Dirty Day
Beta: Starfire201
10/16/11


"Ow, ow, ow!"

Sam softly cursed as his toe met a disgruntled floorboard. His flesh stung as the impact burned the digit when he wiggled the offended flesh. The slight throb, of course, was a better feeling than being tossed about by giant mechs. His ears strained at the sound of movement—bed sheets ruffling and springs softly protesting as someone shifted in their sleep. A moment passed and his steady breathing was the only sound he heard.

One, two, three…

The pain forgotten, he let his hand rest on the wood of the door and slightly pushed it open. The hinges were silent, the room dimly lit in hues of soft lavender from her nightlight. Sam carefully nudged her door open and checked to make sure the offense on his toe hadn't woken her. When he saw her lying on the bed with eyes shut, he lifted a brow.

"Alexis," he whispered.

When she softly sighed in her sleep, he relaxed. Ever since the scene with Mikaela, she had been upset and acting sick to miss school. He knew her coughs and sniffles were fake, but he didn't have the heart to call her out on her faking. He saw her auburn head buried in her pillow and he smirked. Alexis had the funniest sleeping habits. She liked to bury her face in the pillow and pull her comforter to her like it was a body pillow. He carefully sat down and let his gaze focus on her. Her face echoed hints of Mikaela.

'I don't regret her,' Sam thought with a smile as he reached out and rested a hand upon her covered leg.

Alexis was one the greatest gifts in his life, very important like Bumblebee. His life would be nothing without either of them. The thought of losing Bumblebee hurt, but the thought of not having Alexis created a choking sensation in his chest. The thoughts were dark and he knew losing them wasn't impossible.

His parents had never been overly concerned for his safety, it was ridiculous. Maybe he was a paranoid parent because he didn't let her wander more than a foot away from him. Every item he considered a threat when it came to his little girl. He scowled as he remembered he had even been worried about Bluestreak harming her because he was clumsy and often forgot he was among humans. His parents had worried him when they reminded him of his own childhood—he screamed and broke everything. The thought of having a Mini-Megatron played havoc in his mind. When she ended up being a snuggler that liked hugs and cleaning up, he had been amazed.

Sam tenderly stretched out the length of her bed and rested beside her.

Children had never been in the plan, but he was happy. If it meant dealing with a socially awkward mech and a rude little Wheelie, Sam was happy. Tomorrow was the career fair and he wondered if she wanted McDonald's again. He scowled as he remembered hearing people complain that fast food was horrible for your health. The food had never bothered him. A thought of his dad caused him to wince as he imagined Alexis eating fast food every day.

"Love ya' dad, but no—just no," Sam muttered as he snuggled next to his daughter.

There would be no fast food tomorrow, he'd wake up early and ensure his daughter would have a proper meal. Sam Witwicky smirked; he was an expert in the art of ramen stir-fry and grilling with an iron.


Breakfast, it couldn't be that hard.

The alarm clock blared, its beeping promising a busy day. His hand heavily slapped the snooze button and rested idly. The chilled morning air pricked his fingers, reminding him that he was alive and had a daughter he silently promised breakfast to. A groan escaped him as he blearily stared up at the ceiling and reached over to turn the alarm off before it blared again. His eyebrows furrowed as he gazed around his small room and wondered why it was so cold.

"Little midget shut off the heat," Sam grumbled as he grimaced at the smell of his morning breath.

"Did not!" Wheelie's voice rang out. "I can't reach 'dat shit!"

Sam hissed as he got to his feet and bounced around as he dashed into the hall. He needed to find the thermostat and adjust the heat. The mornings on the East Coast were much cooler than the West Coast to his displeasure.

"Wheelie!" Sam hissed and he moved passed Alexis' room and saw her still in bed. "Wheelie!"

The small mech stepped out of the living room with a glare. Sam opened his mouth and Wheelie held up a backpack with a glare. Sam rolled his eyes and gave a thumbs up as he thought, Up yours, you snide, bitter machine.

It was his responsibility to pick up the living room since he and Alexis made the messes. Sam grinned; it was the least that freeloading machine could do especially since he ran up the electric bills. He shuddered at the thoughts of electricity and Wheelie in private , it was one thing to know a mech, but another matter to know their personal business. He moved into the kitchen, checked the weather on the clock, and scowled. It was going to be hot.

