Alana was given a computer the very next day. It had been set up in the corner of her room; Alana had then sat down at her desk and began. By the time Alana had figured out the computer it was nearing the end of grade one. Alana could handle the computer better than most people, though she knew she still had a lot to learn. But her learning was dwindled due to school, Alana didn't mind though; she liked school and thought it taught interesting things. But unfortunately for Alana there was one thing that she did not like about school, and it wasn't a class or a teacher but rather a student. And her name was Mabel. The smart young girl who knew she was perfect.

Alana was having another fight with her teacher; Miss S. Alana had brought her Autobot hat to school with every intention of wearing it.

"Alana you know the rules no hats in school" Miss S told her sternly.

Alana shook her head "This is a special hat" she insisted. "It makes me smarter" Alana told her.

Miss S sighed, "Fine" she muttered "keep it on Alana" Alana tugged her hat back on. She adjusted it so that her ponytail was coming out of the hole at the back of the ball cap and then sat nicely in her seat to listen to what Miss S had to say. "Now Children!" she had her happy face back on. "Do you know what we are going to do tomorrow" All of the girls except for Alana nodded, and all the boys including Alana looked somewhat blank. They had forgotten. "Tomorrow is show and tell for everyone, we will be taking our English period and we will show our class mates items which mean something to us"

Alana pulled another blank look, an item which meant something to her… Alana frowned. Something which she thought was special…. Well she had her hat but then everyone knew about that. She wanted something new, something that would wow the class.

Mabel had put up her hand "Miss S, Can I bring in my puppy?" she asked her sweet smooth voice filling the classroom for a few moments.

Miss S looked positively joyful "Of course dear!" she clasped her hands together in a happy gesture. Mabel looked across the classroom and shot Alana a sneer. Alana stared at her blankly, what had the smile meant? Did that mean that she was allowed to pet the puppy first? Alana had always seen dogs and cats when passing pet stores but she had never actually touched one. She had always wondered what it felt like, to pet a dog or a cat. So Alana gave Mabel a happy smile back and was surprised to see Mabel wrinkle her nose at her.

Then suddenly the bell rang, Alana flinched as David jumped to his feet.

"SorryAlanagottagowannabeontheslidefirst!" he told her. Alana blinked a few times after him. Then she got up and prepared herself for recess, even though it was winter the kids still played on the playground, the slide was the most fun especially when snow covered it, the wet snow created a slippery ride which even though was short was still fun. So Alana went over to her snow gear which she and Bumblebee had gotten together and began to put it on. First came the snow pants which she hitched on like overalls. Then came her jacket and a toque to put over her Autobot hat. She then pulled on her gloves and bent down to retrieve her scarf when she noticed that Mabel was standing on it with her perfect pink Barbie boots. Alana quickly looked on over at her snow boots which were a neon orange. She had liked them immediately, but now in the presence of Mabel's boots they looked dumb. Alana ignored it and stood up; she gently tapped Mabel on the shoulder with a heavily gloved hand.

"Uh, Mabel. Your on my scarf, can you get off of it please?" she said. Mabel ignored her and turned to a friend who was putting on a flowery jacket. She began a conversation on her new colouring pencils. "Mabel… You're on my scarf. Please get off" Alana tried again, and once again the girl ignored her. "Mabel your on my scarf, get off" Alana said slowly loosing her patience. Mabel did nothing to show that she acknowledged Alana. "Mabel!" Alana half shouted. Mabel finally looked over to Alana.

"What?" she asked sounding annoyed.

"You're on my scarf" Alana told her pointing down to her pink Barbie boots. Mabel looked down at the scarf and rolled her eyes, she then turned away from Alana once more. Alana growled, she was angry now, but she still managed to control her temper when she tried once more "Mabel. Scarf. Mine. Move. I. Want Outside" Alana told her angrily. Mabel once more ignored her and Alana lost it. Angrily she swooped down and pulled the scarf out from under Mabel's feet in one swift motion, Mabel gave out a small shriek as she fell backward towards the floor. Alana stepped back and put on her scarf. She was about to turn around and walk outside when Mabel suddenly started crying and Miss S rushed over.

