I told Charley that I'm taking them to the Black Bear restaurant for breakfast. They were both shocked. "Aren't they're prices a bit high, Mike?", Charley asked.
"Just a bit, but you get what you pay for. I took both Orion and Paul there. They left very full and satisfied. Besides, I know the owner there. I get my meals free every time I go. So, when we get there, order anything you want on the menu", I said.
A few hours later, we finished breakfast and I thanked the cook personally for a wonderful breakfast, yet again. "Thanks, Mike. I have a message from a friend of yours. I didn't ask what it was about, but took the message anyway. He said it was personal", Rod said.
I took the piece of paper with the message written on it. I had recognized the number and practically panicked.
Both Modo and Charley didn't like the look on my face. "What's wrong, Michelle? Everything ok?", Modo asked.
I looked at Modo and shook my head no. Then I pulled out my cell and dialed the number. I let it ring while I excused myself from the table.
"What got into her?", asked Charley, looking my way.
"I have no clue, but it scared her after she saw the number on the paper", said Rod.
I was glad there was no one in the banquet room when the person on the other end of the phone picked up.
"Hey 'Chet. What's up?", I asked, knowing I was going to get my ass chewed out.
"Don't you 'hey Chet' me! Both Sunstreaker and Sideswipe have been worried about you. You never came back with Sunstreaker like you said you were going to! Where the frag are you?", Chet yelled.
I pulled the phone away from my ear, he was screaming in it. After I knew he was done assaulting my eardrum, I put the phone back to my ear.
"Are you done yelling now, Chet? Something had come up and I had to change my plans. I'm sorry I didn't tell Sunny, but this was something that couldn't be helped. Look. Just cause they're my brothers, doesn't mean I need to tell them everything I do", I said.
That's when Sideswipe grabbed the phone from Chet. "Really sis? You think you're above your own brothers now? Is that how you think of us?", Sides asked.
"That's not what I meant, bro. I love you both very much, but something else came up. I'm sorry I didn't tell Sunny before he left. I had gotten into a fight with my friends' friend after Sunny left her repair shop. Please don't be mad, Sides. I'll make it up to ya. I promise", I said.
Sides thought about it for a bit. "Ok. If and when you get back, you have to give Sunny that wash and hot wax you promised him. He's still waiting for that. As for me. Well, let's just say you won't like what I have in store for you when you get back", said Sides.
"Are you threatening to blackmail me, bro?", I asked in shock.
"I wouldn't do that to ya. I know it would go straight to Prime and he would turn me over to Prowl", Sides said.
"Good. I have to get going, Sides. I need to get my friends back to the garage and I need to get to work. I have a client I need to see about his case I'm working on. I'll call ya tonight", I said.
"Ok sis. Be careful, ok", said Sides.
"I will bro. Love you. And tell Sunny I miss him and I love him", I said.
"I will sis. Love you too", Sides said. Then I hung up.
I walked back over to the table and sat down. "Everything alright, Mike? Got things taken care of?", asked Charley.
I looked at her and smiled. "Yeah, everything is taken care of, Charley. My brothers were worried about me cause I didn't go back with Sunny. But I told them that I would make it up to them when I got back", I said.
"That's good. You should never leave bad blood between family members. Especially your brothers. Speaking of bad blood", Modo said, pointing to Throttle.
Both Charley and I looked towards Throttle. "I swear he's stalking me", I said. I got up from my chair and headed for the door to leave. Charley and Modo followed suit. They noticed that I had ignored Throttle as I walked by him.
As we were about to get into Charley's truck, I asked Modo if I could sit by the door heading back to the garage. "Sure Michelle, if Charlene doesn't mind if I drive back?", asked Modo.
Charley handed her keys over to Modo. "Just please be careful, Modo", Charley said.
"I will, darlin'. You and Michelle should talk on our way back to the garage, anyway", Modo said.
I looked at them after we started backing up out of the parking lot. "I think I need to be alone more than I need to talk to anyone. Drop me off at my building, Modo", I said.
Charley looked at Modo then at me. "Are you sure about that, Mike? The last thing you need is to be alone. I can have Modo stay with you for today, if you want", Charley said.
