A few days pass by, and Azura was still feeling incredibly unsure. She had found an abandoned house on the edge of Jasper and taken refuge there for the time being. It was not ideal, but it was better than sleeping on the street. Though in terms of sleeping, she has not had much sleep at all. Her mind was still a wreck, and she also found herself looking over her shoulder for any sign of the autobots. She has seen them driving around town, though she managed to keep hidden from them at this time.

She has still gone to school. That has not stopped as she wanted to keep going to complete her education. It was important, and she was able to speak to Jack while she was there. She needed a real friend. And while she did not tell him what has happened to her, it was nice to speak to him about school and stuff. Though she did find it a little hard to concentrate at the moment, though the teachers haven't seemed to notice thankfully.

The other thing that has upset her was the fact that she no longer had dreams with Primus. It was like he completely vanished, even though she wanted to speak to him. But it seemed he either no longer felt he was needed, or he wanted her to go back to the autobots before he would come back. Nonetheless, Azura still practiced her abilities and meditated so she could get better at them. It was the least she could do while she figured out what to do moving forward.

It was after school and she was heading back to the abandoned house when she did not notice the red dodge following her. She was deep in though, that when she arrived at the worn down house, it was too late by the time she noticed. She turned her head and widened her eyes when she saw Fowler stepping out of the car, making her worried he would make her go back.

"You know you shouldn't be wondering the streets like that, Azura," Fowler said kindly with a smile as he approached her. "And squatting, even in an abandoned house, is wrong. I am sure you are fully aware of that, young lady."

Azura just nodded as she trembled. "Uh…you…caught me, I guess…"

Fowler smiled at her kindly and leaned down, placing his hands on his thighs. "Listen to me, Azura. I know that Optimus had Cliff and I come into town to look for you around the time school finished. However, Cliff and I had talk things over." She looked at the man in surprise. "With what Cliff has told me, you're currently going through a very bad time mentally. I wish I could say I understand, but I don't. You're the only one on this planet to live a life thinking you are human, only to learn that you are not. And you're none other than the daughter of Optimus Prime." She nodded silently as she listened to him. "I don't blame you for feeling corner and needing to escape."

Azura was still trembling a she listened to him. "So…now that you know where I…"

Fowler stepped closer and placed a hand on her shoulder with a warm smile. "I won't force you to go back if you are not ready, Azura. But you cannot stay in this house. After Optimus and Ratchet told me what had happened, I realized that you need a lot of time and space. Unfortunately you won't be able to talk to a therapist with these issues, but I am sure either time, things will change." Azura just shrugged as she did not know what to say to that. "So I've rented a small one bedroom, one bathroom until for you." She widened her eyes in shock. "I want you to be safe. I know you think you're fourteen, but from what I'm understanding…"

"Yes, yes, I know!" Azura interrupts bluntly. "I'm an infant." She shrugged his hand off and turned to the side abruptly, folding her arms. "I'm still getting used to the idea."

Cliffjumper chuckled loudly. "Spoken like an infant sparkling."

She rolled her eyes with a groan. "Regardless, you need to be safe. While the decepticons are not in Nevada looking for you, you still need refuge. And I'm able to ensure that until you decide to return to the autobots. Even if it takes years."

Azura looked at Fowler thoughtfully and smiled, feeling happy that she would have somewhere to sleep. "I guess…I will take it." She looked into the building for a moment. "Let me grab my other bag and I'll go with you. But if I see that we are leaving Jasper when I get in the car, I will make a fuss."

"Understood." Fowler smiled as Azura ran into the house to grab her bag. "Just know that I will drop in from time to time. But Cliff won't be able to as often as me without drawing attention."

Azura was a bit sad by that, but she understood. She walked back out and walked towards the dodge. "That's fine…I don't want to get Cliff in trouble. I am sure Optimus would want you to bring me back when I'm found."

"That was the exact order I was given," Cliffjumper confirmed as Azura got into the passenger side and Fowler got into the driver side. He started the engine and drove away. "I must say, I am curious about how you got out. I searched the base thoroughly and did not find anything that would indicate that you could get out."

Azura smiled slightly. "You probably couldn't find it because you're too big."

"Right, right…" Cliffjumper chuckled lightly at her response. "And to be honest, I really am sorry about all of this, Azura. You never deserved this at all. You deserved to know much sooner."

"I am also still trying to wrap my head around the fact that I'm Cybertronian," Azura said as she stared out of the window. "I look and feel like human…but it would explain why I haven't gone through the normal puberty stuff, like periods and such."

