Song: Paramore - Decode

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I couldn't believe it. That we had been decieved, again. How could the Decepticons be one step infront of us every single time?

My feet thudded against the soil of the training field, heart racing at a million miles a second. At the edge of a Panic attack, I find myself freezing at the doors that allowed me back into the military base.

I could easily see the thick black smoke coming out from under the doors, it made me wheeze and my eyes stung madly by the smoke. "Shit." I hissed out.

Spotting the flames escape from various areas of the base, I could see soldiers fleeing out in many directions. It was clear they were all evactuating, that another ambush was happening all around us. We have been caught off guard, again.

Emergency sirens soon blasted into my eardrums, deafning me for a moment, but my racing heart was easily heard over it. The instantanious thud, thud, thud, fueld me to keep moving.

I snapped out of my frozen state and foolishly grabbed the metal handle to hiss from the heat and instantly let go of it. The metal so hot, it left a red burn mark on my hand. I instinctively held my stinging hand and I staggered backwards with short breathes.

"What am I going to do?" I whispered to myself, my brown eyes were large with fear. I wasn't sure on what to do or where to go, everything was haywire and I felt myself going into a state of daze.

The feeling of comfort was suddenly felt from mine and Ironhides bond, At this, I snapped out of it. "Come on Hazel, get it together."

In seconds, I found myself racing around the flaming military base; knowing that the front of it was always open and only guarded by armed soldiers.

My legs ached from all the running, but I didn't stop. The atmosphere was filled with nothing, but the smell of burning rubber and metal. The smell reminded me of how much I hated fire. I envied it.

I envied how it could destroy life in a matter of seconds and take everything you once loved and cared about, but at the same time it would look beautiful. Fire ruins everything, including your life. My experience with fire isn't the best at all.

I could feel Ironhide, feel his presence there comforting my fear and the bond clearly no longer blocked. I knew he was keeping me calm, I could feel it.

I scanned the area when I made it to the front of the base, where I spotted Jazz and Ratchet. Of course they were transformed to stay hidden, because of the citizen activity that had gained around the area. It wasn't everyday a military base suddenly bursted into flames, especially one that was in disguise as a health department.

Ignoring all the attention that was on us, like a spotlight, I ran to them, accidently I skidded slightly in some oil,  to stop my fall I slammed my hands on Jazz's silver hood, making him yelp and jerk in surprise at my sudden appearance.

"Sorry!" I wheezed out, my brown hair whipped in the strong winds which made the fire spread further around the base. More out of control. Firefighters had appeared to try and put it out, or atleast stop it from spreading any further.

"Hazel!"
"Jazz!"

We yelled at eachother at the same time, before I decided to continue speaking for us. Knowing there wasn't much time to be talking, I would look pretty crazy if so.

"What's going on?" I hissed out in a whisper, confusion clear in my eyes. "Why the hell is the base on fire?" I demanded answers out of the First In Command while ignoring the shouts and commands of soldiers yelling at citizens to get back.

Camera flashes were seen along with a News helicopter flying around the base. I scowled at the bright blinding light that shined down at us and covered my eyes instantly. "Stupid light, stupid media." I muttered out. This was bad, scratch that, it IS bad. Not only do we have citizens everywhere, now we have the news channels and reporters up our asses.

Jazz tried to stay in the shadows like Ratchet had done, in hopes to stay away from any prying eyes. "I'm not sure Hazel, I was getting back from city patrol... but what I do know is that somethin' exploded. They think it was foul play, Optimus says it was a-"

"Decepticon." I sighed at this confirmation, it was silent for a moment as we took this in. We were compromised from the inside, how embarrassing. How awful.

"Ironhide and William had started to look for you just before the explosion happen... Ironhide mentioned something of a disagreement." Jazz said hesitantly, making me roll my eyes dramatically. Bitterness hitting me.

"That's one way to put it." Ratchet had finally voiced his opinion ever so dryly, said medics holoform activated beside me when the attention was away from us.

The medic helped a few soldiers that came up to him, checking for any smoke inhaliation before dismissing them. "It is best to wait for the aftermath, we can't really do anything with this fire." Ratchet told me and Jazz quite calmly, he seemed to be the only one keeping it altogether.

I didn't really like that idea and still had so many questions. "Where are the rest of the Autobots? Why is it just You and Jazz here?" I looked about to try and spot any other Autobot, but I was secretly looking around for the familiar black Topkick, wondering where Ironhide was.

Ratchets holoform turned to me at this, the shadows of the fire behind him danced across his skin. "The Decepticons not only attacked here, it seemed to be an ambush. Obviously caught us off guard."

