Finding Home
Chapter 10
By Voodoo Queen
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Author's Note: Hello, Dear Readers! I hope you're all having a fantastic day. I'm very happy to be bringing you another chapter today. I'd like to send a huge thank you to everyone who had added this story to their alerts and favorites. Extra special thanks to all of you that have taken the time to review: The Whispering Sage, adelphe24, Edges05 (x2), Pixiekatt, wolfimus prime, Darkheart126, Watto not, Knightnerd, Mysine, Guest, AshelyOfChaos, Leonixon, and the everchanging. I truly do value your feedback and I'm thrilled that you guys are enjoying the story! Here's a nice, long chapter to thank you for your patience. It chocked full of irrationally jealous Sunny, scheming mega-dork Sides, confused as all Hell Doe, as well as other essential vitamins and minerals!
Disclaimer: I don't own Transformers, just my own original characters and plot.
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Something definitely wasn't right here.
That was the one thought on Sunstreaker's mind as he sat on his berth meticulously buffing and polishing his armor back to its bright, shiny glow after a long night of patrolling the dirtiest, grittiest areas of the island with the Autobot's SIC as punishment for whatever it was he'd done to grind Prowl's gears this time. For once though, his spark simply wasn't in it. He was irritated, more so than usual, and perhaps even a bit angry as the deep scowl on his face plates could attest. As he worked, his optics couldn't help but wander to the other side of the berth room he shared with his brother. Sideswipe was there, as he was every time he returned from patrol, splayed across his berth playing some stupid human shooter game on a data pad. It certainly wasn't anything extraordinary or unusual. To be honest, Sides hadn't really done anything as of late to warrant his suspicion or general malice. Quite the opposite, in fact, but there was something about the mech's general demeanor over the last several days, though, that had raised the alarm in the back of Sunstreaker's processor.
Sunstreaker studied his brother, trying to put a finger on what it was that bothered him so much. His twin lay there, unassuming, humming some generic, happy, human pop song. His fingers tapped, tapped, tapped a staccato rhythm on the data pad as he shot down aliens or zombies or whatever the Pit it was he was supposed to be killing. Typical Sideswipe. Actions Sunstreaker would normally find oddly endearing yet ultimately annoying but not so much as to warrant such a visceral, hair trigger response. Instead of annoyance, however, he was consumed with the feeling that he was deliberately being left out of something important. Even more irritating, he knew his brother was making him feel that way on purpose. He and Sides shared literally everything and there was no doubt in his processor that the mech was trying to bait him for some reason by holding out on him. It wasn't a pleasant feeling in any sense and, like it or not, it really was starting to get to him no matter how hard he tried to act like it wasn't.
Sunstreaker's scowl deepened and he forced himself to refocus on his paint job. There was only one reason he could think of offhand that would drive his brother to behave in such a manner. It had to have something to do with his ridiculous obsession with the human femme. He was more than certain that had to be it because the mech had more or less dropped the subject altogether after their last go round about her. That in itself should have been a giant red flag. It wasn't like Sideswipe to abandon an interest so readily and a sick feeling in the bottom of Sunstreaker's tank told him that Sides' fascination with the femme was very much alive and well.
Sunny wasn't sure if he was more disturbed by the fact he couldn't muster up enough disgust over the so-called 'human situation' to stamp out the curiosity he felt or that he actually, though he'd never admit it, felt the tiniest twinge of jealously at being left out of whatever was going on between Sideswipe and the squishie...even if it was just so that he could rant and rave against it. He shook his head and grunted in irritation. This is exactly what Sides wanted, he knew. He wanted him all twisted up in knots, obsessing, dying to know what was happening, begging for inclusion. Well, he wouldn't give him the satisfaction. Nope. Never. Not in a million years. He would never be that mech.
"Something on your processor, oh brother of mine?"
"What?" Sunstreaker snapped back to the present only to realize his twin was now sitting up on the side of his berth, data pad forgotten, and gazing amusedly in his direction.
Sides smirked, "I asked if there was anything bothering you."
"No," Sunstreaker replied venomously. "Why would you think that?"
"Oh," Sideswipe shrugged, "No reason. Just that you've been polishing that same spot on your leg for the last thirty minutes. Wax looks a little thick, if you ask me."
Sunstreaker's optics darted down to where his brother indicated and he cursed eloquently. Sure enough, he'd been slathering the plating on his thigh in high gloss wax over and over again for the better part of a half hour. An irritated growl worked its way out from between his clenched denta. He quickly reached for a buffing pad and tried to even out the mess he'd made.
