Thanks for your patience everyone. Here is the next -un-beta'd- chap of the story. Hope you like.

Last time…

A strange uneasiness began to creep over his sensors.

Perhaps it was not wise to return the girl to her home, alone.

The feeling wouldn't abate, so thinking it best to send someone to check in on her, someone other than himself, he contacted Bumblebee.

The mech quickly acknowledged his request; and while Optimus felt slightly reassured that she would be looked after, his unease quickly grew to insurmountable apprehension.

Something was wrong. He could feel it.

Without another thought, he transformed.

Ch. 10 Final understanding

Someone was yelling…shaking her roughly…and…stuttering?

Kagome couldn't seem to get her eyelids to open as they appeared to be glued to her eyeballs.

And her heart felt…it felt strange as if it was beating much too fast, as if she had just ran a marathon; not to mention her mouth was extremely, and uncomfortably dry. Did she swallow dirt before she…

Someone was slapping her, calling out her name again and again.

As the insistent and hysterical screaming continued, the miko couldn't help but wonder what the commotion was about. It was hard to get her brain to think coherently -since perhaps she was still asleep- but it appeared that whoever was making so much ruckus was in some sort of trouble or something.

Hm, maybe she should try to help. Unfortunately her brain wouldn't clear from the strong fog that had settled over it and her body would not even come close to cooperating. In fact she felt like some dead weight or -or some stone pillar had settled over her and wouldn't budge, no matter how much she willed it to move.

What the hell was going on?

Someone was obviously in need of her help, they were desperate and she was just laying on her bed like some immovable rock.

She desperately wanted to open her eyes, to tell them she was coming, but -but she couldn't.

Kagome did manage a small groan -her groggy mind still uncooperative- telling them she was coming, that she just needed -she only needed a few minutes to be able to wake up fully.

Sam heard the small groan and damn near fell over with relief -she was alive!

When Bumblebee had gotten the order to check up on the Japanese woman, he volunteered to come along, citing the obvious fact that Bee couldn't just transform in front of everyone in her apartment complex and ask if she was alright.

So he needed him to tag along. He hadn't seen the girl in some time so he was happy -only a little of course- to get to see her and chat with her once more.

What he was not expecting was for her to be knocked out, unconscious, and lying on the floor of her bedroom.

When he had gone to the door to knock, and she hadn't answered, he had immediately concluded that the girl was simply pretending not to be home so she wouldn't have to talk to him. Telling Bee his theory, the mech had persisted that she was home for Optimus had told him as much. After a few more minutes of waiting, and on the verge of leaving, Bee decided to run a heat scan to see if she was indeed home. Relaying that she was on the floor unmoving and that her heart rate was dangerously high, Sam immediately pushed through the door -only too glad that it was unlocked- and had raced to her side.

He had panicked, and he still was, as he began to pick her up gently, telling Bee to rush them to the hospital as fast as he could, knowing that the mech would be faster and much more efficient than any ambulance.

Sam was yelling and stuttering furiously, asking his car what was wrong with her, for which the black and yellow camaro didn't have an answer to, he was no medic.

The boy placed her in the back of the vehicle as gently as he could, while he jumped into the driver's seat, the mech speeding off as soon as Sam's feet were in the door.

"Hurry Bee, she -she's -just hurry."

Kagome groaned once again, a heavy fog still clouding her mind, and while she sensed something was wrong, she was unable to come out of her unconsciousness. A deep and worried voice seemed to want to penetrate the haze, but she simply shook it off for some unknown reason, not wanting to hear it.

The next thing the miko felt was a bright light shining in her eyes as they were pried open, while someone hovered over her demanding she tell them her name and her age.

She tried to answer, though a pitiful whimper was all that managed to escape.

Sam walked beside the stretcher as she was wheeled into a room, though was quickly asked to remain behind. The nurses asked him to tell them about her family, someone to call in case of emergency, and no matter how he racked his brain, he couldn't remember hearing her speak about her family. Heck, he didn't even know her all that well, other than her time traveling history and her frightening tales about demons.

After informing them that there was no one that he knew of, he made his way outside to where the Autobots were waiting in the parking lot.

Once he and Bumblebee had been en route to the hospital, Optimus had met them half way, demanding to know what had happened to her. Bee had reported all he knew, Sam added what he could, and now both were parked outside waiting for any word about her condition.

Unbeknownst to the boy, Optimus was having difficulty holding onto his composure. He blamed himself for her condition, for leaving her so vulnerable and unprotected. His spark flickered then sputtered lowly until he thought it might give out completely.

