Interim

SUMMARY: M.E.C.H is up to something, D.A.A know that for sure—but the question is what? If Zelda thought she'd been through the hardest challenge M.E.C.H could offer her—well, she's about to discover that might not be all true.

Pre—Sunstreaker/Zelda/Sideswipe

"Lighten up, just enjoy life, smile more, laugh more, and don't get so worked up about things." – Kenneth Branagh

Chapter 1: Witwicky's

When the moment comes that the ground turns liquid, a presence shall bring a new fury and the end of an essence.

We've shared dreams under open skies
We've loved far and we've travelled wide
But the best is yet to come

We danced out late in the pouring rain
Never lost hope, never lost the flame
And the best is yet to come—

My hair fluttered about as I rested my head against Sunstreaker's window frame, my arm dangling outside as he drove down the desert highway.

The silence that had begun as soon as we'd set off had long ago been replaced with blaring music, but the lack of speaking wasn't because of an awkward air between us—no, the silence between Sunstreaker and I was never gauche, in fact, it was welcomed.

Sunstreaker was an aloof person by nature so the lack of conversation was normal, and I felt comfortable in that silence. Silence had been a companion I'd come to enjoy—I had learnt to use that silence and found sometimes I liked it better then human company.

And surprisingly, Sunstreaker hadn't protested when I'd taken to resting my foot on his dashboard—shoeless of course—and just listened to the music he'd started playing from my iPod.

I ran a hand through my loose hair, brushing it away from my face as it whipped in front of it.

I'll go and burn the stars
I'll just go and burn the stars
Let 'em burn, let 'em burn, let 'em burn
I'll go and burn the stars
I'll just go and burn the stars
I'll go and, I'll go and, I'll go and

Burn the stars—

I bent my knees and lowered them, they'd gone numb from keeping them it such a straight position for almost half an hour. My knees crinked at the movement and I grimaced at the ache. I sighed, despite being cramped in Sunstreaker's form for the last two and half hours, I felt oddly relaxed.

I blinked, turning my gaze onto the rapidly moving environment—this was the furthest away I'd been from all of the Autobots since finding out I had become too host of the All-Spark. It, admittedly, put me on edgy a bit—not the I didn't feel comfortable with Sunstreaker, Sideswipe and Bumblebee. Because I did. Easily. However, it was the power in me that felt queasy at the distance to Optimus, Ratchet, Jazz, and Ironhide.

We passed several cars and I rested my head back on the headrest. My thumb subconsciously stroked back and forth on the outside of Sunstreaker's door and I only realised I'd been doing so when I felt his frame shudder.

Sneaking out and creeping round

There's nothing you haven't seen now

Say I'm lost but I feel found

Think you're gonna turn me

But you don't see behind the shutters

But you don't want to see behind the shutters

A perfect house, a perfect smile

There's nothing you haven't seen now

Think I'm crazy, stay a while

I know you say you want to

But you don't see behind the shutters

But you don't want to see behind the shutters—

I blinked, turning to the blonde-haired holoform. Sunstreaker's holoform was quite handsome—in fact, all the Autobot's had holoform that were incredibly good looking. I almost didn't believe Ratchet when he said the software generated the holoform to be the literal humanization of their real selves. Either way, his hair was on the longer side, it was a few inches from reaching his shoulders which was currently pulled back into a scruffy bun with stray strains falling either side of his rectangular face. His brows were defined but not neat and the beginning of a moustache that would only be really noticeable at certain angles because of how fair the hairs were.

His eyes retained that purple-blue shade, just more muted to look human.

Sunstreaker glanced at me then averted his gaze—sheepishly.

"You're stroking my plating." He answered after a moment and he'd cleared his throat.

I pulled my arm back inside sheepishly. "Sorry."

"N-no, no!" He waved me off, cheeks tinting. "It's alright—it feels quite nice to be truthful."

