Someone gave me a suggestion... so I decided to replace the chap. Or better, to made it longer.


Chapter 9

The helicopter blades rotated slow and their noise was very far away. Or at least so it seemed to Optimus, while they were carrying him to the nearest hospital. He felt a strange feeling: he had no pain, he was not scared ... he did not feel anything. The world to him seemed distant and aloof, people around were moving in slow motion, their voices muffled and confused. Then weariness pervaded him and invited him to close his eyes. In his mind the smiling face of Arcee was accompanying him into oblivion. Even on the face of Prime there was a smile. Then the world around him vanished.


"One, two, three ... Come on, Optimus ... six, seven ... Come on ... ten ... " nurse Darby would not surrender. Never. She would never have allowed that child would be left without a father. Arcee and the others had already suffered too many losses in the past year. So, while helicopter landed in the yard of the hospital, the woman never ceased to hope for a miracle.


Arcee was on the verge of a nervous breakdown. And she couldn't stop crying. Ratchet and the others, despite their wounds, hadn't left her alone. As soon as it was possible, Agent Fowler had loaded the team and the three teenagers on a helicopter and had brought them in the same hospital where Prime and June were. And there, while Ratchet, Bee and Bulk were treated and their wounds cleaned, disinfected and stitched, Arcee stayed in the waiting room. Along with her were Jack, Miko, Raf and June. Soon came Agent Fowler accompanied by a worried general Bryce.

"News'" asked the agent.

"Nothing yet?" said Mrs. Darby, shaking his head.

General Bryce sat down next to Arcee and gently put a hand on her shoulder "Here, working, there is one of the best surgical teams in the country ... Optimus is in good hands" he concluded with a smile.

Arcee smiled and nodded to the man, as she wiped her tears away with a hand "Thanks. .." she was finally able to pronounce.

Minutes became hours. And Bee, Ratch and Bulk had reached the waiting room. The kids were asleep next to each others in almost absurd positions. June and Fowler had consumed a lot of coffee to stay awake, while General Bryce had returned to base to complete the mission reports. He had left, however, specific and clear indications to inform him immediately when surgery ended.

Bulk and Bee had come out to stretch their legs, while Ratchet and Arcee were seated away from the others.

The big double door suddenly opened and broke the silence of the waiting room. The eyes of those present, went to the new figure who had made the appearance. The noise was so loud that even the kids woke up with a start.

The doctor was still wearing surgical mask. And when he took it off, he was hiding under it a big smile.

"Are you Mr. Prime's the family.. right? " he asked. A series of heads nodded.

"I am pleased to report that everything went well. Mr. Prime is stable and he will wake up in a few minutes" concluded the doctor.

"Thank you ..." Arcee said, as she shook the man's hand.

"Are you his wife?" The doctor asked curiously, giving a quick look at Arcee's belly. The woman blushed and nodded.

"You may see her husband in a few minutes" then turned to those present "As for you, I advise you to come back tomorrow in the late morning ... Good night " and went so suddenly as he had arrived.

"Come with me, madam, I'll bring you to your husband" the sweet voice of the nurse turned the attention of Arcee. The woman guided her in another room.


Optimus' room was dimly lit. The only lights were those of the monitors and infusion pumps to which he was attached. Arcee had a moment of hesitation and stood at the door.

"Don't worry, you will see that he will soon be awake" said the nurse "Sit down here ..." she said as she approached a chair to the bed.

Arcee sat next to Optimus and she took his hand. Shortly after, Prime opened his eyes and his gaze fell immediately on the woman beside him. He smiled.

"Hey ..." he whispered Arcee, smiling and with tears in her eyes "How are you feeling?" The woman asked.

Optimus didn't answer immediately. He stretched out his hand toward Arcee's face and stroked it. Then he moved his hand on her belly and smiled.

"Well ... very well" he whispered before falling asleep again.


The next morning, when June and Ratchet came into the room, they found both Optimus and Arcee still asleep. They exchanged a quick look and decided it was still early. June closed the door, took a few steps and said,"You know, doctor ... you can offer me breakfast " she said before printing a big kiss on Ratchet's cheek.

The doctor stood for a few seconds, his hand resting on the cheek that June had just kissed. Then the woman's voice brought him back into reality, "Well?"

Ratchet smiled and took June by the hand and together, laughing, ran toward the cafeteria.


About a year later ...

It was already late evening in the small town of Jasper, Nevada. The air was cold and the wind was passing fast among the branches of trees, resulting in a large swirl through the leaves. In the distance, the glow of lightning lit up the dark and gloomy skies. A new storm was on the horizon.

Nurse June Darby was standing near the window. With the right hand slightly opened the heavy curtain in the living room and drew a long sigh. She stood still for a few minutes to watch the approaching storm.

The events of the previous months were still fresh in his mind.

Something was touching her leg. She turned and looked toward the floor.

Little Aurora was tugging her pants, a small gesture to get attention. June smiled and bent down to pick up the baby. The child had definitely the beauty of her mother, but her eyes were that of her father, blue and sad in some ways.

Still once was the little girl to distract June from her thoughts. Something had attracted the attention of the child.

"Da Da" Aurora stretched her arms toward the man who had just entered the room.

"There you are, my love ..." the man said in a deep voice, "have you missed Dad and Mom, my sweetspark?" He continued as he held her daughter.

"Oh come on, Optimus! We were out for only an hour" said with a hint of exasperation Arcee.

An hour without my little one... " said Prime turning to his wife "or without you …" he continued as he kissed her " is a torture".

Arcee shook her head, pushing Optimus' face away with a hand. Then she turned her attention to the other woman in the room "Thank you, June, for having done babysitting for Aurora"

"It's not a problem ... indeed, i want to thank to you to gave me the opportunity to spend time with the little one! " smiled Jack's mother, blowing a kiss toward the girl "I have to go now! See you little lady. Optimus. Arcee " greeted the nurse as she walked out the door.

"Goodbye June and thank you again" said Optimus as he led the woman out the door. Aurora waved her little hand.

Almost a year had passed after the tragic events that had involved Team Prime. From what seemed to be the end of everything, emerged, a new beginning.

Bulkhead and Bumblebee, thanks to their military training and a letter of recommendation by Agent Fowler, joined the Special Forces. Ratchet,instead, began working at the emergency room in Jasper, Nevada. He worked closely with Nurse June Darby, his partner in life.

The kids continued their life. Jack, despite having some initial difficulties, had now fully accepted the fact that Ratchet was now his stepfather.

Miko continued to be a guest in the same family, but spent most of his free time with Bulkhead in the house that the former wrecker shared with Bumblebee.

Raf took an advanced course in order to graduate the same year as Jack and Miko. He passed it without the slightest difficulty.

Agent Fowler returned with his wife. They had a long and happy life, until the new separation.

Arcee and Optimus bought a house right next to the Jack and june's one. Prime worked as a consultant at the same department of Fowler, while Arcee, for now, Mother used to make was "only" a mother. For now. She was assured, despite Optimus' protests, to have a place in his own office.

That night didn't rain. The stormy clouds were thinned by the wind. The storm was postponed. And the moon began to shine high in the sky, illuminating with its dim light Jasper and its inhabitants, humans and aliens.

Perhaps humanity was not so bad.

The end... or the beginning?