Chapter 25– How Sweet it is to be Loved by You

O.C P.O.V

My life had suddenly become the living embodiment of the saying, ''As bad as things were, that's how good they became.'' Two days after our first date and my late-night discussion with Prime, I moved out of Autobots quarters and back to my old apartment in downtown. True to his word, Chase had come and helped me pack up my few belongings and make the short drive back to my place, which, if things went the way I hoped, would become ''our place''.

Unfortunately, Prime had not been around when Chase came to help me move out. He had been called away to hanger 1 for a satellite link meeting with Lennox, General Morshower and the JCS to discuss, among other things, my progress and abilities.

Part of me was gutted that I could not introduce Chase to the other most important being in my life and the other part of me was somewhat relieved too. /Oh well, another time/ I thought to myself. Chase did get to meet the other Autobots though and he was suitably impressed, especially with Ironhide and Sideswipe, they got along a little too well and I could tell I would have to keep my eye on them all.

Jazz was initially slightly cool towards him and gave him a slight grilling under the guise of ''jus' looking out for his little lady.'' Arcee gave me a sly wink and thumbs up shortly before we left to indicate her approval. Rachet. Rachet remained somewhat impassive towards Chase. He was neither rude nor overly welcoming. I guess he was still deciding if Chase was the real deal or not. So apart from Prime, Bee was the only other Autobot I needed to introduce Chase to, and I intended to call Sam, Mikaela and Bee later today to catch them up with recent developments.

When I had explained to Lennox and Epps my reasons for moving back to my apartment, they had initially both tried to play some scam on it being against regulations to date someone from within the team, and I almost fell for it. Sensing my rising ire, they both cut me some slack and burst into laughter, grabbing me into a hug. ''That's great news OC, 'bout time someone around here noticed the quality person, and solider, you are. Chase Ryder, he's one of the good ones, you have our blessing.'' It had been heart-warming to hear. I really did love my little family unit.

As we got in the car to drive away from Autobot quarters and my home for the past six months, I felt a sudden sadness sweep over me, and a lump caught in my throat. My breath hitched and I gasped out loud.

''What is it babe?'' Chase had asked, grabbing my hand in concern.

''I don't know,'' I said honestly, ''I just feel – sad.''

''Are you sure this is what you want? Are you ready to move out and away from the Autobots?'' Chase did not sound upset, only concerned.

''No!'' I shouted almost too loudly. ''No, I definitely need to do this I just… The Autobots are like my family, my best friends. Living with them this past six months. I don't know. It's just the closing of another chapter in my life I guess.'' I bit my lip as we passed Hanger 1 /Sorry Prime/.

''Yeah, I get that. But just think OC.'' I turned to face him. ''We get to write this next chapter TOGETHER,' and he raised my hand to his lips and kissed it.

I smiled at him. He was right. I kissed his hand in return and once again focused my attention on the passing scenery. As the base behind us began to shrink in the distance, I suddenly became aware of a large blue and red figure in the rear-view mirror, standing out the front of Hanger 1, watching us disappear. I whipped my head around.

''What is it?'' Chase asked concerned once again.

''It's Prime! He must have finished his meeting.'' I craned my neck to catch a final glimpse of him.

''Do, do you want to go back,'' he asked hesitatingly.

I bit my lip in indecision. In the next moment I caught Prime's form fold into his unmistakable truck mode and speed off towards the firing range. He had made the decision for me. ''No. No that's ok. We'll see him tomorrow, or later in the week. Just as long as it is soon Chase. He really wants to meet you and I really want you to meet him too, he is – important to me,'' I fixed Chase with a very serious stare.

''Of course OC, if that is what you wish.'' I found myself holding my breath. /So alike and yet so different, the two ''men'' in my life/. Shortly afterwards we pulled up out the front of my old home. /Time to start the next chapter of my life/.

OPTIMUS P.O.V

As I stood there watching their car disappear in the distance, I felt a sudden sadness envelope me, crushing my spark though it was shortly replaced by – anger. A fiery white-hot rage quickly pulsed through me and I shocked myself with how quickly I had shifted emotions and in such polar opposite directions. /I had missed her – and him-all because of my never ceasing duties as Prime!/. I felt a low growl threaten to erupt from my dermas.

For a moment it looked as though they might turn around and come back but I did not trust myself in this moment so I transformed and began to roll towards the one place I knew I could count on to help alleviate any feelings of anger or sadness with minimal injury to anyone, including myself – the firing range.

Thank Primus when I arrived, I was the only soul there, I was in no mood for company or small talk. I stalked to the range and produced my large blaster from subspace, priming it for action. The targets lay some distance beyond, quite easy range really for a Cybertronian and our weapons. I let a quick volley of shots off. All finding their target with pinpoint accuracy. It wasn't enough. With a low growl, I planted my pedes and took aim. I lay down a spray of fire, sweeping back and forth, smoke spewing from my weapon and I was vaguely aware I was yelling my frustration out to the skies.

I ceased firing with a final shout and collapsed to my knees, my blaster laying on the ground in front of me smouldering away, red hot from its efforts. I felt myself ex-venting heavily, for no reason other than it helped me gain some control. In the distance all I could see were charred and smoking piles of rubble. There were no more targets, I had laid waste to them in my blind fury. /No doubt I will hear of this at some stage/.

