A/N 'looks at last update' "Oh sh-" H-Heh-heh hello, hows its going? Its been...almost exactly two years ^^' time flies huh, didn't think it was that long ago, a few factors were involved that prevented the update but I think mainly its my self doubt and paranoia in trying to put my best into every chapter but with a little encouragement (I'll get to that) I figured "oh go on buddy upload this thing already" I mean I enjoy writing I realised heck I know I can't do it all perfect but I'm having fun despite the flaws, and also I'd like to thank those who have personally messaged me or posted a comment enquiring about me updating, (you know who you guys are ;) and I apologize for not replying mainly because I didn't want to possibly make promises in case I couldn't keep them) so I'm doing this for myself because as I said I enjoy writing and believe on trying to finish what you start (Time of course not being a factor heh heh) so I hope those who wanted this especially enjoy and a friendly reminder that this is a prequel leading up to Transformers Prime.

A Personal Log

A few days after Thrusts escape, Ellen went to school as usual, had more regular sessions with Mark, Mark himself was furious with the first person he saw when hearing about what had happened, seeing how they had made a lot of progress.

Optimus found himself in his own session with Mark mostly to express any concerns he had, though it felt strange to him, asking someone so 'young' for advice.

Today Optimus was in his quarters sat at his computer, labelled T-1 and getting some different kind of work done, sometimes personal log updates, sometimes surveillance, sometimes the general happenings of the world they were on as he watched Ellen entertain herself through her own imagination, despite everything was very much resilient.

"Oh no, the rivers burst and its going to hit the power station! Quick Simba use your super fluffy fur to suck up the water, but now your fat and wet, but the workers are okay…kinda, some lost arms."

Optimus smiled to himself, despite her chattering to herself it was still peaceful in comparison that morning. He finished up his work and relaxed in his seat as he watched her thoughtfully for a few minutes, "What is it you and Bumblebee engage in?" he finally asked.

Ellen stopped her game midway with her tongue sticking out and her mouth clamped on top, "O-Oh, when you're out? Hide and seek mostly." She said shyly as he tilted his head. "Oh." She then placed her hands on her eyes, "One hides, one seeks." She stated seriously placing a hand behind her back an action he found highly amusing, "But the seeker has to count to give the hider a chance to…er, hide."

"And the countdown?" he asked.

"You, want to play?" she questioned.

"It is a strengthening social interaction." He told her.

Taking that as a yes (she hoped) She put a finger to her lips, "Bee usually counts to ten really slow, you can count to a hundred because your head must be filled with a lot."

"It only lies on the processor Ellen, not helm size." He told her with an unimpressed look about him.

"Really? Even with your head?" she said generally fascinated.

"So, what are the general rules?" he asked her looking past her innocent if not habit turning mockery.

"Turn around to face the wall." She said as he merely nodded, "Go on then." She added bossily.

"This, very moment as you explain?" he said.

"Yes." She said.

He averted his optics upwards In a typical fashion as he did as he was told, and found himself staring at the wall.

"Now you gotta lean your head on the wall, cover your eyes and count to a hundred…" she said and she stopped to point out something, "and y'can't peek, that's cheating." She told him.

He merely continued to look at the wall as he watched the hallways for any change in movement, "I will not 'cheat'." He reassured her humorously. With sounds of scampering scraplet feet, she was running as though her life depended on it, out of Optimus' quarters doors. With his hands over his optics despite there being no reason seeing how he could simply close them, he took a mental note of how grateful he was that his quarter's door weren't automatic from the outside.

He honoured the terms to count slow, even if it did take ten slow minutes and started a very slow trek across the hallway, content with this engagement he could have with her, though the concern of not seeing her physically due to recent events produced a very small tug on his spark, giving him a certain feeling of her whereabouts, however the sound of feet were also a huge giveaway, though this feeling did fascinate him, as a positive thought he translated this as a step forward for himself and her.

"Ellen?" he quietly said, the reaction was an anxious run, her shoes producing a skidding sound. He murmured something as he turned a corner, there were more places she could vacate on the ground than anywhere else, but perhaps she did it on purpose or that she wanted him to find her, either way she had left her shoes sticking out as he approached them, but something was telling him that the owner of the shoes weren't attached, "Hmm, I see you have engaged in this form of entertainment before." He noted as he heard another giggle one click from where he knelt. "I am clearly encountering an experience warrior of stealth." He humoured.

