AN: This is the first part of a planned four part story. I haven't written multi chaptered fic in a long time so we'll see how this goes. I wrote this because I really liked Mikaela in the movies, sure she was mostly there for her looks, but she kicked some ass along the way and I hope this story adds to that.

Warnings: Spoilers for Transformers 3: Dark Side of the Moon. Strong language, violence and death.

Getting out of Dodge

Part 1

For a brief moment she really missed Sam and she wondered just where he was and if he was safe at least. Probably not. But if he was with Bumblebee and Optimus he would be saving the world and that counted for something.

Another mortar hit a building close by and the shock wave of the explosion shook the building they were hiding in. Debris from the ceiling stung in her face and eyes and the waitress next to her whimpered softly. It had been a normal day, right up until They attacked: Decepticons, Mikaela had been on her way to work running late because she couldn't find her keys anywhere. Now she was hiding in a coffee shop with a pregnant waitress and a cranky banker.

She definitely missed Bumblebee and Optimus, hell even Wheelie. She really could use a friendly Autobot right that moment, or the military, she'd even settle for Agent Simmons.

Another hit closer by. This time the impact shattered the glass in the storefront and the waitress next to her let out a wail. "Where not going to make it, are we?" she asked her eyes wild with fright. Mikaela didn't know what to say, so instead she took her hand and squeezed it. The banker hugged his suitcase closer to his chest.

There she sat, hiding behind the counter of a coffee shop in Chicago. No Autobots on her side, no soldiers, she didn't even have a gun. She thought about praying. Surely the good guys would show up, right? Optimus would come and save the day, she was sure of it.

In the distance she heard someone scream before another explosion went of nearby followed by a string of gunfire. The waitress was starting to bruise her hand a little but Mikaela didn't let go.

No Autobots, no soldiers, no gun, no Sam. When it came down to it all she had left was herself. Mikaela took a deep breath and pushed all her thoughts of despair to the back of her mind. Just her, Mikaela Banes, a former car thief and grease monkey.

But that was all she needed. Herself.

"We can't stay here." She spoke up, looking at the waitress first. "We have to get out, out of this shop, out of this city." The bleached blond woman seemed to consider it, fright clear on her face. "How?"

"You're an idiot." The banker exclaimed before Mikaela could respond. "You can't go out there, those things are there."

"We can't stay in here either, those things are blowing up all the buildings around here. They are getting closer. If we stay here we are sitting ducks" Mikaela shot back and to her surprise the waitress agreed.

"She's right."she whispered and then even softer, "do you have a plan?"

Mikaela nodded. It might not be the best plan, but it was the only one she had. The waitress set her jaw determinedly then rubbed her swollen belly. It looked like she made up her mind.

"Let's go then."

They ducked out of the back door which led into an abandoned alley that smelled like garbage and cat pee. Mikaela had to stop herself from retching and she supported the waitress as they made it down the dark alley. Just as they were about to turn a corner into another alley, trying to stay as far away from the main streets as possible, the coffee shop behind them exploded. The blast threw both of them against the wall and small rubble burned Mikaela's hands as she covered her face.

A grunt escaped her lips and for a moment the world turned dark. But Mikaela pushed through the pain and the shock and she turned to the waitress.

"Are you okay?"

The waitress breather heavily and touched her belly again wincing but otherwise seemed alright. She slowly nodded. "Was that ...?"

"The coffee shop? Yes." Mikaela felt sick again, this time because she realized the banker had still been inside. He had to be dead now.

"Fuck." The waitress muttered and Mikaela couldn't have said it any better. They stood there for a few moments collecting their breaths, but they had to keep moving Mikaela told herself. They had to get the hell out of Dodge.

"Come one." She said, putting her arm around the blond waitress, "it's only a few blocks."

They made into another alley that led to a backstreet, Mikaela know exactly where they were, thank god and she started to believe that they were going to make it to the shop.

"What's your name?" the waitress asked out of the blue as they climbed over pieces of buildings and other wreckage. "I'm Cindy and I know, I really look like one."

Mikaela couldn't help but softly laugh at that. "I'm Mikaela."

They had to squeeze past a burn out car and then reached the end of the backstreet, where it opened up unto the main. And there right across the street was the most beautiful thing she had ever seen in her life: the auto shop, their ticket out of Chicago.