168

When Optimus and the others decided to leave, I told them I'd follow. Bee had given me some good advice, but told me that Optimus should be informed if I was that suspicious of him. In the past six months, Ironhide managed to make it to Mexico City safely; and with a woman with him. The woman was unexpected, but we accepted it. Ironhide had come in hurt. Lockdown decided, last minute, that he'd show the weapon specialist that he meant business. Shot Ironhide, severely injuring him.

The woman, Mya, refused to leave his side. Ratchet's been working hard to fix the injury, and the one that was inflicted on his arm.

Mya had said she repaired the best she could, but she was thanked for her efforts regardless.

"Do you think he's doing better?" I asked.

Optimus's shoulders sagged. "I don't know," he rumbled.

"He should be healing," Ratchet informed. "Cybertronian metal can heal, slowly. Ironhide was hurt, badly. I don't have much to work with here; we will have to hope he can recover properly."

"What about Mya?" I asked. "We can't just leave her there."

"She refuses to leave his side." Ratchet shrugged. "This two must have quite a connection."

"Will he still be in recharge?"

"You're asking a lot of questions," Ratchet said.

"I'm sorry." I looked down. "I'm just worried. I don't want to anything happening to him."

"None of us do," Bee said.

"He'll be fine," Sideswipe assured.

I gave a nod. I felt slightly reassured; Ironhide had survived worse. He'd get through his injuries. I suggested multiple times using the All Spark energy to heal the wounds, but that was immediately shot down. All Spark energy wasn't going to have the same results on Cybertron metal as it would on human skin.

When we made it to the spot, Ironhide was still in alt. mode. Mya was leaning against the side of him, her green eyes looking down.

"How's he doing?" Ratchet asked, in full medic mode.

"Sleeping all day." Her voice sounded distant; her skin was filthy, her black hair matted. I saw some small scratches littering her skin. "Should I wake him up?"

"No, let him rest," Ratchet informed. "He greatly needs the rest."

While Ratchet tended to the weapon specialist, I turned to Optimus.

"Optimus?" He looked at me, those vivid blue eyes seeming dimmer than usual. "I need to tell you something."

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw Bee briefly glance at Optimus and I before his Holoform dissipated.

"What is it?" he asked.

I went on to explain what I told Bee, closely watching Optimus's reaction. His shoulders stiffened, his eyes started becoming brighter. Once I finished, his lips were a thin line; his hands clenched.

"It's not that big a deal," I assured.

"What if he is one of them?" he hissed, talking only loud enough for us to hear. "They know where we are now."

Cupping Optimus's face, I looked at him with a tired expression. "He may not be," I said. "It's just a hunch, that's why I asked for advice. If he is one of them, what do we do?"

"Leave," he said.

"And go where?" I frowned slightly. "Ironhide's injured, we can't move him yet. And if there are any others out there..."

"They'll find us," Optimus said. He gripped my shoulders, his blue eyes gleaming with seriousness and anger. "We will survive, Desirée."

I looked at him. There was still that distrust in his eyes, but he was trying so hard to trust Rosalyn and the others. He wanted to trust them, but he just couldn't. I wasn't going to be upset about that.

"I should go back," I said softly. "The girls..."

Optimus nodded. Giving me a kiss, he deactivated the Holoform.

Mya POV

She watched helplessly as Ratchet continued to try and help Ironhide. Mya was a little embarrassed to admit that she had some feelings hovering for him. They'd been together for a while, and she would feel absolutely terrible if something happened to him.

Ironhide saved her life one too many times. For a creature who despised humans, it baffled her on how quickly he'd protect her.

He's a good guy, she thought.

Looking over, she saw Desirée, the woman she barely knew, embrace one of those holographic projections, kiss him, then leave. Mya watched Desirée closely. Her eyes were the same bright blue as the Autobots' eyes, but she was human. Her ashy blonde hair looked dull. She had a good figure, but her exposed arms were dotted with scars.

"How long has Desirée been with you guys?" Mya asked Ratchet.

The medical officer froze for a second before continuing his work. "Many years," he said vaguely. "She's one of our closest friends."

Mya looked back at Desirée's form. She had a feeling Ratchet didn't say that about just anyone. Mya felt some respect for the woman. The Autobots had immense respect for her. Maybe, one day, she could have them respect her like that, as well.

Desirée POV

When I made it back to Rosalyn's, Saoirse and Eden were having some lunch.

"Hello, my little angels," I said, kissing the tops of their heads.

"Mama, Miss Rosalyn said Violet's birthday is coming up," Saoirse said.

"Really?" I looked at her with a small smile.

"Mhm." She looked at me with those big blue eyes. "Let's bake her a cake."

"Whoa, now," I said. "That's a thoughtful idea, but we can't just take some of Miss Rosalyn's things to make a cake, sweetie. We're the guests here."

"I don't mind." I jumped when I heard the voice behind me. Rosalyn stood near the entrance, smiling. "And you guys are more than just 'guests'. The children admire all of you. Especially Optimus." I gave an embarrassed smile. "If you want to make Violet a cake, go ahead. I don't mind."

"Thanks, Miss Rosalyn!" Saoirse exclaimed.

I chuckled. She was always full of energy. Watching Rosalyn and Saoirse get the proper ingredients and cooking supplies, I had a moment to think. Lockdown nearly killed Ironhide and Mya. That man at the store was possibly a Cemetery Wind agent. What if we were really found? Where could we possibly go? Ironhide was still being repaired.

"Mama, c'mon!" Saoirse exclaimed. Eden was trying to help out too. I helped her down from her chair and she was doing her best to help. Rosalyn picked her up, giving her some instructions on how to help.

I forced a smile. If I could make it seem like everything was normal, then that's how it was going to be.

QUICKY A/N:

HEY-YO! HERE'S THE NEW UPDATE. SO, A KIND REVIEWER SAID THAT, SINCE THERE WAS A SIX-MONTH TIME SKIP FOR THE CHARACTERS, IRONHIDE AND MYA SHOULD HAVE ALREADY MADE IT TO MEXICO CITY. I'D LIKE TO SAY THANK YOU, KIND REVIEWER! THAT COMPLETELY SLIPPED MY MIND.

ANYWHO, I OWN NOTHING IN THE TRANSFORMERS MOVIEVERSE NOR DO I OWN THE FOUR OC'S. I ONLY OWN MY CHARACTERS AND MY FILLERS.

HAPPY HOLIDAYS!

THANK YOU, ONE AND ALL.

READ, REVIEW, ENJOY!

YOURS TRULY,

~SMITHY