Perhaps it was the competition or that the level of challenge had been raised either way he was made determined as a seeker though not the one he was familiar with. "I will not tolerate deception little one." He playfully warned.

In her hiding place Ellen held her knees with her hands as she curled up tight, grinning to herself and at the same time a little anxious if he were to find her. He heard his steps draw near as she held her breath, she then saw his feet move pass her, she covered her eyes before she noticed he had moved on. Feeling pretty pleased with her spot and waiting a few moments as the footsteps seemed to distance themselves, she took a peek. Left and right, if he were around surely she would have noticed him by now, "heee." She grinned stepping out from her spot as she brushed her hands.

She casually started strolling down the hallway to find another place to hide though a sound from the other end had caused her to start walking backwards as she turned the next corner she suddenly screamed as she was picked up from the ground, "thought a decoy could deceive me did you?" Optimus announced triumphantly as she continued to scream trying to comprehend what just happened.

"Yes!?" she cried on a certainty of 50%.

He leant his head down, "I'm afraid I am all too aware of such methods." He told her.

"You don't know everything." She said squirming.

"Perhaps not, but deception I do know." she shrugged as he carried her down the hallway.

She looked up, "can I sit on your shoulders?" she asked.

"Perhaps when you are a little more developed with age, you may fall." He told her.

She frowned slightly, "How?"

"Well, you have not the right condition of strength to hang on." He told her.

"Says you." She argued looking at her arms confidently only to be thoroughly disappointed and started blushing. "A-Actually I-I meant to, do…I-I…nothing!"

"Ellen, There is none so blind as those who will not listen." He told her slightly smiling to himself.

She frowned, "You make my head go blind."

"It's a proverb." He humoured.

She shrugged that off as well when she sniggered to herself, "That was fun." she gave him a poke in the shoulder, "its your turn to hide." She then blurted.

He lightly smiled at her rebounding nature as he set her down, she turned to the wall as she started counting though she slightly let herself peak, "Ah, Ah! no peaking." He repeated to her in a playful tone.

In an act of surprise she slammed her face into the wall as she made a muffled 'ow' sound, "O-one…two…" she started, Optimus looked around as he awkwardly attempted to make as little sound as he could while doing a steady stroll towards the outside of the hangar.

"Ten…er…Ele-ven…Twelve…hun-dred." She said turning around starting to walk out of the hangar herself. "Dad?" she said quietly to the cleared empty base, with a couple of soldier, she looked to the floor, "Aw, he only makes holes in the ground when he's crazy running." She said walking around, she found herself in the same path as Ratchet as she bowed her head cautiously trying to watch him at the same time.

He also watched her, her head drooped to her feet as he rolled his optics, but looked where she was walking into, a connecting pillar pole. "El-Ellen! T-The pole- watch where you're going!" he barked making her jump, though she slowly looked in front to the large metal pillar. She felt his staring optics land on her watching her for a few moments until she started to move again, he shook a heavy head sighing typically as he entered his quarters.

She knocked on the pillar as she looked back, "Hi?" she said meekly before continuing her search, "Geez why is he always yelling at me." She added looking outside. She thought it would be easy, but there was no sign of Optimus. "Wonder if he can turn invisible…" she pondered. "Optimus?" she called though meekly in comparison to the sound of soldiers and construction sounds.

Then behind the hangar where crates resided, she grinned to herself uttering childish giggles as she ran up to a familiar hood and slammed her hands on his grill "found you." she announced happily.

"So you have, seeing through my disguise no doubt." Optimus said lightly as she grinned.

She giggled, "Y-Your always a truck."

"Indeed…your planet had very little to offer at the time." He expressed difficulty.

"I've heard of XXXXL, I guess you're like XXXXXXXXXX x 100L huh?" she stated bluntly but grinned knowingly.

"...That is enough mockery for today." He simply said.

Later that day Ellen sighed rolling on Optimus' berth kicking her legs up, she had something on her mind and was hesitant to bring It up. However when she eventually did it was started with a long whiny utter of- "Optimuuuus?"

"Yes?"

"Sky says she has a parrot." She said hugging her knees.

"A parrot." He repeated intrigued.

"Their birds…but their, parrots…why are they called parrots when there birds?" she said her confidence in her own knowledge turning around and instead confusing herself.

