Frozen. That is how she felt at the moment. Bumblebee drove through Princeton with the twins and Barricade following, they were all silent as they head to her garage. When he turned into the driveway, she simply pressed the button to open the garage, her mind was all a blur right now. She barely acknowledged that she was at the garage. Her mind was completely on Optimus right now. She longed to be by him right now, to caress his cheek and lay on his chest…that was what she wanted to do the most right now. All the regret and pain she was feeling pretty much overwhelmed her.

"Saphira." Bee's holoform formed beside her and he gazed at her with sad eyes. "Saphira." She did not respond to him, only stare out the windscreen. He let out a heavy sigh and he opened the passenger door. "We are in the garage now. We are safe, for now." She again, did not respond. Bee shakes his head sadly. He moved around to the other side of the Camaro, glancing at the twins and Barricade who were all standing outside their alt forms in their holoforms and peered into the car. "Come on, let's get out." He extended his arm around Saphira's shoulder and gently helped her from the car. She managed to respond and stand from the car, gazing around the garage slowly, as if expecting Optimus to be in here with them. "I see you managed to find a way around the rule of no cars at college."

Saphira turned her head to look at Bee as tears fell from her eyes. "Are you going to focus on that?" She asked with a frown, sniffling slightly as her bottom lip trembled.

Bee shakes his head. "There is no point getting mad for something I had suspected you did already. I appreciate that you were thinking of me as well, though. There are bigger things now than this garage."

She nodded and walked away from him to head to her room. Barricade walked towards her slowly and she glanced up at him with a slight frown. "I apologize for not being able to stop what has happened. I was so close to bringing Grindor down, and Starscream got the better of both myself and Bumblebee…" She just nodded to him slightly. He placed a hand on her shoulder gently as she moved to walk past him. "I know it is early, but I know we will get through this."

"Maybe…" She mumbled, shrugging his hand off her shoulder and walking into her small room and grabbing the remote, turning on the TV. She saw the news was full of reports of things happening around the world and dropped onto the couch. She sighed and buried her face into her hands. "This is all my fault."

"What makes you say that?" Bumblebee sat next to her as he followed her, as did the others to ensure she was okay.

"I wasn't honest…" Saphira glanced towards the desk and pointed at it. "The shard is in a small container in the first drawer underneath some journals. You might as well take it."

Bumblebee looked at it and Barricade walked over to it, opening it and grabbing the cannister out. "I don't think it matters much now," Barricade said as he looked at it, sensing the shard inside it. "It is no longer valuable. You are valuable to the decepticons now."

"Man, I dunno how dis dude can just change sides like that!" Skids said with a frown, placing his hands on his hips as Barricade looked at the twins with a frown. "You done nothin' but bad."

"I know, that is why I was free to change sides when Megatron was killed. I wanted to stop living a life of hate and war long ago." Barricade looked at Bee with a slight smile. "I know Optimus was surprised to sense my presence and hear me tell you all where she was, but I want nothing more than to help you. I hope now you will welcome my help and presence, I understand my past will always hang over my head. But, I am here because I want to move on from Cybertron."

"But…they're going after energon," Saphira said with a frown.

"Partially because it will feed a new army they have been trying to spawn for many years. We are here because Megatron was influenced by the Fallen and another to come to Earth with the belief we can save Cybertron. Sentinel Prime…"

"Sentinel?" Bee frowned at Barricade upon hearing his name. "He is dead!"

Barricade shrugged slightly. "I am not sure about that. You see, Megatron is only doing what he believes will save Cybertron. And he was promised something, I do not believe it will happen if he succeeds, but that is why we are here."

"And you want to leave your home behind?" Saphira asked as her frown deepened.

"Cybertron was destroyed a long time ago, the war tore it apart. There is no world to go back to, as far as I am concerned. Earth is home now, that is if I am welcome to stay on it with the inhabitants, and the allies it has made with the autobots." Barricade gazed at Bee curiously. "I have finally my badge, will I be worthy to wear an autobot badge?"

Bee thought on his question for a moment. "I am afraid I cannot answer that. I feel like we are not in a position to offer that to you right now Barricade. I want to say yes, but at the moment, I feel I must wait."

"Very well." Barricade understood that there was still distrust, he would work with them on that. He turned his eyes to Saphira, his face softened as she began to sob softly. "It is not your fault, Saphira."

"I feel…responsible…he's gone, because I didn't come forward," Saphira sobbed, sniffling and gazing at the transformers around her. "I…I'm…so sorry!" She turned and buried her face into Bee's shoulder.

