Hey guys, another update for you all!

Before you start reading, I have something's I'd like to ask you!

Like any normal relationships, smutty stuff is bound to happen—so what I'm asking is: would you guys like to see some smut in the future?

Also new cover! I've been wanting to create a new one for a while,

Anyway, this chapter will not be following the plot of Master and Student, instead, Zelda goes to visit some familiar people.

It's a bit jumpy with line breaks, just wanted to let ya know.

Drop By

(S1, Ep6)

"How comes you didn't tell me about the reaction to dark energon?" I questioned, glancing up at His large and towering grand form from my stone perch.

His silver-white faceplate turned back to me; His golden optics were like stars lighting up our dark ethereal surroundings, "I did not think a day would come that you would encounter my brother's blood. You have my apologies; I should still have warned you of the possible effects."

I waved him off, "Don't worry, I've never been a physical person before, so it was hard to know."

He chuckled, "That is true, my child."

He turned once more, his large wings twitched. He vented softly, "I would also like to speak about something else."

I blinked as I felt a tug.

"But that will have to wait," He cut short, turning back to me, optics flickering with amusement, "I shall speak to you soon, Daughter."

"And I you, Father."

'Starscream's taken control of the Nemesis, Primus save us,' was the text I awoke to. I winced in sympathy.

'That's gotta be rough,' I answered, feeling sorry for the other residents on the Nemesis.

'Yes. Pity us,' I snorted out a laugh, only to groan at the remaining ache that had yet to disappear. Damn, there goes my hope of working out today.

I sat up and rubbed the sleep from my eyes, allowing myself to wake up more before actually getting up to start the day. I glanced to the ceiling, feeling oddly in a bit of a funk. I sighed.

'Already am,'I finally responded.

':,)'

I tittered.

There were no more messages and I finally stood, going to take shower before making my way to the hub, but I bumped into Optimus along my journey.

"Morning," I greeted, and he knelt, offering a servo.

"Good morning, Zelda. A refreshing recharge I hope?" He asked.

"Feeling far better, but still like slag—though everything's that's happened got me in a bit of a, uh, tizzy," I answered as I climbed onto his right shoulder. I paused for a moment and ultimately came to a quick decision, "I think I might go visit Sam and Mikaela."

Optimus gave a deep hum, "If that is what you wish, then I shan't try and stop you."

I gripped the metal that framed his windscreen, "Ac—Actually, now that I, uh, have you—just the two of us, I wanted to say something—it's a bit important, heh."

Optimus slowed to a stop at the entrance of the hub, glancing at me in concern, "What is bothering you, Zelda?"

I swallowed, "It's about Megatron."

"What is with the glum expressions?" Ratchet questioned at our approach.

My jaw snapped shut with a clank from my teeth. I saw Optimus look at me from the corner of my eye.

"This planet—all planets—are finally free from Megatron's tyranny," Ratchet continued.

"I do not disagree, Ratchet," Optimus said, eyeing me for a moment longer before turning to Ratchet, "It's just… a small part of me hoped to change Megatron's mind, not extinguish his spark."

"Optimus, his vileness was not slain by your hand but by his own twisted arrogance."

"Hmm."

Ratchet vented deeply, "I'm sorry. I know your history runs deep."

"But the Megatron whom I once fought beside perished aeons ago, the day he chose to become a Decepticon," Optimus answered, then he frowned, "The Decepticon may be in disarray, but they aren't without leadership. And while Starscream is no Megatron, he is far from predictable."

BOOM

I shouted as the entire base shook momentarily. Optimus and Ratchet ran towards where it had resonated under the guise it was a Decepticon, only to discover it was Raf's volcano.

I sighed, hand to my chest as my spark raced.

"Hold still, Bulkhead. Jupiter needs its red spot," Miko raised her brush, only for a large blob of paint to drip onto the ground, "Whoopsie."

"What… in the All-Spark is going on in here?" Ratchet berated.

"Our projects are due tomorrow," Jack answered, standing beside a motorbike. Why'd they leave it so late if that's the case?

"Maybe it needs one of these doohickeys," Arcee offered, picking up an exhaust pipe. I raised a brow in amusement at her lack of knowledge of the vehicle type she was.

"You're a motorcycle, Arcee," Jack had the same line of thought, "Shouldn't you know how to build a motorcycle engine?"

