It was really dark when they got back to the scrapyard. They hadn't said a word the whole way there. Highshot was still tense and traumatized from the flashback when they got back.

She expected Optimus to lecture her about running off like that, but, to her surprise, he didn't.

"You okay, Highshot?" asked Russell.

"Oh yeah, totally fine", Highshot said sarcastically, "Had a mental breakdown and a flashback of seeing my friend for the last time alive, thanks for asking."

She transformed to her beast mode and jumped on top of a shelf. She sat down and extended one of her claws and started picking off rust and grime off of the metal shelf.

"Sulking doesn't help", someone said behind her.

She whirled around to see that Russell has somehow climbed up. She transformed again.

"How'd you get up here?" she asked.

"Really big ladder", he answered with a smile.

"What do you want?"

"For you tell me about your flashback", Russell said as he sat down beside her.

"Why do you want to hear about that?"

"You're hurt. I can tell."

"Does it look like I'm leaking Energon?"

"Not physically. Emotionally", said Russell, "Trust me, I know what it's like. I've been hurt too. And at a young age which is the worst time. I never had any flashbacks but I did have mental breakdowns and panic attacks. I went to a therapist, but he mostly just asked questions and listened. I never realized he was helping until I was older. Just saying my problems out loud helped a lot to get it off my chest. You should try it."

"I'm not sure if I should", Highshot said after a moment.

"Come on. Just a little?" said Russell.

"Why do you want to hear my problems?" asked Highshot.

"Because I want to help you."

This shocked Highshot. Did he really want to help? Did he actually care? Did she finally have a friend after all this time?

"Fine", Highshot said after a moment.

"Ok. What was the flashback about?" he asked.

"My friend. When she tried to convince me to be a Decepticon and the last time I saw her alive. Here's what happened..."

~~~~~~~

Highshot told Russell about the whole argument.

"...And then she stormed out."

"And that's the last time you saw her alive?" asked Russell.

"Yep", said Highshot.

"What happened to her?"

"I was hiding in my usual spot, and I heard Wildfire yell out to someone. I went to look and I saw her shooting at someone. Then someone I know charged in from the side and fired on her. She tried to fight him off but..." she trailed off.

"Who was it?" Russell asked.

Highshot turned to look at Optimus a little ways away.

"Oh", Russell said softly, "That's why you're so hostile toward him."

"I told her she was going to get killed", said Highshot, her voice cracking, "I should've tried harder."

She started to sob.

She felt Russell's hand on her arm. She looked into his big green eyes, knowing that he really cared.

Russell turned to get up.

"Uh, Russell?" Highshot said.

"Yeah?"

"Can you, uh, stay with me a little longer?"

"Sure."

He settled back down.

"I'm surprised that Optimus didn't lecture me about running off", she said after a moment.

"Bee saved you", Russell said, "You're welcome."

She smiled at him.

She sighed, and looked up to the stars.

The two of them sat in silence for a while, just staring at the stars.

Now that she knew someone cared about her again, she relaxed. She could stay in one place again, as long as Russell was here.

~~~~~~~

By the Allspark, I'm having a lot more fun with this than I thought! Thanks for reading! It's helped me cope with my problems. There will be more!