That night, Nichole couldn't sleep at all. She stayed awake, tossing and turning. She chose to sleep in her bed. She couldn't sleep with Sunstreaker. She needed some time to adjust to Diesel being gone again. She just wanted to be alone. She thought about everything her and Diesel had been through. From the time she met him to their last battle in Afghan. They were a perfect pair. They knew each other inside and out. They were unstoppable. If only she could go with him. Its going to be hell until he gets back. Then her mind switched to Sunstreaker. She realized she would have him for company and Sideswipe. This could be a good time to figure out what their relationship is. For her to figure out if she loved him or not. What was she thinking? She sure felt something for him, she just didn't know what. So that's why at two in the morning, she got up and ran to the twin's room.

Sunstreaker awoke to pounding on his and Sideswipes door. "Go away!" He growled, turning over on his front. "Sunstreaker open this door right now!" He heard her muffled voice on the other side. He shot up right away to open it. She stumbled in as the door opened while she was leaning on it. "I thought you wanted to be alone." He proclaimed what she said earlier. "I know, and I did, but then I really started thinking and I couldn't sleep. And I just want to be with you and Sideswipe. Well mostly you." She said with a guilty grin. Sunstreaker couldn't keep the smirk that rolled onto his face after hearing those words. "Okay I'll let it slide." "Let what slide?" "You waking me up at two in the morning." He said with a cheeky grin. "Oh well thanks. I appreciate it." she said sarcastically. "Of course, no problem." He said with a small chuckle. He put his servo down on the ground for her to climb up on, then the two went back to his berth. It didn't take long for the two to fall asleep. Nichole fell asleep curled up in the crook of Sunstreaker's neck cables.

The next morning was a rough one. Nichole had barely any sleep and was a complete mess. "Frag, what happened to you?" Sideswipe asked loud enough the whole base must have heard. "Good Morning to you too Sideswipe." She growled out to him before sitting up. Sunstreaker didn't take long to wake up after the first two. "What's the plan for today?" He asked stretching himself out. "I don't know about you two, but I need to talk to Lennox." She answered as she is using her fingers to comb out her long-tangled hair. "Why?" Both the twins asked at the same time. "I thought about really hard last night. I had been thinking about it for a while, but I've decided I'm going to try and get back in the military." "Why would you want to do that?" Sunstreaker snapped at her, picking her up and bringing her to his optic level. "Why not? Military is all I know. It is something I'm good at. I'm all healed up and I'm going to need something to do, besides work out and do random stuff around base. I need to keep my mind busy." "Well Sides and I can keep you busy." "You two aren't always going to be around." Both the twins put disappointed looks on their faces. Sunstreaker more upset between the two. Because he knew she was right.

"Well if that's what you want...I won't stop you." Sunstreaker said with a sad voice. The look on his face is killing Nichole. The hurt and sadness. She wanted to make it stop, but this was something she needed to do. She leaned in closer to the handsome mech, her hands resting against his cheeks. "Thank you." She whispered, then gave him a small kiss and again surprising him. He didn't want her to stop. He wanted to really kiss her. It was about time. He set her on the floor and she looked up at him confused. Soon his holoform was standing in front of her, both forgetting that Sideswipe was in the room. He got as close to her as he could, wrapping his arms around her waist, his hands resting higher on her back to push her to him, and her arms naturally wrapping around his neck. As time slowed around them, the world began to blur, and it was only them. Nichole could feel his breath against her jaw. His lips just barely grazing against her cheek. Her patience running thin, she turned her head into him, their lips finally meeting. A shiver ran down both of their spines, making them both grip each other harder. They moved their lips in sync with each other, fitting perfectly together. Their eyes squeeze shut, getting lost in the moment.

A throat cleared and the two let go of each other immediately. Sunstreaker looked up at his brother and sent him a deadly glare. Making Sideswipe smirk happily. Nichole could only look at the ground, her cheeks turning a tomato red. Once Sunstreaker moved his eyes back to her, he took two fingers and made her look at him. "Don't be embarrassed. That was amazing." He whispered to her, this only seemed to make her cheeks redder, if that was possible. "Let's go talk to Lennox." Sunstreaker added going back into his bipedal mode. The three walked down the hallway. Everything seemed to be quiet. To quiet. Nichole felt an uncomfortable feeling down in the pit of her stomach. She went to reach for a pistol she did not carry anymore. Making her growl when she realized it wasn't there. Sideswipe and Sunstreaker seem to stand on edge as well. Sideswipe took point, checking the rooms and corners. Blasters at the ready. Just as they were about to make it to the hanger, Sideswipe checked the corner. There was a loud shout from someone around it, as Sideswipe pointed the blaster in the persons face. Nichole and Sunstreaker ran to see who it was.

