Title: Transformers III The Day That Never Comes

Genre: Action/Drama/Romance

Rating: T for mild language, some strong violence, some crude and sexual humor.

Summary: With a chaotic end approaching, choices must be made that may end one war and will start a new one. Problem is, how will Earth be able to accept their possible fate?

~Chapter Twenty-Four~

Of Wedding Plans, Revelations and Media Spies

Even though things were a little tense around the Autobot/Human base because of the Decepticons, there was one thing that lift it right up right away. Something that made a mother of a precious daughter go...

"OH MY GAWD!" Squealed Eliza once the news hit her. Her eyes were bright as she gazed at her smiling daughter as she looked at her. She just couldn't help but let out another squeal of happiness as she clapped her hands and hopped up and down. "Dawnie! I can't believe it! He finally asked you!" She cried brightly before rushing forward and gathered Dawn up into her arms in a tight hug.

Laughing, Dawn returned the hug, not helping it. She had finally told her family that Sideswipe had asked her to marry him. Not that it would have made a difference. Not with Sunstreaker teasing her and his twin brother with playing the wedding ballade as he walked the halls of the base. Because of him, Ironhide and even Jazz, everyone found out about the engagement. The moment that all three of them had started cheering, everyone immediately rushed the two and immediately congratulated them.

Of course, Dawn had begged everyone not to tell her family yet. She wanted to be the one to do it.

And now that it was done, both her mother and stepfather were engulfing her in tight hugs and kissing her blushing cheeks. Even while everyone was laughing.

"Oh!" Eliza gasped before pulling away from Dawn and rushing to Sides' holoform. She quickly wrapped her arms around him and hugged him tightly, even while he looked sheepish. "I am so happy, Sides! I am looking forward for you to officially be a part of our family!"

Sides laughed little as he returned the hug. "Thanks, Eliza. I'm glad to hear that. I was kind of...worried about you not accepting..." he was saying in hesitation.

"Worried? About me not accepting you and Dawn?" Eliza asked with a smile as she pulled away. She shook her head as she lightly touched his cheek. "Sweetheart, I already said this once. But I already think of you as a son-in-law. You are more than welcome being a part of our family." She told him. "And call me mom. I pretty much am now."

Chuckling, Sides nodded as he pulled away so he could shake Nik's hand. "Okay, mom. Will do." He promised.

Standing by with excitement, Judy finally couldn't help but hurry forward and hug Dawn next. "So, Dawn, when do you think you want the wedding?" She asked brightly. "Can I help with the arrangements, Eliza?" She asked excitedly.

"Of course, Judy! I could use all the help I can get!" Eliza said brightly.

Dawn, however, squeaked at the very thought of the wedding. She never put any thought about the ceremony or anything. "Uh...I...I..." she stammered.

"Ooooh! Dawn! How soon do you want to have the wedding? Next Spring would sound lovely!" Judy recommended.

"Yes! That would be great!" Eliza said brightly.

Dawn flushed bright red while Sides rubbed the back of his head sheepishly. They didn't really know what to say about it. "Uh...well...we were kind of hoping...to have its sooner than that, mom. Say like in a month or two." Dawn said uneasily.

Both Eliza and Judy gaped at her. "A month or two? That soon? Isn't that rushing it?" Her mother asked biting her lip.

Dawn and Sides grimaced as they looked at each other before shrugging at the same time. "Well," It was the Autobot to say as he wrapped an arm around the love of his life. "Not exactly. It's a Cybertronian thing. Usually when a mech takes a mate, they put their whole Spark into making the commitment. The decision that they make, the Spark usually has three days up to a week in Earth time to make the link between him and the femme. Now I know that Dawn doesn't have a Spark to connect like that, but when a Spark recognizes the decision to fall for that femme, it sticks to it.

"As it is, we're pushing it longer than the Spark can handle as it is. I don't know much about spark mates and all but I have read once that if we wait any longer, my Spark can get strained." He explained.

Dawn nodded with a smile. "I did ask Elita One once about it and she did say that she made her mind up about Optimus long before he even asked her to be his. She told me that the longer the Spark has to wait for its mate, it can be...energy straining and a little painful. I don't want to put Sides through that, making him wait until next spring. That is like six months from now. If waiting one or two months is bad enough, I couldn't even imagine what would happen if he had to wait half a year." She told her mother and friend. "So...we want to have it as soon as possible."

"And give you time to plan the wedding." Sides added.

