Disclaimer: I do not own Transformers Prime. It is the rightful property of Hasbro. My only claim is the plot to this fanfiction.

A/N: HELLO EVERYONE! Yes, your eyes are not deceiving you. Another chapter has finally been posted! Been on a Transformers marathon as of late to get back into the grove of this story, and watching the new series out on Netflix really helped to get my love for this series kicked back up again. As I've stated with my other recent postings, I'm trying to get back in touch with the community, streaming whenever I can, or if anyone wants to talk and discuss with me, just reach out on the links on my profile. I'm on discord all the time and it's the same name as my penname on here, just underscore between the two words. The info will be posted on my profile if you're not sure, but either way.

Since we're beginning October, starting tomorrow night, I will be livestreaming "Dead Space". Love that game and been a fan of it since it first came out. So look for me on Twitch or Discord and we can chat as I'm trying not to scream my head off at all the horror jumps. Lol!

All right! Let's begin!

xXx

Rise of the Predacons

Chapter 12

In all his years in the service. The training he received from the government to make him into an efficient ranger-turned agent for the U.S.A. He wasn't prepared when the fragile looking nurse punched him dead in the face and knocked him flat on his ass.

"You shot my son?!" June screamed with a rage unbefitting the stern, self-controlled woman.

"Look, June. I…" he started to say but flinched when she looked like she was about to punch him again.

"NO! I don't want to hear whatever excuse you're going to make!" June yelled back, giving Agent Fowler a look he had only ever seen on his worst enemies. "You were supposed to protect my boy. Instead, you shot him! Shot to hurt or possibly kill him. You knew what you were doing the moment you pointed that gun at him!"

He wanted to argue, make her see reason, but the truth of the matter was. Yes, he did shoot Jack and if he had to…if that bullet would have been capable of it…he'd have killed Jack right then. It would have been the necessary thing to do to keep Miko safe. The girl was deluding herself if she thought she was getting through to Jack. He saw the rage in that transformer's eyes. There was a darkness in them that exploded with raw violence. Had he waited any longer, Miko would have been another lost soul added to the list of lives he couldn't save, and Jack was already added on it.

There was no denying it. Jack was a loss cause now. He had done too much to endanger not just his friends and family, but now humanity the moment he willingly cooperated with Airachnid in stealing that red energon. The boy was going to have to pay for his actions, even if he was being manipulated. That was just the fact of the matter. Jack was a threat now. Everyone needed to wake up and smell the coffee beans, but he didn't have the heart to tell the angry mother. She had suffered the most from this ordeal. She lost her son to a monster, then only to find out what remained of him was turned into an even worse monster.

Time will prove it all. For the moment, though, he stayed on the floor and kept from meeting June's enraged expression. Everyone around him kept busy, seeing it was a private matter and trying to stay out of it as professional politeness. Also, they knew Agent Fowler would ship their asses to the coldest points of the globe if they utter a single remark. He was a well-respected agent, but the man was stricter than any drill-sergeant, and used his power to get what he wanted when he was tested.

That was why it was a bit surprising for some of the men who knew Agent Fowler to see him taking the woman's anger so silently. He must really care about the nurse if he was taking her abuse. At least, that's how it looked to the observers who took a moment to glance at them, then quickly rushing off with their duties before the agent could direct his ire on one of them.

"None of you are doing anything to save Jack! Time after time you find him, and then you come up with some excuse to why he's still with that monstrous fem-bot, or whatever she is!" June exploded.

Ratchet tried to come to Agent Fowler's defense. "June, please. The matter isn't so simple. Jack is…"

"I don't want to hear any more excuses!" June shouted at the top of her lungs.

Ratchet tried to interject but a wide and heavy hand rested on his shoulder-plate, leading the old medic to turn to look at Optimus Prime, who had appeared by his side. He silently shook his head, telling Ratchet to leave the matter be. Frustrated but resigned, Ratchet muttered an excuse about getting back to Bulkhead's transfer to the Voyager and took his leave. Optimus Prime watched the medic go for a moment, then turned his full gaze down on the small human woman. She was still screaming, raging at everyone, and he stood quiet and allowed her to vent her emotions.

She wasn't a warrior. She wasn't a soldier he could simply tell to be strong. She was a human mother who lost her child. Although his kind did not replicate in the same manners as humans did. That did not mean that they did not form bonds of kinship with their fellow brothers and sisters. Optimus Prime himself felt that every member of Team Prime was a member of his close family, and that included the humans. The children…Jack.

Jack was lost but not forever. The human had an inner strength that beguiled his small stature. There was a greatness in the boy and it seemed Airachnid had seen it too and capitalized on it. What she did to Jack was forever beyond forgiveness, only Primus could have any mercy on her Spark once it returned to the All-Spark, if it wasn't swallowed up by the Pit.

