Marissa woke up with a yawn, noting first of how dark it was outside. Or perhaps they had closed the hangar door. She could have sworn there was a skylight in the hangar, however. Giving a lazy shrug to herself, combing her ratted hair with her fingers (she had let it out of her ponytail for comfort) and adjusting the flannel on her slumped shoulders the woman got up to peer through the small, square window in the door. She could see a few lights blinking on and off, but that was it.

         'Must be nighttime.' She shrugged again. 

     A sudden loud snore confirmed her theory, making Marissa smile, knowing it was her dad. She was glad to have taken the cot closest to the door, noticing an uncomfortable looking Miles on the floor between Lennox and Mr. Faireborn. He too snored, though not nearly as loud as her father. Sam was snuggled next to Mikaela, after deciding his cot was too lonely. The sight made the observing woman frown, thinking the younger man was a little selfish in that he didn't offer his cot to Miles. So, hoping the sandy haired boy wasn't a light sleeper, Marissa carefully lifted him up onto the cot that was once Sam's. Thankfully he was not a light sleeper, and much lighter than he looked, though still heavier than a 50-pound bag of goat feed.

     Taking a deep breath, the sweating woman looked around to determine whether or not she woke anyone up. Apparently, Lennox was harder of a sleeper than his military background suggested, and Shane hadn't gotten a good enough rest to wake up from the shuffling. Marissa guessed Sam and Mikaela were still just tired teens with a loathing for waking up at any time. She couldn't keep the warm feeling in her heart from swelling at the sight of their comfortable expressions and relaxed atmosphere. It made her feel guilty, knowing they all had lost sleep and were stressed because of her alone.

     The sudden glow of red caught Marissa's eyes. Blinking for a moment, she tried to determine the source until finally turning around and catching the bright optic of a Decepticon. Squinting, the woman attempted to determine which of her captors it was. The name 'Barricade' appeared in her mind, and she looked down at the bracelet still on her wrist.

         'So that's what you sound like.'

     Smiling, Marissa opened the door silently, greeting the four-opticed mech with her cheerful aura. 

     It sickened him.

         "Why are you up this early?" He questioned.

         "I could ask you the same thing." Was the quipped reply. "Won't the Autobots find that suspicious?"

         "They do, trust me. Every single one of them is already up and ready to pounce the minute I blink."

     The human's giggle only made his audio prickle. Why did he make her laugh? 

         Why did he even feel prompted to inspect the movement in the little room?

Her little burst of mirth didn't last long though, wanting to be at least quiet enough to be respectful. She had no idea how early or late it was anyway. A little pop, like echoing water, announced '2:44' in her head, making her look at the bracelet again. Four optics followed the movement closely as Barricade examined her, still on a single knee from looking in the small window. 

     He hated his position. Back turned to his enemy, so vulnerable, but they wouldn't risk scarring this young woman for life. He would if it meant be ridding of an enemy. Alas, the Autobots were always weak minded. It made torturing them a bore sometimes if he was permitted too back on Cybertron.

         "You keep looking at the thing." He observed, earning Marissa's attention again.

         "I'm starting to notice what it sounds like, in my head." She informed with a shrug. "I'm surprised I didn't notice it earlier, but I guess I wasn't really trying to pay attention to an ancient being trying to talk to me."

     Barricade frowned, thinking, debating. He decided acting on impulse this once wouldn't hurt.

         "What does he sound like?"

     The woman smiled again, glad to answer his curious, innocent question. She found it completely in his character, as he was an interrogator, so naturally he wanted to know things such as these. 

         "Like water drops dripping into a lake," she described, "only- it echoes, as if it were in a tunnel or cave. But also- it vibrates with energy!" Her voice remained low as to not disturb anyone behind the door or the other bots. "I don't know how to describe the energy infused water part but-"

         "Energon." Barricade offered, chocolate eyes blinking up at him in interest. "It's just as you described, only untouchable for humankind. Toxic, but powerful. The lifeblood of all Cybertronians, and Velocitronians. Legend says it's the very blood of Primus."

