Clarissa's foot continues to tap on the floor of the Charger. Tyler glances over at her every now and then. They both know how anxious she is to get back home. It has only been a month, but she misses Sideswipe like crazy. And after this last contact with Decepticons, she has been on the edge. When they had gotten back to base, she went off on everyone. She didn't care who she yelled at. Even guys that didn't know about the ammo got a brunt of her fury. Now she just wants to go home and relax with her man, well bot.

"Clarissa please stop tapping your foot." Tyler stressed, attempting to keep his eyes on the road.

"Why? Is it bothering you?" She asked, tapping her foot harder.

"Your gonna break the floor!" He warned.

"Oh, calm down, I'm not gonna break it. It can't be that rusted underneath. Isn't this thing brand new?" She implied, stomping one more time on the floor.

"I'm gonna shove you out the door." He growled lowly.

"You're such a baby." She mumbled under her breath while crossing her arms.

Tyler let out another low growl from deep in his throat but didn't reply to her latest comment. It isn't worth it. They both want to go home. There are only a few hours left and they should be arriving in Crown City. The whole ride so far has been the two sitting on the edge of their seats. Happy to get away from the agency. They agreed that Tyler would drop Clarissa off at the scrapyard and Sideswipe would take her from there. She can't wait to be with him again. Even if its just for a weekend. It's better than nothing.

"You going to tell him this time?" Tyler spoke up, not even glancing at her.

She knows what he is talking about, she just isn't sure how to answer. "I don't know." She finally says.

"You really should." This time he takes a second to look over at her sullen face.

"But what if he doesn't feel the same?"

"Don't even go there! That bot loves you more than life itself. How can you not see the way he looks at you?" He smacks her arm.

"Ow! What was that for?" She yells rubbing her arm.

"Oh, it didn't hurt that bad." She proceeds to stick her tongue out at him and he gives a small chuckle at her childness.

"Maybe I'm waiting for him to tell me first."

"Well he better hurry up then." He mumbles under his breath.

They drive the rest of the way in silence, listening to music. Soon they will be home.

*---------------*

They arrive at the scrapyard, or what's left of it. They place looks blown to bits. Scorch marks cover the ground and anything in the same vicinity. Clarissa's hand covers her mouth in shock, trying to hold it all in. Tyler stops the vehicle near the diner. Black soot covers most of it. Clarissa struggles to get the door open, but once she does, she has to keep her balance. Denny's towers of scrap and stuff is littering the ground. Most very difficult to know what it is. She lightly walks through the area, hoping not to find what she is thinking she will. Tyler catches up with her, looking around as well.

"What happened here?" She cried out, holding onto Tyler's arm.

"They were attacked. But by who." Tyler says.

"But, where are they?" She stumbles over her feet, looking for the bright noticeable colors of Sideswipe.

"Maybe they got out in time." Tyler says trying to soothe her. She turns into him, trying not to cry. They can only hope they got out.

The two searches through the rubble, looking hard to make sure the bots and Denny and Russel, weren't buried. The two could only lift so much, but they haven't found anyone. Wreckage lay in the wake, proving the assault from the enemy. Smoke still fumed from smoldering pieces, showing it happened not that long ago. Few paint chips litter the area. Clarissa can't help but sift through the dirt, picking up the small red and yellow chips. Her tears long gone, now anger fills in the blanks. She clenches her fist together with the chips in hand. Whoever did this had something coming to them. When she finds out who did this, the new ammo is going to come in handy. She will be pointing it straight at their spark chamber.

"Take me home. Maybe Sideswipe is there." Her voice low and dangerous. Tyler follows as she jogs back to his car.

*-----------------*

They come around the corner fast, drifting at an angle but straight at her driveway and he punches to a stop and the dust clouds around them. She waits in the car for the dust to settle. When it fades away all she sees is her horses looking happily at the car. She hears Koda give a whinny at her. But there is no sign of her favorite bot. Where could they be? All she wants now are answers. The two sit in the car, neither talking, just thinking. Clarissa tries to think of any kind of answer. Any answer that makes sense. After a few more moments, she rushes out of the car and runs over to her horses. They give her loving nuzzles, not understanding why she is crying. They are just happy to see her.