The soft sobs of crying alerted him that June had finally stopped yelling and had returned to shedding her grief in a manner the Prime was finding himself more and more envious of. Humans did not understand how fortunate they were to be able to expel their sorrow through their tears. For a Cybertronian, there was no outlet save for battle to try and force back the gripping emotion. Only in moments of rage or concentration could such feelings be dealt with, or as Optimus Prime has found…

"June," Optimus Prime spoke softly.

The nurse looked up at him, and all that rage she had moments ago was gone, leaving behind a fragile and near-broken mother. He leaned down enough so he was almost face to face with her on the walking-rail. "Come with me. I think you need some fresh air."

Not waiting for her to object or anyone else to. Optimus Prime gently reached down and scooped the woman into his hands with a tenderness his massive hands might contradict. She did nothing to stop him as she had spent all her energy yelling. The only thing that mattered to her in life was out of her reach, turned into a monster but some psycho alien-bot from outer space. Yet here was another alien-bot, reaching out and scooping her up and carrying her away, and she wasn't at all phased by it. Resting in his hand, she actually felt comfort and wrapped her arms around his thumb as he carried her away.

Feeling her arms around his digit, Optimus Prime was careful to not move it as he walked toward the exit and placed her down. Once she was on her feet again, Optimus Prime took a step back and transformed into his vehicle-mode and opened the driver's seat. "Let's go for a ride. Some distance from here may be in order."

Wordlessly, she did as he suggested. She climbed up into the driver's seat and put the seat-belt on as Optimus Prime closed the door for her and his engine rumbled as he drove off. Everyone in the nearly disassembled base watched in silent awe and confusion as the leader of the Autobots left with June. The soldiers all had their own options, but none of them had the guts to voice them. Miko had a small smirk on her lips and looked at Raf who had a look of relief on his face.

The other Autobots had no idea what their leader was going to do, so they left him to his devices and figured he knew what he was doing. Springer was the only one that had a disapproving scowl on his face-plate. As for Agent Fowler.

The man was angry.

Angry at himself for how things were turning out and angry how he couldn't be the one to calm down June. He cared for the woman. Hell, she had a spunk that reminded him of his ex-wife, something that drew him to her in the first place. He was only a human male after all, and even after all his time fulfilling his obligations to his country, he still got lonely. But he wasn't able to do anything, Optimus Prime did. Why did that infuriate him so much?

What was there to get angry, anyway? Optimus Prime was a robot, as giant, hulking mass of metal. June was a petite, human woman. Plus, the Prime had a personality as dry as the Savanna desert. What could there be to read in them leaving together like that? Grunting in annoyance at himself and how things must be looking to the men around him, Agent Fowler got off the floor and straightened his collar and jacket.

"Ratchet, did you get started on that sample we brought back?" he called out, trying to act professional again.

Hearing him, the medic barely turned his head to address him. "It will take some time, but once I'm up in the Voyager, I will be able to run a full analysis, far quicker and more efficient now that I'll have proper equipment to use. I should have results very soon."

"You do that. Once you figure out a way to kill the virus Airachnid used. I want a vaccine for it, ASAP!" Agent Fowler ordered, forgetting he technically couldn't order around the Autobot medic.

Ratchet remained silent and nodded grimly. He understood the agent's pride was wounded and he was just as upset with this whole mess as they all were. Everyone was on edge because of Jack's transformation. Emotions were running rampant and it would take only another push before everything crashed down. These was the worst kind of moments in war. When you were facing an enemy you couldn't defeat with a blaster or fist. The war of Spark, or soul as the humans would phrase it. That kind of warfare had claimed many strong warriors, and Ratchet had seen too many good friends lost to it. He himself had only made it this far by hardening his Spark-Chamber and dealing with the loss as best he could with his duty of keeping those he could online.

He could do nothing for others that faced such hardship, and he knew Optimus Prime saw June about to crumble to that old enemy. That was probably why he took her out, to give her a break everything. Being the caring leader he was, he likely didn't want to see June lose the will to live. Whatever those two were doing now was for them and them alone. It had nothing to do with a cranky old medic like him. So as always, he performed his duties and readied the samples he would take with him aboard the Voyager along with Bulkhead.

xXx

They were two miles out from the base. June watched the countryside roll by through the Prime's window as she sat in silence. She had no qualms about trying to control the steering wheel or place her feet anywhere near the petals that moved on their own. She was a passenger, not the driver, and she trusted the Prime to know where he was going. The two said nothing as they drove across the desert, even when they finally reached the interstate, she continued to watch the moving landscape as they headed to who-knows-where. Optimus Prime didn't appear to care where he was going, just as long as there was open road, and that was fine with June. She didn't care where they went.