Smiling gently, Bee hugged her and rubbed her back gently to comfort her. "Let it all out, Saphira. You will feel much better. It is not your fault. The decepticons are devious, they would have done something like this even if you told the truth."

Saphira did not say anything as she continued to cry, she felt so much grief, guilt and sadness that she just needed to let it all out. She appreciated the hug and she hugged Bee back as he comforted her. Just the big brother she needed at this time. Nothing else was said as she continued to cry. She eventually calmed down after ten minutes and she became a sniffly mess.

"By the way, what's in that box?" Mudflap asked, pointing to the metal box under the bed. "It moved."

"Oh…that is the little decepticon that tried swiping the shard," Saphira responded with a shrug. "I've been keeping him locked up while trying to get some answers."

"Ha! A scrap bot." Barricade chuckled softly, seeming very impressed Saphira managed to keep a decepticon. "He might prove to be useful."

Saphira nodded before she stood and walked to the desk, opening the drawer and pulling out the journal, opening it. "Please tell me you know what these symbols mean, Barricade. I've been seeing them ever since I touched that shard."

"You touched it the day those kitchen bots attacked you right?" Barricade asked curiously, Saphira nodded with a guilty expression. Bee and the twins look at them in surprise. "Oh, I went to visit Saphira back in LA before she came to Princeton and she had some tiny bots attacking her. She put up an okay fight. That's how she got that scar on her face."

Bee looked at Saphira and she nodded. "He is right…sorry…"

The former decepticon took a closer look at the symbols in the journal. "Hmm…they are Cybertronian alright…they are ancient symbols. I think it might be the language of the Primes, though I am not sure. I never learned this. I don't even know how this would help Megatron."

"Would the scrap bot know?" Saphira asked curiously as he looked at the symbols.

"I doubt it. I think he would know about as much as I do." Barricade shakes his head sadly, looking at her. "I am sorry I am not much help. Kind of like I have been all day…hopefully my weapons can be used to point at decepticons from now on."

"I imagine it will be hard for even the military to accept you when they find out you have changed sides." Saphira smirked at him slightly and he nodded. "Well…thanks for trying. But…how did you know?"

"A signal was sent out by Soundwave about you, and the bot that was at the university keeping a close eye on you," Barricade explained. "When that happened, I realized they were coming for you. I sensed Megatron's revival before that. I didn't know he would come for you almost straight away. Luckily, I was already close to Princeton when that happened, otherwise I would not even be halfway by now."

"At least you are here now, the more numbers the better." Saphira lets out a sigh and walked over to the fridge to grab out a can of coke. "Well…no race meet tonight…"

"You were going to a race meet?" Bee asked her in surprise as she opened the can and she nodded. "Oh…well, at least you are safe."

"Yeah…" Saphira didn't even know what to tell Nicholae if he called her to ask where she was. "My life's in ruins…"

Bee opened his mouth to speak when the news station began to static suddenly. They all look at the screen in surprise, the face of a decepticon Saphira did not recognized began to appear. She turned up the sound of the TV as she was curious as to why he was on the screen.

"Citizens of the human hive," The decepticon began. She shuddered as his was different to the other decepticons, he seemed leaner in appearance and his face was a very different shape with a blue crown around his face that appeared to be like a beard…at least that is what she thought. "Your leaders have withheld the truth. You are not alone in this universe. We have lived among you, hidden, but no more." Saphira realized this being was talking to the entire world right now, that sent shivers down her spine. "As you've seen, we can destroy your cities at will, unless you turn over this girl." Her heart nearly stops when an imagine of her name, full face and body is shown on screen for several seconds. "If you resist us, we will destroy the world as you know it."

And it was cut off, revealing confused news casts and Saphira sinking back onto the lounge in shock. "I told you they are after you," Barricade said in a sad voice. "Now we need to protect you from both the decepticons, and your world."

Saphira did not know what to do right now. At least, the garage was her safe haven…though she knew her landlord probably will cut off her agreement now that this was out and she was wanted by an alien race. Saphira rubbed her forehead, feeling incredibly sad, overwhelmed and not sure of what to do.

She glanced at Bumblebee sadly. "I am surprised you don't hate me with what has happened."

"Why would I hate? Saphira, mistakes are made all the time. It happens. You made a decision, it was wrong and you will learn from it." He smiled at her gently, he knew this was hard on her, especially with Prime's death. "You are the most important person who I care about on this planet. You are my little sister, after all. Optimus would want me to look after you right now. And I intend on doing that."

