I am so sorry about how long this took. Something kept popping up whenever I had some free time, so this took way longer than I had planned to update. When it rains, it most certainly pours. My apologies to those that tried to review last chapter and found they couldn't. I have looked over everything and am currently trying to fix the issue because I haven't changed any settings, so I am not quite sure what caused that. Shout-out to twihard0221, TFSTARFIRE, shadowluver15, pieniorava, FireRoseWarrior, SupergodzillaSailorCosmos, catlover123456789, HerobrinePrime01, 1, 5150Covert, hikarumarch, TMNTGirl, Sarah1994, nicole1980, L. Z. Wildlough, Reader-anonymous-writer, , AmichelleYT, and Chachita97 for favoriting and/or following the story! I have been taking a lot of writing classes, so let me know what you think of this new way of layout that I am trying. I think it looks better than what I've done previously, but I would love to get some feedback. I was also asked in a PM if I plan on using actual dialogue from the movies/books and I honestly don't know. I most likely will when it comes to important parts, but I probably won't do a lot since all of the dynamics change once an OC is thrown in. Also, I have hit a snag with the timelines and I am trying to figure them out, but one change is mandatory now. Anyway, enjoy this chapter!
Legend: Speaking in thoughts to wolves or Edward
Thinking
Emphasis on a thought/word
**** swear words
"Comm"
Text Message
Disclaimer: I don't own anything Transformers or Twilight, all I own is Katherine, students that were hurt/died in the attack, and the plot.
This is definitely the opposite of good.
I looked around the clearing before seeing the mountain that wasn't too far from us and I could faintly make out a cave at the base of it, "Get to the cave. Now!"
They all hesitated as Carlisle questioned me, "Katherine, what is going on?"
I groaned and started shoving them towards the cave, "I will explain later, but we need to get in that cave now! Trust me!" They hesitated for one more second before running at a human pace to the cave with Edward practically dragging Bella. I ran behind them as I pressed the button on my tracker for Autobot help and my phone began ringing the second my distress signal was activated, so I answered when I saw it was Hide calling. He was probably about to panic since we didn't think the Cons would ever come out here for me, "What's going on, Kat?"
I remained at the entrance to the cave and gulped as I saw Starscream land with his blood red optics immediately staring at where I was hiding, "Hide, Screamer is here. He's coming for me."
I heard some Cybertronian cursing before the comm on my tracker clicked on as I was still on the phone with my family guardian, "Katherine, it's Optimus. Ironhide, Chromia, and Elita are on their way. Are you somewhere safe?"
I leaped backwards into the cave more as Starscream began to stomp his way towards me, "Kind of. Cullens, Bella, and I are hiding in a cave."
I shoved everyone backwards as a gigantic silver arm reached into the cave with sharp fingers grasping at open air, "Stay there. Ratchet and I are flying out now and we will be there as soon as we can." I ended the comm before holding my phone between my ear and shoulder as I readied my gun.
I saw Starscream lean down to look into the cave and I wasted no time in emptying my clip into his ruby optic, which caused him to shriek in pain while I grinned in satisfaction, "Take that you fragging glitch! Go back to the pit you crawled out of!" I could hear Hide cheering me on through my phone as I quickly loaded my spare clip into my gun.
"So how far are you three?" I could hear the Cullens and my cousin freaking out behind me and I turned my head enough to look at them from the corner of my eye, "Oh hush. You guys act like this is the first time your life has been in danger. Now please be quiet, so that I can focus on getting our afts out of here."
That got them to be silent, except for Bella's panicked breathing that I knew wasn't going to stop anytime soon, so I turned my attention back to talking with Ironhide and making sure Starscream didn't get us, "ETA five minutes, Kat. Just hang on."
I snorted before letting out a yelp as Starscream managed to snag my waist with a couple of his fingers and I cursed as he dangled me in the air once he had me out of the cave since I had dropped my gun while being dragged, "Not so brave now that you're out here, are you, insect?" I glared at him before spitting into his broken optic.
"My guardians are gonna kick your aft for even looking at me."
His laugh sounded more mechanical than I had ever heard from a Cybertronian, "Oh, I'm so scared of those puny Autowimps. What poor fragger got stuck with you?"
"Just the best two weapons specialists in the galaxy. I think you may have heard of them. Their names are Chromia and Ironhide and you ****** them off."
He heard a cannon powering up behind him and he yelped when he saw who was behind him as he also tossed me away from him. I let out a short shriek before something caught me and I looked up to see that Elita had caught me as her sister and brother-in-law began to kick Starscream's aft. Shockingly, the femme leader let out a curse as a police car appeared and transformed into Barricade. I was practically dropped at the edge of the cave while she turned to face the Decepticon, "Hide, Katherine!"