Everything was lost to her, anyway. Her son was taken from her. His involvement with alien robots had affected her life, and likely she'd never be left alone by the government with everything she knew. The life she had struggled so hard to make for herself and her son…was over.

All she had now was to hope a miracle happened and her boy would come back to her. Optimus Prime promised her he'd bring him back to her. Regardless of her tantrum earlier. Deep down she knew the Autobot Leader was the only one keeping to his word and trying to fix all this. He appeared to know her better than she knew herself, as just sitting and driving along the interstate was helping her in a way she hadn't realized.

"…I see why you Autobots like to drive around so much," June found herself saying before she realized it.

"It helps to sometimes forget troubling moments," Optimus Prime answered back.

"Must be why you're always driving. I hardly ever see you staying at the base more than necessary," June remarked absently.

Optimus Prime didn't take her words as offensive. In truth, she was right. He did enjoy the open road the humans created. Riding upon them helped him focus his thoughts and at times overcome his own inner turmoil with getting lost in the tranquil landscape around him. As much as he had learned of earth and human customs, he still found riding through a desert a pleasant experience. Why humans complained about them was still confusing to him. There was a beauty to the vastness of them.

Likely, those complaints were more on the fact of the lack of necessities humans needed to survive. Water was indeed scarce and the heat would probably be too much for their frail outer frames to handle. Upon remembering that fact, Optimus Prime quickly made sure his AC was turned on at an adequate temperature to keep June cool but not freezing as they continued their trek across the interstate.

An hour went by before June found her voice again, wanting to distract her mind from her grief. "…What was it about Jack?"

The question was out of nowhere, but Optimus Prime understood what she meant by it. "He had a strength I had only seen in few. A strength to press on and courage to do what must be done. I trusted him with a great burden only because I knew he could carry it. Jack had done more for us than anyone ever had…he gave us hope."

A soft sob escaped June but it was more out of pride than sorrow this time. "That boy…he only was that way because I kept pushing responsibility on him whenever I could. I wanted him to grow up to become a strong, independent man. I wanted…I wanted more for him, not get involved in something dangerous like this…"

Seeing she was leading herself back to woe, Optimus Prime felt it wise to change the subject. "He never talks about his father, your human counterpart. Why is he not around?"

He thought that might help, but it seemed he picked the wrong topic as a dark look came over June's face. "…The man that was responsible for Jack's birth wasn't a dad, in any way."

"I…You need not discuss this matter if it…" Optimus Prime tried to give her an out, but she shook her head and hugged her arms as she sighed and lowered her head.

"It's not something I talk about either. Not much to tell, really. I was young and foolish. I fell in love with a handsome guy just as I was starting college, fresh out of high school actually. We dated and it seemed we were kicking it off well…so we spent a few nights together. One day, I found out I was pregnant and when I shared the news with him, he decided to end things with me. He didn't want to be saddled with raising a kid, let alone marriage. He skipped town not too long and never heard a word from him again. So, there I was, a young college girl forced to raise a baby all alone. My family…well, they did what they could, but not without reminding me of my mistake whenever they could. Once I was able to start working as a nurse, I was able to hire a babysitter so I could support us both. I just kept working and trying to be an example for Jack, until he was old enough to start looking out for himself…and…and I kept making sure that he learned to take responsibility." Hot, silent tears rolled down her face once more.

She held her hands in her face as they pour down her already redden cheeks. "I didn't want him to be like his deadbeat father. I wanted him to respect and be mindful of others. I wanted him…"

She lost her voice as she began to sob once again. Optimus Prime was at a loss as to what to do. He had not meant to cause her this much pain to her Spark, he had meant only to ease her mind by distracting her somehow, but it did answer a few things for him. Why Jack was so thoughtful, so caring.

"You've raised him well, then," he said finally.

"Wha…?" June uttered, looking up at the dashboard of the cabin.

"Jack has taken all your lessons to 'heart' as you humans would say. He has been a…prime…example of the virtues you wanted him to have. He is selfless, courageous, kind, and above all, loyal to his comrades. I was and still am proud to have him as a comrade…and a friend," Optimus Prime opened up, hoping his personal opinion of the boy-turned-Cybertronian may help this time.

He was rewarded when June began to smile softly and start trying to dry her eyes once more. "You know, you are actually a big softie when you want to be."

Optimus Prime stayed silent.

June chuckled. "I know, I know…you're the strong, silent type. But I know you really care for your Autobots and the kids. I've seen how hard you've had it and been trying to keep those kids safe, even if it was you guys that pulled them into this mess…oh!"

June hadn't meant to say that last remark. Here was the leader of an alien race…and she insulted him just after he was obviously trying to ease her mind.