Jazz huffed at this, bemused. "Obviously. They attached down south and another East. So Bumblebee and Chromia took south, as Sideswipe and Sunstreaker took East." Jazz commented bluntly while his tyres shifted a bit to the left against the cement flooring.

I nodded at that, taking that information in greedily. It was calming to know that the Autobots were okay, that none were harmed. I would hate to see anymore to die, Arcee was enough.

"So where is Optimus and Ironhide?" My breathing had calm down greatly during all of this, the conversation helped distract me from the fact there was a military base on fire right next to us.

It also helped that Ironhide kept reassuring me through our bond that he was okay, but I had to hear it out loud. I knew what Ironhide was like.

"Optimus and Ironhide were trying to help put out the fire, sadly the reporters and helicopter ruined that. So they are heading back now." Ratchet wasn't impressed at all, clearly annoyed by the press that surrounded the area, but for me it made feel relieved.

"Okay, good... good." I muttered out, checking off my mental list of worries. Autobots, check. Ironhide, check. Me, check.

Epps... I looked about in hopes to see Epps. At this, I found the familiar soldier looking around urgently, we both spotted eachother at the same time. "Epps!" I called out to the dark skinned male, in an instant he ran to me instantly. My eyes widened with alarm at how much Epps looked scared and worried.

"Hazel!" Our reunion didn't last long. "Have you seen William?" Epps demanded, sweat dripped down his face and his rifle on his side dropped onto the floor careessly when he stopped in front of us.

"No?..." I said slowly, fear now hitting me at this. William could be just as reckless as Ironhide and my heart stopped beating for a moment. I looked at Jazz and Ratchet with false hope. "Have you guys seen him?"

"Like I said, last time I saw Lennox was in the military base with 'Hide." Jazz told me softly, it was clear the silver mech was now worried too.

"Shit. Maybe he is with Ironhide." I  spun about to look for the weapon specialist. Jazz had mentioned he was coming back a few minutes ago.

"Where is he..." I muttered under my breath, before I spotted the mech I was looking. At this I stormed to the black Topkick that drove up to us, where a flamed Western Star truck drove by his side.

"Hazel." Ironhide spoke with relief when he spotted me, his tires sinking slightly when he halted infront of me.

I shivered slightly at that. I couldn't help, but shudder as well. Feeling electricity spikes if I went near him. I felt tingly and weird...but pleasant. I shook my head to clear the fogginess that just hit me.

Focus Hazel!

I inhaled sharply and stared at Ironhides form, eyes shifting between him and Optimus. "Where is Dad?" I questioned, crossing my arms I continued to stare at Ironhide. "Jazz said you were the last one with him, is he with you?"

Ironhides engine revved in protest. "We splitted up to find you, I had thought he was with you..." Ironhide replied with slight confusion, unsure on why he was being interrogated. "Why? Is he not with any of you?"

Epps dark brown eyes went wide at the same time as my amber ones. We both added two to two together in the same moment, freezing in realisation.

"Captain Lennox is still in the base!" Epps shouted to the many soldiers around us, announcing the emergency made everyone dive in to try and help.

Me and Epps both bursted into a sprint, heading to the entrance of the military base automaticaally. Ratchets holoform sprinted to the firefighters to alert them that there is still someone in there. That someone being William, my dad.

"Hazel! Dont!" Ironhide yelled out my name in great protest, his side of the bond showing the reluctance of letting me go in there, but he couldn't just transform and stop me.

Suddenly Epps was grabbed and stopped by a firefighter. "Sir, don't. I don't want to get the police to forcefully remove you!" The firefighter yelled out at Epps, before continuing on about how its wasn't safe to go in there.

"I ain't leaving him in there to be cooked!" Epps shouted desperately, before he was held back by at least 3-4 firefighters that he fought against greatly.

I was able to swiftly dodge the arms of another firefighter that tried to stop me.

'Run Hazel! Run! Just keep running!'

I wasn't going to allow another person I love to die in a damn fire cause by another Decepticon. Not again. Please, not again.

My feet ached, the bottom of my shoes gaining holes in them from the burning hot particles on the floor-

My feet started to ache and bleed, my shoes gaining holes at the bottom of them by running away from those red eyed monsters-

"Zach! Get that damn girl before she enters the base!" The Chief firefighter yelled out, pointing to me as I dodged another pair of arms.

I wasn't going to allow someone to stop me again! Not like last time-

"Sam! Run to the building!"

"Stop running Hazel!" Epps shouted out to me, now fighting against the firefighters to stop me. Realizing how bad the fire has gotten now, but I didn't care.

