Chapter 31 – It was all going so well
All too quickly it was time to say goodbye to Sam, Mikaela and Bee again. The last two weeks had been two of the happiest and most memorable weeks of my life. When not busy working and training, I had hung out with Chase, Sam, Mikaela and the Autobots. There had been sunny afternoons on the beaches, site seeing, ''friendly'' competitions at the firing range, dancing and a few more parties, mostly impromptu, though all highly entertaining and enjoyable. They served to bring us all closer together.
I am not sure whether my interrogation and discussion with Prime that night on the beach was the impetus or not, but he did attend one of the parties - the farewell party we had to say goodbye to Sam and the others. He did not stay for very long, leaving before the party turned raucous. I couldn't help but feel that was why he had left when he did, he knew what was coming and perhaps wanted to keep his dignity and aura of ''Primly'' authority intact. Perhaps he knew his team would be more inclined to relax and unwind without the presence of their ''imposing'' leader? /At least he had attended for a short time - progress/, I thought proudly to myself.
I also laughed a little at the recollection of the look on Arcee's faceplates as Optimus walked into the party and began to circulate, an energon cube in his servo. I remember arching my eyebrow at her in a decidedly ''told you so'' manner whilst she simply stared at me with a mixture of shock and admiration.
I had simply winked at Optimus when our eyes and optics connected across the room and gave him a subtle ''thumbs up'' gesture to indicate I was proud of him for making the effort. His optics shone brightly for a moment and his dermas curved into a slight smile before he continued in his conversation with Lennox, Ironhide and Jazz.
Brining my mind back to the here and now, I sighed out loud. I was feeling depressed. Saying goodbye to Sam, Mikaela and Bee had been hard. It was as though my little family was breaking apart and each time it took longer to bring it back together again. Who knew when the next time would be?
I sat in our apartment on the lounge, idly flicking through T.V channels, not even really focusing on the images on the screen but merely seeking to distract myself.
''How you are going gorgeous?'' Chase had flopped down beside me, wrapped his arm about my shoulder and put his feet up on the coffee table. He gave me a quick kiss on the cheek.
''Hmph,'' I made some non-committal sound and continued flicking through the channels.
Chase stared at me a moment longer. ''Want to talk about it?'' He rubbed his hand up and down my arm.
I sighed out loud again. ''Not really. Talking about it only hits home the fact that they are gone again, and my family is incomplete,'' I pouted.
Chase pulled me close and kissed my head. ''You know, that is one of the many things I love about you OC.''
I turned to face him, arching an eyebrow, ''Oh yes? And what would that be?''
He smiled at me and kissed my hand, ''The way you care so deeply for people. For the things that matter most to you. You are like a mother hen fussing over her little chicks, fiercely protective.'' He leaned down and kissed me softly. I sighed into his kiss.
I laughed a little, ''Yeah, well you do all drive me ''clucking mad'' sometimes I have to say.''
''Oh, you did NOT just go there!'' Chase groaned, rolling his eyes. ''That is almost a crime.'' He laughed.
My mood changed suddenly as I smiled at him. His chiselled jawline, his beautiful eyes crinkled in laugher, his strong arms holding me. I felt a surge of love and desire flood through me, my depression and sadness evaporating like a pool of water on a sunny day. I changed the tone of my voice as I teased him running my hand along his thigh, ''Oh really? Bad enough to ''need punishing?'' My eyes both burned with desire and twinkled with mirth.
The smile on his face slowly turned to a predatory grin. ''Actually, now you mention it, it was indeed quite punishable,'' he turned to embrace me and pull me down onto him, our mouths seeking each other in a familiar dance. I felt a welcome heat rising between us as we hungrily sought to claim each other, only to be replaced by a white-hot wave of anger race through me a moment later as his phone rang. It was Lennox. /Bastard! His timing is once again shit/.
''Can't it wait?'' I begged as I tried to recapture his mouth. He quickly gave me a kiss and moved to get off the lounge.
''OC, as much as I would LOVE to continue… this…. You know as well as I do what that call means,'' Chase strode over to his phone and answered. ''Lennox, Chase here,'' he went silent as Lennox proceeded to talk to him. I could tell by his reaction that something had happened. A small part of me began to feel cold. ''Understood. I'm on my way.'' Chase cast an apologetic glance in my direction before letting out a frustrated sigh as he rubbed his face.
''Let me guess, the Decepticons have made their presence known somewhere and we are all needed to deter them?'' I couldn't keep the annoyance out of my voice. /How DID Prime manage to keep his sanity all these millions of years when no doubt he had been interrupted on numerous occasions with Elita only to answer the same call/. The comparison was both strangely comforting and unsettling. I sighed again, ''Ok. I'll grab my stuff and be ready in 5. Where we headed anyway?'' I moved to get up.
Chase ran his fingers quickly through his hair and darted his eyes away for a moment. ''Ahh… Shanghai and Lennox said you're not needed this time, have a break and continue to hone your powers here. Morshower's directive is minimal impact. Apparently, story to public is gas leak or some such thing. Trying to locate, neutralise and get out with minimal detection.''
At the darkening look on my face, Chase disappeared into the bedroom to quickly pull on his N.E.S.T uniform and bring his boots out to lace up. He continued, ''Seems Lennox has been getting some heat from this newly appointed National Security Advisor, Director Galloway, making waves about how we handle things. President just appointed him liaison to N.E.S.T. Sorry babe, I know how you enjoy the opportunity to rough up the ''badies.''
