Will got what he wanted, one of the Autobots was permanently assigned to Carolyn by the time she got off her "vacation", which consisted of lying on the beach of Diego Garcia, reading books and sleeping….a lot. As soon as she walked through the door of the command center two weeks later, Will was right by her side, steering her back out and towards the Autobots' quarters. It was kinda awkward, really, because she had really uncomfortable pumps on and a nice clean skirt and shirt, seeing as she was suppose to videoconference with Galloway today.
"Will, I would like to go to work," Carolyn sighed. She felt better and all she wanted to do now was get to work of getting the Autobots all set to move to Washington D.C. before someone else flew off the handle.
"We've got a little more time to get the Autobots moved. Galloway was sacked and we've got this new lady, Director Mearing. I think you'll like her," Will smiled, not removing his arm from around her shoulders. "But enough of that, I have a present for you."
"Oh, joy, a present. Will, if this is a tracking device from Wheeljack, I am shooting your balls off," she glared at him and he at least removed his arm, knowing full well she would do exactly as she said.
"Its not anything from Wheeljack. Optimus and I have been talking and we've finally decided on your guardian," Will opened the door for her.
"Should I be excited? Its not Ironhide cause we all know he won't leave you or your girls," she stopped, crossed her arms and glared at him. "If it's the Twins, both of you are dead."
"We aren't that mean!" Will looked horrified. "Actually, your guardian volunteered for the job. You'll like him."
"Him? So not the Arcee sisters," she sighed, still not moving. "Not Sideswipe, cause he's with Epps. Prowl? I can live with Prowl. We both like rules."
"Prowl already said no," a soft laugh came from behind her. "He does not think he would be fast enough for you. And we both know you already like Italian cars."
"So I get you," Carolyn spun around to see Mirage's holoform. "And what can you do that the others can't that will suit me?"
"Well, I'm fast, I turn into a Ferrari, I can disappear and I mean disappear," Mirage moved closer. "And I won't take any of your crap, as the others call it."
"He'll do," she glanced at Will, smiling a little. Will covered his face, sighing. Both of Carolyn's and Mirage's smiles looked exactly the same.
"Great, just great. For now, Mirage, you'll be with her most of the time till you're cleared for missions. Then we'll send you two back out into the field," Will moved into the Autobot hanger. Ironhide was waiting, lifting Will up to his shoulder before Will could do anything. Will sighed again and said nothing, just got comfortable as Ironhide moved to where Optimus, Ratchet, Prowl and a few others were waiting. Carolyn moved through the door as Mirage's holoform disappeared, his protoform moving to the door, looking smug.
"It shall be fun, no?" Mirage knelt down next to her as she stopped, crossing her arms.
"Lets get a few things straight right away. We can flirt, but it's only to piss everyone else off. When we go on missions, I will be involved. I ain't a damn damsel in distress. I like my sleep, so no late night calls unless it's absolutely necessary. Am I clear?" she glared at him and Mirage became serious.
"This goes both ways. I may have been a noble, but I am loyal to the Autobots. I will flirt with you, but only when I'm bored or the others are bothering me. As long as you stay out of the way of my blades, you can fight. You are to not enter my quarters unless you knock," Mirage held out a finger.
'We'll type up a list later," Carolyn smiled a little, shaking the finger before climbing into Mirage's hand. She pulled her pumps off as Mirage carried her over to the others before sitting down on the edge of his hand, nodding to the others. "What's the plan for today."
"Our lovely new director has decided, as her first order of business, to inspect Diego Garcia," Will looked over the Autobots. "The men are already doing their part, we just need to remind you guys of the ground rules till we get a feel for her."
"Can anyone tell me about her? Should I pull out my mani/peti set or the rifle?" Carolyn swung her legs a little as all eyes turned to her. "I'm sorry, but some of you didn't obviously read by memo on calling me if anything super important happened while I was at the beach."
"We got it, we just chose to ignore it," Epps shrugged from his spot on Sideswipes shoulder. "We only found out two days ago, so no biggie."
"Ok, so is she Galloway's evil twin or not?"
"We don't know," Optimus shook his head. "She's been dealing directly with the General. This will be the first time any of us speak to her."
"When should she be getting here?"
