As always, thank you my reviewers: LunarBurst23, xVentressx, DarkshafowsXsunny-sides, Rumbling Frenzy (lol, love the username), Bee4ever, emzydatffan, Agent-Cheesecake, 99uftballonsx.o.x, Transformerminioinkittycat, SleepiPanda, and The Floss of The Wings! Yeah, sorry this chapter did not come out early at all. My muse died a little, and I had to think of other things I needed to write in the future. But hey! It's here now.


Chapter Fifteen: Introspective

I tried to blink back as many tears as I could manage, slowly opening the pale white envelope, and pulling out a neatly folded paper. I unfolded the paper, and almost whimpered as I looked over the familiar handwriting of my dad. All of a sudden, the memories of when I was kidnapped with the Decepticons came swirling back into my head, and my heart ached. I wished so badly I could still be with them, see all their warm familiar faces. But I shook the deficient thoughts away, smoothening the letter in my hand as I read it.


Dear Charlie,

We're all very relieved to know that you are safe for the moment, but we are still worried about you. Your mother and brother didn't take the news so well, but as much as it saddens me that you can't be in my arms right now, I understand that you're doing this for both you and our protection, and I'm proud of you for making a very difficult decision for that. Charlie, I love with all my heart, and so does the rest of us. So can you promise me one thing? I need you to stay safe. Please, I couldn't imagine living in a world without seeing your beautiful smile, what father could ever live without their daughter anyway? So stay safe, and come home soon.

I love you, we all do.

Arrivederci; Dad, Mom, and Cotlton.


I didn't even register the tears rolling down my cheeks until one hit the letter in my hand, turning the surface of the paper a darker color, and I sniffled, wiping the warm tears from my cheeks, before standing up from the table. I noticed they all stared at me worriedly, and I gave them a small smile.

"Charlie, are you okay?" Jenna asked slowly.

I nodded, "Don't worry guys, I'm fine. I just...I just need to go to my room, see you guys later." And with that, I walked out of the food hall, down the long hallways and arrived at the civilian quarters. I unlocked my door, and went over to my drawer, setting the letter on top. I was so relieved that they were okay, and that they knew that I was okay. Feeling emotionally drained, I flopped back on to my bed, staring up at the blank ceiling. For the longest time I just sat there, staring up at the mundane ceiling, my vision un-focusing and re-focusing while my mind was in deep thought. My dad could never imagine a life without me, and I couldn't imagine a life without them. I would never even try. I turned on to my side, staring at the small lamp on top of my nightstand, and I closed my eyes. How could I go a day without Dad's familiar chuckles or the savory smells of mom cooking up something in the kitchen. How could I go a day without Colton's warm smiles, and the adorable frown he always pulls when I beat him at Call Of Duty. Or my best friend since well, forever? How have I managed this long without them? My heart longed for all of those things, and it only pained me more that I couldn't do anything about it. The only way I could keep them safe is by not being around them. But wait...maybe there is a way. My eyes snapped open, and I pulled myself to an upright position on the bed, there could be a way to keep them safe without being apart from them!

The sudden knock at my door startled me, but I got up and went over to answer it, and at the door was the last person I'd ever expect to see on the face of this planet...ever.

Sunstreaker.

He was in his holoform, which was strikingly similar to Sideswipe, no surprise. Tall, Strong jaw, lean and muscular, thin eyebrows, but instead of pale blue eyes, his was an ultramarine kind of blue, with curly hair that was so blonde it looked yellow. His was just as gorgeous as Sideswipe, but the hateful glare in his eyes kept me from fully being fascinated with his holoform's appearance, and my muscles stiffened as I quickly went over all I've learned from Ironhide today. Unfortunately it then hit me that all that information would be rather useless, since he was a towering, glaring holoform and not a towering, glaring robot.

I felt my heart beating wildly in my chest, and I was prepared to run right past him and down the civilian quarter's hall to safety. His glare deepened, and an uncontrollable whimper slipped from my mouth as I felt the color drain out of my face. Why would he be here? Doesn't he hate me? Doesn't he want to kill me? The tensed silence went on for another minute or so, before finally, he spoke in his deep, smooth voice.

"Lets get one thing straight, fleshy, Sideswipe is my brother, and I don't want you around him."

I blinked in astonishment. Mainly because I was worried he was going to kill me, I didn't think he was actually capable of having conversations with people...especially me. "W-what?"

His eyes narrowed, "Did you not hear me the first time? I said stay away from my brother," His facial features grew dark, "And if you fail to comply, then I won't hesitate to kill you. Understand? You've been warned." And with that, he dissipated into a million little shimmering sparks, and I still stood there aghast.

Never in my life had I'd been so scared, not even when I was kidnapped with the Decepticons. There was no doubt in my mind that Sunstreaker wouldn't fulfill his dark promise, if anything, this situation only got worse, and how the hell did he find my room? I stood there for a few more minutes, trying to convinced myself that if I take a step outside my room I wouldn't be crushed by a golden robot, and once I did, I ran.


Will was in the main hangar, just like I was guessing, and I ran right up to him, couldn't think of anywhere else to go since Jenna was at work. I was just about to call out to Will before he left, and turned to one of those meeting rooms, which I knew was off limits. I stopped running, and forced myself to slow my pace when I noticed Optimus's holoform approaching the room as well. Suddenly, the idea I had for my family came back, and I quickened my pace again until he was in a hearing distance.

"Optimus!"

He stopped his walking, and turned to pinpoint the voice, his wise blue eyes traveling until they landed on me, and once I arrived I couldn't help but straighten my back and stand a little taller. He was their leader, after all.

"Yes Miss Garrison?" Optimus replied, and I still wasn't over how incredibly baritone his voice was, and I had to blink a few times before remembering again what I had came to ask him.

