Guess who's back with a brand new rap-I mean, chapter. Yes, chapter. Well, me. (yes, that fails a lot)

I don't really have that much to say for this chapter in the Author's Notes, so I'm just going to get on with it, and let you guys read what happened next! And we're going to fast forward a week in the story, simply because I feel like doing so and it will be good for the story. :D

One week later…

It was a very exhausting week. The humans were quite bored and would always go out to town, dragging along their guardians with them.

Last week, Optimus returned a few days later, bearing news. He had achieved a deal with the government; they would give them needed shelter and in return they had to give them a greater form of protection. The shelter will be made for members of N.E.S.T. and will be set in Chicago. Optimus has already settled with Que to make energon detectors and spread them around the world.

And with this agreement, they no longer had to worry about shelter. It was a win-win situation.

So the rest of the Autobots left. All of the humans would get shelter as well, the government would pay for their apartments and whatnots.

But there was a catch; Carly didn't want to be beside the Autobots anymore. She didn't take them lightly. In fact, she didn't take them at all, she hated them. She just wouldn't accept another form of life that could, at any time, kill them, even though Autobots were on the good side.

And despite Sam and Bee's efforts to protest, hating the fact that they would be separated again, Optimus had no choice but to let it be Carly's way. Nobody was pushing her into staying and she had every right to leave, whenever she wanted. And Sam was trying his best to persuade Carly into letting the Autobots stay with them, but no. She just wouldn't give in.

So with that, Bumblebee took Sam and Carly to Chicago, to an apartment that the government assigned them. Jolt took Mikaela to her apartment as Skids and Mudflap guarded Leo back to his new home. All of the humans argued and protested, about being driven into another city, far away from their parents and friends. All of them had to start a completely new life, and neither liked it.

But it was already decided. They all had a choice, either leave the Autobots and be free, but always living with the fact that they would be a Decepticon target and be unguarded by the Autobots, or stay with the Autobots, but respect Optimus's decision.

Some stayed, some left. Everyone's decisions were respected.

So, in a span of just a week, a lot of things changed. After Bee left Sam and Carly in Chicago, he went back to Nicole. Nobody knew when Sam and Bee would be together again. Sam was torn between two worlds at this moment. And he just couldn't decide which one to go to.

As Ironhide sat on Mel's bed today, the two of them were alone in the room. The machine was still connected to Mel's vaginal area, as oddly as it sounded. Mel couldn't move her lower body part, so this was the only substitute on how to dispose the energon.

But the point was, this week Mel has started to regain her normal skin color. The purplish circles under her eyes started to disappear. Her voice was starting to go back to normal and she could move her upper body part now.

Yes, it hurt her to talk and Ironhide would on occasion shush her, but she refused to stop talking. She couldn't talk for quite some time and she, for a change, missed the sound of her voice. It still had a little deeper sound to it than usual, but it has only been a week, eventually she would get herself completely back to normal.

And the days were quite quiet, with Ironhide keeping Mel under control. She was doing excellently now, always being under the supervision. Her room was heated, she was getting nutrients from the IV she was connected to and she was having company.

The door downstairs was fixed a day after it was pulled out by Ratchet. The workers, who fixed the door eventually, asked Will how did manage to do this. Will had a good comeback prepared.

But other than that, the days were going smoothly. Sometimes Mel would feel a little pain now and then, but it was only normal. She was functioning, as the bots would say it, and it was all that mattered now.

From time to time, she would have mood changes and would complain. Usually by either craving for attention or ignoring people. The diseases have been with her for over 6 months, and they have certainly messed her up. But quite fortunately, they haven't messed her up for good.

But seeing as it was already the middle of March now, spring had almost begun. It caused Ironhide to think back on his and Mel's dear, shared memories.

So there he was now, sitting on Mel's bed, giving her affection. Affection she wanted, but never had to say it. The two soul mates were alone in her warm room.

And words needn't be shared in this room. They knew what the other was thinking, what the other was feeling and how they were feeling.

He was holding her hand, caressing the smooth back of it, and she was squeezing his hand gently, in return. "You should sleep." She said, trying to use her raspy voice.

"Shh… don't talk." He quietly said. "I'll rest when I have to." She gave him a stern look, trying to make him go to sleep. "Not in a million years." he shook his head.

She couldn't tell if he was joking this time or not. "You didn't rest for… at least six months." She breathed out. Breathing was still a problem, but she refused to keep her mouth shut.

His other hand was brought up the side of her face, his palm on her cheek. "I don't matter." He pressed a kiss on her forehead. "You're the only one who matters here."

She wanted to retort, being the stubborn being she is, but his hand drifted to her lips, putting a finger on them. She understood the motion and kept quiet, but kissed the finger which was on her lips.

She smiled at him, glad that he was still caring for her. "Love you." She whispered and closed her eyes. She was going to sleep.

"And I you, Mel." He replied, a small spreading across his face. "Just a couple of more days, a week at most, and you'll be back to normal. I promise." He said, before letting her go to sleep. He stood up from the bed and moved to his chair which was placed conversely of the bed. His elbows rested on the handles, his fingers interlocked. He was observing.