"Yes, it was our fault that Jack was pulled into this war. I had no intention to bring any human to harm…but I know Megatron. He would not allow any slight to go unchallenged, even from a race he considers inferior to himself and his Decepticons. I only wished for their safety until I and the rest of my Autobots could find some way to deter Megatron from earth. Yet, I was unable to do so…I failed to protect Jack from Airachnid's vile machinations…She…she truly is no longer the Autobot I knew so long ago," Optimus Prime explained grievingly.

"Autobot? Wait, that spider-bitch was one of you?" June said, her voice slightly raising.

Optimus Prime sighed inwardly, forgetting that June had not been conscious during his explanation to everyone about Airachnid. "She, as was all Decepticons, once an Autobot. The war Megatron had begun divided into two sides. Autobots and Decepticons. Early into the war…she was known as Elita-One…" And from there on, Optimus Prime explained the rest of the story, how she had been a promising Autobot, how he had trusted her and saw her potential.

June took it all in silently, giving him time to finish before she sighed deeply and sagged in her seat. "I'm…so sorry, Optimus. I had no idea the history you two had."

"History?" The way she said that word made it sound as if it had more meaning to her.

"You obviously cared a lot for her…well, before she turned spider-psycho. The way you talked about her just now. You cared deeply for her, didn't you?" June remarked.

The Prime was at a loss for words. How had she analyzed that from what he said? Looking deeper into his own choice of words and how he had regarded the events. There was indeed a truth to it. Back when she was Elita-1…she was more to him than he openingly admitted. Cybertronians didn't have what humans considered 'mates', but he had always felt a connection to her. A connection only 'compatible' Cybertronians had.

"June…There are those among our kind, compatible. This may sound similar to how you humans find partners for reproduction purposes, but to us, it was…different," Optimus Prime started, soundly slightly uncomfortable with the subject.

June not really picking up on his pressed him for more details. "So…no late-night moonwalks for you guys?"

"Yes, in a way," Optimus Prime replied after a moment of silence. "The genders you would use to describe certain individuals of different builds have a sufficient and alternate meaning for us. For a cybertronian, there is always a compatible partner build for them. Not for the reason to reproduce…as all Cybertronians don't have that function…but rather to preserve our long-life functionality."

"Wait a minute…you mean, like for parts?" June uttered.

"In a sense, when a 'male' Autobot is damaged or their Spark is nearly about to go offline due to low energy. A 'female' Autobot that is compatible can use their parts or transfer their bio-energy signature to keep said Autobot alive, until they are repaired properly, as is vice versa should a female suffer critical damage. Sadly, due to the war, the female half of our race were already low in ratio to males, leading to their extinction had we not abandoned our home world," Optimus Prime explained, using words that would better help her to understand Cybertronian's status. There were no true gender, just different processer settings. "It is a very personal function between our kind. We do not talk about it because of how…intimate…it is."

June was floored. To them genders weren't a thing to identify a potential mate…it was basically spare parts for them. "That's…a lot to take in."

"Hence why we do not talk about it," Optimus Prime said, leaving a note that clearly meant he was done with the subject.

June should have left it at that, but she was starting to get curious now. "Seems like that isn't the case anymore."

"What do you mean?" Optimus Prime asked.

"What Airachnid is doing, what she's doing to my son," June said trying to keep the bitterness out of her voice. "She's half-organic now, right? And kissing him…wanting to be his partner? It sounds too much like what we fleshies do when we are looking for…umm, mates as you put it."

"Hmm…" Optimus Prime considered her words. Indeed, it did seem that Airachnid had warped her nature and was practicing things that were beyond what his kind could do. If she was acting out organic instincts…could that mean something more for whatever she and Jack were? Were they able to 'mate' like real organic lifeforms?

He fell silent as he contemplated the implications to this. It was awe-inspiring and extremely frightening at what it all could mean for his kind. Should anything come from their union, it would be the first abnormality, ever. Were it not for the fact it was Airachnid that was responsible for this phenomenon, he may have looked more positively at what this could mean for his kind. Since it was, however, anything that was produced from her could only be a means of danger to humans and normal Cybertronians.

June took his silence in a different way. 'Oh god…did I just embarrass him? I didn't mean to get up in his grill about something so touchy. Damnit June, you keep screwing up when it comes to guys…even metal ones.'

"H-hey, big guy. I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. I was…just thinking out loud," June tried to get the Prime to speak, not enjoying the long silence as she once had.

"You had a point. I was taking it into consideration what this could mean. If Airachnid has indeed found a way to mate with Jack, then she has taken a new step no one among my race has ever taken. She has transformed into a new lifeform; one we must be wary of. I fear whatever she may plan for the future may have on all Cybertronians if she continues down this path," Optimus Prime replied absently. He hadn't considered such things until now.

Was it truly possible for his kind to transform into such a degree? Could Airachnid have inadvertently found a way to repopulate their numbers? Was it possible for a human and a Cybertronian to…

His thoughts began to wander off until he suddenly became very aware that he had a human female in his cabin, in his driver's seat, looking worried and…flustered?