"What the hell, Sideswipe?" It was Mirage. "Where is everyone?" Sideswipe questioned, putting his blaster away. "Bumblebee came up with a new training idea. So, everyone is outside." Mirage explained. "Why did no one tell us?" Sunstreaker piped up. "Because you two have strict orders to protect Nichole. So, you don't have to participate in anything. Except for a patrol every now and then, Tell Prime gets back." "When was someone going to tell us that?" Sideswipe snapped. Nichole sent him a glare. "Oh, we thought you already knew. I mean its kind of obvious that you two are going to be with her. And the fact that you two are her guardians." Mirage looked back down at the data pad he was holding. "Well I should probably get back out there. Ya'll can come watch it you want." He added and began heading outside. "Lennox is probably out there, lets go." Sunstreaker pointed out. The three headed outside and found the large group of soldiers and Autobots huddled around what looked like an obstacle course.

"Woah." Nichole said excitedly. She jumped in excitement as she watched soldiers run the course. There are two courses. Exactly the same except one is human size and the other is Autobot size. Right now, they are watching Jolt and Epps race against each other. Jumping up to bars and climbing. Walking across logs and hopping over fences. At the end was a rope that one had to climb up on and ring the bell. "Now that looks like fun." Sideswipes face brightened as he spoke. "That's just gonna ruin my paint." Sunstreaker whined. Nichole joined Sides in giving Sunstreaker a stupid look. "I want to try." Nichole stated. She found Lennox deep in the crowd, near the start of the course. Not waiting for the twins, she bolted towards Lennox.

"I want to give it a go." She said quickly. "You do?" He said without looking at her. "You're not exactly dressed for it." He added. "I can change. Ratchet cleared me. Let me show you up." She taunted the major. He turned and looked at her, raising his eyebrow. "You want to race me?" She nodded in answer. "What's the catch?" She was waiting for him to say that. She smirks, knowing exactly what she wanted. "If I win, you help me get back into the military." He crossed his arms and he thinks about what she just said. "You want back in? Why couldn't we just talk about this in my office or something. You know you can't go back in. You were medically retired. There is no way they will let you back in." "That's why I need your help." He looked away, his hands moving to his hips. He looked back at her, biting his lip. "Fine, but if I win, you start helping to work on the Autobots. All of them." He added an evil grin. This was defiantly something she would not dare to lose. "You got a deal, sir." They shook hands, sealing the deal. "Now go get your gear on."

This was the perfect thing to distract her mind. Something she desperately needed. It didn't take long for her to change. It had been at least 6 months since she last wear her uniform and it still fit like a glove. Her desert camie bottoms are almost white, faded by the sun. She wears a green skivvies shirt as well as skivvies shorts underneath her camies. She had to dig down in one of her military bags to find boot socks. Once found, she slipped them over her feet quickly, not wasting any time. She pulled her brown combat boots out from under her bed, lacing them up tight and tucking them in. Green boot bands hung at the top of the boots and she tucked the bottoms of her camies into them. Taking a look in the mirror quick and putting a hair in a military bun. She was finally ready.

She paused for a moment before leaving the bathroom. She stared at herself in the mirror. The last time she was wearing camies, she was being shot at, she was trying to do everything she could to save everyone. She also didn't have a giant scar on her face. It made her look worse than before. Gave her an even nastier look. She thought about what Diesel would say about her right now. He would probably be proud, but at the same time telling her not to. Thinking of her partner brought a few tears to her eyes. She wiped them away with the back of her hand. Her cold dead gray eyes staring intently at herself. She will not let Diesel being gone, bring her down. She will go out to the obstacle course and she will win. "Let's do this." She said, looking over herself one more time, then strutted out of the room and to the hanger.

