Darby House, Jack's POV
As I entered the house again, I could hear Evan and Scott speaking.
"We looked everywhere, professor. We couldn't find him."
So they'd been looking for me.
I took a deep breath as I silently shut the door. I pressed my forehead to the wood, gathering my nerve before slowly entering the livingroom.
"I'm back."
Everyone looked over, and I shifted uncomfortably under the attention.
"I am so sorry for talking like that, and for walking out too. I know you just want to help, but I'm just so new to these powers, I wasn't sure if my sense was just acting up or if you guys really weren't a danger..."
I rubbed the back of my neck sheepishly, cutting my own rambling off. Professor Xavier rolled forward in his wheelchair, and smiled kindly up at me.
"There's no need to apologize, I know how hard this must be for you, and how confusing it is. And what do you mean by your 'sense'?"
I flushed slightly in embarrassment, and stared at my feet.
"I...Well..." I cleared my throat awkwardly. The professor just chuckled, patting my knee.
"Nevermind. Now please, come sit, this is your home after all."
I nodded, smiling slightly as I went to sit in the chair I'd been in an hour or so before. Mom came over, politely smacking the back of my head.
"H-Hey!"
"Jackson Darby, don't you ever run off like that again! For all I knew you could've been hit by a car or something and I'd be none the wiser!" She scolded.
I winced slightly, giving a sheepish smile.
"Mom, I'm fine! I just needed some time to think." I replied, smiling hesitantly as I looked at the group of teens that stood behind Professor Xavier.
"I wanted to ask, does the institute really help you guys control your powers? Help you guys not...lose control and hurt people?"
The question was a painful one to ask, but I had to. I had already hurt Vince unintentionally, and didn't want to hurt mom, Miko or Raf.
One of the girls, about Miko's age grinned, nodding as she replied.
"Yeah! It's, like, really nice at the institute too. And even if it's, like, a little crowded, we're all one big family!"
I smiled, nodding before I looked at Professor Xavier.
"Then...I accept your invitation to the institute, Professor Xavier." I finally said.
Evan cheered, coming over and playfully putting me into a headlock while Scott grinned and patted my shoulder. The professor smiled.
"I'm glad to hear that. Will you be coming with us back to the institute? Or would you like to come on your own in a week or so?"
"I have a few loose ends to tie up, so I'll come, probably by train. What about school?" I replied, tilting my head.
"You will be signed up at Bayvile High, just like all the other teens at the institute."
"Alright." I nodded before looking at mom.
"Are you okay with this?"
She smiled softly.
"Of course, I want you to be safe, Jack. And I know this is important to you. I'll be fine, just call when you can and be carefull." Her voice became slightly accussing as she pointed a threatening finger at me.
I laughed, along with everyone else in the room. I then shifted so I sat on my knee's in the chair and I hugged her.
A few days later, 3rd POV
"WHAT DO YOU MEAN YOU'RE LEAVING?"
Jack winced, rubbing his now aching ear as he leaned away from Miko. When the raven haired male was sure that she was done yelling, he sighed.
"Just what I said. I was invited to stay at an institute in Bayvile, and I accepted. I'm going to take a train there in two days." Jack explained slowly.
Raf hesitantly moved forward.
"But what if the 'cons follow you?" He asked, worry evident in his eyes. Jack smiled softly.
"Arcee and I already talked to Ratchet. He's made a device that will hide my life signal." He replied, ruffling the twelve year olds hair.
"Jack."
The raven haired teen looked up to Optimus, who kneeled down to be slightly more leveled with Jack.
"Is this truely what you want?"
"Yeah...Yeah, it is. I'll visit on holidays and stuff, so it won't be forever." Jack assured the Prime, who nodded.
"Very well. Never forget, you are always welcome here."
"Believe me, there's no chance of me forgeting."
The teen then sighed, stepping back a few steps.
"I won't be going to school for the last day I have here, so this is good bye. For now, at least." Jack said, offering a meek smile.
Raf and Miko ran forward to hug Jack tightly, which he returned. He then looked at 'Bee and Bulk.
"You better take care of these guys, or you'll be answering to me." He joked gently. Bulk and 'Bee both laughed, nodding.
Jack then looked at Ratchet.
"See you later, Ratchet."
The medbot seemed a bit surprised, never having talked much with the teen, he thought he would have been overlooked. He gave a slight nod and grunted in agreement.
Jack finally turned to look at Optimus. He was surprised when the Prime actually lifted him in his palm.
"Jack. You have been, and shall always be a worthy ally, and friend, of the Autobots. Do not hesitate to call if you are ever in need, and...be safe."
Jack grinned widely, moving forward. He surprised everyone when he pressed his palm to Optimus' chasis, right over the Prime's spark.
"Thank you, Optimus. I promise to be carefull."
Night before leaving, Jack's POV
I sighed as I stared at myself in the mirror.
