Author's Note: For some reason the idea of a scene involving Prime watching something like Star Wars appealed to my warped sense of humor and so this chapter was born... apologies in advance... though you get a glimpse into both Prime and Orianna's characters too... at least the way I have crafted them to be.

Also, big shout out to Musical Medli for her kind review and for the favs and follows. Remember, REVIEWS, FAVS, FOLLOWS = nourishment for the writer's soul people! Keep sendin' and givin' 'em so my fingers have the sustenance required to continue typing! ;-)

Chapter 9: Spontaneity killed the Cat

Orianna P.O.V

For a moment I stared blankly at the dashboard, as my brain struggled to process the innocent question. I fluttered my eyes rapidly as I stuttered a response. ''Ahh… well.. a da.. date can encompass many types of social interactions between people Prime.'' I nervously cleared my throat and clenched tightly at my cardigan as Prime drove towards the outdoor theatre. ''Parents can have play dates with kids, and you can have lunch dates with friends.''

I drew a quick breath as my eyes darted around the cabin. ''The comment I made just now was in reference to a romantic engagement or appointment between two people.'' I laughed somewhat nervously, almost manically, ''which this most definitely is not,'' I cleared my throat as I fidgeted with my dress. ''We're just two friends hanging out. Casually.'' I closed my eyes so tight I saw flashes of light. ''At the movies. As you do.'' /Just shut up you stupid bloody idiot! Shut up NOW!/, I mentally chastised myself.

There was a short, pensive silence before Prime's voice rumbled through me. ''I see. Thank you for your explanation, Orianna.'' Another measured silence as I collected what remained of my composure. ''I shall enjoy hanging out casually with you tonight then. That is if you are well.''

We were only two blocks away from the theatre. I scrunched my face up in confusion at his comment. ''Hunh? Why would you say that Prime?''

''Just now I detected your blood pressure increased dramatically, your heart rate was rapid and erratic, and you began to perspire excessively.'' Prime paused a moment in his assessment. ''I hope you are not coming down with something tonight. That would be unfortunate.''

I once again gave a small, nervous laugh and made a concerted effort to calm myself down as I fought the flash of annoyance that Transformers could ''read'' you. ''I'm fine Prime, really I am.'' I shrugged my shoulders. ''I guess you just caught me off guard with your question.''

Prime chuckled as he negotiated the light traffic. ''I understand now how such a question may have elicited such a response from you Orianna. Given we are of two different species and share a purely platonic relationship, I can see why such an insinuation of a romantic attachment between us would seem - so unsettling for you. My apologies.''

I closed my eyes slowly as my heart seemed to twist painfully in my chest at Prime's unintended rejection. /Perhaps it had been a bad idea to accept his invitation tonight? Perhaps I should have just told him I had plans?/. Despite a million emotions and thoughts tearing around inside me, I reached out and gently patted his dashboard again, a small, soft smile on my lips. ''Not unsettling at all Prime, and no need for apologies.''

Mercifully, we arrived at our destination, and I was unclicking the seatbelt even as Prime was rolling to a stop outside the building. I sighed out loud from a combination of frustration and relief. ''Now. I know you can't drink or eat, but I sure as hell need a drink at the moment.'' I grabbed the door handle and pulled as I quickly scanned the area. ''How about you go and park on that grassed area at the back of the cinema and I'll meet you there?''

''Affirmative Orianna,'' his deep voice rumbled in reply.

As I walked towards the small refreshment stall, I fought to keep a deep sense of hopelessness from consuming me. That was the closest we had come to talking about or acknowledging any sort of relationship or feelings between us. I sighed out loud as I stepped up to the counter and the young man waiting. /And it was an epic disaster!/.

''What'll it be ma'am?'' the young man questioned with a smile.

I internally groaned at the title but decided to ignore it. ''Give me two beers and a small popcorn please,'' I fished around in my purse.

As he handed me the items, I placed the money on the counter and gave him a thankful smile. ''Enjoy your evening ma'am,'' and he flashed a friendly smile in return.

