"Wait, wait, wait... So you're telling me that the 'operation' you received.... was an experiment with one of their hearts?" Jack asks, pointing at Optimus, who was currently standing beside the three humans. Each were now sitting down, but they were still outside on the roof. Fowler had said the place was secure enough to allow the bots to walk on the roof, but the Prime was still keeping his optics alert.

On the ground, Rachel nods her head. "Whatever they did to 'save my life' was merely for their uses. I was nothing more than a broken shell... And that's how I got these cool powers as well." She raises her hand and waves it. Small sparks emit from her finger tips before her index finger ignites a small flame at the tip. Rachel stares at it, shocked, and Jack gasps. Shaking her hand, the flame disappears and she turns back to Jack.

"And that's been the story of my last four months..." She falls quiet and pulls her knees up to her chest. "I just hope Raf is okay... And Sam..." Jack sighs and scoots over to her side. He lays his head on her shoulder. "Don't worry, sis. I'm sure they are fine... And if Raf is who I think he is, he's too smart to get caught."

This makes Rachel turn to her brother. "You knew him?" Jack laughs. "Knew him? He was my best friend until he graduated early and left for college a few months before you did." Rachel lets out a soft laugh. She knew he was young, but not that young.... It impressed her, honestly. 

William finally decides to speak, after seeing the two finally calm down. "Jack, as much as it pains me to say this, we can't allow anyone else to know that we are here." The ground shakes as Optimus walks closer. "We will have one of our Autobots assigned as your guardian, ensuring your safety. However..." His optics fall on Rachel and she sighs.

Jack turns to her, and she gazes at him with sadness. "We can't tell mom."

"What?!"

Quickly, Rachel pleads. "Trust me, Jack! If she knew any of this, she would try to take into her own hands and.... She could get hurt." Her eyes drop and Jack can feel her worry flowing off her. "I-I don't want her to get hurt...." Jack lays a hand on his older sisters shoulder, and she turns to look at him. "I promise I won't tell.... but you have to promise to drive me home." Rachel starts to protest, but even Optimus agrees with Jack on this one. "It would be easier to explain his absence... And I am sure she would enjoy seeing you once again."

The Prime gazes down at Rachel and gives her a soft smile. She gives him a huff before returning the gesture. "I'll need a ride home, boss bot." Rachel hears a chuckle in her mind, and she smiles as Optimus' optics widen. His face seems to sadden for a moment, and guilt slightly flares in Rachel's spark. "S-Sorry...." She mutters. "It's alright, Rachel." The Prime replies. He turns to make his way towards the lift, but as he hears no movement behind him, he turns his helm. Rachel smiles at him and holds up one finger. "We'll.... be right behind you. Just, give us a minute."

Optimus merely nods before stepping into the large lift, and William sighs before following. Last thing he wanted to do was intrude on family privacy... No matter how much he felt like an older brother to her, he barely knew her. The Prime seems to sense this and gazes down at the human by his peds. He says nothing, but his spark holds worry. He feared that what they were speaking of dealt not with William...

But with himself.

The moment the lift doors close, Jack turns to Rachel. He looks over her carefully, and with one nod, he sighs. "You haven't told him, have you?" He says, and Rachel shakes her head. "It would only make him feel more guilty than he already does. I... I don't want that." Jack huffs and walks over to her. "Not telling him leaves an opening that could... well..." Rachel takes in a deep breath. "I know, Jack. It's just... not the right time."

Jack nods his head and begins to walk towards the edge of the cliff once more. He stands near the edge and gazes over the landscape. How his mother was going to flip when she found out. He knew he couldn't keep it a secret forever, but...

Rachel appears next to him, now laying her hand on his shoulder. "I know what you're thinking. We have to keep her in the dark as long as we can. It's for her own good, Jack." She smiles down at her younger brother, then gazes at the landscape. "She always finds out sooner or later-"

"So why don't we just tell her?"

Rachel sighs. "Because Government crap says so. They don't want many people knowing of the Autobot's existence despite all the media coverage they have gained through the past few years. They are trying to cover it up as much as possible... A-And I don't want mom to know that I know about.... this..." Holding her hand over her spark, Jack suddenly understands. He gazes down at his feet, then back up to his sister. "Alright... I won't tell her... Now we need to get home before she calls the cops on me. It's almost curfew."

