A/N: Hah. Told y'all I wasn't dead. I've just been INSANELY busy. I'm gonna try and dedicate more time to this story, but to be honest my inspiration to write has been dwindling. You know what could help that? MESSAGES AND REVIEWS. I swear on everything, I'm not just saying that. Reading y'all's reviews and opinions on this story make me want to write more.

But sorry again for taking a million years to update and also sorry this isnt as long as my chapters usually are. I just figured you guys would want SOMETHING after all this time lol. Thanks to those who stuck with me through the wait though!


Chapter Four:

Pretty Eyes


"Her eyes carried a certain kind of silence that begged to be understood and I felt as if I was a scientist, staring with eager, fervent eyes into galaxies that have not yet had the chance to be named." –Christopher Poindexter


"Do you understand the rules?" Ratchet asked for probably the sixth or seventh time. A sarcastic remark was the first thought to flow through my mind, but I bit down on my tongue and swallowed the words. The last thing I needed right now was for Ratchet to revoke my newly given shower privileges.

"Sir, yes, sir." I replied with a bright smile and cheery tone. To make eye contact with him, I had to tilt my head up since I was in the wheelchair. Ratchet narrowed his holoform's eyes at me skeptically, but didn't push further. He grunted once and pushed my wheelchair into the bathroom.

The bathroom connected to my room wasn't extravagant by any means. It had a toilet in the corner, a sink beside it, and across from both, against the tile wall, was a small shower. The shower's floor had plastic mats down to prevent slippage and the wall jutted out in one side to become a chair of sorts. The showerhead was removable and there was a small shelf that had shampoo, conditioner, and body wash. There was no shower curtain, it only had a glass wall and door.

I had every inch of that shower memorized because every time I came to use the bathroom I'd end up staring longingly at it.

Ratchet walked around me into the shower. He set the soaps down on the floor right next to the wall chair and unhooked the showerhead from the wall. While he did this, I tugged off the weird hospital gown I wore leaving me in only a bra and underwear. It wasn't the stuff I was wearing when I showed up in this universe and I assumed someone had changed me before, during, or after my surgery. I was afraid to ask who.

"I will bring you clothes to change into." Ratchet turned around to push the chair toward the shower door. He helped me up from the wheelchair to the shower seat. He carefully began to unhook the giant brace around my leg.

"What's Taylor doing today?" I asked, "Can you ask her to bring me clothes? Something not hospital looking."

Ratchet rolled his eyes and unwrapped the ace bandage around my knee, "Do not try and move your leg. No bending whatsoever." I nodded and stared at the long, ugly line of staples over my knee. It started an inch or two above my knee and ended a few inches below. Ratchet cleared his throat and my eyes darted up to meet his concerned gaze. "Do you feel any pain?"

"With the-" My voice cracked and I mentally cursed myself, "With the pain meds you got pumping in me, Ratch, I can't feel a damn thing."

"The wound will heal." Ratchet said.

I nodded and swallowed the lump in my throat, "Yeah. Of course. I know."

Scars didn't bother me. Like I had told Sideswipe back in my universe, they weren't that big of a deal. They were a reminder of strength, of survival. However, this one felt different. Seeing it made me feel sick to my stomach. It made me remember in full detail the pain I felt when that bat collided with my knee. Getting shot in the stomach had hurt, but the memory of it wasn't seared into my head. I lost a lot of it after losing consciousness. The knee though? That was crystal clear. It was the most intense pain I had felt in my entire life that I could remember, which was saying something considering I spent a number of years as a punching bag.

"There." Ratchet mumbled. He had put this thin metal brace around my knee just to make sure I didn't bend it at all. "Don't wash that leg and try not to get too much water on it either."

I gave him another smile, "You're the boss, Ratch."

He gave me one last concerned look before walking over to the opposite wall and turning on the water for me. It gradually heated up and he didn't leave until the temperature was comfortable to me. Ratchet left the room with one final request of calling for him if I needed help with anything.

The moment the bathroom door shut, I leaned to the left and brought the showerhead to my greasy hair. What better way to start this Monday morning than with clean hair?


The house was beautiful, that couldn't be argued against. The walls were various shades of light brown brick and the roof was made of clay tiles. A well-kept garden sprawled around the house and a large driveway sat in front of the home. As many cars that visited this house, a huge driveway was mandatory along with the tall, two story garage that sat to the left of the house.

