Hey there guys, how're ya doing? I honestly just want to get these sad parts over with, do what was the point of making this story and end it. But before I do that, I must pass those 100 chapters that I made myself a goal to write. I'm so close and yet so far from this goal, but I'll do my best!

I can't believe we passed 900 reviews! O_O I can't begin to thank you how much this means to me! Thank you guys so much for reviewing!

Also, please do listen to 'Instrumental Music – James Horner- The Dream (Titanic Ending Music)' because it will bring tears to your eyes. I had to stop and take tissues while writing and listening to the song. I couldn't see my keyboard how blurry my eyes were from the tears. But that's just me. Yes, this is the same song you have already been asked to listen while reading a chapter, but trust me, it's an awesome added effect. :) Time to bring on those tears! Be prepared! :)

This is a considerably longer chapter, so be prepared to read a lot in here. :)

Tomorrow, 10 a.m.

"You ready, Mel?" I heard Nicole's voice through the door. I straightened my skirt and looked at myself one more time. I was dressed in black as a widow was supposed to be.

I turned around and wrapped the GMC logo into the red blanket I had gotten it in. I put the blanket in the box and locked it. I sighed as I looked at it one last time. "Let's go." I managed to say, my voice void of emotion.

I didn't care much about my appearance. I wore a black skirt with small black heels. I had a black coat all around me and I carried a black umbrella in my hand. I carried the sacred box in my other hand.

Nicole waited for me right next to the door on the outside. She was dressed somewhat like me. And so was Mikaela. The guys were waiting down on the street for us, all hiding under umbrellas. It was still pouring outside.

As we got down to the building's hallway, through its transparent doors I could see something that didn't add up. I saw all the Autobots' alt modes, but they were all black. How?

I stopped walking. I looked towards Nicole. She looked at me, confused. "What is it?"

"The cars…?"

She looked towards them. "Oh. It's a funeral. So they changed their colors to black."

I didn't know they could do that. I put my small black veil that covered my face. Their colors reminded me of Ironhide's. "Sunstreaker would actually change his color?"

"Even he didn't take his death lightly." She said as she opened the door for me. A cold breeze greeted us, as I felt the goosebumps wash all over me. I opened the umbrella as Nicole and I stood under it, so that we wouldn't be wet from the pouring rain. "Will and Annabelle are going with Jazz, Mikaela and Leo with Jolt, Sam and I are going with Bee, Sarah and Carly are off with Dino and you're going with Sunstreaker."

I nodded and led her to Bumblebee as I saw that everybody was in their cars. She opened the door and settled herself in, the door closing behind her.

It was an odd sight, to say the least, to see the Autobots all in black. It suited them quite well. We did look like a mafia gathering, but we didn't care.

As I walked over to Sunstreaker's driver side, he opened the door for me and I closed my umbrella, stepping inside. It shut itself for me and locked, the instruments in the interior lighting up.

I didn't say anything as he started up his engine. He didn't say anything to me, either. He didn't need to.

Today was a day for mourning. Today was the day to say goodbye to the fellow Autobots that gave their lives to save the people of mankind.

I opened my black purse and took out a single tissue. I wrapped it around my index finger and brought it to my eye, wiping away the tear that threatened to come out.

He started to follow the Autobots in front of him. The first Autobot in front of him was Bumblebee.

I was glad the little scout came out alive and that he could save himself. I was just sad that Ironhide couldn't have made it.

I hung my head back, very unlady-like, but the tears kept on coming. I pressed the tissue to the sides of my face, to keep them from ruining my make-up. I had to do this. I had to be strong.

"You'll be fine." I heard the voice through the speakers.

I kept my head back, because I knew I wouldn't be able to get through his morning without tears. "I don't know. It's so hard, Sunstreaker. Just so… hard…" I sniffled, bringing my head back up again and trying to blow my nose.

"I know, Mel." He said, and that brought a smile to my face. I don't think that ever before, he had called me by my nickname and not 'organic' or 'fleshy'.

I leaned my back against the seat as I stared out the window. I always felt that, whenever I went with Sunstreaker, that we were always speeding and going so fast the world outside would blur. Now, going so slow seemed like it took us hours to get to the cemetery.

I suddenly heard a thunder strike. I jumped in the seat, startled. Only now, did the seatbelt slowly move around me, clicking into place. It was a kind and generous action, and I knew that somebody would always be there to take care of me when needed.

