Everybody's trying to break your spirit
Keeping you down, seems like it's been forever
But there's another voice if you'll just hear it

Saying it's the last round, looks like it's now or never
Out of the darkness you stumble into the light
Fighting for the things you know are right

Dare, dare to believe you can surviveThe power is there at your commandDare, dare to keep all of your dreams aliveIt's time to take a stand and you can win if you dare

Dare - Stan Bush

Three Months Later

Jason reclined in his seat, Juliet curled up in his lap as she slept. Jason watched her with a loving gaze before his smile fell. None of them had really gotten any sleep in the past three months, all worried sick about Jenny's disappearance. Gabriel had vanished as well, calling on any angel who would help in order to find the missing woman.

Sam and Arcee had left a month and a half before to contact some of Sam and Dean's hunter buddies. Meanwhile, Metallicar spent most of her time resting and recovering as Dean watched over the twins. They had seemed to have forgotten all about the events at Adam's, which Jason had been secretly glad for.

He did care about his soon to be niece and nephew. No one could ever dispute that. Nor could they say that he wouldn't spoil Sierra's child rotten whenever he or she was born. Of course, he had also been weighing in on names for the little one, as well as paying for a good part of the things that would go in the baby's room. Just as soon as they were set up in a different base.

Jason was pulled from his thoughts as Juliet turned in her sleep. He chuckled gently and leaned back a bit. He knew Juliet's sleeping problem was because she promised to take care of her sister. But he also knew that right now they could only wait. And he really hated waiting...

-

Chromia groaned as Mary and Silver giggled, both crawling rapidly around her. The year old sparklings were enjoying the time with their grandmother. Though Chromia was having a hard time keeping them together. She watched as they bolted towards her and managed to catch Silver. Mary, however, slipped between her legs and let out an excited squeak.

"Danni!" She cheered, crawling quickly over as Metallicar walked in, a limp barely visible as she moved. She mass-shifted and scooped Mary up, smiling brightly.

"There's my baby!" She cheered, cooing over the little one.

"Danni! Wha' bout me?" Silver pouted. Metallicar chuckled and walked over, tickling his side a little.

"You're my little monster." She teased, making Silver giggle. Metallicar then looked to Chromia. "Where's opi?"

"Probably still helping Optimus." She stated.

"He was." Mary looked up.

"Unca Oppy!" The mech chuckled and stole Mary from her mother.

"Oppy?" He smiled. She nodded and hugged him. The two women laughed, accompanied by the familiar chuckle of Alice.

"Hey guys." The purple haired woman said. Optimus spun, gently cradling Mary in one arm as he helped Alice over to a seat.

"Sweetspark, you're supposed to be in bed." She looked up at him with an innocent smile.

"Optimus, love. When has that ever worked?" He sighed and helped her sit, noticing her wince. He looked to her in concern and she waved it off. "Just a kick. He's definitely gonna have your strength." Optimus chuckled and Mary gently reached out. Alice smiled and took her, allowing the small sparkling to rest her hands on her stomach. Mary gently lay her head and smiled, listening to the little one's activities. She giggled gently as a kick hit her hand.

"It appears Mary is already befriending the little one." Optimus noted. He grew concerned as Mary moved away quickly. But a small servo to the side of her head confirmed it was only because the little one had kicked too hard. Alice's own grimace of pain confirmed this.

Ironhide walked in a moment later and stole Silver from his bonded. "Sorry. Sunstreaker, Sideswipe and their intended decided to pull a prank and lock me in the firing range." He said, looking over to Optimus. "I hope you don't mind but they're now all locked in their room. With something called a Beiber playing repetitively over their comms and through the speakers in their room." Alice and Metallicar both began laughing, making Mary and Silver giggle a bit as well.

"Ya are a cruel mech opi." Metallicar smirked.

"I try."

The humor was cut short by a loud scream from Alice, making everyone turn in worry. Mary had jolted back, nearly falling. But Optimus caught her and handed her to her mother. "Alice, what's wrong?" She winced and grabbed his servo. It was only when he felt her squeeze his hand and see the evidence did he lock up.

"Op." Alice panted, another wince hitting her. "Looks like our son is ready to meet us."

-

'The Nemesis had better hospitality than this.' Jenny thought to herself, wincing at a stabbing pain in her side. She had been thrown into a small, cramped cell. Which had a poor excuse for a toilet area. She grimaced and attempted to stand, pain shooting through her right leg. Silas had broken it a few days before when she attacked with her wings. But it was their fault. They had been the ones trying to cut them off.

