A/N: So close to being done. Seriously. I can't believe it. There's one chapter left after this one and then an epilogue thingy. Dang.

ANYWAYS! Please enjoy this chapter. I had fun writing it.

Thank you ikldmrogers!

I don't own Transformers.

Twin Times the Fun
Bury Your Dead

It was a bright, sun-shining day, unbefitting for a funeral. The forecast had said to expect some rain, though that didn't seem possible, given the there wasn't a cloud in the sky. Birds chirped in the trees and there a nice, cooling breeze blew through the cemetery, which seemed strangely empty minus Hannah, Ken, and the priest, not mentioning the person who lay in the casket.

Hannah stood in a black dress. It came down to her shins when it should have just made it to her knees. Ken was dressed in a black suit, standing by her side as sturdy as a rock. Hannah was eternally grateful.

Since she had returned to New Jersey, everything had seemed like a blur. She woke up not remembering what she did the day before. She was just going through the motions, trying to make the arrangements as quickly as possible, trying to get everything that needed to be done, done.

Unfortunately for her state of mind, Ken had a thousand questions for her, mostly centered on why she hadn't come back sooner. Hannah knew that he was hurt by her not returning when she had said she would, but she finally had the opportunity to make a life for herself and she tried to take it, even if it was with aliens.

Ken wanted to know about Frank and Joe, better known as Sunny and Sides, the ones that had 'kidnapped' her. Hannah didn't tell him much, not because she couldn't, but because she wouldn't. She just said that it didn't work out, which wasn't a complete lie. When Ken asked if she was staying, however, Hannah couldn't say yes.

I didn't mean she was on the next flight back to Nevada when this was over to beg them for forgiveness. But maybe she wanted to go someplace else, like down south. She really didn't have the money for that, but she felt like staying in Jersey was going to be the kiss of death. There were just too many bad memories and not enough good ones. She just had to find a soothing way to let Ken down so he didn't fly off the deep end when she told him.

Hannah hadn't even realized the ceremony was over until the priest approached her with a kind smile and his sympathies. She had drifted off more then she had thought. She shook his hand gratefully and he left her to say her goodbyes in solitude.

Ken took the hint as well. Hugging her firmly, he said, "I'll be by the car."

Hannah nodded. "I'll just be a minute."

"Take all the time you need."

Ken squeezed her again before walking away, up the hill and towards his truck. Hannah waited until he was out of earshot before she resolved to face the casket.

What to say, what to say? She didn't want to disrespect her mother on the day of her funeral, but it wasn't like she anything nice to say either.

Hannah suddenly lost control of her brain-to-mouth coordination and started speaking before she really felt like she had thought of something to say. "Well this is it," she found herself stating. "Hate to say I told you so, but…you know." She laughed a little at her joke. "I don't know what I can really say to you now, probably because I don't have anything left to say except…" she sighed, "I loved you, Mom. I really did, despite everything and how much I wish I hadn't. That's all I'm going to say. Goodbye."

It felt good. It was a small piece that got the point across and wasn't disrespectful. Hannah took a deep breath and fought back angry tears. She couldn't cry. She had cried enough for this woman. She just had to let it go. She just had to step away and that would be the end of it. She didn't know what kind of life she would lead from this moment on, but it would be one without the hate and scorn of a mother who wanted nothing from her but obedience and money.

But she wasn't moving. Damn it, she felt rooted to the spot. Maybe she needed someone to take her hand and pull her away, because she was seriously starting to doubt her ability to do it on her own.

As is someone was listening to her thoughts, a smooth hand slipped into her. She moved to give Ken his much deserved thankful smile, but it wasn't Ken holding her hand.

Sideswipe's hologram smiled down at her. "Hi."

Hannah's eyes widened. Her mind suddenly had a hard time comprehending what was actually happening. Perhaps she had finally lost her mind. Maybe she was seeing things. She distinctively remembered telling Sideswipe not to follow her, yet here he was. She knew he was stubborn but she figured that she had said just enough to get him to think she didn't want anything to do with him. It was probably because it wasn't true that he was here. More then likely, he hadn't believed her.

