Running At the Problem

…

Saturday was a bright and sunny day. By the time Aria got off work—a rare morning shift at the main museum—the nip in the air disappeared making the temperature much more bearable in a skirt.

Mark wasn't there, automatically making it a good and uneventful shift. Not having to look at the replacement Blackbird was also a bonus. All kinds of indiscernible emotions welled up in her chest whenever she looked at it. In fairness, the thing did change her life quite dramatically.

She smoothed out her black pencil skirt after descending the steps in front of the museum. Her blazer was just warm enough for the weather and the high neckline of her shirt underneath blocked her chest from the cool breeze.

Her heels clicked as she walked down the street past the busses and parked cars. The shoes looked great, but she had to walk a bit slower to avoid tripping and breaking an ankle.

Independence Avenue was crowed and full of traffic as per usual. People loved to sight see, and rightfully so. It was a beautiful street, even the point of the Washington Monument peeked through the trees if she looked in just the right spot.

Aria's eyes darted around from building to building and back to the road before repeating the process. There had to be something, somewhere. Anything to point her in the right direction.

It was only yesterday that the news caught her attention. The small screen of her TV displayed an areal view of the very street she was on. A fleet of military vehicles drove down it while an unseen voice informed of increased military presence in Washington, and around the area specifically.

It could mean a lot of things to a lot of people, but she knew more than a lot of people now.

Finding the Autobots had turned out easier than expected. Sure, hiding out in a public place would be the last place anyone would expect, but downtown Washington was a ballsy move, even for the government.

So ballsy, it blurred the line between genius and insanity.

Aria turned down another street of towering buildings, wide as they were tall. If she were the government, she would want them in a building with easy access to the highway and a huge underground parking lot to fit the Transformers in either form.

She came to a stop when a black SUV turned into a tunnel down into a building across the street. The plaque in front read Health and Human Services.

Getting a closer look, the tunnel went down quite far under the building. Gates blocked the parking area from the public, still closing after the SUV. It looked like the ideal place to hide a bunch of Autobots and a large military presence.

The armed guards on either side of the gate and nearby door didn't make it any less obvious either.

She continued walking around the building. On the other side was the main entrance which wasn't unusually guarded, making it a lot more welcoming.

She pulled her shoulders back and held her head higher as she entered the building. She looked the look of a professional woman, now it was time to walk the walk.

The lady at the front desk glanced up, the frown never leaving her face. "How may I help you?" she droned.

Aria smiled at her. "I'm here for a meeting, but I was actually wondering where a bathroom is." She lowered her voice and leaned in a little. "Long walk here, you know?"

The lady perked. "Oh yes, it's just there down the hall." She pointed to the one behind her desk.

"Thanks so much!" Aria immediately beelined for the direction of the bathroom, not giving the lady a chance to question her further.

She placed her purse on the bathroom counter. So far so good. Getting into the building hadn't been too hard. Now that she was in, she just had to find evidence of the Autobots somewhere in the building.

The parking area below was where they would actually be, but wondering down there was a death wish. There would be guards at every entrance and feigning innocence may not get her out of trouble, especially if Lennox found her.

Picking up her purse, she left the bathroom and down the hall. It wasn't that she wanted to be found out, it was obvious she wouldn't be able to talk to them, or even see them, but just knowing that they were there…that it all wasn't a dream, that's all that mattered.

A staircase, that would be the best bet. Much less obvious than the elevator, and much less used.

She passed various doors bordered by narrow windows and small name plaques. Only a few people walked by. Aria kept her eyes ahead and they did the same. Her clothes fit in perfectly with the other women. Everything was going well so far.

Finally, at the end of the hall was a barren door, beside it was a blueprint of the first floor of the building. It was the stairway.

She looked back down the hall as she reached for the handle.

No one.

She pulled the door open and stepped in, it closed heavily behind her. The clicking of her shoes echoed as she walked down the stairs. She wiped her palms on her skirt before holding on to the railing.

The stairs ended at another unmarked door. It was as far down as the building went.

"Damnit," she muttered under her breath. The door lacked a window to peak through. She would have to open it.

All or nothing.

She grasped the doorknob.

Was it worth it?

It twisted under her grasp.

Yes, it was.

She pushed it open.

But why?

A hand hooked around the door from the other side, taking over control. "Ma'am?"

Aria stopped half way through the doorway. A man stood in front of her, tall and dressed in a military uniform.

She opened her mouth. What could she say?

"This part parking garage is off limits until further notice, I need to ask you to turn around and go back upstairs."

"Oh," Aria's eyes wondered past the man to see something, anything behind him. "I'm so sorry, I totally forgot."

He gave a curt nod. "That's alright ma'am, just don't forget again, we have to question repeat offenders."