I sprinted back into the cave and began shoving the others towards a tunnel, "Go! We've gotta get as far as we can!" Carlisle and Esme took the lead with Edward and Bella right behind them and I hurried between Alice and Rosalie with Jasper and Emmett bringing up the rear.
As we rushed along, I used the comm on my tracker to contact Optimus, "Are you safe, Katherine?"
I made a uncommitted sound while trying to ignore the pain in my leg that was starting to get stronger, "Kind of. Barricade showed up and Elita made me hide with the others till the fight is over."
I could hear him being jostled a little due to turbulence on the plane, "Do not come out until one of us tells you it is safe. We should be there in 40 minutes." I was about to speak before I heard a familiar chattering coming from behind us and I turned in time to get tackled.
I yelped before yelling for help as I tried to keep Frenzy's hands from clawing my face off, which they quickly did and managed to actually tear his head off as well. I was gasping for air as the two vampires heaved me onto my feet and began shoving me after their family. I could barely see anything in the darkness of the tunnel, so I was heavily relying on the two vampires behind me to make sure I stayed with everyone, but they forgot to tell me that everyone had stopped in front of us and I proceeded to run straight into Rosalie's back, "******!" The blonde whipped around to steady me as I stumbled back from the force I had hit her with and she questioned if I was okay.
Waving her off, I was herded towards Bella and Esme as the other vampires formed a protective barrier between us and whatever could come down the tunnel. I turned around and started feeling front of me to realize we had reached a dead end and I groaned, "Of course there's a dead end. Why not?" I patted my pockets before realizing I had lost my phone and I cursed again before thanking Jasper when he handed my phone and my gun to me, "Hide, we hit a dead end in the tunnel and Frenzy was in here. We took his head off, but Primus knows that little fragger has survived that before."
"Primus, Kat. How many fraggin' mirrors did you break? We've got our hands full out here, so just stay there and don't get killed."
I rolled my eyes at his last command and I could feel the sarcasm dripping off of my words, "Nah, I think I'll just run out there and tell Screamer to just shoot me. You think I'm stupid, Hide?"
He didn't bother answering and actually ended our call in order to focus on the fight. I paced in the small space the vampires allowed me as they all stood with an unnatural stillness that no human could ever hope to possess. I paused when I saw their heads all move slightly to focus on a noise that Bella and I couldn't hear.
"Kat, I can hear your dad out there."
The blood in my veins froze like the vampires around me at Edward's voice and nobody, not even Alice or Edward, was prepared for my sudden sprint through them. I screamed at them to stay there as I continued to run towards the entrance of the cave. They brought him. I have to save him. I ignored the ringing of my phone and the voices coming from my tracker as I focused on the one voice I longed to hear, "KATHERINE! Leave her alone!"
Adrenaline pumped through my body faster and fast with the beats of my heart as my shoes slapped the rocky and uneven ground while I ran. I saw the bright light and put on an extra burst of speed until I reached the end. I skidded to a stop like a cartoon character as I searched around and I couldn't help the cry that escaped me, "Dad!"
I waited for any response, but all I got was Barricade turning his cannon towards me. His blood optics filled with malevolent glee as his chortle echoed the glee in his eyes. Time seemed to slow as I saw the cannon powering up and I froze because I knew there was no way I could escape the blast coming. Elita was running through the forest to get there while my two guardians screamed for me.
"Say goodbye, fleshling."
The shot rang out and a plasma ball as big as me came racing towards me. I'm so sorry, dad. I didn't mean for this to happen. I heard a scream of agony that was echoed by a deeper voice as metal hit metal and I opened my eyes that I had somehow shut at some point. My own agonized shriek tore through the air when I saw my purple guardian on the ground bleeding from the hole blown into her body.
"CHROMIA! I'll kill you, you fraggin' glitch!"
I faintly noticed Ironhide and Elita charge at Barricade as Starscream took his usual cowardly escape. My heart was pounding as my blood rushed through my ears and it seemed to take me an eternity to race forward. I stripped off my shirt to just have my sports bra covering my chest in order to cover my hands from the energon and I clambered onto my guardian, thanking God or Primus or whoever that Ratchet had trained me in medical procedures for Cybertronians. Barricade must have escaped somehow as Ironhide and Elita rushed over with the Cullens and Bella hesitatingly exiting the cave.
"Hide," I hated how much my voice shook and my hands mimicked my voice, "I need my emergency supplies out of your subspace."
