Writing whole chapters in one day when I should be writing a final paper for Anthropology due Tuesday and studying for English exam on Wednesday...Yeah, not my brightest idea yet. ^^; But still, seeing as the last chapter was the most reviewed chapter of the story yet with a whopping 22 reviews, I couldn't NOT post this baby. I do hope, from the bottom of my heart, that you all enjoy. :)

*sigh* Okay, I had all my thanks written out for this chapter, but then I pressed the wrong button and all of it disappeared, so I'm just going to have to be short and sweet this time through. -_-

Bluebird Soaring- You're simply the best for your heartfelt and enthusiastic reviews, thanks you so much.

lets go for life won't wait- Sometimes not being able to keep secrets is a bad thing, in Blue's case, not so much. xD

Chaos Dragon- Emotional is what I do best. :)

Theo3983- The books are about to reveal much about our dear Sam~

Elita One- Don't think Blue has it in him to knock Mikaela out and drag her to base. Maybe if it was some other bot... xD

spedclass- Um... Thank you

Obelisk of Light- I'm pretty sure Mikaela will get more than she bargains for out of the books. ;)

Katanagirl16- I'm so glad you enjoyed the chapter; Blue is one of the most fun characters to write.^^

FntsyDncr3168- There'll be more Sam/Mikaela in due time, my friend.

Caz- I think after so long of facing down giant evil alien robots, Sam's kind of been desensitized to the dangers of human females. He'll learn, though. ;P

WhitlockRN- Thanks.^^

Bunnylass- My dear, I had the most fan-tabulous reponse to your review written out, and there it goes right down the tubes when all my hard work decided to go poof with the press of a button. Even if this is the second go around, my love and adoration for your reviews and the enthusiasm that they bring will forever have me on cloud nine. You have such an amazing talent for devling between the lines and seeing more than what I've written. I always look forward to your reviews because your interpretations are so close to the real deal, if not spot on every time! 3

Jean- Uh, yeah, thanks.

Silveriss- Well, it's nice to know you're sticking with the story and popping up with a review. I'm honoured by the consideration.

FireFlyFlicker- I don't think anyone deserves heartbreak, but life happens, and so does hurt. Let's just hope Mikaela and Sam are enough to help each other.

Lecidre- Goodness, my dear, your review simply had me bouncing off the walls. I'm so glad I could entertain you with the last chapter- it was a fun chapter to write. Laughter is certainly a bonus! :) Bluestreak has got to be one of the most fun characters to write for this story- he's so kind, and sweet, and yet so very talkative. It's good that readers enjoy him as much as I like to write him or else this fic would be in trouble. xD

myrthill- My goodness, this is one of the first TF fics you've ever read? That's quite an honour to hear that, my dear. Even more so to the fact that you've enjoyed yourself. As for the hologram touching thing, think about the Doctor from Star Trek Voyager (if you've seen that show^^;)- he's made of light and force fields, and he's capable of becoming solid or intangible at will.

Dinosaurous-rex- That's quite a bit of praise for this one little fic, my dear. I'm humbled and honoured. Thank you so much.

HesitantPen13- *bows* Thank you, thank you! You're too kind~ There's no particular reason for this fic tobe set 16 years in the future other than to let time take its course in the intervening years.

Me.....:)... Better late than never reviews are just as good as super speedy reviews. I'm honoured that you would review my story at all. Thank you so much.

JacktheMonkeyxo- Thanks so much.^^

leoshunny1985- Thanks^^

Serendipity Kiss
Chapter 10

It was safe to say, for the first time in a long time, things were looking up.

In fact, things were looking so good, that Sam was actually whistling as he trotted into the lobby of the hotel. So infectious was his good mood, Victoria couldn't help her bright smile as she watched him waltz through the entrance. Spotting his favourite receptionist, known for getting him out of several sticky morning-after situations by calling up with some fake emergency with which to whisk Sam away on, he made a detour for a desk and propped himself against the marble counter.

"How's my favourite hostess?" he charmed, rapping his knuckles against the counter.

"Doing well, Mr Witwicky," she replied, inclining her head. Her eyes sparkled as they always did when she looked him up and down, from the bounce in his step to the light in his eyes. A rare sight indeed from the normally genial but reserved Sam Witwicky. "Can I assume you had a good day?"