"I believe certain species on your planet are categorised."

"Categorised. Catalogue, is that the same thing?"

"Defined yes." He said.

"So…" She started hopefully, "Can I go?"

His face turned quizzical as he turned a 180 angle to face her, "Forgive me I must have glazed over the previous sentences that were uttered before but to what 'location' are you referring to?"

She chuckled nervously shutting her eyes tightly, "y'know I-I said before, S-Sky is having a-a sleepover." As quick as she spoke that she quickly got on her knees and threw her fisted hands over her head in a pleading manner whilst forcing a glazed look over her eyes for 'effect'.

He looked her over, "Deglaze those eyes young female." He ordered, the pleading look she would make made him question his morals with how 'sad' she'd look. He then sighed sitting next to her. "I would prefer that you remain on base." He said decisively.

She collapsed on her side pawing at his leg, "Why? She's not that far away. Please Optimus please?"

He discouraged himself to make eye contact, "This base is hidden from the Decepticons, it's safer for you to stay here."

"But." She sighed.

"Ellen, you will be out of range, certain events, certain activities will not be the same as what you are used to, everyday arrangements, need to be arranged."

"Why? Why can't I just go to Skys? All my friends are going."

"It's circumstance Ellen, how they live is different." She drooped her head. "Try to understand I just want to be sure you are safe."

"From what? Those bad robots? Why do they want to come to a sleepover?"

"It's not for that reason-"

"You said!" She interrupted angrily, "You said this base was hidden from the bad ones, you said it was safer here but-" her hands started to shake. "T-That-that one you killed, h-he was here, he h-hurt the soldiers, a-and me."

He shut his optics then reopened them looking at her cheek, the tiny barely fresh wound that was beginning to scar, "I do not know all the answers, That Decepticon was not meant to escape, but he did…we learn from the mistakes we make but some we cannot afford to make, this was one of those times." He could say a lot more but he would doubt those words, 'It shall never happen again', were those naïve thoughts? Especially as his trust in the humans surrounding the base wavered immensely.

He did not believe in living in fear, for that was no life at all. However he would have to contradict himself, "Decepticons can roam anywhere on Earth, since the battle in the city their numbers have-" he stopped that might scare her. "This is a difficult stage in your life, you are still developing and will not understand some things, one day I will explain my reasons, when you are older but for now, do as I say." He lay his hand on her back.

"How long w-will that take? T-To understand?" She said.

"It depends, perhaps a decade, or two."

She slumped her head, "Its not fair." She hopelessly said. "I want down please."

He let he walk onto his palm as she never looked at him when stepping onto the ground, she then dashed off, "Ellen where are you going?"

Down the hallway Will was within range as Ellen ran past, "Hey Ellen you-" he pulled a face. "Never mind then." He stood at the door, which was conveniently open. "Did you say something offensive to her again?" He snorted looking up at him, "Ah, you have reached a road block huh? What is it? Is she asking questions you can't answer but a human can? A crush on the teacher?" he thought into it, "Ahh well, its trial and error as they say."

He tapped his fingers against a wall, "She wishes to attend a social gathering a…Sleep-over?" he said.

"Really? That's good, I'm surprised I didn't expect her to bounce back so quickly since recent events and luckily it's a quick thing to make arrangements for." He listed off wagging a finger.

Optimus murmured.

"But, given how grim you sound, it's not?"

"It is only a few miles from over the bridge, I want her to experience a usual human life, to put it simply, not to always be confined, but…I still have my concerns, I cannot help this." He told him. "Her face is known to the Decepticons, coincidence or not that she was with us they would still deem her an ally, if they found her…" he winced shaking his head.

Will sighed, "Here and the school can't be the only places she can go, she needs to socialise, or at least try, If she's eager to go that's a good sign, if your that worried why don't you go as well? As in put that 'disguise' business to good use for once."

"Hm, I could survey from the road, but from what I have gathered, Ellen may not want me there."

Will scoffed, "Remember now Optimus, her friends don't know her parents a robot alien, and a truck for that matter."

"Ellen would be aware, she may find my…persistence frustrating."

"As you said, you watch from afar, just make sure she doesn't know you're there but suggest otherwise." He then held his radio. "Let me arrange a partner for you."

