"And I've been perfecting my abilities and keeping my distance since then." I heave a sigh as I finish my story.

Everyone stares at me in silence. Optimus woke up about a quarter of the way through. He had sat up and listened intently to the rest of my story. Not once interrupting. There were moments I saw Lennox shed a tear. He tried hard to hide it, but I noticed. I can see the guilt eating away at them. For not noticing there was something wrong with me. But how could they? There are thousands of soldiers here, they can't notice us all. Ratchet even looks upset. Like it was his job to know everything going on. I'll admit it hurts that no one noticed me, but if I had never told Sunstreaker, no one would know.

"I'm assuming your family has no idea." Lennox finally speaks, his eyes meeting mine.

"They don't even know where I'm stationed. They haven't been my family for a long time." I admit to him. I hear a gasp from Sideswipe to my left. "Don't feel bad for me. They weren't much of a family to begin with."

"Why didn't you tell anyone?" Lennox asks gently. His eyes not meeting mine this time.

"How exactly was I supposed to tell someone? None of you believed me at first. Sunstreaker had to keep digging until I finally told him. Even then, he didn't want to believe it. And he's seen me teleport and phase through things. I also didn't want to become an experiment. I didn't want anyone to look at me differently. It was easier to hide it." I finish, slumping my shoulders forward.

"Maybe we could have helped you? At least help understand." Lennox is trying and I appreciate it.

"Have you ever met a ghost? One like me. If I hadn't just helped Optimus, I doubt the outcome would be the same." I wish there was an easier way to make everyone understand.

"Hart," Optimus calls out. I almost forgot he was there. He's been so quiet. "Thank you for saving my life, twice. As well as Sideswipes."

"I said nothing about that." I say in shock. My head snaps to Sideswipe and Sunstreaker. "Did you two say something?"

They both shake their heads viciously at me.

"Do not blame them. I have known for a while," Optimus admits.

"And you didn't say anything?" Ratchet accuses.

"It was not for me to share." Optimus states glancing to his medic.

"How did you find out?" I question, taking a step closer to him.

"When you saved me the first time, I had a vision. The matrix told me it would not be the last time we would need you. At first, I didn't believe it, but the matrix informed me about your burial location and that you will have to make a decision when the time comes. One none of us can make for you." He explains.

"What does that mean?" Lennox grumbles, crossing his arms.

"I had a voice speak to me while you guys were missing. He said I wasn't done yet. I was here for a reason." I look up at Optimus. I believe we both heard the same voice.

"Hart? Why didn't you tell us?" Sunstreaker's sadden voice comes from behind me.

"I didn't want you guys to worry." I admit turning to him. Both him and Sideswipe are wearing identical frowns with worried optics. "I'm sorry."

"You should have told us." Sideswipe looks away as he speaks.

"You had just found out. Half of you were missing when it happened. I was still trying to understand it all myself." I attempt to get him to see my point of view.

"Look, you guys can discuss this later. Optimus, what is she meant to do?" Lennox snaps, taking a step forward.

"My belief is to help us defeat the Decepticons." Optimus answers.

"I figured that, but how?" Lennox growls, his patience sinking.

"That I will have to think on, but I think it has something to do with the orb." Optimus brings his servo to his chin and thinks.

The room goes silent. Everyone trying to wrap their minds around this new information. I know there is a reason I'm here, but why? It's hard to believe Optimus doesn't know either. I wish that voice would have given me more information. At least given Optimus more of anything.

"Hart?" Sunstreaker's voice penetrates my thoughts. I stop the pacing I hadn't realized I started and look up at him. "You, okay?"

I slouch forward and my hands drop to my side. "I don't' know." I answer honestly.

"It will be okay." Sideswipe kneels down and sets a digit on my shoulder.

"I wish I could believe you." I croak.

"We should let everyone know. I need to at least report this to General Morshower." Lennox sighs.

"You really have to tell people?" I ask quietly.

"I am already going to get enough shit because I didn't know one of my soldiers is dead. I definitely have to report this." He tries to say it nicely, but I know he is upset.

"If anyone should get in trouble, it should be me. I lied and kept this enormous secret. I'd understand if you demote me or put me on restriction or something." I tried looking my major in the eyes, but he won't meet mine.

"I can't punish someone whose dead and about to help us win this war." He sighs then continues, "Plus, I'd be scared too if I was in your shoes."

With that, he walks out. Optimus, Ratchet and Jolt following him. They have a lot to think about. Also, to find a way to explain me to the rest of the ranks. This is not how I wanted things to go. The whole situation is stressing me out. I want to go out to the cliff. I'm worn out. My mind is tired. I feel the twins watching me. Both probably just as stressed as I am.

"I need to go out to the cliff." I mutter as I turn to look at them.

"We will meet you there." Sideswipe assures.