Rachel lets out a loud laugh as she turns and begins to walk towards the lift. "Curfew? Since when did that happen?" Jack slightly chuckles, then answers as he follows. "Shortly after you left. Apparently she thinks I'm going to be like you and sneak out with friends to go 'alien hunting'." Rachel rubs her neck in embarrassment. "Sorry, lil' bro." He waves her off as they enter the lift and it slowly begins to descend. "No biggie. It actually helps me sleep enough for school and work."

"Work?"

"Y-Yeah! I got a job at the K.O. Burger joint in town! Y-You should stop by one day!" He offers Rachel a smile, and she ruffles his hair. "You bet I will, bro." The lift comes to a stop and the doors open upon an expected scene. Arcee was currently trying to argue her way out of 'curbside' duty, while Bulkhead was already transformed and was waiting for Miko. It takes Optimus making it very clear that she didn't have a choice for Arcee to huff and turn towards the two humans walking over. "Looks like you're stuck with me, kid." She says, gazing down at Jack. The boy smiles up at her in hopes to reassure the femme. "Sounds good to me."

Arcee huffs in aggravation before transforming down into her motorcycle mode. Rachel, pressing the button on the side of her head, gets on Arcee first. Jack then hops on the back after receiving a helmet from Major Lennox. "Now, remember. We are trying to stay hidden. No joy rides, okay?" The Major says, pointedly looking towards Rachel. The girl makes an annoyed gesture. "Would I ever?"

In the background, a hearty laugh is heard from a certain Wrecker, making Rachel groan. "If you learned anything from me, he has a point!" Wheeljack hollers, lifting a rather large coil up from the hole he was in. The girl merely glares at him before facing forward and putting her hands on the handlebars. "No joy rides. I promise. 'Sides, Arcee here is too up-tight for that." 

Suddenly, the motorcycle lurches forward, nearly knocking both passengers off her seat. Rachel holds tighter to the bars and she feels Jack wrap his arms around her waist. Speeding through the tunnel, Rachel gasps as the door has barely opened. "Arcee!"

The motorcycle only speeds up faster, and Rachel quickly leans forward. "Fine! Let's go!" She hears Jack protest behind her, but Rachel ignores him. If Arcee was really going to do this, she was so in!

As they reach the door, they barely slide through the small opening, and Rachel feels the door scrape against the armor on her leg. She quickly glances down to make sure it didn't get Jack's, and releases a sigh of relief to see him unharmed.

"Who's uptight now, Rache?"

The girl only laughs, and gazes at the bike as it begins to slow down to the speed limit. "Alright, alright. You got me! I'm sorry, Arcee." The bike seems to laugh as they come to a stop. However, after a while, they still don't move. Jack gazes over his sister's shoulder to see what's wrong, but Arcee speaks up.

"I'm sorry, Rachel. For blaming you for the attack..."

Rachel's eyes widen, and she feels Jack tense up behind her. Calming down, Rachel pats the side of the bike. "It's no biggie. Honestly, I know you didn't mean it. You were-are- worried for everyone who was..... left behind..." Slowly, the bike begins to roll forward, but Rachel continues. "I would have done the same. After all, I could have missed something, or they may have gotten in enough before my firewalls went up...."

After some silence, they finally arrive at the small house Rachel used to call home. Rolling to a stop in the moonlight, Arcee finally chips in. "I guess we'll never know now." Rachel nods and scoots forward to allow Jack off. He slips off his helmet just as Rachel kicks out Arcee's kickstand and slides to her feet onto the ground. A rumble grows louder until headlights flood each human's vision. Turning, Rachel spots a car pull up behind them and Jack smiles. As the lights shut off, the driver's side door opens and out steps a tall, dark haired female sporting cyan blue scrubs.

"Mom! I'm glad to see-"

"Jackson Darby! Just what do you think you're doing?!" The woman shouts, stepping over towards the young boy after shutting her car door. "M-Mom, I can explain-" "Oh really? You can explain? Jack, I already worry about you, and now I have to worry about you going off with strangers on motorcycles!? Do you know how many people I see every day in the hospital with motorcycle related injuries?"

Rachel smirks, then steps forward. "I can assure you, he's safe with me.... Ms. June." This makes the woman turn her head towards the armored person in shock. Reaching up, Rachel removes the helmet like a normal one and holds it on her hip. She shakes out her hair a little before giving her mother a large smile. "Hi mom." Is all she says.

