Decepticon alert.

I was reading my book again in the base. I had already finished my assigned chores that I had been given. 

It was awesome that nobody changed how they thought of me being a "Cyber-Organic". Well, only Miko. But that was for her to make jokes about it.

If anything I had gotten closer with everyone. I can now say confidently that I see Bumblebee as a brotherly figure. Bulkhead was like a crazy cousin. Arcee was like a protective mother figure or aunt. Ratchet as an adopted grandfather or grumpy Uncle. And Optimus seemed to be taking up my father figure role.

"Optimus, I'm receiving a signal on a restricted band. It appears to be coming from a starship inside this solar system. It's an Autobot identification beacon," Ratchet said making everyone move closer to him and his computer.

"So, there are other bots out there?" Jack asked.

"The masses scattered to the galaxies when Cybertron finally went dark," Arcee told him. Though I'm sure it was directed at all four of us. I frowned slightly, losing my emotionless mask for a couple of seconds before I brought it back up again. I still hate what this war has done to the Autobots.

"But, Cons have been known to bait traps with false beacons," Arcee added grimly.

"Unknown vessel, this is Autobot outpost Omega one. Identify yourself," Optimus said to the computer.

"I've had warmer welcomes from Decepticon combat brigades." The bot on the comm chuckled.

"Wheeljack?" Bulkhead asked stepping in then as he had a shocked look on his face. "You old 'con crusher! What are you doing all the way out here?" Bulkhead asked as he moved closer to the computer. I felt the side of my mouth twitch in a smile before forcing my mask back up.

"Bulkhead? That you? What's with all the security?" The bot, Wheeljack asked. I could hear the joy in the bot's voice at seeing his friend again.

"The rock we're on is crawling with 'cons." Bulkhead explained grinning wildly. "How soon can you get here to even the odds?" Bulkhead asked Wheeljack.

"Sometime tomorrow, if I put metal to the pedal," Wheeljack said joyfully.

"Another bot's coming here. How cool is that!" Miko cheered from where she was sitting on Bulkheads' shoulder. I rolled my eyes at her, not that she saw me.

"Wheeljack, I know of him by reputation only. Can you verify his voiceprint?" Optimus asked Bulkhead thoughtfully.

"He is 1000% the real deal, Optimus," Bulkhead confirmed.

"We will send landing coordinates, Wheeljack. Safe journey," Optimus said to Wheeljack.

"See you soon, buddy. I'll make sure you get a proper welcome," Bulkhead said before they cut the link. I held back my laughter as I saw Bulkhead's almost childish expression. I guess he was excited to see Wheeljack again.

"So, who's the boyfriend?" Arcee teased Bulkhead who grinned and took it in stride. He didn't deny it!

"Me and Jackie go way back. We were part of the same war unit, the wreckers, which means the 'cons are gonna wish he never found us." Bulkhead said excitedly.

  ♦️  

"Wheeljack's ship is approaching the landing zone," Arcee said. Miko gasped excitedly.

"You think he's here to visit?" Raf asked. I found it cute the way his face lit up in excitement.

"Maybe he'll stay!" Miko said excitedly. "He'd have to find his own human, though," She added thoughtfully. I rolled my eyes slightly. We most definitely did not need another human.

"Ground bridge cycling up," Ratchet said before the console sparked. I flinched. That reminded me of an all too familiar time. Ratchet hit the console angrily.

"Blasted scraplets! Equipment hasn't been the same since the infestation," Ratchet grumbled. I held back my slight fear. I am still slightly scared to be in base, even if I know all the scraplets are gone.

"So, Wheeljack's gonna land halfway around the world and then you'll bridge him here?" Jack asked, looking at the bots.

"We can't risk revealing the location of our base just in case Decepticons are tracking Wheeljack's ship," Optimus explained. That's a smart plan.

"Dude, I've never seen you so stoked!" Miko said to Bulkhead who was pacing around.

"Oh, you're gonna love Wheeljack. We were like brothers. And tonight we are gonna party!" Bulkhead said excitedly.

"Sweet!" Miko cheered as Ratchet groaned. I inwardly groaning as well. My ears are going to be killing me later. The computer beeped making us all look at it.

"Bogies closing fast on Wheeljack's position," Arcee said as Bulkhead walked forward.

"'Con scum!" he bellowed making me have to hide the flash of pain that went searing through my head. Raf looked at me when he noticed my grip on the bars tighten slightly and I gave him a grin.

"Open the bridge, Ratchet! We're missing all the action!" Bulkhead said jumping up and down in excitement.

"I'll prepare the sick bay," Ratchet said as he opened the bridge making Bulkhead chuckle.

