA analysis, I found that she is underweight by at least 30 pounds, and that is only in the fifth percentile of female younglings! She is easily forty to fifty pounds underweight given her genetic structure." He said angrily. This wasn't his usual anger, however. Ratchet was not angry at the child. He was angry at those who hurt her and forced her to live in such poor conditions.

"From Jolt's scan, I found that she truly has suffered a great deal." Ratchet said solemnly before projecting x-ray scans of Lilac's skeleton on the wall. Epps shut off the projector and looked to the wall, barely hearing the soft hiss of several near silent gasps.

"Holy shit." Epps muttered.

"As you can see, her frame has sustained severe damage during her lifetime." Ratchet said.

"Jesus…" Will exhaled as he looked at the skeleton.

"Look at her ribs." Epps said as he gazed upon several different highlighted healed fractures on the skeleton.

"I have taken the liberty of highlighting the fractures and color coding them based on the age of the fracture. The darker highlighted fractures are old. That is to say that she sustained those approximately five to eight earth vorns ago."

"And the lighter ones?" Will asked unsure if he wanted to know the answer.

"Those fractures have occurred as recently as one earth vorn ago. However, due to the nature of the fractures and where they occur, combined with the youngling's accounts of abuse, I am certain that many of the light highlighted fractures that are seen here occurred approximately three earth vorns ago."

"When she was still under the care of the Dixons." Optimus surmised gravely.

"Are you sure that those times are accurate?" Will asked.

"Do you doubt my medical knowledge and ability?" Ratchet asked tersely.

"No." Both Will and Epps said together in unison.

"BUT, if we're going to build a case to have her removed from their custody, then we need irrefutable proof that those two gave her those fractures, and any other injuries when you said they did." Will added.

"Will's right. If we are going to base a case of child abuse off of your scan's then we need as accurate a timeline as you can give us. That way it will be easier to nail the two bastards who did this to her." Epps said.

"Even if they or the judge request a second opinion, the fractures will still show up…right?"

"The lighter ones will most likely show up, as they are more recent and are more sizable breaks. The dark ones are less likely to be picked up by your earth X-ray scans as your technology is still somewhat primitive. But a good medic should be able to tell the difference between a recently healed break and an old one. Assuming that a competent medic is chosen to do the scans of course."

"Ratchet" Prime began in a slightly admonishing tone.

"Prime, their medical knowledge is greatly limited! Even YOU- "

"Did the youngling sustain any structural damage during the fight with the Decepticons?" Optimus asked. Ratchet's glare softened at the concerned look in his leader's optics.

"No. She was very lucky to have not broken anything." He said, making everyone exhale softly in relief. "BUT she did sustain some injuries during her journey from Sideswipe's landing spot." Ratchet added as he changed the display on the wall to one showing pictures of Lilac's scans and a summary of her injuries.

"Given all that has happened in the last week, she is lucky to only have suffered one major laceration on her neck and a minor sprain in her right wrist. Jolt has treated her for both injuries and upon her waking up, I will begin her treatment for malnourishment."

"Okay. While you do that, we'll see if we can get her removed from the Dixon's custody." Will said as he stood up from his chair.

"Pardon my question Captain Lennox, but will that not take a lot of time?" Optimus asked curiously.

"I assume it would. Their government moves slow as it is." Ironhide grunted.

"Oh, it will." Will said with a smirk as he turned to the command team of Autobots behind him. "But so, will treating her for malnourishment." He said as his smirk turned into a grin. "As far as I'm concerned, she has immunity from all powers that seek to harm her based on medical needs. Add in the fact that she by your own medical diagnosis is not fit to leave and you have a perfectly legitimate reason for why she can't leave this base for at least two months." He said.

"And if anyone asks me, I'm pretty sure I heard her declare your Med bay as sanctuary." Epps said with a grin.

Optimus Prime looked at the two humans in front of him in slight amusement, noticing that his medic and weapons specialist looked confused about what they were saying. He would explain their ally's loopholes later to them if need be.

"It would also be beneficial for her to remain on base, seeing that we do not yet know the true nature or reason for the Decepticons wanting to capture her." Optimus said with the tiniest glint of amusement and mischief in his optics.

Just about everyone in the room nodded their helms or gave some sort of verbal agreement. Lilac would not be going anywhere anytime soon.

XXXXX

Lilac woke up from her dreamless sleep somewhere shady and cool. She opened her eyes and blearily looked around. The room she was in was so bright! And yet, she was in the shade. It was then that she began to remember the events of the night before. Her eyes grew wide in panic as she looked around.

She was back in the Med bay.

Lilac silently stood up and looked around. She didn't see anyone. She didn't hear anyone. It looked like she was alone. Silently she crept across the floor. If the Med bay was vacant, then she could escape. She knew that getting off the base was going to be hard, but she knew that she had to try! There was no way that she would stay there after what she had told the two men last night.

She had just left the shadows and was creeping up the main walkway towards the large doors when someone cleared their throat behind her. Lilac jumped a foot off the ground and covered her mouth so as not to scream when she whirled around only to see the large, intimidating, brightly colored medic behind her.

With a stern glare, Ratchet walked up to her and planted his hands firmly on his hips. "Where do you think you are going youngling?" He said leaning over her so that she was caught in his shadow. Lilac backed up quickly, fear evident in her eyes. She wasn't sure if she could outrun him, seeing that he was fully transformed this time. But she was willing to try.

However, just as she was about to turn and run, the large doors opened up and a large blue bot walked into the room behind her. Jolt looked at Ratchet and then down at Lilac and smiled gently.

"I'm sure she was just looking to explore." He said kindly as he stepped more into the med bay, forcing Lilac to back away from him and further toward Ratchet.

Ratchet grunted before picking her up, causing her to let out a muffled scream as she was still covering her mouth. He sat her on top of a Medical berth and sat on a stool near it and scooted closer to the berth she was on. While he wasn't eye level with her, he was close enough so that she would not have to strain her neck to keep eye contact with him.

"Youngling, for the foreseeable future you are under my medical jurisdiction." Ratchet began in a stern no nonsense tone. "That means that you are to do as I say when I say. Understood?" He said.

Lilac nodded her head as she trembled a little, afraid of the large medic, and the height of the berth. She desperately wished Sideswipe were there to tell her that everything was okay, like he did the afternoon before or at least to be some sort moral support. But the silver corvette was nowhere to be seen.

"Good." Ratchet said gently as he looked her over.

"I have taken the liberty of drawing you a bubble bath in the human wash racks." Ratchet said as he picked Lilac up and carried her to one of the rooms in the back of the med bay. Lilac did not get a chance to look into the other three rooms as their doors were closed. Once they were in the room Ratchet set Lilac down and allowed her to take a good look around. The room was a clean sterile white, much like the rest of the Med bay. However, this room was designed like a communal shower, with shower stalls lining the walls and with a few large bathtubs that could be used for physical therapy, ice baths for sore muscles and in Lilac's case a regular old bubble bath.

"Alright youngling. I am going to give you your privacy to perform your cleaning maintenance. HOWEVER-"Ratchet said loudly in a stern tone making Lilac wince at the echo as it bounced off the walls. "You will need to be thorough about your cleaning maintenance. And I do mean thorough. As a resident of the med bay you will come into contact with others of my race and yours. I will not have you contaminating or infecting anyone. Do you understand?"

Lilac rapidly nodded her head mutely. "Good. Sargent Epps was kind enough to provide you with a spare change of clothing, of which I expect you to change into once you are clean. Do NOT put on any armor that you were wearing prior to your wash. Simply put it in a neat pile, and I will have it properly washed and sanitized for you. And that includes any spare armor sets in your bag." He said pointing to her backpack that was hanging off one shoulder.

"If you do not perform an adequate and thorough cleaning maintenance on your frame, I will."

Ratchet threatened making Lilac gulp. She couldn't begin to picture what Ratchet would do to her if he deemed her not clean enough. And she certainly did not want to know.

"And above all else-"The medic began again as he kneeled, getting closer to Lilac and making her shrink into herself. "Try and relax." He said to her in a gentle tone. Lilac looked up at him in stunned surprise. "The Med bay is a safe place and Jolt and I will ensure that no harm comes to you here." Ratchet said in a gentle and soothing tone as he straightened back up and walked towards the door. "If you need anything, simply call or press that button next to the door." He said in parting.

Lilac watched him leave before turning to look at the room again. There were no windows or doors other than the one that Ratchet used to enter and exit the room. Lilac then looked back to the tub, where a rich lather of foam and bubbles covered the top and climbed down the sides. She hesitantly walked over and looked at it before she quickly tested the water with her hand. It was nice and warm.

She shivered and winced as she pulled her clothes from her body, finally feeling how sore her muscles were and the sting of several small scrapes on her skin. She winced even harder when she felt the warm water hit her scrapes and the stitches on her neck as she climbed into the tub. After a while, she sunk under the frothy water, enjoying its warm embrace as her muscles relaxed. When she raised her head above the water she sighed. Lilac couldn't remember the last time that she had taken an actual bath, let alone a warm bubble bath!

By the time she was done, an hour had passed. She quietly stepped out of the bathroom, carrying her clothing from the day before. Ratchet saw her and scooped her up once more and placed her once again on a large berth. This one however had stairs and railing on the sides, and it looked like it was covered in clean white sheets. A pillow and a few blankets sat on the berth as well. "Alright youngling. Hand them over." Ratchet said pointing to her clothes. Lilac timidly gave them to him and squirmed as he scanned her. With another grunt, he walked to one of the back rooms and closed the door. Lilac stared after him concern written all over her face. She jumped when Jolt chuckled behind her.

"Do not mind him. He is just concerned for your well-being." He said. "Here, I brought you some human fuel." Jolt said as he handed her a tray. With a small smile Lilac took the tray from him and sat down on the berth she was on. He had given her a sandwich, an apple, a glass of milk, a bottle of water, a bag of chips and a single serve string cheese.

"T..Thank you." She said shyly to him. Jolt smiled at her and sat down on a stool and scooted over. While she ate, he gave her a short list of rules for the med bay.

She was not to leave her berth, except for going to the bathroom, or when he or Ratchet instructed her to do so. She was not allowed to go into any of the other three rooms in the med bay, given that one room was Ratchet's office, one was an operating room, and another was simply off limits. She was not to bother Ratchet when he was busy, and by extension Ratchet would not allow her to bother Jolt when he was busy. And of course, she was to do what Ratchet said no matter what.

With a small nod, Lilac confirmed that she understood and that she would obey the rules. Once she had finished eating, Jolt took the tray and her trash so that he could return them to the kitchen. Once he left, Ratchet walked out of his office and gave her a stern look. "Rest youngling." He commanded. Lilac wasn't sure what she should do. After all, she wasn't tired!

But Ratchet's stern glare was too intimidating for her. With a submissive nod, she unfolded the blankets and covered herself with them. "Good youngling." Ratchet praised as he walked back to his office. He did not notice Lilac's tears or her silent sobs as she tried to fall back asleep.

XXXXX

Lilac's first three days were uneventful. She spent her time following the same routine, waking up, showering, eating, taking several naps, re-reading the documents in her backpack, eating some more and eventually falling asleep for the night. She was beyond bored and was quite miserable. She did not have anyone to talk to. Not that she spoke to anyone often back in Kentucky, but here she had at least two people she could talk to all day! After spending a week with Sideswipe, she had grown used to conversations and some sort of companionship. But now she was nearly banned from talking to anyone! She had asked to speak with Jolt once during the evening of her first full night in the Med bay, and Ratchet told her that he and Jolt were busy before going into one of the forbidden rooms in the back of the Med bay. She tried again early the next morning but was once again rebuffed. At that point she gave up any hope of speaking to either bot, as well as seeing Sideswipe again.

So, it came as a great surprise one evening during her dinner that Optimus Prime himself came into the Med bay and asked how she was doing. She had barley said that she was doing fine when Ratchet butted in and began to explain that he thought otherwise. Her heart sunk as the Medic began to prattle on about the various things wrong with her, as she knew that he would most likely not allow her to talk to the Prime. Soon enough her thoughts were confirmed as Ratchet ushered Optimus Prime into the forbidden back room that Ratchet and Jolt had been spending so much time in.

After what seemed like an eternity, Lilac watched the three mechs come out of the room with solemn expressions. She watched as Optimus left the med bay, bidding her a good night and a pleasant recharge. She replied as best she could before he strode out the door. When she turned around, she saw Ratchet looking at the doors to the Med bay, his arms were crossed, and his optics were dim as if he were thinking about something. However, as soon as she noticed this, he noticed her and frowned. "Time for recharge youngling."

"But-"Lilac began to protest, noticing that the clock on the wall hadn't even struck 8p.m. yet.

"No protesting child. Recharge." He admonished as he came over and removed her tray from her berth. Lilac sighed sadly but obeyed. She pulled the blankets over her and laid on her side away from him. She waited until he left to his office before, she began silently crying, as it was now a part of her nightly routine. Lilac laid there and cried silently as she had done every night since coming to base. After about an hour, she finally fell asleep.

When Lilac woke up next, the room was completely dark. She blinked her eyes a few times so that they could adjust to the darkness before she grabbed the bottle of water she kept nearby. Ratchet had realized the first night that she was very dehydrated, and as a result needed to drink more water, more frequently. As a result, the medic ensured that she had a large bottle of water on her berth at all times. Lilac appreciated having the water but found that the increase of liquid consumption meant that she had to use the bathroom far more often than what she was used to.

So, after having a large drink of water, Lilac climbed down the stairs of her berth and walked towards the back of the Med bay to use the bathroom. Jolt usually left a small light on for her so that she could find her way to the bathroom, but tonight she didn't see it. As she blearily rubbed at her eyes, she tried to remember which of the dark rooms to go into. Despite having made the trip numerous times before, she was more tired than usual for some reason and this coupled with the near complete darkness confused her. Thankfully, she saw a guiding light flashing behind a cracked door and followed it into a room. Unbeknownst to her, she had entered the forbidden room that Ratchet and Jolt were spending most of their time in.

The room was large and somewhat crowded with tools and machines. A large berth sat in the center of the room, and a large tarp was placed over something on the berth. However, the large tarp did not cover the source of the blinking light that Lilac had followed.

Now fully awake, Lilac could not help but feel curious. What was that blinking light and why was it blinking? Without thinking Lilac climbed the stairs on the side of the berth. When she got to the top, she found a large metal mass, and the blinking light, (which Lilac had noticed was a lovely shade of blue) was blinking from somewhere within the mass. Lilac was about to climb up on to the top of the mass when she remembered Ratchet's rules. She knew that she wasn't supposed to be in that room, and she knew that she would probably get in trouble. A lot of trouble. But she was tired of always obeying the medic! She hadn't done anything fun or exciting in the last three days! She wanted to explore and learn more about her environment!

With a small grin, she climbed up the side of the dark colored mass. Only to find a large hole in the center of it. Lilac frowned. The hole was not like a pit, but it looked almost…like an opening of some sort.

"Interesting." She whispered to herself as she peered over the edge. She could see the flashing light inside! With a curious grin she sat down on the edge of the hole before scooting closer and hanging into it. With an excited grin she let go of the edge that she was holding and fell, landing on her bottom. She frowned when she stood up and rubbed at her tailbone a little. She had not expected the fall to be so far. She brushed it off though as she climbed over various objects in her way as she tried to get to the flashing blue light. Upon arriving to the source of the blue light she found that it was coming from a panel on the wall.

As she leaned in, she saw that the panel had marks and glyphs like the ones she watched Sideswipe burn into the corn. When she tried to lean in closer to get a better look, she tripped over something and yelped as her hand slammed against the panel. The panel made a positive sounding chime and the display changed. Lilac stood up and looked closer at the screen. She couldn't understand what the glyphs meant. She was about to turn away when a picture popped up next to one of the glyphs. Lilac looked closer and then looked down. There was another flashing blue light! This one seemed to be coming from a port that a cable was supposed to be plugged into. She frowned curiously at the port and then at the screen before she bumped her ankle into what had initially tripped her. She looked down to see a large cable. And the end of the cable matched the shape of the glowing port!

With a grunt of effort, she lifted the cord and carried it across the floor before shoving the matching end into the glowing port. The panel made another cheerful chime noise while turning the picture the glyphs and the area around them a positive shade of green. Then the panel highlighted the next set of glyphs and picture below the first. Lilac looked at the panel and at the picture. This time, a port closer to where she entered was flashing blue. Feeling excited, she eagerly maneuvered her way to the area where the port was flashing. She looked around and found the cord she needed and plugged it in. She rushed back to the panel, only to see it lit up with a strange glyph like icon flashing repeatedly. She looked at the panel closely only to be startled when a new picture popped up! It was a picture of a tool being used to secure the cable she had plugged in.

With a frown, Lilac scratched her head. She hadn't seen any tools lying around. Then again, it was so dark where she was, she couldn't see much of anything other than the panel and the flashing of indicated ports. However, by this point she was having too much fun to stop, so she decided to try and find the tool in the picture. She started by looking for the tool in the cavern she was in. After that, she climbed out of the pit and back down the stairs of the berth. She looked around, and found some tools she could use, including a flashlight and a small red toolbox that she could carry. She started with the tools in the toolbox, and when she found that the tools did not match the picture, she climbed back out, searched around for a bit, and eventually grabbed the correct tool from where it was laying on the end of the berth. Once she was back inside the pit, she correctly connected the cord, using the large wrench she had found to tighten the end of it. When she returned to the panel, she found the familiar shade of green highlighting he previous step and another set of flashing glyphs and pictures. With a wide grin, Lilac leaned in closer to the panel to see what her next step was.

XXXXX

Lilac had lost all sense of time. She was having so much fun! Each task that the panel came up with, she happily completed. She was so distracted that she couldn't even remember why she had gotten up and out of bed in the first place! But she had to be quiet! She didn't want Ratchet to hear her, and get angry with her for not only being out of bed, but for also being in a room she should not be in.

With a happy, satisfied smile she walked back to the panel. She was positively filthy after crawling over, under and in between things and she had smears of grease on her face and up her arms. But it was worth it to her. Sure, she had no knowledge of what exactly it was that she was doing, but just being able to do something made her happy. When she reached the panel, she saw that her last task was once again highlighted green symbolizing it's completion. She scrolled up the list of items seeing all green before scrolling back down, having figured out eight or nine steps prior that the panel's screen was not only touch sensitive, but that the list of tasks was long enough for there to be a need to scroll down the list.

Seeing all tasks lit up green, she grinned as she pressed on the green flashing glyph at the bottom of the list. There was a great humming noise in the air, and the walls around her light up in a dazzling show of blue and white lights. Some of the lights glowed, some pulsated slowly, others twinkled softly or flashed quickly and vibrantly. Lilac's grin grew wider in amazement, happiness and awe before everything suddenly went dark again. She quickly frowned as she looked around. She couldn't see anything! She quickly turned her flashlight back on and looked at the now dimed panel. There was a message in the same glyphs she had grown used to seeing highlighted in green. The rest of the panel was the same calm blue that had lured her to the room in the first place. Lilac watched as the message blinked at her as the panel continued to dim before it abruptly shut off. With a frown she poked at the panel and received no response. With a sad sigh, she picked up her tools, only to yelp softly when she felt a shock! She hastily touched the wrench she was grabbing again and was relieved when it didn't shock her. Lilac brushed it off as static electricity, that is until she touched the wall next to the panel. This time Lilac yelped loudly as she jumped back from the wall shaking her hand and arm furiously as she felt the pins and needles of painful electric tingles going up to her shoulder. She quickly looked at her hand and arm in the light of the flashlight and was happy to see that she was not burned from the shock. As a matter of fact, her hand which had gotten sore from her work felt relaxed. She flexed her fingers and felt no pain. She then flexed her arm and rolled her shoulder and was amazed as well as amused to find that her muscles no longer ached. They felt relaxed!

As she discovered this, she saw a faint reflection of herself and snorted a laugh. Just about every hair on her head and on her arms was standing up! She shook her head in amusement before she wiped at her forehead, leaving a large grease smudge. The pit had suddenly gotten much warmer for some odd reason. And that is when Lilac heard it. The low, soft, constant humming of something vaguely mechanical. She had heard the noise before, but she could not remember how, or where she had heard it. Lilac narrowed her eyes and focused on the sound, only to be startled by her reflection once more. Or rather, she was startled by what she saw in her reflection. The wall with the panel was sliding vertically into the floor! Not only that, but something behind it was rising up too!

Lilac turned around and began walking back towards the wall with the panel before she heard a loud CLU-CLUNK, and some soft high-pitched whining. It was loud enough that it startled her, causing her to flinch, but as she looked up, her eyes went wide with terror as she saw that the opening at the top of the pit where she had come in was quickly CLOSING!

Lilac stood frozen in panic for a few precious seconds before her brain fully registered the gravity of the situation. If she did not move, she would be sealed inside the machine. Panicking, Lilac threw the flashlight in the toolbox and began to run towards her quickly closing exit. As she ran, she grabbed tools she had left out and maneuvered over the obstacles, no longer caring about being quiet. As she got to the ledge, she saw that she was almost too late! The gap was closing so fast that at her current speed she would either get to the top just as the covering sealed her in, or worse, she would get to the top just in time for the covering to sever her from her lower half. But the pit was getting extremely hot now, she could see the lights in the walls flashing on and off, she could hear a much louder, deeper humming coming from the machine. A deafening crack of electricity near the now quickly rising silver pod like shape had her squeak in fright before she put the handle of the toolbox in her mouth and began climbing. She looked back in time to see purple-blue electricity buzzing between electrodes in a closed off area she had not seen prior. She saw cables swing and jump, as if liquid had suddenly been pumped into them forcefully. There was no way that she would be able to survive inside the machine. With renewed vigor and speed, she climbed the wall, setting down the toolbox on a short ledge before pulling herself fully out. She grabbed the toolbox and pulled it out at the very last second. With a much softer hydraulic hiss, the machine sealed shut.

Lilac collapsed. She pressed a hand to her heart as she panted heavily. A small part of her subconscious mind laughed and compared her escape to something out of an Indiana Jones movie, but she wasn't laughing. She was trying to calm down from the prospect of nearly getting killed. Another small part of her mind (most likely the part acknowledging her extremely high adrenaline rush) was giving her the classic feeling of 'WOOO! THAT WAS FUN! LET'S DO THAT AGAIN!'. Thankfully, the more rational part of her mind kicked in and she curled up into a fetal position so that she could calm down, calm her breathing and comfort herself.

As Lilac laid there, she noticed a small crack in where the machine had closed up running down what seemed to be the middle of the machine. Lilac had not noticed it when she was climbing, due to the fact that a separate piece of metal was closing off her exit. 'Perhaps the machine has layers of metal to protect the inside?' she thought. Lilac could now distinctly remember seeing the different pieces of metal moving to seal up the machine. In fact, it was for that reason that Lilac collapsed on the edge of where she came out from. That way she would be on stable metal. But now that she looked, she could see the faint glow of lights from the crack. She blinked and rubbed her eyes trying to confirm what she was seeing. She suddenly felt the metal under her shift a little. She put her arms out as she stood up so that she could be steady. The light was much brighter now.

Maybe a little too bright. So much so that she was nearly startled by her own shadow. Lilac blinked before realizing that the crack could not emit as much light as she was seeing. Her eyebrows furrowed as she glared down the sloping metal and at the wall in front of her. She could see her shadow in the blueish white light. 'Wait…' She thought as she registered the color of the light. Slowly, Lilac turned around only to see a band of the blueish white light. She then began to notice some features.

Lilac paled.

XXXXX

Jazz had died a horribly painful death. Or so he and just about everyone else thought. His final memories were of Megatron ripping him in two before throwing him down. And so, naturally, when he came back online, the first thing to come to his processor were the memory files of the battle and his subsequent 'death'.