         "That's- kind of weird." Marissa admitted. "If it's Primus's blood, won't he run out at some point? And you just drink it?"

         "To be fair," Barricade rumbled lowly, "your culture holds a tradition that resembles a similar practice."

         "Communion in the Christian church is a little different." Marissa noted, crossing her arms. "The wine isn't blood, neither does it turn into blood. And the bread is just that, bread. No cannibalism involved. Not only that but it's not exactly our only source of food."

         "Are you judging an entire race for how it was created?" The Decepticon chuckled, wanting to argue with the woman. How far did he have to go before she no longer relied on logic and used the flawed emotion the human species was known for?

         "No." She answered simply. "And I was asking if you would run out of energon on Cybertron and how you consumed it. Did you think I was calling you guys' cannibals?"

     The mech blinked, four optics shuttering and widening after, at his realization. 

         Did he really just jump to a conclusion? 

He didn't think he was that far off the mark, after all her questions sure seemed judgmental.

     His blank stare made the woman chuckle. Marissa pat him on his chin before turning to enter the little room again. 

         "You should get some rest, Barricade. Being on the run for a few days probably took a toll on your- processor?" She tried to remember what the right term was. "Don't overdue yourself, okay? Sweet dreams."

     He watched her disappear behind the door, his optic color catching the disappearance of her legs onto the cot near the door, hidden by the wall. The titan stood, slowly, attempting to process all of what had happened. It wasn't much of an event, but he began to wonder if Vector Sigma was either affecting her in some unwanted way, or him. The few Autobots watching wondered the same thing, swearing not to say a word for the sake of future observation.

     The next morning brought the original human team up at 7:30 A.M. Lennox, of course, along with Shane Faireborn, were the first up. Or so they thought, but the absence of Marissa made them both prickle. The two men glanced toward each other, agreeing to stay calm about her absence silently. After all, she could just be using the portable bathroom provided outside the hangar. Their minds wouldn't settle until they knew for sure, however, and stepped out of the room quietly. The men had to blink their sleep away due to the clear skylight above, only to blink again at the sight the unfiltered light illuminated.

     Marissa was sitting back on the shoulder of Blurr, hair down and a spoon in her mouth. She straightened to dig the utensil into her yogurt cup and ate another mouthful before returning to her original position. She was apparently interested in whatever Knockout and Ratchet were arguing about. Some medical jargon or other such related thing, but Shane recognized the focused face that meant his youngest was comprehending at least some of what they were saying.

         "So-" she swallowed before speaking with her mouth full, "because of the differing ethics, and moral compasses, the Decepticon anatomy just got- complicated?"

         "Some, not all." Knockout shrugged nonchalantly. "The only absolute nightmare of a patient I'd have to say was Makeshift. Though Pretenders take a close second."

         "I can't believe you allowed such an abominable experiment to even pass your optics." Ratchet shook his helm, Marissa's attention turning to the older bot. "Taking away a mech's alt-mode and rearranging his entire anatomy to change into whomever he pleases? And you all wondered why he went insane."

         "Oh, trust me, I knew he would go insane sooner or later. I was quite relieved when he was put out of his misery. Makeshift's violent tendencies were starting to threaten my glossy glow."

     Marissa giggled at the comment, choking on another bite of yogurt as she realized the response was frowned upon by the other Autobots. She apologized lowly before clearing her throat. 

         "Nice to know she's at least getting along." Lennox whispered to the older man beside him. Shane didn't hold an expression of relief, however. 

         "Yeah." Was all he responded with before waving at his daughter, earning her delighted attention. "You're up early." He commented.

     Blurr kneeled to the floor, extending his sleek arm to act like a slide. His little parrot of a person slid down with her small breakfast, grinning wildly as she skipped to her father.

         "Bumblebee woke me up trying to see if Sam was awake yet." She informed. "I thought it best to let you all rest as long as you wanted."

         "How's your wrist?" Mr. Faireborn questioned, noting the ever-watchful optics of the two Decepticons in their corners. They glared at him menacingly, like they didn't like how close he was to his own daughter.

