Chapter 7

Later that night, Optimus' holoform and I sat at the island in the kitchen. I was attempting to teach Optimus how to play poker only…instead of using poker chips, we were using cheese puffs. Both of us were looking at our hands when I looked up and cringed.

Optimus looked up smiling. "This game comes down to this last hand, does it not?"

I nodded uneasily and sat back...trying to keep it cool and show a good 'poker-face'. "So Prime, you gonna just talk or are you going to place your final bet?"

Optimus sat still and remained silent for a moment as he sat back in his chair looking at his hand, then looked at me. I looked down at my hand and then back at him. Damn this guy's face was hard to read…he was a NATURAL at playing poker. Just then he slowly sat forward …grinning. He then pushed his entire pile of cheese puffs in.

I looked up smirking and just had to ask. "Ooooooooo, are we feeling just a little bit cocky this evening?"

Optimus just smiled as he laid down his hand and sat back while crossing his arms.

I leaned forward and then looked up at him raising an eye brow in surprise. "Four of a kind?"

I rubbed the back of my neck and sat back whispering "…shit."

Optimus just sat there…beaming with pride…cocky pride. "Not bad for a bot who's never played before; wouldn't you say?"

Looking at my hand I casually shook my head. I had to give Prime credit…he's good, he learns fast…but…I have been playing poker with my dad and his buddies every Saturday night since I was five years old…I KNOW how to play the game…and I've become one of the BEST in Medbrook. Optimus WAS NOT going to beat me on his first try.

I smiled mischievously and started laughing; looks like my poker-face held out long enough. "Yeah, you're good for a beginner…but not good enough…"

Just then I slammed my hand down on the table. "Royal flush! Consider yourself 'owned' "Prime"!"

I then swept up all the cheese puffs and sat back in my chair triumphantly and turned hitting the remote for the stereo system which started to play Lady Gaga's 'Poker Face'. Like I said…I NEVER lose at my best game. Optimus fell right into my web, and I caught him like a helpless fly. Victory never felt so sweet…or in this case…cheesy!

Optimus' holoform looked me up and down with an open mouth before speaking. "You cheated."

I just sat there smiling talking in the way you would to a baby. "Ohhhhhh, what's the madder, did the big bad semi twuck get beatted by a wittle human? Hmmmm?"

Slowly, Optimus got up and circled the table. My eyes traveled as he slowly stalked around the table…keeping his eyes glued on me. I got little warning as to what he did next.

Just then he lurched at me and then jabbed my sides and started tickling me. "You cheated!"

I hit the floor laughing hard enough to probably make me go into shock.

"I did not! You're just not as good as me!"

Optimus then picked me up off the floor and tickled me again. "You may be good at this game of poker but you will never beat me at hand-to-hand combat."

I couldn't help but kick and scream.

"It's not fair that you're strong enough to hold me with one arm and tickle me with the other!"

Optimus just laughed jutting out his chest. "Grace…as a friendly word of advice…life isn't fair, so get used to it."

"Oh really smooth Prime you think that just because you're—!"

Suddenly there was a knock on the door.

Both Optimus and I looked up and became quiet.

There was another knock on the door.

Gently setting me down on the floor, Optimus pointed to one of the chairs by the island. "Stay there."

I sat there and watched quietly as Optimus went to the door and slowly opened it.

Just then a man who looked like Kenny Chesney but larger (as in bigger built with WAY more muscle) and more facial hair shoved his way in. He was wearing a tight black T-Shirt with black khaki pants and black army boots. He LITTERALY shoved his way in and immediately turned around and poked Optimus' holoform in the chest.

"Alright Prime, what makes you think you can go three earth weeks without checking in at N.E.S.T.? Do you realize how much slag Galloway is stirring up since you're not there?"

Prime just stood there and sighed. "It's nice to see you too IronHide, but do you really think pushing your way into Grace's home was necessary?"

The man raised an eye brow and scoffed. "Grace? Who the hell is Grace?"

Optimus' holoform then motioned toward me who was sitting at the island looking the new face in my house up and down.

IronHide (as I came to know him) looked me up and down and then looked back at Optimus. "I thought you were looking for an All-Spark fragment, not another human civilian for a pet…we've already got three of those! Sam, Mikaela and Leo…that's THREE Prime! Do we really need another?"

Okay, the next thing I did might not have been the best way to carry out beginning introductions, but…this guy had an attitude that I didn't exactly like. Slowly walking up to the new guy, I stood casually…waiting. "Excuse me stranger who just waltzes into my house…" Just then I slammed my foot down on top of his as hard as I could muster. "FYI, I am NOT a pet!"