Jazz screamed.

He screamed in pain, anger and admittedly fear, a quite common reaction for many bots who come online after having been knocked out in battle. What he was not expecting was for someone else to scream.

Lilac screamed at the sudden noise from the now very alive creature she was standing on. Hearing her scream, Jazz bolted, sending her tumbling down his chest plates and into his lap as he screamed even louder in alarm. Lilac screamed even louder, now because she was scared and because she had fallen and gotten hurt. Her face was flushed, making her look a florescent shade of red.

Suddenly the door to the room slammed open revealing a creature with red optics and a spinning, whirring buzzsaw. Both Jazz and Lilac screamed at the top of their lungs (or intakes in the case of the scuffed-up silver saboteur). As Jazz placed his arms up to shield his helm, neck cables and face, Lilac's eyes rolled back into her head as she fainted. Just as she hit the berth, Ratchet turned on the light to the room and stared in complete and utter shock.

"J..Jazz?" He stammered as Captain Lennox, Epps, Optimus and Ironhide stormed into the room behind him, weapons drawn.

"What the pit is-"Ironhide trailed off as he saw what had made the medic speechless.

"Jazz?" Optimus said in utter disbelief. The mech in question raised his cracked visor and 'blinked' a few times before looking at the group. "H…Hey Prime!" He said sheepishly. The group in front of him was speechless. Jazz vented some steam through his vents softly, and that was enough to break his friends and given the humans, allies out of their stupor.

"What in the pit- "

"How the hell- "

"What happened- "

"HOW THE FRAG ARE YOU ONLINE?!" Ironhide blurted, drowning out the other's questions. Jazz rubbed the back of his now very sore helm and smiled sheepishly.

"About that…well…" He said only to pause when he looked down and saw Lilac.

"Ummm…Who's that?"

He asked pointing to her. The room at large looked to see Lilac laying unconscious in Jazz's lap. Ratchet swore as he walked over to the two and picked her up. Ratchet gave Lilac a deep scan before confirming for the room that she was still alive, albeit with a rapid heartbeat.

"You are lucky that she did not leak on you. Her bladder is quite full." Ratchet said as he adjusted her only to smell the faint scent of urine. She had leaked a little. But he would not tell the others that. He would wake her up and have her discreetly go to the bathroom and change later.

In the meantime, he had to figure out how by some miracle of Primus, his friend was still alive.

Chapter Text

Hello awesome readers! I'm glad to see the hits on this story increase. It's nice to know that there are still people out there who enjoy this story and this fandom as a whole!

I want to thank you all for being patient with me as I've struggled with my work life balance. I am trying to do the best I can to make more time for myself so that I can write more often. Seriously, thank you all for your kind words and support!

This chapter is 50% important info and 50% filler! Sorry for the filler, but it needs to happen so that the plot can flow better in the next 3 chapters.

Hope you enjoy!

{"Text"}- Com. Links.

'Text'-Internal monologue/inner thoughts

XXXXX- Time change/text break

OOOOOO- Flashback

OOOOOO

Quickly, a child ran past slow moving, and stalled train cars. It was a fairly small train station. The moon hung overhead giving just enough light so that the child and her pursuers could see where they were going. Her short, panicked breaths condensed into miniature clouds in the chilly night air as she ran, desperate to get away. She had just escaped her long-time captors and was now running for her life. She tensed as she heard the occasional shout from the train yard workers who were trying to catch her. They would shout to each other as they ran after her, trying to corner her.

"Stop running kid! Get back here!"

She screamed. One of the train yard workers had turned onto her path behind her. And he was closing in fast.

"Please!" Lilac wept. "Please leave me alone!" She sobbed as she ran. She didn't have the strength to raise her voice. She turned a corner quickly trying to lose the man as she sprinted.

Suddenly, she felt herself being lifted off the ground by her backpack. She tried to scream, but her mouth was quickly covered. Whoever had her drug her to the back of the train car they were in and kept her mouth covered. Lilac fought against the person but was stilled as they watched the yard workers run past their hiding place in the shadows.

"I'm gonna remove my hand. Please don't scream." The young voice hissed slowly and quietly. As soon as the hand was removed Lilac spun to look at her new captor. He was only a little older than she was. His dark brown hair matched his dark brown eyes perfectly, despite the curiosity and concern that was held within them.

Suddenly the train lurched and began to move. Her new captor stumbled into the wall and caught her as she fell forward towards him. Slowly the train began to pick up speed, and much to Lilac's surprise she could see two boys running alongside the train. This startled her, especially when the larger of the two boosted the smaller one up and onto the train before he himself scrambled to climb into the moving vehicle. Frightened, she backed into a corner with a whimper.

"It's okay. You're safe." Her captor said gently with a small smile.

"Sorry we're late!" The bigger of the two new boys hissed in a whisper.

"Hey! Who's that!" The smaller one asked in an equally quiet tone.

Her captor and the other two boys now looked to where Lilac had sunk to the floor in fright.

She whimpered teary eyed as her captor, the oldest and the largest of the three scooted close to her. "It's okay. We're not going to hurt you. My name is Jack." He said softly before looking to the others who sat down not far from them. "That's Colby." The one named Jack said while pointing to the older of the two new boys.

"And I'm Cooper!" The smallest one said brightly in proud yet quiet voice. Jack chuckled quietly as he shook his head at the smallest one's enthusiasm.

"What is your name?" Said the one named Colby. Lilac was unsure if she should tell them, or answer them in general. Yet…at the same time, they were giving her such encouraging looks that she somehow found her voice.

"M…My name is L…Li…Lilac." She stammered shyly. To her surprise the others smiled. But there was no malice in their expressions. They looked genuinely happy to know her name.

"Well, it's nice to meet you Lilac." Jack said in a positive and polite tone.

"Yeah, nice to meet you!" Colby said, with a small smile on his face. She could have sworn she saw some form of concern or hesitance in his eyes.

"Good to meet you Lilac!" Cooper said brightly. He seemed thrilled that she was there!

"So, what brings you on to this train?" Colby asked kindly.

"She was being chased by the yard workers." Jack said.

"Oooohhh. So that was what all that yelling was about?" Cooper asked sounding innocent.

"Yep! But that's okay. She's safe now and that's all that matters." Jack said as he looked to her, a smile firmly planted on his face. Lilac tried to take it all in at once. He had dirt and other smears running across his face and other parts of his body and clothes. But his smile was wide and friendly, and his eyes were bright with amusement and trust. He simply radiated…kindness! It threw Lilac off!

She wasn't supposed to trust this person. She wasn't supposed to trust strangers! Especially ones that lived on a train. And yet…she found herself smiling shyly as she looked down at herself. And her smile only grew when she heard the three of them commenting on her pretty smile and how glad they were to see her happy.

She looked up at them shyly with her small yet bright smile. "S..safe? A…am I r..really…?" She asked.

"Yes!"

"Of course!"

"Absolutely!" They each replied.

"Y…you promise?" She said shyly, worried of the answer she would receive.

"Are you kidding? With us around you wont have to worry about anything!" Colby chuckled as Cooper laughed good naturedly.

"Promise." Jack said with a grin.

"We all promise!" Cooper giggled. Lilac smiled and began to laugh quietly too. As she laughed, she felt a tremendous weight lift off of her shoulders. She knew in that moment as she laughed, that she could trust these boys, that they would keep their promise. As she began to laugh harder, she felt herself letting go and allowing herself to feel comforted by those around her. She knew for some odd reason that she could trust the boys, her friends, her saviors, who sat around her. And that made her even happier and as a result she laughed harder.

For the first time in what seemed like forever, she felt free.

OOOOO

When Lilac awoke next she was back on her berth. She looked around groggily noticing the bright light that filled the room.

It was quiet.

It was sterile.

It was unnatural.

Lilac didn't feel comfortable sitting on her oversized bed, in a new, clean, set of clothing she definitely wasn't wearing the night before. She sighed softly as she flopped onto her back, thinking about the dream she had woken up from. She was glad that it wasn't a nightmare, as so many of her dreams usually Were. But at the same time, she was saddened by the dream, the memory of her brothers.

Her heart ached with worry. For the umpteenth time, she wondered where they were, what they were doing. Were they okay? Were they happy? Were they safe? Did they miss her?

That thought, made her sit up. Did they miss her? Did they remember her? Lilac brought her knees to her chest at those thoughts. What if they had escaped from the police and were looking for her?

Lilac knew that it was extremely unlikely, borderline impossible that her brothers had escaped the police. If they had, she would have heard something about them by now. Someone would have said something to them or to her so that they could re-unite.

But still. That tiny shred of guilt filled hope fluttered throughout her being.

Saddened by those thoughts, she inhaled deeply, rewarding herself with the sharp smell of disinfectant.

She missed her trees. She missed her grass. She missed the moss-covered rocks by the creek and in the glade, the soft tufts of clover that she eagerly laid upon as she basked in the sun. She missed the smell of the warm dead leaves that crunched underfoot. She longed for the cool mud at the banks of the creek and the loud bullfrogs that sang at night.

She. Missed. Home.

XXXXX

Jazz came out of recharge far more gracefully than he did the night before. He was happy that his body had been restored to its former glory. Well nearly restored. He still was in some minor pain seeing that his systems had only began to divert his energy towards his repairs, at least the repairs that Ratchet and as he had learned, the little femme hadn't finished. Because of this, Ratchet had him moved into the Medbay proper so that he was no longer cooped up in the small room they were keeping him in. It was something that Jazz was grateful for seeing that the other room seemed more like a mortuary, given how dark, sterile and generally lifeless the room appeared and felt.

"It's a great, biiig, woorld. Waiting just for meeee! Full of riddles, rocks and rivers, as far as I can seee. It's a brand new daaay! Full of who knows, where the sky goes, when it hides from meeeeeee."

Jazz snapped his helm in the direction of where the soft melody was coming from. He had to do a double take, because he almost missed the tiny female human sitting on the berth diagonally across from his.

"There's a great, biiig tree, full of birds and leaves! I can spy there or just lie there. As happy as can beee! It's all inside of meee! Finding sticks and playing tricks and running like the wiiiiiind."

She sang softly. Jazz marveled at how she carried certain notes. It was almost haunting the way she was drawing out some of the words.

"Life is very extraordinary, whatever comes my waaay. It doesn't matter if it's a rainy or a sunny daaaay…"

As Jazz looked closer, he noticed the femme was the same one that he found in his lap when he woke up the night before. He grinned as the child continued her song. He loved music, and he found Earth's wide variety of music to be very fascinating.

"La, la, la, la, it's a great big world. La, la, la, la, laaa. La, la, la, la, it's a great big sky…La, la, la, la, laaaa…." She trailed off as she wiped tears from her eyes. Jazz frowned. He was not sure why the child stopped singing, but he sensed it had something to do with the saline lubricant leaking from her optics. He noticed that the longer she sat there the more her optics leaked, and her lower lip plate seemed to wobble oddly. Deciding to get a closer look, Jazz silently left his berth and crept over to hers just as she placed her face in her servos. Her body was shaking oddly, and Jazz was beginning to get worried. Perhaps the child was in the Medbay because her frame was malfunctioning. If that were the case, then Jazz wanted to ensure that she was not suffering from a major malfunction at the moment.

XXXXX

Lilac was sobbing silently into her hands. She felt so hopeless sitting on the berth that she just couldn't contain her anguish any longer. All she wanted was to go home! All at once she felt a shadow overtake her and she nearly froze. Fearing it was Ratchet and that he would yell at her, she meekly looked up from her hands. What she saw made her blood run cold. There leaning a mere 11 inches away from her was a large blue band of light. Lilac paled as more tears ran down her cheeks. Instinctively, she leaned back, almost flattening herself to the berth. While doing so she was able to take in the entire being's appearance. The blue band of light was cracked, and a piece of it looked to be missing. The rest of the hulking creature was scraped up and dented, with bits of metal twisted this way and that. All at once Lilac figured out what she was looking at and her breath caught in her throat. The being grinned, flashing an impressive set of denta, making Lilac tremble.

"Hi there!" the being thundered kindly.

Lilac screamed.

Jazz stumbled back in surprise and alarm, tripping over his own foot pads and accidentally pushing the berth behind him into the wall eliciting a startled yelp from the office. Recovering quickly, Jazz stumbled to get up and walk over the femme to placate her only for her to back away from him on the berth.

When it became apparent that the being was still going to come close to her (despite her screaming) Lilac bolted. She quickly found the stairs on her berth and took them making a bee line for the doors of the Medbay.

"Whoa there! Hol' on a klick sparklin'!" Jazz called out as he stumbled over his foot pads trying to catch up to her. 'Curse my fraggin' recalibratin' systems!' He internally swore. He couldn't move with the same speed or finesse he was accustomed to. Deciding to try and corner the child, Jazz hobbled after her towards the doors.

Lilac was screaming and crying as she dashed for the doors reaching them just as the large, awkward scrap heap passed the berth she was sitting on previously. Suddenly the doors opened allowing Lilac to sprint out screaming bloody murder. Jazz frowned as he tried to pick up the pace to keep up with her. His limping didn't help the situation as his uneven steps created a loud metallic clanging noise as he tried to run.

"ZZZOOOOOMMMMBIIIIIEEEEEE! SOMEBODY HELP! THERE'S A CYBERNETIC ZOMBIE CHASING MEEEE!" Lilac wailed making Jazz frown.

'The pit is a zombie?' He wondered as he continued to pursue the child as she sprinted up the hall. Suddenly, someone rounded the corner surprising Jazz into stopping. Unfortunately, Lilac was running with her eyes closed at the time and didn't see the person as she tripped over their pede with a yelp.

CLANG!

Jazz winced as he watched her collide with Ratchet's shin. Rachet stood stunned at what he was seeing. The only thing that broke him out of his stunned silence was the pained cries coming from the top of his footpad. Looking down he saw Lilac crying and shaking as she held her head. All at once a boiling rage built up in the medic.

Jazz flinched, and had he been human, he would have gone pale at the expression Ratchet was giving him. His self-preservation coding was screaming at him to turn and run. So, he did just that, but forgot one crucial fact; this specific medic when enraged would chase his prey much like a pack of ravenous lionesses would an injured gazelle. And when especially furious he would do so with the same calm pursuit predation and persistence hunting of a Komodo dragon.

Jazz didn't want to stick around and find out which method he would use this time. He quickly turned around and sprinted back to the Medbay. Ratchet scooped up the crying child and stalked after him. Once he got back into the Medbay he set her down on her berth and strode over to Jazz who was cringing on top of his own.

XXXXX

Will and Epps sprinted towards the Medbay. They had heard the screams from up hall. When they entered the Medbay they heard Lilac crying loudly and saw that Ratchet was currently ranting in his native language at the silver bot, Jazz, on the berth. Much to their surprise, Ratchet smacked the mech on the berth upside the head with a large silver wrench.

"OWWWWW!"

"WHAT IN THE PIT WERE YOU THINKING?! I HAVEN'T HAD A CHANCE TO FULLY REPAIR YOUR SYSTEMS YET! AND WHAT DO YOU DO?! YOU CHASE A YOUNGLING DOWN THE FRAGGING HALL! DO YOU REALIZE HOW DANGEROUS THAT WAS FOR THE BOTH OF YOU!?"

"Ratchet I'm sorry!"

CLANGG!

Will and Epps winced as the medic struck the silver bot again.

"YOU COULD HAVE TRIPPED AND FALLEN ON HER JAZZ! OR PRIMUS KNOWS WHAT ELSE! HAD I BEEN MOVING FASTER I WOULD HAVE STEPPED ON HER!"

CLANNNG!

"OWW! I was only tryin' ta say hi! She was leakin' from 'er optics! I didn' know she'd act like that! "

"YOU-"

"Ratchet!" The medic turned slowly at the hail of his designation fixing the two humans who shouted at him with a glare that was truly stupefying. So much so, that Will had to find his words after a few seconds.

"Why are you assaulting Jazz?" While phrased as a question it was more of a demand. One that Jolt laughed at.

"He always smacks bots with his wrenches when they misbehave!" He said like it was an old joke. Jazz on the other hand did not find it very funny.

"I aint a ill-behaved sparklin' Jolt! I wasn' misbehavin'! I was jus' tryin' to make sure that the younglin' was okay!" He griped as he rubbed the new sore dented spots on his helm. He cast a gentle look towards the child on the berth nearby and was awarded with a terrified watery glance from her. He vented a sigh and looked up at Ratchet.

"Honest Ratch. I didn' mean to scare her," he said before looking back at the child. "I'm really sorry..." He trailed off once he realized he didn't know her name. Ratchet vented a hard sigh before turning to the child and scanning her. Other than her rapid heartbeat, Ecchymosis on her forehead and clear emotional distress, she showed no signs of damage. A miracle given how hard she had collided with his shin.

"Youngling, the mech on the berth behind me is not zombie."

"The pit is a zombie?" Jolt asked sounding confused. He looked to Jazz who shrugged in response, equally as confused.

"BUT-"Ratchet cut in while fixing the two with a stern glare.

"He DID almost offline. He owes you a tremendous apology because this is the second time now that he has frightened you."

Lilac sniffled innocently as she cautiously looked at the mech. He was definitely the one she had worked on the night prior.

Once Jazz got a better look at her he gave her a dazzling grin. "I owe her more than an apology Ratch'! I owe her my spark!" He announced. Everyone in the Medbay gave him confused looks.

"Why is that Jazz?" Ratchet asked cautiously.

"Well, she saved my spark Ratch'! I gotta at least tell her thank you for that!" He said brightly.

"Umm, Jazz can you explain a little bit more about how she saved your spark?" Will asked bewilderedly.

"Indeed." Came the regal reply. Everyone in the room turned to see Optimus standing just inside of the door. Like the others he had come running when he heard the screams. Though judging by those in the Medbay, there looked to have been a rather large misunderstanding.

Deciding that the explanation might take a while, Optimus walked up to the two human officers and offered his servo to them to get on. The two cautiously looked at him before deciding to get on and sit down, offering him their thanks. Optimus turned back to Jazz and nodded his helm, signaling him to continue.

Taking in the confused and curious looks he was receiving Jazz silently vented before continuing.

"That younglin' over there," Jazz started pointing at Lilac who immediately shrunk down a little, "Is the reason that I'm still online. She fixed my systems and was able to bring me back online last lunar cycle." He admitted. Ratchet narrowed his optics a little, partially insulted and partially out of worry for his friend. He was preparing to do a deep systems scan on Jazz's processor when Jolt stated everyone's most obvious thought.

"Jazz, she's only a youngling. There is no way that she would have been able to repair your systems and bring you back online. Ratchet and I repaired you."

"Indeed. Jolt is right. He and I began finishing the repairs to your frame shortly before you came online last evening." Ratchet added before finalizing the calibrations his scanner needed to perform the processor scan.

Jazz smiled gently before scooting back on the berth away from the medic and his portable scanner.

"Ya'll are right. You repaired my frame. But not my systems. You two were preppin' my frame for burial, right?" He asked. The room was eerily silent. Jazz internally winced at everyone's expressions. Deciding that the silence was enough of an answer, Jazz continued.

"Well, as hard as it may be to believe, that femmlin' is the reason that I'm talkin' to you now. You see, I wasn' really offlined. Obviously," He stated as the others fixed him with mildly annoyed and confused looks. He paused for a moment to say a quick prayer in his processor.

"A long, long time ago, shortly after you became the Chief Medical Officer for Prime, I went under the laser cutter for a special upgrade. I expected to be targeted and offlined soon. Special ops had lost a lotta good bots recently cause the Cons really upped their game. We were doin' double duty, as frontliners and as espionage agents and in a small handful of battles we lost nearly a third of my department. It wasn' till later that I noticed a pattern. My department was targeted on the battlefield. Most of my best were severely damaged or offlined while other frontliners walked away without so much as a dent. Prior to this we had a few good bots get captured on missions but were only able to rescue one." Jazz explained. Ratchet, Optimus and Jolt's optics dimmed as they recalled the memory files and mission logs. The four mechs shared a saddened look with one another before Jazz continued.

"When we rescued him from Shockwave's lab, we saw what happened to the others…" He trailed off before his frame gave an involuntary shudder as he continued. "He was the sole survivor, because Shockwave was able to hack his processor and learn the identities of several bots in my department. Myself included." Jazz said gravely.

He remembered the rescued mech well. He was always a happy go lucky mech, but he was never the same after that. He still had the com message saved from when the mech committed self-termination. He had called him on their secure communications link and told him that he was sorry for the breach before he cut his main energon line in the washracks.

Jazz shuddered once more shaking himself out of the memory before continuing his explanation.

"After that I knew it was only a matter of time before they targeted me. So, I had a special upgrade installed. This upgrade is designed to put my spark into a special spark casin' that is undetectable to most bots. My processor, memory core and survival systems would switch over to a secondary system hidden within my frame that would be run on a separate power source."

"YOU SON OF A GLITCH!" Jolt barked making everyone in the room jump.

"THAT'S WHY YOU COULD ALWAYS DRINK SO MUCH HIGH GRADE! YOU COULDN'T 'JUST HOLD MORE' OR 'HANDLE IT WELL'! YOU HAD A FRAGGING REASON!" Jolt shouted incredulously.

Jazz blinked before going back to his explanation. "Anyhow, right before ol' Megamouth tore me in half, I had my systems switch. So, for the record, I only looked offlined."

"But you were alive the whole time." Will said sounding amazed and frightened.

"That's all well and good Jazz. But how did your systems…" Jolt trailed off in confusion.

"How'd they reboot and bring me back to life?" He asked with a laugh.

"Well, that's where the femmlin' comes in. There's a very specific set of procedures needed to switch my systems back over. Certain wires gotta cross and connect you know?"

"No, I do not know. Jazz, why exactly was I not made aware of this?" Ratchet asked in a very cool calm voice as he hefted the weight of the wrench in his servo. Jazz swallowed thickly as he confronted the medic who looked far too calm for his liking.

"We…we…well Ratch, it's not like I didn' wanna tell you…"

"Then what is it, Jazz?"

"There were only a few medics who knew about the upgrade. Most of em' offlined in the battle at Iacon…."

"I'm still here Jazz." Ratchet pointed out making Jazz wince.

"I…I know Ratchet. I had the file uploaded to your medical mainframe after the battle."

"You mean the mainframe that we left behind?"

"You didn' take our records with you?! Or a copy?"

"Oh, I took a copy slag helm! But the problem is that I didn't update the copies of the files I made in preparation before we left!"

"Oh…" Jazz trailed off quietly before his visor flashed in realization.

"Wait! You should still have a copy! I made sure that it attached itself to my file! It's jus' heavily encrypted!"

"Ah, so you waited until after we thought you rejoined the well to inform me of the de-encryption code?" Ratchet asked evenly. Jazz was about to answer when the medic flicked his wrist and flung the wrench he was holding at Jazz's helm. Jazz ducked allowing the wrench to bounce off the wall behind him and ricochet into the back of his helm making him swear.

"Jazz…" Optimus started before Ratchet cut him off.

"ARE YOU TRYING TO OFFLINE YOURSELF?!" HOW LONG WERE YOUR SECONDARY SYTEMS GOING TO LAST?!"

Jazz flinched a little before giving his answer.

"'Bout three deca-cycles give or take…maybe four?" Ratchet took only a moment to compare the different time tables before he started ranting again.

"THREE MONTHS?! YOU ONLY HAD ENOUGH ENERGY FOR THREE FRAGGING MONTHS JAZZ?!"

"Well, it aint meant to be permanent! The whole idea is for you to recover my frame and bring me back before the time runs out! And you did that- "

"WE DIDN'T KNOW WE HAD A TIME TABLE TO WORK WITH! WE THOUGHT YOU WERE OFFLINED!" Ratchet roared eliciting a terrified whimper from Lilac. While she had found the explanation fascinating, she couldn't help but curl into a ball instinctively when Ratchet began yelling. Seeing this Optimus strode over to his Chief Medical Officer and placed his free servo on his shoulder.

