Sorry for the wait on this chapter, it took me forever to write since it was so long. Anywho, thanks to all of those who are reading and reviewing this story, I really appreciate it.

Chapter 6: Life is Caving In

When Alexis woke up the next morning, she wasn't sure what it was that was bothering her the most. Rad was ready to kill someone to try and get her home, Starscream wanted her to go with him, and there was a message on her phone from Professor Suzuki saying that Colonel Franklin was coming to the North Pole to meet specifically with her. Alexis sighed heavily as she sipped her coffee. She hated her life.

The woman, once showered and dressed, left her room and headed for the command center wondering what she could tell the professor to use as an excuse for her absence. "Tell him I died," she thought, "Tell him I got abducted by aliens, that'd be more truthful." Alexis figured that the professor could just tell the colonel that she was in town on assignment or that she was a stupid, bumbling, idiot and was sent back home. Or her absence could be more practical and Lucy Suzuki could just say she got lost in the North Pole. She was lost in her own life crisis anyway.

Alexis took out her cellphone and called the professor back. She figured she'd get this settled now before she had time to really start worrying about it. She listened as the phone rang a couple times before a female voice answered, "Hello, Lucy Suzuki speaking."

"Hey professor, it's Alexis,"

"Ah Alexis, it's good to hear from you. I take it you got my message?"

"Yes, look I really don't think the autobots are going to want to take me back up to the North Pole—

"I figured, that's quite alright. Colonel Franklin isn't coming until Friday. We'll just think of an excuse for you absence," the professor explained.

"Could you give me his number? Maybe I could sort this out by telling him I quit and went home,"

"No, he'll suspect something then. I'll just call him up and tell him I transferred you to my office in Denver, Colorado to examine my artifacts there, trust me, he won't have a problem with that,"

"That's good, but what if he still wants to meet with me?"

"How far away are you from Denver?"

"Not very far…I see your point. Well, thanks Lucy, let me know what happens," Alexis remarked.

"Okay, I will. Well, I'll talk to you later. Good luck with the autobots, and with Starscream," Professor Suzuki replied and then hung up.

Alexis stared at the phone a minute. Just what had the professor meant by that? Good luck with Starscream. She had Rad, Starscream shouldn't even be a part of the picture, and yet he was. The woman sighed heavily, put the phone in her pocket, and went to step forward when she suddenly crashed into a giant metal leg. "Oh, sorry Optimus, I didn't see you standing there," Alexis exclaimed and then did a double take, "Optimus!"

The autobot leader chuckled, "Hello Alexis, I guess it's true that you are here. It's good to see you again."

"Oh Optimus," Alexis breathed and hugged his leg, "I've missed you."

"I've missed you too," he remarked picking her up in his hand, "So how is life with you?"

"Well, in general, it's been terrible lately," Alexis explained, "But whose life isn't?"

"Terrible? Why is it terrible?"

"I'd rather not talk about it,"

"I understand. If you ever need anything Alexis, just ask me or any of the autobots here. We're all here for you and we all care about you," Optimus stated.

"Thank you Optimus," she said.

The autobot leader nodded, "You know, Leobreaker, Vector Prime, and I just returned from Jungle Planet for repairs. We're returning tomorrow, Lori is coming with us, perhaps you would like to come too?"

Alexis felt the thrill and excitement course through her that she hadn't really felt in twenty years. She opened her mouth hell bent on agreeing and then remembered Colonel Franklin. "As much as I would love to, I can't. I've got duties here on earth," Alexis answered sadly.

"I see. Well, let me know if you change your mind," he said and set her down.

"Alright,"

"It truly is nice seeing you again," Optimus exclaimed and then turned and walked away.

Alexis turned and went back to her room. She sat down on the couch and curled herself up into a ball. Everything the woman knew and loved was being kept from her. Her husband was threatening her; she couldn't do anything she truly wanted to anymore, everything was caving in. Life wasn't, life isn't fair, and Alexis was finding this out the hard way.

