OMG OMG OMG! I got reviews! Thank you so much all of you.

keacdragon – I adore the Annabelle/Ironhide stories, like Tinman etc but I dunno, I have a feeling that maybe Optimus sent 'Hide out to learn more about humans who don't know Autobots exist etc to get a better understanding of them. Btw thank you, I love Ironhide as a ass-kicking weapon specialist but also a secretly sweet guy

xxIronhideForeverxx – Thank you for the comment it means a lot to me, it's my 1st story so to have such great comments is amazing x p.s, you stories are reli great with great plots and characters and i was wondering if you could help me, i have NO idea where this can go only that Zoe is accepted by Optimus and the others in holoforms

SavvyEnigmaxBanditgal – That is either reli good... or reli bad. Plz tell me what was wrong etc so I can change it. But you said not bad so I'm happy, thank you x

supergirlprime – Thank you, I tried not to make it tooooo sweet coz that irritated me in other Ironhide fics but i also tried to make Zoe react like I would if I had a truck like 'Hide; not scared but make the most of it x x x

AlarataraWitchIce – First things first... love your stories x and thank you for the comment, it means a lot x x x

...

Zoe's POV

Chapter Five – First Encounters

Zoe blearily opened her eyes when a random Rihanna song burst from her alarm clock and smacked it in annoyance. It took her a minute or two of staring at the little red numbers before she could make out the time; 10.07am. Groaning she sat up and rubbed her eyes, yawning widely. She half rolled half fell out her bed and made her way to her en-suite, coming out fifteen minutes later smelling of toothpaste and wrapped in a silky towel.

Zoe spent several minutes choosing, swapping and chucking clothes around before deciding on a red miniskirt with warm black tights, large soft boots, a black top and red scarf. Sitting in front of her dressing table, Zoe straightened her hair and smoothed on a touch of foundation and mascara and lip-gloss. Satisfied, Zoe snatched up her preplaced bag and skipped down the cream coloured hallway, pausing to greet the maids Martha and Sarah.

Grabbing her keys she snatched an apple from the kitchen table, nodded to Matt the butler and hurried down the winding stairs to the garage. Checking her watch she smiled as she found she still had twenty minutes before she had to pick up Miranda and decided to buy a coffee from Starbucks.

"Morning Ironhide, you awake yet?" She called as she opened the door. An answering growl of the engine made her smile; he clearly was regretting his promise. A part of her wanted to run and hide and screamed at her to be scared of a massive Topkick that clearly had a mind of its own but a much bigger part of her shrugged it off and relished what no one else had.

"Oh come on, you've had like, a two hour lie in." She complained as she banged on the door feebly when it denied her attempts to get in. Another growl from the engine made her sigh and make her way to the grill where she tapped on the hood.

"Come one 'Hide, you did promise." Zoe pouted, giving him her best puppy eyes, knowing that it usually persuaded Ironhide to let her in.

The engine snarled angrily but the driver's door popped open and she made her way over and jumped into the driver's seat, giggling cheerfully. The engine choked and spluttered when she tried to start it but Zoe wasn't fooled, "Let's go sleepy head, I need caffeine."

...

"Right, I have $320 but that has to include Dad's present and his new girlfriends as well." Miranda observed as she peered into her bag. Zoe nodded, realizing it was up to her to limit how much her friend spent that day.

"So, how's the truck? Run anyone over yet?" Miranda continued, grinning sarcastically.

"I have actually," Zoe paused, pretending to think about it. "I remember now, two Chihuahua's and a couple of cats but they were by accident..." The teen glanced at her friend who was staring at her in shock.

"Jeez girl, I'm joking!" Zoe laughed as Miranda fell back into her seat.

"Don't do that, I never know if you're kidding or not."

Zoe scoffed and tapped the steering wheel in time to the random song Miranda had tuned the radio into as they stopped at some traffic lights.

"So, are we going to Mild Street?" Zoe asked, shifting into gear as the lights changed.

