[] Author's note at the beginning, yes. First of all, this is a Christmas chapter because the holiday is coming closer! Second, while I dislike the first part... I loved writing the second. So I hope that makes up for it. X3 I'm just going to say one thing: There really is no romance involved or hinted at. Just Terrwyn being her crazy old self. []
Even after the interogation they hadn't gotten any wiser. Terrwyn had given them a beautiful story about how the Decepticons needed money and would pose as human terrorists to get it from her father. No luck, however. As if anyone would believe that story.
Being accused of lying and not being cooperative, she was under full time surveillance from security.
Her father had been called in, but that man seemed to know nothing at all. He was too busy working, making some humans think she ran away from home in the first place. There was enough of that in her records... No crime or anything, but the police had to help find her from time to time.
The female sat quietly on a chair in the big hall, watching as the humans were preparing the place for Christmas. Even the bots were helping! A pretty sight. She didn't see Starscream putting up a Christmas tree yet...
"Whatchu doing?! That's not supposed to go 'tere!" Skids hit his brother on the head, before taking the mistletoe away from Mudflap's face.
It made both some soldiers and her giggle. Such oddballs...
"Need some help?" She spoke up, noticing very well that even Skids didn't know what to do with it.
"Wha wou'd a 'Con know about Christmas?" Mudflap waved her off, walking away to get something else to hang around the base.
Terrwyn glared slightly. "I'm not Con!" She was still a human!
"For all we know ya might be a preten'r." Skids tried his best to hang the mistletoe somewhere on the ceiling, but it kept falling back down.
"A what?" She would still be angry if she wasn't chuckling so much at him and failing to put up that branch.
"He's talking about a pretender. Con changing into a human." Sideswipe rolled closer, not caring to walk normally. Why would he when he had wheels as feet? "We didn't know they existed until this human at Sam's school turned out to be one."
"Sam? Who's Sam?" Did they know even more human teenagers?!
"Samuel James Witwicky." The Prime spoke from his current position at the huge Christmas tree. Terrwyn had seen more of them in big cities, and really, they did fit the size of these robots!
Sideswipe sank to one knee, offering for Terrwyn to get onto his hand. For a moment, there was some hesitation among the guards about allowing contact, but it surely couldn't do much harm. She might be a liar but not an immediate danger.
The blondine gladly hopped onto his hand, being used to these things now. Besides, the chair wasn't much interesting after all these hours. "Who's Samuel James Witwicky?" A boy. She had to wonder if he was handsome...
"Our first human ally, or so they say." Sideswipe never got the chance to meet the boy. "Some girl at his school was a Decepticon, however. Blonde, like you are." His finger whipped up her hair a little.
Terrwyn moved her head away to that, not wanting it to get all messy after having brushed it for so long once she finally managed to get a hairbrush in the first place. "There are many blondes out there! No need to suspect me..."
The Bot shrugged as he raised to his full height, skating to the Christmas tree. "Just sayin'. Not many survive the Decepticons for this long, as you know by now."
Optimus Prime let his gaze fall on her as well, as she sat with her legs crossed in the hand of Sideswipe. "It would be in everyone's best interest if you could be honest."
"I told you my story!" Terrwyn would try and keep up the lie, at least. A small pout formed upon her lips, before a certain realization hit her. "Hey... About that... pretender? Did she have a name?"
With a small frown, the two Autobots nodded. "Something to do with Alice."
"Alice?... Last name?" Terrwyn was getting worried now.
And no doubt about it, Optimus Prime would notice. "The identity the pretender took was Alisa Morozov. She kept the name, excluding a few changes. Why do you ask?"
Terrwyn didn't know what to respond anymore. Her friend... the one that moved to college and completely ignored her since? The one the Decepticons mentioned but never explained the situation of?... It was her name...
The girl sank back into Sideswipe's hand, who was just as confused as Optimus was. "Come on, girl, you gotta tell us something."
"It's... complicated." The blonde pulled up her knees and hugged her legs tightly.
"Did they threaten to hurt you, Terrwyn Gould?" Optimus Prime tilted his head to the side a little, only making her smile ever so slightly. So innocent looking... For such a big bot.
"Well.. yeah. They were going to kill me because of that..." She did her very best to keep on looking at him. While lying was something she did often, it was difficult when he truly seemed to want to help her.
"You don't have to worry." Sideswipe grinned down to her. "We're gonna protect you from now on! Right Prime?" His blue optics eyed the taller one, who didn't seem very sure of that statement. Yet he did reply full of faith. "We will do our best."
The girl stretched her back then, trying to look like she avoided fear. An act of acting... It made little sense, yet she did it. "They think I know too much..."
"They only just figured that out?" Sideswipe was still suspicious. However much he liked this femme, he was well aware of her lies too. Stories that were going around base for a good laugh rapidly. Who would believe the Decepticons were in need of money?
"No... Probably not." Terrwyn tried to think up another good excuse.
"We really do need the truth." Optimus Prime's mind was set on that most of all.
"I'll tell the truth under a few conditions..." Might as well use this situation then.
After an exchange of glances, the Prime nodded. "Go ahead."
