Disclaimer; don't own it. Never will! I have oc's.

Here is the last chapter of this story. I have really enjoyed writing this story and I would like to thank everybody who left reviews, favorited this story and put it on their alerts.

Chapter 25

Going home.

For a brief moment the femme forgot where she was and who was with her and tried desperately to make sense of it all through the fogginess of the anaesthetic Ratchet had used on her. She slowly opened her optics and saw shadows standing around her, as she looked around she saw a purple shape on the wall. She knew that purple shape, she had seen it before...but where? It was Decepticon...she looked at the symbol again...yeah...definitely Decepticon but this time it was different. There wasn't the sound of Barricade and Hook chatting among themselves, there was...nothing...nobody was talking but somebody was with her, they were stroking her helm. The femme begun to get frantic and then the familiar presence of Ironhide and Chromia flowed through her bond,

"Hush, young one," Chromia cooed, "We're here with you."

She looked around her again and this time she saw three pairs of sapphire blue optics looking at her. This was good, that meant she was with Autobots...in a Decepticon base? Then it all came flooding back, she was in the med bay of the Decepticon base becasue Ratchet was attempting to reverse what the Decepticons had done. So...who was she?

The sound of raucous laughter rang out through the late afternoon air from the Autobots who were keeping watch outside. The sun was beginning to go down casting long shadows on the ground while gnats danced around and the crickets sang. It had been a hot day and the Autobots were beginning to appreciate the cool breezes as they blew across their hot armor,

"That was nice," Jazz said,

"Yeah, I'm beginning to feel quite hot," Mirage said in his heavy Italian accent.

There was one tree near the Decepticon base which he sat under and leaned against the trunk,

Jazz joined him, "You did choose a hot color," he said as he laid back and lifted his visor,

Sideswipe had been doing a sweep around the base to make sure there were no unwelcome visitors nearby, he picked up Optimus Prime's signature,

"Prime's coming," he said and rolled up to the two mechs to join them under the tree,

"I know I picked up his signature on my sensors a little while ago," Jazz said.

Optimus Prime pulled up in front of the three mechs with a hiss of his hydraulics and started his transformation while the others stood up. He looked inside the base,

"Have you heard anything about Livie?" he asked,

"Nope," Jazz replied,

"Maye one of us should go in there and see what's happning," Mirage said,

"I'll go," Sideswipe volunteered.

The Autobots watched while Sideswipe was slowly swallowed up by the Decepticon base, his sapphire optics shone brightly in the dark corridors lighting up the way as he silently wheeled along the empty corridors. He could hear the sound of voices as they wafted down the corridor but none of them sounded like Livie's. He continued to slowly make his way toward the med bay, his wheels whispering on the metallic floor. He passed various rooms with Decepticon names inscribed across the front and one of them read Firebird, the silver mech stopped and looked at it for a brief moment before shaking his head and moving on.

He passed the rec room which still had energon cubes on the tables, some of them were half full while others had crystallised energon sitting on the bottom. He peered inside and looked around, a picture of Megatron hang on the wall with his name inscribed across the bottom, his ruby optics shining malevolently from his silver face. A cold shiver run down Sideswipe's back struts, he shivered as fear slipped through his bond with Sunstreaker who was now trying to comfort him.

Sideswipe's spark pulse raced as the door to the med bay slowly came into view and the voices became louder,

"It's okay darling, just rest," he heard Ironhide's voice say, "We'll take you home soon,"

"How are we going to get her home?" Chromia asked,

"Optimus Prime is outside," Ratchet said, "I asked him to meet us here, she is in no fit state to try and make her own way home,"

"Sideswipe should be here too," Chromia said,

"He went outside with the others, I'll go and get him,"

The door opened of its own accord so that Ironhide could exit the med bay, he saw Sideswipe coming before he heard him and beckoned the frontline warrior into the med bay,

"I don't like this place," Sideswipe said, "It gives me the shivers,"

"Nothing in here can hurt you," Ironhide replied as he guided the young mech to the med bay, "The Decepticons are gone,"

The door opened of its own accord again and Sideswipe slowly rolled through the door, he stopped when he saw his beloved future spark mate lying silently with Chromia standing next to her caressing her helm while Ratchet looked on with a sad expression on his face. The frontline warrior's spark sunk...it hadn't worked.

