Girlies, thank you much for the reviews :) Okay, for this chapter... I'm really dragging with including the Autobots in this story but I promise that they will have a more marked role in later chapters. Pinky swear! They will have an itsy-bitsy scene in this chapter though. This is a weird chapter, I'll admit it but it was pretty amusing to write. Please enjoy it!

Chapter 37 Demise of Liberty

(July 4th – 3:30pm, apartment)

"…we plan on having festivities to celebrate this year's Fourth of July that should be fun for the whole family. To top off the merriment, we will have a display of fireworks…"

Cynthia folded her arms across her chest as she watched the news report. Her eyes rolled in her orbits as she gazed on the TV screen, half paying attention and half zoning out. Normally, she would've been excited for the Fourth of July but this year, she was completely indifferent, possibly even loathing toward its presence.

The month-long trial was almost complete. All they had to do was wait until the next day and then report to Megatron so they could be initated into his servitude. Technically speaking, this was the Preston siblings' last true day of independence. From now on, they were Megatron's property; all because she had fallen for his warrior. Their lives were to be dictated and governed by an entity bent on subduing their race.

Weeks earlier, she wasn't really bothered by it since Cynthia was just grateful she and her siblings were given a second chance at life. But now that the day of reckoning was at hand and circling above them like a great white targeting a seal, she couldn't help to not feel morose and even angry at this. Since the beginning of the month, her mood had soured significantly. She was far more irritable in contrast to her slow to anger tendencies and naturally placid disposition.

The phone next to her began to ring. She only let it ring once before she picked it up, pressing the 'talk' button.

"Hello," she said briefly.

"Baby, hello!" her mother, Helen, chirped happily.

Cynthia moaned internally. Sometimes, her mother was so ditsy and sunny it was almost sickening. She had a feeling that if Random ever became his own separate being and turned into a Human, he and Helen would be soulmates.

"Hi, Mom," she answered. "How're you?"

"Smashing, honeybunch," the elder woman replied. "Why do you sound like such a frownie brownie on this happy day? It is the Fourth of July! You always loved this day! Even when you were a little girl, you loved sitting on a blanket and watching the fireworks light up the night sky…"

"I'm just sleepy, that's all. I haven't been sleeping well for the past few days."

"Well, you ought to drink a nice, warm glass of milk. You used to do that until you were ten…"

"Mom, really?"

Cynthia felt as if she was being deconstructed into an infant. Every single one of her incoming and outgoing phone calls were being screened by both Blitzwing and Lockdown. Chances were that one of them was always monitoring what was going on. The twenty three year old wasn't particularly in the mood to have her tender years being exploited for humor by either of the inorganics.

"It's just a suggestion, Cyndi," her mother said. "It worked wonders for you. You were always such a sweet, even tempered little girl. Your sister, Amanda, was a completely different story on the other hand…" She paused. "Anyway, let's focus on the present! I called to discuss something with you."

"What is it?" Cynthia wondered.

"Family vacation! Your father and I have been talking about going on vacation this year and we certainly plan on dragging our three children along with us. You and your brother and sister need to get out of that city. I will not stand for it any longer!"

Perfect. She was going to have to tell Megatron she was going on a vacation already. That was all she needed to tell her new employer.

"When were you thinking about going and where do you have in mind?" Cyndi said.

"Most likely South Carolina," Helen revealed. "Your father is looking into renting out this house on an island that is almost right between the Georgia and South Carolina state lines. The island begins with a 'D' I do believe and I can't really pronounce it too well."

"That sounds nice. You are aware of the giant cockroaches and that beastly humidity..?

"I can ignore the bugs as long as I get a nice tan. It's been cloudy and a little chilly in New York."

"Okay. When will we be going?"

"Your father is working on a case here at home but he should be done within the next three weeks or a month, Lord willing. You know your old ex, Wes', father?"

"Yes, he's a taxidermist. Isn't his name Matthew?"

"Yes. Well, apparently, he got into a little squabble of some sort with that poor old farmer, Mr. Schramm, who lives a few miles out of Greenvale. Your father is serving as Mr. Larkson's attorney. After he's done with his case, we're going on vacation."

