"Optimus." Ratchet announced his presence to the leader, who turned from the large screen said medic had manufactured for their use. 

     Their new residence, provided by the United States government, was a warehouse on the opposite side of the hill the three teens had convinced them to visit for a picnic. The grounds were out of sight of passing citizens of Tranquility and known for military activity, so the occasional earthquake or explosion from a sparring match wasn't unexpected. It wasn't completely permanent, so the tools and computers were easily moved and compactible for transport.

         "Yes, Ratchet?" The Prime inquired. "What troubles you?"

     The older mech looked torn of whether he should continue his query or not. Staring at his pedes or at the computers to avoid Optimus' calm gaze.

         "I know we promised ourselves and to the younglings that we would try and enjoy this peace but- there's- it's too-" he struggled to explain his odd premonition, surprised when Optimus nodded.

         "You feel that something is amiss. Something we've neglected."

         "You too?" Ratchet straightened.

         "Yes. Something troubles my spark. A pull, back to Mission City." Optimus looked to the computers he had been monitoring. Despite his outward mannerisms and calm suggestions of hoping for a time of long-lived peace, he had been watching for anything that might suggest Decepticon activity. News articles, videos, conspiracy sights, he watched it all, but there was nothing about Mission City except its clean-up and rebuilding. 

         "Why didn't you say something before?" The medic crossed his bulky arms. "We could have investigated it by now!"

         "I was unsure." The powerful mech admitted with a sigh. "There were no signs of danger when we left, and the human government kept things under control, even to the point of keeping our existence relatively secret despite the number of witnesses."

         "An impressive feat." Ratchet muttered, though he wouldn't say such in the ear shot of a human. Optimus nodded his agreement.

         "I had no evidence to act upon," he continued, "so did not think much of it except to monitor the World Wide Web."

     Despite his frown, Ratchet agreed Optimus' choice in actions were likely the smartest. Without the evidence required, the U.S. government was highly unlikely to let them return to the ground zero site. The human race didn't trust their instincts as well as Cybertronians did their own. Ratchet believed it to be a shame, but all species are different and not all human instincts were accurate, anyway. A spark was different from a soul as well, so it was likely human souls were not as sensitive to the cosmic energies that connect them to their own kind and energies related to such. They wouldn't trust premonitions they themselves had never felt even similarly. 

         "But now I have confirmed your theories." The emergency vehicle hummed. "Would the humans listen to the both of us?"

         "One witness could be biased," the Prime looked back to the monitors, "two could be colluding with each other. Three creates an average. Humans are logic based, mostly. If Ironhide has been feeling the same looming danger, then we will confront William Lennox."

         "What of Bumblebee?" Ratchet suggested. "If three creates an average, four should confirm our own theories."

         "Bumblebee is young," Optimus shook his helm, "and inexperienced in these things. If he had any pull on his spark, I am sure he would have told us. If for any reason in concern that he was ill."

     The small joke made the medic chuckle, remembering very well when the poor mech would worry about any little malady. It wasn't because of his own health but because he was afraid he'd be too sick to fight. It was troublesome on Cybertron but the phase left quickly. 

     The two watched over the World Wide Web for a time, optics flicking whenever a new article was posted. Nothing was ever of importance to their worrying minds, but it was nice to see so many who were affected by the battle had started to make new lives for themselves or planned on moving back to their old habitats. Police were on high alert, as crime had risen, with riots and panic buying forcing stores to shut down until supplies were restocked. It was a shame that there wasn't more solidarity, but like Cybertronians, some humans were selfish.

         "A landowner is being sued for not properly caring for his apartment tenants." Ratchet huffed; the mug shot of the scruffy looking man was clearly glaring at someone, but they were on the other side of the camera. "There selfishness knows no limit."

         "Neither does ours, at times, old friend." The leader sighed. "It appears he is being brought to justice. Apparently, he was refusing to return the security deposits to his tenants. Among other things."

         "Humans don't like taking responsibility for their actions." Ratchet shook his helm. "It would make things far easier on themselves and us if they did."

         "What'd we do now?" Lennox climbed the platform that was connected to the computers, a smirk on his face as he butted into their conversation.

     Amused with his joking, Optimus' expression softened as he turned to face the man. 

         "We are merely monitoring the rebuilding of Mission City." Optimus stated truthfully. "Among the good news, there is equally as unfortunate news. Arrests, rioting-"

         "Makes you think there's a war going on." Ratchet stated sarcastically, rolling his optics.

         "Well, there was." Lennox chuckled, spying the tentative looks the two mechs glanced towards each other. It made the military man wary, and the two caught his expression falling to a serious one as he waited for an answer to his obvious but unsaid question. His stare made the Prime frown, looking back to the screens. "There's something you're not telling me."

     The medic huffed grumpily, muttering something in Cybertronian. Apparently, it was rather foul because Optimus gave him a warning glare. 

         "I cannot say there is not." The biggest gun of them all answered. "However, I did not want to propose my concern until there was evidence to warrant a search through Mission City."

     Lennox dragged a hand down his face.

         "By g- can that poor city catch a break? No, can we catch a break?"

         "You are not immediately opposed to going back?" Ratchet was confused by his statement.

     It took the man a moment to think, trying to pull together his thoughts and explain in a way all three of them would understand. He settled for the fact that he didn't doubt their ominous feelings, but to get permission they would definitely need evidence to support their premonition.

     Ironhide entered the main lobby of the warehouse from outside, being caught up with the conversation. He, also, had developed a strange pull towards Mission City in his spark.

         "Something wants us to return." He agreed with Ratchet. "Something that knows us."

