Transformers: Heroic Hearts - T - Sam/Chloe - Part Nine of Ten
Title: Transformers: Heroic Hearts
Category: Smallville/Transformers
Genre: Humor/Action/Romance
Ship: Chloe Sullivan/Sam Witwicky
Rating: PG-13
Warning(s): Giant spoilers, violence, strong language, sexuality
Disclaimer: Whole chunks of the movie Transformers (2007) were rewritten here for coherence, so any of those who haven't seen the movies would be able to understand. I take no credit for any parts recognizable to the brand or the movies themselves.
Word Count: 7,439
Overall Status: Complete
Summary: (AU) All Sam wanted was a car and the girl of his dreams. He gets both; only neither are who or what he expected.
Previous: Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV, Part V, Part VI, Part VII, Part VIII,
dhfreak
Transformers: Heroic Hearts
-Novel-
IX.
Sam stumbled as the building shook beneath him and an explosion burst up into the sky. When he turned back, shoulders hunched, mouth agape as he panted, he could see fire spitting up behind a cloud of black smoke. The door they'd come through sailed through the air to land on a nearby shed. He grabbed onto a railing and held on, staring in wait to see Chloe burst back onto the scene.
As the smoke cleared some, his eyes darted around, landing on the giant hole where the stairs and a giant portion of the roof used to be.
"Chloe!" he yelled, his face red with exertion, the veins along his neck sticking out.
The whooshing noise of the helicopters in the distance drew his stinging eyes. He turned his head and watched, brows furrowed, as the Black Hawk swung around and toward the building.
He reached for the flare in his pocket and pulled it out, staring down at it in his dirt smudged palm.
For a moment, all he could hear was his heartbeat. He hit his knees, the Cube balanced on his thigh, and stared at the smoking hole she'd been swallowed by. The flare rolled out of his hand, bouncing slightly. As he blinked, a tear caught on his lashes. Brows furrowed, Sam felt his breath leave his chest in a whoosh. His heart lurched in his chest. And all he could think of was that first day he met her. Of how she'd smiled at him and he'd felt himself automatically grinning back. How that still happened, two years later.
Chloe was the best thing to happen to him in seventeen years of life. It wasn't a car, alien or not. It wasn't Mikaela Banes finally acknowledging his existence. It was a girl who'd stuck by him through every failed attempt at popularity and getting his dream girl. Who sat with him while his mom and an ambulance was called after football tryouts ran him into the ground. Who loved Mojo almost as much as he did. Who willingly walked into an alien versus alien versus human race war and stuck by him no matter the risk.
He dragged his fingers through his hair and gripped it tight. "Oh God…" He pressed a shaking arm against his face and tried to breathe, to focus.
The world was depending on him.
The world was-
And the alien robots, they-
"I'm completely, stupidly, crazy about you…" Her voice echoed in his ears. "The whole, rest of the world can burn, and all I'm worried about is you…"
Sniffling, he pressed the side of his curled fist to between his eyebrows. "No, no, no, no, No! No! No!" he screamed. His shoulders fell and his face crumbled as he shook his head.
The Black Hawk helicopter swung back around and Sam licked his lips. Closing his eyes, he took in a deep breath. Gripping the railing behind him, he pulled himself to his feet. Swiping his face of tears, he reached down for the flare, an empty hollowness radiating across his body.
Suddenly, he heard a grunt.
His eyes rose, focused on the hole, and his heart thumped painfully in his chest. Hope bloomed warm.
A hand burst out of the rubble and reached desperately.
Sam's breath left him on a desperate gasp. "Chloe." He ran forward. "Chloe!" Reaching the very edge, he fell to his knees, dust and debris kicked up beneath him.
Chloe was hanging precariously, gripping a bent piece of rebar sticking out of the blown up chunk of roof. She stared up at him, wide-eyed and pale. "Thought I… told you… to go…" she panted.
Shaking his head, relief making him crack a faint smile, he reached down and grabbed her up by her armpits. Using every bit of strength he had in him, his every muscle on fire, he pulled her up and out of the hole. As he fell back, panting thickly, she landed on top of him. Her whole body slumped in relief, face falling into his neck. She gripped the front of his shirt tightly. "Close… That was close."
He wrapped his arms around her tight and squeezed. Too close.
The familiar sound of helicopter blades cutting through the air had Chloe raising her head. "They're here…" Shoving up to her knees, she climbed off him. "Come on…" She held her hand out to him.
He stared up at her a long second, a little surprised that she could go from near-death experience to lets-save-the-world in two point five seconds, but finally, he took her hand and stood with her.
Grabbing up the flare he'd let fall to the ground, she waved it toward the Cube. "Sooner we hand this off, sooner I can stop playing Tomb Raider, right?"
He laughed shortly, nerves still frayed. "You're not bad at it…" He motioned to the back of his head. "Maybe grow your hair out, braid it… No-No dye. Blonde stays." He nodded. "I can see it. I can."
Rolling her eyes lightly, she backed up. "In your dreams, Witwicky…" With a wink, she turned and started running.
Smiling faintly, Sam chased after her and kept pace at her side.
Slamming the end of the flare on the side of a wall, she started waving it wildly. The vicious red flame was so bright they had to turn their heads away, the smoke clouding all around them.
"Heeey!" they yelled together. "Heeey! Over heeere!"
Atop a nearby building, Blackout landed, watching.
Two Black Hawk helicopters flew overhead, while a third rose up next to the ledge.
They slowed down and Chloe threw the flare away from them.
"We've got the kids," the pilot said into his helmet mic.
A soldier leaned out the side, arms reaching.
Sam leaned over the ledge, holding the Cube out as far as he could.
Out of the corner of her eye, just past the tail of the helicopter, Chloe spotted something unusual. Her brows furrowed, and seeing Blackout, she suddenly shouted, "No!"
"Watch out!" Sam said, seeing the missile headed in their direction. He stumbled backwards, arm pressed into Chloe to shove her out of reach.
The missile hit the top of the helicopter, which lost control immediately, turning sideways and sending its tail directly at the two teenagers. It cut through the crumbling ledge, blades very nearly slicing them.
Pressed against the ground, the Cube hugged between them, Sam shouted in fear, closing his eyes.
Chloe watched in panicked fascination as the tail just barely missed them while the helicopter spun over them and out of sight.
Racing across the top of buildings, Optimus yelled to them, "Hang on!" The fiery skeleton of the helicopter fell past him and crashed into the roof of a nearby building.
As Sam and Chloe climbed to their feet to start running once more, Megatron's arms burst through the roof.
They backed up, searching for an escape and coming up empty. Finally, they climbed onto the ledge and hurried behind the angel statues overlooking the city. Sam took the very corner, while Chloe hid behind the one just to the left of him.
Growling and snapping, Megatron dragged himself up to stand among them.
"Is it fear or courage that compels you, fleshlings?"
Chloe hugged an arm around the angel while she dug in her bag of tricks.
Sam looked at her and seeing what she was doing, shook his head. "No. No!" he whisper-shouted at her.
Ignoring him, she pulled the pin with her teeth, but held the switch down with her hand.
Sam looked down below at the busy, far-away street, and gulped.
Chloe, fear of heights still very present, adamantly kept her eyes on the chipped and crumbling statue ahead of her, peeking around its wings to watch the robot alien walk ever closer.
Megatron gripped the angel statue to the left of Chloe with is claw-like hand. "Give me the All Spark and you may live to be my pets!" he offered.
"Eat fire, asshole!" Chloe yelled, tossing the grenade at him. She bent to her knees and hugged the angel tight, covering her face in her shoulder
Megatron raised an arm to cover himself, but it caught him in the chest all the same.
He growled, swiping at the fire bursting in his face. "I will tear the bones from your fragile body, female!"
Panting, Chloe stuck a shaking hand in her bag for another grenade.
Megatron reached out and slammed a fist through the angel above her.
"Chloe!"
She cried out, very nearly losing her grip. Panic, not only at being crushed but at falling to her death, made her heart thump painfully hard in her chest. Hugging the lower half of the statue, still in tact, she shook her head. "I'm okay!" To herself, she muttered, "Terrified beyond reason, but still technically riding the okay bandwagon…"
"Give me the Cube, boy!" he demanded, raising a hand in the air and curling his sharp fingers into a fist.
"I'm never giving you this All Spark!" Sam yelled back, his eyes darting from Megatron to Chloe.
"Oh… So unwise…" With a growl, Megatron swung a spiked mace down, destroying the ledge between Sam and Chloe, crumbling it so significantly that the angels fell apart and the humans holding them tumbled back toward their deaths.
Screaming, they fell, flipping head over feet, a Black Hawk helicopter flew past, unable to help.
Halfway down, Optimus' hand reached out and caught them both. He hugged them to his chest and said, "I got you!"
Panting, Sam stared at him with wide eyes. Chloe sat next to him, head arched back. In a daze, she admitted, "I'm starting to think all these near-death experiences are making up for two relatively safe years…"
"What's my excuse?" Sam wondered, turning to her.
She shrugged. "Seventeen painless years? You needed a little excitement."
"This is not a little, okay?" He motioned between them. "This-I-I-Different definitions, all right?"
"Hold on to the Cube!" Optimus told them. Before they had time to even reply, he flipped himself over and slid down the wall. Leaping to the other side, he slammed his back into the opposite building and fell a few more feet before repeating it on the other side. Bricks, debris and the steel balconies that were previously attached, rained down over their heads and crashed to the ground below.
Halfway down, Megatron landed on top of them and they crashed to the ground.
Megatron rolled off of him, landing on a car. As he sat up, a civilian stood and looked up at him. "No! Oh, no. Oh, no!"
"Dis-gusting," Megatron said, before flicking him away with a finger.
