The hours would go by during the day, and Ratchet had been against the idea of Azura building anything with metal like she had hoped. Azura wasn't entirely happy about that, but Ratchet simply said that he would allow it if the pieces weren't bigger than her, and she understood that. But he did imply that they could make something similar to those pieces that were smaller so she could build stuff with Bumblebee and Bulkhead. For the time being, she stuck to drawing. She was glad that a lot of her art supplies was still in her room, and she was able to do some drawings while also telling the autobots how her life over the past three years had been. They were happy her life has been rather good, despite the way she left. Optimus did ask how she managed to get out, but Azura was careful to not say anything about her abilities, and only simply said she found a hidden, escape tunnel that led her out of the base. He seemed to believe that and she was happy that he did.

Azura was wishing she had food though. She knew she had to rely on the low-grade from Optimus until she could get food, but she was already craving something and she was wishing she still had the credit card with her so she could ask to go into town, even though they might be unlikely to do that due to the risk of decepticons being present in the town.

Azura sighed as she finished a drawing and placed the pen down, rubbing her wrist as it was slightly strained from the movement of her drawing, but she was happy with it. She looked up and smiled as Ratchet glanced at her. "I think I've finished." She picked up the picture and showed him. It was a drawing of a galloping horse at sunset. "What do you think?"

"It looks nice. What kind of animal is that?" Azura gave him a surprised expression. "We aren't that familiar with the animals on this planet, Azura. Cybertron didn't really have the same diversity of animals like this planet does."

"It's a horse." She looked at the image with a smile. "It is one of the many animals' humans have domesticated. And they are one of my favorite animals. Especially when I see them galloping freely in the pastures, watching their manes and tails flow in the wind as they gallop. While not all horses are wild, they are still beautiful creatures. I used to want to learn how ride, so that I could gallop in the wind as well."

"Right…kind of sounds like horses are romanticized." She nodded that they were, and Ratchet huffed in amusement. "Somehow I am not surprised." He turned to the console as he kept working on something. "But I can see why you drew that. It is a lovely picture, Azura. You are a good artist. Maybe we should see if we can get a digital art program so that we may take part in art too."

Azura gasped in excitement. "Really? You would really do that?" He nodded with a smile and she jumped, throwing her hands in the air excitedly, before grimacing at the pain in her body. "Ow…" Ratchet gave her a look and she sighed. "I know, I did it myself. The pain relief you managed to calibrate for me has been working great…so long as I don't make any sudden movements like that."

"Painting sounds nice and all, but it would be much better when we can build stuff with you," Bulkhead said enthusiastically as he and Bumblebee were actually in the middle of making something to show Azura how it was done.

"I am looking forward to that." Azura stretched her arms and sat on one of the stairs, placing her hand on her cheek. "But…I am a bit bored now…I would normally be at school doing some math at this time…"

"I think we will still need to discuss whether letting you go to school is a good idea or not," Optimus said softly, glancing at Bulkhead and Bumblebee with a smile. "I think it is nearly time for you to head into town with Arcee, Bumblebee. It is getting close to the time that the school is meant to finish."

"It is?" Bumblebee quickly checked the time. "Oh, it is! I didn't even notice the time going by so quickly!" He stood up and looked at Azura. "I guess this means Bulkhead will be left with finishing off the project. I hope you will like it."

Azura giggled at him. "I am sure I will. Bulkhead's hulky body is keeping your little project hidden." Bulkhead glanced over his shoulder with a grin. "Which is a good thing, Bulk. That way you don't have to act like you're trying to hide something."

Arcee chuckled softly. "She's right, Bulk."

The large bot chuckled and rolled his optics as he looked back. "I am not mad by the comment, I found it pretty amusing actually. Besides, we were almost done before you were told to leave." He glanced at Bee as the yellow bot transformed and revved his camaro engine. "There's only a bit of touching up and it will be done."

"Just don't break it. I know you are pretty good at that. Let's go for a drive around the town, Arcee." Bumblebee sped away and Arcee transformed and followed him.

Azura watched them leave, feeling a little sad she could not go with them. She had no idea how Jack and Raf were today. She had no doubt that they have been shaken by the whole experience, and she wished she would be there to help them get through it. But now they were about to find themselves back with the bots, and she had no idea how they were going to react. She knew Jack would be resistant, since he was responsible for a lot of things at home since it was just him and his mother.

Azura felt her stomach growling and she sighed, knowing she would need to get some low-grade from Optimus. She wasn't entirely happy as she was already wishing to have an egg caesar salad. That sounded rather nice, as she had the lettuce, cheese, eggs, bacon and dressing for the salad back in her unit that she could not go to. She hoped that she could get food here somehow, even if she didn't actually need food.

