"I don't understand... you have a little brother... yet you don't tell anyone about him." Baylee said feeling sorry for the boy. He didn't pay attention to them as he colored and hugged his stuffed lion tightly.

"I had to..." Rodimus said and pulled her aside as he leaned against his desk. He folded his arms and hung his head a little. "I had to protect him... Dad adopted Elliott when he was just a baby. He never told me the full story, and I was so angry with him. Of course anything dad did... I was angry with him back then..." He said as his heart filled with regret.

"Grandma sat him down and spoke with him for a long time about bringing a baby into the house. But he told her that the child was abandoned at the hospital, and needed someone to love him." He explained with a small smile

"Though it didn't seem like it... dad had a heart of gold." he said as tears filled his eyes. "He saved me and Strongarm from a bad situation... and how did I repay him? By rebelling and running away, before finishing high school..." he sighed and hung his head. Baylee watched him and bit her lip as she set a hand on his shoulder. He smiled sadly as he looked at her then at his little brother.

"Grandma took care of him when dad wasn't at home. Strongarm would help when she got home, but I refused to do anything... at least in the view of everyone else. I would secretly hold him and love him... I didn't want him to feel unloved like I did with my other family. I got in a fight with dad once... something stupid... then I ran away to the army telling him I would't have to follow rules there." he chuckled sadly. "I got mad at him when he smirked about it. But he never said anything." he smiled a little.

"You really were an idiot as a teenager." Baylee said as she smiled slightly. "I thought Strongarm was just exaggerating." She said as he shook his head.

"I liked to party and that was about it." He admitted then looked to the side. "After two years the army got me in a right mind set, and I finally contacted them again. My relationship with my family slowly became better, though me and dad still had disagreements. Elliott loved to hear from me and sent me all sorts of things in the mail. My time was up but I decided to tour the world instead of going home. Got into a band and saw a lot of places." He chuckled then fell silent.

"But then I heard that Grandma died... and I knew how it would effect the family... so I headed home. By the time I got home... I was too late." He rasped as tears fell down his face. "I should have left sooner... then I could have thanked my dad before Starscream-" he stopped himself as he noticed his brother was listening. Silent tears falling down the boys face. The chief walked over then sat by him and hugged him tightly.

"I'm sorry bud." He whispered and picked the six year old up then held him close. "He cried and screamed... for his dad... he cried so much when we had to tell him..." He rasped as he rocked the boy to comfort him. "He hasn't spoken since the funeral... and I promised dad I'd protect him." he muttered. "Even if it meant hiding him from the world." he said and buried his face in the boys hair. She watched for a moment then sat by them.

"Why is he here though? Doesn't he have someone to watch him while you work?" She asked and the cop looked at her.

"We did until yesterday." He admitted as he sighed and the boy clung to him. "Our nanny left after I got home. She was terrified after hearing about these attacks and moved out of the city. Strongarm and I begged her to stay... but she refused." he said and thought for a moment.

"Then our neighbor, Mrs Johnson, suggested we... give him up since we couldn't take care of him ourselves." He said then narrowed his eyes. "I told her to mind her own dang business or I'd arrest her for harassment." He muttered bitterly. Baylee watched him then smiled a little as she glanced at the boy.

Elliot was hugging his brother around the neck as he kept his face buried. The poor boys father had been ripped away from him at such a young age. He was now in danger of being taken from the only other two people that cared about him. That's if this Mrs Johnson got her way.

"I'll watch him for you." Baylee suddenly said and he looked up at her in surprise.

"You... you would?" He whispered and smiled brightly then hugged her. "Thank you Baylee! Thank you..." He said and she blushed as she hesitantly hugged him back.

"No problem." She replied and looked at the boy when his brother pulled away. "Do you want to get out of this boring office?" She asked and he shook his head as he hugged his brother tighter.

"I'll talk to him for a bit and call you." He said as he smiled sadly. "What did you originally come in here for?" He asked as he furrowed his brow. She hesitated as she remembered and knew he was busy and stressed.

"Oh I don't remember." She shrugged and smiled brightly before getting up. "Just let me know and I'll be back when I can figure it out." She grinned then hugged him and left the room. He had too much on his plate right now. The least she could do was help him.

~

Wheeljack was sitting at the table talking to Jazz after the young man had another panic attack while trying to go shopping. The younger man had his arms folded on the table and his head buried in his arms. He was upset and the soldier didn't know what had upset him. He had called and begged him to take him to the store, but didn't get far.

"Why is it so important for you to go shopping today?" Wheeljack asked as he furrowed his brow. "You can always take Peyton and go tomorrow." He suggested. The said dog watched them and set his head on his owners lap.