Inside wasn't any less pretty either. With polished wood and tile floors, beige colored walls, and lavish furniture the house lacked nothing. It was also plenty spacious for a family of more than ten. The government paid for all of the costs so size never really was an issue.

As pretty as it was though, it never truly felt like home to Aubrey. She always preferred the base and now that she knew her sister was there it felt wrong to be in this house.

"You don't have to stay, you know. I'll pick Luke up from school."

Aubrey turned her focus away from the dishes in the sink to see Monique Epps standing across the marbled kitchen island. She was a pretty woman in her late thirties. She had dark, clear skin with large expressive eyes and a heart shaped face. Her black hair was slightly curled around her shoulders and today she wore a white blouse and khaki pants. Monique had been one of Aubrey's closest friends since she arrived and met the woman about nineteen or so years ago.

"I am fully capable of picking up all the younglings from school." Ironhide spoke gruffly from where his holoform stood. The holoform looked about her age and wore plain, dark jeans, black boots, a white t-shirt, and a leather jacket over it all. He had a light skin tone and dark brown hair a bit longer than what one would expect from Ironhide, but he kept it pushed back and out of his face. There was also a good amount of scruff on his jawline and a scar over his right eye from a little above his eyebrow down to his cheekbone. The scar didn't prevent him from seeing out of his right eye.

"You're more than capable, but I promised Luke I'd take him to the park after school today." Aubrey replied with a small smile.

Monique crossed her arms, "Are you sure?"

"Positive." Aubrey nodded, "Aimee's not going anywhere on that knee of hers." She turned back around to finish washing dishes as Monique went back to gathering her work items. Aubrey considered her little sister's stubbornness and hatred for sitting still, "At least I hope not…"


A knock at the door made me jump slightly and I pulled the showerhead away from my hair curiously. Ratchet yelled through the door, "Are you done yet? It's been twenty minutes now."

I rolled my eyes, "Don't get your panties in a bunch, Ratchet."

"If you want to go on a tour of the base we need to leave now to avoid the mid-morning crowd."

Those words got the job done. I sighed and let him know I was done. The shower left me feeling refreshed and renewed. Ratchet breezed into the bathroom with a towel tucked under his arm and a stack of clothes in his hands. I briefly felt embarrassment at the fact that I was still just wearing my undergarments and now they were soaking wet and a bit soapy. However, I forced myself to bite the feelings back. This was Ratchet after all. I trusted him as family and my current physician.

"Here." He handed me the towel after turning the water flow off. Ratchet took the showerhead from me so he could put it back where it belonged. I wrapped the towel around myself loosely and while holding it with one hand I used my other hand to unhook my dripping wet bra. Quickly, I tossed it aside and tried to figure out how I was going to get my wet underwear off while maintaining my dignity. Ratchet looked over at me with concern, "Do you require help?"

"No." I blurted loudly. "I got this."

Ratchet rolled his eyes and walked out of the bathroom entirely. I watched him go curiously, but a minute later he was back with a pair of scissors. He handed them to me and I took them with a raised eyebrow.

"Just cut them." He spoke slowly, as if I was hard of hearing. "You aren't overly attached to them are you?"

I grinned and waved the scissors at him, "You're so smart, Ratchet."

"Well one of us should be."

With ease, I slid part of the blade under the sides and cut them. I handed Ratchet the scissors and then used my hand to pull them away. They joined the wet bra on the floor of the shower.

"Are you good?" He asked and I nodded. Ratchet grabbed under my arm and supported me with enough strength that my right foot didn't have to touch the ground. He set me down on lid of the toilet and knelt down with a smaller towel I hadn't seen him bring in, "Keep your leg straight."

Ratchet didn't wait for me to respond. He took off the metal guard and then went about drying my bad leg. I lifted my gaze to the ceiling so I didn't have to stare at my knee. He rose, tossing the damp towel into the sink, and left again. While he was out, I grabbed the stack of clothes within arm reach. The stack consisted of a gray 'ARMY' shirt and black workout shorts. There was also a small pair of underwear and a black sports bra. I set the stack down again and quickly pulled the sports bra on. Before I could pull the shirt on, Ratchet came back in with a roll of ace bandages and a different brace than I had on earlier. It was smaller than the other and made of metal.

"Is that the one Wheeljack said he was making me?"

