Yeah... Sorry for not updating. A lot has happened that has put me in no mood to write. I've lost two people, one of them being my college tutor. I've never lost anyone close to me before. Things have happen at home which I'm not going to bore you with but it's kept me busy.

Thank you my new follower and those who have favorited.

Thank you for those who voted on the poll, I really appreciate it. The poll is still open for those who want to vote.

A big thank you to those who reviewed like Girlcreeper81, Lizziecats, FlowersForTheDead, xTentressx, EmilyThacker, MidNight270, Bee4ever, Darkshadowxsunny-sides, Mars.

From now on, I will reply on PM's instead of on the chapter as the person who reviewed don't get a reply until months later. I will only reply to reviews on the chapter for those who don't have an account.

xVentressx: I have to say, her personality is really interesting. Not too cold, but not too choky either. She has the skill, she's simply not underestimating herself. I would like to see Alex back, I actually liked his character:3 And would you be surprised if I told you this is the first Transformers story I haven't given up on reading? Maybe it's because it's slightly different from the others, or maybe because your character is special, her aura of mystery keeps you tuned in. I hope you'll be able to keep me this interested until the end :D

Me: I'm glad you like her character and that you think she's interesting. I was worried that she might be a bit too boring. I think you've got the names wrong. I don't remember putting an Alex in my story, maybe you meant Rex? Wow! Really? I'm honored. I hope the long wait hasn't put you off the story. And I hope you continue to enjoy it. I have a lot planned.

Emily Thacker: Dang in that chapter I'm pretty sure barricade and shadow could be a nice couple just saying

Me: Trust me. I have entertained the idea. I'm glad you think she's worthy enough to pair with a character :)

To be honest, I'm not too happy with this chapter. I made Shadow a bit out of character. I was angry when I wrote it. See what you think.

Oh! And thank you to Nexia Jazilynn Prime!

Chapter 10

Circles. That's all my thoughts have been going with ever since my talk with Barricade. Sideswipe has been moaning for a while about not being able to check out the blimp on his scanners, he's eager for a fight. I tuned him out a long time ago, but kept the connection open in case Barricade comes back for a fight. Unfortunately, me and Sideswipe aren't allowed to race back to the base so we have to do it the slow way. Sideswipe has been persistent in trying to get me to talk, asking why we need such 'flimsy armor' (otherwise known as clothes) anyway but he has been unable to pull me from my thoughts. The conversation me and Barricade had wasn't totally pointless. I did find out that the Decepticons don't know about the machine but they know I'm involved with the energy signature produced by the machine. I found out that I'm missing something important according to Barricade. They know I'm involved with the Autobots but that I hold no loyalty to them. Plus, I know that Barricade is with the Decepticons and hasn't deflected or gone into hiding like many fans think he has. I see the outline of the base and we're fast approaching. What troubles me most is why Barricade didn't push for his answers. I mean, if he really wanted to, he could have kidnapped me and tortured me for answers. He could have attacked me and crashed through the mall. So why didn't he? It doesn't make any sense. I know he doesn't care for human lives so it isn't that. Maybe he didn't want to blow his cover? Nah… He could have got me without blowing his cover. He had loads of options. And yet… he let me go without the answers he wanted. It just… It doesn't make any sense. Still in deep thought I enter the base and park my bike. I take my helmet off while Sideswipe and Mia park near me. As I shake my hair free, I hear shouts, mostly from Ironhide.

"There she is! That pit spawned femme!" shouts Ironhide from behind.

What have I done now? I climb off my motorbike to see Ironhide trying to stomp his way towards me but Ratchet is holding him back. I see Lennox and Epps shouting trying to get him to calm down. I hear Sideswipe transform near me as I fold my arms.

"And what, pray tell, have I done?" I ask with a bored tone, ready to hear what crazy accusations he has to say.

"You know exactly what you've done, you deceiving little-" starts Ironhide being such a gentleman.

"Ironhide! Calm down. Easy friend," says Ratchet trying to calm his old friend as they all come to a stop in front of me.

"What's going on?" questions Mia as she and the others step out of her car.

I hear something that sounds like static before I focus my attention back to the situation.

"Some important files were downloaded. According to our security team, it was right before you guys left," explains Lennox.

"The files contained important information about the location of the shard of the AllSpark," adds Epps as everyone looks at me.

"Oh I see how it is. You're accusing me of downloading the files," I state coldly putting my guard right up.

"We know you did it!" shouts Ironhide with anger.

"Violet….. they were downloaded just before you left for your shopping trip," comments Lennox.

"Let's get something straight, if I was stealing information, you wouldn't even know it," I say with a small growl, taking one step forward.

"Not unless you made a mistake," counters Ironhide.

"Ok. Let's pretend I did -and I stress the word pretend- why would I want to steal information in the first place? It's not like I can use the information or give it to someone. I was with escorts the whole time," I reply.

"Actually, that's not completely true. While Candy and Claire were trying on dresses, we were looking for tops. I got carried away for a bit and when I realized, I made my way back to you. When I saw you, I thought I saw you with a man but he was gone as quick as I saw him. I thought I imagined him," explains Mia,

"There was a Decepticon signal as well. It was only for a second," adds Sideswipe.

