Okay, I'm sorry for the delay, again my blame for this is school. I hope you guys enjoy the chapter, I've been editing and rewriting not liking certain parts, but I think I've finally got it down. :D So please do enjoy.

Chapter 9

Packing for NEST

The next morning when I woke up I found myself still in Optimus's arms. Apparently we both fell asleep together without even noticing it. I looked up at him to find him still asleep and sighed. I went to go snuggle back into his arms when I heard someone clear their throat. I slowly looked up to find Ironhide standing there with his hands on his hips. I couldn't help but feel my blood freeze in my veins. He was not happy about what he saw, but wasn't our fault…well technically it was our fault but we had fallen asleep not even realizing it. At least I was the conscious one and not Optimus at the moment. Of course he would probably be soon once I got up from his embrace.

"How long have you been standing there?" I asked Ironhide quietly.

"Long enough to find you two still here and you not in your room, where you were supposed to be," Ironhide replied.

"Sorry, we were talking last night and I guess we were both tired I don't remember what happened next." I replied which seemed to anger Ironhide, "Get that thought out of your head Ironhide. You know he would never do that to me, he's your leader for crying out loud."

Ironhide grumbled and pulled me out of Optimus's arms in a flash. He started to take me to the front. I turned around to see Optimus still sleeping there. I felt bad for leaving him like that but I really had no choice in the matter. Ironhide had a firm grasp on my wrist and I couldn't get out of it even if I wanted to, which I did. He finally stopped in the front yard and let go. "We've been slowing down on your training, later on Optimus will teach you to sword fight once again and I'll be sure to watch to make sure you two do practice."

"About time we start training again. I was starting to get bored." I retorted.

Ironhide growled and ran towards me. I saw this and got into a battle stance. I knew I couldn't take him just yet. I was still learning how to fight! He was a professional, had killed Decepticons in the past. It was the survival of the fittest and it was true in any species, but in battle it was life or death.

Ironhide saw my move and went to hit his fist at me. I quickly fell to the ground to avoid getting hit. Ironhide looked down at me when he had noticed he hadn't hit anything. "You need to not be afraid to be hit when you're in battle. You will get hit and injured. You need to not be afraid of being hurt." Ironhide instructed and helped me to my feet.

"Yeah I get that, but you're not human and could easily crush my ribs with one blow. I can't take you down. Sure in the past few weeks I was able to take you down and all that stuff, but…I've encountered the Decepticons twice now. I know what they and you guys are capable of." I explained.

I watched as Ironhide did something and then said, "I have my programming of my holoform down to a human's strength. You need to learn to fight very well and with me you'll take down anyone who tries to hurt you."

"I want to learn how to fight Ironhide. I mean we've had great fun fighting in the past…but you do some major damage!" I exclaimed.

"We have this practice fight I will not bother you and Optimus for the rest of the week." Ironhide replied.

I thought on it and then looked at him. "Fine, but you hurt my burns I'm going to tear you apart."

Ironhide grinned an evil grin and growled, "I look forward to it." We charged at each other throwing punches. He threw a punch at my side which made go flying up in the air and landing on the ground with a loud thump. My burns started to throb and I slowly got up glaring at Ironhide. "Come on Jessy."

I growled when he called me Jessy. I liked Jessica and Jess, but Jessy was out of the question. I charged at him yelling which shocked him when I punched him in the abs and kicked him in the nuts. He actually doubled over. I went to give him a final blow when he gave me a left hook to the face. I went flying to the grass and held my mouth. Ironhide got up and laughed a little but realized I wasn't getting up and was holding my jaw.

"Oh slag, don't tell me I did it again!" I heard him yell to himself. He came running over to me and I looked up. He bent down and exclaimed, "I'm so sorry!"

I growled and spit blood in his face. From what it looked like it took all he had not to freak out. I stood up and said, "I think that's enough practice for today. Next time wait until I'm healed."

