::Comm talk::

/Bond talk/

Chapter 18:

Nicole POV

I transwarped to the cafeteria startling a few poor soldiers who sat at tables. As I landed, I stumbled a bit. I was low on energy from transwarping(something that Ratchet had told me not to do; when will they learn that I don't ever listen?). My trip to the cafeteria was to solve that problem. Ratchet had put me on a strict diet, so I hadn't had my daily dose of junk food. Hell, I hadn't had junk food for a week now.

After raiding the kitchen(people had learned not to come between me and my food), I sat at table with a big bag of wavy Lays. A few minutes of munching later, I felt my cheeks warm up. Concerned, I put a hand to my forehead. I was burning up. A fever? Why hadn't I felt this earlier? Great, Ratchet was going to slaughter me now.

Sighing, I stood up and walked over to the vending machine in the cafeteria. I looked around to make sure no one was looking before I put my hand to the machine. I closed my eyes. Just like I was in the machine(wouldn't that be uncomfortable), I could see all the inner workings. I messed with the codes a bit before I opened my eyes and stepped back.

The vending machine made a low thrumming noise before a Coke dropped out.

And then another.

And another.

And another.

"Aw, crap," I muttered before grabbing one Coke and walking away quickly. A few soldiers gave me a strange look. I held my hands up. "I swear I didn't kick it."

They all shrugged before standing up and going and getting their own Cokes. Okay, well, that took care of the Coke bottles that were falling out of the machine like quarters out of a slot machine.

I sat back down at my table by myself and resumed my snack. Ten minutes later, I had eaten half the bag and was taking a drink of the Coke when all of a sudden the Coke was yanked out of my hands(spilling whatever was in my mouth on my shirt) and the chips pulled away.

Oh, and they were hanging in mid air.

I just stared. Then Mirage's holoform appeared, along with his mech form which was standing by the door to the cafeteria, holding my chips and drink. I gaped at him. "What the hell, dude? I was eating that!"

The spy's holoform frowned at me. "Ratchet has been looking for you."

"Good to know. Now can I have the food back?"

Mirage just sighed, before taking my food and dropping it in a trash can nearby. I glared at him as his holoform disappeared and his optics lit up. "He had the whole Ops team searching the base for you. The cafeteria was his first choice."

I snorted and put my folded arms on the table. "He must know that I'm hating that crap he's making me starve on."

Mirage just sighed again before leaning down and holding his servo open. "Ratchet will have my aft if I don't take you back immediately."

"Fine." I muttered grouchily before getting up and walking into his open servo.

I sat down as Mirage stood back up. As we left the cafeteria, his optics dimmed, which probably meant he was sending a comm to someone. I sighed again, wishing I could hear what he was saying.

And just like that, I could hear every word Mirage was saying in the comm.

:: -she was eating chips and drinking a Coke in the cafeteria.::

I heard a sigh on the other end. :: Thanks, 'Raj. The Hatchet's livid down 'ere.:: So it was Jazz. As if to prove his point about Ratchet being mad, I heard some shouting that sounded like cursing(shocker) and the sounds of things being thrown. ::Jazz out.::

I pulled out of the comm frequency as it ended. Apparently the AllSpark allowed me to eavesdrop on comm's. Or was it just that it was some mental ability, like Soundwave's? Interesting and helpful. What else can I do that involves the processor…..?

For the rest of the quiet journey to the Med Bay and my impending doom, I pondered on what other powers that I hadn't tapped into yet. I was a little hesitant about diving into the AllSpark memories. Why? Well, being told that you could blow because of said powerful energy source can make you a little reluctant.

Before I knew it, we were standing in front of the Med Bay door.

Mirage paused as we heard a loud crash from inside. After another hesitant moment, he looked down at me. "Are you ready?"

I stared at him in surprise, but said, "I don't think I'll ever be ready for the Hatchet's fury, Mirage. But thanks anyways."

The noble just nodded before opening the door…..

….to be hit in the helm with a wrench.

I winced as the loud clank echoed through the now silent Med Bay. Mirage blinked once, twice, then shook his helm looking a little dazed. I looked around the only-partially-opened door to see a surprised Ratchet, Prowl, and Jazz, with a glowering Barricade in the corner rubbing a dent in his helm. "Nice job, Ratchet."