"OWWWWWWWW! WHY YOU LITTLE—!"

Jumping around the room holding his foot, IronHide screamed and cursed in the same strange language that I caught Prime talking in when he tried to make me a BLT. Well, actually I didn't know if he was cursing or not but it was a PRETTY good guess.

Without a change to his expression, Prime just watched casually as IronHide hopped around holding his foot.

Chuckling Optimus shook his head. "I should really have given you fair warning about Grace IronHide, she has somewhat of a …shall we say…feisty state of mind."

IronHide looked up scowling and still holding his foot. "NOW YOU TELL ME!"

Holding up a fist I scowled back. "Watch it buddy, or I'll sock ya' so hard in the nuts you won't be able to walk for a week!"

IronHide looked up at Prime freezing in mid hop. Optimus just chuckled shaking his head. "Like I said…she's feisty."

Crossing my arms I growled. "Okay, so what, are you like a robot too?"

IronHide looked up. "She knows about us?"

Optimus just nodded. "She knows."

Not looking away I huffed. "Well, what are you? Car, truck, go-cart, what?"

Sitting on the floor, IronHide looked up and growled. "A truck…actually."

Getting a little cocky I smiled mischievously. "What KIND of truck? Semi like Prime or something else. Pick-up maybe?"

"I transform into what you humans call a 'Topkick' pick-up."

Suddenly the room got really quiet, that was until I ran out the door screaming.

"OH MY GOD I HAVE TO SEE THIS!"

"Grace, wait a second!" Optimus reached out trying to stop me, but failed as I slipped past him out the door.

Stopping suddenly on the deck I could feel my heart rate double. Parked in my drive-way next to Optimus' Peterbuilt self was the exact kind of truck that I've always wanted ever since I saw it on Motor Weekly. A 2010 GMC diesel topkick pick-up and it was black too, my favorite color!

Feeling a hand on my shoulder I was forced to look up. It was Optimus' holoform.

"Haven't you ever heard the saying: look before you leap?"

Looking up grinning I shrugged. "Technically I didn't leap, I ran."

Chuckling, Optimus shifted his hand from my shoulder to my head. "You know, if I knew that sarcasm was your fine point, I think that I would have thought twice before coming here to Medbrook."

"Prime, you never answered my question…"

Both Prime and I looked behind us to see IronHide walking out the door.

"Why haven't you contacted us at NEST, Galloway has been stirring up a storm like you wouldn't believe."

"Oh?"

Optimus Prime and his weapons specialist IronHide. Two incredibly strong and intelligent warriors as I would later come to know. I watched silently as their two holoforms talked back and forth about things I could never begin to understand or even believe.

Crossing his arms IronHide growled. "So you haven't answered back because of THAT one?" He then motioned toward me.

Optimus just growled back pushed IronHide's pointing hand away. "THAT one as you put it has a name you know."

"Personally Prime I really don't—HEY!"

Both IronHide and Prime froze I stood beside the large topkick with a metal bat in my hands, with my body ready to swing at full strength. "Listen here robot…talk about me like that…ONE MORE TIME…I DARE you…"

IronHide growled lowering a watchful eye under the visor of his cowboy hat. "Don't even think about it kid… you so much as put a dent in my armor and so help me…Prime won't even be able to stop me from shoving that weapon you've got up your aft!"

"IronHide!" Prime grabbed IronHide's shoulder swinging him around. "She is just a child!"

Trying to pull himself back around, IronHide snapped. "I don't care if she's a child or not! If she takes one swing at me I'll make sure she wishes she never came online!"

Tightening my grip on the bat, I grit my teeth trying to hold back the growing urge to swing. "You think I'm scared of you? Well I'm not!"

I couldn't hold back…

…I couldn't stop the rage….

…I could only swing…

The sound of glass shattering and metal bending was the only the beginning.

It happened in only seconds but it seemed like an eternity. Prime yelled. So did IronHide.

One was yelling out of worry for me, the other yelling out in fury.

Breaking away from Optimus IronHide's holoform bolted for me screaming.

"I'M GONNA KILL YOU YA' LITTLE RUNT!"

He charged at me so fast I didn't even have time to move. He was only an inch away from me before his holoform suddenly vanished.

Then without warning…

Something behind me started to shift and move. Parts slid and rotated making loud metallic sounds behind me. Now that I think about it, I probably shouldn't have turned around at that moment but my curiosity got the better of me.

Looking over my shoulder, I suddenly felt cold and isolated.

