Author's Note: Since I don't know what to say we'll just skip on over to chapter thirteen.
Chap. 13: Start of Something New
I walked slowly back to Megatron counting my steps as I went. I dried my tears and tried to look happy. There was no way I was going to show Megatron my dejected look. There was no way I'd give him a clue that he was right about my family not wanting me back. Before I knew it I was standing before Megatron while he was in his jet mode.
"That was fast," he said, "Not even 30 minutes."
"They weren't home,"
"Then perhaps we should come back another time,"
"No!" I shouted.
"No? And why not?"
"Because," I said trying to think of an excuse but nothing came.
"Astrid, are you trying to hide something from me?"
I glanced over at the ravine where this whole mess had started. Maybe if I jumped down there again all this would stop. Where was I supposed to go? My real family doesn't want me, the decepticons desperately want me, and I have no idea about the autobots.
"Astrid," Megatron said snapping me out of my thoughts, "Answer my question."
"No," I said trying to answer his question.
He was quiet a few seconds pondering my answer and then remarked, "We'll discuss this later, now get in and let's go to the base."
"I'm not going to be at your mercy again. I'll transform and follow you,"
"Fine, let's just go,"
I transformed into my jet mode and followed Megatron through the skies. I was trying to collect my thoughts before Megatron spoke again, but I wasn't given much time,
"So what exactly happened?"
"Nothing,"
"Oh really?"
"Look, you don't need to know everything. I told you my family wasn't home,"
"So why don't you want to come back later?"
I sighed frustrated, "It doesn't matter."
I flew on ahead of him. It wasn't long before he flew up beside me.
"I don't know why you can't tell me,"
"Just leave me alone,"
"I was right wasn't I? Someone was there,"
"Fine," I admitted angrily, "Damien was there, and he told me everything I didn't want to hear."
"He did, did he?"
"Please," I said trying miserably to hold back my tears, "Don't say I told you so."
He didn't say anything and we continued to the base in silence. When we did get back, we both transformed into robot mode. Not wanting to meet his gaze, I silently went back to my quarters. Jolt, Reverb, and Sixspeed greeted me when I entered.
"So how was your visit?" Jolt wondered.
"Quite honestly, I'd rather not talk about it,"
"Oh…I understand. We'll leave you alone,"
They returned under my bed where they had made a makeshift home. I laid down on my bed and tried to sleep. Sleep didn't come to my optics though. There was a knock on the door. I ignored it.
"Astrid let me in,"
It was Megatron. Not caring I decided to ignore him and didn't answer. I heard him entering a code to come in. I allowed my optics to go offline and I pretended to be asleep. The door opened.
"For the love of Primus, quit pretending and look at me,"
Reluctantly I allowed my optics to come online and I sat up. Megatron sat down next to me.
"Look, if this is about my family I don't want to talk about it,"
"I'm afraid you have no choice,"
I nearly blew up, "You knew didn't you? That's why you said I could go."
"I only figured they wouldn't care for you anymore,"
"Then why'd you let me go if you knew?"
"I…you needed to hear it from someone else besides me,"
"Did you think I'd come running back to the decepticons?"
"I hoped,"
"Megatron, why do you want me here?"
"I can't tell you, the right time hasn't come yet,"
Again with the time thing. For all I knew the right time would never present itself. I knew Megatron didn't like this conversation. He must of came here thinking he'd dominate it, well he wasn't…yet.
"Tell me, what are you going to do?"
I was taken aback, "W…what do you mean?"
"Your family doesn't want you, you're unsure about the autobots, but you have the decepticons. Which one are you going to choose?"
"None, I'll runaway,"
"And what will you do after that?"
"I'll…I…don't know,"
He smiled, "What's wrong with staying here?"
"Everything. I can't walk outside my door without fearing Starscream will be there,"
"So if it weren't for Starscream, you'd stay?"
"That's not what I said,"
"Then what else is preventing you from staying here?"
Nothing came to mind. I thought about saying him, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. Even though I can't trust him, he has been looking out for me. I sighed. I was torn between my real home and here. I couldn't possibly turn around and go home, my family had forgotten me. Perhaps it is my time to forget them. Maybe it is my time to face forward and open up to something new. I thought.
"I just don't know if I can forget them,"
I felt his arm around me and he said softly, "I know it won't be easy for you. You'll have to heal first, and then slowly, they will fade away from your memory."
"And how would you know?"
"Because," he spoke slowly, almost sadly, "I've had to do the same thing."
I was a bit stunned, "You've actually cared for someone?"
"Yes, many centuries ago,"
"Who?"
He turned away from me, "It's not important."
"Sorry,"
Megatron didn't say anything and turned back to me. My optics fell on his and I could see the sadness behind them. Right then I knew he had a life full of suffering. Everyone hates him, I thought, and he doesn't want sympathy. My perspective of him was changing.
"Megatron, I didn't know,"
"Just…forget about it,"
He looked at me long and hard then sighed heavily, "Astrid…if you want to leave, I understand. You have my permission to go."
"No," I said shocking myself, "I have nowhere else to go. And perhaps…perhaps you deserve a second chance."
He looked at me completely thrilled. I couldn't help but smile, and that caused a grin to form on his face.
"That's the first I've seen you smile,"
It had been the first time since this whole ordeal began that I had smiled. Maybe this wasn't going to be as bad as I thought it would. Maybe, just maybe I could make this my new home.
Author's Note: Thanks once again for everyone reviewing, and reading. I'll be sure to be out with the next chapter soon.