Author's Notes: Formally called "Life Deals Twisting Changes" but has been renamed. Set just as the 1st movie ends. Originally was just going to be a story about how the woman reacted when Ironhide jumped over her but then grew to something much bigger. I will be adding characters from G1 and perhaps Armada. Neither the second nor third movie will play a role, but some of the characters will.

Twist of Fate
Chapter 1 – Life Crashes

It started out as a typical morning for Katherine Lennox as she began her workday. She had brushed her long dark brown hair, thinking she'd put it up, but it didn't take her long to change her mind. Dressed in the new teal green dress her boyfriend gave her for her birthday before kissing her boyfriend good-bye. If she thought that today was going to be the last time, she'd ever see him alive, she would have taken the day off and spend the day with him. But who could predict life would throw such a life changing curve ball?

She worked for one of Mission City's newspaper companies as a reporter, a great reporter. There were three major newspaper companies in the city. She was so good that her co-workers would tease her by calling her Lois Lane. She was not a big fan of Superman therefore would shrug off the teasing and say something sarcastic, like 'you got to do, what you got to do'. She knew the teasing was harmless, in fact she would get involved with the teasing sometimes by yelling 'Superman, help'. Her co-workers would laugh as she would jump on a desk and look like she was about to fall off. But shortly afterwards her boss would barge in the room, saying 'this is a paper not a Broadway play'. Everyone would sober up and go back to their respected areas.

As Katherine walked into the newsroom, she quickly grabbed her white blazer, as it was a little cool with the air conditioner on. Taking a seat at her desk, she tried to turn on her computer, but it would not compute. Others tried the same thing, with no luck. She cursed and slammed her hand against the tower.

"Katherine!" her boss boomed, as he walked out of his office. "Don't slam company equipment."

"So, what are we to do?" she asked. "How am I going to get my story done?"

"Listen up people," the boss yelled over the newsroom, getting everyone's attention from either cursing or about to hit something. "We're in a worldwide communication black out. It happened in the middle of the night. Or at least that is what I believe. We must do things the old-fashioned way. Break out the typewriters and type your stories. We'll have to manually print out the newspaper. So, let's get to it. Katherine, you get out there and find as much information as you can about this black out."

"What about my story?"

"Save it for another day. This is more important. Now get moving."

"Yes, sir," she mockingly saluted. She quickly turned away and walked to the elevators, making her way towards the underground garage. Just before the elevator doors closed, she could hear groans and moans about having to do things the hard way.

When she got to the underground garage, she saw the night security guards, chatting with the day ones. The six guards notice Katherine's approach.

"Miss Lennox," one of them asked. "What is going on? I just saw you a few moments ago and you were bragging about your story that needs to get done today."

"A worldwide communication black out. Apparently, the virus the military began to advertise yesterday has finally taken affect."

"Damn," one of the daytime guards said. "Where are you off to?"

"To find out what more information I can get."

"Well Lois Lane then better get going then," a night guard said.

"Oh yes," Katherine whipped her hair around. "Where's Superman when I need him?"

The security officers chuckled. She walked away, making her way towards her car to hopefully find some answers.

Explosions were everywhere as Katherine ran. Giant robots were fighting in the middle of the city. Dirt smudges smeared across her face and her nice shinny hair was now flat and dull. Long ago she lost her blazer when the firefight began. She had tried her best to run from the robots, but she couldn't make it. She had tripped and fallen debris from a building. Getting up to her knees, a sudden blast of weapons fire was aimed directly in her direction.

Another vehicle, driving at top speed, came from the opposite direction. It suddenly changed before going airborne. When it was done changing, she noticed it was another giant robot. It jumped into the air and somersaulted over her. An ear-piercing scream escaped her throat as she thought she was going to be crushed. She was too petrified to move.

The sound of her scream was cut off as it moved over her. It got on the other side of her and she was able to get a good look at his face. She barely heard the words that were said by the robot.

"Run!" It said.

She felt faint but knew now wasn't the time. Realizing if she didn't move, she would be killed. Taking a deep breath, Katherine jumped to her feet and rushed away from the scene as quick as her body would let her. Not bothering to look behind her, she continued running until making it to an alleyway, far enough away from the fighting. Sounds of the fight still could be heard. Folding her legs straight up to her face. This was not her day.

After what seemed like forever, the battle cries lowered down and before long no longer could be heard. No more weapons fire. No more crashing into buildings. It was completely silent expect for some faint cries from the citizens. Everything just seemed to stop like turning off a movie. But this was no movie, this was real.

