So I never thought I'd end up writing a sequel to Unorthodox, but here I am XD If you guys haven't read the first part, it's called Unorthodox and it takes place during AOE and TLK. Everything in this is essentially an AU, and how I imagine the showdown with Unicron would go. Anywho, I hope you guys enjoy XD
Rated M for: Major Character Death, Mentions of past sexual abuse, PTSD, Gore, Mental & Physical trauma, and mentions of suicide.
There was a lot of blood.
Blood and screaming. The liquid gushed forth, like a geyser, tainting my skin. The background noise became dim as I zeroed in on the life-sucking wound, tears prickling in the corners of my eyes.
Don't freeze up. Don't freeze up. Don't.
You got yourself into this mess.
Now get out.
Indeed, I had. Flashback just a few hours — no, a day. I'd been making Izzy breakfast with the help of Cogman. We'd settled into this old, ancient English castle quite fine. I liked the remote location and the rolling hills, a good distance away from any metropolitan area.
"You have to flip them like this," Cogman took the pan from me, demonstrating how to overturn the pancakes with a flick of his wrist. I watched, teeth grit as I tried not to let my frustration show.
"I've always been terrible with pancakes. Waffles? Fine. Eggs? No problem. Hell, Drift taught himself how to make pancakes."
"It takes practice," Cogman chided. He slipped some plates from the cabinet, serving Izzy first while Sqweeks looked on.
"Thanks," Izzy said happily. She met my gaze and smiled, enjoying her breakfast. After a few bites she inquired, "When's Dad coming home?"
Dad. Shit. It took me a few moments to really remember that she was referring to Optimus. The word was foreign to me, not only because I'd grown up fatherless, but because, never in a million years did I imagine having a little girl refer to my mate as Dad and me as Mom.
"Hopefully soon. He had to search Iacon. Or, what's left of Iacon," I scowled, hearing Cogman take a seat at the table. "It's not like he has to travel a billion lightyears anymore."
I smiled at the thought, forcing myself to put a positive spin on the fact that, now, Cybertron was in orbit. Or, more accurately, part of us. Those massive tendrils had yet to retreat, and they probably never would. The hulking planet was visible all across Europe, and most of the world.
The public freakouts had come first. Then the riots. Then the protests. The planet was in a state of shock and awe, and scientists were baffled at how Cybertron's very presence hadn't torn us out of orbit or disrupted our entire planets ecosystem. It was very nerve-racking, knowing that only Optimus and I knew why. Or, at least, had some plausible idea. I had yet to share the existence of Unicron with anyone, not even Cade. The fact that he didn't know proved how incredibly serious the situation was.
I prayed that Optimus would return from Iacon with some knowledge. The residents of Earth were freaking out, now forced to question their own existence — if the knowledge got out that the dirt beneath their feet was alien in nature….
Don't even think about it.
"Has he proposed to you yet?" Izzy said through a mouthful of food. I quickly looked away, shaking my head. Izzy mumbled, "What's taking him so long?"
"I don't know," I admitted. "I mean, you know how sparkmating is…kind of. We're bonded. Human customs are important to some people, but with me…I'm happy either way. And hey, you don't even like weddings! Or dresses!"
"I'd wear one for you," Izzy pointed. "Plus, Sqweeks can be your flower girl…uh, bot."
That does sound pretty cute.
I chuckled, taking my own breakfast and joining Izzy and Cogman at the table.
"Oh, ma'am—"
"You don't have to call me that, Cogman."
"Right. Rachel. Well, I thought you might like to know that Chairman Morshower called this morning while you were still resting. He wishes to know if you'd be available to fill in for Optimus during Wednesday's press conference."
"Why me?" I said immediately. I raised my eyebrows at Cogman. "I hate public speaking. He knows that. It's why I said no, like, a thousand times before."
"He believed it to be appropriate, since you are the mate of Optimus Prime."
Shit. Okay. He has a point.
Despite how much I despised the idea of being shoved in front of a bunch of cameras and having my face broadcasted to the world, I felt almost…obligated. I'd been deemed a public menace, along with Cade. Then we'd saved the world. Then we'd been cleared before disappearing into the void.