Everyone starts looking at me accusingly and some are glaring at me.

"Violet…. who was the man?" asks Lennox firmly.

I can lie and say she imagined it but they might look at the security footage from the shop and then I won't have a chance to explain myself. I refuse to answer, not knowing what to say. Damned if I do, damned if I don't. I glare at all of them while I contemplate what to say. I finally make my decision as the tension builds.

"Barricade," I state, but before I can say anymore an uproar occurs.

"Barricade?! You gave that Decepticon scum the location to the AllSpark! I'll offline you!" roars Ironhide, his cannons whirling.

"You betrayed us?!" growls Sideswipe angrily.

Ratchet has to restrain Ironhide again to stop him from squashing me or blowing me to pieces.

"I said so! That femme is working for the Decepticons!" rages Ironhide.

"Violet! How could you do this?" exclaims Lennox among the other shouts.

All of them jumping to conclusions and accusing me.

"I didn't give Barricade the files. You haven't even let me explain myself," I say, trying to keep calm.

"Explain yourself? What is there to explain? You sold us out!" exclaims Epps angry.

They are all angry because they are confused and hurt.

"Barricade just wanted to talk. He wanted answers. He wanted to know about the energy spike which was caused by the machine. He wanted to know where it came from," I explain.

"And did you tell him?" asks Lennox.

"Of course not!" I exclaim offended.

Did they really think I'm that stupid?!

"You're lying. How can we believe you? We don't even know who you are!" shouts Ironhide.

"Maybe not. But I have been honest with you. I could have said that I was a victim of Mission City or some other sob story but I didn't. There were many times I could have chosen to leave but I didn't. And now? Now you're accusing me of working with the Decepticons. When would I have downloaded the information? I was in my room with my guards outside." I counter.

I can't help but feel a little hurt. I should have expected this but I can't help but feel like they're different. They're people I've respected because of what they've been through but I should have known better.

"You've snuck away from the guards plenty of times. You could have done it again earlier," comments Ratchet.

"But I didn't. I stayed in my room. You can check the footage," I reply as I nearly start raising my voice.

No one looks convinced though.

"Lennox….." I say firmly, my voice not wavering at all.

I'm not going to beg for them to see it my way but I can't help that silent plea that escapes my lips. Lennox refuses to meet my eyes as he gives a sigh.

"Give me your hands," orders Lennox avoiding eye contact.

They don't believe me.

"Fine. Believe what you want. It's not like I give a damn about what you guys think anyway," I growl through gritted teeth, putting my arms out.

Lennox grabs a pair of handcuffs off someone and puts them on my wrists. I refuse to look weak though and I look straight on with my head held up. My eyes harden as I refuse to show any emotion apart from anger.

"You will be put back in your cell. Do not make any attempt to escape. Do not make any attempt to contact anyone. Do I make myself clear?" asks Lennox as he tightens the handcuffs, securing them in place.

"Crystal," I state coldly before I'm led back to my cell.

Absolutely freaking fantastic.

0000000000000000

End chapter

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

.

(Only joking! I'm not that cruel! But I did seriously think of ending it there.)

0000000000000000

Back to square one. It's like my first day all over again. Small interrogation room. Stupid officials. They're ordering answers but I stay quiet. Stupid officials. I don't even make eye contact. My gaze is stuck to the cold metallic handcuffs gripping to my wrists. My hair makes a curtain over my face. I figured it out a while ago when I was stuck in my cell. That thought running in my head over and over. Barricade set me up. Cold anger fills me with the thought. It's the only thing that makes sense. It's why he didn't really push for his answers. Why he didn't kidnap me and torture me for answers. He just needed an excuse to talk to me. Because if I was seen talking to him, I would lose what little trust the Autobots had in me. But even then, what was the point? To mess with us? Maybe to push me into escaping, running away from the Autobots , so they can kidnap me without the fear of the Autobots interfering? I don't really know but next time I see Barricade, bipedal mode or not, he'll be in trouble. He has no idea what dangerous game his is playing. I'll show him what a human is really capable of. How did he even know where I was? I….. I can't find it in me to be confused or angry anymore. I just feel numb. From the corner of my eye, I can see Lennox and Ironhide (in his holoform) trying to talk to me. How long have they been there? I guess I was too deep in thought to notice. I still refuse to answer them, keeping silent. What's the point of trying to explain myself? It's not like they'll listen. I hear the door open but I can't be bothered to see who entered the room.

"Any progress?" questions a deep voice.

Prime…..

"No. She refuses to talk. She won't even make eye contact. She's been like this since we detained her," reports Lennox.

"Maybe she's broken?" suggests Ironhide off to the side.

Yeah, that's the last thing I want. To be taken to the Hatchet.

"Miss Sedis?" questions Prime, stepping forward, right in front of the table.

However, I don't even glance upwards. I continue to look down, not giving any one of them eye contact. At this point I don't even give a damn if I'm being disrespectful to Prime. I hear him sigh before speaking again.

"Can you explain this? It's the footage from your room," states Prime before an Ipad or some kind of tablet is put on the table. It peeks my interest so I watch the video.