Sideswipe chuckled and rose from his berth. He stretched, arms above his head, reaching for the ceiling, causing the struts in his back to pop and eliciting a sigh of satisfaction from his vocalizer. Without a word, he crossed the small room and began to rummage through the shelf where Sunny kept his cleaning supplies. Finding what he was looking for, he crossed back over to where his brother still sat muttering and cursing under his breath. "Here, Sunny."
Sunstreaker looked up, optics narrowed at his twin and a sharp retort on the tip of his glossa, before realizing the mech was indeed trying to help. Something was definitely amiss. With a reluctant "thanks", he took the offered bar of detailing clay and bottle of clay lubricant from his brother's outstretched hands. Dousing his leg with the lubricant, he began the task of using the bar of clay to remove the excess buildup of wax. Out of the corner of his optic, he caught a quick glance of the smug look on Sides' face before the mech retreated back to his side of the room, resuming his obnoxious humming and booting up his data pad.
Sunstreaker worked in silence for a moment, scrubbing the clay over his leg plating in quiet contemplation. Whether he liked it or not, he knew he was playing right into Sides' scheme, whatever that was. It was incredibly hard to remain passive when you literally shared a life force with someone. If his brother thought he was going show him up that easily he was in for a big surprise. If only he could shake that unsettling feeling of exclusion he just might be able to think straight. He had to know. Unable to stand it any longer, Sunstreaker slammed the waxing supplies down onto his berth, startling the other mech in the room.
"Sunny?" Sideswipe raised his head, mock concern etched on his faceplates. "Is everything alright?"
"What is it you're playing at Sides?"
Sunny's tone was dark and would have sent nearly anyone else running for cover but Sideswipe knew his brother too well and decided to have a bit of fun at his expense and feign ignorance. He smirked. "This?" He gestured to the data pad. "It's an old classic human game called Astro Panic."
"Don't play dumb, glitch head." Sunny snarled, "You know what I'm talking about."
"I honestly have no clue." Sideswipe tossed the data pad aside and sat back up. "Want to elaborate?"
Sunstreaker could feel his internal temperature rising. "Its that human isn't it?"
"Human?" Sides pretended to contemplate for a moment. "I know a lot of humans. Which one are you referring to?"
"Cut the slag, fragger!" Sunny rose from his berth, fists clenched at his sides. "You know which one!"
"Oh!" Sideswipe acted surprised, as if the answer had suddenly come to him. "You must mean Ames, right?"
Sunny blinked, "Ames?"
"Yeah," Sides grinned and nodded. "Her name is Amy but I like to call her Ames. She doesn't seem to mind. What about her?"
"She...you..." Sunstreaker shook his head, trying to dispel the urge to throttle his twin. "You've been talking to her?"
"Well, yeah." Sideswipe looked at his brother like he couldn't believe he'd asked such a stupid question. "That is how you get to know someone new, Sunny. You have to talk to them. It's how relationships and friendships are made. It's a beautiful thing. You should try it sometime."
"You mis-clocked piece of scrap! Do you have any idea what you're doing?" Sunstreaker felt himself trembling. "How long has this been going on? I can't believe you'd go behind my back and do something like this after I specifically told you to stay the frag away from her!"
"I know exactly what I'm doing. I'm spending time with a lovely femme. We've been chatting for about a week," Sides answered as-a-matter-of-factly. "And you didn't tell me to stay away from her. You're exact words were to keep it to myself. So, that's what I've been doing...keeping her all to myself." Sideswipe could tell that his brother was livid. He also knew that if he were anyone else, he'd already be a pile of scrap on the berth room floor. Luckily, he knew just how far he could push his twin and couldn't resist one final jab. "I have to admit, it's kind of nice not having to share with you for once. I'm enjoying all the extra attention."
For once, Sunstreaker found himself struck speechless. Sure, he was pissed at his twin beyond his ability to articulate but there was also a stab of hurt coupled with an acute twist of jealousy. The former emotion he was perfectly familiar with, the latter two not so much. In the back of his processor, he knew Sides was playing with him but they were twins for the love of Primus! Despite all his bravado and protestations to the contrary, Sunstreaker knew his brother was right. It didn't work that way. It went against the very nature of their creation for one to hold out against the other, especially in a situation were there was a potential for emotions to become involved. It was why he wanted Sideswipe to give up on this insanity in the first place. It was about self-preservation...for the both of them. Where one went, the other had no choice but to go as well and it was plainly obvious to the mech that his brother was dragging them down a path that would ultimately, as it always did, end in sparkache. It was a precarious situation, at best, with absolutely no hope of working out for the better. He wasn't going that route without a fight, especially not over some squishy organic who didn't have a clue as to the scope and breadth of the situation.
