We all make mistakes, some are bigger than others as are the consequences.

Disclaimer: I do not own anything but my own OC's- Gracie, Cameron Fergueson and the Hammonds.

Broken Roads

Silence,nothing stirred around him ,the battle was finally over the others were all dead and he knew that soon he too would be joining them. No one would come looking for them because officially we're not really here he thought bitterly,all he could hope for was that somehow they had succeeded in their mission, a fresh agonizing wave of pain swept over him,he gasped waiting for it to end, the stars twinkled brightly above him as if taunting him that he would never again gaze into the night sky. "I'm so sorry" he whispered to the stars above him, he never really imagined that it would end this way. Those stories you always heard about your life flashing before your eyes before you died was a bunch of crap he thought. Right now all he could think about was one thing and the promise that he thought he would never break, it was starting to get colder, he shivered involuntarily, he couldn't feel his legs anymore. Slowly and with much effort he began to softly sing " Amazing grace how sweet the sound that saved a wretch like me…I once was lost but now am found was blind…but now I see" His mind numbly registered a sound far off to his right, "Amazing grace how sweet the sound….that saved a wretch…..like me.. I once was lost but now…am found was blind ..but now I see." He now realized lights headed his way growing larger and brighter, his vision was already slowly starting to dim, he heard voices but they seemed so far away as if calling down a long tunnel, Grace he whispered before his eyes and mind closed with a last image flashing before him.

Tranquility, Nevada, United States

"Bee, come on will you be serious I'm fine really", the brown-haired teenager sighed in exasperation as he and the dark-haired girl with him exited the yellow camaro.
They stepped back to give their friend room to transform.

" No matter how many times that I see it I don't think I'll ever get tired of watching it" Mikaela sighed slipping her arm around Sam as the yellow robot kneeled down in front of them regarding Sam with concern

" I still would feel better if you would let Ratchet check you over Sam"

" Bee, like I said earlier its just a head cold ok? Its no big deal" ,Sam sighed running his hand threw his hair.

"Sam" Mikaela whispered "just go see Ratchet ..please" she added grinning "it'll make Bee feel better"

" Fine "he agreed but couldn't help to smile as Mikaela leaned over and kissed him on the cheek.

"I'll go find you some cold medicine okay" she smiled at him as Bee leaned down for Sam to climb into his hand.

"okay but hurry!" he yelled as Bee started down the hall.

After the battle at Mission City the government had quickly attempted to hide what had really happened .They blamed the whole incident on a terrorist attack and had paid any eyewitnesses to go along with it.
In the mean time the Autobots had been looking for an acceptable location for a base which they finally found in an old army base that had been left in disrepair. There had also been the long fought battle to bring Jazz back, with help from the research that Sector Seven had done on Megatron and the Allspark and the actual shard of the Allspark itself, Ratchet had been successful in bringing back their fallen comrade.

Jazz was standing in the large rec room that had been furnished with garage sale finds to make it more homey for their human friends, the silver mech was staring out of the window at the rain. He was thrilled to be back, but there were times like now for instance when he just felt odd, he didn't really know how to describe the feeling.
Optimus had filled him in on what had happened after he had been off-lined by Megatron, he couldn't believe that Sam and Mikaela had willingly put their lives in danger and both had entered the battle with the Decepticons. He had promptly informed the two that if they ever went anywhere near a Decepticon again he would weld their afts to the ceiling. He sighed deeply watching the rain fall outside, a habit he realized he had developed from their human friends, he hadn't had the highest opinion of the human race after their dealings with Sector Seven, and yet they had fought alongside them in battle to stop Megatron. He couldn't help these niggling thoughts that kept running through his processors, had he done the right thing in trying to take Megatron on alone? Ironhide had told him to fall back, but he knew that Optimus was detained and time was running out on them. A thousand scenarios ran their way through his processor , What if Lennox and his team hadn't been successful in bringing down Blackout? What if Bee and Mikaela had both been hit? What if Sam had fallen and Megatron had gotten the Allspark? Aaarrgghhh! Slag it! What was wrong with him.
He turned sharply when he heard his name called

" Hi Jazz!"

