After Optimus returned with Azura's lunch without accidently destroying it, Cliff and Bee had decided to challenge Azura to a game of Gran Turismo again. She did think it was amusing that these two bots enjoyed to play a racing game when they could do it themselves. Though she did quickly learn that racing against humans was not allowed, which she understood since the bots would likely win or get noticed by the decepticons. Especially at a time when the decepticons could find them.

Azura sat by Cliff as she held the controller as she pressed on the buttons to manoeuvre the car she had picked around the track. "So you like to amuse yourself by getting into trouble by the police?" The girl asked Cliff after he told a story about he had gotten a ticket for sitting in a disabled parking spot.

"I don't do it intentionally," Cliff responded with a light chuckle. "It just so happens that I am not so good remembering the rules of the road on this planet. This world is very different from ours, kid. Especially since we could drive anywhere we wanted without a speed limit."

Azura chuckled softly as she listened to his enthusiastic voice. "I guess you were used to being pretty free. But you are also built withstand that kind of speed, we humans are not." Azura grimaced as she made her car drift wrong on the game and she fell behind. "People do call cars a weapon, and they are right. People drive them everyday as it is a privilege, but they are a missile on the road. It takes one mistake to cause a serious accident."

Bumblebee nodded in agreement. "I actually witnessed an accident here before. It was pretty horrible to say the least." Azura glanced at the bot before focusing on the game again as she listened to him. "I was just drive along a highway when someone lost control of their SUV. They swerved and hit the metal barriers on the side of the road, and other people somehow did not see as two more hit the car and caused it to roll several times." Bee shuddered as she remembered the accident. "I had to stay here for a weak because I see the bodies of the children in the back laying on the ground and clearly they were thrown from the windows. I'll never forget that."

Cliffjumper stared at the yellow bot in shock. "I never knew that was the reason why you remained on the base for a weak. I assumed you had a bug in your system, but nothing like that." Bee did not look at Cliff and kept his optics on the game. "I am lucky that I have not witnessed that…I guess I understand why there are rules for the road now."

"That is why you should not take the rules lightly, Cliff. You don't want to be responsible for an accident." Bumblebee sighed and disconnected from the game and Azura looked at him with worried eyes. "Sorry, I think I want to do something else. Thinking about that accident upset me and I don't feel like playing anymore."

She thought about what else they could do. "Hmm, I wouldn't mind going out for a drive and getting some fresh air. I have been cooped up in here for a few days, and I kind of want to see something that is not surrounded by dull, dark walls. I think that would be fun. We could rock out to some music, that would be fun."

The red bot smiled at Azura as she spoke about her idea. "That does sound fun. I would have to see if we are allowed to go for a bit of a joyride, though I don't see why not. It isn't that late in the day, so we certainly should be able to go." She looked at him in surprise. "What? Oh, you must think it is strange we need permission to go for a joyride."

"Well…yeah…especially if it is with me," Azura said in a curious tone. "Though I guess if it is something you have to ask anytime you want to go for a joyride…" Bumblebee nodded affirmatively. "Ah, right. I must be thinking something stupid."

Cliff chuckled softly and stood up. "Let me go and ask the boss. I have no doubt he would say yes, kid." He turned to leave the room. "But don't be mad that we might have to wait until tomorrow. I thought I overheard Optimus and Ratchet say that the doctors were coming sometime soon to check on your legs to check the progress."

Azura was a little surprised that she would have an appointment this soon. "Huh…I thought I would not have one for another week." She shrugged and grabbed the wheels of the chair and rolled herself over to her bookshelf. "If we can't go for a drive…" She pulled out a Chess board and sat it on her lap. "We play Chess. It was one of the few games we were allowed to play. I could teach you."

"The pieces in that game are too small," Cliff said as he looked at her in surprise. "Anyway, I'll go and ask the boss if we can go, and I'll come back to give you the answer of what he says." The bot walked away the doors closed behind him.

"I suppose the pieces are small…" Azura wheeled herself over to an empty table and pulled out the board and pieces. Bee watched curiously and she looked at him. "You could lay on your stomach, that might make it a bit easier to play. I can teach you how to play."

