From The Ashes Chapter 1, a transformers fanfic

Author's Note:

This is my first story that I've been brave enough to post up here. I have to admit that I admire everyone who posts their stories for others to read and enjoy. I hope this one is well received, I would love to hear your opinions on it… also recommendations to make it better or plot progression ideas would be welcome too.

This particular story/plot bunny hit me upside the head like a wrench from Ratchet's hands. I couldn't shake it and as a result I began to write… It does start with a series of flashbacks of pivotal moments in Sam's life, that progress up to the present time and the situation he finds himself in currently.

Also, I have deviated from the original storyline in the movie as Jazz is alive and well in this… I really disliked that they killed him in the movie.

This story will at times be rather dark as it will deal with drama, tragedy and death. After looking over the ratings guide here on FF I have decided to downgrade my fic to T.

Please Read and Review! Thanks Much!

Disclaimer - These amazing characters, and specific quotes from the movie (with the exception of my original character and the idea for this story) do not belong to me. I am only borrowing them for a short time for recreational purposes. Promise.

Takes a deep breath…. Here it goes!

From The Ashes - Chapter 1

By - MelancholyRose611

"Fifty years from now when you're looking back at your life, don't you want to be able to say you had the guts to get in the car?" He watched as Mikaela thought long and hard about what she was going to do next. Her decision made she got into the awaiting camaro with Sam smiling as he climbed in behind her.

The air all around them was filled with smoke and settling debris as the battle between the autobots and the decepticons battled on around them. Captain Lennox ran up to him as he stood atop of the tow truck, "Alright, I can't leave my guys back there, so here take this flare. There's a tall white building with statues on it, go to the roof, set the flare, signal the chopper…"

"No! I can't do this…"

As Captain Lennox forcefully shoved the cube into his shaking hands he grabbed a fistful of his shirt. The Captain's eyes were filled with a fierce determination that only a seasoned soldier could possess, "Listen to me! You're a soldier now! Alright, I need you to take this cube, get it into military hands while we hold them off. Or a lot of people are going to die!"

Sam clutched the cube tightly to his chest as he looked wide eyed at the soldier before him. The tense silence was disrupted when the large black mech that was Ironhide spoke urgently from above them, "Sam we will protect you!"

Sam nodded and with one last look at Mikaela took off at a jog. He was stopped when he heard Mikaela call his name a note of desperation in her voice. As he turned she grabbed his shirt tightly within her delicate hands, "No matter what happens… I'm really glad I got in that car with you."

Before anything else could be said Ironhide spoke urgently, "Sam get to the building!"

Ratchet turned the urgency in his voice was tangible as the decepticon forces came closer, "Move!" With one last glance at Mikaela he turned and ran from the raging battle behind him, further away from the girl that he wanted to do nothing but run to.

The battle at Mission City was over, Sam had plunged the cube into Megatron's chest and by doing so had saved Optimus Prime's life. Once everyone had been evacuated and repaired they had made their way to the lookout on the outskirts of Tranquility. The sun was setting in the sky as they sat quietly enjoying a long deserved moment of peace.

Sam was leaning back against the windshield of Bumblebee's camaro form, Mikaela laying atop of him giving him a kiss here and there. Her smile warmed his heart and made his pulse quicken. He had the love of his dreams curling up against him as the sun set above. They were surrounded by their newest and greatest friends, quite literally, in the universe.

Years later while Sam and Mikaela were at college, the Dean had pulled him from their class and Mikaela had followed, an icy dread in the pit of her stomach. "Sam… I regret to inform you of this but… there has been an accident… the plane that your parents were on… it was shot down… there were no survivors… I am so very sorry Samuel…"

Sam heard the deans words, but his mind screamed at him that it was a lie. The walls around him seemed to close in on him and he felt as if he could no longer breathe. He bolted away from those eyes filled with sympathy. He heard Mikaela running after him yelling for him to wait but he kept running until he reached the main entrance doors. Flinging the doors open he staggered outside into the fresh air. When he reached the steps his body was trembling to the point where he collapsed leaning on the railing for support. Mikaela came up behind him sitting on the steps with him as she held him protectively against her body. As soon as her arms wrapped around him the reality of the dean's words hit him with a vengeance. His already faltering resolve crashed down and the tears began to fall. "Oh Sam… I'm so sorry… It'll be okay…shhh… I'm here Sam…"

Sam and Mikaela were sitting on the football field with their college classmates, adorning their caps and gowns as they awaited for their names to be called. When Mikaela was called to the stage everyone clapped and cheered, Sam stood and shouted "Way to go Kaela!" She turned on the stage and when their eyes met she flashed that brilliant smile at him and his heart melted. When Sam was called he heard the autobots cheering, as well as Will, Sarah and Annabelle.

