Paige got ready for bed, she pulled on some short shorts and a tank top and went to the kitchen to use the sink to brush her teeth. After giving her hair a quick brush she headed back into Ironhide's room and pulled her sheets down the bed just as Ironhide walked into the room. He gave a start when he saw what she was wearing, the woman had great legs. He shook his head and walked towards his stasis bed and sat down. As he did so Paige climbed into her bed and pulled the covers up to her chin. She gave off a contented sigh and angled her head to look at Ironhide. Ironhide was lying on his stasis bed staring up at the ceiling.
"Good night Ironhide" Paige said.
"Good night Paige" Ironhide said, then suddenly the lights turned off and Paige let out a small shriek. "What are you afraid of the dark too?" Ironhide asked his voice cutting through the darkness.
"No…" Paige said after she had caught her breath "That was just unexpected." She said. "So you can turn off the lights just by thinking about it, right?"
"Yup" Ironhide said lazily. He shut his optics off line content just to talk to the small human.
"Lucky… I have to get up and flip the light switch to do that" Paige said.
"That must be hard work" Ironhide said sarcastically.
Paige let out a small laugh "You have no idea, I have to sit down and rest after I'm done" she flipped over in the bed and faced him while lying on her side. The dim light from the hallway filtered from under the door and it showed the large silhouette or Ironhide. His massive black body seemed one with the shadows. Ironhide shifted a little bit and Paige saw a flicker of blue light that was coming from his chest. She had to resist the urge to climb out of bed and investigate what the blue light was.
It was warm in the room and in an effort to remain cool Paige slipped one of her legs out from under the bed sheet and exposed it to the open air. She gave off one more satisfied sigh and closed her eyes. She was asleep within minutes, her breathing soft and even. Ironhide turned his head careful not to make any noises, he activated his optics. The blue light his optics gave off and the light from the hallway was enough to illuminate her bronzed skin. One of her legs hung off the bed, her arms were wound around the pillow and her head was nuzzled somewhere in between. Ironhide observed her for a moment, taking in every detail her could- the firm muscles of her arm, the small curve of her leg, the dip of her neck. Reacting on an urge he turned on his holoform and quietly walked towards her. When he had reached the bed he reacted on another urge, with two fingers he ran them down her smooth leg. Paige reacted in her sleep; she let out a low murmur and moved her leg slightly. Ironhide smiled softy, such an intriguing creature, he thought. His fingers skimmed over the back of her neck and down her arms causing Paige to snuggle into the pillow deeper with a small sigh.
He brushed away the hair that rested on her forehead, and leaned down and pressed his lips against her forehead. Paige instinctively angled her head up so that he could have better access, Ironhide gave off a low chuckle that resounded deep in his throat.
"Silly human" he said as he kissed her forehead once again.
"Ironhide…" Paige breathed out his name and Ironhide froze thinking she had awoken, but she merely pressed her face back into her pillow and whimpered. Ironhide shivered, he felt another urge, a primal instinctive urge, and fearing it he turned off his holoform. When he was back to normal in his original body did he then let out a noise which sounded like a long sigh. The human was affecting him and he wasn't sure what to think of it. He shifted into a more comfortable position and turned off his optics and slipped into stasis. He dreamed that night. He dreamed of Paige.
Paige was awoken the next morning by the daily going on's around the base. Ironhide was shifting through some of his guns when she opened her eyes. She let of a low moan and sat up. She stretched and hung her legs over the bed.
"Good morning sleepyhead" Ironhide looked over his shoulder to see her sitting with wild hair and heavy eyes.
She gave him a tired smile "Morning" she got of her bed and began to make her way towards the door. She padded barefoot into the kitchen where she made toast, had cereal and munched on a lot of fruit. She was drinking her second cup of orange juice when Sam came in looking like she had a while ago. He wore no shirt and his boxers had a smiley face pattern.
"Morning" he rasped as he made himself some toast. Once he had the toast he slumped down into an empty chair and began to butter it. Paige propped up her head and closed her eyes, she let off a long sigh, and Sam looked up. "Rough night?" he asked.
Paige wrinkled her nose "no…" she said "I had a great night sleep last night but…"
"But…" Sam looked at her curiously.
"I had a strange dream" Paige told him, she blushed a little.
