Disclaimer: All Transformers characters belong to Hasbro. Any made up characters were created by me.

Summery: (AU; G1) Prowl once trusted the humans long ago. But with the death of Optimus Prime and the remaining Autobots long ago, Prowl started a hatred of humans. Prowl even started to hate himself cause he believed it was his fault he became the last Autobot left functioning.

AN: Gadget, Melissa, and SpeedDemon belong to my friend Hikarigirl18 who help me with some of this fic.

blah – thinking
'blah' – Comm. Specking

The Lone Sentinel
by Yami-Yugi

Chapter 6

It wasn't long until she found her friends. "Hey guys!" she said honking her horn at them.

"Gadget?" Bumblebee started "What's going on?"

"Come on back to base and I'll show ya!" she smiled.

"Gadget? What's got you so excited?" Melissa asked curiously going over to her. "Someone's feeling better and I've got a new friend to show you. Climb on in," she smiled opening her driver side door for Melissa. She shrugged her shoulders at Spike and climbed in. Spike got into Bumblebee and the four of them drove back to base.

Meanwhile, a certain figure slowly awoke again. She slowly climbed off the examination table. "Made it…" She stumbled around for the door but something pulled at her chest, not letting her go any further. She growled at the incumbent spark charger and pulled at the minute cord until it broke. She tried to close her compartment as best she could with the glass tube still encasing her spark. Silent alarms rang out as the Cybertronian quietly escaped. She looked around and fully realized how big the base was. She made sure the coast was clear before heading in a direction.

She was quickly made aware of power loss. Her spark slowly started to dwindle, no longer receiving energy from its charging source. "Primus…damnit… Seems that inventor femme was right…" She stood still for a moment and tried to save her strength. It worked slightly so she continued on. "Now to get the heck out of here and get that scrap pile that killed my friends and destroyed my life…" She headed out to the exit. She passed the Med Bay on the way.

SnowCat looked up as she saw a weak form pass by. She shook it off for a moment and finished with Prowl. "Alright, Prowl. You're back to 100 percent," she smiled.

"Great. Thanks a lot SnowCat," he replied as he got off the table. "Now to find Gadget and Bee."

"Gadget left to go find him. They should be on their way."

"Really?"
"That's what Rodimus told me."

"Oh…"
"…I-I'll be…a d-damn…useless…C-cyber-tronian… m-multi-wrench…"

"What was that?" Prowl asked as he left the med bay.
"Sounded like cursing from someone in great pain," replied SnowCat.

"Let's check it out." SnowCat nodded and both her and Prowl followed the weakly cursing voice.

"Wh-who are-…?"

"It's the femme Cybertronian Gadget saved. Little One…what are you doing all the way down this hall?"

"…I-I'm…n-not…a…w-weakling…spark-ling…you can…patron…ize…" she spat.

"You're a feisty one…" Prowl almost laughed.

"D-don't…l-laugh at me…you…overgrown…cop car…!"

"Hey now…"

"Easy youngling… We don't want to hurt you or anything. You're hurt and you need to get back to Gadget's lab."

"S-stay away from me! All I need is to KILL THRUST!"

"Whoa! You're in no condition to go fight the Decepticons. They'd cream you as soon as they saw you."

"Shut Up! H-how…would you…know!"

"Calm down. We're just-…"

"Stay away and l-let me…go!" She backed away towards the end of the hall. Prowl and SnowCat slowly neared her, backing her into the corner.

"We just want to help," SnowCat said gently as she extended her hand. She backed up as far as she could go. She grew scared and panicky as she realized she was trapped. It grew worse as her spark started to go out. She started to cry and shake, while weakly scooting away down the other hall.

"What's all the commotion?" Rodimus asked as he came up. His big, leadership size scared the small Cybertronian even more. She curled up into a hysteric ball.

"…L-leave…m-me…a-…alone!"

"Prowl! You're all better," Gadget smiled. "What's…everyone staring at?" Gadget immediately caught sight of what, or rather who it was. "EVERYBODY MOVE!" she boomed, pushing past Rodimus and SnowCat. She took the very frightened Cybertronian into her arms and walked past without another word. Melissa, Bumblebee, and Spike were confused.

"What was that about?" Bumblebee asked, never having seen Gadget act like that.

"…I don't know…" Spike said, staring at the spot where the Cybertronian had been.