I sighed and lowered my head. Charley put her hand on my left shoulder. "Is there something else bothering you, Mike? You seem so distant since that phone call. What happened?", asked Charley.
"It's nothing, Charley. I've been preoccupied lately and I let it bother me to the point of…I don't know. I love Orion so much, but trust is an issue with me. If I can trust him not to go screwing around with other women, then he should trust me not to drink while helping Brian at The Wolf's Lounge. Brian is one of my best friends. He knows I wouldn't drink while working. He don't. So, why is he now not trusting me? I don't get it, Charley. I really don't", I said.
"Modo, I think the 3 of us need to talk with Orion right now", Charley said. Then she looked back at me. "What base is he stationed on, Mike?", asked Charley.
"The only one here in Chicago. I'll call his office and let him know we're coming by to talk", I said. Then I pulled out my cell and looked for his office number.
I dialed the number and waited for Orion to pick up on the other end.
"General Prime's office. How may I help you?", Shelia asked.
"He has a secretary now? Ok. Yeah, I'm looking for the General. Is he available?", I asked.
"Who may I ask is calling?", asked Shelia.
"His wife. Michelle Prime. Now I ask again. Is he available or not?", I replied.
"Let me find out. Hold please", Shelia said. Then she put me on hold.
While I was waiting, Modo had pulled up at the garage door. I was listening to the Marine Corp. song while I waited for the secretary to get back to me.
A few min. later, the secretary came back on. "The General is available for a short time, ma'am. I'll put you through to his office phone", said Shelia. Then she put me through to my husband.
"Yes Mike? What do you need?", Orion asked.
"Mind if Modo, Charley and I come by and talk with you? We need to talk about last night and I think you need to hear what both Modo and Charley have to say", I said.
"I'll call the base guard and let him know you 3 are coming on base. From now on, you and your 2 friends will have a permanent drive on pass. Prowl invited us over to his place tonight for dinner. If you're not busy and still not mad at me, I'd like you to go", said Orion.
"I don't have anything nice to wear for tonight. Maybe you could take me during your lunch break", I said.
"I can do that. I'll have someone escort you 3 to my office after you arrive on the base. Love you, Mike and I'll see you soon", Orion said.
3 hrs. later, we arrived at the Marine Corp. base. We were stopped at the guard house by one of the guards. He was a Corporal. He has black short hair, stood about 6' and probably weighed about 230lbs.
Modo rolled down the window and the guard walked up to him. "I was told to give this to you, Mrs. Prime. It's from the General. You 3 are welcome anytime. Please proceed and there will be someone along shortly to escort you to the General. Have a good day", said Cpl. Braden, as he handed me the envelope. I took the envelope and we drove onto the base.
I was surprised that there were so many Marines on the base. I figured there would be a little less considering the fight overseas and all.
After Modo parked the truck, someone came walking up to us as we got out of the truck. He stood about 5'9", weighed about 180lbs. with light brown short hair. I noticed he was a Sgt. He stood at attention and saluted us. I also stood at attention and saluted him. Then he asked us to follow him to see the General. I walked next to the Sgt. and asked him how long had he been in the Marine Corp.
"About 3 yrs. now, ma'am. I was here a yr. before the General showed up. He came to the barracks and introduced himself to everyone, then asked if they had any questions for him. He's a very nice guy for a General. The last General we had was a hard ass. Gave everyone a cold, icy glare every time we had drills. He had another guy with him that was just as bad if not worse. I'm just glad this new General is here", said Sgt. Prime.
I noticed the last name on his BDU jacket. It was the same as mine and Orions'. "Your last name", I said in shock.
"What about my last name, ma'am?", Sgt. Prime asked.
"It's the same as mine and the General's. How did you end up with our last name, Sgt.?", I replied.
"You don't recognize my voice, Mike? I'm surprised", said Sgt. Prime.
I had to think about it for a bit before it hit me. "Roddy? Is that you?", I asked.
"Sure is. I've been here for about 3yrs. Orion personally picked me to bring you and your friends to see him. Then gave me the rest of the day off. So, I'd like to show you around the base and maybe do some sparring with you", Sgt. Prime said.
