A/N: I can't even begin to tell you how much fun I had writing this chapter. By far, this was my favorite for sure. What goes around comes around...

Thank you ikldmrogers, who edited this for me.

I don't own Transformers or the song No Reins by Rascal Flatts. I love country!

Twin Times the Fun
No Reins

There were many things that Sideswipe wanted to do the instant Hannah let that little parental endearment slip, most involving physically harming the human male before him in a sickening variety of ways.

Bryce James officially divorced his wife soon after he left. Meeting the right people and getting the right connections allowed him to open his own car dealership, where he sold luxury vehicles like Mercedes Benz and BMWs. His ex-wife and their meek, little daughter were a distant memory, always in the back on his mind, where the not so fond memories lay dormant.

Bryce still lived in New Jersey. He didn't know what compelled him to read the obituaries that one morning, but upon seeing that Janet James was now decreased he had been overcome with sick laughter, and a deranged desire to visit her grave; if not to dance over her soon to be decomposing body. Bitter and angry, Bryce relished in her death. It was one less thing to be on his mind. He still needed to gloat one more time. But he hadn't expected his daughter to be there. In all honestly, he thought that she was dead. She had always been pathetic, weak, always crying, wide-eyed little Hannah with her bushy eyebrows and large rimmed glasses and awkward body.

He would admit that he didn't recognize her at first. She wasn't wearing glasses and her eyebrows were well maintained and thin above her wide brown eyes, not to mention that her frizzy hair was smooth and gently curled. But her eyes are what gave her away. No matter how many years passed with them not seeing each other, Hannah was still terrified of him. He got some sick pleasure out of it and when he smiled at her, he got his desired reaction. Hannah ducked further behind the man that stood protectively in front of her. A boyfriend, maybe? Or a bodyguard.

Bryce laughed out loud at the thought. Hannah may have changed her outer appearance, but she was still the timid little girl that used to hide in her closet, hugging that tattered teddy-bear of hers. He remembered when he finally took it away and threw it in the garbage. Hannah had never acted out against him before, but when he took that bear to the garbage truck she never fought so fiercely or so hard in her life. The beating she received afterward made sure that she would never do that again.

"Hannah," he greeted.

Hannah stiffened and stepped forward ever so slightly, compelled by fear to listen to him. "Dad," she said softly. "How…H-How are you?"

"I'm fine," Bryce answered smoothly. "How are you?"

"G-G-Good."

Bryce was surprised when one of the men, twins apparently, stepped back in front of her. "What are you doing here?"

Bryce addressed the young man with distain. "Excuse me; I was talking to my daughter."

The man seethed angrily. "You don't deserve to even look at her!"

Hannah, ever the faithful daughter, grabbed the man's arm. "Its okay, Sides."

Sides (interesting name) turned towards her horrified. "Don't you dare defend him, Hannah!"

Hannah meekly backed off, too intimidated to say anything else. Sides realized his mistake too late.

Amused, Bryce chuckled. "You haven't changed a bit, have you, Hannah?"

Hannah looked like she wanted to say something, but she kept her mouth shut, learning at a very young age that talking back to rhetorical questions tended to get you slapped.

Bryce addressed the set of twins that were currently glaring at him. "Name's Bryce James." He held out his hand. "Nice to meet you."

Sideswipe stared down hard at the hand extended towards him, wanting to rip the whole arm out of its socket. On the hill, he knew that Optimus was watching and still, not under any circumstances, were humans to be harmed. The Autobots beating a human to death, which everyone knew that the twins were very capable of doing at this time, would result in repercussions that would only bring disaster, no matter how much this current human may have deserved it.

Bryce pulled his hand back when it was clear that Sides wasn't biting. His brother didn't look all that enticed to be friendly either. Bryce had a feeling he knew what kind of problem these two had with him from their protective behavior of Hannah. He wasn't old, but even if he had been in his twenties like those two, he would've undoubtedly gotten his ass beat. Bryce, the coward that he was, knew when he was outmatched.