"…W-was…was that…a Cybertronian?" Melissa asked excitedly.

"Yes," answered Rodimus. "She was. I think it's best to leave Gadget alone."

"But-…" Melissa asked.

"Rodimus is right," said SnowCat. "She needs to tend to the youngling."

"So, that was the 'new friend' she was talking about," said Bumblebee.

"So…she rebuilt a Cybertronian?" Prowl asked.

"Yes," said SnowCat. "While looking for parts to help you, she found a barely surviving spark inside an almost demolished torso. I hope she's alright."

"…Me too. I might have scared her."

"Me as well," replied Rodimus.

"Wow… You have a cool Autobot for a car, Melissa," said Spike.

"Hey!"

"Sorry Bee…" Melissa just smiled at said Autobot. He smiled back, knowing Spike didn't really mean any offense to him.

"Spike…" Prowl started finally realizing the human there.

"Hey Prowl. I'm glad you're better. I was worried for a while."

"But not as worried as Bee," Melissa smiled. Prowl just laughed a bit.

"So…it really is you Spike?"

"Yeah…I uh, kinda grew up?"

"…Yeah…I…I forgot. Humans grow older as they age. I…I'm sorry I shot at you, Spike. Forgive me?" Prowl said bending down to his height.

"…Of course, Prowl." The bigger bot smiled and pat Spike on the head. Melissa just giggled.

"You, I'm not so sure about." Melissa immediately grew scared.

"…O-okay…" She gulped as an energon gun was pointed towards her.

"Prowl, don't scare the girl. She IS Gadget's human partner." The gun got inches in front of Melissa's face, she got down to her knees and covered her head.

"Prowl! Don't shoot her! She's my friend too!"

"Prowl!" Both Bumblebee and Spike shouted. Prowl gave one last look at the frightened girl and laughed out right. He put his gun away and extended his hand. Melissa loosened up and looked up at him.

"The only humans who were scared of me, were one's that never meant me any harm. I'm sorry."

"…Oh thank Ra…" she sighed heavily. "Is it…okay if I…?" she asked, nearing his hand.

"Of course," he smiled. She smiled and climbed up onto his hand. She screamed as he lifted her up, but immediately calmed.

"Wow! I've never been this high on an Autobot before. You must be twice the size of Gadget!" SnowCat, Rodimus, and Bumblebee couldn't help but laugh.

"Well, I'm going to go back to the main room to make sure there aren't any Decepticons. Prowl, Snow, why don't you and Bee show our human friends around."

"Right. Gotta leave Gadget alone," said Bumblebee.

"You must be Rodimus. I've heard so much about you. I heard all the stories…about how he died…I would have liked to have met Optimus…" she said, growing very sad.

"…Yeah… He was a great guy…" Spike said.

"I feel bad for you guys… If only I had gotten Gadget a decade sooner! Then I could have been there to help!" she said, falling silent and reverent.

"It's alright, Melissa," said Bumblebee. "…You…didn't know…" She hung her head still.

"Melissa, I'm Rodimus Prime, Optimus's successor. I was originally Hot Rod until Prime made me the new Prime. If I had known he had to die to…" Rodimus sighed. "That's in the past. He's watching us from the Great Spark now. I must be getting to my duties." With that, he left.

"So…how about the grand tour, Melissa?" Bumblebee asked lightening up. She smiled and the five of them headed off down the hall.

In Gadget's lab, she was trying to get the Cybertronian to come to her. Said Cybertronian was huddled in the corner, frightened and weak. "Take it easy, I won't hurt you," she said slowly nearing her. She made double sure all tools and weapons were put away out of sight and out of harms way. She even covered the exam table with pillows and blankets to make it more like a bed. "Come on now, little one. I just want to help. We can go kick some Decepticon can once you're better, okay?"

"L-leave me…a-alone… S-stay…away…" she shook and sobbed, her spark almost going out.

"What's your name so I don't have to keep babying you?"

"…Wh-why s-should I…t-tell you…?"

"Do you WANT me to keep calling you little and young?"