"I heard someone yell out in pain." Both Ironhide and I looked up at Ratchet who had come over to see what was going on. When he saw blood on Ironhide he automatically knew it wasn't his. Ironhide made his holoform disappear and when he did the blood I had spit on him fell to the grass. Ratchet kneeled down to me to have a better at my face. "Open your mouth. Do I have to get after Ironhide?"

"No, he was training me how to fight. I think I need full body armor when I fight him next time though." I laughed and then put my hand to my cheek. Ratchet gently moved my hand and did a scan on my jaw and growled.

"Well I think I'm going to kill Ironhide, he knocked some teeth a little loose." Ratchet grumbled.

"Let me get after him or Optimus. But if I take some pain medicine I should be better shouldn't I?" I asked.

"I wouldn't advise you to eat anything solid for a few days it may cause you to lose some of your loose teeth." Ratchet replied giving me some ice to put on my jaw. Ratchet gave me a finger and helped me to my feet. I then started walking towards where I had left Optimus and as I rounded around the house his holoform was already deactivated and he had already transformed. He looked down at me and noticed I had an ice pack on my jaw.

"What happened?" He asked concerned and swiftly picked me up in his hand.

"Ironhide and I got a little rough…He punched me in the chin. Told Ratchet I need body armor for when I practice with you guys so I don't get hurt as often." I replied.

Optimus sighed and set me on his shoulder gently as to not hurt me more than I already was, then he started sniffing. "Are you bleeding?"

I looked at him and gave him an odd look, "…No…he didn't inflict any mortal damage on me except punch me. The only blood there was, was in my mouth."

"This is not from your mouth, Jess this is coming from your body and its blood I can smell it." He replied getting worried.

"Put me in my room and let me go check." Optimus lifted me to my window and I climbed in. Well first of all I needed a new change of clothes, these were dirty, plus I needed to see what was up that made Optimus so worried. I went to the bathroom and that answered all my questions.

I came back to the window entirely different clothed and everything looking down and quite embarrassed that he had even smelt that. "Well what is it? Are you okay? Do I have to get Ratchet?"

I looked at him; I could feel my face turning red. "That won't be necessary Optimus…you see a human female's body is a little different than a males…What am I saying? We're entirely different from males! Since we are the bearers of children our bodies have a uterus which allows the fetus or baby grows until its ready to be born. But when a female isn't with child once a month she gets rid of excess blood that is in her body. So…it just turns out this is my time to have it."

Optimus looked at me weird. I didn't know if he was disgusted or even more confused. He then nodded his head in realization. "I surfed the web to understand it better and I am terribly sorry that women have to go through that."

I shrugged and looked at him. "It's part of life, Mother Nature isn't the most loving mother in the world." He held out his hand for me to climb on to and started walking towards the rest of the Autobots. Sam and Mikaela had come out and saw me with Optimus holding an ice pack on my jaw.

"Optimus! What did you do!" Sam roared.

Optimus put his one free hand out and was about to explain when Ironhide stepped forward and said, "Sam, he didn't do anything to her. We were practicing and I hit her on accident."

Sam ran over to Ironhide and started yelling at him but soon was running away when he pulled out his cannons and started threatening to blow him to bits. Sam's scream was hilarious! I remembered those screams when we were kids and it hadn't changed one little bit, still the same little Sam scream.

I looked up at Optimus and smiled up at him; he smiled back down at me and sat me on his shoulder. "Ironhide, leave the boy alone."

Ironhide looked at Optimus and me, then he looked at Sam whom he had between his fingers. "Fine," he grunted and sat Sam down. Sam came running up to Optimus and hid behind his legs from Ironhide. Mikaela came over to Sam and gave him a look as if he were a huge coward…which he was. I knew Sam way before she did.

Optimus looked at me and then slowly turned around to look at Sam and Mikaela. "Jess, remember when we had to leave for a little while on a mission to China because of Decepticons?"
"Yes." I replied wondering why he was bringing it up now.