I nod to him and jump to the cliff. The scenery changes from the bright lit medical bay to sunny skies and an ocean breeze. The coconut tree sways lightly back and forth. I finally feel at peace. Like all my worries have washed away with the waves, performance engines echo in the distance. I look over my shoulder and see their metallic coat gleaming against the sun's dirt, kicking up from behind their tires, forming a gigantic cloud, one that is being whipped around by the wind.

As they are about to reach me, they transform. Their identical transformations bring a smile to my face. They land on their wheels and skate the rest of the way to me. The twins stop in front of me, their heads down, staring at the ground. I can see the hurt, the shame. They both knew how badly I didn't want anyone to know my secret. Yet I'm not upset. At least not anymore. Saving Optimus was more important than keeping my secret. It is also a relief to tell my story. Have others believe me; I don't have to hide anymore.

"Hart..." Sideswipe starts.

"You are both forgiven." I interrupt.

Both sets of optics seemed to light up at my words. Sideswipe grows a large smile while Sunstreaker gives a small one. If you weren't looking, you barely see it, but it's there. I can see the tension leave their bodies from my words. It hurts me to see them in pain. Unfortunately, I know there is something else on their minds.

"I'm sorry I didn't tell you about the voice." A frown returns to my face as I apologize.

"I just don't understand why you didn't tell us, or at least me." Sunstreaker grumbles, crossing his arms.

"There was so much going on. Sideswipe had yet to be given the whole story. I didn't understand what it said, and I didn't want you guys to worry." I try to explain.

"We are constantly worried. Since I found out I have been terrified to go to recharge in fear, I'll wake up and you'll be gone. Sideswipe didn't even want to leave you alone for the last mission." Sunstreaker cries out.

I glance over to Sideswipe, who is looking at the ground, then back to Sunstreaker again. "I am sorry. I never intended to make either of you worry."

"At least we know your time isn't up yet," Sideswipe says softly.

"It will be if I complete this mission or not." I don't want to bring the mood down more, but it's the truth.

"Yeah, but it could be a while before Optimus figures it out. We have time." Sideswipe says with a more positive tone.

I love his optimism. It is something I'm going to miss. A smile grows on my face as I look at him. I hope he never loses his attitude. I hope he continues to find the good in any situations. Soon my smile is falling. I can feel it. It's getting harder for me to stay positive. I want to so badly.

"I just want you guys to know that I'm going to miss you bot so much." I cry.

"Please don't. Don't say goodbye yet." Sunstreaker falls to a knee in front of me.

"I'm sorry. I'm just so afraid." I admit, wiping away imaginary tears.

"We know. We are too. Not that Sunny would admit it." Sideswipe says, trying to lighten the mood.

"Stop calling me Sunny." Sunstreaker snaps, smacking his twin in the arm.

"Ow!" Sideswipe whines, rubbing his arm.

"Sideswipe is right. For once, we are afraid, but we also still have time." Sunstreaker looks me in the eyes. His optics burning deep into my soul, willing me to believe him.

"Then let's spend what time we have left, together." I let my eyes drift from Sunstreaker to sideswipe. Sideswipe smiles, one that reaches his optics.

"What would you like to do?" Sunstreaker asks.

"Right now, just sit here and enjoy the view for a little bit. Then we can do something you guys want to do." I walk over to the coconut tree and take a seat.

The twins don't take long to follow. Sunstreaker sits back near me, his knees up to his chest and arms wrapped around them. Sideswiped gently sits on the edge of the Cliff, his legs dangling over the ledge. A peaceful air fills the space, a comfortable silence since among us, letting us relish in the tranquility. Now this is a moment I never want to forget.

Unfortunately, as we finally seem to settle in, a cloud of dust is forming at base and moving towards us. Sunstreaker is the first one up inside, swipe right behind him. Both standing in front of me. Ready to battle whatever is coming at us. I notice Sunstreaker's blades peak out under his armor, but after a second, they both relax.

"It's Optimus." Sideswipe says, looking back at me quick.

The Autobots leader's name instantly brings a sinking feeling to my gut. Even after he claimed to know where I was buried, I've never seen him out here. He defended me, keeping my secret. The only reason I can think of him coming out here is one I'm not ready for. I thought it would take longer. I thought I had more time. As he drives closer, I feel a wave of dizziness wash over me. It's a feeling I haven't felt in over a year. I'm not ready to go yet. Everything feels like it's slowing down. My eyes move down to my hands and my jaw drops. My fingertips are beginning to fade again. I want to scream, but nothing comes out. Wind and dust whip around me and I look up to Optimus transforming in front of us.

"I know how you can help us defeat Megatron." He confirms.

"I'm not ready." In my head I screamed, but it only came out as a whisper.

Then the surrounding world disappears and everything goes white.