Nikkei awoke in a comfy bed that was not her own- it was far too soft. Opening her eyes she saw that she was in a familiar place- the med lab. Looking she saw a bed had been placed in a corner just for her. Smiling Nikkei tried to get up but a pain in her neck made her stop, she was confined to the bed. Moaning she lie there. Nikkei was bored, it seemed all she did now was sleep, due to injuries. Sighing Nikkei left her eyes open and she stared at the ceiling. Ratchet had been watching her secretly, noting her sigh of defeat he smiled. He walked into her sight line. "Feeling ok?" he asked bending down. Nikkei snorted "im fine, uh, can we go skydiving today?" Ratchet smiled. "How about you stay in bed today and go skydiving tomorrow." Nikkei sighed dramatically "I suppose." Ratchet ran a finger down her slender form; he smiled softly and then got up. He whispered "sleep well Nikkei." She didn't answer for she was already asleep. Ratchet went into his office and started to do some over due paper work.

Suddenly the door burst open causing Nikkei to shriek. Ratchet ran out of the office to see Optimus supporting Ironhide. He looked damaged and so did Aella who was trailing behind. Ratchet shook his head "what did you do this time?" Ironhide chuckled softly "weeeell… Aella and I were out for a joy ride, when I got… distracted." Ratchet crossed his arms "distracted? How?" Aella blushed furiously.

Ratchet caught her blush and understood. "Sit down Ironhide" Ratchet motioned to the table. Ironhide placed him self on the table while Aella walked toward Nikkei. She sat on the edge of the bed, "I heard what happened, are you ok?" Nikkei smiled "word travels fast" Aella also smiled "small community" she gestured to those in the med lad. Ratchet had taken out his hammer when Aella yelled at him "Ratchet do you dare hurt Ironhide" Optimus couldn't help but laughing "and no chasing her with the hammer either" he added.

Nikkei looked between the two laughing bots and the glaring Aella and the embarrassed Ratchet. "Am I missing something?" she asked Optimus looked at her "it's a long story… by the way Nikkei I am Optimus Prime leader of the Autobots" Nikkei smiled and said "pleasure to meet you" Ratchet had put away the hammer in fear of getting yelled at. Aella walked up to the table.

Ironhide leaned down and picked her up. She contentedly sat on his shoulder. Nikkei couldn't help but wonder what it would be like to sit on Ratchets shoulder, to be held by him. She shook those thoughts from her head. Either the robber had hit her far too hard of she was falling fast for a ROBOT! She decided the robber had hit her too hard.

Nikkei was brought back to the real world when Aella started to yell at Ratchet again. "no you don't" Ratchet had stopped in mid swing he had a bigger hammer this time. "Aella" he started firmly, she crossed her arms and stared at him intensely. Sighing he brought out the smallest hammer he could find. Aella accepted the hammer was as small as it was going to get and so she sat down on his shoulder, grimacing when the sound of hammer hitting metal was heard. Nikkei stared in wonder at the human and the robot, they actually seemed to fit nicely together.

Ratchet stood up he nodded in approval, his work was done. Aella looked down and also nodded she looked up at Ratchet and said "nice job, I think Ironhide's handsomer than ever." Ironhide shook his head in amusement. "Come on now Aella, you have to finish your 'distractions'" Aella blushed but allowed herself to be lead out all the same. But not before Ironhide inched to Ratchet and asked "did you finish it?" Ratchet laughed "not yet." Ironhide slumped his shoulders and walked out of the med lab. Optimus also left but not before her winked at Nikkei. Soon all but Ratchet and Nikkei had left the room. A silence filled the room.

Nikkei was bursting with a question "what is to be finished?" Ratchet looked at her, he snickered and said "a hologram" Nikkei cocked her head "like yours" Ratchet shrugged "I suppose" Nikkei persisted "why is his not finished?" Ratchet turned away "I cant seem to get it right" Nikkei sat up now, she still felt a pain in her neck but rest had done her good.

