Author's Note: As usual thank you to Musical Medli for their continued support and positive comments. For those hanging out for Orianna and Prime to have that awkward first encounter... ALMOST there... Stay tuned!

Chapter 40: A New Light

Orianna P.O.V

Time truly is relative. Einstein was on the money.

When you are having fun and really enjoying yourself, time seems to fly by and all too soon, before you know it, the good times come to an end. However, when you are miserable, having a terrible time or things just aren't going to plan, time drags by interminably.

Unfortunately, for me, it was the later.

Though it had been about three and a half weeks since the events of Shanghai and that train wreck of a night when Prime rejected me, it felt like it was just yesterday. Most mornings I had woken up with puffy eyes from crying myself to sleep. I was lethargic and withdrawn the week after Lennox and the Autobots got back from Shanghai, only leaving my apartment once to get groceries. I had placed myself under some form of house arrest for two reasons; I didn't want to risk bumping into a certain red and blue Autobot leader and because I simply did not care what happened to me.

And so, I sat for large portions of the day, ensconced in my bed or on my lounge in some sort of self-imposed mourning as I tried to deal with the fall out of what had happened.

/Thank God for Lennox!/.

He had been my lifeline in a sea of misery. He had stayed with me for two nights after he returned from Shanghai, at my request. Although it had been a bit awkward at first, and I had been wary about snoring that first night, I soon got over it and simply enjoyed having another heartbeat in the apartment with me. And, in all honesty, I had missed having a warm body in the bed beside me. Lennox had only stayed sporadically since those first two nights as he had been kept busy with work and had joked that he'd soon have to pay rent if kept staying.

I smiled to myself as I raised my glass of ice-cold Pepsi Max, sipping slowly as I stared across Eclipse Bay towards Point Marrianne. Though my thoughts would automatically drift towards Prime as I cast my gaze in that direction, I found myself more and more thinking of Lennox. An enforced coping mechanism at first, as I desperately tried to wean myself from the Autobot Commander. But slowly, as the month of June dragged on, I began to think of him before thoughts of Prime flitted through my mind.

In fact, Lennox and I had been spending quite an increasing amount of time together as he kindly helped me navigate my way through a broken heart. A smile spread across my lips as I placed the drink back on my small glass coffee table and sat back in the wicker chair on my balcony. /I wonder what he is doing right now?/.

I stared at the phone on the coffee table beside me and drummed my fingernails on the glass. ''He is likely busy OC, it's almost 18:00 hours and while he should be clocking off soon, he said he had been kept busy by some new National Security Advisor dick – Galloway.'' I sighed out loud as I brought my knees up under my chin and clicked my tongue against the roof in my mouth. /Then again, the guy's gotta eat, doesn't he?/.

In one swift movement, I leant down and grabbed my phone and selected Lennox's name from the recent call register, bringing the phone to my ear. I raked my hand through my hair as I heard the phone ring. /If he doesn't answer in…/.

''Hey ya OC!'' Lennox's voice erupted enthusiastically over the line, and I smiled brightly at the sound. ''What's up?''

''Nothing Lennox,'' I replied as I fidgeted with my fingernails.

There was a momentary pause on the other end of the line. ''Okay… If nothing is up and you're all good, why did you just ring me? 'Cause as much as I love to..''

''Do you want to have dinner with me tonight?'' I blurted out down the line as I scrunched my nose up waiting for his reply.

A small chuckled drifted down the line. ''OC, I would love to have dinner with you, but I am kind of busy at the moment. After the shitstorm of Shanghai that new Director..''

''Galloway?'' I supplied.

''Yeah, him. He's been on my case to tighten things up around N.E.S.T and how we run things. He's also been breathing down my neck about the cryptic message that slagging 'Con left us,'' I could hear the frustration in his voice. ''Not only that, but the arsehole is going on about the Autobots and their continued presence here.''