"Mabel! What happened?" she asked sounding distressed. She knelt down and lifted up the small girl.

Mabel was gasping through her tears but she managed to point to Alana and whimper "Her"

"Alana…" Miss S looked appalled "Why would you do such a thing?" she asked.

Alana narrowed her eyes at Mabel "It was her fault!" she yelled pointing to Mabel. "She wouldn't get off my scarf!"

"That's not true!" Mabel shouted. "She was pushing me!" she yelled back.

"Did not!" Alana shouted.

Miss S looked between the nicely dressed Mabel in a matching snow outfit and the mismatched Alana who wore what ever came cheapest, it was obvious to her who was telling the truth, "Now girls." Miss S began. "You both need to stop yelling and Alana you need to apologize for pushing Mabel"

Alana's mouth dropped open "But- But"

"Alana apologize" Miss s told her sternly.

Alana stared angrily at her for a few minutes more and then lowered her head feeling quite ashamed "I'm sorry" she muttered.

Mabel gave an exaggerated sniff "I f-forgive you" she stammered.

"Good now, go play outside" Miss S told them pushing on their backs lightly.

Once Alana was outside she walked over to the least populated corner and sat in an angry huff. She hadn't done anything wrong. At least she didn't think she had done anything wrong. No she didn't do anything wrong, she had asked politely and Mabel had ignored her. Oooh, Mabel made Alana so angry! Alana picked up a bunch of snow and threw it. She watched it disappear into the mass of white and frowned. For the next days show and tell she was going to have to beat Mabel make what ever she brought in look dumb compared to Alana's object. Oh yes that was her plan, and then when her object was cooler she would rub it in her face. With a determined look Alana began to plan.

When school was over and Alana was back in her room she ignored the computer off to the side but rather regarded her LEGO. She stared at it for a long time; she had piled all of her LEGO sets in the middle of her room near her bed and stared at them. She stared at them for a good twenty minutes, in her mind gears were turning. After another moment she bent down and got to work.

It was apparent she had an idea when she took apart her most favorite LEGO set- the Slave 1 Star Wars set. She ripped off the top and set it next to her. Then she reached for another set and destroyed that one too, then she reached for another and another and another until finally Alana had taken apart a good majority of her LEGO sets. Once she had sorts and separated all the pieces she began to put the many pieces together.

Alana did not come out for dinner at her usual time, when Ironhide noticed this he entered her room and saw a mass of LEGO bricks covering the floor and Alana sitting in the middle of it all focused completely on her building.

"Alana?" Ironhide couldn't go any farther into the room because if he did he would step on LEGO pieces and surly crush them. So he remained at the door way.

"Huh?" Alana looked up from her building; there was a glint in her eyes which Ironhide did not recognize.

"Are you ok?" Ironhide asked.

"Yup!" Alana gave him the thumb up and the glint disappeared.

"Its time for dinner" Ironhide told her.

"Already?" Alana looked around trying to find a clock but when she didn't see one she stood up. "Ok!" she jumped gracefully over to him, avoiding LEGO and other such items. When she reached him Ironhide scooped her up in his hand and walked her to the kitchen.

Fireflight was in the kitchen, he was observing Sam and his 'food making ritual' as he had so nicely put it. Ironhide put Alana down and she rushed over to see what Sam was making. She was a burning mass of grey.

"Ewww… Sam what are you making?" Alana asked she stuck out her tongue and wrinkled her nose.

Sam looked down at her and then glanced back at his food "I…. have no idea" he told her with a small sigh. Sam turned and looked at Fireflight "You want to study this failed attempt at food?" He asked.

"Yeah!" Fireflight took the burning pan in between his fingers and let out a small yelp. "Ow Hot!" he dropped it and the contents of the pan went flying to land on Alana. Alana let out a pained yell and struggled to get the contents off her arms and face where they had landed. Ironhide acted quickly, he activated his holoform and rushed on over to Alana who was yelling some more. Quickly he picked her up and ran her over to the sink where he turned on the cold water and put her arm under it. He wet a towel and brought it to her face. And when he was sure all of the food was off of her he cleaned off the towel, wet it and put it to her scalded face. He turned off the cool water and began to dab at her burns.