He was huge. Okay, he wasn't as tall as Optimus, I don't think but he defiantly had bulk. Big black bulk. And the deep, furious blue optics staring down at me didn't help.

He stared at me pointing to his driver side window and growled. "You're gonna wish you didn't do that."

Just then he lunged for me with open metallic hands.

I remember cringing and trying to protect my head…waiting for it…but…it never came.

Looking up…I…I couldn't believe what I saw.

"IronHide! She is just a child, she didn't meant to openly attack you; it was just instinct's. She really is a good kid once you get to know her."

"Why should I get to know her Prime? She broke my driver's side window and dented my door! Oh-ho when I get my hands on that kid…Primus help her."

"I hate to break it to you old friend, but as long as I am here, you will not harm her!"

"Harm her? If anything Prime its revenge! She hit me first!"

"With good reason IronHide. With all the insults she was receiving from you…if in her position I would probably done the same."

For me it was truly an amazing sight. Two machines. Two warriors from another world…standing right in my driveway.

Optimus stood motionless at his full height holding IronHide with his arms; locked against his chest. Literally holding him up off the ground.

IronHide struggled to break free from the massive red and blue flamed mech's grasp, but Optimus held steady. Optimus shook his head and spoke slowly. "IronHide, I'm sure that Grace would be more than willing to apologize if YOU were more willing to restrain yourself from harming her."

I watched in awe as Optimus restrained the black mech with almost no effort at all. And…he was doing it to…to protect me.

"IronHide…"

Looking up IronHide growled. "What?"

Returning the stared, but in a much colder way Optimus spoke. "When I put you down, you WILL NOT make any attempt to harm Grace…do I make myself clear?"

There was a long pause as IronHide tried to stare Optimus down, but Optimus wouldn't give. The look he was giving the big black mech was enough to send shivers down my spine.

Finally looking away IronHide just nonchalantly chuckled trying not to show the fact that he knew he had been beat.

"Okay boss, I won't harm your pretty little pet human."

"What?"

I almost laughed at how Optimus' voice seemed to get at that moment.

IronHide just smiled to himself. "Oh come on Prime, don't think I haven't figured it out yet."

Optimus just growled back. "Figured what out exactly?"

IronHide's smile just seemed to get bigger. "But Prime, I thought you knew already?"

"Stop toying with me IronHide!"

Just then Prime threw Hide down to the ground and groaned.

"Do you think that by changing the subject you can escape the fact that you openly tried to attack Grace?"

Looking up from the ground IronHide laughed and pointed to Prime. "Now who's the one changing the subject?"

"IronHide!"

Leaning down, Prime grabbed IronHide's chest armor and hoisted him up like he was nothing.

Suddenly I noticed something.

"Uh guys?"

Trying to get their attention, I just slumped in defeat. They weren't gonna stop.

"IronHide, you've got some nerve thinking you can accuse me of changing the subject."

"What's the matter Prime, you don't want to talk about your new pet?"

"She is NOT a pet IronHide!"

"Then why are you getting so defensive?"

"I'm NOT getting defensive!"

"Then what do you call this?"

Looking back down the street, I realized that whatever or whoever was coming, they were gonna be here pretty quick. I had to do something because obviously the sight of two two-story robots wouldn't be taken lightly here in town and those two fighting looked like they were not going to stop on their own. Realizing I had to something…I did the one thing that I knew I was good at. I yelled.

"HEY WILL YOU TWO JUST KNOCK IT OFF! SHEESH, you two fight like a couple of old women! In case you two haven't noticed someone is coming and I don't really think the sight of two giant alien robots in my drive-way will go over very well, do you?"

Stopping in mid-argument, both Optimus and IronHide looked down the street and then back at each other before transforming back into their vehicle modes only to activate their holoforms. Right as the transformation process between the two was completed a large dark green duly pick-up truck pulled into the drive way. I had to admit, for giant alien robots…they did have good timing.

Slowly the door of the green truck opened and my dad climbed out.

I could tell right away that he wasn't pleased about seeing a large black topkick pick-up truck parked in his drive-way and a large man whom he didn't know standing next to Optimus' holoform.

Stopping just feet away from us, my dad passed an uneasy glance to the truck, then to the man and then to Optimus' holoform and me. "Peter…what's going on here?"

My dad then passed an even more uneasy glance to IronHide's holoform then back to Optimus. "Peter, who is this?"

Right away I could tell in dad voice that he was not pleased…at all.

