Gotta Be You

11 Rodney: Midnight Musings

Rodney had been planning his escape from the moment he'd been deposited in his luxurious suite last night. He hadn't slept a wink for his mind turning over what Liam had said.

Rodney may legally belong to One Direction, but only in Robot City. He thought regretfully back on the friends he'd made, the purpose he had found in fixing bots and fighting for access to affordable spare parts. His mind harkened back to the big dreams he'd had—to meet Bigweld, to become an inventor. How could he leave this place?

Then, he remembered Aunt Fanny, Piper, and Crank seated on the boardinghouse couch, selling him away. He remembered the constant fear that sweepers were going to cart him away to the Chop Shop. He remembered the hopelessness he felt knowing that Bigweld had abandoned the outmodes of Robot City to rust.

It was with those memories that Rodney resolved to leave this place at once and make his way back to Rivet Town. How he would explain his homecoming to his parents was an entirely different matter he would deal with later.

The first step was observation. Rodney had attempted to take a look around the mansion during the night, hoping he might even be lucky enough to sneak out then and there. He'd swiftly discovered, however, a burly guard (human) stationed in front of his door. He didn't look like the type of guy Rodney wanted to mess with, so he lied and said that he had to change his oil. While walking down the hall to the bathroom, Rodney noticed one more guard at the front door and yet another just patrolling the halls.

Jeez, Rodney thought, they really take security seriously.

Back in the safety of his room, armed with the knowledge that the boys of One Direction employed at least three massive security guards, Rodney knew that his plan would have to be more elaborate than he originally thought. The mansion was too secure. He would have to escape once they were on the road, touring.

The thought filled him with dread. Who knows where they were headed next and how far away it would be from Rivet Town? But that was a risk he was going to have to take. This was going to be a long game. His dealings with Ratchet had taught him that much. The impulsive passion of youth had slowly but surely leaked out of Rodney's heart. His swift reaction to the injustices he'd witnessed in Robot City had only bought him the wrath of capitalist overlords upon his head.

Nay, he would be smarter this time. Lull the boys into a false sense of security, thinking their prize had neither the intelligence nor skill to escape—then, pull the rug out from under them. The gears began to turn in Rodney's mind, his inventor's brain churning through scenario after scenario. For hours he lay in bed and thought, rejecting plan after plan.

I don't have the supplies. I don't have the money. I don't have the freedom. I don't have the friends.

His mind returned to the latter objection again and again. Making nice with one's captor—not the most attractive solution, yet... Rodney slowly realized that pride is the only thing that would hold him back from escape. If he could swallow his anger, his distaste for the boys, perhaps he could get somewhere. All four had something to offer. Rodney just had to find out what that was.

With that thought, he was finally able to lay back and sleep. I am going to romance the boys of One Direction.