Author's note: Some swearing in this one folks. What can I say, she was provoked!

Chapter 6: A Lost Cause

Orianna P.O.V

I had finished my tasks for the day and decided to head down to the little beach Prime and I loved to hang out at. It was another hot and muggy day, and I was desperate to try and cool down. /That and be alone with my thoughts after yesterday. Perhaps if I let my mind have free reign now, I wouldn't have difficulty falling asleep tonight?/. It was worth a shot.

I sighed out loud as I walked shin deep through the cool water, the image of Prime's handsome face and that deep baritone voice haunted me in a delicious and torturous manner.

''Of all the people and faces on this base, yours is the one I most look forward to seeing and spending time with.''

A silly grin was plastered on my face as I stared at the swirling water beneath my feet. /He likes being with me. He wants to be with me!/. I watched as the bubbles of foam disappeared, bursting, or washing away as the next wave lapped against my legs. I couldn't suppress the giggle that bubbled out of my lips as I replayed in vivid detail our interaction yesterday. It had been wonderful and excruciating at the same time. To be so close to him, to have him regard me with such affection and not be able to tell him how I felt, tore me apart.

I lifted my gaze out across the Bay, the azure waters very much reminding me of the Autobot Commander in question. The way those beautiful optics seemed to peer into my very soul. They held such wisdom, kindness, and strength. I had always thought the saying, ''drowning in someone's eyes'' was so corny – that was until I was mere feet away from Optimus Prime's optics yesterday.

''Always stay focused on what you are aiming for. Don't take your eyes off your target.''

I couldn't have torn my gaze away from him if I tried! I was transfixed, mesmerised, captivated as I focused on my target. ''I was lost!'' A wistful sigh escaped my lips as I spoke the words to the breeze. The smile that had previously formed subconsciously, slowly faded away. /He had no idea when he said those words to me yesterday, that he was the target of my deepest affections and desires/.

I snorted out loud as I picked up a shell and threw it out into the water and watched it sink beneath the waves. ''And why would he Orianna? You are a HUMAN woman, and he is a Cybertronian mech. There would be absolutely NO reason for him to think there would or could possibly be any sort of feelings between you – other than friendship of course.''

Herein lay the crux of my conundrum. We were of two very different species. The trouble was, against all odds, against the natural laws of science and the universe, what I understood of it anyway, was that one of us had developed feelings beyond friendship and had acknowledged it for what it was. The other was blissfully unaware. ''And would likely be horrified!'' I groaned out loud at the sheer frustration of it all, tilting my head back and feeling the heat of the sun bite into my neck and face.

The open front white caftan I had been wearing over my swimmers, began to fall off my shoulder. As I turned to pull it up, a large wave that had rolled in splashed water all over me, eliciting a loud shriek and then a laugh at my own stupidity. Gathering the caftan up into my hands I pulled it up mid-thigh to try and avoid a similar accident.

It was then that I noticed it.

On the rocks ahead of me lay a large beach towel. I froze in my tracks believing I had been alone here. Who else could be here? In the past eighteen months since I had been coming here, I was only aware of Prime and I visiting this beach. /Which is kind of stupid OC given you are not the only two souls on this island/. I was just giving in to that train of thought when I noticed the splashing of someone swimming through the waters as they rounded the rocky outcrop to the east of the beach.

I strained my eyes to try and make out who it could be but to no avail. However, I didn't have to wait long as shortly afterwards they slowed down and stood up in the water, whipping their head back and running their hand through their short, dark hair. A smile broke out on their tanned face as they spotted me standing on the shore watching them. There was no mistaking that person.

/Lennox!/.

He wiped the water away from his face as he walked towards the beach, large splashes around him as he ploughed through the water. I subconsciously took a step back fearing I would get drenched. As he approached, giving me a wave, my eyes were drawn to his toned and muscled figure. Standing 6' 3'' inches Lennox was quite tall, and he was well built. Had my heart not been captured by a certain Autobot Commander and had Lennox not been, well - Lennox, I would have been attracted to him without a doubt.

