Chapter Twenty-Four
The early morning found me resting on Optimus while he was in a very light recharge. I was laying on his chest, my legs resting on his wrist as his arm was draped across his stomach. I was having a hard time concentrating on my book – practicing with my energy power had taken all of my mental strength, leaving me totally exhausted. Optimus had sensed my lethargy and pulled me onto his chest before falling asleep himself. I now had more or less complete control over my strange power, getting it to start and stop was easy.
I gave up on my book, the words were dancing around on the page and making me feel woozy, and I didn't want an unscheduled visit from Alpha Trion. I hugged the book to my chest and slowly turned over on Optimus' chest, trying not to disturb him from his recharge. I was moving slowly up and down with the motion of his chest as his systems filtered air in and out of his vents. I took the brief moment of calmness as an opportunity to study his noble face.
His eyebrows (or optic ridges as Ratchet liked to call them) were lying in a perfectly neutral expression on his face. His optics themselves were shut in a tight thin line, and he had the smallest of smiles on his faceplate. I rested my chin on my hands, just taking in my surroundings. Here I was, sitting on one of the most powerful beings in the world; a being who could rip down trees and tear out Spark chambers with his bare hands. A being who would protect me at all costs and who had become my most trusted friend and ally.
I slid lightly underneath his arm and on to the berth, the need to go to the toilet too great for me to resist any longer. I had been putting off going for the past hour and a half, not wanting to wake Optimus up. As I slid slowly off of his chest, he stirred a little and grunted slightly, but did not wake from his recharge. I smiled to myself and slid down the pole that Ratchet had made for me that allowed me to get down to the ground if Optimus wasn't available. I went to the toilet, and after I had washed my hands, I climbed up the cat walk stairs on to Optimus' 'desk' and sat down on the worn computer chair in front of my own little desk. I checked back over my shoulder to see if Optimus was still asleep; he was. I knew I didn't have long before he would subconsciously start to look for me, so I reached into the draw that contained my stationary materials, and started to write.
My dearest Optimus,
Writing this letter to you is going to be one of the hardest things I have ever had to do in my entire life. Before I start with the emotional stuff, let me just say how grateful I am that I had the opportunity to meet you. You have the most pure soul/Spark that it has ever been my pleasure to know. You taught me how to love and trust again, and no amount of debt can ever repay that.
As I was writing, I let the emotion wash through me and pour out on to the page. It was like I wasn't even aware of what I was writing; so I retreated into the safe recesses of my memories.
.o
Optimus was out on patrol when June came in slightly intoxicated. Well, slightly was an understatement, she was completely off of her head. June had been out celebrating her fortieth birthday with Agent Fowler and some other friends when she returned to the Autobot base for the night. Jack was the dutiful son, and made sure she had plenty of water and a sick bucket just in case she needed it. Ratchet rolled his optics but wasn't really annoyed, he probably secretly found it quite entertaining. Bumblebee and Arcee were absolutely fascinated by June's drunken behaviour and were currently asking her to pronounce the longest word in the English language.
"Come on June, you should be able to say this word! You're a nurse for Primus sake!" Arcee threw her arms up in mock frustration and looked down at June through slightly narrowed optics. June hiccupped and giggled, her lips coming up to form a pout as her face scrunched up in concentration.
"Pneumon…pneumonidl…pnefk…poomonic…man that's a hard word!" June giggled again and grabbed on to Bumblebee's foot for support. Poor Bumblebee looked down awkwardly at June, clearly wondering what to do. He bent down, his hand hovering just above her head as if he was going to pick her up, but then at the last minute he seemed to change his mind. Bumblebee stood very still as June used him to walk herself over to the catwalk stairs. She sat down slowly on them and put her head on her knees. Then her head snapped up very fast and she smiled groggily. "I know what you're tryna' get me to do. You want me to say…a really long word…'cause I'm…a little tipsy!" She hiccupped again and sighed loudly.
Ratchet walked in then and muttered something too quiet for my human ears to hear. He had spotted June sitting on the stairs and came over, treading more lightly as usual so as not to startle her. Ratchet was about to speak when Agent Fowler literally fell out of the elevator. He too was rather intoxicated. His shirt was ruffled and untucked from his trousers and his tie was loose and crooked. Agent Fowler said nothing but simply plopped himself down onto the faded leather sofa and promptly fell asleep and began to snore loudly. The sound was akin to a train's steam engine. Ratchet sighed and got down on one knee so he could regard June more on her level.
"Nurse Darby, what is wrong with you? You are not making any sense." Bumblebee stepped forward and looked like he was about to offer an explanation to Ratchet about June's current state, but Arcee stepped forward and stopped him with the tiniest shake of her head, the hints of a mischievous smile beginning to form on her petite face.
