Author's Note: A few f bombs people... Plus Prime and Orianna have a ''moment''... will they, won't they? You'll just have to keep reading to find out! ;-)

Chapter 29: Claustrophobic

Orianna P.O.V

I hated the storage room! It was hot, cram packed with crap, and I always felt claustrophobic. I sighed out loud as I switched the light on and turned on the wall mounted fans, propping the door open behind me. /Thank God it was early morning, or it would have been like an oven in here!/.

I made my way to the piles of cardboard boxes haphazardly stacked along the wall. Grabbing Relda's keys out of my pocket, I stabbed at the tape and opened the first box, pulling out the black N.E.S.T uniform. Lennox and Epps had asked if I could make myself useful by unpacking and sorting an extra shipment of clothing and equipment. Given there wasn't much else happening at the moment, and it was a way I could be of assistance, I accepted the task.

As I looked around the sea of boxes, I began to regret my decision. ''Oh Well OC! Think of it as doing your bit for your adopted country.'' I opened several other boxes before I put Relda's keys away and began to methodically organise and stack the uniforms on the shelving.

I was getting into a good rhythm and making headway when a deep voice from the doorway sent a shiver coursing through my body. ''Hello? OC? It's Prime.''

I stepped towards the door and popped my head out, giving a small wave. ''Hey Prime. Whatcha doing here? Aren't you busy?''

The towering red and blue Transformer knelt. ''I heard from Lennox you were in here. I was busy earlier this morning and I have some more meetings and a training session to oversee later this afternoon, but as of this moment,'' azure optics shone brightly down at me, ''I have nowhere in particular to be.'' His optics shuttered as he regarded me. ''And seeing as I have not seen much of you since that afternoon of volleyball on the beach a week ago, I thought I would stop by and say hello.'' I smiled up at him as he tilted his helm at me. ''What are you doing in there?''

I groaned as I turned to walk back in the room, shouting out over my shoulder, ''I have the dubious honour of unpacking and sorting through all the excess N.E.S.T uniforms. Lennox and Epps thought I could make myself useful.'' I chuckled. ''I'd say come in but..'' Almost at once I closed my eyes and smacked my palm on my forehead as I heard the unmistakable sound of transforming, ''Of course you can with your..'' I turned towards the door to address my mistake.

''Holoform?'' The same handsome man I had kissed at the firing range entered the room and was walking purposefully towards me, one eyebrow quirked in my direction, a teasing smile in his tempting lips.

My heart leapt into my throat and my mouth became as dry as a creek bed in a drought. I coughed. ''Ahem, yeah. Your holoform.'' I looked sheepishly at him. ''How could I forget, hey?''

The corner of his lips curved back into a knowing grin. ''Indeed Orianna.'' I felt a familiar crimson heat rising on my cheeks. Prime glanced back at the door he entered through before turning back to face me as he closed the distance between us. ''I shall have to thank Rachet yet again for this device. Very helpful.'' He came to a stop before me.

Being six foot six inches tall, even in his human hologram form, Prime towered over me. His presence was almost overwhelming, and I smiled up at him quickly before turning around to focus on the task again. ''Yeah. I guess it does make it easier for you to get around.''

I swallowed nervously as I reached for another military issue N.E.S.T uniform. Anything to distract me from the being so very near me. The aroma of leather, diesel and metal filled the air about me as I felt him move behind me, riffling around the box. I clutched the object in my hand tightly as I placed it on the shelf. His scent was fast becoming the most intoxicating, comforting smell that triggered such a feeling of warmth, safety and desire within me.

Turning about to collect another shirt, I was greeted with the image of Prime holding one of the shirts up before him, eyeing it with what seemed to be both fascination and mild annoyance. ''You know Orianna, I really do find the notion of clothing both interesting and somewhat tedious.''

My eyebrows shot to my hairline, and I once again coughed to hide my shock. ''Ah, hello left field! We haven't seen you in oh, a week or so.'' I chuckled as I grabbed another shirt and began to fold it. ''You wanna explain that one Prime?''

He glanced quickly in my direction to acknowledge my question before returning his attention to the garment. ''All I meant Orianna, was that as a Transformer, our protoforms are covered by out metallic casings which usually remain the same once we scan a form.'' He snorted sardonically as he lowered the shirt and looked at me. ''Such as my flame decals you love so much.'' There was a playful undertone to his voice.

''Hey! I have grown to love the tacky flames Prime, they're you,'' I grinned at him and his eyes shone down at me affectionately. I held out my hand and he considered it for a moment before he placed the silently requested shirt in my palm.

''Anyway,'' his deep voice rumbled on, ''as you pointed out that night of the ill-fated movie expedition,'' I rolled my eyes as recollection of the evening assailed me. I turned to grab another shirt from the box. ''You humans need to change your exterior layer of clothing daily and sometimes several times a day depending on what events you are partaking in. It is interesting that certain activities you partake in should dictate your exterior layer when we Transformers have no such limitations.''

