Author Note: /Indicates internal thoughts/

''Indicates recalled conversation''

Raphael P.O.V

When you walked in the room Optimus, I felt a myriad of emotions. Hope, uncertainty, anticipation and barely contained happiness. Knowing Bumblebee was okay, I allowed myself to race up to you as you walked towards us through the spacebridge. My heart was pounding in my chest, my throat felt tight and my mouth was dry. /Please! Please God – or perhaps in this case, Primus - let it be him!/. I could feel the eyes and optics of everyone in that room trained on me as I dared to seek the answer, they all wanted confirmed.

''Optimus?'' my voice was small and uncertain, as if saying your name out loud could somehow rob you of your precious memories all over again.

You looked at me -you saw me! There was no blank stare, no lack of recognition. /Is it? Is it really him?/. Hope flared to life inside me. You looked down upon me with such kindness in your optics and you began to smile at me as that deep and comforting voice spoke in reply, ''Hello, Raphael.''

My eyes went wide with amazement and relief, my mouth gaped open in awe and joy and I flung my arms out beside me as I exclaimed, ''Whooah!'' /It was you! It was really YOU! You were back!/.

Beside me I was vaguely aware of Miko's shout of joy, ''The Big Guy remembers us! Woo hoo!'' I turned to look at her and then back to Jack who had walked up beside me. Your look of fond affection and shared happiness at being reunited with us slowly faded from your face and your optical ridge furrowed in confusion.

''Although it seems there is much I do not remember,'' the sound of sorrow in your voice as you stare at the Decepticon insignia on your left shoulder, tears at my heart.

I feel a shiver run down my spine at your words. /While you may not recall what took place recently, WE remember Optimus. I remember!/. When Bumblebee, Arcee and Bulkhead returned from the core without you, we all felt as if a part of us was missing. It wasn't just your physical absence that impacted upon us greatly. It was the absence of everything that made you - YOU! It was not the same without seeing your imposing figure standing at the command console, lost in thought or striding purposefully through the halls. It was not being able to hear your comforting voice, feel your calm presence and the air of authority you seem to exude. It was simply knowing you were not there to turn to for advice and for help. Our rock, our leader and our friend was gone!

Without you it was as though everyone was lost – including me. I stare up into your wise face as you listen to Rachet tell you how it was our darkest hour without you. Truly it was Prime. A cold wave of fear ripples over me and I shudder once again.

Without you, no one knew what to do – no one had the answers. I gaze in silent awe at you as you walk towards us all once again. A tower of strength and a pillar of knowledge. A small smile spreads across my face. I have always been the kind of person who has loved to learn. I have always enjoyed finding facts and information and can kind of be considered a nerd. The kids at school pick on me for always seeming to have the answer to every question. I stifle a laugh at the thought of them picking on you!

Apart from Bumblebee, I have felt the strongest connection with you. Since the moment I met you, I have been in awe of the wealth of knowledge you have. Like me, you have a love of learning and are keen to impart what you have learned to others. You always seem to know what to say and you always seem to find the solution to any problem. /But what is to be done when you are the problem to be solved? Or rather the loss of your memories?/.

''But know this. From every indication, your spark never ceased being that - of an Autobot.'' Rachet's words pierce through the hazy fog of quiet rumination I had found myself in. Your expression takes on a look of steely resolve as you step towards us all and I feel my own resolve strengthening. While I may not have a spark, my heart well and truly lies with the Autobot cause and my dear friends.

I watch carefully as you start to walk amongst your teammates, offering words of thanks, comfort and praise. The look on their faces as you address them reflects the depth of their feelings towards you. Respect, admiration, awe, relief and pure happiness to have their Prime, their friend and their leader back safely with them. I cannot help but think /You do not need to take the time to do this/. After everything you have been through it would be more than reasonable to assume you would need some time to rest and recover. Perhaps some quiet time to reflect upon the events that saw you robbed of your precious memories and even a visit to the Med Bay to ensure you are fully functional and in good health?

I watch as you kneel down and lean forward to address Jack, and a smile slowly creeps across my face. It might be reasonable for us to assume you do not need to do this, but for you it would be unfathomable not to! For being the wise leader that you are you have learned the value of teamwork and no doubt the benefits of soldiers who feel valued and respected. I watch as Jack's expression changes from awkward appreciation to one of deep gratitude and he appears overwhelmed by whatever it is you have said to him.

