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

Chapter 6. Dinner

'Ironhide? What are you still doing here?'

The mech leaned against his alt-mode, both hands in his pocket. He shrugged and approached Maggie with a smug look on his face. 'I know your car broke down this morning...' he trailed off. 'Ah, so you wanted to give me a ride home?' She asked, crossing her arms. He nodded. 'Yeah, it's better than taking the bus.' She hummed. 'Thank you for the offer, Ironhide but I have a dinner tonight.' He raised a brow. 'Dinner? With who? Lennox mentioned another dinner.' She smiled weakly. 'Well... it's mainly Jazz's fault but he sort of set up a dinner with Major Reynolds. He flies back to Kentucky this weekend and wanted a dinner before he goes back.' Ironhide snorted. 'The fragger—' he cut himself off. 'Reynolds and Lennox gave a long, complicated relationship ... personally, I dislike the guy.'

'I know you do, but I already said yes. It won't be long.' Or, that was what Maggie hoped for. She was tired and actually wanted to sit on the couch with pizza and soda. She couldn't remember when she had a lazy evening like that. The last few weeks had been chaotic and tiring. Working at a base was nothing new, but answering all this questions started to annoy her. She just wanted to do her job and forget about it for a moment. It doesn't matter where she goes, her last and family always hunted her down. Despite her best effort.

'He's really annoying...' Ironhide muttered. 'Yeah.... I'm aware, but he looked forward for this dinner, so... I'll see you later but thank you for the offer. She tiptoed and kissed his cheek before walking off. She was totally aware of his following eyes. Maybe, if she hadn't promised Reynolds and actually went home, she would have asked him to stay.

'Hey, maggs.'

Jazz took a sprint and smiled warmly. Maggie returned the smile. 'Listen...' he blocked her way and chuckled sheepishly. 'I'm sorry... I know I put you in a difficult situation with Reynolds and this entire dinner thing...' he trailed off. 'It's fine... I'll survive,' she mumbled quietly. 'No, I mean yes... I should've kept my mouth shut, that's all. I just like to talk a lot...' she chuckled and patted his shoulder. 'I know you do, Jazz. Really, it's fine. Don't worry about it.' The mech accepted her answer. 'But you owe me...' he ran his hand through his hair. 'Yeah... I bet.'

Maggie sucked in a breath before she spoke up; 'I better get going, I don't want to be late.' Jazz nodded and smiled again. 'I think he's already waiting for you. I must warn you... he can be a little awkward, but I'm still working on it.'
'Yeah, you told me last day. Don't worry.' She flashed him a smile. Jazz stepped aside to let her pass. 'Oh, before I forget...' she turned and met his gaze. 'Ironhide didn't seem to be really happy... so...' she shrugged. 'You told him...?' He pouted. 'I'm sorry... he wanted to take me home.' Jazz laughed sheepishly. 'Great... y-yeah, uhm... have fun.'

He quickly walked off. Maggie snorted in amusement. She doubted Ironhide would lash out, but Jazz seemed to be a little fearful.

Arriving at the restaurant, Reynolds was already waiting, just like Jazz had said. 'Hey, Maggie. I'm glad you're here.' He embraced her awkwardly without warning before stepping back. She forced a smile on her face and removed her coat. He gestured for her to sit down. 'So, have you settled in a ready?' She nodded and waved her long brown hair behind her ear. 'I have, thank you.'

Usually, she was good keeping up a conversation, but for some reason, her mind couldn't come up with any question or even the motivation to keep up a conversation. She allowed Reynolds to talk the ears off her head. 'I've heard a lot about you.' She hummed. 'Yeah... I bet. A lot of people did.'

'Your grandfather is legendary.'
'Yup... he is.'
'How was he like?'
'Strict, rude... mean and angered fast.'

Reynolds frowned. 'Are you joking?' Maggie laughed with cynical amusement. 'I don't make jokes when I'm talking about my 'legendary' grandfather. People only saw what he was like to the public, but they never got to see his other side. If you think he has been nice to me... you're wrong, but he did teach me a lot.' Reynolds fiddled with the knife on the table. 'The war shaped him... and to be honest, this is the man I've always known. I grew up with him that way.'

Reynolds was quiet for a few seconds before he spoke up again. 'Is it true? The myth?' Maggie sucked in a breath and looked down at the table. 'The myth... the story that got my grandfather famous...' she mumbled and met his gaze. 'Honestly, I can't discuss it. It's something between me and my family and I've sworn to never talk about it. The only reason I know the truth, is because my grandfather wanted me to hear the story from his perspective.'

'So it's true?' Reynolds asked again. 'There's always a truth in every story, but the myth was made up by people who were guessing what happened. They made him look like a hero and villain at the same time. Like I said... it's something that will never, ever be known to the public.' Reynolds face dropped. 'What about the story that goes around the people about you?'

Maggie snorted. 'I fear it's true... I have a twin, but he has been banished from our family and we cut contact. I haven't spoken to him for years... it's also something I rather not discuss...' Reynolds accepted the answer once again. Maggie tapped on the table. It's always about the stories. It's never about her. She looked over her shoulder and signed the waitress. The sooner they got their meal, the sooner she could go home and relax.