Hostile Territory

Written by: Okami

Chapter 13- Confessions

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It may sound absurd…but don't be naive

Even Heroes have the right to bleed

I may be disturbed…but won't you concede

Even Heroes have the right to dream

It's not easy to be me

Lyrics: Superman_Five for Fighting

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Authors Note: I do not own Robots in Disguise. I do however own Alana and Suzuki, therefore they can not be used anywhere other than this fanfic without my permission. In case any of you are getting bored with this 'pointless story', I just want to let you know that it will get better. And to prove it, here's the next chapter. Enjoy! J

Helpful Hints: ****** - Means a change in scenery, or from Autobots to Decepticons

~~~ - Means a change in point of view but the same scenery

* * - Indicates a comlink conversation

******

For the next few days all Autobots wondered how the human could not remember hearing or translating the strange song. It seemed impossible for someone to translate something and not remember hearing it in the first place. However, this was not the only thing bombarding the Autobots minds; the other was the situation about the human girl. Where was she to stay?, Who are her parents?, and What was to become of her?

It took a lot of work on X-Brawn's part to convince Alana to go home and gather her things, regarding the fact that she'd been wearing the clothes on her back for the past week. Since she simply refused to return home permanently, Optimus Prime offered her refuge at Headquarters. For his kind deed, Prime was rewarded with joyful tears from Alana, along with the many thanks; she even hugged his leg she was so happy.

Throughout the entire conversation, X-Brawn stood off to the side, awaiting the order from Prime to escort the human. When the latter dismissed the tough Autobot without requesting his presence while the human gathered her things, he let himself be known.

"Uh, sir. Shouldn't someone be there in case something goes wrong?" X-Brawn suggested.

Optimus Prime rubbed his chin thoughtfully, secretly smiling to himself.

"Yes, I believe that would be a good idea," he began slowly. "Someone dependable, and used to taking responsibility. An Autobot who has the discipline but still knows when to act." After a moments pause he added, "I think Prowl should have the assignment."

X-Brawn's bubble burst and shattered to pieces. Here this girl had saved his life and probably his only chance to begin to pay her back was snatched from his grasp. Nodding his head solemnly in agreement, he turned to leave.

"X-Brawn," Prime said sternly.

"Yeah?"

"I was only kidding."

******

X-Brawn hummed to himself a cheerful tune as he rolled down the long dirt road, with only the earth and Alana as company. He noticed his companion was rather quiet lately, but that was understandable considering where she was going.

"Um…Alana?" X-Brawn asked hesitantly, bringing his passenger out from her daze.

"Yes?" she answered hesitantly.

"I was wondering, um, why don't you live with your parents?" X-Brawn regretted bringing up the subject when he felt Alana shift uncomfortably in her seat. It took a moment for her to answer, but when she did her voice was calm and collected.

"My parents died twelve years ago in a car accident. I was only five years old at the time, so I don't really remember them much. We were going to the Rocky Mountains on a ski trip; it was my first time. The road was covered in snow, but my dad had driven that road many times before and knew where the dangerous spots were; so we weren't scared.

"Then, without warning, rocks began tumbling across the road. At first they weren't anything to be frightened about, but they rapidly gained in size. One of the boulders collided with the side of the car, sending us off the narrow road and down a steep cliff. The car rolled the entire way down, occasionally bouncing off large rocks and hitting trees."

Alana's voice was beginning to crack as she retold the story. Hot tears stung her eyes but she continued.

"My mom and dad were dead by the time the car stopped moving. From what I remember, I was still alive but barely. The last thing I remember before loosing consciousness was a bright ball of light floating in front of me. The next thing I knew I was laying outside in the snow. From what the doctors said, I had a broken arm, fractured leg, and a few bruised ribs. I was somehow able to walk away from that accident with minor injuries compared to my parents."

By this time it had become hard for Alana to continue without sniffling now and again. After taking a moment to wipe away stray tears and collect herself, she continued.

"Anyway, none of my other relatives could take me in, so I went to live with my uncle in Texas. I've been there ever since."

X-Brawn listened intently to the story, his CPU aching for the losses this young girl had endured. He could think of nothing comforting to say so he kept on driving, more intent on his thoughts than on his surroundings.

******

Skybyte panted heavily as he flew through the thick summer air, the hot sun beating relentlessly against his metal back. The Predacon shark silently cursed the country-bumpkin Autobot for driving in the middle of a wasteland, but then again…he was an easy target to follow. He continued stalking the Autobot even as it pulled onto a long driveway leading to a very large house. Large rocky hills boarded the back of the house, providing a buffer from the dust storms rolling in.

Skybyte marveled at the sheer size of the mansion and wondered what a human could possibly want much less do with all that space.

******

"Here we are," Alana stated as the mansion came into view.

X-Brawn's face appeared on a small viewing screen on the dashboard. Even though his expression was void of emotion, his golden optics shone with worry.

"Are you sure you're okay doing this?" he asked worriedly.

Alana nodded her head. It took a few moments for her to exit the vehicle after he stopped, and she hesitated to move forward.

"I'm right here if you need me," X-Brawn said comfortingly as a large man emerged from the mansion.

"Thanks. That's nice to know," Alana replied.

The large man scowled at the teenager with disgust filling his dark brown eyes. He pointed a finger accusingly at his niece and hissed,

"What are you doing back here? I thought I told you to leave."

Alana gazed back at her uncle with equal hatred.

"You did. I have come for my things then you will never see me again."

The man grinned evilly.

"I could have you arrested for trespassing if you place one foot inside my house. Since you are no longer a part of my family you are trespassing on private property."

"Now hold on one minute," a voice erupted. "X-Brawn transform!"

The stout man nearly fell on his rump when the SUV before him transformed into a giant robot. His jaw hung open as he stared at the large robot with eyes as wide as saucers.

"She's your niece, how can you treat her that way?" X-Brawn asked, gazing calmly down at the terrified human.

"MONSTER!" the human screamed. Frantically scrambling towards his house, he only took a few quick steps before he found himself being lifted into the air by the back of his shirt. Golden optics stared into his deep brown eyes as X-Brawn scanned the human cautiously.

"I'll do anything you want! Just please don't hurt me!" he pleaded, clasping his hands on his chest. The man was then placed gently back on the ground.

"I'm not going to hurt you. I just don't understand how you can treat your own niece that way," X-Brawn clarified.

The male human frowned at the girl before turning his piercing gaze to the large robot. A sinister smirk appeared on his face as he seemed to recall some vital piece of information.

"I can treat her anyway I damn well please. She's not even related to me."