Igniting the Fuse

Genre: Drama/Friendship/Action/ Romance
Rating: T for Terminated
Summary: Alexis believed she found a friend. Starscream's future was already determined despite missing memories. Amnesiac Decepticon and human; the odds were against them even without old transgressions surfacing. (Set before DOTM and large G1 elements)
Disclaimer: I own none of the characters, but do lay claim to owning 'Marcio 'Lowball' Laurentin and his son Raoul Laurentin. Alexis Micah Witwicky is an OC that is no way related to the Armada-Verse. Similar names are just a chance.
Beta: Starfire201

Start Again

Sam Witwicky had never felt such guilt in his life.

The scent of alcohol and bleach invaded his nose, but he barely registered the smell as he sat with his face in his hands. The warmth of his breath was creating a bio-dome in his hands. It could sprout life but he wouldn't care. He had been waiting for this moment. The months were filled with tense silence and awkwardness; it would finally end. His relationship with Mikaela had been rocky at best; both were unable to express their true emotions with the constant Decepticon attacks. They hadn't time to truly focus upon their relationship and hadn't spent enough time together to realize they didn't hold anything special.

Sam had wanted a girlfriend to elevate him from his high school status as loser; Mikaela wanted a man that didn't treat her like trash. They had tried to make it work, but the arrival of college had driven a wedge between them. He supposed it was bound to happen. A year of living apart had driven the wedge deeper. It was time to split, but neither had wanted to say anything. The webcam conversations had only grown more awkward as days passed and their visits were physical at best. It wasn't the healthiest relationship.

One of them should've said something. If one of them had, then he wouldn't be here. He wouldn't be here waiting for…this situation to end.

'All this time,' Sam bitterly thought with a scowl.

He had honestly tried to make it work, especially once he realized that a simple split wasn't possible. They were linked together in ways that could never be undone. Sam pinched his nose and exhaled. The pressure was building in his head and he felt as if it would blow. He smirked. That might be better than what he was about to face. Sliding his hands down his face, he peered over the edges of his fingers as he wondered when this tension would cease. The thought of constant trouble clenched his heart.

'What does she want?' Sam irately thought.

It was awkward to speak of splitting when they were both screwed. His eyebrows knit together; he still had college to deal with. There wouldn't be time to handle something this time-consuming. Yet, he feared Mikaela wouldn't want him around in this life. He deeply exhaled and slammed his eyes shut. This had to be a dream, some type of horrible night terror. It wasn't that and he knew it.

"You look like ah 'Con jus' stuck somethin' up ya' rear thrusters."

Sam's eyes snapped open and he looked left—right and focused on the small mech leaning against one of the waiting room seats. He couldn't call the bot a 'Con since he had technically switched sides, claimed life as a 'Con wasn't really living. Sam still found the mech annoying, but tolerated him because he had nowhere to go. The government didn't exactly need a midget mech. He guessed it didn't matter that Wheelie was an advanced life form.

"Now is not the time," Sam muttered as he shot the mech a glare.

Wheelie's optics lifted in surprise and drooped in a manner that told Sam he didn't care; whenever he spoke, it was the time. He grinned as he shifted to stand upon his wheeled feet and stated, "I thought humans were supposed to be excited at moments like these."

Sam scowled as he let his hands fall to his knees. Moments like these were supposed to special. There should've been parties and all that other grand stuff. Sam felt swindled and he was bit pissed about that—he wanted to be throwing parties and celebrating. Screw Mikaela and his insecurities; he wanted to celebrate.

"You know." Wheelie stated as he observed Sam: "…I think ya' should be excited." The small mech paused and scowled. "We don' have Sparklings created anymore…so this is real special to all of us." Wheelie looked away as if he were embarrassed by admitting that.

Sam leaned back in the uncomfortable seat. His nose twitched at the alcohol scent as he realized where he was at. His eyes widened as he took in his surroundings. This was supposed to be a crucial and important event. This wasn't the place to be feeling upset about life's failings. He was supposed to be happy; his lips quirked.

"I'm going to be a dad," Sam whispered, the words ringing true and his heart beating fast. "I'm going to be a…dad." It was foreign on his tongue. His child may have been an accident, but he wouldn't treat his child as that. Once more, screw Mikaela. He had helped create life and he was going to be happy.

"Be proud," Wheelie muttered and rolled his eyes.

Sam's eyes brightened; he would be proud. The sound of heels clicking caused him to wince as the silence was broken. He looked up as his parents rounded the corner.

"My baby!" Judy cried as she threw open her eyes.

"Don't call the boy that," Ron scolded as he rolled his eyes.

Judy ignored her husband as she raced toward Sam. Her heels clicked as she ran and Wheelie dodged the woman as Sam got up and opened his arms. She quickly latched onto him with a firm hug and squealed. Sam could hear his father scoffing at his wife's antics and Sam could feel his mother's tears soaking his shirt.

"Don't cry, mom," Sam tried to soothe as she wailed into his shoulder.

"Judy!" Ron scolded with a scowl. "He's a man now."

Judy whipped around and glared at her husband. Her eyes puffy and wide as she hissed, "Don't you dare ruin this moment!"

Sam's eyes went wide and he watched his dad step back in defeat. Judy turned to Sam gave a misty smile as she cooed, "You're going to be a daddy!" Her gaze shifted to Ron, "My baby is going to have a baby."

"Mom—" Sam sighed. When she said it that way, it just sounded awkward. He gave her a huge squeeze for a hug and then snuck out of her embrace. His father pulled him into a brief hug. "Not you too"

When Ron pulled away, he stared at Sam intently. The look reminded Sam of the first time Mikaela had been found in his room. Sam's lips moved, but nothing was coming out. He finally muttered a few words, but they really had no sound. A sigh escaped his lips and he gave up trying to talk.

"I always thought you'd screw up," Ron admitted with a frank look as Sam's mouth slightly hung open: "…you got in with those strange creatures." Wheelie scowled. He wasn't strange; strange was having bodily functions and smells. "Then you let it go downhill with Mikaela—and you got her pregnant."

"Would you like to add that time I failed Intro. to Leadership as well?" Sam pointed out with a deep scowl.

"I'd like to point out that I'm proud of you for sticking this through," Ron admitted as Judy softly smiled behind him. "We know Mikaela doesn't want you around and yet you were a man and stayed in contact for your child."

Sam paused as he took in what his father said. It was a rough decision: staying around a woman that didn't want you around. There were times he thought about simply losing contact, but then he would forever be left wondering about his child. It wasn't possible; he wanted to know his child and be in her life.

