"Were you using drugs, kid?"

Sideswipe crossed his arms, and I couldn't help but study him, my gaze tracing the way his muscles rippled beneath the worn leather of his jacket. How the hell do I always find myself in situations like these? His eyes, once holding a flicker of warmth, were now cold, hard like river stones. A moment ago, he had reassured me and promised I wouldn't be trapped again, but that person seemed to vanish before my eyes.

"Those are dog medicines," I said quietly. The cop turned to me, his glare sharp enough to slice through bone. "I didn't ask for your opinion, so zip it," he spat, a twisted sneer curling his lips. Sideswipe shifted beside me, a subtle movement that sent a shiver down my spine. "She's telling the truth." Sideswipe bristled beside me. "She's telling the truth," he snapped.

"Mojo is our dog," Sam clarified.

The cop rubbed a hand over his face, the sound of stubble rasping against his palm. He perched on the edge of his desk, his eyes narrowing as he studied us both like we were bugs pinned to a board. "So what were you doing on private property, kid?" Sam sighed, looking at me and Sideswipe, but we hadn't been there, nor did we know what he was up to last night. I could feel the sweat trickling down the back of my neck.

Sideswipe clenched his jaw, and I wondered how many times he'd killed the cop in his mind. "He was just passing through," Sideswipe said, almost bored, as if he was discussing the weather. "Didn't realize we'd crossed onto private land." The cop's smile was slow, predatory, like a cat toying with a mouse. "Is that so? Passing through with a bag full of dog meds and no dog in sight?"

The way he said it, the oily amusement dripping from every word, made my stomach churn. And I realized then, with a creeping sense of dread, that this was a game to him, a twisted little power play. Sideswipe missing nothing had already figured that out. "Mojo's back at the house," Sideswipe said smoothly, but there was a subtle shift in his stance, the slightest tensing of his muscles. Almost as if he shifted into a battle stance, something that seemed to have been drilled into him. Interesting.

"We were running low on his meds. Didn't think we'd have to explain ourselves."

The cop laughed. "You've got balls, I'll give you that," he said, leaning forward slightly, his eyes gleaming. Sideswipe angled his head, cocking a brow. "And trust me when I say mine are bigger than yours." I rolled my eyes. "Here's the thing, kid. I don't like your attitude. So, unless you want to spend the night in a cell, you'd better start giving me some real answers."

I could practically feel Sideswipe's anger. "Do I look like a kid to you? Or do I look like someone who can break that fragile little neck of yours and bury your god complex with your six feet below the dirt?" Sides seethed. I grabbed his arm. "Sideswipe..." I squeezed hard. Threatening a cop was never a good idea.

The cop rose to his feet, a head smaller than the male beside me and more muscular. "Careful, or you can join him," the cop jerked his head towards Sam.

Sam cleared his throat. "I—" he looked at me. "I was... following my—"

"Dog. He was running after the dog because it escaped. You know... dog do stuff like that," Sideswipe said casually, coolly. "And did you find your dog," Sideswipe shrugged. "I told you, he's back at the house. We found him on the side of the road. I think we were lucky that he wasn't run over." I bit back my smile. "Is this really necessary?" The cop glared. "I am gonna lock you up."

"For what? You have nothing to hold against me."

The man stepped back, showing his gun. "Cute, is it all threatening or will you shoot me with it, too?" A muscle ticked in his jaw. "Are you threatening me?" Sideswipe laughed lowly and a strand of dark hair fell over his brow. "You're threatening me, sir. You know what I think?" Sideswipe stepped closer. "You're at the lowest hierarchy here and you seek pleasure in tormenting scrawny males like Sam with your God complex. He might be awkward, socially terrible and stranger than those gummy bears in Walmart, but he is not a complete fool. He made a mistake, get over your sorry ass and give him a fine."

Sam leveled Sideswipe a look but was smart enough to keep his mouth shut. The cop straightened his leather jacket. "Fine." He turned towards his desk. Sideswipe winked at me. A soft chuckle slipped from my lips.

"So, who are you exactly?" Sam asked ten minutes later. "Don't loose these again." Sam caught the key. "I'm a friend of your sister, Sideswipe." He ohh'ed, surveying him closely. "Just as friends?"

"You want me to fuck her too? Your mother already filed that request. Why don't you just stick to being awkward and keep your car?" I rolled my eyes. "She did what-" I cut him off. "It's a long story. Where is your project? Still in your backpack?" He slid it off his shoulders and pulled out a pile of papers. "Thank you."

