I bet you didn't expect this! 2 updates in one month! Just don't expect it another quick update XD.

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So I'm in the brig….. Why? Good question. I punched Galloway, right in the face. Do I regret it? Not one bit. I smirk to myself as the memory pops back into my head. I didn't want to get done for attacking a government official so I made it look like I tripped, my arm swinging out and hitting Galloway straight in the nose. He started to bleeding to my surprise. Lennox and Prime know I'm not clumsy. They know I don't just trip over my feet. So I got punished by being sent to the brig for hours. It's not so bad. I actually prefer it. No one can come talk to me until I'm out unless it's Lennox, Prime or Ratchet. I'm in prefect beautiful isolation. Peace and quiet. To think and to exercise. But instead of exercise, I take advantage of the peace and quiet to nap. I lie on the bed with one of my knees up and my hands behind my head, napping lightly. If anyone comes I'll wake up because of the doors opening.

While I'm half asleep and half awake my brain starts to wonder. It goes in circles trying to think of any new leads. I won't stop until I've destroyed that machine. It's all I can think about and it's driving me crazy. There has to be someone who knows. Someone Despiadado would of told before his death. Just one person….. But even then Michael Despiadado is the type to tell the people he's closest to different locations in case they are ever caught to mislead others. This is one of the many reasons why I killed the guy, he's frustrating. Even after death he plays the cat and mouse game.

I hear footsteps and I lazily open an eye to see who it is. A good little solider. I close my eyes giving off a casual appearance but I listen out on high alert.

"Major Lennox says it's time to come out," says the recruit opening the heavy door. I stay where I am however ignoring him.

"Did ya hear me? You're free to go," rephrases the solider his voice louder.

I'm partially blind, not deaf.

"I'm good thanks. I think I'll stay here," I say opening my eyes and looking up at the ceiling.

I can sense the man's confusion from here.

"So you're not coming out?" questions the man with hesitation.

"No," I state bluntly.

"I…. I don't know what to do now," stammers the young man unsure and bewildered.

"Leave," I order.

He needs orders, he's not use to taking the initiative. He has no clue. He's just a good little dog who does what it's told. After brief hesitation he shuts the door and I see him leave through the bars. Good, now I can get some peace and quiet so I can continue thinking. However my satisfaction is short lived. Not even a minute later and I hear footsteps again.

"Shadow? What are you doing?" questions a familiar voice that sounds tired.

I glance over to Lennox who is pinching the bridge of his nose in frustration.

"I send a new recruit to set you free and he comes back out confused saying you don't want to come out, is that right?" questions Lennox puzzled.

"Affirmative," I confirm.

"Why? You do know this is suppose to be a punishment right?" asks Lennox gesturing enthusiastically with his hands towards the cell.

"I'm aware of that. But to me, this is a reward. I'm left alone for hours and no one's allowed to bug me. It gives me time to think and be alone with my thoughts," I counter.

"Okay next time I'll lock you in Sideswipe's alt mode where he will continuously annoy you and ask you questions," retorts Lennox waving his arms about.

"That would be a more fitting punishment," I observe before adding, "But then you risk Sideswipe's life."

Lennox sighs giving up on that subject.

"Shadow… You punched a government official. Why? Just why?" asks Lennox tiredly, closing his eyes and pinching the bridge of his nose again.

"Trust me Lennox. One day you'll thank me," I say casually.

"I'll thank you now and shake your hand if you weren't my responsibility," replies Lennox honestly.

"Relax. No one who's important knows it wasn't an accident. Just you and Prime," I state before questioning, "Besides, wasn't he trying to get in to see the Autobots which he doesn't have clearance yet for anyway?"

"That is besides the point-How do you know what clearance level he has anyway? Actually, I don't want to know that. What I want to know is why you hate Galloway? The Autobots hate him, I hate him, but you hadn't met him so why did you punch him?" questions Lennox.

I stay silent, my mood darkening.

"He does something," I answer vaguely.

I can't tell him he insults Prime's dead body and shows no respect now can I?

"….In the future?" guesses Lennox hesitantly.

I slowly nod but I refuse to look at him and I keep my eyes glued to the ceiling.

"Do I want to know what he does?" questions Lennox.

