Chapter 19
We entered back into the base, Miko jubilated at the knowledge of Bulkhead's friendship, Bulkhead satisfied with the knowledge of his friend scouring the stars, and me questioning my existence in all of this, yet again.
Putting such existentialism aside for now, my attention turned to Jack, who seemed to be lost in his own thoughts. We were walking next to each other, everyone else well ahead of us, already beginning to scatter to their respective duties. He didn't notice my pointed staring.
"Hey Jack," I said to finally get his attention.
"Huh?" His head shot up and he shook it. "Sorry, was a bit distracted, yeah Rachel?"
I frowned. Was something on his mind? Was it serious? Did he need help? Another question, could I not just leave people alone without having to try to tear apart what they were thinking?
"Are you alright?" I asked anyways.
His blue eyes danced between mine, as if trying to discern the intention behind my question.
I found it a bit uncanny. In my mind, I couldn't help but still see him as this 3D CGI character. But here he was, breathing, thinking, worrying. He was so human, it caused a bit of a disconnection in my mind.
He smiled and shook his head.
"I'm fine, just thinking about what happened back there. You wouldn't know this, but we haven't actually known the Autobots that long." he glanced over to the Bots who were ahead of us in the hangar."That Bulkhead would rather stay here? With us?" He shook his head in astonishment.
Right, not supposed to know how long they've been here. Really need to make a list.
"If it's here or there, does it matter? It's a unique and new experience. Miko might be dead by the time he'd come back, if he ever did." Jack flinched back, as if I'd physically struck him. I hadn't anticipated the reaction. Should I not have said anything?
It was harsh, but true. Hell, all that caring Bee shows to Raf seems to be thrown entirely out the window. The most the three of them get in Robots in Disguise is a quick reference.
"But-! No! He cares about her. You saw that too." Jack countered.
"I never said that he didn't. In fact you're right, he cares about her, but eventually Miko, and you, and Raf, and even me, will die long before they do," I gestured towards the bots talking across the hangar, "We don't even scratch a portion of their lifespan."
I passed Jack, leaving him to consider all that implies by himself. I had things I needed to do, namely visiting my new abode before I moved in. That meant I needed someone to take me.
Bee was transformed into his car form, door opened and Raf already scooting in to head back home. I quickly rushed over.
I leaned into the car, speaking to the dashboard.
"Hey Bee, since you're dropping off Raf back home, could you drop me off here?" I asked, flipping open my phone and showing the address Agent Fowler had sent. "is your house close to here Raf?" I showed him the address as well.
"Oh! That's really close to my neighborhood!" Raf smiled. I wanted to pinch his cheeks. He reminded me so much of Carie.
Bee buzzed and Raf translated.
"Bee says he's okay with it as long as you tell Ratchet."
"Why?" I asked. I wasn't ill. Bee beeped this time, and Raf's eyebrows furrowed.
"He says because he told everyone that you need to be watched in case your health fails, and you need a Bot to hold the artifact at all times when you're out."
Great. So the bots had to baby-sit me.
"I don't understand. What do they mean? Are you sick Rachel?" Raf asked me, worry clouding his face.
I patted Raf on the back.
"No, it's a joke Raf. The artifacts heavy, so they don't want it to wear me down." I winked. "I'll be right back."
I walked over to Arcee. She was conversing with Ratchet, the conversation stopping at my approach.
"I'm going to visit my new abode Agent Fowler set me up with." I pointed my thumb behind me to the waiting Bot. "I have to, Fowler already promised I'd stop by this week."
Ratchet didn't look pleased, but he nodded.
"Fine, but don't go out of Bumble Bees range. And if the artifact appears near you at any point you are not to touch it under any circumstance. Understood?"
I nodded like the good girl I am. Arcee walked towards Bee, who opened his trunk. She placed the the artifact into the it, the glowing blue temporarily lighting the dark space before Bee shut it.
"I'll try not to keep Bee too long." I saluted Ratchet, turning around to be on my way.
I entered the back of the Chevy, Raf scooting over to let me in. We buckled up and were quickly on our way.
Raf was fiddling with some remote control, red and blue wires sticking out of it in all sorts of places. I looked over intrigued.
"Whatcha doin' Raf?"
"It's… something I'm working on," he glanced over at Bee and leaned towards me, hiding his mouth with his hand. I leaned over as well, a bit amused at the poor attempt at secrecy.