"Really, What was it about?" Sam asked not noticing her blush.
Paige took a deep breath "Ironhide's holoform" she told him blushing a deep red.
Sam noticed the blush and he too blushed a little sensing where the discussion area was going "You know what, I don't think I want to know" he told her.
Paige laughed "I wont tell you" she told him as she helped herself to another piece of toast.
After a moment Sam spoke up again "hey I'm going into town today with Bumblebee, if there is anything you want I can get it for you" he said.
Paige perked up "Do you think you could get my mail?" she asked. "Its at my apartment, I just never had the chance to open it up yet" she told him.
"Sure, I'll ask Bumblebee if we can make a stop there" Sam said.
"Thanks" Paige got up and began to put away her dishes, when she was done she thanked Sam once again and went out to look for Ironhide. He wasn't in his room and when she went to the main part of the base to look for him he wasn't there either. Frowning she looked around for him.
"Need any help Paige?" Paige looked up and saw Ratchet standing behind her.
She turned around and flashed him a smile "Yeah, please. Can you tell me where Ironhide is?" she asked.
Ratchet pointed to a door she hadn't noticed yet "He's in there. He has monitor duty today, he could use some company" Ratchet told her.
Paige frowned "What's monitor duty?" she asked him.
Ratchet shrugged "We have to keep an eye out for Decepticons, and monitor duty is one way we can search for them" he told her.
"Oh…" Paige said "Sounds boring" she said.
"It is" Ratchet told her. He bent down and gave her a nudge "He could use your company" he told her yet again.
"Ok!" Paige waved him a thanks and headed into the room. The door closed behind her and what Paige saw made her gasp in awe. She saw a giant flat screen which covered an entire wall. Ironhide sat in front of it in a large chair. Next to him was a control panel which was like something out of Star Trek.
"Hey Ironhide" Paige walked up to him.
Ironhide looked down at her and regarded her with glowing blue eyes "Hello" he said. Paige frowned "I don't suppose you would allow me to sit on your knee" she said.
Ironhide shrugged "Sure" he leaned forward and wrapped his fingers around Paige. He left her tense in fear when her feet left the ground but as soon as her feet touched his knee did she relax. She was careful not to look down when she looked over her shoulder up to his face. She carefully sat herself down and marveled at all the parts which held him together. She observed wiring and amour and other such things of an electronic nature.
After a moment she looked up "Ratchet said you could use some company" she told him.
Ironhide kept his eyes on the screen; he smiled "That I could"
"Monitor duty sounds boring" Paige said.
"It is" Ironhide said.
Have you spotted any bed guys yet?" Paige asked.
"Nope" Said Ironhide simply.
Paige was silent for a moment "how did you sleep last night?" she asked.
Ironhide shrugged "Ok" he said.
"Sorry, It's my fault right" Paige said. "I don't mean to be such a burden to you. I can ask to move to a different room" Paige looked up at him with big eyes.
"You did nothing wrong" Ironhide let his optics move onto her face "Don't ask to move" he said.
"Ok…" Paige looked at the large screen before her. It was filled with a map and on the map there was a kind of language which Paige did not recognize. Different areas were lit up while others were a dull grey.
"How did you sleep last night?" Ironhide said in an attempt to start another conversation.
"Good" Paige nodded, she blushed "I had a dream" she told him.
Ironhide tensed "What sort of dream?" he asked her.
"It was about you" Paige said "well… your holoform" Paige told him, she began to fiddle with her hair.
"Ah…" Ironhide rubbed the back of his neck, he knew exactly what her dream was about and he knew it hadn't been a dream but rather it had been real.
"It was a nice dream" Paige told him. "Just…."
"Different" Ironhide finished for her.
Paige looked up at him "yes… how did you know?" Ironhide shrugged and Paige let out a sigh. She looked up at the monitor and saw a yellow dot moving. "What's that?" she asked pointing towards it.
"That's Bumblebee. He and Sam are going out for the day" Ironhide told her, he settled back into his chair grateful that their conversation had veered away from Paige's dream.
"Sam said he was going to pick up my mail" Paige told him. Paige turned her head to look at him and some of her hair fell to rest on her cheek.
"Hmm" Ironhide absentmindedly brushed away the hair with his finger.