My heart skipped a beat and a cold flash of fear tore through me. ''What? What does he mean ''continued presence''? He wouldn't make them leave, would he?'' I leaned forward in my chair, my hand on my heart to try and force it to continue beating. I know Prime and I, mainly me, had some issues right now, but I most certainly did not want him to leave. The thought terrified me beyond words.

Lennox gave a deep, weary sigh. ''He can't do that OC, not without the President's say so but he can gun for it.'' Before I could even reply Lennox jumped in, ''Don't worry babe, I am doing everything I can to stop that from happening. It's okay.''

I smiled at how he knew what to say to reassure me and his use of the word babe. It had been creeping into conversation lately and, although I had been unsure how to take it at first, I kind of liked hearing him say it now. ''Thanks Lennox. I know we can all trust you.''

Lennox chuckled again. ''Hey OC, I'm kind of fond the Autobots myself. Except maybe the twins.'' I laughed. ''I don't want them to have to leave either, and I don't even want to think about what would happen if they did.'' There was a measured silence as he seemed to think about what to say. ''And even though what happened between Prime and you – happened – we need the Big Guy around now more than ever.''

I found myself nodding in agreement though I bit my lower lip and began to pace around the deck. ''I know Lennox.'' My voice dropped to a whisper. ''He… he isn't there with you now, is he?''

''No. He's not OC,'' Lennox replied in a hushed tone. ''He's on patrol right now and isn't due back here for another two hours.'' I nodded my head as a plan began to formulate in my mind. ''Why do you ask?''

A devious smile spread across my lips as I leaned on the rail and looked towards Point Marianne and Hanger 1 where Lennox was currently situated. ''Oh, no reason. Well, I guess I better let you go Lennox. I'll ah, see you later.''

''Yeah, maybe OC. I'll be here for a while yet. Might have to try for dinner another night. Sorry.'' There was genuine disappointment in his voice.

My smile grew as I stood up. ''Yeah, no worries, Lennox. See ya.''

As soon as I hung up, I put my plan into action. Dialing ''Jake's Place'' restaurant, I put in an order for two and grabbed Relda's keys. Half an hour later I pulled up out the front of Hanger 1, a large paper bag in hand and a smile plastered on my face as I approached Lennox's desk.

He was hunched over, his brow furrowed as he read through some sort of report, putting it to one side. /Maybe that's the too hard pile?/. He looked tired and hungry. I cleared my throat. ''Huumph.. Table for two!''

Lennox's head snapped up, a scowl on his face at being so unceremoniously interrupted but as soon as he saw me, his face lit up and he shot to his feet. ''OC? Wha… what are you doing here?'' He was shaking his head in amazement as I wandered over and held the paper bag aloft before him.

I raised an eyebrow at him as I leant against the edge of his desk. ''Well Lennox, I am bringing the mountain to Mohammed. I wanted to have dinner with you and so I shall.'' He burst out laughing as he shook his head. I placed the paper bag on the table before me. ''More than one way to skin a cat.'' I winked at him and he smiled fondly back at me.

''There is when you are involved at any rate,'' he chuckled as he wheeled his chair around for me to sit on.

''I shall take that as a compliment Lennox,'' I teased.

''It was intended as one,'' he threw over his shoulder as he moved to commandeer a second chair from another desk.

I reached into the bag and pulled out his works burger and chips and then his iced coffee he loved as he cleared a space. Lenox closed his eyes and sniffed. ''Oh my God that smells so good. I had no idea how hungry I was.''

I laughed as I sat down and picked my drink up to make a toast, Lennox followed suit. ''Well, cheers Lennox. It's no fancy restaurant but..''

Lennox had a strange expression on his face as he regarded me. He reached out his ice-coffee, tapping it against my Pepsi Max. ''It's not about the venue OC, it's about the company and as far as I am concerned, that's five star.''

For a moment I simply sat there, staring at him as he sipped his drink and reached for a chip. My palms became sweaty, and I suddenly had difficulty swallowing. /What on earth…/. I coughed and looked away shyly for a moment, taken back by his flattering comment. ''Ah, well, thanks Lennox. You're not so bad yourself.''

