A/N: Sorry for a long update. Been really busy. Warnings in last chapter. There will be songs in it that I do not own.
RoboDork97: Thanks. I'll give you more.
AutobotsBeyond: Not sure if the two reviews with the same name is the same. Here is more for those that want it. I just type what's in my mind. I didn't write some of my stories on here. I believe most of them.
Disclaimer: I do not own Transformers. Only Hasbro. I only own my characters. Or the song "Hair" I don't know who sings it.
"Arise soldier," Megatron commanded.
A red and gold mech sat up and got onto his feet. He stood before Megatron with bright orange optics. He just stared at the wall, not moving.
"Your mission is to join the Autobots and bring me Optimus Prime," Megatron ordered.
"Yes my liege," the mech said and left in a jet mode.
~~~000
"Hey Optimus," Papika greeted.
"Hello Papika. I take it you slept well?" asked Optimus.
"I sure did. So what do you guys usually do?" asked Papika and looked around the room at each bot.
"Nothing really. Patrols, Energon scouting, waiting to pick up the kids from school," said Bulkhead.
"Wow," said Papika. "What about you Ratchet?"
"I just do monitor duty and work," Ratchet said.
"You guys need some excitement," said Papika.
"Oh Primus please don't," Ratchet muttered. "I don't need another Miko."
"It won't be that bad Ratchet," said Papika.
The girl went to one of the computers and turned it on. She went to a website and typed something in. Music played through the base. Papika put her hair in front of her face and started to dance around. Her skills were great. Every pair of optics was on her. She danced like someone they all knew well.
Let it fly in the breeze and get caught in the trees
Give a home to the fleas, in my hair
A home for fleas, a hive for the buzzing bees
A nest for birds, there ain't no words
For the beauty, splendor, the wonder of my hair
Flow it, show it
Long as God can grow, my hair
She continued to dance and move her hair in wild ways. The song ended quickly and she glanced over at everyone staring at her.
"Where did you dance like that?" asked Ratchet.
"My friend," Papika admitted.
"Optimus, she dances like Sean," said Ratchet.
Optimus got a few tears in his optics. He turned and left before he broke down in front of him men. Papika looked guilty and sad. She looked at everyone and saw that they looked down the hall that Optimus left down.
"He told me a bit about Sean. How he died I mean," said Papika. "What was he like?"
"Papika, Sean left a huge impression on us, especially Optimus," said Ratchet.
"Can you tell me what he was like if it doesn't bring up too many memories?" asked Papika.
"Sean, was an orphan boy out on the streets. Optimus found him and took him in when he was only 7 years of age. We watched him grow up and sent him to school. Optimus would wait for him everyday. They had a bond like no other. Sean is... was a special boy when he grew up over the years. Optimus grew to love the boy he raised as his own. Sean helped each of us and made us devices that allowed us to use holoforms for when we were out in public. Sean was truly gifted. Loved country music mainly. He sang and danced for us," said Ratchet, tears flowing now. "Arcee had him like a brother. Bumblebee as well. Bulkhead was his uncle. I became his grandfather and Cliffjumper... he became Sean's best friend and brother. Those two always talked and had fun. They found ways to make all us smile. I have never seen Optimus so happy before during this blasted war."
Ratchet sobbed a bit and wiped a few tears. He breathed out shakily and looked toward the ceiling.
"Sean helped me out greatly. He found a way to prevent the illness I have from killing me. Without him I would be dead right now. I'm still not cured of it but he helped greatly. Sean was only 19 when he was killed. Optimus brought his bloodied body back with him. We buried him on top of the base until we could find somewhere nice. Once we found that place, we took him there to rest properly. We held his funeral there and Optimus let his emotions out for the first time since Sean died," Ratchet continued. "He stayed there as it rained and cried. He begged Primus to let his lover come back to him. All of us were devastated when he passed. Optimus has been the way he has until now."
"Sean died 15 years ago," said Arcee. "He still is pretty young. Cliffjumper would of loved to see someone that turned out to be just like him."