"T-thanks" Paige found herself blushing. She reached up to touch her cheek. Ironhide returned his gaze to the monitor and Paige found it to be too quiet. After a moment she asked "Do you listen to music?"
Ironhide shrugged "Sure"
"Play your favorite song" Paige told him.
Ironhide looked down at her, "Why?" he asked.
"Casue I wanna know what sort of music you listen to" Paige said "Judging by your personality I would say rock" she said thoughtfully. Ironhide thought for a moment searching for a song that he liked, when he found one he turned on his radio and music began to play. Paige immediately recognized it as Simple Plan- When I'm Gone. She gave him the thumbs up and quietly sang along with the song.
I look around me and all I seem to see is people going no where expecting sympathy. Its like were going through the motions of a scripted destiny. Tell me where's our inspiration. If life wont wait I guess its up to me.
Ironhide watched the small human before him, she was swaying with the music and signing along softly. He turned out the music and listened to her voice. Its wasn't the prettiest voice he had ever heard, no her voice wasn't a singers voice, it was more of a bedroom voice. A voice used to whisper passionately through the darkness. Ironhide mentally slapped himself, he didn't like where his thoughts were going.
We're not gonna waste another moment in this town. We wont come back the world is calling out. Leave the past in the past gonna find the future. If misery loves company, well so long, you'll miss me when I'm gone.
It didn't feel strange to Paige to sing along, she liked to sing even though she knew she was no good. It was something to keep her occupied when in the shower or waiting for someone. She gave Ironhide a glance, he was staring at her with intense blue optics, she gave him a smile and continued to sing.
Your gonna miss me when I'm gone
Procrastinating running circles in my head, while you sit there contemplating you wound up left for dead. Life is what happens when you're busy making your excuses. Another day another casualty but that wont happen to me.
Ironhide knew he should be watching the monitor searching for Decepticons but how could any one expect him to pay attention to the monitor when he had such a lovely distraction. He liked Paige and he was certain the Paige liked him back. It was a good friendship he thought with a smile.
I wont look back when I say goodbye. Gonna leave this world behind me gonna take what's mine tonight. Because every wasted day becomes a wasted chance. Your gonna wake up feeling sorry. Cause life wont wait. I guess its up to you.
When the song was done Paige gave him a shy smile "Well I was right about the rock thing" she said.
Ironhide wanting to learn more about her asked "What is your favorite song?"
Paige bit her bottom lip "Well…" she thought for a moment more and let out a small laugh "I don't really know, there are so many." she told him.
"Pick one" Ironhide told her.
"Alright… uhmm…. Celine Dion, I Drove All Night" Paige told him.
Ironhide did a quick search and suddenly the song began to play, he listened to it for a moment "you listen to chick music" he told her.
Paige shrugged "So?" She asked.
"I didn't peg you for a romantic" Ironhide said.
Paige blushed "I like a good love story" She said. "It lets me know that there are happy endings somewhere" they slipped into silence.
When the song was over Paige waved her hand "Your turn" she told him "pick a song" and Ironhide did so. The morning flew by as Paige kept Ironhide company, they would take turns picking songs listening and talking while they kept and eye on the monitor. Ironhide learned a lot about Paige's work and she in turn learned a lot about guns. Both kept the conversations light and happy and they stayed away from taking about their pasts.
They were in the middle of talking about one of Paige's experiences with a group in the photo gallery when Sam's voice cut in.
"Paige!" his head poked in the door way. Paige waved hello, "Got your mail" he held up a bunch of envelopes. Paige glanced at Ironhide and he got the silent message. He gently picked her up and set her on the floor. As usual he felt her tense when her feet left the ground, he was careful to put her down quickly. When she was on the floor she let out a relieved breath and regained her composure. Then she ran on over to Sam.
"Hey thanks for doing this for me" Paige said as she took the many envelopes.
"No problem" Sam winked at her "If you need anything else don't hesitate to ask" he told her.
"Thanks" Paige watched him leave and then walked to Ironhide's foot. There she sat down and prepared to read her mail. The first one was from her landlord. She opened it curiously, she read through the letter through frowned and read it again, and once more after the fifth time she had read it over she looked up and saw Ironhide looking at her with a concerned face.
"What's the matter?" he asked noticing how her light and happy mood had disappeared in an instant.