"Were it possible as you implemented, what would you say to such a union between Cybertronian and human?" Optimus Prime asked her suddenly, curious what her answer would be.

June turned into a shade of red that almost matched a part of his outer scheme. "I-I wouldn't know what to say!" she said hastily, quickly averting her eyes to look out his window, not wanting to look directly at him, or what she thought he was observing her from. "It's insane, yeah, especially since its my son involved with a spider-psycho bot from hell."

"But if it weren't…" Optimus Prime pressed softly.

"…I-If it were anyone else, I-I could see the possibilities," June blushed.

Inside she was becoming a huge mess. 'Oh my god, I cannot believe I'm having this kind of talk with a robot! A really large, man-like robot with really, REALLY good husband qualities.' Her skin instantly went pale, so pale, Optimus Prime thought he might be freezing her as he had increased the coldness in the cabin because her body temperature had gone up.

"June? Did I make you uncomfortable?" Optimus Prime said, referring to the temperature.

He did not expect June to take it another way. "N-no! What's wrong with a human girl and a male alien robot talking about…things."

If Optimus Prime was in his robot mode, he might have blinked in confusion at her statement, but he wasn't and it took a few more moments before he saw the error in his words and how June must have taken them. "I see we've come about a subject best left alone. My apologizes, June."

"No!" June said quickly. "Its not a problem. I mean, it's just…unexpected, that's all."

"Hmm," the prime replied and tried to go back to silently driving, preferring to just leave things at that and enjoy the drive.

June however was starting to have other thoughts. Her mind was starting to wander about…possibilities now. The subject had started making her see the Prime in new ways, ways that she had unconsciously been teasing at. It was all just for fun, mostly to pick on her son with grownup jokes, but in a way, she wasn't really joking. There were times when she was disappointed when Optimus Prime wasn't at the base. How amazed and awed she still felt when she laid eyes on him.

Was this how Jack felt when he was around Arcee, was that why he couldn't stay away from them? Was he already having feelings about robots and Airachnid was the first one to pick up on the signs and acted on them? This was too much for her to think about, especially while she was riding inside the bot that was currently the center of her focus. 'Not the worst situation you've found yourself in, June. Usually it's the guy trying to get inside the girl…oh man, that sounded really wrong, even in my head.'

"You appear to still be brewing over the topic. Is it…that unsettling?" Optimus Prime inquired only because of the mixture of expressions June was making. He couldn't quite make them all out, save for two. Worry and…resentment? He feared he had crossed a line and wanted to know exactly what it was she was so focused on.

June sighed as she wanted to say it was him she was 'brewing over' as he put it. The Autobot leader might be some wise leader of an entire race of robotic aliens…but he was like all males and oblivious where it mattered, yet she knew he was only concerned. Their topic was way out there if she was being honest. A hard-working mother trying to raise her only child right all alone in the world, talking to an alien leader of a robotic race about…relationships.

She realized she was being a bit too silent and finally groaned out a response. "No, it isn't unsettling. It's just not something I'd ever thought would be a real issue. My son, wherever he's at is being manipulated with love and compassion by the worst kind of…woman? Yeah, technically, she would be female now if what I understand from what everyone's said about their situation. It's a mother's worst nightmare. My son is being brainwashed by that bitch Airachnid, and I don't even want to think about what she's doing with him now…it's too much." She sighed into her hands as she leaned back in the seat. "…Why couldn't it have been Arcee?"

"…So, you do approve of a human and cybertronian relationship," Optimus Prime quipped.

June narrowed her eyes and glared at the dashboard where she guessed he was 'looking' at her from. She had no clue but it felt like that was where her ire needed to be directed at. "That's what you got from that? Why are you so fixated on this?"

It was Optimus Prime's turn now to be silent. He didn't really mean anything by it. He was simply curious. If such a union was possible, then their two races could achieve a kind of peace neither could have on their own. What possibilities could there be if humans and Cybertronians were to bond in such a way? It would have been impossible, for sure. A human's life-cycle is so fleeting compared to how long his kind were capable of living. So long as there was energon and regular maintenance was kept, they could live on indefinitely.

That all changed now thanks to what Airachnid did. Crossing the two species to create a techno-organic being of unknowable potential. For the madness that led her to do it, Airachnid had achieved something…amazing. If only it hadn't been used on Jack in the manner it had.

"I merely am weighing if any good can come out of this situation," Optimus Prime answered her after he came to a conclusion. "Humans have been a valuable ally against the Decepticons. It has been the first glimmer of hope my kind have seen in many, many ages. All thanks to you and your son, June. If a time comes that we can finally be at peace with one another…what might happen if humans and Cybertronians were more open with one another?"

