Switched Chapter Two

Meet and Greet

Jasmine's POV

I groaned in frustration at the pizza company's manager. It was 12:17 in the morning, and I had ordered my pepperoni pizza 43 minutes ago, at 11:34. And they weren't here. I hadn't left my house once since the incident, nearly three weeks ago, so I often ordered pizza or Chinese, or I made difficult dishes which soothed my mind. I waited for a few more minutes as I watched AFV or something similar, but even that didn't lift my foul mood, or my cloud of despair, and something akin to fear. I picked my wallet up and fingered the button that held it closed. I looked at the cell phone in my other hand and angrily jammed it into my pocket. "Stupid pizza men, ruining people's appetites and lives with their lateness." I ground out as I walked upstairs. I decided to change into something cooler as the July heat seeped into the open windows and attacked me in my skinny jeans and slightly too big sweatshirt.

"What to wear…" I said to the dimness of my room, and Demon. I finally grabbed a pair of soft denim looking shorts, and a sky blue tank top, as well as a pair of green soft cotton exercise shorts and a dark green tank top. I turned towards Demon and held up both, letting him look at each outfit. "Which one Demon, huh? Which outfit should I wear boy?" I asked him and laughed when he nosed the blue clothes. I tossed the green setup behind me and peeled away the dirty clothes, and pulled on the clean, cooler clothes happily. I pet Demon where he lay on my bed as he pawed the bedspread, and giggled at his antics. I stuffed my wallet and my phone in my pockets and began the short trek downstairs.

When I heard the bell my head shot up and I grumbled. "Finally, stupid pizza people!" I ran downstairs with Demon on my heels, I laughed at the way that sounded, whipped out my wallet, and opened the door with a cry of happiness. "Aha! Hello!" as soon as the words left my mouth I froze at the sight before me. There was a young, attractive man in front of me, he had dark blonde hair, nearly brown in color, spiked up in the front. He had beautiful hazel eyes and a slight stubbly beard. Behind him was an equally attractive dark skinned man, who had a shaven head, and eyes that shown with a joking humor and a happiness that made me want to grin, and he too had slight stubble. They both had strong builds, and they had camouflage on, outfits fit for soldiers and they both had guns attached to the belt on their waist. I looked them over questioningly, with an eyebrow raised. I jutted a hip out with my hand on it and continued to stare at them. "Can I help you?" I asked sweetly, yet calmly.

"Uh, yes, uhm my name is William." He paused and shook his head slightly, before composing himself. "My name, is William Lennox, Major William Lennox." He stuck out a hand and my eyes darted to it before widening as I saw the other. My pizza was in his hand. And, a piece of it sat atop the box. I then glared at him as I raised my gaze to his face.

"You ate my pizza?!" I screeched, and I slapped his hand away from me. "Why would you eat my pizza?" Demon seemed to understand, or get the gist of the situation and he growled right along with my grumbling. I took out a fifty and handed it to him. "Give me it." I stated as he backed away slightly, I could have grinned as the darker skinned man laughed at his friend's expense.

"Uh, here, take it. I'm sorry." He shoved the box at me and nearly hid behind the darker skinned man in his anxiety, and I had to laugh along with his friend.

"I'm fine now," I assured William with a gentle smile. "What's your name?" I asked his friend happily as I turned to him.

"Epps, Robert Epps." He replied and stuck a hand out. "Jus call me Epps though." He grinned and I shook his hand energetically and smiled back. I then noticed the young Major gape at me, and I cocked an eyebrow questioningly.

"What? You shake his hand, but not mine?!" he whispered and stood erect, and I nodded.

"Yeah well he didn't steal my pizza like a certain lil Major, now did he?" I retorted with a smirk. He just shook his head while I devoured another piece pizza happily. He rubbed the back of his neck sheepishly and looked away while I continued to chomp on my piece of pizza. "Yeah, well anyways, my name is Jasmine, or Jazz for short, and what are yall here for again?"

"Oh yeah sorry, Epps I totally forgot!" Will said, eyes widened. "You need to come with Epps and Ir- me, we need to talk to you, in a safe environment." He stuttered slightly, before continuing. "And, you will need to sign a quiet waver, that states you involvement will be kept quiet and not shared with anyone." I looked at him oddly as he grabbed my arm, and gently pulled me forward, with a calloused hand. I nodded and began to wonder about what I had possibly done to get me involved with the government. I looked up again and pulled away from Lennox, running a hand over the truck's exterior, and pulled away ever so slightly when it seemed to shiver. The beautiful truck was a black, GMC Topkick, not sure what exact model, I thought. Hey what can I say, I love cars! I voiced my thoughts as Demon trotted beside me when we climbed in.

