I know it's been a while. School, finals, depression, and general problems have been invading my life and therefore have made me unable to update any new chapters or stories. Now I'm on winter break! Yay! :)

Miko just stared. She didn't know why, but she didn't want to stop even though it was starting to make things uncomfortable.

Nightdrift polished the same canister for the past 20 minutes, not wanting to miss a single smudge. She knew that the human girl was intensely studying her.

When she finished with the minor task the Autobot medic assigned to her, Nightdrift awaited her next order. While waiting, the femme averted her optics toward the railing – that Miko was so gracefully leaning over – and switched her gaze back and forth between the exchange student and Ratchet's busy servos, which were examining his prodigy's handiwork.

Nightdrift now only looked to Miko as if they were having a staring contest. Miko blinked. Nightdrift smiled. Miko's (thin) patience finally dispersed.

"Sooo why are you here again?" Her arms barely supporting her head as she spoke.

Turning her gaze back toward the Autobot in front of her, Nightdrift coolly said, "I already gave you my answer."

"Yeah, well, I really don't believe you on that," Miko slumped even more over the edge, "Is that the only reason?"

Nightdrift's face slightly twisted and her wings flicked twice. Crossing her arms over her chest, her hidden optics squeezed shut and reopened. "No, it isn't."

By this time, the other two teenagers came and stood by Miko, listening in carefully. Video games had gotten boring and there was nothing good on television. And watching the Death Race trilogy for the fifth time freaked out Rafael…for the fifth time.

Ratchet's inspection faltered only for a second when his curiosity piqued but, like Miko's patience, quickly went away.

Speaking of 'away', for the last few hours, Optimus Prime had taken Prowl, Jazz, and the twins to scan earth vehicle forms. It was only then Optimus had contacted base. A few moments later five cars drove through the green and white swirling vortex of a groundbridge portal.

Prime was the first one through followed by Prowl, then Jazz, and Sunstreaker was last behind his older brother. Optimus transformed next to Ratchet and allowed room for his fellow companions. Prowl parked next to the ground bridge with Jazz next to him. The twins were next to each other when the members of Team Prime walked into the main room, checking out the commotion. Jack, Miko, and Rafael ran down the stairs to get a closer look at the new, super-sweet cars now taking up the floor like an entertainment show.

Prowl, not really fond of showiness or being too worried about his looks, picked something simple but not out of taste. The spiked-hair teen walked toward Prowl's grill and admired the polish of the new paintjob. "Hey!" Raf said with a smile, "Something I never thought I'd see: a Datsun!"

Miko rolled her eyes, "Datsuns are so old," she scoffed. "Check out this rocking Porsche!"

"You know," Jack sighed, "this town doesn't see any Lambos except on T.V.," he said appreciatively, gesturing to the twins parked in front of him.

Prowl had chosen a white and black 2012 Datsun 280ZX. Jazz had scanned a flashy white 2014 Porsche Carrera GT and the twins both sported a 2014 Lamborghini Gallardo, Sideswipe being crimson red and Sunstreaker being 'sunshine' yellow.

Everyone looked at the new cars with interest when the four transformed, minding the humans' positions near them.

"You guys look so cool!" Miko exclaimed.

Jazz chuckled, "Thanks, little darling!" She gave a friendly wink.

Sideswipe stretched. "So, Nightdrift," he sauntered over to her, wrapping an arm around her shoulders. Intimate but nice. "When are you getting your v-mode? Earth has some pretty sweet models." She rolled her eyes when he smirked at her.

"In case you've forgotten, I'm not. Leaving. The base," she punctuated the last few words for unnecessary emphasis.

Optimus cut in, "Nightdrift is correct, Sideswipe, she will not leave our base for some time." Nightdrift's hidden optics gave an I-told-you-so. "But you will scan your own vehicle form eventually," Prime looked directly at her when he added that. Nightdrift may have limited privileges but she will still need to disguise herself on earth.

There will be times when she wants 'fresh air'.

The Nemesis

Starscream is irritated. When is he not?

Megatron refused to talk to anyone after the Autobot footage. Except for Soundwave; understandable since they've been allies and friends since who knows how long

"Soundwave," the seeker examined his manicured claws, "any success on the video?"

Soundwave refused to answer, only typing faster on the enhancements that are displayed on the screen.

"I take it that's a no then…"

More silence save for the beeping and blips of the computer.

"Tell me then," Starscream spoke loud enough to almost startle oneself. "Why do you think our master is so…out of character?" This wasn't a question, rather than a request.

Soundwave's digits faltered the slightest bit, indicating he does know but refuses to say anything. Like always.

Seems like a good place to leave off…

I actually didn't research the actual models Prowl, Jazz, and the Twins were in G1 but I did look up the general make. I chose the coolest looking ones – in my opinion.

It's also been a while since I have thought back on this story, so my M&M thoughts may be a little rusty. Meanwhile I will go have some daydreams pertaining to this verse to help me further along. :)