Chapter 1: Introductions

Had anyone been paying attention that dismal night in Mission City, Nevada they would have noticeably seen the cop car seem to sigh and relax on all four of its wheels. Sitting outside the coffee shop where the girl held her regular job he watched her for the third night in a row. This girl, the subject of his mission (and occasional entertainment), was not necessarily a threat for the Decepticons or Autobots, but she did have a rare ability that he had not seen in any other humans. When Barricade told Starscream (the current leader under the rule of the Fallen) of this girl and the potential she possessed Starscream took immediate interest and told Barricade to keep watch of her.

Barricade had spent the last several days doing just that and was quite often annoyed by the human antics. This girl was constantly harassed by customers that found her too friendly. A cook would finally catch on and send the customers out of the store. Barricade did notice a trend with the harassers; they were all human males and in their late teens. On one occasion he had conjured up his holoform and walked into the bar to scare the boys, which the girl accepted gratefully and offered him anything on the menu for free. He refused not needed human food or drinks to sustain his life.

It was near the end of her shift for the night and a group of the regular harassers was just walking into the coffee shop for the night. He generated his holoform to watch them and take action if necessary; however the cook saw them first and removed them from the building. He said something to the girl and she smiled shaking her head. Barricade watched as she looked down at the watch she was wearing and walked in back beginning to take off her pale pink apron. His internal sensor said it was 12:01 am. He searched around the area and didn't see the harassers, but had a feeling they would be waiting for her. Barricade took notice as the bells on the door rang signifying she was walking out the door.

"Really Cook," she said halfway out the door, "I'll be fine. Look I'll call you when I get home okay?" With a satisfied smile she walked out the door and began walking her three block journey to her apartment. With her purse on her shoulder she walked quietly as if she had once been trained for reconnaissance. Suddenly before she went past the alleyway she paused. Barricade had heard the clang too. Using his holoform he drove over to where she was paused and rolled down the window. However he had not been quick enough for she had started walking once again and just as soon as she took her first step she was pulled into the alleyway. Turning on his sirens, Barricade whipped around the corner to see one already was holding her with a knife to her throat and the three others in the gang were eyeing her with great interest. Until they realized they were hearing a siren.

As they ran, throwing the girl onto the ground first, Barricade used his holoform to step out of the car. She looked up at the young dark haired officer and recognized him immediately. Although tired from the long night at work and weary from the attack which could have possibly been avoided she smiled as she began to stand up. He grabbed her arm and lifted her with more force than he had meant. Even in his holoform Barricade now knew he had to be careful with the girl. He could easily throw her she weighed so little.

"Are you okay?" he asked using a baritone voice he had found on the internet. Her face momentarily flushed and Barricade didn't understand why, but didn't bother to look into it too far, for as soon as it was there it was gone.

"I am, thanks to you," she said looking down the now empty alleyway. She looked back at him and actually looked his holoform over then turned to look at him. "To punish and enslave…" she commented quietly and he put a smile on his face.

"Have you ever lost a bet," he asked in the most convincing tone he could manage. She looked at his holoform with her eyes seemingly sparkling.

"Yes, on more than one occasion," she said with a laugh.

"I'm Officer Cadence," he said putting his hand out to her once her laughter shad faded, but the smile remained. He had read from several sources that in America it was customary to shake hands when first meeting. "Call me Cade, though."

"Cade, thank you for helping me again; that's the second time you have helped me avoid those goons. Alexandra Raine. My friends and coworkers call me Lexa," she said shaking his hand. The moment their hands touched, Barricade's holoform recoiled and it took a lot of energy to keep it from fading away.

"Lexa," he said smiling although his patience was quickly fading after feeling her touch his holoform. He didn't want to ask her this next question anymore, but under the charade of the cop knew he had to, "Would you like a ride home?"

"You don't have too if it's a burden," she said sheepishly placing a hand on the back of her head and looking away.

"I insist," he said keeping the smile on his face.

"Are you sure?" she asked and he nodded. However if she asked one more time or declined he would accept that and walk back to his car. He was actually slightly hoping that she would refuse once again.

"Okay," she said and he led her back to the car opening his door for her. She slid in and it took everything in his power not to shiver under her slight pressure. Shutting his door he jogged over to the other side and jumped in. Putting the car into reverse he pulled back out onto the street.

"What is your address?" he asked even though he already knew where she lived.

"It the condo up ahead on the right hand side, can't miss it," she said.

Barricade hated humans. That meant all them as a whole; except this one. Under the charade of a police officer he had transported several humans before; none of those experiences had been pleasant. However this girl riding in his passenger seat created heat in his core and felt the cables near his spark pull. It was about that time that Barricade realized that he was driving under the speed limit. He sped up as he ignored his internal conflict.

"Right here," she said and he stopped outside the lobby for the building.

"Thank you again," she said with a smile on her face as she looked over at him, "hope I'll see you again soon." She began to get out of the car but Barricade wasn't ready for her to leave and looked the doors. She turned back to him. He could feel her heart beat rise slowly with fear.

"I was just wondering why you don't make those boys stop harassing you," he said his voice serious and her heartbeat slowing back to its regular pace.

"I don't know how," she said finally, shifting to face him and he couldn't contain the shiver she caused so the whole car shook. She grasped onto the seat and pushed herself against the leather.

"What was that?" she asked nervously.

"A tremor perhaps," he said making his holoform look out the window. This human was destroying his harsh defenses and had no idea. He had known she had abilities that no human had, but this was unexpected. He leaned over to her and rested his hand on her cheek.

"Get some sleep," he whispered and she looked into his eyes, then a quizzical look appeared on her face.

"Cade," she said so silent it was barely audible.

"Hmm?" he said closing his eyes at her voice. They shot open when her hand touched his pseudo face.

"How do I stop them from bothering me?" she asked so innocently he couldn't help but smile at this strange femme. Human femme. The doors unlocked and she opened the door. Stepping out the door she turned back to face him. His smile turned to a smirk as he thought of an adequate response. He leaned over and grabbed the door closing it then rolled down the window so she could hear his answer.

"Date a cop," he said and she flushed again.

"Bye Cade. Thanks for the, um, advice," she said with an embarrassed smile and walking into the building. He watched through his scanners as she walked up and into her room, only pausing to open her door. Once safely in her abode he drove off in search of those boys. The space where Lexa had recently occupied now seemed empty and dull. Finding the miscreants, he took to torturing them first; even showing them his true self then quickly eliminated all of the boys that had looked at her like she was only a thing for their pleasure. It was around that moment Barricade groaned and transformed back into his alternate form. She was no longer his mission. By interfering that night she had become his new compulsion. Barricade knew one thing for sure as the rain began to fall and wash the blood from his body. When Starscream found out (it was never a matter of if, for Starscream had optics and audio everywhere) he would not be happy. Barricade shivered at the emptiness he had felt since the girl had left him. Starscream would not be happy at all.

A/N: so second story. Nervous as heck. Still publishing the other just hit a lull. Hope you enjoyed. Barricade is the object of my torment right now lol.

Disclaimer: I dont own Transformers this is purely fan based.