Disclaimer : I don't own it.

Note :

"Nobody move! I've dropped me brain!"

I borrowed this line from Tatyana Witwicky's 'Guidelines to Living with Robots' (but I've also seen it on someone's msn message, and they told me it was from Pirates of the Carribean (which I've seen, so you'd think I'd recognize it, but no), so... I don't own it. XD

(Two Weeks Later, Bella's POV)

To say things were going relatively smoothly would be an understatement. Richard worked full time as a paramedic, so most days I went to meet Rika, he was there, either waiting for a call, going out to a call, or heading back. That's not to say we always ran into each other. Some days I'd hear a siren and look out my window in curiosity, seeing the yellow hummer zipping down the road, lights flashing.

The more I got to know him, the less I was instinctively thinking of Ratchet whenever I saw the vehicle. In fact, most of the time we hung out, Transformers barely popped up at all, which was surprising and nice. Of course, I still referred to him having Rachet-isms, or little quirks that I'd come to recognize as the Autobot medic's, but I never told him that.

Other days, Rika and I would sit out on my front steps, and he'd drive past us on his way back. He was a surprisingly sweet guy, once you got beyond his occasional Rachet-isms with health and such. He was also usually cheery, unless he had a particularly nasty case, which again, happened more than once.

Rika and I had found out that sometimes, just sitting silently seemed to help him more than conversation.

I was right about my initial estimate of his age. He was in his very early fourties, nearly twice our age, but something inside him got along with us just fine. And despite the age difference, I found I couldn't be disappointed. I mean, I was an adult, I could have mature conversations with him, and his personality was remarkably young himself.

Rika liked to say it was because he was a man, and men never mentally matured beyond sixteen.

Hell, she'd said it to his face.

And Richard's reaction? He laughed. He laughed full heartedly, and agreed with her.

That was another thing, too. Unlike a lot of 'Richard's out there, he didn't really take to being called 'Rich', 'Rick' or 'Ricky'. And I'm kind of thankful for that, because I really didn't see a 'Ricky' when I looked at him. Rika still called him that, and he accepted it as one of those fully loathed nicknames.

"Everyone has one you know." I put in with a smile one day, while we sat on the front step. Richard was off duty, but we were hanging out, considering it was one of the few days Rika had off. "I mean, she calls me 'Bellie' sometimes. Makes me feel like a giant gut."

He laughed again, shaking his head. "Ok, if you can handle her calling you 'Bellie', I suppose I can handle her calling me 'Ricky', just don't make a big habit of it." He pointed at her, and then withdrew his finger with a yelp when she took a snap at it. For a moment he just looked from his finger to her, eyebrow raised incredulously, flexing the finger.

"Didn't I tell you?" I grinned toothily at him. "She's a maneater. Literally." I couldn't help the violent giggles that wracked my body as I shook my head. "She especially has a taste for fingers that are being waved in her face."

"Yup. I bite. Hard. Whether asked to or not." She grinned broadly, showing off her white teeth, before sinking them into the straw in her half empty bottle of coke.

"Carnivore. So what're we gonna do today?" I tilted my head as I got to thinking. "There's a storm coming." The sky was dark and there was a heavy wind, filled with the scent of flowers. I loved storms like you wouldn't believe. Something about them always made me feel more alive, energetic, almost tingling.

"Wanna watch a movie?"

Richard frowned. "I'm kind of a weekend movie guy. It's only Thursday, why don't we head over to your favorite park? Or maybe we can head down to the lake for a bit."

"Oh! The lake! Today's the perfect day to swim and the water'll be warmer. The storm won't hit for a while, what do you say?" Rika was pouting at me. "I'll pay for the taxi! I volunteer!"

Yeah, let's go swimming right before a probably violent thunder storm. After all, it's not like we'll make perfect lightning rods out in the water. I thought sarcastically, even though I was seriously considering her idea. It was hot and sticky, so a swim sounded pretty good by now.

