Notes: Revised May/11. Reposted June 30/11

Life Deals Twisting Changes
Chapter 7 - Taking Matters

Walking out of a high-class restaurant onto the busy street, Katherine was finally able to breath. She had been working for the newspaper for just over a week and she had just had an interview with a man who kept moving off topic, who happened to be the manager. She found he was a pig. But after nearly two hours, she finally did get her interview. Her interview was about a recent break in and her boss wanted her to cover the story. The whole interview, reminded her of the Television show, CSI.

She looked at the Topkick parked at a parking meter. She could tell the Autobot was tired of sitting there, but she couldn't help it. If Ironhide was going to continue to be her 'guardian', he was going to have to put up with being alone in a busy street. She knew he would start grumbling about being alone for so long and it was something she wasn't looking forward to. She forced herself to take a step forward but she as she took a step, the manager came out.

"Miss Lennox," he said. "If you are not doing anything tonight, I would like to treat to a night at the opera."

Katherine rolled her eyes before turning the man. "I'm sorry, but I have plans."

The man slightly narrowed his eyes. He did not like the idea of being turned down. "What would be more important then spending the evening at an opera?"

"Well for one, I don't live in town," Katherine said. She didn't like way the man was looking at her.

From his spot, he could see clearly what was going on. He could tell from sensing her heart rate picking up speed, she was getting uncomfortable and scared. He saw she took a step back, quickly activating his hologram; he waited to see what was going to happen before taking action.

"But you can always come back into town. You are very beautiful."

Katherine took another step back as he advanced forward another step. She could tell that he was getting angrier by the second. "Sir, I was just here for an interview that is all. I didn't come here to get a date. I only lost my long time boyfriend short time ago and I'm still trying to move on."

"Well then," he said impatiently. "Perhaps you weren't good enough for him and he decided to leave. I would be better for you. He probably has fun on the side."

Katherine gasped, eyes widened. She was now completely horrified but at the same time, angry. He knew nothing about her. "You don't know me. My boyfriend, just died."

"All the better," he said. He reached out and grabbed her arm and began to pull her towards the entrance to the restaurant.

Katherine tried her best to pull free but his grip was too strong. She suddenly felt sick. She knew what he planned to do and it was something she did not need.

Ironhide suddenly became angry. He didn't need to hear Katherine was pissed as he could see it and sense it. And what the man just said about her deceased boyfriend was uncalled for. The hologram went into action, jumping out marching straight up to them. He grabbed the man's free arm and began to twist it.

The man's face went from angry to pain. He quickly let go of Katherine as he tried to pry the intruder's hand off his arm.

"The woman said she is not interested, you arrogant asshole," Ironhide said.

Katherine felt herself move backwards but quickly caught herself before losing complete balance and land on the ground. It took her a moment to realize Ironhide just came to her rescue. She looked at the hologram and she saw something in his eyes that slightly scared her. She had never seen Ironhide pissed off. Yes, she saw him angry but not like this. It was worse than the day that they witnessed the car accident.

"Who the hell are you?" the manager painfully asked.

"That is none of your damn business," Ironhide answered. "The only thing you should be worried about is what Katherine's brother is going to do when he hears about your advancement. You never want to piss off a US Military Captain."

"Ironhide?" Katherine asked cautiously.

Ironhide turned his eyes on Katherine and he see that she was still scared but she was beginning to calm down. His eyes turned back to the man. He snapped his hand away, forcefully pulling the man's arm back.

The man yelped in pain. For a moment he thought he felt his shoulder pop out of joint, but to his relief it didn't. He stepped away from the angry hologram. "What do you mean?"

"You never want to piss off Captain Lennox."

"Captain Lennox?" the manager turned to Katherine. "You are the sister to Captain Willaim Lennox?"

Ironhide stepped in front of the manager, blocking his path from looking at Katherine. "You will not look at her! Do you hear me?"

The manager took another step back before quickly turning and ran back into the restaurant.

