Chapter Four – The Truth of Love
Wednesday. After Arcee had left the Autobot base she had picked Jack up from school using her Sadie hologram, she had explained to Bulkhead, Bumblebee, Miko and Raf in a rather convincing tone that she was merely using it to test out the holograms new systems to a better degree, acting as a "friend" for Jack. They thankfully believed her much to Jack's and her relief.
Jack mounted Arcee's vehicular form with Sadie at front, Jack held onto her softly yet tightly to ensure he wouldn't fall off from the sudden movement.
"How was your mission?" Jack asked before Arcee could ask her own question. Arcee or rather Sadie turned her head to look at him briefly, trying to get into the habit of using the hologram to appear more human than a doll.
"Not too bad, mission was a success. We beat MECH and secured the item." She said in positive tone, Jack smile faded from the hearing of MECH.
"And I take it Airachnid was with them" he asked but could already guess the reply.
Arcee sighed, Jack was definitely a sharp one, she could have lied to him, but if he found out the truth he'd have questioned her why she lied. She didn't want that possibly ruin how well things were going for them.
"Yes she was there. MECH gave her some "new toys" to play with" Arcee told him plainly her tone less positive and more droned, she could see Jack's confused eyes through his helmet. "It seems Airachnid is in a more stable alliance with MECH somehow that doesn't surprise me."
Jack narrowed his eyes and remembered first time Airachnid and MECH had teamed up, when his mother June first found out about the Cybertronians and finding out that Jack's "simple" motorcycle was indeed a large blue female shaped alien robot. A lot to take in on one night. But now they were in a more stable alliance things could only be worse, and hearing they were even upgrading Airachnid, things couldn't have been more terrible.
"So we got a group of rogue, sadistic, psychopaths working with an ALIEN rogue, sadistic, psychopath, it sounds like a terrible 80's Horror Movie." He quipped making Arcee chuckle.
"Yeah. Tell me about it" she said softly, the Sadie hologram turning to look at him as she spoke.
"So what was the item, or is that confidential?" Jack asked her changing the subject.
"It's confidential Jack, but if I knew, I'd tell you." She said plainly her tone picking up into a softer tone.
"Wait you mean YOU don't even know what it is? How?" he asked puzzled as they made their way through traffic.
"The item was in a container, Optimus didn't want to break any trust issues with your government so…" the Sadie hologram shrugged. "I really don't have a clue" she grumbled a little. Jack nodded slowly then gently patted Sadie's back. Arcee noticed through her mirror smiling internally at his action. "Don't forget I can't feel anything from that" she told in a sweet tone of voice, she chuckled gently.
"Oh. Hey then this morning when…"he began remembering Sadie kissing him feeling the warm feeling against his lips from her advanced light particles.
"Yep, sorry I didn't feel that, but I was happy to know you did." She said softly a tinge of sadness in her voice, Jack rubbed Arcee's metallic frame instead of touching Sadie again.
"Don't worry I'll make it up to you." He said softly nearly purring his words, Arcee blushed if Sadie didn't have her helmet she'd be blushing too.
"I look forward to it handsome" she smiled the Sadie hologram reaching back with one arm and patted his leg, he felt the enhanced particles tap against his leg softly.
"So" Arcee finally said changing the subject one more to ask what she had wanted to ask. "How was school? Break anymore noses?" she and Jack shared a short laugh, the mental image of Vince falling and bouncing off the ground was funny. Especially as Rafael had taken the footage from Arcee's memory, with her permission and reversed looped the video, so Vince would fall from Jack's punch only to bounce back up and be punched again, the video created a few hysteric laughs from the kids and their guardians. Ratchet had been unimpressed as always, but was secretly finding it amusing.
"Yeah." Jack finally said as they stopped laughing. "Spent most of my break finding a nice place for our date this Friday" he smiled Arcee's interest increased.
"Ooh? Find anywhere?" she asked in an excited tone.
"Well." He began taking a deep breath. "I'd looked where we'd be getting a full moon and some dry weather, all alone in a meadow, and I found a place in England" he said smiling behind his helmet.
Arcee pondered, she'd heard of the Country though knew little of it other than some brief history she had overheard from Jack's homework, once a great super power of the world now nothing more than a small island in the ocean, well small compared to America.
"Trust me Arcee it's going to be great I promise" he said after a moment not hearing a reply from Arcee, perhaps he'd picked a bad spot.
"I know it will be Jack, I'm just a little nervous, dating something we did back on Cybertron before the war." She told him, she hadn't told much about their culture to Jack, though admittedly the war began only a few years after she came online.