"You're a human, Jack. Can you build me a small intestine?" Arcee argued and I snorted, fair point.

"Well, you can't work on these projects in here," Ratchet argued, my brow went back up, "You're… making a mess."

"But the science fair's a big part of our grade," Raf argued.

"Yeah, if Bulkhead doesn't help me finish this model of our solar system—"

"Oh?" Ratchet cut in, "And what does Bulkhead know of your solar system, or Bumblebee of your volcanos, or—"

We turned to Arcee, and Jack filled in, "Arcee of our motorcycles?"

"Precisely! We're not earthlings and they're not scientists."

"Aw, c'mon Ratch," I chided, he turned to me with a grumpy expression, "So what if they don't? It's like a learning experience for both parties!"

"Zelda is right," Optimus agreed and I grinned, "They are their guardians, Ratchet. Would it hurt to learn more of earth by helping our young friends with their schoolwork?"

"Well, maybe our young friends should try and learn more of Cybertron."

I felt a sudden swell of dread fill me—oh, no. Anything but that.

"And I'm gonna take that as my queue to get the hell outta dodge," I blurted. Ratchet glared at me, unimpressed, "Be a dear and bridge me to Tranquility, would ya, Ratch'?"

He grumbled like the grumpy medic he was but did so. I leapt from Optimus's shoulder, grunting lightly as I hit the ground. I hopped onto my bike, tugged my helmet on and drove through without another word. My chance at telling Optimus about Megatron had evaporated into a cloud of smoke and I didn't want to be around the base after Ratchet's little hissy fit—he was bound to do something, I've learned that from experiences.

The Ground Bridge left me in an alley only several blocks away from Sam and Mikaela's place—and Mikaela's workplace. She had been co-running her father's bike shop for the last few years in preparation for completely overtaking when he retired.

Last I'd heard of Sam, he was still bouncing from job to job while searching for the right one.

I drove out the alley and, knowing Mikaela would be working, headed for the shop. Several heads raised at my entrance to the lot, Mikaela's one of them. Her long dark hair tied back into a scruffy bun as she worked on a bike's paint job.

She grinned as I climbed off my bike, pulling my helmet off.

"Zelda!" she cheered, running over and I laughed as she tackled me.

The whole tackling thing had become a bit of an inside joke between us, never mind the fact we were twenty-seven-year-old and almost twenty-three-year-old women, "Kae!"

"It's so good to see you!" she gushed, pulling back after several nano-kliks.

"I can easily say the same to you."

We shared another chuckle. Mikaela led me into the building, shouting over her shoulder that she was taking her break—to the other employees' amusement.

She led me to the breakroom, where we sat at the table, "So. What's got you up here without a text beforehand?"

"Impulse really," I answered, expression turning grim, "Cliffjumper was offlined."

Mikaela's eyes widened, "What? Who—?"

"Starscream…" I shook my helm, "But Megatron returned too."

Her breath hitched.

"He's not exactly in the best of state now, though—slag happened… everyone thinks he's dead and I haven't gotten to—"

Mikaela's eyes softened as she reached over the table, grabbing my hands, "It's okay."

"I felt it, 'Kaela." I cracked, "It was horrible. I hate it. It hurts," My sight blurred, "All I want is for that space to be filled again and I don't know what to do."

Mikaela stood, moving to wrap her arm around me as I sobbed.

Eventually, I managed to pull myself together, and while I wanted nothing more than to continue crying, I knew it wasn't getting me anywhere and it would only stop me from my reason for coming to visit Sam and Mikaela in the first place, which was to distract myself and have a good time.

When lunch finally came around, we migrated to a pub a few doors down and left our previous conversation behind.

"Sam and I have been thinking about taking the next step in our relationship," Mikaela brought up after our nachos had been delivered.

I grinned, "As in marriage?"

Mikaela laughed, nodding, "Yeah. Though Judy had been the original one to mention it, complaining about the lack of grandkids despite us only just being twenty-three."

My smile dimmed a bit—I wasn't going to be able to give her any kids to dot on. I wanted to—I really did but my body had been alternated a lot since my birth, I was unable to have children because of the All-Spark's power. At least as a tech organic, I wasn't able to.

And I'm not exactly compatible with any Cybertronians either. I might have a spark heart instead of a regular heart now, but that didn't mean I was able to carry another spark within me.