"Serves him right," Ironhide mumbled before turning to Katherine. With one glance at the woman, his eyes softened. "Are you all right?"

Katherine nodded. She felt so relieved. She quickly advanced him and wrapped her arms around him. She was able to feel a solid body against her, but she didn't care. She needed someone to hold her. Ironhide was in complete shock when she wrapped her arms around his waist and held her tightly. Not sure what to do, he did the first thing that came to mind and wrapped his arms around her shoulders.

With her head still buried in the hologram's chest, she whispered, barely audio. "Thank you." She paused. "Can we get out of here?"

Ironhide gently pulled her away and grasped her hand and carefully walked her over to the truck. When he was beside the truck, the passenger door opened on it's own. He helped Katherine in before the door closed and the hologram walked to the other side, climbing in. The engine revved up and pulled out, heading out of town.

Katherine leaned against the window, silent tears falling to splash against her hand. She couldn't believe how insensitive the restaurant manager was. He practically ignored everything she was saying. She didn't even pay any attention to where Ironhide was heading until he stopped. She wiped her eyes and looked out the window. They were at the same cliff from the day of the memorial.

Slowly getting out, she looked at the scenery before her; before walking over to the edge, being sure not to get too close to fall off. Behind her she could hear Ironhide transform. She felt the ground shake as he sat on the cliff like the first time.

"Take this time to recollect yourself," he said softly.

"He doesn't even know who I am and he made mocking comments about Charles," she said angrily. "He is so fucking arrogant."

"He had no right to say those things," Ironhide agreed. "But I'm sure he'll leave you alone for now on."

"But that's not the point," Katherine protested. "He accused Charles of adultery. The man hasn't been buried for more than a week and he gets blamed."

Ironhide looked at the angry woman with question. "What's adultery?"

Katherine went to vent more about the man when she snapped her head around and stared at the giant robot. "Wha…"

"It's a simple question," he pressed. "What is adultery?"

Katherine went from angry to embarrassed. She stuttered on her words for a moment until Ironhide told her not to ramble. Finally getting the words out so Ironhide could understand, he began to ask her more questions. The more questions he asked the more embarrassed she was getting the questions kept coming. Finally she jumped away from him, getting angry again.

"You have unlimited access to the Web, why don't you find out yourself about sex!" She turned away and stormed off towards the old lighthouse.

Ironhide smiled. He pulled a dirty trick but he wanted to do something to help make her forget about the manager. He already knew everything there was to know about sex. He just wanted to see Katherine blush. He found her really attractive when she blushed. Attractive? Where did that come from? His smile quickly faded as he turned to the ocean. He was beginning to be fond of the woman, while at first she was annoying.

He was getting to the point where he would do anything for her just like he used to when Chromia was still alive. But she was dead and she had died in his arms. Nothing could be done to spare her spark. If the spark were not damaged, Ratchet would have been able to transfer the spark to a new body.

Realizing he was thinking about the past again, he pulled away from the ocean to see where Katherine stormed off. He found her at the balcony surrounding around the top of the lighthouse. He could tell that she was just allowing the cool breeze to hit her face, but it did not comfort him. He scanned the railing and saw it was not safe.

He stood from the cliff, seeing Katherine was leaning on the railing. "The railing isn't safe."

"Oh lighten up will ya," she mumbled. The wind suddenly came up, swirling around her. She felt the railing shake under her hands. Giving a sudden fearful look, she looked up to Ironhide who was making his way to her. She felt the railing let go and didn't think he'd get to her in time.

Her hands let go but it was too late, losing her balance she began to fall towards the sharp rocks at the bottom of the lighthouse. No scream could come out as she watched in horror as the rocks came closer. At the last moment, something black blocked her vision of the rocks and she was no longer falling, but the wind was knocked out of her for several seconds.

Once she was able to breath again, she slightly turned her head to see the concern look of Ironhide. Taking her time, she slowly pushed herself up into a sitting position, realizing she was in his hand.