She yelped in pain as she collapsed, panting as she shook. "H-Hello?" A tiny voice called out. Jenny crawled under her bed, seeing several loose bricks. She moved them to reveal a fairly large hole in the wall. A child could fit through with ease. Pit, Jenny might have been able to, had her wings not been in the way. She cast a glance to the once shimmering feathers, seeing several missing and cuts and burns from Silas' torture methods.

"Hello?" Jenny called. A second later a little girl, no more than eight years of age came into view.

"Are you a prisoner too?" She asked. Jenny was shocked. This tiny child was a prisoner here? In such a hellhole?

"Yes, I am sweetheart. What's your name?" The girl hesitated.

"Lexi." She whispered. "Yours?"

"I'm Jenny." Lexi smiled a bit at this and her stomach growled. She winced and Jenny frowned. "Do they not feed you?" She asked.

"Nuh-uh." She shook her head. Jenny frowned.

"One moment sweetie." She pushed herself away from the opening and grabbed her tray. She had eaten very little. And now she was glad for it. She lay back down and slid the tray into the girl's cell. "Here you are. It's not very good. But it's... partially edible." Lexi giggled.

"Does it bark?" Jenny chuckled.

"No but careful, I think the beans growled." Lexi giggled again, louder this time and grinned.

"Actually I think they're peas." Jenny smiled and Lexi returned it. "Thank you Jenny."

"You're welcome Lexi." The girl continued eating and Jenny lay her head down.

"Umm... Jenny?" The child asked after finishing her food.

"Yes Lexi?"

"C-can you stay down here with me?" She asked gently. Jenny smiled and took the empty tray, placing it at the foot of her bed before nodding.

"Sure thing sweetheart." She gently took the girl's hand and held it as they both fell asleep.

-

Sierra was having one hell of a day. For one, she could hardly walk. And for another, her feet were absolutely killing her. Then there was the issue of her odd cravings. It wasn't too odd, but there were none on base. So currently Soundwave was out getting her request, thankful that it hadn't been anything too unusually extravagant.

He stood in holoform at the register, watching the woman as she scanned the caramel and the taffy. As well as a container of mints. He had simply chuckled and gone to retrieve the items. And while he was gone he'd also picked up a couple of Sierra's favorite sodas.

"Not needing much today, huh?" The woman asked. He shook his head.

"Just a few requests from my wife." He said. It felt odd, talking as he once did. And hopefully soon could again, if he could ever manage to fully pick apart Megatron's coding.

"She must be hungry enough for two." The woman smiled.

"Oh believe me, she is. Feeding two as well." He chuckled. "She's probably sitting at home and pouting at the fact that she can't walk right now."

"Is she?" The woman laughed softly. "Well I know I don't know her but tell her it's a pain but it's worth it. And if it's her first kid then she's not going to be moving for quite some time." Soundwave smiled.

"Thanks. I'll be sure to tell her that." The woman finished scanning as Soundwave spoke again. "You have kids?"

"Yeah. Two girls. Lights of my life. Especially after I lost my husband." He frowned.

"I'm sorry for your loss." He hesitated. "When did it...?"

"Qatar. Back in two thousand seven." She looked to the register as Soundwave winced. "M.I.A. So I still hold out hope."

"Yeah. One of my colleagues was there."

"Oh? What's his name?" She asked.

"Lennox." Her eyes brightened.

"Will is alive?" He nodded. "Could you tell him Lacy wants to see him one of these days?"

"Sure thing." He smiled, handing over his N.E.S.T. issued credit card. "He and Epps would probably be happy to hear from you." She froze and looked to him.

"Epps? He's alive too?" Again he nodded. "Huh. Two biggest idiots lived." She joked and handed his card back. "You have a good afternoon."

"I will. And you too." With that Soundwave returned to his disguised alt, put the bag in his subspace and headed home.

-

Sideswipe lay on his berth with his brother and Rachel. They had managed to drown out the music. But Rachel was pretty sure they mentally scarred several of the passing soldiers in the process. They had Ironhide to blame for that.

Currently the twins' arms were wrapped around Rachel, who had passed out completely only a short time before. Sunstreaker looked to Sideswipe, silently telling him that he was ecstatic about her acceptance of their bonding proposal.

"Hmm... Guys?" Rachel muttered, one eye cracking open.

"Yes?" They chorused.

"Your emotions are really strong." She muttered, rubbing her chest. They both saw aa tiny sliver of light. Her shifter heart had adapted to energon and their sparks. They were not bonded without being fully connected by sparks.

"Sorry Rachel." Sideswipe said, kissing her lovingly. She returned it and Sunstreaker pouted, nipping at her neck. She turned and kissed him as well, gasping as Sideswipe gently pushed her onto Sunstreakers chest.