It… I had spent a lot of time in the past thinking about it and while I had come to terms with it, it didn't mean I wasn't upset about it.

"I hope to see some from you too," I chortled.

Mikaela groaned playfully, "Not you too!"

I laughed, "But it's true! You and Sam are bound to have good-looking kids with your genetics!"

Mikaela flushed red, hand coming up to cover her face in embarrassment, "That's what Judy said!"

That just renewed my laughter, to which Mikaela groaned again.

"Zelda!" Sam dropped his bag on to countertop in surprise.

"Sam," I greeted, hopping to my feet to hug him. He returned it.

"Not that I'm grateful for the visit but what happened to the whole agreement to drop a text beforehand?"

Mikaela guffawed. I gave him a smile, but I sighed and sat back down, "Some stuff happened is all—just made me wanna see you guys."

Sam frowned, "What…happened? It takes a lot to shake you, Zelda."

I swallowed, tensely smiling—willing myself not to cry again. I turned my gaze to my hands, "It's Cliff."

Sam stopped, breathing and everything. It took him a moment to start again, "Cliff?" his voice cracked.

I nodded, "He was jumped and the 'Cons got him."

"Bastards," He hissed. I flinched slightly at that—I knew Sam had problems after everything he'd been put through but honesty the Decepticons cared little about him anymore because he wasn't of any value to them.

I was thankful for it—don't get me wrong—but I also feel that Sam might not deserve to be so—I cut my thoughts off, not wanting to spend any time thinking about that, knowing it was my bias for Cybertronians subconsciously coming through.

Need to work on that. Stupid All-Spark power, hush, hush.

I shook my head, both to rid myself of my thoughts and to Sam. I didn't say anything else on that topic, instead turning it in a different direction, "Arcee accidentally got spotted by some kids, so we've now got three of them at base during out of school hours."

Sam and Mikaela's brows shot up, "Seriously?" Sam questioned.

"She wasn't exactly doing so well after—" I sighed again. Seriously, why must everything relate back to Cliff today? "There's Raf, he's a bit of a genius who somehow learned to hack. Jack, who reminds me of you Sam, and… Miko, an adrenaline junky and thrill seeker. At the first chance of adventure, she leapt through the Ground Bridge almost got all three of them killed."

The couple winced at my not-so-pleased tone.

"Is she really that bad?" Mikaela asked.

I groaned, "I only hope it doesn't happen often or better yet ever, she really shouldn't do slag like that."

"We can only hope," Sam responded drily, sounding unconvinced.

I scratched my jaw, "You guys know where your nearest florist is, by any chance?"

Mikaela smiled, speaking softly, "There's only that recently opened by the cemetery."

I returned the smile with a grateful one, "Thanks. Anyway, I've gotta get going."

"You sure you don't wanna stay for dinner?" Sam questioned.

I shook my head, "Nah." I picked my helmet up, "It was great seeing you guys."

I waved and before either could get up, saw myself out. I reached my bike and paused, letting out a breath.

I felt more relaxed than I had in a while. I smiled and tugged my helmet on, pulling out of their driveway.

I knew the directions to the cemetery by instinct now after the so many times I'd taken the route. It was only a ten-minute drive with the beginning of rush hour traffic. I spotted the florist that Mikaela had mentioned. I pulled up and parked, the cemetery being within walking distance, so no need to worry about getting back onto the bike and risk ruining the flowers.

The florist was empty apart from the single woman that was behind the counter. I returned her greeting when I entered to be polite.

I made a bokay of blue and purple flowers consisting of morning glory's, gentians', and clematis'. Those were my usual go-to flowers for Aria, they complimented each other, and blue had been Aria's long-time favourite colour.

I paid the twenty-seven dollars and made my exit.

The cemetery was healthier looking than the last time I'd stepped foot into it, in the distance, at the far back, I could hear and see the gardener finishing up maintenance.

I followed the path toward my parents and Aria's graves. I slowed when I reacted them.

Lucas James Larsson (1963-1995) and his wife: Rina Lula Larsson. (1964-1995)

They died to protect the innocent.

Purple Hearts.

May they rest in eternal piece.

My eyes moved to the one beside theirs.

Aria Selena Larsson (1990-2008)

Sister, fiancé, doctor, hero.

A life stolen before her time.