"Are you all right?" he asked with very deep concern.

"Yeah," she said hesitantly. "Just a little shaken up. I guess I should have listened to you. That's three times now."

Ironhide would have smirked as she admitted to being wrong but he was too concerned. "Perhaps we should head back to the farm." He gently set her down on the grass before transforming. Opening his passenger door, to let her in, he couldn't help wonder why he was not feeling like saying a sarcastic remark. He never had any problems doing it in the past with his fellow comrades when they would do a stupid mistake.

When she was in, he revved the engine and slowly made his way back to the farm. He could tell that she was in shock as her heart rate was still high, but was slowly calming down. Hoping to help her feel better, he tuned the radio into a station that was playing some type of upbeat song. By the time they got to the farm, Katherine was pretty much under control of her own emotions. She climbed out the truck and headed inside.


Far on the other side of the country, Bumblebee with the two teens were doing some digging on Charles Griffin. It was quite the mystery with a human baring the symbol of a robotic race in which no one knew existed, well except for a selected few. The symbol was an Autobot signet and Ironhide was the only Autobot to see the symbol and it slightly alerted him. Ironhide told the Autobots the man looked straight at him and he didn't even flinch, as if he knew who Ironhide was.

"Any luck on finding where Charles was found?" Bumblebee asked through the radio. Though he had his voice back, he still liked speaking through the radio.

"I've been searching all night," Mikaela said from the back seat. "But I have found an US Military instillation that's been abandoned."

"Well it's as good place as any to start," Bumblebee answered. "Besides we have nothing else to lose."

"Besides time," Sam said. "Thank god we didn't have to stop and rest."

"How far are we to this abandoned base?"

"Three miles."

"Good, I know I could use a rest."

Bumblebee kicked it up a notch and before long they arrived at the old base. It looked like it had been abandoned for years but also looked like it had been attacked. Bumblebee carefully drove over a fallen down part of a fence and continued until he reached the compound. He noticed the double doors were smashed in as if it had been bombed. He drove over the fallen doors and made his way as far as he could go. He did not want to leave the teens alone unless someone had made a home in the building.

When he stopped, he found himself surrounded by broken desks and partially burned papers were all over the floor. A filing cabinet was over in one corner, lying on its side.

"What happened?" Sam asked to no one.

"From my guesses," Bumblebee answered as he let the teens out. "The officers abandoned it awfully quick. From the fallen fence and doors it looks like this compound was attacked."

"I would guess the same," Mikaela agreed. "Sam, why don't we start on these papers? There might be something in these."

"Sure," Sam agreed. "I'll start on the filing cabinet."

"And I'll keep watch in case of activity."

Mikaela looked at the Camero. "Why would there be any activity?"

"It's a US Military compound," Bumblebee answered. "One never knows when they could return. They may realize the officers left in a hurry and perhaps want to come and retrieve secret files."

Mikaela shrugged and began her search on the burned papers.

As time turned into hours, the teens were getting nowhere. Mikaela picked up every piece of paper on the floor and found nothing indicating the year Charles was found by the US Military. Sam on the other hand found some information. Not what he was looking for but was interesting.

"Hey guys," Sam got the Autobot and Mikaela's attention. "Listen to this. 'Unknown to the US Army, but hidden deep within a cavern of Hoover Dam, lies the main headquarters'. This sounds like a Sector Seven."

Bumblebee activated his hologram and walked over to the teen. "Why would there be a file here dealing with Sector Seven?"

"Unless this was not a US Military compound. What if this was a Sector Seven compound. Maybe the Decepticons attacked the base before coming to Tranquility."

"Impossible," Bumblebee protested. "I was here before they arrived. And when they finally came, they landed in California. I have kept tabs on them, that is until Blackout and Scorponok left the country."

"Scorponok?" Sam questioned.

"He's a Decepticon who attacked with Blackout when Captain Lennox was in the Middle East. I believe he's still alive too as Captain Lennox informed us that the beast they fought buried itself underground."