The CMO snapped out of it and sent the scariest look I've ever seen at me. "Mute it, little glitched femme."

"That's my sparkmate, Ratchet." Barricade said in a low tone.

"I know." He snapped, still glaring daggers at me. Then he looked at Mirage. "My apologies, Mirage. I thought you were one of the twins. Can you please sit the delinquent in your servo on that berth?" He asked pointing at said berth.

I glared at Ratchet. "So now I'm 'the Delinquent'?"

"Mute it." Came the hissed reply.

I huffed and crossed my arms. When Mirage got closer to the berth, I jumped off just to see what Ratchet would do. The medic looked ready to do bodily harm, but Prowl put a servo on his shoulder to stop him from throwing me across the room. "Thank you, Mirage."

The spy just nodded, still looking a bit dazed, before exiting the Med Bay.

There was a tense silence in the Med Bay. I could hear each of the mechs systems. Ratchet's sounded strained almost.

Then the CMO broke the quiet. "You little idiot." He hissed lowly.

Prowl took a step back. And another. And another. Until he was standing beside Jazz, a safe distance away.

Aw, crap.

"What in the Pit were you thinking? Wait, I forgot, you weren't! How many times do I have to tell you, Nicole? Don't. Leave. The. Med Bay! What will it take to drive it in that thick head of yours?"

"Ratchet-" Barricade started, but Ratchet ignored him and kept going.

"You do not leave this Med Bay until I clear you, understand? My Med Bay, my rules! Any patient of mine does not go running off doing who knows what. This is not a game! You can get hurt! You could die!"

My original plan had been to keep my mouth shut until Ratchet's lecture was over. But that last sentence sent me over the edge. Now it was war. I was sick and tired of being treated like glass, sick of being told I was going to die, sick of worrying, sick of being depressed.

"Do you think I don't know that, Ratchet?" I snapped as the medic opened his mouth. "I know this isn't a game! I almost lost my sparkmate to this 'game'! Don't tell me what I already know!" My mouth snapped shut just as I was about to go on. That was partly my fault and partly the AllSpark's fault.

Careful, girl. Others might suspect something. You've already told one other.

I snarled out loud. "Shut the fragging hell up!"

There was silence…..

And then I realized what I had said.

Shit….I thought as the others stared at me like I was crazy. Maybe I was. I sure felt that way right now.

I heaved one tired sigh before flopping down rather ungracefully and putting my head in my hands. "Just do what you have to do, Ratchet. I won't leave again." I muttered.

There was silence for a few moments before I heard Ratchet moving around. Then I felt that tingling sensation of being scanned. I expected him to say something about the fever, but the CMO didn't mention it. I nearly groaned out loud. This meant one of two things:

1: Ratchet didn't detect it, which I sincerely doubted.

2: I had hurt his feelings and he just didn't feel like talking to me.

If it was the first one, then that meant something was jacked up with my body that the AllSpark was probably causing and it was possibly (and, knowing me, my luck, and the AllSpark, most likely) fatal. If it was the second one, well….I had just possibly pushed away a mech that I considered as part of my weird, strange, adopted family of alien beings. Was it weird (and insane) for me to want it to be the first option?

/Are you alright?/

I jumped at Barricade's voice. Ever since my dream with the AllSpark, I had been blocking the memories of it from him. I wasn't sure if he suspected something was up, but sooner or later he would.

/Yeah, I am./ I said over the bond.

Concern filtered through the bond. /It sure doesn't feel like it./

I sighed. /Barricade…..please./

Hurt flickered briefly, but it was gone as soon as it appeared. Barricade withdrew to his side of the bond. /Okay./

I wanted to bang my head against something hard and metal, preferably the surface of the med berth I was on. What was wrong with me? Snapping at every person or bot who crossed paths with me. I am an idiot. I thought, more than a little disgusted with myself.

"Nicki…"

I looked up into the faceplates of Jazz, who looked sympathetic. "Time ta get back ta yer bed."

I just nodded and stepped into his waiting servo. A few seconds later, Jazz set me back down on the floor and I walked to the door of my room. As I closed the door, I heard Prowl start to say something to Ratchet, but I didn't stick around to hear it. Instead I just walked over to my bed and laid down with a sigh. I don't know how long I sat there in silence, but after awhile, I heard the door open. On instinct I closed my eyes and pretended to be asleep. I heard the soft hum of systems. And I knew exactly which bot it was.

