I'm not a writer really. I love reading and like doing art. But writing is something I kinda blow at. So there is going to be lots of mistakes in my stories that I just plain miss. I'd apologize but it's a measure of my charm!

I own jack.

True Moxy!

Girls

With a jerk, Sam snapped awake while simultaneously banging his battered hand against the desk corner next to his bed. Hissing at the pain, he tried to roll gently off the bed so as to not jostle the still sleeping Mikaela, and crouched stiffly on the floor to wait for the sting to go away. Looking down at the still crisp wrappings not yet frayed by the day, Sam hesitantly flexed his fingers making the tips that stuck from the top of the bandage wiggle slightly. The answering ache halted his self examination; his fingers were still too tender to be messed with unnecessarily. He couldn't tell from the darkness of his cabin, but he new the visible skin was blotchy with bruises still dark and angry from several days ago.

Looking blindly back towards Mikaela's form in the near blackness, he listened to her slow even breathing as he stood to his feet. Feelingly for the door knob behind him, Sam edged the metal door open, spilling a stream of light from the hallway across the sleeping girls' form. Slipping out, he shut the door as quietly as he could behind him and sighed.

If she were to catch him out of bed, she'd have a complete fit. Normally he'd bend over backwards to escape her worry induced wrath, but he couldn't stand being cooped up in that bed anymore. He needed to just take a quick walk to stretch his legs and get some fresh air, or he'd go nuts!

Turing to leave, he became aware of how cold his toes were and glanced down at his bare feet sticking out from under his baggy, sleeping sweat pants. Throwing a look at the closed door, he decided against opening it again to retrieve his shoes. Let sleeping dragons lie, literally. Snickering at how close to the truth that thought was, Sam padded off down the hallway, listening for anyone who might catch him and tattle on him.

He was ordered strict bed rest after having passed out and consequently banging his head in front of practically the world. Okay, so maybe Simmons, Leo, his dad and a few air force guys weren't the 'world' exactly, but they sure as hell practically told enough people for it to be.

He didn't know what was wrong with him, but the dizzy spell passed and he woke up to the SMO's icy stethoscope pressed to his flesh, his mother's worried frown hovering over him, and all the guys in the background quietly watching him.

Sam had a nasty habit of making a spectacle of himself at the most un-cool of times.

After being hauled bodily down to the med bay by his parents and the SMO, they were joined shortly by a concerned Mikaela and Leo who had just come from a visit with the autobot's. So of course, three of them 'showed up' by way of their hologram counter parts. A new experience for all of them, Optimus and Ratchet's holograms were normal enough, stately older guys with a beard and a few wrinkles between them, but 'Bee had decided that this was a situation that demanded a specialist.

So there in the examination chair Sam slouched as the medical bay's head doctor checked him over for the sixth, sixth, freaking time since stepping foot on this boat, as Hugh Laurie's infamous Doctor House glowered from his crooked stance not more than three feet off, spouting random quoted diagnosis and wisdom from the show at him.

"Read less, more TV."

"I love that show!" the SMO's brightened substantially after having spent that last several minutes intently scrutinizing Sam's state of health, while being intently scrutinized by the odd holograms himself. "If only medical professionals could be as free with the lip as that and not get fired…or sued."

"Never trust doctors."

Sam sighed dejectedly as his mother demanded answers from the staff of the med bay over his condition in between 'Bee's random outbursts. He needed a vacation. Never in his life had he ever been this popular, and now that he was, he wanted that anonymous face in the crowd thing back.

Cringing in shame at that thought, Sam reminded himself that all these people cared and that he should be thankful.

"Welcome to the world. Everyone's different, everyone gets treated different. You try fighting that, you end up dying of TB."

He needed to rethink that last thought.

"There's no new head trauma except some minor bruising, other than that, he's fine from what I can physically tell, if not still somewhat fatigued." The SMO soothed as he flashed a light in Sam's left eye. "Have you been sleeping well, son?"

"If her DNA was off by one percentage point she'd be a dolphin."

