Wow! Can't believe this fic is in the thirties. That's not really that much, but still!

Thank as always my lovely reviewers; AutobotCopperShadow, jgoss, lizyeh2000, Edges05, Graceful-But-Forgetful-Writer, The Silvernote, 99luftballonsx.o.x, mostly a reader fangirl99, Bee4ever, CastieLunaWinchester, xVentressx, Storygirl747, Xarine, CrimsonGallade, Sapphire-Starz17, SapphireSpark, Guest, Agent-CheeseCake, Megsteil98!

Reading all of your theories were so amusing, I love them! And some of you are very close...

Now, for the much-awaited chapter. Which is VERY long.

Also please excuse any mistakes, because it's midnight!


Chapter Thirty-Two: Reconciliation

It had taken a few more hours before we finally reached the base in Nevada. Sunstreaker had sent a message to them, and half-way there, we were accompanied by military trucks loaded with men and weapons. Although it caused quite a commotion on the highways, I couldn't get my mind off of the Decepticon. Too many times I had been in between their claws, thinking that the next wheeze of air would be my last breath. Too many times have those gleaming crimson eyes tortured me and others around me. I would rather stick my hand into a boiling pot of water than be in the Decepticon's claws again, but I couldn't shake the feeling that my strange abilities had something do with them.

The base was very different from the one in Diego Garcia. It was still out in the middle of nowhere, but instead of a dessert it was surrounded by steep, jagged mountains. I pressed the necklace tight against my chest as we passed through a large mountain pass. A tiny shiver ran down my spine at the thought of when the Decepticons had kidnapped me to bait Sideswipe. I never wanted to be near a mountain again.

Are you okay? A voice appeared inside my head, startling me. It took me a moment to realize it was Sunstreaker's voice.

Yeah, I thought. I was still getting used to speaking to him like this. It was so strange, yet the ability felt natural. I guess I am. Why do you ask?

Your heartbeat...it's a little irregular. He answered, a little reluctantly.

I raised an eyebrow, What do you mean?

You seem distressed about something.

I sighed, and shook my head, I'm fine...I just don't like mountains. I then frowned, and added, Hey, how come you're um...comming me?

These humans are monitoring us. I do not trust them.

I couldn't help but smirk. I was still aware that Sunstreaker didn't like humans, but not as much as I used to be. I couldn't deny that Sunstreaker had changed since the day we were stuck together in the warehouse, and I was grateful for it. No longer did he see me as some insignificant, dumb little human girl that was keeping Sideswipe from him anymore. He actually cares about me. But he wasn't the only one who changed.

I changed too.

I wasn't afraid of him anymore. I knew I could let my guard down, and he wouldn't squish or abandon me. I trusted him, and I cared about him just as much. It meant the world to me that he had finally accepted me, and I knew it would mean the universe to Sideswipe. I felt my chest warm at the thought of Sideswipe, and the excitement bubbled up in me. Finally, we were going to be reunited. And Sideswipe was going to have a cow when he found out that Sunstreaker and I were...kind of friends. I smiled at the thought, which actually lifted my mood.

Finally, we had made it through the pass and headed towards the tall, large grey walls that were built around a clearing in the rocky terrains. The vehicles around us all straightened to a perfect line as the road narrowed, with Sunstreaker in the middle. The vehicles dispersed once we passed through the gates and we were lead to an opening hangar.

"Finally! We can get out!" Quickshift cheered, as Sunstreaker's doors swung up.

I chuckled, climbing out the car, and stretched my arms high above me. I had to admit, it felt good to use my legs before I had to be cooped up on a plane for several hours. Sunstreaker transformed too, and looked down at us. Luckily, he had stopped bleeding, but the wound was still bad.

I frowned at him, "When are you going to ask for help?"

Sunstreaker scoffed, "Once we've reached the base."

I was about to complain again, but I was interrupted as another voice greeted us. It was a tall, muscular man with dark buzzed cut hair, and graying sides. He wore a traditional army uniform as he walked over to us.

"You must be Charlotte Garrison, the person accompanying the Autobot?" He asked, sticking his hand out.

I nodded, shaking his hand, "You can just call me Charlie for short...um, sir." I added awkwardly.

The man smiled, "Hello, and welcome to N.E.S.T Base Four, miss Charlie."

I smiled, "Thank you."

