(WARNING: Implied sexual content ahead. I'm not going to tell you if you should or should not read it because you know what you can handle {for the most part} and you'd most likely read it even if I did tell you not to. I'm just going to say "enjoy" and get on with the chapter. YOU HAVE BEEN WARNED!)

"Oh, come on, Bee. It's just a week. You're going to survive without me," Azrael laughed as Bumblebee's haloform squeezed her tightly.

Optimus looked over her again and again. She was in a pair of regular blue jeans and a red hoodie that he'd never seen her wear before. But, it seemed that her jeans fit her just a little too tight and that her hoodie seemed just a little too short. His haloform's eyes stopped mainly around her hips, watching as she rocked her hips side to side without knowing it. He watched her almost hungrily as she pressed a motherly kiss to Bee's cheek. The young bot squealed and hugged the woman again. She gave a hearty laugh. She was finally able to pry the youngling off of her, turning to hug Sam. She did the same to him, pressing a motherly kiss to his cheek. With a final wave of goodbye, Azrael clambered up to Optimus' door which swung open for her to enter. She plopped down into the chair and the door shut promptly after her.

"Take care, Prime," Ironhide said, "Take care of her, too. Don't want Galloway comin' back around here."

Optimus chuckled lightly, "Yes, that would be most unfortunate. We are very lucky to have Azrael as the new Director."

"Yeah. When the hell she'd make the call to get a job through the President?" 'Hide laughed, "Anyways, get out of here, Optimus. You've got a woman waiting for you."

"Please try to keep the twins in one piece,"

"Bumblebee better not have any dings in him when I get back, 'Hide!" Azrael shouted from within Optimus' cabin as she peeled off her jeans.

Optimus audibly gulped when he caught sight of her blue panties through his rear-view mirror. He bid his farewells to Ratchet and 'Hide before his haloform fizzled out of existence. Once Azrael was seated, now sporting a pair of thick grey sweatpants under her red hoodie. She smiled as she felt the seatbelt slither over her chest and stomach until it clicked into place, sighing as she snuggled into the warm leather seats. She felt Optimus rumble to life and watched as the lights of the base began to fade away as they left the grounds.

"So, where are you thinking of taking us?" Azrael asked as she fiddled with her hoodie sleeves.

"I haven't given it much thought," Optimus answered through the radio - something Azrael had panicked at first after hearing him, "I thought that you might have a suggestion."

"Hmm, well... you said you wanted to know more about my past," she hummed out. She was dangling the keys over his head temptingly without realizing it. She giggled as she felt the leather seat heat up in anticipation, "I don't think it would take us very long to drive to each - we could even go on tours or trips if we wanted to."

"Where exactly are you talking about, Azrael?"

"A few places, actually," she smiled, "Have you ever been to the beach?"

"I cannot say that I have,"

"I went when I was still young before my mother died," she said this fondly as she looked out the window, "My mother took me to San Diego for a weekend getaway while my father was out on one of his 'fishing trips' with his friends. We went to Ocean Beach, this white sand beach with actually blue waves. By the time the sun was setting, we were laid out on the sand, exhausted, but happy. It had been a long time since I saw her smile like that..."

"Then we'll go to this 'Ocean Beach' in San Diego," Optimus stated, "But I am sure you have more designations you'd like to visit."

"Well, San Diego is only one of a few places I have good memories," Azrael shrugged, "Another is Seattle, Washington. I lived there for a few years to help out my Aunt when we got back into contact. I moved back home when I heard my father was in town. I -" she stopped herself, "I moved back home."

"Azrael," the Prime's firm tone nearly made her flinch, "Why would you have moved back home if your father was there?"

"I... Optimus, please don't do this," she whispered, "I-I don't want to talk about this right now."

"Then when will you?" he demanded. She heard the familiar fizzling of his haloform activating before she felt a tender hand cup her cheek. Optimus stared her down, pleading with her silently. She shook her head free of his hand. He sighed, "If not now, then when? When will you trust me enough to tell me?"

