"What is attraction?"

A couple of long, exhausting, very strange days had passed for Mikaela. She knew if anyone would be able to save Alexis, it would be Ratchet. And it came as no surprise, when after everyone had been ushered out of the room, that after waiting for a couple nerve-wracking hours, he came out of the med lab with his optics bright and full of uncompromising good news.

"She's going to be fine. And there seems to be no complications."

It was if she had been holding her breath for hours, chest tight, lungs pained and back with an ever-present ache that clung to her muscles deep under her skin. After hearing him, it was if the air turned sweet, oxygen filling her to the brim as she breathed in deep.

Mikaela watched with needed humor as Bumblebee tried to enter the room once more. He was blocked by a firm hand.

"She needs her rest, Bumblebee. She is unconsciousness at the moment, and I am sure shall be so for quite some time."

"I just want to see her... I really need to..."

"She's not going anywhere, Bee," Sam said, hand resting firmly against the Bot's leg. "What do you say you take me and Mikaela to get some food?" He made an appealing look her way. "We haven't eaten anything for it seems like days!"

Bumblebee stared down at Sam, conflict written on his finely shaped features. He turned back to the medic, ready to argue some more despite his usually complacency toward his charge's needs.

"Just a peek?" Bee begged.

Ratchet shook his head, sparing a look down toward Mikaela. She shrugged her shoulders and tilted her head to the side as she raised an eyebrow.

"I am reporting to Optimus. When I return to my lab, I want it to be empty except for my patient, no exceptions."

He started to walk forward. Mikaela stood in front of him and restrained him with a quick touch. "Join us?" she asked.

Optics lowered, bright blue orbs that shifted down to rest on her completely. Mikaela liked the way he took her in. As if he saw past everything her appearance made her out to be and just saw her in a way she wished more could.

"Thank you, Mikaela, but I am due for a very long recharge. Another time perhaps?"

She felt a smile creep on her lips. Her hands shifted behind her back where she stretched involuntarily. She almost forgot about Sam. When he grabbed her hand and pulled her away from the medic, Mika felt a rare blush spread across her cheeks as she threw an apologetic look Ratchet's way.

"Another time," Mikaela said latently, deeply hoping that he heard.

"What is attraction?"

The question was repeated again. Mikaela came out of her memories. She, Sam and Bumblebee had barely parted since they saw Alexis sound asleep in the medical room and obviously better, even if she looked like a ghost of herself. She was still sleeping, for forty-seven hours, she had been unconscious. Mika knew exactly how much time had passed since Bumblebee seemed intent on reminding them at least a couple of times a day.

They just finished watching a third movie that night. She and Sam had drifted a little, Mika snuggling against him as she closed her eyes. But her lids sprang open, the question long past said but still hanging in the air.

Sam shifted beside her. "Depends, Bee. Toward a person, place or thing?"

They were in the entertainment room. Mikaela and Sam were resting comfortably on a sofa while Bee sat off to the side, his yellow frame evident under the dim lighting.

"Person."

"I don't know, finding someone, um, pretty? Beautiful?" He spared a look at Mikaela. His unadulterated gaze wandered down her. "Hot?"

"You find Mikaela attractive?"

Sam chuckled at what the Autobot said and rolled his eyes. "You think I would be all over her if I didn't find her attractive?"

Bumblebee seemed to think about that one. His optic ridges rose. "You humans are erratic, illogical beings, doing things that are always contrary to what one would perhaps presume. I do not know why you choose to show physical affection."

"You are right, Bumblebee," Mikaela spoke up. "We do have some strange reasons for showing what could be interpreted as affection. But that is not exactly what you want to know, is it?"

Bumblebee shifted closer to the two, settling until he was in front of them. He glanced around him. Not far from where he was a couple of Autobots were playing some sort of complicated looking game, farther away in a rather dark corner, Ironhide sat alone, sipping something from a tall cylinder.

"Lust."

"Uh, what was that?" her boyfriend asked.

Mikaela found herself smiling. Sam spent way more time with Bee than her. She was surprised that he wasn't used to his questions, especially the rather racy ones that he seemed capable of throwing out at the most interesting times. Yet she knew the Autobot asking them was important. He could have looked it up, more likely he already did, but he wanted to talk it over with them, wanted to know what they thought, wanted their opinion. Affection burned in her toward the Bot, for he really did care about them.

