The large leader had entered their cell with a grin on his face a few hours after Mae had fallen asleep. She was happy to know she wouldn't be left starving in the cell for days but the feeling left as she was plucked off the ground and paraded around in front of an alien camera like some kind of prize.

Now, Megatron stood with Mae in his hand as he patiently waited for the Autobot leader. Ratchet was contained with large handcuffs with his hands positioned in front of him. She watched him from the corner of her eye nervously, looking for some reassurance as Megatron slightly squeezed her in his hand.

"If you harm her, Optimus will have your head," Ratchet warned Megatron.

"I would suggest you remain silent if you wish for her to leave this place at all," Megatron replied lowly.

She swallowed, making no movement as she forced herself to remain calm. On the ransom video- at least, that's how she had viewed it- Megatron demanded a large number of energon and relics. Whatever those were. Energon, from what she understood, was practically lifeblood for their race. Like food for humans, but it kept their power button on. But Mae was left to wonder what these relics were. Some form of ancient history?

Who knew Cybertronians would be so serious about their past.

A whirling portal opened, signalling the Autobots' arrival. Two shorter robots, one male and one female, entered first. The male was yellow and black while the female was a shimmering, deep purple and pink. They both held what looked to be guns attached to their arms, forming a defensive stance as they crept out. Following them was a larger green, bulky robot also set in a defensive stance as he pushed forward a large cart full of blue blocks.

At the very back of the small group was the tallest of them all- a red and blue male. Optimus Prime. Mae knew the moment she saw him. Ratchet had done well to describe him, and he had been right on the money. The medic had portrayed him as gentle, but the look he carried as he walked through the portal was deadly.

"Optimus," Megatron greeted, "I was afraid you would not make it in time. My patience grows thin."

"We have brought what you requested," Optimus spoke in a deep, baritone voice. "Release the human."

What about Ratchet? Her eyes widened in realization as she turned to look at him, but Ratchet refused to look at her. His blue eyes were focused on Optimus. They trailed over to the yellow and black bot before moving to the large green one. Mae watched as he shifted, his mouth curling up slightly at the ends.

"I will release the human once your end of the deal is fulfilled," he hummed.

Optimus paused for a moment before nodding to the green robot, who cautiously stepped forward. He pushed the cart with him, moving closer and closer to Megatron and Mae until he was a few yards away.

"Leave it there," Megatron ordered.

The green bot nodded, quickly sending her a glance before walking back to his group.

"Now the relics," Megatron demanded. Mae flinched. His sharp fingers were not digging into her, which she was thankful for, but his grip was still uncomfortable.

The small female marched forward. It was then Mae realised that she was holding a tall rod. She reached the point where the cart was and threw it on top of the pile, refusing to retreat until she glared Megatron straight in the eyes.

I like her.

Lastly was the yellow and black male. He was more cautious than the others, making sure to take slow steps. Ratchet clenched one fist, which didn't go unnoticed by Mae, and stared at the bot in silence.

Megatron smirked as the male didn't stop where the others had and walked closer. Much closer. Mae held her breath as he came a mere few feet away. The tension was thick- no one said a word as he held out his hand. Something silver was held in his hand; it was round in shape. Ratchet shifted, taking a slight step closer to Megatron. The leader noticed quickly, turning his head slightly in response.

That split second was enough.

A gasp escaped her lips as Ratchet suddenly lunged, holding his cuffed arms forward, aimed directly for Mae. The yellow and black bot slapped the metal object he'd been holding onto his wrist. It made a whirring noise and attached itself to him like a watch. He attacked, aiming a fist at Megatron's face.

The warlord snarled, dodging Ratchet while also stepping backward. Mae felt his hand clench around her, but before he could do any damage the hand with the relic pushed directly through her. Ratchet's hand followed, coming from the side and grasping onto Mae.

It was hard to process what happened until she was safely placed into Ratchet's uncuffed hands a few feet away. The yellow and black robot had somehow phased through Megatron's hand, grasping onto Ratchet's cuffs and attaching them to the Decepticon leader while Ratchet in turn grabbed onto Mae.

Several loud bangs sounded and flashes of red flew by her head, making her scream. Dust and dirt flew from the ground as the Decepticons attacked. Megatron shouted in frustration as he suddenly realized what happened, yanking at his cuffed hands.

"Optimus!" his enraged voice shouted.

The other Autobots returned fire, aiming their weapons and creating cover for Ratchet as he held Mae to his chest for protection and ran. The portal flickered and grew dimmer as they each, one by one, retreated back into it. A few Decepticons followed in suit but were unable to get close enough.

Megatron's angered eyes found her. They reminded her of a wild animal, filled with violence and rage. She looked away, instead turning her attention to the portal that the group ran into. It finally flickered out, making a noise before closing behind them.

* * *

"How are you feeling?" Ratchet asked Mae, who was sitting on a makeshift hospital bed.

"Like I'm going to barf," she admitted, holding onto her stomach.

The trip through the portal had been quick. She was left feeling dizzy and disoriented but safe. All thanks to the Autobots. Apart from the five that helped save her, there was another waiting for their arrival. He was white with red and green detailing running along his body.

That same white bot was still ranting in the background, "Bulkhead could have stayed behind and worked the groundbridge."

Bulkhead, the large green bot, barked out a laugh, "You would have ruined everything Wheeljack!"

"You are unable to control your emotions, in battle" Arcee, the pink and purple female, added on.

"I would've liked to knock a few dents into ole metal head," Wheeljack defended himself with a lazy grin. "Right, boss bot?"

Optimus frowned, his voice softer than it had been while talking to Megatron, "I am afraid your taunting would have caused the human to get hurt."

