This chapter is kind of necessary filler. Thus the 2.5, rather than 3. So very very very sorry it took so long to get it out to you.
"Um, hey, Bumblebee or Bulkhead?"
The two mechs looked down at Liliy.
"Could I ride into town with one of you to get the children?" she asked. "I would like to go to the store to get a few things. That is..." She turned to look up at Prime who was standing nearby. "If that's ok with you, Optimus? That I leave the base?"
"I don't see why you can't as long as you stay close to one of the bots," answered the tallest mech.
"Of course." She turned back to the other two. "So who am I riding with?"
"Well, actually, I think Miko and I had plans for this afternoon," said Bulkhead.
"I see. Bee?"
"Sure, I can take you," the muscle car beeped.
"Sweet."
"Wait, Liliy, you can understand Bee?" Bulkhead asked.
"Yeah," Liliy replied with a shrug. "I think it just comes with being a computer whiz."
Bumblebee transformed and opened his driver door for Liliy. She slipped in behind the wheel and they were off, his door closing as they went. About halfway to town, Bumblebee noticed that Liliy seemed nervous. Her posture was tense and she was fidgeting with the edge of her cloak while staring out the door window rather than at least pretending like she was driving.
"You ok?" he chirped.
She jumped and her head whipped around to stare at the dashboard.
"Huh?" She raised her right hand to cover her face and let out a sigh. "Yeah. Sorry. I just can't get used to the idea that I'm sitting inside another living being."
"I guess it is kinda weird, isn't it?"
"Just a little. I think it's making me car sick."
"Well, don't worry. We're almost there."
Bumblebee let Liliy out once they reached the school parking lot. She leaned against his side after his door shut again.
"Are you better now?" he beeped quietly.
"What's the matter?" asked Arcee who was parked next to them.
"I just got a little car sick is all. I'll be ok," Liliy reassured them.
"What were you doing, Bee?" asked Bulkhead from the other side of Arcee. "Driving crazy?"
"No. His driving was fine. It's me," said Liliy.
The school bell rang and the children came out. They came over when they spotted the trio of vehicles.
"Liliy, what are you doing here?" asked Miko once they were close enough.
"I wanted to go shopping so I had Bee bring me into town," Liliy replied. "Is that alright with you, Raf?"
"Yeah. I'm fine with it," answered Raf.
"Oh, shopping!" squealed Miko. "Can I come?"
"I guess. But Bulkhead said you had plans." Liliy glanced at the green off-roader.
"It's just dune smashing." Miko waved it off. "We can do that some other time."
"Alright. And you, Jack?" Liliy turned to oldest boy. "Want to come with us?"
"Sure. I don't have to work today anyway."
"Alright then," Liliy said, "anyone know where I can get some good art supplies?"
Later, they sat around a picnic table at the town park with the Bots parked nearby. The children were eating some snacks that Liliy bought for them.
"Hey, Liliy, aren't you hot in that cloak?" asked Jack. "It looks heavy."
"No. Not really," Liliy replied. "I just wear it because people tend to stare when I don't."
"What do you mean?" asked Raf curiously.
Liliy could almost feel the Bots' attention suddenly intent on her. She glanced at them briefly before turning away from them. She used her right hand to lift the left side of her cloak and show the children her empty sleeve.
"People tend to stare a lot when you don't look like everyone else," she said quietly.
The children stared in shock. Liliy dropped the edge of her cloak.
"That's…" Miko started at a moment, "actually kind of cool! How did you lose it? Did it get ripped off or were you born like that?"
"Miko," Jack cautioned.
Liliy's eyes darkened as her gaze turned to the table top. "I lost it when I was younger."
They all could sense the anger that lay beneath her calm, quiet reply.
"Oh. I'm sorry," said Miko, quietly. "Does… does it still hurt? I mean I've heard that people who lose their limbs often have phantom pains."
"No. It doesn't hurt," Liliy replied. "But trying to find a possible replacement is what inspired me to study medicine and robotics."
Miko brightened. "A robotic arm? That would be awesome."
Liliy finally smiled. "Hmh. Yes. Yes it would." She stood up. "Well then, ready to head back to base?"
"Yep."
"Sure."
"Let's go."
The children threw away their trash and went to their respective guardians. Liliy opened Bumblebee's driver door and stared at the empty seat.
"I can speed a little after we get out of town to shorten the trip," Bumblebee offered, sensing her hesitation.
"Thanks, Bee," she replied gratefully as she slipped into the seat and shut the door.
"Something wrong?" asked Raf.
Bumblebee backed out of the parking space and followed Arcee and Bulkhead onto the street. Liliy didn't say a word until they were headed out of town.