"Which, we are definitely leaving it up to you, mom and Judy. You two have been dying to do this for awhile now." Dawn pitched in.

Sides nodded as he smiled warmly. "And I know the femmes would love to help. Elita One, the Arcee sisters and Flare-Up would want to pitch in too." He added again.

For a moment, there was a pause as Eliza and Judy stared at the pair before both of them squealed in excitement and clutched onto each other's arms.

"Oh my god! They're already finishing each other's sentences! They are definitely soul mates!" Judy cried happily.

Dawn and Sides stared at the pair of squealing women with wide eyes. While everyone else burst into booming laughter. While the young couple couldn't figure out what was so funny or special about that, everyone else did.

"See! I told you that he was perfect for her! I knew that they were soul mates!" Eliza beamed at her friend. She then turned to her daughter and nodded brightly. "Okay! In month's time then! If not in two weeks! We'll have everything ready for you! The flowers, the dress, the tux! Oh, wait. Not the tux. Sides, you can marry Dawn in your real form. Not your holoform. We will definitely have the invitations out immediately! Of course there isn't going to be a whole lot. All of the invited are already here." Eliza said thoughtfully.

"Huh?" It was a curious Ron who asked. "What about your family? Wouldn't your parents like to be here for their granddaughter?"

Both Eliza and Dawn smiled gently as they shared a glance before shaking their heads. "It's just us. My parents passed a long time ago when Dawn was little. It was due to the fact that they couldn't take the thought of ,e raising her by myself when my ex-husband left us." The older of the two stated. Then her eyes widened at the thought. "Oh! Dawn, that's right! Who would be giving you away? Certainly not your father, where ever he is." She added that last bit with resentment, glaring away from everyone.

Dawn shared the same look with a sharp nod. "Yeah, well, even if we did know where he was, he wouldn't be invited. Not after what he pulled." She then lightened at the thought before looking over when she heard the familiar thinks of Cybertronian feet entering. She looked up at Optimus as he and Elita One entered with Ratchet, Starscream, Groundhog, and Skywarp.

Biting her lip, Dawn untangled herself from Sides and stepped closer to the Autobot Leader. "Optimus, Ratchet," she stated softly catching their attention. "Um...as you already know, Sides and I want to get married in human terms. But I would also like to make it completely official to human and Cybertronian ways. As Prime, would you be willing to conduct the wedding?" She asked.

Optimus smiled down at her before slowly and carefully bending down to one knee so he could have a better look at her. "Dawn, it would be the greatest honor that you would allow me to take such part in your connection ceremony with Sideswipe." He told her gently.

Dawn smiled brightly before letting her eyes flicker over to Ratchet. "Ratchet, I need someone to give me away to Sides at the ceremony. You have saved my life at least twice with Chris' planned kidnap and the crash and then again when I was poisoned by Energon." She took a deep breath before smiling sweetly. "You and Optimus are like the fathers I always dreamed of having. Would you be willing to give me away at the wedding ceremony?" She asked somewhat nervously.

Somewhat surprised for a moment, Ratchet finally smiled softly before following Optimus' example by lowering himself to one knee and gently cupping his hand around her as if embracing her. "Dawn, as Optimus had said, it would be the greatest honor you could ever give me." He told her softly.

Her heart racing with happiness, Dawn smiled excitedly before throwing her arms around Ratchet's hand and hugging it tightly. "Thank you so much! And I know the perfect Bridesmaids! And would you mind being my Maid of Honor, Elita?" She asked excitedly.

Elita One laughed softly before nodding. "I would be honored, Dawn." She told her softly. "And I know the Autobot femmes would love to be your bridesmaids."

Eliza and Nik smiled as they nodded their approval to Dawn's choice. They were happy no matter what she chose. Even if it was Ratchet who would be giving her away.

"Who is going to be the flower girl and the ring bearer?" Ron asked.

Both Dawn and Sides looked at each other, grinned as they thought of the same answer. "Delia and Annabelle will be the flower girls." She said.

"And I'm thinking maybe Blaster as the ring bearer." Sides added as he looked over at Mirage and Blaster as they stood off to the side watching and listening. "If it's all right with you guys." He added.

Mirage smiled before looking at Blaster, who was starting to bounce on his shoulder with excitement. The Camo Specialist grinned before looking back at Sides. "I think that's a big yes." He stated.

Everyone laughed as they watched the little Autobot. It was amusing to even watch.

"Disgusting."