He didn't respond and I snapped at him, "Hide! Give me those **** supplies or she's as good as dead!" That seemed to stir him from whatever stupor he was in and it wasn't thirty seconds later that I had a toolbox within reach along with some spare Cybertronian metal and wiring. My eyes flew around her chest and abdomen as I studied everything that was leaking or blown apart. I wasted no time in stopping the energon bleeding as much as I could, but I couldn't reach the leak that was right by her spark chamber.
Tears pricked my eyes as I realized I couldn't save her without Ratchet's help and I slumped backwards, "I can't save her, Hide. I need Ratchet. She's losing too much energon and I can't reach the major leak."
"Don't you dare give up, Katherine. You aren't my best human apprentice for nothing."
I whirled around at the cranky voice and my own voice cracked with relief, "Ratchet!"
His cerulean optics softened when he saw me and his professional voice provided a soothing feeling for me and gave me a new burst of energy and hope, "All right, youngling, what have you seen so far?"
"I did lots of patches to stop the leaking and I repaired most of the wires that were melted. She has one line leaking by her spark chamber, but I can't reach it unless I'm lowered in."
The CMO nodded as we both ignored our audience in order to focus on the purple femme with our complete attention. He met my gaze before gently grabbing my legs and he held me over Chromia's open chest. I took a deep, steadying breath as he started to lower me before freezing as my cousin shrieked at us, "What the **** are you doing with her? Put her down!"
I rolled my eyes, Of all times for her to suddenly be protective. Turning my head, I glared at her, "Just shut up, Bella! I'll explain later, but I need to save my guardian right now." I turned back to Chromia and nodded for Ratchet to begin lowering me again.
Sweat beaded my forehead from the heat as I got closer and closer to her fluctuating spark, "Stop! I can reach it now!" I was immediately stopped from lowering and my arms shook from the stress and pressure of doing such an easy procedure in such a dangerous area. I was buried from the waist up in Chromia's chassis as it is technically called and I was a lot closer to her spark than I had ever wanted to be.
I grinned as I finished fixing the leak and reconnecting the line together, so that her energon could flow. Victorious, I called to Ratchet to pull me out and it was a few seconds later that he and I worked in almost perfect companionship to patch up everything, so that she didn't have a giant hole through her body anymore. We shared tired and relieved smiles before he gently handed me to Ironhide and I was cradled to my black guardian's chest. I relaxed against him and listened to the hum of his spark as he just held me as close as he could.
Knowing I couldn't avoid them forever, I had Ironhide set me on the ground and I turned to face my silent cousin and the frozen Cullens, Well, this is going to go so well.
I sighed before beginning the long explanation of everything from Archibald Witwicky to Mission City to what just happened moments ago. They none made a sound once I had finished and they just continued to stare at me, even as I finally answered my ringing cell phone, "Yes?"
"Kat! Are you okay? Bee told me you got attacked and I didn't hear from you at all, so I got worried. Then we heard Chromia got really hurt, but still nothing on you, so I figured I would call and-"
A smile worked its way on my face at the familiar rambling of my boyfriend and I quickly cut him off as he began speaking faster and faster, "Sam, I'm fine. They didn't get me and I didn't get hurt. You can relax and stop worrying about me. Ratch and I managed to fix Mia in time, so she'll be fine," I walked a little ways away from everyone to pretend I had some privacy from the giant Cybertronians and the silent vampires that could easily hear me, "Remember my cousin and the Cullens that I told you about? They were with me, so they know about everything, which that explanation was fun."
We chatted for a few more minutes and just caught up on everything, almost everything actually since I didn't tell him about the wolves or my connection with them. That is when it dawned on me that I felt someone watching me and it wasn't anyone in the field behind me. My eyes darted around before I located the familiar black wolf standing at the edge of the forest, "I gotta go, Sam. Talk to you later, okay?"
He made a committed noise before we both hung up and I called out to the wolf, "Come on, Uley. You can come out. I know you saw and heard everything." It was about a minute later when he came jogging out in jean shorts with the entire pack right behind him.
I let them check for themselves that I was okay before leading them over to the others that were waiting. Bella attacked Jake in a hug that he was more than eager to accept and I rolled my eyes as him and Edward glared each other down. Everyone's silence suddenly broke and they all began yelling and demanding answers to their questions while completely ignoring me. Mental, emotional, and physical exhaustion hit me like a ton of bricks and I made my way over to Chromia.
I curled up on her newly welded chest and whispered so softly that I didn't think anyone would hear me, "Don't leave me, Mia. I've already lost one mom for good and I don't know if my dad is even alive. I can't lose you too, so you have to stay, okay?"