"Uh…I guess." He answered somewhat automatically after that last sound bite threw his thought process off.

"You guess?" the doctor prodded gently as he set to work blinding Sam's other retina with the little light.

"If it works, we're right. If he dies, it was something else."

Opening his mouth to reaffirm his statement, Mikaela cleared her throat rather significantly and Sam changed his mind at the last second for the honest truth. "I've been…in some slight pain and it keeps me up a lot." He mumbled to his battered sneakers feeling stupid for admitting that.

The head doctor gazed at him in a way that made Sam feel as if he were being scolded like a toddler, and shook his head.

"I didn't want to sound like I was complaining" He defended himself.

"I've found that when you want to know the truth about someone that someone is probably the last person you should ask."

"Thanks a lot there, 'Bee." Sam grumped while throwing a look at the snarky TV doctor.

So after several lectures by several people on why it's critical he tell them if something is wrong, regardless of how insignificant it may seem, Sam was sent to bed with a whole serving of pills to take on top of the heart meds Ratchet had originally tossed at him- SMO and Ratchet's strict orders.

To add insult to injury, they sicced Mikaela on him so he couldn't try and weasel out of it with Leo's assistance.

That was nearly two days ago.

He needed some time to breathe before they docked at Diego Garcia, and from there, sent home.

Home.

It seemed like forever ago that he was there. He was at school when all this havoc had broken out. His shoulders sagged at the thought. He wondered if he was kicked out of school for his little spectacle in the astronomy class…or with the dorm explosion…and the library demolition…not to mention that universal bounty on his head for the sake of the planet. How many people were hurt during all that he found himself wondering more than once. He didn't even want to touch a television or radio for fear of hearing the global death toll rise again. He didn't want to examine those thoughts at all because for some reason, he felt like it was some how partially his fault

School attendance seemed so insignificant now.

Looking up, he found himself in the main hallway that led down to the cargo hold. Ratchet would pop a piston if he found Sam up. What time was it anyway?

He'd seen no one so far, which means it had to be late evening or early morning and the carrier was down to a skeleton crew. Pausing in the middle of the corridor, bare feet starting to freeze from the chilled metal decking, Sam made up his mind and meandered towards the cargo hold. 'Bee would be happy to see him since they hadn't seen each other for a few days and maybe ol' Hatchet wouldn't care…or at least be in a forgiving mood.

Slinking along the wall, Sam paused at the foot of the stairwell that led straight to the only legal access door to the massive hold. The two guards on duty would probably not hassle him…unless somebody had said something to them. Taking a deep breath, Sam skipped down the stairs and flashed a grin to the bored looking guards that were playing a game of cards on the floor. "Hey guys, you mind if I go through?"

"Yeah sure, kid." One of them mumbled as he focused on his hand, barely giving Sam a passing glance.

Sam snuck between them and opened the door before sneaking in a small thanks and shutting it behind him. Turing back around, Sam came to a stumbling stop, the small grin sliding from his face.

The hangar was dimly lit, but the massive vehicles that littered the place were all quietly lined up in a few rows in the very center. They were sleeping…or in stasis or whatever it was they called it when they slept. Suddenly unsure of himself, Sam stood awkwardly in place as his mind ran in circles trying to figure out what to do. He never even thought about the 'bots needing to sleep at night and he didn't want to disturb them just because he was sick of sleep.

Picking out Bumblebee's chrome yellow camaro towards the side of the group, Sam figured his best friend wouldn't mind in the least if Sam were to join him. He didn't want to go back to his cabin yet, even though Mikaela was there, he needed a little fresh air. But standing bare foot in the cargo hold with the scratchy concrete under his feet and the cool sea breeze blowing through, Sam made up his mind and jogged quietly towards the yellow autobot.

Coming to a huffing stop near the drivers' side door, Sam quickly popped the door open and gently shut it behind him. Resting back against the leather-like material of his seat, Sam caught his breath for a moment while he savored the welcoming silence of 'Bee's interior.

A soft whine snagged Sam's attention between his labored breathing, and he reached out to pat the dash board. "Sorry to wake you, 'Bee."