Ratchet walked up to her, "are you sure you should be getting up yet?" Nikkei nodded. After watching Nikkei walk around for a while Ratchet mumbled something about unfinished paper work. Nikkei nodded curtly and continued to walk. She felt like a baby learning to walk. After a while she got bored, she then headed into Ratchets office. He was sitting at huge deck murmuring. He was so engrossed he didn't even notice Nikkei. She smirked and seceded to be noticed. She walked under the desk and grabbed onto one of his legs, this made Ratchet jolt. His knee hit the desk and he cried out in pain. Ratchet looked under the desk and saw his human. "Nikkei" it sounded like he was talking through clenched teeth. She waved at him with an innocent smile. A smile that sent something through Ratchet's spark.

He held out his hand and Nikkei climbed on. Placing her on his shoulder he continued on. Nikkei lie on her stomach quite comfortably, Ratchet had broad shoulder. Propping her chin up she then looked down at his work and asked. "wat'cha doing?" Ratchet answered "im putting the medical records of Ironhide into the computer" Nikkei tilted her head "oh" Ratchet smirked "not impressed?" Nikkei snorted "duh! I thought you were doing something cool, like secret" Ratchet smiled "well what is cool" Nikkei frowned as she tried to think of something cool. "Well… shopping is cool" Ratchet looked at her "shopping…" Nikkei nodded "you know what, you're taking me shopping" Ratchet was confused "now?" Nikkei giggled "yes now." "But im busy" said Ratchet "well be busy some other time" Nikkei retorted. "Fine" Ratchet took Nikkei off his shoulder and made his way out of the base. He then put Nikkei down and transformed. She climbed happily into the drivers seat. Ratchet drove off to the nearest mall. Nikkei humming tunes from the radio all the way.

Once at the mall Nikkei got out and waited, Ratchet not knowing what she was waiting for asked "what are you waiting for?" Nikkei smiled "your hologram" visibly the hummer sunk a few inches. He didn't want to go shopping. But Nikkei persisted and eventually he gave in. his hologram was activated and he climbed out of the car. Nikkei giggled happily. And they both walked into the mall. Ratchet was amazed at the hugeness of the mall. He could easily walk in it with out bending over, but that would scare others so it wasn't a possibility. "So, where do we go first?" asked Ratchet Nikkei smiled evilly. She grabbed his hand and pulled him into some clothes store. "since I will be staying at your base I need clothes. She filled though the clothes finding a few things the liked holding them up for Ratchet to see. He finally got bored "what is the point of me coming?" he asked leaning casually against the wall hands in his hoddie pockets.

"Its what boy friends do, they bring their girlfriends shopping and they must watch" Ratchet slumped his shoulders "that's not fun" Nikkei walked up to him, her face was inches away from his. She smiled and Ratchet felt something go through him. "Live with it" she whispered.

Ratchet narrowed his eyes, and when she was turning away to go and buy her clothes he grabbed her and dragged her back to him. "you know it's a bad idea to threaten an Autobot" Nikkei also narrowed her eyes. His idea of scaring her wasn't working. She equaled him. Nikkei stepped closer to him, they were close enough their breaths lingered with each others.

"You don't scare me" Ratchet would not lose this battle "I can scare you" Nikkei smiled and walked away. Ratchet was left dumbfounded. NO one had ever stood up to him, even Optimus was afraid of him. I just didn't make sense. Seconds later Nikkei came out with a filled bag. She dumped it in his hands she then grabbed his hand and rushed off to another store.

Nikkei didn't know why she was doing this but it felt nice to be with Ratchet no matter how much he wasn't enjoying this. Suddenly she stopped and Ratchet bumped into her. "What now" Nikkei turned to face him. She looked up at him and asked "you hungry?" Ratchet narrowed his eyes, what was she planning. Nikkei felt guilty for being so mean. So she decided to make it up to him, food wouldn't be enough she knew that but I would be a start. Ratchet hadn't replied so she asked again "you hungry?"

Ratchet shrugged. She smiled and led him to the food court. She waved her hands around, "take your pick." Ratchet looked around, there were lots of choices all un healthy but what the hell… he painted toward the A&W and Nikkei walked over to it with him. "What do you want?" Nikkei looked at him Ratchet scanned his choices. "umm… ill share some fries with you" Nikkei shrugged "ok… want any thing to drink?" Ratchet lifted a shoulder in a half shrug "you choose."