"You could say that," Sam laughed. Sitting at a table in a bookstore facing droves of jostling sci-fi junkies worshipping the ground he walked on as he signed their dog-eared, yellow-paged, loved-'till-the-spine-fell-out editions of his books was an interesting way to spend the day, to say the least. "But I think I had a better night, if you know what I mean."

Remembering the stunning dark-haired beauty Sam had brought in with him the night before, Victoria knew very well what he meant. "I have no doubt you had a very enjoyable night. Your lady friend must have had a good time, too?"

"Of course. Would I be a gentleman if I didn't make sure she had a good time?" They both laughed, enjoying the light-hearted banter that had risen between them. On his own volition, because he was in such a good mood, Sam lifted the single small bag he was carrying to the counter, displaying it to the receptionist. "I even picked her up a few things today, hopefully to cheer her up after a stunt I pulled this morning."

Victoria's eyebrows arched in pleasant surprise. Never had any of Witwicky's lady-friends stayed in his suite longer than a night, and never had any of them left such a visible impression on the man. This woman was undoubtedly special. "Apology presents, Mr Witwicky? Why, even a man of your calibre should know flowers are the best way to go."

He reached in and withdrew one of the items from within the floridly pink-and-white striped specialty bag. "I've heard chocolate chip cookies work better," he laughed, presenting the large, melt-in-your-mouth-delicious chocolate chip cookie he'd bought at the tiny family bakery on the corner.

"Chocolate is always the best way to a woman's heart," the receptionist said warmly, reaching up to pat the hand that remained laying on the counter.

"That's what I'm hoping for," Sam replied honestly, if not a little cheekily. "Before I go up there, do you think you could do me a favour?"

"Anything, Mr Witwicky."

"Mind checking what kind of revenge has been incurred against my poor tab throughout the day?" Stuffing the cookie back into the bag, Sam nonetheless still grinned, his eyes glittering. "I fear for my bank account."

In a clatter of keyboard keys, his account was brought up and reviewed. "You're in luck; your lady friend seems to have spared you."

"Oh?"

"There was a single outgoing long-distance call made around eleven o'clock this morning, and room service had been called around 2:30 for what I can only guess would be lunch. Other than that, you're in the clear."

Delighted with the good news that Mikaela had at least spared him the horror of having to pay outstanding fees of biblical proportions, Sam grinned once more and pushed away from the counter. "Thanks so much, Vicky. You're a doll."

"That's what I'm paid for, Mr Witwicky." As he began to waltz away towards the elevators, she decided to call after him in afterthought. "Enjoy your evening!"

His rich laughter rippled through the lobby. "Don't worry, I'm sure I will."

The elevator ride up was quick, only stopping at one floor to let a tourist couple off. Once on his own floor, Sam paused at the door, unsure of what kind of sight he was going to walk in on. Perhaps Mikaela had saved the worse of her revenge for the room itself. Maybe it was completely trashed. Or, worse yet, maybe she had left sometime during the day, after the small lunch she'd ordered. Even if Bluestreak was stilling sitting in the car pool, there were a thousand different ways Mikaela could have found her way home.

Setting aside the brief flounce of trepidation, he keyed the locked and stepped in. Relieved to find the rooms clean, completely untouched except for the rumpled bed and his dumped out duffle bag scattered across the floor, he wandered in further, drawn by the soft murmur of the television. Instantly, his gaze alighted upon a familiar head of blue hair hovering just above the back of the leather couch. His expression flattened, mouth firming into a definite scowl. Bluestreak was the last person he wanted to find in his hotel room.

Aware of Sam's presence in the doorway, Bluestreak turned around with a jaunty wave.

Exempting speech all together, Sam stepped away from the open door and jerked his head out it. The silent command was easy to translate; Get Lost.

Reading it easily, driven by the firm look on Sam's face, Bluestreak rose from the couch with a sigh, blinking at the TV to turn it off, and then he was gone. Waiting for a moment to make sure the hologram was completely gone and not just hovering invisible somewhere, Sam firmly closed the door, threw the locks on it, and then wandered further into the spacious room. It was hauntingly cool throughout the space, the air conditioning gently humming through the vents, mingling sensuously with the warm swaths of light cutting across the carpet by the setting sun. There were no lights on, leaving the room in a cocooned embrace of orange light and lingering shadow. The bed, still as rumpled and inviting as it had been that morning, lay empty and waiting to be filled by naked bodies.