"Who for? The 'Cons? This is Wheeljack we're talking about," Bulkhead asked giving a laugh before he ran through the bridge with Arcee and Bumblebee.

A couple minutes later the three guardians came through with a white bot that had green and red stripes. I flinched as he almost seemed to greedily look at me when he looked at us, humans. (Well, humans and a cyber-organic). I did not like the feeling I got off of Wheeljack. I quickly locked down my emotions and pulled my mask up.

"Jackie, come here meet my other best buddy, Miko. She can wreak with the best of us." Bulkhead said as Miko went down the stairs to greet the bot.

"Hiya," She waved, smiling like she always does.

"You keeping Bulkhead out of trouble?" Wheeljack asked, smirking down to her.

"I try, but trouble finds us anyway," Miko said rolling her eyes with a smile. I rolled my eyes. 

"Because you keep running into it," I mumbled making Wheeljack's optics narrow on me before looking back at Bulkhead. 

"We're going to get along just fine," Wheeljack said to Bulkhead before he turned seeing Optimus.

"Optimus Prime it's a privilege," He said looking up at the Prime.

"Likewise soldier. What have you to report from your long journey?" Optimus asked, going into his, "I'm the leader of the Autobots" and "I have to be emotionless' mode". (I swear he can read my thoughts! As his lips twitched almost into a smile!)

"Been bouncing from rock to rock, searching for science, a friend or foe. Now, I find both," Wheeljack said. This sounded oddly rehearsed.

"We are few but strong. We have suffered losses but we have grown and we would relish welcoming a new member into our fold," Optimus said.

"I would be honoured," Wheeljack said.

"Then let's get this party started!" Bulkhead cheered from behind Wheeljack before hitting Wheeljacks back, which Wheeljack countered with a chest bump. I winced slightly at the loud sound of metal hitting metal.

"Oh joy," Ratchet sighed.

"I'm with you there, Ratchet," I muttered to him as I rubbed my ears slightly. Ratchet gave me a concerned glance that I defected, giving him a (hopefully) convincing smile.

  ♦️  

I was still on edge with Wheeljack being here. I caught all 159 glances he sent my way. Some of them were annoyed looks, some were frustrated looks, a few were disgusted, several were curious and one or two were loathing.

What was the problem with Wheeljack? I thought he was one of Bulkheads closest friends. And he doesn't treat Miko, Raf or Jack like this. When Bulkhead introduced me, Wheeljack had looked curiously at me until he saw me. He didn't even say a word to me, not that I wasn't glad about that. The bad feeling kept growing the longer the white bot stayed. I ended up sitting by Ratchet, too frightened to go too near the new bot.

Currently, as I sat near Ratchet, who was working on the console for the space bridge, Bulkhead and Wheeljack were playing a game where they would throw a metal ball back a fourth as Miko played her guitar(I had my headphones in to ease the noise of it.). Unfourteally for me, Optimus had gone out to scout and I wasn't allowed to go with him. (Prime and Doctor's orders; Rachet and Optimus didn't want me getting hurt again.).

I was pulled out of my thoughts when I heard over the noise of my headphones something coming speeding at me. I panicked when I saw the ball that Bulkhead and Wheeljack had been using to play coming at me. I quickly jumped off the platform, landing safely on the ground as the ball was embedded into the platform where I sat.

"Watch it," I said through gritted teeth. Wheeljack looked shocked to hear me speak Cybertronian (Ratchet had finally told me a couple days ago.). Bulkhead looked apologetic while Ratchet rushed to see if I was harmed.

"Be careful," He growled at Wheeljack and Bulkhead.

"I'm fine," I told Ratchet as he scanned me.

"Sorry, doc. Guess we're a little charged up," Wheeljack said shrugging as he went to grab the metal ball.

I narrowed my eyes slightly at him as Ratchet put me back up on the platform and as Wheeljack paused by Ratchet as he went to start typing on the ground bridge console again. Ratchet took a couple glances at me as I watched Wheeljack.

"You built this bridge from scratch huh?" Wheeljack asked seeming innocent.

"I did," Ratchet said absent-mindedly.

"That's quite a feat of engineering," Wheeljack said complimenting him as he seemed to glare slightly at me.

"Yes, it is," Ratchet said sounding pleased. Seriously, Ratchet? He's obviously butt kissing up to you.

"Is something wrong with it?" Wheeljack asked almost innocently again. As he ignored my slight glare to him.

"I didn't care for how it sounded this last job. I put it in shut down." Ratchet replied casually.

"What if you need to use it?" Wheeljack asked. Seriously? Come on Ratchet! Surely something is different about Wheeljack. Am I the only one who sees it?

