Last of the Homecoming arc! Yay!

Don't worry, we're moving straight into the next arc. It will take me a while to start posting it, because I have no idea where to go right now.

And suggestions are welcomed for the next arc, just know it takes place on Cybertron.

If you think I own either StarTrek or Transformers, there's something wrong with you.

Homecoming VIII

After Sam finished, the two girls sat in silence by the beach. Neither looked at the other, but it wasn't needed. No words could be said after something like that, so why attempt to make some?

Eventually Sam turned to Vortex, "Not what you expected, am I right?"

"I did not expect anything," Vortex told her with a shrug, "You yourself said both sides in a war commit crimes. It seems to me that any crimes you committed were necessary for the situation."

Sam just shook her head, "I killed a lot of innocent people!"

"They murdered civilians," Vortex said softly, "They were no longer innocents. You saved many more people than you think. If you hadn't of fought back, none of these settlers would be so happy here."

Sam nodded slowly, but she still didn't smile, "I guess."

Getting to her feet, Sam began to head back the way they came from.

"Captain Kirk saved you, didn't he?" Vortex called back to her.

Sam paused at the trail, smiling weakly, "In more ways than you'll ever know."

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The rest of the week was crazy. No one was sure how it happened, but Starscream and Mabyn had become fast friends, mush to Megatron's horror and Vortex and Optimus's amusement.

Zeenia and Sam ended getting sucked up into the preparations for the festival. Zeenia helped cook while Sam ended up decorating. The Autobots interacted with Will and Epps mostly because of a furious Sam.

Epps and Will had decided to help her, and ended up setting a curtain on fire. Sam banded them from decorating. Because of that Will and Ironhide spent a lot of time together, while Epps just hung out with whoever was free.

Skywarp had been claimed by Sam to decorate, and no one could find Soundwave. Not that they looked very hard.

The only really interesting thing was that one day Optimus and Megatron disappeared for a while, and when they reappeared the Prime seemed very distressed. Will had noticed that after whatever meeting they had, Optimus watched Sam very closely. He wasn't sure if he was okay with that.

By the end of the week the planet was covered in flowers and vines. The day of the festival was spent with Zeenia kidnapping Sam and Vortex to get them ready. Mabyn would not join them because of her other duties that day.

"I am not particularly fond of this," Vortex announced as Zeenia zipped her into the sleeveless black dress she was being forced to wear for the evening.

"Don't talk," Sam snapped while pulling on her thigh high boots, glaring at them the whole time, "You don't have to wear nylons."

Zeenia rolled her eyes as she finished helping Vortex, "I don't get why you're both so annoyed. You look gorgeous, both of you."

And it was true. The black dress made Vortex look older, and Sam always looked better in her dress uniform than her regular one.

Zeenia couldn't help the proud smile working across her face at how pretty her girls were, "You're going to be the talk of the village tomorrow, mark my words."

Sam and Vortex both traded skeptical looks. With Vortex's father, and Sam's captain, they would be lucky to observe any males from at least a hundred yards away.

Zeenia scowled, recognizing the look for what it was, "Honestly you two. I assure you Megatron and Will are going to fine this evening. What's the worst that can…"

"Don't finish that," Sam begged as she wobbled to her feet and started for the door, "You're going to jinx us, I just know it,"

Zeenia huffed but herded Vortex after Sam as the three girls left the room. Vortex turned and scowled at Zeenia.

"Doctor, why did you not change?" Vortex asked softly as they started down the hallway.

Zeenia shrugged, looking content in her gray t-shirt and sweats, "Starfleet is calling me back in about an hour, so why bother?"

Sam frowned at that. The party started in an hour. Turning to stare at her friend, Sam noticed how Zeenia inclined her head.

Sam nodded to show her understanding on the message.

As they approached the end of the hallway, Sam turned and offered them a huge smile, "Well, I'll be seeing you tonight Vortex. And yes Zee, I'll come home for Thanksgiving."

"You better," Zeenia groused while her hair turned black. The Beldan gathered Sam in for a hug, "I want you to come home for every holiday from now on. And if you don't, I'll be coming to you."

Sam hugged her back, smiling sadly, "I know. Take care mom."

And with that, Zeenia let go and headed back down the hallway.

Vortex stepped up next to Sam, an eyebrow raised, "Why did you call her mother?"

"Because she is my mother," Sam admitted, eyes misty, "She's always been there and taken care of me. And if you'll excuse me, I need to go meet with Will and Epps."

"I understand," Vortex held her hand out and Sam took it with a bright grin, "I will see you soon Lieutenant, if my father allows me out of his sight."

Sam laughed at that, and then they split up. Sam headed down her hallway, struggling not to frown. Her eyes landed on each and every decoration, a symbol of life on this death filled planet.

She couldn't have reached the room where Will as waiting any faster. Throwing open the doors, she rushed in. Sam sent Will and Epps a beaming smile as she approached the two soldiers.