As I watch Jack try to swipe covertly at his tears, I recall a conversation you and I had many months ago when Bumblebee and the others were out on a routine recon mission. I had been studying American Presidents in History class and I had found Abraham Lincoln particularly interesting, and, in some way, he reminded me of a certain Autobot leader. I remember leaning against the rail as you diligently scanned the mainframe and I had asked you, ''Optimus, in your opinion, what does it take to be a good leader?''

The sound of heavy, metallic footfalls interrupts my thoughts and I adjust my glasses and blink my eyes as I focus on a pair of large, azure blue optics as they peer down at me. Your dermas curve up into a warm smile, ''Hello again Raphael. I apologise if I startled you, is everything alright?'' You blink your optics and wait patiently for my response.

I bring my arms down by my sides again and give a small, nervous chuckle before replying, ''Hi there Optimus. You didn't scare me; I was just thinking.'' Despite knowing I have nothing to fear from the metallic behemoth that crouches before me, Optimus Prime is indeed an intimidating sight to behold.

You tilt your helm and your deep voice rumbles to life once again, ''May I enquire as to what it was you were thinking about?''

I simply shrug my shoulders and smile up at you, ''I was just thinking how tired and confused you must be and how you should probably be left alone to recharge and reflect on your experience and yet, you take the time to greet and talk to all of us.'' I shrug my shoulders again as if that action could alone explain my train of thought.

A large smile spreads across your face, ''Raphael, I am indeed confused and somewhat tired after my – misadventures – but I assure you, nothing could be more important to me right now than all of you.'' You stare off to the side for a moment before fixing me with a serious stare. ''Raphael, have you heard the Earthen expression, ''You don't know what you've got until it is gone?''

I nod.

''Well,'' your deep voice rumbles with sincerity, ''that is why I choose to speak to you all now rather than seek rest and solitude. While I have always cared for my team and my friends, the experience of losing my memories has helped serve as a reminder of just how important maintaining and strengthening those connections are.'' You turn to look back at Jack and the others before fixing your stare back on me. ''For without them, I may not be standing here before you now. Raphael; friendship, teammates – family. They are the bonds that anchor us and help to guide us when we feel lost.'' A knowing smile spreads across your face as you reach out a digit and ever so carefully and gently, pat my head. ''Any wise leader, or person, would do well to remember that.''

/How did he?/. I can't stop the huge grin that appears on my face and I laugh out loud. ''I will Optimus. I promise.'' As I stare into your kind face, I feel a slight sting in my eyes as tears begin to form. I give a small sniff as I fight to hold them back. ''We missed you so much Optimus. It is good to have you, and your memories, back here with us.'' I reach up and pat the digit that rests lightly atop my head.

You smile fondly at me and your optics shine brightly, ''Thank you Raphael. I missed you all too – and my memories. It is good to be back here – where I belong.'' You gently pat my head once more before you gracefully rise to your pedes again and move off to finish your final greetings.

As you lean down to converse with Miko, I recall your response to the question I asked you about what it takes to be a good leader. ''Raphael, there are many qualities that make someone a good leader. Compassion, kindness, an ability to listen, empathise, intelligence, communication, the ability to strategize and formulate plans, courage….''

I interrupted you, ''I understand that Optimus, but what about you? What do YOU personally believe makes a good leader?''

You tilted your head to the side as if processing my comment and question thoughtfully. ''Well then Raphael, in my humble opinion, a good leader is someone who leads by example, their own example. They do not try to be anything, or anyone else, but themselves. They know they will make mistakes and they will strive to learn from them. They will accept the mistakes of others and teach them how to learn from them as well. A good leader is wise enough to know when to speak and when to listen and they are someone who ultimately leads out of an act of service to others. A good leader Raphael should know; if you want to go fast – you go alone. If you want to go far – you go together. Teamwork and a shared vision and goal, along with respect and compassion, should form the foundation of any leadership.''

As you finish talking to Miko and walk towards Agent Fowler and June Darby, I realise you had all these qualities in spades. A smile once again broke out on my face as a teasing thought skittered across my mind, /Abraham Lincoln has nothing on Optimus Prime! How cool would it be if HE was the President!/. I let out a small laugh at the thought and see Jack shoot me a quizzical stare. I shake my head and begin to walk towards him.

When you walked into the room Optimus Prime, I felt a myriad of emotions. Joy and relief at seeing you again and yet uncertainty as to whether it was you – worried we might never get you back. Listening to your words of wisdom just now and watching you take the time to greet all of us in person and thank us, I know beyond a shadow of a doubt it is you. And, in some small way, you never really left us. For as long as we remember what you teach us, as long as we follow the path you have set for us and as long as we stick together – as a family – there is nothing we cannot overcome.