After the graduation events Sam and Mikaela had returned with the others to the base to find a party awaiting them. Bumblebee and Jazz played music for everyone and the two danced together having a blast along with everyone else. Later in the evening the party had begun to wind down and Bumblebee decided to play a slower song for his young charge. As the soft music floated through the air Sam held out his hand to Mikaela and with a grace that years ago he had not possessed he twirled his girlfriend and they danced in each others arms. They gazed into one another's eyes as everyone stood nearby watching with pride and happiness in their eyes and optics.

Sam had never been as nervous as he was today in the whole entirety of his life, of that he was sure. He took a deep breath to steady his nerves and he walked through the large entrance to the medbay. He saw that Ratchet was tinkering with something at his workbench on the far wall, "Ratchet?"

The CMO turned around, saw Sam his facial plates shifted to show that he was smiling, "Hello Samuel, to what do I owe the pleasure of your visit?"

Sam shifted nervously on his feet a bit, "Well, I was wondering if you had time to talk about something. It's really important actually, about me and Mikaela."

Ratchet knelt down in front of him and gazed at him with serious optics, "Is something wrong Samuel?"

Sam resisted the sudden urge to fidget and shook his head, "No, nothing's wrong… I just wanted to ask you something important." Sam took his continued silence as permission to speak and he locked gazes with the autobots medic, " I know over the years you have grown quite attached to Mikaela and you're her guardian and all…and since you've been more of a father to her then her real dad… it just makes sense to ask you for your permission instead of him…"

Sam watched as Ratchet's right optic ridge raised slightly in curiosity then his gaze softened, "What is it that you need to ask me Samuel?"

Sam took a deep calming breath then pulled a small black velvet box out of his pocket and opening it to reveal a beautiful diamond engagement ring. Sam couldn't help but smile, " I would like your approval and permission to ask Mikaela to marry me."

That evening Sam sat at the lookout with Mikaela atop a blanket he had brought with them and they watched the sunset together in a comfortable silence. As the last golden rays of sunlight cascaded over them Bumblebee began to play soft music from his speakers and he turned his headlights on to give them some light. Sam stood up from the blanket and offered his hand to Mikaela, "May I have this dance?"

Mikaela smiled, her aqua eyes glittering with happiness as she accepted his hand and was easily pulled into his embrace. They danced together for quite some time basking in each others presence under the star spattered sky. When the music came to an end Sam pulled Mikaela close to him and leaned his forehead against hers, " I love you Kaela."

Mikaela's breath ghosted over his lips, "I love you too Sam."

Sam smiled and kissed her forehead then pulled back so that he could look into her eyes. "I've loved you since that first day of kindergarten Mikaela. Even then I knew that I wanted to spend my life with you. As we grew up and we grew apart I still loved you. Then when it seemed that I would never get the chance to be with you… everything changed. We were brought together when the autobots fell from the heavens… Without you my soul is incomplete, I want to love you for the rest of my life Kaela…"

He reached into his pocket and pulled out a small black box and he watched as Mikaela's eyes widened. He knelt down on one knee and opened the box revealing the ring, it's diamonds sparkled and danced in the warm light from Bumblebee's headlights. Mikaela gasped softly and her eyes were brimming with tears. "Mikaela will you marry me?"

The sun shone brightly from the heavens as Sam stood outside the autobots base in his tuxedo before the hulking form of Optimus Prime. By his side was Bumblebee and Ironhide. Jazz was standing on the other side of Optimus along with Ratchet, although his optics were dim as his holoform was active. Captain Lennox, his wife Sarah and their daughter Annabelle standing nearby waiting as well.

A moment later Jazz began playing Pachalbel's Cannon in D over his speakers and his breath hitched when Mikaela came into view. She was being escorted by Ratchet's happily grinning holoform,. Mikaela was breathtakingly gorgeous in a wedding gown that was shoulder less, with a form fitting corset bodice that flared from the waist and trailed behind her. It was intricately decorated in beading and sequins and it glittered beautifully in the sunlight.

When they finally approached him Ratchet smiled warmly and patted Sam on the back. He handed Mikaela over to Sam then allowed his holoform to disappear . Sam took her hand within his own and he grinned uncontrollably, smiling they both turned to face Optimus.