Optimus slowly lifted his hand and looked down at his chest were Chloe and Sam were folded together, holding the Cube between them.
"Sam?" Optimus asked. "Chloe?"
Lifting to their knees, they looked at him.
Sam's brows furrowed.
"You risked your life to protect the Cube…" Optimus said, a note of respect in his voice.
"No sacrifice..." Sam panted grimly. "No victory."
"If I cannot defeat Megatron, you must push the Cube into my chest…" His face fell in solemn understanding. "I will sacrifice myself to destroy it… Get behind me."
They scrambled off of him and Optimus pushed himself up slowly. "It's you and me, Megatron…"
"No…!" Megatron rose to his feet. "It's just me, Prime!"
Sam and Chloe ran below, where the cement had pulled up to make a tunnel of sorts, though the dirt and water mixed to create a glue-like mud, it was atleast deep enough to cover them from Megatron's eyes.
"At the end of this day, one shall stand, one shall fall," Optimus promised.
Megatron threw him back, where he crashed into a building and rolled to the ground.
The dirt and rubble of his landing drifted down into Chloe and Sam's hiding spot. He threw his hand up to cover his face and hugged the Cube tighter to his chest.
"You still fight for the weak!" Megatron grabbed Optimus by his chest plate and threw him again. "That is why you lose!"
…
Lennox and his team marched down an alley just around the corner of where Optimus and Megatron were fighting.
In front of them, Blackout landed, changing from a helicopter into his Decepticon body, blades hugged to his back. Not seeing them, he walked down the street, while Lennox was bent low, armed with a cannon gun.
Epps turned around, telling Lennox, "Fighter jets in 60 seconds." Lifting his radio, he warned air support, "We got friendlies mixed with bad guys. Targets will be marked."
Lennox crawled over and clapped his arm. "Hey…"
Epps turned to him.
"Bring the rain," Lennox told him, nodding. He slapped his arm once more and started backing up. "All right, let's kill these things…"
Epps headed out onto the street with a few men following at his back. "Move, move, move."
"Remember, aim low," Lennox called to them. "Armor's weak under the chest."
Throwing his gun around to his back, Lennox hurried out onto the street and grabbed up a motorcycle. Climbing on, he revved the engine and drove it in the opposite direction of Blackout.
Taking cover behind a car, Epps raised a laser pointer and shot a green light at Blackout, flashing it over the back of the Decepticon's right knee.
"Target marked," he said into his radio. "Still waiting."
A pilot replied, "Time on target, twenty seconds."
High above Mission City, a group of F-22 jets flew in.
Doing a U-ey, Lennox swerved to a halt and bent his head low, staring on in grim determination.
"F-22s, we're still waiting," Epps said. His laser slipped up higher, landing on Blackout's left gun-arm.
Seeing it, Blackout suddenly turned around and raised his gun at Epps and the others.
Eyes wide, he yelled, "Move out!" Jumping to his feet, he started running.
Blackout shot a blue plasma burst at them that exploded the car they were once using as a shield.
Rolling onto his stomach, radio to his ear, Epps screamed, "Incoming!"
Lennox surged forward on his motorcycle, weaving through abandoned cars and running civilians.
The F-22's dove down and shot off numerous missiles, which hit Blackout directly in the chest, sending him stumbling backwards
Turning his bike sideways, Lennox fell into a long skid along the pavement, bringing him up close and personal as he slid right on beneath the Decepticon, firing his cannon gun into Blackout's chest and crotch.
Laughing gleefully, he went right on through his legs, while Blackout burst into flames, leaking blue fluid, and fell useless to the ground in a sparking, shaking heap.
Coming to a stop, Lennox stared on, mouth gaping, and rolled onto his stomach. Hollering in triumph, he pushed to his feet and waved at his fellow soldier. "Run! Move!" He started toward Optimus and Megatron next.
…
Sam and Chloe belly-crawled in the dirt, among debris and bent rebar protruding from chunks of upturned cement.
Optimus tumbled to the ground, grunting as he struggled to push himself off, while Megatron took two quick steps toward him before kicking him in the head hard enough to send him spinning through the air.
Sam flinched, closing his eyes and ducking his head. He hugged the Cube into his chest and shook his head, struggling with the decision he knew he would have to make soon.
Chloe's hand covered his; she squeezed his fingers reassuringly.
Lifting his head, their eyes locked.
"I'll cover you," she told him, nodding her chin determinedly.
…
"Second wave's on approach," an F-22 pilot informed.
Just behind them, however, Starscream transformed partly, leaving his wings and jets in-tact.
"What is that?" another pilot exclaimed. "Break off!"
"Copy!"
The Decepticon soared above, landing on one jet hard enough to send it off course, and jumped forward, turning midway to shoot back at them. On fire and out of control, three F-22's fell from the sky. Starscream barrel-rolled along with another before swinging his arm across to take out the tail of a jet and again to destroy a wing; it spun into the top of a building and burst into flames.
The remaining four jets followed after him. "Two, get a lock! Pop that guy!"
Starscream folded back into an F-22 to blend, but they took a shot at his tail and he was forced to return to his Decepticon body, hovering as a jet flew past him. He took a swing but missed and instead gave chase, back as an F-22 once more.
"Stay on him. Keep him in your sights."
…
"Take him out!" Lennox order as he and his team advanced.
Epps raised a gun and took a shot.
Above, the F-22's shot their missiles at Megatron, landing them squarely in his chest.
Sam and Chloe leapt out of their cover.
Megatron was struggling against the constant barrage of missiles being shot at him, bringing him to his knees. As the F-22's flew away to circle back, Lennox and his team climbed the chunks of asphalt to shoot at him as well.
Megatron, blue sparks spitting off of him, ran toward Sam and Chloe as they hurried to Optimus.
Arm out, he nearly caught them, but Optimus swung an arm back and knocked his legs out from beneath him. Megatron rolled across the dirt and rubble, while Sam crab-walked backwards, panting.
Megatron crawled toward him, slamming a clawed hand down into the pavement just a few short feet from him. "I'll kill you!"
Sam stared up, wide-eyed, chest heaving.
"Mine!" he grunted. "All-Spark!"
Chloe bent back and lifted her gun, emptying the clip into Megatron's face.
Howling, Megatron threw his head back and pressed a hand against his eyes.
Chloe squeezed the trigger three more times, but it was empty; she tossed the gun away and instead reached for her bag, pulling out a grenade in each hand. "Take cover!" she told Sam.
"Sam!" Optimus said, drawing his attention as he rolled painfully onto his stomach. "Put the cube in my chest!"
Sam shoved to his feet, hugging the Cube as he looked back to Optimus.
"No! Give me the Cube, boooy…." Megatron demanded. One hand still pressed to his smoking, sparking face, he reached down and scooped Chloe up in his clawed hand.
"No! No! Stop!" Sam held a hand up desperately. "Wait!"
Megatron bared his metallic teeth and sneered, "That is the failing of mankind… Compassion… Loyalty…" He snapped his teeth and growled, "Love."
Chloe struggled in Megatron's grip, shoving at his fingers wound tight around her body. She shook her head and kicked her legs. "Don't. Give him. The Cube!" she yelled.
Sam looked from her to Megatron, his eyes wide, his jaw wound tight. "Don't-Don't hurt her!"
"Sam, shut up!"
"Quiet, female!" Megatron squeezed her.
She cried out painfully, her head falling back.
"No! Stop! Stop!" Sam ran forward, skidding to a halt as Megatron looked down at him with one vicious red eye, the other popped free and sparking.
"No, Sam!" Optimus called to him.
Panting, Sam held a hand up to ask him to stay, to stop. His eyes, red and brimming with tears, stared at Chloe searchingly.
She shook her head, that same calm understanding washing over her face that she'd had just before she let his hand go. Sacrifice. A concept she seemed to be way too familiar with.
"I don't-I don't want Mikaela," he told her, his voice catching.
Her brows furrowed. "I… It's… This is not the time for that conversation," she choked back.
He shook his head, a few stray tears dripping down his face. Sniffing, he turned to Megatron. "A trade… Same time. No funny business…" He pointed. "Cube for the girl."
"No, Sam!" She struggled harder. "No!"
Megatron leaned forward on one knee. "The Cube first…" He held out a hand, silvery, sharp fingers reaching.
"You want the Cube?" Sam glared. "Take it!" He reached up and shoved the All Spark directly into Megatron's chest, where the rapid missile fire had destroyed all cover, exposing his own personal spark.
Snarling and growling ferociously, the Decepticon threw his head back in pain. As blue energy rippled over him, his hand released and Chloe tumbled to the ground rapidly. Sam couldn't let go, the pressure of the Cube in his fingers too strong. As it broke into tiny little cubes, they rose up into Megatron's chest where a fiery liquid had formed and spread. Megatron stumbled backwards, pressing a hand to his chest. He fell to his knees then, head whirling side to side as he choked desperately before falling back to the ground. One last hollow growl escaped him before he lay down in the dirt.
Sam stood staring down at him, panting heavily, eyes wide in shock.
"Chloe," he muttered. "Chloe!" He turned around, eyes darting wildly.
Bumblebee drew his attention with a small, whirring noise, and carried Chloe to him in his hands, his steps much smaller and shorter.
"Hey!" Sam reached for her.
Arm wrapped around her ribs, she pushed up carefully and slid to the ground to stand on her own two feet. "Hey," she returned, half-smiling.
He let out a choked half-laugh before wrapping her up into his arms and pulling her in tight to his chest.
She hissed in pain.
"Sorry! Sorry!" He loosened his grip. "Are you okay?" He looked down at her worriedly, keeping an arm around her waist to hold her steady. "You-You break anything? Do we- Can we get some medical attention?" He turned his head. "Can- I-I need an ambulance over here!" he shouted to whoever was listening, pointing at her meaningfully.
