Hyaline:

I know it's been a long wait. I won't bore you with explanations and my reasonable excuses, but instead I'll just get straight to the story. I can assure you, to all fans of this story of mine, that this episode will certainly serve you well. Gossip, juicy events, and the shared narrative between 'Transformers' and 'Escaflowne' really picks up here. Also, for certainr easons, I want to yet again state that I do NOT own any of these characters' names or relations, however, I do take credit for the combination of the stories and my own adaption of the characters themselves. Deal with it.

-0-

It was coming onto early hours of the morning in Angel City. As the optimistic, warm sun slowly rose higher into the glamorous horizon, both sides of the City became one. Just for this moment, the East and West sides were equal in their share of passionate glow and stood tall and marvellous in their own glory. Light sparkled off the windows, the buildings created proud shadows and all was still... for now.

Inside The Merchants' junkyard-home, the sound of a fuzzy television connection could be heard echoing from the main garage room. Mirage, Barkley and Chomp were sitting around, leaning against railings or cars, watching the screen intensely with confused, intrigued expressions across their faces. What they were seeing was certainly something strange.

"And what we're seeing here is the result of last night's meteor hit," A female news reporter commented with her microphone, "though the Scientists and Forensics working on the site are unnerved to claim that they have found no evidence of frost, burnt grovel or any kind of abnormal chemical amongst the rubble. Joining me now is Professor White to elaborate on the situation..."

Mirage gave a cynical little snigger, "Shows how much they know."

"If it weren't meteors, what was it?" Chomp dopily yawned from the back.

"No a clue," Barkley tonelessly replied while deep in thought, "but it was certainly somethin' that wanted to get on the move A.S.A.P."

Chomp and Mirage took Barkley's words quite seriously, though they didn't let it show. The fact that the crater in the ground was so big, so deep, and an entire church had been half-knocked down into a pile of nothing quite unnerved them, and especially because Scientists were saying there was nothing to prove it was a meteor. What the hell would crash down into earth, that powerfully, and be able to move afterwards? The three gang members were distracted so much by this bizarre news report that no one noticed Vaughn, who was lurking at the back of the room, from just having woken from his light doze in the back tool-room.

"Thank you, Professor White," The woman nodded to the scientist before turning back to the camera, "while our professionals are working hours here in Angel City to solve this mysterious case there are also four other locations with similar strange occurrences, starting from Tokyo, to France, Washington DC and Peru..."

"Jesus," Mirage shifted uncomfortably, "I know I sound pussy-whipped but this couldn't be some sorta' alien invasion right?"

Barkley rolled his eyes at the idea. Just at that moment, a sleepy-looking Hitomi strolled into the room through the upper stairs and came to the edge of the balcony above the three men and their television. They all looked up to her as to welcome her into the morning, though Barkley looked slightly concerned.

"You should be resting, Boots." He told her protectively.

Hitomi rubbed the back of her messy head, "It's no big. Besides, with everything that's happened how could anyone sleep?"

But as she said this, Shark released an amusing little snort from inside one of the cars in the garage. Hitomi could see his two feet hanging out from the back window with one shoe on and the other missing; she shook her head in disapproval.

"Organisation Manager, Andrew Webbs, claims that the damage caused upon the ground which would be used at the racing tracks for this year's Grands Race will take several weeks to repair..." The News-reported announced in her emotionless, formal manner.

At hearing this, all three men snapped their eyes back onto the Television screen in alarm while Hitomi flinched as if the words had literally flicked her in the stomach. Had they really just heard this? Hitomi, now interest with worry, leapt over the railings of the balcony and landed strongly on her feet just beside Chomp.

"The team which host and manage the notorious race every year say that the Grands will have to be postponed until the repairs have been completed. This make take up to two months at least.." The woman finally explained.

Hitomi's lips hung agape in dread, "No..."

The woman smiled sympathetically; fakely, "... the team apologise sincerely for the disappointment that will spread through all contestants and patiently-waiting fans of the event."

"No!" Hitomi shouted out.

In a burst of rage and disappointment, Hitomi spun round and cast a harsh kick to the oil can which was sitting behind her. The item flew a few feet across the room until it crashed through the back window of the car that Shark was snoring in and caused him to awake with startle and a loud yelp of wake.

