Swiped Away: Prime Blood Chapter 7 (contract agreements solidified: Both in Dolce's conference room and in Central Park Gazebo)
When they arrived a back at the apartment at last that night, they sank down onto the couch with hot cups of tea. He losses the glasses across the table and rubs his optics. Neither one wanted to move. It had been another long day of details about the production plan. It had also been a day of extremely high tension. He was beginning to feel it in the back of his neck no that he could stop focusing. "Relaxing was the hardest part of security work," Casey moan at his side.
Worse, Swipe was feeling it sharply in his arm. But he didn't want to get up. She could see something was bothering him by his silence. He tries to get up but his body was so sore and tired he only made it to a groan. She smiles. "I didn't know you knew how to be tired."
"I don't think this is tired. I'm afraid this maybe the beginning of death." He tries to smile, but there's touch of seriousness in those words. She tries to smile back and not let him know reality was hurting her too. He drops his face into his hands and sighs heavily, "Primus save me."
She runs a supportive hand across his strong back. "Primus?" She can feel every corded muscles stretched tight. She gets up from the couch and comes around the back.
"For lack of a better word, my deity," comes out as moan and her hands soothe a particularly sore spot. She begins to kneed the muscles in his back, neck and shoulders. He stretches his arms out across the coffee table letting her sit on the backrest of the couch and massage his back and neck and down his arms. She had seen those bare arms before. But to feel them. She remembered flashes of him swinging those swords with all his might to defend…
Her hand slides back up to his upper arm. She can feel the shield on his arm turning hard again. She whispers, afraid of her own words, "It's time again, isn't it." Weakly he can only nod his head. "I'll get it." She goes over to the jacket and pulls out the case and gets a syringe. He is carefully unbuttoning his shirt. His fingers are shaking. She takes his chin and makes him face her, "You waited too long, didn't you?" He closes his eyes. He can't face her. "Swipe… talk to me. Do I need to call Ratchet?" He slowly shakes his head. "Swipe, please talk to me. I can do this without you in this form." He doesn't move for a moment. He takes the syringe from her hands. He grips it with his teeth while he tries to shove the shirt aside. But the shirt doesn't have enough room to budge. She reaches for his shirt and helps him undo the buttons and expose the shoulder. His hands are shaking and he can't get the cap off the syringe. She takes it from him. She looks up at him poised to inject. "Ready?" He just nods. She jabs it in and he drops his head in pain. She rubs the shoulder to ease the knot while replacing the cap. She starts to walk away. But he pulls her into his arms. He just holds her to himself burying his face in her stomach and wrapping his arms around her waist. In return she wraps her arms around his head dropping hers on top. After a few minutes, he feels her knees begin to give and releases his grip to have her sink to her knees before him. No one says a thing now face to face. Not since Sunstreaker has he found anyone who could read him without words. And even then, Streaker was reading and probing his mind. This time he clutched her head to his chest kissing the top of it and her arms slipped around his waist.
When he felt her body begin to sag and her arms relax, he carried her up to his bed. He wouldn't let her sleep on the couch this time. They both needed their sleep to face tomorrows challenges.
He didn't sleep all night. Ratchet had told him no extensions on the serum. He was praying that his reserves would last long enough. Several times he got up just to watch her sleep. She had started off just laying under the blankets. Later he saw her with her head under the blankets. The next time he checked on her, she had her arms wrapped around the pillow in death grip. Now here he was at dawn watching her still sleep. He couldn't help but smile. He had heard the human NEST members talk about their wives and children stealing the blankets. Sideswipe crossed his arms over his chest thinking it was a good thing he didn't share the bed with Casey. She looked like a cocoon or even a burrito all wrapped up in those blankets. Only her nose was showing. He wasn't even sure how she would get out, but he enjoyed watching her sleep. He knew he wouldn't get rest like that until he was back in his own body in the recharge berth. Then sighs heavily.
The beep in his pocket from his cell phone goes off. Reaching a hand in withdrawing it: the NEST replacements are on their way up. He texts them to let themselves in then he kneels down beside the bed. He knew he couldn't leave her with out speaking to her. Swipe draws the blanket from her face with one finger and Casey opens her eyes.
"I have to go," he tells her softly. "The replacements are on their way up now."
Her chin quivers. She hadn't cried. She's fighting it now. "Please don't go."
He smiles, "I have to. You know I do. Sergeant Garza is on her way with your dress. She will beside you in the limo. So will Sergeant Henderson. You won't be alone. Dolce isn't after you any more, just me."
She shakes her head, "You don't understand… You don't…"
He leans in even closer. Nose to nose. "I understand perfectly. I promise to be there waiting for you."
