The Specialist and I: Book 2

Chapter 20

I sighed as I collapsed on the floor, my vents activated as I attempted to cool down my systems. I looked up at Ironhide as he towered over me with a grin on his face. I so badly wanted to wipe that grin off his face and wipe the floor with him like he was doing to me. 

"You ready to surrender yet?", he asked.

"Surrender?", I asked in mock hurt, "How could you even imply that?"

He laughed and held out his hand to me. I took the opportunity, grabbed his hand, and flipped him over me causing him to slam into the nearby wall upside down. I started laughing at his surprised reaction. I grunted when he knocked me down and he grinned as he pinned me to the floor. He was hovering over me which prevented me from escaping. I saw the love in his eyes and I couldn't stop myself as I kissed him. He relaxed and leaned down so I was flat on the floor. We were enjoying each other's company so much we didn't hear the door.

"IRONHIDE!", Ranger yelled and he pulled back as I began to blush, "Are you seriously fragging your mate in the training room?!"

I couldn't bare to open my optics and pull my servos away from my face as I attempted to hide my embarrassment at the accusation.

"What the frag, Ironhide?!", Esther yelled, "In front of your brother and niece?!"

I groaned softly as I realized how bad our position looked and Ironhide wasn't moving.

"Wow, Lori, does getting caught turn you on?", I could both hear and feel the amusement flowing through our bond as I became more embarrassed.

"It was a groan you horny mech.", I replied and lightly slapped him though the bond.

"Lori!"

"LORI!"

My embarrassment quickly turned to confusion and I removed my hands from my face as Ratchet and Jazz came running in. They both looked afraid and disoriented among other things. Ironhide immediately stood up and helped me up.

"What's going on?", I asked as the two mechs stopped in front of me.

In very hushed voices, so quiet Ironhide couldn't hear them, they said, "Optimus has been captured."

My eyes widened and I looked at the others occupying the room, "Uh, let's go somewhere more private."

The two mechs and I walked, or rather speed walked, to Optimus' office. The one place that has no cameras and that very few bots ever go to. I paced behind the desk as Ratchet and Jazz stood on the other side.

"We have to help him.", Ratchet said.

"I know that!", I sighed, "What exactly happened?"

Ratchet and Jazz looked at one another then proceeded to explain what happened.

Optimus, Ratchet, and Jazz all walked around the desert, being mindful of their surroundings. They recalled the human soldiers telling them that there were a lot more life forms on Earth other than humans - the animals. They were so small, the bots had to be extra cautious. 

"What are we doin' here, exactly?", Jazz asked.

"I picked up Decepticon activity. It's a small number but it is enough to warrent an investigation.", Optimus said.

"How many are we talking?", Ratchet asked.

"Fifty.", Optimus stated as he paused and knelt down, his optics scanning the Decepticons below.

A plan was formulated and the three agreed upon it. The plan quickly backfired and Optimus was captured. Megatron showed his face and his gun was activated and steaming as it had recently fired.

"The shot Megatron fired is what caught us off guard and allowed the Decepticons the advantage. He was taken and Megatron shot at Jazz and I. Luckily, it was only enough force to knock us unconscious.", Ratchet said, "When we came to, we came straight here."

"Okay, Jazz, you're the SIC so you're in charge until we find my brother.", I told them.

"That's not how it works.", Ratchet stated and I looked at him, confused, "The leader must decide who takes charge in their absence and if no decision has been made then the SIC takes over. However, Optimus declared who was to be in charge should something ever happen to him."

"He made the decision the day he met you.", Jazz said.

"Well, who is it?", I asked.

"Optimus decided that you will lead the Autobots.", Ratchet said, "We await your orders, Lori."

I looked at the floor as I thought up of what to do. Suddenly, a thought came to me.

"Optimus hates me - why would he make me leader?", I asked.

"Why does he hate you?", Jazz asked.

"For the same reason everyone else does! The only ones who actually like me is Ironhide, his family, my parents, and my little sister. The rest of you can't stand to look at me, let alone let me lead you!", I accused, "Ever since I came back from the 'cons, everyone has acted like I'm a Decepticon. Everyone refused to talk to me directly. My own brother, just a little over a week ago, nearly killed me. Unless someone can convince me my brother still cares about me and the Autobots haven't turned their backs on me, I'm not leading this team."

I ran toward them and jumped back in fright when they pointed their guns at me. My eyes widened and tears slowly leaked from my optics. The two looked guilty and tried stopping me as I ran past them and back to the training room. I transformed and activated my holoform, which I am a lot more comfortable in, and ran toward Ironhide who activated his own. He grunted when I collided with his chest and I wrapped my arms around him as I cried into his shirt. When he asked me why I was crying, I didn't respond. I could feel him look up at his sire and brother who stood a few feet behind me. I heard Ratchet and Jazz come in and Ironhide's demeanor changed.

"What did you two do?", Ironhide growled and when they didn't respond, it pissed him off even more, "WHAT THE SLAG DID YOU DO TO MY WIFE?!"

They still didn't answer and the next thing I know, Ironhide had set me in his alt mode and was fighting the medic and SIC while his sire and sister tried holding him back.

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No, this isn't what you're going to hate me for it's the next chapter. But, what do you think?