She laughed slightly and grabbed his hand down. "I'm fine." She nodded, squeezing his wrist reassuringly. "Really…" Staring past his shoulder, she watched as Optimus slowly approached the battered, lifeless body of Megatron. "Better than some…"
In the distance, Lennox and his team approached, guns at the ready. "Hold up," he said as Optimus leaned over the Decepticon.
Megatron's eyes flickered before going dark.
"You left me no choice, brother," Optimus told him disappointedly.
Ironhide and Rachet joined everyone, the latter holding what used to be Jazz.
Optimus knelt in front of the two teenagers then, balancing himself with one hand braced on the ground below. "Sam…" He looked between them. "The courage it took to make the decision you did is immeasurable…" He bowed his head. "I owe you my life… We are in your debt."
Sam stared up at him and nodded slowly, not exactly sure what to say to that.
Optimus stood once more and looked out over the group.
"Prime," Ironhide said. He handed the pieces over solemnly. "We couldn't save him."
"Oh, Jazz," Optimus sighed. He addressed the group together, of Autobots and soldiers, and Sam and Chloe. "We lost a great comrade…. But gained new ones. Thank you. All of you. You honor us with your bravery."
Bumblebee buzzed. "Permission to speak, sir?"
"Permission granted, old friend."
"You speak now?" Sam asked, astonished.
"I wish to stay with the boy," Bumblebee said hopefully.
"If that's his choice."
Sam stared up at him and smiled. Nodding, he said, "Yes."
Bumblebee raised his chin proudly.
Chloe grinned. "Good. Because if you weren't going to take him, I was going to steal him for myself."
Bumblebee raised an arm out to her and with a chuckle, she fist-bumped him.
Behind them, Optimus knelt down next to Megatron and reached into the ashes of his chest. He dug out a sliver of what was left of the Cube, staring at it thoughtfully, before he folded it into his fist.
Yawning, Chloe rested her head on Sam's shoulder. "That was stupid, by the way… Bargaining like that…" She raised a brow at him. "He would've killed us both."
He rubbed her back before grinning certainly. "I had a plan," he assured.
She snorted. "Yeah, I'm sure…"
"Jeez, I save your life and you still give me a hard time?" he scoffed dramatically. "What's a guy gotta do to get a little respect around here?"
She nodded. "Uh-huh…"
He waved a finger around. "I saved you, the world, and I hardly broke a sweat, so maybe everybody should be a little more grateful and a little less-"
Smiling amusedly, she leaned in and pressed her lips to his, cutting him off.
"Okay," he said against her mouth. "That's better." Wrapping his arms around her more completely, he hugged her to his chest, slanting his lips over hers firmly.
Chloe dragged her fingers down the back of his hair, squeezing his neck lightly before she gripped his shoulder and leaned whole-heartedly into the heat of his tongue dabbing at her lip and dragging along the roof of her mouth. She didn't care that her ribs hurt or the adrenaline that had been keeping her going was wearing off or that the world had very nearly ended. She didn't even care that they were surrounded by alien robots and a crew of Army Rangers. All she cared about was that she was finally, finally, getting the guy. And not just any guy either. But Sam. Her best friend of two years; the goofy, funny, one-of-a-kind guy that she'd been half in love with practically from day one of meeting him. A guy who didn't want the pretty, popular girl instead of her. Not Lana, not Mikaela, but her. And victory tasted a whole lot like the best beginning to something wonderfully life-changing.
…
Chloe winced as the paramedic wrapped her ribs. "This will work for awhile, but you should go to the hospital," he suggested, patting her shoulder.
She raised a brow. "Listen, I appreciate the advice, but-"
"She will," Sam interrupted her, nodding his head. He held a fist to his chin, his elbow tucked in his other hand as he stood close by, tapping his foot, watching worriedly. "We're headed there now."
"Are we?" She nodded her head past him. "Because I think we're about to be debriefed…"
Sam's jaw ticked as he spotted the incoming black SUV's. "And we can do that after you've seen a doctor," he said stubbornly.
She smiled faintly. "I appreciate the thought, Hero… But I hardly think a little trouble breathing is going to turn their heads…"
"Your ribs are bruised," he reminded, brows lifted. "If they weren't bruised before, and they weren't, and they're bruised now, and they are, then we need to see somebody about that…" He nodded emphatically. "Somebody who can make sure everything's all where it's supposed to be, right? I mean, you were tossed around a lot." His eyes widened. "You were kind of blown up!"
"I was not…" She rolled her eyes. "I fell into a hole made from an explosion I caused… There's a difference."
"No, no, we're not… There's no technicalities here, all right? You're hurt and you need to see a doctor. A-A real one, not some guy in the back of a-a van, okay?" He waved a hand dismissively at the paramedic. "No offense."
"Uh…"
"It's the shock," she tried to explain to the paramedic. "Ignore him. He's clearly got mental issues."
"Uh-huh, yeah, just spread it around…" He waved his hands around. "Excuse me for wanting to make sure you don't have internal bleeding from being a sacrificial martyr, huh! 'Cause it doesn't matter that the last couple days we've been thrown around like rag dolls, chased by aliens and government agents, and you've nearly died three times! Not once, not twice, three! O-Or thrice. Or, y'know, whatever…"
"Sam…" She reached out and squeezed his arm. "I promise you, I will eventually see a doctor…" She hopped down from the back of the ambulance. "Just as soon as the governments hands over your parents, Mojo, and makes us sign a confidentiality agreement, okay?"
"No. No, we're not doing that." He paused, eyes turning off thoughtfully. "Okay, maybe we can strike a deal, right? Like they can deliver my parents to the hospital…" He was nodding with his suggestion now, tucking his arms around himself. "Yeah, and maybe that'll take the edge off dad, right? He can't be mad at me if I'm in the hospital." He clapped his hands and pointed at the ground. "That's what we're gonna do, okay?"
"Sam Witwicky and Chloe Sullivan?" a man asked, drawing their immediate attention. He stood tall and intimidating, dressed in an expensive and heavily starched black suit. "You need to come with us."
"Awesome," Sam said. "You guys up for a hospital detour? 'Cause that's where we're headed." He nodded his head behind him. "Paramedics orders."
The suited man raised an eyebrow.
Chloe turned her head to Sam and whispered, "I don't think he likes your plan…"
He frowned back at her.
She grinned in reply.
…
Washington, DC
Pentagon
"It's good to see you two are okay," Keller said, holding out a hand as Sam and Chloe walked toward him, hands hooked together.
"Okay's a relative word," she replied, but shook his hand all the same.
Sam nodded at him, shaking his had firmly.
"So is this where we're sworn to secrecy?" Chloe wondered, looking around, brow quirked.
"National Security, Miss. Sullivan… I think you, of all people, know the drill…" He stared at her searchingly. "And while the government might one day call on you to help serve your country with those-" He wagged his fingers at her, "Quick little hands of yours. I think for now, we might ask you to keep the hacking to a bare minimum." He hiked his eyebrows meaningfully.
She smiled vaguely. "As long as Gitmo's off my resume, I think I'll be happy to refrain."
"The slate… has been wiped clear," he promised, nodding. "Now…" He clapped his hands together. "What do you two say about a reunion and a little gag order?"
"Reunion…" Sam repeated, brows furrowed.
"I believe… You lost a few people in the kerfuffle?" Keller motioned past them.
An officer opened a door and the bickering of Sam's parents could soon be heard.
"Mom? Dad?" Sam stared on hopefully.
"Sam!" Judy came out the door rapidly. "Sammy!" Spotting him, she rushed forward.
An officer tried to slow her down, but she slapped her hands back at him. "You keep your hands to yourself, mister! I've had about enough of you and this place!" She turned back to her son and shook her head. "What happened?" She walked toward him, clucking her tongue. "You're filthy and-Is that blood?" She turned her back. "Ron! Our son is bleeding!"
"What?" Ron followed after her, glaring at the officers as he made his way over. "You know what? That's just it… Oh you better believe there is a strongly worded letter coming out of this!" He waved a hand around. "You've kept us locked up for days! No phone calls, no information, and our own son-" He held his hands out at Sam, "is being treated like this! No. No, that's not okay, all right?"
Laughing under his breath, Sam shook his head and hugged his parents, an arm looped around each of them. "I'm fine. Really."
Yapping drew their attention then, to an officer with a small pet carrier gripped in his hand.
"Mojo!" Sam cried.
Chloe reached out and opened the front, pulling the small Chihuahua free and laughing happily as he licked her face and wagged his tail excitedly.
"Hey, buddy!" Sam said, petting his dog as Chloe held it close to her chest. "How's my little Mojo-monster, huh?" He scrubbed his finger's between the dog's ears. "You lost weight?"
"Emotional stress," Chloe sighed.
"Yeah, or maybe he put on some muscle… Didn't you?" He rested his forehead against Chloe's temple and grinned down at the dog. "You would'a broke out and come saved us, wouldn't you, Mojo?"
He yapped happily back at him, standing up on his hind-legs and waving a paw at Sam.
Judy clasped her hands to her chest. "Oh, Ron, look… Sammy's got a girlfriend… For real…" she awwed.
"We're stuck in a government prison and he's working on his love life," Ron complained, shaking his head.
"Oh, shut up," she said, slapping his chest lightly. "Look at them…" She rested her head on her husband's shoulder. "You know, it almost makes it worth it…"
"No, it doesn't." He shook his head rapidly. "Judy, do you remember how we were treated? Those suits never left us alone for a minute. And the silent treatment? What was that?"
Secretary Keller cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention. "If I could just get you all into the conference room, maybe we could sort some of the confusion out…"
"You better," Ron declared. "'Cause believe you, I have a lot of questions…"
"It's all right, dad…" Sam nodded over at him. "We'll explain everything."