Sam clapped his hands together and smirked as he quickly rubbed them; it was time to get breakfast going. Today was the career fair and he would start his family's morning right.

'Going to be a normal day,' Sam happily thought.

There would be no rampaging Decepticon attacks or weird moments with Bluestreak. Bumblebee was driving to ensure the ride to the career fair went smooth.

"It's a pancake day," Sam softly sang as he searched through the cupboards. The clacking of cupboard doors continued as he sifted through items while humming. His eyes shifted to the right and he scowled; of course, he didn't check the pantry. The pancake mix was sitting on the top shelf in front of everything. He snatched the box and looked to the back as he shut the pantry door. The mix called for butter, milk, and eggs.

'Piece of cake…pancakes.'

He smirked as he gathered the ingredients and whisked them together. Sam continued mixing and watched as the pale batter got smoother. It wasn't thick and looked watery. He hadn't ever seen pancake batter, but he didn't think it should be watery. Sam searched the cupboards until he found the flour. There were no instructions on how to fix thin batter.

A cup of flour later and the batter was thickened to his liking. He grinned as he got the skillet hot and prepared for the best pancakes ever.

The batter hit the stove and his eyes widened as the butter sparked a flame. The bowl hit the floor with a clang as he yelped and jumped. The flames surged to life as they licked their way into the pan and combusted into a full fire. Sam cursed and reached for the nearest fire extinguishing tool—a towel and he slapped at the flames.

A yawn broke his extinguishing skills as he looked over to see Alexis standing in the doorway. Her turquoise eyes widen at the sight of the stove on fire. Sam screamed like a girl as the towel caught fire and he dropped it on the stove as he waved his hand about.

"Get back sweetie!" Sam urged as his eyes frantically looked for another towel.

Alexis reacted—the bag of flour was unrested as she threw the contents toward the flames. Sam slammed his eyes shut as he turned away from the white mess that was shooting towards him. Sam coughed and opened his eyes the moment he realized the kitchen was still on fire. His eyes popped open at the remembrance. He looked at the stove and flour covered the entire area including the charcoal remains of breakfast. His shoulders relaxed in relief as he realized the fire was out. He slowly turned around and found Alexis covered in flour with a matching grin.

"I think you saved the day," Sam sighed with a half-smile. He reached over and ruffled her floured hair. "Who taught you to put out fires?"

Alexis smirked as she answered, "Uncle Jack starts fires all the time."

Sam smirked; Uncle Jack (as in Wheeljack, the wacky inventor) had experiments blowing up more than they worked. The first time Bluestreak had taken Alexis to NEST she had fallen in love with Wheeljack…the mech was special. There wasn't a moment Uncle Jack was ignored. In fact, Uncle Jack couldn't ignore the kids either. Despite being a warrior, he had a soft spot for children.

"I bet Prowl loves that," Sam said, rolling his eyes. He had his reservations about Wheeljack, but the inventor was tender with Alexis and Annabelle.

"Prowl wants him dead," Alexis affirmed with a floury smile. Sam grinned. Everything that wasn't by the manual warranted a death citation from Prowl.

Sam chuckled as he smeared the flour on her cheeks. She giggled as she clenched a pile of flour in her hand and tossed it at him. The flour dusted the air as both watched it silently. Sam sighed as he glanced at the mess on the stove. He honestly didn't want to clean up the mess. He had already wasted valuable time and ruined breakfast.

'I need a maid,' Sam thought as he glanced at the mess. 'Looks like fast food again.'

Time was short, very short. There wasn't enough time to get ready and cook. His eyes shifted over to Alexis and his eyebrows furrowed as he began to plan. They had three hours until the career fair and he didn't want to spend it cleaning. A devilish grin crept across his lips as he moved over to Alexis and leaned close to her ear. He shouldn't be doing this—teaching his ten-year-old daughter such bad habits.

"Wheelie would…"

Alexis' eyebrows furrowed as he explained the plan to her. She grinned as he tweaked her nose and took off. Alexis moved around the island and stood on her toes as she reached the frying pan. She grasped the handle and dropped it to the floor with a clang. Her lungs expanded as she inhaled and then sobbed. Her cries echoed loudly in the kitchen as the sound of wheels squealing caught her attention. Tears filled her eyes and made the flour doughy on her cheeks as she stared at Wheelie. The small mech came to a halt in the doorway and his mouth slightly fell open.