"… I-it's Sp-Speed… Sp-Speed D-De-mon…"

"Thata girl," Gadget smiled, a few feet in front of her. She knelt down to the Cybertronian's height and slowly inched closer. SpeedDemon still cowered away, shaking and sobbing in three second intervals as her spark slowly faded. "Now, you have to trust me Speed. If I don't reconnect the charger, you'll die. I know you don't want that." There was a weak nod and Gadget took that as a yes. She stood for a moment and took the severed cord of the charger and a wire welder. She knelt back down and got inches in front of SpeedDemon. "Okay, I'm going to reconnect it now. I swear on my own spark I'm not going to touch you." There was another slower, weak nod and SpeedDemon weakly opened her spark compartment to allow Gadget access to the glass tube. She smiled and carefully fixed the wire. SpeedDemon jumped a bit as the energy of the charger returned and brought her spark back to how it was before her attempted escape. "There, there, easy now, Speed." Gadget slid the wire welder across the floor to the other side of the room. She got as close as possible and wrapped her bigger bot arms around the scared Cybertronian.

SpeedDemon broke into a fit of sobs, latching tightly onto the new source of comfort. She let all her emotions from all her life stream pour out in that moment. The last time anyone showed her this much affection was her mother. She was a newborn sparkling then and she could barely remember. "Sssshhh, it's alright… No one's going to hurt you anymore. Ssshhh, it's alright, Speed. Gadget's going to make everything alright." SpeedDemon nuzzled against her, crying her optics out. "It's alright, Speed, it's alright," Gadget whispered softly as she took SpeedDemon into her arms and carried her over to the table-made-bed. She carefully propped it up into more of a chair and gently sat down on it with SpeedDemon in her lap. She grabbed a blanket and wrapped it around the slowly calming Cybertronian. "It's alright…It's alright. You're safe Speed, I promise. Hush now, you'll be alright…" Gadget spoke softly, not knowing she was drifting into her native tongue.

Melissa, who had split up from the gang after the tour to check on Gadget, heard the computer speech and went to check it out. She slowly and carefully opened the lab door as the computer speech got louder. What really got her attention, was that the computer speech wasn't harsh and electronic, it was almost melodic. Gadget? She thought to herself as she poked her head in. She smiled and tried to stifle an "Awww!". She looks like a momma and her sparkling… Melissa decided to leave well enough alone. Gadget would introduce the Cybertronian when the time was right. So that's what Cybertronian sounds like? Melissa shrugged the question off and left with one last smile at Gadget and SpeedDemon.

Gadget smiled to herself. Curiosity will kill the human next time…she thought. She knew Melissa was just worried and would leave things alone now that she knew what was going on. "Sleep now Speed. You'll be better tomorrow. Sleep now and rest you're your circuits." There was a weak nod as red optics finally closed in sleep. Gadget smiled and carefully got up from the table. She gently laid SpeedDemon back down and made sure she was covered warmly. "Goodnight, Speed." Gadget locked the lab door with a "DO NOT DISTURB! Or I Will Personally Rip Out Your Spark" sign on it. She turned on a private communication link made especially for SpeedDemon so that if the Cybertronian needed something, she'd know. She walked down the hall to meet up with her friends for a much needed explanation about the new addition to the team.

At Decepticon headquarters: "Megatron, energy source detected," reported Soundwave.

"What is it and where?"

"Highly concentrated energon. Autobot headquarters."

"Autobot Headquarters?" Megatron questioned curiously.

"Yes," replied Soundwave.

"Then, we should go investigate and get this source for ourselves."

"How do we know this isn't some trap or something?" whined Starscream.

"Be quiet! The least we can do is investigate. If you still doubt me and Soundwave's readings, then you can personally eliminate every last Autobot there."

"That part of the plan I like."

"Decepticons, to the Autobot base!"

"Alert, Decepticons detected."

"Teletran, can you tell me how close they are?"

"They are headed toward base, Rodimus Prime sir."

"Oh no… Gadget just left with Bumblebee, Prowl, Melissa, and Spike."

"Should I open communications?"

"No. Prowl needs this time to reunite with his friends and our human friends. If we need backup, then I'll call them. SnowCat and all other Autobots, report in!" In a flash, SnowCat and Rodimus's team gathered in the main room.

"What is it Prime sir?" asked Long-Range.

"Is it the Decepticons?" growled another one.

"Prime sir, what do they want?" SnowCat asked worried.

"I don't know. Everyone take your positions and prepare for battle. Don't fire until I give the orders." Everyone nodded.

"Decepticons, spread out! Starscream, you lead the attack. Soundwave, come with me."

"Be careful everyone, they're here!"

"Attack!" cried Starscream.

