Heyyyooo! Im finally off work so I'm taking the opportunity! Hope you enjoy this Chapter!

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Miko's P.O.V

"No detention today?" Bulkhead questioned as I climbed into him. I shrugged, propping my feet onto the dashboard. My seatbelt wrapped around me and I relaxed into the seat.

"Nah, I didn't feel like getting in trouble today." I waved my hand lazily. Bulkheads holoform appeared beside me. He immediately felt my forehead with his hand and I raised an eyebrow at his confused look.

"Bulk-"

"Are you feeling okay? Should I take you to Ratchet? Did I just hear you say you didn't want to get into trouble today?" I smirked at him.

"Don't freak out too much, Bulkhead. I just found out today from Ryan that Hope's birthday is coming up. I'm planning." I made an evil smile and I clapped my hands together.

"Ohhhh..." Bulks holoform disappeared and I sighed, remembering earlier when Ryan broke the news to me.

Earlier that day....

"How do you eat that?" Jack grimaced as I stuck my slice of pizza into my barbeque sauce.

"I open my mouth and then take a bite, chew until its nice and mushy, then swallow. Repeat." I took another bite of my food as Raph chuckled.

"Do you just spend your free time making strange food experiments?" I crossed my arms across my chest.

"No." I growled. "Besides. Don't judge until you have tried it."

A tray was placed beside me and I glanced to my right to find Ryan sitting next to me. Hope sat down across from him. "So what plans do you have today?'" Hope questioned her brother. "Are you free today?"

"Nothing special. You up for training today?" he took a bite of his sandwich and Hope nodded. I crossed my arms.

"When am I going to get involved in your training, I'd like to kick butt too." I complained. Ryan chuckled.

"I have a feeling you could handle yourself if you were in a situation." Jack nodded in agreement. Raph just snickered.

"Like the time she threw her desert at the teacher when he complained about her eating in class." He snickered.

"Or when she punched Vince in the face." Jack added. Then he coughed, "Twice."

"Stay out of this, Darby." I growled at him. I checked my phone, glancing at the time before looking over at Ryan. "Hey, do you know when that Language assignment is due?" Jack rolled his eyes.

"And you actually plan on doing your homework?"

I took my fork and tossed it at his head. He grumbled under his breath as Ryan answered, "Tomorrow, on the thirteenth."

"Gotcha." I nodded in reply and went back to eating my pizza and barbeque, which, by the way, is literally the best food EVER! Ryan went to take a bite of his food but stopped, his mouth still hanging open as his fork next to his mouth.

Raph waved his hand in Ryans face but his mouth stayed slack. I finally just leaned forward and flicked him in the forehead. His head snapped back before slowly coming back forward. "I have to talk to you." He whispered. Hope and the others stared at him as if he was crazy and I felt a gigantic grin find its place on my face as he grabbed my hand and pulled me all the way out to the hallway.

My grin remained. "Okay, sir. What mess have you somehow gotten yourself into and need me to get you out of?" He gave me a 'what the heck' face and shook his head frantically.

"W-what!? NO! Tomorrow is the thirteenth? "

"I just said that earlier, yes-"

"Hope's birthday is tomorrow!" he cried out. He rubbed his eyes and groaned.

"Her birthday is tomorrow?" I asked, startled. My best friends birthday is tomorrow and she didn't bother to mention it to me!?

"WHAT!? We have to plan! Oh my primus, we have to make everything in one day! We have to distract her! Make sure she is away from the base so we can set up! Of course it will take a bit for Ratchet to agree to helping out, but I'll get him to help I'm sure. We have to plan! Oh my primus, this is going to-"

His finger was pressed against my lips and he motioned for me to take a big breath. I sighed and took in a deep breath. "Okay. I'm calm now. I'll have Wheeljack take her away somewhere while we set up tomorrow."

"Okay..." Ryan let out a breath before frowning slightly. "I can't believe she forgot her own birthday." he sighed.

"She's been through a lot, Ryan... I doubt she's bothered with it. But this birthday will be the best one she has ever had! " I declared loudly. Ryan shushed me, laughing.

"It's a secret, Miko. think you can keep it one?" I flicked him in the forehead again.

"Yes."

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"Ratchet is going to freak." Bulkhead chuckled as I dragged our newly bought party supplied into the base. Hope was in her room doing homework. It was the perfect opportunity to get everything into Ryans room before she noticed.

"What will happen?" Ratchet glanced down at me before glaring at Bulkhead. "What is going on here?"

