Disclaimer: I own nothing except the story idea. Hasbro or the Hub or whoever owns Transformers.

Bulkhead lay restlessly on his berth. It had been a week since Miko's assault and he hadn't been recharging well of late. She never seemed to want to go home, much to the 'bot's confusion; frequently spending every last second at base with he and the rest of the Autobots until she had no choice but to go home in the dark of night. Bulk still worried about his charge, though she reassured him she was fine. The late nights and lack of proper recharge were starting to get to the hulking giant, but it was worth it for his girl. 

As worn as he was, Bulkhead couldn't quite get himself into a complete shutdown. He still harbored guilty feelings about not getting to Miko in time, despite her continuous protesting, as well as that of his fellow Autobots, that he wasn't to blame for what had occurred. He lay somewhere between wakefulness and slumber when he heard a piercing scream come through the comm., and he jolted awake instantly. He knew that scream anywhere. He would never forget it. Miko! He maneuvered quickly from the berth transforming into his vehicle mode as he sped out of the base.

***

Bulkhead made his way swiftly down Miko's street. Frankly with the speeds he was going he was shocked the JPD hadn't tried to pull him over. Not that they could have ever caught him. He came to a screeching halt in front of Miko's house, sensors scanning for her. Thankfully her room was at the front of the house making her easy to spot. He drove up to the window peering in until he saw her asleep in her bed. The sight only confused the 'bot more until he watched her closely. Miko began thrashing around, that scream reverberated again, not through the comm. this time, but through the windows. The sound broke Bulkhead's spark, and before he knew what he was doing his large servo crashed through the window scooping the small girl from her bed and snuggling her against his chestplates.

She thrashed against him in her sleep. "No... No, Vince," she whimpered trying desperately to fight off her invisible assailant.

The big green 'bot rubbed her back softly. "Shhhh... wake up, Miko. It's ok, you're ok. I'm here" He nudged her softly with his thumb as she continued twisting and turning and whimpering in the bot's large servo. 

She curled into herself "No Vince, noooo... ...Bulkhead" The last word was a barely audible whisper, tearing into his spark.

The giant green 'bot continued stroking her back with his thumb, slightly harder this time. "Miko, wake up. I'm here Miko. I'm right here."

Slowly she began to break free from the nightmare, rich hazel eyes blinking open cautiously. "Wha...?" Her expression still full of terror as she shot up in his servo trying to grasp her surroundings , shocked to see her guardian. 

"Bulk? What...are you...doing?" She stammered, her breath still ragged from the nightmare.

"You were having a nightmare, Miko." He exclaimed, "You were screaming...in the comm." The large Autobot shuddered, recalling the sound. She looked into her lap slowly, as the memory of the nightmare came flooding back causing her to shiver and tears to creep silently down her face. "I'm here, Miko. You're safe" He cooed softly, still rubbing her back as he held her close to his Spark. 

"I'm sorry , Bulk.." she finally managed to choke out.
"What in the Allspark are you apologizing for? You're my girl. You've been through a rough patch, I'm here for you, Miko." He lifted her up to his shoulder and she snuggled against the warmth of his neck cables. His digits caressed her back softly. "I'm so proud of you! Your first nightmare all week..." Bulkhead felt her shift atop him uncomfortably.

"Miko? What is it?" Small arms wrapped around the gentle giant's neck as her face buried against his neck, murmuring something unintelligibly. "What did you say?"

Miko's head rose slowly, whispering. "That wasn't the first nightmare... just the first you heard." The small girl sighed heavily, resting her head against him again.

"Mikoooo..." Bulkhead groaned softly "Is that why you never wanna go home?"

Miko nodded slowly against him. "Uh huh. Don't wanna sleep, wanna be brave, like a Wrecker!" 

Bulkhead shook his helm slowly "Miko, being a Wrecker isn't just about being strong and brave. The Wreckers are a TEAM, We're there for each other when we're needed. Let me be there for you." He vented slowly.

"Bulk, can we just go back to base?" The small girl's face nuzzled sleepily in the warmth of his neck cabling.

