"Smokescreen?"

Zoey's eyes were wide as saucers. How could Smokescreen be standing before her? As a human, no less? "Looks like you do recognize me," Smokescreen replied. The two stood there, unmoving, unspeaking. Finally, after a few moments, Zoey rushed forward. Smokescreen's eyes widened when he realized Zoey was hugging him tightly, her head buried in his chest. She shook from her sobs. Smokescreen's eyebrows furrowed together in worry as he gently hugged Zoey back, holding her waist with one arm while his other hand rested on her head. Honestly, he had never seen Zoey like this, so it kinda shocked him. After a few moments, Zoey pulled away, wiping the tears from her eyes. "I-I missed you so much..." she whispered. Smokescreen hugged her again, tears starting to form in his eyes. "I missed you too...." he whispered. The two pulled away and Smokescreen started laughing. "What's so funny?" Zoey asked. "Y-You're completely covered in flour!" Smokescreen laughed. Zoey tried to pout, crossing her arms. "That's rude," she said. "I-I'm sorry but it's just too funny!" Smokescreen laughed. A smile started to spread across Zoey's face before she burst out laughing.

After a few moments, they managed to control their laughter, though a few giggles or snickers escaped. "Well, come in," Zoey said, stepping aside to let Smokescreen walk in. She walked in after him, closing the door behind her. Smokescreen looked around at the apartment. It was quaint, but it was very nice. "So you live here. It's nice," Smokescreen said, turning to Zoey. "Thanks," she replied. She gestured to the couch and the two sat next to each other on it. "Alright, first off, explain how you are a human," Zoey said. "Well, to put it simply, Ratchet installed this special ability into me, which basically allowed me to have a holoform. A holoform is a solid light projection that looks like an organic, so we can blend it better. He's currently working on getting it to work for the other 'Bots, and so far, Bumblebee, Arcee, and Optimus have their holoforms up and working beside me, and Ratchet is still working on the others," Smokescreen explained. "Okay, that makes perfect sense. But why are you here?" Zoey asked. "When Arcee, Bulkhead, and Bumblebee explained what you told them that day, we decided that after you settled into your new place and school we'd send someone to try and see you. We all miss you," Smokescreen replied.

Zoey's eyes widened. Even after everything she's said and done, they still wanted her back home? "But why are you even coming to see me? I've said some things that I regret, and you have every right to hate me. Yet, you all still want me back home?" Zoey asked, looking away from Smokescreen. Said 'Bot sighed. "Zoey, your anger against us is justified. You wouldn't have been in those predicaments if we didn't accept you to the team. You have all the right to be angry with us, but, please, give us another chance," Smokescreen pleaded. Zoey didn't look back at Smokescreen for a few moments. Finally, she sighed. "I'll think about it," she replied. Smokescreen's eyes lit up in happiness. "Ah! Just because I said I'll think about it doesn't mean I will, so don't get your hopes up, Smokes," Zoey said, holding up her index finger. Smokescreen raised an eyebrow. "Smokes?" he asked. Zoey rolled her eyes. "Because your full name is too much of a mouthful," she replied. Smokescreen couldn't help but agree.

The two spent thirty minutes talking, catching up on what happened. But a timer started ringing from the kitchen, interrupting them. "Oh, scrap I forgot!" Zoey exclaimed. She quickly jumped off the couch and ran into the kitchen, opening the oven and grabbing the tray after putting on a pair of oven mitts. Smokescreen followed her into the kitchen and watched curiously as Zoey placed the tray on top of the stove before pressing a button, turning the oven off. She grabbed a small knife and the can of whipped frosting and began spreading the frosting on the top of the cake in the pan. It was only about a minute before the cake was finished. "What is it?" Smokescreen asked, looking over Zoey's shoulder at the small cake. Zoey looked over her shoulder and smiled at Smokescreen. "It's called a cake. I made it since it's my birthday today," she replied. Zoey carried the pan over to the table where she set it down on some hot pads. "You want any?" she asked, noticing Smokescreen eye the cake. Smokescreen looked up at her and nodded quickly, excited to try the food. Zoey smiled again as she was about to cut into the cake.

"Wait, aren't you supposed to have some candles on it?" Smokescreen asked. Zoey quickly set the knife down on the table. "You're right! I completely forgot the candles," Zoey exclaimed as she facepalmed. Smokescreen laughed. "Here," he said, holding out a small package. Zoey smiled gratefully as she took the package and opened it up, laughing at what was inside. Smokescreen looked at the package and started laughing as well. There was only one candle left. "Well, that was lucky," Zoey choked out between laughs. She placed the candle on the cake and took a lighter and spread the flame to the thread of the candle. Zoey closed her eyes and made a wish before blowing out the candle on the cake.

And no, I'm not telling what she wished for.

Yet.

Only then did Zoey take out the candle and cut the cake, handing a fair sized piece to Smokescreen after putting it on a plate. She grabbed a plate and put another piece of cake about the same size as Smokescreen's on it before grabbing two forks. The two sat back down on the couch and started eating, but after the first bite Smokescreen's eyes widened. "This is awesome! I've never tried anything like it," he exclaimed. Zoey nearly choked on her food from laughing. She smiled at Smokescreen, who was acting like an inquisitive child. "Cake is probably the best thing humans invented, but maybe bacon or electronics could beat it," Zoey said. Smokescreen looked up at Zoey with a confused look. "What's bacon?" he asked. Zoey sighed. "I'll have to make some for you, then you can find out what it is," she replied. Smokescreen left it at that.

The next few hours were spent chatting, playing games, and watching movies. It was almost eight at night when a ringing sound coming from Smokescreen's pocket interrupted their movie. Smokescreen pulled out the phone and answered the call, putting it to his ear as Zoey paused the movie. "Hey," Smokescreen said. Smokescreen's eyes grew distraught as whoever on the other side of the phone told him something. "Okay. I'll find a place then comm you back for a Groundbridge," he replied. With that, he ended the call. "I'm sorry, Zoey, but I have to go back to base," he apologized. "Don't be sorry. The others need you at base. Besides, it's not like you can't visit," Zoey replied. Smokescreen smiled. "I'll visit as soon as possible," he promised. "You better," Zoey replied. The two stood up and walked over to the door, Zoey opening it. She smiled at Smokescreen. "I'll see ya later," she said. "Bye, Z," Smokescreen said. "Z?" Zoey asked, raising an eyebrow with a smile. "Because you gave me a nickname, I have to give you one too," he smiled. The two hugged for a moment before Smokescreen walked out, going down to the parking lot to where his vehicle form waited. Zoey watched as he hopped into his car and drove off, trying to find some secluded area for a Groundbridge.

Zoey smiled sadly, now alone in her small apartment. She had already put away the leftover cake, so she really had nothing else to do. She was about to head to bed when someone knocked at her door. Zoey raised an eyebrow. She wasn't expecting anyone else tonight, so who could it be? She walked over to the door and opened it, forgetting to look through the peephole before opening the door. Standing there was a young man, probably in his early- to mid-thirties. He had pale skin with bright red hair, a bright red jacket, dark black jeans, red converse, and a white T-shirt under his jacket. A dangerous smiled painted his face while his red eyes almost glowed in the dark. "Hello, Zoey," he said in a very familiar voice. Before Zoey could react, he had pressed a small cloth to her mouth with one hand while the other held her wrists together. Zoey backed up and struggled against the man's grasp, all the while her senses grew weaker. She would've transformed into her Cybertronian form, but her mind couldn't focus enough to do so. Zoey barely realized she was knocking everything over, making her apartment a mess, when she finally fell limp. The last thing she heard was the man say,

"Looks like you're knocked out."