Jack himself now pondered wondering about Cybertronian culture.
"What was it like before the war Arcee?" he bit down on his lip worried he wouldn't get the reaction he wanted, Arcee let out an loud sigh through Sadie.
"It was beautiful Jack. A proud people. We were hoping to achieve so much." She sighed softly.
"I'm sorry Arcee, I didn't mean too…" Jack tried to comfort her but was cut off.
"No Jack, it's fine, you were curious and sometimes… sometimes it's good to talk about things." Arcee knew Jack could tell talking about it was hard, but she was thankful he wasn't pushing her into talking about it, he never if rarely on occasion ever pushed anything. That was how he gotten so close, he was patient, took his time but didn't relent, he was like the tide breaking bits away at large rocky mountains never removing so much at once but over time was breaking bits away.
"I'm still sorry Arcee" he offered his apology and stroked her again.
"It's alright Jack" she said her tone trying to stay calm but he could tell he'd brought up a touchy subject, he knew if his lover could she would be crying even if so silently. He felt like a jackass, he felt low, lower than he'd ever felt.
"Don't cry Arcee" he said speaking from his heart rather than his mind, he didn't care after he realised what he'd just said he knew she couldn't but he didn't want her upset, she chuckled a little.
"I can't cry Jack" she told him in a softer yet still saddened tone.
"Doesn't mean you can feel like it" he said in a gentle comforting tone.
He was right again. She was still amazed at how a sixteen year old boy out of everyone in the universe could read her so openly, like her emotions were just plain for him to see. But he was right, if she could cry, she would be. His comforting voice helped though, just hearing him, being near him helped.
"Thank you Jack" she said as Sadie patted his leg again, he blushed under his helmet then put his arms around Sadie's waist leaning against her gently hoping to not fall through her.
The two remained quiet until they reached the KO Burger. Sadie looked over the place with disgust.
"Seriously Jack, can't you find a new place of work?" she asked her words mirroring her disgust.
Jack looked the place over, he hated it as much as her if not more.
"If you can find me a nice cosy nice place to work Arcee I'm ALL for it" he said patting Sadie his last pat a little hard as his hand went through her back he yelped pulling his hand back and scanned the area, no one saw, thankfully.
"Problem?" Arcee asked through the Sadie hologram turning around to look at him.
"Ugh just went a tiny bit too hard on the last pat" he said, Arcee understood nodding through the hologram.
"Well, be careful, next time okay? I'll have to get back to base, I'll pick you up later okay?" she said as Sadie removed her helmet, Jack blushed and leaned towards her, the two kissed gently, Jack moaned as did Sadie, Arcee could imagined how good kissing him like that, from a more comparable size difference, was like. Arcee purred as they broke their kiss and Jack dismounted her rubbing Arcee's frame gently discreetly.
"See you later honey" he said stunning Arcee a little at his term, the two lovers or rather the hologram and Jack waved to one another as he walked into his place or torture/work.
"Ugh see you Jack." The Sadie hologram blushed before putting her helmet back on.
Arcee rode back to base, Optimus had wanted a group mission debriefing from everyone, regardless that he was there himself. These debriefs acted like a group talk, discussion formed about their enemies, new tactics, and any new information that had come to light.
The Autobot base was quiet enough, no panicking tones, the low played sounds of the video game in the background played by Rafael and Miko as the Autobots conveyed information from one another about their take on the previous mission.
"MECH is getting a lot more dangerous Optimus" Bulkhead started the discussion looking at their leader. "At first they were a small problem, then they were annoying, then they became a threat. But now…" Bulkhead continued explaining how MECH had "evolved" from their first meeting.
"Now they are dangerous to even us, their fire power has increased and developed exponentially." Optimus spoke as he lowered his head.
"And with Airachnid helping them" Arcee spoke out suddenly "Not only do they have a Sadistic Cybertronian working with them but they also have a way to get in depth information about Cybertronian physiology, they could learn so much from her about us."
Optimus was worried about the growing development as Arcee spoke.
"Indeed Arcee, with MECH's increasing knowledge about us they become a far greater threat."
"But that's not all Optimus" Arcee said her tone growing colder as her optics narrowed, Optimus looked at her with a slight questioning look to his face. "MECH have been scrounging up Vehicon parts and have been upgraded Airachnid, she's been given two extra insectoid legs and all of them have been thickened and converted into blasters, not to mention a hidden panel in her arm which fires a human made high explosive missile."
The other Autobots looked at Arcee in horror, Optimus showed less of a reaction but was most definitely alarmed by the news.
