I have a poll on my profile page asking a question I really want to have answered. I'm trying to get as many answers as I can, and very few people visit my profile. I've gotten literally one answer in a week, and that's sad. Please answer, and be honest about it.
I only own my OC's! This chapter has Chipmunks.
Chapter 7: Chipmunk Concert
One Month Later
Charlie's standing at the counter, getting things ready so Dani can fix supper. I sigh heavily and sit on one of the kitchen chairs. It's five in the evening, and we haven't even been called to get Mr. Pettypaws out of the tree yet. "Sheyenne? What's wrong?"
"No calls. It's boring." I sigh before pulling out my phone and starting a game, before stopping it halfway through. I groan and throw the smart phone, complete with Otter Box case, into the wall in frustration. "God, please let someone—anyone—call in! I don't care if it's slaggin' Mrs. Neederlander and her slaggin' cat! I just want something to do!"
"Why don't you read a book."
I start, and sigh before turning to Charlie, who seems to have materialized out of nowhere. "Because none of the ones here interest me, and I don't have a library card yet."
"Then why aren't you writing?"
"I ran my computer dead working on floor plans. Graham and I have been trying to design our dream house."
"Then your tablet?"
"Charging. Died at three in the morning."
"Why were you up at three in the morning?"
"Because I couldn't sleep." I sigh. "Before you bring it up, my phone games are boring, and my Galaxy won't hold a charge. I'm out of graph paper, and I've been putting off buying more until I have more money."
"Why don't you go down and visit the bots?"
"I just came from the bunker, Charlie. Dani took Blades to get detailed, Heatwave's training, Boulder's out with Graham. Medix was on the comm with Ratchet, talking about a medical something-or-other that I couldn't catch, and I'm sure you're about to go on patrol with Chase."
He nods. "It's been a slow day."
I nod. "God, I wish something would happen. Slow days make me cranky, especially when I have nothing to do."
"We're all on edge because of what you, Graham, and Kade found at the warehouse last month."
"I found it." I sigh. "And, not knowing Morocco, I can't help but be anxious, which makes this…" I motion to my phone near the wall. "Even worse. I'm bored and anxious, and nothing short of something I need to focus on or my computer will help me."
I sigh as Charlie sits beside me. "Optimus told me what you've been through. We're all here for you." He lays a hand on my shoulder. "And you can come to me no matter what the problem is."
"Thanks." I sigh before standing. "I'd better get my phone. Gotta make sure I didn't break it." I turn back to him. "Oh, and Cody's up at the lab, in case you were wondering."
He nods. "Kade and I can handle things. You need to get ready for your date tonight."
"I almost forgot about that!" I run off to my bedroom.
I walk down the stairs wearing a purple long sleeved shirt with hand-covers, blue jeans, purple socks, and white tennis shoes. Graham said we were going to an outdoor rock concert, so I don't need to dress too fancy. I'm excited, but anxious at the same time. I have no idea what kind of concert we're going to.
Graham walks over. "I have to check the stage before anyone can perform. You…want to come with?"
I shrug. "Why not?"
I watch Graham from the ground as Boulder holds him near the roof of the stage. He's checking the lighting in this old amphitheater now, so he's almost done. He says the band should be here by now, doing their sound checks, but they're not here yet that I can tell.
"Now, we just need to get that put up, and we're done."
I glance over to where he's pointing. "Billboards don't belong in ceilings, Graham. One fell on Dave in the Squeakquel."
Boulder turns to me. "What?"
"It's a movie, Boulder. A movie."
"That's what you think." He steps off Boulder's hand. "Good call."
I glance to my fiancé. "What?" He points behind me. I turn, and stumble when I do, thankfully getting caught by someone familiar. It's all I can do to not become a crazed fangirl, and it's just their manager/father. "Dave. Thank you." I straighten up and shrug. "Speak of the devil."
"You're not surprised?"
I turn to Graham. "I'm surprised, but it seems stuff like this always happens in Griffin Rock, so I'm not so surprised that I'd have some embarrassing moment in front of my favorite singers."
Graham sets out a blanket and a picnic. "Hope Dani didn't make that."
He shakes his head. "I did."
I smile. "Good."
"What are they like?"
I look up to the Cybertronian engineer. "What are who like?" He nods to the stage. "Oh, right." I rub the back of my neck. "Okay… To put it simply, Alvin's like Kade, with Heatwave's moments of despair and a wild streak a mile wide. Si's got Chase's love of the rules, with Graham's brains…and bad eyes." I shrug. "Sorry."
