A/N: I am back to this story, y'all! I do apologize for the long absence. I still do not own Transformers or G.I. Joe, but ah well, I'm still going to play with their stuff.

Chapter 2- Loud & Clear

Jackson Darby has done many things in his life. He's stood up to evil robots bent on conquering and/or destroying his world numerous times. He has kept Miko in check too many times to count, keeping the energetic teenager from running off into the Ground Bridge after the Autobots. He has traveled to another planet with a sacred relic of an alien race in his grasp, using it to restore arguably one of the universe's greatest defenders.

This, though? For this, Jack has no idea what to do.

It's ironic, in a way. Jack's life changed the day he stopped to admire a lovely motorcycle parked out in front of his job (a job he has now left behind because he starts work alongside Agent Fowler in two weeks), and what do you know? Someone else is admiring his ride.

Except this someone is a she- and she is pretty. Dark, brown hair runs to just above her shoulders, framing a heart-shaped face and dark eyes, which look over his motorcycle with a practiced eye- clearly, this girl knows her way around vehicles.

Oh, and she's pretty- and Jack's entire body refuses to cooperate, frozen in place by the door to school.

What do I do? Uh, Optimus, a little help here!

To Jack's surprise and relief, Optimus responds immediately. What is wrong, Jack?

There's a girl examining Arcee.

Hmmm… has this girl figured out that the motorcycle is more than meets the eye?

No, but… I want to talk to her, but I have no idea what to say-

There is a sound that Jack will swear to his deathbed sounds like laughter, but that can't be right, because Optimus Prime doesn't laugh.

Jack, do not worry. This girl seems familiar with automobiles. A common interest, I hear, is an excellent conversation starter.

You sure about this?

How do you think I managed to attract someone like Elita? We discovered that we have similar tastes in music through conversation. Things… went from there.

Images appear in Jack's mind of two robots dancing slowly as music he can't really identify plays. Got it. Common interests.

And remember- stay calm. This isn't a battle. She looks like someone you ought to get to know, regardless of feelings. Go on, Jack.

Jack takes a deep breath and strides over, using his key fob to make his bike's lights flash.

"So… you like wheels, too?"

The girl jumps a little, startled, almost dropping her backpack in the process. "Sorry, I just… that's a really nice bike you have there."

"Yeah, I really lucked out on finding this one." That's not a lie, Jack muses. "I'm sorry, I didn't catch your name," the teenager extends a hand in formal greeting. "Jackson Darby- everyone calls me Jack."

"Charlie," the girl- Charlie- says, extending her own hand to shake Jack's. "Charlie Watson."

"I think I've heard of you," Jack says, before realizing that yes, indeed he has. "The diver girl, right?"

"Yeah, yeah!" Charlie answers. "I'm practicing for a meet this Saturday."

"Really? I'll have to stop in- I think my mom's helping out at the event."

"They do have to have an ambulance on standby for these kinds of things, just in case," Charlie mentions. "Thankfully, I've not needed it yet- my dad taught me well."

"That's… that's good," Jacks says, leaning against his bike- a motion that Charlie copies. "So, your dad's a diver, I take it?"

"Kind of," Charlie shrugs. "He likes the water, and I got that from him. But what about you?" Charlie asks. "Any sports?"

"Well," Jack starts, thinking about just how he is going to phrase his answer. "I do a lot of running- mainly to stay in shape, not quite as an athlete." Memories of running from Decepticons bounce across his mind. Yeah, that works.

"Nice," Charlie nods, before scowling at her phone. "Crap, my mom can't come pick me up! She's going to be staying very late at work!"

"What does your mom do?"

"She's a nurse, too."

"Huh… have our moms met?"

"What's your mom's name?" Charlie asks.

"June."

"…nope, that doesn't ring any bells."

"Darn," Jack mutters, secretly relieved. "Anyway, want a ride home?"

"You sure? I don't have a helmet-"

"Ah, it's fine. I can just give you mine. I'm a safe driver." Except for all the times I'm not, but those don't count…

"Okay then," Charlie agrees. "Let's go."

Wrapping herself around Jack proves slightly trickier because of the backpack, but Charlie manages it- and Jack both finds that he likes the feeling of Charlie's arms around him and tries to keep the thoughts of whatever else those hands could be doing out of his mind-

No worries, Jack. I have daydreams of Elita doing much the same.

Jack looks straight ahead and hopes that Charlie can't see him blush.

It is on the way back to Omega-1 that Arcee decides to speak.

"So… Charlie is also a girl's name, huh?"