"And what is that?"

Fowler and Azura glance at each other with wide eyes when Cliff asked what she meant by periods. "It would be best if you did not know, soldier," Fowler said with a smile. ""He glanced at Azura as she chuckled lightly. "I think Ratchet explained it to me that it was due to the power of the Matrix in your system or something that has allowed you to appear, eat and live as a human."

"He said that…but…" Azura looked at her skin with a frown. "Does that mean my flesh is actually metal? Or is it actually flesh and muscle? Are my organs even organic?"

"Well, I can kind of answer that for you," Cliffjumper responded gently as he listened to her questions. "When we are born, we don't have the protective covers that you see us with at birth. We are given them sometime after our birth and grow with them. Our protoforms are a lot more fragile, and need protection. Your skeleton will likely be your protoform as it will be made of metal. Some of our organs within our system are soft and flesh-like, but are made of a unique metal that is only found in Cybertronians. Your flesh would be made up of that same substance. It may look, feel and respond like human flesh, but it is not exactly the same. If that makes any sense."

Azura was not sure if she would be able to answer that, so she did not. "What about transforming? Would I be able to do that?"

"I really don't know…if you can, it wouldn't be a vehicle mode. You likely have a t-cog in you, which is the system that even allows us to scan and transform into vehicles." Cliffjumper paused to the think for a moment. "The only think I can think of would be the Matrix giving you the ability to maybe scan something that is no necessarily a vehicle, but maybe something else. Like a special creature, I don't know. That's speculation though."

"That makes sense. She doesn't look like she would even be able to transform into a vehicle." Fowler looked at Azura as she turned her head to look outside. "Don't worry, Azura. I am sure you'll figure things out."

Azura just shrugged and nodded as she stared outside. She thought about a few more things before looking at the dash. "I overheard Ratchet mention something about low grade energon. Is that something that I really need to have?"

"Well…that one is hard to answer. I am not a doctor, so Ratchet would know the reason for it. But as you can survive on either human food and energon…I am not so sure. But…" Cliffjumper turned a corner and Azura noticed a unit block ahead of them and assumed that was where she would be living. "The low-grade Ratchet is talking about is a specialized low grade that is produced within our bodies. This is something all of us have had when we were sparklings. It contains elements that are necessary for our growth. And while you look like a human, it is possible something that membrane around your protoform will shed and those elements and minerals will be important for your growth."

"Right…" Azura listened intently and was instantly curious. "Is it something I could try? I assume you have it in your system."

"Yes I do…however…I would not recommend getting it from me." She frowned in surprise at Cliff's response. "If it was your only option, I could definitely feed it to you. It is better than specialized low grade, but it is better for a sparkling to get the low grade energon from their carrier. In this instance, Optimus…" Azura groaned and immediately glared out the window in frustration. "The reason being, when a carrier has a sparkling, the low grade energon they produce is different. It has additional minerals and elements sparklings need. While it is true that anyone can feed a sparkling, but the sparkling's best low grade will always come from the carrier."

Azura just stared out of the window, not knowing what to say. "Hmm…kind of sounds like their version of breast feeding," Fowler comments and she immediately snorted in amusement. "I guess he's probably not wrong…though, that has me thinking." She turned her head and looked at Fowler curiously. "Even though you can survive on human food, it may not necessarily be the best thing for you. I imagine there might come a time where human food no longer keeps you sustained…or maybe, your body gets weakened to the point of starvation, even if you keep eating food. Your body might be able to absorb human nutrients right now, most likely using the different nutrients in the food as a substitute for what you should have been getting from the low grade, but that could change."

"I had not even though of that, Agent Fowler," Cliffjumper said thoughtfully. "That is definitely something to think about." Azura had not thought of that either, and she also did not like it. "Personally, I would hate for the reason Azura comes back to the base would be on the need to fulfil her hunger for low grade energon. That would seem rather unfair in my opinion."

"I don't think it would really be about fair, Cliff. I think it would simply be her body's way of telling her it is time to stop having human food and ingest the right thing. I know it sounds cruel, but that is something we cannot control." Fowler gave Azura a sympathetic look as she had a frustrated frown on her face. "I am afraid you will have to think outside the box now, Azura. I am sure you know that too…but I am going to try and be there to help you. I may not be an autobot, but I'll do my best for you."