But Hannah wasn't giving up quite yet. If she could put on an act convincingly enough, maybe it would be enough to get him to leave. He'd be hurt, but she was doing what she thought was best for him. She was human. She would grow old and die and that was if she was lucky enough to avoid any kind of disease or an accident. This would also be helping Sunstreaker, who never wanted her around in the first place.

With as many issues as Hannah had, she knew how to recognize when someone had their own problems. Sunny was one of those. Sides was his only support system and she wasn't taking that away from him because she was selfish. They fought over her, her nightmare realized. She didn't know what the fight was exactly about, but it involved her and that was all she needed. She was not going to split them up.

Hannah didn't try pulling her hand away because one, she couldn't and two, she found herself having a hard time letting go despite her resolve to do so.

She focused intently on the casket. "What are you doing here?"

"I'm here for you. I'm taking you home."

"I am home." The words tasted sour in her mouth.

"Don't lie. You hate it here."

"Maybe I hated Nevada too."

Sideswipe's bright blue eyes darkened irritably. "You're still lying."

She rolled her eyes. "What? Suddenly you're an expert on me?"

"Yeah, pretty much. I think I know you the best."

She sighed. "You would say something like that."

"Hannah—"

"You shouldn't have come here. I'm not going back. I don't belong there."

"You belong with me."

This time she did try to pull her hand away, but just as she expected, she failed. "I already told you. I don't belong to anyone. I'm not your possession!"

"I know that. I didn't mean how it sounded."

"I don't know how much clearer it can get then that."

"I was angry then."

"I know. I was there."

"I'm sorry. I never wanted to control you. I'm sorry I made it sound like I did."

Don't believe him. Stay angry! "Right."

But Hannah knew he wasn't lying. She knew that Sides had been angry. He never wanted to control her. He had only wanted to make her safe and happy. What happened a few days ago was the result of Sideswipe's bond with her. Sure, he could be a little overbearing at times, but he was just protective. While it could be just a little annoying at times, like the interruptions with Riley, it was endearing to see how much he cared for her. It warmed her from the inside out.

"Hannah," he said softly, "please come home with me."

Her chest tightened and her eyes burned. She didn't want Sides begging her. She opened her mouth to say yes, it was on the tip of her tongue, but she stopped herself. She had to think of Sunny. She wasn't going to take his brother away.

When she didn't answer, Sides looked back at someone and nodded. She didn't want to turn to see who it was, probably because she was afraid to see who it was. She felt another warm hand slip into her other and squeeze gently and tentatively.

Out of the corner of her eye, it was the blond hair that made her pause. Looking up, she was flabbergasted to see that Sunny was standing there, holding her hand, and staring down at the casket before them with hard eyes. Any words Hannah could've said at that moment died in her throat.

Sunny looked down at her mildly annoyed, nothing new, but he also looked pleadingly like his brother. Hannah felt double-teamed. She shook her head in a mixture of disbelief and denial. She managed to look over her shoulder and saw a line of familiar trucks and cars lined up on the hill overlooking the sight. She thought about questioning how a semi managed to get itself through the gate, but refrained.

Ken looked utterly confused, but seeing that he more than likely recognized the two Lamborghinis he merely watched from afar. Hannah also noticed how Mikaela, Sam, Will, and Sarah stood with him and the holograms of all the Autobots. Mikaela offered a small wave and a smile.

Hannah felt tears well in her eyes for the first time that day. Facing the casket again, her feelings of being outnumbered grew and she found herself more and more willing to give into her true desires as well as what the twins were clearly asking of her.

But there was still one issue that needed to be addressed. "Why?"

Both of the twins knew what she was talking about and looked at each other. Their fight, after all, was the driving force behind her leaving. Looking at each other, the brothers seemed to question the other. Who was going to answer that question? Sides opened his mouth to speak, but Sunny beat him too it.

"It was over you."

Hannah flinched, ducking her head. "I already knew that."

"The side effects of Sideswipe's devotion to you rubbed off more on me then we originally thought."

Sides frowned. "And?"

Sunny stared pointedly, his eyes saying all that needed to be said. "Shut up."