"No." Ratchet set the brace down and began to wrap my knee carefully with the ace bandage, "He won't be done with that for a while. This is just a standard brace for your kind of injury. It will lock your knee and prevent movement."

"Fancy." I commented and watched as he picked up the brace. The metal brace opened up, allowing him to place it over my knee, and then snap it closed. Ratchet twisted something and I could feel it tighten around my knee. The contraption went from mid thigh to about mid shin. He spun this circular knob on the side and I heard it click a few times.

Ratchet stood back up and I assumed it was correctly in place. I wasn't about to test it by trying to bend my knee.

"Hand me your undergarment."

"Excuse me?" I raised an eyebrow at him.

Ratchet huffed unhappily, "Oh please, this isn't fun for either of us, you know. Just hand it over."

I picked up the fresh underwear and handed to him. Ratchet knelt down and carefully placed both my legs through the holes and tugged it up until it was about mid shin. He held out his hand to me and I smiled then handed him my pants as well. Ratchet took them and did the same thing. This way I wouldn't have to struggle to bend over and stick my legs in myself, "Can you handle it from here without hurting yourself?"

"Yupp." I grinned at him and he rose. Ratchet gave me a pointed look that I understood to mean 'Be fucking careful, you disaster of a human', and then left the room. When the door shut I finished the job of pulling my underwear up. I was extra careful to not put any weight on my leg. The last thing I needed was to get hurt doing something simple. Ratchet would stick me in a padded room and never let me leave.

It took a couple minutes to get my clothes on then I spent the next minute or two drying my hair with my already damp towel. My hair always grew fast, but now it seemed much longer than it was when I left my universe. Was that just in my head? The light brown locks brushed the top of my shoulders.

"Ratchet?"

The mech came back in and helped me back into my wheelchair. He pushed me out and I felt so much gratitude towards him. What in the world would I do without Ratchet? As much as I probably annoyed him most days, he was without a doubt the mech I owed the most to. He was the one who brought me back to life as I bled out on my kitchen floor and he was the one who reminded me that I could let my guard down and allow someone else to care for me. He pushed me towards the edge of the floor on the far left side of the room and let his holoform disappear as his bipedal mode stand up to his full height. He picked me up carefully, wheelchair and all, and carried me out of the room.

"Ratchet?" I spoke up again.

He looked down toward me in alarm. My tone had been softer and he must have thought something was wrong. Ratchet nodded, "Yes? Are you comfortable? Any pain?"

I opened my mouth, wanting to express to him how thankful I really was, but I couldn't find the words to say. Embarrassedly, I cleared my throat and crossed my arms, "I- I um, I thought we were going down the other elevator. The one to your real medbay?"

Ratchet glanced up and walked down the hall to the archway that would lead out into the hanger I had visited with Annabelle yesterday. He nodded once and set me down in front of the archway, "Yes well, Lennox would like to see you first."

"Oh, ok." I replied. I continued to stare ahead at the light at the portion of the hanger I could see. The sound of voices could be heard faintly. Ratchet transformed behind me, and suddenly his holoform was pushing me forward again. I glanced back to see his alt mode trailing behind us.

It took only a moment to get into the hanger and this time it was filled with life. Soldiers were walking about or stopping in various places to talk. Most of them wore the same type of uniform, but the colors differed and I figured that was the difference between what branch they served. I didn't see any Autobots or flashy cars.

"There are so many soldiers." I mumbled and ran a hand through my damp hair, trying to discreetly straighten it. A few random soldiers glanced over at me offering nods to me and greetings to the medic pushing me. Ratchet always grunted in reply. I chuckled and watched a group of three fairly attractive, male soldiers walk across from us, "Man, I think I could get used to this place."

"What?"

I glanced over my shoulder with a grin, "Haven't you heard, Ratch? Women would kill for a good looking guy in uniform." Ratchet continued to push me forward, but I saw him roll his eyes once more before I turned back around. He suddenly came to a stop in front of the Autobot elevator in the middle of the room.

I could see Lennox standing a few feet ahead talking to a blond soldier wearing a similar uniform to Lennox. My eyes drifted down the soldier's backside admiringly. With a chuckle, I leaned back to speak again to Ratchet, "You see that, Ratchet? You could bounce a dime off that fine military grade ass."

What I expected was for Ratchet to either scold me, groan in annoyance, or some combination of the two. The mech threw me for a loop though when he instead just chuckled at my comment. I narrowed my eyes and turned around to make sure it was still Ratchet pushing me.

