Disclaimer: All Transformers characters belong to Hasbro. Any made up characters were created by me.

Summery: (set sometime after ROTF Movie verse) Annabelle Lennox is sixteen and excited about getting her first car. What happens when the first car turns out to be an Autobot? Especially one that's new to the whole Guardian thing.

"blah" – Normal human speak
"blah" – Cybertronian speak
'blah' – Comm. Speaking
blah – thinking
Blah – flashbacks

There's a First Time for Everything
By Yami-Yugi3

Chapter 11

It took two more days of rest and energon, but Prowl was finally released to go back to the Lennoxes. "I better get home. Annabelle needs to stop taking Ironhide to school."

"Very well." Ratchet said.

Barricade sighed. "I wish I could go with you..."

"We can't have you damaging yourself. I take it you're getting that 'cabin fever' as the humans call it." Barricade nodded. "Hmm, I might be able to do something about that." He started doing scans on Barricade. "Well... You can finish your recovery period at the Lennoxes."

"...Really?"

"IF you promise to rest and stay in your quarters there. I'll have Ironhide keep an eye on you to be sure. If you feel well enough to drive." Prowl smiled from his place near by. Barricade sat up and was eager to get off the berth. Prowl came over to help his brother. Barricade welcomed the help as he stood up. He pushed Prowl's hand away.

"Let me try on my own."

"Okay." Prowl said. Barricade carefully walked forward. He did not wobble. He stood straight on his own with a little cough. Prowl smiled again. Jazz clicked happily on his shoulder. "Alright, you're both clear."

"Thank you, Ratchet," said Prowl as they left.

"Can you transform okay?" Prowl asked when they got outside of the base.

"Yeah..." he said as he slowly transformed into car mode. "A little weak still, but I'm fine." Prowl smiled as he place Jazz on the ground before he transformed himself. Jazz climbed into the passenger side and both drove off. Barricade followed behind Prowl, wanting to be careful.

Back at the Lennoxes, Annabelle sighed. She had had a rough week at school. Ironhide could only protect her so much. He also had NEST duties every now and then. On mission days he could only drop her off. She sighed again until a sound of some engines came from outside. She smiled to see a familiar TransAm and cop car pulling in. She practically ran over to the shed as they pulled up to it. "You're back!" Prowl smiled after he let Jazz out so he can transform. Jazz went over to Annabelle and climbed up onto her shoulder. She smiled and patted his head. "I missed you too."

"Are you alright, Annabelle? How has school been going? I know it's been rough taking Ironhide instead of me."

"Well..."

"If it's hard to talk about I understand." Ironhide came out and saw them.

"Ah, so you're back. Feeling better Barricade?"

"...Mostly. Ratchet said I could finish recovering here."

"Then why don't you come inside and rest?"

"Can I at least sit outside? I've been on a berth in the Medbay for a week and a half. I promise I'll take it easy."

"Very well for a bit."

Prowl smiled at him. "You were practically dead, Barricade. We're just worried about you." Barricade nodded and went over to a familiar tree. He slowly and carefully sat down under it. He closed his eyes with a sigh, glad to feel the sun on him.

Ironhide turned to Annabelle. "You alright, youngling?"

"...I guess..."

Prowl looked at Ironhide with worry on his face. 'She had a rough day today. I could only pick her up and drop her off. All of her peers made fun of her today. A few of the cheerleaders were calling her bad names.'

'I see. Don't worry Ironhide, I'm here now.'

'I wish I could scare those students senseless.'

'You know Prime don't allow that.'

'I know...but it's been very tempting...' Prowl knelt down to Annabelle.

"You should have no more trouble. I'll be able to take you now. My brother still needs to rest up for the rest of the week, so we can't have the police on our side. However, I'll be able to stay in hologram form to protect you." He put a hand on her shoulder. "I'm sorry you have to endure going to the same school."

"If I could, I'd have stopped this nonsense," Ironhide said with a clenched fist.

"Thanks you guys. It means a lot." She sighed. "I'll just have to learn to deal with this. High school people suck. I'm glad I have friends like you." Both mechs smiled at her. She smiled back. Prowl reached out a hand and picked her up.

