Author's Notes:

Hello and welcome!

''Unrequited'' is an AU story to my other story, ''Rewrite the Stars''. No need to read that first as this is a stand-alone story, although it may give a bit more backstory to my OC - Orianna Connors and goes into much more detail about how Orianna and Prime's love for each grew.

''Unrequited'' is essentially another love story between my OC and Optimus Prime but with a twist…. What if Optimus Prime had NOT returned Orianna's feelings? What if he had turned her down? Would he eventually realise his mistake, or would it be too late?

There will be some changes made from ''Rewrite the Stars'' to suit this storyline, most notably Lennox is not married to Sarah and my OC does not have her powers of psychokinesis in this story.

The story will be rated M Mainly due to some swearing and adult themes. I will put warnings up for chapters if the content requires it.

/denotes internal thoughts/

::denotes comm link conversation::

''Denotes flashback thoughts/conversations''

As always feedback in the form of reviews, follows and favs are MOST WELCOME and desperately sought! Don't be shy!

Enjoy!

Chapter 1: Hard to Ignore

Orianna P.O.V

It started as a whisper. A faint and feeble voice that seemed to make its presence known only in the dark and quiet moments before slumber stole my consciousness.

It spoke of a feeling, a desire, a need. While the feeling itself was not unfamiliar to me, the object it spoke of was. So, I dismissed it. Batted it away with irritated confusion and tried to silence its voice. But, as I was learning, your innermost wants and desires are not so easily cast aside.

''Orianna?'' a deep, commanding voice broke into my thoughts and sent a hot flush of embarrassment across my lightly freckled cheeks. ''You seem – distracted. Is everything well with you?'' The owner of the voice tilted his helm towards me, silently assessing me whilst his incredible azure optics shuttered several times.

I blinked my own eyes owlishly in reply as I mentally processed what I should say in response to his enquiry. The blush deepened as I thought of saying what was really on my mind, but a stilted laugh found its way out instead. ''As well as can be expected Prime - when you're me.''

The imposing red and blue figure shifted his weight on his pedes and tilted his helm in the opposite direction. ''What is wrong with being you?'' He folded his arms across his broad chest, his equivalent of eyebrows furrowing as he regarded me.

I managed to refrain from snorting out loud and laughed dismissively at the Autobot leader, ''Just ask Lennox, I'm sure he'll tell…''

''Gees Prime, how long have you got!'' the man in question, recently promoted Major William Lennox, walked past and scoffed out loud as he patted me on the shoulder. /More like Major pain in the arse sometimes!/. I tried to ignore the quick flash of irritation that burned through me at the massive smile on his handsome, yet annoying face, and at his jibe in front of Prime.

''Nowhere near long enough to listen to the list of YOUR issues Lennox!'' I smiled sweetly back at him before grinning up at Optimus and rolling my eyes.

''That cut deep OC, real deep. Here I was thinking we were friends...'' Lennox's winced and he clutched at his chest in mock pain.

Prime lowered himself so he could be nearer to the conversation. He shuttered his optical ridge again and a genuine tone of confusion could be heard in his rich baritone voice. ''Surely you would not sever your bonds of friendship Orianna, over what was clearly an attempt at good natured humour?''

I burst out laughing. ''I stress the word ''attempt'' there Prime!'' Lennox blew me a kiss in reply to the sarcastic comment. I pretended to catch it and slapped my hand containing said kiss hard against my arse, raising my eyebrow in silent challenge at him. ''Oh, I don't know Prime. The thought grows more tempting every day.''

Lennox laughed out loud, shaking his head before giving a small bow and continued to walk in the direction he had been headed - the catwalk. /No doubt there was another upcoming briefing with General Morshower on the cards/.

The Prime ex-vented as I smiled at Lennox's disappearing form. ''Just when I feel I have gained a grasp on the way humans interact socially with each other, both you and Lennox act in a manner that contradicts social norms and propriety.''

My smile was directed from Lennox to Prime, and I stared up at the towering form before me. It had been eighteen months since my life became fatefully entwined with both Lennox and that of the Autobots having been one of the first to meet them and then help in the battle of Mission City.

Following those fateful first days, I was appointed the human/Autobot liaison officer, a role carved out by Lennox and Epps so I could tag along and make a new home on Diego Garcia, given I was effectively an orphan and never fit in anywhere. I owed Lennox so much for vouching for me, I would never and could never hate the man – despite how we carried on.

I sighed out loud. ''Well, as no doubt you have observed for yourself by now, humans can be both simple and complicated creatures.'' Prime nodded his handsome helm in silent agreement. I shrugged my shoulders. ''Humans can be unpredictable, erratic and ever changing.'' I inclined my own head, suddenly curious. ''Surely Transformers are not too different to us in that respect?''

Prime gave a small smile and grunted as he pulled back to stand gracefully to his full height once more. ''I thought you had met Ironhide and Rachet?''

I burst out laughing which drew a confused look from Lennox, though I ignored him. ''That's a good one Prime!'' I shook my head in amusement. ''For someone who only recently demonstrated he possessed a sense of humour, you sure are making up for it now aren't you?''

Prime's optics shone brightly as he gazed down at me. ''Perhaps Orianna.''

''Prime!'' Lennox's voice erupted from atop the catwalk as he leaned over the railing. ''Secure line to JCS will be up in about a minute. Ya might want to get your aft over here.'' He waved at me and then turned back to face the monitor General Moshower would appear on any moment, bouncing on the balls of his feet in nervous anticipation.

Prime briefly dipped his helm to acknowledge Lennox before he returned his attention to me. He smiled once more as he reached out a digit and ever so gently placed it under my jaw. His touch sent a fire racing through me and once again a familiar heat blushed across my cheeks and throughout my body. I closed my jaw, blinking rapidly several times as his voice rumbled down to me. ''Now if you will excuse me Orianna, I have a meeting to attend to. Perhaps I may see you later?'' He rose to his full height once more.

I swallowed a nervous gulp as I nodded my head. ''Yeah, sure Prime. I'd like that.'' He nodded his helm and turned to walk towards the awaiting Lennox and the duties of a Prime.

I sighed out loud as I watched him walk away, all at once feeling both relieved and anxious to no longer be the focus of his attention. As I heard his deep baritone voice address General Morshower, I closed my eyes and let it wash over me and wrap me in warmth. I had never thought it possible to find such comfort in a voice alone, and yet, when Prime spoke, that is how I felt. /Comforted, safe - home/.

As I once again opened my eyes and watched the tall, regal figure of the Autobot Commander before me, feelings of a very different kind began to stir within me. I shook my head defiantly. /NO! No way! Ignore it!/.

Biting down hard on my lower lip, I spun on my heel and strode from the hanger, desperate to find something to both occupy and distract me in equal measure. Trouble was, these feelings were becoming harder to ignore and, to make matters worse, I wasn't entirely sure I wanted too anymore.