The phone picked up on the fourth ring and Bia sighed. "Hello?" she asked to no response. She frowned at the silence, wishing he would talk to her. "Bee?" she tried again, only to be met with silence. She gave up "I miss you Bee…" and with that she hung up.

The empty apartment seemed to swallow Bia alive. Being left alone to her thoughts proved to be torture, and Wheelie and Brains were no help. Something deep down in her gut twisted uncomfortably, and she didn't like it. Something was nagging, pulling at her, something that was foreboding and left her hoping that her instinct was wrong. A vibrating in her pocket caused her to jump and she ripped her phone from her pants.
"Hello?" she answered, breathless.
"Bia, listen you have to meet us at N.E.S.T headquarters. Their coming for Sentinel, hurry!" Sam instructed. In the background she could hear the screeching of road noise and at one point a man cried out, a voice that sounded very familiar.
"Is Darren with you!" she asked already slipping on her shoes.
"That's not important right now, just hurry up and get to N.E.S.T, I got to go!" and with that the line went huffed and shoved her phone in her pocket opening the door. Wheelie and Brains were hot on her heels, and she didn't bother telling them to stay put, that bad feeling was growing. She took the stairs two at a time, more than once having to steady herself on the hand rail before bursting out into the she quickly looked around, eyes landing on her aunt and uncles car before darting to the door of the R.V. and knocking furiously. Judy answered it quickly, worry on her face.
"Jesus Christ Bia, what's going on."
"What's with all the racket?" Ron asked from his spot on the couch.
"Listen Sam called, there's an emergency, I need to bother your car."
"An emergency, is he ok? We'll go with you-"
"NO!" Bia cut her aunt off, sighing at the hurt expression that crossed her face.
"Sam's fine, just please." A glint caught her eye and she grabbed the keys from mid air and looked wide eyed at her uncle.
"There better not be so much as a scratch on it" he warned. She grinned and with a thank you turned and dashed to the silver vehicle, letting brains and wheelie in before turning it on and peeling out of the parking lot.
She pulled up to the base to find it a flurry of activity and she searched for a familiar face, as she stepped out of the car.
"Ma'am I'm sorry but I'm going to have to ask you to leave" a soldier grabbed her arm and she shrugged him off.
"I'm Bianca Witwicky, I'm not going anywhere." Recognition dawned on his face and he began apologizing when a black topkick sped past her. She watched Iron Hide peel out of the base before a familiar voice caught her attention.
"Miss Witwicky" she whirled around and quickly found the medic amongst the crowd with his bright paint job.
"Ratchet, what's going on?" she asked jogging towards the bot. He shrugged in response surveying the area.
"I'm not entirely sure, but we got a distress signal saying that the decepticons were after Sentinel." The pit in her stomach grew as in the distance he heard gun fire and screeching tires. "You shouldn't be out here Miss Witwicky, it's much too dangerous." She ignored his comments and looked again for her cousin and fiancé.
"Where's Sam?" as if to answer her question the familiar yellow Camaro pulled in, Dino and Sentinel right behind him. The car pulled to a stop inches from her, and Sam and Darren leapt out of him.
"Darren!"She cried running to her fiancé and wrapping him up into a hug, he seemed out of breath and had a few scratches on his face. "I was so worried" she commented, holding tighter onto him.
Iron hide returned with Sideswipe hot on his heels. Bia pulled away from Darren to survey the chaos around her. She was faintly aware that bumblebee had transformed and now stood over her.
"Iron hide, guard Sentinel!" Lennox commanded, the top kick quickly transformed bringing his cannons to the ready.
"Their coming for sentinel, he's the key to the whole thing!" Sam babbled.
"Indeed I am." Bia's head swiveled to look at the now transformed prime. "What you must realize my Autobot brothers, is that we were never going to win the war" Her heart sank and she cursed her intuition. "for the sake of our planets survival a deal had to be made with Megatron"
"No!" she screamed out as the prime released 2 rounds into Ironhide, bringing the huge bot to his knees. Darren grabbed onto her as she made to move towards the injured bot.