The center council lit up in greeting and soft music started to play. 'Well howdy you do…' Before clicking over to a sound bite with a woman gently asking if he was alright.

Sam snickered at the girlish voice. In his mind, Bumblebee was a He, even though the autobots explained that they don't have genders like humans do. "I'm fine 'Bee, I just needed to get out of bed before I lost my mind."

'Bee cooed back at him before he felt the seat belt snake over him and squeeze like a hug. 'Everything, everything will be just fine. Everything, everything will be all right! All right…'

Sam had the coolest car, he really did. "Do you mind if I hang out here with you 'Bee?"

A few clicks and a whirring whine later, Sam's seat shot backwards and Sam found himself starring up at the car's ceiling. Shifting to get more comfortable, Sam stretched, his feet pushing against the door and plush carpet. When his chilled foot brushed against 'Bee's door again, the car shook slightly before kicking the floor vent on and blowing a gentle breeze of warm air onto Sam's frozen toes.

"Thanks 'Bee." Sam gave an embarrassed chuckle, before snuggling down in his seat, still mindful of his tender back, hand and legs. The radio was now a soft melody as background noise and Sam felt his eye's start to droop. Maybe he was a little more out of it than he thought. He didn't even remember what if felt like to not be tired and exhausted all the time.

Lying there, warm and comfortable in 'Bee's front seat, Sam felt the weight of the world and his soon to be not so distant problems slip away. Here he was just a boy, and his super cool alien robot car. Grinning stupidly, he let his last thoughts bleed away and he fell into the restful sleep he should have been trying to get all along with 'Bee watching over him.

Mikaela was not amused.

Sam had left her sometime during the night, leaving no note, or message in her phone as to where he slunk off to. He wasn't supposed to be up wandering the halls, without letting someone know.

Storming down the corridor, she took a small ounce of satisfaction at having fully grown, battle hardened soldiers scurry from her path. Hell hath no furry like a woman scorned, and Mikaela was a poster girl for that saying at this moment in time.

Sam wasn't a baby. He wasn't a little child that needed to be looked after and taken care of, but he was still tender from his near death escapades and she was still exceedingly fragile from watching them. He was hers and he needed to remember that. He knew she was worried and it irked her to no end that he didn't bother to wake her up and let her know where he was going! Granted, her rational side told her that he probably didn't want to disturb her sleep and while that was kind of him, he should know better!

Spotting Leo up ahead meandering towards the mess hall for a last bit of breakfast before they reached the base, Mikaela sped up to catch him. "Leo!"

Turning to glance in her direction with a ready smile, his eye's widened and he stepped back as she marched herself up into his face. "Where's Sam?"

"Uh, I haven't seen him this morning." He sputtered. When her eye's narrowed, his widened a little more and he put his hands up in a peaceful gesture that she completely ignored. "Honestly, I haven't seen him! Nor have I tried to help hide him or assist him in escaping in anyway!" He babbled in an effort to save himself from her potential wrath. He'd only met her a few days ago, but she wasn't someone he wanted to tangle with. Sam was in for it when she caught up to him, Leo was sure. He felt a little bad for the guy.

Seeing that Leo was telling the truth, she stepped back and sighed in frustration. Ratchet wouldn't have allowed Sam to hangout down in the cargo hanger willingly so that area might be out in places he could be. She already checked both the rec. room, and med bay. Maybe he was in the mess hall.

Whirling towards the eatery, her hair whipped Leo in the face on accident causing him to squawk in protest. "Sorry, Leo." She shot unapologetically over her shoulder as she pushed through the crowds.

"Poor guy." Leo muttered while he moved to follow Mikaela. This would probably prove interesting to watch and he had no intention of missing Sam's public execution by angry girlfriend. What were friends for after all?

Blazing into the hall, Mikaela glared around the room for her wayward Sam, and came up empty handed. He wasn't here. Slowly, she reviewed the people to see if she maybe missed him, or to see if he was hiding behind someone. Still no Sam, but Epps and Lennox were giggling with the other macho guys at their table. Since they weren't likely targets to help Sam escape from a set of direct orders, they probably wouldn't know where he was.