How could he have allowed this to happen? He didn't know that she would take an excessive amount of her medication , and while he was still unsure if that was the true cause, he did think that perhaps in her state she had simply taken the wrong ones, or mixed several medications she was not supposed to. Whatever the case, he should have sent someone to remain vigilant outside her home, someone to watch over her.

What if he had not sent Bumblebee to check on her? He almost shuddered with the thought; they might have been too late to save her. It seemed that his 'good intentions' and pushing the girl away from him had still caused problems, and he could have lost her anyways.

The mech now knew that that objective was indeed incorrect and was not at all accomplished well. He should have allowed himself more time to think on the matter, instead of simply jumping into his decision to have her remain far from him and their war.

If her life -if she would have departed this world, then he would have been left alone once again.

Optimus knew that he would never find another human like this tiny girl, and would have never allowed himself to feel affection for another been ever again. It would have been a devastating blow, one he was sure he would not be able to get over….ever.

Their sparks had been shared…their emotions, as well as their individuals selves. He had become one with the human woman; and in his first true test of protection and care…he had failed her.

While Optimus did not know for certain if she had harmed herself deliberately, he was convinced that he was still the cause for causing her pain.

He had felt her confusion as to his sudden indifference, and he had felt a small amount of her sadness and her feelings of betrayal. The large mech had even sensed her acceptance as she seemed to wrap her loneliness around herself like a cloak of protection. It was clear that he had made her feel as if she was once again alone in this world.

He had -he had promised never to leave her, to never cause her any pain, and now he was responsible for going back on his word. He broke his promise to her and that was unacceptable. He would never forgive himself if she did not make it through this ordeal.

"Sam, you must return and get any information on her condition," he instructed softly, lest he be overhead, wanting the boy to be inside where he was unable to go. If Sam was the one who had to be by her bedside while she recuperated -for he would accept nothing less- then so be it. The boy had an important job to do and Optimus did not want him to do it reluctantly.

"Y -Yeah you're right. I'll let you know -I'll -I'll tell you if they're any changes alright…if she…?"

"Go, now," Optimus ordered not wanting the boy to finish his sentence. She would not perish; he would not allow it, there was still much he needed to make amends for, and much he needed to share with her still.

Sam remained in the hallway, waiting to hear from the doctor. He had called Mikaela and asked her to come down to the hospital as soon as she could -after having explained to her what had happened to the girl.

The hours passed by and the boy thought he was going to burst from the serious headache that had gripped him. He and Mikaela had been at the hospital all night, but thankfully news that she was going to live, though remain in intensive care treatment, had been delivered not long ago.

Needless to say the Autobots -who had already been informed of the situation- had been extremely relieved, yet not more so than the red and blue Peterbuilt parked outside.

Kagome awoke with a migraine the size of Inuyasha's mouth. She didn't drink so she knew she for a fact that she didn't have a hangover. Since she didn't remember anything with clarity, the miko could only assume she had gotten run over on her way to school. For what else could it be? Or maybe, she was still in the feudal era and they had been attacked again, and she had been knocked out. Yes, that could be it. Or…perhaps not, as Inuyasha would have likely gotten to her in time and saved her from a fate such as this.

Then what had happened to her? she wondered in rising panic. She felt as if she couldn't even move lest her head explode.

"H -Hello?" she whispered, her mouth so dry she could barely speak.

The young woman didn't hear any answer, but she did begin to register a strange beeping sound; and her nose felt funny, as if something were sticking out of it.

Kagome still didn't have any answers so she opted for trying again, though this time with a bit more force to her voice. "Is any -anyone there?"

"You're awake! Oh thank goodness, everyone's been going nuts. You scared them, no you scared me, I was the one that found you after all. W -Well with the help of Bee of course. Dammit, I must've fallen asleep be -because I just heard you -you know -just now. How are you feeling? Mikaela's not here, but -but she'll be back."

Kagome's head was spinning. And even in her pained condition she would recognize that stuttering tone anywhere. So she guessed her earlier theory had been correct, she had gotten run over in the school parking lot.

"Sam?" she questioned softly just wanting to be certain it was the boy.

"Yeah its me. You okay?" he asked in genuine concern.

"Ughmm, wha -what happened?" the young woman questioned needing answers.

"W -Well you -umm- you don't remember? Well obviously not huh, if you're asking and all."