"Maybe," Sam started. "Our old friend Agent Simmons could shed some light on this?"

"That's an idea," Mikaela smiled. "I'll grab my camera and take some pictures around. You know, give him evidence of this place. Then I'll start grabbing the papers on the floor. If this was a Sector Seven operations base, then all these papers could be important for something."

"Perhaps even information on Megatron when he was held in Hoover Dam," Sam agreed. "Once you take the pictures, I'll then grab all the files in the cabinet. Bumblebee hope you don't mind if we store them in your trunk."

No sooner said, Sam could here a click. He turned to the Camaro as the hood popped up. Sam smiled as he watched Mikaela get her camera. After she took several shots, well enough for her liking, she and Bumblebee, as the hologram, helped pick up the papers and piled it into the trunk. The teens climbed back in the car, when the paper mess was cleaned up, hologram disappearing.

Bumblebee revved his engine and made his way around the building, or at least where he could get too. The places he couldn't, he'd activate his hologram and follow the teens. After several hours, when they felt they had enough information, they made their way out of the building.

Mikaela got Bumblebee to stop just as they exited the building so she could take a few pictures of the building and the surrounding area. It was still light out but nightfall was fast approaching. She knew she didn't have a lot time. Once satisfied, she climbed back in and then took a couple more pictures at the fallen fence.

"Let's contact Optimus to see what he thinks is best?" Bumblebee suggested as Mikeala climbed back in for the final time.

"Bumblebee to Optimus Prime. Come in, sir."

There was slight static from the radio before the teens could hear the Autobot leader on the other end.

"Optimus Prime here. What do you have to report, Bumblebee?"

"Sir, we found an abandon compound first thing this morning. It's been the first sign of any type of US Military base since we arrived in Maine. However, I don't think it was a US Military base."

"What's your reason for this?"

"Well sir, for one, Sam found a file saying 'Top Secret' and it mentions about the hidden bunker in Hoover Dam and it being unknown to the US Military. Sam and Mikaela believe the base was once a Sector Seven operation base."

"Interesting," Optimus answered. "Perhaps there is more to this secret agency than what we were told. Anything on Charles?"

"Optimus," Sam interrupted. "We haven't had a chance to look through all the papers we found scattered throughout the compound. Wouldn't Captain Lennox be able to help us on finding where Charles was before being adopted?"

"Unfortunately, no. The US Military were only told of an infant found near a base and they found a home for the human."

"Optimus," Mikaela jumped in. She was sitting in the back with the interior light on looking at one folder she kept in her hands when they were putting everything in the trunk. "This is a long shot, but what if it wasn't a US Military installation that found Charles? What if it was Sector Seven? When we did have their confrontation, Sector Seven was working in the US Military laws but not with them."

Silence reined through the radio for several moments.

"Head back," Optimus finally said. "We'll go through what you found and go from there. I'll go out and look for Agent Simmons and see if he can shed some light on your discovery."

"Yes, sir."

"Optimus Prime, out."

"Why don't we head to that café from this morning and have supper?" Mikaela suggested. "We'll also need to get a motel too."

"I agree with you there," Bumblebee said. "I sense you two are getting hungry."


Optimus looked at Ratchet as he continued in hologram form repairing Jazz. Ratchet was able to get the tools that were needed to repair the fallen comrade but he only could do the repairs as the hologram. In order for him to be able to do the repairs, he had to keep himself in vehicle mode while his hologram was activated.

"Ratchet," Optimus said, getting the medic's attention. "I'll need to you to keep watch. Bumblebee has found some interesting top secret files that I'm sure Agent Simmons could answer."

"Will do sir. Are you bringing him here?"

"Yes, unfortunately."