"Brian," is all she can whisper out. Then the tears begin to slide. Sideswipe feels like a shaft just went through his chest. Swiftly he captures her lips and chases those thoughts of wedding turned to funeral again from her mind. His kisses are hungry trying to eat away at her fears. But Casey answers his kisses with lit desire of her own, reaching out to grasp the back of his neck with both hands forbidding him to leave.
The two female sergeants walk into the apartment, "Casey! Wedding party is here!" Neither Casey or Sideswipe hear them. Swipe has reaches his own hands to her face trying to control the kiss, but loosing hopelessly. His body has over ridden his mind beginning to push Casey back and rising, preparing to…
Garza's footsteps traipses up the loft stairs but freezes instantly at the sigh. She sees lean and powerful Sideswipe kneeling beside the bed (beginning to rise pushing Casey back) with his hand pushing the blankets away from Casey's face so he can tenderly yet possessively kiss Casey further. Casey's own hands, barely emerged from the cocoon of blankets, holding him just as tightly pulling him to her. He tries to draw back at the sound of footsteps but her fingers curl around the nape of his neck holding him tightly in place like claws. Garza drapes the garment bag over the Plexiglas wall and goes back down the stairs silently.
She tells Henderson, "Ah… they need a moment."
Henderson gasps, "You can't be serious! They aren't… you know?'
Garza narrows her gaze at Henderson, "Get your mind out of the gutter. Of course not. He's… a, well you know. And she's well, not. No way! Final notes and plans, that kind of stuff that is all classified." And turns away quickly.
Henderson narrows her own gaze, "You know why you always loose at poker. You are a terrible bluffer. Now help me get this stuff unpacked." The girls unload the make-up kit and accessories box.
Upstairs, Sideswipe finally had to put a hand on hers and remove her claws from his neck. He smiles down at her gasping with a smile. "Your bodyguards are here. I must meet with Epps and Prime. I promise, I will be there in this form or protoform. I will be there either to marry you or to extract you. Got it?" She doesn't budge. "Do you trust me?"
She tries to smile, "I trust you. I just don't trust Dolce."
"Neither do I. That's why the limo will be one of us. Bee has done a special upgrade just for this. Alright?"
She nods. He kisses her finger tips. She curls her fingers around his, "Would you really look me up on the grid?"
He takes her hand and presses it to his chest, "I have something special planned for you today. Something you should have heard a long time ago. But if either one of us is late, you won't hear it. So you better let me go."
She smiles this time, "Never." He kisses her engagement ring and then steps back from her. He turns his back on her before he changes his own mind, and dashes down the stairs.
Without a word to either of the sergeants he dons his glasses and slips on his suit jacket, then he turns to the door. Garza smiles at him. She gives him an approving graze. "You might want to button that up. A body like that could get mugged." He looks down at his exposed chest.
He quickly buttons it up and then comes closer to her with jest, "I'm an engaged man. Watch your manners," tweeking her nose. He draws his tie out of his pocket and quickly puts it on.
She helps him straighten it out, "You know, Commander, you take this act a little too serious." She teases him back.
Then quietly so Henderson doesn't hear he leans in, "Who said this was an act?"
Then he straightens up, "Bee will be here on time. You better be ready and armed to the teeth. I know she will be, you better be too."
Garza just swallows hard. She feels like she just got orders to protect his real bride. "Yes sir." He quickly exit's the apartment. Garza knows what she saw upstairs was true. But she doesn't have time to dwell on that.
Casey comes down the stairs still wrapped up in the blankets like a twelve year old with the flu. They are even over her head like a hood. They trail behind her like a wedding train. She quietly goes over and gets her cup of coffee. She turns to the sergeants blurry eyed, "Did you guys by any chance hide donuts in there?"
Henderson lifts up the tray of the make up box. Inside is a raspberry Danish. Casey beams, "Oh you guys are the best." They break out the plates and dive into it.
The girls have a good time getting dressed. The bride's maids are wearing dresses of black silk trimmed in vibrant red. But not tacky. They actually like them. They better have, they picked them out. Casey smiles, "Who chose that?"
Henderson smirks, "Prime." Casey's jaw drops. She shrugs, "He told Lennox what to order for Sideswipe as well. There was some ribbing about it not being silver. Something about going retro. I wonder what that is all about?"
Garza waves a mascara brush at her, "I heard that Sideswipe's true form isn't that silver Vett. It's actually a black and red Ferrari."
"Oh yeah! Ironhide was talking about the fight with his brother."
Casey nearly chokes, "Brother? I thought they were all his brother." She comes out of the bathroom in the dress. Well that ends the conversation about the Autobot families.
Garza clasps her hand gleefully, "Oh good! I wasn't sure my sister's dress would fit. Don't tell her I said this, but it looks waaaaay better on you."