"The doctors, they said that you -that you overdosed on your medication. Although they did want to know if it was…you know…intentional or…by accident. But they think that you took too many of your different prescriptions all at once, so the dosage was way too high for your size. But they -you know- they know that you were -umm- taking some anti-depressants and stuff, so they were just thinking that maybe," he shrugged uncomfortably then, pausing in his rambling for only a second or two before continuing, "that maybe you were so depressed you OD'd on purpose."

It took Kagome a few minutes of silence to get all that straight, her mind still feeling a bit foggy but clearing up by the second. Even as she processed what he had said, memories of the last few days began to pour forth, up to the time she got home all banged up from being attacked by a group of Decepticons, and had taken the different pills.

Oh no.

"D -Did they say anything else?" the miko asked softly.

"Yeah, you know," another shrug, "they saw the way you're all, you know scratched up and cut and stuff, but I told them that you had mentioned being in a car accident not long ago so…but you know Optimus and the rest of the Autobots are parked outside. He's….he's real worried about you know, and he -he wanted me to let him know when you woke up. So I guess I…I'll be right back."

Kagome watched him walk out the door, grateful for his explanation but feeling even worse because he just talked too much, and too fast.

Then another thought hit her…

…Optimus.

Sam had said he was worried about her…but why? He had already let her know -with his actions if not with his words- that he was no longer interested in her. That he wanted her out of his life. Not only that, but since she was no longer able to 'feel' him, he must've found a way to severe their abnormal connection.

Perhaps it was only out of guilt, or because he felt sorry for her, the poor lonely human girl, that he came to check up on her.

Well she didn't need his pity, nor did she need him to feel guilty about anything. She knew that, just like everyone else in her life, he would eventually break his promise and leave her. Hmm, it seemed that even this super-intelligent alien beings were in all actuality, like everyone else she had ever known.

Feeling suddenly angry at herself for being so stupid as to believe him in the first place, for -for caring about them and their war, and feeling angry at him for tricking her and lying to her, Kagome began to feel much stronger and less weak. Even her body began to execute a strange aura that the miko could only assume was her holy powers coming to aid her body in the healing process. She had been told by Kaede that many miko's were capable of such things like quicker healings, but she had never known she possessed this particular trait until now.

She wondered though, perhaps it was only because she suddenly felt pissed off. She didn't think so, but it could still be possible. The young woman only hoped none of the doctors or nurses would happen to walk in on her now, or else there was sure to be a lot of questions then.

Feeling much better after a few more minutes, yet contradictorily tired -probably because she was draining herself by using her powers- she was unexpectedly startled when Sam abruptly ran into the room.

His face was a mixture of confusion and for some reason he looked a bit scared.

"What it is, what's wrong?" Kagome wondered what had gotten him this upset.

"I--"

A doctor came in the room then, checking his chart, making Sam nod his head at him and retreat from the room as he began to check her stats. As soon as he was done the subtle interrogation began. She answered as honestly as she could, for it was true that she was unaware of what she had done until it was too late. She had never taken that exact combination of pills before but she had been in some pretty serious pain. Not only that but she just wanted to knock out and forget the way Optimus had been behaving towards her.

After having apparently 'convinced' him that it had been an accident -and that she didn't have any family to contact in case of an emergency, which became the truth as soon as she had been shipped off to America- he left her alone. Although, he did explain to her that she had to remain in the hospital for another night before she was to be released, after remarking about her 'odd' yet quick healing.

She did feel better.

So much so that she wanted to simply jump out of bed, do her homework and forget that she had ever met Sam or the Autobots. And once she was out of this place, that's exactly what she was going to do.

Kagome made good on her promise. As soon as she was released in the morning, and after thanking Sam for bringing her here and telling him that his 'duty' to her was over, and that she no longer needed him or Mikaela to watch over her progress, she walked out the front doors of the hospital before they had time to answer. Not forgetting that the robotic aliens were also waiting in the parking lot, she quickly averted her gaze and asked one of the nurses entering if she could possibly call a cab for her.

She lingered by the entrance and tried to look at everything but the lot of cars parked ahead. That is until Sam and Mikaela ran out after her.

"Hey where are you going? I -we- it wasn't our duty. We were simply looking out for a -for a--"

It was quite obvious the boy didn't know what to call her. She was not really a friend, and he barely knew her. In fact the only thing they had in common was that they had a few classes together and they knew about the robotic beings.

That wasn't enough, and since she no longer wanted anything to do with them, it no longer mattered. In fact, not one of the so called 'Autobots' had thanked her for saving their leader. Heck, not even the one she had come to -come to care about had thanked her. Quite the opposite actually, he had severed his connection with her, and had sent her home with another to watch over her until he could dump her off at her apartment.