Wanting to get away from the nightmare, Katherine slowly made her way out of her hiding spot and into the street. To her horror, building debris and dead bodies scattered all over the place. Not too far where she stood, three giant robots were left standing. Another one was strapped to a tow truck and two teenagers were standing beside it. The tallest one was holding on to what looked like another robot, but it was in two pieces.

As she looked around, she saw some military officers. In the middle of the officers and to her surprise she saw her brother, Captain Lennox. She gasped before shouting her brother's name. "Oh my god! Will! You're alive!"

Captain Lennox turned to the sound to see a woman slowly walking towards him. It didn't take him long to recognize whom the woman was. Even with the dirt smears all over her face, he'd be able to recognize his little sister anywhere. He quickly sighed in relief as he dropped his gun and ran to her. Just as he pulled her into an embrace, her legs gave out. She was safe, his little sister was safe.

"You're safe, I'm so glad," he whispered. "I was afraid you were in a rubble."

She began to cry with relief. "No, I was sent out of find out why the worldwide black out."

"Good."

She pulled away with fear in her eyes. Her eyes showed the question.

"Part of your newspaper was destroyed. I don't know if there were casualties."

"I have to go to them." She tried to get strength into her legs to pull away, but he wouldn't let her go.

"It's too dangerous, right now. Let the military handle it. Besides what you have witnessed, other media will be on your backside and right now, we don't know what to say about what happened?

"Just that some GIANT robots just tore across this city like a tsunami!" She snapped, getting the others attention.

Over behind them, voices were heard on who the woman was and one of Lennox's team members answered they were family.

"Katherine!" Captain Lennox blurted and then sighed. She needed to understand what was going on. She could not publicize what really happened. He grasped her hand and began to pull her towards the giant robots. "If you allow me, I will introduce you to the 'giant' robots, the good guys."

"Excuse me!?" she blinked, forcing him to stop. "Are you telling me, there were bad guys?"

Lennox nodded. "Yes. But as you know..."

"Yeah, yeah... classified," she huffed.

He nodded once again and continued walking. "I want you to meet the good guys." When he was close enough to the robots, his hands wrapped around her waist so she wouldn't bolt.

"Everyone," Lennox began. "Meet my sister, Katherine. Katherine these guys are known as the Autobots."

Katherine began to tremble as she noticed all eyes were on her. She carefully looked at each one. When she came to Ironhide, her eyes widened. She recognized the face. She trembled more as she pointed a finger towards him. "That…I met."

Optimus looked up from the girl to his weapons specialist. He had a questionable gaze.

Ironhide looked at his leader. "While still in my alt mode, one of the Decepticons attacked. I just happened to transform while she was crouched on the ground, blocking the path of missiles. It was then, Jazz attacked him."

Optimus nodded. "Well Katherine," he began. "My name is Optimus Prime and these are my men. Ironhide, which you already met, Ratchet my medic and there on the toe truck is Bumblebee."

Katherine looked at the robot strapped to the truck. She opened her mouth to ask why he was there. But she noticed he had no legs.

"This is going to be one hell of a story."

Lennox quickly turned to his sister. "No! You cannot print anything in the papers about this. Nothing!"

"But William," she protested. She forced herself away from her brother. "I'm a reporter. That's what I do."

"Look, if you print anything that has happened here, other forces will come and attack."

"I have to. This is story worthy! If I don't, some other paper will."

"I don't mean to interrupt," Optimus intervened. He knelt to be more eye level to the two humans. "I must agree with your brother. What happened here can not be publicized. We may have won the battle, but not the war. The Decepticons will return with reinforcements. For the time being, they have fled to regroup. If word were to get out, the Decepticons will no doubt twist everything to their advantage. I cannot and will not let that happen. Not all humans will be considerate. Bumblebee already has been subjected to it."

Sam walked up to the woman. "Trust me," he said. "Bee was treated as a lab rat. Not to mention Megatron was held in stasis by a secret government agency, studying him. "This…" he swung his arms around, indicating the city. "May not have happened if that secret government was more opened. The Autobots could have prevented this destruction."

"Then what do I tell me readers?" she asked, not liking the words the teen was saying

"For now, you must sit silent," Captain Lennox said. In the distance, sirens were heard, coming closer. He turned back to Optimus. "You guys better split; the local authorities will be here momentarily. The public is not ready to hear alien invasions let alone 30 feet intelligent robots."

