Chapter 29 is finally up and ready for reading! Wow...this one is pretty long. lol I hope everyone will enjoy it! I sort of rushed it, so sorry about that. I'm close to wrapping this story up. Just a few more chapters!
Clare POV
I couldn't open my eyes. I couldn't move. I couldn't speak. But I could hear.
I could hear voices. But I didn't know what they were saying. I couldn't figure out who the voices belonged to. There was something so oddly familiar about them. I couldn't put my finger on it. I didn't know how long I've been listening to those voices. It felt like hours. God, it was so dark. It felt like I was stuck in the middle of being asleep and being awake. I wanted to wake up. I wanted to know what they were saying. I wanted to know who they were.
Then, suddenly, there was silence. No more voices. Completely silent.
"Clare," someone finally uttered. 'That voice,' I thought. Then I felt something warm surround my face. No. Not surround. It was like, something warm was holding my face. The feeling was also familiar. "Wake Up. Please." A sharp pain filled my chest. I could feel his pain. I...I knew who he was. But...what was his name? "Wake up," he uttered weakly. I wanted to wake up. I wanted to see his face but I didn't know how. I couldn't remember. "Wake up! Wake up! Wake up!"
'I want to!' I yelled back inwardly. 'Let me wake up!' Then I heard a gentle murmur of voices. The same familiar voices. I couldn't remember. I had to remember! The warmth left my cheeks. He was leaving me. 'No!' I screamed in my head. 'Don't leave me! What's your name!' The pain in my chest increased. It felt like a knife was pierced into my heart.
...another car rammed into the cop car before it hit the girl. It was a yellow beat up Camaro with two black stripes coming down it's hood...Four vehicles appeared and drove up toward us. One was a huge red and blue Peterbilt truck with flames on it. A silver Pontiac Solstice was in front of the truck. Trailing behind was a Search and Rescue H2 Hummer, which was yellow green, and a black GMC Topkick...
'Names. Your names,' I silently called out. 'All your names. I have to remember'
...she saw the yellow Camero outside, parked to the side of the street. Having the car there made her smile...the weapon specialist gently pulled the traumatized girl onto his lap and held her close...the smaller silver mech scooped the girl up into his hand and held her protectively close...she could barely hear the soft words of the medic as he tried his best to revive her...she went closer to the tall blue and red robot who just stood and watched her. She climbed the railing of the balcony and kissed him right on his mouth...
'Bumblebee...Ironhide...Jazz...Ratchet...and...'
...
I was blinded by a bright light. Thankfully my eyes began to focus and I realized that I was staring up at the ceiling lights. I blinked a few times to make sure it wasn't a hallucination.
'And...,' my mind continued to search for his name. I slowly turned my head and I saw Jazz, Ironhide and Bumblebee. Jazz and Ironhide each let out a soft gasp. Bumblebee just stared at me in disbelief. I glanced at Ratchet who, by the looks of it, was frantically checking the monitors around me. My eyes drifted towards the familiar red and blue rig with flames. I stared at him...that one mech. What was his name? His hologram stood completely still with his back to me. His name...
"Optimus...?" I asked.
The hologram slowly turned and looked at me. Tears were leaking out from his gorgeous blue eyes. Someone suddenly had their arms around me. Bumblebee. He said nothing. He just held me tightly against his shaking body. Then Jazz was suddenly holding us both.
"Clare," he whispered. "Baby girl."
"W-what's going on?" I asked, very confused. "Are you guys ok?"
"We are now, Clare. We are now," Jazz murmured and kissed my cheek. I felt someone stroke my hair. I looked back to see Ratchet's hologram. He ran his fingers through my hair again. It was a loving touch. The medic was smiling gently right at me. Weird.
"We are merely happy that you are well," he said.
"What do you mean?" I asked.
"Nothing, kid," Ironhide grumped. I looked at him and could have sworn that he was smiling as well. Actually, it was more like a half-smile. It was close enough. And still very weird. "We'll talk about it after you get some rest. You probably need to take things a little slow."