Alana whimpered when he touched them "Don't, hurts!" she tried to pull away but Ironhide was insistent. He held her firmly in place and continued to sooth her burns with a cool cloth. A scan told him the burns were not serious, but he knew they hurt and would leave a mark.

"Shh, Alana, It's gonna be fine" he told her trying his best to figure out the words that would comfort her.

He touched another one of the burns on her face and Alana let out a shriek "No!" she cried trying to pull away.

"Come on sweetheart just stay still I'm going to make it better" Ironhide told her.

Alana let out a small whimper and looked up at him with tear filled eyes "Promise?" she asked.

"I promise" Ironhide told her, he winked and Alana giggled. After a few more moments Ironhide put the towel away and his holoform disappeared. His robot body picked her up gently and walked her over to the med-bay.

After they had left Sam let out a little sigh of relief, he hadn't wanted to step in he saw Ironhide had it handled. He then turned to the stove put his hands on his hip and looked at it with a determined glare.

"Take two" he said as he rolled up his sleeves and headed towards it. Fireflight on the other hand was scanning the remains of the food on the floor.

"Fascinating" he muttered.

Ironhide walked into the med-bay and Ratchet looked up.

"What's the matter?" He asked when he saw Ironhide's face.

"Alana's burnt" Ironhide told him handing the small human over to the medic. Ratchet scanned her he then set her on the table.

"Tch, Alana what have you gotten into this time?" Ratchet asked mildly. He decided that being the calm one this time would be better for Ironhide.

"Got burned" Alana said pointing to her face and arm.

"I see" Ratchet said as he came back a box of bandages on his large metallic hand. He set the box down and activated his holoform.

He then walked on over to Alana and began by applying antibiotics and then he put on large bandages over the affected areas. And soon the small girl had almost her entire left side covered. When Ratchet was done he stood back to look at his human and gave off a laugh.

"Alana you look like a mummy" he told her.

"I do?" Alana asked. "What is mummy?" Alana asked after a moment.

"It's a dead person who has been preserved to look how they did when they were living" Ratchet told her. His holoform disappeared and his robot body seemed to come back to life.

Alana frowned "I look dead?" she asked looking up at him confused.

It was Ironhide's turn to laugh "No Alana" he bent down "You see, when their body's were preserved they were usually wrapped up in bandages like yours"

Alana was quiet for a long while then she said "Oooohhhh. I get it" she said.

Later that night after Alana had been tucked into bed did she then realize she was not done her show and tell item. With a quick gasp she got up and quietly flicked on the light. She then quickly got back to work.

Alana worked well into the night, and when she was finally done Alana thought that her creation was her best work ever. She gave a contented sigh and wrapped it up in a protective blanket and put it gently in her backpack. Then she turned off the light and curled up in her bed.

The next morning came far too early for Alana, due to her lack of sleep she was grumpy and she let everyone know it. She sat hollowed eyed at the table as she dished up her cereal.

Ratchet scanned her and shook his head "honey, what were you doing up all night?" he asked.

"Grah" Alana stuffed a mouthful of cereal in her mouth.

Fireflight chose the moment to step in "I read that humans use coffee to energize themselves. Maybe you should give her some?" he said.

Ratchet shook her head "I am not feeding that child any of the crap, its bad enough she got me to buy that candy bar for her yesterday"

Fireflight frowned "If it was bad for her, why did you let her get it"

Ratchet sighed "she gave me the eyes" he said.

"The eyes?" Fireflight repeated confused.

"Yeah ya' know those great big puppy dog eyes that make you want to do anything for her" Ratchet said. "That right there" he said pointing to Alana "Is her greatest weapon for getting what she wants"

Fireflight chuckled "Ya just gotta love that girl" he said.

Ratchet nodded "That we do" he said.

