Chapter 26: Distractions
Orianna P.O.V
I waved some of the dust away and looked up at Prime who was watching Jazz's form disappear in the distance. I holstered my weapon and cleared my throat in a bid to gain his attention.
A pair of glowing azure optics fixed themselves upon me intently. I coughed again as I smiled nervously up at the Prime. ''Hehem. You know you don't have to stay and help me Prime. I know how busy you are and besides,'' I turned around to walk back towards the box with the magazines in them, bending down to pick a new one up. ''You've already helped me out here once before.''
I started as I felt a presence near me and heard that familiar, deep voice rumble close behind me. ''Orianna, I do not keep track of how many times I assist you. It would be my pleasure to offer you advice - and company.''
I turned around to find myself staring at Prime's holoform. I gulped and nodded silently as I took in his appearance. His handsome face was smiling down at me and his blue eyes seemed unnaturally bright as he stepped towards me. He folded his arms across his broad chest, his tight black t-shirt clung to his muscular frame. My eyes swept quickly along his body noting the dark blue denim jeans with red stitching and those combat boots again. Very impure thoughts flashed through my mind, and I physically shook my head to distract myself as I ran a hand through my hair. I flashed him a smile, ''Well, I ah, I'd be grateful of both Prime.''
He nodded his head, returning my smile. ''I shall do my best to be as helpful as Major Lennox was,'' he chuckled and raised his hands in the air, ''though I shall keep my tips and ''mits'' to myself as Jazz suggested.''
I bit my lower lip to refrain from swearing in frustration and removed my gun from its holster, quickly replacing the empty magazine with the new one. I gave a small grunt as I glanced from him to the target and moved into position to fire my weapon. ''Yeah, well probably a good thing. I need all the focus I can get!''
I left my earmuffs hanging around my neck as I rolled my shoulders and brought my arms up, supporting my right hand with my left. ''Orianna! Your earmuffs!'' Prime called out to me from off to my left.
I continued to face the target. ''Pardon the pun Prime, but my hearing is already shot. Besides, lets me hear any pointers you have.'' I stood with my feet slightly apart and lowered my head to line up my shot along the site.
Once again, I felt a warm, solid presence standing just behind me as Prime stepped closer. He did not brush up against me as Lennox did, be he was close enough for me to ''feel'' him. ''Then my first pointer Orianna, is to put your earmuffs on to protect what does remain of your hearing.''
I slightly turned my head, trying to ignore the warmth that was spreading through me. ''Ha! You don't wear any earmuffs Prime, and your gun is huge!'' I internally winced at both the unintended sexual innuendo and the somewhat petulant tone.
He leaned closer towards me so I could feel his ''breath'' on my neck. ''Orianna, I can adjust my audio sensors to filter out any loud or unwanted noises thereby negating the need for any such protection. You cannot.''
''I'm sorry? What did you say Prime?'' I sent him a teasing smile. ''I couldn't hear you.'' He raised his left eyebrow and his eyes darkened to the colour of the ocean during a storm.
He took another step closer towards me, almost enveloping me in his presence. My skin tingled and my throat became dry as he stood right behind me, his body brushing up against mine. ''Feet slightly apart. Arms up, cradle your dominant hand.'' He barked the instructions in a deep, commanding tone that sent a shiver coursing through me as he raised his arms up either side of me. I moved swiftly to comply, focusing on his orders rather than his intoxicating proximity. ''Squeeze, don't pull the trigger and - breathe!'' I nodded slightly as I felt his hands either side of my neck. I bit my lip.
Grabbing my earmuffs, he brought them up, preparing to place them on my ears. Before he did, he leaned down and whispered in my ear. ''Keep your eye on the target!'' The earmuffs were clamped over my ears and that solid, warm presence faded as Prime stepped back away from me to allow me to focus.
I inhaled deeply and exhaled. I rested my right index finger on the trigger, lined up my shots and exhaled as I fired. As the last shot buried itself in the target fifty metres away, I exhaled once more and raised my head, a large euphoric grin on my face. I reefed the earmuffs off my ears and spun around to face Prime. ''Yes! I did it!'' I holstered my gun. All my shots found their mark and one landed in the bullseye.
Prime was smiling broadly at me as he walked towards me, the corners of his eyes crinkled as he peered towards the target. ''I see you hit the bullseye.'' He placed a large hand on my shoulder and gave it a squeeze, not unlike Lennox had done moments before. ''You remembered to keep your eye on the target! Well done!''
I placed my hand on his and squeezed in grateful thanks as I grinned up at him. ''Thanks Prime. Personally, I think it was the earmuffs that made all the difference. Helped me to avoid distractions.'' I winked at him.
Prime removed his hand from my shoulder, placing them on his hips. His eyes shone brightly, and the corners of his mouth curved in amusement as he regarded me. ''Shame they didn't work with Lennox.''
