A/N: Holy crap can you believe it? I'm updating within the same month! Trippy...

Okay, as I've said this story is really, truly almost over. I already have the last chapter in the works and I'm considering writing a little epilogue or something. I know there's been talk about a sequel, but I don't know quite yet. I kinda wanna take a break for this and work on other things. If I do come up with a good idea for a sequel y'all will be the first to know. After this I'm gonna focus on Of Sparks and Hearts. I need to kick that story into gear lol.

I'd like to thank ikldmrogers for beta-ing this for me.

And I don't own Transformers. I'm getting really sick of telling y'all this b/c everytime I say it I die a little inside...

Twin Times the Fun
The Triangle

Hannah stood before Optimus, anxiously rocking on her feet with her hands clasped tightly behind her back. Optimus towered over her, even though he was speaking through his hologram; a handsome man, looking to be in his thirties. His hair was dark, his eyes the trademark bright blue and his face ruggedly attractive.

With him was the former detective turned AEAC operative Carl Johnson. But as far as Hannah knew, Agent Johnson had gone back to New Jersey. It wasn't that she was unhappy to see him. Carl was a friendly man, fatherly almost. It was disheartening that neither of them looked happy, which was what had Hannah so nervous.

"So," she said meekly to Optimus, "you wanted to see me?"

The leader of the Autobots nodded. "Please sit down, Hannah."

Hannah swallowed and stiffly sat in the chair that Optimus had gestured to. She looked at the door of the room, wondering how many times Sideswipe had paced by it since she left him in the hall. Optimus had made it very clear that he need to speak to the young woman alone and that her guardian would have to wait outside. Sides had been less then thrilled, but relented. Of course, they were on a five minute time limit before he would break down the door.

Agent Johnson took a step forward. "Ms. James—"

"Just Hannah," she corrected with a smile.

Agent Johnson returned the smile, but it didn't reach his weary eyes. "Hannah," he rephrased, "I am not here on a social visit. There is something I need to tell you."

"What?"

"It's about your mother."

Optimus silently watched Hannah's reaction: from the stiffened shoulders to the tightly clenched fists and the skip in her heart rate. Despite these reactions, Hannah rolled her eyes with a huff, as if she was annoyed more then anything. "What about her? Did she get busted for possession? Did she throw a beer bottle the neighbor kid's head again? I told her not to do that."

"No," Agent Johnson said tightly.

Hannah felt realization creep up on her. The solemn faces of Optimus and Carl weren't doing much to hide it. She felt herself nodding in understanding, though she hadn't voiced her theory yet. She felt her chest tighten and a smile come to her face, but it wasn't a happy one. Finally, she said, "She's dead, isn't she?"

"I am very sorry, Hannah. It happened last night."

Sometimes traumatic news doesn't hit someone at first. They stare blankly with a fake, forcibly plastered expression. Hannah's expression happened to be an exhausted smile that she was fighting to keep up, so a look of devastation and sadness wouldn't take over when it was clearly undeserved.

Hannah didn't know what do say. Multiple times her lips parted, words forming in her mind, but they were getting caught in the back of her throat. Her hands were red in her lap, wringing together so tightly that they shook.

Finally she laughed. It was bitter and exasperated. Rubbing her eyes, Hannah leaned forward, dropping her elbows onto her knees. "How?" she asked.

"Overdose," Agent Johnson replied. "Meth."

Hannah looked up, clearly surprised. "I didn't even know she did meth. What about her boyfriend? Where is he?"

"It seems that he had moved out a while ago. There wasn't anything to indicate there was a man living there."

Hannah started to nod again, acceptingly. "Alright." That was all she said.

Optimus felt a swell of sympathy for the girl. "Hannah, I can't imagine how you must be feeling right now, but—"

"Relieved," Hannah interrupted. She looked up at Optimus and shrugged her shoulders. "I'm feeling relieved. I don't have to worry about her anymore. No more paychecks funding her bad habits while I'm living hand to mouth everyday. I don't have to take care of her. I don't have to listen to her. She's gone, I'm free, so the only thing I'm feeling is relieved."

Optimus studied the young woman from her shaking hands to her trembling shoulders to the tears that were welling unwanted in her brown eyes. He sighed regrettably. "No. No you're not."

