A/N I DO NOT OWN TRANSFORMERS! (Although I wish I did) Hahahaha! Finished with High School forever! I am really excited to write something again. It's been way too long since I've written anything other than in English class…. I'm sorry for anybody who's wanted to read more since I last updated but I'm going try REALLY HARD to keep updating! Criticism is always welcome! I would love a beta if anyone wants to be one!

Also, I don't think I've been able to actually give you a visual of Isabel. She has shoulder length brunette hair, about 5' 2'', has bright green emerald eyes, fair skin, and a light brush of freckles over her nose. I've also decided to change the story up a little by making Isabel approximately 24 instead of 15. That's about it for author's notes. If anyone wants to give a crack at drawing Isabel go ahead. In fact, let's make it a contest over the period of the next five chapters. I'll choose the one that fits Isabel best and post it. Have fun!

Desperation

It had been two days since the attack at Diego Garcia and Ratchet was up and running with full functionality. The secondary assault in Russia had been successful and the Decepticon attack thwarted. However, two days had done nothing to Ratchet's temper and his everlasting grudge against Hound's quip about his bedside manner.

A group of humans smirked as Hound trudged across the yard carrying medical supplies while Ratchet happily walked behind whistling a happy tune. Isabel, was sitting on his shoulder and laughing at Ratchet's attempts to keep said tune. "What are you laughing at, squirt?" Ratchet barked.

"Oh nothin', just happy to be accepted. For a while I though you wouldn't care much about me" Isabel replied just barely avoiding the actual subject of her snickering.

"Ha! I didn't think it would work out very well either until that day the base was attacked. I almost got you killed for Primus' sake… I don't think I could have lived with another death on my hands in the last month." Ratchet sighed and hung his head.

"Hey Ratchet! Where do you want me to put these supplies?" Hound yelled.

"Just set them by the console…. no not that one….. that one!" Ratchet yelled. Isabel snickered as Hound wandered around the hangar looking utterly confused until Ratchet stomped over and pointed to his feet next to the consol to which he was referring.

"Geez…. bad temper much…" Hound mumbled as he left the hangar. He received a wrench to the back of the helm in response.

"I Heard That!"

Isabel giggled as Ratchet sighed and mumbled, "Younglings. I swear they'll all be the death of me someday."

"Oh, I'm sure you'll be able to keep their sorry afts out of harm's way." Isabel joked. Ratchet screeched to a halt and shot a questioning look to his charge.

"Who taught you that word? Have you been hanging out with Ironhide?" Isabel gave him an innocent look and a small smile mistakenly crossed her face. Ratchet recognized the trademark smirk that he only saw on one bot. He huffed. "Ironhide!"

(Isabel's POV)

It was later in the afternoon when Bumblebee pulled into base with his charges Sam and Mikaela and I was sooo excited to actually get a chance to interact with them a bit more.

"Hi guys!" I yelled and bounded over to where they were getting out of their bright yellow Camaro friend. "How's everything going?" I knew I must look pretty silly in my chartreuse shirt, black shorts and yellow converse shoes while bouncing around excitedly… but I just couldn't help myself. After my parents died, I was desperate for anything or anyone to hang on to. I'm still overjoyed that Ratchet has accepted me. I'm even surprised that he has actually begun to warm up to me a little. But, anyways, back to what I was rambling about. Sam and Mikaela are here! I met them the day after I was brought back to Diego Garcia and Mikaela and I instantly became fast friends. Sam was a bit more cautious but he seems to be warming up to me. Although, it might not have helped that I dumped paint all over him the first time we met…

"Hey Isabel! How are you today?" Mikaela asked as she ambled over to my favorite spot next to Ratchet's wrench. (Ratchet put all of my stuff up on his workbench).

"I'm just peachy!" I said, pulling my best Ratchet face. My nose was scrunched, my eyes were narrowed, and my lips were pulled into a frozen frown. I tried to hold my expression for as long as I could; however, when Sam abruptly halted and fled the room, it was too much. "Wow! Look at him go!"

No Autobot at Diego Garcia could explain the look of horror on Sam's face when he swiftly walked towards Bee and hid behind his leg. All Bee could do was stare at his fellow Autobots and shrug. It was hilarious! By my count, Mikaela and I laughed for about ten minutes! I am so glad that I'm here at Diego Garcia. I've lived my life worrying that my father wouldn't come home. I can't go through the pain of having another one of my friends and family die in war. I know that Ratchet will be in battles with the Decepticons in the future. I just hope he comes back.

Enough of the sentimental crap! We are still laughing! Ratchet and the other Autobots have even joined in. Optimus only added to the fun when he started laughing himself. His intakes were working so hard because of his laughing they started smoking. Ratchet himself was looking on with amusement. I didn't understand why he was wearing his trademark smirk on his face until a white cloud exploded from Optimus' smoke stacks. The 'Bots were left staring at their leader who was now wearing an interesting paint scheme of red, white, and blue. I don't think I can take much more of this hilarity. By golly, I'll probably blow a lung if I keep laughing this hard.

*sigh* I can't help but feel the happiest I have been in a long time. Ever since Mission City I've been mourning the loss of my parents. I've never really been the most popular girl either so I've never had many friends. But today, I think I've finally found my place in the world. And Ratchet? He's one of the greatest 'bots I know!

Next chapter: What happened to Barricade?