That was very nice of him course, the miko thought with the utmost sarcasm.

"What Sam is trying to say," Mikaela interjected on behalf of her struggling boyfriend, "is that we can take you home. You might not consider us friends or anything but since your in on…well you know about our 'visitors' and all, you could at least let us take you home," she finished looking at the visibly anxious boy.

"No. You don't need to worry about me saying anything about your 'precious secret' to anyone. I don't have any friends remember? Nor do I need any. I wont be bothering any of you again, I can assure you, so lets just forget we know each other," the miko answered anger, hurt, and bitterness lacing her voice, though she tried to hide it, still came out.

Kagome was angered enough and she definitely didn't need to see the semi-truck drive up to the passenger pick-up and drop-off zone, where she stood angrily, berating the teenagers.

She felt the strange aura that all of these beings possessed -though his was the strongest- and her anger almost vanished.

The young woman nearly came undone. She -she wanted to cry and ask him why he had decided she wasn't good enough, why he had lied to her and why he had made her care if all he was going to do was push her away.

Yet she didn't; she held onto her anger as if it were her lifeline at the moment, and almost growled out her displeasure, just as a certain hanyou would always do.

The thought of her friend, of those who truly cared for her, brought a sharp pang of pain to her heart.

'Oh Inuyasha…I miss you still. And now…I must confess there's another that I'm going to miss as well.'

Ignoring the mech as best she could, as well as the protesting couple, she climbed into the cab that arrived just in the nick of time; for surely they were now able to see her tearful eyes, and hear the way her heart missed a bit with the renewed pain.

Directing the cab to take her back home as she huddled in the back seat, she didn't even notice the Peterbuilt that followed closely behind.

Arriving at her apartment not much later, the miko paid the cab and got out. Watching as it left, she finally noticed the large truck that had rolled in only to stop several yards away from her.

She stared at him, unable to look away. All of her previous anger melted in the sea of her overwhelming sadness, resentment, and betrayal.

The priestess turned and began to walk up the stairs choosing to ignore him.

"Kagome," he called in his smooth baritone bringing her to a stop. "We must discuss this. I…have much to tell you."

The young woman didn't care if he was going to give himself away by speaking to her. All she wanted to do was go to her bed, curl up, and go to sleep. Though she would have preferred to take a few anti-depressants or sleeping pills, she was instructed to lay off all prescription medication -other than pain killers- for at least two weeks time.

She had already missed school this Monday and although she had the option to stay home tomorrow she didn't want to.

Another surprise. She actually wanted to go to school and not lag behind again.

While her heart began to beat rapidly, wanting to go to him, disloyal to her own thoughts on the matter, she couldn't bring herself to go to him lest she fall into his carefully worded lies.

"Look Optimus," she whispered yet knowing he would hear her with his advanced sensors, "I'm -you may think that I'm stupid or naïve because I'm a human, but -but I'm not. I had demons thinking the same thing before too you know and they learned, eventually, that I was neither. I was alone before and I will be alone again. I can live with that. I know when I'm not wanted or needed…and believe me that doesn't bother me as much as it used to…I'm used to it now actually. I don't need your pity nor do I need your lies or manipulation. I may have similar powers to this -this Allspark of yours but that doesn't mean you're obligated to keep me around as an experiment or something. I can handle my own life and if…if anyone else decides to abduct me because of this power, then I guess I wasn't strong enough to stop it from happening." she sighed while gathering her turbulent thoughts and rubbed a hand down her face before she continued.

"I just - I just don't want anyone pretending to be m -my friend or…or even anything more, because you thought it was your duty. You…you lied to me Optimus and told me you wouldn't -that you wouldn't…." another sigh, then slowly and hesitantly, she walked away. There really wasn't much else to say and she did not want him to see her weakness, and that her decision to stay away from them had indeed hurt her.

For not only was the hurt great, but it was most painful indeed. She had finally opened up to another being, to share so much with them, only to…

…she was just such a fool to trust them, to -to believe what they had told her. It was obvious that it was best if she did not speak to anyone, did not make friends, or draw close to another being again.

It would be the best thing for her. It really would.

Then, perhaps, she would never suffer another loss again.

Just as she walked into her apartment and shut the door behind her, she heard the soft purr of the powerful truck driving away.

He was…he had left her….just as she had wanted him to.

Alright, so what can I say. Kag's is mad and Optimus is…well u fill in the blank.

Don't worry though, maybe…hopefully…perchance…things might clear up and get better??? (ha!)

Until next time…and please don't forget to REVIEW!