The thought of beating Mabel in show and tell caused Alana to perk up while they were heading to school, she held onto her beat up backpack, she was careful not to crush her new creation. Once at school she waved Ironhide goodbye and rushed into the school and ran for class. She placed her backpack on the seat of her desk and went back to the back part of the room where her hook was. She took off all of her winter clothes but of course left her Autobot hat on. She went back to her desk and sat waiting impatiently for the bell to ring and for the day to start.

They started with Math, they had a pop quiz and to Alana's surprise she was given a grade two test and passed it with ease. Then came gym, Alana was allowed to keep her hat on for that as well because they were going outside, they played in the snow. Alana was surprised by an ambush of poorly thrown snowballs sent to her by Mabel and a few of her friends. When one hit her in the face the girls laughed and Alana growled. Angrily she picked up a snowball and chucked it at Mabel. It hit her dead on in the face. Mabel let out small shriek and when the teacher looked over he was the remains of a snowball on Mabel's face and when she pointed at Alana the teacher motioned for Alana to come on over. After being given a lecture on why snowball's were dangerous she was forced to sit on the sidelines. David being the kind soul her was went to sit next to her.

"I saw, she threw the snowball first" David told her.

Alana growled "I hate Mabel" she muttered.

"My mom say's hate is a bad word" David told her.

"I don't have a mom" Alana told him, "Sometimes I wish I do" Alana mumbled.

David gave Alana a big smile "you can borrow my mom if you want" he told her.

Alana looked up at him "Huh? Can families do that?" she asked curious now.

David frowned "I dunno, but you can come over sometime and ask my mommy for advice or whatever you want" he told her.

"Really!?" Alana perked up.

"Yeah I can show you my action figures too, and we can play on my swing set" David said.

Alana nodded "Ok!" the bell rang. It was time for show and tell.

After the children were all seated Miss S looked around the room excitedly, "Alright children! Its time for show and tell!" she clapped her hands excitedly and the kids cheered. "I think we will have Mabel go first seeing as her mother is here. Mabel why dodnt you tell us about what you are going to show us?" Miss S said, she took a seat and waited expectantly.

"Well" Mabel began "I decided to bring in my puppy, his name is Oliver" the door opened and a little yellow fluff ball dashed into the room. Alana saw paws and a tongue sticking out of it mouth. The small dog ran into Mabel's feet and raised up on his back paws, silently asking to be pet. Mabel complied and gave the happy dog a scruff on the head. The class 'Awwed' as the puppy barked happily. Mabel went on to explain how she got Oliver and what she did to take care of the animal. Then after the explanation the children were allowed to come up and play with Oliver. Alana stayed in her desk looking crest fallen, she glanced towards her backpack where her creation lay waiting- how could she beat Mabel with the piece of junk she had made? Alana gave off and angry huff and sadly slipped lower into her seat.

After the puppy was brought away the class began their little conversations about the dog.

"That was so cool!" Said one girl.

"It licked me right on the nose!" said another.

"He liked me better than you"

"No way! He hated you"

"Oh yeah!"

"Yeah!"

Alana sighed once more as Miss S held up her hands once more and brought silence to the class.

"Alright everyone! Who wants to go next" About half the class shot up their hands including David the usually quiet boy. Miss S looked surprised but then smiled "Alright David you next" David pulled out a plastic bag from his desk and walked to the front of the class room. He looked above his glasses his eyes moving around the class room. Then in a sudden motion he pulled out the item.

The girls gave out a shriek while the boys and Alana 'ooohed'. David had pulled out an animal skull.

Miss S looked a little frazzled but said "Alright David, what is that?"

David showed a toothy grin "It's a coyote skull that I found in my backyard!" he told them, showing off the white top part of the skull; it still had some teeth and it looked well worn with many cracks and chips. "My daddy told me that this coyote got into a fight with the others and he was torn apart and eaten!" David told them. "He said there would have been blood everywhere" David waved one of his hands excitedly.

"Gross!" Shouted a girl.

"Awesome!" Yelled a boy.

Miss S seemed to be siding with the girls "That's lovely David. Thank you for brining it in" she motioned for him to return to his desk. He did so with a happy flush on his cheeks.

"Can I see?" asked Alana.

"Sure" he handed the skull over "Just be careful" Alana studied the skull for a while and then handed it back to him.