Only problem- where was Mikaela?

After a second of puzzling, the mystery was thankfully solved by a small noise coming from the bathroom, whose door remained cracked open a small ways. Water trickled, splashing against the sides of the deep, rounded tub. A hot curl of arousal slithered through Sam at the very thought of walking in on a slick, wet Mikaela Banes stretched out oh-so-perfectly in the marble tub with bubbles positioned in all the right places to taunt in tease. He could already imagine the invitation simmering in her eyes as she uncurled her arm and crooked her finger at him, beckoning him into the warm, watery depths with her. His imagination had been in overdrive all day thinking about what he was going to do to her, with her, the moment he got back. Having her wet, naked, and ready for him only made things better.

Growling appreciatively of the mental images he was conjuring, he hoped it would be the reality he walked into beyond the bathroom door.

Mikaela's day, as it were, had not gone as pleasantly well as Sam's had.

She'd first indulged in skimming through the first two novels of Sam's collection; the events in both were familiar, seeing as she had a part in them. It was interesting to see the artistic license he'd taken with some of the characters and events, switching things here and there, changing the dialogue a bit, tweaking a few quirks. It was a pretty accurate account overall, though- she recognized most of the events that had happened while she had stuck around with the Autobots. Other things, she was helpfully enlightened to. Right off the bat, she recognized her character as the sexy, sassy Mikhail Bones, long-term crush of the main character Dan Winchester. It was impossible not to roll her eyes at some of the names chosen for their counterparts. Some of them were so bad, so obvious, she ended up laughing. It was as if they were a private joke for anyone who knew the truth behind the books.

Nevertheless, she had to tip her hat to the honest portrayal Sam had given of everyone, especially himself- he was funny, and clumsy, and goofy, and yet still incredibly sweet.

It had struck her in an unfamiliar place in her heart to read Sam's thoughts on how much he had truly felt for her, even so many years ago, just as a couple of mixed-up teenagers. He had had a crush on her since the first time he'd laid eyes on her, just like every other prepubescent boy, but unlike many others who'd grown up and realized that she'd never look their way, he'd kept his secret crush and simply watched her from afar. The way he described he feelings for her throughout the year that "Mikhail" and "Dan" were together in the novel... She'd never imagined anyone feeling that way for anyone, let alone him, Sam, the funny, awkward 18-year-old boy. But he'd treasured her, worshipped her, and loved her like she was a goddess.

And then she broke his heart the day she walked away.

The ending of the second novel brought up old memories that still festered bitterly. Reading the novel made her remember with terrifying clarity the day of Soundwave's attack, the way Sam had come onto base battered and barely alive. Reading his interpretation of what her thoughts had been when she's first seen him hanging on to life by threads, what had gone through her mind as he underwent surgery, it was as if she were living the day again. It was if she were reliving the moments she'd walked away over. Only this time, it was worse, because she could see it from Sam's point of view, and how deeply she'd hurt him was leaving.

Scared of what she might come across in the last few pages, Mikaela had set that one down before finishing it. To sooth the scarred wounds she managed to pick open, Mikaela made good use of Sam's tab, calling the Vautzs. Oscar had provided the laughs while Gloria had given a little bit of sanity to the conversation, not that either of them had been worried for her in the least. Oscar was still puzzling over what could possibly be wrong with Bumblebee when there didn't appeare to have a single darn thing broken or out of place on him. Gloria was more to the tune of encouraging Mikaela to stay as long as she could; apparently, it was of the old woman's opinion that Mikaela needed to get out more, and if she was having such a good time with Sam, then why ruin it by coming back to a pair of old timers in the middle of the desert? They were still going to be there when she came back, so why not have a good weekend with someone else picking up the bill?

"You're awful, Gloria," she'd teased over the phone, Bluestreak laughing quietly in the background as he eavesdropped.

"My dear, it's not awful to want to have a little fun. Sam seems like a nice man; live a little and have a good time."

"What about Oscar?"

"He's been running his shop for over forty years; I'm sure another day or two without you won't hurt."

"But-."

"Don't argue with me on this one, dearie. I have a feeling about this Sam boy, and I'm inclined to trust my feelings on this one; there's something special about him, if you catch my drift."