"GMC Topkick, right? Huh, not sure what type though. Ah such a beautiful vehicle." I sighed with content, as I leaned my head back, and against the window. Epps looked shocked as he stared.

"Whoa, you do cars? You know cars, and stuff." He asked and I nodded.

"Yeah, I love engines, an old best friend was a car junkie. Ya know worked in a pro car shop and stuff, did the paint, car interior, engine, everything! It was so cool, 'cause I would go with him sometimes when I was 13 and 14 but now here I am 4 years later, and still obsessed with cars." I grinned with a sigh, as I rubbed Demon's head with my foot, and absently drew 'circle eights' on the soft seat I sat on.

"Finally! Sam knows nothing and none of the soldiers can do anything with engines. You are a Godsend!" Epps shouted and the truck sputtered and swerved slightly, even as the man hugged me to him.

After a moment of fighting for breath I spoke up, "Epps, not that I don't like you, but can ya let me go? I can't breathe!" I managed to spit out while being attacked by the 100 something pound man. He released me and I would have gone flying through the open window if not for the seatbelt I didn't remember putting on. I stared at it in confusion, before shaking my head, dismissing it. I must have put it on and forgot about it, I thought with another shake of my head. "So… tell me somethin bout yall." I said, escaping an awkward silence that was bound to envelope us sooner or later.

William glanced at me, and relaxed his hands on the steering wheel. "I have a beautiful wife named Sarah, and an adorable baby named Annabelle. My baby girl is already two and a half though. She grows up too fast, she already walks everywhere, up the stairs, down the stairs, everything! I feel so old!" he moaned the last part in despair and I giggled while Epps flat out laughed.

"Aww don't be so, so sad! She's gonna grow up, meet someone nice and handsome, then you can feel old." I smiled while he gaped and stared ahead, and I turned to Epps. "What about you Epps? Have a wife? Have any kids?" he grinned at me and my eyebrows bent downwards in a frown.

"Nah I'm a bachelor. Nobody to have to worry whether I come back or not, it's pretty cool though, because I don't have to worry about leaving someone behind." He said and nudged me, with another grin, the amusement in his eyes never faltering. And I could have laughed at him.

"Sure, you're happy. No one to come home to after a fight. No one to say 'I love you' to yeah, that'd be real nice sweetheart." I patted his back jokingly and smiled lightly at him. The amusement still shining as much, if not more, than ever.

After a few moments of silence, I leaned my head on Epps' shoulder, and watched the trees and foliage as we passed house after house, that slowly grew lessened and grew farther apart. I don't know how long I just watched out the window, but when I glanced at the clock, it said 3:27 in the morning and I closed my eyes in thought of why I wasn't freaking out, perhaps because I knew (even though I just met them) the soldiers wouldn't hurt me? Or maybe because I didn't want a boring life? Or possibly because, I wanted adventure and I didn't want to just live a small town life, going through the motions as I had been? I guess I just had had too much of my "perfect" life or whatever the people at school said. I guess I wanted a chance of my own? I don't know, or in the back of my mind, I knew something good would come of this, or I knew going would change everything, and it was utterly important. Uck, I don't know what possessed me to come, or why I wasn't freaking out.

After a little while longer of contemplation, I suppose I fell asleep because when I opened my eyes again, Epps had his arm around me and my throat hurt slightly as it does when I wake up, my head felt heavy, and the clock said 7:26. I looked down at Demon who still slept with his head in his paws. Then I glanced over at Will, who was rubbing his eyes with a fist and I laughed, he looked even younger with that action. I tried looked up at Epps who had his head leaning against mine in a way so I couldn't see him, which was odd. The morning was cool so in my tank top and shorts I was pretty cold, so I snuggled deeper into Epps arms, hey he was warm! Will must have noticed because in a matter of seconds the car heated up as well as the seats which I left Epps arms for, to hug. With the movement Epps fell over and woke with a start. I laughed along with Will at his dazed expression.

"Hey Will? How long have we been going?" I asked when everything calmed back down, even if Epps laid where he had been laying.

"Well, since we got in the car at about three AM, I'd say four hours." I cocked an eyebrow, questioningly.

"Ya know it's called sleep deprivation, and it's not healthy at all. Why don't you let me drive? You need to sleep." I offered, and climbed over the sleeping Epps, setting a hand on the Major's shoulder. He shook his head stubbornly and I gave him a look.

"No, I'm fine! We are nearly their, just a little bit longer, just like an hour!" he said, then muttered under his breath, "Another Ratchet, great!" I brushed it off as a miss hearing and patted his shoulder.