"Let's go check on my brother, hmm?" She smiled up at him with a nod. He walked over to the tree and tried not to laugh. Barricade was fast asleep, leaning up against the big, hearty oak tree. "Ironhide!" Prowl called back.

"SHHH! Prowl, just let him sleep there. He IS resting like he's supposed to. He'll be alright."

"I suppose you're right," he smiled.

"He looks kinda cute," Annabelle giggled. Jazz chirped in agreement. Prowl carefully sat down and set Annabelle on his thigh. Jazz settled in Annabelle's lap.

"Do you not have any friends at school?"

"…Well…there is Mrs. Epps's kids."

"Your father's military friend?"

"Yeah. We grew up together. All six of us."

"Six?" Prowl asked, optics wide.

"Yeah, Mr. and Mrs. Epps's have five kids. I have a few classes with Keisha and Sheniqua. They're my age."

"I see. That must be comforting."

"It is. Michelle, and Monet started Junior High this year. Fred is in fifth grade. I know if Fred were more my age, he'd want to do what Ironhide did."

"I see. He's protective even though he's younger, huh?"

"He takes after his dad and he grew up around us girls," she smiled.

"So your males are protective of their females as well."

"Especially if they know them like family." Prowl nodded. Annabelle sighed and nestled more comfortably against Prowl. He smiled down at her. She continued to prove why Ironhide was so attached to her. He closed his optics and a young, eighteen year old boy stood in front of them. He was dressed in a white shirt, dark jeans with black sneakers, and a leather jacket. His hair was in a normal cut and dark brown in color.

"Annabelle?" the teen asked. She turned and looked at him.

"Who are you? You're hot." Prowl laughed out loud.

"Anne, it's me," the teen smiled.

"…Prowl…?"

"What do you think? How about this following you around school?"

"I'd say, HELLO new boyfriend."

"I hope I didn't overdo it. I just used the internet to analyze your teenage culture."

"Great job," she smiled.

"I'm glad," he said before disappearing.

Annabelle smiled up at Prowl. "I can't wait for school tomorrow."

"Really? Why is that?" Prowl asked with his own smile. Annabelle just giggled.

"Oh! That's reminds me. We got to get your license plate on." Annabelle said. As Annabelle headed inside to get said plate, a familiar yellow Camaro pulled up.

Sam and Mikeala got out as did Wheelie. Mikeala reached into the back and gently took baby Carly out along as her baby carriage out of Bumblebee's back seat before the young scout transformed. Bumblebee smiled at his family as they met Annabelle at the door. "Hey Anne." Sam said with smile.

"Hi," she smiled. "Did my parent's invite you over for dinner? On a school night?"

"School night for you maybe." Sam said.

"Oh yeah," she smiled. Carly cooed at her. "Hi cutie," Annabelle waved at her. Mikeala smiled as Carly giggled. Annabelle let them inside before going in herself. "Mom. Dad. Sam and Mikeala are here."

"Oh. Good. Dinner will be about another half hour or so," smiled Sarah.

"Great," smiled Annabelle. "I finished my homework earlier. Can I visit with them for a bit?"

"Sure Anne sweetie."

She smiled. "Let's have a seat in the living room." She led them to said room like a good hostess.

"You've grown into such a lady," smiled Sam.

"Yeah. I'm sure boys are staring after you all the time," Mikeala said. "I remember when you were just a little girl. You were adorable then. Now you're a cute teenager," she smiled. Annabelle smiled at the complements here older friends were giving her. She led them to a couch and sat down on the floor next to them. Sam helped Mikeala set up a blanket play area for Carly. Mikeala sat down on the couch with a sigh. "She's a lot of work..."

"But she's worth it," smiled Sam as made a funny face at the little baby. "Yes you are." Carly cooed happily and giggled at her daddy.

Annabelle came over with a rattle and started playing with her. Carly giggled and flailed her hands and feet. She tried to reach out and grab it. "You're so cute," Annabelle smiled. Carly giggled again. Annabelle smiled and gave her the rattle. Carly clasped it in her hands and immediately stuck it in her mouth. "You just have to feel how it is and taste it huh?" Annabelle asked her.