I gave the black mech an absent nod. Everything felt so surreal. I realized that I couldn't remember a whole lot of what happened before I woke up. Just bits and pieces. As if by instinct, I looked at Optimus for reassurance. To my surprise, he was still staring at me as well as still crying.
"Optimus...?" I said his name tentatively, as if I was unsure if that was his name at all. After a moment, I said his name again, but with more strength and certainty. "Optimus." One of my hands let go of Bumblebee, who was still clinging to me, and reached out towards the mech. It felt heavy and stiff almost like a block of lead. But I ignored it. "Optimus. My Optimus Prime."
Suddenly, Jazz and Bumblebee both let go of me and Optimus' hologram was on me before I could blink. One hand held me by my hair while the other held my jaw. The tears from his cheeks smeared onto my skin as Optimus nuzzled from my cheeks to my neck.
"My love," he whispered almost gutturally. "Mine."
My hands slid up his chest to his face and held him by his cheeks. His eyes bore into mine and I was a bit astonished by the fact that I was able to stare right back into his. I saw the deep love in his eyes. It was...haunting. Before I knew it, my lips found his. Optimus let out a soft needy growl as his kissed back. I felt the heat rise within me. Or was that from Optimus? No. It was both of us. We both knew what we wanted from each other. Then someone cleared his throat and we froze. Ratchet. The medic apparently figured out what we wanted as well.
"Break it up, you two," he said dryly. "Clare shouldn't be getting into those kinds of activities just yet."
"Yeah, it might be just a bit too early for that," I heard Jazz say with hint of amusement in his voice. Optimus finally withdrew his lips from mine but he still held me by my hair. I rested my head against his chest. I felt so safe and happy. I was with my Autobots.
I peeked out at the others and saw Ironhide, now using his hologram, walking up to us. There was an oddly gentle smile on his face. The smile itself made his hologram look so much more older and tired. It made my heart hurt a bit.
Ironhide sat next to Optimus and gave me a gentle pat on the back. Then, before I knew it, Jazz, Bumblebee, and Ratchet were all on the bed with us. They were either hugging onto me, holding my hand, or simply stroking a lock of my hair.
For the most part, all the Autobots I've met became my friends to some degree. But these five were different. The "first wave" of Autobots were special to me and they will always be more than my friends. They're my family. That very thought triggered something in my mind. I suddenly felt as if something was off.
Optimus must have somehow sensed this because he gently pulled me off of him and said, "We have to talk."
A Week Later
Optimus, and his Autobots, had told me everything that has happened over the last few months. From the new base to Caitlin and her family. From the issues with my own family to the government and people who were, and maybe still are, against the Autobots. Everything seemed to be very grim through my eyes.
I hated how the government closed down the factory. That place was like my second home. Even with just Bumblebee around, Caitlin and I would go there and hang out. Then there was Caitlin's family. What they did just hurt me. Caitlin's parents have known me for a long time. And because of me they left. And, of course, my mom and sister. I was a bit relieved by the fact that they weren't allowed to see me. As horrible as it sounds, I really didn't want to wake up to their faces. As for the dear citizens of Earth and the government who keep harassing that Autobots, I could go all day ranting about them. But I won't. I'll just annoy everyone in the process. By everyone, I mean Ratchet. The only bright side is that I can finally remember everything that has happened. and that I'm able to see my Autobot friends more often.
So, for the passed week, I had to stay in the little medbay with Ratchet because he wanted to make sure that I was physically alright. The only time I was able to leave was to go to the bathroom for a few minutes. I couldn't even take a shower! I felt so damn grubby and because of this my mood was off. I mostly took it out on Ratchet because he was the one who ordered me to stay. But he ignored my bitching like he always seemed to do. At least he didn't yell right back at me like Ironhide would do.
Jazz and Bumblebee took turns in giving me food. At first, they were very small portions. My body needed to adapt to me eating actual food instead of relying on the energon in me to live. At least I was able to get out of bed. Ironhide visited me every day and helped me get used to walking again. That was probably the only reason I was able to leave the medbay: take little walks with the weapons specialist. I got visits from Sideswipe, the femmes, and Jolt as well. They all seemed pretty happy to see me alive. Optimus was the only one, other than Ratchet, who stayed in the medbay with me. Bee wanted to stay as well but he had to help out with the base. At least I was able to talk/text to him with my new cell phone which was sent to me by none other than Simmons. Bless the man. Simmons also managed to come over for a visit as well. It was a brief one, but I was so...unbelievably happy to see him. The most we did was talk about Simmons' new book that he was planning on writing. It was interesting...I guess.
