NOTE: Thank you all for your patience and the wonderful reviews! Sorry this took so horribly long! I've been busy and,a s a result, inspiration was slow to hit. To make up for it, I decided to bring OP and Parker a little closer in this chapter, if you know what I mean. There's sort of a big milestone for them here. Also, this is just a SUPER HAPPY, fun, blissful chapter. Parker needs it before she leaves. Enjoy!

PS THIS IS VERY IMPORTANT SORT OF: I really recommend you look up and listen to the song 100 suns by 30 seconds to mars while it's playing in the chapter. Please do that for me so you get the general feel! I rewrote this chapter like 1237107328732 times. GRR.

IGNORE THE TYPOS OKAY.


Chapter 29

So when it comes right down to it, I have three days left at base. Three days left with my brother, with Lennox. Three days with the twins (who I'm still plotting revenge against). Three days with Optimus. None of us have talked much about the inevitable, mostly, I assume, because we don't want to sully our time together with sad conversation.

Tonight, though, I feel like it can't be avoided. I'm pretty sure we're all thinking about it, and everyone's unusually quiet outside. I'm finally washing the cars that had been neglected since their mission, and I'm working on Optimus now, having finished the others. I finish drying his hood quietly, snapping him playfully with the towel to signal that I'm finished. He, Bumblebee, and the twins are outside with me. The three of them have been playing music as I've been working—decidedly happy, cheerful music, I've noticed. And the twins have sensed my sad mood; I can't hide it from anyone, it seems.

I'm getting that feeling again, that trapped, closed-in, helpless feeling. The last time I'd felt this way, Optimus and I had run off, and he'd taken me to see the stars. I feel much more restless this time, out of control. I have to leave, and there's nothing I can do about it. Part of me wants to scream; part of me wants to cry; most of me, though, just wants to run away.

I pull away from Optimus and turn toward the twins and Bumblebee, who are calling me. Skids activates his holographic human self, wearing the same ensemble as he has been at the mall, and offers me a hand.

"Dance wit me," he says, a goofy grin on his face. I place my hand in his, sure confusion is written on my face.

"Dance with you," I echo, "what do you—Ahh!"

I let out a sharp yelp as, laughing, he spins me into his body, locking me against him with a strong arm around my waist. An instant later I'm being flung backward, nearly doing a backbend, before he whips me back up, nuzzling my face. And, just like that, I'm laughing, lightheaded, heart pounding.

"Whoa," I gasp, "where'd you learn that?"

"Internet," Mudflap answers for him.

"Yo, Bee!" Skids calls, "Music!"

And Bumblebee starts playing music. I laugh as I'm swept around like a doll, bouncing up and down with them. We toss our hair, spin each other around, flailing ridiculously to the pulsing, techno beat Bumblebee is playing.

"Cause every time we touch I get this feeling,
And every time we kiss I swear I can fly…"

I'm laughing, my heart pounding as we dance. When the song ends, Skids grabs me and Bumblebee starts playing Wake Me Up Before You Go Go by Wham! which is one of the many old songs my brother and I had danced to. Skids and I swing dance, and the three of us do a lot of snapping, clapping, and swinging.

The song changes to Jump, Jive, And Wail by Brian Setzer—another old song. We continue our old style dancing, and the twins are actually good. We sing along, and things really get wild as Bumblebee plays Rockafeller Skank by Fatboy Slim. Once we finish Get Low, by Lil John, I'm breathless from exertion.

I loop my arms around Mudflap's neck as he lifts me and spins me in a circle, then dips me back. Exhausted, the three of us stumble back, laughing together, collapsing against Bumblebee's warm hood. I rest my head on Mudflap's shoulder, and Skids rest his head on my stomach, looking up at me with a goofy smile. I ruffle his hair and he leans into my hand like a cat.