But Hannah's quiet question made him pause when he moved to leave. "What are you doing here, Dad?"

Bryce shrugged carelessly. "Closure I guess. Needed to make sure she was dead for myself."

Hannah inhaled sharply. "Oh."

"Well," he said with a casual way, "I guess I'll see you around, Hannah."

Sideswipe growled, loud enough for Bryce to hear and take the hint. Translation; "Like Hell you will." Sure Optimus had the protocol in place, but that didn't mean Sides couldn't try to scare the hell out of him.

The twins watched Bryce retreat up the hill with alert eyes, like he was two seconds from pulling a grenade launcher out of his coat and shooting it at Hannah. The coward may not have stood a chance against them, but he was a force to be reckoned with when it came to Hannah. In such a short visit, no more then five minutes and just in his mere presence, had Hannah rearing back into her childhood past of abuse and pain. It was like the progress she had made in the three months of her therapy was utterly wasted.

Sideswipe could only watch Bryce leave with so much desire to kill the man, but knowing that he couldn't. Guardian instincts were in high gear and despite any kind of physical bond with Hannah they were more then enough adaptations to help him do his job efficiently. He took his eyes off Bryce for a moment to addressed Optimus, who was looking less then pleased by the whole situation as well as the other Autobots. All of them were watching Bryce.

There was a sudden rush of brown and Sunny shouted Hannah's name in alarm.

"Dad, wait!"

Sideswipe's eyes widened in shock and horror. He didn't want to believe that Hannah was actually chasing after he abusive father. "Hannah, no!"

But Hannah was ignoring him. She raced up the hill, catching her father before he got into his car. Panting she watched at he turned to face her, keys in hand, looking mildly irritated. Hannah suddenly forgot when she wanted to say.

Bryce watched his only child stupidly open and close her mouth as she thought of something to say and rolled his eyes. "Well?"

"I…I-I…Uh, I just…"

"Just what?" he pressed. "What do you want?"

Hannah stepped back timidly. "I-I don't know."

Bryce sighed and rubbed the bridge of his nose as if getting a headache. "Damn," he said. "Fifteen years later and I still can't stand when you say that."

"Sixteen."

Bryce looked up at the small voiced young woman. "What was that?"

Hannah was suddenly very angry. She watched the man whom she called father treat her with annoyance like someone would display towards a common house fly buzzing in their ear. After all the damage, physical, emotional, and mental that he inflicted on her he couldn't give her the time of day? He ruined her childhood and he was irritated with her?

Hannah straightened her shoulders. "It's been sixteen years. Sixteen years since you left."

The fact that she corrected him made his hand tighten into familiar fists that made Hannah dive for her closet. Why did she always hide in there? He always found her.

But instead of getting angry like she thought, he nodded, conceding. "Right. Sixteen years. How could I forget?"

Hannah couldn't stop herself. "It wasn't like you gave a damn about me or Mom so I'm sure we weren't too hard to forget."

Bryce went rigid. This girl was trying his patience and the more she spoke the more he wanted to lash out at her. He wasn't refraining for her sake, oh no, it was because of the crowd that was gathered and though they were at a distance, it wouldn't take them long to reach them and he almost positive that they were all friends of Hannah's.

"Watch your mouth," he warned.

Hannah's mouth snapped shut with an audible click. Bryce looked proudly satisfied and turned towards his car, ready to get in, but Hannah's voice stopped him again.

"You never asked how she died."

Bryce rolled his eyes again and faced her. "Did it ever occur to you that I might not care?"

Hannah shrugged. "No, I know you don't. But I know that you're curious."

Bryce couldn't deny that he was at least a little curious. The fling he had with Jan way back when was only supposed to have been a one-night-stand with a wayward teen that was barely of legal age. They were both so wasted when they actually had sex that neither remembered it. It was a hysterical phone call from Jan eight weeks later that he learned she was pregnant and that the baby was his and his parents, just to be on the safe side, ordered a paternity test.