''Great!'' I yelled from my position on the couch as he got ready, ''So not only do I NOT get to finish what we started but now I don't even get to be around you for the next 24 hours or so,'' I folded my arms across my chest in annoyance and pouted. I felt childish but couldn't help it.
Chase sighed as he finished pulling his boots on and grabbing his backpack of gear, car keys and wallet. He walked up to me and pulled me up to stand in front of him. Damn he looked hot in his uniform – this really wasn't fair! ''I know it sucks and believe me; I will get right back here to you as soon as possible OC.'' He gently clasped my face in his hands and rubbed my cheeks with his thumbs. He looked into my eyes and sighed. ''I love you; you know. So very much.''
I closed my eyes for a moment, ''I know Chase, and I love you, so very much too.'' I gave a self-depreciating snort, ''Part of why I am so annoyed I am not going with you. I just want to be near you.'' I looked down at the floor suddenly overcome with emotion.
Chase gently raised my head and my tear-filled eyes to meet his. ''Believe me baby girl, there is nothing I want more than to be with you too,'' he paused. ''Well,'' he continued, ''there is something I want more but now is not the time to discuss it.'' He smiled and kissed my lips in a soft and tender display of love.
I sighed and opened my eyes again, ''Chase that is a decidedly irritating thing to say to someone you are about to leave for the better part a day. Can't you just tell me now?''
Chase laughed, ''Patience woman! Remember, good things come to those who wait, and I promise this will be worth waiting for.''
I sighed exasperatingly, ''Fine! Irritating, gorgeous man that you are, be gone with you if only so you can hurry back here to me.''
Chase laughed out loud, ''As you wish OC,'' and he pulled me into a tight embrace, kissing me soundly.
I took a moment to steady myself. I would NEVER get tired of kissing this man. ''Right. Fine. If I can't go with you at least I can drive you there and spend a final few minutes with you.'' I demanded.
Chase went to argue but the look on my face silenced him. ''Well we better hurry.'' Chased shouldered his backpack and I grabbed my wallet as we walked out the door and downstairs to Relda. Her engine rumbled to life and we pulled away from our little home. It was not a very long drive to the hanger and we simply held hands and enjoyed each other in silence.
A few minutes later we pulled up outside Hanger 1. The Boeing C17 Globemaster III and various other aircraft and vehicles being loaded and prepped for take-off. I could see Lennox and a few others running around barking orders and finalising equipment and crew to be loaded. In the distance I saw Prime and Ironhide walking towards the plane, the others must already have been inside.
I parked Relda and we both got out. As Chase came around the side of Relda he pulled me into one more quick hug, holding me tight. He kissed me quickly, he was ''at work now''. ''Bye OC, I promise I'll be back as soon as I can.''
I sighed into his chest before I looked up into his handsome face. ''I'll be waiting, and you better be ready to have that conversation with me!'' I warned him, ''It's the second thing you'll be doing,'' and I winked at him.
He laughed, his grey-green eyes flashing with desire and happiness, ''Yes Ma'am!'' he teased. At my playful swipe at his shoulder he turned to head off to the waiting plane and the rest of the team. He turned back a few strides later, ''I love you OC! I'll see you soon,'' and he blew me a kiss.
My heart stopped, melted, then began to beat again. ''Love you more Chase Ryder, I'll be waiting,'' and I waved goodbye. He turned and walked up the ramp and into the belly of the beast. He was gone. I began to blink my eyes furiously, trying to keep the tears at bay. /Why am I so emotional?/.
In the distance I saw Prime, his blue and red armour glinting in the afternoon sunlight. He was about to board the plane after Ironhide who had already transformed. He caught my gaze and we stared at each other for a moment. Tears started to stream down my face. I wrapped my arms about my waist.
Prime stood still, his gaze never leaving mine. I took a deep breath and waved at him before blowing a kiss. /Such an odd thing to do really/. ''Look after him, come back to me in one piece,'' I cupped my hands and yelled the words across the tarmac and the increasing noise. I doubt he even heard me.
Prime inclined his helm at me and gently tapped his servo over his spark, mirroring the action I had made that night after the reunion party. My breath caught in my throat. Before I could say anything else, Prime turned, transformed and drove up the ramp, disappearing inside the maw of the plane.
I closed my eyes in a silent prayer, /Please bring them home safe to me, ALL of them/. As I watched the last of the soldiers and equipment load up and the several large aircraft taxi to the end of the runway to prepare for take-off, my stomach lurched, and I felt a cold wave of fear wash over me. It wasn't just because they were about to take-off and I had sympathy pains, something just didn't feel ''right''. Watching the people I love and care about leave to engage with a ruthless enemy never got any easier.
I continued to stand there and hug myself for comfort, watching in awe as the behemoth of a plane defied gravity and took to the skies, taking my heart with it. As it gained enough altitude and banked to head towards its destination, I let out the breath I had been holding and looked futilely around me.
One moment ago, this tarmac and hanger was a flurry of activity, noise and life. Now it was as empty and quiet as I felt inside. Letting out a loud and heavy sigh of distress and frustration I decided to head to the Autobot training hanger to let off some steam.
I made my way to Relda, driving the short distance in silence. Pulling the door open and walking in I went up to the sound system and selected my usual work out mix, turning the volume way up as if it could drown out my sorrows and misgivings.
Standing in the middle of the training mat I began my warmups. As I felt my muscles and sinews stretching, I willed myself to focus on the here and now. My body warmed up, I began to put myself through a vigorous and demanding workout, pushing myself to my limits. I wanted to be exhausted, body and mind, so I would not be able to think. I didn't want to think about the fact that I was here – and they were there.
