Author's Note: As always, huge shout out to MM... I really appreciate you taking the time to comment. It really does motivate a writer knowing there are people actually waiting to read your story updates! lol...

And so, without further ado, here we go...

Chapter 76 – There's Something I Need to Tell You

Orianna P.O.V

My palms were sweaty.

My heartbeat was irregular.

My hands knotted together in a bid to try and kerb the nervous energy that swept through me like a wildfire. My brows crinkled in concentration as I scanned the tree line at the far end of the beach. My eyes darted over the darkened form of the trees like some skittish animal, searching for any sign of movement.

He was late. Very late.

A sliver of icy fear thread its way through my heart and I brushed some hair from my eyes, tucking the wayward locks behind my ear. Optimus was rarely late when meeting with me, or anyone else for that matter. He sometimes got held up by last minute questions or issues, and once he contacted me to say he had to regrettably cancel. ''But he is nearly an hour late!'' I exhaled roughly in exasperation.

''Oh well!'' Swinging my hands by my sides, I gathered up the flowing black gypsy skirt I was wearing and tucked it under me, lowering myself as gracefully as possible to the sand. ''He better have a good reason.''

All at once, the image of Optimus' body laying broken and dying before me, flashed through my mind and I gasped out loud, shaking my head to rid myself of the nightmarish scene. I closed my eyes and exhaled deeply. /Stupid woman! Not so long ago you thought he was lost to you forever and now you are getting annoyed because he is running a bit late!/. I growled in reproach at myself, rolling my eyes. ''Bloody idiot! He can take as long as he likes!''

I blinked back the sting of tears as I looked down at my beautiful silver and blue Pandora charm bracelet that adorned my right wrist. ''Better than the alternative,'' I whispered to myself. My fingers began picking absentmindedly at the Galaxy Blue Star charm, spinning it about the silver chord as I smiled fondly at it.

The deep blue reminded me of Optimus' mesmerizing optics and paintwork and, of course, there were my stars that I loved to look at and – sometimes wish upon. I chuckled to myself as I shook my head, sighing out loud. The Galaxy charm also reminded me that of all the places in this Universe Optimus and the Autobots could have found the Allspark on, it was here. And of all the countries they could have crash landed in, it was this one.

I laughed out loud as I recalled that fateful night. ''In fact, Optimus himself landed almost on top of me!'' I recalled the streaking meteor that was Optimus crash landing in a field near where I lay contemplating the drastic turn of events in my life. Lost in the memory, I smiled softly to myself. ''Little did I know the biggest change in my life has just landed!''

I stared at the charm a moment longer before raising my eyes to look at the Galaxies above me. ''It was like we were meant to find each other, meant to be in each other's lives.'' The corners of my lips curved into a wry smile before they began to quiver, and I sniffed back the tears that yet again threatened to fall. ''As it turns out not in the way I had hoped - or wished for.''

A flash of red, blue and silver through the tree line and the muffled sound of heavy pede falls drew my attention and a smile to my face again. /He was here!/. The sight of the mech approaching never failed to take my breath away, yet this time it seemed to hitch in my throat and a dull ache tore through me at the same time. ''Still, I'll take it.''

I bit my lower lip as I rose to my feet and waved in greeting at his towering form. He nodded his helm in reply, though did not speak. A million butterflies began to flutter their way around my stomach and my throat was dry once more. I wriggled my toes in the sand, dispelling nervous energy and trying to anchor myself for what was about to come.

Strange thing was the last time I felt like this here on this very beach, I was about to tell the very same being that approached me now, that I was in love with them. Prime came to a stop before me and slowly lowered himself down to one knee. This time, I worried my lip between my teeth as I gazed up at that beloved face. This time I was about to tell them I liked someone else.

Optimus shuttered his optics slowly as he dipped his helm towards me. ''Orianna.''

My heart sunk at the tone of his voice. He sounded tired and tense. /Must have had a big day?/. ''Ah, hey Optimus.'' I furrowed my brow up at him, conducting my own assessment of the Autobot Commander. His dermas were drawn in a tight line, his optics were a dull blue and his whole frame was taught with tension. /Perhaps tonight was not a good time to let Optimus know about Lennox and I?/. I tried to lighten the mood. ''You look like crap! Big day at the office hunh?'' I smiled brightly up at him, hoping he would respond to the teasing tone in my voice.

He did not.

For a moment he did not even speak. He simply stared down at me, silently regarding me. My smile faded. After an interminable moment, I heard his systems cycle as he shifted slightly. ''Something like that Orianna. My apologies for the significant delay in meeting with you, I was,'' he shuttered his optics again and looked away for a moment, ''busy.''