"I am not even sure what I am going to say to Jack and Raf when they arrive…considering I've known about you guys for three years." Optimus and Ratchet glance at her as the girl spoke as she stared at the driveway. "They are…going to ask questions…I am not sure if…I will want to admit that…" She looked at Optimus and grasped her hands nervously. "I am not sure if I want to tell them that…that I am…your…" Azura was struggling to say it and she saw in Optimus's optics it hurt him that she couldn't say it. "Well…you know…"

"Azura, there is no shame in the fact that you're still scared about all of this," Ratchet said gently with a smile. "This is still very new to you. And you have to get used to entirely different life that you are not accustomed to." He looked at Optimus sympathetically. "And we are all patient, and we will ensure you will be happy." Optimus nodded in agreement.

"I know." She took a deep breath and looked at Optimus hesitantly. "Um…I am also…uh…kind of…hungry…"

Optimus smiled a little and stepped closer to her. "I hope you have not been hungry for too long."

"No…but I had been thinking about something to eat…but I'll have to settle with low-grade." She watched as he opened the panel on his chassis before picking her up for her to feed. "Do you mind not feeding me out here?"

Optimus chuckled as he held her against him. "I won't put that pressure on you, Azura."

"Before you go…" Optimus and Azura look over at Bulkhead and he moved away from the metal sculpture he and Bee had made. "I hope this is good." Azura was surprised when she saw it was an image of her and Optimus. More specifically, Optimus holding her and she felt some tears in her eyes. "I figured you might like it…"

"It's fine," Azura said curtly as she held back the tears. "It can be brought into my room."

Bulkhead smiled, happy to hear that what he made was good. That made her smile again, even though the felt like it was just a small reminder of who she was to Optimus, even though she herself has yet to accept it. "I can bring it to your room right now!" He carefully picked up the sculpture. "Although, we can take the pieces apart and make something else too. But I will make some smaller pieces for you, Azura."

"I am looking forward to it," Azura said as Bulkhead walked ahead of Optimus. "Hopefully, Ratchet will be okay with it when you do make pieces…" She paused with a light jump as Optimus held the fuel line out to her. She frowned and pushed it away from her. "We aren't in my room."

Optimus narrowed his optics at her in both surprise and disappointment that she would react that way. "I would appreciate it if you did not have a bad attitude about it." Azura sighed a little as she knew she had pushed the line away roughly. "We aren't in the lobby now, and Bulkhead will only be in and out of the room. I know you are uncomfortable, but you will be fine."

"I know…sorry…" Azura looked at the line and took it in her hand. "It was just a stupid reaction."

Optimus did not say anything further with her as Azura placed the line into her mouth to start drinking the low-grade energon. He made his way to her room and smiled as he saw Bulkhead placing the statue onto an empty shelf. The wrecker was rather pleased with what he and Bumblebee had made. Azura was still uncertain about it, but she didn't want to deny it because of how she was still feeling.

"At least you'll have a reminder that you are never going to be alone again," Bulkhead said as he turned to look at Azura. She had almost paused drinking as she listened to him, while curling against Optimus's chassis shyly to try and hide that she was feeding from him. "I guess I better go and annoy the doc while we wait for Arcee and Bumblebee to show up."

Optimus nodded as the wrecker walked out of the room and Optimus looked over at the statue with a smile. It was a lovely statue that Bulkhead and Bumblebee had made. He did not know this was what they would end up making, but that didn't seem to matter. And it was a good thing so that Azura would wake up and have that reminder. But he had sensed she was not entirely pleased with the sculpture, and only accepted it so she wouldn't hurt Bulkhead.

He was aware she was still working out her feelings, and he was there for her. But while he would be patient, he was reminded earlier with how she reacted to him offering the fuel line that he would need to be her parent. It hasn't really sunk into his own processor that he would need to do that. At the moment, he's been more concerned about how Azura is feeling and making sure she is comfortable. And he knows that she is mostly comfortable, she is just trying to figure out her feelings.

"I must admit, Azura…you are lucky that you know me…" She glanced up at Optimus when he spoke and she was instantly curious by what he meant by that. "Believe it or not…I…I lost my own sire and carrier when I was a mere youngling like you." Azura nearly stopped drinking in surprise at his admittance, but she kept drinking as she listened to him. "And I barely remember them now. But it was…Alpha Trion who raised me. When I was old enough to understand, I learned they perished from a contagious disease. I know, as a sparkling, I would not have understood why I was kept from them. But I remember feeling the tether of our bonds snapping when they died. You are lucky to know who I am."