Barricade, even after I had pushed him away, was still by my side. I resisted the urge to sigh. He was too faithful for his own good.

Bondmates are always faithful.

Shut up. I snapped back at the AllSpark.

"Jazz….."

"Mmm?"

"What are you doing?"

"Sitting here in yer office."

Prowl's doorwings flicked sharply in annoyance. "Besides that, Jazz."

The silver saboteur sitting in the chair on the other side of his desk grinned. "Don't know whatcha mean, Prowler."

"Prowl. And, yes, you know what I am talking about. It….feels like you're plotting."

Jazz leaned back further in his chair, putting his pedes on the desk and his servos behind his helm. Prowl frowned before leaning forward and scooting a datapad away from Jazz's pedes with one digit. "Don't you have work to do?"

"Yep."

"So why aren't you doing it?"

"Don't feel like it."

Prowl's frown only deepened. He had gotten used to his bondmate's illogical acts and speech to the point where he wouldn't crash, but that didn't mean it didn't leave him with one Pit of a helm ache. "You still haven't answered my question."

"Yea I did. I'm sitting in yer office." Jazz replied, staring up at the ceiling with a slight grin on his faceplates.

"No, I asked what you were plotting."

"No, ya inferred that I was plottin'. Ya never asked what I was plottin'."

Prowl suddenly wore a smug grin. "So you admit you were plotting?"

Jazz spluttered for a moment before his visor went dim and he shook his helm, smiling. "Sneaky, that's what ya are, Prowler. But-" The saboteur exaggerated the word, "if ya need ta know so badly, then, yeah, I am plottin'."

"Dare I ask what?" Prowl asked sarcastically optics returning to the datapad he had been doing.

Jazz sighed. "Why can't ya be tha' sarcastic 'round everybody else?"

"Nonsense. I am plenty sarcastic out in public. Bots just choose to ignore it because they see fit to. And stop trying to distract me from the main question."

Jazz smirked. "Fine. But I was thinking'-"

"Shocker."

Jazz glared at Prowl. "Ya want me ta tell ya or not?"

Without looking up, the SIC motioned for Jazz to go on.

"Well, I was thinkin' 'bout everythin' that's been goin' on lately. Seems ta me like what we all need is a boost in morale."

Prowl sighed and shut his optics. "I can already tell where this is going."

Jazz went on like he had never spoken. "Everyone 'round here 'as been in a downer due ta what's happened. Ya know what they need?" He asked with a grin. "A party. One wit' lotsa music, dancin', an' high grade."

"I knew it." Came the muttered reply from across the desk.

Jazz let his pedes fall off the desk and leaned forward across the desk until his faceplates were a few inches from Prowl's. "Please, Prowler?"

In his processor, Prowl kept repeating, Don't look at his faceplates. Don't look at his faceplates. Don't look at- That disappeared when Jazz tilted his helm so he was forced to look.

Jazz smiled as sweetly as he could. "Pretty please? Wit' sugar and a cherry on top?"

Prowl's resolve crumbled.

"Fine." He mumbled dejectedly, criticizing himself for surrendering so quickly.

The saboteur launched himself over the desk, all but crushing the poor SIC in a hug and kiss. "Thank ya so much, Prowler!" As quick as he had jumped over the desk, Jazz jumped back up and threw a quick, "Love ya!" over his shoulder as the door closed.

"I'm going to regret this." Prowl muttered, staring at the once-upon-a-time neatly-stacked datapads that were now scattered across the floor. "I just know it."

Nicole POV

I sighed again as Ratchet went through another scan. Barricade had gone back to our quarters to get some actual sleep. Though, from what I could tell across the bond, that wasn't working out so well for him. Jazz and Prowl had left off to do…..something. And I was still in here with Ratchet. The silence from the medic was nerve-wracking, unusual, and needed to stop. Now.

As the medic scrolled through the latest scans on a datapad, I said, "Okay, look, Ratchet. I'm sorry that I snapped at you earlier."

The neon yellow Hummer paused in his work. "Nicole, there is nothing to be sorry about." He said, in that tone that I hate because I can't tell what he's thinking.

