*Warning* violence and abuse. I tried to keep it clean but to also give you an idea.

Also please comment XD.

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A month went by and Megatron seemed almost depressed. He was still close with his family but wasn't happy. He also started to discipline his children. He told them they shouldn't be involved with the mafia or anything else of that matter.

Blitzwing stopped with his game of getting thrown into the hospital. Steeljaw however, just continued to be trained by Shockwave and Soundwave in secret. He was still angry with everyone except his family. He hated the cops for what they did, or didn't do. He wanted them to pay.

It had been six months since Megatron bought the flower shop for Beta. She was happy and loved it so much. He found that when he was around her, he was happier. He stayed in the back mostly or left to do some things occasionally.

Her two boys would come visit her, but never at the same time. Soundwave made sure of that. He would wait until his brother left before going to see her. It wasn't that he hated his older brother, he was simply ashamed of himself. His visits with her made him slowly change, and he wanted to leave the mafia. But he knew his oldest brother would kill him.

Megatron was extremely careful to never be seen by anyone. He couldn't risk it but wanted so badly to tell the young man. He saw him as a son and felt it was unfair to keep him in the dark.

One day he was coming into the main room from the back as he held a few ferns. He stopped suddenly when he saw her talking to Heatwave and quickly went into the back again. The firefighter had looked up but only seen the man's arm as he went back around the corner. He furrowed his brow and quickly stood.

"Who was that?" He growled lowly and clenched his fists. Beta gently gripped his arm and smiled a little.

"It's alright Heatwave. He's a friend of mine." She said and had him sit back down. "He won't hurt me."

"Are you sure?" He asked as he narrowed his eyes. She smiled a little and gently kissed his cheek.

"I'm sure sweetie. Don't worry about me little firefighter." She chuckled softly and he frowned deeply.

"I have to worry about you." He said and hugged her tightly. "Especially after what happened... I was too little at the time to do anything..." he whispered. She stared blankly at nothing in particular and hesitantly hugged him back. She knew he felt guilty and didn't blame him.

