Disclaimer: I do not, nor shall I ever (no I am not being a pessimist, I am a realist. It will never happen. No matter how much I wish it...sob!...) own Transformers. But I DO completely own Jaime. She is MINE! XD
Thanks to everyone who has been following this story and/or added it to their favorite's list! :) And thank you for all of the wonderful reviews! And thank you to everyone for the heartfelt/sympathetic comments about my sucky allergies. You guys are DA BOMB! :D
And in case you forgot, anything in Cybertronian looks like this: "Cybertronian"
She hadn't really planned it, not really. She'd never even really considered it. Why would she? She'd never done anything like it before. But the offhand comment had brought the matter to her attention.
It was three days after the Battle of Egypt, and they were finally back at Diego Garcia. Although, whether it would remain their permanent base was being discussed by the higher ups. Apparently, they had begun to realize the negative repercussions of having the Autobots so far away. After witnessing the destruction in Egypt, they'd want to keep a closer eye on their 'allies' no doubt.
But all of the Autobots had been idling in the cool main hangar, enjoying the calm, taking full advantage of having to do absolutely nothing. Jaime had been passing by, planning on spending the afternoon with Maggie, when she'd overheard Ironhide gripping.
"Three cycles! It's been three cycles, and I still have that slagging sand all over me!" he griped.
"We are well aware Ironhide," Ratchet snapped. "You are not the only one with sand all over your frame."
"Lucky you," Sideswipe whined. "I got it sticking to my undercarriage."
"Such are the consequences of choosing an inefficient alt-form for terrains other than pavement," came Prowl's cool reply. Jaime's gaze flickered to the giant red and blue semi parked in the corner. A sigh came from the truck as it sunk lower on its axles. Apparently this wasn't the first time this particular conversation had come up.
"Why don't you guys just visit the car wash?" Jaime asked. "I'm sure one of the soldiers could fly you over to the mainland and take you to one."
The Autobots all shivered in sync. Jaime raised an eyebrow.
"Nuh uh," said Skids
"Ain't no way we's goin' near one of dem things," Mudflap added.
"They sound…dangerous…from what we've heard," Arcee answered the girl's unspoken question. It finally clicked in her mind.
"Ironhide," she chides the black mech.
"Those blue rubber tentacles kept pounding my frame!" Ironhide defended himself. "And it kept dumping water on me! Like I was going to sit there and take it!" Jaime face-palmed, remembering the day Sarah had taken Ironhide to the nearby car wash. To say it had not gone well would be an understatement. The owner had threatened to sue the blonde if she visited his establishment again after finding unexplainable large amounts of damage to his business, not to mention the dozen of NEST soldiers that had visited the next day demanding he keep the incident all hush hush.
"You know you gotta get that washed off right?" Jaime asked. "You can't just leave it."
"Yea, we know," Jazz grumbled. Jaime looked at each Autobot, none of them taking action. Jaime groaned and spun on her heel, marching out of the hangar.
And so, that was how she had gotten to where she was now. She wondered if any of the other NEST soldiers had ever washed the bots frames when they got dirty after missions. Guess not, she mused, glancing at the line of Autobots waiting their turn for the girl to wash their frame.
The girl had left the hangar and changed into an old pair of shorts and shirt, and gathered her supplies. She'd left the soap, bucket and hose outside, and commanded all the Autobots to come outside, stating that if they were too lazy to do anything about it then she would wash them herself.
"Can't have your gears locking up in the middle of battling a Decepticon can we?" she'd asked with a smirk. Ironhide had immediately gunned his engine and skidded in front of her, demanding that she wash him first.
Jaime washed the black truck with the hose and old rag she'd found, gently scrubbing off any sand or other debris she found on the frame. As she washed each alt-form, she got better and faster taking less and less time to wash, rinse, and dry. After she had finished Skids and Mudflap, she moved on to Ratchet. It was nice, being able to spend time with all of the Autobots—except Bumblebee, who was back with Sam in the United States. She hoped the guardian was getting a car wash himself; the yellow scout deserved it.
When it became apparent that Skids and Mudflap's goofing off was about to make Ironhide blow a gasket, Jaime suggested playing a game. She moved onto washing Arcee and explained how to play the Train game. It was a car game her mother had taught her, and she and her parents had played it in the car, while on vacation, many times before. She finished drying off Arcee—since she was a motorcycle and the smallest bot there, she took only a quarter of the time—and started washing Jolt by the time everyone had asked all their questions and understood how the game worked. An endless cycle of words filled the air as Jaime washed Sideswipe, Prowl and Jazz. Jazz took longer than the others because—the jerk—he'd teased her and tried to shake her off his frame as she was trying to reach his hood.
"Dang it, Jazz!" Jaime snapped, giving his silver hood a good hard smack, "If you don't stop, I'll just leave you as you are and won't rinse all this soap off!"
She was currently giving Prowl's grill a good scrub. Jeez, when was the last time his cruiser got washed? Did the workaholic ever take care of himself? She glared at him every few minutes making it clear that she did not approve.