Without warning I raised my servo high in the air and clenching it into a fist, I brought it down heavily, pounding a crater in the ground from my exertion. I closed my optics and fought to gain control of my emotions; an icy cold wave of heat coursed through me. I continued to ex-vent, eventually my ''breaths'' coming slower and more measured. /What in Primus' name is wrong with me? Why am I acting like this? She is your friend and a soldier on your team you have no reason or right to act like this/ the thoughts raced through my processor.

Quietly, like the faintest whisper, another thought in the deepest part of my processor began to rise like a fine mist, ready to snake its way around my spark. I quickly and angrily squashed it down before it could form any further, /NO! I will NOT allow myself to think that. I will NOT torture myself. ENOUGH!/. With a final pound of my fist into the ground and a deep and heavy ex-vent, I rose to my pedes and cast my eyes skyward. /Please, Primus… help me/.

As always silence greeted my audials but as I stood there in the fading sunlight, my anger began to dissipate only to be replaced with a feeling of resignation. /What cannot be helped must be endured. And I had endured more than my share of heart ache, pain, suffering and horror in my long-life span/.

With a final look towards the remains of the targets, I sighed and began to walk back towards Autobot quarters. I was in no hurry to get there. Tonight, it would be that little bit emptier and colder.

O.C P.O.V – Following morning

I awoke in the early morning light with the gentle ocean breeze caressing my skin and the feel of a warm body against mine. A smile began to tug at my lips. I opened my eyes to take in the familiar surrounds of my old apartment and the sleeping form of Chase stretched out and comatose beside me.

We had spent the evening unpacking my belongings and rearranging the small apartment to accommodate some of his belongings too. It had been a long, physically and emotionally tiring day and we had crashed out by 11pm, falling asleep in each other's arms. I was so thankful I didn't have to do anything today, requesting a rest day to settle back in and relax after a gruelling few months of training. Despite not having shared a bed with someone for a few years it felt completely comfortable to have Chase curl up with me.

I propped myself up on my elbow and stared at him for a moment. His lightly tanned skin and athletic body a welcome sight to wake up to. /I feel like any moment I am truly going to wake up and discover this was all some crazy dream. How did my life suddenly become so damn near perfect?/ I thought to myself.

I absent mindedly reached out and placed my hand on his chest as he lay there, desperate to simply feel him, to reassure myself this was indeed real and not some dream. Chase began to stir and, not intending to wake him, I removed my hand quickly.

''S'nice,'' a sleep drenched voice slurred.

''What's that?'' I whispered.

''It's nice - your hand. Put it back,'' and to illustrate his point he reached out to recapture my hand and place it on his chest.

I let a small laugh escape, ''Well if you insist, who am I to deny you?'' I snuggled in beside him, placing my head on his chest and lightly draping one of my legs over his left shin.

''Mmm.. feels even better now,'' and he snaked an arm out to wrap around me and pull me even closer. Grey-green eyes fluttered open to meet my own brown and gold flecked eyes. Chase smiled and kissed me lightly on the forehead. ''Well, I must say this is a far nicer way to wake up than back in my military dorm surrounded by 3 other men, farting.''

I laughed out loud, ''Well I would hope so!'' I returned a light kiss to his cheek and ran my finger down his right cheek to his chin.

He captured my hand in his and brought it to his lips, kissing my fingers and then my palm and then lightly nibbling on my wrist.

I let out a soft gasp at the sensation this caused. Grey-green eyes stared intensely at me as he continued his ministrations. I bit my lip. ''So… ah… what time do you have to report for duty today?'' I asked him slightly breathless.

Chase gave a low chuckle as he continued to kiss along my arm, up my shoulder to my neck and up my jawline, pausing briefly, ''I don't have any duties today – except maybe one.'' He leant in to capture my lips in a soft, slow kiss.

/God, help me!/ I thought. After he released my lips and traced a fingertip back and forth along my cheek and jaw line, I finally discovered the power of speech again, ''Oh really? And what might that duty be?'' I felt I knew the answer, but I was enjoying this playful, teasing mood between us.

In one swift movement Chase rolled me onto my back and pinned me down beneath him, that familiar heat rising between us as our naked bodies moulded together. A lustful fire was burning in his eyes as he gazed down at me, ''OC, I thought that would be obvious.'' The corners of his lips curled up as his eyes roamed appreciatively over my exposed breasts and body.

I fixed a look of mock indignation on my face, ''Duty? How rude to insinuate that it is some sort of arduous ''duty'' to be with me Chase Ryder,'' I pouted.

Chase bent his head down to capture my lips in a searing kiss before he pulled away and whispered in a low, sexy voice, 'Oh, I imagine it would be anything BUT arduous to be with you OC,'' he leant down to taste my lips again, kissing me deeply and slowly grinding his hips against mine.

I moaned into his kiss and felt my own hips mirroring his actions as I sought to be as close to him as possible. /Fuck me I need this! I need him!/.

When we broke apart, I fixed him with an intense stare as my hands ran up his well-muscled arms and grabbed his broad shoulders, ''Imagine? Why don't we stop ''imagining'' and find out?'' and I pulled him down towards my body.

He let out a feral growl, ''With pleasure,'' and he enveloped me in his arms. The world narrowed down to just Chase and I, lost in each other, in this moment.

In this moment, nothing else – no one else - existed.