"Oh, of course! I won't. Have a nice day." She backed up into the stairwell.

"You too, ma'am," He said and closed the door.

She leaned against the railing at the base of the stairs, balling her hands into tight fists.

"Yes!" she squealed under her breath. "Yes, yes, yes!"

Though she didn't see anything beyond the guard, the badge on his uniform was a dead give away. Most civilians didn't know the first thing about NEST, but she did.

She ascended the stairs back up to the main floor of the building.

This was it. This was their base. Somewhere past that door were the Autobots. Were they in their alt forms? Or perhaps they were bickering with one and other?

Back on the main floor, she turned down a different hallway where a sign pointed to a different entrance to the building, this one was closer to the back where the guards were standing at the base of the tunnel.

It was slightly warmer outside than it was inside the building. The sun felt nice on her skin as she stood mere meters away from the place the Autobots were hiding.

But maybe just knowing they were there wasn't enough. Surely there was a way to get in. A way to see them again. Talk to them.

She began to walk away.

Even just for a moment.

A buzzer sounded from the base of the tunnel. Aria froze on the spot. No vehicles were turning into the tunnel.

She looked back. An engine roared from below, deep and throaty. A glint of black emerged from the tunnel.

Fate was on her side as a huge diesel truck turned onto the road.

Ironhide!

She only stared as he drove straight past her towards the intersection. This was her chance.

Running as fast as her restrictive skirt and heels would allow, she chased down the truck. The light had just turned red, stopping him beside traffic half his size.

How was she going to get his attention without looking like a crazed person flagging down a stranger on the street? The guards weren't far off and could still easily see her if she caused too much of a racket.

She waved her arm at him as if calling a taxi. Could he even see her? What was their vision like in their alt forms?

"H-Hey!" she stuttered before raising her voice. "You in the truck!"

The light turned green, but the truck didn't move. A few cars honked and aggressively switched lanes to get around him. Without wasting a second, she ran towards the truck. He must have heard her.

Aria stumbled on the edge of the curb and nearly fell into the driver side door. She caught herself by putting both palms on the window. Definitely not the way to avoid making a scene.

She leaned back from the truck as the heavily tinted window rolled down a crack. A gruff voice boomed out. "Get in."

Aria rushed over to the passenger side before pulling open the door and climbing in. Through the rear view mirror, the security guards appeared to be in a deep conversation, completely unaware. She sat back in the seat and hastily put on her seatbelt.

"You're lucky I stopped," the radio stated in a familiar voice. "I barely recognized you with footwear."

Wait, was he making fun of her?

"Oh, shut up! I barely recognized you, being a rather plain looking black truck, yourself." She raised her head in order to gaze down her nose with mock disdain at the radio that snorted in response.

"Autobots don't transform into 'plain looking' human vehicles, we only take the forms of the best." He didn't hide the pride in his voice. "Except Jolt," he added as an afterthought.

Oh, so he did have a sense of humor. "Poor Jolt, maybe he just wants to fit in, you know, like a robot in disguise?"

Ironhide made no comment.

Or maybe he didn't.

She changed the subject. "So where are we going?"

"We?" Ironhide's voice snorted from the speakers. "I don't recall you being invited, fleshy."

So this was how it was going to be. The robot would be sure to criticize her at every possible opportunity. "Alright trucky, where are you going?"

There was a pause before he answered. "To pick up Colonel Lennox from The Pentagon."

"Wait, the pentagon as in The Pentagon?"

"That is what I said."

"I can't go there! I already nearly got into trouble today, I can't add breaking into The Pentagon to that list."

"Maybe you should have thought of that before your little stunt back there."

"I was despite! I found your hideout under the Health and Safety building but there was no way I could get in. Then you show up out of nowhere. How could I resist?"

"You were despite," he spoke slowly, "to see us again?"

Oops, maybe she should have worded that differently. Out of all of them, Ironhide would be the one to make fun of her neediness.

"Well, you know. I don't have much going on in my life, and as an Astronomy major, alien life has been something I've studied immensely. It's only natural I'm curious." That sounded objective enough.

He grunted. "Aliens. You realize you are just as much alien as we are, if we were to use the term."

"Does that mean you're just as curious about us as we are of you?"

A long building with endless walls of windows came into view from the passenger window. The Pentagon was unmistakable due to its size and unique appearance. Time was running out to bail.

"I am not curious of you, if that is what you are implying."

"Oh, well…" that stung.

"Humans are all the same. Curious, unintelligent, and generally untrustworthy."

Aria's eyes dropped to the radio. "That's a bold statement. How many humans have you gotten to know to say something like that?"

"The only ones I've gotten to know are the ones I trust. Every other human on this plant either has it out for us, or only cooperate because they have something to gain. When we no longer serve them, they turn their backs on us."

