Chapter 10

Disclaimer: all publicly recognizable characters and settings are the property of their respected owners. The original characters and plot are the property of the authors (AutobotNightfury and PixelTheLittlestFembot). No money is being made from this work and no copyright infringement is intended.

Twitching, twisting and turning through wrapping sheets. Jerked awake, Nirvana stopped her scream short with her hands. Another nightmare. Ever since they encountered their Decepticon aggressors at the mall, now six months past, she was still having nightmares. The way she spoke to him, to the boys with him and just the entire encounter, it brought back those horrific visual from his little 'expedition' back in the warehouse. Instead of Rose's corpse, she was led way by Barricade on a demeaning leash. Forced to watch her suffer under the black Decepticon's watch, forcing her to commit such atrocities. Watching all the people they encountered die and...the feeling of those glowing probes wrapping around her. Feeling them crawl over her flesh, sinking in and making their mark. Soundwave's holoform head resting on her shoulder, whispering ghost words lost in the dream, but most of all, what finally broke the illusion was not Rose's demise. No, the linch pin fell when Soundwave, in his true form, plunged the great sword through Drift's shambling, damaged frame. The shockwave of the sight caused her heart/spark to pinch painfully.

"Rose," instantly her mind returned to the teen, creeping out of her room to hurry to her sister's side. Opening the door enough to slip in, she was surprised to see Ironhide, once again, holding his vigil at her side. Though now his holoform sat comfortably on the bed, back against the headboard and legs sprawled out. She spotted Rose, sleeping with a content smile on her face, using the battle-hard veteran's thigh as a pillow. His arm found its place on her shoulder, move every now and then to calm Rose in her sleep. As much as she was weary of this liaison, Nirvana was just happy Rose could extend her trust to another...but she was too trusting. Sometimes, Nirvana worried for her, worrying that she might trust the wrong person. Let someone in and then get hurt from the betrayal. Nirvana would have to talk to Ironhide about this later.

"Hey," Nirvana jumped at the voice, spinning around to defend herself. Her fist met a hand and Drift looked down with concern. It was surreal to think that now she was being dwarfed by a holoform. Drift was at least 6'3" in his current state, she being only 5'11". "What's the matter?"

"I'm fine, just...checking on Rose," she huffed, taking back her fist and adjusting her new kimono. She had to admit, Drift had good tastes, this one was more comfortable than the last. But her musings, and hurried steps, were stopped as the mech grabbed her arm.

"No, you're not," he stated. "Were you...having a nightmare? Your field has been...eratic as of late."

"Can you blame us? We have Decepticons after us," Nirvana tried to pull away but Drift wouldn't budge. Turning straight to him, she tried to pry his hand off but only found herself against the wall. Drift was much stronger than she thought, even witnessing his little stunt back at the mall didn't prepare her for just how strong he was. She didn't like it. No one had even pinned her like this, ever.

"We? Rose may be frightened but that fear is dwarfed now by happiness and calm. You're hurting yourself but focusing on the negative," Drift could still feel her resisting. Normally, he wouldn't do this but both he and Ironhide agree that the amount of stress she was putting on herself from all of this was not healthy. Ironhide easily calmed Rose just by standing near by, along with Nirvana, but no matter where he was or how close he stood, his presence never calmed Nirvana. "The Decepticons haven't been sighted since the incident."

"Doesn't mean they're not there. Soundwave could be watching us now, or Barricade is patrolling the area, looking for a weakness. I...we can't be lenient."

"Is that why you won't let Rose out of your sight? Why you haul her up in here? Everyone has been worried about you two, even Sam worries and he only comes here weeks at a time." Drift felt a strong pulse from her, her struggling increasing.

"They're only protecting us because the All Spark altered us. If we were normal like Sam we'd be sent out. No, no one here understands, no one really wants to help us," Nirvana was becoming increasingly annoyed and frustrated but Drift could let her go.

"We understand, and we want to help. Please Nirvana, you're hurting yourself and Rose."

"No, I'm protecting her. I...I'm the only one who can..." her field flickered with grief, and the tears began to show.

"Not anymore. You have us, the Autobots, Ironhide...and me," taking her hands from the wall, Drift stood before her with his hands tenderly holding hers. "You fear what Soundwave will do to you. Yes you fear for Rose but deep down, you fear for your safety as well. You don't have to be the martyr anymore, you can have fun, have a life, be happy. There are people here who care about you...I care about you."

