Notes: This story was a plot bunny that came to mind not too, too long ago and I decided that this will be my on the side project. I hope everyone enjoys it. I will keep working on Defender of the Heart, but chapters are going to be slower as I have realized how clichéd my story has become. And for image purposes, imagine Lenora looking like Amber Heard.
Summary: Who knew that being a babysitter and after-school maid would bring me into such an adventure. Never would I have ever imagined falling in love with an otherworldly creature and fighting for my life. IH/Oc

Disclaimer: It is a very sad, hard truth but I do not own Transformers and Co. All of it belongs to Hasbro, Michael Bay, etc. The only thing I actually own is Lenora.

In His Protection
Driving to School in Style

It was the loud, repetitive sound of my alarm that jostled me awake. Yawning loudly as I rubbed my eyes, even though I knew it was not good for me; I reached over and slammed my hand down on my alarm clock. Blearily, I looked over at the alarm clock to see the telltale time of 6:15 am. Only for the Lennox family would I ever get up at an extremely ridiculous time.

Shuffling out of my room and towards the bathroom at the end of the hall, I immediately went for the white cabinet next to the door. Opening it, I grabbed the fluffiest towel inside and went inside the bathroom. It was small and the only one in the house, but that worked for my mom and me. Besides, Mom is never usually up until after 7:00.

I turned on the water and kept checking it with a brush of my fingers under the running tap to see if it had yet reached a slightly warmer than lukewarm temperature. It was, after all, pouring outside and the cold of the shower seemed to be seeping into my bones. When it was just perfect, I stripped of my pajamas and quickly got in. While most teenage girls revel in a shower, I only had five minutes to take one.

Right now, money was kind of an issue for us. That means that anything I want is to be bought with my own money. Things have gotten to the point where Mom tells me to buy my own meals because "I have the money." It does not help that she, my own mother who takes twenty minute showers, is blaming me on raised electricity and water bills. It is even harder to believe since I am never home. I am always at the Lennox house; either taking care of Annabelle or acting as a maid.

After only a few short minutes I was out and drying myself. Flipping my long, blond hair over to towel dry it, I hit my forehead into the sink. Crouching down to the floor while tears came to my eyes, I held my forehead until the throbbing stopped. Slowly standing back up, I pushed the hair away from my face to look at the damage. There was a small lump forming underneath the right side of my hairline. At that point I could have squealed or danced. Luckily enough, the lump was forming right where my bang would hide it. And they say miracles don't exist! Sure it is a twisted one as I still got hurt, but at least it is able to be hidden!

Turning away from the sink, I flipped my hair over and towel dried it since I was in a rush to get over to the Lennox house before school. Finished, I turned to the mirror again and frowned. It was frizzy from the rainy weather outside. Grabbing my hair, I threw it up in a ponytail but only left a small piece of my side bang out to hide my lump. Rushing back into my room, I grabbed the pile of clothes I had pulled out last night.

It was a simple outfit really, nothing too extravagant. Just a grey t-shirt, pair of ripped jeans, black and white studded belt, my trusty Converses, and my favorite hoodie. Throwing it all on, I nearly grinned with pulling the sweatshirt on. It fit like nothing else and it really was the most comfortable thing I had. But I had to frown when I realized the hoodie was actually hanging a bit on my and looser than usual. Since having to buy my own meals, I ended up skipping one or two when I did not have money on me or just plain old did not feel like going and buying myself something since nothing was in the kitchen.

At least these jeans don't squeeze me like they used to… heh.

Grabbing my messenger bag that served as a book bag too, I rushed down the steps taking two at a time. It was only 6:45 by now and I was making good time because I usually was at the Lennox household by 7:00. Not to mention they are only the next door neighbors. But my dreams were dashed when I realized my mother was already awake and sitting eerily quiet in the kitchen.

As I walked in, the first thing I noticed was the red rimmed eyes and disgusting smell of alcohol surrounding her. Trying to hide my sigh of disappointment, I moved past her sitting form at the kitchen table and went to the cabinets for a glass to get a drink of water to wash down my allergy pills. It was spring after all and the pollen is worst this time of year and fall.

