As he drove down the road en route to regroup with the rest of the Autobots, Optimus found his thoughts drifting away from him. They kept going back to the night he had just spent with Laurelin, how it had made him feel and what it had revealed to him. It had been a both curious and liberating feeling. He had never felt such a love for another being, nor had he ever felt such love be reciprocated. Furthermore, he had never felt such freedom to express and indulge in such love. In one, single night : Optimus had experienced more love and freedom for himself, and shared it with the one being that he cherished more than anything than he had in all in his recollection. And Optimus could not deny that the night prior was one he truly hoped to experience once again. Hopefully, soon.

Now, though : Duty demanded that Optimus return to the front line. While he knew that he couldn't – and wouldn't – abandon the humans of Earth, he did feel a notable sense of reluctance grow the further away he drove from Laurelin. As such : The Autobot leader also couldn't deny that returning to the rest of the Autobots and being forced to leave Laurelin behind, had left him a bitter feeling.

After approximately fifteen minutes, Optimus's moving signal had been picked up.

In a few seconds, both Ratchet and Ironhide were making contact with him. Both were quite surprised their leader had disappeared for a full twenty-four hours without telling anybody. It certainly was not like him, so both Autobots had plenty of questions for their leader once the contact was made.

As he was reluctant to tell Ironhide and Ratchet about the true reason for his absence, Optimus instead started by relaying to them what Sam's answer had been.

There was a short stretch of silence as both Autobots mulled over what such a decision meant.

Rachet then spoke up.

:: While I will say that it is disappointing to hear that Sam made such a decision, I must also voice my concern as to your whereabouts and actions for the past twenty-four hours. :: The Autobot medic explained. :: It is not like you to simply disappear without telling any of us where you are going or what you are planning to do. Even if the details are scant, you at least provide us with some sort of explanation… ::

Again, the reluctance returned and Optimus hesitated to tell the two what he had been doing since Laurelin and him had left Sam's company. Finally though, after a little more prodding from Ironhide : The Autobot Leader relented. He explained he had been spending these hours in head-to-head with Laurelin and recuperating after Sam's firm refusal to help the Autobots. That, however, was where the explanation ended. Optimus was none too keen on providing any more details than he absolutely had to.

:: You required an entire night with a single human to recuperate after Sam's answer? That seems more than a bit extreme. ::The tone of incredulousness was practically palpable in Ironhide's voice. :: Are you feeling well, Prime ? ::

There was a stretch of silence as Optimus tried to formulate a response.

On the other side of the comm link, he could hear Ratchet muttering something to Ironhide. The weapons specialist grumbled something back, and then there was a silence.

The Autobot Leader started to take advantage of the silence to give his answer, explaining he had wanted to ensure Laurelin was understanding Sam's decision and he had needed time to think to himself to come up with a fallback plan.

But Optimus then heard Ratchet say to Ironhide :

:: Ironhide… Repeat your first question, but a little slower and to yourself. ::

It was at this moment that the Autobot Leader realized Ratchet had already put the pieces together and knew what had actually happened between Optimus and Laurelin. Fortunately, for now and judging by the medic's tone : Ratchet wasn't being too judgmental. The Autobot Leader could already tell they had some questions, but he could only hope that they didn't press the matter too much beyond whatever questions they may have had.

:: I... What ? ::Ironhide asked, sounding puzzled by Ratchet's statement. Nonetheless, there was another bit of silence as the weapons specialist did as he had been told. He then made a short noise of surprise, and his next statement was aimed at Optimus. :: Prime ! You didn't... Did you? ::

Sighing heavily and internally, Optimus let the question hang in the air for a moment. He was reluctant to answer, but not sure why. He certainly wasn't ashamed of the night he had spent with Laurelin, nor was it something he regretted. It was quite the opposite in fact. However, the Autobot Leader also knew that admitting what had happened could potentially put an unfair amount of scrutiny on Laurelin. It would also draw a lot of attention to the young woman that he doubted she would want. Even so, Optimus still needed to answer Ironhide's question. Otherwise, the question would be turned on Laurelin.

:: Everything about the prior evening was consensual. :: Optimus finally answered, his voice low.

Though neither Ironhide nor Ratchet immediately answered, the Autobot Leader could hear them both make incredulous noises across the comm link. Both the medic and weapons specialist seemed to struggle to find their voices. It was Ironhide that found his first.

:: You have got to be kidding me, Prime... ::

:: I highly doubt Optimus would take such an important matter as consent lightly. ::Ratchet interjected.

:: You know that's not what I was referring to. :: Ironhide retorted in irritation. He then turned his attention back to Optimus. :: Have you lost your mind, Prime ? She is from a completely different specy. One that we barely know anything about. I… :: Ironhide trailed off… And then, when he spoke again : His question seemed for both Optimus and Ratchet.:: … How would that even work ? ::

:: While it is possible… :: Ratchet quickly replied, obviously trying to let Optimus do as little talking as necessary. :: There still would need to be some care taken. Our holoforms are still capable of being stronger than most – if not all – humans. ::

:: I have been very careful… ::Optimus assured, voice low. This conversation was quickly becoming more awkward than he was wanting to deal with. :: And it seems that our holoforms are capable of being far more like an actual human than we may have initially thought. ::

The surprise from both Ratchet and Ironhide was far more noticeable with this answer from Optimus.

The weapons specialist voiced a few more words of disagreement and added that Optimus should have told at least one of the Autobots where they were and what they were doing.

On the other hand, Ratchet was quiet before giving a lukewarm concession in Optimus's favor.

Fortunately for Optimus, he was getting closer to Sam's coordinates. They were for an abandoned factory, but something didn't seem right about the location. He advised the Autobots of such before telling them he was going in to investigate with Bumblebee, who was already arriving on place.

With the change of subject and knowing that there had been Decepticon activity in the area : Both Ironhide and Ratchet advised that they would be enroute to provide support as soon as possible.

With a quick word of thanks, Optimus ended the communication link. He was more than grateful to end this conversation.