Alexis desperately wanted to tell someone what was going on, someone who would listen and comfort her, but she was afraid. She was afraid of what the others might think. In the past, she was strong, determined, and brave. But now, she felt weak, she felt lost, and she felt afraid. Alexis knew she was emotional, she just wasn't sure the autobots knew she was. Rad knew, but Rad was the last person she wanted to confide in.

There was an easy way out of this though. Alexis could call up Colonel Franklin, tell him she quit, and then she could call Rad and tell him it was over, but then what? She could go with Starscream, but Alexis wasn't sure she could trust him. Sure, he seemed friendly enough, but he was a full-blooded decepticon, what if it was just an act? But that was the cowards' way out, and she sure didn't want to be called a coward.

Her phone rang in her pocket and Alexis took it out and answered it saying, "Hello, Alexis speaking."

"Hi, it's me Lucy. I called the colonel and he said that you being in Colorado is perfectly fine,"

"Does he still want to meet with me?"

"No, actually, I'm not quite sure why he changed his mind,"

"Well, it's quite alright," Alexis answered, "I'll talk to you later."

"Right, but like I said before, good luck," the professor exclaimed and hung up.

Alexis let out a squeal, she could go with the autobots now, and Rad surely wasn't going to stop her from going. Maybe, if she felt like it, she she'd tell him about the transformers when she got back. Right now all she had to do was tell Optimus. Perhaps things were starting to look up. Deciding not to jinx herself, Alexis quickly made her way to the command center. To her relief, Optimus was in there and he was alone.

The autobot leader noticed her come in and asked, "What's up Alexis?"

"Well, I don't have any duties anymore, and I was wondering if I could still go to Jungle Planet," Alexis stated feeling a little awkward.

"Of course Alexis, just as long as you didn't cancel something too important," Optimus replied.

"Actually, he canceled on me. And before you ask, no it wasn't a dinner date with an extremely hot guy,"

He chuckled, "I wasn't going to ask. I've already been informed that you are married to Rad."

"Let me guess, Scattershot told you,"

"Yes, but don't hold it to him. Just how is Rad anyway, and Carlos?"

Alexis looked away with tears in her eyes and Optimus could clearly see that he had struck a nerve. "I'm sorry Alexis, you don't have to answer—

"Carlos is dead," she exclaimed trying to bite back the tears.

The autobot leader's optics widened as shock coursed through him. "Dead?" he repeated too stunned to believe it.

"He died last year, he was coming home from work when a drunk driver hit his car from behind. He wasn't wearing his seat belt, and the impact caused him to fly through the windshield and into an oncoming car. The police said he died before he was ejected, but I'm not sure," she explained, her voice cracking from sadness.

Optimus felt remorse and sorrow stabbing at him. A little piece of his spark felt gone, it was the piece where Carlos had been. He was such a free spirited, caring, charming guy. Optimus couldn't believe he was gone; he didn't want to believe he was. "I hope that drunk driver got what he deserved," the autobot leader remarked softly.

"They haven't caught him yet,"

"What about Rad, please tell me he's alright,"

"I'd rather not talk about him," Alexis said bitterly, surprised at how quickly anger could replace sadness.

"Why not?"

"It's not important. He's fine; other than he's got a drinking and temper problem. He's had them for a few years now,"

"Perhaps he should come here, that might solve some of his woes,"

"I guess that's not too bad of an idea, let me give him a call," Alexis exclaimed and took out her phone. She dialed home and waited as the phone rang a few times.

Finally Rad answered saying, "Hello?"

"Hey Rad, it's me, look I've got some good news,"

"What? Are you coming home?"

"No, but you can come here to Colorado with me,"

"Colorado? I thought you were in the North Pole," Rad said.

"I was, until I came across the autobots," Alexis exclaimed and had to suppress a chuckle when she heard Rad drop the phone.

"You're kidding, right?"

"I'm standing right in front of Optimus Prime, do you think I'm kidding?"

