Chapter 11

So, last night I had an epiphany. Ok, they kissed. Ok, we need to move forward, but I want the back-story to stay interesting, and not turn this into just a sappy romance novel all the way around. Though Gabby and Optimus makes my day, and I can't wait to write some more scenes with just them. Ha ha.

This old lady's brain is a little slower sometimes, but I try. LOL So, I re-wrote this whole chapter. Your reviews are my motivation.

Enjoy! I do not own Transformers. Hasbro needs to share the wealth with us Transformers writers. He he he.

Optimus reluctantly left Gabby early in the morning. He had to go and recharge himself, and it was hard when he was using his energy for the holoform. She had reassured him sleepily that she was fine, and would see him later. He ignored everyone around him as he made his way back to the Semi. Everyone including the rest of the Autobots dared not to talk to him right now.

Optimus was angry. Very angry. As the humans say, when they take one step forward, they end up taking two steps back. They had been betrayed again. Someone had leaked the Autobot's plans to the Decepticons. Whether it was human or machine, he did not know yet. This may not only start another war, and thwart their other plans, but it also put Gabby in grave danger as well. She knew really sensitive information, and if the Decepticons found her out, well, he didn't even want to think what the consequences could be.

He sat in the corner in bipedal mode. Some of the Autobots volunteered to drive around and try to gather any energon readings in the area. Optimus did not need to say anything, as they knew he would say yes to their mission.

As faces of humans walked by, Optimus just stared. He would have to talk to Lennox later to see if they could come up with a plan to find out who it was. He knew of the Decepticons technology to find out information, but that had all been destroyed in Chicago, and besides, DriveWave had wanted it directly from Optimus. So, that meant they were not back up to speed yet.

His thoughts turned back to Gabby. He had thought about suggesting taking her off this project. He could not imagine the hurt it would cause if he did, but he just wanted her to keep safe. However, he knew he couldn't do that now, as she would lose her protections. She already knew too much, and if she were taken off it would not help either. He then thought of trying to convince her to stay at base till they resolved this, but she was stubborn, and would not agree to it. He couldn't blame her though, she would practically be a prisoner here, and Optimus did not want her to feel that way.

His processors were running into overdrive over the human female. No, not in a bad way, not at all. He was just torn between his own duties as Prime, his past experiences, and his feelings for her.

Now, they had taken a step that Optimus knew he could not change that. When he kissed her, he felt like a new mech. It was the most exhilarating experience of his existence. It had felt so right in his processors, and his spark. Here he was, the Prime, and he felt like a lovesick Earth puppy. That was not such a bad thing anyway he looked at it. He knew his feelings for her, and she didn't know it, but he had heard what she had said to him while he was re-booting before he fell back into unconsciousness, and he hadn't been sure if he was dreaming at the time or not. But, when he woke up and found her in his hand, he knew it had been real.

He could only hope that he could protect her in the end.

Optimus spotted Will Lennox approach him. Besides, Gabby, one of the few humans he fully trusted, along with Epps.

"Optimus?"

"What's up, Will?"

He could see Lennox had a rough morning. "Let's take a ride, I need some air."

That was his way of saying he wanted to talk in private, and Optimus agreed to it. He was thinking about something else when Lennox approached him.

Optimus opened his door, and Lennox climbed in. After they settled, and Optimus was off base, he and Will began speaking.

"Who is DriveWave?" Lennox asked.

"A very old mech. I didn't know he was still alive. I had brought his downfall myself when we were still on Cybertron, but I guess I failed," Optimus answered his mood becoming dark again.

"Do you have an idea who he is working for?"

"Starscream."

"Shit!"

"Yes, I was thinking the same."

Lennox thought for a moment. "Mearing is hounding my ass this morning about it."

"Did you think she would do anything different?" Optimus asked sarcastically.

Lennox laughed bitterly. "Not at all. She wanted you guys to scrap your plans, but I told her it's too late. Now, she wants to know the Decepticons next plans."

