After landing at the base the team goes to our tent. I choose a cot in a corner and lay on it with a big sigh, not bothering to take off my shoes.

"Oh, God this is sooooo nice," my voice tired, rubbing my eyes. Fig looks at me and chuckles. He says something in Spanish, which I sorta understand (translated: You tired, Miss Holestein?)

"Ci, Senor Fig," I respond, receiving a tent-full of stares. I rarely speak Spanish. "What? I learned from mi abuelo, God bless his soul."

My adoptive mother's stepfather was Mexican. He was one of the kindest men I've ever known.

I receive eye-rolls and just close my own, but open them soon when I hear a familiar voice. "You alright, Elektra?" My lips form a small smile as my eyes open to the sight of my captain.

"Yes, sir," I respond standing up. "Just need a nap is all, and a shower." He smiles at me and nods his head.

"Hey, guys, leave the tent. Miss Holestein needs thirty minutes to herself in private." Captain gives me a quick wink, causing me to blush as I quickly get out some clean clothes. In a few seconds everyone else clears out as a tub of hot water is brought in by Captain and Epps.

"Thirty minutes to wash and get dressed, Elektra. Or you'll scare some men," Captain teases as he walks out.
"Yeah, cause I'm the big bad wolf," I chuckle as he leaves with Epps shaking his head and following close behind.

I never thought that bathing would be so relaxing, but at the same time a need to rush. People would walk by and I'd worry that they'd come in, but apparently Epps was standing outside the entrance to keep my privacy . . . well, private. When finished getting dressed, I peeked out the opening to Epps.

"Hey, man. Mind to help me get this bucket out?" He looks at me after jumping a bit, making me smirk. We both dump the contents while receiving stares from other soldiers passing by.

I hear some Wolf Whistles, glaring slightly and feeling uncomfortable. Epps easily sees this and taps my arm. "How 'bout you catch a nap?" He suggests with a kind expression.

With a nod and smile I retreat to the tent and lay in my cot to get some sleep. Thoughts of Lennox swirled in my mind until I fell asleep -most of them memories and want-to-bes. It wasn't until Epps shaking my shoulder a few hours later that I woke from my sweet slumber.

The sun had set and we  start to walk towards Captain Lennox's tent and hear a familiar laughter. I gulp, seeing our captain walk out of his tent. What he said from the helicopter ride to base reruns in my head, touching me more and more. This unshakable curiosity and hope was growing within me. I glance at Epps and he smiles.

"You ok?" I nod, smiling convincingly.

"I'm good. No worries, Epps." I pat his chest a few times before entering the tent Lennox is in. Everything will be alright.

Stepping up into the tent, I smile and nod at Lennox. "Thanks, Cap."

He smiles and turns to us, his conversation with others having ended. "Of course. You feel better?"

"Yeah, a nap wouldn't hurt though," I say as a big yawn exits my mouth and he chuckles. "It's been an extra go-go-go lately."

"For sure," he says with his own large yawn, making me mockingly chuckle at him. A playful hit on the arm is my reward. "I was wondering, when we get back home, what do you think me treating you girls for a steak?"

Free food, eye candy, steak, time with my sister, free food. Did I mention eye candy?

I raise an eyebrow smirking with a light blush. "You kidding? We'd love that!" He chuckles and nods.

We shake in agreement. "It's a plan then."

BOOM! RUMBLE.

An explosion! A loud one.

I gasp and jump, his face becoming one of alarm. His arms instinctively gripped mine as we locked eyes briefly. The earth shook as crashing and further explosions are heard.

"What the-" He grabs my hand and we run out. Our eyes widen at the sight of soldiers running frantically away from this giant metalic . . . robot?

Epps comes running up to us with Fig and a little boy named Mahfouz, and Epps practically screams at us, "They bombed the antenna farm! We're under attack!!"

The five of us run soon to be joined by other members of our team, and we find refuge as the base is bit-by-bit, blasted to nothing.

I look back to see a familiar giant robot standing in the center of the building. "Oh no . . ." My eyesight turns mechanical briefly and examines the creature. I blink it away, sending out a hidden distress signal to my allies across the universe:

Calling to all Autobots. Codename: El. Identity: compromised. Mission report: Decepticon attack in Qatar, I repeat, we are under attack!