Chapter 7: A Small Town Called Tranquiity

~Ship/Midnight~

(Marie POV)

My legs continue to move, running away from something, it was right behind me. I turn my head and I see the thing that was chasing me, its red optics blazing that was focused solely on me. I kept on running and running, never knowing where I might be going. But I don't know even where I am, it was all dark and a hint of light at the far end. I heard dark chuckle behind me making me to run even faster, if that is possible, to get away from that thing. I could see the light getting bigger as I was getting closer to it.

"You're mine fleshling!"

All my hope of escaping shattered like a glass when I was pulled away from the light, instead, red optics were replaced. My body was slowly being crushed while I gave out a scream of pain. My bones were breaking, blood was starting to pour down on the ground creating a pool, and my breathing was becoming tight preventing me from breathing. Then I heard someone calling my name.

"Marie! Wake up! Wake up sweetspark!"

"Daddy…" I whispered.

The creature began to evilly laugh louder then crushed me while I scream. I could hear daddy calling me again and again, telling me to wake up and open my eyes. That was when I was pulled out of this nightmare.

My eyes shot open, and dad was cradling me in his arms. He was looking at me very worriedly. When I remembered the nightmare, I instantly buried my face on his chest, smelling his scent and feeling his presence close to me. "Shh…" He shushes me softly while stroking my hair. "It's alright, it was only a nightmare…calm down…" He whispered against my hair then he kept kissing my head to calm me even more.

"D-Daddy…it was horrible…" I sobbed.

"Shhhh don't think about it…"

"I-I…"

"Don't…Shhh…."

As I continue to sob, he was still cradling me and shushing me. No one in the world would ever make me feel so secured, other than my dad. He was always there for me whenever I needed. Even though we're not blood related, he still treats me like his own. I felt his arms pulling me even closer, trying to make me feel even safer just for me to stop crying. It did work, I stopped crying and sobbing, but I was still whimpering. After about an hour maybe, he let out a relieved sigh then pulls me away a bit to wipe my tears away. His large and rough hands were wiping them off very gently; I sniffled before fresh tears started to fight their way out of my eyes. That was when my dad kissed my wet eyes and cheeks, making the tears to stay where they are. I rubbed my eyes before I was fully calmed down. I then gave slight smile, which he returned to me with a full one. "Better?"

I nodded. "Uh huh."

"Good."

"Daddy?"

"Hm?"

"Can you sleep with me?"

"Of course." He lifted me up in his arms and laid me back down on the bed. I whimpered when I was staring at the ceiling. Then I felt a protective arm wrapping around me. "Go to sleep darling…" Dad whispered to me before he gave me a kiss on the cheek.

"Night daddy…" I muttered.

"Goodnight…"

~Next Day~

The next morning I was greeted with a painful sting coming from my ankle, the only thing that I could when this happens is react very quickly at the pain. "OW! My leg hurts!" I whined. I think that made dad jolt awake, because I heard him snort then groans. His arm around me was getting a bit tight. However, I was still busy from reacting to the pain. "Daddy! My leg hurts!" I whined even louder. Dad groans again before he let's go of me and sat up, then went to my leg and gives it a kiss. I could really tell that he was still half asleep. So I did the logical thing, or whatever it is called, and smacked his face. He snorted again and this time his eyes were fully open, he let out a yawn before rubbing a hand on his face.

"Mmm…what kind of being would have slapped me on the face…?" he grumbled.

"Me."

"Forget it…now what seems to be the problem sweetie?"

"My leg hurts! Really bad!"

He looks at it and then back to me. "That is because it is severely injured from yesterday, don't you remember?"

This made me think back yesterday, I recap the following events. I was greeted by my new puppy Brownie, then dad gave me five hundred bucks, then I went to mall to go window shopping, of course I still remember that my belly button is still infected but I'm not gonna tell that to him. And then, the jet, Starscream attacked us, I ran away from him and fell down a slope, that was the part where I injured my leg. Damn my leg hurts. "I remember now, and my leg still hurts." I whined again.

Dad simply sighed before getting up and went to get something. I saw him coming back to me with a bottle of water and sandwich. "Here, eat first while I go and get a doctor." He said

"Okay, oh and dad?"

