Smack

"Ouch." Primus, that was defiantly, going to leave a mark. Serenity had been running again from the unruly mechs and wasn't watching where she was going and smacked right into a wall that appeared out of nowhere. Though it didn't really feel like a wall, more like a large metal foot.

Clutching her forehead she whimpered as she tried to not flinch from the sting. Cursing softly she wondered why this was happening to her. She didn't know why she had anger the mechs nor did she know their names. It was frustrating.

"Are you alright?"

The voice had come from above and had scared her for she didn't remember seeing anyone that was near. Looking up she saw nothing, no mech, human, or anything. "I think I might have hit my head a little too hard." She mumbled in a daze. "You're starting to lose it, Serenity. Soon the voices will be talking back, not that they already are…"

A chuckled vibrated from the area around her.

"Yep, I think it's time to enter myself into the physic ward. Ratchet's going to be thrilled." Serenity spoke out loud as she tried to look for the one who was chuckling at her. "Okay, I'm officially freaked…"

The chuckled vibrated once more in front of her and a second later a white and blue mech appeared before her.

Pale green orbs stared as the air in front of her, became a mech. "You have got to be kidding me?" Breathing at her findings she giggled and smiled. "That's so cool! I wish I could do that."

"It is cool, isn't it?" The mech asked himself, with amusement.

"Of course it is! If I could vanish with just a thought I would do it. It would definitely get me out of situations." She felt that this mech was going to be real good friends with her in the future. "So what's your name? I'm Serenity Witwicky… but you probably already know that."

The mech chuckled before kneeling down and getting a good look at the femmeling before him. "Name's Mirage."

"Sweet. Your name does you justice. You remind me of the mirages that people see in the desert." Clapping her hands like a little kid she giggled. "This would be one hallucination I would love to see… wait I'm already seeing it."

Mirage wasn't sure what to think of her odd behavior, but he did smile before standing back to his full height.

Serenity could see the odd expression on Mirage's face and blushed. "Sorry, you can ignore that part…" She was smiling sheepishly.

Smirking, Mirage watched the femmeling as she seemed to fidget under his gaze. Wondering if he scared her or just amused her, he wasn't sure, but he was glad that he had found the femmeling.

"So, do you like hiding in corners and scaring younglings for the good of your humor or were you standing in wait for unsuspected mechs?"

Chuckling softly, Mirage once again kneeled down and looked into the pale green orbs of the child. "A little bit of both."

"Figures." Serenity exaggerated as she flew up her hands before pouting. "If it's not the two unruly mechs chasing me down, it's the hiding invisible mech waiting for the impromptu time to step out and let the small human smack head first into his peds. Like I don't have enough, already on my plate."

"I do not mean to be of a hindrance, but I'm simply looking out for one, so small."

Serenity hmphed at the 'small' remark, but instead looked at the mech. "Did I do something wrong?"

"No, but-"

"There she is!"

Serenity flinched as she turned around and found the two mechs that were chasing her, not a few moments ago. "Scrap."

"Perhaps, I can be of some service?" Mirage asked as he saw the two high-strung mechs heading their way.

Glancing up Serenity couldn't help but feel happy. "Please?"

Mirage smiled before he let the femmeling clamber aboard his hand before bringing her closer to his chest. Once she was secured safely, he stood and turned.

"Tap-Out, after her." A grumpy voice cried as he two went after the departing mech who held the one that was disrupting their secrets of them.

Tap-Out nodded before going after Mirage and the youngling. If the secrets that he had held dear were not in a way to be able to be seen, he would not have been chasing down the femmeling. But the day when he was in the rec room and overheard what the femmeling had said, he had made it's his mission to stop the child from repeating the dark secrets that he held, deep within his spark.

Cliffjumper his counter-partner also had the same thoughts, but his were more on the scale, of that a human child shouldn't have the power to look deep within them to see the secrets that meant the world to them.

"Mirage, their gaining!" Serenity exclaimed as she moved from his hand to his shoulder armor. She didn't want to be caught, not after the last three days of avoiding them.

Mirage knew that he had to protect the small femmeling, not just because of the mechs that were chasing her, but for reasons that he was still unsure of himself. He also knew of her power for the gossip and rumors were all over the base. The mechs on base had become suspicious of her from what was being said. He was too, but Red Alert had comm-ed him earlier and had asked of him to keep an eye on the femmeling.

