Disclaimer: I don't own Transformers.
The Ties that Bind
Chapter Three: You Ain't Nothin' but a Hound Dog
Peyton sniffed loudly, not a pleasant sound, as she stared down into her steaming mug of hot chocolate. She wasn't a coffee drinker which forced Jeffery to run to the store since he didn't have anything else. She, of course, protested and said that his still nearly full bottle of Grey Goose would be fine, but he insisted. So, now, here they were, sitting in his apartment over steaming beverages unsure of what to say or what to do.
Surrounded by used tissues, Peyton was embarrassed her had cried like that. She hadn't cried so hard since she was a kid and while she was humiliated by it, it felt good to finally release all that pent of emotion. She honestly felt better, but it wasn't helping their current situation. The rumor had already reached the Sheriff Gordon Crawford, who hated Jeffery enough as it was, and knowing him, he'd try to use this to get Jeffery fired. So, once again, Peyton was contemplating leaving Las Vegas if only for Jeffery's sake. The older man nearly blew a gasket when she told him so right now it was "out of the question". Though she only wanted what was best for the both of them it felt nice to be wanted when no one else seemed to care.
"God," she sighed, "I really don't wanna go to work."
"You're going to let them win?" Jeffery asked as a skeptic brow rose in question, "I had no idea you were such a quitter, Peyton."
"Oh, don't even," she hissed, "Ever since I got here everyone's been giving me shit! Crawford is just dying to get you fired and you know it! Why jeopardize your career? I won't move that far away!"
"Do you really think I care what Crawford thinks!" Jeffery shot back, "He's only looking to protect his own ass and I'm not losing my best CSI to tech-geek jealousy!"
Peyton's rolled her eyes. "You're only saying that because I'm you goddaughter."
"I'm saying it because it's true!" he shouted. His hands flew from the table in blunt frustration. "Jesus, Peyton why do you do this to yourself? It has nothing to do with you being my goddaughter! You came directly from school with more passion and drive than I have ever seen in! You were top of you class! You solved your first quadruple as a rookie!" he reached forward and grabbed her face in his hands as the tear fell from her dark eyes. "When your Dad died you swore that he would catch scum like the one that killed him. You made a promise that changed everything. You became the best damn scientist I have ever met and will ever meet. Hell, you'll be better then me soon."
"I don't think so," she laughed softly, "You always picking up things I've missed."
"No one perfect, Peyton," he stated, "Even the greatest have someone beside them to hold them up when they fall."
"Are you trying to say you're my rock or something?" she asked slyly.
"Something like that," he chuckled.
"Thanks, Jeff," she said sincerely, "I don't know what I'd do without you."
Jeffery smiled and pulled her forwards enough to place a gentle kiss on her forehead. "Now," he said, "we're gonna go to work tomorrow and were gonna work this out alright? We'll ignore everybody and just act normally."
She nodded in agreement with a weary smile. "Okay."
Mikaela shivered involuntarily against the desert cold, snuggling back into her boyfriend's arms as they sat before the small bonfire with long jeans and hoodies. Bumblebee sat close by merely watching the sky for anything remotely resembling a falling Autobot from space, but after nearly five hours of waiting they had yet to see anything, but shooting stars. Sam and Mikaela, who had resided in LA for their entire lives, didn't get to see shooting stars too often, but the excitement wore off within the first hour as the cold climate of a desert settled and the two decided to build a fire to keep warm. Fortunately, Bumblebee helped out with the fire starting.
"Man," Sideswipe groaned, "I have sand in places I really don't need it."
"Quit complaining," his twin said.
"Hey, Ratchet," Sam called, "I thought you said he'd be here by now."
"Any minute now."
"Yeah," Sides scoffed, "that's what he said like two Earth hours ago."
"He'll get here when he gets here," Ironhide stated, his large arms crossed over his chest plate, "You need some patience."
"This coming from the mech that whips out his canons at anything remotely irritating," Sunstreaker said smartly.
"I can whip out my canons right now if ya'd like," the older Autobot threatened.
"Why can't we all just get along?"
"Hey," Sides looked around and abruptly changed the subject, "how come Optimus isn't coming?"
"I already told you," Ratchet sighed, "He has something to take of for the next couple of days or so."
"This is kinda important to miss," Sunny pointed out, "Why would her miss this?"
Ratchet glared at the younger mech, trying to assert some authority, but it was highly unlikely that the twins would ever listen to anyone but Optimus. "He knows what he's doing."
"But what is he doing?" Sides asked sitting up from his laying position.
"That," Ironhide said, stepping in acting as though he also knew something, "is none of your business. Prime'll get here when he gets here."
"Dude," Sam whispered in Mikaela's ear, "I really hope this Autobot shows soon. These robos are getting a little bitchy."
"I heard that, human," Sunny glared down at the couple.
Sam held his hands up defensively. "Hey, I meant nothing by it!"
"Of course you didn't," the moody Autobot said diverting his attention away.
"Don't speak—Why should I worry?" Bumblebee stated whilst almost pouting childishly on the ground behind Sam and Mikaela.
"Bee's right," Mikaela added, "If Optimus has something to handle on his own then let's just leave it at that. And since you all have been gabbing away like a bunch of little girl's none of you noticed that out new arrival's coming down waaaay over there," she pointed to the distance where indeed a glowing sphere of bright like was streaking towards Earth's surface.
"Oh, snap!" Sides shouted leaping to his feet and transforming.
The others followed suit. Gathering the blanket, Sam tossed it in the Bee's trunk and hopped in the driver's side. They all sped towards the crash sight swerving to a stop at the edge of a crater where a familiar looking alien "rock" sat at the bottom. Transforming, they all stared down as it began to open and a robot emerged, looking around quite comically until finally looking up.
Bumblebee tossed a fist in the air. "You ain't nothin' but a hound dog!"
"Hound Dog?" Sam asked skeptically, "Well, I shouldn't be surprised. You all got pretty weird names."
"Just Hound will do, kid," the mech from the crater called, his voice thick with a southern country accent, "Now, if y'all don't mind I'm feelin' a bit underdressed down 'ere so can we head out?" Hound asked sheepishly, "I wanna scan somethin' before my tailpipe freezes off."
The Autobots shared a laugh before Sides and Ironhide pulled the moderately sized robot from the crater his landing created. Heading for the road they stood by the highway long enough for Hound to make his choice. There weren't many to choose from so late at night by Hound considered himself lucky to finally scan an army green Jeep Wrangler. Transforming into their vehicle modes they all headed back to Tranquility, Sam and Mikaela fast asleep within fifteen minutes of the trip.
Will Lennox opened his eyes when he heard the cry of his baby daughter. Looking at the clock, noting that it was two in the morning, he groaned and rolled on his side to get up.
"Do you want me to get her?" Sarah asked softly beside him.
"No, I got it," he replied, rubbing a hand down his face, "I still don't know why we just can't do the whiskey trick," he pouted, "My parents did it for me and I turned out fine."
"I'm not giving our baby whiskey," Sarah stated firmly, "She has another teething ring in the freezer."
"Yeah, yeah."
Getting up from bed wearing only his boxers and a white T-shirt Will shuffled from the room and down the hall towards the kitchen. Grabbing the flower shaped ring from the second shelf in the freezer he yawned loudly as he went back down the hall and enter through the white door on his right.
"Hey, hey," he cooed as he pulled Annabelle out of her crib, "Daddy's here. Here you go."
The screaming continued until the ring was set firmly in between sore gums. The infant's crying was reduced to small sniffles and whimpers. Gently rocking her in his arms, Will sat on the cream colored glider near the window. Looking away from Annabelle, long enough to sneak a peek out the window he didn't see a familiar black pick up sitting there.
"Where is he?" Will growled quietly to himself. Annabelle made a gurgling sound gaining her daddy's attention once again. "Where is he Bella-baby?" Will asked excitedly as he tickled her tummy, "Where's the big, bad robot with your car seat?"