"Miko, you need to get back to bed. You have school tomorrow, you need your rest." 

Her head shook adamantly."Dude, what are you? My mother?"

Bulkhead couldn't help but laugh "That's my girl! I may not be your mother, but I'm your guardian. I want what's best for you." 

Miko pouted softly. "Then take me back to base... Pleeeeaaase? Just for a little while?"

Bulkhead relented. "Just for a while."

His servo came down letting her slide to the ground, and quickly transforming into his vehicle mode. Miko scampered into the the truck quickly and the pair drove off into the night.

***

Bulkhead drove slowly back into base,transforming back into his usual 'bot self once Miko had exited his vehicle mode.

"Wanna watch the Hoedown Showdown?" Miko beamed, making a break for the couch. 

"Sure, Miko. Whatever you want." Bulkhead laughed softly, glad to see her in better spirits after the nightmare. She plopped down on the couch and he settled behind her as the Monster Truck rally started. The pair watched in relative silence aside from some playful banter or cheering on a favorite truck from time to time, totally engrossed in the action.

Suddenly the pair was interrupted by thundering peds making their way down a corridor. "What in the AllSpark is all that noise? Can't a 'Bot recharge in peace?" Ratchet's voice shouted through the base. 

Miko jumped to the back of the couch in surprise, finally settling down as Ratchet's frame came into view. Bulkhead's servo extended and Miko backed into it slowly. "We were watching Monster trucks. " His helm cocked sheepishly as he lifted Miko to his shoulder and away from Ratchet's wrath. 

"Meh," Ratchet groaned. "I can't understand your fascination with that bloodsport!" 

Bulkhead only shrugged. "It's fun!"

Ratchet shook his helm. "And what is she doing back here?" He asked, gesturing a servo in Miko's direction.

"She..." Bulkhead stammered.

"Couldn't sleep, Doc bot." Miko chimed in.

Ratchet shuddered at Miko's nickname for him, but said nothing. Slowly he turned to head back down the hall. "Just...keep it down, Alright?" with that he made the journey back to his quarters.

"What's his problem?" Miko quipped.

"Ratchet gets cranky when he doesn't get enough recharge." Bulkhead laughed softly, settling the girl on his shoulder so they could continue watching the TV together. 

***

After a few hours, Miko yawned slowly. "Getting sleepy, Miko?" Bulkhead asked, rubbing her back softly.

"Nu-uh" Miko scoffed, trying to stifle a second yawn.

"We should get you back home, you need your rest."

"No!" Miko exclaimed loudly. "Please Bulk. Please don't make me go home!"

Bulkhead shook his helm softly turning to lock eyes to optics."Miko, you need to rest. You have school tomorrow. " 

The small girl sighed. "If I sleep I'll have nightmares again. I don't know if I can handle that Bulk, not alone." 

Bulkhead ex-vented slowly, turning and heading down the hall to his berth room.

"Bulk? Where are we going?" Miko questioned, having never really been down this part of the base before.

"If you won't sleep at home, you need to sleep somewhere. We're going to my berth room." 

"Rock ON! Sleepover!" beamed the small girl atop the gentle giant's shoulders.

The hulking 'bot groaned softly. "Just for tonight, Miko... Just for tonight."

The pair finally made their way into Bulkhead's berth room. Bulkhead settled gently on his berth, mindful not to let Miko fall as he caught her in his servo, laying his large frame down slowly.

Miko moved down toward his chestplates, her head laid gently over his spark. "I love you, Bulk. Thanks."

A servo fell gently over her small form. "Love you too, Miko. You're my girl. I'd do anything for you." Eyes and optics shut slowly and the pair drifted off into blissful slumber.

Soundtrack (in Alpha Order)

Chicago-"Inspiration"

Disciple- "Dear X ( you do don't own me)"

The Fray-"How to save a life"

Goo Goo Dolls-"Iris"

Lifehouse- "You and Me"

Linkin Park- "My December"

Seether- "Broken"

Staind-"It's been a while"