ATS- Longing

Hello everyone! I am so sorry about being completely off the map for so long. Life just got ahold of me and unfortunately, when you're an adult you have to take care of your responsibilities first…and it sucks! So, I hope this chapter makes up for my being absent…at least just a little bit.

Starlit Storyteller: Yes they did! About time too! Lol!

Lezlie: He is isnt he! The twins just don't know when to take it easy sometimes, but their sparks are in the right place. :) Sorry the update wasn't sooner.

TFSTARFIRE: AWWWW! Happy 18 years of marriage to you! Seems like such a rarity now a days. I wish ya'll a happy life!

heavenslilagl420: I'm glad you do. :)

SunnySidesFemme : Their fluff is so much fun for me to write!

Bee4ever : I'm glad you think so!

Shadescribe : I like the alt mode too! It's a car I wish I had! I know the action has been lacking, but I hope to fix that as soon as I can.

DJ Jazzy: Sorry it took so long to update this.

I can't believe it. I can't believe that I've actually gotten the hang of my new body. I can now walk, run, jump, transform, and drive all by myself...and it only took three months.

I'm sarcastic when I say this because three months felt like a really long time to learn stuff that I already knew as a human, except transforming of course. I wish it wouldn't have taken so long but I guess Rome wasn't built in a day. Not much else has been going on Decepticon wise anyway. Since that's slowed down a bit the Autobots have started helping human affairs, unseen of course.

Energon detection devices have even been placed in the major cities, which I think is a good idea. Oh! Something else has changed as well...the Autobots liaison. Apparently, the higher ups decided that the former one, Galloway, was inadequate at his job and not to mention a complete butthead.

I found that out my first and only time meeting him.

~Flashback~

Jazz was walking with me around the hanger. I've been getting better and better about moving around on my own, but I like to practice as much as I can. As we're nearing the entrance to the hanger I notice a vehicle driving up. "Who's that?" I ask Jazz.

He looks and then groans when he sees the vehicle. "Just a piece of scrap dat I wish I didn' know."

"That bad?" I ask with a laugh.

"Ya have no idea. Come on, let's go warn everybody." He replies.

We walk inside the hanger where all the other Autobots are, except for a few. Just as Jazz is about to warn them of our guest, he walks in, and he doesn't look happy.

"Prime! I have some things to discuss with you!" He yells as he climbs the catwalk to be more level with Prime.

"What can I do for you Mr. Galloway?" Optimus asks ever politely.

"Well for starters you Autobots owe me an apology." He replies snidely.

Everyone glares at him for that. Even Optimus looks like he's straining to maintain his diplomatic composure.

"Why in scraps name would we owe you an apology?!" Ironhide asks angrily.

"Because two ton, thanks to you Autobots I was made to jump out of a plane into the forsaken desert that is Egypt." He says.

"If you recall it was us who made you jump." Lennox points out.

"For the sake of the Autobots." He points out sharply.

"Hey, we were able to get Optimus back with only moderate causality. So, that was worth throwing you out of a plane." Epps says sharply.

"...moderate causalities? Are you including the civilian into that as well?" Galloway asks snidely.

Everyone stiffens at that, wondering if he means who everyone thinks he means.

"What civilian?" Lennox asks.

"You know which one I'm talking about. That American girl who was wanted along with that boy. I read the report and it clearly stated that she was killed by Megatron." He replies.

Optimus already told me that it would be better if I was declared dead, that way no one would question where I am. Of course my mom, Mikaela, and the Witwickeys knew otherwise, but to everyone else I'm dead. I'm still really sad about it and pretend to understand and be okay with it.

"That's right. You Autobots got a civilian girl killed. Not as noble as everyone thinks you are." He continues.

"It wasn't their fault." I say without thinking.

He turns to me and looks at me angrily. "Who the hell are you?! When did you come to this planet...great just what we need; another Autobot to complicate things."

I don't say anything, figuring its best not to reply. I can hear Jazz growl so I just grab his hand to calm him down.

"I asked you a question, or are you just a machine without a name?" He asks meanly.

That gets a reaction out of everyone, but Jazz is the first to say something. "Shut up ya little meat sack!"

"Watch your tone with me Bot!" He yells back.

"Then watch how ya talk to her, string bean!" Jazz replies.

"Jazz, that is enough." Optimus interrupts.

Jazz growls, but just grips my hand tighter to keep himself from charging over to Galloway.

"You better have a tighter leash on your soldiers Prime." Galloway says to him.