In reply, June rushes forward and wraps her daughter in a large hug. "Rachel! Oh my goodness, it's so good to see you! Why didn't you call? I've been so worried!" Releasing her for a moment, Rachel quickly answers her questions. "I'm sorry mom! School got busy, and I got a job as well, not to mention if I called, I wouldn't have been able to surprise either of you!"

Jack watches the interaction astonished. He never knew Rachel could lie so easily, granted it wasn't exactly a lie. She had gotten a 'job' and she was still in college..... Still, it made him a little uneasy. So much had changed since he last saw her. Suddenly, he realizes she was staring right at him. He blinks and shakes his head. "U-Uh... S-Sorry..."

"Wasn't listening?"

Jack sheepishly shakes his head while rubbing the back of his neck. Rachel laughs before tossing him something. He barely catches it. Gazing down, he gasps at the set of keys in his hands that gleamed in the moonlight. "Those are for the bike. Don't worry, mom. I gave him lessons on everything, and I think it's time for an upgrade.... He can't be a three gear forever..." Rachel turns to June, who crosses her arms. She looks at Jack, then back to Rachel, then sighs. "You're right, but curfew still exists, and you will wear that helmet every time! Understood?"

Jack nods, and June turns to head inside. "Rachel! W-Want to join us for dinner?" She asks, a hopeful look on her face. Rachel sighs and shakes her head. "I can't tonight. I have to finish unpacking. Work moved me here for a while, and I need to finish settling in. I-I can tomorrow night though!" She quickly adds on the last part as June looks down. However, her mother quickly looks up in glee.

"Wait... You live here now? For how long?" 

Rachel gulps. "I-I d-don't know how long. It may be a week, it may be longer. I-I don't want anyone over yet. The place is a mess and... well, you know how I am about that!" June huffs and shakes her head. "Well, when you're ready, I'm coming over to make your favorite dinner again." Walking over to her daughter, she gives her one final hug before realizing something. "Wait, if you just gave Jack your ride, how will you get-"

A trunk horn interrupts June, and all three humans turn to see a large semi-truck park at the curb. It's flaming paint job shines in the starlight and Rachel smiles. "Friend from work said he'd bring me home. He got transferred here as well..." At the glare the truck receives from her mother, Rachel quickly adds. "S-Separate housing! N-Not that kind of friend, mom!" The woman visibly relaxes, and hugs Rachel again. "You know, you need to get your brother bike armor like this. It'd keep him safe. You make it yourself?" Rachel shakes her head, then think and nods it. "Sort of. Had some help from work. They're geniuses."

Finally releasing her daughter, June turns and starts to head inside. "C'mon, jack! It's almost your bedtime, young man." Jack groans and follows. Rachel giggles then waves. "Goodnight mom! Goodnight Jack! I love you!" June calls back the same, and Jack echoes it before the door shuts and Rachel walks over towards the truck. Carefully, she climbs into the passenger side and smirks as the truck begins to pull away. She feels warmth and tilts her head in confusion. Optimus speaks. "I am truly happy to see you reuniting with your family."

Rachel hums. "I missed them... I'm glad they are okay." Optimus feels his spark pulse, and he quickly tries to settle it down. For a while, they sit in silence as they drive. Once they reach a stop sign just outside the city, Optimus stalls. Rachel lifts her head off her hand and gazes towards the radio of the truck, then at the steering wheel. "What's the matter, Optimus?" The Prime gathers his thoughts, then speaks. "Rachel, I need to ask you something." Rachel's spark skips a beat and she raises her hand to her chest. That.... hurt...

Optimus doesn't seem to notice this and he starts to speak again. "I must ask...." Just as he goes to finish, Rachel gasps. 

"Look out!"

Blaster fire crashes against the street before them, one missile slamming into the hood of the Prime. Optimus groans and quickly transforms as the blast knocks him back. Catching Rachel carefully in his servo, Optimus skids to a halt, his free servo digging into the ground. He gazes up and narrows his optics as a large sliver alien jet flies towards them, with a normal jet on its left and a predator drone on its right.

As Rachel gasps for air, her hand raises to her chest again and she clutches it painfully. Her spark pulses, and she feels pain radiate from it. Something was wrong, and she couldn't figure out what. The Prime finally feels her pain pulse into his servo, and he gazes down in worry. Before he can do anything, another shot collides with his chest and sends him flying back. Not able to close his servo fast enough, Rachel drops to the ground. Luckily, she was aware enough to tuck herself in and roll across the ground.

