I don't own Transformers Prime.

Chapter 13

Amber was frustrated about the situation. They had 4 locations of possible relics from Cybertron but she was not allowed to go with any of the teams. With the burn on her left side Optimus and Ratchet forbad her from going not wanting make it worse. "Why can't I go with Miko, Jack, Arcee and Bee to New York City? I've spent time there, I know my way around the underground tunnels." Amber tried to reason with her guardian and the team medic.

"And why would you even know that?" Ratchet asked doubtful.

"I guess you didn't know that the homeless find places to stay in the tunnels, especially in winter time and other bad weather. They even know of places that have been forgotten over time by local residents and authorities but I happen to know where a few of them are located." Amber pointed out with a small smile, but that faded to a frown when both the medic and Prime still told her she was staying at base. Optimus of course could feel her disappointment and a feeling of useless.

"Amber you are far from useless but with your current injury I cannot in good conscious put you out into the field where it could worsen." Optimus told her hoping to lighten her mood but from what he was feeling he knew it was not working. Picking her up he held her over his spark, sending her comfort and what he hoped was confidence in her. "You will be able to help everyone from the base and operant the ground bridge in Ratchet's place."

Amber leaned against his chest a sigh leaving her, content in that moment since they didn't have many moments like this. It however didn't last since Optimus still had to finish deploying the other teams and himself out into the field. He placed Amber next to the computers, where Raf was already waiting and reluctantly turned away to get everyone else underway. She watched as one by one the others left the base and Amber reluctantly sat down at a terminal. Half an hour passed before Fowler woke up looking partially awake while he approached her absently giving Casper a pat on the head along the way. "Hey sleepy head how you feeling?"

He groaned rubbing his head. "I'm a bit groggy, almost feels like a hangover and I could really use some coffee."

Amber got up and said. "Here take over, I'll go make you some. I could use a drink and snack myself and a treat for Casper. You want anything Raf?" He said no but well in the kitchen she grabbed a plate for some cookies and two glasses of milk for the two of them well waiting for Fowler's coffee to brew. Well that was going on she thought over what she had learned back on the warship about the Light. The file had been incomplete but it had had enough for her to understand that she had not even scratched the surface of what it could do.

Both Fowler and Raf were busy when she and Casper came back from the base's only kitchen, Raf looked to be creating a computer virus of some kind well Fowler was talking to Bulk. Amber handed him the mug of coffee and went over to Raf, who took the cookie she offered him without looking away from his screen. She had just put a glass of milk beside him when she picked up a surprising emotion through the bond. Prime was annoyed, so she asked. 'What could be bothering you so much that you would let it through the bond well on mission?'

It was an unspoken rule between them, that unless it was an emergency Amber and Optimus didn't use the bond during missions, so as to keep from distracting him in the field. 'It is Starscream. It seems that he detected the Decepticon's activity and was investigating the artic site only to be captured by Dreadwing and now me. He is helping by leading me to the relic that some human's had discovered before either party.' he his voice may have sounded his normal emotionless self but she could still fell his unhappiness in having the former lieutenant with him.

'Well you may only have to put up with him for a short time.' Amber told him well she went back to the ground bridge controls and the terminal where the read out of everyone's locations\ life signs was displayed.

'You seem so sure of this. Has the light-'

'No the Light has not shown me something. Though I do have a greater understanding of it after Tripticon showed me the file well you and the rest of the team were frozen.' Amber assured him well she bit into her cookie and opened the incomplete Iacon file they had acquired earlier that day. 'This is more like a strong feeling.'

'Very well. I will be sure to keep your feelings on the matter in mind but it would be best that I focus on my current companion and the mission.' he told her and she could feel a bit of humor in his words well she wished him the best. Despite knowing some Cybertroian she could see that this file was heavily coded and it was clearly a deception that no human was capable of knowing. Looking over each line her eyes began to ach but suddenly a set of co-ordinates seemed to pop out from the lines but it was like they were not a part of the file at all.

"Amber, snap out of it!" Fowler snapped, suddenly shaking her roughly.

Amber blinked and looked up at him in surprise. "What?"

"You've been staring at that screen for an hour, hardly blinking or moving. You alright?" he said a little more gently this time now that he had her attention. "I even called your name five times and you didn't answer."

"Yeah I'm fine." she assured him well closing the file, rubbing her eyes to help with how sore they suddenly felt. Like she had been staring at the screen intently for an hour but it had not seemed like that much time had passed. She got back to the task on hand, checking everyone's life readings. Bulk's were not the best which had her worried and she soon knew the reason from Fowler. "Bulkhead is carrying what?!"