Optimus stood. "Autobots Transform!"

Just as soon as there were two cars, Optimus picked up the remains of Jazz, sliding them into Ratchet's back before transforming himself. Sam looked at Optimus, in vehicle mode. "Once we brace Bee's legs, so they don't scratch anymore of the ground, Mikaela and I will take up the rear."

"Be quick. We'll meet you just on the outskirts of the city."

"Wait," Lennox said just as they were about to pull out. "Take my sister. The police will ask her a lot of questions. Questions, she cannot answer."

"Ironhide," Optimus commanded. "Take the woman."

"Yes, sir." The door to the GMC Topkick truck swung open.

To shocked from their transformation, to say anything, Katherine moved away from her brother and slowly climbed in. She was not impressed the tallest robot agreed she couldn't print anything. For the time being it was probably best to just go with the flow. She almost jumped in fright as the truck sped off down the street.

The three Autobots quickly made their way down a street, disappearing into the crowds of vehicles still trying to flee the scene. In about 10 minutes, Ironhide noticed the toe truck coming up behind him. He was taking the rear. He quickly slowed down, giving the toe truck time to catch up and allowed them to move ahead.

As they began to near the end of the city, a man suddenly appeared in Ironhide's driver seat. Again, Katherine jumped.

"It's only a hologram," Ironhide said. "This way, we can mislead your authorities."

The sound came from all around her, but the hologram did not move. She cautiously moved her hand and waved at the hologram. She jumped as her hand moved through the hologram. Katherine quickly huddled herself against the door. A clicking noise distracted her as the doors locked. She looked up with surprise.

"It's for your protection," he sighed. The human was vastly annoying him. Luckily, he didn't have to watch the woman. Yes, he could feel her and sense her trembling, but he had to concentrate on the road. For the moment, he couldn't watch the her and the road at the same time. Normally it'd be no problem, but the hologram was slightly taxing on his energy reserves. In the few short days since arriving, he had no time to really work on the hologram.

When the Autobots were far enough outside the city, they came to a stop. This allowed time for the humans to catch their breath. Once Katherine was able to step out of the truck, she took a seat on the side of the road.

"Are you alright?" Sam asked, as he approached the trembling woman.

She looked at the boy. "I don't know. I mean I was just driving in a truck that can drive itself and a hologram appeared in the driver's seat."

Mikaela felt sympathy for the woman. "I know how you feel. When Sam and I met Bumblebee, it wasn't on best terms. I was freaked but quickly got over it. See Bumblebee first appeared as a 1977 Camaro, but soon changed after a quick snide remark from me. It soon became apparent for me to change my perspective on him and we didn't even know his name yet. Soon we met the rest of the Autobots."

Katherine looked up suddenly. "Where are we?"

"We're just outside the city?" Optimus answered. "Why do you ask?"

Katherine's eyes widened suddenly. She glanced around to where a bunch of vehicles were parked on the side of the road. "My boyfriend works for a road construction and he's supposed to be working." With wide eyes, she bolted off the ground and rushed over to one of the vehicles.

Noting it was unlocked, she climbed and drove off before anyone could say a word. She ignored the two teens as they yelled her name. She had to find out.

"She's getting away!" Ironhide yelled.

"Ironhide go after her!" Optimus commanded. "Autobots move!"

The two teens quickly climbed back into the tow truck and moved as best as they could off the road, allowing Ironhide to zoom past them.

He revved his engine, chasing after her. A mile down the road, he caught up with her. However due to her position in the road, he had to slam on his emergency brakes and swear towards the shoulder. With such a high need to brake, it was apparent he was going to flip. Preventing himself from doing so, he transformed.

Surveying the area, a look of shock marred on his face. The car Katherine stole was in the middle of the road, front tires swerved to veer towards the left lane. Front door was wide open with Katherine standing on the other side of the car; horrified appearance on her face.

To his surprising optics, a construction crew were scattered all over and it was not a pretty sight. Scorched bodies were everywhere with some draped over equipment, while others laid face down in fresh new asphalt. The entire area looked as though a small torpedo struck the surface, causing a shockwave.

Tears fell from Katherine's eyes as she scanned the area for any life. Her eyes fell on one person and with a gasp she ran over to that one person and started to sob uncontrollably.

"All dead," Ironhide mumbled as he watched Katherine towards a fallen human. The other Autobots soon came up behind Ironhide and they were just as shocked.