"Mr. Galloway, my soldiers are all disciplined, but when you insult one of our own do not expect us to not retaliate. I will not have you insulting one of my Autobots." Prime states sternly and in that Prime voice of his.

Galloway gets nervous at the look Prime gives him. "But the question still stands, who is she? And when was she authorized admittance into this planet."

"She arrived a few months ago and was injured upon entry to the planet and spent that time recovering." Optimus replies. That's why he's Prime. He can come up with a cover story just like that.

"There's one. Now how about her name? Or is she really just a machine without an identity?" Galloway states.

Now I know why no one likes him...he's a jerk. I feel myself getting sad at his words. I turn to Jazz and quietly ask, "Can we go? I don't wanna be in here with him anymore."

"Sure darlin'. Whatever ya want. I'll even beat his head in for ya." He replies. He walks us towards the door, but of course Galloway isn't done. "Where are you going? I'm not through talking to you yet."

"Look meat bag she's tired of listenin ta ya talk to her dat way, and I'm gettin her outta here before I smash ya in front of her." Jazz hisses.

"Jazz don't. You'll get in trouble." I mutter.

"Prime! Your Bot just threatened me. I command you do something about it!" Galloway yells.

"I suggest you take your leave Mr. Galloway. You've caused enough tension as it is." Prime replies sternly.

"Galloway, come here where I can see you." I hear a voice from the monitors say.

Galloway walks up to the screen and his face pales. "Mr. President."

"How may I help you sir?" He asks nervously.

"You can explain to me why you are speaking to the Autobots that way?" He asks.

Galloway turns to Lennox and angrily asks, "Why didn't you tell me the president was listening?"

Lennox fakes shock, "Well you were in such deep conversation I would have hated to interrupt you."

"Galloway, based on what I have just heard, I don't believe you to be capable of handling the responsibilities of being liaison to the Autobots." The president states.

"But sir-"

"You are therefore hereby stripped of your duties and you are to return to Washington immediately. I never want to hear of you interacting with the Autobots again. Do I make myself clear?" He asks sternly.

Galloway is reluctant, but can't very well argue with the president. "Yes sir."

"Prime. I'll have a new liaison picked out soon, and I'll even have you give your approval." The president tells him.

"Thank you Mr. President. It is greatly appreciated." Optimus replies.

The video feed is then cut. Lennox and Epps smirk and walk up to Galloway. "Well since you've just been put out of the job that means we're done with you. So don't let the door hit ya where the good lord split ya." Epps states.

"No, I will not be bullied." He replies angrily.

I can't help but find the whole thing funny. "That's what he gets for being mean." I say to Jazz.

"Good thing to cause I was just about ta turn him into a spot on da floor for talkin to ya like he did." Jazz replies.

"I'm a big girl. I can handle it...for the most part." I reply.

"Hey now, I'd be a lousy mechfriend if I didn' protect ya. Verbal wise included." He replies.

I just smile at him as he and I exit the hanger, with Galloway's griping in the background.

~BACK TO PRESENT~

I am currently sitting in the med bay getting a checkup from Ratchet. He gives me a lot of them and always says he wants to make sure I'm completely functional. "I'm really beginning to hate these." I groan as he takes another scan.

He lets out an amused chuckle. "I know youngling, but I'm not taking any chances with you."

I let out an overdramatic sigh. "Can we at least cut back on them?"

"I don't think so. I get lenient and a potential problem could be overlooked." He replies.

"Fine...but I'm gonna complain the entire time." I joke.

"Like how you always do?" He sarcastically asks. He finishes his scan and says, "Alright. You're done."

"So Ratch? When can I—"

"No." He interrupts.

"You don't even know what I was going to say." I state.

"Yes I do. You were going to ask me, yet again, when you can start combat training." He replies.

"So let's change it up by you actually telling me when I can." I add.

He sighs. "If it was up to me, and it technically is, I wouldn't let you."

"Why not? I'm already walking and even transforming and driving on my own." I respectfully argue.

"You've been through a lot Averie. You've sacrificed a lot to help us. I would think you would like to take it easy for a while." He replies.

"I understand where you're coming from. I do, and honestly I'm not all that thrilled about the idea about fighting Decepticons when I never even fought as a human...until I met you guys that is-."

"As independent and stubborn as you are, and you've never gotten into a fight. Not once?" He asks.

"Well, there was that one time when this boy kept picking on me so I kicked him in his private parts..." I think back.

Ratchet lets out a very amused laugh. "Of all the places you could hit a mech, and you pick the one place that is beyond sensitive."

