In which Alison talks to parents, spars, and goes shopping


After the celebration, time passed both quickly and slowly. On base, things fell back into its usual routine. When we could, the Inner Circle met up and discussed things, but we were honestly in a waiting game until the 'Cons made a move. In Tranquility, things were much the same. School got a little harder, cause the end of year exams were coming up, but it was not too overwhelming. My video lessons with Optimus continued, though reduced to twice a week now. After school, it was hanging out with the gang, plus once a week Mikaela, Bee and I went on a date.

Almost before we knew it, the end of the school year reached us, and we had a big change to deal with. Keller, Moreshower, Optimus, Will, Ella, pretty much everyone nominally higher than me, wanted me to move onto the base for the summer. And I for one was not against that plan, so long as I wasn't trapped there twenty-four seven. Mikaela and Miles were also invited to come, and while Starry had no problems with Mikaela going (she claimed it meant she was free to invite all her hippie friends over whenever she wanted), Mr. and Mrs. Lancaster needed more convincing.

So, the Monday after school let out, Miakela, Bee and I helped Mom make a brunch buffet for our guests, which consisted of the Lancasters, Will, Optimus, Bee, Barricade, Mikaela, and Secretary Keller.

I had just placed a bowl of fruit salad on the dining room table when arms wrapped around my waist and a head propped itself on my own. "You doing good here, Alison?" Bee asked.

"Yeah, why wouldn't I be?" I turned and hugged him back, nuzzling into his neck.

"Well, the last time you had to tell someone a big secret, you got all nervous and pace-y."

"That's not even a word." I slipped out of his arms. "But, well, those were big ones that only I could talk about. This one, I'm just telling part of the story, and I have you all to help convince them it's a good thing." I kissed his cheek. "Thanks for checking on me, though."

He kissed my temple. "Any time."

"This a private conversation or can I join?" Mikaela asked, setting a pitcher of orange juice on the table.

"You're always welcome, unless we're talking about your birthday present," I said, grabbing her hand and pulling her close.

"You could always let me tell you what to get and I'll just act surprised when I open it," she said with a grin. "You good?"

"I'm good. Let's hope this meeting goes that way."

The doorbell went off, and Dad, having been hiding in the living room, opened the door and led in Miles and his parents, Steve and Carol. Carol was slim, had brown eyes and blonde hair that she wore in a neat ponytail with a blue blouse and grey slacks. Steve was, easiest descriptor, the clear winner of a Captain America costume contest; a big muscled man with blonde hair and baby blue eyes wearing a dark blue polo with the logo of the gym he owned and tan slacks.

Steve whistled at the spread. "I know Ron and I are big guys and Miles and Alison are growing kids, but will we be able to eat all of this?"

"We have a few other guests coming too," Mom said, wiping her hands on a dishcloth before coming over to give Carol a hug.

"Right, the head of that program, I don't see why we couldn't meet at my house."

"You'll understand once everything's explained," I said, then the doorbell rang again. "I got it."

It was Keller, and Optimus and Barricade's holos. Barricade was wearing his casual outfit, while Optimus had actually made a new one, a bit more of a civilian look than his usual. "Mr. Secretary, Optimus, come on in. Thank you for coming out here."

"It is no trouble, Alison," Keller said. We went into the living room, where Mom had gotten Steve and Carol settled on the couch with drinks, while Miles had taken an armchair. Carol and Steve's eyes widened as the group came in, and looked to Mom and Dad.

"What's going on?" Steve asked. "Why is the Secretary of Defense here?"

"He's here to assure you everything is okay when we explain the truth," I said. "Miles has not been doing an internship when we disappear on the weekends. Or rather, not the kind you thought it was."

"Then what has he been doing?" Carol asked.

"Let us get settled in and all will be explained," Keller said, shaking hands with the couple.

Introductions were made, and all humans given drinks, then we sat in the living room, most of us on chairs brought in from other rooms. Barricade sat on the arm of Miles's chair, placing a hand on his shoulder briefly.

"Mr. Lancaster, Mrs. Lancaster," Keller began. "What we're about to tell you is top secret. Only a small group of people know of this, and if it were to get out to the general public, there would be a panic."

"Why do I have a feeling we won't like any of this?" Steve asked.

"You recall the news reports of Mission City last year?"

"That failed military experiment?" Carol asked.

"That was a cover story," Optimus said. "The truth is that Mission City was a battle in a war that has been waging for the last five thousand years."

"How is that possible?" Steve asked.

"Because it is an alien war." He changed his holo to show his mech mode. "We are autonomous robotic organisms from the planet Cybertron. I lead the Autobots against the forces of the Decepticons, led by Megatron."

