Hey look, I'm not dead.

So this work is a little unique in that we have a special guest star: Cassidy, from Without a Word! Here is the link provided to Bumblemus_Prime 's account, where you will find it if you have yet to read it (the link being the tag). I do highly recommend reading it, as it is a unique fanfiction that really does break the mold in terms of who the main character is and the plot which revolves around her. Sort of kind of spoilers I guess for her fanfic, then, so if you're not one of the 133K people who read it (go read it and get her to 150K!), SPOILER ALERT.

While I did write this myself, I asked for Bumblemus' permission to post it and let her read it beforehand so she could decide on whether or not to give the green light. So thank you Bumblemus for enjoying the read and allowing me to share it with the world!

My mood for Dana in this one-shot: I'm a Mess, Bebe Rexha:

My mood for Cassidy in this one-shot: Whatever It Take, Imagine Dragons:

Enjoy!!

>><<

"Oh my god."

    If Cassidy could have, she would have groaned as she woke up. Her body ached, and it felt like she had been slammed into a wall, repeatedly. The voice that woke her up was freaking out, and at first she thought it was fading in and out - but in reality the speaker was just pacing back and forth.

    "Ratchet, you ran her over?!"

    "Well, it's not my fault she was standing in the middle of the road!"

    "I should have said something, I wasn't paying attention -"

    "No, June, it's not your fault. I just . . . how did you miss her? I mean, it's not like she magically became invisible."

    "I was reading your text message."

    "You were texting and driving? Ratch, you get on me all the time about that, but suddenly it's okay for you to do it, and run over some poor girl in the process?"

    Eventually, the "poor girl" managed to find the strength to open her eyes, squinting and grimacing when the lights above her promptly burned her retinas. She closed them quickly, putting an arm over her eyes and blinking the afterimages away.

    Last thing I need to be is mute and blind.

    "Ah, she's awake!" Miko announced, pointing as if the small group had no idea who she was talking about. Cassidy could sense movement around whatever bed or table she was lying on, and eventually she opened her eyes.

    Immediately she recognized Jack, Miko, and Raf, but there were two women she did not know. One of them was definitely Jack's mom, as he had mentioned her before and the similarities were striking. Next to her was another woman, though she couldn't be much older than Jack. Her bright red scrubs were almost painful to look at, and immediately Cassidy thought about the nurses which worked at the Red Cross.

    I definitely wasn't giving blood when I passed out. Where am I??

    "Hey Cassidy," Jack's mom smiled warmly. "How are you feeling?"

    Like I got hit by a . . . I probably did get hit by a semi.

    She looked around for her notebook, which she found was propped up next to her backpack, but before she could reach for it the red-scrubbed nurse started moving her hands and waving her arms.

    "I know ASL," she spoke aloud and signed to her, her eyes sparkling. "Never really thought I'd get to use it, but here we are! June told me you cannot verbally communicate."

    Cassidy blinked, honestly a little surprised. She did not recall seeing her in her ASL class; but it made sense that they could have it during different periods.

    "So, how are you feeling?"

    The young girl grimaced as she moved her arms, finding that one was definitely bruised. "Like I got run over by a semi-truck."

    The nurse made an odd expression, twisting her mouth into a half-smile while her eyes drifted off to the side. "Well . . . sort of. He's more or less an ambulance."

    Cassidy blinked, trying to interpret what she said. Surely there was something lost in translation, she could not have just said he is an ambulance. Her impression with the woman's ability to sign dampened a bit. She was still a bit rusty.

    "What happened after that? Where am I now?"

    As she signed she sat up, June reaching forward and helping her steady herself whilst Jack took one of her arms, murmuring "steady" to her. A noise, that akin to a metal joint creaking, drew her attention to a side of the room which she realized was massive.

    Her eyes made contact with a giant robot.

    A strangled shriek of surprise left her mouth along with a massive exhalation, Miko practically shouting at her to stay still when she fought to squirm out of Jack and June's grip. The nurse raised her hands.

    "Easy, easy, easy. It's just Ratchet!" She glanced over her shoulder. "He wouldn't harm a fly. Normally. Typcially. You're kind of an outlier."

    "Hey, Cassidy, it's okay," Miko assured her. "The Doc-bot is as friendly as they come. Well, that's a bit of a lie."

    "Miko -"

    When it talked, the girl just about leaped out of her skin. It was surreal to see him moving and to hear him speaking like a . . . human. But it - Ratchet - wasn't; he clearly was something else entirely. Miko and the red-scrubbed nurse looked absolutely thrilled with the current situation, Jack and June still trying to desperately calm her down while Rafael quietly stood next to the gurney, unsure of how exactly to help.

    "It's a long story and a pretty intense explanation," the nurse continued to sign and speak at the same time. "But, he's an Autobot from a planet that is very far away - and there are at least four others like him that are on our side. They're fighting the Decepticons, the bad guys. All of them can transform into cars or planes to be robots in disguise, which is how he managed to run you over. We were unsure if you knew what happened so we brought you back to their secret base of operations; it was for the best anyways, since he literally made contact with you."

    Judging by the lack of details and the fast pace she was talking, Cassidy assumed she was given the cliff notes version of this entire ordeal. Ratchet watched her speak with a look of disdain, however he remained silent and did not interject. When she finished Cassidy refocused on him again, taking in his orange and white paint job, as well as his cold blue optics. She had a gut feeling he did not like her.

    "I'm sorry . . . who are you?" She asked the nurse, realizing she still had no idea what her name was.

    She received a broad, pleased smile. "Dana Frederickson," her eyes sparkled. "But you can just call me Dana."

>><<

    Meeting the rest of the Autobots was much more pleasant than talking to Ratchet. Optimus Prime was huge, but Dana casually mentioned he was "only" thirty or so feet tall. Poor Arcee (go girl power!) was a measly fifteen, and the smallest, and it was not hard to guess that she was Jack's motorcycle. Miko was paired with Bulkhead, Raf with Bumblebee, and Dana with Ratchet, which left the question of who would be assigned to Cassidy.