"Yes?"

"Where are we?" I ask after noticing that we're not in our usual motel, instead, the room looks a bit smaller than that. Plus, I could hear the sea very close.

"We are in a ship, going to America mainly California sweetie. Now stay here and eat your food, I will go and get a doctor." Then he took off leaving me with Brownie and my meal.

"America…I always wonder what it looked like…" I mumble while I pull out my sandwich from the paper bag and start eating it. Egg sandwich! My favorite! Oh daddy, I really love you to death! Brownie was just staring at the window, probably looking at the sea. I licked my fingers after my sandwich was devoured. I turn to the door when dad opened it, he enters the room behind him was a crew member but he was carrying a first aid kit. Dad sat beside me and rubs my back.

"Where's the injury?"

"Near her ankle, I only cleaned her wound though."

"That's good enough, that way it won't start an infection." The medic knelt down in front of my leg, I look at it and saw the sleeve was torn; my ankle was wrapped by a bandage.

"It's alright sweetie." Dad strokes my back gently, we both watch as the medic starts to unwrap the bandage. I winced when I saw the wound, much worse than my belly button. Then he starts tending to my wound, while he was working I had a vice grip on the sheets bellow me. He was applying something on it then he pulls out some things, then he started stitching it carefully, but even if he was careful it still hurts like hell. So I had to bit my lip to stop myself from crying, I saw the medic cutting the string then he started to apply a new clean bandage around my ankle.

"Don't move your ankle too much, or else it won't heal fast." He advised while putting his things back in the kit. "If something happens to it, don't hesitate to give me a call."

Dad nodded and thanked him; he closes the door before sitting back beside me. "You heard the doctor sweetie, and if you don't listen to him, I'll make sure that you won't use that leg of yours." He warned me. I only gave him an 'eep' sound, making him chuckle. Then I began to lay my head on his lap while looking out of the window.

"How long till we get there daddy?"

"According to the captain of the ship, it will take us at least 3 days." He said. "If there is no storm ahead." He added after looking at the skies. I grab the remote controller and turn on the TV.

I kept on flipping through different channels, obviously there isn't anything good, then I heard dad grumble when I changed it to national geographic. It was about world war II, which was pretty much boring to me. I was about to switch the channel but dad snatches the remote from me. "Dad!"

"My time on the TV." He muttered.

"I'm injured!"

"I paid for all of this you know." Which was true.

I muttered a "Slag it…" Unfortunately, dad heard it. He looks down at me with his eyes narrowed; it also said 'Watch your language young lady'. I'm really stupid, because I stuck my tongue at him. The next thing I knew is that my tongue was being held out. "EEEYY!"

"I warned you." He said, I tried pulling it back in my mouth, but he kept holding it out while he watches TV. After about ten minutes, he let my tongue go. "Learned your lesson?" he looks at me, a smirk on his lips. I just simply pout and laid my head back down on his lap and muttered a 'yes'. "What was that? I didn't hear you." He taunts me.

"Yes dad." I said, obviously annoyed from what he did earlier.

"Good." He said before looking back at the TV.

"Daddy?" He looks back to me. "Can you hand me my laptop?" I said, giving him big puppy eyes. I saw him rolled his eyes before he took my backpack and pulls out my laptop.

"Here you go." He hands it to me.

"Thank you daddy." I opened my laptop and pretty much entertain myself by surfing on the net. Whenever Saturday and Sunday comes, we usually spend those days like this. Relaxing and chilling out, dad watching TV while I was either playing games or using my laptop. Plus, there wasn't anything that would interfere our day. Though, I kinda miss Catherine. She was the only friend I have when I was little. Hey now that gave me an idea. Wonder if she's online right now. I opened my Skype, and I could see her icon to be offline. I frowned but then beamed up when she became onlined. I quickly opened up her chat box.

M-chan: Cathy!

Cat-Hat: Marie! It's been a while! How are you?

M-chan: Great! I wish we could see each other again like last year…

Cat-hat: Yeah…too bad my aunt is sick so I'm a no go this Christmas

M-chan: Actually…there's something I need to tell you

Cat-hat: What's that?