"What the frag happened?" Wheelie shouted as he raced around the island. He had thought Sam had been in the kitchen. "The kitchen looks slagged!"

Alexis wiped her eyes and sniffled as she said, "I tried to make Daddy breakfast!"

Wheelie knew enough about humans to know what breakfast was. Their eating habits were disgusting—but necessary. He just didn't know why someone that could barely reach the stove would attempt to make food. His mouth turned down in a frown as he watched the child cry. Wheelie witnessed Alexis cry when she was younger—sparkling age, but she always had Bluestreak there to comfort her. Her tears were something he never handled alone.

"Look," Wheelie awkwardly began as he hesitantly reached out, unsure of what words and actions to use. "I'm sure ya' can start over."

Her red eyes blinked—she bawled even louder as she fisted her hands, placed them to her eyes, and rubbed. The tears ran faster as she choked. He stepped back as if physically attacked before he reached out and put an uncertain hand upon her knee.

"Daddy's—going to be mad!" Alexis sobbed as she crouched down and buried her face in her arms.

Wheelie knew it took a lot for Sam to get mad, especially when it came to Alexis. He doubted Sam would be outraged; amused and upset, but not outraged. Sam would never be angered by Alexis. Wheelie knew he deeply loved his youngling and doubted a mess would deter that love.

"Sam 'ill laugh at this!" Wheelie tried to assure. Alexis shook her head, auburn locks flying about as she sniffled into her arms. Wheelie confused asked, "Why's that?"

"The—the fair is—soon!"

Wheelie's optics brightened in understanding. The career fair was today and Sam was taking Alexis with him. He had promised the girl a trip to the city library so she could get started on her schoolwork. The girl would be entering fourth grade, but her schoolwork was advanced because she tested out of most of her class' work. The only reason she wasn't in middle school was because Sam felt she should be with peers her own age.

'Useless organics,' Wheelie thought. They were nothing compared to Alexis.

"Logically, Sam won't be mad," Wheelie gruffly assured her. If Sam got mad, he and Bluestreak would deal with him. He doubted it would come to that.

Alexis shook her head and she sniffled, "I don't want to disappoint him…I'm going to make him late to the fair!"

Wheelie looked conflicted, but he took her wrist in his metallic hand and pulled her to the doorway. He pushed her out of the kitchen, and she blinked. Tears ran down her cheeks as she looked confused.

"Get cleaned up and I'll make sure Sam n'ver finds out abou' this," Wheelie promised as he ushered her away.

"Wheel—"

"Just go and hurry!" Wheelie snapped as he gave her an encouraging push.

Alexis smiled, turned, and ran through the house. When she reached her room, she was pulled into a hug where Sam spun her about. Alexis turned in his arms and he winked at her as he reached up and pinched her nose.

Sam grinned as he softly said, "That's my girl."


Voices blurred together as the scent of perfume and cologne caused her to cough. It smelled like a flower patch that had been sprayed with insecticide. She didn't like it one bit and didn't care if she offended others when she covered her nose when a too smelly perpetrator passed by. Her turquoise eyes scanned the crowd, looking up at the various people that had come.

Alexis couldn't understand why her father wanted to come to a career fair. He had a job that paid well. It wouldn't make sense for him to work another job when he didn't need to, plus he seemed happy where he worked. She sighed as she scanned the crowd for her father's face. She wished Wheelie was here. Unfortunately, he was too big to bring into a crowded place and Bumblebee drove them. She liked Bumblebee, but she preferred Bluestreak. If she had Wheelie, she could have him track her father.

"Dad," Alexis sighed as she pushed to her toes and continued to intensely stare around for him.

This couldn't be his entire fault; she had wandered off when everyone warned her to stay close to Sam. The situation was more her fault because she had wanted to come despite being told she couldn't. Sam had given in to her, thus she was standing in a crowd, lost. Licking her lips, she thought about going to the 'help desk', but if dad was applying for jobs that would look bad.

Sam Witwicky—your daughter is at the desk. Please retrieve her and then leave…you are unhirable due to bad parenting!

