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Chapter 8

"How long have you all been there?" I ask cryptically.

"Long enough." Optimus answers grimly.

"I figured. Feel free to lay on the distrust." I shrug apathetically as I march around the counter to sooth Skywarp into recharge again. He squirms around until he's laying on his back with his wings splayed out behind him and I stop my ministrations to the appendages. A single crimson optic cracks open blearily and he holds his arms out. I instantly scoop him up to cradle him against my heart.

"You coddle him too much." Ratchet chastises as I round the counter again.

"Not coddling if he wants me to hold him. If he trusts me enough to watch over him while in recharge then I will not deny him that comfort."

"Nevertheless." Ratchet huffs, crossing his arms over his chassis.

I only shrug as I run a finger over his wings, more as a comfort to me than him.

"So," I turn to the army on the floor. "ya'll hate me more yet?"

"No."

I'm taken aback. "You know what I do and probably what happened."

"So." It's Ironhide that shrugs nonchalantly. IRONHIDE for Primus' sake.

"So, you don't distrust me?" I'm honestly so confused.

"Why woul' weh?" Now Jazz?!

"..." I'm speechless.

"You forgot we were at war longer than this planet has existed."

/Megatron/ reminds me from his place beside Moonlight. Apparently she was filled in. She doesn't look too happy about what transpired either if the glare pinned at her sparkmate is anything to go by.

"True. But I haven't given you guys a reason to trust me. This just solidifies it."

"Wanna bet?" Chromia speaks up.

My gaze sweeps over to her but redirects to the two Seekers that move to hover in front of me.

Starscream bores into my eyes with a deep scowl on his faceplates, while Thundercracker is emotionless, yet contemplative.

"You're fond of him?" Starscream seems uncomfortable even saying that.

I nod.

Some kind of invisible weight seems to lift off both of their shoulders and they nod. To my surprise, they- with a shared glance- fly the maybe-one-foot distance over to me to perch on each of my shoulders. Almost protectively.

I turn my attention back to Optimus when he opens his mouth to speak.

"You may not believe that what you have done has made an impact, or that we can lay trust in you but know that we do. You have truly made an impact on us all."

"I don't know how to respond.." I admit.

He smiles softly. "Then do not." He turns grave again. "You should listen to Ratchet and rest."

"Eh." I shrug.

There's a growl behind me that makes a smirk tilt the left side of my lips.

"I was kidding, Ratchet."

"Better be." He grumbles. I roll my eyes.

"Shouldn't all of you be recharging by the way?" I raise an eyebrow at them.

"We did." Optimus nods. "But your health means more in the terms of resting and recovering at present."

"Whatever you say. Ya'll need fuel first." I step over to the refrigerator to grab a couple bottles of Gatorade- being mindful of the three Seekers.

"Femme, you need recharge." Starscream sighs by my ear.

I ignore him.

Placing the bottles on the counter parallel to the twins and Ratchet, I reach into the cabinet where I'd cleaned up the cups earlier,- forgot to tell- shut the fridge back, then grab the Gatorade to sit on the floor.

I fill all of them up with the glacier blue substance, let Starscream and Thundercracker down, then Ratchet, Sideswipe and Sunstreaker from the counter.

"Skywarp." I prod his cockpit gingerly.

He doesn't move a piston.

"Skyyyywaaarpp."

No response.

"Skywarp!"

No response.

"SKYWARP!"

His optics online in a flash and he struggles out of my hold to hover in front of me with his null rays drawn.

"Welcome back online." I raise an eyebrow. "There's some Gatorade behind ya."

"Heh?" He slowly powers his weapons down until the glow is fully extinguished, then turns to find his own fuel below him.

"Gatorade!" He squeals, his optics sparkling as he drops to the floor to practically chug it down.

I chuckle at his enthusiasm and fill his cup up when he finishes, along with anyone else who wants more.

Standing, I stretch my arms over my head and pop my neck, back and fingers,- ignoring the several complaints I receive- then pop into the fridge to grab a MTN Dew. I lift the tab open, then take a big gulp, pausing when I notice several stares on me.

"What?"

"Your oh-so-healthy choice." Ratchet raises a sarcastic optic ridge.