"It's a toxic form of Energon. He's taking up the side of a volcano to dispose of it but he has a couple of Insecticon's on his tail pipe." Fowler said with a worried scowl on his face well he looked at Bulk's life signs too. It seemed the two had been trading war stories to keep the big guy moving. "I'm worried that he won't be able to make it in his current condition.

"Scrap!" Amber snapped, pounding a fist on the desk. "If only I had a weapon that could do major damage to a con. Than I could back him up, even if it is from a distance."

"Actually I have something that may just fit that bill. I'll be right back but keep talking to the big guy. Keep him moving." Fowler told her running to the elevator.

Amber wasn't sure what he was planning but she turned the comms back on. "Hey Bulk, you hanging in there?"

(("Amber where you been hiding?")) his voice sounded tired and weak.

"I was getting Fowler some coffee, also some snacks for me and Raf. Other than that I have been keeping an eye on everyone best I can with the base scanners." Amber told him well checking his current position. "From the look of things your about 10 klicks from the summit, your almost there so don't you dare stop."

There was a dry chuckle from the former Wreaker. (("You almost sound like Fowler but he was an Army Ranger. Did you know he got stuck behind enemy lines and had to fake a trail?"))

"No I didn't but I tried that once. It didn't really work out for me." Amber confessed.

There was a pause before he asked. (("Trying to get away from Silas and MECH I take it? You don't have to answer."))

"No, it's time I get some of my past off my chest to you guys." Amber said with more conviction then she felt well she took a deep breath. "It was right after my 9th birthday, not that Silas kept track of such things. I was on a training run behind some of the soldiers that had joined a still forming MECH, falling way behind. I had full gear on, including a loaded pack that was half the weight than that of a standard loaded pack a full grown man would carry in the service but it was definitely more than 9 year old me could really handle. Because of this the training officer got after me for lagging behind the others, which meant soon it was just the two of us on the trail. I saw an opportunity and I tried to take it. After I knocked the officer out, I dropped the pack and took off into the forest. Even with leaving a fake trail I didn't get too far before I was captured and taken to a very angry Silas. He punished me, giving half of the scars that go across my back. They served as reminder that I had to get away from him and what he was trying to accomplish."

(("Whoa that is super depressing and not helping me very much but thanks for opening up.")) Bulk groaned.

"Well my point is I didn't give up in getting away from MECH so don't you dare give up." Amber said with an eye roll and a small smile. It was then that Fowler came back with a case that he put on the coffee table and waved her over to come take a look. "Fowler's back Bulk so I'll let him take over telling encouraging stories since I don't have any."

(("Don't count yourself short Amber. You may have had it ruff but you have always shown to have the strength to do what you have to for the team.")) Amber smiled at his words and thanked him before she headed over to Fowler.

Looking at what was in the case her jaw dropped in shock when she realised what it was. "This is- but how?" she asked the smiling special agent.

-o0o-

Bulkhead had reached the summit of the volcano, much to his relief but before he could finally get rid of the tox-en the Insecticon Hardshell and two other ones arrived. "Put down the rock and allow us to put you out of your misery." Hardshell said well he and his comrades had the upper hand.

Bulkhead took a few weak steps back, looking from one bug to the other. "Gotta swat some flies." he muttered before he began the fight by throwing a grenade at one Insecticon. Hardshell charged Bulkhead but got the Tox-en shoved into him, causing him to howl in pain as the toxic energon hit his armor and protoform. "Fair warning I'm contagious." Bulk growled at him throwing him off, unaware that another insectiocn him was flying at him.

Out of nowhere an bolt of energy came from the northeast part of the volcano and hit the charging Insecticon. That con fell to the molten ground, his body twitching, a whine leaving it but it couldn't do much else. Not sure what was going on or who it was backing him up Bulk didn't want to have that one get back up. So he put the chunk of Tox-en on top of it. "Hold this." he told it, ignoring its whines of pain and discomfort, turning back to Hardshell. The large Insecticon had gotten back to his feet and the two began to circle each other. (("Bulkhead, you still with me?")) Fowler suddenly asked over the comm.

"I'm in the scarp and you put me on hold?" Bulk asked him sounding a bit tired and slightly annoyed at the human.

(("I want you to know Miko's safe. Mission accomplished.")) Fowler told him to which Bulkhead said "That's my girl." every bit as proud as any guardian should be well he and Hardshell engaged each other.