"As if I'd want any part in your repulsive experimentation." Sunstreaker snarled, "You can keep that greasy, flesh bag to yourself."
"Good. I'm glad you feel that way." Sides smirked, "I intend to."
"Good," Sunny snapped as he marched over to the door. "Just don't come crying to me when it all goes to the Pit."
"Don't worry," Sideswipe teased, "I won't. We'll make sure to send you an invitation to the bonding ceremony, though. I wouldn't want you to miss it. I'm sure our future sparklings will adore their Uncle Sunny."
Sunstreaker recoiled. "You're disgusting," he spat as he wrenched the door open. "I hope you rust."
Sideswipe watched in amused delight as his brother stomped his way out of the room and slammed the door behind him hard enough to cause the walls to rattle. A deep chuckle rumbled its way out of the mech's chassis and he sank back into his berth. He stretched out, hands behind his head, basking in his sense of accomplishment. "Sunny, Sunny, Sunny," he sighed. "I love you but you're too easy. That didn't take nearly as long as I thought it would."
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Amy Doe sighed as she stepped out of the freight elevator and into the evening air. She and Jazz had worked longer than usual today and already the moon hung high in the sky and stars were glittering beautifully above. Doe took a moment just to take it all in. Despite being a usually face-paced military installation, Diego Garcia seemed peaceful this night and for that Amy was grateful. She had finally made it to the end of what had been a very strange and hectic week and was looking forward to having two days duty free to sort through her thoughts and get her head back on straight. The shuffling noise behind her caught her attention and she couldn't help but smile a bit as Jazz limped over to gaze up at the sky along side her.
"Guess we were down there longer than I thought," the mech remarked as he studied the stars. "It's a beautiful night."
"It is," Amy agreed. Normally, she had trouble getting close to people and making friends. Being constantly shuffled around from place to place all her life hadn't really helped her social skills any but she could readily admit that she'd grown very fond of Jazz in the short time they'd worked together. The mech's upbeat attitude and flair for the stylish tended to make even the most tedious and menial of tasks enjoyable. He seemed to be a genuinely good person -alien- and treated her more like an equal than a subordinate. The situation she'd found herself in had taken some getting used to but she was beginning to think that Sideswipe had been right in his assessment. She had got the good assignment.
Speaking of Sideswipe, that was a head scratcher if there ever was one. She wasn't sure what exactly was happening but over the last week, the mech had seemed to conveniently pop up wherever she went and each and every time they crossed paths he left her blushing more often than not. Despite that, she actually kind of looked forward to their little run-ins, wondering where they'd bump into each other next. It was weird how normal their peculiar interactions had started to feel in such a short time. There was something about the mech that she found oddly comforting, reassuring even. When he was around the strange buzzing in her chest, that she kept swearing she was going to see a doctor for, would taper off into a pleasant tingle. Though, it still felt oddly as if something were missing but what about her situation wasn't odd?
The mech seemed to take delight in the way she responded to his corny pick-up lines and over-the-top, shameless flirting which she still wasn't sure was genuine or for his own amusement. Either way, she was afraid to ask. The latest incident earlier in the day had been no exception. It had been a tiring morning full of dealing with architects and contractors who were being given the task of bringing 'The Dungeon' up to code. She had absolutely no experience with things of that nature but Jazz had insisted she'd be just fine on her own since Ratchet was holding him hostage in the med bay for another battery of diagnostics and tests. She'd eventually managed to drag herself out of a planning meeting, feeling completely overwhelmed, and was trudging her way over to the chow hall in the middle of the lunch rush when the silver mech skated up to her seemingly out of no where.
"Hey, sweetspark!"
Amy cringed internally. Sideswipe's joyful exclamation had drawn the attention of the crowd of military personnel surrounding her waiting to get into the chow hall. She could, quite literally, feel all of their eyes on her when they realized the mech had been addressing her. She wasn't used to that sort of attention. Still, she took a little comfort in his presence. She gave him a weary smile, "Hi, Sideswipe."
Sideswipe had skated circles around her, as if inspecting her from every angle before commenting, "You look tired. Busy morning?"
