Never give up

No Giving Up
Kireania
Warnings: Nothing major in this, just more plot. There is a little bit of description about a bloody body but it’s not too detailed.

A/N: Well I’m seriously shocked that I typed this chapter out so fast. It usually takes me about a week to finish a single chapter but once again I have done this within a few hours and I am pretty pleased with it. At the beginning of this I had no clue what pairings I would do but now I know. This is going to be a RatchetxIronhide, BeexSam, OptimusxOFC and JazzxOC(not sure male or female yet). I am extremely uneducated about Transformers it’s mainly due to my college getting away and it being years since I’ve seen any Transformers. If I mess anything up I’m sorry. Please if I could be given a list of the main Autobots and Decepticons that would be lovely. I just hate seeing names and not knowing who they are. Like I see the names Sideswipe and Sunstreaker and I get that they are twins but I’m not too sure on their personalities. So lists like that will be useful along with the personalities. I might even then be able to get them into the story without screwing up to badly.

Well I know that’s a huge favor and I hate asking but seeing as its finals I’m not sure that I even have the time to go and find this all out.

Read and Review please. All comments welcome ^_^

Chapter Two: The end to our false safety


A year had already gone by. A year and still there was no sign of anything unusual happening. There was no reason for her to be looking over her should every few minutes. No reason for her to be so paranoid that she hadn't even slept since the day that she had awakened in the hospital. She couldn't let go of the feeling that whatever was coming was drawing closer and closer to her life. She wasn't sure if it was due to the being that now flowed through her core or if it was her own foresight, either way it unnerved those that knew her. She had always been the type that didn't need to look over her shoulder; she always knew if there was something dangerous near her. But now it didn't need to be dangerous or threatening for her to tense up, it just had to be a presence.

She was now lying on her patio soaking up the heat from the outdoor fireplace her family had bought years ago when they had first moved into the house. When her family had died she had feared that she would lose her home and her animals. After all it had taken the salaries of everyone in the family combined to keep up with the household but when she was approached by the police station and was asked about how much she wanted for damages she did a little research. Others were asking for close to 15 million dollars in retributions...why they wanted so much was beyond her. Seeing these numbers she then calculated and estimated how much money she would need for bother her brothers to go to college, pay off her debts, pay off her house and then comfortable sustain them for many years until they were all settled in comfortable lives of their own. So seeing as the majority of the money was to pay off things she gave her self a buffer and then added what she felt was due to her for pain and suffering. Even with all of her calculations she still asked for much less than most people. She only asked for about 7.5-8 million. She got it without an argument. The police lawyer even helped her set up many accounts that were all FDIC covered so that no matter what her money was protected. She was then used for as an example towards other people. After all if the main person in the crash only asked for so little then what reason did others have to ask for so much. Needless to say other families weren't too happy about her choices and many threatened her. They quickly backed off though when she threatened to sue for harassment.

So now she was sitting on her back patio resting her eyes and just listening to the fire in front of her along with the animals moving about. The yard was different now, changed to her liking. The fence extended across the entire almost one acre of a back yard, her cherry tree was even inside the fence border now. The fence had no gaps so if she wanted to see what was beyond her yard she would go and open the back gate, but she never did. She didn't want to focus on anything except for the two others hat resided with her in the large house. Speaking of which the older one had just slid open the door and walked towards her. She could easily tell that it was David; his heavy footsteps gave him away. Opening her eyes she met his blue ones and silently asked what he wanted. Almost as is he was regretting it he stretched out his hand, he had the phone it in and the receiver was covered by his hand.

"It's Tom again..." His voice was soft and unsure. He knew that something was pulling those two apart and he knew that that thing was his sister. Tom really loved his sister and she loved him but she was pulling away from her love, and David had no clue why. He had also noticed that she was pulling away from her friends as well. She was closing herself up in a way that made her almost a hermit. She had never needed a lot of people but the ones that she did connect with she would never turn her back on them unless she was betrayed first. He just couldn’t understand how or why she was doing this. It was irrational.

Tarot took the phone gently and slowly brought it up to her ear. Her voice was soft and disconnected. She was clearly closing herself off from this guy. When they had first gotten together everyone could see the difference, she had been happy and while she was never carefree she looked as if she no longer carried every burden by herself. Biting his lip David stayed and just stared at his sister, not really knowing how she could do that to herself. She had changed a lot since the accident. Not only had she changed emotionally and mentally there were physical changes as well. But they weren't that major unless you paired them with everything else that had been going on lately.