"Dr. Warner is outside, Hannah," Agent Johnson said. "Maybe you should go talk to her."

Hannah scoffed rudely at the name of her prescribed therapist. How many times had Hannah discussed her mother to that woman? Now that she was dead and out of her life, Hannah didn't see a need for the good doctor anymore; the bane of her existence wasn't alive to motivate their discussions.

She stood up. "I think I've had enough with shrinks, thank you very much."

That being said, she briskly turned and walked out the door, ignoring Agent Johnson, Optimus and even Sideswipe as she passed him in the hall. She didn't bother to acknowledge her psychiatrist even though Dr. Warner acknowledged her.

Hannah was on a mission to get to her room, lock the door, and have a fit. She wanted to break something. She was feeling angry more than anything. It wasn't anger directed towards her mother's death, but more to the fact that she felt like the woman had gotten off easy. She made Hannah's life a living hell, something no child should ever have to go through. She had two parents who obviously hated her; the repercussions of her upbringing would affect her for the rest of her life, and the woman gets off, virtually, scot-free with an OD?

Hannah couldn't remember ever feeling so aggressive before. Something akin to hate was swelling, growing into an untamable beast that made her chest tighten and ache as it fought for release. Hannah was tempted to start running, but she didn't want to draw anymore attention to herself, even though Sideswipe's worried yelling had already done the job.

She could already see Bumblebee and Sam watching the scene, curiously, along with other humans on the base that were directly associated with the Autobots. Ratchet and Ironhide stood off to the side in their true forms. Hannah dared to look at the medic for merely a half a second, and through his bright blue optics she could see how concerned he was for her.

Hannah walked faster. She didn't want any pity.

Then someone grabbed her arm. Hannah turned with fists swinging like an animal caught in a trap. The last thing she wanted was to be touched. She fought valiantly against whoever was holding her, but it was useless. Whoever it was seemed completely unaffected. She couldn't see them, her eyes were blurry. Her face was oddly hot and wet. She felt light headed, but she could hear screaming. It took her a minute to realize that she was the one screaming and also crying.

When she blinked and tears flooded down her face, she also managed to see that the one she was trying to pummel was Sunstreaker. Intensely bright blue eyes were wide in shock, one of the most vulnerable expressions Hannah had ever seen him wear, and it made her mind falter for a minute. She heard Sideswipe call her name and automatically reached for him. Sunstreaker released her like she had burned him.

In Sideswipe's chest she repeatedly rambled, "She's dead, she's dead, she's dead."

Sides sighed and hugged her. "I know. I'm so sorry."

"She's dead and I'm crying."

"It's okay," he assured. "You can cry. It's okay."

"But…But I don't want to cry," Hannah explained. Her voice was light, like a child who didn't understand. "I want to be happy. Why can't I be happy? She can't hurt me anymore."

She felt Sides' hand run through her hair. "I'm sorry, Hannah."

"I want to hate her," she rambled. "But I can't. I want to hate her so much, but she's my mom. I can't hate my mom." The anger that Hannah had tried to use as a shield melted away into pure sadness. Her sobs were broken and breathy. "I still love my mom! I don't want her to be dead!"

Sideswipe inhaled on a shaky breath, like he was going to cry himself, but really he was probably feeling the side effects of the bond they shared. Hannah could sense that Sunstreaker was behind her, feeling as helpless as his brother.

"I-I don't know what to do," Hannah admitted more clearly. "I don't know how to plan a funeral. I can't even afford one!" She yanked away from her guardian's comfort and pulled at her hair. "I need to go home. I have to go back to Jersey."

Sides looked desperate as he reached for her. "Hannah—"

Hannah promptly stepped back and went silent, her face a blank slate, and her mind jumbling through emotions. "I want to be alone for a while."

Sides opened his mouth to protest, but Sunny's hand on his shoulder stayed him. Angrily, Sideswipe turned on him, but Sunny wasn't looking at him. He was watching Hannah with a calculative expression and Sides backed down.

Hannah took a few steps back. "I'll be in my room. I'll see you later."

She turned and fled the hanger, leaving the twins standing together, both looking eager to follow her.