Their gazes jerked to the left as a doctor opened the locked door. His eyes landed on Sam and he exhaled before smiling. Sam's heart stood still. This man was supposed to deliver his child. Questions entered his mind and had no escape as he wished that he had been in the delivery room, but then Mikaela hadn't wanted him there. His breath hitched.

"Sam." The doctor approached and then held out his hand: "…would you like to come meet your daughter?"

Relief flooded his system as his heart resumed pumping. The tension vanished as a silly grin broke onto his face. Judy cried out in shock as she tightly hugged her son from behind. Her boy had a sweet little girl. Ron pulled her back as Sam quickly nodded at the doctor; words couldn't form.

The doctor grinned as he motioned Sam to follow him. The walk felt like forever and having to sanitize and get dressed in medical wear made him even more anxious. A ball of anxiety knotted in his gut as he finally entered the room. Mikaela's blue eyes landed on him and he saw that she was holding a bundle of blankets. Her hair was matted with sweat and her skin was pale, but she looked lovely as he approached. He licked his lips, nervous of what to say. He should be showering her with kisses, but that wasn't possible when she wanted to break up. Even now, she looked more weary than excited. He thought mothers were supposed to have a glow, but she didn't

"Can I?" Sam questioned. Sam had never been violent, but if she denied him, he believed he could be. Mikaela shifted the bundle and Sam carefully took the child into his arms. She was slightly pink and wrinkled. Her body was curled in on itself. When her eyelids peeled back, her eyes were the lightest blue he had ever seen.

"Are her eyes normal?" Sam questioned as he sought the doctor.

The man smiled and assured, "Her pigments will develop as she ages."

Sam nodded in understanding, not really understanding. He looked to his daughter and couldn't help but wonder if she would have the blue of Mikaela's eyes or if they would develop the hazel of his eyes. She fidgeted in his arms and made a soft whine. Softly, Sam whispered to her as he rocked her. The soft promise of protection and watching over her was the first. The gentle whisper that Bumblebee would adore her was on his tongue. She was such a special girl and he would treat her as such.

"She needs a name," Mikaela finally spoke. Sam turned around and stared at the mother of his child laying upon the bed.

"You haven't named her?" Sam slowly asked.

Mikaela looked uncomfortable as she clenched the blankets and simply said, "I think you should name her."

Sam was surprised, but excited. He couldn't help the bounce in his step as he gazed down at his daughter. The name Alex came to mind; it was a nice name, but he had a daughter. Alex wouldn't appreciate a name like that, a boy's name.

'Alex is a—'

Sam paused in his thoughts, he was genius. It had to be true because he was a genius.

"Alexis Mika," Sam announced with a proud grin as he turned to face Mikaela.

Mikaela's eyebrows were drawn as she asked, "My name?" Her reaction to his choice sounded angst-filled and he couldn't help the slight pain he felt in his chest. Didn't she want to be a part of this child's life? Mikaela shook her head, softly laughed as she looked to Sam, and said, "You should give her your last name."

His heart clenched as he realized something very serious. Mikaela Banes truly didn't want to be a part of this child's life. She was acting so cold and distant it wasn't funny. Sam sucked his lips in and then loudly sighed. If she wanted it this way, then who was he to care.

"Alexis Mika Witwicky," he repeated more firmly. Mikaela looked hurt and he felt glad, the relish of getting a tiny jab flowed through his veins. The nurse came and took the child from his arms and he scowled as he snapped, "Don't you want to be in her life?"

Mikaela slowly blinked and then admitted, "It's better this way."

"I know this is scary—but I…"

"You don't know, Sam." Mikaela firmly snapped as she scowled at him. Her father was out and working on the family business of a 'Grease Shop' and she was following in his steps. This wasn't the type of life she wanted for her daughter. Her lips pursed as she felt the slow burn of jealousy rear its head. Sam was getting his college paid for by the government, Sam had saved the world, Sam was friends with aliens, and Sam would have a perfect life. Sam this and Sam that—she hated it and felt bad for hating it—him. The separate paths they walked had parted in the distance, but it was that nagging sensation that Sam was doing better than her. Sam didn't know and she didn't want him to know. Her abdomen ached and it burned as it clenched in stress of emotions she felt. This wasn't something she wanted him to know. "I do know—I know that I can't do this."

Sam's heart was quivering, lungs burning from the lack of air as he everything in him froze. She was truly going to leave and there was nothing he could do. Fear suddenly gripped his heart clenching to the point of pain as he thought spoke his fear—

"You aren't taking Alexis from me," Sam softly murmured.

Her eyes saddened and he dreaded her intentions were just that.

"I'm not taking Alexis," Mikaela assured him with pained eyes.

Relief flooded his soul as his shoulders sagged in relief, "Then I can visit as often as I like?"

"Of course," Mikaela assured him again. "…since you'll have full custody."

He was a father and his daughter would be living with him. He asked, "You'll visit her, right?"

Mikaela's lips turned down at the corners as she said, "It's best if I don't."

Sam Witwicky stared out into the dark expense of space just past the windshield. His hazel eyes didn't blink as silence consumed the car. If it wasn't for the soft snores coming from the back of Bumblebee's seat then he would've thought himself dead. The soft snoring of his newborn daughter reminded him that he was a father. The thought softened and relaxed him.

I've never seen a night so long.

Sam lifted a brow at the slow melody Bee was producing.

I'm so lonesome, I could cry.

"Not funny, Bee," Sam grumbled as static filled the air.

We find ourselves in a less than perfect circumstance.

Sam frowned.

No I won't be afraid, no I won't be afraid,
Just as long as you stand, stand by me.

He couldn't help the soft laugh that escaped his lips. It figured that Bumblebee would be the first to brighten the situation. His gaze slipped to Wheelie as the mech gazed out the window. The mech hadn't wanted to go with Mikaela, opting for permanently staying with Sam. A whisper of discomfort escaped the newborn in the back and Sam grinned. Everything would be alright because he had Bumblebee and his parents to help him. Alexis would be the most beloved child around and she wouldn't lack for anything.

"We'll be fine." Sam stated aloud with a tired smile." …she'll be loved."

Sam got out of Bumblebee and moved to the backseat where Alexis rested safely tucked away. Tenderly, his fingers undid the buckles that kept her snug. Buckles undone, he paused as he gazed at his child. It was unbelievable to see her. Nine months were over in more ways than one, but he had a lifetime with her. Gently, he removed her from the seat and cradled her in his arms, her tiny body fitting snug in the crook of his arm. He turned around as he gazed at her sleeping face and listened to Bumblebee transform. The mech cautiously leaned forward to peer at the babe. It was the first newborn he had seen and this would be the first time he saw Sam's child. It wasn't exactly possible to transform in a parking lot.

"This is Alexis Mika Witwicky," Sam softly introduced his daughter as he turned around.