"First of all, I want to go home for Christmas..." Start off with the most unrealistic one.
"...That will need to be discussed with your human government." Again, the leader could not promise anything.
"...Then no story." Terrwyn crossed her arms defiantly.
A finger poked at her back, which she ignored. Sideswipe did it again, until she began to groan in annoyance. "This's no game."
"Fine well... the next condition is that I get some better clothing. None of you seems to have any fashion sense and this white stuff is blinding me." Yes, they had given her the white shirt and pants again. Hospital much?
"This can be arranged."
"Okay, and last... well, if I can't celebrate Christmas at home... at least let me celebrate with you?" Her blue eyes grew a bit to look at him really sweetly. A thing she always did with her father to get what she wanted.
Prime fell silent at that, but the silver one was quick in replying. "Don't think we have a choice, now do we?" That look was just too cute to him.
"Nope!" The blonde was proud now.
"Then, what really happened?" Optimus, being the serious one like always...
"Oh, right." She had almost forgotten already. "Well, okay... So... I did run away from home, surprise, surprise." A lot of sarcasm there. It wasn't too far from where her story began. "And I ran into this... chicken like Con? Yeah. Or no, it was a bird... In any case... These Cons kidnapped me and wanted to have a bit of fun." This really wasn't far from the truth. She was just leaving her father out! "So they sent me here to break in... and get information on whatever... Yeah."
The two listened intently, and by now some more had joined in. They all realized she was finally doing her story. Not like Terrwyn was good with details, or so it showed once again.
"I got caught here, and Megatron being … him, or I think he's like that all the time... didn't want me to say who or how I got in and uh... then he came to get me. I was real injured and couldn't answer much of their questions so they waited for me to get better." This was where the true lies began. "But in that time I got to hear a lot of their plans, so they ended up wanting to kill me anyway..." It felt terrible to accuse Starscream of trying to kill her... Even if he had pretended to do so. "And that's the whole story. In short."
"...And we're supposed to believe that?" Ironhide still was not convinced.
The blondine shrugged. At least she felt a bit less intimidated by that one now Sideswipe held her in his hand. Though being surrounded by them wasn't the most pleasant of things. "Believe what you will, this is the truth."
"What were they planning?" Ratchet had not missed out on that part.
"Oh, something with a weapon strong enough to destroy Earth, if wished." Sounded believable enough? "Energon based..." That was their fuel, right? Starscream had talked about it from time to time, and explained what it was.
"But the sun harvester was destroyed weeks ago..." It didn't quite match.
"What's a sun harvester?" Did it eat suns or something like that? Was THAT what was hidden in Egypt?! Terrwyn only knew something had happened there... a few weeks ago.
She was ignored. Optimus Prime looked to Ratchet. "Perhaps they still have to harvest the Energon needed to activate the device. In this case, they do not plan to use it upon Earth."
"Are you saying they'll use it upon Cybertron?" Ratchet shook his head. "Our planet is dead already."
"...Maybe I heard them talk about changing the planet too? Giving it new Cybertronian life?" That was their race's name, right? Terrwyn tried to make it sound interesting.
She had their undivided attention now. "Whatcha just say?!" Skids seemed rather excited for some reason.
"Like... changing the place to make it suitable for robots?" Terrwyn tried not to shrink at the stares.
"There's no such thing." Ratchet saw no reason to believe she heard it correctly.
Ironhide was completely done with her. "She's just as much of a liar as those Deceptipunks are."
Sideswipe wasn't so sure. "Think she might be tellin' the truth this time."
It was up to Prime to decide, really, and so they all looked to him. Even Terrwyn was awaiting his judgement.
"If Megatron truly has a device capable of such things... We need to locate it quickly, before he has found the means to activate it. While I have never heard of this before, I have no doubt there are things beyond our knowledge."
A sigh of relief would leave her lips if that wasn't too suspicious. In any case, Terrwyn was glad the leader believed her.
"What do we do, captain?" Bumblebee used his radio to speak like always.
"Perhaps Terrwyn can help us find the Decepticons, which will then lead us to the device itself." Optimus seemed to have good faith in it. Terrwyn simply wasn't happy to hear it came down to her again. They couldn't just let her take a rest and go home, could they?
"Christmas first." She replied defiantly, crossing her arms.
"...Are you serious?" Ironhide wasn't moved, but Sideswipe had to laugh. As did Skids, Mudflad, and Bumblebee. Optimus Prime was simply amused. "Christmas first, yes." It would do the team good, as well as the bonding with humans.
"You know some Christmas carols?" The blondine seemed distracted already!
Few days later, that's what they were doing. Celebrating Christmas. All ornaments were up, the tree stood, the men were allowed to wear santa heads, there was hot chocolate... and the mistletoe everyone ignored.
Terrwyn was sitting by the fire that was made in the middle of the hangar, which some men tend to. They would explain over and over about their time with the boyscouts. The female had never been interested in such things. She was happy to wear something stylish once more, though! It was christmas themed, too.
Then there were presents. Funniest thing to see what Optimus Prime unwrapping one. She had never laughed so much in her life, even if she was the only one to really find it amusing. No one quite understood. Might just have been all the sugar she had.
