Disclaimer: I own Sira. Anything else is property of some really rich people.

Warnings: Language, alcohol consumption.

Beta read by I-love-me-some-leggy-poo

XxxX.

Fire and Light

Crap, it was cold!

Colder than a well diggers ass. Colder than a witch's titty. Colder than what ever colorful analogy came to mind. It was just plain cold! Sira didn't want to be sitting outside, in the middle of winter, holding a beer. These people were certifiable! Couldn't that over grown pile of scrap parts named Optimus Prime, get it through his Commador-64, slow ass, processor that she hated the cold!

She had been very content sitting in the Rec room, curled up with a glass of merlot and a tattered Kurt Vonnegut novel; where it was warm. Then that flame painted monstrosity had to ruin her evening.

"Why are you not at the Sandhill meeting?" he asked.

"I don't do bon-fires with gun touting, army types. Not really my scene. Thanks for the invite though," she said without taking her eyes off the book.

He knelt down just a few feet from her. "You are expected to go. The others have requested to meet you." His tone gave little room for an argument.

"You can't make me," she challenged back.

Those cobalt blue optics glowed with mild amusement. The tension in the room shifted and Sira didn't like it one bit. She bolted. Over the back of the sofa with inhuman grace and speed, she headed towards the door, wine and book forgotten. She made it three steps before the metal hands surrounded her. It wasn't fair when your opponent had a fifteen foot reach.

Now here she was out in the cold…literally. Sitting as close to the fire as she could get, without setting herself ablaze.

At least someone had brought marshmallows.

She held the stick in the fire; torching the little ball of puffed sugar. As soon as the entire thing was covered in carbon she would blow it out. Carefully she removed the char and ate it, leaving the raw, white interior for another scorching.

Bobby Epps sat near her and introduced the rest of the military men. The conversation was strained and cautious. Neither side made any sudden moves or loud noises for they were all aware that the other could be an enemy. It was this way until the Witwicky boy and his impossibly beautiful girlfriend arrived.

Wonder what he did to get her? Sira thought to herself.

"Wow, your eyes glow in the dark!" Mikaela slapped Sam in the arm. Obviously, it wasn't his eloquent conversation abilities that had attracted the girl.

Sira gave a little bark of nervous laughter. "Actually, my eyes don't glow. They reflect light."

"Oh. Optimus told everyone that you weren't human, and I kinda' thought…well…you look so normal." he stammered.

God bless the child, he was so socially awkward that it hurt. She took some pity on the uncouth kid, and decided to help him out.

"Technically, I'm a hybrid. My father was human, and I look like him, a lot." Perhaps if she cleared up some questions, everyone would relax a little. The tension from the soldiers was making her head hurt.

"Cool, do you have mutant powers or superhuman abilities?" the teen asked.

"Mutant powers?" Oh, hell.

"You can see in the dark, right?" he asked. Charging ahead with the gusto and innocence only the young could possess.

"Yes," Sira drew the word out suspiciously.

"So do you have super hearing too?"

Someone needed to stay away for the comic books. "I have very sensitive hearing and smell. Similar to a cat or dog. I can smell you underneath the Calvin Klein cologne."

Sam's eyes opened wide. He leaned in to whisper in her ear. "Do I stink? I took a shower."

"No, no. You don't stink. It's just a natural smell. Everyone has a different odor. Nothing offensive, just a smell."

The lad look visible relived that he didn't have B.O.. She refused to laugh at his expense, but it was getting hard not to.

"How do you smile without showing your . . . ?" Sam pointed to his teeth.

"A lot of practice. Anymore questions?"

"Are you super strong?"

"No."

"Super fast?"

"No, but I can out run most humans. I have quicker reflexes and better co-ordination, but a well trained person could stomp my ass." That was the truth. She was an ambush hunter, relying on surprise to bring down an opponent, and she was very proud of her efficiency in that regards.

"Are you indestructible?" the boy wanted to know.

"Shit, no. I've had more broken bones, cuts and scrapes to count. Actually, I'm pretty sure that one of these Army Rangers could quickly 'neutralize' me."

"So basically, you're not human, but you don't have any special abilities."

Oh, the boy may be hiding a brain. Kudos to the girl if he is.

"Yeah, that's it in a nut shell." Like I would tell you any differently. You don't want to know what I know. Be happy groping your girl in the dark.

She took a long breath, inhaling the heady combination of smoke, fresh air, human musk and metal. The night was clear and cold or not, she wanted to go hunting. She belonged out there in the dark, not huddled around the fire. Perhaps, she should tell this ragtag group why humans seek refuge near the fire, but this would not win her any friends. Right now, she needed these people to be her friends. It would just make things easier.

