Protector pt I

Ironhide had been sitting outside Sam's High School for almost seven hours now and the weapons specialist didn't know how much more torture he could take. Sure Bumblebee was there with him but its not like the two of them could talk or anything. Optimus had instructed Ironhide to accompany Bumblebee to Sam's school for awhile, until they were sure that the Decepticon's wouldn't target it. It was day one and Ironhide already hated it.

When the final bell rang he thought he was going to die of joy. Moments later Sam was emerging from the brick building with a girl. It wasn't Mikaela, she was on a trip with her parents. This girl had chin length light brown hair, deep blue eyes and came up to Sam's shoulder. Sam said something to her and she laughed and punched him in the arm playfully.

"I'll see you later Kory," he said as he waved to his friend. She waved back and sat down in the grass, her back against the sun warmed bricks. Sam took off his backpack and sat it in the seat beside him as he got in. Bee started his engine and started to pull out. Ironhide was just about to follow him when his audio sensors picked up raised voices.

"Give it back Trent!" A female voice yelled angrily.

"Uh, no," a male voice replied followed by laughter. Looking back at the school he saw the female know as Kory trying to get a notebook back, which the male knows as Trent was holding above his head teasingly. His engine rumbled lowly. Just as he was about to transform Bee's scratchy voice came over his communicator.

"Ironhide you know we can't transform in public!" The younger Autobot said. Then he got an idea. Parking as close as he could to the school, he concentrated and used his hologram, if you could even call it that. It wasn't like the earth holograms. This was as real as anything else. He could feel and touch everything.

Getting out of his car mode, he stormed up behind the blond one called Trent and snatched the notebook from his hand.

"What the-?" Trent yelled angrily as he turned around to see who dared to cross him. Ironhide committed the look of pure fear on the boys face to memory. The boys that followed Trent quickly withdrew from the older man that was standing in front of them.

Ironhide would never admit it to anyone but himself, but he did enjoy his human form and reactions that he got from most people. His hair, which was as black as his armor, was cut so he had bangs that hung in front of his ice blue eyes. At his full height he stood around 6'7" and had the body of a 39 year old weight lifter. The most distinguishing thing on his human form was the scar that ran from above his left eyebrow, across his nose and ended below his right eye.

Once the annoying boys were gone he looked down at the female known as Kory and handed her back her notebook.

"Thanks," she said softly as she clutched the book to her chest and looked at the ground. Ironhide then had the tremendous urge to brush back the strands of hair that has fallen in front of her deep blue eyes. It was only when he found those eyes gazing into his ice blue ones that he realized that he had acted on it. Noticing the red on the younger females face he couldn't help but grin. However, that grin quickly faded when he saw a bruise forming on her left cheek, no doubt from Trent or one of his followers. He reached out to touch it but Kory pulled away.

"I gotta go," she said as she turned and started to walk away. She was stopped by a strong hand wrapping itself loosely around her wrist.

"You should put some ice on that," he said softly, his eyes not leaving hers. Kory opened her mouth to protest but ended up nodding in agreement.

Once he helped the young woman into his car he started the engine and headed to Sam's house.

"You know Sam?" She asked suddenly. Ironhide was caught a bit off guard by this question and gave her a confused look.

"Why do you ask?" He inquired, curious as to how she guessed such a thing.

"Well, I saw your car parked beside his when we got out today," she said looking at her hands in her lap. "So I just assumed." The weapons specialist grinned at this. Clever girl, he thought.

"Yes I do know Sam," he replied as he turned into said boy's neighborhood. It was Friday so Ironhide knew that Sam's parents wouldn't be home. Pulling up to the curb he got out and helped Kory down from his, rather high sitting, car form.

Ironhide knocked on the door and heard Sam come stumbling down the stairs. Kory heard this as well and smiled slightly. The savior of earth opened the door and looked at the two of them a bit confused. Sam had never seen Ironhide's human hologram, more or less knew that they had one.

"Hey Sam," Kory said smiling brightly. Sam looked at Kory and instantly noticed the forming bruise on her cheek.

"Oh my god what happened?!" He said worriedly as he pulled her inside and dragged her into the kitchen to get some ice for her cheek. Ironhide couldn't help but laugh slightly at how fast the young boy was moving. Sam heard this and narrowed his dark brown eyes at the stranger in his living room. Telling Kory that he would be right back, he strode into the living room and glared at him.

"What is so damn funny," he hissed, not wanting his friend to hear. Ironhide grinned.

"The fact that I've never seen you move that fast unless it's from death," he replied coolly. Then instant he said that Sam's eyes went wide.

"Ironhide?!" He said in disbelief. The Autobot simply smiled back in silent response. Before Sam could say anything, Kory emerged from the kitchen holding Mojo in one hand. Ironhide narrowed his eyes at the small dog that had 'leaked lubricant" on his foot. Sam saw the look on Ironhide's face and smiled slightly, knowing very well what the arms specialist was remembering. Kory didn't seem to notice this and sat down beside her long time friend.

"I never got your name," she said looking up at the hologram.

"Ironhide," he answered, not thinking about taking a more human name.

"It's his nickname," Sam quickly interjected. Kory laughed softly at this and continued to pet Mojo.

"It fits you," she said simply.