"I'm sorry if I bring him up with my actions. My friend just saw someone do it and taught it to me," said Papika. "Will Optimus be alright? I worry for him."
"He will be fine. It's good to bring up the past. That way we will always remember it," said Ratchet. "It's time to get the kids from school. Why don't you wait here for them? Then you can meet them. They couldn't come yesterday."
~~~000
The mech walked for what seemed like hours. He had yet to find a way to contact the Autobot base. He wondered if they would even answer him. The mech opened a comlink and waited for the Autobots to answer it.
"Autobot Outpost Omega One, who is this?"
"My name is Shoreline," said the mech. "I'm an Autobot. The Decepticons have spotted me and I'm hiding for now. I don't know when they will find me."
"Hold tight. I will send someone over there."
The mech waited for someone to come. A swirling portal opened and Optimus stepped out. The mech met him half way.
"I am Optimus Prime, leader of the Autobots," Optimus introduced.
"I'm Shoreline," said Shoreline.
"I heard from my medic that the Decepticons are pursuing you. I will accompany you back to our base then we shall get to know you better," said Optimus and lead the way.
Shoreline stepped into this base and saw the medic by the controls. The groundbridge closed and Ratchet turned to face the new Autobot.
"This is our medic Ratchet," said Optimus. "I will introduce the others once they return."
"Tell us a bit about yourself Shoreline," said Ratchet.
"Well, I once fought in the Pits of Kaon but once the war started, I went to the Autobots. I was to train the new soldiers until I got assigned to go on a long mission. We were to travel across the planet from Kaon to Iacon on the other side. Got lost from my team and escaped on a Decepticon scout ship. Landed here centuries ago and has been in stasis. Woke up and the Decepticons found me," Shoreline lied.
~~~000
"So what did we miss Bulk?" asked Miko on the way back to the base.
"You'll have to find out. I know that Ratchet was glad for the peace and quiet," said Bulkhead.
"Duh, he's old," said Miko.
"Don't let Ratchet hear you say that," Bulkhead warned. "He'll squish you without even thinking about it."
The three bots with their charges drove into the base. They let the humans and transformed. They spotted the new bot talking with Optimus and Ratchet.
"Hey boss, who's this?" asked Bulkhead.
"This is Shoreline. He is part of the team now," said Optimus and finished the introductions.
"Nice to meet you all," said Shoreline.
"Bumblebee, will you please show Shoreline to his room?" asked Optimus.
Bumblebee beeped in reply and led Shoreline to his room to settle in. Papika came out and found Optimus. She walked up to him on where the other humans were.
"Hey Optimus," said Papika.
"Hello Papika," said Optimus, tone mono.
"Is this about earlier?" asked Papika.
"I do not understand," said Optimus.
"The way that you sound and act. You can always show your emotions. Bottling them up will make you sick. I don't care what others will think nor should you," said Papika. "You'll get very sick and possibly die from it. I should know. My brother died that way. You took me in after I escaped. Let me help you."
"I...," Optimus trailed off, not knowing what to say.
"It's true Optimus. I have tried to tell you over and over again. Your health is depleting faster then it was before we met Sean. Eventually it will kill you from how ill you will be. Please, listen to the girl," said Ratchet. "We cannot afford to lose you. If we do then we lose the war. Megatron will win and kill each of us off or hold us as slaves."
Optimus just left the room. He needed to think. He didn't admit it out loud, but he has been getting severely ill. He couldn't take much. Optimus entered his room and grabbed the bucket that he put by the berth. He purged his tanks violently. Once finished, he dry heaved a bit and headed to his wash racks. He rinsed out the bucket and watched as the half processed Energon drained away by the water. Optimus swayed a bit and purged again, this time everything in his tanks and a bit of acid and other fluids.
"Scrap," Optimus cursed lightly while he washed that away.
Optimus went back to his room and laid down on the berth, bucket put back where it was. He got out a cube of Energon and sipped at it. His tanks churned in protest and rejected what little fuel he managed. Optimus pushed the bucket away that held the small amount of foul smelling Energon. He laid down to sleep muttering, "I miss you so much Sean. Please return to me."