Make a comeback. Reassure people that the Cybertronians aren't all evil, soulless monsters. Hell, you're practically one of them.
"I'm his mate, but I'm also not really even human—"
"You look human," Cogman said. "Your DNA is your business. Not a single person watching will know that you can lift a thousand pounds or talk with people using your mind."
"I'll do it," Izzy said. "I mean, if you don't want to. I'd give all those people talking bad about you a piece of my mind, tell them to take those stupid protest signs and shove them—"
"Okay, fine, I'll take his place," I raised a hand, silencing Izzy before she could say something truly obscene. Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her smile down at her food.
"Good. I will call and let him know," Cogman seemed gleeful.
"I mean, I can call him. It's no biggie. I'm not used to having a butler," I scratched my neck. Cogman tilted his head in confusion, and I clarified, "You don't have to do everything, Cogman. You're family. You're not here to do whatever it is I tell you to do — you can live."
"Believe me, cleaning up after you is the last thing my good conscious wants me to do," Cogman said. "As I have said before, I find some of your habits rather…unruly. However, that does not mean that I will not honor Burton's last orders. It also does not mean that I do not feel fondness for you and Prime."
That's the nicest thing he's ever said to me.
"I mean, that's family, right?" Izzy said.
"That's right. Now eat your pancakes," I ruffled Izzy's hair. "I need to go find something nice to wear."
Press conference day seemed far away, until it wasn't. Three days passed before the event rushed up and smacked me in the face. It had only been around seven weeks since our battle with Quintessa, and for a majority of that time, I'd been healing up, avoiding the general population.
Now, I was back. And I'd forgotten how much people sucked.
Because of the sheer amount to reporters, we'd been forced to hold the thing outside — much to my chagrin — right in the heart of D.C. I wasn't happy about it, but it was something I could deal with. My entire demeanor was that of a cave gremlin being forced out of its slumber early — despite the makeup on my face and my rather nice attire.
"We're keeping you away from the cameras until it's time," Morshower said dully. He, too, looked as if he'd rather be anywhere else. But he was handling it with much more class and false enthusiasm than I ever could, so I had to give him kudos. "I'm speaking first, and then you. That's it. If people ask questions, just walk away."
"Won't that make me look like an asshole?"
"For this event, you are the asshole."
We sat in the black suburban in silence. I nearly leaped out of my skin as the door opened — it was Lennox, garbed in his uniform. He slid next to me and shut the door, looking both Morshower and I up and down.
"You to look excited."
"I'm jumping for joy, can't you tell?" Morshower replied. He gave a very small, genuine smile. "Good to see you, Will."
"Good to see you to, sir."
I smirked, staring out the window as the vehicle lurched forward once more. We drove, all of us in deep, silent contemplation. The nervousness hadn't hit, yet. I hated public speaking, dreaded it. This would probably be a defining moment that would make or break the Autobot's and their relationship with the general human population.
And, of course, the honor of facilitating that went to me. Fuck that.
"You're doing the finger thing. You're nervous," Lennox murmured. He reached out and grasped my hand, stopping my thumb and my forefinger from continuing to rub against one another. He looked into my eyes and whispered, "I know you. And I know that you can do this. You're one of the few people out there that can captivate someone with words."
"I have to captivate the entire planet, Will."
"You won't have to do it alone."
We pulled from silence into chaos. Armed guards and barricades held back the roaring protestors. The cameras and the reporters were allowed at the forefront, unrestrained as they desperately tried to do their jobs over the sounds of booing, chanting, and jeering.
Will squeezed my hand tighter as we waited for the signal. I reached through the bond and felt Optimus, over a thousand miles away.
"Remember what we talked about."
"I'm not you," I replied. "I can't…I don't do these inspiring ass speeches. I can't reassure people that it's going to be okay, especially since I know…we know what the truth is."
"Rachel. Speak from your heart. You are my hope, and these people need you to be theirs."
"Shit," I sighed, legs trembling. "Okay. Shit. I'll do it. I can talk."
"I love you."
