IX

Mary had dozed off after she'd finished her call with Benny. She simply sat beside the car, resting back on bumper. Before she knew it, her eyes had shut. She didn't notice the time pass but soon enough she was being nudged awake. Her eyelids fluttered open and there stood Benny, offering a smile.

"Are you alright?" Benny offered.

"Yes…fine," she sighed, standing up.

"Where is he?" Benny nodded.

Mary pointed to the trunk. As if by cue, Kyle again began pounding on the back window. Benny nodded again, sighing.

"Is…is Kyle still in there somewhere?" whispered Mary.

Benny paused, looking around. "Did you take his keychain off him?"

"Uh…no," she mumbled.

"Then yep, Kyle's still in there somewhere," smiled Benny. He quickly turned serious, glancing back at her. "We need to get him out of the trunk."

"What!" gasped Mary.

"Can you do it from here?" Benny asked.

Mary dug into her pockets, pulling out the car keys. She fumbled with the buttons, soon pressing the trunk button. Kyle nearly fell out but rebalanced himself. Realizing the trunk was open, he jumped out, glaring at Benny and Mary.

"Breakdown," he smiled.

"Now, Knockout…we'd like to talk to Kyle for a moment," Benny offered.

He frowned. "You're with her?"

"C'mon, Knockout…this isn't right," Benny sighed.

"You're with the humans!"

He lunged for Benny but he was too slow. Benny slipped around Kyle, after shoving Mary aside. Kyle stumbled, stopped, and spun around. He lunged again. Benny smiled, meeting the lunge with a fist to Kyle's stomach. Mary watched Kyle's eyes flicker from red to its normal color before passing out.

"What did you do!?" Mary gasped.

"He'll be fine," nodded Benny, lifting Kyle over his shoulder. "He'll wake up as Kyle now though."

Benny set Kyle in the trunk again. He glanced back at Mary. She was pale, eyes leaking slightly. Her hands held onto each other, shaking. Benny sighed. He stepped over to her, holding her arms, rubbing them slightly. She eyed the ground, mouth slightly open as if to speak.

"It'll be okay," assured Benny, offering a smile.

"Tell me."

Benny perked. "What?"

"Tell me…tell me everything."

"I don't think…"

"Tell me what's going!" ordered Mary, pulling free of Benny.

Benny sighed, walking away. He sat on the bumper, looking at her. He nodded, rubbing the back of the head.

"Kyle and I aren't…exactly human," Benny explained. "We're not supposed to be humans, is what I mean. We're…machines that fell into this. I can't remember how. I figure no one has just yet. We were a part of the Decepticons, a team that wasn't…exactly human friendly. Knockout…Kyle, was our medic, and I was his assistant."

Mary glanced at Kyle. She slowly moved over, sitting in the trunk beside Kyle.

"How'd you fine him…way out here?" Mary sighed.

"Just a feeling," he shrugged. "Saved him just before Screamer got him."

"Screamer...Sam!" cried Mary, nodding. "Kyle mentioned him. Why was he out to kill him?"

"We think he Knockout might know where our leader is. For Starscream, that means his chance to rule."

"What's going to happen now?"

Benny turned to her. She was looking at Kyle, running a hand across his cheek, with a faint smile on her lip. Benny looked down at Kyle, who suddenly stirred. His eyes opened slowly, looking up at Mary. Benny watched Kyle reach out and hold Mary's hand. He whispered something to her. She leaned in, allowing him to whisper again.

Benny turned away just as Mary replied, "I love you too."