"You're smart when it comes to babies, Anne," said Sam. "How did you know that babies stick things in their mouths to learn about them?"

"I can't ignore my child development class."

"Oh," smiled Mikeala. Carly let go of the rattle and started to fuss and cry.

"Dinner's ready," smiled Sarah.

"Looks like it's time for someone else's too," smiled Mikeala as she bent to pick up Carly as she let out a wail. Sam fished a bottle out of the diaper bag and a canister of formula. She went into the kitchen. "Is it okay if I feed her at the table?" Mikeala asked. She rocked Carly a little bit to get her to calm. "Daddy's getting dinner," she cooed as Sam mixed up the formula and put the bottle in the microwave.

"That's fine." Sarah said with a smile. They all sat down at the table Sarah had set. Sam came over with the warm bottle and handed it to Mikeala before sitting down. Will came into the room and smiled. Will came into the room and smiled. "Time to eat, dear," smiled Sarah. "Anne, you want to say Grace?" Sarah asked as everyone sat down.

"Sure," she smiled. Everyone except Mikeala held hands and prayed. She was busy feeding Carly. Everyone started eating. "Good as always, mom," smiled Annabelle. Mikeala set the empty bottle down and put a burp blanket over her shoulder. She laid Carly down on it and started helping her digest the formula.

Outside, Ironhide had came out of his shed with some energon cubes for everyone. Barricade and Prowl were sitting on the couch. "Eat up everyone," Ironhide smiled. Bumblebee smiled. Wheelie was drinking his small cube. "How have you been, Bee?" asked Ironhide.

"I'll tell you," Wheelie said "He's been a nervous wreck since the baby came home."

"...Wheelie..." the yellow youngling whined.

"Well you were."

Ironhide just laughed. "I felt the same way when I realized I was a guardian to a baby girl."

"Really...?"

"Really. I was always afraid I'd kill her. It took me awhile to get used to things. I quickly became her favorite babysitter. I slowly fell in love with her and adopted her as my own. I was part of the family and she was part of mine. All of us learned that she was actually safest around me."

"...Sparkling... She's like your own sparkling," said Bumblebee.

"And she will continue to be, until you have one of your own. Until Chromia comes home to stay and I can finally have one. Although, you'll never stop loving them like one."

Barricade laughed. "My, Ironhide. Didn't know you were so mushy." Ironhide playfully glared at him.

"I'm feeling the same way, as well. I'm beginning to understand why we've lived here for so long and become so close to these humans." Jazz clicked on his shoulder in agreement. Prowl petted Jazz on the head. He leaned into his hand. He looked down at Prowl's energon and started to climb down. He stood in Prowl's lap and tried to get some of the half drank cube. He reached in a little too much and fell into it with irritated clicks and chirps. Prowl reached in and gently pull Jazz out. "You should have asked for some, Jazz not take a bath in it." He said with a smile.

He chirped and whirred angrily at him. "Don't you think I know that!"

Prowl sighed sadly. "I'm sorry." he said.

"I wanted to try and get some myself, slag it!" Jazz fought his way out of Prowl's grip and sulked off.

Prowl sighed sadly, doorwings hung low. "I...I don't think I'm hungry anymore." he said as he placed the left over cube down and head off in another direction.

"Prowl wait!" Bumblebee called.

"No, Bee. Let them solve it on their own. Jazz is just sensitive about his current size. He's had two incidents already while he's been here. Neither of them have been good. Actually, three if you count what I did. Jazz didn't mean to hurt Prowl's feelings and Prowl didn't mean to ignore him."

"Geez...and I thought I had it bad," said Wheelie.

Barricade sighed. "He'll be alright. Only his pride is hurt."

Jazz sighed irritably and sat down on a log sitting outside the garage. He looked up at the pile of logs he was sitting on the bottom of. "Stupid slaggin' size!" He was temped to kick the logs out of anger. He knew if he did, he'd end up hurting himself more than anything. He sat there and sulked. "I wish Ratchet'd hurry up already..." He was too busy sulking to see Prowl leave the shed, transformed into the Trans-Am and drive off. He felt the pain in their bond and hopped down. He thought about what he had just said. His spark sank. He had really sounded awful and hurt Prowl's feelings. He immediately started looking around for him. He looked into the shed and only saw the others but Prowl was no where to be seen. "Anyone seen Prowl?" he asked frantically. Everyone looked at him.

