Ratchet scrambled over Barricade, "Slag!"

Ratchet and Jolt worked frantically, after two minutes of dread, a beep appeared on the monitor, more soon followed.

"He's back" sighed Ratchet relieved, for only a moment as one of the wields split apart, energon began to flow out. "Frag, the wields are cracking."

"How far away is the base?" asked Jolt.

"To far" says Ratchet as another wield splits. "I don't dare try to repair them, these human planes are the smoothest things to ride." As to emphasize the plane began to bounce around. The radio crackled.

"Sorry there doc, we seem to run into so turbulence, were approximate ten minutes from the base" the pilot said.

Jolt looks at Ratchet, "He isn't going to last another ten minutes, he's on the last bag of energon we have."

"I know Jolt" snaps Ratchet. A glint of silver catches his eye, he picks up the object. He was desperate enough to use it. He began to wrap the lines up with it.

"What is that?" asks Jolt.

"The humans call it Duct tape. It is common to fix things with it, hopeful we will have enough to keep the lines closed long enough to get to the Med-Bay."

For the next ten minutes Jolt and Ratchet watched the lines, replacing the Duct tape when it dissolved from the energon.

As they worked Jolt asked a question that was on his mind.

"How did Barricade come to be on our side?"

"To give you a short version. During the battle of Mission City, one of the humans, Sam Witwicky, was running the AllSpark to the humans air force, his brother Tyrell was guarding him. They were attacked by Megatron, Tyrell sacrificed himself for his brother, Megatron threw him off the building. Because of Tyrell Optimus was able to get to Sam when he fell from the building, thus allowing him to survive to push the cube into Megatron's chest. Barricade watched Megatron throw Tyrell off the building, he went after the boy finding him almost dead. Barricade was the one who saved Tyrell, he is now Tyrell's guardian. He chose to be an Autobot, and for the year he has been with us he has more than proven himself. I trust him, as does Optimus, Jazz, and Bumblebee."

"But Ironhide doesn't" asked Jolt.

"Ironhide is just suspicious, he has no love for anyone that used to be Decepticon" says Ratchet looking at Jolt, and for the first time realizes that he is still in his protoform. "Your alt-mode is behind that curtain, you better scan it now while we have time, the next couple of hours is going to be hell." Jolt scans it, he likes it, he is now a deep blue color. He doesn't pause to admire his new form as he goes back and helps Ratchet some more.

Back at base, Dials was playing with Sam and Mikaela.

"Uncle Sam, when do you think dad will get back?"

"Soon Dials," laughed Sam as he began to tickle the little 'bots sensitive wiring. Mikaela watched the two play as she soaked up some vitamin D. It wasn't long before Dials had givin Sam the 'Bambi' eyes, asking for a horsey ride. Sam couldn't resist for long, he was a sucker when Dials turned on the cuteness charm, and Dials knew it. Mikaela stretched out enjoying the sun, when not a minute or two after Sam left did she hear footsteps approaching.

"Gosh Sam that was quick, you tired out already" she teases, not bothering to look up.

"Ms. Banes" came an unfamiliar voice, which had Mikaela sitting up. A soldier stood before her.

"Yes?"

The soldier shifted from foot to foot looking nervous, he was quite young. "We have received word from one of the pilots of the C-17's. The group was attacked by Decepticons as they retrieved the new mech. No humans were serious injured, but one of the mechs has been critically injured. All of us at Communications wanted to tell you so you could keep the kid from seeing him when they arrive back, no child should see this."

Mikaela was in shock, "Do you know who?" she asks hesitantly, she almost didn't want to know the answer.

The soldier sighed, "We were told it was Autobot Barricade, the plane should be landing within the next ten minutes. If you excuse me miss, I have to get back to my post. I'm sorry to be the bearer of bad news." The soldiers walked off, passing Sam, who was coming back. He was smiling as he walked towards Mikaela, it soon left when he saw the look on Mikaela's face.

"Mikaela?"

Mikaela plasters a smile on her face for Dials sake, but Sam knew something had happened. Her eyes begged Sam not to say anything. For once Sam caught on and didn't say anything.

"Did you have fun on your horsey ride" asked Mikaela, picking Dials off of Sam's back.

"Ya I did Aunty Mikaela, what we gonna do now"

"How bout we go into Uncle Jazz's room and see how loud we can play music."