" Hey Mikaela" he bent down towards her," what's happenin little lady", grinning at her,"

"I came to find some cold medicine for Sam he's with Ratchet now and I promised I would rescue him soon "she laughed as she began rummaging around in the little kitchen cabinets,

" he okay? "Jazz asked the grin fading from his faceplate

" Yeah its just a head cold no big deal, but you know how Bee can get so I talked Sam into letting Ratchet check him, here it is" she announced pulling a little box from the cabinet," so when are Maggie and Glen supposed to be getting here?"

" In a few days I think "Jazz answered bending down and offering his hand for Mikaela to climb into, "how about a lift sweet thing," he smirked mischievously.

" Thanks Jazz "she grinned climbing into his hand.

As the silver and white mech made his way down the hall Captain Lennox came into view," Hi Jazz, Mikaela how are you doing?

Hi Will, Hey Capt.' how's it goin" they both greeted the young man in front of them,

" not bad I guess ,at least I've got a few days break from meetings with government big heads anyway, you happen to know where I might find Optimus?"

"Yeah, I think he's in his office" Jazz waved his hand down the hallway

"okay thanks guys see you two later",

They waved goodbye as Will Lennox turned and made his way down the hall. Sometimes he wondered exactly when it occured that dealing with 20 foot tall robots seemed like day-to-day to him.

Optimus Prime sat in his office staring at the enormous amount of paperwork the United States government had been sending over, he couldn't help but wonder how their government accomplished anything based on the amount they required him to fill out. He heard a low unmistakable cough, looking up he saw Captain Lennox standing in the doorway.

" Captain, please come in how are you ?" He stood making his way to the doorway,

" Hello Optimus I'm doing fine how about you?"

Bending down the great leader sighed" I must admit that I am a bit overwhelmed by your governments requirements of various forms that need to be completed"

Will laughed ",tell me about it I haven't even started on the pile on my desk. I came to ask a favor of you though actually"

Whatever you need "Optimus answered smiling

" well you know that Maggie and Glen are due to arrive here in a few days" Will, waited while Optimus nodded indicating for him to continue " well Glen has suddenly developed some sort of fear of flying something about his grandmother, I don't know" he shrugged his shoulders " would it be possible to have one of your men to pick them up in Washington?"

Opitimus was silent for a moment " I think that can be arranged,".

Will sighed in relief "Secretary Keller is just worried about them driving here themselves with the risk of Decepticons still out there"

"I agree with him, it would be wiser if one of us escorted them here," Optimus stood ," I believe Jazz would enjoy the chance to see some scenery of our new homeworld"

"Thanks Optimus, I'll let them know tonight, now I better get home Sarah reminded me this morning she would appreciate actually getting to eat dinner one night this week with her husband ".

"Understood Captain, even I know it is best not to get on the wrong side of ones spark mate" Optimus replied chuckling,

"well I guess some things are universal after all aren't they "Will laughed,

" Yes, Captain they are" Optimus nodded gravely.

A small town in Southern Indiana

Gracie sat curled up in a blanket on the couch idly flipping through the channels on the TV, god there is nothing on she thought to herself as she idly twirled the end of her long light brown hair around one finger," I am so bored" she muttered to herself getting up and heading to the fridge, she hadn't eaten any lunch yet and her stomach was starting to protest. Opening the fridge door she sighed, man I need to go to the grocery store looking at the sparse contents inside. Grabbing a carton of milk she decided on a bowl of cereal, sitting at the little kitchen table she gazed outside at the bleak gray sky, looks like I feel she thought , she was interrupted from her musings by the shrill ring of the telephone, getting up and grabbing the ancient phone on the wall quickly

"Hello? "she answered,

"Grace? This is Mr. Hammond from down the road" the old man shouted into the phone,

"oh hi Mr. Hammond how are you?" Gracie practically had to hold the phone away from her ear,

"oh fine, fine I was just callin' to let you know that the weather service is issued a severe winter storm warnin' for us could get perty nasty".

"Oh really" she replied glancing again out the window" well okay thanks," she couldn't help but wonder why he would call to tell her this

"now if you want your more than welcome to come stay with us now" the old man continued,

"well thanks Mr. Hammond I'll remember that but I'm sure I'll be fine" She hardly knew these people, they seemed really nice and all but still .

