A/N: A quick 'Thank you' note to MidnightRosePax and TheFangirlSituation for helping me finally develop Zoe's character. You guys rock! :)

Definetly check out their stories whenever possible!

Enjoy!

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Zoe woke with a jolt. Sweat dripped down her face and her body was uncomfortably warm.

She threw off her blankets in a rush. Zoe swung her legs over onto the floor and relaxed, feeling the coolness of the wood underneath her feet. She rubbed her eyes tiredly then she glanced at her digital clock on her bedside.

6:48 am.

Zoe resisted a whine. To a normal person in the ordinary world, this time woud have affected their day. For example, school or work. Considering Zoes age, she should be in school. But she was trapped in this cabin, shielded away from the outside world so she had different worries. A normal person would be fearful about the lack of sleep.

Zoe wasn't.

She was fearful of sleep.

Zoe was scared of the demons she must face alone and forever. She had no comfort after a nightmare. No parent to wipe her tears. No parent to curl next to.

Her shoulders slumped and she turned her attention to her door which was closed. Perhaps a walk around the house would ease her mind and send her back into a sleep? A bit of hot chocolate could maybe even make the sleep more peaceful than the last?

Zoe stood weakly and headed to her door, her feet dragging. The bare feet made tiny squeaking noises as she glided from her bed to the entrance to the hallway. The darkness made her struggle for a moment to find the doorknob before she opened the door. The breeze of the hallway blew onto her face and slackened her previous tenseness. She took a breath before stepping out of her dark room. The light from the fire alarm and the bathroom light illuminated the hallway.

Zoe frowned at the reminder. Her mother used to turn off the light when she kept it on to let her room have a night light. She would wake and find the light off but her mother wasn't here. No one was, except her. She was alone. Was this light going to remind her forever? Was she ever going to get over it?

Zoe shuddered, not wanting to think about that tonight.

Zoe tucked a piece of tangled hair behind her ear and went down the stairs, turning away from the bathrooms light.

...

The slap across the scouts face sent an enjoyable laughter through the silver mech.

Barricade slowly lifted his faceplate, his optics narrowed but he spoke none. Starscreams smirk died as he raised his claw and poked him in the neck cable. Barricade remained still as Starscream was debating whether or not to kill him. Finally, he removed his claw.

"I don't want to hear you or your," Starscreams optics drifted to Frenzy by the black mechs side."...little pets false nickname about me again. Do I make myself clear?" Starscream rumbled. Barricade released a heavy vent but nodded.

"I'm sorry, I don't think I heard any confirmation." Starscream reached forward and grabbed his throat in his servo. "I said, do I make myself clear?" He snarled, his patience running paper thin. Barricade smirked slightly as he loved to aggravate the Seeker, because deep down inside that twisted spark of Starscreams, he needed Barricade.

"Of course Lord Starscream," he choked out from Starscreams grip around his vocal chords. Starscream clenched his fist tighter for a moment before releasing. Barricade didn't dare touch his throat cables no matter how dented they were now.

"That's more like it." Starscreams cocky smirk slid across his faceplate. Barricades crimson optics watched the new leader turn and place his servos behind his back. "Any good news?" He questioned quietly.

Barricade clenched his fist tightly as he looked at the seeker.

"None. Soundwave is still hunting for the shard." He responded with a raspy tone. Starscream remained quiet for a moment as he thought it over.

Barricade shifted on his pedes and looked to Frenzy by his side who was twitching in anticipation. Knowing how dramatic Starscream had to be, Barricade let him take his sweet time.

Finally he spoke, "It seems I have to go after this shard first." He hummed and looked at Barricade over his shoulder. Barricade rolled his optics.

"The mech is already preparing to deploy Ravage. You don't have time to-."

"Shut up!" Starscream whipped around with fierce optics. His wings rose in irritation as he burned a glare through the black mech. "You do not decide what I have time to do and what time I don't have! Is that understood!?" Starscream snapped, his patience thin. Barricade was unimpressed but bowed in a mocking manner.

"Yes, Lord Starscream," he smirked. "When should I prepare my leave to intercept?"

"Never." Starscream stroked his chin thoughtfully as he smirked. "I will take the shard myself."

"...and what do you want me for?"