"I didn't eat them - I swear!" He cried out breathlessly.

Everyone looked over at him through the window with stale, mournful expressions, though in any other case they would have all probably laughed at him and made fun. Shark, clueless, but instantly detecting the tense atmosphere just sheepishly wiped the drool from his cheek and cleared his throat, as if to excuse himself.

"What's everyone so gloomy about?" He casually, smugly asked, slipping out of the car, "you look like someone's just died..."

This comment was terribly tactless of Shark, although he didn't really know what was going on. But that's why he just shouldn't have said anything at all! Hitomi gave a loud snicker of anger before turning and storming off out of the garage through the side door; everyone glared at Shark.

"What?" He shrugged in annoyance, "what'd I say??"

Barkley just rolled his eyes at the hopeless thug and rubbed the back of his neck in slight distress. Everyone knew what this meant. They were all counting on winning that race so that they could win the money and afford to get Logic to a proper doctor, in a safe hospital on the East Side of Angel City. But now... it would probably be too late for him. He needed medical attention within the next week or he was going to die.

Hitomi arrived outside in the junkyard and started pacing up and down in a small clearing, where she was surrounded by walls of tires and stacks of rusty car parts. She was breathing heavy, rubbing her forehead, eyes flickering all about in harsh frustration and panic. Her emotions were getting the better of her.

"Careful with them." Vaughn's charming voice spoke out.

Hitomi stopped pacing to look at him impatiently, "What?"

He pointed casually at her and walked further into the clearing, "Your emotions. You might set off Escaflowne again."

Hitomi just stared at him for a moment as if contemplating on whether to yell at him or just accept what he was saying. And she accepted. With a loud huff, the tough girl sank back down onto a small pile of three tires where she leant her elbows on her knees and her forehead in her hands. Vaughn wandered nearer.

"I can't lose him..." Hitomi finally spoke out.

Vaughn lowered down onto a small, metal box opposite Hitomi on the other side of the clearing area. He was being fair to her and keeping a distance until he was welcomed by her to come closer through some kind of body language or speech.

"Who said you're going to?" Vaughn calmly asked, in a rather rhetorical manner.

But Hitomi still answered, and with anger, "Have you seen the state he's in?? He needs blood, and his wounds've brought on a fever. If it doesn't break within the next day he's gonna' die."

Although her voice sounded furious, the look in her wild eyes wasn't anything to do with rage. Vaughn studied her. He could see sorrow, sadness - fear. She was like a vulnerable child just acting tough so that she could survive.

Vaughn tilted his handsome head to one side curiously, "You really love him, don't you."

Hitomi's eyes trailed away from Vaughn as she started to ponder over his statement. Yes, she loved him, very much. If she lost him... what would she do? He was her rock.

"When I ran away from home, I was thirteen," Hitomi gently spoke, reminiscing, "if Logic hadn't found me, I know I'd be dead. Or worse. He was a better father to me than the man who created me. He taught me to defend myself, he taught me about this crazy world and how to read it... about how to live in it. But if he goes... if he leaves me... I-..."

She didn't finish her sentence. Either because it was too hard, or because she didn't want to seem weak in front of Vaughn. But Vaughn predicted, by the look on her sorry face, that it was because she was trying to control her emotions and her memories were making it very hard for her to do that.

"What will you do?" Vaughn finally spoke again; Hitomi looked up in question, "about Logic? How will you afford a hospital, now?"

Hitomi shook her head a little and looked around hopelessly while thinking of an answer. She knew what it was, but she didn't want to have to do it. It was going to be hard to complete the mission without their leader.

"What we do best, I suppose. We'll steal it." Hitomi announced.

Vaughn watched her in slight sadness, "You don't sound very enthusiastic..."

"Oh don't gimme' your sympathy," Hitomi got a little peeved now, "I'm not askin' for any rich kid's sympathy, ok?"

Vaughn held up his hands defensively, "I'm not giving - ok, ok. All I'm saying is that... well- I thought your gang stole things all the time? Like you did Escaflowne."

"We've never done a mission without Logic before." Hitomi sighed, though she was still on edge around Vaughn.