The words still rung in her ears, even now. "Special?"

"Oh yes, very special. Trust me on this one- an old woman knows."

In the end, with her mood lightened and her heart strengthened, Mikaela had been able to return to the remaining four novels.

It was difficult reading them, more so than it had been for the first two. And yet she couldn't put them down. Even as dusk set in, and she felt inclined to take a bath, the fifth novel came with her into the tub. Bluestreak, being Bluestreak, had offered to come in with her and read from the side of the tub so as not to risk getting the book wet, but the offer was declined, leaving the alien to watch TV. Sure, he meant well by the offer, but they still only met that morning. No matter how hard it was to get through some of the chapters, she could do it on her own. She didn't need Bluestreak looming over her, having him aware of how much it hurt her.

It hurt to read about what his life had become, but at the same time she couldn't put the book down or turn her mind from anything else. Her own miseries seemed so small compared to watching friends be blown apart right before his eyes, coming out of battle with less of himself than he had going in.

And now, in the middle of the climactic battle of book five, she read a part of Sam's past that made the bottom of her heart drop out. How could anyone live through something like that and yet act so normal, look so normal, afterwards? Apparently Sam had picked up some techniques in being a master of disguise- picturing his handsome face and smile in her mind's eye, she never would have guessed the truth.

Unbeknownst to her, present-day Sam was standing in the doorway watching her, about to make his presence known.

"Honey, I'm home!"

The shriek of surprise that wrung from her was instantly drowned by the gasp of water that filled her mouth. On reflex, she spun to face the intruder, only slip on the slick bottom of the black marble tub- Sam's book went flying in an impressive arc while she disappeared beneath the splashing surface. For a split second, Sam was availed with the odd sight of watching only a pair of arms and legs flailing above the water before Mikaela caught herself and sat up in a sputtering mess.

Bewildered, Sam stared at the wet rat that emerged from the water, heaving, glaring at him from beneath a mop of sopping dark hair.

"That wasn't funny," she growled.

"Maybe not for you," Sam laughed.

Setting down his bag, he wandered through the watery mess Mikaela had spectacularly spread across the floor to the soggy pile of papers laying dejected in a puddle. "Have fun while I was out?"

"Yeah, loads of fun- planning your demise."

"Aww, see- it's things like that that warm a guy's heart." He could feel her eyes on him, watching intensely, glaring. He couldn't help a light laugh. The moment his fingers brushed the book, though, flipping it over to reveal its identity, her glare changed, turning cold, subdued. His back to her, Sam straightened, taking his book with him. By the way the atmosphere in the room changed, he could guess what she'd read, and what thoughts were going through her mind now.

"Sam..." Sloshing water announced Mikaela's exit from the tub, the soft dripping of water off her curves following her as she came to him. He could feel her standing at his shoulder, hesitant to touch him. It was almost as if she were afraid. Whatever she had read was keeping her at bay.

"I take it you read books one through five?" he asked, tone transformed from light-hearted to edged. Almost cold.

She flinched, nodding. "Yeah."

"Find anything interesting?" His tone stung, like a slap. It made her feel as if she'd done something wrong by reading his books. He never once said NOT to read them.

"Those things you wrote- did they all really happen?" Her heart was beating a hard tempo against the inside of her ribs; she was scared of something. His answer, maybe? Or could it be she was scared for him, of what he'd been through?

"I changed some of the details, but yeah, for the most part, it all happened. All of it."

Biting her lip, Mikaela resisted the instant recoil that churned in the pit of her stomach. Even if he wasn't facing her, she could see the storm mulling in his eyes; his outline screamed tension in the hunch of his shoulders, the rigidness of his spine. She may have been the naked one in the room, but Sam was the most exposed.

"You have got to be one of the bravest men I have ever met."

He jumped when he felt her hands on him. Her fingertips graced the long, corded muscles of his back, moving up, to the sides, her palms smoothing around his sides until her arms were wrapped around his torso. A warm, wet body fit itself to his back, soaking his clothes, pressing soft curves to his painfully rigid body. He closed his eyes, bowing his head. Of course she would be the one to hug him. She'd run away before, when they were kids, but she stayed now, as an adult, hugging him. He took one of her hands in his, bringing her palm up to press it to his lips.

"I'm either brave, or incredibly stupid."

