_A SIDE STORY 2_

At the Department of Health and Human Services… first three days since disappearance

Shein/Oen: Where is my blasted Creator right now? *squints and tries to look for her with Sam*

Sam: *looks in thought until raises eye brow* You didn't know? She went to Ratchet yesterday then excused herself as soon as she was released.

Ratchet: *comes out and observes the tense girl before nodding* Your creator had been feeling ill when she had requested for a scan. I ordered her to rest for the next few days until she feels better, but if a week passes and there is no change in here condition, she would come to me as soon as possible. *looks thoughtful*

Shein/Oen: (hiding from Ratchet's calculating gaze and whispers to Sam) *eye twitches* Is she sick or something, again? *grumbles*

Sam: Well, what is your diagnosis, doc? *seriously asks*

Ratchet: She's upset about something, creating an imbalance in her system as her dopamine, serotonin, oxytocin and endorphins kept getting lower. Anxiety would soon turn to Depression and I had already pointed that out to her.*sighs* But she assured that it will soon pass.

Shein/Oen: What is she depressed about this time? *thoughtfully thinks*

Sam: *snaps fingers together* Maybe it was that transmission she got the other day before yesterday… or as to say, two days ago… *pulls out phone and lets it play something*

Phone: A car accident had occurred in *insert place* at *insert date*. Casualties extend to a young woman that was said to be just going to work- blah blah blah. *shuts off*

Shein/Oen: What does that have to do with my Creator? *raises eyebrows in ridicule*

Ratchet: Ah, that might be the cause of her sudden down turn of moods. She had said something about not being able to be there or at least get to visit often like she would want to do. *huffs* From my records… The one caught in the accident is your aunt, Oen… She and your Creator are close.

Sam: That tells it all… *looks at Oen's expression and body stilling*

Shein/Oen: *turns and goes off*

Sam and Ratchet: *looks solemnly at her retreating figure*

Sam: *looks down at phone* Let's hope that her Creator's sister wakes up soon or many hearts would bleed. *scratches head and turns to stare at Ratchet*

Ratchet: *nods languidly* And this time, I might not be able to really do anything for that incoming injury. *shudders*

_END_

Chapter 38: Clearing the Fog

There, standing just a few meters in front of her, were glowing red orbs floating beside the other as the small metallic gray body pop out of the ventilation staff. For a normal human, one would have found their heart thumping erratically in their chest as a sign of fear as their breathing grew rasp and uneven… But she wasn't what anyone would call as 'normal'… Not in her twisted situation course in life, ofcourse.

The last time she had been normal was when she had lived within a life comprised of boring mundane things and tasks. Ever since she had been introduced to those glowing red orbs, nothing like that as her life became rather hectic and fun through and through with them. She gained many experiences… and those experiences and feelings she got would never fade for it had colored her life.

Those optics, as far as she had been among with those beings with components like that, were the ones that give her comfort in more ways than one. After an orn of separation and captivity (if you can call looming over her as surveillance guards), time had not changed even the slightest of her trapped feelings that ran rampant inside her, wanting to be let out… Sadly, after remembering the last events before she got abandoned, she has to settle on suppressing and acting out a partial 'Oen' in this place where she was being kept alive and healthy. Shein might be raised with Cons for almost a fourth to a half of her life but she still had learned to maintain manners that haunt her till today.

Who was Oen? That is what Shein asks herself as she tried to gather her own data to analyze and recreate the personality. But as far as what she had gathered, she loathed that part of her more than admire the kindness that the other had shown. Oen was kind… she was shy, skittish, formal and quite the little white sheep that Shein is not. The only amusing thing she found out about the girl was that she treats the humans at a certain proximity farther from how she treats the Autobots.

Shein could only conclude that it was because the mechs gave her a sense of familiarity that the others have, making Oen perceive them as 'family' rather than strangers or enemies. At least she still had her preservation skills intact with her real memories gone that time. Much to her amusement, that is how she rolls when dealing with certain people. Manners are always the best device for a well-played deception.

To think that she had interacted with the enemy and had managed to get into their sparks that fast, she didn't know she could actually still live in a world she resented. Oen must have totally been broken in the head… and Shein all but wanted to know how… How did she arrived to have something as painful as forgetting the ones that she loves? If it weren't for the things that happened while she had amnesia, she knew that there was a large chance she wouldn't be here now, facing and experiencing what she dreaded the most ever since she had met the Decepticons.

Anxiety slowly builds up in her as she stared back at those ruby red glowing optics. The lighting didn't actually help mask how the youngling was actually feeling as he stared at her. All it took was one look as her eyes raked out the small details from the small frame to begin cringing. He shook slowly, getting up from his crawling position before gaining stable footing again for Primus knows how long he had been in that hole.