We just lay there together, me panting. They're not as tired, considering they're not weak and human, like me. Mudflap plays with my hair as I stare up at the sky, letting the cool breeze soothe my overheated body. We don't say anything for a while, and instead just lay together, enjoying what might be our last night like this. I shut the thought away, closing my eyes, refusing to believe it. I'm having too much fun now to think about this. I lace my fingers with Mudflap's and Skids's, seeking comfort, asking them to tell me, somehow, that this won't be my last real night with them.

Optimus, I notice, hasn't moved or spoken almost all night, which I find strange. Something is definitely wrong; he hasn't so much as said a word to me since my screw up with them two nights ago. I rap my fingers against Bumblebee's hood to get his attention.

"Hey," I ask softly. "What's wrong with Optimus?"

"Heavy is the head that wears the crown,
Don't let the greatness get you down…"

I recognize the Katy Perry song, but quirk my head to the side. "What do you mean? Did something happen?"

"Yeah," Skids scoffs, "you happened, Roadkill." I give him a look, and he holds his hands up innocently. I tug his hair resentfully and he yelps. "I'm just sayin'," he says, lowering his voice, "Boss nearly flipped a bitch when he heard you was leavin'. Ain't dat right, Mudflap?"

"Dat's right," Mudflap says, and I turn my head against his shoulder to get a better look at him. "He wasn't too happy bout dat."

"Oh."

"I think," Skids says, his voice secretive, "he likes you."

"Of course he likes me," I snort, trying to make light of the situation. "What's not to like?"

"I can think of a few things," Bumblebee says from beneath me, stealing a sarcastic line from a movie.

"Jerk."

"Anyways," Skids says, sitting up and grabbing my hand, determined not to linger on the subject of my inevitable departure. "Ready fo' mo'?"

I groan but smile, allowing him to lead me back onto the concrete. Mudflap leaps off of Bumblebee's hood, and Bumblebee starts playing slow music. Skids loops his arms around my waist, and I wrap my arms around his shoulders, and we dance a slow dance together before Skids spins me into Mudflap's arms. I laugh as he leads me through a ridiculous tango—complete with appropriate music, courtesy of Bumblebee.

After the tango the pace picks up again, and we dance and laugh until I'm breathless and my head is spinning and I can't do anything but smile. I understand, now, why the lyric dance until we die is popular in so many songs. There's no room left in my head for sad thoughts. I can sense, though, that my time is almost up, and we've somehow drawn closer to Optimus. The twins exchange a mischievous look. Skids steals me from his brother's arms, swoops me around, and spins me, sending me spiraling toward Optimus with such force that I collide with him.

"Oof," I gasp, "sorry." The twins' holoforms have dissipated when I look back at them, panting; they're in their bipedal forms, watching me with dopey grins. Skids motions at Optimus, and I give him a weird look. I rub Optimus's hood gently. "Hi," I tell him softly, and he transforms, kneeling down in front of me. I smile at him. "Haven't seen much of you lately," I say, "you been avoiding me?"

"Of course not," he says, but he sounds distant. "I've been busy."

"Liar." His eyes focus over my shoulder, and I glance back; Mudflap and Skids are giving us a huge thumbs up. I roll my eyes and Optimus makes an uncomfortable sound. Skids gives a loud, conspicuous cough. I know what they want; Mudflap is dancing and twirling with an invisible partner. I can't help but laugh at him, shaking my head. Real subtle. I offer Optimus my hand. "Want to dance?" I ask, keeping my voice light and playful.

"I don't—"

"Come on," I sigh, "it won't kill you."

"It very well might," he says pointedly.

"You'll survive," I tell him. "Come on, indulge me this once." He hesitates and I roll my eyes. "Give me your hand."

He balances his weight, squatting with one elbow on one knee; he extends his other hand to me, and I grab onto it, pulling it close to my face. "I'm gonna miss you, you know," I tell him gently, but don't give him the chance to respond. Instead, I grab his index finger and his thumb in each hand, holding them something like I would hold a dancing partner; his huge palm is facing me, so that he could easily curl his fingers around me if he wanted to.