"Hey, in my defense I told him two times to leave me alone. The third time I got really mad so I just took my foot and kicked him as hard as I could in his no, no square." I reply smugly.

"Forget combat training. You can paralyze a mech with one kick." He replies through his laughing.

"Wait, do you mean that human boys and Cybertronian mechs have the same...anatomy?" I ask without thinking. The curiosity is killing me.

He gives me a blank stare before laughing again, but louder. Once he calms down enough he says, "Are you really asking me for an anatomy lesson?"

"No, no! Eww! I don't want details. I'm just curious. With the way you talk you guys must have something similar." I theorize.

"Since you're so curious, yes. We do have the same 'equipment'. Does the same thing and looks roughly the same as a human male's equipment. So I don't suggest you go kicking any of the mechs here, because it will hurt just the same." He replies. "Now, are you curious about your own anatomy as well?"

"Ewwwww! Gross! No! My curiosity is sated and I really don't wanna know about me." I reply.

"There is nothing to be grossed out about. It's how our bodies are made." He says.

"I don't care how natural it is. Hearing it from you would just make it weirder." I reply.

"Me? I am your medic, so you shouldn't feel embarrassed to discuss anything with me." He says with an amused smile.

"Ratch, you're like a grandpa to me and hearing my grandpa talk about my body parts to me is more than I will attempt to handle." I reply jokingly but still seriously. Next thing you know he'll be wanting to have the "Birds and Bees talk".

Instead of laughing at my reply his look softens.

"Ratch? What's wrong? I didn't offend you did I? You know I'm kind of kidding." I ask.

"You really think of me as a grandfather?" He asks.

"Well yeah. Even before I turned into a Bot you were always looking out for me and taking care of me, and when I changed you've been very attentive. You've even told me stories. If that doesn't sound like a grandfather then I don't know what does." I reply sweetly.

Ratchet suddenly engulfs me into a hug. "You sweet, sweet youngling."

I hug him back.

"Oh no! The Hatchet is trying to strangle Averie!" I hear a joking voice say.

Without looking Ratchet takes out a wrench from his subspace and launches it towards the door, hitting his target.

"Oww! Child abuse!" Sideswipe yells while rubbing his head.

"I'll make you think child abuse." Ratchet replies. "What are you two doing here?"

"Is that anyway to talk to your creations? Maybe we just wanted to see our dear old dad." Sides replies sarcastically.

Ratchet just gives him a deadpan look. "No, really?"

"We came to check on Averie. Heard she had another checkup." Sunny replies.

"Well she's perfectly fine...although she did ask if we mechs had the same 'equipment' as a human male." Ratchet replies.

"Ratchet! Don't repeat that!" I exclaim embarrassed.

Sideswipe immediately smirks and walks up to me. "So, you were curious about a mechs equipment huh?" He asks while leaning towards me on the berth I'm sitting on.

I can feel my face heat up in embarrassment. I'm not sure if Cybertronians can blush, but I'm sure their aware if I can. "No! I was just asking a question." I protest.

"If you ever have any more questions about a mechs equipment then you can always ask me." He replies with a wink.

I can feel my face heat up even more as I hear Sunny mutter, "Idiot."

Ratchet grabs another wrench and hits him in the head again. "Don't harass her! Besides, Jazz would scrap you if he heard you talk to her that way."

"I was just playin'!" He protests. "Ya didn't have to hit me!"

Ratchet hits him again.

"OWWW! What was that for?!" He asks.

"Nothing. I just felt like it." Ratchet replies.

I laugh at that.

"Is dat my sweet little lady's giggle I hear?" Jazz asks as he walks into the room.

"Jazz!" I exclaim happily while reaching my arms out wanting a hug.

He happily complies while kissing the top of my head. "How'd ya checkup go?"

"Funny you should mention that." Sideswipe states.

"No!" I interrupt him while giving him my most threatening glare.

"Should I be concerned?" Jazz asks.

"Nope. I'm the picture of health." I reply.

"Well good. I got a surprise for ya darlin'." He says.

"A surprise? What?" I ask childishly.

"Come ta da rec room and you'll see." He replies with a smirk.

"Aww no fair. That's like telling someone I got ya a present and then not giving it to them." I reply playfully.

"My sincerest apologies darlin'. But I promise it's worth da surprise." He chuckles.

"Ok!" I reply while standing up and running to the door. I look back at Ratchet and the twins. "Bye guys!"

I don't wait for a reply and rush down the hallway. Before I get too far I feel Jazz grab me around the waist and hoist me into the air. I giggle at him. "Hey! Let go!"

