Welcome anyone that's new (and thanks for the reviews)! As a fun fact, the last bit of this chapter was totally different and completely unnecessary to the plot, now it's muchhh better so I hope you enjoy it!

Improper Footwear

…

"So how were your friends?"

Aria sat across from Eli in the cafeteria during their break. It was the first time they could really talk since the day Sam and Carly came to visit due to their different schedules.

"They were good. Sam was just taking his new girlfriend on a date," Aria replied. She took a bite of her chocolate pudding. Eli had a container full of raw veggies.

Eli nodded, "Ah, so that was your first time meeting her then."

Aria looked at him from above her glasses frames. "Did you see her though? She's gorgeous!"

"Not my type," Eli shrugged. Taking in Aria's dubious expression, he smirked, "Guess she's yours, though? I didn't realize you flew that way."

Aria blinked taking in Eli's statement for a moment. She let out a nervous laugh, "I mean she's pretty and all, but I don't think I want to kiss her."

"That wasn't a very confident statement."

"Yeah, well you caught me off guard," Aria replied, eating another spoonful of pudding.

Eli chuckled. "It must have been a while since you've seen Sam last, I don't think I've ever seen you that excited."

It was September of last year when the whole Egypt situation happened and it was currently mid May so that would mean it's been about eight months since she met Sam and the Autobots. It was surprising actually, it didn't feet like that much time had passed.

"Almost a year now I guess. He's going to Princeton right now so it's a bit of a drive. He was here because Carly is looking for a place in Washington."

"How'd you meet if he lives in up in Princeton?" Eli took a bite of a baby carrot, barely chewing it before swallowing.

"Actually, he's from California. I met him here actually, well him and his ex." She added.

"Awkward," Eli sang.

"It's crazy though, his ex was just as hot!"

…

That evening Aria took extra care getting ready. She sincerely hoped that Wheelie was right about Ironhide and that he would be there regardless of being caught.

She sat at her vanity, gazing at her smiling reflection as she carefully did her makeup.

For some reason she wanted to look perfect tonight, not that it mattered. Ironhide had seen her at her worst and the most he ever did was comment on her shoes, or lack thereof. She let her eyes fall closed as she recalled his deep voice teasing her. Just the thought of hearing his voice again..

"Someone's in a good mood."

Aria's eyes snapped open. She looked at the small robot through the mirror. He came in and made himself comfy on her bed behind her.

"Like you can tell," Aria scoffed.

Wheelie did his version of an eye roll, "Yeah with your constant humming and dumb smile on your face it's impossible not to."

Aria frowned, "I always hum."

"No, you always sing. You were so far off in la la land you didn't even notice me come in," he smirked at her. "Plus, I saw that little dance you did with the broom this morning."

"I always dance with the broom."

Wheelie didn't dignify her with an answer, only looked at her even more skeptically than before.

Aria sighed, "Alright," she took a breath, "I'm excited to see him."

"Say it," Wheelie taunted with an evil grin on his metallic features. "Say his name."

"Ironhide," she blurted, diverting her gaze back to her reflection and watching her face turn red.

Wheelie slapped his knee wheezing with laughter. She absently grabbed her brush and ran it through her hair for possibly the tenth time since she got home. She did her best to regain her composure despite Wheelie's obvious attempts to embarrass her.

"Honestly Aria," he said, wiping an imaginary tear from under his eye. "Why don't you just admit that you like him. Or like like or whatever."

Aria's hand halted mid brush stroke. She abruptly turned around to face the little Autobot, nearly gaping at him. "I do not like like Ironhide! He's my friend and it's perfectly normal for me to want to see him again."

"Uh huh," Wheelie mumbled looking at the back his hand in mock interest.

"How can I like him like that? He's a giant metal alien! Now would you stop bringing it up!"

"Sure, sure."

"And even if I did like like him, he wouldn't like me back that way because I'm a tiny squishy human!"

Wheelie just hummed again.

"We don't even have anything in common, plus he's probably way too old for me. And how could I be physically attracted to him when he's all big and metal and transforms into a truck! He can't even reproduce, which is the whole point of being attracted to someone in the first place!"

"Those are great points and all, but you still can't help but like him, right?"

"Ye- "Aria snapped her mouth shut. "I mean no!"

"Keep telling yourself that, princess," Wheelie replied, getting off the bed. "Oh and I'm gonna hang out here with the mutt tonight so you and grumpy can have some quality time."

"Wheelie!" Aria yelled after him as he rolled out of the room. Shaking her head, she turned back to the mirror to finish getting ready. She began to hum again.

Why did Wheelie thrive on annoying her? Feelings were already complicated enough in general, and Wheelie stirring the pot wasn't helping anything.

She blended brown eyeshadow on her lids and put a light layer of mascara on her dark lashes.

Ironhide didn't like humans much anyway, the fact they were friends was a miracle in itself. Not to mention that she nearly forced it upon him by literally chasing him down the street months ago.

She put on berry colored lipstick and fastened a dainty necklace around her neck. Her heart fluttered. It was time to go.