Tears pooled behind Sideswipe's optics and once again comfort flooded his bond from Sunstreaker as he slowly rolled forward. He gingerly reached out his arm and slowly slid his hand in her claw. She felt the Sideswipe's fingers curl around her claws. The femme tried to work out who had her hand; it wasn't her mother, she had slender claws like her own and her father's had a firmer grip. No, this hand was different, whoever it was had a gentle grip on her hand.

Finally the signatures of those around her appeared on her HUD, she could see Ratchet's, Chromia's, Ironhide's and Sideswipe's. That's who the other hand was...it was Sideswipe's...her future spark mate. She squeezed the hand gently which immediately got the mech's attention,

"L..." Sideswipe wanted to say her name so much but he wasn't sure who the midnight blue and black femme was lying on the berth, "...Livie?" he said. Her claw squeezed his hand again but this time it was tighter, more meaningful, "Livie...is that you?"

She slowly rolled her head to the direction Sideswipe's voice was coming from. A tear rolled down her cheek and fell onto the berth, "I-Iiiiiiiit'sssssss mmmmmeeeeeee. I-Iiiiii'm L-L-ivieeee,"

Chromia's hands flew over her face, it had worked. Ironhide took hold of his femme as she cried on his shoulder, "Sh-she's back,"

At first Sideswipe wasn't sure if what he had just heard was true but then his disbelief turned to joy as the realisation hit him, the reversal had worked and the femme lying on the berth was actually Livie. Tears poured down Sidewipe's face as he stroked her face and kissed her. He leaned over her so his face was inches from her, her optics brightened as she looked into his sapphire optics and wiped the tears from his face. She smiled and cried at the same time,

"I-I- c-ca-can re-remem-ber everything," she cried. She wrapped her arms around Sideswipe's shoulders and pulled him to herself.

Ratchet turned around to the wreckers, his optics glistening with unshed tears, he had kept his promise and rescued Livie. It was times like this when he enjoyed being a medic, when he found it the most rewarding. This was why he could say he was a good medic; this was why others told him he undersold himself and told him he was a brilliant medic. He turned to the wreckers,

"Destroy it!" he demanded.

Emotion coursed through Ironhide's systems as he walked up to the medic, he stood there silently a moment and then flung his arms around Ratchet's shoulders and pulled him into a hug. Ratchet's optics widened with surprise, Ironhide had NEVER shown this much gratitude. There was a roar of laughter from the doorway,

"Enjoy it friend, it's the gratitude a parent feels when you have saved their offspring's life." Optimus said as he stood near Livie's berth, looked down at her lovingly and patted Sideswipe's shoulder in support,

"So do we get to join in the celebrations?" Jazz asked as he leaned against the door frame with his arms folded.

"Come in," Chromia said through her tears. Mirage and Jazz walked up to the semi conscious femme and stood there in amazement at the femme lying on the berth in a semi conscious state. She definitely wasn't Firebird, her optics were softer and she had a peaceful expression on her face despite the anesthetic.

Optimus Prime looked down at Livie again who was still holding onto Sideswipe and then at Ratchet, "We should get her home,"

"She'll be too weak to make the journey alone," he said,

"She can travel in my trailer," Prime replied.

Ratchet bent over Livie, "We're taking you home now, sweetspark,"

Livie's optics brightened, "It's been a long time since I've been home," she said and smiled.

Ratchet looked at her puzzled, "What do you mean?" but she had drifted back into recharge,

Optimus Prime transformed and opened his trailer and Ratchet laid her on the floor. Ironhide walked up to Sideswipe, "Are you travelling with her?" he asked. Sideswipe rubbed the back of his helm, he hadn't been invited to join her and to just enter Prime's trailer didn't seem right.

Optimus Prime picked up the frontline warrior's uncertainty, "You may enter," he said.