Ratchet turned to glare at his Prime. There was no way he was letting Jazz off the hook for this! Instead of scolding him however, Prime looked Ratchet in the optics before cutting his own optics down to where Lilac was cowering and whimpering. Seeing this Ratchet growled furiously before venting heavily.

"Would it have been too much of a problem, to inform me verbally of the upgrade you received? Hmm? Honestly Jazz, you could have just left me a com message before you took on Megatron. That's all it would have taken. One quick message on an encrypted line and that would have been the end of it."

Ratchet groused as he collected his wrench from where it sat on the berth behind Jazz.

"That was my bad Ratch. Honest." He said seemingly to the room at large.

Optimus shook his helm before he placed Will and Epps on Lilac's berth. She was still curled up into a small ball. With a gentle smile, Optimus addressed the child.

"Little one, I believe that now is the appropriate time to introduce you to another member of my team."

Lilac uncurled herself a little to look up at him before looking at Jazz hesitantly. Optimus kneeled a little so that he could be more at eye level with her before speaking again.

"You have no reason to fear. Lilac the mech that was very interested in meeting you is designated Jazz. He is my acting Lieutenant and head of special operations."

"Hi there!" Jazz chipperly greeted with a short wave.

"Jazz, this is Lilac. She is currently under Ratchet's care due to some injuries she sustained while assisting Sideswipe to base."

"H…h…hi!" She said shyly giving him a short wave.

"Great. Now that everyone has been introduced, perhaps those of you who have little reason to be here can leave so that I may continue monitoring my patients?" Ratchet demanded. Lilac shivered a little more on her berth as the others continued bantering with the medic. She had to find a way out of here.

XXXXX

After the scene that transpired that morning in Medbay, Ratchet shooed everyone out so that he could run diagnostics on Jazz. Jazz for the most part, didn't fuss too much about the diagnostics or the treatment that Ratchet began shortly thereafter. Especially not after Ratchet used several tools to remind Jazz that he was solely the one responsible for his current stay in the Medbay.

Lilac exhausted from the events of that morning fell back asleep. She was comfortably napping when she felt a gentle poking at her back. She groggily looked up to see Jolt standing next to her berth with a tray of food. She smiled gently up at him as he set it down.

"Time to refuel. How are you feeling?"

"I'm okay." She said shyly as she risked a glance over at Jazz. The mech was casually lounging on his berth with his arms behind his helm and his foot pads crossed at the ankles. Said mech raised an optic ridge and smirked at her, making her immediately look down at her tray. Jolt chuckled silently as he observed her behavior.

"Thank you." Lilac said as she innocently looked up at Jolt. With a smile and nod of his helm Jolt walked off the one of the back rooms to continue going through the spare parts that needed sorting.

{"So, what's up with the lil' lady Jolt?"} Jazz asked over his newly reinstalled com. link.

{"Why don't you ask her?"}

{"I think she's still pretty scared of me."} Jazz said as he noticed the child kept a wary eye on him as she ate. Jolt laughed making Jazz raise an optic ridge.

{"Give her a joor or two. She will become more comfortable around you."}

{"Is that so?"}

{"I think she desires interaction, but she is too nervous to initiate a conversation."}

{"Hmmm…"} Jazz hummed as he continued to watch the youngling consume her fuel. It wasn't long before she had finished her meal. Seeing this as an opportune chance to speak to her, Jazz decided to get her attention. He gave a short, shrill pitched whistle and watched her freeze. She looked cautiously up at him as a grin spread across his face. He made a beckoning motion with his servo and watched as the child paled. He almost laughed when she looked behind her as if she expected him to be speaking to someone else.

Jazz looked towards the back room where Jolt was working and then to the doors that lead out of Medbay. Having decided, Jazz hopped off his berth and dashed over to Lilac's berth so fast that she didn't even have a chance to protest when he scooped her up. Just as quickly, Jazz ran back to his berth and hopped back on.

Lilac was panicking. He had barely made a sound. 'Nothing so large should be able to move that quickly and silently without making noise!' she internally raved.

"Hello there femmlin'. Sorry to disturb you, but I wanna apologize for scarin' you so much." Jazz said chipperly. Lilac trembled as she tried to find the right words to say to the mech.

"If I'm gonna be honest, Medbay gets real dull when you don' have someone to talk to." He said. That shook Lilac out of her panic.

"I…I kinda know what you mean." She said sheepishly.

"Well then, I don' see any good reason for why we can' talk to each other." Jazz teased lightly before continuing.

"You heard all 'bout why I'm here. Thank you again by the way for fixin' me,"

"N..no problem." Lilac stuttered shyly.

"But I aint got a clue on why you're in here. Well other than what Boss Bot told me earlier when he introduced us."

"Boss Bot?"

"Prime. I kinda have a habbit of givin' bots other designations." Jazz supplied with a shrug.

"Oh."

"So, he said you helped Sides come to base. That true?" Jazz asked causally as he made them both comfortable on the berth. Lilac quickly found herself sitting on his lower abdominal plates as he reclined comfortably with his hands behind his helm.

"Y…yeah. It's kinda a long story really…" Lilac trailed off sheepishly.

"If you don' mind, I'd love to hear it." Jazz said with an easy-going smile. For some odd reason, Lilac felt more comfortable around the mech than she did before. Maybe it was his smile or the way he spoke. Whatever it was she knew one thing for certain; it was nice to finally be able to talk to someone.

XXXXX

Lilac spent the next twenty minutes telling Jazz the story of how she and Sideswipe met and their adventures across the country. Jazz was thoroughly entertained by her accounts of how Sideswipe responded to being covered in manure and to how he interacted with her race when they could. In return, Jazz told her stories about the other bots and the shenanigans of living on a spaceship bound for Earth. Before either knew it, Ratchet had returned to the Medbay with Lilac's dinner. At first the medic was surprised to see her off of her berth and was prepared to return her to it with a gentle scolding. But once he saw her smile and laugh at the story Jazz was telling her, he decided that it was probably better to allow his two patients some time to socialize. After all, both had been starved of proper socialization for a while.

Once Lilac and Jazz had finished eating, the two compared other parts of their respective cultures such as the process of eating, food, and of course music. Jazz was overjoyed to hear that she came from a region famous for its genre of music and that there were countless kinds of tunes for him to explore. Both spoke eagerly about different kinds of music and were just getting into what their favorite musical instruments were when Ratchet returned to spoil their fun.

"Alright youngling. It's time for you to have your wash." Lilac couldn't stop the pout that came to her face.

"No, no. None of that youngling." The medic admonished gently as he went to collect her from where she was sitting on Jazz's leg.

"No worries, Lilac. We'll talk more after. I could use a trip the 'racks myself." Jazz admitted as he took in the sight of his grimy frame.

"Funny you should mention that..." Jolt drawled with a grin. Jazz looked to the mech and decided he didn't like the overly mischievous grin his teammate was giving him.

"Don't be stubborn Jazz." Ratchet said as he dropped Lilac off at the door to the bathroom.

After completing her shower and nighttime routine, Lilac returned to the Medbay proper to find Jazz glaring at a highly amused Jolt before he cast a nasty look at the retreating form of a smugly smirking Ratchet. His armor looked much shinier than it had before. Deciding not to waste any more time, she quickly walked over to his berth and knocked on the metal frame to get his attention. He looked down at her a grinned before leaning and offering her a servo to get on. She very carefully stepped into the middle of his hand before grabbing on to a digit for dear life as he lifted her up. He sat her down on his knee joint before casting the two other mechs a semi-annoyed look and continuing their conversation.

Once again time flew by as the two continued to talk about the wide variety of Earth's musical instruments and how they were used and like before Ratchet came along to spoil their fun. This time though, he simply plucked Lilac off Jazz's knee joint and carried her off to her own berth ignoring both their protests.

"Both of you need to rest. Today has been a very active one for the both of you and you need to rest so that your frames can properly heal."

"Aw, c'mon Ratch!"

"Ah, ah, ah! You two need to rest a-"

"Please Ratchet?" Lilac begged as she looked up at the medic with wide innocent blue eyes. The medic frowned as he looked back at her.

"No youngling. You need to maintain a proper recharge schedule."

"But she spent the whole mornin' rechargin'!" Jazz protested.

"I'm not even tired!" Lilac whined making Ratchet glare sternly at her. Under his gaze Lilac shrunk back a little thinking that perhaps she should have just kept her mouth shut.

"Ratchet, she's not a sparklin. It ain't even after 8:00. Can't she stay up for 8 more breems?" Jazz pestered making Ratchet grumble. He should have known better than to let those two spend so much time talking to each other! That said, the youngling's frame was showing signs of fatigue. She wouldn't stay up too much longer.

With a mildly annoyed grunt the medic relented and granted them their request of 8 more breems. But ONLY 8 more breems! The two were ecstatic that they got to stay up later, and Jazz spent the next forty-eight minutes telling Lilac funny stories. Both had made themselves comfortable by getting under sheets and propping up pillows as they traded tales. Neither were sure who feel asleep first, but Ratchet was happy that they were able to wind down. Putting a mild sedative in Lilac's glass of water and Jazz's IV certainly helped.

XXXXX

When Lilac next woke up, she shifted uncomfortably under her blankets before pulling out something she hadn't seen the night prior. Holding it up she caught Jazz's attention.

"What's that?" Jazz asked curiously from across the room startling her. He smiled sheepishly and offered her an apology and a highly amused good morning before beckoning her to come over and join him. Deciding to bring the strange device with her she crossed the room over to Jazz and allowed him to place her on his knee again.

Lilac looked at the device in her hands carefully before recognizing it. She smiled brightly at the irony of what she had found.

"This is a device used for storing and listening to music. It's called an iPod."

"Oooooh. How's it work?"

"I don't know. I've never seen one so close. I think this button means play and pause, this one means skip forward to the next song, this one means skip back I think…"

"What does Menu do?"

"Huh…I don't know." Lilac said as she pressed the menu button. Suddenly a list of options popped up, the first being music. Both Jazz and Lilac stared at the screen intrigued. Both secretly wondered if they should explore what music was on the device. Lilac frowned before making her decision.

"I don't think we should be messing with this."

"You're right. A bot's music list is pretty personal."

"It's different if someone shares the list with you willingly." Lilac admitted as she looked at the silver device sitting in her hand once more.

"That said, I aint gonna lie, I really do wanna hear some of Earth's tunes." Jazz said gleefully making Lilac smile.

With a grin, Jazz transmorphed the tip of one of his digits into a very tiny, slim, silver rod. Before Lilac could say anything, Jazz stuck to rod into the auxiliary port on the iPod.

"Jazz!" Lilac hissed in both alarm and outrage.

"Sorry femmlin'. I'll beg for forgiveness later!" He laughed as he perused the musical selection on the device ultimately deciding to pick a title at random.

"Hiya, Barbie
Hi, Ken
You want to go for a ride?
Sure, Ken
Jump in"

"What the?" Jazz muttered as his speakers continued to play the overly jaunty tune. Lilac's face turned red as she realized what the song was.

"I'm a Barbie girl, in the Barbie world
Life in plastic, it's fantastic
You can brush my hair, undress me everywhere
Imagination, life is your creation"

"Uh…"

"This is not a good song." Lilac blurted as she quickly hit the shuffle button picking a new song.

"Little somethin' for my godson Elijah and a little girl named Corinne

Some say the blacker the berry, the sweeter the juice
I say the darker the flesh then the deeper the roots
I give a holler to my sisters on welfare
Tupac cares, if don't nobody else care- "

Both Lilac and Jazz started bobbing their heads along to the beat.

"I can get with this song. It's got a great beat!" the saboteur said with a smile as continued to nod his helm to the beat, ignoring the swish of the Medbay doors opening.

"Ah I see you found my iPod!" Came the amused laugh from Epps. Lilac jumped with a panicked expression on her face.

"We are so, so, sorr-"

"Sorry mech. I was jus' eager to hear some of Earth's tunes." Jazz apologized good naturedly, earning a laugh from the man.

"I guess I can't be too mad at you. Been floating through space for God only knows how long and then you crash land on an alien planet with it's own unique concept of music, only to then fall into a coma without being able to fully enjoy it? Hell, I'd probably do the same thing as you, after the whole adjusting to an alien planet thing maybe."

He laughed. Jazz laughed too before pulling the jack out of the device and setting it down on the bed in front of himself.

"Actually, that's usually how I figure out the native's culture. I've foun' that music ten's to be the easiest way to learn 'bout a race's culture."

"Really?"

"Mmhmm. Part of my job is communications, an' culture."

"Naturally. You're a saboteur, right?"

"Yep!"

"That explains a whole lot more!"

"Oh? How'd ya mean?"

"Easier to spy on people when you know more about them. Plus, learning about the native species and their cultures gets you in good with them. Hard to say no to someone who knows your business but also knows how we behave on a cultural level." Epps pointed out.

Lilac watched as Jazz grinned. In a way his grin was like Sideswipe's. Both bots had a playful goofy looking grin, a genuinely happy smile. The only difference between the two was that Jazz's was more easy-going. That said, much like Sideswipe's grin, there was a decidedly intimidating undertone to it. Almost like they were hiding just how ruthless they could be. It made Lilac shiver.

This was something that Jazz noticed. Lilac noticed that Jazz noticed.

"You alrigh' sparklin'?"

Lilac looked at him with confused, innocent, wide eyes.

"Huh?"

"What's wrong?"

"Her whole frame shook." Jazz said as he gently scooped her up to look at her.

"Hey, it's a little cold in here. That's probably why."

"Are ya cold?" Jazz asked her. Slowly she nodded her head yes. Jazz got off the berth and walked over to hers. He grabbed the blankets from the berth and gently tucked them around her as he walked back to his berth.

"Better?"

Feeling more like a snuggled burrito Lilac tittered a soft yes as Jazz sat back down still cradling her in his arms.

XXXXX

Jazz and Epps spoke for a while and Lilac eagerly listened to the two talk about their lives and compare aspects of Earth and Cybertron.

However, after a while the warmth from Jazz's frame began to get trapped in the blankets causing Lilac to doze off for a few minutes. When she awoke it was with a start. She looked around sheepishly before feeling an odd shaking sensation. Looking up she saw Jazz smiling down at her with an amused look on his face.

"Sorry…"

"S'Alrigh'. Epps had to run a bit ago. Somethin' havin' to do with a meetin' I think."

"Oh." She said as she tried to stifle a large yawn. Seeing this, Jazz's expression softened.

"Why don' ya get some recharge?"

"Mmmm? Oh! No, no. It's okay. I'm fine."

"Really, ya should. Jus' let it happen femmlin. I don' mind." Lilac looked up at Jazz who was giving her a weird smile. She couldn't explain the face he was making. It looked odd, yet vaguely familiar.

"Are you sure?"

"Positive."

"Thank you." she murmured as she snuggled back into the blankets and his armor.

"Pleasant recharge femmlin'." He cooed as she fell back asleep.

XXXXX

Jazz looked down at the sleeping child affectionately. She was so innocent. And the way she snuggled into his armor reminded him of the last sparkling he held.

How could something so precious be in the Medbay? Why was something this precious kept in the Medbay? Looking down at Lilac one more time, Jazz decided to ask Jolt a few questions.

{"Hey Jolt? Can ya hear me?"}

{"I'm receiving you loud and clear! Good to see that your com. Link systems are still operating correctly."}

{"Shouldn' that be good to hear?"}

{"Oh ha, ha. How funny."}

Jolt drawled as he poked his helm out of one of the back rooms catching Jazz's curious and concerned expression.

{"Something wrong?"}

Jazz looked down at Lilac one last time before answering.

{"Why's the femmlin' in Medbay? Are her systems malfunctioning?"}

Jolt winced a little in sympathy.

{"Not exactly…"}

{"Well…?"}

{"Sideswipe brought her in. Her frame has suffered from a great deal of damage in her life thus far."}

{"Damage? From where? The 'Cons'?"} Jazz asked suddenly feeling a little protective of the child in his arms.

Jolt resisted the urge to growl. He slowly walked into the Medbay and grabbed one of the large rolling stools to sit on.

{"Lilac did sustain damage from the Decepticons. She and Sideswipe survived three attacks as they made their way here"}

{"I get the sense that you aint tellin' me somethin'"} Jazz said raising an optic ridge.

Jolt nodded his helm before relaying what Lilac had told him and the others. At times he shared memory files of her explanation. Jazz got very quiet as he listened to Jolt. Simultaneously he verified the information he was receiving by going through the base's records, Ratchet's records and even her personal file from Kentucky at super speed.

The saboteur frowned as Jolt continued to explain what she had endured and their plan to protect her. Finally, the blue mech finished.

{" Please  tell me that Prime has given the order for somebot to monitor those monsters."}

{"Monitor, yes. We're covertly tracking their movements via satellite images. Granted the humans do not yet know that."}

{Has anybot brought up the idea to…"}

{"Maim them? Yes. Prime already said no and reinforced his rule about not harming humans."}

{"Frag."} Jazz grumbled as he stopped researching the fastest route to the Dixon's house.

{"She's endured all that slag. She's so fragging  young ."}

{"I know. But she's a strong youngling. I can tell just by looking at her."} Jolt said as they looked down at her.

{"Poor femmling."}

{"Actually, by human standards, she is a youngling."}

{"Really? She's so small!"}

{"That is because of the hardships she has endured. She is underweight and under height for her age group."}

{"And those fraggers caused it."} Jazz snarled darkly.

{"Ratchet says that with proper treatment, the damage can be reversed. It will take time, but assuming we are allowed to continue treating her, she will make a full recovery."} Jolt added.

{"I hope so. Nobot deserves what's been done to her."} Jazz said as he continued to look down at the child in his arms.

XXXXX

Chapter Text

{"Text"}- Com. Links.

'Text'-Internal monologue/inner thoughts

XXXXX- Time change/text break

Lilac wound up sleeping for a while. When she awoke, she was no longer being held by Jazz, but was instead resting on his berth, still cocooned in blankets. Looking around she saw said mech bracing himself on two of the berths nearby as Jolt held his arm.

Ratchet was nowhere to be seen.

Lilac looked towards the doors with a small smile. She could escape! All she had to do was sneak past the two bots, who with all honesty seemed preoccupied at the moment, and she would be able to get out of the Medbay!

She closed her eyes and exhaled slowly before slowly crawling out of the material she was swaddled in. She was just about to creep down the stairs when Jazz and Jolt registered her movement on their sensors.

"Mornin' femmlin'!" Jazz called without looking from where he was taking his slow steps. Lilac immediately froze where she was and looked at the two. Jazz looked rather smug, and Jolt looked highly amused. Lilac swallowed hard before looking at the two.

"Hi! I was…um…"

"It's okay. Ya don' need an excuse for leavin' my berth. Ya looked like ya were getting' a good recharge, so I thought 'why not practice walkin' while ya were out."

"Our apologies if we woke you." Jolt added smiling. Lilac tried to keep the confused and surprised look off her face. She had forgot what Sideswipe had said about how advanced Cybertronian hearing and vision was.

She wondered if they knew that she was trying to escape. Nevertheless, she decided that it would be wise to go to the bathroom and freshen up now that she was fully awake.

"Oh, no its okay. You didn't wake me." She said as she descended the stairs.

'I'm going to have to try harder than that if I'm going to get out of here unseen! I'll have to wait until everyone is asleep or when they are all so busy that they won't notice me leaving.'

She thought to herself as she made her way over to her berth.

'That said…if I try to leave again when they are awake, the risk is greater. They both saw me move without really even turning their heads! That is crazy!'

She thought as she grabbed her things.

'I'll have to wait then until everyone is asleep. But Sideswipe said that Autobot bases are usually heavily guarded and patrolled, especially when bots are recharging. This is a pretty large military base…how am I going to get out of here unseen?' She wondered as she walked into the bathroom.

XXXXX

After Lilac was finished in the bathroom, she came back into the Medbay and walked back to her berth, oblivious of the watching saboteur who was sitting with his legs crossed at the ankles while resting his helm on his arms.

He couldn't help but feel guilty and a little smug as he watched Lilac walk back to her berth with a cautious yet slightly defeated air. Both he and Jolt had noticed that she looked at the door before looking at them with a hopeful and slightly mischievous look on her face. She was going to try and escape, and they dashed her hopes. 'Probably didn't know about our sensors.' Jazz mused as he watched her climb the stairs to her berth.

As much as Jazz would have enjoyed watching the femme escape, and may have even helped her under different circumstances, he knew that for her safety and wellbeing, that she had to be kept in the Medbay until Ratchet and Jolt cleared her as being fully healthy. Not only that, but he knew that Ratchet would have his helm if he allowed her to escape.

Lilac walked back over to Jazz from her berth trying to hide how sad she felt on the inside. All she wanted was to escape and return to the outside world. She desperately missed the trees and the smell of being outside. She missed the blue sky and the sound of birds chirping.

"Everythin' alrigh' sparklin'?"

"Hmm? Oh, uh yeah. I'm good." She said as she stepped onto his hand. Jazz frowned as he lifted her up and set her down on his chest.

"Sorry sparklin', but I aint buyin' that." She looked at him with a surprised look as he continued.

"Look, I don' know exactly why ya were lookin' at the door earlier, but word o' advice- "

Jazz paused as the child leaned forward interested in what he had to say.

"Escapin' Medbay an' the Doc Bot is nearly impossible. You're gonna have to be a little stealthier if ya wanna bust outta here." Jazz said with a mischievous smile. Lilac looked at him with wide eyes. She was about to protest but his face told her that there was no use. She was caught. Lilac looked down sullenly at her lap.

"Bein' in Medbay aint so bad. Ya get plenty of recharge. An' ya don' have to worry 'bout much of anythin'."

"That's the problem. All I do is sleep all day!"

"What's wrong with that?" Jolt asked from behind her. Lilac's eyes grew wide as her hands flew up to her mouth to cover it.

"I think sparklin' means to say that she's bored." Lilac looked thankfully at Jazz before looking at Jolt with an apologetic expression. He smiled gently back at her.

"I guess I can understand that. Being in Medbay all day with nothing to do and no one to talk to does get boring."

"Hey now! I don' count as someone to talk to?"

"Present company excluded from the previous explanation." Jolt chuckled as he went back to sorting parts. Jazz shook his helm before looking back at the child only to see her with a unique facial expression.

"What?"

"What is a sparkling?"

"Hmm? Oh! That's what you are!"

"Huh?"

"Jazz, I told you, that by her race's standards, she is a youngling!" Jolt called as he walked into Ratchet's office.

"Riiiight." Jazz amended as Lilac continued to give him a confused expression.

"Sorry. A sparklin' to us is what an infant is to your race. A youglin is a child."

"So, you've been calling me 'baby' this whole time?"

"Baby?"

"Yeah. It's another word for infant. And sparklings are infants sooo…." She trailed off as Jazz contemplated what he was told.

"Hmmmmm. I like that!" Jazz said snapping his claws and making Lilac jump.

"Like what?"

"Baby spark! It's fittin'!"

"Huh?" Lilac asked confused by the mech's amused expression and explanation.

"You're small like a human infant, but you're as curious, tenacious and mischievous as a sparkling from our race. Baby spark!" He explained as though it made perfect sense.

"I feel so confused right now."

"That's Jazz for you. He always re-names bots with abbreviations of their designations." Jolt chuckled as he continued to carry sorted parts into Ratchet's office.

"Only this time, it aint an abbreviation." Jazz commented with a smirk.

"Nicknames. You give people nicknames." Lilac clarified for herself as she sighed and sat down.

Come to think of it…

"What?"

