Sorry for any mistakes, but I was in a hurry to get this posted. I didn't have much time to write; I've been dealing with last minute homework, and exploding lasagna dishes (I don't know what happened but suddenly there was a loud bang and glass, tomato sauce, and cheese flew everywhere...I'm never trusting my cousins' cooking again). So once again, I apologise for any mistakes. I hope you like it. It's darker. Oh, and it starts with a flashback.

Rain pelted the windows of the car as Dad and I drove home from the parent-teacher conference at my high school. I stared angrily at the light posts and houses that we passed. The meeting had gone well, until the teacher had started asking questions about Mom. Dad had replied with the standard answers he'd use whenever teachers got curious about our family. Usually it didn't bother me so much. But this time, Dad's excuses struck a nerve and I had stormed out of the room.

Dad sighed. "You know why I have to tell them that."

"You wouldn't have to if you'd just go back to Mom and explain what's wrong with me." I snapped back.

"There's nothing wrong with you." Dad said sharply. He hated it when I said that.

"Then why won't you let us move back? Or at the very least we could go see them." I pleaded, turning to face him.

He ran a hand through his graying dark brown hair. "We don't even know where they live—"

"We could find them."

Dad almost swerved into the other lane. "What?"

"We could look for them; it wouldn't be too hard to search databases." I said.

"Val, we can't." Dad sighed.

"But I've learned to control my powers." I tried not to whine like a toddler. "I haven't seen Mom in ten years; I want to know what Jack looks like. I know you miss them too."

"Your mother might have found someone else." Dad grimaced when he said this.

Even after all this time he still loved Mom so much. He kept his wedding ring on a thin chain around his neck. I knew he wanted to go back as much as I did. I'd been slowly wheedling away at his resolve over the years. But he still remained adamant.

"She didn't." I said. "She wouldn't."

"It doesn't matter because we're not going back." Dad said.

I turned my head. "Well you don't have to, but in a few months time I'm going to be eighteen and when that happens I'm hopping on the first flight to wherever and searching for them."

"Would you really endanger them like that?" Dad asked sharply.

"From what? You never give me a straight answer when I ask."

"I told you—"

"Be grateful that I don't know and pray I never have to find out." I rolled my eyes. "You know what I think? I think you're just overreacting. There is no reason why I can't see them."

"If you're going to be stubborn this conversation is over." Dad said.

We lapsed back into angry silence for several minutes. Dad turned up the road that led to our small house, but stopped several feet from the drive way. There was an incredibly beat up car sitting in our drive way, a man leaned up against it. He had straw colored hair and a scar over his right eye.

I looked at Dad and saw him tense, eyes watching the man wearily.

"Peschy." He growled under his breath. "Val I want you to call the station. Tell them that Peschy is at our house and we need backup. Stay in the car."

"Who's Peschy?" I asked. But Dad put the car in park and got out.

I dialed the station, trying to calm myself by remembering that Dad had a gun in holster beneath his jacket.

"Val?" it was Derek Martil, a friend of my Dad's from the station.

"Derek, Dad's in some sort of situation; he needs backup."

"What's the problem?" Derek asked.

I watched nervously as Dad and the man seemed to start arguing. "This guy Peschy is at our house."

Derek started swearing. "I'm sending units over there right now. Are you somewhere safe?"

"I'm in the car."

"What's happening?" Derek asked.

"They're arguing." The man started gesturing wildly, I saw Dad start to reach into his coat. "Dad's going for his gun—"

And before I could comprehend what I was seeing, the man drew out a knife and stabbed my father in the stomach. The world became silent as I watched him draw the knife out and stab Dad a second time.

Dad staggered away and fell to the ground.

I heard a high pitched scream then realized it was coming from me. I dropped the phone and jumped out of the car, desperate to get to my father.

I stumbled to his side. "Dad! Dad!"

Dad shook in pain. "…Val…get…away…"

"Dad!"

"Well what do we have here?" The man asked, grinning sadistically. "A little Darby. Aren't you cute. Shame about your daddy, but don't worry I'll put you out of your misery." He began walking towards me.

What came next happened in a matter of seconds. Reaching into my father's jacket, I yanked the gun out of the holster. The safety clicked off. I swung it around and pointed it at the man. He barely had time to register it before I pulled the trigger.

BANG! BANG! BANG! BANG!

