The ride out of California and into Nevada was long and weary. The four bots had to endure the harsh winds and the acidic rain of Earth. Though Ratchet and Jazz complained Ironhide remained silent, wanting his charge to continue her sleep. Inside his cab his holoform was still inside but not awake as he was. He had reclined the driver's chair back and tinted the windows as his holoform acted as a cushion for Kimber as she continued to sleep. Ratchet would occasionally drive beside Ironhide to make sure everything was alright. He had never seen Ironhide so quiet and content
"They are nice when they sleep"
"Hm?" Ironhide shifted his attention to Ratchet who was beside him again
"Humans, especially femmes."
"Yeah. I knew that"
"Ironhide you need to be careful with her. Humans, especially femmes, are prone to make emotional bonds to anything being it a member of its species or an object they possess. I don't want her getting hurt because of you"
"Ratchet I don't think she would make an emotional bond with me. For all she knows is that I'm a slagging idiot who's trigger happy most of the time"
"That is true but it doesn't mean that she won't try. Look at her now, she seems so happy just resting there"
"Well as you said she needed to res-
"In your holoform's arms. Did she make any movements to get away from him?"
"No…"
"Precisely my point Ironhide, so be careful"
The com link shut up and Ratchet pulled ahead of him again. 'Hide turned his attention back to Kimber who had since then shifted. Instead of her head resting on his shoulder she had curled up and rested it on his chest. Something in his spark swelled inside but he ignored it and continued the drive.
Another hour into the drive Ironhide was greeted by the voice of his leader "Ironhide, does Kimber have any human money with her?"
"I am not sure"
"Ratchet says she needs to refuel"
"Alright, I will ask"
He woke up his holoform and made him gently wake Kimber. She jumped as he sat up but rubbed her eyes. He looked down at her as she yawned "Have we found Bee yet?"
"No but we need to get you fuel. Do you have any money to do so?"
Kimber searched her pockets both in her pants and riding jacket. "No. But I know how to get food"
The four pulled into a Speedway off the side of the road, each parking beside each other. Ironhide let Kimber out first before making his holoform follow "Stay here. We'll be out in a moment"
Optimus's cab door opened. A man with blonde hair stepped out. If Kimber didn't know it was a holoform she would have thought it was Chris Evans himself. "I'm coming with you"
"Um no you aren't. You need to change"
"Why? Human prefer this human"
"That is true but if Chris Evans walks in there with a voice deeper than the ocean itself...people will notice. Pick someone more...country"
Optimus got his holoform back into his truck and then back out. This one had black spiky hair and a slight farmers tan. His red flannel was rolled up at the sleeves and his dark blue jeans were faded. Kimber smiled and gave the thumbs up "Now that's gonna kill the ladies. Okay I am 99.9% sure there are females working in there so I need you two to distract them"
"And how will we do that?" Optimus asked innocently
Both Ironhide and Kimber smirked at one another "Optimus it's time you learn the art of flirting"
"Flirting?"
"Just watch me Optimus. I'll show you" Ironhide turned to Kimber and smirked, grabbing her hand. She was slightly taken by surprise as he pulled her close, almost chest to chest "What's a pretty thing like you doing in a dump like this?"
Even though this was just practicing Kimber was as red as a tomato. Ironhide let her go and she fanned her face "Yeah that's good. Go knock them dead"
The three made their way into the gas station. Ironhide and Optimus stayed together while Kimber went more towards the back where the sandwiches and little Debbie were stacked. Ironhide was the first to make his move. He grabbed a case of beer and walked up to the counter where a young lady was working. She couldn't have been under 18 by her looks. She looked up from the counter and locked eyes with Ironhide
"Uh.. will this be all?"
"Oh I'm not buying this. I just wanted an excuse to talk to you"
As expected the cashier drank it up as he bombarded her with complement after complement. Kimber looked to Optimus and motioned for him to do the same. Optimus blinked and quickly looked around for something to take up there. He grabbed a dog bone and a bottle of something from the fridge and took it up to the counter. The older looking woman, probably in her late 20's, looked up at Optimus and down at her items
"A dog toy huh?"
"Y-Yes. Its for my dog, Grimlock"
Kimber face-palmed as Optimus continued the conversation
"You know he really likes girls"
"Then I think he needs to be neutered"
His cheeks turned red "No-No not like that"
While he tried to explain Kimber started to slowly stash food into her jacket. She managed to fit a few sandwich wraps and a few twinkies before heading to the door. The women were so distracted they didn't notice her slightly bulky riding jacket
Optimus was the first to realize Kimber had left "You know what, I don't need this" He put the things back and quickly walked back to his form. Ironhide came out a few minutes later with the cashiers number. When his holoform got in Kimber was munching on one of the wraps she had stolen.
"So that's what you were doing"
"It wasn't easy. Optimus almost blew the whole thing"
Ironhide laughed as they continued to sit there. The vehicle modes needed a rest after almost endless driving in the last 12 hours "You know you would make a good decepticon"
Kimber fake pouted "What, you don't want me?"
Ironhide smiled "You know I do. I cant quit on my charge that easily" He reclined in his seat "How did you learn to do that?"
"L.A. Its a big human city. Sometimes me and my buddies would go out and want a treat so while they flirted with the cashier at the register I would snag us some candy. One time I got away with three sodas and a few donuts"
"What are those?"
"Well soda is a flavored and sugary drink that people drink and donuts are a circle of fried dough covered in a flavored icing. Some even have cream or jelly injected inside" She rubbed her tummy "My favorites are jelly filled with powdered sugar. I could eat those till the world ended" She looked down at the little pastries in her lap "But Twinkies will do. They're deep fried dough with cream inside. Its really good, wanna try"
"I don't think my holoform can eat"
"Oh… I never thought of that" She looked down at the golden desert before stuffing it in her own mouth and nearly inhaling it "mmmmmm"
As Kimber inhaled the second one the four vehicles drove down the highway in silence.