    Optimus Prime apologized to her, stating that while it would be most logical for him to assign himself to her, given his position as the team leader it would be dangerous for her to be directly affiliated with him. Megatron was always looking for an excuse to harm those closest to the Prime, and he did not want to place that target on Cassidy's back.

    "I mean, I have my own car," Dana pointed out. "Why not assign Ratchet to her?"

    Her guardian sputtered, and if he had been drinking energon he would have spewed it across his computer screens.

    "I can't take on a second human!" Was his immediate complaint. "The fact that you have your own mode of transport makes it convenient. And I cannot monitor two of you, you are enough of a handful as it is! Why not ask Wheeljack?"

    Before Optimus could think to counteract him Dana twisted on her heel, folding her arms and raising an eyebrow. "Wheeljack isn't here 99% of the time," she pointed out. "And besides, I'm an adult. I can take care of myself. Cassidy is still a minor."

    "Oh, you have made it abundantly clear that even as an adult, you do not take on the responsibilities of one," Ratchet pointed out, still very much hissy. "Need I remind you about your repeated interactions with Megatron?"

    Cassidy could sense some growing discomfort in the room, looking at the nurse. She assumed Megatron was a pretty bad dude, but how bad could he really be if Dana had "repeated interactions" with him?

    The woman in question rolled her eyes. "I'm fine, Ratchet. Now, are you done making up excuses?"

    "I'm still narrowing it down to my top five," he replied sarcastically.

    "Despite your arguments, Ratchet, I must say that I agree with Dana," Optimus Prime spoke, ignoring the bewildered looks on pretty much everyone's faces. "While she still possesses a mode of transportation, your duties of guardian are fairly relaxed. It would make no difference to provide Cassidy with transport and added protection."

    "Why can't they just carpool, then?" Ratchet whined.

    "Because gas is getting expensive," Dana huffed. "Thanks, Obama."

    If the Autobots understood what that meant they gave no indication, Ratchet still floundering for an excuse before he eventually conceded. He looked as happy as a wet cat about it.

    "Fine," he grumbled. "Fine. I suppose I can take on the responsibility of another human."

    Dana, surprisingly, cheered, her green eyes sparkling at Cassidy.

    "You're going to have loads of fun!" She promised.

>><<

    Cassidy was not having loads of fun.

    It was not miserable, but it was a little boring. Jack, Miko, and Raf arrived at the base almost every day, save for when the formermost had work. Dana was around every couple of days due to her internship at the hospital, where June also worked. Ratchet was always punctual with Cassidy, dropping her off and picking her up with a few grumbles, but he was not nearly as whiny as he initially had been.

    On one rare occasion all five of them were lounging around the human's play area, Dana and Cassidy signing to one another casually. The nurse learned about Cassidy's home life, her supportive parents and her younger sister, as well as their reasoning for moving. Though she had never been outside of Nevada, Dana was excited to graduate high school - this year - and go to a nursing college to become a travel nurse. She wanted to travel across the states, taking contacts at new hospitals and moving within a couple of months. When she asked Cassidy what she wanted to be, the girl hesitated.

    "I'm not sure yet, honestly."

    She laughed. "Fair enough," she said, scrubs crinkling as her arms moved. "You've got a couple years yet before you need to make big life decisions. But I do recommend at least getting a college degree, even if it is an Associates. It will give you a leg-up over those who go directly into the workforce."

    Cassidy nodded, preparing to sign a response when a sensor trilled from Ratchet's computer screen, the practiced medic not even flinching when he answered the call.

    "Ratchet, do you read?"

    "Loud and clear, Optimus." The Autobot in question answered. He was the only one present in the base, the others convening in an energon mine to gather fuel.

    "We have encountered what we suspect to be Dark Energon. We require your expertise in identification."

    "Well, if it's purple, it's dark, but if it's blue, its normal," Dana said, as if it was obvious.

    "This energon . . . appears to be black."

    "What?" Ratchet frowned, quickly gathering his things. "Black? I'm on my way." Grabbing a scanner and a few other tools in case of emergency, he fired up the Groundbridge. "Rafael, I will need you to be on alert for when we call for a Groundbridge." He told the young boy, turning and disappearing into the portal.

    Cassidy almost did not catch it, but there was no mistaking the look Miko and Dana gave one another. They moved faster than she thought possible, practically leaping down the stairs and sprinting towards the swirling Groundbridge.

    "Miko!" Jack darted off the couch equally as fast, the increasing panic in the room forcing Cassidy to follow. Surely they could catch one of them and make the other come back.

    The eldest boy grabbed onto Miko's arm, Dana halfway into the Groundbridge when she paused, turning to look.

    "What do you guys think you're doing?" Jack hissed.

    Dana raised an eyebrow. "Looking at some cool-colored energon, duh." She slipped through the Groundbridge just before either Cassidy or Jack could reach her, the former running after her while the latter was dragged through by Miko.

    The portal closed behind them and Cassidy thought she was going to vomit. Her stomach churned from the forces of disrupted space and time tugging at her, making her head spin and knees wobble. Interestingly, the other humans seemed unaffected, and she assumed it was something to get used to; but she highly doubted she would ever, considering how she felt now.

    Dana's bright red scrubs screamed against the dim backdrop of the cave they had bridged to, Jack nearly disappearing and Miko an odd intermediate of the two. The Autobots were grouped ahead, all bent over and looking at something that Ratchet was waving a scanner over. Miko lead the group up the side of the cave on a rather convenient slope, able to clamber up to just about Bumblebee's height, giving them a fairly good view of the object of interest.

    "Dude, that looks wicked."