Even after he left, I was able to communicate with him. The cell phone he gave me had all of his contacts. The amazing man that he was, Simmons also added all the Autobots' numbers as well as Lennox's, Epps' and even, to my delight, Caitlin's. With the help of Bee and Jazz, Simmons managed to track down Caitlin's new cell phone number. Without her parents knowing about it, of course. Caitlin and I have been texting/calling each other non-stop, partially because I had nothing else better to do. But I did miss talking to her a lot. We kept each other updated on things.
Obviously I managed to gain my mother's cell phone number as well. I talked to my mom and Anna a lot too. I wasn't surprised that my mom began to cry hysterically when I first called. I was kinda happy about it. I even sort of missed it...but it got old rather quickly. Her constant complaining ruined it all for me as well. Yes, even after being out for however many weeks and going through all the hell I've had, my dear mother decided to rant about everything. And I mean everything. She raved about what happened to our house, the Autobots themselves, the Government, NEST, Caitlin's parents, the hotel she's at. Everything. Thankfully, Anna didn't rant or complain like our mother did. She just asked me how I and everyone else at the base was. She's more accepting of the Autobots than our mother was, that's for sure. And that's who my mom would bitch about mostly. Instead of yelling at her, I would just hang up. Hearing her rant, especially about the Autobots and NEST, was something I really did not want to listen to. I just didn't want to deal with it, but my mother didn't seem to understand that. This time, after hanging up yet again, I felt like chucking my new phone at the wall.
"It isn't the phone's fault," Optimus said a little gruffly. I glanced at him. The Autobot leader was sitting in a couch-like chair across the room. It was probably the farthest place he can be from me while staying in the medbay.
"I guess," I said softly, trying to keep the hurt from my voice.
"No, love. You did nothing," he murmured gently, the gruffness hidden. It was like he read my mind. I felt the truth in his words that should have convinced me, but I really wasn't.
"Is it the smell?" I asked. A small yet amused smile cracked onto his lovely face. "Sorry about that, but Ratchet won't let me shower."
"Don't make me into the villain," Ratchet called out from his work station. "You know why I need to monitor your health."
"Yeah," I muttered. Optimus chuckled.
"He's right. And no. Again, it's not you. It's me," he said.
"You?"
"Yes. I do not trust myself around you."
"Why not?" I asked curiously. Optimus squirmed a little in his seat. A sudden warmth filled my body. But it was different from the usual warm feeling I get with Optimus. It wasn't comforting or just loving. It was...arousing.
Ratchet came over and began to give me the usual brief checkup. As he checked my pulse he murmured, "Optimus is in heat."
That didn't really surprise me at all. I could feel his need for contact. I realized, though, that he has been keeping it in for along time. It was only a matter of time when he will finally snapped. But, for some reason, I didn't feel afraid or anxious about it.
Ratchet gave me a little pat on the shoulder when he was done checking me over then retreated back to his work station. The medic has been really sweet to me lately. He hadn't snapped at me as much. It was weird. I missed his grumpy serious side, but I didn't want wreck his mood. Not yet, anyway.
Ironhide strolled in. I smiled and hopped down from the berth, ready for our little walk routine. I needed to get out of the medbay badly. The weapon specialist merely held up his hand.
"I don't think you need me to help you walk anymore," he said dryly.
"But, it's fun to take walks with you," I retorted.
"Beside's you two have bonded quite a lot during your little walks," Ratchet called back with a smile in his voice. Ironhide rolled his optics then crouched down towards me.
"That's not the reason why I came here, kid," he said. "Lennox is here. He wants to talk to you about a few things."
"Oh. Uh...well...Ratchet! Can I please take a shower now?" I pleaded.