Annabelle giggled and used one hand to grab his finger while the other held the ring in her mouth. Will laughed as he pretended that her "awesome baby grip" was crushing his finger. Eventually, Annabelle tired herself out once again and Will carried her to her crib. Tucking her in Will kissed her soft forehead. Going to the window he checked one last time to see if Ironhide returned only to see an empty driveway again.
Going to his room, Sarah was fast asleep on her side facing him. Crawling into the bed beside her he stared at her beautiful face as he ran a hand over her blond hair. Sarah sighed and leaned into his touch. A smile graced the soldier's face. Having been in the Middle East for so long and missing the birth of his daughter and the crisis with the giant alien robots he felt blessed to finally be with his family.
"Is she sleeping?" Sarah asked softly.
Will grinned as she scooted closer, tucking her head under his chin. "Like a baby."
Sarah laughed a little, but kept her eyes shut. Will was seconds from sleep when the familiar roar of a strong engine rolled closer to the house. The couple's eyes opened and in an instant they were out of bed and heading for the front door. Throwing it open they watched Ironhide roll to a stop on the driveway and killed the engine.
"Hey, man," Will said walking out towards the truck, "where have you been?"
"Out."
"Oh, really?" Will snapped, somewhat annoyed, "Sarah," he said gently, "maybe you should head inside. It's kinda chilly tonight. Don't you think it's a bit chilly?"
"You know, you can just tell me that this is gonna be a man-to-metal man talk," she stated slightly annoyed.
"Sorry, babe," he massaged her shoulder gently before the woman sighed and turned away, shutting the door behind her.
Looking around, checking for nosy neighbors Will climbed into the driver side door and sat silently. Ironhide never left unless something big came up so when Will came home to see that the truck was gone and his wife didn't know where the Autobot was he was immediately suspicious. He was also pissed that the he failed to fill him in about anything that was possibly going on with the Autobots.
"Where have you been?" Will demanded.
"Out."
"Yeah, I know," Will said sarcastically, "You know, you took the car seat with you."
"So?"
"Well, usually, when you go somewhere and take the car seat we end up having to buy a new one."
"Well, you should remove it. I do not need to have that contraption in me all the time."
"What is with you and that thing?"
"It's uncomfortable."
Will looked in the back seat and sure enough the car seat was gone. "You transformed didn't you?"
"I had to."
Will dropped his head in a groan. "Dammit, Ironhide, Sarah's gonna kill me."
"I told you take it out."
"Couldn't you have just—! Agh! You know everything you transform and destroy the car seats I always have to buy another one and sleep on the couch."
"I repeat; I told you to take it out."
He sighed. "Well, maybe I can get another one before she notices."
"Good luck," the mech offered, "Your mate is a force to be reckoned with."
"…Thanks a lot, buddy. So what happened tonight?"
"We had a planet fall."
"Huh," Will murmured slouching in his seat. Arms crossed over his chest he chewed the inside of his cheek in blatant annoyance. "And what's your excuse for failing to fill me in on that tid-bit of information?"
"I don't have to tell you everything, Lennox," the mech stated, "Besides, you were at work."
"It's not like you can't call me," he shot back, "As your human contact I'd like to be filled in, ya know."
Ironhide sighed and surrendered an answer. "Hound. He's our hologram and cloaking expert, tracker, and a fine soldier."
"Holograms, huh?" Will mused, "Where's he staying?"
"For now he'll stay with Sam and Bumblebee until we can find him a human contact."
"Why does he need a human contact?" Will asked, "How many humans are you planning to involve?"
"As many as it takes," Ironhide responded firmly, "Your World Wide Web can only provide so much information and Optimus doesn't want us to rely on it too much. Not with all the garbage you humans put on it."
Will snickered at the idea of friend stumbling on a porn site by accident. "So, your friend's gonna need a human playmate ASAP, I assume."
"Preferably."
He suddenly grinned. "I think I know a guy."