"I wouldn't say even if you wanted to know. Even though it's a minor in the big picture, it's still part of the future," I say solemn.

"Just tell me, do I get my own back on him one day?" asks Lennox almost desperate to know.

I smirk as I remember Lennox literally getting Galloway off the plane mid flight.

"Well do I?" persists Lennox eagerly.

"Wasn't there something you wanted to speak to me about?" I divert looking at him from the corner of my eye.

That seems to change his mood to more serious, his back straighter.

"We're going out now," states Lennox.

"Where?" I questions intrigued.

"Hmm….. I think I'll keep that information to myself since you're so eager to keep things to yourself. Two can play at that game," grins Lennox victoriously.

"And why do you think I'm going to go with you?" I ask in turn.

"Fine, don't. Stay on base then," baits Lennox.

I roll my eyes, knowing he has me. I stand up.

"You're riding with me and 'Hide," comments Lennox smirking.

Guess where we are? The park? No. Shops? No. A car wash? No. A flipping prison.

"You haven't brought me here because I punched Galloway, right?" I check unsure as Ironhide parks along with the rest of the Autobots, their holoforms activating.

"Technically, you could be arrested and jailed for that, but no, come on," says Lennox stepping out.

I go to leave but Ironhide's voice stops me.

"Nice work, punching the slagger," compliments Ironhide referring to Galloway, making me smirk.

I nod to him before leaving. I look up at the tall imposing building. The barb wire have a tinge of blood on them from failed attempts of escapees. This isn't some small-time prison, just looking from the outside, seeing the amount of cameras and defenses, this is where the real criminals come to, the terrorists, the assassins, etc. My whole body is on alert, my muscles tense.

"Ever been in one?" questions Epps curiously.

"I've been avoiding them. It's too bland. Puts a downer on my mood," I answer flippantly, not giving a real answer.

Epps laughs at my answer.

"That's true, it'll put a downer on anyone's day," laughs Epps.

I take a deep breath trying to calm myself down.

"Come on human. Start walking or has your puny inferior mind forgotten how to perform a simple function such as walking?" mocks Sunstreaker.

Anger flows through me as Sunstreaker's holoform walks past. I swiftly kick the back of his leg making him fall flat on his face.

"What's that Sunny?" I ask.

He growls in the dirt before standing up and facing me.

"It's Sunstreaker, and you'll pay for that," growls the mech, stepping towards me,his fists clenched.

"Enough you two," orders Ironhide.

I glare at Sunstreaker before I walk past him towards the building. I walk behind Prime's holoform and Lennox, the twins and Ironhide are behind me. I briefly look back to see everyone's alt mode. Prime's truck, Ironhide GMC, Sideswipe and Sunstreaker's Lamborghini forms parked next to each other shiny and clean. Do you think it'll be possible to jump into one and manually take over and drive away? I look back ahead as I hear the door open. We go straight through without security scanning us. Why is that? That's not right. I voice my question to Lennox so he falls back to me.

"The holoforms won't register on their scanners so we've basically forced them to let us go through and overrule them," whispers Lennox explaining.

I subtly nod as I count the number of guards around and I count the exits.

"Here," says Lennox giving me a pass.

I look over to see that everyone is given one.

"Everyone gets one since we have free roam. It'll open any door here, but you need to stay by us," explains Lennox.

"Why are we here Lennox?" I ask as we go through another long corridor.

"Our lead. We found him here," answers Lennox.

Lead?

"Who?" I ask confused as he scans the key card before the door clicks open.

He opens the door and I enter into a small room one sided glass which shows a man sitting on a chair his head down. He's wearing the normal bright orange suit. His head is bald and a little shiny. At first glance he doesn't look like much, his posture is relaxed but I can see… the big muscles under his clothes, the way his feet is positioned ready to spring him up quickly if need be.

"Introducing CIA, MI8, most wanted in 158 countries: Michael Despiadado," announces Lennox as we all look at him from a separate room.

What…

He looks up in our direction although he can't see us. His brown eyes burning into me. My heart stops cold.

I can't breathe…. I can't think… I can't….

My whole body freezes and paralyses in shock and fear. Stone cold raw fear. Something I haven't felt in years. I start to breathe deeply as my brain tries to process what happening. I start hyperventilating as my heart beats a thousand times a minute and I feel overheated.