"Fire back!" cried Rodimus. "What do you want, Megatron?" he growled with utmost hatred.

"…I'm surprised there are so many of you left," he laughed. "No matter, you won't last."

"I know you didn't come here just to taunt us," Rodimus seethed.

"You have much anger towards me. You cannot defeat me so save your breath. There's no use trying to avenge your leader's death…"

"Don't you bring up Optimus with me! He died valiantly trying to save you! Or at least defeat you!"

"Ha ha ha, I struck a nerve."

"If you didn't come to fight then leave my base!"

"I came in search of something. Soundwave, dispatch Ravage and Frenzy and follow them. Seems I have some unfinished business."

"Bring it on!" shouted Rodimus as he fired his weapon.

SpeedDemon slowly awoke with an ominous feeling in her spark. She was irked, but she didn't know why. She slowly sat up on the table and pulled the blanket down. She looked down at her spark protected in the glass tube of the charger. She looked over at the computer screen. It said she was at 60 percent complete. "Gadget… Gadget where are you? Something's not right… Can you hear me?" When she didn't answer SpeedDemon grew worried. She slowly got up from the table and walked around the room. She couldn't get too far without slightly pulling on the wire that connected her to the energon crystal power source. There was an angry roar and growl as a familiar cat busted into the room.

"Looks like we found what we were looking for."

"Energy source located. Attempting to retrieve."

"Decepticons! Get out of here! You shouldn't be here!"

"Quiet you little sparkling!" cried Frenzy.

"Ravage, attack!" ordered Soundwave as he walked over to the charger source. SpeedDemon cried as Ravage pinned her to the ground.

"Get off you overgrown kitty!" Ravage just growled.

"Highly concentrated Energon crystal. Frenzy, disconnect."

"NO! Don't! I need- AAAAEEEEEEEEEAAAHHHH!" she screamed as Ravage tore off her spark compartment door and started to chew at the glass case of her spark.

"THE Cybertronian!" exclaimed SnowCat as she heard the frightened scream of the Cybertronian. She didn't wait for orders but ran to Gadget's lab.

"YOU! Step away from her!" she cried, slashing at Soundwave and Frenzy with her twin swords. She left pretty good slash marks on them.

"Energy source unattainable. Retreat. Ravage return." Ravage and Frenzy returned to their cassette forms and went back inside Soundwave.

"GET BACK HERE!" screamed SnowCat as she tried to slash at him again. He was too fast so she turned to SpeedDemon crying weakly on the floor. "Youngling…are you alright?" she said, kneeling next to her. She just shook her head. SnowCat gently took her into her arms and checked her over. "You need medical attention and this wire fixed."

"G-gadget…Gadget… Wh-where…Gadget…"

"She's not here right now, Youngling. She's out of reach. What's your name?"

"…"

"…You'll just have to trust me. Gadget knows me very well. I'm also the only medical officer here."

"… S-Speed…SpeedDemon…"

"Alright Speed, will you trust me enough to let me help you?"She moaned and growled as her back arched from great pain. She weakly nodded her head, breaking into sobs. "There, there, Speed. It's alright." SnowCat carefully reached up to the table to get the wire welder and a few other things before sitting back down on the floor. She carefully pulled SpeedDemon into her lap. "Are you comfortable, Speed?"

"…J-just…m-make…the pain…st-stop…"

"I will. I'll be as gentle as I can. Do you want me to keep talking in Cybertronian?"

"…Pl-please…" SnowCat smiled solemnly and quickly, yet carefully repaired the spark charger first.

"If you want, you can go to sleep while I work. The charger should finish soon."

"…Y-you're…really nice…Sn-Snow…"

"Thank you, Speed. You should rest now."

"…I-I can't… I-I'm scared…"

"Do you not know who those bots where and why they hurt you?"

"…N-no…I know…what they…are… Th-they…are…th-the Primus Damned…s-scum…of Cyber…tron… Th-they…de-stroyed…my life…"

"Ah, I see. Are you afraid you cannot defeat them? Afraid they will take Gadget and this planet from you too?"SpeedDemon nodded weakly, weakly cuddling against SnowCat. She nuzzled against her chest, letting out a sob.

"D-D-Damn DECEPTICONS!" she screamed, screeching out shrilly with a high pitched whine.

"Speed, you must calm down. Another disrupter scream like that will alert the other Decepticons. We can't have them doing anymore damage. As it is, Gadget is going to blow Megatron to pieces for attacking you."

