Zoe entered the pearly white bathroom and opened the cabniets beneath the sink. She frowned deeply as she searched for the kit. Her hands shook for the fright of knowing she had to help this man and rhe fright of getting found once again.

She couldn't shake her mind from the thought that people knew where she was now. First the federal agent then this pilot.

Zoe hated knowing people knew where she was.

She liked being isolated and safe. The log cabin felt so...protecting. It had her parents atmosphere here.

Although she was very lonely, she was getting paranoid after a while. She trusted no one.

The federal agent had a welcoming look and he had to be a government official. How could you not trust them?

She grabbed the kit and stood but stopped herself from leaving the bathroom.

She couldn't do this.

The first man freaked her out and now there was another with even more less welcoming energy.

Marvel avenger or not, she couldn't stay here anymore. She was already so low on food, she knew that if she didn't go to the town on the bottom of the mountain she would starve.

Zoe rubbed her face, sighing. She would pack and leave later. She turned off the light leaving the bathroom and slowly approached the stairs, looking down at the pilot groaning in agony. He didn't look too well. He was pale and muttering curses.

She really didn't want to patch up a bad wound. Her eyes flickered to her room just down the hall.

The fire crackled and the man continued breathing heavily. Her eyes glanced back to him.

Her throat got tight, tears filling her eyes as she felt overwhelmed with anxiety.

She couldn't do this.

She carefully lowered and set the kit against her shirt, trying to be as quiet as she could. She then slowly walked to her room, silent. She tried not to be noticed, careful of the squeaky wooden boards beneath her feet.

Zoe slowly approached her door and went inside her room. She went to her closet and grabbed two bags, stuffing warm clothing inside. Her hands shook as she couldn't believe she was leaving the only warmth she would get.

The town was at least 12 miles down the mountain. The snow, the wind, the lack of food, the lack of water all raced to her mind.

Would I need to stay a night half way through the trip down?

How am I supposed to pack food and water and other essitenals with the man down there?

Zoe trembled, covering her face as she began to cry as she was scared. She didn't know what to do. Her face turned red and puffy as she sniffled and whimpered. The blonde sat on the bed and cried silently.

...

Mirage sat in the rec room, holding his energon cube. He stared at it, frowning deeply. He wasn't feeling particular hungry for any energon even though his energy levels were getting low.

His blue optics reflected the glowing cube in his servos. He stared at it, his mind blank as he watched the cubes liquid move around a little. It glistened and sparkled a bit as most cubes did underneath the hangers fluorescent lights.

"Hey Mirage." A voice spoke up cheerfully. The spy didn't need to turn to know it was Bumblebee. He sighed heavily and closed his optics in annoyance.

"It is Dino, Bumblebee." He grunted and finally took a sip after staring at it for twenty minutes. The scout finally came into view as he walked around him and sat down next to him.

"Sorry, I forget. Were just used to calling you that, but we try as we know you wanted to change it since Jazz-." Bumblebees apologetic tone was cut off as Mirage looked at him, setting his cube down.

"Did you come here for something?" He asked gruffly, frowning. His bright optics then dimmed as Bumblebee had brought up the topic he avoided like it was a rust plague.

Bumblebee blinked, seeing he was sour and defensive. The red spy was still mourning. He had been close to the saboteur. The mech clearly wanted space but Bumblebee ignored the obvious signs.

"I came to chat with you. How was the mission?" Bumblebee asked kindly, still cheerful as ever.

Mirages stoic look faded and he looked away, feeling a bit uncomfortable by the scouts stare.

"Fine. Simple." Mirage told him with a grunt, not wanting to engage in more conversation.

Bumblebee tilted his helm, pressing on. "Simple how?"

"I got directions where Starscream went and that's it. Really a waste of time honestly." Mirage huffed as he stood, walking away and to the corridor. Bumblebees doorwings jerked upward curiously and he got up, following.

"How so?"

Mirage rolled his optics, hearing him follow. "This could have been handled differently. I drove to the woods, got a groundbridge to Montana, drove 12 miles up a mountain, got a door slammed in my face, got little information, then left. I could have spent that time-."

"Training? Like always?" Bumblebee interrupted, his tone slightly down. Mirage grunted.

"Yes." He said calmly, looking down the hall. Bumblebee jogged up and stopped in front of him.

"Mirage, Megatron is dead. Even if he wasn't, you can't go after him yourself. That won't bring Jazz back." Bumblebee told him seriously, his optics dimming a bit.

Mirages optics flared in annoyance and his accent became thicker as he spoke angrily, "It is Dino!" He corrected. "And you know nothing. You are a simple young scout." He growled to him, shoving him out of his way. Bumblebee frowned as he watched him storm down the hall.

"We all miss him too you know." Bumblebee spoke after him. Mirage stopped and turned around, glaring.

"Non sai nulla...you know nothing. I suggest you shut it scout. I'm your boss now, remember that." Mirage hissed and began storming off again, his frame tense. Bumblebee sighed heavily and began walking to Optimus's office, concerned for the mech.

Mirages optics lowered to the ground as he walked to the training, completely ticked. He began muttering to himself in Italian, his optics blazing.

What did that scout know?

He knew he was in charge of Special Ops now, he just trained to keep sharp is what he wanted to tell himself.

Mirages anger began dying down as he walked to the training room, walking around humans.

Why had he told Bumblebee he thought the was a waste of time mission?

Mirage loved the scenery. It took his mind off things driving to the log cabin.

The cool air...

The mountains...

The birds chirping...

When he had to slow down for a bison to cross the road...

The human...

Mirage sighed and approached the training room window, staring at Ironhide training with Sideswipe.

Ever since Jazz died he knew he was becoming more defensive, sour, and angered. He wondered if he was just sour after Bumblebee got the name wrong.

As he watched the two bots spar, his mind wandered back to the mountains. It was a nice change of environment. He wished he could go back.

But he couldn't.

He had duties.

He then thought about the girl again and rubbed his face, walking away from the training room as he decided he would go lay down in his berth.

He hoped the girl was alright and her Aunt had returned.

Mirage approached his door and typed the code in, his optics dim as he stepped inside. He couldn't help but wonder why he kept thinking back to the kid.

He understood her defensive behavior and the loneliness was his first guess.

Mirage shook his helm and laid down on his cool soft meshed berth and looked up at his ceiling. He vented, steam leaving his armor as he stared, thinking and thinking.

He slowly closed his optics, dreaming of the snow and mountains as he recharged.

☆☆☆☆

Authors note:

Just a little side note here, I'm still really new at Italian as I'm self learning the language. If I'm getting any part of Mirages italian dialogue wrong then I'm sorry. As I'm definitely no fluent speaker in it yet, I may refer to Google translate at some points.

Ew... Google translate.....  *cringe*

So if it's not correct then I apologize. I'm trying to get it as accurate as possible.