Amy sighed. It had been a busy morning but that wasn't the only reason she was feeling worn down. Her strange dream still persisted every night and always left her feeling exhausted in the morning no matter how many hours of sleep she managed to get. "Yeah, you could say that. I was acting as stand-in for Jazz at the planning meeting this morning."
The mechs faceplates scrunched up. "That sounds boring."
"I wouldn't know," Amy remarked dully. "I have no idea what was going on. I'm an Operations Specialist, not an expert in architectural engineering. I was totally out of my element."
Sides chuckled, "Well, I know Jazz and he wouldn't have sent you in there if he didn't think you could hold your own. I have confidence in your abilities."
"Thanks, I guess." Doe gave him a sidelong look as he continued to skate around her in lazy circles. "I'm glad someone does."
"Aw, cheer up, Ames." Sideswipe shot her a crooked grin. "You're doing a great job."
"If you say so," she sighed.
"I do. Hey," Sides smirked, "I bet I know something that will make you feel better."
Amy raised a brow. "What's that?"
The mech innocently asked, "Do you like poetry?"
Doe snorted, "Poetry?"
"Yeah, poetry." Sides nodded. "Do you like it or not?"
"Sure," Amy agreed, "I like it..." No sooner had the words had left her mouth, Doe knew she'd made a terrible mistake when a mischievous look washed over the mech's face. She felt the color drain out of her own, "Oh, no..."
"Oh, yes," Sides confirmed with a wicked grin. He stopped skating around the woman and dropped down onto his knees in front of her, once again drawing the attention of the crowd around them. With an exaggerated flourish, he reached for her with one hand, grabbing her by the wrist and gently tugged her closer. His other hand pressed against his chest plates in an extravagant show of devotion as he began, with an overly dramatic air, to quote Percy Shelley.
"The fountains mingle with the river,
And the rivers with the ocean;
The winds of heaven mix forever
With a sweet emotion;
Nothing in the world is single;
All things by a law divine
In another's being mingle-
Why not I with thine?"
Amy could feel her face blazing with heat. The mech's gaze was locked onto her own and as desperately as she wanted to, she couldn't force herself to look away. Neither could anyone else, apparently. The lunch line had come to a complete stand still and every curious eye was looking in their direction. Amy briefly wished that the ground would open up and swallow her whole but Sides wasn't finished yet.
"See, the mountains kiss high heaven,
And the waves clasp one another;
No sister flower could be forgiven
If it disdained its brother;
And the sunlight clasps the earth,
And the moonbeams kiss the sea;-
What are all these kissings worth,
If thou kiss not me."
Sideswipe finished his production in grand theatrical style by grasping both of Amy's hands and pulling her in close enough that he was able to bend slightly and press his forehead against her own, causing her cover to shift and sit comically askew atop her head. The stunned woman easily complied and Sides had almost felt bad for the public display since he got the feeling from her that she didn't like being the center of anyone's attention. Seeing the delightful red color rush to her cheeks, however, convinced him it was worth it. A smattering of applause from the gathered crowd drew his attention briefly away from the femme and he pulled back just enough to turn and give them a sloppy salute. "Thank you," he chuckled. "Thank you very much. See," he nudged the woman, "They enjoyed it."
Doe didn't know if she wanted to laugh or cry. She was finding it hard to regain coherent thought, let alone give him a response. The only thing that kept circling through her brain was that a giant, alien robot had just got down onto his knees and recited her a love poem. In public. Things like this didn't happen. Ever. To anyone. To anyone but her, apparently, and she wasn't sure what the expected protocol was. There was no SOP to tell you what to do in the event visitors from outer space decided to take an unexpected and unsolicited interest in you. She'd looked.
The electricity lodged behind her breast bone was a hot, writhing mess now and she was certain all the blood in her body was currently coloring her face. With great concentration, she finally managed to get her mouth to work. "Sideswipe, what-?"
"You're welcome." The mech cut her off with an impish grin. "Now stop being so hard on yourself, alright?"
Doe could only nod in agreement.
"Good," Sides' grin widened slightly before he grew serious and seemed to zone out for a brief moment before coming back to himself. He huffed, "Slag...sorry, Ames. I gotta run. Prowl is comming me wondering where I am. I was supposed to report for security detail ten minutes ago but I wanted to see you first."
Amy wasn't given a chance to even respond before the mech leaned in and pressed his forehead against her's once again, this time knocking her hat completely off her head. He lingered for a moment and it gave her time again to wonder at how warm and alive he felt despite how far he was from being human. It was fascinating, really, if she had the mind to truly appreciate it at the time. Before she could even fully grasp what was happening, he was pulling away from her and rising back to his feet/wheels to tower over her once again. He gave a wink and a gentlemanly bow before suddenly seeming to fold in upon himself.