"I always knew you liked my aft. Mine better be the only one you're admiring though."

My head snapped back around to see the blond soldier had turned around to face me. It took me a moment to recognize my favorite trouble causing mech, but only because he was using his true holoform and I wasn't used to him looking so put together. Still, no matter what clothes he wore or how he wore them, I'd always recognize that shit-eating grin.

"Sideswipe." I breathed in surprise.

He crossed the space toward me and without hesitation I pushed myself out of the wheelchair. I heard Ratchet yell out, and I felt his fingers just barely graze my back as he tried to pull me back down, but I was in the air. I had used my good leg to bounce off the ground and propel myself forward. A part of my mind scolded me for being so careless and braced for the impact that was sure to come, but instead my faith was rewarded. Sideswipe easily caught me in his arms and pulled me tightly against his chest. My bare toes brushed against the floor briefly before Sideswipe arched his back a bit pulling them up higher.

Sideswipe pulled his face away from the crook of my neck to noisily plant kisses all over my face as I laughed. Ratchet's complaints could be heard behind us, but neither of us paid him any mind. I grinned at him when he paused from the onslaught of kisses, "Did you miss me?"

"Babe", Sideswipe leaned forward and pressed one last kiss against my temple, "You have no fragging idea."

I chuckled and let my eyes trace over his features, "You're using your real holoform."

"Have been for twenty years now." He replied with a smirk.

"Will you put her down?" Ratchet barked.

I didn't have the time, or the words, to tell Sideswipe how proud I was that he was using his real holoform. So instead, I pressed my own lips against the scar on his face to show my approval. Sideswipe's smile softened as mine grew. He took a few steps forward and carefully set me back down in the wheelchair.

"Honestly, I should take you right back to the medbay now, youngling." Ratchet scoffed, "And you!" Sideswipe tore his gaze away from me to grin at Ratchet who continued to rant, "I said I'd bring her out to see you on the condition that you were careful."

Sideswipe shook his head, "I am being careful, Hatchet. I swear."

"For Primus' sake." Ratchet mumbled, "You two weren't gone long enough."

"You know you missed us."

I lifted my arm to get Sideswipe's attention, "Where's Sunstreaker?"

"He's downstairs talking to Prowl. I just popped up here to touch base with Lennox." Sideswipe replied.

Lennox took this moment to step forward. He gave me a firm smile and a quick nod, "Aj. How do you feel?"

"Pretty good." I nodded, "Ratchet has me on some sort of miracle drug. I feel no pain whatsoever."

Lennox chuckled, "I'm glad. Annie and Luke were singing your praises last night before they left with Hide."

"Oh yeah?" A smile grew on my features at his words.

"Yeah. Annie was begging me to let you meet Lex and Eli sometime this week."

My eyebrows furrowed in confusion, "I didn't realize I wasn't allowed to meet them. Am I secret or something?"

Lennox blinked once in surprise before shaking his head with a smile that didn't quite reach his eyes, "We're just being cautious. Since you came through a magic portal and all."

"Ah, right." I mumbled as Ratchet grumbled under his breath that the portal wasn't magic. Lennox said a quick good-bye to the three of us before turning on his heel to leave the hanger. My gaze drifted back to Sideswipe who was already staring at me with a wide grin. "Why are you staring at me?" I chuckled. "Stop."

Sideswipe shook his head and crossed his arms, "I haven't seen my favorite femme in twenty fragging years. I'm allowed to ogle at that gorgeous face."

"Stop." I whined again, but I'm sure the smile and blush I wore wasn't very convincing.

Sideswipe tore his gaze away to look at Ratchet, "I'll take her on the grand tour, Hatchet."

"Like Primus you will-"

"Please, Ratchet?" I twisted in my seat and laced my hands together, "Pretty, pretty please? I wanna hang out with Sides and Sunny. I promise to be on my absolute best behavior. No nonsense."

Ratchet scoffed, "In what universe would the three of you being together not equate to a ridiculous amount of nonsense?"

"Please?" I pleaded again. Ratchet's firm frown cracked and he sighed in annoyance.

The medic pushed my wheelchair towards Sideswipe, "No walking whatsoever. I don't even want you out of that chair, youngling." I nodded with a grin and Ratchet snapped his glare to the mech now holding the wheelchair's handlebars, "And you. I swear-"

Sideswipe set a hand on his chest and gave the medic a sincere smile, "No funny business, Ratchet. We got her best intentions at spark."