He transformed and made his way out of the junkyard, the afternoon sun shining against his flaming paint job. When Optimus spoke to Bumblebee, he had to take in account Bumblebee was three hours of daylight ahead himself. It didn't take him long to get on the highway. Ever since Mission City, Optimus kept a close optic on Simmons. Optimus was generally quite passive around humans but with Agent Simmons and everyone involved with Sector Seven, he was willing to make an exception. If the US Army knew of Megatron in the first place then the battle at Mission City wouldn't have happened. He was so tempted to let Ironhide blast the man for stupidity. But he was an Autobot and he would never take a human life nor allow his men to do it either.

Knowing it was going to be a long drive, he kicked it into high gear to arrive at Hoover Dam in record time. Since Megatron was released, Agent Simmons stayed at Hoover Dam, wallowing in his mistake. It was nearing dark when Optimus slowed to normal speed as he read a sign saying Hoover Dam ten miles. His speed continued to lessen as he approached the great dam. He never bothered to stop as he past the security guards who recognized him. It first surprised the Autobot leader, as the security guards didn't try to stop him. Not wanting to dwell on it, he continued on until he made it inside the main compound and stopped directly in front of Agent Simmons, who was staring at him with shock.

"What the hell?" Simmons snapped, not recognizing the vehicle. "Who let you in here? Who ever you are?"

Optimus never answered. He allowed his transformation to speak for him. Simmons slightly flinched. The last time he had the pleasure of the Autobot's company, Sector Seven had just taken the kids under custody and were fleeing the town but was stopped by the giant robot, tearing his car to pieces.

"What do want?" Simmons asked, now slightly timid.

"Were you the only Sector Seven agency? Or were there other locations?"

"Where is this question coming from?"

Optimus quickly bent to the human's level and stared at the man with intensity. For once Optimus could see fear in the man's eyes. Optimus would have smirked from the fact the Decepticons actually did something right but the lives of all the people in Mission City prevented the smirk.

"I'm the one asking the questions," he growled. "And don't let me repeat the question again. If it weren't for your stupidity in holding Megatron here in proximity of the Allspark, we wouldn't be having this conversation."

"Ok," Simmons held up his hands. "Yes, there were a few locations."

"Where?" Optimus snapped.

Simmons flinched more and leaned against a fallen beam from when Megatron broke free. "Ah….ahh….Florida, Hoover Dam, Texas, Maine and a few in Canada."

"You may have answers we need. Do you know anything about a man by the name of Charles Griffin?"

"Charles Griffin? Not to my knowledge. What is this all about?"

"Charles Griffin was found my a military installation and was adopted by a family in the state of Maine. But shortly afterwards, they moved to California. Did Sector Seven lie to the US Army?"

"They could have. You know we were a secret organization. We had to cover ourselves up somehow." Simmons could see Optimus wasn't backing down.

Optimus stood back to his full height and opened his communications.

"Optimus Prime to Bumblebee."

"Bumblebee here." Came over the radio

Simmons slightly jumped as the giant robot now was talking to the robot who was held captive.

"Bumblebee. Any luck about those files?"

"Sam and Mikaela have gone through a few and found information about a few infants. But nothing yet on Charles."

"Keep me informed. I am with Agent Simmons now. Optimus out." He turned off the transmission and bent back down to Simmons. "Now, I know you heard that. Perhaps you could help shed some light."

"What do you want me to do?" Simmons asked. "I mean I have no idea what you are talking about. I didn't know what went on in other locations."

Optimus transformed back into the truck and opened his passenger door.

"You think I'm climbing in, you have another thing coming."

Suddenly a man appeared out of nowhere in front of Simmons. The man grabbed Simmons by the collar and lifted him up.

"You have two choices," the man began. "You can either come with me and help us find the answers we're looking for or…"

"Or what?" Simmons stuttered.

"You don't want to know. I would love to rid this world of you. You and your little agency caused many lives and that is something I don't like to dwell on. If it weren't for the fact I'm an Autobot….but Autobots protect while the Decepticons make mayhem. Now do we have an understanding?"

Simmons' eyes widened in surprise. He was staring into the eyes of a humanized Autobot. The man dropped Simmons and disappeared.