"Get back!" Lennox commanded and the crowd moved away from the prime who stood over Ironhide. Bia let herself be pulled by Darren, eyes never leaving the bot.
"What have you done?" Ironhide whimpered, already his metal was corroding away and fluids leaked freely from him. Bia's heart broke seeing the once proud weapon's specialist in such a dismal state. She had never been particularly close to him, but she considered him a friend none the less. Sentinel charged his weapon again and Bia struggled more against Darren's hold knowing what was coming and looking around frantically. Was no one going to stop him?
"I hearby discharge you from duty" the prime boomed before firing another round into Ironhide, which ricocheted off towards bumblebee who stood just beside Bia and Darren, the latter of which shoved her to the floor as the blast impacted sending debris flying. Her head hit the ground hard and for a moment everything blacked out. She could only lay there as slowly her eyes gained their sight back, a ringing filled her ears and all the cries and gunshots were muted. She felt herself being dragged, and didn't fight it. Blinking she found herself inside and she looked around as her vision cleared even more. The ringing began to disappear and a massive head ache took over. Rolling onto her front she propped herself onto her hands and knees looking around wildly. Chaos had ensued at the bot's betrayal, bodies were being dragged into the building and one in particular caught her attention.
"Darren!" she screamed, scrambling towards the limp man who had several soldiers surrounding him. His once light blue shirt was dirty and stained a deep maroon and his face had paled.
"Miss please you can't-" she shoved the soldier who tried to hold her back away and cried out in agony at the sight before her. Touching his face her hands retracted at the already cooling flesh.
"Darren please, no-god- somebody help him" she screamed at the men who surrounded her with solemn faces, but made no move to help "Oh my God get a medic! Ratchet!" she cried out, searching for the neon bot amongst all the chaos. Tears fell freely down her cheeks and she collapsed onto her fiancés chest, clinging to his shirt and mourning his still form.

Optimus looked around at the chaos that surrounded him, eyes clouded with confusion. Screams caught his attention and his optics locked onto Bianca Witwicky, covered in blood, though a quick scan showed it was not her own. His spark sank as he watched her mourn her fallen mate before flickering back to the scene that surrounded him. How had everything gone so wrong?
"Take a good look optimus, this is all on you!" Mearing cursed up at him.

She stared on numbly as N.E.S.T continued to bustle with activity, night had fallen hours ago and Goosebumps covered her arms but she couldn't feel anything. She had refused to move from beside his body until a couple of soldiers coaxed her to let them take him. Now she sat on the cold hard floor, eyes swollen, and unable to breathe through her nose. Her head felt like she had been hit by a truck multiple times over and she was still coated in dried blood, though no amount of coaxing could get her to move from her spot to change. Ratchet kneeled down next to her letting his scanners roam her body.
"Their dead, they're really dead, Ironhide, Darren" she said softly. Ratchet sighed at the mention of his fallen companion. There was nothing he could do to save his old friend.
"In times of war we lose many." She shook her at that as he processed the results he had found.
"I don't understand why him, he wasn't a soldier or an Autobot. Darren just drove cars that's all. Why did he have to die" she looked up at him and ratchet frowned, there wasn't much he could say to console her. Her mate had perished at the mercy of his race's war.
"War touches everyone youngling, it does not discriminate." He watched as more tears surfaced and heaved another great sigh. "You have suffered minor bruising and a concussion, I would suggest minimal movement and do not fall asleep for the next 24 hours" he advised before standing up and moving away. Bia watched him go.
War didn't discriminate, she looked down at her dirty hands. She had escaped death at the hands of the decepticons time and again. Darren hadn't even been in contact with a full-fledged decepticon when he was killed. Her fists clenched, this wasn't their war, this wasn't even the Autobots planet. Hate consumed the pain and she punched the floor in anger before crying out and cradling her now throbbing hand. The brief rage disappearing and yet again being replaced by sadness.