"It's a surprise, I don't want Bee to know about it yet," he whispered. I nodded.
"Maybe later then," I smiled. I looked over to the front again, only to see the mirror facing us. I laughed and shook my head. It seemed Bee was curious too.
"Do you guys usually ride in silence?" I asked changing the subject.
"Oh, no we usually don't, but... you might not like our taste in music," Raf hesitated.
"I'm not picky," I shrugged, taking out my phone. I realized too late that I should have asked Fowler for the home owners number. Nothing I could do about it now but text Fowler to tell her I'm on my way to visit.
Bee buzzed and Raf nodded his head, still focused on his project.
"That one's good Bee," Raf agreed.
Bee's radio turned on and adjusted the volume, increasing it before a text saying 'PLAY' flashed on the small radio screen.
I wasn't surprised when techno started booming in the car.
15
Bee and I rolled past Raf's house after the door closed. I got out my phone and repeated where the address was. Bee beeped an affirmative and I looked outside, trying to keep track just how far I'd be living from Raf. Past three streets, a left on a Cherrywood, and a right on a Sequoia, we pulled around to the third house in a cul-de-sac.
The house was one story with a red tile roof. It was painted brown, with a light blue door next to a large white garage door on the right. Nice green grass spread across the lawn, and pretty flower beds lined the walls next to the door. The house number was displayed just under two lanterns next to the door.
Bee buzzed and I nodded.
"This should be it." I unbuckled my seat belt. "I'll try not to take long. Just want to check it out. Meet my new roomate."
Bee whirred questioningly.
"The homeowner is an old lady. Hopefully she's friendly." I explained, looking at the front door. "And more importantly, hopefully not too curious." I slowly got out of the car and made my way towards the front door. As I got closer I could make out the flowers in the bed to bestrange red leaved plant and purple flowers, as well as beautiful dark red roses.
This lady sure has weird color coordination.
I took a deep breath, pushing my thoughts to the side, focusing on the task at hand. I knocked on the the light blue door, checking my phone for the last time ensuring it was the right address.
Shuffling and the sound of an unlocking door brought my eyes back up. The door creaked open, and an old brown women in a maroon shawl and long sky blue dress appeared. She was maybe 4"6 or "7, and despite her straight posture, she held a wooden cane in her left hand. She had vivid brown eyes, white hair pulled into a bun in the back, and a single mole under her left eye. The wrinkles she had did not hide what must have once been a beautiful face. Her eyes quickly swept over me, and I plastered on a smile, opening my mouth for a greeting.
"Not interested," she went to slam the door.
"Wait!" I blurted and she hesitated. "Is-is this not the house with the room for rent? I'm Rachel Evensbrough-" her eyes widened and the crinkles on her face deepened with a bright laugh.
"Ah! Well why didn't you say something sooner?" She chastised as she widened the door, turning around to leave for deeper into the house, calling back at me to "come in, come in."
A little stunned, I hesitantly entered, taking off my shoes at the front and closing the door behind me. My eyes took in my surroundings. The entrance led down a corridor, an open doorway on the left, and a bigger entrance on the right, just across from the first. The walls were a white stucco, paintings of flowers and scenic gardens hanging occasionally from the wall. The smell of something warm with spices wafted from the left. I hesitantly followed the smell.
A medium sized kitchen greeted me, with black and white checkered tiles on the floor and fluorescent bulbs in the ceiling. A little to my left was a sink and a tan counter wrapped around half of the room. Light brown wood cabinets lined underneath and above the counters. A black oven-stove took a gap across from me, the old women currently cooking something in a pot. A small square wooden table was pushed against the wall on the far right side of the kitchen, with two chairs against it facing each other. The old women hummed to herself while stirring as I entered.
"Why don't you tour the house while I finish this? Your room will be the one down the hall opposite the living room, on the left across from the bath." She turned around to face me, eyes dazzling.
"Then you can join me for dinner." I thought back to Bee waiting outside in the driveway for me.
Seeing my hesitation, she tsked and put a hand against her hips.
"Do you have someone waiting for you mija?"
"Uh, no ma'am. But the cars borrowed." She nodded in understanding.
"I'm almost done. But, if you're really in a rush, I can pack it for you to take." I smiled at the kind gesture, but I shook my head.