M-chan: Well…me and dad are moving…

Cat-hat: Oh…where?

M-chan: Abroad, I know it's great and all but I miss you…you were the first friend I ever had

Cat-hat: I miss you too, but even if we are distance away, we could still chat online right?

M-chan: Yeah!

Wow, thank God for technology. I would've been really bored out of my brains and lonely if I don't have a single friend. Me and Cathy chat for a while until it was lunch time. I said goodbye to her before I close my laptop and stretch like a cat. Dad got up then pats my head. "I'll go and get you something to eat, you stay here and rest alright?"

"Okay daddy." He gave me a kiss on my temple. He then left me with Brownie; he was sleeping beside the window, making doggy snores. I took the remote and flip to other channels until I stop it on Animax when it was showing one my favorite animes. I was getting sleepy, maybe I need more sleep. I might as well sleep for a moment, while dad is getting me lunch. I slowly close my eyes, and then within minutes I was asleep.

(Optimus POV)

As I walk in our room, I could see that Marie is sleeping. She must be tired from yesterday's event. I gently place the tray with her food on the desk beside the bed, so she could reach it easily. Then I carefully laid beside her before I pull her closer to me and laid her head on my shoulder. I grab the remote to lower the volume before changing to a different channel. I can say that this may be the only time that I can relax completely, and not think about the robot civil war. And this may have not happened if I didn't found Marie before. The least I can do is being a good parent to her. I let out a very content sigh for the first time for millions of years.

There was a knock on our door, I didn't bother moving from my position because it too comfortable. I look at the door. "It is open." I said. I see the crew member opening it then gives me a bow.

"The trip will be shorter than we expected, we will be arriving there maybe two days or tomorrow."

"I see, thank you." He gave me a bow before closing the door. I look back at Marie's food before to her, I then shook her to wake up. "Marie, wake up."

She moans as she wakes, then rubs the sleep off on her eyes. She gave out a yawn before lifting her head up, her face still looks tired.

"You're lunch is just beside you on the table, eat up before it gets cold." I softly caress her cheeks before nudging her off the bed. While I watch TV she was eating her meal, thankfully she won't be eating process food this time; eating too much process food could be bad for her health. I could only cook her eggs and bacon, plus egg sandwich, which I learned to make one last year. However, I don't have time to learn cooking if I have other problems to be concerned of. One example would be rendevouzing with the others, and there is a matter of the war. I just hope that my men are safe, especially Bumblebee. His task isn't as easy as anyone's, there are Decepticons lurking around his area. But he is my best scout, and I know that he will not be taken down easily. Hmm…perhaps I may be able to send a message to him if we get there. My communication link might not reach long distances, but I might be able to reach Bumblebee.

~Two Days Later/ Arriving at Tranquility~

(Marie POV)

I was looking at the houses that we were passing by, they all look so big and nice, and unlike the place we used to live in. Well that was just a motel. I look back to dad, he took a left turn and we passed by the motel at where we are supposed to stay. I look at the motel before looking back to dad.

"Dad we just missed the motel." I said

"I know, there is someone that we are going to meet." He said

I only tilted my head to side; curiosity was obvious on my face. I couldn't think of anyone that point, then we soon stopped what look like a junkyard. Everywhere, are a pile of junk parts and destroyed cars, just by looking at a destroyed semi truck made me winced. But I think dad is tougher than an average truck. More than meets the eye. Hey! I used dad's phrase! So we waited and waited. I got bored and started lightly kicking dad's dashboard. His holoform gave me a stern look, I stuck my tongue out again then quickly put it back in when he was about to reach for it. Oh yeah, he was glaring at me. I snickered and point my nose at the ceiling, then he tackles my sides as he began tickling me. "Ahahaha! Daddy! No!" I breathed out in between laughs. He was laughing deeply and continues his assault on my sides.

"Surrender yourself now." He said with a playful tone. I shook my head. "Suit yourself." He smirks then aims for my tummy, it was the most sensitive part of my body, so I was laughing really hard that tears started to get out of my eyes. When I was gasping for air, he stopped then pulled me to his lap. He gave me a hug from behind.