"Keep Soundwave busy. Distract the Autobots, the others, the humans, everyone!" Starscream waved his servos around as he stalked past the mech during his pacing. "I will become the Leader of the Decepticons." He clenched a servo in determination. Barricade sighed.

"Of course, Lord Starscream."

...

Lennox shook his head as he stared at the computer page Epps was scrolling through.

"These conspiracy theories are getting worse." He groaned quietly in frustration. Epps wiped the sweat from his forehead as he kept scrolling, his cheek rest in his hand that held his head up.

"Yeah, you got that right. Think we should address it?"

"And what? Give the same 'Keep a low profile' lecture again?" Lennox snorted and straightened from where he was leaning over Epps shoulder. "No, Optimus is just getting as tired of it as I am. I don't think it's any use anymore." Lennox placed his hands on his hips with a sigh. Epps swiveled around in the chair and faced his friend.

"Then what do you think we should do?"

Lennox rubbed a gloved hand down his face in exhaustion. "I don't know, Epps. I'll just send a report to Prowl, they'll know what to do...I hope." He huffed. Epps snorted and stood. They both walked from the side to where the Autobots were arriving from their latest mission. The speaker spoke over the comm, reporting Autobots to their duties. Many of them grumbled but transformed and walked to them anyway.

Lennox saw Optimus roll in and he approached him immediately. "Hey, big guy. Anything new?" He asked with a smile. Optimus came to a halt and his pistons hissed.

"Major Lennox," The leader greeted kindly. "I am afraid to tell you we have uncovered nothing to the Decepticons plan now that Megatron offlined." Optimus informed the man as he began to transform. Lennox stepped back to give him some room. "Should you not be with your wife and child?" Optimus inquired as he kneeled down to face Lennox at his best to be eye leveled.

Lennox shrugged. "They called me in last night. We've been getting more and more problems with these theories on the web pages," he ran his glove through his short hair with a sigh. "A lot of people are getting scared and were looking into it."

Optimus frowned deeply at the news. "This is unfortante. I will discuss the di-."

"No need, Prime." He waved a hand, dismissing the idea. "You guys are already exposed. The government is just trying to keep some order before it fully leaks." Lennox grumbled with a snort. Optimus studied the human quietly.

"Perhaps I will speak with Mirag-Dino about more techniques of disguising and remaining hidden among humans. It seems we have been, how the humans say, slacking." Optimus offered. Lennox looked unsure.

"Only if you want. But I'm telling you now it's not really mandatory since it's not going to be long unti-." Lennox was cut off as Epps suddenly hollered him over.

"Lennox, we got something!" He waved an arm gesturing for him to come. Lennox gave a sheepish smile before jogging over to him. He slapped a hand on his shoulder as he peered over at the screen. It took a moment for the soldiers eyes to register what was before him.

"What is that?" Lennox stressed as he took off his hand and leaned closer.

"That," Epps began, dragging the mouse over the image and zooming in. "Is Starscream. A civilian took a picture and uploaded it not too long ago."

"Where?" Lennox asked with a stern look.

"Montana," Epps responded.

"What is he doing there?" Lennox furrowed his eyebrows in confusion. Epps shrugged.

"Don't know but this is a chance to see what he's up to."

"No. We can't risk it. By the time we get there he could be long gone. Especially now that these guys are exposed, the press will be all over them."

"Major Lennox, if I may intervene." Optimus vented. Lennox looked over at the giant mech still kneeling. "We don't have to bring a team to investigate. I can send two mechs of mine to ask the civilian a few questions then follow where the civilian saw Starscream head toward."

Lennox rubbed his forehead. "With all due respect big guy, that sounds like a terrible idea."

Ratchet stepped forward. "Starscream is not a Decepticon to be taken lightly, Lennox. We need to address this." He told him sternly.

Lennox thought for a moment. "Oh screw it," he grumbled. "Get General Moreshower on the phone,"

A/N: I really need to stop making more stories, I can barely keep up with the ones I have XD
Buuut...this one has been itching at me for a long time. As you can see it's about an OC in the movies. However, this storyline officially stops following the movie after the first one. This is preparing into the second but with my twist because I don't like following them very much :P

If you are currently reading "The Sabetour and His Puzzle" then you will understand some future references ;)

Enjoy.

~juiceboxandexpresso