"What's going on?" Long-Range yelled coming in. "I heard a Cybertronian disrupter screech."

"It's the Cybertronian. Her name is SpeedDemon and she's Gadget's new friend she rebuilt."

"Wh-who are you! G-get…away…! L-leave me…alone!"

"Relax, Speed. This is another of Gadget's old friends. He won't hurt you." SpeedDemon's shivering stopped a bit and she calmed down a little.

"Well I'll be… Seems she doesn't trust just anyone."

"No. It's better if you leave and get the Decepticons away from here. I need to tend to her." Long-Range nodded.

"I'll go tell Rodimus what's up and radio to Gadget. Sounds like Little Red is the only one Speed will trust." SnowCat nodded.

"It's alright, Speed. He's going to get Gadget here. Everything will be alright, youngling."

"…O-okay… A-are…you…almost…d-done...?"

"…Almost. You're compartment door is…done,"SnowCat smiled as she finished fixing it. "You're at 70 percent. Should I just lay you back down on the table to rest?"

"…S-Snow…? C-could…you…stay? J-just…until…G-Gadget gets…back…?"

"You want me to stay Speed?"

"…U-until…Gadget…gets…here…"

"Alright. I'll stay with you."

"Th-thanks…Snow…y-you…you're the…only…other one…I…trust…" SnowCat just smiled and gently took SpeedDemon into her arms, tucking her in warmly on the table. SpeedDemon tried to fight sleep but her optics eventually closed. SnowCat smiled and watched her rest.

"When you want something done, do it yourself."

"It must be heavily guarded or they would have been able to get it."

"BE QUIET STARSCREAM!" SnowCat's spark jerked and her face fell as she heard the familiar but most unwanted voices of Megatron and Starscream.

"…Oh no…" She welded the door shut with the wire welder and stood guard.

"Sn-Snow…? Is…everything…alright?"

"Ssshhh, just rest, Speed. It's going to be alright. Don't worry."

"I can't get into the room!"

"Then shoot down the door you idiot!"

"I'm not an idiot!" Starscream replied shooting the door open. SpeedDemon woke up and cowered under the blankets. She shook in fear. She had no weapons and Gadget wasn't there.

"LEAVE! YOU WILL NOT GET WHAT YOU WANT!"

"Yes I will!" Megatron said firing. SnowCat blocked the blast with her two swords. Starscream took the opportunity to go over to the charger. He slowly and carefully started disconnecting the energon crystal from the power source.

"I almost have it Megatron. It's a very highly concentrated and powerful energon crystal."

"Good. Help me with this weakling of a femme, when you're done."

"I'm NOT WEAK!" SnowCat made a good sized slash in Megatron's side.

"You'll pay fo-"

"NO, YOU WILL!" screamed a familiar voice as Starscream and Megatron were shot with an energon laser shot.

"Ow! It's you! The red GIRL that beat Thundercracker!"

"You beat it is!"

"There's us too!" said Prowl and Bumblebee at the same time as two more blasts were fired.

"Forget the power source!"

"Right!" Starscream and Megatron ran off with threats from all four Autobots. Gadget pushed past and rushed to the very frightened lump in the blankets.

"…Speed? SpeedDemon…?" Gadget asked gently, putting her hand on the frightened lump of the femme Cybertronian. The lump moved into a lying on its side position, nuzzling against the hand that held it. Gadget carefully took the lump into her arms and held it against her. "Ssshhh, it's alright Speed."SnowCat watched solemnly, as did the others. Melissa and Spike came out of hiding.

"Everything okay?" asked Spike.

"Gadget? You okay?" Melissa asked worriedly. "What's that you've got? Is it her?"

"Yes. I need to be alone to calm her down. Then, I'll see if she's comfortable meeting you all."

"What is it?" asked Spike.

"A femme Cybertronian that Gadget rebuilt," answered Bumblebee. "I think she wants us to leave."

"That would be wise," added Prowl "Let's go help Rodimus and the others."

"I…I want to stay. I haven't got to spend much time with you at all in the past view days."

"I've been busy. I'm sorry. Please, go with them."

"Can't I stay, please? Just me, I promise…"

"…Alright…but be mindful. She doesn't know hardly anyone yet. She just knows Snow and I. Don't overwhelm her just yet. "Calm down, SpeedDemon. It's alright…Calm down, Speed…"

"C'mon then," said SnowCat, leading the others away. "We'll meet her when she feels safer." The others followed, no questions asked.

