A/N: After getting so many amazing reviews, I decided 'what the heck' I have a little free time anyways! So here you guys go! A shiny new chapter to end your day. "Depending on what time zone you're in." I hope you all enjoy! I love writing this story as much as you guys love reading it!

Ironhide sprinted towards the alley behind the skating rink, that was Lissa's scream! Unimaginable rage built up inside him when he took in the scene. That sick bastard was trying to rape HIS Lissa! His anger took over then, something inside his head just snapped. He ran over to the man pinning her down and took him by the throat. He then threw him into the brick wall at the end of the alley. He still had all the strength that he possessed in his bipedal form, so the man hit the wall much harder than he would've if Hide' was just a regular person.

Which he wasn't.

Once the man fell to the ground Hide' picked him up by the throat again and rammed his head back against the wall. Blind fury raging in his eyes. "If you ever touch her again I'll kill you. I'll rip each one of your puny insect limbs off one by one. You will not come near her, and you especially will not disrespect her personal space like that ever again. Got me?" He tightened his hold on his neck as confirmation.

The man, terrified out of his wits and almost unconscious managed a small nod under Ironhide's choke hold. Taking that as an answer he released him, telling him to get the hell out of there. Once he was gone Ironhide ran to Lissa, who was sobbing uncontrollably, and took her in his arms. All anger leaving his body once he held her again. He rocked her back and forth and whispered comfort into her ear, "I'm here, he won't touch you again, I'm here." She still sobbed, clutching her throat as she did. Confused, Ironhide moved her hands, wondering what she was getting at. He gasped at what he saw, the man was holding her tighter than he thought. There were two distinct bruises in the shape of hands developing around her neck. He pulled her sleeves up, looking for more bruises and sure enough there were two more hand marks, one on each arm. And then her waist, both of her hips were discolored and turning a dark black. His eyes narrowed into furious slits, that man had hurt her. It took every ounce of his strength to restrain himself from hunting him down and killing him anyways. But he couldn't leave Lissa. After holding her there for what felt like hours she finally quieted down to small whimpers. Hide' carried her to his alt form as quick as he could. Sam saw him coming and ran over looking very worried. "What happened?" He asked.

Strapping Lissa in as carefully as he could, he merely glanced at Sam, but that said enough. "No…" He murmured.

Ironhide moved her shirt up, showing him the bruises. "We need to get her to a hospital right now, I think she needs medical help. Sam?"

Sam just stood there, frozen, a horrified look on his face. He'd seen Lissa in almost the exact same state before. Flashback haunted his memory, of her screaming, all the nightmares, and looking at his cousins broken form being hauled away into an ambulance. A single tear ran down his cheek, but he made no move to wipe it away.

Just as the first time, the rest of the day was a blur to him. He could vaguely remember Ironhide dragging him into his alt form and speeding off to the nearest hospital, and his parent's worried faces. At this point he was sitting in a uncomfortable chair in the waiting room, staring blankly at the wall. His parents sat next to him grasping each other's hands for comfort. Surprisingly, the doctors let Ironhide in the room while they checked her out. Maybe it was his intimidating presence, or his need to be with her, Sam would never know. So many thoughts were running through his head during their wait, but there was one vicious thing that kept coming back to him, his resolve to do it becoming stronger and stronger with each passing minute.

He was going to find who did this to his Lissa.

Lissa started moving around a little, finally coming to after the nurses had anesthetized her so they could check out her airways. She vaguely felt something firm and strong clasping her hand and something else caressing her cheek. She groaned a little then opened both eyes, blinking a few times trying to rid the blurriness. When her vision became clear again she saw Ironhide sitting next to her hospital bed, he was clasping her hand in his and caressing her cheek. She looked into his burning eyes and saw a handful of emotions. Pain, regret, sorrow, relief, and even a little fear. She moved her hand to put it over his rubbing little circles into the calloused skin. "Hey." She croaked.

He sighed and squeezed her hand, "Hey Lissie."

She tried to smile at the nickname, but it hurt too much. "How are you?"

Hide' rumbled a little, anger flashing in his eyes, "How can you ask that Lissa, you…he could've killed you." He growled at the thought.

"I know that, but you didn't let him, did you?"

A determined look came across his face, "No, and I will never let anyone hurt you like that again."

"Thank you." She whispered.

Hide' looked away, "Don't say that." He murmured.

Lissa looked at him as if he was crazy. "Why not? If you didn't save me-"

"If I hadn't upset you in the first place you wouldn't be here. If I hadn't let you run out of that skating rink, that man wouldn't have done those horrible things to you."

She could tell he was upset. In an attempt to calm him she moved one shaking hand up to his scar, tracing it from top to bottom repeatedly. The action did relax him some, but that look wouldn't leave his eyes.

He took a deep breath, "Lissa, I am so, so sorry I yelled at you like that. Sometimes, I just cannot control my temper. I know that doesn't excuse what I've done but-"

She moved a finger to his lips, "You don't need to be sorry. Nobody's perfect Hide', and that includes me. These things happen, and sometimes, as much as you'd like to change it, that's just the way life goes. So it's okay, and besides, I've been through much worse."

It was true, she had. But it made him feel bad that she had to go through this too. He was amazed by how strong she truly was, taking this like it was nothing, and smiling all the same. His spark hummed with affection as he stared at the broken and battered girl. All her traits seemed to bring him in, her strength, her determination, her compassion, and her beauty. Ironhide swore to himself that he would not fall in love during this war, it was too dangerous. But…

He didn't mind falling in love with Lissa one bit.

A long yawn interrupted his thoughts, Lissa rubbed her eyes with her hand. A fond smile graced Ironhide's face, "You getting tired Lissie?"

Another yawn, "Yeah. Is it okay if I just, rest for a little while?"

He rolled his eyes, wondering why she even had to ask him that, "Of course. Do you, need me to stay in here with you?" She contemplated this for a moment, "No, can you go let Sam know I'm okay? He looked pretty shook up when we got here."

He nodded and smiled down at her once again. Giving her one last glance before he walked towards the door. "Wait." Her meek voice called out from behind. He turned towards her, a little confused. She motioned for him to come closer with her hand. Once he was at her bedside she moved closer to him, "Can you, lean down a little?"

He had no idea what she planned on doing, but did it anyways.

Trying not to blush she took his cheek with one hand, tilting his head slowly to the side. She leaned closer to him, pausing to get her bearings, then left a sweet and slow kiss on his cheek.

Ironhide felt something warm and soft on his cheekbone. In his peripheral vision he saw Lissa leaned towards him and quickly realized what she was doing.

She was kissing him on the cheek.

Even the small gesture was enough to make Hide' blush a deep blue. She let go of him and laid down again, trying to control her own raging blush. "Thanks again." She whispered.

He smiled slightly, leaning towards her again. This time he left a chaste but sweet kiss on her forehead before quietly walking out of the room.

Lissa fell asleep almost immediately after that. She felt a deep comfort, something she hadn't felt in a long time. It felt good to know that there was someone out there who cared about her. Even if he was a 28 foot tall robot, he gave her a look that no other man gave her before. And that kiss, it spoke of fondness and protection on a level that not many could understand.

Maybe, just maybe, she would give him a chance.

A/N: Awww, just…AWWW! I loved writing this chapter! It showed that Lissa and Ironhide were still in the early stages in their relationship, but that it was deepening more everyday. I hope you guys enjoyed this as much as I did, if you did, please tell me! I want to make this story the best it can be.

As always,

~Courtney