"If it's almost done, there no reason we can't enjoy a meal and talk." I gestured behind me. "Past the living room, down the hall on the left?" She nodded, and turned back to her cooking. I turned around and went towards the other doorway that opened up into a small living room. A window was on the wall to my left that showed a quaint backyard and an increasingly dark sky. To my right was a surprisingly new TV.
Probably a gift from her son.
In front of the TV was a leather recliner chair with an unfinished grey blanket. Next to the chair was a small table cluttered with newspapers, yarn, and crochet needles. A nice large persian rug laid on top of the white carpet floor underneath it all. A large couch took up the right wall next to the window.
I passed through the living room to the other doorway, flicking on a switch that lit up the hallway. The floor shifted from carpet to wood, and the walls were a plain off white. There were four doors, two on my right, and two on my left. I turned left, opening the first door. A bathroom greeted me with a porcelain tub-shower combo (along with a very old-lady like flower shower curtain), a toilet, and a sink. I closed the door again and walked over to what I assume would be my room.
I opened the door and entered, hands immediately looking for the light switch as it was too dark to see. Once I found it right next to the door, I turned back around to see -
A very plain room.
Off-white carpet floor, tan walls, a wooden fan, a queen sized bed on my left, a window right across from me, a small desk against the wall next to the window, and what I assumed to be a closet to my right. I walked over to swing it open, and sure enough, a small empty closet greeted me.
Huh.
I don't know why, but I expected something a bit more… exciting?
Your in an alternate universe. Sorry not everything's going to be giant robots, and government conspiracies.
Well, I know that, but this was just so… normal?
Jeez, what's wrong with me? Normal is good. Normal is safe. Remember normal? Home, the magical place your trying to get back to?
I rubbed the bridge of my nose to calm myself. I was too on edge lately. This was nice. This place would be nice.
I opened the blinds, the window showing me the wonders of grass and the neighbors wood fence.
"Foods almost ready!" Mrs… I actually don't know her name. Wow, well this is embarrassing.
I closed the blinds and looked around the room one more time before turning off the lights and making my way back to the kitchen.
"Wow, that smells really good! What is it?" I asked taking in the smell of spices, tomato, mmm something with corn and butter.
"Come sit and find out." She smiled, putting down two plates and glass cups on the small table, taking a glass jug to fill with water.
"I can do that." I insisted, going to grab the jug to help. She glared at me and I stopped mid grab.
"No. You sit down, you're a guest," she snapped. I blinked in surprise and nodded. Taking a seat at the small table, I sat down taking another look at the kitchen.
The old woman's shoulders relaxed, and glanced over at me.
"I have strict rules for guests. Don't worry, once you move in, you won't be a guest anymore and I'll put you to good work." I smiled. I never thought I'd actually miss chores.
"I guess you've gone through this process before?" The practically empty guest room was a big hint towards that.
"Yes, they come and go. It's my son's work you see, he works for the government is all he can say, BAH!" She took the jug and set it down hard onto the table. "Not even time to call his poor mother. What kind of son did I raise? Useless." She went to a counter and brought over the wonderful source of those smells. It was tamales with a side of beans. She set her cane against the wall, then sat down.
"Go ahead and eat as much as you'd like mija. Heavens know how they feed their employees. So young too," she shook her head. I began to fill my plate. I thought about correcting her assumption, but thought better of it. She might become suspicious if I said I wasn't a government employee, and wasn't I technically an employee now? I would be getting a salary, for information, work if you will.
It made me feel a little guilty again, so I stuffed it down with the tamales.
It did make me curious though.
"What did A-err Mr. Fowler tell you?" I said in between bites. Damn this was good food. I didn't realize how much I had missed a home cooked meal.
Her mouth pursed as she thought. I picked up my glass to drink some water.
"That you're a young women, just starting work at the agency. That you needed someone to stay with," her eyes twinkled, "and a warning that you can be very disrespectful."
I choked on my water, barely managing to hold down a spit-take. She was laughing as I coughed.
Damn that Fowler. I was a perfect angel when I wanted to be. "Said good things about you" he said. "I expect you to deliver" he said. What a jerk.
Once I calmed down, I shook my head and chuckled.
"Me and Mr. Fowler don't always get along." I explained.
"No?" She smiled behind her glass of water.
"No. But I have the intention to be as well behaving as I can ma'am. I assure you."
She nodded.
