Chapter Text
A couple months passed since Ironhide came to say goodbye that night. Spring was in full bloom, and with it came Aria's twenty fifth birthday.
The day started off like any other day. Aria got up, hung out with Wheelie while he watched old CSI re-runs.
Horatio was about to do one of his one liners, so Aria threw off her glasses, looking Wheelie dead in the eye. Then, in perfect sync with the television show, she put her glasses back on and began head banging to the opening music. Okay, so she was in a good mood.
Wheelie shook his head. “Moping around for weeks is one thing, but now you’re just getting weird.”
Aria stopped headbanging. “Well look who I’m stuck with.”
“What, I’m not grumpy enough for ya?”
She crossed her arms. “You’re always grumpy. ‘Aria, you never let me finish my show’, ‘Aria, I’m so bored’, ‘Aria, you’re weird, I wanna hang out with someone normal’!” She leaned her weight on one leg. “Ironhide was funny at least.”
“You laugh at me all the time!”
“Yeah, sympathetically.”
“The only person worth being sympathetic for is you. ‘Oh, my Autobot boyfriend is gone, now I have to fill the void with things to do!”
“Like getting a second job so I can feed my pets? Or French lessons cause you suck at teaching me?”
Wheelie pointedly turned back at the TV. “Touché.”
…
Aria looked over at the remote controlled truck from the spot where she was currently mopping. It buzzed around zipping in between people's feet as they walked around the Write Brother's original aircraft.
Wheelie complaining of boredom was nothing new, so she did the most benevolent thing she could to a tiny alien robot, she let him come to work. It turned out he could fit in her backpack, and now he came with her at least twice a week.
Eli ended up being the closest thing she had to a friend now, well human friend. He finished his training with her a while ago, so they would stop to chat when they cleaned the same area and often got lunch at the local food trucks.
Turned out Eli was twenty-two, and when she told Wheelie, he immediately suggested she should go out with him. Sure, he was cute, but he just wasn't her type. Wheelie asked, ‘Why, cause he's not grumpy and made of metal'?
Yeah, right.
“Ugh, that stupid toy truck is back today. I’d like to find the kid that keeps bringing it.”
Aria looked up from the floor to Eli. He was stealing some cleaning supplies from her cart. “Good luck with that. Every security guard here is on the case, and they haven’t come up with squat.”
“Aria, we talked about this.” He met her eyes, dead serious. “You’re supposed to use French swear words now.”
Aria leaned on her mop. “Why do you assume I know French swear words?”
Eli casually browsed the selection of chemicals. “From what you told me about Madame French Lady, I thought you’d know lots of swears by now.”
“She’s a professional, you know. She only insults me in English so I can understand.”
“Ah, only the best of French tutors for dear Aria.”
“Don’t you have a dark corner to sweep?”
“Ah yes, I hear the darkness calling me now.” He smirked. “TTYL.”
“Yeah, talk to you later too, Eli.” She resumed mopping after a quick glance at Wheelie.
Eli was right, her tutor from Paris was quite the woman. She openly gaped the first time Aria sung in French—not in awe, but horror. She was appalled that the opera would allow Aria to sing such a beautiful song with such an atrocious accent. At least her French was quickly improving. Turned out, Wheelie hadn’t been the greatest teacher.
An incoming buzzing sound brought Aria back to reality. Wheelie was fast approaching. She scanned the area to see if anyone was looking. Thankfully, everyone was more interested in the aircrafts on display.
Wheelie ran straight into her. His tire caught her pant leg, allowing the front of the truck to roll up slightly before she could kick him off again.
"Oh my god Wheelie, get off of me!" she hissed, looking everywhere but at the small Autobot truck.
She walked back over to her cart only to have him ram into her shin again. This time she whipped her head down ready to threaten bodily harm, but he quickly distanced himself and did a few spins.
What was he getting at? Perhaps he wanted her to see something? She put the mop back on the cart and placed a wet floor sign on the ground. Glancing around a final time, she followed Wheelie, keeping her distance without losing him in the crowds.
He led her to one of the main atrium's that had since been repaired from Jetfire’s outburst.
Sure enough, he headed straight to the replacement SR- 71A Blackbird. It was bought from the Science Museum of Virginia for something akin to lots and lots of money. From the underside of the of the nose, she witnessed Wheelie run straight into another person's leg.
Yep. She was going to kill him.
As she rounded the jet, a familiar voice called out, "Wheelie?"
Aria couldn't help but yell, "Sam!"
