Sideswipe finally drove me back to the base after about an hour of him constantly apologizing about his moody demeanor and scaring me, and for using me asa testing subject. I told him I would never forgive him and think about us still being friends, although inside I already forgave him. I don't know why, usually I wouldn't, but I've been through so much this week and I was so confused. But there was just one question on my mind that was bothering me more than anything else…
"Sideswipe?" I asked as we pulled up to the base.
"Yea?"
"Why is Sideways only hunting me?"
Sideswipe halted and tightened my seatbelt. I looked at the radio expectantly.
"Look Sam, there's something you've got to know about the Decepticons. Most of them are generally level headed and don't go to extremes, kind of like Barricade. Others, like Megatron, are a little more obsessive but still maintain that Con brutality. Then there's the Starscream complex, which I'm sure I don't need to explain."
We both chuckled. After a minute Sideswipe calmed down and began again with a serious tone.
"Then there's Sideways, who falls under his own category. His obsess to taking the throne from Megatron and destroying the Autobots had him kicked out of ranks and exiled off our planet. His processor is so warped that he hardly ever needs a reason for the things he does. He's a military strategist, the most complex one on Cybertron. When he becomes obsessed with something, he will stop at nothing to get it, even if it takes a hundred million years. That's how his reputation became so terrifying to both Autobots and Decepticons. Some may think he's completely random, but Sideways always has a reason for everything."
"But why is he so obsessed with me? I'm not anything special." I muttered the last part. Sideswipe sighed.
"I don't know why Sideways is hunting you, Sam, but I promise we won't let anything happen to you. You are very special to us. Don't ever think otherwise. We love you." I smiled as I felt comfort and love through the bond. Sides released the seatbelt and I hopped out. He transformed, looking a little scared.
"What's wrong Sides?" He didn't answer, but I could hear quick and heavy footsteps approaching. I looked and saw a very angry Sunstreaker stomping towards us.
"Hey, bro." he said nervously. Sunstreaker roughly grabbed his brother's armor plating.
"What did you do to her?" he growled.
"N-Nothing, I swear." Sideswipe held up his hands.
"She said you were hurting her!" he shouted. By now, others, including Ratchet and Optimus, filed into the room to see what was going on. The twins never noticed them.
"I didn't hurt her, I was only testing something."
"You could've tried something else! Primus, she was so scared I could feel her through the bond!"
My eyes widened.
"What?" came a growl from behind them. They froze and slowly turned around to see a pissed off Ratchet glaring at them.
"Uh, nothing?" Sunny grinned and so did Sides, but he wasn't buying it. Ratchet stormed forward, his fists clenched.
I was freaking out, there was about to be an all out battle between my parental guardian and my spark-mate.
"You're bonded to Sam?" he demanded, getting in Sunstreaker's face.
"Uh, I refuse to answer on the count that I will most likely be melted down for spare parts." he said nervously.
"You smartest!" Ratchet shouted as he slammed slammed Sunstreaker against a wall, earning a yelp in surprise from him.
"Ratchet!" I shouted, others called out to him too, but he refused to listen.
"When did this happen?" he demanded. Sunstreaker stuttered around trying to find words, but none came to him. I took a step forward.
"Last night." I said. All eyes, and optics, looked to me. Ratchet loosened his grip on Sunny slightly and looked to me with astonished, and almost hurtful, optics.
"Sam?" he asked. I kept my serious face, even though I felt really bad about hurting Ratchet. He was bound to find out sooner or later. I clenched my fists and they were shaking a little. Why the heck was I so nervous?
"It's true, Sunstreaker and I bonded last night." I didn't need to see my face to know that I was blushing furiously. I mean, I'm having the 'sex talk' with my guardian, and in front of the others. I looked over to Sunstreaker, who was also blushing and looking almost petrified.
'He was bound to find out some time.' I said over the bond,
'Yeah, but you didn't need to be so blunt about it. Now everyone's going to want to kill me!'
I sent reassurance and an apology through the bond, but all I got in return was his nervousness and fear, which didn't make me feel any better.
"I believe we need to discuss this elsewhere." Optimus' voice pierced through the awkward silence. We all looked to him. "Ratchet, Sunstreaker, and Sam, please come with me to my office. Now." he emphasized when none of us made a move. Everyone else went on with their own thing, except for Barricade and Sideswipe.