"Keep running!"

Flashbacks raced before my eyes, but I shook my head to get rid of them. During this I gasped when Ironhides holoform appeared in front of my path out of nowhere, the look of determination on his face caused fear flash in my eyes.

I skidded across the concrete floor in attempts to not run into him and went to make a sharp turn, for Ironhides arms to wrap around my waist, yanking me back harshly.

"No!" I screamed out with fury. Angry that Ironhide had stopped me, I was so close. So, so close. "Put me down 'Hide!" I yelled out when I was being dragged away, my feet skidding across the floor with resistance.

Ironhide simply shook his head in dismissal. "I can't allow you to do a suicide mission... I'm not letting you go again, I can't loose you too." Ironhide spoke quickly with deep grief and regret, making tears fill my eyes easily.

"My Family! Please! I have siblings in there!"

"Ironhide please! William is in there- my- MY dad! Annabelles dad! Sarahs husband- YOUR CHARGE!" I cried to the Weapon Specialist, trying anything to get the mech to listen to me. To relent and help me with this.

Ironhides eyes stayed forward at this, ignoring my cries. "God damn it Ironhide!" I screamed while he  dragged me away with much struggle. I squirmed and thrashed in his arms that held me tight enough to make me bruise, but I didn't care.

Smashing my fists into Ironhides arms that held me close... my anger soon deflated in my body when Ironhide shielded me from the next explosion that went off inside the Military base. Such unexpected actions made me and Ironhide skid across the cement floor, but he was able to keep balanced and remain flat on his feet.

"He could still be alive." I was in denial all over again. "Why aren't you d-oing anyth-ing?..." My voice cracked and broke at my very weak demand as Ironhide closed his eyes slowly. Inhaling deeply to keep himself together, Ironhide dragged me further away with a slight stagger to his walk.

"They are gone kid. Nothing could escape an explosion like that."

"...William is gone Hazel... Nothing could escape an explosion like that."

Ironhides arms had loosened around me after the fire had finally been put out. It took a few hours and then it was the aftermath that kicked in. This is where everyone expected everything to go back to normal... that is how it worked. Right?

A week had soon passed. Officers and soldiers searched for Williams remains, but were only able to find his dogtags. I closed my eyes at the news of that, those very dog tags hanged around Annabelles neck in a reminder. That William is always with us, with her.

Right now, I stood on the porch of the once bright Lennox house with a suitcase. Said house was now... dull. This was my home, but now I was saying Goodbye, Sarah had heard the news a week ago and simply erupted into a crying fit thay day.

I had tried talking to her, soothing her the best I could. I knew this was my time to help others, but I had found her new best friend was alcohol right now and she wanted nothing to do with me. Which hurt and made my heart ache. Deep down I knew she didn't mean what she said, she would stop drinking and fix herself up. Sarah would move on, not for herself, but for Annabelle.

My frown deepened as I watched the once lively and beautiful blonde haired mother, drink herself away for now. The only way she could dull the pain she felt at this moment in time, I could relate to this.

When I first met the Lennox family I was exactly the same. A self-destructing mess, all I needed was time to heal. Support.

I held Annabelles hand in my own and the young girl just didn't understand what was happening and I wish I could explain it to her just so she could, but I can't... I had no clue where to start.

'When she is older.' I continue to remind myself that I would one day tell her. I would start from the very start. I vowed it. I wouldn't leave her in the dark like the world once left me.

I looked up from Annabelles face to spot Ironhide at the driveway. Where he sat there in his holoform, resting on the shiny black hood of his vehicle-mode.

Ironhides dark ocean blue eyes connected with my honey brown ones. Even though he hid it well, I knew Ironhide missed William too.

Deep down, I knew he blamed himself even though we all know it wasn't his fault. It didn't help that Sarah blames the Autobots, like I once did and because of this blame Sarah has now cut off all ties with N.E.S.T and the very Autobots themselves.

I sighed at this thought, knowing I couldn't stay and make sure everything will be okay. I am now a hybrid, a techno-organic... one of the very things Sarah despises at the moment.

I turned and faced Annabelle, knowing it was time. Time for me to leave before I couldn't find the courage to do so, I crouched to meet her sky blue eyes.

"Annabelle... I have to leave now." I whispered to her, kissing her forehead gently with much affection. Trying to portray all my love for her through such action.

"Why." Annabelle whispered quietly, eyes sad. Clearly depressed. "Why does everyone I love leave?" Annabelles eyes filled with tears.