"Well that's good. Some of these people come in here thinking it's a hotel! Rude, demanding. This is my home, if you wanted something else, well I say, they can go somewhere else." She nodded. An annoyance passed on her face at the recollection.
"How many people have come through here?"
"All the time. All the time! I'm an old women, I don't have the energy to deal with so many people anymore."
"Excuse me if this is rude, but wouldn't you get lonely? Living all by yourself?"
She laughed.
"You think like my son. He feels guilty he can't be here for me, so he sends a bunch of strangers when I can take care of myself. Nothing but a bunch of trouble. What, do I have a revolving door?"
"If you'd rather be alone, I don't have to move here. I can find lodging elsewhere. There's plenty of other options." Last thing I wanted to be was a nuisance.
"Oh! I didn't mean-" she corrected. She smiled "you're more than welcome to stay here mija"
A warmth passed between us and I realized, while this place couldn't replace home, it could give me a little piece of it.
My phone buzzed in my pocket. I took it out and saw I had received a message from an unknown number.
"Sorry, one second"
I opened my phone to read it.
Need to get back. You going to be much longer?
Wait, who?
"Is everything alright?" The lady asked in concern.
"Yeah, that was my friend. Apparently he needs the car."
She suddenly looked at me in an all too understanding way.
"Oh, a boy friend?" I suddenly realized what conclusion she had jumped to.
"What? No no no. It's not- not even," I shook my head. "Just no." She laughed at my embarrassment.
"Would you like to take some of this to go?"
"Yes please. It was amazing, I didn't realize how much I missed a home cooked meal."
Her eyes twinkled, and she got up to go to a cabinet full of tubaware.
"I'll pack some extra for your boyfriend."
My face heated up, but when she came back over to me to hand over the packed food I didn't make a fuss about the comment. Putting that aside for now, I needed to know one last thing.
"This is a bit embarrassing, but never actually told me your name, Ms?"
"That's just like them! To put a nice girl with a stranger and not tell her anything. Government these days," She sighed. "You can call me Ms. Nunez. It was very nice to meet you."
We both traveled back to the front door, me quickly slipping on my slippers. It just occurred to me that I'd completely forgotten my crutch, my right foot was still bandaged though. Turned out okay I guess.
"Also, just like the them," Ms. Nunez apparently picking the conversation back up, "I'm not sure when exactly you'll be moving in. Everything's ready, but I'd rather not be surprised."
"Oh, well I should be getting my stuff sent by Friday, so if it's not an inconvenience, I was thinking this Saturday or Sunday?" Tomorrow Fowler promised my stuff would come in, and it's not like I had a ton to move, so it will probably only take a day.
"That's fine by me," she waved her hand. "Mr. Fowler informed me some things will be shipped here tomorrow. The rooms ready for you tonight if you would like to stay," Ms. Nunez offered. I shook my head.
"Borrowed car, and I need to tie up some last things. Is it okay if I get your number? I'll let you know tomorrow when i'll be an official resident of the Nunez house."
We exchanged information, and I said my final goodbyes as I left the house, heading back to Bee who, as soon as the front door of the house shut, opened the passenger door for me. We were quickly on our way back to the base.
Bee buzzed questioningly.
"It was nice, sorry for taking so long Bee, I couldn't say no to good food," I lightly adjusted the food in my lap and smiled. "She was nice. I think I'll like staying there."
My eyes narrowed at the dashboard.
"More importantly though, was that you who sent me that text Bee?"
He whirred in what I assumed was an affirmative.
"Wow! That's handy, why don't you do that more often? Oh, wait, that's right, Cons have access to texts." I deflated a bit. My dreams of conversing with a young Bee dashed.
Bee put on upbeat trap music as a condolence.
A/N: This took me awhile. Also, a question.
Sorry for the long wait, idk why but this took me awhile.
A question for you guys, should I skip to the weekend, or do you want me to write about Friday? It'll just be about moving stuff, more of Ms. Nunez. It won't be exciting, maybe more internal contemplating of Rachel, otherwise it'll be time for another episode.
As usual, I reserve the right to edit if I see a mistake or error.
Criticism's? Questions? Theories? Want to just say Hi? Comments are appreciated!
Best way to know when a new chapter is out is by following the story. I'll be updating chapter progress on my Profile.
Also Note: I do not own Transformers Prime, or Transformers, just Rachel and Ms. Nunez.