" Okay, don't you hesitate to call us if you need anything "

Sighing and thanking him Gracie hung up the phone wishing that she would here from her dad soon, she took the now soggy cereal to the sink placing the bowl in and stood there staring out of the window, it isn't fair she thought, they had only been here a few weeks before her dad had left, she reflected on the morning that her dad had told her he was leaving.
She had been in the kitchen making pancakes, she was hoping that she would be able to talk him into a little road trip, the farm they had just recently purchased had 45 acres, a few very old barns that needed major work and the fencing needed to be replaced but at least she was that much closer to finally getting a horse. She had been on the computer half the night looking at horses for sale in the surrounding area and she had found a farm not too far that had the most beautiful appaloosas she had ever seen. Jolting out of her reverie she heard her dad coming down the stairs and hurriedly piled pancakes on a plate and placed them on the table,

" Morning Daddy", she greeted brightly

" uh oh" he grimaced sitting down at the table "whenever I hear Daddy I know it can't be good" , Cameron Ferguson jokingly mocked his 17 year old daughter,

" hey can't I be in a good mood "she pretended to be insulted,

"uh huh", he looked at his daughter with skepticism "what do you want?" he grinned.

She threw the dishtowel at him, he ducked laughing," no seriously" she said sitting down in the chair next to him," I was wondering if we could take a little road trip? I found this farm that's not far from here that has the most gorgeous appaloosas, oh my god dad you should see them,its really not that far"

Clearing his throat he began "honey, " Cameron regarded his daughter for a moment setting down his silverware," there's something I need to talk to you about"

Gracie didn't answer, she sat there waiting for what she feared was coming, "I got a call last night from an old friend"

she got up from the table and walked over to the stove, he sighed he knew that this wasn't going to go over well, "you know I wouldn't go unless it wasn't really important"

she didn't answer she continued pouring batter into the sizzling skillet." This is the last time I promise,"

Gracie kept her back to him she refused to let this be easy for him "you said that the last time "she spoke low,

he stood up from the table and walked over to his daughter, "Gracie I've given them my official notice, after this last mission I'm officially retired from active duty".

He bent over to hug his daughter" and when I get back we'll get the barn and fence fixed and go look at that horse farm ok?" he waited for some kind of response

"okay?" turning suddenly she returned her father's hug,

" I'm gonna hold you to that I hope you know"

chuckling he straightened" now there are gonna be some rules while I'm gone okay? first no party's"

" uh dad that would be kinda hard since I don't know any kids here" she replied turning back to the pancakes on the stove

"well still, I'm gonna leave the debit and credit cards with you but NO wild spending got it?

" Please she snorted there isn't even any malls around here.

"Someone is going to be picking me up in the morning so you'll have the truck here to use just be sure not to let the gas tank get below half a tank okay?

" Yes dad," she sighed wondering how many times she had heard that lecture,

"you keep all the doors in the house locked okay, don't let anyone in you don't know"

" uh duh" she returned,

he sighed continuing," and I've asked the Hammonds down the road to check on you okay? I don't like leaving you on your own" he looked at his only child worriedly,

" Dad I'll be fine okay? Quit worrying will you",

" hmmppphh, he scoffed" wait till you have kids, then you'll see."

That had been 3 weeks ago and there hadn't been any news from her dad since then, she knew that sometimes he couldn't always call but still, being in this big old farmhouse all alone was getting a little depressing. Usually when dad had to leave she stayed with family friends but since they had moved out here to Indiana there wasn't anyone remotely close by that they knew. Glancing at the clock might as well go to the store she thought isn't like there's anything else to do.

The small grocery store in town only consisted of a few aisles so it didn't take Gracie long to get the groceries, all the talk in the checkout line was about the big storm coming in, please someone save me from this little hole in the wall town, she thought darkly driving home. As she pulled into the drive she noticed the clouds in the horizon that hung dark and heavy, great she mumbled balancing the grocery bags while trying to locate the house key on her key ring.
Opening the screen door she noticed a small cardboard box stuck between it and the front door, she bent over to pick it up and placed it in one of the grocery bags. Entering the kitchen she sat the bags down on the table and starting putting the groceries away, she was interrupted by the fast paced beeping of her cell phone, rushing to her bag she hunted for her elusive phone, "damn of all the times to be buried in the bottom "she cursed, finally finding it she flipped it open, hmmm, she didn't recognize the number but still it could be dad she thought,

" hello" she answered expectantly

"this is Amelia Grace Ferguson?"