He brushes it off. "It's okay."
"Anyway, Theodore's got your naivety and compassion, with Cody's position in the family, and his childishness." I shrug to Graham. "Most likely to free a wild animal and cause chaos that way."
"Ah."
"Eleanor's the athletic one, sort of like Dani, since she's a tomboy, except she's a lot better cook." I smile. "Jeanette's like me, with both mine and Blades' fear of heights, and his timidity. She's also got my notorious affinity for tripping over God-knows-what, and my bad eyes." I glance to the stage, where they're walking out. "Brit's the diva. She's vain and self-centered, but she's definitely got a good heart."
"Are they together?"
"Who?"
Boulder points to the stage. "Simon, and Jeanette?"
"Huh?" I turn before smiling. "Sort of. It's hard to explain." I glance to Graham, who's lost in thought. "He's…kinda shy."
"What?"
I laugh softly. "Not you—well, yes you, but I was talking about Si."
"Ah."
Lalala, lalala, lalalalala, Ohhh (You know I never felt like this before)
Lalala, lalala, lalalalala, Ohhh (This feeling's like so real)
I'm obessive when just one thought of you comes up
And I'm aggressive just one thought ain't close enough
You got me stressing, incessantly pressing the issue
'Cause every moment gone you know I miss you
I'm the question and you're of course the answer
hold me close boy 'cause I'm your tiny dancer
You make me shaken now, I'm never mistaken
But I can't control myself, got me calling out for help
S-O-S please someone help me
It's not healthy for me to feel this way
Y-O-U are making this hard (Hard)
You got me tossing and turning can't sleep at night
This time please someone come and rescue me
'Cause you on my mind has got me losing it
I'm lost, you got me lookin for the rest of me
Love is testing me but still I'm losing it
Just your presence and I second guess my sanity
Yes it's a lesson, it's unfair, you stole my vanity
My tummy's up in knots, and when I see ya it gets so hot
My common sense is out the door, can't seem to find the lock
Take on me you know inside you feel it right
Take me on, I could just die up in your arms tonight
I melt with you, you got me head over heels,
Boy you keep me hanging on the way you make me feel
S-O-S, please someone help me (someone help me)
It's not healthy for me to feel this way
Y-O-U are making this hard (Y-O-U)
You got me tossing and turning can't sleep at night
This time please someone come and rescue me
'Cause you on my mind has got me losing it
('Cause you on my mind)
I'm lost, you got me lookin for the rest of me
Love is testing me but still I'm losing it
Boy you know you got me feeling open and
Boy your love's enough with words unspoken
I said boy, I'm telling you, you got me open
I don't know what to do it's true, I'm going crazy over you
I'm begging
S-O-S, please someone help me (Somebody help me, yeah)
It's not healthy for me to feel this way
Y-O-U are making this hard (Why you making this hard for me baby?)
You got me tossing and turning can't sleep at night (Ohh)
Lalala, lalala, lalalalala, Ohhh,
Oh Oh
Lalala, lalala, lalalalala, Ohhh,
Oh Oh
"They're good."
I shrug. "Well, I don't just like any singing group, Boulder."
You change your mind,
Like a girl changes clothes.
Yeah you, Always stress
Like a chick
I would know.
And you
Always think,
Always speak,
Cryptically yeah.
I should know
That you're not good for me (Yeah-Hey Yeah Yeah)
Cause you're hot then you're cold,
You're yes then you're no,
You're in then you're out,
You're up and you're down.
You're wrong when it's right
It's black and it's white
We fight, we break up
We kiss, we make up
You!
You don't really want to stay, no.
(Oh Oh Oh)
You!
But you don't really want to go-oh.
(Oh Oh Oh)
Cause you're hot then you're cold,
You're yes then you're no,
You're in and you're out,
You're up and you're down.
We used to be
Just like twins,
So in sync.
The same energy,
Is now a dead battery.
Used to laugh
'bout nothing.
Now you're plain boring.
I should know
that you're not gonna change.
(no way-yeah-yeah)
Cause you're hot then you're cold,
You're yes then you're no,
You're in then you're out,
You're up and you're down.
You're wrong when it's right
It's black and it's white
We fight, we break up
We kiss, we make up
You!
You don't really want to stay, no.