"It does?" I asked curiously. He nodded. "Is your plating sensitive then?"

"No—our protoform is. It's just… I—I'm super hyperaware of your touch." He's lips twitched upwards. I cleared my throat this time—oh.

I felt his amusement. "No need to be embarrassed, sweetcheeks."

I spluttered wordlessly at the nickname—normally it was Sideswipe with them. In fact, this was the first time Sunstreaker had even called me anything other than Zelda.

He snickered at my response and I pouted at him. "It's not nice to tease others." I chided.

He raised a brow. "Says you."

"…Touché"

We shared a chuckle.

The entire journey from base to Tranquility was a good seven hours. Thankfully with the bots, there was a slight shortening of that because they liked to drive fast. But either way, we entered Tranquility's city edge by half four and I was finally feeling restless from the long drive.

I seemed to be radiating it, or maybe he could feel it over the thread, because Sunstreaker reached over, hand landing on my knee. My breath lodged in my throat at the touch—my knee stopped its jigging in response.

It was my turn to shudder as his thumb made small circular motions before gently squeezing my kneecap. But I found myself becoming oddly relaxed, muscles loosening at the soothing touch.

I murmured my thank you and he hummed in return.

His hand didn't move for the rest of the journey.

Another half an hour flew by and we finally pulled up outside the Witwicky's residence. Bumblebee scooted in front of Sunstreaker and parked on the driveway while the twins stopped at the roadside.

I unpopped and stretched, feeling as my back gave satisfying cracks. Sunstreaker opened the door before I could, and I shot him a smile as I pulled my shoes on. He grunted in response before his holoform climbed out too.

Aria stepped out of Bumblebee with his holoform and Sideswipe climbed out of his alt. My attention was drawn to the front door as it swung open and Judy came running out, a wide smile and teary face.

"My two adorable nieces!" She cried, immediately pulling Aria, who was the closest, into a hug—my sister laughed lightly as she returned it. Judy waved me over, and as I didn't want her crying to escalate, I joined.

"Ohhh, it's been so long since both of you have been here together!"

It had. Almost three years since Aria and I had both been within the Witwicky household at the same time. I was the one that spent the most time here out of us two, and as much as I loved to see my remaining family, I was always injured during the stays.

After… Sigma, I spent several months in therapy and in a familiar place that wouldn't set me off. Aria had flown back and forth over a dozen times during my stay because she was practically my lifeline at that point. I'd lost the only other person I'd loved so dearly, even the notion of long-term separation from Aria at that point set me off into a panic attack.

Even now, the idea of going a dozen weeks without some sort of contact left me jittery.

Judy pulled back, giving Aria a once over before doing the same to me but settled with giving me a stern look. "Heaven forbid you come see us without any injuries."

I laughed sheepishly. "Sorry?"

She rolled her eyes, before turning to Bumblebee, Sideswipe and Sunstreaker with a wide typical Judy-like smile. "Hello. It's lovely to finally meet you."

Right, it had almost slipped my mind that Judy and Ron were in the know—especially since Bumblebee would be staying with them. It was safer if they were aware of the fact an alien was going to be using their garage as a home for the next few years.

It left me feeling just the slightest bit odd—I wasn't great at separating my own feelings from the All-Spark's influence yet. There were somethings I could get my head around, but others were a lot more complex than something I could speak to the Autobots about.

There's a difference in theory and practical, as they say. But, I believe the oddity was stemming from the fact that Bumblebee would be staying here—it was the only real explanation I could think possible at the moment.

"And it's just as lovely to meet you, ma'am!" Sideswipe beamed, reaching out to shake my aunt's hand.

The Autobots had been doing researching into Earth's cultures and greetings after a small incident where (I'd been comatose at the time, so this was coming from Logan) when Logan went to greet Optimus' holoform with a handshake, the Prime had looked visibly confused and a tad bit worried.