"And ya can call me Quickshift." The little red robot interjected, standing right beside me. He crossed his arms, and glared at the man. I wanted to scold him for being rude, but the way he glared and sized him up was hilarious.

The man seemed to frown, "And hello to you too."

"He's a Neutral," I quickly explained, "We found him while we were in Washington. He's harmless."

"Harmless?" Quickshift scoffed, sounding offended, " Harmless my aft! I'm a sharpshooter! And if anything happens to my girl Charlie, I'll be aiming for ya-"

"So anyways, go ahead sir." I interrupted quickly, subtly flicking Quickshift in the head with the hand that was behind my back. He yelped, but thankfully got the message, and stayed quiet.

He turned, gesturing towards a small woman with blonde hair, "This is Tina, she will be your guide during your stay here, and make sure you're taken care of."

Tina smiled brightly, "Are you ready to go?"

"Yeah, but just one thing," I gestured non-discreetly at the fuming golden twin who towered over us, "He's injured, and I'd like to repair him correctly before we leave."

Commander Banks nodded, "Don't worry, we have one of the most brightest mechanics here. And she's worked on the Autobots before."

My eyebrows furrowed in confusion, "She?"

Banks nodded, "Yes, I'll make sure she takes a look at him before you leave."

Something inside me was pushing me to ask more, but I just nodded. Tina immediately took over, already herding Quickshift and I out of the hangar. I turned around halfway, to look up at the golden twin. He still stood tall and proud in the middle of the hangar, even with a hand pressed to hid wound. His navy blue eyes met mine, and I gave him a small wave.

See you later. I said mentally.

Do not get too comfortable. We are leaving as soon as the plane comes in. Was his response.

I nodded, turning back around, and followed Tina out.


After the long and detailed tour, Tina had lead us towards the Food Hall. It wasn't as big as the Food Hall in Diego Garcia, but it still easily seated a hundred people. Soldiers were laughing and talking, the chatter echoing all across the room. I wasn't oblivious to the curious and slightly perplexed stares as we walked through the long aisles to the line. I was a seventeen year old girl, bruised and battered with a four-foot red robot walking beside me.

After I had gotten a strange looking casserole, Quickshift and I sat down at an empty table towards the back of the Hall. Although it was probably wise for me to eat, I just couldn't. I was just as eager as Sunstreaker was to get back there. It was funny; at one point, that base was the bane of my existence. It had separated me from my family, and made me homesick. But now...there was no place I would rather be. I made friends there, and I considered that my home now.

Quickshift, was chattering about something, as he poked my casserole with a plastic fork, but I couldn't focus. Something inside me was urging me to look for something, and my eyes discreetly wandered around to room. When they caught a glimpse of red hair, I froze and then blinked.

Quickshift noticed this, and immediately looked around the room, "What? What's happenin'?"

My lips parted, but no words came from them. Because that glimpse of fiery red hair...

...That was familiar.

I told myself that it wasn't possible, and there was no way I could be seeing this person. Because that person should've been ten thousand miles away. Not only a few tables away.

"It's not possible," I mumbled, more to myself than anyone, "It can't be."

A soldier had walked up to her, clamping a hand on her shoulder to get her attention. She had turned around, and my heart felt like it had dropped to my stomach. Because I knew those brown eyes, high cheekbones, and wild red hair.

"J-Jenna?" My jaw felt like it would hit the ground, as I stared wide-eyed at her.

"Who's that?" Quickshift asked, but I was too busy staring to really answer.

I couldn't believe it. Jenna was here!

I was up on my feet within a second, the chair scooting back a little from the speed of how quickly I had stood up. My heart was beating faster in my chest, and a surge of pure happiness swelled in my chest. But the happiness started to dwindle as the last memory I had with her played throughout my mind.

"You're right, the Cons will kill and destroy, and what happens if they kill you, huh? Then what? Be smart, Charlie. You have zero to no training, you wouldn't survive. You need to calm down, N.E.S.T knows what they're doing!...Don't be stupid trying to be a hero and kill yourself!"

"I hate you."

A shiver rand down my spine as the memory dissolved. The happiness turning into sadness, and anger, at myself. How could I have been so stupid and blind? All Jenna was trying to do was protect me, keep me safe, and I told her that I hated her. She was only doing her job by being a friend, and I acted like a complete bitch because I was blinded by some insistent need to protect my family. I didn't even try to listen to Sideswipe or Jenna's reasoning, I just leapt into a battle that nearly killed me.