Sam arrived at the autobots base with Bumblebee and was currently in search of Mikaela. She had not been in their apartment on base and he was worried. She had not been feeling well this morning when he had left for work. They had searched the whole base with the exception of the medbay, where they were heading now. As he and Bumblebee approached he became worried that she might have been sicker then she had led him to believe this morning.

When they entered the medbay Mikaela was there sitting on a human sized berth while Ratchet sat beside her. Optimus, Ironhide and Jazz were standing nearby as well and that made Sam worry more. He rushed over to Mikaela and gently placed his hands upon her cheeks, "Are you alright Mikaela?"

Mikaela nodded and she smiled brilliantly, "Sam… I'm pregnant."

Sam took a sudden sharp intake of breath as those three words sunk in and then he grinned, "You're really? We're gonna be? I'm gonna be a dad?"

Mikaela nodded and she smiled a tear falling down her cheek. Sam pulled Mikaela off of the bed she was sitting on and lifted her into his arms hugging her tightly to his chest. "We're gonna have a baby! I'm gonna be a dad! Oh Kaela this is wonderful!" He swung her around in the air as he held her and she laughed loudly.

"Sam… Sam wake up!"

Sam shot up in bed still half asleep and turned to see Mikaela sitting up in bed leaning against the headboard, her hands upon her large and round belly. "What's wrong? Is everything ok? Should I get Ratchet?"

Mikaela chuckled, "No Sam, I'm fine."

Before he could ask why she had woken him up Mikaela took his hand and laid it flat against her belly. Sam waited for a moment holding his breath and then he felt it, it was a gentle flutter of movement underneath his palm. His eyes widened then he adjusted himself so that he was on his knees in bed then placed his other hand on her belly as well. Soon the baby was pushing against both of his hands and he grinned wildly.

"I don't like it, I don't like it one bit." Bumblebee stood there with his arms crossed over his chassis clearly showing his displeasure.

Sam was helping Mikaela sit down on the couch in the recreation room. Ratchet was busy scanning her again and Mikaela couldn't help but roll her aqua eyes and laugh, "Ratchet… We're fine… stop worrying"

Ratchet shook his head, " I am just making sure Mikaela. You have just recently entered your eighth month in your pregnancy and I wish the be certain that both of you are doing well."

Optimus stood off to one side with Ironhide and Jazz flanking him on both sides. " I understand your concern Bumblebee however all of us must be available at this meeting in Washington D.C. and Mikaela is in no condition to travel such a great distance."

Bumblebee was about to argue again when Sam interrupted, "Bee, It's okay. We won't be alone. Will and Sarah will be here with us. Mikaela still has a while to go before her due date, everything will fine. You guys need to do this, it's important. Wouldn't it be great if you no longer had to hide yourselves? You deserve this chance, don't let it slip away."

Mikaela chimed in adding her support, "Please don't worry Bee, everything will be fine. Sam's right, you guys need to go to this meeting."

Bumblebee grumbled, "Without us here you won't have transportation, how will you get around?"

Sam laughed, "Well, just in case of anything, I'll have to get a rental that's all. No worries Bee. We'll be fine."

The base was currently empty with the exception of Sam and Mikaela. Mikaela was sitting down in a chair holding a pair of directions while Sam was working on the finishing touches of putting together a white sleigh bed crib. With the last screw in place Sam stood up and admired his work, doing a small victory dance which had Mikaela laughing. "Sam, I'm pretty hungry, do you want to go out to eat? I could go for some Italian cuisine. What do you say?"

Sam nodded, "Sure Kaela, anything you want." He helped her stand up and they made their way out of the base up to the rental that Sam had gotten for while the autobots were in Washington. He helped Mikaela into the passenger seat and then they were on their way.

On their return trip it was rather late as they had decided to stop at the mall and grab a few odds and ends for the babies room prior to dinner. Mikaela pulled the plush Bumblebee from one of the various shopping bags and looked at it, "I think it's adorable."

Sam stopped at a red light then glanced over at the plush animal and grinned, "It's perfect… I think it beats a teddy bear hands down Kaela."

The light turned green, he looked to his right and left then slowly pulled out into the intersection. They were halfway through when they were blinded by bright lights and Mikaela screamed, "Sam look out!" Sam had only just enough time to turn his head to look out Mikaela's window to see a large truck plow into the side of their car. Mikaela's screams were drowned out by the explosion of glass and the screeching of metal as it was crushed around them.

So… that's the first bit… What do you think?