(("By the way you may have noticed that you have a bit of back up. Amber says she'll try to stay out of sight but will try and take some of the heat off you with the porotype weapon I gave her.")) Bulk was shocked to hear that but as another bolt of energy hit Hardshell and not him, giving him an opening. He was grateful to know that she was there, backing him up. He hit Hardshell hard, but Hardshell hit back just as hard. Over and over the two exchanged weak blows but the large con took another hit from Amber's new weapon, making the con stagger back. It seemed due to his larger size the electric attacks Amber was using didn't affect Hardshell for very long.

It was about than that the other con got the piece of Tox-en off of him, bring the rock back to Harshell's attention. "Contact the warship for a containment unit." He seemed to get his second wind after that punching Bulk twice and knocking him down. Bulk yelled in pain and struggled to get up, which Amber saw from her position at the top of the volcano. Thinking fast she put the Tox-en in her sights and opened fire on it but the other Insecticon took the hit instead. Cursing she abandoned her position and carefully climbed down, heading towards them.

She didn't see all that happened next in the few moments it took her to climb down but she did see Bulkhead take a missile to the back, the force sending him through the ground bridge. "Bulkhead!" She shouted and immediately regretted it when Hardshell heard her and turned in her direction. She quickly called for a ground Bridge and got out of there before the con could do anything to her. Casper was the only one who was happy to see her because everyone else was focused on the injured Bulkhead. She watched Ratchet struggle to roll him over and try to revive him. He was still trying when Raf opened the ground bridge letting the team from New York to arrive.

Bee and Arcee drove into the base and had to screech to a stop after moving out of the way to avoid hitting Bulkhead. "Bulkhead!" Miko shouted getting out of Bee and running towards her injured guardian but Fowler grabbed her. "What happened?"

"Tox-en exposure among other things." Ratchet told her well he scanned the big guy. "Bulkhead has suffered a complete systems failure."

"Hold on… Tox-en?" Arcee asked alarmed.

Ratchet didn't explain further as he ordered both Bee and Arcee to help get Bulk into the medical bay, quickly as possible. All any of the humans could do was watch them scramble to save one of their own. Miko began to blame herself about Bulk getting hurt but Fowler tried to reason with her that there was nothing she could have done if she had been there. Amber's heart went out to the younger girl and she used the bond to tell Optimus about Bulkhed. She was the one to open the bridge for her guardian, just when a new vision came to her.

Wheeljack was in a canyon that was at the base of a cliff, his ship the Jackhammer was parked not too far from where he was fighting Hardshell. Seeing inside the ship she saw a worried and crying Miko trapped inside and- Amber came out of the vision, gripping the rail which kept her up right but so did Optimus's hand which cupped around her. 'Another vision?' he asked.

Amber nodded but before she could share what she saw Ratchet called for Optimus's help. They both knew that saving Bulkhead's life was more important so Amber told him to go and she would share her vision with him later. Watching him go Amber's eyes landed on Miko who was watching nearby, her worry for Bulkhead clear. Sighing Amber walked down from the computer station and went to her placing a hand on Miko's shoulder. Miko jumped and turned to look at Amber, tears picking at her eyes. "I'm sorry Miko, I tried to have his back but-"

"But what?! You're a trained assassin, watching Bulk's back shouldn't have been so hard!"

Everyone who wasn't busy stared at Miko in shock, none of them had before put the older girl down for her past. Amber however kept her face neutral but her eyes spoke volumes. They could see understanding but there was sadness in there as well. "I know your upset Miko and that you're blaming yourself but none of us are to blame. From what I understand Tox-en is nastier then Dark energon but Bulk did the right thing getting rid of it. Megatron can't use it now as a weapon that could have been the doom of us all. Think about that ok?"

Miko didn't answer, she just glared at her, brushing her hand off and stepping away from Amber, going back to watching Ratchet stabilise Bulkhead. Well Ratchet worked Arcee and Bumblebee took Jack and Raf home. Arcee offered to take Amber home too but she turned her down saying that she would stay with Miko. A few hours later Bulkhead was sable but not out of the woods. Amber and Miko sat on top of the steps, sitting quietly well watching Ratchet work. Fowler got a call from the Pentagon, saying the video surveillance caught sight of the others in New York and had to run interference with the mayor. "I've tried to stall but-'

"Go where you are needed Agent Fowler." Optimus told him. "There is nothing more you can do for Bulkhead at this time."

"Keep me posted Prime. I mean it." the former army ranger said well he headed to the elevator and left.

Arcee than spoke. "Wheeljack on his way."