"Dad…*pant pant* that wasn't *pant pant* fair!" I panted.

"I told you to surrender but you didn't listen." He chuckled.

I gave him a 'hmph' sound and look away from him with a pout. "That was still not fair…" I mumbled. He chuckled again and kissed my cheek. We soon heard a honking of a horn from afar, I look through the windshield and saw a yellow car with black racing stripes.

"It looks like he's here." Dad said before he opens the door for me to get out. "Take Brownie and the luggage, and be careful with that leg of yours." He said.

I did so and went in the cot to grab the luggage; I slowly climb out with it while Brownie jumps out of dad, I was really careful when I'm climbing out because my ankle is still hurting. I could walk, but running isn't an option. I back away from him so he could have space to transform. He did so and was now standing to his full height. I saw the yellow car transform too, he was shorter than dad.

"Bumblebee, it is good to see you as well." Dad gave Bumblebee a pat on the shoulder.

"Bee…Reporting for duty…sir!" I saw him salute after he used the radio as his voice. Dad seemed to frown at this.

"Your vocal processor is damaged, we will need to have Ratchet fix that." Dad said. Bumblebee nodded, then he turns to me. He walks a little closer before he bent down a little while staring at me with those big baby blue optics. Seriously! His optics looks like a curious baby's looking at me. He poked my tummy and I gave him a squeak. Dad chuckled from behind him. "Bumblebee, meet my daughter, Marie." He introduced me to him. Bee made his gears whirr then nods to me. He held a finger to me, like he wanted a shake. I took his finger and shook it.

"Nice to meet ya Bee." I said

"You…too…lil' lady." I grinned at him. Meeting Bumblebee is really cool! I wonder what dad's men are like! I'm really excited to meet them! Bumblebee then stood up and turns to dad. Dad was explaining to him about what happened and how he got me. It was a long story and I got bored again, seriously, what the hell is with boredom to me these days. Then I could hea Bumblebee making some whirring and clicking sounds.

"Bumblebee, send the others the beacon." Dad said after he gives him a nod. Bumblebee then nods and looks up at the dark skies. The light on his chest beamed up as he sends the beacon. Dad was looking up too.

I then heard something from behind. I look at them before going to the source of the sounds, because I was curious. I muffled Brownie's barks so he wouldn't get dad and Bee's attention. I carry him while going further to the sounds, this time I could hear siren and someone shouting. I bent down then saw a teenager being arrested, he was yelling about his car being stolen. I went a little closer to the scene, but then I was lifted up in the air with a yelp. "A girl?" Another police officer was the one that lifted me up.

I gulped and grinned at him. "Hi…"

"Little girls like you shouldn't be here alone, you're gonna have to come with us young lady and call your parents."

Great…I am so busted…The police officer motions for me to get in the car beside the teenager. "Hey, how's it going?" I ask him.

"My car was stolen." Was his only answer to me.

"Yeah, life sucks doesn't it?" I said while we drove away from the junkyard. Oh yeah, dad was so gonna be pissed when he finds out about this.

"Tell me about it." He said.

"What's your name?" I ask him.

"Sam, you?"

"Marie, nice to meet ya."

"Same here." We didn't say anything else during the drive to the police station.

~Junkyard~

(Optimus POV)

After Bumblebee had sent the beacon, I look down to Marie, only she wasn't there but our luggage. "Marie?" I call out to her, there was no response. I was starting to get stressed when I thought about the things that could have happened to her while we weren't looking, an example would if someone must have kidnapped her. I being to search around the junkyard for Marie, I call her name a few times but she wasn't responding. Then, I receive a message from Teletraan I.

"Sir, I am with Marie, and we are being taken to the police station."

Oh Primus...I rub a hand on my face. My only guess is, something sparked her interest and as the curious little youngling as she is, she walked away from us without even telling me. As much as I don't want to do it I have to, it is according to my house rules and she knows them very well. I sent Marie's phone a message.

~Police Station~

(Marie POV)

I felt my phone vibrate so I pull it out and open the message that I got from dad. I gulped when I read the message.

'I am going to give you a spanking later young lady – Dad'

Oh yeah, he is definitely not happy.

Thank you for reading readers!