"Shadow?" asks Lennox noticing my strange behavior, making them all look at me.

But I pay no attention to them, I barely remember that they're there.

"No…." I whisper in Spanish, taking a step back.

"What?" asks Lennox confused stepping closer to me.

As if that word wakes me up, my blood boils and I snap.

"NO!" I roar, reacting quickly as rage hits me, I pick up the closest dagger on me and I throw it at him through the glass, making it shatter into millions of pieces.

"Quick! Hold her down!" commands Prime as I lunge forward.

He's still alive. He just fell out of his chair. I feel arms grab me and hold me back as I struggle violently.

"He should be dead! He is dead! I sent that pit spawn to hell! How the hell is he here?! I killed him! I killed that son of a-" I scream as I struggle, my voice going raw.

"Calm down, Violet!" shouts another voice.

"She's gone into some kind of shock!" exclaims someone else as I fight back punching and kicking, trying to get to him.

I can't even register the voices that are speaking, all I can hear is my own heart beat. That monster! Another set of arms hold me back as I try to push through urgently.

"No! He can't be here! No! Let me go! He needs to die! That monster needs to be killed! Let me kill him!" I rant my voice hoarse.

"Violet…. snap out of it…" whispers a voice in my ear cutting through all the shouting.

"He should….. " I continue before stopping.

My body goes limp in their grasp as I look up at the closest person who whispered to me.

"He should be dead. I… I killed him," I whisper confessing, to myself in Spanish, looking up at Sunstreaker's face.

My body starts shaking without my consent.

"Shadow?"

That's Ironhide's voice and he sounds cautious. I ignore him and everyone else as I come to my senses. I look down, realizing it's him and Sunstreaker restraining me. Then I feel it. Something wet on my cheeks and I come to the horrible realization that I've been crying without knowing it.

"Vi?" asks Sideswipe carefully.

I step back and shrug the guys off trying to wipe my face. I can't show weakness. I'm not weak. I'm a deadly assassin. I shouldn't be crying. I haven't cried in years… Damn it. I swiftly turn around and speed walk out. I can't… I can't deal with this. I can't. I can't. Panic fills me as I start to feel suffocated. I hear everyone call my name in concern as they follow me at a brisk pace. I need to get out. I need to ride on my motorbike, but Barricade flipping destroyed it. I need to run. I need to get as far away from here as possible. I use the key card to burst open the doors to the outside.

"Vi. Slow down," says Lennox but I ignore him.

"Just hang on a moment," adds Lennox struggling to catch up.

I look around desperate trying to somewhere safe. Then my eyes land on it. I make my way to the Peterbilt truck: Prime. I practically run over to it. I open up his door and step in, slamming it shut behind me.

"Come on Vi, don't do this. Open up," calls Lennox trying to open the door but thankfully Prime keeps it shut.

I sit in the passenger seat and put my head down to my hands, my shoulders shaking as I try to compose myself. To pull myself together.

"Come out Vi, please," tries Sideswipe and I can even hear Ironhide's voice asking for me to come out and tell them whats going on.

Their voices however starts to drown out. I look up to see the windows tinted black which I'm thankful for.

"Optimus…. Just give me a second to compose myself and I'll come out," I say my voice stronger as I stop the tears, wiping my face, using his first name for once.

"Violet… it's okay to cry. Take as much time as you need," offers Prime using my first name dropping the formalities.

I shake my head at his offer.

"No. I can't. You don't understand," I protest as my arms move to hug myself subconsciously.

"Why?" asks Prime gently.

"If I let myself cry, I won't ever stop!" I exclaim my voice wavering and the world going blurry again.

I feel heat from the heaters, his way of comforting me I think without his holoform.

"You can't keep this in forever if you don't let it out now, it'll be later," says Optimus softly.

My eyes water even more as I know he's right.

"Damn it!" I shout as I close my eyes tightly shut, the tears overflowing and coming in waves.

I sob heavily, my hands clench in fists to my chest. I let out a gut wrenching angry scream.

"I hate him. I hate him," I cry uncontrollably.

