11 chapters... 94 reviews... Wow. Thank you all for the support so far, and there's still more to come. I've never had a story have such a positive response before. Thank you all! Please enjoy, and review!

"Hey guys," Erin called. She jumped when Optimus did, hitting his head on the underside of his vehicle. "Sorry."

"You're not with Ironhide?" Ratchet questioned, looking at Erin over his shoulder.

"Nope. I have a question to ask Timothy."

"Do you? Hear that Tim? Get out from under there," Ratchet ordered, kicking Optimus' foot. The Prime's holoform eventually crawled out and nodded to Erin, coated in grease and Energon. He glared at Ratchet and headed over to Erin. "Behave yourself, child."

"What do you expect me to do, just blurt out that we're giant alien robots in disguise?" Optimus hissed at the medic. Ratchet returned the glare, aware of the fact that Optimus was out of sorts but not pleased with his leader's attitude. Being cramped in vehicle form for so long was not being kind to him.

"You busy tonight?" Erin asked out of Ratchet's hearing range. Optimus was caught off guard by the suddenness of the question, and he feared what Ironhide would do to him if he wasn't aware of Erin's action.

"I'm not…" Optimus responded cautiously. Erin's face lit up with a smile.

"Arthur said you know Baxter Lee."

"I do… I still talk to him on occasion, but I haven't seen him in years."

"Can you take me to meet him?" Erin's question left Optimus speechless. He looked away and he fought back a wave of emotions that came with the mention of the lovable scout. He could hear the protests Bumblebee stuttered out in his real voice at being told he would have to leave Sam and cease being the man's guardian. And they'd all looked to Optimus for answers and orders. The only thing he had been able to do was assure his men, his friends, that they'd get through it and force them to comply. He had betrayed the Autobots. He snapped out of his thoughts when Erin called the name the Autobots had suggested he take.

"I-I'm sorry, I was distracted. What were you saying?"

"Just that if you didn't want to, it's alright. It would make sense if you didn't."

"I'll take you," Optimus said quietly. Erin was surprised for a moment before she smiled. "Just let me get my truck running then."

The two spent the entire ride getting to know each other. Erin was delighted to learn why Ironhide liked his friend's company so much. Though subtle, Optimus' sense of humour was gentle and refreshing, especially since he always seemed so… sad. His eyes sparkled when he spoke of better times. He was a gentleman, as she had learned early on, and tried his absolute best to make sure everything helped her feel comfortable. She enjoyed his company and found herself wishing she could look into whatever event had scarred him for life. She could see the hesitance to trust, the need to protect himself and his friends, and wondered what had hurt a man as sweet as him. While her heart belonged to Ironhide, she found that she wouldn't mind spending more time with Optimus.

The trip wound to a close too quickly, and Optimus stopped before a house that matched every other one on the street besides the mailbox which was painted to look like a bumblebee. Optimus' holoform climbed out and went around to help Erin down, yet another show of how wonderful he was. They walked together to the door without a word. Reluctantly, Optimus reached out and knocked.

Within seconds, the door was thrown open to reveal an energetic looking young man. His straw hair was long so it fell into his playful blue eyes. His face was young, rounded gently but nowhere near chubby from how thin he was. A striped yellow and black sweater hung loosely to his lanky frame. Black jogging pants and sneakers finished his outfit. But the look of almost admiration was the most endearing quality as he looked up at Optimus. The only thing that seemed oddly out-of-place was the set of dog tags around his neck, marking him as part of the army. It was saddening to think someone so young and adorable had been in the military.

But that was all she had time to notice before he lunged forward and caught Optimus in a hug, nearly knocking the older, taller male off his feet. Erin smiled and stepped back to give them some room.

"Prime!" Bumblebee croaked out in his true voice, burying his face in Optimus' shoulder as if trying to reassure himself that his leader was really there.

"It's good to see you as well… Lee, I want to introduce you to Erin Smith. She hoped to meet you," he said. Bumblebee slowly released Optimus, tears visible in his overly large eyes, before turning to Erin and stooping low in a bow. "His vocal cords were injured during a battle. He hasn't been able to talk properly since."

"Oh no! I'm so sorry to hear that," Erin said honestly, gently taking Bumblebee's hand for a second to prove her words. He just smiled and waved it off. He kept Erin's hand and motioned to his house with his free one. After a moment, she figured out what the man wanted. "Oh! If Timothy's willing to stay for a little while, I am as well." Bumblebee turned to Optimus with a positively adorable pleading expression.

"Of course…"

Bumblebee excitedly pulled Erin inside to his kitchen where he made her a cup of coffee while Optimus meandered in after them, taking on the role of translator. Erin smiled at the state of the house; things were seemingly randomly strewn here or there, while it was clear from how Bumblebee moved through the house that was not the case.

"How do you know each other?" Erin asked; making sure the question was open to them both so Bumblebee wasn't excluded. Optimus pulled at his collar nervously, accidentally bringing Erin's attention to him. She noticed, like she did almost every time she looked at Optimus, the long scar on his face. Her eyes darted to Bumblebee to avoid staring and making Optimus even more uncomfortable.

"Military," he said softly. He didn't expound, nor did Erin expect him to.

She just nodded and surprised herself when she asked, "Is that where you got your scar from?"

"Yes… The last day I considered myself a soldier," he whispered. He traced part of the scar on his face and sighed, letting his hand fall. He looked away and she felt terribly guilty for asking. He took a seat at the table, having been leaning against the counter.

"Are you both okay?" she asked just as quietly. Optimus didn't answer as Bumblebee suddenly pulled him to his feet and spun him around the kitchen. Optimus could only yelp. The only female laughed as Bumblebee forced Optimus to dance. It took a few minutes for Optimus to really readjust, but once he did, they moved with a grace that was almost eerie. But it did answer Erin's question. They would be okay.