They looked good, Sam admitted to herself. Dressed in red with gold trim, they offset her own cream colored uniform with red trim. They looked professional, like true soldiers. Will sent her a quick smile while Epps pulled her into a hug.

"Our little Sammy, all grown up," Epps fake sobbed, shaking Sam back and forth, "Soon she's going to get married to some nice guy, and have a lot of little babies…"

"Hold on there," Will ordered, eyes wild, "I'm not ready for her to get married yet."

"Of course he's not," Epps whispered and the two shared grins before Will glared.

"That's not why we're having this meeting," Will ran a hand through his hair before continuing, "As you know, there's an assassination attempt scheduled for tonight against Mabyn. I contacted Starfleet, and they've sent two members of the Resistance to deal with it. We're here to protect the princess."

Sam frowned, "Wait, there's a princess here? Since when?"

"If you hadn't been spending so much time with Jazz, you'd know that Starfleet has taken to calling Vortex the princess," Will reprimanded her gently before continuing, "Now, we're supposed to act like good representatives of Starfleet and mingle, but your first objective is the safety of Vortex. If you think she's in danger, act on it. Understood?"

"Sir yes sir!" both Sam and Epps chorused at the same time.

Will sent them both a nod, "Then let's roll out."

Page break

The party was as boring as she expected it to be. It was boring and far too long.

Sam had hidden herself in a corner, content to watch the others talk while she held her drink in her hand. The moment she had noticed her father in the room, Sam had quickly retreated to the corner. Will and Epps were speaking with some counselors from Tarsus. The Decepticons seemed to be avoiding the whole mess and stayed to the opposite side of the room from Sam. Luckily everyone was too scared to approach them.

Sam had seen the Autobots in the crowd, but lost sight of them quickly. She was however keeping track of the Resistance leaders who stood near Mabyn. They were a pair, male and female in state of the art black body armor. And Sam knew exactly who they were. Earlier in the night they'd nodded to her, acknowledging her presence.

Sam smiled at who Starfleet had chosen to guard Mabyn. The assassins wouldn't know what hit them until after they died.

"That's a scary grin on your face Sammy girl."

She couldn't help the smile as she heard Jazz come up next to her.

"It's not as scary as…" Sam trailed off as she turned, seeing Bumblebee standing next to Jazz, "your…face… Hi, I'm Sam."

Bumblebee smiled at her, and Sam tried not to blush, "It's a pleasure Lieutenant. I've heard only good things about you from Jazz."

"He's lying to you," Jazz whispered in her ear, draping an arm around her shoulder, "I told them about all the horrible things you've done to me Lieutenant."

Sam smiled at him, thankful he was trying to make her more relaxed, "Oh really? Then tell me Bumblebee, did you know Jazz here is my sassy gay friend?"

Bumblebee raised an eyebrow at her, "That's impossible Lieutenant. Because it turns out Jazz is actually my sassy gay friend."

Both traded grins as Jazz protested to their unfair treatment. The conversation flowed between the three of them, only to pause shortly as Vortex joined in with them.

It suddenly seemed less boring to Sam as she laughed at a rather embarrassing story from Jazz about Bumblebee and a bucket of pink paint.

Page break

Ironhide frowned as he studied the girl across the room from him, :Are you sure Optimus? Megatron could be lying about her.:

Optimus shook his head, :I assure you, he's not lying. Jazz told me earlier this week about it. She is Samuel.:

:Then why hasn't she told us?: Ironhide demanded, eyebrows furrowed, :Did she expect us to turn her away? Surely she knows better than that by now.:

:Samantha does not wish for us to mourn her death,: Optimus told him, :She fears that she will die on a mission and leave us again.:

Ironhide snorted, watching as Sam pushed Jazz gently while Vortex and Bumblebee laughed, :She is still as comfortable around them as she was before.:

:Indeed old friend,: Optimus's voice sounded much older, :But she holds so much anger now. The acts she was forced to perform to survive the massacre damaged her greatly. William Lennox and Robert Epps have been a great help to her.:

:Do they remember?: Ironhide asked, eyes distant.

:They do old friend,: Optimus rested a hand on his shoulder as their eyes traveled to the pair of soldier speaking to Mabyn, :No doubt they will admit it if asked. Sam always was the most stubborn human being I have ever had the pleasure of meeting.:

Their discussion was interrupted by a loud scream that came from the four individuals they had just been watching. Turning back, Ironhide was stunned to see a strange silver haired woman with her hands wrapped around Sam's throat.

Page break

Will managed to get to Sam's side in record time. He wrapped his arms around the crazed woman's voice and pulled her off of Sam.

"Give her back!" the woman screamed, clawing at Sam still even as Will dragged her off of the stunned girl, "Give my daughter back! You stole her eyes, my little girl's eyes! Give them back to me!"