"Back in my medbay by 2 and-"

"Thanks, Ratchet!" I cried as Sideswipe began to push me into the large, vehicle-sized elevator, "You're the best!"

I caught sight of Ratchet's holoform rolling his eyes before it disappeared completely. As the doors shut I also saw a quick glimpse of Ratchet transforming. I twisted in my seat again, "Where are you?"

"Huh?" Sideswipe questioned.

"Where's the real you?" I asked, "It's gonna be so freaking weird to see you as like an actual car."

Sideswipe smirked, "I'm parked my alt mode next to Sunny. Try not to be too impressed, babe. I don't want you drooling over my sexy, red finish."

I laughed loudly as Sideswipe argued that he wasn't joking. Seeing Sideswipe again automatically made this the best day ever. The fact that I was about to see Sunstreaker too put me on cloud nine. For me, I had only been separated from the twins for a couple days now, but it felt so weird to be away from them. To be away from any of them. I was still counting the seconds until Jazz, Bumblebee, and Grimlock made their way back to me.

The elevator doors opened and Sideswipe wasted no time in pushing me out into the hanger. The first thing my eyes landed on was a familiar, cherry red Lamborghini. It was a hell of a lot bigger than I was used to and a bit more modern looking than it had been before, but it was the same alt mode I had grown to know and love. Only a step behind it was a pair of bright yellow legs. My eyes traced up the legs to a familiar, broad chest up to a pair of bright lavender eyes. Sunstreaker's gaze was locked onto me the moment Sideswipe and I stepped out of the elevator. I had no idea my smile could grow anymore, but seeing that bright yellow mech had me grinning from ear to ear. If I could fling myself up from this wheelchair and run to greet him I would. However, I'm pretty positive Ratchet had some sort of 'Aj is doing stupid shit' sense that went off anytime I even thought of disobeying him.

I lifted my hand and gave him a short wave. Sunstreaker's lips twitched up at the corner. The sound of a holoform shutting down filled the air and was immediately replaced by the sound of transforming as the red alt mode unfolded into a mech. Sideswipe, once fully transformed, stood in front of his brother with his arms outstretched and a bright grin on his face.

He shook his hands, "Ta-da!"

I let out a laugh as Sunstreaker set his hand against the side of Sideswipe's face and pushed him away. Sideswipe chirped something out in Cybertronian, but Sunstreaker moved past him toward me. He began to kneel down only to stop and turn his head with a sudden frown. It was only then that I realized there was another Cybertronian in the hanger all together. I wasn't sure how I missed Prowl who stood only a few yards away from Sunstreaker with his arms crossed over his chest.

"Oh, Prowl." I waved to him as well, "Hey there."

"Aj." Prowl nodded his head once in my direction, "Are you feeling well?"

"Never better."

Sunstreaker let out a huff of air, "Is there a reason why you're still here?"

Prowl replied in Cybertronian. Sunstreaker narrowed his eyes in a glare before turning to stare at his brother. Sideswipe and Sunstreaker shared an internal argument, I could see it on their faces, and it made me chuckle to myself. Both glanced at me once before Sideswipe threw his hands up, "Fine. Fine. I'll do it." Sideswipe pointed at me, "Be a good femme. No walking or standing."

"Ok, Ratchet." I replied. Sideswipe grinned and folded back down into his alt mode before speeding away down one of the halls. Prowl mumbled something with a shake of his head and transformed himself before chasing after Sideswipe.

My gaze drifted back to Sunstreaker to find his eyes already on me. My grin returned as Sunstreaker knelt down in front of me. There was so much that was familiar. With a quick glance, I'd say he looked just like he did back at the house just a lot fucking bigger, but that wasn't the entire truth. The dark gray and black metal that showed beneath his yellow armor had more detail. There was a softness to his features that I hadn't seen before, but maybe that was something I just hadn't noticed. The biggest difference was his eyes. They were still that pretty shade of light lavender with a darker shade that moved as he willed it, his pupil of sorts, but there was so much detail in his eyes, detail and emotions. If I weren't so dead set on getting taken on a tour of the base, I'd sit here and stare all day.

"Hey there, Sunny." I grinned.