(Oh Oh Oh)
You!
But you don't really want to go-oh.
(Oh Oh Oh)
Cause you're hot then you're cold,
You're yes then you're no,
You're in and you're out,
You're up and you're down.
Ohhh Yeaah yeah yeah
Oh ohhhh ohh
Yeaah yeah
Someone call the doctor,
Got a case of a love bi-polar.
Stuck on a roller coaster,
Can't get off this ride.
You change your mind
Like a girl changes clothes.
Cause you're hot then you're cold,(Ohh Ohh)
You're yes then you're no, (Yes or No)
You're in and you're out, (Ohhhh yeah)
You're up and you're down.
You're wrong when it's right (wrong or right)
It's black and it's white (black or white)
We fight, we break up
We kiss, we make up (Ohhh Yeah)
You!
You don't really want to stay, no. (Nooo)
(Oh Oh Oh)
You!
But you don't really want to go-oh (Ooooh)
(Oh Oh Oh)
Cause you're hot then you're cold, (Ohhh)
You're yes then you're no, (yes or no)
You're in and you're out, (ohhhh)
You're up and you're down
you're hot then you're cold, (ohh yes you are)
You're yes then you're no, (Yeaah Yeaah)
You're in and you're out,
(Oohhh Ohhhh)
You're up and you're down.
You're wrong when it's right (Yeeeah)
It's black and it's white
We fight, we break up
We kiss, we make up (Oohhhh-and then we make up)
You!
You don't really want to stay, no.(Ohhhhhh)
(Oh Oh Oh)
You!
But you don't really want to go-oh (Heeeyy)
(Oh Oh Oh)
you're hot then you're cold,(Hot N' Cold)
You're yes then you're no, (Yes Or No)
You're in and you're out,
(Oh You're up then you're down)
You're up and you're down.
Heyy-yeaah-yeaahh
The groups switch out, which I know is normal, but something causes me to tense up.
"Shey, what's—"
"I've got a bad feeling, guys."
"What's wrong?"
"I don't know. Just be ready for an emergency."
Spending all my nights, all my money going out on the town
Doing anything just to get you off my mind
But when the morning comes, I'm right back where I started again
Trying to forget you is just a waste of time
I hear the familiar click of a gun. "If I can't have them, no one can!" The gun fires from somewhere behind me, hitting Dave in the chest.
"Dave!"
"DAVE!"
"HELP!"
Graham taps the button on his comm. "Dad, we need Chase!"
"No time for that!" I start to my feet. "Charlie, get here as quick as you can, with the whole rescue team, and bring Medix! Shots fired, man down!" I reach into my purse and pull out a pocket mask. "Boulder, get everyone a safe distance away."
"Shey—"
"No. This is what I trained for, Graham."
"But you're not an officer!"
"No. I'm a paramedic, and there's a man down." I slide a pink pistol out of my purse and check the ammo before slipping it into my pocket.
Graham looks surprised. "Where'd you get that?"
"Agent Fowler. Liaison to the Autobots. Charlie knows I have it." I shrug. "I trained around Decepticons. I had to know how to shoot." I hug him. "I'll be fine. You need to go. I can't lose you." I glance back toward the scene. "I hate crime scenes."
"Stay safe." He looks up to his partner. "We have to tape off the area."
I turn back to the downed man, and then toward the escaping criminal. "Damn." I tap my comm as I pocket my pistol. "Chief Burns, I've ID'd the perp. Balding man with black glasses and blue eyes. Name: Ian Hawke. He's got four of the performers, and wounded their manager and father." I start picking my way carefully to the stage, doing my best to not damage any evidence.
Rising up, back on the street
Did my time, took my chances
Went the distance, now I'm back on my feet
Just a man and his will to survive
So many times it happens too fast
You trade your passion for glory
Don't lose your grip on the dreams of the past
You must fight just to keep them alive
It's the eye of the tiger
It's the thrill of the fight
Rising up to the challenge of our rival
And the last known survivor
Stalks his prey in the night
And he's watching us all with the eye of the tiger
Face to face, out in the heat
Hanging tough, staying hungry
They stack the odds still we take to the street
For the kill with the skill to survive
It's the eye of the tiger
It's the thrill of the fight
Rising up to the challenge of our rival
And the last known survivor
Stalks his prey in the night
And he's watching us all with the eye of the tiger
Rising up, straight to the top
Had the guts, got the glory
Went the distance, now I'm not gonna stop
Just a man and his will to survive
It's the eye of the tiger
It's the thrill of the fight
Rising up to the challenge of our rival
And the last known survivor
Stalks his prey in the night
And he's watching us all with the eye of the tiger
The eye of the tiger
The eye of the tiger
The eye of the tiger
The eye of the tiger
I kneel beside the man and do a quick exam before shaking my head. "Damn." I turn to find Simon and Theodore staring up at me.