As I walked towards the flame decaled truck that sat patiently waiting for me at the rear of the cinemas, I sighed deeply as I muttered to myself. ''This island is practically packed to the brim with attractive men, and you had to fall for a giant metallic robot from space!'' I swallowed the angry growl as I drew nearer to Prime, not willing to hear him mistake my angst and inner turmoil for illness.

Once again, the driver's side door popped open as I approached. Clutching the popcorn in my mouth, and holding the two bottles in my right hand, I hauled myself up and in as gracefully as I could. I sat down heavily in the seat with a muffled groan as I extracted the popcorn and placed one of the drinks on the seat beside me. ''I'm sorry I could not assist you Orianna.''

''S'okay Prime. I had it under control,'' I screwed the lid off the bottle of beer, placing it on the seat beside me.

''Orianna, I cannot drink your beverages. Why do you have two drinks?'' Prime asked somewhat confused.

I laughed. ''I know. They're for me Prime and trust me, I need both!'' I held the bottle aloft for a toast. ''Cheers to good friends who always find time to enjoy a work-life balance!'' I didn't wait for a reply but took a large swig of the cool, refreshing liquid from the bottle.

''Thank you Orianna,'' Prime's voice held amusement.

''Oh don't mention it, really.'' I popped a handful of popcorn into my mouth as I watched the last people find their seats and the lights were turned off and the screen came on.

''What are we watching Orianna?'' Prime queried as I munched away.

'Shtar Wash, Empire Shtrikes Back,'' I managed to explain around my mouthful of popcorn and I washed it down with a sip of beer. Shame it wasn't ''Star Wars A New Hope'' but, it'd do. ''It's a very famous movie. You should like it Prime. It's set in space, and it's a classic ''good verse evil'' scenario. I'll let you work out who the Autobots and Decepticons are.''

Prime's voice drifted incredulously through the dash as he wound the windows down so I could hear the movie better. ''They made a movie about Autobots and Decepticons and our confrontations? How? I didn't think our existence was common knowledge?''

I laughed as I once again patted Prime's dashboard and the unmistakable chords of the Star Wars theme drifted through the cinema. ''NO, they haven't! I was simply likening the bad guys in the movie to Decepticons and the goodies to Autobots. I thought it might be a reference you could relate to.''

In the last few rows in front of us, some people turned around and sent us some glowering stares to indicate their displeasure at our conversation. I whispered back to Prime. ''Never mind,'' I settled into the seat and popped another handful of popcorn in my mouth. ''It's starting.'' A companionable silence descended between us as the movie started.

A silence which lasted all of two minutes.

As the Imperial Crusier ploughed through space above the planet Hoth and the drones were sent in search of the Rebel alliance, Prime gave a loud snort, his deep voice erupting to life. ''That is wildly inaccurate Orianna! Space is a vacuum. How could those vessels and craft possibly be making noise? That simply would not happen. I have been there. I speak from experience.''

I closed my eyes, took a bigger swig of my beer, and sunk lower into the seat as I hissed back at him. ''I know Prime! Just… go with it. It's a movie. Movies don't always imitate real life.''

He fell silent just as the same faces turned around to deliver death stares in our direction. The movie continued and as the sinister looking drone rose above the crash site, Prime's voice once again broke the silence. ''I have a feeling that he is a Decepticon Orianna..'' I ignored his comment and he said no more until Luke Skywalker came into view on the Tauntaun. ''I get the impression that he may be an Autobot.''

Narrowed, angry glances were cast in our direction and Prime seemed oblivious. ''Yes, you're right Prime. Now just listen. Please?'' I begged him.

Once again, we sat in silence as the movie continued to play until the name of the planet was mentioned. Prime's deep baritone voice erupted in amusement. ''You know interestingly enough Orianna, I came across a planet called Hoth in the Canis Major Dwarf Galaxy about 25,000 light years from here. I happened upon it during my search for the Allspark. Your human astronomers and scientists have yet to discover any substantial proof of planets in that stellar formation….''