Tyler joins her and as he begins to pet Jake, they hear tires rolling on the gravel. They both immediately turn and pull out their pistols, pointing straight at the incoming pickup truck. As the dust began to settle around it, the both of them started to recognize it. They watch as an older man jump out of the driver side and a child comes out of the passenger. Tears come straight to her eyes as she runs towards them and devours them in a squishable hug.

"You two are okay!!" She screams, blowing out all three of their eardrums.

"Yeah, we are." Russel squeaks through his vocal cords.

"We went to the junkyard and saw what happened. Where are the bots? Where's Sideswipe? Are you all okay? What exactly happened? Who..." She started to rattle off questions after pulling away.

"Calm down, Clarissa. We are all okay. So are the bots. We are just hiding out for right now. Sideswipe and Bee sent us to see if you were home yet. Just to make sure you know what's going on." Denny explained.

"Hiding out where? Why couldn't one of them come with you?"

"I can't tell you. Its for your safety. Bee doesn't want anything to happen to you, nor does Sideswipe. Grimlock had to sit on Sideswipe to get him to stay put. Their signatures are easily detectible, so they need to stay low for right now." He set comforting hands on her shoulders.

"I want to go with you." She let out a small sniffle.

"Believe me, we want you too. It is driving Sideswipe crazy that he can't be with you right now. But this is for your own safety. Especially since we don't know who did it. Please just stay here for now. When do you leave to go back?"

"Sunday night." She growled and crossed her arms.

"Your barely here for the weekend. Well that's not good." He put his fingers on his chin, looking down and thinking hard.

"Can I at least call him?" She whines.

"No, you won't get through. I'm sorry Clarissa. Let me go back and maybe we can figure out something. Just stay here. We will be back."

Denny and Russel get back in their truck and leave the yard. Clarissa stays where she stands, watching the truck drive off. Once out of view, she stomps into the house, forgetting about Tyler. He quickly catches up to her, stopping her before she breaks down the door. Grabbing her and pulling her in close. She doesn't bother trying to push away, she just lets him hold her and she lets the tears fall. She keeps sobbing for a few minutes before stopping and looking up at him.

"I'm going to destroy whoever did this." She growls, tone deep and dangerous.

"No your not." Tyler orders, looking down at her.

"You can't stop me."

"Let the bots handle this." His voice calming.

"It sounds like the bots need my help."

"They can handle it. They don't want you to get hurt."

"I hunt down Decepticons for a living now. I think I can handle it. I used to work with them before."

"Yeah, but we are supposed to kill them. That is what we are trained for. And you made a promise to protect them and let Team Bee take care of it. You wouldn't be able to forgive yourself if you actually used your weapon on one."

His words stopped her for a moment. Unsure how to answer, she hangs her head. He pulls her back into a hug, letting his chin rest atop of her head, brushing his fingers through her hair.

"I know you want to help, want revenge. But you should be happy that Sideswipe is alive. That they are all alive. That is all that matters right now. You will get to see them again." He whispers the soothing words to her.

*-------------*

The minute the old ford rolls into the cave, the young sleek red bot landed on his knees in front of it. He begins to rattle off questions to the two that casually get out of the truck.

"Whoa whoa Sideswipe, slow down." Denny brings his hands up, trying to calm down the distraught bot.

"How is she?" Sideswipe asks again, ignoring Denny's words.

"She is a little torn up, but she will be alright."

"I should be with her."

"No, it's better that you are here. You could put her in danger and you know that." Bee steps in, overhearing the conversation.

"But what if something happens and I'm not there." Sideswipe pleads.

"She is a special agent. She has been in a fight before. She is hunting us now for Primus sakes. I think she will be alright." Sideswipe growls at Bee's statement.

"I know its not ideal, but we need to trust that she can handle herself."

"I will never forgive myself if something happens to her." Sideswipe sulks and turns to walk further into the cave.

"How long is she home?" Bee turns and asks Denny after watching Sideswipe walk away.

"She leaves Sunday evening."

"I wish I could let him go see her."

"Me too. She is heartbroken that she can't see him."

"I hope we don't have to be hiding out to long."

Denny nodded in agreement, then the two walk further into the cave. The sun now beginning to set, giving a darker feel to the entrance to the cave. Night will be falling upon them. A new day will come, but the danger will still be there. The night will be a restless one. The hope is there that tomorrow will be a better day, but the future is uncertain.