At first he had been upset with the idea of watching the femme, but something in him told him that it was going to be something he would have never expected from the youngling. So he did, and now look where it got him.

Shaking his head at the thoughts he took a glimpse and looked back. Cursing softly he took a right turn and seconds later a left. He could feel the femmeling dig her hands into the crevices of his armor after he had moved so fast. Reaching up and grabbing the femme gently he pulled her closer to his chest armor and walked back into the small alley between the two rooms. "Please be quiet."

Serenity had gasped when she was taken down from her perch but after the soft words, she silenced herself, for she could hear the mechs coming upon them. Instinct had overpowered her as she pressed her small body against, Mirage's chest plates, as she heard the footsteps get closer. Fear indebted itself in her body and soul as she could see the red and teal paint jobs of the mechs out from the crevice of Mirages hand.

Mirage watched as Cliffjumper and Tap-Out get closer and closer. Not wanting the femme to get caught he activated a program and soon his and the femmeling's body began to disappear. It began at his peds and then began to climb higher and higher. The human had long disappeared before his head followed with it. Now all they had to do was be quiet and try not to shift.

Out in the hall a camera that was looking the other direction slowly swiveled around and stopped at the point where the alley was. A certain red mech, on the receiving end was already radioing backup. The two unruly mechs would finally be caught. Smirking he sat back and enjoyed the show.

"Cliff, I think we lost them?" Tap-Out stated as they stopped at the end of the hall.

"Slag it, and we were so close." Cliffjumper was not happy; the femme had escaped his clutches again. Growling he looked at the hall on his right and left side. On his left was a dead-end but had two rooms and an alley way that couldn't possibly hold Mirage. On his right was a hall that had no end.

"Do we split up?"

"No." Cliffjumper made a rash decision but he knew the femme had to be close, his sensor rays were saying that she was. Stepping to his left he trudged over to the alley, and after hearing the squeak he knew that he was right. "You can't hide from us forever, Mirage."

Mirage cursed but held the femmeling closer, he didn't blame the femme from giving away their position, but now he was unsure what to do. Even if Cliffjumper was a minibot, his strength and firepower overcame his small stature. "You're not getting her, she's done nothing wrong."

"Oh, but she has. She knows more than she lets on. She knows our secrets, our secrets that we hold dear. Who knows what she could do with those secrets. That femmeling could sell us out to her government." Cliffjumper snarled while stepping forward. "Then where would we be? We'd be fighting for our lives once more."

Serenity could feel the anger pouring of the mechs spark. Shuddering she looked down at her hands and then to Mirage. She was sorry, she truly was. She didn't know at the time that what she was doing was taboo, she didn't know.

Tap-Out didn't want to interfere with Cliffjumper, but he did agree with everything that he said. Their secrets were their own. It was a violation in all respects to hear that their secrets could be withdrawn from a femmeling not of their world.

"I'm sorry…" Serenity whispered into the hall, "I-I didn't-"

"I don't accept anything from flesh-lings like you." Cliffjumper growled.

Mirage growled at the words, Cliffjumper was sounding like a decepticon with the way he was acting.

Reaching out the minibot was able to get a hold of mech and in seconds the invisibility disappeared and the blue and white mech appeared before them with the crying femmeling. "Hand her over Mirage, I know you also hold your secrets dear. Would you really want the ones that you cherish and hide from the others, to be brought out by this insignificant being?

Serenity whimpered and looked up at Mirage; she prayed that he wouldn't hand her over. Pale green orbs looked into the faceplate of her newly made friend, she really hoped that he wouldn't go back on his word; he had said that he was there to watch her. Hands grasping the armor she pleaded with his eyes and prayed that she wouldn't have to go to the red mech.

Looking at Cliffjumper and the femme he could side with both of them, but he knew in his spark who he sided with more. "I do cherish my secrets, but I also know that Serenity didn't mean to make us feel violated. She is a gift, a gift that will bring the light out in all of us. She holds something within her that is dearest to us, even if some of us do not agree."

"You fool, can't you see that she has poisoned you with her lies." Cliffjumper was truly pissed now. Growling he lunged for the femmeling.