Sira startled when Lennox grabbed her shoulder and handed her another beer. She smiled at the Captain, remembering to play nice.

It was Mikaela that asked the next question. "Who was your mother?"

Sira took a long drink of her beer. In for a penny, in for a pound. "My Mother's people never really had a name for themselves. They only used a word meaning 'Us'. Understand that humans are not the first sentient species to have evolved on this planet. There have been others. It's just that mankind has been the most successful: easily adaptable, obnoxiously tenacious and virulent breeders. Look into your own mythologies and you can see a glimpse of those that lived during the dawning of your species. My people hide in a great temple deep within the earth. We didn't build it, and we haven't figured out who did. The oldest scrolls in the library have detailed drawings of dinosaurs, but the text is indecipherable. Anyways, the temple is filled with knowledge. Ancient, archaic, terrible and wondrous, a person could spend their lifetime in study and only scratch the surface. Experience only a crumb of the power stored there."

"Power?" It was Bumblebee's question.

"Knowledge IS power. One man's science is another man's magic. If you Autobots had come to Earth only a scant two hundred years ago, you would be seen as demons. Something to be feared and destroyed. Jump forward two hundred years and you are still feared, but you are not demons. You are an advanced civilization, not mythical beings." She looked around, all eyes were on her. Pity she could never be a teacher. Her father always said she had a gift to counsel and guide others. Part of it was natural ability, part of it was years of studying people and their motivations.

"Was your mother beautiful?"

Sira couldn't help but get nostalgic, "Yeah, she was beautiful. Tall, athletic, silver eyes, white hair. She could command a room with a glance."

"I bet she was proud of you."

"Actually, Mikaela, my mother didn't have a lot to do with me. She was married to someone other than my father when she became pregnant. When I was born, it was…a little obvious who my daddy was. Caused quite a scandal, from what I have been told. Anyways, my father wouldn't let me leave his sight. Mom's rightful husband had made some vile threats towards me, and dad was afraid the bastard would try to carry them out. When I turned ten we left the Temple. Dad had had enough. After drifting around for a few years, we settled in the Appalachians."

"That explains why you draw out some of your vowels," commented Epps.

"Where's the Temple?" someone else asked.

She just waggled a finger at them, and started a third beer. Her throat was dry for talking and the smoky air. Some secrets, she could not tell.

Optimus stepped onto the top of the hill. An orange, flickering glow from the fire seemed to ignite his flame covered armor. Deep blue optics glowed in the night. The Autobot leader had become an elemental god. A warrior of fire and light; something to bow down to.

Prime cleared his voice, and everyone waited in silence.

"I have received communications from three of our fellows. Prowl, Hound and Wheeljack will arrive in the solar system within two Earth months." He held up his hand to forestall any reactions. Strangely, the mechs gave the CMO sideways glances; if any of this meant anything to him, he gave no indication.

"Prowl has also informed me of a small group of Autobots hiding in a nearby star system. He and Hound are going to rendezvous with the Ark. From there they will be taking the ship to rescue the others. This should increase our numbers to around twenty individuals. Also, Wheeljack has sustained injures. He is coming directly to Earth for repairs."

Fierce celebration followed the good news. Loud music, yelling, horrific dancing, laughing and a few wrestling matches ensued. This was from the mechs. The organics were just as rowdy, only on a smaller, drunker scale. Partying lasted well into the night. Sira drank until she could ignore the ringing in her ears caused by the ruckus, and sought shelter near the leader of the Autobots.

XxxX.

He watched from a distance.

A dark spot in the dark night. Fully cloaked, he was practically invisible. Every sensor, gear and circuit twitched in his frame as the urge to lay waste to the group around the fire was almost too much.

But such an action would be suicidal. Five seasoned warriors and the Prime against him. The battle would be short, terminal and accomplish nothing for the Decepticon cause.

So he watched the disgusting display of frivolity. Taking note of the mechs and human military present. The organic femme leaning against Prime's foot was also of interest.

XxxX.

AN: Ladyofthebookworms- Again thank you for pointing out my horrendous errors earlier. I have three more chapters finished and one maybe two after that to find out. It depends on the characters. I just finished a future chappy and the twins showed up at the end. I'm not adding thing to frustrate you. The time line was established before I ever started writing. To Punk Autobot- Oh, yeah. Prime just initiated a major plot turn. And if you can't stand the cliff hangers now, you will hate me later.

Please Read and Review. Even if it just to say WTF.