The black haired girl's memory flared in wake at that site as she began remembering him to have suddenly disappeared along with his partner and other officials of the Decepticon faction. She could vaguely recall the days that passed that time as the later flashes all blurred white.

In spite of the blank after memories, she knows something important had happened that time… and from what state the other was in, she could attest to that. The metal frame of the youngling look quite battered and dented. It looks like the youngling had gone through the pit before he could even get here.

She felt anger bubble up inside her again, but this time, it was not for the lost but for the care she still has towards the little ones. Her caretaker instincts flared in terror and haste, making her want to just burst out, ask what happened, and then, exact revenge on whoever had done it.

The little symbiot was washed in relief as awe came next. He noticed how she controlled her emotion at the sight of him as she strained herself from moving from her spot as if, if she moved, everything would break for her. He doesn't understand it but then again, when did he have to understand the femme when she's silent like this? Her silence could mean anything so he hopes that she could speak out to him to make the situation less complicated as it is.

"Shey…" She heard him chirp out his pet name for her in happiness. Hearing that, the black haired girl almost wanted run up to the other and give him a hug but the bitter last memory with the Lord had stopped her even from breathing as it also blocked her mind from thinking of happy things. Frenzy is here… but why? Why would the youngling be here? She asked mentally, lost in thought and suddenly fearing possibilities.

On the other hand, Frenzy didn't notice her sudden change in behavior as his happiness and relief wash over him. He actually thought that once he had entered this slagging facility, he would be met with a lot of blocks. Yes, he knows that this is the Autobot Head Quarters… Yes, the Decepticons knew of this place… But pit, after the last time that they had promised to not let the femme be ever near with the other faction, this happens? What are the chances that their slagging Deity was trying to make Shein play 'the wing man' for both factions to reconcile?

He muttered low curses to Primus for that before he turned and focused on the person he had been searching for all this time ever since she had been found out to be in an undesirable place to be left at. His optics scanned the human femme's health per Hook's request and silently sent him the gathered data. With a 'thanks' from the medic and a call of 'Good job' from the mechs back at the base, he proceeded with his next task.

It was to take her away and be her look out and semi-guardian for the time being while the others are still busy.

Barricade should have been the one in his position since he was the real guardian of the girl but the mech is as busy as any other original resident of the Nemesis was with their Lord working them over time on the ship to make sure that their plan could be executed without fault. Frenzy was just the lucky little one that Megatron has no use for the time being so he was sent to search for Shein. Even if it means his deactivation is arranged, the symbiot has no qualms on the arrangement.

Shockwave had been so kind to point out that he could actually track the femme with the mini subspace necklace she had… until the signal was lost and created a round of worry around the base. The scientist had pointed out that there might be something jamming the signal but that was only a hypothesis. Be it so, he still gave the last coordinates that the device had reported.

It took Frenzy forever to get to the location since he couldn't really move in broad daylight, but with the help of some idiot squishies here and there, he gotten that far in an orn. The energon detectors were not that much of help as it prolonged his journey in the city but Skywarp managed to point out safe entrances. The long distances he had to come through made the little mechling regret not scanning a small toy vehicle for the journey, but it still put him in the upper hand.

Finding her here, Frenzy couldn't believe that she would be brought in again by the Autoscums after their last fiasco. He was actually prepared to deal with massive security until he had to laugh at how humiliating their system was. Here, he stood right in front of her, happy to see her again without even losing a gear or two. How much does the Autobots underestimate them? He wonders…

"Frenzy… Wha-what are you doing here?" She chirped and warbled back at him as she asked in confusion. Her body was then knocked out of air when she suddenly got tackled. It was not really an issue for her to get a hug like this. But she just wished that the youngling had considered at least thinking she was still a fragile organic even with her changing internal system. She could feel one of her arms get dislocated from their sockets but she managed to put them back with a push and tugged that made the youngling flinch and feel sheepish for giving her that.

Shein was actually not really bothered by the sudden affection he bask her in. She was receiving the youngling's affections as if nothing had happened and their connections were still there with him asking her if she was alright, if she had been taken care of at this facility, and lastly, he asks her what did the Autoscums make her do…

The abandonment was forgotten all together with the hurt, pain and the other things that weighed her heart down. For all she cared, Frenzy still hadn't told her off… that he stills see her in his life. It was safe to say that he still likes her, right?

"What do you mean 'what am I doing here?'?" Frenzy huffed as he tried to tug her back to the vent so they could go immediately. It was small but she would likely fit in there if Frenzy would be so kind to drag her through… No, that is not happening as Shein paused and didn't even dare to go willingly with him like she would always do. This put the mechling into a halt as he stared up at her with his optics showing confusion.

It was not like she didn't want to go… and the stated reason above was the only reason she have… No… There are too many in her head and those nailed her to her spot even greater than before.