She sighed shakily and buried her scarred and burned face in his chest. She loved her boys to no end, even if they didn't love her back. In a way she was proud of her scars, it meant her boys never got hurt. She had managed to spare them from the horrors her husband inflected on her. Her mind slowly went back to that day as she held on to her son.

~~~

She had known something was wrong considering how her husband and his friends were talking. The had joined a gang and were putting their own together at the time. They wanted to be feared more. She didn't understand it but feared for her children. Shockwave was always present when the men had meetings. This terrified her and for good reason. Her husband started to become abusive in several different ways. She tried to fix their marriage for the children and only stayed with them for that reason. Her husband became more violent towards her, and she only asked that he kept the yelling and hitting away from the boys. She didn't care about the abuse as long as her boys were away from it.

Though Shockwave would watch and found it fascinating how his father could manipulate her. He was bullied at school and started to follow in his father's footsteps.

Heatwave was protective of his mother and younger brother. He didn't like seeing the bruises on her, and had called the cops a few times. It was hard for him because he feared what would happen. But he wanted it to stop. Soundwave was too young to really understand what was happening. He was only six when it all started.

One day Beta was making them lunch when she heard Shockwave yelling at his little brother. Heatwave was twelve at the time but acted older, Shockwave was in his teens and Soundwave was only eight.

The youngest was watching his older brothers yell at each other as he hid in a corner. He had his knees to his chest and he was covering his ears. Heatwave stood between the youngest brother and the older one. It appeared Soundwave had broken something of Shockwaves and his older brother was furious. He had yelled that he would kill him and that's when Heatwave stepped in.

"Stop it!" Beta cried as she walked into the room. They jumped and looked at their mother and Shockwave stepped back.

"I'm sorry mom..." Heatwave said as he looked at her. "Shockwave was-" He was cut short when his older brother slapped him hard across the face.

"Mommas boy." He sneered and smacked him again. "Tattle tale." Beta stepped between them and glared at her oldest son.

"Don't. You. Dare touch your brothers." She seethed angrily through gritted teeth. "I will not have you beat on them for fun or any other reason." She said seriously as tears filled her eyes. Shockwave stared at her then his smile faded.

"I... I'm sorry..." he whispered quietly and stepped back again.

"Go. To. Your room." She said as she shook with anger. They had never seen her this mad and they didn't dare oppose her. Shockwave hesitated then nodded slowly before disappearing and closing the door.

She sighed shakily and hugged her middle son tightly. She gently gripped his face to make sure he was alright then knelt by the youngest.

"Shh shh shh... it's okay baby... mommy is here." She whispered and hugged him tightly. "You're alright... he won't hurt you... I promise." She said and kissed his head. Soundwave hugged her tightly and Heatwave hugged them both. They stayed like that for a few minutes, trying to comfort the other.

A few hours later things had calmed down and Beta was giving the two younger boys their meal. She smiled slightly and kissed their heads then went to get Shockwave. She sighed shakily and went to his door then froze as she listened to him talk to his father on the phone.

"I don't understand why she got mad at me. I was only trying to defend my actions, and make him understand that he shouldn't mess with my things." He said. She knew he spoke to his father about different things, but this wasn't good. She stepped back unsure what to do at this point.

"I don't feel she understands me. She seems to get mad a lot when you aren't here." He explained. She shook her head slowly and stepped back again. That wasn't true, he exaggerated. She looked to the other room as her mind raced. The next thing he said made her pale.

"I wish she'd go away sometimes. She doesn't like me and I found out Heatwave calls the police a lot." He sighed in exasperation. The father didn't know who called the police. Only she knew.

Beta started to panic and covered her mouth as she tried to calm down. She had to remember he was just a teenager and didn't mean what he said.

"I hate her... she seems to like the other two better." He muttered bitterly. "I hate my brothers too... especially Heatwave." He grumbled. Beta bit her lip to keep from screaming.

She quickly turned around and quietly went to the other two. She still loved her eldest son, but she felt he had just doomed them. She sat at the table and stared blankly at the wood. Her mind racing as she thought about what to do. Heatwave noticed something was wrong and he looked at her.

"Mom?" He asked and gently touched her arm. She jumped in surprise and looked at him. She smiled weakly and kissed his forehead before going to the kitchen. Shockwave came out of his room finally and walked over to her.

"Can I go to my friends house?" He asked as he shoved his hands in his pockets. She looked at him then at the other two for a moment.

"Yes... can you please take your brothers with you?" She asked wanting to spare them the possible terror. His face fell and he seemed to look angry for a moment.

"Seriously?" He asked in disgust and huffed angrily. "I never get to-"

"Okay fine." She snapped angrily and glared at him. Her expression softened as he seemed confused an hurt. "Have fun okay?" She said as she forced a smile. "Go ahead and stay the night with them." She said seriously and he smiled brightly then hugged her tightly.