"Shhhh, Ratch! Hope will find out if you continue to be so loud!" Miko whisper screamed. Ratchet glared at Bulkhead again.

"I am not sure I'll like this." he grumbled before turning back to his work. I grinned and did a little evil laugh.

"This is going to be the best surprise ever." I cackled like a witch as I pushed a heavy box of party supplies. Bulkhead rolled his optics and picked the box up into his servo before picking me up and placing me on his shoulder.

"This is much easier." I chuckled. Hope didn't even glance at us as she walked past us down the hallway. I gave the thumbs up as we hid the supplies. We found Wheeljack leaning against the wall next to Ratchet.

"I have a job for ya', Jackie." I rubbed my hands together and Wheeljack raised an eyebrow at me. Bulkhead chuckled.

"Just roll with it. She's in the moment."

"What do you need kid?" Wheeljack ran his digit over the blade of his katana and I jabbed my thumb at Hope, who was doing homework on the couch across the room.

"We need you to take Hope out of the base tomorrow for a few hours so we can set up."

"Set up?" He questioned.

      "Surprise birthday party. It's Hope's birthday tomorrow, and we want to surprise her!" I whisper squealed before turning serious. "If you mess this up, I will pull out your gears and wires in your sleep."

        He chuckled again. "Hear you loud and clear. I'll take her out of your hair for a bit."

         "My plan is getting better and better! Mwa-"

          "Please don't do that laugh. It doesn't suit you." Bulkhead winced. Bumblebee walked over then, whirring a greeting.

      I quickly went over the plan and he nodded. "Tell Raph, and gave him tell Jack and Arcee. This will be great!"

          Bumblebee whirred and walked away, towards Raph. Bulkhead glanced at me and gave me one last uncertain look before setting me on the ground.

       "I pray to primus that you don't destroy the entire base." He mumbled.

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Hope's P.O.V

           My nerves were on edge. I pulled my jacket sleeves down farther before fiddling with the hem of my blouse.

          Everyone was acting strange yesterday, and now I was sitting all alone at lunch while my friends and brother were nowhere to be seen.

          The bell rang, and I tossed my trash into the trash bin before heading to my next class.

         I had to stop at my locker along the way, to grab my books. Just as I was about to open the locker, a hand slammed down and shut it before I could react.

"Haven't seen you in a while, femme." Lockdown grinned at me.

"What do you want?"

"I've been watching your progress, femme. You are progressing well enough. I'm starting to wonder when Megatron will require my assistance to acquire you."

The thought of being anywhere near the silver warlord or his ship made me go pale. I can't ever go back. Lockdown noticed my unease and smirked.

"It's pretty incredible, what you can do. Creating a groundbridge is pretty incredible."

"Have you been following me?" I questioned.

"A bit."

The bell rang and I opened my locker again without any problems. Lockdowns holoform smiled at me one last time.

"Just watch your back. Ill be coming for you soon. I much enjoy the chase and thrill of the hunt." His holoform fizzled out and I was left in the hallway alone.

Swallowing, I pulled my books close to my body and made my way to class. My encounter with Lockdown was in my head all day. My hands were sweating like crazy and my stomach was doing nervous flips.

"What's the matter kid?" Wheeljack didn't fail to make it to school right as the bell rang. I met his holoform and he embraced me with a side hug.

"I've got a lot on my mind." I sighed. He squinted at my face for a second before raising an eyebrow.

"You sure your okay?"

"Yes..."

"Your eyes are changing colors, Hope." I gasped and placed my hands over my eyes.

"What do you mean, they are changing color!?" I squealed. He chuckled.

"It's not all that bad. Look... they are changing color again-"

"Show me!" It was bad enough my blue eyes turned an even brighter blue after the experiments Shockwave did on me. But they are changing again!?

I adjusted the mirror in Wheeljacks alt mode. Sure enough, my eyes were a dull grey instead of bright blue.

Nervousness filled my being. Side affects of my changes? My nervousness took over and I found a light shade of pink mixing with my grey eyes.

"Relax, kid. We'll have ratchet look you over later."

"This is getting ridiculous.." I grumbled, crossing my arms. Wheeljack chuckled.

"If it makes you feel better, I can take you out for Panda Express." I grinned excitingly. I gasped when my eyes turned blue again.

"Perhaps you would like to get a pair of sunglasses too." I nodded in agreement as he rushed off towards the edge of jasper.

"Want to groundbridge us out, kid?"

"Are you sure?" His rear view mirror moved to me.

"Sure, kid. Have a wack at it."