Bee looked at the board curiously as she set up the pieces. "Cliff is right though…those are small pieces. Though…I had wondered what Monopoly is like." She gave him a surprised expression and chuckled at him. "I guess that sounds weird to you. But if you can teach me the basics of the game of chess…" The bot moved to lay on his chassis, looking at the board curiously. "I might be able to play. Though I will try not to mess things up with my fingers. They are a lot bigger than yours."

Azura chuckled at him and she began to explain to him how the game is played, along with explaining how each pieces work and what the end game of Chess is. She did tell him that Chess can be a mind challenging game too, as one has to work out what the other's next move is going to be. Bumblebee didn't get how that was, but she told him that was how Poker was a lot of the time. And Bee was interested in that as well, though Azura told him it was best not to since it was a game she did not have at this time. And it was a gambling game too.

Once he understood how to play, Azura began to play the game with him. Bumblebee was still nervous about knocking over the Chess pieces, though he worked out how to pick up the pieces without knocking them after a few minutes and he quickly became invested in the game. And Azura really enjoyed spending time with him.

"Did you really have no friends at the school you went to?" Bumblebee asked as he moved one of his pawns on the board, looking at Azura who frowned a little when asked about it. "Are human children really that cruel that they would make fun of another kid without a parent?"

Azura did not know how to respond to Bee. "Well…you are not wrong that kids can be cruel. Some kids are cruel to others because of their parent's income. Or on the way they look. It just happens." She moved her knight to a place on the board. "I did have friends when I was younger, only until they realized I was an orphan when I couldn't go with them to their house or let them come to mine. I thought that would not have mattered. But it seemed to, and everyone in the school soon knew I was an orphan. And no adults stood up for me."

Bee looked at her sadly before his optics light up. "If anyone ever causes you trouble at the new school, you let us know, Azura. Cliff and I are your friends, and I know that we both can help to make sure you feel like you are not alone anymore."

"Thanks, Bee. Though…" Azura took a deep breath as Bee moved his knight next, knocking one of her pieces out of the game. "I will admit, ever since I met you all, it feels like I surrounded by people I have known before. It might seem strange, I know, but that is how I feel."

"Really?" Bee definitely thought that was strange as she admited that. "How strange. I am afraid I cannot help with that. I am not a medic like Ratchet who can figure that out. Though maybe because you have held onto that crystal since you were a baby, the aura that it gives off is similar to ours." He shrugged a little as he contemplated that idea. "I am unsure though…that is just a theory."

She nodded slowly as she listened to him. "You know what? That is probably correct, Bee. I had not thought of that, so I think that makes sense." Azura smiled at him as she moved her knight to knock his knight piece out. "That gives me a little piece of mind."

"Piece of mind? Was there something you were worried about?" Bee asked the girl curiously as he looked at her with a slight tilt of the head.

"Um…well…there might be…" Azura paused as she heard a knock at the door and looked over to it. "Come in!" The doors opened and she smiled when she saw Cliff stepping inside with Optimus behind him. "So…what is the answer, Cliff?"

Cliffjumper smiled at her. "We have been given approval, Azura. Though it looks like you and Bee have started a new game…" Bee chuckled before he shifted to sit up. "Don't let us stop you both, I don't want to interrupt you."

"We can always start again." Azura looked up at Optimus curiously. "I am surprised you came in here to tell me that we can go…unless you have some terms and conditions you wish to share." She did not know if she should be concerned of not. "Or…are you coming along?"

Optimus smiled at her. "If you wish for me to come along with you, I will gladly join. However, I came to let you know that the doctors are coming in tonight to check your legs. Fowler was going to come in tomorrow, however the doctors are needed elsewhere, so he could only find time to bring them in tonight."

"Ah, so we have to be back by a certain time?" He nodded affirmatively to Azura and she smiled at him. "That's totally fine by me!" She rolled away from the table. "Plus, I would like a bit of practice with the wheelchair. I need to know how to get in, get out and pack and unpack the wheelchair without looking like an idiot."

"We could practice that here in the room if you want," Bee offered gently. "We would fit in the room just nicely, unless you want to supervise, Optimus."