Theodore looks up at me. "Can't you save him?"
I look down before resting a hand on his back. "Sorry, Buddy. I wasn't quick enough."
Simon looks down at his father-figure. "H-he must have died on impact. Y-you were in the audience."
I sigh before doing the same to him. "I'd have to run that by Chase." I look around. "I need to wait for the police."
"Ian's got—"
"Easy, Little Guy. I know. I've already reported everything to Chief Burns. He's on his way."
He glances to Theodore with a sigh before walking over and hugging him. "We'll get through this, Theo."
"Sheyenne?"
I look up before pointing a thumb toward the two sobbing chipmunks. "Chase, they're sentient."
He starts acting like a robot as Charlie turns to me. "I brought your sweatshirt."
"Forget the jacket. He's gone. They need a place to stay."
"Shey, you have to remember—"
"RID. Haven't forgot." I nod down to them. "But I'm also not abandoning anyone who needs me. I'll break it to you-know-who if I have to, but I'm not abandoning those two like this."
He facepalms before sighing. "All right. Chase, vehicle mode."
"Promise me you will not be as… clingy… as Mrs. Neederlander is."
I smirk. "Can't promise you." I smile. "But they—" I nod down to the two. "Are housebroken, and ride in cars all the time."
"Hey!"
I pick the two up gently and set them on the passenger seat. "This is Chase. He's had problems with cats before. He doesn't want another animal using him as a bathroom. That's all I meant."
"Oh…"
"Incredible. It's—"
"He's. Sentient. Simon."
He nods to me before turning to the screen. "I apologize, Chase." He looks around again. "He's just… Incredible."
"We are, sadly, used to being treated as machines."
I shrug. "Their cover. I'll explain later." I turn to Charlie. "I'm going with you when you go to find him."
"What?"
"I was unaware you enjoyed police work."
I shake my head. "I don't. The man who did this has four other chipmunks, just like those two. If he'll kill a man, he won't think twice about killing a chipmunk. I can't let those two suffer anymore."
I set the two on the couch with the TV on a safe channel, and tuck a blanket around them. "I have to go back out. Charlie may need an ambulance. Try to sleep. I'll take you up with me once I get back."
"What about Alvin?"
"We're doing our best, Theodore."
"You said you were going to explain something about 'cover'?"
"Right. They're aliens—good aliens—here because their planet has been destroyed. They had some trouble getting along with their partners at first, but now they're good. Optimus—their leader, whom I've trained with, and I—" I look around before leaning closer. Kade's not within earshot, but he's close enough to warrant keeping my voice down. "I am one too, but I'm techno-organic, and they can't know. I'm in deeper cover than the Rescue Bots."
Theodore looks up to me. "The green one from earlier?"
"Boulder, partnered with my fiancé. Chase, as you recall, was the blue and white cop car. He's with Charlie. Kade's a jerk, but I'm sure you're used to that. He's the fireman in the kitchen, and he's with Heatwave. Wave's a hothead, but he's nice enough when you look past the crankiness. He is prone to despair when things don't go well." I sigh heavily. "Blades is timid on a good day, and afraid of heights, and Dani can't cook to save her life, but they're both good friends. Medix is my partner, and he's calm and collected, which helps me out after the life I've had." I sigh heavily. "And tomorrow, as soon as it's late enough in Nevada, I'm comming Optimus. Welcome to the team."
"Sheyenne, we're leaving."
"Right. Coming." I turn to Kade. "You hurt them, I hurt you."
11:00 PM
"Nothing?"
I shake my head before walking over to the two chipmunks on the couch. "Nothing, Graham." I flop onto the couch beside him. "Chase is beside himself, says this is the first mission failed here." I shake my head before scowling. "Not if I can help it."
"What do we do now?"
I turn to Simon and Theodore as the two cuddle under an old baby blanket. They're brothers and litter-mates, after all, and I know that's how to calm Theodore. "I don't know, Theo. We can't sing without Dave, after all, and I won't sing without Alvin."