Jan's parents refused to let their daughter have an abortion and would not stand for their daughter being an unwedded mother and his parents wouldn't let him get away with knocking up some girl so both sets of parents, needless to say, forced the two to get married. There hadn't been a huge ceremony with friends and family, no wedding cake, and no champagne. There was just a judge, a pen, and a piece of paper with a couple of signatures.

In her anger and despair, Jan started delving hard into more potent narcotics like heroine, cocaine, anything she could get her hands on. She used while she was pregnant so it was no surprised that Hannah nearly died when she was born two months early and underwent severe withdraws. He didn't know who prayed for Hannah for the following months of intense care, but somebody must've been listening. How Jan managed to keep custody of her was a mystery as much as Hannah's survival.

Jan's drug abuse didn't stop and Bryce became a heavy drinker and the drunker he got the angrier he got, if he was still able to walk. At first, he could only take it out on Jan. She fought back with slurred curses and the nice china her mother had given her as a wedding gift, trying to maintain a sense of normalcy. Bryce had lost count the amount of times Jan actually came at him with a knife.

Hannah grew up in a house of violence. She merely had to ask for some apply juice and she would get smacked in the face in return. If Jan was too drunk or high to beat up, Hannah became a more and more appealing substitute as she grew up.

Bryce grinned bemusedly. "How did she die?"

"Meth overdose."

He tossed his head back with a booming laugh. "Wow! Meth, huh? Who got her into that, huh?"

"Her boyfriend, I think."

"Well, good for him," Bryce said boisterously. "Do you have his number? I should thank him."

"No, I don't have his number," Hannah answered simply. "So, what's with the car? What are you doing nowadays?"

Bryce snidely smiled at the abrupt change of topics as well as Hannah's seemingly desperate need to know her daddy. "I own a car dealership. Luxury vehicles."

"Good for you," she said smoothly.

Bryce heard an underlying tone that he didn't like. "What's that supposed to mean?"

"Well, since you've been making a good living for yourself I'm just wondering how you managed to duck out of paying child support when I was a kid."

He scoffed disgustedly. "What do you want? Money? Fine."

Hannah was very startled when he whipped out a check book from pocket inside of his coat. He opened it up and started scribbling.

"How much do you need? One hundred, two hundred bucks?" He didn't wait for her answer as he scribbled an unknown amount. Ripping it out, he handed it to her. "There you go," he said. "That should be enough for you."

Hannah held the check loosely, not bothering to look at it. "I don't want you money."

Bryce watched as she defiantly started to rip the check apart before tossing the flecks of paper into his face. This defiance streak seemingly came out of nowhere. Hannah's face was utterly expressionless. It was her eyes alone that depicted her anger and disappointment. Bryce laughed again, a little uneasy this time as he watched the last of the scraps hit the ground. He wouldn't admit that it was Hannah's disobedient behavior that was affecting him.

"So what do you want?" he asked.

That was the problem. She wanted so much. Hannah didn't know where to begin. She wanted a mother and father who loved her, who would never lay a hand on her, but that wasn't going to happen. She wanted to erase her past and paint a new one of her choosing. She didn't want to be afraid anymore. She wanted to stay with Sideswipe. She wanted to be friends with Sunstreaker. She didn't want them to fight. She wanted a life for herself. She wanted…

"Closure," Hannah mocked with a startling confident grin. "When I first came up here, I guess I wanted a father. For some reason, it's now that I finally realize that I'm never going to get that." She took a brave step forward. "I'm tired of being afraid of you. I want to know where you are so I can avoid that place like the plague and never have to see you again. I've busted my ass for people! I've tried my hardest to make people happy and what do I get for it? You beat me. You hurt me and sent me to the hospital so many times I've lost track!" She leaned back. "So what do I want from you? I don't want a Goddamn thing! I just want the knowledge that I can now move on with my life and you'll just be a bad memory."

Bryce laughed mockingly. "Whatever floats your boat, sweetie."