"Thanks mom. I love you so much and I'll see you later." He said and she stared blankly as she hugged him. She pulled back and gently gripped his face then kissed his forehead.

"Remember that your mother loves you." She whispered quietly and he rolled his eyes.

"I know I know I know." He said slightly annoyed that she kept telling him. He then left to grab some things before walking out the door.

Beta stared blankly at the closed door then sighed shakily. Heatwave could tell something was wrong. He looked at Soundwave who was oblivious to the situation then at her.

"Heatwave..." she whispered quietly without looking away from the door. "Go pack a bag for you and Soundwave..." she rasped. He didn't say anything and got up then ran off to do so.

She thought for a few minutes then remembered the officer that always came to their house. She went to the kitchen again as she looked up the address to the station.

"Soundwave? What's the officers name that comes to check on us?" She asked wanting to make sure he knew. The boy thought for a moment then smiled brightly.

"Megatron! He has a friend named Optimus." He grinned more as he looked at her. She smiled slightly and nodded as she wondered if they should go straight to their homes.

She suddenly heard a car pull up, followed by another. She paled and glanced out the window to see her husband and his friends. They were arguing about something as they got out. She picked up Soundwave and ran to the bedroom where Heatwave was finishing up. He looked at her and saw how scared and pale she was.

"Mom?-"

"Heatwave I need you to take your brother and leave." She whispered quietly and handed him the boy. He shook his head as he hugged the scared child. She looked out their window to the backyard and knew they could probably escape that way.

"Listen to me." She whispered and gripped her older sons face. "You need to go to the police station and find Megatron. He'll help you." She said quietly and gently kissed his forehead.

"Mom what's happening?" He asked and hugged her tightly. Soundwave whimpered quietly and hugged her as well. The front door opened and she heard them talking.

"Beta!" Her husband yelled angrily and she looked to the door.

"Hide." She whispered quietly and slowly went to the front of the house. Heatwave shoved the bags under the bed then put his brother in the closet.

"Stay here and stay silent, okay?" He said and his little brother nodded as he whimpered fearfully.

He heard his mother greet the men and then he heard a slap. He winced at the sound then quietly closed his door. He looked for a place to hide then heard yelling. His mother pleaded for him to stop and footsteps approached his door.

Heatwave quickly sat on his bed and started reading a book he had been working on. The door burst open and he jumped in surprise as he looked at his angry father. He kept his expression blank, though inside his heart was pounding like crazy.

"You're the one that's been calling the police?" He seethed angrily through gritted teeth. Heatwave paled a little but didn't say anything. The man growled lowly and gripped the belt in his hand. Beta ran up behind him and gripped her husband's arm.

"Don't hurt him! He-" the man smacked her hard across the face and she stepped back.

"I wasn't talking to you." He growled lowly and looked at his son. "Get over here." He demanded. Before he knew it, he was getting up and walking over to his father. The man smacked him with the belt buckle then started beating him with it. Heatwave curled up on the floor when he went down and tried to protect himself. Beta couldn't stand to watch and did something no one expected.

"Stop it!" She screamed and slapped her husband hard. He blinked in surprise then stood straighter as he looked at her. The room was silent as she glared darkly.

"You. Won't. Touch them. If you want to punish them, you'll take it out on me." She seethed angrily through gritted teeth. He stared at her blankly for a moment then gripped her arm harshly.

"Very well." He seethed in turn and yanked her away. "Stay here boy. I'll be back for you." He growled. Beta looked back at Heatwave and smiled a little. She seemed calm, as if accepting something.

'Mommy loves you.' She mouthed. He saw a tear fall down her face before she disappeared around the corner. Heatwave stared blankly for a moment then shakily got up. He grabbed the bag then opened the closet to see his scared little brother.

"Put the backpack on." He whispered quietly and his brother nodded as he did so. "Get on my back and don't let go." He whispered and his brother did as he was told.

Heatwave stood up and went to the window then carefully opened it before shoving the screen out. He crawled out carefully and was grateful their home was only one floor. He landed in the grass and looked around before running away from the house.

He heard an ear piercing scream from his mother and he fought back tears as he ran faster. Soundwave sobbed uncontrollably as he held on to his brother.

"What's happening?" The small boy asked and Heatwave shook his head as he continued to run. He didn't dare stop. He looked around the city as he tried to see through his tears. The young teen was tired but didn't dare stop. He found the station and ran inside then looked around wildly.

"Someone please help me!" He screamed as his voice cracked. He didn't care about that now. His mother's life was in danger. The officers looked at the boys and two quickly ran over. He smiled tiredly as he saw it was none other than Optimus and Megatron.

"Heatwave?" The former asked as the young teen collapsed to his knees. Megatron carefully picked up Soundwave and held him close as Optimus knelt by his older brother.

"Please... we need help..." Heatwave begged as he panted heavily.

"Who hurt you?" Optimus asked as he furrowed his brow. The young teen had bruises forming on his skin.