"But if they are able to UPGRADE her." Ratchet began finally getting into the conversation. "Then they would have to know about us… near inside and out." Ratchet stared into space, something Optimus had noticed Jack do. "That also means with her survival…"
"It means they could further upgrade her, and the possibilities do not stop at new or improved weaponry" Optimus continued on from Ratchet his tone of voice darker. "This means she poses an even greater threat than before, she AND MECH."
"Even if they run out of Cybertronian blasters to equip her with, if they can reformat her enough to conceal weapons like what those Tanks were firing at us, or those Helicopters then not only would she have heavier firepower, she also wouldn't be using up as much Energon." Arcee continued putting out the further realisation of what this Primus forsaken alliance could unfold.
"And I'm sure MECH are more than capable of keeping such weapons supplied with the Primitive Earth based projectiles" Ratchet said in annoyance at how dark the situation had gotten.
"Ammunition Ratchet, bullets." Arcee told him, Ratchet still had gripes about Earth's "primitive" technology. "You make think our Blasters are still superior Ratchet, and in many senses they are, powerful heated Energon with knock back power AND intense heat, sure powerful, but MECHS "primitive" weapon classes have shown to be more than effective against us nor does firing them take away "life" from the firer or the weapon itself, in the long run we will run out of Energon before MECH runs out of ammunition." Arcee in an annoyed and offending tone, informed the stubborn medic partially defending Earth's weapon classes, leaving the Medic offended, she ignored him and looked up to Optimus and frowned.
"We can't keep up Optimus, if Airachnid is given access to such weaponry, she may not need Energon based weapons anymore." Arcee finished.
"Thus her need of Energon is diminished greatly. A troubling thought indeed." Optimus spoke out softly.
The Autobots were quiet for a moment before Bumblebee let out a series of positive beeps.
Optimus smiled at the young scout.
"Even when faced with developing threat you are always optimistic Bumblebee, I agree with you however, regardless of this threat, we will battle it to our abilities. We will fight for our freedom, for Earth's freedom, and for our friends." Optimus said his tone strong, defiant of any possible doubt, the Autobots looked to him with renewed resolve, with strengthened purpose.
'For Jack and our future' Arcee thought to herself and smiled softly at the possibilities.
"Yeah, what're we worried about?" Bulkhead said rolling his mighty shoulders. "We can take on MECH and they can upgrade that slag pile till she's shiny and chrome, we'll just send her back to them as scrap" Bulkhead smirked and pounded his fist into his other hand.
"Yes." Spoke out Ratchet he himself felt renewed by Optimus' words. "We have no come this far to give up now." He said pounding his fist into the table, all the Autobots looked at him as Bulkhead raised a finger and pointed at the table.
"Ugh Ratchet?" he began as Ratchet looked at him. "Didn't you need that?"
Ratchet blinked slowly turning his attention to his hand, slowly raising it seeing crumbled equipment, he stared at it silently, as Bumblebee, Bulkhead and Arcee slowly backed away keeping their optics on the unmoving medic.
"I've seen this movie" Bulkhead said quietly. "Don't turn your eyes away"
Optimus himself was quiet just looking at his old friend.
"Ratchet?" Optimus finally dared to say. Ratchet's optics opened wide imitating a deep intake of air.
"FFFFFFFFFF….!"
Jack groaned as he walked out from the KO burger seeing Arcee her Sadie hologram online.
"Come on handsome" she said happily as he walked over to her putting his helmet on, his hand gentle caressed against Arcee's body work making her coo silently to herself. She liked his touches.
"Right then" Arcee said through the Sadie hologram, "Home?" she asked turned to look at Jack.
"I've had a long day, a busy tiring day, I think I deserve some alone time with my lady" he said blushing a little after he finished. "Um I mean, if you want too" he continued sheepishly scratching the back of his helmet I reflex.
Arcee chuckled softly, sweetly.
"I like that idea Jack, it's been a while since we went to "our" place" she said as Jack put his arms around Sadie, Arcee looked at his gently grasp around her with her mirrors, she wished he could put his arms around her like that, sometimes, she envied her hologram, as strange as it was. Arcee revved herself up and spun around heading towards their special place by the mountains around Jasper's desert regions.
Jack soon found himself on top of Arcee, laying against her breastplates staring into her gorgeous optics as she stared into his beautiful eyes, both captured by the wonder they saw in the other, no matter how many times they saw it, they were always amazed by it again and again, the two had been quiet since they got into this position nearly thirty minutes ago.
