CHAPTER 3

Optimus found his head still, as the humans said, in the clouds.

Talking to Dylan early that morning had brought back such a flood of memories... Most of them bad. He'd spent most of his "adult life" keeping his past where it belonged, behind him. And yet, this boy has shown up and suddenly he had turned back into the Youngling that always haunted his dreams. Primus, it was going to be a long orn.

As usual, the ever vocal Mirage was the first to notice he'd withdrawn into himself. Not even bothering to knock on the door to his makeshift "office". "Heyyyy Prime," Optimus didn't even bother to reply. "You're not still mad I blew it, right? Honestly, I figured he'd take it better! Kris did."

Optimus peered back at that. Of course he was vaguely annoyed, as he always was with Mirage's blatant disregard of orders. But he did try his best to hide it... "No, Mirage. I've come to realize it's simply your personality," Mirage seemed relieved. Though the mech only tilted his head. "Is our guest still recharging?"

"Yeah! So boring!" Mirage complained with a whine. "Kid meets giant robots from outer space and all he wants to do is sleep! What the frag?"

That one got a pointed look from the leader. If he could just remind Mirage the child was not there for their amusement. But alas, he'd given up explaining to Mirage life wasn't a game vorns ago. "From what I understand from the little I've gathered, he's been through a lot," Optimus explained after a moment. "We need to give him space. And mind our own business. He'll be out of here shortly anyway."

"Awww! He's not staying?" Mirage asked. "Come on, boss bot. We need some more life around here."

More life? After Peru, Optimus needed more peace than anything. And while Mirage spent much of his time with Noah, and Bumblebee had matured - the last thing he needed was a third young one running around. Nope, that was out of the question. The Terrorcons were defeated, but they were still at war with the Decepticons. They had a fight they had yet to win.

Mirage shook his head, already seemingly having read his body language. "You're no fun, you know that? Always saying, "It's too dangerous, Mirage.", "Don't scare the humans Mirage.", "Mirage, you can't bring every stray cat you find home."."

Optimus hid his smirk, and instead put his hands on his hips and turned to the young adult. "I wish we could do more to help humans like him. But the fact remains we are at war," Optimus explained honestly. "He is barely an adolescent. To let him stay here would be endangering him."

"It... Might be a little late for that."

They both turned as Arcee entered, and flipped her visor up. What did she mean? Optimus narrowed his optics. "Arcee, elaborate." The leader simply replied.

Using her schematics, she brought up the last thing Optimus expected to see. Locations, and Decepticons symbols at each of them. But what did this have to do with the boy, Dylan? "I ran scans through my database about this kid - second I got a good look. This is everywhere he's been the last week," Optimus' optics widened. "He's been followed closely by Decepticons. Never in the same vicinity either. Like they're stalking him from afar."

Decepticons...? Stalking... Why on Earth would they be stalking someone so young? Optimus eyed the other room, and thought long and hard. Who was this boy? "Is there anything in his past to indicate why?"

Arcee shook her head, brining up another page of her HUD. "Nada. His name's Dylan Logan. 14. His dad's in jail serving hard time. His mom died... About the same time he came into the world," Arcee pointed out. She frowned. "The only weird part is when I try looking into his creators. His dad's an open book... But the mother..."

"Let me guess," Mirage pointed out. "Redacted. Redacted. Redacted."

Arcee shot a sharp glare his way. But the Autobot leader was the one to reply. His voice wavered as he did. "He was surprised by our presence. No doubt he has no idea about the Decepticons," Optimus pointed out. "I don't like the feeling this is giving me."

Mirage grinned receptor-to-receptor. "We're keeping him then, right!? Come on Boss Bot!" He countered. "We've been trying to figure out why the Cons have been showing up again for months. Maybe this is our ticket to the answer."

Optimus agreed, but also had other things to consider. What connection could he, or potentially his mother have to this? And if it was a coincidence - he risked endangering a human... A young one at that. "You're positive he's being followed..." He asked Arcee.

"Round the clock," She affirmed. "Its a miracle he's still here."

The leader vented, and considered his options. But for once, Mirage had a point... After several moments of pondering, he spoke up. "Make sure our guest doesn't leave," He told Arcee. "I'm going to establish contact with General Hawk on the matter."

It was about to be an interesting afternoon.

Dylan finally woke up again close to late night.

God, he hadn't slept on something soft like that in... Well he couldn't remember how long. What he hasn't expected to find, however, was a fresh set of clothes and food. His brow furrowed, both thankful and worried. He'd told them not to tell anyone - but unless they suddenly had funds clearly someone knew he was here.

