Queen's Notes: Okay, so, this was not what I meant to do for this chapter but it happened in a day. I'm rolling with it because I found a muse and I like the former throw away background character.

Also I'm evil, mwahahaha!

Just A Stray, Just A Cover

Chapter 18

Pitstop

It was an odd feeling suddenly, standing there in the middle of the 24 hour mart for the store associate.

It was nearly two in the morning, and quiet enough that Edd could hear the clicking and buzzing of the overhead fluorescent light. Only from this part of the old building, the last part to be remodeled after the new construction to expand the business. The odd blue tint that came from the old style of lighting gave an eerie tint to the fishing supplies, the assorted baits Edd was stalking.

Not nearly as eerie as the black voids some of the windows were at this time of night, but the man tried everything he could to not think of that. Or all the rumors of ghosts and hauntings that flew during the safety of the day. He knew he was some form of hypocrite as he helped fuel those stories with his own accounts.

That was during the day though.

Edd knew he was horrible, new he teased the part-timers about being too spooked sometimes. He knew that he knew there were ghosts, spirits, whatever you wanted to call them. Too many had died in their parking lot or the few sad souls back behind the building in the camp ground that was attached to the business. From wild animal attacks, old age, one drug case and a couple things that had been claimed to be animal attacks but...

Well, you did not live near an eerie old forest for all your life without knowing there were sometimes things you could not explain. Claw marks that were too big for bears and oddly clean cuts...

Edd shook his head and focused on his task at hand. Counting the small jars of simulated fish eggs on the shelf and in the boxes on his U-boat. The man never understood how the bright green balls were tasty to fish, but he was not a fish. The repetitive actions of counting, facing, making sure all types in this brand were neat all helped to keep things calm in his mind.

The man recounted to be sure what was on the shelves and left in that box, noting it down for his official weekly count and his own personal counts of the day that helped Edd stay organized. It was one of the things that the owners was grateful for, as Edd was always on top of what was low, what was a higher seller at what time of year and what things they did not have to order much of.

Bait was almost always one of those things they needed, and this isle was also one of the things that Edd took pied in keeping updated. He liked keeping his store, even if it seemed to get a new addition to the building every year, organized. Though the man would admit that switching over to night shift after 15 years had been good for his mental health.

There was fewer people, his shift was longer but the couple that owned the business made sure he had two to three days off. Plus a brief 'call in only time' that was basically letting Edd lock up and take a cat nap if needed. This job that was supposed to be his starter had turned into something better than his old sixteen year old self would never have imagined.

Edd smiled as he realized he had finished the bait section and though the old lights still gave things a little of an odd edge… He felt better.

Maybe the possible ghost had just been passing by.

The man glanced up as he grasped the U-boat's closer handle. Edd wondered when the store would switch to something more contemporary than this old thing even as he walked closer to the end-cap display that had caught his attention earlier in the day. Night. The rest of the supplies were to reduce the cap with some lighter things, such as kids' kites and bubble wands. Schools were going to get out any day now, vacations to the assorted campgrounds and the park trails...

Squee-AAK!

Edd force at the unexpected sound of one of the squeaky toys from the other side of the store. Closer to the doors that lead outside and to the gas station and some of the black windows. There was a soft giggle of someone young, and despite himself he felt his heart possibly sputter to a stop for a moment of horror.

There was no sound for a moment or two, and just as Edd was about to move it happened again.

Sqwe-eee-AAK!

Giggles.

He looked around confused as he was not expecting to hear a child this late. Either a little girl or a really young boy. For a moment Edd wondered if it was real, as the whole store felt eerie again. Maybe just being in this older part with the old lights washing out everything.

Edd was definitely wide awake again as he quietly set down the box off bubble wands. He took a deep breath, scanned the windows that he could see, but…

But he could not see what was on the gas station side of the business. There was someone over there, it was Abigail's domain where the mart- groceries side was his own at night. There was no ghost, not without checking. Someone might have come through the passage between the two buildings... Edd had worked almost a half an hour on his doors and Abby's to make sure that god awful screeching that the doors picked up in the last construction had stopped.

He probably just did it too well.

Right.

Edd realized he had not moved from the endcap or that the U-boat full of stalk was not as good as a cover as he was trying to make it seem. The man made himself step out from behind it and walk to the small pet section, scanning down the isles he had already stalked and cleaned.

He spotted three spots that were not neatly lined up like he let them. Noticing the bright colors of the boxes- pool/river/water toys.

