Extraordinary: It ends with us (Ironhide) (2)

Chapter 2. Autobots

'Forester!'

Maggie jumped. Epps took a sprint, pulling her in a bear hug. 'You're here! I just came back from a scouting mission because otherwise I would've been waiting for you at the front gate!' Maggie laughed. 'I bet you haven't met Jazz yet.' Epps pointed at the smaller man beside him. 'Nice to meet you. Maggie Forester.' She shook his hand. 'What's cracking, lil'lady? I am Jazz.' A smile crept up on her face after hearing his accent. 'You found your best buddy, huh.' Epps shrugged and ran his hand over his bald head. 'Epps told me a lot of stories about you. Can't wait to hear the stories from you during lunch.' Jazz nudged her softly. 'Yes! We will see you at lunch and don't be late.'

'I am never late.' Epps pulled her in another hug. 'Sweet!' He stepped back, smiling widely. He patted her arm roughly before walking off with Jazz. Maggie felt a wave of happiness. It called up so many lost memories. They had always been close, trained and fought together. They were almost like brothers to her. At the beginning, before Lennox met Sarah, they dated for about a year. Soon, both Maggie and William figured it wasn't going to work, but stayed close friends regardless. She had met Sarah and was at their wedding. It had been a magical moment. For once, they weren't surrounded by war and problems. The dress Sarah wore was still engraved in her mind. She looked stunning in her white ball gown-like dress. Somewhere, Maggie had been jealous. Not because she missed Lennox or she wasn't happy with their wedding, but because she had trouble finding someone. The only interest they had was her grandfather.

The clock hit 12 PM and Maggie arrived in the cafeteria. Her nervous feeling had returned. What were other people going to think? Were they going to like her too? She forced a smile on her face. William got up, walking around the table. 'Precisely in time.' She hummed, scanning the table. Ironhide folded his hands and flashed her a smile. 'Ms. Forester, nice to meet you.' Optimus shook her hand. 'Nice to meet you too and please, call me Maggie.' Optimus gave a nod. 'Very well... we heard great stories about you,' he continued. 'I bet... Lennox likes to show off.' William smirked before he sat back next to Ironhide. She had already met Jazz and Ironhide earlier today. As far as she could tell, they were all nice and excited to meet her. It took away her nerves.

Maggie sat down. 'So, you're from Boston?' Prowl began. 'It's not an interrogation, Prowl.' Jazz nudged him. Maggie watched interaction before replying. 'Yes, I am from Boston, but I was born in Texas. We moved to Boston when I was five to be closer to my grandparents. At the time, my grandmother was sick,' Maggie explained. 'And your grandfather is the famous John Forester who served on the USS Arizona, correct?' Maggie nodded slowly. 'He saved many men that day... he won the medal of honor and after the war he helped veterans who suffered injuries. He created the Forester foundation for soldiers who suffered from physical or metal injuries. 'And you are the last remaining Forester?' Maggie sighed softly, nodding. 'Yeah... My father died in action and my mom died last month. I have or had an older sibling, Arizona, but she ran off when she was 18. We have never heard from her again. We don't know if she's alive.'

Maggie thought back to the fateful day. She still remembered it very well. Coming home from school, she found her parents and grandfather arguing. Some ugly words were exchanged before they had noticed her standing in the hall. Arizona never showed up in school. The cops failed to find her. Days turned into weeks, weeks into months and months into years. She hadn't even left a note behind. 'We think she ran off because she didn't want to join the military. At the time, my grandfather was very controlling. He was a very strict and rude man. We had to listen to him, regardless of our opinions or beliefs.'

'So, you know how to follow orders, huh?' Maggie glanced at him, just his team mates. It hadn't been a weird question, but the way it came out sounded seductively and sexy. Optimus raised a brow. 'What? I mean that she's not like those ignorant young mechs, Sideswipe for example or Mirage,' he mocked, waving his hand. 'I bet you meant that,' Ratchet solded under his breath with a roll of his piercing blue eyes. 'Mirage isn't rebellious...' Optimus argued back. 'Yes he is...' Ironhide slumped back, crossing his arms. Maggie couldn't help but smile. 'No, he's not,' Optimus added before he turned his attention back to her. Maggie caught Ironhide's eyes for a moment. They held a mischievous sparkle. She cleared her throat.

After Maggie's break, she went back to the gear room. 'Hey! Sassy queen.' She turned, her eyes wide. 'Excuse me? How did you just call me?' Ironhide blocked her way. 'You and I are going to have a drink tonight.' She blinked. 'We are?' Ironhide nodded, crossing his arms. 'Yes, we are. It's an order.' She snorted. 'And you will come because you're good at following orders,' he added. 'My gosh... who's sassy here?' She mocked, turning around. 'Just... 9 PM at the pub across the street. Don't be late.' She snorted as she watched him walk off. 'sassy queen?' she repeated, shaking her head.

She found herself walking towards the pub at 9. 'There's my sassy queen.' Ironhide smirked. 'Stop saying that.' She hopped on the stool. 'Or what?' he challenged. Maggie rolled her hazel brown eyes. 'What do you want to drink?' he asked. 'Tequila.' Ironhide raised his hand. 'Two Tequila.' He turned his head back towards her. 'And? You like Washington DC so far?' he asked. 'I can't really tell yet, I haven't seen much,' she replied. 'I have a patrol tomorrow at 9. You could join me,' he replied. 'I wish I could, but I have a shift that starts at nine.' 'No, you don't. I pushed it to 10:30. You can join me.' Maggie sheepishly laughed. 'My gosh, Ironhide... you are horrible.' He shrugged. 'I know...'