Sides suddenly understood why his brother was stopping there. If Hannah knew that Sunny may have his own feelings for her, independent from his brother's, then Hannah may feel inclined to try and make them both happy. As long as Hannah didn't know, she wouldn't feel like she had to be shared between them. Neither wanted her in that position.

In Sunny's eyes, Sideswipe knowing was all he needed. Hannah would be much happier living in ignorant bliss and Sunstreaker would have to go back to watching from afar, keeping up a demeanor of disinterest. The Autobots didn't fully understand either, though Ratchet had his own suspicions he trusted Sides not to blab. For Hannah's sake he wouldn't say a damn thing.

Hannah looked up at the blond twin. "And what?"

"There's nothing else," Sunny said to her. "The side effects of the bond were strong then we anticipated."

Sunny was torn between relief and disappointment when Hannah bought it. "Are you okay now?" she asked.

He offered a tentative smile. "I'm fine."

Hannah looked at Sideswipe. "No more fighting?"

The red twin laughed. "Can't promise you that," he admitted. "But I can promise not to try and kill him again."

Hannah frowned worriedly. "That's not funny."

Sunny, however, grinned at his brother. "Like you could. You caught me off guard. I'd kick your aft any day of the week in a fair fight."

Sideswipe scoffed. "I'd like to see you try."

"Okay!" Hannah said with a laugh. "I get it."

The twins focused back to the young woman. "So?" Sides asked.

"Will you come back?" Sunny finished.

Hannah wanted to. She wanted to go with them more then anything, but there was something holding her back from saying yes. She felt like there was something being left out of the story. Sighing she closed her eyes, trying to get her mind to slow down, to think it all through clearly.

"It…It's not that simple, you guys. I-I can't just up and leave."

"You did the first time," Sunny reminded.

"That was when I had nothing to leave behind."

"And what do you have holding you back now?" Sideswipe asked. "If you ask me, it's even less then last time."

That was…true. Her now deceased mother had been the only thing that could've kept her in Jersey. But as she looked up the hill at Ken, who was looking more and more anxious by the second, she knew that he was an important factor. She knew what he was thinking. He didn't want her to leave again. They were best friends. They had done everything together. Could she really ditch him again?

"What about Ken?"

Sideswipe flinched and Sunstreaker seethed jealously.

"Would he be mad at you for leaving again?" Sides asked.

Hannah bit her lip. He would be hurt, that was for sure, probably even more then the first time. True, she wasn't planning on staying in Jersey for much longer, but she told him she wasn't going back to Nevada. It wasn't like she was going to not keep in touch with him and he wouldn't be entirely alone, not with his business and all. Jersey was where his computer shop was established and he couldn't afford to relocate on the other side of the country and suddenly drop all of his employees.

"He didn't like it the first time," she mumbled to herself.

Given that both twins and Hannah were looking at him, it wasn't hard for Ken to realize who they were talking about. Awkwardly, he shifted his weight back and forth on his feet. He was standing with a bunch of people he didn't know, driving the oddest batch of vehicles he had ever seen sitting in a cemetery; two Lamborghinis, a GMC Topkick, a Chevy Camaro, a Hummer H2, a blue Jeep Gladiator, and a semi truck.

The crowd of people that were lined on the hill focused on the three at the grave. If they noticed him, they didn't bother acknowledging it and given that most of the men standing there were big and tough looking, especially the one standing by the black truck, he was grateful for being small and insignificant. They all looked like military guys, Marines or something.

It didn't take a genius to figure out what the twins were talking to Hannah about. He knew that they were Sunny and Sides. As he studied them, he really didn't think the names Frank and Joe suited them. It was probably why they went by their nicknames.

"Hi."

Ken turned toward the young raven haired girl with the bright blue eyes. Looking left and right anxiously, Ken tried to smile. "Uh, hi."

"You must be Ken," she said. She held out her hand graciously. "I'm Mikaela. I'm a friend of Hannah's."

Ken shook her hand, wondering when Hannah started hanging out with high school students. "Nice to meet you."

The initial meeting drew the attention of the rest of the group, the army guys looking slightly curious. Ken wanted the ground to swallow him up. Cautiously, he waved. Some waved back, some nodded, but all quickly turned their bright eyes back onto the scene below. What was with the glowing blue contacts? Ken released a relieved breath.