Dials optics got brighter. "That sounds fun" Mikaela sets him down on the ground,

"Why don't you go on ahead, I need to tell Uncle Sam something."

"Okay, I gonna go get my Littlefoot c.d."

Sam was the one who had to plaster a smile on his face, as Dials looked at them before running off.

Sam turned to look at Mikaela as soon as Dials was out of sight, a serious look on his face. "Whats going on, I know there's something wrong if you're okay letting us listen to that Littlefoot c.d. as loud as he wants."

Mikaela put a hand on her hip and ran the other through her hair. "That soldier you passed as you came back had some bad news about the mission. No ones been killed, but Barricade has been critically wounded. The plane will be here any minute. It would be better if Dials doesn't see Barricade like this. That why we need him to do something loud so he doesn't hear the plane, because you know he'll run out to greet it and he'll see him."

Sam nodded, as he entwined his finger behind his head, he couldn't imagine what Tyrell was going through right now, he let out the breathe he was holding in.

"I'll go watch Dials, you should wait for the plane, see how bad Barricade really is. I'll try to keep him from knowing what's going on for now."

She nodded, Sam quickly kissed her before jogging off after Dials. Mikaela watched him for a moment before turning in the direction of the runway. A million thoughts running through her head, as she walked. Soon the echoes of music could be heard, coming from Jazz's room. When she arrived at the runway, she was surprised to see one of Ratchet's medical berth's being hauled in by several trucks. If she didn't believe the soldiers words before, she did now.

The sound of plane could be heard, Mikaela looked up just in time to see the plane cut through the cloud cover. The plane began to descended, landing smoothly onto the run way. The trucks started up, bringing the berth as close as they could to the stopping plane, unhooking them as soon as it was in position. The door of the plane began to open, Ratchet stood in the door way, holding Barricade bridal style. The new mech was right behind him, holding Barricade's energon transfusion bag. It took only a moment for Ratchet's optics to land on the berth. They both got off the boat quickly Ratchet gently laid Barricade on it.

Ratchet quickly wheeled away Barricade, the blue mech following behind. Mikaela watched them run into the med bay, leaving a trail of energon behind. Mikaela stood there as everyone disappeared until she was the only one left on the runway. She sighed as she walked to the edge of the runway, sitting down, she wasn't leaving until the other plane arrived.

Ratchet immediately began to set to work, giving Jolt instructions on where to find things. Ratchet was still amazed that Barricade had survived such wounds. His whole energon tank had to be replaced, along with many energon lines. Most mechs would die if there tank had been destroyed so, if Ironhide hadn't been there putting pressure on the lines, he would have bled out long before Ratchet got there.

It wasn't long before Ratchet hands were stained in Barricade's energon. Jolt assisted as he could, gathering Ratchets tools, and parts when he was asked. They lost Barricade twice more as they worked, they worked frantically each time to revive him. The second time Ratchet didn't think he would come back, he was dead for five minutes, before they could him started again. Something seemed to draw his spark back each time, it seemed like Barricade was fighting to stay here with his loved ones.

The hours went by, Ratchet fought to keep him stable, they didn't even notice when the other plane landed. Slowly but surely, they fixed Barricade wound.

By the time Barricade was finally stable it was past midnight. Ratchet finally stepped back from the table, whipping his hands on a towel. He looked at Jolt.

"Go get some recharge Jolt, we've done everything we can do. If he makes it through the night he'll make a full recovery."

"Are you sure Ratchet, you need the recharge more than me"

"No Jolt I'll be fine, I'll watch Barricade"

Jolt nodded, he stretched out on a spare medical berth, soon deep in recharge. Ratchet stood next to Barricade for a moment watching as the air went in and out his vents. Primus was on his side today, Ratchet walked towards his office to get some energon, when he heard the door to the Med-Bay open. He hadn't heard Jolt get up, and no one had commed him saying they needed to see him. Ratchet picked up his wrench and silently walked forward but stopped short when he saw Ironhide standing next to Barricade looking down on him. He was even more surprised when Ironhide actually began to talk.

"I thought I had you all figured out, that you were just waiting for the Decepticons to gather again, so that you could betray us and go back with valuable information. That you somehow planned for all that stuff to happen to Ty. Now I'm not so sure. I mean you saved my life today, you took the shot that was meant to kill me, you even looked relieved to see that I was unharmed. Why?"