"John Wilkes Booth!" Skids shouted. The Train game had morphed into a competition (between Jaime, Sideswipe, Jazz, the twins, Arcee and Ironhide)—who could come up with the most random or opposite of the previous word.
"Hairnet," came Ironhide's smug reply.
"Er, Typhoid," said Mudflap.
"Dorks," was Arcee's word.
"Sides," came Sideswipe's reply.
She didn't mean it. Oh god, she really didn't. It was a mistake. She wished she could have taken it back. But she'd only been half paying attention to the game as she scrubbed Prowl's hood. And really…the total opposite of Sideswipe?
"Sunst—" Jaime began before she realized her mistake. "Flower, Sunflower," she hastily corrected. The silence was suffocating. Jaime didn't move, while she mentally berated herself for the slip. Stupid! How could you be so stupid? Jaime's eyes were glued to the black and white hood, unable to look at Sideswipe. She could feel his surprise, then grief. She winced. The only silver lining was that no one would have been able to see it except Prowl. God, what was wrong with her?
"Reef," the SIC comes to her rescue and breaks the silence. Jaime exhaled softly, and continued her task with new vigor.
"Friendship," said Optimus.
"Paternity," Ratchet threw in. The game slowly picked back up, but the lighthearted vibe had disappeared. Jaime remained in the game, but it was obvious to the others that she was distracted, no longer into it. Her voice grew softer and softer until she stopped voicing words all together and silently dropped out of the game.
Jaime was crouched in front of Optimus, drying off his grill, when she paused in her actions. She tilted her head curiously.
"Jaime?" Optimus asked, noticing her change in behavior. "Is all well?"
The girl didn't answer, appearing to be listening intently to something. Except she wasn't listening. She was waiting, waiting to see if what she had felt—or maybe imagined—wasn't just a fluke. Moments passed until she felt it again, stronger this time. Excitement coursed through her body like wildfire. A wide grin slowly formed on her face. She eagerly reached back, responding.
"Jaime?" it was Prowl this time. The bots became worried when she hadn't responded to Optimus and she always answered him. It seemed like she hadn't heard him. "Jaime," Prowl repeated, louder this time. The SIC's voice broke through Jaime's thoughts. She refocused on her surroundings for only a moment before jumping to her feet.
"He's here!" She announced with great enthusiasm, delighted grin stretched as wide as her cheeks would allow. "He's finally here!"
"Who's 'ere?" Jazz asked, silver alt-form rolling forward curiously, feeling her excitement flood his bond and filling him as if it were his own.
"He's coming!" she crowed and took off towards the main hangar—barely taking the time to toss her dirty rag in the sudsy bucket.
"Yo, wait up!" Skids called.
"Yea, where's you goin'?" Mudflap asked.
"Come on you guys!" She shouted over her shoulder, pace never wavering. "Hurry up already!" The bots took a few nanoseconds to exchange looks before speeding after her.
Hours later, Optimus, Prowl, Jazz—with Jaime riding along, Ratchet and Sideswipe, were racing along the dirt roads of Italy. Jaime ignored the annoyance she felt—she had just washed them dangit!—instead focusing on her growing excitement. After a quick flight over in a cargo plane, there were going to see the two Autobot arrivals that had just entered Earth's atmosphere.
It might have taken longer, but Jaime convinced Optimus that the arrivals were both Autobots, swearing that they were allies. Sideswipe was only along because she had insisted. The Autobot leader had pressed her, trying to discern her reasoning. But she'd only told him—smile still in place—that, "it's important." He left it at that, trusting her to tell him if needed. Jaime bounced in her seat, eyes scanning the horizon, looking for any sign of the two new Autobots.
A storm had recently passed over Italy, and satellites had not picked up any incoming objects. But Jaime hadn't been surprised. Avoiding detection was one of the incoming Autobots specialties after all. Jaime used her two new and strengthening bonds to determine where they Autobots had landed. She pointed her finger in the direction that the two new bonds felt the strongest, and Jazz relayed the information to Optimus and Prowl. The train of Autobots wound their way through the mountains. There were no NEST soldiers along with this trip—the men were still spread thin after Egypt and Will was busy looking through files for new recruits. They were near the northern border of Italy, far away from any nearby cities. That was good. No prying eyes to see giant metal beings that had fallen from the sky.
It was a wonder—Jaime thought—that people hadn't realized by now that giant alien robots lived on earth. There had been enough leaked videos, especially after Egypt. Granted, most of them had been extremely poor quality, and caught only snippets, not enough to really understand what exactly the video was even recording. She guessed it just spoke volumes of the skill of the NEST staff specifically hired to handle such problems, and their effectiveness.
"There!" Jaime pointed to the side. In the distance, she could see two metal beings who seemed to be scanning their surroundings and on guard. One of them turned its head to the other and pointed to the approaching envoy of Autobots. Jaime bounced up and down on her seat in giddy anticipation. She was going to meet him! She was finally going to meet him! The Autobots stopped and transformed, except for Jazz, who remained in his vehicle mode.