"So cool." She told him.

"Alana," Miss S' voice came "Would you like to show us what you brought?" She asked.

Alana fidgeted nervously she wrung her hands together and glanced at her backpack "Sorry miss, I forgot it" Alana told her quietly. She knew her creation could never get the same response as Mabel's or David's so she would rather it would be left alone.

"Ah how terrible" Miss S said sadly, she turned to the next student a happy smile on her face, "And what have you brought to show us?" she asked.

It soon came time for the end of the day, the bell rang and the students began to pack up. Alana feeling quite depressed took her time in getting ready. When she had finally reached her hook at the back of the class room most of the kids were already out. Along with being grumpy the lack of sleep Alana had was starting to catch up with her, she gave off a great yawn and made a failed grab for her coat. Mabel looked at Alana with a small smile on her face.

She turned to the tired girl and smirked "what happened to your face?" she asked. Everyone had noticed the bandages but no one in the class had commented on it.

Alana looked at Mabel as she tugged on her coat "It got burnt" she told her simply, still angry at her for having a cooler show and tell item.

"Well it looks dumb" Mabel told her.

Alana zipped up her coat and tugged on her boots, she had not opted for snow pants this day, "Ratchet told me I looked like a mummy" Alana said forgetting the rule about mentioning the Autobots entirely.

"Ratchet, he sounds dumb" Mabel said as she pulled on her pink backpack.

Alana's eyes widened "Uh… well…"

Mabel leaned in "What is he your imaginary friend?" she sneered.

"N-No" Alana shook her head. Unable to think of something that would fix the situation Alana turned on her heel, grabbed her backpack and ran out of the room. Mabel chased after her far from done.

"So he is your imaginary friend" she shouted. Alana ran outside, Ironhide wasn't there yet. She looked around desperately. Mabel caught up with her. "Imaginary friends are for kids" she told her. "He's dumb and you're dumb"

Alana narrowed her eyes "I'm not dumb" she said, "And neither is Ratchet" she said letting her backpack drop. Her hands were at her sides and they were fisted.

"Yes you are!" Mabel laughed.

Alana clenched her teeth "Am not!" she yelled.

"Are too!" Mabel yelled back, then Mabel did the unacceptable, she ripped Alana's Autobot hat from her head and with her perfect pink boot- stepped on it. Alana stood there shocked for a moment as her favorite hat was crushed. Then she snapped, Alana wasted no more time with words but rather she charged and landed a punch square on Mabel's jaw. Mabel fell back into the sidewalk and Alana followed after her throwing punches. Mabel reacted in self defense and began to attack her with her nails. She scratched Alana's nose drawing blood, and she split Alana's lip. Alana rolled Mabel and slammed her into the sidewalk once more.

Ironhide was driving up when he saw his little girl landing punches on another small girl. Normally he would have been quite proud of Alana for her punches, she had bloodies the poor girls nose and it did not seem as if she had any intention of stopping. He parked and quickly activated his holoform and ran towards the two girls.

"Alana!" he shouted grabbing her around the waist and pulling her off the small girl. In the same instant a pair of hands went around the others girls body and she was hauled up by a woman.

"What is the meaning of this!?" The woman spat at Ironhide.

Ironhide ignored the woman and tried to keep a firm grasp on the small girl in his arms, it was very difficult for she was flailing like a fish, "Alana!" Ironhide said her name sternly. After a while Alana finally tired out, she wiggled and turned to look at Ironhide, blood was smeared across her face.

She panted and pointed to the other girl "She started it!" she yelled.

"My Mabel would never do such a thing!" the lady holding Mabel shouted. "She is a perfect little girl"

Ironhide once again ignored the lady "What did she do?" he asked.

"Will you not listen!? My girl would never start such a fight!" the lady shouted again.

Alana also ignored the lady "She called me dumb and she called Ratchet dumb" She flinched when she said Ratchet's name "And she stole my hat and stood on it" Alana yelled angrily. Ironhide looked on the ground for the hat and sure enough he found it looming somewhat squashed. He walked over to it and picked it up. After giving it a few good shakes he brushed off the snow and popped it back to its original shape. Then he put it back on Alana's head.