He chuckled as he placed his drink on the table and reached for another handful of chips. ''Well, considering you just went out of your way to bring me some dinner, I'd say you think I'm more than not so bad.'' He winked at me, and I felt a crimson blush spread across my cheeks.

I narrowed my eyes at him, though the corners of my lips quirked up into a smile. ''Careful Lennox. I could just walk out on you and leave you with the bill.'' I took a sip of my drink before I placed it on the table and reached for my burger.

He laughed as he too picked up his burger. ''I shall be on my best behaviour then OC.'' His eyes shone with humour. ''Wouldn't want to risk such an embarrassment in this fine establishment.''

I chuckled around the mouthful of food. Lately, Lennox always seemed to find a way to make me smile when all I felt like doing was crying. ''Mmmm. This is so damn good OC!'' Lennox had closed his eyes as he bit into his works burger. ''Where'd you get it from?''

''Jake's Place,'' I replied as I swallowed my mouthful of egg, cheese, and bacon burger. Lennox nodded and made some sort of appreciative noise as he took another large bite. ''It's my go to for burgers.''

Lennox swallowed and grabbed his iced coffee, taking a big swig. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand. ''Mine too from now on. I can't believe I haven't come across these yet!'' He snorted and shook his head. ''I gotta get out more.''

I laughed as I raised the burger to my mouth once more. ''Well, maybe I can help with that?'' I took another bite as Lennox eyed me curiously while he continued to devour his.

''How so?''

I swallowed and rolled my eyes. ''By taking you out for dinner or lunch or whatever! Sort of a payback for helping me out.'' I polished off the rest of my burger.

Lennox smiled at me as he quickly licked his fingers. ''You don't have to pay me back for helping you OC, I'm happy to help you.''

''Yeah, I know. But maybe, we can help each other Lennox. Ya know, make sure we both don't rot away in our respective apartments.'' I grinned at him as I brought a chip to my mouth. ''Whaddya say? You up for it?''

He raised an eyebrow at me, a cheeky grin on his face. ''What, spending more time with you OC?''

I nodded as I swallowed the chip. ''Yep. You game?''

Lennox threw his head back and laughed. It's funny, but I had never really noticed the way the corners of his eyes crinkled when he smiled and the way his eyes lit up when he found something amusing. He shook his head as he reached for another chip. ''Always OC. You're on.''

I chuckled in return as I felt a bubble of happiness swell up in me, which seemed to happen often when I was with Lennox. ''You sure now?'' I grabbed a chip waving it in his direction. ''You might regret it.''

Lennox's smile faded somewhat as he locked eyes with me, and his expression grew serious. ''OC, to be honest, I think I would regret it more if I didn't take you up on that offer.''

For a moment we simply sat and stared at each other, our meals forgotten. Brown and gold flecked eyes stared into chocolate brown ones as that something passed between us once more. /He really is handsome/. I bit my lower lip as I brushed some hair behind my ear, feeling very aware of his eyes on me. A hot flush began to creep over my face as a small self-deprecating chuckle escaped my lips. ''You're just saying that Lennox to make me feel better.''

He shook his head as he leaned forward, reaching out his hand towards me. ''No OC. I'm not.'' I stared at his hand for a moment before I found myself sliding my hand across the table to place it in his. He brushed his thumb over my hand, and I felt a shiver run up my spine. He had a small, half smile on his lips as he spoke again. ''I'm saying it because it's true and it makes me feel better being in your company.'' I smiled at him as I grasped his hand tightly. I was suddenly starting to see Lennox in a whole new light.

''Orianna?'' a deep, rumbling voice called out from the hanger doorway, and I automatically whipped my head around at the surprise and confusion laced through it. I flinched at the unexpected shock of both hearing and seeing the owner of the voice that had just addressed me. I gasped out loud as I reefed my hand back from Lennox's, placing it in my lap. The moment shattered between us.