Jack smiled softly finally adjusting himself and put his arms around her neck hugging her gently, Arcee close her optics for a moment as she, ever so gently, put her arms hands over him returning the embrace, the two lovers once again looked at one another and kissed each other, their lips so gentle yet so full of energy, the feeling near indescribable, they had once talked about this feeling they had when they kissed, Jack had called it "the feel of true love" his words while cheesy, had warmed her spark to new heights, after nearly Five centuries of existing, she truly had found the love of her life, and he had found her.
They broke their kiss once Jack needed air, though even he seemed reluctant to break away.
"Curse my need for air" he said blushing gently, Arcee smiled as she ran a single finger through his hair, over his neck and down his back.
"You can't help it, you're human" she brought him back down with her hand as the two kisses once more, they didn't want to leave this feeling of tranquillity, of peace, they didn't want to return to the cruel world full of war and hate, they wanted each other, now till the end of time.
Purring softly they broke away from each other, Arcee could feel some remains of his saliva on her lips, but she cared not, she found it strangely… enticing.
"Jack?" she asked softly, getting a gentle "hmm" in response. "Tell me about where our date is" she said in her soft tone of voice stroking Jack's back with her fingers.
"Well, at school, I searched for somewhere with a good weather forecast, good sighting of the moon and somewhere far away for anyone else. The place is in the North of England, it's remote barely anyone around, and by time we get there, there won't be anyone around to disturb us. Just the grass below us, the moon above us, and us together, maybe I could bring some soft music for us to listen too."
Arcee leaned her head back softly against the ground closing her optics for a moment to picture it, the soft grass, them together the moon's light illuminating them, held together in a lover's embrace Jack's gentle lips pressing against her own, down to her neck, lower and lower and…
Arcee shuck her head and opened her optics, Jack looked at her puzzled.
"You okay Arcee?" he asked concerned for his love. Arcee felt red in her face and silently praised Primus for being unable to blush.
"Fine Jack, just picturing out date, if it's even half as good as I imagined it'll be amazing" she smiled.
"Well it'll be twice as good" Jack said putting strong emphasis on "twice". She smiled up to him as he laid his head gently against her.
'Cool it Arcee.' She thought to herself. 'You don't want to be freaking out Jack with these thoughts, besides, not like you can do anything about it' Arcee sighed softly quietly. She turned her attentions back to Jack, his eyes closed laying on her comfortably.
"Hey" she said suddenly poking his side gently making him stir. "Don't fall asleep on me mister"
"Just for a while please Arcee?" he said in a soft innocent tone, nearly making her Spark melt, though he was very mature for his age, he could be so innocent, she smiled and leaned her head back, setting up an internal alarm.
"Alright Jack, but only for an hour" she heard and felt him stir again his body shuffling against her frame, she liked it, slowly she close her optics and went into rest mode, but left some of her sensors on alert in case of a sudden ambush.
She heard it from within the darkness. Giggling, a soft giggling between two, a lovers giggle, one male one female.
"Wait." She said quietly to herself, she felt the world come into view, the beach again, their dream spot she found herself in her shortened Cybertronian body dressed yet again in a simple bikini.
She turned around seeing Jack sat down on a towel by the sea, but he was not alone, a young human woman next to him the two talking and laughing with one another, from the back this woman was beautiful, strong build though not disgustingly muscular, definitely taller and older than him, a red two piece bikini covering up her private female areas long black hair hung from her head past her shoulder blades.
Arcee stared at them in anger, and anger more emotionally deep than simple rage. She stormed up to the two gritting her teeth together her hands curled into a fist, she was furious, how dare some woman be by HER Jack and how dare HE be with her.
"JACK!" she yelled her voice full of fury, he turned in shock seeing her, his eyes opened wide in confusion, looking at the woman who had yet to turn to face her.
"I, I don't understand" he said falling onto his back and moved away.
"What's not to understand Jack?" Arcee snarled. "You're dreaming of being with another woman, AM I NOT GOOD ENOUGH!" she gritted her teeth and yelled out I her rage, she heard chuckling coming from the woman.
"No Arcee you don't understand" Jack tried to say in his defence. Arcee turned her gaze to the chuckling woman, before she could speak further she stopped, that chuckle, now turned into laughter, she recognised the voice, it was her own.
The woman turned around and looked at Arcee dead in the optics a sly smile over the woman's face. Sadie.
"I, I thought THIS was you" Jack said pointing at Sadie who rose up slowly standing as tall as Arcee.
"What is this?" Arcee looked at Sadie who simply shuck her head.
"Don't you see?" Sadie said softly, Arcee somewhat stunned at hearing her own voice talk back to her.