It hurt to hear the words as he spoke them. To have such an opinion meant that the government and military weren't treating them well. Just because they we're human didn't mean they had to treat them with disrespect.

The Autobots were smart and selfless and kind. Every Autobot took their time to introduce themselves to her. Even Ironhide who wasn't a fan, had looked out for her on the ship.

And now he stopped at let her in. Something he didn't have to do, probably wasn't even supposed to.

She opened her mouth, preparing to apologize on behalf of the human race, but when her eyes landed on the restricted access sign Ironhide just passed, the thought slipped away.

"Wait, stop! I can't be here!"

There was a check stop and armed guards just up ahead.

"Uh oh, looks like you're going to have to bail." Came Ironhide's voice. "On the count of three, ready?" He started counting down. "Three…"

Was he seriously considering she would jump out of a moving truck? And even if she did, the guards would still see her rolling down the road mere meters from them.

"Two…"

Why wouldn't he just stop, or turn around, or something? Maybe he wasn't just teasing, maybe he did actually hate her.

"One. Time to get out," Ironhide's tone was far from serious.

Wait. Was he joking?

She exhaled. "Nope, that's a stupid idea."

There was an amused huff. "Yes, but it would have been funny." He passed the gate without so much as stopping.

Aria crossed her arms and fell back into the seat. "I don't think you're very nice either," she hissed at him through her smile.

"My feelings are hurt," Ironhide's rather mocking voice echoed around her.

It wasn't long after Ironhide parked that a man appeared through the other cars in the parking lot. He was much easier to recognize now that she had her glasses. Tall with a strong jaw and shaggy brown hair.

"Do you think he'll yell at me?"

"That depends, did you breach one of those human contracts that dictate your society?"

"I'm not sure. There was nothing about happening upon you guys and saying 'hi'." Aria shrugged.

"Is that what this is? Could have fooled me."

Lennox swung open the driver door, getting in and shortly greeting the robot. It wasn't until he was closing the door that his head snapped towards her.

His first reaction was to freeze and stare at her in complete and utter shock. For a full three seconds he opened his mouth before a look of realization dawned on his face.

"Aria!" he blinked a few times. "Is that you?"

She plastered the biggest smile she could muster on her face. "Long time no see."

"Ironhide," Lennox said, "why did you bring her here?"

"She jumped in front of me in the middle of the road." Ironhide's gruff voice was light. "I had no choice, she threatened national security if I didn't let her come."

Aria turned from the radio to face the man beside her. "I did not! I didn't threaten anything!"

"You ran straight into me," Ironhide stated.

"You were waiting!"

Aria then sharply turned from the radio to look Lennox in the eye. "He's lying! I was just looking around the Health and Human Services building for the NEST hide out, and when I went outside, I saw him!"

"Wait, how did you know our base was there?" Lennox rubbed his temples.

"The news. It's pretty obvious, thanks to the increased military action nearby. Not to mention when I went down to the basement, a soldier with a NEST badge told me the parking garage was off limits."

Lennox's eyebrows furrowed further as she spoke. "How did you get inside of the building in the first place? Civilians aren't allowed in there."

"Mostly luck." Aria shrugged.

The Colonel simply nodded his head and looked out the windshield. "I see."

"The girl isn't as unintelligent as she looks," the speakers rumbled.

Aria sent the dash a fleeting glare. "Thank you for the compliment, Ironhide."

Lennox sighed. "Where do you live?"

"Why?"

"Because Ironhide's going to take you home."

Take her home? There was no way that was going to happen, not when she made it this far. Ironhide let her in and Lennox was dignifying her with conversation so far, backing down wasn't an option.

Aria stared him straight in the eyes. "I'm not going anywhere until I see them."

Lennox looked up to the headliner before his eyes fell back to her. "Is that what this is about?"

"Yes, it is."

"What if I say no?"

"Maybe I will threaten national security." Aria sat up straighter.

There was no way she would actually do it, but she wasn't about to back off. She was so close.

"No you're not," both Lennox and the speakers responded.

Threatening had never been her thing anyways. "Please, I miss them! I'll do anything!"

Lennox gave a heavy sigh. "Fine, they could use some civilian company anyway."

"Thank you!" She could have hugged the man. He folded rather easily, way easier than expected.

He rolled his eyes. "Just don't make me regret it."

"I won't." Today really was her day.

…

Shortly after their conversation, they arrived at the top secret NEST base which was actually the parking garage of the Health and Human Services building.

Once they passed through the gate, familiar vehicles came into view, neatly parked in individual bays with various soldiers were scattered amongst them. Further back, Jolt and Ratchet were talking to each other. Aria jumped out of the Topkick before it stopped moving.