"My god," Sam whispered as he and Mikaela got out of the toe truck just as Optimus transformed, walking over to Ironhide. "It's like a massacre out of a horror movie."

"From the looks of it," Optimus began sadly. "This is the work of the Decepticons just after we reached the city."

Mikaela looked up to the leader. "I don't understand. Why would they attack here? We arrived from the other side."

Ratchet was the only Autobot to remain in vehicle mode. "Either the Decepticons changed their tactic, which is pretty often, or Starscream did this himself."

"What is she doing?" Bumblebee asked. Though he had been grateful that he was able to speak again, he wished he couldn't right now.

"It would seem she...," Optimus paused a moment, "has found someone in amongst this mess."

"Optimus," Sam looked up. "We need to get out of here. The local authorities may show soon. They may already know about this destruction."

Optimus looked down to the boy. "Sam, we need to give the woman some time to herself. Much has happened to her today." An idea suddenly had come to mind. "Ironhide?" he called.

Ironhide turned to look at his leader.

"We shall keep going. Meet up with us as soon as you can. The local Authorities will be here soon."

"Understood sir," he answered. He gave his leader a quick salute before he saw his teammates transform and leave. The two teens climbed into the tow truck and left as well. Now that it was him and the woman if would be easier, or at least that is what Ironhide thought.

When he finally got to the woman, she was draped over a fallen man, crying hysterically. She didn't care that blood was smearing into her clothes or even on her skin.

Ironhide noticed a piece of heavy equipment pinned the man to the ground. He scanned the man, Katherine cried over, astonished to find how bad the body was disgruntled. The man's right hand was twisted, pointing in the opposite way. His legs were crushed under the heavy machinery, which was a hot roller for asphalt. His neck was broken in two places. A sharp object was sticking out of his chest, just below the human heart, blood seeping out.

Ironhide realized the object had struck a lung. Thanks to the World Wide Web, he learnt humans had two lungs and if one is puncture, one could live, but with difficulty breathing. What surprised him the most though, the man was still breathing, barely and he was trying to speak but the words could barely be made out.

"Katherine," the man barely whispered.

She lifted her head. "Charles?" she wept

"I love…you…" he looked above Katherine and saw the giant robot.

Ironhide looked down at the man, stunned the dying man's eyes didn't even flinch.

"Take…care…of…heeeeeeeeeer..."

His eyes rolled to the back of his head and closed for the final time. Katherine screamed, crying even more hysterically.

Ironhide cautiously knelt beside the woman but something caught his attention. His optics zoomed in on the thing that was covered in blood. It only took him a moment to realize it was a tattoo on his left shoulder. His optics then widened. The tattoo was the Autobot signet.

Ignoring the woman for the moment, he scanned the machine on the dead man and could see the name of the construction crew. Opening his browser, he began a search of the company. In moments, the research brought up files on each employee. Scanning through, he stopped when a file popped up with the same name Katherine called out.

Needing to do a wide search about Charles, he continued to ignore the grieving woman. In moments he found everything he could about the man until coming upon a top-secret file. Only needing seconds to hack in, which would take a normal person days if not weeks to hack into, Ironhide found the man was found by the military as an infant in what looked to like an incubator with a symbol on his left shoulder. The military had sent the infant to a local family who was raised as one of their own children. No one ever questioned his unusual marking. He now needed to speak with Optimus but not when Katherine was around. At the thought of Katherine, his attention returned to the sobbing woman.

Carefully, a large metal finger lightly touched her back in a comforting gesture. He opened his browser once again and began to search for ways to calm the woman down. He came across a website able to download music. He carefully picked some music that was said to help people when they were stressed. When the music was downloaded, it began to softly play from his radio.

As soothing instrumental music filled her ears, Katherine slowly realized the music was coming from somewhere above her. She was all worn out from crying. Her sobs turned to sniffles, but tears continued to fall. Her voice was completely lost from crying.

"I too lost someone I loved too," Ironhide started, attentively. "Her name was Chromia. She was lost to me by the Decepticons."

She continued to silently sob over her lost boyfriend, no longer able to scream in hysterics, as Ironhide continued to gently rub her back. How he was able to it, she didn't know.

"Also, a dear friend of mine was lost today. You saw him being held by Optimus. He was known as Jazz and he was the second Lieutenant. He lost his life fighting Megatron."

In the distance, Ironhide could hear sirens. It was time to get out of there. "I do not want to rush you. But we need to get out of here. I can't be seen."