Both Lancasters looked utterly shocked, Carol looking between Optimus, Keller, and Miles. Steve was just staring at Optimus, before looking around the whole room. "How many of you are aliens?"

"Just me and 'Cade," Bee said, and both of them changed to their mech modes. "These aren't our true bodies, they're solid holograms that let us interact with people on your level."

"Wait, I recognize that lettering," Steve said. "You're the cop car I've seen around the neighborhood." He looked to Bee. "And you're Alison's Camaro."

"What are you doing here?" Carol asked. "Please don't tell me they've gotten control of the government!"

"I assure you, ma'am, there are no cybertronians in the government," Keller said.

"As for what we're doing here, it is a long story," Optimus said.

Optimus, Keller,, and I each took turns explaining about the 'Bots, 'Cons and the War, up to me becoming Bearer and COTA being formed, as well as how Miles's leg actually got broken. Carol looked ready to grab Miles and pull him away from Barricade after hearing both that, and earlier about the chase through Tranquility, but Steve's arm around her shoulders kept her in place. Mom casually replaced their coffee mugs as we spoke and from the way she watched them as they took a sip, I figured she'd slipped a little something into it to help calm them.

When we were done, Steve took Carol's mug from her tight hands and set it on the coffee table along with his own. He looked at me cautiously. "Can you prove the AllSpark is in you?"

Almost before she finished speaking, the AllSpark was already stepping forward, sitting straighter in our chair, and She smiled at the Lancasters. "~Hello Mr. Lancaster, Mrs. Lancaster. It is good to meet you officially.~"

"G-Good to meet you too," Steve said, obviously shocked, but holding himself together well. Carol on the other hand…

"How can you bring my son into this!?" She stood, hands clenched at her sides. "What right do you have, to make him fight your battles for you?"

"Mom!" Miles called out, but the AllSpark held up a hand before he could do more.

"~I do not make Miles fight, he chose to.~" She held Carol's gaze evenly. "~It was never our intention to inform Miles of the War, or Alison's status as Bearer. And when we learned he knew, we never forced him to remain at her side, let alone take on the role he has. He stepped up as Barricade's watcher and friend in the early days of his truce, and he has extended that friendship to the Autobots. With just his nature, he has helped the members of COTA ease into their own friendships with my children, and when the call to arms was made, he jumped to it twice. That he was injured only did not become a weight on Alison's conscience and confidence because of the support he gave back to her. Miles is a strong, remarkable young man, and so long as he wishes, I will be glad to have him at mine and Alison's side.~"

"He's a child! He should be focusing on his grades, pimples, dating! Not fighting monsters for his own survival!"

"Mom!" Miles stood, placing a hand on her arm. "I know, you worry, and you want what's best for me. But this is what I feel is best. Every week, I'm learning new skills, I'm making myself stronger. I've found a path, a purpose. I've found love." He extended a hand back to Barricade, who stood at Mile's shoulder as he took it.

"Miles!" Carol looked between him and Barricade in surprise, but seemed to put that aside for later and instead turned her wrist to grip his hand, the other coming up to cup his cheek. "You're my son. My sweet baby. After Suzy… I don't want to lose you like we lost her."

"And you won't, Mom." Miles leaned against her hand for a moment.

"I can promise you, Mrs. Lancaster," Barricade said, pressing a bit closer to Miles, "as long as energon flows through my body, I will not let anyone hurt Miles. The only reason he broke his leg was because I was laid up in medbay and missed that battle."

"You only woke up from a stasis lock coma a week before, I think you can be excused from that," Miles quipped, and it was a show of caring that Barricade only lightly pushed his elbow against Miles's side.

Carol looked at them, then at me and the AllSpark, then at Optimus and Keller. "Is Miles really that important to you?"

"Emotionally, and socially, he is only second in importance to Alison," Optimus said.

"Even on a logistical side, he is becoming a great asset," Keller said. "Once he has completed formal training, he could easily be one of our best communications officers." Coincidentally a position that keeps him off a battlefield, he left unspoken, but the AllSpark and I smirked at that insinuation.

Carol took a look around the room once more, then sighed. "Oh, Lord knows you have your father's stubborn streak. Alright. I'm not going to stop fussing over you, but if you are certain of this, I won't say another word about this." She dropped her hand from Miles cheek, but tugged him closer to the couch. "Now, you introduce us properly to this 'love' of yours. Steve, scoot over." She waved her free hand at her husband.

Steve stood, and extended a hand to Barricade. "Steve Lancaster. Now, what are your intentions with my son?"

Barricade gave a slightly feral smile, and took the hand firmly. "He's mine as long as he'll have me, and I'll remember him for many vorns after that."