"Oh, I can't disrupt the defrag process, without causing irreparable damage," Ratchet said.

"So, uh, how long will the defrag take?" Wheeljack asked.

"A few hours if we're lucky, maybe longer," Ratchet said with a shrug. Wait, so Wheeljack is wanting to leave quickly? Now there's something most definitely strange going on here.

"Huh," Wheeljack said.

He sent me a small glare before walking back over to Bulkhead. What? How did no one notice that highly suspicious conversation between Ratchet and Wheeljack? And what about all the glares Wheeljack has been sending me? How is everyone so blind?

Or is it that I'm too suspicious? Or too good at noticing small details? Please tell me I'm wrong about everything.

  ♦️  

I looked up as Wheeljack and Miko came back from somewhere in the base. How did I miss them leaving? Oh, headphones. I quickly took them out as I walked over (Hating the bad feeling I was getting) and stood by Miko as Bulkhead started to talk to Wheeljack.

"I was just telling the guys all about you and me at the battle of Barkmount Pass," Bulkhead said.

"That's a heck of a story," Wheeljack said.

"Yep. Tell it," Bulkhead said narrowing his eyes at Wheeljack. I blink. Wow, someone else finally noticed?

"Talk, talk, talk. How about after we go off-roading?" Miko asked jumping in, trying to relieve the tension in the room.

"Miko! Stay out of this," Bulkhead snapped keeping his eyes on Wheeljack. Miko's face fell. I gave her a small smile as I bumped her shoulder. She seemed to lighten up a smidge.

"Bulkhead, easy," Arcee said putting up a hand.

"I'm not sure I-" Wheeljack said before getting cut off.

"Tell it!" Bulkhead demanded.

"Fine, you want to live in the past, Bulkhead?" Wheeljack asked.

"The wreckers were trapped between a Decepticon patrol and the smelting pit. The 'Cons were vicious, bearing down on us with everything they had. Me and Bulkhead engaged the enemy, left them for scrap, then I made us a way out using their backsides as stepping stones to cross the molten metal. Isn't that how it happened?" Wheeljack said, finishing on a slightly smugly note.

"Yeah. That's exactly how it happened. Except for one little thing," Bulkhead said making Wheeljack start to panic slightly.

"I wasn't there," Bulkhead said firmly making everyone look at him in surprise as I kept my eyes locked onto whoever it was in front of us looking like he had just screwed up.

"I'd already left the wreckers to join up with Optimus, but you wouldn't know that if all you did was access Wheeljack's public-service record," Bulkhead said getting in the imposters' face.

"Bulkhead, what does that have to do with-" Miko started before I saw the Copy reach his hand out and I shoved Miko out of the way, getting grabbed by Copy in the process before he quickly ran to the ground bridge console.

"Stay back or I'll squeeze her into pulp," Copy threatened as everyone looked at me with wide eyes as I struggled in Copy's grip.

"Frag you," I hissed at him making him chuckle before giving me a squeeze, making me have to grit my teeth slightly to stop from crying out in pain.

"Wheeljack, what are you doing?" Miko yelled as she stood up from where I shoved her.

"Decepticon coward! Let the girl go and face me!" Bulkhead spat out.

"Don't fret. Plenty of fighting to come," Copy said laughing as his voice changed. I shoved all my emotions away and put my mask up. Confusing Copy as I no longer looked afraid.

"Is there a real Wheeljack?" Jack asked. Aw, it looked like he cared if I got squashed or not. I'm kidding, I know he does care about me (Ew, not like that. In a brother-sisterly way!).

"Oh, indeed, and I expect Lord Starscream is making sport of him," Copy said as he typed on the screen turning the ground bridge on. He gave me a slight shake trying to scare me before muttering under his breath as I gave him an unamused expression.

"Let's get this party started," Copy said as the ground bridge opened up. Copy moved backwards to the ground bridge. I stilled slightly as I heard something come through. As Copy fell forward from a force I was unable to see, I fell straight to the ground before a hand caught me.

"Thanks, Wheeljack," I grinned as I recognised the face. Copy groaning on the floor as Wheeljack let me down to the ground.

"I'd shut that hole before the stick comes through," Wheeljack said as he put away his katanas. Ratchet nodded and quickly moved to do so. I was immediately smothered in a hug from my three human friends.

"Holly!" Raf's muffled voice said as his face was squished from hugging me tightly.

"I'm dying!" I choked out teasingly making them chuckle as they released me.

"Thanks for saving my aft, Holly," Miko grinned. I gave her a small smile.