Her hair was now really thick and it took three hair ties to keep it up in her usual ponytail, it also seemed to have acquired a new addition to its natural colour. The bangs that framed her face constantly were now streaked with red and silver. Everyone just figured that she dyed her hair that way as a sign of her mourning but David knew that she did not. Her skin now had an under glow of silver instead her original pink. It was near impossible to tell except for when she was outside in extremely bright days, but it almost looked like her blood had turned silver within her own body, it was highly frightening. The way her body was now was completely different than before as well. Before she had strong legs but she had never had too much arm strength or muscle definition, she hadn't needed or cared for it but now she was lean and wiry. She had small muscles that were strong. She still had her curves but they seemed to be in complete proportion with the rest of her in a too perfect way. The biggest change that scared David the most though was her eyes. They had always been unusual, changing colours based on her mood and always having a thick band of black surrounding her green and gold flecked eyes. Now that band was bright silver and the gold had basically disappeared. Her eyes were an unreal green one that people normally could never attain without colored contacts. And now it didn't even need to be dark for him to see that glow but it was no longer a glow is was like lightening flashing. It was almost like watching an electrical storm take place in her eyes. Needless to say with everything else that he noticed changing he was terrified.

Having zoned out in his thoughts David was only pulled out by the movement of her hand lowering the phone away from her face and silently hanging up the phone. He knew the conversation had just put more distance between them. He watched as she sighed lightly and then stood up and made her way past him towards the patio door towards the kitchen; it was time to start dinner.

She had just put her hand on the handle when her brother's voice stopped her. "Why are you doing this Tarot? You two love each other...why are you hurting yourself by pushing him away?"

Electric green eyes met worried blue and she was visibly wracking her brain, trying to find the right way to explain this to him. He had the right to know about her agreement, about what she had given up but she just couldn't tell him. He would feel guilty about causing her so much pain, he would leave to try and make it easier on her. He wouldn't understand that staying near her until she was sure everything was over would be the biggest help she could get from him. "I can't stay with him. I love him but things are changing. Something is going to happen and I'm no longer capable of being the one he needs. I'll always love him but..." She couldn't finish her thought. Shaking her head she decided not to say anymore and just headed into the kitchen.

Her brother wouldn't understand. How could he, this was her choice, her sacrifice for them. Wiping away the tear that decided to run down her face she forced the others back and refused to feel pity for herself. She might be letting her heart go but she was protecting her brothers, her life was now just for them. Moving about the kitchen she turned on the oven, letting it heat up fully before putting the prepared food in to cook.