Alexis winced as she bit her lower lip; she couldn't go there and get him in trouble. She scuffed her shoe against the tile and decided that all she could do was wander. It wasn't like he would leave her. Her steps ceased at the thought. Her father wouldn't leave her. She continued moving as she looked at the tables, hoping to find something that might interest her dad and therefore find him. The building was huge and her legs were beginning to fatigue from walking.

'I hope he's not worried,' Alexis thought as she found a bench.

She easily hopped onto the bench and her feet hung as she sat. Her turquoise eyes were dull as she searched the sea of unemployed faces. The task was boring, but she had to find her dad. The wood of the bench suddenly groaned as it bent downward, causing Alexis to shift her gaze to the left. The woman sitting beside her was dressed like every other job applicant: pinstripe grey skirt and white shirt with slight ruffles on the front. Alexis ignored the woman and kept her gaze ahead.

"You look bored."

Alexis' eyebrows pinched as she looked at the woman and saw her smiling blue eyes, bright like so many Autobot optics. She wondered why this woman had spoken to her. Bluestreak had warned her against talking to strangers.

Just ignore strangers and stick to your dad.

Alexis quickly snapped her head to the right and tried to ignore the lady. She scooted further away as she kept her body facing to the left. The hope of ignoring the stranger and the stranger leaving was strong in Alexis. The soft chuckle caused Alexis to scowl; the woman didn't seem like the type to take the hint.

"Since you seem stubborn—I'll be blunt."

Alexis' eyes widened as she turned to look at the woman. She still had the same kind smile, but now there was amusement on her face.

"You're lost."

Alexis scowled and snapped, "Am not!" She pursed her lips and then stated. "…I'm just waiting for my dad to get back from the bathroom!" She promptly looked away from the woman.

"Your father left you on the first level…to go to the loo on the second level?" The woman asked the question dryly, smile growing wider on her face.

Alexis scowled as she corrected, "Bathroom—not loo."

The woman chuckled, "That's what I said." Alexis went to open her mouth, but the woman spoke again. "…I don't want to bollocks yeh since yeh seem like a cheeky lil' monkey."

Alexis blinked; she had never heard someone speak like that. The woman's accent made her speech sound funny. She smirked and Alexis had a feeling she had spoken as such on purpose.

The woman held out her hand and introduced herself, "Carly Spencer and who might yeh be?"

Alexis stared at the woman's hand a moment before she replied, "Alexis—why do you talk funny?"

Carly laughed, a soft melodic sound. Alexis wanted to let her guard down, but decided against it. If she caused trouble, Wheelie would complain about it and Bluestreak would become more overprotective than he already was. Alexis rolled her eyes in frustration at her situation.

"I'm from England!" Carly chuckled as she leaned forward and smiled widely. Alexis' eyebrows quirked up at the information. She wondered why the woman sounded like Monty Python.

"Why are you so far from home?" Alexis questioned. When Bumblebee had spoken of the places he traveled, she was often left confused. Bluestreak had brought her a map and she knew England was across the ocean.

Carly smirked as she answered, "I work for the British Embassy." She paused as if thinking of the best way of explaining her job to a child. "I'm here to observe how people get along."

Alexis' look was flat as the woman talked down to her. People treated her like a child and Wheelie constantly reminded her to not take offense since they didn't know her. Alexis did take offense to it as she lifted her nose, blandly stating, "Your job is cultural relations."

Carly's crystal eyes brightened as she praised, "You are a cheeky lil' monkey!"

"I wasn't raised to be uncivilized," Alexis proudly pointed out.

Carly smirked, the little girl was entertaining. She wasn't stupid; even avoided admitting she was lost. At least she wasn't stupid enough to wander off with strangers. That in itself was a blessing.

"I know you're lost." Carly stated as turned to her right and reached into her purse. She removed her cellphone and held it out to Alexis. "You can call your dad."

Alexis looked wary, but she reached out and took the phone. It looked like a more expensive version of her father's cell and she quickly unlocked the screen and pulled up the dialing pad. Alexis punched in her father's number and waited as it made connection and rang.

"Hello?"

"Dad!" Alexis happily exclaimed and she gripped the phone tighter.

"Alexis! Are you alright? Where are you at?"

"I'm fine." Alexis assured with a sigh. "…I'm just waiting on a bench next to—." She paused and looked around and saw Carly pointing and smirking. She rolled her eyes. "I'm next to the British Embassy."