Bee made a soft whirring as he pulled back at the sight of the child. He didn't believe it possible for humans to get any smaller. He wondered if the young were frailer than the adults. His processor spun at the thought; the wind might damage the child if they were anymore frail! A worried groan escaped him as Sam smirked.

"She's delicate." Sam confirmed Bee's worry. "…but she'll grow strong."

Just as long as my baby's safe from harm…

Sam chuckled as he motioned for Bee to follow him. It wouldn't be good to keep Alexis in the night air. His eyes glanced up and he sighed; no more dorm living for him. He loved his parents, but he wouldn't go back to living with them. He had looked for something closer to campus and was lucky when his uncle offered to rent him his old house. Wheelie made it to the front door first and easily slid his finger into the locks and picked the door open. Bumblebee sighed at the mech's rudeness as he carefully followed Sam and waited by the door.

"Who did this?" Sam softly questioned as Wheelie flipped the switch. The living room was lightly furnished and something told him that he would find the other rooms lightly furnished as well. He had been planning to simply use the bassinette in his room until he could save for proper items.

Gravel crunched and engines purred as Bumblebee chuckled. Sam turned around with wide eyes as he watched the familiar visage of a Peterbilt roll toward his door followed by an unfamiliar Nissan Roadster. The silver car looked too fancy for his taste, reminded him of Mirage. At least this one kept his colors toned down. Sam watched the familiar transformation of Optimus Prime and was glad as the mech appeared with a warm smile.

"Welcome home Sam." Optimus greeted. His optics focused on the bundled and brightened. "...your sparkling."

Sam moved forward and proudly showed off his daughter, "Her name is Alexis."

Optimus tilted his head as he observed the sleeping child. Sam hadn't noticed the other car transform and he looked up in surprise when he heard a soft, but long-winded voice.

"So that's what they look like…still ugly and strange. I can't understand the fascination when they simply get older and more treacherous."

"Bluestreak!" Optimist harshly scolded.

Sam prided himself on keeping his temper intact. He hadn't even been mad at Megatron for killing him, just grateful to be alive. He lifted his hardened gaze to the strange Autobot. The doors acted like wings upon his back and the altmode spread over his body easily. The mech reminded Sam of Jazz, except he didn't have a black visor covering his eyes. The wheels of his altmode acted like spurs on his feet and his hands consisted of five fingers. His chest was covered by the grill of the car and his head tilted. Sam noted that the mech seemed to have tiny horns; it could've been because his altmode was a convertible.

"I don't know who you are," Sam said coldly as he held his daughter tight. "But talk that way about my daughter again and we'll be having more than words."

Bluestreak's optics went wide and he was slightly shocked as Bumblebee gave an agreeing nod and crossed his arms. Alexis shifted in Sam's arms and her eyes slowly opened; dreams dancing upon her glazed stare as she took in all around her. Her light blue gaze landed on the newest mech and her pupils widened as his vents sucked in air. Her tiny mouth spread in a yawn before her lips smacked and she twisted and fell back into an easy sleep.

"Amazing," Optimus softly whispered as he gazed upon the child.

Bluestreak couldn't remember the last time he had seen a sparkling. The war had gone on for far too long to remember sparklings clearly. Vague memories of electric blue optics haunted his mind, much like the stench of burnt metal and burning gas would never leave his olfactory sensors. He blinked his optics as he looked at the child. It took a moment, but he remembered something. Quietly, he reached to his thigh and the metal plate slid back. Optimus had asked him to stop by the Lennox's to pick up something for the humans. He understood that humans needed supplies for their young. The bag was large by human standards with a worn rabbit printed variously upon the beige material. Sam carefully held Alexis as he maneuvered the bag over his shoulder and sighed.

"I understand that humans like gifts for their young," Bluestreak announced. "I wasn't sure what was appropriate, but I believe I have selected the appropriate gift."

Sam didn't know what was more impressive: the mech's word count when he spoke or the fact that he was pulling out a variety of nursery items from his thigh. He was sure of one thing: Bluestreak couldn't be that bad if he had actually brought presents.

Alexis Mika Witwicky blinked impossibly turquoise eyes as she gazed up at the mech. Her face remained oddly blank, as only a child's face could when determining if the stranger in front of her was friend or foe. Bluestreak slightly grimaced as the child gazed up at him and didn't blink; it appeared that human children liked to stare. He wasn't sure if he should speak, but he was beginning to realize that he would have to. The child was already a year old and Sam couldn't spend any more time away from college. If he missed another semester, he would be asked to leave, which wasn't an option. His parents were touring the country and Mikaela hadn't contacted him except to sign over full custody of Alexis to him.

Bumblebee was in Iran completing a mission with Sideswipe and the others didn't have time to watch a baby. Wheelie was there, but he was too small to really protect and keep Alexis from harm. This was why Bluestreak had been volunteered to be an extra pair of hands. Bluestreak distinctly felt like he had been assigned to guardianship to a human, much like Bumblebee had been to Sam. Wheelie was still present; he would help serve as extra arms. It was time to stop being so nervous; it was only a child.

"Hello," Bluestreak calmly said.

Alexis's eyes went wider at his voice.

"I'm Bluestreak," he went on to say as the child's eyes simply gazed at him. Bluestreak tapped his fingers against his thigh as he thought of how to communicate with the child. The clicking sound caused a sudden cough from the child. His optics brightened as he saw a wide grin and fat little tongue slightly sticking out. He tapped his fingers again and drool began to run down her mouth as she repeated the sound. Realization dawned on him, he concluded that she was laughing and therefore enjoying herself. Bluestreak made a pattern of his tapping and watched her as she rolled forward and continued to laugh. Her pudgy hands clutched the grass as she flexed tiny fingers. "You sure are easily amused. It's a wonder I haven't bored you."

Bluestreak clicked his fingers in a pattern that had her lips curling upward and her eyes sparkling. Alexis continued to laugh until finally he ceased his tapping. Her laughter died instantly and her eyes were gazing at him once more. Bluestreak pondered what to do. He hadn't tried to actually touch the child for fear of her screaming in fear. He cautiously smiled and lifted his hand.

"There's nothing to be worried about." Bluestreak assured her, his voice rambling more for his benefit. "…I've never been this close to a human." He was the newest arrival on Earth and had yet to fully work with the humans. His skills were sharpshooting and he had yet to be put to use. "I'm sure I look scary, my attitude makes my words all wrong, but I don't want you to be afraid."

The tips of his larger fingers were closer to her. Her turquoise eyes didn't blink as he simply tensed an inch from her. He didn't dare make a noise, fearing she may get up and flee. Her walking wasn't great, but she did pick up momentum when moving. Alexis blinked her large eyes and he watched as she suddenly reached out and placed her pudgy hand upon his fingers. The sensation of her warmed hand upon his metal caused him to slightly jerk. She felt his movement and laughed again, her pale cheeks going red as she kept smiling.