"How'd you do that?"

"Do what?"

"Snap! You don't have skin…so…how'd you…do it?" She wondered aloud as she took a closer look at his claws. All at once Lilac became quite startled. Jazz grinned impishly.

"Somethin' wrong?"

Lilac paled before resting her face in her hands. She wasn't sure why it was so off putting, but Jazz only had four fingers.

Growing up Lilac always had a problem when it came to people who had certain disabilities. Both her mother and the caregivers at the group home would always get on her for staring at people who were missing limbs, digits or were clearly scarred. She couldn't help it. On a small level it freaked her out. On a much larger level, it made her extremely curious about the person.

So here she sat on an alien's chest wondering, 1. How many fingers he was supposed to have, and 2. How many fingers Sideswipe had. She felt mortified and extremely curious. Her knee jerk reaction was to ask Jazz what happened to his fifth finger, but previous experiences with both her mother and the caregivers reminded her that it would probably be rude to ask such a question.

Jazz for his part was extremely amused. He looked down at his claws and smirked before snapping them again causing the child to look up at him sharply with a myriad of emotions flitting between curiosity, shame, wonder, frustration and nervousness.

"To answer your question, It's friction. My metal has a differen' texture on my claws fo' a few reasons, but because o' it I can do this-" He said as he snapped his claws on both hands to an unheard beat.

"That bein' said, I'm better at this than most bots." He said smugly as Jolt poked his helm out from the office again.

"You were a musician at one point, right?"

"Yep!"

"Then it makes sense that you'd be able to do that. Snapping and creating beats was a core foundation of your function." Jolt said with a grin as he went back to work.

"True." Jazz said as he continued to snap to a silent beat. Lilac still felt really uncomfortable sitting there listening to a four fingered mech snap.

Suddenly the doors to the Medbay opened. Lilac still had her head in her hands, so she didn't see who entered until she looked up recognizing the voice gasp.

"Do my optics deceive me?!"

"Hey!" Jazz greeted. Lilac looked up to see…

"Good to see you Sides! Sunstreaker! It's been a while!"

"No kidding." Sunstreaker said smiling at the saboteur. Standing in front of the door was Sunstreaker. Standing next to him was…

"Sideswipe?" Lilac asked trying to wrap her mind around the bright shiny red mech standing in front of her.

"There you are! Good to see the Hatchet has been true to his word!" Sideswipe chirped. Lilac stammered a little in confusion before speaking again.

"You're red."

"Yep!"

"You're red."

"Mmmmhmm!"

"You are bright, shiny, arrest me now, red!"

"That I am!" Sideswipe laughed. Jazz frowned in confusion before looking down at Lilac.

"What other color would he be?"

"He was silver the last time I saw him!" Lilac blurted out in surprise as she took in her friend's new color and shape. He had pedes like Sunstreaker now too. And judging by the new curves and emblem on his hood, which conveniently made up a part of his chest, he now had the same alt. mode as his brother. While the two looked more similar than before, Lilac could still tell the difference between the two. After all, Sideswipe's audio horns still held roughly the same shape they did before.

"Silver?" Jazz asked clearly amused.

"Hey, it was only temporary. It's not like I had time to change my paint color on our way here."

"So says the mech who turned himself green for a half day!" Lilac teased making Sideswipe squawk in protest, Sunstreaker balk and Jazz laugh.

"You were green?" Jazz and Sunstreaker asked simultaneously, Jazz sounding amused and Sunstreaker sounding disgusted.

"Dark forest green with a buttload of glitter in his paint. He looked good in green honestly." Lilac shrugged with a smile as Sunstreaker cringed and Jazz laughed even harder. Sideswipe sighed before talking.

"First of all, I look good in every color-"He said smugly making Lilac roll her eyes good naturedly.

"And second, it was for an emergency. We didn't get caught because they weren't looking for a green car."

"Touché." Lilac conceded with a smile before adding, "Frankly, I think you look good in both green and silver. Though I will say that this shade of red does suit you. It's kinda fitting."

"I know!" Sideswipe added smugly making Lilac shake her head in mock exasperation.

"So, I see you met Jazz!"

"Yep! Baby Spark an' I've been spendin' lots of time together!"

"Is that so?"

"Well yeah. It's not like you were in here." Lilac said with mock hurt as she turned her back on him.

"And here I thought we were friends!" She added casting a smirk over her shoulder at him before looking back to Jazz, whose servos were acting odd.

"Uhhh…is there something wrong with your hands?" Lilac asked as Jazz's hands swivled back and forth on their joint as if he were trying to wave at someone. Only his hands were the only thing moving. His arms remained motionless.

"Oh, nah. Jus' recalibratin' 'em."

"Do they…you know…. just do that on their own?"

"Most of the time, no. I jus' initiated the protocol now."

"Uhhhm…okay." She said watching the hands once more before something distinctly amusing came to her mind making her snigger.

"What was that?" Jazz asked.

"What's so funny?" Sideswipe asked curiously making Lilac giggle. The assembled bots looked at her in confusion before Sideswipe asked again why she was laughing.

"I'm sorry. It's rude, I'll stop."

"Nah, baby spark. What's got ya laughin' so hard?" Jazz asked as his hands continued to swivel under his gaze. Lilac burst out laughing, pausing long enough to squeak out the words 'jazz hands' before continuing to laugh hard.

"What 'bout my hands?"

"Yeah squishy! What about his servos?"

Lilac was laughing too hard to speak very much or very well. She was barely able to look at Sideswipe and giggle out YouTube before she nearly collapsed with her laughter. Following his friend's cue, Sideswipe looked up what jazz hands were, and then he started laughing too.

"Jazz hands!" Lilac howled with laughter as Sideswipe joined her in their laughing fit while the others continued to stare in confusion.

"What the frag is wrong with you?" Sunstreaker growled at his twin in annoyed confusion. Sideswipe, still laughing and barley able to stand straight, projected what his search yielded from his hologram projector. It was of a human femme wiggling her hands as she stood still, hissing the words 'jazz hands!'.

"It's a dance move!" Sideswipe cracked up as he doubled over with laughter. The Lieutenant looked down at his own wiggling servos and started laughing, now understanding the reference.

Sunstreaker scoffed at the three bots laughing hysterically in front of him.

"What's got them laughing so hard?" Asked a confused Jolt. At his question the three laughed even harder and Sunstreaker shook his helm with annoyance.

XXXXX

Once everyone had calmed down Jazz and Sideswipe exchanged explanations for what they had experienced in the other's absence. It was during this conversation that Lilac learned that Jazz and the twins were stationed at the same outpost before they all made their way to Earth.

She was content to listen to their stories wanting to learn more about the beings that surrounded her. But eventually the conversation started to die off. Sideswipe had made mention of going for a drive so that he could learn more about the area, and Sunstreaker scoffed at him in annoyance.

"It's so dusty out. And we still don't have a proper washrack. Frag going for a drive right now." He snarled. Lilac looked at him curiously. How could someone so cheerfully colored be so negative? Come to think of it, Sunstreaker was quiet for most of the conversation, and he scowled during most of it too. What was making him so angry?

"What are you staring at fleshy?!"

"Oh! Uhm…s…sorry!"

"That does not explain why you were staring." The golden mech snarled.

"Easy Sunny! She's probably just curious." Sideswipe defended as Lilac quickly looked at her lap in shame.

"Yeah, well-"The golden mech said tersely as he and his twin began talking in their native tongue. 'More like arguing' Lilac thought as their voices rose and dropped as they continued to stare at each other with different angry expressions.

"Psst." Jazz hissed. Lilac looked at him helplessly as the two other bots continued to argue.

"Watch this" Jazz mouthed with a mischievous smirk.

"Hey Sunstreaker,"

"What?!"

"Are ya still stronger than Sides?" At the question Sunstreaker snorted amusedly, argument seemingly quickly forgotten.

"Of course, I'm still the stronger twin. That will not ever change." He said arrogantly. Sideswipe glared at him furiously.

"You are not the stronger twin! I am!" Sideswipe protested.

"Yeah right! You wish you were stronger than me!"

"Do not!"

"Do too!"

"Let's fragging go then!" Sideswipe challenged. He placed one arm behind his back and offered his twin the other one. Sunstreaker scoffed at his twin crossing his arms.

"I do not need to prove anything."

"Then I guess I'm the stronger twin then since you're too scared to prove it!"

"What kind of fragging logic is that bit processor?!"

"W…well…There's no proof on Earth as to who the stronger twin is…" Lilac trailed off shyly as Sunstreaker glared at her. Jazz nudged her and gave a lightning-fast smirk of approval.

"She's got a point bots." He added.

"Never thought my brother would be so weak as to turn down a challenge." Sideswipe goaded.

Sunstreaker's optics cut to his twin as a growl of rage rung out from his frame.

"You're on!" He snarled as he put one arm behind his back and clasped servos with his twin.

Jazz looked at Lilac with a highly amused and smug expression that disappeared when the two mechs looked to him again.

"Jazz, you officiate this!"

"Yeah. Make sure he doesn't cheat!"

"Alrigh'. Ready?" The saboteur asked receiving nods from both mechs.

"Go!" Jazz commanded. All at once the two flexed their cabling as they tried to keep their servos from going down.

Lilac looked up at Jazz who looked highly amused and smug. He looked down at her and flashed a quick grin before looking back to the two mechs who were in a clear stalemate. Lilac shook her head in amusement and slight fear.

Jazz had manipulated the two so easily, it gave her the chills. She made a mental note to be more careful, and way more observant around the Saboteur from now on.

XXXXX

After the twins left, Lilac ate her dinner as usual, and spent the rest of the night talking to Jazz and Jolt. Before she knew it, it was time for bed. She looked at her watch, remembering what Sideswipe had told her about their advanced sight and hearing. She wouldn't be able to set an alarm to get up in the middle of the night. She'd have to just rouse herself awake is she wanted to escape.

Figuring that out, really bummed Lilac out. After all, she didn't want to hurt anyone, but at this point, she didn't know how much longer she could remain cooped up. Lilac looked over at Jazz one last time as she tried to snuggle down into her blankets. 'Even though he's kinda scary, I really do like talking to him.' She thought as she turned away from him trying to get comfortable.

With a sigh, she laid her head on her pillow.

"Do you require more water?" Jolt asked quietly as he watched her toss and turn.

"Oh, no. I have a full bottle here, but thank you for offering." She said softly.

"Sounds like you're havin' a hard time goin' into recharge."

"Yeah. I'm not all that tired." Lilac sighed ruefully.

"Writing in that journal didn't make you tired?" Jolt ask curiously.

Lilac had taken to writing things she had seen or learned about the bots down in one of the notebooks she had gotten from the librarian back in Kentucky. For the last three nights, she wrote her thoughts down before she went to sleep. It had become a part of her new routine.

"No. I'm not used to sleeping so much is all. At least not usually. I'm not used to any of this." She said softly as she gestured to the room at large.

"What are ya used to?" Jazz asked. Lilac smiled sadly as she looked at him.

"Trees. I used to sleep outside previously. I'd fall asleep under the starry night sky framed by the canopy of giant trees." She said wistfully as she remembered her glade.

"And you enjoyed that?" Jolt asked curiously.

"Well, yeah. I mean it wasn't perfect, nothing really is, but…"

"But?"

"I miss it. I miss it a lot." Lilac said morosely. Jazz was surprised to hear her so sad. Carefully, he got off his berth and walked over to hers.

"C'mon Baby Spark. Don' be sad." Jazz tried to soothe as her eyes filled with tears. Lilac tried to quickly wipe them away, but she couldn't stop the soft sobs that came with them.

Jazz looked to Jolt with rapidly growing concern.

{"Human optics leak saline when they are sad. They are called tears."}

The medic in training confirmed for the silver bot.

{"She's cryin'."} Jazz amended remembering the correct term for what he was seeing.

"Aw, sparklin' don' cry. It'll be alrigh'. Jazz tried to soothe once more. Lilac continued to cry, curling in on herself. It was an old habit she had developed when she and her mom still lived with her father. By curling in on herself, she could muffle the cries so her father would not hear her. It was something that she unfortunately had to do a lot in foster care as well because it worked to help her protect herself from the harsh kicks or blows from those who would prey on her vulnerability when she would cry.

Jazz and Jolt looked at her in surprise. They didn't know that human younglings would curl in on themselves when they were sad! Cybertronian sparklings would do that, so it was interesting to see a child from another race do so as well.

Almost instinctively, Jazz picked up Lilac and cuddled her close. He crooned softly and swayed back and forth nuzzling her. Jolt smiled at the sight. It was well known that most if not all Autobots on the command team loved sparklings. Jazz was no different. He clicked and chirped at her softly as she calmed down. She looked up at him innocent and teary eyed. Jazz smiled before he nuzzled her again purring.

Lilac gave a watery giggle as the vibrations from his purring tickled when he nuzzled her.

"Good femme!" Jazz cooed as he continued to purr and nuzzle her making her laugh more. This went on for a few more minutes before he set her back down with a smile.

Lilac dried her eyes with the backs of her hands and yawned, suddenly feeling tired. Jolt smiled at her as he gently pulled the blanket over her. Lilac didn't seem to notice as she quickly fell asleep.

XXXXX

When Lilac woke up next, the room was dark. Looking at her watch she saw the time as being 2:30 in the morning. Quickly she packed up her things and was about to leave when she looked over at Ratchet's Office. The room was quiet, but she couldn't be sure if the medic was awake. She couldn't be sure if Jazz was awake either. 'He looks like he's sleeping…' Lilac trailed off as she looked at the still form of the silver mech.

Deciding to play it safe, she got out her journal and wrote a note. Once she was done, she stuffed the journal under her pillow and made like she was going to go to the bathroom. Lo and behold, Ratchet was awake in his office. The medic was looking over reports and at different shipping orders when she traipsed by.

'Dang it!' Lilac mentally growled.

There would be no escaping tonight.

She went to the bathroom, washed her hands and went back to bed groggy with sleep, and well aware of the fact that the medic was watching her. Once she got back to bed she fell asleep, idly wondering if she could ever escape.

XXXXX

The next day went much like the day before. Lilac woke up and ate breakfast. She and Jazz talked. Jolt collected Jazz for physical therapy, and Ratchet commanded Lilac take yet another nap to conserve her energy.

Ho hum.

"YOU AFT BLASTED SLAGGERS!"

"SLAG FOR PROCESSOR GLITCH!"

Lilac awoke to the insults immediately on guard. She looked around the room seeing Ironhide being held back by Ratchet while Jolt stood in front of Sunstreaker and Sideswipe. Sunstreaker was roaring things in what must have been his native tongue over Jolt's shoulder and Jazz was nearby trying to mediate whatever was going on. Quickly she checked the time on her watch. 4:37. She looked at the mechs squabbling in the corner and frowned idly wondering what they could be fighting about.

Suddenly Sunstreaker lunged, pushing Jolt out of the way. He and Ironhide collided with each other, barreling towards her berth. Lilac yelped putting her backpack over her head as she curled into herself just before Jazz grabbed her and put her on his berth. Lilac slowly uncurled panting heavily as the silver saboteur rounded on the two brawling mechs in their native tongue.

Lilac could hear the blood pounding in her ears. She was shaking. And the bots…

'They're distracted!' Her subconscious realized.

This could be her only chance.

Quickly, she got the journal out of her backpack and ripped the note she wrote out of it. After she laid the note on the pillow, she dashed down the stairs, taking one quick glance at the mechs still arguing and trying to trade blows.

She sprinted to the doors which opened quickly upon sensing her. Panting heavily, she quickly darted to the left side of the hall placing her hand along the wall as she ran. Even though she was a nervous wreck the first time Sideswipe had driven her down this hall and was blinded by her tears the second and third times she ran through this hall, she distinctly remembered there being an intersection where corridors connected to the main hallway she was in now. The corridor on her right led to what she thought might be offices or the rooms of the Autobots. On her left was a set of large doors with tiny windows in them. Through these windows she could see blue sky and clouds. She was about to run through the doors when she heard shouts from up the hall and from the corridor on her right. She quickly rounded the corner and dashed behind a large pile of junk sitting at the doors. She watched quietly as Captain Lennox, Sargent Epps and Optimus Prime himself went running towards the ever growing, obscenely loud mayhem in the Medbay.

Swallowing hard, Lilac waited a few moments. The sounds from the Medbay grew louder all of a sudden before they were muffled once more. With a look of determination, she ran over to the doors and jumped while waving her arms. 'Oh no! No no no no no!' Lilac moaned internally as her heart filled with dread. 'I do not have time for this!' She mentally panicked. These doors weren't fully automatic, so she had to push them open. The problem was, since they were Cybertronian sized, they were really really heavy. With a grunt of effort, she shoved at the door hard enough for it to open just a crack.

'One for the money, two for the show, I've got no time to get ready 'cause I really have to go!' She mentally shouted as she rammed the door with all her might, using her shoulder and the softer part of her backpack as a battering ram. With what seemed to be an obnoxiously loud screech, the door wrenched open a little more. Lilac threw her backpack through the opening and squeezed herself out as fast as she could. Just ahead of her she could see brown dirt and a high fence with barbed wire looped along the top.

She looked carefully up at the building, seeing a camera that hung limply, as if in mid-installation. Thanking God for her repeated good luck she sprinted for the fence. When she was close enough, she threw her backpack over the barbed wire and squeezed herself through the tiny gap between the where the pole and the chain link fence met. Once she was on the other side she grinned triumphantly as she scooped up her bag and immediately ran north, further into the desert behind the base. Running for the road now would ensure she was easily seen, if not caught. And she didn't want that! She ran far enough into the desert so that the buildings looked like Legos, and the road, a thin ribbon. Fully satisfied with her distance, she turned and started walking west, parallel with the road.

"I do not want to get lost out here. Dying of thirst is not on my list of things to do!" She muttered to herself as she continued to jog. She figured that she'd jog far enough that she could safely get on the road, and maybe even find a bus stop. All the while, she kept looking over her shoulders at the base, and at the road. If the bots found out she was missing, they'd no doubt start searching the immediate areas, including by the road.

"Only a matter of time. Better book it then. Don't wanna get caught!" She said as she picked up the pace.

A/N: TA DAAA! CLIFFHANGER! 

PLEASE LET ME KNOW WHAT YOU THINK OF THIS CHAPTER AND THIS STORY OVERALL! I know I've not been here long, and this story doesn't really have a following on here, so I don't expect much! But I still would love to hear from you!

Bonus points for this chapter: First three people to review and tell me exactly where the "Jazz Hands" reference comes from gets either one spoiler to be used whenever they want OR access to the first 3 paragraphs of the next chapter!

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Please follow favorite, leave kudos and or a comment so that I know how my story is doing!

CLYL!

Chapter Text

{"Text"}- Com. Links/text messages/projected text. this is specified.

'Text'-Internal monologue/inner thoughts

XXXXX- Time change/text break

XXXXX

Optimus Prime was extremely disappointed.

Instead of working as a team to finish the necessary repairs to this base, he had to come to the Medbay to pry those under his command apart like a set of feuding younglings.

Sitting in front of him on one berth were Sideswipe and Sunstreaker. Both twins were now thoroughly scuffed up and dented, in part thanks to the incident that caused the kerfuffle as well as Ironhide Jazz and Ratchet's blows and attempts to separate them. On the other berth sat his weapon's specialist who was having one of his cannon's welded back into place after Sunstreaker tore it off.

"Can someone, please explain to me how something as simple as installing cameras along the perimeter of the base, led to such unnecessary actions?"

All at once the mechs started talking. Optimus put up one servo telling them all to stop. He looked at Sunstreaker who glared back with his arms crossed.

"Sunstreaker?"

"He scuffed my paint." He growled indicating Ironhide with his helm.

"Your aft wasn't moving fast enough!"

"Ironhide, do not interrupt." Optimus corrected before looking back to Sunstreaker.

"I was waiting for Sideswipe to finish installing the final camera outside the doors at the east exit when he-"Sunstreaker again gestured to Ironhide "Came around the corner like something from the pits was chasing him and he slammed into me scuffing my paint!"

Ironhide was about to protest when Sideswipe piped up.

"That's not entirely true and you know it." He grumbled quietly shocking everyone in the room, his own twin included.

Never, since they have served under him, has Sideswipe ever sold out his twin. Sideswipe always had Sunstreaker's back, even when it meant that he would be punished too. He always defended his twin's actions.

Sunstreaker on the other hand, would on occasion sell out Sideswipe if he pulled a prank he didn't approve of or if the punishment for said prank would result in what Sunstreaker believed to be an unfair punishment for himself.

Said mech was staring in surprise at his twin with wide optics.

"Sir, we were arguing as I put up the camera. I got angry and I shoved my twin making him stumble back into Ironhide who was jogging around the corner. Ironhide was setting the pace for the new recruits."

"Is that correct?" Optimus asked his weapons specialist.

"Yes Prime. He bumped into me and, on instinct, I shoved him away. I had no intention of doing harm."

Sunstreaker scoffed at the room at large. He couldn't believe that his twin took Ironaft's side!

"Did you apologize?"

"I tried to, but we got into a brawl before I could."

"That isn't true either. You snapped at him to watch it, called us both pit spawned glitches and began to jog off. Sunstreaker threw a rock at your helm-"

"WHO'S SIDE ARE YOU FRAGGING ON?!" Sunstreaker roared in furious disbelief.

"That is enough Sunstreaker." Prime commanded. He turned to his weapons specialist with a frown. Ironhide wouldn't typically lie, but his version of an apology usually wasn't one that was considered much of an apology. As Prime was about to confirm this with Ironhide, Sideswipe offered him a chance to see his memories via the hardline cables in his wrist much to everyone's surprise and Sunstreaker's dismay.

Optimus though surprised, thought for a moment. Usually if Sideswipe was offering a glimpse into his memories, he was trying to prove he was telling the truth. Normally, Prime would decline the offer, but much to everyone's shock, he allowed the link to happen.

Optimus relayed the memories at super speed, taking note of what really happened. He saw everything from the tail end of Sideswipe and Sunstreaker's argument, to himself entering the Medbay demanding order. Granted there were a few missing details but for the most part, Sideswipe had told the truth.

As he disconnected the cables, Optimus frowned and ex-vented lightly.

"I am greatly disappointed in all parties involved here. This is not the first time we have had this conversation, and based on previous actions, I am not sure it will be the last. We do not yet have a brig for anyone to serve in for infighting. But that does not mean that what you've all done will go unpunished."

He said sternly.

"Ironhide. You will be put on maintenance duty on the south and west sides of the base. There are walls that need to go up, and you will ensure by your own servos that they go up correctly. You are not permitted to do any sort of training during this time, this includes weapons training at the firing range."

Ironhide grumbled lowly but nodded his helm.

"Sunstreaker, you will finish installing the cameras, and you will be on paint and cleaning detail in the north and east halls. No cosmetic services will be allowed to either of you until your punishment has finished being served. Do I make myself clear?"

"Yes sir." They both grumbled.

Optimus nodded his helm in confirmation, before something occurred to him. "You both also owe Ratchet and the other current residents of this Medbay an apology for the disturbance."

Jazz frowned when the two scoffed at their Prime in disbelief.

"Nah. Because of Ya'll fightin', ya nearly smashed the femmlin' into her berth!"

"What?" Optimus asked with angry concern.

"I barely had enough time to move her to mine before they crashed into her!" Jazz said as he glared at the two.

CLAANG!

"OW!" Came the shouts from Ironhide and Sunstreaker as Ratchet smacked both in the back of the helm with a crescent wrench.

"Where is she now?" Optimus asked as he turned back towards the berths not seeing anything.

"She was on top of my berth before you came in." Jazz said as he walked over to where he usually recharged. He scanned his berth and saw nothing.

