This chapter is leaning a bit more to rated M because of some minor use of stronger foul language. :P Like.. literally one word, but just in case, this is a warning.

Bad, Sideswipe, bad! ;)

"It's been over eight hours, Prime," Ironhide's voice was a surprise mixture of worry and anger. His optics kept jumping from his Commander to the digital clock on the wall. "And still no sign of Sunstreaker."

Optimus may not have known right away that Sideswipe and Sunstreaker had switched places, but because 'Sideswipe' left Earth without a fight (which was unusual), and because 'Sunstreaker' had been missing for nearly a day, he was no idiot.

"I think I may know what's going on here," his optics had slowly rested on Sam, and judging by his nervous expression, Sam knew something he did not. "Sam,"

Even though Optimus had said Sam's name as quietly and calm as possible, the human boy still jumped. "Uh, y-yeah, Prime?" Sam, if anything, hated lying to Optimus. They had been great friends for years and now he had felt like he betrayed the Autobot leader by keeping this secret from him.

"Did you know of this?" Sam wished he hadn't asked that question, but when all optics were directed fully on him, he knew he had to answer.

Sam may have fought with the Autobots and he may have faced against the toughest Decepticons around, but nothing would be able to prepare him for the fear that he was now feeling. Especially when he nodded his head. "Yeah,"

Sam could've predicted that Ironhide would have been the first to speak his mind, and sure enough, he did. "Did it ever occur to you, Sam, that we may need to know this?" Ironhide's last words were more of a growl as they bellowed out of his vocal processors.

Sam flinched and quickly nodded, remembering Ironhide's first few words to him.. you feelin' lucky, punk? Sam was not feeling lucky. Again, he nodded, "Yeah, I did, but I'm loyal to you guys, but.. I dunno, Sides counts as an Autobot.. and I'm loyal to anybody who calls himself or herself an Autobot.."

"That's not the point," Optimus told him, interrupting Ironhide before he could speak. "Sideswipe is now a vulnerable target to any Decepticon searching for us, but he has dragged a human in the middle of it. A human," Optimus paused, "who has not witnessed a battle yet."

"She could go into shock," Ratchet explained. "or be kept hostage and used against us for ransom."

"Both of which would be bad," Optimus finished and Ratchet nodded in approval. The leader sighed when Sam did not respond. "I understand that you think my orders of keeping Sideswipe away from the girl may be unfair, but do you now understand why it had to be done?"

Everybody waited for his response as if time would start up again as soon as he spoke. Sam felt nervous when all eyes were once again on him.

If they didn't like his answer, at least he was going to be honest. He shook his head, "No. No, okay? I don't and before you all go into your 'he's an idiot' and 'typical Sam' phases, let me explain why I don't."

Optimus nodded, "Go on,"

Everybody else listened intently.

"Sideswipe is young and he's still going to have his 'young mech' phases. He thinks he needs a girl because a girl is the only thing to help him keep his sanity while he goes through this war. Femmes, as you call them, are obviously harder to come across now and actually have a life with because of all the bullshit that happens with the 'Cons, right?" he got some nods while others simply continued to stare. So, he continued, "For men here on Earth, we have two different kinds of ways to describe how we.. 'care' about a female. We either like them or we love them. The difference between the two is this: like means 'I care about you, but not enough to marry you or have your kids.. blahblah..' Love means 'I'd do anything for you. I'd.. give up everything I ever had before I met you just to make you my everything. I'll help you fight your battles and I'll always take the first blow. You'll never have to be alone ever again in your life,'

During the time he explained all of this, Mikaela had smiled and hugged his arm against her. He smiled and placed the arm around her, pulling her in close. Mikaela nodded up at Optimus, "He's right,"

"Or have you all been so caught up being warriors.. you've forgotten that?" Sam asked, making sure to make eye contact with every single Autobot. He was somehow proud to see all of the ashamed faces. "If Amy wants to be an open target to the Decepticons, then let her. It's her choice. She's perfectly old enough to know the differences and Sideswipe is an amazing enough warrior to help defend her. He may not be hitting on all six cylinders, but when it comes to that girl, I know he'd protect her with everything he's got. He loves her."

Silence.. and during that time, Sam knew he had accomplished something. Even Ironhide couldn't think of something snappy to say back. Hell, he was staring down at the floor.

"Where did Sideswipe go?" Optimus only asked.

"Simmons's house. He figured that's the only place he could go to get away from you guys," Sam said. "He's probably not there yet, though. I haven't kept in contact with him."

Ironhide and Optimus made eye contact and for a brief second, Sam thought he saw worry in both pairs. Ironhide bent down to Sam's level. "We need to get a hold of him. I logged Decepticon activity while on patrol not too long ago. There's no doubt in my processors that one of 'em spotted 'im."

"Well shouldn't you guys like.." Mikaela paused with a shrug and wide eyes. "go?"

"It'll take hours before we catch up to them," Ratchet said.

Optimus cycled his vents. "He's right," he turned to Sam. "Try callling Sideswipe. If he does not answer, then call Simmons and tell him they're on their way. If they reach him before we reach them, tell him to keep a look out for any Decepticons."

Sam nodded and dug around in his pocket frantically, "Shit," he said, realizing his phone was with Sideswipe. "I don't have my phone. Lemme borrow yours," he held a hand out to Mikaela.

Mikaela quickly whipped out her phone and handed it to him. "I don't have Simmons's number," she said.