To say that Robert Epps was a man who always kept his cool would be a big, fat lie. The man was currently staring at his friend and commander in a mixture of horror and shock. "Oh, you gotta be shittin' me!"
Will chased after his friend as he ran into another room of his apartment. "Epps!" he called, "You need a new car anyway! Better then that POS Cadillac you drive!"
"That POS is a classic!" Epps stated, "It's a beauty!"
"Yeah, yeah," Will rolled his eyes, "It's your "baby", but c'mon, man! This is a once in a lifetime experience!"
"I've had enough "lifetime experiences" with these guys already! I don't need anymore giant robots in my life then I already got!"
"Look at Ironhide! He's great!" Will stated, "He even lets Sarah put a car seat in him," he muttered to himself, "Even though he routinely destroys them. I trust him and he says Hound's a cool, laid back kinda guy. I wouldn't ask you this if I thought you guys couldn't work together."
"Have you ever met him?" he demanded, "Have you talked to him?"
Will's confidence faltered. "Well, not really, but—"
"Then what do you know?" the man yelled slamming his bedroom door.
"Epps," Will shouted, "quit being a whiny bitch! Get out here!"
"Go away, man!"
"Epps!" Will yelled again slamming his fist into the door, "Hound is outside right now! You at least have to meet the guy!"
"No I do not!"
"Yeah, you do! Ironhide and Ratchet are here too you know and if you hurt Hound's feelings then I'm gonna have to deal with Ironhide's temper," Will said dangerously low, "So, get you black ass out here and meet the Goddamn robot!"
Eventually, Epps went outside, though it was a little forced after Will nearly kicked the door off its hinges. Seeing a familiar yellow H2 Search & Rescue truck sitting between a black GMC pick up and an army green Jeep Wrangler Epps assumed that the Jeep was the newest addition to the Autobots. All of a sudden the Jeep door opened a tall man stepped out. His hair was dirty blonde, falling to his cheeks. He wore simple blue jeans and brown leather boots. His shirt was long sleeved and stripped. On his head the man actually wore a brown leather cowboy hat. His strangest feature was his eyes. They were bright blue, practically glowing. Epps merely stared at the man as he can up to him.
"Howdy," he said.
"Um," Epps looked at Will for help, "Hi."
"So, I'm guessin' you US Air Force Tech Sergeant Robert Epps."
"Yeah I am," he said, "And you are?"
"I'm Hound."
Epps blinked twice before his mouth opened in slow motion. "You're Hound?"
"Sure am."
"Y-You mean the…um…"
"Autobot?" the man asked with a grin, "Well, yeah!"
"What the… What's going on?"
"It's a hologram, Epps," Will provided.
"Why didn't you tell me that?" Epps asked angrily, "I thought I would be seeing a giant robot and now I'm staring at a cowboy wannabe!" as if to prove his point he shoved his hand through the hologram's chest making the projected image flicker.
"Hey," Hound said, looking offended.
"Sorry," Will said to the hologram, "He's a little stressed."
"No worries," Hound grinned, "I was a little apprehensive too. Ya know, since it's the 'I really don't know you and you don't know me' kinda deal."
"You can say that again," Epps huffed looking at Will irritated.
"Give it a try, Bobby," Will persuaded softly, "What can it hurt?"
Epps gave the older man an angry look before shifting his attention back to the hologram, which was smiling and looked friendly enough. Since the battle in Mission City Epps figured that if he never saw another alien robot again it would be too soon, but here he was nodding his head in agreement and getting a cheerful clamp on the shoulder from Will.
Peyton sighed heavily as she shut her apartment door behind her. Once again she was faced with scornful glances from her co-workers and she was starting to feel overly stressed…and she was overly stressed before any of this happened. Not only that, but she was falling behind in her work. The truck was still in the garage in one piece when it should be in many. Tearing that beauty of a truck was blasphemy in her opinion, but she, honestly, didn't trust anyone else to do it. Besides, she thought as she finally slipped into bed fro the night, it'll be a great way to take out all my frustration.
EDITED: 3/9/2008
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