"I will see you at home."
Sideswipe laid his hand on my back and urged me to walk. Sam stepped in front of him. "Why are you interested in it?" Sideswipe's hand fell away, and he looked at where Sam had jabbed his finger in his chest. "Let me get a few things straight..." I chewed on my lip. "One, don't ever jab your finger in my chest unless you want me to break it, secondly, don't step in my way and start questioning me. I just saved your sorry ass, but I can throw you back in just as easily."

I laid my hand on Sideswipe's arm. "We should go," Sam gulped, raising his hand. "Alright, alright... I'm sorry." Sideswipe gave him a nasty glare and then strolled to my car. I didn't know he had a temper. Damn he's cranky.
"I drive!"
"Who the fuck is that guy?"
"Not sure myself either."
"I will see you at home."

He grasped my arm. "My car has a life of its own. I'm not joking! It stood upright." He scrambled for his phone. "Sam..."
"Look, Blake! Look."

I peered at his screen and I felt the blood drain from my face. He stopped the video halfway through. The image was blurry, but it was clear. A tall robot like thing, staring at the night sky, shinning some sort of light. "And then this guy showed up. What if he's... connected to this as well?"

"We will talk about it, okay?"

He squeezed my arm before releasing me. Sideswipe was impatiently waiting for me. I slid in the car and buckled up. "Something wrong?" I shook my head. It's the best I could do. As long as I didn't had to voice it, I was good. "Say it in words, Blake."

"I was concerned about Sam..." I was. "He's fine now, isn't he? What else?" He was using my weakness against me and I hated it. "It's something between me and Sam."
I didn't meet his eyes.

"Interesting." Sideswipe drove off. "It's adorable when you try to lie but can't." I leveled him a look, but it only seemed to amuse him. "It works to my advantage." Probably, but I could lie in my way by not speaking. "Keep your eyes on the road."
"You're okay?"
I nodded and touched my face. Pain sliced my vision, and I flinched. "I could teach you how to defend yourself, to fight."
"Why do you care?"
"Because I do."
"Sideswipe..."
"Blake."

I shook my head and brushed a rogue strand from my face. "We could find out what else you got." Sideswipe took a sharp turn left on the intersection and sped up. We said nothing until we reached my house, and he had parked. "Hey, Blake..." Sideswipe brushed his fingers over my hand. "You don't have to be afraid of me."

"Then why won't you be honest with me? Why should I help you, share things if you don't?" He inhaled sharply. "You're right, I'm sorry. It's just... complicated." I snorted. "Yeah, that's what everyone always says." I got out and slammed the door shut. "Blake, wait!"

"I'm sorry, but I can't explain it. You wouldn't believe me if I did." I bristled. "Look at me, Sideswipe! I lifted my shirt and showed him the scars. "You think I haven't seen anything already? You think I don't know that this group that captured had an alliance with—" I cut myself off. His eyes darkened a few shades. "With whom?"
"Never mind. Forget about it."

"No!" He gripped my arm. "Tell me, with whom?" I opened my mouth to reply, but Judy burst through the back door. "Blake!" I quickly stepped away from him. "Ron just told me you went to see Sam? Bailed him out?" I nodded. "Words, girl."
"Yes, he's out."
"What happened?"
"He was caught on private property. Somewhere in the outskirts, near the railroad." Her eyes zeroed in my face. "To do what?" I shrugged. "Words." She knew me too well, and I hated it. "I don't know the whole story."
"Then give me a part of the story."
"It seems..." Sideswipe cut in casually, stuffing his hands in the pockets of his black jeans. "... that Sam was with his friends, ended up there to smoke pod. He—"
"He did what!" She screeched. She turned to the approaching Camero. "Sam!"

I glared at Sideswipe. "You are not helping the matter," I snapped. A slow, lazy grin stretched over his lips. Something almost boyish. God, this male is trouble incarnate.

"You smoked pod! Is that why you were there?" Sam shut the door, his eyes wide. "What?! Mom, n-no... he's making that up, I wasn't—"
"As I was trying to say, he refused, wanted to leave and ended up being caught."
"Is that right, Blake?"

"Why do I always need to verify it? You don't believe... him?" I jerked my head towards the male beside me. Sideswipe threw a smile that had any girl get on their knees instantly. "He's charming, not sure yet if I can trust him." Neither was I. "Get inside, Sam. We'll need to talk about this." I quickly followed, slipping through the back door. "Blake."