"Since your frame seems to be fully stable again, I guess you could," he said thoughtfully.
"Yes!"
"Clare, Lennox is here already. You better go talk to him now," said Optimus.
"Noo!" I whined. "I can't face him while I'm so gross right now."
"Too bad," Ironhide growled more teasingly then irritably. That made me pout.
"Come on, now. Lennox won't care if you're 'gross' or not," Ratchet said. He was trying to be reassuring but it didn't really work.
"He's waiting in the main chamber," Ironhide grunted then scooped me up.
"Wait! Wait!" I yelped as I pulled the skirt of my hospital gown down, trying uselessly to cover my legs. "It'll just be Lennox, right?"
"Sure," the black mech grumbled then walked off.
"Sure? What kind of answer is that!"
"It'll be Lennox and Epps...and a few others."
"What! More army guys?" I squeaked and felt my face burn with embarrassment.
"Relax, kid. I don't want Ratchet to get angry with me for giving you a panic attack."
"Ratchet...Oh! Optimus! I forgot to say bye to him," I said just as I turned back, only to have Ironhide stop and gently press him against his chest. "Oh. Right. You're doing all the walking. Not me."
"Clare. I know you still feel off and a bit awkward with everything right now, but just try to take a few clicks to relax"
"Clicks? You mean seconds, right?"
Ironhide glared at me in such a way, I didn't try to talk back to him about it. He reminded me of my dad. It was one of the few memories I had of him. Probably the only one I've seen him really upset with me. I accidently broke his favorite mug while I was going into a tantrum. He wasn't angry that I broke the mug. It was the fact that I tried to throw it at my sister when she made me upset. I will never forget the look he gave me.
I was brought out of my train of thought when Ironhide gently brought me up to his face. He wasn't glaring at me but no matter what his expression was, he always looked intimidating.
"Just relax," he said gently. I nodding slightly then took in a deep cleansing breath. "Good," he said softly then brought me back to his chest in a gentle embrace. He stayed still and silent for a moment then continued on walking.
We entered a rather large room that contained large complicated looking computers. There were a bunch of trucks and vans with the NEST logo printed on the sides parked on the side next to three smallish jets and a plane. How they managed to get all those vehicles in here, I do not know. I could tell that the base still needed to be finished up. But, as cool as this place already seemed, I still missed my factory base.
"Hey, kid!" I heard someone yell. I looked down and right smack in the middle of the room was Lennox. As well as Epps and three other NEST soldiers. I recognized the other three but I couldn't remember their names. I automatically felt back about that.
Ironhide set me down near the soldiers but I scooted back against him. I didn't really understand why I felt do damn uncomfortable. There was something gnawing inside me. Something familiar and menacing was present. It made me feel anxious. At least Lennox and the other four men kept their distance from me. From the look on their faces, I could tell that they knew I needed space.
"Heard you finally woke up," Epps spoke first. He grinned at me.
"Yeah," I said, trying to smile back. "I've been awake for around a week now."
"Is that so?"
I nodded. I wanted to slap myself in the face. There was no reason to be this awkward with them. 'They're my friends,' I thought. 'Why was I acting like this?'
"Come on," Lennox said as he held a hand out towards me. "There are a few things I gotta tell you."
I stared at his hand for a long moment. My heart began to pound in my chest. I absently looked up at Ironhide for reassurance. The black mech merely jerked his chin towards Lennox, clearly stating that I should go with him. I sucked in a deep breath that calmed my nerves greatly and went over to Lennox.
"Just relax, baby," Ironhide said softly then walked off. I stared after him. Ironhide has never called me baby before let alone anything else other than 'kid' or my name. Strangely enough, I've never witnessed him using a tone that gentle. Even the soldiers seemed stunned.
"Whoa," Epps breathed. "Big man must have some soft spot for ya."
"Yeah, I guess so," I answered.
"You guess..," Lennox said with a snort. He took my hand and walked passed the other soldiers, who took turns ruffling my hair and patting my back. I let out a little squeal.
"Ah! Nooo! My hair is nasty! Don't touch!" I whined. The men snickered as Lennox led me to the far corner of the room, right behind the plane.
