Lesson in Living
Chapter 3
By Starath
Author's Note: Once again, I don't own Transformers or the song mentioned. For reader's education, go see "The Blues Brothers" movie if you haven't recently. This series will have some references to it from now on. Thank you again Crab, and Sinead, and special thanks to LDC for suggesting what to pull out of the drawer! xD
Under normal circumstances any girl would be thrilled to bring home five cute guys.
Casey heard her death knell.
Somehow in the past five minutes they had pried the location of where she lived out of her and had her leading the way home. Maybe it had to do with the fact that they had her surrounded.
Up front Casey walked uncomfortably close to Frenzy, who had her in a hug from the side, nice and tight. Getting free was out of the question. Immediately behind Megatron still shadowed her. He gave her the occasional pat on the shoulder to assure her that she was still "safe" with them. Soundwave and Rumble marched side-by-side while Starscream brought up the rear. Yeah, this was a funeral procession all right.
They approached the apartment complex too soon. It stood three stories high, made of old brick, some of it falling out, but this was home nonetheless. A parking lot stretched out before them, but before they could cross it Casey wormed in Frenzy's grasp and half-turned to Megatron, pointing.
"We need to talk before going much further. Under that maple tree would be best."
Eyeing her with suspicion, Megatron glanced at the lone tree standing in its small island of grass and concrete. "It better be important."
"It is. We need to discuss a, uh, method of approach."
He saw the wisdom in this. "Very well."
They changed course like a trained squadron to advance on the tree. In its cooling shade the Decepticons seemed to relax a little, although they remained alert. Casey worried about Starscream for a moment since he looked terribly pale and shaky. He caught her glance while leaning on the tree and scowled at her. The others crowded around the trunk. She squirmed again, glaring at Frenzy.
"You can let go of me now, moron."
"Now baby, why would I want to do that?" he hugged her tighter, obviously enjoying her discomfort, "You might run away from us!"
She shoved him away. It didn't work very well; the guy had a grip of a steel trap. "Don't call me that. Megatron told me he was faster and stronger than a human. It stands to reason the rest of you would be the same way. I'm not THAT stupid."
"Aw, but I like having you so close."
"Frenzy," growled Megatron.
Instantly he released her. Casey took two giant steps away and adjusted her ruffled clothing. She took another look at Starscream and swung her backpack off her shoulders. He wasn't looking any better. Digging out a water bottle, she handed it to him.
"Here, drink this. Right now."
"Why should I?" he snapped, making an effort to remain standing, and didn't take the bottle.
"Because you look like you're going to have a heat stroke. Take off your jacket while you're at it."
"What does that mean?" questioned Rumble. The others were looking at Starscream too, who shifted uneasily.
"It means his body is overheating and if he doesn't cool off soon he'll faint in a heap and we might have to get him to the hospital."
Alarm spread across their collective faces. Megatron took the bottle from Casey and shoved it in the Air Commander's face. "Do what she says. NOW."
After a tense second Starscream snatched the bottle out of his hand. He drained it in a couple gulps and struggled to get out of his black jacket. Like the others he was well-built, but tall and slim instead of bulky. He slid down until he was sitting. Casey carefully approached him. "Do you feel better?"
"Just… perfect," he replied, still pale. "I tried to ignore it but it got worse."
"Good thing I saw you before you went down, then. Can you manage a few more minutes outside?"
"...Yeah."
"Okay." Casey turned her attention to Megatron. "Take your jacket off too. We don't want you hitting the floor either."
"Agreed." He did so quickly.
After giving them all a sweeping glance, she was satisfied no one else was in danger of becoming ill. "Alright boys, we need to set some things straight right now."
Starscream snorted. "And who are you to be telling us anything?"
"I know how things work around here, you don't. So shut up and listen. By the way, you're welcome. "
Megatron raised an eyebrow at the sharp ire in her voice. "Do continue."
She took a breath. "First of all, know this: You're in my world, on my turf. When I lay down rules you will follow them. It's not because I like being bossy. You need to know how to behave here. I will try to help you, but only if you follow my direction." Casey noted expressions ranging from disgust to bewilderment. "Oh come on. Anything less will get you in trouble and you know it. As you just saw, there are things that could endanger your lives."