"Anything for my friends or rather family," I shrugged as I gave them a smile.

"Don't do that again," Jack said sternly.

"No promises," I teased lightly. As their guardians chuckled and smiled fondly at us before having to watch as Copy and Wheeljack started circling each other. Bulkhead went to help Wheeljack before getting stopped.

"Ugly's mine," Wheeljack said to Bulkhead before the two Wheeljacks attacked each other.

"Which one is the real Wheeljack?" Raf asked as he shifted his glasses.

"Um, I lost track!" Miko cried out as she watched excitedly.

We watched as Wheeljack finished off Makeshift then pointed his blade at Makeshift.

"That's my Jackie," Bulkhead said proudly to us as Wheeljack sheathed his blades.

"You. Hit the switch," Wheeljack said to Ratchet who easily complied, turning on the ground bridge.

"It's time to take out the trash," Wheeljack said as he looked at Copy as Bulkhead joined Wheeljack. I inwardly laughed at what he said. Trash equals Con. Or Con equals Trash, either way, you look at it, it's still funny.

"All yours buddy," Wheeljack grinned to Bulkhead who eagerly picked up Copy as Ratchet turned on the ground bridge. Before Bulkhead could throw Copy, Wheeljack quickly put his bomb onto the Copy. I could faintly hear somecon shouting.

"Nice lob," Wheeljack complemented Bulkhead who patted the fake dust off his hands with a massive grin. I shared amused glances with my human friends.

  ♦️  

"Tell me you at least found something out!" Starscream screeched at Makeshift as the con stood up.

"Of course," Makeshift huffed. Affronted that Starscream would think otherwise.

"The Primes' daughter lives and their base is located in...." Makeshift said before Starscream was shoving him away.

"Whoa, back, back, back!" Starscream cried before he and Soundwave transformed and flew away.

"Oh, no," Makeshift groaned as he found the bomb just as it went off.

  ♦️

"It's like a recurring nightmare," Ratchet groaned as he was fixing the monitor for the ground bridge when Miko played her guitar making me nod along with him as I quickly tried to find my headphones.

"Now that you're part of Team Prime, we need to pick out a vehicle mode for you. I have some ideas," Bulkhead said to Wheeljack as they stood by Optimus. To me, Wheeljack looked uncomfortable as I took a glance over to the three.

"Uh, about that, Bulk. Now that my ship's repaired, I'm itching to know what else I might find out there." Wheeljack said. He sounded sort of guilty or sheepish to be admitting what he wanted to Bulk.

"Wait, you're leaving? Why?" Miko asked as the three humans came walking up to the three bots. I looked up from my spot near Ratchet.

"Oh, because some bots never change," Bulkhead said before chuckling.

"Wheeljack, know that you'll always have a haven here," Optimus said to the said bot. Wheeljack nodded to Optimus.

"Jackie never stays, but he always comes back," Bulkhead said giving his friend a one-armed hug before they did a fist bump.

  ♦️  

"There's room for two, Bulk, even with a backside like yours," Wheeljack offered to his friend.

The four of us humans(And one, half Cybertronain.) were standing beside Arcee and Bumblebee as we watched the two wreckers. "Who knows who we might find out there. Some of the old crew?" Wheeljack continued hopefully.

Miko's face fell. I placed my hand on Miko's shoulder as Jack did the same in hopes of comforting her. Bulkhead seemed to think about it before turning to look at Miko who was watching him sadly.

"Heh. Sounds like fun, Jackie. But my ties are here now with them, with her," Bulkhead said making Miko perk up happily. I let a small smile settle on my lips. They've already bonded so much.

"If anything happens to my favourite wrecker, I'm coming after you," Wheeljack half teased, half promised Miko. I let a small chuckle escape, destroying my mask.

"I'll take good care of him. Now say 'Cheese'," Miko said as she got her phone out and took a picture of the two. I inwardly snickered as Wheeljack looked shocked for a second.

We waved to Wheeljack as he flew away in the Jackhammer. I hid my wince of pain from the others as I used my arm, stretching my body which hurt my bruising ribs. They would heal soon enough. Today was about my family.

  ♦️  

He felt her love as he held his hand over his spark, smiling fondly at their bond was filled with happiness, joy and most importantly, Love.

But, He didn't wish to tell her just yet. He didn't want to ruin her life as she knew it.

"You're going to have to tell her one day, Optimus," Ratchet said as he stood beside him.

"I know," Optimus said sadly. Lowering his hand from over his spark.

"Just, not yet," He promised.

  ♦️♦️♦️ 

Edited!

Just tell her, Optimus! Seriously!

Wait, lol. I'm the author....