"No training?" I sighed. "Not until my shoulder is properly healed." Sunstreaker stepped behind me, laying his hand on my sore shoulder and massaging. It smoothed the ache, and I hated that he was good at it. "Pity. I love to see you kick someone's ass," he said. I looked over my shoulder. "Don't you have something better to do than bother me?"

    "Am I?"

    I turned and leaned onto the table. "I'm working, and you're distracting me." I crossed my arms. "Then I'm doing my job right, at least." I sighed and passed. "You got this image that I'm perfect, and I'm not. I'm not special, I'm not beautiful, I'm a wreck. I use alcohol and sex to escape reality. My life is complex enough, and I don't need you to complicate it even more."

    "Well, I can offer sex and alcohol, too," he said simply. "I bet." I opened the door of the archive. "You think my life isn't complicated. I'm the most hated person at the base." I turned. "You kill people. Of course, they don't like you." Sunstreaker ran his finger over one of the shelves. "I have been hated even before that, so..." he rubbed the dust between his fingers.

    "Why?"

    "Because I was an accident. I wasn't wanted." I stuffed my hands in my leather jacket. "Neither was I." He glanced at me. "Seems we can bond over terrible parents, then." He approached. "Don't you see how much we have in common? Primus finally answered my prayers. He sent me you."

    "I'm sure he did. I get into trouble talking to you. Do you know how much effort it took me to get here?" He grabbed my arms. "I do. You won't get into trouble because of me, I promise. I want a friend in this Hellhole. We can meet after your shifts." I stared at him. Was he genuine? Or was he playing tricks on me? While I believed it was lonely to be him, I wasn't sure if his words were true.

    "We can be friends. I can even teach you some skills." I straightened. "Then tell me the truth why you killed those four men days ago? What is your motive?" His hands fell away. "Bad people. I kill bad people." I cocked my head. "You chased me through the halls with the intent to kill me," I snapped. Bullshit. He was full of lies. "I wouldn't have killed you. You intrigue me; you are special. All I wanted was to see what you would do. If you were afraid of me like everyone else. If you look at me like I'm some sort of monster, but you didn't."

    "I don't want people to think I'm responsible, too. I don't want to be associated with your murders. Whether they're bad people or not. You have Optimus's protection. I don't." I stepped closer. "I finally got my shit back together. You have no idea what I have been through. How much I suffered all those years. This was a goal I could fight for. I don't have any without it."

    "Good. You're lonely too then. One and one is two. You and me. We are made for each other." I took a step back. "You haven't earned my trust, Sunstreaker. If you can win it, it's yours. If not..." I shrugged, then turned. "I told you I won't kill you," he said. "Pretty words do not earn trust, but actions do." I walked out and took the elevator to the third floor. I needed to pick up the paperwork. It was boring, and I hated every bit of it. If that bastard hadn't dislocated my shoulder and had just taken the win–

    "You must be Skylar Banes everyone is talking about." I twirled in place, my brows raised. I was over it and fully intended to give this person a piece of my mind, but I wisely kept my mouth shut. The female looked me over critically. "And what are you doing here?" she asked, voice icy. "Collecting paperwork, ma'am." Her eyes narrowed. "I am not a ma'am." I raised my hands. "But... how should I call you then?" I asked, frowning. She looked like a lady to me.

    "I will keep an eye on you. One mistake, and I'll throw you on the curb myself," she hissed, then passed me. I watched her go. "Please, don't take Mearing personally."
    "She's a bitch. Everyone has stupid assumptions, and I hate it. Why can't they just fuck off and leave me alone? Seems like it's really hard for people if you have silver hair," I snapped, then turned to face the man. I blinked. "Apologies, Major." I looked down. "They don't mean harm." I carefully looked up. "I know. Apologies. I have to go." I quickly passed him, taking the next hallway to collect everything I needed and then get the fuck out of here.

I met with Jake during lunch. "You look terrible." Rolling my eyes, I sat down. "I run into Mearing, and Lennox." He cocked a brow. "And that was a bad thing?" I nodded. "She hated me. I'm sure she thinks I'm up to no good. You should've seen her face. I didn't even know she existed until now." Jake rubbed his head. "You need alcohol." Lots of it. My phone buzzed again. "I'll be right back." Jake got up and weaved through the crowd while I scanned the message Sunstreaker sent me.

Sunstreaker > Dinner?

What am I doing? Why do I get tangled up in this mess? Texting him was one thing, but meeting him? I chewed on my lip, trying to decide what to do. If I am wise, I turn it down. I opened the chat.

I can't. Another time < Me

I laid my phone back down and it immediately buzzed again.

Sunstreaker > Too bad. You shifts ends at five

    Jake returned and set down a bottle of beer. "Thanks." He smiled and flopped beside me. "Did something happen? You look upset?" I hadn't realized I did. "Being a female in the military means proving yourself all the time. But people look at me because I stand out. Because of my hair and eyes. I should cut and dye it."

    "As if that will change he anything." I was still tempted. "You hate it because standing out means interacting with people, either strangers and that has never been your best quality." I gave him a look. "And can you blame me for that?" He shook his head, coppery hair sliding over his forehead. My phone buzzed again. "You're popular." I ignored the buzzing and his statement. "This isn't about the murders, right?" Jake's eyebrows creased together. "N-no. Why would you think that?"

    "You know why." I didn't like where this conversation was going. "I'm fine. Really." I got up. "I'll see you later." Jake watched me without saying anything else. I quickly departed and on the way gazed at the message Sunstreaker left for me.

Sunstreaker > I can be very persistent, too.
Sunstreaker > We leave at six. Don't be late.

    Sighing, I continued, but I needed a relief. I needed Jake to meet me tonight and give me that release of stress and anxiety. I needed it more than meeting with a psychopath. At least one more day before I had a day off and could sleep in. Safely tucked away in my room, far from prying eyes and gossips. Away from him.

I entered the Main Hangar and quickly cut through the room to get to the other side. "Sky." Groaning, I looked at Ratchet as she caught up with me. "Drinking on the job?" She frowned at my beer in disgust. "Mind your own business."