That was one thing. While both Rika and I could drive, neither of us had the money to even afford a used car, with bills. So neither of us drove. Any long distance places we had to go, we either rented a car, or took a taxi.

Seeing what we were thinking, Richard suddenly smirked, dark eyes twinkling. "Why don't I give you guys a ride? Like you already know, I own the Ratchet-mobile, and I know you've been dying to ride in it." He sipped his ice cap, the corners of his eyes crinkled in amusement as he waited for the answer he knew was coming.

And he wasn't disappointed, either.

Rika squealed loudly and jumped up, grabbing my keys from the step beside me as she went. Her pop bottle almost went flying, but the acrobat she was, she managed somehow to catch it again and juggled it, my arm, and the keys as she dragged me up the stairs. "We gotta get changed! C'mon, Bellie!"

I groaned as he laughed at the dreaded nickname. Allowing my head to fall back, I sighed. "Primus, give me strength." With a smile, I unlocked the door and looked over my shoulder at our newest friend. "We'll be right back."

The smile he shot me was a little different from what he used whenever Rika was around. I think I first really noticed it after the first week. It almost seemed warmer, softer, and I felt myself flush, causing the smile to grow even more. It was no secret I liked him, and he seemed to like that. He also seemed ot take great pleasure in making me blush whenever he could.

"I'll be waiting right here." He patted the stone step, the smile still fixed firmly in place. Then he ran a hand through his hair and leaned back against the stair wall, enjoying the shade while he could.

Turning, I bit my lip and followed Rika into the building.

"He so likes you." She was singing as she almost danced up the stairs.

"Oh shut it! We've only known each other for two weeks!" I swatted at her arm and giggled as I waved to Mrs Craven, who smiled back as we passed. "I think that's a little too soon to be saying stuff like that."

"That's why he bought you your ice cap."

"Paying me back for the one I bought him two weeks ago."

"And why he's always smiling at you."

"He smiles at you, too, and if that's what you're judging, then Mrs, Craven likes you, too."

She shuddered. "But he's got a special smile all for you."

I blushed and ducked my head as I unlocked my apartment door. Rika 1, Bella 0. "Shut up." I headed in and held the door open for her, before pushing it closed. "Go get your spare suit and get changed in the bathroom." I headed to my room and dug through my dresser for my pale violet bikini, then bit my lip.

Is it too much? Not enough? I slipped into my closet to change quickly, before stepping back out and in front of the mirror. I plucked at the top, shoving it around on my chest until I was almost falling out, and then blushing as I tried to fix it to cover more. Ack, either way too much or so not enough. The grimace was stuck on my face as I turned sideways.

"Damn girl, you're skinny." Rika sauntered into the room, wearing her clothes, but I picked up the black halter strap of her one piece peeking out from under her top. "But in a good way. I mean, you're really slender. You've got curves in all the right places and that suit shows them off."

I was plucking at the bottoms, pulling them up snugly, then trying to work the instant weggie out, shifting uncomfortably. "Have you ever thought about going into fashion?" If there was one thing she loved, it was dressing people up, and working with hair dye, makeup accessories and fashion. "I dunno. Is it a little too...well, little?" I turned one way and then the other.

"Richard'll like it." She was smirking as she headed over to my dresser.

I was practically naked, so yeah, I bet he would. So would everyone else on the whole damn beach. I was suddenly hit with a bad mental image of pulling off my top and popping out of my bikini top on the beach. "Oh stop!" I groaned, shaking my head and flushing. "I'm gonna need to layer on the makeup just to hide the blush!" I slapped my cheeks slightly, before fanning them. Hiding my blush was all but useless with her around, and there were times I'm surprised my head didn't implode with the force of my blushes, with some of the things she'd suggest.

She dug around a moment. "I'm gonna fix you up."