Sideswipe climbed into the back of the trailer and sat himself near Livie, Ratchet slid his hands under her shoulders and lifted her up so that Sideswipe could sit with her, the frontline warrior slid down behind her and supported her head in his arm. He moved her so she was leaned against his chest, she moaned,

"Sorry, Livie," he said quietly,

"Be careful with her," Ratchet groused, "She'll be in pain,"

Sideswipe sat the back of the trailer quietly with Livie curled against him while Ratchet continued to observe her and run regular scans. The frontline warrior's right arm was tightly wrapped around her waist while his other hand protectively cupped her head so she wasn't jostled around too much, moving it only for Ratchet's scans, her hand was loosely draped over his shoulder. Optimus Prime slowly pulled away from the base and kept a steady pace so he didn't bump his precious cargo around too much. Ironhide and Chromia were keeping close to Optimus Prime and continually sent wave after wave of love and comfort through their bond to Livie.

Livie's optics lit up a little bit, "My head hurts," she said quietly.

Sideswipe kissed her on her crest, "You can expect that," Ratchet replied while gently injecting a pain relief into her system, "I've given you a pain killer for the pain," Livie felt the pain ease as the serum slowly drifted through her system, "You're going to have a headache for a little while."

"Okay," she replied. She turned to the medic, her optics were dimmed but they were soft and sparkling again. Just like Livie's optics always had, this femme was definitely Livie...nothing of Firebird was left, "Thank you," she said sleepily,

"Just rest now, sweetspark," he said as he stroked her face.

Optimus heard the talking in his trailer and worried he was hurting her, "Shall I slow down?" he asked,

"No she's fine," Ratchet replied.

It was dark and quite late when Optimus Prime pulled up in the grounds of NEST. Elita was the first to see him and walked slowly toward him, followed by other Autobots as he stopped outside the med bay and lowered the door. Sideswipe picked her up and carried her bridal style into the med bay closely followed by Ironhide and Chromia. Ratchet saw a berth already prepared by Jolt and guided Sideswipe to it, a lamp was wheeled over to her and lit up flooding her with a blue light.

Optimus Prime transformed and he stood in front of Elita, the femme commander looked at him hopefully, he smiled and nodded in affirmation of her question. She vented with relief and they walked back to their quarters together arm in arm where their sparkling was recharging quietly.

Ratchet turned to his patient's family, "I need to keep her here for a day to observe her," he said, "But you can stay with her for a while,"

"Thank you" Sideswipe replied humbly.

Chromia wanted to stay in the med bay all night but Ironhide stopped her, "She'll be okay darling," he said gently, "We have a son who needs our attention."

Chromia looked back at her daughter who was lying comfortably on her berth with Sideswipe sitting next to her, her claw in his hand and stroking it. She turned back to Ironhide, "Let's go," she said and kissed her daughter before leaving. By now a small huddle of Autobots stood outside the med bay among them was Sunstreaker who was holding Orbit. The mechling saw his parents leave the med bay,

"Mummy," he clicked as he held out his arms to her, "Hungry," he stated.

Chromia chuckled, "Come on then, we'll get you some energon," she looked at Ironhide, "I think we all could do with some," she said.

"I'll go and get us some," Ironhide said. He turned to Sunstreaker, "Thank you for looking after Orbit,"

"No problem," he said and then turned to the med bay where Sideswipe was with Livie, he wanted to know if it worked but he left his brother alone, he'd catch up soon enough.

Chromia put Orbit on the ground and held his hand so that he could slowly walk back with the little mech. Ironhide arrived in their quarters soon after Chromia and Orbit with two cubes of energon and a sippy cup especially designed for the young mech by Wheeljack before he died. Orbit reached up and bounced up and down while he drank his energon. Ironhide turned to him and laughed, "Sit still, you're going to choke."

Orbit sat still for a little bit before he started to bounce again, "At this rate he'll be hungry before he finishes his energon," Chromia said as she picked him up and sat him on his knee.