Miranda nodded and replied, "Yeah, we can stop in Carly's at about two and grab a coffee."

After fifteen minutes of trying to find shade for Ironhide, and ignoring Miranda's funny look, Zoe parked and clambered out of her Topkick.

"We'll be back later." She murmured to it, locking the door as she heard Miranda shut hers.

Miranda made her way around the truck, linked arms and they both made their way to the shops, talking about anything and everything.

Zoe had never known time to pass so quickly, after what only seemed a few minutes of browsing and occasionally buying a cute top or pair of jeans her stomach gave a growl and she gasped as she realized it was almost two o'clock.

"Hey, can we go get some food now?" She called, peering over rows and rows of D&G merchandise to her friend.

Miranda nodded vigorously and made her way over, dragging about twenty bags of clothes she claimed weren't all for her. They stumbled out of the shop and headed for Carly's Cafe, a place that if you didn't know where to look, you'd never find it.

Dumping their many bags under their table they grabbed the menus and decided on what to order. Miranda claimed to be on a colour wheel diet, meaning she had to eat fruit or vegetables according to the colour of the day. Today was red. Apparently it was an easy way to diet.

"Let's start with carrot cake, strawberry milkshakes and..." Miranda paused and trailed down the menu with a manicured finger. "...raspberry doughnuts." She finished grabbing their menu and shoving it into their holders.

"Aren't carrots orange?" Zoe asked, reaching under the table to rub her feet mentally noting never to wear heels whilst shopping with Miranda ever again.

Miranda thought about it but shrugged, "Ah well, orange is like reds cousin."

Zoe laughed, "This diet thing really is easy isn't it?"

Miranda relayed their order to a random waitress whilst Zoe checked her Blackberry for messages. She opened one from Claire that read;

'Goin' 2 be late home, go to be bed at reasonable time plz, x'

"Oh, don't turn around." Miranda grinned suddenly. "But Mr Red Sweater keeps checking out your long legs in those shorts and peering at me... Oh! He just saluted me, a little two finger army thing, he's so cute."

Zoe laughed and smiled but she felt her mind beginning to wander...

"Mr Red Sweater has a friend! A really nice friend... Zoe! They're so coming this way!" Miranda was barely holding in a fit of giggles. The food came by a very curious waitress and Miranda gulped down some of the large milkshake hurriedly. Zoe grinned and sipped at hers before nibbling her doughnut absently. Her back was to the two Miranda was ogling at so she couldn't look around without it looking completely obvious.

"Zoe! They're coming over! Act cool, god they're cute... I really want one!" Her voice trailed off and Zoe felt them behind her.

"Hey." A pleasantly rich low tone made both girls look up at the same time.

Mr Red Sweater had his fingers hooked into his jeans pocket, his shaggy blonde hair falling over his bright blue eyes. He was extremely good looking with a faint stubble and a lazy smile that was clearly making Miranda melt. Zoe peered at his friend. He was slightly shorter with a 'don't mess with me' face, short brown hair with simple jeans and a shirt. Both looked like they went to the gym often.

"Hello," Miranda replied. "I'm Miranda."

Mr Red Sweater nodded politely and turned to Zoe who smiled back and added "I'm Zoe, nice to meet you." She held out her hand which Mr Red Sweater instantly took and shook gently.

"My name is Orion, this is Marcus."

Zoe's gaze drifted to Marcus who nodded at her, probably wishing he was anywhere but here Zoe thought.

"Like the constellation?" Zoe asked, shuffling to the right so that one of them could sit down. It was Orion who sat, keeping his eyes trained onto hers even when they looked away. Marcus took the seat next to Miranda.

"Sorry, I guess you must get that all the time." She apologised feeling like an idiot, concentrating on her milkshake.

However it was Marcus who replied. "You'd think so, but not many people now their stars." Both laughed and Zoe felt herself relax. She wasn't attracted to them like Miranda clearly was, but she did think they could be good friends.