The base was rather large, even for giant robot standards. At the very end was a tall bridge like walkway where Jolt and Ratchet were.

Aria's clicking heels seemed to draw the attention from every soldier around. Maybe because she was a woman, or maybe because she was a civilian at a NEST base. Both were possible in a place like this.

Now just a few meters away from the conversing Autobots, she hesitated. Here she was boldly walking up to two Transformers she was vaguely acquainted with. Would they even remember who she was?

She stopped walking. This was a bad idea.

"Ah, Aria. I can't say I've seen you for a while." Ratchets voice filled the hangar.

Aria's eyes slid up from the floor to Ratchet's face. "Er… long time no see." It sounded more like a question than a greeting.

Ratchet turned to Jolt "The girl seems nervous."

"Perhaps your sudden statement stunned her momentarily," Jolt replied. They both nodded at each other before turning back to Aria.

"No, she's just a wussy." Lennox's loud voice came from behind her. Aria sharply glared at him as he came to a halt at her side.

Ratchet leaned closer to them, a look of confusion on his metallic face. "What is a wussy? I'm not familiar with human jargon."

Before Lennox could answer, the four of them turned to look at the black armored Autobot who approached them from behind.

"It means the girl is a coward," he said before smirking down at Aria. Somehow, the look suited him.

Wait, what did he just call her?

She looked him in the eye. "I am not!" She then faced Lennox. "I don't know if you've noticed, but we're interacting with alien life. I'm sorry that I'm being less than eloquent when in the presence of beings twenty times our size and from a different planet."

The three robots looked between each other in silence while Lennox put a hand on his face trying to hide his smile.

She was being serious and he was trying not to laugh!

"Your pretty funny, kid," he said regaining himself. "We're just teasing you."

Aria huffed. "I'm not a kid."

A familiar sound of hydraulics releasing air and shifting metal echoed throughout the hangar. Everyone tuned their attention to the transforming Prime.

Standing at his full height, his authority radiated through the hangar, prickling at her skin.

"Good afternoon, Aria. I trust you are well?"

Such a simple question became so much more when spoken by the thirty foot Prime. To think, he had jumped into the ocean to save her. She owed him her life, not that her life meant much to him.

"Yes I am, thanks to you."

He nodded. "And your back is repaired?"

Aria's smiled at his genuine concern. "Mostly, it's still a bit sore though."

"Human bodies seem like such frail things, but can take vast amounts of damage without causing death." While he spoke, the Prime looked at her thoughtfully before bending down on one knee and leaning closer to her.

It was getting difficult to pay attention to what he was saying while the parts that made up his face rotated and flexed like a puzzle too complex for even the brightest human mind to solve.

Not only that, but he was an alien robot, hundreds, if not thousands of years older than herself. A being that has travelled across time and space, and ended up right here on earth, in front of her, asking about her injury.

"It mostly depends where and how we are injured. It's quite complex, actually. I little rib injury like mine is a small price to pay for my, uh, lack of judgement that day."

A muted laugh came from behind the Primes closed metallic lips. "Ah, is that what you call it?"

Oh great, now he was laughing at her. How embarrassing.

The Autobot leader leaned in closer, causing Aria to look back up at him. The Prime's eyes were narrowed in confusion. "You face suddenly became red, are you unwell?"

That one caught her off guard, was she actually blushing in front of the Autobot leader? Probably had something to do with the close proximity, like she was an insect being analyzed by a curious child fascinated by how different she was.

But it was more than curiosity, Optimus seemed to genuinely care. Maybe it was the he leaned down to talk to her, to get a closer look. The only other Autobot that did that was Jetfire, and that was mostly an effective scare tactic.

Lennox's joined her and the Prime. "Unfortunately, time's up, Aria. The Autobots have a meeting in an hour that no one felt the need to tell me about."

Optimus stood back up, his head just inches from the ceiling.

Already? She hadn't even had a chance to talk to all the Autobots yet. "All right." her eyes met the floor. "Will I be able to come back some time?"

Lennox sighed. "I guess. But next time you're going to have to go through clearance, no more ambushing Autobots and threatening national security. Here," he handed her a card from his chest pocket, "call me next time you want to visit."

"Of course!" Aria threw her arms around the much taller man. She released him from the hug keeping her hands on his shoulders. "Thank you!"

"Just don't make me regret this," he said with a small smile on his face. "Ironhide, since you're okay picking up hitchhikers, would you mind taking Ms. Normandy home?"

"Of course," Ironhide said tersely. He immediately transformed into his alt form and began to drive towards the exit.

Aria looked between Lennox and the truck as it drove away.

Lennox raised his brows. "You better hurry, he'll leave without you."

She would have glared at him if she had the chance.

Was running after Ironhide going to become a common occurrence?

…