Tears pricked my eyes as I curled even tighter and listened to the hum of her spark while the others continued their little fight. Finally, I heard someone call my name and it became silent as I turned to face Optimus, "Katherine, you need to explain everything that has happened since you arrived in Forks if you're up to it." I stared at his concerned optics for a few moments before nodding and sitting upright on Chromia's chest.
I explained everything about the Cullens and I, but I hesitated when it came to telling them about the wolves and what we discovered about me. Ironhide knew me too well and he pounced on that second of hesitation, "What is it, sweetspark? What aren't you telling us?"
Biting my lip, I shared a glance with Uley and Jake before letting out a sigh, "Well, after meeting the wolves, I went to one of their bonfires and listened to their stories...legends...whatever you want to call them. One story was about the Lupus Sororis and we, well, we figured out that I'm the Lupus Sororis for this pack in this time period." Silence met my words as I continued on with everything we had learned and what I was supposed to do for the pack.
I looked at my black guardian before he snatched me up in his hands to hold against his chest, "Why didn't you tell us before? Did you not trust us?"
Tears welled in my eyes at the fact he thought I didn't trust them, "No! I swear, Hide, that I trust you and that wasn't the reason. I didn't say anything because I'm still trying to figure it out myself. There isn't a handbook for this kind of thing, ya know? I promise on my life that I was going to tell you once I figured out how to."
His optics softened as he saw my watery eyes and he gave me a small smirk that assured everything was okay. I faced everyone and realised they had all be discussing everything while Hide and I had our small discussion, "So...any chance you two can work together, Uley, Carlisle?" I gave a small smile as the two leaders stared each other down and assessed the proposition.
The vampire was the first to speak as he held his hand out to the wolf, "We will continue to stay off your land, but we don't want to have any animosity between us anymore. I know we won't be able to be friends right away, but I hope we can make it there someday."
I watched closely as Uley continued to stare at Carlisle and the offered hand. After what seemed like years, the pack leader finally stretched his own hand forward and shook Carlisle's hand, "If you stay off our land, we can work together from now on. Just know our priorities will always be our imprints and Katherine."
Carlisle nodded and I grinned, "Finally! Okay, now that that's over, can we get food? I'm starving!"
Everyone chuckled or smiled at me as Bella agreed with me. The Autobots transformed after loading Mia into the trailer Optimus brought as the wolves disappeared into the forest to go back to La Push. The rest of us headed back to the Cullen's house for food since they always kept stocked up for Bella and I.
Before heading in, I stopped Optimus's holoform, "Have you heard anything about my dad, Optimus? Its just...I could have sworn I heard him at the battle and that's why I ran out."
His eyes darkened and I felt my face fall as I realised what that meant, "I am sorry, Katherine, but we have not heard anything about your father. We will never stop searching, I promise you, but that was a reckless thing you did. You almost died because you did not think about it."
Shame and guilt ate away at me as I nodded, "I know, Prime. And I'm sorry, but I really thought it was him. I just want my dad back."
He brought me in for a tight hug that I returned for a couple minutes until we headed inside and I accepted the bowl of Mac-n-cheese that Esme handed me. I took a seat on Hide's lap as Optimus sat on the couch beside us with Ratchet sitting in a kitchen chair on Hide's left. I forced myself to eat the whole bowl, even though I was sick to my stomach at the fact that my guardian and second mother almost died because of me.
Edward and Jasper kept sending me pitying looks until my glare finally got them to look away. I started dozing and it wasn't long before I fell asleep in my family guardian's arms. Sometime later, I woke up and I blearily looked around until I recognized my bedroom at Uncle Charlie's house. I noticed there was an odd shaped form in a chair beside me and it took a second to recognize Elita's holoform slumbering beside me. I got up and quietly walked downstairs to get a glass of water. However, my heart clenched painfully when I glanced out the window and remembered what happened earlier when I saw Chromia missing from her usual spot.
I still had my cell on me, so I walked to the backyard and curled up on the chair out there before dialing a familiar number, "Kat, Elita said you were sound asleep. Why're you awake?"
A sniffle escaped me as I whimpered, "It's my fault Mia got hurt, Hide! She almost died and it's because of me! I'm sorry, I'm sorry-" I trailed off into endless apologies as I heard him vent at my confession.