A few minutes later Epps came slouching into the room, "Will, I've had trouble sleeping as it is and when I ever get the free time I-" Epps stopped as they stared at him…smiling politely. "H-eeelll no." he said backing away slowly.

"Come on Bobby." Will replied in a friendly, if not too friendly manner.

"No, no. Mm-mm, mmm-mmm, no. no-no-no, no. Hell no! no! no! I refus- no! no."

"C'mon, you'll be able to get away from this place." He assured.

"That narrows it down." He said turning around again.

"Look it's just a casual call, Ellen has a sleepover."

"And she wants to borrow my bathrobe? That's cool not that I'm judging-"

"Will you let me….let me finish." He argued. "We just need a nark to watch her from the bushes and see that she comes out and gets picked up again."

Epps pouted his lips, "naw-naw I've heard this joke before, an illegal alien and a black dude hiding in the bushes at night, no thank you I'm out on that one."

"Epps c'mon, don't make me guilt trip you, I will drag a crying child in here and get you to tell her to her face 'not today kiddo, not today' if I have to. You know what I'm capable of." Will argued.

Epps exaggerated a heavy sigh, "fine, fine shit I'm not heartless. But I have conditions and demands." He gave will a firm handshake in agreement.

So the next evening at her friend's house outside on the kerb In Optimus' cab, sat Ellen grinning like a madman as she clutched her bag and Epps who had everything with him and on him besides a bag checking his radio frequencies.

Ellen looked out the window as she bounced on her seat, "here. This is it." She said feeling excited and nervous, Sky's parents would be here, and she'd never met them. Never the less she held onto her seatbelt as she went to unclick it with her free hand, "Hey…" she said trying to push the release. "Its-its stuck." She then thought, "Are you doing that Optimus?"

"Be patient, I wish to go over some checks."

"Okay?"

"Anything that may raise distress, or any social intervention that forces you into confrontation, you call my frequency understand?" Optimus told her.

"Kay'" she only said as she was too excitable to care, her legs shaking with anxious intent.

"Ellen." he repeated firmly, "That includes any of those distressing dreams you have been experiencing of late, understand?" he told her again.

"Yes." She said tugging at the seatbelt to let her go, "Come on big guy I want to show Sammy my bag."

"I see you have been interacting with the Major more than usual given the lack of formality to my name." He noted looking at the house, "Perhaps I should move closer to the property."

"Nooo Dad, they'll see you." She said trying to figure out a loophole with her very improved child proof seat belt, "Open the door please." She said as he did so watching her make her way up to the front door quickly glancing to behind her as she waved and then motioning with her head to leave.

"They will see me?" he questioned.

"Pauline says only hobos drive trucks." she said in loud whisper.

"I see?" He said.

Epps scoffed, "No what she meant to say was that hobo's get rundown bytrucks."

They watched her approach the house and knock on the door as a man answered the door, "With the given information this human was not due to return for another hour." Optimus said suspiciously.

"I came out here for this? The stakes have raised OP when I call you one day and say I owe you, you just go along with it, be it an invite to a deli or a double date you are obligated for it." Epps said.

"Sergeant, I have many debts to pay ask of me as you will." He casually wavered off continuing to watch the house. "Is this event a usual custom for humans?"

Epps fluttered his eyes mockingly, "Well I can remember when I was a little girl, playing games that somehow tell your future or who you're going to marry." He stated sarcastically. "But sure I suppose, you should've brought Will with you because I'm not exactly a fountain of knowledge, not how you would have it defined anyway." He shuffled uncomfortably. "Can we leave yet? We saw her go in, she's fine, let's go we have our own lives to go home to." He argued.

"Can you not re-call anything?"

"Why is this so important? I know you think we're primitive but they wouldn't perform live sacrifices if that's your concern." His reply was ominous silence, he sighed. "Well…we did chase my friend's sister through the house, only to force our other friend to kiss her."

Optimus' engine rumbled, "Am I correct in hearing that human children unwillingly subject one another to intimate gestures?" He said in an unimpressed tone.

Epps tensed his body retracting into the seat, "No! nonono! Dear sweet whoever no, that's not what I meant it wasn't that kind of sinister thing! What we did was just a childish prank, in fact the way you worded made It sound worse." He tapped his leg, "Now when their teenagers that's a different story, but again nothing to worry about I mean for all we know Ellen could be into animals or inanimate objects if y'know what I'm saying? Not that I'm judging if its harmless that's cool, y'know except for the animal thing I mean-" Optimus shut his engine off and his doors opened.