"Lust. What is lust?" Bumblebee repeated again.

Sam was looking at her, a grin spreading across his face that was as lascivious as it was obvious. She knew whatever he was about to say was probably going to be...

"It's when you want to..." He made a rather frantic gesture with his hands. "...with someone but not have any strings attached."

Mikaela was all set to object to the rather churlish answer, but she wasn't given a chance.

"And love?" Bee continued.

"It's when you want to..." Sam made another gesture, this one even more disturbing that the last. "...with someone but want a commitment."

Mikaela's mouth was hanging open, head shaking with incredulity. She brought her body upwards, feet planting on the ground before she stood up. She turned her back to Bumblebee and fixed her complete attention on Sam.

"Is that what you think?" There was more than a little affront in her voice, enough that Sam was suddenly stiffening from her tone, his back moving until it was straight against the couch. "That everything revolves around sex?" She didn't mean for her words to travel as much as they did, but she couldn't lower her voice. Sam didn't make it any better when he did the most idiotic thing he possibly could have. He answered her when he shouldn't have.

Mikaela forgot how things could move quickly at the Autobot base. A day after Alexis revived and returned to her room; Mikaela was moving back home, Alexis going with her. Her new friend wanted to see her parents, and while Ratchet wasn't exactly objectionable to his patient leaving, he didn't want her to go far, hence Mikaela's suggestion that she stay with her for a while.

"If you don't mind a dump that is."

"I am sure it will be fine." Alexis smiled wide, something that was becoming more and more common with the girl since she woke. Never before had Mikaela seen such a transformation. It was if all the darkness had been sucked out of her, leaving Alexis with a growing infectious attitude that was more upbeat than it had been and full of a more pronounced calm. Mikaela wasn't sure how to respond at first.

"Don't worry. It's real," Alexis said at one point. She had been sitting on her bed, legs curled underneath her body as she stared up at Mika like she seemed to have always been at that point.

"You're happy, Alexis. You do know that you were almost killed... again?"

Alexis lowered her head, mouth curving noticeably upwards, head tilting back up until green eyes caught Mikaela's blue ones.

"I know. I guess after it happens a couple of times, you start to realize how useless it is... feeling sorry for yourself. Feeling... depressed. And if you want the truth, I have never felt such a sense of peace before. Perhaps because this is the closest I have come to dying? I don't know. I just..." Alexis shrugged her shoulders. "Feel different... feel more like... more normal and just actually happy to be alive... Now if only it lasts," she added with sudden fervor.

"It's okay, Bumble. I am not going far... just with Mikaela. It's not as if you can't visit me."

"I don't see why you can't stay with me and Sam. I am sure his parents wouldn't mind having you and Mikaela. His mother has grown quite fond of me, and she wouldn't deny the request."

"That is very nice of you, but Mikaela and I have already made plans."

For about the third time, Mikaela reminded herself that she was not eavesdropping. It wasn't her fault that the door was open, and that she could hear everything clearly. She just didn't want to interrupt them, for she was rather curious. Bee was in his human form, something he only seemed to use around Alexis. She could have been jealous; he was one fine-looking piece of male flesh. But for better or worse, she was stuck with Sam. Someone who, most of the time, Mika was sure she loved.

She made her entrance then. Bee stood in front of Alexis, looking rather frustrated and perplexed. The two acknowledged Mikaela. Alexis went to her bed where she picked up her bags.

"Time to go?" she asked.

"Yeah, Ratchet is waiting for us." Mikaela watched as suddenly Bee was pouting, full lips turning into a rather prominent frown. He thrust his hands into his jean pockets and mournfully watched Alexis.

"I still wish I was driving you two. It wouldn't take long, and I would probably be back before Sam finished packing up his stuff," he told her.

Alexis turned to him. She considered him for a moment before she slowly put her bags down on the floor. She walked toward Bee. Alexis leaned forward, wrapping her arms quickly around the stunned humanized Bot. Releasing him, Alexis gave him a rather playful grin. "We'll see you in a couple of hours. You guys are taking us for a drive later, remember?"

Bee said nothing. Mikaela wouldn't have believed it if she hadn't seen it herself, but Alexis had shocked the Camaro into complete silence.