"Nice. My ex's dad and my dad teaming up. Boy, that has to be awkward. Alright, keep us updated on that, Mom."

"You bet your little toosh I will keep you updated because you're coming. I suggest you buy a new bathing suit, Cynthia. I promise that we'll have fun on this vacation… I'll let you go, I'm sure you and your siblings are planning to do something fun for the Fourth today."

"Yeah, we were just discussing it."

"Alright. Have fun and be safe, honey. I love you! Extend my love to Amanda and Darien too."

"Love you too, Mom. Tell Dad I said 'hi'."

"I will. And try to cheer up, Cynthia. It is so unbecoming of a beautiful, young, civilized lady such as yourself… Bye!"

There was a click, signaling that Mrs. Preston had hung up. Cynthia shook her head miserably and turned off her own phone. She set it down on the coffee table.

"Mom, you have no idea what's going on," she grumbled softly. "I wish I could tell you everything…"

She had to get rid of this grievous misery. Now she started to feel like Amanda when they first began their trial. For some odd reason, she was suddenly struck with the urge to do something she thought she needed to induldge in more often.

Cynthia vacated her seat on the couch and walked into the kitchen. She saw her purse that was hanging on the back of one of the chairs and grabbed it. For a few moments, she fished through her purse and brought her wallet out. Perusing through it, she discovered she had fifty dollars in it.

"Good enough."

Then she exited the kitchen and headed towards the doormat. She slipped on a pair of yellow flip-flops. Cyndi turned to the door and placed her hand on the knob.

"I'll be back in an hour at max," she called out.

Almost as if on cue, Amanda rushed out of her room. She stopped just short of her sister. The blonde pulled her ear buds out of her canals with the song 'Americano' playing.

"Where are you going?" she asked.

"I'm going out to get something that will make this Fourth of July bearable for me," said Cynthia. "I'm taking your car."

"If you're taking my car, I'm going with you." Amanda lowered the volume of her voice. "Blitzwing's in my room looking through my music collection. He's occupied so I want to escape while I still can. Let's ditch him and Darien."

"Darien can hold his own against Blitzwing so I agree…"

The two could hear Blitzwing suddenly break out into song in Amanda's room. Judging by the shrill pitch of the voice, they immediately knew it was Random.

"I like big butts and I cannot lie! Jou ozher brozhers cannot deny zat vhen a girl vakes in vith an itty bity vaist and zat round zhing is in jour face, jou get SPRUNG..!"

"Let's get out now," Amanda urged.

(fifteen minutes later…)

"A liquor store?" Amanda narrowed her gaze.

"If you and Darien be really good, I'll let you have some," said Cynthia. "I'm entitled to it. Today is my last day of freedom and I plan on getting drunk. I'll be right back."

Grabbing her purse, Cyndi opened up the driver's side door and stepped out. Closing it behind her, she walked up onto the sidewalk and then into the wines and spirits distributor.

"What's wrong with her?" Lockdown asked. "She's been acting really mean lately."

"She's finally getting stressed out over the reality we have to see Megatron tomorrow," Amanda guessed. "She won't talk to anyone really. She's been sleeping on the couch for the past few nights too but she hasn't gotten into any fights with Blitzwing as far as I know. I'm sure I would've known if they did get into one. We'd probably hear it all too."

"Plain and simple, she's just straight out annoyed by him if you ask me. He is like her shadow and he hardly ever leaves the apartment. When he does leave, it's always with her. I can't say that I blame her."

"I pity her…"

Mandy stirred in the front passenger seat. She slouched in her seat, feeling at ease and comfortable. A month earlier, she wouldn't be able to do this at all.

Surprisingly enough, the young woman found out she didn't really hate Lockdown anymore. At first, she couldn't believe it herself but it became evident to her when she didn't feel so hostile towards him. She supposed this came to be since she had interacted with him on a daily basis. He had shuttled her to and from work and social outings she went out on with her friends. When she couldn't stand Blitzwing anymore, she went out into the lot to talk to him.