And his short observation had paid off, for he heard Ratchet's footsteps long before he came into Mel's room. "How is she doing? Any complications whatsoever?"

"Shallow breathing, nothing else." He reported.

"Good, that will most likely pass until the end of today or tomorrow." Ironhide nodded at his words. "She will be making a full recovery, Ironhide. You should worry less now."

Ironhide didn't say anything, but Ratchet knew he had acknowledged his words. Hide just sat there, quiet and unmoving, being the silent guardian that he is.

One week later…

It was a miracle how many things could happen in a week. Ironhide would know how fast things change, considering he was battle active when the War broke out on Cybertron, many millenniums ago. Since the beginning of the War, very few things had ever remained the same.

But the biggest miracle of all was what was happening to Melissa. In just a matter of a week, she managed to talk, move around and walk. Perfectly normal.

So Ratchet, being the careful medic he is, scanned her. It turned out, that because of the Separator and the clean blood, they managed to kill the cancer. Completely.

And after hearing these news, celebration followed suit. Unfortunately, she couldn't celebrate with the humans who were already in Chicago, but she had no idea of the plan Optimus arranged, which was moving everyone to the base in Chicago.

As Mel was walking around the house, slowly and carefully, she had one wish. To get into Ironhide's cab, one more time. She felt at absolute peace there, shielded and guarded from all the mean and hurtful things this world could give. Besides, he deserved her time and attention. She knew how to be grateful and thankful.

"And where do you think you're going?" Ratchet said, holoform forming behind her back, startling her.

"Down." She simply said.

"I need to scan you for something."

"For what?"

"Something."

She turned around. "Unless you tell me what it's about," she stopped to think for a while. She could make a hurtful retort if she didn't word it right. He did save her life, for God knows what time. "I'll-"

"You won't do a thing. Besides, it's not painful."

As if that made it easier. "After you scan me, could you help me go down the stairs? I'm a little insecure when walking comes to mind." She smiled shyly, as if a little embarrassed to say it.

He nodded, "Of course." He took out the rectangular device and placed it in front of her. "Hold still, please." She nodded. "I said still!"

She rolled her eyes, but hadn't retorted. The device was spreading the blue light across her whole body.

Ratchet's eyes seemed to glisten for a moment and smile formed on the end of his lips while he was scanning her abdominal area. But he soon returned to his normal, grumpy self. He cleared his throat. "Yes, that would be all."

"So why were you smiling?" She tucked her arm underneath his, the two of them going slowly down the stairs so she wouldn't fall flat on her face.

"I was not."

"You so were."

"Your eyes were playing tricks on you."

"If they were, you'd already be scanning them." She smirked.

He wanted to give a good comeback, and he would, had they not reached the end of the stairs. "Off you go."

"You don't want to answer?"

"I have other Autobots to attend to."

"And I thought you had a particular interest in treating humans."

"I do, but you're already cured, and thank Primus for that."

"No, Ratchet. Not Primus." She smiled and he was a little confused. She enveloped him in a tight hug. "Thank you, Ratchet. You saved my life." She held him tighter.

Ratchet was so confused at the gratitude he was receiving that he didn't know what to do. When she let go of him, he just smiled in return. "I am a medic for a reason." He said, thinking over the last time he even heard a simple 'thanks' for his treatments. There were only a few times.

She smiled to him as she slowly got out of the house. She hurried to Ironhide's alt, which was always unlocked for her. The back door opened and, with a helping hand of his holoform, she managed to get inside safely.

Ironhide was setting up the air conditioning, the heating on the seats and comfort. He wanted her to feel at peace in his alt.

The two of them sat in silence in the back of his cab. They were just looking at each other in complete silence. But Mel couldn't take it anymore. Tears started to fill her eyes, and one had slipped free.

"Shh, what's the matter now?" he softly asked, wiping away the oncoming tears.

Her hands found their way around his neck as she sat in his lap. She cried into his shoulder as his arms enveloped her, giving her warmth and strength from his hug. She couldn't find the words to say anything and she didn't even bother. She just wanted his touch, his love.

Ironhide didn't say anything. He didn't have to. He put on quiet music, sending his words through the lyrics. And Mel didn't mind. She preferred it that way. Had she heard his voice, she would've cried even more. She adored him.

"It's gonna take a lot to drag me away from you…"

She only held him tighter. It was almost as if she was afraid to let go. It clearly showed how much she missed the feel of his touch, how much she missed to hug him.

"I'm keeping you safe, not giving you to anyone else. I only want everything with you…"

Her tears dried in his shirt as her eyes started to slightly sting.

"I'm keeping you safe, not giving you to anyone else, not even if everything in my life stops. Everything that I am belongs to you."

Her tears started to lessen, slowly dying out. She took in his lovely scent, his body warmth, his strong arms… she just wanted to stay this way forever. Without any real words shared. They didn't need the words.

