A/N: Thanks for the reviews! Just saw Men in Black 3 today!

Chapter 36

At base, Jack and Sunny had settled in one of the human quarters, too tired to go back to his house at the moment. June had not objected, having spent a great deal of her free time here as well in the last five months. As they lied down, Sunny nuzzled Jack's chest, something that had become a habit. No matter where they went, or what they used for a bed, Sunny always nuzzled him before they went to sleep. It was a strange, not that Jack minded it.

It seemed like the girl did those things to prove to herself that he was real and wouldn't leave her. Losing one's family can have lasting effects. For Sunny, it seemed to have left her with a feeling of loneliness, something Jack could relate to. For all those months he believed his 'family' hated him, he felt a similar feeling. He couldn't explain it, but he felt a kinship with this girl.

He wanted to protect her, not because her father had asked him to, but because he felt he needed her. She had something Jack had lost long ago: innocence. He'd lost his innocence long before becoming ShadowStrike. He'd found out just how the world worked when his mother informed him of his father leaving them. He saw just how cruel terrorists like MECH could be and just how evil anyone, such as the Decepticons, could be.

"Jack?" the young girl said tiredly without looking up at him. He could feel small form rise and fall with each breath, meaning she was moments away from sleep. Jack would never admit it, but she sounded rather adorable at the moment.

"Hm?" was his reply.

"Why is Optimus named the way he's named?" Jack gave a slight chuckle; Sunny's innocence at work again. Though, truth be told, Jack had wondered that himself. Not that his name didn't command the respect he deserved, but Jack didn't see much reason in changing his name. Perhaps Orion Pax Prime or Orion Prime weren't suitable names. While nothing came to mind, Jack knew he'd have to come up with something or else the young girl wouldn't leave him alone about it.

He could explain to her about the War for Cybertron and the history between Optimus and Megatron, but that would require telling her a lot more than she was asking. All Jack wanted to do was get some sleep after everything that happened in the last twenty-four hours. He racked his brain with what little energy he had left, thinking of a suitable answer. Finally, one reached him, "Because he's got a positive outlook on life."

"He does?" she yawned, stretching her small form. Jack could only imagine the "awws" and "ooohhs" she would get from adults were they present.

"Sure. Doesn't he look like a guy who's always happy?" Jack had to keep from laughing.

"Not really," she said, drifting off into sleep. Jack listened to her soft breaths and watched her tiny form rise and fall gently, a strange but war feeling overcoming him.

"Goodnight, Sunny."

ShadowStrike Rising

Early in the morning, Arcee awaked from recharge, or "sleep" as the humans called it. Even when she was in her regular body, she was always the second one to awaken (Optimus was normally the first). Normally, she would be dead tired and irritable, but today she was slightly energetic because Jack was back. Every night, she would go to bed wondering if he was safe and not being able to get a single moment of comfortable sleep. But now he was back and safe with her.

Maybe now she could put her heart to rest, still trying to come to terms with the odd feelings going through her at the moment. For the last five months, all she could think of was her partner, not just because she was worried about him, but because of words that had echoed in her mind. The night she was supposed to die, when she was in the darkness, she heard a voice call out to her. She knew it was Jack from the sound of the voice, but she wasn't sure whether or not it was a dream. If it was real, then the words he said to her were, "I love you."

She knew they had become close during the months they had come to know each other, but she couldn't believe he had developed feelings for her. Even more surprising, a large part of her spark returned those feelings. She was far more open with Jack than she was with anyone else, even Optiimus, but that was because he was her partner. She had told the same things to Tailgate and Cliffjumper and she was certain that she felt similar feelings for them as well. But there was one glaring difference; Jack was human.

He wouldn't live a fraction of her life nor would he remain the same physically as she would. She'd seen the ways humans aged with time and how different they looked compared to their younger years. She would have to slowly watch as her partner, her best friend, her Jack slowly died. She wasn't sure she could do that, but she didn't want leave him either. She shook away such thoughts, not wanting Jack's returned to be marred by such things.

Besides, she wasn't even sure if those words she'd heard that night were real. Odds are, they were just he Liege Maximo trying to further her own guilt about what happened. Right now, she wanted to get something to eat. She'd been craving food ever since she been placed inside this body but, according to June, she had to watch her "figure". She entered the kitchen and bumped into Jack.

"Morning," he said, offering her a hand. She took it and he pulled her to her feet. It was then she noticed, he wasn't wearing a shirt, but she didn't seem to mind.

"How are you adjusting to being back here?" she asked.

"It's going better than I imagined," he took sip of juice. "I thought there'd be an unbearable amount of tension between me and all of you."

"There definitely was when Bulkhead stepped forward to talk to you," she laughed. "I thought I was going to have to knock him out with an EMP." Jack let a small smile grace his lips before taking another sip of juice.

"How have things been here? How's your body treating you?"

"It works as well as my old one," she replied. "The only problem is I haven't been out of base in the last five months. I've been stuck here for so long, I'm starting to forget what the outside looks like."

"Well, we can't have that now," he smiled. "Wait here, I'll get dressed."

"Dressed for what?" she asked.

"You say you're tired of being cooped up in base," he said. "Then I'll take out to the town." With that , he left the kitchen and Arcee to her thoughts

ShadowStrike Rising

As Jack and Arcee walked down the streets of Jasper, the young man caught the stares of everyone they past. He smiled at the looks of awe and envy he got from most of the men. Meanwhile, the women looked over Jack's body with impressed interest. He heard whispers from the men, such as "lucky bastard" and "he's must be loaded". He watched as some tough guy swaggered up to Arcee and started hitting on her with lewd comments.