         "It's fine." She shrugged, holding up the brace covered appendage. "How's your stomach? They've got breakfast ready by now. Morn'n Colonel!" She waved to the other man as he crossed the way to speak with Ironhide, who waved in return before continuing on his way.

    Shane finally looked around to account for all who was there. Optimus Prime had disappeared elsewhere, Bumblebee was also missing, but the yellow-colored sports car was already roaming back in from racing on whatever stretch of concrete he could find. Blurr, Knockout and Ratchet were dispersing to occupy themselves while Ironhide was still sitting on the floor speaking to Colonel Lennox. And, of course, the two 'Cons were brooding in their opposite corners. They all made the spacious hangar feel so small. It was unnerving to the pepper-haired man.

         "I'm sure you need something to eat too." He suggested, hoping she'd agree to accompany him so they could talk without certain parties eavesdropping.

         "Well-" Marissa was about to decline, only to notice her father's uncomfortable glances around the room. "I guess I could eat another yogurt. The staff is very nice, I bet they'd make you a waffle or two."

         "I'll take whatever they've got to serve." Shane chuckled, guiding the shorter woman by a hand on her back, out of the hangar. 

     Marissa waved to Bumblebee after he transformed, to which the youngest mech waved back with a cheery beep. Just that interaction alone made her father walk a little brisker. He didn't think she would notice anyway, as he was prone to walk faster if food was involved, but his daughter knew him far too well. This wasn't her mother's cooking, anyway, so there was no need to be in a hurry. She didn't bring her thoughts to light, though.

        "I think today is biscuits and gravy." Marissa droned casually. "At least, that's what the chalkboard said."

         "You and I both know it won't be as tasteful as your mother's." Shane chuckled, taking his hand from her back once he deemed she was not going to attempt to return to the Autobot's temporary home.

     True to form, the breakfast was no match for Lilian's home-baked biscuits and made-from-scratch gravy. Shane dared not say so in the midst of his breakfast, not when soldiers were still coming and going. They ate at a break-neck pace anyway, so military food didn't really need to be too flavorful. It didn't stop him from adding salt and pepper too his meal though. The fact that Marissa wasn't eating much troubled him, since he knew she could put away more than just a few yogurts.

         "You feeling okay?" He asked over a mouthful of sausage.

         "Dad, don't talk with your mouthful." Marissa scolded. "Yes, I'm fine. I found an M.R.E. in the hangar. Someone didn't eat their yogurt from yesterday, either. Ratchet said they didn't plan on eating it, so I took it."

         "You sound like your mother." Gliding a napkin over his chin, the aged man sighed, letting his stomach settle before eating again.

     By now the long cafeteria had dwindled in number, the men and women of the force having left and overall originally avoided the two civilians from the beginning. Other than the cameras watching over the gathering place, and the kitchen staff finally sitting down to eat on the far side, the two were alone to talk.

     An awkward silence fell over the father and daughter. Marissa let her plastic spoon slide into the empty container, nestled in the previous one, and leaned back in her chair. Shane continued the silence, finishing his food before finally straightening and resting his fork down on the plate. Still he didn't speak until the cafeteria staff left, and they were alone with the cameras. He stared at his daughter, who stared at her empty yogurt cups.

         "You're not actually going to keep that thing on your wrist, are you?"

         "I don't think you should address a living being as an object, pop."

         "Marissa don't." He held up a hand, throwing his head back with a slow sigh. He waited until he knew she wasn't going to say anything more before bringing his head and hand back down. "I'm sorry. We should never have agreed to let you go on that trip-"

         "What are trying to say, exactly?" The young woman interrupted, making her father frown. 

         "I'm saying that I'm going to do my best to bring our lives back to normalcy. Tater tot, this is bigger than any city you could ever avoid. An entire alien race from some the outskirts of a separate galaxy? It's exactly what you didn't want in your life."

     Marissa folded her arms across her chest, a tell-tale sign that she was listening, but her mind was already made up. Mr. Faireborn went on anyway, hoping he could crack the hardheaded side of his daughter with reason, as he had done before in the 21 years he'd raised her.