Wincing visibly when she grabbed my wrist, I plucked my courage and turned my head to look at her. She was so obviously drunk that it was upsetting. She had been this way since I could remember, but during these past few years she had gotten worst. It had all started when she got pregnant and my father could not handle the news of becoming a father, so he had left. Being the incredibly dependent person she is, my mother had become depressive and later on became an alcoholic. Since I could talk, I have been blamed for everything because it was because of me that he left.

And not only has the guilt of that hurt me, but the fact that she never let me forget hurt worse. My mother would always hate me and the only reason she has not thrown my out on the street is because she would get in trouble financially wise. It is really sad, honestly; had my mother have any family left, I would have already been given away.

Her grip tightened as she stared at me harshly. "Why have you not made breakfast, yet?" She croaked drunkenly.

Squeezing my eyes shut against her painful grip as she stood up to face me, I spoke tremblingly, "There is not any food in the house." My voice was barely louder than a whisper but just as throaty.

A slap rang out as she slapped me. "Don't give me lip!" She shouted. I hadn't and she probably knew that too, but she liked the power that came with hitting me and she knew I would never fight back. I loved her, I could not hit her. Even though she was not a good one, she was my mother.

"Lenora Pemberton, I have raised you, clothed you and put a roof over your head. The least you can do is make your mother some breakfast in the freaking morning!"

Harshly throwing my wrist away from her like it burned to touch, she stalked away and up the steps where she would probably take a shower and try to sober up for work at the office. On its own accord, my hand reached up to touch my cheek. It stung and probably was rosy red by now. Quickly sitting in the chair, I reached into my bag and pulled out my ever faithful foundation and mirror. With the make up smudge sponge in one hand and the handheld mirror in the other, I made quick work of the redness that made up my right cheek. The right side of my face was having a really bad day today.

Checking in the mirror one more time, I flipped my hoodie over my head and slung my bag's strap over my shoulder. With a forlorn look at the stairs, I left the house. As I walked outside, I found out too late that not only had the rain began to come down harder but that it had also grown windy outside. It whipped the hoodie off my head. The rain stung against my face and I sprinted towards the porch of the Lennox's house.

Reaching the safe shelter, I whistled low and under my breath. Even the big black truck that was often in the driveway was hard to see through the rain. Knocking on the door, Sarah was there almost instantaneously opening it for me. She smiled at first and then her face changed from a sad frown to an angry pout.

"What is wrong with your right cheek?" She demanded with her hands on her hips. Note to self: Sarah Lennox is a formidable woman when pissed off. But my real thought is how could she tell? The rain, it must have washed off my foundation.

I scratched the back of my neck and tried a half hearted smirk. "Me and Mom got into a spat. It's nothing really," I said trying to ease her worries. "I am fine."

"Nothing! It is nothing! Jesus Christ, Nora! Your mother hit you… again! That is not nothing." Her face softened and she pulled my damp self into a hug. "But I am so glad you are ok." Sarah pulled away and grabbed my face in her hands. "Lenora, you are like my own daughter. You nearly have been since you started babysitting Anna two and a half years ago."

"I know, Mrs. Lennox. You and Mr. Lennox have been like my parents these couple of years," I smiled with tears in my eyes. Mrs. Lennox kissed my good cheek and nearly dragged me into the house.

I felt her squeeze my hand as we walked through the house and into the kitchen. "Oh, please Nora. We are Will and Sarah. I will be offended the next time you call me Mrs. Lennox, okay?" Sarah turned and gave me a wry grin and I could not help but return it. Truthfully, Sarah was one in a million. Never had I seen her be mean, yet she kept young Annabelle in line perfectly.

A hand towel was thrown at me and I grabbed for it and just making it before it hit the ground. Using it, I squeezed my ponytail to get out as much water as possible.

With a laugh, I turned around to look at Sarah who was making herself some coffee. "I came for my after-school 'chores' list. So what do got for me?" My tone was teasing as we both knew that these were not chores but my job. It even got a laugh out of my employer.

