CHAPTER 3

I sighed as I relayed the story. Wheelie was shaking his head behind me in disbelief, but I'd always been taught honesty was the best policy. When I finished he sounded… almost relieved. Weird much?

He sent Starscream and Thundercracker to pick up Soundwave. I rode back with Barricade. Frenzy tried to lighten the mood, but his spark wasn't in it. When I got to base, Megatron sent me to my room. Yah, yet another weird thing. He said I couldn't stay in his quarters anymore because my annoying heartbeat kept him awake.

Well, excuse me.

What had happened? Had it just been some fluke? That had to be it. I nodded and started to unpack my new things. When I was done, I went to go check on Starscream.

…1 week later…

Turns out, he was in stasis. Thank goodness. He didn't know what had happened either, and he used the unusual occurrence as an excuse as to why he couldn't predict my actions.

Whatever keeps him in recharge at night.

Starscram had rudely made the remark that I was as dangerous as a live wire. The name stuck and I was no longer Evelyn, which was fine with me. I had grown tired of the name. So the mechs around the base called me Livewire. I thought it was the coolest name ever of course, so I didn't object. Hey. It could have been worse. They could have called me Shrapnel or something!

Soundwave had recovered. Thank goodness. I'd also caused something of a competition between the mechs. It'd started when it was Wheelie's turn to bring my food. There, in the bag, among other disgusting veggies was gold.

Not literally, but it was chocolate! I asked very seriously who had brought the chocolate. He'd looked at me warily. "Um… why? You aren't mad are ya?" I didn't answer. "Just tell me."

"Uh, Barricade." I rushed to find him. "Did you bring the chocolate?" He looked confused. "Yes. Why…?" A huge grin appeared on my face. "Thank you thank you THANK YOU!"

I'd told him jokingly that'd I'd put him as number 3 on my speed dial. Nobody knew about my voicemail yet. Heh heh. Anyways, he seemed pleased and now him, Wheelie, Frenzy, and quite a few others were competing for my speed dial ranking. Megatron didn't bother because he was confident he would always be first…er, second.

Just because he's egotistical doesn't mean he's wrong.

I was currently drying my hair from that morning's shower. I had my pajama shorts on them and a black tank top. Hey, style isn't worth much in a Decepticon base. Suddenly I felt a pair of arms wrap around my leg. Without looking away from my mirror I spoke. "Don't even think about it, Wheelie."

"Aww…Livewire, please?" I didn't have to look down to know he would have his 'puppy dog eyes' on, trying to mask his pervy grin. "No. Now get out so I can get ready." He sighed and started to roll away.

"I told them you were no help." I rolled my eyes. "What in Primus's name are you talking about?"

Wheelie looked innocent… well, as innocent as he could be. "It's just that, well, Barricade was wondering if you wanted to have a game night." I tilted my head to the side. "Sounds fun. What's the catch?"

He smirked. "No catch!" He turned and mumbled something I couldn't hear. "Wait, what?"

"Nothing, Livewire!" He sped out the room. I shook my head and went back to my hair. I let out a squeak as I was lifted off the ground by a large hand. I turned my head to see Megatron. "Good morning! Buenas Dias!"

He shook his head. "Why do you insist on speaking in two languages? It is irritating."

I smiled. "You guys speak in two languages all the time and I can't understand one of them. At least you have the internet to translate whatever I say." He huffed.

"What are you doing?" I sighed. "The same thing I do every morning I'm trying to dry my hair, but it's taking forever."

He waited a moment before a blast of hot air covered me. I nearly was knocked off his hand, but he held me. I shook my head. "Gee, thanks." My hair was dry now, but terribly tangled. It'd take forever to fix. "I should probably just hack it off."

"Don't." I started at the order. He sounded upset at the very idea. He shook his head in apology. "So, what did Wheelie want?"

I tilted my head, confused. "How'd you know he came in here?" He looked away.

"Um… didn't he? He's usually somewhere around you." I raised an eyebrow, but accepted his answer.

"He invited me to a game night. I have no idea what he's planning." Megatron sighed. I looked at him. "What?"

"That little mech is annoying." I smiled. "Yah, but he's sweet." A sharp pain appeared behind my eyes. I gripped my head in pain, trying to shake the hurt away.