"I'm Bluestreak," he softly introduced himself as he helped her get to her feet. She swayed a bit, but kept her balance as she gazed up at him. "I never meant to call you treacherous. I guess it's a matter of age and growing." Alexis leaned forward as she gurgled and opened her mouth. Bluestreak kept his hand still as he felt slobber catch his finger. "You are treacherous."

At eight months of age, Alexis cried out Dad and managed to run after him as he left for class.

At eighteen months, Alexis was potty trained and running after Wheelie and Bluestreak. She nicknamed Bluestreak Blues.

At two years of age, Alexis was coloring in the lines and speaking in simple sentences.

Alexis was three when Bluestreak discovered she loved running through tall grass. Her favorite game became hide-and-seek and she accused Bluestreak of using heat sensors to cheat.

Alexis was four when Wheelie noticed her making a mold of Cybertronian structures. He thought she was being human and trying to make dough statues of Bluestreak.

"Slag it to the Pit!" Alexis sang out at age five. Sam didn't think much about how quickly she was developing as he beat Wheelie with a hammer for teaching his daughter such language.

Of course, he owed Wheelie much. The mech had really taken to Alexis and watched over her in times where tests ran too long and work hours too late. In the end, Wheelie and Bluestreak filled in the areas that Mikaela had left vacant. Bluestreak's first impression had left much to be desired, but in the end, he had proven himself in many ways. The mech disliked organics because he believed they were weak and needy. Sam leaned forward and gazed out the window when he heard the door slam shut and heard the familiar rumble of an engine. Alexis' cry traveled through the window as he watched her run.

"Blues!"

Bluestreak quickly transformed, his altmode vanishing quickly when he heard his name. His optics focused on the little human girl running at him. A short ponytail hung to the right side of her head as she continued to run. The distance wasn't great, but she was only six and running as fast as her little legs could carry her. Tall grass couldn't slow her as turquoise eyes shined brighter as she got closer. Bluestreak felt his own lips curling into a smile as he patiently waited in his spot. Not moving toward her would annoy her, but it would be well worth the childish scolding.

He discovered he liked the honest scolding and truth of human children. They weren't afraid to point out anything and spoke honestly and bluntly. It was different from Cybertronian sparklings; they were programmed even when young to have a basic understanding of the world.

"Blues!" Bluestreak heard Alexis call out and he chuckled. She couldn't get his name right when first learning to speak and he found the nickname had stuck on her tongue as she grew. She knew his name, but she used it rarely. He crouched to the ground and she launched herself at him with laughter and a bright smile.

"Alexis," Bluestreak sighed with a smirk as he caught the child safely in his hand. She quickly clung to his hand and laughed. He swore she was made with magnetic material with the way she stuck to him. "You know it's not safe to just jump at me." He had told her this repeatedly. He wasn't soft and the wrong move could end up with her fragile body being hurt.

She glanced up at him with darkening eyes and her tiny lips pushed out as she pouted. Her nose twitched and she released him from her hold. Grass gave way to her tiny form as she crossed her arms and turned away from him. Surprise filtered through his system as he tried to process just what the child was doing. He had been told that children were special and once he had watched Alexis, he wanted to be her guardian. Bluestreak had begged Optimus and argued against Prowl, the mech that had saved him, in order to be with Alexis. Despite his rough start with Sam Witwicky, the man allowed and spoke on his behalf.

"Alexis, don't be mad," Bluestreak spoke as he tried to appeal to her emotions with a docile tone. The child didn't budge and he wanted to pout. "I just care about you so much and it would break my spark to see you hurt." Alexis looked over her shoulder at him and he did his best to appear worried. He reached out to her carefully tapped her nose. "You are the world to me."

Her pouting gave way as she turned around and tilted her head to the side. Curiously, she stared at him as confusion furrowed her brows. Bluestreak wondered what had the child confused as she held out her hand. He used a single finger to take her tiny hand. The confusion remained, but gave way.

"Bluestreak." She used his full name which meant she was serious and entering that childish-moment-of-spoken-truth. He waited for her words as she seemed to think over things. "Sorry—I'm happy you're here."

His features softened. He knew that she cared about him, but he didn't think it was very much. It was warming to know that she cared about as much as her childish concepts would allow. Tenderly, he scooped her into his hands and brought her closer to the plating that covered his Spark Chamber.

"If you wait just a little, then I can lift you up and you can hug me here," Bluestreak reasoned as she reached out and placed a hand over his Spark Chamber.

"Why is it hot?" Alexis question as she looked to him.

"My spark is there, beating like your heart."

He mistook her look of awe for confusion. Despite her advanced nature, he sometimes still saw her as only human. When she reached out and pressed both hands to his Spark Chamber, she sighed. Her eyes looked up to him and he smiled, tenderly. He didn't understand how important this was to her, he thought her merely awed.

"I'll wait," Alexis agreed with a nod. Bluestreak was grateful she was agreeing this would help keep her safe. She blinked and then looked up at him with a frown as she asked, "What's a spark?"

Alexis understood there were some parents that simply didn't live together. Wheelie explained that her mom was a 'bitch' that was self-centered. She understood what these words were, but knew they were bad because Bluestreak promptly launched Wheelie into the ceiling. The result was a solid clang that caused her to laugh. She guessed that self-centered was like being selfish, they sounded the same and made sense. The sound of a door slamming and she looked through the windshield to see her father being pushed by a woman. He stumbled, but regained his footing as he pointed toward the car.

Her eyebrows furrowed and she wondered if this woman was her mother. If she was, then where had she been the past eight years? Licking her lips, she undid her seatbelt and reached for the door handle. She pulled and found it remained locked.

"Sam doesn't want you out there," Bluestreak sighed from around her.

Alexis stood up on his seat as she leaned forward to look over the seat and asked, "Is that my mom?"

"That's a bitch," Wheelie sneered as he avoided being crushed again.

"I want to go with him!" Alexis protested as she slightly bounced on the seat.

Bluestreak's doors remained locked in his silent answer. She scowled and shook her head as she jumped harder. His locks were locked and the windows up. Alexis innocently watched as the woman's face contorted in anger. Wheelie took the moment to roll the window down. The angry voice drifted into the silent car causing her breath to hitch.

"Just go away!"

Alexis remained oddly silent throughout the trip back. Sam had pulled off and gotten her an ice cream. Bluestreak's distress came to a head when the treat began to melt over her hand and onto his upholstery. He knew he could be washed, but Alexis was just sitting catatonically in the seat. If it wasn't for his scans, he would say she was dead.