"There," I say, beaming up at him. "Now all we need is music." I give Bumblebee a look and he drives closer with the twins, who are both in their Chevy forms. Bumblebee plays music, but it's not at all what I'd been expecting:

"The word's on the street and it's on the news:
I'm not gonna teach him how to dance with you.
He's got two left feet and he bites my moves.
I'm not gonna teach him how to—
Dance! Dance! Dance! Dance!"

I start laughing as the three of them drive away, leaving us alone. "He's such a brat," I laugh, glancing up at Optimus, who actually looks embarrassed with me standing there, holding his fingers. "You can play music, right?"

"Yes."

"Okay," I say, thinking of a song to play. I want a short one—slow, too, and one that's not awkward or cheesy. "Can you find the song… um… 100 suns by 30 Seconds to Mars?"

He nods slowly and I smile; the song is beautiful, and less than two minutes long; slow, and not at all corny or cheesy. It's not ideal, considering it's not particularly made for dancing to, but it'll work. I rub his thumb gently, almost soothingly, but I can't wipe the smile off of my face. He watches me for a moment, seems to relax, and then the song drifts to my ears, soft and gentle, nothing more than the sounds of a guitar and a human voice.

"I believe in nothing; not the end and not the start.
I believe in nothing; not the earth and not the stars."

I step slowly, guiding his fingers with me, smiling the whole time. I really don't do much more than sway, and he doesn't take his eyes off of me once.

"I believe in nothing; not the day and not the dark.
I believe in nothing but the beating of our hearts."

I reach up and grab his middle finger, my arm stretched above my head and I twirl, leaning into his pinky, which has curled slightly inward to support my weight. He leans his index down and I grab it, and he helps twirl me again, catching me with his thumb and cupping me against his palm.

"I believe in nothing, 100 suns until we part.
I believe in nothing; not in sin and not in God."

He seems to have relaxed now, and the song is nearly over. I pull back, still holding his finger before stepping in again and spinning so that my back is to his palm and his middle finger is down over my chest. He curls his fingers in just slightly, brushing against my body before allowing me to press away.

"I believe in nothing, not in peace and not in war.
I believe in nothing but the truth in who we are."

As the last verse ends I give one final spin, giving him my weight and leaning back; he keeps me steady, his fingers lined up against my back, and I lean back so far that my hand nearly brushes the ground above my head before he presses me back up again. When I look at him, I notice that his eyes are nearly shut, only a soft, faint blue glow visible. I wrap my arms around his thumb as he opens his eyes and looks at me. Without warning, he scoops me up, taking my legs out from beneath me so that I'm sitting on his hand. Still crouched down, he brings me very close to his face.

I gather my feet beneath me and lean in close, pressing my palm to his forehead as always, giving him his planet's equivalent of a hug.

"Thank you," I breathe, and he makes a low rumbling noise in response. I pull my hand away and for just a moment we watch each other, and he looks conflicted. He lowers me very slightly so that we're perfectly at eye level, and we can't break eye contact. We're very close; close enough that his glowing eyes have turned my skin blue, close enough that I can feel the heat emanating from his metal. And all of a sudden my heart is pounding, and it's not from the dancing. Heat floods my body, and I feel lightheaded; my stomach flutters.

"Optimus," I breathe, and it sounds sort of like a question.

"Parker," he rumbles, and it sounds sort of like an answer.

His eyes flick up and down, and that's all there is. The next moment he's leaning in toward me, and I automatically lean into him, and he presses his forehead against mine. I actually gasp and he closes his eyes; a moment later I close mine, leaning in to press more firmly against him, our heads bowed. It must look strange and awkward because of the size difference, but the meaning is still the same. I recall the conversation vaguely from what now seems like so long ago.

Forehead to forehead, he had told me, was the Cybertronian equivalent of kissing.