"Well lets stop somewhere for breakfast, so ya can have some coffee. But, when we get where we're going I will tie you to a chair if I have to, or lock you in your room but you will sleep." He chuckled lightly and bumped me, nodding.

"Yeah, okay, that'd be cool enough, I guess we can stop somewhere and eat." I smiled and leaned on him trying to fall back asleep, while I could.

I woke again to a certain Major, who was going to get a butt kicking sometime. Soldier or not. I grumbled and rubbed my eyes, looking at the clock, it now read 8:19. I sighed and looked down at my dog, who was still asleep, and looked at Epps and William who had gotten out of the car and looked at me expectantly. I patted the seat, in a farewell to the warmth and climbed out.

"Do either of yall have a jacket or something?" I asked when the chilly air hit me. Turning, I realized I left my wallet I stood on the step and reached into the truck, and felt around on the seat, till I grabbed my wallet. I nodded and hopped back out, wallet in hand and trotted over to the door, shivering slightly. Epps shrugged off his military coat and draped it over my shoulders while we walked in. I accepted it gratefully but gave him a hard look no less. I shifted my gaze around me and noted we were in a McDonalds. Yummy. "Hey I love Mc'ee Dees! I haven't been to one in like, more than a year though." I stated and ran up to the counter happily.

"Yes, what can I get you ma'am? Would you like to try our new breakfast café drinks?" the guy asked and I looked him over with interest, he had bright green eyes and blonde hair, strong build, yet slightly lanky. I grinned at him and shook my head.

"Nah I'm good, I just want a sausage burrito, a strawberry smoothie, and the biggest coffee ya got." I replied, then motioned to the two soldiers behind me, "Epps, Lennox what do yall want?" I asked and Epps slung an arm over my shoulders and I sat for a moment just like that.

"Uh I'll have two hash browns, and a stack of pancakes!" I glanced at Will and grinned.

"Your turn bud. Tell the nice man what ya want sweetheart." I smiled sweetly at him, like someone would a child, jokingly. He glowered at me before looking up at the menu. "We don't have all day Lennox! Well maybe we do, but that isn't the point-"

"I got it Jasmine. I'll have a stack of pancakes too, and a sausage biscuit." He said, and put his elbow on my shoulder, leaning on me. I glared at him and punched both men in the sides lightly, effectively pushing them off of me. I smiled, as the cashier guy laughed at the two, who were clutching their sides and grumbling at me.

"Geez, girl can pack a punch ey?" Epps asked his friend and I grinned

"Yeah, how much was that again? Oh, yeah and I would like a Pepsi with that, sir." I grabbed my wallet and pulled out two twenties.

"Got it, that'll be 29.62." I gave him the twenties, and didn't bother taking the change from him as I turned and sat in farther a booth.

"Yeah… hey Epps? Can you get the food? Will the coffee is for you, and the Pepsi cup thing is for you, to get something to drink." I asked when the two sat beside me at the booth. I leaned into the arm that Lennox put around my shoulders. It was still chilly inside, so I wrapped the army-like jacket tighter around me.

"Yeah, we know. You're about to fall asleep again aren't ya?" I nodded and in a matter of minutes that is exactly what happened.

Lennox POV

Dang, that girl is so… odd, I thought when she fell asleep, again, under my arm. She was really nice though, and I had just met her, but I knew we would be pretty close. She was a cool kid, and generous, docile, but mean when she wanted to be, funny though too. I wonder how she'll react to the Autobots, considering what Ironhide told Epps and I. Apparently she was chased by some idiot, and literally ran into Arcee, who Demon promptly assaulted with noise. Damn, that dog was scary, I doubted it was a German Sheppard, it was HUGE. I was yanked from my thoughts when Epps dropped the food on the table, save the drinks. Which he held carefully in his other hand, I reached forward, and careful not to wake the teen, I grabbed my coffee tiredly, and happily took a sip of the steaming liquid. Leaning back I devoured the food and relaxed for the hour long drive afterward, well ride I guess. I decided to let Jasmine sleep.

Jasmine POV

I groaned as I was awoken by the shaking of my shoulders, by Epps. My eyes slammed open I and shot up, banging my head on said man's head. I groaned and leaned back, clutching my head. "Seriously Epps, talk about a hard head!" my voice cracked and I glared at the offending idiot as I slowly stood up. I looked around, noticing we were still in McDonalds, and my non-eaten food was still on the table. I grabbed one of my sausage burrito's and unwrapped it hurriedly. Stuffing it in my mouth, I buttoned up the military issue coat and noticed it when down to about my mid-thighs. It was huge on me, and I'm not a short person! I waved it off, and grabbed my still freezing smoothie.