"I...wish I could believe you," she admitted, something inside of her falling away. "No one has ever cared about me; my parents, my family, the orphanage caretakers, my bosses, no one. But Rose...I didn't want her to feel like that. Now...I don't know how to be happy without her..." Tears flowed from her eyes, she made no effort to clear them or made a sound with them. They just fell, silent, just as she had been about everything.

"Then...let me show you how to be happy." Drift surprised Nirvana, pulling her to him and scooping her legs up. Now, cradled like a princess, he carried her back into her room, eased her onto her bed while joining her. Feeling a little awkward, Nirvana suddenly felt a warmth in her chest. Gasping at the sudden sensation, she looked into those bright and kind azure eyes. "Relax, let it all go."

"You're...not going to...start something here...are you?" her voice faltered over the snarky comment, lost in those crystalline depths. Her attempt did bring a minor chuckle from the swordsmech.

"No, Cybertronians who are close friends, or trusted comrades, can meld their fields. It builds trust, calms nerves and gives a feeling of company," the feeling was overwhelming; her body tingled, wrapping and consuming her completely. But it wasn't forceful, or probing or malicious; all she could feel was compassion, tenderness and...

Tears fell heavily as these foreign fells overwhelmed her heart. They were more than just simply pleasant, they were addictive. Were these the feelings she had been neglected for so long? Giving them but never receiving them from another besides Rose? No, she didn't want to lose this feeling, didn't want it to leave her so quickly. The last of her barriers collapsed as her arms easily slide from Drift's hold, burying her head in his chest.

"D...don't go...please don't leave me alone..." she begged. Something she had never done for anyone. She just wanted to let go; relieve herself of any and all her burdens and fears. Drift just smiled, laying her down and wiping the tears from her cheeks. Lying on his side, Nirvana stayed buried in his chest, barely feeling the sheets cover her again. Drift's field pulsed, soothing like a warm bath or haunting melody that lulled Nirvana's mind to sleep. He simply lay there, with her in his arms; his field would ripple and comfort her when her dreams moved back to her nightmares, ensuring she received a decent sleep cycle but relishing their closeness, and how she would smile and lean impossibly closer to him.

Morning came too soon. Rose moaned, leaning in closer to the warmth she had felt all night. With her mind slowly waking up, she wondered where the warmth had come from? Why was it so hard yet warm and soft? No longer able to fight sleep, Rose slowly opened her eyes and looked to her comfortable pillow. Blushing from surprise and embarrassment, she found that Ironhide's thigh had been the comfortable warmth. Pulling back in a knee-jerk reaction, a dramatic flail of her arms followed by falling off her bed, but her backside never met the floor as 2 strong hands grabbed hers, pulling her back onto the bed and into a strong, muscular chest. Her blush doubled at the sight of Ironhide holding her close, standing off the bed while she knelt. Why was everyone else so tall? She only came up to his stomach since he was slightly taller than Nirvana.

"You alright kid?" Ironhide asked, not getting a verbal answer but feeling Rose nod. "What the frag were ya doing? Did you have a nightmare again?" despite his gruff voice, he tilted her burning face up to look her over for other injuries, but focused on her cheeks. "Are ya sick?"

"N-no, Mr Ironhide...I-I'm fine," she stammered, her blush growing when his head leaned down, placing them forehead to forehead. Rose just sat frozen by the holoform's actions, but oddly liked the feelings it called out from her.

"Ya face feels hot, you sure ya not sick?" he asked again, completely missing her squeal. Granted, he had picked up why her face would bloom red like that, thanks to his presence alone sometimes. No one ever said he was a civil mech, but he knew when it was called for. Seeing her stutter and try to cover it up was amusing as it was adorable. He thanked Primus that he could meet this little human. "Relax kid, it's alright I was just messing with ya. You look so cute with that blush 'cross your face," he smiled, watching as she froze and her blush grew even brighter, covering most of her face. Sitting on the edge of the bed, so he could be face to face, Ironhide placed his cold hand to her warm cheek, hoping to help the redness fade, which it did. Rose even leaned into his hand until the blush was gone.

"Mr Ironhide..." she asked, but stopped to reconsider her thought.

"What? You can tell me anythin' kid," he didn't want her to tiptoe about, help give her some confidence in herself. Primus knew she needed some. He watched calmly and patiently as she took a breath and tried again.