The laughs stopped and everyone looked towards the door to see Nemesis Strika glaring around at everyone but mostly at Dawn and Sides. Ultra Magnus was behind her, glaring at her back. He obviously had taken over watching her while Elita took a break from her. But it was obvious what she was growling about. And it just made a few glare at her, daring her to say something.

"You got a problem?" Ironhide growled with warning.

Nemesis Strika glared back at him before nodding with a jerk. "Yes, I have a problem! I'm stuck here! With fragging Autobots and traitors! And insects! Ad even worse! One of those fragging Autobots is taking an insect as a mate! This is the most disgusting display I have seen!" She growled.

Everyone glared harder at her, not amused. Not even the other Decepticons were amused by her antics.

"Ain't your business, Nemesis Strika." Jetfire growled from the corner where he stood over Anya and Vladimir, protectively. "So shut it! If Sideswipe wants a human as his mate, he can take her!"

Nemesis Strika just sneered in disgust. "It is so disgusting how you lot, support this...abomination! Cybertronians cannot take humans as mates! It's so disgusting to even think about taking an organic as a mate! Especially such an ugly one at that." She snapped.

Dawn flinched at the nasty insult the Decepticon Femme threw at her while Sides and Sunny both glared at her, growling before the first twin vanished and his real form unfolded. He wasted no time to get to his wheels and lash out his arms, releasing his blades. He was so ready to use them on the Decepticon femme.

"Sideswipe! Stand down!" Optimus immediately ordered, even as nearly every one of the Cybertronians whirled out their weapons and trained them on each fraction.

But it turned out to be a surprise when everyone saw who was pointing their cannons where. While the Autobots had trained theirs on the Decepticons and vice versa, there was only the exception of one. Everyone looked surprised to see Starscream had pointed his at Nemesis Strika, glaring at her and ignoring the weapons aimed at him. It only took a moment for Groundhog and Skywarp to switch their targets when they realized that.

"Everyone, calm down." Optimus stated as calmly as he could, trying to defuse the situation. He knew if a fire fight broke out now, the humans would get caught up in it and someone was bound to get hurt or killed. He looked at Starscream, almost asking him to put away his weapons.

Starscream almost ignored him before he raised his null ray and motioned for the other two to do the same. Groundhog immediately obeyed while Skywarp was hesitant but he listened anyway.

"Autobots, disengage." Optimus ordered softly.

Slowly, one by one, everyone did as they were told. Even though Sides and Sunny were the last. They wanted nothing more than to rip into Nemesis Strika. But it was a gentle hand of Dawn to calm both of them down. They reinserted their weapons but did nothing for their glares. They wouldn't give that one up.

Nemesis Strika hadn't missed Starscream's threat against her ad wasn't surprised. She was used to being threatened by him.

But what she wasn't came a second later.

"Skywarp, I want you to take Nemesis Strika back as close as you can to the Nemesis. And then get away as fast as you can. If she hates it here so much, then she can go back." Starscream said coldly. "If we're lucky, the Miniscum will deactivate her."

Everyone stared at him in shock, Nemesis Strika being the most stunned. "What? You're releasing me? Since when do you let prisoners go...?" She demanded though pleased.

"One," Starscream growled at her. "You weren't a fragging prisoner, moron! Two, I am tired of your glitching! I am not going to baby sit you and make sure you stay in line all of the time!"

"I am not a Sparkling...!" Nemesis Strika was snarling

Starscream snarled right back at her, his brilliant red optics flashing dangerously. "Well then don't act like one! Ever since we arrived, you have been moping around, throwing a pity party! And for what? Because the Autobots had the nerve to assist us when Galvatron and the Minicons tried to kill us! That fragging includes you, Nemesis Strika! Your mate, Obsidian isn't the same mech we knew! He was always a cold pitspawn, but not like that! And he didn't even acknowledge you as his mate! He tried to kill you and he didn't care! Quit deluding yourself! You go back to them, it will be more than likely they will deactivate you and reprogram you into a processor-less Minicon! You won't be nothing but a puppetbot for Unicron, idiot! But if you really want that, then go! And the next time I see you, it will be on the battlefield and I will deactivate you!" He snapped angrily. "But if you stay, you will stop insulting the humans! I don't like them any more than you do but right at the moment, we don't have a choice but to survive! And the only of doing that is the Autobots! And if one of the Autobots wants to mate with a human, who are you to contradict that? So shut the frag up and leave or shut the frag up and stay! Because like it or not, we're stuck here! Galvatron will not let you live because you did come here with us! Forced or not!" He snapped.