It was explained that since Cybertronians varied in heights a lot of the time, they didn't have handshakes—in fact, most Cybertronians had weapons on their right hands and holding your hand out like that was like aiming your weapon. Hence why Optimus was a bit concerned at the greeting.

It was smoothed over quickly and the Autobots agreed to look into Earth culture in response so there would be less confusion next time they met someone. It was sweet of them.

"Well, aren't you well mannered!" Judy smiled.

Sunstreaker snorted and Bee grinned widely behind his hand. I bit my lip to stop myself from following Sunstreaker's example. Aria giggled quietly.

"Why thank you!" Sideswipe answered, then pointed to himself. "I'm Sideswipe, my brother is Sunstreaker and shortie is Bumblebee."

"Hey!" Bee rebutted with a pout. "My holoform's not that short!"

I laughed, reaching over and ruffling his hair—he was shorter than all of us, though he did come close to Aria.

"Zelda!" He ducked away from my hand and I grinned, rushing after him. He screeched and began running around the front yard in an attempt to shake me, but I kept up, laughing all the while. The spectators all joining in with the laughter.

I followed Bee into the house and I finally tackled him, he squawked as we went down. I took to tickling him and he squealed, begging me to stop and I only did so when I felt my arm begin to quiver. I clenched my fist and grimaced. A hand gently wrapping around my wrist made me look up. Bee smiled weakly, his concern fluttering over, silently asking if it hurt.

Bumblebee's holoform was that of a sixteen-year-old, just a year 'younger' than Sam and Mikaela—because really, Bee was a lot older by Cybertronian standard. Anyway, Bee had short and scruffy blonde hair with a square jaw, he had neat and defined brows in contract to Sunstreaker. He looked quite mature while also retaining an adolescent appearance in both personality and speech.

"It's fine." I answered.

He nodded, brows furrowing with his concern. "Just tell us if it does, okay?"

I nodded, our attention, however, was drawn to the front door as the others all joined us, perhaps finding the sudden silence a bit worrying.

"You both good?" Aria asked first, loping into the house; her red, blue-tipped hair swished at her movements, it was a stark contest to the creams and browns of the Witwicky hallway.

"All good." Bee grinned and pushed himself to his feet, pulling me up with him.

"Should you be straining yourself?" Judy asked frettingly.

"All healed." I chimed. "Just some aches occasionally, Auntie."

Judy gave me a look, like she didn't know whether to believe me—not that I was surprised, she and Ron had been told a little more about what Aria and I do. The government considered them A-Okay with knowing the bare essentials now, but it was a surprise as D.A.A was something very few had clearance to know existed.

I noticed the distinct lack of Uncle Ron and Sam, I voiced it.

"Oh, Ron went to pick Sam up." Judy smiled. Right, it was a school week and Sam was once again carless. "Would anyone like some drinks—can you even drink?" She turned to the holoforms curiously.

"Yes!" Bee beamed, arm shooting up into the air. "Ratchet adjusted the software to allow us too!"

Judy laughed, eyes twinkling in amusement, Bumblebee didn't really act like a sixteen-year-old, it was obvious Judy was gonna love spoiling him. "Well then, we've got plenty to choose from!"

Bee giggled and followed after her, Aria pat my shoulder and followed.

"Your Aunt isn't nearly as bad as you made her out to be." Sideswipe commented, tone amused.

I turned to him. His holoform was practically identical to Sunstreaker, however, his hair was a short but curly dark brown—a lovely shade at that—and his brows were as defined, but unlike Sunstreaker's, his were cleaner. And again, much like his brother, Sides' eyes were a muted version of his real ones.

I don't think I'd ever think they weren't beautiful, oddly enough.

I snorted and shot him a look. "You haven't seen her angry yet. You've seen Aria's freak out, well Judy's is worse."

Sideswipe shuddered. "Damn, really? Aria's Ratchet worthy."

I nodded.

Sunstreaker snorted, lips curling upwards. "Best not piss her off then, yeah?"