…

Friday evening at the club was open night, meaning anyone could perform whichever genre they liked. Aria was scheduled for ten thirty and it was currently twenty past ten.

And she was still five minutes away.

Because she got carried away getting ready, she lost track of time and missed her usual bus and had to wait for the next one.

The bus stop was five blocks away from the venue, so the walk was nothing new. Normally she took her time during her walk, but today she practically jogged down the sidewalk. Her black heels clicked against the pavement as she did her best to avoid running into sauntering people and tripping hazards on the old sidewalk.

Minutes later she arrived at the club, the old sign above the door flickered neon blue. Aria dashed straight for the changing rooms, choosing the first available one. Her dress was a full length form fitting black gown with thin straps and a thigh high slit up one side. One of these days she had to get some satin gloves to cover up the long scar on her forearm.

Fixing her hair one last time, she made her way backstage with only a minute to spare.

Walking onto the stage, her nerves lit up. Was Ironhide actually here? Was he watching her now?

She stood in front of the mic and waited for her queue by the violist off to the side, all the while searching for him in the far back.

As she began to sing, she finally found him. Unlike last time when she caught his eye, he didn't look alarmed. He just looked back at her for a moment before dropping his gaze down to his full glass.

Aria continued to sing never taking her eyes off the holoform Ironhide created to watch over her. Would he run this time?

Finally, his eyes met hers again, and she smiled as she finished the song.

Leaving the stage, she navigated through the tables towards the back. She was stopped a few times by customers complimenting her. Eventually she reached Ironhide's table and sat down beside him.

He didn't acknowledge her presence, instead he looked up at the stage where the next performer, a young boy nervously walking onto the stage.

The boy fiddled with the microphone as the music began to play. He took a breath and began a melodic R&B cover. He had an amazing voice.

They both continued to watch the boy as he got more comfortable. Aria glanced at the holoform from the corner of her eye. His face remained impassive, but for some reason his features looked slightly…off.

Wheelie informed her that the accuracy of their holoforms were limited by the understanding of the life forms they mimicked. Perhaps that's why his skin didn't quite look real; it lacked the small details like pores, fine lines, and the slight discoloration of where facial hair was shaved.

He seemed to notice her sideways glance and turned his head away. Was he still contemplating leaving her?

Aria thoughts halted when a hand rested on her bare thigh revealed by the slit in her dress. She snapped her head to look at him fully, but he only continued looking ahead. She followed his line of sight to the boy now confidently singing on stage.

"No one can know about this."

Aria nearly jumped at the sound of his low voice. It sounded just like Ironhide's, yet slightly different.

"I know," she affirmed. They both continued to look at the stage.

There was silence between them while they listened to the music.

Aria's eyes dropped to the wooden table. "You think it's worth the risk? Following me?"

The holoform's grip on her leg tightened for fraction of a second. "Wheelie cannot protect you."

Well, she knew that. Wheelie wasn't meant to protect her; he was there to warn her. Ironhide however, was protective by nature. It didn't take long to come to that conclusion. It was that combined with his stubbornness that led to him being here.

"Is that why he's helping you keep track of me?" She couldn't help but glance over at him again.

He smirked, "I didn't give him much of a choice." He returned her sideways look with his own.

Her heart fluttered as she gained the courage to put her hand on top of his.

"I'm glad he told me."

Ironhide's expression softened for a moment, a ghost of a smile on his lips. And then in an instant it was gone, replaced by a stern glare. He pulled his hand out from under hers as if it burnt him.

"I have to go," he said, standing up.

He scanned the room. Luckily, everyone had their eyes glued to the boy on stage, transfixed by his breathtaking vocals.

She turned back to him, "Wait, Iron-"

He disappeared.

Aria gaped as she looked for him in vain. The light fluttery feeling in her chest turned to lead. Grabbing his full glass of alcohol now recognizable as rum and coke, she gulped it down.

God he could be such an ass sometimes.

…

It was just after one when Aria left the club that night. Outside, she was greeted by the fresh cool air, not too warm, not too cold. She'd brought a change of clothes for the trip back home, but forgot her shoes, so she still donned her heels, which would have been fine, other than the fact her feet were still sore from running to the club earlier.

Her eyes wandered across the road at all the parked cars glimmering in the streetlights.

Back when Ironhide took her to rehearsals, he would wait outside the entire time. His excuse upon asking was that "waiting for her was better than the base".

And by that logic…he may still be around somewhere. And there was only one way to draw him out.

By fighting stubborn with stubborn.

She leaned her back against the brick wall of the building and crossed her arms. The last bus would leave in a little under half and hour. She had time.

Only a few people crossed her path, likely headed home for the night. Most paid her little more than a sideways glance.

The door to Blue Bella's swung open. "Aria, what are you still doing here?"

Aria's eye's met Cynthia's. "Oh just…" stubbornly waiting for someone who may not even be there. "…waiting for my ride."

Cynthia's mouth formed into a wide grin as her eyes narrowed. "Since when do you get rides home from work?"

