A/N: Hey all. This chapter was written very fast and not as carefully as others, but I really wanted to publish it today and this was all the time I could give it. It's based on a true story that happened on the New Jersey Turnpike in 1998 (and the whole series is written on various instances of DWB around the country).

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"What happened to you?!", Ratchet exclaimed, in an octave usually reserved for the twins.

Ironhide wobbled uneasily into the repair bay with two flattened tires, but still preferring this form of transport to actually trying to walk in robot form. Ratchet assisted him in transforming.

"I just had some trouble with humans", he replied.

"Why didn't you radio for help?"

"It…just happened so fast, and…I didn't want to bother Optimus with it. It was just a misunderstanding with the humans. They thought…well, I guess they thought I was a Decepticon. But once I transformed and showed them I'm an Autobot, they left me alone."

Ratchet examined the bullet holes, mainly in Ironhide's rear chassis. His left side also bore extensive damage, all the windows were shot out. Although Ironhide's armor protected his major components, bullets still caused pain. Ratchet winced imagining what it must feel like, and admiring how calm and collected Ironhide was. He set to work removing bullets, sealing holes, and replacing windows and wheels. Finally he repainted Ironhide so he was good as new.

"So, how did this happen? I thought you were using the halogram device Wheeljack installed for you."

"I was", Ironhide insisted, "It must have malfunctioned. All I know is I started being followed by police, and Optimus said to avoid contact with humans, so I just kept driving. Next thing I know I got five police on my tail, and then they just laid into me. And I didn't want to fire back, you know, with them just being humans, and we're trying to be low key, but I had to do something, so I transformed. And then they all just left me alone."

"Well, transform and let me look at your system."

Ironhide complied, and Ratchet examined him carefully. The program seemed flawless, showing eight young black humans riding an ordinary Earth van, as if they were going to a basketball game.

"Got me", Ratchet shrugged, "Just try and drive more carefully, okay?"