No harm asking though.

Sliding up to their table, Mikaela ignored the appreciative glances of the testosterone packed male populous and set herself squarely in Epps' line of sight. He did a double take at her before exchanging glances with Graham and Lennox before meeting her angry stare again. "What's up, Miss Banes, Leo?"

"Have you seen Sam?" She asked as politely as she could through her teeth. This was starting to get to her. She needed to calm down.

"We haven't seen him since last night at dinner." Epps responded with a curious look. "He's still on bed rest and relaxation or something isn't he?"

Not the best thing to ask her at the moment. "Yes." She bit off before closing her eyes for a second to pray for patience. "If you see him, tell him I'm looking for him." With that, she spun back around, grabbed Leo's shirt and dragged him off with her to continue her search.

The table let out a collective breath they hadn't realized they'd been holding while Graham let out a low whistle. "That boyo is in the dog house big time."

Nodding sagely, Lennox and Epps could only agree with him. Poor Sam didn't know what was coming.

After a checking the flight deck, the staff lounge and the running into his parents up on the bridge, who like everyone else, had no idea where their son was, Mikaela was about ready to pop. Leo was looking a little worse for wear since she'd bodily dragged him behind her up and down the air craft carrier. "Maybe he's in the cargo bay." He suggested wearily for the second time.

"Ratchet wouldn't let him be hanging around down there if he's supposed to be resting on Ratchet's own specific orders." Mikaela huffed. But even as she said it, there really wasn't another place that Sam would likely be. The carrier had like, thirty plus levels and none of the civilians didn't bother going below the cargo bay.

Pausing for a second longer, she twisted back around the throngs of people towards the main corridor of the ship that led to the hold. Leo sighed in relief once he figured he was off the Sam hunt. That was before Mikaela slinked back and grabbed his collar. "Stop dawdling, Leo." She chastised him like a kid before continuing her mission down the decks into the massive hanger.

Optimus watched in quiet fascination as the human female, Mikaela, blasted into the holding bay with a whimpering Leo being dragged behind her. His sensory bank told him that her blood pressure and body temperature were high for this particular female- she was angry. Not uncommon, but usually with good reason he noticed this about her.

Spotting the yellow camaro parked innocently alongside the giant rig, Mikaela released Leo who scurried back through the doors, and made straight for Bumblebee. What had the young sparkling done now?

Coming to a agitated stop, Mikaela caught sight of something about the yellow sports car and the anger in her body language melted back to the unassuming state it normally held. She ghosted along to the passenger side of the camaro, opened the door and got in. Ah, yes, Sam.

She was looking for the boy. But why the show of anger he wondered? Sam had done nothing that he was aware of to prompt such a display from his human companion.

Thinking back, Sam had slipped in here last night when he should have been in stasis back in his lodgings like Ratchet and the human doctor had requested. Ratchet had been ready to tell Sam off last night when he'd shown up, but sensing something off, Optimus had quietly requested that Ratchet say nothing. Sam seemed to be searching for something, like an escape, and there was no harm in letting the boy sit in with Bumblebee here in the bay. He could continue his stasis recharge and Ratchet could monitor him all he wanted from close proximity without actually disturbing the child.

Sam probably had not alerted Mikaela to let her know where he was and she was not happy about that.

Plausible Explanation.

Discreetly scanning the camaros' two occupants, Optimus watched as the stats on the two human children uploaded- Sam was coming slowly out of stasis at her request. That was probably for the best, they would be landing back at the Base in less than thirty Earth minutes, standard time.

A spike on his sensors cued Optimus in on the fact that Mikaela was upset again, and Sam was starting to panic. Odd.

The doors to the camaro open and Optimus was able to hear the children's disagreement without tapping into Bumblebee.

"-get why you're so mad." Sam uttered as he stepped out of the car.