Trying to keep the creeping feeling out of his spine, Edd turned down the aisle to pets. And that creep feeling rocketed right up as he caught a glimpse of movement going around the far corner about fifteen or twenty feet off.

That back wall where the 'back stalk' of plushies and stuffies for kids and dogs were kept as if they meant to and did not have room for them anywhere else.

Edd felt his left eye twitch, he could not remember right then if there were any children ghosts on the property. That shadow of movement had been very small and child size.

The man back tracked and saw something more human-like, and a glimpse of red hair as the possible spirit child, possible real child moved along the back wall staring at the plushies. That chance of real child though slim at this time of the night had Edd walking down the aisle.

He hoped to the gods that it was not something bad, but Edd was sure there were no black eyed children in this area.

Right?

Edd leaned around the end and saw a child yes, small and lean. Not quite willowy but like that growing stage he knew from his nieces. She hald semi short red hair, not really a mess just messy as kids sometimes had not long after getting their hair brushed. She was not that big, probably no older than his oldest niece at nine, if not about eight Edd judged.

Just in case, Edd kept his voice soft and calm as he called out, "Hi there kiddo, looking for something."

He was never more reassured to see startled green eyes look over at him. It was a girl, in a long sleeve blue shirt, and what looked like warm dark green pajama bottoms. She was holding one of the stuffy fish, almost as long as her arms. The startled expression and posture turned visibly from interest to startled to wary-shyness.

"Are you looking for something? Or someone?" Edd tried again, crouching down onto his heals as he smiled. Ready to ask about her parents as he saw the bright green eyes turn up to the top shelves. Edd looked up and followed her gaze to the plushies up there. "Do you want to look at one of them?"

The girl nodded without saying anything.

Not that Edd was fully expecting anything, not all kids were the nightmare kind, and he had met plenty of the shy quiet types before. He stood up and reached for the three semi large stuffed dinos, where he thought she had looked, "These?"

Hesitating a moment the girl nodded and pointed to the black and yellow striped one that Edd thought looked like a carno...if a bit derpy. But seeing the girl light up as he brought it down and offered it had Edd smiling.

The girl seemed to relax a bit, taking the plush to hug. Ducking her head for the all important test if it was soft against the face and seemed to smile into the plush when she peeked up.

"...thank you..." it was soft and low, barely heard but there.

Edd smiled as he crouched again, "You're welcome sweetie. Where's your parents? Mom? Dad?"

The girl frowned, hesitating a moment as she looked around. And in that honest way of kids she corrected him in the soft voice. "I don't have momma anymore."

Edd tried not to wince and instead tried, "You're dad?"

Again a moment of confusion before she hesitantly said. "He's getting some food?"

There we go. Single dad it sounded like, so he should be… Edd glanced over to where the main path in his mart was. If someone was quiet on their feet and did not have a cart it was not impossible to walk past him in the fishing nook of the store. More so with the stalk boat being full, and Edd ducking or sitting on the floor.

Edd sighed and smiled back at the girl, "Need help finding him?"

The girl paused to look over the wall of stuffies and plushies, down to the two she held and after a moment nodded. Probably realizing she did not know where her dad was. Not impossible as kids got distracted and the building had a few odd support walls with the add ons. Lots of things to explore and things to see.

Edd stood up and motioned the girl to come with him as he stepped around her. Giving her plenty of space, but keeping his hands loose just in case she needed to hold one. But the redhead girl seemed content to follow behind and down the plushy wall they were by. It ended and around it was the grocery section proper. One of the first add ons to the mart, when it originally just bait and tackle. Here there were lower shelving and island coolers.

Edd spotted the taller man walking to one of the drink coolers, opening and reaching for the juices. He was a little taller then Edd, like six-two, well built and fit as most hikers were that came by. Dressed in a dark green shirt and not quite jeans that were better for longer drive. Short black hair, but as the man turned he had almost if not the same shade of green eyes as the girl.

The girl squeaked when she saw him. Scooting around Edd and darted over.

The man looked... well he looked like some of Edd's friends that were both an asshole and who he'd trust to bail him out of shite. Good looking, but someone Edd may not go out with at first.

"There yea are june-bug," The man's expression softened as he watched the girl come over, using his free hand to catch her and pull his daughter into a sort of hug with one arm. "Found things did yea?"

"Yeah," the girl nodded and held up the stuffy fish first with a giggle, "Fishie!"

The man snorted and smiled, a half smirk but fond, as he shifted his arm full before reaching for the cooler again and the drinks. "I see."