"Well, she isn't there now…" Jolt said trailing off as he looked under the berth, while scanning the others for the small femme. Ratchet's optics began to grow wide with growing alarm. He scanned his teammates fearing the worst. Thankfully there was no sign of the girl being smashed into any of their armor.

"We've got a problem." Jazz said from where he stood next to his berth. Between two claws he held a tiny piece of paper.

"What is that?" Jolt asked as Jazz walked towards the others.

"Looks like a note…but the writin' is odd. I've never seen this kind of writin' before." Jazz said curiously as he showed the others the paper. Sideswipe looked at it closely and recognized his friend's handwriting.

"That's cursive." He said surprising the others. Everyone turned to him with surprised expressions.

"You can read that slag?" Ironhide asked genuinely surprised.

"Yeah. Lilac showed me how. She only writes in cursive." Sideswipe said with a shrug. Shrugging is something he had quickly picked up from her.

"Well don't just sit there! Read it!" Ratchet demanded. Sideswipe gently took the note from Jazz and began to read it out loud.

"To whom it may concern,

Thank you all for taking care of me. I greatly appreciate your efforts and I will forever be grateful and in your debt. If you are reading this, it means that I was successfully able to get off base. Please do not panic. I am okay. I am simply returning myself to my natural element. Please do not come looking for me. I was enough of a burden while I stayed in the Medbay…"

"Burden? She wasn't a burden!" Ratchet cut Sideswipe off surprised. Sideswipe resumed reading.

"I do not wish to waste your time or your resources. I am certain that you will all be better off without me there. The resources you use for me can be better used for others who fight alongside you. Not only that, but now that you won't have to care for me, you can better dedicate your time to finishing your war and establishing peace. I truly do hope you all find peace someday. As for me, I will return to the wild. Sideswipe wasn't entirely wrong when he called me a feral femme/human. I belong in the wilderness where I am not a burden, or a danger to others. Please do not worry. Your secret is safe with me. No one will know that you exist until you tell them. And besides, who would believe a dumb kid like me? They'd probably want to lock me up if I said anything, and I certainly don't want that! If you ever want to chat, you can email me. I'll try to check my email as much as possible, at least once a week. Granted it will more than likely be difficult for me. After all, computers aren't exactly located out in the wilderness. But I still want to try to keep in touch with you. Who knows? Maybe someday we'll cross paths again! But until then, I wish you all nothing but the best! Again, thank you so much for everything!

P.S. Please tell Sideswipe that this isn't his fault. I already forgave him because he was only trying to help.

Thank you again.

Love, Lilac."

He finished reading.

"This is bad." Jolt murmured. Everyone in the room sat still for a moment before they all sprang into action. Everyone was searching the Medbay for her before they all began to move towards the door.

Will and Epps who were dismissed once the fighting was brought under control looked at the bots with confusion.

"Everything okay?" Will asked cautiously as he noticed the darkened looks on everyone's faces.

"The youngling has escaped Medbay. We must find her quickly." Ratchet said gravely. The humans raised their eyebrows in surprise.

"She 'escaped' Medbay? Was she a prisoner?"

"Captain, I am being quite serious when I say that very few of my patients leave before I discharge them. No, she was not a prisoner, but she most certainly was not given clearance to leave unsupervised."

"The youngling left a note on Jazz's berth. She did not indicate where she would be going, only that she was returning to the wilderness." Optimus added.

"She ran away." Epps confirmed.

"The California Redwoods. That's where she planned to go once I got to base." Sideswipe said.

"That's far. That's all the way up in northern California." The captain confirmed.

"You do not think she would walk through the desert to get there do you?" Jolt asked.

"No, she's not that ignorant. She knows that would be dangerous." Sideswipe said defensively.

"Why would you ask that?"

"The hallway cameras show her running down this hall and leaving through the east doors." Jolt said while pointing. Everyone trotted up the hall to see the door open just a crack.

"Pit frag it!"

"Shit! The cameras outside don't work right now!" Will snarled.

"No, but our sensor net does." Ironhide said as his optics darkened as he accessed the sensors.

"I installed that shortly after we arrived here. It shows an energy signature making a direct approach to the fence." He said as he projected the reading on to the wall.

"That's her!" Jazz, Jolt, Ratchet and Sideswipe shouted before the group made their way outside.

"Nothing out here now. But her signature does go north." Ironhide confirmed.

"Captain, can you have your team search the desert going north?"

"Absolutely. I'll tell them that it's a time sensitive drill- "

"Please do not be deceptive as to what we are searching for. You may tell your team that the human that assisted Sideswipe is in need of rescuing."

"She made it pretty fragging clear that she did not want to be found." Sunstreaker said making everyone stare at him.

"Be that as it may, she cannot easily survive in this desert on her own." Ratchet said tersely.

"No youngling could." Ironhide said.

"The threat of the Decepticons finding her is still very prominent. We must find her before they do."

"Roger that! We'll get going ASAP."

"Thank you. Ironhide, you will assist the captain's team. Jolt check the perimeter of the base; she may not have gotten as far as we fear. Sideswipe, Sunstreaker, you will cover the most direct route out of the city toward the California Redwoods. Ratchet, you go and search the city. She may have made her way there looking for a means of travel. Jazz, are you functional enough to assist in searching the base?"

"Yes sir."

"Good. You and I will search this base. It would be wise for both of us to be here if she decides to return."

"Yes sir."

"Let's roll out!"

XXXXX

A little over an hour and a half had gone by, and Lilac had successfully made it out of the desert and onto the road. Somewhere along the way she got into the city limits of tranquility. She could see the whole valley from where she stood on the hill. Dusk was beginning to set, turning the sky multiple colors. "Looks like Trix yogurt." Lilac mused amusedly as she continued to look around. She wasn't sure how far she was from the base, but every time she heard a vehicle from behind, she would hide in the bushes. She knew there'd be little chance of the bushes hiding her from Cybertronians, but if the base sent humans out to look for her, then at least the bush would prevent them from seeing her. About a quarter of a mile up the road was a bus stop. Lilac had read the sign when she passed to see if the stop received services and was delighted to learn that the last bus would stop by this stop at about 6:10.

Looking at her watch she noted that the bus would be arriving shortly. Suddenly, she heard the powerful hum of a large vehicle. She squeaked quietly as she hunkered down in the bushes to look up the street.

Lo and behold, it was the bus, right on schedule! Without a second thought, she left her hiding place with her backpack and boarded the bus. She paid the fare and sat down in one of the empty chairs. She took out her map and smiled as she found where she wanted to go.

XXXXX

"Prime, I've searched this base top to bottom twice. There's no sign of her." Jazz reported as he walked into the war room.

Optimus frowned as he made note of what his saboteur said on the large map of the base and its surrounding areas on the monitor in front of him. Ironhide and his team had confirmed finding her trail in the desert, but her energy signature was heavily degraded making it hard to track her. They had been searching for an over an hour.

{"Jolt to Optimus Prime."}

{"Go ahead."}

{"I've covered the perimeter thrice. She is not out here nor is there any sign of her energy signature."} Optimus ex-vented softly before answering.

{"Thank you. Please join Ratchet in searching the city."}

{"Yes sir."} Jolt affirmed before closing the communications link.

"I do not understand. Why would the child leave?"

"Because she feels like a burden."

"Has Ratchet expressed this sentiment in front of her?"

"Not since I've been online. But…"

"But?"

"Last night, she was really upset." Jazz said as she sent his Prime a copy of his memory file from the night before.

"She expressed a desire to return to where she once lived. But why?"

"I'm not sure Prime. But if she doesn't have anyone to care for her, that place might hold some significance to her. By the way she was speaking about it, it sounded like that place was important to her."

"I see." Optimus said as he looked back to the map on the monitor in front of him. Outwardly, he gave no indication of just how concerned he was. 'That child has done so much for our cause out of pure kindness,' He mentally sighed as he tried to think of a way to find her. 'And yet she wanted no reward. Only to be left alone. Primus, please do not let harm befall this child.' He prayed internally. He feared he wouldn't be able to handle the outcome of her being captured well.

'So small. So innocent. She does not deserve to be caught in our conflicts. She should not have to fear retribution from those of her own race either.' The Prime thought as he recalled the danger of her being recaptured by human authorities.

"Pit. We really need to find her. We're racing against two enemies here." Jazz said as he continued to check the local and reginal communications systems. He had stumbled across the website the Dixons had set up looking for their lost daughter. There were new tips about her whereabouts from about a week before. Jazz internally growled as he erased the tips before shutting down the website.

"Indeed…" Optimus said as a thought occurred to him. There was one more person he could call in.

XXXXX

Lilac got off the bus in Mission city after an hour long ride. She would be lying if she said she wasn't a little proud of herself for escaping both the Medbay and the military base. Especially after Sideswipe's stories about how notoriously hard it was to do either one.

Sideswipe…

Her heart ached a little. She knew he would be sad that she left. But it was for her own good. She knew that she couldn't stick around for long. Staying in one place like that with so many people greatly rose the chance of her being turned in.

No. She was doing the right thing by leaving.

'Then why do I feel so sad about it?' she asked herself as she approached the bus station. She shook her head to clear the thoughts before smirking to herself.

'Still, there isn't a facility that can hold me!' She thought as she looked at ticket prices for going to Northern California. She had a decent head start. She could probably get on a bus and head to…

Lilac groaned as she suddenly remembered what she had said to the bots a few days ago.

'Even if everyone else miraculously forgot, Sideswipe wouldn't. He'll know where to find me.' She internally mumbled.

'He wouldn't lead them to me, would he?' She wondered before remembering the highly amused cheeky grin he wore when Ratchet decided she needed his help.

"Yeah, he would. Well. I can't go there now." She muttered to herself as she got her map out.

XXXXX

Somewhere enroute to California 7:45pm

Sideswipe had had just about enough of his twin's complaining. Granted to hear some complaining from his twin was relatively normal.

"I cannot believe Prime is making us drive all this slagging way for some stupid youngling!"

But it was getting really annoying.

Had he been in his bipedal mode, he would have rolled his optics much like he'd seen said youngling do when she was annoyed. Instead, he simply revved his engine as they continued to drive towards Northern California. About forty minutes ago, Ratchet had informed them that all of the busses headed towards Northern California would have to travel along this road. So, Sideswipe planned to drive all the way to the nearest fork in the road before stopping and waiting for busses to come by. That way, he and his twin could scan each passing vehicle for her energy signature without having to follow and track countless busses.

The wind kicked up as the two continued to drive. Sideswipe mentally groaned as he felt the grit of the sand scrape across his metal. Just one more thing for his twin to complain about.

"This stupid fragging wind! Filthy mud ball planet! Ruining my finish!" his twin snarked moodily as they continued to drive.

"Give it a rest will you?" Sideswipe growled. His twin simply growled in reply as they continued to drive in silence.

Not too long after, the two found the fork they were looking for. As Sideswipe was pulling off the road, he heard his brother start complaining about his finish again.

"Watch the paint! You're kicking up rocks and dirt!"

"Sorry!" Sideswipe snarked.

"Not as sorry as that stupid fragging fleshy is going to be! Making us drive all the way out here and for what?!"

"Will you mute it already?! For frag's sake all you've done is complain!"

"IF YOU HAD NOT BROUGHT THAT THING BACK TO BASE I WOULD NOT BE COMPLAINING!"

"SHUT THE FRAG UP! AND DON'T YOU DARE CALL HER A THING!"

"Or what?" Sunstreaker challenged with a low, icy tone.

With the roads empty, Sideswipe transformed up and flipped his twin over onto his roof harshly before kicking him further into the bushes and rocks behind them.

With an enraged roar, Sunstreaker transformed and tackled his twin, sending them out of their hiding place and across the road into a nearby ditch.

"How fragging dare you! Have you lost-"He began before Sideswipe's fist collided with his face.

"GET OFF ME!" The crimson twin roared.

Thunder boomed overhead as lightning lit up the sky. Sunstreaker saw red. He vented hot steam from his systems through his olfactory ducts much like a bull Sideswipe had seen while he and Lilac drove through the country. He charged again, but Sideswipe was faster. As he charged, Sideswipe stepped aside allowing his twin to barrel past, running into a small patch of cacti.

As Sunstreaker howled with pain, Sideswipe grabbed him by his scruff bar and threw him back down. Suddenly the clouds opened up and rain began to fall.

"Let's make something very, very clear." He began only to slam his peede down on his twin's chest as he tried to lunge at him.

"You will not call Lilac a thing again. That kid, did us the single largest favor in saving my life. She sure as slag didn't have to. She could have fragging ran. But no. She helped me, not once but twice. If she hadn't intervened when she did neither of us would be here. Do you understand me?" Sideswipe snapped as the sky continued to rumble.

His twin growled murderously from beneath his peede. This time Sideswipe did roll his optics in annoyance.

"Get your peede off my chest!"

"Say you won't call her a thing again."

"Frag you!"

"Frag you too then."

Sunstreaker let loose a string of curses at the top of his voice, uncaring if any human nearby heard him.

Sideswipe continued to stand, peede planted firmly on his twin's chest plates.

"Are you done?"

"WHY THE FRAG DO YOU CARE ABOUT HER SO MUCH?! SHE'S JUST AN ORGANIC!"

"And?"

"She'll fragging offline soon!"

"And?"

"STOP SAYING 'AND'! GET! OFF!"

"No. Not until you calm the frag down. You're acting like a sparkling!"

Sunstreaker roared as he threw his twin off of him. Sideswipe fell to the ground with a wet splat but sprang back up locking his arms with his twin's in a stalemate.

"You are such a fragging traitor!" Sunstreaker snarled.

"Why? Because I finally didn't take your side against Ironhide? You've sold me out a fragging ton so don't even start with that slag!"

"We get to this mudball planet and instead of speeding straight for us, you decide to take a leisurely drive with some…some insect! You allowed her in your vehicular form when she was filthy and bleeding! You tricked the others into trying to care for her, and now you have us trying to track her down when she explicitly said she did not want help!" Sunstreaker yelled.

Sideswipe grunted as he tried to sweep his brother's legs out from underneath him only to be blocked.

"What the frag did that fleshling do to your processor to make you even remotely process that what you did was a good idea?! You and I both know that nothing here is worth us staying here! Like anything on this mudball would even be considered worth our time- "

"Oh, will you shut up already!?" Sideswipe blurted as he pushed his twin back. Sunstreaker slipped in an unseen mud puddle and fell over backwards with a squelch.

"I am so fragging tired of your attitude! For frag's sake! STOP PINING ALREADY!"

"I am not pining!" Sunstreaker hissed.

"BULLSHIT!" Sideswipe snapped using the new curse word he had learned from the truckers.

"Sunny, all you have ever done since we left is whine and complain about how nothing compares to Cybertron!"

"NOTHING DOES COMPARE TO CYBERTRON!"

"SO STOP FRAGGING COMPARING THEN!" Sideswipe screamed.

"I MISS HOME TOO OKAY?! But it's not coming back!"

"This is all Prime's fragging fault! If he had- "

"STOP BLAMING HIM! Pit slag it Sunstreaker!" Sideswipe swore jarring his twin a little. Sideswipe rarely used his whole designation, especially when angry.

"We knew that things had already gone to the pit when they launched the cube! We knew that things were slagged when we left our planet behind! We knew from the start that even if, by some miracle of Primus, we got the Allspark back, that it wouldn't regenerate Cybertron!"

"We did not know that!"

"YES WE FRAGGING DID! The science was there! The SIGNS were prevalent! We didn't want to listen! Like usual…" He said trailing off as he kicked at the mud.

"We have an opportunity here, on this planet that sure as slag beats the alternative-"Sideswipe began only to be interrupted by his twin's disgusted scoff. Sideswipe turned and deliberately kicked muddy water into his twin's face making him cough and splutter in rage.

"What would you prefer huh? You wanna wander through space forever? No cleaning rags, no wax or polish, no place to rest our helms, no stable form of resources for energy conversion- "

"What is your slagging point?" Sunstreaker growled.

"You need to fragging get over Cybertron. Yeah, I miss it too. We all miss it. We're all gonna mourn the fact that we can't go home! But everyone except you, is moving on." Sideswipe snarled at his glaring twin. Sunstreaker crossed his arms and looked away from his twin.

"Things aren't fragging ideal. But at least we have a base! At least we have allies who want to help- "

"The humans are pathetic! Thinking that they can help us win our war! They get in the slagging way! They will get squished or popped by the Decepticons in little time!"

"At least they want to help us! At least they were kind enough to give us a place to live! I've seen what some of them are like and believe me when I say we have it good!"

"In exchange for all that slag, they want our weapons!"

"Not all humans are bad. Prime will work things out and we won't give them any. We just have to show them how to fight with us correctly- "

"So what? They can help us 'win the war'?" Sunstreaker sneered mockingly. "We do not need their help. We are more efficient without them. Hmmph! We'll probably win this war in a few Earth vorns. Maybe one full Cybertronian vorn."

Sideswipe frowned. "What are you gonna do when the 'Cons stop attacking?"

"What?"

"What are you gonna do, when the Con's stop attacking? You're right. Our war isn't gonna last for long. My best bet is that in the next 3 to 5 Earth vorns, we're done. So, what are you gonna do then?" Sideswipe asked crossing his arms.

The two stared at each other silently as the rain continued to plink and rattle against their frames as the storm raged on. Sunstreaker was, (as much as he didn't want to admit it,) startled. He had never thought about what he'd do after the war.

Sideswipe huffed before he snorted lightly, seeing and feeling his twin's surprise.

"Bee's got a charge. So does Ironhide. They'll probably hang out with them. Ratchet will probably go fully into Earth medicine. Prime…well who knows with him, maybe he'll look into politics or building things." Sideswipe drawled as he began to pace thoughtfully.

"Jazz'll go into music, Jolt electrical engineering…and me?" Sunstreaker snapped his helm up at his twin in surprise. He watched as Sideswipe held his chin with a thoughtful look, something he did when he was truly contemplating things.

"Hmm. Maybe I'll join a racing circuit. Or maybe I'll become a trader again. Who knows? But I know one thing for a slagging fact;" he said as he looked back at Sunstreaker.

"As much as I love you, I will not let your attitude hold me back from my happiness." Sideswipe said as he began to slowly walk back over to his twin. Sunstreaker stared at him in utter shock.

"I happen to like Earth. No, it's not perfect. It sure as slag isn't Cybertron, and yeah humans are weird. But if I have to choose between floating through space for all eternity hoping to find the last of the Decepticons to slag them leaving myself alone or hanging out here with my new friend and starting a new part of my life, I'd rather be here." Sideswipe said as he offered his twin a hand up.

Sunstreaker glared at his twin before looking at his hand with an angry scowl. Sideswipe raised an optic ridge.

"I do want you to be happy. I'd like to have you around. But if you'd rather float through space, then I guess I'll have to find a way to understand."

Sunstreaker heard the unspoken, 'I'm not going with you though' in his brother's tone. He'd never had an argument like this with Sideswipe. He'd never seen Sideswipe this passionate about something before. He'd seen his twin passionate before, on the battlefield, in the gladiatorial pits, even recounting a really good prank they'd pulled. This kind of passion was different. He wasn't sure if he liked it.

He hated to admit it. But his twin did have a point. A very SMALL point. Insignificant almost.

["You need to adapt. The rest of us will move on with or without you."]

["You would not leave me behind."] Sunstreaker said over their bond as he glared at his twin challengingly. Sideswipe gave him a neutral expression.

Usually, the roles were reversed, and it was Sunstreaker offering Sideswipe his servo to get up, while also scolding him about how he needed to get his slag together. Sunstreaker was certain he did not like being in the opposite role.

With a grunt Sunstreaker grabbed his twin's offered servo and stood up. Slowly, the two walked back towards the road with Sideswipe in the lead.

["I make  no  promises about accepting humans."]

["That's fine."]

["One more thing"] Sunstreaker said over their bond as a sinisterly malicious smirk etched itself on his face. All at once, he hooked his right leg around his twin's left, grabbed his twin's left shoulder and threw him down into the mud with a loud splash! Sideswipe yelped in surprise as he fell.

"If I have to return to base filthy, so do you!" He said with a mischievous (if a little bit petty) smile. Sideswipe stared up at his twin in surprise before snorting a laugh as he got back up.

"Fine. But just so you know, neither of us have to go back filthy."

"Right, because you know of some miraculous washrack out here in the middle of nowhere!"

"Actually, the humans have a place where they take their vehicles for cleaning maintenance."

Sunstreaker gave him a bewildered and disbelieving look before reluctantly transforming back into his Lamborghini altmode.

"Oh yeah? What is it?" He snorted as his twin transformed behind him into a matching Lamborghini.

Sideswipe grinned internally. "It's called a car wash…"

XXXXX

Downtown Mission city 8:17pm.

Lilac emerged from the local Walmart with a sigh. She bought new bandages and medications to replace what she used out of her first aid kit. She bought three lighters and two boxes of matches for starting fires. She bought as much canned food as she could stand to carry, a small case of bottled water and a small pot for cooking. She couldn't remember a time when her backpack was so heavy!

She was getting tired of walking around.

She had walked five miles to the store, which wasn't in a very good location of the city. As she left the store and walked further into the sketchy area, she considered joining the homeless communities that stretched along the back allies, and along some of the warehouses. As she walked, she saw trash can fires in a few old buildings and slowed her steps. It was raining pretty hard, and the fire looked nice. That said, joining a new homeless community could be dangerous. Deciding to get a better look she crept closer. She could see several people stretched out over dilapidated mattresses and sitting against walls. Everyone looked dirty and thin as could be.

"HEY YOU!"

"AHH!"

"SHUT UP! C'MERE KID!"

"HNGGH! HEY! LET! GO!"

"YA GOT ANY CASH? GOT ANY CASH? HUH? HUH!?"

"LET ME GO!" Lilac wailed as she pulled herself from the man's grip stumbling back into the street. This man had a long shaggy beard and long greasy wispy hair. His breath stunk of alcohol, and he had a hypodermic needle sticking out of his arm where it bent at the elbow. His eyes while sunken and hollow were wild and angry, his filthy skin clung to his bones as if it were shrink wrapped onto him. He wore a dirty white tank top, a filthy pair of underwear and flip flops. Lilac scrambled back as fast she could when she saw the junkie pick up an empty bottle. She could hear more movement coming from inside the warehouse as she got up and sprinted up the street. She turned the corner and started to hear sirens. Lilac's blood ran cold as she saw police cars and a search and rescue ambulance coming up the street. She ran as fast as she could praying that none of the vehicles were sentient as they passed her.

Suddenly one of the cop cars pulled away from the others and started driving towards her.

Lilac continued to panic as ran down that street. She didn't have the stomach to look back to confirm her fears. She took a left and two rights before she stumbled across a bus station where a bus had just pulled in. The cop was about two blocks behind her, so she quickly got onto the bus and prayed as she paid the fair. Sure enough the cop car went zooming past the bus stop until it reached what looked like a crime scene. There were other cops at the scene too. Lilac sighed as she sat down, watching what looked to be the end stages of a drug bust as the bus drove by.

Once she calmed down she looked at the map of the bus's stops that was advertised next to where she sat. This bus would make three stops in Mission city before going towards the suburb of Tranquility. She looked at her map and made some comparisons. The bus wouldn't get her into Tranquility, but it would definitely drop her off in a nicer part of the city if the many advertisements for shopping outlets and nice new homes were anything to go by.