''Hey OC!'' he sniffed as he padded out of the water towards his towel. Stooping down to pick it up, he began to pat his chest and face dry as he walked towards me. I watched as rivulets of water trickled down his chest and chiseled abs. ''What brings you here at this time of the afternoon?''

I blinked and held my hands up to feign protecting it from the sun, though in truth I had done it to try and appear as though I hadn't just been perving on the Major. ''Ahh hey Lennox,'' I shrugged my shoulders, ''guess same thing that brought you here. Thought I'd come here to try and cool off a bit. In case it escaped your attention, I don't deal well with tropical climates.''

Lennox threw his head back and laughed as he wrapped the towel around his waist. ''Well, guess you screwed up royally coming to live on a tropical island then didn't you!''

I rolled my eyes at him as I continued to stand shin deep in the water, holding my caftan. ''Perhaps not one of my smartest moves, I grant you.'' I smiled sweetly up at him. ''But then I would have deprived you and the Autobots of my company.''

Lennox snorted as he placed his hands on his narrow hips. ''Indeed OC. Life certainly would have been…'' he paused as he searched for the right words.

''Boring, bland, pointless,'' I supplied for him.

He flashed a massive, cheeky grin at me, ''Easier. I was going to go with easier, but sure. Your words work too.''

I narrowed my eyes at him. ''Oh, I have a few more words that might work too Lennox. Care to hear them?''

He held his hands up and shook his head. ''OC, when it comes to you, it's never just a few words and you could make sailors blush with some of the language I have heard come out of your mouth!'' He leaned forward conspiratorially. ''Not very lady like at all OC.''

I gasped in indignation. ''Excuse me! I am very much a lady thank you arsehole!'' He laughed at my choice in words, and I had dropped my caftan as I leaned forward to punch my index finger against his chest. The caftan fell open, revealing my feminine curves, lightly tanned skin and the swell of my breasts in my navy bikini top.

Lennox raised his eyebrows and nodded appreciatively, his eyes flicking up and down my body. I was torn between irritation and arousal. ''Hmm, yes you are OC.''

I snorted at him and rolled my eyes as I gathered the caftan up about me. ''Ha you wish Lennox! In ya dreams mate.''

Lennox continued to stare at me, a huge grin on his face. ''Good chance you will be tonight OC.''

I scrunched up my face in confusion. ''Good chance I'll be doing what tonight, Lennox?''

He started to walk off, calling over his shoulder, ''That you'll be in my dreams.'' He chuckled as he turned back around.

I gasped and placed my hands on my hips. ''Yeah, well that's the ONLY place you and I would ever be together!''

He turned about so he was walking backwards away from me, a massive shit eater grin on his face. ''Suits me OC. You'd at least shut it when I wanted you to, or better still, remain silent!''

I growled at him and launched myself. The smile on his face remained as he easily grabbed my arms, spun me in towards his chest and picked me bodily off the ground.

''PUT ME DOWN LENNOX!'' I screamed at him as I tried to break free from his vice like grip. /Damn, but the man was strong!/.

I heard water splashing about his feet and an evil chuckle as I realised he was walking out into the water. I screamed defiantly. ''As you wish OC!'' With that he dumped me, and the lukewarm water enveloped me.

I flailed about under the water for a second, righting myself, before I sprung up like a jack in the box. A very pissed off Jack in the Box. ''LENNOX! YOU FUCKING ARSEHOLE!'' I brought my hands up to wipe the water off my face. My white caftan clung to my body; my navy bikini clearly visible.

Lennox stepped back towards the shore, a smug look on his face. ''What? You looked hot. I thought I'd cool you down.'' He folded his arms across his chest and nodded at his handiwork. ''Definitely an improvement OC.''

I growled at him as I began to wade ashore. ''Oh, you'll keep mate! When you least expect it, you'll get yours.'' I smiled evilly at him. ''I have a long memory.''

''What? Part elephant are we OC?'' He grinned broadly at me and chuckled.

I could feel my teeth grinding together in annoyance, but I had to give it to him. He had certainly brought his A game today. My scowl gave way to a smile. ''Well played Major Lennox. As loathe as I am to admit it, you appear to have gotten the better of me today.'' He smiled and bowed dramatically. ''Mind you, I am not at the top of my game lately, being so distract..'' I paused. /Oops/.