     Lennox continued to suggest a line of action. They could always ask to return to Mission City for the sake of searching for any remnant of the Allspark. The construction crews were already in the know, as they were government employees, and tasked with collecting any Cybertronian traces left behind, but the Autobots were far more knowledgeable in their own technology. They were far more likely to recognize it than a group of humans. 

     The three believed it was plausible, and the idea didn't seem like it would fail. Not knowing what this energy was complicated things, but it made the matter that much more urgent. If they were feeling the strange pull, so were the Decepticons (whoever remained on Earth, anyway). The three decided to speak with Bumblebee about it as well, despite his inexperience. 

     Lennox suggested keeping Mikaela, Sam and Miles out of the ordeal, as they had studies to finish and futures away from the military to look forward too. According to Ironhide's expression, he doubted the three would stay away for long, going to college or not. Ratchet held the same view of them, and Optimus agreed with Lennox that they should live their own lives at peace, but they would likely only live in peace kicking and screaming to return. 

     The sound of a honking Camaro forced the group's attention toward the four newcomers. Three humans laughed at some joke, Bee's shoulders also shaking from mirth after transforming. The heavy atmosphere stifled the witty air, and all four stared at the group before them with stiff and anxious auras.

         "I can't stop you, can I?" Lennox sighed, earning Optimus Prime's attention.

         "As our allies, they deserve to know."

         "Know- what?" Sam scratched his neck.

     There was a short pause before Ratchet questioned Bee about whether or not he felt a pull on his spark to return to Mission City. The young bot nodded, claiming that Sam reassured him that it was only because the war just ended, and he was used to fighting. The question raised the mech's suspicions, and Sam winced at possibly playing down a potentially dangerous matter.

         "We feel we missed something at Mission City." Optimus admitted, looking toward the other two on either side of him. "Something that is either insignificant or could reignite the flame of war once again. All we know for now is that it calls to our sparks."

         "So- you guys are getting gut feelings?" Miles questioned, trying to understand the idea of feeling something in a spark. "Like when Sam knew Bee was- well, not an ordinary car?"

         "If that's the only equivalent you can connect it too, then yes." Ratchet answered, his arms still crossed. "A spark is a delicate entity. As one is exposed to the energies and life forms that can communicate with it, a sensitivity develops."

         "There goes our weekend camping trip." Mikaela sighed. "When are we leaving?"

         "You guys are staying here." Lennox ordered. "We have it handled. If there is something dangerous then we don't want you two involved."

         "Hey-" Miles frowned, arms wide in offense.

     One heated argument later, Mikaela won. Lennox was left wondering how he was talked into letting them go, but with Miles too? Disaster followed those two; but, then again, it followed him as well, it seemed. He made a mental note to call his wife that he would be gone for another few days. He was supposed to go home that night but with ominous premonitions looming, he thought better of it.

     The three youth were ecstatic to see how Mission City was doing after the battle. Bumblebee matched their enthusiasm by playing 'On the Road Again' by Willie Nelson. It amused the three older bots: of the trio only one softening his leader-like expression. 

     They explained a little more of their plan: to be under the guise that they were merely helping look for left over Cybertronian gadgetry or remains. It seemed fool proof enough, even to the far more cautious Mikaela (who wanted to keep in good standing with Lennox to ensure they'd all get to go). 

     They would leave in the morning, so the trio decided to spend the night with the bots.

)-/\-(

         "You'll call me when you make it home safely?" Jesse fretted as she walked her sister toward the airport.

     It was nearly 11:00 P.M. and she was doing everything in her power to convince her sister to stay a little longer. Through the time she had spent in Mission City, not a single career seemed to attract Marissa's attention. Jesse had taken her everywhere, from florist shops to restaurants. Watching her pick up her last bag made Jesse feel like she had failed her little mission.

         "Unless the plane crashes between here and there- yes, I will call you when it lands." 

         "Don't joke like that!" Jesse scolded, holding their mother's stern look. "When you reach the airport, not when you get home! I'll be watching the clock too. You have a phone for a reason."

         "You still think I should downgrade to an Iphone, don't you?" Marissa smirked as her sister attempted to explain for the millionth time that trading a flip phone for an Iphone was not downgrading. Marissa didn't care, she just liked pushing her older sister's buttons. "Hey, who's phone doesn't have a crack in the screen that makes it hard to dial the proper number for a lawyer?" 

         "It was either drop the phone," Jesse gestured with both hands, "or drop the tacos. Which one would you have chosen to save?"

         "The tacos," she agreed, "but I know my phone won't break when I drop it from two feet in the air."

     After a correction of it actually being four feet, the two hugged tightly, Marissa having looked at the clock. Her flight left at 11:30 and it was already 11:19. She left her older sister to charge for the correct terminal. The woman knew where it was and thank the stars security wasn't too stupid about her bags. She slipped through a large group of people just in time to board. The woman was inexperienced in life compared to some, but she knew her sister long enough to know when she was stalling. Marissa didn't doubt if the overprotective woman was waiting in her car outside, expecting a call that she missed her plane. 

         'I don't know why she's so adamant I stay.' The young woman sighed, polishing the bracelet on her wrist once she had situated herself in her seat. It warmed at her touch so quickly, like it sapped the heat from her, and she swore it twinkled every time she did. It was a beautiful piece of artwork caused by chaos and destruction. 'I'm glad I came. My sister lives here after all and I've never visited her until now.'

     A stewardess passed by, making sure everyone was buckled into their seats before the plane lifted off. Another was explaining the safety procedures during a crash, and while it was only mandatory, it still seemed foreboding to the lone woman after joking about crashing earlier.

         "Let's hope I didn't jinx myself." She decided to mutter, unknowing of watchful optics soaring above.