Now that she was closer, Jaime was able to see the subtle differences between the two mechs, they both were definitely mechs. The first one—the one that had spotted them first—was a helm shorter, but his body frame was more lithe than the other bot. His frame appeared graceful, built for stealth and sneaking. He viewed the Autobots with caution, yet his proud helm was held high. He seemed to have a certain…presence…around him that Jaime couldn't quite put her finger on.
The second mech was taller and bulkier. He was definitely a fighter, maybe even a front liner judging by his sharp and dangerous looking armor. A permanent scowled seemed to be etched on his face plates. His servo digits twitched as if he wanted to cross his arms, but didn't want to have his servos occupied in case of an attack.
Sideswipe eyed the front liner with sharp optics before they widened in realization. He leaped at the new arrival, arms stretching towards the unknown mech.
"Sun—ergh!" Sideswipe's pedes were swept from underneath him and the unknown mech pinned him to the ground, a sharp lethal looking dagger hovering just above his neck cables. "Ow..."
"Stand down" Optimus commanded. The mech glanced at the Prime, looked down at Sideswipe, before glancing back up to the tense Prime.
"I'm not the one who attacked first" His voice was deep and smooth. It was beautiful, like creamy caramel. But it also held a note of wildness, as if an untamed animal lurked underneath the surface waiting to pounce if it felt threatened.
Sideswipe shifted underneath the mech, effectively drawing his attention once more.
"Idiot!" he laughed. "I wasn't attacking you!" The mech frowned at him, confused.
"Then…why…" he tilted his helm curiously, as a predator would analyze a strangely familiar creature that it had encountered a long time ago.
"What? Really? You don't recognize me?" Sideswipe asked, a slag-eating grin appeared on his face plates. "That really hurts mech" The Autobot's gaze sharpened.
"Sideswipe?"
"Yes, oh dear brother of mine?"
"You fragger" he muttered, metal dagger slipping back into its subspace pocket, but helped his twin off the ground regardless. "Don't know what I was thinking. I'm finally free of you and my processor seems to be under the impression that I miss you" He shook his helm. Sideswipe's wide grin stretched even further. "Primus knows why…"
"Awww Sunny!" Sideswipe latched onto his twins with a vice-like grip. "I missed you too!" Jaime watched on with a great deal of satisfaction. Sideswipe's goofy smile never left his face plates. She could feel his elation, his excitement, his pure joy. Words just couldn't explain the true happiness she was receiving from both of the reunited twins.
Sunstreaker scowled at his brother's antics and Sideswipe seemed to snuggle even closer. Whether it was because he was so happy or just to annoy his twin, Jaime couldn't tell. Perhaps it was both. "Watch it glitch head, or you'll chip the paint" Sunstreaker snapped irritably, but he didn't push Sideswipe away. Satisfied that it was safe, Jazz transformed into his bipedal form and carefully propped Jaime on his shoulder. Sideswipe finally ended the embrace, but he didn't pull away. They both remained in physical contact, as if even separation by mere inches was unthinkable.
Sideswipe's entire focus was on his twin, chatting with an enthusiasm Jaime had never witnessed. Sunstreaker's optic ridges furrowed as he seemed to contemplate something. His gaze wandered from Sideswipe, who he had been studying thoughtfully, searching for something until they settled on Jaime. His expression darkened as realization flitted across his face plates.
Galem: I've never broken any bones before *knock on wood* but even I can imagine how painful it would be to break your hand (with the added embarrassment that it was caused by punching Optimus' face XD). Heh, I won't steal your awesome word. Yes, well, being connected to a centuries old presence—the Allspark—will do that to you I imagine :)
Author's Note: Hey there all! So sorry for the long wait but, as you know, school is starting soon. So I gotta get all packed up and all that brilliant stuff. YES! SUNNY IS FINALLY ON EARTH! YAY! *Throws confetti like crazy* I know this chapter is kinda short but I thought Sunny and Jaime's first official meeting deserved to be a chapter by itself. Uh, I know the whole carwash thing is really overdone, but honestly, after being in Egypt, they would all need a serious wash. And I just can't see it as something most of the NEST soldiers would do. Besides, this was mostly a filler chapter to give Sunny boy some time to travel to earth…and his buddy. Can anyone name the unnamed mech? :D
Also, another reason I haven't updated recently is because I've also been busy with a new…pastime…of mine. I GOT NEW ROLLERBLADES! SQUEEE! *Ehem…Regains composure*
Hubero: So! Please leave a review, tell me what you thought of this chapter, what you're looking forward to, etc. Um…think that's about it…*Turns head* Anything to add?
Jaime: Nope. Ready?
Hubero: Set?
Jaime: Go!
Hubero and Jaime: *Take off in their rollerblades, racing down the hallway, and pass by Prowl in a blur*
Prowl: *Optic twitches* How many times do I have to tell you? Hallway tag is not permitted! *Transforms and pursues*
Hubero: *Shouts back* We're not playing hallway tag ya Gumby!
Prowl: Insubordination of a senior officer...You've just earned yourself a spot in the brig!
Hubero: *Laughing madly* Only if you can catch meeee!