"It sounds all so sci-fi to me…" June grunted in response, but her fingers were idly stroking the bottom of Optimus Prime's steering wheel. "…It would be something, wouldn't it? Humans could live longer. There would be no more sickness, at least with what we know now. People could just be happy, forever..."

Optimus Prime almost had a retort to that. The war had made him jaded to believing happiness could last forever. He held back his remark because it was the first time that he saw June starting to finally smile. She hadn't realized it but she had begun smiling as she thought. He was all too aware of her touch and found it hard to ignore. It wasn't unpleasant. It was far better than the times when Agent Fowler would grip his steering wheel like he was trying to rip it off. Her fingers were much more pleasing to feel on him.

Realizing where his processor had taken him, Optimus Prime immediately disregarded that observation and trained his senses back on the road.

What might come between humans and Cybertronians was still unknown, but any future he himself might even try to entertain was out of his reach. He knew what it may cost to end this war…and he did not wish to make any more people suffer and be left all alone should the price of peace comes with him going offline.

'Dying…' That is how humans worded it. Yes, they had interesting ways of phrasing things and that was part of what made them so fascinating. They too believed in a Spark and a life after their physical bodies went offline. It was one of the few similarities their races had in common.

June was already distraught with what happened to her son. Would she suffer more if she considered someone like him worth attaching themselves to and she lost him? The answer was clear. She would indeed feel some loss should he expire…but just how deeply?

"You got quiet one me again, Prime," June said, her fingers still dancing over the bottom half of his steering wheel. Seeing he wasn't going to start talking again she continued. "You're still thinking about humans and Cybertronians doing it…"

A little extra exhaust spurted out of him at hearing that. Did she just…tease him? Using his sensors in the driver's cabinet he looked a little closer at the human and saw she was…smirking. This human was unpredictable to him. She left him feeling worry most of the time as he knew she stressed over the children's safety, and yet she could throw a line like that and completely leave him befuddled. Humans were indeed curious creatures…

She seemed to realize she was getting under his hood and started chuckling. "Wow, so robots can think of kinky things, too? Wonder what Arcee would think if she found out her leader had such thoughts."

"Arcee would not consider anything wrong by it," Optimus Prime defended.

"Oh really? What if she was the one thinking of my son in that way instead of Airachnid, hmm? Maybe she's just as…bad," June mused, leaning forward and gripping the steering wheel with both hands in a way that the Prime wasn't familiar with.

It was gentle and yet firm at the same time. Was this a human embrace, but a hug humans were fond of preforming for their friends and loved ones?

No, that wasn't it. This gesture seemed too personal, intimate almost. Could this maybe be how Jack and Arcee spent their time when they rode together? Were they really that close?

"June…" Optimus Prime said with a slight thicker tone.

"Yes, Optimus?" June said with a slight playfulness in her eyes.

"You are buckled up securely, yes?" he replied.

Of all the things she had expected him to say, common safety wasn't one of them. "Great way to kill the mood…"

"That wasn't my intention," the Prime said, tightening the seatbelt over June just a bit more snuggly.

"Wait, what you…?" June started, only to squeal and grip his steering wish as hard as she could when the Prime suddenly veered off the road and started riding out across open land.

"We're going off road!" Optimus Prime said, smirking inwardly at his late warning. "Maximum Overdrive!"

Before she could protest, he hit the accelerator and his boosters and they went blazing across the dust and sand of the desert.

June held on with all her life, screaming and yelping at every bump. "Where are we going?!"

"Nowhere, just driving!" Optimus Prime replied with a slightly excited tone. Jack and Arcee seemed to love riding cross-country, maybe June and he could experience the same thrill.

Heading toward that ravine they often talked about, Optimus Prime took June for a literal drive. They speeded over dunes, flying across the landscape for moments until he touched back down on solid ground. June hollered all the time but she did not once order him to stop. He drifted as he made turns and kept hitting the accelerator when he evened out on the path. When they got to the ravine, all sense of time disappeared.

Optimus tried a few tricky paths that might have been reckless for his size, but he was skilled with his bulky form and knew just what he was capable of. June all the while was beginning to laugh and slamming her hand on his horn whenever they went sailing over more dunes or nose-diving down steep trails. After they had hit all the turns and came roaring back out of the ravine, Optimus ended the joy ride with hitting the brakes and turning enough to send them into a spin. June yelled out even louder, but in pure joy, as she held on for dear life until they finally came to a halt.

June was left laughing and grasping at her chest, feeling how hard her heart was pounding from the surges of adrenaline that were still coursing through her body. "That…was AMAZING! Is that what it's like every day with you Autobots? It's no wonder the kids want to hang out with you all the time!"

"We have our moments…but to be truthful. That was the first time I did anything like that…with anyone," Optimus Prime admitted as he, too, was enjoying the after effects of the rush.