Keller waved them along behind him, and soon enough, with Judy and Ron still in shock over the truth and ordered by law to never tell another person anything about it, they were all able to leave the Pentagon and head back home.
…
Ron Witwicky stared on at the red and blue semi truck parked in front of them with much skepticism.
"Ratchet is fixing Bumblebee up," Chloe explained, climbing the support stair leading to the seats inside. "Ironhide is giving Captain Lennox a ride home and, unfortunately, we lost Jazz in the fight…" She patted a hand against the door. "But this is Optimus… Leader of the Autobots…"
"Oh, I've always wanted to drive a semi!" Judy cried excitedly, clapping her hands and hurrying over.
"Ma… Mom, he's an alien… He drives himself," Sam told her, shaking his head.
Scoffing, she waved him off. "Oh, Ron, can I? Please?"
"You want us to drive home in an alien semi truck?" He shook his head, brows furrowed. "Are you insane?"
"They're the good kind of alien," Chloe reassured. "Seriously, they saved our bacon a few times…"
"Bacon savers or not…" Ron shook his head. "I'd rather take a regular, American made, bus than-than…" He waved his hands around. "This."
"Come on, dad, have faith…" Sam clapped him on his shoulder. "Trust me, all right?" He stared up at him searchingly. "Optimus is the safest ride home you can get…"
"I'm so telling Bumblebee," Chloe called out cheerfully.
Sam grumbled at her. "Hey, hey… Confidentiality clause, all right, Sullivan?" He pointed at his eyes and then at her.
She snorted. Rolling her eyes, she yanked open the door and climbed into the passenger seat.
Happily, Judy joined her, slipping into the driver's seat and smoothing her hands over the steering wheel. With a wide grin, she shared, "Oh, this is so exciting…"
Chloe chuckled under her breath, raising a brow. "I didn't know you wanted to be a trucker so badly…"
"Oh, well, that too…" She nodded. "But then there's you and Sam…" She widened her eyes for emphasis. "Now how long did that take, huh?" She shook her head. "Two years of waiting on you two and it only takes an alien war…" She laughed throatily. "Well if I knew earlier…"
Smiling, Chloe shrugged, shifting in her seat uncomfortably. "Circumstances, I guess…"
She hummed. Turning in her seat, she stared at Chloe. "Now, listen, Chloe, I like you… I really, really do… But just so we're clear… If you break my little boy's heart…" She smiled scarily. "I will break you…" She reached over and squeezed her hand. "Okay?"
More amused than scared, Chloe nodded. "Loud and clear."
"Wonderful." Sitting back, she reached up and pulled the horn, honking at her family still bickering out front and smiling when they flinched in surprise. Rolling down the window, she called out, "Load up or I'm leaving you two behind!" Giggling, she turned back to the steering wheel and then wondered, "How do I turn this on…?"
The engine revved to life.
"Alien," Chloe reminded. "Extremely intelligent alien robot."
Dropping her mouth open in a silent scream of excitement, Judy reached for the steering wheel again. "Let's go home, Mister Optimus!"
When the wheels started turning and the semi began to leave, Sam and Ron suddenly jumped into action, climbing up into the semi as fast as could be. Sam and Chloe moved back into the sleeper cab to sit while Ron tried to tell Judy how to drive. Completely ignoring her husband, she gleefully pulled out onto the road.
"You know, if I didn't know we were in Optimus right now, I think your mother's driving might actually terrify me."
Snorting, Sam bumped her shoulder with his. "Wouldn't blame you."
…
Night had fallen and both Judy and Ron had finally allowed Optimus to take back driving rights to, well, himself. Sam's parents had each fallen asleep where they sat. Chloe imagined the stress of the last few days had taken its toll. True, they weren't out battling alien robots and saving the world, but they were parents who didn't know where their son was and had been kept in a holding cell this whole time. She didn't think they slept much and she couldn't blame them. In all honesty, she couldn't remember the last time she'd slept.
Her nerves were still a little shot and she was having a hard time getting comfortable, her bruised ribs flared up every time she moved.
Sam, arms tucked around himself, had fallen asleep with his head resting against the wall behind him.
She watched him for a long moment, still wearing the dirty, torn clothes he'd dressed in Sunday. Despite trying to get cleaned up at a rest stop, there was still dirt on his ear and his hair was matted. Absently, she reached out to wipe it from his ear lobe, gently rubbing it away with her thumb.
He moved slightly but kept sleeping, mumbling something to the affect of, "Leave me alone, mom."
She grinned to herself.
There was hope and affection and a whole lot of confusion still overwhelming her. They'd kind of, sort of, saved the world. They made friends with some aliens. One of which was going to stick around and play friend and guardian to Sam. The others had made a deal with the government to help them with any leftover Decepticon issues, taking refuge on Earth for as long as necessary. And somewhere, in the middle of all that, she and Sam had become… Well… ChloeandSam. Like, one entity. A couple. No longer friends, but… something more. And yeah, okay, there were a few times where she felt feelings shifting. Where she thought maybe he was looking at her differently or touching her more. But Chloe had spent so much time trying not to analyze a friendship that she wanted to be more that every time they seemed to spring up, she told herself it was her imagination or it was just the situation.
Truth be told, she was still kind of waiting for the bottom to fall out.
They'd gotten together in an adrenaline-fueled rush, between war and relative peace, and some part of her thought that as soon as they got back to Burbank and it all wore off, he'd turn around and realize that he was kind of dating his best friend. Good, ol', faithful Chloe. Sidekick instead of leading lady. Her perpetual place in the world. A worried frown turned her lips down and she turned to stare out at the dark expanse of highway in front of them. What was she supposed to do if that happened? Tell him it was okay and return to being his friend? Stand by him as the Mikaela Banes of the world came and went and he came to the conclusion that Chloe was better meant for friendship? Because, as much and as long as she'd been doing that, and telling herself she was okay with it, she wasn't sure she could anymore.
Sam was special.
And when he kissed her, when he held her hand or made her laugh or even looked at her in that way that told her he knew exactly what she was thinking, she just felt… Complete, in a way. Not in a cheesy, can't live without him kind of way, but a… It was like having everything she needed in life and he was that extra cherry on top. He was what made it all worth it. Even before alien wars and secret government labs. Her day started when Sam Witwicky made an appearance. Her life was better with him in it. And she really, really liked how much better it could be with him as more than just a friend. Because she could take friendship. She might even be able to handle it after the dust settled. But loving him and being loved by him… It all sounded so much better.
"Hey…"
She whirled around at his voice, sleep-laden and deep.
He opened one eye and then yawned, reaching back to rub his face with the back of his hand. "Wha' time's it?"
Digging in her bag, she searched for her cell but came up empty handed. "I don't know…" She looked out the front window again. "It's dark, so… Late?"
He half-smiled. "Observant…" Licking his lips, he rested his eyes at half-mass.
"I try."
He raised a brow slightly. "You okay?"
She frowned, nodding. "I am… Just…" She shook her head. "Still reeling."
Nodding, he blinked his eyes a few more times to stay awake. "You were great out there…" He nudged her foot with his. "Couldn't do it without you."
She gave a faint, brittle smile. "Sidekick's my middle name," she offered, turning her eyes off.
His brows furrowed. "What happened to Tomb Raider?"
She looked back. "Hm?"
"Badass, kickass, one-woman-hero…" He stared up at her. "That's how I see you…" He sat forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "You don't need the braid or the shorts, Chloe…" He shook his head slightly. "You don't even need a leading man, but…" He shrugged. "I… I meant what I said, y'know?" He scratched his ear awkwardly. "Mikaela and all that… I…" He shook his head. "I'm over that… I-I was over it, before we even left Burbank, I just…" He cleared his throat. "You're always gonna be my best friend… Burbank, Metropolis, wherever you are, but I was… I mean, I'm kind of hoping maybe this- U-Us…" He waved his hands around. "We could… see… where this, uh… goes…" He nodded, brows hiked. "If-If you wanna…"
Chloe stared at him a long second. "You're completely over Mikaela?"
He nodded rapidly. "Totally. I-It's over. It-Never started, never will, don't want it to."
"And this isn't just because we survived near-death together or anything…?" She raised a brow.
"Adrenaline wore off, still really hoping I get to kiss you in the near future, so no… Not near-death related…"
Her lips twitched. "And you're sure, if, for whatever reason, we don't work out… We still remain friends."
"Absolutely. If it happens-" He paused, pointed, "Big if…" He nodded. "Then, yeah, we can share custody of Miles and you can have visitation rights to Mojo," he offered.
She laughed. "Appreciate it."
He half-grinned. "So…?" His eyes darted wonderingly, hopefully.
"Oh, for… Throw the boy a bone, Chloe," Ron interrupted from the front seat.
Sam's face fell. "Dad!"
"You're ruining their moment," Judy complained.
"Mom!" he exclaimed, burying his face in his hands and groaning.
Laughing, Chloe shook her head. "I love your family," she told him.
Lifting his head, he stared up at her. "Enough to give me a chance still?"
She smiled warmly. "Air hockey this weekend… It's a date."
He grinned. "You're going down this time, Chloe… I've been perfecting my block, okay?"
"Uh-huh," she said, dismissively.
"Seriously…" He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and drew her into his side, all the while talking smack about how he'd win.
And while Chloe was pretty sure she'd wipe the floor with him, like usual, she also found that here, leaning into him as she was, was the perfect angle. Her ribs didn't hurt. Listening to Sam's voice, his arm warm around her, his heartbeat echoing in her ears, Chloe finally fell asleep.
Sam, noticing she'd nodded off, just grinned. Resting his head back against the wall, he silently cheered at his good fortune. Sure, it wasn't easy, but his life was finally coming together. He didn't think it could get any better than this.
[Next: Epilogue.]