"How do you do it, Raf?" asked Liliy in an uncertain tone. "How can you sit there so calmly knowing that you are inside a living machine?"
"Uh…" Raf tilted his head as he looked over the dash. "I've never really thought about it before. Maybe it's because Bee saved me and I know he won't hurt me. Does the idea really bother you that much?"
Liliy seemed to curl in on herself.
"Yes," she replied quietly. "And I don't know why. It would make things so much easier if..." She trailed off, staring at nothing.
"If what?" asked Raf, concerned.
Liliy didn't answer.
"Liliy?" Bumblebee chirped.
"Huh?" Her head jerked up. "Sorry. Did I space out again?"
"Again?" inquired Raf.
"...Yes..."
"Sorry, Bee. Are we almost there yet?"
"We're coming up on it now."
Bumblebee slowed down as he entered the silo's hidden tunnel. Liliy had the door open before he even stopped rolling and she was out of the car the moment he stilled. Pausing, she took a deep breath in and then blew it all out. She felt a little better after that.
"Could you pop your trunk, Bee?" she asked, circling around behind him as Raf got out.
The yellow trunk opened for her. Liliy reached in and pulled out an easel, three poster-sized pads of paper, and a bag of other art supplies. She set the stuff on the floor beside her and closed the trunk lid. Bumblebee transformed and knelt before her.
"Are you sure you're going to be ok?"
"Yes, Bumblebee. Thank you. It will just be awhile before I go for a ride again," replied Liliy.
"Did something happen?" asked Ratchet, overhearing them.
"Just a case of car sickness. I'm fine now."
"You get car sick?" Miko made it sound like the idea was ridiculous.
"Not usually. Now make yourself useful and help me carry these things up the stairs. Could you guys help as well?"
Miko huffed but went over and picked up a pad of paper.
"That's right. You can't carry everything because you only have one hand."
Liliy rolled her eyes.
"Is that what you meant by not looking like everyone else?" asked Arcee.
"Yes. I am missing my entire left arm down to the shoulder joint." This time Liliy flipped the cloak over her left shoulder so everyone could see the empty sleeve. "It brings up some painful memories so, please, don't ask about it."
"What about a prosthetic?" asked Ratchet.
"I usually keep it in my car so I don't have it this trip."
"Do you want to go get it?"
"No thanks. I can manage just fine without it." Liliy flipped her cloak back down and picked up the easel.
Jack picked up the other two pads of paper and Raf got the bag. They followed Liliy up to the top tier.
"Where do you want these?" asked Jack.
"Hmm." Liliy looked around. Then she spotted a place she liked. "Up there."
"Up?" Raf adjusted his glasses.
They followed her gaze up the elevator to the catwalks two stories up.
"Why there?"
"Cause I like high places."
She poked the elevator button with the corner of the easel. The doors opened and she stepped inside. She looked at the kids.
"Coming?"
"Yeah."
The boys followed Miko into the elevator. Liliy poked a button on the inside and the doors closed. The Bots watched the elevator go up and stop at the second catwalk. The doors opened and Liliy came out. She stepped to the rail and looked down at the Autobots.
"Are you sure that's alright, Liliy?" Optimus asked.
The corner of her mouth turned upward for a small smirk.
"This will do just fine." She turned to the children. "Just leave the stuff next to the door. I'll move it later."
They did as they were told and then they all filed back into the elevator.
"Hey, Liliy, do you have a room in the back picked out yet? You know, since you're going to be staying here for a while," Miko asked as they stepped out of the elevator at the bottom.
"No, I don't. I just slept in the chair last couple of nights."
"That won't do at all. Let's go pick a room."
Miko ran over and grabbed the strap of Liliy's duffel bag. She tried to lift it but could barely get it to budge.
"Geeze. What do you have in here? This thing is heavier than Jack."
Liliy laughed. "Just the essentials. Also how do you know how much Jack even weighs?"
"Long story," answered Jack. "Don't ask."
"Alright," Liliy laughed again.
She took the strap from Miko and easily lifted the bag onto her right shoulder.
"Well then," she smiled down at Miko, "lead the way, Nakadai-san."
Miko scowled at her but led the way down the stairs and into the bowels of the base. After looking at several human-sized rooms, Liliy shook her head.
"Nope. None of these rooms will do. I think I'm just going to stay on the catwalk with my art supplies."
"But-"
"It's ok, Miko. I'm fine with it."
So, Liliy took up residence on the middle catwalk off the elevator so she could 'keep an eye on things'.
Next chapter is 'Con Job' (s1e8).