In the meantime Sideswipe was still in the med bay with Livie. Ratchet was giving her another scan; he looked at Sideswipe,

"She's doing well," he said and then he looked at the silver frontline warrior thoughtfully, "It's quite normal for her to recharge like this after the treatment she's been through. She'll probably recharge for a while, so you can leave the med bay and get some rest, we'll let you know when she wakes up,"

Sideswipe looked down at her, he really didn't want to leave but there wasn't much he could do. He got up and kissed her on the cheek and walked out of the med bay, Sunstreaker saw his brother leave and walked up to him.

The gold mech had noticed a peacefulness coming from his brother's bond, one that hadn't been there a long time so it was only natural he'd assume that Livie was okay but he still needed to ask, "Is she...,"

"Yes, we have Livie back," Sideswipe replied,

"Is she okay?"

"She will be," Sideswipe replied, "She's resting at the moment."

Sunstreaker looked at his brother a moment before smiling, "I knew it. I knew we could reverse the cruel thing the Decepticons did to her,"

Sideswipe rolled his optics and laughed at his brother, as long as he was online he was going to be reminded of this. He patted his brother on the back, "I suppose I owe you a big thanks," he said,

Sunstreaker scowled, "Is that all I get for saving your future spark mate."

Sideswipe roared with laughter, "Alright, high grade..." he said, "...If we had any,"

"Well then in that case I'll settle for what we have."

With that the twins walked to the rec room where Sideswipe poured his brother a cube of energon. He handed his brother one, Sunstreaker stood up and raised his cube in the air, "Hey guess what everybody...," the rec room stopped talking and looked at the gold twin, "...We have got Livie back so I propose a toast...to Livie!"

The Autobots rose their cubes in the air, "To Livie," they replied and cheered.

Optimus Prime walked into the rec room with William on his shoulder and Elita with their sparkling in her arms and enjoyed watching his Autobots celebrating. He stood there with a his hands on his hips and turned to William who was sitting on his shoulders,

"This is a rare sight indeed, I haven't seen it in eons, the Autobots are celebrating freely."

"It's about time," Elita said joyfully and walked into the rec room to join in the celebrations.

Charlotte rang the NEST base and heard all the noise, "What is going on?" she said in her tight lipped fashion.

Optimus overheard the woman above the celebrating Autobots and grimaced; there was always something to stop their celebrations. William sensed the Autobot leader's frustration and rubbed his helm, "You enjoy the celebrations, I'll deal with Miss. Mearing," he said.

Prime put William on the floor and walked into the rec room to join in the celebrations as well while William walked out of the rec room so that he could hear her over the noise,

"Hey, here's Optimus Prime" Leadfoot bellowed, "Come and join us,"

He went to get some energon but Optimus Prime held up his hand, "I've got some high grade I've been saving for a moment like this."

Another roar rolled out of the rec room as William smiled and made his way to the catwalk where he could speak to her,

"Director Mearing it is unusual to hear from you this late," he said,

"Colonel Lennox, what is going on?"

William became annoyed with Charlotte's attitude and her late phone call, "The Autobots are celebrating, they have Livie back," he replied,

"Very nice," she replied stiffly, "Have they dealt with the Decepticon base yet?"

"No, but they will," he snipped

"Well I want it done," she said, "A.S.A.P,"

"Let them have this time to celebrate, Optimus is looking forward to taking mechs out to destroy the base," he replied impatiently

"I'm sure he is!" she stated firmly, "I shall look forward to hearing it is done,"

She went to hang up but stopped, William heard a lighter tone in her voice, " I'm pleased to hear Livie is back, I didn't like Firebird," William smiled and shook his head as he turned to Robert, together they left to celebrate the end of a six year threat to the world they lived in.

In the early morning under a silvery moonlight an army of Autobots sped toward the Decepticon base at top speed, each one with the excitement of doing something they have wanted to do for more time than any human could comprehend...destroy the Decepticon base. The shadowy silhouette of the Decepticon base rose in the mist as the Autobots drove toward it. They transformed and quietly moved into the base under Optimus Prime's orders and searched every room. The belongings of the Decepticons sat there in ghostly silence waiting for their owner's return. The Autobots picked them up and put them in a pile outside to be burned, in another pile, belongings of humans, {trophies} the Decepticons called it, were placed in another pile to be handed over to the authorities and hopefully returned to their rightful owners if at all possible.