Oh no she didn't. "I have friends, you know."

"Of course. And they just coincidentally come to pick you up the same day you make googly eyes at that guy." Her grin stretched wider. "What's his name anyway?"

"Don't you have a husband to get home to?"

Cynthia laughed. "Have a good night, Aria. Learn his name for me!" She blew a kiss and walked away.

Aria rolled her eyes. First Wheelie, now Cynthia. Where did they even get these ideas from?

Sure, Ironhide touched her leg. Maybe if he were a regular guy, it would mean something. But he wasn't. He probably didn't think it was any different than a hand on the shoulder. He'd never so much as mentioned what he thought of human's appearance beyond being squishy and fragile. While he was twenty feet tall and made of metal.

And could apparently make himself into a human that wasn't hard on the eyes, per se.

"Who are you waiting for?"

Aria sprung upright. Ironhide's holoform stood beside her. "Ironhide!" She took a breath. "You scared the soul from my body."

"It isn't difficult."

The darkness made the unnatural shade of blue of Ironhide's eyes stand out even more. There was something else off about them too, but she couldn't quite put her finger on it. They looked the right shape and size of any other person. Dark eyelashes, heavy eyelids, his brows were in proportion to his face.

Then it hit her.

"Why aren't you blinking?"

"Is that why you're staring?"

"It's very unsettling."

He blinked.

"Thank you."

"Any other inefficient human things you would like me to do?"

"I think blinking is fine for now." Aria winked, drawing another blink from Ironhide. "Walk to the bus stop with me?"

"Is that what this is about?"

Despite Ironhide's question, they both began to walk.

"Why, you mad that I won?" Aria sent him a smirk.

"You didn't win. I chose to come out."

"Because I was standing there. Where are you anyway?" Aria scanned the road once again.

Ironhide didn't break his gaze. "Don't you already know enough of my secrets?"

"You're the one showing up at the club as a human. I'm sure you'd be curious if I suddenly came up to you one day as a Cybertonian."

He scoffed. "You? A Cybertonian? I didn't realize you were funny."

"You're just mad because I'd probably be taller than you."

Ironhide finally looked away. "Humph."

Aria couldn't help but giggle. She opened her mouth to reply, only to let out a squawk as her heel caught on a crack in the sidewalk.

Next thing she knew she was on the ground. Pain radiated from her ankle. She sat up and grabbed for it. What did she even trip on?

The pain got worse, extending into her foot and up her shin. She for sure sprained it.

Ironhide crouched down beside her, looking between her face and the ankle she was cradling and then down to her shoe.

She let out a long breath through her mouth and inhaled through her nose. "Don't you dare say it."

"Footwear," he annunciated, bringing out his accent.

Aria's head fell back on her shoulders, only to snap back up when her shoe began to slide off her foot. Ironhide gently pulled it off, never touching her skin.

"I don't know how you manage to be so gentle sometimes."

"You think I'm only capable of being a brute because I'm a soldier?"

"More like because you're normally ten times the size of me." As she spoke, Ironhide came to her side, putting one arm under her legs and the other behind her back. "Hey what are you doing?"

Ironhide lifted her off the ground as if she weighed no more the shoe he'd placed in her lap. "I've seen human leg injuries before. You're not supposed to walk on them until they are healed."

Aria looked away. At least they were almost to the stop.

A couple whispered at each other as the passed by. Another man nodded at Ironhide. Great, now everyone was looking.

When they got to the stop, Ironhide stood beside the bench instead of placing her down. She wasn't that light, but then again, this was a holoform, so maybe weight wasn't an issue. For some reason, she didn't want to ask.

When Ironhide made no indication of moving after a minute passed, Aria looked up at him. "You're not going to sit down?"

Ironhide's eyes met hers. It looked like he was about to question her, but something almost mischievous took over his blank features.

He sat down.

With her still in his arms.

Her cheeks heated up. Being carried was one thing, but now she was sitting in his lap. In public, no less!

"Ironhide!" she hissed.

"I'm just doing what you asked."

Aria made a show of glaring at him before diverting her line of sight. At least the bus would be there any minute.

Her ankle throbbed, but the unnatural heat that radiated from his body felt rather nice. Like that night when she sat in his hand, close to his chest.

Was this even any different for him?

It felt like so long ago, but so recent at the same time. He was never supposed to see her again, even that night. Yet he did.

And here he was now.

He could have left again when she approached him, but he didn't.

She had been mad at first, when he disappeared. But now all her negative emotions were buried by a strange feeling of satisfaction.

Despite the risks, he was here. Even if it was dangerous and stupid and completely unnecessary for him to be here.

If he was caught, the military would learn that the Autobots were still keeping secrets. And she would end of in jail for treason as stated by the contract she signed.

Ironhide boarded the bus when it arrived. He kept her in his arms the entire time, drawing more eyes to them on the slow way home. Her eyelids grew heavy. Between the long day and Ironhide's warmth, it was getting hard to stay awake.

Maybe she could rest her eyes for a minute.

Just a minute.

…