The confused boy looked back up at her for a moment before recognition dawned on his face. "Aria!"
Beside him was a beautiful blonde woman wearing a figure-hugging dress and a pair of black—wait were those Christian Louboutin's? All right, this woman was perfect.
Aria closed the distance between them and gave Sam a quick hug, hopefully it wasn’t too much. But they were friends, right?
She shot Wheelie a look that sent him off and out of view. From the corner of her eye, she saw Eli cast the toy truck an irritated glance from where he was sweeping.
"Carly, this is my friend Aria," Sam introduced. "Aria, this is my, uh, friend Carly?" he finished lamely.
Oh good, Sam was on a date.
Carly ignored Sam's awkwardness and held out a hand. "Nice to meet you," she said with a beautiful British accent.
Aria returned her greeting and shook her perfectly manicured hand. Was this the plot twist of her life? Was she in love? Aria hoped she wasn't gawking as obviously as she thought she was.
Sam looked around. "So uh, is Wheelie your guardian or something?"
Aria rubbed her temples. "Yeah, something like that. I'm guessing Carly knows about…everything?"
"Yeah, I was just telling her about what happened in Egypt actually." He put his arm awkwardly around her waist. Was it his first time touching a woman? Cause it looked like it.
Aria raised her eyebrows. "Yeah, that was an adventure."
"You were there?" Carly interjected, a disbelieving look overtaking her gorgeous features.
Aria glared at Sam. "You didn't even tell her about me?"
"I wasn't at that part of the story yet!" Sam's lips formed a smirk as he turned to Carly, "I didn't officially meet Aria until we were on the aircraft carrier leaving Egypt. But she apparently followed us outside the museum with Jetfire, got teleported with us, and was abandoned in the middle of the desert after we left to find the Matrix. Every time I saw her after that she was screaming like a crazy person."
He must have thought of something else funny because he stopped to laugh. "The best part was when we were introducing her to the Autobots, Ironhide actually snuck up and scared her. You should have seen it, she practically ran to the other side of the ship screaming." He wiped an amused tear from his eye.
Aria let out an unamused “ha ha” while the two laughed. No point being offended, she would have laughed if she saw someone else in that situation.
Despite the warm atmosphere, her chest grew heavy.
Sam must have seen the pained look on her face. "I didn't mean it. I was just teasing."
"I'm not allowed to see them anymore.”
Sam looked taken back at her sudden statement. Carly was as well, but she seemed confused more than anything. There was a lot she still didn't know.
"What, why?" A look crossed Sam’s face as he put two and two together. "They didn't want you to become a target."
"Pretty much. No point moping about it though," Aria let out an exhale. "Hey, my lunch break is in a couple minutes, do you guys want to go to a café or something? I can get you back into the museum after."
"I saw an Italian bakery down the street," Carly suggested.
"That's the one I was thinking of. I'll be right back."
Aria tried to keep the smile from her face on the way back to her cart. What were the chances? It’d been forever since she last saw Sam.
Aria grabbed her cart and wheeled it back to the storage closet. She then took her bag to the woman's washroom and took off her jumpsuit, under it she wore a summer dress of her own. She slid on her sandals and exited the stall, joining a few other women in front of the mirrors. After a quick finger brush through her hair, she headed back to Sam and Carly.
She spotted Eli on the way. "Hey Eli.”
Eli tied up a garbage bag and smiled at her. "What's the occasion?"
She put a hand on her hip. "Oh, just going for lunch with my friends so I’ll see you later."
"You have friends?" Eli raised his brows in mock surprise.
"Oh go to hell, Eli." She turned to leave.
"Already there!" he called from behind her back.
She laughed and sent him a backwards wave which he returned.
Ten minutes later, the three of them sat at a small table by a sunny window. Aria sat across from Sam and Carly.
"This is such a charming place," Carly commented, still looking around.
"And their coffee is the best," Aria added holding up her drink for emphasis.
The three of them ate and kept the conversation light. Carly complimented Aria's dress and asked Sam once again why he'd never mentioned her before. She seemed genuinely offended at Sam's nonchalant shrug.
Sam and Aria then started talking more about their adventure in Egypt, and finally Aria told them all the events she's gone through since.
"So the NEST base is right in Washington?" Sam stared at her in disbelief.
"Yes, and don't you even think about telling anyone I told you that. I'd probably go to prison for the rest of my life." Aria leaned in and pointed a finger at him.
"That's amazing that they came to visit you all the time." Carly practically had stars in her eyes.