"Well, I feel the need to apologize. I really shouldn't have snapped at you. After all, you've been working you aft off trying to keep me from killing myself or something-"

At this point, Ratchet laughed.

I gaped at him in shock. Here I was trying to apologize, and he was fragging laughing at me.

After a few minutes of laughing, Ratchet finally calmed down enough to look at me. By this time, I had started glaring at him. That seemed to make him even more amused. He smiled as he turned back around, starting to organize a drawer filled with torture devices he called medical instruments. "Nicole, there honestly is nothing to apologize for. I understand that you are tired of seeing the inside of the Med Bay all the time. You have the right to be upset."

He turned back around, this time wearing a stern look and pointing a rather sharp looking instrument at me. "But that does not give you the right to leave without my permission." As he talked, my eyes followed the instrument as the medic waved it through the air emphasizing his point. "I am not keeping you in here just for the spite of it. It may seem that you are healed, but your body has been through a lot. It needs time to rest."

Ratchet's faceplates softened. "Nicole, you gave us all a scare. We are still worried. I've seen soldiers on their way to recovery take a turn for the worse and not make it. I refuse to let that happen to you."

I blinked once before saying quietly, "Thanks, Ratch. I appreciate that and all, but…I honestly feel fine, beside the fever that been going the past few hours-"

And just like that, Ratchet went from nice and caring to alert and ready to inject me with those freaky needles. "What? Why didn't you tell me? A fever? How long? This didn't show up on my scanners….."

Again I felt the tingling sweep across me. I sighed. "I thought you had already detected it, but just wasn't talking to me. It's been going on ever since I went to the cafeteria. I don't know why it didn't show up on your scanners."

Ratchet pretty much growled at himself. "Nothing is showing up! Are you sure?"

"Yes, I'm sure! I was burning up so much that I got a Coke and ended up breaking the vending machine!"

Ratchet shot me a look that promised a talk about that particular incident. But instead he said, "You should've gotten a water. Coke will not help."

I glared. "Well, excuse me. It seemed like a good idea at the time."

Ratchet ignored me and turned his holoform on. The human-Ratchet put a hand to my forehead. "Nicole, you don't even feel hot. Can you still feel the fever?"

"Yes!"I said indignantly. I put my own hand to my head, then jerked away at the touch. I was burning. This began to worry me. Was what the AllSpark showed me about to happen? It was too soon! Had I done something to alter the course-

"Nicole!"

I jumped as Ratchet snapped his servos in my face. He had turned his holoform off and I hadn't even noticed I was so busy in my own thoughts.

I took a deep shaky breath. "Sorry, Ratchet. What were you saying?"

The CMO watched me with a hard gaze for another few moments before saying, "If you continue to feel this way, I want you to tell me. I can't do anything for you unless I know what's going on. The scans all come back blank."

I sighed and stared down at the silver med berth. " 'Kay, Ratch. Thanks anyway-"

I was cut off as the Med Bay doors swished open(Prowl, who has something against swinging doors, had had all of the doors on base replaced with code activated sliding doors). We both looked up to see Optimus walk in.

The Autobot Commander smiled at us both. "Good afternoon, Ratchet. Nicole, how are you feeling?"

"Great." I lied, giving him a thumbs up. Ratchet shot me a sharp look that clearly said, 'Oh, so now you feel better.'

Optimus nodded. "I'm glad. I apologize for not stopping by earlier, but there have been…things that were brought to my attention by the human government."

You know that feeling of impending doom? I felt that one right now. There was a larger meaning behind those words. And my gut and sixth sense were telling me that it involved yours truly. I sighed. "What do they want now?"

Optimus smiled a little at my tone, but turned grim. "They….want to talk to you. And Barricade. About the recent events."

Great, more thick headed people to explain my twisted relationship to. I though wearily. Again, I sighed. "When and where?"

For the first time since I had met him, Optimus looked sheepish. "Actually, the meeting starts in fifteen minutes."

The looks that Ratchet and I were wore must've said something along the lines of Why the frag did you just now tell us?

Optimus looked even more sheepish. "Well….Elita and I-"

"Say no more, Optimus. I don't need to know." I said quickly. Then I looked to Ratchet. "Can I go?"

Ratchet was still glaring at Optimus(I think I even saw his servo twitch in the direction of a wrench on a nearby table). "I guess. But don't strain your body in doing anything too tiring."