I found myself sinking back into my seat.

How could I go up to Jenna after everything I said to her? She probably hates me, and I wouldn't blame her if she did. What I said, even in the heat of the moment...was unforgivable. I watched as the soldier talked to Jenna for a minute, and her light-hearted expression turned serious, before she nodded and excused herself from the group of people she was sitting with. I watched as they navigated through the crowded aisles, and disappeared around the corner towards the exit.

I was torn; a part of me wanted to go after her, apologize a million times for the things I said and did. And another part of me was scared. She was laughing and talking with that group of people, and I couldn't forget the fact that she was here. There must've been a reason why she left Diego Garcia.

Was it because of me?

I frowned, but I couldn't push the thought away. What if she had left because she couldn't deal with me anymore, or the stress that came with living on an important base. Did she come here to start over?

Was she happy here?

The question terrified me, because I didn't know if I wanted the answer to that. If I knew she was happy here, she'd probably never come back. And it would be all my fault, and I would have to live with that forever.

"Charlie?" Quickshift asked, sensing my change in mood, "What happened? Did ya know that girl or somethin'?"

I nodded slowly, "Yeah, I do."

"Well, why didn't ya say somethin'!"

I sighed, "Because...I'm not sure if she wants to know me anymore."


I had lost my appetite soon after, and Quickshift and I had wondered around, killing time before we decided to make our way back to the hangar where Sunstreaker was. The golden twin was lying on a huge metal berth, much like the ones in Ratchet's Med Bay. The gaping hole in his lower abdomen had been thankfully patched up, and Sunstreaker's optics were dimmed as he stared up at the ceiling.

I slowed my walk, not wanting to disturb him if he was in recharge, but Quickshift told me he wasn't. I walked up to long, metal stairs that led up to his berth. Even though he wasn't exactly recharging, he still looked peaceful in his dazed state.

"Sunstreaker?" I asked softly, placing my hand on top of the golden armor of his forearm.

His optics brightened as he moved his head to look down at me, "Yes?"

I smiled, "Glad to see you're okay."

The golden twin scoffed, "I wasn't going to die, if that was what you're thinking."

I just shrugged, "You were hurt bad. Really bad. You can't really blame me for being a little worried?"

Sunstreaker snorted, "What was that word my brother always called you?"

I gasped, before swatting him on the forearm. He didn't even flinch.

Instead, he hissed, "Watch the paint!"

I scoffed, "Please, that paint is so scratched up that it's a wonder it hasn't peeled off!"

"I mean it squishy." Sunstreaker said, but there was no underlying threat in his voice.

Despite my mood, I found myself laughing. Sunstreaker's glare weakened at the sound of my laugh, and if I didn't know any better, I'd say the small little curl at the edges of his lips was...a smile. An actual, genuine smile, but I didn't comment on it. Instead I sat down, my back leaning against his armor. I watched the soldiers walk around, shouting orders below as a comfortable silence descended on us.

"I saw your female friend today." Sunstreaker suddenly spoke up.

My heart felt like it jumped into my throat, but I tried to keep my voice nonchalant, "Oh, you mean Jenna?"

"Yes." Sunstreaker said, seeming confused about something, "Are you not happy to see her?"

"Words couldn't express how happy I was." I mumbled, but I knew he heard it perfectly.

"Then...why aren't you with her?"

I sighed, running my fingers through my hair, "Because...the last thing I told her, before I went off to Washington was that I hated her."

"So?"

I was slightly taken aback, "Well, that's a horrible thing to say. Especially if she was only trying to keep me safe."

"Did you mean it?"

"N-No! Of course not!" I spluttered, shooting him a bewildered glance.

"Then this avoidance is pointless." He said.

I bit my lip, "What am I supposed to do?"

"Apologize."

I looked up at him again, "And what if she doesn't accept it?"

"Then she was never a real friend." He said, as if it was obvious.

As nonchalant as his words were, I couldn't help the chill that went down my spine at the thought of her hating me forever. I could safely say that Jenna was one of my best friends. Other than Sideswipe, I had never grown so close to someone in five months before. I felt like I could tell her anything, and it was probably because we were in this situation together.

Something had nudged me from my back. Not hard enough to send me toppling off the berth, but with enough force to make me jerk forwards. I turned around to glare at Sunstreaker, but he had a serious look to his face that had my retort dying in my throat.