"All I need you to do today is vacuum and probably some laundry. Of course I would usually do these but I have to take Annabelle to the doctor's office for a check up and I wanted to get some grocery shopping done," she whilst stirring her coffee. Two teaspoons of sugar and a dash of milk was all she used. I would know because I have been the one to make it many mornings now.

Shuffling my feet and looking down at the ground, I felt suddenly nervous. I really hate having to ask the Lennox family for anything. They already did enough by letting me pretty much live in their house during the day and giving me a "job" so I can eat. It felt wrong having to ask for anything else. But as the time on my watch dangerously got closer and closer to 8:15, I knew I was going to have to ask sooner or later.

"Um… Mrs. Len- Sarah," I corrected after a moment. "Do you think Will could give me a ride to school? I-if not I completely understand…" I trailed off when I saw her shaking her head with a smirk on her face.

Patting my head as she walked past me, she spoke, "You act as if I was going to actually let you walk in this weather!" She walked towards the staircase. "Will! Get down here and give poor Nora here a ride!" From the kitchen I was able to hear him answer her, but the words sounded mumbled. "I don't care if the truck is from the military or not! You get down here now!"

My face fell into a frown. He really did not have to take me. If I left now and sprinted, I could easily be there before first bell. I moved towards Sarah but she was already heading into the living room so I had to follow.

"It really is okay. I can just head out now; I don't want to have to be driven by Will if it causes trouble because of the truck." My hands had clasped and unclasped about four times as I was speaking from being so nervous.

Picking up a sleeping Annabelle from her crib, Sarah plopped gracefully onto the couch in a fluid movement I would never accomplish. "Hush, dear. You're practically family. I don't think Will has any problems whatsoever with taking you. Besides, you never ask us for anything." Being family with the Lennox's pretty much was true. They were the only ones who bought me a Sweet Sixteen present over a year ago. I loved them like they were my mom and dad.

"Yeah, we are glad to finally be of use," said a decidedly masculine voice from behind Sarah. Cracking a rather large grin, Sarah turned back to me with a raised eyebrow that seemed to say, "Didn't I tell you so?"

Clasping a hand on my shoulder as he walked around the couch, he looked at me with that crooked smile of his. "Ready to go, kid?"

Nodding, I patted my messenger bag which had never left my side. "Yes, sir."

"Then let's get going, girl." Sarah rolled her eyes at his antics and waved to me with a 'goodbye.'

Following Will outside, I pulled my hood up over my head once again but this time I was smart and held in place. We both ran to the car and opened the doors quickly. I had to literally jump to be able to even step on the running board. Once securely on said running board, I pretty much threw myself into the black truck and shut the door beside me.

Will shook his head and water seemed to fly out of his short, military cut brown hair. The water went everywhere and even got on me. I cocked my head slightly to the side in curiosity when the truck seemed to groan as the water sprayed everywhere. Pushing the thought from my head, I figured it was just the truck's brakes getting wet.

It seemed like in no time we were at the school, but that probably had to do with Will's maniac driving. Even he seemed a bit scared during the ride as his hands gripped to wheel in a vice like hold. It was kind of intimidating, let me tell you. He parked in front of the school in a tire squealing halt. I probably looked scared out of my wits with my eyes wide opened and nearly hyperventilating.

"That was eventful," Will growled towards the dashboard. I just gave him an odd look before shaking my head.

"Thanks so much, Will," I said giving him a one armed hug before opening the door to the truck.

As I jumped from the running board, I nearly fell. "Have a good day, kid!" resounded behind me as did the sound of the door clicking shut. Will must have reached over and shut the door for me; that was nice of him. I gave him a wave and watched him peel out and away from the school with a small laugh. It wasn't until I was heading towards the school that I actually noticed that people were looking at me. Embarrassed, I pulled my hood up and entered the school.

