A/N

I apologize for making you all wait so terribly long for this, life's been crazy.

Beginning inspired by Anjelah Johnson's story about her train trip to Paris.

Hey, look, giveaway title. ^_^

Chapter 10

NBE-2

Part 1

The flight was eighteen hours long.

Even a ten-hour flight is unbearably long.

A ten-hour anything is terrible.

Everyone likes a massage, right? One could go for an hour, two hours, maybe even three.

But ten hours, your skin might fall off.

Aimi now knows this from personal experience.

After the first eight hours, Simmons decided to go for a nap, which translated into a deep slumber once he got the front passenger seat to lean back at an angle of about one hundred and fifty degrees or so.

Aimi thought it was a good idea, but preferred the couch, and accepted "Orion"'s offer to help her fall asleep by relieving the tension in her shoulders.

She fell asleep, alright, as he advanced right to a full-on back massage.

It became apparent to her when she woke up that he hadn't stopped or even lessened his efforts at all, as she could barely feel her spine.

"How long have you been doing that?"

He pauses, checking his chronometer before continuing.

"Six joors."

"What?!"

She tries to push herself up but finds herself too numb to do so.

"Are you alright?"

She glares at him and he stops rubbing immediately.

"You do realize a massage is supposed to be three hours at max, right?"

"You were enjoying it, and it kept you in recharge. I saw no reason to stop."

"Obviously you have no idea what such treatment does to a human. Help me sit up."

"You have made it very clear in the past that you require no help to do anything."

She narrows her eyes at him. "Uh-huh. And when do you ever not help me anyway?"

"That is fair."

This time he helps pull her up, and she pushes her legs off the couch so she can sit properly.

"There. That's much better. Is Simmons still asleep?"

"Affirmative."

"Good. Let's hope he stays that way for the next four hours..."

Fortunately, that was the case.

Or at least for three hours.

After three hours of completely meaningless conversation, Simmons joined in for the last hour, after which they were nothing but sick of being on that plane.

Figuring out how to get off undetected, however, proved to be quite a challenge.

The landing was a little rough, and Simmons proceeded to flip out over the lack of an escape plan, while Aimi proceeded to smack him upside the head.

"Simmons, calm down! We're not gonna get caught," she said. "Even if they do see us, we're too fast for them."

He muttered something about being "dragged into this" and Aimi took her usual position in the driver's seat.

Everything after the lowering of the door is a blur for Aimi, and she really doesn't feel like inquiring as they drive down a road gently winding through the wilderness. She's simply too exhausted.

"Are we there yet?"

"I see you have maintained the energy required to be annoying."

"So are we?"

"Patience, Akemi." A low rumbling emanates from the speakers. "We will arrive shortly."

She sits back, foot tapping lightly on the gas pedal.

"If you want me to go faster, I must inform you that doing so would cause centrifugal force stronger than you, and I do not enjoy things, sentient or otherwise, slamming into my doors."

Simmons looks at Aimi, eyes wide, and she quirks an eyebrow at the center console.

"For your information, I happen to have a very solid center of gravity. And, since you're such a textbook driver, I am wearing a seatbelt. I doubt I'll go anywhere."

"I will not be driving any faster, for your safety and for mine."

"Fine," she sighs. "Can we at least get an estimated time of arrival?"

"Without interference, we should arrive in less than two breems."

"Good. I need to stretch my legs soon."

"I can–"

"No! No stopping! I'll get plenty of exercise when we get there. Have to, if I wanna keep up with you."

"Have I not adapted my gait to your walking speed?"

"You couldn't if your life depended on it. It's just too great a size difference, but it's not like I can't walk at a brisk pace. It'll be fine."

He mutters a brief response that sounds Cybertronian before they fall into silence again, save for the rumble of the dirt road under his tires.

After a few minutes of watching the forest going by on her side, Aimi looks over at Simmons, about to inquire why he hasn't said anything since they got off the plane. She stops when she sees he's observing the forest as well, and quickly decides it's better to not get him started on anything.

It certainly is much easier to get him talking than it is to get him to shut up, and no one wants to deal with that.

"Are we there yet?"

A burst of static – likely to cover up some Cybertronian swear – erupts from the speakers, making both of them jump in their seats. When the static clears, it leaves them open to hearing a brief, admittedly frightening snarl.

"Simmons–!"

"Sorry, sorry! Just...wanted to see what would happen..."

A growl, obviously a warning, and he visibly shrinks back a slight bit.

"If you provoke me one more time, you will be walking."

"Hey, calm down." The growling halts at Aimi's voice, and she looks pointedly at Simmons, jabbing a finger at him. "And you, not another word. I'm tired of you two fighting like children."

"You have not seen me in battle."

"Hush!"

A/N

I decided to split this into two chapters because...well, because I felt like it would help with my writing process.

And also because I miss writing back to my reviewers.

So, Part 2 will follow shortly. Maybe. Might actually be a while, but...WE SHALL SEE.

Also, finally learned how to spell "centrifugal." \(^^)/

Review Replies

To Ash (guest): (C9) Well, I certainly tried. And I can't wait either!

To Ekeifer: (C9) I do love me some card deck War. I hope I can update soon, too, but you've seen how that turns out... XD

To BotQuester (guest): (C7) I totally understand crazy-town-ness, that's why I haven't updated in forever. And yes, I do plan on putting in more characters from the first three movies. (Like the Witwickies and Mojo, Miles and Leo (maybe), and definitely my favorite soldiers, Major Lennox and Sergeant Epps. I'll throw in some Mearing and Galloway if I ever need an antagonist for our dear 'Bot leader.) (C8) IT IS A FRACTION OF A CRUISE SHIP. Shouldn't un-Earthly metals weigh a ton more than Earthly metals? But I'm sorry, the chapter title "Insanity" is actually for a later chapter. I just confused myself as I was putting it up here. But I couldn't agree more about Simmons, and I am of the firm opinion that given the right circumstances, Optimus likes to plot instead of plan. As for Aimi's shoes, she's a boot person, so at this point in the story, she's got black ankle-height boots, and because you've given me the opportunity for a description, make them a bit gothic in your mind. (C9) I basically stalk their website and consult the pictures whenever I'm trying to draw a semi, because Peterbilts just don't do it for me since AoE. But I could see him having a TV and microwave, just not at this point. Maybe a post-War upgrade if the story allows. You're exactly right, though I may do a little between-the-chapters thing where I explain the Optimus-Aimi relationship in detail. Because people will twist things if not said just so and I do NOT want anyone begging at my feet for this to turn into a ship fic. BECAUSE IT IS NOT. You made sense, and yes, the feels will abound, but soon. Soon I say, there will be angst and hurt and darkness because I need to write something that isn't happy all the time (because nothing is). I'm glad you love it, though!

And to Macdisney123, Dusk Spark, Blackrose13, Barricade Pax, LadyMalfoySnape, Sparda-Girl, zmeaa04, Americaiuno, and phoenixgirl102, thank you for hitting "follow"/"favorite" on my story!