"I-I-I" Paige looked down at the letter in her hand, she had clenched her hand and the letter was all crinkled.
"Paige….?" Ironhide got off his chair and went to sit beside her; he gently took the letter out of her hands and held it up. He read it, "When it says evicted…?" he looked down for an explanation.
Paige took in a deep shuddering breath "I've been kicked out of my home" she told him.
"What?" Ironhide paused "What about your plants?" he asked.
Paige heaved a great big sigh "They will be taken away, most likely thrown out I think, or if they are lucky Mrs. Lucy next door will take them" she told him.
Ironhide didn't know what to say "I-I'm sorry Paige" he said.
Paige waved her hand "Its ok" she told him trying her best to see the bright side of things "The traffic was terrible over there. She laughed a harsh laugh.
"It says you haven't paid your rent…" Ironhide said.
Paige shook her head angrily "Yes I did!" she half shouted "I sent it to him in the mail"
"Then it got lost" Ironhide said.
Paige shook her head "That's the second time this week" Suddenly she gasped, she leaned forward and began to shift through her many letters when she found the right one she ripped it open and let out a low moan. "Damn mail man" she muttered, she crumpled up the letter and threw it over her shoulder. Ironhide knew he was invading her privacy but he picked up the letter all the same and carefully unfolded it. He read it and frowned.
"Your car was taken away.... because you didn't pay the bill" Ironhide told her.
"I sent it in the mail!" Paige insisted "I remember filling out a check and sending it in the mail! I even remember licking the damn postage stamp!" Paige let her head sink into her hands, "Why is this happening to me?" she moaned. Ironhide stayed silent not sure of what to do. After a moment Paige lifted her head, "It was a stupid car anyways" she said trying to look tough.
She picked up the next letter and saw it was from her library. Curious she ripped it open; she read it and let out a shout.
"Ah come on!" she shouted throwing the letter angrily on the ground.
"What now?" Ironhide asked.
"My library card has expired" Paige said, "That was the letter notifying me that my card is now useless" she paused "hang on a minute…" she shot up and ran out of the room, Ironhide looked after her debating if he should leave his duties to see what she was doing. But before he could decide Paige came storming back into the room holding her wallet. She opened it and dug out her library card. "I knew it!" she shouted waving her card around.
Ironhide looked puzzled "Knew what?" He asked.
"My card says it doesn't expire until three months from now" Paige told him.
Ironhide looked at the letter she had thrown on the floor "So this letter has a mistake" he said.
Paige nodded "Exactly!" she told him.
"Well" Ironhide said "Either the human society is terrible at keeping track of you and your life or some one is trying to get to you" Ironhide told her.
"What?" Paige looked up at him.
"Paige you cant possible believe that this is a coincidence" Ironhide gestured towards the rest of her unopened letters "I bet you all of these are letters of rejection" Paige's mouth dropped as she pieced it together. Silently she walked over to one and picked it up; it was a letter from her insurance company. She ripped it open and proceeded to read it. Once done she let out an angry yell.
"What the hell!" she shouted "Who is doing this!?" she angrily picked up another letter; this one was from the fitness club she went to. She read it and growled "Your member ship has expired" she said coarsely. She picked up another one "Expired" she yelled again as she ripped the letter apart. The last one was the one that set her off, it was from her work. Paige shakily opened it and when she saw the first few words she let out an angry cry, "Fired!" she yelled.
Ironhide watched as the small human before him began to tear through her letters in anger. Once all of the envelopes and letters of rejection had been destroyed and were laying in a pile around her did he say something.
"Paige you should talk to Optimus" he told her.
Paige was seething and wasn't thinking when she turned her anger onto him "and what is he gonna do? Pat my back offer me words that mean nothing" Paige stomped towards him "All of my troubles started when I met you, how do I know this isn't your fault!" she yelled. "What do you want with me!?" she shouted.
Ironhide growled "nothing Paige, I don't want anything from you. I swear to you did didn't do this" he got up and looked down at her. She was red in the face and her eyes blazed fiercely.
"I don't believe you!" she screeched "Who else but giant alien robots could have the technology to wipe my very life way like a calk board!"
Ironhide lost his temper, he hated being accused. In one motion he picked her up and held her close to his face "I told you I didn't do it!" he shouted.