For some reason, Amanda felt as if she could trust him to get anything done for her. She knew this was potentially deadly thinking yet at the same time, she disregarded it. Earlier, she hated him with every fiber of his being and now she happily and willingly conversed with him. The blonde didn't really have a solid idea of what he thought of her but she certainly had a foundation of thoughts about him.

What really startled her about herself regarding the bounty hunter was a thing she was dead set on repressing. When she looked at him, he no longer looked coarse and ugly like she saw him earlier. Now when she looked at him, he somehow appeared attractive. Lockdown still seemed rugged and rough but Amanda saw it was starting to appeal to her. She had to admit the tattoo-like markings on his white faceplate were intimidating looking and made him look like some sort of soul-hunting demon from Hell itself. Normally, she was repelled by creepy and borderline grungy appearances; now she loved them.

When she talked to him, she found herself smiling more often and being more friendly and open. Mandy wondered if this was Stockholm Syndrome tightening its grip on her mind but she doubted it at the same time. She had given him a chance, albeit reluctantly, and she was massively enjoying the results. The only downside of it was that she felt like she was turning into Cynthia when she first started associating with Blitzwing. And she knew what that had metamorphosed into…

"I know I probably can't trust you but I feel as if have to tell you about something…" she spoke, breaking the silence.

"You're probably right," he chuckled. "But roll the dice and take a gamble."

That was another feature she admired about him. Without him knowing it, he knew how to make her smile.

"Fine, I'll take a chance," she grinned. Her smile then faded without warning. "Do you remember the night when Cynthia was abducted by Starscream?"

"How could I not?" he said. "Blitzwing was screaming into my comm when he picked up Cynthia, telling me about it… What about it exactly, Blondie?"

"I noticed she had small bruises running up along the length of her body. She also had some bruises around her lower back."

"Starscream? He probably rough-housed her."

"I don't think so. Starscream give her eight puncture wounds and I'm sure those bruises would've looked a lot worse if he gave them to her. Besides, the ones I saw looked like they were a few days old."

There was an uneasy pause. Lockdown immediately assumed who the bot was that gave her those bruises.

"Blitzwing?" he offered. "I don't seem him hurting her though."

"I have never seen him hit her or try to hurt her," Amanda confirmed. "He's always lovey-dovey with her. But I don't know what goes on in her bedroom when the door closes." She paused, remembering when she was spying on her sister and Blitzwing earlier. "Okay, actually I do know but I don't like to think about it or talk about it really. I didn't want to mention the bruises to Cyndi because he was outside the bathroom door, listening to everything that was going on when I was trying to clean her wounds."

"So you think he gave her the bruises…"

"Yes. I think he's trying to get freaky with my sister. I haven't been spying on them because I don't want to know what they do when it's time to turn in for the evening." That was a lie. "All I know is, they share a bed."

"I don't doubt it."

"I'm afraid he's going to hurt her."

"He won't. If he really wanted to become intimate with her, she would be electrocuted to death. Cybertronian courtship is simply deadly for organics."

"Okay, I didn't need to know that, thank you very much…" She shook her head, sifting her bob. "All I need is more nightmare fuel."

"She's coming, you better shut your mouth."

True to his words, Amanda could see Cynthia walk over to the disguised Cybertronian. In her right hand, she was clutching a brown bag that was double bagged with plastic. There was a frown on her face and more than anything else, she looked like she was extremely serious and tense.

"So…" Amanda said as her sister got back into the vehicle. "What did you get?"

"A big bottle of red wine," Cynthia replied briefly, not bothering to even give the name of the brand. "It cost me all the money I had in my wallet for one bottle. It better be good, that's all I can say."

"Are you sure you want to be doing that?" Lockdown said. "Being overenergized and angry at the same time is not a safe combination."

"I'm lucky I'm not an alcoholic like my great uncle Eustace. Now let's head back home so we can figure out what to do tonight."

(Autobot base – 6:00pm)

Sari's face lit up when she watched the TV that was set up in the Autobot's recreation room. The news was on once again as it had been earlier in the day. This time, the news reporter was down at a park with throngs of people in the background, soaking up the summer atmosphere and enjoying the air of celebration. All that activity called to the little red-haired girl, making her squirm in her seat in gleeful anticipation.