"Well…" He spoke as he looked down to Mikaela and Sam, "Galloway didn't want us to stay much longer here. We are needed back at NEST headquarters because recently there has been more Decepticon activity. I wanted to ask you three before we go if you would accompany us. Since the three of you know us it would be best you would know where to go in case Decepticons were to find you if we were not around."

"I'm in!" I exclaimed putting my hand up in the air. Optimus chuckled at this. We then looked down at Sam and Mikaela.

"My dad is getting out of prison so I'm going to have to stay home and watch after him." Mikaela replied, "If it weren't for that I'd go in a heartbeat."

Sam looked up and said, "I would go, but I have to get everything ready for college, but I'll make sure we stop by on the way there. I mean it's in Washington, DC…so…we could take a detour while going to New York."

Optimus and I looked at each other and I said, "Well big guy, I think it's just you and I on this trip with the rest of the Autobots."

"Everyone, except for Bee, he's staying with us." Sam replied. I looked down at Bee who was dancing in joy and had his radio blasting Celebration. I laughed at this and stood up on Optimus's should to dance a little bit.

Optimus eyed me very closely making sure I wouldn't fall. "I'll miss ya Bee, but will see you again soon. As for you," I spoke turning to Optimus, "When are we leaving?"

"Probably tomorrow morning, we are already late considering Galloway didn't want us to come back." Optimus replied.

I walked over to his face and put my hands on his nose and leaned against him and whispered, "I'm glad you didn't stay." I looked up at his optic which was so bright I had to squint my eyes. Optimus dimmed his optics a bit but they were still bright.

I finally pulled away and looked at Optimus, then down at my cousin and his girlfriend. "Well, packing isn't going to get itself done." I spoke as I started walking on Optimus's shoulder about to walk down his arm, or rather, slide down when he grabbed a hold of my cloth shirt between his fingers and slowly lowered me to the ground. I looked up at him as he stood at his full height. I looked at Sam and then Mikaela and said, "It was nice seeing you again Sammy." I snickered when I said 'Sammy' then I turned to Mikaela and spoke, "You keep him in line. If he hurts you I'll come after him with Ironhide at my side."

Ironhide came walking up behind me and I heard him bash his fists together. Sam looked at me and then Ironhide. Mikaela smirked at this and said, "I'll be sure to tell you if he misbehaves." Sam let out a little whine as to say 'why me?' Both Mikaela and I laughed when he did this, then I went over and patted him on the back.

"It'll be okay Sam." I spoke and he gave me a pathetic look.

"To you maybe, but me…if I get in trouble I'm dead meat." He squeaked.

I laughed and started walking inside the house to my room. When I walked in Aunt Judy came up to me and asked, "What are you doing sweetie?"

"I'm getting packed. Optimus and the Autobots have to go back to NEST and Optimus asked if Sam, Mikaela and I would like to go, but I'm the only one who can really go."

Aunt Judy looked at me and smiled, "I don't mind dear, I was just happy to see you this summer. Seeing you is always a pleasure."

"Who is leaving!" Uncle Ron hollered as he ran down the stairs.

"Jess is, the Autobots have to go back to NEST headquarters and offered to take the kids there. Jess is the only one who can go." Aunt Judy replied.

"So you're leaving us already to go with your Cybertronian boyfriend?" Uncle Ron asked putting his hands on his hips. "Listen here missy. I may not be your father but I'm much closer to you than you two are and I say don't get too attached so fast. You guys are dating that's good but if I hear one word that you two are doing something else? I'm hunting the two of you down."

"You've been talking to Ironhide haven't you?" I asked sighing.

"I have to keep up with everyone. Plus if I know Optimus, which I do, but not as well as the others he is going to take it very slow. You two barely know each other." Uncle Ron spoke.

"I know and truly that's what I need. I've had my heart broken too many times." I replied giving Uncle Ron a sad smile.

He smiled at me and opened his arms and growled, "Give your Uncle a hug. I'm going to miss you Jess."