    The Autobots all simultaneously whirled around, calling their respective charges' names in disapproving tones.

    "Jack?"

    "Miko."

    "Oh no. Dana and Cassidy?" Ratchet whined.

    "Where is Rafael?" Optimus asked, sounding rather mad despite his calm question.

    "Manning the Groundbridge. I'm sure we can all tell who is at fault." Jack shot the guilty pair a withering look.

    "I wanted to see what was so interesting," Dana shrugged, craning her head to see. "What is that?"

    If Ratchet's optics had lasers Dana would have died a thousand times over. But she was fortunate enough that was not the case, and after a moment the medic decided to entertain his curious charge, gazing at the jagged, pitch-black energon crystal before them. It looked evil, seeming to suck in the light which surrounded it.

    "It appears to be -"

    "Well, well, so you too picked up the signal. How very entertaining."

    The Autobots whirled a second time, gazing at a menacing form which filled the entrance the humans had come from. Almost automatically Jack, Miko, and Dana shyed back from the edge of their vantage point, the lattermost grabbing Cassidy's wrist to pull her back as well. The temperature seemed to drop several degrees as a silver titan, larger than even Optimus, stepped into the dim light of the cavern. There were other figures behind him, one significantly slimmer and shorter, as well as a few of the same kind of Cybertronian - purple, faceless beings that Cassidy assumed to be the "Vehicons" described to her.

    "Megatron," Optimus Prime growled and shifted to the central point of his team, his face shield in place. The name sent shivers down Cassidy's spine, her fingers seeming to grow cold. This was Megatron? He looked like he ate puppies for breakfast.

    "A pleasure to see you again, Optimus. Tell me, do you know what it is you have found?"

    Ratchet glared daggers at the tyrant. "We were in the process of figuring it out when you so rudely interrupted us," he spat.

    Megatron merely affixed his gaze on the outspoken medic, a grin tugging at the corners of his faceplates. "My sincerest apologies. Perhaps, to quicken the process, you hand over the energon to better equipped servos."

    "The fact that you want it makes me believe it carries some significance," Optimus replied, remaining in his tense, battle-ready stance.

    "Indeed! Now, give it to me, Prime. Or we will have to fight for it. And given the presence of your entire team, I can only assume you are desperate to find any source of useable energon. Step aside, and I will allow you live, otherwise . . ."

    Arcee, without meaning to, drew his attention away from the threat. Her optics darted over to a outcropping of rock the warlord had paid no heed to, an expression of worry flickering across her faceplates. The action caused him to look over.

    Straight into four terrified pairs of eyes.

    No, three.

    "I see you have brought your human pets," he crooned, taking a step closer to their hiding spot. Ignoring the sound of Optimus' cannon warming up he approached.

    Jack pushed Miko behind him as they backed into the opposite wall, Cassidy letting out a terrified squeak that she did not mean to let slip out. Her fear barely plateaued when Dana planted herself in front of all three of them, her arms thrusted out as if that would protect them. The action elicited a pause from the Decepticon, Cassidy anticipated the next move to be a casual flick of the wrist which would send them flying across the cavern.

    Instead, Megatron chuckled, his blood red optics glittering at the display.

    "Do you really think you can -"

    "Silence, Starscream," Megatron practically snarled at the smaller Decepticon, watching him flinch and cower with distaste. He was far more interested in the human.

    "Megatron, leave the human children alone," Optimus growled.

    "Perhaps I will," the words were slow, weighted, his optics never leaving them even as he spoke to Megatron. Cassidy realized with a start that he wasn't looking at them, but her. Dana.

    "Need I remind you about your repeated interactions with Megatron?"

    The fact she's gotten this far is a miracle.

    How the nurse found the courage to stand up to Megatron, she had no idea.

    "The human's life, then, for the energon," Megatron finished.

    There was a long, drawn-out silence as the Autobots contemplated. Optimus Prime knew that Megatron had him in a bind; if there was one thing he could not do, it was let the blood of innocents stain the battleground. Finally, he powered down his weapons and stood straight.

    "Autobots, stand down."

    His team members did not protest, their own weapons dying and resting at their sides, reverting to servos once they were fully powered down. Megatron waited patiently, then moved to extend his servo out to the small group of children.

    "You will not touch them."

    The fact that Dana had the audacity to speak snappishly to the warmonger made a few jaws drop, Cassidy wondering what in the heck she thought she was doing. Megatron did not strike her as the kind that liked to be bossed around, especially to something as insignificant as a human.

    Megatron paused, his mouth both twisting into a sneer and a snarl.

    "And why is that?"

    "You're just going to use us," she continued, pressing her arms a little more firmly against Jack and Cassidy, consequently shoving Miko further into the wall. "Once we're in the palm of your hand, along with that energon, you're going to attack our friends. I'm not stupid, Megatron. And I am not going to let that happen."

    His sneer now became more of a snarl, Dana stoking the flames of a rage that could kill her in a nanosecond if he so chose. Cassidy gripped her sleeve, trying to tell her to just shut up.

    "You will do as asked," he said, flexing his palm a little. "Or the deal struck will become null and void."

    "You literally just said the same thing twice, but with two different words."

    The sass caused quite the dramatic pause, and Dana did exactly what she planned to do.

    Grabbing the pen from her shirt pocket, she pressed a button on the side that produced a green laser. Faster than Megatron could anticipate she flashed the laser up at his optics, hitting them both with a flick of her wrist.

    The warlord howled and gripped his optics, Ratchet screaming her name when the world suddenly exploded into fire and dust.

>><<

    Everything was in flames.

    At least, that was the last thing Cassidy could recall before she came to.

    The terrible sounds of metal striking metal filled her ears, and she opened her eyes to a darkened abyss. Her body ached a little, but it honestly hurt worse when Ratchet hit her from behind. Sitting up, a logical part of her told her to wiggle her fingers and toes, taking it slow and looking around.

