The next day while Winter was making breakfast she heard a knock on the door. She sighed quietly and walked over then opened it. She blinked in surprise when she saw Don. His once long hair that was always in a short ponytail, was now cut short. He smiled slightly and mock saluted with two fingers.

"How ya doing Win?" He asked as he smiled. She gave him an annoyed look and let him in.

"What are you doing here so early?" She asked as she yawned a little and went to the kitchen.

"Um... you texted me late last night and I was asleep... so I came right over cause... you know... you needed me." He mumbled and blushed a little. Winter stopped suddenly and looked at him then away as she blushed deeply.

"Oh... well... thanks." She muttered and continued to make breakfast. Why would he do that? Why would he just come running for her?

"Don? What are you doing here?" Ellie asked as she looked at him. She rubbed her face tiredly and was still in her pajamas.

"Hey baby." He said as he smiled and hugged her tightly, then gripped her face as he kissed her. Winter looked away and frowned at her actions. She felt bad that someone so nice as Don was getting hurt.

"Uh Ellie... can I talk to you?" Winter asked as she hid back in the kitchen. Her friend pushed away from him and gave him a confused look.

"I thought you weren't coming back." She muttered as she watched him. He chuckled softly and handed her a rose.

"I'll always come back to the one I love." He whispered quietly and gently kissed her cheek. She stared at the rose and silently criticized the pathetic thing.

"Do you have a job?" She asked and looked at him. He seemed a little hurt by her question and nodded slowly.

"Yes... I work at a repair shop for cars now." He said as he smiled a little. She frowned and watched him quietly.

"So now you're a grease monkey?" She asked and sighed quietly before going into her room. He hung his head and his shoulders came up a little.

"Hey uh Don... can you come help me?" Winter asked as she looked into the room. He nodded slowly and walked into the kitchen.

The two were quiet as they made breakfast then they talked a little about the robots. Pretty soon he was in a better mood and ate breakfast with her before having to go to work.

"I'll be back later today okay?" He said as he smiled slightly and walked to the door. "Tell Ellie I love her." He muttered and hugged her tightly before leaving.

"I will...." Winter mumbled as she watched him go. She sighed quietly and flopped on the couch as she thought.

It was still the weekend and she wanted to be lazy today. She wondered if she should tell Agent Fowler what happened last night. Would it matter?  She sighed forcefully and called him.

After a while he called her back and she told him what happened. He was quiet for a while and decided her life was in danger. He told her he would be there soon and she argued for a few minutes before he just hung up. Ellie walked back in after a moment and glared at her.

"Why did you ask him to come?" She hissed angrily. "I got over him." She muttered bitterly.

"Seriously? He came to talk to me about something and wanted to let you know he was still here for you." She said and glared at her friend.

"I don't love him anymore!" Ellie yelled angrily and narrowed her eyes.

"Then you need to tell him that and not string him along!" Winter said and stomped off to her room. Ellie huffed angrily and called her new boyfriend over.

A few hours later Agent Fowler came to the door and Winter reluctantly let him in. She gave him something to eat and drink then sat across from him at the table.

"Miss Jenkins... I'm worried about your safety since you've started... encountering the cons." He said seriously. "I don't want to find out one day that you got hurt or captured by the enemy." He muttered. Winter frowned and looked at him for a moment.

"What are you getting at?" She asked quietly and watched him carefully. He sighed forcefully and rubbed his face tiredly. She realized how stressful this situation had to be for him. Trying to protect these alien robots from being discovered, and not having control over what happened with them. She felt bad and figured she should just do whatever he said.

"I really think you need to meet the team. They'll be able to protect you from the Decepticons... eh... the bad robots." He muttered. She stared at him blankly for a moment as her mind screamed at her not to do it. Though she was panicking inside, she slowly nodded. He sighed quietly in relief and stood up.

"I'll call them and you can meet them within the hour." He muttered and walked out of the house. Winter just sat there for a few minutes then walked into her room and got ready.

Before she knew it, she was driving into the desert. Agent Fowler told her a few things and she just stared blankly as they approached a military base. They got out and went to a helicopter. After getting in she watched the world shrink as he mind continued to scream at her. A while later they landed on a giant rock formation and got out.