Sam nearly interrupted her. "Yeah and that Ironhide was your personal chauffeur," he chuckled. "And here I thought he didn’t like you."
Aria’s chest tightened at his comment. "That’s because he didn’t at first." She looked out the window and took a sip of her drink.
"Ow!"
Aria looked back at the duo to see Carly glaring at Sam. She then turned her attention back to her, "I'm sure they all miss you, Aria," she gave her a smile, "And I think you’ll see them again.”
Aria leaned back, her shoulders slouched. “I signed paperwork.”
This time it was Sam who replied. “You really think some paperwork will stop the Autobots?”
…
That evening Aria sat at her vanity putting on the final touches of her makeup. Her hair was freshly curled, and her gown was already in a dress bag. She always waited till she made it to the club before changing. Too much attention wearing one on the way there.
Sure, Wheelie said it was an impulsive decision, but getting a part time singing gig wasn’t a bad idea. It was the perfect way to get accustomed to singing in front of an audience. The extra cash helped too.
She went down the stairs and found Wheelie in his usual spot on the couch. A part of her wanted to be mad at him for his little stunt early today, but seeing Sam and meeting Carly had been worth it.
"You coming tonight, Wheelie?"
He turned off the TV. "Duh."
"Then let's go."
Aria put her bag on the floor and Wheelie transformed and backed in. She slung it over her back and folded the dress bag back over her arm. With a quick check to make sure Sirius still had water in his bowl, she left.
Blue Bella’s was especially busy that evening, it was jazz night after all. The venue itself was dimly lit by old chandeliers, under them were about forty tables, a small dace floor, and a modestly sized stage with red curtains. Groups of men and women filled the club, many dressed up in fancy clothing.
As Aria walked in, one of the performers, George, played jazz on the grand piano that was placed on the edge of the stage. Aria sang with him all the time. He was an amazing player and a very nice man.
Tonight however, she was performing with a local jazz group. They only rehearsed a few times in the past, but there was so much improvising that all she really had to do was memorize the song and just go with the flow. It was quite different than opera rehearsals, but the experience was priceless.
She changed behind a divider in one of the small dressing rooms backstage while Wheelie crawled out of her backpack that was placed in the corner. How he unzipped it from the inside was anyone’s guess.
"Ya know, since you don't seem to like Eli, maybe you should try picking up one of the guys here," he said casually from the other side of the divider.
Aria rolled her eyes despite Wheelie not being able to see her. "Would you drop the whole 'I need a boyfriend' thing?" She stepped into her dress and shimmied it up her waist. "Plus you can't just pick up random guys, they have to like you back you know."
"Lots of guys here like you," Wheelie stated.
Aria pulled the straps over her shoulders. "Like like, not just like. Though I don't expect you to know the difference."
"I live with you, of course I know the difference. When you like like someone, you act like a moron."
"Hey-"
Wheelie cut her off. "Look, Aria, there's a guy at the back table that's always here to watch you sing or whatever. You should try talking to him."
"What, no! He sounds like a creep." Aria came out from the divider and sat on the vanity bench to put on her heels.
"Come on, dating a guy would distract you from the Autobots more than French lessons and you know it."
"All right, all right. Where does he sit? I'll see if he's a creep or not myself," she said, standing up.
"Back corner, in front of the big window."
Aria nodded and rolled her eyes at him again. "God, you're a pain."
"You're welcome!" he called after her as she left down the hall.
Aria joined the other performers backstage. There was the jazz band she was playing with, a couple soloists, and a few other singers. She joined in the general chatter between vocal warmups until it was her turn to perform.
It was about eleven when she walked out onto the stage. Before reaching for the microphone, she already started to scan the tables for the man in the back corner. The stage lights blinded her, making it exceedingly difficult.
The trumpet began to play to her right, drums and guitar behind her, and a clarinet to her left. She immediately began to sway to the music, still keeping her sights on the back tables.
"Do you know what it means to miss New Orleans
To miss it each night and day"
As she sung, her eyes better adjusted to the lights and she could start to make out the people in the back tables. There were a few groups of two or three men, and one of four women.
"Miss them moss covered vines, the tall sugar pines
Where mocking birds used to sing."
Beside the women was an empty table. No, it wasn't empty, there was a man sitting by himself. He looked in his mid thirties, short black hair and an overall rugged appearance. Even from the distance she could tell he worked out, maybe he was military?
She made eye contact with the man, which wasn't unusual for her, she made eye contact with lots of customers while she sang. Unlike the other customers though, his eyes widened like a deer caught in the headlights before hastily looking away.