Azura smiled at him. "You are already doing the best you can, Fowler…I am actually surprised you're prepared to rent a unit for me. I am technically old enough to try and get a job…"

"I don't know…" Cliff interrupts uncertainly as he pulled into the driveway of the unit. "I know you want to feel like you are part of this world, Azura, but you don't need to try too hard."

"It isn't about that, it's about helping, Fowler," Azura said as she looked at the unit curiously. It was a modern unit by the looks of it and she was happy. She glanced at the dash with a smile. "Having a job means I could help with the utilities and take some of the burden off Fowler."

"You don't need to do that. I earn more than enough in my position." Fowler opened the door and stepped out. "You should come inside and make yourself comfortable. I've made sure to stock the fridge with just the necessary things for now. There's milk, bread, butter, jam and ham…very, very basic stuff."

Azura smiled as she stepped out of the car. "That's plenty to start with, thank you." She closed the door and walked around the car. "I will be able to have a shower at least." She glanced at the car with a smile. "I hope you can come and visit regularly, Cliff. I wouldn't mind a lift to and from school."

"I would love to help ya out, kid…but I do want to ensure that I do not draw suspicion. I will try and see you at least once a month…but I cannot even promise that." Azura looked at him in surprise and frowned sadly, realizing she couldn't have him around as often as she would like. "But I'll make sure that I'll keep the others off your base as well."

"Thank you…I guess you are already doing a lot to help me." She pats the top of the hood gently and approached the front door. "At least you are here…that is the main thing." She took a deep breath as Fowler opened the door into the small, but cosy living room. "Ooh, this is nice."

The unit was indeed small. The living room was connected to an open kitchen and dining area, and to her surprise, it has already been furnished. There was a small, square, glass table with two chairs, a two-seat sofa in front of the TV with a gaming system and a glass coffee table and a simple, but pretty blue rug underneath. The white tiles were well polished without a single scratch on them. The unit smelt new and it was nice. The kitchen had white cabinets with dark grey bench tops. And she had everything she needed. A fridge and freezer, microwave, oven and kettle, she needed nothing else.

She saw there were three white doors, she assumed one led into the bedroom, the other the garage and the third out the back, as the third door was by the fridge at the back of the room. She smiled as she walked around and walked over to the first door. She opened it and saw she was right. It was the garage with the washing machine and dryer. She wouldn't use this space for a car, so she would likely use it for something else, which she was happy about. It might turn into an art room, though she wasn't entirely sure yet.

She opened the door to her bedroom and smiled as she saw a double bed, grey carpet, built-in wardrobe and an ensuite bathroom with a large shower, vanity and silver tiles. She was happy with it. There was enough space for just her. She did wonder about her fish. She had left them behind at the base and she wished she could bring them with her. She doubted the autobots would look after them, and she felt guilty.

She turned to look at Fowler curiously. "Um…do you think I'd be able to get my fish from the base?" She asked curiously, rubbing the back of her head. "I kind of want them here…but I might need to buy a whole new set up. I don't want you to bring the whole tank as that would look suspicious."

"I would love to, but…Optimus is actually actively looking after your tank." She widened her eyes in surprise when Fowler told her what he was doing. "Optimus has been researching how to care for the fish and the tank properly while you are absent from the base. As much as I want to bring the fish to you, it would also be suspicious while he's caring for them at this time. You never know, they might still be alive when you get back."

Azura was really surprised. She guessed it showed how much Optimus cared for her. He did tell her he loved her deeply, and she believed him. She just did not know how she felt yet. She didn't even know if she had any love for him…given he is her father. But at the moment, their relationship before was built on the foundation he was getting to know her, but not telling her the truth. She kind of wished she didn't bond with him in the first place until she knew…but it was too late to go back now.

"Ah…I suppose that is good…" Azura turned away and walked into the bedroom, placing her bags onto the bed and feeling the soft, pink quilt. "Fowler…I really appreciate this. But I really don't know how long I am even wanting to stay away from Optimus at this time." She took a deep breath and sat on the bed, feeling tears fill her eyes. "When I was much younger…I did dream of Optimus a lot. From three, I think…and I used to think maybe it was my imagination creating such an image. But now…it makes sense. It was likely my sub conscious letting me know who my father is." Fowler walked over and sat down next to her. Azura let out a sob. "I wish…" She sighed and looked down as she trembled. "Fowler, my life is in danger because I am his daughter. It was in danger the moment I was created."