"Bee!" she yelled. "Bumblebee, I know what I want to do tonight!"

She jogged over to the five Autobots who were huddled together, obviously looking as if they were discussing something. With a big smile still on her face, she closed the gap between her and her giant friends. Sari leaned affectionately up against her guardian's leg. Her head rested against it a second later.

Bumblebee looked down when he felt someone touch him. The little yellow Autobot smiled when he saw it was his charge and friend. He lowered his servo to the ground, obliging her to step up so he could include her in on things too. Without a moment to lose, she did that exact action and Bumblebee lifted her up.

"What's going on, guys?" she asked with a raised brow.

"We were just discussing the game plan for today's festivities," Ratchet duly reported. "We've been thinking it might possibly be good to be out and about in the city. Those crazy Humans that shot into Sumdac Tower haven't been caught yet and not only that, the 'Cons are still running free."

"There's a healthy chance that while everyone runs out to go and play, the scum get to work," Prowl noted. "No one will expect it really while there's so much fun and excitement going on."

"Yeah, Decepticons would ruin a party," Sari obstinately folded her arms across her chest.

"I'm not surprised either," Bulkhead muttered. He looked to Optimus. "What do you say we do, Boss?"

"Some of us should stay down at the park and monitor things and the rest of us should roam around the city and be on the lookout for anything odd," said Optimus. "That's the wisest thing we should do in my opinion."

"Can I go down to the park with Bumblebee?" Sari begged. "I really, really want to go down there and not be stuck on a boring patrol!" She batted her eyelashes at the head Autobot. She displayed the best puppy dog eyes she could muster to assure her chances of victory. "Pretty please, Prime? I'll behave!" The little girl lifted up her pinky. "I pinky swear!"

Optimus was unphased by her exhibition but he really didn't see any harm in her going down to the park to enjoy the celebration. As long as she had someone watching her and keeping her out of any mischief, he'd allow it.

"Fine, you and Bumblebee may go down to the park," he permitted.

Sari giggled happily. Bumblebee wore a content grin, feeling a little relieved he wasn't stuck with patrolling. At least he'd have a little time off from his Autobot duties and spend it with his organic partner in crime.

Then the young Prime lifted a digit. A sly smirk graced his faceplate.

"Someone needs to watch after our two youngest and most spirited comrades," he resumed. "Ratchet, would you do the honor of looking after them while they enjoy themselves at the park?"

Ratchet seemed as equally enthused as Sari and Bumblebee. His already perpetually grumpy expression hardened. However, he wasn't in the mood to debate orders. Not only that, he wasn't too keen for patrol work. Sometimes he believed he was getting too old for those kinds of things either way.

"I suppose…" he drawled.

"Just try to not crash the party, okay Ratchet?" said Bumblebee. "Nobody likes a party pooper!"

"So, I guess that means that we three are doing patrol…" Bulkhead deduced.

"Fine by me," Prowl remarked.

The ninja bot transformed into his vehicle mode and sallied forth on his duties for the evening.

"Alright, so we know what to do," Optimus nodded. "We'll all contact one another within an hour to give updates on the situation. If there's anything suspicious or if you need help with anything, don't be hesitant to contact… Keep your optics peeled. Autobots, transform and roll out!"

The remaining Autobots adopted their vehicle modes and began to drive away. As Bumblebee morphed, he maneuvered Sari safely into the driver's seat and gently buckled her up. The youngest Autobot drove off towards the direction of the park with Ratchet following not too far behind.

"Bee, whatever happened to that girl?" Sari asked. Her mind suddenly drifted to the woman who had been fought over by Starscream and Blitzwing months earlier. She was reminded of the incident as she could see one of the cathedral's spires in the distance.

"What girl?" he replied in confusion. "You gotta be more specific, Sari."

"That lady who got attacked by Decepticons at the church. Wasn't she kidnapped by them after Christmas too?"