Sunstreaker chuckled once, his smile lingering as he spoke, "Don't call me that." He reached forward, but I watched as his hand hesitated for a moment. His smile faltered briefly, "Can I…Do you trust me?"

It felt like a silly question. Then again, who would've ever guessed that I'd ever consider that a silly question. Me, the girl who had trust issues to spare. Yet, here I was stuck in a wheelchair staring up at a giant metal alien from outer space feeling safe and overjoyed. I trusted Sunstreaker. I trusted all my mechs.

I raised an eyebrow at him and crossed my arms, "Like you even need to ask."

Sunstreaker looked almost smug at my words. He didn't wait another second to carefully scoop me into the palm of his hand as he used his other hand to steady me. Sunstreaker stood up slowly so I didn't get a head rush, which I appreciated, but once he was at full height I realized just how high up from the ground I was.

"Damn." I mumbled before pulling the brake on my wheelchair to prevent it from rolling back and forth. Carefully, I began to push myself out of the chair.

"Hey." Sunstreaker pressed his finger against my abdomen to keep me from rising, "Didn't Sides just go over the rules with you."

"Oh, come on." I gave him the best pleading look that I could muster, "I was gonna sit here once I got out. I just don't wanna sit in the chair while in your hand. Please?"

Sunstreaker vented out a sigh, but moved his finger back some. Getting out of the chair was a lot easier with Sunstreaker's help. Once I was out of it, and sitting in the center of his palm. Sunstreaker grabbed the chair and threw it into his subspace. At least that's what I assumed he did. I seriously doubt Sunstreaker took magic lessons while I was gone.

He pressed the side of his hand against the center of his chest and I scooted back far enough until my back was leaning against him, "Thanks, Sunshine."

"Please don't tell me we're starting this up again." Sunstreaker remarked about my name of choice for him. He began to walk forward.

I shook my head, "I'm running through some of my old favorite nicknames. I just gotta find something to call you permanently. Sunny is Sideswipe's thing."

"You could always call me Sunstreaker."

"I've been gone for too long if you think I'm gonna settle for your actual name."

There was a brief pause before Sunstreaker replied, "You have been gone for too long."

I craned my neck up to look at him, but his gaze was focused dead ahead as he navigated through the hallways. I wasn't entirely sure how to reply to that so instead I just pressed my hand against his chest and cleared my throat, "So? You gonna take me on a kickass tour or what?"

Sunstreaker chuckled and the unofficial tour started.

The mech walked me through the halls pointing out various areas, some like Wheeljack's lab and Ratchet's medbay I had seen before but others were new. The main rec room, which doubled as their food hall, was a few halls down from Ratchet's medbay. It was large and filled with Cybertronian sized furniture. This was also the first time I've seen their source of energon. The setup actually reminded me of an oversized vending machine. Sunstreaker surprisingly laughed at all the coffee related jokes I made, but he made it clear that he didn't miss the pseudo-energon.

"How come it's so dead down here?" I questioned as Sunstreaker carried me down a new hall. He didn't seem to tire of my million questions about him, his twin, or the base so I just kept them coming. "We saw Jackie working, but we haven't seen any other mechs."

"It's early afternoon on a Monday. They're busy."

"How many Cybertronians live here again?"

"Counting Sides and I? 15."

I let out a low whistle. That didn't seem like much considering how big and widespread their underground base was. Then again, what did I really know about Cybertronian architecture? To their eyes this area probably still seemed too small.

"Hey! Welcome back, Sunstreaker!"

It was a new voice that cut through the air. The voice itself was deep and gruff, but there was a friendly tone that rang throughout it. I could feel Sunstreaker tense, and before I could question him he mumbled in my direction, "You jinxed us."

Slowly, Sunstreaker turned around. I grinned at the sight of a new mech. He was shorter than Sunstreaker, but almost all mechs were. If I had to guess I'd say this new mech was either the same height or a bit taller than Ratchet. He had dark green paint and was thickly built around his midsection. It also looked like he had a military style helmet atop his head. His eyes were a very light blue, almost gray, and they were kind.

"Hound." Sunstreaker replied curtly. Hound smiled and didn't seem surprised or upset by Sunstreaker's lackluster greeting.

Hound's eyes drifted to me, and he lifted one hand in greeting, "Well hello, you must be Aj. I've heard a lot about you."

"Good things I hope." I replied with a grin, "So you're the famous Hound? Creator of the holoforms?"