They had reached the counter, Nikkei ordered and they walked to a table with two Rootbeers and fries. Ratchet munched on his fries happily and Nikkei sipped her drink. A silence over came the two of them, that was until Ratchet decided to speak "why so nice all of a sudden?" Nikkei looked down and mumbled something Ratchet leaned forward but he didn't catch it. It was there and then some of Nikkei's school friends caught sight of her and walked over. "hi Nikkei." Nikkei jerked her head up to look at then "oh hi" she sounded disappointed that they were there.

Her two friends looked over at Ratchet and then asked in unison "are you Nikkei's girlfriend. Ratchet smiled evilly. "Yes I am" the girls squealed and Nikkei stared at him, something flickered through her eyes but he couldn't tell what. Both girls sat down next to Nikkei making her fall of her chair. Ratchet got up and helped her up. Nikkei sat next to him not saying any thing. The girls were talking to Ratchet and he answered all of there questions with easy lies. Finally they felt after spotting some 'hot' guys, which were not hot in Nikkei's opinion. Ratchet snickered at the girls retreating forms. He then turned to Nikkei. "what's wrong?" she had tears running down her cheeks.

Ratchet had absolutely no clue as to why. Suddenly she grabbed onto him and wrapped her arms around his waist, she sobbed into his chest. Ratchet knew something was wrong but unable to tell what. Silently he wrapped his arms around her and held her close. She shook uncontrollably. Ratchet ran a hand through her blond hair. He occasionally whispered something in his tongue. She seemed to calm down but she did not let go of him, he did not let go of her, the truth was he didn't want to let go of her.

Nikkei finally unwound her arms, she let go of Ratchet and sat up. She seemed very distressed. Ratchet helped her up and picked up her shopping bag. He walked her out and led her to his original form. Nikkei was still crying but it was not as bad as it was before. She got in and curled up into a ball. Ratchet silently drove out of the parking lot, he didn't go back to the base but drove far into a forest until he found a clearing.

Nikkei got out and Ratchet transformed. "Nikkei" he said her name quietly and gently, it sent shivers down her spine. Nikkei sat on the grass and wiped away her tears "im sorry, I feel so stupid at the moment" she sniffed and looked up at Ratchet, he had sat down next to her. He was leaning against a tree with his legs out stretched in front of him. He looked perfectly content. "your not stupid" the told her flatly in a tone that said there-is –no-point-in-arguing.

Nikkei hiccupped and held her knees close. Ratchet didn't look down at her but he asked "do you want to tell me what happened" Nikkei was silent she didn't know where to begin, struggling with her thoughts she got up and began to pace. Ratchet couldn't help but be amused. Nikkei then looked up at him, she opened her mouth but nothing came out, she looked back down and began to pace. Oh where to begin. Suddenly Ratchets hand stopped her from pacing. "Just tell me" he whispered this and it strangely made Nikkei feel better. She stood directly in front of him and began

Flash back

Nikkei was now fifteen, the age of freedom. Her boyfriend and her were at the lake one day enjoying the sun. Nikkei was in a modified bathing suit she wore a tank top with guys swim shorts. To be honest she looked amazing. Her boyfriend couldn't keep him eyes off her as they played in the water. Kyle was his name, Nikkei was so happy around him. She almost literally shone, she was the happiest girl in the world at the moment. The swimming was brought to an end as both had a curfew and it was nearing that time. Nikkei dried her body off with a towel as did Kyle. He shook his long black hair splashing Nikkei. Laughing she shook her hair as well. Soon they were in another see-who-can-get-the-other-most-wet contest. And so one thing led to another and soon they were making out. Smiling Nikkei broke the kiss. Then looking at her watch she gasped, they had five minutes to both get home, giving Kyle a quick kiss she rushed to her bike, waving she drove away. Kyle did the same.