"Vacate Sergeant."

"W-Wait you're not bunking me off are you?" he got out. Optimus transformed. "Whoa, whoa. What are you doing? This is a civilian area! Belay whatever order is in your head right now mister!"

He looked around, "We are fourteen miles from the city, we drove up a dirt bank, the area is surrounded by trees with match my own height, the current wind speed allows the illusion of 'mistaken' sightings and finally, there is little to no lighting allowing low visibility." He said starting to walk.

He stared at him, "This is because I brought up animals right? Did I scare you? I'm sorry look I'm an ignorant dude who don't know nothing about anything, just turn back into a big rig and we'll talk about, world problems or something."

Optimus stayed on his route.

"Oh that's fine except and I'm going to sound like Will here but, YOU, ARE HUGGGEE! Doesn't matter what kind of argument you're making, you're breaking your own rules."

"You're walking right up their drive, w-what are you doing?"

"Now you're by the door…"

He let his mouth open.

"N-Now you're looking, through, the wind-oooow." He shrugged throwing his arms up in the air. "Fine, we hear screams we bail, no-no I'm bailing, forget you…you better not be peeping with those big old mecha Godzilla eyes."

Optimus loomed his head close to the house, then pulled back moving off again.

"w-wait, wh-wh-where are you going now?" Epps called.

"Round the back, this is not the intended room." He said carefully stepping around the area.

"Hey now, I didn't mean what I said it was just light humour, don't take it so seriously." He said ducking under the windows.

"The lights are off on the other side of the building." Optimus noted.

"I can't believe we're doing this." Epps hissed. "What are you doing now?" he said as Optimus looked through a small crack between closed curtains.

"Mere observation Sergeant." He said peering in, he nodded to what was expected, Ellen and her other friends. He produced a small smile she never looked so relaxed for a long while. but something caught his attention as a young male entered the room no older then Ellen either, "Did you re-call a young human boy to be a part of this family unit?" he asked Epps.

"Hm, to my knowledge two adults and a girl, maybe he's a visiting cousin or something." He shrugged noticing his uneasy finger twitching, "You're being paranoid, have you been reading up things again? Society is whack in today's society a man can marry his own car, and technology is becoming so personal we are literally detaching ourselves to socialise anyway. Do yourself a favour and don't get your sources off a page that can be edited by the public."

Optimus sighed, "My apologise I have been acting irrational, perhaps of previous eve-" The sound of laughter drew his attention to the window again, "I am Ellen's guardian, a task that holds many roles but foremost her protector." His shoulders arched slightly, "Though I admit I may be acting, erratic."

"Might be?"

Inside the house Ellen rocked on her heals as they played games, "Truth or dare." Sky said.

"I thought we were playing doctor first." Pauline complained.

"That's boring." Emilie said. "I want to go first."

Sky rolled her eyes, "Hurry up then."

"I choose truth, for you Peach."

"The truth is I don't like you." Peach replied bluntly.

"I'm s'posed to ask the question!" Emilie replied.

Ellen grinned awkwardly, "You guys are nuts." She said under her breathe.

Outside Epps sat on Optimus' shoulder as he rerouted his audio receptors as an outlet so they could both hear what was going on inside. "See truth or dare, harmless fun." Epps argued.

Sky spun around to her brother, "Go away Seth! Stop staring at my friends! Mom!"

"Okay Sky, dare." Blaze said.

"Do it." Sky said.

"Um, I dare you to, stick your hamster in your mouth."

An explosion of voices broke out at that sentence and in the mist of high pitched screeching Pauline raised her hand, "Then it's my turn again I want to ask Ellen a truth this time."

"Um…" Ellen said.

"Where do you live?"

"That's not a truth." She noted.

"She's right Peach that's a question." Emilie accused.

"Okay, another, why don't you play with us that much?"

"Peach! That's another 'not truth' question."

"Well why not? She still has to tell the truth right? Ellen! Ellen! Answer the question!" she demanded.

Ellen held her head overwhelmed, "I want truth! You asked a question, make up another one! Ask if I smell the toilet stuff in the bathroom because I'd say yes it makes me space-drunk!" she yelled.