"Oh Alexis," he remarked sounding thirteen again, "Can I come? Can I please come?"

"Sure, I'll stop by later to pick you up," Alexis stated, "Bye Rad."

He hung up without saying goodbye. Alexis brushed it off and Optimus looked down at her. "Hotshot blends in the most. Once his repairs are finished you can go with him to pick up Rad," Optimus explained.

Alexis nodded, thanked him, and left the room. She certainly wasn't thrilled that he was coming up, but she didn't want to give Optimus too much of a hint that they weren't getting along. The woman went back to her room and freshened up a bit. She then went over and sat on the couch. She was hungry now, and spied a small fridge in what looked to be a small kitchen. She rummaged around and eventually settle for a sandwich. Once she had finished eating it, she went back over to the couch, and just as she was about to sit down, there was a knock at the door.

The woman got up only to find Hotshot was at the door. He grinned down at her and said, "Well, Optimus informed me that I was to go pick up Rad, but bring you along with me. So, are you ready to go?"

"You bet,"

"Cool, so where do you live?"

"Nebraska; don't worry, I'll give you directions,"

"Coordinates would be more preferable," Hotshot explained.

"Right…do you know the coordinates of Lincoln, Nebraska?"

"Wasn't that where our old base was twenty years ago?"

"Near their, yeah,"

"Well, that'll work. Let's hit the spacebridge then," Hotshot said.

Alexis nodded and followed the bot to the launching dock. Hotshot transformed and the woman got in the front seat. A harness came down over her and they drove out onto the invisible spacebridge. Alexis really was not looking forward to having Rad come to the base. She felt that he didn't deserve to come, that Rad needed to be punished for not loving her right. But maybe him coming would somehow change him, that he would turn back into the man that she had fallen in love with.

"So Alexis," Hotshot piped up suddenly snapping Alexis out of her thoughts, "Just how are things between you and Rad?"

"They must suspect something," Alexis mused and then answered, "Not bad, but not good either."

"You know Alexis, if there is anything—

"There isn't so leave me alone!" Alexis snapped raising her voice and then immediately felt remorse wash over her. She then said in a softer voice, "I'm sorry Hotshot. I'm just going through a lot right now."

"I understand," he replied, "I shouldn't have asked."

"No, don't blame yourself, you were concerned. I've just really been edgy lately. Forgive me Hotshot,"

"As always. So, are you looking forward to going to Jungle Planet?"

"You bet. It'll be just like old times," Alexis exclaimed but then realized that wasn't true. Carlos wouldn't be there.

The rest of the trip was made in total silence. When they got off the spacebridge, Alexis gave Hotshot directions to her home. Hotshot pulled into the driveway and she got out. She then went inside to get Rad, but was a bit alarmed to come inside and instantly smell alcohol. She immediately knew what he had been doing, exactly what she had told him not to: drink.

Rad emerged from the hallway suddenly saying, "Can we go now?"

"Still no hello?" she questioned, "Did you pack anything?"

"Yeah, let me go grab my suitcase," he said and went back down the hall. He reemerged a few seconds later with it in hand.

Alexis held out her hand to him saying, "Okay, let's go."

He walked by her instead, not even bothering to accept her hand. Alexis felt everything collapse at that moment, and she knew that nothing good was going to happen between them on Jungle Planet. She could feel it crawling through her veins like an utmost certainty. The woman was almost tempted to stay home, but as she looked around, she realized the building she was standing in didn't feel like much of a home anymore. Alexis glumly followed Rad out the door and back inside Hotshot where the three of them headed back to Colorado.

Once back, Rad was given a tour of the base while Alexis took Rad's suitcase back to her—their room. She figured she wouldn't unpack it since they were leaving for Jungle Planet the next day. Instead she packed her things up again. She kind of wished that she didn't tell Optimus she had wanted to go to Jungle Planet. Now that Rad was going it just didn't seem fun anymore. The woman had been happy to be away from him, but now he was back again.