"I didn't think you were going to show. Took you long enough." Lennox stood at the beginning of the course, arms crossed. Soldiers and Autobots stood down along the course, waiting impatiently for the two to race. "Well I had to make sure my hair looked good when I kick your ass." She said slyly, a smirk taking over the corner of her mouth. Sunstreaker and Sideswipe stood at the beginning. Sideswipe looked excited, while Sunstreaker looked very nervous. That was before they noticed her standing there. They didn't recognize her when she came out, she looked like a totally different person. If she wasn't intimidating before, she looked more so now. She stood taller, prouder. Not a hair was out of place in her bun, showing her scarred face. Her eyes seemed darker than before as she stared down the obstacle course. "Woah." The twins said together, not taking their eyes off the Marine.

"Whose ready for this throwdown!" Bumblebee raved, causing the crowd around to cheer. "Get into your positions!" Bumblebee refereed. Lennox and Nichole got ready at the line. Nichole sent Lennox a dangerous smirk and he sent one back. The twins whooped and cheered for Nichole. She let out a giggle hearing her name being called. Her eyes caught Sunstreaker's and she sent him a wink, one he gladly returned. "On your mark...Get set...Go!" They were off. Both off to a great start. Determination written deep into their eyes. The low jump was nothing for them. The eight foot bar was a synch as well. Nichole executed a perfect college boy roll. Jumping off just a few second before Lennox. Lennox was able to catch up with his long legs. Hand over pipes were next. Nichole barely had her feet on the low balanced log, before she jumped onto the pipes. Her feet hooked around, and she slid down, reaching the log walk. Lennox right on her tail. All the noise around them blurred into the back ground. Neither paying attention to the cheering around them.

Sweat rolled down their faces. A few strands of hair came loose from Nichole's bun, but she didn't let that stop her. Now they faced a large, tall log wall. Nichole knew she was at a disadvantage. Lennox made over the wall with ease, his tall legs doing all the work. Nichole struggled to get over the wall. Upon hearing Lennox's boots hit the ground, only made her work harder. He was already over the medium roll over log, before her boots hit the ground. She had to catch up, she's determined to win. She practically jumped over the roll over log and vaulted flawlessly over the four-foot-high logs, catching up to Lennox in seconds. Now it was time for the double pull over bar. Lennox was able to jump up with ease, but Nichole once she was up, was able to flip over faster. They both landed on the ground with a large thud, dust rising off the ground around them. The last task, the rope climb. Whoever reach the top first and rang the bell would be the winner. At this time no one knew who to cheer for, the two were equal competition.

Nichole jumped and grabbed the rope, quickly wrapped the rope around her foot and pushing off. She stared at her target at the top. There was no time to look down. She moved swiftly, hands gripping the rope tightly. The bell about to be within her reach. Once there, her hand grip the small rope within the bell. A loud thin ring rang around the surrounding area. Another one going off a second after the first one started. There was so much cheering, neither of the two knew who one. Nichole reached the bottom first. As she let go of the rope a tall muscular body wrapped himself around her. Not caring that she was all sweating and grimy. She pushed the man off of her, trying to see who it is. "Sunstreaker!" She yelled, laughing. He had a huge smile on his face, looking proud of her. "Who.." She started but was cut off. "The winner is...(drum roll)...Nichole!" Bumblebee announced.

She jumped in happiness. She turned to look at Lennox, holding out her hand. "Great race. I haven't had competition like that in a long time." She boosted. He grabbed her hand, "Same here. I'll have to get your paperwork started." He said grinning. She couldn't hold back the smile that formed on her face. She couldn't find words to say how happy she was. "Go shower. We both need it." She laughed at his words but did as told.

"Good Job, Nichole." "That was a close race." "Next time, I'll take you on." Soldiers and Autobots around her were yelling to her. Most thought it was exciting. Others were pissed that she won. There was nothing any of them could do about it. She won fair and square. With Sunstreaker and Sideswipe following behind her, most soldiers didn't speak about their anger towards her. Adrenaline still pumped through her as she walked back to her room. It was the most excitement she's had since she came to the god forsaken place. Her smile seemed to fade as she walked to her room. "What's wrong?" Sunstreaker asked, noticing the frown. "Diesel wasn't here to see my win." Her voice monotone. "I'm sure he would be proud of you. You can tell him when he gets back." Sideswipe offered. "I know, it's just not the same." The twins nodded, agreeing with her. That was the end of that conversation as they had reached her room. "I'll be out in a few." She said, leaving the boys standing outside her door.