This Chapter is dedicated to: AllSpark Princess, My very first Reviewer!
Just to let any readers know, I am not using my own name in this story. Honestly, I hate when people do that. Ok, enjoy and please R&R!
Chapter 2: Introductions
(OPTIMUS's POV)
I awoke and began to get off of my berth but stopped when I remembered the events of the night before. I looked down at the sleeping human, whom had begun to stir do to my movements. When her eyes flickered open and she saw me she screamed and nearly fell of the berth, but luckily my hand was quick enough to catch her.
"Is something wrong Jennifer?" I asked with concern. At first she looked at me with surprise and fear in her eyes, but then the flashed with remembrance. "No Optimus," she said with a sigh, "I just thought last night was some kind of poison infused dream," She said only half joking. "I can assure you that it was not. Do you still fear me Jennifer?" He asked in a slightly hurt tone. "Not really Optimus, if you were planning to cause me harm you would have done so already," She replied.
Optimus perked up a little at this and said, "I would never cause you harm Jennifer." Jennifer looked up at him and smiled, "I believe you," she said softly. Optimus felt his spark flutter at her words and slowly stood from his berth. Jennifer sat quietly in his palm not concerned that Optimus would harm her. When Optimus stood at his full height, he gently lifted the girl to his shoulder as he had the night before. This time however, Jennifer sat more relaxed, but still held on to his pipe for safety reasons.
She looked down from her spot and shuddered a little. "Are you alright Jennifer?" Optimus asked with worry. "Yes Optimus, I wasn't lying I do trust you, but me and heights aren't exactly friends," She said with another shudder. Optimus once again began to gently rub her back with his finger. She leaned into his touch and let out a content sigh.
Optimus couldn't help but smile at her pleasure and asked, "Are you ready to meet my team?" "There are more!" She exclaimed, nearly losing her balance. Optimus let out a low chuckle and steadied her. "Yes, there are more, we call ourselves autobots and I am their leader," He said. "Well, you clearly have emotions, so I bet you're not human made, so are you an alien?" She guessed. "In your terms, yes. I come from another planet called Cybertron." He answered.
Jennifer was silent for a moment then asked, "So why did you come to are sorry little planet?" in a bitter voice. "We came to your planet because ours is dead do to a terrible civil war." He said with sadness. She turned to him and said, "I'm so sorry Optimus," She said with great remorse.
Optimus rubbed her back again and gently asked, "For what little one?" "For your loss and for bringing it up," She explained guiltily. "You have no reason to be sorry. It was a fair question Jennifer," He said, "Now are you ready to meet the others?" "I guess Optimus," She said nervously. "Do not worry Jennifer, they will not harm you, but they may be a little hostile," he warned. She nodded and took a deep breath, "Ok, let's do this." She said with more confidence. "That a girl," Optimus praised and he started walking towards the main room.
When they reached the main room, they were greeted by the stares of five other autobots. Jennifer shook under their gazes and showing his protective side Optimus turned his body so that most of her was hidden. She turned to him and whispered, "Thank You," in his 'ear'. He gave her a nod in reply and then turned to his autobots. "I apologize for not explaining myself last night, but I believe my young friend had been scared enough for one night," He addressed them.
In response most of them nodded in understanding, but one just kept working and gave no acknowledgment. The closest auto bot a yellow one with black stripes and large azure eyes, approached Optimus and Jennifer.
(JENNIFER's POV)
The yellow and black bot approached Optimus and I. He walked until he was directly in front of me and then turned to Optimus and asked, "May I, Optimus," with a series of beeps. At first I was shocked that I could understand him, but then I was curious as to what he meant. Optimus nodded his permition and the bot lifted up his hand until it was a few inches below me. I understood what he wanted and leapt from my spot and landed in his outstretched hand.
Most of the autobot stared in surprise at my bold move, but the yellow bot quickly shook it off and said, "My name is BumbleBee. What's yours?" Optimus looked like he was about to say something, but I beat him to the punch. "BumbleBee huh?" I looked him over and smiled at him, "It suits you." Every autobot in the room stared at me in pure shock and Bee asked, "You can understand me?" I nodded, "Don't ask me why though," I replied.
I proceeded to reach out a hand and continued, "My name is Jennifer, but you can call me Jen," I said with a wink. He took my hand I his much larger one and gently shook it. He replied, "You got it Jen," and he gave me a wink of his own. I gave him a laugh and he gently placed me on his shoulder and beckoned another autobot over. This particular autobot was crimson in color and had two tan/gray bull horns on each side of his head. He looked tough, but something told me that he wasn't mean or dangerous.
He continued to stare at me in shock, due to the whole 'Understanding BumbleBee Thing' but he shook it off and approached are growing group. "Nice to meet you little lady," he said in a fake country accent, while tipping an imaginary cowboy hat. I giggled girlishly and then played along, "and you kind sir," I replied doing a half curtsy while still sitting. This time he let out a laugh and reached out his hand, I gave him mine and he shook it. "Any friend of Prime and Bee is a friend of mine," he said and continued, "My name is CliffJumper, but you can call me Cliff." I gave him a smile and said, with a slightly country accent, "Glad to make your acquaintance." He returned my smile and replied, "Kid, I think we're gonna get along just fine." I nodded and turned my attention to the large green bot that was approaching us.