"Yeah Pauline come up with another, your being mean." Emilie said.

"Fine! Here's a one, are you an alien? Yes or no?" Pauline asked.

"Um no." Ellen replied with a scrunched nose.

"What kind of question is that? So dumb." Emilie said as most of them nodded.

"I asked because everyday she gets weirder and weirder, she's talking funny, she's acting funny, she doesn't want to play with us after school-"

Ellen brought her knees to her face mumbling something inaudible, Sky looked at her feeling empathy for her, "Shut up Peach no one brings up you eating flowers in the girls bathroom!"

A wail of questions exploded in the bedroom as Sky shuffled closer to Ellen and put a flat palm on her head, "You okay El?"

Ellen nodded slowly, "I'm not weird."

"Well…y'kinda are Ellen, but it's not bad, I mean I like talking to you the most."

She looked round suddenly, "Where's Simba?"

"In my bed." Sky took her hand, "how about you bunk with me? I'll show you how to do shadow animals."

Ellen smiled shyly, "O-Okay."

Sky looked at her from height perspective, "You sure are short, you need a nickname to match."

Ellen stuck her tongue out, "I like my name and I'm not short my Dad says I'm perfectly proportioned for when I get older and evolutionary practical during a nuclear winter." She stated seriously.

Sky gave a wobbly smile, "Um, y-you bet?"

Outside Optimus looked on contently, "See she's fine, she took it in her stride and she had her mature friend looking out for her, now can we please, please leave?"

Optimus sighed, "I know she is. Just the incident with Thrust, I wanted to see how she really was coping. When she expresses herself to me it feels, retrained. As though she feels shame in this despite my reassurance." He looked at Epps with wandering optics, "Why must humans have such difficult life stages?"

"It's complicated but I guess in one way to describe us is…well…like going left and right at the same time." Optimus merely blinked numerous times in an effort to process that statement. "Welcome to Earth." Epps shrugged. He was then silent for a moment, his face frowned as if he felt something bite the back of his neck but found it to only be a small itch "Has it landed?" he said clearly speaking to someone through his earpiece, "Well isn't that the way…makes sense." He shut it off. "They've picked up a foreign object entering our atmosphere, it's large."

"Then we need to return to base." Optimus said.

"That's the thing, we're actually the closest to its estimated landing range. Five clicks that way" he said pointing into the fields. "Hey, want to make some crop circles? Screw with some crazy cultists?"

Optimus started to walk stepping over a shed and then the fence that led into the field, "Perhaps you should remain here."

"After watching paint dry I think I'd rather do this, but, I have to go. They will want a human witness this to report for later." He said. "I'm armed but it's a pea shooter in comparison to what I normally bring for the occasion. Just watch the skies, and don't worry about me falling off or anything you can run if you want."

"Are you, sure?"

"Very sure." He looked at his antenna. "But, just to be sure I'll just, hold onto this bad boy." He said wrapping his arms around the upper part.

The field was vast, open, somewhat intimidating with the whistling wind blowing through the blazed dry long grass, eventually they reached the location, an escape pod, the ground around it was singed, there was flames but had subsided. From the look of the area it had been burning a while.

Optimus checked the area, being cautiously armed as he checked the pod, "Empty." He noted. "Remain vigilant, they may still be near." He warned.

"Which factor? Decepticon?"

"From mere observation alone that remains, inconclusive."

"A simple 'I don't know' would've done." Epps said quietly searching the area for any trails.

Then to a small cluster of trees in the distance came a loud cracking sound, like someone had just stepped on the thick bark of tree, "Huh." Epps breathed taking out his weapon, "If a tree falls in a forest…" he mused.

Optimus motioned a wavered hand to him, "I know you are prideful Epps however I must insist you stay close behind me."

"Pfft."

Scouting forward and slightly hunched over Optimus held his blaster out while taking careful steps towards the sound. "I am Optimus Prime, reveal yourself whoever you are, we intend no hostile actions at this time we simply ask for your cooperation be you Autobot, Decepticon or civilian of Cybertron."

Silence…then. "Well, if they didn't shoot you by the time you finished, maybe their cool."

Approaching closer he lifted his weapon up, "I will ask once more, then we will use force."

Then suddenly and very casually a robotic form seemed to glide out from behind a row of trees brushing his arms off then waving them in the air, "Whoa, whoa. Is this how you greet Bots now Prime?" he said.

