Chapter 4

Moonfire sat in her quarters, stewing. The femme had stayed there all day, even after she started hearing the sounds of returning soldiers from the battlefield. A knock on her door.

"Moonfire? Moonfire are you in there? Come on, it's me, Nightlight. Why weren't you on the battlefield today?"

"Go away!"

"Moonfire, please. Wha-"

"I said go away you moron! Stay away from me and don't talk to me."

Nighlight stepped back like he had been slapped, a confused look on his face. For a moment he looked like he was going to ignore her before shaking his head and walking away slowly. He would give her some time, he could do that right? He looked back once at her closed door and then went to join his friends. He only shrugged when they asked him where Moonfire was.

Inside her room, the femme was lying on her berth. Things had been nothing but wrong since she had gotten here. Why on earth was she even here? Why did she transfer here in the first place? It had taken her forever to be allowed to transfer, but now… now she felt like it had all been a waste. The femme sighed and turned to lie on her side. The door sounded and Moonfire shouted for them to go away. The sound of a code being entered and the door opened. A large shadow fell over Moonfire and she turned to growl at the intruder.

"Oh look. The mighty Optimus Prime. What brings you here, SIR?!"

Optimus closed the door behind him and walked over to Moonfire, staring down at her form. Suddenly the femme felt uncomfortable. She tried to wiggle away, but Optimus grabbed her arm, firmly but gently.

"Ask your questions, Moonfire. I'll try to answer them the best I can."

Moonfire struggled against that vice like grip. She gave up and asked, "Why are you so closed off? Aside from Ironhide, Wheeljack, Ratchet, and Ultra Magnus you don't really have any friends. You don't join the others in the rec. room, you're always in your office, you don't take breaks like you should… Why?"

"I am the leader of the Autobots, Moonfire. It is my duty to do keep everyone in line."

"Yes, but without you this unit wouldn't last long. You're a good, strong leader so why don't you take a night off once in awhile and join someone for drinks? Sure it might seem surprising, but isn't the whole point of being here to make friends, to learn from your teammates? Why tell me this if you don't follow through yourself?"

"And why should I listen to a word you say?"

Moonfire gaped at him. "I'm not saying you should. I'm just saying that maybe it would be a good idea once in awhile. Take a load off, forget about duties just for a few hours."

Optimus didn't answer. Instead he reached up to take off his mask and set it down. Moonfire blinked when she saw that scar on his left cheek. He was uncomfortable with it? He looked so wonderful! Weren't scars supposed to be dashing? Optimus most certainly was! The femme's spark began hammering even louder, and apparently Optimus heard it. He looked confused.

"What is the matter? Why are your systems heating up?"

Moonfire gulped, just staring at her commander. "Y-You really want to know?"

Optimus nodded, confused. For a moment more, Moonfire just sat there. Finally, the femme lunged forward, much to Optimus' surprise. Before he could do or say anything, the femme's lips were pressed against his. A fire seemed to roar within the Autobot leader's frame at the kiss and he just melted into the kiss. His hand dropped from Moonfire's arm. With a slight pant, Moonfire sat back, looking away.

"Now you know."

"Moonfire…" Optimus moaned softly.

"Go on. You have duties to attend to. I've been confined here on Ratchet's orders."

For a moment Moonfire thought that Optimus was going to get up and walk out, but the next thing she knew she was being whipped around to face Optimus again. This time HIS lips claimed HERS! With a surprised noise, the femme soon found herself pressed against the wall. At first she stroked his frame. Unfortunately, logic overcame her emotions and she pushed him away.

"No. I-It wouldn't be right for us to be together. Y-You probably already have someone anyway. Ratchet or some beautiful femme."

There was a moment of silence and then Optimus spoke, "I am not involved with anyone, Moonfire. However, if you wish to take it slow… I understand."

Moonfire was shocked. He wasn't involved with anyone? Why? Optimus definitely was the type that should already be bonded with someone. Before she could ask any more questions… Optimus was gone. The femme blinked around in confusion. Had it all just been a daydream then? She checked the logs and found that… yes, she had been imagining. Laying back against her berth she let out a groan, covering her optics.