I looked around and noticed William Lennox had vanished. I cocked an eyebrow, and spun on the spot, looking for the man. After a moment of confirming he was no longer in the restaurant, I looked at Epps in confusion. He just chuckled. At me and motioned outside.

"He's taking care of Demon," my eyes widened and I glanced up from the smoothie I was working on. He laughed again, and spoke quickly again. "We flipped a coin, it landed on heads, my side." I shook my head at Epps I swear he's actually a child under all that muscle.

"Wow, come on, let's go, it's nearly noon, and I'm still tired." I'll sleep till we get there I suppose, I thought, then aloud I asked him, "Can I have a piggy back?" he looked at me as we began the trek towards the door.

"Why? I mean I'm not saying no bu-"

"Good, down boy!" I joked, and before he could utter even the slightest sound, I was clutching his shoulders, and holding onto his back.

When we left the building I nearly burned, it was so freaking hot! I closed my eyes and nestled my head into the crook of his neck and reveled in the warmth of the sun on my back as he marched towards the Topkick. When I heard the door open I looked up and laughed quietly, Demon had pushed Will off the seat where he sat, completely still, staring straight ahead, jaw hanging. I nearly fell off of Epps's back, with the force of his laughter. When he set me in the truck, I laughed till I nearly cried, as Will didn't move, just stared ahead, till I nudged him with the tip of my boot. I shrugged off the coat and threw it in Epps's face, even as Will pushed my dog off the seat. I pet his head and grinned all the while.

"Gee William, I thought you were a nice person, but here you are abusing dogs, tsk tsk tsk." I muttered and laughed at the wounded puppy look on his face as he started the car, yet stayed quiet, as we pulled away from the restaurant. "Hey, can we blast some music?" I asked after a moment of utter silence.

"Nope! Cause you're mean! And a total and complete jerk."

I turned towards him and gasped, placing a hand on my chest. "Y-you think I-I'm mean, and a j-jerk!?" I mentally grinned, and decided to keep up with the theatrics, and I puffed out my lower lip ever so slightly.

Dead puppies, dead kittens, dead fish, dead sharks- okay never mind the sharks, dead parents- yeah that wouldn't work either. Dead puppies, I continued to think the saddest thoughts I could, and in seconds tears had made a trail down my face and I buried my head on Epps's shoulder, before grinning for all I was worth, and shaking with pent up laughter. When the brakes pulled and we all jerked forward, with the biggest effort I had ever given I pushed the smile off my face, to see Will staring at the radio in shock, my eyebrows raised and I looked back at Epps, who was grinning at me like an idiot and I whispered in his ear.

"Is he mentally disabled?" I looked back up at him and he promptly burst out laughing. I rolled my eyes and giggled along with him. My giggles soon erupted into full blown laughs as he fell onto the truck floor right besides Demon.

After a moment more of cackling, Will shook his head and I leaned my head against the back seat, as we shot once again towards the base. Who knew anyone could have so much fun when being taken to a government establishment? For the next forty five minutes, we joked and laughed, telling stories, and after a few more sessions of absolute and total hysterics, I asked Will where my food was, only when my stomach protested.

"Uh… I think someone ate it." Looking at the soldier, my eyes widened, once I saw Epps looking panicked. I followed his line of sight I gasped and jostled the Major on my left. The brakes slammed on and I glared at my dog. He was such trouble! But, I love 'im. After a second I unbuckled my seat, just before the sleek, yet large truck sped away. My head smashed against the dash, and I touched it gently, when I gained the strength to sit up again. My hand made contact with the bump starting on my forehead, and I looked up and saw multiple hangers, built at least 50 feet tall. Just as we stopped at the second building I was shoved out of the door, closely following Epps. I landed on my feet unsteadily, and looked up to see the thing I had sat in begin to fold in, and out with twists, turns, pulls, and flips of metal. In less than fifteen seconds, I was gazing upon the one of the metal giants I had seen, just weeks ago. I heard what had to be the cussing of him, for his structure told me he was in fact, a he. I looked up and down the heavily armored body with amazement and fear. I couldn't move and when I achieved the ability to move my eyes I saw many of them, at least 10 metal bodies, two of which had knelt and one held a concerned look in his eyes, (or would it be optics?) and I could make out the 'Search and Rescue' signs and figured, that he was the medic, the other had the fatherly look in his optics, and one of authority, but they also had the look of concern that the other one held, just not as pronounced and I could tell he would be a father to me, whether I wanted one or not.

"Hello, my name is Optimus Prime, and this is Ratchet, I am assuming that you are Jasmine, correct?"

I nodded shakily, before doing the most sensible thing that came to mind.

I passed out. Cold.