"Bianca Witwickey?" she looked up to see a young man and her mind whirred, feeling like she should know who he was. "Sargent Finney, it's a pleasure to make you acquaintance again." He saluted. The name dawned recognition and she forced a smile, though it felt much more like a grimace.
"I wish I could say the same but," she faltered and he nodded understanding.
"I wish we would meet under better circumstances" she agreed looking back to the stained floor to her left.
"I'm sorry to interrupt Miss Witwicky, but Director Mearing has requested your presence and that, well in all due respect miss that you wash up." She looked up at the man searching his face.
"I'm sorry but I can't leave him." She stated simply. Finney frowned down at the woman who was obviously in mourning.
"He's gone. Sitting here will not bring him back" her head snapped up to him and wide, wounded eyes stared at him.
"How could you say that" he knelt down, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"I know it's hard but, you need to keep moving. The decepticons are on the move, and if we don't hurry their going to hurt more people." She searched his face and found enough strength to help him pull her to her feet. He smiled softly at her. "Let's get you cleaned up."

"Defenders of earth we have come for your natural resources to rebuild our damaged planet. Once we transported all we need we will leave your world in peace for such peace to exist you must you must immediately exile the Autobot rebels you have harbored. Non-negotiable. Relinquish the rebels; we will wait for your reply."
Bia played the audio over and over again, trying to wrap her head around the facts, they were really going to make the Autobots leave. Steps caught her attention and Bia's head shot up seeing Sam and Mearing enter the jet.
"Sam!" she cried, flinging herself onto the startled boy.
"B-Bia" he stammered, surprised at the girls presence, he held her out at arm's length. "What, are you doing here, where's Darren?" he watched as her features darkened at the name.
"Darren's dead Sam" she whispered. Sam felt his stomach drop out and searched her face for answers. He had rushed off so quickly to find Carly that he hadn't even given Bia or Darren a second thought. Guilt ate at his insides know he was the reason they were there last night.
"I'm sorry" was all he could muster.
~~~

It was like a funeral procession, as the Autobots were escorted in a single file line to the Zanthiam. It seemed so surreal as Bia watched in a somber mood, much like those around her. Sam stood at her side as Optimus approached them.
"What your leaders say is true, this is all my fault. I told them who to trust; I was so wrong"
"That doesn't make it your fault, it just makes you human for a change" Sam argued.
"Remember this, you may lose faith in us but never in yourself." He turned to leave and Sam groaned, Bia looked at the boy whose face was contorted in pain
"Sam?" she asked concerned. But he ignored her and walked towards Optimus,
"I need to know how you're going to fight back, I know there's a strategy your coming back with reinforcements, I know there's a plan. You can tell me no other human will ever know" Bia listened on from her place a few paces behind Sam and frowned. He seemed so desperate, should she be too?
"There is no plan."
"If we just do what they want how will we live with ourselves.
"You are my friend Sam, you always will be. But your leaders have spoken. From here we leave the fight in your hands." With that he turned to leave.
"Make it quick" he noted to Bumblebee who cautiously stepped towards the group.
"Were gunna do whatever we can…make it like it was…you will always be my friend..Sam…Gotta get going now." He turned towards Bia and she looked away biting her lip. He stepped up to and kneeled down.
"Bia…" she looked up at him through watery brown eyes.
"I'm sorry, I can't do this. Not again" she whimpered turning away and taking a few short steps away from the bot. with every step she took away from him it felt like another stake was driven through her heart. She had already lost him once, now she was about to lose him again, and so soon after Darren. A single tear fell. She wouldn't say goodbye, she refused. She didn't say it last time and he had found her again, she knew it naive but a part of her hoped that if she didn't say it he would come back. She heard his sigh before turning and walking away, the whole time she refused to look back, coming to stop next to Simmons who stared up at the ship.
"years from now they're going to ask us, where were you when they took over the planet. Were just going to say we stood by and watched."

Bia shivered as a soft breeze ruffled her hair. Dusk was falling, it was almost time. Sam had moved off to watch the launch from a different position, but she had stayed put, refusing to look at the craft still. As if to echo her thoughts a countdown began over the speakers. Her fists clenched as she listened.