    Her vision was filled with war.

    Optimus and Megatron were locked in deadly combat while Starscream laid the hurt on Arcee and Ratchet, Bulkhead and Bumblebee taking care of the Vehicons which threatened to overrun them. She found that she was suddenly at their foot-level, resting on a pile of rocks which left indentations on her skin. There must have been some bleeding, but she was too disoriented to really care at the moment. The three other humans came to mind.

    Where are they? What happened?

    Looking around, it was almost too easy to spot the red scrubs first. Dana had landed on her stomach a little ways away from the rubble. It was apparent from her lack of movement that she was out cold. Miko's bright pink hair was the next easy thing to spot, her and Jack's limbs tangled up in what would have been an amusing display if the boy was not bleeding from his head, and Miko's ankle was bent at a weird angle.

    Cassidy thought she was going to be sick.

    The black energon remained, for the most part, unguarded amongst the chaos. Occasionally an Autobot or Decepticon would get close, but then the opposing team would tackle them away. Crawling over to Dana she tried to pick her up by her arms and drag her, but that resulted in almost excruciating pain in her elbow.

    That's definitely broken.

    Deciding movement was not the best option she sat, curling up and trying to remain as little as possible. She watched as shots were fired and swords cut through wires and metal, pouring blue energon while blue bolts of energy shot from cannons. Her eyes landed on a lighter, one she recognized as Jack's, next to the boy. It must have fell out of his pocket.

    Something tugged at her, intuition tell her to pick it up and feel the smooth metal. It was like she knew what to do, but had no idea what to do. There was something she was missing.

    Looking at Arcee, it clicked.

    Cassidy would never credit herself to being a scientist, but that was not to say she was not a smart girl. Blue energy bolts shot from Autobots, and they bled blue energon, so it only made sense they were firing energon. That meant there was some kind of reaction taking place that gave it enough power to become a weapon and not just food. Trying to think back to chemistry, it further made sense in her mind.

    It needed energy; everything needed energy. For the Autobots and Decepticons, that energy probably came in a form of electricity (given they were robots) or some other, similar thing. It would release heat, which would give the energon power.

    Gazing at the lighter, the final piece fell into place. She had a pure form of heat: fire. Maybe, just maybe, she could light the energon.

    She looked at the black energon, which now seemed five miles away. If it served as a distraction, that was all she needed. The only problem was getting there, and not getting killed in the process.

    Taking a deep breath, trying to calm her nerves and think as crazy as Miko or Dana, she burst into a sprint.

    Her journey was almost immediately halted when the body of a Vehicon slammed into the ground just a few feet from her, forcing her to changed directions. Bulkhead grabbed the offending 'con and threw it against the wall, causing the cavern to shudder and rocks to fall.

    "Careful!" Ratchet shrieked, dodging laser fire from Starscream. "The whole cavern could come down on top of us all!"

    Cassidy tried not to think about what being buried alive would feel like.

    The black energon loomed before her, the girl slowing to a jog as she approached the crystal. Her reflection, dirty and scratched, stared back at her in the inky abyss and made her body shudder. She looked better than how she felt, though glancing at her elbow she saw it was bleeding rather heavily, and it had swollen to the size of an egg. Seeing it now made her realize that it hurt.

    I can worry about that later. Right now, I need to set this thing on fire.

    Taking the lighter she placed a shaky hand over the switch, flicking it with her thumb. Nothing but a measly spark happened and she flinched, certain that she was going to accidentally burn herself.

    "Pest!" Starscream screeched, his optics landing on her while he bared his denta. That only motivated her to flick the lighter again, faster, wishing she had also grabbed Dana's laser pen to blind him with.

    Time was running out as Starscream threw Arcee to the side and stalked toward her, his long, sharp claws extending out to grab her. Squeaking in terror she darted around the crystal, barely avoiding the tips of his talons. He cursed at her, glaring and reaching for her again. He was rudely interrupted by a fist to the face, Ratchet grabbing the Decepticon and tossing him across the cavern.

    "Cassidy, what do you think you're doing?!" He asked, and she honestly was shocked he knew her name. She also wondered how she was going to answer his question, given he probably did not know ASL. Instead, she showed him the lighter, then pointed at the crystal, trying to flick it back on again.

    It took the medic a second to figure out what she was saying, his optics widening.

    "If you do that, you could blow up the entire cavern! You have no idea how that will react to flame, and energon itself is highly -"

    A large, grey servo gripped his shoulder, ripping him from the ground and tossing him to the side. With a terrible crash Ratchet landed against Bumblebee with a whine. Megatron gazed down at the crystal, focusing on Cassidy with his cold, deadly optics.

    I guess it's time to make an explosion.

    "Cassidy!" Ratchet howled as Megatron reached down, preparing to pluck the crystal from the ground. Energon dripped from a wound on his arm, intermingling with what she assumed to be Optimus' energon. As if a holy deity was smiling down upon her she flicked the lighter one last time, the flame bursting to light. Holding her breath, she thrust it out at the energon rivulet closest to her, Megatron pausing to try and assess the situation and connect the dots.

    The pause was minute, but that was all the flame needed.

    Jerking back with a roar Megatron recoiled, desperately trying to suffocate the flame that arched up his arm and eagerly ate at the provided fuel. His metal digits proved futile as a retardant, and the resulting bellow nearly blew out Cassidy's ears. Dropping the lighter she covered them, taking several steps back and trying to keep from receiving any part of his wrath.

    A servo closed around her and engulfed her, leaving no room for her to see what was happening. Optimus Prime's voice reverberated around her, calling for his team to fall back, the sound of a Groundbridge firing up. Cassidy felt its effects again, holding her hand to her mouth and praying that she did not throw up in Optimus's hand.

    That would be embarrassing.