"Go to her, before it's too late."

Sighing, I slowly stood to my feet, casting one more glance at him, before walking back down the metal stairs. Quickshift had looked up from the bench he was sitting on, busying himself with tools, but I gave him a dismissed wave. He nodded, before going back to shuffling through the tools.

I didn't have to look far for Jenna, because as I made my way down the ramp, Jenna appeared again, her mechanic's jumpsuit half-way tied around her waist as she finished wrapping her hand in gauze. My eyes widened, and before I knew it, my feet were running in her direction.

"Jenna!"

The ginger turned around, her brown eyes widening as she saw me, "Charlie?!"

I threw my arms around her, the previous surge of happiness returning to me. Jenna's arms wrapped around my thin waist, and hugged me back, just as tightly. It felt like minutes had gone by, before we finally pulled away from each other.

"Jenna I am so sorry I was such an idiot I should've never said I hated you because I don't hate you and I've missed you so much and I just want to apologize if you could find it in your heart to forgive me?" The words poured out from my mouth.

Jenna stared, bewildered for a second, before she laughed.

I raised an eyebrow, "Does that mean a yes?"

"Of course," She said, pulling me into another hug, "I could never stay mad at you. Plus, there was some things I said to you that I shouldn't have."

I shook my head, "It doesn't matter anymore, I'm just so glad you're here."

"Not that I'm glad to see you again Charlie, but what the hell are you doing here? Why aren't you in Garcia?" Jenna asked, pulling away from me again. I then proceeded to tell her everything; from the battle, to living at the warehouse and discovering Quickshift, to reuniting with my family again, to being attacked by a Decepticon on the way over. Once I had finished my story, I looked up at her.

"Damn." Was the first thing she said.

I chuckled sheepishly, "Yeah, it was quite the adventure."

"Wow, I just can't believe you had to go through all that," Her eyes suddenly swelled with sadness, "I'm sorry about your Dad, Charlie."

I took a deep breath, and nodded, "It's okay. I'll always have a piece of him with me." My fingers wrapped around the cross on my neck for a moment.

"Well," Jenna said, startling me when she placed her hand son both of my shoulders, "I haven't seen you in over a month. We need to make up for lost time!"

Sunstreaker had abruptly sat up on the berth, startling a few soldiers below. Both Jenna and mine's glances had swung to him. "The plane is here."

A sudden, sharp pain of sadness flooded into me as I looked back over to Jenna. She had the same look on her face. I was once again, torn, because a part of me wanted to stay and spend time with Jenna, while another part of me wanted to see Sideswipe, and spend time with him.

"You should come with us," I said suddenly, "Back to Diego Garcia. It would be great; you could work on the Autobots there, and I can hang out with you. Just like we used to."

"Charlie," Jenna sighed sadly, "I don't know. I can't just drop my duties here."

I nodded, even as the sharp pain only increased. "I get it..."


An hour later, Sunstreaker had transformed into his Lamborghini form. Quickshift and I had climbed into his seats, as he slowly rolled up the ramp of the plane. I couldn't help but think about Jenna. As much as I wanted her to come with us, I knew it wouldn't be that easy. She was right, she had duties here, and she coudln't just drop them because we made up.

It was still going to be hard without her there.

I tried to push the thought away, but when that didn't work, I thought about something else. Quickshift had climbed into my lap, his warm metal body laid against my stomach, and it oddly soothed me as the darkness from the inside of the plane folded in on us.

"Wait!"

Someone had yelled this, and I turned around in my seat. But I couldn't see what was going on, so I opened the door and stepped out. My eyes widened as the redheaded mechanic ran towards me, nearly tripping in her baggy jumpsuit pants.

"Jenna?" I asked, astonished.

"I...thought about...what...you said...and," She said in-between pants, "I decided...it would be nice...to mess with Lennox and Epps...again."

My face lit up, "So you're coming?!"

"Yes," She said, "But not right now. My papers are being transported, but...I should be back there, in a few weeks."

I was a little dismayed that it would take weeks, but I would take that over her not coming back at all. I couldn't help but wrap her into another hug again.

"I'm so glad you're coming back." I mumbled.

"Yeah, just do me a favor and try not to die before I get there." Jenna quipped.

I grinned as I playfully shoved her shoulder, "No promises."

Jenna laughed, before shaking her head, "Well, you better hurry up. You have a flight to catch."


