(Jack's POV)

I stood staring, shocked, at the female who calmly gazed back.

"Flame?" I asked dumbly.

"No I'm the boogeyman who decided to come out during the day time." She said sarcastically.

I flung myself into her with a happy cry. It's been so long since I last saw her!

"I've missed your sarcasm." I said into her shoulder.

"I've missed your insistent questions." She replied with a laugh.

I pulled away and smiled. "Come in, come in."

She walked in and sat on the chair. "I've been wanting to tell you were I went but I haven't been able to make time to. Saving the world isn't easy you know."

I nodded. I knew exactly how easy her job was.

Before I could speak, she did. "Speaking of saving the world, you've got Autobot scent all over you and one in your garage."

"Yeahh... I kind of almost got killed by Deceptions and now have a guardian. I didn't tell them about you though." I said.

"I know." Came the reply. I had learned not to ask how she knew and just understood that she knows.

"I'm coming with you."

"They're not going to let you in."

"Ask Optimus to come out side for a minute. Then we will see if they won't."

"Why?"

"You'll see soon enough."

"Okay."

I walked over to Arcee and hopped on while calling a good bye to Mom. We drove to base in complete silence. I could see Flame a little farther out beside us, though if Arcee could she didn't say. I could feel tension rising and I could tell some unpleasant things were about to hit the fan. I wondered what Flame was going to do. When we got to the base I walked over and called out to Optimus.

"Hey, could you step outside for a second? An old friend says they want to see you."

"Certainly, Jack. May I enquire who?"

"Uh... I can't say, but I promise you it is not a trap."

He looked at me for a long time then turned and walked out. I could feel the tension rising inside of me when Optimus came back. The one thing that shocked me the most besides the red and gold Cybertronian next to him was the fact that he was crying. Well not exactly, more like he had tears in his optics.

The entire team turned to see who he had brought in.

SUPRISE! (Flame's POV)

I looked around at the faces and met a certain pair of optics. Frozen, I stared back, then got myself together enough to walk over and hug my old friend.

"You've aged Ratch." I said with a smile.

"You're alive? But I thought- "

"You thought wrong. I'm here. And I won't leave you again."

Optimus spoke up from behind me. "How could you leave us the first time? Do you even know how much Megatron has changed? He's not the mech you remember. That's for sure."

The bots stared. They had never heard their leader sound so bitter.

Flame's helm fell, ashamed. "Optimus I left to protect you. Unicron was fighting terribly hard to take control of me."

"What if he tries to again?" It was Ratchet.

"I'll fight him, I promise. I won't leave you."

"You shou-" Ratchet started then got cut off.

"Come." Was all my charge sharply had to say before walking down the hall.

I followed quietly. Then he suddenly turned.

"What do you see?" He asked.

I studied him for a moment. "I see a mech that has earned great respect from his team. A mech that is worthy of the title Prime. But, I also see a mech with great grief inside. One who has been forced to grow up too fast. I see you, Optimus. I know you're angry at me, but I ask you to forgive me. I am here. I will not leave you again."

He sighed, shoulders slumping as if a great weight held them down. He forced himself to look strong in front of the team, but it was just an act. We both knew that, there was no reason to hide it.

"You have a question. Shoot."

Optimus laughed. "Do you remember the first time you said that to Megatronus? He used his cannon and shot the wall while yelling his question."

I chuckled at the fond memory. Just as fast her smile slipped away. "I shouldn't have left. I should have fought harder. I'm so sorry, Optimus. Truly I am."

Suddenly, I was captured in a warm embrace. I held myself to him happily. He pulled away and smiled. "You are staying. End of discussion."

"Yes Lord Prime." I gave a deep and exaggerated bow.

"Shut up. Idiot."

"I BEG YOUR PARDON!?"

"You heard me."

"Since when did you get sassy?" I asked amusedly.

He just smiled. Then got serious. "My question was, when are you going to tell Megatron you are still alive?"

"The next time you go out in the field." I replied.

"Good."

We walked back to the main room side by side. I was so happy to see my charge again I almost couldn't take it!

"Flame, this is Arcee, Bulkhead, Bumblebee. You obviously already know Ratchet. Autobots, this is Flame, she's a great warrior and an amazing friend,not to mention guardian. You can all ask her questions later. Now it's time to rest and recover."

Optimus showed me to my room where I would stay. I thanked him quietly and walked in, shutting the door on the way.

It already felt like home as I layed on the berth.