Sideswipe rushed after me. "Can we talk?"
"No, I'm done talking, I'm done sharing until you decide to do the same." I halted promptly on the stairs. "So tell me what you want?" He stared at me, his jaw locking. "I can't tell you... but I can show you." Ice settled in the pit of my stomach because I already knew what that meant, what he was going to say. "Get out."
"Blake—"

"I mean it, Sideswipe. I know exactly what you are. Keep the key; it's you anyway, isn't it?" I trudged up the stairs. "So you have met us before? Then it means you know I can keep you safe—"

"You can't, and I don't want to be part of whatever this is." His hands wrapped around my arm. "I'm an Autobot. It's maybe not what you wanted to hear, but it's true. I'm sent here because of a relic. It's been hidden somewhere, and we must find it before the Decepticons do." I reined in a sharp breath. "The ice man? He's..." I cut myself off. "Real? Yes. That's Megatron." I walked into my room and dropped the papers on my desk.

"Who sent you?"

I crossed my arms, facing him. "Optimus Prime." He shut the door. "He's on his way here. He's arriving... soon and so is my brother." So many things went through my mind, and none were comforting. "So Sam's car is...?"
"Bumblebee."
"We won't hurt you. I promise."
"I know that, but I don't want to be in it."

"Look, I have to go to work tonight and need time to think, so..." I pointed at the papers. "Read it, burn it, I don't care." I turned away from him. "Blake, please..." He stood right behind me. "Please, help me," I said nothing. "I know you're afraid, but nothing will happen. I swear."

"You don't know that." He reined in a sharp breath. "I'm sorry." Silence stretched between us, and all I could think about were the last couple of days, the car I bought, the destroyed shops, the relic, and Sam's work. I didn't sign up for all of that. If anything, I just wanted to experience a quiet life. Perhaps a 'quiet' life wasn't for me; perhaps after all I had been through, I'd never experience anything like that.

"I need time," I said again. Sideswipe stepped away slowly, sighing. "You don't have time to think. They want this relic, and we need to get it before they do," he stated. I swirled, facing him. "There's no 'we' in this story, Sideswipe. I am not participating in this." He grabbed my arms. "You don't have a choice. They know who you are, and they will come for you like they will come for Sam."

"So you were sent here to babysit us?" I snipped. "No, we were sent here to find this relic," he growled, his fingers digging into my skin. "Don't be stubborn and listen to me." His words rang through my ears. How much choice did I have? If he was right, and they were coming for me, I was no longer safe here. "And what would you like me to do?"

I stepped closer, standing in my toes to somewhat match his height. He whisked a strand from my face like it was normal, like we knew each other for years. "Ron will never take me back in if he finds out. He never wanted me here... Where am I supposed to go then?"

"If you listen and survive, you mean?" His voice dropped an octave, taking on a dark, gravelly edge that made the hairs on my neck stand up.

I stared at him, trying to reconcile the male before me with the one I thought I knew. But that's the thing, isn't it? You never really know someone until the shadows creep in and you see what they're really made of.

Why does this always happen to me? I wondered, a sick feeling churning in my gut. I'm drawn to danger like a moth to a flame, and just like that damn moth, I always end up burned. Maybe it's fate. Maybe I'm destined to keep finding myself in the company of men who are more darkness than light. Or maybe, and this was the thought that clawed at my insides, maybe I'm not meant to be with anyone at all. Maybe I'm meant to be alone.

The thoughts must have shown on my face because Sideswipe arched a brow at me. "Don't look at me like that and get out," I snapped. "You're so bossy." He flicked my nose. I slapped his hand away. "You're not in charge here, you're just a... arrogant, trouble seeking tin can. Now, get. out." I gritted out through my teeth. He laughed. "You gotta work on your insults, darling." He's infuriating and handsome. Fuck what is wrong with me. "And for the record, I am in charge."

I crossed my arms and he looked me up and down before that stupid grin slid back into place. "You're gonna tap with your foot in the floor, too? It's cute when you try to defy me and throw a tantrum." I searched for the nearest weapon and grabbed a lamp, swinging it in his direction. He caught it. Obviously. And tsk'ed. Sideswipe yanked it from my hands and hit my head instead with a loud clang. I hissed. "That's not nice. Are you always so rude to your alien guests?" He set the lamp back down while I rubbed the top of my head. "Only the annoying ones," I countered. He chuckled.

"Get some rest. I hope the thinking won't hurt you much."

He sauntered over to the door, then threw me a wicked grin over his shoulder. "You pretend to hate me, but we both know you adore me." He winked. I never said I hated him. Only that I didn't want to participate in this all. I turned away from him, towards the window and he left.