I cry in so much emotional pain but it feels good. I feel safe. I don't know why. Maybe it's because it's Optimus. The person I looked up to as a kid. When I watched him, I wished I was with him away from the pain. I let out an anguish shout as I pour my whole feelings out. Why?! Why is he alive? Why is he here? It's not fair. It's not fair. I hate him so much. It hurts. It hurts so much. I cry and sob, digging my nails into my head. Crying out in my native tongue and in English. Heavy sobs rack my body as I feel sick. One question unforgivably come back to me over and over again: Why?

I groggily wake up from my sleep. What happened? I rub my eyes, sitting inside of Optimus Prime.

"Prime?" I ask my voice sounds hoarse.

Why? What's wrong with my throat and why are my eyes sore? Then it hits me like a ton of bricks. I forgot. For a blissful, merciful moment I forgot. Despiadado's alive. I must of cried until I passed out.

"We're nearly at the Lennox's," informs Prime.

"Why?" I ask confused, my mind groggy.

It doesn't even feel like we're moving.

"After what happened, we thought it would be best to remove you from the distressing situation and put you in an environment you'll be comfortable with," answers Prime.

I nod slowly and sink further in my seat.

"Lennox has phoned his spark mate to let her know you're coming," adds Prime.

I would normally protest and say that I'm fine but I'm not. I'm really not. I'm so tired and exhausted. I feel mentally drained. I feel like sleeping and never waking up. We roll to a stop however I don't get out.

"Shadow?" asks Prime noticing my lack of movement.

I feel so embarrassed. How can I face everyone after that? I rarely show my emotions. I don't show weakness. And yet I have an emotional breakdown.

"Prime… Do you think it's possible to escape from the past?" I ask quietly looking out the window.

"I don't know…. But it's important we remember it, or else we are doomed to repeat our mistakes," answers prime.

"I don't want to remember…. I'm so tired Optimus. I'm tired of the past following me around wherever I go. I'm in a different universe, for hell's sake and it's here. I'm fed up with it ruining my life," I confess quietly.

"Then face it," replies Prime.

Face it…..

Before I can ponder more from it, I'm distracted by Sarah Lennox coming out her home and walking to the drive. I see her concerned face as Lennox meets up with her. He holds her upper arms and says something out of my hearing range. I see her eyes go to Prime's alt mode in response to Lennox's words. Words leaves her lips as she looks concerned.

"Can I just stay in here forever?" I question.

I hear Optimus chuckle and feel the slight vibration underneath me.

"You can but you're not the type to be confided to one space," answers Prime.

A weak grin raises my lips.

"Thanks Prime," I say grateful before leaving the safety of the vehicle.

I pat his hood once and he flashes his lights at me once. I walk slowly towards The Lennox's, my arms folded tight around me, feeling so strangely vulnerable. Sarah Lennox puts a hand on my upper arm making me flinch. Damn it. I take a deep breath trying to control myself.

"Let's get inside, it's freezing out here," says Mrs Lennox motherly rubbing my arm.

I nod keeping my eyes on the floor. I head inside first, missing Sarah and Will's sharing worried glances.

I feel like I'm in a daze as I walk in and sit at the chair in the dining room. I stare at the table in deep thought. What do I do? What if he figures out who I am? What if he- My thoughts are interrupted by a warm drink being placed in my hands. I jump a little but I cling on to the heat of the cup as a lifeline. The only thing grounding my to reality. I take a small hesitant sip. Hot chocolate…. It's so good. I raise my head a little and I see everyone sitting at the table, even Ratchet's holoform is here. They must of called him. They all look uneasy.

"So…." starts Sideswipe the first to break the silence.

"You want to know why I snapped," I state more than ask.

"Well you did act like you had more than one screw loose," comments Sunstreaker dryly before he winces slightly and glares at Sideswipe.

Where do I even start?

"He's a monster…. No one deserves to die more than him," I say keeping my eyes on the warm liquid.

"Who is this human mech?" asks Ratchet.

"Michael Despiadado. Serving time for leading a drug operation. He's in jail for a few years," answers Lennox.

"Only a few?" I ask.

"Insufficient evidence. Nothing leads to him any murders, terrorist attacks, human trafficking etc. We all know he did it. We simple don't have the evidence. We finally got some evidence that linked him to a drug operation after the world wide manhunt we found him," explains Lennox.