"Boys. You are too much." She chuckled, making both grin.

"We know."

-

Stella walked along the beach, watching Ultra Magnus' holoform as he floated on his back, enjoying the cool water. The woman chuckled and paused at seeing a large sand castle, a trench dug around it. She gently touched the walls, shocked to find them as sturdy as stone.

"Wow. This is amazing." She whispered.

"From what I hear, Soundwave built it." Ultra Magnus said. Stella turned and smiled up at him. "Stella, I've been meaning to ask you. About... About just being friends." He said.

"Oh Magnus. I'm sorry. That kiss and then the one on your nose months ago. I didn't mean to. It was an impulsive move." She looked to her feet.

"Didn't want to, or didn't mean to?" She shrugged.

"What's the difference?" She asked.

"Didn't want to means you never wanted to kiss me." He said. "Didn't mean to means I still have a chance." His voice was a light whisper now.

"M-Magnus..." He brushed his lips along hers before kissing her gently. She smiled a bit before she pulled him closer, returning the kiss. She leaned against him but it felt wrong, like something was out of place. She grimaced and he pulled back.

"What is wrong Stella?" He asked gently.

"I... Just. It doesn't feel right." She muttered. Her fingers then clicked and she looked up at him. "Bring your true form over here." Confused, the mech nodded, his holoform vanishing as his alt drove up. He transformed and mass-shifted.

"Better?" He asked.

"We're about to find out." She kissed him again, feeling his arms around her. She molded herself easily to this form, smirking against his lips. He pulled back and she grinned. "Oh yeah. Much better." With a bright grin he picked her up, settling her on his back as he headed back towards base.

"Yes. Much better. And you are shivering." She went to argue but found he was right. A smirk then crossed his lips as he glanced to her. "Allow me to warm you." He cheeks blazed red and he chuckled. "I was only teasing, my dear."

"Ass." She muttered. He laughed again as they headed inside.

-

Optimus winced as Alice finally released his servo, a piercing cry that was not her own tearing through the room. He looked down at his servo, shocked to find that Alice had managed to damage it. His gaze then rose to the boy as the human medic finished gently cleaning him and brought him to the couple.

"Here he is." She smiled. Optimus reached out with great care and took the boy. He nestled snugly in his arms, tiny brown eyes staring up at him.

"He still doesn't have a first name." Alice whispered tiredly. Optimus smiled to her.

"I have been thinking about that." He then looked to the boy. "Russell." Alice smiled.

"Russell Ayden Pax." She tested the name and nodded. "It's perfect."

"Just as you and he both are." He said, being careful as he adjusted the boy. "Do you wish to hold him?" She nodded and managed to sit up with the medic's help. Optimus carefully handed Russell to her, watching as her arms immediately slid to support the infant. She grinned a little.

"Hi there Russell." Her voice was a soft whisper. He seemed to recognize her voice and babbled happily before yawning and curling up against Alice. "My little boy." She smiled. Optimus stood and kissed Alice quickly.

"I am sorry Alice. But another Iaconian relic has been found." She nodded.

"We'll still be here when you get back. I promise." She spoke lightly before the medic gently took Russell.

"You need sleep Mrs. Pax." She spoke lightly. "Russell will be right here beside you." She gestured to a small crib of sorts. She nodded.

"Thank you." She yawned and drifted to sleep as Optimus left, seemingly in a hurry.

-

Jenny woke to a harsh slamming on the door and slowly crawled out from under the bed, mindful of her broken leg. She looked up as laughter echoed from the other side.

"Trust me Silas. No freak with wings is gonna bother me." She looked up, growling at the familiar voice.

"Scatterbolt." She muttered. Lexi stirred in the other cell and Jenny turned, replacing the bricks and dragging herself onto the bed. She fell silently onto the near cardboard bed, her pillow feeling like it was full of bricks. She winced, missing her own bed. The relaxed feel of the sheets, the soft pillows, the memory foam. But especially Gabriel and how he'd wrap his arms and wings around her.

"She is not just a freak. She's an angel. And an Autobot."

"With an archangel lover. I know these things Si. Shockwave commed me and told me when I first touched down on this dirtball." He said. "Plus she'd be the one who brought energon to those in the brig."

"And your opinion?" She heard Scatterbolt's dark laughter.

"I was thinking maybe Ironspark was wrong." Jenny frowned. "The natives here are worth nothing aside from target practice." Jenny reeled back in fear, moving quickly to the corner.

"This one lives. Until the angels are done with her."