"And there's one thing more, I miss the one I care for
More than I miss New Orleans."
…
"Hey, Cynthia?"
"Hey, Aria?" the waitress responded playfully.
"That guy in the back corner that sits by himself, have you talked to him before?"
Cynthia put her tray down on the table Aria sat at by the stage. She took the seat beside her. Currently George was playing the piano with another female singer, her dress sparkled in the lights.
"Yeah, he's kinda weird. Doesn't say much." She glanced back in his direction. "He always orders a drink but never touches it."
Aria rested her arms on the table. "So he’s a creep?"
"Why are you asking Aria, You like him?" She sung, wiggling her brows suggestively.
"Wha- no!" Aria gave the friendly blonde woman a playful shove on the shoulder.
Cynthia giggled, "No he's not a creep, just a little shy in my opinion," she placed a shot in front of Aria from off her tray. "Go talk to him!"
Cynthia gave her a nudge and got up to continue her rounds.
Aria’s eyes fell back on the shot glass filled with some sort of amber liquor. What the hell, it was her birthday after all. She picked up the glass and gulped it. Managing not to cough, she put the empty glass on the table, got up, and walked straight over to the guy at the back table.
Seeing him up close, the first thing that stood out were his bright blue eyes. Honestly, it was hard not to when he was staring at her approaching figure as if she were the angel of death.
Before she could open her mouth to speak, the man abruptly stood up nearly causing his chair to fall over. She stopped walking towards him, taken back by his reaction. Though his eyes were wide, his expression was otherwise blank. Unnatural. She stared at him and he stared at her, neither making a move.
He looked…familiar?
Then without warning he beelined toward the exit.
Who was he? Why was he acting like this?
She followed.
He vanished into the entryway and out the door. Aria caught it before it fully closed again.
The cool night air brushed her hair back behind her shoulders while she searched for the man in the parking lot.
But he was gone.
The sound of a revving engine passing by caught her attention, perhaps because it was otherwise quiet, or perhaps because it sounded familiar. She looked towards the street. Her heart clenched tightly in her chest. She knew that black truck anywhere.
Immediately she stormed back inside and straight to the changing rooms. She poked her head into a few before spotting Wheelie playing on her cell phone under the vanity she sat at earlier. She closed the door behind her and marched up to the small Autobot.
"You knew that guy was with Ironhide! He's a NEST soldier, isn't he?"
Wheelie came out from under the vanity. "Don't be such a dolt, Aria!"
"I'm not a dolt, you are! What if I get arrested? I'm obviously not supposed to know about him since he bolted!"
Wheelie slapped a hand over his face. "Oh my god Aria, that man is Ironhide."
Aria's mouth was already open to yell back at him, but she clamped it shut again. She brought her hand up to her forehead and sat down on the bench.
"What?" was the only word she could formulate.
"That man is Ironhide's holoform. Basically a 3D projection but with mass," Wheelie explained.
"As in it's made of matter? He can just create a physical human body? Why do I not know about this?" The more she thought about it, the more questions she had.
"Yes, yes, and it's a secret."
"I thought there was a zero secret policy between Autobots and the military."
"Yeah well this is the secret of secrets. It's a technology only a few of the Autobots have."
Why would the Autobots keep such a useful ability a secret? It would make communication much easier for both them and humans. Were they hiding a weakness, or perhaps their ultimate strength?
"Why would the Autobots let Ironhide use it then?"
"Well duh, they wouldn't. The only ones who know about this are us three."
"How did you even know?"
Wheelie stood a little taller. "It was my suggestion."
Aria narrowed her eyes. "You're in contact with him even though you're not supposed to be?”
“He contacted me.” Wheelie continued when Aria didn’t reply. “I don't know if you've noticed this kid, but Ironhide kinda does what he wants."
"I take it by his reaction, you weren't supposed to tell me, were you?" Aria raised a brow.
"Nope.”
Aria let her head fall back. "Great, I blew it. Now I'm never going to see him again."
"I don't think it's possible for him to stay away from you actually. I wouldn't be surprised if he was here for your next show," Wheelie reached up and patted her knee reassuringly. "Oh, and happy birthday by the way."
Was Wheelie right? Ironhide did in fact do what he wanted. But to go as far as this? To risk everything just to see her? She was just another human. And yet, Wheelie was sure Ironhide wouldn't leave her no matter what.
“Wait, did you say he bolted?”
Aria nodded, only half listening to him.
Wheelie laughed about it for the rest of the night.