"Anytime now," Will shrugged. "Smokescreen is keeping an eye on the air traffic. He'll contact Optimus and us when her plane comes in."
"Wonderful. Lets go, Mirage," she looked at him.
"Why?" Mirage cocked his head to the side.
"I have to make sure the base doesn't blow up and you have to learn how to treat a director," she nodded to the door. "Go."
"I thought I had good manners," Mirage frowned, carrying her away from the others.
"You do, but there's a whole new set of rules when dealing with the Director of Nest," Carolyn then started to explain to Mirage what he could and could not do today.
Later that day…
"I hate this stuff," Will growled to Carolyn as they stood ready to welcome whoever got off the taxiing plane.
"Don't even start," she hissed back. "I am the only one here in something looking anywhere near professional."
"We really can't wear our uniforms. There's too many of them. Go simple," Will shrugged slightly. He had a point, seeing as the Nest team here was made up of soldiers from at least ten different countries. All of the men were wearing their all black combat uniforms while she had been forced into a black suit jacket, white long sleeved shirt, black skirt and back into the black pumps from hell.
"Do you think I really care?" Carolyn growled. "I'm the one wearing the heels!"
"You could've worn flats," Epps hissed from her other side.
"No, I couldn't," she hissed back. "I have to look professional for all the rest of you."
"Oh, thanks," Epps growled.
"Stow it, all three of you," Ironhide growled from behind them as the plane came to a stop and the stairs were lowered. A woman, about 35-40, got off first. She had dirty blonde hair pulled back in a ponytail, glasses and a black dress suit and pants. She was wearing black flats, earning a scowl from Carolyn and hidden smirks from Epps and Will. She almost bounced down the steps and stalked over to them, a young Asian woman close behind.
"Hello, I am Director Mearing," she held out her hand to Will. "And you are now Colonel William Lennox."
"Yes, ma'am," Will nodded, hiding his confusion as she moved down the line to Carolyn.
"And you are Captain Carolyn Williams," she had a firm grip and the two woman eyed each other up. Charlotte Mearing was just a little shorter than Carolyn, but older. She was slightly slimmer and not as well muscled as Carolyn. Mearing knew that even though Lennox was officially in charge, Carolyn was just as important to the group. The girl was used to being the ONLY woman on base and now she had Mearing to deal with.
Carolyn raised an eyebrow at Mearing, her face stony," Director Mearing, it is a pleasure to have you on base. The men have training missions with the Autobots this morning, so I will be giving you the grand tour here."
"Thank you, Captain Williams," Mearing nodded, glancing at Lennox. "Will you be joining us, Colonel?"
"No, Ma'am, Optimus Prime and myself have a mission briefing with General Morshower in about twenty minutes," Lennox shook his head as said Autobot knelt down behind the humans and Mearing got her first good look at her newest assignment.
"It is good to meet you, Director Mearing. I am hoping you will fit this position better than your predecessor," Optimus Prime's voice was low and calm, but his warning got across all the same. The Autobots may not hurt her, but they knew people who would if she messed with their family.
"It is a pleasure to meet you, Optimus Prime, and all of the Autobots," Mearing nodded. "Let me make one thing clear. I don't want any of your weapons….unless they are used to HURT humans. Am I understood?"
"We shall see," Optimus nodded. This was going to be interesting.
"We'll start with your office," Carolyn broke in, stepping between the two. "Behave, everyone, or you will have it coming."
Seems that she could handle these robots just fine. Wonder how she did it. Mearing followed Carolyn away from the men as the men dispersed, headed off to other duties. Mearing eyed Carolyn's shoes, then glanced back at her aide," Shoes."
The woman nodded as both stopped and high tops were placed on the ground and the flats were placed in a bag. Carolyn watched it all with amused eyes. Mearing looked back at her challengingly," You fault for wearing heels."
"Doesn't matter what I'm wearing as long as it can be used to kill something," she countered and Mearing smiled a little.
"How about we both change and you show me this training exercise the men are doing?" Mearing offered as a truce. Carolyn smiled and nodded.
"Sounds good to me."
Back by the hanger, the boys watched the interaction warily. Epps looked at the others, humans and Autobots alike, "We're doomed."