Hannah scoffed shaking her head. "You know what? My whole life I've been called pathetic, meek, little Hannah. You want to know what's really pathetic? What's really pathetic is a grown man that beats his wife and daughter and drowns himself in alcohol because he's too miserable in his own sad existence and can't face the fact that his life is a fucked up mess. Still is, isn't it, Daddy?"

The first flew up from his side and with the back of his right hand Bryce struck Hannah's right cheek. Hannah's head snapped to the left so hard her necked cracked. Hannah reared to the side and nearly dropped to her knees, but managed to stay standing. Bryce was seething, seeing red. The taste of blood was bitter on her tongue. Hannah's hand immediately went to her bleeding lip, holding her mouth as it throbbed in pain she hadn't felt by his hand for sixteen years, but a very familiar pain all the same.

Hannah was very much aware on how angry Sideswipe was now. Angry actually probably wasn't the best word for it. He was yelling and more then likely having a hard time maintaining his hologram. She heard Ken yell her name and she knew people were running towards her. Despite the throbbing pain in her mouth, the initial panic that had settled in had faded and her mind was startlingly clear. Instantaneous fear had melted in unfazed anger and resolve. She stared at the blood on her fingertips. The same hand that was stained with her blood was the one that turned into a quivering fist.

Then a fist came out of nowhere, rounding in a powerful arc in the same fashion Bryce's had. A much smaller fist collided with the evil man's jaw and since the man hadn't been expecting the blow faltered on his feet, his back hitting his car before he hit the blacktop.

What happened next was a blur of aggression and passionate hate. Her face hurt and her right hand her, but was numbed by pumping adrenaline. Someone was kicking Bryce over and over again, forcing him to curl up into a feeble ball. The fetal position; human instinct dictated over rationality and when threatened and afraid people tended to curl into this comforting position remembered from days in the womb like it would save them.

It took Hannah a minute to realize that it was her shoes that were repeatedly wedging themselves into Bryce's face and gut. And it took her even longer to realize that she was the one screaming things like 'I hate you', and 'you sick bastard', and 'fuck you, you son of a bitch', and it all felt really good.

But as soon as she felt like it had only started, it ended when she was grabbed from behind and yanked away, kicking and screaming as she was dragged from her beaten and bloody father. Sides was the one who had pulled her away and was now trying to gently talk her down while Ratchet begrudgingly checked on Bryce. Hannah wasn't in the mood for gentleness and was compelled to break away to have another go at her father.

With another burst of strength, she broke away from Sides, stumbling away. Within seconds she started pacing like a caged animal, watching as Bryce wobbled on his feet and desperately searched out his car keys that he had dropped. Sides was the only one who stood in her way, not that he needed any help. She tried to think of way she could get past him, fake him left or right and rush past him, but Bryce had found his keys and was climbing into his chair, choking on his blood and slurred his words do to damage to his jaw. She hardly understood him, not that she cared, but she did pick up on something about being sued.

Slamming the door shut and still cursing, Bryce sped out of the cemetery, tires squealing and Hannah watched him go, still pacing, but when he turned out of the black gates at the entrance and his taillights disappeared, the throbbing in her jaw and hand were taking precedence of her Incredible Hulk moment. Sideswipe looked eager to get closer, but was keeping his distance, waiting anxiously. It wasn't until Hannah grabbed the wrist of her injured hand and meekly yelped 'ow' that Sides decided that it was safe to move in.

Sides studied her injuries, his eyes glued to her bloodied lip. He reached towards it, the contact made Hannah flinch away from the stingy pain.

"I'm fine," she said. "I've had worse, believe me."

Behind Sides, Sunny stood looking smugly proud and it made Hannah grin confidently, but it hurt her jaw so she quickly stopped.

"Let me see," Ratchet said as he slid past Sideswipe. He gently held her jaw feeling for any breaks, not that he was expecting to find any, before he gently took Hannah's injured hand to examine it, carefully feeling over her knuckles and then he sighed. "Well done Hannah," the medic said irritably. "You've managed to break two of your fingers."

Hannah blinked. "I did?"

Ratchet smiled endearingly. "But I can assure you that your father is a lot worse off."

Hannah eyes lit up. "Really?"