I folded my arms across my chest and narrowed my eyes slightly. ''They did to an extent Prime. It's just you stood back to allow me to shoot. Lennox remained pressed up against me.'' I muttered peevishly as I bent to retrieve another magazine. ''I'd like to see you try and shoot with someone all over you.''
''That was rather inconsiderate of him Orianna.'' Prime mused as he watched me. ''However, you should be able to filter out all distractions when you are about to make a shot. Especially if it is a matter of life or death. I have had to do it numerous times – unfortunately.'' He stared steadily at me as he watched me load a new magazine in the gun and switch the safety on. ''All extraneous distractions should fade away as you focus on what needs to be done.'' His eyes locked onto mine.
A flash of almost inexplicable anger tore through me at Prime's comment. ''Oh, really Prime?'' I stared defiantly at him. ''Are you saying you could manage to ignore all distractions around you and land all your shots?''
Prime's hands moved from his hips to be once again folded across his chest. He considered me thoughtfully for a moment, those keen azure eyes of his searching my face. He nodded slowly. ''Yes Orianna. I am making that assertion.''
Feeling somewhat competitive and out to prove the confident and unflappable Prime wrong on this occasion, I stepped towards him and handed him the loaded gun. ''Prove it!''
He knitted his brows together in confusion. ''I'm sorry Orianna?''
I moved to hand him the gun again, thrusting it in his direction adamantly. ''I want you to take the gun and hit that target over there,'' I nodded towards the only one that had been left unscathed, ''all whilst ignoring distractions.'' I stepped towards him, the gun before me. ''Go on Prime. Put your money where your mouth is.''
Prime reached out and took the gun from my hands, his fingers brushing against mine. ''Very well Orianna. If it will make you happy, I shall accept your challenge.'' He smiled down at me, ''Though with Lennox gone, I am not sure what will serve as a distraction.'' I felt a wicked grin spread across my face as I walked over and grabbed the wooden crate containing the remaining magazines, tipped them out and carried it back towards him.
''I am not sure what this is in aid of Orianna,'' his brow was furrowed as he moved to stand in front of the target.
I did my best to compose my features into a neutral expression. ''You'll see soon enough Prime.'' I placed the wooden crate at his feet.
''And I am not sure why you need that,'' he nodded at the wooden crate beside his feet as I clambered on.
At Prime's baffled expression I shrugged my shoulders. ''So, you can hear me better,'' I gestured between my mouth and his ears. It was unnerving being around the same height as him and being so close to him yet again. /Not close enough though – not yet/.
He nodded his understanding and turned back to face the target. Hefting the gun in either hand before settling on holding it in his right. He had a small smile on his lips. ''This does feel rather different compared to my usual weapon Orianna.''
I arched a brow at him. ''Making excuses already are we Prime?'' A teasing smile tugged at the corners of my lips.
His eyes darkened again, and he looked shocked for a moment. ''Certainly not! More an observation.''
''I know. I was stirring you Prime. Now,'' I moved to stand nearer to him, brushing up against him as I did. I took great delight as I watched him tense slightly at the unexpected contact. My voice held a slightly teasing tone to it. ''Raise your arms up before you..''
Prime half turned to face me, a warning look dancing in his eyes, and his tone held a small amount of reproach. ''Orianna. Is this necessary? I have been firing a weapon far longer than weapons have been in existence on your planet.''
I returned his stare with a determined look of my own. Slowly reaching out my right hand, I grasped his chin, encouraging him to return his attention to the target before him. ''Yes, Prime. It is.'' I felt the wicked grin return to my lips as I moved my hand from his face and placed it on his shoulder, giving it a brief squeeze before my hand travelled slowly along his muscular arm, skimming lightly across his skin. ''Use your other hand to cradle your non-dominant hand,'' my own smaller hand moved to rest on his forearm, my fingers lightly caressing his wrist. He made a small gasp and I almost groaned at the delicious heat that was building between us. /All distractions fade away my arse Prime! Not if I can help it!/.
Prime exhaled deeply and brought his left hand up to cradle his right hand. I brushed his wrist again as I murmured near his ear. ''Just like that Prime.'' I felt him shift beside me as he automatically adopted a slightly parted stance. I leaned closer towards him, my left hand moving along his back to rest on his left shoulder. Glancing down, I smiled in delight as I noticed a red Autobot emblem stitched onto each back pocket of his jeans.
I closed my eyes and drank in the unique scent of him, my pulse quickening. ''Now, tilt your head to line up your shot.'' He complied obediently, his face centimeters away from mine. His ''breathing'' was shallower than it normally was as my face hovered near his, my breath warm against his skin. His reaction spurred me on.
Prime stood silent beside me. Once again, I lightly skimmed his wrist with my fingers as I whispered in his ear, my lips brushing against his lobe. ''Remember gently squeeze the trigger,'' I imitated this action with my fingers on his arm and hand on his shoulder, ''don't pull.''
His voice was thick and pointed when he spoke. ''Orianna. Please. I know what to do.''