Uh yeah "she replied hesitantly,

"you must listen carefully" the man continued in halting English," the box you found yes",

uh who is this she asked becoming aggravated,

" listen I do not have much time you must listen carefully child. The box you must take this box to your government do you understand, I will not deal with your government I do not trust them, I am doing this as a favor to your father.

" My dad where is my dad? What the hell is going on is he ok?" She demanded pacing around the kitchen,

"your father I do not know where he may be, your father and his men saved my people, my family, for this I am grateful, I owe him much.

" Wait how did you get my number" she asked shakily,

"I told you that I am doing this as a favor to your father, he asked me to get this package to you, he knew it would be safe with you."

" What, what am I supposed to do with it? This is all a practical joke isn't it, who put you up to it huh? Cause its really not funny" she demanded angrily, she was starting to get scared by this whole conversation.

The man on the other end sighed heavily, "I know this is very difficult for you to understand, your father said you may not believe me,

" no really you think "she retorted,

"your father he, he had a special name for you when your where younger yes, it was doodle bug yes?"

"But how…"she whispered

" please little one listen" he continued" you must get this to your government, it is very important do you understand?"

Yeah she answered in a daze

" I am sorry child to be putting this burden on you, may many blessings be with you", and with that the phone call ended.

Gracie stood in the living room stunned, this wasn't really happening you only saw this in really bad movies, the mysterious foreign caller, the mystery box, right she was just a victim of someone's idea of a really sick joke. But then, how did he know about her nickname from childhood? Quickly going to the kitchen table she opened the little box, inside was a memory card and a..... rock? she turned the box over and saw her name hurriedly scribbled on it. Grabbing the memory card and inserting into her computer she waited, suddenly the screen came to life with a long line of gibberish that filled the entire screen along with the sound of fingernails on a chalkboard. Grimacing she tried to cover her ears while hitting the eject button," what the hell was going on" she muttered, oh that's it talk to yourself she thought shaking her head, staring at the little card she laid it on the table picking up the other object, a rock.
She had no idea what was with the rock, it was plain looking irregularly shaped, grayish in color, basically a rock.
She paced around the kitchen biting her lower lip, she didn't know what to do, what if something had happened to her dad? Why would he tell that man that called to send the box to her? Why did he think it would be safe with her, why wouldn't dad have just sent it to the government himself? Slowly a growing fear began gripping her insides. She didn't know what to do but she had to do something not just stand around here, dashing upstairs she grabbed a backpack and began stuffing clothes in, rushing back downstairs she hurriedly punched in a number,

"hello "answered an elderly lady on the other end,

"um hi Mrs. Hammond? This is Grace Ferguson from up the road

" oh hi sweetie dear how are you?"

I'm fine, um Mrs. Hammond would you mind watching the house for a little while, I'll be out of town a few days"

" well sure hon, that's no problem, but does your father know your leaving?"

"Uh yeah," Gracie replie biting her lower lip" you see some family friends called today and when I mentioned that dad was away on business well they insisted that I come stay with them, I already called dad and its fine with him". She felt bad about lying to her but it wasn't like she could really tell her the truth.

"Well I suppose that it wouldn't be a problem hon, when are you planning on leaving?"

Oh, I'll be leaving right away, it's a long drive and I really want to get on the road".

The elderly woman hesitated for a moment," you be careful now, there's a big winter storm coming in, we been watching it on the weather channel all afternoon"

" I will Mrs. Hammond, and thanks"

She sighed as she hung up the phone, taking a glance around to be sure everything was turned off ,she grabbed her bag and backpack, slipping on her old sheepskin coat she left the house making sure the front door was securely locked behind her. Getting into the old truck and pulling out of the drive she headed for the highway, she wasn't really sure what she was going to do, but doing nothing was out of the question.
Leaving the exit ramp for the highway, she pulled the map out of the glove box to be sure she had taken the right exit, laying the map back down on the seat she glanced at the memory card lying in her bag, running her hand through her hair she sighed deeply," hope I'm doing the right thing" she said softly

Dark was already starting to fall, red taillights passed her by but she hardly noticed them, a thousand thoughts ran through her mind, she tried not to let the growing fears take control but it was getting harder to do, she couldn't hold back the tears that escaped , wiping them away quickly she muttered I've gotta hold it together dad is counting on me.