My heart stutters in my chest, and he stiffens slightly as I press my hands to his forehead as well. I don't know how long we're supposed to stay this way, but I do know I won't be the first to pull away. It feels good—warm and electric, and I love being this close to him. I soak it in, my arms breaking out in delicious goosebumps.

And then he pulls away.

I stare silently up at him as he blinks a couple of times, looking uncertain. And then his face hardens, shutting me out.

"I'm sorry."


Savannah

I'm leaning against a crate, watching them; my sister and Bumblebee and the twins, screwing around, dancing. It's clear that she's having fun, which is great because, lately, she's been moody. I know she doesn't want to leave, and I'm going to miss her. It's clear that the twins don't want her to go, either.

None of that bothers me, though. She loves Mudflap and Skids. Mudflap and Skids love her. Great. Fine.

What does bother me as that Optimus Prime doesn't want her to leave, either. And I suspect his infatuation with her isn't as innocent as the twins'. Even now, he's parked a ways away from them, not close enough to be a part of their games, but not far enough to be with us, either. I don't know what his problem is, but I do know he's watching her, like he always is. I wonder if she's noticed it, the way he's always watching her, with that look on his face. It's only gotten worse since Barricade nearly killed her.

Ugh.

I try and push the irritated feelings away, instead laughing with the others as she tangos with Mudflap. They're strange, that much is for sure. And P is not a good dancer. None of them seem to care, however, and neither do I. It's just good to see her laughing again as the twins whip her around like a doll. Eventually, she gets spun into Optimus, and it all goes downhill from there. The twins egg her on silently, and then I can only watch in horror as she grabs Optimus's fingers, curling and adjusting them to fit her body. The twins transform and they abandon her, Bumblebee following quickly after them.

She's alone.

With Optimus.

The three of them park next to me, Skids closest to me, Mudflap beside him, and Bumblebee furthest away. Skids revs his engine gently, drawing everyone's attention. I'm about to go out there and murder Optimus Prime as she starts dancing with him when Skids's radio comes to life, which only makes matters worse because he's playing that song from The Lion King. He and Mudflap are playing off against each other, taking on the voices of Timon and Pumbaa.

I think I'm going to die.

"I can see what's happening."

"What?"

"And they don't have a clue."

"Who?"

"They'll fall in love and here's the bottom line: Our trio's down to two."

"Shut up," I seethe. "That's not funny."

Sideswipe snickers. "It's kind of funny."

"It's not funny!"

Timon, in the song, adopts a fake French accent. "Ze sweet caress of twilight; there's magic everywhere. And with all this romantic atmosphere, disaster's in the air."

And then their radios start belting out "Can you feel the love tonight?" And they're giggling to each other, and Bumblebee is laughing, and Sideswipe is trying to stifle his laughter. Mirage makes a disgusted sound and drives away, and Ironhide groans. They all transform, crouching down to watch the scene better. She's still dancing with his hand, and they're oblivious to our watching eyes.

They stop dancing, then, and I watch as Parker leans back over his hand, looking almost graceful.

"No, no, no, no," I keep saying. "No."

"What's up?" I jump; Lennox has crept up behind us, having noticed us all watching. In answer, Skids and Mudflap play the closing lines to the song, fudging the he into a she.

"And if she falls in love tonight, it can be assumed…"

"Her carefree days with us are history."

"In short out pal is doomed."

Weeping noises and laughter fill the hangar as the song finishes and Optimus lifts Parker up to his face. Ironhide groans again.

"Don't do it," he urges, "don't do it, Prime."

"Do what?" Lennox and I ask in unison.

"He's gon' do it," Skids says excitedly. Bumblebee whistles.

"Uh-oh," Sideswipe says.

"What's going on?" I demand.

"Oh, man," Mudflap says, "he done it."

