::Along time ago, a new galaxy was discovered and everyone called it AU. Or an Alternate Universe where nothing was as it seemed. People were different in the AU. The bad guys can be good and the good guys bad. Actually, I guess AU's were always going to be here because authors can come up with their own ideas for characters.::

AN: It's been ages since I wrote a chapter for "Not Our World". I was beginning to worry about not writing anymore. But summer opened up and I began to absorb more different quests. (Like writing on 'Godzilla', my old computer.)

So here we go: A new chapter with Joyce and Bumblebee returning to the Megaplex. But can they make it out again without anyone finding out about it?

-0-

Bee drove into the Megaplex and Joyce hiding in the backseat. His blackened windows made sure she wasn't going to be seen. Bee didn't want to get into trouble with Optimus Prime.

Bumblebee drove into the hangar building and transformed, being careful not to crush Joyce and her groceries. It was saddening how the humans resorted to rations. And food was becoming short in supply. Joyce was quiet as he made his way into his apartment. Luckily, they weren't stopped by any Autocon and none of them questioned his whereabouts. They figured that he was going out on scouting trips.

Upon reaching his apartment, he found his apartment door open and there stood Prowl. Behind Prowl stood, Sideswipe and Sunstreaker, and Optimus Prime. Optimus Prime had both his arms across his chassis. His blue optics shone a harsh color of blue. Usually his optics weren't so menacing. Bumblebee shuddered when the harsh glare turned to him.

"Where were you?" Optimus Prime asked.

"Out for a ride?" Bumblebee sounded confused.

"Where is Joyce Miller?"

Bumblebee didn't want to get her into trouble.

"Where is Joyce Miller?" Optimus Prime repeated. "Do not make me repeat my questions. Answer my question."

"She's in her room."

"No she is not." Prowl said. "Now where is Joyce Miller?"

Bumblebee looked at Sideswipe and Sunstreaker. They both looked a little bit harrassed and nervous. A small voice said, "It's okay, Bee."

Bumblebee looked down at Joyce Miller with concern in his optics. "I'll take the blame." She said softly.

Bumblebee opened his servo, revealing Joyce and her groceries.

"What is the meaning of this?" Prowl asked Joyce in a tone of voice that would make anyone shudder with fear.

"I-" Joyce stammered. "I was hungry and couldn't stand to live on those bars anymore that Wheeljack produced."

"And where did you get these?"

Joyce knew what would happen if the Autocons found out about the food stores giving out rations to families and single people. It was getting harder to get food nowadays and farming seemed to be out of the question because there wasn't enough good soil or cow manure around to grow them. Joyce didn't want to tell.

"Answer me!" Prowl ordered.

Optimus Prime touched his shoulder plate and shook his helm. "I shall question her in my office. Whatever is in those bags-" Joyce's eyes widened. Here it goes. All the effort of her rations were going to be thrown away. "Store whatever has to be frozen in the freezer and the boxed and canned items in the temperature controled store room."

Joyce looked shocked that he would be a little more understanding. "Yes, Joyce. There are rumors that humans are resorting to rations of foodstuffs. You are correct. You will receive your rations after Ratchet has gone through the non-essential food stuffs. Sugary snacks, sweets, and cereals with a lot of sugar are banned." Optimus Prime said. "And you will go out with a Sideswipe and Sunstreaker to get your rations. If they aren't available, I will send Ratchet with you." Optimus continued, "And if you plan on escaping and running away, I will know about it."

Joyce swallowed thickly. "You will continue to gather your other rations and Sunstreaker will accompany you this time. Sideswipe and Bumblebee, I will speak to you in my office."

Sunstreaker held out his servo. Bumblebee looked hesitant about handing Joyce over to the Mech. Joyce looked frightened. Bumblebee gently plopped her into his servo. Craddling Joyce against his chassis, Sunstreaker left the apartment.

-0-

Joyce said nothing out of fear of aggravating the Mech. Something was wrong and Joyce could feel it. She didn't even hear Sunstreaker ask her where the next rationing store was. Joyce also knew if he found out about them, Optimus would know.

Joyce also felt a longing to see her parents too. Sunstreaker couldn't get anything out of her and plotted his own courses. The second rationing stop was less than a mile away.

"Joyce!" Sunstreaker called.

Joyce jumped, but didn't answer. She stared at the Autocon insignia instead.

"Will you talk to me?!"

"You-got into trouble, didn't you?" She asked.

"Yes." Sunstreaker said.

"Sorry." Joyce said.

"How come you didn't talk to me when I left the Megaplex?"

"I was scared and in shock."

"I can tell." Sunstreaker said.

"I really thought Optimus Prime would throw all the rations away and lock me up again."

"I think he realized you couldn't live off of Wheeljack's inventions." Sunstreaker said.

"Oh." Joyce said.

They arrived at the second rationing spot. Many humans that were standing around talking stopped. They looked at his form and then started running away, screaming. They ran into the store. Sunstreaker growled. "Pathetic." Turning his anger to Joyce, he said, "Get out of my form."

Joyce couldn't wait to get out of his form. He had turned friendly to mean in a second. She ran toward the ration line, only to discover the store was closed. She peeked into the store and found the crowd in there.

Joyce knocked on the glass door. A man came out, bearing a rifle. He pointed it at her and said, "Get out of here! You're one of them!"

Joyce jumped when the guy pointed the rifle to her. Joyce turned and ran away. She couldn't find Sunstreaker anywhere. Joyce knew if the Autocons found out, she'd be in a lot of trouble. Looking left and right, Sunstreaker was no where in sight. She turned to look at the store behind her. "Banned." She said. "Banned for life."

They weren't going to serve her because of the Autocon. They didn't mind Bumblebee. Maybe they didn't recognize him. Maybe he had a different insignia than Sunstreaker. Joyce wasn't sure what to do. Her parents were always warning her to be on her best behavior. And she wasn't expecting the store to be armed and the rest to turn against her.

Joyce began walking left. Maybe she could get picked up by an Autocon in passing and then tell him what happened.

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Thanks for reading and don't forget to review. :D