"…I was your first? Oh, big blue…" June cooed, but ended up giggling.

"I…well, you see," Optimus Prime stammered, not sure how to respond to that.

"I'm teasing!" June let him off the hook. "Seriously, that…was just what I needed. I haven't done anything that wild since…well, my early college days. Thank you, Optimus…you helped me feel alive again…"

"You are welcome…June," Optimus Prime replied, feeling like he should be saying more but he could not for the life of him think of what could be appropriate to say in that moment.

The decision was made when June's stomach made an odd noise.

Worried, Optimus Prime started scanning her to make sure she hadn't injured herself during their romp. "June? Are you okay?"

June curled into a ball in her seat, hugging her stomach and grinning sheepishly. "…Heh, yeah. That was just my tummy telling me it needs fuel. I haven't eaten since…" she paused as she couldn't recall when was the last time, she actually ate anything. Everything up until this moment was just a haze of tears or her blackening out. This was the first time she felt normal, all thanks to Optimus. "Say…uh, I'm not really ready to go back to base. Could we…?"

Optimus Prime revved his engine and started driving again, but at a more leisurely pace as he had before their spontaneous joy ride, back to the main road. He drove to Jasper and asked her where would she like to get sustenance. She had chosen junk food. With all the stress she had been put through, she decided a little greasy food was justified. Unfortunately, that took them to Jack's old job at the burger place as that was the only fast-food chain nearby when they entered town, but she didn't let it get to her this time. She was in too good of a mood to let every little thing trigger her.

She planned to get Optimus Prime to park by the building and go inside to get the food herself, but he kept on going right up to the drive-thru lane and stopped at the menu board. When she was asked what she wanted by the attendant over the speaker, she picked the first thing that looked yummy, but had to repeat her order four times before the attendant seemed to get her order right. Was this someone Jack worked with? God, this person would drive her insane if she had to work with them. When pulled up to the window, she saw it was actually the manager himself that she had been talking to.

When he opened the window, he stared up at June to see her waving innocently down at him from the driver's window of the massive truck. "H-hi…"

"Mrs. Darby?" the manager grunted in disbelief, then narrowed is eyes at her. "Do you know where your son has been? I've been trying to get a hold of him to get his butt here and cover his shift like he supposed to!"

"I-I'm so sorry. Something's come over Jack…and I meant to call and let you know…" June started but the manager cut her off.

"That doesn't excuse him slacking at his job! If he doesn't show up here tomorrow, that punk is fired!" the manager half-way shouted.

Optimus Prime's engine roared to life, startling both humans. "You will address Ms. Darby with a kinder tone, sir."

"Wha…who is that?!" the manager blubbered out, shaking like a leaf.

"A friend of the family," Optimus Prime stated with a hard edge, revving once more.

"R-right…" the manager said, trying to look up and see who was in the truck with June. "L-look, I don't want any trouble…"

"Serve the lady her order and we will depart," Optimus Prime growled.

"Y-yes sir! Ma'am! I mean, right away!" the manager uttered like a fool and rushed to get her order.

When he was out of sight, June lightly slapped the steering wheel. "You didn't have to scare him like that. You almost made me pee my pants with that stunt!"

"…His demeanor was unpleasant," was his defense and fell silent.

June couldn't help the smile that overcame her face. It really meant a lot to her that the Prime would stand up for her son, even if the man would never understand what was really going on. She squeezed his steering wheel affectionately and waited for her food. When it arrived and she paid for it, and they drove off. She looked at the glaring manager out of the side-view mirror and couldn't help but keep giggling.

"I'd feel sorry for that guy if he hadn't acted like a jerk! Jack had that guy as a boss? Wow, I'll never push him to go back to that place when…" she stopped herself as she realized what she was going to say.

It was too soon to believe things would just go back to normal. Would they be able to reverse the effects and turn Jack back to normal? Was he destined to live the rest of his life as the creature he was now? She hadn't meant to let herself be dragged back down by depression, but it was just so natural of her to think Jack would be back and things could go back to the way they were. She was being a fool to think they could, she knew that. The moment she found out about Jack's secret life; she knew things would never be the same, their lives were forever changed.

But it wasn't all that bad. She was being chauffeured around by Optimus Prime, went on a fantastic joy ride out in the desert, and just having a fun time. It had been a long time since she got to bust loose and act like a human being, and she had the Autobot driving her now to thank for that.

She refrained from eating, not wanting to be rude and get grease stains or salt from her fries everywhere inside the driver's cabin. Optimus Prime took them back out of town and drove to a secluded spot by a cliffside. There, she exited and sat by the edge, letting her legs dangle over it and started on her food. Optimus Prime transformed and quietly stood beside June as she munched on her food in silence. The two took comfort in the tranquil quiet and stared out across the vast desert, watching as the sun set over the horizon and painted the sand and rocks in a glossy red.