Azura didn't really know how to feel about that. But hearing that Optimus has been through what it really felt like to be an orphan…that was not something she had expected. He was lucky he had someone good to raise him, but she could tell that there was a sadness that Optimus still felt regarding the loss of his parents. The grief hasn't gone away. She didn't know how to feel about this at all.

"Is that how you came to be a clerk in the Iacon Hall of Records?" Azura asked curiously before she continued to drink the energon.

"Yes and no. Before I was a clerk…I was…not as calm and stoic as I am now. I used to be rather rebellious as a youngling." That again surprised Azura as she somehow could not envision Optimus being reckless even as a young autobot. "There are not many who know about that. Ratchet does, as he is one of my oldest friends. He was there during my young years too when he graduated and became one of the best medics on the planet." He looked down at her and saw she was listening intently. "There are many things I regret that I did, but that is nothing new. When you are young, you will go through many mistakes and learn from them. That's just what we do. I know some of what I went through was due to the fact I was in pain for a long time about losing my carrier and sire, but their tragedy definitely was not solely to blame for my rebellion."

"I suppose…you went through that teenage rebellious stage," She said with a slight smile and Optimus nodded. "I don't think there is a lot that can be said, Optimus. I do know, from my experience, the psychological pain that we feel from not having our parents seems to be a universal thing. I know the other orphans felt the same as me. So while you cannot blame their death as the reason, the pain that lingers would be partial to the reason."

Optimus nodded in agreement. "I agree. But that does not change the fact that I still regret a lot of decisions, Azura. I look back and realize there were many things that I could have changed, but I did not. I can only look back and reflect now, and learn from those mistakes." She finished drinking the low-grade and he let her drink the last of the low-grade from the line before pushing the line back into the slot and closed the panel. "And…three years ago…when I did not come clean, I reflect on that as well. I knew what it was like to be an orphan, and yet…I didn't come out and tell you when I should have."

Azura clasped her hands together. She knew he regretted his decisions from three years ago. But she still needed to even accept the fact she was his daughter. "I…had no idea you knew what it is like to be an orphan, Optimus…it never really crossed my mind. I would have assumed your parents might have passed peacefully, but…at least you were able to bond with them from birth."

Optimus nodded slightly and smiled at her. "I hope you will understand that I will not waste any time that we have together, Azura. At least you are fine with starting this again, and I hope that…with time…we will have a great relationship."

Azura did not really know how to respond to that. She glanced over at the statue and decided she was okay with it now. It was definitely a great reminder that she would never be alone again. That concept itself was something she was having trouble believing. She has been alone for so long, that being told she would never be alone again was still hard for her to believe. She had a fear, deep down, that she would wake up one day and find that the base is empty and all of the bots are gone. Now that would terrify her the most.

"Do you think we could do some of the plans that we didn't get to do three years ago?" Azura asked curiously and Optimus gave her a confused expression. "We never got to go to a beach or a tropical island…so do you think we could do that? I…I still want to do that. I've never been able to build sandcastles before, and I would not mind collecting shells too."

"I believe that is something I can definitely promise to do," Optimus said with a smile. "But…" She looked up at him with a frown. "I have a fear that Megatron will be back soon. And that might mean that…we cannot do those plans as soon as we would like." Azura was immediately disappointed and sighed. "I will do everything in my power to ensure we do have a good time like that, Azura. But understand this, the war is not ended unfortunately. And Megatron could come back at anytime, which is why I believe the decepticons are targeting us."

"Well…at least you're honest about it," Azura said with a smile. "I am disappointed that we can't go when we want to…but I guess I…ruined it by leaving when I did."

"And to be fair, I think you had the right to leave." Now that surprised Azura. She did not think he would feel that way about her leaving. "I know I was told a lot of things after you had left, but you were overwhelmed and needed space from me. While I did not expect that you would be gone for three years, I understand why you left. In my younger years, I used to that with Alpha Trion. I used to run to try and find my sire and carrier, but of course, that never happened. Though the longest I was ever away from Alpha Trion as a youngling was two weeks."

"But you were feeling similar pain, I suppose." Optimus did not nod or react, because he knew their experiences were different. "At least I am back, Optimus. I don't think I…well…um…"

"I know. You don't want to live alone again." She smiled at him and Optimus turned to leave her room. "Arcee just sent me a message that she is returning to base with Jack and Rafael." Azura smiled as she was happy to see them. "We plan on bringing them under our protection."

