Sideswipe nudged me. 'Are you still listening or am I talking to a wall?' He scoffed. 'What? Uh, oh... n-no... can you repeat what you were saying one more time?' He gave me a rather annoyed look. 'You haven't heard what I was talking about, did you?' He grumbled. I sucked in a breath. 'No, not exactly. I'm sorry.' He huffed. 'You owe me another dollar. Seriously... I'm already on 35 bucks by now.'

I huffed. 'I earned 150 bucks from you last month. You're just getting your money back.' He snorted and bend over the table. 'You know what... let's make a jar and put all the money in. By the end of the year, we will spend it on something fun. Disneyland or whatever.' I smiled and nodded. 'Alright.' I shook his hand to set the deal. 'Don't stop saying sorry.' He pointed at me and gave me a strict look. I laughed. 'But seriously, what has gotten your mind?'

'Oh... nothing, just a little tired, that's all.' I waved my hand to dismiss it. Sideswipe bit down on his lip. 'From what?' I shook my head. 'Just a bad dream, nothing in particular.' He eyed me closely. 'You mean 'the' dreams? The nightmares about Ravage?' I glanced at him. 'I thought they were over.' I exhaled slowly. 'Most of the time, not always,' I replied quietly. 'You know that Ravage won't come in again, right? We won't give him another change. You're save here, especially with me.'

He smirked. 'I know... I'm not scared.' Sideswipe eyed me. 'But you are at night. What benefit would Ravage or Megatron have killing you?' I shrugged. 'I don't know... witnesses aren't supposed to live, right?' Sideswipe snorted. 'Everyone here was a witness. Believe me, they won't come after you. You're not valuable to them.'
'You know I have access to all the systems at the base. Ravage came straight to where I was, Sideswipe... he didn't kill me like he killed the others and you know that just well as I do.'

He grabbed my hand and squeezed. 'But it's over. Ravage won't have another change coming here again. It happened a months ago, he hadn't tried it again. If he does show up, I'll be there to protect you, I promise.' I smiled and nodded slowly. I checked the time. 'I have to run, but we talk later?' I got up and grabbed my jacket. 'Of course.' I grabbed his jaw. 'Behave, Mr. Mischief.' He smirked and nodded. 'Always.' I cupped his cheek before I took off.

Sideswipe was right. I should try to let go and trust the Autobots it won't happen again, but the nightmares kept returning. The only one who knew about them was Sideswipe. I didn't always feel save if he wasn't around, but I guess I have to trust them. They drive more patrols, installed even more Energon detectors. Sideswipe told me every precaution, but I still felt unsafe for some reason.

Sideswipe searched for me when I wrapped up work for today. 'Hey.' He flashed me a smile. 'Hey, almost done?' I nodded. 'Don't unplug my computer.' He raised his hands with a smirk. 'I wouldn't dare.' He flopped down on the chair. 'Are you free tonight?' He raised a brow. 'Uhm, I have a late night patrol, so I guess, why?' I saved the files and switched off the computer. 'Do you want to go to the movie with me?' He nodded rapidly. 'Absolutely, why do you ask?'

I chuckled. 'You don't want to go home yet?' I shook my head. 'No, I rather spend my evening with you.' He smiled and pressed a kiss on my forehead. Sideswipe lifted my chin. 'I won't let anyone hurt you,' he mumbled. I nodded, nuzzling in his warm chest. He rubbed my back. 'Did Ironhide say something? He saw us earlier.'
'Don't worry. He won't say anything.' I took a step back. 'Shall we?' I nodded and followed him.

We had dinner and watched a movie. He brought me home around 11 PM. He came to a stop and cut his engine. 'Thanks for tonight.' I raised a brow. 'I enjoyed it,' he added. It wasn't the first time we did something together. 'Yeah, anytime.' He pressed a kiss on my cheek. 'I'll see you tomorrow.' I smiled and nodded. 'Goodnight.'

I hopped out and closed his door; walking up to my porch. I heard Sideswipe behind me drive off. He had to hurry back to join a debriefing. I shut the door behind me and switched on the lights. It wasn't a big house, but sometimes it felt big. Sideswipe is usually the one filling up the silence and space.

I headed upstairs, took a nice warm shower and went to bed. The next morning was a chilly, rainy one. Didn't give much motivation to get out of bed. I dressed up and headed downstairs for breakfast. Opening the drawer, I noticed something was missing. My kitchen knife. A frown spread over my face and checked the dishwasher and some other drawers, but it had disappeared. Strange. I hadn't used it lately. While thinking, I heard the doorbell ringing.