A stunned look crossed his face as he dropped to the ground. He didn't move after that.

I dropped the gun and turned back to Dad. His face was pale and his eyelids fluttered.

I yanked off my coat and placed it over his wounds, applying pressure like I was taught, trying to stop the spread of blood that had already stained most of his shirt.

"Val…"

"I'm here Dad, just hang in there. Help is coming." I heard sirens in the distance. Neighbors were rushing out, yelling and screaming to call an ambulance, some rushed forward to try to help me.

"Get away!" I screamed at them.

"Val…" Dad croaked.

"Dad you just hang on, ok, you can handle this, just hang on."

I heard sirens in the distance.

Everything was going to be ok, Dad was going to be ok.

"Val…I'm going…"

I shook my head, tears spilling out of my eyes, mixing with the rain that was drenching my skin. The rain that was mixing with my father's blood. "No you're not. No you're not. You're not going to the other side. I won't see you as a spirit. I can't, I won't."

Dad weakly raised his hand to touch my cheek. "Shh…it doesn't hurt…so much…anymore…"

"Please don't leave me." I whimpered. "Daddy, please, please don't leave me. You still need to see Mom and Jack. I still need lots of training. The guys at the station need you; you're the best cop they've got. Daddy please, you can't go."

Dad let out a weak, choking breath. "Remember…to always be…Valiant…my Valiant daughter…I love you so much…"

"I love you too Dad." I whispered.

Dad let out a small sigh. His chest stopped moving and his eyes glazed over.

I shook him. "Dad? Dad this isn't funny. Dad quit it. Dad? Dad!" I started screaming, punching his shoulders trying to get him to respond. "Dad answer me damn it! Please! Please!"

A set of strong hands grabbed my arms. Pulling me away no matter how much I struggled.

"I'm sorry Val, he's lost too much blood, he's gone." A voice said.

"We need to sedate her." I heard someone say.

"No! No! Let me go! Dad!" I screamed.

Something pricked my arm. I felt ice seep into my veins. My vision got blurry.

"No…Dad…" I mumbled.

The world went black.

I had my knees pulled up against my chest, my arms wrapped tightly around them. I didn't look at either Zig-zag or Lola, instead choosing to stare at the leather of Orion's seats. During the five years after Dad's death I'd managed to bury most of the memories and pain deep inside of me. But now, telling them what had happened, they all resurfaced as fresh and painful as ever.

Glancing up at them, I saw mixed looks of shock, horror, and pity on Zig-zag and Lola's faces. I couldn't decide which I hated more; the shock, the horror, or the pity. They knew my father had been murdered, but they never knew how it'd happened. And I was regretting telling them as I looked at their disturbed expressions.

Lola reached out to touch my shoulder.

I jerked away. "Please don't. I just need a minute."

Zig-zag tugged on Lola's arm. "Come on. Let's go get some fresh air. Pick up some supplies in that store over there."

We had arrived in some small Alaskan town. I hadn't caught the name.

Lola cast an uncertain look at me then followed Zig-zag out.

I leaned against my knees, tears spilling down from my eyes.

After a moment Orion spoke up. "I know that you are in distress, but ostracizing yourself from those who care about you will do nothing to help the situation."

I groaned. "I guess if I wanted to be alone I should've gotten out."

"I wouldn't have let you." The locks clicked down. "It would be idiotic to let you wander when there is an individual out there seeking to kill you."

"Well if you won't let me out, will you at least let me wallow in peace?"

"Wallowing does not suit you." Orion said.

"And how would you know?" I asked, getting mad. "You haven't even known me a week."

"I know that you are a woman who has not had the easiest of lives. I know that you are capable of bearing great burdens and taking them in stride. I know that you are sarcastic, impulsive, determined, loyal, and courageous. I know you care deeply for your friends and that they care deeply for you. That is all I need to know."

I wiped my eyes. "Gee is that all?"

"No," Orion said. "Your friends need you; they rely on you just as you need them. And distancing yourself from them will not help you."

"I know." I whispered. "But I've gotten so close to them; I'm afraid to lose them. What if they get hurt or killed during this whole crazy trip? They placed their faith in me and they'll get killed for it!"

"They knew what they were getting into. They are free to make their own choices and they chose to go with you."

"But—"

"Enough." Orion rumbled gently. "You will not face this fiend alone. Now you will rest until Zig-zag and Lola return."