"The name's Bulkhead," he said, sounding quiet nervous. "I," I replied, then exclaimed, "LOVE IT!" He smiled at me clearly less nervous. I looked him over and then asked, "You're a fighter aren't you?" He continued to smile and said, "Yaaa. How did you know?" he asked slightly confused. I shrugged, "You just look it," I said with a wink. He nodded clearly pleased with my answer.
I looked over at fourth autobot who had yet to approach. Just looking at her body structure I could tell she was a female, the only one other than me. She was mostly the average shade of blue but she had to pink pieces of medal that framed he face. She was much shorter then Optimus, but only slightly shorter than BumbleBee. Even though she was small I could tell I never wanted to be in a fight with her. The thing that stood out most however was the fact that that there was darkness in her eyes; she was clearly someone who had seen much death.
She did not approach and only stood there with a distant look in her eyes, but finally CliffJumper called to her, "Hey partner, you gonna come meet the new recruit?" She suddenly snapped out of her trance and walked over to us. When she stood in front of Bee she held her hand out flat in front of me. Bee helped me over to her hand with his, not wanting me to fall. When I stood in her smaller hand she held out her other and I gave her mine. She shook it with a little hesitation. She said, "My name is Arcee." I nodded and motioned for her to bring her ear closer.
She was still a little hesitant, but did so and I whispered, "I'm really glad there's another girl around. No offense, but boys are such boys." And I rolled my eyes. Arcee couldn't help but smile at this and said, "Agreed." I gave her a wide smile and she continued to smile in return.
After a while Optimus reached out his hand until it was in front of Arcee's, I decided not to argue with the man and stepped into his palm. He lifted me to my original spot on his shoulder, but not before we shared pleased smiles. When I was securely holding his pipe, he turned to the medic bot and said, "Ratchet?" trying to get him to acknowledge me. The medic stayed where he was and didn't even look up. He then called, "Busy!" in our direction.
I was a little hurt by this and my expression fell. Sensing my sadness Optimus started rubbing his finger on my back, clearly trying to comfort me. I didn't lean into his touch and continued to watch the med bot sadly. Seeing my sadness Arcee said, "Don't worry about him Jen, he's just cranky because he needs his nap." She said it loudly clearly wanting him to hear. We all laughed at her joke, even Optimus cracked a small smile.
The red and white medic let out an annoyed growl and finally turned his attention to me. His gaze was hard and I could tell he already didn't like me, so I said nothing. He finally said, "My names Ratchet," he then returned to his work and I was glad. I didn't want to be on the other end of that cold stare any longer. I decided then and there that I was to avoid Ratchet at all costs.
I hated to admit it, but the medic scared me. His cold gaze had been filled with hatred, I don't know what I did to deserve that hard look, but I wasn't about to ask. I hated that I had to deal with someone else hating me again, but at least everyone else was willing to give a chance. I sighed quietly and turned my attention back to Optimus, who gave me an encouraging smile, hoping to cheer me up.
Finally Cliff asked, "So what's your story kid?"
(OPTIMUS's POV)
I watched with pried as Jennifer won over every autobot one by one. I was disappointed in Ratchet for giving my young friend the cold shoulder and decided to talk to him about it later. I continued to rub her with my finger trying to make her feel better, but it wasn't working as well as before. She turned her scared eyes to me and I could clearly tell something else was bothering her, but I didn't ask her while still in the presence of my team.
"Finally, CliffJumper asked, "So what's your story kid?"
When he asked this she flinched as though she had been slapped and her eyes darkened. All optics watched her in worry until she finally spoke, "You don't want to know," her tone stating that she did not want to talk about it. "That is where you are wrong little one, please trust us," I said to her softly.
(JENNIFER's POV)
I sighed deeply and told my life's tale, "I was abandoned at the age of 10 and I have been living on the streets ever since, but I would rather that then the first 10 years of my existence." (Her eyes seemed to go in to a trance staring at nothing, and she spoke in monotone, her voice was void of any emotion.)
"From the day I was born my parents hated me, they would put cigarettes out on my body giving me painful burns, they would lock me in a small closet and leave me there for hours on end, and on cold nights, especially when it rained, they would lock me outside and refuse to let me in. To make sure I wouldn't get away they would usually tie me to things, usually a thick metal pole on the outside of the house." She finished, "Basically you name it, they did it."
Optimus's eyes filled with anger and his hands started clenching and unclenching. Every Autobot in the room had similar expressions on their faces, even Ratchet, who whore a look of disgust. At the end of my story I leaned against Optimus's head and hid my face there, I let a few tears escape my eyes.
My tears were a mix of sadness and anger, sadness that my parents had hated me so much and anger at what they had done to me. Optimus felt my tears and gently plucked me from his shoulder. He brought me to his chest and hugged me there. I was so close I could hear the beautiful hum of his spark, that gentle sound calmed me down so that I could look up at his face. It was still filled with anger and I instantly lowered my gaze thinking it was directed at me.
When he saw this he used his other hand to rub my upper back while raising my chin to look at his eyes. They were now filled with gentleness and worry and he said, "I am deeply sorry for what your creators did to you, but know that you now have a home here." My eyes filled with hope and I gazed into his eyes trying to find any trace of a lie, but I found none. His eyes held total honesty and something like love.
After a while I asked, "Do you mean it?" He nodded and I beamed, I couldn't believe my luck. Someone finally cared about me and I would finally have a home.