I closed my eyes, a little wary about what 'fix you up' could translate to. When I opened them, she'd already closed the drawer and was heading over. In her hands she carried a short jean skirt, and a white button up vest made of jean material as well. I didn't bother to argue, knowing she'd physically wrestle me down if I tried, and simply put the outfit on.

Then, of course, she decided I had to have knee high black boots, and a pair of sunglasses perched on the top of my head, after she fluffed my layered dark brown hair so that it fell into a slight disarray. I felt like I was going to a bar and not the beach. Then she worked her magic, adding a hint of waterproof eyeliner and a sheer lip gloss. Once she was done, I was pleased with the results. Just dressy enough to look better than usual, but still casual.

Still...

"You do realize there's no way he's gonna miss the makeup, right?" My cheeks were ablaze as we grabbed towels, and I picked up my keys and purse, before we headed out. Oh Primus, he's gonna think I got all dressed up for him! Well, ok so I did, but... He doesn't need to know that! I locked the door absently behind me before we headed down the hall.

Rika stayed suspiciously quiet as we exited the building, but just as he'd promised, there was Richard. The only difference was that the Hummer was parked at the side of the road, and he was leaning against it, wearing a smile as his eyes locked on me.

My appearance was all but forgotten as I smiled back, making my way over. "Sorry. Didn't mean to take so long." I would have said something about Rika not knowing what to wear, but I had a personal thing about not pissing off the one who fixed up my outfits and makeup, and wouldn't hesitate to shave my head in my sleep.

For a moment, he just looked at me, his eyes seeming to roam me, which made the almost ever present blush about ten times worse. Then he moved.

Shaking his head, he chuckled a little and opened the door, allowing me to climb into the passenger seat. Then Rika hopped in the back, taking one of the benches on the side. I smiled as I looked around. Reaching back, I grasped the seatbelt, feeling the luxurious leather of the seats below my fingertips and seeing that the interior was almost spotless.

I'll admit, a small part of my ever Transformer obssessed mind was almost hoping the seatbelt would slide around me on it's own, but I knew better, and shrugged off the thought, still taking in how clean the Hummer was.

That in itself was unexpected, all things considered, but not even a service clipboard was left out.

Once we were secured, Richard shifted gears and headed out. I once again found myself amazed at the grace with which he drove the vehicle. He seemed to know it so well, he could make the sharpest of turns with ease, despite the size and bulk of the Hummer. Once again, Rika remained quiet, probably in her own version of Trans-fan Heaven.

It was really hard to get over the fact that this vehicle wasn't the prop Hummer used to portray Ratchet. Honestly, now that I'd been inside, I'd never be able to picture Ratchet's alternate form internals any other way. I knew it was ridiculous but I kept looking for the Autobot insignia on the dash or steering wheel. I kept waiting to hear his voice come from the dashboard with some deadpanned and totally humiliating comment about pheremones or something.

Shaking my head a little I turned, studying his face as he drove. Richard wore a light blue button up shirt that fit snugly over his form, tucked into regular, well fitting blue jeans and ending with sneakers. He kept all his concentration on the road, it seemed, but his lips were pulled tight. Then, I watched as they turned up in the corners, causing the little wrinkles to form in the corners of his eyes.

I blushed and looked away, realizing even if he wasn't looking at me, I'd been caught staring.

The ride was quiet, and only slightly uncomfortable, but only because I don't think any of us knew what to say. Rika, when I checked, had a smirk on her face, so I could guess she was either thinking of harassing me some more, or was in Trans-fan Heaven, like I'd figured earlier. Richard just seemed unsure what to say, and I...was on the same boat as him, really.

As we pulled up to the lake, I felt my eyes widen at the serene beauty of the water as it rippled slightly under the breeze. It had been Ri who was so excited to go swimming earlier, but now I was feelnig that excitement myself. As the Hummer was turned off and everyone climbed out, I could feel the itch for a dip floating through me.