"Sssshhh…They're gone now, Speed. It's alright…You're safe now, I'm here."

"Gadget…?"

"Hmm?"

"Wh-why are you speaking in Cybertronian?"

"Because it makes her feel safe. It's a native language that she understands."

"Oh. So, are Cybertronians always that small?"

"Remember what I explained to you? Not all Cybertronian robots are human sized. SpeedDemon just happens to be one of the smaller mini-bots." Gadget closed and locked her lab door, turning on the lights.

"Primus! Those sons of Unicron…"

"You want me to help you clean it up?"

"Not right now. After I get SpeedDemon calmed down." Melissa found a place to sit and sat quietly as Gadget tended to the still shaking and sobbing lump of blankets. She checked the computer and was happy to find that SpeedDemon was completely charged and 100 percent. She undid the blankets and carefully laid her down. "I'm going to take out the charger now, Speed. Try and relax for me." She carefully unhooked the wire, throwing the cord aside. Then, she carefully unhooked the glass tube and slowly took it out, letting SpeedDemon's spark pulse freely in its compartment. She gently closed the compartment door and tucked Speed in more warmly. "There now. If you still want to rest you can."Melissa watched curiously smiling at the Cybertronian femme bot. She looked really cool to her. Red optics met blue eyes for a moment, making SpeedDemon pull the blankets up over her head. Gadget looked over at Melissa sternly. She looked down and muttered a "sorry".

"Wh-who's the human…?"

"My close friend and partner, Melissa. She's just curious is all. She won't hurt you. She's a friend of my friends as well."

"…Oh… Sh-she won't hurt me?"

"No.""Melissa, come over here."

"What'd I do?"

"Nothing, just come over."

"Speed won't mind?"

"No, as long as you take it slow." Melissa nodded and slowly walked over, SpeedDemon slowly pulled the covers back down.

Gadget watched patiently as Melissa smiled and slowly extended her hand. "Hi, I'm Melissa Jackson. Gadget is my car and my Autobot friend. I'm her human companion. It's nice to meet you, SpeedDemon."

SpeedDemon slowly sat up and hesitantly took her hand. "H-hello, Melissa. You can call me Speed," she replied shyly.

Gadget smiled. "Well, now that we're acquainted..."

"Y-you're the same size as me," Melissa smiled shyly.

"Yeah...but I'm not little. I can fight and I'm pretty good too."

"I believe you. I just..."

"She's never met an actual Cybertronian in person before. She means no offense." SpeedDemon just nodded.

"So, how long have you known Gadget for?" SpeedDemon asked.

"Three and a half years."

"Wow, you must be close then. I...It must be great to have friends."

"Why do you say that? I want to be your friend too," Melissa smiled.

"Who'd want to be friends with a tomboy street bot like me?"

"Speed...why don't you tell us about yourself and your home planet..."

"It's not my home anymore!"

"Settle down... We...I just want to understand you better."

"Well...I...I..."

"Take your time."

"Yeah. If you don't want to talk about it, you don't have too," Melissa added.

"...No...It's okay...I just..." Gadget went over and sat on the table, pulling SpeedDemon into her lap. Melissa scooted closer to hear. SpeedDemon nuzzled against Gadget and took a deep breath. "It all started when the Cybertronian war reached our city..." When she finished explaining, she was crying. "I h-h-hate them...All of them..."

"Me too," Melissa said slowly putting a hand on her shoulder.

"Ssshhh, it's alright. We hate them too."

"You'll be safe here. And the best part, you get to help Gadget and the other Autobots kick some butt!"

"...Y-you...can bet...I will..." she sniffled, making an angry fist.

"Yeah! We'll get every last one!" Melissa added making her own fist.

Gadget smiled. "Are you alright now, Speed?"

"Y-yeah..." Gadget smiled and pats her on the head before letting go and getting up from the table.

"Hey, Speed, you wanna meet everyone else?" Melissa asked with an excited smile.

"What do you say? You feel like meeting my other friends?"

"...Okay... They'd better not treat me like a little sparkling! SnowCat kinda does, but I like Snow. She was nice."

