Episode eleven; night light.
Disclaimer: Hasbro owns Transformers.
Please enjoy and review!
Alexa stood in the Autobot base. A week had gone by, and still nothing. G had said to expect visitors and friends, but the lull was well welcomed. Right now, she was leaning on a wall off to the side, watching Sari and Bumblebee watching a movie. Sari had been out of the medbay for a couple of days now, and Bumblebee rarely left her alone. Alexa was happy to see Sari so happy. At the same time, she remembered her mission; she knew what the consequences were; mission accomplished or not, and it made her heart wrench.
She was lost in thought, and didn't hear the commotion that Sari had started untill Sari walked over to her.
"Alexa?"
Alexa turned and faced the techno-organic. She smiled. "Yes Sari? How can I help you?"
Sari smiled. "Actually, I was wondering...were having a sleepover. Can you come?"
Alexa smiled, but gently shook her head. "Thank you Sari but I'm gonna have to pass. I'm not really a party person."
Sari made a set of puppy dog optics. "OH PLEASE ALEXA! IT'LL BE SOOOO MUCH FUN! !"
By now, all the Autobots were looking at Alexa, waiting for her response. Alexa knew she had been outmaneuvered.
"Well...alright. When is it?"
Sari gave a look of giddiness. "Tomorrow night."
"Sounds great. I'll be there; but I have to leave now. I need to get back to my place before it gets too late out." Alexa still hadn't mentioned she had received a mode of transport as she had walked to the base for the past few visits. Jazz stepped forward.
"I'll give ya a lift back."
Alexa smiled. "Thanks Jazz."
Jazz quickly reverted into his sports car alt mode, and Alexa climbed into the passenger seat. They pulled out of the base and onto the street. They were silent for a few minutes, untill Jazz broke the silence.
"Umm...A?"
Alexa was looking out Jazz's side window. She didn't respond for a few minutes. She finally turned her head and faced the ninjabot's radio tuner. "Yeah Jazz?"
"Is everything jivin' okay? Ya seem a little off as of late."
Alexa gave a small feeble smile before answering her friend. "I appreciate your concern Jazz, but I assure you I'm fine."
"Well, if you're sure." Jazz said just in time as he pulled up to Alexa's apartment complex.
"Completely sure." Alexa jumped out of Jazz. "I'll see you all tomorrow night." Alexa held up her hand in a small wave as she got to the front steps. "Goodnight Jazz."
"Night A." Jazz watched Alexa get inside before he drove off. Although Alexa had said she was fine, Jazz wasn't convinced. "Hmm...something not quite groovin' with Alexa. Wonder what's getting her?" He said aloud to himself.
The next night, Sari had everything set up. 'Munchies, oil, movies, and no freaky little robot to try and kill us.' She thought to herself.
The Autobots were all ready setting up the twister mat for a gaming marathon. Bee, Bulkhead, and Jazz all wanted to take on Prowl. Prowl said yes, but after the game, he was going meditate. Jazz also decided he would excuse himself a little before recharge and as he said 'Zen out' in his room. Bulkhead, and Bee decided to sleep in the rec-room. Optimus would stay in his quarters, and Sari had decided she and Alexa would sleep in her old room. Ratchet wasn't keen on any of this so he and Arcee went to spend the day with Omega. Ratchet said they'd be back around recharge time. Everything was perfect. Now all they needed was Alexa.
A few minutes later, everyone heard a vehicle pull up. The Autobots went outside to find Alexa next to a blue and white bike.
"Hey guys." Alexa smiled as she walked up to them.
Optimus looked at Alexa and back to the bike. "That's quite a bike Alexa. May I ask how-?"
Alexa cut in. "I have a friend who's out of state. He heard I totaled my last one and he managed to give me a deal one this one. Used of course, but runs like a dream." She hated lying to Optimus, but their was no way she could explain it otherwise.
Optimus smiled. "Well, come on in."
Alexa walked with the Autobots into the base. "I'll go change." She went to the human bathroom to switch out her clothing. She came back out a few minutes later in her Pj's. Sari had already started a really old movie called James Bond. 'Thats irony for you.' Alexa thought. Still she didn't say anything as she sat down next to Jazz.
Jazz had seen Alexa come out of the bathroom in her Pajamas and he was still concerned. As of late she seemed different. Especially in her attire. Her old black and green tee was gone; replaced by either a denim jacket or a hoodie. Her jeans had gotten a little more baggy as well. Even now, she had something on that almost looked too big for the intern. It wasn't like her. Throughout the previews, only one thing was going through the ninjabot's mind: What was happening to Alexa?
Alexa sat next to Jazz; silently cursing her PJs with a passion. She hated the baggy clothing she was now forced to wear. It was actually starting to send up warning flags with her friends. Jazz had picked up on the change and questioned her about it. She had just barely managed to shrug it off. She wished she could just go back to how it was; but, she felt the cold barrel of her pistol holstered under her shirt, and remembered why that couldn't be. The clothing was necessary to conceal it. Otherwise, everything would be blown. Sari was still primary objective. This mission HAD to be done; and Alexa would get it done. No matter what. Alexa shifted to a more comfortable position; unfortunately, the cold pistol made contact with her rib cage, sending a small shudder through her. 'Hope no one saw that.' She thought to herself. However, a certain ninjabot did.