"Where's your swim suit?" Rika smirked at Richard as we rounded the vehicle and headed down the grassy slope towards the dozen or so other people sitting idly around the edge of the water. "Don't tell me you're just gonna sit on the grass and watch."

A rather indecent comment about not needing a suit floated through my mind, causing heat to soar through my face and down through my body. I bit my tongue so hard, I was surprised I didn't draw blood, trying not to speak it.

"I have a pair of shorts on." He smirked back, not the least bit put off by her playful banter.

Walking ahead of the bantering duo, I unbuttoned and removed the vest, sighing a little as the heat soaked into my shoulders and cursing I didn't bring any suntan lotion. When I turned around, Richard's eyes were locked one me, but as I faced him, his eyes raised from my chest -which had been my back- to pause at the upper point of my chest. Slowly, one eyebrow rose, and the corners of his eyes crinkled again.

And I closed my eyes as heat flooded me, realizing he'd spotted the tattoo.

"Are these your eyeballs? I found them in my cleavage." Rika laughed as she walked past us.

I groaned and slapped a hand over my face, even as his eyes whipped away from me at an impressive speed. Thank you so much for that. I thought with an internal groan, even if I was a little thankful she'd taken his attention from my chest. Turning on Rika I smiled mock sweetly. "Is this your brain? I found it huddled against that tree." I pointed to a random tree nearby. "You really shouldn't let it out you know, it's too small to be out in the world all alone." Walking past her, my smirk grew. "Talk about getting lost in thought."

"Nobody move! I've dropped me brain!" Richard's laughter echoed across the lake as I dropped my shirt and bent to pull off the skirt and boots. A few people looked, but their gazes didn't last long as I stood and stared out over the water before me. Then I unfolded my towel and sat on it, relaxing on the warm sand and even going as far as to groan a little as I worked my toes into the powder soft grains.

"Nice tattoo." He commented as a quietly giggling Rika sat next to me on one side, and he took up the other.

I smiled, brushing a hand over it slightly and feeling the roughened skin under my touch. "Rika got a matching one on the back of her neck. We're both huge Trans-fans, though I'm a little worse."

"A little?" Rika muttered quietly, and I flipped her off, making her smile.

"It's kinda a friendship thing." I shrugged a little, relaxing back on the sand.

"So tell me a little more about you guys." He sighed as he looked at the water.

Pausing a moment, I thought. Well, what haven't we told him?

"Our birthday's in a few days."

Oh. Oh hell! If there was one thing I didn't like, it was advertising my birthday. I always felt awkward, if grateful, whenever I got any gifts. That's actually why Rika and I usually spent the day together, relaxing. Whereas she could be happy with a Texas-sized party, I was more into small, quiet things.

Raising an eyebrow, Richard turned to us, clearly surprised. "Really? Why didn't you tell me." Suddenly, he frowned. "Wait, 'our'?"

"Yeah, as absolutely crazy as it sounds, our birthday happens to be on the same day." Sometimes I wondered just how dense she was, considering she was clearly ignorant of the rather dark glare I was shooting her to shut her trap. Then she turned our way and grinned at me brightly, and I mentally cursed, realizing she was doing it on purpose.

Not dense, just evil.

Bitch.

"Not that you need to worry about it." I stated pointedly, softening my expression as I turned back towards him. "We usually just hang out anyway." I shrugged a little, smiling at him and then pausing at the thoughtful expression on his face. "I'd say penny for your thoughts, but then... I have a feeling I'll just want my money back anyways." I giggled a little and rolled away when he leaned towards me with a mock threatening look on his face.

Getting up, I stood ready to run for my life, as I grinned at him. "Anyways, what're we doing? I thought we came here to go for a swim before the storm hits us." I glanced pointedly out towards the oncoming clouds, before dancing back a little. "I dunno about you two, but I'm going for that swim." Turning, I walked down to the water and dipped in, leaving all conversation behind for a little while.

Written : Jan 20, 2010

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Tenshi