"Ya sure ran off in a hurry. Ya didn' even wait fur me." He replies playfully.

"No offense but when it comes to surprises you come second." I say jokingly.

"Oh, is dat so?" He asks while hugging me tighter.

"Truth hurts."

"Guess you don' want ta see da surprise that bad do ya." He playfully threatens.

"No, no. I kid. Your number one." I reply while nuzzling under his chin.

"Dat's what I thought." He replies and kisses my forehead. "Come on darlin' I can't wait ta see ya reaction." He says while walking us to the rec room.

Once inside I spot what the surprise is...and their sitting on a table in the middle of the room. I should be happy to see them, but in reality I'm sad and nervous.

"Tada! I called da Witwickeys and Mikeala and they came for a visit! I tried ta get ya mom ta come, but she had ta work, but at least they got ta come." Jazz exclaims. When he turns to look at me he becomes concerned at my expression. "What's wrong?"

"I'm...not feeling well. Can I go back to the med bay?" I ask.

Being the great saboteur that he is, he knows when someone is lying. That obviously includes me. "Tell me what's botherin ya. I thought ya'd want ta see em?"

"I do, cause I've missed them like crazy...but I'm not Averie anymore. At least not the Averie they remember." I reply sadly.

"Of course ya are. Ya just look diff'rent is all." He assures.

"Yeah, and I don't want them to not like me anymore because of it." I mutter.

Jazz gives me a comforting hug and says, "Your tha same Averie they know, and you bein one of us now don't change that. Keep dat pretty chin up darlin',"

"Ok. Will you come with me?" I ask.

"Of course. Come on, let's not keep em waiting." He says.

We walk into the rec room and towards the table, and I can practically feel my spark hammering in my chest. Once we get there Jazz greets them. "Hey Witwickeys and 'Kaela, how's it hangin?"

"Hey Jazz!" They reply. "How's the Autobot life going?" Sam asks.

"Kicking aft and takin names, like always." Jazz replies.

"So who's this with you? New Autobot?" Mikaela asks indicating me.

"Actually ya already know her...it's Averie." He replies.

IT goes very quiet, so much so that it feel like I'm smothering.

"Averie? That's not possible. Averie's human and not an Autobot." Sam says breaking the silence.

"Listen ya'll, a lot has happend des past few months. We already told ya'll about Averie bein da Guardian of da Allspark. Well...dis is da aftermath. We can't say why she was changed only dat it did." Jazz explains.

They all look to me and Mikaela carefully asks, "Averie?"

I slowly nod my head. "Yeah." I mutter quietly.

"What? What happened to you?" Sam asks.

"Um, well I started hurting again and this happened." I reply vaguely. "It's a long story, and I really don't wanna talk about it."

They remain silent for a bit before Sam breaks it. "So this is why you haven't been home?"

"Yeah. I was going through this whole turning into a Cybertronian thing." I reply.

"…Well, you look good. Very pretty." Mikaela adds with a genuine smile.

"Really? You guys aren't disgusted by the new me?" I ask.

"Of course not honey! But honestly, this is weird and very confusing and it will definitely take some getting used to." Judy states.

"But that doesn't mean you still aren't the same Averie that moved next door." Ron finishes.

"See darlin'. Ya were worried for nuthin'." Jazz says.

"Did you honestly think we would hate you and never want to speak with you again?" Mikaela asks.

"No…yes. I didn't know how you guys would take me being…different." I mutter.

"Averie, you're our best friend. We would never hate you." Mikaela adds.

"I know I shouldn't have thought it, but my self-esteem hasn't been at its high lately." I state.

"Well you have nothing to worry about. Now, let's get our minds off that for a while. So have you transformed yet?" Mikaela asks.

"Yes I have, and I can drive on my own." I reply.

"What kind of car? Is it a sports, cause you look a sports type?" Sam asks.

"No wait! Don't tell us. Show us instead." Mikaela interrupts.

"Here?" I ask.

"Your right. Let's go outside so we can see you drive too." She adds.

Seeing my expression Judy says, "But you don't have to if you don't want to."

"No, it's ok. I don't mind." I reply.

We all head outside so they can see my new alt mode. Needless to say it impresses them. "OMG! I love your car mode! It's beautiful." Mikaela exclaims.

"I knew it would be sporty." Sam adds.

"You gotta let me see you drive, but can I ride with you?" Mikaela asks.

"Me too." Sam adds.