"I don't know. We haven't seen her around lately. We also haven't seen the 'Cons around either since she got plucked up. Prowl seems to be really suspicious of her though…"

"Prowl's always thinking too much about things like that. He can be so down sometimes."

"Hey, I think I'm starting to think something fishy is going on as well. They let her go after they held her for one day. Then Starscream and Blitzwing were fighting over her. Blitzwing let her go rather easily too."

"Bee, do you think she's with them?" Sari sounded genuinely surprised by his reasoning. "She must've been brainwashed to work for them!"

"I need to see it to believe it. I just hope it's not true."

(peninsula – 8:15pm)

Darien looked over nervously at his eldest sister. She was sitting next to him on the blanket they had thrown across the ground so they could enjoy the fireworks without getting their clothes dirty. He watched her remove the plastic bag that was wrapped tenderly around the brown paper bag. Cynthia then grabbed the bottle neck and pulled the wine out of the bag.

"Sis…" he said carefully. "What's that you got there?"

"Wine," she answered. "If you be good enough, you can have some. But just remember this is my bottle. Cyndi's going to let loose a little tonight."

"Hey, I am going to have some too," Amanda joined in, moving away from the precipice of the cliff. Deciding that looking over the lake was boring, she rejoined her brother and sister. "I don't like red wine but I want a little blush."

"Coast is clear," Lockdown said suddenly. He emerged from under the cover of the foliage. "Luckily for us, no one is else going to be joining us for the fireworks this evening. But I'll still be on the lookout for anyone who'll crash our scene."

Amanda looked away from her siblings and focused solely on the bounty hunter. Cynthia could see the smile on her sister's face as she looked at him.

"Well, hopefully, it'll be just the five of us tonight," she said to him. "Where's Blitzwing at? I know I saw him go off with you to make sure no one was in the area."

"I don't know," Lockdown didn't seem too concerned about his whereabouts. "If he doesn't show up within the next ten minutes, I'll get a hold of him on his comm."

"Would anyone like the first sip?" Cynthia frowned dourly. She bit down on the cork and proceeded to wrench it out with her jaws. After a minute of struggling, she managed to pop it out. Cynthia spat out the cork into her hands.

"No, thank you," Darien raised his hands in a surrendering posture.

"Give me some!" Amanda swiped the bottle. She brought the bottle up to her mouth. Then she tilted it back and swallowed a mouthful. As soon as it hit her tongue, she almost coughed and spewed it everywhere. "Oh, this is nasty!"

"More for me," Cyndi said as she took it back.

"Guess who's back!" a jolly voice declared from the brush.

Blitzwing popped out from the treeline, with the Random persona wearing his usual huge, toothy smile. He walked over to the group of Humans and sat down with them. The triple changer sat directly behind Cyndi and pulled her into his lap. He kissed the back of her head and hugged her close.

All the Human did was take a big, long, gulp of wine. It was going to be one Hell of a long night.

(forty-five minutes later)

"God bless America, my home sweet home..! From the mountains, to the praries, to the oceans white with foam, God bless America, my sweet home!"

"Oh, zis is so fun!" Random clapped his servos. "Zis singing contest is so fun, Cyndi! Jou should drink zat alcohol more often so ve can sing ze night avay!"

Darien and Amanda were looking at their sister with a huge amount of concern. Cynthia had only started drinking forty-five minutes earlier but she was already inebriated. She wasn't a very frequent drinker which had contributed her to being quite lightweight and easy to get drunk. As far as the boy and girl could remember, they didn't ever recall seeing her drunk before. Before she was drinking, she was angry and tense and now she was singing and upbeat. Regardless, they couldn't help but to not feel a little uncomfortable.

"Wow, that stuff works like magic," Lockdown smirked. "You should give her some of that stuff everytime she gets miserable."

"Shucks, I have an awful singing voice," Cynthia slapped a hand across her face. Her voice was slurred. "I sound like a dying cow!"

"If it makes jou feel any better, Starscream has ze vorst singing voice in ze universe," said Blitzwing. "In fact, I zhink his singing is deadlier zhan his null rays!"