"I guess," Jack mutters distractedly.

"She seems nice, Jack. You should ask her out next time you meet."

"Arcee!"

"What? I'm just giving you advice. I promise not to embarrass you too badly."

"…we'll see…." Jack concedes. "But just how, exactly, do I tell her about, well, you?"

"One thing at a time, Jack. First things first- you gotta ask her out. Learn what she likes, what she doesn't like, that sort of thing. Who knows? You could double up with Duke and June."

Jack can't help but look horrified at the suggestion of going on a double date with his mom being part of the other couple. Arcee, for her part, laughs all the way back to base.

Optimus' massive frame can be seen in the computer bank. On the screen directly in front of him, a terrain readout can be seen, with markers designating the locations of the Joes. Oh, right, Jack remembers. The Joes are fugitives trying to take down a Cobra thing. Jack himself really doesn't care about this Cobra that the Joes keep saying is bad news. He's looked Decepticons in the eye before- a snake-themed conglomerate pales in comparison.

"Standby, Duke," Scarlett can be heard over their comm, "I make two headed your way."

"Copy, Scarlett. Thanks."

Jack turns away. He's walked into the base with the Joes' radio chatter on at various points over the past few months, so he climbs up the stairs to the lounge, where his mother sits with a steaming mug in her hands.

"Hey, Jack," June greets Jack as he sits down on the couch next to her. "How was school?"

"Eh, the usual," Jack shrugs. "English teacher is being a d-"

"Language!" June admonishes.

Jack winces in embarrassment. "…a not-so-nice person again, but ah well."

Arcee transforms into her robot form and leans into the lounge a little. "We also gave a pretty girl a ride home today."

"Arcee!" Jack screeches, but it's too late- June has given Jack a patented Tell Me Everything look. "A girl, hmm? What's her name?"

"Charlie," Jack sighs in defeat.

"Charlie… What all did you talk about?"

"Eh, not a whole lot. She's on the swim team- diver. Interested in motorcycles. She was eyeing up Arcee."

"Oh ho," June smiles, "is that right? Did you get her number?"

"I did. We traded numbers, agreed to hang out again sometime."

"That's my boy," June beams, pulling Jack in for a motherly hug. Over her shoulder, Optimus Prime winks at Jack, a small smile pulling at one corner of his mouth. Optimus also gives Jack a thumbs-up before going back to his work.

Work that is interrupted a few moments later when the deep space alarm sounds.

Something is approaching the Earth. Something Cybertronian.

Optimus immediately mutes the Joes' chatter and glances over to another screen. An Autobot signal is moving through space, having just cleared the asteroid belt.

Optimus sends out a hail to the coming vessel.

"Unknown vessel, this is Autobot outpost Omega-1. Please identify yourself and transmit security codes for verification."

"Orion? Is that you?"

Optimus Prime- Orion Pax- freezes. That voice is… is… her.

"Elita?"

"Elita?"

"YES!" Elita-One bursts out, unable to contain her joy. After all these light-years and stellar cycles…

However, such outbursts are not Standard Operating Procedure (Elita can feel Ultra Magnus' Gaze of Disapproval burrowing into her head from behind) and the purple-painted femme quickly recovers.

"Yes, Optimus Prime. This is Elita-One, in command of the Solus' Sorrow. We picked up your message but were unable to respond right then due to interference from the asteroid field in this system. Security codes are already being transmitted." From a console just in front of her, a smaller, green-painted femme looks back and nods in confirmation.

"Acknowledged, Commander. Your codes match. In a moment, a series of coordinates should arrive. Please direct your ships to the coordinates. Welcome home, Autobots."

"Good to be back, sir. See you planetside."

A moment later, Elita tries her long-dormant bond with her sparkmate. Orion, you there?

I am here, my love. How lovely it is to feel your Spark's hum again.

Elita smiles dreamily. The world around her falls away, until all that is left is her and Orion Pax.

Still look the same as before?

Somewhat. I scanned a vehicle altmode in an effort to blend in on this planet. There is life here, Elita, and it is… rather developed.

Accompanying this is an image of the vehicle- all red, blue, and looking rather strong. Elita sighs happily. It suits you. You'll have to help me find a disguise of my own. After a… proper reunion, of course.

Oh, but of course! Optimus Prime replies. It has been far too long, but do not worry- I haven't lost my touch.

Elita flat out giggles in anticipation. She got Optimus Prime to use a contraction in a sentence- she's gotten to him.

Now… can we go any faster?

If you like this story, be sure to leave a Review down below, and head on over to my Profile for more stories!