Walking forward and taking one of Alexis' bags, Mika patted Bumblebee on his shoulder on the way out, having the odd feeling that he didn't even notice.

The two living together worked. Not that Mikaela thought it wouldn't, but having someone live with her again wasn't as bad as she thought it was going to be. It helped that she genuinely liked Alexis.

And it didn't hurt that the girl could cook. Mikaela was sure she gained a couple of pounds since Alexis had moved in. Already a week passed, a fun week that involved a lot of late-night talks, some rather long walks and a couple jogs around the park near where she lived, for Alexis seemed pleased at being able to be so freely active. She couldn't blame her. And being around the girl and watching her do things that she obviously missed, made Mikaela stop taking normal everyday things for granted.

And then Alexis' parents arrived. Mikaela felt a little ashamed of her home, the dingy surroundings and the sofa that was rather sunken, the carpet that was thin and worn. But the minute she opened the door, two strangers greeting her with affection and goodwill, all that sudden worry faded into the background, as they without even knowing her at all, each gave her a hug.

Donald and Grace were an attractive couple that Mikaela could tell were Alexis' parents. She had her mother's nose and her fathers chin. It was Grace, who was full of such warmth and sweetness. Her figure was slim, her hair a beautiful reddish color that partly resembled her daughters. The father was more austere, face hidden behind a gray beard, eyes that were large, round and very alert.

"Mom, Dad, this is Mikaela. Mikaela, this is my mom and dad."

Official introductions over, she led them to the kitchen where some snacks waited. They all talked for a long while, Mikaela finally excusing herself so the three could be alone.

Her thoughts swirled, emotions turning as she thought of her father who once again had been denied release from prison. He still tried to help her though as he managed to send her some rent money, but even with assistance, Mikaela had still been struggling financially. Or had been until one fateful day after going to her mailbox and finding a letter from the mortgage company. Fear hit her then; one of her fingers snagging on the envelope as she rushed to tear it open. What she found inside was so totally unexpected that she burst into tears. Her house had been paid off, by whom it didn't say, but she had her suspicions on that.

It had been a momentous day when she had been able to call her dad and tell him the news. Not in a long while had she heard him so hopeful and relieved. Hearing him like that was better than their home being paid off.

She knew her father had problems, and knew he wasn't perfect. And even when he had been around, he had always been involved in one scheme or another, unfortunately entangling her in some of them as well. But he had always tried to make time for her, and did try his best. Perhaps not his utmost, but that didn't stop her from missing him.

"Hey, Mikaela?"

About an hour later there was a knock on her door. She had been on her bed, browsing the Internet, her thoughts still directed toward her family. Mika had started to feel melancholy because of the pondering, so she was glad for the interruption.

"Yeah?"

Alexis walked in and shut the door behind her. Getting up off her back, Mikaela put her laptop to the side and closed the lid. She smoothed her shirt down and straightened her necklace that had shifted behind her neck.

"My parents want to take us out to dinner. You up to it?"

"Now?"

"Yeah."

"Sure." She jumped off the bed. Grabbing a brush, her eyes wandered across the room as she tried to locate her shoes. "Give me a couple of minutes." Mikaela wasn't about to pass up the opportunity of a free meal. And she felt comfortable enough around Alexis' parents so it wasn't a hard decision to make.

"This is your vehicle?"

Mikaela licked her lips. Everyone stopped in front of Ratchet. Alexis gave her a rather furtive look, indicating with her eyes to get them moving as soon as possible. Of course, it had to be the CMO's turn to watch over them. He was, Mikaela supposed, her guardian, yet he wasn't exactly subtle. Come to think of it, not many of the Autobots were.

"Yeah."

There was no real honest way to explain things. She knew they were wondering how she could afford such a vehicle when she lived in such modest surroundings. But fortunately, they hadn't thought that at all, yet unfortunately they concluded rather wrong as well.

"You work in the fire department, Mikaela?" The father moved closer, hand brushing against Ratchet's door as he eyed the Autobot symbol with curiosity before he peered inside.

"They sure do provide you with a fine-looking vehicle. It is rather well equipped as well."

"Yes." Mikaela smiled, trying to tiptoe softly through her rather innocent lies, at the same time choking on a dominant chuckle that tickled up her throat from a comment that could have more than one meaning.