Azura smiled at him. "Hmm…never thought about that…but we can do that tomorrow. The day is almost done, I would like to go for a drive." She looked up as Optimus turned away to head back to the lobby and she rolled out to follow Cliff. Bee walked behind, but he made sure to be a lot slower so he would not step on Azura as she rolled herself into the lobby. "Thanks for letting us go for a drive, Optimus. I really appreciate it."

Optimus turned his head slightly and smiled at her. "It brings me great joy to see you smile, Azura. I will not stop you from wanting to have fresh air and sunlight. I think that would be very inconsiderate." He looked ahead as he saw Ratchet working on something at his desk while Arcee and Bulkhead were watching him approach as they had heard Cliffjumper ask about taking Azura out for a joyride. "I am unfortunately unable to assist you with you getting in and out of a vehicle. I realize my vehicle mode is too large."

Azura shrugged and waved her hand casually. "Eh, don't worry about it. I will heal in no time, Optimus. This is only temporary, not permanent." Ratchet looked up from what he working on and listened quietly. "Besides, I had already considered asking you to take me to school sometimes when I can get out of this chair."

Optimus immediately had a smile on his face at her reassurance to him. "I am pleased to hear that is your wish. And I will not let you down." He stopped as Cliff transformed and opened the passenger door for Azura. "Now do be careful, Cliffjumper. You and Bumblebee will need to be extra vigilant while you are out of the base for the joyride. I expect the very same whenever you take Azura into town when she asks to go shopping."

"We get it, boss!" Cliffjumper said in an exasperated tone. Azura rolled over to the door and took a deep breath. "Take your time, kid. I won't make you move too faster, though with both of them legs bandaged, I know you'll need time."

Ratchet walked over as Azura positioned the chair by the passenger door in preparation to move herself into the seat. He looked at Optimus curiously. "I would have assumed you would want to go with them."

"I think she will be fine with just Bee and Cliff watching over her," Optimus responded calmly as he watched Azura lift herself from the chair and move herself into the passenger seat. He smiled as the way she moved herself into the seat without help was impressive to him. "We can't be too over the top, Ratchet. Otherwise, we could draw the attention of the decepticons a lot sooner."

"Hmm…I guess you are right…" Ratchet said as he rubbed his chin thoughtfully. He looked down as Azura folded the wheelchair and moved it into the backseat. "I guess I had thought…"

Optimus turned to his friend. "Ratchet, I think it is best that we do not smother, Azura. She is still getting used to us, and getting used to the fact we've essentially adopted her into our family." Azura looked up at Optimus as he said that before Cliff closed the door. He glanced at the bot as Cliff drove away, followed by Bee out of the base. Optimus let out a soft exhale. "Plus…we need to make this transition easier for her."

Bulkhead looked at Optimus in shock at those words. "Uh…what exactly do you mean by that, Optimus?" The leader looked at Bulkhead before he looked away. "No offence, Optimus, but I have noticed how you have been interacting with Azura. For some reason, it comes across as though you are treating her sort of like your own child." Bulkhead noticed Optimus's hands clench and unclenched quickly, and he widened his optics. "Oh…"

Meanwhile, Azura was sitting in the chair in shock. She had not expected Optimus to basically say they had adopted her into their family. She knew she would be in their care, but adopted…that was a word she had longed to hear for a long time. And yet, hearing it from Optimus directly felt…different. The fact she still felt like she knew the bots even before she had met them still made her unsure. Bee's theory that it could be the crystal she had was valid, but she did worry that it was not just the crystal. There could be a lot more than she realized.

Cliffjumper drove onto the road and Azura smiled as she squints from the light of the afternoon sun. She winds the window down and closed her eyes as the wind blew through her hair. This definitely allowed her to just forget about her thoughts for a short time. The air was warm and dry as it tickled her skin and blew through her hair. Azura could smell the sand of the desert, and she felt really happy at the moment. She was happy that she suggested to go for a drive.

"Thank you, Cliff," Azura said, opening her eyes and smiling at the dash. "You have been a wonderful friend to me. You and Bee have been awesome! I hope that we can do other things once my legs and back are all good."