She's standing in his hand, her forehead pressed against his. At first it seems like nothing; and then I notice the slope of his huge, broad shoulders, the way he seems tense but not in a bad way. I realize the gesture must be far more intimate than it seems.

"What's that?" Lennox asks. "What're they doing?"

"Optimus and Parker, sitting in a tree," Skids starts.

"K-I-S-S-I-N-G."

"What?" They'd better be joking, but one look at me and they all start laughing. Ironhide just sighs, shaking his head.

"Why," he seems to ask the universe. "Of all the beings out there. Why her?"

"What about her?" I know I'm in denial, but this can't be happening. Please tell me this is all a big joke.

I watch as Optimus finally pulls away from her. Lennox is laughing. He seems to have caught on more quickly than me. He reaches out and grips my shoulder, looking amused, giving me a slight shake.

"I'm going to kill him," I finally say, stepping away. I lunge out of the hangar. "I'm going to kill him!"

Skids catches me before I can get any further, though, laughing. I wiggle against him, and Lennox is nearly in tears from laughing so hard.

"Put me down! I'm going to kill him—how dare he—she's my sister! She can do better than a robot—"

Ironhide snorts. "Please," he drawls, "that little beast will be lucky if she ever finds someone even fractionally as good as he is. He can do better. He can find someone—or something else. Perhaps one of your Earth dogs. I hear they're loyal, at least." I glare at him, and he smirks at me. "I don't like it, though," he sighs, and I'm relieved. "This means, if she has become the object of his affections, I must guard her as I would guard him."

Okay, so it's not a good sign if the only reason he disapproves is because he has to guard her. Honestly, he could have had better reasons. Like the difference in species, for instance.

"I think it's cute," Mudflap sighs.

"Yeah," Skids agrees.

"Cute," Mirage snarls from behind us. "It is disgusting."

"Shut up," Sideswipe tells him. "If Prime is happy, no one is to say a word against it. However, our job is to protect him—even from himself. If, and only if, she gives us reason to disapprove, we act."

"So I suppose working for Megatron isn't a reason to disapprove?" Ironhide growls. Sideswipe waves a hand at him, watching them out of the corner of his eye.

"That was in the past." Ironhide just snorts. "We'll keep an eye on her, Ironhide."

He rolls his shoulders. I'm seriously going to kill someone. Am I the only one freaking out? It looks like it. Lennox just looks amused.

"Can't say I didn't see it coming," he says, shaking his head.

"What do you mean?"

"She spent so much time with him," Lennox explains. "Even before she knew you were here. They snuck off, and she had him wrapped around her little finger. He wouldn't say no to her."

"I think that's a little extreme," Ironhide mutters resentfully.

"Uh, guys," Skids says, nodding toward the two in question. "Heads up. We got movement."

Sure enough, Prime has transformed, and Parker is climbing inside. A moment later, they're gone.


Parker

"I'm sorry."

I just blink at him; he looks like he's reeling, desperate in some way. But I'm sorry? That's what he decides to say? He just alien-kissed me, and he decides to say I'm sorry? I must look confused, because he shakes his head slightly, not meeting my eyes.

"I shouldn't have—" he halts, looking deeply conflicted. He sighs. "Parker, you must understand—"

"I really don't think it's that complex," I snap, folding my arms. "You can put me down, now." His eyes flick to me for a moment before he places me gently on the ground. I glare up at him, hands on hips. "I knew it. Something's wrong. What's your deal?"

He heaves a heavy sigh, rubbing his forehead like he always does when he's uncomfortable. He seems to brace himself, his face going all determined. "I—made a mistake. Parker, we should not be friends. You understand that, don't you?"

"You're joking."

"I'm serious."

"What, pray tell, was your mistake?" I can't keep the scornful sarcasm from my voice, and I know he notices.

"Befriending you." I roll my eyes. "In three days, you will be leaving. We should end our friendship now, before either of us gets hurt."

"Oh," I say slowly, trying not to show the hurt that I'm already feeling. "I know what this is about."