Looking over at Optimus, I knew right away that he and IronHide were searching one another for an answer. Optimus apparently as I knew from experience, was good at coming up with cover-up stories, but not when there was two of them to lie about. So…I stepped in. I knew my dad and I knew what things he would and would not believe.

"Uh…they…they're brothers dad!"

"Brothers?" My dad first looked me up and down and then Prime and IronHide. "Really? I mean no offense to you Peter or him but you two don't even look alike."

I smiled knowing that I had to keep it up. "Oh, well…that's because they're step-brothers dad."

Looking up my dad raised an eye brow. "Really?"

Looking I smiled. "Yep. I couldn't believe it either but it's true."

Oh goody dad was actually believing it.

"So Peter, this is you're step-brother?"

I looked at Optimus over my shoulder praying to God he'd play along. Optimus' holoform eyes met mine. I think he got the message.

Looking up at my dad Optimus' holoform threw an arm around IronHide's holoform's shoulders.

"Oh yes, Ian and I may be step-brothers but we count ourselves no different from blood-relation."

IronHide's holoform just slowly turned to Optimus with a stupid look on his face. "What?"

Without my dad seeing it, Optimus jammed his foot on top of IronHide's holoform foot. IronHide cringed and wanted to yell but held it as Optimus leaned over and whispered. "Please, for both our sakes just play along!"

"Why? You stepped on my ped!"

Staring Hide in the eye Prime just growled lowly. "Just do it! That's an order!"

IronHide looked away nodding just noticeably then looked up with a convincing fake smile. "Oh yeah, Petey and I go way back."

Folding his arms my dad did his legendary 'oh-really' look. "So Ian, may I ask what brings you here?"

IronHide's holoform just smiled and shrugged. "I was just bringing something to him but he wasn't at his apartment so when I called him he told me he was here."

Just listening to IronHide I could tell right away; when you get him going on a group lie, he was good at playing along. But my dad still didn't seem quite convinced.

"So Ian, why didn't you just wait at Peter's apartment? Why did you come out here?"

I could tell right away that my dad was beginning to get hostel. Apparently Optimus sensed it too and took action.

"My apologies Jeff, I probably should have called you first but I honestly thought that Ian was going to be gone before you returned."

My dad looked at me, then at IronHide then at Optimus. "Peter, could I talk to you privately?"

Optimus passed an uneasy glance to both me and Hide before nodding and walking a few yards away into the street with my dad. Just standing there watching from a distance as Prime and dad talked made me beyond uncomfortable…but standing next to IronHide just made it all the more worse.

I saw dad and Optimus' lips moving but I didn't know what they were saying. That alone was enough to drive me over the edge.

"He likes ya you know."

Looking up I saw IronHide watching intently not even looking at me.

"What?"

Looking out from under his hat at me he huffed. "I've probably known Prime longer than any other mech and I can read him pretty good…he likes you kid."

Looking away from his almost cold glance I just shrugged. "So…"

IronHide also looked away and scoffed almost mockingly. "That's actually extremely odd for Prime."

Looking back up at him I couldn't help but give in to the sudden urge to ask. "Why is it odd?"

IronHide looked back at me with 'really?' written on his face but just sighed instead. "You're just a kid so this might be hard to understand…but Prime has never really been the type of mech or being really for that matter to really let anyone close…and I mean anyone."

I looked away only being able to whisper. "Oh."

IronHide looked at me out of the corner of his eye and sighed tiredly. "You must really have something special kid. Because I've never seen Prime gets that protective over anyone…"

He then laughed and shook his head smiling. "…not even Sam…"

I could help but feel a little flabbergasted and had to turn away. "Why?"

IronHide just shrugged. "Pit if I know."

Just then my dad and Optimus came back to the group and my dad reached out a hand to IronHide. "I'm very sorry about the inconvenience, and it was a pleasure meeting you, but Grace and I have to take our leave."

IronHide's holoform simply nodded taking my father's hand and shaking it. "I'm sorry too and I hope that you have a good evening."

Just then IronHide's holoform started toward his own Topkick self with Optimus' holoform following close behind.

Resting a hand on my shoulder, my father slowly lead me away into the house. After being inside he turned and looked at me. "it's starting to get late Grace, maybe it's time for you to go to bed."

…

…

Later that night as I lay awake in bed, she couldn't help but wonder what IronHide meant when he said that Optimus must like me. I wondered why he would like me. What was there to like? All my life I was often the scapegoat of other people's problems and the butt end of most jokes. I was a loner…a regular kid…a nobody. What could Prime possibly see in me other than the fact that I had a shard of their All-Spark?