Jazz had been looking back and forth from the movie to Alexa for the past ten minutes, still trying to figure out what was going on. He saw Alexa shift to lying on her stomach, and the weird twitch that followed. That was it. He gently poked Alexa to get her attention, Alexa turned her head and Jazz motioned to follow him. Jazz lead her into the empty medbay; Ratchet still wasn't back yet, so he knew it was the best place to talk in private.
"Yes Jazz? Something wrong?"
Jazz sat down on one of the berths and held out his hand to Alexa to get on. Alexa did and he set her down next to him. He cycled some air before he began.
"Alexa...you're a real good person. We've become real close since I've known you. So...what's wrong? Ya aren't ya self. Are you sick? You've become distant, ya keep wearing clothes that are not you, and you zone out alot." He stopped for a second, his voice became extremely soft, and full of worry. "I only want to help. So please...tell me what's ailing you."
It occurred to Alexa that Jazz really did care alot for their friendship. He saw her as a best friend that was practically family. His face looked like that of a big brother who was concerned for his little sister as he waited for an answer. His visor was full of anticipation and worry as he was bracing himself to hear potentially the worst. Alexa needed to throw him off and ease his troubled mind; but to keep the truth from him was almost more than she could bear.
"You're right Jazz...I am off lately. It's just that, ever since my old bike got trashed I've had some financial strains. Ya know, between everything and me trying to find a new second job, I've been real tired. Once things settle down, I'll be fine." She forced herself to give Jazz an assuring smile.
Jazz nodded his head. What Alexa had said did seem to fit. Still, their was something else too. He could sense it. Alexa though seemed determined to keep him in the dark. Still, she was his friend and he trusted her to be okay. Jazz let her down and they rejoined the others.
The rest of the time was fun. The twister match came down to Jazz and Prowl. Prowl eventually won when Jazz slipped. The munchies were already gone by then. Ratchet and Arcee came back, but retreated to the Medbay in the face of the racket. Everybody else retired about an hour later.
Sari showed Alexa her old room before they called it a night. Alexa waited for Sari to go say goodnight to Bee before she removed the pistol and holster, and placed them under the pillow. She never liked sleeping with it on her, but she had no choice. The cot was surprisingly comfortable, and Alexa was sleeping very soon.
Sari awoke in the middle of the night. The clock read four. A sound had brought her out of her dreams. Sari turned to see Alexa tossing and turning with some urgency. The intern was also mumbling and groaning. Sari got freaked out. Something was wrong. Sari jumped out of bed and sprinted down the hall to the bot Alexa spent the most time with. She didn't bother knocking as she went into Jazz's room. Jazz was fast asleep on his berth. Sari laid a hand on his arm, and he awoke instantly.
"Sari? What...?"
"You have to come quick! Something's wrong with Alexa!"
Jazz was up in less than an astro second. He ran out of his room, through the rec-room, down the other berthroom hall and to Sari's old room. His pounding landing pads had succeeded in onlining everyone else. Sari explained quickly to the others and they all joined Jazz in pursuit. They found Alexa in her cot; tossing turning, and a pained look full of raw determination on her face. She then mumbled something to everyone's surprise.
"It doesn't matter how long I'll be here. Nothing you can say or do will convince me. I'll never do it. I'll never give in." Everyone was more horrified as Alexa's face switched into one of fear. She then began to mumble one more word; and it grew in speed and volume as she said it. "No...no...no NO NO NO! ! !"
Optimus finally had to do something. "Alexa...ALEXA! ! !"
Alexa bolted up right and cut loose a short surprised yell. Everyone looked at her with shock in their optics. She was wide eyed, scared; her shoulders were shuttering as she inhaled shaky breaths. Jazz could see a cold sweat on her forehead as well.
Alexa saw to her embarrassment all of her friends standing around her bed, dumbfounded. Alexa moved so she could sit on the edge of her cot. She put her hand to her forehead. "Did...did I wake you?"
Jazz nodded. Bulkhead spoke up.
"Yeah. You were talking in your stasis. Something about not giving in."
Alexa blushed crimson; infuriated with herself for letting a piece of her past surface in front of those she had to hide it from. The nightmare was rare, but since being approached, it was the second time it had happened.
"Ah, just a bad dream. That's what I get for watching spy movies before bed. I'm alright. Sorry for waking you." Alexa had managed to collect enough assurance in her voice to convince them. One by one, they all filtered out of the room, and Sari eventually went back to sleep. Alexa laid on her side. She decided to ride out the last three hours till morning. A tear slid down her face at her thoughts. She never wanted to hurt her friends; but the lies were told, and she was in too deep.
Jazz laid on his berth thinking. He was now more concerned than ever. Alexa said she could handle herself, but he didn't think she could anymore. He wanted to help her; and to do that, he'd find a reason for her behavior. He swore he would.
A/N Poor Jazz is getting quite the run around.
