Author's Note: ''denotes recalled conversation''
Just a short one people... Shout out again to Musical Medli... You keep these fingers typing ;-)
Chapter 17: One often meets their destiny on the Path to avoid it
Orianna P.O.V
''Orianna!'' Prime's baritone rolled towards me filled with surprise and happiness. ''I had not expected to encounter you here of all places.''
My heart skipped a beat and constricted painfully in my chest. I laughed nervously as my eyes travelled along the frame of the powerful figure standing before me. ''Ha, I could say the same thing to you Prime!'' /Kinda why I came here. So, there you go; the universe clearly hates me/.
Prime's optics shone brightly as he lowered himself to be nearer to me. A small chuckle escaped his dermas. ''A fair comment Orianna.''
For a moment we simply stared at each other. Since that night at Turtle Cove three weeks ago, I could count on one hand the number of times I had seen and interacted with Prime. /All due to my own insecurities/. I smiled up at him. ''So, what brings you here anyway Prime? I thought you hated the Med Bay?''
Prime snorted softly. ''A keen observation Orianna. I confess it is not my favourite place to visit.''
I laughed out loud as I nodded towards the Med Bay doors, a conspiratorial look on my face. ''Yeah, well, Rachet can be a bit of a pain in the aft, don't blame you for avoiding it.''
He blinked his optics as he regarded me, that somewhat lopsided grin on his dermas appeared. I had amused him. ''I'll be sure to pass on your compliments to Rachet.'' His optics shone with mirth.
''Aahh yeah. I'd rather you didn't if it's all the same to you Prime.'' I grinned up at the handsome mech before me. A dull ache began to form in my chest at the playful banter between us. ''So, ahh, why are you here anyway Prime?''
He continued to smile down at me as he draped one of his arms casually across his knee. ''I have come to speak to Rachet about the latest medical reports for the Autobots and about the development of his own holoform given the success of mine.''
I tensed up and bit my lower lip at the mention of Prime's holoform. ''Ah yeah. Rachet mentioned something about that. He as trying to determine how old he should make his look in comparison to yours.''
Prime tilted his helm as he blinked his optics at me. ''Was he now?''
I laughed as I began to walk around Optimus. ''I suggested ninety.'' I winked and waved at Prime. ''Well, I won't keep you from our favourite Medic. See ya Prime.''
Prime's servo shot out towards me; his brow furrowed in consternation. ''Wait, Orianna!''
I paused, closing my eyes tightly before I turned to face him. ''Yes Prime?''
His servo slowly lowered by his side, his voice was soft and low. ''Do you have to leave so soon? I just arrived here.''
/That's kinda why I need to leave Prime/. I nodded my head as I shoved my hands in my cargo pants pockets to try and hide the slight trembling. ''I'm sorry Prime. Bad timing, I guess. I've got a few errands to run downtown and I might catch up with Lennox and some of the guys later for a beer.'' /You are such a coward and a liar! He is too good for you anyway!/. I added belatedly. ''I'd invite you to join us but seeing as your holoform thingy is highly classified, kinda hard for you to do that.''
Prime's shoulders seemed to slump slightly, and his optics dimmed. ''I see.'' He rose to his pedes.
Taking in his reaction, I felt a stab of guilt. ''But how about we try and catch up on our beach tomorrow night? I haven't been there for a while. I think we are overdue a rendezvous.''
Prime nodded his helm, those azure optics pinning me to the spot as he regarded me, servos on hips. ''Two weeks and three days to be precise Orianna.'' I felt a crimson blush spread across my cheeks at the slightly reproachful tone in his voice.
I realised how much I had been avoiding the mech before me and how much he had clearly noticed it. ''Wow. That long hey Big Guy?'' I laughed nervously. ''All the more reason to catch up tomorrow. Whadda ya say Prime?'' I only just refrained from light heartedly saying ''it's a date''. /Bloody hell! That would have been so awkward!/.
A small smile tugged at the corners of Prime's dermas as he once again rose to his full height. ''I'd say that has given me something to look forward to Orianna.''
''Transformers tend to be more discerning in their selection of a mate….. a strong spark bond between both Transformers needs to be established….'' Rachet's words raced through my mind as I stared longingly up at Optimus. Hope flared to life again at his words and I smiled brightly up at my friend. ''Great! I'll keep an eye out for you tomorrow,'' I turned to walk away and laughed, ''Ah, not that I could miss a twenty-eight-foot-tall robot with tacky flames.'' I winked at him as I walked backwards away from him.
A deep voice rumbled towards me, ''Perhaps said ''robot'' might send someone else in his stead, someone less conspicuous and more able to seek reprisal for such teasing and 'inflammatory' comments?'' Prime arched an optical ridge in my direction as he folded his arms across his chest.
I merely laughed and waved once more as I turned about and walked away, a nervous, excited feeling in the pit of my stomach. /What have I just gotten myself into?/. I really did need to learn to stop and think before I opened my mouth.