Alright so since I haven't wrote in so long I thought I'd update sooner. And of course because all of the lovely reviews. Thank you every one who wrote one. Another thank you to whomever favored/followed this story. It makes me happy that it's not total crap. However, I don't know if I'll update this week again. I was kinda iffy about posting this one but I couldn't help myself. Anyways enjoy this next chapter!

Disclaimer: I don't own Transformers.

Chapter 7

My alarm ran loudly waking me up. Beep. Beep. Beep. Smack. I tiredly opened my eyes to regain consciousness. I looked around to the unfamiliar room. Right we had just arrived at base. I looked down at Maisy who was still sound asleep. Might as well settle in.

I unpacked all of my toiletries in the bathroom and all of my personal belongings in the wardrobe and on the desk. I decided to take a shower before heading to the mess hall. After I was done, I put my hair in a loose bun and got dressed in my new military clothing. Cargo pants and a tank top for now. I chose to wear one of my own combat boots. No one would notice.

I took Maisy out to do her business before we made our way out to get some food. The mess hall was exactly where I remembered it.

Once inside, I could see a few people already eating or getting their food. The room was very large and could hold hundreds of people easily. On the same wall of the door was a big machine like bin where we got food for the dogs and on another side of the room was where I'd get my food.

Maisy and I made our way towards the bin and it dispensed the right amount of food into the awaiting metal bowl. We headed over to the wall containing my own food. I grabbed a tray and placed Maisy's bowl along with my plate on it. I picked up a fruit salad, blueberry muffin and a cup of orange juice before finding a place to sit. Once seated, I placed Maisy's bowl to the ground and we both dug in.

This place seemed pretty good so far. I had my own room and bathroom. Although I suspected I had my own bathroom because I was a girl but it didn't matter. More people gradually came in until one caught my attention. He looked to be in his late thirties and most likely was high ranking. He was dark skinned with a smile on his face. Was that...? It was... Oh my god! It was Epps!

When I went to visit my aunt and uncle when I was little, it was then that I met Epps. He had become like a second uncle to me. Whenever he was around, he would take me and Annabelle to go get ice cream. Him and I instantly clicked. And I hadn't seen him in years.

I took off running at once. He didn't have time to register before I flung my arms around his neck. He pulled back to see who had attacked him.

His eyes widened when he laid eyes on me.

" Jess? Is that you? " All I could do was nod and smile. I was too happy. " Look how you've grown. I haven't seen you since you were twelve! " He bear hugged me and twirled me around. I squealed in surprise and laughed along with him.

People around looked at us curiously. A small bark brought us out of our reverie. I turned around to see Maisy look at us. Oh she thought he was hurting me. How cute!

" Epps this is Maisy. Maisy this is Epps. " I picked her up.

" Cute. " He said scratching behind her ears. " I hope this CANINE program works. "

" Me too. "

" Well I should get going. I just came by to grab a quick bite to eat. " Epps said picking up an apple.

" You haven't seen my uncle or Ron have you? " I asked.

" Wait Ro-Oh right Ron! No I haven't seen either yet. Why do you ask? " I looked at him quizzically. At first it sounded like he didn't know who Ron was. Or was it just me?

" Well seeing as all of the other recruits will only be arriving within the next 48 hours and training doesn't start till after, I wanted to know what I can do. "

" Well I don't know if your uncle showed you yet but there's a rec room shared by the Autobots and us and there's even a training room for CANINE. " He explained. " But I don't really have time to show you yet. You mind going with one of my buddies? "

" Um sure. " No harm in making friends right?

" Hey Chase! " Epps called over a guy who just came in. He stood at 5'11 with curly black hair and turquoise eyes. He had a slight smile as he approached us. He definitively wasn't hard on the eyes if you get my drift. I almost failed to notice the small white dog that trailed behind him. He looked like he was still a pup.

" Hey I was wondering if you could show this new recruit the new training room for the dogs and the rec room. "

" Yeah of course. Anything is better than laying around here. "

" Oh I almost forgot. Chase this is Jessica. Jessica this is Nolan Chase. She's Lieutenant Lennox's niece. " His eyes looked me up and down. Not like checking me out but simply inspecting.

" In the flesh, it's an honor. Lennox talks about you all the time. " I blushed thanks to my dear uncle.

" Well I'll let you kids be. Gotta get back to work. " Epps left us alone. " See you at dinner Jess! " He called over his shoulder.

" Have you been given a tour yet? " Nolan asked me. I shook my head.

" A very small one if you can call it that. Will and I got back here late last night so he only showed me to this room and the training room. " I explained.

" Alright come on. I'll show you around. " As we made our way through the base, we passed by more solders and more began to arrive. The base was much bigger than I had initially thought it was. The ceilings stood tall enough for giants to pass through and some of the entrances were just as high. I wondered why?

" What breed's you dog? " Nolan asked.