He doesn't even get the full sentence he deserves.

"That crafty…." I mutter angrily before hitting a fist on the table then running a hand through my hair in frustration.

"Michael Despiadado… Do you know what it means to be a Despiadado? Do you know what Despiadado literally means? No mercy, merciless, ruthless, showing no mercy, not to woman, not to children, not to anyone and especially not to his own daughter….." I trail off, emphasizing the last bit.

I can't be bothered to hide anything anymore. I'm so tired.

"He's your father," states Sunstreaker catching on.

I visibly flinch to his statement.

"That sadistic monster is not my father. He never was and never will be my father. He's suppose to be dead. For 5 wonderful years he was dead and I was out from under his claws, and now he's flipping alive. What the hell is wrong with this world?" I hiss with venom as fire builds up inside me.

"Humans have claws?" asks Sideswipe quietly confused.

"Look I know he's a murderer but he must of loved you, showed you some type of mercy towards you," says Sarah uncomfortable, trying to see the good in him.

"Does this look like mercy?" I question, lifting up my hair to reveal my scarred eye.

"He was the one to blind you?" asks Sarah, all the color draining from her face.

"That sick sadistic-How can you he do that to his own daughter?" growls Ironhide.

I let my hair fall back down so I can clench the cup infant of me. I grip it so tightly that my knuckles turn white.

"Easily when he thinks I've failed. When he see's weakness inside me that needs to be beaten out. I failed for the first time in a long while so I had to learn, I had to be readjusted," I replied numbly.

"I know parents punish their children when they fail an exam but that's too much," adds William.

I let out a dry humorless laugh at his comment.

"You think I had the privilege of school? That would of been an escape. No. I went along with him on his criminal activities. My education was assassination. That was my destiny since before I was born. Some people are seduced into the criminal underworld, others are dragged. I was born into it," I explain standing up and working over to the cabinet and pouring myself some scotch.

I need a drink after tonight. Especially if I'm going to talk about this. I haven't told this to anyone. Not even Rex. Although he did figure out that I'm related to Despiadado. I take a gulp as feeling the burn in my throat and chest.

"What about social services? Health care visitor?" questions Lennox.

"My birth was off the record, a secret. Only a few people knew about me and even fewer knew my connection to Despiadado. I was born to kill. To be a weapon. I was a ghost, a shadow to everyone. No one knew who the legendary Shadow was because who would suspect a child? A little girl?" I rhetorically ask before taking another swig.

I see them all stiffen up, their muscles tight at my confession at killing as a child.

"What about your mother? Surely no mom would let their child live their life like this?" asks Sarah a strain in her voice.

I lift two fingers and my thumb making a gun shape in my hand pointing it at her, pretending to shoot her in the head. She gulps and looks away with tears in her eyes. My arm drops limply to my side.

"While children my age were playing, I was learning the quickest and slowest way to kill someone," I add.

"How? How can a sparkling kill?" asks Ratchet horrified.

"As I said, no one suspect a child and all it takes is one dagger to the neck or heart," I answer coldly.

"To be honest, it's a good thing I learned quick. Otherwise I would have been dead a long time ago. If I couldn't kill then I had no purpose. It surprises me how long I was allowed to live before my first kill," I say voicing my opinion.

"How young was you when….." asks Ironhide before trailing off unable to finish.

"Four," I state numbly.

I remember it so clearly. I see him tense up along with everyone else. Their body language stiff as they freeze. Prime is the hardest to read but even I can see he's disturbed by this bit of news. I see Sarah's eyes wander to the door to upstairs where Annabelle is sleeping, she's probably thinking of her own baby.

"Pit…" whispers Ratchet deep in thought.

"So all of your life you've been fighting?" questions Sunstreaker with morbid curiosity.

"That's just how it is for some people," I reply in acceptance.

I came to terms with it a long time ago. Huh…. My glass is empty. I need some more, I can still think in coherent thoughts.

"We all have a choice," protests Prime.

Of course, he would say that. High and mighty hero. I resist the strong urge to roll my eyes at him. He sure is naive for a however many centuries years old being.

"Not everyone," I mumble.

I didn't choose this life. I didn't choose to be brought up as an assassin. I didn't choose my father. I sigh and I place the glass on the table.