Katherine would not move, and it frustrated the Autobot as the sirens drew closer. With an angered sigh, he transformed. It would have been too easy to just pick her up and get away but he really couldn't hold her while transforming into his alt mode At least the authorities will be able to make her move.

"Good god," Ironhide heard someone say. He noted through his mirrors, watching as a medical team quickly came on to the scene there was also another group. He read the letters on their vests saying 'CSI'. He had no idea what the letters meant.

"Excuse me, miss."

Ironhide noticed he was wearing a police uniform.

She slowly raised her head and glared at the man.

"Any idea what happened here?"

"The same thing that happened in the city?" she whispered hoarsely.

Ironhide looked and saw Captain Lennox stepping out of a vehicle.

The cop looked at the military officer. "This is a massacre."

"That I will agree with." Lennox looked very saddened, but he had to be an officer first. With a deep breath, expression turning into a stone cold one. "She has to get out of here."

Another officer came up behind Katherine and pulled her off the dead man. Finding her vocals, she began to scream and struggle. Her struggling was making it extremely difficult for the officer to pull her away. If it weren't for the matter of her being grief stricken, she probably would have been arrested.

"He's dead," the cop yelled. "We have to secure the scene."

"Charles! Charles!" she continued to scream.

"Damn..." Lennox groaned, quickly moving towards the hysterical woman. Reaching her, he commanded the officer to release her. Before she had a chance to rush back to the body, Lennox heft her up over his shoulder, carrying her away from the scene.

Each person there, cringed at her kicking and screaming. No one noticed as the nearby black truck passenger door opened, allowing Lennox to put his sister in. He barely got her in, before the door slammed shut and locked. She tried to push the door open but to no avail. Lennox moved towards one of his officers for a moment and then went back over to the truck, getting in the driver's seat. The engine revved and carefully the vehicle made its way away from the scene.

Once Ironhide was far enough away, he gunned it to meet up with the others. To drown out the heavy sobs, he blared his music loud enough, making Lennox having to open the window. Eventually Katherine's screams slowed and in time the cab of the truck was silent. Enjoying the silence, Lennox leaned his head back. He knew his sister had fallen asleep from exhaustion.

"What happened?" he asked quietly, not looking up to the road.

"Once out of the city," replied the truck from within. "We stopped to calm the adreline. She must have realized we were near the construction crew. Stealing a car, she drove a mile. I tried to stop her. Who was he?"

"Her boyfriend. They met ten years ago while she was in journalism school. Unlike the rest of the family, she chose a different lifestyle. They had been living together for the past three years."

"Well that explains the heavy resistance. I've heard of humans doing that, but never thought I'd see it firsthand."

"Grief will do that. Where are you the others?"

"Knowing your local law enforcement would soon arrive, Optimus left me with her to later catch up."

"Where are you to meet up with them?"

"Optimus will send me the coordinates. All he wants to do right now is get away from prying eyes."

"I agree," Lennox said. "She'll probably sleep most of the way there."

"What was it that she called you?"

"William but she has always called me Will. I told my teammates to contact me when we are to be debriefed. In the meantime, I'm going to see to the well being of my sister. She has lost much today." He sighed. "Listen... what are you called again?"

"Ironhide."

"Ironhide. With everything I've just been through in the last several days, you think we can just have it quiet?"

"Fine with me. You already dealt with the Decepticons before we even arrived here. And after her screaming, my audio receptors could use a break."

The rest of the drive was silent as Ironhide drove towards the setting of the sun. He had a long drive ahead of him and wasn't going to stop unless he had to. He wanted to be with his other comrades before his female passenger woke. He didn't want to deal with another screaming fit as his audio receptors could be damaged and he didn't want to be stuck in the infirmary any more than he had to.

He was annoyed at the woman but felt sorry for her. Her loss reminded him of the day he lost his mate, Chromia. It had happened before Megatron left to chase after the All Spark. Of course, Megatron was the one who ordered the hit to be done in the first place and it was someone else who took her life, but it might as well have been Megatron who pulled the trigger.

His thoughts were interrupted when the passenger seat jolted. The woman was in discomfort and she was slightly shaking. Slowly, he tilted the seat downward, making her a bit more comfortable. Lennox reached to the back, grabbing his backpack. Unzipping the pack, he pulled out a small blanket and draped it over the woman. He sat back in his seat and relaxed; waiting for nightfall to hit so he could sleep. The crisis was over and now he could take a moment to grieve over his comrades who died in Qatar and Mission City.