" Maisy's an Australian Shepherd Husky. " I smiled looking down at her as we walked. " And yours? "

" A white German Shepherd. His name's Bolt. " I laughed at the reference.

" He sure is cute. " I added.

" Well here we are. "

We arrived to a large room that had a glass wall that led outside. There was a sort of obstacle course in the middle of the room and all sorts of equipment for the dogs.

" Here we train the dogs an hour a day until they go for a test to see if they're ready to go out in the field and train along with us. " I nodded in understanding. " We'll go over to the rec room next. Have you seen the track? "

" What track? " I asked puzzled.

" We have an indoor running track for those who prefer to run inside or for when it's too hot outside. "

" You're serious? An indoor track? " I asked exited. I absolutely loved running. And now I might be able to go for some runs with Maisy. He laughed at my reaction. He steered us around a corner but my mind was clouded by the idea of the track that I didn't see where I was going. Smack! I fell on my ass hard. Ow.

" I'm so sorry! I didn't see where I was going. "

" No it's my fault. " A new voice said. We both got up to inspect each other. She stood two inches shorter than me with a serious face. Her short red vivid hair and green eyes gave off a dangerous glint as did her expression.

" I should really look where I'm going. You never know danger might be larking around every corner. " I attempted a joke to lighten the mood. Her mouth quirked up to a small smile.

" The name's Victoria Parkinson. You can call me by whichever just as long as it's not Vic or Vickie. " She warned me. I smiled back warmly.

" I'm Jessica Lennox and this is Nolan Chase. " He nodded in her direction. " And same goes for me, no Jessie. " I mock glared back. She instantly relaxed.

" I was just showing Jessica here around. Feel like joining in? " Nolan asked her politely. She shrugged her shoulders.

" Sure. Come on Hades. " I quirked a brow at the small black lab trotting after her.

" What? I thought it suited him. Let me guess the white one's name is Bolt? "

" What's wrong with Bolt? " Nolan asked slightly offended.

" Nothing, it's just completely practical. I'm guessing you're all soft and mushy inside. And that's why you called him Bolt. " Victoria explained. He made a slight pout as she described him dead on. We laughed at him, earning a few chuckles from himself.

" Well as you can see we've reached the rec room. " We looked around to see quite a few couches laying around. Especially around the big screen TV where a few people were playing video games. There were a few tables around as well as a three ping pong tables and two pool tables.

" Awesome! I love ping pong! Nolan you wanna play a round? " I asked.

" No need to ask me twice. There's just one thing. " He warned me.

" What's that? "

" Try not to cry too hard when I beat your ass. " I looked at him challengingly.

" Is that a challenge? " I smirked.

" Oh of course not! In my eyes, I've already won. " He smirked back cockily.

We were tied at 19 and it was my turn to serve. After a heated rally it was my turn again.

" Try not to cry too hard when I beat you ass. " I quoted smugly. With that I sent the ball flying in his direction. It went back and forth a few time until I had had enough and wanted to win badly. I was extremely competitive. I hit the ball as hard as I could onto his court and it went flying across the room.

" So in your eyes, have you still won? " I grinned at him. He grumbled under his breath.

" Not bad Lennox not bad. "

" Not bad? It was brilliant. " Victoria said from her spot a couch. I sent her an appreciative smile. Nolan grumbled again and I giggled.

We spent the rest of the afternoon like that. We took turns playing against each other and I didn't lose one round. I just didn't boast about it too much. Nolan would argue with me about that but that was his opinion.

" Have you met any of the Autobots? " Victoria asked all of a sudden.

" I've met all of them except for Optimus and Ron. Optimus is always busy and Ron just came back yesterday. " Nolan said as we lounged around.

" I've met the older twins; Swiper and Sunny. Boy do those two have it going on. " She blushed. I smiled at her reaction.

" What do you mean by that? " I teased. Her face only got redder and I fell in fits of giggles.

" Alright I don't wanna hear you two ogling after other guys. " Nolan said repelled. " How bout you, Jess? You meet any of 'em? "

" I've only met Ron so far. I met him about a month ago back at home. " My cheeks tinged a light pink at the thought of our first meeting.

" Oh you're so lucky! You get your own Autobot and everything. " Victoria winked at me and it was now my turn to blush. The other two laughed at me. As serious as Victoria could be she seemed to enjoy teasing me.

We all sat together for supper when the time came around.

" Hey Will! " I greeted him.

" Hey Jessybear! " He smiled warmly.

" Will! Not here! " I groaned as the other two snickered.

" Glad you made some friends. Good to see you Chase. "

After I introduced my uncle to Victoria, he and Epps joined us.

" How's you first day so far? " My uncle asked.

" Honestly, it's not bad. I got to see Epps again and I already made friends with these two. " I motioned my head to Victoria and Nolan. " But I can't believe you didn't tell me that there's an indoor track! " He had the audacity to look back guiltily.

