CHAPTER NINE

Saving Grace

***

Meg: I'd like to thank Lee-Aeront and Autobot Alythia for their reviews. Also, I'd like to thank Linkin Park, for creating New Divide, and…

Bianca: Okay, okay, we get the point.

***

Moving through the fog, my heart began to beat faster and, before I knew it, there was energy rising up within me, forming in my hands, making me feel even more dizzy but, at the same time, alive.

I feel as if I'm need further through the fog, and so I began to run, eventually reaching the invisible X, and throwing my hands out on either side of me.

There was an incredible crashing, and then everything went black.

*

Backdraft's P.O.V:

Starscream and I have sparred many times before, but now we were going at each other with the intent to kill. I felt duty-bound to protect the bearer of the All-Spark – because I didn't want another Decepiton to have her. I was still feeling confused and torn as to where my allegiances lay. Emma had said that I should join the Autobots.

Would they even want me? I still bore the mark of their enemy, as a silent reminder of the man I had yet to thank…Megatron. He'd saved my life, but then he'd abandoned me, hadn't even bothered to come looking for me.

See what I mean about being torn?

Speaking of which, I was about to get torn in half by Starscream, who seemed extremely angry at me for interrupting his…well, whatever he'd been about to do.

Fine.

I would tear his spark out of him in a silent blaze of glory.

But the human had other plans. She seemed to be moving in a trance as she placed herself between me and Starscream, and held out her glowing hands. As soon as Starscream and I came into contact with the light, we were pushed back. We both landed about ten feet away, and looked up just in time to see Emma faint.

"Emma!" Starscream yelled, and made to run to her, but I was on my feet too, and I was faster then he was.

I crash tackled him to the ground, and punched him in the face.

He glared up at me with his burning red eyes, and then pushed me off of him, standing up.

I stood up too. I reached down and picked up Emma, cradling her in my hand. I held my other hand over her.

I watched Starscream take a step back.

"Don't you dare…" He whispered.

I was puzzled. "Why should you think I care what happens to a human? I could destroy her with one hand, Starscream. I suggest you leave before I do."

He glared at me, before his optic quickly looked at Emma's unconscious form.

"You haven't changed, Backdraft." He said, shaking his head, before transforming and taking off into the skies, just as the Autobots arrived.

They took one look at me, looking like I was about to destroy their precious friend, and I knew I was doomed.

I couldn't take them all on at once.

*

Bumblebee's P.O.V:

"Was it you!?" I angrily asked, standing in my robot form and glaring at the Decepticon who was regarding us calmly, my Em held tight in one black hand. "You spike her drink, didn't you!? Now you want to take her back to Megatron!"

"I say we get Emma back, and then we attack!" Bianca whispered fiercely.

"No!" The voice startled us all, and we all looked at Emma. She raised her head, and then pushed herself up onto her hands and knees before falling into a kneeling position. "Owch…" She said, rubbing her head. "What the slag just happened to me…where's..?" She looked around. "What happened to Starscream?"

"He retreated, little one," The Decepticon holding her said calmly. "You are safe now."

"To hell she's safe with you!" Sideswipe yelled.

"But I am safe!" Emma protested, although she didn't have the strength to stand up and back up her words. "Starscream was the one that stole me away, but he didn't want to hurt me, or at least I don't think he did…" She stopped, looking confused, and then went on: "But, anyway, Backdraft was the one who saved me!"

"Really?" Bianca looked dubious. "Are you sure, Em? That drug might make you hallucinate…but there's no denying the Decepticon symbol on h…"

"BACKDRAFT IS NOT OUT ENEMY!!!!!!!!" Emma suddenly screamed, hurting all of our audio receptors. Emma cringed. "Oh…sorry…but, guys, Backdraft mentioned becoming neutral, and I mentioned becoming one of us…"

"What!?" We all turned to look at Optimus, who was looking at Emma. "My little one, how can you..?"

"I can tell…" Emma said tearfully, looking up at Optimus. "Backdraft is good. Please – let her join us."

I happened to glance to my left then, and see Sunstreaker staring at Emma…no, he was staring at Backdraft, the fembot who was holding her. I recognised the look on his face immediately – he liked her.

So, I wasn't surprised when Sunstreaker said we should give Backdraft a chance. Sideswipe was quick to back him up, and slowly, one-by-one, the others said we should give the female Decepticon a chance, a chance to change sides. Even Zikya said we should.

At last, only Bianca, Optimus and were left to ay anything at all.

Bianca looked at Em, who had things humans call tears in her lovely green eyes.

"I want whatever you want, Em." Bianca said slowly, and Em nodded gratefully.

Then, she looked over at me. "Bee-Bee?"

I looked Backdraft up and down, and then said: "She saved your life…and I am grateful for that. If you say we should trust her, Em-Em, then we should."

Emma smiled slightly, blushing. THNAK YOU. She mouthed.

Bianca and Zikya exchanged a look and shrugged.

Then, everyone looked at Optimus. The decision was up to him, I think even Backdraft knew that. She was waiting nervously.

Optimus looked down at Em. "My little one…" He began, and I knew that he cared more about her then he did about himself. Not just because of what she had inside of her.

He had become fond of her. We all had. Even old Ironhide.

Em suddenly reached up her hands towards Optimus. He stepped forward, and Backdraft gently handed Em to our boss-bot.

Em sat in Optimus' hand, and gazed up at him with serious, tear-filled eyes. "I may not remember this tomorrow, Opti," She said, very slowly. "But I will know if you do not let Backdraft prove herself. I will go looking for her, time and again until I find her again. She fought Starscream to protect me, with the intent to kill him if she had to. We can trust her, okay?" She then smiled at him, and it was like the sun had come out at night. Well, at least I felt that was, and my optics widened. I wanted her to smile at me that way!

Optimus looked at Em for the longest time. I knew he was affected by her smile too, although not as much as what I was.

At last, he ran one of his fingers down the side of her face in a comforting manner, and said: "Alright, my little one. We will see how things go."