She wasn't.

"Ale'," Sam sighed out a shorter name for her. Bluestreak didn't understand the need for a shorter name when her name was short enough. She didn't respond to the nickname causing Sam to sigh, "I didn't mean for that to happen." Alexis kept her gaze on the seat and ignored Wheelie as his small hand poked her. "Mikaela is distressed." Bluestreak could sense a rise in her pulse as her temperature rose. "She doesn't know how to handle you."

"I don't care!"

Wheelie stumbled backwards off the seat and hit the floor with a thump. Bluestreak twitched at the quick rise in pitch and Sam turned around to look at the angry young girl. Her face was red and her eyes shined with the hurt of what her mother had done to her. She was still young, but she understood enough of her mother to know she wasn't wanted. Her hand reached up and wiped away the tears before they could escape. Mikaela hadn't been present for anything, not even her first day of school. She had seen mothers and fathers lining outside with their children.

'They yell at each other on the phone,' Alexis sadly thought.

Her lips pressed together as she wondered why her mother didn't want her. It wasn't like she was bad, her room was clean and she even helped pick up the house with Wheelie. She was even learning to write codes for the computer! Wheelie had been teaching her about computers and Bluestreak helped her with her English.

No one in her class could write code or spell esoteric.

Alexis also knew those in her class didn't like her because she frequently said big words and didn't like to play their games. What was the point of running around in an uncivilized manner?

Uncivilized—Wheelie called all humans that and Bluestreak explained it meant acting barbaric. Barbaric, Bumblebee said—she forgot, but it wasn't good. She didn't want Bluestreak to think she acted uncivilized. She did her best to behave for Bluestreak and get along with others.

'No more,' Alexis thought. Her mother didn't care about her and she wouldn't care about—that woman.

"Alexis," Sam pleaded, his eyes wide.

"She doesn't want me!" Alexis stressed with a frown.

"Mikaela…"

"I don't want her either," Alexis stressed with a frown.

Her father's face softened as he stared at his daughter. The girl looked beyond crying as she sat with such a serious look. He knew his daughter was smart, but he didn't think she was emotionally ready for something like this. Having your mother deny you existed...no child could be ready for that. He tightly clenched the steering wheel—wanting to blame Mikaela for making their, no his, daughter upset. The woman didn't want Alexis and so he wouldn't try again. She had lost her chance and he wouldn't feel bad.

Sam reached back and gripped her clenched hand in his own. He didn't know what to do. It wasn't like he could assure her that she didn't need a mother. It might be rough, but they would make it without her. After all, Wheelie, Bluestreak, and Bumblebee had been supportive enough.

"You're my daughter—I will always want you as my daughter," Sam promised.

"Ye'r stuck with us," Wheelie assured Alexis as he got back on the seat.

"Correct," Bluestreak also assured her, not really knowing what to do in this situation

Alexis didn't need her mother. She would prove that didn't need her.

Megatron's claws slowly clicked along the metal of his throne as his optics kept focus to the screen. The war with the Autobots upon this miserable planet wasn't going according to plan. As far as he was concerned, the Decepticon cause was thrust into the furthest crevices of the Pit. The Autobots outnumbered their weakened forces and the humans were developing technology to stand against them. Already the Energon Detectors alerted the pests when a Cybertronian being was near.

'Starscream.'

That name was thought enough to crack his helm with frustration. His treacherous Aerospace Commander hindered his plans more often than not. Starscream failed to obtain the AllSpark time and time again. Megatron was not blind to his Second's ambitions. He was also not blind to the fact that Starscream let the AllSpark stay in the humans' hands during the first battle. Starscream had been near the AllSpark; he could've reached out and claimed victory, but had ignored it.

'Ignored it in favor of firing upon me,' Megatron darkly mused, a twisted snarl upon his features.

Starscream was the reason for so many failed victories. He wasn't one that sought victory with a burning passion. In some regards, Megatron saw him as similar to an Autobot. His concern for preserving warriors and mothering over the sparklings was disturbing in warrior builds. Starscream had been built for battle; there should be no other concerns other than battle. Of course, he was odd—joining the Crystal City Academy of Science. It was absurd, but it was originally, what drew Megatron to recruit Starscream.

Trained intelligence was hard to find in Seeker ranks. Any intelligence honing was overlooked in military builds. The Seekers were as militaristic as a mech got; their chassis was meant for battle. Their sparks beat for the thrill of war.

'Starscream is defective.'

Megatron's claws dug into the metal armrest as he sneered at the thought. His Second in Command was defective; the thought bothered him. There were only a few Seekers left and Starscream was intelligent; he was valuable for many reasons. His crimson optics drifted to where his claws were dug into the metal armrest; he didn't wish to destroy Starscream.

'Though I want to...'

The Decepticon ranks were thinning and he needed the flier no matter if he wished to tear his Spark Chamber out. He paused in thought. If only, there was a way to keep Starscream and minimize his treacherous ways. There of course was no way other than tearing out his Spark Chamber. Megatron grimly frowned. He doubted death would cease the flier. He suddenly shifted as he detected an incoming frequency. His dark optics shifted to the right and a projection shot from his optics. The visual projection of a mech he also wished destroyed stood before him.

He snidely greeted the image, "Why do you bother me, Deluge?"

Deluge was one of the few mechs upon Cybertron that worked with hydro-based weaponry. There was something wrong in his personality components which made Deluge prone to extreme rage. His rage was as great as his intelligence, and if he was able to extract hydrogen molecules together to create powerful torrents, his rage was just as great.

"Lord Megatron," Deluge drawled, his tone trying to kiss as much aft as possible without missing a spot of metal. "I have pleasing news."

Megatron dimmed his optics wondering what exactly was pleasing since Deluge took pleasure in violence.

"This had better please me," Megatron growled, not wanting petty updates on how many Autobots he had pulled apart or smashed together.

Deluge smiled, teeth spiked and metallic as he declared, "I have developed a solution to your problems."

"What problems?" Megatron deeply rumbled.

"Starscream."

They name was said with delighted disdain. Deluge's reaction reminded Megatron of the time he had first seen the mech in battle. It was not a pleasing thought. "How so?"

"You seek to end Starscream's treacherous ways?" Deluge asked.

Megatron's optics narrowed. Of course, he didn't care if others knew or if even Starscream knew. The countless threats he issued had remained idle, but they wouldn't forever and he evenly replied, "Not yet his life."

Deluge sadistically smirked as he stated, "We use EMPs to knock out electrical equipment, but yet it doesn't harm us." Deluge's projection twitched in excitement as he lulled. "I have altered an EMP weapon making it capable of wiping a mech's memory core."

