Miracle groped for a foothold on Optimus' breastplate with her foot. She was able to support herself on one of the window frames that were armored in front of his chest. But then she slipped and threatened to fall. She let out a shrill scream. Optimus, who had been keeping the optics closed all along heavy Sparks, now jerked them open, startled. His glowing blue optics allowed Miracle to see a cable beneath his breastplate. She grabbed it before she actually fell to the ground. But she had known that even if she hadn't made it, Optimus would have caught her.

Miracle now hung like Tarzan on his liana by that cable below Optimus' chest. She saw a few things that she would rather not have seen. She looked away, embarrassed. Miracle climbed along the cable until she reached Optimus' long legs. Here she half-jumped and half-climbed from one ledge to the next until she was finally on safe ground again. When her feet hit the ground, Miracle sagged to her knees, breathing heavily. That was enough physical activity for one day. Now Optimus was so upset that he drew his cannon and shot the door. Miracle lay flat on the ground to avoid being hit by debris. Now that Miracle finally saw some light again, she was very relieved. Optimus stepped towards her and offered his hand to carry her out of the room. Miracle gratefully accepted this offer and sat on Optimus' hand. He carefully picked her up and carried her out of the room into the hallway. They walked down a long corridor until they heard roaring laughter from the command center. Growling, Optimus stepped into the command center. The Autobots and their human partners nearly fell on the floor laughing. Optimus cleared his throat angrily, "Yes, yes, very funny... So... whose idea was that?"

The Autobots laughed so hard that Miracle feared they would fall apart. Bumblebee laughed and pointed to the green Autobot who had made the little speech. Optimus stepped towards him, who was rolling on the floor laughing. Realizing his leader was standing in front of him, he giggled and straightened up, saying, "Oh come on, Optimus... aren't you kidding? I have to say, when Miracle got her foot stuck in your A.. it was so funny."

Now, as Miracle looked in the bright light at the foot she had stuck in Optimus, she saw that something black and viscous was stuck to it. It smelled pretty oily when she sniffed it. "Lubricating oil... So that set me free," she said, more to herself. Optimus grabbed the green Autobot by the nonexistent collar and said, "You'll be cleaning the cells for the next month. And thoroughly! I will check that personally!"

The giggling stopped. The Autobots slowly left the command center and went to their quarters. Some of the humans followed them, giggling. Optimus now turned and went to his quarters as well. Here he set Miracle down on the big table like before. Miracle looked around. She noticed that there was now a bed her size, a table with her folder on it, and a chair. There was an empty shelf next to the small table. Miracle didn't quite understand what that was supposed to mean. But before she could ask Optimus the question, he said, "Now that that's over, let's get to the real part."

Miracle sat bolt upright as Optimus now knelt in front of the table.

"I'm sorry things got so out of hand. I hope you're not mad."

Miracle crossed her arms over her chest and said, "I said I'm going to get my revenge and that's what I'm going to do." She said it with a smile on her face and winked at Optimus, "Phew...I should have never thought that they would allow themselves such a mean prank. In the beginning I still took this "mission" seriously."

"Now I think it's time we bond properly," Optimus said.

Miracle backed away a little startled as Optimus got closer to her.

"W-what's that supposed to be?" she asked anxiously.

"I thought you trusted me," Optimus said.

"I do too. But I have no idea what you mean by "connect correctly".

"Explaining that to you might be too complicated for you. Sometimes the experience is better than an explanation."

Miracle swallowed nervously, "W-what should I do?"

"Put your hand on my chest and close your eyes."

Miracle was quite uncomfortable with the situation. What connection should that be? would it hurt? No, Optimus would never hurt her. She was absolutely sure about that. So she slid forward a bit on the table and held out her hand. When her hand rested on the center of Optimus' chest, she closed her eyes. But when she closed her eyes, it didn't get dark around her. No, it was light blue around them. And then she felt something. a throb. A very strong, intense throbbing.It was like a heartbeat. Involuntarily she put her other free hand on her chest. This throbbing was slower but far more intense than her own.

"Optimus... Is that your heartbeat?" Miracle finally asked.

Optimus leaned away from her, automatically pulling her hand from his chest.

"First of all, you should know that our heart is equal to our soul. We call it Spark though. No Autobot can exist without him."

"Wow... That was unbelievable..." Miracle said, still completely overwhelmed. She felt as if she could still feel the throbbing, but less intense.

"Now that our hearts are connected, we are partners for life. From now on I will protect you, even if it costs me my life."

"But... Then what are the Autobots doing without their leader?" Miracle asked worried.

"Do not worry. As long as I have the matrix of leadership, nobody will be able to touch me that easily. You should get some sleep now, you're exhausted."

Miracle nodded to Optimus.

"Oh, and you'll be staying here with me from now on," Optimus said as he carried Miracle from the table over to the human-sized bed.

He carefully set her down on the bed and Miracle looked at Optimus in disbelief.

"For real?! Oh, that's great!" she said enthusiastically.

Without further ado, Optimus wished her a good night and Miracle curled up on the bed and fell asleep.