Category: Smallville/Transformers
Genre: Humor/Action/Romance
Ship: Chloe Sullivan/Sam Witwicky
Rating: PG-13
Warning(s): Giant spoilers, violence, strong language, sexuality
Disclaimer: Whole chunks of the movie Transformers (2007) were rewritten here for coherence, so any of those who haven't seen the movies would be able to understand. I take no credit for any parts recognizable to the brand or the movies themselves.
Word Count: 7,439
Overall Status: Complete
Summary: (AU) All Sam wanted was a car and the girl of his dreams. He gets both; only neither are who or what he expected.
Previous: Part I, Part II, Part III, Part IV, Part V, Part VI, Part VII, Part VIII,
dhfreak
Transformers: Heroic Hearts
-Novel-
IX.
Sam stumbled as the building shook beneath him and an explosion burst up into the sky. When he turned back, shoulders hunched, mouth agape as he panted, he could see fire spitting up behind a cloud of black smoke. The door they'd come through sailed through the air to land on a nearby shed. He grabbed onto a railing and held on, staring in wait to see Chloe burst back onto the scene.
As the smoke cleared some, his eyes darted around, landing on the giant hole where the stairs and a giant portion of the roof used to be.
"Chloe!" he yelled, his face red with exertion, the veins along his neck sticking out.
The whooshing noise of the helicopters in the distance drew his stinging eyes. He turned his head and watched, brows furrowed, as the Black Hawk swung around and toward the building.
He reached for the flare in his pocket and pulled it out, staring down at it in his dirt smudged palm.
For a moment, all he could hear was his heartbeat. He hit his knees, the Cube balanced on his thigh, and stared at the smoking hole she'd been swallowed by. The flare rolled out of his hand, bouncing slightly. As he blinked, a tear caught on his lashes. Brows furrowed, Sam felt his breath leave his chest in a whoosh. His heart lurched in his chest. And all he could think of was that first day he met her. Of how she'd smiled at him and he'd felt himself automatically grinning back. How that still happened, two years later.
Chloe was the best thing to happen to him in seventeen years of life. It wasn't a car, alien or not. It wasn't Mikaela Banes finally acknowledging his existence. It was a girl who'd stuck by him through every failed attempt at popularity and getting his dream girl. Who sat with him while his mom and an ambulance was called after football tryouts ran him into the ground. Who loved Mojo almost as much as he did. Who willingly walked into an alien versus alien versus human race war and stuck by him no matter the risk.
He dragged his fingers through his hair and gripped it tight. "Oh God…" He pressed a shaking arm against his face and tried to breathe, to focus.
The world was depending on him.
The world was-
And the alien robots, they-
"I'm completely, stupidly, crazy about you…" Her voice echoed in his ears. "The whole, rest of the world can burn, and all I'm worried about is you…"
Sniffling, he pressed the side of his curled fist to between his eyebrows. "No, no, no, no, No! No! No!" he screamed. His shoulders fell and his face crumbled as he shook his head.
The Black Hawk helicopter swung back around and Sam licked his lips. Closing his eyes, he took in a deep breath. Gripping the railing behind him, he pulled himself to his feet. Swiping his face of tears, he reached down for the flare, an empty hollowness radiating across his body.
Suddenly, he heard a grunt.
His eyes rose, focused on the hole, and his heart thumped painfully in his chest. Hope bloomed warm.
A hand burst out of the rubble and reached desperately.
Sam's breath left him on a desperate gasp. "Chloe." He ran forward. "Chloe!" Reaching the very edge, he fell to his knees, dust and debris kicked up beneath him.
Chloe was hanging precariously, gripping a bent piece of rebar sticking out of the blown up chunk of roof. She stared up at him, wide-eyed and pale. "Thought I… told you… to go…" she panted.
Shaking his head, relief making him crack a faint smile, he reached down and grabbed her up by her armpits. Using every bit of strength he had in him, his every muscle on fire, he pulled her up and out of the hole. As he fell back, panting thickly, she landed on top of him. Her whole body slumped in relief, face falling into his neck. She gripped the front of his shirt tightly. "Close… That was close."
He wrapped his arms around her tight and squeezed. Too close.
The familiar sound of helicopter blades cutting through the air had Chloe raising her head. "They're here…" Shoving up to her knees, she climbed off him. "Come on…" She held her hand out to him.
He stared up at her a long second, a little surprised that she could go from near-death experience to lets-save-the-world in two point five seconds, but finally, he took her hand and stood with her.
Grabbing up the flare he'd let fall to the ground, she waved it toward the Cube. "Sooner we hand this off, sooner I can stop playing Tomb Raider, right?"
He laughed shortly, nerves still frayed. "You're not bad at it…" He motioned to the back of his head. "Maybe grow your hair out, braid it… No-No dye. Blonde stays." He nodded. "I can see it. I can."
Rolling her eyes lightly, she backed up. "In your dreams, Witwicky…" With a wink, she turned and started running.
Smiling faintly, Sam chased after her and kept pace at her side.
Slamming the end of the flare on the side of a wall, she started waving it wildly. The vicious red flame was so bright they had to turn their heads away, the smoke clouding all around them.
"Heeey!" they yelled together. "Heeey! Over heeere!"
Atop a nearby building, Blackout landed, watching.
Two Black Hawk helicopters flew overhead, while a third rose up next to the ledge.
They slowed down and Chloe threw the flare away from them.
"We've got the kids," the pilot said into his helmet mic.
A soldier leaned out the side, arms reaching.
Sam leaned over the ledge, holding the Cube out as far as he could.
Out of the corner of her eye, just past the tail of the helicopter, Chloe spotted something unusual. Her brows furrowed, and seeing Blackout, she suddenly shouted, "No!"
"Watch out!" Sam said, seeing the missile headed in their direction. He stumbled backwards, arm pressed into Chloe to shove her out of reach.
The missile hit the top of the helicopter, which lost control immediately, turning sideways and sending its tail directly at the two teenagers. It cut through the crumbling ledge, blades very nearly slicing them.
Pressed against the ground, the Cube hugged between them, Sam shouted in fear, closing his eyes.
Chloe watched in panicked fascination as the tail just barely missed them while the helicopter spun over them and out of sight.
Racing across the top of buildings, Optimus yelled to them, "Hang on!" The fiery skeleton of the helicopter fell past him and crashed into the roof of a nearby building.
As Sam and Chloe climbed to their feet to start running once more, Megatron's arms burst through the roof.
They backed up, searching for an escape and coming up empty. Finally, they climbed onto the ledge and hurried behind the angel statues overlooking the city. Sam took the very corner, while Chloe hid behind the one just to the left of him.
Growling and snapping, Megatron dragged himself up to stand among them.
"Is it fear or courage that compels you, fleshlings?"
Chloe hugged an arm around the angel while she dug in her bag of tricks.
Sam looked at her and seeing what she was doing, shook his head. "No. No!" he whisper-shouted at her.
Ignoring him, she pulled the pin with her teeth, but held the switch down with her hand.
Sam looked down below at the busy, far-away street, and gulped.
Chloe, fear of heights still very present, adamantly kept her eyes on the chipped and crumbling statue ahead of her, peeking around its wings to watch the robot alien walk ever closer.
Megatron gripped the angel statue to the left of Chloe with is claw-like hand. "Give me the All Spark and you may live to be my pets!" he offered.
"Eat fire, asshole!" Chloe yelled, tossing the grenade at him. She bent to her knees and hugged the angel tight, covering her face in her shoulder
Megatron raised an arm to cover himself, but it caught him in the chest all the same.
He growled, swiping at the fire bursting in his face. "I will tear the bones from your fragile body, female!"
Panting, Chloe stuck a shaking hand in her bag for another grenade.
Megatron reached out and slammed a fist through the angel above her.
"Chloe!"
She cried out, very nearly losing her grip. Panic, not only at being crushed but at falling to her death, made her heart thump painfully hard in her chest. Hugging the lower half of the statue, still in tact, she shook her head. "I'm okay!" To herself, she muttered, "Terrified beyond reason, but still technically riding the okay bandwagon…"
"Give me the Cube, boy!" he demanded, raising a hand in the air and curling his sharp fingers into a fist.
"I'm never giving you this All Spark!" Sam yelled back, his eyes darting from Megatron to Chloe.
"Oh… So unwise…" With a growl, Megatron swung a spiked mace down, destroying the ledge between Sam and Chloe, crumbling it so significantly that the angels fell apart and the humans holding them tumbled back toward their deaths.
Screaming, they fell, flipping head over feet, a Black Hawk helicopter flew past, unable to help.
Halfway down, Optimus' hand reached out and caught them both. He hugged them to his chest and said, "I got you!"
Panting, Sam stared at him with wide eyes. Chloe sat next to him, head arched back. In a daze, she admitted, "I'm starting to think all these near-death experiences are making up for two relatively safe years…"
"What's my excuse?" Sam wondered, turning to her.
She shrugged. "Seventeen painless years? You needed a little excitement."
"This is not a little, okay?" He motioned between them. "This-I-I-Different definitions, all right?"
"Hold on to the Cube!" Optimus told them. Before they had time to even reply, he flipped himself over and slid down the wall. Leaping to the other side, he slammed his back into the opposite building and fell a few more feet before repeating it on the other side. Bricks, debris and the steel balconies that were previously attached, rained down over their heads and crashed to the ground below.
Halfway down, Megatron landed on top of them and they crashed to the ground.
Megatron rolled off of him, landing on a car. As he sat up, a civilian stood and looked up at him. "No! Oh, no. Oh, no!"
"Dis-gusting," Megatron said, before flicking him away with a finger.
Optimus slowly lifted his hand and looked down at his chest were Chloe and Sam were folded together, holding the Cube between them.
"Sam?" Optimus asked. "Chloe?"