5
Backing out of the drive way she drove slowly down the street, and Bee couldn't help the groan of his engine. If felt so good to be moving again, then noticed the human had not put her seatbelt on and clicked it on for her, causing her to jump.
She grabbed at the belt and pulled but he wouldn't let up on his hold. Sam had been very clear about protocols with Bia in the car seeing as her parents had just perished in an automotive accident and one of the first rules was the seatbelt rule.
Sighing she went to unbuckle the belt but bee was fed up.
He took control of the wheel and pulled down a road and his radio flickered on

Click it or ticket! A voice boomed through the radio with sirens in the background. She gasped and began to fight for control of the wheel which he let her have back.
Unfortunately though she quickly u-turned at the next light and traced her route back home, the whole time muttering about how the car was possessed.

4

Air whipped her unbrushed hair across her face and she flailed hopelessly, she was going to die. She was going to end up as a stain on the cold unforgiving cement below her.
As she fell she noticed a sudden blur of movement racing towards her, her watery brown eyes locked onto ice blue ones that now soared towards her. She recognized the yellow and black paint that decorated his body and reached out to him, her fear of the giant robots momentarily being replaced by the fear of falling to her death.
Hands closed around her, creating a small cocoon as Bumblebee tumbled through the wall of the warehouse, rolling to try and reduce impact.
He winced as he heard the terrified cries of the girl he clutched to his chest and tried to steady the bumpy ride for her sake. As he skidded to a halt he gingerly opened the small fortress his hands made to see two small, startled eyes staring back at him.

3

"I'd swear my car had a crush on you" she looked to him with raised eyebrows.
"Is that even possible? Were different species Sam" she commented dryly. Bumblebee chirped indignantly and she smiled at his dash. "I think your embarrassing him Sam" she teased.
"He intervened with my love life, Karma" he shrugged and a gargle of angry static filled the car before a voice sounded.

2

"I want you to be happy Bia, with me" he said and she took a step back at the confession.
"Bee…" she shook her head, sad tears falling. "I can't…you're not…this isnt" He frowned and looked down at his holoform.
"If this form is not pleasing I can be whoever you wish." And before she could say anything the image began flashing with different attributes, brown eyes, black hair, tall, short, built skinny. It was too much to handle. She thrust her hands forward only to have them fall through the form. She bit her and Bee's form hopping ceased. She shook her head.
"I can't bee, this isn't…you're not." The tears continued to fall. He deactivated his holoform and reached towards her in his real body she quickly stepped away. With a sniffle and a sorry she bolted away and into the house.

1

"Why didn't you answer my calls?" she asked, looking back up at him. He frowned, the truth? He was afraid, afraid that she would deny him again, so he never gave her that chance. "I missed you" she finished after a moment of silence, hugging his thumb once again.

She spun around at the sound of the rockets propelling the ship into the air, at first walking, before going into a full run until she reached the end of the platform, all the while never letting her eyes leave the ship. She watched with a heavy heart as the ship continued to propel itself further away from her when a glint caught her eye.
Squinting into the sky she watched as it neared the ship, before multiple projectiles were released and sent flying towards the Autobot space craft.
"NO!" she screamed out upon the missiles impact, collapsing to her knees. A new wave of numbness was taking over as she screamed at the sky which was now decorate with smoke and fire. She couldn't tear her eyes away from the destruction before her, and her world seemed to crash around her like the debris that now fell into the ocean below.
Sam watched on, numb. Bia's screaming enough for the both of them.

Whoa hoa hoa, a lot happened eh? And I updated so soon ; ) what can I say, I spent my day off in bed, curled up watching Transformers.
So, we lost Darren in this chapter, thoughts? Would you have been able to say goodbye to Bee? Both men she loved are now dead, what will Bia's next move be? Will she venture to Chicago to save Carly with Sam? How will she take Bee's return?
As always revies = 3 : D