Optimus, who had followed Hannah out of the office, sighed heavily and stepped up beside his two warriors. "Sunstreaker, Sideswipe, if Hannah plans to return to New Jersey I will want both of you to accompany her."

"You don't have to tell me that," Sides said softy.

Sunstreaker nodded.

"Ratchet," Optimus called. "I want you to monitor Hannah's room."

Sunstreaker turned towards his leader. "She wants to be left alone."

The Autobot Commander and Sideswipe stared at the yellow twin in shock, but Optimus quickly shook it off. "Hannah is not in the right state of mind."

"What?" Sunny bit out. "You'll think she'll hurt herself?"

Sideswipe shook his head confidently. "She wouldn't do that."

"Still," Ratchet voiced softly, "it would be better to be safe than sorry."

Sideswipe's hands tightened into threatening fists as he looked back and forth between Optimus, Ratchet and his brother, his eyes remaining on Sunstreaker the longest. To anyone else, Sunny would have looked stoic and unaffected, but Sides was very much intone to what his twin was feeling.

Worry.

Anger.

….Longing?

Sideswipes glared darkly at his brother. Everyone knew that along with Sideswipe's bond to Hannah, he had a preexisting bond to his twin. Emotions tended to be shared or reflected on the other, but Sides knew without a doubt whose feelings were whose. His bond with Hannah sorted that all out for him. As to what emotions he was picking up from Sunny right now? Sideswipe knew damn well that they were not his being reflected on the other.

Sideswipe took a step back from his brother, who addressed him in surprise. The past three months seemed to be making more sense now. Sunstreaker continuously avoided Hannah. Sides had assumed it was because Sunny was still bitter or unaccustomed to her and respected his twin enough to not impose on her. But now, Sides understood a completely new reason.

"So," he said, "that's why you've been staying away from her."

Sunstreaker was confused for a moment, merely a moment, before a horrified realization came to his face. Sunny had always been guarded and twice now he had let the feeling show unadulterated on his face. "Sides—"

"Don't." Sideswipe was on the verge of seeing red, his voice seething and angry, warning his brother to back off or heads were going to roll. "Just…don't."

The silently tense moment between the twins went unnoticed to the others. It was like they were suspended in void in which only they existed in. Sideswipe was fighting to keep his fists at his side and away from Sunny's face. Sunny was nearly ready to fall to his knees and beg his brother to forgive him, and for a mech with a lot of pride, that was saying a lot.

Sideswipe didn't seem to feel it, probably because he was so enraged, but Sunny felt a depression in his chest, his spark flickering as he felt it strain and pull. It didn't take him long to figure it out that somehow, someway Sideswipe was trying to break away. Sideswipe was immune to it, but it was hurting Sunny in more ways than one.

Sunstreaker had only seen Sideswipe overly aggressive in a few instances, most involving battles against the Decepticons in which a comrade was either seriously injured or killed. Sideswipe was fiercely loyal, probably more so then his brother, and seeing those he cared about hurt was something he couldn't stand for. Sunny felt that way only about his brother and now Hannah and Sideswipe knew that.

Sunny couldn't remember seeing such hate in his brother's expression until this moment, even on the battle field. Ratchet mentioned that it was possible for Sideswipe to feel overly protective as well as aggressive when it came to Hannah since she was a female. True she was a different species, but Sideswipe's bond with Hannah was much more different that Bumblebee's bond with Sam. Though there were many reasons for that, for one, females of the human species, on average, tended to be physically weaker then males.

But personally, Sunny didn't believe it had anything to do with gender or species. That was just a theory. As the only two to have a bond with humans, Bumblebee and Sideswipe were the guinea pigs. What none of the other Autobots knew was that while Bumblebee clearly cared for Sam, loved him enough to sacrifice himself for him like any guardian would, Sideswipe was in love with Hannah to the point that he would bond with her entirely if her could. Hannah didn't have a spark so that was entirely impossible.

To Sideswipe, now, Sunstreaker was nothing but a traitor. Though Sunstreaker would have never made a move on Hannah given their history and the fact that she belonged to his brother, Sunny wasn't even sure what feelings he had. For all he knew, Sideswipe was rubbing off on him more than he realized.