"Looks like you've been in prison," Lennox said with a smirk.
"Close enough. Ratchet was my warden," I said dryly. Lennox laughed at the and I smiled. "So...what did you want to talk to me about?"
"Mostly about the government and their...reaction to what you did."
"Great," I muttered.
"No no. Just hear me out. It's nothing bad. The American government, as well as others around the world, feel really bad about trying to follow the Fallen's orders and go after you."
'They better feel bad,' I wanted to say, but instead I just nodded.
"So, because of that, hierarchies around the world have decided to donate large amounts of money to you." I stared at him.
"To me? Just me?"
"Yeah, so..."
"Do they really think that giving me money will make their actions any better?" I asked, suddenly feeling bitter about the entire world. I almost forgot by the fact that I was on the very top on the Wanted list in every country on the planet. The part that really sucked was that no one tried to defend me. At least some of the leaders felt guilty about it. Either that or they were afraid of me sending my Autobots after them. I would prefer if they were afraid of me.
"Look, I know that you are a bit...pissed about it all. But they are trying to make amends. Alright?" Lennox said.
"Yeah, alright," I sighed. After a moment, I asked, "So...can I use the money for anything?"
"Well, since it's yours. Yeah."
"Can I tell you where I want to put it all?"
"You want to spend it all already?"
"Yes and no. I just...there's a bunch of stuff that needs to be paid for."
"Like?"
"My house, for one thing. Make that the whole neighborhood. It all needs to be fixed up and rebuilt."
"Our government paid for that and is getting worked on as we speak."
"Oh.." Didn't see that coming. "Well then, how about hotel expenses for my mom and sister."
"Paid for."
"Then...can I use it for college?"
"It's your money, kid. You use it how you want...as long as it's legal," Lennox said. "We're just going to hold onto all of it for you. NEST volunteered to keep your cash safe." He paused. "Speaking of college, do you know were you want to go?"
"No, but I do know that I want to go into graphic designing."
"Why not the Art Institute that's here in DC?"
"You're saying I should stay here in DC?"
He nodded then said, "Now, this was the other thing I wanted to talk to you about. It's entirely your choice, but a lot of us think that because of your strong bond with the Autobots you should stay here. We think that you'd be more safe and happy. I mean, again if you want, you can get an apartment and use the money to pay for it until you get a job."
Lennox had a hopeful look on his face. He wanted me to stay in Washington DC with NEST and the Autobots. I really wanted to. No joke. But, something made me hesitate in answering. Because of this, Lennox's smile faded slightly.
"You don't want to stay, do you?" he asked.
"No. I do want to stay. Really. It's just...can I finish high school back home? I mean, I can go through my senior year, graduate, and then come here. Is that good?"
"It's your choice kid. If you want to finish your high school back at your home, then that's completely understandable."
"Thank you."
"Sure thing," the soldier said then patted my shoulder. "Oh! And before I forget, there's one more thing I gotta tell you." Lennox motioned to someone behind me. Before I managed to turn around, something latched onto my leg.
"Warrior Goddess!"
"Wheelie!" I exclaimed. 'Oh God,' I thought. 'I forgot about him.' I knelt down and picked the little 'bot up. "Wheelie, I'm so sorry," I said, suddenly on the verge of tears. The ex-Decepticon merely hugged onto me, grinning.
"I knew you'd realize how much you'd miss me," he said smugly.
"Where was he?" I asked Lennox.
"Apparently, he snuck into Caitlin's luggage," the soldier said with a shrug.
"Yeah! I snuck into her suit case. I wanted to teach that girl's parents not to be such pricks! They should have never said that crap about my Warrior Goddess!" Being reminded about Caitlin's parents made me feel a bit upset. Wheelie seemed to have noticed because he hopped off of me and said, "Well, I'm gonna go help the other 'bots fix this crap-tastic place they call a base." I smiled as he transformed into his little blue self and drove off. Lennox then pulled me into a slightly awkward hug.
"Come on," he said. "You'll feel better after a much needed shower." he grinned impishly. I snorted and smiles back. He kept his arm around me and led me back to the medbay. His gentle embrace was comforting and friendly. So why did it make me feel tense?