The next day Nikkei went to school happier than ever. She entered first period, she sat in the very back next Kyle as always. Suddenly their principle came on his voice was strained "students this is not a drill, we are having a lock down" as usual the kids broke out talking after the teacher had yelled at them to shut up the talking continued in whispers. Every one sat against the wall, Nikkei held onto Kyle, she was afraid. Kyle didn't show that he was afraid he just held onto Nikkei tightly and tried to calm her down.

Outside of the chattering class room a man with a machine gun circled the school, finally his eyes rested on the class room where chatter could be heard. Shooting down the door, he made many scream. He barged through and pointed the gun. The teacher of course would be expected to save the children by charging the intruder but that didn't happen. When the man had shot down the down he also happened to shoot the teacher. So their one hope was gone. Most of the students were deathly quiet now, they pressed them selves up against the wall, all except of Kyle he moved up and to the side, he had placed Nikkei behind him.

The man had caught the movement and grinned "hiding you pretty?" he snarled showing an ugly mouth. Kyle didn't move, he stayed where he was Nikkei clutching at his back and a man pointing a gun to him at his front. The man walked up and grabbed Nikkei from behind Kyle. "wow" he looked at her "she is pretty" Kyle charged at the man "get your hands off of her" he snarled. He tackled the man. Nikkei was thrown to the side. She had hit a desk hard but she still got up and ran to the fight. Suddenly a shot was heard followed by another. Kyle fell to the ground two gaping holes in his chest. Nikkei screamed his name. She fell down beside him.

Grapping his hand she cried over him. Kyle looked at Nikkei a soft smile was on his face. He reached out and traced her jaw line with a thumb. "You're so beautiful" he murmured spitting out blood with each word. Nikkei was crying loudly. "Don't go" she managed to say between sobs. Kyle squeezed her hand. She was now covered in blood from being with Kyle. "Don't go" she whispered again. Kyle shook his head "I tried" he said, blood was flowing in a small stream out of his mouth. "Remember you have to move on, be good ok" with that Kyle let out a little gasp, his hand clenched tightly at hers. And then he was gone. Nikkei didn't know what to do, she was struck dumb. Police entered the building and brought down the gun man. But Nikkei never knew that- all that mattered was Kyle.

At Kyle's funeral Nikkei was the one to stay the longest. She watched his coffin being lowered. She watched them place the dirt over him. And then he was gone. She knelt on where he had been buried. Looking up to the sky she saw drops of rain falling. Her face caught many but she felt nothing. She screamed over the thunder- yelling at whomever. She just couldn't believe it. Eventual she leaned up against his tomb stone, she curled up and fell asleep in the rain. Later Nikkei woke up in the hospital, she had flu and was extremely sick. She of course recovered but that day she vowed never to love again- love hurt to much.

End flash back

Somehow Ratchets jaw had dropped open with out him even knowing it. Nikkei was crying again softly. Shutting his jaw he looked down at Nikkei. His spark went out to her; he couldn't do any thing to ease her pain. Nikkei spoke again "I have never loved again… until…" she didn't say any thing more. Ratchet didn't understand what she had meant but he knew it was time for her to go home. He transformed and waited for Nikkei to get in. when she didn't he turned on his hologram and walked next to her.

she was shivering "Nikkei" again her name was said in that same soft tone which sent shivers down her spine- luckily she was already shivering so she didn't look weird. Nikkei refused to get up, Ratchet refused to leave her. She looked out and saw nothing but Kyle's face. Nikkei was suddenly distracted when familiar arms wrapped around her. Ratchet had sat down next to her.

He had grabbed her and held her in close. Nikkei leaned into him- her tears never seemed to stop. So there they sat. Until a clap of thunder was heard, the rain came down, Ratchet and Nikkei stayed where they were unwilling to move. Nikkei looked up, she then felt something strange- the rain! Something she hadn't felt in a long time. Nikkei knew it was time to move on- she felt like she was betraying Kyle though. Each boy she looked at she had never felt any thing for- but Ratchet was something different entirely (in both physical and mental ways). She felt safe with him, she also felt happy in a way she had not even known with Kyle. Looking up again she thought she saw the skies clear for moment a Kyle was smiling down on her. And she knew this was right. She held onto Ratchet, she of course missed Kyle but she knew it was time…