Hey, it's TKDrift.

I, REALLY apologize for the late update. SATs are coming soon and I have really little free time now due to that and I used most of it on this for everyone.

I hate to break the news, but this is the 2nd-to-last chapter. And it all comes down to this; Leo enters the picture. Why? Cause he just disappeared. Something's gotta explain what happened to him.

Also, for this chapter I don't really know if preschools do field trips to the military so if they don't, I apologize for my misunderstanding.

Chapter 6: The field trip

It was just another day of preschool. And Annabelle was anxious for some reason, even more than she usually was.

"Ok, class" Mrs. Johnson announced as she got everyone's attention. "Today I have something big to tell you. Tomorrow we're going on a field trip."

That was a surprise to everyone, as it was the first time they had a field trip. Well at least in a long time.

"Where are we going?" Carl asked.

"We are going to see the people who protect our country. Tomorrow, we're going to visit a military station."

That was a surprise for everyone, including Annabelle. Mentions of the military was only when Carl or any of the boys were asked on what their dream was and some of them would reply "I want to be a soldier and defend our country", but other than that, there was no mention of the military or anything.

"So everyone, you must be ready to face the men and women whom you might become. And I'll see you tomorrow"

To Ironhide, little kids rambling about their excitement was something he wasn't used to. The term 'kid' to the Cybertronian at this point in his life was in human standards/terms, high-school students. Because of this, rambling about excitement (at least in his book), would only result in traumatization or death.

So it was then that she was rambling about her excitement about the upcoming day to the old veteran Autobot all the way back home. He could only wonder how a little person like her could talk that much without taking a breath.

"So then Suzie was all scared because it's going to be her first time seeing a gun and really big men. But I think that all the-"

"Alright, alright" he chuckled. "Take a breath, Annabelle. We're home"

"We are?" the child was so excited that she hadn't notice that time was passing.

"Tomorrow's going to be so much fun!"

Ironhide could simply chuckle as the five-year-old ran out of the disguised Cybertronian and into her mother's arms who as waiting at the door.

To someone like Sarah Lennox, with a robot alien as the family vehicle and a soldier for a husband, life was…well, not quiet. She had spent her past summer stressing over a college student and his girlfriend and her truck's "family reunion". And more recently, her daughter had gone off on a flight and she had yelled her throat out at the 'pilot'. Now her daughter was going on a field trip to the military, which to the little girl was nothing more than a "Bring-your-daughter-to-work" day without her father. But still, at least there was SOMEONE responsible that could take care of Annabelle, unlike the two college students and the towering Cybertronians. And she knew just the right person for it.

So after making sure Annabelle wasn't around, Sarah quickly bolted towards the house phone. Dialing swiftly, she patiently waited for the other person to pick up.

"Hello?"

"Hey Sam, this is Mrs. Lennox. I need to talk to you about something…"

The next day…

The bus ride to the military post was shorter than expected, but that wasn't what had Mrs. Johnson nervous. She knew that Annabelle Lennox's father was a soldier, and a rather experienced one. Any insult (intentional or unintentional) towards him or the soldiers in general would result in the little girl hitting someone again; Carl had learned this the hard way.

But her thoughts were brought to a literal halt when the bus stopped and she bumped her head on the seat in front of her.

"Ok class…" she said, ignoring the subsequent laughter coming from the 2 row of preschoolers behind her, "…..we're here."

As everyone got out of the bus, the youngest Lennox looked around. It was like the base in Diego Garcia, except no beaches and pine trees. But it was then when that someone showed up.

He was perhaps around Sam and Carly's age, with brownish-black curly hair and rather brown skin. Funny enough, he looked like one of those funny people or 'comedians' (whatever those were) on TV.

"Excuse me are you the preschoolers that were coming today?" he asked Mrs. Johnson.

Mrs. Johnson replied with a short "yes" and nod.

"Alright then, everyone may I please have your attention?" the man asked, snapping his fingers.

Quickly, all her classmates and friends gathered, forming a semi-circle around Mrs. Johnson and the guide

"Hello kids, my name is Leonardo Spitz and I'll be your guide for today" he answered with a small bow. "Feel free to ask anyone here for questions during this time. We will have lunch at 12:10. Now, are there any questions before we head to our first part?"

Much to Annabelle's surprise, no one said anything.

"No? Alright then, follow me please" Mr. Spitz said starting to walk.

As she followed the man with her teacher and classmates, Annabelle looked around again. There were jeeps and a few cars, along with their bus parked in the parking lot. One car looked strangely familiar, but then again it didn't. Shaking her head, she turned her head back to her friends and walked on.

Leo knew that he wasn't exactly military. He was just there for internships, but Lennox, Sam, Ironhide, Carly and even Simmons had insisted that he be the tour guide to help prevent Annabelle from wandering off, not that Mrs. Lennox had trusted him (But he was still better than nothing). Still, it was going good so far as he could tell, since the girl seemed fine and not running away or suspicious or whatsoever. Surprisingly, it also seemed like Annabelle hadn't noticed that Sideswipe was in the parking lot, ironically parked right next to her school bus. But according to the silver Autobot, she was known to be mischievous and often struck at the least unexpected time. Leo could only shake his head and fear for the worst AND hope for the best. With that resolve, he focused his attention back at the preschoolers.

I know Leo interacted with the Twins more but I made Sideswipe his 'car' so it fits the whole Best-friend thing (I like to think Leo is Sam's best friend and the Transformers Website once said that Sideswipe's best friend was Bumblebee).

Read & review please.

This is TKDrift, signing off.