Clearance

June 5th, 2007

South Gate, CA

"You are enjoying this too much," Charlie whispered as Rebecca returned from going up to Sam's room, patting her pocket to reveal that she had the glasses. Rebecca had gone from freaking out to acting like she was in a heist film. It was… sweet.

The plan had been rather simple. Their plan, at least. The kids had wanted to get all sneaky, ducking into the house unnoticed, getting the Autobots to hide in the yard, get in and out without being seen… it was doomed to fail.

Rebecca had hit on a far simpler plan, one Charlie had quickly agreed upon: only lie when needed.

"And you are sure this deal is legit?" Judy asked nervously. "I mean, this late at night… you're sure these people aren't druggies?"

"They aren't," Charlie said sweetly. "They are super interested in the glasses… collectors of stuff like that. But they are passing through and leaving shortly which is why they can't wait till morning. Sam and Mik are with them… perfectly safe, I trust them with my daughter's life so don't worry."

"And how did you meet these collectors?" Ron asked even as Charlie and Rebecca wished they'd just be allowed to leave. They knew the Autobots were getting impatient; it had taken a lot just to get them to agree to let the two women go on their own.

"Old friends from high school," Charlie said, once more wrapping a lie in the truth. "Bee and I go back. He helped me through… well, through some tough times. And I helped him find his family."

"So you trust them?"

"Absolutely," Charlie said.

"Ms. Shooter-Watson," Optimus said through the earpiece Ratchet had given them; so tiny no one could see it but it sounded like the Autobots were all there standing beside the two. "There are several unmarked black vehicles approaching the house."

"Mama," Mikaela said, her and Sam with Bumblebee several blocks away in case shooting started, "according to Bumblebee these guys aren't Decepticons." There was a pause. "But… mom might remember them?"

Rebecca shot Charlie a look, her wife pursing her lips before letting out a groan that she quickly covered up when she saw Ron and Judy looking at her. "Listen, we need-"

"Ron?" Judy suddenly said, looking out the window. "There are men all over the yard!"

That's when things went to hell.

Suits burst into the house, scanners that looked like devices Doc Brown would have created during a bender whirling and chirping. Other men in white hazmat suits moved about the Witwicky home, ignoring Ron's demands for answers and bagging up random items.

"Friends of yours?" Rebecca asked dryly.

"Not in the slightest but I can-"

At that moment a tall man with a dark tan complexion entered, adjusting his tie before flashing a smile that might have been comforting if it didn't remind everyone of an undertaker sizing up still living bodies and debating coffin prices.

"Good evening, folks. Don't mind us. Just need to speak with your son. No important matter."

"UH… it's a VERY important matter if you want to talk to my son!" Ron said. "I've seen To Catch A Predator."

"I have too, very funny," the suited man said. "Agent Simmons. Sector 7. I'm with the government, you haven't heard of us." He entered the living room, idly looking at random knickknacks. "As for your son he filed a stolen car report we think it might be a matter of national security."

Rebecca and Charlie shared a look before edging towards the door; they liked Ron and Judy but they could beg for forgiveness later after they got the alien relict out of the house that was currently swarmed with Men In Black rejects. However, their movement caused Simmons to snap his head in their direction, taking them in. "And who… are you?"

"You know who we are already, I assume?" Charlie asked, folding her arms over her chest. "Government types… you do your research."

"Indeed we do. Charlotte and Rebecca Shooter-Watson. Daughter Mikaela Shooter-Watson. Best friend of Samuel Witwicky. Interesting to find you here."

"In the home of our daughter's best friend? Whose parents are also good business partners?" Rebecca asked with a scoff. "Oh yes, SO out of place."

"You know… you might want to watch that attitude," Simmons said with a tight smile. "I can be your best friend or your worst nightmare."

"That so?" Rebecca asked and Charlie couldn't decide if she wanted her wife to be quiet… or keep going because it was so hot seeing her stand up to authority!

"Very much. I have friends in many agencies… I could put in a call to Child Services right now and rip your daughter out of your hands like that!" He snapped his fingers in front of Rebecca's face, the woman going pale at the threat. "Plenty of people who would think she needs to be raised in a more stable home. Of course I could misplace some paper work, get her sent to juvie by mistake… we'd get it cleared up eventually but well… you know how the government is." He leaned in. "So… a bit more respect?"

Charlie let out a blast of air through her nose. No one… NO ONE… threatened her family.

"Oh, don't like that, do you?" Simmons said as he spotted Charlie glaring at him. "Well, I don't like people lying to me during a matter of national importance. So how about you stop playing games and tell me where Samuel Witwicky is?"

"Now hold on!" Judy said only for Charlie to hold out a hand.

"May I ask one question?" she asked with mock sweetness.

Simmons smirked. "You may."

"Sector 7 still follow standard protocol that all operations on the field have comms open to base including an agent whose sole job is to respond to codes such as Charlie Five Niner Niner Delta Six Alpha?"

"…what?" Simmons asked, confused.

Charlie merely looked at her watch. "Hmmm… thirty seconds I think, assuming he isn't up."

The agent glared at her. "What did you-"

Simmons' phone rang.

"Good, he's awake already," Charlie said sweetly.

The agent glared at her before pulling out his phone. "This is Seymour-" He paused. "Sir, this isn't-" He didn't finish, instead swallowing before holding out his phone and pressing the Speakerphone button.

"Hello Charlie," a familiar voice said.

"General Burns," she said. "Been a while."

"I believe the last time we spoke you said you had no interest in working with Sector 7."

"That was before your agent, Mr. Simmons, threatened to take my daughter away and imprison her. So now you have a pissed off woman who happens to be the Cybertronians' sole link to humanity standing here wondering if I should tell them to avoid collateral damage."

The phone was silent.

"Simmons?"

"Yes sir?" the agent said.

"Give the phone to Charlie and walk outside before I decide to bust you down to JANITORIAL!" Simmons practically threw the phone at Charlie before he fled. Once he was gone General Jack Burns let out a sigh. "Why am I not surprised that when we get NB Signals, two confirmed attacks, and half of the world's Internet hacked that you are involved?"

"My kid got involved… I guess it runs in the family," Charlie said pleasantly. "Bee's here, by the way. With his family. Now… we can go about this like idiots… or we can actually talk like adults. Human and robot."

"…up for a ride to the Hover Dam?"