"Mysteries are fun to solve, but if they're not about you."
Raf was quietly sitting on the couch between Miko and Jack who were attempting to get one last video game tournament completed before the Autobots took them home.
Raf's busy thoughts barely noticed as the pair went back and forth, jabbing competitive threats at each other.
His small hands were unmoving in his lap as he thought about the older girl that he had thought had wanted to be his friend.
At least until she had seen him talk to Jack. Until she had seen the Autobots(and Starscream) and suddenly disappeared into thin air, only to finally get some news about the girl to find out she had been in New York with a stranger(who they had later been told by Ironhide that it was him who had been there with Leona) and two others.
When Nemesis Prime came up, Raf had been busy worrying for the Autobot's sakes. Not wanting the government to kick them off Earth.
The groundbridge fired back up, making each of the three human teenagers look back up again(the two gamers pausing their game). Each of them curious to see, or hear, if the Autobots had found anything.
They weren't disappointed, their curiosity was worth it in the end.
The first Autobot to return to the base was Bumblebee, who shot a curious look back into the groundbridge then at the three humans before making way for Arcee who also looked confused, then Bulkhead.
Ratchet opened his intake when Optimus came through, "Optimus-?"
The Prime paused, mixed emotions swirling in his optics, his brilliant blue optics glanced over to the trio of humans for a second before moving back to his long-time friend, "Apparently some things have happened behind the scenes that we weren't knowing of."
Ratchet, nor the three kids had time to question his words before Ironhide came through the ground bridge.
Eyes and optics widened as a familiar(at least to the humans) face appeared from where she stood somehow completely balanced in Ironhide's servo.
"Leona!?!??!"
The girl looked uncomfortable at their stares and the use of her name as if they knew her.
Ironhide vented, not looking forward to having to explain for her.
❀
"So you don't remember us?"
Leona shifted uncomfortably, her brown eyes darting from the energetic Japanese girl to Ironhide, who was definitely the one she felt more comfortable with, in this situation, "No..?" She said, yet again, "Should I?"
Miko's grin made Leona nervous, "Don't be mean, Miko," Jack sighed.
Ironhide's optics watched the humans, mainly focused on the human he had grown close to over the year or so they were stuck together. His actions didn't go unnoticed by Team Prime.
"Where did you get those scars? What have you been doing all this time? Do you still hate Jack? Why are you so dirty?-"
""Hate Jack"," Leona repeated, looking at the suddenly nervous blue-eyed male, "Why would I?"
Jack stammered, "Look, I can-"
The blue-eyed boy didn't even get a chance to keep stammering out an excuse, because suddenly the elevator opened up with a ding to reveal the Agent that Ratchet had contacted after he had finally been told the identity of the missing girl.
Agent Fowler's eyes widened as he took in the appearance of the "missing" girl.
Meanwhile, Ironhide had stepped forward as he noted the lioness's body language change. He'd spent enough time with Leona to know when she was going to bolt.
"You're the missing girl?" Fowler said, crossing his arms and raising an eyebrow at her.
Leona's tense body didn't relax, "I guess?"
"Agent Fowler," Optimus cut in, making the Agent turn to him, "It would be wise to listen before you create any vendettas against Leona."
Fowler huffed, "Go on..."
"Leona lost her memory," Miko burst out finally, unable to hold it in much longer.
"Miko!"
Groans of annoyance sounded throughout the Autobot base, whether it be from Cybertronians or human. Miko grinned sheepishly as Jack facepalmed beside her.
Fowler's face displayed his obvious confusion, "What?"
Leona shifted awkwardly as Ratchet and Optimus moved to explain the other girl's words, wanting even more just to shift back. It was less complicated for her if she was a lioness again.
"I'm sorry," Leona muttered, her right hand rubbing her left arm anxiously, finding comfort in the leather jacket that she wore.
Ironhide was the only one who heard the girl, everyone else busy with the Agent. He moved forward and carefully offered his servo to her.
Leona blinked up at the weapons specialist, uncertainty flashing in her eyes, and causing Ironhide's spark to clench. He hated the uncertainty that surrounded the once confident lioness.
Slowly, but surely, Leona wearily used one of his digits to balance herself as she stepped into his hand. The overwhelming feeling of wanting to run away and never return dulled slightly, and she wanted to know why.
Lost in their own world, the pair didn't notice how quiet the rest of Team Prime had gotten as they watched the interaction between the girl a d the Autobot.
One could say that it was a reunion between lost lovers, if they were able to see how despite Leona's lost memories, there was some sort of spiritual connection between them.
Ironhide's optics finally pulled away from Leona's mesmeric brown eyes to take a look at her clothes, mainly the leather Jacket that she donned.
His optics softened, "You ended up keeping it."
Leona's eyes darted down to the dirty jacket that she wore before looking up at him, "This is....?"
Ironhide nodded, his optics widening when her hand flew to her forehead.
"M.E.C.H.," Leona muttered, her eyes closing as her other hand rubbed her forehead, "They... they..."
Everyone watched the girl, hopeful that she would remember something.
Her eyes shot open, full of fear as she looked into Ironhide's surprised optics. For a moment it looked like Leona actually knew him. Like she remembered him.
Then her eyes rolled back into her head and she fell backward back into the black servo of the weapons specialist.
"Leona!"
Here's Chapter Two!
Sorry, it took so long, I just hit a brick wall with this fic for a while, but never fear, I have returned! It's going to be a bit "original" for a bit until I figure out a few things.
What do you think is happening to Leona? Why is the Jacket so important? Any Ideas?
Hope you enjoyed!
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