Optimus Prime went through Megatron's office to clear it out, the Autobots believed it was only fitting being as how he was the Decepticon leader's brother. He brought out most of Megatron's belongings and placed them on the pile to be burned except for a couple of bits which they had as younger brothers during Cybertron's time of peace. He turned to Ironhide who was waiting to set it alight,

"Burn it!" Prime ordered the weapons specialist. Jazz came out with a battle plan and showed it to Prime, it showed everything including the bounty on Ironhide's head. Optimus looked at the weapon's specialist who was standing beside the burning pile solemnly and then back at Jazz, "Get rid of it, he doesn't need to know."

The wreckers and Ratchet dismantled the Decepticon's equipment in the med bay while Optimus, Ironhide, Jazz, Bumblebee and Mirage destroyed the main Decepticon command center. The mechs watched victoriously as Bumblebee and Mirage pulled screens and consuls apart and threw them on the ground. They sparked majestically before bursting into flames. The wreckers planted explosives throughout the base and walked out from the main entrance. They stood together in a huddle and watched the grand finale as the wreckers pushed the button on the control and the whole lot exploded and burst into flames sending a plume of black smoke into the air.

They stood there silently watching it with a heavy silence until it was smouldering wreck of charred wreckage, "What will happen to it?" Bumblebee asked,

"We'll clear up what we can and then let nature deal with the rest." Optimus replied and then he took a piece of smouldering wreckage, "Autobots," he said as he wrapped his enormous servos around the wreckage and raised his fist in the air, "This piece of wreckage will be a symbol of our freedom and the freedom of the inhabitants of this beautiful planet. There will always be skirmishes and battles with Decepticons and we must be prepared for them but from now on our lives will be one of peace and freedom. Autobots the victory is and always will be ours but we remember those who gave their lives bravely both on Cybertron and on earth. Let's go home,"

With that the Autobots transformed and left the site where once the Decepticon base loomed ominously, now a burnt wreck with a small trail of smoke swirling out of it.

William and the humans watched them return, Optimus Prime walked up to William, "It is done!" he said and then he went to his quarters to spend the rest of the day with his family.

Ratchet returned to the med bay where Jolt was keeping a close eye on Livie, she still hadn't come out of recharge and the junior medic was getting concerned about her energon levels. He turned around at the sound of Ratchet's entry into the med bay and then turned back to Livie,

"How is she?" Ratchet asked as he looked at the femme.

Jolt collected her data pad from the shelf with all the scans he'd ran on it. While they were looking over the results Livie's optics flickered and she moaned. Her vision was blurred but she could vaguely hear voices in the background and tried to listen to see if she recognised them. The sound of footsteps and two piercing lights appeared above her,

"You're awake. Good to see you return to the land of the living." Ratchet said. Livie went to sit up but a hand firmly pushed her back down, "Just rest and let yourself fully come online," he said quietly.

She felt the sensation of yet another scan run over her, "I'm fine," she said,

"I'll be the judge of that," Ratchet snipped, "You've just had a long recharge and your energon levels are low,"

She lay there silently and allowed her optics to dim slightly and then light up again as she drifted in and out of light recharge before fully coming online. Jolt came into her view carrying a cube of warm energon, Ratchet sat her up and Jolt gave her the cube.

Sideswipe walked through the med bay door and smiled at the sight of Livie sitting up on the berth, "Hello, my angel." he said happily.

"Sideswipe," Livie whispered as he walked up to her berth and took her claw in his, he leaned towards her and kissed her on the cheek and rested his forehead against hers, relieved that his beautiful femme was back. Livie closed her optics as she savoured the frontline warrior's closeness, her spark pulsing quickly at his nearness.

At the same time she felt a gentle poke in her bond from her parents and when she opened her end of the bond she was flooded with love wave after wave after wave. Ratchet chirruped to let them know he was approaching; they separated and looked at him,

"You are well enough to go," he said to Livie.