Optimus' optics flickered looking him up and down and then approaching him steadfast. "Jazz?"

"Jazz?" Epps repeated with a screwed up face.

"You have a problem with my name little…flesh dude?" Jazz replied in a non-malicious tone.

"Jazz my old friend you are alright." Optimus fondly expressed as the two bots took a firm hold on each other's forearms in greeting.

"I'm fine and kicking ol' buddy, you must have been worried, you're squeezing my arm that hard I can't feel the Energon that flows through it, ease up will ya."

Optimus immediately let go, "My apologise." He lightly expressed, "The ship you were on, we were told that it had been shot down, and that none survived."

"Well that's War for ya, ain't got time to exactly double check your sources, only to keep on moving."

"It is good to see you, you look well and fully functional." He expressed.

"You too Prime, your lookin'…the same, since I last saw you." He said looking around. "What a cool looking place, I like the flexible feel of this planet." He knelt looking at the crops, "and rhythm too, the way everything bends, moves so loosely and is unpredictable." He then looked at Epps. "So, what 'bizarre' name are they calling you guys?"

"Epps, Robert Epps." He said.

"Eppsrobertepps huh? Strange name for a race if I ever heard one."

"That is his unique designation Jazz. This planet holds many species but his are known as humans."

"…Well, this has put me in an uncomfortable place." Jazz expressed. "Rewind, hey there human uniquely known as Epps Robert Epps."

"Just Epps is fine."

"Yeah, sure. Names Jazz."

"Yeah, I know. One question though, did y'all use a name generator to get your names or are these legitimate Cybertronian names? Bumblebee, Jazz."

Jazz blinked glancing over his question, "Anyway I heard your message, you won me over with 'rich with Energon' and thought I'd swing by, being a loner didn't really suit me anyway I'm a very sociable group loving bot."

"We need to get out of here before we're discovered, I'll contact base to clear this area." Epps said.

"The Decepticons may arrive in this area as well."

They were on the road as Optimus slowed down to a dirt track, "Things turned out fine in the end." Epps said.

"Hmm." Optimus murmured.

"Pardon? I didn't happen to cause any trouble when entering this atmosphere did I?" Jazz mused.

"Long story old friend, it was mere coincidence that we were in the area." He said looking over his native vehicle form, "We will need to find a more suitable vehicle form for you Jazz."

"No offense Prime but I hope there's more variety than what your showing." He commented.

A few miles down the road, Optimus' comm link suddenly opened, "Dad?" came Ellen's voice trembling and sounding upset.

"Ellen? Is everything alright?"

"N-No, I wanna come home."

"Are you sure?"

"Yes."

"Very well, I will be there shortly."

"Sargent, I am afraid I must turn back."

"Ellen wants to come home huh?"

"Yes."

"First sleepovers are like that, I should know I rang my Mom up when I wet my pants." He stared intensely, "Now that's between us alright, when I'm talking to you I feel like I'm talking to my dog."

"I am…honoured that you can confide in me Sergeant, from what I know your canine are looked on as members of your unit and highly regarded."

"…Y-eah, you know I was semi-mocking you then." He replied awkwardly.

"I turned it in my favour." He said knowingly. "May I leave you and Jazz to find a suitable vehicular mode?" he said pulling into a ditch.

"Doesn't look like I have much choice." He said stepping out of his cab.

"…Hello? I'm still here too y'know, mind sharing the hand over?" Jazz commented. "What are you going back for?"

"He's going to back to pick up another human." Epps said.

"Oh." Jazz said casually. "What? We running a travel service now?"

"Return to base if I have not caught up in time." Optimus said transforming as he drove back.

"Huh. Well nice talkin' to you too." Jazz said to no one.

Back at the property Optimus activated his holoform as he went towards the door, he looked the door over, looking at a button on the side of the door and the base of the door itself, he curiously pushed it as it produced a high pitched ring, he tilted his head, "An attracting pitch." He commented as with mere moments he decided to press it again…and again. Maybe because they didn't respond in moments or that he just wanted to listen to the sound again was anyone's guess.

Then someone opened the door, a man who had a slight disgruntled look on his face as Optimus straightened his posture. "I am here to collect my designated human...that is, my daughter I mean."