I nodded. "Thanks, Ratchet." Then I stepped into Optimus' waiting servo and he set me on his shoulder. "I promise I'll be back later."

"You better."

"So," I said as the Med Bay doors closed behind us. "Have you told Barricade yet?"

"Yes." Optimus' deep baritone voice made a vibration in my chest. "I sent him a comm message."

"Oh." I said. I was staring at my clothes, which were still pajamas. "Can I change?"

Willow watched as Jazz keyed the code into his and Prowl's quarters. The saboteur looked even more excited than usual and was bouncing on his pedes, singing a song to himself.

"Umm….Jazz? What's got you so worked up?" She finally asked.

He jumped in surprise, obviously not realizing she had been there. "Uhh…well, Prowler jus' gave me permission ta have a party. And I needed ta get my Ipod so I could listen ta it on the way ta Wal-Mart-"

The green-haired woman held her hands up. "Wait. You're going to Wal-Mart?"

"Yea. Need ta get buncha stuff for the party-""Can I come? I need more hair dye."

"Don't see why not. Jus' let me get a few things from in here…." The Pontiac dashed inside and was back out in fifteen seconds. " 'Kay, ya ready?"

"Yep."

Nicole POV

"Nicole…."

"Yes, Optimus?"

"Are you sure about wearing that to the meeting?"

I looked down at my hurried outfit. It consisted of dark jean that had a few holes in them, a black shirt that said in white capitalized letters 'EPIC FAILURE', and my tennis shoes. For me, this was an everyday outfit, a damn comfortable one, too, and it seemed okay to me. "Yeah."

"…..Okay."

I resisted the urge to laugh at Optimus' faceplates, which I had a great view of from his shoulder.

The halls were eerily quiet as we neared the conference room, which also served as the command center. As Optimus entered the code, I looked back down at my outfit, doubt trickling in my mind. Was this really appropriate?

I nearly snorted. I knew the answer to that already. Then a thought struck me. Why do people ask themselves questions that they already know the answers to? That's…..well, stupid.

When the doors swished open, I saw that on the wall farthest from us, there were several computer terminals and buttons and built-in key boards installed in the wall with swiveling seats in front of each one. There was a long rectangular table in the middle, with too many seats to count. On the table were chairs for humans.

Prowl was seated at the end, on the right side of the chair that was at the head, going over datapads. Barricade was seated next to him, looking almost….nervous. There were a few humans standing on the table, talking amongst themselves. I recognized the blonde woman, who was talking to a few officials with a stiff, irritated look.

My first thought was, 'Small meeting'.

Then the blonde woman set eyes on me, and I knew there was trouble coming.

Optimus set me down before sitting down at the head of the table beside Prowl. Immediately, I went and stood by Barricade. I heard my bondmate give a small snort. /It's almost like you're trying to piss off someone. Like Prowl./

I turned and looked at Prowl. He was staring at me like he couldn't believe that I was standing there. For the third time, I looked down at my outfit. Then I looked back at Prowl and shrugged, mouthing, 'What?'.

The tactician sent me a sharp look before looking at Barricade. A few moments later Barricade shrugged before looking back down at me. /Prowl said to tell you that next time he's going to pick out your outfit for you./

/Like hell he will./ I sent back. Then I stuck my tongue out at Prowl. He sent me another stern look before turning back to his datapads with a frown.

Another small snort came from Barricade as I sat down and leaned against his arm, which was propped on the table. I couldn't help the small smile that drifted across my face before I turned serious again. /Barricade, I'm sorry./

His amused mood was gone in an instant. /What for?/

/I pushed you away earlier. I know you were only trying to help. I'm sorry. Do you forgive me?/

I heard a sigh through the bond. /Nicole, I already forgave you a long time ago. Yes, it hurt, but you just wanted to be left alone. There is nothing to be sorry for./

I sighed. /I love you. You know that?/

/How could you not love me?/

/You sound like a Sunstreaker incarnate./

/Better start paying attention again. But I love you, too./

I smiled again, before doing as he said. The other humans had sat down in their chairs, which were arranged in a line so that they faced the bots. The only human standing was the blonde woman, who wore a business skirt and crisp white blouse. Her heels clicked as she walked to stand in front of Optimus. "Optimus Prime, my name is Director Susan Fenner. I am the new National Security Advisor and have been appointed liaison."