This earned him a swift kick in the nether region. Jack watched as the man fell to his knees while holding on to his "family jewels" in amusement. They moved, ignoring the crowd that formed, simply enjoying each other's company. They said nothing, but their actions spoke louder and clearer than their words. Besides, neither of them knew what to say.

Arcee didn't want to bring up those words from that night five months ago and risk discovering they were just a dream. After worrying over Jack for all this time, she didn't want to complicate the trust between them by bringing up something so trivial. She would just have leave it alone and let it wander in her mind. She didn't want to risk losing another partner because she couldn't tell reality from fiction. She just wanted to enjoy her time with him now that he was back.

Jack was going through a similar dilemma concerning what to do about his feelings for Arcee. The only time he'd ever worked up the courage to tell was when he thought she was going to die. But now she was alive and well, but he didn't know what to do about her. He didn't want to risk their bond to pursue something that might never work out. He couldn't risk losing her again, not after all they'd been through.

So he would just keep quiet and enjoy all the time they had together, for who knows what tomorrow would bring?

ShadowStrike Rising

Jack and Arcee drove into base with June's car, having used it to leave earlier that morning (with her permission). The silence between the two of them was a comfortable one. Neither of them had said a word during their time together, but no words needed to be said. They were both just happy that the other was alright, after months of self-torment.

"No!" came Sunny's voice. "Let me go!" The sound of defiance and anguish in Sunny's voice was evident, "Jack!" That was more than enough for Jack to stomp on the car's accelerator and speed into the command center, stopping the car with a screech. Stepping out of the car, Jack looked around to find Sunny struggling… with Agent Fowler. Without another word, Jack was quickly between the two of them.

Sunny quickly hid behind Jack, whimpering slightly. Jack kneeled down and placed his arm around the young girl without removing his glaring gaze from Fowler and Mizuki, "What's going on here?"

Keeping himself composed and not letting the intimidating tone in Jack's voice bother him, Fowler spoke, "I've made a request to have Sunny here taken into foster care." Jack's eyes widened slightly, not that anyone could tell. He'd been expecting this, but it still it him pretty hard (not that he'd let that show either). He didn't know why, but the thought of being separated from Sunny didn't sit well with him. In the weeks he'd spent with the young girl, they'd formed a bond (what kind of bond, he didn't know).

"I don't see the need to put her in foster care," he said calmly.

"My superiors believe she will be safe there," Fowler explained. "The Decepticons don't know about her yet, so we have a small window to prevent the endangering of young girl."

"No," he replied.

"I'm afraid it's out of your hands Jack," Mizuki said. "The government thinks it's the best form of protection."

"I can protect her just fine," the boy said, not budging on the issue. As long as he could help it, Sunny wouldn't set foot near a foster home. "Besides, foster care doesn't provide the best protection from what I've heard."

"We'll make sure she goes to a good home that has been given a thorough background check," Fowler stepped forward. Sunny held on tighter to Jack, tears welling up in her eyes.

"It's clear to me she doesn't want to go," Jack replied, his blue eyes cold as ice. "Tell your superiors to think of what she wants before making anymore decisions. She's staying here with me."

"I can't allow that, Jack," Fowler said. "You're not her legal guardian."

"I was appointed her guardian by her father. I gave him my word that I would protect her no matter what."

"Listen," Fowler said, an edge in his voice as he stepped forward again, making a grab for Sunny. "the best way to protect her is to-" he was cut-off by Jack flipping him over the rail and holding on to his ankle.

"The best way to protect her is to make sure she stays with me. I wouldn't expect a puppet of the government like you to understand, given that you follow whatever orders you're given. I won't risk her safety just because some couple who don't know what she needs passes some background check." He threw Fowler over the railing and the man landed on his gut.

He stood up, looking annoyed, "Well why don't we call my superiors and see what they think?" He quickly found Jack's blade across his throat. Everyone, who had silently watch the scene unfold before them in uncomfortable silence, gasped at the sight.

"Jack," Optimus said.

"Let me makes this clear enough for you to understand," he said, ignoring the Prime. "If you run to your superiors and come back with a team to hold me down, you'll be signing numerous letter of condolence to several families. Do you understand?"

Fowler gave a small nod and backed away, heading for the elevator. Jack looked over to Mizuki, who jumped at the sight of his cold eyes, "Do you have anything to say on the matter?"

"No," she squeaked, hiding behind Ratchet's hand. With a curt nod, Jack left the room with Sunny in his arms. He knew that this wasn't over, but he didn't care. Fowler could bring back an army for all he cared. No one would take Sunny against her will as long as he could help it.

ShadowStrike Rising

In the forest where he sought refuge, Oni-Kage meditated on the events of the last few days. After five months of waiting for his "brother" to return, he'd finally gotten the duel he wanted. He could still feel the thrill from their blades clashing. That was all he'd sought after searching for a worthy opponent for so long. He could finally unleash his and Uramasa's full power, only to have the moment taken from him by Karai.

The daughter of the Shredder saw fit to interfere with their duel because they were fighting in the secret underground compounds beneath the Prime Minister's building. Her appearance drove ShadowStrike away, ending their duel abruptly. Everything he'd waited so patiently for had been stolen from him by that wench. If there was no risk to starting a war with the Shredder, he would have gutted her like a fish. He knew that it wouldn't be the last time the Shredder interfered in his affairs.

Oni-Kage knew that next time, there would be hell to pay, but he couldn't do it alone. He would require help in dealing with any who would interfere next time he dueled ShadowStrike.

And he knew just who to go to.

ShadowStrike Rising

A/N: I hope you all enjoyed! Next time: June talks with Jack about his activities of the last few months. Meanwhile, Oni-Kage goes to find new allies.