" Must of slipped my mind. " He scratched behind his head. A habit he picked up when he's nervous.

" Oh that reminds me. Have you seen Ron lately? " I tried to look casual but I don't think it worked out that well.

" It hasn't been 24 hours and you already miss your best friend? " Will teased.

" Shut up! I just needed to talk to him about my training. That's all. "

" All right all right. He goes over to the shooting range every night at 8. Usually stays there for about an hour. " It was six when we first started to eat so it was probably nearing seven now.

" Well I think I'm gonna hit the track. Are we supposed to wear a uniform of some kind while we train? " Epps shook his head.

" Not here you don't. As it's a private and secret association or base, and Will and I are pretty much the ones in charge here, we don't really care what you wear while you train. " Thanking him and excusing myself, I made my way back to my room with Maisy.

I put on a dark blue loose t - shirt, black spandex shorts, my blue sports bra and my Nikes. I hastily redid my hair into a messy and dropped Maisy off outside where they had a secluded part where the dogs could play. After that was done, I made my way towards the track. I had planned on talking to Ron after we were both done our activities so it was a good thing that the track and the shooting range were right beside each other because I had no idea where the latter was.

The track was quite big and on one of the walls of the big room, there held the entrance to the shooting range. So I can catch Ron before he leaves.

I took out my phone and put my earphones in. I stretched a little before starting my running. Something New by Axwell Ingrosso began pounding in my ears. Kinda ironic actually.

I was in the one place that made me the most happy and the last place my parents ever wanted me to be. But I couldn't bring myself to regret my decision. I still hadn't come to terms with my parents' death yet. They died because of a decision I made. I walked away and I had to pay the price of it for the rest of my life. I knew that thinking like this wouldn't do any good as it would bad but I couldn't help myself.

I tried to think of the good thing instead. Aunt Sarah and Annabelle were safe back at home. Anna was probably horseback riding, she wanted to make a professional job of it. Aunt Sarah was probably worrying over our safety but she knew we were doing a service to our country.

I had my uncles with me; Will and Epps. I could foul around with Epps and Will would keep me grounded. We could finally catch up on all of the things we missed out these past years. They'd be able to teach me all they knew so that I could become the best that I could.

I had my little Maisy. I'd train her every day until we were both at the top of our ranks. We'd surpass expectations and set higher standards. I also had my new friends. Nolan was the big brother I never had and Victoria was the female presence I longed to have as a friend.

And then I had Ron. The big brute of a man I could call a friend. It didn't matter if he was serious or gruff most of the time, I'd break through those walls of his. And to start off I'd figure out why he didn't feel anything when we touched. It definitively didn't feel like a natural occurrence. Speaking of Ron...

He had just came out of the shooting range. I quickened my pace to catch up with him.

" Hey Ron! " I called from behind him. People looked at me incredulously. " Sorry just give me a sec. "

" You are to address me by Commander, solder. I will not be disrespected as you just showed. Do I make myself clear? " I looked at him shocked.

" Ron what are you- "

" Do I need to repeat myself Lennox? "

" I don't understand. Ron why are you- "

" Twenty laps around the track. " Ron glared at me.

" What why? What did I do? " I was beginning to get angry.

" Lack of obedience. " I looked at him hurt.

" I'm not your bitch. " I seethed. He glowered back.

" You'll be meeting me here at 1800 hours tomorrow for private training, solder. Maybe then you'll learn your place. And I do believe you still have twenty laps to do. " I couldn't believe it. He was treating me like gum under his shoe. I didn't even know what I did wrong. I gave him the best glare I could muster before shoving past him back to the track.

I made a fast pace around the track and before I knew it those twenty laps were done. Ron had stayed to make sure I completed them. When I went to walk pass him, my resolve broke and my true feelings came to surface. My expression betrayed my anger and confusion but my eyes teared up on their own accord. I looked down while I passed him. Depending on how angry I got, I would start to cry. I can thank my mom for that.

I quickly grabbed Maisy and headed to my room before I stumbled upon someone I knew. Too late. Victoria was headed towards her room which was a few rooms across from mine.

" You alright Jessica? " We might of only of have met today but I could tell her concern was genuine.

" I just had a confrontation with a friend. Or at least I thought he was. " I looked down ashamed.

" It was Ron wasn't? " She said walking closer. " Was he in military business? " I nodded in reply. I explained to her what had happened. " I'm sure you'll talk about it tomorrow. That's probably one of the reasons why he wanted to have a 'private training session' with you tomorrow. " I knew she knew why he acted the way he did but I didn't press any further.

" Thanks for listening. " I said.

" Anytime. Now I would head to bed if I were you. Don't wanna pass out during training do ya? " She winked before turning to her room.

Tomorrow I would figure out what his problem was. I just hope I wouldn't get hurt in the process.

Reviews are welcomed!