Savannah had been quiet the entire ride back to base. Ratchet had ushered her into the med-bay the moment they had arrived to make sure that she hadn't caused herself any injury, emotional or otherwise. This had left Optimus, Jazz, and Prowl to conduct a secret meeting in one of the lesser used hangars.

"I found out as much as I could, which is what was in reports and all that boss bot." Jazz stated as the doors closed. "But I have a feeling that Savannah will be… rather angry if she finds out that you got the information without giving her a chance to explain it."

"Katrina told me quite a bit as we approached their parent's house, and then she went into more depth a few minutes after we left." Prowl added. "However, she did beg for me to not tell Savannah that she had told me any of it. I will admit, though… what these girls went through falls under abuse."

"Tell me." Optimus stated after a few seconds of contemplation. "If Savannah becomes angry I will handle it."

Prowl shot Jazz a concerned glance, they were sure that Optimus could take whatever Savannah might throw at him… but she was still a force to be feared. Even blind.

"As you saw Savannah does not hold her parental figures in high esteem. That comes from several years of them treating her as more of a possession than a person. She was belittled from a young age, so much so that one of her teachers filed a report with the child protective services. In this report it states that Savannah had come to school several days in a row with new… scratches. When her teacher asked where these injuries had come from Savannah had stated that they were 'of no concern' and that she 'was able to deal with what was happening better this way.' The teacher became concerned and contacted the authorities." Prowl stated quietly. "She was eight years old at this time."

"When she was twelve she and Katrina were removed from the home after several people witnessed the parents 'degrading and even striking the two children.' They were placed into foster care for a total of 9 months before their parents were able to regain custody of the two." Jazz stated without emotion. "When Savannah turned 15 she was placed into a 'mental health rehabilitation center due to concerns for her safety.' Her school counselor had been asked to speak to her about the injuries on her legs and wrists only to discover that she had deliberately put them there to 'find a way to deal with the pain.' Savannah stayed there for almost a year before she was released. That is when she met Brian."

Optimus was quiet as he listened to Prowl and Jazz. Though his processor was reeling at the thought of what Savannah had gone through. Just speaking to her now didn't give any indication of what she had been through as a child.

"When Savannah turned 16 she made her relationship with Brian known, but her parents did not approve and all but locked her in her room." Prowl took back over. "She continued seeing him in secret until her father happened upon them in one of the diners in town. Her parents then made false claims of rape and managed to procure a restraining order against him being within 100 yards of their daughter. Due to the fact that she was not 18 the courts would not listen to her and instead believed her parents. That was when she was confined to her parents' property and both daughters were homeschooled to avoid any secret meetings between her and Brian."

"When Savannah turned 18 she left her parents household, and they filed a Kidnapping report. Claiming that Brian had kidnapped her. It wasn't until the police pulled the two over and she made it clear that she had left of her own free will that the town realized that the Price parents had been making false claims in order to try and control their daughters. Katrina admitted that they had been especially hard on Savannah, and that Savannah had taken the fall for Katrina more times than she dared count. After watching what Savannah had gone through Katrina had been much more discreet about any relationships and had shocked her parents by leaving on her 18th birthday."

"After this Savannah and Brian moved to mission city and eventually got married. Neither one had contact with her parents until the day of the mission city battle when the hospital contacted the parents to let them know what had happened to Savannah. They attempted to get the hospital to release Savannah to the hospital in their hometown so that they 'could keep an eye on her' but by that time she had woken up and refused the transfer." Jazz stated. "Until Prowl had contacted them she hadn't spoken with them."

Optimus stood still and silent as Jazz and Prowl finished with their reports. It was no wonder that Savannah hated her parents, and he didn't blame her. He nodded to the two of them and they left the hangar to allow Optimus time to think, but both froze in the doorway before they could step outside.

"Are you guys done digging into my past without giving me a chance to explain?" Savannah's voice rang out with a hardened edge that none of them had ever heard directed at them. "I told you I would explain it, but you just had to find out before I could."

"I didn't know that you guys were talking about that." Katrina's apologetic mutter was barely audible. "So I told her where you guys were."

It fell silent in the hangar, and every optic and sensor was trained on Savannah.

"We felt that we needed to know, Savannah." Prowl attempted to soothe the situation over, but stopped when Savannah held up her hand.

"All you had to do was wait, it's not like I wanted to keep this from any of you but I just needed to calm down." Her voice trembled and it took a second for the mechs to realize that she was shaking. "There was no need for any of you to know when I first started here, and I should have explained before we went to my 'parents' home. I am sure you can understand why I did not want to tell anyone any of that. It was hard enough to live it, and I sure as hell didn't want to ever have to recount it. But that would have been better to hear all of it while the persons in questions were recounting it for me in secret. Don't try to talk to me, and don't try to approach me until I come to you."
With that Savannah turned on her heel and stormed away. Kay trotted beside her and shot a concerned look over her shoulder.