But that way Sides was looking at him now made him feel like there was a little more to it than that.

The other Autobots didn't know why Sideswipe suddenly allowed his hologram to fade away. Sunny was left standing alone, looking alarmed, guilty, and pained. The pull at his spark had left him, but there was still that throbbing as a clear reminder of what Sideswipe had subconsciously tried to do. Sunny took a step back, but his legs gave out from under him and he stumbled.

Optimus quickly grabbed him by the shoulders. "Sunstreaker?" he asked. "What's wrong? What happened?"

"Nothing," Sunny lied. "Nothing's happened. Go check on Hannah. Make sure she's okay."
Optimus looked at Ratchet, who nodded and went in the direction Hannah had run off in. Optimus kept a strong hold on Sunstreaker who stared at the floor like it was the most interesting thing in the universe. Optimus didn't pretend to understand what had happened, if anything had happened at all.

"I understand that you feel what your brother feels through the bond you share," Prime said. "Is that happening right now? Concerning Hannah?"

The smile that came to Sunny's lips made Optimus lean back in surprise. It was positively devastated. "Yeah. That's exactly it."

"Perhaps you should rest," Optimus suggested. "We'll talk about this later."

Sunny didn't argue, which was startling in itself. He dismissed his hologram and his true body came to life on the opposite side of the room. Sunny transformed and left the hanger quickly and quietly.

Sam stepped forward. "Okay. What the hell just happened?"

Optimus rubbed his human looking eyes tiredly. "Hannah's mother overdosed last night on methamphetamines. She's dead."

Sarah gasped. "Oh, God."

"So Hannah's going back to New Jersey for the funeral?" Mikaela asked.

"More than likely," Optimus said. "I'm afraid this couldn't have come at a worse time. Hannah's condition is still very delicate."

"We'll go with her," Mikaela stated.

Optimus looked unsure. "Mikaela—"

"No," said the raven haired girl. "Hannah's my friend and what kind of friend would I be if I didn't go to her mother's funeral. Bee?" she asked, looking up at the scout. "Will you take me?"

"I will go wherever you will go…"

Sam nodded in agreement. "Yeah, me too. My parents would understand."

Will looked over at Sarah who held their infant daughter, Annabelle, securely to her chest. "Well, we're in. Ironhide?"

"There's no way I am letting you drive across the country in that 'family car' of yours." His arms crossed over his bulky chest, his gaze to the floor and a sympathetic look on his face. "I'm sure she could use the support."

Optimus' hologram smiled proudly ever so slightly. "Then it's settled. We will all go to New Jersey."

Sunstreaker found himself doing the opposite of what Optimus had suggested. Sunny was going after his brother. It probably wasn't the brightest idea he ever had, but Sunny felt the need to clear the air. He didn't want Sideswipe jumping to the wrong conclusions…

"Who am I kidding?" Sunny muttered to himself. "What wrong conclusion?"

Sunny could only blame himself for letting this happen. With the bond with his twin it was no surprise that Sideswipe's feelings for Hannah would rub off on him, that was a given. Ever since this whole guardianship thing started, Sunny had been resisting those feelings. They weren't his and he didn't want them. But it would seem that accepting Sideswipe and Hannah was all it took for the defenses he had installed to crumple like a tower of dominos. Now, Sunstreaker wasn't sure what feelings were his, which were Sideswipe's and which ones they shared.

Did he love Hannah? It sure felt like he did. But Sides loved her, too. Was this feeling for her Sunstreaker's or Sideswipe's?

So why did he wish that these feelings were his own? Why did he feel the need to protect Hannah from everything and everyone, including Sideswipe? It was wrong and he knew it. Sideswipe was Hannah's guardian, not him. Not to long ago, Sunny had wanted to kill her! So just within three months he does a complete one-eighty?

Sunstreaker was torn. It didn't matter if Sunny genuinely cared about Hannah or not. She wasn't his to protect. Getting between a guardian and a ward was a death wish. He didn't want to make Sides chose between him and Hannah. Maybe because he already knew who Sideswipe would chose in the end.

"Dammit!" he cursed.