"Eh. I practically live on MTN Dew." I wave it off. But immediately regret it when a 'Ratchet scowl' stares me down.

"Heheh.. Should I run?"

"No."

"Good." I slink over to the couch to fall over in a rather ungraceful sprawl.

"Do you not pay attention to your wounds?!" Ratchet sprints over to stand in front of a coffee table leg.

"Nope." I pop the 'p'.

His servo's clench and begin to shake uncontrollably but then he just slumps, sighing in defeat and rubbing over his nasal ridge. "At least you are resting."

"If by 'resting' you mean being lazy as frag than yes." I pillow my head with my arms in example.

"Whatever works." He waves me off and stomps away.

I crane my head around the back of the couch to look at the bots awkwardly. "Anybody wanna watch tv?"

Everybody leaves their finished cups on the ground wordlessly and head over.

I lay my hand on the ground for everybody who wants up and end up giving all but the Dinobots, Strongarm, Skyfire, Jetfire, Predaking, Bonecrusher, Barricade, Blackout, Scorponok and Wheelie a lift. Them settling on leaning against the couch. I move the coffee table so they can see better.

Megatron, Moonlight, Soundwave and his cassettes all fan out across the top of the couch. Red Alert, Inferno, First Aid, Hound and Mirage take the arm rest at the end by my feet. Ultra Magnus, Elita 1, Optimus, Ironhide, Wheeljack, Ratchet, and Chromia have the arm rest by my head. Bumblebee, Bluestreak, Smokescreen and Arcee are on my thighs, leaning against the cushions behind them. Blurr and Drift are on the upper regions of my calves. While Skywarp had taken to occupying the border between my abdomen and chest, which immediately meant that Starscream and Thundercracker were on my stomach- careful of my rib. Sideswipe and Sunstreaker apparently decided it looked like a cozy spot too and bunkered down next to the Seekers, settling closer to my hip bone though.

"Is everyone comfy?" I raise an eyebrow.

I receive several 'yeses'.

"Good. What do you all wanna watch?"

"FAMILY GUY!" Skywarp exclaims without the least bit of hesitation.

"Alright, alright. Everyone agree?"

I only receive a few grumbles.

"'Ll take that as a yes." I screw with the remote until episode eleven of season one begins to play.

After the episode is finished and the second one is just beginning to load, the doorbell decides to ring, making me groan.

"Sorry guys." I grumble as everybody- except the Seekers who just fly off- on me are forced to the back of the couch as I stand- being careful of all the bots on the floor.

I manage to trip on an invisible crack on the kitchen floor but brush off all the snickers and "smooth's" I receive with a clear of my throat and twitch of my middle finger.

When I make it to the door, I pause, glancing back at everybody staring in curiosity. "Uh," I raise an eyebrow, "ya'll might wanna get on the cushions so nobody sees ya."

I'm- thankfully- obeyed wordlessly until none of them are visible.

Nodding to myself, I open the door to be met with a sixteen year old guy with blonde hair and an expression that clearly states he'd rather be anywhere but here.

"Got a couple packages?" His jaded eyes don't even look at me as he pretends to study the clipboard in his hand.

"Yeah."

"Sign here and here." He points and practically thrusts the paper towards me to sign.

Deciding to just ignore the guys behavior, I scribble my signature down, then shove the clipboard back at him to accept the two boxes under his armpits.

He finally decides to lift his glazed eyes up to face me and they widen a bit. A cocky smirk crosses his lips flirtatiously. "Hey, baby."

I ignore him in favor of slamming the door in his face.

Several snickers sound from the couch as the bots peek back over the couch. The femmes in general seem to have got a great kick out of that.

Sitting the boxes on the counter with great care, I wordlessly step over to the couch to hold a hand out for Soundwave.

He steps on with only a second glance and I place him on my shoulder.

Next, I beckon Predaking,- knowing he'll want to just fly- then round over to Ultra Magnus.

He raises an optic ridge but,-with an 'encouraging' boost from Ironhide- he steps onto my outstretched palm.

I hold him close, make sure Soundwave is secure and that Predaking is beside me, before crossing the few steps over to the counter.