For a long moment, there was only stunned silence. No one could think of a single thing to say about this. Not even Nemesis Strika. She couldn't even think of a snappy comeback to throw at Starscream.

And what it worse was the words did settle in.

The look in Nemesis Strika's optics was haunting to some who noticed it. There was a deep, sad look as she looked away from all before simply turning away. "Fine." She managed to growl. "I'll shut up from now on." And she was out the hangar door, probably to find some corner to sulk in. Everyone watched her go before looking around at each other.

"Uh...that was somewhat unsettling." It was Hound to break the silence.

"No kidding." Ironhide grunted.

Optimus looked at Starscream, who was folding his null ray back into his arm and not looking worried. "So I suppose she will be staying then?" He asked calmly.

Starscream didn't even look up but nodded sharply. He took a moment to think and then met the Prime's optics. "Honestly, Prime. Where do you think she'll go? I only spoke the truth. If she leaves, she will be hunted down by my Decepticons and the Minicons for betrayal. She is too dangerous and naive to be left alone. If she knows what's good for her, she will stay and keep her vocal processor silent." He said sharply.

Elita One sighed, shaking her head as she thought about it. "What makes it worse, she realizes that you were right about Obsidian. I don't know him well but he was always a harsh one. I could only wonder why they were connected in the first place. I remember her when she was just Strika, before the war. She was never that hateful before. Not since she joined the Decepticons and spark mated with Obsidian." She stated.

Snorting, Starscream shook his head. "All I know about her past was she was full of foolish dreams. She was considered weak as Strika. I couldn't care less anyway. She never was worth my time on Cybertron or here." He growled.

A few of the Autobots gave the Seeker a reproachful look for his words but didn't argue. They didn't know enough about the Decepticon femme to even say anything.

"Prime!"

Every head turned sharply when they heard the voice of one they so much despised to even hear. The Autobots, at least. Ironhide proved it by growling fiercely and his cannons starting to whirl into place. The twins even joined in while everyone groaned.

The Autobot-Human Liaison, Theodore Galloway was storming in with a rather wrinkled and crushed newspaper in his hand. His face was beet red and his eyes wild, so he was obviously pissed about something. Now what was the question.

"Liaison Galloway, what a pleasant surprise." Optimus said, though everyone knew he was lying. He didn't like this particular human any more than the others did, human ad Autobots.

"Save it, Prime!" Galloway snapped as he stormed right up to the group, ignoring the growls from all of the Autobots and even some of the soldiers. "What is the meaning of this? Why have you not sad a word about this?" He demanded.

Everyone frowned in confusion, Optimus especially. "I'm afraid I do not understand, Liaison. What have I not said a word about?" He asked with a frown.

Galloway fumbled with the newspaper, rather violently that it torn a little. He swore loudly but held it up, showing the front page. What was on it had many eyes light up with surprise.

Front page: Friend or Foe? Autobots and Decepticons Conspiracy!

Hurrying over to Galloway, Will snatched the paper from the peeved Galloway with nearly all of the humans hurrying over to read over his shoulder but he backed away to escape being mobbed.

"This, Prime! This is what you failed to explain!" Galloway ranted. "What does this mean? What does it mean that you're harboring International terrorists, the Decepticons?"

Optimus jerked back a little, surprised by what he said. He didn't understand how Galloway didn't know about the Decepticons yet. More or less, why it was in the news. Instead he looked down at Will, who hissed a little as he swiftly read the newspaper. "Will?" He asked carefully.

Will didn't look up at him but continued to scan the article. "He's right, Optimus. It's in here. Somehow, a reporter got an inside scoop about the Cons. He is saying that they're here in the base and we're helping them and all." He cursed even louder as he quickly began turning pages and found another article. "And here's a story by the same guy about Dawn and Sideswipe! How the hell did he get this information? How did he find out about their engagement?"

"And how can you allow this to happen? To let Decepticons in the base when they have killed numbers of American lives? Wait...! What? What do you mean there are Decepticons here? Why haven't I seen them?" Galloway demanded, his face getting dangerously red.

There was a dead pause as everyone looked at him, some with weird looks, and some with raised eyebrows while others merely glanced over at the very ones being talked about.

"Hmph! Maybe you should try looking over your shoulder, human bug." Starscream growled, with only a hint of dark amusement in his tone.

Galloway's body went completely rigid and his eyes snapped wide open. He looked petrified that very second when he heard Starscream. He took a moment to slowly turn around and looked up to see two smirking Seekers and one sighing Decepticon medic shaking his head as he planted his face into his palms.