"Do...do you think...Barricade and Soundwave will get us again?" Ironhide didn't want to answer it. This was war and they were civilians targeted by the Cons. He wanted to say No, definitely not, absolutely no way in the pit would they be captured again. But that would be lying, there was a chance it would happen again, it was very much possible for the Cons to get their hands on them.

"I won't lie to ya. There...is a chance," he hated seeing he so distraught. Her eyes lost the happy gleam for a second, before he turned her head back, "But I swear, they'll have ta go through me first ta get ya or ya sister."

"But I don't want you to get hurt!" Rose panicked, gripping his hand tight while hugging him, "I don't want to be the reason you get hurt."

"Don't could me out so easily, I've killed many a Con and I know their sneaky tactics. They won't get the drop on me easily," pulling her back, he looked her square in the eyes, almost forcing the tears back into them. "I promise ya, here and now, that I will do everything in my power ta keep ya safe. I...care about ya, I don't want ta see ya hurt, or cry or scream. I want ya safe and happy." A tingling feeling wrapped around Pixel. Ironhide had done this once before when she had a nightmare, something about wrapping their fields as a sign of friendship and camaraderie - a deep meaning between Cybertronians. Smiling at the warming sensation, she focused on trying to push her field out, to copy what Ironhide was doing. Only she received a chuckle from him as he lifted her off the bed and onto her own feet. "Come on, better get ready or ya sister might think something it up," turning to leave, he left her with a smile before walking out. Rose loved his smile, it was so handsome and strong and...that warm feeling was coming back again. Shaking her head clear of the thoughts, she excitedly pulled out one of the outfits Nirvana hadn't seen yet, making a not to wear tights.

Adjusting the sequoia pink frilly skirt, she tucked in her cross-back aqua cami and slipped her leather jacket over. Last minute fixes to her rosy print tights and brown boots, she skipped out into the kitchen. Nirvana was making coffee while Drift was watching a children's show from the morning line-up but Ironhide was no where to be found.

"Morning sleepy head," Nirvana smiled, seeing Rose's searching gaze, "Optimus called for Ironhide, something about a meeting. Don't worry he'll be back," offering a mug of coffee, Rose took it while shovelling 3 large spoons of sugar in. "You'll rot your teeth."

"I brush them everyday," Rose pouted, now happy with the taste of her drink. Looking over to Drift, he was so enwrapped by the cartoon, or anime as if seemed, she turned to ask Nirvana a question. "Um...what do you think of Mr Drift?"

An innocent answer, Nirvana looked to Drift too and didn't hold up much of a guard as her smile and light blush came through.

"He's nice, and pretty cool..." she trailed off, forgetting Rose was there and a childish smile crossed her cheeks.

"You like him," was all she needed to say to get Nirvana to nearly choke on her drink. "Don't deny it, I can see it on your face."

"I don't like him," Nirvana replied, trying to move the subject onward but Rose had the mischievous look to her.

"Okay, you don't like him...you love him," she giggled, getting a bigger reaction and blush from her sister. "It's okay, I think you two make a cute couple, and you should have something to be happy about besides me."

"Rose...you know I can't." Nirvana swirled the brown liquid still in her mug, looking back to Drift and remembering what had happened last night. "I...don't think I'm capable of love."

"You love me," Rose stated, trying to see where her sister was coming from. Sure she had mentioned her life before the orphanage, about her parents and how they died but it was obvious that there was more to it.

"What if he leaves? What if he doesn't feel the same way? And I can't be distracted, I need to keep you..." Nirvana was cut off, looking down to see Rose hugging her.

"You don't have to worry about me all the time," Rose smiled, craning her head up to look Nirvana in the eyes, "You stress so much about what could happen, but never take a break and focus on what's happening now. Please sissy, I just want you happy too. Besides, Ironhide is here too. We're not alone anymore." Drift's exact words echoed back to her. Yes, they weren't alone, but even in a crowded room anyone can feel alone. It wasn't a matter of surrounding yourself with people, it's how many of them have access to your heart.

"They won't always be here. What if the Decepticons just forget us, we'd be left on our own again. No need to make bonds that'll just break anyway," Nirvana sighed, but looking back to Rose she saw that look. She had a plan and something told the older woman she wouldn't like it.

"I guess that means I need to try something else," Rose giggled, her sudden change did not sound good for Nirvana. Rose skipped back out of the room, her drink finished, only to come back a few minutes later with something behind back.