June burst out laughing and got up from the stairs. She was wobbly on her feet and Ratchet offered his hand to her. She fell forward on it, much like a baby does when taking their first steps.
"I am fine Mr Ratchet, did you know it's my birthday today?" Ratchet's optic ridges rose up in evident confusion.
"You mean the date on which you were born? Your creation date?" June rolled her eyes and blew a raspberry at Ratchet.
"Tcchh, no silly! Yes, the date on which I was born, my creation date is when-" she paused and broke into hysterical peals of laughter once more. "My creation date is when my parents…you know Ratchet! You're a doctor!"
Ratchet looked at me quizzically and I just shook my head at him with a small smile on my face. Jack came forward, his cheeks as red as Optimus' upper body and held his arm out to June.
"Mom, come with me now; let's go home and not bother Ratchet anymore. Arcee?" Jack looked up at Arcee, who hesitated before speaking.
"Um, Jack? I don't think it's the best idea for your mom to ride with me in her…current state. She might fall off." Jack sighed and put his face in his hands.
I stepped forward.
"Jack? Why don't you and June stay the night here? We've got food and bathrooms, I don't mind if June wants to sleep in my bed." Jack was about to answer me when June pounced on me.
"Yay! Slumber party!" I laughed and put my arm around her, taking a little bit of her weight. She tottered a little in her high heels, and as if reading my mind, she kicked them off. "My feet are sore. Ratchet? Can I have a coffee please?"
"Nurse Darby! No you may not have a coffee. After searching the internet, I have deduced that you are indeed inebriated madam. Coffee will not help this situation. In fact, what you need is a large glass of water." I struggled not to smile as Ratchet reprimanded June.
I turned to Arcee, who came down to my level.
"Erh, is this normal behaviour Sky? Should we have cause for concern?" I smiled and lightly touched Arcee's hand.
"It is normal behaviour for someone who has consumed a lot of alcohol, and I would say that June has certainly had her share. She'll most likely have a massive headache in the morning, but we don't need to worry Arcee. Why don't you take her to Optimus' quarters – I'll be there shortly." Arcee nodded and scooped June gently up into her arms and carried her like you would a baby. June waved to me over Arcee's shoulder with the biggest smile on her face.
I waved back to her and returned her smile. She seemed to be enjoying her birthday and I was greatly pleased of that fact. Ratchet stood back up to his full height and still had that adorable, bemused expression on his face. He shook his head and walked back to the main console, which had started to beep.
"Autobot life signal incoming." I smiled to myself and walked over to the vehicular entrance of the silo. Within seconds, the big rig was pulling up. Optimus transformed on the move, causing a puff of wind that blew my hair ever so slightly. He smiled down at me and knelt down, holding his hand out to me. I stepped on and assumed my usual position; sitting on my knees with my arm hooked around his thumb.
"Hello Sky. How are you this evening?"
"I am fine thank you Optimus. How was your patrol?"
"Mercifully uneventful. There were no signs of Decepticon activity within one hundred miles of the base, which is very pleasing. How was your evening little one?"
"My evening has been…entertaining to say the least. Actually, we have a guest staying with us tonight. And when I say 'us', I mean you and me." Optimus' eyebrows rose and he looked at me cautiously.
"Should I be worried?"
I laughed.
"No, you don't have to be worried. Actually, our visitor is June."
"Nurse Darby? Jack's mother?" I nodded.
"She's a little…drunk, and I think it is best that she spends the night here, just in case she is poorly later on tonight. Is that okay?" Optimus brought me close to his face.
"Of course it is okay Sky; my home is your home, and do not ever think otherwise." I just smiled at him and planted a soft kiss on his cheek, which he returned with the utmost gentleness.
"Let us go and see Nurse Darby then."
Optimus carried me through the long corridors until we got to our quarters. Arcee was there, trying to coax a hyper June into bed.
"June, come on now. You need to recharge."
"Pfft. You're funny Arcee. I'm not a battery!" Arcee sighed and straightened up when Optimus walked in. He placed his free hand gently on Arcee's shoulder.
"Thank you Arcee. Myself and Sky will take it from here."
"Okay. Goodnight Optimus, goodnight Sky." We both nodded to her and then she was gone, shutting the sliding doors quietly behind her. June smiled up at Optimus and sat herself down on my double bed. She stifled a yawn and then gasped.
"Oh my goodness! I am so sorry for being rude." Her speech was a little less slurred now, and her cheeks were no longer scarlet. Optimus showed her he had taken no offense by rewarding her with one of his small smiles.
"There is no need to apologise Nurse Darby. Please, make yourself comfortable in Sky's bed." June was wearing one of Jack's t-shirts (which was too big) and a pair of my track pants. She started to pull the covers back and then suddenly stopped.