"Understood." She heard him grumble and they both left. The bricks moved and she crawled over, seeing a terrified Lexi.

"Wh-what was that thing?" She whimpered, obviously having seen Scatterbolt.

"That was a Decepticon. Or near enough to it." Jenny explained. "Can you fit through there?" Lexi nodded and crawled carefully through as Jenny moved onto the bed, wincing.

"You're hurt!" Lexi said, moving instantly to her leg. She tore a strip of her dress and bound the bleeding wound. Jenny cried out in pain, her wings flaring out and making Lexi gasp in shock. She quickly pushed it aside and finished binding Jenny's wound. Lexi then wrapped her hands carefully around the break, something in her palm. Something was whispered and she felt her leg heal slightly. Jenny looked to her in surprise.

"You're not an angel." She whispered. "What are you?"

"I'm a witch." She explained. "In training." Jenny looked up, hope sparking in her eyes.

"Can you get a message to an angel? They did something to me and now I can't."

"A witch, get a message to an angel." She scoffed. "They'll kill me the second they can."

"Not Gabriel. Tell him you're under my protection. Tell him that if he follows you he'll find me. And Lexi, I swear. I will not let him hurt you." Lexi shook her head and Jenny thought for a moment. "Or there's Plan B."

"What's that?" Jenny smirked.

"We call my sister's boyfriend." Lexi looked confused. "He's Jason. The king of hell. Kinda cocky but he means well." The girl hesitated before nodding.

"I'll do it."

A few minutes later Jenny stood beside Lexi over the now plugged sink. Lexi had insisted on using her own blood but Jenny told her she'd be fine. So now she stood, palm cut open and dripping into the sink. Lexi then wrapped her hand and turned to the basin. "You ready?" Jenny asked softly, placing her ujinjured hand on Lexi's shoulder.

"I've never spoken to a king before. Could be fun." Jenny smiled a bit and Lexi turned to the bowl. "Inferni clamavi ad te regem sermonos meos." She breathed.

-

Jason looked to the goblet of blood before him. "And who dare calls me?" He grumbled. He stood, shirtless and wearing only hastily pulled on pyjama bottoms. Juliet lay on the bed behind him, half aware as she listened in.

"My name is Lexi. I'm a witch. Are you Jason?"

"That I am now if you do not tell me why you pulled me from sleep then I will hunt you down." He growled.

"Oh please. He doesn't sleep." Jason froze, looking to the basin.

"Jenny?" Juliet bolted upright, holding the sheet up.

"Oh hey. Didn't think he'd hear me." She chuckled.

"He did." Juliet walked over. "How are you hearing him?"

"I dunno."

"What are they saying?" She asked.

"Jenny is there. With some woman named Lexi."

"Umm... I'm eight. I don't think I count as a woman." Jason looked to Juliet.

"Sorry. Jenny and a child." He said, watching as she began to doze off. "Go back to bed love, you look ready to drop." She shook her head, snapping awake.

"No. Not until we get my sister back." Jason reluctantly nodded.

"Where are you?"

"Santa Monica Harbor." Jenny said sarcastically. "I have no clue. I'm sitting here in a base with Scatterbolt, some whack job named Silas and a broken leg. I have no clue where Wheeljack is and I'm terrified. All I want to do is go home, curl up with Gabe and sleep for a damn year." Jason frowned and Juliet looked to him.

"What's wrong?"

"Your sister is scared... And pissed.

"You're damn right I'm pissed. Now please. Please. Find some way to track us. Oh and Lexi is coming with. I'm not leaving her here. From now on, she's under my protection." Jenny explained. Jason heard a loud thump and the Lexi calling out to Jenny.

"Look, I think we're somewhere in Nova Scotia. It sounds and smells like it. It's the last place I remember being before... This." Jason looked to Juliet.

"We'll be there right away."

-

Gabriel paced back and forth, several angels standing with him. Even Michael himself. "Gabriel-"

"No!" He reeled on his elder brother. "You agreed to help, you're not backing out now."

"I'm not. But you heard what that... Pompous brat said."

"I heard that!" Jason called.

"Jenny may not even be alive. And this witch she's helping? You don't really plan on letting her live. Do you?" He continued, ignoring Jason. "As for that bot, I'm certain their own can get him."

"Jenny is alive! I know it." Gabriel said.

"And if she's not?"

"She is!" Michael grabbed his brother's shoulders.

"But what if she is not? Or if she's some hollow, broken shell that can never be repaired?" The archangel hesitated.

"If she's broken... I can fix her." He whispered.

"And if she's dead?" Gabriel was silent. "What if she's dead?" Michael asked, more forcefully this time.