"And if your whole world falls apart, I will give you a part of mine, just stay here. And when you don't know where to go, nor how to find happiness, I will know, just stay here…"

She calmed herself. She was feeling very comfortable with him. She dug her forehead into the crook of his neck, breathing slowly.

She thought on the words the radio sang. "I'm keeping you safe, not giving you to anyone else, not even if everything in my life stops. Everything that I am belongs to you. And if your whole world falls apart, will give you a part of mine, just stay here. And when you don't know where to go, nor how to find happiness, I will know, just stay here…"

And he truly did give her a part of his world. The Autobots. His support, his kindness, his time. The kind people who cared about her and how she was doing. All of the Autobots, they were different, but they were his world. And he chose to share it with her.

Up to this point, she was never aware she was so lucky, to have such incredible people around her. But she was most happy to have Ironhide by her side. He was here with her through thick and thin, never leaving her side.

She looked up from his shoulder, her eyes still a little watery, but she could see clearly. He looked back at her with a kind look in his eyes, bringing his head closer and touching her forehead with his.

"Are you feeling alright now?" he softly asked.

She nodded, making a quiet 'mhm' sound. She angled her chin a little higher, her lips meeting with Ironhide's in the dark cab of his alt. She missed the softness, the slight butterflies in her stomach every time they touched. She wanted to spend the rest of her life with him. She knew it. She felt it.

"I love you… so much." She said between kisses. She couldn't have put her love into words or actions, but Ironhide knew. He could feel it too.

"It's a miracle you've made a full recovery… no more energon… no more cancer."

She stopped kissing him, hearing the word 'cancer'. Ironhide's spark stopped for a second, thinking he had said something wrong.

"You're right… but I couldn't have done it without you." She said with a smile, her forehead touching his. He relaxed, no longer tensed.

"Baby, without you I'm nothing… we'll always have each other's backs, 'cause we're that lucky… together, we'll live forever…"

"You would have found the strength. You've had Nicole, Will, Sarah… not to mention the rest of the Autobots."

"I will love you unconditionally... So come just as you are to me, don't need apologies, know that you are worthy, I'll take your bad days with your good, walk through the storm, I would do it all because I love you…"

The lyrics were spot on. Melissa kissed him once more. "Why are you so perfect?" she said with a smile.

"Because I can." He smirked, flipping her over on her back as he was kneeling over her. He bent down to kiss the side of her neck, tracing the kisses to her jaw line, until he reached her lips. Her arms were around his neck in an instant as the two of them pressed closer onto one another.

Usually, Melissa would've enjoyed all of this, but she felt a little sick, and tired. Ironhide could tell she was tired, she didn't return the motions.

"I'm a little sick."

"Reason?"

"Unknown." She replied. "Just give me a second, I'll be fine." She smiled.

He let her sit up. "Do you want me to bring you some water?"

"No thanks, I'm good." He was still slightly surprised by her kindness and politeness. "Can I lay here?"

"As if you have to ask." The back seats moved down, making it almost bedlike. She lay there, getting in her sleeping position. Ironhide joined her, before she even asked for him to sleep by her side. "Are you positive you don't want me to bring you anything?"

"Positive, Mr. Weapons Specialist." She smiled. He chuckled.

"We'll do it all, everything on our own. We don't need anything or anyone. If I lay here, if I just lay here, would you lie with me and just forget the world?"

The two of them lay together, perfectly content in each other's embrace.

"All that I am, all that I ever was, is here in your perfect eyes, they're all I can see…"

Ironhide didn't even know the amount of songs he played, but he carefully chose the lyrics so that Mel could sleep without any stress. Besides, the lyrics were showing his emotions without really saying them.

"Rest well, dear." He bade her goodnight, kissing her on the temple. She had already fallen asleep. It was around 10 in the evening anyway.

Well now, this has turned out quite well! I like the way this chapter turned out, I enjoyed writing the scene in Ironhide's cab, using one of my favorite songs.

Toto – Africa

Rihanna ft. Eminem – Love The Way You Lie (Part 2)

Snow Patrol – Chasing Cars

Katy Perry - Uncoditionally

Lexington ft. Biljana Pecic – Samo ostani tu (another Serbian song translated into English)

So how did you guys enjoy this chapter? Yay, nay or more? (or any combination of the two) :D

Next chapter is going to be interesting, with some revelations. And for some of you who were asking via reviews or PMs, I'll say it all here:

Yes, this story will go Dark Of The Moon. The 3rd movie will be featured in here. Yes, you shall hate me. And you shall love me. (I love to complicate things and confuse people, but I must do so as to not reveal things that should be left unread (yet) and to keep it all interesting without any spoilers!)

And we shall all wait until the next time I remember to make a chapter and post it here. I'd like some reviews guys, which I know a bunch of you give me each time a new chapter comes out. You make my days guys, especially with LONG reviews, those are my most favorite! But any kind of support that you give is HUGELY appreciated.

AND HAPPY NEW YEAR 2014 GUYS! This chapter is posted on the 31st December, so I look forward to seeing you all in 2014! :) I wish you all happiness, joy, love, creativity and goodness! Till all are one! :D