"I'm everything you WANT to be" Sadie declared dominantly. "I can move from you, I can touch Jack, interact with him in public, touch him and be close to him in ways you can't" Sadie smirked, she knew Arcee felt this way
"No." Arcee stepped back, her rage and anger replaced with shock, she had been thinking it perhaps. "No All you are is a hologram, a figment created by ME!" she called back standing her ground in this growing verbal battle.
"Jealousy!" Sadie cried out in defence her tone rough but strong, Arcee stared at her, had she truly become jealous of her own Hologram? "I've become so much more than your holographic rider. I'm the one his friends and co-workers see, I'm the one they know as his girlfriend, his woman, his Lover!" Sadie put softly more sexual tones into her titles as she listed them. "And what are you? You're the motorcycle, the blue piece of machinery of which cannot feel, cannot love, they see you as cold, and heartless."
Arcee fell to the ground looking at her body, her metallic body, all her power, her advanced form, it was curse. A curse. She could no interact with the man she loved, not in public never, not like a normal couple.
"And even then, when you're alone, you're too big for him" Sadie continued Arcee still staring at her own body. "You can't embrace like we can, you can't kiss like we can. I can feel EVERYTHING so much more than you, his lips are exquisite his body is so warm, so soft. You can feel nothing by comparison."
Arcee looked up to Sadie she could feel herself on the verge of tears.
"Because all you are." Sadie said her voice cold and malicious. "Is a cold, empty, machine."
Arcee turned her gaze to Jack who stared at her, tears flowing down her metal cheeks, he shook his head as tear began to fall from his own eyes.
"No" Arcee finally said as her tears dropped to the sand. "You are the cold one, I am alive." Arcee began to rise up from the sand and stood upon her feet. " I may be metal, but in reality you're less than that, it was ME who Jack fell in love with not YOU." Arcee rolled her fingers into fists staring daggers into the eyes of Sadie, who in turn watched on with no amusement. "And no one, not even YOU will take him from me." Arcee yelled out unleashing her rage as she charged at Sadie, the action taking the woman by surprise as she felt her other half tackle her to the sand.
Sadie grimaced as she felt the metal hit against her, though unlike in reality Arcee was only as heavy as a human of her general height and shape, Arcee brought back her fist only to have Sadie punch her in the face knocking her off.
Jack watched on at the two women, two sides of the same coin, he watched them as they battled each other, confusion racked his mind and soul, was he coming to love Sadie more than the real Arcee, was he falling in love with the human based hologram?
Arcee hit the ground and looked at Sadie ran at her, Arcee put her feet up and threw her over her body, Sadie hit the sand but rolled forward and got up, Arcee getting up after her initial assault.
The two women stared each other down. Arcee surprised at what she was doing, not only was she fighting herself she was fighting her hologram, the woman she had fabricated with her mid. She would not lose her man to a woman who didn't truly exist.
Sadie ran at Arcee, Arcee lashing out with a firm and powerful kick towards Sadie's midsection, Sadie effortlessly jumped over the attack, seemingly having all of Arcee's skills, this didn't surprise her however. Arcee turned around just barely blocking an incoming punch from Sadie, Arcee narrowed her optics and swung her own fist towards her opponent, the same styled block as she would use form such an attack, the two broke away from the others grasp and lashed out at the same time with the same movement and the same attack, the two hitting the other in the face making them stumble to the side clutching in pain at their face.
"You won't take him from me" Arcee hissed still holding half her face.
"He's ALREADY mine!" Sadie hissed her voice venomous.
Arcee stared at the one she knew as her holographic rider, Sadie stared at the one she deemed unfitting of Jack, how could he love something cold, made of circuits and put together with bonded metal. Arcee blinked, and looked at herself once more
"How could he love something so alien? Love something so cold, something made of metal and wires." . Sadie and Arcee's voice speaking in unison, one speaking in sorrow the other speaking in malice.
Jack stood up tears in his eyes.
"NO!" he yelled out catching the attention of the organic and the technological.
"Jack?" Arcee said tears once again in her eyes.
"I love YOU Arcee" Jack said strongly, his words unwavering.
"How?" Sadie said in malice "How could you love HER? A being made of Cold Metal, with a Heart of Iron, I am the one you love, I am like flesh and blood, it is ME they see, it is ME they know. How can she compete?"
"I didn't fall in love with the body. I fell in love with the woman, fell in love with the mind and soul." Jack stared at Sadie, the organic woman looking at Arcee then looked back to Jack.
"You two shouldn't be fighting. You are not opposites, you're not different. You're one, both the woman I love and being neither organic or technological will change that."