I agree and have her open my door since I can't will it to come open on its own yet…glitches. I take off driving and Jazz drives beside me just in case anything goes wrong. Both Sam and Mikaela love my alt mode and yell in excitement at my driving. It feels good knowing they still want to be my friends even though I'm not the same Averie anymore. I still feel insecure about everything, but as long as I have friends like Sam and Mikaela I'll be fine…eventually.

After driving for a few minutes we head back to the rec room and catch up with each other. Over the next few hours We tell each other what's been going on, and whatnot. However, once Sam started talking about college I immediately start feeling sad again. It just makes me think on the college experience that I will never have again.

I worked hard to achieve those scholarships that I recieved. I'm not one of those types of people that can just look at something and know it. I have to study really hard to learn things, so doing all that work and not getting anything out of it is very upsetting to me.

I hate to seem like a brat, but I suddenly don't feel like talking anymore. "Um, I hate to do this but I'm not feeling very well. I think I need to go back to the med bay."

"You feeling sick sweetie?" Judy asks.

"Very tired. It happens when I overdo it. Ratchet says the longer I'm a Cybertronian the less it will happen. So, I'm sorry I'm gonna have to leave ya'll." I reply.

"Oh, don't worry about it. We really should be leaving anyway. It's a long plane ride back home, but you get better ok?" Mikaela says.

"I will, and it was really good seeing ya'll. Have a good trip back home." I reply. "Bye."

"Bye Averie!" Everyone exclaims.

I smile before leaving the rec room, not even waiting for Jazz. Once I'm in the hallway and heading towards the med bay my expression drops. It was good seeing everyone, but it feels like I've just been punched in the stomach. It was like a slap in the face that everything is different and I can never go back home.

I can feel the tears form in my eyes and have to fight to keep them back. I reach the med bay and Ratchet turns to see whose entered. "Hello Averie. Back already? Did you enjoy your surprise guests?"

"Um I'm really tired, so can I lay down please?" I ask without answering his questions.

He immediately goes into doctor mode. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah I'm fine. I'm just really tired. You did say I would be that way until I got used to being Cybertronian." I point out.

"Alright, but if anything seems off I want you to tell me immediately." He says.

"I will." I reply. I walk over to one of the berths and go to lay on it when Jazz walks in. He walks over to me and asks," What's wrong?"

"What makes you think anythings wrong?" I ask.

"Darlin' its my job ta know when someone's lyin'. Ya were fine, so what happened?" He asks.

Instead of telling him whats going on I decide to just reassure him everythings fine...no need to worry him over something stupid. "Nothing. I'm fine. I was just feeling really tired and wanted to lay down."

He just gives me a blank look. "Averie-"

"No really I'm fine. I'm just tired is all." I reply. Sad thing is that I'm trying to convince myself as well as Jazz.

"Sweetspark I love ya, but I won't have ya lying ta me. If somethin were ta be really bad I wouldn' know. So, please tell me whats wrong. I can't fix it if I don' know what it is." He pleads.

By now our conversation has also caught the attention of Ratchet, who is listening quite intently. I sigh. "It's not a big deal. Really. It's just stupid stuff."

"Nothin regardin' ya is stupid. So, what's got ya down all the sudden?" He asks.

"Can I please not talk about it? I just wanna take a nap. I promise I'll be better after some rest. Please Jazz?" I plead pathetically. I know I'm being difficult but I would really rather not talk about it. I know I'm probably getting on his nerves.

He sighs in what I can tell is aggrivation but he is really fighting it back and uses a gentle tone. "Averie ya can talk ta me about anything. Ya know dat right?"

"Yea I know and I appreciate your willing to listen...but I just wanna lay down." I insist.

He sighs. "Alright. Whatever ya want darlin'." He leans in and kisses me on my forehead. "I love ya."

"I love you too. I really do. " I reply with a smile.

He returns my smile. "I never doubt it. I just wish ya'd talk ta me, but I know ya will when ya ready." With that said he turns and leaves the med bay.

Ratchet walks up to me and asks,"Is there something I should be concerned about?" He asks.

I shake my head. "No...can I lay down now?"

"Of course. Rest well youngling." He replies.

I climb into the berth and get comfortable. I wasn't lying when I said I was tired, so I don't have to feel guilty about that. I know I should have told Jazz what was wrong, but he already feels guilty enough about me being a Cybertronian. I don't want to add on to that. They have enough to worry about without me adding on to it. No, it's best if I keep it to myself.

OMG! Finally done! ANother chapter down, and it took way too long. Sorry about that again, but life gets in the way sometimes. Hope I'm forgiven. Until next time, have a great weekend!