"I don't mean to sound rude or impatient but I am bleeding to death here!" The man shouted from downstairs, making Zoe jump out of her skin. Her eyes widened, wiping away her drying tears. She got up as she snapped back into reality and quickly began packing.

She threw in many clothes and grabbed a photo album. She threw it in with the First aid kit before zipping it shut. She grabbed her socks and put them on.

Her breath was quickening as anxiety and adrenaline ran through her. She grabbed her boots and slip them on her feet. She slipped on a sweater and her winter coat, putting gloves on. She went to her dresser and took out her wallet filled with limited money from old allowances. She put it in her pocket and grabbed her bag, swinging it on.

Zoe winced at the heavy wieght and went to her window, lifting it with a grunt. She began getting out slowly, sitting on the windowsill. She hesitated, looking down at the ground below. She shook more knowing she had to jump.

It couldn't hurt too bad? Its snow. Like a blanket and pillows!

Zoe leaned to the side and as her grip slipped she quickly grabbed onto the wall again, steadying herself as she grew too scared. Her eyes shut tightly, whimpering.

"Breathe...breathe..." she whispered. She squeezed her eyes shut and slowly let go, falling down. She yelped as she hit the snow roughly then groaned.

Zoe felt snow enter her hair and her arm started aching terribly from the fall, her arm cushioning her. Zoe would have just let herself lay there but she could see the window that the man was slowly getting up and going to the stairs. Her eyes widened and she quickly got up, swinging her bag back on.

She hurried around the house, holding her arm close to her body. She noticed a jet not even halfway into the shack and blinked before turning her attention back to the road ahead, the ferraris tracks still there. She then halted, her breath hitching as she got an idea.

The man was going upstairs...she needed food and water still.

Zoe looked at her door and slowly walked over to see if it would be a good idea. She looked in the window, wiping fog off the window.

The man was halfway up the stairs and she winced before slowly going to the door and tugging at the door. She whined seeing it was locked. She went to the window and began opening it, taking her bag off and letting it stay in the snow. She crawled through the window and onto the dining table by the stairs. She tried to remain quiet, listening to his footsteps go up the stairs. She got down off the table slowly and hurried to the kitchen. She grabbed canned goods out of the pantry. She stuffed it in the inside of her coat before rushing to the fridge, her boots sliding a little and squeaking.

Zoe slowed down to not make much more noise and grabbed the two bottles of water left.

"Hey! Where did you go!?" The man shouted, the voice somewhat muffled as he seemed to have made it to her room.

Her hands shook, her veins coursing with oure adrenaline as she grew extremely scared. She shut the door and race to the table. She scrambled onto it, hearing the man rushing to the stairs. She struggled through the window and had to push it open more before falling out into the snow.

The man was halfway down when he saw her, holding his wound and grunting as he rushed down. Blood dripped onto the floor as he hurried. "Get back here!" He shouted, his voice no longer friendly. Zoe grabbed her bag and began sprinting like no tomorrow, her breathing heavy as the air was thin and cold.

Steve went to the window and growled seeing her run away then smirked. He began relaxing knowing she was scared off and wouldn't be back for a long while.

...

Optimus watched his bots training in the training room, silent. His servos were folded behind his back, assuming an authoritative demeanor. He looked calm but worry was in his optics.

A special ops training was intense and more calculating than regular training. Ironhide and Bumblebee both came to him in the padt with concerns.

Mirage was becoming unfair with his training to Bumblebee and Hound. He was simply to harsh and forced them to work overtime until they got it right.

Hound wasn't even truly a spy or scout, just being an expert tracker and an expert in navigation. Optimus wanted to send Hound out the other day with Mirage but the mech refused saying Hound "wouldn't be ready to handle the job".

Hound wasn't taking these comments well but Optimus would calm him down and have him do something else to feel useful in other ways.

Forced at times, Optimus had Hound take more training for wreckers. The mech was good at it and he loved it more than Special Ops even though no one led the wreckers at the moment. Until Ultra Magnus was found, the wreckers were a group rarely used under Optimus's command. The Prime didn't have a good enough hold on them as Ultra Magnus did.

Optimus sighed as he watched Bumblebee and Mirage train. They were butting heads much more lately, the scout frustrated with the other mech.

Mirage and Bumblebee used to be good friends but since Jazz died, Mirage had been pushing everyone away. Bumblebee went to him about it several times and today Optimus finally decided to intervene.

As the training looked like it was getting dragged on for too long, the Prime approached. "Dino, I would like a word." He spoke up.

Mirage looked at him, angry that training was getting intruppted but nodded, never ever going against the leaders word.

Bumblebee looked relieved it was put to an end for now and began leaving, his doorwings sagging as a sign he was getting exhausted.

Optimus waited until the scout left and for Ironhide to retreat out as well before looking at the red mech.

"Dino, I get word you are growing too harsh with your training." Optimus told him calmly. The mech reacted like he was slapped, instantly looking furious.

"Harsh!? I was trained this way with Jazz." Mirage crossed his arms, his optic ridges furrowing.

"I highly doubt such a thing. He was kind and loose with his training. Dino, perhaps you need to keep in mind that bots cannot keep it fighting as long as you do." Optimus suggested placing a servo on his shoulder.

"They should. I'm training them to be better. If they don't like it, they can leave this group. I can do it better myself." Mirage spoke bitterly, walking away and out of the comforting gesture. Optimus watched him curiously as the mech walked away. Although he was angry, he was still being honest and Optimus appreciated he was being at least a little open.

"You know having a team can be a good thing, Dino." Optimus told him, staying still as the mech paced a bit.

"No, not in this. Being alone is much better when in mission." Mirage said seriously. The prime merely stared back at him and the Ferrari sighed. "Fine, sir...I can...lighten up with the training." He muttered.

Optimus nodded slowly, pleased to hear it but was still concerned about him. "When was your last checkup with Ratchet?" He asked.

"I'm sleeping fine, sir." Mirage quickly spoke, knowing what he was thinking. "I have been refueling. I'm not depressed." He glared a little, looking down as his voice lowered. "I've been taking good care of myself."

"Physically only I see." Optimus spoke up as he walked back to him. Mirage didn't walk away this time, the leaders deep voice giving a comforting tone. "Dino, I know what you went through must have been difficult for you but being with others can help heal you. Just let yourself be open." He said gently. "You are amongst friends here. There is no reason to be so angry with others." Optimus told him, studying him as the spy still didn't look at him.

"Yes sir." He muttered and Optimus gave a small nod, knowing he was thinking over it. Optimus turned and began leaving him alone then paused at the door.

"Training bots have been decreased to at most two hours, twice per day. Ironhide will inform me if you go over the limit. That includes yourself." Optimus told him sternly, his tone now commanding. He left the training room and Mirage growled a bit, looking to the punching bags, feeling the need to blow off some steam now.