Cynthia guffawed at his joke. With the wine bottle still in her hand, she brought it up to her face to drink more. After taking a few gulps, she sighed heavily and lengthily and set it down on the ground.

"You're so funny," she said in an admiring tone. "You are a very funny person, you know that? I love that about you. And you should be so happy that you have me because I am the only girl in the world who would go to bed with a refrigerator!" She laughed loudly. "Or am I just that damn pathetic?" Then she shook her head. "I don't want to even think about it because it hurts my brain now…"

"Oh, zhank jou!" Random said happily. "Jou're not pazhetic at all, Cyndi. I never zhought I vould squeeze a Human femme's aft before but now I'm quite guilty of zat! Come, let's sing some more! I have ze perfect song in mind for all of us to sing as one!"

"I don't sing," Lockdown said miserably.

"I've learned to be afraid of you when you ask me to sing with you," said Darien.

"And this is all getting much too mushy," Amanda announced, getting up from the blanket. "The last thing I want to see is a drunken makeout session."

"Zhen to ze Pit vith all of jou!" Hothead barked. "Go some place else and I vill be staying here vith Cyndi!"

"Yeah, just go," Cyndi agreed sullenly. "I need some privacy with…" She giggled airily. "This big, sexy tank…"

"T-M-I!" Amanda's cheeks flushed deeply. "Lockdown, Darien, let's scoot."

"Right behind you, Blondie," the muscle car nodded. He donned his Earthy disguise and opened up his driver and front passenger doors. "We'll do you two lovebirds a favor. Call us whenever you're done being…frisky."

"Yeah, whenever that will be!" Cyndi trilled. "And good luck, Amanda! I saw the way you looked at him… Let me know how it goes and we can exchange stories! You are a big girl now!"

Amanda's color reddened even more and she felt like she turned into the sun. She hopped into the driver's seat with Darien getting in the passenger's.

Lockdown then drove off to find a spot where they could enjoy the fireworks in privacy. He had to admit he felt slightly crept out at Cynthia's displays of drunken, sultry affection. In fact, he was even somewhat secretly pleased it was going to be him, Amanda and Darien.

"Oh, there is a god!" Cynthia threw her arms up in glee. "I am alone with you… I feel like my mother sometimes because those two are always in my hair. I cannot wait until I either get my own house or they move out of that apartment!" Once more, she took another sip from the wine bottle. Cynthia exhaled heavingly and set it aside. "Did I ever tell you how much I love you?"

"Maybe Lockdown's right," Random teased. "Maybe jou should get over-energized more often! Jou're much cuddlier zhen! Jou seem to be in a better mood too. Jou vouldn't let me hold jou in my arms vhen ve vere on our vay here and jou vent vith jour siblings and Lockdown."

"I need to discuss something with you, buddy boy." She poked him in his belly. "I don't want any lies coming from you."

Icy replaced Random. He raised his brow plate and eyed her inquisitively. For a moment, he glanced over at the wine bottle that was the cause of her altered behavior. Then he returned his gaze to her.

"Vhat vould I hide from jou?" Blitzwing asked. "Jou know jou can talk to me."

His face contorted into an expression of utter surprise as she actually glared at him when he said those words. Blitzwing didn't know how to react for a moment and stared back at her in confusion.

Cynthia moved away from him and stood up. Folding her arms across her chest, the organic glowered at him.

"Are you sure about that?" she insinuated. "You know, Starscream told me something else that you haven't been honest about with me. You know darn well that I don't like it when you lie to me! I want you to tell me the truth about one thing and one thing only, Blitzwing…"

"Cynzhia, I vill tell ze truth but I zhink zat perhaps jou should use moderation," Icy advised. "I don't zhink it is vise to be in such a state vhile jou have to see Megatron tomorrow."

Her mood instantly soured even further when he mentioned Megatron's name. She glared at him, looking like she was ready to slug him in his faceplate.

"Do not even mention him or I will smash this bottle across your big, thick skull!" she almost screamed at him. "I don't want to think about it or talk about it! This is my last day of freedom and there's nothing you can do to stop it from being so! I want to drink so I can drink until I'm puking! I have slowly but surely been losing my mind for the past month and I need a release! You better focus on the question I have for you, that's all I know!"