The tension in the air evaporated, and the rest of the morning and afternoon passed by easily, everyone mingling and helping explain any questions the Lancasters had about the Autobots, COTA, the War, or the summer plans. Considering all the ways it could have (and honestly, were expected to have) gone, it was a great relief.

The next week, Miles, Mikaela and I packed up and shipped out for the base. In a way, we were flipping our previous schedule, with weekends being possibilities to go back to Tranquility (and practically a requirement for Miles, on orders from Carol).

On base itself, our day to day schedule matched with the other times we spent the weekdays at base. Early morning training with Asami and Epps, breakfast, then splitting off to our work, me in my office, Mikaela in medbay, and Miles in the comm center. After lunch and the completion of my work, I'd train more with Asami for a few hours, sometimes Arcee or her sisters joining us to teach the basics of Laser Lathi, and on Tuesdays and Thursdays I had lessons with Optimus afterward, then I was free for the rest of the evening, until base curfew. Saturday and Sunday were days off, except for emergencies, and were often spent among the troops, speaking with them and getting closer to them. Most days I'd stop by the Nursery and at least say hi, if not spend the whole night there. Other times, the Inner Circle would meet up to plan and gossip, either all together, or just a couple of us. And then other nights, it would just be me, Mikaela and Bee, hanging out in his room or going into Smithville for a date.

A few events stood out in those first couple of weeks. I got an update from Klonowski on Ark Recovery (no go yet, but he'd put a word out). There was a Dance Dance competition that Jazz smoked everyone in. Sunny and Sides managed to paint the 'Bot Officer's quarters pink and purple and were assigned "training dummy" duty for two weeks. Before I knew it, it was the first official day of summer, and I was working with Ella on getting things ready for the base's Fourth of July celebration.

"It's shaping up to look like a lot of fun," I told Asami while we were sparring later that day. She swung a punch at my head and I deflected it before ducking in to get my own. "I'm a bit sorry I won't be around to see it."

"You're not even going to try to get out of going then?" She easily blocked my punch, then swung a leg up, but I jumped away in time for it to just hit empty air.

"Nope." I popped the "P" as I started circling right. "Partly, the clan only ever gets to meet up twice a year, and I love seeing them. And secondly, they still think I'm a kid, most of them don't even know I have any kind of job, so it'd be a bit suspicious if I didn't go." I closed the distance between us to deliver a sweep kick, but Asami caught it. "It's not like I'm not dragging half the base with me for protection."

Every Fourth of July, much like Thanksgiving, the Witwicky clan all gathered at Uncle Sparkplug's farm for a big barbeque, campout and fireworks. It was a big party and this year, the plan was to bring Mikaela, Bumblebee, Arcee, Miles and Barricade up. Barricade was also going to bring some weapons, locked in his trunk as a just in case.

Asami held my leg in place as she replied. "Hmm. Well, you won't be the only one missing out in this case."

"Oh?" I pulled my leg free and tucked back into a roll, rising back to my feet as she came at me again.

"Yeah, I submitted the leave request yesterday. Lennox will probably pass it to you today or tomorrow." She sent a series of jabs at my abdomen, which I managed to block all but one that glanced off my right side.

"What for, vacation?" I spun left, away from the glancing, grabbing for her still extended arm and aiming an open palm strike for just above her elbow.

"No, work." She dropped down to avoid the strike, swinging a leg to try and knock me off my feet, but I let go and jumped back just in time to avoid it. "My dad and I had a vacation house up in Oregon, and the past couple years, I've been renting it out. I go up once a year for an inspection and deep clean, and the week of the Fourth is the only open one this year." She picked herself up and settled back into a stance.

"Really?" I didn't let my surprise stop me from ducking forward and throwing a punch, followed by a kick. "You'll only be a couple hours from Uncle Sparkplug's, you should come to the cookout."

"Are you sure your family won't mind?" Asami blocked the attacks, then kicked high, making me duck down.

"Please, they'd probably ask me to call you up. We usually get a few neighbor families who come over anyway, so you and the other's won't be the only non-Witwickys there." I tried to hook her planted foot, but Asami spun away in time and came at me with jabs to my face. I blocked, grabbed her wrists and attempted to knee her in the gut.

Asami seemed to be considering it as she leaned back just enough to avoid the hit, then grabbed my shirt and tucked into a backwards roll, sending me over her head and into the ground. She knelt on top of me, one knee pinning my arm, and drew her fist back like she was about to punch me out. "Yield?"

I nodded, still catching my breath. "Yield." She rolled off me and I sat up. "So?"

"I'll think on it, and call you if I can make it." She helped me to my feet. "I think we're done sparring for the day. Want to grab a shower, then meet me in the garage for some driving?"