Sadie and Arcee stared at one another, the feeling of hostility blowing away from them, their differences faded away. Arcee found peace within herself from Jack's words, tears rolled down both Arcee's and Sadie's cheeks.
"We are one, we are… the same" they said in unison.
"You're the woman I love" Jack said softly brushing his tears away from his face. Arcee and Sadie both looked at one another brushing away their tears then looked towards Jack both smirking with a single raised brow, Sadie licking her lips.
Jack blinked staring at the two women as they both made their way to him he stepped back but tripped landing on his back he looked up as the two women walked around, surrounding him, Arcee making her way around to his back Sadie walking to his front.
"Hey girls, um. What, what're you doing?" he asked concerned for his own wellbeing as Sadie lowered herself onto her hands and knees snarling at him seductively crawling up to him, Jack began to back away from her pushing against the sand with his feet and hands only to back into a crouching Arcee.
"Oh don't worry Jack" Arcee smirked looking at Jack's worried face a blush growing dark crimson over his cheeks.
"Since we're one and the same, it doesn't mean we can't mmm share" Sadie purred grabbing Jack's attention as she crawled over to his legs.
Arcee put her hand around Jack's chin and gently eased his head up as she planted her metal lips against his, Jack moan into the sudden kiss, Arcee releasing her own moan as she felt his delicious warm wet lips, Jack's body twitched suddenly, as he felt Sadie's hand rubbing against his leg moving higher and higher, his moan intensified as Arcee began to move her mouth around his Jack gasped as their kiss intensified he felt something warm slide into his mouth, her tongue. His eyes opened wide as Arcee's and Jack's tongues began to dance with one another, the feeling almost too intense to describe, Sadie grabbed at his swimming shorts and hoisted them down.
Jack and Arcee awoke suddenly their eyes opened wide, hearing Jack's phone ringing. Arcee looked down at Jack as he pulled his phone slowly out of his pocket and answered it.
"H…Hello?" Jack asked in a shaky tone of voice.
"Jack where are you?" came June's voice over the phone.
Jack looked up to Arcee then put his attention back to his phone.
"ugh Mom…" Jack began, Arcee shook her head and released Jack putting him down onto the ground as she stood up. "Ugh yes sorry me and Arcee are just scouting around the area, I've had my phone on silent sorry." He said trying to sound truthful.
"Well Optimus and the others have been trying to raise her and she's not been responding to her communicator" June said in defence.
"Ugh, she's got it … turned onto, silent?" he said the question only directly to Arcee who was shaking her head but too late as he spoke Arcee clapped her hand against her forehead.
"Ugh sorry Mom, we're be on our way back, I promise" he said, he heard his mother grumble on the other side.
"Fine, but don't turn you phone on silent next time okay?" June asked getting a simple "mhm" as confirmation before she hung up.
"That was close" he said gently letting out a deep sigh.
"yeah sorry my internal alarm didn't wake me, my fault" she apologised as she scratched the back of her head.
"No, no it was me I shouldn't have dozed off, I'm so sorry Arcee." He sighed looking up at her apologetically. Arcee smiled kneeling down to him and kissed him gently on his cheek.
"Let's go home" she transformer into her motorcycle form and allowed Jack to mount her.
The two lovers journey home had remained a quiet one both collected in their thoughts. Eventually they arrived at the Darby residence, the door opening as June stood there tapping her foot against the ground her arms folded against her chest.
"And do you two have an explanation why you're late home?" she asked narrowing her eyes.
"Sorry June it's my fault" Arcee spoke up before Jack could get a word in, June awaited an explanation. "We were just riding around and I guess I lost track of time, it's not Jack fault, I'm sorry" Arcee spoke in a professional yet apologetic tone, June just sighed and looked at Jack.
"It's my fault too mom, I'm sorry" he said softly, June just shook her head placing her hands by her sides.
"I was just worried that you two were hurt or, in trouble, as long as you two were safe then, I can rest easy." June moved her glance between Arcee and Jack repeatedly before moving back into the main house through the door in the garage allowing Arcee to ride in the doors closing behind them, Jack dismounted Arcee as she transformed keeping herself low.
Jack removed his helmet and looked at his love.
"I'm still sorry Arcee, I…" Arcee pressed a finger against his lips to shush him, she looked at the door then leaned in quick to kiss his cheek and smiled.
"Stop apologising Jack" she petted his hair softly. Jack smiled at her simply enjoying her pet his hair, he admitted he liked it, made him feel comforted closing his eyes gently and moaned quietly as to not alert his mother.
