A/N: Thanks for the reviews.

Chapter 3

She had been so close, yet the deity she was starting to renew faith in chose to abandon her yet again. She had not counted on the appearance of the leader, but it was to be expected. The Autobots so rarely fought on their own. Now, her vengeance had been delayed yet again, but she would not deter. Soon enough, the boy would be in her grasp and then the pain for him, and more importantly Arcee, would begin.

FlameWar

Returning to base, the look on both Optimus and Arcee's faces told the others something had happened. All was quiet until the monitors came to life, June Darby's face on the screen. "Finally learned how to use Skype," she muttered to herself. "Hi Jack, how are things?"

"Not good," Jack replied. "Arcee and I were attacked." Immediately, the smile on June's face disappeared and she bombarded him with questions before shooting a glare to the 'Bot in question and her leader, who dutifully stepped up.

"I do not the exact detail, Nurse Darby, but know that no harm has befallen Jack and we do everything in our power to keep it that way." He turned to his second-in-command, expecting a full report.

"Jack and I decided to spend some time in the old ghost town," she started. "When we got there, we watched the sun set and as soon as it was dark, we left. On the road, we were ambushed by 'Con I'd never seen before. We got far enough to contact base for a bridge. That's when it attacked and made a dive for Jack. When Optimus showed up, it backed off and retreated." June's face changed from livid to passive, nodding in understanding and turned her attention back to Optimus Prime.

"I believe it best that Jack stay with us for the-"

"Done," she replied in tone they all feared. "Jackson Darby, you are not to go anywhere aside from school and your job without an escort. Understood?"

"Yes mam," he answered quickly, June shifting her glare to Ratchet.

"If his cell phone signal goes off line for as little as nano-second, I am to be informed," Ratchet nodded. The nurse turned back to two sources of her distress. "Whatever is going in, please try to keep Jack out of this."

"We will do everything we can, Nurse Darby," Optimus replied. "For now, I suggest you get some rest yourself." She nodded and switched off the monitors, leaving the base in state of eerie quiet. Miko and Raf exchanged frightened glances, their guardians mimicking them while Ratchet tried to shake off the shiver running down his spine. Optimus glanced at Arcee, who looked shameful at his gaze; a look he knew all too well.

She was blaming herself for Jack's near capture by enemy hands, even if the disaster had been averted. It didn't take long for her knee servo to show signs of injury, earning Ratchet's attention. Ushering her into med-bay, Optimus contacted the families of Miko and Rafael to inform them they would be staying elsewhere for the night. Since this new enemy attacked Jack and Arcee while they were alone, and would possibly attempt the same with their other charges were the humans their targets. His task done, Miko and Bulkhead and Rafael and Bumblebee departed for their quarters while Optimus checked in on med bay.

"Ratchet," Optimus addressed the medic. "How is Arcee?"

"Fine," he replied, not looking up from his work. "Her knee should heal within a few hours. All I can recommend is the usual; bed rest and plenty of fluids." Nodding, he turned to the femme.

"Where's Jack?" she asked.

"No doubt waiting to hear word on you," the Prime smiled slightly. "How are you feeling?"

"Fine, didn't you hear Ratchet," she replied curtly. She already knew what he wanted to talk about and, unlike Jack, he wouldn't leave it alone. "Whatever it was almost got him, Optimus," she cracked. "I was right there and all I could do was watch."

"You managed to keep the enemy at bay long enough for reinforcements to arrive," he reassured. "That amounts to much more than nothing."

"Tell that to June," the femme responded. "You saw the hate in her eyes when she looked at me. I let her down; I promised I'd keep Jack safe and I failed."

"Jack is safe, only thanks to your efforts. June is merely worried for her son, just as you are. She will calm down eventually. Until then, we must remain vigilant in case of any further attack. Are you certain you have never encountered a Decepticon such as that one before?"

"I'm not sure," she admitted. "If I had seen it in robot mode, I might know who it was and it was dark, so I didn't get a good look at them, until they almost got Jack." The Prime sighed; he knew it would take longer than a few hours for Arcee to emerge from this state of self-pity. For now, all he could do was reassure her from one front while Jack handled the other.

"If it will serve to ease you nerves, I am certain Jack would have no qualms about sharing your quarters during his tenure here." She perked up slightly and nodded, allowing Optimus to leave, encountering Jack in the command center. Before the boy could ask, Optimus answered, "Arcee is fine. Her injury should only take a few hours to heal."

"This is all my fault," Jack buried his face in his hands. "If I had said no when she suggested it, none of this would have happened and she wouldn't be hurt." Optimus sighed again; he had gone from consoling one to the other. They truly were the definition of partnership.

"Jackson, do not blame yourself for unforeseen events. What matters is that both you and Arcee are safe from further harm for the time being. Know that we will find the ones responsible and ensure no further harm comes to anyone. For now, all we can do is rest for tonight. I assume you have no worries over sharing Arcee's quarters." The boy simply nodded, allowing the Prime to watch the monitors for any sign of Decepticon activity.

FlameWar

Arcee was released from med-bay and reunited with Jack, gesturing towards the halls that led to her quarters. She allowed him to go first so that he wouldn't see hesitation her knee was giving her. But he could still hear the light grunts of discomfort she gave, his face pained at the thought. She was hurt thanks to his carelessness and, worse, she blamed herself for the whole thing. It may have been her mission to protect him, but it was his, as her partner to make that job as easy as possible.

What Optimus said was true; neither one of them could have seen a new Decepticon coming (except for the part where they actually did), but it was still frightening to think about. When the motorcycle sped towards him, all he could feel was worry and fear; worry for Arcee's condition and fear of what the 'Con wanted with him. For now, neither of them said anything while making their way to her room. Once they arrived and locked themselves in, Jack turned to Arcee, his head hanging in shame, "I'm sorry."

"For what?" she asked, hoping it wasn't for what she thought it was.

"It's my fault," he said, refusing to look at her. "If I had said no-"

"Let's not forget who suggested this whole thing," she argued. "I should've just called Ratchet for a ground-bridge."

"That would have wasted energon, something you guys can't squander!" Jack shouted, looking at her now.

"It wouldn't have been a waste if it meant keeping the 'Cons from getting their claws on you!" she shouted back. "Your safety is just as important!"

"Not as important as your life!"

"That's not your call!"

"It is when it comes to you, partner," he said softly, the mood immediately shifting. "It is when it comes to you." Arcee's expression softened and she knelt down to meet his gaze, ignoring the pain the in her knee. She brushed her finger through his hair and smiled at him.

"Just like it's my call whenever you're in danger," she whispered. "It took too long to get over Tailgate, then Cliff happened. I can't lose you too, Jack." He wrapped his hand around her finger, smiling at her reassuringly.

"You won't, Arcee," he replied. "That's a promise." Everything out in the open, the two partners retired for the night.

FlameWar

A/N: I hope you enjoyed. Nine days until the Rise.