Sam began to dial anyway. "I do," First he tried to call his own cell phone, hoping Sideswipe would answer. When the messaging system came on, Sam growled and hung up. "Didn't pick up my cell," Then, he dialed his last resort, placing the phone on his ear he waited for Simmons to pick up.

"Hallo, dis is Simmons's residence. Dutch speaking. May I ask who is calling?" came the familiar German voice.

"Dutch? Dutch, this is Sam Witwicky. I need to speak to Simmons right now," Sam tossed a worried look to Optimus.

There was a sigh on the other line, "Mr. Simmons is currently taking a bubble bat'. You may leaf' a message if you 'vish."

Sam rolled his eyes and then closed them, getting agitated. "No, Dutch. This is an emergency. Okay? Tell rich-boy his bath can wait.. actually.. don't hang up, but go tell him that I'm on the line and give him this message. Sideswipe is currently on his way to your house and Decepticons may be close."

"Please hold," there was a small bang as the phone was being set on the table the other line and then Sam could hear the footsteps of Dutch fast walking away. Soon, he heard the footsteps getting louder and then the scraping noise that the phone was being picked up. "He acknowledges this und vill be vaiting for Sidesvipe's arrifal. He vill call if und vhen he gets here."

"Alright," Sam nodded. "Thanks Dutch," he hung up before turning around to face the anxious Autobot leader. "Simmons is going to keep a watch for Sides. Dutch said he'll call if Sideswipe gets to his house."

Optimus nodded before turning around to the other Autobots. He pointed at a few of them. "Ratchet, Ironhide, come with me. The rest stay."

"Well what about us?" Sam asked, motioning a hand to himself, Mikaela and Bumblebee.

Optimus was just about to transform before Sam said that. He paused and looked back and forth between Sam and Bumblebee, who had covered his face plates with his mask as if ready to jump into battle. Optimus shook his head, "stay here," transformed and rolled out, followed by Ironhide and Ratchet.

Bumblebee's face mask slowly slid back and he had a sad look upon his face as he stared down at Sam, who held the same expression. Mikaela took Sam for a hug. "He just doesn't want you involved in this one. You did your job, let them do theirs."

Sam sighed, knowing there was no use in arguing. "I know,"

:Starscream, you idiot, you've been authorized to shoot an hour ago!: Megatron

Ignoring his arrogant master, Starscream launched off three of his missiles right away.

They left the Raptor with a loud 'whoosh'.

"Do you hear something?" Sideswipe looked over at Amy after he asked the question, only to receive the same questioning look from her face. Right then and there, a missile had smacked into the highway beside them, flipping up concrete, gravel and dirt at the same time. Sideswipe was just barely able to prevent himself from tipping as Amy screamed out, but he was unable to dodge the next missile that had landed on his other side even closer. His entire alternate mode barrel rolled, but landed right side up. "Shit, Amy! Are you okay?"

"I think-" Before she could even fully respond, the third and final missile struck land, this time in front of him, causing his entire front end of his alternate mode to rise in the air and flip backwards. Before it hit the ground, he managed to transform and grabbed Amy mid-air.

He knew she was still conscious as she screamed. Setting her down gently, he looked into the sky and saw the all-too familiar F-22 Raptor barrel rolling in the night sky.

"What the hell is that?" Amy yelled, holding a hand to her head, which was bleeding mildly.

Sideswipe looked down at her for a split second and ran one of his own scans on her to make sure she was okay. His scans weren't as efficient as Ratchet's, but as long as he knew she was in fairly okay condition, he didn't care.

He stood in front of her, using his leg to block her from Starscream's view. "Just stay behind me, okay?"

Without warning, Starscream nose-dived towards the silver mech and transformed mid-air, tackling Sideswipe to the ground. The two of them rolled over the side rails and down the steep, grassy hill, grunting and swearing as they did so.

"You're so weak, Autobot!" Starscream growled through his thick, raspy voice. "It wasn't such a good idea to stray from the pack now, was it?"

"Starscream, go fuck yourself," Sideswipe told him off. Not only had the ignorant 'Con scratched and dented his alternate mode, but most importantly, he nearly killed Amy. He used a fist and socked the Seeker directly in the face, knocking him over backwards. "You're a glitch who has no idea who he's dealing with!"

"I'm the most powerful Seeker to ever roam the Universe, mech!" Starscream slurred, energon leaking from his mouth as he stood back up, ready for another fight.

Sideswipe growled, "Eat shit," he launched himself at the 'Con, ready to let loose all pit.

"Sideswipe!" He heard Amy yell before he could put another blow on Starscream. Panicking, he turned around to the sound of the scream and nearly had a spark attack when he saw Megatron in his old, rusty-looking big rig alternate mode, cackling at the small female human. With Megatron, was Laserbeak and Ravage as they herded the helpless girl in Megatron's passenger side. She was forced to obey and climbed in.

The door closed and she was no longer visible as Megatron sped off down the crumbled highway with Laserbeak and Ravage on his tail.

The next thing Sideswipe knew, he was being knocked over by Starscream and all sorts of wires and chains were being wrapped around him to restrain him.

Then, he was knocked out cold.

SHIT I HATED WRITING THIS! Sideswipe NEVER gets a break! ;P

But I knew I had to keep it entertaining. Haha.

Alrighty, so the chapter wasn't that much longer, but I think it was way better than the last one.. xD a tad more action, if you ask me. And I think Sam MIGHT have gotten through Optimus and Ironhide's and the others' thick metal heads... -_-

I hope so.. ;)