Purple Heart.

I sighed heavily, crouching before my parents' graves first, "Don't come nearly as often as I should, really. But I doubt you really blame me," I chuckled, "Forgive me for the lack of flowers also—didn't really have enough hands. Love you both."

I moved to Aria and fell back onto my behind. I reached forward, placing the bokay at her headstone.

"Hey, Bluebell. It's been a while huh?" I bit my lip, "A lots happened, and I don't doubt you've watched everything I'm doing, silently judging." I laughed; I could hear her voice.

"We both know you've always been a right bloody idiot," she'd tut but end up smiling because no matter how annoying I was for her, she could never stay annoyed at me.

"I'm sorry. It's been almost a year since I've come to visit you, ain't it?" I sighed, blinking back the tears that had gathered, "…I've come a long way since that little seven-year-old, haven't I? Shit, I've seen so much. More than the average person should—but I'm not really average anymore, am I?... I miss you—every day, but I think in the last few years I've finally really moved on. Man, you probably saw how much of a buggin' crybaby I've been…"

I wiped my eyes again as I chuckled, "Actually, I've got something to confess. So much has happened, so much unbelieve stuff, that I'm hardly surprised that I think I might be falling in love with Soundwave—or already am. It's weird—because… 'cause it feels nothing like what I had for Adan. With Adan, I felt warm and fluffy inside for him—and I know I loved him but what I feel for Soundwave doesn't feel like that. It's… there's this part of me that wants to be there beside him ever possibly nano-klik I can and it's so weird and I feel so gooey. It's a longing I've never had for anyone before and I…. It's like I'm on some drug whenever I'm with him. He's so… his presence is just so smoothing. It… it kinda bloody scares me actually 'cause I doubt he'd ever feel the same."

I gave a self-pitying sniggered, "I sound like some hopeless romantic, don't I, Bluebell? Dear Primus."

I went for a drive after visiting Aria and my parents, mostly to just clear my head of everything I'd revealed—and accepted—but eventually, I contacted base for a Ground Bridge.

I drove straight through and parked my bike. I tucked my helmet under my arm, greeting Optimus as he shut down the Ground Bridge.

"A clear processor?" He asked.

"A lot better," I smiled, "I really needed that."

"I am glad to see so," was his response.

A beat of silence where we stood still.

Awkwardly I nodded, and then pointed to the hallway, "I'm gonna head back to my room."

Yes, let's forget I wanted to speak to you this morning, Optimus.

Please don't remember.

"Zelda."

Damnit!

I stopped, glancing over my shoulder, "Optimus?"

"We did not finish our conversation this morning," He offered lightly—I knew that he knew that I was planning to do everything in my power to avoid what I had wanted to speak to him about. He knew me too damn well.

I sighed, accepting defeat this time.

"Perhaps a visit to the roof?"

I nodded and took up residence upon his shoulder as we made our way there. I said nothing in the meantime, biting my lower lip, trying to figure out how I wanted to go about this. The elevator came to a halt, and doors slid open, letting the warm Nevada evening air hit me.

It wasn't stuffy, in fact, it was that nice temperature considering how hot Jasper could get during the day.

Optimus walked to the edge that faced the setting sun. I tucked my knees to my chest, resting my chin on my knees as I watched the orange, red and pink hued sunset. Sitting like this was calming—listening to Optimus' humming spark and the beautiful sight before me, made me sigh softly.

We sat in silence for several breems.

Finally, I got a hold of my courage, "Megatron's alive. Severy injured, yes but not dead."

Optimus vented, "I suspected that might have been the cause of your strange behaviour today."

My spark fluttered lightly, "Sorry."

"Do not apologise, dear one," Optimus' tone was soft, and I sighed as his side of our bond reflected his equally soft emotions, "I understand your hesitance to mention this, especially after our fellow Autobots' reactions the night previous at the belief he had passed on."

"Still, I had been banking on you forgetting about the uh, unfinished conversation this morning," I answered sheepishly.

He hummed deeply; I felt his flash of amusement, "You should know me well enough by now, as I know you, Zelda."

I laughed, coming undone from the ball I'd curled up into, "Anyway, Sam and Mikaela are talking about marriage."

Optimus's optical ridge went up, but he smiled, "I am glad to know they are doing well and are happy."

We continued talking well past the time that the sun had set.