I grinned. "Yep! Anyway, let's get our bags from your forms now. Saves going back out later."

So we returned outside and did just that, the bags were taken upstairs and into the spare bedrooms. For some reason, Uncle Ron and Auntie Judy had gone with a four-bedroom house, and while it gave Aria and I each a room of our own when here, it was just Uncle Ron was a bit of a cheap-ass. It was something that always came to mind whenever I was here, but I never got around to asking.

I opened my door—which was the back left, Sam's on the right—and dropped my bag on the spinney chair. Sunstreaker put my other on the bed. I wanted to sigh because bed's weren't really my thing. I'd gotten used to sleeping on a hammock because for some reason it helped minimise the nightmares. Never understood my mind but who was I to question it when it worked in my favour?

Sideswipe appeared moments later after having dropped Aria's bag in her room and leant on the doorframe.

"What's with the look?" Sides' voice brought me from my musing. I blinked up at him.

"What look?"

"The wistful look."

"Oh." Was my oh-so intelligent response. It got a smile from the twins though. "I'm not the biggest fan of beds. I'm a hammock girl all the way."

It was their turn to blink—in unison, mind you. It was a funny sight and I bit my lip to stop the grin, which I failed at.

I watched as their eyes dimmed, no doubt looking up what hammocks were. Sideswipe started laughing, falling back onto the doorframe.

Sunstreaker smirked. "Really?"

I nodded. "I've always had a fondness for them, sleeping in a bed is hard these days."

Of course, I wasn't going to just tell them that sleeping in a bed left me at the mercy of nightmares—memories—of Sigma. It was a horrible time. It was why I felt so unworthy of being the host to the All-Spark. The death and horror that I saw—committed—it wasn't anything I'd wish upon anyone.

"Anyway." I grinned, not allowing my thoughts to linger on the topic any longer, it wouldn't do me any good. Sideswipe snickered. "Since there isn't much here, would you guys like to go out? There's a park about ten minutes from here."

The park that Sam had taken Miles and I too. Since I'd gotten out to let Sam go after Mikaela, I'd found that it only took a half-hour to walk back. So by car, it would be just under half of that, or maybe a bit more considering the time of day.

"Park?" Sunstreaker perked up.

"Yeah, it's a really big pretty plot of public land." I answered. "And since it's a school day, there'll probs be little to not people."

"Pit yeah, let's do it!" Sides grinned, reaching forward to nab my hand and led me back downstairs. I snorted with laughter, glancing over my shoulder at Sunstreaker who was following behind in amusement.

We shared a smile.

This time I was with Sideswipe, pointing out the directions to the park. The warmth of the day was getting to that point where you could feel how late it was getting—that gorgeous balmy heat, the evening warmth people dream about.

I couldn't stop the content hum that escaped as I leant my head against Side's doorframe and allowed the wind and warm sun to brush my cheeks.

Sideswipe's amusement was apparent but I didn't care, shooting him an easy smile. He chuckled.

"This left." I offered as the turning came up. Sideswipe turned onto the slip road with Sunstreaker a few moments behind him.

As we drove through the park gates, the people walking all turned their attention towards the mechs, the sound of their alt-forms an almost purr. It didn't help that Lamborghinis were very beautiful cars too. So there was bound to be gawkers.

Eventually, we reached one of the smaller lakes, it was also the quietest out of the four that were in the park, and we climbed out. I didn't waste any time with pulling off my shoes and socks, rolling up my jeans enough that I could step into the warm water.

I wiggled my toes, burying them under the sand. I didn't turn when the other two followed but only one actually entered the water. I twisted my head to grin at Sideswipe when he stopped next to me.

I pouted over my shoulder at Sunstreaker, as the brunet twin turned to face his brother, resting an arm on my shoulder. "Not coming in, Sunny?"

He sneered, arms crossed. "Don't call me that, but no, I'm fine where I am."