She rubbed her eyes tiredly as she put her map away. 'Ughhhh! Tonight, is not going how I wanted it to. Why? Just why?' She moaned internally as her hand bumped something in her bag. Pulling it out she realized it was the magnetic map that Sideswipe insisted they get. Lilac hadn't paid attention to it, but it looked like the Autobot had colored in the few states that she missed. Looking closer she saw that he had written on the map too. He had drawn a star at the bottom of Nevada and written "Our objective: Arrive somewhere around here!" He had also drawn a star up near Northern California and written; "Take Lilac here! She really wants to see the trees!". Lilac smiled, laughing silently in her head at what he wrote. As she looked at the rest of the colored in states, she saw that he had drawn the route that they had taken and drew little pictures of things they did in each state. "Car chase on the freeway!" said one. "Saved a K9 from an awful fate!" said another. "Pranked a 'Con!" "Rescued some femmes!" "Made Crop circles!" "First Car Wash!" "Made a friend!" Lilac did a double take at the last one. As she looked again, she saw a picture of what looked to be Sideswipe and her standing next to each other by a cave and an obvious crater. They were both smiling.

She started laughing out loud at the outrageousness of it all, and then her lips started trembling and her eyes welled up with tears. She wasn't sure when she started sobbing. Thankfully the bus was mostly empty and the people on it didn't seem to notice her or care. Lilac sat there weeping as she looked at the souvenir. 'What have I done?' she whimpered internally.

XXXXX

Barricade sat in the warehouse district of Mission city, his engine snarling with so much rage, the rainwater vibrated away near instantly. After his fight with the Autobot he had been ordered to return to the city to do recon. He was to keep an optic out for any Autobots, and for their human allies as well. He had been taking a leisurely drive back when Starscream got on the open Decepticon communications band and started screaming and ranting about how they needed more ground-based troops to monitor the area now that it seemed the Autobots had established a base nearby. Barricade was then ordered to pick up his pace to meet the demand of "Lord Starscream".

'Pffeh! "Lord Starscream" my aft!' the mech internally grumbled, thoroughly annoyed with his new "leader". 'Fragger keeps changing plans! "I want the base in Nebraska! No not there, the humans are suspicious! I want it in Montana, so we'll be closer to the Autobots but not be detected! No! It's too frigid there! My wings will freeze! Monitor the insects and the Autobots in Nevada!" Slagger gets his aft kicked the slagging Terror Twins and makes it my problem!' Barricade snarled as he listened in on the police scanner.

"All units please report to the house fire on fifty first and Beekman Street. Repeat; house fire on Fifty first and Beekman Street."

Barricade grunted as he heard the call. Deciding to warm his tires, he pulled onto the soggy road and began driving toward the housefire. He wouldn't do anything to help the insects but driving towards the fire might be entertaining. 'Maybe one of them will actually be ablaze and running around.' Barricade mused amusedly to himself as he joined the short convoy of other cop cars in front of him.

Suddenly, a familiar shape appeared behind him. It was a large chartreuse search and rescue vehicle. Barricade though reluctant to admit it, got nervous. He carefully scanned the vehicle behind him to find that it was only that. A vehicle driven by humans.

Thanking Unicron he turned around and started driving up the street when he saw someone vaguely familiar. He could have sworn that the silver slagger had a human youngling with him before they fought. And Starscream mentioned that he wanted a specific human femme and that said silver slagger had her. Checking his memory files as well as the files shared to him by Thundercracker, he confirmed that the youngling currently running up the street was indeed the same.

Barricade smirked internally to himself. All he had to do was speed up and capture her. It would be easy.

That said, where she was Sideswipe was sure to follow. Slowly he followed her, hanging back a few blocks. Just as he was about to speed up and corner her, he got a ping on his sensory grid. The real Ratchet was only two blocks away. Not wanting to take any chances, he sped past the youngling as she got onto a large vehicle containing other humans. He drove towards a crime scene and quickly engaged his signal scrambler. If the medic was so close by, he didn't want to take any chances with his sensors detecting his signal. He growled internally as he watched the youngling escape his grasp.

He was the only ground based Decepticon in all of Nevada, and while he wanted to give chase, he knew that he had to hide. The medic wasn't very merciful to those who harmed his teammates. He hardly wanted to know what he'd do to him if he was caught holding the fleshbag.

Barricade stayed at the scene until the Medic's signal grew fainter. Unfortunately, by that time, so had the energy signal of Starscream's demanded fleshy.

XXXXX

All was quiet in the suburbs of Tranquility. The rain had finally stopped, and the streets glittered in the street lights. It was about 10 o'clock as Lilac walked down the sidewalk feeling defeated. She was tired, hungry, wet and cold. She had gotten onto another bus after getting out of Mission City and this one dropped her off in the suburbs. She guessed she had to have walked at least six miles since she got off at the last bus stop. Her feet were a little sore, so she stopped and leaned up against a street light. Sighing she looked at the large houses that lined the streets. Each house looked huge to her! The had clean driveways and well-manicured lawns that were cutely fenced in. She inhaled deeply, relishing the smell of wet grass. 'At least I'm free!' She thought somewhat triumphantly to herself.

"Oh! Look at that!"

"Ohhh, man! That's hilarious!"

Lilac looked up to see a two-story house. The shades were still open, and she was able to see a man, woman, and teenager watching t.v.. She jumped when she heard their hearty laughter. The teen smiled as he leaned next to the woman, probably his mom, and grabbed some popcorn from a bowl.

Lilac wasn't exactly sure why this scene made her feel upset and uncomfortable, but she quickly started walking down the street again, silently crying as she watched a handful more families doing the same in their own homes.

"At least I'm free…." She whimpered sadly to herself in a tiny voice as she continued to wander her way out of the neighborhood. No one even noticed she was there.

XXXXX

{"Optimus Prime to Bumblebee. Please come in."}

{"Bumblebee reporting. Where do you need me sir?"}

{"I am sorry to disturb your recharge soldier, but the matter has become more urgent."}

{"Sir?"}

{"Recently, Sideswipe arrived at base with a small femme youngling. Ratchet took her into his care to treat her wounds as well as to treat her for malnourishment."}

{"Sideswipe didn't  feed  her?!"}

Optimus smiled internally at his scout's protective nature.

{"No, no. Sideswipe cared for her as she aided him in traversing the United States. She is malnourished due to her poor living conditions prior to meeting Sideswipe."}

{"Ohhh. So did Sideswipe pull a prank on Ratchet and now I have to search for him and bring him back to base?"} Under different circumstances Optimus would have laughed at his scout's eagerness to "get one over" on the twins. But not tonight.

{"No. Your task is to find the human femme. She managed to leave the Medbay during an altercation earlier this evening and has since gotten off base. Ratchet recently confirmed that he detected a Decepticon energy signature within Mission City. It is imperative that we find her before the Decepticons or the human authorities do."}

{"Yes sir."}

{"I have sent you the necessary information so that you may be able to track the child. We have been tracking her with little success due to the weather and due to simultaneously tracking the Decepticon signature. Have you installed the proximity sensors around your charge's residence?"}

{"Yes sir. I disguised them as lawn ornaments so that his parental units would not be upset. I will know if a Decepticon is near their residence within several  miles ."}

{"Very clever. Please be discrete as you leave. We do not want to worry the boy."}

Bumblebee laughed.

{"Especially not after he processed me as being stolen or possessed shortly after acquiring me. That was a unique misunderstanding."}

{"Indeed, it was."}

Optimus said warmly, remembering the memory files Bumblebee had shared of the miscommunication leading up to his revealing his identity to Sam.

Bumblebee took a look at the files Optimus sent him as he silently backed out of the garage. His sensors pinged as he immediately picked up on Lilac's energy signature.

{"Sir?"}

{"Yes Bumblebee?"}

{"I believe that the youngling may be very close to my location. Her energy signature just pinged on my sensors. The signature looks to be, perhaps an hour or so old."}

Optimus was surprised and secretly a little hopeful. What luck that the child would be nearby!

{"Very good. Please follow her signature. If you get a visual on her let me know Immediately."}

{"Permission to engage if she is not among other humans?"}

{"Permission granted but be cautious. She has encountered Decepticons while aiding Sideswipe, so she may run from you. Try and identify yourself as an Autobot as soon as possible, and even still, do not allow her to run away from you. She must return to the base and to Medbay to ensure her continued safety and functioning."}

{"Yes sir! Bumblebee out."}

He said as he began driving out of the neighborhood.

XXXXX

Lilac climbed the hill out of Tranquility silently. She had taken a couple of busses, the last of which dropped her off close to the city limits as it was its last stop before heading to the garage. The hill she was climbing, happened to be the one where she and Sideswipe met up with the other Autobots only a few days ago. Only this time, she was leaving Tranquility instead of being driven into it against her will.

Lilac had done a full loop around the city, in the hopes that the Bot's wouldn't find her. So far, her plan worked. And yet she still felt miserable as she climbed the hill. She had decided that it wasn't the falling rain, or the rainwater that was kicked up from the vehicles traveling up the freeway that made her so sad.

She refused to admit to herself the real reason for her misery. She knew if she dwelled on it, she would get cold feet and go running back down the hill as fast as she could. 'This is for my own good. I can't go back now. I need to keep going.' She thought to herself as she tried not to pant with the effort of moving.

She decided to stop to catch her breath. 'Who am I kidding? This was a horrible idea!' she lamented as she bent over trying to catch her breath.

'I just want to go home.' She thought, 'What home?! You don't have one, remember stupid?!'

'Yeah…well…Sideswipe wanted to give me one…'

'Yeah right! Like he'd trust you now! He'll probably never speak to you again!'

'We don't know that! Maybe he's out looking for me right now!'

'Suuuure. And maybe the Easter bunny'll come riding up the hill on his chopper and give you a million dollars!'

'You don't have to be so mean…why are you so mean?'

'Because I'm you. And you know how well going back will go. They'll be angry.'

'They will…'

'They'll screw you over first chance they get! Everyone always does.'

'But maybe…'

'But maybe what? They'll love you and care for you and take care of you for as long as you live? How stupid is that! You know you're worthless! You're not meant to be loved.'

'Just…just shut up, okay?!'

'You know I'm right.' Her internal monologue snorted with malicious humor as she wept new tears. With a soft hiccup she continued to trudge up the hill.

Suddenly a yellow sports car went flying up the hill past her, only to slam on its breaks, illuminating the wet road with its glowing red break lights. Lilac looked at the vehicle and froze as it sat there. Previous encounters made her wary of vehicles. Not to forget to mention that she was walking off to the side of the freeway in the dirt. Most cars and trucks didn't see her, even when they were in the lane closest to her.

But this one stopped.

Lilac inched sideways a little watching to see if the car put on its hazard lights or did anything else. Much to her alarm, the car's taillights flashed on with a dazzling white light as the car suddenly started coming down the hill in reverse!

Lilac's eyes went wide as she started to skip sideways further into the dark. The car eventually pulled up next to where Lilac was standing and stayed still. The windows were tinted a dark black so she couldn't see inside.

'Please be a normal car! Please be a normal car! Please have humans! Please have humans!' She screamed internally as the car slowly backed further down the road. Suddenly the wheels turned, and the yellow car bounced off of the pavement and began off-roading. It was heading right for her! Lilac bolted this time sprinting up the hill.

'WHHHHYYYYY MEEEE!?' She wailed internally as she ran. The yellow car's engine revved behind her.

'And why on this damn hill?! What's with this stupid effin' hill! Is it cursed?! What is with me getting chased in this area?!' She sobbed angrily as she tripped over a rock and scrambled to get back up. The car's headlights creepily illuminated some of the desert in front of her. Off to the side Lilac could barely make out an area with a large ledge that cut off at a cliff. She turned herself, leaving the car's headlights. The car was quick though as it turned to follow her. As she got to the ledge, she saw a hollowed-out area in the hill that looked like a cave. Had the car not been so hot on her heels, she would have hidden in the cave and let the car go racing past over the cliff.

Luck was not on her side.

Lilac skidded to a halt when she reached the cliff's edge, watching as some sand and rocks flew over the edge into the darkness below. She turned around and faced the car that slowly drove up behind her. Heartbroken and tired, she decided to address the car and accept her fate.

"Well come on then! Do your thing so we can get this over with!" She snarled. The car sat there for a moment before it slowly began to transform. Lilac watched, resisting the urge to back up, and fall off the cliff. When it was done, a yellow and black bot with bright blue optics, little antennas and doorwings stood in front of her. She glared back.

"Go ahead! Do your worst!"

The yellow bot reared its helm back in surprise before shaking his helm and waving his servos in a 'No, no, no!' sort of fashion. He pointed to the red insignia on his helm in answer. Lilac squinted before being able to fully see the insignia for what it was.

"Oh. You're an Autobot?"

The yellow mech nodded his helm yes cheerfully. Lilac sighed and hung her head.

"Can you do me a favor then?"

The bot cocked his helm to the side curiously before she spoke again.

"Please, drop kick me off this cliff. I don't want to live anymore."

XXXXX

Chapter Text

{"Text"}- Com. Links/text messages/projected text. this is specified.

'Text'-Internal monologue/inner thoughts

XXXXX- Time change/text break

Bumblebee had been tracking the femme for at least a half hour before her energy signature began to get stronger indicating that he was on her trail. Said trail led him out of the suburbs and out of the greater Tranquility area and onto a freeway. Bumblebee was starting to get worried. A child walking by herself up the freeway was extremely unsafe for a number of reasons. Not only that, but it left the both of them open to attacks that could come from numerous places. He wanted to find this femme and get her back to base as soon as possible! As such, he was traveling up the freeway doing slightly above the speed limit. Suddenly, he saw something pop up on his sensors causing him to slam on his brakes. Thankfully, there weren't too many humans on the road with him, so no one was in danger. Checking his sensors, he saw the femme he had been looking for! She looked terrified.

{"Bumblebee to Optimus Prime."}

{"Optimus Prime here. Go ahead."}

{"I have located the femme. She is on the side of the freeway headed North out of Tranquility."}

{"Very well done Bumblebee! Does she know you are following her?"}

Said scout noticed that the child started creeping further into the dark.

{"I believe so. There are no other humans around. May I engage?"}

{"You may but do so away from the road so that other humans are not alerted to your presence."}

{"Yes sir."} Bumblebee said as he started to reverse down the hill. Just as he was about to be parallel with the child, she turned and ran.

'She's fast!' Bumblebee mused internally as he left the road to follow the child.

He followed her all the way to the side of the hill they were climbing where she stopped at the edge of a sheer cliff drop.

"Well come on then! Do your thing so we can get this over with!" She snarled. Bumblebee was surprised at her aggressiveness at first, until he realized that she probably believed him to be a Decepticon. Optimus did mention that she and Sideswipe had encountered a few on their way to Nevada. Slowly he transformed so as not to scare her into falling off the cliff.

"Go ahead! Do your worst!" she growled at him. He surmised that she still couldn't see his insignia, so he quickly gestured to her that no, he was not the enemy, but an ally as he pointed to the red insignia on his helm.

Lilac squinted before being able to fully see the insignia for what it was.

"Oh. You're an Autobot?"

Bumblebee nodded his helm yes cheerfully. 'Thank goodness she knows that I'm not here to hurt her. That was a close fragging call!' Lilac sighed and hung her head.

"Can you do me a favor then?"

'Favor? What would she want me to do? Maybe she will request I return her to base-'

"Please, drop kick me off this cliff. I don't want to live anymore."

'What the frag?'

{"Uhhhmm. Optimus? Sir?"} Bumblebee asked cautiously. Optimus was put on alert by his scout's tone.

{"Yes Bumblebee what is it?"}

{"Was Ratchet treating the youngling for wanting to self-terminate?"}

{"No. Why?"} Optimus was immediately on guard now. While Jazz and Jolt did confirm that the child was unhappy, they did not say anything about her wanting to offline herself.

In response Bumblebee allowed his optical and audio feed to be shared with his leader in real time. This way, Optimus could see and hear whatever Bumblebee could. Optimus sent the feed to the large monitor he and the others were using to track Lilac's movements just as she started talking again.

{"Please, I am begging you, just do it! Just drop kick me off of this ledge already! I don't want to live anymore!"}

"What the frag…" Jazz trailed off as Optimus stared with wide optics at the monitor.

Bumblebee looked down at Lilac with wide optics of his own

"Whoa, whoa, whoa!...What…do you…mean you don't…want to live…anymore?" He asked stringing together several sound clips. Ratchet was not fully able to fix his vocalizer after the battle of Mission City. He was able to cut down on the pain and repair it enough so that Bumblebee could speak for short periods of time, but it was nothing compared to what the medic wanted to do for him.

"I mean that I'm so effing done with this shit!" Lilac snarled as she kicked a small rock with all her might sending it flying into a seam in Bumblebee's thigh plating.

"Ow! Hey,…watch it!" He said stringing more clips together as the child growled, clenched her fists and stalked forward.

"I DON'T WANT TO DO THIS ALL OVER AGAIN DAMN IT! I'M SO TIRED OF THIS…THIS…BULLSHIT!" She roared as turned around and paced backwards worrying the scout with how close she was getting to the edge.

"Whoa now…let's…take it easy there…How about we…step away from…the edge there…huh?"

"Why do you care?" She sneered.

"Cause…I do…deal with it!' He said back as he scooped her up and started walking towards the cave.

"PUT! ME! DOWN!" She barked as she tried to fight her way out of his grasp.

Bumblebee placed her on the ground where he watched her continue to stalk back and forth.

"I'm not going back with you. You can't make me!" She snarled glaring up at him. Bumblebee raised an optic ridge amused.

"You…wanna bet?" Lilac glared at him before turning her back on him. Bumblebee smiled gently, noticing that the child was a little calmer now.

"I have…to take…you…back to…the base of operations. They…are worried sick…about you right now."

"No, they're not."

"Are too."

"Yeah right! All they wanna do is lock me up in the Medbay again!"

"Not the way I heard it."

"Oh yeah? And what'd they tell you?"

"They…said they wanted…you to be safe…and healthy…Worried you are hurt…and need…repair…Need you at base…to begin the plan." He said as he accessed the notes that Optimus had shared with him about Lilac. In addition to her energy signature, the Prime had also added the notes from the meeting the command team had about helping Lilac. Normally, Prime wouldn't do such a thing, but he had told Bumblebee most of the pertinent information contained within the notes anyway, so he thought he might as well allow his scout to fully know why he was requesting the child be found before the human authorities could locate her. Aside from the obvious reason of course.

Lilac looked at him utterly confused and petrified.

"What plan?"

"To…get you away…from…bad parents…find you…a family…unit…of your own…" Lilac froze as terror and unbridled rage gripped her heart.

Bumblebee noticed this and frowned.

"Is that…not…what you want? Do you…wanna have…a…family?"

Unbeknownst to Bumblebee, (and the growing crowd watching his optical feed for that matter) that question was the straw that broke the camel's back.

"Do I want to have a family?" Lilac asked trailing off. She sounded hollow. Bumblebee nodded his helm yes, trying to confirm his question.

Lilac exploded.

"OF FUCKING COURSE, I WANT TO HAVE A FAMILY! MY GOD! WHY DOES EVERYONE ASK ME THAT STUPID ASS QUESTION?!" Bumblebee backed up a step in surprise as the child continued to rant,

"ALL I HAVE EVER WANTED IN THIS FUCKED UP WORLD IS A FAMILY! ALL I'VE EVER WANTED WAS A PLACE TO BELONG! BUT NOOOO! I DON'T GET THAT LUXURY, BECAUSE I'M A WORTHLESS, STUPID, USELESS, PATHETIC EXCUSE FOR A KID!"

Bumblebee put his servos up in a placating manner, but Lilac wasn't finished yet. Bumblebee was surprised to see tears in her eyes.

"ALL I'VE EVER WANTED WAS A MOMMY AND A DADDY, AND A HOUSE WITH A CUTE LITTLE FENCE AROUND IT…LIKE YOU SEE ON T.V….And….and…and I can't have it!"

She said as her voice suddenly cut out. He body shook with angry sobs as she continued.

"I'm not allowed to have nice things like that. I only ruin them!"

"That's…not true…"

"It is true!"

"No it's not…"

"Yes it is! Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! Shut up! SHUT UUPPP!" She wailed as she jumped up and down like a spoiled brat.

"I want somebody to hold me when I'm scared! And to tuck me in at night! I want someone to tell me bedtime stories, and to kiss my owies and boo boo's all better!" Lilac bawled.

"I want someone to hug me when I cry and tell me that everything's gonna be okay even when it's not! I want someone to tell me silly jokes and funny stories just to see me smile or make me laugh! I want someone to hug me when I want it and need it! I want someone to cuddle me up and tell me that I matter! That they love me no matter what! I WANT PARENTS! I WANT A MOMMY AND DADDY! I WANT A FAMILY! Why does everyone else get this stuff but I don't?! It's not fair! It's not fair! It's not fair! It's not fair! It's not fair! It's not fair! It's not fair! It's not fair! IT'S! NOOOT! FAAAAAAIIIIIIIRRRR!" She wailed as she fell to the ground, kicking her legs and pounding the sand with her fists. Lilac was throwing a full fledge tantrum.

Bumblebee stood there shocked at what he was seeing. He had to search is memory files for the last time he had seen such a display of childish behavior.

Sure enough a file came to the front of his processor. He was sitting in the parking lot of a mall. A femme and her youngling left the store and the youngling was clearly upset. He complained about not being able to get a 'G.I. Joe' from the toy store. The femme told the youngling that he had enough toys and that the answer was 'no' as she placed her bags into the vehicle. Said youngling twisted his face up, screamed and threw himself to the pavement kicking, crying and hitting the pavement with balled up fists, just as Lilac was doing now.

The cardinal difference being that the youngling in the parking lot was clearly much younger, very spoiled, and well cared for. Bumblebee had noticed that the bags the femme had stowed in the vehicle had a few sets of clothing for the youngling, as well as a few new toys amongst other trinkets most likely meant for the femme herself. At the time, a quick search of her license plate through the motor vehicle department yielded Bumblebee a slew of information. The sparkling throwing a fit was an only child to a somewhat wealthy couple who always ensured he had the best care possible; new toys, designer clothes, organic foods, private preschool which later led to a private elementary school. That youngling was very very, spoiled.

And yet the child in front of him, as far as he could tell, was not. All she wanted was the most basic of things that a caregiver would usually provide. And yet, by some travesty, she had been denied these things (as it sounded) for most of her life. She was right. It wasn't fair.

Bumblebee looked down at the crying child and clicked softly. He gently scooped her up and cradled her to his chest gently taking a digit and wiping away some of her tears. Turning he sat down on the ground partially facing the interior wall of the cave.

He held Lilac and gently stroked her head like he'd seen other humans do with their upset sparklings. It took a few minutes, but Lilac eventually calmed down and stopped crying.

"Better?" He asked her. She wouldn't look at him, but what of her face he could see told him that she still felt miserable.

He sat there in silence for a few moments before deciding to take a new approach. He tapped the side of his helm, allowing a projection of his hud to appear on the wall. Lilac looked up surprised.

{"If it's any consolation, I know how you feel."}

Lilac looked up at him with a confused and questioning glance.

{"I lost my family unit when I was still a sparkling. I never knew who my real parents were, or if I had any siblings."} Lilac looked at him with anguish and guilt.

{"Don't feel bad. I may not have known my creation family unit, but I  did  get to grow up with a really great adoptive family unit."}

"Really?"

Bumblebee chirped and bobbed his helm in a nod making the hologram dip.

{"Do you wanna see my earliest memory of them?"} He asked her making her nervous. She wanted to know, but she didn't want to intrude….

Hesitantly Lilac said yes.

With a smile Bumblebee projected his earliest memory from his perspective.

He was crying, and cold, and scared as he stared up at the white lights above him.

Lilac frowned as she heard several other voices shouting over the crying when suddenly Bumblebee helped her out by providing English subtitles.

{"Why is he still crying?! He didn't want the energon bottle!"}

{"I don't know! Where is that medic when you need him?!"}

{"Getting the sparkling a thermal blanket like I told you slag helms! He's probably cold."} Came the familiar grunt. Lilac's eyes went wide when she saw none other than Ratchet come into view.

