Author's note: This is it my faithful readers, THAT moment has arrived... what will happen when Optimus' past and his future finally come face to face? Stay tuned to find out...Da da da!

P.S - Itty bit of swearing... almost mandatory :-)

P.P.S - Yes I know I changed quite a few details around compared to the movie... my story - my rules! :-)

Chapter 134 – YOU!

Phoenix P.O.V

The man stared at me for a spark beat further before he seemed to register that I had addressed him. ''Ahh yeah sure. My name is Cade Yeager.'' A small knowing smile spread across his lips and he gave a chuckle. ''And YOU must be Phoenix.''

Unlike Optimus, I had not had millennia to practice hiding my reactions behind a façade of impassivity. I allowed the shock and confusion I felt to briefly register on my face before I managed to school my features into what I hoped passed as neutral expression. I eyed him carefully before replying in a flat tone. ''I could be.''

He laughed out loud then and shuffled on his feet for a moment before locking his gaze on mine. ''Well, I HOPE you are because you have got some explaining to do to the others about your amazing disappearing act,'' he folded his arms across his muscular chest, his gaze boring into me, ''and especially Optimus.''

I did not think it possible to be anymore shocked or surprised by this human who stood before me. I gasped out loud at his words and leaned towards him intent on gleaning some information from him. ''How do YOU know Optimus Prime Cade Yeager? And more to the point, WHY do you think Optimus Prime in particular would give me any special consideration amongst his ranks?''

Cade leaned back against the wall as he shook his head in what appeared to be disbelief. A low chuckle erupted from deep within his torso. ''Well Ma'am I know Optimus Prime as I am the one who found him bust up and broke down in a dusty old theatre in my hometown of Paris, Texas…''

I internally growled in frustration as I had searched for Optimus in the north of Texas; Sherman, McKinney, Texarkana but I hadn't made it to Paris before Jazz contacted me. /I was so close to him when I helped Rachet.. if only…/. I shook my helm to refocus as Cade had apparently continued his narrative during my ''absence''.

''So, being into engineering, science and especially robotics, I started tinkering and discovered he wasn't just any old truck and that I had possibly just found a Transformer.'' Cade gave a small smile, ''I didn't quite realise in that moment what an important Transformer he would turn out to be.''

I felt myself heat up at his words and my spark twisted painfully, feeling Prime's absence keenly. /You have no idea Cade just how important and special he is/.

Suddenly, Cade's facial expression changed as a shadow seemed to sweep over it. He cleared his throat and stood up off the wall. ''I ah.. well.. my friend Lucas.. that is, he made the mistake of calling the Government as he thought it was the right thing to do and well – next thing I know my place is swarming with these CIA, black Ops looking guys.''

I snorted with some irritation, ''Bet he won't make that mistake again!''

Cade's face lost all expression for a moment as he stared at me. ''No, he won't. He's dead.''

I closed my optics as I mentally chastised myself for my lack of tact. ''Cade, I am so sorry for your loss. I should not have said what I did. Please accept my apologies.''

Cade cleared his throat and shook his head, ''You weren't to know. Anyway, long story short. I'm the one who found and fixed Prime and, as a direct result of that, am now homeless. Those arseholes blew up my house and threatened to kill my daughter.'' His eyes took on a steely, cold look at this thought, ''We've been working with the Autobots, tryin' to clear our names ever since so we can get our lives back – if that's even possible.''

I shuttered my optics as I looked at this man. I liked him. He was no nonsense, brave, smart, loyal and he had a fierce love for his family. I spared another quick glance towards the ground and the broken body of Savoy. Though a part of me still felt some remorse over what I had done, the guilt and shame began to dissipate. /I made the right choice/. That prick had not only succeeded in killing Leadfoot, but he almost killed Rachet and he had tried to kill this man and his innocent daughter. He had brought this upon himself and I was glad I could help Cade – just as I was thankful he had helped Optimus.

Cade stepped forward towards me, that smile knowing smile once again graced his lips. ''As for WHY I KNOW Optimus Prime gives you special consideration Phoenix, I could give you my take on things, but I think that is a conversation best had between yourselves,'' I felt my optic ridge furrow in annoyance, ''and one I believe is LONG overdue.'' Cade laughed out loud once again, ''To say he has missed you would be an understatement.''

I ducked my helm away from his gaze as I felt myself flush with embarrassment. My spark skipped a pulse at his words. /Perhaps Rachet was right? Perhaps I DO have a tendency to assume too many things when it comes to Prime and our feelings? Maybe it IS me he wants after all?/ I could not help the smile that spread across my dermas at the heady thought I still held Optimus Prime's spark.

Before I could say anything in reply, there was an explosion above us and the sound of rapid machine gun fire forced Cade to his knees as he tried to protect himself. I leant over him trying to protect him as well. I snapped my helm up and glanced around. The city was crawling with those prototypes Galvatron had taken control of. ''Tessa! Phoenix, I gotta get to my daughter.'' Cade's concerned voice implored me.