    After a few pede steps she was gently released onto the floor, the Autobot leader's optics scanning her briefly to ensure she was not mortally wounded, then he returned his attention to the approaching Autobots.

    Arcee had a disoriented Miko in her arms, as well as Jack - who was still out of it. Ratchet also cradled his charge in his servos, constantly checking up on her worriedly and occasionally fidgeting with her.

    "What happened?" Cassidy signed, hoping for an answer of some kind.

    Optimus glanced at her, seeming to understand.

    "After Dana attacked Megatron, I believe Starscream panicked. He fired a missile, which caused the outcropping of rock you were resting upon to collapse. As a result, a fight broke out," he looked at her. "Despite the danger and risk you placed yourself in, Cassidy, your bravery is to be commended."

    She couldn't help but blush. "It was more like stupidity than bravery."

    The Prime gave her a warm smile, his expression turning serious only a few moments later. "Ratchet, what is the status of our human allies?"

    "I'm awake!" Miko waved an arm, coughing a little.

    The medic looked over his charge again, still worried. "They should be taken to the hospital as soon as possible," he said, glancing over at Jack. "I fear they might have suffered massive trauma."

    "I will call June," Optimus made his way over to the computers, preparing to deliver the dire news.

    Cassidy cradled her arm.

    I hope they're okay.

>><<

    Cassidy decided it was time to quit the Autobots.

    Ratchet seemed relieved by the news, and Dana was certainly disappointed, but everyone could see her logic; Jack had been the same way. It was a dangerous hobby, and after being sent to the hospital she was not inclined to return to their base of operations.                         Lillian, bless her little seven year-old soul, was asking too many questions, and the last thing she wanted to do was lie to her. Her parents were in potential danger too - apparently June had been taken by Airachnid and M.E.C.H in order to get to Arcee and seek revenge on Jack. The last thing Cassidy wanted was any danger to befall her family.

    Despite leaving and doing her best to disassociate with the Autobots, Dana insisted on becoming her friend, happy to drive the girl home on her way to work and sign to her at lunch and between classes. Currently the nurse was paused at a stoplight, her phone next to her ear. When she received a busy tone she cursed a little, re-dialing.

    "What's wrong?" Cassidy asked.

    "Ratchet isn't answering," came the reply, Dana glancing in her rearview to see that there was no one behind them. Due to that, she remained stopped even when the light turned green. "This isn't normal. Usually if he's going to be busy, he texts me. Something isn't right."

    She took a breath, the light turning yellow. Instead of pausing again she gunned the engine, Cassidy thrust back into her seat by the force. The girl was then jerked forward when the nurse slammed on the brakes, Cassidy ready to get angry when she noticed why Dana had stopped.

    The roof of her car was ripped off and Dana screamed, shouting Cassidy's name and telling her to get out of the car. The girl unbuckled and bolted from the seat as a thin hand reached for her, this new Decepticon almost paper-like in design. She glanced back to see that Dana had been caught, her arms pinned to her sides as she was lifted up in the air. She shouted Cybertronian profanities and squirmed, name-dropping the Decepticon.

    Soundwave.

    Cassidy managed to round the corner of the street, cut off by a sleek red car. She slammed her hand on the hood, telling them to get back and drive away!

    "Ow! Watch the paint, fleshy!"

    Her eyes widened. There were two of them?!

    The second Decepticon transformed, glaring at her vehemently. "You're going to pay for that," he snarled, reaching for her. His  servo was stopped by Soundwave, the silent mech glancing down at Cassidy, Dana still squirming in his servo.

    "Cassidy, run!" She shouted, trying to wrest one of her arms free. If she could just reach her pen . . .

    Cassidy cried out as the second Decepticon snatched her up, none too gently (but more so than what he was originally intending), peering at her with a hateful expression on his white face.

    "We've got what we need," he announced to Soundwave. "Bridge us back."

    Dana shouted, pleaded for them to let Cassidy go, but the Decepticons paid her no mind as they turned towards the Groundbridge, slipping through and leaving the carnage that was Dana's car behind them.

>><<

    Megatron decided that today was a good day; and that he needed to send Soundwave into the field more often. Not only did he manage to capture the medic's pet, her, but also the one that caused him so much trouble. Cassidy, if he recalled her name correctly.

    The warlord looked worse for wear. His armor was still repairing itself, but a black scar would remain where the energon had permanently burned a shadow on his arm. As Cassidy dared to look at him she noticed it arched up his abdomen as well, where the flames had likely leapt from his arm to a wound there, and from the left side of his chin to wrap around his helm. It only made him look a hundred times more intimidating, and ten times more motivated to squish her.

    Dana looked him up and down, looking ready to say something about it, when he beat her to the punch.

    "It pleases me to see you survived Starscream's . . . explosive mistake," he rumbled to her, his voice still very much roughened with the undertone of a growl.

    Cassidy felt chills go down her spine. And what is that supposed to mean?

    "I suppose you should be pleased to see at all," Dana quipped back. "The laser I used was green, which normally incapacitates a person for a while. But, then again, that's for humans."

    His grin quickly turned into bared denta and an unhappy expression. "You are lucky you did not permanently damage my sensors, femme," he snarled. "I am sure you thought your trick was clever; perhaps I should return the favor."

    Dana, just shut up, Cassidy begged her, shut up before he does something like kill us both!

    "It looks like you've got worse things to think about," Dana pointed to his face. "What did you do, burn yourself on the oven while grabbing the cookies?"

    "You have your little friend to thank for that," he growled, focusing his venomous gaze on Cassidy. She shrank back, her heart jamming itself into her throat when the tyrant began to walk closer.

    "You did that," Dana gaped at Cassidy. "Color me impressed."

    Not. Helping.

    "Leave her alone, Megatron," Dana snipped at him when he paused in front of Knock Out, still looking at Cassidy as if deciding the best way to throw her against a wall. "You look better with the scars anyways. So tell me, why go through all the trouble of tracking us down and bringing us here? Surely not to give us a house tour."