"It has been nothing, kid," Cliff responded kindly. "Seeing you happy and thriving with us is rather nice. If it weren't for the decepticons, we probably would be doing something else anyway." Azura nodded in agreement before placing her elbow on the door and stared out. "You have something else on your mind?"

"I guess…" She shrugged a little as she watched the world go by as Cliff continued to drive. "Is it true that you guys see me as adopted? I highly doubt there have been any papers filled out or anything."

"Technically, we don't need to sign anything to consider you adopted. Just by taking you in and ensuring you are looked after with a newfound family is enough to be considered adopted. To us it is anyway." The listened to him, though she continued to stare out of the window. "Azura, I am sure you probably wish your life was different. But so do I. I wish I wasn't on this planet, I want to be back on Cybertron and return to the great races we used to have on Cybertron." She glanced at the dash as she listened to him. "But life sucks."

She nodded in agreement. "Yeah…it does sometimes. But if it was all perfect, it might also be very boring." She grabbed out the crystal from under her shirt and played with it in her fingers. "Though…at least I might have been with my parents. But life sucks…and I don't know what I ever done to deserve it."

"I have no doubt you are not the first one to ever think that, kid," Cliff said in a gentle voice. "And you know? Arcee probably felt the same way after she was forced to watch her previous partner and sparkmate being killed by one of the most ruthless cons out there." Azura was definitely not expecting that and looked at the dash in shock. "Yeah…she shut down a lot after that happened. Arcee made it a point to keep her emotions closed in, not in check like how Optimus keeps his in check."

She had no idea Arcee went through something horrible. "It sounds like she was grieving horribly…"

"Yeah, she was," Cliffjumper said in a soft tone as he spoke about it. "I had seen her from a distance a few times after she lost Tailgate, and anyone trying to help her would get an immediate refusal. Losing a sparkmate is very hard on the spark for us, Azura. Sparkmates are our life partners…like how humans get married. Except ours is permanent, we cannot divorce our sparkmates, unless it is for an extremely good reason. And because it involves our literal spark matter to combine, losing one in that way is extremely painful. For Arcee, it was like ripping her spark out."

Azura was silent as she listened to him, thinking on how Arcee would have felt from losing her sparkmate. Though she was curious now as she had seen Arcee and Cliff kissing once before, and by accident too. "How did she manage to come out of herself?"

"Me." She raised an eyebrow at Cliff's proud voice. "Actually, Arcee and I were captured by Starscream and the con's top scientist, Shockwave, and they both were very interested in interrogating the both of us to try and locate Optimus Prime. At that point, he already had come to Earth." Azura was surprised this wasn't very long ago. "Anyway, while Arcee and I were tied to the berths, I managed to get a little conversation going between her and I, and we eventually managed to work together to get through the space bridge to Earth. After that, Arcee trusted me and she finally opened up about her deepest feelings to everyone. Letting it out was the best thing that she could have done for herself."

She smiled a little as she listened to him, and guessed that Cliff was someone Arcee had needed in her life after so long. "I guess…you were simply the right thing she needed at the time. That's pretty nice…kind of like how you were there to help me."

"Ah, yeah, seems like I have a habit of helping damsels," Cliff joked with a chuckle. "And would you believe it? It was Arcee who asked me to be her sparkmate some months later. I thought she was a wonderful femme and I liked her personality, but I did not think I had a chance at having a sparkmate. Here I am now."

"And well deserved." Azura looked out of the window thoughtfully. "I guess I kind of wished…that I would have a family. I got one…even though I am still…working things out in my head about it all. I am happy that you saved me, Cliff. You saved me from a lot more than just the cons."

"I suppose not all heroes wear capes, right?" The girl started to laugh at Cliff's reply. She nodded that he was right, though the reply made her laugh very hard. "And I like that. Don't worry, kid, I'll make sure to remain one in the future. After all, if you mess with Cliffjumper, you get the horns!"

