Boy that was a very long trip. Combined with bad writer's block and a bit of emotional depression I suffered from the loss of Allie, my first bearded dragon, maybe I can get some fanfiction written. I hope I can keep up the writing since it's been so long. Let's start with Barricade, Dani, and Pierce for one.

Chapter 18

Dani slowly came around and saw Prowl sitting in a chair, optics closed, and a datapad lying on the floor. Maybe he was asleep. Dani looked around, seeing that she was in the Med-Bay, and was in a small human section. Looking down at her arm, Dani eyed an IV and a line going into under some blankets. Dani saw that the IV line was in her arm, supplying her some nourishing fluids. Dani didn't move for a long time and watched Prowl sleep. Stretching out, Dani felt she had to go relieve herself. Keeping an eye on Prowl, she moved around silently and pushed the IV machine into the bathroom with her.

A few minutes later, after managing things on her own, Dani walked back to her bed and lay down. She cuddled under her blankets and waited for someone to enter. No one did yet. It must be late at night. Dani drifted back to sleep, content with someone watching over her.

-0-

Prowls' internal alarm went off when Dani's presence showed up. He knew she was awake and had left the room. Minutes later, she returned. Prowl kept his optics closed, but was aware of everything that she was doing. He smiled when she went back to sleep. She was trusting him and that was a big success. Prowl returned to his recharge, happy that Dani wasn't showing any signs of distress or distrust. Optimus would be glad of her progress.

-0-

Optimus Prime pinched the bridge of his nose when a report that Barricade had started a fight in the Rec Room. He wasn't supposed be outside of his quarters. Optimus summoned Barricade into his office and Red Alert escorted him, both arms bound in Energon Cuffs. Optimus narrowed his optics at Barricade.

"Explain yourself, Barricade."

Barricade looked into Optimus' deep blue optics and saw they were narrowed. This wasn't a good sign when the Autobot Leader looked at you with narrowed optics. He rarely ever was short with anyone. He was always the kind Prime you'd look up to when you were young. Barricade could tell that ever since Elita's death, he had changed. "I'm sorry, sir. I'm really trying. It's difficult when those stupid twins have to make things difficult." That being Skids and Mudflap. "They've been wanting to take on a Decepticon for a while. I told them that I was a neutral and had other plans, but they didn't believe me. They insisted on beating me up and I gave them a reason not to ever mess with me."

Optimus nodded. "The twins are young and they will mature. But you beat them up and they said you were at fault. Is that true?"

"No sir. I was sitting there, sipping some regular grade Energon and watching TV with Pierce. I was just trying to protect my human charge." Barricade looked down then.

"Pierce is safe at our offices." Red Alert said. "Should I escort him to the Brig?"

Optimus looked at Red Alert and then to Barricade. "No. Escort him to his quarters. Barricade, as for a punishment, you are to sweep and mop the hangar bay. I will assign Skids and Mudflap double patrol duties."

"Yes sir." Lets Barricade go and escorts him out of Optimus' office. Optimus sighed. "Young Mechs." He stands up and goes to his quarters and finishes up his reports. It was after 2 AM and he needed to recharge himself. He goes to his berth and lays down. Shutting off his optics, he drifts to recharge.

-0-

Please review and thank you for reading.