Hound chuckled, "I wouldn't say creator. Jackie did a lot of work on 'em. I just provided an idea and a base to work with." The mech glanced away to meet Sunstreaker's gaze and nodded, "I should be on my way though. Nice meeting you, Aj, and nice to see you again Sunstreaker."

The yellow mech made a noise of acknowledgement before continuing in the direction we had been heading. I knocked my elbow into his chest lightly, "What was that about?"

"I'm not in the mood for small talk." He replied. "I like Hound. He's a good mech, but there isn't much to catch up on with him."

I caught the meaning behind his words. Sunstreaker wanted to spend his free time talking to me, catching up with me. I already knew the yellow mech wasn't overly social like his brother tended to be. He was more of a one on one kind of guy. My smile returned at the thought of that. It felt kind of good to be one of the few people that Sunstreaker would actively seek one on one time with.

"Sideswipe's done with Prowl. He'll meet us at our room."

"Ooh!" I chirped, "I'm gonna get to see your room?"

Sunstreaker shook his head, "There isn't much to see."

The few doors we passed Sunstreaker explained that they were spare rooms and that if I turned right at the end of this hallway I'd find Bluestreak, Hound, and Jazz's rooms. Sunstreaker took a left instead and the sight of a red mech leaning against the wall greeted me. Sideswipe stood next to a large metal, sliding door.

"Took you two long enough. I've been waiting here forever." Sideswipe groaned and pushed himself off the wall.

Sunstreaker scoffed, "You got here a klik before us."

"Well it sure as pit felt like forever." Sideswipe countered and turned to type something into the pad by the door. "Babe, do you have your xScreen with you?"

I shook my head, "I don't have one, period."

"But I thought Wheeljack…" Sideswipe's gaze lifted to his brother's. They were silent for the quickest moment before he nodded, "Ah. I'll get it from him when it's ready and input our room code."

"Annabelle said the phone could get me into stuff?"

The door slid open and Sideswipe walked in. Sunstreaker answered, "Some areas, yes. It doesn't allow access into Wheeljack's lab though or any private rooms."

"But once you have our code you can come in anytime." Sideswipe chirped as Sunstreaker stepped into the room. I heard the door slide shut behind him. The room was huge in comparison to me, but with both tall mechs standing in the room it seemed infinitely smaller. The walls were a soft gray and there were two large slabs of metal pushed against the left wall and the right wall. There was also a shelving unit against the back wall with nothing on or in it. To the right of that unit was an archway in the corner of the room that led somewhere else.

Sideswipe clapped his hands once, "It doesn't look like much now, but just you wait until we get our stuff back in here."

"Where is y'all's stuff?" I asked.

"Subspace." Sunstreaker replied. His hands began to move and I couldn't help but tense. "I got you."

Sunstreaker carefully set me down on one of the metal slab to the right, which I assumed was his berth. Then he pulled my wheelchair out of subspace and set it down beside me. I couldn't help but narrow my eyes at it a bit. I seriously could not wait until I was up and on my own again. This injury was a nightmare in and of itself.

The yellow mech took a step away and I watched as they began to pull things out of their subspace. The entire time I just watched with a smile on my lips. Seeing them again just made me so happy, to the point where a part of me was questioning everything. They hadn't seen me in twenty years, but it had only been a few days since I last saw them.

"Why am I so happy to see you guys?" My question had a light tone and I couldn't stop myself from chuckling midway through. "I mean, I am…I am just so happy."

Sideswipe placed some sort of weird metal rock thing on the shelf then turned with a wide grin, "Because you love us, duh."

I let out another laugh, "Well, yeah, I love all y'all, but this is so…" I tried to find a way to describe the joy that filled every ounce of my person, "I don't know how to describe it."

Sunstreaker glanced my way with a small smirk before continuing his task of organization. His twin on the other hand walked over and sat down on the floor in front of me. If I were standing we'd probably be eye to eye now, but since I was on my ass he still had to glance down to some degree, "It's the bond."

"The bond?" I raised an eyebrow, "I don't understand."

"Back in your universe it was mostly one sided, but once we got here it kind of changed." Sideswipe shrugged, "None of you can communicate over the bond or anything remotely close to that, but you can feel it now...somewhat. You're happy to see us, but it's amplified because every single Cybertronian in the vicinity that you have a bond with is just as happy. More so I would say."