I nearly jumped out of my skin when a hand grabbed my shoulder. "Heya, sweet-stuff. Nice ride you came in." Biting my tongue to hold off my retort, I turned to look at the incredible jerk wonder of my small school.

Shaking my head, I gave a small smile. "Yeah, it was nice, wasn't it?" I said before trying to walk away, but lucky me got followed by Aaron who saw it fit to put his heavy arm against my already aching, boney shoulders.

"It was, but I didn't come over here to talk about cars. Although I doubt you could handle a conversation like that with me," he said with an arrogant laugh as he walked me towards our homeroom. "I mean, seriously, you're a girl. Like you'd even know what kind of truck you even came in. You'd probably say a black one!" He thought he was so funny as he guffawed next to me.

Growling, I shrugged his arm off none too gently. "That car was a black 2007 GMC 4x4 Topkick. Of course I know what kind of car that was. Don't you?" I grounded out. Turning smug from his shocked expression, I pretty much flounced away from him and into the homeroom classroom. Normally, I was never this bitchy but there was something about Aaron that just made me hate him. My horrible attitude towards him was just uncontrollable.

Walking in, my eyes darted around the room for my best friend, Alicia, and sure enough there she was in the back corner as usual. A smile on my face, my pace fastened to bring me quickly towards her. Plopping down in the chair next to her, I gave her a wry smile but it fell to a frown when Aaron came in glaring at me.

Out of the corner of my eye, I was able to see Alicia lean towards me. "What did you do?" She whispered curiously.

Scratching the back of my neck, a habit of mine, I leaned towards her. "I kind of, sorta told him off?" My statement came off more as a question than anything and it definitely was not satisfying Alicia's curiosity by the raised brow on her face. "He figured I was stupid about cars and that I did not even know what kind of truck Will drove. I kindly informed him what it was exactly and nearly skipped into class. Happy, dear?" I huffed.

Alicia was clearly pleased and she leaned back into her chair and placed her hands behind her head. "I am rubbing off on you, young padawan. Soon you will be able to use the force all by yourself," she said with a smirk. Rolling my eyes, I shook my head as I focused on Mrs. Jones as she called roll.

"Osborn, Aaron."

"Here!"

"Pemberton, Lenora."

"Here," I said quietly but with a raise of my hand that she noticed.

The rest of the day was a bore because I had none of my classes with Alicia and, luckily, Aaron. The only highpoint was lunch in which Alice and I acted like loners with her boyfriend, Ricky. Ricky was a good guy, a little too immature for my taste, but Alice was good at keeping him in line.

Sadly, it was still raining when I finished school and I figured I would just take the bus to the closest stop near the Lennox household. However, as soon as I stepped out into the now thunder storm, I saw a black truck sitting in front of the school. Everyone who passed seemed in awe of the giant vehicle and I was quite proud to be the one getting to be driven home in it.

Moving towards the car and mentally crossing my fingers I don't get struck by lightening, I opened the door but was surprised to see someone other than Will sitting there. I immediately felt stupid and realized that the ride was for someone else. About to apologize, the man spoke before me.

"Are you Lenora Pemberton?" He asked in a gruff timber. Nodding my head mutely from shock, he grunted and gestured for me to get in. I was unsure, but that was until he spoke again. "Here is a note from Major William Lennox," he said while thrusting a paper at me.

Sure enough it was all in Will's handwriting, something I was accustomed to seeing, and it explained that this was 'Ron,' no last name, and that he is a friend from work who is going to drive me home since he is stuck in a boring - boring is underlined - meeting.

Nodding my head, I hopped into the truck and shut the door next to me. Taking off the strap to my messenger bag, I seated it in my lap and pulled on the seatbelt. Looking to the man next to me, he watched me put on my seatbelt and we were off.

A/N: I know, I am bad. "Another story?" you ask? Yes. D: I really shouldn't though.
But whatever, when have I ever listened to my inner self?
Ok, well I hope others don't mind that I used the name 'Ron.' It seemed to be a recurring thing as I have seen multiple stories with it.
But I hope that this story hits it off like Defender of the Heart!
Please, please, please review?