Edd smiled, sensing he was not needed as he started backing up to go back to what he was doing. The man's voice was not bad he thought, the accent odd but not hard. Hmm…

At least it was not a ghost this time.

Now that he knew to listen for the customer Edd could hear the semi-distant talking. He seemed right that the girl was just shy. Though she talked more with her dad her voice was still soft compared to his confident voice…

Edd shook his head, no. No. He was probably just passing through. Besides, Edd thought as he worked to start putting up the kites, You have a date in a few days.

"Well, why don't yea ask luv?" The man's voice said from behind, walking surprisingly quiet as he and his kid walked back up the main aisle. Startling Edd once more that night to look up, and then he smiled as the girl.

She still had her two plushes, and was looking between him and tubes of soapy fluid and the bubble wands. Hesitating but after another look back up to her dad. "...what are those?"

Edd tilted his head a little, picking up a blue tube from the box on the floor beside him and offered it, "Bubble wands. Never seen them?"

The girl hesitated, shook her head and her dad hummed. It did not seem like he wanted that, or lake of knowing, but who knows what someone's story is?

Edd could not help it and cracked the bottle open from where he sat on the floor. "They're really fun. You make bubbles like this." the blond man blew a large bubble and grinned.

The other man's frown melted, watching his daughter's face in fond fascination at her own expression of awe and delight at the simple bubble. She giggled after reaching out to catch it and it popped. Bright green eyes turned up to teal-green she squeaked, paused and then asked, "...can we get one?"

That was what the tall man seemed to be waiting for, and grinned down at her. It lightened his face up a lot. "Aye luv, yea can get one."

Edd recognized that at least, he had tried something like it to boost his niece's confidence a few times. He closed the tube and pulled out one of each color, offering them for the girl to pick out what she wanted. The redhead reached for the green tube, glancing at the blue again but seemed happy to try and juggle this new thing with her plushes.

"Are you guys all done?" Edd asked as he got up, glancing at the other man who nodded, holding a carton of orange juice. "I can check you out and get you a bag, need any help carrying that?"

"Imma fine," The taller man stepped back, hesitated a moment and then offered the ornge juice to free up his left hand. Edd saw him tap the girl's shoulder to get her to follow before picking up another tube. The blue one.

Well, someone had a soft spot showing.

Edd was happy to see it, and knew he was not the only bleeding heart in the area. He led the way to the sole check out on this side. "Are you passing through or staying the summer?"

"We're...visiting fer a while." The man said, glancing around, possibly looking for something he may have forgotten. "Needed break yea know?"

Edd nodded as he rang up the food things first, noting that they were mostly the easier to make stuff. "Yeah, I feel you. I see a lot of people like that that come through. The park is nice for that, lots of space."

"Aye... good ta get lost in." The man chuckled, and looked down at a large stuffed fish poked him in the side. He lifted it up to be scanned with the dino stuffy, and bubbles. Only giving the plushies back. "An' get a head on right I suppose."

Edd nodded again, wondering but he took the offered credit card, "I can see that, and have seen that with some people. Do you have one of those cabins around the park?"

"Aye, we just moved in... A bit ago... week or so?" The tall man hesitated, possibly counting days. He glanced to the side where his daughter had wandered to stare at a display of coloring books for impulse buyers. The tall man added in a quieter tone so not to attract attention. "Ran out of a few comfort things after a nightmare. Might as well get some other stuff to eh?"

"Ahh," Edd hummed, that would definitely explain why the girl was so wide awake at this time. He slipped a small sticker book into the fabric bag that had been pointed out a minute earlier with the bubble wands. "Well, if you come back we get our shipments on Wednesdays and Fridays most of the time. I'm Edd, the store manager so if you ever need anything that's not in stalk I might be able to find and order it."

The new comer considered that before nodding and then as he picked up the bag, "I'll keep that in mind Edd. I'm Cory."

"Nice to meet you man," Edd smiled as he leaned on his counter, watching the other start to leave, giving the girl a wave when she offered a slow one. "Be safe on that road though!"

"Aye," Cory waved over his shoulder as they walked back through the well oiled doors to the gas station. Stooping to pull the girl up onto his hip.

It took a few before the blond to shake his head and got himself back to work. "You still have a date Edd." he said to himself, finding his spot again.

Elsewhere Cory was walking to the green and black corvette out front of the gas station, not having realized at first that there was a whole other store. The cashier watching him set the girl down and let her in. It must be keyless, and the bag was put in the back seat as he got in the driver's. The corvette was quiet starting up and pulling out, only the parking lights on until no longer facing the station.