Sides smiled at her, though still worried about her bleeding lip and broken fingers, he could see that she was more than okay. "Good job."

Hannah laughed and wiped the blood away from her lip with her uninjured hand. Staring down at the blood, she laughed again. The small laughs grew into a hysterical crackle willed with dark excitement and caused her eyes to well with tears. She was forced to lean over she was laughing so hard, holding her stomach as her muscles burned from the effort.

"Uh…" Ken said worriedly. "Hannah?"

Hannah waved him off and wiped her eyes. Hannah was crying and laughing at the same time from relief. Shaking her head in what seemed like disbelief to the situation; she abruptly turned and headed back down the hill towards her mother's grave. There was a rose on the ground, next to her purse. Picking up the rose, she stepped towards the casket, gently placing it on the chestnut brown cover to lay with a small arrangement she had ordered for the burial. Her rose stood out against the array of white and blue flowers decorated the coffin.

Pressing her hand flat against the wood her smile calmed, the laughter stopped, and the tears ceased.

"Bye, Mom," she whispered.

Then she turned away without a second glance and smiled when she saw that Sunstreaker and Sideswipe were waiting for her. Both twins were relaxed and smiling in their own way from Sideswipe's happy-go-lucky grin to Sunny's confident smirk. Hannah walked up to them, taking a hand in each of her own, mindful of her broken fingers and started back up the hill towards her friends, human and Autobot alike.

Hannah knew that there may be some issues she would never recover from, but she wasn't about to let that dictate her life from now on. As she squeezed the hands she held, she got the same response, she knew that she wouldn't have to face her problems alone.

Her whole life she felt alone, no one truly understood her. She would always bend herself over backwards to please people, she never did anything for herself until one day she decided that she wanted to be selfish and do something for herself.

What she got in result was the most dedicated friend she could have possibly asked for. Sure there were some problems along the way, but none of that mattered. Freedom was right ahead of her and she was taking it. She wouldn't let the troubles of her past hold her back.

Ratchet took another look at her hand, setting her fingers and wrapping it securely. He gave her a cold compress for her face and ruled her good as new when the swelling went down. The damage to her fingers was swift and clean and wouldn't take long to heal. Until then, Hannah would have difficulties writing, typing, or punching anyone else since she was right handed.

Ironhide, though impressed with Hannah's audacity and courage to actually take a swing at her father, offered to teach her how to punch correctly so she wouldn't hurt herself next time. Hannah was enthusiastic, Sideswipe was not. It took some convincing with Hannah's big brown eyes and compromises, including letting Sideswipe supervise, which Ironhide didn't have a problem with. He wanted to help Hannah with self-defense, but didn't want to inflict the wrath of an overprotective guardian.

Hannah sat in the familiar passenger seat of a familiar red Lamborghini that was currently driving down the road towards Ken's house. Sunstreaker was behind them and behind him was Ken in his truck. They were driving to Ken's so Hannah could pick up her belongings and Botchy. Ken was adamant that the 'little monster' was to be taken out of his home and life forever. The other Autobots and humans were waiting for them at the nearest Naval base for the return flight to Nevada.

Sideswipe pulled to a stop by the curb and Sunny parked behind him while Ken took the driveway. The four got out and headed for the house. Botchy was immediately there to greet them, amber eyes bright in curiosity as he studied the newcomers. Hannah cooed happily as she picked her kitten up. The little guy went to seeking attention, rubbing his face under her chin, purring loudly.

Sunny noted how much hair the creature was shedding onto Hannah's clothes and flinched. "Please tell me you have a cage for that thing."

Hannah laughed. "I have a cat carrier, yeah." She held out the feline to Sunstreaker. "Hold him for me."

Sunny hesitated before gently taking the creature into his hands, holding him at a distance. Botchy meowed irritably, not liking being suspended in the air.

"You have to hold him closer and support his feet," Hannah said.

"I don't want any hair on me," Sunny stated.

"It won't stay there forever," Sides said.