Mirage pressed back further into the corner while holding Serenity. He would not let the mech lay a hand on her, if he had any say in it.

"She's a pit spawn from Unicron, she doesn't deserve to live and use our sparks for her un-denying pleasure." He lunged again before he was suddenly thrown back by Tap-Out. "Has she poisoned you also?"

"Knock it off, Cliff." Tap-Out replied as he tried to hold the thrashing mech.

"I should brig you for your actions, Cliffjumper." Mirage growled. The mech had violated many rules and regulations on humans and attacking a fellow autobot.

"You can't make me."

Pause

"No, but I can."

The hall went completely silent. Mirage sagged in relief at the white and black mech he saw behind Cliff and Tap-Out. Never would he have thought to be so happy to see the SIC. "Prowl."

"Mirage." Prowl nodded to him, as he stood behind the two minibots. Optics staring at them with unrepresented emotion he shoved them along. "Brig. NOW."

"But Prowl."

Prowl didn't reply, but he did give the minibot a glare that wasn't meant to be messed with.

Grumbling and scared, Cliffjumper and Tap-Out walked down the hall, with a silent and deadly SIC officer following behind them.

The hall had gone silent after the three mechs left. Sighing, Serenity deflated with emotions, never would she had thought that this would turn out this way. Glancing up at Mirage she wondered what he was thinking. Sure she would love to peek into his spark, but she would have to ask first. "I'm sorry about this, Mirage."

"Don't worry about, it little femme. I'm just glad I was here, or you'd been in big trouble."

"Thanks."

Mirage shrugged his shoulders at the gratitude; instead his processor was on other things. "How about a ride? I need the sun, to absorb the action to what happen here."

Giggling, Serenity nodded. A drive sounded awesome. "Sounds great!"

Smirking, Mirage let the human down before he transformed. A slick F-1 Liger JS11 settle on its axis next too, Serenity.

"Ah man, I swear you guys are going to give me a heart attack with the exotic cars you drive around as." Serenity groaned as she nearly melted at the sight of the racing vehicle.

Chuckling softly, Mirage patiently waited for the youngling to get in. Once she was sitting, a harness wrapped around her small frame, so she wouldn't fly out if Mirage hit something. "There's a helmet by your feet, please secure it on your head, Ratchet will have my aft, if I bring you back injured."

Grabbing the helmet, Serenity placed it on her head and grinned. This was so cool and to top it off she was going to take a ride in a vehicle that most humans would not have been able too Once she was securely in place, Mirage put it in gear and the next thing she knew they were off and zooming down the hall at low speeds but slowly and gradually they were going faster and faster.

Quite a few halls down Optimus and Jazz were enjoying a leisurely walk.

"So did you hear what Prowler got to do today?" Jazz asked with a skip to his step.

Optics looking down he gave a shrug of his shoulders, much like the human do. "What did our residence SIC get to do?"

Smirking and chuckling Jazz replied, "He finally caught the slaggers that were hassling, Serenity."

"Did he now…"

"Yep, caugh' them in the act, he did. Thank Primus, 'Rage was with her, or things could have gone south real fast."

Optimus nodded as he turned his head he could hear a loud sound vibrating down the hall behind them.

"Prime?"

"Just a min-"

"WAAHOOOO!"

Not only was Optimus in shock he wasn't sure what to make of it. "Was that?"

"Yep!"

"Should I be concern?"

"She'll be fine, Optimus. She's in good hands. 'Rage will take good care of her."

"If you're sure…"

Jazz nodded as he watched Serenity have a good time by zipping down the hall in Mirage's alt mode. He knew just by being a good friend to the mech, that he would have questions for her. Perhaps Serenity's power will give him hope.

Shaking his head he continued on, or at least try too. "Anyway, any news on-"

"MIRAGE, YOU FRAGGER, SLOW THE PIT DOWN!" Ratchet's voice vibrated down from where Mirage and Serenity disappeared too.

Jazz turned to giggles beside Optimus at the voice of their medic.

Head shaking, Optimus pinched his nose plate. "I'm surrounded by idiots."

Jazz just laughed.

He felt at peace as he drove in his alt mode. He felt like he could drive forever to take him to faraway places and away from the harshness of the world, he also knew that you can't run away from everything. Sighing Mirage slowly came to a stop as he and the femmeling broke the surface and were in the open sky.

