A/N: Hi guys! Sorry for the extra-long hiatus: the past few months have been packed and crazy. Thank you so much for sticking with me! I'm planning on having the rest of this story out before 2019. (Wow! I can't believe it's almost here!)
Further A/N: The song this chapter (and this fic) is titled after is "I'll Be" by Edwin McCain. I felt like it really fit into Optimus and Kate's relationship. Give it a listen!
Disclaimer: I do not own Transformers, nor Edwin McCain's beautiful song.
Transmissions are in bold/italic.
Speech + transmissions are in "bold/italic."
Chapter 9: I'll Be
Optimus.
Optimus.
"OPTIMUS!"
Kate gasped awake, blinking her eyes rapidly. They felt strange; caked, itchy, and dry. Her fingers moved to rub the sleepers out of her eyes, but she found she couldn't lift her wrist from the surface she was lying on. She whimpered, squeezed her eyes shut. She needed to keep control of her fear—keep the demons at bay and figure out exactly what the heck was going on.
Where was she? How long had she been unconscious—a minute, an hour, a day, a week? Did Optimus have any idea that she was missing?
Kate searched her memories; gathered them, honed them into a nice little package, and broadcasted them to any Autobot that might be listening. The clone, the blonde woman, the moment of dread when she realized how in trouble she was. She heaved a deep breath, clenching her fists, and trying to hold back tears. She hoped Optimus wasn't too far away. Kate's eyebrows creased together, I think the blonde woman was a Decepticon humanoid.
Had it all been a trap?
Kate let her head fall back, realizing the full scope of what she and Optimus had walked into. She needed to get out of here—to get back to him.
Optimus. I need you!
Everything went black again.
Kate opened her eyes, her brown optics glittering, happiness spreading over her face. She looked at the white gazebo—lit up with luminescent Christmas lights. There, standing in the center, in holograph form, was her precious Optimus Prime, dressed all in silver. His blue optics sparkled at her and he held out his hand.
Kate ran to him, her bare feet tingling in luscious grass, slightly wet from the evening's dewfall. Her fingers entwined in his, as he pulled her into an embrace. He moved, her feet followed; music began to lilt over them.
The strands in your eyes that color them wonderful
Stop me and steal my breath
"Optimus. I had the worst nightmare." Kate leaned her head on his shoulder, kissing his neck.
Emeralds from mountains and thrust towards the sky
Never revealing their depth
Normally Optimus would've shuddered at that contact, so Kate thought it weird that he didn't react in the slightest.
"It's not a nightmare, Kate." Kate pulled back and Optimus looked down at her, his face dropped into a frown. "You're in the warehouse. We're trying to get you out."
Tell me that we belong together
Dress it up with the trappings of love
Kate let out a bark of laughter, nervous. Her palms were sweating as they gripped into Optimus's biceps. "Come on, Optimus! We're at my parent's wedding! We're happy and safe!"
"No, dear one." Optimus frowned down at her. "No."
I'll be captivated, I'll hang from your lips
Instead of the gallows of heartache that hang from above
Kate's heart started beating faster. "Wha-Optimus, what is going on?"
I'll be your cryin' shoulder
The mech looked at her with worry and sadness, a mixture of emotions in his eyes. "Kate, it'll all be over soon..."
I'll be love suicide
Kate felt herself hyperventilating, panic surging through her. "Op-what do you mean?"
I'll be better when I'm older
Suddenly, Optimus's optics became wider. He looked past her, seeming that he was communicating with someone behind Kate.
"Ratchet! Hurry!"
A loud boom shook the ground Kate and Optimus stood on.
I'll be the greatest fan of your li—
Everything went black.
Beep.
Beep.
Beep.
Kate woke with a groan, her eyes not wanting to open.
"Ugh." Her throat was scratchy and hoarse. "I'm getting sick of being here, Ratchet."
She held her breath, momentarily afraid; she couldn't shake the feeling of being trapped, of not being able to come home. Not able to see Optimus, Ratchet, her mother, Mikaela, Sam, or anyone.
She sighed with relief as Ratchet laughed and approached her.
"Then you need to stop getting yourself into these scrapes."
Kate cracked one eye open and stared up at her best friend. She winced at the bright sunlight pouring into the medical bay.
"Jeeez, Ratchet! Haven't you heard of blinds?"
He chuckled again. "I'll put it on my to-do list."
Ratchet reached his hand down, putting a finger on Kate's shoulder. She looked up at him and they shared an earnest gaze.
"Glad to have you back, Kate."
"Glad to be back." She smiled. "Thanks."
Kate sat up, wincing as her back twinged. "What happened?"
"Did I say you could get up?" Ratchet barked.
Kate started for a moment, until she saw his expression; he wasn't entirely serious. However, as quickly as his humor came, it vanished from his face.
"You were kidnapped." Ratchet stated. He fussed, straightening a pillow so Kate could sit up.
She held up a hand. "I'm fine, Ratchet. Just tell me."
Ratchet hesitated, not knowing exactly where to begin.
"The humanoid Decepticon." She folded her hand in her lap, staring down at them. "She got me."
"Yes."
Ratchet and Kate turned to the voice that came from the doorway. Optimus Prime stood there, with a confusing set of emotions on his face. Anger, relief, love, guilt—they all betrayed to those in the room how vulnerable he had felt when Kate was missing.
She held out her hand, holding onto Optimus's two fingers as they continued to talk.
"Sorry, Optimus." Her voice felt tight. "I should've done better. Somehow had gotten back to you. Maybe shouldn't have gone after that lead. Or," she laughed, "not needed to go to the bathroom."
He shook his head. "No, Kate. This was not your fault."
Kate huffed and looked up at the ceiling, fighting off tears. Her stomach flipped in circles, a sudden anxiety coming over her.
"Did—" She started, trying to calm herself, "Did they do anything to me?"
"Nope!" Ratchet smiled, patting a finger on her shoulder. "Just drugged you and left you in a dark room. Kind of looked like one of those… Tower of England things."
Kate was shocked. "Really? No torture, weird random Cybertronian conversion?"
"Nope! You're good as normal."
"Well that's a relief." She ran a hand down her face. "But why?"
Optimus stirred uncomfortably. "We think they were holding you hostage."
She stared at him, the pieces of the puzzle falling into place.
"They wanted you, Optimus?"
"Yes, my love."
"What better prize to capture than the leader of the Autobots?" Ratchet mused, stroking his chin. "The enemy of their Lord Megatron? The one responsible for his death?"
Kate nodded and clenched her hand around his fingers. "What better prize indeed."