Depositing Soundwave onto the cool surface, alongside Ultra Magnus,- Predaking fluttering in to land beside them both and transforming- I grab a pair of scissors to run it down the center of the box to remove the tape in my way, making sure to stand off to the side so everyone from the couch- and floor- can see.

Once the tape is out of my way, I pry the folds open, then bend them back so they're out of my way while I lift the two boxes out.

Predaking's optics widen when he sees who're inside. "Skylynx, Darksteel."

"Yup." I nod. "Wanna get Skylynx while I open Darksteel?"

He nods and I hand him the smaller pair of scissors I'd let Megatron use before. I imagine the fragger is smirking away at the familiarity.

Together we clear the outside of each separate packagings until we can access the inside, me getting first Skylynx out so Predaking can remove him from his twist tie prison, then Darksteel for me to aid in his escape.

Once they're both removed, we stand them up to wait until they're online.

There's a tense atmosphere where it looks like they're not going to, then their optics flash online with a jolt.

"It's great not being imprisoned in that box." Darksteel laughs.

Skylynx doesn't look impressed but nods anyways. It's just then that they notice me.

They're wings raise as they prepare to attack and I'm prepared to calm them down when a stern voice interrupts us.

"Skylynx, Darksteel, seize your approach!" Predaking rumbles as he stomps in front of me. Almost protectively.

The two predacons' optics widen and they're quick to transform.

"Well, if it isn't our illustrious leader."

Darksteel chuckles.

"Indeed." Predaking nods. "The both of you have been imprisoned in that infernal box for awhile I imagine. I am here to say that you are free."

"Took you long enough." Skylynx grumbles.

I leave the three of them to do whatever and turn my attention to Soundwave.

"I imagine you've caught onto who's next?"

He nods.

I return it and proceed to open the second box, throwing the first one to the kitchen floor carelessly.

Once the flaps are out of my way, I grab the box to the right and open it, settling the femme in front of Soundwave when she's free.

I wait to see her online and throw her a nod and smile, before turning my focus to a bemused Ultra Magnus.

"Surprised you haven't figured out where this is going."

He raises an optic ridge. "Indeed?"

"Mhm. Guess you're in for a surprise." I shrug and lift the final box out, discarding the brown one she and her fellow had come in.

Ultra Magnus' optics widen almost comically and I can hear Optimus and Ironhide stifling their snickers before being smacked by their sparkmates.

"Illustrious?"

"Yep." I hurriedly open her up, before handing her- being extremely gentle- to the blue, white and red- former- commander.

He cradles her close with such an intimate care that makes my heart clench. I smile slightly nonetheless and allow them each to catch up with one another, stepping away to claim my seat on the couch again.

I drop down on my stomach with a grunt and just suffocate myself in the cushions, trying to tune out Ratchet's lecturing.

"Get off your wound this instant! Are you /trying/ to make it worse?! Are- are you even listening to me?!"

"Oh, yeah." I know I'm playing with fire but I really don't care right now.

He acts like he's going to say something but it only comes out as an irritated growl.

"What time is it..?" I grumble, only just now remembering as I lift my head up to peek at the clock on the wall.

6:52

"Mmmm." I slump back into the cushions, feeling a light weight land in the center of my back. "Hey, 'Warp."

Pause. "How'd you know it was me?"

"You're one of the few brave enough to walk on me. And Ratchet hasn't yelled at you.''

"...True." I can feel his shrug. "Why'd you need to know what time it is?"

"I have to leave at eight."

"..."

"I didn't know if I had time to do whatever or if I need to get my aft up."

"Ohhhh."

"Yeah."

"Squishy?"

"Name's Katlyn by the way."

"I like Squishy."

Shrug. "Whatever makes ya happy. But yeah?"

"Do you have ta leave?"

"...Yeah, 'Warp."

"Whyyy?"

"You know why."

"But you don't have to go to two places!"

Sigh. "Yes, I do."

"Don't."

"Do."

"Don't."

"Do."

"Don't."

"Anyone need help down over there?!"

"Please!"

"Imma comin'! Watch yourself, 'Warp." I prop myself up on my arms and scoot back,- feeling Skywarp lift off reluctantly- stepping over the edge of the couch- staying aware of the bots still on the floor- to head over to the counter.