"He left after you did." Wheelie said.

"I gotta find him! I need to apologize before he does something bad!"

"Hang on, youngling. I'll take you," said Ironhide as he set his empty cube aside. "Barricade, I know you can keep things together here. Tell Annabelle if she comes looking."

"I will, Ironhide. Bee and I will keep Wheelie in line."

"Hey!" Bumblebee just smiled at the toy truck. "Listen, uh, I hope ya find 'im."

"Me too…Primus I feel awful…" Ironhide pat Jazz on the back.

"It's alright, youngling. We all make mistakes." He took Jazz into his hand and walked outside. He set Jazz on the ground and transformed. He partially untransformed an arm to help Jazz inside. Jazz settled uncomfortably in the driver's seat. "Calm down, Jazz. We'll find him," Ironhide said as he drove off. He followed Prowl's signature while Jazz used their tight friendship.

Prowl did not really know where he was going. He was just driving. He was more upset than ever. Not only was he upset by the current fight him and Jazz just had, but he drudged up what happened to Annabelle. He should have been there to help her! It didn't matter that he had been too weak still. He drove onto a back road and just followed it. He didn't know it was leading him to the other side of town. Barricade…I should have protected you from Megatron… He finally couldn't take it anymore and pulled over to the side of the road. He sat there and settled on his shocks. He sighed and let recharge take him.

Ironhide drove along. "Why in Primus would he be heading this way? There's nothing on the other side of town."

"Oh man…this is all my fault…"

"Yes and no. Fights between friends usually stems from a misunderstanding. It is your fault because you could have just told Prowl. It's partially his fault for not noticing and for poking fun at you. You know he was trying to joke. He wasn't really trying to hurt you."

"Yeah…I know that NOW…" Jazz sighed and moaned sadly as he stood up to look out the window. "Where the slag could he be?"

"Take it easy, Jazz. No need to get so upset about it. We'll find him, I know. Prowl is not the type to run away." Jazz only nodded and tried to settle down in the seat. Ironhide turned to the side a bit to let a cop car pass him by. "I guess they patrol around here often."

"Yeah, I guess so…" Jazz replied, not really interested in the local police doing their routine.

The police car saw Prowl sitting there and pulled over to the side of the road behind him. Prowl was too deep in recharge to notice. The cop got out and checked the car. He noticed the temporary plate taped in the rear window and that no one was inside. He wrote down the plate number and went back into his car. He ran a check and found that the temporary plate was recently expired. He came and checked the car again to be sure no one had been around it or recently left it. "Well…looks like you've been abandoned here, buddy." The cop didn't notice the Autobot symbol or think anything of it. He went back to his car and called for assistance. He put in an order for an abandoned, expired license car. "…Yeah, it's parked on the side of the road. We need to get it moved. There's heavy traffic between towns on this road." He hung up the phone. He looked towards the car. "I hope someone comes to claim you at the Lot. It'd be a shame to let a good car like that go to waste." The tow truck pulled up just as the cop finished checking the car for any signs of human contact.

"Nice car. You sure there's no owner?"

"Well, there was some expired registration. That temp is expired too."

"Alright. Let's hitch it up." The cop nodded and watched the tow truck driver get in front of Prowl. He was still too deep in recharge to know what was going on. The driver hooked him up and hoisted him onto the back of the truck. The cop waited for the truck to continue down the road toward the other side of town before following him.

Ironhide and Jazz pulled up to the spot a few minutes too late. "He was here. His signal was right here."

"What if something happened to him? I can still feel him but I can't feel what he's feeling. He probably fell asleep or something. What…What if someone took him?"

"C'mon. We'll have to alert the others. It's getting late and they'll be getting worried. We'll need Will and Annabelle's help. If someone took him, we'll need to file a report. We'll need Prowl's registration and licensing to help find him."

"…I…I hope no one took him…"

"Me too. Let's head back." Jazz settled worriedly in the driver's seat as they drove back.