Casey giggles. The dress is stunning. A strapless gown that makes the bodice look like a corset of white velvet. The silver ribbon laces hook around crystal buttons. The waist of the bodice comes to a princess point therefore accentuating her narrow waist and solid hips. Then the skirt of sheer spills out from under the tightness of the waist. On her head is a very simple tiara of silver and crystal with a little tulle spilling out. Around her neck is a single pendant. A silver sword. On her ears are studs of crystal.
The girls don't have much time to ooh and awe. The knock at the door precisely at noon brings them all to their toes. The girls quickly shove on their shoes and cock their guns. Yes, even the bride is packing. Henderson cautiously opens the door. Awaiting Dolce has his body guard and one of the investors with him. Just so Casey won't try anything with her body guards.
He smiles, "Why Casey, you look lovely."
She puts up her front as well, "Ah, well just something I have been saving." She lets the jab set in. But she didn't expect him to gleam brighter. It infuriates her. So she takes his arm, "I need to talk to you over here for a moment." She leads him to the window far enough away that the investor can't hear, but that her guards are close enough. She stands face to face with him and smiles up, "Just to make this clear, I have no quall finishing this without you. But you can't have the bride go missing. I have the upper hand today." She lets him see her pull a stay from her corset. "It's not whale bone. But it is razor sharp. I had already been given orders to turn the blade twice for double crossing. If you flinch, I will follow through with that order."
Dolce doesn't cringe, "Try it Casey. Because you and your friends won't live through the end of this. Have this day, but I will win the war." He turns away from her and claps his hands gleefully, "Well, lets get this show on the road."
The group heads down the elevator. Just as they exit the building a black limo with two yellow stripes running from the hood, across the roof and across the trunk pulls up. Dolce tries to steer them away. But Casey turns to the investor, "A friend of mine sent a special limo for us." A big black pick up tails the limo. Dolce is not happy but complies. He knows her escort vehicles: A huge black pick up and blue Volt.
The ride over Casey chats up the investor and his wife about their family in Germany. Dolce knows he is starting to loose this battle and shifts in his seat uncomfortably. Casey doesn't flinch but Garza narrows her gaze on him. Henderson charms her way to the other bodyguard. He ignores her advances.
The wedding party arrives at the park. Everyone exits. Dolce and Casey look around. They can see the back up in disguise. The EMT, the Beat and Track, the pickup behind the limo and then the semi off to the side. In return, they see the military helicopter and aircraft flying over head.
Casey sees two generals talking, "I didn't know they did maneuvers over Central Park."
The other one responds, "They don't. Something is up." He starts making some phone calls. Casey looks closer at the military aircraft. That isn't a US camouflage paint job. With a glance to the Autobot body guards warming up their weapons, those must be the enemy.
Dolce leans into Casey, "How did you get all these high ranking people here?" Casey turns to the investor, "Swipe is a liaison with military and government officials. This is one of the reasons we met. I am so pleased to see they all came to support him." She beams at Dolce.
Dolce face is turning bright red. He is furious that she would make all this military and government contacts aware of all his business connections. He grips her arm very tightly. "You will pay for this!"
She pricks his arm with her "stay", "You choose the wrong person to double cross."
Epps comes over, "Casey, you look stunning. Are you ready? Because I know the groom is."
She turns to Dolce, "So are we ready, Uncle?" He backs off letting his body language say yes.
The strains of music flow from the Marine quartet. The bridesmaid body guards lead the way to the gazebo. Then Dolce leads Casey down the white marble walk way. He whispers to her, "This isn't over. You have just made things worse."
Through her clenched smile she retorts, "I don't give a damn what you think. You certainly didn't about me!"
Casey shifts her focus from the job when the NEST chaplain steps out with a Epps and a Navy captain. She glances around and sees Lennox give her a silent nod from his position behind the gazebo. Then the groom steps out in his black tux with silk red tie and a single tiny red orchid with a grey/silver center on his lapel. She has completely forgotten the operation. She slides her arm from Dolce, she hands the bouquet of a single orchid to Garza without even looking. She doesn't break her gaze with Swipe. She slips her hands into his.
"Hi," she smiles up to him.
"Hello," he beams back.
The chaplain begins the service like usual. Only once do Casey and Swipe change their focus from each other. When the attendants step down from the gazebo to flank Dolce, trying to leave. Dolce angrily has to sit and watches the rest of the service. When the chaplain turns the focus back to the service, it is time for vows and rings. Swipe starts. He pulls a ring from his inside breast pocket. He shows her the ring poised around her finger tip.
"Casey, you came into my life like a pulsar blast. You have transformed my whole world." Casey can't help but giggle at his words. He joins her smile. "And Casey, forget the grid, I would search the universe to find you. I promise to protect you with every last spark of my being." He slides the ring on. There's a gasp from high behind the trees. He leans in to whisper, "I'm going to hear it later. Let them bring it on." He kisses her cheek and straightens up.