Predaking, Darksteel and Skylynx had already took off to Primus-knows-where as I carefully help each set of couples down, them each thanking me as I set them on the floor.

"Eh. No problem." I wave it off. While inside I'm breaking a little bit.

I don't leave any room for discussion as I stalk into my room, aware of several pairs of optics on my back and that 'Warp was stalking me.

I enter my room to immediately head over to my dresser. I pick out a pair of black skinny jeans, black socks and a black t-shirt. Our 'uniform' is any black shirt you want so long as it's not a tank top,- not like they'd mind- so I don't have to worry about keeping up with a certain shirt each day. Thank Primus.

"You can come out now, 'Warp." I call, turning to find him sheepishly open the door the rest of the way. "Might wanna turn around unless you wanna see me change."

He shrugs.

Rolling my eyes, I turn around and grab my bra to slip on. My shirt is next, followed by my jeans and belt I grab from the floor.

"Alright. Keys, phone, wallet..." I mutter as I try to remember where each are, grabbing Skywarp when I recall them each being in the kitchen.

The bots had settled back into the couch to watch tv again when we enter. Everyone who'd been set on the floor having apparently been helped up by their comrades.

"Sorry. Forgot." I wince as I head into the kitchen.

"It's fine." Raygrin- Soundwave's mate- assures.

"Alright." I nod, sitting Skywarp on the counter while I look for my stuff.

It takes me a minute to remember and I slump. "I forgot to empty my pockets earlier." I facepalm, repeatedly smacking myself. "Stupid, stupid, stupid, stupid."

I return from the bathroom a moment later with all my stuff in their desired areas. My shoes- only I could forget them in there- being among them.

I grab my chain from the counter to secure along my waist, then check the time on my iPhone 5s.

7:02

It takes ten minutes to get there.

"Ya'll need anything?"

"No."

"Fuel?"

"No."

"Change the episode?"

"No."

"Open any doors?"

"NO."

"Alright, alright." I raise my hands in surrender and duck into the fridge to grab another MTN Dew.

I flick the tab open to chug a quarter of the can as I lean against the counter to check any E-Mail's I might've received.

A tug on my jeans breaks me away though and a glance down shows Elita, Chromia, Arcee, Moonlight, Raygrin and Illustrious standing around my feet.

"What're ya'll doin'? Not watching Family Guy?"

"As much as we like their humor, it's really kinda boring." Chromia speaks up with a shrug.

"And we would like to get to know you better." Elita adds on. They all nod.

"Oookay, dunno why ya would." I shrug it off as I lift them up to the counter, exiting from my mail.

They open their mouthplates as if to protest but are cut off by my 'Pretty Handsome Awkward' ringtone.

"What?" I throw them an apologetic look as I answer.

"Well, hello to you too."

"Logan?" I notice the twins perk up.

"The one and only!"

I roll my eyes. "We should get that patented."

"I know right?

"What'd ya need?"

"What?" He asks in mock horror. "I can't make sure my sister is still alive?"

"No." The smile in my voice gives away the fact I'm kidding.

"That hurts, sis."

"Whatever. Was that really why you called?"

"Yeah. And I wanted to make sure you treated your rib."

"I did."

"Fibber."

"Am not."

"Are too."

"Am not."

"Are too."

"Are too."

"Are not!"

"Glad you agree."

"Darn it."

"Don't work on me, bro."

I can tell he's pouting.

Sigh. "I'm takin' it easy." I can feel Ratchet's death glare. "And my rib's fine. Can't feel a thing."

"Only 'cause you close yourself off from everything." Logan points out.

"Yeah, yeah, yeah." I wave him off, even though he can't see it.

"Just don't die." Logan sighs.

"Make no promises." I shrug.

"I'll sick Michaela on you..."

"...Your mean."

"Yep! Byyyyyye!"

"Grr. Bye." I pull the phone away from my ear, end the call and lay it on the counter. A glance up shows everybody staring at me curiously. I raise an eyebrow.

"Who's 'Michaela?" I meet Sideswipe's curious gaze.

"Listening in?"

"Yep."

"Everybot?"

"Yep."

"She's a friend. And might as well be my sister."

"Ohh."

"Mhm."

They go back to watching tv.

The femme's continue their 'interrogation.'