"I take it I'm sleeping in the guest room," I ask changing the subject.

"Everything's all sorted and ready or you," answers Sarah distantly, looking off into space.

It must be a lot for her to take in. Actually they all look lost in thought. I nod before I slowly make my way up the stairs. I feel so exhausted. So tired. I nearly stumble into the bedroom but I get my balance just in time. I take my boots off before I flop onto the bed. Too tired to care about anything. I just want to wake up from this nightmare. Who knows maybe this is all a dream, and I'll wake up to find out Transformers don't exist and my father is still dead.

I splash water on my face with my head thumping. My eyes more than a little bloodshot from the tears and lack of sleep. I constantly had nightmares that were unstoppable. My heart constantly racing and waking up with chest pains and shortness of breath. Every single one revolved around him. I take a deep breath and close my eyes.

Shadow….

His voice. I turn around rapidly but there's no one behind me. My own mind is turning against me. I thump the sink in anger although all it does is hurt my hand. Damn it. I curse in Spanish. I walk downstairs wanting a coffee… preferably an Irish coffee. When I reach the bottom of the stairs I see Will and Sarah sitting at the table with cups in their hands. I look outside the window to see the sunrise.

"You're up?" I ask a little surprised.

"Yeah. We struggled to sleep," answers Lennox looking back down at his drink.

I give a small nod in understanding. So it wasn't just me who struggled to rest tonight. I make my coffee deep in thought. We all look like a mess today. Hair messy, tired baggy eye. I briefly look out the window seeing the Autobots, even they seem to sag down a little lower than usual, I look away from them quickly and back to my cup. How can I face them after last night? I feel so embarrassed. How do I even deal with it? I cried like a little child last night. I don't think I can get any lower than that. Rock bottom. I pick up my cup once it's ready and take a sip with my eyes closed. The hot drink and bitterness wakes me up more but it does nothing to lift my foul mood.

"Violet… We've been thinking…" starts Sarah Lennox as her hand goes over Williams, they share a look before they both look at me. "…. If you wanted to stay here today while everyone else went to see… him, you can," continues Sarah gently.

"What?… I lower my guard and get a little upset and you think I should stay behind? That I can't handle seeing Despiadado?" I ask offended.

Do they really think I'm that weak?

"No. That's not what we're saying. We're saying if you don't want to come today, you don't have to. We want to give you the choice," clarifies Lennox.

Choice…heh…. as if I every had a choice in anything, I want to stay as far as I can from him, however….

"It'll be fine. It was unexpected yesterday. It was the shock that's all," I explain strongly.

I rather have him right in front of me. I don't trust him alone with everyone. I can at least try to predict what he's up to.

"If you're sure?" asks Lennox, not in a mocking way but to verify to him and myself if that's what I want.

I nod without hesitation, my steel cold eyes determined.

"We leave in 10," announces Lennox going into military mode.

I nod to him in reply. I make sure I have everything as Lennox says goodbye to his daughter. I stand at the porch ready to leave looking at the alt modes of the Autobots.

"I don't know how you could do it….. Stand in the same room as that despicable man. The man who destroyed your life. I wouldn't be strong enough to handle it," comments Sarah Lennox.

It's quite simple really…. I just have to wait for an opening to kill him. My mind deep in assassin mode until I feel a soft touch on my arm that brings me out of it. She gives me a hug making me freeze.

"I know you hate him, your real family. But…. you do have a family in us, Violet," says Sarah softly.

I stand there stunned. I don't understand. We've only know each other less than a few months and she's opened her home, her arms and she's trying to include me in her family. Why? I've solved a lot of formula's and mystery's in my time but I don't think I can solve this puzzle. Instead of question it any further, I find myself slowly nodding, unable to speak. She gives my arm a last reassuring squeeze before stepping back.

"Yo! Shadow! Are you ready?!" calls out Sideswipe as he rolls forward and does a donut showing off.

I nod and start walking. I push out of my mind what happened with Sarah and I focus on what's ahead. This is it. It's time. It's time for me to come face to face with my father. Bring it.

You smashed me. You bent me to your will and smashed me into millions of pieces like a vase. What you didn't know is that I put myself back together again. And this time…. You're the one whose going to shatter into millions of pieces.