(Sideswipe's POV)

"I honestly don't know many times I have to tell you I'm fine." I groaned.

"The first thirty times were enough." Ratchet muttered, typing something on the large holoscreen in front of him.

"Then why am I still here? It's been days since the incident."

Ratchet sighed, "Sideswipe, you know why."

I frowned, "I'm fine. I'm completely fine."

"It's just too risky, you're going through a hard time right now, I understand that. But, if you get angry, you will trigger the beserker coding. And until I can finalize the formula to stifle your coding, you can't leave."

I sighed, the frustration and irritation starting to seep into me. "This is total slag. If you're going to keep me locked up like this, you might as well just take me back to the brig!"

"Well, ya have meh here." Jazz spoke up, from his spot beside the wall.

I rolled my optics, "Yeah, no offense, but that does nothing to help."

The little silver mech just shrugged, "None taken. Ah'm jus makin' sure you're okay."

"What if I just went for a patrol round?" I asked, "Just one, measly round. Jazz can monitor me the whole time, and I swear I won't do anything." I pleaded, my systems itching to transform and just drive. With all the slag that's been going on, the only thing I could think of to make it better was to drive. My spark already burned in my chassis with Sunstreaker's absence, and now with Charlie's, the pain only doubled.

What was there left to live for?

The question had raced across my processors many times, and I still couldn't find an answer for it, because there was nothing left. I didn't want to live in a world where the two people that mattered the most in my life were gone. I didn't want to live in a world where I wouldn't be able to see Charlie's smile or hear her soft laugh. Or Sunstreaker's strong side of the bond, that always pulsed warm surges of affection, and reminded me that I was never alone. That I always had someone to lean on.

But now...I had no one.

So what was there left to live for? The answer was nothing, and it cut deep like an acid pellet to the chassis. But I couldn't really do anything about it, since ratchet and Jazz were watching my every move carefully. All I could do was just sit here, on this fragging berth, deal with it and try not to go off the deep end. But with every day, it just kept getting harder and harder to online my optics.

All these gloomy thoughts were swarming inside my processors, and I tried to push them away, but to no avail. The only thing that gave me some sort of hope was hearing Charlie's voice a few days ago. That maybe she isn't gone like every one was saying...but that too was starting to fade.

I sighed. I could really use a drive right now.

I stared up dully at the ceiling, but I noticed Ratchet's frame go oddly still, and my optics darted to him fully. I sat up on the berth, and Jazz tossed a worried glance over his way.

"What's goin' on, Ratch?" Jazz asked.

"I...Optimus just commed me," The yellow medic said, turning away from the holoscreen, his gaze right on me.

I raised an optic ridge, opening my mouth to say something, but it was cut off as I gasped. Something flared inside my spark, heavy and familiar. With it came a string of feelings; eagerness, nervousness, love, relief.

Sunstreaker.

I had to blink, and re-focus my optics, putting a servo to my chassis just to make sure I wasn't hallucinating this. But the large flare of another mind was present, and too overwhelming to not be real.

::Sunstreaker? Sunny, are you there? Can you feel me?:: I asked over the bond frantically.

:: Don't...call...me that:: Was the slightly static reply.

"I can feel him!" I shouted to no one in particular, hopping down from the berth in a flash, "Primus, I can feel him!"

Before Ratchet or Jazz could get a hold of me, I was already out the door. The flare in my spark only grew brighter, and I raced down the halls, barely thinking. Sunstreaker was alive! He was alive and I wasn't alone anymore!

The flare was brighter and I sent an enormous amount of relief and joy throughout the bond. It was like a homing beacon, and my audio receptors picked up on the commotion happening just outside in the courtyard. A large cargo plane had just landed, and not very far from it was him.

::Sunstreaker!::

His helm snapped up, even though I had called him out through the bond. I raced towards him, barely paying attention to the few humans around. Nothing would stop me from getting to him. But Sunstreaker didn't come running over, like I thought he would. Instead, he turned slightly, and my pace slowed slightly in confusion. Once he had turned around again, I had nearly tripped over my own pedes in astonishment.

Because I recognized the sleepy figure in his servo.

I gasped, "Charlie?"


FINALLY. This chapter just wouldn't end omg, but I'm happy they're all together again. It's freaking midnight holy crap! Anyway, I should get to be. Thanks for reading, and please review!