Chapter 8

The drive to town took only twenty minutes at most. We didn't speak or even turn on the radio. I just watched the scenery go by quietly as he drove. It didn't feel awkward, it was actually kind of nice. The silence was pretty therapeutic; my breathing evened out after a few minutes of driving. I never thought it would calm after my little epiphany earlier. We were both lost in our own thoughts for most of the ride.

I was thinking about how to approach the topic of the living cars that I'm bunking with until further notice. I wasn't too afraid of them hurting me thanks to Ironhide's consolation and the lack of evidence that they showed in doing so. But I was still afraid of the unknown; the only explanation left for their existence other than the victims of a spell or aliens. And that's down right terrifying.

Not that I don't believe in aliens or any life outside of our planet because that just logic. Of course there's something out there, but it's still scary to face the fact that there might be something stronger than you. Humans may be used to it with us demons being around, but I wasn't. This was completely new to me, and I was scared by that. Well and the fact that my beast is head over heels with the black truck's driver is ten times more scary; who I am ninety percent sure is somehow related to the possibly alien car in more ways than just a driver. I just hope he doesn't turn out being my mate, I don't think I'm ready for the complications of being mated to an alien being.

"We're here" Ironhide said bringing me from my mind. I looked at him briefly before turning my gaze to the surrounding area, we were in the farmer's market parking lot. Just as I was about to remind him that we had to go to the herbalist first, the passenger side door opened and Ironhide was standing there waiting for me to get out. I didn't even ask how he got there that fast. I just unbuckled my seat belt and climbed down.

It's at times like this that I hate being so short. Because in the truck I feel on top of the world, out of the truck I'm a friggin umpa-lumpa. I huffed away the analogy and looked up to Hidy who in turn was watching me.

"Do you know where the herbalist is or should we just walk around until we find it?" I asked him as I dusted off the imaginary dirt on my jeans. I looked up at him after a moment of silence to find him staring off into the distance. His eyes were dull, far away and he didn't seem to have heard me.

"Um, Ironhide? Hidy? Are you okay?" I asked as I waved my hand in front of his face. I was just about to shake him back to reality when he snapped back and looked at me suddenly.

"What are you doing?" I jumped a bit with a squeal. He furrowed his brows at me as I laughed nervously.

"Nothing" I muttered, avoiding direct eye contact. He watched me suspiciously for a moment then put his hand on the small of my back, pushing me in the direction of the little shops along the road.

"This way" was all he said as he led me to our destination.

As we walked I kept glancing at him every once in a while. He stared straight ahead, his face held an focused expression, like he was concentrating very hard on something as he pushed me forward gently. For some reason it amused me to no end, I wondered when it would be that I would see him smile again and I found myself smiling at the warm feeling in my chest that the thought brought. He really was nicer than he looked; I bet he'd make a great ma—'woah hold up, what the hell is that? You don't even know what species the guy is. Stop thinking about that stuff' I reprimanded myself before my thoughts got any further.

Eventually we found ourselves in front of a quaint little shop simply titled 'Betty's herbs and things'. We entered the homey little shop and I was predictably assaulted by the different strong scents of herbs. It was stronger than I thought it would be and I had to take a moment to stop and compose myself before stepping further into the store. We approached the counter where a white haired older human lady was sitting and playing a cross word puzzle.

When she noticed us she smiled kindly and put down her cross word. "Hello there, how can I help you?" she asked.

"Hi, can you get me these herbs?" I asked, taking a piece of paper from my pocket and handing it to her. "Oh and a glass bottle" I added remembering the pretty glass bottles on a shelf one of the walls. She took the list and eyed it for a moment before turning her gaze to me.

"Would you like me to mix them up for ya sweetheart?" she asked.

"Yes, thank you" I said with smile. She nodded and turned around, heading to the back of the store. While she was doing her thing I took the liberty of looking around the store. Ironhide just stood by the counter being all spacy again. He can be really weird sometimes. But I paid him little mind as I inspected the bottles.