Then he reaches back in to his pocket and hands her another ring. She is very shocked. She didn't expect him to have one for himself. She takes it. He presents his hand for banding. Her hands are shaking as she covers his finger tip with the ring. She wasn't ready. She thought she would just be reciting formal vows. But now here she is with him telling her his vows are for real. Now she has to decide. Does she accept his vows? She swallows hard and looks up to him, "Swipe, I had given up on happiness years ago. I has resigned myself to protection by sealing off my heart. But you have shown me I can trust again. You have shown me it is okay to give my all again. I give it all to you. Forever. No matter what form you take." She slides the ring on. The tears come to her . One even escapes him. The chaplain finishes the service. But all they hear is the call for the groom to kiss his bride. Swipe frames her face and swoops in for a kiss that captures all time and space. Casey prays, God, if I'm going to die, let it be right now. Swipe's prayer to Primus isn't much different.
The Autobot command team breaks their concentration on guard duty to recall their own vows they took with their mates, but only for a moment. With Swipe pulling back from reluctant Casey, they return to their vows of protection for this planet and their duty to thwart their enemies plans of destruction. The command team step back and send out a com-call to mess with their enemy's transmission..
The wedding party turns to the introduction of Mr. and Mrs. Sidle Swipe. The couple share a smile of amusement. Then the party begins. There is lots of food and dancing. The party goes for a good while. Generals, Admirals, Congress men chatting with mine and production owners about this new Cybertainium metal beneficial to private, commercial and military structure alike. Only once does Swipe leave Casey's side to disappear into the black and yellow limo to inject the serum once more. Bee gives him words of support but also a warning to stay on guard. Swipe agrees with his friend.
Then back to the wedding party. The generals, admirals, congressmen, ambassadors continue to meet and schmooze with the investors, the mine owners, shipping magnets, and production facility owners. More and more Dolce is getting more furious. At one point he grabs Casey's arm and drags her away. Casey yanks the stay from her corset. Sideswipe was not at her side. But Epps sees her be dragged off. He sprints across the party to catch up. He taps Sideswipe on the way. By the time they reach Casey and Dolce, she has done her job. She has one of the stays jabbed deep into his side. She steps back quickly so not to get blood on the dress. Dolce is on the ground.
"You will pay for this you little traitor," Dolce growls at her. Sideswipe quickly jumps in and twists the blade in deeper.
"Who are you?" Sideswipe returns the growl. Dolce just laughs. Swipe turns the blade again, "I was under orders to twist it. Twice, traitor."
Dolce grimaces but takes it. "Wait until you get back to your proto form, Sideswipe. This little morsel of yours will be Midewipe's toy." Casey whips out the sword lashes to her thigh. She shoves the point under his chin with two hands. She is ready to decapitate him. Both Sideswipe and Epps put their hands on hers. They don't have to wait long before Lennox and a couple more guards come over. They remove Dolce from Casey's point. Another guard comes over with water. Swipe takes the sword from Casey while she rinses the blood off her hands. Sideswipe looks over and sees Ratchet in his alt-form take Dolce and Lennox away. Prime comes to Casey and Sideswipe. As he kneels down, Bee comes over as well. He looks very stunning in his black form with yellow trim. She smiles up at him. Prime speaks, "What do you know?"
Sideswipe reports: "You are correct, Midewipe is in control." His thoughts get distracted quickly watching Casey secure the sword back to her bare thigh . "Ahh…," he can't remember what to say next. Casey looks up and sees her "husband" enamored by her bared leg. She can't help but tease him by shaking it like a dancer. Swipe's eyes go wide feeling a new flood physical change to this body.
Prime turns to Bee quietly, "Get them out of here. Stand guard tonight." Bee chuckles. Sideswipe has to look away as she drops the skirt. He is blushing deeply. Who knew anyone could turn that red? He is even afraid to look up at his commander who is looking down at him amused. Prime strokes his chin and tells his pilot commander, "At ease. Take your mate home." Then Prime walks away. Bee drops and pops the door open.
Casey looks over at the party, "We shouldn't worry the generals. Let's leave traditionally. Alright?" Sideswipe is trying to get composed and merely nods.
Some how they get the groups together and leave with a toss of the bird seed and a toss of the bouquet. Garza catches it. She winks to Sideswipe. He just nods to her, then pulls Casey into the black and yellow limo by her waist as it begins to pull away.
They both sit back in the limo and rest. Bee tells them what else they found out during the wedding about the contracted allies of Dolce's. Sideswipe and Casey also give him information to down load and compile about the contacts they found out.
By the time they return to the apartment, they are exhausted. But their fingers are also entwined tightly. The look he gives her leaves her wondering how far he will take his roll as husband.
Chapter 8.… mature content