But then... a thought came into Hitomi's mind. Narrowing her suspicious, confused eyes, she looked back to Vaughn and observed him warily as if trying to figure him out. Vaughn just stared back at her.

"Why are you so interested all of a sudden?" She asked cautiously, "why d'you care what happens to Logic? In fact, why haven't you even tried to escape yet?"

Vaughn looked slightly offended, "Y-you know, for a smart girl you do really well at being stupid."

"Excuse me?" Hitomi snickered, insulted also.

Vaughn stood up in his irritation, "I know we're from different worlds. I know you broke into my garage, stole my car - I know you're keeping me hostage and all of you are being complete assholes towards me - but I would never hope for anyone to die."

Hitomi's eyes softened and her eyebrows lifted in an expression of guilt and, also, surprise at Vaughn's wisdom and seeing his soft side. She felt slightly stupid, now.

Vaughn shifted in anger and threw his hand out, "You know what - I may be rich and well-spoken, but I'm not heartless. Get that through your head, ok? Because if you're going to be keeping me here you could at least use the morals that Logic taught you and treat me with a little heart."

Hitomi didn't like being put in her place, but she knew he was right. She knew she had been acting like a complete, nasty bitch towards Vaughn since the moment they had met... and for what reason? Jealousy? Envy for his lifestyle? Stereotype? Well, Vaughn was certainly beginning to prove to Hitomi that he wasn't the typical East-side snob with their heads up their asses and morals mixed in with all that money. Vaughn was... different. He even stood up for himself to Shark.

"I..." Hitomi found it hard to state her thoughts; she hated backing down, "I didn't-..."

Vaughn shook his head bitterly, "You know, anyone can be a low-life, with or without money. It's not a name given to someone who's without wealth and pride - just someone like you. Someone who doesn't feel. But don't worry, you don't need to say anything. I don't need a low-life's sympathy."

When he was finished glaring at her, he turned to walk away. He spoke with such ease, such grace, such softness that only made what he was saying all the more inflictive upon Hitomi's heart. She was stumped. Ashamed of herself, embarrassed, insulted and still so angry at -- herself. She had been acting like one of the selfish animals that Hitomi had judged Vaughn as; she had been venting her fear for Logic out on him this whole time.

"I'm sorry." Hitomi finally whispered.

Tears shimmered in her eyes and her voice clogged in her throat, making the temptation to burst into tears even harder to resist. Vaughn was no longer walking towards the door, but now he was standing still, as if giving her some kind of mercy. A helicopter could be heard approaching through the sky; a news helicopter, filming an over-view of the wreckage at Grands. Vaughn watched it, musing in the silence.

Hitomi shook her head at the floor in shock, "I wasn't-... I didn't mean to-... this is all happening so fast, I"-

Hitomi didn't get the chance to finish her sentence. It was happening again. The earring in her ear started to glow a warning pink, which grew brighter and brighter, until it was impossible for Hitomi not to notice it.

"Oh no." She gasped at herself.

Vaughn saw the reflection upon the side of a broken car and spun round instantly. The two of them looked to each other, as to express and share their apprehension. Vaughn knew it was him who had done it - who had pushed her emotions to a dangerous point. Had his words affected her that greatly? ... Clearly. Vaughn rushed towards Hitomi - what he was planning to do, he had no idea, but he had to think of something right??

"Make it stop!" Hitomi begged him, flapping her hands about, "the helicopter will see!"

Vaughn's eyes flickered all about in an attempt to do exactly that - make it stop. But what was he supposed to do? Well, the first thing that popped into his head really. So, in a matter of seconds, Vaughn snatched Hitomi up by her wrist and pulled her into him, where he held her there to stare intensely, and warmly, into her watery eyes.

Hitomi shook her head worriedly, "What're yo"-

Vaughn used his free hand to place it on her cheek, "Ssshh..."

Hitomi hushed instantly. She stared back up into his own dark, entrancing swirls of chocolate... charmed, swept off her feet. This rich kid really knew how to romance huh. Vaughn stroked his hand down her cheek and tilted her face up by pushing her chin, and just like that, Hitomi allowed him to kiss her. She certainly hadn't expected it and she certainly wouldn't have agreed with it during such a time of panic and austerity... but she let him kiss her. And, in fact, she was kissing back, without her even knowing. Her right hand tightened around the loose sleeve of Vaughn's shirt while the other held him at the side of his gentle neck... It was... kind of... nice? The helicopter was still drifting over them, casting a loud humming vibration down upon them, but the earring was no longer glowing at all.