Megatron sat up straighter and leaned in closer as his optics narrowed even more. Any attempts at altering the memory core had been met with devastating results. The memory core was directly linked to the Spark. If the memory core was damaged it was possible for the Spark to retain the core memories and then restore or transfer them. To wipe the memory core meant Deluge had discovered a way to alter the Spark.

"How successful were your experiments?"

Deluge was vicious, but he wasn't dumb enough to approach without results.

"One in ten survived," Deluge answered.

If Starscream's memories could be the wiped then the possibilities were endless. Megatron grinned, delighted as the possible outcomes were endless.

"If your weapon fails you will be punished," Megatron promised.

Deluge grinned. It wouldn't fail.

Starscream sneered at the communications he had received. It appeared that Soundwave had discovered a company working on energon production. Rumors claimed the Autobots had given a human scientist the formula to create it and they were exploring ways to make the energon more potent.

'A waste of time,' Starscream thought as he continued to soar.

It wasn't exactly easy to hide among the humans, not that he wanted to hide. His markings didn't exactly make for the best disguise. He preferred to work away from the humans, they were such pests. Megatron ordering him to investigate such a rumor was preposterous. His skills rested as a warrior and scientist, not some reconnaissance mech. His internal GPS warned him that he was approaching the designated coordinates transmitted to him by Soundwave. He focused his sensors outward and took note of the external data he was receiving.

Momentarily, he was stunned. His scans were telling him there was no facility for human experiments. He was picking up a rural residential area, but nothing for manufacturing. Annoyance caused his Energon to heat in his lines; he had been given the wrong coordinates. A communications link opened as he sought to contact Soundwave; he had screwed up and provided him the wrong information. Starscream cursed the mech; it wasn't like he wanted to spend his time flying over dead land. There was still research to be done and other resources to scout.

The link remained open, but there was no response. Starscream sneered as he tried to contact Megatron. If Soundwave didn't answer then someone would be held liable for this waste of time. Soundwave was Megatron's pet and he had no qualms about nagging at their Great and Mighty leader.

'King of nothing,' Starscream thought as he sent another message through.

Frustration growing in his spark, he determined he would return to the Nemesis where someone would take the brunt of his annoyance. His thrusters charged as he prepared to blast away from the pathetic area.

The familiar thrum of energy gathering within his lines hummed underneath his metallic plating as he prepared to leave Earth. His engines heated and his sensors quickly switched off to prevent scrambling his senses. His sensors were delayed as he felt something hard and heavy slam into his back, when his sensors came online, he was blinded with pain. His optics offlined with the overwhelming heat of agony as talons tore into wings.

The menacing laughter overwhelmed his writhing as he lost altitude. His heavy bulk rapidly began to descend as a harsh grip tightened on his wings. Red lights blared in his cockpit as data streamed into his mind warning him external damage was great.

"Embrace the pain," the voice whispered into his audio as he tried to overcome his stasis lock. "Let it lull you to your demise."

The attack was brutal and his systems were overwhelmed. He hadn't detected any signatures and he doubted an Autobot could sneak up on him. Starscream overrode the programs that were meant to preserve his systems in the event of major damage. They would only slow him down and leave him weaker. Deactivation was probable, but he wasn't going to simply crash and burn. Starscream pointed his nose down, spinning as he descended. His metal plating began to shift. When his feet were free, he snapped his talons out and gripped the mech that attacked him by the shoulders.

A growl escaped his vocalizer as he pulled the mech in front of him. His feet latched the enemy's wrists more tightly and his optics widened in recognition as he did so. There weren't many Seekers and the fact this one had a cone-shaped head distinguished this flier.

"How dare you attack me, Ramjet?"

Starscream released his grip on the other flier as he slammed his foot into Ramjet's face. The sound of metal crunching under his foot caused him to grin. After the damage that had been inflicted upon his being, he would take it out on Ramjet, strip him to the chassis. The white Seeker twisted and avoided the next attack.

"I am going to keep your sensors set on sensitive as I pull parts of you from your chassis!" Starscream promised as he moved in for the attack.

Ramjet sneered as he responded, "There is assurance in one's own pain."

Starscream's lips twisted in disgust. He knew Ramjet was enthusiastic about destruction, but he didn't think his obsession was serious. He hadn't come to this desolate place to die. His talons extended and Ramjet's optics narrowed as the tips of his talons charged with dark violet energy. Starscream swiped his hand outward and grinned as his rays ate through the metal and shattered Ramjet's cockpit glass. He activated his thrusters and blasted away as he watched Ramjet double over. He smirked even though it was a struggle to fly with his damaged wings. Ramjet's shaking form was mistaken for pain. When he curled upward and laughed, Starscream winced. The damage his null rays caused wasn't pretty.

"I am functioning," Ramjet chuckled as he shot forward.

Starscream twisted to the left to avoid a punch and cringed as talons dug into his wing. He knew that Ramjet loved causing pain, but he never imagined he actually liked pain. His fist dug into Ramjet's chin, the plating caving with the impact. The flier laughed as Energon spat from his leaking mouth and he lunged forward. Starscream's protesting wings hissed as he tried to lift them to help himself maneuver. His body was failing and he wouldn't last in combat much longer.

"Megatron will see this act as betrayal," Starscream warned Ramjet as he continued to dodge.

Ramjet snorted, "Megatron sent me."

His hesitation was enough for Ramjet to act. The weapon was in his arm, reminding Starscream of small plasma blaster. Except the burst that exploded wasn't a ball of plasma. It caused audio sensors to blare with static and his navigation to go offline. His optics weren't focusing as the second blast came along with darkness.

Starscream knew he wasn't offline, because he was aware he was falling. His body was made of metal, a living alloy that allowed him some degree of sensation. The wind rushing across his body told him that he was descending once more. The need to survive caused his Spark to pulse wildly, but logic told him there was nothing to be done.

'Megatron.'

Why had Megatron ordered his termination?

The impact knocked him offline and Ramjet watched with amusement as the ground resisted his weight. He powered down his thrusters as he fell toward the ground. His shocks and stabilizers took the landing with ease as he gazed upon the broken figure of the Aerospace Commander. He couldn't help but admire his work; all this time he wished for the death of Starscream and it was here at the tip of his talons. All he had to do was reach out and tear out the Spark Chamber.

'Megatron wants him alive,' Ramjet reminded himself.

He didn't want to wish the Leader's wrath and yet the risk was worth it. He continued to gaze down and smirked. The Fragmenter hadn't properly been tested and malfunctions were possible. Ramjet couldn't pass up this rare opportunity; he took aim with Deluge's Fragmenter and pulled the trigger. The blast hit Starscream's body and he ran a scan showing the Spark Chamber was destabilizing.

