Good grief! How long has it been since I last updated this? Too long, that's how long. Damnable writer's block! Hope this chapter lives up to expectations! Enjoy!

Disclaimer: No own. If I did, Ironhide wouldn't have died in the newest movie. Sunstreaker would be in by now, and Sideswipe would be red. 'Nuff said.

"Talking"

Thinking

They walked in silence, listening to the strange sounds of technology buzzing and humming around them. Shannon pressed herself closer to Jack, feeling some comfort in the knowledge that she wasn't alone. They'd only been walking for a couple of minutes, but to her it felt longer. Their guide was walking slightly in front, easily navigating the unnaturally large corridors, a practiced ease in his step. The young woman glanced nervously at the technician, trying to read his expression. He simply seemed oblivious to the strange area around them, the new sights and sounds. She envied him his easy going nature, his natural ability to mix with practically anyone he met. But did that stretch to giant alien robots that could easily step on them? She shuddered before she could repress the urge, catching Jack's attention. He nudged her with his shoulder, smiling warmly. Shannon found herself returning the smile, leaning into him as they walked. It was then that Will decided to introduce himself properly.

"So, you're Lynx's team, huh? Jack Monroe and Shannon Taylor?" He slowed to walk next to them. Jack grinned, throwing his arm casually around the woman's shoulders and offering Will his hand.

"The very same. And you must be Captain Lennox?" Will smiled, taking the man's hand in a hearty shake.

"Just got promoted. Major William Lennox, Special Ops. But that's for officers. Call me Will."

"Very nice to meet you Will. Just call me Jack." Will smiled.

"Will do. So, you met the big guys then huh? You seem to be taking it pretty well." He caught the blush that suddenly crossed the young woman's face, smiling knowingly.

"Give it time for me. Don't think it's quite sunk in yet. I'll probably be running around the immediate vicinity waving my hands around tomorrow. Hopefully Shan has got it out of her system." He grinned mischievously as her blush only deepened.

"Ah. Say no more." Will winked at the woman playfully. "Though, if what ol' 'Hide has told me is true, Lynx gave them a pretty hard time. Apparently she had Ratch backed in a corner from her scream." He laughed. "Then again, I do sometimes doubt the words that the big lug says sometimes."

"Hide?" Shannon's voice was barely above a squeak, until she coughed and tried again. "Who's Hide?"

"Oh right, not formally introduced. Ironhide is the big black one. Likes his weapons and blowing stuff up. He's the formal guardian of me and my family."

"Oh, right." She fell silent again, preferring to watch her thoughts whizz by in her mind, letting the men talk. She remembered the giant black behemoth from earlier in the day. She shivered. How close had they come to death? Too close. Far too close. Lyn had been so brave taking on that silver robot. Her mind wandered to their team leader. How was she? She'd looked exhausted when they finally came to a stop and in pain from her leg. Then there was the ambulance...Ratchet. Doctor Ratchet. How could they have been fooled so easily?

Advanced robots, dummy. She sighed quietly, feeling very tired and altogether drained. Today had simply been far too much for the young woman. It was way too much to take in. She found herself wishing that she was back at work with her teammates, blissfully unaware that were giant robots hiding in their midst. How was she supposed to live her life normally now? How was she supposed to go back to her job, and just get on with it? Or weren't they supposed to go back? Were they staying here, for good? Lyn had gone back to work, though she did have Ratchet with her pretty much all the time. And what was that about Guardians? Would they be assigned giant robots to watch their every move? She cringed. She didn't want some 20 foot giant robot constantly breathing down her neck! Calm down, Shannon. Calm down. She started at the squeeze on her shoulder, looking up into the concerned eyes of the technician.

"Shan, you alright?" She gulped in a breath, willing herself to relax, nodding. She smiled, the expression not quite reaching her eyes.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm fine. Just got a bit freaked that's all." Will chuckled.

"Yeah, it gets ya sometime. I remember after the attack on Mission City, I'd jump out of bed shouting about giant aliens in my backyard. The missus didn't appreciate it very much." He laughed at the memory. "That wasn't my first encounter with the big guys, though. But that's a story for another time. Here we are." The two newcomers looked to the door they were suddenly standing in front of. The sound of chatter echoed from somewhere nearby, laughter splitting the air every now and then. Will glanced down the corridor, shaking his head at something.

