Sarah looked up at the sound of small hands patting the wood against her back. She got to her feet and wiped her eyes. The door was opened and Annabelle burst in, wrapping her arms around her mother's waist. Sarah pulled Annabelle into her arms. She took a seat on the bed as fresh tears stung her eyes. "What's wrong Mommy?" Annabelle asked softly. Sarah rubbed the base of Annabelle's head gently.
"We don't know where Daddy is. I don't want anything to happen to him," Sarah managed. Annabelle tried hugging Sarah tighter, but failed earning a soft laugh from Sarah. She smoothed her blonde hair back as she stood. "Let's get something to eat."
AA
The sound of tires on pavement was a welcome sound. A very familiar black pick-up truck rolled into their driveway. A man stepped down from it. He had black hair, dark tan skin, bright blue eyes, and thick muscles. His full black outfit fit perfectly with his features and his truck. He walked towards the house and little Annabelle whipped around the corner and into his arms. He would've laughed, but he couldn't with both Will and Optimus missing. The very thought stung deeply, and his grip on the five year old girl tightened slightly. He let her go with a pat to her head and he stepped inside. The moment he did, Sarah was wrapping her arms around his lower chest. Her sobs broke his spark and he held her as tightly as he could without causing her pain or harm. "I-I'm s-scared, H-Hide. W-w-what if h-he doesn't come h-home? W-we n-need him," she cried.
"He's more likely to come home alive than Prime," Ironhide said sadly. Sarah looked up. "He hasn't done anything to Megatron like Prime has. And Prime won't let anything happen to Will." He dragged his hand up and down her back, keeping it appropriate, and led her to sit down. Her crying gradually died down.
"What about Optimus? Will he be alright?" Sarah asked when she could talk without a stutter. Ironhide sighed. He looked anywhere but at Sarah. "What is it?"
"Megatron has his greatest enemy, Sarah. It's not likely that we'll get him back alive," Ironhide replied. A new wave of tears threatened to break free. Sarah had gotten to know Optimus better when he would stop by to speak with Will then to see Annabelle when the little girl had begged her Daddy to bring the Autobot Leader by. Optimus had always had trouble saying no to Annabelle. So he'd visit when ever he could. "Don't cry. I don't know how to deal with femmes that cry." She smiled softly. She leaned into him with a glance towards the door where Annabelle was standing with a smile of her own. Annabelle ran over and climbed into Ironhide's lap. She took Ironhide's hand and gave him a smile. He couldn't manage one back but he patted her shoulder gently. "We need to get going. Are you packed?"
"Yeah. Annabelle, go get ready. Thank you Ironhide. Thank you," Sarah said. Annabelle disappeared down the hallway and Ironhide gave a nod as he literally vanished in a display of harm-less coloured sparks. Sarah gathered what they'd packed as quickly as she could and placed them in the truck bed and grabbed a few snacks for the trip. Annabelle was ready before her mother was, and was soon ushered outside to get inside Ironhide. They set off once everyone was settled.
AA
Will groggily sat up and glanced around. He was greeted with the chilling sight of Starscream staring at him through the bars. Once Will fully awoke and started to move, Starscream left. Everything ached, and Will looked around. He was against the room's back wall. He hadn't been there earlier, and he didn't remember even going to sleep. "Fleshy. You're friend's finally coming around," Starscream's voice broke through his thoughts. He pushed himself up and unsteadily walked over to the bars to watch Optimus move for the first time that Will had seen since arriving here. Blue optics lit up and Optimus shifted to put a servo to his helm.
"Optimus," Will said. Optimus looked at his friend, but remained on the berth against the back wall.
"Will... Are you alright?" Optimus asked softly.
"Yeah. I'm fine," Will replied. He didn't feel like making Optimus worry about him, so he left out the fact that everything was sore and hurting. The door opened again, but this time, Megatron himself entered.
"Prime. I was getting worried. I thought I'd broken you for good. I'm glad that I haven't," Megatron hissed. "Was he given any Energon?"
"No, my Lord. He just came back on-line," Starscream responded. "Shall I give him a cube?"
"Yes. Can't have him go off-line, now can we? Hand me one." The cube was placed in Megatron's claw as he pushed Optimus up into a sitting position. He tipped the cube into Optimus' mouth, and nearly choked the mech with how forcefully and quickly he poured the Energon. Optimus coughed hard and Megatron waited until his brother was able to relax again before tipping the cube once more. This time, he did it slowly and Optimus was forced to drink it. Megatron tossed the empty cube to Starscream and tightly wrapped his servos around Optimus' wrists. He stood, dragging the small mech with him despite the fact that Optimus' legs nearly gave out as he did so, and pulled Optimus from the cell. Will felt fear grip his heart tightly as he watched Optimus disappear from view.
AA
Sam sat beside Mikaela on the couch. The two were engaged, and Mikaela was visiting for a week. She'd finally managed to get away from work, so they made plans for a week of just relaxing together. He kissed her and she moaned against his lips. He dragged his hand down her back. She deepened the kiss just as the phone rang. Sam pulled away and reached for the phone. "Hello?" Sam stood up and Mikaela just sighed in frustration. Every time they tried to spend time together something came up. The same with their wedding. Sam had proposed right after Egypt. He'd asked Optimus to take them away from the others for the night and the Autobot leader had agreed. Bumblebee had needed recharge and was already out by the time Sam had gone to ask. The day for the wedding had been pushed back already twice. The day was set to be less than a month away, and she couldn't shake the feeling that something was going to get in the way. Again.
She stood up and let her hair down. She grabbed a glass of water and took a seat at the table. While drinking, she watched Sam who seemed slightly upset. He was running his hands through his hair or patting his legs from time to time. He had his head down and was talking softly. The conversation ended and Sam took the seat across from her. He put his head in his hands for a few moments before slowly meeting her eyes. "What happened?" She asked. Sam sighed.
"The 'Cons showed up to battle the 'Bots. It didn't end well," Sam replied.
"Who called?"
"Bee. He said that Will and Optimus were taken by the 'Cons. No one knows where the Decepticons took them," Sam said. Sadness pulled at Mikaela and she sighed sadly. Sam walked over and stood behind her chair. He rested his chin on her head and wrapped his arms around her.
"Why? This stupid war has gone on for too long. Why can't they just stop fighting? The bots are good people. Like Optimus and Bee," Mikaela said. Sam rubbed her shoulders.
"We're not that far from their base. We could go see the bots," Sam suggested. Mikaela nodded. She stood and hugged him tightly. Together they headed outside, got into the car, and headed towards the base.