Will grunted as the lady slammed her elbow into his nose. His hands slipped and the woman screamed wildly before tackling Sam and clawing at her face.

"Give me my Samantha back you monster!" the woman screamed, "Give her back now! You killed her, and I want her back."

The woman screamed in rage as several guards grabbed her and dragged her forcibly from the room. Will helped Sam back to her feet, checking the poor girl over for any serious injuries. Besides some nasty looking scratches, she was fine.

"Are you alright?" Bumblebee asked Sam, placing a hand on her shoulder. Sam didn't answer, instead she wrapped her arms around her torso, looking rather young.

"Who was she?" Jazz demanded, glaring after the woman, "Crazy bitch."

"She's my mother," Sam whispered, pressing closer to Will, "Kind of funny that she never cared about me until I was adopted by Pike."

Vortex snorted, "You're wrong. You spoke to your true mother before this stupid event. That woman is a stranger to you."

Sam smiled weakly at the girl, "Thanks princess. I needed that."

Vortex scowled at the name, but before she could respond a silver haired man in an expensive outfit walked over to him. The large red scar on his cheek was the only distinguishing thing about him.

"Captain," the man bowed his head to Will, "I apologize on the behalf of Wisteria fir the attack to your soldier."

Will nodded, surprised, "Thank you Mr..."

"Brian Witwicky," he gave them a pleasant smile, one that caused shivers to travel down Will's spine. How was this man his sweet little (so she wasn't really that sweet…) Sam's father, "You must forgive her. It has been difficult since we lost our daughter Samantha."

Bumblebee frowned, "Isn't Lieutenant Witwicky your daughter?"

Brian raised an eyebrow, regarding Sam with disdain, "Young man, all I can see is Pike's whore."

Will wasn't sure when he moved. Later on, this will be the proudest moment in both of his lives. He'll get an award from Pike for this, and Ironhide will never let him forget it.

But in that moment, all Will saw was red and then his fist was connecting with Brian's nose.

"If you ever call my Lieutenant a whore again," Will yelled, not caring that everyone was staring at them, "I WILL kill you!"

Brian stood, glaring at him. No, Will realized after a moment, he's glaring at Sam.

"Then what shall I call her?" Brian demanded, spitting at Sam's feet, "Traitor? Because she did betray her government. Murderer? Or, the most fitting title, terrorist. She is all these three, and even more. But I will not continue, because this…thing shares blood with me and I will not disgrace myself with her anymore!"

"She's a decorated officer in Starfleet!" Will yelled, not noticing as Epps came up beside him, "If Sam's a disgrace, then what does that make you? Because I can assure you, she is more than you will ever be!"

And then all hell broke loose. A series of gunshots went off, and everybody dropped to the floor. Will turned, hoping he'd see his men. Epps was next to him, looking stunned, but Sam was missing.

And so was Vortex.

Page break

The moment the gunshots went off, Sam grabbed Vortex's wrist and threw the girl behind a pillar. She ducked behind it also, before breaking the window they stood in front of.

"Go!" Sam ordered, pushing Vortex through the window before jumping after her. The two landed in a garden and Sam grabbed her wrist and they took off at a run across the garden.

Screams and gun shots sounded from the ballroom as Sam sprinted down the pathway.

"What the slag was that?" Vortex demanded, eyes wide.

"Assassination attempt," Sam yelled back as they ran, "It was meant for Mabyn, but I wanted to make sure you were out of there!"

Sam skidded to a halt as a figure dropped from a tree and landed in front of her. But she quickly grinned at seeing her old friend.

"Damn it Jim!" Sam snapped, punching the armored man on the shoulder, "Give a girl some warning!"

The figure laughed as he tossed Sam a pair of wickedly curved knives.

"Nice to see you too Sam," Jim called before nodding to Vortex, "Hey there kid. You're looking good in that dress."

"Thank you Captain Kirk," Vortex whispered, eyes wide.

"What's the situation?" Sam demanded as she spun the knives in her hand.

Jim cocked his head to the side, "Zeenia's got Mabyn covered. She's taken down one of the assassins. Only one more is left, and we think he's targeting the princess."

Sam nodded, "Understood. We should move."

"I wouldn't do that if I were you!"

They turned, and froze seeing Wisteria standing there with a deranged smile on her face.

"Wisteria," Sam said as she stepped forward, "What are you doing?"

The woman cocked her head to the side, "They promised I'd get my Samantha back if I killed the girl. They said she took my daughter away…"

Wisteria opened up her jacket to reveal a bomb that was ticking down.

Sam's eyes widened as she realized there were only three seconds left on the timer.

"Run!" Jim screamed.

Then the world flashed white.

When the flash cleared, only one charred body was lying on the ground. Where the other three had stood were scorch marks that had blue electricity sparking in them.

Sam, Jim, and Vortex were gone.

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