Paige looked a little green in the face and she hung onto his hand for dear life, but her fear of heights did not stop her anger "Why don't you crush me and just finish the job?"
Ironhide knew she was afraid of the height she was at and immediately set her down on the floor, "I'm telling you for the last time" he told her using all of his self control "I would never do anything to hurt you" he said. Paige raised her hand, she looked like she was going to yell. But then after a moment of silence she sighed and let her hand drop.
"Take me home" she told him.
"W-What?" Ironhide frowned.
"Take me home, I've had enough of this" Paige crossed her arms "I'm gonna resume my normal life" she told him.
Ironhide didn't mean to make her more angry but he had to ask anyway "What life?" he asked, "you don't have a home nor do you have a job" he told her.
"Shut up!" Paige shouted "Just take me home!"
Ironhide was about to retort when Optimus walked in, "Is there a problem?" he asked. Paige couldn't talk, Optimus' presence was very overpowering and so she didn't say anything.
Ironhide noticed Paige's stance; she was biting her bottom lip looking away from both of the giant robots, "Sorry sir" Ironhide said "Paige is experiencing a crisis" he told him.
"Crisis…" Paige suddenly felt the need to laugh "my life has been erased" she said.
Optimus frowned "I don't understand" he said.
Paige laughed "Don't understand!" she laughed again, she looked on the verge of hysteria.
Ironhide sighed and stepped in front of the young woman, he faced Optimus and began to explain her current situation. After it was explained Optimus gently pushed Ironhide to the side and knelt down.
"Paige" he said softy.
Paige looked up at him; tears were running down her face "What?" she asked angrily.
"Paige, I can promise you that the Autobots had nothing to do with this" Optimus told her.
Paige wiped away her tears "then who did this to me?" she asked.
Optimus shook his head "I'm afraid I don't know" he told her.
Paige felt the need to sit down, so she did, "What am I going to do?" she asked.
Optimus gave her a gentle smile "you can stay with us until we can get your situation sorted out" he said, "We can promise you protection and proper shelter. You will be well taken care of" he said.
Paige nodded "Thank you Optimus." She turned to face Ironhide, she nervously wrung her hands and hung her head "I'm sorry Ironhide, I was just really frustrated…"
Ironhide shrugged "Its understandable. Your forgiven Paige"
Paige nodded "Thank you" she looked relieved. "I think I wanna eat something" the statement wasn't really directed at anyone so Optimus and Ironhide stayed silent as Paige left the room muttering to herself.
Ironhide turned to Optimus, "Are you thinking what I am thinking?" he asked.
Optimus nodded solemnly "Decepticons" he said simply.
Ironhide agreed with him "But what do they want with her?" he asked.
Optimus took a hold of Ironhide's shoulder "I don't know but I need you to protect her while the rest of us find out"
"Alright" Ironhide said.
"Ironhide, I think it best if Paige doesn't know about the Decepticons and their interest in her, that would only worry her more" Optimus said as he let go of the gunman's shoulder.
"Yes sir" Ironhide said. Optimus then turned and walked out of the room, off to try and research what he could on the matter. Ironhide turned back to the monitor and sighed- he was still on monitor duty.
Paige had raided the freezer and found a box of Rolo ice-cream, she gave off a grateful sigh and took out the whole box and stuck a really big spoon into it. Then she began to feast. But it wasn't enough, sure the Rolo ice-cream was a comfort but Paige wanted something to remind her of home. She thought of the garden and began to make her way to the giant elevator but when she reached the giant door way she realized she had no way to open it. With a sigh she was about to turn around when the elevator doors opened, gasping in surprise she whipped around and saw a pair of yellow legs. She angled her head upwards.
"Bumblebee!" she sounded surprised.
Bumblebee tilted his head as he stepped onto the elevator "Going down" he told her.
Paige took a deep breath and stepped onto it as well. On the way down she gobbled on her ice-cream trying to keep herself distracted. They reached the ground seconds later and Paige bounded off and went to sit in her little garden. Bumblebee observed the small human and went to sit next to her small garden.
They were silent for a long while, Paige was content to eat her ice-cream and Bumblebee was content just to sit there.
"I've read that humans, especially females, like to eat when they are sad" Bumblebee said after the long silence.