"Yeah yeah," Frenzy shuffled his feet. "Get on with it."
"To start with, you need human names. And before you argue, your real names aren't normal for this setting. Megatron already has one. For future reference, my name is Casey. Use it when we're out in public, not Starflight."
"My human name is Michael," Megatron spat the name out as if it tasted bad. "And I am to be considered her uncle, some sort of family relation."
"That's right. Now for the rest of you…" Casey tapped her finger against her bottom lip, focusing on the Cassetticon twins. "You two are easy. Frenzy, your name is Jake. Rumble, you're Elwood." She looked up at Soundwave. "Due to your relationship with them, you're their father and they are your sons. They look like you to reinforce this connection. And if anyone asks, yes, you did name them after the Blues Brothers."
"Affirmative," said the large man, not bothering to show any puzzlement over the reference. Meanwhile, the boys tested their names.
"You don't look like a Jake," commented Rumble, frowning.
"Hmm. I don't know what an Elwood looks like, but it sounds ugly. So you look like one," replied Frenzy with a smirk. They would have started another fistfight if Soundwave hadn't thumped Frenzy on the head.
"Behave." the makeshift father warned.
"Ooowww… Daaaad…"
Giggling, Casey concentrated on Starscream. He still didn't look well, but better than before. He returned her gaze with one of contempt.
"Don't make it sound stupid. Anything you give me cannot possibly measure up to the greatness of my real name anyway."
"Except maybe your ego," she snapped back, then grinned. "Maverick."
"Maverick?" he blinked.
"I dunno why, it just fits you."
Starscream shrugged. "Whatever."
Casey faced the last Decepticon. "Hmm, that leaves you, Soundwave."
She had to think hard for this one and started to pace, mulling over possible names. Nothing came easily. She started through a list of famous names that might match Soundwave's nature. The others watched her make a furrow in the grass.
"A-ha!" Casey halted, triumphant. "Frank doesn't fit you either, but with some tweaking…. Walker does. You look like a Walker. It's either that or James Bond, but I don't think anyone would take that seriously."
"That is acceptable." Soundwave confirmed with a slight nod.
"Good! Um…" Casey tapped her foot. "Oh, since Megatron is family, the rest of you can be family friends who need a place to stay for the time being." She motioned behind her.
"As you can see, I live in an apartment building and it isn't fancy. There are many other people who live there too, all in close quarters. So you must stay quiet and behave, otherwise you could get me in big trouble. Also, let me make this clear: There are NO Autobots here. You have no enemies to worry about. Everyone here, including myself, are what you would call civilians. The most that you should be concerned with is anybody who might recognize your voices. Transformers are known here, but I'll explain how later. Otherwise, nobody is a threat to your real identities so don't treat them as such." Casey grinned. "And when you walk together, loosen up. You were a bunch of Stormtroopers earlier."
They gave her blank stares.
"… You were marching like a death squad." She clarified.
"Oh," everyone said, except Soundwave.
"As it is, this is going to be really awkward. Strangers don't come in very often, never mind one girl bringing home five men. It will get attention when we go in, so just smile and nod and let me do all the talking. Casey looked to Megatron. "I guess I can tell you the rest inside. You boys look pretty hot and hungry."
"Is that why my midsection hurts?" asked Frenzy, rubbing his stomach.
"Yeah, most likely." Casey sighed. "Let's get this over with."
She picked up her backpack and started across the parking lot. Glancing over her shoulder she could tell they were trying not to look like rank of soldiers but it wasn't working too well. It was the thought that counted, at least. Casey turned her eyes skyward. How the heck had her life turned completely upside-down like this?
The inner lobby looked empty when they approached the glass doors. Casey crossed her fingers and toes, praying it would stay that way. It was not to be. Just as they reached the door a raven-haired young woman appeared from the stairs and pushed the doors open. Her scant black outfit and matching heels sparkled in the sunlight, showing off more than glitter. She spun around, clutching her purse close, and stared. Her mouth hung open. Casey groaned inwardly. This woman was the LAST person she wanted attention from!
"Hi Silvia," she all but stuffed the Decepticons inside, but they seemed more interested in this new human female who gaped at them. Her eyes had widened to the size of dinner plates, looking from the guys to Casey. Her lip curled.
"Where did a little bookworm like you get five gorgeous guys?"
It was well known that Silvia was a man-hunter, and so far every one of them had realized she was bad news inside and out. Of course, Silvia could never understand why they thought this. She just knew boyfriends didn't last long. And it was a very bad thing to gain her fury. Or jealousy. Casey almost choked. Silvia, jealous of me? Well I guess there's a first time for everything. Usually all Silvia felt for her was contempt. Somehow she had earned the rank of Lowest Worm in her book. Casey gave her a sincere smile.
"School. You should try it some time. Come along, boys!"
They disappeared into the building long before Silvia could realize she had been insulted.
Casey led them up to the third floor. She fumbled with her key in the door of apartment #348 and resorted to cursing at the thing to get it open. She flicked on the hallway light inside and closed the door behind them. She showed the Decepticons how to take off their shoes. The last thing she wanted was dirt and goodness knew what else tracked all over her apartment. Collective confusion ensued over removing the footwear until they understood the concept of taking off clothing after more explanation.
They fanned out to explore the apartment. Rumble and Frenzy discovered twin beanbag chairs in one corner and declared them the best human inventions ever. Meanwhile, Casey made Starscream drink more water since he was still woozy, then insisted the others do the same. Naturally there was some complaining about it. That soon quieted when everyone realized how thirsty they were. Afterwards Soundwave examined her audio equipment while Megatron investigated a second hallway. He found a light switch and flipped it on. A sudden sight made him start and yell, bringing attention from the others.
"What's the matter, Boss?" Frenzy hurried around the corner and skidded beside his leader with a yelp.
A full-length mirror hung on the back of a door at the end of the hallway. Megatron stared at his reflection, emotions spanning from revulsion to fascination. This was the ultimate proof he was human. A filthy, disgusting human. Megatron fought the urge to tear himself apart. This was utterly wrong. He was a Transformer, a Decepticon war leader, not a fleshbag! It couldn't be him. But… it was. He felt human. Megatron suppressed a vicious tremor and sucked in a breath. It would do no good to panic about this. He took slight comfort in noticing his facial features remained recognizable, but there was… the silver hair. And flesh. And clothing. This was him in an alien form. All the alarms in his head screeched at the wrongness of it all. If he tried hard enough he could turn away from this image believing this was someone else entirely. For a moment he considered it, but denial does nothing. Stuck as a part of the race he wanted to destroy! Primus certainly had his streak of sick ironic humor. And why, why were they here?
He finally noticed Frenzy's reflection. The young man had tipped up his sunglasses so he could see better. Amber-brown eyes twinkled back at him. Megatron began to wonder if Frenzy was going through the same internal struggle he had. And still, this was Frenzy? Also human? Megatron's temples started to pound. He could not deny what he saw no matter how badly he wanted to. The other Decepticons were human too. For better or worse this was the truth.
Suddenly Frenzy let out a laugh, making him jump. "Hey Rumble! You gotta come look at this!"
So much for any internal struggle. Am I the only one disgusted by this?
While Frenzy attempted some lame gangster-style poses his brother wandered up behind him. "Oh wow! That's me? And that's you?"
"Duh, what did you think? We look exactly the same! Do you realize what this means?"
They looked at each other and nearly vibrated excitement. They shared a high-five.
"The old switcheroo, no paint included!" they howled together.
"You know we hate it when you two do that," muttered Starscream from behind. He pushed through to get beside Megatron and caught his reflection in the mirror. For a moment he was actually speechless. Then he smirked at the man by his side.
"How about that. I'm cuter than you."
"HA!" scoffed Megatron, disgust forgotten. "You still look like a child. At least I look distinguished."
"Or, in other words, old."
"I'm not old!"
Rumble rolled his eyes and squeezed out from between them. "Hey Dad you gotta come and see what you look like!"
"We both have been around for 10 million stellarcycles. But you have me beat by at least half a million stellarcycles more, Megatron."
"And I don't look bad for that age, now do I?"
Casey leaned on the couch arm, watching the captivated Decepticons with amusement. Frenzy popped out of the hallway just as Rumble began dragging Soundwave to the mirror by the hand. He grabbed his other arm.
"Starflight was right, you do look like us!"
Starscream and Megatron made room for their old friend while continuing the heated debate on Megatron's age. Soundwave easily ignored them. His eyebrows peaked above his sunglasses. He reached out to the mirror to touch it, brushing his fingers across the cool glass. Then he fingered his clothing.
"We are all truly human," he said softly with some awe, the most emotion he'd displayed all day.
Megatron shoved Starscream to the side, having had enough abuse as to how old he was. The Seeker fell backwards with a squawk. "Yes, interesting, we have gained all the necessary human attributes." He stroked his chin. "Yet we have kept some of our original characteristics."
"Yeah, like your large chin and forehead."
He spun around. "Who said that??"
Frenzy pointed at Casey. She squeaked and pointed at Rumble. Rumble quickly pointed to Frenzy.
Megatron snorted. "Cowards."
By now Starscream had gotten up and found space between his leader and Soundwave, who was staring at his image so hard the mirror might have cracked. Casey watched Starscream examine his profile, clearly pleased with his looks.
"Just to warn you, Screamer, with a face like that you're going to have to beat girls off with a stick."
He glanced at her reflection. "I realize that, although I have no intention of doing so."
Megatron snorted again and withdrew from the hall. He sat down on the couch. "Some things never change."
"Seriously though," Casey pressed on, "Some girls are bad news. You could get yourself in some big trouble."
Rumble scratched his head. "Like that girl from outside? She looked scary."
"You have NO idea. Stay clear of her. All Silvia ever does is cause misery because her looks allow her to get away with it. She'll lie, cheat and steal to get a guy's attention, only to break his heart a week later. She works at a local bar and thinks she's hot stuff for some reason. But she's not."
"Sounded like there's no lost love between you two," commented Frenzy, who had dived back into the beanbag chairs. He rested on his stomach, looking at her.
Casey studied the carpet. "You could say that." After a quiet moment she spoke again. "Well, if you guys are done with the mirror, I need to get into my room to change clothes and then see about making something to eat."
"Eat?" That got everyone's attention so fast she had to laugh.
"Yes, eating. But not until you two get away from my door." Starscream and Soundwave hurried away from it. "Don't touch anything until I come back, and by the way, here's your first rule: My room is forbidden territory for you boys, especially when locked."
Buried halfway into the other beanbag chair, Rumble grinned. "Let me get my lock picks and I'll fix that!"
The Decepticons laughed together when she blushed and slammed the door shut.
Casey cranked up her music to drown them out. This was going to be… difficult. And it could easily become a nightmare. No, this was already a nightmare. Decepticons were one thing. Decepticons disguised as humans was another level of lunacy. Somehow she had to remain in control and not allow them to jerk her around. The fact that they were completely clueless about being human should help. She pulled on an old T-shirt and shorts, frowning. But first there was a more immediate problem: What was she going to feed these boys? She never ate much so her food supply wasn't very plentiful. Casey grimaced. That meant chipping into her emergency junk food stash.
She took a moment to look around her room. There was a good reason why she didn't want them in here, aside from not wanting them to get into her private belongings. Along the shelves stood numerous Transformers toys, ranging from the Beast Wars line to the newest Classics. It was a small collection but she didn't want the boys seeing them. A large Decepticon poster hung on her wall. Good thing she hadn't gotten the Autobot one that day. Some other Transformers stuff was scattered around her room. She set about hiding it all, just in case. She stashed some of her treasured stuffed animals on the highest shelf in the closet too. Casey sighed, smoothing over the star-printed bedspread. For some reason Megatron hadn't told the others she was human. She should keep up that impression and ask about it as soon as possible. It hit her again. There were ACTUAL Transformers here! Could this get any more insane?
Casey halted the CD in mid-"I'm not crazy, just a little unwell" and steeled herself. She could do this. Repeating the thought aloud, she yanked open the door to march out.
And smacked into Starscream's chest.
"Holy—"
"OW! What the fraggin—"
He didn't move an inch, but she started to fall backwards, pin-wheeling her arms for balance. Starscream caught her in mid-flail before she hit the floor.
"Uh… Hi."
"Yeah… Hi." He's holding me he's holding me OMIGOSH EEE!! "W-what were you doing beside my door?"
"I, uh…"
"Admiring his looks in that mirror, what else?" Megatron's voice came from the living room. He glared at them from the couch in the most disapproving way. "Starscream you idiot, let her go."
He did so abruptly and dumped Casey on the ground. "At least I HAVE looks, Megatron, unlike YOU!"
She sat there on the floor, dazed. This was so WEIRD.
"You haven't gotten out of human pubescence yet!"
And yet somehow seemed so normal.
"I have too!" Starscream turned her, expecting her at near-eyelevel, only he found he had to glance down farther. "How old do I look?" he demanded.
"You look to be about 25."
Starscream grinned back at his leader in triumph.
"—But you act like you're 13."
"HA!" cried Megatron in bigger triumph.
"Hey Star!" Rumble's head appeared around the corner. "What are you doing on the floor? Aren't you gunna make us something to eat?"
"Yeah, the floor can wait!" Frenzy's face appeared beside his brother's. "I'm hungry!"
Casey rolled her eyes. "Okay okay." She reached out to Starscream so he could help her up, only he was already halfway down the hall. "Oh, thanks a LOT, Screamer! Throw me on the floor, then leave me here!"
"Eh?" He frowned at her, oblivious.
Soon enough they were gathered in her kitchen. Where there wasn't room they crowded along the four-foot wall on one side. Soundwave occupied half of it on his own beside the twins. They watched Casey dig into the freezer and pull out a round flat object.
"This, my friends, is possibly one of mankind's greatest inventions: The pizza."
Starscream wrinkled his nose. "We're going to eat that?"
"Not in its current state, no. It needs to be cooked first."
There was a collective "Oh" as she set the frozen pizza aside and set the oven to the appropriate temperature.
"How long will that take?" whined Frenzy.
"About twenty minutes." She noted their hungry stares and had to pity anything edible they came near. "…But somehow I doubt you boys have eaten anything today, so…"
Eager faces lit up when she pulled out a box of graham crackers and started handing them out. "While you boys have that I'll explain what's here in the kitchen."
"Why?"
"Because I won't always be around to feed you. I'm at school or work most of the time."
That had their attention. The room quieted. They sat there munching like a group of kindergarteners at snack time. Casey went to a row of drawers at the counter.
"Alright, the best thing to start with would be the—what the—?" She looked them over. "I leave you alone for five minutes and someone rearranges my silverware drawers. Honestly."
Frenzy could barely contain his glee, raising his hand. "I did it!! Just wanted to keep you on your toes, baby!"
She immediately wanted to brain him with the soup ladle. "I told you not to call me that."
"It still fits you. And you're cute when you look like you want to kill me."
Casey covered her eyes for a moment, calming herself down. "Just stop it. ANYway," she closed the drawer and went on to the next one. She started to say something when she shrieked and jumped back. Rumble and Frenzy fell over laughing. Cautiously she snatched a pair of tongs and lifted a fuzzy, smelly thing out of the drawer. Good thing it hadn't moved or she would have killed it. Brutally.
"WHOSE sock is this?"
Rumble managed to stop laughing, poked his head above the wall, saw her look of fury, and collapsed against Frenzy in a new fit of giggles. Casey leaned over the wall and saw he had a bare foot hidden under the baggy bottom of his jeans.
"Your sock, young sir."
When he didn't take it she draped it over his head and thwapped him with the tongs. He didn't notice. By now the other Decepticons were grinning. She rounded on Megatron, waving the tongs threateningly.
"You know, as the leader figure the LEAST you could do is enforce any rules I lay down to maintain order."
He shrugged. "Not if I don't like them."
"Don't abuse my good will."
"But it's so much fun!" Rumble's happy eyes appeared over the wall. He ducked down before she could hit him again.
Casey threw the tongs in the sink, making her strange noises of frustration. "Are you boys going to let me teach you anything or not?" She looked over each of them, scowling. No one said a word, although Megatron had the most infuriating grin. Oh, this was going to be a nightmare all right…
And so began the first session of "How to Be a Human: In the Kitchen." Casey showed them how to use appliances like the stove, oven and toaster. She explicitly stressed that strange objects did NOT belong in the refrigerator or freezer, or anywhere else for that matter. The microwave became a source of intense interest and debate until the Decepticons figured out that tiny Shockwaves did not inhabit the microwave to beat food to death. She was pleased for making them believe that for at least ten minutes. She described what as safe to eat and what was not, and made sure they knew how to read cooking instructions if they had to make something on their own. The concept of the peanut butter and jelly sandwich was well-received too. She pointed out how to clean and put away dishes to keep the place tidy. At this Megatron and Starscream traded glances, thinking the same thing: Did she really expect Decepticons to do their own dishes?
A high-pitched beep announced the pizza was done cooking. As Casey pulled it out they stared at it with noses twitching, drool quickly congealing on the kitchen table. She cut it up and quickly got out of the way. Moments later an empty cooking sheet rattled on the counter. She sighed and put a second pizza in the oven, ignoring her growling stomach.
When the third pizza had been consumed the Decepticons finally sat back, content. Casey had never seen so much food disappear so fast. She nibbled on a slice she managed to snatch out of their path.
"Feeling better?" She asked and gathered up the dirty plates.
"…Uh huh," nodded Frenzy, "And I revise my previous declaration that beanbag chairs are the best human invention ever."
"Yeah," Rumble agreed, also nodding, "It's pizza. No contest."
"I'm not sure I can get up," moaned Starscream.
"Good, then I won't have to put up with you elsewhere." Megatron said with his usual venom, but he didn't look like he would be moving anytime soon either.
"Is there more?" asked Soundwave suddenly.
Everyone stared at him. Casey giggled.
"Ah, we have found which of you is the bottomless pit. Just let things settle first before I find you anything more, okay?"
He actually looked sad. "…Affirmative."
"Hey Star, what do we do now?" Rumble asked, making a valiant effort to get off the stool he sat on. Frenzy helped him up and they toddled over to the couch.
Casey scrubbed off the plates and cookie sheet, setting them in the drain rack to dry. She started on the water glasses. "Well, this is downtime for me, rare as it is. But I finished my homework earlier this week. So I guess we can watch a movie or something."
The twins perked up. "A movie?"
"Just so long as it's nothing completely idiotic," grumbled Megatron, "I have enough of that in real life."
Starscream was too stuffed to do anything other than blow a raspberry at him.
"Think of it as another way to learn about being human," offered Casey, drying her hands on a towel. Her eyes brightened. "Oh, I know just the one!"
She went to the TV stand and rummaged in the cupboard underneath an old TV set. With a happy squeak she pulled out a black and white DVD case. She grinned at Rumble and Frenzy. "Want to see who I named you two after?" She showed them the front cover of The Blues Brothers.
"Sure!"
"Yeah! Let's do it!"
"Great. Hey Soundwave, you'll want to see this too so you'll know what I was talking about earlier."
He was still staring forlornly at the empty cookie sheet, now dripping dry in the drain rack.
"Transmission received. But stomach not full."
Casey soon realized how much of the movie she had to explain so it made sense to them. No, nuns didn't really fly. No, people do not in fact drive nonchalantly through shopping malls, they don't randomly start dancing in the streets en masse, even it was a really good song, and God was a being somewhat like Primus only not. But for the most part they enjoyed the movie even though Megatron complained about every musical number. To a Transformer, the musical rhythms humans liked were completely alien and downright irritating. Soundwave and the twins didn't mind as much, luckily. Starscream just wanted to see another car wreck. Casey sat between him and Megatron on the couch, hoping to ensure some amount of peace. It was working… sort of. Fortunately everyone cheered for the vengeful ex-girlfriend who tried to destroy Jake Blues with a missile launcher, flamethrower and hunting rifle. At the same time the Decepticons made mental notes to never betray any human females. Ever.
By the time the band was singing "Jailhouse Rock" at movie's end it was past 11 o'clock and the boys were acting sleepy. Rumble and Frenzy got up from their spot on the floor, pushing up their sunglasses to do some eye-rubbing.
"Why do my eyes feel funny?" asked Frenzy with a gigantic yawn.
"I can barely keep mine open," Rumble shuffled over to the beanbag chairs he and his brother had claimed. "Is there something wrong?"
Casey glanced over Megatron and Starscream. They were looking particularly droopy too.
"No, it just means you're sleepy. Your body is telling you it's time to rest."
"Oh." Frenzy collapsed onto the beanbag chair beside Rumble. "And that's okay?"
"Yep. A human body has to rest and repair itself while you sleep."
"So it's like recharging?"
"I guess so, yes."
"It sounds like we need it," said Megatron, attempting to remain in his commanding tone, but a wide yawn ruined it. "Starflight, show us to your recharge berth."
"You're sitting on it. One of them," she clarified, getting up from between the Decepticon leader and Air Commander. While Megatron investigated the couch closely she pulled on Starscream's sleeve to wake him up. He blinked slowly, too tired to say anything nasty.
"Screamer, go over to the recliner. Megatron can have the couch."
He stumbled over to it and sat down, sinking into its meager padding. "Now what?"
"Push the button on the right side. It will allow you to lay back."
He found the button and yelped in surprise when he found himself staring at the ceiling. Megatron made himself comfortable on the couch.
"How do we engage this 'sleep'?" he demanded, still awake enough to be bossy.
Out of his view Casey shook her head and removed a blanket and a few pillows out from under the end table. A row of framed photos rattled. She stilled them with care. She went to the Cassetticon twins and started to say something, then found herself smiling. They were already asleep side-by-side, tucked into the beanbag chairs against the wall. Gently she draped the blanket over them. They stirred a little and wiggled deeper under the blanket.
"Well?" snapped Megatron.
Casey hurried back to the couch and smacked him with a pillow. "Keep your voice down. The two boys are already asleep."
"Really?" he sat up to see. "How?"
She shoved the pillow into his hands. "Stay quiet and I'll tell you. Put that where you want your head to go and lay back down. Screamer, do you want one?"
Quiet snores answered.
"Him too? Hmph, quiet for once at least. Soundwave, are you still online?"
Behind them by the windowsill a sleepy voice droned. "Affirmative."
Megatron settled himself down, fighting to stay alert but his mind felt like it was being stuffed with fuzz. "Starflight, how did they do it? This is normal?"
"Yes, it is. Don't worry, it's because you boys have had a long day. Close your eyes."
"Done. Now what?"
"Go to sleep."
His eyes snapped open so he could glare at her. Casey crossed her arms. "Seriously. It's not like turning yourself off. It's gradual. You just need to close your eyes and go to sleep. It helps if you relax first."
He snorted. "I haven't been 'relaxed' in centuries."
"Well okay, think on this: You've been leading the Decepticons for what, a couple million years?"
"At least."
"Alright… and when was the last time you had a vacation?"
Suddenly the idea of relaxing to sleep seemed infinitely more possible. Megatron quieted down and was soon breathing deep.
Last Casey checked on Soundwave. He had made use of the wide windowsill behind the couch next the kitchen. She apologized for the lack of furniture and offered the second pillow. He took it and stuffed it behind him. Casey shuffled from foot to foot, unsure of how to interact with him. He studied the city streets below them for a minute before turning to her. It was then she realized he had taken off his sunglasses, revealing startling red-brown eyes like Megatron had. They seemed to dimly glow in the near-darkness.
"There is much we do not know." He said softly.
Casey swallowed. "That's what I can be here for, to teach you."
He shook his head. "Negative… more than what is food or proper human behavior." Soundwave returned his gaze to the city street. "We are here for some other reason. To acquire something additional."
This quiet revelation clearly troubled him. The others hadn't thought of this yet. His stoic expression quivered as if some emotion was trying to bubble to the surface. Casey shrugged and tried to make a joke.
"Maybe Primus got bored one day, huh?"
Soundwave brought his attention back to her. She quailed until she saw the faintest hint of a smile. "Negative. Highly unlikely."
"Heh, maybe… are you going to be comfortable here?"
"Affirmative."
She giggled. "I'd pay money to hear you say something other than that."
He shrugged, looking at the sleeping twins in the corner. "They assume this is a big adventure. And here they are my sons, I am "father". Current events evade concise analysis. Conclusions are elusive."
"Don't worry, I can help you with them too and I'm sure we'll figure this out." Casey took a step back, hands tucked behind her. "Well, goodnight Soundwave."
She clicked off the lamp and carefully tip-toed to her room. Soundwave decided to try the odd phrase.
"Goodnight Starflight."
To be continued…
Boy, this part makes me sleepy whenever I read it. I appreciate your comments very much everyone, they mean a lot. Let me know what you think!