EDIT: A/N: I'm ashamed to admit, I had forgotten all about Wheeljack when I started writing this. (Don't ask me how) I began re-watching Season 1 and had a hand to forehead moment. By then, I was already some 20 pages into the story (up to what is now chapter 4) and decided to just run with it. So yes, Jack (named and based on my own 1999 Hyundai Accent) is a OC (so mine) and Grace Wolftrack (also mine) is a, I now realize, a dreaded female OC. The other Transformers (totally Hasbro's, not mine sadly) will show up soon, I promise!
"I thought we'd already discussed this, Jack."
Sam could hear the mechanic Grace Wolftrack's voice from her garage deep in the Autobot's base warehouse. Sam had been looking for the older woman, but he had a feeling that walking in on the present conversation would be bad for his health.
"I'm just saying." The Autobot's vocalizer seemed to have a bit more growl to it than usual.
Sam risked peaking around the large paneled doorframe to see the black Accent in car mode with his hood up. The slender Native American woman was bent over, up to her elbows in the mech's engine block.
"It hurts more every time you do." Grace whispered, pain echoing in her voice. She gave something in the engine a hard yank causing Jack to cry out.
"You don't have to cause me pain!" Anger touched the Accent's voice, an uncommon occurrence. Jack was as mellow as they came. Exiled from Cybertron because of he refused to fight in the war. To get him angry took effort, but apparently not so much when Grace was involved, Sam noted.
"I'm sorry, I really didn't mean to." The mechanic sounded like she was fighting back tears.
"Hey, hey it's all right Gracey, don't cry." In a flash he was back to the caring, soothing Jack who could get Ironhide calmed down if necessary, a rather daunting task indeed.
Sam continued to watch, trying to figure out what had gotten Grace to such a state. Whatever it was, it revolved directly around the alien car.
"It's not all right!" She was starting to sound in the verge of hysterics. "I know people say you need to love your work in life, but I don't think they meant being in love with an alien robot that transforms into a Korean hatchback!"
Sam quickly realized that of all the conversations he could have walked in on or over heard, this was definitely the one he should have skipped. No wonder she was so moody all the time.
Jack apparently had taken all he could in car form. Backing up quickly, Grace ended up sitting on the concrete floor. He rapidly transformed and before all the gears could come to a stop from the shifting plates, he was kneeling in front of the young woman, reaching out to her. "Grace." With care and gentleness that seemed impossible for a giant mech, he picked her up like she was no bigger than a china doll, and brought her to his face.
"Grace." He said again." It's not easy for me either. I can give you nothing you deserve. I just want you to be happy, and if that means finding a fleashling that can give you everything I can't," He paused, optics dimming, making it clear that what he was about to say was painful, "then you need to forget about me and move on."
The Lakota woman hammered on the metal fingers holding her with greasy and calloused fists. "You stupid bucket of blots! Don't you think I tried that before I ever admitted that I was in love with you? I don't care if you can't give me things in life!" She met his optics, tears making light coloured rivers on her dirt smudged face. "There's just as much I can't give you. And even if some female Autobots did show up tomorrow, I don't want you to go to one of them! I'm selfish and greedy and I don't want to give you up!"
Jack did his best to let how ashamed he felt show in his bright blue optics. They were both stupid, but at least they realized it. He brought her closer still so that she was able to hug him as best she could and place a gentle kiss on his face plating.
She stifled a yawn and rested her head against his. "Why does arguing with you make me so sleepy?"
"Because of the energy exertion." Jack said simple, then perked up. "Or because of the audience."
Sam froze. Mental alarms were swearing as he watched Grace turn and glare as she caught sight of the teen.
"What do you want Witwicky?" She called, her mood turning entirely hostile in a moment.
"Um, well, Ratchet needs to see you both, something about checking Jack out." His verbal skills vanished in a heartbeat as the powerful Native American stalked towards him.
Jack transformed back into car mode and followed silently, letting Grace convey the mutual message.
She didn't punch him or even threaten to, she just glared at him and stated: "Eavesdrop on us again and you'll end up in a body cast." With her it was no idle threat, it was a promise she would be more than happy to keep.
Sam got the message loud and clear. He'd stumbled onto something he wasn't supposed to know about. All he or anyone else was supposed to know was that Grace and Jack were friends and partners just like Sam and BumbleBee, and nothing more.
