Title: Belong
Chapter: 2
Pairing: Optimus Prime/Sam Witwicky
Rating: PG-13 (violence, swearing) the rating will go higher for future chapters
Summary: Sam continues to make sense of his life after the battle in Egypt, a new relationship helps.
Disclaimers:- Do not own Transformers, they belong to Hasbro/Bay
Contains spoilers for ROTF
Optimus had read that human younglings of a certain age could sleep up to 12 hours a day; glancing at the slumbering form beside him he knew that fact was correct. The boy asleep with his feet propped on the dash was the living embodiment of the AllSpark. Though he had advised Sam in the weeks after the fight in Egypt, Optimus knew the human wasn't free of the side affects completely. Bumblebee had filled him in on Sam's manic behavior late at night, sometimes heralded by great blue colored surges of electricity.
Now the Autobot leader's chief concern was keeping his newly bonded safe and those around him safe as well; who knew what damage the AllSpark power could do. Mechanically Earth devices not withstanding, Sam's kitchen had been proof of that. Glancing in the rear view mirror, his holo form waved to Ironhide trailing behind him. On the way to a meeting with Capt Lennox's NEST team and that meddling Galloway. Optimus rarely disliked humans but Galloway had made his short list, with his actions towards Lennox's team and his fellow Autobots. Sighing he pulled into a parking space next to the large grey office building where the meeting would take place; from here it was a short drive to the military base and relative peace. Shutting off the engine, he tinted the windows for privacy and cracked the windows. Removing the Stetson he placed it on the console between the seats, knowing its presence would calm Sam. Nudging the bond they shared he was greeted with " Ten more minutes Leo, it's Friday! " Sam came awake at the sound of a deep voice that wasn't his room mates, "Sam I do not wish to disturb your re-charging,. However I wished to inform you I have a meeting with NEST officials." "Right big guy just wake me when you get back " he gave the Stetson a pat and rolled the other direction, grateful for not being dragged into the talks. " If you need anything speak to me through our bond, Ironhide is parked near by and Lennox will be with us. " Dropping a kiss on his human's forehead, Optimus exited the semi-truck changing clothing in mid step.
"Does that work for us too?" Will Lennox asked in astonishment as he watched Optimus's appearance shift from trucker attire to military dress blues, outfitted with the NEST insignia on the shoulders. "Hello Capt. Lennox. To answer your question, no it would not. "The two Autobots (in holo form) and the human made their way inside, grateful for the air conditioning. Taking their seats along a large table in windowless conference room, Will noticed with annoyance there was no clock hanging on the wall. " If this takes more than an hour so help me I am going to walk out" Ironhide grumbled from his place next to Will, Optimus arched an eyebrow at the rumbling growl that was coming from Ironhide Any further conversation was cut short was various military personal filed in the door, followed by Galloway. Who looked like a stork in a 3 piece suit, he did not appear happy to see Will or his NEST team. The memory of being dumped aft over end off the back of a plane was still fresh in his memory.
The meeting droned on for almost an hour, plenty of red tape, forms to fill out and ass kissing on a grand scale. "In conclusion" Galloway said as he took the floor for a final statement, looking proud to be the center of attention. "The military will be notified of any unusual usage of holo forms by the NBE's. Further more if the boy becomes a danger to himself or others he will be turned over immediately to the hazardous materials team. For decon and study." He finished, glaring at Optimus, Will and Ironhide. "It is uncalled for" Ironhide said. Slamming his fist onto the table; making all the water glasses jump and slosh. "Samuel has proven time and again to be a valuable member of our team. He is no danger to anyone. " "Maybe not" Galloway closed in, feeling smug with the Autobots in human form. "That may change in the future, if it does the rules stand. If any of you want to challenge them take it up with General Morshower. "Believe me we will, all of us. " Will said with an icy firmness to his voice that made Galloway take a step back. Optimus mused silently on the turn of events, he had not been given enough time to speak just a few words scattered across the time allotted. And it was clear the humans aligning themselves with Galloway would not listen. "Optimus?" Ironhide turned towards him; they had been waiting to exit the conference room when Hide noticed the commander's face crease in a worried look. "Something is wrong with Sam" that was all it took for Ironhide to use his immense bulk to plow through the crowd at the door. "Move!" he shouted, elbowing people out of the way, Optimus following behind. In the parking lot they found Galloway (who had left ahead of the milling dignitaries) standing on the running board of Optimus's alt mode; attempting to jiggle the window.
From his vantage point inside the cab, Sam was trying to make himself as small as possible. Lacking the other mech's immense size or deadly weapons, he figured his best tactic was to hide. As well as the bond, he'd been awoken from his nap by Galloway trying to force the lock; at the first intrusion he'd flattened himself against the seat. Inhaling the calming scent of leather and musk, mentally he framed the quarry across the bond. Not sure it would work but hoping it did, Sam began to grow annoyed when Galloway moved to jiggling the window. He smiled when Optimus ordered him away from the truck.
"Step away" Optimus commanded, unfortunately the human wasn't responding. Ironhide was growing restless; he could sense the urge to deploy a round or two. "If he's not in there than what is?" "You're hiding something and I want to know what" Galloway continued to fish his hand inside the cab, trying to reach the latch. Not understanding that unless Optmus allowed the lock to deploy it would not. "Now!" It was not a request. Galloway reluctantly stepped down and quickly got into his own vehicle. Hide resisted the urge to flatten it with one kick of his robotic foot, he settled for glaring at Galloway with his holo forms pale blue eyes. Insuring the puny human understood whose turf he had invaded, holo form or not he was not to be messed with. Nor were his family and Samuel fell squarely into that jurisdiction. Satisfied only when the dark colored sedan exited the parking lot in a screech of rubber; he turned to face the others.
Optimus stood next to the passenger's side door, quietly speaking to the person inside. Will approached cautiously, knowing the Autobot was fiercely protective. "Hey kiddo, I brought you a care package. Figured it might help smooth things over. Present events not accounted." Sam accepted the offered box with a smile and shook Will's hand, glad to be surrounded by friends. He sobered up though when he pieced what Optimus had just told him with Galloway's actions, "what if I am dangerous. I mean Bee's told you about the shocking outbursts. I wasted Leo's computer so bad he moved the rest of his gear into the next dorm." Pale, scarred fingers on his left hand, began idly picking at this t-shirt. As Sam began to feel that his ordeal wasn't over, that it was a part of something larger. He glanced over at Optimus, balancing on the running board. Gently running a finger along the Stetson in Sam's lap, Will and Ironhide stood on ground level. Shoulder to shoulder. Radiating assurance, "I promise you that I, we will find a way to help you. Never will you be turned over to Galloway. Ever." The last word resonated inside the enclosed space. With a finality that was comforting.