He gripped me tightly. "What's the matter?"

I shook my head. "It's nothing."

He frowned at me. "That is not nothing. Are you in pain?"

I laughed inwardly. Was I in pain? Yah, just since I was little. I'd had horrible headaches everyonce in awhile, but I hadn't had one this bad in forever. I nodded.

Desperation rang through his vocal processor. "What's happening?"

The pain subsided, leaving a dull ache. I frowned. "Ugh. It's just something that's been going on for a while now. Since I was little." Since after I was kidnapped

He frowned as he brought me up to eye level and scanned me. "Your heart rate is unusual for a human… Why?" I took in a slow, ragged breath. "I don't know. It started after I got kidnapped by some creepy people." I gave a forced laugh. "Sorry."

"Why are you apologizing when it is obviously not your fault? Who kidnapped you?"

I shrugged. "I don't know. I remember a big, creepy building. I remember them saying something like… vector eleven or something."

Megatron looked at me hard. I shifted, self conscious. "Sector Seven?"

I nodded. "Yes. That's it." At his furious gaze I looked up. "Sorry if I upset you."

"Do not ever apologize for something, especially if you have no control over it. That is not the Decepticon way."

I nearly giggled. "I'm not a Decepticon!

"Technically, no. But you are more capable of following orders than some of the idiots here."
I smiled softly. "Well, thanks I guess." I stretched my arms after he'd set me down and left. I couldn't wait for tonight.

Wheelie grinned when I finally showed. "Livewire! You came!" I rolled my eyes. "Told you I would."

He nodded. "So, what do we do?"

I looked at him like he was crazy. "What do you mean? You invited me. You're supposed to have planned something."

He waved my words away. "Yah, yah. So what now?"

I sighed, thinking. What do you play with a room full of giant alien DECEPTICON robots? Twister was definitely out, though I laughed at the thought. Maybe a card game with their holo forms… hmmm. But what?

"I have an idea. We could play poker, or B.S. but I think poker would be more fun." I waited till they'd all looked up the two different games on the internet. Barricade nodded, grinning. "Sounds fun."

I jumped as his holoform appeared next to me. I scowled. "Don't do that!" He shrugged as the other decepticon holoforms appeared in the room.

Once they'd all appeared, I stood up. "Kay, now here's the extra rules for you guys." I placed my hands on my hips. "NO scanning me to see if I'm lying or not, or else I'll just think you're too coward."

Starscream's holoform snorted. "Why'd that be considered cowardly?"

"Cause you're afraid of a little organic beating you. Don't worry, Screamer, I already know I can beat you."

He snarled, but stayed silent. I looked at the rest of them. "Anybody guilty of such will add another chip to the bet pile. Which reminds me… what are we gonna bet with?"

They looked between each other. Thundercracker had a confused look, which matched his personality.

Finally, of all people, er, mechs, Soundwave spoke. "We could bet mundane tasks which we hate." I nodded. They were always complaining about moniter duty and such.

"I guess I don't really have anything to bet with… ugh." Wheelie's evil optics gleamed.

"What about your speed dial? Or tasks?" I raised an eyebrow. "What?"

He grinned. "You deal, I'll explain later." I shrugged.

A couple of hours later, and I was having a blast. Starscream had monitor duty for the next millennia and I had gained chocolate from several mechs. Turns out, Wheelie's "task" was a car wash. Ha. In his dreams. I'd crushed that hope when I'd played a straight against his 2 pair.

Now it was between me, Screamer, Barricade and Soundwave. I smiled inwardly at my hand. Hahahahaha! Sorry, I was pretty excited. My face shone worry and concern, a slight frown tugging at my lips. Screamer noticed and smirked. "Ready to give in?"

I shook my head. Looking at my cards determinedly, I nodded. "All in. For me that means a full wash, wax, no chocolate and… the number one space on my speed dial."

Barricade's eyes bulged, while Screamer's smirk widened and Soundwave looked thoughtful. We laid down our cards and all three of them groaned. I laughed. "Just be glad I don't have chores or else you'd never get everthing done!"

Barricade grumbled as their holoforms disappeared. I gave a mocking curtsy. "Thank you, thank you. I know. I even amaze myself sometimes." I went to bed that night elated.