"Then I'll take her body home. And I'll bury her in her springs." He breathed. Michael froze.

"You really do love her." He said, noticing the tears in his little brother's eyes.

"I do. And I can't lose her Michael.... I just can't." The elder brother nodded.

"And you won't. Now. Let's go find her."

-

Soundwave was aware of every Decepticon moving on him. Every demon around him. Every Autobot on the field, he knew their positions, had a close optic on their backs, ready to defend them at a moment's notice. Especially Optimus. Now that he had a newborn son, he had twice the reason to get home safely.

However, it was Soundwave who needed his back watched, as a bolt of pain flowed through his bond to Sierra. It was so sudden and so intense that he fell to his knees. Within seconds Optimus was at his back, his creations surrounding him and yelling loudly.

"Sierra: In pain." Optimus looked to him.

"Ratchet, Soundwave is in need of a bridge. Open one now so he can get to Sierra." The Prime was silent for a moment before looking to Soundwave. "Sierra had just been brought into the Med Bay."

"Sierra: Alright?" Optimus nodded.

"Yes. But unless you wish to face her wrath then you must get back to base fast." Soundwave nodded and stood as the bridge opened.

"Creations: Protect Optimus." They nodded and Soundwave rushed through, Laserbeak detatching before he entered the Med Bay and waiting outside.

-

Jenny saw only flashes of light, distant sounds and Lexi hovering over her. The pain had gotten so intense, so unbearable. It was as if she was on her mother's lab table again, strapped down as her visage hovered over her.

And for a moment that's exactly what it was. Her mother standing over her, digging a blade into her freshly broken leg to watch how she squirmed. Jenny screamed, hearing Nexus' dark laughter. She began to panic and was aware of small hands on her chest.

"Jenny!" She looked up, seeing the worried face of Lexi. Now that she had a chance to focus she noted her dull brown eyes and long, tangled blonde hair. "Jenny come on. They're almost here."

"Can't move." She muttered. Lexi frowned and gasped as something slammed into the door. She heard an angry growl and saw a flash of white.

"Hey! We're in here!" She yelled. The door was torn off it's hinges, revealing a man with white hair. Lexi shielded Jenny, not knowing who this newcomer was.

"Step away from Jenny, or I will kill you." She paled but still stood by her side.

"Lexi." Jenny breathed. The girl turned to her as Jason walked over.

"You are Lexi?" She only nodded as she helped Jenny sit up.

"Jason." Jenny breathed in relief. The man knelt beside her and looked her over.

"Hang on Jenny. Gabriel's almost here." She smiled a bit as Jason carefully picked her up. Lexi moved instantly to his side and he glanced to her. "You saved her life." He stated.

"She saved mine first." Lexi added. "Quickly, this way!" She bolted from the room and down the hall, the holding cells getting larger and larger as she ran. She finally stopped in front of one as another man she didn't know joined them.

"Gabe." Jenny breathed. He gently grabbed her away from Jason and held her close to his chest, appearing new tears as Jason tore open the door, revealing Wheeljack. Gabriel looked to Lexi as she stepped up to him.

"Are you Lexi?" She nodded. Gabriel pulled her into a hug, surprising the young witch as he did so. "Thank you." He whispered.

Wheeljack stumbled into sight and Jason looked around. "Gabriel, call some of your angels to get him back to base. Get those girls to Juliet and leave the rest of the base to me and my men." Gabriel nodded and grabbed Lexi, vanishing as several angels rushed to help Wheeljack.

Lexi looked around in shock at the multitude of eyes that fell on her, Gabriel and Jenny. Many looked shocked as they saw her but were soon relieved when they laid eyes on Jenny.

"Jenny!" A woman cried, running over and taking her from Gabriel, hugging her gently. "Oh Jenny, I was so worried."

"I'm here Jules. I'm okay." Jenny muttered.

"Jules. Let me take her to the Med bay." Gabriel said. Juliet nodded and let him take her to Ratchet. As soon as he was gone Juliet turned to Lexi.

"Come on. You must be starving." Lexi nodded and took Juliet's outstretched hand. "Now. Why don't you tell me how you and my sister came to meet."

(A.N.: So I'm doing a forewarning here. It won't be until the next chapter but I'm doing something for Sam and Dean. It'll be a background event and therefor I won't describe it. But basically the episode 'As Time Goes By' will be done now, as opposed to later. Seeing as after season five I will no longer follow to the Supernatural story line. So they will have the bunker as an off base location for their families to lay low. As well as for another event. But I'll go more into detail on that later. Well. That was long and that ending sucked. Oh well. Hope you enjoyed! {C.M.})