Through Ash and Dust (ROTB)

Chapter 8

"Um...this...Transit..." Optimus growled a little at the mention of the decepticon's name, making Saphira flinch. "If...um...he sees I am with you...would I-I become a target? Just...curious..." She figured she could become a target. "I-I don't w-w-want to become...a liability for you...so...is th-there anyway f-f-for me to...help spotting him?"

"You want to help us find Transit?" Arcee asked in surprise and the girl nodded slowly with a slight smile. Arcee couldn't believe what she was hearing. "Um...no, no, no, no, that is not something you need to worry about. Although...being aware of the possible danger is a good idea, just not looking for him for us."

Optimus was also surprised that this girl wanted to help locate Transit. "I am in agreement with Arcee. You are not to go looking for someone who does not concern you. Transit will be an issue that we will deal with. But if you do happen to come across a badge similar to ours..." Optimus points to the painted badge on his shoulder pads. "But has sharp spikes to the helm, that will be a decepticon badge. If you see it on any vehicle, make sure you do not inform us until you are with us. Transit will not be fooled, he will know you know of our presence and he will take advantage of that fact of liability."

"Right...I understand..." Saphira still figured she could help to a point. Even if she did not go out looking for this Transit they were searching for. "Anyway...c-c-could I be taken to the hospital? I need to go, Optimus. I might be kept there overnight due to the injuries and needing to get a police report started...just in case you wanted to know."

Optimus was not too happy with the idea she would be stuck inside a large building without them watching, but he would ensure that they were near the hospital. He stood up and turned away from Saphira to look at the autobots, making her feel relieved he was no longer glaring at her so closely. "Mirage..." The autobot smiled immediately when addressed. "You are to take Saphira to the nearest hospital. While she remains there, Arcee, Bumbleee and myself will keep a close eye of the hospital in case Saphira makes a runaway. Make sure you keep track of her movements."

Mirage seemed a little annoyed that Optimus would be watching the hospital as well, but he was unsurprised. "I got it covered." He turned to Saphira with a smile. "Alright, guess we should get going." He glanced at Arcee and gestured to Saphira. "She will need a hand walking. She can't put any kind of weight on that ankle."

Arcee frowned as Mirage transformed. Saphira felt awkward so she slid herself off the box carefully, moving her right leg so she would not hurt herself. "No, no, no! I...I will be able to do it." Saphira braced herself on the box beside her, looking at the Porsche in front of her. He was close, but it was also so far from her. "Okay...well..." She carefully began to walk forward, though when she put weight on her ankle, she hissed and nearly stumbled, though she managed to keep herself from falling. "At least you aren't far, Mirage."

Arcee watched Saphira and realized why Mirage had asked her to help. She hadn't realized how painful the sprained ankle would be, though she should have known. She walked closer to Saphira, making the girl jump and flinch away slightly in fear. "Here..." She held her hand out to Saphira and the girl looked up at the femme before cautiously taking her hand and leaning her weight a little. "We don't want you to waste too much more time."

Saphira felt a tad embarrassed that she had needed help, but she was grateful. "Thank you, Arcee." Saphira walked over to the door and reached to brace herself on the car once Arcee helped her close enough. Saphira sat in the seat with a sigh. "I guess...I'll see you...tomorrow...maybe..."

Mirage closed the door before anyone else could say anything before he drove out of the warehouse. Saphira was able to relax a little more now that she was no longer under the firm eyes of Optimus Prime. Still, she was not sure how to feel. She was under the careful eye of the autobots now. She glanced at the sideview mirror and saw Arcee, Bumblebee and Optimus transform to follow before Mirage turned onto the road. She was glad to not be in the rain, and she felt warm air on her skin as Mirage had turned the heater on.

"I hope...I hope you are okay, Saphira," Mirage said to her gently as he observed her expression and body language. "Don't take Prime personally. We have been through a lot, and he carries a lot of weight on his shoulders." She didn't know what that was yet, and she was curious about where they come from. "I would tell you about who we are, where we come from and all, but until Optimus decides to explain it to you, I am afraid you just have to wait."

Saphira was fine on waiting. She didn't want to push it. "I...I am just surprised he wants me to...abandon my apartment..." She also realized that the new position that Arthur wants her to take might also be in the trash because of the autobots. She felt tears fill her eyes. "You should have just dropped me off, Mirage..." She sniffled a little as the tears fall from her eyes. "Good things were happening...and even if I got attacked...I would still have something good, but now I must abandon it."

"I am sorry...I..." Mirage felt guilty as he felt responsible for it. "I guess it is better than being dead." Saphira rolled her eyes and placed her elbow on the window, resting her cheek on her hand. "You need to know that we won't be here forever." She did not react to him. "Well...I am not sure how long though...Transit might have a ship that will allow us to leave this planet. It is not home...and if that happens very soon, you won't have to deal with us anymore, Saphira."

"And what if he has no ship?" Saphira argued as she stared out of the window. "I guess I will be stuck with no way to move up in my career...all because your leader needs to keep me on a leash...but hopefully if he learns to trust me..."

"That's the thing, Saphira...I am not sure if he will." She frowned a little and looked at the dash with a confused expression. "I...I really don't want to have to say it, but...Optimus really does not trust humans. While Bumblebee has had a good experience with one human, there were humans who tried to hurt Bumblebee and Optimus does not want us to be harmed. I know it might sound crappy, but...we all have no way to get back home..." She listened to him before looking out the window, glancing up at the sky to the stars. "And Optimus feels like it is his fault that we are here. We've been able to remain hidden for a long time, but we would rather go home, no offence."

Saphira pondered on what Mirage had said. She looked at the sideview and saw Optimus several car lengths behind them. Mirage gave her a different perspective in understanding him. Though Saphira did wish Optimus would be kinder, but maybe it was frustration that was being vented to her...that would make sense. But the fact that they may not be able to get home made her worry for her future a lot. She hoped to figure something out before the opportunity to become an international relations person at the company slips by.

"I guess I can understand from his view...but that should not excuse him telling me to leave my home." She shook her head in disbelief. "Though I guess it wouldn't be the first time..."

"Why did you runaway from your parents when you were sixteen, anyway?" Mirage asked with keen interest.

She softened her expression and smiled a little. "I...that...that's a pretty personal question..." She glanced out the window and looked back at Mirage. "I'll make you deal. When I get told about more about yourself and your planet, I'll tell you about...my...the reason why I left my parents."

The autobot chuckled in amusement at the deal she put on the table. "Oh, really? Is that how it is going to be played? Fine...I guess I can agree to that. But only after Optimus gives me the greenlight to do so."

"I know, I won't push you."

Saphira felt a little better now that she and Mirage had been able to chat a bit more. It was nice that she was now able to understand Optimus's apprehension about her through his eyes. She had no idea Bumblebee met a human before, but that piece of information likely wasn't necessary to tell her, so they did not tell her. But Saphira really was not looking forward to ending her lease on the apartment early. She did not want to. But she would figure that out soon.

Mirage drove Saphira to the hospital by the emergency room where she met a doctor who had just arrived at the hospital. When the doctor saw the state Saphira was in, she was brought inside quickly to be examined while the police were contacted as the doctor knew that Saphira had been assaulted. Saphira was glad that they had done that, and she gave statements to the police about Arthur and Claudia. With that, the police would go and find evidence. She was not sure, but the restaurant could have a camera that saw what happened, or at least the start. The next thing would be to contact Arthur about not being able to work because of the incident. He was going to be very shocked to learn about it, that was for sure.