I'd been practicing how to make my claws grow and vanish, and was now pretty good at it. But an hour earlier, my eyes had become the cat pupiled, acid colored orbs, and refused to return to normal.
I don't know how, but I knew they wouldn't go back to normal again.
Ever.
With a groan, I turned and went to my bed, flopping down on it with a huff. Looking at my clock, I grimaced when the numbers flashed 2:08AM.
I'd been unable to sleep, to excited and nervous to calm down.
"Jack?"
I looked up and saw mom standing in my doorway, wrapped up in a robe and staring at me tiredly.
"Mom...! What are you doing awake?"
Mom smiled wearily.
"I can't sleep. And it seems you can't either." She replied, gesturing to my rumpled clothes.
I shrugged as I sat up, legs dangling over the edge of my bed. She moved forward and used a hand to make me look at her, her eyes concerned.
"Jack...your eyes!"
"Yeah. They'd flash betwwen normal and this, but now they're stuck like this...They won't return to normal again. You're...you're not scared, are you?" I replied hesitantly.
Mom laughed.
"Scared of you? Jack, you could never scare me. Why don't we go downstairs? It's obvious that neither of us are going to sleep tonight."
I nodded, standing and following her down into the kitchen.
I grinned as I sat on the bar stool, leaning on the island in the middle of the kitchen. I remembered how many times mom and I had sat here. Whenever mom had a bad day at work, I'd make her something to eat (I was the better cook out of the two of us) and would let her vent her thoughts on me.
Or when I'd have troubles in school or at work, mom and I would sit at the island and talk.
I raised a brow when mom came down a few minutes later after me, a bundle in her arms.
"Mom? What's that?" I asked as she sat next to me. She smiled softly before handing the bundle to me.
I unfolded it, and found myself staring at a cobalt blue hoodie. A small, red Autobot insignia was stitched on the left shoulder.
I grinned as I looked up at mom.
"This is so cool. How did you put the 'bot insignia on the sleeve?" I asked. Mom shrugged.
"It took awhile, but I managed. I thought you might like to keep the 'bots close, in a way." She replied, grinning.
"Thanks mom, I love it." I murmured warmly, hugging her tightly.
"Well, if you're really thankfull, you could make something to eat." She said, smiling in a way that reminded me of a small child asking for candy. I raised a brow, then sighed, folding the hoodie up and standing.
"Fine. What do you want me to make?"
"Hmm...We have pleanty of time! How about monkey bread?" She replied cheerfully, head tilting.
I sighed, nodding as I went and began gathering the ingredients.
"So, are you excited?" Mom asked.
I glanced at her for a moment over my shoulder, then shrugged.
"Yeah, I am. But I wish the circumstances were different, y'know." I replied, my eyes falling to the ground for a moment sadly before returning back to the shelves of ingredients.
"Will you call once your train gets to Bayvile?"
"Yup."
"Are you going to give more than one word answers?"
"Nope." I replied again, smirking as my mom laughed.
A couple hours later, 3rd POV
Jack grinned as June made a sound of delight as she tasted the monkey bread.
"Jack, this is amazing. How can you be better at cooking then me?"
Jack laughed.
"I've had pleanty of practice." Jack simply replied, acid colored eyes glinting with happiness as he pulled some of the monkey bread apart.
"We should probably save some, you could take it to base for Miko, Raf and Fowler." The onyx haired teen commented before taking a bite.
"Alright, I'll do that...Are you packed?"
Jack nodded in reply as he swallowed.
"Yeah. All my clothes and a couple other things are packed, but if I forgot something, you can probably just send it." Jack explained as he tore off another piece of the monkey bread.
Silence filled the room, but it was a comfortable one.
"I'm going to miss you." June suddenly murmured, looking at Jack sadly. Jack looked at her, sadly smiling.
"I'll miss you too, mom."
A few hours later, Jack's POV
Arcee pulled into the train station parking lot, and I got off, removing my helmet and pulling the hood of my new hoodie up to hide my new eyes in shadow. I then gently put the helmet in Arcee's compartment as her holoform fizzled to life.
While mom pulled into the spot next to us, Arcee's holoform hugged me.
"Take care of yourself partner, or I'll hunt you down." She lightly joked, making me chuckle.
"Now I wouldn't want that, would I? Don't worry, 'Cee, I promise I'll be careful." I replied as I returned the hug.
I then turned to mom and hugged her, she returned it tightly.
"Be safe, call me when you get there, alright?"
"Got it."
"I love you."
"Love you too." I replied, forcing myself to hold back unwanted tears. Arcee then spoke up.
"Better get going, hot-shot. Your train'll be leaving soon."
I nodded, pulling away from mom and giving her a peck on the cheek as I picked up my two suitcases (easy for me, since I was now amazingly strong).
With one last farewell, I ran into the station.