"What's that?" Nirvana asked, not entirely fearful of what Rose had but more so how much she knew the girl. Rose did have her moments of mischief and though she didn't want to admit it, she always seemed to have a way of working Nirvana to her advantage.

"Promise you'll try to make friends, or I'm sending Drift...the photo," Nirvana froze. How did Rose keep it hidden from her. She thought she had destroyed all of them.

"Where did you get that?" Nirvana placed her mug down, still shocked at her younger sister.

"Took it before you could burn it. You're really pretty in this one, the kimono suited you," Nirvana went white. It just had to be that one.

"Rose...please, think about what you're going."

"Promise me, and I'll put it away. Otherwise Drift will see it and never forget."

"Show him and Ironhide will know you have a crush on him," Nirvana knew this will cave her little sister. Embarrassment was always something Rose would avoid. Nothing was worth it. And as the blush made its appearance, Nirvana was surprised to see Rose hold her ground.

"A s-s-small sacrifice for you to make friends," shocked and surprised, Nirvana sighed.

"You...are an evil, evil person," hanging her head in defeat, Nirvana knew Rose had her outmatched. Blush forgotten, Rose smiled and cheered for her victory. "But please, please never show him that," Rose just beamed and turned on her heel back to her room.

"No promises!" Nirvana gaped, hearing what her sister had said. She was doomed now. Not only were the decepticons after them, her sister had the best bribing tool at her disposal. There was no way she would be able to find it, Rose was a master at hiding just about anything. Defeated, by her sister no less, Nirvana looked to Drift. He still hadn't moved from the couch, watching some documentary now on Samuari and ancient Japan. Figures. Seeing Rose return, Nirvana gave in and cautiously moved to the couch. Thinking about what he had said last night made her wonder if Rose had heard them. Taking a seat, Drift smirked.

"Sounds like some kind of bribe," Nirvana blushed, only now realising they were loud enough for him to hear. "So, where should we start in your guide to friendship?" Looking to him, wishing to glare at that perfectly perfect tanned, blue eyed face, she just cracked a small smile.

"So long as you don't force me to watch My Little Pony: Friendship is Magic, we can start wherever."

"So hold on," Ironhide just couldn't believe what he had just heard. "You're telling me, that you can make a device that can hide their energy fields?" Ratchet looked insulted that the veteran had such little faith in him, and for interrupting.

"Of course I can," Ratchet snapped back, "It's been difficult to implement this to our frames but it would be child's play to make them for humans. It would be a device that emits an energy distortion field around them, making it impossible for anyone to track them. We can only because it's attuned to Autobot Frequencies but it would be difficult for even Soundwave to track. I'll see if I can create a randomiser to make tracking even harder and I'll need to test it against other Earth electronics so not to gain any unwanted attention."

"So long as no harm will come to them, it is an excellent idea," Optimus smiled. He had been getting daily reports from Ironhide and Drift on the wellbeing of the 2 women. Lately he had been worried about them, with their scare 6 earth months ago and its lingering grip, it was difficult to remand them to the base. Humans were rather social creatures despite their odd reverences contradicting their nature. Nirvana for one had been stressed as of late and refused aid or treatment. Rose seemed to cope better, her elder sibling taking most of the burden. He understood this nature but also knew the ramifications to its prolonged practise.

"It would also allow them to be among their own kind. Lennox has mentioned they are not of the educational level their ages would suggest. Rose should be completing secondary education while Nirvana should be either in the work force or completing tertiary education," Ratchet added, "With their exposure to the All Spark, both could gain this education without much trouble, the difficult part is getting them into this."

"I will need to discuss this with Major Lennox," Optimus mused, "It would be in their best interests to gain this education."

"Then maybe they can work here," Ironhide perked up, "If they train to be productive here on base, we can still protect them."

"An excellent idea, but will they agree," Ratchet added, "They are rather headstrong and stubborn, Nirvana especially. Would they work in these conditions?"

"If it means protection from those fraggers, they'll take it," Ironhide nodded, "Nirvana has been running herself ragged and stressing over it since the mall trip. Who knows it might even help her calm down."

"It's settled then," Optimus nodded, "I will dicuss with Major Lennox to see if the possibility of sending them this 'University' is achievable, otherwise they will need to resign to living on base." Nodding, agreeing with their Prime, Ironhide made his way back to the girls while Ratchet worked on the cloaked and Optimus moved to find Lennox.

The next year was going to be a long one and a lot needs to be prepared.