I walk over and sit beside the two. "You don't have to stop singing without Dave, because you'd be surprised what happens here." I smile down at the two. "And, even Cody's on the team too. It won't be too hard to find people for you to help, if you want to."
"I don't think Brittany would want to, and Theo's timid."
"I know." I shrug. "Command Center for them." I smile. "But I'm willing to train someone, I'm sure Graham would be willing." He nods from a few feet away. "See? And I'll take it up with Charlie, Dani, and Kade." I carry the two upstairs and get them settled in my bed, with the clothes they'd brought.
"What kind of life did you have, before you came here?"
I sigh heavily. "Verbal abuse. Slight physical abuse. Only ways I had to escape were EMS and music. That's how I got here, and that's why I'm such a big fan."
1:00 AM
I groan when I hear the alarms go off. "The frag's wrong this time?"
"Wha?"
I turn before sighing when I see a small furry head, and the evening's events return. "Don't worry about it. Go back to sleep, you two." I climb out of bed. "That's just the emergency alert, and it's Charlie's night on duty, so…"
"Do you think they found Ian?"
I shrug. "Wouldn't know." I climb out of bed and change into my uniform. "But I've gotta go." I look around before locating my pistol and pocketing it. "Good thing I'm licensed to conceal." I turn to the two. "Okay, be good. Don't make a mess. I'll be back as soon as I can."
I walk into the garage and sigh. "Okay. What's going on?"
Kade sighs before shrugging. "Dad called us all down here. Graham's still upstairs."
"Not anymore." Graham walks over to me. "How are the boys?"
"They seem all right…"
"But you're still worried."
I nod to Dani. "You didn't see them earlier, Dani. They're broken. They watched the man who abused them shoot and kill their father." I turn when I see Charlie. "What's the call?"
"You need to hear this, Sheyenne."
I nod. "Then let's hear the playback."
"Emergency dispatch. Chief Burns speaking."
"Police Chief? Thank God." A soft whisper comes over the speaker. "We need help. Ian's here, and without Si…" He sighs. "The girls are asleep, but I finally got hold of Ian's phone. We're in a cage, in some house on Lake Street. I barely got a look at the street sign, and I didn't see the house number."
"That's fine. We'll do our best."
I sigh heavily. "He's scared, about to the end of his control."
"How do you know?"
"I'm a fan, Kade." I turn to Heatwave. "Doesn't hurt that he's got Heatwave's tendency to fall into despair." I shake my head. "But I could have worded that better." I sigh heavily. "Okay, I need to hear the rest of that."
"Anything else you can tell us?"
"I-I think—I think he wants to kill us."
A gasp. "Alvin, he's coming!"
"I have to go!"
"Then he hung up."
"We have to go, now. Lives could be in danger."
"Rescue Bots, Roll to the Rescue!"
IN MEDIX
I close my eyes and focus on my powers while Medix drives.
"Shey, what are you—"
"Trying to focus. I'm psychic."
"Oh… And Chief Burns—"
"Can't know." I take a deep breath and let it out. 'The four are in a padlocked cage on a table in the living room. Ian is lying on the couch with his phone and a pocket knife with—'
"Shey!"
"You ruined my concentration, Medix!"
"We're here."
I blush. "Sorry." I grab the bag and climb out, but duck down behind Medix to check my ammo. "Wait for police assistance, then go in. One path in, one path out. Don't touch anything, don't move anything."
"What are you—"
"Don't usually do crime scenes as a rule, Medix. Just reviewing protocol before Charlie and Chase decide to give me the boot like Culver initially did."
"That's when you moved to Jasper."
"Right." I peer around Medix's hood. "All clear. I may be coming out hot. Be ready."
"Will do."
"We're rollin'."
INSIDE
Kade walks over to the cage with bolt cutters as I stand nearby. Charlie's already taken Ian to jail, and Dani's ready for an air lift if necessary. Graham is doing his best to calm me down since the adrenaline in my system's got me shaking, and I'm borderline panicking because of my vision.
Charlie steps back in. "How's it going?"
"Kade's still trying to get into the cage."
Charlie walks over and picks up a knife. "Sheyenne."
I take it in my gloved hand and run a finger over the stained blade. "Hurry up, Kade."
"I'm working as fast as I can!"
