A/N: I apologize for the pathetic length of this Chapter. School has started up again for me. Senior Year began yesterday. I don't even know if I'll be able to update this alot (I might, being...you know, HOMESCHOOLED and everything) but I will try my best.

Disclaimer: i don't own TransFormers. i only own the story and any and all OCs mentioned in said story.

Don't judge me I'm a Fangirl: Yes it was sad when Alex discovered her dad was KIA. But adorable puppy Ace will make it all better. :)

Wolfimus Prime: I think you'll be happy to know that Ace is just a normal puppy. No special powers and NOT a Con in disguise.

The Silvernote: I was kind of unsure how to comment on your review. You were dead on. I wasn't planning on revealing it until later, but your review left me no choice. :)

:Blah: Comm. Link

'Blah': Thoughts

PLEASE COMMENT! IF YOU FEEL YOU MUST FLAME, KEEP IN MIND IT WILL BE IGNORED!

"Ace! Get back here!"

Mirage chuckles as Alex chases the puppy around the Main Hangar. She had been trying to teach him to walk on a leash, but the puppy had slipped out of his collar and bolted. For a clumsy, four-month-old pup, Ace was surprisingly fast and agile.

The maroon Mech finds himself holding back complete laughter as Ace runs in front of Ironhide, causing the Mech to shout out and try to climb on top of the Bot closest to him. Who just happened to be Prowl. The SIC was not impressed.

Optimus smiles as he watches Alex. Thanks to the combined efforts of Mirage and the Lennoxes, she was almost fully recovered from the news about her father. They'd had a service for him, and every single Autobot had been there in Holoform to support Alex. A sudden, high-pitched bark makes the massive being look down, thoughts interrupted. Ace was standing in front of him, panting, and tail wagging.

"Hello little one. Are you giving Alex a hard time?"

Ace lets out another squeaking bark as Alex finally catches him.

"He's more trouble than-"

"WHAT IS GOING ON HERE?!"

The shout causes everyone in the Hangar to look towards the entrance, where a certain Liason was standing.

"Director Galloway. To what do we owe the…pleasure of being graced with your presence?" Everyone snickers at Prowl's comment.

'Who knew he could be that sarcastic?'

The government official narrows his eyes.

"What is going on? I leave you machines alone for a month and I find out that not only did you not hear anything about the Decepticons, but you ALL leave base to go to a funeral for some soldier you didn't even know?"

A deep growl echoes through the Hangar. Before anyone could stop him, Sunstreaker stalks forward and picks up the man in his fist. He radiated anger.

"Listen well flesh-bag. We might not have known Alex's dad, but we are not sparkless. She's one of us, so we weren't just going to sit by and do nothing. You of all people should be grateful to have had someone like that was on your side. You ever say something that disrespectful again, I'll crush you like the pathetic insect you are. Understood?"

Galloway nods, and when Sunstreaker releases him, the man bids a hasty retreat. The golden Mech turns, facing all the shocked faces and faceplates of his companions.

"I'm going to the training room." With that, the volatile Mech storms away.

"Did he really mean all of that?"

Sideswipe smiles at her question.

"Yeah Alex. He meant every word. Now c'mon, we still need to do that MarioKart Rematch."

"You're on!"

Mirage watches as Alex breathes deeply as she slept. She stayed at the base all the time now, and so her living arrangements were a little more permanent. She was also getting a lot more sleep. A sudden sniffle breaks him out of his thoughts, and the Spy looks back at his charge. She was crying in her sleep again.

He reaches over and slowly runs his finger down her back. The soothing motion calms the teen down, making her slip deeper into sleep.

:Autobot Mirage?:

The voice on the comm. was familiar to him, having met the person before.

:This is him. I take it you received my message?:

:Yes. What was it you wanted to discuss?:

Mirage looks at Alex. She was sleeping, so he knew he couldn't wake her up. Leaving her room, he goes to his-which happened to be located right across from hers-and makes sure Hound isn't in there. He gets back on the comm.

:You have heard about the young girl staying with us correct?:

:Alex? Yes. I was good friends with her father. Why do you ask?:

Mirage doesn't hesitate. He had to do this.

:What would I have to do to adopt her?: