CHAPTER 31
Frustrations and Suspicions

Mark was almost amused by how unhappy Coulton was over Optimus not kicking him to the curb. Almost immediately after they had talked, Mark and Hound had heard a loud argument between the two, which had ended with Optimus telling him to "leave my Autobots alone". To put it simply, Optimus had made his point: Mark could stay with the Autobots as long as he wished to. And anyone, including Coulton, who saw a problem with his being there would now have to deal with not only Hound, but himself as well. And Mark had to admit, it did help things a lot now that a thirty-two foot tall robot the world was afraid of making angry was on their side too.

For the first time in what felt like too long, Mark felt one hundred percent at home. The only thing that seemed like it might get in their way was social services, but Dana's inspections had gone well enough that it wasn't much of a problem. Other than on days like today, when he was mandated to meet with another person from social services for a second, or sometimes third opinion, something that the group had required due to his "unusual circumstances". To tell the truth, he hated having to dress nicely and deal with people he knew barely were even okay with him living there, yet he had no choice.

The man that had arrived at the hangar was almost as tall and intimidating as Optimus would be if he were human, and called himself Trent. Yet Mark stood his ground, and simply followed the man on the walk along base. The man carried a clipboard and had the hardest look of any official outside of the government that Mark had come to meet. After a moment, the man snorted. "I almost thought they were kidding when they said where they were sending me." He stated, breaking the silence "I've seen a lot of weird living situations, but yours, kid, takes the cake."

"I get that a lot." Mark replied, trying his best to keep up good conversation "But it's cool, living here isn't that much different from living in a home... When you look past the big guns, the security clearance, and the giant robots." The man gave him a look at that "Okay, so it isn't normal. But normal's overrated, right? Everyone but this one guy, Coulton's been pretty cool to me."

"Mmmhmmmm." Trent nodded his head slightly "Yeah, okay, so you're okay with the whole weird, sci-fi life. So we can mark you down as being comfortable, I guess." He then added "Though I kind of want to question your sanity for being okay with that, I'm not here to judge. So, let me start my questions, because quite frankly I have a lot of kids that are actually my cases to see." He explained "Have you been hit?"

"Nope."

"Asked to have inappropriate relations?"

"Ew, no."

"Have any of the giant robots that are currently in your makeshift "family" tried to force their way of life on you?" Mark gave a raised eyebrow at that, confusion in his eyes "You know: religion, culture... Have they tried to turn you into a cyborg...?"

Mark almost wanted to slap the man for the sheer stupidity of that last statement. What did they think his life was? A bad sci-fi movie? He shook his head slightly, and crossed his arms. "No, no, and no. I've learned about their religion and stuff, sure. But I'm all flesh and bones." He replied bluntly "Look, I get it. You guys are worried about my well-being. But I'm fine here, in fact I'm learning a lot by living with aliens. I'm glad I opened my mind."

By the unamused look on Trent's face that he was not buying it. Yet Mark knew what he said was true, he had felt that way for some time now. The man sighed, and took a few notes on his pad. "Well, opening your mind is a good thing at least. Just be careful with what information you absorb." He added "Now, to move on with my questions... Are you ever deprived of food, or used as slave labor on the military base?"

That time, Mark's eye actually twitched. "No, what does this place look like? A prison?" Mark asked with a snap to his voice that seemed to catch the man off-guard "I'll save you the rest of the questions. They treat me like they would any kid because they raise theirs almost the same way. They've introduced me to a little of their culture, and some knowledge of the stars that most humans don't know." Trent looked surprised, but began to scratch down notes "And I do help on-base, because I'm a kid, and I do need chores. But they're really minor chores and I've never even seen a battlefield."

Trent looked thoughtful for a long moment, but ended up not looking as convinced as Mark had hoped. The boy sighed quietly as the man came to a stop in the middle of the base, and looked at him. "Alright... Alright, I get it. Now, I have to go and meet with Hound, and give a once over of your sleeping arrangements and conduct my own interview with him." He explained "Thank you for your co-operation."

Mark knew the last bit was not entirely serious, as he hadn't actually been as co-operative as the others would want him to be. But to be frank, he hated this whole situation. Why couldn't Hound be treated like most foster parents? This was one of those things that just seemed unfair and prejudicial. Yet, he sucked in a breath, and began to walk off. Maybe if he found Sideswipe, he could calm his frustrations as best as he could.