I thought I had to prepare a speech for the funeral. But then Will told me that I needn't worry myself with that. He told me that the military would take care of that, they had their own vendetta anyway.

We were driving and driving, and the silence seemed to be deafening and that bothered me a lot.

"Sunstreaker," I started, knowing fully well that he was listening to me. "Could you please turn on the radio?"

It turned to life almost immediately. I leaned back in the seat as I listened to the lyrics. "It was too late to stop it. There's a certain line you just don't cross and he crossed it… Even though the battle was won, I feel like we lost it, I spent too much energy on it, honestly I'm exhausted…"

The words were very sad and I knew it was affecting Sunstreaker as well. I patted the door. "I know it's hard." Really, really hard.

I could almost hear a sigh in the cabin. "Yeah, it is." He said as I turned my head towards him. He turned on his holoform and it was sitting in the passenger seat. "I never thought he would be one of the 'Bots to go so soon. I always thought he would be the last of us to go."

I sighed and shook my head. He changed the song. "Even the people who never frown eventually break down."

"I really wished that this was all a dream, a trick… but…" I sighed. I couldn't find the words to speak my mind. I only hoped he understood.

"Don't try to explain your mind, I know what's happening here…"

"How are you and Sideswipe doing?" I asked.

"We're good, I guess. Sideswipe hasn't been talkative lately."

I didn't expect him to be. "What about Optimus? I saw his arm…"

"Ratchet isn't able to fix it yet, but Optimus will be there."

He wouldn't miss it for the world. I merely nodded in return, fixing my black veil.

"What are you wearing? I've never seen such clothing on humans before."

Right, just what I needed. To be judged.

Or perhaps he was genuinely interested in what I was wearing.

"This is a skirt." I said, touching my skirt. "These are my heels."

"I know what that is, I'm wondering what is that over your faceplates." He pointed to my veil from the passenger seat.

"It's a veil."

"Why do you need it?"

"It's tradition. Usually, the… the wife, fiancée or the girlfriend wears it when her man dies." I said, fighting a choke.

"I see." He said and let the radio play.

We sat in silence as I listened to the radio playing lightly. I didn't know the song that was playing, so I just put my hand on the steering wheel and turned away from Sunstreaker's holoform and looked out the window that had rain drops still pouring all over it.

"How much longer?"

"Two hours and twenty-three minutes."

"Okay." I softly said. "Could you hand me the box?" I asked.

He looked confused at first, but then realization seemed to dawn upon him. I brought the wooden box from behind his back.

I thanked him as I took it into my hands. I opened it gently and took out the blanket. I could feel Sunstreaker's gaze on what I was doing. I opened up the red blanked at took out the GMC logo from it.

I looked at it deeply, scanning every ridge, every scratch, every imperfection. And then I ran my finger over them. I loved those imperfections. And I had to let go of them.

Just as I had loved Ironhide and had to let go of him.

I placed one last kiss on it, saying a silent prayer in my mind as I wrapped the logo back into the red blanket and gently put it in the wooden box. I locked the box and put it in Sunstreaker's lap.

He didn't say anything, I'm guessing he knew what the logo was and what it meant to me.

Moments were spent in absolute silence, that is, until he broke the silence. "At first I thought it was a scam." He said.

"What?"

"When I heard you and Hide were together." I nodded. "But now, it's like I can't imagine one without the other. It's so strange."

Tell me about it. I nodded in confirmation. We have been inseparable. But now, we would never be reunited again.

Two hours later…

"Is this…?" I asked him as we started pulling up to the entranceway of a cemetery.

"This is the place." He said, his voice holding an indistinctive sadness within it. I nodded and pulled lever on the door, which slowly opened itself upwards. I opened my umbrella and got out, holding the box in my one hand and the umbrella in the other. I could hear various transformation sequences behind me as I saw all of the Autobots present transform. All of them had black paintjobs. It was a day to commemorate Ironhide, but I think they changed their colors because of the attire, rather than to be in Ironhide's colors.

I saw an arm wave towards me as I walked towards its bearer. It was my uncle. "Mel, you stay here, along with the rest of them." He said, gesturing towards Sarah, Mikaela, Sam, Carly, Leo, Nicole and Simmons. I only noticed him now. "You'll be in the front row."

I nodded. "What about you?"

"I have to do the honors as well." I acknowledged.

"And where's Annabelle?"