Warm breezy air ruffled through Serenity's hair as she felt the freshness around her.

"Have you been to the beach yet?" Mirage's voice asked as it surrounded her.

"Not yet, I've been kind of confined to the med bay."

Mirage chuckled before he rolled forward and headed for the beach.

Smiling, Serenity held onto the wheel as he took off again.

Mirage taking the initiative he drove along the blacktop and hit the sandy beach not to long after. Sand crunching underneath his wheels he slowed to a stop and sat there. "You may disembark."

Hands reaching out she took the warm helmet off and shook her hair out. Hands running through it she pushed it back as the ocean wind blew it around. Pale green eyes locked on the view in front of her. The ocean view was magnificent and breath-taking. "Wow!" Clear blue sea water lapped at the shore of the base.

"My thoughts exactly when I first came upon it. Your world and the wonders that fill it, is much different from Cybertron."

"Not by much." Serenity replied as she unbuckled and step out of the race car. Right hand gliding along the frame, she felt the scars that covered some of the warm metal.

Mirage tried not to shudder as her hand rubbed against his frame. It felt weird since he was not use to it, like the other mechs. He found the touch reassuring as she pulled away from him and headed for the beach. Watching her step away from him a few feet he transformed to his mech form and stretched him limbs. Even if he was only in his alt mode for a short time he still felt the kinks in his systems.

Serenity didn't bother to turn around and watch the transformation; she didn't have too, for she could see it in her mind. She saw the parts fold and move into the right places as he stood back to his full height. Smiling, she moved along the beach. Stopping only once she pulled off her shoes and dipped her bare feet into the warm sand. Sighing with content she stumbled along, until she was there on the shore line.

Cold water lapped at her toes as she stood there. She wasn't thinking of the world as she let the calmness of her surroundings breach her soul. Hair whipping in the wind she turned her head so the wind caressed her face. Serenity didn't even hear the deep steps of Mirage as she was so in tuned with world around her.

He watched her, watched her with deep blue optics, as she took in the world around her. Mirage didn't care that sand was digging into his inner workings, for he was just taking in something that he rarely saw in the humans on base. The femmeling was very much enjoying the view and seemed to be putting what bothers her behind her.

"It's been a long time, since I felt this peaceful." Turning around she smiled at Mirage, before joining him where he stood. "Thanks for everything, Mirage, it means a lot."

Mirage waved if off before he sat down on the sand. Ratchet, was more than likely, going to kill him, for getting sand in the crevices of his armor, but he didn't care at the moment.

Hand reaching out and rubbing his anklet, Serenity didn't sit down, but looked backed out into the Ocean. She had a feeling what was to come, but she didn't want to push it. It was Mirage's decision if he would like for her to read or see what his spark was saying. She wouldn't force him; she wouldn't take advantage of using her power, just for her own purpose. She won't do that to them, she owed these mechs so much, she didn't want to take the trust she had made with them away, just because she wanted to see what their spark held.

Mirage was watching her again, as she seemed to just look out at the blue ocean. He could feel the soothing touch on his anklet and accepted it. After the rumor of the femmeling's power reached the entire base, he wanted to know answers that he was still unsure of himself. And now that they were alone, perhaps Serenity could give him what he needed to hear. "…Will you? Will you read my spark?" he said, as he could feel fear rip through his spark. Fear for he didn't know what she would see and if she would be willing to read it at all.

Serenity was watching the waves break the surface and collide with the shore when she heard the words. Turning her head up, she looked into the deep blue optics before turning her attention back on the ocean. "I can, but I can't promise that what I see will be beneficial to you."

"I understand."

Nodding her head, she reached deep within herself and felt along for the power that was dwelling just out of reach. Grabbing it in her mind she closed her eyes and felt for Mirage's spark. When she found it she opened those pale green orbs of hers and looked at Mirage. "Do you trust me?"

"I do." Mirage meant it.

Very grateful for the trust he was giving her, she sighed before she felt her power reached out and flow around the beautiful and powerful spark. Calmness overcame her as she relaxed into the warm metal of Mirage's anklet.