Azura and Cliff spent another hour just talking to each other. She learned about the races back on Cybertron, and they seemed wilder than the races on this planet. Though Cliff assured her he was one of the best racers out there, and everyone loved him on Cybertron, the way he described the races it was very dangerous. Even though the bots were not human, smashing them up during a race would still hurt a lot. And Cliff admitted he did a lot of damage to the others during the races, but that is why no one wanted to mess with him after that.

After the hour though, Optimus alerted Cliff that they would need to return as the doctors were on their way to the base. Azura was not entirely happy about that, but she was curious about how she was healing. If she was honest, she did not feel pain in her legs or back anymore, and the scratch across her chest also seemed to not hurt. Though she didn't try to put pressure on any of these areas so she wouldn't cause pain to flare up again.

When they returned to the base, Azura put the effort in taking the wheelchair out of the back of the car, setting it back up and moving herself back onto it. She huffed once she was in the chair and rolled back before turning and rolling over to Optimus. "I guess I should get moved up there." Optimus nodded and kneels to pick the wheelchair up carefully and placed her on the platform. "I do find something strange though."

Ratchet and Optimus look at her with worry. "Are you in any pain at all? We can let the doctors know," Ratchet said softly. "Though you were given pain medication earlier in the week, so you should not need any."

"Actually, that's just it." The bots all give her a confused look. "I don't feel pain anymore. My legs and back hurt the most for…at most, three and a half days. I didn't think it was weird, but…now I'm not sure." Optimus and Ratchet glance at each other with knowing looks, though they said nothing. "I am not sure if this means I've healed a lot or not."

"Or the medication is working too well," Bulkhead said with a light chuckle. "I would imagine that would be a good thing. Considering the injuries you were inflicted with looked like they hurt. Especially the burns on your legs."

"That could be it too, I guess." Azura shrugged and glanced at the console as the proximity alert goes off. "And they are here." She turned her chair to look at the screen to see Fowler with the doctors. "I guess Agent Fowler has to be present when he brings the doctors."

"That is because he needs to keep an eye on them in case they do something," Ratchet explained. "While I do not think that the doctors will do anything, they could still either speak to someone outside the military about us or they could also harm you, intentionally or not."

"I guess that makes sense. I don't like to think that doctors would want to hurt me though. But…I guess it wouldn't be the first time someone has hurt me." She looked over to the elevator as she hears it coming down until it reaches the bottom and opens. Azura waved to Fowler as he stepped out with two doctors behind him. "Hi, Agent Fowler!"

The man smiled at Azura and walked over to her. "Hey, Azura. How have you been? Have you gotten used to being around the autobots yet?"

She shrugged with a smile. "I'm getting used to them. But Bee and Cliff are becoming good friends of mine, which has been nice. I'm getting used to the others." She chuckled a little and looked at doctors as they began to get set up. "But I am doing just fine. I am nervous about going to school next week though."

Fowler placed a hand on her shoulder with a sympathetic smile. "And I completely sympathize with you. Being bullied is not fun at all. Believe it or not, I used to be bullied too." She looked at him in surprise. "However, the reason for that had a lot more to do with what I looked like, rather than if I had a single parent or not."

Azura was not terribly surprised, but she was sad for him anyway. "I am sorry you had to go through that. At the very least, you became a military leader and you have shown you can accomplish anything."

"And I am sure you will too. You're still very young." The man looked up as the doctors walk over after pulling on some gloves. "I better get out of the way. Just make sure you are just checking her injuries and nothing more."

"We are aware, Agent Fowler." The doctor rolled his eyes and gestured to the gurney. "We will require you to sit up here, Azura. We can help you up onto it."

Azura nodded as she rolled over and grimaced slightly as she was moved onto the bed. She didn't feel pain, but she did feel some discomfort. "At least the pain medication works well."

"Ah, that's why you didn't feel pain. Let's check your legs first and apply ointment to them. They undoubtedly would still be the worst, even though you had the skin graft." Azura just nodded as the doctors began to unwrap the bandages. She noticed Optimus had stepped closer and seemed to be looking intently to see how her injuries were. She knew it was likely due to the fact he felt guilty for what happened to her. She looked down when there was a gasp of disbelief. "I don't believe it!" She looked at her legs when the bandages were gone, and she widened her eyes to see her legs had already fully healed. "They…they're completely healed!"