"You don't understand... I have to go today. I've been putting it off for this very reason and I need to get some food. I wanted to get my brother his favorite-"

"Wait what?!" He boomed and the younger man jumped as he looked up at him. "You're telling me, that you have a brother?" He asked in disbelief.

"Um... an older one yes... why?" He asked as he watched him. The soldier stood and shook his head as he paced the room. He seemed to be extremely upset about this.

"Where has he been?!" He shouted. "You're his little brother and he hasn't been there for you. Not even after you went through a traumatic experience and needed someone to be there and help you." He fumed. "What kind of idiot brother does that?" he asked as he looked at him.

"He was busy training and couldn't leave, especially since he was so close to being done. If he left he'd have to start completely over and he only had a little longer to go." He explained as if that justified his older brother.

"But you're his brother and from what you've told me, you don't have any family nearby." Wheeljack said as he looked away and paced some more. Jazz stared at his hands and narrowed his eyes.

"I told him to stay." He admitted and the other man stopped suddenly. "He wanted to come... he called and told me he'd be here for me. Despite how much I wanted him to be here and help me... I told him to stay and finish. I begged him to." he whispered and looked at him. "I didn't want him to give up his dream." He said as he smiled a little. Wheeljack stared at him then sighed a bit and shook his head.

"Fine. Whatever, but I still don't like this jerk." He muttered and Jazz frowned deeply as he looked at him. Before he could say anything, there was a knock on the door and Peyton looked to it and stood tall. Jazz got up shakily and walked to the door as the dog followed him. He opened the door and smiled brightly at another man that was a little taller than himself.

"Prowl!" He cried and hugged his older brother. The said man looked at him then hesitantly hugged him back in greeting. Wheeljack glared at him as he stood by the table. He was still angry that this man refused to help his brother.

~

Shockwave read another report from the Decepticon Justice Division, and went to the main office to report to his leader. He furrowed his brow at the fact that they couldn't find Starscream but had managed to locate everyone else so far. He knew the man wouldn't be happy to hear about this. He entered the office and saw him typing on the computer. He didn't seem to be in a good mood already. Shockwave set the report beside his arm and spoke to him about it.

"Megatron is alive?" He asked as he looked at their first report on the doctor. "How is this possible?" He growled as he glared at him. Shockwave stared at him and they seemed to have a silent conversation,

The other man cursed and went to a side door then yanked it open and grabbed the person by the hair and dragged them out.

"Steeljaw, you lying piece of scum, you said Megatron was dead." He spat and shoved him to the floor. The young man coughed a little and tried to get up, despite his feet being chained and the fact that his arm was missing at the shoulder.

"He... is..." He rasped and glared at him as he managed to prop himself up on his good arm. His leg was broken and twisted at an odd angle as it tried to heal. "I... told... you that... already... Barricade." He spat his name. The other man glared and hit him a few times before grabbing the report.

"Tarn saw him. Rescuing the good doctor Ratchet, with your crazed brother." He seethed and threw the iPad at his head. Steeljaw grunted and looked at it then smiled a little.

"Looks like... he forgot to... tell me something." He chuckled dryly and smirked at the man. "I'm not... always the... first to know... things." He said. Barricade growled and smacked him again then walked off as he thought for a moment. He chuckled darkly and looked at him.

"I know what I can give Predaking so he'll join my forces and cause." He smirked and walked over then gripped his hair. "You." He sneered as he made him look at him. "Megatron will get word of your location, and go save his son immediately. Then Predaking will dispose of him and I won't have to worry about the gladiator of Kaon." He mocked. Steeljaw grit his teeth as he glared back at him.

"Predaking won't... want a... 'damaged trophy'." He growled lowly as he thought of a way to get out of here. He had attempted to escape several times, but had been unsuccessful and punished each time. Hence his missing arm and broken leg.

"You'll see." He sneered and let go, making him drop to the ground. Steeljaw stared blankly out the window as his eyes glazed over.

His father and brother weren't hiding anymore. Why hadn't anyone come looking for him? Did his family care about him? He tuned the world out as they took him back to his cell. He stared blankly as he tried to find the answer to his questions.

He listened to Barricade and Shockwave talk about their plans. Something about a virus that would kill people within a week. The young man looked up at the small crack in the wall towards the ceiling, that let in a little light. He grunted and dragged his useless body to the makeshift bed. He lay on it and curled up as he shivered. He coughed a little and closed his eyes.

"Dad... I'm so sorry...." He rasped weakly. "I'm sorry... I... wasn't a better... son..." he whispered as tears fell down his face. He let out a shuddering breath before going still again. A tear of pain and regret fell down his face.