The blonde was jubilant the day of Christmas morning. Even she had gotten a present, which was a silver necklace with a car pendant. Of course, this came from no one less but Sideswipe, who began to take pity upon the youngling. At the age of sixteen, almost seventeen, she had to go be pulled into an alien war that seemed too unreal for most human beings.
In any case, she was happy with the gesture, and had been wearing the necklace all day. The sun was starting to set when they were still caroling with the men, of which some got drunk after their duties.
Terrwyn poked at Sideswipe feet. "Hey, you. I've got an idea."
"What?" The Bot was suspicious, raising one of his metallic eyebrows. "Don't get yourself in trouble..."
"Don't worry... Just watch." Pulling herself up to her feet, she cocked her head to the side ever so slightly. "Optimus Prime, can you tell me what that there is?" She pointed into the distance.
"...I am afraid I do not know what you are speaking of." He was caught by surprise at her question.
The innocent eyes... She had to keep in a laugh. "That right there... Ugh, just come, I'll point it out." Not taking a no, she began to walk towards one of the corners of this place.
After a moment's hesitation, the leader stood as well and followed after her, until she stopped. He glanced around. "What is it?"
"That right there." She pointed up towards the ceiling.
"...That is used for the ventilation." He thought every human would know.
"Really?!" Terrwyn tried to be as surprised as possible. "Why did anyone put mistletoe in there?! Isn't that dangerous?"
The Prime stared up in thought... "...I do not think so."
"...Yes it is..." Terrwyn tried to act clueless, still.
"I shall remove it then." His big form was easily able to get it away from there, though he was unsure what to do with it next.
"Oh... oops..." Still being clueless...
The big one's optics filled themselves with worry, stepping back slightly. "What is it? Did you drop anything?"
"Not... exactly..." The difficulty of not grinning was becoming worse... "But I just remembered..."
"...Yes?" He would be patient...
"...It's a human custom to kiss when you're together under the mistletoe..."
A sudden wave of laughter hit the two, and Sideswipe was wildly shaking his head. How could she trick the Prime like that? Why would she?! In any case, it was humorous. Surely made her seem closer to all of them.
After a moment of silence, Optimus knelt down carefully. "While it is impossible for... us to share in such affections... it would be a disgrace to your customs if I refused..." The free hand was held out.
With a bright blush, she climbed onto it. What would Starscream think of this? If anything, she'd love to trick him into this instead. Even so, this was too good to let pass... The innocence in his optics, the way he thought it normal to participate in their culture... It was way too amusing.
He lifted her up towards his face, yet seemed even more unsure of how to do it now. Their mouths didn't work the same as those of a human did. Terrwyn decided to take the initiative, and leaned forward. Her hands were put just above his mouth for support.
The room had fallen silent, for no one was sure if they'd actually do it. Some had even gathered around the two just to see it happen. That'd be the first human kissing an Autobot, for as far as they knew. Immediately a Prime too.
Gently, she placed her lips upon his'. There were no romantic feelings involved, she was just having her fun. Seeing how much different they really were from the Decepticons. It would also be a lie to say no sugar and alcohol was involved.
After a few seconds she pulled back, her whole face as red as a tomato. "See, what wasn't too bad..."
The Prime seemed frozen, as if trying to comprehend the whole idea and gesture.
"Oh, come on, don't be so cold about it..." Terrwyn nudged at his cheek now. Even the others were rather silent. "It means nothing."
"That'd be weird." Sideswipe was the first to respond, having joined the two. "Not saying this isn't."
"No mist'toe next year, Skids! Got that?" Mudflap was trying to understand it too... Humans...
"Gotcha, brother." Skids had his jaw hanging open and wide.
Ironhide huffed. To him, she was still a traitor.
It was Lennox who might be most surprised of all, as well as Robert Epps. "That kid's got some nerve..."
"Tell me about it." William Lennox stood perplexed. "Lets hope my daughter doesn't grow up like that."
"Doubt that." Epps patted his friend's shoulder.
Terrwyn giggled like a little girl, keeping a hand before her mouth. "I didn't think you would..."
The Prime observed her for a moment, before finally responding: "It is custom, correct?"
"Yeah..." She would never say it was just optional.
"Then I am supposed to partake to honor your species." Being absolutely careful, he brought her back to the floor, where she jumped off. That was that...
"Who's feeling like some more marzipan?!" The female was already hopping back to her place at the fire, before feeling a hand snatching her up again.
"You've had enough for today." Ratchet answered, as he began to carry her away.
"What? No! I don't want to leave yet!" Why did someone always ruin it for her?!
"It is the appropriate time for a human of your age to get some rest." While no lie there, he simply wanted her to calm down. It was wrong for a Cybertronian and human to kiss, no matter what reason it held.
He tried to reach for something, anything, as he brought her away. "Sideswipe! Help me!" She tried, but he didn't come... Party poopers...
[] Like always, thanks for reading! Hope you enjoyed it! Also thanks for all the reviews, favorites and follows from last time. They cheered me up a lot!
Again, no romance meant here. To be real clear about that. []