Disclaimer: Sadly, I own nothing of Transformers.

I think this is the last double feature I'll do. I'd like to give myself some room to write something in advance before I post it. And please review!

Chapter 4

The dusty roads always made the ride home longer than necessary. Two months had passed since she had seen Bumblebee and Sam's assistant Joan Davis and Mikaela had made little progress. On the bright side, she had forgiven Keiara for the "set-up-to-be" but she did not move back into the Reid Residence. Instead she continued to work for Forman and bought a small apartment only a couple of miles from his shop.

Bee's words only added to the tossing at night. The idea that Sam had wanted to see her only deepened her guilt and made her want to curl into a ball. She had never felt so alone at night, as she did now. At least before there was always someone—even if that someone was an asshole boyfriend, he too was better than no one.

When Mikaela arrived at her apartment late that night, there was a small envelope sticking out of her door. Her name was written in Keiara's cursive, but with no address.

Mikaela took the letter in with her and opened it up.

John is of the opinion that I should apologize, the letter read, but what should I apologize for? Babying you too much? Letting you stay too long? Shielding you from other guys since Carter the prick left you on the Arizona highway? I can truthfully say sorry for those things. I will not say sorry for trying to set you up with Sam. And you know why. You know that when you were with Sam, you were so happy. There was so much life in you, even though your dad had just gotten parole and you were worried about how he would fit into your life, Sam never let you worry about that. We used to laugh at how hard Sam tried to make your dad like him. It was hilarious! Remember? Mick, I wanted you to see Sam, because I wanted to know—no, I wanted you to know if walking out on Sam those years ago, was the right thing or not. I won't pretend I know what exactly happened between you too, (because I don't by that BS that you simply had an argument. And neither does John) but I can say that I know that the high school Mikaela with Sam Witwicky was a lot happier than the grown Mikaela without Sam Witwicky. Just give it a chance, Mick. You never know.

Much Love,

Keiara

By the time Mikaela had reached the end of the letter the paper had begun to shake in her hands. Another slip of paper fell out, which Mikaela found to be another short note by Keiara.

P.S. You're getting an all expenses paid pass to second chances. Don't screw it up AND I expect both of you from Christmas Dinner!

-K

Mikaela peered back into the envelope to see a plane ticket and a rental car receipt. The rental car was here in Phoenix, but the plane ticket was out of Fresno, California to Ronald Regan Airport in Virginia. Mikaela moaned remembering that Fresno was the closest airport to Tranquility.

Dropping all the items in her hand, she stepped away from the foyer where she had been reading the letters. She was not going to do this. There was no reason. Why would she want to go back to Sam? That would mean going back to the Autobots, going back to the past, to the hospital…

"Stop shitting with me and tell me what's wrong with him!" Mikaela screamed.

The doctor gave her a wary look. They were all tired. They had been at the hospital longer than anyone had suspected. And a bad sign could easily been read from the stress.

"It's the radiation," the doctor responded softly. "He's not electronic, so the radiation that has been building off of his body is now using it as a food source."

"Are you trying to say it's going to eat him alive, Doc?" Epps asked.

The doctor's grim look deepened as he eyed Mikaela again.

Mikaela had somehow pushed herself against one of the walls in her apartment, crying hysterically. She banged her head against the cemented walls trying to coerce the images and memories from her mind. She didn't want to relive that again. She couldn't relive that again. Once had brought more than enough pain.

As the tears began to blur her vision, one object that sat on a mantle across the hall abruptly stood out. It was a picture in a picture frame. When she moved into the tiny apartment, Keiara had come down to help and must have put this picture up while Mikaela hadn't been looking. Because Mikaela would never put up a picture of her and Sam—especially not in a frame that had "forgiveness" embedded on it. Grabbing the frame, she threw it against the wall and glass exploded everywhere on the floor.

The burst of energy was like a quick high and Mikaela found herself in the need of more. Soon lamps and vases joined the picture on the wooden floor. Other pictures added to the pile until her entire apartment was ruined. Nearly satisfied, Mikaela quickly found the first photo and was ready to rip it in half when, out of the corner of her eye, she saw writing on the back of it.

I get that it's a lot harder to forgive yourself over someone else. But that doesn't mean that you shouldn't do it.

Mikaela slowed her breathing and turned the photo back over. It was another photo from Sam's birthday party by the lake. They were leaning against Bumblebee and Sam had his arm wrapped around Mikaela, who was snuggled comfortably in his embrace laughing.

She had been happy.

He had been happy.

They had both been just so…happy.