Lennox raised an eyebrow. ''Distracted? You? By what?''

I shook my head as I stood knee deep in the water. I brought a handful of hair up to wring it out. ''Oh no! I'm not telling you ANYTHING!''

Lennox readjusted his towel about his waist. ''Oh, come on OC, you can tell me. We're friends.''

I scoffed out loud as I whipped my hair back. ''HA! Yeah, I just had a firsthand experience of how you treat your ''mates''. I shook my head as I laughed at him. ''Pass thanks Lennox.''

''Come on OC!'' His expression became serious as he walked towards me, padding out into the water to stand before me. ''You know I'm only stirring you. It's kind of our thing, it's what we do.'' I folded my arms across my chest as he placed his hands on my shoulders. ''You know if you ever really needed my help with anything or for anything, you know I would help you.''

I looked up into his face as he stared down at me, a small, genuine smile on his handsome face. His chocolate brown eyes were filled with sincerity, and I found myself smiling despite what had just transpired. ''Really?'' I unfolded my arms and slowly brought my hands up to lay on his chest.

His gaze moved from my face to my hands and back again. I took a step closer towards him, so our bodies were almost touching. Lennox's grip on my shoulders tightened for a moment and it was as though he had stopped breathing. I bit my lower lip as I looked up into his expectant face once more. ''You'd really be there for me if I needed you?'' I traced a circular pattern on his chest with my right index finger.

He exhaled slowly and took a smaller step towards me. The heat that had ignited between us had nothing to do with the hot tropical sun as it beat down upon us. ''Yes OC. I would. Anytime.''

I nodded my head as I slid one of my hands up behind his head. Lennox's eyes widened for a moment before they seemed to darken and fix on my lips as I spoke to him. ''Well, I guess in that case. If I can trust you, I can tell you what's on my mind.''

He nodded, and I felt his broad chest rise and fall rapidly under my hand. ''What is it OC? What's got you so - distracted?'' His hands slid from my shoulders, down my sides and came to rest on my hips. It was not an unwelcome sensation and my breath hitched slightly at the feel of his hands there. The reaction was not lost on Lennox, and he seemed to pull me closer until I could feel his body against mine. Warm and hard.

I smiled up at him as I bit my lower lip, my eyes locked on his as I began to slowly pull his head towards mine. ''Come here and I'll tell you,'' I breathed out in a low and sultry tone. Lennox gave a low groan as he closed his eyes and leaned forward, his lips slightly parted in anticipation.

It was at that point I removed the hand from behind his head and shoved him with all my might, so he toppled into the water. ''WHA..THA'' was all he managed to get out before he disappeared momentarily under the water, towel and all. I burst out laughing and bolted from the water, eager to put some distance between us both.

''OC!'' Lennox roared as he flailed to the surface, thrashing about like an enraged tiger. He pointed an accusing finger at my retreating form. ''You…You're…'' He stuttered as he tried to form a coherent thought.

''What?'' I shouted out to him. ''You looked hot Major Lennox. I thought you needed to cool off!'' I paused momentarily in my retreat, my eyes travelling up and down his figure. ''Hmm.. Definitely an improvement!'' The towel that had been draped around him had sunk under the waves and his swimmers hung low on his waist.

He shook his head as the water cascaded off him. A dark look settled on his features as an almost feral grin spread across his face and he stalked towards me. I shrieked in fear and excitement as I turned to bolt towards the safety of Relda. ''You're in for it now OC! When I get my hands on you..''

I laughed out loud, ''IF…. That's IF you get your hands on me Lennox. Gotta catch me first!'' I was so in trouble now, perhaps I had gone too far, but it had been so worth it to see the look on his face as he fell into the water. /Smug bastard. He deserved to be brought down a peg or two just now/.

I knew he would indeed get me back, and it would be epic because, as Lennox said, ''It's kind of our thing, it's what we do''. And so, it would go on between us. And I had no problem with the welcome distraction it provided.