The femme smiled at Ratchet and turned to Sideswipe, "You have something which belongs to me," she said quietly

Sideswipe opened his sub space and pulled out her badge and gave it to her. She took it and held it in her hand loosely and looked at it, when she turned it over there was still some of her original crystal blue colouring on it, "Will I be able to be my original colours," she asked the CMO,

"We can change your colours for you," he replied,

"I like them," Sideswipe said.

Livie scowled at the mech, "I chose these colours because Barricade wanted every bit of my identification as an Autobot gone, Sideswipe. These are Firebird's colours, not mine."

"I understand that," Ratchet replied.

In the corner of the med bay Jolt was working on a dashboard near a pod, his fingers flew across the screen and buttons bleeped when he pushed them.

She looked back at Sideswipe and then Ratchet and then she looked down, "There was a human female, I scanned her vehicle, Barricade attacked her..." Livie looked at Ratchet, "...Is she?"

Ratchet sat on her berth, "No darling," Ratchet replied, "We got to her in time, you saved her life."

She screwed up her face as the blood curdling screams of the young woman echoed through her processor, "I had no idea he was going to do that," she said, "I tried to stop him but he just threw me to the side." She looked up at the three mechs standing around her berth, "I'm so sorry,"

"You mustn't blame yourself, Livie,"

Livie nodded.

"The paint is ready," Jolt said as he walked across the med bay to Livie.

The femme slowly got off the berth with Sideswipe and Ratchet's help, she stumbled a little bit but the mech's caught her and waited for her to gain her balance. Livie stood up beside Sideswipe and slowly walked to the pod; she stepped in and looked around as the door slowly closed enclosing her in darkness. There was a humming noise and then two blades swung around her spraying out a warm liquid. When it was finished Livie stepped out in her crystal blue and white colours, she lay patiently on the berth while Ratchet placed her badge on her chest quietly while thinking. Livie noticed how quiet he'd become and asked him if he was alright,

Ratchet stood over her with his tool in his hand and looked at her for a minute, "Last night you said you hadn't...,"

"Been home yet," she interjected, "I returned home as Firebird and I could remember very little of myself before the change happened,"

Ratchet nodded , that made complete sense, and carried on with placing her badge on her chest, "Finished!" he said, "You're free to go, Livie,"

Her name rolled from his mouth like velvet, he never thought he would see her again. Livie took Sideswipe's hands and went to leave but before she walked out of the door she turned back to Ratchet,

"Thank you...," she said to the CMO solemnly, "...For keeping your promise and rescuing me," and with that she walked out of the med bay.

Outside the med bay Autobots had gathered around in an anticipation of seeing the femme who always brought a smile to to their faces. She opened the door and gasped at the sight of the Autobots waiting by the door, she stepped out of the med bay and hugged them individually as she walked through the crowd who were welcoming her home. Her parents stood back and watched her while Orbit was jumping up and down with his arms out and clicking excitedly at his sister. Livie saw him and laughed,

"Hi, little brother," she said warmly and took him from Chromia's arms.

He wrapped his arms around her neck, "Livie," he clicked happily, "Livie back,"

Livie spent a few moments sitting quietly in the sun in the middle of the NEST grounds, she was rested back on her hands behind her while her legs were stretched out in front of her. She was listening to music and smiling as she watched the Autobots and humans milling around in a relaxed manner. She had missed this and enjoyed every sight and sound until she heard heavy footsteps and the sound of hydraulics behind her. Her sensors told her it was her father who was coming to join her,

"What are you doing?" he asked,

Livie faced her father and studied his face, "Just watching," she replied. There was a moments silence before she spoke again, "I missed all of this...the feeling of being part of a family, among those who love me...the Decepticons...they only know one thing."

Ironhide had to agree with her on that one. Livie turned to him once more, "Thank you...for adopting me and bringing me up as an Autobot," The hardness that was usually seen in Ironhide's face turned into a warmth when he remembered the battle on Iacon and Livie first walked into his life bringing with her a sense of purpose and making him feel complete. He chuckled as the memory of Chromia glaring at him the day before when he brought up the subject of sparklings once more. He sighed, she couldn't have been a better mother for the femme, "Love you, dad," she said as he rested her head against his chest, he wrapped an arm around her,

"I love you too, Livie," he said.