That made…sense? It made as much sense as any magical bond between human and Cybertronians could. I just wondered why no one felt it was pertinent to share this with me. I nodded, "So y'all's emotion effects me?"

"To a degree." Sunstreaker spoke up, but he didn't turn around, "This is a rare case where almost everyone you have a bond with shares the same emotion. On a normal day to day basis, the effect probably won't be as strong."

I stared at Sunstreaker's back a bit longer before shifting my gaze back to Sideswipe. My eyes didn't meet his own though. Rather, his gaze was focused on the brace around my knee. Slowly, he looked back up to me and his smile was gone to be replaced by a look of what might have been guilt.

"It's ok. It doesn't hurt anymore. Plus, the meds Ratchet has me on takes away any aches or soreness that should come with surgery." I said as comfortingly as I could. "Do you guys… Do you know…?"

Sideswipe nodded, "We know what happened. It was in Ratchet's report."

I didn't like the solemn tone the room had adopted. It didn't match the bubble of joy that sat in my chest. With a bright grin in the red mech's direction, I spoke, "So? As my Ratchet appointed babysitter, you're supposed to be entertaining me."

Sideswipe chuckled, "Whatever you want, babe."


He wasn't entirely sure how twenty earth years could feel so long. Pit, if someone had asked him how much time he thought had passed his answer would've been vorns upon vorns. Sunstreaker knew that he cared very much for the organic femme lying on his holoform, but he hadn't fully understood the depth of that caring until she was suddenly gone. He couldn't believe that at one point he had considered cutting her out of his life to prevent himself pain. What a stupid idea that had been. Granted, it hadn't been as awful as watching her offline on the kitchen floor so long ago. Unlike then, him and Sideswipe could still feel her over the bond faintly. They all could. The distance was just too great for anything to really come over.

He lifted his holoform's servo to lightly brush the light brown hair away from her faceplate. They had all hung out in their room for hours until her medicine started to wear off and she grew drowsy. It wasn't like they had any human sleeping items on hand, so now she rested her helm on Sunstreaker's holoform's thigh. Aj had fallen asleep maybe thirty earth minutes ago.

'I just picked up her xScreen from Jackie. I'm gonna find Ratchet.' Sideswipe said over the bond and Sunstreaker sent him a halfhearted acknowledgement.

Sunstreaker continued to brush his servo through her soft hair. Hair was never something Sunstreaker was a fan of. It seemed pointless and it got everywhere. However, he couldn't think a single annoyed thought at her hair as it sprawled out in his lap. She looked peaceful as she slept and Sunstreaker would never disturb her well-needed rest, but he missed the blue of her optics already.

How pathetic was that?

'Not pathetic.' Sideswipe shot back to him, but Sunstreaker ignored him. His lips twitched up slightly as he re-committed every detail of his femme into his processors. Maybe now that she was back he could actually get a painting of her done. Most of them he couldn't even bring himself to finish and the few that he did weren't good enough.

Aj let out a quiet moan as her optics fluttered open. Various shades of light blue that blended in a way that was unique to her. Then again, maybe it wasn't the color itself that made it so unique. Sunstreaker knew he had seen that color before now that he stared at it, but no patch of light blue had the fire that seemed to burn behind her optics. Aj's optics were always filled with life. She could hide whatever emotion she wanted behind a smile and the brick walls she built around her heart, but she couldn't hide a fragging thing in those pretty blue optics. They were a language of their own. A language that Sunstreaker wouldn't mind spending the rest of his existence learning.

It took a moment for Aj to really wake up, but once she was fully conscious she caught his gaze, "Sorry…I didn't mean to fall asleep."

"Don't be." He replied softly. "Did I wake you?"

Sunstreaker pulled his hand back, but she stuck out her lower lip in a pout, "No, keep doing that. It felt nice." Her face scrunched up in annoyance, "Plus, it's distracting."

"Your knee?"

"The pain is starting to come back." She admitted hesitantly. Sunstreaker moved his servo back to her hair and her optics closed again in response.

"Sides is getting Ratchet. He'll bring something to help."

Aj mumbled something in reply, but he didn't catch her words. Sunstreaker watched as she slowly drifted back into recharge. He let out a soft sigh and reveled in the weight in his chassis that seemed to be gone now that she was back. Sideswipe buzzed across the bond in agreement and both of them swore that nothing would ever take her away from them again.