Sunstreaker sighed and held the cat closer against his chest. Botchy, ever the affectionate kitty, started to purr again. Sunny looked up some key places cats liked to be scratched like the ears, under the chin, and their back. So, Sunny started scratching and Botchy's eyes closed contently.

Sideswipe laughed. "Wow. Who knew you were so good with animals."

Sunny smiled mockingly at his twin. "I get enough practice with you."

Sides pouted and Hannah laughed.

"Just wait," Ken warned. "That cat is a demon. Just give it a few days."

"Just for you," Hannah reminded. She grabbed her best friend by the hand and pulled him. "Help me pack. You two wait down here. Keep Botchy entertained."

The two disappeared upstairs. Sideswipe kept his scanner locked on them, not liking the fact that Hannah was alone with a male, but he would refrain from addressing the issue out lout. He looked back to his brother, who was still studying the cat with mild interest. Sideswipe looked up some basics about cats from all species from lions to common house cats like Botchy and then by breed from Scottish folds to calicos. But there was one little know fact that interested the red twin.

"So apparently, all cats can land on their feet," he pointed out.

"Yeah, so?"

"Do you think that Botchy can do that?"

"I don't see why not."

"…"

"…" Sunny sighed. "You want me to throw the cat, don't you?"

Sides smiled sheepishly. "Not hard. Just get him high enough and we can see if he lands on his feet."

"I think that's considered animal cruelty."

"Okay. Well then, just drop him."

"I don't want to drop him."

"You're no fun."

"No, I'm being smart. Do you have any idea what Hannah would do if she saw us throwing and/or dropping her cat?"

Sideswipe frowned thoughtfully. "Oh, right."

"There are plenty of videos of cats landing on their feet," Sunny said. "There are also a lot of funny cat videos on YouTube."

Sideswipe started streaming some and quickly started laughing. "These are funny!"

Upstairs, Hannah was fishing packing what meager belongings she had brought with her into a single duffle bag, which mostly consisted of clothes and a picture with her standing between Sunny and Sides, smiling brightly, the happiest Ken had ever seen her.

Ken didn't want to believe Hannah was leaving again. He was used to seeing her on a daily basis and even when she was gone for three months, he never got used to it. Occasionally, he would find himself waiting for her to burst through the door. It was when she called that he remembered how far away she really was.

He remembered very well the day she had come to him, needing to use his computer to get directions for her new friend. He remembered when she came back that night, batter and bruised, with her kitten in her arms, asking him to take care of the evil feline while she went on a road trip. Then there was the kidnapping issue and then her calling him to tell him that she was staying in Nevada for a while. He hadn't thought it was much of a big deal until she asked if there was a possible way she could get Botchy back. That alone made it seem very permanent.

Now Hannah stood before him, her smile mixed between happy and sad as she looked at him, waiting. Ken smiled and stood from the bed to hug her again, knowing that while they would always keep in touch, they would not be seeing much of each other from here on out. It wasn't that Ken was going to be left entirely alone. He had other friends, but none as great as Hannah.

"You'll visit me?" she asked.

"You know I will," he replied softly. "Don't forget to call me. I know you'll be busy but don't forget me okay?"

"I could never forget you," she said. "You're my best friend."

Ken squeezed her gently before pulling away. Taking her hand he left her out of the room towards the stairs. Hand in hand they walked down together, pausing on the third stair from the bottom when they saw what the twins were doing. Both were sitting on the couch with one of Botchy's toys, a fuzzy looking thing at the end of a string attached to a strong. Sides was tossing it around as Botchy tried using his feline speed and agility to catch it. Sunny was reading a computer magazine, casually flipping through the pages.

It wasn't an odd scene. Hannah did that kind of thing all the time, but to Hannah, knowing they weren't human, it was very strange to see.

Sides looked up first and stood. "Ready to go?"

Hannah nodded. "Yeah."

Sides stared at her and Ken's hands and frowned, but quickly smiled to cover up his jealously. Hannah couldn't help but feel a little flattered that he was trying not to get jealous for her. Ken released her hand to allow her to join the twins. Sides immediately took her bag, ever the gentlemen, and Hannah was able to pick her cat off the ground to gently put him in his cat carrier.