"Sure, sounds good." I couldn't help the grin as I unwrapped my hands. Driving with Asami was very freeing, in a way even riding with Bee couldn't match. While she was always careful to make sure we were safe, she let me go wild as we whipped around whatever course she set up. She had, as she'd promised, showed me how to hotwire a car, and my general and evasive driving skills were the best they'd ever been.

We went down into Smithville, just driving around the neighborhoods, then coming back up main street. As we did, we passed a consignment shop, and I spotted a leather jacket on a mannequin in the window. I did a slight double take, then turned at the next left to get to the lot behind the shops.

"What's up?" Asami asked me.

"I just spotted a jacket in the window that I know will fit Mikaela perfectly, and I want to get it. Her birthday's coming up in a little less than a month," I said as I found a spot to park.

"Oh, that one. Good idea to get it now. Things like that have a tendency to disappear really quickly." She looked at the time. "You don't have a lesson with Optimus today, so we've got time to do some browsing."

We walked into the store, and I immediately went to get the jacket. It looked similar to the black one she wore at the start of the second movie, but the lining was red, and it had little studs on the collar. It was perfect. I'd have to find a way to hide it, but considering Mikaela and I had basically moved in with Bee, my room in the command barracks should work well enough. I went to the counter to ask about it, then started looking around for anything else that caught my eye as one of the employees went to take the jacket off the mannequin for me.

Asami had wandered deeper into the shop while I had been speaking with the cashier. I found her with a shopping basket by one of the shelves of knick-knacks, holding a fist sized geode with red crystals on the inside, which had been attached to a stand. "That's pretty," I said.

Asami turned to look at me, a nostalgic smile on her face. "Isn't it? I have a similar one in a box somewhere."

"Oh, you collect rocks?"

"Crystals actually. It's a hobby I picked up from… Michael." She looked back down at it as the light sparkled from the cluster.

I hazarded a guess. "Your ex?"

She nodded, looking back up at me. "He was an avid collector when he was younger and I thought they were the prettiest things. He'd give me clusters of those instead of flowers."

There were a couple more similar stones on the shelf and I picked one up, the crystal a layered grey and blue. "How long were you two together, if you don't mind me asking?"

"Not very long to be honest, though it felt like ages. Despite the secrecy, the time I did have with him was wonderful."

"So, Michael collected rocks, would sing, and was sweet and romantic before turning into a big jerk." I listed the things off on my fingers after setting down the gray geode. "If he was as fit as I imagine, I can see why a girl could fall for him."

Asami laughed. "Oh, he was certainly fit, and all those things." She looked at the crystal again. "There was a time I would have done anything for him."

I looked down at it, then bumped her shoulder. "Why don't you get it? Make a new memory with it."

Asami considered it. "I think I will. New memories with a good friend." She placed it into her basket, and we went browsing the other shelves.

I ended up picking up a couple of books for myself, and Asami found a red scarf on one of the racks before we paid and left. Putting our packages in the car, I noticed a duffle bag sitting in the trunk that Asami shifted over to give us room.

"What's that?" I asked.

"Oh, just some tools I'm taking up to Oregon," Asami said, shutting the trunk.

"Ah. Okay." My phone chimed my text alert, and I pulled it out of my pocket. "Oh, apparently we've been invited to a tea party in the Nursery this afternoon."

"Is there a dress code?"

"Not this time, though someone must have told them we were out cause Sarah's asking for us to pick up some little cupcakes from Walmart."

"That'll be no problem." Asami smiled as we hopped in the front seat. "Though I wonder who the cupcakes are for, her or the kids." We both laughed and headed to the store.


So yeah, not much happens in this chapter, but it is, as the title says, a transition chapter. Since this won't be explained in story, and I think some of you might be curious what the "Suzy" deal is with Miles's mom, Suzy (short for Susan) was Miles's older sister by about 5 years, who was killed in a hit and run accident. It was shortly after this that Alison and Miles met and became friends, when she noticed he was really sad and wanted to cheer him up. And that is literally backstory that came up as I wrote this chapter, so never believe that Author's know everything about their stories and characters when they start writing cause that's a lie!

So what'd you think of this chapter? Of Miles's parents? Alison's plans? Asami's ex? Guesses on what's coming up next? Let me know in the comments!

Oh, also, if anyone is interested, I have posted the first chapter of a Transformers Prime Genderbend/Role Swap AU on my profile. Here's the title and summary

Watch The Queens Conquer
After three years of silence, the Decepticons resurface on Earth to continue their fight with the Autobots over the planet's supply of energon, led by Megtrona. After Mikoto Nakadai and two others fall into the crossfire, Optima Prime decides to bring the children under Autobot protection. Little did she know how this decision would affect not only her team, but the entire War.

Guest Review Replies

None this week

I'll see you all next week, same 'Bot Time, same 'Bot Channel!