The Autobot Commander nodded to her. "It it nice to meet you, Director Fenner. This is my Second In Command, Prowl," He nodded to the Dodge Charger and then my spark mate, "and this is Barricade."

Director Fenner had nodded to Prowl, but just shot a cold look at Barricade. This made me mad, but Barricade sent waves of soothing comfort across the bond, basically telling me to keep my anger in check.

Then Optimus gestured to me. "And this human girl here is Nicole Witwicky."

I nodded at Fenner. Her nose wrinkled as if looking at me caused her discomfort. This time it was me trying to calm Barricade. Fenner's disgust with me barely bothered me. In fact, it fragging amused me.

"Director Fenner," Optimus started, "what would be the reason you have brought us to this meeting?"She glanced at me once before turning back to Optimus. "Miss Witwicky was brought back to base a month and a half ago, is that correct?" Without waiting for an answer, she went on. "Since then, there has been a spike in Decepticon activity. Two attacks have been made, one outside near civilians and the most recent here on base. Two attacks over the course of a month and half. Before Miss Witwicky arrived, there were only two attacks during five months. Either the Decepticons are getting bolder, or…"

Director Fenner turned and looked straight into my eyes. I held her gaze, eyes narrowed and arms crossed. "Or, they are trying to get to you, Miss Witwicky."

Barricade shifted, and that was all I needed as an invitation to stand up swiftly and turn to face him. His blue optics were blazing as he glared at the woman. "Barricade." I said softly. He paid no attention to me. "Barricade." I said a bit stronger.

Finally, his optics gazed down at me. I stared at him, trying to make my own anger disappear. "It's okay." After a few moments, the burning anger faded away, but there was still a cold sharp edge to those optics that I loved.

I sighed before turning back. Prowl's doorwings were raised high and his stiff posture told me that he wasn't exactly happy with the liaison. Optimus looked the same way(well, besides the doorwings and all…).

I forced myself to face the woman I was beginning to hate. "Director Fenner, the only reason they are trying to get me is because I hold the AllSpark." I pulled the shard out of my shirt. It gleamed in the light, and for a second I thought it flashed blue. "The AllSpark gave me access to the powers it has. Using AllSpark energy, I resurrected Jazz, Third In Command and Head of Special Ops. And, as you saw at the meeting we had a few weeks ago, it also gives me the ability to do other things."

Fenner stared at me with a hard cold gaze. "Miss Witwicky, I do not believe in magic."

The calm and polite manner I had vanished at that. I could tell that it affected the other mechs in the room, too, just by the hitching of their systems. Magic? Was she really that stupid?

Anger makes me do rash things. Like opening my mouth and saying the wrong things. Like now.

"Idiot." I hissed. "Did I not just show you and every other person in that meeting that I'm telling the truth?"

"Holograms." Director Fenner said flatly. "You easily could've used holograms. With the advanced technology-technology that you refuse to share with us, I might add-, you easily could have pulled it off."

"Director, I can assure you that we did not use holograms, or any other kind of trickery." Optimus spoke up. I could tell by his tone he was trying very hard to remain polite.

She waved her hand as if that was going to make us drop the subject. "That is not the only thing that has been brought to my attention. When Miss Witwicky also came to base, she brought a Decepticon with her." Fenner turned and looked at Barricade. "That would be you, correct?"

I opened my mouth to snap something back, but Barricade beat me to it. "Three and a half years ago, I quit being a Decepticon."

The liaison looked doubtful. "May I ask why?"

Barricade hesitated before nodding to me. "Nicole."

She didn't even glance at me. "Can you not tell me yourself, alien?"

I growled lowly while Barricade frowned. "I quit because of Nicole."

"Why? What could make you, a Decepticon, just quit because of a simple human? Last time I checked, the Decepticons are trying to wipe out the human race."

This time I answered her. "We're bonded. In human terms, it's the same thing as married, only with a deeper connection than a ring and vows."

Director Fenner stared at me in something that looked close to shock and disgust. I could already see what was going through her head. 'How the hell does that work?'. I nearly laughed.

But instead she just composed herself (which made me disappointed; I wanted to see this woman freak out) and turned back to Optimus. "How do you know we can trust this 'Con?"

"He's not a 'Con." I snapped, anger getting the better of me.