"Hitomi?!" Shark's furious voice exploded into the scene.

Vaughn and Hitomi opened their eyes and stared into each other like piece's of intriguing art. What had just happened? Well, they obviously knew - they had kissed. But what was happening? Was that kiss real or just a distraction? Shark stormed towards them both and tore Vaughn away from Hitomi by the scruff of his shirt, to push him back up against a wall of car pieces.

"Shark!" Hitomi snapped in disapproval.

Shark glance back at her hopefully, "Want me to rip his face off??"

"Let me go, you imbecile!" Vaughn grabbed his wrists and gave a mighty effort at escaping.

The two men suddenly proceeded in combat. A punch to Shark's jaw, an elbow in Vaughn's chest, then a kick round the back of Shark's legs so that he was on the floor so that Vaughn could swiftly jump down upon him and cast a few more punches to his face. Hitomi was impressed to see the rich-kid winning, but it was no reason to let the violence continue between the two guys. Hurrieldy, she scrambled over to them and ripped Vaughn off of Shark.

"Thanks, Tomi." Shark coughed, wiping some blood.

"Oh shut up," Hitomi sneered angrily, "you ass."

"He was kissing you!" Shark blurted out, perhaps in jealousy.

Hitomi and Vaughn exchanged unsure, perhaps slightly bashful glances. They didn't really know how to react. But all they did understand was that their little moment had saved them all - and Escaflowne.

"It was for Escaflowne's sake." Hitomi announced proudly.

Wow - did Vaughn feel some kind of deep, subtle annoyance from that statement? Did he actually feel used - belittled - irrelevant? He had just kissed her, fair enough, to save Escaflowne... but it... it felt so real at the time. Was it just an illusion, caught up in the moment? Just as Shark was about to bark back some kind of stubborn argument, the situation was swiftly interrupted by a blasting Jazz tune. It was fuzzy, sounding rather weary, but it was very close by. Shark, Hitomi and Vaughn looked around curiously, and within a few seconds they were joined by Barkley, Mirage, Chomp and the silent but wise Spektor.

"That's not you guys?" Hitomi asked Barkley warily.

Barkley shook his head apprehensively, sending her the unnerved gleam in his eyes. The song grew louder - stronger - closer - and then they arrived. Just like that, The Merchants felt the ground shudder and rumble from the pressure of something large, something powerful. Banging, crashing, thudding like a volcano, the 7 of them released sudden yells of alarm and absolute vulnerability at the sight of spotting large, fast shadows swoop over their heads through the sky. They all ducked down to the ground just in time to feel the earth shudder and tremor most so that the rumble disturbed the silence of everyone's' bones.

Barkley was the first to lift his brave head. And what he saw made him lean back in sudden fear - aghast - in awe - totally dumbstruck. There, before him, stood a group of tall, noble, fantastic mechanical robots mixed of greys and their own colours. Was this really happening?

"Holy shit." He mumbled breathlessly.

"Incorrect," One of the larger robots casually replied, "I am Optimus Prime. We must find the Allstar, and our calculations have led us to believe that you know where it is. You must help us."

At hearing this robotic voice, the others began to look up one-by-one. And as sure as anything, there they were. These amazing, unnerving robots, reaching high into the air and creating powerful shadows over them all. Shark let his lips hang agape and the other men just... gaped. Speechless. In a dream-like state. This only happened in sleep! Although the grand Optimus Prime said the word 'you', his shadow leered mostly over Vaughn and Hitomi. His head titled downwards with the sound of an electronic squeak; the two of them knew he was studying them.

"You," Optimus Prime called them both, "you can help our mission; you know the locations of the map."

Hitomi and Vaughn, however, just remained gazing up at this monstrous, magnificent creature in all kinds of emotional states. They weren't really, truly, sanely looking at 4 human-like robots were they? One of them... was Escaflowne. The only person who spoke was Mirage, and he released his questioning pronunciation in a fashion of pathetic confusion which made it clear that these 'humans' deserved some explanations... :

"Eeehhh?"