{"There now, it's okay sparkling. It's okay."} He soothed as he gently wrapped Bumblebee up. Much to Lilac's surprise, she saw several familiar faces. Their paint jobs were a little different, but she saw Jazz, and Ironhide standing nearby. All at once she realized they were the ones who were shouting!

{"Jazz, that bottle is too cold. Ironhide, hold him while I show Jazz how to warm it up correctly."} Ratchet said as he handed Bee off to the currently red mech.

{"I can do it! I don't need your help!"} The currently black and white Jazz protested.

{"It never hurts to be shown something like this again Jazz. When was the last time you learned basic sparkling care? At the academy?"} The red and white medic asked as he walked over to a machine on a counter. Jazz pouted as he followed mumbling that it hadn't been that long.

Once the two were done warming up the bottle, it was given back to Ironhide who began to feed Bee.

Suddenly a loud whoosh was heard and Lilac watched as Bee was turned to see a large set of automatic doors. There stood none other than Optimus Prime. He was mostly red, and he didn't have flame decals, but Lilac could easily tell that it was the large leader because of his helm shape.

{"Good orn, Ironhide, Jazz. Ratchet, how is our newest patient doing?"}

{"His systems are still stabilizing. So long as we continue to keep him warm and ensure he is fed the appropriate minerals and energon he will make a full recovery soon."}

{"That is very good to hear. Has anyone come forward to claim him?"}

{"Unfortunately, no. I fear that there is no one to claim him. His spark shows no evidence of an established bond, which is normal given that he is still within the age range of being a newspark, but by my scans, he barley even has the beginnings of a creation bond."}

{"Poor little mech. All alone in all that rubble."} Jazz said sadly.

{"Somebot obviously wanted to protect him. His sparkling carrier had level five blast shields on it as well as a parachute."} Ironhide added gruffly as he continued to feed him.

{"I suppose whoever created him knew the war was coming and feared the worst outcome. That could explain the sparkling carrier and the lack of a bond."} Ratchet surmised.

Optimus Prime frowned.

{"I suppose then, we'll need to assign him a caregiver. The Decepticons have targeted and attempted to destroy most of the youngling centers. Jazz your intel shows that it is probable that they are going to continue?"}

{"Unfortunately, yes."}

{"Well then, who is going to look after the little scraplet?"} Ironhide asked as he put the bottle down making Bumblebee whine and reach for it.

{"The most logical choice would be me. He will need to stay in Medbay for a few orns more for observation."}

{"You sound like Prowl, talking about logic."} Jazz joked as he gave Ironhide another bottle that he had prepared.

{"Do you want to take care of him then?"} Ratchet asked raising an optic ridge teasingly as the saboteur gave him a surprised look.

{"Well…I don't think  I'm  the best choice…"}

{"And why is that?"} Optimus asked sounding amused at his saboteur's subtle nervousness.

{"Cause I'm always in the field. For that matter, so are the rest of you."} Jazz pointed out.

{"I suppose you have a point. Perhaps I should hold a short meeting to ask for volunteers…"} Optimus thought aloud as Bumblebee finished his second bottle.

Lilac watched as the picture began to narrow.

{"Looks like he is ready to go back into recharge."} Ratchet said softly as he tried to take Bumblebee from Ironhide.

Lilac jumped when a loud shrieking started. Bumblebee shook gently with laughter, causing her to look up at him in surprise.

"Watch…" He said to her.

{"WHAT DID YOU DO?!"} Jazz yelled

{"I WAS JUST TRYING TO TAKE HIM FROM IRONHIDE!"}

Ironhide spun a little trying to figure out what to do.

She watched as Optimus stopped clutching at his audios, grabbed an empty cube off the counter and swept some loose bolts from the counter into it. He gently shook it side to side creating a strange tinkling rattling sound. At first it didn't work, but soon Bumblebee stopped crying and reached for the cube as the Prime continued to shake it.

{"Thank Primus…How did you know that would work Prime?"} Ironhide asked as he readjusted the squirming sparkling.

{"I did not. I recalled seeing a similar toy at a youngling center the last time we dropped off rations."}

{"Well, it got him to stop crying. Pit that mechling's got a strong set of vocal components."} Jazz swore as he and the others walked closer to a medical berth.

{"He most certainly does."} Optimus said as Bumblebee was gently laid down.

{"We'll have to tell the others that. Wouldn't want them to volunteer without knowing what exactly they're getting into"} Ironhide said smiling.

Lilac watched for a few more moments before Bumblebee stopped playing the memory. Looking up at him she realized something.

"They became your family?" She asked incredulously. Bumblebee shook with laughter once more before nodding his helm yes.

"But you were so small! And they're…they're…"

{"Old?"} he projected onto the wall. She laughed a little.

"I was going to say leaders in the middle of a war." She tittered.

{"Ah. Well, that  is  true. But they did raise me."}

"To be a soldier."

{"Scout actually. And I made that choice on my own when the time came. As did Sideswipe and Sunstreaker."}

"Wait…! YOU'RE BUMBLEBEE?!"

Said mech nodded his helm, allowing her to continue.

"Sideswipe said that you're younger than him and Sunstreaker."

{"I am."}

"Then how did you come of age, when Sideswipe basically said he's like a teenager?"

{"I said when the time came. I'm still technically a youngling and so are they."} Lilac paled as she looked up at him, guilt flowed over her anew as he gave a short half laugh.

{"Easy. You have nothing to feel sorry for. No, I did not get to have the same youngling-hood as other generations. But I wouldn't change it. Nor would I change who raised me."}

"But…but how did they do it? Weren't they too busy fighting?"

{"Sometimes. But they took turns. When I was that small, it was easy for them to trade me off every so often to another person for a little while."}

"And when you got bigger?"

{"They would still trade me if they needed to. Honestly, I spent a lot of time with Ironhide and his mate. You could say they were my primary caregivers. Guardians, really. Once I started getting older, I started wanting to follow them around more. I wanted to do what they were doing."}

"Really?"

{"Yeah. Growing up this was all I knew, and I thought it was cool to fight and fire weapons. The others weren't very happy about that. I bet they still aren't."}

"Why?"

Bumblebee vented a sigh as he looked down at her before answering.

{"They never wanted this kind of life for me. They wanted me to be able to do, or  be  anything I wanted…"}

"But the war…" She said sadly as Bumblebee sighed again.

{"Yeah. The war. Honestly, part of the reason I chose to become a scout was for them."}

"Huh?"

{"Well…I knew that if I went straight into espionage like Jazz, they'd all fritz secretly. Becoming a combat specialist and weapons specialist like Ironhide would take vorns, I'm still 'new' so being a leader like Optimus wouldn't really work, for a lot of reasons, I don't have the patience, or mental ability/stability to be a tactician like Prowl, and I don't have the fortitude to be a medic like Ratchet."}

"Fortitude?"

{"I don't like seeing what's on the inside of our bodies. I'm not too squeamish, but still to have to do surgeries, Eughh!"} He shuddered a little making her laugh.

{"Besides, being a scout means that I can repay the favors they've done for me."}

"How so?"

{"Well, my job is to go ahead of them and get them important information. I can see what they can't sometimes and warn them if I need to. I can look out for them and protect them, like they did for me growing up."}

"Wow…I never really thought about that. That's really cool. Do they know?"

Bumblebee shrugged as he looked down at her with a small smile.

{"I'm not sure. But the one thing I do know is that they love me. And I love them too. We may not always say it, but we know it."} He said with a smile and a half shrug

Lilac smiled at him fondly before sighing.

"Do you really have to take me back?"

{"What do  you  think?"}

"Well technically no, you don't!"

{"Then I'd be disobeying orders."}

"From a soldier side, or like not listening to your parents side?"

Bumblebee laughed before answering, {"Both."}

"Yikes! I cant imagine what that would be like. Man, training must have been brutal! It's probably a good thing you didn't go into any of their fields. They're all the masters of their respective crafts! They would have been so hard on you."

Bumblebee laughed again, this time a little harder.

{"It  was . They were the ones that trained me in my basics! And they had help from others!"}

"Ouch. That had to have been hard…and annoying."

{"It was sometimes-"} He laughed before continuing {"They were always the hardest on me. But I know now that they were only trying to protect me, and that they wanted the best for me. That meant that I had to be the best for them."}

Lilac cringed. "And you want me to go back to them. So much structure…" she shuddered making him laugh some more.

{"You don't like structure?"}

"To a point. What you just described makes my skin crawl." She said shuddering and rubbing her arms.

{"Maybe so, but it probably wont be like that for you. After all you are in a slightly different situation than I was. Who knows, maybe they'll find you a home with another of your race."}

"Yeah right. Like that will happen." She mumbled.

{"You won't know until you try!"} He said as he sat her down on the ground so he could stand back up. He smiled down at her as she looked up at him hesitantly.

"They'll probably be mad at me…"

{"Probably. More worried if anything."}

"They'll probably hit me, or give me some other horrible spirit breaking punishment…" She trailed off fearfully. Bumblebee frowned.

{"Never. Autobots don't harm humans. And to break your spirit would be to behave like a Decepticon."}

"You really think I have a chance? That I should go back?"

{"What have you got to lose?"}

"My freedom, my identity, my free will…my lunch…"

{"I promise you won't lose any of those things."}

"It was because of the last promise one of you made to me that we're standing here right now."

{"And I'm sure he intends to keep his promise. But he can't if you're all the way out here."}

"I don't want to get hurt again, okay?! I've been through enough."

{"Okay. Honestly, I promise that if you go back everything will work out. You won't get hurt. I personally guarantee it."}

"That's kinda what Sideswipe promised me. And take a good look at where I am."

{"Do you trust me?"}

"No."

{"Wooow. Really?"}

"Would you trust a stranger after being chased through the desert in the rain by them?"

Bumblebee started at that.

{"Touché. But now you have  two  Autobot promises. That has to count for  something! "}

Lilac looked at him with a dry expression. Bumblebee decided to bring out the big guns.

{"C'mon please go back to the base with me. Pleeeeeaasssse?"} He said while giving her the same big blue optic expression Sideswipe would when he wanted something.

"Oh come on! What is with you guys and the big blue eyes trick!"

"Pleeeeeease?...C'mon I'm beggin' here!" His radio repeated as he clasped his servos together in a begging position. Lilac sighed. Not wanting to give in to the adorable mech's expression but finding her resolve crumbling.

"FINE! Alright alright! I'll go back to base with you!"

"YES!"

"BUT-" She cut in stopping the scout from celebrating.

"If you or Sideswipe are wrong, and or you break your promise, I will escape again and I will not be taken back or be made to return! Do you understand? I'm giving up a lot here."

Bumblebee nodded his helm in agreeance. She sighed once more when the mech kneeled and held out his hand to her.

"Deal?"

"Okay, deal."

"Awesome!...Now…let's get back to…base!...you wont be sorry!"

'I sure hope not.'

XXXXX

Meanwhile at the base; 11:00 pm.

The Autobots as well as Captain Lennox and Sargent Epps watched Lilac throw a tantrum through Bumblebee's optics.

Shortly after Bumblebee confirmed the child's location, Optimus made an all call to the others informing them to return to base. Ironhide, Lennox and Epps had returned recently, already having debriefed the other members of N.E.S.T. on the situation. Ratchet would be the next to return due to his closer proximity to the base.

The twins were still a solid distance away due to having to drive the farthest.

The growing crowd watched in awe and sympathy as she broke down.

"Poor lil' femmlin'!" Jazz said softly.

"Truly, all she has ever wanted was to be cared for." Optimus added.

"Loved." Epps corrected. Everyone looked to the Sargent in surprise.

"Everything that she has said does happen when someone cares for you, but really, a person does all of those things for someone they love. She wants to be loved."

He explained as they watched Bumblebee calm her down.

Shortly after Bee started playing his memory on the wall, Ratchet returned.

"Is that shortly after we rescued Bumblebee?" He queried as he took a large rag out of his subspace and began drying himself off.

"Yep. He's tryin' to convince Babyspark to come back."

"There's no convincing. She needs to return to base immediately." Ratchet said gravely before he and the other Autobots were momentarily distracted by being called 'old' by their youngest.

"I'll show that little slagger just how 'old' I am." Ironhide grumbled as Optimus turned to his Medical officer.

"The Decepticon signal?"

"Lost it with all the precipitation and looking for the sparkling. But I can and will confirm; there is a Decepticon presence in Mission City. She must return to base, and Bumblebee to his post as soon as possible." Ratchet said.

"Well, it looks like Bee's convinced her to come back." Jolt added.

"Is what he told her true?" Captain Lennox asked curiously. The command team of bots looked at the man who was standing on the newly installed scaffolding.

"Is what true Captain?" Optimus asked, cautious about revealing information.

"You know…that you raised Bee." He said sounding genuinely curious. The bots looked at each other before Optimus spoke.

"We all had an integral part in raising our youngest member, yes."

"Ironhide had the largest part though." Jolt added with a smile.

"He liked me more than the rest of you slaggards! All due respect Prime." His weapons specialist said with a respectful nod.

Optimus nodded in kind as Epps wondered aloud; "Did you guys know that he chose to be a scout for the reasons he gave her?"

"Partially yes, though I can not speak for the others." Optimus answered as he got a confirmation message from Bee informing him that they would return to base within half an hour.

"I've always had an idea, but I didn' wanna pry." Jazz admited with a smirk.

"I had no knowledge of that being his reasoning." Jolt admitted.

Ratchet and Ironhide gave unreadable expressions, so Epps decided to let the question drop.

"Well, I think it's nice that he thought of your feelings. You can tell he really thinks the world of you guys." Lennox said honestly as he shoved his hands into his pockets.

Both Ironhide and Ratchet grunted as an answer. "You're going soft Captain." Ironhide muttered good naturedly. Will snorted a laugh in reply before pointing out how Ironhide seemed to lose his edge when his daughter looked at him. Optimus watched his Weapons specialist vehemently deny this as his other troops started to get interested and poke fun at the Black Veteran for his obvious love of sparklings. Ironhide continued to loudly deny their accusations while trying to make some of his own.

{"Sideswipe to Optimus Prime."}

{"Optimus here. Go ahead."}

{"Sunstreaker and I are on our way back as requested."}

{"Acknowledged."} Optimus said noticing the curious silence from his usually jovial frontliner. Smiling inwardly, Optimus realized that Sideswipe was more than likely hoping for an update on his friend's whereabouts.

{"Bumblebee has informed me that he and Lilac will be arriving to base shortly. To the best of our knowledge, she is not injured. But she is upset."}

Sideswipe mentally exhaled before trying to hide it to no avail. Optimus spared him from his amused laughter at his concern.

{"That's good."}

{"Tell me, was she easily upset on your travels?"}

{"No, not really…but when it came to talking about her having a home, or having a family unit, she  would  get upset. She often asked if we could change the subject, or she would change it on her own."}

{"I see."}

{"But I did learn quickly how to make her smile. I don't think she would admit it but I think she is lonely. Talking to her makes her happy."}

{"Jazz and Jolt reported that her mood improved when she was allowed to speak to them. And to you."}

{"Probably. She told me she spent most of her time alone. The most time she spent around other humans is when she would go to town to get fuel and other things she needed. And to go to something called a library."}

Optimus was surprised by that last bit of information.

{"A Library is where humans may go to access information and gain knowledge on a variety of subjects that they wish to learn more about."}

{"It sounds like the archives."}

{"It is similar in a few ways."}

{"Ah. Well maybe she could tell you what she intended on learning when Bee drops her off."}

{"Perhaps I will ask. Thank you Sideswipe."}

{"You are welcome. Oh, could you ask Ratchet something for me?"}

{"Something the matter?"}

{"With me no. Uh, it has to do with the freckle on the bottom of Lilac's left foot pad. I was wondering why it was there. When I searched human freckles on the internet, there were multiple sources about them, and some mentioned that they could be a sign of declining health due to "Skin Cancer"."}

{"I see. I'll be sure to have him check on that. Thank you for your knowledge and concern."}

{"Certainly. Heh…when I asked her about it before, she didn't give me much of an answer. As it turns out, the sensors on her footpads are very sensitive, and easily overstimulated…actually, all of her sensors are easily overstimulated."}

He said with a half laugh.

{"I see. I will also make note of that. Thank you for your update. Optimus out."}

XXXXX

Sideswipe snorted a laugh as his holoform pushed off the wall where he was leaning pretending to be on his human style cellphone. He could feel his twin's purring vibrating along their bond as the jet fan dryers kicked on behind him.

The yellow mech was very hesitant about going through this "Car Wash", as his twin and the sign called it. So much so that he made Sideswipe go first. As he reached the end of the tunnel he was reluctant to admit that he enjoyed the automated process, but his twin knew. Sunstreaker enjoyed it just as much as Sideswipe did.

And Sideswipe was still enjoying it, having purchased the miniature detail package, he was currently under the tender mercy of the team of humans who were meticulously buffing, cleaning and protecting his interior and exterior. They had just finished shampooing his carpets when he decided it was time to inform his Prime that they were on their way back.

Sure, he hadn't mentioned that they stopped to get cleaned up, but to be fair, the base still didn't have a working set of washracks for them. When it was confirmed that Bumblebee had found Lilac, the two practically raced to the establishment which was still open thanks to some miracle of Primus. Because of that, they weren't due back for at least another hour and a half. Just enough time for them to unwind and get cleaned up.

Looking over his shoulder, he watched as an olive skinned adolescent strode out of the establishment. He wore straight legged black jeans, designer sneakers and a gold t-shirt that was framed nicely by a black leather jacket. As his twin's holoform exited the interior "waiting room" of the establishment he huffed a little, blowing a handful of strands of his jet black hair out of his right eye's line of sight and back into place where it framed his face. Much like Sideswipe, he too had long black hair, but with a few gold streaks in his impeccably styled bangs instead of crimson.

"Boss know we're on our way back?"

"Yep!"

"What's got you so chipper?"

["I told them about Lilac's sensor oversensitivity."]

"So…?"

"Remember when Bee used to run off?"

"Yeah? Get on with it already!"

"They're probably gonna do the same thing to her that they did to him."

"Again, so what?"

"She's gonna get the 'treatment'! If we can get a recording of that, the blackmail we could use it for later…"

"You need to get some help. Your processor is warped." Sunstreaker grumbled as he found a clean seat to settle into. He intended to finish enjoying his luxury detailing, even if it meant he had to tune out his glitched twin.

XXXXX

Bumblebee rolled into the main hanger stopping just short of the four command officers who stood with unamused expressions and crossed arms.

As he started to open his door, Lilac pulled it shut with all her might.

"What the?! Let…go! It's time…to…face the music kid."

"I don't wanna! They look really mad at me!" She whimpered softly as she watched Optimus, Ironhide, and Ratchet narrow their optics at her. She swallowed hard.

"Don't worry, be happy…that they have…that look. I didn't get off so easy." He said, continuing to string along song and media clips.

"Then why should I leave?! You already said they're mad! I don't wanna get punished."

"They…won't hurt you. They…just want to talk." He said as he finally wrenched his door free from her iron grip opening it.

"Please…" She begged barely able to hold back tears.

"It's time. Now…out you go!" Bumblebee said as his seatbelt unbuckled. Lilac swallowed the hard lump in her throat. She hesitantly stepped out of the Camaro who then transformed to salute his commanding officers.

"Scout Bumblebee reporting sirs!" He said using his soft yet still raspy voice.

"At ease. Thank you for retrieving the youngling. Especially given how you are currently on leave." Optimus said as he cut his optics down to Lilac who immediately looked to her shoes in embarrassment. 'I didn't know he wasn't supposed to be working! Aw man…'

"It was no trouble at all!" Bumblebee sampled with a nod of his helm.

{"She's really, really scared of you guys."}

{"So we see."} Ratchet confirmed over the communications link as he watched the child. It almost looked like she was trying to shrink and make herself smaller.

{"She's scared you're going to hurt her like others have."}

{"Nahhhh! We ain' gon' hurt her!"} Jazz confirmed.

{"But we are going to give her the same punishment you received when you were a sparkling."} Ironhide added

{"Which one?"}

{"The same one you got when you thought it would be amusing to wander off and make your caretaker fritz."} Ratchet added as he punctuated the statement with a memory file of said punishment.

Bumblebee had to fight to keep from outwardly laughing at the memory.

{"I see.  That  punishment. I suppose it could be seen as rather fitting. Surprised you have to use it now. Guess the human phrase is right though."}

{"And what phrase is that?"} Optimus asked.

{"Some things never change! Just the names and the faces!"} He teased playfully.

{"Yes, speaking of, do rush back to your charge. Us 'old' bots do have to look after the little ones."} Ironhide commented making Bumblebee tilt his helm subtly curious to what he meant until he realized his little slip up.

{"Aha…ahem. That…"}

{"Remember youngling, age is relative to whom you're around. You are considered quite old for this race's standards."} Ratchet reminded with a well hidden smirk as he pulled a wrench out of his subspace.

{"Right…got it! My bad!"}

{"Indeed."} Optimus added though his mental tone betrayed his amusement at his scout's embarrassment.

{"Just remember what will happen to your aft in training the next time you think it would be funny to call one of us 'old'"} Ironhide added.

{"Got it! Noted."}

"Good. Now I believe that you must return to your post." Optimus said, once again taking the conversation verbal.

"Yes sir! Thank you sir!" Bumblebee saluted as he played the two clips.

"As for you youngling…" Optimus began making the child let out a timid "eeep!"

"We are going to have a long conversation about your behavior." He finished in a stern tone as he quickly picked up the child with both of his servos and placed her on a Cybertronian sized table.

Lilac looked to Bumblebee with teary terror filled eyes.

"Go…easy….on her! She's…just a kid!" He said to them. The command team had their backs to her as they nodded their helms in understanding, fully displaying the amused and gentle expressions that a caregiver would have when about to trick a child.

"Your advice is acknowledged. Thank you." Optimus said as he nodded his helm to the scout in farewell.

Once Bumblebee was gone, the four Autobots turned to face Lilac who went pale.

"Lilac Andromeda Dixon," Optimus began making her swallow hard.

"You left Medbay unaccompanied, left this base unaccompanied, and proceeded to try and leave the nearest town for another state despite our informing you of the danger and importance of you remaining in Medbay. You caused myself and every other being on this base to worry about your absence and search for you this evening. What have you got to say for yourself?" Optimus chided.

Lilac's lower lip trembled, and she burst into tears.

"M'SORRY! M'SOOORRRYYYY! PLEEEEEASE DON'T HURT MEEEEEE!" she wailed as she fell to the tabletop on her knees, her hands clasped together begging.

"Leaking optical lubricant will not get you out of trouble." Optimus added. Though he and the other Autobots did feel bad for her. She truly was terrified of them.

"Per our rules, you are to be punished, just as any other youngling who does not listen or wanders off frequently would. We will all administer part of this punishment, for which I believe it is necessary for you to remove your foot coverings."

Lilac had flashbacks to when she was in foster care and still living with the Dixons. She had been beaten on the bottoms of her feet before. And it hurt like hell to walk afterwards. 'If they hit me on the bottoms of my feet, they might break! Is this how they'll ensure I don't run away again?' her subconscious fretfully queried.

Ratchet reached for her feet and she scrambled back shouting and crying several terrified no's.

"Remove your foot coverings child. Now!" Ratchet snapped at her making her flinch as she cowered. He reached for her again, only for her hands to dart down to remove her shoes as she sobbed.

"As it is, there is a unique skin pigment on the bottom of your footpad that needs examining. Lie down on your back and put your arms above your helm youngling." Ratchet ordered. Lilac complied still hiccupping with sobs as she did so. He scanned the freckle per his Prime's request.