"Kade, they may not have much time left." I hold up the blade. "He cut someone with this, and I sincerely doubt it was himself."
"Oh."
"Get Dani down here. I want her to take the non-injured munks back to the firehouse. I'll update everyone and let them meet the bots in the morning." I turn to Charlie and Kade. "They may want to learn from us—kinda like an apprenticeship…"
Charlie sighs. "It depends on whether they'll listen or not."
"Right." I smile. "Chase and Boulder may have to share, though."
"Yes!" Kade turns to me. "Got it!"
He takes off the top of the cage, revealing three scared girls and an unconscious Alvin. "Damn it!" I reach over and pick him up, using my wrist to stabilize him as I grab the bag and run for Medix. "Dani, get the girls. I'll meet you all back at the firehouse."
"What do we do with them once we get them home?"
"Put the girls to bed, on my bed, then let them be. I'll handle their care."
Graham turns to me, surprised. "You're going to take care of them?"
I nod before shrugging. "They're talking chipmunks. It's not any harder than taking care of kids, and I was certified by the Red Cross at twelve." I sigh. "They lost their Dad, Graham. Dave was all they had. I'm not letting them down." I smile slightly. "But I've got something to help with your animal allergy if it pertains to them as well."
MEDIX
"How is he?"
I shake my head. "There's no way I'm going to save him without blowing my cover…unless…"
"Unless?"
"Unless, I use my powers inside you. The others are already heading back home, and I can get him examined at the ER before taking him home, to cover for my run."
"Okay."
"That's all you can say?"
"Optimus told me you were the Star Healer. He didn't tell anyone else. Charlie only knows you have special abilities."
"Right." I cover my hand in blue fire before laying it on the lifeless chipmunk. I hear a sudden gasp before pulling my hand back.
"What—where am I?"
"In my robotic partner. You're safe now. Ian's in jail."
"Who are you?"
"Sheyenne. I'm a paramedic. I have to get you checked out, but I think you'll be okay."
"But I—" He looks at his stomach. I'd had to cut off his hoodie, sadly, but at least I was able to save him with my inferno. "What did you do?"
I help him sit up. "It's a top secret, but I'm part alien—a superhero. I'm under cover here."
"Like Superman?"
"Like…" I shrug. "Yeah, actually. The planet's Cybertron, though. Not Krypton."
"Cool!"
I grin. "Glad you think so. Keep it secret, though."
He nods before looking down. "And… Dave?"
I look down. "Sorry, Buddy. I was too out-in-the-open to save him. Medix wasn't there. I'd been on a date with my fiancé."
"Oh…"
I try to force myself to turn away as he finally breaks down, but I can't. "It's all right. You don't have to stop singing, just…touring, for now. Charlie even said you guys could learn to do their jobs, if you want to."
"Really? What kind of jobs?"
"Charlie's a cop…"
"Na. That's more Si's speed."
"Dani's a pilot…"
He waves a hand in the air. "Done that."
"I know." I smirk. "I'm a big fan, Alvin." I shrug. "Graham's an engineer…"
"Si again."
"Kade's a fireman, and—"
"Now you're talkin'!"
I roll my eyes. "Great." I sigh. "And Cody runs the Command Center, but he's only 10."
"What about the others?"
I smile. "I'm sure Theo won't want to help anyone, and Britt won't want to get dirty…" I shrug. "Si's gonna have to decide between helping Charlie and helping Graham, Jen can help me if she wants, Dani and Blades actually love singing animals—she and I have argued over show tune singing bunnies and pop singing chipmunks several times before."
"And…Kade?"
"Jock turned fireman." I shrug. "Wave's nice enough, but you're kinda…a glory hog, and Wave doesn't like that."
"What?"
I sigh. "It's his cover. He hates having to pretend to be a robot."
MORNING
I stretch before climbing out of bed and changing into my uniform.
Eleanor and Theodore look up at me. "When's breakfast?"
I laugh softly at the two green-clad chipmunks. "You two may regret asking if Dani's cooking, but in a few minutes, so get dressed."
Brittany looks horrified. "But… Our clothes!"
"Beside the closet, Britt. I'll have Graham set up closets for you all later today."
Jeanette looks down. "A-Alvin?"
"Downstairs, on the couch. Stayed down there with Charlie last night."
Simon sighs in relief. "Thank God."