"You are?" Azura asked before frowning a little. "Hmm…I wonder how that is going to work. They still live with their parents…well, Jack doesn't have a father, so it's just him and his mother." Azura wondered how the protection would work. "So…I am wondering how this protection is going to work."

"We definitely did not plan on bringing human children under our protection, Azura. But they got caught up in the fight, just as you did." That was true, but Azura was still interested in how the autobots would protect the children. "And Jack was targeted by one of the decepticons, even when Arcee tried to have him flee. You were there." She sighed and guessed that those two will be a target if the decepticons find them. "I realize that the boys may not come under fire from the decepticons if we do not interact with them, but if their faces are memorized by the decepticons, they likely will have a target on their back. It is something we cannot afford to let happen."

Azura could not help but smile. She shifted and stretched her body, grimacing a little from the pain in her back. "I really hope this pain goes away soon…I don't like the idea of walking like an old man with a cane for a while." Optimus smirked in amusement at Azura's description. "But I have to say, I am happy that you are willing to protect them."

"We have been working on protecting humanity for these past years, Azura. And it is unfortunate children got involved, which is why we will protect them the best way we can. Though given with what you have told us about Jack, he seems like a responsible young man." The girl nodded in agreement. "And I am happy he is your friend."

She smiled. "Does this mean we might be able to discuss me going back to school?"

Optimus let out a low chuckle. "You are pretty insistent on that. We have yet to even discuss everything regarding the two children. Plus, I would like to speak with Agent Fowler on his involvement in keeping you hidden from us these past three years."

Oh, Optimus is angry at Fowler. I guess I should not be surprised.

"Right…I am just…I have never missed a day of school before, Optimus. And I'm good at my subjects too…but if Fowler can get my school things from the unit I was living in, I would like that." She rubbed her arm and looked ahead as they neared the lobby. She saw Bee and Arcee had arrived and she noticed there was one extra person. "Wait a minute, Miko? What is she doing here?"

"It would seem another human has gotten themselves caught up in this," Optimus commented, he was not pleased with this, but he couldn't really deny that the girl was here. "Do you know this girl?"

"Yeah. She came to Jasper about a year ago, she is from Japan. She came over to America for education, and probably to escape the harsh expectations that come from the Japanese culture, not that I blame her too much. But…she's kind of annoying at times." Azura sighed a bit. "She probably had seen Arcee or Bumblebee and followed them or something, and because she likes to act before she thinks, she got herself tangled up in this mess."

"You and Miko aren't friends, I presume?"

"No, she's also in a lower grade than me. I don't see her much. But her pink pigtails and hair stripe is pretty distinct." Azura was not entirely mad there was another human, but she knew the possible reason why Miko is here. "Seems like she's already asking Bulkhead a lot of questions."

They both hear Miko gasp in excitement as she stared at Bulkhead, who was shocked and uncomfortable by all the questions thrown at him. "Are you a car? I bet you're a truck, a monster truck! Do you like heavy metal? How much do you weigh? Ever use a wrecking ball as a punching bag?"

Azura rubbed her forehead in embarrassment. She knew that was the kind of energy the girl had. "So if you guys are robots, who made you?" Rafael asked in an innocent tone.

She chuckled softly when Ratchet scoffed in irritation. "Pa-lease!"

Optimus approached the three children, and they turn upon hearing his footsteps. Jack and Raf spot Azura in Optimus's hand, widening their eyes in shock. "We autonomous robotic organisms from the planet Cybertron, also known as autobots."

Jack stepped forward in curiosity. "Why are you here?" He glanced at Azura curiously. "And…how are you here, Azura?"

Azura opened her mouth to speak when Optimus spoke before her. "We are here to protect your planet from the decepticons."

"The jokers who tried to bump us off last night," Arcee confirmed to the boy.

Jack seemed unconvinced. "Okay…why are they here?"

Optimus dropped down to one knee and Azura jumped from his hand to the ground, grimacing a little from the pain she felt in her back. "A fair question, Jack. In part, they are here because our planet is uninhabitable, ravaged by centuries of civil war."

"Why were you fighting a war?" Rafael asked innocently as he listened to the bot politely.

"Foremost over control of our world supply of energon, the fuel and lifeblood of all autobots and decepticons alike," Optimus explained calmly. "The combat was fierce! And endured for centuries. In the beginning, I fought alongside whom I considered a brother. But in war, ideals can be corrupted. And it was thus, that Megatron lost his way."