Then he turned to the small girl in the woman's arms, still ignoring the woman. "Do you have anything to add?" He asked.

Mabel looked intimidated by Ironhide's size and cowered in her mothers arms "I didn't do it" she mumbled.

Ironhide frowned "Alana says you did, Why don't you tell your side of the story?" he said.

"I didn't do anything" Mabel said again.

"So your saying that Alana decided to beat you up for nothing?" Ironhide asked; an eyebrow raised.

"I didn't do anything!" Mabel shouted tears running down her face.

Ironhide was about to question her again when Alana wound her arms around his neck "I wanna go home" she said.

Ironhide nodded and stood up, "Alright" he regarded the woman holding Mabel "you should teach your daughter the value of the truth" he said.

He turned around just as the woman exploded in anger "How dare you! Mabel is a respectable little lady who wouldn't harm a fly!" Ironhide picked up Alana's back pack and held her close as he walked back to his original body.

"Am I in trouble?" Alana asked.

"Yes" Ironhide told her.

"Oh" Alana said sadly. She was placed in the passenger seat and before Ironhide could walk around and get in the drivers seat she took a hold of both his wrists with her small hands "I'm sorry Ironhide" she said looking down; ashamed.

"Aw Alana" Ironhide wrapped his strong arms around her small body and gave her a bone crushing hug.

"Ironhide!" Alana yelled laughing "Air!" she shouted. Ironhide let go of her and gave her a pat on the head, "Am I still in trouble"

Ironhide thought for a moment "Yes" he said after a while "I understand your reasons for fighting, but fighting is still not allowed at school"

"Oh…" Alana said. She reached up and grabbed her hat.

"We're going to talk to Optimus and Ratchet about this, after we put some band-aids on those cuts of yours." Ironhide got in the drivers seat and deactivated his holoform. "Your getting really beat up these days" In reaction to his worlds Alana touched the bandages on her cheek; she gave off a small shrug. They drove to the base in silence, Alana knew Ironhide wasn't angry but she feared Optimus and Ratchet's reactions.

Once at the base Alana was carried over to the med-bay where she peeled off her coat and boots and replaced them with her runners. Ratchet took one look at Alana's bloody face and immediately went into doctor mode. He took her in his hands and set her on the table.

"What happened this time, Alana?" Ratchet asked as he got out the antibiotics and band-aids.

Alana began to fiddle with the bottom of her shirt, she looked down and mumbled "Got in a fight"

"What? Why?" Ratchet activated his holoform and began to fix up her small cuts.

"Mabel made me angry" Alana said as a band-aid was put on her forehead.

"What did she do?" Ratchet asked as he dabbed at her split lip.

"She took my hat and stepped on it…" Alana said "And…" she bit on her bottom lip.

"And…" Ratchet urged her on.

"She called you dumb" Alana said. "I didn't mean to say your name at school, it's just that I forgot and…." She pulled out of Ratchets grasp and looked down.

Ratchet frowned "Why did she say I was dumb?"

Alana shrugged "She said your name was weird"

Ratchet looked appalled "My name is weird! Well what sort of a name is Mabel?"

Alana giggled and laughed "I dunno" she said lifting her shoulders.

Ratchet gave her a stern look "so you hit her"

Alana nodded "Lots!" she told him.

Ratchet would have laughed but he knew that this wasn't the most appropriate time, "Now Alana you shouldn't fight"

Alana looked down "I know… but she made me so angry!" Alana growled.

It was then Optimus walked in, he gave Alana a disappointed look which made her curl up a little. She bowed her head and set a very sorry face.

"I'm sorry Optimus" She said.

Optimus knelt down "Ironhide told me what happened" he said. "You attacked a fellow student"

Alana nodded sadly "I know" she said.

"Do you think she deserved it?" Optimus asked.

Alana shook her head "no…" she mumbled.

"Are you going to apologize?" Optimus asked.

Alana shook her head "No…" she said again.

Optimus let out a sound which sounded like a sigh "Come on Alana" He picked her up, "Lets take a walk"