Blitzwing didn't know how to react for a moment. Then Hothead had an idea while he was still lingering within the helm.

He overthrew Icy and grabbed her wine bottle. Cynthia fumbled for it drunkenly.

"Give it to me!" she yelled. "I paid fifty dollars for it and I intend on using it all up! What the Hell is it with you and destroying the things I pay for? You are so mindlessly destructive!"

Ignoring her drunken pleas, he tossed the bottle. It sailed through the air and fell over the cliff. The wine bottle plummeted to the waters of the lake below and was swallowed up by the waves.

The Human gawked at what her Cybertronian lover had done. Shock had ruled her for a few seconds before inebriated and blind anger reclaimed her. Cynthia gritted her teeth and growled deeply at what he had done.

"Who is she?" she demanded, cutting straight to the chase.

"Who are jou talking about, jou crazy, drunken femme?" Hothead yelled back. "Vhy don't jou give me a name and I could explain it to jou!"

"You know damn well who I'm talking about! Starscream told me all about you and her… There was some Decepticon girl you fell in love with a long time ago. She was your girlfriend or something like that…" She pointed a finger at him. "I told you about my sad excuse for an ex and you never told me about yours! You almost killed mine when I told you not to! So if I ever come across that lady, I'm going to tear her in two! And I don't care if she's a robot just like you, I'll do it!"

"I vill tear Starscream a new one vhen I see him tomorrow…"

"Forget Starscream right now! Focus on me, Blitzwing…"

"I don't have to tell jou anyzhing right now because jou're not jourself at ze moment," said Icy. "I'm not telling jou a zhing vhile jou're acting so irrationally and immaturely. Vhen jou have a clearer mind, I vill tell jou about zat little zhing Starscream disclosed to jou."

Blitzwing could practically see her get even angrier than she already was. Her hands curled into fists so tight that he could see veins pop out and throb. Cynthia was even starting to sweat a little.

"I dare jou to hit me," Hothead warned venomously. "If jou hit me, I'll strike back at jou tvice as hard. I am not afraid to slap some sense into jou if I have to. I'll slap zat stupor right out of jou!"

"I am not Blitzwing, drunk!"

He rolled his optics at her sentence mix-up.

"Yes, jou are," Random cooed, standing up and moving closer to her. "Jou're as drunk as a skunk! Hahaha, zat rhymes!"

"Shut up!" she hissed.

She attempted to throw a weak punch at him but it was poorly aimed and launched. Cynthia ended up stumbling embarrassingly into his outstretched arms since he easily imagined her falling onto her face. His arms clamped around her, forbidding her from fighting back.

"Jou need to behave jourself," Hothead said sternly. "Jou treated me like a sparkling and now I get to treat jou like one."

"Let go of me!" she flailed in his arms pathetically. "I can still fight!"

"Just try. Jou sit vith me and enjoy zhese firevorks zat ve came to see or I vill knock jour lights out!"

"Why won't you tell me about her? What is the big deal? I am honest with you and I demand to be treated the same way!"

"Cyndi…"

He sighed and shook his helm.

"I vas going to tell jou about her in time," Icy explained. "I didn't vant to reveal it too early to jou for fear jou vould be driven avay from me. I feared zat perhaps it might discourage jou from seeing me. I vanted to solidify our trust and relationship a little more as vell."

Cynthia then laughed. She ran her hand up and down his face and cupped his chin in it.

"You're such a sweetheart," she crooned. "I won't leave you and you know it. Why didn't you just say so earlier? You found out about mine in no time at all!" The depressants in the alcohol had watered down her fury now that he gave her an answer of some sort. She cuddled up to him, attempting to get comfy with him. "Can I ask what the name of the lucky girl was?"

"Her name vas Blackarachnia," he said with heavy disdain, "and hopefully, jou vill never have ze misfortune of crossing paths vith her."

"Why so..?"

"Because I heard zat she is on zis planet."

