Disclaimer: As always… I don't own the Transformers, they belong to Hasbro

Disclaimer: As always… I don't own the Transformers, they belong to Hasbro. I do own Elaina and Arrowhead.

Chapter Four

Elaina spent most of the day down in her lab. She didn't really know what else to do with her time. So she decided to further her study of the crystals. She ran them through every possible test that she could think of and came up with nothing. Her equipment couldn't find anything unusual about them other than the slight heat signature.

The most interesting thing that Elaina discovered about them is they way they felt when she held them. When the crystal was sitting in her open palm she could actually feel the energy waves coming off of it. This intensified if she closed her fist over it. This was very strange to her because of the lack of scientific data to back up the sensation.

There was one time she was gripping the crystal very tightly and she could feel an echo of the energy wave pounding in her chest.

"That's odd," she had said to herself and noted the feelings down in her laptop. Diablo was in his spot under the small TV that she kept in her lab trying his best to keep her company without being in the way.

Finally she felt the need to get out of the basement and figured that she should probably try to eat something for an early dinner. She had skipped lunch without realizing it. Of course she was still dealing with the butterfly convention in her stomach, so missing lunch hadn't been too horrible for her.

"I don't know what's worse, the nervousness about meeting the rest of the Autobots, or the fear of the Decepticons?" She vented to Diablo as she went into the kitchen. He wagged his tail in response.

"You're right. I really shouldn't be nervous." She admitted to herself as she opened the fridge.

After rummaging around for a few minutes she went to the counter with some leftover chicken and rice. She spooned some into a dish and microwaved it for a few minutes.

She sat down to eat her leftovers and watched the sun start to set in the sky. Arrowhead walked past on his patrol and she realized that she had really missed chatting with him about random things today. To distract herself she turned on the TV and watched a little bit of a movie that just happened to be on.

Later when she took her dish to the sink she noticed some lights coming up the driveway. Then Arrowhead's face took up the entire window in front of her. She opened it so that he could speak.

"They're here," was all he said before he straightened up and walked towards the oncoming lights.

Elaina rushed outside to see a blue semi with red flames drive up, followed by a big black GMC truck, a yellow ambulance, and a shiny new yellow Camero with black racing stripes.

In an astonishing move all the vehicles transformed around her. The yellow Camero became a very bouncy robot that seemed young. The ambulance became a very distinguished looking robot. The truck became a very rough looking robot that had a military feel to him.

Lastly the semi transformed into a very large robot with a commanding presence. He had a face plate over his nose and mouth. Arrowhead came up to the semi robot and shook hands with him in a very respectful greeting.

"Elaina. Let me introduce you to Optimus Prime." Arrowhead motioned towards the robot that he had just greeted. "Optimus this is Elaina Johnson." He finished as he lightly pushed the astonished Elaina towards his leader.

Optimus knelt down so that he could get closer to the small human woman. He looked her over quickly. She stuck out her hand for a greeting. Optimus smiled and took it gently in his.

Elaina let Optimus take her hand. The moment that his hand touched hers she felt that pulse again in her chest. It was like holding the crystals tightly, only a lot stronger. She had never felt anything like that before.

Optimus felt it too and it surprised him greatly. It took him a moment to let the feeling settle before he spoke.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Elaina Lynn Johnson." He spoke as he lightly gripped her hand without hurting it. The feeling continued in his spark until he let go. He shook the rest of it away, as if clearing his head. He wanted to know what had caused it, but he more important things to deal with for the time being.

"Please just call me Elaina…" She spoke when he let go of her hand. The pulsing stopped when they were no longer touching.

Optimus nodded his acknowledgement. "Of course." Then he turned to each of his friends in turn. "This is Ratchet, our medical officer, Ironhide, my weapons specialist, and Bumblebee."

Elaina turned from one to the other as Optimus introduced them. She was impressed by both Ratchet and Ironhide. Maybe a bit scared of Ironhide at the same time. Then she turned to Bumblebee. "What do you do?" She asked as she looked him over.

"I kick ass and take names." Bumblebee said taking on a tough guy pose which really didn't suit him.

"Bumblebee…" Prime said in a disappointed tone. "Watch your language in front of a lady."