"Bet they see you coming. They let you keep it when you're not on duty?" It was Grace, who voiced that question, brownish green eyes turning toward her.

"Mom, Dad, you going to ogle her car or can we get some food?"

Mikaela felt relief until the father spoke again, "Never been in one of these. Don't suppose you would like to drive us to the restaurant, Mikaela?"

Everyone turned toward her. Alexis stood behind her parents, waving her hands in front of her chest while she kept shaking her head no. Her parents turned around to look at their daughter in back of them as if they felt what she was doing. Alexis stopped her movements just in time before they caught her.

Mikaela didn't know how to answer that one. She was sure Ratchet wouldn't have objected, but... Mikaela nearly jumped out of her skin when the vehicle roared to life and the doors unlocked. Once more, she felt eyes turning toward her. Thinking quickly, she grabbed a key-chain out of her pocket, knowing full well she didn't have a set of keys to the medic in front of her, but Alexis' parents didn't know that.

"Uh, sure. Shall we go?"

"Wow, it starts up and unlocks the doors," Donald said with appreciation, looking at the device that he believed she pressed. "How does it do on mileage?"

Mikaela definitely had no answer for that one.

They were nice people, Alexis' parents, but they had a habit of bringing God up in conversations. Talking about his son, asking her questions that didn't exactly make her uncomfortable, but she did her best to evade them anyway. Alexis had never really brought up such things. But looking back, there were subtle hints about the way she acted that perhaps Mikaela should have been more aware of.

They stayed for several days, always taking the two out to lunch and dinner, a couple of times even breakfast. All between that they went to other places as well. Mikaela showed them some points of interest, knowing full well the biggest one was something that made all the rest dim in comparison. But there was no taking them there.

That very evening she had a memorable conversation with Grace, the two in her bathroom of all places. They had gone to find some Kleenex, and suddenly they were talking.

"I want to thank you, Mikaela," Alexis' mother started from where she was leaning against the door frame. Mikaela turned and leaned against the countertop of the sink.

"We have been so worried about Alexis. When she lost Diana in the car accident, we thought we had lost our daughter as well. Thought she would never want to make any new friends, or even be able to move forward. We never stopped praying for her though, and it seems God heard us. We always believed he would restore her, and thanked him every day for it. I am also grateful that she has met such a special person as you obviously are."

She wanted to blurt everything out then. Let them know she wasn't the one that perpetuated the change in Alexis. If they only knew all the horrifying stuff their daughter had to go through to reach where she was now, perhaps they wouldn't have been so grateful.

But the doorbell rang then. Mikaela excused herself, grateful that she didn't have to say anything.

Sam was waiting for her, but she knew that the minute she heard Bee's horn. Her boyfriend was dressed up, for him anyway, tan slacks and a rather stiff blue shirt that was obviously new. Kissing her on the cheek, he complimented her on the black dress she wore, something Alexis' parents had bought for her when they took the two on a shopping spree. She liked it as well. The dress was more covered then she was used to, probably because Alexis' parents had been with them, but the shimmering fabric and the subtle cuts of the dress left her feeling a little more sophisticated than she usually did.

Once more, introductions were made, Alexis' parents warmly greeting Sam. Everyone made their way to Mikaela's table that she and Alexis had set and decorated a couple of hours earlier. Everything looked so nice and inviting that she couldn't believe it was her house. Candles were burning, and flowers rested in crystal vases that cast delicate glimmers on each parallel wall. The table held beef stroganoff, buttered carrots and crispy rolls, the smells drifting through the house.

She couldn't help but notice Sam's jaw practically drop to the floor when Alexis finally came into the room. It was the first time she dressed up, and dressed up, she was. It was a rather simple green dress she wore, but it lightly glittered, the material soft and yielding, showing off more of her feminine form than ever before. Mikaela never really noticed before then, but Alexis did, in fact, have a figure.

Hugging her parents and saying hello to Sam, everyone exchanged pleasantries for a couple of minutes before they all sat down to enjoy what was to be a rather peaceful dinner, an activity that hadn't taken place in Mikaela's home in a very long time.