"Thanks for everything," I said.
"Everything?"
"If you hadn't brought NEST to Egypt, I doubt any of us would be alive right now."
"I think I should be thanking you. No, the world should be thanking you. Even after Optimus was gone, you still kept going."
"I had a lot of help."
"Clare, without you we probably wouldn't have known what to do," he said firmly. There was no humor in his eyes or tone. He was being serious. I gave up trying to argue back at that point. Besides, we were in the medbay. "Quit being too modest. You saved the world." he ruffled my hair, purposely teasing me. I groaned and punched his arm. Lennox merely laughed and said "I'll leave you to your shower," then left.
Ratchet was still in the medbay, fiddling with some equipment. Surprise surprise. But, Optimus wasn't there. I assumed that he was gone to help with the renovations. I looked back at Ratchet. Before I managed to open my mouth, he said, rather impatiently, "Yes. Yes. Yes. Go get yourself clean." I beamed at the giant grump then literally ran to the bathroom.
"Thank you!" I called back before shutting the door. I hear him chuckling. It made me smile.
The bathroom was probably the biggest private bathroom I've ever seen. And most likely the cleanest. Everything was white, almost blinding. There was one fluffy white towel handing next to the shower stall. Yes, a stall. It had a semi-transparent sliding door to it, too. I glanced at the sink, which had toothpaste and the toothbrush I've been using. I was happy that it had all the necessities for me. Soap, shampoo, a blue puffy mesh sponge, a razor, a hair brush, and even a hair dryer. These guys either guessed on getting the right things or they just knew me too well.
I took off the hospital gown. Yes, the same one I've been wearing for more than two months. Gross, isn't it? It stuck to me like a second skin. After I took my underwear off, which I was also wearing for more than two months, I shuddered in disgust. I glanced at myself in the mirror and froze. I was naked.
"Duh," I said out loud to myself. "I kinda have to be naked." 'Not safe,' I immediately thought. The sudden familiar panic began to creep in. "It's just a shower. That's all," I retorted a bit shakily. Then his face flashed into my mind. Blood red optics that stared hungrily. The grotesque face with the sharp pointed teeth.
"My pet."
I shrieked.
"Clare!" Ratchet called out. "Are you alright?"
I tried to swallow the panic down and said, "Fine! Just fine, Ratchet! I just...saw a spider! Yeah. Just a spider. That's all." There was a moment of silence.
"Are you certain? Perhaps I should get Optimus an-"
"No. No. I'm fine. He needs to work." I regretted saying that almost immediately but I said nothing else.
"Alright...," I heard Ratchet grumble. He wasn't convinced. I didn't expect him to be.
"Pull yourself together," I whispered through clenched teeth. I took in a few deep breaths before going into the shower stall.
I turned the water on and sighed in relief as the hot sprays beat down on my skin. I stood still for a few minutes then got to work scrubbing myself down. After the first scrub down, I stared at the razor for a long moment. I remembered when I cut myself in front of Ironhide. It felt like years had passed since then. After a few moments of reminiscing, I managed to make myself grab the razor and start shaving. Doing that took quite a while but I was rewarded with silky smooth legs and pits. Next, I took a glob of shampoo and lathered my hair. I rinsed then lathered it again.
"My pet," he whispered in my head. I let out a startled gasp. The cold hit me like a ton of bricks.
"N-no..," I whimpered and sank down to my knees. He felt close. So close. "Go away," I managed to growl, though weakly. I cringed as the cold raked me from the inside as if Megatron's talons were caressing the inside of my body.
"I found you, Clare," he snarled. My eyes began to sting as the shampoo from my hair flowed into them. I hissed, trying to withstand the sting of my eyes. Unfortunately, the pain didn't keep Megatron out of my head. "You belong to me."
Suddenly, the stall door slid open.
"NO!" I screamed and blindly scooted as far away as I could, which wasn't far at all. I held my hands up over my face defensively, but allowed the energy to build up in my right arm. If he touches me, I could stun him and run. To my horror, the energy disappeared at once.