"Jack?" June called snapping Jack back into reality, Arcee moved her hand. "You supper will get cold, and I'm not reheating it again" June called to him.
"Can I…" he began but was cut off
"Yes you can have your supper in the garage, I'll see you tomorrow I'm going to watch some T.V in my room." June voice came from outside the garage.
"Thanks mom" Jack smiled then looked at Arcee. "I'll be right back" he moved quickly to get his dinner, Arcee looked at the table shuffling herself over to it quietly she adjusted the table and chair to how Jack would have it saving him to do it himself.
Arcee had been thinking about that dream, unlike the first this one was so memorable, her fight with Sadie, how she had yelled out her insecurities about her relationship with Jack. Jack had about shattered them again with his voice and his words, again, he was like water breaking away the rock around her spark, he was letting himself in more and more even now she loved him, loved him with all her spark, couldn't live without him, didn't WANT to live without him and would easily die for him without a second thought. Though she hoped it wouldn't come to that, she knew Jack had let her into his heart and he would do the same for her without question without a second thought.
She heard Jack coming back and sat back down, Jack entered the garage looking at the set up table and smiled at Arcee.
"Thank you" he smiled and continued to walk to it.
"You're welcome Jack" she said softly in return watching him as he sat down and pulled up his chair, he began to eat his supper then she slowly looked away from him as she thought about her dream.
"You were there weren't you Jack?" she asked getting his attention, a sweat began to trickle down his head. "In the dream, with me and Sadie."
"Um, I eh, yeah." He said sweating feeling a little awkward.
"Did you mean what you said?" she asked focusing on him, she calculated the fact he was already sweating and acting a bit hesitant to answer.
"I meant what I said Arcee, others may see Sadie, but I see the woman behind Sadie." He smiled at her, he seemed to calm down a little, Arcee smiled lovingly at him, her optics softening their gaze she felt like she could almost purr, then a thought came to mind and she smirked at him almost evilly.
"Do you remember what happened after me and Sadie had our little fight?"
Jack's eyes opened wide as he fought a losing battle against trying to hide his crimson blush upon his cheeks.
"Ugh no, no everything went um… black after that" he said sweat dripping from him Arcee was mentally laughing, she liked seeing him squirm now and then, just to see the child through the man, just because he had infinitely more responsibilities that the average sixteen year old boy, didn't mean he had to act like the weight of the world was put upon his shoulders.
"Okay, I was just wondering, I kind of blacked out myself too" she smirked not even attempting to cover up her lie, Jack gulped and continued his meal.
Arcee leaned down to him after a while and opened her mouth wide, Jack looked up confused as he got a good look inside her mouth, metal plating at the bottom, a small pipe at the back possibly for carrying her voice through her mouth and her teeth, other than that is was empty.
"Um Arcee what are you doing?" he asked hesitantly, she closed her mouth and rolled her jaw.
"Just showing you I don't have a tongue" she commented casually before sitting up, Jack blushed again, he remember their "French kiss" back in their dream but didn't want to admit it.
Arcee then allowed Jack to finish his meal and his drink, she picked him up gently brought him close to her, he put his arms around her face and kissed his lover goodnight.
"I'll see you in the morning Jack" she smiled setting him down.
"See you Arcee" he smiled and waved at her as he left, Arcee adjusted and transformed into her vehicular form and went into her resting mode.
Thursday.
Jack awoke to his alarm for a change, his sleep had been restful, he picked out some fresh clothes and made his way into his shower, he wanted a quick shower, not wanting to dwindle for too long in case his mind wandered, he loved Arcee and didn't want to ruin their relationship with organic reactions that could possibly put her off, but yesterday their dream, another shared dream, she and Sadie had him pinned against their bodies, Arcee and he were kissing passionately their tongues in the other's mouth.
He groaned not wanting to think about in case of…
"Shit" he cursed seeing his already growing erection, he cursed his hormonal body and his wandering mind, he closed his eyes and tried to concentrate it away. Eventually he succeeded.
He cleansed his body of sweat and grime and got dressed. He walked into the kitchen and found his mother sipping some coffee.
"I've made you a cup" she smiled to him, he looked seeing a cup of hot coffee awaiting him, he smiled picking it up and taking a quick sip careful not to burn his tongue, he made himself some toast for breakfast as June looked at him.
"You and Arcee talk about anything interesting in the garage last night?" she asked Jack stumbled with the coffee in his hand nearly spilling some of the hot beverage over himself, June blinked seeing the reaction her simple innocent question had caused. "Did I say something?" she asked tilting her head.