She was now having waking dreams of her commanding officer. The femme got to her feet and went to see Ratchet. The medic was carefully attending to the last of the injuries when Moonfire walked in. He asked her to wait while he finished up. Soon it was just her and Ratchet.

"Moonfire?"

"Is it wrong to daydream about… romanticizing of someone?"

Ratchet looked amused, "Already falling for someone? No it isn't wrong. However, it all depends on who you are romanticizing over. Whatever you say here is doctor-patient confidentiality. I won't tell another soul."

Moonfire took a shaky breath, "I-I think I'm falling for Optimus."

Ratchet let out a whistle. "Yeah definitely a hard one to pin down for sure. Look, all I can say is get to know him. If nothing else, he's a good friend to have around."

"R-Ratchet… is he involved with anyone?"

"No. His last flame, Elita-One, was killed in battle a long time ago. Since then he's closed himself off romantically. He's still there as a friend to others, but he has never once looked at another like he had with Elita-One. You're in for a rough time… and you aren't the first who has tried. I have tried as has Hot Rod and Kup, none of us successful. And trust me Kup and I would know if he had gotten together with someone."

Ratchet placed a gentle hand on Moonfire's shoulder, offering a soft look to her. "Just get to know him, take things slow. I wish you all the luck in the world, Moonfire, but do not be disappointed if things don't turn out the way you are hoping."

Moonfire nodded, "Thank you, Ratchet."

"Go to your friends. They're worried sick about you… and welcome back charming femme."

Moonfire offered a soft smile before she made her way to the rec. room. Upon seeing her Nightlight and Warpath rushed over to her. They began asking her all sorts of questions. The femme waved them off.

"I had a bit of a meltdown earlier. I was told to report to Ultra Magnus at 0900 and then suddenly I find out I have to go to battle. The sudden change and confusion set me off and Ratchet ordered me to my quarters."

Warpath actually looked relieved. "It takes time getting used to sudden things like that. I remember when Sonic Boom first came here. She was the same way."

The slightly older femme elbowed Warpath with a laugh. Moonfire smiled softly, not wanting to tell them some of the other parts. However, Nightlight seemed to have suddenly changed and a hungry look sparked in his optics before he quickly guarded his face. The femme suddenly felt uncomfortable. However, she brushed it off as just a slight flutter within her spark. After some time the femme excused herself to go take a walk. She went outside to look at the beautiful sky when suddenly she was attacked from behind. Moonfire shrieked loudly, her scream sounding throughout the base. Moonfire immediately locked herself together in her defensive curl, knees and elbows touching. The femme's porcupine like spikes came erect and there was a loud, painful shriek.

Terror held the femme in this position until long after her attacker had left. A masculine voice sounded over her, but the femme's optics were squeezed shut and she was in her happy place. Soft hands latched themselves at her knees and elbows and pried them apart. The femme gasped as her defense curl was deactivated and she was staring up into the concerned face of Ironhide. Optimus, Ultra Magnus, and Ratchet were there as well.

"What happened?"

"I-I don't know. I came out here to get some fresh air and was attacked behind. I didn't exactly stop to ask them for cookies and tea."

Ratchet was scanning the energon that her spikes had managed to grab and frowned, showing Optimus. The Prime nodded and went inside to find the culprit. Moonfire's breath came in shaky gasps. She couldn't do this, she just couldn't. At least with her last unit they were more forthcoming and forward with their intentions instead of attacking from behind. Ultra Magnus started asking questions, but it was all too much for Moonfire and she scrambled away, running back to her quarters. She locked the door behind her, sliding down the door, hands griping the ground.

What had just happened? Had it been Nightlight that attacked her? If so then why? Moonfire had done nothing wrong to him… aside from snapping at him earlier for which she apologized. The femme heard frantic knocking on her door, but the femme did not answer it. She didn't want to see anyone, not right then. She got up and staggered into the bathroom, turning on the water. Her hands gripped the wall as she tried to calm herself. After a few minutes she slipped down onto the ground and fell into recharge.