"Optimus." Barricade called out to the retreating leader. He stopped to turn and face him.
"Yes, Barricade, I have been informed of your situation. You may come as well." Then he continued with us in tow.
"Situation? What situation?" I asked.
"You'll find out soon enough." Ratchet grumbled. However, that did nothing to settle the butterflies I had.
After forever of silence, we finally made it Prime's office. The gigantic door slid open and we all filed in while Optimus made his way over to his desk.
"Now that we're all here, I would suggest we sort this out before someone is injured." he said.
We all nodded in agreement; well, me and Barricade did, Ratchet and Sunstreaker were a little more hesitant.
"Now then," he looked to me, great, "Sam, you and Sunstreaker may present their case." I was already angry with what happened in the hanger, and now I was getting riled up.
"What the hell is this, some kind of trial now? Sunstreaker and I are bonded now, either get over it or get used to it." I shouted, eyeing all four mechs in the room, especially Ratchet. They looked at me with surprise.
"Sam, listen to me, you don't know what you're getting yourself into-"
"NO! I DO understand. I understand perfectly!" I interrupted Ratchet, my voice cracking from the shouting. He flinched slightly, but quickly regained his ground.
"Samantha Jane Cross! I am not about to lose you again!" he shouted. My eyes widened, everyone was frozen. Time itself had frozen. Ratchet never raised his voice like that to me, let alone with my full name.
At that point, i wished for Optimus or Barricade or anyone to say something, unfortunately the only sounds I got were the sounds of awkwardness.
Finally, after what felt like an eternity, Barricade cleared his throat.
"Optimus, I have something very important to ask you, and before you say no, just remember that I don't give a frag. Even if all of you are ageist my proposal, I will still do it regardless."
I could tell Optimus was smirking under his face-mask. "And what is it you wish to ask of me, Barricade?"
He was silent for a moment, as if gathering himself.
"I wish to become Sam's guardian."
…
"WHAT?" I nearly jumped through the ceiling at Sunstreaker's outburst. "There is NO way in PIT I am EVER going to let you be her guardian. Besides, she's already got two, she doesn't need another one."
"Considering the amount of trouble she gets herself into on a daily basis, I would say three isn't even enough." Barricade retorted. I had one of those palm-to-face moments. Did they already forget I was in the room?
"Regardless of what I say, the decision will ultimately be Sam's." Optimus looked to me. I was curious though and I looked to Ratchet. He hadn't said a single word since we came here, and something tells me he knew about this. He stood to the far side of the room, arms folded across his chest and looking pointedly in another direction.
"Ratchet?" He looked at me. Before anyone could say anything, the alarm went off.
Ironhide came bursting into the office. "Decepticons, sir!"
"How many?" Optimus ask, standing up from his desk.
"Just Starscream sir, but-" he paused, seeing me in the room.
"But what?" Ratchet asked.
"Sideways is with him." My eyes were wide, and I'm pretty sure the others were too.
"Starscream is working with Sideways? Hmph, no doubt Sideways tricked him into doing his dirty work." Barricade grumbled.
"Ratchet, Ironhide, I want you to come with me. Sunstreaker and Barricade, you two are to stay behind and look after Sam." Optimus ordered.
"WHAT?" they both shout at the same time. "I don't want to be stuck here with him!" They pointed to each other.
"Optimus, you have to let me fight. They'll be looking for me." Barricade said.
"All the more reason for you to stay behind. If you wish to be Sam's guardian, then stay behind to protect her. You're no good to her offlined." he said, leaving no room to argue. Barricade let out a frustrated sigh in understanding.
"FIne." With that. the three mechs ran out of the room, the door locked when it shut.
Outside
"Do what you want with Barricade, Starscream, but leave the girl alive! She's mine!" he shouted.
"You're not the one giving orders here, Sideways. I suggest you remember your place!" Starscream warned and continued to shoot missiles at the base, leaving Sideways behind.
"Oh how pathetic you, Starscream. Once I'm through with Barricade, you'll be next." he growled.
Okay, sorry for the late update and for this chapter being so short. I just had to update sometime, and I tried to get it done in my classes. Still trying to adjust to my schedule now, and it's….getting there…Thanks for hanging in there! ^^