...

Optimus had watched the meetings with Hound and Mark with complete and utter curiosity. It was definitely a little odd, especially since he'd been told another social worker had met with them that month. Yet, he also understood that the humans had only a wavering trust, one which went both ways at this point. It was, however, a matter he did not let slide as Hound entered his office some time later with data pads. "They certainly are taking great caution with your situation, are they not?" Optimus spoke up as Hound raised an optic ridge "I saw the man who came in to talk to you and Markus."

Hound nodded his head, understanding now. As he heaved a sigh, he carefully rubbed the back of his helm. "Well, yeah, I mean I fought for custody of him and won, but there were a lot of conditions." Hound explained "They sounded simple enough when Dana described it on the phone, but frankly, I could do without the grilling." He then admitted very honestly "But I'm just lucky they even gave him to me, I'll do what I have to as long as I stay lucky."

Optimus nodded in agreement, they were lucky to have Mark on their base. Especially so shortly after the disaster that was the Cemetery Wind/KSI incident. "Indeed, I am amazed that any of you managed to do so. After all that has happened, it would have been hard." Hound nodded in agreement there "Tell me, Hound. How often can I expect these visits?"

"Twice every two weeks." Hound grunted, rolling his optics a little "Hopefully that'll end once we get things sorted out and I adopt him..." He explained, shrugging his shoulders slightly "At least, so long as he agrees to that."

"Have you two talked about it?"

Hound shook his head, his optics lowering to the ground. It was too early for that, he figured, Mark hadn't even called him "dad" yet, and that would be a good sign it was time to talk. But it was something that he really wanted more than anything, to be able to call Mark his legal son and have social services out of their hair. "Someday. It's only been a couple of months. I don't want to jump the gun and put him in an uncomfortable place." Hound then set a data pad onto the desk "I got that file on Coulton you wanted, by the way." He then added "Can I ask why you needed it?"

Optimus gave Hound a look, wondering how he had not figured it out yet. "Something is wrong about that human." Optimus admitted, his voice lowering "I'm doing my best to hold my suspicions..." Optimus paused "Yet I still feel as though he could be a danger to those on this base... As if... There were more to him than meets the optic."

"You get that same feeling then?" Hound asked, and the leader nodded "He talks down to Mark all the time. We have to keep him away on most days, especially after he told Mark his father was frowning upon him in "hell"." Optimus narrowed his optics at that "I know, I mean, we all know the creep is probably there. But what kind of jerk says that to a kid?"

Optimus leaned back in his seat behind his desk, tapping his chinplate slowly. He looked up and regarded the information thoughtfully before responding to Hound. "Such an action strikes me as one of a man who wants to cause trouble." His voice was soft and uncertain as he picked up the data pad "Therefore, I cannot rule out the possibility of a Decepticon-sympathizer, or worse..."

"What could be worse?" Hound asked.

"I do not know, Hound." Optimus replied with a sigh "The events of the "Pretender" program that the Decepticons developed when they discovered Earth... Well, those very easily come to mind, given they found it first." Hound shuddered, having heard the story of "Alice" and Sam "But I very highly doubt this is the case, without a spark signature, or any outright "evil" acts. I would not jump to any such conclusion unless we are given reason to."

"Ye want one of us to trail him?"

Optimus looked thoughtful for a moment, but shook his head. Now was not the time to be accusing the humans of anything, lest they end terribly on their end. For now, he would have to watch from afar from now, and hope silently that the man was neither. "No... If we were caught that would only end what little trust the humans have in us for now." Hound nodded quietly in understanding "That said, we should all keep our eyes on that man. Lest we find out when it is already too late."

Hound nodded in agreement, hoping silently that they were all wrong. If Coulton did turn out to even be in league with the Decepticons, there would be more trouble than they had expected. "Right." Hound cleared his "throat" slightly "I'm goin' to head back and let Mark know it went well, if that's all then." He noted, turning to leave the office.

"Hound?" Hound turned his optics to eye Optimus "Whoever he is, do not worry for Mark's safety. If Coulton is not the man he presents himself to be, we will find out." He stated firmly.

"I know."

But as Hound left his leader's office with newfound tension, he knew all he could really do was hope that would be the case.

...

A/N: They won't be finding out about Coulton anytime soon. But I thought it was time that Optimus brought up some suspicions I figured the others would have.