She could feel it; she could feel his emotions as they vibrated around his spark. It was something that she couldn't very well described as she felt around for anything that would be of use to Mirage. She was searching and feeling for what the spark had to say to her. It was not long before she felt it in her own heart, what Mirage's spark was trying to tell her. When she found what was given to her, she pulled back and away from the living spark. Giving thanks to the glowing spark, her pale green orbs awoke to the waves hitting the shore and the sun still in the sky. Looking up, she smiled to Mirage before telling what she had found.

"...memory is fragile and the space of a single life is brief, passing so quickly that we never get a chance to see the relationship between events; we cannot gauge the consequences of our acts, and we believe in the fiction of past, present, and future, but it may also be true that everything happens simultaneously."

"I know that your life was one you will not forget. You had it all, money and a good home. Friends that you could trust and be called as family, but life is never as it seems. It can change in an instance with just a flick of the wrist. The war that started your planet to lose everything that life lived for was the turning point."

"Your choices reflect you even if you don't think they do. They are neither good nor bad. Your spark showed me the hurt that you were given, from the choice you made. Never let that reflect your future. The past is the past. " Sighing she closed her eyes and told him something he had to know.

"When people get hurt, they learn to hate… when people hurt others, they become hated and racked with guilt, but knowing that pain allows people to be kind. Pain allows people to grow... and how you grow is up to you."

Mirage was in awe with what, Serenity was saying. He agreed with what she said as she went on and it surprised him a bit. He wasn't sure if his spark would say anything at all and now that he is hearing what it had indeed told the femmeling he was very grateful.

"Your friends cannot choose your life for you. Only you can make that decision… I'm grateful that you made the right choice, Mirage. I'm glad that, you are a part of this team. The Autobots would not have made it this far without you. You speed and an invisibility help with assignments and you were a great friend and savior for me. Don't go against what you have here. You might not think that you are a treasured friend and comrade, but you are. We all cherish your comments and if you were to decide yo leave we would miss you, humans and mechs alike."

Mirage felt loved. Loved from what the femmeling way saying about the others, and yes he sometimes believed that the others didn't recognize him as part of the team, he knew in his spark that he was indeed needed for this team. Now, that he was hearing it from Serenity, he wouldn't think of the thoughts had always plagued his mind. Instead he would look for the future and positives in life and why he was there. "I will stay for I know now, that my life is treasured just as much as the others."

Serenity had let loose the breath she didn't know she was holding as she collapsed against his anklet. Thanking Primus, she sighed and looked up at Mirage's faceplate. He was smiling and she could tell that he meant what he said. Smiling herself she looked back at the crashing waves and once again lost herself to it.

Mirage also lost his soul, spark to the crashing waves as he thought about what had conspire. The information he received was well regarded by him and he was glad to find out what his spark was saying too and about him.

Both watching the view they immersed themselves into the surroundings as they day came to an end. With their friendship anew they couldn't wait for the coming days. They would both take it in stride and won't give up when challenges become too hard. They would move forward and overcome what needs to be done, even if there are ones who will stand in their way.

"What the frag do you have?" Barricade asked with a growl as his little partner came bounding into the passenger seat.

"C-C-Coffee." Frenzy stuttered, as he clutches the human drink in his hand.

Pause

"…why?"

"I-It's g-good."

A growl erupted from the interior of the police car as Barricade tried to hold in the scream of frustration. "You're an idiot."

Frenzy just smirked as he sipped on the highly sugary drink.

Growling at the childlike mech, he pulled out into the night and headed back to the Witwicky residence. He had surveillance duty and he wasn't going to let Frenzy's hyper-ness distract him. "Don't you dare spill any-"

THUD

"FRENZY!" The car literally shuddered as hot liquid spilled on the floor and got between some of his gears. Growling he, wanted to pull over and strangle the small mech.

"O-Oops."

Pause

"Slagger."

Frenzy just cackled.

TBC

I still don't own Transformers…

Wahoo! Chapter 26 is done and just over 4,500 words. A look on another day on the base. I love the ending, came out just right lolz. Any who, onto reviews.

STARSCREAM RULZ: Well you get your answer, enjoy.

So, just to give you guys a heads up, I'm thinking about changing the title. I have some names in mind, but not sure what to pick. I'm thinking about doing a poll, so I would love your comments on the choice. So that's all I needed to say.

Until next time, my cybertronian kittens.

Reviews are Appreciated!

Till All Are One!