I eyed him carefully. Something was off with him. ''Hmm.'' I folded my arms across my chest. ''I understand Prime, but busy for almost an hour and half without any kind of message?'' He held my gaze, his face expressionless. ''What was so important?''

''Planning. Strategies.'' He almost sighed out loud as he looked over towards the crashing waves. ''Nothing you need to concern yourself over.''

I felt myself bristle. ''Well, I'm sorry Prime,'' he snapped his helm back to me with my change in address, ''but when I can tell you are clearly very distracted and concerned about something to the point you are not yourself, I AM concerned!''

His optics narrowed for a moment and the corners of his dermas twisted into the beginnings of a sneer before his face lost all expression and his optics dulled to the faintest blue.

I gasped and stepped towards his towering figure. ''OPTIMUS!?'' And gasped louder still when all at once the familiar holoform figure of Optimus materialised out of thin air and stalked towards me.

''I thank you for your concern Orianna,'' his eyes flashed a brilliant blue and they were fixed upon me intently as he came to stand before me, hands on his hips. ''But I assure you it is misplaced. I am fine.'' He folded his arms across his barrel-like chest, his biceps straining through the midnight blue shirt he was wearing.

My eyes swept up his athletic frame, taking in the curve of well-muscled thighs under his black jeans, the thick forearms folded across the broad chest that rose and fell in time with the beat of my heart. My mouth worked silently for a moment as my gaze reached his face – his handsome, beloved face.

His chiseled jaw line had the beginnings of a five o'clock shadow, not to mention a few more scars, and I noticed more grey hairs peppered around his temple. His jet-black hair, usually neatly combed back, seemed tussled about, as though he had run his hand through it a multitude of times in frustration. ''Orianna?'' his deep voice rumbled, this time a hint of amusement danced in its depths.

''Hmm? What?'' I closed my mouth as I shook my head, feeling a heat begin to build across my cheeks.

A sculpted, thick brow arched up at me as the corners of Optimus' lips twitched. The fine lines and wrinkles at the corners of his eyes and mouth crinkled as the faintest of smiles began to form. His eyes shone brightly. ''And you thought I was the one distracted this evening!''

I blinked rapidly wishing the ground would open and swallow me. ''Yes, well.'' I coughed before I flashed him a quick smile and shifted on my feet, curling my toes in the cool sand. ''You were. You were clearly upset about something.''

He shook his head and chuckled, removing his arms from across his chest. For a moment he began to reach towards me before he stopped and placed his hands on his hips. ''Well, I'm not now.'' He looked out to the ocean again, shrugging his shoulders. ''I guess seeing you again cured me.'' He turned his face to look at me once more, those inviting lips smiling down at me as he took a step closer towards me. ''I've missed you.''

I grinned back at him, feeling that familiar heat begin to build within me and my stomach felt as though it had boarded a roller coaster. ''I've missed you too.''

Optimus reached out a tentative hand and, despite myself, I leaned forward, eager to feel his touch. As his hand cupped my cheek, I heard the faintest hiss of breath. /Was that him or me?/. I bit my lip as his calloused palm sent a warm and wonderful heat coursing through my skin, and I almost placed my hand over his. ''Really? You have?'' He sounded genuinely surprised as he took a step closer to me, the heat of his ''body'' sending goosebumps rising along my skin like so many diminutive mountain chains.

His thumb brushed against my lip, and I gasped at both the unexpected touch and his seeming disbelief that I had missed him. I snorted and shook my head, stepping back from his reach. /There is a reason you are here tonight OC! You cannot keep putting yourself in a position to be hurt! Lennox loves you. Prime…well../. Optimus' hand remained where it had been, as if it had not quite registered that I had removed myself from beneath his hand.

I cleared my throat. ''Of course I have! Why do you find that so hard to believe Optimus?'' A part of me was hurt that he could ever think that.

He snorted softly before he sighed out loud and slowly lowered his hand, placing both of them in his jean's pockets. He rolled his shoulders back and flicked his eyes out to the horizon before settling them firmly on me. The corner of his mouth curved into a small smile of sorts as he shrugged his shoulders almost nonchalantly. ''Because now you and Lennox have formed a romantic attachment, naturally your thoughts would be preoccupied with him.'' Bright azure optics turned the colour of stormy seas as they bored into me.

My eyes widened in shock, and I felt my mouth fall open in the most unflattering way as his words echoed in my ears. So many thoughts raced through my mind, so many feelings rose and fell, ebbed and flowed like the waves that rolled upon the shore. But I could only manage to say one word. ''H..how?''