Shaking off the pain, she gazes around until she spots her helmet. Quickly diving for it, she slams her hand against it and smirks as it de-materializes into her palm. The sound of shifting gears and metal grinding on metal causes the girl to whip around. Just as she does, a large silver figure drops from the sky only a few feet away from her. It crashes down in a knelt position before standing tall and glaring at the downed Optimus Prime, who seemed miles away from the human.

As the other two jets follow their leader and transform next to him, the grey and red mech turns his gaze to the girl. Rachel glares back. "Starscream..." She hisses, earning a cruel grin from the other. "Ah, Rachel. As I suspected, Lord Megatron. The Prime did have the human I told you about." Eyes wide, Rachel turns to Optimus again, fear filling her as she spots him barely able to stand. Carefully, she moves her hand behind her a presses a button in her palm, sending a distress call to Ratchet.

She feels her palm vibrate in response, and she doesn't show her relief. However, the lithe, faceless mech gazes at her before something pops up on his visor. "Hold on, Rachel! We are sending back up now!" The girl's eyes widen as Ratchet's voice is echoed from the Decepticon and the transmission wave shown on the visor. The large silver mech, Megatron, leader of the Decepticons, turns to the faceless Decepticon with a haunting smile. "It's a shame that your friends will not get here on time, little Rachel." His crimson optics turn to the human at his ped, and he gives her the same devilish smirk. "I have heard much about you, and you seem.... valuable."

"Don't touch her, Megatron!"

The silver mech looks up just in time to see Optimus barrel into him. Quickly regaining himself, the Prime turns and lands a clenched servo into the helm of Starscream, then turns to Rachel. "Run, Rachel! Go!" As he turns back to the fight, he barely ducks under the blade of his foe before delivering a well aimed punch to his chassis.

Rachel nods her head and quickly turns to run, only to feel her body become wrapped in something and her feet lift off the ground. She grunts as she struggles until she is brought up to the visor of the thin mech. Eyes wide, she feels her spark race painfully again, and she grimaces. A groan of pain escapes her, and this makes the visor mech tilt him helm. Opening her eyes again, Rachel forces herself to focus on escaping. The pain... The pain was unbearable, but the thought of what the Decepticons would do to her....

Even more so.

Her gaze returns to her Decepticon captor, who had begun to walk away from the fight. He raises his free servo, and a large portal screams to life before them. Panic sets in as Rachel calls out for Optimus. She couldn't see the fight anymore, but her cries were heard. The Prime, landing another hit on Starscreams helm and sending the seeker flying, turns towards the cries just in time to see Soundwave walk through the portal and disappear. "No!" Optimus begins to rush towards it, but pain flares from his back strut as a blade slices across it.

Crashing to the ground, Optimus feels himself get flipped over. His optics meet the fiery red ones of Megatron, and he glares over the blade pointed at his neck. "I wouldn't fret too much, dear Optimus. She is in good hands..... Knockout is a skilled physician...." The Prime's fear is evident in his optics now, and he struggles under the ped of Megatron. However, as the warlord raises his blade, he hears a yell and sees blue flash across his optics for a split second. Megatron notices this as well and turns his gaze towards the ground bridge.

Surprisingly enough, Soundwave stumbles out of it before crashing onto his back. Turning his optics towards the portal once more, Megatron's optics widen as the small figure of the girl is suddenly rushing towards him. He growls and throws his blade down, attempting to end Optimus Prime's life. His blade is inches from Optimus' neck...

When something immovable blocks it's path.

Gasping in shock, Megatron gazes at the tiny frame of Rachel who was not only holding his blade, but had stopped it in mid swing. Her eyes were glowing energon blue and she had a look of determination on her face. Without a moment's hesitation, she tightens her grip on the blade and grunts as she lifts it upward. The tyrannt struggles as he feels his peds lift off the ground. Helplessness fills him and Rachel does a quick 360 and releases him into the recovering Starscream.

However....

She wasn't done with him just yet.

And neither were the two inside of her.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

A/N: Hey guys! In quick apology for the upcoming absence of myself here (busy week ahead), I made a super-extra long chapter! Yaaaay!

It was totally planned and not at all this long because I got carried away and realized i'm pushing 4k words!!!

Okay but really, I may be gone for a while, so I hope this is enough to make you guys stay and wait for meh!

Hope you guys enjoyed this!

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