Paige shrugged "that's true" she told him with a mouthful of ice-cream.
"Wanna tell me why you are so sad?" Bumblebee asked. Paige looked at him for a moment and then sighed.
"Ok…" she said, and so she went on to tell him what happened. Bumblebee listened carefully not saying anything. Once she was done talking she took another giant bite of her ice-cream and waited for Bumblebee to say something.
'Well…." Bumblebee said after a moment "that certainly sucks" he said.
"Tell me about it" Paige muttered, she was happy she'd had someone to listen to her.
"But." Bumblebee said "you can count on us to take care of you" he told her.
"Thanks" Paige smiled up at him, "Ya know, Sam's a lucky guy"
Bumblebee tilted his head "Why's that?" he asked.
"You're a good guardian. And you listen" Paige told him.
"Aw, Ironhide isn't so bad" Bumblebee said.
Paige nodded "I like him a lot too" she said. "I guess I just got angry and lost control"
"With the situation your in, I think your reaction to be acceptable" Bumblebee said.
Paige shook her head "no it wasn't" she paused "I should go apologize to him again"
Bumblebee inclined his head "If you think it's necessary" he said.
"Necessary! Hell I blamed you guys for ruining my life" she put an ice-cream filled spoon in her mouth "I sunk real low" she murmured.
"Well here he comes" Bumblebee said "Now's your chance" Paige whipped her head towards the elevator which was descending; she hadn't even noticed it move off the ground.
Paige licked her lips "Ok…" she muttered. She waited for the elevator to reach the ground, when it did she stood up, as did Bumblebee.
Ironhide looked down and saw Paige's face smeared with ice-cream, he let off a low laugh "There you are" he said, "I was looking for you" he said.
"Y-you were" Paige stuttered.
Bumblebee leaned down and pressed a finger to the small of her back gently pushing her forward "go on" he told her "Say what you want to say"
"Ok…" Paige gulped and turned to Ironhide. His expression had changed, he was looking at her and Bumblebee with a suspicious look. Once again she licked her lips and took a hold of her neck. She opened her mouth and squeaked.
"Paige" Ironhide said crossing his arms "Are you ok?" he asked.
"S-sure" Paige didn't know why she felt so nervous, it was just an apology but yet she knew this really mattered to him and to her. "Ironhide look- I'm really sorry I didn't mean to yell at you I shouldn't have done that" she bowed her head, "I'm sorry" she said again.
Ironhide chuckled and knelt down, with a finger he lifted her chin so that she could look at him, "I already told you." He said "I forgive you" one of his optics blinked on and off and Paige knew he had winked at her.
Bumblebee patted Paige's shoulder lightly "See that wasn't so bad" he told her.
"Yeah" Paige said sounding breathless. She wiped her mouth with the back of her hand and saw the remains of ice-cream. "Aww come on, why didn't you guys tell me I had ice-cream on my face?" she looked up at them. Ironhide and Bumblebee laughed.
"You're a funny human" Ironhide told her.
Paige stuck out her tongue at him "Well I'm happy I am an amusement to you" she said. she walked over to the elevator and stepped onto it, when Bumblebee and Ironhide got on the elevator started and Paige found herself placing her hand on Ironhide's foot.
Starscream was pissed, more pissed than normal that is. Their searches for the human girl were to no avail, it seemed like she had disappeared into thin air. Now that she had no place to go he was sure that they would find her roaming the streets or seeking help, but her faint energy symbol had disappeared and that had pissed Starscream off.
He flew around put his scanners on high alert hoping for a faint trace of her, but like usual it was useless.
Fagging human!" he scowled "your lucky I have use for you cause when I find you I'll keep you alive… but only just" he said to himself.
"Barricade to Starscream" Barricades cool low voice cut into his thoughts.
"What!" he snapped.
"We have found the humans energy signal, I'm sending you the coordinates now" he said.
"Excellent, Stay where you are until I get there. Then we can take the human" Starscream said.
"Sir do you think the Autobots could have her?" Barricade asked. "She is in the middle of nowhere"
"Nonsense!" Starscream said "The Autobots know nothing about this human and therefore they do not have her" he cut out of the com link before Barricade could reply. He changed his course and snickered, boy that human was in for a surprise.