How could this have happened? Why hadn't he kept his guard up? Not only could he lose his brother this way, but Hannah…

Not his responsibility! Hannah was not his to worry about!

But he couldn't help it.

Sunny didn't realize he had gotten to Sideswipe's quarters until he was standing out the massive door. It would be polite to knock, but Sides wouldn't answer. Not now and especially not for him. Any look of anguish was wiped from Sunny's face. He had to make this believable. He had to keep up his pretenses and make Sides think that this was just a huge misunderstanding.

He shoved the door open. He never got a chance to step inside, however. He never got a chance to explain himself, because Sides rushed him from within the confines to his room, throwing his body into Sunny's and into the adjacent wall. Sunny, too shocked to react, was mercilessly pounded until Sideswipe threw him away, sending him rolling down the hall.

Sunny looked up at his brother from the floor. Sideswipe was leering at him, seething with rage that made the easy going twin look demonic.

Sunstreaker's surprise was replaced with anger to match his brother's. This was Hannah's guardian. This was the one that got to keep her. This was the one that protected her. When all Sunny wanted to do was leave her behind, Sideswipe fought to keep her around. Now Sunny wanted what Sideswipe had, whether or not they were his wants or Sideswipe's. But Sunny wouldn't get that.

Hannah would never care for him the way she cared about Sideswipe and he had no one to blame but himself and what he did to her.

Still, that thought didn't stop the yellow mech from swiftly rising from the ground to tackle his brother and beat his faceplates in, yelling as he did so. Sideswipe was momentarily stunned, not really expecting a fight, but quickly retaliated, knocking Sunstreaker off him and kicking him away so he could get back on his feet.

They faced off, trying to stare each other down, but aggression would lead to another charge and Sunstreaker caught his brother around the neck forcing him to bend over as he kneed him in the gut. Angrily, Sides used his foot to push off the wall and throw Sunny into the other one, forcing him to release his hold and giving Sides the opportunity to slug him in the face and send him teetering.

Sparks continued to fly and metal whined and scratched as the two continued their never-ending brawl. They didn't hear the shouting that was coming their way or if they did, they ignored it. Sides was about to deliver a kick to Sunny's side when two sets of arms wrapped around him and dragged him back. Wheeljack and Ratchet bolted past him to seize Sunstreaker as he got to his feet to rush him.

Sunstreaker and Sideswipe struggled against their captors as they were dragged away from each other, their bright blue eyes flashing dangerously with rage and hate.

"That's enough!" Optimus bellowed.

But the command fell on deaf ears. Sideswipe tried to twist away from Ironhide and Bumblebee, but the weapon's specialist and the young scout held fast, the elder growling at the red mech's defiance.

"I SAID ENOUGH!"

They both stilled. Optimus looked torn between anger and regret. It didn't take a genius to figure out that Optimus had used the influence of the protocol on their processor to tame them, leaving them virtually helpless and restrained against their will. But Optimus swallowed any sympathy he had for them and held his head up high.

"Ironhide, Bumblebee; take Sideswipe to the other side of the base. Keep him there."

Both nodded. "Yes, sir."

Sideswipe didn't fight as they dragged him away, even if he wanted to. Sunny twitched, clearly fighting the influence he was under. Even as Sides disappeared around the corner, Sunny didn't ease up.

"Wheeljack, go with Ironhide and Bumblebee. Help them keep him there."

Wheeljack nodded, but hesitantly released Sunstreaker. Optimus took the scientist's place and Wheeljack left.

"We'll keep Sunstreaker on the opposite side. I will not allow them anywhere near each other until they have both calmed down," Optimus said.

"Yes, sir," Ratchet agreed. The medic was already doing preliminary scans of the damage Sunny had sustained.

Optimus looked down at Sunstreaker in obvious disappointment. "Let's go."

A/N: Okay, flammingmarsh totally called it in her revew lol! Hannah's mom bit the dust. Raise your hand if you're sadden by this. *crickets* Yeah, didn't think so. Yeah we can all feel bad for Hannah, but I created her mother's character and I wasn't bothered in the slightest when I wacked her. Don't you love the classically corny love triangle? I know I do! Mwuahahaha! Evil... Thanks for reading!

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