"I'm on my way—don't move or go anywhere with anyone! Just wait for me!"

"Alright, dad," Alexis sighed as she hung up the phone.

Carly held out her hand for the phone which Alexis handed back. As she did so, the woman questioned, "Who lost whom?"

Alexis slowly blinked and seriously replied, "My dad's a great dad—if you're trying to get him in trouble, it won't work."

Carly looked affronted at the accusation and shook her head as she sighed, "I'm just making talk. I have no doubt that your father is great!" She commented, "He has to be if he taught you avoid going with strangers."

Her comments were cut short when she heard the sound of running feet hitting the tile. She glanced away from Alexis and focused on the older male running toward them. His hair was short, skin flushed from running, and his eyes brightened when they landed on the little girl. Carly grinned as the man slid to a stop and pulled the child into his arms. Carly tenderly smiled as she watched Alexis' father hold her tightly as if she were the most important person in the world. When he pulled away, he planted a kiss on her forehead, sighed as she suddenly looked up and towards Carly.

Sam Witwicky paused as he took in the woman sitting on the bench next to his daughter. She shyly smiled at him as he licked his lips and nervously ran a hand through his short hair. He stood up, but kept a hand on Alexis' shoulder as he stood close to her side.

"Thank you for letting my daughter use your phone," Sam thanked her, words rushed, but no less sincere.

Carly smiled as she looked to Alexis and winked, "We girls have to stick together."

Sam smiled gratefully. "I greatly appreciate it."

Alexis tugged on his sleeve and informed him, "She works for the British Embassy dad."

Sam looked with wide eyes to Carly as he held out his hand and introduced himself. "Sam Witwicky."

Carly gently took his hand and said, "Carly Spencer."

"It's a pleasure," Sam muttered as he gazed at her.

"Your little girl is charming," Carly said as she smiled at Alexis.

Alexis looked confused as she watched her dad softly laugh and respond, "She gets it from her friends."

Alexis drowned out the two adults as they began to talk. Eventually, her dad sat down and pulled her into his lap. She doubted he wanted another repeat of her vanishing act. Alexis sighed and snuggled into his arms as she let their droning voices lull her into a light rest. She was tired from her wanderings and it was safe to relax.

Carly Spencer didn't seem that bad.


Decepticons.

The scent of smoke caused his spark to clench in fear. Memories of black smog clogging his olfactory sensors made him gag as he transformed. His altmode peeling away as he looked upon the Witwicky house in dread. The window was pushed open and he heard clanging.

We're under attack…

"This situation's glitched!"

'Wheelie?' Bluestreak thought as his confusion thickened.

The thought of the Ex-Con betraying his charge flashed through his processors as his optics took in the scenes—no sign of forced entry. He had worked with Wheelie for ten years and the mech had not once displayed signs of being a betrayer. Of course, Praxus had suffered because many had been blind to their betrayers.

'Never again.' Bluestreak thought as he called out, "Wheelie!" His vocalizer was choked, but threaded with a cold accusation.

"Wha' the frag ya' want ya' slagger?" Wheelie snapped as Bluestreak peered through the window.

His optic widened—the little mech was covered in flour. In his right hand was clutched a frying pan. Wheelie glared at him as he tossed the pan into the dishwasher with clang. Bluestreak's confusion evaporated away as amusement settled.

"What are you doing—you are aware that we don't need to cook to sustain ourselves?" Bluestreak rambled easily, trying to put thoughts of betrayal out of his mind.

Wheelie sneered as he leaned forward about to insult the larger mech. His processor worked through the haze of annoyance at having to clean up the mess and the prodding of Bluestreak. Bluestreak's tone of voice and his countenance caused Wheelie to pause as suspicion and realization set in.

"You thought..." Wheelie began and paused as he watched Bluestreak twitch, "You thought I had done something." He couldn't get closer to Bluestreak, but he leaned in and grinned. There was no need to be offended because he knew of the mech's hate for Decepticons. It didn't bother him as long as Bluestreak refrained from shooting him first then asking questions later. He leaned back and snorted while stating, "As if, 'ah care for these humans."

Bluestreak looked uncomfortable and glanced away. For a moment, Wheelie felt bad for the sharpshooter, but working with Decepticons had cemented a single thought in his processor.