He placed a supportive hand on her shoulder and pulled her in to hug her. "I know you believe that. And maybe it is true…especially since the decepticons did destroy a bus to try and get to you. I doubt even they knew a hundred percent that you were his daughter…"

"I think they were more sure than Optimus was." Azura sniffled again, staring at the white wall in front of her. "As much as I have wanted a good, loving father, Fowler. I don't think I would have wanted to be the daughter of someone like that. I don't know much about who Optimus is, or much of the history of the autobots…but as he is the leader, and there is a shared history between Optimus and Megatron…I feel like I am even greater target. And even a weakness to Optimus himself."

He rubbed her arm gently as he listened to her patiently. "I am afraid we don't choose who we are, Azura. As much as we like to believe that, while I do believe we control our destiny to a degree, our birth really does solidify who we are." She did not respond, only sniffle again and let out a soft sob. "You know that what happened to Optimus in order to have you created was of a sinister nature, does not mean you have a horrible future ahead of you, Azura. I have no doubt that the autobots will protect you. And Optimus will not let you down again."

"But…" She hesitated to speak for a moment and whimpered softly. "I wish I was actually a human. I don't want any of this…" She turned her head and looked at Fowler. "I just want to live as a human…and now…I don't even if I can. I only know this way of life." Her bottom lip trembled and she looked back down as she let out some more sobs. "I wish none of this happened to me…I wish I wasn't born the way I was…what if…" She paused for a moment and tensed. "What if in that blast, could have had a dark part in it?"

Fowler frowned a little in confusion. "What do you mean?"

"What if…I could end up evil all on my own?"

Fowler smiled at her and rubbed her shoulder assertively. "Azura…evil isn't born." She turned her head away from him with a frown. "It really isn't. Do you truly believe all the murderers in this world were born with murder in their DNA?" She shakes her head without looking at him. "It would be the same for you, Azura. You don't have evil in you. That is absurd. I get you're scared, and you wish things were different, but you have to take things as they come." Fowler was seeing why the autobots still see Azura as infant. She definitely seemed to have responses someone much younger a teenager would have. He was being as careful and as sensitive as he could with her.

She sniffled again and sighed loudly. "Maybe I do…but…I really don't want to be in danger, Fowler…" She turned her head to look at him again. "I really don't…I know the autobots aren't trying to put me in danger, and I don't think they ever will…with the exception of Cliff, if he chose to do something stupid…" Fowler let out a light chuckle as he listened to her speak. "But I really, really don't want to be in danger. I don't even know what the cons would do to me if they catch me."

"I know your mind is all over the place, but I want you to understand what I tell you now." She listened to him, though she kept crying softly as she was still extremely upset. "We all go through hard times, it does not matter what they are. Not everyone finds themselves in danger from something or someone else. But we all need to decide on what to do with the time that is given to us. You have a much longer lifespan than I do…" She rolled her eyes and looked away from him. "You can go on running from everything that stands in your way, or you can face it and fight away those fears. In my opinion, even if you flee from the autobots, the decepticons will eventually find you. You're the only one I know on this planet with blonde hair that truly looks like waves of gold, real gold. And the decepticons probably know that."

The colour of her hair never seemed to be strange to Azura. No one has really questioned her about it. But she had not even thought that the decepticons could recognize her based on that. That was another thing that Fowler just had to make her paranoid about. She took a deep breath and looked at Fowler. "Thank you for…all that…would you mind leaving? I want to settle in and have a shower…" She stood up from the bed, getting out of the hug and approaching the door. "I'd better say farewell to Cliff."

The man nodded and stood up to follow her out of the until. Azura wiped her face to hide the tears from the autobot before heading out to say her farewell to him. He was in a hurry to leave, because Ratchet had sent a message asking why he was in one spot and he had to make up an alibi. So he and Fowler leave very quickly afterwards, giving Azura the time to herself and settle in. She was happy that Fowler left the key on the table, so she made sure to take it. She unpacked her clothes and she was really happy to be able to shower.

A lot of things went through her mind. She had not thought about her own appearance being something that could potentially get the decepticons' attention. She had thought there were others out there with the same hair colour as her. But it seemed unlikely. For now, Azura took the time to settle in, have a ham sandwich and get some homework done. She did not know how long she intended to stay here. But she knew she needed a long time to herself before she even considered returning to the autobot base.

And she did not care how long it would take, even if it would take years for her to return to the autobots and remain there with them and her father. Only once she has accepted her identity and parentage.