    Megatron allowed only a flicker of amusement to dart across his optics. It was almost charming, how she tried to manipulate his attentions. But they had more important things to discuss aside from her weak attempt at flattery and humor.

    "Your presence is required to get me what I want," he replied, turning to Soundwave and extending his servo out. It looked like he was offering to shake his hand, but his true intentions were quickly figured out. Soundwave opened up his thin digits and twisted his wrist, giving Dana the option to slip out and into Megatron's palm. The nurse did so without protest, landing on her feet and standing.

    She was impossibly small in the tyrant's servo, not much taller than his largest digit, yet she betrayed no feelings of intimidation. Cassidy shuddered when his red gaze slid from the human in his hand to her, shrinking back and trying to hide. Instead Knock Out transferred her to Soundwave, the exchange somehow not making her feel better.

    "And what exactly is it you want?" Dana asked almost casually whilst Megatron lead Soundwave through the cold halls of the Nemesis. Cassidy looked around for any sort of explanation or means of escape, deciding Dana was going to be useless. It baffled her why she was not fighting; the nurse had a strong, stubborn spirit, and yet she acted completely differently in front of Megatron. Why wasn't she screaming and cursing - she tended to do that - in his face?

    "The medic's cooperation," Megatron responded with an equally casual tone. Dana froze briefly, her lips pulling back and eyes starting to glimmer.

    "Ratchet?" She asked, her fingers curling into fists. "What are you planning to do with him?!"

    Cassidy frowned, clutching Soundwave's digit a little tighter, becoming extremely worried. Somehow they got Ratchet out of the Autobot base? Were the others okay?

    Megatron ignored her, instead keying open a door to a laboratory. There Ratchet was strapped down to a table, the medic's bright turquoise optics darting over to see who had entered. His expression twisted into one of horror when he saw who was with the tyrant.

    "Dana?!" He cried out, struggling in his restraints. "Megatron, what -" his question died in his vocalizer when Soundwave entered, focused on the human in his grip. "Cassidy . . ." it left his intake as a soft breath of disbelief, his body wriggling with new vigor. "Whatever it is, leave them alone."

    "If all goes to plan, medic, I won't do anything to them." Megatron deposited Dana on an empty table, Soundwave following suit with Cassidy. The nurse quickly checked over her friend.

    "Are you okay?" She signed.

    Cassidy nodded slowly. "I'm fine . . ." She looked around, terrified.

    "He won't hurt you," Dana told her firmly, looking toward Ratchet. Megatron had stalked over to the medic.

    "After the incident with Unicron, I am interested to see what other properties Dark Energon possesses," Megatron gazed at the Autobot. "Naturally, we have seen it can animate the dead, and I myself experienced some sort of possession . . . so what would it do to a live subject?"

    "Why not test it on any of your foot soldiers?" Ratchet snapped, still struggling in his bonds.

    Megatron sneered, fully expecting the question. "Why waste my resources when there are five potential Autobot test subjects ripe for the taking?"

    The door opened them, interrupting them, Knock Out dropping a container for his master. Within it was a softly glowing, evil looking crystal. Cassidy had never seen it in person, but she knew what it was.

    Dark Energon.

    Ratchet struggled more in his restraints as Megatron reached into the container.

    "I am sure I know what you answer is, medic," he purred, "but I will say it regardless: you cooperate, or I test it on the humans."

    "Go ahead," Dana challenged him, and Cassidy wanted to wack her on the back of her head. "You know it would just kill us, so your stupid experiment would be in vain."

    Megatron tilted his helm toward her, his grin revealing sharp denta. Dana stood in front of Cassidy, glaring back at him.

    "Dana, stop," Ratchet begged her. "Don't encourage him."

    "Should you insist, my dear," Cassidy felt chills go down her entire body when the Decepticon said that, "I would be more than happy to offer you a sliver."

    It made no sense to Cassidy, why she was acting this way. The Dana she knew was brave, sure, and was not afraid to stick up for herself. Vince gave her a hard time once, and now she was certain the bully was scared of the nurse. She was friendly and was eager to socialize, especially with those who were kind to her in turn.

    But this, this was attention seeking. The silent girl could see it plain as day. Whether Dana wanted some kind of validation from the Decepticon was questionable, however there was no other way of putting it. She was constantly saying his name, challenging him and making sure his optics were on her. While Cassidy could say she was more or less relieved that Megatron had seemed to forget about her for the time being, she was still worried for the young woman before her. She did not seem to realize she could die.

    "You wouldn't give it to me unless you were confident I would survive," she countered. "But go ahead, give it to me."

    "Perhaps I should test it on your friend, first," he sneered. "After all, I do need to repay her for her . . . foolish bravery."

    "You touch her, and I'll rip off your servo," Dana snarled, visibly bristling a little.

    "Would you two stop?" Ratchet sounded genuinely annoyed. "Megatron, leave her alone. In fact, leave them both alone. You knew my answer beforehand."

    "Naturally," the tyrant's optics lingered on the human a moment longer before settling back on the medic. His servo tightened on the shard of Dark energon, the movement rippling up his frame and betraying his next motion.

    "No!" Dana screamed for the both of them as Megatron plunged the shard straight into Ratchet's spark, the medic crying out as a sickening purple glow overtook his body. Cassidy looked away as the terrible sound left his throat, closing her eyes and putting her hands over her ears. There were several moments of heart-stopping silence, then Dana's hand grabbed her wrist.

    "Run," she rasped, taking off before the the girl could fully process what she said. Cassidy nearly tripped, regaining her footing as the nurse dragged her along, wondering where she was intended to run. The table ended abruptly, and Megatron's snarl was all she needed to know Dana had just done the wrong thing.