I held out my left servo which he climbed onto immediately. ''After all you have done for Optimus and my family, it would be my pleasure Cade Yeager to escort you back to your family.'' I slid my battle mask into place and, clinging tightly to Cade, I leapt from the building to the ground below, using my gift to coushin the impact. Before I took off down the street, there was something rather macabre I had to do. ''Cade, you might wanna look away for a minute.''

I walked over to the nearby dumpster and lifted the lid before I turned around and grabbed Savoy's twisted, bloody and broken body in my free servo, dumping it inside. A part of me felt utterly revolted by such an act and another part of me felt vindicated. Either way, I felt a strange disconnection from the event as my own words echoed through my processor. /When the time is right, I will personally scrape you off the ground and dump you unceremoniously into the trash/.

As I turned to walk away, Cade's voice tentatively addressed me, ''Ahh, Phoenix. Did you do what I think you just did?''

I looked down at him without breaking my stride, ''Possibly, yes.'' Cade blanched for a moment at the thought. I raised my helm and looked forward, drawing my energon blade in case we ran into trouble. ''Just giving the bastard the burial, he deserved.''

As we rounded the corner, there was a flash of pink and silver as one of those prototypes brandished its weapon and fired it towards us. Cade yelled and curled in on himself in my grasp. I instinctively ducked and felt the sizzle of the blast graze my left shoulder. Rising quickly, I lounged forward, closing the distance between us and brought my right servo down in a sweeping arc, neatly severing the bot from its shoulder across its torso.

As the now lifeless body fell to the ground in two pieces, Cade gave a nervous laugh as he was held within my grasp. ''Remind me not to get on your bad side!''

Though I felt a smile under my battle mask, I did not reply simply breaking into a run as I tried to locate the other Autobots and Cade's family. ::Ironhide, it's Phoenix. I have Cade. What is your position? Do you have his daughter with you? Acknowledge::

There was a moment's silence before a gruff voice erupted over my comms. ::You disappear without so much as a ''goodbye,'' I don't hear from you for weeks on end before I find out from Jazz you intend to sacrifice yourself to stop the Seed from being used:: the sound of his cannons being fired and explosions interrupted the conversation for a moment. ::and NOW you show up in the middle of a battle and want me to acknowledge you?:: Once more explosions tore through the comms as did several loud grunts of effort as Ironhide dispatched of some 'Cons.

I winced inwardly at my friend's words and his tone. He was right and I didn't blame him but now was not the time. ::Hide, I owe you and everyone an apology but now is not the time… is Tessa…::

::She's not here!:: he bellowed down the line. ::With Hound, Bumblebee and Elita last I saw. Sending last known coordinates now:: The comm went silent.

I felt my spark constrict at the mention of her name, but I forced myself to brush it off and continue as my internal GPS pinged through the location of Hound and Cade's daughter. ::For what it's worth, thanks ''Hide, appreciate it. I'll hopefully see ya soon mate::

I changed direction and began to run towards the destination. For a few spark beats there was no response. /Wow. He is pissed/. Seconds later the same gruff voice curtly responded. ::Phoenix. Don't die:: As I leapt over a twisted pile of metal and damaged cars I felt the smile form on my dermas and a weight I didn't even know had started settling around my spark, lifted and seemed to evaporate. /Everything will be okay/.

As we neared the location, the sound of people screaming as they fled for their lives filled my audials. Smoke was thick in the air and there were flashes of explosions and clods of rubble and earth flung into the air as missiles found their targets. /Guess I have found the right place/.

I looked down at Cade within my servos, his face was ashen with worry as he surveyed the devastation and carnage. I yelled out to him, ''Don't worry Cade. If she is with Hound and Bumblebee, she will be safe. We will find her. You have my word.'' All he could do was nod.

I ran towards the chaos, my optics peeled for Cade's daughter and any sign of Hound or Bumblebee. Just not her. /PLEASE NOT HER!/. I detected dozens of ''Cons crawling over rooftops, moving down the street towards us. I gritted my denta together. There were too many people! Too many innocent lives caught up in the crossfire. /Cade's daughter one of them!/.

Through the thick smoke and devastation, I caught a glimpse of yellow as Bumblebee dived and rolled behind what appeared to be some sort of damaged pagoda and brickwork. The voice of a man with what sounded like an Irish accent called out amongst the confusion, ''Tessa! Tessa get over here!''

I looked down at Cade, he appeared to have heard it too and was looking wildly about for his daughter. I charged towards them, retracting my blade.

A large and familiar robust, green figure stood nearby with his back towards me as he turned to address his terrified human allies. ''Stay behind me, I'm coverin' ya. If I stop coverin' ya, it means I'm dead. But that ain't gonna happen.''

I spied the 'Con on the rooftop above Hound preparing to shoot. Raising my servo as I drew nearer my friends, I sent a fireball in his direction, knocking him off the roof seconds after he let loose two missiles. Hound turned to face him and seeing the 'Con dispatched of, turned back in my direction as I came to stand before him. His optics shone brightly, and a crooked smile formed under the masses of metallic braids in his beard.

I smiled brightly at my friend, ''Damn straight that's not gonna happen Hound!'' After a quick scan of the area, I felt a massive sense of relief when I could not locate Elita. /She must have gotten separated?/.