"My dad... he's going to hurt mom... I heard her screaming when... we ran away... he's hurting her!" He sobbed as his voice kept cracking. "Please you have to save her!" He shouted. Optimus looked at Megatron who was still holding the small boy. He narrowed his eyes and looked to the receptionist.

"Brittney, get these boys into a room where they can be safe." He said seriously. The woman nodded quickly and walked over as Megatron set the small boy down. Optimus helped the older one up and looked to the chief who came in.

"Get out there, now. I'll send back up immediately." The chief said and the two officers ran off. Brittney led the boys away and tried to calm them.

"Optimus! Please save my mom! Please!" Heatwave shouted after him. "Please..." he whispered quietly as tears fell down his face.

Beta panted quietly in pain as she hugged herself tightly. She had managed to get away from their torture and was currently hiding. She shook from the pain and didn't dare touch the burns or knife cuts on her face. She hoped her boys had gotten away. She was tired and sore from what her husband did to her. He was talking about what else they should do when they found her. She shuddered at their words and looked to the window.

She slowly moved towards it and stopped as she tried not to cry out in pain. She looked at her burned and bleeding legs from the knife cuts. Her arm was burned and she just kept it close to her. She was growing weaker from losing so much blood. Her back was bleeding as well and her neck was blistering from the burn. She collapsed on the floor in pain and looked to the door as it opened. Her husband walked in and smirked darkly.

"There you are." He sneered and grabbed her by the hair. She yelped in surprise as he dragged her out of the room. She could see blood on the floor from her wounds.

"Where are they?" He growled as he shoved her to the floor in the main room. She didn't respond as she just lay there and closed her eyes. They did get away. She was glad her boys were safe. He growled lowly and pulled out the now bloody knife.

"Where. Are. They?" He seethed angrily as he cut from her ear to her chin. She screamed in agony but didn't say anything. They stopped suddenly as they heard sirens in the distance.

"Stupid boy." He spat and they got up then headed to the door. Beta stared blankly and smiled painfully as she blacked out.

When she woke again she heard someone calling her name. She slowly opened her eyes to see Megatron asking her something.

"My... boys... are they... okay.... are they safe...?" She rasped weakly. Megatron just stared at the poor woman then looked at Optimus. He stared at her again then smiled sadly.

"Yes... they're okay... and I promise I'll always protect them." He whispered quietly. "Always..." that was the last thing she heard before blacking out again.

~

"Mom? Mom?" She blinked a couple times then looked at her son. "You okay... you zoned out for a while... after I mentioned what happened." Heatwave said as he felt guilty. She shook her head and hugged him tighter.

"You did help sweetie... you saved your brother and me." She whispered quietly and gently kissed his cheek. He smiled slightly and hugged her tighter then heard his radio go off.

"Darn it." He growled lowly and glared at nothing in particular. She chuckled softly and stepped back then brushed some hair out of his face.

"Go save the world my little firefighter." She said and he smiled a little before leaving the shop. His expression became blank as he walked down the street and got into his firetruck.

"Man it took you long enough." Kade complained. "I wish you'd let me come with so I'm not bored." He sighed in exasperation. "This really ruins my lunch break." He said.

"Shut up." Heatwave muttered and glared at him. He then drove to the fire they had been called to.

"You at least going to tell me who you go visit in a rundown flower shop?" He asked as he smirked. Heatwave looked at him and gave him a dangerous expression. One that meant if he didn't drop it he'd be sorry.

"Dang. Touchy about things aren't you." He muttered bitterly and fell silent. Heatwave didn't respond as he stared at the road.

Later the shop was getting ready to close, and Beta hadn't seen Soundwave yet. She looked out the window and sighed shakily. She had wanted to see him today but figured he'd be by tomorrow.

Megatron was taking some things to the back as he hummed softly. He was a lot happier now. Beta was working on trimming a few bonsai trees when the door opened. She smiled as she worked and heard someone come in.

"I was beginning to think you weren't coming today." She said as she cut a few more stray leaves. "I was about to-" she stopped suddenly as she saw the man staring at her. It wasn't the man she expected.

"Hello Beta." Her ex-husband said as he smiled slightly. "You look more beautiful than ever." The color drained from her face as she stared at him.

"Y... no..." she rasped and looked for a way out. He grabbed her by the throat and pushed her against the wall.

"I've come to finish what I started all those years ago. It's bad for my reputation to have one survivor." He said seriously. "You being my first victim." He muttered.

"N-no... Tarn... h... how did you find me?" She asked as she shook with fear. He raised an eyebrow and leaned closer to her ear as she panted heavily. "Tarn... please... leave me alone." She gasped as she shook more.

"Shockwave told me where to find you." He whispered and she gasped in pain. Her heart felt as if it had been stabbed and the blade had been twisted. Her own son had betrayed her. Again.

~~~~~~~

Just so you are aware.

Beta and Tarn got married young and had kids early.

Megatron got married later in life after the academy and had kids later.

Optimus also got married later after the academy.

Both men are a little older than Beta and Tarn is older than them.

Just to clear confusion if there is any for ya.

Also this chapter is really long.... I apologize for that.

The next one will be super short...

About 3716... word count...