"Oh, that's just so like you, Samuel! You try and brush this stuff off so we don't fight, but this isn't something I'm taking lightly!" Mikaela snapped as she slammed the passenger side door causing Optimus to virtually wince for Bumblebee. A useless expression but one that was picked up from the earthlings as an addicting habit.

"I said I was sorry! I just didn't want to wake you, what more do you want from me as an explanation." Sam defended himself, albeit weakly. "I just needed to stretch my legs is all."

"You aren't well yet! What if something happened on your way down here?" Mikaela fumed as she shoved herself in his face; a dominant gesture that had Sam cowering, even though he stood a good half a foot taller. This female was at the top of the pecking order and both she and Sam knew it.

"But nothing happened. I came down here and sat with 'Bee! Just for a little something different. I was going crazy up there and wanted something new to look at."

Wrong thing to say, Optimus silently noted.

"OH! So I'm old and boring now is that it? You're sick of being around me? Fine Witwicky, I can take a hint!" Mikaela barked incensed at him before snapping around and storming for the door.

"Wha-!" Sam gawked at her retreating form at a total loss. "Oh no, this isn't over." Hobbling after her, Sam grasped her arm and spun her about so she was trapped in his grip.

Their argument continued as Sam snuggled a still fuming Mikaela who struggled half-heartedly in his shaky grasp. "Sam you are unbelievable."

"But you love me anyway." He nuzzled her neck and she huffed in anger, a smile cracking her angry façade while he couldn't see her face.

So they weren't really angry at each other? Humans were a strange race.

"Huh, what do you know." A voice from beside the big blue tuck had Optimus starting slightly at having been snuck up on.

Lennox leaned against the front side of the rig as he observed the two squabbling teens. "The boy is rather good at saving his own butt every now and then too." Snickering at something completely lost on Optimus, the Major turned to glance up at the truck. "He's going to need that sixth sense a lot with her, I can already tell."

Deciding to ask for clarification on the subject matter. "She wasn't really angry than?"

"Naw, she was just worried." Lennox brushed it off like nothing. "Women do that. They get worried about stuff and nag, or pester us to let us know they aren't happy. That's a way they let us know they care."

"Females knowingly start battles to show their affection?" Optimus reworded the statement to see if he understood that backwards reasoning.

"Basically. There's a saying here: All's fair in Love and War." Lennox affirmed as he lifted his every present clip board to check a random fact.

Optimus rechecked that on the internet to see exactly what the Major was talking about. "Is this a common phenomenon in human…courtship?" Ironhide asked as he rolled up beside Optimus, having watched the same display and was apparently as lost as the autobot leader was.

"Only in worth while relationships it seems. My wife about killed me herself when I got home from Qatar last time." Lennox expounded absentmindedly as he wrote some tidbit down. "Then she cried and made my favorite meal." He made this sound like an exceedingly common occurrence.

"You really need to work on your delivery, Casanova." Epps snickered as he rounded the other side of large Topkick.

"No sense getting mushy about it now. That's not something a beef eating man like myself does," Lennox grumped.

"Males put up with this kind of treatment. Willingly?" for some reason, that rankled with the big cannon wheeling 'bot.

The Major and Sergeant exchanged looks before glancing back at the autobots. "Not only willingly, if the mans smart, the lady is always right. Even is she's wrong, she's right." Epps outlined the entire successful male and female long-term relationship fiasco down to two simple sentences.

Optimus and Ironhide exchanged perturbed connections at that flawed statement.

Sensing their confusion, Lennox chuckled, "Sounds bizarre, but it keeps things flowing. Sam's ahead of the curve in comparison to the rest of the male population his age and a good portion above."

"Trust Billy here, he knows from experience." Epps laughed at the Major's expense. "Just how many times were you in deep shit and shoveling fast with Lena?"

Pausing to think about it, Lennox shook his head, "I didn't figure that out until the second year of marriage. We'd been together nearly four years by then."

Epps kept laughing even as Lennox tackled him.

Humans were strange indeed.

AN~ I love curious tough guys on mattes of girls. LOL oh Ironhide.