"I can't believe that your giving up on bulkhead already." Miko snapped, thinking the worst.

"All I meant is that Wheeljack and Bulkhead are close, I thought he'd want to be here." Arcee explained softly.

"I know what you meant." Miko snapped storming away.

"Miko, where are you going?" Optimus asked.

"Home well Agent Fowler can still give me a lift." She turned to head to the elevator but found a scowling Amber blocking her way.

"You were actually heading to the Jackhammer to hide then convince Wheeljack to let you help in getting revenge." All of the bots were taken back by Amber's words but seeing the look of surprise on Miko's face they knew that Amber was correct.

"No I'm not!"

"Really? Then why did I have a vision of Wheeljack fighting Hardshell with you in the Jackhammer crying and pounding on the glass?" MIko looked nervous and wouldn't meet the hard stare. "Tell me I'm wrong. I'd love to hear that for once this thing around my neck was wrong."

The bots were silent watching the two teens, knowing that Amber was right but their attention was diverted when Wheeljack came speeding in. "What's the damage doc?" he asked once transformed.

"Bulkhead suffered massive trauma to his central conduit."

"I've watched you work. You're a maestro." Wheeljack said to Ratchet.

"The Tox-en exposure has caused system-wide shut down on a sub-micronic level. I can't even begin to operate until Bulkhead regains some strength." Wheeljack was a about to demand of Optimus the name of who did this to his best friend when his optics landed on the two teens still around. He could tell something was off when he noticed how Miko was looking away from Amber's glare.

"Um- what is going on with those two?"

"It would seem that Amber had a vision that involved you and Miko getting revenge on the Insecticon that hurt Bulkhead. She says that she witnessed your death well Miko watched from inside your ship." Optimus explained noting for the first time it was not anger but concern for Miko he was picking up from his daughter. 'I don't want her to be like me.' she told him when she felt him probing her mind through the bond before she spoke to MIko. "Getting revenge will not make you feel better Miko and Bulkhead wouldn't want you or Wheeljack to."

"You of all people have no right to judge me!" MIko snapped, tears falling down her face. "When you first got here you wanted to kill Silas!"

"That is true and in case you forgot I once had him at deaths door but you know what Optimus not only stopped me but he has changed my mind about killing Silas." Amber informed her shocking not only Miko but all the bots as well. Only Optimus was not surprised, smiling at his daughter who showed Miko her hands. There they could all see the new scars that she got from the wire, the night Prime stopped Amber. "I now have these to remind me about the terrible mistake that I nearly made and I will not stand by and let you make the same terrible choice."

Miko looked at Amber's hands, saw the scars and she just broke down. She started to cry hard and let the older girl wrap her arms around her. In the end Miko went for a sleepover at the Darby house and Wheeljack was ordered to remain at base till further notice.

Later that night well Miko slept in Amber's bed with Casper cuddled up her, Amber sat outside in the backyard, staring up at the stars. She was thinking back over the events of the day, especially the weird thing that had happened well she was looking at the Iacon data base. She was so deep in thought that she jumped when someone touch her shoulder. Out of reflex she grabbed the person's hand and with ease she had them flying across the yard. It was only after he grunted when he landed that Amber realised it was actually Optimus's holoform. From behind her she heard a giggle, which made her turn around and look at June who was covering her mouth in an attempt to hide her humor of what had just happened.

"Optimus I am so sorry." Amber said running over to help him up, a chuckle leaving him.

"I am fine but I must say your reflexes are still sharp." he said well he stood his holoform to its full height and brushed the grass off his pants.

"Um- yeah I guess but what are you doing here so late at night?" Amber asked him confused, holding her left side ignoring the sting of pain.

"Is it not obvious? I came to talk with you. Mostly to say that I was so proud of how well you handled the situation with Miko. Also Agent Fowler had informed me that at one point you "spaced out" for a few hours well the rest of us were on our missions." Optimus said well he indicated that the three of them should head inside. It was once they were seated on the living room furniture that Amber told him and June about the co-ordinates that she had seen pop out at her.

"Do you remember the exact co-ordinates?"

Amber gave him a sour look. "Did you forget I have a photographic memory?" Optimus smiled and offered to take her to the location tomorrow but she turned him down. "I don't believe that this is too important to go chasing it right now. Not when we have the full Iacon file and you need to work on deciphering it." Optimus once again was proud of her, putting the needs of the team before her own.

A/N: Hey I know it had been a while since I had updated and I confess that I should have posted sooner. Like always please feel free to leave a review, I helps me more then you guys can possibly know.