He was about to say something until Ellen sprinted past him, "You didn't call me 'the girl' this time." She said excitably. The man merely looked at them both oddly, he also glanced at his phone to confirm Optimus' identity just to be sure.

"She's been…restless, she might've had a bad dream, my wife was comforting her but then she started criticising the way she spoke and said she wanted to go home."

Ellen grabbed his arm, "Has this been troubling for you?" he asked.

"No-no its fine. We have a few kids ourselves." He looked past him observing the truck, "Nice."

"We should be going now, thank you for your hospitality."

"No problem, she should come over more often its lambing season and she could help out with our sheep."

Ellen looked bright, "Can I Optimus?"

"I will consider it." He said nodding as he turned around, without any gesture towards the man he left in a way 'hanging'. "Did everything go well for you tonight?"

"Yeah it was fine, but then we went to sleep and I…didn't like the house it smelt funny."

"An unusual environment." He said.

"Yeah…" she said taking hold of his fingers, "Dad can we play chess when we get home?"

He strained his optics as a look of realisation appeared on his holoforms face, "It is 0246." He acknowledged surprised.

"I'm buzzing." She said.

"Then we should have a medic examine you."

She giggled, "You're funny Dad."

"Why?" he shook his head. "At the very least, as you are very much awake, I would encourage that you acquaint yourself with our new arrival."

"New arrival?"

"An Autobot, an old, dear friend of mine."

"…isn't Ratchet that too?" she said worried that they would bare the same temperament as Ratchet too.

"Ellen, you say that about every comrade of mine." He humoured, "Just be aware in the future that not everyone will 'appreciate' your social techniques."

"So what are they like?"

"You can analyse that for yourself when we return home." He deactivated his holoform. Ellen got into his cab.

Arriving at base. Ellen got out as they both walked in there the whole bot group was there chattering way and laughing, one particular bot being the host it seemed, "So then, I said, hey wait if that was his cadulen then where did I put his carpustronos?" saying this the whole room was laughing again.

Jazz turned as the others gave attention to Optimus entering, "Hey Prime, I was just telling the gang about my travels."

"That is a tempting offer Jazz, however I must ask if you found anything to be of importance, strange anomalies, and supplies for example."

He stepped away from the group, "Now that you mention it, I did. But I was going to tell you to avoid, fear among the mass if you know what I mean."

He looked down, "Ellen could you stand with Bumblebee."

Jazz cocked an eyebrow until he looked down and back Optimus and his optics glowed, "Say now, so you're the human pick up." He said poking her in the forehead as she rubbed it frowning. "You're all funny looking, but you, your kinda sweet, still funny looking but sweet. But hey, that's probably because of how extra small you are." He humoured. "You have a name?"

Ellen turned all shy suddenly looking at her feet, "I-I'm sweet…n-no i-I'm not I'm…I'm…"

"You are Ellen." Optimus said.

"E-Ellen." She repeated.

"Exotic." Jazz looked at Optimus. "So what's the arrangement here?"

"Humans usually live in groups, family units, sometimes as mated pairs, sometimes that plus offspring. Due to circumstance, I take care of her now."

"Well now, that's real sweet of you."

"I think Dads doing fine, he reads me stories, and he lets me stay with him in his berth when I get scared, he tries to help me with my socks when they get stuck but-"

"Ellen." Optimus started.

"When he throws me in the air really high and catches me, that's the best because the other moms and dads can't do that, he has an answer for everything even though I don't really get what he's saying-"

"Ellen…I realise you are overstimulated and fond to tell Jazz of all you know, but there will be time for such things later. Go to our quarters I will be with you momentary."

"Y-es D-ad." She moped.

"Reading stories, playing catch, you're really trying hard aren't you?" He said in a genuine tone. "If she needed protection I'd thought you put her in the protection of the other bots, not yourself. I mean with your position and everything."

"A discussion for another time. Now, what have you found?" he asked grimly.

Jazz' expression fell, "Well…"

A/N Its been a while, I'm a little rusty, so please, grant me mercy :P and gosh darn it me why do I always write WAY too many words -_-' on a serious note if there is any suggestions for any issues you'd like me to tackle regarding small tiny human child living with giant robot warriors please don't hesitate to do so, (I have been writing a draft up of a court hearing though which I think is an interesting concept If I pull it off right that is :S so please R + R and forgive any mistakes I've made Thank you.