"Jou don't need to vorry about her at all," Hothead said confidently, "because I vashed my servos of her. She is a demon and I no longer vant any part of her. She broke my spark and used me."

"I have someone else who is far more sveeter, funnier and more stunning zhan her," Random grinned. "Even vhen jou're scary and angry, I still love jou! Jou don't need to vorry about her eizher because she vouldn't dare to lay a finger on jou, my drunken love!"

The brunette wore a big, proud smile. She sat up and planted a kiss on his lips. Then she slouched into his lap.

"If you ever leave me, I'll kill you," she said lightheartedly.

"Right back at jou," the black and red face chuckled.

(…)

The reflection of the pyrotechnics shone brilliantly in the eyes and optics of the three spectators. On the lake, there were a few boats that were shooting off fireworks into the night sky. A dizzying myriad of purples, greens, reds, blues, whites and oranges dazzled and then sizzled opulently. It was all so bright that it almost looked liked that the sun was ready to rise on the horizon. The grand finale hadn't even commenced with its debut and the show was so magnificent and beautiful so far.

Darien and Amanda sat crosslegged next to each other, enjoying the fireworks as if they were reduced to having the minds of children. They were completely absorbed by the display and they had virtually forgotten about the concern they had for their incapacitated sister and her temporarily stunted cognitive capabilities. The two had trusted Blitzwing to look after her and chose to forget about what they had seen and heard before Lockdown drove them away. As long as they observed the fireworks, they were reminded of their happier, more innocent days and that was a treat in itself considering what they would have to face tomorrow.

Lockdown was appreciating the splendor of the multicolored lights himself but not at an equal degree to the siblings. He had to admit it was peaceful yet invigorating to watch them explode in a vivid flowering and then hear and watch them simmer as they faded. Like his Human charges, it helped him take his mind off stressful things.

"Oh, wow, that is gorgeous!" Amanda said happily.

He took note of the particular firework that had made her comment on it. It was pink and when it blossomed, it looked like a sunflower. Ever so slightly, he grinned, not exposing a wicked, toothy grin but a serene smile.

Earlier, he couldn't even stand the sight of her, let alone the sound of her voice. Now, he found himself actually enjoying her company. Lockdown had to admit he felt protective of her since he had transported her wherever she needed to go to. He had built up a fairly high tolerance to the Human and he had learned to respect her as she had come to realize he demanded respect himself. True, she could be annoying and overtly dramatic but the bounty hunter began to see past that. With each day that went by, he saw a girl who was still trying to adjust to life around her. Somewhat, he pitied her and he started sympathize with her fears more as he had grown accustomed to her.

"I can't believe I like her," he thought inwardly. "I actually like her now instead of hating her with a passion. Sure, she's a little odd and a bit of a drama queen but she's much more bearable now. My urge to kill her has ceased. She had actually behaved in contrast to what I expected…"

Amanda leaned back, resting her head against his knee guard. She was unaware of what she was reclining on.

The green and black bot smirked, realizing she was blind to her own actions. He raised his arm that was at his side and extended a pointer digit. Lockdown scratched crown of her cranium.

She reacted rapidly when this happened and she spun around, almost smashing her face into the guard.

"Woah, I didn't realize I was doing that!" she said, blushing. "Sorry about that!"

"No need for apologies, Mandy," he said neutrally.

Amanda looked away from him, feeling like she was going to burst into flames due to embarrassment. While her back was turned to him, she couldn't hold back a smile that displayed all her dimples and made her pale green eyes twinkle. She pulled her legs to her chest and giggled like a school girl on the inside.

"Yup, she likes me a bit too much," Lockdown thought. "Blondie, you're going to be in a world full of hurt… Don't even bother coming clean to me. I simply just don't feel what you feel…" He started to frown meditatively. "But why would I feel bad if I did tell you those things?"

I would very much appreciate it if you left a review. Lately, I've felt I haven't being doing very well with this fic and any constructive criticism is much appreciated so I can better myself. I don't know if it's me just being paranoid but I would prefer my readers to be honest as to what their opinions are so I can take them into consideration and make this better for everyone. Thanks for reading! :)