Alexis sighed and plopped down on the couch once she had finished packing. Maybe she was overreacting once again, maybe this whole thing wasn't as bad as it seemed. Perhaps something would happen, something that would bring them closer together or finally tear them apart. If she got lucky, maybe one of the transformers would step on Rad. Deep down Alexis knew she shouldn't be thinking like this. She knew deep down that she still had feelings for Rad, but so many things were going against them.

Starscream was the main problem in Alexis's viewpoint. Of course she had been questioning her feelings for Rad before he came back into the picture, but he was causing her to question them even more now. When Starscream had told her that he was going to take her with him and that she didn't have a choice, Alexis felt her heart throb with excitement and wonder. Yet she still didn't know if she could trust the decepticon or not. It had been twenty years; he could have easily forgotten the close bond they used to share. Starscream could be messing with her, playing the right moves so he could get what he wanted from her and then do away with her.

So why hadn't Starscream taken her to Megatron? It bothered Alexis not knowing. She wanted to meet with him and talk with him again. The need to be in his presence was like a hunger, something she had never felt with Rad.

Alexis was snapped out of her thoughts suddenly when Rad entered the room. He saw her and came over and sat down beside her. Putting an arm around her he said, "I got to thank you Alexis. I'm so glad you called me."

"Sure, he can thank me but he can't apologize for screaming at me on the phone," she thought and then said, "You hungry? I could make you something to eat."

"I'll fix myself something later. So, how did you find the transformers?"

"They actually found me. Professor Suzuki and I were in Fairbanks, Alaska when we stumbled upon Lori, Bud, and Coby. They told us about the transformers, and then right after that we were attacked by Mudflap and Starscream,"

Rad rolled his eyes, "Starscream? I want you to stay away from him this time."

"Rad, I know better, not only wouldn't the relationship work out, but I'm married to you,"

"So you've already thought about a relationship with him?"

"You're overreacting—

"Don't you understand Alexis? He's a transformer, you're a human, it would never work!"

"You don't think I'm aware of that? Duh Rad, I'm not stupid,"

"I can't believe you," Rad exclaimed angrily releasing his arm from her shoulders, "Thinking about leaving me for a giant metal robot?"

"Would you get a grip on yourself Rad? You make it sound like a shock if I were to leave you,"

"What are you talking about?"

Alexis stood glaring at him. Nearly screaming she said, "What am I talking about? Rad listen to yourself! You can't say hello or goodbye to me anymore, you scream and bitch at me at on the phone, and whenever I try to be friendly you blow up!"

"You lie!" he shouted standing and returning the glare to Alexis, "You haven't been doing all that well either. You scream, you lie to me; you don't call me anymore—

"I didn't want to call you!" Alexis remarked exasperated, "I was looking forward to coming to the North Pole so I could get away from you. Heck, if it hadn't been for Optimus I wouldn't have called you and you'd still be home right now."

Alexis saw his fist at the last second and didn't have time to avoid it as it planted itself into her cheek. She fell backwards to the floor, Rad glaring at her. He didn't bother to help her up as he proceeded to the kitchen to get himself something to eat. Fighting back the tears, she stood and left the room.

Alexis ran out of the base and deep into the forest where she had met with Starscream the night before. She sat heavily on the ground, hugged her knees to her chest and sobbed. "This wasn't supposed to happen," she thought, "Rad wasn't supposed to come, he wasn't supposed to turn abusive." Her cheek was throbbing, and crying was giving her a headache.

"Alexis?" a soft voice called from behind her.

The woman whirled around surprised, "S-Starscream? What are you doing here?"

"I came out here to think about a few things, and then you came. Now, what happened?" the decepticon second in command asked sitting beside her and rubbing her back with his finger.

"He hit me," Alexis pouted, trying not to sound childish. Her remark came out as more of painful sob rather than a childish outburst.

"Who?" Starscream demanded feeling anger gnaw through his circuits.