"Malfunctions happen," Ramjet firmly stated as he jumped into the air, transformed, and prepared his story in order to deceive Megatron.

Starscream wouldn't survive.

Alexis Mika Witwicky kept her gaze upon the night sky. She stared up at the stars as if in a trance. The confrontation with her mother had bothered her. Her stomach was twisted and she refused to eat. She wondered what it was like to have a mother.

Her eyebrows furrowed; it had always been her and dad. There had been no other women beside her grandmother. She loved her father, but couldn't help feeling cheated when Mother's Day came around. It wasn't like her dad could celebrate that day. Bluestreak explained that would make him less of a father.

"What'cha' doing kid?"

Alexis jumped away from the window ledge and turned to see Wheelie gazing at her. The little mech was carrying a blanket and eyeing her in confusion.

"Wishing on a star," Alexis said softly as she turned and shut the window. There was no need to lock the windows when Bluestreak rested outside and Wheelie was inside.

Wheelie scoffed at the stupid tradition, but didn't degrade her for doing it. Instead, he moved toward the large sized dollhouse that was painted a navy blue with a pink ribbon on the roof. Alexis had claimed that it was alright, because it was her room. Sam had gutted the dollhouse giving him a place to rest while not leaving her fully alone. It was easier for Wheelie to sleep in her room when Sam had pulled late nights. The mech honestly didn't mind; the child wasn't…bad.

"Well—what'd you wish for?" Wheelie questioned as he threw his blanket inside the dollhouse. His crimson optics focused on the child.

Her lips curled up in a teasing smirk and Wheelie knew she was going to be childish. Her eyes brightened as she hopped over to her bed and jumped on it. Quickly, she snuggled under the covers and laughed when she heard Wheelie sigh.

"If I tell you…it won't come true," Alexis pointed out as if it was fact.

Wheelie wasn't even going to bother reminding her that the stars couldn't grant wishes. If being childish and acting stupid got her mind off Mikaela then so be it. He was glad she wasn't moping about looking depressed.

"I'd wish for an upgrade," Wheelie muttered.

It wasn't that he was outdated, but a small toy truck served no purpose. It wasn't like he could go spy on people or hide on Alexis easily. Wheelie thought of the laptops he had seen and wished he could be something like that. At least, it would be easier to go places with her. Plus, he wouldn't get hit or tossed around as much. Wheelie grinned and looked to the girl that was smiling at him, just begging him to keep asking her questions and distract her from this day. He turned away from her and smirked when he heard her scoff. It was easy to tease her.

Wheelie turned around and dully asked, "What crazy thing did you wish for?"

Alexis' giggle caused him to turn and lift an optic at her as she buried under her blanket and then went still. Wheelie moved closer and climbed up the sheet so he could sit on her bed. When she poked her head out from her covers Wheelie saw a child with a serious look and messed up auburn hair. Her little lips pursed as she debated telling him; Wheelie honestly didn't care what silly wishes she made.

"I don't want to be like Mikaela," Alexis softly admitted.

Wheelie stopped thinking and wondered if that was her wish. Alexis didn't know much about her mother other than her mother didn't want her. She was also smart enough to understand that she would never have the relationship she wanted. There would be no shopping, salon trips, and simple mother-daughter snuggling. Wheelie couldn't comfort the girl and tell her that her mother wasn't that bad. Mikaela was that bad in his optics. She had abandoned them all, but worst of all was abandoning her sparkling. He didn't even think femme Decepticons were that bad.

Wheelie sighed; he never imagined himself playing babysitter to any Sparkling, yet along a human child. He could admit that he liked Alexis. The child could be mischievous. She didn't lie or cheat like other humans. It was refreshing.

"Your mother ain't all bad," Wheelie assured even though he thought the woman abusive. Alexis looked away with a scowl. "She just ain't good for ya'."

Alexis' scowl deepened as she snipped, "And having no mother is better?"

Wheelie could admit in this case it was. Mikaela's father was under police surveillance again because sources said the man was doing illegal things. Mikaela wasn't doing much with her life either, she was such a daddy's girl. Her waking moments were spent cleaning up after her father and watching his back. If there was one thing positive, Wheelie could admit to, Mikaela had saved her daughter from becoming like her.

'Bitch could've kept contact,' Wheelie bitterly thought.

He slid off the bed and hit the wooden floor with a clack before he turned and replied, "Life ain't fair. You'll get it when you're older."

Alexis loudly scoffed and fell backwards on her bed. She bounced a bit before she settled. Wheelie knew adult humans were sensitive, but it had to be worse for the human children. Cybertronian sparklings were programmed in such a way that didn't experience a childhood like humans; it was something done in times of war, but he couldn't remember a time when Cybertron was at peace.

Wheelie swore he heard Alexis muttering about Mikaela not being her mother. When the room went silent and he could hear her breathing even out, he got to his feet and snuck out of her room. The house was silent as moved through the darkness with ease. When he made it down the hall and to the front door, he squeezed out the dog door and looked at their surroundings. There was nothing but woods and darkness. Sam's association with the Autobots had gotten him a house in the middle of nowhere; the city was a good thirty miles away.

Did Wheelie miss the city? Yes, he did. Of course, he could appreciate the brilliant view of the night sky. If he focused, he could point out Cybertron in that dark void. His optics switched to gravel drive way as the familiar silver Nissan Roadster. The car split apart with silent ease as Bluestreak stretched out and then looked down at the little mech. He kneeled and let his gaze glance to the house before he looked back at Wheelie.

"Where's Sam?" Wheelie questioned.

"He's working a few hours over." Bluestreak replied easily. "…how's Alexis?"

Wheelie sat on the small step and asked dryly, "You mean there's something wrong with her?" He snorted and quickly snapped, "As fine as a hatchling suffering from Energon loss."

Bluestreak didn't like the comparison and said firmly, "She is not dying."

"Her creator disowned her," Wheelie reminded him.

Bluestreak paused in any remarks; he had known his creators. There had never been any issues in with his relationship with his creators until they had been killed in the war along with everyone else he had known and loved.

"Do you think she'll be alright?" Bluestreak asked, concerned for his human.

Wheelie scowled and sarcastically snapped, "Wha' am I, a therapist?"

The sound of metal groaning had Wheelie looking up at the mech. His lips were twisted into deep sneer and his hands were clenched as his back straightened. Wheelie winced and the sudden level of aggression.

"You better watch your tone, 'Con."

Wheelie tensed, Bluestreak's voice contained a mixture of rage and disgust. The way he used the term "'Con" made him feel like he had personally destroyed Cybertron. Of course, he had never taken a life, only spied since he wasn't a fighter. For a moment, Wheelie had treated Bluestreak like Bumblebee and forgotten this mech's history. Bumblebee had warned him that Bluestreak's history was rocky.