"You'll get used to the noise eventually. C'mon, I'll show you around or area." He pushed the door open, allowing them entrance. Immediately, the chatter and noise died down as the door closed behind them. Jack whistled as he looked around.

"Big enough."

"Yeah. This was the only human sized area in the whole base, so we went with it. Make yourselves at home. The showers are at the back, bunks are through door on you right. We'll have to find you some more clothes for you, but don't worry about it right now. Just make yourselves comfy. I gotta head off and report to the Commander, then I'm gonna go and drop in on Lyn and Ratch. I'll call for you if like."

"Yeah, please. I'd like to know how she's doing."

"Right. I'll be about an hour or so. Just kick back and relax for a bit." With one final grin, he exited the room, leaving the two in the vast expanse that were their quarters. Jack made his way to the sofa, flopping down. He winced as his leg pulled a little, the pain effectively reminding him of the bruise.

"Gotta remember that." He looked to the woman hovering by the exit. "Shan, c'mon. Sit down for a bit. We'll get sorted out soon." She made her way over to him, sitting down more gracefully. She was still tense, about ready to bolt at any moment, her dusty blue eyes staring off into space.

"Shan? You ok?" She merely nodded; pausing for a moment, then shook her head.

"Not really. I still can't believe any of this. It feels like some kind of wacked out, crazy dream that I'm having trouble waking up from." Jack laughed.

"Then we must be having the same dream." She turned to him.

"How can you be so casual about this?" He shrugged.

"The way I see it, there's no point in fretting over it. They're here. We know about them. We're inside their base. If they meant us any harm, don't you think we would've known about it by now?" Shannon sighed, sagging.

"I suppose. But..." Jack cut her off again.

"You know what else?" She glanced at him. "Lyn trusts 'em." That was true. No matter which way it was sliced, Lyn trusted them. Implicitly. She had even fallen for one, though if Shannon was honest, it wasn't hard to see why. The man they knew as Dr Ratchet was absolutely gorgeous. Bright blue eyes, spiked brown hair, nicely toned body. The guy was amazing. But he was also a lie; a fabrication created by the giant mechanoid to prevent prying eyes from discovering his true self. Yet, Lyn knew that. She knew that he wasn't real, and she still fell for him. And he for her. It was so easy to see. They worked well together. Sure they weren't of the same species, but still. Lyn was happy. That's what mattered to her. Shannon looked to the technician next to her, a brand new light in her eyes; a new resolve, a new acceptance. He grinned, once again catching her in a one armed embrace and pulled her close. She didn't fight it, allowing herself to fall into him. Snuggling as close as she could, she sighed in contentment, wrinkling her nose at the smell of dust and grime and sweat.

"You could really use a shower." He laughed in her ear.

"You're not exactly much better yourself." She slapped his arm, earning a laugh. Lifting her head ever so slightly, she gazed at him before resting her head on his shoulder.

"Jack?"

"Hm?"

"Things are going to work out, aren't they? I mean, our lives, these guys...us?" Jack pulled away, catching her eyes. Something seemed to fit into place for them both; maybe it was the stress of the day, or the fact that they had nearly lost their lives, but he was seeing the younger woman in a different way. Different from the close friendship they had formed over the time they had worked together. It felt warm, comfortable. He smiled, resting back again, pulling her with him. She moved closer, resting her head on the back of the sofa, level with him. Their gazes locked again, their faces closer than the last time they remembered. Mere inches separated them, neither wanting to break the moment.

"Yeah, Shan. I think we're thing's are gonna work out just fine." She smiled, pressing forward. Jack met her without hesitation, lips finding each other. It was soft, chaste, but passion burned behind it. They lost themselves in the moment, ignoring all else around them as their kiss deepened. So lost in each other were they, that they didn't notice the door open, nor did they notice their guide enter and then leave. They had each other, their unnoticed feelings reciprocated by the other. Finally.

Yes! Finally I have the chapter up! I hope this is the end of that bout of writer's block! Thanks everyone for your patience. I'm glad you're all still enjoying it.