Making quite the imitation of a fish, Galloway gaped at the Decepticons with shock and horror.

Sighing heavily, it was Keller who stepped forward, massaging the bridge of his nose. "I am afraid it's my fault, Optimus." He said wearily, catching everyone's but the shocked Liaison's attention. He gave everyone an apologetic look as he moved closer to Galloway. "With everything happening so fast with the involvement of the Department, and Cole and the Decepticons, I completely forgot to inform the President of the new situation. I better go clear this up right now." He clapped a hand onto the Liaison's shoulder and steered him towards the door. "Come on, Galloway. I think you should be there to hear the story for yourself."

And the two were out of the hangar, leaving everyone to discuss the new problem.

"Will," Dawn said hesitantly as she pulled away from her mother and wandered closer to the Soldier. She had a look of pure worry on her face at whatever was going through her mind. "What does it say about me and Sides?"

Will frowned at her, somewhat in sympathy before looking back at the newspaper. "Well...it doesn't mention your full name. Just your first. And the reporter didn't even have a clue what Sides' name was. But it says here that he got it from a reliable source that you two were dating. He makes it sound really weird and even has put some inquiring jokes in his story." He said glumly.

Everyone frowned and even some were starting to growl at the thought of it.

"What kind of jokes?" It was Ratchet who growled it out.

Will sighed as he shook his head. "One of them is how Dawn must have really had trouble finding a relationship with another human being and decided to go for an alien robot instead." He said giving Dawn a sympathetic look.

Surprisingly, Dawn didn't look upset about it. She actually put a dead look on her face and shook her head, even as her Autobot Guardian and fiancée started growling his engine in fury. "Of course I did." She said blankly, surprising everyone. She shook her head, placing her hands on her waist. "I couldn't any human guy who had the balls enough to be nice to me, protect me, and even had the decency to even become my best friend and be there for me when I needed a friend. Instead, it was the most amazing mech in the universe who did that. And I am not ashamed of him for it." She said with determination.

Sides grinned before rolling forward and picking Dawn up carefully to hold her close to him. "And I am not ashamed of being with the most amazing human in the universe either. Let the slagger talk all he wants. I am not changing my processor or my Spark about you, Sunrise. I love ya too much."

"Awwww!" Eliza and Judy coooed loudly while there were many clicks as everyone took a snap shot of the two.

"Hmph. Amazing." Starscream grunted, making several glance over at him. He had been watching and listening, obviously. But it surprised many to see that he was smirking instead of looking disgusted.

"You got a problem, Seeker?" Sunstreaker growled glaring at him in warning.

Giving the sunny yellow Autobot warrior a look, Starscream merely shook his head. "Nope. It is just amusing, that's all. Besides," he added with a growl. "It is no one else's business who our kind takes as a mate. Never was on our planet and I don't see why here is any different." He ended it with another growl before turning away and walking out with a Skywarp shrugging at the Autobots and following his Air Commander and Leader.

Everyone just stared flabbergasted. They would have never guessed those words would come out of Starscream of all mechs.

"Dude, I think I am about to glitch out. Did Starscream basically say he doesn't care about Sides' choosing of Dawn as a mate?" Hound asked stunned.

"Never mind that." Ratchet growled before looking around at Optimus. "We have a problem, Optimus. How did a news reporter find out about the Decepticons when no one was suppose to know about it? Obviously, we have a breech in security. Someone is talking or somehow the reporter managed to sneak in without our knowledge." He stated.

Optimus nodded as he took in the thought carefully. "Meaning we have a media spy here or our security is lacking. Ratchet, Red Alert should be out patrolling the canyon like Secretary Keller asked him to. Radio him in and tell him to start upgrading the security."

Several groaned at the thought while Groundhog frowned in confusion. "Is Red Alert not efficient in doing such? I thought his specialty was in security." He said in confusion.

Ironhide snorted loudly..and folded his large arms. "Oh he is. Believe me and he is good. Problem is, the mech is as skittish as a cat in a room full of rocking chairs. Meaning," he stated when every human looked confused. "He is about to drive us nuts with his overwhelming sense of paranoia. Get ready for some really crazy ideas for security, mechs and people. The base is about to become a mad house. And I feel bad for whoever let the reporter know classified information if Red catches them. He takes all kinds of security problems way too serious."

The so called spy listened and couldn't help but gulp. He had a bad feeling about this now.