Deciding he didn't want to really piss this robot off, he carefully climbed into the truck. The door had shut on its own and locked. The engine roared to life and Simmons watched with fright as the gearshift and steering wheel moved on their own. Before long the truck was speeding back down the highway, heading…Simmons didn't know where but he guessed it was where the other Autobots were hiding.

It was nearing midnight before Optimus arrived at the junkyard with Simmons. He stopped abruptly, unlocking the doors, allowing Simmons to climb out. It didn't take Simmons long to get out. When he was on the safety of the ground, Optimus transformed and walked towards Ratchet's station.

"Ratchet?"

"Sir, you're back."

Optimus turned and gasped. "Jazz."

"You're damn straight, I am," Jazz announced with a smile. He walked over to his leader and shook his hand. "And sir, it's good to be back. Ratchet was able to get me back online an hour ago and just finished debriefing me on what has happened since I was deactivated. Are you really sure Megatron is gone?"

"Perhaps, but I'm afraid Starscream, who fled Mission City may remobilize the other Decepticons. Starscream, Barricade and Frenzy are unaccounted for. And from what Captain Lennox has informed me, he fought Scorponok in the Middle East and he's also unaccounted for."

"What's he doing here?" Jazz asked, indicating to Simmons.

"Has Ratchet updated you on Bumblebee's mission?"

"Yes. He also informed me of the human who perished in the battle having an Autobot symbol. Is that why he is here?"

"Yes. Bumblebee found an abandoned base and it looked like it was attacked before being abandoned. There are files containing the Allspark and Megatron. It's presumed it was a Sector Seven compound. Agent Simmons is to help fill in the blanks."

"Excuse me," Simmons interrupted. "Robots, what do you mean by a man having an Autobot symbol?"

"It's Autobots," Jazz corrected. "We are known as Autobots. I'm Jazz. And he's Optimus Prime, our leader."

"Whatever," Simmons shook his head. "What do you mean by symbol."

Without looking Optimus answered. "The Autobots and Decepticons have faction symbols and Charles Griffin bared the Autobot symbol. But why would a human, any humans for that matter, have faction symbols as a tattoo? We've asked Captain Lennox and he said Charles was found by the military and adopted into a home and he had the tattoo and was only an infant. Charles was working just outside of Mission City when it was attacked and Starscream personally attacked the construction site."

"Would you like me to help Bumblebee with his research?" Jazz asked. "I would love to get back into action."

"No. Bumblebee is on his back. He should be here within a couple days."

"If it's going to take that long," Simmons jumped. "Then why did you get here so quick."

Optimus turned to the human and glared at him. "Hoover Dam is not my favorite place as you tortured Bumblebee there. You also held Megatron and the Allspark."

Optimus turned and began to walk away. "Make yourself comfortable Agent Simmons. You'll be staying here for while."

"You know this is kidnapping," Simmons snapped.

Jazz bent to the human. "So was taking Bumblebee hostage. Just be grateful you're here. If you can help Optimus with this tattoo mystery, perhaps he may not think of you as a bad guy. To his books, you are."

"Are you telling me that I have to get in his good graces?" He watched as Jazz nodded. "Well I do feel guilty for keeping everything in secret. I can't change that."

"Then help Optimus in what he needs without question. As soon as you give him the answers he's looking for he'll let you go and perhaps you'll never have to see him again."

Simmons watched as Jazz stood back to his normal height and followed where the Peterbuilt truck went. Deciding standing where he was, was not a good idea, since it was nearing midnight and Simmons wanted to relieve himself and get some rest from seeing a vehicle drive itself, he headed in the direction the Autobots headed in and soon found the sleeping shelter. With exhaustion, Simmons collapsed on one of the beds and soon was asleep.

Author's Notes: I know it sound's like Optimus is a bit out of character, but I'm sure he would react that way if something had pushed him over the edge. And perhaps having the Allspark and Megatron hidden through a secret organization could be that limit…

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