She munched on her food quietly, trying not to groan at how tasty it was. It must have been a long while since she last ate if every bite was this delicious. She looked up at Optimus Prime, seeing he was eyeing the horizon and his face-plate wasn't troubled with a stern expression. It was lighter and a hint of a smile tugged at the corner of his mouth. Looking out at the beautiful setting sun, she could see why he appeared at ease. The scene was heavenly. One of the few wonders of nature that made living by the desert worth it.

They stayed in silence until the last of the sun was barely visible and the wind started to pick up. It would get very chilly in a few more moments, but the sight was worth shivering a bit for. Optimus Prime was aware of the temperature drop and knew how it would affect June as she was not properly dressed for it. "We should return. It is getting late and will be too cold for you to withstand."

"I…I'm fine," June protested, not really ready to head back yet, but she did start rubbing her arms some as the wind decided to pick up right then. "I just…want to enjoy this peace for a bit longer."

Optimus Prime ready to protest but he did not wish to ruin the moment for her. She had been through so much already. So, he obliged her wish and set about collecting rocks. June watched him curiously as he worked piling a neat stack of them near her, then he shifted his hand into his blaster and with a very low discharge, he fired at the rocks. At the setting, the shot heated the rocks to the point they were glowing neon red but not melting. Next, he sat next to June and placed his broad hand beside her to block the offending cold wind at her back.

Seeing how much he was tending to her. June couldn't help but smile more and curled up her legs to her chest and hug her arms around them. "Thank you…"

"You…are welcome," Optimus Prime returned, nodding to her and took it upon himself to keep an eye out for possible threats. "When you are ready to go back…we shall."

A warm fuzzy feeling exploded inside June at his words. She couldn't help but be so moved by how Optimus Prime was being so nice to her. He was more of a gentleman than that Agent Fowler…Not that he didn't have his good points. She admitted she kinda like the guy. He had a stable job, down to earth with a no-nonsense attitude and worked day and night to keep people safe. He had some deeming qualities and mostly…he was the first guy she noted that had been giving her signals that he saw her more than just a mother or a nurse, but…any interest she might have had with him ended when he pointed a gun at her son.

As much as she knew he only did it because he thought he was doing the right thing. It still didn't slide by her that he was ready to kill Jack if he could. She was furious with the man for not looking for another way to resolve whatever happened next to Raf's home. He could have talked to Jack, like Miko had, like everyone had. Jack appeared to be willing to listen to them from the last few encounters, so there was hope they could bring him back, but after Agent Fowler's fuck up, the next time might not go so well.

"Optimus…" June spoke up, hiding her mouth and chin behind her knees.

"Yes?" he responded so she knew she had his attention.

"…Do you think it's too late…for Jack?" She hated so much to ask that. She hated how she was putting everything on Optimus Prime after all he's done to try and help, but she had to ask it. She needed to know if she should start preparing for the worst.

Optimus Prime looked out at the darkening desert and shook his head. "There is always hope so a long as we keep it within us. Whatever it may take to return Jack back to our side, I will do it. I…will never give up on him."

Tears broke out from her eyes and she moved to press her body against the fingers he was using to shield the cold from her. She hugged them as best she could and sobbed lightly into one of his massive digits. Optimus Prime remained still as she did this, looking down at her, not with pity, but with mutual sorrow. He felt deeply for whatever hell Jack was placed through that turned him into the creature he was now. He wanted nothing more than to take this war far from this world to spare the humans the agony his kind have rout upon themselves. She deserved to live a normal life, raising her son, watching him grow into a man and becoming a productive member of their society.

He wished that and more for her, as he did for all the humans who have been caught up with the secret war between the Autobots and Decepticons. He was brought out of his brooding when June started to calm down and wipe away her tears, then stood up.

"I'm ready…let's head back, Optimus," she said with a gentle tone Optimus was unaccustomed with from her. It was sincere and warm to his audio receivers.

A quick nod from him and he pulled away from her, exposing her to the harsh, cold wind. He transformed once he was far enough and opened the door for her, already blasting the cabin with heat to warm her up. She skipped up over and almost leapt into the driver's seat, shivering briefly until the heat eased into her body. Closing the door and buckling her to the seat, he reversed back from the cliff, then drove back to the dismantling base.

xXx

A/N: All right! I finally updated this story! Was thinking of making this chapter longer, but I felt like this chapter should focus more around June how she's dealing with everything and Optimus Prime, well…being a good guy to her. Maybe something more could be blooming? Who knows, save for me. XD Things could go one way for these two or another. That will depend on the readers and how the story continues to develop. Leave a review if you enjoyed this chapter and I'll work as best I can to get the next continuation out.

Till then…