"Thank you. I really appreciate it…" Saphira thought for a moment and glanced at Barricade and the twins. "I think, for a start, there is a costume shop in town that has wigs. Go get me some wigs that are not black hair."

"Why?" Skids asked as he made a face. "What good would that do?"

"Idiot! It would disguise her!" Mudflap snapped at his brother with a roll of his eyes. "I wonder why you are even me brother."

"Oh, shut up!" Skids snapped back, punching his brother's shoulder. "It doesn't change her face."

"No, but people will be looking for her with black hair," Barricade said calmly and walked towards the door. "I'll go get the wigs for you, Saphira. You two can come with me if you want to keep an eye on me."

"Of course! Gotta keep Barricade under watch!" Mudflap declared, pumping his fist as he followed Barricade. "You are under our watch now, fool!"

Barricade groaned, stomping towards his alt form to head out to get the requested items for Saphira. Saphira smiled slightly, the twins were quite amusing, and the wigs were a good idea. She wasn't going to go anywhere right now until she had some kind of disguise. Her phone goes off and she looks at it to see Nicholae calling her. She wanted to answer it, but it was better she did not. So, she let it ring and go to voicemail. She then receives a text from him letting her know she was no longer welcome to the race meets, and she would be turned over if they see her there.

"I suppose it was always a temporary thing, these races," Saphira said with a shrug. "I am thankful for the skills I have learned from them. It nearly saved all me from getting caught by Grindor, if he didn't shoot at the tyres of course."

"I hope your inheritance won't be tainted from all of this," Bee said softly, he knew that it was important for her to get it. "I assume your parents will try to claim it."

"Probably…but…that depends on if the law will be upheld with that." Saphira didn't want to think about that right now. She thought about Prime, and Prime alone. She paced the room for a moment, biting her lip gently. "You know the worst part about all of this?" The bot gazed at her curiously when she spoke. "I have this…this guilt and regret that I have. Of course, that sounds foolish…"

Bee smiled at her and stood from the chair. "Let me show you something…" He offered her his hand and she takes it, not knowing what he had. "Saphira, it is no secret among the bots that Optimus's behaviour has changed a lot since he has arrived on Earth. It has become known to us that he has an eye for someone now. Someone we know well."

"But…what about his loyalty to Elita?" Saphira asked with a frown, even though she thought it might have been a stupid question.

"That was the main reason Optimus never sought out another femme." Bee leads her towards the Camaro. "However, somehow, you changed his mind."

"Why, because I look like Elita?" Saphira asked bluntly. "I've heard that before."

"That is what I thought too," Bee responded to her, stopping by the Camaro and letting go of her hand. "However, I watched you both interact. The way you communicate with him was different to how you communicated to myself and the other autobots. Of course, when we initially met, it was pretty much the same. But…overtime, it seemed you both began to change emotionally and feel wise."

She frowned and shakes her head. "I don't think that I have changed."

"Really? Then why did you want to be alone with him at the emerald field?" Bee asked with a smirk, making her blink and blush slightly. "Prime spoke often about the small, simple times he spent with you. He even mentioned opening up to you, and you opening up to him. That only happens when people truly trust each other."

"Well, Optimus has a lot of good advice and he speaks to me very kindly. I don't think that has anything to do with my feelings." She knew she was trying to divert the conversation, but Bee didn't seem too convinced.

"Optimus told us how you laid on his chest, huddled up to him and even kissed his cheek, all of these actions are subtle signs, Saphira." He turned and opened the passenger door. She was confused by his action and eyed him suspiciously. "As much as you might think, Optimus did thoroughly enjoy those small things. Even when you made things out of the flower stems." He turned and leaned into the car and grabbed the handle of the glove box. "He once promised himself to not get involved with you, he believed that doing that would only bring vengeance to you. But…" He lowered the box and Saphira gasped, the emerald heart she had given Optimus was sitting there. "He has come to realize, that no matter the situation, you will be targeted even if you were not having feelings for each other."

She frowned and snorted at him. "I…I don't have feelings for him…"

"Come on, it's me, Saphira," Bee smirked at her as she blushed thinking about Optimus. "He gave me this before we came to you. I think, in someway, he knew he might not make it saving you. So, he gave me this for safe keeping. I know this emerald came from the very field you both love. You know, you pretty much gave your heart to him."