{"This is simply a Junctional melanocytic nevi, or 'flat mole'. It poses no risk to her health."}

{"You are certain?"}

{"I am positive Prime. These can occur early on in human infancy. The melanocytes that make this kind of pigment dot are located at the junction of the epidermis and dermis. As time goes on, it may raise up to form a small, raised mole, or it may disappear as she grows older. Either way it poses no risk to her health. She does, however, have several new scrapes and bruises, as well as a few small cuts that will need to be cleaned when we are through. My scans show that she is not in current danger of infection, but I would like to get her back to Medbay as soon as possible to begin treatment."}

{"Understood. Let us begin then."} Optimus agreed. With a nod to Ironhide, Lilac's arms were gently pinned above her head by one of the Veteran's digits.

"No…please…I'm sorry! You don't have to do this! I'll be good I promise!"

"I am afraid that it is too late for that. It is time that you receive your punishment. Jazz, you may begin when ready."

The silver saboteur nodded his helm to his Prime in respect with a neutral expression before turning towards the child who squeezed her eyes shut and tensed up waiting for the pain to begin.

Jazz grinned wickedly wiggling his digits before delicately wiggling them across the bottoms of her feet.

"AHH!" Lilac yelped loudly expecting pain, only for her yelp to be replaced with bubbles of laughter.

The Autobots smiled down at her as she began to squirm and a wide smile stretched across her face. Jazz continued to gently wiggle his claws across the bottoms of her feet eliciting squeaks admis her laughter that many members of the command team found to be remarkably cute.

"D'awwww! Look at the sparklin' wiggle an' squirm!" he cooed.

"Sssstahhhahahahahahahaaap that! PLEASE! Whahahahahahahahat ahahahahaha are you doohoohoohoohooing?!"

"Ya see baby spark, this is how we punish lil bitlets that roam a lil' too far from their guardians."

"Whahahahahahahaat?! I- EEEEEE! NOT THERE! NOT THERE! STAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAAP!" She howled as Ironhide gently prodded and wiggled one of his digits into her armpit and down to her ribs.

"Hmmm. She is rather sensitive along her rib struts. Ratchet, you might want to examine her left flank to see if this is the case for all of her struts." Ironhide mused with a small smile.

Usually, he wouldn't partake publicly in this sort of thing. But given that the youngling had caused him to go out and search the desert for her, in the rain and mud, after successfully escaping through holes in his security measures, he felt that he needed to get a little payback.

"Interesting theory. Let us see." Ratchet said as he too began to wiggle a digit playfully into her armpit and ribs. Lilac laughed even harder as she writhed between the two playfully prodding digits.

"Indeed. She is very sensitive along her ribs. It seems her underarms are quite easily stimulated as well."

"You gonna join us Prime?" Jazz asked pausing for a moment to look up at his leader. Optimus looked contemplative for a moment before nodding his helm. It was not often that he had the opportunity to partake in such activities. And there seemed to be one area left unprovoked.

"As I understand, human younglings are easily overstimulated in many areas on their frames. However, there is one last place we have not yet stimulated." Optimus said as he moved his battle mask into place and gently stilled the child's squirming by placing a single digit on her stomach.

"No, no please! Not there! Not that! Anything but that!" Lilac begged panting and giggling, quickly growing tired from all the laughter. Optimus smiled behind his mask.

"I am sorry child. But I must. Your punishment is not yet complete." He said as his digit began to wiggle making her squeal with laughter. Optimus and the others chuckled as the child began squirming more than before.

"NOOOHOHOHOHOHOHOHOOOO! PLEEEHEEHEEEAAAASSSE! NOHOHOHOHOHOHO MORHOHOHOHOHOHRRREEE! IT TIIIIICKLEEEESSSS!" She squealed.

"Awwww. Little one is ticklish all over her little belly!" Optimus cooed causing those under his command to snort in surprised laughter. Very rarely had they ever seen or heard their Prime act in such a way.

"Pretty femme, pretty femme! Coochie coochie coo!"

"AAAAAHHHH! NOHOHOHOHOHO! PLEASE! NOT BABY TALK!" Lilac squealed in response to the Prime's teasing. Optimus chuckled, "They are only words child. However, if they enhance the affect then perhaps, I should continue…"

"NOOOOO! PLLEEEEEASE! PLEASE! OH PLEASE! STHAAAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAP!"

"Hmmmm…." Optimus hummed thoughtfully.

"I dunno Prime. Do ya think she's learned her lesson?" Jazz crooned.

"She left this base and worried all parties involved in the search for her." Ratchet added as he switched back and forth between tickling Lilac's ribs and armpit.

"She exploited holes in my security systems." Ironhide grunted as he crossed his arms.

The mighty Prime looked down at the child before him, remembering what she had told them the first evening they met and in the note she wrote. 'She was only trying to protect herself.' He thought to himself. He ran a mental simulation wherein he experienced some of the tragedies and inequities she had in her life and his spark ached for her.

Nodding his helm he waved the others servos away. Gently he picked up the still giggling child and held her to his chest plates until she calmed down.

Looking down at her he watched as her cheeks turned red before she looked away shyly.

"I believe she has endured enough for now…"

Lilac exhaled softly in relief.

"It is late youngling, and you have stayed awake far past your usual recharge time. Ratchet must treat some of your new abrasions, after which you will be expected to begin your recharge cycle. Do you understand?"

"Yes…" she said softly. With a nod of his helm, Optimus began walking up the hall to the Medbay alongside Ratchet. When they arrived, Ratchet took Lilac from Optimus and walked her back to the bathroom.

"Same procedure as before child. Wash thoroughly and put on clean armor."

"Okay…" she said timidly as he closed the door.

"The youngling's blood sugar was low when I scanned her. I am going to get her something to eat before she recharges. Will that be enough time for you to speak with her in private?"

After having worked with him for so long, Ratchet learned that Optimus liked to speak to people in a 1 on 1 setting. Optimus was well known for speaking to captured Decepticons 1 on 1 in an attempt to learn more intel, convince them to change factions and broker peace. He was also known to speak to his troops 1 on 1 when they were injured or upset to see if or even how he could ease their pain.

Simply put, Optimus Prime was a people person. So much so that Ratchet could easily tell when his Prime wanted to speak to someone alone.

"I believe so. Thank you." Optimus said with a nod of his helm as his medic left the Medbay. About 12 minutes later Lilac opened the door and peered out nervously. Optimus couldn't help but smile at her antics.

"If you are looking for Ratchet, he went to procure you something to eat." He said startling her.

She sighed softly before walking over to the berth the leader sat next to. Incidentally, it happened to be the berth closest to the door, the same berth that Jazz used. Very carefully Optimus picked her up and sat her down on the berth.

"Thank you."

"You are welcome. May I ask you a few questions?"

"Ummm…yes?"

"Why did you run away from this base?"

"Ummm…" she trailed off looking at her hands and feet uncomfortably.

"I can assure you that you will not face prosecution for leaving."

"But I thought you guys were gonna punish me for leaving…" she said softly still looking at her feet.

"And we have. In our culture when a youngling or sparkling wanders off from their caregiver, numerous punishments can be used. Overstimulation being one of them and typically the one used for first offenses."

"You tickle your kids as punishment?"

"More in terms of a reminder. That reminder being that they bring us joy, just as we strive to bring them joy. Both caregiver and child would be sad without the other. And most younglings don't run off out of malice. I suspect the same of you, unless I am mistaken."

Lilac thought for a moment before answering.

"I didn't want to make anyone worry. It's just…"

"Yes?"

Lilac sighed. "Bumblebee told me that you all are trying to find a way to get the Dixons to relinquish or lose custody of me. Because of what they've done to me."

"Yes. No child should have to live in fear of their caregivers. No child should have to endure all you have had to."

"And I'm happy that you all think that but…" She said softly as she tried to find the right words.

"When Bumblebee asked me if I want a family, if I wanted parents…it hurt me. So many people don't understand that all I have ever wanted, or…or rather what I have wanted for a very long time is a family. I want parents, I want a place to belong…but I can't have that. Every time that I get close…something bad happens…to me and to somebody else."

"What if we could guarantee your safety. Ensure that you nor anyone else would get hurt?"

"But you can't." She sighed irritably before continuing. "I tried to explain the same thing to Sideswipe before we got here. There is no scenario wherein I don't get hurt at some point."

Optimus frowned thoughtfully. He was not sure what she meant. Seeing this Lilac's expression softened a little.

"If you guys somehow succeed, and the Dixons lose custody of me. What happens to me next?" She asked snapping the Prime out of his thoughts. He blinked once before he realized what she said.

"You would go back to foster care…"

"I would be pretty much back where I started. No parents, no family that wants me, nobody who would want me…" she said sadly before continuing. "How is that any better than living on my own out in the wild? I know if I go back to foster care, I won't get adopted. I'll get too old and then be aged out and be alone all over again. I don't want to go through that."

"Nor would I." Optimus said now understanding more but still a little confused.

"If you do not wish to be alone, why run away?"

Lilac sat stunned by his question. It was a few minutes before she answered.

"I…I don't know. I don't want to be here and…and make friends…and stuff…and then have to leave like I always have to because someone makes me…I…I don't know!" she cried as she buried her face in her hands.

Optimus frowned. He had no intention of making the child cry. Keening softly, he gently stroked her back with his index digit.

"I am sorry. I did not mean to upset you." He soothed.

"It's not fair…" she sobbed before reaching and hugging his digit. Optimus Prime was surprised but continued to stroke her back.

XXXXX

Once Lilac calmed down, Optimus decided to ask the child more conversational questions. Why she liked nature, what her home state was like, her favorite kind of weather and a few other topics to put the child at ease.

When Ratchet returned Optimus stayed and comforted the child as he cleaned her scrapes and chatted with her as she finished her snack.

Apparently, she held a strong fondness for milk and the circular treats called cookies. She had mentioned that she loved sweets and wished she could have more milk. Hearing this Ratchet offered to get her more, which made her fret and protest that he didn't have to, and that she didn't want to drink it all. It took the Medic quite some time to convince her that it would be alright for her to have another glass, as the soldiers frequently bought more.

After her second glass Lilac began to grow tired. Optimus and Ratchet bid her goodnight, promising to be nearby should she need anything before turning out the lights of the Medbay and leaving her to sleep in peace.

XXXXX

"So, how'd it go in there?" Epps asked gently as Optimus and Ratchet stepped into the hall.

"We heard her laughing both when she came back, and just a little while ago." Lennox added.

"The child is fine. She had a few new abrasions and bruises, but she will heal quickly."

"Any idea why she ran off in the first place? Or was the note really self-explanatory?" Lennox asked.

"Lilac is afraid of forming attachments. She tried to explain that previously in her life, when she became close with a person, she was made to leave them."

"Makes sense. Being in foster care and being homeless meant she probably moved around a lot. She probably doesn't want to get her hopes up that she can stay here." Lennox said.

"Well, why can't she stay here? We got plenty 'o room!" Jazz asked.

Captain Lennox and Sargent Epps looked at each other sadly before Lennox spoke next.

"It's not about the room Jazz. Legally speaking we can't keep her here."

"That child will not be leaving my Medbay for quite some time under any circumstances, especially if it is to return her to those sorry excuses your race call parents." Ratchet snarled.

"That's not what I meant Ratchet-"Lennox said while putting his hands up in a placating manor.

"Speakin' o' slag, did any of ya know that those two got a website bout Babyspark?" Jazz asked. Everyone looked to him in surprise. He frowned before retracting his visor and projecting the webpage on the wall.

"I keep erasin' any new info that gets posted, an' shuttin' down the site. But they're persistent fraggers. Within a couple hours they get it back up." He said angrily.

"Captain Lennox, is there anything we can do about that website?"

"Unfortunately, probably not. Freedom of speech is a part of our constitution- "

"But they're lyin' 'bout her! They're sayin' that she aint intelligent, an' that she's dependent on them! She's fragging smart! She doesn't need them!"

"Unfortunately, freedom of speech also means freedom to lie."

"But not to get away with it." Ironhide growled before continuing "Secretary Keller seems intelligent. He would not believe those lies if we provide him the truth."

"And we'll have a shot at doing that in a few hours. But the sad reality is, even if we can get Lilac out of their custody, she will have nowhere to go."

"Aw, c'mon man! That ain't right!"

"But that is the law. She'll become a ward of the state. She'll have to go back to foster care."

"Captain Lennox, is there not a person on this base that could foster her?" Jolt asked sounding impatient. He grew to enjoy spending time with and talking to Lilac. He didn't want her to have to leave.

"Yeah! Why can't you or Epps adopt her!" Jazz added.

Will sighed. "We've both thought of that, and while yes I'm sure that Sarah wouldn't mind, we're not sure if we could."

"What do you mean?"

"What he means is that when the state looks at placing a child in a foster, or permanent home a lot of factors are considered. Some of these factors include a safe living environment, proper access to food and water, access to an education, and the prospecting parents' financial ability to take on a new child." Epps explained.

Will nodded his head. "Sarah and I have the financial means. The raise I just got would make it more than feasible for us to take her in. And we could provide for her well."

"But…" Ratchet said tersely making Lennox sigh.

"The reality is, is that I'm not home a lot. And Sarah and I have a new baby. My job is high risk, and the state would take those factors in to account when deciding if Lilac could live with us. In all reality, if something happened to me, Sarah would be okay. I think she would struggle a little at first, but she's strong. She and Annabelle would be fine without me. The state, however, probably wouldn't see it that way."

"And that goes double for me. I'm unmarried, so Lilac would go to a single parent home, where her parent wouldn't be home most of the time. The state would laugh at me for even suggesting taking her in." Epps said sadly.

"Based on those parameters, no one on base is qualified to adopt her." Jolt said sadly.

"But that's jus' it. Babyspark needs a home. She can't keep livin' like this. She's miserable."

"I know Jazz, but there's nothing we can do."

"Perhaps there is." Optimus said drawing everyone's attention.

"I have given this some thought and while it may seem a bit unconventional, I believe that what I wish to suggest may work."

"What is it?" Lennox asked.

"I propose that I become Lilac Andromeda Dixon's legal Guardian. I would like to offer my proposal during our meeting with Secretary Keller." Optimus said.

"I…whoa…" Epps said as a smile grew on his face.

"You want to what?" Will asked in amused disbelief.

"I believe that through this course of action, Lilac will be protected from those who seek to do her harm while also providing her a home."

"But…" Jolt trailed off clearly amused and stunned.

"No offense Prime, but do you really want to be her guardian?" Ironhide asked.

"You know that guardianship is a massive responsibility." Ratchet added.

"I do. I do not make this suggestion lightly."

"But Prime…you're a Prime!" Jazz chuckled softly.

"And those who came before me adopted or had creations of their own. Just because I am a Prime does not mean that I am unable or incapable of having a family unit."

"I mean, with all due respect, you spend so much time because of your title working." Jazz amended respectfully.

"You barely get any down time as it is!" Ironhide added.

"I practically have to pull rank on you just to get you to recharge properly! Let alone make time for maintenance checks and refueling-"

"I am aware of your points." Optimus said in a tone that somehow conveyed his embarrassment and frustration. "But as I said before, I have thought about this at length. Our war will not last forever. Like most of you I have sacrificed many things because of this war, including starting a family. I do not wish to continue living as though this war will not end. I truly do believe that the child would benefit by staying in my care." He said with finality. The Autobots around him smiled, glad to see their Prime passionate about something that he wanted for himself.

Lennox frowned. He secretly prayed that what he was about to say wouldn't get him stepped on or shot at.

"I'm glad that you feel strongly about taking care of Lilac, but…" He said trailing off at the Autobots combined stares.

"'But' what Captain?" Ironhide growled.

"You...Optimus…(sigh) You wouldn't be able to adopt her."

"Why not?" Jazz asked.

"Yeah, why not?" Epps echoed with an irritated expression.

"With all due respect, I don't think the Government is going to let someone from another planet adopt a child."

"Please. Optimus could adopt Lilac." Epps snorted with a smirk.

"Oh yeah? How then? Don't get me wrong. I think it's a good idea, great idea, even. But…"

"But what? There isn't a law against Prime or any other Autobot adopting someone. It's not in the treaty, and while it's not common, people from other countries can adopt our kids, the same way people from America adopt kids from overseas." Epps explained as a smug smile formed on his face. Lennox huffed a laugh sensing his friend had a plan.

"Go on." Will said crossing his arms with an amused yet skeptical expression.

"The loophole is in the word Guardian. The Autobots can stay with humans who need protection from the Decepticons because of their very visible alliance with the Autobots as a guardian. So long as the human consents to the guardianship and the 'bot stays hidden, the government is okay with the setup. Hence why Mikaela, I, and a lot of others on base right now do not have one. Lilac has witnessed three separate Decepticon attacks inside of what? A week? On two of those occasions, she was nearly kidnapped by them because they presumed she was aligned with the Autobots. On that alone, she meets the qualifications for having an Autobot Guardian." Epps explained.

"That gives us a very good excuse for keeping her here. But what if Keller or someone else counters that she can be monitored while at the Dixons, or in foster care?" Lennox asked.

"It would be too dangerous. Sam lives in the 'burbs, the edge of the burbs in fact, but Bee's fast enough that he could get Sam and his family away to a more secluded area where we could give back up. Same thing for you and Ironhide. You live out in the middle of nowhere with enough land that if something went down, we'd be able to assist and not be seen or pose a risk to the general public. That can't be said about where Lilac would be."

"True…"

"Not only that, but if Prime does adopt her, it strengthens our alliance with the Autobots."

"How so?" Optimus asked curiously.

"If you adopt Lilac, that kind of guarantees that you wouldn't be able to leave Earth for at least 5 years. If you chose to become her legal guardian, you would have to care for her until she turns 18, which would be in 5 years. And to the best of my knowledge, you would not be able to raise her in space because the majority of the things she needs are here on Earth."

"We could make adjustments…" Jolt began only to trail off at the looks he received from the surprised humans and irritated 'bots.

"But…ah those adjustments aren't really good substitutes for what she needs here on Earth. He has a point sir."

"Thank you." Epps said with a nod of his head before continuing, "Caring for Lilac could also help everyone to see you as we do. Raising her may make you seem more human to the folks back east who don't know you. At the very least they may think that raising Lilac gives you a real reason to not see Earth destroyed."

"Have I not been explicit in my desires to protect your planet?"

"You have, but unfortunately some people have a hard time getting past the fact that you are an alien."

"Captain, you are just as alien to us as we are to you."

"And I know that Ratchet. Believe me I know…but to be fair, most humans didn't, and don't know life exists outside of what is on our planet. Plenty of people speculated and theorized that life exists somewhere out there…"

"But comin' into contact with it?" Jazz asked teasingly.

"Is an entirely separate thing. It's not like anyone expected to wake up and come in to contact with people from another planet!" Will laughed.

"I sure as hell didn't expect that." Epps laughed.

"Anyways, my point is that Optimus most likely would be able to adopt Lilac. Now, I'm not going to lie. The paperwork and process for this if it does go through will be unlike anything you have experienced yet on this planet. For starters, Keller will ask why you want to adopt her, and how you intend to raise and care for her. He'll also ask who will look after her when you are busy, and God forbid, should something happen to you, what your plan for her would be."

"I will explain to Keller the reasoning we discussed this evening when asked as to why I wish to adopt the child. As for how she will be cared for, I will be the primary Guardian, with others on my team stepping in to care for her when I am unable to. Your race has a saying that is a rather apt description; 'It takes a village to raise a child'."

"In our case, a small army." Jolt added.

"Like he said before, we all had a servo in raisin' Bee. Babyspark'll be no different."

"Perhaps. Although I would encourage you, Jazz to not teach the child in question more abilities that she can utilize to sneak off base or hide. Locating her this evening was challenge enough."

"Aw, c'mon! I didn' teach Bee everythin' he knows!"

"No. He did learn a lot through trial and error. But Prime is right. I would rather not have to track down the child for a check-up because you conveniently told her where the best hiding places on base are, just hours before she is due in my Medbay!"

"Nor would any of us like to track the girl down for wash time or recharge time."

"Now, hold up! I ain't the only bot to teach Bee to avoid things! It's not like ya strolled into Medbay for yo' appointments Hide."

"Or the washracks for that matter." Ratchet muttered making Ironhide glare at him.

"What was that medic? Thought I-"

"Needless to say, Lilac will have plenty of people to care for her." Optimus interjected cutting the black mech off.

"That's great. A strong support team will be important for the both of you." Epps said smiling at the antics of the mechs.

"Man! When'd you get so smart Epps?" Will joked as he jostled his friend playfully, making the other shove him away lightheartedly.

"Aw shaddup man!"

"No seriously, why do you know so much about this?"

Epps snorted a laugh. "Remember those big ass books you and the others used to clown me about carrying around?"

"Yeah, but that was like a year ago."

"Yeah well, I was reading those to finish my degree in social work. Got it right before we went to Qatar."

"Seriously? Why didn't you tell anybody? Thought those were some new manuals for a jet or something, they had so many pages! You read through those things at least six times!"

"Well yeah! I had assignments and tests I had to take on the computer for it! Can't do that and pass if I don't know the subject. And we had a lot of reading time out in that desert. Besides, I didn't want ya'll thinking I was gonna bounce once I got my degree!"

"I do not understand…why would you bounce after finishing your education?" Ratchet asked.

"He means he didn't want us to think that he would leave us once he was done. Transition to a civilian life."

"Don't get me wrong. I will someday, God willing. I can't run around and do this kind of shit forever, if you'll pardon the expression. When I'm old and grey, and I've had my fun, or when I finally get tired of being shot at, I'll retire. Then I'll go and serve my country in a different way."

"A truly noble cause Sargent. You have my respect and gratitude."

"Aw, thanks Optimus. But really, I'm happy to do it. It's the best part of the job, or so my mentor told me. We'll get this sorted out."

"It'll be nice to have another sparklin' runnin' 'round."

"Gotta warn you though, raising a girl, let alone a teenage girl is going to be a challenge. Are you all sure you're up for that challenge?" Will asked with a playful grin.

"We raised a good mech while fighting out a war on our planet before continuing to raise him as we traveled the stars. We can do this." Ironhide said with a smirk.

"How difficult could it be to care for and raise a femme youngling? I imagine it is not too different from raising a mech?" Jolt asked. He smiled bemused at the Captain and Sargent's laughter at his question.

"Keeping her healthy should be relatively easy. My treatment for her malnourishment involves implementing a properly balanced diet with additional supplements to help her frame begin to grow correctly. Then exercise to help her re-build her muscles when she has grown."

"I will oversee her exercise. As the Prime's youngling, she will need to know how to defend herself. Basic combat and weapons training will ensure her safety."

"I dunno if Babyspark'll like all that trainin'. She seems more like the type to sit an' chill. She enjoyed learnin' bout Cybertron an' music. Think I'll show her more of my stash."

"Make sure that is all that you show her. I swear to Primus if I hear that you taught her how to sneak around-"

"Oh, for Pits sake! Ya can't blame me for all the sneakin' 'round that Bee did!"

"Unrelated, can we ask why Lilac was laughing so hard earlier?" Lennox asked.

Optimus couldn't help but smile and laugh silently in his helm as he watched his Autobots, and their allies talk about child rearing. He hardly expected taking on such a responsibility when he and his team began their decent to Earth. But now, he couldn't help but be cautiously excited.

After several vorns of having to fight friends and family turned enemy, having to strategize and agonize over sending friends to fight for their lives or die in battle, and having to make spark breaking decisions such as leaving their dead planet behind in search of the one thing that could possibly save it, Optimus felt that he had been challenged in every way possible.

Now, he had a new challenge in front of him. One that happened to excite him and make him nervous all at once. One that if completed correctly, would yield himself and the child in question something that they both always wanted, a family unit.

'I am ready to take on that challenge Captain. May Primus guide me as I proceed.'