No one noticed when Barricade's optics flickered on, until three words were uttered. "Because were family." Ironhide jumped at the words, he hadn't expected an answer. He was even more shocked that Barricade saw him as family. It was true that Ironhide saw the members of the first team as his family, and vice versa, but he never thought that Barricade saw them in the same way. He looked back down at Barricade, he was already unconscious again.

"All I can say is thank-you then." He turned to leave when he felt a hand on his shoulder. He turned to face an over tired, stressed out medic that didn't look pleased. "Hey Ratchet, didn't hear you walk up" He said nervously.

"Indeed, so Barricade is here because of you?" he asked calmly, which was never a good sign.

Ironhide tried to move away. "So you heard that, what else did you hear?"

"Everything, so how did it happen?"

Ironhide sighed, "I didn't see a 'Con until it was too late, he shot right at my spark chamber. Next thing I knew I was on the ground, I turn and finish off the slagger, and when I turn around I see Barricade with the hole through him."

Ratchet was shocked, he looked at Cade on the berth, if Barricade hadn't pushed Ironhide out of the way, his whole entire spark would have been destroyed and there would have been nothing Ratchet could have done.

"Does anyone else know what he did, not Tyrell or Bumblebee?"

"No, I've only told Optimus."

"How is Tyrell?"

"Okay, Bee's sticking close to him. Last I saw of him, he was going to tell Dials that Barricade was hurt. Apparently Sam and Mikaela kept him busy as you landed so he wouldn't be able to see how bad of shape Barricade's actually in."

Ratchet blinked, this was one of the first times Ironhide had called Barricade by name and not a Decepticon. "I see…Ironhide you need to get some recharge. Your good to no one if you fall asleep during your shift tomorrow."

Ironhide looked like he wanted to argue, but decided not to as Ratchet waved his wrench back and forth. For the next few hours Ratchet watched Barricade, only getting recharge when Jolt forced him to at daybreak. In the morning, Tyrell and Dials came and sat next to the mech for a couple of hours, he woke up once the entire day. Over the next couple of days he showed improvement, all the bots except for Ironhide came to see him, by the end of the week he was allowed to leave the med-bay. It came out that he had took the shot for Ironhide, which surprised everyone. Tyrell gave him a lecture about how stupid he was to get injured that would have put Judy Witwicky to shame and Dials had about glued himself to Barricade the first couple of days afterwards.

Couple of Days later

Ratchet had cleared Barricade fit enough to meet the new arrivals, if he took it easy. The seven bots were landing near Tranquility. Bumblebee, who had left the base last week when Barricade was still recovering, would be meeting them there with Sam and Mikaela. Jolt was the one staying on the base, keeping an eye on things, and Dials. Ratchet had ridden in the plane next to Barricade as they flew towards the landing sight, keeping a close eye on him. They had brought plenty of backup so they would not be unprepared like the last time.

Barricade watched as the pods break through the atmosphere, a trail of fire following behind. It was beautiful to watch. They soared overhead, before crashing into the ground a couple of football fields away. The bot's transformed driving to the impact craters. The new bot's were beginning to transform out of pod mode.

Optimus was the first to transform, the others following suite. Barricade stood behind the rest, not wanting to get shot again, Tyrell came over to stand next to him, Barricade picked him up and set him on his shoulder. The three smaller pods opened first. Optimus bean to speak.

"Welcome to Earth," anything else he was going to say was lost as one of the new comers launched themselves at Optimus hugging him close.

"Oh, Optimus" she whispered. For the first time in a long time Optimus was shocked, he had been told she was dead, he couldn't feel her through the bond for vorns. He hesitantly asked, "Elita?"

"Yes my love" Optimus began to hug her back fiercely, a few energon tears escaping from his optics. The Autobots smiled at the sight of their leader reunion sparkmate. Ironhide looked at the other two that had emerged, there he saw a figure that he never that he would again. "Chromia" the femme snapped her head in his direction.

"Ironhide!" she yelled, and like her sister, she launched herself into his arms.

Ty raised an eyebrow at Barricade, who turned his head to look at him. "Elita and Chromia are Optimus and Ironhide's sparkmates, in human terms their wives."

The third figure stepped towards the group, Optimus pulled away from Elita to greet her.

"Welcome to Earth Arcee."

"Thank-you Prime."