    "Have you become a coward, Dana?" He asked her, angrily mocking. "Running from me?"

    Dana ignored him, Cassidy managing a small screech when Soundwave slammed his arm down in front of them, effectively blocking their path with his lithe frame. The nurse whipped her head around, searching for another way. Cassidy suddenly felt herself being torn away, a weak scream escaping her as Soundwave wrapped his digits around her, tightly.

    "Leave her alone!" Dana screamed, Megatron scoffing.

    "I wish to see just how successful the Dark Energons' symbiotic nature has integrated into the medic's neural net," he told her matter of factly. "And I see it as a perfect opportunity to exact revenge."

    Cassidy felt like she was going to get sick when she saw Ratchet. His optics were a deep, corrupted purple, and they were focused on her with hate. It was no longer him looking at her, but Megatron. She closed her eyes, praying this was all a dream.

    "Megatron, she's just a kid," Dana resorted to begging. "I will do anything, anything for you, if you just let her go."

    That piqued his interest. "You would do anything?"

    "Pledge allegiance to you, drink energon, jump off the side of the Nemesis," Cassidy swore tears were gathering in her eyes. "Just, please. Leave her alone."

    The terrified girl did not know what she was listening to at first, but then Megatron placed a servo on his gut, and she realized what it was. He was laughing. Hysterically, even, like Dana had just told a tremendous joke.

    His optics glittered as the sound died away. "As tempting as you make it sound, I will have to decline. My desire for settling a personal score is much stronger than watching you grovel. I get plenty of that with Starscream."

    Dana grit her teeth. "Please, I'm begging you."

    He ignored her, though, Cassidy convinced she was going to scream herself hoarse as Soundwave put her on a different table, Ratchet's hateful optics having yet to leave her. She tried to shy away, but the equally silent Decepticon kept her pinned as the medic approached.

    "I've got her," he growled, his voice taking on a new undertone of savagery. Sure enough, his practiced servos kept her down without accidentally squishing her, one free and switching to his medical welder. He eyed her arm and face, debating.

    "Perhaps we should match," Megatron seethed at her. "Though I wonder if you humans scar the same way we do."

    "Megatron . . ." Dana sounded pathetic, Cassidy shutting her eyes as the welder came closer, the heat hitting her well before it was within a few inches of her flesh.

    This is gonna hurt.

>><<

    Dana was silent as she worked, her face set in a hard, stony expression as she wrapped up Cassidy's arm. Megatron and his posse - including Ratchet - had left for the time being, confident they could not escape the elevated platform. Even without a word, Cassidy knew Dana was planning an escape.

    Her face was next, the welder having brushed it but not actually touched it like it had her arm. The hatred burned harder in Dana's eyes when she lightly placed salve on it, the first-degree burns guaranteed to heal with time. The one on her arm was definitely third, however.

    "We are going to get out of here, then I'm going to give Megatron a piece of my mind," Dana promised her. She regarded her for a moment. "How tall are you? Weight?"

    Cassidy paused, a little baffled.

    "Erm . . . Last I checked I was 120 pounds . . . and five foot five. Miko's height." She said, eyeing her suspiciously. "Why?"

    "Good. I've hauled patients bigger than you by myself. And I squat 210," Dana said almost casually, standing. "Get on my back. No questions."

    Being only a touch shorter than Jack, Dana obviously was taller than Cassidy and had an easy time hauling her onto her back. The girl was terrified, but she did as told; if they were escaping, now was the best time to do it. She just prayed Dana was not about to do something insane.

    The nurse made her way to the edge of the table, several cables plugged behind the monitors. With only a little difficulty she gripped one of the smaller cables and shimmied down like a rock climber, having Cassidy get down.

    "You need to make your way to the flight deck," Dana handed her her phone, only assuming the girl did not have her own. "Call the Autobots; their number is in my phone under 'Best Friends Club.'"

    "Where are you going?" Cassidy asked as their neared the door, becoming nervous.

    "I'm going to make sure Megatron is thrown off the scent. I'm good at that. And I need to give him a piece of my mind." She paused as the door read their presence and opened for them, surprisingly enough unable to discriminate against organics. "Don't worry about me. Just go!"

    With a slight push she urged Cassidy to go one direction, splitting off into the other. Huffing and puffing the girl decided it was best to just kind of wing it, certain that she would eventually find the flight deck. Assuming the flight deck was on top of the ship, then it made sense she would have to go up.

    Dodging Vehicons and even Starscream, the girl pushed herself to find the flight deck before Dana found Megatron. Quite frankly, it was game over if she found him and alerted the ship to their disappearance. She just hoped the nurse did not get herself killed; despite her attitude, she was a good person.

    Dana did not bother to hide, some Vehicons spotting her and immediately notifying their lord to her presence. It did not take much effort for the warlord to realize that their organic prisoners had escaped, the ship being placed on high alert as he left the bridge, sending Ratchet off to hunt down the other one.

    "Leave the eldest femme alone. She is mine."

    When he found her she was waiting for him, her green eyes blazing. He had to admit it was satisfying to see her so riled up and ready to fight despite the size difference. It was such a shame her spark had been placed inside such a fragile creature. Had she been Cybertronian, he would have been all too eager to face her head on and see just how savage she fought.

    He stopped only far enough that it was not uncomfortable to gaze down at her. A quick sweep of the hall told him what he already knew: the other human was nowhere in sight.

    Cassidy felt chills explode across her skin as she made it outside, pressing herself against a wall and flipping open Dana's phone. Quickly finding the number she called, praying someone picked up.

    "Dana?"

    She almost immediately kicked herself in the face. Not even thinking about it, she had followed Dana's instructions and called.

    And I'm mute. Fantastic going, moron.

    "Dana, do you read me?" Optimus spoke again, worry lacing his voice. "Agent Fowler told us your car had been totaled. Is Cassidy with you? Are you injured?"