"Ugh no, no sorry. No we just talked" he said with a shrug, June's curiosity wasn't quenched.
"And what does a Sixteen year old boy "just talk" about with a centuries old fifteen foot robot woman?" she asked, Jack winced at the term "robot" while Arcee didn't overly mind the term he felt it was racist to even compare her and the Autobots to what humans imagined as robots.
"Whatever we can talk about really, work, school, missions" he said listing off things in his head, he seemed to be getting a bit better at lying, possibly Arcee's expertise at it was rubbing off on him. June thought for a moment, he was right, there wasn't much they could talk about, not in a city like Jasper.
"Okay" she said shrugging and looked back at her newspaper. Jack picked up his toast then walked into the garage toast and coffee in his hands, Arcee was still asleep it seemed, Jack found it was rare that he would be awake before Arcee, in fact. This was the FIRST time he was awake before her.
He sat down and just looked at her, sipping his coffee slowly taking a bite out of his slice of buttered toast, he allowed himself to wander a little, more of his future than now, what if the war ended within the next few years? What about him and Arcee? Maybe travel the world for a year or so, his mind went further on seeing himself age mentally, early twenties became late twenties, Jack imagined himself in a well-paying job, he had a nice selection of clothes, Arcee still by his side, how far could they go in their relationship, Jack chuckled to himself before shaking his head of further thought.
"It's not polite to stare Jack" came Arcee's voice from her vehicular mode. Jack nearly spat his drink up in surprise at the sudden voice. "oops, sorry" she apologised softly.
"No, my fault, didn't know I was staring, sorry" he apologised in return. "It's a first for me to be up before you" he said with a smile.
"I know, I hope I'm not getting lazy in my old age" she quipped making Jack smile and chuckle.
"You're not old" he stated.
"I've over Five Hundred years old Jack" she told him in a straight tone of voice.
"And you don't look a day over Twenty Five" he joked, Arcee laughed.
"Smooth Jack" she said, she'd have chosen different words but was aware June could have been in close proximity. She noticed Jack was checking her out in her vehicular form.
"Something wrong Jack?" she asked curiously. He was silent for a moment his eyes moving over her body slowly.
"Nope, nothing wrong here" he said with a sly smile. Arcee didn't know whether to be excited or afraid of his smile and the possible thoughts going around in his head.
"Should I be afraid for my life right now?" she asked carefully, Jack chuckled quietly.
"From little old me? Perish the thought" he smirked before finishing his toast. He stood up an stretched, the joints in his back cracking Arcee let out a little wince.
"One day Jack you're just going to break in half if you keep that up."
Jack chuckled and took another sip of coffee.
"Well KO Burger again tonight, but I've asked for time off tomorrow in exchange for Sunday" he told her with a smile confident that his mother wasn't in hearing distance.
"Great" she said, Jack tilted her head she didn't sound so enthusiastic, he frowned a little.
"You having second thoughts?" he asked in a saddened tone.
"Oh No, By the Pit No, I'm just anxious, never done this before." She admitted again, she'd told him before but sometimes she felt just saying it helped her.
"Don't worry," he said calmly before walking up to her kneeling down and began to stroke her metallic frame kissing her between her headlights. "I'm a little scared too, my first date and all."
"Well at least we'll be nervous together. What music are you bringing?" she asked curiously,
"Ah, spoilers" he stated tapping his nose, Arcee had come to learn what that human sign meant. He wasn't going to tell her, not yet anyway. "Just trust me, you'll enjoy it."
"I trust you Jack." She said softly, hearing June's footsteps Jack got up and walked to his coffee cup and took another sip. June walked past the garage door and straight to the bathroom. Jack sighed in relief then walked back to Arcee.
"So what about things on your end?" he asked, Arcee was silent for a minute.
"Oh! Right" she realised what he meant. She was to come up with an excuse to go to the allocated location Jack had picked for their date. And knowingly she'd have to talk to Ratchet. "Don't worry I'm working on it. Trying to find an excuse is hard, unless we sneak out" she suggested.
"Oh just sneak out?" Jack said softly patting Arcee's gas tank "Aren't you a bad girl" he chuckled not meaning for it to sound as dirty as it sounded.
"You don't know how bad" she smirked internally Jack blinked at her for a moment and stared. "Staring again" she chuckled getting his attention back.
"Sorry, sorry. It'll be great I promise" he told her confidently, all week since they planned it he had been confident that it'd go well and Arcee just prayed it would be.
Admittedly though, with their date so close and the things Jack had told her, the grass, the moon, the music, candles. It was very romantic, and she was very excited about it.
Just one more day.