"Pushy." I grumbled, but I leaned back into the seat, surprised when the leather molded to my shape. "Thanks."

"Think nothing of it. Besides, if you forced Lola and Zig-zag to leave, it would be just you and I, and I would rather not lose what's left of my sanity."

I gave a watery laugh, my eyelids drooped and I soon fell into a dreamless sleep.

"Val, wake up." It was Orion.

I groaned and rubbed my eyes. "How long was I out?"

"A little over two hours."

I looked around at the empty seats. "Where's Ziggy and Lola?"

"That is why I woke you. They have not returned."

A sinking feeling started in the pit of my stomach. "You haven't seen them at all."

"No. I thought that they were simply keeping their distance to give you time to deal with your feelings, but as they have yet to return, I am becoming concerned." He said.

"I'll go check the store."

Orion started up the engine and drove through the town to the general store.

"I could've walked." I pointed out.

"I do not want you out of my range of detection." He said. "Now hurry."

I ran into the store, searching up and down the aisles for them. I asked the store clerk; the guy said he had seen them but they'd left hours ago. Running outside, I checked the around the side of the store. Their backpacks lay on the ground, shredded. My heart stuttered. There was a trail of wrappers and junk leading from the bags to the woods beyond.

"Orion." I called.

He rumbled around the corner. I held up the torn bags then pointed to the woods. He wordlessly opened the door, I climbed in and we followed the trail. Once we got deeper into the woods, I hopped out and Orion transformed. The trail led to a stump. One of Ziggy's laptops rested on it. I turned it on, heart pounding as I waited for the computer to boot up. Orion was crouched behind me. The laptop opened up to the webcam application. My breath stopped as I saw a Peschy appear on the screen, looking very real.

"Hey there little Darby. I got tired of waiting so I decided to meet you half way." He grinned.

"Where's Zig-zag and Lola?" I demanded, grateful that my voice didn't shake.

"There just fine. I promise there's not a scratch on them." He paused and frowned. "Actually I can't promise that, they did get a little scratched, but they're not dead."

He turned the camera and Lola and Ziggy came into view. They were bound and gagged.

And scratched into their cheeks was the word "bait".

I couldn't breathe.

What had I gotten them into?

"So you know the deal little Darby, you come and I might let them go." Peschy said.

"Where?" I whispered, unable to stop staring at Lola's and Ziggy's wounds.

"There's an abandoned quarry about six miles east from where you are. We'll be waiting there." Peschy said. "Oh, and your iron giant better not think about pulling anything funny. He comes with you; I've got something to get rid of him too. You have an hour. Don't keep me waiting. I really hate waiting."

The screen clicked off.

I stared at it, shaking.

Orion gently closed the laptop with his finger. "Val…"

I staggered away. I only made it a few steps before I leaned up against a tree and vomited. The bile burned my throat but I couldn't stop, terror and fury gripped me.

I finally managed to stop, gasping for breath. "Oh god, this is all my fault. This is all my fault." I banged my forehead against the tree.

"Val, we must hurry if we are to rescue them." Orion urged. "Do not let your fear take control, if that happens he has already won."

I let his words sink into my mind. Then slowly my fury rose, overtaking the terror, drowning it. My nails dug into my palms, drawing blood. That bastard made me lose a father. I'll be damned if he tries to take away my friends.

"I'll send him so far into hell that he'll never be able to crawl back out." I snarled.

"You will not be alone." Orion said. "We will rescue Lola and Zig-zag."

He transformed and I climbed in, my mind buzzing with rage. We raced towards the quarry, not sure of what to expect.

It didn't matter if Peschy had two-hundred tons worth of energon, I'd destroy him.

It was time to face my demon, or die trying.

Ugh, I know, sucky chapter ending. I'll understand if you hate me.

I'll try and update as soon as possible but school is starting back up and I have to study for finals, so just hang on and we'll get through this.

Oh, I'd also like to real quickly reply to some of the reviews.

SailorShinzo: Optimus should be getting most of his memories back in about 4 or 5 chapters, sorry i can't give any more away.

AlexisOptimus: You know, originally i had Val saying "Woo sparkly" but then i realized that car crashes don't really sparkle :) i'm glad you like the chapter.

Alright, that's all the time i have, i gotta hurry and post this.