She glared at me. "I'll be the judge of that."

I threw my hands up. "He hasn't even threatened a single human, let alone hurt one! If we didn't trust Barricade, he wouldn't be within a hundred feet of this base! I know him better than anyone. Better than you. And I know he wouldn't betray us. I don't expect you to understand spark bonds, but I can tell if the thought of betraying us would even cross Barricade's mind. Frag, I know what's going on in his helm right now!"

Director Fenner crossed her arms. "And what would he be thinking right now, Miss Witwicky?"

I pretended to ponder that for second before saying, "He thinks you're a bitch."

There was silence for a few moments.

Then Barricade said, "That's not what I was thinking."

I turned around and grinned at him. "I know. That's really what I was thinking."

Prowl gave a low whine and pressed a servo to his helm. "You're going to make me glitch with your illogical and irrational and immature behavior, Nicole."

I snorted. "Me? Immature? Since when?"

The tactician gave me a stern look. "You and me are going to have a talk after this."

"Ooh, scary."

Optimus gave a small cough that sounded like a laugh behind his servo. I would've bet twenty bucks that he was smiling. When he finally seemed to compose himself, he looked down to the liaison, who was giving me a look that would've sent most people running. I stuck my tongue out at her. "Director, I fully trust Barricade. Up to this point, there has been no reason for me to suspect different. If that is all, then I believe this meeting is dismissed."

Director Fenner finally stopped glaring at me and looked up at Optimus. "That isn't all. As I said earlier, the Decepticons attacked close to civilians. They haven't done this before. And I believe the only reason they did this time was to try and capture Miss Witwicky. This is a perfectly eligible reason to have her moved to Diego Garcia."

Prowl spoke up. "She is perfectly safe here where most of the Autobots are-"

"I am not concerned for her safety," she cut him off sharply, "but for the assurance that no more harm is done while she remains on the main land. Miss Witwicky is a threat to the civilians around the base. As long as she stays here, the Decepticons will continue to make bold moves."

I stared at the stupid woman (okay, in my eyes she was stupid…..but that's just my opinion). Half of me wanted to call her some creative names and maybe even slap and/or punch her. But that other half of me couldn't help but wonder if she was right. Was I a threat? Who am I kidding. I knew the answer to that. Yes, I was. At any moment I could explode. That has to be a pretty big threat. And that's not even the same threat she was talking about. If the Decepticons decided to attack while I was out in public, everyone around me would be in danger. That was how Willow had been pulled into this mess. She had been in the wrong place at the wrong time.

As much as I hated to admit it, the liaison had every right to call me a threat. Damn.

I heard Barricade growl to himself before he stood up. "I need some air." He half mumbled to me. I winced. Barricade was mad. Really mad. Waves of anger kept hitting me from his side of the bond.

As the door swished shut behind my sparkmate, I looked at Director Fenner(if I could've said anything to her at that moment, it would've been, 'Woman, don't you know that it's not a good idea to piss off an alien robot that could easily squish you?'). The woman looked too smug for her own good. She held my gaze before turning to Optimus and Prowl. "Have I made my point?"

"No, you have not." Prowl pretty much snapped at her.

Optimus and I could only stare at the SIC in shock. Since when did Prowl snap at government officials?

He closed his optics and took a deep breath before opening his optics again. "What I meant to say is that you do not have enough proof, if what you have could even be called proof. The Decepticons are not just attacking at random times, Director. They are waiting until they think we are most vulnerable. As much as I hate to admit it, they are not stupid. The first attack happened while Nicole, our Third In Command, Barricade, and one other human were on their way back from a trip to town. The Decepticons took advantage of the fact that there were only two Autobots present to put up any resistance. The second attack happened during the night, when most of the bases' occupants were asleep. In both attacks, they attacked when they thought us to be most vulnerable. Yes, maybe they were attacking because of Nicole, but the attacks were not spontaneous. If this proves anything, it shows that the Decepticons are getting more desperate."

Silence followed Prowl's speech. My line of thought was, 'Wow. Way to go, Prowl!'

Director Fenner glared up at Prowl, but he held her gaze evenly. After a few tense moments, she looked away. "This meeting is over."