"No need," one of the Primes whispered. Then a pair for strong hands grabbed me by my shoulders, lifted me up, and pushed me against the tiled wall. I instantly recognized the warmth of the hands.
"Optimus..?" I asked with a slight crack in my voice. I tried to wipe the soap off of my face so I could see him. In response, though, Optimus merely tilted my face up and pressed his lips against mine. I let out a shuddery moan. Megatron growled through the bond, clearly realizing that Optimus was here. I felt his presence churn inside of me as if something else was pushing him back. Something that was warm and loving. Optimus. I could feel the Decepticon leader trying to get to me again. But the more Optimus kissed and touched me the more Megatron faded.
I was sandwiched between the wall and Optimus. His lips were soft. His kisses were gentle. Loving. But also possessive. The odd thing was that he made no sound while doing so. No moans. Not even a growl. He was still holding back. But just barely. I was the only one whimpering. I couldn't help myself when I clung to his shirt, which was already soaked. I felt his hands slide down my shoulders, over my breasts, then down to my hips where he pulled me to him while pushing himself to me. Heat was radiating from his body. I could feel it through his drenched clothes. It just made me want more of him. So much more.
But, at that moment, our lips withdrew. Optimus gently pulled me off the wall and m held e against him. We were directly under the water now. I had kept my eyes closed to avoid having more shampoo going into them. I kept them shut until I was sure that the shampoo was completely out of my hair and off my face. I looked up at Optimus' face, which was inches away from mine. His eyes stared into mine. They seemed to be eerily brighter. Almost glowing. I couldn't look away from them. They were just...so beautiful.
"Mine," the Autobot suddenly growled. I couldn't reply because he immediately kissed me again. It was more intense this time. His control was hanging by a thread. His kiss was so fierce it was as if he was feeding off of my mouth. I whimpered when he emitted a low rumbling growl which started from his chest and went up to his throat. His body vibrated with it. His kisses became more rough as he went down my neck.
"Optimus," I moaned. I was against the wall again. His hands were on my hips again and he lifted me up slightly. I took my chance and wrapped my legs around his waist. He closed the distance between us with his hot hard body.
"Please...," I whispered. I loved this. I wanted him so badly. I felt no fear. No doubt. This was it. This was what I've been wanting from him.
At that moment, Optimus froze. He looked at me in the eye again. This time, there was horror in his sapphire eyes.
"No," he said then gently set me down. "I can't...I mean...I don't want to hurt you."
"Optimus, you won't hurt me," I said a little breathlessly. I playfully tugged on his shirt, trying to make him understand that I wanted him to continue. Optimus shook his head in disagreement. He gently took my hands in his and gently pulled them off of his shirt.
"You need care," he said softly. I could hear the faint strain to his voice. I was hard to listen to as he went on. "I can't provide you with care. Not right now. Not while I'm...like this." He lifted my hand up to his face and nuzzled it. I silently watched as he quickly dropped my hand, got out of the shower stall, and left the bathroom. I stared down at the trail of water that he left. My fists clenched in determination rather than anger or hurt.
"I don't need care, Optimus. I need you," I muttered. I quickly wrapped up my extended shower, absently marveled by the water still being steamy hot after all this time, and towel dried my body. When I got out of the stall myself, I reached for my clean clothes, only to realize that I didn't have any. Damn. At least I had my fluffy white towel.
I knew that Optimus was still in the medbay, but I wasn't sure if Ratchet still was. Because of that, I was very hesitant in leaving the bathroom. To stall for time, I decided to brush my teeth and blow dry my hair. All I could think about was what to do or say to Optimus once I left the damn bathroom.
When I finished with my hair I stared at myself in the mirror. I stared into my own eyes. They were blue again. The same bright Autobot blue, except they were brighter than usual. I could see the need in them. The heat between Optimus and I was still there. I could feel it. It hadn't faded. We both needed to satisfy each other's hunger. That itself made me want to go out to him.
"Now or never," I finally muttered to myself.
With that said, I wrapped the towel around me, took hold of the door knob, turned it, and stepped out of the bathroom.