This was the moment where I realised the little things and held them close to my heart. I took in her clearer speech and how it has gotten even better than ever before, how she has grown taller, Gotten Smarter.

That Annabelle was growing up... Soon she will be a teenager and the next thing I know, she will become a grown lady. An adult.

My jaw wobbled at this, knowing I was going to miss probably all of this, but I clenched it shut. I steadied my form before daring to speak again. "I'll come back... don't worry. I'll visit and so will Ironhide."

I wasn't sure if I could keep these promises... was I giving her false hope or me?

"That is what dad said." Annabelle retorted unhappily and just as blunt. I watched how her eyes drifted to the floor, tears in her eyelashes. "...and now Dad's in heaven."

I closed my eyes at such words, blocking the tears that threatened to form. 'Don't cry' I told myself. Don't you dare cry... Stay strong... atleast in front of Annabelle...

Inhaling deeply, I opened my brown eyes slowly and used my finger to lift Annas' chin up. My mouth formed in a thin line.

"Annabelle." I said firmly to grab her full attention, wanting to hear everything I was about to say.

"Yeah?" Annabelle replied with teary blue eyes, she sniffled lightly. Cheeks and button nose rosey red.

"I will always be your sister." I told her with full honesty, our eyes locked. "I will always be here for you. In there." I tapped her chest, where her heart is, beating. Alive. "As you're always with me. Understand?"

Annabelle nodded at this, lips wobbling. "Yeah... Yeah I understand."

"You look after mum for me, yeah?" When Annabelle nodded, I continued. "Ma' needs you more than ever and you're a big girl now. You can do it." I smiled softly when Annabelle smiled back and giggled.

I ruffled her longer blonde hair, knowing this might be the very last time I would ever do so. "-But most importantly, remember that I will always love you."

"Goodbye Little one." I whispered while I got to my feet and grabbed my bags of items.

With a sharp inhale, I walked down the porch steps. I knew those sky blue eyes followed every step I took and that made my heart clench each time. My eyes watered.

Suddenly, I heard little steps run after me. I spun around in surprise for arms to wrap around me in a tight hug. "Anna-" I started for the girl to cut me off with a loud sob.

"Hazel, I love you too." Annabelle cried out loudly, tears running down her face. "I never got to tell daddy that when I last saw him.... So-So I'm telling you." Annabelle muttered into my stomach, before clumsily taking off the dog tags around her neck and placing them in my left hand.

Annabelle paused for a moment, quickly she gave the dogtags a kiss, before closing my fingers around the metal tags. Williams name and details imprinted on them, the cross of christ still there clear as day.

"To keep you safe." Annabelle had said and before I could protest, the little blonde girl was now running to Ironhide.

Ironhide had automatically jumped off the hood of his vehicle-mode to be wrapped in a bear hug by the little blonde girl. "I love you too Hidey. I'll miss you more than ever!"

Ironhides lips curved up in a sad smile at this, ocean blue eyes now shining brightly. "Likewise Kiddo... Likewise." Ironhide muttered to the girl while kissing her forehead.

In an instant it was over like it never happened and we sorrowfully watched the young girl run back to the two-story house when Sarah shouted her name. Wanting her daughter come back inside.

I clutched the dog-tags close to my chest and studied the Cross of Christ while Ironhide had taken my items off me and threw them in the back of his vehicle-mode.

"You always had hope." I whispered, brown eyes focused on the cross. I squeezed the dogtags one last time, before I yanked them over my head. Allowing them to hang from my neck with pride.

"I will now carry that with me."

At this, I hopped into the vehicle-mode, where a seat-belt wrapped tightly around me in a comforting gesture. Ironhide switched off his holoform and we soon drove off, Away from the Lennox household, leaving it all behind.

My brown eyes looked into the review mirror, watching the Lennox house become smaller and smaller. Where I could see Annabelle and Sarah hugging...

A tear escaped my eye and slid down my cheek slowly. A smile formed on my lips when Ironhide swore at the dove that flew into the drivers window. A crazy laugh escaping my lips.

"Fragging birds! Flying into me and shitting on me! I am ready to make them extinct!" Ironhide paused his rant instantly at the words that left my mouth.

"Primus!", I laughed out, running my hand along the dashboard, before giggling out what I wanted to say for a very long time. "Ironhide, I love you."

"I..." Ironhide drawled out, startled at this being spoken of. Outloud. For the first time ever. I could feel our bond wrapping together suddenly, merging into something even stronger.

"I love you too, Hazel."

I looked into the mirror once again, where my right eye flashed a bright blue.

I truly was Adopted. Just not by humans and from that day on, I was complete.

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