I ran my right hand back along his arm lightly, delighting in the ridiculously real feeling of firm muscle and sinews beneath my hand. I sighed into his ear as I leaned on his right shoulder. ''Oh, of that I have no doubt Prime but as I recall, you claimed to be able to do this regardless of ''distractions''. I grinned wickedly at him as he cast me a sidelong glance. ''Seeing Lennox isn't around, I figured I could serve as the distraction in his stead. That is, unless of course you've changed your mind?'' I raised an eyebrow at him in silent challenge.
Prime's eyes narrowed as he glared at me. ''I maintain my previous statement Orianna.'' He rolled his shoulders, dislodging me from my position. ''Now, if you don't mind, I am about to fire my weapon.''
I smiled sweetly at him as I leaned back towards him, placing my left hand in the middle of his back. ''Oh, I don't mind at all Prime. Now, remember to keep your eye on the target.''
He grunted indignantly as he exhaled once more. A split second later the shots range out from the muzzle of the gun. Prime was indeed intensely focused on the target and seemed to be ignoring my hand and my proximity. As I counted the number of bullets fired, I leaned towards his ear as my hand slowly slid down his back. ''Don't forget to breathe!'' I whispered breathlessly into his ear as my lips softly, and sensuously grazed against his cheek in a teasing kiss.
Prime growled out loud as the last shot erupted from the gun and he rounded on me, his face thunderous. His chest was heaving in and out as he struggled with whatever emotion he was feeling. I felt his warm breath on my lips as his were centimetres from mine, a molten heat was consuming me from the inside out.
His eyes darted wildly all over my face, resting on my slightly parted lips and, for a moment, time stood still as he leaned ever so slightly towards me, closing the distance between us. My eyes flicked from his eyes to his lips, focusing on them. I raised my right hand to his face, preparing to pull him towards me. Every nerve, every fibre of my being ached to feel those lips against mine, to taste him.
Prime froze as my hand grasped his face. He blinked his eyes rapidly and stepped out of my grasp. He backed silently away from me, leaving me teetering on the edge of the crate for a moment. He looked from me to the target, his brow creased in annoyance, though the smallest of smiles tugged at his lips. ''It appears I stand corrected.'' He nodded at me as I righted myself and stepped down from the crate, an unreadable expression on his face. ''My apologies Orianna, but I need to go,'' his voice rumbled to life.
He removed the empty magazine from the gun and handed them both towards me. I felt numb as I took them from him. He sent me a quick smile as he backed away from me. ''I recall I have a meeting with the JCS shortly and I need to be prepared for that. Thank you for your – tips and your company.''
I stared blankly at him, utterly confused, and perplexed at how abruptly we transitioned to this point. /Perhaps it is no more than you deserve after all the times you left him with barely an explanation OC?/. ''Umm, yeah. Sure Prime. Do what you have to do.''
He paused and looked at me one more time before he nodded and turned to walk away. At once the holoform faded and Prime's bi-pedal form seemed to regain cognizance and shutter his optics. His face once more unreadable as he held my gaze for a moment before he turned, transformed and his engine roared to life. Plumes of smoke belched from his stacks as he pulled away and drove off.
I stood there staring after him for a few moments. My heart had regained its steady rhythm, my pulse was not hammering in my ears and the heat that had consumed me was ebbing away, a heavy coldness taking its place. I stared at the gun in my hands, absentmindedly brushing my thumb over the backstrap where his hands had just been grasping it.
Sighing out loud, I turned about and walked the fifty metres towards the target Prime had just shot at, a smile growing on my face as I neared. Prime had reacted in a manner that suggested he knew he had missed but I wanted to confirm it for myself. The target was peppered with shots closely grouped together in the centre, and two drifting off to the right. My smile broadened and I giggled out loud, suddenly deliriously happy with myself.
''He missed a shot,'' I muttered to myself as my fingers traced over some of the holes in the target.
I brought my fingers to my lips and touched them as I recalled the feel of his cheek against them. I closed my eyes. The Sig Sauer P226 holds fifteen bullets in a magazine. /I counted twelve clustered in the centre, two off to the right – that's fourteen/. I shook my head. ''The two off to the right must had been when I whispered in his ear and my hand drifted down his back..'' I stared at the target as I recalled in detail the moment my lips grazed his cheek in a soft kiss. I snorted out loud. ''And that was the moment he missed!''
I raised my head and grinned triumphantly to myself as I backed up away from the target, a slight skip in my step. I was so pleased with myself for several reasons.
/I had won my bet with Prime and proven him wrong on this occasion. Prime was hardly ever wrong!/.
/I had managed to crack his fabled self-control and focus with a simple kiss/.
/His reaction kindled in me a hope that maybe there was a chance that he did have feelings for me beyond friendship. That maybe we could be together in the way I desperately wanted?/.
I took one last look at the target before I turned about and jogged back to Relda. I couldn't wait to see the look on Lennox and Jazz's faces when I tell them what had transpired! I laughed out loud for no other reason than to express sheer delight. /It would appear ''Operation Green Eyed Monster'' was working after all../.