Two of the people in front of us turned, stood up in their spot and faced us, a deep and angry scowl on their face and hands on their hips. /Oh, for Primus' sake! Here we go!/. Prime continued. ''However, it was not icy and desolate as it is being depicted here it was more..''

''Hey arsehole!'' The larger of the two men called out. ''Will you keep it down? Some of us are trying ta listen ya prick!'' As soon as the words were out of the man's mouth, a volley of popcorn was thrown at Prime's hood.

''Right! That's it Prime,'' I tapped his dashboard angrily as I fought embarrassment back. ''I think it's best if we just get out of here.'' I skulled the remainder of my beer.

''But Orianna..'' Prime began to retort.

''No! Trust me on this. Let's just go. We'll try the movie thing again another time.'' I exhaled deeply as I clicked the seatbelt back on. ''For now, let's just get the hell out of here.''

Prime's engine roared to life, earning even more filthy looks and a hail of buttery popcorn as he pulled away. ''Why? I was simply pointing out the flaws and inaccuracies. I did not mean to embarrass you or annoy the other people Orianna. I am sorry. Perhaps watching movies is something I need more practice with?'' His voice held a large amount of self-deprecation.

''Ya don't say Prime!'' I held my forehead in my hand as I leaned on his driver's door. ''Perhaps you should have taken my lead in that and simply did what I did. Or did NOT do as may be the case.''

''Understood Orianna.'' Silence filled the cabin for a moment. ''IS there anything else you might like to do or would you rather I just return you to your domicle?'' His voice was tinged with sadness, and I found my previous embarrassment and annoyance fading quickly. /It's not his fault. He didn't know and you didn't exactly explain it to him. You just assumed he would know how to behave. And when you assume something…./.

I sighed out loud and shook my head. ''No Prime. I said I was happy to hang out with you and do something you enjoyed doing. And I meant it.'' I smiled and patted his dashboard affectionately. ''Besides, I didn't exactly explain to you the process for watching movies, so it's kinda my fault that didn't go so well Big Guy. Sorry.''

''No Orianna. It was my fa…'' Prime began to counter.

I interrupted as I knew where this was headed. ''Okay Prime. We could go around and around in circles here trying to assume blame for the epic disaster that was the movies tonight. Or we could just chalk that one up to experience and move on. What ya say?''

There was a low chuckle. ''Agreed Orianna. A wise idea.''

I nodded my head as I looked out the window and the buildings of the main street whipping by. ''I don't know about you, but I wouldn't mind getting out of here. I feel like I need to be somewhere people aren't at the moment. I feel claustrophobic.'' I patted the dashboard again. ''How about we go for that drive you never got to take me on that time?''

''I would very much enjoy that Orianna. It just so happens that going for long drives and taking in pleasant scenery is another of my favourite things to do.'' Prime chuckled. ''When I make time for a work-life balance that is.''

I laughed out loud. ''Well, there you go! I'm learning quite a bit about you tonight Prime,'' it felt wonderful peeling back small layers on this multifaceted being. Prime was notoriously private and generally kept his cards close to his broad chest. Any time he revealed something about himself or his life, it was to be treasured and filed away for safe keeping.

I made a small sound out loud. ''So,'' I folded my arms across my chest as I prepared to learn more about the mystery that was Optimus Prime, ''You've been to Hoth? Now that we no longer need to be quiet for the sake of others, do tell Prime.''

That delicious deep voice rumbled through the cabin as he laughed. ''If you insist Orianna. I would be happy to recall my experience.''

And so, for the next half an hour I sat in enraptured silence as I listened to Prime recall how he did indeed come across Hoth and, from what he saw in the movie, how different the two planets were. Any embarrassment, any feeling of hopelessness or dejection from the earlier debacles this evening vanished as we drove aimlessly around the island. In this moment, I was content to be with my friend and simply listen to that wonderful, comforting voice for as long as he wished to talk.