Without thinking or contemplating Mikaela began to pack random shirts and pants into a duffel bag. She quickly scrambled an apology letter to Lucille and Forman, promising to be back soon and grabbed her cell phone and her phone charger. It was a nine hour ride from Phoenix to Fresno International, and Mikaela planned on giving Keiara another piece of her mind about her scheming techniques.

Tranquility, California like many things didn't seem to change much in Mikaela's opinion. Everything was still in its same place and even as she drove down the street in another rental car, she saw the faces of old high school classmates and old teachers and neighbors. No, Tranquility hadn't changed one bit.

When she spoke with Keiara over the phone (who naturally had been overjoyed to hear where she was going), her friend told her that she didn't exactly know where Sam was stationed in Virginia, which is why she simply to Tranquility first. They could call Sam's personal assistant, but both women had ruled her out a long time ago, agreeing that she did not exactly have Mikaela in high interests.

So naturally the only place that Mikaela could start was the Witwicky household.

"I don't know about this," Mikaela moaned as she drove through her home town.

"What? Why?" Keiara asked over the phone.

"I haven't seen Judy and Ron since...well since I've seen…"

"Oh. You're worried how they might react," Keiara reasoned.

"I mean…I just don't know. What if…"

"Okay, no what ifs, Mick. Look, I feel for you I do. I didn't think about that and I'm sorry. However, you can't change the past. You left. And not only did you leave, you ran away. You're going to have to face the past at some point. You can't just let it haunt you forever."

"Yeah, I hear you. Alright let me go. I'm pulling on Sam's street now."

From the phone book, Mikaela discovered that that Witwicky's never left their old address in Tranquility and that it was still their main residence. Parking her rental on the sidewalk, Mikaela slowly emerged from the car. The garage door wasn't open and there was no yellow Camaro parked out front, which confirmed that Sam was somewhere in Virginia. Although in front of the house, on the side walk was another vehicle that Mikaela didn't recognize.

Ringing her hands together, Mikaela slowly made her way to the front door.

You can do this. It's just Judy and Ron. They love you….Well, they did.

But before she could reach the door bell the front door swung open and long, skinny, pale face appeared that she hadn't seen in years.

"Mikaela?" Miles asked. "Is that really you?"

Mikaela stood in shock for a moment and silently nodded. Sam's old high school friend was the last person she expected to run into.

"What are you doing back in Tranquility? I thought you would bail out like Sam did?" Miles asked.

"Um, it's a long story. Are Judy and Ron home, Miles?"

"Who? Oh, no, they're taking an extended weekend on some resort in San Deigo. They asked that I just come by and get their mail and stuff, till they come back. You want to come in?"

"Sure."

The inside of the Witwicky home had obviously gone through some refurnishing, but it still maintained the homey feeling that Mikaela had once loved. There something about this place that she always felt safe and happy. It was home to her.

"So what exactly brings you back to Tranquility?" Miles asked, leading her into the kitchen. "Sam's going to flip when he hears this! He was just here y'know?"

"Yeah, it's actually about Sam. I'm looking for him."

"Really?" Miles asked grabbing a drink and offering her one. "Why would you start here? Sam hasn't lived here since high school," Miles continued.

"Yeah, I know. He works for the military now."

"And he's got those kick ass toys."

"Toys?" Mikaela inquired.

"Yeah, he founded and designed these robot toys. They're a huge hit with the kids. Robot toys that turn into cars, who would have thought of that?"

Mikaela bit back a laugh. Sam couldn't be any more unoriginal.

"And what does he call them?" she asked desperately trying not to smirk.

"Well the good guys are Autobots—"

Mikaela nearly choked on her soda.

"Sorry, went down the wrong pipe," she lied. "Continue."

"—yeah and the bad guys are Deceptions. He calls the Transformers: Robots in Disguise."

Mikaela nodded fighting the urge to roll her eyes and laugh.

"They're a huge hit. He's got a headquarters in Arlington not too far from his office by the pentagon.

"Wait what? Where did you say his military office was?"

"It's about ten or so blocks from the Pentagon and about another five blocks down is his toy company Hasbro."

"So Sam's in Arlington," Mikaela confirmed.

"Most likely," Miles responded. "I mean he might be shipped off. He goes places from time to time, but most the time you can find him in Arlington, running from the Pentagon to the base to Hasbro and back again."

"Thanks Miles you've been a real help," said Mikaela as started heading towards the door.

"Leaving already?" Miles asked.

"Well I have to go find Mr. Entrepreneur before he runs off again."

"Alright you want me to tell Ron and Judy you stopped by?"