"It's...um, about my family...um, sir." I shifted my weight from one leg to the other, feeling awkward and a little nervous.

His face softened, "I have heard they sent you a letter. I had made sure William Lennox had sent it to you, are you okay? Are they safe?"

I was quite surprised that he seemed so worried about them, almost as much as I was, and suddenly, it became a lot easier to talk to him, "Well, yeah they're okay...it's just, I feel like there's an easier way for you to protect both me and my family without the long distance."

Optimus's eyebrow arched, "And how is that?"

A small portion of the nervousness returned and I fidgeted with my hands, averting my gaze to the wall past him, "You could bring them here."

He let out a small sigh, and my heart fell, "I'm sorry Miss Garr-"

"Charlie." I reminded him timidly. And he paused, before nodding.

"My apologies, Charlie. But I would like for the Autobtos to remain concealed from the rest of your race. I feel guilty already for the many human casualties both Autobots and Decepticons cause, and it would be best if your family was not involved."

"But you don't understand, I need them," I begged desperately, "I can't stand another day without them here, and it worries me to the point that it sickens me, if the Decepticons found them. If they were captured," I felt tears gather in my eyes, "I couldn't bear it, I wouldn't bear it. Optimus, please, they need your protection just as much as I do."

Optimus looked ultimately torned, and I didn't know how to feel towards his pained expression. Was that a good thing or a bad thing? But Optimus sighed again closing his eyes and rubbing the bridge of his nose, which was a very human thing for him to do. But I didn't say anything as he opened his eyes again and stared at me with such intensity that it felt like he was staring into my soul, I shivered involuntarily and he must've noticed, because immediately, he stopped staring at me and took a small step back.

"Forgive me if I have panicked you," He quickly replied in his baritone voice. There was a long moment of silence, before he had finally spoke up again, "You are right, Charlie. Unfortunately, the Decepticons can easily target your family to get to me, and it is only fair that they have protection as well," I nodded eagerly, "So yes, I will allow your family to stay at this base under Autobot protection. Sideswipe can escort you and your family."

I froze, "S-Sideswipe?"

Optimus raised his eyebrow again, "Yes...I assumed you would be most comfortable with him than any other Autobots, considering you've spent the most time with him, and only asked for Sideswipe when you were in the Medical Bay."

Sunstreaker's threat replayed in my mind, and I shook my head swiftly, "No! I don't want him!"

Optimus gaze turned troubled, "Then who would you prefer to be escorted with?"

I thought about this one. The only robots, minus the twins, who I interacted with were Ratchet and Jazz. And since Ratchet was constantly at the Med Bay, working or throwing wrenches at someone, I figured he'd be too busy to escort me. And It would probably freak my parents out if an emergency Hummer randomly showed up at their house some time after their daughter disappears, so the surpassing choice had to be Jazz. I looked back up at Optimus, who still had this troubled look on his face, "I would rather have Jazz escort me."

"You are sure?"

I nodded.

Optimus sighed again, "Very well. You will leave in two days, until then I advise you not to dwell on them so much, I am sure they are fine," I nodded gratefully before turning to leave when he stopped me, "And it has come to my attention that you are training with Ironhide."

I gave him a nervous smile, "Yeah, just so...you know, I can have self defense. I don't want to be weak and helpless anymore."

"Against who?"

I was taken aback by that inquiry, but I shook it off and answered, "The Decepticons."

Optimus stared at me for a longer time than last time, before he finally nodded, "Then please be careful, I understand Ironhide is not the softest trainer."

I actually laughed a little at that, "Yeah, he sure isn't."

Finally, Optimus let me go and turned back to walk into the meeting room, and I suddenly felt guilty for making him so late. But the guilt was replaced with excitement, happy and relieved that I would be able to see my family again, and I checked the time on the large digital clock on the wall; 8:45. Jenna should be getting off her shift soon, and I headed out of the hangar to the courtyard.

It was dark; the moon was out along with all the glittering stars, and gusts of wind blew my hair around my face before I tied it back in a lazy ponytail. I sat on a large crate, staring up at the stars which were very pretty tonight. I suddenly wished I was back in my Dad's garage, either tinkering or sketching out designs for an automobile with my large sketchbook. Luckily, I'll be able to have that all in once again in two days.

I pulled my knees up to my chest, and lest my chin rest on my tucked arms as I stared out, not bothered by the strong gust of wind. There was a distant sound of an engine approaching, and it only gotten louder and louder until I could see a sleek figure coming in from the distance. It was a car, an Autobot, no doubt, but I was surprised when it slowed down and stopped right next to me, and that's when I noticed it was a silver Corvette. Oh no.

He transformed with elegant grace, and my muscles stiffened. His pale blue eyes landed on my and a sly grin appeared on his face, "Hey schlemiel."

Immediately, I sprung up from the crate, and quickly jumped down, heading for inside the closest hangar, but a warm, metal hand wrapped around me and lifted me off the ground and towards his face, "What's up with you? Why are you so jumpy?"

I struggled to get free, "Sideswipe, put me down!"

"Not until you tell me what the frag is wrong with you." He said, his sly grin disappeared.

I tried to wriggle out of his grip, but when it became useless, I looked up at him, a sharp stab of pain washed over me when I looked into his illusory blue eyes, "Sideswipe, leave me alone. I...I don't want to be around you anymore!"

It would've killed me to see the hurt looked on his face, so I looked back down at the ground, but I could still here his audible gasp. "But Char-"

"Let me go."

Finally, I was lowered to the ground, and once my feet touched the pavement, I ran again, not looking back.


And we'll stop there for today! Sorry for the long wait guys! Please review :)