Every inch of him said to run, but Optimus was again waiting when he got up. Along with some Latino guy in fatigues and a worried expression. "Whoa, whoa. Cool it," The man spoke up as Dylan made a point to get up. "I'm not here to take you to social services, OK? I'm just here to talk... I'm the government official assigned to these guys."

The man flashed a badge that read "Noah Diaz" and "GI JOE" whatever the hell that was. Dylan narrowed his eyes suspiciously, but Noah kept his cool. "Look, these guys were gonna let you go. But we've run into some information that says you shouldn't be out there right now," Information? What information. "Can you just answer a few questions for me? If you do this is gonna go a whole lot smoother."

Dylan was pissed. What was happening here? Still, he sat back down, realizing that between the two of them there was absolutely no way he'd be getting away. "How much do you know about your mom?"

His mom? There was a question he didn't get asked often. "My mom? What about her? I never even knew her, she died giving birth to me," He admitted. Eyes darting between Prime and Noah. "What is this about? You don't even know my last name."

"Actually we do," Noah explained. "Don't take it personally they like to know who they associate with."

Well, privacy was out the window then, wasn't it? Dylan looked frustrated, but Optimus decided to talk next. Great... He couldn't wait to hear what he had to say. "Dylan, we don't mean to concern you or invade your privacy. But we have reason to believe you're in danger," His eyes widened. Now more nervous. "I need you to think back and tell me. Have you noticed any strange people... Or vehicles, around you lately?"

Dylan paused, besides now? On one hand, he wanted to snark back, but on the other... He had noticed something unusual. Namely the amount of high end cars in his neck of the woods. "... I mean now that you mention it. I've noticed some real horsepower around lately," he managed. Rubbing his neck. "You know the kind you don't usually find in my part of town."

Noah and Optimus shared a look of concern, and the man muttered some choice expletives. "While tracking your recent movements through satellite records, Arcee found signals linked to our enemies, the Decepticons. At nearly every location you've visited the last week," Dylan straightened, he remembered that part of the story. Panic setting in. "It's imperative that if you have any knowledge of what they may want. You share it with us now."

"How could you even know my movements that easily?" Dylan asked, perplexed.

"Our technology is far superior to what humans are capable of," Optimus explained. "We can do things using your satellites humans can only dream of today..." he then explained. "We have surveyed these areas too, watching Decepticon movement. From there, it was simply matching energy signatures..."

OK, cool, he guessed. Though he only understood about half of that.

But still... Decepticons? Around him? What? It had to be a mistake, right? But the more serious it got the less likely that looked. Gripping his pant leg carefully, he shook his head. "No... No, I didn't know anything about it. I swear!" Dylan blurted. "What are we going to do? Are they going to hurt me or something?"

"I promise you, Dylan. We will not let that happen."

Noah nodded in agreement to the Prime's words. "Look, you may not like it. But you can't be out there alone anymore. Since this is technically in their ballpark. My boss has granted temporary Autobot custody to you," Dylan's eyes widened. He had done what? "We know your dad isn't involved. But your mom's records are sealed. And that's gonna take time. Lots of paperwork. I have a headache just thinking about it."

"You're making me live with aliens?" Was all he could ask.

"Normally we'd send you into protective detail with one of us," Noah explained. "But given the circumstances - we don't know how well they know your routine. Nor are we quite ready for one-on-one combat with a Decepticon on our own."

Dylan shuddered, what could he do? Say no? On one hand he didn't want to live with anyone but on the other he could be dead if not. Taking a deep breath, he decided to take a bite of the sandwich they had set out for him and contemplated what to say next. Did he risk death? Did he say yes? He hated to say it, but this time, he didn't think he had much of a say.

He turned to Optimus for a moment. "... And you promise nothing bad will happen to me here?" He asked. "This isn't going to turn into a slave labor thing or..."

"You have my word," Optimus nodded. "As long as you are here, you will be protected."

He took another bite, then finally sighed deeply and nodded his head. "Alright, but the second this is over. I'm out, I don't want to go back to social services. And I'll run if I have to," he admitted. Noah looked a bit annoyed. "Don't worry, until then I'll stay put."

Noah looked at Optimus with his own exhausted sigh. "Good luck with this one," Was his only additional word on the matter. "He's a wily one I can see it in his eyes."

Dylan immediately stuck his tongue out. "I can behave.. When I want to." He peered up at Optimus, then added with a smirk. "So... Does this mean I get to take a ride in the Porsche?"

From the look on Optimus' face - that wasn't happening.

A/N: Having so much fun with this fic! Hope you guys are too. XD