Chapter 24 – Moving out and Moving On

The unmistakable figure of Optimus Prime stepped out from the tree line from the direction of our beach. He had a slight limp as he approached slowly. My heart twisted slightly. /Had he been sitting there by himself waiting for me to come back and how badly did he hurt himself today?/.

''Yes Prime? Sorry if I have disturbed you. I was trying to be quiet.'' I lowered my eyes from the towering figure's gaze. Not quite sure why I could not bring myself to look at him.

I could feel Prime continuing to pin me with a penetrating gaze. ''You did not disturb me OC. I have not yet been to recharge. It was my turn for patrol duty.'' His voice was slightly strained.

''Oh, ok. Glad I didn't disturb you then. Make sure you get some recharge soon, you look like you need it.'' I was a little concerned for him. He did look worn out. I turned to walk inside to my bed.

''OC!'' The slightly urgent tone in his voice stilled my departure and I turned to look at him. After a brief pause Prime spoke in a soft tone laced with regret, ''I want to apologise for today.''

''Optimus,'' I began but he once again held up a servo to silence me for the second time today. /He better watch that!/ I thought somewhat annoyed.

''OC, please let me finish.'' I nodded but I folded my arms across my chest, an action that didn't go unnoticed by Prime. ''I apologise for interrupting you just now and stopping you from speaking. I do not mean to be rude I would just like to say what I need to say without interruption''.

I nodded and lowered my arms, in silent recognition of his apology. At the change in my body language Prime took a few steps closer and knelt slowly, trying to bridge the physical distance between us. ''OC, as I said before, I want to apologise to you for my actions today and the subsequent manner we parted ways. It has been playing on my processor all evening.''

I returned his gaze and made to reply but recalled his request and simply nodded for him to continue. ''I need you to understand and truly believe that I would never deliberately or willing put you in harm's way, especially by my own hand,'' his azure eyes filled with concern and pain, fixing upon me with such intensity, my breath hitched. ''Your safety and well-being will always be of the utmost importance to me,'' he blinked those captivating optics once. ''Your friendship has come to mean..'' he paused a moment as if searching for the right word, ''..a great deal to me - and today I feel as though I damaged that friendship through my own poor judgement and personal - inadequacies.'' He shuttered sorrowful optics at me. ''I hope I have not damaged this friendship beyond repair. Please, Orianna. Forgive me.'' It was a heartfelt, earnest and raw request. My heart lurched and for the millionth time tonight I felt tears sting my eyes as I stared into Prime's optics.

''Oh Prime!'' I walked up to him and he lowered his servo to allow me to climb on, raising me to his chassis. I spread my arms across his broad chest, trying to encompass as much of him as I could. I could feel his spark thrumming rapidly in his chest /was he nervous or worried?/. I simply stood there, my body pressed against his warm chassis and in that moment - there was nothing else in the world except Prime and I. ''Of course I forgive you big guy!'' I stood back and looked up into his optics. ''It would take far more than that to get rid of me Prime. Besides,'' I looked slightly sheepish, ''truth be told I must take a portion of blame for today's – debacle.''

Prime tilted his helm in that endearing manner to indicate he did not quite understand what I was saying. ''You were right. I do need to trust my instincts and my abilities more. I also know, truly I do, that you would never hurt me and that I can trust you, probably more than anyone else I know. I'm sorry I gave you the impression otherwise, so – to that end – can you forgive me?'' I looked up into his faceplates with a small smile on my face.

''Always,'' came the instant reply.

I felt a huge grin spread across my face and I indicated to Prime to be brought closer to him. He obliged and brought me up to be centimetres from his face. I leant forward and placed both of my hands on his dermas and then, very gently, placed a light kiss. ''Thank you Prime. I know I can always count on you.'' I withdrew and stood there looking at him.

Prime blinked once again, a small smile spreading across his dermas and a soft chuckle emanated. ''Always.''

I folded my arms and arched my eyebrow at him, ''Quite the conversationalist tonight aren't we, don't get too verbal with me or anything.'' I laughed.