She lowered her eyes to the floor. Yeah, she knew she pretty much did. And it hurt so much. "Yet…he is gone…gone before we had a chance…"

"I suppose it is the fear of the unknown," Bumblebee said gently, leaning against his alt form as he thought about the two of them. "You are human, he's an autobot. It is understandable that you both tread carefully. After all, I don't think there is any history written about a transformer falling in love with a human. But…you are special. Prime was special…I think…you both were meant to be together. Optimus said it was an accident that intertwined our fates when Witwicky found Megatron, I don't believe that. Not anymore."

"So…" She looked at him with a sad smile. "You're saying, maybe, it was fate or destiny?"

"Something like that." He chuckled softly and closed the compartment to keep the gem safe. "If you were worried about us being mad about it, no we are not. Even Will and Robert figured it out, they thought it was odd, but they also said it was pretty sweet."

Saphira didn't know what she would have thought if Optimus had admitted his feelings to her before his death. Though, it was true. She did worry about what others would think and perceive, after all it wasn't everyday a human falls in love with an alien. She smiled, she walked forward and hugged Bee, surprising the bot with her action.

"That means a lot to me, Bee," Saphira said gently. "I…I don't know what I will do without him…"

"He would want you to keep fighting," Bee responded. "I know you're in pain, and we already have to move. We probably have to leave the garage sooner than later. Hopefully, by the time Barricade and the twins get back, we will be able to leave without a confrontation with your landlord."

Saphira nodded in agreement. "I just wish I knew what the next move will be." She turned around and walked back to the small room. "I…I have no one else to turn to about all of this." She glanced at her computer and walked over to it, sitting down heavily on the chair and staring at the screen. "No one else in this world know what the symbols mean but the Fallen…I assume that creature we saw was him."

"I wish I could help too, Saphira," Bee said in a slow, gentle voice. "And we cannot communicate with Will without giving away our location."

Saphira nodded, she knew this was extremely hard. She scrolls through the internet, nothing else really takes her interest as the entire internet was about her and the broadcast. She was glad her computer did not have a webcam, that would have been a bad thing if she did. She clicks into her email, wondering if she received anything, even though it probably will be harassment or abuse. However, she was surprised when she saw a new email with an odd title.

Sector Seven Calling

Sector Seven was shut down. Saphira knew that. Unless…she clicked on it curiously to see what it said. To her surprise, it was sent by Seymour Simmons, someone she thought she would never see again or even need right now.

Hey, Miss Alien Target,

Your face is all over the news right now, and not for a good thing. I can guess a whole lot of things on what has happened now, but it seems you might be in a pickle. Big man is down, from what I can gather, so I guess it is down to lowly humans to figure things out. I might be able to help you.

Of course, if you don't come in a few days, I will assume you are either dead or in imprisoned. I am living in New York right now, my address is in this email. Do not reply to this email, the government will be watching your every move.

Oh, and if you are wondering how I got your email, I memorised your file from Sector Seven. I ain't no creep or stalker, so don't get all worked up about it.

Simmons

Saphira chuckled a little as she read the email, she could easily hear his voice speaking to her saying those words. It was words he would say to her directly. Though, she was surprised he reached out to her and offered help. She figured it couldn't hurt.

"Seems like that idiot, Seymour, wants back in the action," Bee said as he read the email over Saphira's shoulder. "But…if he has intel or something we can use as info, we might as well bite."

"Yeah, we don't really much else to lose." She stood up and walked over to her bed to grab the box. "Can you put our friend in the trunk? I am going to back a few extra clothes and some food, I don't think I'll be able to use money right now."

Bee was sad for Saphira, all the money she had acquired through her racing was useless right now, it was a risk now. He grabbed the box, he heard the bot inside yelling something from within the box and carried it to the Camaro to place it in his trunk. He was amused she kept a tiny decepticon in a box. She grabbed her duffle bag to fill with clothes, toiletries and some non-perishable food. There was not much she really could take with her. She hated that she might have to shoplift in order to get food. She didn't even have seeds to grow food! And plants take a long time to grow.

"So, I guess we are going to New York," Bumblebee said as he walked back to Saphira, watching her pack her stuff.

She nodded with a smile. She placed the bag in the Camaro and waited patiently for Barricade and the twins to return. They did thirty minutes later, Saphira was very thrilled as Barricade gave her ten wigs to choose from. She didn't put on one yet, they had to leave because she received a text from her landlord letting her know she was being evicted and arrested, so they had to leave for New York. Thankfully, it was only an hour away from Princeton, and Saphira made sure to write the address he left for her in the email so they would get there. She sat in the backseat of the Camaro when they left, she had taken the emerald out and hugged it while the autobots drive to New York. Her mind was already back on Optimus.

I wish things worked out differently Optimus…I wish I could have saved your life, like you saved mine.