David stood outside, leaning on the patio table. Her answer confused him. What would make her answer him like that? It was obvious that she was hurting herself by pushing him away but it seemed like it was what she wanted as well. Looking up towards the sky David prayed that she would be happy sometime soon. He didn't care what made her happy as long as she started thinking about herself, and her own happiness. Sighing he didn't notice the soft green eyes that were watching him from the small window overtop of the sink, before he walked in the warm house. Smiling lightly at her he washed his hands and proceeded to help prepare dinner. He might not be able to understand or help with this but he would help in other ways.

~~~~~~

Ratchet was working overtime trying to find the source of that energy that had erupted over a year ago. He had tried so many times to narrow it but every time he thought he was close it would slip by and would be lost. His scanning were the most accurate ones on this planet and in the galaxy, so why the slagging hell couldn't he locate this energy source. It had been so strong that day and now they were lucky there were days that it gave off smaller shockwaves, almost as if it had lost its temper, those were the times that he was able to get better locations and send Optimus the information. But even information that was directly from those days was vague and hard to interpret.

Glaring at a wall he rubbed his optics in frustration. This was to fucking annoying and even he was beginning to lose his patience. When he wasn't working on his scans and trying to locate this source he was trying to rebuild Jazz. He was getting closer to completing the small bot but he was no where near close at finding a way to restart his spark. They would need the All Spark for that and that had been destroyed at Mission City now three years behind them. Groaning in frustration Ratchet did the last scan that he would do for that night unless those shockwaves returned. Surprisingly the screen beeped just as he was about to get up and leave. Blinking twice, which was an entirely human move he hadn't realized he had picked up, it wasn't the source of the energy but it was an energy that was familiar. He had found Barricade. The Decepticon was actually moving around a highly populated human area. Watching the pattern for a while Ratchet couldn't help but think that it looked like he was searching for something...

Optics widening ratchet soon put the pieces together. Barricade was in the area that had constantly shown up as the location for the outbursts, but since it was a large area it was near impossible locating that one source when there. The fact that Barricade was there seemed to verify that they had been right on in assuming that this area was the correct location. Watching the screen closely he frowned when the presence disappeared for about five minutes before reappearing about ten miles down. How the hell had that happened? Did Barricade know he was being watched? If he did then why did he unmask himself...? Nothing was making sense as he watched the icon on the screen appear and disappear many times. So deep was he into figuring this out the medic never heard someone entering his med bay. He didn't even feel the presence of someone looming over his shoulder until the gruff voice spoke.

"It seems like Barricade keeps passing through a barrier of some sort..." Ironhide trailed off his observation when he saw the stern medic jump ten feet in the air and turn on him in an instant. Laughing to himself Ironhide made sure to keep his face straight less he provoke his bond mate into harming him out of embarrassment.

Ratchet looked up at Ironhide and was about to yell at him for sneaking up on him, when what just been said clicked. Turning back to the screen he located all of the points where his scanners lost and then found Barricade. Watching the points connect Ratchet couldn't believe it. There was a ten mile wide radius that was completely blocked off from his scanners. Saving his thanks for later Ratchet quickly hacked into a database and located the area that this shield encompassed and then located the exact middle of it. Bringing up a picture he ran a diagnosis on the current occupants of the house that located that exact slot. His optics widened dramatically at the findings. A year ago to this day there was an accident that included this family. The parents were dead but the children were not, though it was a miracle that the only daughter had survived. None of the doctors knew how she did it but they all declared it a miracle. Ratchet continued to read the articles on this family, learning everything he could. He compared pictures before the accident and then pictures taken after the accident. The only one that there were any changes too was the eldest...the one that lived by a miracle. Not truly convinced that this girl was the one that had emitted the energy it took his mate pointing out something to him once more that sealed the deal that this girl was indeed the source.

"Hey, Ratchet look at her eyes in this picture. They look like they have electricity inside." Ironhide was in awe. He could see the energy this girl had in her eyes but as they both analyzed the picture they saw so much more. At the angle and darkness that the photograph had been taken it was easy to see the soft glow that spouted from her chest...almost like she held a spark within her.

Snapping out of his shocked awe Ratchet contacted their leader and sent him all of his newly acquired data. After only waiting a few moments for Optimus to sift through everything they heard their leader asking for Ironhide to join him in making sure that they were the first ones to get to this girl. Barricade could not be allowed near her. Grunting lightly in understanding Ironhide quickly reverted to his alternate form and drove off the base at high and probably illegal speeds.

Ratchet watched his lover leave in haste. He knew why the speed was needed but it was still somewhat of a shock that in one night they had not only located a rogue Decepticon but also the cause of the energy bursts. Turning his eyes back to the screen he couldn't believe that this small human was truly the source. After all how could a mere human contain that much energy? It was impossible, wasn't it?

~~~~~~

The feeling that something was going to happen was now suffocating. Tarot knew that it would be soon and every moment that past she knew they were getting closer. She dreaded the time passing but she had no power over it. She had no way of slowing it down just so she could pretend that everything was normal. David had noticed her anxiety growing easily. He didn't ask her about it but made sure that he complied with her wishes. They were never alone, and lately she had taken to taking David to his job and all of them to their schools. David wouldn't admit it but her anxiety was making him nervous as well. Today was the worst so far and the tension that was being created felt like it was about to snap.

They were coming up on their street and he didn't know why but his stomach dropped suddenly. Something was really about to happen. They turned down their street and there in front of their home was a cop car. His sister tensed immediately. Looking at her he gasped, her eyes which always held that new look of a lightening storm was going overboard. Her eyes looked almost like they were trying to analyze the car ahead of then.

She spotted it. The one that she had been dreading. Well perhaps she hadn't known it would be this one in particular but the identification of what it was terrified her. The war was now here. Without explaining to her brothers what was going on she gunned the car and passed by their home, within seconds that cop car was after them. She turned a corner and tried to lose it in the maze that was her neighborhood. Gripping the wheel of her new car tightly she glanced at her brother; he was pale and looked terrified, Aaron didn't look much better.

"Climb into the back David. Hold onto Aaron and don't look back." Her voice held no room for arguments David did just what he was told. He wrapped his body around his little brother and laid them on the seat. Closing his eyes he put all of his trust into his sister. She wouldn't let anything hurt them.

Green eyes narrowed as she quickly turned onto a main street. She debated where to head and decided on going through the back roads. She knew them easily enough and seeing as it was a holiday no one would be on them. Shifting gears in her manual car she revved the engine and once again put on speed. The fake car was still behind her and was gaining. The being that had flooded her core was excited; this was what it had been looking for. This was how it would enter back into the war. Tarot drove her car at neck breaking speeds constantly watching the two in the back of her car making sure that they were ok and then making sure that her stalker was not too close. Left, right, right, left, hills, curves they all ran together until finally she was on a major two way back road.

