(A/N: Sign language
Commlink/Messages)

Hear No Evil is back! I have been sort of been able to get the plot planned out for this story and decided to continue writing it, despite the lack of followers and readers for my works. Thank you all to have been staying with me and reading my stories. I really appreciate it so much! Enjoy this chapter of Hear No Evil!

~Shadowjumper

Marie finished her science class and her next class up was family studies. She fiddled with her backpack strap nervously, slowly creeping into the room. She looked around. that's when she noticed something: Jessica nowhere in sight. Marie sighed, relaxing in pure relief as she sat down. Thank goodness... She thought to herself as she opened her notebook when class began. They went through their normal routine and at the end of class, the class was given their assignment: a family tree project. Marie looked at the paper assignment before her, frowning slightly. How am I suppose to do this? She rested her cheek in her palm, messing with her pencil in frustration for the rest of class time.

Soon, school was over and the bell rang. Everyone hurried to their lockers and went outside. Overall the day was great but Marie now needed to figure out how she was going to be able to get that stupid family tree assignment done. The young brunette sighed heavily, walking out and looked up to see Wheeljack waiting outside for her. She grinned happily as she ran over and he opened his door for her to get in before driving off towards the base.

A message appeared on the dashboard. ::How was school today kiddo?:: it read and Marie signed in reply It was great! Jessica wasn't anywhere in sight today! I am really glad I don't have to deal with her anymore. But now I gotta figure out this stupid assignment.

::What is it?::

Just a family studies assignment, 'Jack. Don't know how I am supposed to do it since I dont really have anyone to ask about it. I think I might ask my teacher if I can have an alternate assignment instead. Marie frowned as she signed.

::Well instead of asking for something different, you could tell me and I could try to help you out:: Wheeljack offered. Marie waved him off a little dismissively, nodding. I'll tell you when we get back. I can't wait to tell Optimus and the others about my day today!

::Dont forget! you still gotta tell me about your science class::

No worries calm down! I'll get to that, 'Jack. Marie giggled quietly. They approached the Ark and pulled in. Wheeljack opened the passenger side door and let Marie out before transforming. Marie looks up at him as he signed to ask So, what's the assignment kiddo?

Some family tree chart. I need to make a chart and tree about our family heritege. But, I dont really have anyone that can help me get information for that. Don't suppose you can help with that eh? She joked at the end with a big grin, pausing for a moment before looking back up at him. I'm gonna go say hello to Optimus then I'll tell you about my science class, Jackie!

Marie waved goodbye and ran off to go find the Prime. The inventor was left standing there, lost in his worries and thoughts. Oh Primus, how was he supposed to break it to her? A servo rested on Jackie's shoulderplate and he looked at the hand then at the bot who had placed it there. Ratchet looked at Wheeljack worriedly and had saw what they just spoke about.

"That'd going to be hard Wheeljack." He stated with a frown.

"No scrap doc, the kid needs to learn about her parents! How am I supposed to tell her what happened?! It would break her little spark! I can't do that to her!"

"You are gonna have to tell her at some point, Wheeljack. She does have the right to know what happened to her birth parents. And you are the only one that can give her the full story..." Ratchet reasoned and Wheeljack knew full well he was right.

"Yeah yeah I know doc. Just..." he sighed, leaning against the wall. "But how do you tell your own kid what happened to her original parents?" He asked quietly before getting up and walking to his lab in a slump. How does he tell? How does he bring himself to relive something like that? For hours, Wheeljack tried to come up with a way to tell Marie, hunched over at his desk with his helm in his servos. Eventually, he got up and asked Bumblebee, who was watching over the girl, to tell her to meet him outside. The scout complied as he informed Marie, who nodded and left to head outside. She was met with the beaming sun and the soft breeze of the wind when she stepped outside. I wonder what Wheeljack wanted to talk to me about? Marie thought to herself.

Said inventor was in his alt mode parked nearby as his holoform leaned against the hood. He looked nervous a little as Marie came over to him. Wheeljack managed a smile, in which she returned. Hi 'Jack. What did you want to talk to me about? Is everything ok? she signed as she tilted her head curiously. Wheeljack shifted uneasily, his smile faltering and he sighed quietly. Lifting Marie up and placing her atop of his hood so he could be level with her, he started signing.

I've been wanting to talk to you about your parents. The young girl perked up, her face brightening as she looked at him.

Really?

There was a pause. How am I suppose to say this? Wheeljack thought to himself. He knew ways to create inventions, take them apart and see how they worked. He tried to learn from his mistakes. But he couldn't find a way to say something like this. His spark pulsed a little quicker as he looked back down at Marie, who was waiting patiently for him to say something. Taking a breath, Wheeljack began signing Marie, your mom and dad...they had a lot of trouble taking care of you when you were a baby and as you grew up with your disability. They came to see us at one point and asked...asked for me to take care of you. As a guardian.

Marie stared at him with wide eyes filled with hurt and confusion. They...didn't want me? she signed shakily as tears began to emerge. Wheeljack's optics widened and he quickly shook his helm.

No no no! They loved you so much but it was all a bit too much for them to handle emotionally and physically. They wanted you to be happy and didn't think they would be able to help you. he signed gently as he looked at her with a broken spark seeing her like that. The young girl wiped her eyes and sniffled, looking down. She tried to understand it all and it was hard to. Marie sat on his hood quietly as she looked like she was about to cry and Wheeljack looked down at his hands before he heard very quiet sobs. His head snapped up and he saw her hugging her knees crying. His spark would have shattered on the spot. "Oh no...please..." He carefully tapped her shoulder and signed Please don't cry, Marie. But she kept crying.

Wheeljack gently sat beside her and pulled her into a comforting hug, holding her close. He regretted telling Marie this but he couldn't keep it a secret anymore. She had to know...Marie trembled as she hugged him back silently. She was hurt and part of it was his fault for keeping it from her. He closed his eyes. "I'm so sorry, Marie...I'm sorry..." he whispered as he continued to hug her, attempting to protect her from everything else that could hurt her more. The breeze blew through the air and it was quiet, letting them be undisturbed. Charge and guardian sat there for a long time, the guardian's spark pulsing in a way he hadn't felt before.