Optimus frowned. "We never know with them. I cannot predict what will happen next, Will. She knows this. I can only make sure this doesn't go further."

Lennox nodded thinking for a moment, and said, "In her defense, Galloway was up her ass all last night, and threatening funding again."

Optimus sighed. He really hated that human, and Primes do not hate, but with Galloway he made an exception. "Of course, he was." How he hated human money as well, and the evil it caused.

They went on to discuss maybe moving the base from Chicago now. The city could not take any more damage. A more remote location would be ideal. Optimus just hoped Gabby would agree to move with them.

They were quiet for several minutes as Optimus drove past the damage on the Chicago streets. Things were quiet now, but who knew for how long.

Optimus thought of a brave woman, who helped get civilians to safety.

"Will, we need to find out who relayed this information to the Decepticons."

Lennox sat and thought for a moment again. "MMMMM. I will do some investigating. Otherwise, we need to keep this to ourselves. If Mearing finds out we have a spy, then all hell will break loose."

"I agree."

Optimus turned and started driving back to base. He did not like being away from Gabby too long.

"Optimus."

"Yes?"

Lennox smirked. "There is a certain human female you need to take into consideration too."

Optimus about slammed on his brakes. He gave in to Will knowing there was no argument. "I know. I worry for her safety more than anything."

Lennox sat back into the seat and smiled. "She'll be fine. You better hope Galloway doesn't find out. Otherwise, I wish you both the best. You deserve some happiness, my friend, and she is a great person." Lennox shrugged and added, "Who gives a shit that she is a human. You guys live here too."

Optimus didn't really say anything. He did have to chuckle. They WERE getting pretty obvious. "Thanks Will."

After a little while again, Optimus spoke up. "Will, I need you to find out some information for me if you can."

"Sure thing."

Gabby woke up to the sound of her phone, and her mother on the other line. God, she had a headache that could kill, and her feet were sore. Gabby knew they were just making sure she was OK after the attack, but still it annoyed her to no end. She hated lying to her parents, but she told them she had been at the base all night to catch up on things she was behind on. She didn't want them to worry for her.

Gabby dragged herself out of bed. It was almost 9 am. Optimus had left about 2 hours before. She knew he had things to do, and she let him go, though, she had to admit she loved having him with her last night. Loved? Yes, loved. Even though nothing else had happened. Gabby tried not to think about yesterday, but of course, her thoughts raced. Shaking them off, she got dressed and headed towards the mess hall wondering if anything was left over from breakfast. After she puked her dinner last night, she hadn't eaten since, and realized she was pretty hungry. Gabby decided as she walked over to the mess hall, that she would only stay one more night here. She had things to do at home too, and she needed to get some normalcy going again. She also had to make some calls and get her credit cards canceled since she had left her handbag behind at that Bistro. Her keys! Godammit! She had left her keys in the bag too! All her spares were at the house. She did have a hidden key in the yard, and she hoped some idiot would not find her stuff and break into her house. This was going to be a bad day.

Luckily, the cooks took mercy on her and made her an egg sandwich. Gabby made her way back to the office, and decided she would just do some light work today. She remembered Ratchet telling her not to come in, but she had to do something. She was the type that hated sitting around.

Gabby stopped a few times to talk to the friends she had made, but really just wanted some quiet time. She would catch up on paperwork with Brains.

Gabby walked in to the office, and realized Ratchet wasn't in his usual spot. Hmmmm. That was odd. She knew of no meetings today, but there may have been an emergency one from last night. Setting her sandwich and juice down, she spotted Ironhide back in his spot. She climbed up to him, and reluctantly placed a hand on his finger. "We're getting close big guy," she said quietly. She realized how cold he was at the moment, compared to Optimus's heat, and felt tears fill her eyes. The memories of last night came rushing back to her in a wave of remorse. She then had a flash of Optimus in Ironhide's spot. It scared her so much, that she almost fell off the gurney. Luckily, she was able to grab the railing just in time. She couldn't believe what she just saw.