Azura stared in disbelief and the doctors look at her in surprise. "How? I thought it would have taken a few weeks to fully heal."

The doctors stare in disbelief and looked at her. "That's a good question. Let's see if you other injuries have healed." Azura looked at the bandage across her chest as the doctor peeled it away. She winced as it punched her skin, but there was no scar or wound underneath. "This is impossible!"

Azura was suddenly feeling nervous. "W-What does this mean? That…I somehow have good regenerative abilities or something?"

"It is likely that the crystal is the reason." Azura and the doctors look at Ratchet in surprise as he spoke. "Because you have it with you all the time, the power within the crystal probably made you heal quickly. I did not think it would, but it appears to be the case."

"Ah…that means the stitches in your back have healed too," The doctor said as he began to unwrap the bandage around Azura's waist. Once removed, there was nothing. "That explains why you have no pain. You are completely healed." Azura nodded, though she was still nervous. "If it's okay, I would like some blood samples."

Azura looked at the doctor and nodded. "I would like to know some result about why I'm healing fast. I…I am not sure if it is just the crystal."

She held out her arm as the doctor wrapped a strap above her elbow. Ratchet asked for Fowler to come and speak with him privately and Azura watched curiously, wondering what the medic was saying to him. She looked at the doctors as they prepared a few vials before they began to draw her blood. She was thankful that it didn't hurt and her blood looked normal.

Once they finished, they removed the syringe and placed a small band aid over the needle wound. "You probably won't need this on for long." Azura frowned at the doctor and he shrugged at her. "You won't need that wheelchair anymore, so I think that is a good thing."

Fowler walked over to the doctors and spoke to them. "I think you did a good job, boys. There wasn't much you needed to do. I think I'll take you back." The doctors nod and began to pack, while not noticing Fowler taking the vials of blood and hiding them behind his back. "You head up to the chopper. I have to discuss something with the autobots before I leave."

The two doctors nod and make their way to the elevator. Azura watched them as she worried about the results. She did not see Fowler hand the vials to Ratchet. "I will make sure that what we found about Azura remains between us. I think knowing there is a special crystal that can heal a human like that is definitely something we can't let the public know about."

"Thank you, Agent Fowler," Optimus said calmly as he glanced at Azura. "Are you feeling okay, Azura? We promise that it is the cyber matter in the crystal that has healed you so quickly. We did not think it would, but it seems it does."

Azura looked at him with worried eyes. "I guess it does explain why the bruises I had would heal quickly." Fowler looked at her in surprise. "Oh, yeah…Miss Honey used to hit me in the back with a metal ruler…very hard, I might add." She looked at Optimus in surprise when she heard the sound of steam venting from his exhausts. "Yeah, I agree, Optimus. And it was usually over pretty things, like I didn't scrub the floor properly or something was wrong with her food. I hated it there. But my back always felt better the day after."

"That woman has serious problems…" Fowler rubbed his forehead in disbelief. "I will say though, the other children said the same thing and that woman was charged and is in jail now. I guess some justice has been served."

"I suppose…" Azura sighed as she stood up carefully from the gurney. "I think I'm going to go to bed. I kind of need time to think. Having this special healing is actually kind of scary to me…even if it is good and saves my life."

"Try not to be too troubled, Azura," Optimus said gently as she walked to the stairs and made her way down. "We will ensure that information remains here. The doctors might know, but Fowler will make sure that information remains with us."

Azura hoped for that, though she said nothing. She might be happy to walk around without the need for a wheelchair, but she feels like she had cheated and healed too quickly. A lot of people would love that, but she does not. She was scared that it was some kind of implication that she didn't want. She didn't even know if this was truly the crystal, though the autobots seemed confident that it was. She could not think straight at all.

Once she returned to her room, Azura ended up taking an hour long shower as she needed to think, and a shower always seemed to help. She was lucky she could even shower this long. She couldn't have long showers at the orphanage. But here, she was free to do that. Once she had her shower, she didn't feel like eating anything for dinner. No one tried to bother her and she ended up laying in her bed, staring at the crystal as she fell asleep.