When I finally stopped speaking and just sat there crying, Ironhide finally spoke and his voice was gentler than I ever expected from the tough mech, "Oh, Katherine. It isn't your fault at all. Chromia was doing her job and doing what she wanted to do. Any of us would have done the same thing for you, for Sam, for anyone, especially those under our protection. Don't ever think that we blame you or think it is your fault. It never has been and never will be your fault, okay?" I mumbled an understanding and sat there silently as he told me some of his war stories.
Eventually, I fell asleep and I woke when I felt someone pick me, "Go back to sleep, Kat. It's only me." I was able to blearily make out Edward's form before I completely crashed again and I didn't wake up till my phone rang.
I jumped and looked at the screen to see it was Epps calling, "Hey, Uncle Bobby. Any news?"
He answered in the negative, which made my heart sink, "Sorry, kid, but no. I wanted to talk to you and see how you're holding up. Ironhide told Ratchet, Prime, and I what you were thinking last night. You're a lot like your dad, ya know that? He had the same issue the first time he saw Ironhide take a bad shot. It took him a while, but he learned they can take a lot harder hit than that and survive."
I was silent for a moment before speaking and I winced at the crack in my voice, "But it was my fault! If I hadn't been stupid and thought they brought my dad, then she wouldn't have had to take the shot for me. I can't believe I was so stupid!"
He sighed on the other end of the phone, "****, girl, you truly are your father's daughter. Look, I'm not there to beat it into you like I did your dad, but I will make Hide or Elita do it. It is not your fault. Time will eventually get you to see this, but don't blame yourself. You're just a kid who wants her dad back. Anyone would have done the same thing in your position and we should have warned you that the Cons would probably try to do that. If you want to blame someone, blame us cause we should have told you possible tactics of the Cons, but we didn't. Now get dressed and go get ready. Prime wants to talk to you."
We said our goodbyes and I forced my aching body to get up, Should not have fallen asleep outside. That was a horrible idea. I groaned as I stumbled my way to my dresser and I picked out a gray tank that had the quote "Courage, Dear Heart" on it from Chronicles of Narnia with a pair of black, ripped jeans before heading to the bathroom. Quickly dressing afterwards, I braided my hair and made my way downstairs with my combat boots in hand. However, I froze as Bella came racing at me, "Kat! They caught the guy in Seattle! FBI needs us to come identify him."
My mouth dried at the thought of facing this man again and I blinked before realizing I was now on my butt with Ratchet's holoform in front of me, "-rine! Easy, sparkling. Take deep breaths for me. That's good, try another one. Follow Ironhide's breathing." I hadn't realized my back was flush against Hide's holoform and I could feel the deep and steady breaths he was taking to help me. I forced myself to follow his breathing pattern as best as I could and I found myself slowly calming down. Once I was finally breathing right, I focused my attention on Ratchet, Optimus, Bella, and Elita as they continued to watch me.
I stared at all of them until Optimus finally crouched in front of me beside Ratchet, "Ironhide is going to take you and Bella up to the FBI building. Your uncle is already there and waiting for you, but Dr. Cullen, Edward, and Mrs. Cullen will be going with you and Bella. You are strong enough for this, Katherine. No harm will befall you, I promise you."
Nodding, I shakily tied on my boots before letting Optimus pull me to my feet and Bella wrapped her arm around my shoulder as we headed out to Hide's alt form. I saw the three Cullens already waiting for us and they all gave us strained smiles. Bella clambered into the back with Edward and Esme while I took the driver seat as Carlisle sat in the passenger seat. I knew they were none comfortable with the fact that the car we were sitting in was actually a sentient alien. Surprisingly, I smiled a little because I remember how uncomfortable I was the first while until it became normal.
I wish the drive was longer because it was silent the entire time, but it felt like a matter of seconds before Bella had her arm around my shoulders again as we were ushered in by two men in suits. I blinked and suddenly we were staring through a one-way window at an interview room. I grabbed Hide's holoform's hand as he was right next to me and squeezed as hard as I possibly could when I saw a man I wish I could forget. I looked up to Uncle Charlie, "Th-That's him. That's the guy that shot me." I could feel pain from the spots where I was shot, even though they shouldn't be hurting, So that's what Ratch meant by phantom pains.
We were all taken to a lounge room of sorts. I was essentially set on the couch by Hide as we waited for some reason. It seemed like forever before Uncle Charlie came in with some guy in a suit and we all practically held our breath as we waited for one to speak, "I'm Agent Jason Thomas. After conducting our first interview, we believe that he was actually after you, Miss Lennox. His name is Harold O'Brian and he works for the Oliver family," I felt the blood drain from my face as he continued, "He says they paid him to kill you and make it look like you weren't the target. We talked with our office in California and they sent over the details of your case. We believe they found you."