Prime allowed a small laugh to shake his frame. ''Speaking of conversations, how did your date go tonight?''

I felt myself light up and giggle like a hormonal teenager, ''Oh Prime. I had the best night tonight – Chase is – wonderful!'' At the last word my voice trailed off into a breathy sigh. ''No – he's amazing! We spoke for ages and got along so well; I feel so comfortable around him even though I have only known him for a short time. We just click. That ever happen for you?''

''Once,'' was Prime's wry response.

At the implied meaning I stopped suddenly and touched his digit nearest me, ''I'm sorry Prime – I didn't mean…''

''It's okay OC, please continue,'' Prime waved away my comment with his other servo.

''Well, we had a lovely dinner, went to the movies and then got an ice-cream and… I told him about my gift. Well showed him actually.''

''You must really trust him to have made that decision,'' Prime considered me for a moment. ''you really care for him, don't you?''

I closed my eyes and nodded my head slowly, ''Yes, yes, I do. Prime, I think I'm falling in love with him.'' Looking into his optics, a shadow quickly flickered through them only to disappear just as suddenly.

Prime regarded me for a moment before he spoke. ''Then I am happy for you OC. I would like to meet this Chase one day soon if I may?''

''Well Prime you might get your chance very soon. There is something I would like to discuss with you.'' I took a deep, steading breath before leaping in. ''I have been thinking maybe it is safe enough for me to move back into my old apartment in the downtown area. There have been no attempts made on my life, no nefarious actions towards me and it's been six months. I think I'm safe.''

Prime ever so slightly recoiled at the mention of me moving away, though he quickly gained control of his reactions. ''If that is what you wish,'' he simply stated in that low rumbling voice of his. He started to lower me to the ground. ''Not to mention now you have commenced a romantic relationship you would both naturally desire and appreciate your privacy.''

''Well, yeah, I would. I would still be back every day or every second day to train with you all and hey, Diego Garcia ain't that big an island. It's not like you'll never see me again!'' Prime's servo lay on the ground and I jumped off, turning back around to look at him.

''Very well.'' Prime rose to his full height. ''You might like to make the arrangements with Lennox tomorrow. I'll let the others know too. Perhaps if this Chase comes to help you collect your things, I might have the pleasure of making his acquaintance?''

''Sure, I'd love for you to meet him,'' I paused a moment, ''my two favourite guys in the world, catching up, getting to know each other, shooting the breeze. Just no embarrassing stories or anything okay?'' I pleaded.

''OC, I make no promises,'' Prime said flatly.

''Hey, I thought you said before that you don't make threats, just promises?'' I challenged placing a hand on my hip and pointing a finger accusingly at him.

''Well, then, let's hope I don't need to threaten him,'' Prime raised his optic ridge slightly.

''Optimus!'' I sighed, choosing to ignore the loaded meaning behind his comment and throwing my hands into the air in frustration.

Prime looked at the stars and ex-vented softly. ''I guess you and I will no longer have time for our little chats of an evening under our stars.'' He sounded genuinely sad and regretful.

''Prime,'' I levelled a very serious stare at him, ''I will always have time for you, no matter what or who comes into my life, please - remember that.''

He simply nodded once and then motioned towards the hanger. ''It is very late, and you best get some recharge. You must be tired.''

''Well, now that you mention it, I am pretty tried. You coming in soon?''

He shook his helm, ''Negative, I still have a few groons left before my duty is over. Go, rest. I will see you tomorrow some time.'' With that Prime nodded his helm at me and turned to walk away into the night.

''Night Prime,'' I whispered to his retreating form. Although that uneasy feeling that had snaked its way into the pit of my stomach earlier today had been somewhat mollified by the events of this evening and our apology to each other, it was not entirely dispelled. As I watched Prime retreat into the darkness to continue his lonely vigil, it began to claw at my insides again. Shaking my head and internally quelling that gnawing feeling, I turned and made my way to bed.

As I slipped between the covers my mind replayed moments of the evening with Chase. I sighed out loud and closed my eyes as a feeling of utter happiness and warmth enveloped me, and I succumbed to sleep.