Mikaela smirked. "You're a little bit of both."

She didn't back away when he shifted to turn around. She kept him in the circle of her arms, metaphorically supporting his weight. If he attempted to rest his real weight on her, they both knew they'd end up on the floor faster than you could say "transform and roll out." Metaphorical support was just as good. A huge weight shifted from his shoulders as he looked down, fondly taking in the woman tucked determinedly against him. Even if she didn't say it with words, she was there for him for as long as she was going to be in his life, even if it was only going to be for the next day or two.

And suddenly her fingers were at the buttons of his shirt, plucking them one by one. She wanted to see him with the new knowledge she had of him. She now had the stories of what helped shape him, his mind and his body, and now she wanted to see the result again, in a new light. He helped her, not bothering to question the intent in her eyes. She didn't flinch when the coin-sized scar above his heart was revealed- she knew how it came to be, but did not shy away from it. The claws marks along his abdomen came to light, treated with only a light touch, a glimpse. It was the thin line that traced his right shoulder that drew her attention, drawing her fingers to trace the scalpel-thin scar with rapt attention. "It must have hurt so much."

"It did. More than you'll ever know." Capturing her curious touch, Sam offered her a bare smile and stepped back, guiding her back to the steaming water when he watched a shiver pass through her luscious body. As she settled back, watching him carefully, he disrobed of the rest of his clothes, easing into the water next to her. He wrapped his left arm around her body and brought her close, easing her over his lap to straddle him, holding her there with no resistance on her part.

"I guess if I'm going to come clean, this is the best place to do it," he said, the barest trace of humour gracing his hucky voice.

"You never give the jokes a rest, do you?" she sighed, shaking her head.

"Would I be me if I did?"

"No, 'course not." She settled comfortably across his lap, the sensitive inner-skin of her thighs rubbing warmly against the steely cords of muscle in his legs. She brushed the scar near his heart, knowing its origin: ten years ago, in an encounter in the Sahara Desert with the dangerous and elusive Scorponok. "I can't believe everything you've been through, though."

"You better believe it- I have the scars to prove it," he replied ruefully.

"You certainly do. More than your fair share."

He sucked in a breath as Mikaela traced the remnants of Ravage's mauling, the most violently visible of all his scars. Ugly, horrible, jagged reminders of why he fought. Her gaze never left his as her touch followed the tense flesh downward, below the water, caressing his hipbone. There was a moment when he thought she was going to take him in hand, caress him there, but this was not a moment for sex. Sadly, no- there would be time for that later. Yes, they were naked, and both of them were brutally attracted to the other's naked body, but this was not a time to act on lust. They were being nakedly honest with each other, metaphorically and literally.

Mikaela let her fingers linger on his hipbone, feeling him move beneath her, the ripple of his body as he acknowledged her touch. "You've been through so much..."

"It's been my choice this whole time. I don't regret it." He didn't. Never would. The things he managed to do with his life, everything he'd seen, everything he'd done; there was nothing to regret. He was as much a warrior as any Autobot.

Her honeyed eyes met his for a few seconds, and then dropped to his shoulder. "Not even this?" She reached out to touch the pale line that divided his arm and shoulder from the rest of his body, but she paused before making contact. The look in her eyes was unreadable; she wasn't scared to touch him, nor did she pity the truth. She realized she hurt for him. It hurt her to imagine what unbelievable pain he must have gone through sustaining such a wound; it was fresh in her mind, horrifically clear with the literary details she'd just absorbed.

He stared at his shoulder, moving his right arm up to examine it, dripping wet, flexing the fingers, tensing the muscle. "You read that part, did you?"

"Just finished before you walked in." She watched the limb in utter fascination, tracking it as it moved.

"I see..." He nodded, setting his arm back in the water. "I toned down the details for the story. I didn't think my readers could handle what really happened."

Carefully, Mikaela cupped his face, tilting his rough jaw up so his eyes would meet hers. Even with everything she was learning about him, he was still Sam Witwicky. Sure, this was version 2.0, with a whole new body, new baggage, and definite sexual perks, he still the same man she loved once upon a time. He was still as handsome as ever. That was probably never going to change in her eyes. No matter what truth she found out about him, no matter how badly she wanted to run from whatever horrible thing she'd learned, he was always going to be that kind of handsome that made her heart skip a beat.