"Is this a joke?" Winter asked as she looked at him and got out. She remembered when she said they lived under a rock.

"Inside." He muttered and walked over to a platform. She hesitantly followed and sighed forcefully as they went in.

She felt her heart race as she tried to comprehend what was happening. The door to the elevator opened and they stepped out to a platform. She looked around and then noticed a red and white robot. She stiffened as he looked up and glared at them.

"Fowler. What is this?" He growled angrily as he looked at her.

"I'll explain when everyone is here." The man said seriously. The robot grumbled something under his breath. Winter automatically didn't like him. She looked around and blinked in surprise when she saw the three kids looking at her.

"What are they doing here?" She asked as her eyes widened.

"When you find out let me know." The robot mumbled with annoyance.

"Oh hush Ratchet you know you love us." Miko said as she walked over and grinned happily. He grumbled something again and went back to typing.

"How long have you known about the bots?" Raf asked as he fixed his glasses.

"I... um uh...." she muttered and jumped as a deep and commanding voice filled the room. The type that you never argue with and don't want to anger.

"Ratchet, we require a bridge." The person said sternly. The red and white robot, who she figured was Ratchet, walked to a lever and typed. He pulled the lever and Winter jumped as a portal appeared.

She watched with surprise as the giant green robot walked in. The little yellow one and female that was blue followed. Winter gasped in surprise when the tall one came through after them. He had some kind of mask over his face and had an extremely serious look. She took a few stumbling steps back as she stared at him. He was terrifying.

"Agent Fowler, I do not believe I understand why you have brought this human." He said in that booming and commanding voice. Winter winced at it and backed up more tell she met the wall.

"I called earlier and tried to explain things to your team. This is the young lady that took the pictures of the team. She has known about you as long as the kids have. She refused to meet you but I decided she should... since she ran into some cons." He said seriously. They were silent for a moment and looked at her.

"So you're the stalker?" Miko said as she smiled slightly. The green one chuckled softly and the yellow made a weird noise.

"No... I mean... I didn't mean to be." She said quietly and pressed herself against the wall as she stared at the giant red and blue robot. She felt he would easily crush her if he decided out of the blue.

"Anyway... I brought her here because she needs protection." Agent Fowler said seriously. The leader nodded slowly and looked at the frightened girl.

"You have no need to fear us, for we don't intend to harm you. I am Optimus Prime and we are autonomous robotic organisms from the planet Cybertron, also known as Autobots." He said seriously and deactivated his mask. Winter relaxed a little as she saw the kindness behind his eyes.

"Um... Winter Jenkins.... student counselor at the high school." She muttered and he extended a finger to shake her hand.

She hesitated then slowly walked to the rail. She quickly shook his finger and let go. The yellow one seemed to smile and walked over to greet her. She watched him and found his big eyes a little creepy. Actually all of him.

"Stay back!" She yelled and put her hands up defensively as she stared at him eyes wide. He stopped suddenly and blinked in surprise at her behavior.

"Don't get any closer. Any of you. I don't want to get squished." She said seriously. The yellow one stepped back and looked at the others.

"We aren't going to hurt you. Just one of us will protect you from the cons." The green one said. She nodded hesitantly and looked at each of them. The kids introduced themselves and their guardians. The room was silent for a few minutes as she thought.

"So....does that mean I get... one of you?" She asked nervously, not liking either.

"I would not be able to watch over a charge." Optimus said seriously and looked at Ratchet. He gently set a servo on his shoulder plate. "Our medic would be a better option to be your guardian." He said as he looked at her.

"No." Ratchet and Winter said at the same time. The room went silent and they looked at each other.

"What? Why?" They said again making the girl blush deeply with embarrassment.

"Stop that!" Ratchet snapped angrily and glared at the agent. "No. Absolutely not." He muttered then furrowed his optic ridges and looked at her. "Why on your end?" He asked out of curiosity.

"Because... honestly... you scare me." She muttered and stayed by the wall. He stared at her blankly for a few minutes then looked at the leader.

"I'll do it." He said as he smirked slightly. The way he said that made Winter shuddered with fear.