I nodded my head seeing where this was going as I folded the shirt to place it on the shelf. ''Yeah, it is a pain in the arse Prime, especially for us women.'' I paused a moment in consideration. ''I have noticed you have taken that social parameter into consideration and somehow managed to wear a different outfit on each occasion you have used your holoform.'' I turned back to face him a huge grin on my face as I gestured to him. ''Well, except for today that is. Still wearing the same getup from the firing range, I see?''

Prime looked down at his form, a frown on his face. ''This is what I mean by tedious Orianna. Having to constantly change your appearance.''

I snorted at him and laughed. ''Well, beats the alternative Prime.''

He reached in and plucked another shirt out, eyeing it in mild annoyance. ''Which is?''

I scratched my head and looked around the room. ''Ahh… being naked.'' He raised his helm and simply stared at me for a moment. ''Ya know, getting around in your protoform, no armour plating or casings.''

Comprehension dawned on Prime's face, and he handed me the shirt wordlessly. I grabbed it and spun back around to face the shelf, biting my lower lip, and wishing to God I had a five second delay.

''I see your point Orianna.'' There was a measured silence before his voice continued. ''Would you excuse me for a moment?''

''Hunh? Why?'' I turned back around to question him only to be met with an empty space where he had once stood. ''Prime?'' I waved my hand before me. ''Where are you?'' I began to walk towards the door, and I froze.

Walking back in, dressed head to toe in a black, long sleeve shirt, N.E.S.T patches on the arms and long black pants with various pockets and knee pads and black combat boots, was Prime's holoform. He held his arms up as he walked towards me, his blue eyes burning brightly, and a pleased smile plastered on his face. ''I took note of your comments and decided that I needed to change my appearance.'' He nodded at the shelf I had been stacking all morning. ''I took inspiration from the clothing you were sorting.'' He came to stand before me, reaching a hand up to place on the top shelf of the railing. ''Is this acceptable Orianna?''

I simply stared at him, my eyes travelling along his athletic frame. The black shirt clung tightly across his broad chest and the black pants seemed to be slung low on his waist, the material tight across his thighs. I couldn't help but think something about black just seemed to work on him with those vibrant blue eyes. He looked dangerous, almost forbidden and drop dead gorgeous. /Hell! He could wear a fucking potato sack and look hot as hell!/. I felt myself subconsciously licking my lips as I drank in the sight before me.

''Orianna?'' his hesitant voice pierced my lust filled fog.

I shook my head and blinked my eyes several times before I shot him a quick smile and stepped back towards the boxes. ''Yeah. I'd say it's acceptable Prime.'' I spun about and grabbed several shirts from the box. I chuckled as I turned back to face him, suddenly taken by a playful mood. ''I mean - it's perfect,'' I placed the shirts in a pile on the shelf and smirked up at him. ''If you're about to head off into battle with Decepticons that is.''

He took a step closer towards me, leaning slightly forward. I stood my ground, though I grasped the shirt in my hand tightly. The smile faded from his face, moving to dance in his eyes. His voice was low and held a mixture of mirth and surprise as he spoke to me. ''You dare be impertinent towards a Prime Orianna?''

I raised an eyebrow up at him. ''Dare?'' A mischievous smile tugged at the corners of my lips. ''Prime, I just was.''

Prime's eye's narrowed, his blue eyes turning icy as he took another step closer towards me. He reached up and placed a hand either side of my head on the shelf above me, leaning forward, his face hovered just above mine. I found myself swallowing in nervous anticipation as my heart began to race uncontrollably. ''And once more just now I see,'' there was a small rumble of laughter as his eyes flicked over my face. ''There are few who risk such an offense Orianna.''

My eyes locked on his as I exhaled slowly, the shirts forgotten. I reached out a tentative hand and placed it on his chest, biting back a small moan of pleasure at the feel of his warm, solid body under my hand. His eyes flicked down to take in the sight of the offending appendage. ''Well Prime,'' I patted his chest twice before resting my hand above his spark. His eyes slowly travelled from my hand to my face. ''It pleases me to be one of the brave few who risk incurring the offense of a Prime by being totally honest with them.''

I could feel his chest rising and falling as he ''breathed''. I began to remove my hand when one of his reached down to grab hold of it. The other moved to gently touch the side of my face, his thumb lightly caressing my cheek. His eyes were the deepest blue I had ever seen.

My breath hitched at the contact, and I felt my body tense before I leaned into his touch. /Fire. I was consumed by fire/. Flames and heat devoured me from the inside out. /Perhaps that is why he has those tacky flame decals?/, the irrational thought flittered through my mind as his deep voice rumbled to life, seeming to surround me. ''Something I hope you will always be with me Orianna.'' At his words, a small gasp escaped my lips as I closed my eyes and turned away from him. ''Even if you think I may not like what you have to hear, I hope you will always do me the honour of being as honest with me - as I am with you.''

''HEY!'' A voice boomed from the doorway, and I jumped, startled by its vehemence and tone. ''Who the HELL are you and what are you doing in here?''