"You want to tell me the real story?" When his face clouded, she leaned in, making sure his gaze was trapped in hers. "I can handle it, okay?"

Yes, she was scared. She didn't know if she wanted to know the whole truth. But it was there, in his eyes, he wanted to tell someone. He needed to.

He nodded, the arm encircling her naked back tightening a fraction. "It was five years ago, just outside Las Vegas... I was part of a team tracking down Soundwave in order to apprehend him. He surprised us with reinforcements, and it got ugly pretty fast. I had a clear shot at him- right in the spark. I was so focused on taking aim that I didn't know a drone was coming at me from behind. Bumblebee was yelling for me, but I couldn't hear him." His gaze grew distant as the memory flashed full force across his mind's eye. "There was no way any of the Autobots could get to me in time, so Bumblebee did the one thing he could think of to get me out of the way... he-," his voice wavered, almost cracking. "He shot me."

Knowing the story hadn't been enough to prepare her for the agonized look that clouded Sam's face. It struck Mikaela like a physical blow.

"It was the only thing he could do to get me out of the way in time. It was either that, or die." He paused, drawing strength from Mikaela's presence. "Even though he put his cannon on its lowest setting, the moment the blast hit me, it threw me over over a hundred yards away. My arm and three of my ribs were instantly incinerated."

"Oh my god."

He looked away, head bowed. "I don't remember anything after that. They told me I was conscious the entire time, but I don't remember any of it. All I know is I came to a week later, and I found this attached to me-," he raised his arm once more, displaying it in light of its true nature. It looked as real as any arm, but it wasn't.

"How-?"

He smirked bitterly, jaded eyes glaring at his supposedly new-and-improved limb. "You know how I told you yesterday that Perceptor made up for the whole growth hormone thing? Well, this is one of the ways he made up for it."

With trembling hands, Mikaela took his right arm and drew it between them. It looked just like a real arm. Tracing veins, following muscles, mussing the light dusting of hair, there was absolutely no difference between this fake limb and his real one. "You can't even tell the difference."

Sam scowled, not at her but at the situation. "Believe me, there's a difference." It may have been strong, more durable, and able to withstand damages than his old arm, but nothing was ever going to replace the feeling of a real arm. It was never going to be as good as the original.

She continued to examine the details of his arm, amazed by how lifelike even the pulse was. "It doesn't hurt you, does it?"

"No, but I know it's there, and I know it's not my arm."

Mikaela bit her lip, careful to pose the next question. "You can't...take it off, can you?"

He gave a dry chuckle- not cruel, but not kind either. "No, the neural circuitry is threaded into my nervous system. If this arm comes off, it'll feel just like it did losing the first one."

"But you still fight?"

"Of course I do. Like I said, this has always been my choice, and I don't regret what's happened. I'll fight for as long as I have to in order make sure everyone I love and care for is safe."

The way he said it, the look in his eyes while he said it, Mikaela knew he meant it from the bottom of his heart. Fighting to keep Earth safe, to keep the ones he loved safe, was a fact of life, his life.

Nodding to the conviction ringing true in his words, Mikaela drew up on her knees, sliding her arms around Sam's neck in order to draw him near. She fit their bodies together in a way that involved her arms clasping behind his head, her legs bent around his hard flanks, and her curves moulded to his hard plains in a full-body embrace that was more than just physical- she wanted to hug him in a way that would let him know she acknowledged the sacrifices he had to make- she may not have understood everything he did, but at least she wasn't going to sweep is all under the carpet. His arms moved to encircle her tighter, pressing their bodies even closer; he used both his left and right arms to hold her, which felt strangely symbolic. His embrace was protective, drawing her near, pressing her close, and it was possessive, claiming her was his personal goddess, his earth-bound angel. The look in his dark, liquid eyes was still jaded from stirring memories, but there was no mistaking the depth of adoration he looked to her with. She didn't run. She didn't recoil. She simply accepted it all as different parts of him.

Even if the water around them had cooled considerably, they were both warm and alive and welcoming as they pressed together. Letting her lips brush along his jaw, she came to rest at the shell of his ear, laying a gentle ghost-kiss just before it, listening to Sam's sigh of release as he let the tension of the past fade. Her humming laugh tickled them both.

"You really are some kind of special, aren't you?"