The hiss of more transforming parts drew everyone's attention to the other four pods. Two of the pods transformed quickly, Tyrell stared as Ratchet began backing away. "Sweet Primus, NO, not Them!"

The bots finished transforming standing tall, Ty could tell that they were smirking at the medic.

"Hey Ratchy, did you miss us?" asked the one on the left. Barricade whispered to Ty.

"Sunstreaker and Sideswipe, the twins I told you about, they love to pull pranks on people especially Ratchet and Ironhide. The one who spoke was Sideswipe."

"Sunstreaker, Sideswipe, welcome to Earth. We have the brig ready for you" chuckled Prime.

"Aw Prime, you shouldn't have" sweetly said Sideswipe. "Me and Sunny will make sure it gets good use, right Sunny?"

"Don't call me Sunny" growled Sunstreaker.

The last two pods began to transform slowly, curses could be heard. Ratchet stared mortified. "Why does Primus hate me so?" for the last two pods held the younger twins Mudflap and Skids. Who when fully out began to beat on each other.

"You stupid slagtard, you hit me during our landing" yelled Skids.

No you hit me, genius" yelled back Mudflap. Bumblebee sighed, setting down Sam and Mikaela, he went and grabbed each of the younger twins by their scruff bars.

"Bumblebee put us down" they yelled. Bee didn't listen he just bashed their heads together and threw them in opposite directions. They both landed with a big clang, many of the bots chuckled, before continuing to greet each other. None noticing Barricade, who had inched farther away. Soon they were picking out their alt modes from the collection that N.E.S.T. had brought. The older twins choose the Lamborghinis changing the colors to yellow and red. The femmes choose a group of motorcycles. Elita was now rose red, Chromia was deep blue, and Arcee was purple. The younger twins surprised everyone and choose an ice cream truck that had been brought by accident.

The humans had hung back as the 'bots greeted each other and chose alt-modes, but Optimus fixed that.

"Autobot's I would like to introduce our human allies. This is Major William Lennox, Captain Robert Epps, Sergeant Fig, Sam Witwicky, Mikaela Banes, and Private Tyrell… were are you Tyrell?"

"Over here" yelled Tyrell from Barricade's shoulder. The new group snapped their optics towards Tyrell, for the first time seeing Barricade. The Lambo twins reacted immediately, drawing their famous sword, they launched themselves at Barricade.

"Sunstreaker, Sideswipe. STOP!" yelled Optimus, but they didn't listen. Barricade, still recovering from his wounds couldn't move fast enough, he considered pulling out his weapon and defending himself but he just couldn't. He did the only thing he could do, he grabbed Tyrell off his shoulder, wrapping his hands around him, like a child would do to a lightning bug. He brought him closer to his spark, and turned slightly around to use his body as a shield, he closed his optics. Suddenly there was a clang of metal hitting metal, Barricade opened his optics to find it filled with black. Ironhide had managed to get in front of Barricade. The Lambo twins had just enough time to pull their swords back before they had slammed in Ironhide. Everything got quiet, the Twins stared up at Ironhide.

"What the slag do you two think your doing?" asked Ironhide icily.

"What are we doing, that a 'Con you have your back to, what are you doing" demanded Sunstreaker as he picked himself off the ground.

"Barricade is not a Decepticon, he's an Autobot. You will treat him as such, all of you, or you will be answering to me" Ironhide glared at everyone, even Chromia. The new team stared at him like he grew a second head. The first team just smiled. Ironhide turned to look at Barricade.

"You okay Barricade?"

Barricade blinked his optics before answering. "Yes, thank-you Ironhide."

Ty, who had been quiet the whole time began knocking on Cade's hands. "Cade I need to breathe"

Cade quickly unwrapped his hands allowing Ty to breathe again.

Ironhide POV

Tyrell spoke up from Barricades shoulder, the Lambo twins eyed Barricade, I saw the hate bubble up in their optics, the blades they were famous for came out with a snick. They launched themselves at Barricade. I heard Optimus yell, I watched fear flash through Barricade's optics. I expected him to online his weapons, to stop the twins from killing him. I watched as he grabbed Tyrell and then wrap his hands around the human, pulling him closer, turning sideways so his frame protected Tyrell from the blades that were flying towards him. I moved forward until I was in front of Barricade. I deliberately turned my back to him to face the twins.

