Rated T for minor sexual 'innuendo'.. well.. not really, but idk. Some people get a little weird about that, so im just putting it out there! xD

Ratings may change (higher to be more specific, but i haven't decided yet. :P )

From the time Annabelle was just a baby, Ironhide knew one day, when she was older, taller and smarter, he wouldn't be able to resist her. He'd often talked to Ratchet, one of the few mechs he could discuss just about anything with, about his feelings and thoughts. Sometimes the medic would appreciate his words, and sometimes he would disregard them.

"If Will ever heard you talking about his daughter like that," the CMO began, "he'd have you deported on the next NASA shuttle launch."

"She's only seventeen now," Ironhide told him through that semi-thick, almost British accent. "but in a month, she'll be eighteen. A woman who is fit to make her own decisions without holding daddy's hand."

"And yet you're still a trillion years older than she is," the medic scoffed. "Get that head of yours out of your aft."

That was a month ago and now Ironhide stood tall in his holoform mode, watching as Annabelle received hugs, congratulations, presents and cards for her eighteenth birthday. Of course, to the rest of her family, he was just a friend of Will's, but to Will, Sarah and Annie, he was their family guardian. Their alien friend from Cybertron.

Having no money meant that Ironhide couldn't get Annabelle a present. He'd gone through seventeen of her birthdays where Will and Sarah bought his present to her for him and they'd offered to do it again, but he'd simply shook his head and said, "I'll think of something."

But that something that he had in his mind was something Will and Sarah would not like. One bit.

But, she was eighteen years old now and that meant she could practically do whatever she wanted without their consent and Ironhide knew her long enough to know how she'd react when he offered his present to her. He smirked. It was only a matter of time before he asked her.

He was so deep in thought, he hardly noticed her walking up to him, a massive smile across her almost flawless face. Her blue eyes sparkled in the Sun's light and her lips, despite the dryness of the outside weather, were soft and moist.

"You're very talkative today," her sarcastic remark and grin made him smile.

He chuckled, "I'm just examining things is all."

She looked around. "Examining things? As in.. the party? Because," she shrugged with a smirk. "I dunno. I saw you 'examining' a little more than the party."

Knowing he was caught, he knew he might as well follow along. "Can I be blamed?"

"No," she laughed. "but if daddy heard half of the things we talk about, you know he'd lay an egg."

Ironhide frowned at the phrase. Why did humans have to be so.. complicated? Why couldn't they just flat out say things instead of making him feel like he was in the Da Vinci Code where he had to solve the mystery?

"Your father needs to understand that you are a woman now. You're of age to talk about whatever it is that pleases you," Ironhide explained, making her smile, her gracious blue eyes squinting. "Why do you always look at me like I'm an idiot?"

Her jaw dropped while she laughed at the same time. "'Hide, I don't think you're an idiot! I'm just smiling because you're right and you're just.. so over protective of me. I love it."

"You know," Ironhide began, his spark beating a little faster than normal. "if it weren't for us being surrounded by your family, I'd have you all over me," the last few words came out as a low growl and Annabelle shuddered at them.

"Don't worry," she winked. "you'll have your chance."

He watched her turn around and walk away, replaying her words over and over again in his head. Imagining things he knew he shouldn't be. Frag, what was it about her that had him so love-struck? He shuddered a little unexpectedly as he watched her walk away.

He locked eyes with Ratchet, who was standing not too far away. The medic only shook his head and turned around, making conversation with some of Will's family.

Later that evening

Annabelle made her way out to the garage where Ironhide slept. Everybody was gone by now and he had requested her presence. She was a little disappointed that he hadn't gotten her anything, but she knew he didn't mean any harm. Unless, she thought, he planned on giving her a present in the garage?

She began to wonder, if that were the case, what he could have gotten her. Before she had time to think too much, she had already opened the garage door. The automatic light kicked on, but Ironhide was nowhere inside.

Suddenly, bright lights kicked on from behind her and she gasped and spun around. She squinted through the lights, realizing they were Ironhide's headlights. He shut them off as he pulled up next to the garage. "Get in," he spoke through the radio as he opened his passenger side door. "I want to take you for a ride."

She obeyed and got in, making sure to close the garage door first. "Where are we goin'?" she asked as soon as he started moving.

"Tahoe," he simply stated.

Annabelle raised an eyebrow. "Lake Tahoe? Why there?"

"It has the best view," he told her. "I want to get there before sunset."

She had a feeling what was going on, but she just shook it off. She smiled, "What're we gonna do?"

If I can control myself, not much, he thought to himself. Then, he replied. "Just relax, Annie. We'll be there shortly."

For the rest of the ride, she didn't say a word. She only listened to the music that poured from Ironhide's speakers. She began to sing along to a couple songs. Her voice made him tremble. He loved her voice. Finally, before he could over heat, they had arrived at the lake and sure enough, the sun was still hovering above the horizon. They were just in time.

Activating his holoform, he opened the door for her, allowing her to step outside. The air around them was surprisingly cool. Ironhide took her hand, to her surprise, and the two of them walked to the shoreline of the lake. Sitting down on the beach, he then wrapped his arm around her.

"You know," she began, smiling over at him. "You always did know how to make me feel special, Ironhide."

He smiled at this. If only she knew she made him feel the same way. "A woman as beautiful, courageous and smart as you deserves no less."

"Thank you," she said, allowing her body to lean against his.

With smiles still softly layered over their faces, they watched together as the sun slowly dipped under the Sierra Nevada. The snow-peaked mountains never glowed so brightly in this wonderful moment as Annabelle gently placed a hand on Ironhide's cheek and pushed her own lips to his.

When they pulled apart, he sighed, "Happy birthday, love."

It's kinda short, but they'll eventually get longer. :)