Mikaela smiled sympathetically. "Don't take it personal. They have to work on their social skills."

Ken nodded understandingly and looked back down at Hannah. The girl was still looking at him, torn and it wasn't hard to figure out why. He didn't doubt that Sunny and Sides were trying to convince her to return to Nevada with them. She had told him that things hadn't worked out, but that was according to her. He wondered what their side of the story was.

Hannah wanted to go, he knew that. She had Jersey. Her life had been miserable here. She never sounded happier then over the phone while she was with them. Ken may have wanted to be selfish and convinced his best friend to not leave, but not only did he think Sunny and Sides would have a few choice words for him if he tried, he couldn't do that to Hannah.

Ken didn't want to interrupt whatever moment was being shared between the three at the bottom of the kill, so he smiled as widely as he could, hoping Hannah would be able to see it and nodded, knowing that Hannah didn't necessarily need his permission, but merely wanted his blessing.

Hannah's face lit up like a Christmas tree. She faced the twin with the shaved head and nodded. The man whooped excitedly and picked her up into a massive bear hug, spinning her around. The blond haired twin politely stepped back with a very satisfied smile on his face, standing on the fringes and keeping his distance for a reason Ken didn't understand.

It was behavior not typically appropriate at a funeral, but Ken couldn't help but smile at seeing Hannah so happy. He watched as she was set down and as she quickly rounded on the blond twin, wrapping her arms tightly around his waist before he could stop her. Immediately the blonde's eyes went to his brother, whose smile became tight, but nodded despite any dislike that might have been felt with Hannah hugging him. The blond gently wrapped his arms around Hannah, though with not as much enthusiasm as the other, but nevertheless, please.

The scary, tough looking dude standing by the black truck titled his head to the side. "Who's that?"

The crowd on the hill turned their gazes towards the man in a beige trench coat, heading down the hill, towards the grave of Janet James. Ken studied him. It was an older man in his early forties. The fact that he was coming from a nice looking Beemer was an indication that he was pretty wealthy, but Ken couldn't help but feel like he knew him from somewhere.

It was when Ken did realize who it was that he felt icy fear seize his chest. "Oh, God, no…"

When Sunny frowned over Hannah's shoulder, Sides turned to see what had caught his brother's eye. He frowned curiously at the man that was heading towards the grave; though the man didn't seem to care that they were there. Seeing the apprehensive frown on Sunny's face, Hannah turned as well and her smile fell into worried curiosity.

Hannah didn't really think anyone would come to her mother's funeral besides her and Ken. To see such a nicely dressed man coming down the hill to stand on the other side of the coffin and stare at it as if he recognized it was surprising. The man didn't look sympathetic or saddened by the death of her mother. In fact, he looked amused. He was grinning like her death was funny to him. Despite her past aggressions with her mother, Hannah felt like she had to defend her and the dead deserved respect.

Stepping forward, she addressed the man with a hard stare. "Can I help you?"

He finally looked at her and Hannah was greeted by the same dark eyes that flooded her nightmares once upon a time. A childlike compulsion to run and hide made her heart pump and her chest heave like she was already running and the cold sweat already started to slide down the back of her neck.

Upon seeing his ward's body stiffen in absolute terror, not at all unlike a dead body in full rigor, Sideswipe purposely stepped in front of her while Sunny took up the rear. Looking at her out of the corner of his eye, he tried to get the attention of her wide brown eyes, like a doe caught in headlights that stood out from her ever paling skin.

"Hannah?" he pressed gently.

The man's eyes momentarily flashed in recognition and in surprise.

Both Sunny and Sides watched as Hannah took a fearful step back, trying to shrink behind her guardian, but still remaining where she would be able to see the man clearly, if not to keep an eye on him. Her whole body was starting to shake, the classic beaten dog behavior she slipped into was she was scared reared its ugly head. She swallowed audibly as she stared up at the monster of her childhood.

"Dad."

A/N: Ooooooh! Booyah! I feel so evil right now. And I like it. Thanks for reading!

Please Review!