Ironhide what are you doing yelled Chromia through our bond. The twins were shocked as they saw me, they disarmed there swords just in time as they crashed head first into my gut, bouncing off and landing on their afts. They look up at me in shock. I glare at them. "What the slag do you think your doing?" I feel Chromia shock over the bond.

"What are we doing, that's a 'Con you have your back to, what are you doing?" demands Sunstreaker as he get up, I pleased to see that a large patch of paint has been removed from his helm, not that he has noticed it yet.

"Barricade is not a Decepticon, he's an Autobot. You will treat him as such, or you will be answering to me." I glare at everyone, including my sparkmate Chromia. I narrowed my eyes as Optimus, Jazz, Bumblebee, and even Ratchet begin to grin. I turn to look at Barricade, who still looks shocked.

"You okay Barricade?" I aske gently. He slowly blinks his optics before answering. "Yes, thank-you Ironhide."

I nod before turning away. I feel Chromia gaze on me, and feel her confusion over the bond. Ironhide, what has happened to you. Your trusting a 'Con, he could have stabbed you in the back as you stood there.

Chromia my love, do you see the wield lines on Barricades frame.

He gaze moves off of me and takes in Barricade, who is making his way over to Bumblebee. She see the front view and the back, her confusion spiking.

Yes, but what has that got to do with anything, did you shoot him, and Optimus is punishing you by watching over him?

No Mia, if it wasn't for Barricade, that would have been my sparkchamber. He pushed me out of the way and took the shot for me. That is why I know I can trust him, he risked his life to save mine. He sends over the memories of that day. By the end of it, Chromia understands and she is also grateful. I take her hand, as I lead her back to the planes, it is time to leave. I feel a hand on my shoulder and I'm surprised to see Barricade standing before me, Ty once again on his shoulder.

"I guess this makes us even" he says with a smile.

Before I can answer Chromia does, "No it doesn't, I owe you my life as well. I wouldn't have been able to live if Ironhide had died. So thank-you, Barricade."

I'm shocked at what Chromia says. If you can trust him Ironhide so can I.

I squeeze her hand, I look at Barricade and nod. Tyrell speaks up.

"Ironhide, when we land, I think there is a certain sparkling that wants to see his Uncle Hide."

I look at the human, he has forgiven me.

"Sparkling, there are no more sparklings" says Chromia not believing it.

"There is one, his name is Dials and Tyrell is his guardian/caretaker. You're going to love him" I smile. "On the way home I will explain everything"

Home, I like that. She whispers to me.

Normal POV

Barricade gets in a plane with Bumblebee, hoping for a peaceful ride back to base. But luck was against him as the two Lambo twins, and the younger twins get in the plane with them. They all stiffen when they see each other. Tyrell shot a look at Sam and Mikaela, and without a word being spoken, they all climb onto Barricade. The Lambo raise an eyebrow at that, wondering why the humans would risk there lives for a 'Con. Sideswipe breaks the silence.

"How long of a flight is it to this base of yours Bee?"

"Couple of hours, so if you want to say something without Ironhide shooting you, you better say it now" says Bee, surprising everyone.

Sunstreaker jumps on the suggestion. "Why is Ironhide so keen on keeping this 'Con alive? How did he come to be with you in the first place, and why are the humans on him?"

"Because I saved Ironhides life not a week ago, and I came to be with the Autobots right after Mission City when I saved Tyrell's life. And Sam and Mikaela don't want to see me get hurt again, and I'm Tyrell's guardian" snaps Barricade.

That silences everyone, the Lambo twins look at each other. "How about you explain everything."

So Bee jumps in and tells them everything that has happened since they arrived on Earth, from Mission City, to last week. Both twins listen carefully, hardly believing anything they were hearing.

After they were done, they did something that surprised everyone. "Were sorry we tried to kill you Barricade, welcome to the Autobots" said Sideswipe. Sunstreaker began to smirk.

"Of course being a new member we need to innate you properly, so without further ado" Sunstreaker pulls out a flask, "High grade for everyone."

They passed the flask around everyone taking a swing besides the humans. "You do realize that as an Autobot we reserve the right to prank you" says Sideswipe afterwards.

"Yes I do" says Barricade happily.

The End.

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The end of Trust, hope you enjoyed it, keep an eye out for the next story Sacrifice, the sequel to Devil in the Sand, coming soon. Please review.