Lifting to their knees, they looked at him.
Sam's brows furrowed.
"You risked your life to protect the Cube…" Optimus said, a note of respect in his voice.
"No sacrifice..." Sam panted grimly. "No victory."
"If I cannot defeat Megatron, you must push the Cube into my chest…" His face fell in solemn understanding. "I will sacrifice myself to destroy it… Get behind me."
They scrambled off of him and Optimus pushed himself up slowly. "It's you and me, Megatron…"
"No…!" Megatron rose to his feet. "It's just me, Prime!"
Sam and Chloe ran below, where the cement had pulled up to make a tunnel of sorts, though the dirt and water mixed to create a glue-like mud, it was atleast deep enough to cover them from Megatron's eyes.
"At the end of this day, one shall stand, one shall fall," Optimus promised.
Megatron threw him back, where he crashed into a building and rolled to the ground.
The dirt and rubble of his landing drifted down into Chloe and Sam's hiding spot. He threw his hand up to cover his face and hugged the Cube tighter to his chest.
"You still fight for the weak!" Megatron grabbed Optimus by his chest plate and threw him again. "That is why you lose!"
…
Lennox and his team marched down an alley just around the corner of where Optimus and Megatron were fighting.
In front of them, Blackout landed, changing from a helicopter into his Decepticon body, blades hugged to his back. Not seeing them, he walked down the street, while Lennox was bent low, armed with a cannon gun.
Epps turned around, telling Lennox, "Fighter jets in 60 seconds." Lifting his radio, he warned air support, "We got friendlies mixed with bad guys. Targets will be marked."
Lennox crawled over and clapped his arm. "Hey…"
Epps turned to him.
"Bring the rain," Lennox told him, nodding. He slapped his arm once more and started backing up. "All right, let's kill these things…"
Epps headed out onto the street with a few men following at his back. "Move, move, move."
"Remember, aim low," Lennox called to them. "Armor's weak under the chest."
Throwing his gun around to his back, Lennox hurried out onto the street and grabbed up a motorcycle. Climbing on, he revved the engine and drove it in the opposite direction of Blackout.
Taking cover behind a car, Epps raised a laser pointer and shot a green light at Blackout, flashing it over the back of the Decepticon's right knee.
"Target marked," he said into his radio. "Still waiting."
A pilot replied, "Time on target, twenty seconds."
High above Mission City, a group of F-22 jets flew in.
Doing a U-ey, Lennox swerved to a halt and bent his head low, staring on in grim determination.
"F-22s, we're still waiting," Epps said. His laser slipped up higher, landing on Blackout's left gun-arm.
Seeing it, Blackout suddenly turned around and raised his gun at Epps and the others.
Eyes wide, he yelled, "Move out!" Jumping to his feet, he started running.
Blackout shot a blue plasma burst at them that exploded the car they were once using as a shield.
Rolling onto his stomach, radio to his ear, Epps screamed, "Incoming!"
Lennox surged forward on his motorcycle, weaving through abandoned cars and running civilians.
The F-22's dove down and shot off numerous missiles, which hit Blackout directly in the chest, sending him stumbling backwards
Turning his bike sideways, Lennox fell into a long skid along the pavement, bringing him up close and personal as he slid right on beneath the Decepticon, firing his cannon gun into Blackout's chest and crotch.
Laughing gleefully, he went right on through his legs, while Blackout burst into flames, leaking blue fluid, and fell useless to the ground in a sparking, shaking heap.
Coming to a stop, Lennox stared on, mouth gaping, and rolled onto his stomach. Hollering in triumph, he pushed to his feet and waved at his fellow soldier. "Run! Move!" He started toward Optimus and Megatron next.
…
Sam and Chloe belly-crawled in the dirt, among debris and bent rebar protruding from chunks of upturned cement.
Optimus tumbled to the ground, grunting as he struggled to push himself off, while Megatron took two quick steps toward him before kicking him in the head hard enough to send him spinning through the air.
Sam flinched, closing his eyes and ducking his head. He hugged the Cube into his chest and shook his head, struggling with the decision he knew he would have to make soon.
Chloe's hand covered his; she squeezed his fingers reassuringly.
Lifting his head, their eyes locked.
"I'll cover you," she told him, nodding her chin determinedly.
…
"Second wave's on approach," an F-22 pilot informed.
Just behind them, however, Starscream transformed partly, leaving his wings and jets in-tact.
"What is that?" another pilot exclaimed. "Break off!"
"Copy!"
The Decepticon soared above, landing on one jet hard enough to send it off course, and jumped forward, turning midway to shoot back at them. On fire and out of control, three F-22's fell from the sky. Starscream barrel-rolled along with another before swinging his arm across to take out the tail of a jet and again to destroy a wing; it spun into the top of a building and burst into flames.
The remaining four jets followed after him. "Two, get a lock! Pop that guy!"
Starscream folded back into an F-22 to blend, but they took a shot at his tail and he was forced to return to his Decepticon body, hovering as a jet flew past him. He took a swing but missed and instead gave chase, back as an F-22 once more.
"Stay on him. Keep him in your sights."
…
"Take him out!" Lennox order as he and his team advanced.
Epps raised a gun and took a shot.
Above, the F-22's shot their missiles at Megatron, landing them squarely in his chest.
Sam and Chloe leapt out of their cover.
Megatron was struggling against the constant barrage of missiles being shot at him, bringing him to his knees. As the F-22's flew away to circle back, Lennox and his team climbed the chunks of asphalt to shoot at him as well.
Megatron, blue sparks spitting off of him, ran toward Sam and Chloe as they hurried to Optimus.
Arm out, he nearly caught them, but Optimus swung an arm back and knocked his legs out from beneath him. Megatron rolled across the dirt and rubble, while Sam crab-walked backwards, panting.
Megatron crawled toward him, slamming a clawed hand down into the pavement just a few short feet from him. "I'll kill you!"
Sam stared up, wide-eyed, chest heaving.
"Mine!" he grunted. "All-Spark!"
Chloe bent back and lifted her gun, emptying the clip into Megatron's face.
Howling, Megatron threw his head back and pressed a hand against his eyes.
Chloe squeezed the trigger three more times, but it was empty; she tossed the gun away and instead reached for her bag, pulling out a grenade in each hand. "Take cover!" she told Sam.
"Sam!" Optimus said, drawing his attention as he rolled painfully onto his stomach. "Put the cube in my chest!"
Sam shoved to his feet, hugging the Cube as he looked back to Optimus.
"No! Give me the Cube, boooy…." Megatron demanded. One hand still pressed to his smoking, sparking face, he reached down and scooped Chloe up in his clawed hand.
"No! No! Stop!" Sam held a hand up desperately. "Wait!"
Megatron bared his metallic teeth and sneered, "That is the failing of mankind… Compassion… Loyalty…" He snapped his teeth and growled, "Love."
Chloe struggled in Megatron's grip, shoving at his fingers wound tight around her body. She shook her head and kicked her legs. "Don't. Give him. The Cube!" she yelled.
Sam looked from her to Megatron, his eyes wide, his jaw wound tight. "Don't-Don't hurt her!"
"Sam, shut up!"
"Quiet, female!" Megatron squeezed her.
She cried out painfully, her head falling back.
"No! Stop! Stop!" Sam ran forward, skidding to a halt as Megatron looked down at him with one vicious red eye, the other popped free and sparking.
"No, Sam!" Optimus called to him.
Panting, Sam held a hand up to ask him to stay, to stop. His eyes, red and brimming with tears, stared at Chloe searchingly.
She shook her head, that same calm understanding washing over her face that she'd had just before she let his hand go. Sacrifice. A concept she seemed to be way too familiar with.
"I don't-I don't want Mikaela," he told her, his voice catching.
Her brows furrowed. "I… It's… This is not the time for that conversation," she choked back.
He shook his head, a few stray tears dripping down his face. Sniffing, he turned to Megatron. "A trade… Same time. No funny business…" He pointed. "Cube for the girl."
"No, Sam!" She struggled harder. "No!"
Megatron leaned forward on one knee. "The Cube first…" He held out a hand, silvery, sharp fingers reaching.
"You want the Cube?" Sam glared. "Take it!" He reached up and shoved the All Spark directly into Megatron's chest, where the rapid missile fire had destroyed all cover, exposing his own personal spark.
Snarling and growling ferociously, the Decepticon threw his head back in pain. As blue energy rippled over him, his hand released and Chloe tumbled to the ground rapidly. Sam couldn't let go, the pressure of the Cube in his fingers too strong. As it broke into tiny little cubes, they rose up into Megatron's chest where a fiery liquid had formed and spread. Megatron stumbled backwards, pressing a hand to his chest. He fell to his knees then, head whirling side to side as he choked desperately before falling back to the ground. One last hollow growl escaped him before he lay down in the dirt.
Sam stood staring down at him, panting heavily, eyes wide in shock.
"Chloe," he muttered. "Chloe!" He turned around, eyes darting wildly.
Bumblebee drew his attention with a small, whirring noise, and carried Chloe to him in his hands, his steps much smaller and shorter.
"Hey!" Sam reached for her.
Arm wrapped around her ribs, she pushed up carefully and slid to the ground to stand on her own two feet. "Hey," she returned, half-smiling.
He let out a choked half-laugh before wrapping her up into his arms and pulling her in tight to his chest.
She hissed in pain.
"Sorry! Sorry!" He loosened his grip. "Are you okay?" He looked down at her worriedly, keeping an arm around her waist to hold her steady. "You-You break anything? Do we- Can we get some medical attention?" He turned his head. "Can- I-I need an ambulance over here!" he shouted to whoever was listening, pointing at her meaningfully.