Ironhide looked down at his daughter, she had been through so much but Ironhide wondered how she would have coped if Sideswipe wasn't beside them fighting for her as well. He was happy with her choice of mech, the frontline warrior had proved more than once that he loved her and he would always care for her but he wanted to take her out one last time before she was bonded to her future spark partner with Chromia and Orbit,

"Come with me," he said,

"Why where are we going?" Livie asked,

Chromia and Orbit joined them, Ironhide transformed into his vehicle mode and waited for Orbit to climb in. The sparkling wanted to ride on the back of Chromia like he did around the base when he was too tired to walk but Chromia said he had to ride in Ironhide for his own protection. The mechling pouted while Ironhide transformed and opened his back door,

"Get in, runt!" the weapons specialist said.

Livie stood there open mouthed in shock at her father's derogatory term,

"Ironhide!" Chromia chimed and sent him displeasure through their bond,

"What?!" Ironhide protested, "I'm playing with him,"

Orbit jumped into the vehicle and sat on the seat while the seat belt wrapped itself around his body. The weapons specialist noticed how he was almost too big to do this any longer and he would soon need a vehicle mode of his own, but was still about two months away yet.

The family set off through the countryside of New Jersey to a secluded place where they could be themselves. Livie transformed and looked out over the ranges, Chromia came and stood beside her. She noticed that her daughter's face had changed, she had lost her innocence. Livie picked up a feeling of sadness through their bond and turned to her mother,

"What's the matter?" she asked,

"War has taken your innocence," she replied sadly,

Livie looked down, "I know," she replied quietly.

Ironhide stood beside her with Orbit in his arms, Livie looked out across the range again, "Is this the end of the war?" she asked,

"For now," Ironhide replied, "There are more Decepticons out there somewhere and one day they will hear about Megatron's death."

Heaviness weighed on Livie's spark, "Then I will be ready for the day they come,"

Ironhide smiled, "That's my girl," he said and then he looked at her seriously, "Enjoy the times of peace, live your life, Livie. Don't stop living...ever!" he said, "Do you promise me that?"

"I promise you, dad," she replied.

There was a comfortable silence before Ironhide spoke up again, "Livie I want to ask you something?"

"Ask me what?" Livie asked,

"Are you still happy to be Sideswipe's mate? You have been through so much and he hurt you,"

Livie stood there silently a moment, a warm smile softening her face, "I love him so much, dad...I want to spend the rest of my life with him,"

Ironhide put his hands on his hips, that was what he thought she'd say but he just wanted to make sure. She was his daughter and he wanted to make things right for her if she had changed her mind, "He loves you too, Livie. He missed you so much when you were Firebird,"

"He broke my spark, dad, but I understand why he did it," she turned to Ironhide, "And then he rescued me when I didn't want to go back to the Decepticon base. He saved me, dad."

Ironhide's expression became one of seriousness, "Chromia and myself are so grateful to him for what he did for you," Ironhide replied, "We thought we had lost you forever,"

"I didn't like myself as Firebird,"

"That's because Firebird was a Decepticon," Chromia replied and stood in front of Livie, "You...are an Autobot,"

"And proud of it," Livie replied.

They laughed and sat down together with Orbit and played with him for the rest of the day.

It was late afternoon when Chromia said they should consider taking the long drive back home again because Orbit was starting to winge about being tired and grumpy,

"Can I carry him back?" Livie asked,

Ironhide chuckled at her enthusiasm, "If he'll fit darling," he replied.

Livie transformed and opened her door for him, Orbit tried to fit into her Celica form but ended up with his legs around his head which was pushed up against the roof. There was no way Orbit was going to give up and lay down but he was still too big. Livie laughed,

"You're too big little man," she said, "You grew during my absence,"

"Oohhhhh," Orbit whined and climbed out with the help of his father.