I felt my eyes tear up and I went running into his arms and wrapped my arms around him resting my head on his chest. I felt another pair of arms wrap around me and I looked to see Aunt Judy hugging me as well. "I'm going to still visit you guys, you know that right?"

Aunt Judy smiled and replied, "You always visit every year. We will see you again next summer."

"Or sooner, as we always hope," Uncle Ron added.

"I hope so Uncle Ron, the sooner to see you guys will always be better." I replied, I pulled away from him and smiled at the two. I then turned around and started running up to my room. I quickly grabbed my suitcase and opened it on my bed. I went to the closet and drawers where I had placed all my clothes as I was staying here. I started to fold them when I felt two big strong arms circling around my waist.

"You sure you're willing to leave your aunt and uncle's place early to go to NEST with us? You can come any time." He spoke.

"Any time? Yes, but anytime with you? No. I know people say distance makes the heart stronger, but once summer ends and school begins when will I be able to go to NEST and see you?" I asked.

"I would come up to see you, it's not hard. Everyone knows where Julliard is." Optimus laughed.

I laid my head on his chest and felt the deep rumble from his chest as he laughed. I wrapped my arms around his torso and just leaned into him. Optimus slowly stopped and I felt him rest his chin on my head. "I'm just making sure you're doing what you want to do, not what other people want you to do." He whispered.

"I wouldn't want it any other way, Optimus." I replied. I looked up at him to see him staring down at me. He went in to kiss me and I quickly turned my head down. He chuckled at this and just kissed my forehead instead.

"Excuse me Prime." Spoke Ironhide. Both Optimus and I looked over to see Ironhide standing near the window with his arms crossed. Optimus and I slowly pulled away from each other. "I saw that Prime."

"What?" Optimus asked.

"You were trying to kiss her." Ironhide pointed out, he grabbed a hold of my arm and pulled m to him. "She was smart and not let you kiss her."
"Uh…Ironhide I did. He kissed my forehead." I corrected him. Ironhide looked at me and before I knew it put me in a head lock.

"IRONHIDE! THIS IS NOT COOL!" I yelled as I tried to get out of his monstrous hold. Ironhide laughed as I tried getting out of his hold, but never released his hold. "Optimus, why are you just standing there? Help me!" I yelled.

Optimus laughed and walked over to us; Ironhide quickly used his other hand and picked me up. "No you're not Prime." Optimus walked forward and Ironhide kept walking backwards.

"Ironhide," Optimus spoke in a stern voice.

"You may be a Prime and the leader of the Autobots, but you're not getting Jess just yet." Ironhide replied.

"Oh really?" Optimus asked arching an eyebrow. I suddenly sensed something bad was about to happen, and what do you know it did. I watched as Optimus came closer to us, but instead of looking at me he was looking at Ironhide. Before I knew what was happening Optimus grabbed a hold of Ironhide who lost his grip on me. I started to fall when someone caught me and steadied me on my feet.

"Did you guys really have to do that?" I asked looking up at Optimus who had a hold of my arm just in case I was going to fall again. Ironhide looked at me and then Optimus.

"Apparently we had to or else I'd still be holding you, but I wanted to ask you, who do you plan on riding with?" Ironhide asked.

"Uh…well what time are we leaving?" I asked.

Ironhide looked at Optimus and then Optimus spoke, "We were thinking about leaving early in the morning so you can rest a little bit."

"I'm fine whenever you guys want to leave."

"We also wanted to leave in the morning so you could say goodbye to your aunt and uncle." Ironhide replied.

"Well thanks guys, I appreciate it. One of you wake me up when you're ready to leave, but I need to finish packing if I'm going to be leaving with you in the morning." I spoke.

Ironhide looked down at me and smiled, "No problem."

I felt my stomach sink…I had a bad feeling about the morning.

Well its not as long as the last chapter, but I did write. :D So please review! Pretty please! Its the wittwe button down there. *gives puss in boots look* PWEASE!