Miko yawned loudly, making Azura frown at the girl for her disrespect. "Is there gonna be a quiz?" The girl looked at Azura curiously. "And you still haven't said why you are here."

Azura rolled her eyes at the girl and Jack just continued asking Optimus the next question. "So what does Megatron, or any of this, have to do with us?"

"Megatron has not been seen nor heard from in sometime. But if his return is imminent, as I fear, it could be catastrophic." Those words sent shivers down Azura's spine as she knew Optimus wasn't lying. "And as due to the reason why this has to do with you, as the decepticons attacked you from a misunderstanding with how you and Arcee met, it is more than likely they could find and attack you again. It is the main reason why you have been brought here."

Jack nodded in understanding and looked at Azura. "Would that be the same reason why you are here?"

"Yeah…they did follow me to my unit," Azura said as she played with a strand of her hair. "And that was not fun…plus I was strapped inside one of the decepticons watching it all play out. So…yeah…I can't really return to my place because of that."

"That makes sense. I guess you brought here yesterday." She nodded and Jack smiled at her. "At least you are okay. But…you didn't come to school today."

"Yeah, they are not sure about letting me go to school at the moment. Mostly because they likely could recognize me easily again." Azura shrugged a bit and smiled at him. "But hopefully I can tomorrow."

"I guess this means we have to be careful too," Rafael said softly as he thought about it all.

"Indeed, Rafael." The children look up at Optimus as he spoke to them. "It is an unfortunate way that you have had your lives changed, but there is nothing we can do change that. And since you now know of our existence, I fear that of last night, the decepticons know of yours."

"Got it, if we spot any strange vehicles, call 911," Jack said quickly with a worried tone and Azura looked at him curiously. "Can we go now?"

Miko was offended by Jack's suggestion of leaving. "Are you insane? I'm living a dream here in botswana, and I will not allow you or anyone else to shatter it!"

Azura couldn't help but shake her head in annoyance with Miko. She clearly didn't get it that this was dangerous. Now that she knew Miko would be here, this was not totally a surprise since that girl seemed to not have common sense. "It is best that you three remain under our watch. At least until we can determine our enemy's intentions." She could see Jack wasn't entirely happy with the arrangement, but understood it was for his protection.

But Ratchet was less than pleased with Optimus's decision on this. "Optimus, with all due respect, the human children are in as much danger here as anywhere." The three of them seemed offended when they were called children, though Azura simply chuckled softly and made her way over to the stairs. "They have no protective shell. If they get underfoot they will go…squish." He stamped his foot as an example.

Optimus seemed amused by Ratchet's reasoning. "Then like we have been doing for Azura's sake, Ratchet, we must watch where we step."

Azura chuckled softly and Ratchet looked at her as she reached the first platform. "Don't tell me that's how you felt about me."

"Uh…well…no…but you also don't have a protective shell."

"So it won't be hard to watch where you step for them like you have been for…" Azura gasped loudly in surprise when there was an alert sound suddenly and lights began to flash green. She knew what that meant. "That still scares the life out of me."

"What's that?!" Jack exclaimed nervously as he was alarmed by the lights and alert too.

Bumblebee turned and spoke to them. "It's just the proximity alert. Someone's arrived above."

Rafael smiled as he listened to the bot. "Proximity sensor, someone's up top."

Azura didn't understand how Raf could understand Bee, but she figured there might be a special reason. Ratchet brought up an image of a helicopter powering down and a familiar figure stepping out. "It's Agent Fowler. Right on time for you to speak with him, Optimus."

The three kids were confused by this. "I thought we were the only humans who knew about you guys," Jack commented.

Optimus turned to look at Jack to explain. "Special Agent Fowler is our designated liaison to the outside world. As he tends to visit only when there are issues. It may be best if you do not meet him at this time." Jack nodded as the three run to hide, though glanced up at Azura. "Azura has already met Agent Fowler, and I have something I must discuss with him regarding Azura."

"What is that supposed to mean?" Miko asked with a curious frown.

"Uh…maybe after Fowler has been and gone," Azura responded as she moved to lean against a rail. "He usually means business when he's here."

There was no argument from the three kids, though Azura knew that they were wondering how she even knew about the bots and Agent Fowler. And it seemed like she has known about the bots for far longer than they have. Jack himself knew he was going to be asking Azura a few questions as he was definitely curious. After all, he thought it was a little weird with how Optimus was holding Azura. It looked like he had been cradling her, but he could be wrong and his mind just seemed to see it that way. For now, he and the other two had to wait until Fowler arrived and left before they could come out.