"I love you, too," I ducked my head. "Get your ass back soon, Optimus. Izzy misses you."
The outpour of warmth and love from Prime's spark calmed my physical nerves, sending pinpricks of euphoria down my body. I closed my eyes, opening them as I managed to step out of the car with steady limbs.
"It's a Christmas miracle," I murmured. The flashing of cameras was like a never-ending strobe light, and I was glad I had Lennox next to me. Morshower approached the small podium, immediately launching into a statement prepared by the President before addressing the world as the proxy head of N.E.S.T.
I barely listened to what he was saying. A slight nudge from Lennox informed me that it was over, that I was up. My blood ran cold and I could feel my legs begin to tremble.
Fuck. Fuck. Fuck.
I was painfully aware of my own breathing. Lennox gently eased me forward, and I approached the podium. The protestors had been forced back even further, allowing my words to carry a bit more. I was glad — now I couldn't see the hatred in their wide eyes, or the disdain.
"So…uh…how's everyone?"
Shit. Shit Rachel, shit. You don't start a speech like that!
Some of the reporters shrugged. Some looked confused, others baffled. I gave those who participated major brownie points, chuckling in an attempt to relieve some of the tension.
"Listen, I'm going to be real with you guys. I'm not a public speaker. I actually hate public speaking, and I'm really nervous. But I'm going to get through this anyway, because I know Optimus would want me to," I gulped, taking the silence as my cue to continue. "He couldn't be here right now. He's up there," I pointed to the massive outline of Cybertron peeking through the clouds. "Which, I can't believe I'm even saying. I'm in shock, too. And I've hung around aliens a lot."
More silence. I gripped the side of the podium, careful not to break it.
"We, as a species, have a choice. Stand together, or allow more bloodshed. All of those people, all the innocent ones that died, don't have to die in vain. Peace comes if we work together and set aside our differences. Optimus wants what's best for this planet. He wants to see it live, prosper. He loves it. And so do I, and so do all of you. That feeling, that unity, shows that we're not so different. Flesh and metal—"
I was vaguely aware of Morshower suddenly darting towards me, his body dwarfing mine with ease. My slow, dumbass mind stared in confusion, not recognizing that there was an immediate danger beyond Morshower, beyond the confused reporters.
It was too late.
Three loud gunshots cracked through the air. People immediately dropped to the ground, an instinct that I, apparently, didn't posses. Gunshots meant battle, and my brain was wired for that.
A male voice cried out in pain. I was forced to the floor by Morshower's heavy body as yet another gunshot rang out. This time, I felt the bullet catch me in the shoulder.
The world was on its side. Cameras dropped and feet thundered past. Law enforcement returned fire and I heard several bellows as the protestors broke past the barriers, fleeing the scene, leaving signs splattered with crude images and obscenities on the grass.
Two bodies lay on the ground - a male and a female. Some members of the press had stayed and were tending to any injured.
"Rachel!" Lennox slid to his knees. I grunted, easing Morshower off me and sitting up. The bullet was embedded in my skin, the hole tender to the touch and leaking. I was to used to the pain to care, and my mind was clear.
Morshower was limp, the front of his uniform stained, the patch spreading. I sat back as Will began CPR.
There was a lot of blood.
Blood and screaming. The liquid gushed forth, like a geyser, tainting my skin. The background noise became dim as I zeroed in on the life-sucking wound, tears prickling in the corners of my eyes.
Don't freeze up. Don't freeze up. Don't.
Lennox's hands were slick with blood. He kept going, even after Morshower was clearly dead. With my good arm I had to reach out and stop him, my voice coming out in strained stutters.
"Leave him. Leave. He's dead, Will," I tugged harder, my voice rising as Lennox didn't listen. "Will. He's dead."
"No—"
"He's dead," I said firmly and loudly. Will stopped. Fear and uncertainty swam in those blue orbs of his. "Leave him. Please. Please."
"You're hurt," Will croaked.
"I'm fine. I'm okay," I trembled. "I'm okay. Shit. I just need to rest."
You got yourself into this.
I tried not to cry, steeling myself as Will and I were whisked away by professionals.
Now get. Out.