There might have been the faintest hint of another car on the road, but it was past the station's lights.

Cory snorted as he caught the movement, and only once away from the place did the not quiet man turn off the headlights. Settling back in the driver's seat as he reached back for that bag. His real frame having no trouble driving and following the other car at a distance.

"He was nice." Amy said, settling back into a half nest of blanket. She squeaked happily as the holo-form handed her the smaller bottle of orange juice. Lighting up at what she still saw as a rare, amazing treat, not even minding when Crosshairs' Cory-self reached out to ruffle and then smooth her hair.

"Yeah, I guess." Crosshairs hummed in his real frame, a vibration through the floorboard. He snorted in amusement as the holo-form glanced backwards again, but almost lounging in the driver's seat. He realized he was watching Amy's reactions again, "Just don't go crazy with those bubbles June-bug, I don't want my insides to start itchin' with the soap."

"I won't," Amy promised, looking around outside again at the dark forest... "There's not as many trees now?"

Crosshairs glanced outside, sweeping his scanners and pinging Bumblebee, getting a return ping as they entered another curve. "Aye, there aren't. We're leaving the park and are...back north now."

"You're going to find your friend?" Amy asked, looking up as she used to the slight differences in his holo-form. After a moment she leaned to her left, it felt daring like this somehow, maybe she was just used to the mech more. Other humans seemed...scarier now. Amy did not get it, but was happy when Crosshairs looped his arm over her and let the girl get a cuddle over the low center council. It was one of the few times the seat belt was not wrapped around her.

She was happy to lean into the holo-form, sipping her drink now and then when it was safe... and slowly inched closer. Amy heard the Crosshairs snort and suddenly she was pulled all the way over into his holo-form lap and wrapped into a hug that made her happy.

"Bug," Crosshairs snorted and smiled despite himself, the warm ball of bio-energy glowed bright inside his own energy field.

A rapid set of flashes in the far distance had Crosshairs' attention snapping forward, seeing the dark form of Bumblebee slowing on the road. The corvette flashed his own headlights on and off twice in a silent question, getting a flash of break lights back. Bumblebee had seen it too.

At another rapid flickering and in a pattern the two mechs recognized.

Crosshairs was already shifting into a higher gear as the scout shot forward, taking a right in a drifting turn that put him on another of the empty roads. He was not that far behind as his holo-form held Amy better.

He ducked his head and huffed reassuringly into the girl's hair, habit from his real frame. "It's about ta be excitin' June-Bug, gonna need yea ta hide in the back seat. Easier ta get yea in the armor pocket."

"Okay." The girl tilted her head, confused as the hug turned into a protective mush, "...are there going to be any bad people?"

Crosshairs hesitated a moment seeing the distant flashes of cybertronian gun fire, at least two sources. He decided to stick to the truth, it was not as if he could hide himself fighting if Amy was hiding in the armor pocket. "Yeah... yeah I think there is bug. Just can't tell how many yet."

He realized he was not letting go and Crosshairs released Amy. Helping the girl into the small back seat, passing back the polishing cloth and new plushies. The holo form dissolved after that as Crosshairs needed his full attention on the road, keeping up and not running into Bumblebee when he suddenly braked and rolled into a transformation at another cruve. The road leading away from the way they needed to go.

With a muffled curse, Crosshairs did the same, managing to roll into his own robot mode with the appearance of some grace. No one saw the slightest of stumbles his over armor hid… no one.

Seeing Bumblebee not even looking back but motioning to his left, Crosshairs found his groove. He tapped the spot over the armor pock in reassurance before sliding into a near stalking pace. As fast as he could while being as silent as possible for a mech his height.

Almost without thinking his hands found the familiar grips of his weapons. The holsters opening just enough to slide them out. Dimmed optics tracking where the flashes were and listening to...

Human gun fire.

A lot of it really, it was a constant sound under the pulses from the Cybertronian weapons.

Crosshairs picked up his speed with Bumblebee.

Reviews!

wolfimus prime:
I'm doing my best to stay safe, been working on the ranch and with the horses and goats! we have babies =D and about to have another new kid soon it see!. Also I love the idea that mechs with bio lights! I get that from the War For and Fall Of Cybertron games lol

DeadlyNightshade97:
Thank you! I'm hoping the writing bug stays for a while.

Wacko12:
Yes, those mechs and the others are... well if things go according to plan you'll see them.