I was in the middle of choosing between a small but still pretty blue stained glass bottle and a larger green stained one when a presence appeared behind me, practically giving me a heart attack. I turned on my heal, clutching the two bottles to my chest; intent to rip whoever dared startle me a new one and was met face to neck with non-other than my escort for the day.

"Ironhide! Don't do that" I whisper yelled. "Are you trying to get yourself killed?" I said angrily, glaring up at him, lowering my ears and baring my teeth in displeasure, my tail twitching irritably behind me.

He glared back at me "What are you doing" he demanded. I rolled my eyes at the beautiful man and showed him the bottles.

"I'm playing basketball, what does it look like I'm doing Hidy?" I asked sarcastically. "Pick one" I ordered and held the contestants up to him one in each hand.

Yeah, now he looked angry, his eyes darkened to that gorgeous dark blue hue they get whenever he's pissed and he clenched his jaw deliciously. This man is a walking sin I tell ya.

"Do not call me that demeaning designation fleshy" he growled out, his intimidating game was on point today. But I paid no mind to his words as I waited as patiently as I could for his choice in bottles and indulged in some eye candy.

Unfortunately, he decided to get physical and grab my right wrist, the one containing the green bottle. I narrowed my eyes at him angrily as a growl started to stir in my chest. I tried to pull my hand away but his grip was firm as he stared me down. "Let go" I said. He may be all hot and stuff but he can't just grab me like that. I am a gods dammed demon, the most feared creatures on earth and I could end his miserable existence before he even knows what's happening. I don't give a shit if his car is an alien.

But before I could say anything in the matter he took the green bottle and marched to the counter. I was left standing there glaring at the empty space he left as Flouroantimonic acid threatened to seep through the tips of my nails. Clenching my fist to stop it, I took a calming breath and but the blue bottle back in its place. I didn't know what got into me; I've never been one to anger so easily. I watched him as he stood tensely by the counter looking straight ahead.

With a defeated sight I walked back to his side and just looked down at the counter with a pout, crossing my arms. I felt like a child.

"I apologize"

I blinked and looked up at Ironhide with surprise. "What?" I asked, not sure if I had heard him correctly or if I just imagined it.

"I apologize for grabbing you in that manner." He repeated, still looking ahead. I watched him for a silent moment then smiled.

"Apology accepted" I said, "Just don't do it again or I'll be forced to rip your pretty little throat out" I added. He glanced at me from the corner of his eye and smirked.

"Good luck with that" he said, humor lacing his tone and a ghosts of a smile grazing his lips as he turned to face me. I found myself smiling back at him for some reason beyond me at the moment. I was caught once again in his eyes; and cursed at myself; I thought that I had concurred that disability during the last week.

"What a lovely couple" said an aged voice say from behind the counter. We both snapped our faces in her direction. My face was lightly flushed with the accusation and the fact that we were caught. Ironhide on the other hand merely looked surprised at her sudden appearance.

"Oh no were not a couple. Were just friends" I proclaimed quickly. The lady looked noticeably deflated while Ironhide turned his surprised gaze to me.

"Alright then, here you go" she said, handing me the plastic bag of mixed herbs. I took the herbs and payed the lady for both the herbs and bottle. She gave me a bag to put them in and we bid each other goodbye and good luck. Though she gave me a suggestive wink and motioned to Hidy who was walking to the door, oblivious to the lady's thoughts. I just grimaced at her and nodded before leaving the store. It's not that I wouldn't mind being with his royal assholeness but sometimes kinds self. But I already had a mate somewhere out there and I was determined to find him and make him mine.

Once outside I met with Hidy and handed him the bag containing the freshly bought items. Might as well put his muscles to use, and have him carry my stuff around. He took the bag silently and without fuzz, just how I like it. We promptly started walking side by side to the market, having already forgotten about his earlier pissy behaviour.

A few minutes found us milling around the farmers market. Me with a basket in hand, already half filled with different fruits and veggies to include in tonight's dinner. Hidy stood—as I had expected from earlier today—a few feet behind me with either a faraway look on his face or surveying the area like an on-duty guard dog looking for something to rip apart. He made sure that I was no less than four to six feet from him at all times and that I was at least in his peripheral vision most of the time. I found this both cute and annoying all at the same time. Cute because... well just look at the guy, he's super into it. And annoying because this meant that he didn't think I was capable enough of taking care of myself.