Wheeljack's eyes moved to Mae, who was now suddenly the attention in the room. "Oh, the femme would have been fine. Right, kid? What's your name?"

"Mae," she said with a blank face. She flinched when Ratchet touched a sensitive spot on her ribs. "Gosh, doc, would you be gentle?"

"Oh we're going to get along great," Wheeljack chuckled as he watched their interaction.

Optimus walked forward, smiling softly as he stared down at her. "Young one, I apologize for the trouble we have placed you in. It was never our intention to get you involved with the Decepticons."

Mae felt nervous at how overly nice he sounded, but forced herself not to grimace. It would be rude, anyway. They had just saved her. The least she could do was be thankful.

"No problem," she shrugged nonchalantly, "you couldn't have helped it. Seems like they were going to cause trouble anyway, with or without me."

Ratchet moved away from her, fizzling out of his human form. A holoform, as he had explained when she finally questioned him once they arrived at the base. He moved his robotic body, shifting around the large metal table her bed laid upon and moving toward a large group of monitors.

"It appears your injuries will take a few weeks to heal-"

"Ratchet, I can't-"

"If you suggest going to school I will have June put you under house arrest."

"How do you know what that is?" Mae asked stupidly.

"Miko's been there a few times," Bulkhead coughed.

She blinked, trying to process all of the information while rubbing her temples. "I can't keep skipping school, Ratchet. You can't tell June about this, please-"

"Oh, I already know."

Mae jumped, seeing as the woman seemingly appeared out of thin air; she hadn't heard her car pull up. June slammed her door, storming forward with a pinched look on her face. At first it looked like she was going to let her have it- scold her and yell and scream until she had nothing left to say- but then her face crumbled and she wrapped her arms around Mae in a tight hug.

She froze, feeling awkward and out of place. When was the last time she'd received a hug? Mae couldn't quite put her finger on it. June decided to ignore her lack of reaction, only pulling away after a long minute. Mae gently shifted away from her.

"What are you doing here?"

"I was worried sick about you!" June exclaimed, "You disappear out of nowhere and then I suddenly find you've been kidnapped by the Decepticons?"

She was waving her hands toward Ratchet, who merely glanced at her before looking back at the monitors.

"What were you two doing that left you so vulnerable?" June demanded.

"Nothing apart from driving Mae home," he huffed. "I was unable to defend myself with her in the car."

Mae noticed how he avoided talking about her fight at school. She felt surprised, but didn't let it show. She watched June continue to bicker and argue with Ratchet, who was trying his best to ignore her and focus on whatever he was working on.

"I never intended for her to be involved in this. If I had known that she would, I wouldn't have become her foster parent! This is dangerous!"

The girl coughed, waving her hand in front of her in a means to get the attention back onto her. "With all due respect June, life is full of danger. Sure, I didn't expect it to come from giant alien robots, but life isn't a bunch of giggles and rainbows. Stuff happens."

Ratchet scoffed, "I doubt that all you have learned from this is stuff happens."

Mae shrugged and crossed her arms. "It's happened. It's over." The look everyone gave her made her squirm. "It is over, right?"

"Apart from the war that's been going on for millenia, yes, it's over." Arcee said while leaning against the wall.

Optimus spoke up again, making all heads turn toward him, "The Decepticons know about you now. You are now one of their targets."

The yellow and black bot, Bumblebee, whirred and clicked in agreement. Mae stared at him for a short second, wondering what the heck happened to his voice, but forced herself to look back to Optimus.

"So you're saying there's a chance the Decepticons will attack me again?"

"The Decepticons will use anything to their advantage," Wheeljack stated in disgust, "especially humans."

"In order to protect you, we must assign you a guardian. Every human we have come into contact with has an Autobot assigned to them."

"A guardian?"

June sighed from beside her. "Jack's guardian is Arcee. While I find it ridiculous to stay involved at all, Optimus is right. Once you are seen close to the Autobots, Megatron uses that to his advantage. It's best for you to be protected."

"Okay," Mae processed this information, trying to shove the word babysitter out of her head and grasp the situation at hand, "so who would be my guardian?"

"Wheeljack."

"Ratchet."

Optimus and Ratchet spoke at the same time, and while the leader remained calm, Ratchet's mouth dropped open as he stared in disbelief.

"You want me to be a guardian?" he gasped.

"Mae is most comfortable with you. It is best that she remains here for the time being and let you treat her."

"Wheeljack is not assigned a charge! There is work to be done here, where I am needed!"

June made a face, "I would not trust Wheeljack with Mae. They would destroy something together."

Mae gasped, turning to her, "You haven't even known me for that long."

"I know enough."

Wheeljack chuckled from his spot across the room. "I wouldn't be opposed to watching the kid, but Optimus has assigned me to scout around in space and look for our comrades. I won't be here as often as you'll need me. Unless you're up for some space travel?"

Her thoughts immediately went to her childhood dreams and she shivered, "I'd rather not implode on myself, thank you."

Ratchet looked at Optimus, no longer arguing but pleading with his eyes.

"Come on, doc- I can't be that bad," Mae teased.

"You are the one who complained about having a babysitter these past few weeks."

Well, seeing as I now know that there are evil robots who could possibly squish me like a bug- "I think I can tolerate you," she decided.

"Optimus?" Ratchet tried one last time.

The Autobot leader smiled sympathetically. "I am sorry, old friend."

The medic sighed, turning to look back at the monitors and continue his work.

"Don't worry, doc. I won't cause you much trouble. We could use this time to get to know each other," came Mae's snide remark.

Ratchet pinched the bridge between his eyes before glaring at her.

"Oh, joy."