Chapter 4

I took Annabelle inside and upstairs to get cleaned up. Will and the rest of the team came in soon after we did to wait for Sarah to arrive. Ann' was just drying her hands with a towel when the front door opened again. And happy squeals and shouts came from the one and only Sarah Lennox. Ann' grinned from her spot beside me and continued to dry her hand faster than before. Once she seemed satisfied with her work, she held up hands to me for inspection. I searched her hands for any dirt, taking my sweet time as she shifted impatiently on her feet. Once I thought that she had had enough of me I nodded I satisfaction and stepped away from the door.

"Alright go" I said as she squealed and almost ran pasted me. I watched as she flied down the stairs with a surprising amount agility for a five year old. I shook my head with amusement and made my way downstairs to join the celebration of Will's return. I wasn't really looking forward to being around so many happy squeals but I would endure. Hopefully they'll stop it once the excitement dies down.

Though I will have to find another place to sleep tonight, I'm in no mood to listen to the sounds of passion between the married couple after who know how long they were last together. Just thinking about it made me cringe. At least Annabelle will have no idea; sometimes it's good to be human isn't it? Say what you want about sex—amazing, wonderful, the expression of unadulterated love between two people, ect.—but it is noisy and has that particular scent that hangs around for more than anyone is comfortable with. Well at least for me, I'm the only one that is going to have to smell it all day tomorrow. Yay me. But really, I'm just happy that Sarah is happy and I'm sure that if the roles were reversed that she would be happy for me too. So I take solace in that at least.

Just as I was finishing my descend of the stairs, I crashed nose first into a wall. I stumbled back and ended up sitting on the last step, almost injuring my tail. I growled to myself and lifted a paw to rub away the pain and inevitable sneezes that would come due to the impact.

"Since when is there a wall here?" I muttered to myself and opening one of my eyes to glare at the offending wall only to come across the back of a familiar blue uniform. I straitened immediately and looked up hoping to god that it wasn't who I thought it was. I'm not ready for another heated sexy staring competition. Thankfully I instead of a black mane, I saw neat salt and paper hair; I sighed in relief and oddly enough a bit of disappointment. I mentally frowned at myself at that thought, what the hell is wrong with me? I'm not into him, he's just Sarah's husband's co-worker. Sure he's unbelievably hot and he's good with kids or at least with Annabelle, and he's strong. Don't ask me how I know that, I just do. Simply the perfect candidate for- wait what? I was taken from my unneeded thought be Optimus's voice speaking in my direction.

"My apologies Miss Ren, I did not mean to be in your way." He rumbled, extending a hand to me for some reason it's not like I could take it. I breathed in and forced my attention on him. With a nod I gave him a small smile.

"It's alright Optimus, I wasn't paying attention. It's my fault really." I assured him. Side stepping him and heading to the living room; I motioned with my head for him to follow me.

"So tell me" I started "Who's the boss man? Is it you or Will?" I asked. "Cuz' you look like the boss, but clearly Will was the one that was telling everyone what to do earlier today." I mused, giving him a glance to make sure he was still there. Optimus contemplated my words for a moment, bringing his hand to his chin in contemplation.

"Well officially, William communicates directly with the hu- our superiors. But we both supervise the team." He said, probably thinking that I didn't catch that little slip up. I narrowed my eyes at him suspiciously, but stored away the information for latter contemplation with a smile.

"Coolio" I said as we entered the living room, ending the conversation. I walked to the sofa where everyone was talking. It was mostly Sarah asking why Will hadn't told her that he was coming early. To witch Will kept answering that he got off early. But then she asked why the team was here. And for some unconceivable reason they all looked to me—Crazy right? Hehe...

"Alright, I admit I got a little carried away with the phone call. But I have no regrets, as far as I was concerned I was protecting mine from a crazy possessive mama's boy. Like bloody face from that show that Ann's not allowed to see ever as long as she is alive. " I said, giving Will a good old broad smile.

"American Horror story?" he asked in a bit of astonishment. He glanced at Sarah for a moment for conformation. And she nodded with a sheepish smile.

"Ladies night" was all she said, a semi sly smile on her face. Will nodded with a grimace, letting out a small chuckle in the process.