"Easy, Si." I turn to them. "All right." I sigh. "After breakfast, I'll take you downstairs to meet the bots. Overview, they're sentient, aliens, but the good kind. Charlie agreed to let you learn from us, if you really want to. I have to run it by Optimus yet, but we'll do that after you meet the bots and your maybe-partners. Kade's a hotshot, and former jock. Dani's a tomboy. Graham's my fiancé, and he's shy but smart. Cody's ten, but he runs the command center. Charlie's their Dad, and a cop—the chief of police." I smile as I hand them plates with home-made waffles on them—I cooked today. "Heatwave's kinda a hothead, but he's nice…" I glare lightly at Alvin. "So long as you're not a glory hog or a hotshot." I turn back to the others. "Chase is by-the-book, Boulder's kind, and compassionate, but naïve—"
"What's naïve?"
I smirk down at Theodore. "You, for starters. It means innocent, trusting, inexperienced." I shrug. "The mech freed a lion because he wanted a pet." I sigh heavily. "Blades is timid and afraid of heights, but a good friend. Medix—my partner—is calm and cool under pressure. Just what I needed—though I was fine with cranky Ratchet back in Jasper."
"And… Optimus?"
I smile gently. "Stoic, compassionate, determined, and kind. He's their leader—their planet's leader."
BUNKER
I slide down the fire pole with the chipmunks clinging to me, and slip off my gloves before turning to the bots. "What are you all doing down here?"
"Morning, Wave."
"Don't call me that."
I smile. "I brought them down to meet you all." I step over and let them climb onto a counter. "Meet Alvin, Simon, Theodore, Brittany, Jeanette, and Eleanor." I turn to the bots. "That's Heatwave—don't call him Wave—Chase, Boulder, and Blades. Medix is back there, in their command center. He spends a lot of time on the comms with Ratchet." I sigh and lead them into the command center.
"I've got Optimus on for you."
"Thanks, Medix." I turn to the screen. "Optimus…"
"Is something wrong, Sheyenne?"
"Depends." I sigh. "Bad news: the group that came last night to sing for us, lost their father and mentor when an enemy shot him and nabbed four of the singers. Now they have nowhere to go." I look at my feet. "And they know about the bots."
"I assume you have good news as well?"
"Depends on how you look at it. I want to take them in, and Chief Burns has agreed to train them in rescue work if they want to learn." I sigh softly. "They also…want to meet you."
"I am unable to come for some time yet, Sheyenne, but I can still speak with them."
They hop onto a thankfully human sized table behind me. "Okay. That's Alvin, Simon, Theodore, Brittany, Jeanette, and Eleanor."
"I am sorry for your loss, but we will do our best to keep you all safe."
"Thank you, Sir."
I pat Simon's head lightly. "They're not all as polite as him, but they're good kids—one's… just a little misunderstood."
"Like Miko?"
I roll my eyes. "Yes. Hi, Bulk."
"Miko?"
I shrug. "Old friend from Jasper. Tends to act without thinking. Loves heavy metal. I prefer your music." I sigh. "Anyway, I may need some help getting them some protective gear."
"I will speak with Agent Fowler. Good luck."
"Thanks, Optimus." I hold up my hand in the "I love you" symbol before reaching up to end the communication.
Brittany crosses her arms. "So… Who will I be with? Cause, I really don't wanna do this."
"You can stay in the Command Center with Cody." I sigh heavily. "And you're still in school, so you can do that too."
"What about me?"
"I'm willing to train any of you."
"And you are?"
"EMS. Paramedic."
"Can I train with you?"
"Me too?"
"Two of you. Okay." I smile. "Alvin's with Kade and Heatwave."
Eleanor looks up to me. "Can I go with Dani? Maybe I could help her cook better, too…"
"Sure." I glance up to Blades. "She's brave, Blades." I turn to Simon. "Si, who do you want to train with?"
"I would not mind training him in law enforcement."
Simon nods. "But I may want to train with Graham sometimes too."
I sigh before holding down my hand. "Si, he'll be your Dad soon enough." I shrug. "But, okay." I send the required outfits to Optimus through a transmission, then lead the chipmunks upstairs. "Si, Charlie's on patrol right now, and Graham's with Boulder in the garage. He's working on his PhD. Alvin, Kade's in the back yard, Heatwave's training on the obstacle course. Theo, Jen, I've got to do rig check. Ellie, Dani's upstairs."
"What about me?"
"Command center. Third floor."