The meeting room was silent now except for the sound of Prowl gathering up his datapads. Only me and the tactician remained in the room. After stiffly accepting Optimus' offer for help to get off the table, Director Fenner had stalked out of the room, no doubt plotting more ways to make our lives miserable (again, that's just my opinion….my very possibly right opinion). Optimus had offered to take me back to Ratchet, but I had stayed behind to talk to Prowl.

I watched Prowl scribble something on a datapad quickly before putting it with the others. Finally I said, "Thank you, Prowl."

He jumped before looking at me in surprise. "Nicole? You're still here?"

"Yeah…..Did you not notice me?"

"Usually I am the only one left after a meeting. But why are you thanking me?"

"Because you stood up for me."

Prowl paused, staring at me for a few moments. Then, "Your welcome….I guess."

I tilted my head a little to the side. "You sound hesitant. Why?"

He sighed. "I….do not think you should have to thank me. I felt as if I was compelled to do it. As if it was the right thing to do. Almost like….." It was Prowl's turn to tilt his helm. "Almost like I was your creator."

I blinked. "Oh. Well….thanks. I really appreciated it, Prowl. I like to think of you and Jazz as my creators." That brought up another thought. "Speaking of, where is Jazz?"

Prowl groaned and ran a servo over his faceplates. "I gave him permission to have a party. He went…..shopping."

I tried to imagine Jazz walking through the aisles of Wal-Mart with a shopping cart. Hence the word 'tried'.

Instead of telling Prowl that it probably wasn't a good idea to go shopping by himself, I just hmmed and said, "Well, I wish you the best of luck."

Prowl sighed. "I'll probably need it." He paused, then said, "I was serious about choosing your outfit."

I threw my hands up. "There is nothing wrong with this outfit!"

"It is immature, not fit for a meeting with official, and illogical."

"Prowl, I don't have any outfits suitable for a meeting."

"Then I will find you some."

I shook my head. "Oh, no. You are not going to make me wear formal, uncomfortable, non-fun clothes. I simply cannot."

Prowl snorted. "Of course you can. It's not as if you're allergic to them."

"But, Prowlie, I am."

"Nicole, can you at least act like the twenty year old you are? And not call me Prowlie?"

"No."

Prowl sighed. "You make things so difficult."

"Correction: life makes things so difficult. I'm just there when it happens."

Me: Well, that certainly took a long time to update. I feel so guilty. This has been written for almost a week, I just needed to add finishing touches. But real life sucks, so between custody battles and school, I haven't had time to update.

Liar Me: Yes, you have.

Me: Dammit, Liar, I don't feel like dealing with you right now. Abusive, get the duct tape.

Abusive Me: *gets duct tape and starts to wrap it around Liar*

Random Me: I'm getting a headache watching you go around and around and arou-SQUIRREL! *points excitedly*

Nice Me: I don't see a squirrel.

Me: That's 'cause there ISN'T a squirrel, stupid. *sighs* back to what I was saying. So, we have a clone Galloway on our hands, a female one. I changed her name a few times, so if I call her one thing and then call her something different, that's why. I tried to make this chapter less angsty…. By the way, my birthday is next Thursday. I'm going to try and update the next chapter by then, but who knows?

Artemis: Dang, that is a lot of questions. Darla coming back is a surprise, no, it's not next chapter, Jazz has ADD, so it's bad, yes I'm making a sequel to this, I don't know how many chapters, and….that next question is a surprise.

Anika Chancer: I do have a Deviant Art account. But there's only one deviation, and it sucks, 'cause it is basically a HubbleSite pic edited. I've got semi-good drawings(okay, not really that good, but better than my BF's; her words, not mine), just no way to get them on the computer. And I don't have Photoshop either, but I'm trying to figure out how to get one.

Silverfire: Thanks so much for talking to me. It's nice to be able to talk to someone about Transformers, and you helped me through the custody battle. So, thanks.

All Reviewers: Thanks, guys, for reviewing. The reviews are the only thing that keeps me updating.

If anyone ever has any questions for me, ask in a review or PM.

NEXT CHAPTER: FINALLY, IT'S PARTY TIME! BARRICADE HAS A SURPRISE FOR NICOLE. AND NICOLE MAKES A BET WITH JAZZ….WHICH PROBABLY ISN'T A GOOD IDEA.

If you think hate Director Fenner, review. Please. I can't believe I reached the 150 mark that quick….