"True friends

are like burning stars

they shine brightest

on the darkest nights."

~ Atticus

No one spoke on the way back to the base. When we arrived, Miko hopped out and made her way towards Bulkhead while I huddled myself into the corner of the backseat. I was so deep in thought, I didn't move to get out myself or even acknowledge the fact that Wheeljack had started talking to me. 

"You okay kid?" he asked quietly. The other Autobots in the base had taken notice that Wheeljack hadn't transformed yet. His holoform wasn't activated, so I simply stared at the glowing steering wheel as I fiddled with the material of my jacket in nervousness.

"Y-yes." 

"You don't sound like it," he scoffed in disbelief. "Mind telling me what happened back there?" 

It felt like there were a million eyes burning into my skull- and I hadn't even gotten out yet. I took in a shaky breath and shook my head.

Wheeljack sighed. His wheels shifted ever so slightly, pointing in the direction of Ratchet. 

"Doc bot- I need a groundbridge."

"Don't call me that! And you expect me to allow either of you to leave the base? It is important for Hope to stay here-"

"Old friend," Optimus Prime stated softly. He placed a servo on Rachet's shoulder platings, "I believe it is best for the two to be alone right now."

Ratchet sighed in annoyance and frustration before stomping over to the controls. Wheeljack chuckled in amusement at the sight. I simply rested my head against the window. That nervous pit in my stomach had begun to go away but my hands were still shaking. 

Why was I so scared? That man hadn't hurt me on that day- why was he so terrifying now? Maybe because he was connected to scar-face to begin with. Then again, maybe it had to do with the fact that he had found me so easily. How did they know where I was? 

"Hey, kid. Keep frowning like that and you're going to get wrinkles," Wheeljack chuckled. My eyes widened in realization. He had already passed through the groundbridge. We were now in the middle of a vast forest. 

"Where are we going?" I asked in awe. The trees outside were huge. Like, hundreds of feet tall. They even made Wheeljack look tiny. 

"The Jackhammer, where else? We did agree on going on a ride after shopping." 

Oh, yeah. A little bubble of excitement filled me as I sat up and gave a small smile. 

"There it is. See? The Jackhammer can make all sorts of miracles happen. Now hop on out- we're going to walk a bit." 

My seatbelt unbuckled on its own and I climbed out of the backdoor as Wheeljack opened it for me. While I continued to stare at the red trees climbing towards the sky all around me, I could faintly hear the sound of clicking and whirring. 

Wheeljack stretched and groaned. "Believe it or not, it gets pretty stiff being in that form for too long."  

I giggled and nodded my agreement. Truly, it had to be hard. It would be like one of those people who stuff themselves in boxes for a living. Sure, they were used to it but it still had to hurt from time to time. Then again, Wheeljack was an alien- a cybertronian- he was literally made for transforming. 

"What's got you so deep in thought kid?" Wheeljack's wore a laid back smile. His arms swung from side to side as he walked but after a few moments of me not answering he paused and placed his servos on his hips. 

"O-oh! Sorry. I'm just thinking about you." 

God, Hope, could you make yourself any more embarrassed? My face turned beet red as I realized what I had just said. Wheeljack chuckled and gave me a teasing look.

"So you're thinking about me huh?" 

I placed my cool hands against my burning face as I shook my head frantically. "No! Not like that- I was just wondering about who created you. All of you. It seems strange to me. It took humans thousands of years to even think about making technology, and you guys were already in the middle of a full-blown war. I guess I'm just confused." 

Wheeljack shrugged. "We don't really have creators. There is no one above us. How about humans? Imagine my shock when I found out there's a possibility of you being related to a sea slug."

"Yeah, it does seem strange, doesn't it. I feel like people shouldn't focus on where they've come from. Just move forward until you make it to where you're headed. If you focus too much on the past it may just catch up with you." I whispered. 

The familiar sound of stomping feet quieted and I turned around. Wheeljack stared down at me for a few short moments before lowering his servo. I hesitantly stepped on and grabbed onto his digit in order to keep my balance. 

"You're doing great kid. I just wanted to let you know that," he said. His optics, so blue and bright, were swirling with emotions. I couldn't help but stare at them in total amazement. Any other eye color I'd seen was nothing compared to Wheeljack's. They were not only filled with compassion but also understanding and something much, much darker. He had told me about all of his victories during the war, but none of his defeats. How many bots had he lost?

"Kid, you're going to make me blush if you keep staring-" he paused when a tear fell from my eye. I quickly wiped it away. "What's the matter?"

I shook my head and gave a small smile. "It's nothing. How much longer until we get to the Jackhammer?" 

Just like that, we were walking again. Wheeljack didn't seem to believe my lame excuse but ignored it anyway. I was lifted to his shoulder and took a seat next to his head as he moved forward. 

The sun was beginning to set, making the sky a brilliant array of colors- orange, red, yellow, purple, and pink. I felt the urge to take flight but remained seated. There weren't many sunsets like this in Jasper. 

When we arrived at the Jackhammer, Wheeljack's laid back expression turned stern. "You know I'm going to ask you what happened back there right?" He placed me into my seat, seeing as my wing wasn't fully healed yet, and I settled against the back of it before turning to look at him.

"Y-yeah. I know." 

He took the handles and pushed a few buttons before pulling up and away from the ground. We were in the sky- that bright, colorful sky- within a few seconds. I stared out the large window. I thought I would be more nervous, but being with Wheeljack brought me comfort.

"So what happened?" 

"That man who had been with scar-face was there. I accidentally bumped into him. It scared me and I ran." I admitted quietly. 

"The one you said seemed nice?" he said skeptically.

"Yes. I don't know what it was- I don't think it was him that scared me, necessarily, but the fact that he was there. How did he know where I was?" I turned to Wheeljack, silently hoping he would have some answers. 

My guardian ran a servo down his face as he tried to think of an answer. "I don't know. Knowing Silas, he is probably just messing with you. If he knew where you were I have no doubt that he would have tried to take you long before that." 

I shifted in my seat uncomfortably. "It scares me knowing that he can find me wherever I go." 

Wheeljack laughed. "I suppose that's why Optimus assigned me to be your guardian. I won't leave your side kid- don't worry." 

"What about when I go to school?" Nurse Darby had mentioned it recently. Apparently teachers were beginning to ask questions as to where I had gone. I would need to return to school soon. 

He placed the Jackhammer on autopilot and leaned back in his seat, both servos behind his head. "I suppose I could just become a teacher."

"You would be an awful teacher!" I laughed. 

He pretended to look offended. "I would be a great teacher! I could teach astronomy or something. Who knows more about space than me?" 

"That is true," I hummed with a smile on my face. 

We continued to fly. I didn't care where we went. It was becoming more enjoyable, spending time with my guardian. I couldn't wipe the stupid grin off of my face as I stared outside. Eventually, as the bright colors turned into darkness and the sun was replaced with moon and stars, my eyes began to grow heavy. 

My head tilted to one side and It became difficult to force myself awake. I could hear Wheeljack say something, but it became muffled. I yawned and pulled my knees to my chest, wrapping my arms around them and resting my head on my knees. 

I felt something touch my shoulders and something warm was wrapped around me. As I snuggled into that warm feeling, I felt myself drift off into a deep sleep.