She laughed slightly and grabbed his hand down. "I'm fine." She nodded, squeezing his wrist reassuringly. "Really…" Staring past his shoulder, she watched as Optimus slowly approached the battered, lifeless body of Megatron. "Better than some…"
In the distance, Lennox and his team approached, guns at the ready. "Hold up," he said as Optimus leaned over the Decepticon.
Megatron's eyes flickered before going dark.
"You left me no choice, brother," Optimus told him disappointedly.
Ironhide and Rachet joined everyone, the latter holding what used to be Jazz.
Optimus knelt in front of the two teenagers then, balancing himself with one hand braced on the ground below. "Sam…" He looked between them. "The courage it took to make the decision you did is immeasurable…" He bowed his head. "I owe you my life… We are in your debt."
Sam stared up at him and nodded slowly, not exactly sure what to say to that.
Optimus stood once more and looked out over the group.
"Prime," Ironhide said. He handed the pieces over solemnly. "We couldn't save him."
"Oh, Jazz," Optimus sighed. He addressed the group together, of Autobots and soldiers, and Sam and Chloe. "We lost a great comrade…. But gained new ones. Thank you. All of you. You honor us with your bravery."
Bumblebee buzzed. "Permission to speak, sir?"
"Permission granted, old friend."
"You speak now?" Sam asked, astonished.
"I wish to stay with the boy," Bumblebee said hopefully.
"If that's his choice."
Sam stared up at him and smiled. Nodding, he said, "Yes."
Bumblebee raised his chin proudly.
Chloe grinned. "Good. Because if you weren't going to take him, I was going to steal him for myself."
Bumblebee raised an arm out to her and with a chuckle, she fist-bumped him.
Behind them, Optimus knelt down next to Megatron and reached into the ashes of his chest. He dug out a sliver of what was left of the Cube, staring at it thoughtfully, before he folded it into his fist.
Yawning, Chloe rested her head on Sam's shoulder. "That was stupid, by the way… Bargaining like that…" She raised a brow at him. "He would've killed us both."
He rubbed her back before grinning certainly. "I had a plan," he assured.
She snorted. "Yeah, I'm sure…"
"Jeez, I save your life and you still give me a hard time?" he scoffed dramatically. "What's a guy gotta do to get a little respect around here?"
She nodded. "Uh-huh…"
He waved a finger around. "I saved you, the world, and I hardly broke a sweat, so maybe everybody should be a little more grateful and a little less-"
Smiling amusedly, she leaned in and pressed her lips to his, cutting him off.
"Okay," he said against her mouth. "That's better." Wrapping his arms around her more completely, he hugged her to his chest, slanting his lips over hers firmly.
Chloe dragged her fingers down the back of his hair, squeezing his neck lightly before she gripped his shoulder and leaned whole-heartedly into the heat of his tongue dabbing at her lip and dragging along the roof of her mouth. She didn't care that her ribs hurt or the adrenaline that had been keeping her going was wearing off or that the world had very nearly ended. She didn't even care that they were surrounded by alien robots and a crew of Army Rangers. All she cared about was that she was finally, finally, getting the guy. And not just any guy either. But Sam. Her best friend of two years; the goofy, funny, one-of-a-kind guy that she'd been half in love with practically from day one of meeting him. A guy who didn't want the pretty, popular girl instead of her. Not Lana, not Mikaela, but her. And victory tasted a whole lot like the best beginning to something wonderfully life-changing.
…
Chloe winced as the paramedic wrapped her ribs. "This will work for awhile, but you should go to the hospital," he suggested, patting her shoulder.
She raised a brow. "Listen, I appreciate the advice, but-"
"She will," Sam interrupted her, nodding his head. He held a fist to his chin, his elbow tucked in his other hand as he stood close by, tapping his foot, watching worriedly. "We're headed there now."
"Are we?" She nodded her head past him. "Because I think we're about to be debriefed…"
Sam's jaw ticked as he spotted the incoming black SUV's. "And we can do that after you've seen a doctor," he said stubbornly.
She smiled faintly. "I appreciate the thought, Hero… But I hardly think a little trouble breathing is going to turn their heads…"
"Your ribs are bruised," he reminded, brows lifted. "If they weren't bruised before, and they weren't, and they're bruised now, and they are, then we need to see somebody about that…" He nodded emphatically. "Somebody who can make sure everything's all where it's supposed to be, right? I mean, you were tossed around a lot." His eyes widened. "You were kind of blown up!"
"I was not…" She rolled her eyes. "I fell into a hole made from an explosion I caused… There's a difference."
"No, no, we're not… There's no technicalities here, all right? You're hurt and you need to see a doctor. A-A real one, not some guy in the back of a-a van, okay?" He waved a hand dismissively at the paramedic. "No offense."
"Uh…"
"It's the shock," she tried to explain to the paramedic. "Ignore him. He's clearly got mental issues."
"Uh-huh, yeah, just spread it around…" He waved his hands around. "Excuse me for wanting to make sure you don't have internal bleeding from being a sacrificial martyr, huh! 'Cause it doesn't matter that the last couple days we've been thrown around like rag dolls, chased by aliens and government agents, and you've nearly died three times! Not once, not twice, three! O-Or thrice. Or, y'know, whatever…"
"Sam…" She reached out and squeezed his arm. "I promise you, I will eventually see a doctor…" She hopped down from the back of the ambulance. "Just as soon as the governments hands over your parents, Mojo, and makes us sign a confidentiality agreement, okay?"
"No. No, we're not doing that." He paused, eyes turning off thoughtfully. "Okay, maybe we can strike a deal, right? Like they can deliver my parents to the hospital…" He was nodding with his suggestion now, tucking his arms around himself. "Yeah, and maybe that'll take the edge off dad, right? He can't be mad at me if I'm in the hospital." He clapped his hands and pointed at the ground. "That's what we're gonna do, okay?"
"Sam Witwicky and Chloe Sullivan?" a man asked, drawing their immediate attention. He stood tall and intimidating, dressed in an expensive and heavily starched black suit. "You need to come with us."
"Awesome," Sam said. "You guys up for a hospital detour? 'Cause that's where we're headed." He nodded his head behind him. "Paramedics orders."
The suited man raised an eyebrow.
Chloe turned her head to Sam and whispered, "I don't think he likes your plan…"
He frowned back at her.
She grinned in reply.
…
Washington, DC
Pentagon
"It's good to see you two are okay," Keller said, holding out a hand as Sam and Chloe walked toward him, hands hooked together.
"Okay's a relative word," she replied, but shook his hand all the same.
Sam nodded at him, shaking his had firmly.
"So is this where we're sworn to secrecy?" Chloe wondered, looking around, brow quirked.
"National Security, Miss. Sullivan… I think you, of all people, know the drill…" He stared at her searchingly. "And while the government might one day call on you to help serve your country with those-" He wagged his fingers at her, "Quick little hands of yours. I think for now, we might ask you to keep the hacking to a bare minimum." He hiked his eyebrows meaningfully.
She smiled vaguely. "As long as Gitmo's off my resume, I think I'll be happy to refrain."
"The slate… has been wiped clear," he promised, nodding. "Now…" He clapped his hands together. "What do you two say about a reunion and a little gag order?"
"Reunion…" Sam repeated, brows furrowed.
"I believe… You lost a few people in the kerfuffle?" Keller motioned past them.
An officer opened a door and the bickering of Sam's parents could soon be heard.
"Mom? Dad?" Sam stared on hopefully.
"Sam!" Judy came out the door rapidly. "Sammy!" Spotting him, she rushed forward.
An officer tried to slow her down, but she slapped her hands back at him. "You keep your hands to yourself, mister! I've had about enough of you and this place!" She turned back to her son and shook her head. "What happened?" She walked toward him, clucking her tongue. "You're filthy and-Is that blood?" She turned her back. "Ron! Our son is bleeding!"
"What?" Ron followed after her, glaring at the officers as he made his way over. "You know what? That's just it… Oh you better believe there is a strongly worded letter coming out of this!" He waved a hand around. "You've kept us locked up for days! No phone calls, no information, and our own son-" He held his hands out at Sam, "is being treated like this! No. No, that's not okay, all right?"
Laughing under his breath, Sam shook his head and hugged his parents, an arm looped around each of them. "I'm fine. Really."
Yapping drew their attention then, to an officer with a small pet carrier gripped in his hand.
"Mojo!" Sam cried.
Chloe reached out and opened the front, pulling the small Chihuahua free and laughing happily as he licked her face and wagged his tail excitedly.
"Hey, buddy!" Sam said, petting his dog as Chloe held it close to her chest. "How's my little Mojo-monster, huh?" He scrubbed his finger's between the dog's ears. "You lost weight?"
"Emotional stress," Chloe sighed.
"Yeah, or maybe he put on some muscle… Didn't you?" He rested his forehead against Chloe's temple and grinned down at the dog. "You would'a broke out and come saved us, wouldn't you, Mojo?"
He yapped happily back at him, standing up on his hind-legs and waving a paw at Sam.
Judy clasped her hands to her chest. "Oh, Ron, look… Sammy's got a girlfriend… For real…" she awwed.
"We're stuck in a government prison and he's working on his love life," Ron complained, shaking his head.
"Oh, shut up," she said, slapping his chest lightly. "Look at them…" She rested her head on her husband's shoulder. "You know, it almost makes it worth it…"
"No, it doesn't." He shook his head rapidly. "Judy, do you remember how we were treated? Those suits never left us alone for a minute. And the silent treatment? What was that?"
Secretary Keller cleared his throat, drawing everyone's attention. "If I could just get you all into the conference room, maybe we could sort some of the confusion out…"
"You better," Ron declared. "'Cause believe you, I have a lot of questions…"
"It's all right, dad…" Sam nodded over at him. "We'll explain everything."