Finally! This will show my innocence (well…. not really innocence, but it should clear this up.) This thing should be all cleared up once they see that I stay- What?!

"What the hell?!" I exclaim in shock, making a few people jump in shock a little since they didn't expect an outburst after I've been quiet for so long.

One second I'm there, picking up a piece of fruit, the next second the camera feed cuts out and in its place is static.

"You freaking serious?! What the hell is going on?!" I rant angrily, all my frustration coming out.

"What the hell is this?!" I shout standing up.

"Well she's not broken…." mutters Ironhide.

"We were hoping you could explain, Miss Sedis," replies Prime, ignoring Ironhide's comment.

"Explain?! This was what I was counting on to prove my innocence," I exclaim surprised but mostly frustrated.

"Innocence? Yeah right," scoffs Ironhide.

I slam my fists on the table, all my anger and frustration coming out, making a few nervous guards jump.

"You wanna go Ironhide?! Come on!" I shout eager for a fight.

Normally I'm much calmer about this sort of thing but everything has been piling up inside me. How I've been thrown to another dimension. How my father's legacy still lives through the machine. How I've been trapped in this stupid base. How I've been in a cell for a good few hours. How I was interrogated again by stupid officials. How I've been accused by my childhood heroes of betraying them. How the only thing to prove my innocence is gone. It's starting to be too much for me.

Lennox has to immediately stand in between us, even though there's already a table between us.

"Challenge accepted, puny femme," retorts Ironhide, accepting my challenge, eager for a fight as well.

Even though there's a table, Prime and Lennox in between us, that isn't going to stop me. I could use these handcuffs to strangle him. I know it's only his holoform but it would still give me the satisfaction. Hot anger fills me, burning me inside. I am not in the mood for this!

"Now calm down! Both of you!" shouts Lennox over us, putting his arms out.

"Stuff it you two! I'm not one of your little soldiers! I do not take orders!" I yell, breaking my eye contact with Ironhide, and turning my glare to Prime and Lennox, something snapping a little inside me. It takes my whole strength to refrain myself from physically lash out.

"Hey! You treat Prime and Lennox with respect!" exclaims Ironhide, his blue holoform eyes glowing bright blue with anger.

"Treat them with respect?! How about treating me with some? Instead of accusing me, you should find the real culprit!" I shout outraged.

I'm starting to reach my boiling point. And trust me, no one wants that.

"We already have. She's standing right in front of us!" comments Ironhide.

I can just scream my lungs out right there and then, instead the whole room echoes with a bang as I violently take my frustration out on the (innocent) metal chair as I kick it across the room.

"Are you that narrow minded that you can't see the truth? You don't even have any real evidence! All you have is a hunch and the fact the camera in my room shows static! But apparently, that's enough to lock me away and have me interrogated. How about you find some real damn evidence first!" I rage, letting my anger get the better of me.

I can tell Lennox wants to tell me to calm down but he knows it wouldn't do a thing.

"We have everything we need," counters Ironhide.

I compose myself, my anger being silent on the outside as I give off a deadly calm aura. I lean my knuckles on the table, making them whiten.

"Oh really?" I ask.

My voice so low and calm, it throws them off.

"Do you have any footage of me on any kind of device capable of hacking? Yes or no?" I question lowly.

"Well no but-" starts Ironhide but I cut him off.

"Is there any footage of me walking down the corridors at the time of the hacking?" I ask calmly.

"No," states Lennox.

"And finally…." I say, looking each of them in the eye firmly before continuing, "…Can anyone answer this? If I was in my room at the time of the camera's feed cutting off and showing static, how can I interrupt the feed with no devices at my disposal?"

I look at their faces for their reaction. Ironhide is angry, having no answer to that, Lennox doesn't hide his confusion, but he does think about it, and Prime's face is neutral so I can't tell what he's thinking, though he has to be contemplating what I said. I wait a few minutes but none of them have an answer to that.

"Just what I thought…. Next time you accuse me of something, you better make damn sure you have some real hard evidence, got it?" I growl coldly.

"But Barricade-" protests Ironhide but I cut him off.

"Planned this," I state with certainty in my voice, the tension dying down.

"But why?" counters Prime curiously.

"I don't know," I answer, standing straight, and resisting the urge to fold my arms, because that is very difficult to do with handcuffs.

We all stand in silence trying to come up with a reasonable answer, all of us lost in deep though. Whatever the reason, it's not good. My anger washes away and fatigue takes its place. We're all shaken out of our thoughts by someone clearing their throat to gain our attention.

"Ahem… Violet Sedis. You're free to go, though normal rules do apply. Stick with your guards and I mean it….. if you don't then you will look guilty," announces Lennox.

I give him a nod. At least I'm cleared….. for now. All I'm going to focus on now is the mission - recovery of the machine. I need to make up for lost time.

000000000000000

Pit stop. Sometimes it's what we all need. Just to stop and think. Take a break. Stop and refuel. It's something we need. Otherwise we'll just break down or crash. We need to relax and give ourselves a break. Make sure we're on the right track and we might need to back track and retrace our steps. We might have forgotten the little things, for example…