"Where will Sky sleep?" She looked at me. "We can top and tail if you like." I hesitated, unsure how to answer her. I didn't want to sleep in the same bed as June, not because I didn't trust her, but because I was terrified of her accidentally touching me in the night. As usual, Optimus came to my rescue.
"No worries Nurse Darby, Sky will sleep with me on my chest; she has done so many times before." June nodded, apparently quite satisfied with that arrangement. She had one leg in the bed when she turned to Optimus and said;
"Ooh, can Sky and me swap places? You're a hot bot Optimus Prime…we should call you…Hotimus Prime!" I just stared at June open-mouthed. Optimus was speechless, but was ever gentlemanly.
"Thank you, Nurse Darby. The sentiment is certainly…appreciated."
"Oh, call me June, you hot bot!" And with that, she climbed into bed and started to snore softly.
Optimus laid down on his berth and placed me on his chest. I turned over onto my stomach so that I could look at Optimus.
"Well…that was unexpected." His voice was low and soft, so as not to wake June. I smiled at him and stroked his thumb with my hand.
"You certainly have a unique effect on the ladies. Was there nobody who caught your eye back on Cybertron?" He thought for a minute before answering.
"No. I was never that way inclined…romantically I mean. Even before I was a Prime…romance was never one of my priorities. And now, YOU are my main priority. The only person I can honestly say I have ever loved is you Sky. You are everything to me. I would do anything for you."
"I know Optimus, and I just have a one word response to that."
"Oh?"
"Ditto."
.o
My mind was snapped back to the present as Optimus moved on the berth. I turned my attention back to the letter.
Optimus Prime, you are my best friend and the other half of my soul.
I love you with everything that I am.
Yours,
Sky
Optimus started to emerge from his recharge, so I quickly tucked my letter into a heavy ivory envelope and shoved it at the back of my stationary drawer. Optimus stretched and got off of the berth, making his way towards me.
"Are you alright Sky? This is not a normal hour of operation for you." I smiled at him and walked over to the edge of the desk and sat down on his waiting palm.
"I'm fine thank you Optimus, I woke up early and couldn't go back off to sleep, so I decided to do some writing to take my mind off of things." Optimus raised the hand that I was on to his face, bringing me so close that his face filled my entire field of vision.
"Ahh. I understand little one. I understand that you are worried about the possible forthcoming events, but I promise you that you are safe with me. I won't ever let the Decepticons touch you again."
I rose up onto my knees and placed both of my hands on his face.
"Optimus, I would let the Decepticons take me every day if it guaranteed your safety. Please, don't underestimate my love for you." He raised me even closer and held me to his face, shutting his optics tightly. I could hear the whir of his mechanisms and feel a soft puff of air coming out from the vent in the back of his head. When he opened his optics again, they were slightly misty.
"Sky, I will NEVER underestimate your love. Come here you." He held me to his chest, so close that I could hear the soft humming of his Spark behind the casing. It was deliciously warm and I shivered reflexively. He drew back and nuzzled me softly with his helm. My hands started to spark and I rubbed them together in an attempt to stop it.
"Easy little one. I know your power gets triggered when you are experiencing intense emotion." His finger moved to gently rub my back, and I concentrated on that sensation alone.
Optimus returned to his berth, laid me on his chest and closed his optics.
"I'm sorry I interrupted your recharge Op." I said, trying to hold back a yawn and failing miserably.
"No worries Sky. Mmm, goodnight little one." I chuckled lightly, amazed how he could sound just like a human roused from their nap. I turned on to my side and curled up into the shape of his hand, allowing the dream world to reclaim me once more.
.o
The rest of the day passed without incident. I had to wait until six o'clock in the evening before I could ring Raf without Optimus accidentally overhearing me.
I tapped his number quickly into my phone, hiding in the Energon vault.
"Hello?"
"Raf! Hi, it's Sky. Are you okay to talk?"
"Sure? Is everything okay at base? Is Bee okay?"
"Bumblebee is fine Raf, I am actually ringing to ask if you can do me a favour?"
"Of course! Something technological?"
I laughed.
"No. I just don't have chance to do it." I explained to him what I needed doing and he agreed without hesitation. "After I hang up, I'll send you the link."
"Cool! I'll get that done right away for you. I'll drop it by tomorrow when I come to the base."
"Thanks Raf, you rock!"
"Anytime Sky. Bye!"
I hung up and sighed. Before emerging from the Energon vault, I deleted my call log. I couldn't give Optimus any indication of what I was planning.
At that moment, the letter in the back of my stationary drawer weighed more than a broken heart ever could.
Lying to Optimus was going to be the hardest thing I had ever had to do.