"Yeah that, that show is wrong on so many levels. You humans are so weird." I mused to myself as I laid down next to the sofa and got comfy. The rest of the group was dispersed around the living room. On the sofa AKA my temporary bed was Sarah, Will and Optimus. On the couch that was beside the sofa farthest from the door was Ratchet—I was on the other side—Ironhide was leaning on the wall by the window opposite us, watching with some amusement of the conversation. Every so often he would glance at me, only to look away as soon as I would notice. Bumblebee, Jazz and Annabelle were a few feet away from him on the floor. Entertaining themselves with some card game while they wait for the pizza to arrive. Though I'm sure that both Bee' and Jazz were listening.

"Don't demons have stronger bloodlust than humans?" Will asked me suddenly with a raised eyebrow. To which I nodded 'yes'. "And she calls us weird" he muttered. I huffed at him indignantly and turned my head away in favor of looking to out the window.

"Yes it's much stronger but we keep that to ourselves. We don't much care for recreation as much as the real thing." I said distractedly, I'll let you guess what I was distracted by. But my attention was taken towards Ratchet, who was practically bursting with questions swimming in his head.

"Miss Ren" He said.

I shook my head in disapproval. "Just Ren please, there's no need to be so formal." I said with a small smile. Ratchet nodded and went on to speak again.

"If I may ask, why is it that you are in those restraints? My sca—observations reveal that you 'are the picture of health' as some say" He said with a slight frown. I raised an eyebrow at him and then at Sarah.

"You don't say" I muttered to Ratchet while slightly glaring at Sarah. She frowned at me a bit and glared back.

"Hey I'm just a nurse how am I supposed to know how long it takes for demon bones to heal. It's not like I can google it. If you want, I'll take them off after dinner." She protested, folding her arms over her chest and leaning back on the sofa. I sighed in resignation and nodded.

"Yeah alright, I'll give you that." I said

"Why can't she 'google it'? as you say." Optimus asked.

I shrugged my shoulders dismissively. "Any and all kinds of information concerning demons, our anatomy, mannerisms, pack mentality or even just how many kinds of demons exist is strictly forbidden from being published online or even stored on a simple computer. Only hand written books, scrolls and documents can hold such precious information." I explained, looking to each of them as I gave my little lesson. "And access to it is closely monitored. Even what is taught in schools is sensitive information. And all that class ever teaches is 'Hey! Humans aren't alone in the world. There are these terrifying creatures that will kill you if you piss them off! So don't get close!' which is true in most situations. " I said, slightly amused at the reality of my own words.

"Why is it forbidden?" asked the last person that I thought would speak. Ironhide watched me with narrowed eyes, suspicion lining their rim, Gods his voice was deep and sexy. Is this a good time to self-loathe? I spared him a quick glance of surprise, trying to make our eye contact as brief as possible to not be trapped in his blazing gaze again.

"Humans are opportunist." I started. "No offence. But if we allow certain humans the knowledge of our actual numbers, types, powers or anything like that they will not hesitate to use it against us." I said glaring at the floor. "Demon populations have been on a steady decrease for over a thousand year due to human advancements and weapon manufacturing like atomic bombs. Most humans believe that we've gone extinct or are on its brink. We've only just started to recover, if we allow just anyone to get whatever kind of information on us that they wish. My whole species could be wiped out without a second thought." I explained, lowering my head to lay on top of my paws. After a moment of silence I felt a hand on top of my head.

I looked up to see Optimus looking at me with soft eyes. "It is alright Ren. We understand." he rumbled gently, I smiled at him but before I could speak the sound of two engines came to my ears. I popped up instantly, walking to the window and I flayed my ears around trying to pinpoint the noise. One was powerful, clean and... angry? What the hell? It was coming from the black Topkick, weird. The other was weak and sort of annoying; it was the pizza delivery car.

"Foods here" I announced out of nowhere. Everyone looked at me in surprise again. I rolled my eyes and pointed at my ears first and then my nose with my paw.

Will got up and moved to stand behind me and peered out of the window to the road. "Yeah" he said under his breath and left saying something about finding his wallet, Sarah went with him. I watched them leave the room and a thought hit me.

"Hey Optimus?" I called, getting his attention from his glancing contest with Ratchet and Ironhide.

"Yes?"

"Are you guys going to sleep here tonight?" I asked, tilting my head to the side cutely. What? I know I'm adorable. Well I at least I like to think I am, self-esteem is very important.