Keller waved them along behind him, and soon enough, with Judy and Ron still in shock over the truth and ordered by law to never tell another person anything about it, they were all able to leave the Pentagon and head back home.
…
Ron Witwicky stared on at the red and blue semi truck parked in front of them with much skepticism.
"Ratchet is fixing Bumblebee up," Chloe explained, climbing the support stair leading to the seats inside. "Ironhide is giving Captain Lennox a ride home and, unfortunately, we lost Jazz in the fight…" She patted a hand against the door. "But this is Optimus… Leader of the Autobots…"
"Oh, I've always wanted to drive a semi!" Judy cried excitedly, clapping her hands and hurrying over.
"Ma… Mom, he's an alien… He drives himself," Sam told her, shaking his head.
Scoffing, she waved him off. "Oh, Ron, can I? Please?"
"You want us to drive home in an alien semi truck?" He shook his head, brows furrowed. "Are you insane?"
"They're the good kind of alien," Chloe reassured. "Seriously, they saved our bacon a few times…"
"Bacon savers or not…" Ron shook his head. "I'd rather take a regular, American made, bus than-than…" He waved his hands around. "This."
"Come on, dad, have faith…" Sam clapped him on his shoulder. "Trust me, all right?" He stared up at him searchingly. "Optimus is the safest ride home you can get…"
"I'm so telling Bumblebee," Chloe called out cheerfully.
Sam grumbled at her. "Hey, hey… Confidentiality clause, all right, Sullivan?" He pointed at his eyes and then at her.
She snorted. Rolling her eyes, she yanked open the door and climbed into the passenger seat.
Happily, Judy joined her, slipping into the driver's seat and smoothing her hands over the steering wheel. With a wide grin, she shared, "Oh, this is so exciting…"
Chloe chuckled under her breath, raising a brow. "I didn't know you wanted to be a trucker so badly…"
"Oh, well, that too…" She nodded. "But then there's you and Sam…" She widened her eyes for emphasis. "Now how long did that take, huh?" She shook her head. "Two years of waiting on you two and it only takes an alien war…" She laughed throatily. "Well if I knew earlier…"
Smiling, Chloe shrugged, shifting in her seat uncomfortably. "Circumstances, I guess…"
She hummed. Turning in her seat, she stared at Chloe. "Now, listen, Chloe, I like you… I really, really do… But just so we're clear… If you break my little boy's heart…" She smiled scarily. "I will break you…" She reached over and squeezed her hand. "Okay?"
More amused than scared, Chloe nodded. "Loud and clear."
"Wonderful." Sitting back, she reached up and pulled the horn, honking at her family still bickering out front and smiling when they flinched in surprise. Rolling down the window, she called out, "Load up or I'm leaving you two behind!" Giggling, she turned back to the steering wheel and then wondered, "How do I turn this on…?"
The engine revved to life.
"Alien," Chloe reminded. "Extremely intelligent alien robot."
Dropping her mouth open in a silent scream of excitement, Judy reached for the steering wheel again. "Let's go home, Mister Optimus!"
When the wheels started turning and the semi began to leave, Sam and Ron suddenly jumped into action, climbing up into the semi as fast as could be. Sam and Chloe moved back into the sleeper cab to sit while Ron tried to tell Judy how to drive. Completely ignoring her husband, she gleefully pulled out onto the road.
"You know, if I didn't know we were in Optimus right now, I think your mother's driving might actually terrify me."
Snorting, Sam bumped her shoulder with his. "Wouldn't blame you."
…
Night had fallen and both Judy and Ron had finally allowed Optimus to take back driving rights to, well, himself. Sam's parents had each fallen asleep where they sat. Chloe imagined the stress of the last few days had taken its toll. True, they weren't out battling alien robots and saving the world, but they were parents who didn't know where their son was and had been kept in a holding cell this whole time. She didn't think they slept much and she couldn't blame them. In all honesty, she couldn't remember the last time she'd slept.
Her nerves were still a little shot and she was having a hard time getting comfortable, her bruised ribs flared up every time she moved.
Sam, arms tucked around himself, had fallen asleep with his head resting against the wall behind him.
She watched him for a long moment, still wearing the dirty, torn clothes he'd dressed in Sunday. Despite trying to get cleaned up at a rest stop, there was still dirt on his ear and his hair was matted. Absently, she reached out to wipe it from his ear lobe, gently rubbing it away with her thumb.
He moved slightly but kept sleeping, mumbling something to the affect of, "Leave me alone, mom."
She grinned to herself.
There was hope and affection and a whole lot of confusion still overwhelming her. They'd kind of, sort of, saved the world. They made friends with some aliens. One of which was going to stick around and play friend and guardian to Sam. The others had made a deal with the government to help them with any leftover Decepticon issues, taking refuge on Earth for as long as necessary. And somewhere, in the middle of all that, she and Sam had become… Well… ChloeandSam. Like, one entity. A couple. No longer friends, but… something more. And yeah, okay, there were a few times where she felt feelings shifting. Where she thought maybe he was looking at her differently or touching her more. But Chloe had spent so much time trying not to analyze a friendship that she wanted to be more that every time they seemed to spring up, she told herself it was her imagination or it was just the situation.
Truth be told, she was still kind of waiting for the bottom to fall out.
They'd gotten together in an adrenaline-fueled rush, between war and relative peace, and some part of her thought that as soon as they got back to Burbank and it all wore off, he'd turn around and realize that he was kind of dating his best friend. Good, ol', faithful Chloe. Sidekick instead of leading lady. Her perpetual place in the world. A worried frown turned her lips down and she turned to stare out at the dark expanse of highway in front of them. What was she supposed to do if that happened? Tell him it was okay and return to being his friend? Stand by him as the Mikaela Banes of the world came and went and he came to the conclusion that Chloe was better meant for friendship? Because, as much and as long as she'd been doing that, and telling herself she was okay with it, she wasn't sure she could anymore.
Sam was special.
And when he kissed her, when he held her hand or made her laugh or even looked at her in that way that told her he knew exactly what she was thinking, she just felt… Complete, in a way. Not in a cheesy, can't live without him kind of way, but a… It was like having everything she needed in life and he was that extra cherry on top. He was what made it all worth it. Even before alien wars and secret government labs. Her day started when Sam Witwicky made an appearance. Her life was better with him in it. And she really, really liked how much better it could be with him as more than just a friend. Because she could take friendship. She might even be able to handle it after the dust settled. But loving him and being loved by him… It all sounded so much better.
"Hey…"
She whirled around at his voice, sleep-laden and deep.
He opened one eye and then yawned, reaching back to rub his face with the back of his hand. "Wha' time's it?"
Digging in her bag, she searched for her cell but came up empty handed. "I don't know…" She looked out the front window again. "It's dark, so… Late?"
He half-smiled. "Observant…" Licking his lips, he rested his eyes at half-mass.
"I try."
He raised a brow slightly. "You okay?"
She frowned, nodding. "I am… Just…" She shook her head. "Still reeling."
Nodding, he blinked his eyes a few more times to stay awake. "You were great out there…" He nudged her foot with his. "Couldn't do it without you."
She gave a faint, brittle smile. "Sidekick's my middle name," she offered, turning her eyes off.
His brows furrowed. "What happened to Tomb Raider?"
She looked back. "Hm?"
"Badass, kickass, one-woman-hero…" He stared up at her. "That's how I see you…" He sat forward, resting his elbows on his knees. "You don't need the braid or the shorts, Chloe…" He shook his head slightly. "You don't even need a leading man, but…" He shrugged. "I… I meant what I said, y'know?" He scratched his ear awkwardly. "Mikaela and all that… I…" He shook his head. "I'm over that… I-I was over it, before we even left Burbank, I just…" He cleared his throat. "You're always gonna be my best friend… Burbank, Metropolis, wherever you are, but I was… I mean, I'm kind of hoping maybe this- U-Us…" He waved his hands around. "We could… see… where this, uh… goes…" He nodded, brows hiked. "If-If you wanna…"
Chloe stared at him a long second. "You're completely over Mikaela?"
He nodded rapidly. "Totally. I-It's over. It-Never started, never will, don't want it to."
"And this isn't just because we survived near-death together or anything…?" She raised a brow.
"Adrenaline wore off, still really hoping I get to kiss you in the near future, so no… Not near-death related…"
Her lips twitched. "And you're sure, if, for whatever reason, we don't work out… We still remain friends."
"Absolutely. If it happens-" He paused, pointed, "Big if…" He nodded. "Then, yeah, we can share custody of Miles and you can have visitation rights to Mojo," he offered.
She laughed. "Appreciate it."
He half-grinned. "So…?" His eyes darted wonderingly, hopefully.
"Oh, for… Throw the boy a bone, Chloe," Ron interrupted from the front seat.
Sam's face fell. "Dad!"
"You're ruining their moment," Judy complained.
"Mom!" he exclaimed, burying his face in his hands and groaning.
Laughing, Chloe shook her head. "I love your family," she told him.
Lifting his head, he stared up at her. "Enough to give me a chance still?"
She smiled warmly. "Air hockey this weekend… It's a date."
He grinned. "You're going down this time, Chloe… I've been perfecting my block, okay?"
"Uh-huh," she said, dismissively.
"Seriously…" He wrapped an arm around her shoulders and drew her into his side, all the while talking smack about how he'd win.
And while Chloe was pretty sure she'd wipe the floor with him, like usual, she also found that here, leaning into him as she was, was the perfect angle. Her ribs didn't hurt. Listening to Sam's voice, his arm warm around her, his heartbeat echoing in her ears, Chloe finally fell asleep.
Sam, noticing she'd nodded off, just grinned. Resting his head back against the wall, he silently cheered at his good fortune. Sure, it wasn't easy, but his life was finally coming together. He didn't think it could get any better than this.
[Next: Epilogue.]