After she had retrieved her things and gotten into her apartment : Laurelin watched from the window, as Optimus drove off.
Once he had turned at the corner and she could no longer see him : She tossed her things onto the bed and made her way to the bathroom. She wanted to be quick but after being outside almost all night, Laurelin definitely needed a good shower.
Then, feeling much more refreshed : Laurelin got dressed and left her appartment.
She walked to the cafeteria.
A couple of the soldiers smiled and nodded to her, and she greeted them back.
But, for the most part : She was able to mull over her thoughts on her way. What she had wanted to talk to Optimus about was the possibility of her accompanying him to Philadelphia. She already anticipated that the Prime would initially balk at the idea, so Laurelin had a couple of counterpoints planned out. The first was that : If she did go with Optimus, then they wouldn't have to spend that much time apart. The second point was that : Laurelin felt that she could help convince Sam to help the Autobotss, if necessary. By the time that Laurelin arrived to the cafeteria, she felt pretty confident with her arguments.
She opted for a light breakfast, too eager to speak with Optimus again and get some closure on the question of if she could go with him.
« That's all you're getting ? »
Ricci's voice pulled Laurelin out of her thoughts. She turned to her friend and greeted her warmly.
Ricci also had a tray of food, but she was eyeing the biscuit with bacon and the cup of coffee Laurelin had chosen scrutinously. After a moment : She looked up to Laurelin, quirking an eyebrow.
« I'm just... in a hurry. That's all. » Laurelin explained with a quick shrug. « I need to get somewhere. »
« Yeah, about that… Where the heck were you last night ? I know that you weren't in your apartment again. »
« I was... out. » Laurelin said slowly.
« Out where ? » Ricci inquired, speaking just as slowly.
« Just... out. I… wanted to see the forest around the base. »
« Uh-huh. » Ricci grinned knowingly. « And who were you out with ? »
« What do you mean ? » Laurelin asked, even so she was fairly certain that Ricci already knew who she had been out with again.
« Come on ! » Ricci said teasingly. « You know what – or rather, who – I'm talking about. You were out with him again, weren't you ? »
Laurelin thought – for a moment – about continuing to feign ignorance. However, judging by the knowing look that Ricci was giving her : Laurelin decided she should go ahead and admit the date that she'd been on.
« Yeah… I was. » Laurelin murmured, a small smile already creeping across her features. She glanced up to Ricci, who was grinning widely.
« I knew you must've snuck off with him once again. » Ricci giggled playfully. She then tilted her head to the side a little. « Well… Did you at least have fun ? »
«Of course, I did. We... did a bit of stargazing and just got to spend some more time together. It was really nice. »
« Ooh, stargazing… Uh ? Do tell ! »
« I will later. I promise. » Laurelin assured. « But, I'm kinda in a hurry right now. I have something I need to ask Optimus, and maybe Lennox, before he leaves for Philadelphia. It's something pretty important. »
« Oh yeah ? » Ricci asked, raising an eyebrow. She smiled and shook her head, but then motioned for Laurelin to leave. « Alright, alright... I won't delay you any longer. But, I want to hear all the details about your little date once you get back. » She loved teasing her dear friend.
Upon arriving at the hangar, it didn't take long for Laurelin to spot Optimus and Ironhide among the numerous soldiers. It looked like they were still conversing, so Laurelin stayed off to the side for the time being. She was already aware of what they were talking about and she didn't want to get in the way.
Even so, that didn't stop Ironhide from giving her an odd look.
Ignoring the look as best as she could : Laurelin finished off the small cup of coffee she had brought with her, waiting patiently. She looked around the hangar, noting that the soldiers seemed to be particularly busy this morning. She could only assume that they were preparing for Optimus's departure.
« Laurelin ? »
Snapping out of her thoughts, the young woman looked up as she recognized Optimus's voice. She couldn't help but give him a small smile. She also noticed that Lennox and Ironhide were looking at her with inquisitive gazes. Turning her attention back to the Autobots leader, Laurelin cleared her throat before speaking. « Um… Were you finished speaking to them ? I don't mind to wait longer. »
« For now, yes. » Optimus replied. He tilted his helm to the side. « Was there something that you needed ? »
« Well… I was hoping to talk to you about something. »
« Oh ? What is it ? »
Glancing over at Lennox and Ironhide, Laurelin shuffled forward a little closer to Optimus. She had hoped to talk to him in private, but maybe it was better this way. Laurelin straightened her posture and tried to appear as confident as she could, before answering. « I… I want to come with you to Philadelphia. »
Both Autobots and Lennox looked surprised at her declaration.
But, it was Ironhide that spoke up first. He snorted derisively and shook his helm. « Absolutely not. Prime's meeting with the boy has nothing to do with you. »
Feeling herself deflate a little, Laurelin though quickly recovered. « I could help. It might help if Sam hears that the Autobots need assistance from both the Autobots leader and another human. » She explained. She opted to not mention that she didn't want to be apart from Optimus for that long. If anything, it was too personal and Laurelin worried that it might just irritate Ironhide further.
« I'm sure that Optimus can handle it. » Ironhide said tersely.
« Hold on, Ironhide. » Optimus interjected, holding up a hand. « That... might not be such a bad idea. »
His surprised look returning, Ironhide looked up at the Prime questioningly.
However, the next words came from Lennox. « It certainly couldn't hurt. » He added. « Especially if he sees that a civvie has been working with the Autobots and vouchs for them. »
Feeling a little more hopeful, Laurelin felt grateful for Lennox's words and looked back up at Optimus expectantly.
The Prime appeared to be mulling over the idea… But, when he gave Laurelin a quick glance : The soft glow in his optics told her that she had already won the argument.
« Just be aware that she's going to be under your sole protection. » Lennox added, adressing Optimus as he crossed his arms loosely. « Though I doubt that'll be a problem for you. »
Stiffening momentarily, Optimus looked over at the major.
But Lennox had already turned his attention to Ironhide.
The weapons specialist seemed to realize that he was outnumbered and that it would be useless to argue further. Instead, he shrugged off-handedly and looked back to Optimus. « It's ultimately your call, Prime. While it may be beneficial to have another human going with you, it would also be safer if that said human was a trained soldier. » Ironhide casted a quick look to Laurelin. « Though I suspect there are ulterior reasons for this decision. »
Optimus immediately gave Ironhide a reprimanding look.
On his side, Lennox just smiled knowingly and shook his head.
Laurelin felt a hint of blush rise to her face and kept quiet. She didn't want to put Optimus on the spot anymore than she already had.
« Either way, you have to make a decision soon. » Lennox interjected, trying to alleviate the current tensions. « Like we were saying earlier, Optimus : You need to head out in the next couple of days, at the latest. »