"She's with Jazz in his alt. His holoform will stay here though, with the rest of the Autobots' holoforms." He gestured and showed me that in a separate corner, perhaps only a few dozen feet away from the group of humans, I could see all the holoforms there. And behind them, were their real forms, transformed, each and every one of them, except Jazz, having their hands up to their heads in a military salute, standing proud.

"Thank you." I said as I walked over to my group of friends.

"I'm so sorry." I could hear the voices say, but I only merely nodded in return as I was in front of them, in the first row.

I could see hundreds of soldiers coming in. Each and every one of them marching in unison. But in front of them were men, also dressed for the attire, but they held medals on their suits proudly. They must have been of a higher military rank.

Then they all stopped in their tracks. I observed.

I watched as a United States flag has been brought towards the center of the ceremony. It was folded, but then two people, some of the higher ranks I supposed, walked towards the center and unfolded the flag. As it was completely unfolded, I heard 'Taps' beginning to play. I turned towards the sound of the drums. They were at least a hundred feet away.

As the sad and tearful song continued to play, I could only think of what my love was doing up in heaven. Perhaps he is looking down on us, smiling at the ceremony that was brought upon him.

I missed him so much.

As the 'Taps' ended, another soldier walked up to the ones who were holding the flag and they started to fold it. After it was folded, a soldier took it and started walking towards me. As he stood right in front of me, I recognized that it was Alex.

"I'm sorry." I could hear him whisper as he gently gave me the folded flag, now forming a triangle. I stiffened my lips and nodded and I could feel the tears brimming at my eyes. but they were hidden behind the black veil I wore over my face. I took the flag into my arms and held it pressed to my chest. He saluted me and turned around, walking back to one of the groups of soldiers.

A group of soldiers holding guns stepped forward, guided by a higher ranking officer. I didn't count how many of them were there. I watched as they fired three volleys when the higher ranking officer instructed them so. It was all perfectly synchronized, which I was mesmerized by.

That is when I saw 6 higher ranking officers approach the casket. It was smaller than a normal human casket, but there was nothing to fit in there. Only this wooden box that held the sacred logo that belonged to Ironhide.

The only officer that I recognized of the six, was General Morshower.

The soldiers moved along with their officers. The officers stood on the hustings. Those were the platforms from where they would be giving their speech dedicated to the lifelong and loyal services Ironhide has provided planet Earth with.

"This flag is presented on behalf of a grateful nation and the United States Army as a token of appreciation for your loved one's honorable and faithful service." The officer said and I only just realized that that man had been Will.

The United States Coast Guard officer stood on the platform, right next to Will. "On behalf of the President of the United States, the Commandant of the Coast Guard, and a grateful nation, please accept this flag as a symbol of our appreciation for your loved one's service to the country and the Coast Guard."

Then the United States Navy officer stood next to the Coast Guard officer. "On behalf of the President of the United States and the Chief of Naval Operations, please accept this flag as a symbol of our appreciation for your loved one's service to this country and the grateful Navy."

Lastly, I saw General Morshower stand on the platform, joining the three commanding officers. He was silent for a while as if he was deciding how to start the speech. We could all see that he had a speech in front of him, but he chose to look straight ahead, right at us.

"Ironhide was an honorable Autobot. " he started. "A soldier who didn't defy orders. He protected us from all dangers that were brought upon mankind." He stopped and moved his papers in front of him. "Rest in peace warrior, you did not die in vain. Though we do not know each other, we all share a common pain. Though they protest us, one day, they will understand. The people that you fought for will remember you always. The world will miss you so." He took the opportunity to glance at me, but nobody else saw the action. "We will always keep your memory alive. And do not worry, we will finish the mission with you in our hearts. We will carry you in our hearts for the rest of our lives."

I looked up at him once more as he was finishing.

"Rest in peace, now warrior, for you will never be forgotten." As he had stopped reciting his speech, we all brought our heads up which were hung. "God bless you and your family and God bless the United States of America." He finished, getting off the platform. The 'Taps' started playing again as the soldiers started to bring red roses to the grave.

I walked slowly towards it, placing the box gently in the open casket. I felt a tear slip from my eye and onto the box. Two men on each side of the casket closed it as the first of the roses started to cover the casket. I moved away, to another part of the cemetery. The weather had been awful.

Perhaps the heavens were crying as well. Maybe Ironhide was giving them a hard time up there.

I smiled sadly at the thought.