I closed my eyes and thought about the closest Panda Express. Soon, we were in line for the best honey nut walnut shrimp and noodles ever to be created.

It was nearly an hour later when I purchased my sunglasses and bought a new hat. Wheeljack spent his time making confused faces at the make up section as I glanced at my options across from him.

"What is the point of this?" He asked me. "Why place such ridiculous substances on your face?"

"Make you prettier or scarier. Really depends on if you know what your doing."

"Do you know what your doing?" He smirked when a blush came to my cheeks. I shied away and moved to another row of mascara.

"More or less... I mostly use foundation for some scars." I sighed and grabbed my usual bottle of liquid foundation. Wheeljack was silent the rest of the time we shopped.

"That's sixty forty two." The cashier lady's voice was monotone. I smiled shyly at her and she stuck my belongings in the bag.

"Thanks." I handed her the money and grabbed my bags. Wheeljack walked me to his alt. I felt someone staring at me from behind, and I turned.

I found someone vaguely familiar staring at me. A large man leaning against another car two rows across from me, smirking at me.

I bit my lip as I placed the bags in the car. Wheeljack followed my stare and growled. "I don't like the looks of him." He stated.

Nodding in agreement, I hopped in quickly. The man waved at me, giving a smile that sent chills down my spine.

He was so familiar... and it's going to kill me until I figure out... Wheeljacks holoform glanced at me.

"Your eyes are purple." I groaned and pulled out my sunglasses.

"This has been the worst day ever." I grumbled, mostly to myself. Wheeljack grinned at me.

"I'm sure that'll change soon, kid. I need a groundbridge, Ratchet."

I frowned at Wheeljack as the bridge opened. "What do you mean?"

We pulled to a stop and I opened the door, stepping back enough for Wheeljack to transform. The lights were off. I felt anxiety inside of me.

"Where is everyo-"

"SURPRISE!!!" I jumped at the sudden shout. The lights turned on and it took a moment for me to realize what was happening.

Milk squealed. "I can give you your present now!!" She tossed me several slash monkey shirts and I caught them all with difficulty.

"What is going on?" I hesitantly asked Wheeljack. Instead of him answering, Ryan stood forward.

"Happy birthday, Hope."

"Birth-" I stopped. It's my birthday today?

"How old are you today?" Jack asked.

"Umm... seventeen?" It came out as a question. Suddenly, I felt self conscious . They did all this for me?

"Y-you didn't have to do this for me, guys. Really, you didn't-"

"We wanted to! And this will be the sickest party ever!!" Miko suddenly had a guitar in her hand and she ran her fingers over the strings.

I looked around the base. A large banner read 'happy birthday!' With large purple letters. Blue, purple, and black balloons were hung everywhere. A few tables sat out and a large cake sat I the middle of the room.

"My mom made the cake." Jack grinned. "Id watch out though, she can't bake." He chuckled. To say I was speechless is an understatement.

I've never been the one to celebrate my birthday. Ever. Tears filled my eyes and suddenly wheeljacks digit was next to me. He leaned closer.

"You okay kid?" He asked softly. I felt a few tears run down and I smiled happily.

"Are you kidding me!? YES! I can't believe you all did this for me... your all the best! I've never celebrated my birthday... not really..."

Miko grinned. "Then let's get this party started!!" The two wreckers and Miko shouted in unison.

          What do you imagine when you think of a birthday party? Cake, laughs, dancing, and games? Well, I guess that's the usual birthday party.

          My birthday party involved alien robots, a mutant experiment, rambunctious teenagers, and a qualified  Ex-M.E.C.H soldier.

        Something had to go wrong.

        First of all, I opened my presents. Jack got me a bracelet, claiming his mom picked it out since he had no taste for that kind of thing. It was a beautiful charm bracelet that had a little silver car dangling from the side, along with a pair of folded wings.

          Ralph and bumblebee got me a few Beethoven CDs, while Miko gave me several of the Slash Monkey shirts, but really surprised me when she handed me a picture frame with all of us on the autobot  team smiling at the camera. I'd forgotten we had ever taken that picture. It was one of Mikos random pictures she took on her phone.

Ratchet was nowhere in sight, and neither was Optimus, since 'Primes don't party'.

          Smokescreen claimed he had no idea what a birthday party was, so he wasn't prepared for a gift.

          Ryan bought me a few books. Wheeljack claimed he had a surprise for later. So then,  it was time for cake. And that's when things got bad. A funny bad, but bad anyways.

          Ryan fell asleep from the amount of cake he ate. Miko decided it would be a smart idea to start pranks.