"Gabby! Are you ok?" Brains had come running when he spotted Gabby almost fall off the gurney. He was small, but he was fast.

Gabby caught herself, and stubbornly wiped her tears away. "I'm ok, Brains. Just tired."

Brains grunted. He knew she was lying, but he didn't say anything more. Gabby came back down, and Brains had transformed into the laptop again.

"What are we working on today, Gabby?" He asked.

"Just filing, I guess." She said sitting down, and getting her sandwich out.

"Didn't Ratchet tell you to take the day off?"

Gabby got a little annoyed. "Yes, but I can't sit around like that."

"Sorry Gabby."

Gabby took a deep breath. There was so much on her mind she just wanted to explode, and she felt bad for taking it out on Brains. Besides she had kissed a certain Autobot last night, so that was weighing heavily on her mind too, but in a good way. She couldn't wait to see him again.

"No problem, Brains. Sorry for being so irritable."

Brains grunted again, and Gabby got to work.

The human entrance opened, and Gabby had hoped it was Optimus. Then she scowled seeing it was Galloway. What the hell does he want? He is not supposed to be in here.

Gabby did not rise to greet him. He came huffing over to her. Gabby looked up to him, feeling her anger rising. She was not in the mood for this today. She sensed he was ready for a fight. Well, if that's what he wanted….

Galloway looked Gabby up and down in disgust. "Not very appropriate dress for your position, Ms. Ryan."

It took every ounce of her being to not punch this guy. Didn't this idiot know what happened to her last night? He did, and she knew it, he was just being an asshole about it.

Gabby ignored his comment about her attire. "Is there something I can help you with, Director?"

She heard Brains growl in the background. Gabby tapped a key; she would take care of this.

Galloway looked around. "Where is Ratchet?"

Gabby stood up. "I don't know. I was just wondering if you have authorization to be in this area."

Galloway raised his eyebrows at her. She was a little taller than him, and in fact, Gabby was thinking of ways to take his ass down.

"What do you mean you don't know? And, you have no right to question my authorizations Ms. Ryan."

"I don't know, I haven't seen him since last night."

Galloway looked around laughing sarcastically. Gabby could feel her anger boil. Stop it! Control yourself.

"Well, that's just great! I guess I will speak to you then." He said with a condescending tone.

Gabby met his eyes. "What is it that you need Director?"

"I demand that I see your plans so far."

Uh, that would be a no. "I do not have permission to show you anything unless Ratchet approves me. He is my superior, and has not relayed that you were to see any plans of the project."

Galloway scoffed in frustration. Gabby thought it was odd that he was sweating, and looked around really nervous. He feared the Autobots she knew that, but this seemed…..different.

"A robot superior? What's next a cat for a supervisor?" He laughed at his own joke, which Gabby did not share in amusement.

"Director, I am not authorized to give anything to you unless I am told otherwise. I do not work for you; I work for the Autobots and military. So, unless you have something else you need, well, goodbye!"

Galloway's narrowed in anger. This actually made Gabby very nervous. Brains transformed, and said, "The lady is telling you to get out, you moron!"

"Give me the plans or I will have you held on treason!" He yelled to her ignoring Brains warning. She wasn't about to take his threat seriously.

"No! Get out!"

"Give them to me!"

Gabby had enough. This guy was totally psycho. She thought she heard the door open at that moment, but was distracted. "I am calling the MPs to have you escorted out of here!" she screamed at him.

She started to pick up the phone, and just as she was dialing, Galloway knocked the phone from her hand. Gabby was so shocked at his reaction, that she didn't know how to counteract. She heard Brain's guns suddenly come online and blaze behind her.

However, she didn't have to react after all. As the phone came out of her hand, a certain Autobot leader with blue jeans and red T-shirt had Galloway pinned against the wall.