'If you call surviving an Autobot Massacre rocky,' Wheelie thought. Bluestreak had survived a Decepticon attack in the city of Praxus that had left two survivors in population of twenty-thousand—friends and family all gone in an instant. The only thing keeping in him one piece was the fact that Alexis liked him and Bluestreak didn't want to damage the property chasing him. Their relationship wasn't the best and yet it wasn't bad enough for the mech to try and crush him.

Wheelie reined in his vocalizer as he calmly replied, "Alexis is Sam's daughter; a human that survived Megatron and Starscream—she can survive too."

The reassurance calmed Bluestreak and he watched as the mech relaxed and sighed. It was as if nothing had happened. He relaxed and his fists unclenched as he sighed. His optics dimmed as if in thought before they brightened once more and he looked to Wheelie.

"Sam's a good parent," Bluestreak answered softly.

Wheelie dryly looked up at Bluestreak as he said, "You're a good guardian and I'm one pit of a sitter."

Bluestreak could agree with Wheelie. He never imagined a 'Con staying with humans and not causing harm. It was illogical, but somehow this 'Con was trusted and taking care of a human. And here he was, Bluestreak living around a 'Con. He had never imagined such a thing possible, but it just went to show that the future was never what you imagined.

'I should be dead.'

The thought was a stray, a reminder of what he lost in the city of Praxus and how he still felt. Bluestreak couldn't help the haunted look that dashed across his eyes, but he looked away so Wheelie couldn't see the moment. He didn't need to look weak in front of a 'Con, it didn't matter if he left or not. He sighed and looked back to Wheelie.

"Ya' know." Wheelie stated as he looked Bluestreak in the optics. He couldn't keep his personality toned down; sensitivities or not, get over it. They all had issues and there was a time to mourn and a time to move the frag on. "We all got issues, but you got to take those experiences and use it to help that sparkling grow." Wheelie wanted to gag himself; he was turning into a therapist. "Give her everything you didn't have and miss."

Bluestreak relaxed, as Wheelie calmly replied, "She might turn out like Sunny or 'Swipe."

Wheelie grimaced at that. He didn't need a human version of Sunstreaker nor did he want a snob like Mirage. He wondered if showing Alexis more affection would be good.

Wheelie glared up at Bluestreak and muttered, "No one can turn out that bad."

Mikaela Banes stared up at the night sky. Her iridescent eyes taking in the moon. She tried to keep her mind spacey in hopes no particular thoughts would come up, unfortunately, stray thoughts kept coming to her. In the end, she lifted the black and white picture and stared at the child in it. The sonogram had been quite detailed.

'She grew in me.'

There had never been doubt that Alexis Mika Witwicky was her flesh and blood; she was a Banes. Yet, she did her best to put that distance between them. It wasn't that she didn't want her child. Nine months had been spent with a spark of life within her; growing and sharing in everything she experienced. Mikaela honestly hoped the child hadn't heard her arguments with Sam and her father.

Sam had been persistent like the hero he was and her father had demanded her time like always. Mikaela tightly gripped the curtains as she frowned; her father. The man had been getting into trouble with his old friends again; the shop was hiding shady activities. Mikaela sighed; she could be glad he wasn't into drugs. The front door creaked open and the smell of grease permeated the air and choked her.

At one point in her life, she had enjoyed that smell. It had brought a sense of home, the sound of metal hitting metal and burnt parts. Mikaela let her hands drift to her stomach as her father entered the room followed by another man.

"What's he doing here?" Mikaela snapped. She wouldn't hide her displeasure at seeing the burnt color man as he lumbered behind her father.

"You remember Marcio?" Her father questioned as he motioned to the lanky man that smirked.

How could she forget Marcio Laurentin; the man was scum. It was because of Marcio, her father had been sent to prison. His dumb ass hadn't properly checked the cars for tracers and failed to scramble the signals. The cops had come down on them; hard and fast.

"I remember he's a dumb ass," Mikaela stated as the man snorted.

"Y'er lil' girl's got some ah'ttitude," Marcio snorted.

Marcio 'Lowball' Laurentin was from New York and had never rid himself of the accent or his attitude. His brown eyes glared at her and she was reminded of a rat. He got the name 'Lowball' because of the times he'd undercut your part of the pay if you weren't careful.

"My brat'z de' same," Mario stated as he sharply whistled. "Raoul!"

The boy was short and could only be three; a bit older than Alexis. His dark hair was curled and his skin looked dirty brown. He nervously stepped out and looked at her before hiding behind his father again.

"What do want 'Lowball'?" Mikaela asked with a scowl.

"There's a great opportunity," her father interrupted with a weary smile.

Inside, she felt like crap. There was no other way to describe her feelings as she kept her face straight. This man, Lowball was going to finally do her father in. She allowed the snarl to show on her features; it was opportunities like these that kept Alexis from her.

"You're scum!" Mikaela spat as she pointed at Lowball.

Her gather tried to calm her saying, "Just relax…it won't be like that!"

"It won't be like that?" Mikaela growled as she glared at her father.

Every time her father got with this creep, there was trouble. She glared at both of them wondering how stupid her father could be. The government had granted him a pardon, a chance to get his life back. The garage was going great, but then it was this man again! She reached up and covered her face. After everything they had been through; she couldn't let him go through with this. It would ruin his life and her life because they would and could connect her to him.

"Juz' ah simple job," Macrio assured with a grin.

She doubted it was simple, but she couldn't let her father go through this alone. Mikaela sighed, she could only see her daughter when everything was safe. She scowled, that would be a long time coming. Mikaela wished she could leave her father to rot, but he was her dad, the only family she had left. If she had told Sam he would've tried to be a hero and she didn't need a hero. She needed a man that would take care of her daughter and give her everything she couldn't.

Stability. Love. A normal life.

Mikaela knew she couldn't offer that.

"What's the opportunity?" Mikaela dully asked.

Author's Note:

If you have read Shattered, welcome to the rewrite that I plan to finish. If you haven't read Shattered and don't care about Shattered, but like this chapter then welcome to this story!

Sam and Mikaela are 18 when Alexis is born. So, her birth is say after Sam's first term at college, in which he came back to deal with the situation.

As for Mikaela; she will play a role in the story come future chapters, but I hope I didn't make her out to be a total snob. I think of her as knowing how Sam is and knowing that if she didn't push hard enough then he wouldn't leave.

Pairings: Alexis(OC)/Starscream, Annabelle L./Skywarp, Sam/Carly S, Mikaela/ ?, others are undecided and or single for now XD

Questions, comments, and concerns? Please leave them!