    Cassidy did the only thing she could think of and banged her fist on the side of the metal ship, creating a ruckus. Hoping that nobody but Optimus heard that, she hit it again.

    "Cassidy?"

    She hit the wall twice, wanting to cheer.

    "Remain on the phone, Cassidy. I am typing in your coordinates and preparing to roll out."

    Nodding, she did as told and prayed he would hurry. Her prayer, this time, was answered. A Groundbridge emerged not far from where she stood, the Prime emerging first before the rest of the team followed suit.

    "Cassidy! Where is Dana, Ratchet?" Arcee asked, her guns reverting to servos as she picked the girl up. "What happened to you?"

    "Dana went a different way to distract Megatron. Ratchet is under Dark Energon mind control," she signed quickly, almost positive Optimus understood her. "What happened . . . doesn't matter right now."

    "Arcee, take Cassidy back to base. Bulkhead, Bumblebee, Ratchet has been taken over by Megatron with Dark Energon. Find him and do your best to subdue him gently," Optimus commanded, Arcee nodding and quickly running back into the portal.

    "Cassidy!" Miko practically shrieked, for once having done the right thing and stayed in the base. "Wait . . . where is Dana?"

    Optimus knew the halls of the Nemesis all too well, instinct driving him towards where he believed Megatron would be. Bulkhead and Bumblebee had split off to find Ratchet, confident they could find the medic.

    When he found the tyrant, his spark stuttered in its chassis and he had to skid to a stop, glad that his battle mask covered his expression. It was one of shock and would have shown on his face.

    Megatron was knelt down in the hall, something in his servo. Optimus recognized the color of Dana's scrubs, but there was something wrong. She was not standing, or sitting up, one hand slipping from between his digits and hanging lifelessly. The tyrant looked up from where he had been looking at her, an unreadable expression on his face which twisted into a savage snarl.

    "I see you have managed to infiltrate my ship, Prime," he stood, his free servo curling up. His dominant servo still held the human, and despite the disadvantage it put him at, he did not seem to dare to transfer her.

    "Megatron . . ." Optimus made the decision to disengage his battle mask, allowing the Decepticon to see his entire face. "What happened?"

    "What do you think?" He snapped, his digits tightened just a hair before they relaxed, glancing down at the organic within.

    The Prime slid out of his fighting stance and reverted his guns back to servos, taking a careful step closer, then another. When he got close enough to see he stopped, waiting for Megatron to show him. Sure enough, the tyrant finally extended his arm and laid his servo flat.

    Dana's eyes were closed, which in and of itself was a good sign - a better sign - but her chest struggled to rise and fall. Her limbs were also at odd angles, and what concerned him to most was the blood; it trickled from her mouth in a small stream, staining Megatron's armor and her shirt.

    "She is alive," Optimus assured him, azure optics glancing up to meet his red. "Give her to me, Megatron, and I can take her to get the medical care she needs. I do not need an explanation. Just give her to me."

    Red optics narrowed in suspicion.

    "This is most unlike you, Prime," he rumbled.

    "And this is most unlike you," Optimus pointed out. "I will say nothing, that I promise you. Please, give Dana to me."

    Her name seemed to stir something within the tyrant, and he finally relaxed to the point where Optimus was comfortable enough to gently take her in his own servo.

    "If she dies, Prime, I will ensure you pay," he growled.

    Optimus merely nodded, turning and covering his mouth with his guard. Saying nothing, the Prime ran as fast as he could back to the flight deck, the Vehicons parting for him and not even deploying their weapons. Their lord must have given the message.

    He only hoped Ratchet and Cassidy were in better shape.

>><<

    Dana woke up to Cassidy at her bedside.

    The pair exchanged their stories, Cassidy reporting that Ratchet had felt horrendously guilty when he came to. They had managed to successfully rid him of the Dark Energon, and June gave Cassidy a ride to the hospital to monitor her condition. Third degree burns were very prone to infection, thus they wanted her to remain for a few days until she healed.

    Dana had gotten into a nasty, heated argument with Megatron. She was angry that he had hurt Cassidy by using Ratchet, and had called him a coward, among other things. He snapped when she insulted his past and brought up his time as a miner, backhanding her against the wall. That was the last thing she remembered before coming to, thus she was hardly surprised when she woke up with casts on both arms and one leg. What was concerning was her coma: Cassidy's face was about halfway healed, and her burns were starting to scab over. It had been a week and a half before Dana woke up. Ratchet, reportedly, was beside herself.

    Optimus and Megatron had not mentioned their exchanged to anyone, not even each other. The fact that the Decepticon felt remorse for his actions gave Optimus hope, but it was guilty hope at that. Dana should not have had to been brutally injured for such a thing to occur.

    When the woman was finally discharged from the hospital almost three weeks later she was out of her leg cast, but they did place her in a wheelchair. Her arms were still healing, and unfortunately she would need either a wheelchair or cane for some time. Her spine had not snapped, but it had definitely been stressed to the point where her legs were severely weakened. Best case scenario, she would be able to walk with the help of a cane or a person; worst, confined to a wheelchair her entire life.

    "Hey, I can wiggle my toes," she told Cassidy with a smile. "That's a good sign."

    Ratchet did indeed fret to both of his charges when they arrived to base, Dana assuring him she was fine, Cassidy doing the same. His mother-hen nature was quite amusing to his younger charge, with whom he had made peace with during the elder's stay at the hospital.

    Looking around the base, Cassidy was still on the fence about being involved with the Autobots. After being burned, Dana left in a wheelchair, and Ratchet definitely traumatized for life, the logical choice would be to distance herself even further.

    But another part of her felt it was right to stay. They all came out scarred, yet such a thing should bring them closer together, not farther apart. And it certainly did. They were dysfunctional, and it was why all three of them got along.

    Yes, perhaps she would stay.