chapter seventeen

Galloway stood in the Witwicky living room, watching Sam as the older man reclined in his chair. Sam was entirely too relaxed for this kind of meeting, despite being confronted by a government agent and three Marine soldiers. Grisko was relaxed against the wall, while Amais and Kanya were tense and standing guard on either side of Galloway. Sam simply smiled at them, hands crossed behind his head. "So what can little old me do for the government?" he asked. Once upon a time, he would have been intimidated. Years of living with the Autobots and participating in several minor skirmishes had pretty much beaten some form of self-confidence in him.

"I have a few questions for you regarding your experiences with the Autobots." Galloway said, forcing a pleasant smile. He didn't like Sam. He absolutely hated the fact that when Prime had first started cooperating with the human government, he had insisted on not only a punk teenager but two low-ranked soldiers as liaisons. Like a sixteen-year-old knew anything about the way the government worked. "I understand you are close to the one called Bumblebee?"

"Yes." Sam didn't bother trying to lie. He'd hung around with Jazz long enough to know the first rule of interrogation – never ask questions you don't already know the answers to at first. That way, you could get a feel for how they lied. It worked better than most machines, according to the Autobot saboteur. Galloway nodded.

"You also had extensive contact with the object known as the AllSpark during the battle in Mission City, correct?"

"Yes." Just where was this going?

"Have you observed any changes in yourself as a result of that contact?"

Sam blinked slowly. "No."

Galloway nodded, as if he'd been expecting that answer. "What about your son? I hear he's good with machines."

Sam snorted. "Yeah. Mikaela's also a mechanic and taught him everything he knows. James isn't anything extraordinary. Sorry about that."

From his position on the wall, Grisko snickered. Galloway shot him a venomous look before continuing. "And what about your new arrival? I believe Mikaela is pregnant, right? Six months along and experiencing complications. That can't be easy for you."

Sam tensed. His easy smile melted from his face. "What do you want?"

"Your daughter. When she is born, I want her. I'll give you anything you want in return – I'll even return Bumblebee to you. What do you say?"

It would have been a lie to say that the thought wasn't just slightly tempting, that while the love he held for his unborn daughter screamed at him to take everyone and run, the part that loved Bumblebee more than anything ached at the thought of getting him back. One life for another. Wasn't that the way it always worked?

"No."

The words hurt, but it was well worth the anger and hate that crossed Galloway's face for a brief moment. "Then I'll see you in battle." was the dark promise before Galloway left, Grisko, Amais, and Kanya following him. Relief washed through Sam, followed by fear that was almost paralyzing. Just what was going on? What made the government think that the unborn Witwicky would ever be useful to them?

Slowly, he set the 9 mil he had hidden behind him on the couch. Lucky he hadn't had to fire it. Sam wasn't good with killing people. He was just a schoolteacher, after all, when he wasn't playing alien ambassador.

He stood up and left the house, anger and confusion following him. He needed to get to James and Mikaela, and he had to get all of them to Bumblebee. Before everything went to hell in a hand basket.

/-----/

The next few hours went by in a blur. There really was no time for them to sort out everything. As soon as the decision to leave had been made, the humans had started preparing. Lennox had to force Jones and O'Connell to stay with Sunstreaker and Sideswipe. As much as they had wanted to help, there was just too much interference in their minds because of the bonds. Hard enough to separate her own thoughts from just one Autobot. She couldn't imagine what it would be like to try and sort out the thoughts of not only herself, but another human and two Autobots as well. Soon enough they'd get used to it. Right now, though, Lennox knew they had to stay with their bonded.

She finished with her pack and exited the armory. Fully armed and with enough food to last her at least two weeks, maybe three if she rationed it properly, she felt a bit more comfortable with the situation. Optimus was currently in contact with Jetfire, trying to get the Ark in orbit sooner than anticipated. There was still another two and half weeks of travel time as it was, and with the humans knowing about their alt forms, it was going to be nigh impossible to hide anywhere.

Something tugged at her mind, and she turned slightly. A small smile tugged at her lips. "You aren't supposed to be out here." she said quietly, knowing he would hear her anyway. Ironhide chuckled, kneeling down so he was closer to her level.

"Perhaps not." he said. "But I needed to get out. You were taking too long. The others are already at the hangar." Lennox nodded. For a long moment, neither of them spoke. It was so very strange, Lennox mused, to realize she felt so strongly for someone that wasn't even human. After all of the guys she had shot down – mostly because they didn't approve of the Marine thing – it was surprising to find someone she fit so well with now.

Ironhide reached out and brushed her hair back over her shoulder with one finger. Unknowingly, he let his finger trace across Lennox's cheek, making her blush slightly. He grinned. "Come on. We should get back before Optimus has a meltdown." he said, picking her up and setting her on his shoulder. Massive robots made of metal should not have been able to move quietly, but Ironhide managed it as they made their way across base. Instead of going inside immediately, Ironhide surprised her by hesitating just outside of the door. Lennox twisted around on her perch so she could see his face. From this distance, she could see the gears and metal parts that made up Ironhide's expressions. This time she reached out, lightly tracing her fingers across the metal. Ironhide held very, very still.

She was so slagging fragile, and instinct screamed at him to protect her, but he knew she was strong. He knew she could take care of herself. She smiled at him and pulled her hand away. "Let's get inside." she said softly. Ironhide agreed as they went indoors, and he gently set her on the ground. He joined Jazz on the other side of the hangar as Lennox brought her bag to the other humans and started to run over their list of supplies. Not surprisingly, Ratchet was already running scans on them, making sure the bonds were having no adverse affects on any of them, especially the young woman he had taken in as his little sister.

Even as he spoke with Jazz, Bumblebee, and Hound, Ironhide could feel Lennox through the bond. And he knew beyond a shadow of a doubt what the others could only guess at.

Anna loved him, just as he loved her. Just another complication, but this time he couldn't say he minded.

Ratchet's voice rang out, solemn and with an edge that none had heard in a very long time, breaking through the thoughts and confusion of the Autobots.

"Optimus, there's something you should see."