         "That bracelet has brought you nothing but trouble thus far." He reminded. "You were abducted by a pair of insane robot lifeforms, who do nothing but glare at anyone who gets near you-"

         "Makes sense considering I was their prisoner for a whole day." Marissa noted. "They're on guard, dad."

         "Your wrist was almost broken by said pair. You said so yourself that the flying one dropped you, so if it weren't for the blue one you'd be a grease spot on the road-"

         "They have names." She rolled her eyes.

         "Need I mention he willingly let you fall a second time to avoid you returning to safe hands?"

         "Need I mention that I was the one who suggested that?" Marissa gave a huff. "Not the dropping to my near-death part but the dropping off with Barricade."

         "How are you not even terrified to be around them?" Shane dropped his hands to his sides, staring at his daughter with pure bewilderment. "They have hurt you, used you, lied to you, threatened you and will undoubtedly do it again!"

         "Because the thing on my wrist has assured me that I will not be hurt by either of them!" Marissa snapped harshly, gritted teeth keeping her voice low. "They have lied to me, yes, but the entity on my wrist has not. I don't trust them as far as I could throw them, and both Barricade and Starscream could have murdered me at any point in time before now. Heck, they brought me and the dubbed 'device' to the Autobots. That's not very Decepticon of them."

         "They acted on one selfish want: to figure out what that thing is." A sun weathered finger pointed at the bracelet on the woman's arm, and she stiffened. "They know now, what makes you think they won't steal you away again?"

         "Have you not been listening since yesterday?" Marissa scoffed. "Starscream could take me, sure, but not without Blurr and Knockout on his tail. Not to mention he's not going to just abandon Barricade. At this point he's the only ally willing to follow Starscream's direction, even minutely. Not to mention Barricade has valuable skills the other does not. Need I mention the fact that Vector Sigma is practically dormant? He needs the All Spark, so why would they just take me away without knowing where that is?"

         "You're talking like you're an expert." Shane noted sourly. "I don't know what that thing has convinced you of but you're far from an expert. You know nothing about these beings! You know nothing about that thing on your wrist! It's hardly been two days, Marissa, two days. You're being manipulated into thinking this is okay!"

     Marissa ground her teeth, standing up stiffly and unfolding her arms. Picking up her garbage with one hand, she set her seat back with the other. The elderly father watched her with confusion before he realized she was actually quite angry with him. Her stone-cold expression, much like his, the day before, showed it the most. 

         "I never said all of this was okay." She stated lowly, like a teapot boiling before it starts to whine. "Of all the people that could have picked up Vector Sigma, it was me. Because I thought it looked shiny. I wasn't prompted by any divine voice in my head, no weird pull on my arm or legs made me pick it up against my will. Maybe the reason I'm so calm about all this, and why I apparently sound like I'm an expert: is because I'm willing to learn about these beings and help them get back home." 

     Shane was silent, staring at his youngest child with a disappointed gaze.

          Wasn't she smarter than this?

          A strange power can pop questions in her head, and she doesn't think she's being affected negatively?

     These beings were dangerous, everything about them. Technology, their life blood, their very existence was a threat to humankind as long as they stayed on Earth.

         "I want them to get back home as well." He told her soberly. "I couldn't imagine what it may be like to watch our own planet die from war. What they need is for that bracelet to be returned, and we will go back home."

         "Like it never happened?"

         "Like it never happened."

         "Fat chance, dad." Marissa shook her head. "You and mom will be worried every other car or airplane is some evil robot set on abducting me. I was that way on my first road trip with Barricade. I don't think Vector Sigma wants me to leave just yet."

         "Do you even hear yourself?"

         "Look, I don't know how to explain it. All I can say is that I feel protective over him. Like-"

         "I just want you safe." Shane interrupted, not wanting to hear whatever she felt about the device on her wrist. "You'll be safe at home, without the bracelet."

         "We'll talk about it later, dad." Marissa waved it off, throwing the yogurt containers in the trash and started her walking out of the cafeteria. She stopped at the edge of the long table with a sigh, looking back to her loving father. "I love you."

     Mr. Faireborn sighed, setting a hand back on the table as he stared at his empty plate.

         "I love you too, Tater tot."