"That she is. Shall we?" Melissa smiled and helped SpeedDemon off the table and the two followed Gadget out. When she opened her door, Bumblebee and Spike fell over. They had been eavesdropping. SpeedDemon, being startled by this, growled and hid behind Melissa angrily.

"Guys! That was rude!"

"...Sorry...curiosity killed the cat..." said Spike.

"What he said," added Bumblebee.

"How much did you hear?" Gadget asked in a serious tone.

"Ahhhh..."

"...All of it...?" Spike said.

"...-heavy sigh- I thought you had better manners than that, Spike. And Bee? C'mon. I thought I knew YOU better."

"Sorry." the two boys said.

"Its okay, Speed. They're more of our friends. They just have bad manners," Melissa laughed as she turned to the leery Cybertronian behind her. SpeedDemon slowly walked out from behind her, staying close.

"Well...I suppose we should get with the introductions."

"Speed, this is my human friend Spike," Melissa smiled. "The Autobot next to him is our friend Bumblebee, but we always call him Bee." The two smiled and waved at her. She backed away shyly.

Gadget went over and gave her a gentle push forward. "Go on, it's okay. I trust them and so does Melissa."

"It's okay. Take it slow if you have to," Melissa smiled. SpeedDemon slowly looked up at the two boys.

"I promise, I'm as harmless as a newborn sparkling."

"I can vouch for that," said Spike. SpeedDemon took another step, getting right in front of them. She was just out of her comfort range. She shyly waved and extended her hand with a shy smile. Bumblebee and Spike shook it in turn.

"See, Speed? You're among friends here," Gadget smiled. SpeedDemon nodded.

"How about a tour of the base?" asked Melissa.

"Okay," she smiled. She followed Gadget and Melissa as Bumblebee and Spike led the way.

The tour soon reached the main computer room. Most of the other Autobots were there, but especially Rodimus. Speed shied away and clung a bit to Gadget and Melissa. "Hey Rodimus sir." one spoke when he saw them.

"Hey Hot Rod," smiled Bumblebee as they walked over.

"Bee how many times I have to remind you that I'm Rodimus now?"

"Sorry..."

"It's alright Bee."

"I forget too," said Spike. Melissa smiled and waved happily.

"Hi! ^_^"

"Rodimus sir..." Gadget started. She gently pushed a shy SpeedDemon forward.

Rodimus smiled and knelt to SpeedDemon's height. "So you're the Cybertronian." he said gently "I'm sorry if I frighten you before."

She growled defiantly and stared at him. "You don't scare me..."

Prowl laughed a bit from near by. "She got some spunk." he said with a smile.

"What's so funny, overgrown cop car!"

"SpeedDemon! Don't be so rude!"

"Don't patronize me!"

"Hey now...calm down. Rodimus and Prowl don't mean anything..." added Melissa, putting a hand on SpeedDemon's shoulders. Prowl slowly looked away, a small look of sorrow on his face.

SpeedDemon sighed and hid right behind Melissa. "Prowl? What's wrong?" Gadget asked looking up from SpeedDemon and Melissa.

"Prowl?" Bumblebee asked.

"...It's nothing..." Prowl said softly.

Bumblebee went over. "It's something..." he said. Gadget smiled as SpeedDemon slowly peeked out, sensing Prowl's sadness.

"..."

Rodimus slowly went over as well. "...Prowl?"

"...It's nothing..." Prowl said again as he slowly stood up and walk away towards his quarters.

SpeedDemon watched. "Was it something...I said...?"

"No, Speed. Prowl is just...that way sometimes," smiled Gadget. She nodded and came out from behind Melissa. Rodimus sighed and then turned to SpeedDemon.

"I'm Rodimus Prime, the leader of the Autobots here."
"Sp-speed... SpeedDemon, but you can call me Speed," SpeedDemon said shyly.

Rodimus smiled. "It's very nice to meet you, Speed." he said.

She smiled back shyly. "Don't think that just cause yer leader I'm gonna be all nice and poised."

"Speed..." Gadget warned.

"What?"

"You do have a bark worse than your bite," Bumblebee laughed.

SpeedDemon just shrugged. Melissa and Spike couldn't help but laugh. "Well..." started Gadget "I think I'll try and talk to Prowl."

"Me too," said Bumblebee.

"Alright Bee, let's go. Speed, you stay with Spike and Melissa. Stay out of Rodimus's way." She nodded. Gadget smiled and both Autobots left to go see their friend.