CHAPTER 21
Safety and Security

Will Lennox couldn't have been any angrier at that moment, it would have been impossible. With Tony in bed after telling both him and Sarah what had happened, he was able to show his anger much more without the fear of scaring Tony. The only good thing that came out of this was that it was very likely Tony's adoption would be secured. But even then, he didn't want to win this way, not at all, not because his Father had done that. But what could he possibly do, after all, what was done was done, period.

He didn't want his son to have to live with that for the rest of his life, at all. He thought of all these things as he finally relaxed, and seated himself on Ironhide's hood. Being Ironhide's main charge, it was a surprise they hadn't had time with one-another in quite a while. "How's he doing?" Ironhide rumbled underneath him, Will turned his head "He barely said a word the whole time I gave him a ride home." He noted.

"He's struggling, Ironhide. This was a long day for him." Will shifted a bit "Not to mention that he pretty much jut left himself open to well..." Will went quiet.

"You know that both Prowl and I would NEVER let anything happen to him." Ironhide told him calmly "Even if that man somehow was able to abduct Tony. We aren't the only Autobots on Earth. Call us your own personal... "Amber Alert", you call it?" Will smiled a bit at that "With the Decepticons gone, I think most of them would jump at the chance for some form of action." He noted.

"Not to mention-"

"That it's Tony, who has managed to fit very easily into our little family." Ironhide noted, before adding "Take my word for it, William. I know of at least five Autobots whom the moment I sent out the alert would be on the road." He shifted a bit, and fell onto his tires "Considering what I know of the man, I am praying to Primus that he places protection over the boy." He than added "While your God likely already is watching him. Two deity's are better than one." He added.

"Why would your God care about us humans?" Will asked.

"I don't know that he would, William. But it is worth a try." Ironhide replied, honestly "You know of my past, Will. I told you of it long ago. I simply hope Primus may protect him in the same way he did me." He was silent for a moment "I truly believe it was his protection that kept me alive through my own nightmare." He noted.

Will ran a hand along Ironhide's hood, gently, comfortingly. He didn't often do so, but he and the Topkick were so close that he felt like they could. Ironhide was an older brother to him, and as such he often, if not always, was there for him. Will often did everything he could to return the favor, as a way of thanking him. "Deity or no deity taking care of him. He's got a big, cannon-toting Godfather protecting him." He then smirked "Not to mention me. That's enough reason to scare the crap out of his Father." He added.

"I will kill the man if he goes near Tony. I know you want to Will, but I-"

"I get it big guy. If I went through what you did, I'd probably feel the same way." Will noted before asking "But what would Optimus say?"

Ironhide snorted, he paused for a moment "Believe it or not, he lifted the rule for this one. I never thought I'd see the day. But the mech has such a fondness for children. All it took was to tell him what he'd done." He paused for a moment "He told us that just this once, he'd lift the no harming humans rule. As the man is an extreme danger to my charge." He then added "He told me if there is NO other means of confrontation, I have permission to terminate him." He added.

"So kidnapping Tony would count?" Will asked.

"Very much so, we do not know how desperate the man is. We cannot simply 'talk' to someone with a level of insanity such as this." Ironhide was quiet again "If he takes Tony, and he makes an attempt to hurt him. Or Primus forbid so, WORSE." He shook his head "I will kill him, and I will make it very painful." He noted, he fell on his tires "I do not want to expose Tony to murder, but it is in his best interest." He noted.

"I understand big guy, after all, he's my son." Will explained, taking a deep breath "I don't think I could honestly help much anyway. I'm the cause of his anger considering well... I'm replacing him." He knew it was true, there was no avoiding it "It just sucks because dammit, he's our son, Ironhide. I mean, Sarah and I feel really useless." He shook his head.

"Don't, I believe you're doing more than that by just being there." Ironhide replied "You blame yourself for what happened. But you never even knew him back then, William. You could do nothing about it." Ironhide shifted a bit "Tony is more than lucky to have simply found you and Sarah. No matter his present age, Tony is safe, loved, and secure." He than added "Being one of the few not to be saved until my childhood had be spent... Even though I initially was very weary of this." He was quiet "I am glad you both became Foster Parents, William. And I'm even happier you found one-another." He added.

Will was stunned, he'd never thought he'd hear those words from Ironhide, ever. "You and me both, big guy." Will patted his hood, climbing off his hood slowly "Listen, I'm going to bed, will you, Michael, and Prowl be alright?" He asked.

"Affirmative, we will be just fine."

Will nodded and left for the home, leaving Ironhide to reflect upon his words. As strange as they were, as stunned as he was that he'd said them, he knew they were very true, and he would never take it back.

...

He felt soft rapping on his door long into his recharging. Shifting out of it, Ironhide became aware of the frightened fourteen year old rather quickly. Noting that it was nearly four in the morning, but the sight of a blanket, pillow and the bear he'd gotten him got his attention. "Tony, it's late, you should be asleep." Ironhide rumbled "What's wrong youngling?" He asked.

"I-I'm scared to be alone, and asking to sleep in their room is..." Tony fell silent "Can I sleep in you, please?" He asked.

Ironhide was silent for a moment, but understood. Children didn't ask to sleep with their parents at this age, but Tony still needed someone around him right now, he needed that safety and comfort. And as his Guardian, Godfather, and friend, Ironhide was the best person to come to in this case. "Of course, youngling." Ironhide opened up his door "Climb on in, you're always welcome here with me." He added.

Tony smiled as he climbed into the cab of his truck, setting the seats up like a bed. The heat went on slowly, the door closed and locked and the mech allowed the child to get comfortable. "You chose a very safe place to sleep tonight, young one." Ironhide stated calmly "Primus knows nothing will happen to you on my watch." He added.

"I know, I mean you are my guardian." Tony replied, smiling a bit "It's your job to keep Dad, Mom, and I safe. And I know that I can come to you, you should know that." Tony leaned his head against the pillow calmly "I couldn't be any more happy for that, big guy. It's nice to have someone other than my parents to go to when I need it." He explained, snuggling deep into the seats "I just hope you're okay with it." He added.

"Youngling, I love ye like a son, why in pit's name would I mind?" Ironhide asked gently, shifting a bit "You are welcome to sleep in here if you need to anytime you'd like." He then added "Especially now, of all times." He added, his voice filled with concern "Don't be scared, kiddo, I'm right here, you can sleep very soundly." He added.

"I know." Tony smiled calmly "Hard not to feel safe inside a one-man third world army."

Ironhide chuckled quietly, there was no truer statement than what Tony had just told him. If there was an even slight change in the perimeter, he had enough weapons to blow up the intruder and then some. "Very true, youngling, very true." Ironhide replied tiredly "Now I need to recharge, and so do you. Sleep knowing I have every system on high alert." He then added "You are VERY safe, young one." He added.

"Goodnight Ironhide." Tony replied "Love you."

"I love you too youngling, pleasant dreams."

Ironhide waited quietly until his youngest charge had finally fallen asleep before he himself fell back into recharge. He felt much better himself, knowing that Tony was sound asleep and safe in his cab. Knowing that, at least for tonight, his Father would not be able to get to him. Letting the thought of the man leave him, the mech let himself fall into a peaceful recharge. It was a problem to be dealt with on another day, at least, he hoped it to be, he really did. Because Primus forbid he let something happen to Tony on his watch.