As the 'Taps' had started to end, the numerous soldiers started to leave the ceremony, after paying a long salute to Ironhide.

Seconds later, the only ones who were left were the Autobots, who took a step forwards with Optimus in the lead. They started to speak in Cybertronian, and it sounded like they were, in unison, praying for Ironhide.

It was an odd and beautiful language, this Cybertronian. Never had I heard something like it, nor seen such symbols. But I was more than happy to be a part of their world.

As they finished with their prayer, the Autobots did their own military Cybertronian salute and bowed towards the casket.

The soldiers then lowered the casket into the ground.

It was time to leave.

I still had a couple of words to say to Ironhide.

I felt a hand on my shoulder. "We're gonna wait for you." I heard Nicole say. I nodded as I noticed that it was still pouring from the darkened skies and a thunder could be heard in the distance. I sighed as I walked towards the tombstone until I got right in front of it.

I inhaled the scent of this place. "Hey Hide." I said, truly believing that he was here with me right now. "How's it going up there? I hope you're doing okay, 'cause I sure as hell am not." I said, biting my lower lip to prevent the tears from falling. "I…" I sighed. It was like I wanted to tell him a lot of things, but couldn't find the words.

So I spoke from my heart.

I looked at the engraved Autobot symbol on the tombstone. "I miss you, Ironhide." I said, the tears blurring my vision. I hiccupped. "I miss you so, so much..." I took a step forward and placed my hand on the cold and wet stone. The cold rain fell over my hand.

The tears slid free over my cheeks. "I'm… I'm pregnant, Ironhide." I said, looking at the tombstone as I cried. "You're going to be a daddy. Maybe it's going to be a girl, just like you wanted…" I shut my eyes, sobbing. I looked up at the skies. "I need you here, Ironhide. I'd give everything I have in the world just to see you one more time." I felt desperate. I felt lonely. "I'd give everything just to have one day with you. Just one day…" I said, the tears freely streaming down my face.

I turned my head towards the group of blacked out Autobots. I sighed, very sadly. They were waiting for me.

"I guess, I have to go now, Ironhide. I remember… how you once told me that goodbye means the end. Maybe this is our goodbye." I broke down, letting a wail come out of my mouth. "I love you, Ironhide. I love you so much… I always have." I said, sliding my hand over the tombstone one last time before I had to leave.

I took my hand back as I stood up straight. I had to go now.

That is when I felt something. Something weird and something not from this world.

I felt something touch my cheek.

And whatever touched it, it stayed there. I put my hand on my cheek, expecting it to probably be just a leaf, but there was nothing there. When I touched it, I felt like my hand was barely touching something invisible, yet something warm.

I didn't know what it was. My mind told me there was no logical explanation for me to feel this. I should have been scared. I should have been terrified. But I wasn't.

I felt safe.

I turned my head towards the source of the warmth. There was nothing there. I brought up my hand to the space where I felt the safety come from.

There was one part in the air that was warmer than the others.

Something was there.

Someone.

And it couldn't have been just anyone.

I grinned with my tears falling down my cheeks, catching the corners of my mouth. I wanted to say something, anything, but I was afraid that the feeling would disappear.

I took the hand that was hanging in midair and brought it to my cheek. I was embracing the warmth and safety. It was just me and him in this moment.

I decided to take the leap of faith.

"I love you, Ironhide." I said with the tears falling down.

And for the first time, I had felt that very same feeling of love that I had always felt when I was with Ironhide. I could almost hear him say the same words to me. My tears streamed and streamed down my cheeks.

Then I felt the feeling of love, warmth and safety fade. Fade, until it was no longer there.

I looked up at the skies with a smile. "Heaven got another angel, Ironhide."

I slowly walked back towards the Autobots.

So there we go, Ironhide is given his honors and was officially sent off to the Well of AllSparks. Now, what I'm not familiar with are the military salutes and how the wife/fiancée/girlfriend of the deceased should wear or do at his funeral, so I made something up based on my own country's traditions, my creativity and internet.

Songs: Eminem – Like Toy Soldiers

Linkin Park – Pushing Me Away

Jordin Sparks – Battlefield

It's still not the end, my dear readers and followers. I still have at least 9 chapters to write before I get his story over with and I'm going to make it. I believe in it. How did you like this chapter? :) We've passed the 300.000 word perimeter! :) This story now officially belongs to one of the longest stories on the search field! :)