She watched in awe, her heart pounding, as pieces of his body intricately shifted and realigned themselves into new configurations, compacting upon one another until a perfect shiny, silver Lamborghini sat in the place where he had once stood. If she hadn't have seen it with her own eyes, she wouldn't have believed such a thing was possible. He drove away, leaving her to stare after him until he turned the corner and disappeared at the end of the block. Her mind raced, trying to figure out why it seemed he'd singled her out, even as the feeling in her chest fizzled. She wished to God she knew what his deal was.
The murmuring of the lunch line around her had finally brought her back to the present. She realized, self-consciously, that many were still looking in her direction curiously, whispering, speculating on what it was they'd just witnessed. She felt herself blushing anew and quickly bent to retrieve her cover from the ground. She put it back on, pulling the brim down much lower over her eyes than military regs approved of, and made a fast escape back in the direction of the barracks. She had a couple granola bars in her locker back in her room. They would have to do for lunch because there was no way in Hell she was going into the chow hall today.
"Hey, you alright down there?"
The softly spoken question brought Amy back to where she stood outside of the freight elevator. She looked up to find Jazz looking back down at her in concern. She nodded, "Yeah, I'm good. It's just been a really long day, is all. Nothing a good sleep won't fix."
Jazz hummed, not seeming entirely convinced. "You sure? I know this whole 'Robot War on Earth' thing is a lot to take in. If there's anything you want to talk about, just know I'm a really good listener. I don't want you goin' and stressin' out on me. Anythin' you say would stay just between the two of us."
Doe contemplated his offer for a moment. It was tempting. If anyone could offer any insight into what was going on inside an alien robot's computer brain, it would have to be another alien robot. It's just...she didn't know how to do that whole sharing your problems with another person thing. She'd had to learn the hard way that the only person she was able to rely on was herself. She had no doubt that Jazz's intentions were good, she just wouldn't even know where to start. She shook her head, "No. Everything is fine. Really."
"Alright," Jazz looked skeptical but relented. "The offer always stands."
"Thanks," Doe smiled, genuinely grateful. "I appreciate it."
"Come on," Jazz gestured, "I'll walk you to the bus stop. I'd offer to take you myself but..."
"Oh, no," Amy laughed, "And bring the wrath of Ratchet down upon us both? I think not." She started to take off after the shuffling mech but then thought better of it. "Um, Jazz, you know what?"
Jazz paused, turning back to look down at her, brow plate raised in concern. "'Something wrong?"
"Well, no." Doe fidgeted. "It's just a really nice night. I think I might like to walk back instead. Get some fresh air, you know?"
Slightly worried, Jazz frowned. "That's like a forty-five minute walk."
"Yeah," Amy acknowledged. "I know, but I've been down in the bunker all day, running back and forth, cooped up in planning meetings. It would be nice to spend some time outside just enjoying the breeze."
"You do have a point," the mech chuckled. "If you change your mind, though, call me. I don't care if you're a block away from the barracks. I'll send someone out to pick you up, alright?"
Doe smiled. "Thanks, Jazz, but I don't think that'll be necessary."
"I'm just saying," Jazz winked at her, one side of his visor dimming with the action, "I take care of mine and we're partners in crime now, like it or not. I'm not gonna leave ya hangin'."
Doe felt herself warm and her eyes begin to water at the mech's proclamation. Never, not once in her life, had anyone ever really wanted her let alone express such a sentiment out loud. She knew Jazz probably just meant it as lighthearted reassurance but she could tell he was sincere and so took the words to heart. She quickly blinked away the moisture from her eyes and gave him a watery smile, "Goodnight, Jazz."
"Night, D." Jazz watched the femme leave with an inkling of concern fluttering about in his spark. He cared for the femme, he truly did. She was a really good kid, smart, but he could tell she hadn't had the easiest of lives. She didn't really talk about her life or family prior to enlisting in the navy but he could see it in the way she carried herself, the way she walked, the way she talked. Something had happened to her somewhere along the line that had affected her deeply. Sure, Jazz knew he could have easily dug up the information if he wanted to, but he wanted the femme to trust him. He figured she would let him in if and when she was ready. In the meantime, though, he'd make sure she knew he hadn't been kidding around. He did take care of his own and he wasn't going to leave her hanging.
End of Chapter 10