         Jack was forced to wake up Ryan by wiping whipped cream all over his face. Unknown to him, Miko had Ralph play a ear shattering audio of gunshots and loud shouts.

          Right as Jack touched Ryan's face, the audio played. Suddenly, Jack was pinned to the ground. Miko laughed so hard she tripped over a table behind her, knocking into the punch.

         Punch spilled on Ralph's computer, and he had a fit. Then it caught fire and left everyone in a frantic panic.

        Jack rushed for a fire extinguisher and ended up getting a bit of his pants to catch fire. He was shaking his pants leg while Arced attempted to pick him up and brush the flames off.

         I was in between laughing and freaking, so I was a bit in between, bent over and gasping for sir from both anxiety and laughter.

        Ratchet walked in right as Bumblebee grabbed for some of the old doctors tools to put out the fire somehow. And then ratchet was screaming at us.

         Miko took one look at the situation and took a step backwards. "I'm outtie like a belly button." She turned to run but bulkhead grabbed her.

          When the fire was out, we were left with half the party supplies burnt and Miko shouting random profanities as bulkhead walked away with the girl still in his servo.

          Let's just say it was the one eventful day. Optimus returned shortly after Ratchet did, and was able to put things back into order, thank the Primes.

So that leaves me in the present, swinging my legs as I sat on the railing next to the couch. Playing with my charm bracelet and thinking the day over.

"What you thinking about kid?" Wheeljack held his hand out and I hopped on.

"Today. Thank you so much for this, Wheeljack. And everyone else, to." He pulled grinned at me.

"Well, it isn't over yet."

"What do you mean?" He walked me to the elevator and we made our way to the top of the base. When we reached the top, he set me down.

"Ready for this?" His creepy grin was really giving me the creeps. Nervously, I nodded. He pulled something small from his chest compartment and leaned down to me.

The object was small and silver, with a tiny button on the side. I raised an eyebrow. What is this? Wheeljack gave me a smile.

"Press the button." Curiously, I did as he said. A gasp escaped my lips. The object split in two and doubled its size, a small projector coming from the top and shooting an image out into the night sky.

The most beautiful sunset I've ever seen was sitting right before me. All different mixtures of colors filled a large sky with two setting suns.

I set the projector down and smiled. Wheeljack sighed and sat next to me. "It's so beautiful." I murmured. He nodded in agreement.

I've never seen Wheeljack so... at peace, before. He just sat there, smiling at the sky. "It's Cybertron. At least, before it was destroyed. I had an old friend make me this before I started traveling the galaxy. I just needed a piece of home, you know?"

He pulled out his Katanas and sighed, running his digits over the blade. He gave a sad chuckle. "I use it to always remind me of it."

"You get homesick?" I whispered softly. Bright blue eyes met my own and he smiled softly at me, setting his weapons down and leaning back.

"I guess you could say that. But fighting for my planet everyday and fighting that tin can Megatron? It helps to know that we are almost there. Almost home. Though it'll take forever to get Cybertron back to the way it was."

"Wheeljack?" I glanced at him.

"Hmm?"

"What will happen when Megatron is gone? The deceptions are defeated? Will you be going home? Leaving me?" I hadn't really considered that option. The fact that when the Deceptions were gone, the auto bots could leave.

Wheeljack would leave me. I'd be all alone again. Warm tears filled my eyes at the thought and a look of guilt spread across Wheeljacks face/

"Come here, kid." He gently placed me in his servo before placing me ext to his neck. I snuggled into him.

"Sorry... I guess I'm being selfish. I mean, Cybertron is your home. You're homesick. I shouldn't be he one to force you to stay back. I'm sorry."

"Don't be." He chuckled. "I'll miss you too, Hope. To be honest, when I first came to this dirt planet, I didn't really like the idea of staying here. Not being able to travel. But then I met you. Your different. Caring, even to the ones who hurt you. You've been through more than you deserve. And leaving you will literally off-line me. Your a special sparkling. And I won't let anyone hurt you while I'm here."

"Thank you, Wheeljack. It means a lot."

He smiled at me. "Now, get some sleep, kid." I nodded with a smile on my face, snuggling into his neck cables.

"Goodnight, wheeljack."

"Night, Hope."

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There we have it. A long chapter, since you guys waited so long. I apologize for mistakes, for some reason the autocorrect liked changing Miko into Milko.

(Also, I'll be editing when I'm finally done with this book) Anyways...

Love ya'll. Until next time. (Sorry if this chapter was cringeworthy. I did my best.)

See ya later. ✌️