"Rad, he's staying here in Colorado with me now,"

"Stay away from him. I don't care if he's your husband, just keep out of his way,"

"Starscream, I can't, I've got nowhere else to stay,"

Starscream pressed his lips together and then asked, "Did he hurt you?"

"Not that bad, I'll be alright,"

"You need to get away from him. Once I betray the decepticons you will,"

"Why?"

"What do you mean why?"

"Why do you care about how Rad treats me? You're a decepticon, you shouldn't care,"

Starscream smirked and stood looking down at her. He said, "I'll show you soon enough as to why I care. What do you say we go for a flight?"

"Only if it's not too long of a flight,"

"How about thirty minutes?"

"Alright,"

Starscream grinned and transformed into his vehicle mode. Alexis climbed into his cockpit and into a rather comfortable seat. A harness came down over her and the cockpit door closed. The decepticon then took off and the two of them were air borne. "Alexis, you know that gem I gave you?" the seeker questioned suddenly.

"Yes, what about it?"

"I can hear you speak through it. I heard you even before I came across you yesterday,"

"How is that possible?"

"I have the other part of the gem, I broke off a piece and gave it to you while I kept the other part. I still have it, like you I just couldn't make myself get rid of it,"

"That's interesting, I think these gems can do a lot more than we think they can, if that's possible,"

"I remember you telling me once that anything's possible,"

Alexis smiled, "It's true…Starscream, could you do a few spins or nosedives?"

"I was hoping you hadn't lost your adventurous side," Starscream exclaimed doing a spin and then falling into a nosedive.

Alexis squealed with delight as she fell into the thrill of adrenaline pumping through her veins. She had forgotten completely about Rad, but she didn't care. This by far was much more exciting, it reminded her of her younger self, twenty years ago, when she had fallen head over heels for a certain seeker…

Starscream pulled out of the dive and began climbing back up into the sky. "I'll give your stomach a break before we do anything else," he explained, "I'd rather not wear your last meal."

"If you insist," she chuckled.

"You know Alexis, I don't think I can meet with you anymore for a while,"

"How come?"

"Megatron's ordered me to accompany him to Jungle Planet until we receive the Cyber Planet Key from Scourge,"

"What a coincidence,"

"What do you mean?"

"I'm heading there tomorrow with the autobots until they get the planet key,"

"An interesting turn of events; I'll be looking for you,"

"Then I know to keep an eye out for you,"

"Right. It's getting late, we should probably head back for the clearing,"

"Okay," Alexis stated sounding disappointed. She enjoyed her time with Starscream, much more than she probably should have.

Starscream landed in the clearing and waited for Alexis to get out before he transformed. When she was out, he transformed and stood looking down at her.

"Thanks for taking me on the flight," she said looking up at him.

"You deserved it," he replied opening a dimension gate, "I will see you tomorrow."

"Until then,"

Starscream grinned and disappeared through the gate. Alexis sighed; happy for the moment she shared with Starscream but yet upset that she had to go back to Rad now. Starscream had made her feel so much better, and she missed him, much more than she knew she should.

By the time Alexis got back to the base, it was late. She went back to the room her and Rad were staying in only to find he had already gone to bed. Tiredly, Alexis went inside the bathroom to change into her pajamas. While in there, she looked at her face in the mirror and saw a bruise on her cheek where Rad had punched her. She knew she had to think of an excuse for it now, but she was too tired to do so. Alexis exited the bathroom and glanced towards the bed. There was no way she was sharing it with Rad. Instead she grabbed a blanket and pillow and went over to the couch. She lay down, comfortable where she was on the couch, and pulled the blanket to her shoulder. Holding the Cybertronian gem close to her she whispered, "Goodnight Starscream."

"Sweet dreams Alexis,"

And so ends this chapter. What do you know? It was long for once. Well, reviews would be greatly appreciated. So, how about you leave some nice, shiny new ones? I'll give you cookies.