So what, we've all got glitched pasts.

He had been on recon upon a planet searching for intelligent life, not just proof of life, when his life was decided. Wheelie didn't want to play who's-issues-are-worse, but life sucked. The Decepticons were going to toss him into the acid lakes—until he revealed information about Energon being beneath the planet's surface. Wheelie scowled as he picked up his scouring pad and scrubbed at the burnt flour-encrusted stove. Those Energon findings had been the death of that planet and allowed Megatron to continue his fight for Praxus.

His optics glanced to the warrior outside the window. He saw how his actions affected those—never again. It was easier to live with choices when you weren't aware of the consequences—Bluestreak was his awareness.

"I have to think the worst," Bluestreak firmly stated.

'Of course,' Wheelie thought.

Praxus was Bluestreak's home, a city besieged by Megatron who gave up and ravaged Crystal City in his rage. Praxus did fall—Shockwave had been its downfall. They had not known of Shockwave's defection to the Decepticons. The Autobots had assumed him another victim in Crystal City. Unfortunately, their compassion reaped devastation when he unleashed his monstrosity upon Praxus. It only took a few hours for the city to burn. Wheelie glared at the burnt flour, so many dead.

'Crystal City, Praxus, Tarn—all Shockwave.'

"They're special," Wheelie firmly stated as he turned his crimson glare to Bluestreak. "I won't betray them."

His Earth accent and slang vanished in his serious moment. It was truth; his spark ached with the certainty and emotion of his words. He would never betray Sam or Alexis—they were worth fighting for.

"The smoke…it caused a malfunction in my judgment," Bluestreak calmly admitted. Wheelie's dark laugh caused his eyebrow ridges to pinch as he questioned, "Is something funny?"

"Come on Blue!" Wheelie goaded with a smirk. "Jus' own up to the fact that ya' hate 'Cons." Wheelie recognized the familiar glare but he pressed, "Jus' tha' thought of 'Cons shorts your servos…makes ya' want to tear everything apart."

"That's not true!"

Three words harshly barked out caused him to pause as he realized Energon was heating his lines. The dull hum of his fans told him that his system was overheating—overreacting to the accusations.

"Truth's ah' bitch," Wheelie nonchalantly mused as he continued to scour the stove.

There was no sound of Bluestreak moving, but he figured the mech was dazed. Memories weren't pretty and they didn't go away overnight. Bumblebee had warned him—even Ratchet had warned him. The warnings had served one purpose—reminding him he wasn't a shrink and didn't want to be one.

"Ya're aware that it's okay to hate?" Wheelie questioned.

"The Autobots—"

Wheelie coughed as a flour patch exploded in his face and then replied, "Ironhide hates Decepticons. Sideswipe likes to slice 'em in half…I'm sure it's not taboo to hate 'Cons."

"I guess," Bluestreak grumbled.

"Freakin' glitched slagheap!" Wheelie shouted as he kicked the stove with a growl.

Bluestreak continued to watch the mech clean and he sighed. Praxus had been destroyed in a brutal fashion. Nothing protected him from the lingering memories. The only reprieve he had was when he spoke. If he was focused on forming a sentence then he couldn't remember.

"Oh, Blue," Wheelie called out, gaining the mech's attention. Wheelie pointed at the mech accusingly and stated, "I ain't ah' shrink so get ah'old of your slag!"

Bluestreak's optics widened as Wheelie turned around and continued cleaning. As far as the Ex-Con was concerned, Bluestreak was wary. The destruction of everything he loved had wounded him and he hadn't realized how attached he'd become to the Witwicky family.

'I have to get my slag together,' Bluestreak thought.

Fear. Hate. Paranoia—it would interfere with his protection of his family.

'Never again,' both mechs thought.


Author's Note:

I have broken the original "Chapter 2" into three separate sections and added new scenes and information along with editing some things because one part I didn't like and other people thought the length too long (which it may be...XD)

So, to deal with length chapters will be divided be anywhere from 5-9,000 words and not 10,000 and up.

Please review if you favorite or alert the story! I'd like to know the why behind the action XD

Questions, comments, concerns; please leave them with a simple click :)

PS: In case of kitchen fires use cornstarch or baking soda…in case of fires in a lab…I have no advice