She checked her rearview mirror and saw that her trailer was about a mile behind her but was quickly gaining on her on this straight path. Looking in front of her she almost slammed on the brakes when she recognized two more of the same beings in front of her. There was a rig that was blue and red followed by dark grey hummer. Her eyes quickly verified that they were of the same kind as the one behind her, but they were not the same type. She saw the two ahead of her stop and form a barricade. Narrowing her eyes she quickly calculated if she could clear it before it became too small. Once again increasing her speed she drove on, no intention of stopping before she got past that blockage. Just as it was barely big enough her car squeezed through, scratches the only proof of the dangerous move she had just tried.

Swerving around to face the direction that she had just come from her cars breaks squealed in anger. She had just gone from over a hundred to Zero while changing directions...any other car would have flipped. She did not. Stopping her car only a little ways from the two new beings, she got out of her car and opened the back door quickly grabbing for her brothers before running down the bank and into the trees to hide. The thick foliage would stop those things from coming after her so quickly. Moving quickly she carried her youngest brother and led them deep into the woods to wait out what was chasing them. There was a scream of anger, but it didn't sound like any scream that any of them had heard before. Then they heard clanks and crashes. Hiding deep in the woods she waited for the sounds to die. She wanted those things gone.

Her brothers were clinging to her, both shaking dreadfully. Not hearing anything for a little she handed Aaron off to David and snuck back up to see if they were clear yet. She motioned for her brother to stay where he was. Creeping silently forward she hid behind a few trees and looked at the scene before her. There before her eyes were huge robots. Mouth dropping open she stared at them as they fought, one against two. At first the odds didn't seem fair but she then recognized the paint on the robots...they were the cars that had surrounded her. A rustling brought her out of her awe. Looking down a little ways she saw her eight year old brother rushing for their abandoned car he was looking for her. Looking back over at the fighting robots she saw the fake cop fire at her car as if in anger at not being able to catch her. Screaming she moved quicker than she ever though possible. She shoved her brother back towards the woods and just about took the full force of the shot onto herself. Her car had gotten hit with it but it had exploded right next to her and large pieces had sent her flying down the road. Her body was bloody and looked as if she had been hit with a grenade.

Aaron looked up after he shook off the shock of being thrown and his eyes landed on the still body of his sister. He ran over to her and shook her trying to get her to wake up. David who had gotten there just in time to see his sister throw Aaron back towards the woods stood stock still and was instantly deathly pale as he spotted his sister. He mouthed the word 'No' over and over. He couldn't lose his sister, no this couldn't be happening to them. They had just gotten their life back to semi normal, how could this have happened to them. He completely ignored the amazing sight that was only a little ways away and he ran and knelt beside his sister. His position way to close to the one he had taken up a year ago when she had collapsed. He didn't even realize when he started crying. He was just petting her hair begging for her not to leave them. He knew it was irrational after all her insides were plainly visibly. There was no possible way that he would still have his sister after this but he couldn't stop asking, no begging her to not leave them.

Neither David nor Aaron watched as the fight ended. Neither one of them saw the fake cop transform and retreat. Hell they didn't even notice the thundering footsteps of the robots that had won approach them. Both brothers were so entirely focused on their dying sister and the thoughts of losing her that they didn't even notice her skin healing itself and sealing up. A soft cough caught David's attention and caused him to drawback and meet those bright green eyes.

"I swore to protect you guys and in order to do that I have to be alive. Don't worry I'm not going anywhere..." Her eyes dropped close as her voice faded and she went unconscious. About ready to panic again David looked at her wounds and gasped...they were healing right in front of his eyes. How the hell... Shaking his head he turned away trying to grasp at his thoughts but what his eyes came in contact with only made him breathe in sharply. Trailing his eyes up he looked at the towering robots that were standing less than two feet away. Clutching his sister to him he also reached out and pulled Aaron close, he knew that the gesture was useless if they really wanted to harm them but it was reflex for him to do so. His upset blue eyes connected with their optics and followed as those bright blue optics lowered themselves almost to his level as the robot knelt down.

David wanted to scramble backwards but he couldn't while being in the position that he was in. "You are the younger brother to Tarot Ledayse, David Ledayse are you not?" The voice was booming and almost as if sensing the fear that gripped the teenage boy the being softened his voice for his next question after he received a nod at his question.

"A year ago you were in an accident and you three were the only survivors correct?" Another nod but this one was accompanied by a glance away. Blue eyes tried to hide the pain that those words brought up.

Standing up to his full height the robot met his eyes again. "I am Optimus Prime and I believe a year ago when your sister almost died she called on the All Spark to keep her alive and it granted her request. I fear that her desire to stay alive has put you all in grave danger."

David looked from the intimidating robot and back to his sister; his mind could only think one thing. 'What the hell have we gotten ourselves into, now?'