But I merely rolled my eyes at his behavior and went on browsing the selection of hand crafted soaps, skin creams and shampoo's only half interested in obtaining a new kind. The idea to ask Hidy for his opinion crossed my mind more than a few times, though I talked myself down with the argument that he wouldn't give a rats-ass of what I did or didn't smell like. It's not like he has super smell or anything. Ultimately I ended up just getting my favorite oatmeal/ blueberry soap with some matching shampoo and conditioner.

After looking around for anything else that might spike my fancy I gave up and announced to my escort that I was ready to head back. He grunted in acknowledgement as I handed him my bag of groceries and all but pushed me back to his truck quickly and without a word.

He's been a tense since got to the farmers market. I think it has something to do with the cop guy who kept walking by every few minutes pretending to be inconspicuous, while at the same time being a total creeper. I had been keeping an eye on the cop discreetly during our stay in the market having felt an odd presence about him; it was kind of uncomfortable to feel really. Not enough to warrant a restraining order but enough to keep you on your toes.

I watched with hidden interest at the way he seemed to change from ignoring Ironhide's glares or not acknowledging that he even existed to suspicious sideways glances to full on 'come on, fight me bitch' glares.

Ironhide being the ever so patient man he was just glared right back at him, back straight, hands fisted and jaw clenched. Just waiting for an excuse to jump the cop. Or at least that's what it looked like from my perspective. He kept his tense and ready to fight persona all the way to the car.

Opening the door for me and almost picking me up and strapping me in when I took to long for his licking. He slammed the door behind him as he took the wheel and started the truck all in one swift move. The engine roared to life angrily and I found myself physically wincing at the deafening sound. But I didn't voice my discomfort on the roaring possibly alien engine. There was no way I hell I was going to get the backlash of whatever's got his panties in a twist for something so mundane.

Ironhide drove around the town a few times before taking a turn and heading in the direction of the house. I assume that this was just to calm himself down after whatever it was that the cop did to make him this way. He was quiet as a mouse and the air in the cabin felt heavy and dense, I was tempted to crack a window and get some fresh air in here and release some tension but the look in his eyes prevented me from doing anything but just sit there.

After a while though, he started to relax. His grip on the wheel loosened and the engine wasn't as loud as before. I relaxed along with him and leaned back in my chair with a sigh, closing my eyes running my fingers over the leather on my seat distractedly and going over the hour or so we spent at the market and the different looks that both Ironhide and the cop exchanged in that time.

They definitely knew each other. That was for damn sure, and I bet it has something to do with the team. I could be wrong and they're just trigger happy assholes that way. I didn't really have much to go on. So I'll just let it go for now. But if we run into that cop again—and in a town this small, it's bound to happen sooner or later—I'll definitely ask about him.

We arrived at the house a few minutes later. Ironhide parked in front of the barn and got out with the engine still running and for some reason helped me out of the truck. I can get out by myself thank you very much.

"Stay here, I'll be back" he ordered without looking at me and handed me the bags of newly bought items. I watched as he got back into the truck and drove off back into town. It wasn't long until I felt his teammates appear beside me.

"What happened?" Optimus asked once he had arrived. I looked up at him for a second to see his frown witch made my own frown deepen.

"I don't know" I started. "We were at the market and he just kept glaring daggers at this cop that kept walking by us." I said tilting my head to the side, thinking of the events as they played out in my head. "I think you should call him."

Optimus nodded at me and we all just watched the road, silently willing him to return home. Or at least I was. I spared the team a glance and found that they were all spacy like Ironhide gets sometimes. These guys are weird. Then Ratchet snapped out of la la land and turned to meet my watchful gaze. We looked at each other for a moment before I saw a flash of an unidentified emotion cross his features.

"Let's go inside miss Ren, I'm sure that Ironhide will be back in a moment." he said, putting a hand on my back and leading me inside.