Both Charley and Modo looked at me. "Is there anyone you don't know here on the base, Mike?", Charley asked.
I looked at her. "Probably not. I'm an idiot. Charley, Modo. I'd like to introduce you Rodimus Prime. Roddy, This is Charley and her boyfriend, Modo", I said.
"There are more than one Prime here? How is that possible?", asked Charley.
"Both Orion and Rodimus are co-leaders. And I'm not just Orion's wife. He made me his 2IC, as well. I just can't believe that Throttle would do a background check on all of us here", I said, shaking my head.
Roddy couldn't believe what he was hearing. "What?", asked Roddy.
"Modo's friend, Throttle, had done a background check on me, Orion and Paul. Then he told Charley, who already knew cause I told her myself. She's kept it a secret ever since I told her 2 yrs. ago", I said.
Roddy looked at Charley. "You kept our secret for that long? Then you are very trustworthy, ma'am", Roddy said.
"Thank you, Sgt. Mike trusts me with her life and I'd do the same for her", Charley said.
All of us ended our walk to the General's building. "Here we are. I can take you as far as the secretary's desk, then that's where I say good-bye for now. It's nice to see you again, Mike. And it was nice to meet you and your boyfriend", said Roddy, as he took Charley's hand. He kissed it then bid us ado.
Roddy took his leave after taking us to my husband's office. We watched Roddy leave then the secretary buzzed the General to let him know that we were here to see him.
"Thank you, Shelia. Please send them in", Prime said.
"Yes sir", Shelia said. Then she looked at us. "You may go in now", said Shelia.
We walked in and sat down in front of his desk. Prime came around and sat on the edge of his desk in front of us. He didn't want this to be professional. He wanted it to be personal.
"I'm glad you called earlier today, Mike. I felt so bad for what I said to you. I should have let you help out Brian, but I was afraid that you would have been drinking while working with him. I now see I was wrong. Especially, after you told me you only had 1 drink that same night. You know I have trust issues with Brian and Jake. Especially, when they are working together. Will you forgive me, Michelle? I screwed up and I know it", Prime said.
I stood up and gave him a big hug and a kiss. "I forgive you, Orion. Brian is my best friend, as is Jake. Brian wouldn't let me drink on the job. He knows you'd find out and ream him out for letting me drink. In fact, he called me late last night and asked me if I could come fill in for Jake tonight", I said.
"Then go right ahead. I'll call Prowl later and see about a rain check for tonight. I haven't had a decent night out since we got married. Mind if I tag along with you, beautiful?", asked Orion.
"I'd be happy to have you come with me", I said.
Modo cleared his throat. "I don't mean to disrespect you, sir, but when Michelle came by the garage last night, she was rather upset about how you treated her. Trust is a 2-way street, sir. She trusts you not to sleep around, so why couldn't you have trusted her last night?", Modo asked.
"You're right, Modo. Trust is a 2-way street. That's why I apologized to her first thing. She means so much to me. I don't know what I would do without her in my life. I would have been heartbroken if she had left me", Prime said, looking at me.
I noticed he had tears running down his face. He was that scared of losing me. I had no idea that he loved me that much that it would bring him to tears. "Babe, I would never leave you. No matter what happens between us, I will always love you", I said. Then I gave him another kiss.
After we broke from the kiss, he buzzed his secretary. "Yes sir, General", Shelia said.
"Cancel all my meetings and take messages for me. I'm taking the rest of the day off. You may also have the rest of the day off. I will see you tomorrow morning, Shelia. Enjoy the rest of your day off", said Orion.
"Thank you sir. Same to you, as well, General", said Shelia.
The parking lot of the Marine base. I told Modo and Charley to go on without me. "I'm just glad you 2 have made up after last night. You're welcome at the garage anytime you want, Mike. Same goes for you, as well, Orion. Tell your friend, Paul, that if he needs any work done on his vehicle, tell him to bring it to me. I'll do it free of charge", Charley said.
"Thank you, Charley. We appreciate that a lot", Prime said. Then he looked at me while holding my hand. "Let's go, beautiful. I have something in mind for us before we go to the club tonight", said Orion.