"Um…sure I guess. But only if they're in a good mood."

"Arlington isn't too far from the Pentagon," Keiara later informed Mikaela over the phone, as Mikaela parked at the Fresno International Airport. "I think the Pentagon, might actually be in Arlington. I can't remember."

"Well, it's a good thing you put me at Ronald Reagan then. Listen I need to go return this car and get my boarding pass for my flight. I'll call you when I'm in Arlington."

With no luggage, the retrieving her boarding pass was easier than usual. On her way to her gate a large man ran past her, nearly knocking her down as, what appeared to be his son called, "Daddy!"

The man was dressed in Army camouflage and it was safe to assume that this was a small reunion. The man was greeted by a small woman, who looked to be his wife and two more children, a teenage girl and a young boy.

Mikaela smiled slightly admiring the reunion. Such happy reunions gave her hope that maybe she hadn't screwed her relationship with Sam that badly.

She was about to turn to catch her flight, when she noticed a wallet fallen at her feet. Assuming it was the man who had accidently ran into her, Mikaela picked it up and flipped it open.

"Trent!?!"

Mikaela looked up from the picture ID and saw the military man, whom she now recognized as her ex-boyfriend from high school.

"Mikaela? Mikaela Banes? I thought you were in some sand dunes in Arizona?" he chuckled advancing towards her with his family. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm on my way to Virginia," she explained, handing him his wallet. "Here, you dropped this."

"Thanks. So, are you still dating Sam Witwicky?" He asked chuckling.

"No, I'm not."

The awkward moment that was to come was saved by Trent's wife who asked, "Sweet heart who is this?"

"Oh, sorry babe. Maddy this is Mikaela, my, uh, ex-girlfriend from high school. Mikaela this is my wife Maddy and our three kids Elise, Mark and Peter."

Although his daughter snorted, Maddy stayed polite and extended her hand saying, "Pleasure to meet you."

"So you're on your way to Virginia?" Trent asked. "I just left Arlington."

"Really? I'm on my way there."

"You know Sam works there in Arlington. He's about to get shipped back to the Middle East, though."

"What?" Mikaela asked.

"Well, I mean I don't know if he's left yet. He does tours sometimes in the Middle East. I know he was telling one of my buddies that he was leaving this month, but I don't know when. You seem pretty interested. I thought you two weren't dating?"

"We're not. But I am on my way to see him," Mikaela explained. "He was in Phoenix and I missed him, so I was going to try to catch up with Sam in Arlington."

Trent's next words were interrupted by his youngest, Peter who broke from his concentration on his toy to ask, "Daddy who's Sam?"

"He's my friend's friend," Trent explained.

"Don't you mean your ex-friend's friend," Elise snickered. Trent and Maddy glared briefly at their daughter.

"Excuse her," Maddy apologized.

"Its fine," Mikaela shrugged. Her attention was caught by the small toy that was in Peter's hands. "Hey, is that a Transformer?"

"Yep!" the young boy explained. "It's my favorite toy. Do you want to see it?"

He happily handed her the robot toy, which she noticed had a striking resemblance to a bright yellow robot that she knew all too well.

"And what's his name Bumblebee?" she lightly teased.

"Yeah! How did you know?" Peter asked.

Mikaela grinned. "Just a lucky guess. Besides, he looks a bit like one." She handed the toy back to Peter.

"He's my favorite!"

"You know Sam makes those, right?" Tent asked.

"Yeah, I was over at the Witwicky's and Miles was telling me all about it."

"Miles?" Trent asked.

"Sam's best friend," Mikaela reminded.

"Oh, oh right."

Mikaela rolled her eyes. It was obvious her ex had no memory of Miles. His daughter seemed to pick that up also, which earned her another glare from her mother.

"Mr. Sam makes the Transformers Daddy?" Peter asked. "You know who makes the Transformers?"

"Yes, I do," Trent told his son proudly. "We went to high school together." Mikaela once again fought the urge to roll her eyes. She wondered what his son would think if she told him about how well he knew Mr. Sam back in high school.

"Can I meet him? Can I? Can I?" Peter begged jumping up and down.

"Not today sweetie," Maddy interjected. "Daddy just came home and I'm sure Ms. Mikaela has a flight to catch, which we're all holding her up on."

Mikaela's heart saddened at the disappointment on Peter's face.

"I do have to get going. It was nice meeting up with you Trent."

"Oh yeah, you too. And if you see Sam, tell him that the next time he releases a new product or whatever, lower the freaking price! He's running a whole in my pockets!"

Mikaela laughed and waved the family goodbye before departing for her own flight.