"Parker," he sighs, crouching down close, "it's better this way, I assure you."

"Define better."

He gives me an annoyed look. "I'm ending our friendship," he says, "now."

"Good joke," I snort. "I'm going to make this really simple for you, because, somehow, you haven't seemed to be able to figure this out yet. You don't get to end our friendship. Not like this."

"It's for your own good—"

"Hush. You also don't get to tell me what's for my own good. I'm a big girl; I can make my own decisions."

We glare at each other for a moment, but there's no hostility behind his eyes. If anything, there's affection, though he's trying to hide it.

"You can't be my friend if I don't want you to be," he snaps, and I have to laugh at how childish it sounds. It's even funnier when he says it in his big, regal voice. He's clutching at straws, here.

"Sure, whatever you say," I growl. "What's the point, anyway? We have three days together. Three. Are you trying to ruin them for me?"

He looks away from me sharply, and I know it. I was right. That's what this is about. I'd never thought he was serious about ending our friendship, not with what the twins had told me about his reaction upon hearing that I was leaving. Especially not after he'd just Cybertron-kissed me. With a sigh, I reach forward and grab his hand. He looks down at me, but doesn't move his hand away.

"Come on," I murmur gently. "I know why you're doing this. But it's stupid." Another heavy sigh; he shifts his weight. A lump forms in my throat. "You suck," I tell him bitterly, punching his hand. "I was having so much fun, and then you just had to go and ruin it, and now I'm thinking about leaving, and I don't want to go—"

"I don't want you to go," he rumbles, and our eyes lock. I tremble and swallow thickly. I start shaking my head.

"Optimus," I whisper, rubbing his finger again. "This might be our last night together like this. Can you please not make it suck? I kind of want to enjoy it."

He gives me a sad smile. "You're too stubborn for your own good."

"So we're friends, right? I'm not going to let you throw me away like this. That was a jerk move. Especially since you kissed me." I grin at him.

"This is difficult for me, too."

"But you don't have to push me away and run from it, either."

"What do you suggest, then?" He sounds amused.

"Meet it head on," I say, "don't think about it, at least. But don't take the easy way out and avoid me, or make half-assed attempts to end our friendship."

He nods. "I'm sorry," he says, "especially if I ruined your night."

"Only a little," I shrug, then give him a look. "I know how you can make it up to me, though."

"Do I want to know?"

"First, I want you to tell me we're still friends. I think you can figure the rest out." He does the first part, and I laugh, then gesture out into the darkness. He just stares at me, faking confusion. "Do I gotta spell it out for you?"

"Yes."

I tug his hand. "Let's pull an all-nighter," I urge, a huge smile consuming my face. "Let's run away. Tonight. Right now."

He glances over his shoulder at the others. They're staring at us. "But—"

"Whatever," I say. "Let them say what they want; I don't care. Come on, we've just got tonight. Let's leave it all behind. We're not going to live forever, you know."

He hesitates, but I can see I'm wearing him down. "Come with me," I plead, "just tonight. Give me just one night with you—I want to spend it with you." I stare imploringly up at him, and he nods. I smile and back up as he transforms. A moment later, I'm pulling open his door, climbing in, and we're gone.


NOTE: We'll talk more about their kiss in the next chapter. I totally enjoyed writing this one, and the part where OP tried to end their friendship wrote itself. I imagined him as just having this oh, shit moment, when he realizes he's acted on his feelings, but knows it's too late because they have no time together, so he tries to salvage that in the way he thinks is best—ending their friendship, so they don't have to say goodbye or address their feelings. But Parker knows better, calls him out, and he knows it was a sad attempt, and all is well. It wasn't anything too serious. He was just kind of desperate.

Make sense? We might talk about it more in the next chapter. Oh, and the song Bumblebee played at OP was I'm not gonna teach your boyfriend how to dance by the Black Kids.

Feedback, please! Reviews?