Sunny walked out the door first, followed by his brother, but Hannah hesitated. Turning, she hugged Ken again, as tightly as she could without crushing her cat. Ken hugged her back.

"I'll call you when I get in, okay?"

Ken nodded. "Talk to you later."

Hannah turned and walked down the steps of Ken's house, stroking Botchy for comfort. Hannah stood at the passenger side door and opened it, but didn't get in right away, looking at Ken one more time.

There was a flash of a memory, something that occurred three months ago when Hannah talked about two meteors crash landing in her parking lot destroying her car. There had been two robots, both turning into hot sports cars before driving off. The more Ken thought about it, the more his eyes widened and the more he couldn't believe it.

"Hannah!"

The brunette, who was slipping into the car, paused to look up at him. "Yeah?"

"I believe you."

Hannah frowned for a moment, wondering what he friend meant. But then she noted how he was looking at Sides and then Sunny. She smiled brightly. Holding her finger to her mouth, the universal sign to 'shh' as she smiled and winked cutely. Ken pulled an imaginary zipper across his lips.

Ken didn't go back into the house until the two cars disappeared around the corner. Grinning to himself and shaking his head, he went inside, shutting the door softly behind him.

Hannah was still smiling when they pulled onto the highway. "Thank you," she said.

Sides looked over confusedly. "What for?"

"I know I said some horrible things," she answered. "I told you that I didn't want you for a guardian. I didn't mean it. I just didn't want to come between you and Sunny. I'm sorry for what I said."

"I'm sorry for how I acted too," Sides replied. "I can be…a little overprotective I guess."

Hannah stared at him skeptically.

"Okay, maybe a lot," he conceded.

She reached over and held one of his hands. "So we forgive each other?"

Sides reassuringly squeezed her hand. "Yeah."

"Good."

Hannah leaned over and pressed her lips to his cheek. She probably lingered longer than she intended to and sure took her sweet time leaning back. It was a good thing that Sideswipe didn't actually need his hologram to watch the road to drive, because his eyes were completely off the road, on her, staring unyieldingly. Hannah blushed shyly and leaned back into her seat, Sides still watching her.

"Uh," he finally said. "Wanna listen to some music?"

Hannah nodded, grabbing the lifeline like she was drowning. "Yes, please."

Sideswipe switched to the radio and Hannah's smile returned. She still held Sideswipe's hand, all the way to the base. She leaned her head back against the seat and closed her eyes. Who knew what would happen from this moment on? She didn't know what kind of life she would live with Sideswipe, Sunstreaker, and the other Autobots, but she knew that she it would be much better then her previous life. She was making her own plans, plans for herself and no one else. She supposed that in a way, she had been broken free from New Jersey. She hadn't done it alone. She had mostly Sides to thank for that.

Hannah James was never one to stand up for herself. She let people walk all over her and did whatever she was told. But her life was changed forever when a certain set of twin autonomous robotic organisms from the planet Cybertron crash landed in the middle of Trenton, New Jersey and on her car. Unfortunately for Sunstreaker and Sideswipe, they were on the wrong side of the country and very far away from their comrades with damaged navigation and communication systems with no way to getting to their fellow Autobots. Well, it wasn't like Hannah had anything better to do. And just like that, a single road trip changed the course of Hannah's life, giving her so much more than she could have ever asked for. One little girl, beaten, neglected, and broken had been given her happy ending.

Life a painted wild mustang,

Flyin' out across the open range.

She finally gets to live her life that way.

No fear, no fences, nobody – No Reins.

A/N: There's still an epilogue thingy, guys. Don't spazz. You don't think I'm gonna leave Sunstreaker all emo and heartbroken do you? C'mon! I hoped you liked seeing her father get beat up as much as I liked writing it. I'm a violent person. But don't you kinda think he maybe, possibly, sort of had it coming? Thanks for reading!

Please Review!