"Yes we will take up residence in the barn for the week until we receive orders." Optimus said, giving me a smile as I made my way to sit by his feet on the couch.

I nodded a bit. "Do you mind if I bunk in the barn with you guys?" I asked, giving him my best shit eating grin. "I won't actually sleep until late, since I'm taking this as a chance to survey the land for when I extend my territory. Right now I just have the house and immediate property, tiny even though it's just me." I added, honestly speaking more to myself than him.

"It's no bother, but why do you not want to sleep in the house?" He asked.

I glanced to the door to make sure that Sarah and Will were still occupied, then at Annabelle who was concentrating on her card game. "Well it's been a while since Will has been home. And I just want them to have some privacy, If you know what I mean." I said, giving him suggestive eyes hoping he'd get the hint. Apparently he didn't if I go by the look of complete and utter confusion on his face.

"What do you mean?" he asked. God for a guy in his foxy forties, he's really clueless.

"I mean that they need time to be alone... To be together." I tried to explain. Somehow, talking about sex with Optimus who just reeked of authority was weird. This coincidentally reminded me of my father, great.

Thankfully though, Optimus seemed to understand after that. "You mean intercourse" He stated plainly, like it was the simplest thing in the world. Well... In concept yeah it's simple but—you know what? Screw it. Let's talk 'intercourse'.

"Yes, intercourse" I said, though I said it less loudly than Optimus as Annabelle was still in the room.

"What about Annabelle? Should she stay with us as well?" Ratchet asked, bringing himself into the conversation. Not that either of us minded. But I shook my head at him.

"No, that won't be necessary; she'll be out like a light by nine thirty. This is more for me; I won't be able to sleep with the sounds of their...activities. My hearing is very sensitive as you've already seen." I explained, flicking my ears around to emphasize my point. Both men nodded their heads in understanding.

"Very well" Optimus said, just as Will came into the room with a stack of four pizza boxes.

"Very well what?" he asked distractedly as he balanced the boxes in one hand and moving to go to the dining room and coming back to hear our reply.

"I'm planning on spending the night out of the house to think about where to set the perimeter once my casts are off and I can walk around freely" I answered swiftly before either Optimus or Ratchet could open their mouths. Something tells me that they wouldn't hesitate in telling Will that we were talking about his sex life.

"Oh alright, are you going alone?" He asked worry crossing his features for a moment. I smiled at him but shook my head.

"I'm a big girl Will, and it's just a little scouts' expedition nothing dangerous. I'll be back way before morning." I said with a chuckle.

"I'm a scout! Can I come?" Asked Bumblebee from his place on the floor. Annabelle had left for the living room just as Will came in with the pizza. Though, he and Jazz were still sprawled out on the floor. I must have distracted with our conversation to have noticed I guess. But I didn't worry; she was safe in the house with so many people looking out for her.

I looked at Bee' skeptically and then moved my gaze to Optimus briefly for conformation. After receiving an amused nod from Boss man I turned back to Bee'. "I'm sorry Bumblebee but if I want to be back here by midnight I have to move fast, I'm not familiar with the lay out of the land yet so I'll be faster to just go alone." I said with a small smile. Bee's face fell at my words which made me feel like an asshole, great. "But you're welcome to come with me tomorrow when I know where were going." I offered quickly, this seemed to please him and he smiled brightly again.

"Alright, I'll go tomorrow." He chirped and stood, heading to the dining room with a slight skip to his step. Jazz followed behind him, rubbing his hands together in preparation for dinner.

"Well as long as you are sure about going alone then be safe, okay?" Will said, scratching the back of his neck. Aww he cares.

"I will" was my only response. Deciding that I had finished the topic I turned it towards a different direction. "You guys should go eat, or the food will get cold." I announced, jumping up on the couch, intent on taking a little cat nap while I wait for Sarah to eat and then remove my casts. I curled up on the cushions as best I could with the restraints and looked at the four men expectantly.

"Well? What are you waiting for? I'm not going to leave yet, I have to wait for Sarah to take off my casts." I said in slight annoyance. Then laid my head down and shut my eyes tightly, trying to ignore their stares; eventually they all filed out of the room and I relaxed some. I have nothing to hide but being stared at is not a lot of fun. But I bore with it and tried to take my small nap.