Dinner over, they were all outside. Alexis led her parents to their rental car where she was now talking to them, saying her final good-byes before they flew back home. Mikaela and Sam were sitting on Bee's trunk where they whispered to one another. She didn't mind that his view kept shifting to her legs, or even her mouth, or the way his concentration kept drifting. She knew in his eyes where his attention was going.

They watched as Alexis finally hugged her parents and then led each to their respective doors. It was her mother's that she hovered at, her mom saying something that had Alexis taking a couple of steps back, her loose hair flying over her shoulders as she turned quickly to look at them. Mikaela felt Bee shift underneath her, obviously noticing.

Her parents drove off. Alexis slowly walked up to them, the dark night making it hard to discern anything. But then she stopped in front of them, face pale, hands trembling ever so slightly.

Mika jumped off Bee. Sam slid down.

"What is it?" her boyfriend asked, his hand resting on Alexis' elbow with obvious concern. He led her to Bee. She leaned against him for a moment before standing back up. Anxiety was present in her frantic movements as she directed her eyes to Mikaela.

"My mom, she just complimented the security in your neighborhood."

Mikaela shook her head, eyebrows rising on her forehead. That certainly didn't sound bad. "Security?"

Alexis bit down on her tongue, hard by the look of it, for a wince followed after. "She said every time they have been here, they always passed a cop car patrolling the neighborhood." She swallowed hard, suddenly looking behind her as if her shadow was about to leap up and engulf her. "A rather new looking one that they say must be becoming quite common because they had one in their neighborhood for a time as well. My mom also said it had a silly logo on it that provided them with a good laugh every time they saw it."

"Don't tell me... " Mikaela grabbed onto Sam as chills went up her spine. She felt Bee transform behind her, but couldn't seem to turn and warn him of potential onlookers.

"To punish and enslave."

"I said not to tell me."

They were given ten minutes to pack what they could as Bee stood guard outside Mikaela's house. It took much convincing for him to turn back into his vehicle mode, but he finally did. Both girls moving quickly, they were back out in minutes. Sam stayed outside near her door, watchful and resolute.

Grabbing the girl's bags, Sam led them to the Camaro. He ushered them into the backseat and sat on the passenger side. He turned around and addressed them, his voice serious and heavy as the vehicle backed up and took off.

"Bee just contacted the base. They said that there have been no Decepticon readings in the area. But it wouldn't be the first time they masked their signals." Sam's voice took on a dark tone that she understood. He was obviously talking of the time when Starscream attacked them. Mikaela nodded her head slowly, swallowing hard.

They seemed to drive around forever, taking different routes, alternative streets, speeding up here and there at corners only to slow back down as if to get a look behind them. At some point, Mikaela felt there was something going on with Bee and Sam, something that was past Barricade and past the potential threat that had to do with him being out there. For despite all the precautions taken, they just didn't seem to be going as fast as perhaps they should have been.

It was when she locked eyes with Sam a good while later, that her suspicion was confirmed. There was disquietude in him, a panicky sort of discomfort that didn't dissipate the closer they got to the base, but instead seemed to intensify. She wanted to say something. But Alexis was already looking rather contemplative as it was. And Mikaela felt whatever was being hidden from them was not only not good, but something that had a rather bad vibe attached to it.

Sideswipe met them halfway, taking to driving behind them as Bee sped up. Mikaela felt better when the base came into view, and they passed through the gate, stopping smoothly inside the expansive garage. The large doors slid shut securely behind them.

The three got out of the Autobot. He transformed immediately, then went over to Sideswipe where they momentarily talked. Already Sam was leading them away. Bumblebee quickly moved to catch up with them. Yes, something was going on. Something...

When they walked out into the hallway was when things cleared up for Mikaela. She now knew what threat was even greater than Barricade.

For he was several feet away, being roughly pushed and pulled by Ironhide and assisted by an ever vigilant Prowl. Other Autobots were around with weapons aimed and steady even though the object of everyone's attention didn't look like he would be going anywhere anytime soon. She hadn't seen him in a while, but even with a wing missing and the tremendous amount of gashes and indentations, there was no mistaking who was in front of them. Who, as Mikaela watched with extreme prejudice, seemed to come alive as if sensing them. The prone form suddenly shifted and twisted, lowered head rising swiftly, hard dark eyes immediately locating and bearing down on Alexis.

It was Starscream.