"The Lord… he had thrown me back here, didn't he? So why are you here disobeying his wishes?" She asked with a little of her pent up emotions leaking out. She was upset, angry, and anxious of order and she all but wanted to stay here right now in enemy territory.

Staying here felt like she was betraying the Decepticons… Betrayal was last in her mind of ever doing to the faction that made her happy nonetheless of the events happening to her right now. But if she could recall correctly, she was the one who had willingly entered the 'drunk' car that time. The thought didn't make her any more comfortable as it was.

If the Lord wanted her out, she would respect his wishes as it is and would not put more burdens to whatever she had done to get this kind of punishment. It already hurts but she would not cower from getting forgiveness… If what she was doing was actually forgiveness; that is…

Ah, her world is just confusing.

"Who told you that slag?!" Frenzy's voice was in hysterics as his optics were staring at her in disbelief. He looks like he was about to pounce on something to rip it into shreds and leave the pieces like that to suffer but he kept his position with his face plates showing a slight furious emotion.

"Shey! You actually believe something like that?! After like what? Four to Five… even SIX years of being together… With the Lord even liking you a lot more than the members of his factions and above all the hate he had for the squishies… I thought you would have known better that we wouldn't do that to you! Especially not to you…!" The little mechling gripped her hands and nuzzled them with his helm. Surprisingly, he was gentle… Very gentle with her like their mentalities were exchanged... He was talking to a sparkling… That is what she could only think of herself.

His words had shot right through her heart, piercing it from the front to back. Shein's eyes started to prick with tears as she suddenly felt like she was the dumbest piece of flesh in the world, asking herself if she had misunderstood what they had wanted for her. She shook her head in shame as she pointed out logical reasons… But knowing that her memories were still thrashed, she should have known better to not believe in them fully.

For more than an orn, she had been thinking badly of her situation and was actually killing herself slowly with the pessimistic thoughts that cluttered her mind…

"I… I don't know anymore, Frenzy… I just don't know anymore…" She cried in frustration and resentmen, resigning to her slagged situation. While on the other hand, Frenzy could only make her seat down and make her let it all out as she had told him once.

"I hate it that I can't remember! I hate this to the PIT!" The girl slammed her head towards the wall that made the symbiot grow panicked. Thankfully, she didn't do more as she settled her head on her knees and sob more.

"My head hurts… I just wanted to remember… Why can't I remember?" Muttering out, the youngling could only give her comfort as he patted her back and told her promises he would dare to do just to see her out of this crest fallen state.

"Starting from where I had lost my memories to the point I had to be left like this…" The youngling assured her that he would tell her and supply her with what she had missed. But his words soon died out when he heard her say lastly. "I just want to die…"

Something was stroked badly in Frenzy as he heard the human femme said that. Die? That word infuriated him but he stayed quiet as he tried to control his raging angry, frustrated and fed up emotions. Counting backwards, he let his systems cool down and as soon as he felt calm, he gripped Shein's arm and hissed at her.

This sudden violence got her attention and he would take this opportunity to embed it in her mind that her words will the last thing that she should ever want to think of.

"Shey... Listen to me and get this in your squishy brain! We. Are. Your. Family! And to the pit we would allow you to do that!" He emphasized each word. "YOU thought us to become who we are today. It was YOU who had brought us to change like this. It was no other than YOU that made us open and become logical again… YOU accepted us for who we are, evil or not. YOU created light in the dark! WITHOUT YOU, do you think the Decepticons would ever want to associate ourselves with humans? PIT, what we are doing now is for YOU and YOU only. Put it in your processor that you are worth more than what you think even if you were damaged! WHY?! Hadn't you been damaged already before we got you?! HUH?!" Frenzy spat out as he left Shein wide eyed at his sudden outburst.

When she didn't respond, Frenzy decided to continue… But this time, he was resigned.

"No matter what situation or condition you are in, it does not make a difference on how we perceive you. Maybe not all members of the faction would agree but that is just because they hadn't had the chance to get to know you… Once you squirm your way right into their sparks, I assure you, you gain more than losing… You are quite hard to forget, do you know that?" Frenzy smiled at the girl as she managed to stifle a giggle while he wiped away the wet liquid dripping down from her optics. She bobbed her head in silent acceptance and just slumped into him for comfort.

"Once we get out of here… I want you to tell me everything that had gone so I could rearrange my life." She silently muttered and let out a sigh. Frenzy promised softly and waited for her to let go so they could get out. There was no rush… They have all the time in the world as she said it.

Sadly, yes, I am still under the weather about my sister's condition that I still have no news of. STILL... scrap.

Jane: New update! Hope you are still there and still liking this... THank you for the review! Very much appreciated!

Eunice: We're about to get near to that! And I am very excited for you all who have been reading this, especially you!

Jo: *giggles* I hope you like this knew piece for an update. Yes, it has been a month... well, almost... still hope to see you again!

TF is Hasbro's!

~dreamer