'Sideswipe?'

He smiled. 'I thought you might wanted a ride. Considered how shitty the weather is.' I nodded and let him in. 'I haven't had breakfast yet. Give me a minute.' He grabbed my arm and pulled me against his chest. 'Not eaten yet? You're late sweetspark,' he teased. I rolled my eyes and freed myself. 'Sides? Do you know where my kitchen knife is?' He strode into the kitchen and pulled the drawer open. 'Here it is?' He held it up. 'No... that can't be. I just looked there.' He shrugged and placed it back. 'You're paranoid.'

I bit down on my lip. 'Sideswipe, I swear... the knife wasn't there before.' He chuckled and closed the drawer with his hip. 'Sweetspark... relax...' he kissed my cheek. I sighed and grabbed the bread. Sideswipe sat down at the table, looking at his phone. 'Sideswipe? Can you check the basement?' He looked at me as if I just grew three heads. 'Are you serious?' I nodded. 'Please?'

'Seriously, just because you didn't see your knife doesn't mean there's a serial killer down in the basement,' he mocked. I crossed my arms. 'Can you check it out, please?' He sighed. 'It's not like someone steals your knife, places it back and sneaks into your basement unnoticed... why would he do that?' I shrugged. 'I don't know.' He sucked in a breath. 'Fine.' He strolled over to the basement door.

He came minutes later. 'All clear.' He rolled his eyes and sat back down. He thinks I'm overreacting. I looked down at the counter top. 'Knives don't just disappear, Sides.'
'You could've missed if. Don't make a big deal out of it. Who wants you dead anyway? You don't have that much value.' I gave him a look. 'Thanks.' I rolled my eyes at him. 'You know what I mean... you don't have enemies.'

'No, but you do.'

I met his gaze. 'What? You're implying someone wants you dead because of me?' He laughed; getting up. 'I'm just saying—' he cut me off. 'Please, stop. Don't.' I sighed and gave a small nod and sucked in a breath. He's right. I'm overreacting. I probably overlooked it. It's not unusual for me to happen. Sideswipe laid his hand on my shoulder. 'Really, you're fine... if you keep having nightmares, maybe you should ask some sleep pills. I'm sure Ratchet had a few and I told before that work really well.' I nodded slowly; leaning on the counter. 'Yeah, you did, it's just... I don't always have nightmares. It started acting up recently again. You know I'm paranoid, but not this bad...'

'Honestly, it doesn't surprise me. You're tired and Prowl is on your heels all the time.' He finished making my breakfast. 'Thank you...' I mumbled. I sat down at the table. 'I might wasn't really kind... I didn't mean that you don't have value, you've a lot of value to me... I just meant—' I cut him off. 'I know... but you also know I have access to the systems and you do have enemies.'
'Energon detectors will make sure you don't get any unwanted visitors at night,' he assured. I popped some food in my mouth, eyeing him. 'Yeah... I know.'

After breakfast, Sideswipe took me to the base and most of what happened earlier was forgotten. I was just glad I could focus on something else. There was a knock. 'Almost done, Sides.' I looked up, but it wasn't Sideswipe. 'Ratchet?' I got up. 'Sideswipe send me to talk to you.' I suppressed a sigh. 'He told me about your nightmares.' Now I felt like a total idiot. 'Yeah... sometimes they start acting up.'

Ratchet closed the door and sat down in front of me. 'Why didn't you came to visit me?' I slumped back in the chair. 'I thought it would go away. Sideswipe says I'm just paranoid and driving myself crazy, that's all,' I mumbled. 'It's not as embarrassing as you think. Don't you think I haven't had this? Especially back on Cybertron. 'I have some medication that could help with your sleeping problem and help you relax.' He placed a yellow transparent pill bottle on the desk. 'Take two before you go to bed.' I stared at it for a moment before meeting his orbs.

'Sideswipe is only concerned. He cares.' I grabbed the pills. 'Talking about it helps too,' he added. 'I'm talking about... with Sideswipe when I need to vent.' Ratchet nodded. 'Something else you want to say?' I shook my head. 'No, thanks for the pills,' I mumbled. 'If you don't feel save, why don't you stay at the base for a couple of days? Until you feel slightly better?'

'Yeah, maybe I will.'

Ratchet got up and walked up to the door. 'Talk to me if you have a problem, Katie.' I nodded, 'I will.' Ratchet left and stared the pill bottle in my hand.