Arrowhead burst out laughing at that reprimand. He had never really heard Bumblebee talk like that. He figured that he was spending too much time with that teenage human boy that he had originally been sent to guard.

Still Arrowhead knew that Elaina had said worse than that when she was upset. He also knew that she really didn't consider herself much of a "lady" at all.

"What's so amusing Arrowhead?" Optimus asked with curiosity. He watched his friend try to stop laughing and saw the amused smile on Elaina's face, though she was attempting to look upset.

"It's nothing really Optimus. I think Bumblebee's been spending too much time with his human companion." Arrowhead answered once he was done laughing. His face was calm and under control, with a hint of a smile peaking out.

"Perhaps. Then this will be a good break for him." Optimus said lightly as he looked over at Bumblebee. At the moment the younger robot was letting the dog lick his fingers and laughing.

Elaina kept being surprised by these robots. Diablo hated most humans, except her, but he seemed to love the Autobots. She really couldn't explain his behavior.

She turned back to Optimus and looked him over. She could see why Arrowhead had a bit of a hero worship for him. He was very awe inspiring. As she looked at him her eyes met with his optics. She enjoyed the way his shined with a fiery light. If he had been human she could have explained the feelings she was getting as attraction. Since he was a robot she really didn't know what to call them.

Or maybe I'm just attracted to robots. She thought to herself as she looked him over. She really enjoyed the way his voice sounded when he talked. His voice was pleasantly deep and distinctive. Being attracted to him wouldn't be the first strange thing that had happened in her life. Her face was crimson with the idea.

Ratchet picked up her pheromones and cleared his throat. He didn't know what to make of it. Humans seemed to be a mystery to him still.

Elaina and Optimus turned away from each other and looked at Ratchet. Optimus was glad for the face guard. He was smiling from the look on the girls face.

"Maybe we should settle in for the night." Ratchet suggested as he looked away from his leader and the human. He surveyed the surrounding area.

"Alright, Autobots start patrolling the area for Decepticons." Optimus ordered.

Arrowhead watched Elaina looking at Optimus and sighed internally. He didn't know why he was upset about it, he just was. It wasn't a feeling he had ever had to deal with before.

Bumblebee walked over to Arrowhead and patted him on the shoulder. "Why don't you show me around?" He said to his friend. Arrowhead walked off with him.

Ironhide started walking around the house, making sure to go the opposite direction than the other two. Ratchet walked down to where the grass met the trees and started looking through the forest.

Optimus turned back to Elaina. He looked down at her with confusion. He wasn't sure why his spark had reacted to her, and he wanted to find out. He knew that he had to keep focused on the crystals as well as the Decepticon threat. He could figure the rest out later, but it did bother him a little.

"Would it be possible to see the crystals that you have?" He asked.

Elaina frowned a little at that. She was tired and didn't want to deal with much more at the moment. Her thoughts were confused enough as it was. With a sigh she answered him, "Can we do it later? I've had a really long day and I would like to try to get a bit of sleep."

Optimus noticed the hesitation in her voice. He realized that she was handling this well for a human. It was lot to deal with. He figured that it wouldn't hurt to give her a little bit of time, and some breathing room. He had learned his lesson about being too rushed with humans. Things seemed to go badly if you pushed them too much.

"It's alright." He said after thinking it over.

Elaina smiled in genuine appreciation. She was feeling a bit overwhelmed with everything and wanted the chance to let it all sink in. She was hoping that she would be able to sleep tonight, knowing that all these Autobots were here. At least she didn't have to be afraid of the Decepticons for the time being. She had her own small army milling around her house.

"Thank you Optimus Prime," she spoke lightly as she started to head for the house. She stopped a moment and turned back to the robot. "Can you guys try to keep it down for the night? I really need to get some rest."

Optimus smiled at her warmly, not that she could see it with his face guard up. "I think that can be arranged." He laughed a little as he spoke. "Go get some rest. You'll be safe while we are here."

Optimus turned from her for a moment and spoke loudly to the others, "Autobots, use stealth tonight. Elaina needs us to be quiet."

Elaina heard a moan of complaint from Ironhide, but the rest seemed to just accept what she wanted.