''PHOENIX! Glad you could make it!'' he slapped me on the shoulder strut as I walked forward towards the opposite side of the wall, ducking down to lower Cade to the ground.

Bee whirred and beeped his greeting in between laying down cover fire.

Cade scrambled out and ran towards his daughter, ''TESSA! TESSA!'' The attractive blonde-haired girl turned about, her face showing relief beyond measure at the sound of her father's voice and she opened her arms to be swept up into a crushing embrace.

''DAD! You're okay, you made it. I thought..'' she cried into his shoulder unable or unwilling to finish her thought.

Cade stroked her hair and held her close for a moment, ''Of course I'm okay. Nothing would stop me getting to my baby girl.'' His daughter squeezed him tighter and I felt a mixture of happiness and worry fill my spark. I had just made good on my promise to reunite Cade with his daughter. Trouble was that this reunion was taking place within a battle zone.

With reluctance I interrupted their moment. ''Cade, Tessa, we need to keep moving, we've got to get you someplace safe''. As if to emphasise my point, dirt was showered over us as a missile exploded nearby. I followed its trajectory and sent a massive fireball in the same direction, taking out several prototypes. Tessa screamed. Cade was wide-eyed as he looked at me though he said nothing.

''YES, yes I agree,'' Joyce called out.

I noticed with great irritation that Joyce was huddled with them, ''The Seed'' still clutched tightly in his possession. I glared down at him and he looked somewhat intimidated up at me, though a quiet arrogance flickered in his eyes. I sneered at him. ''What Joyce? Not enjoying the shit storm YOU caused with your fuckin' greed and arrogance.'' He looked away somewhat chastened and Cade smirked. ''No, you take a good look around because this is on YOU! You and your buddies Attinger and Savoy.'' I leaned down towards him, narrowing my optics as they flashed dangerously. ''At least Savoy will no longer cause any problems.''

Before he could reply, Hound's gruff voice interrupted our exchange as more prototypes swarmed towards us. ''Phoenix, we've got hostiles comin' down the street! Go!''

I gave a low growl at Joyce and he raised his hands in the air capitulating. Hound let loose several rapid rounds of machine gun fire as 'Cons swept towards us. Bee, fired shots to help cover us. ''I'M A WICKED WARRIOR ROBOT!'' Hound yelled.

As Hound and Bee drew fire for a moment, I yelled down to the humans, ''Come on! We've gotta move now! Follow Hound. Bee cover fire, I've got your six!'' Cade, Tessa and the other two ran off after Hound as he ploughed his way down the street like a massive green armoured tank.

I turned on my pedes and sent a barrage of fireballs towards several 'Cons that ran towards us. Each fireball landing with deadly accuracy. I once again unsheathed my energon blade and stepped forward to take on two other Cons that had jumped down from an overhead bridge. Using my gift of psychokinesis, I sent a massive concrete slab hurtling towards one, crushing them against a pillar. The other continued on their path towards me and I stepped up to them, smashing them in the face with a massive left hook that sent them stumbling back for a moment before they recovered and charged at me. I simply stepped forward and landed a roundhouse kick to their faceplates before drawing my sai and impaling them.

As they fell to the ground, I felt a blood lust stir within me and a terrible rage began to build. Fire danced along my frame. For a moment I was transported back to that moment in the training hanger with Ironhide when I almost lost control of myself. Prime's words floated back to me as I turned around to face another wave of 'Cons. /Phoenix, there is a fine line between allowing anger to help fuel your motivation and desire to achieve victory in battle, but do not let it blind or consume you/. I took a deep and steadying ''breath'' as I cycled air through my intakes and tried to focus and calm myself. The sound of his voice in my mind a comforting presence.

As the 'Cons approached me, I deflected their blasts from their weapons with ease and calmly disposed of them with a series of well-aimed fire balls, followed through by swift slicing of my energon blade.

As I turned to follow the path Hound and the others had taken, Prime's words floated back to me once more. /Always fight with honour Phoenix. That is the Autobot way, and you…. you are more an Autobot than you know, don't forget that/. I felt a smile spread across my dermas, a rather incongruous action in the middle of a battle, as I recalled his words to me. ''Damn straight Prime!''

As I leapt over a smouldering pile of wrecked cars and tore off down the street, something off to my right caught my attention. A flash of pink and white facing off against three opponents. /Elita!/.

For a moment I hesitated, though Prime's words still echoed in my processor. Gritting my denta I raced towards her as I noticed another 'Con stalking behind her as she faced off the others. He was priming his weapon and aiming it at her back. /No!/.

I gave a loud growl of anger as I jumped off a pile of rubble, launching myself in the air. As I landed, I brought my energon sword down hard, slicing the cowardly 'Con in half. I crouched there for a moment above the severed body before I rose slowly to my pedes.

At the same time Elita whipped around, having killed her attackers, her blaster drawn, a fierce and determined look on her attractive face. A look that soon gave way to shock before her bright blue optics narrowed and a corner of her dermas curled into a sneer as she realised who it was who stood before her.

A single word was torn from our dermas in unison as our blaster and sword were drawn and we stared each other down.

''YOU!''