I will keep all of you updated of her condition, but for now it may be best to give her space.

Optimus sighed and nodded in Kay's direction. It was better than nothing, but now he knew he would have to work on regaining Savannah's trust.

~.~

Optimus was sitting in his office reading over reports. Though, if he were being honest, he wasn't really reading the reports. He had been staring at the same one for several hours now, and still didn't know what it said. He was trying to figure out how to apologize to Savannah, he had done something that he had known he shouldn't have. Now he was having to pay the price.

Optimus, can you come down to my office?

The sudden comm from Smokescreen had caused Optimus to jump and the data pad had ended up across the room on the floor after bouncing off the wall first. He was up and moving before he fully realized that he had taken action.

I am on my way Smokescreen.

Good, 'cause Savannah and I just spent the last four hours talking after she just 'randomly wandered' into my office. She wants to talk to you.

Optimus almost turned around and used the excuse of paperwork to avoid going to Smokescreen's office where Savannah was almost certainly waiting. He was the leader of the Autobots, chosen Prime of Primus… and he really did not want to face the young human woman.

The first thing he noticed as he entered Smokescreen's office was Kay snoozing on the mech's desk, and the second thing was Savannah sitting reclined against Smokescreen's neck.

"Savannah…"

"I know he just came in Smokescreen, I can hear him." Savannah cut Smokescreen off, though she said it almost boredly. "You win the bet, I'll make sure you get those paintings you were wanting."

Optimus stood in the doorway with half a mind to walk out.

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't have snapped at you. I know that you were just worried about me and you were anxious to know what they had put me through." Savannah didn't move. "I just wish you would have been a little more patient. I wanted to be the one to tell you, not you find out from reports."

"I should have waited for you." Optimus stated without fully realizing he was speaking until he was. "However, my curiosity got the better of me."

"That and your protective nature." Smokescreen grinned. "Savannah didn't realize exactly how protective you are."

"Oh shut it." Savannah grumped.

"You yourself admitted that I am not that bad… for a therapist." Smokescreen chuckled in her direction.

"Stop chuckling, it's hard enough finding a way to stay balanced up here without the vibration making it more difficult. Optimus, please for the love of all that is holy let me sit on your shoulder, its flatter and easier to stay on." Savannah sat up while maintaining the death grip she had been forced to engage once Smokescreen had started chuckling. "You mechs and trying to be 'streamlined' makes it hard for us poor humans to stay on."

Optimus stepped forward and offered Savannah his palm, he knew better than trying to pick her up. The last mech that had picked her up had ended up cleaning all the hangars with a human sized tooth brush. Once she had seated herself firmly in the center of his palm and then had crawled onto his shoulder she leaned over and pressed a kiss to his cheek plate.

"I'm sorry."

"It is nothing to be sorry for, my crystal." Optimus rumbled. "I should have been more patient."

"Alright, out of my office. Both of you, I have paperwork to be done." Smokescreen made a shooing motion as Kay stood and stretched. "And I expect to see you next week at the same time Savannah."

"Yeah, yeah… whatever." Savannah grouched, but a smile was worming its way onto her face.

"I mean it, if you are not here on time I will send Ratchet to fetch you for me." Smokescreen laughed. "And I expect you to be here as well Optimus."
Optimus had already stepped outside the door when Smokescreen had made that statement, and had turned to ask why as the door snapped shut.

"Why does he want me there as well?" Optimus asked suspiciously.

"Because I told him you needed to be." Savannah grinned and patted his neck. "I think it will do both of us good."

Optimus did a very unleader-like thing and groaned, which earned him a laugh from Savannah as he made his way back to his office with her on his shoulder.

~.~ ~.~

OMG IT'S A NEW CHAPTER! What in the world could have persuaded my horrid writers block to leave?

Sorry guys, between planning a wedding, catching up on favorite shows, and starting new ones (specifically Game of Thrones, watching all of Spartacus, and then getting my fiancé into Supernatural….) I have had almost zero time to do very much of anything else.

I hope you all enjoyed this chapter, and I am not taking any of Savannah's past from my own. But that kind of stuff is out there. I had a friend once who went through quite a bit of stuff like that. Sorry to sound like I am getting up on a soap box here but there are more types of abuse than just physical. Mental abuse is a real thing and I proudly support anyone who had ever been a victim of it. So here's a shout out to any and all people who have dealt with this in their lives, stay strong and know that no matter what another person says you are an amazing and beautiful human being! There are always those out there who love you and are more than willing to help you!

Okay, with that done I would like to thank all of my reviewers! You guys are the best and I appreciate all of your reviews, favorites, and follows! YOU GUYS ARE MY INSPRIATION! 3

I apologize if I don't update for a while, busy as a bee doesn't even begin to cover how busy I am!

Until all are one,

Chistarpax