I grinned, breathlessly laughing as Sides pouted. "How rude."

Sides turned to me, sharing my grin, optics twinkling in amusement. "He never joins in with anything fun like this, Doll! He's so asocial and cantankerous!"

I snorted in a vain attempt to not laugh, I slapped a hand over my mouth to stifle the sound.

"Sideswipe!" Sunstreaker snapped. "Just because I don't want to get into the water, doesn't make me either of those things!"

I batted at Sides' arm that was on my shoulder, then once he'd done so, stepped back and—

—kicked.

Sideswipe yelped at the sudden splash of water and stumbled back, so unbalanced that he lost his footing and ended up sitting in the ankle-deep water, gapping like a fish.

I laughed boisterously. Sunstreaker himself burst into laughter.

"Your face." The blonde twin snickered.

Sideswipe glared at him, but then that look was transferred to me. The look turned into something else—something devious.

Oh, no.

I turned tail and ran out the water with a squeal, listening as Sideswipe scrambled to his feet and ran after me. Sunstreaker continued to laugh, at some time he'd fallen to the ground, almost wheezing as I did a complete circle around the lake, Sides never far behind me.

"Sunstreaker!" I squawked. "Help!"

He grinned, getting to his feet just as I approached and before I could even question what he had planned, lifted me from my feet. I gasped in surprise as I found myself slung over his shoulder as he himself turned and started running.

I looked up to see Sides grinning so widely that it had to hurt. He laughed at my perplexed expression—I hadn't expected to be swept off my feet!

Eventually, our playing trailed off when my muscles began quivering again (stupid things), leaving us laying on the grass, watching as the sun was beginning to make a noticeable decent in the horizon.

It was Sunstreaker that broke the peaceful silences. "It have to admit, I might… dislike the amount of dirt this planet has but it's beautiful."

I turned my gaze onto him, the sun catching his form at just the right angle to create a rembrandt shadow. My chest suddenly felt heavier, heart beating just that bit faster. I turned my gaze forward.

"Tell me about Cybertron." I asked.

That seemed to surprise them, both glancing at me. "Really?" Sides asked.

I nodded. "Yeah, Ratchet said I'd probably end up knowing quite a lot of Cybertronian later but I wanna hear it from your perspectives first."

They smiled.

"Well, obviously it's a completely metallic plant." Sides started. "So different from Earth, yet at the same time they're both so similar."

"It has one sun, much like your solar system but we have two moons. A large silver one, Ukla, and a small pink one, only one-sixth the size of Ukla called Thos."

"Pink?!" I gapped and they laughed

Hope you enjoyed, I want to put a lot more depth into this story than Epoch which is why it's taken me so long to write. I want to get at least several chapters complete before I even think of posting another. Hopefully, that will be soonish. Atm, I don't have any sort of timeline.

During this mini-hiatus, I will be working on my Prime-verse story and G1 stories. So if you want more of Zelda, it's 1 New Message or Remnant, which is non-Zelda related, instead, it's the adventures of a sparkling of Soundwave called Resonate while she lives with the Decepticons.

Song 1: The World is Ours by Volunteer

Song 2: Burn the Stars by Massive Vibes

Song 3: Blackout by AViVA

I know none of these songs were out in 2007 but who cares really? Lol, anyway, below are face claims for the D.A.A team as well as Holoforms.

Human actors:

Zelda: Karen Gillan

Aria: Isla Fisher

Logan: Channing Tatum

Eden: Mario Lopez

Mia: Satomi Ishihara

Michel: Chadwick Boseman

Adan: Lucas Till

Soma: Ranbir Kapoor

Holoform actors:

Optimus- Colin O'Donoghue

Ratchet- Mark Ruffalo

Ironhide- Jeremy Renner

Bumblebee- young Alex Pettyfer

Sideswipe- Cole Sprouse

Sunstreaker- Dylan Sprouse

Jazz: Kel Mitchell