The sun was gone by the time they arrived back at the base and all that was left was a golden glow behind the mountains. Ironhide could see Optimus Prime's optics shining against the dark sky and smiled at the welcome sight,

"Welcome back," he said to the family and then turned to Livie, "Sideswipe has been looking for you Livie, he has a surprise for you,"

"There you are," Sideswipe cooed as he approached his betrothed, "Did you have a nice day?"

Livie smiled at him shyly, "Yes, I did," she replied,

"Good, well I've got something to show you," he said, "But you'll have to trust me,"

Livie looked at him suspiciously, "What have you been up to Sideswipe?" she asked,

"Trust me," he said as he walked up behind and gently placed his hands over her optics.

He slowly walked her through the grounds of the base guiding her as they went along. It was very hard for her to cope with this and she grabbed onto his fingers to try and pull them away,

"Ah, ah aahh," he called, "You're okay,"

"Sideswipe, where are we going?"

He continued to lead her to an old disused hanger which was once a store room but was sitting there doing nothing. He had asked the humans if he could have it and they had agreed. Livie felt the tarmac under her feet become cool damp grass and frowned, where was he taking her? Eventually he stopped,

"No peeking," he said as he let her go and watched her to make sure her optics were still shuttered.

Livie heard the sound of a door squeak as it opened and heard him grumble about forgetting to oil the runners and smiled at him. She felt his arms on her as he guided her into the door and then said you can look now. Livie's optics popped out of her helm when she saw the sight of a beautifully laid out room with all the creature comforts a Cybertronian would need,

"Sideswipe," she said, "It's beautiful,"

He smiled, "Do you like it?"

"I do," she replied as she sat on the double berth, "So much," she walked up to him and snaked her arms around his waist, "Thank you," she replied,

"Hmm, anything for my princess," he replied.

Her expression changed and she looked at him seriously, "I have been going through files from when I was Firebird, you said and did something that really hurt her...," Sideswipe cringed, "I understand why you said what you did to me because I wasn't Livie but you were prepared to fight for me when I wouldn't go back to the Decepticon base. You insisted I go Sideswipe," she started to cry, "You believed in me and stood by me."

He pulled her closer to himself, "I always will stand by you, Livie. Bond with me, be my spark mate."

She looked up at him, her optics sparkling, her arms around his shoulder, "I will," she said. Sideswipe smiled and slowly leaned into her, meeting her lips with his.

Sideswipe lay on his back with Livie curled up next to him recharging soundly. The mech couldn't sleep, he turned to his spark mate who had lavished him with so much love and he was still revelling in it. He flooded her system once more with love before he finally drifted into a recharge,

"Love you, Princess," he said quietly as he kissed her,

"Love you too," she replied sleepily.

Ultra Magnus looked out into the stars and then he looked behind him at the stragglers who were weak from lack of energon and battle weary and the ship ready to take them home,

"Look at all of them," Hot Rod said, "How are we going to fight the Decepticons with this lot,"

"We're not," Ultra Magnus replied, "We're going home,"

Hot Rod looked at his commanding officer like he'd lost his marbles.

Cybertron was gone!

Lost!

"Home? Where is that?" Hot Rod asked,

Ultra Magnus turned to Hot Rod, "Earth!" he replied.

Perceptor and Kup walked up to Ultra Magnus, Perceptor had a data pad in his hands and they had hopeful expressions on their faces,

"We have a scratchy report, Ultra Magnus," Perceptor said.

Ultra Magnus turned to them, "What is it, Perceptor?" he asked,

"Megatron and the Decepticons on a distant planet called earth are dead."

Ultra Magnus stood up straight, his face dead panned and then a grin spread across his face. They had done it! The victory was theirs,

"Get these Autobots to the ship," he said.

Once the last Autobot was on board the doors closed, the rocket boosters fired up. Perceptor, set the coordinates for earth. Kup tell Optimus Prime we're coming home,"

Ultra Magnus sat in his seat and shuttered his optics for a brief minute before Prime's baritone voice spoke over the loud speaker,

"We look forward to your arrival."

The end!