She felt her stomach catching fire as her temper flared up.

She unbuckled her seatbelt and stood up to face the taller haloform, "Trust is not the issue! It's the fact that I am still hurting!"

Azrael stormed to the cabin. She realized it was silly, being upset with someone who had done nothing but show her love and kindness, but Optimus knew that she wasn't ready to show all her cards. There were somethings that she had to keep hidden for the time being - somethings that she just couldn't let go of yet. She kicked off her shoes, plopping herself down onto the sinfully soft bed and snuggled into the covers that smelled like Optimus. She realized that he could still hear her, still feel her, and she knew she was hurting both of them by being so stubborn with her secrets. She rolled over when she saw Optimus' haloform stepping into the cabin. The bed dipped as he sat down, but he didn't speak. Azrael wasn't surprised, he was probably disappointed in her. After a moment of silence that had gone on too long for either of them, he spoke.

"I'm sorry," he claimed as he moved closer to Azrael's turned away body, "I understand that you still have wounds in need of time to heal. But I must ask you something,"

"What?" she murmured into the dark blue pillow. She clutched the dark fabric close to her as she felt her eyes heating up from the tears building behind them.

"How can I show you that I will never leave you despite what you say? How can I prove that I love you since you seem to still have doubts?"

A soft sigh passed her lips as he stood up. She heard him begin to walk away. She didn't want him to leave - she wanted him to stay and hold her. She just wanted him to hold her. Azrael reached out her hand and grabbed onto his wrist, tugging him back. His blue eyes landed on the stubbornly turned away girl.

"Stay," was all she whispered.

Not a minute later, she felt stone arms around her body, hugging her close to a warm body. She felt the curve of his body pressed against her back and his hot breath trail against her warm skin. She felt her legs tangle with his. Right hand reached up and around to connect with hers, his left arm remaining under her body, wrapped around her waist. Their fingers intertwined. She noted how they fit perfectly together, how her fingers slipped between his with ease and his larger hand engulfed her own. Both their hands were calloused from years of fighting.

"I made a promise," Azrael breathed out. She drew in a ragged breath, "I made a promise that I wouldn't let anyone in my hometown be harmed because of him. I wouldn't let him do what he did to me and my mother to anyone else. That's why I moved back."

"Azrael, I understand these that memories cause you pain, but please... don't keep them from me," the Prime soothed.

Ratchet's words rang through his processors, "Meanwhile, she will grow to crave your attention. And from what I've read about her, Optimus, she already craves affection. Most of her childhood, youth, and adult life are lacking in it."

Feather-light, Optimus pressed his lips against the back of Azrael's neck. He felt her stiffen before slowly relaxing into him. He dragged his lips across her skin slowly, teasingly. Azrael shuddered as she felt the contact between their skin. Optimus paused for a moment, trying to reel himself back in. He had been this way since Ratchet informed him of Azrael being forced to take an entire week off of work - medic's orders. Since the beginning, Optimus had held the desire to have his hands on this woman. As of lately, that desire had morphed into a terrible need. He couldn't shake her from his processors, he couldn't forget her sweet scent of sugar, blueberries, and something that didn't even have a name, and he most certainly couldn't forget how her flesh felt against his fingers.

Azrael gasped as she felt soft, gentle lips press against her neck, teeth grazing her skin as long, slow kisses were placed along her skin. She shivered as she felt Optimus' hand push up the hem of her hoodie and trace the pale skin beneath it. She could tell he was holding back, and while she hated to make him do so, she wasn't ready.

There were still a few cards yet to be placed on the table.

A loud growl filled the silent air. Azrael blinked, looking away from the window that kept the dark outer world on the outside and down at her stomach. She chuckled lightly as she placed her hand over her stomach. Optimus, who had deactivated his haloform in hopes of dimming down his temptation to enrapture the woman who sat so temptingly inside him.

"You are hungry," he stated.

"Yeah, guess I am," Azrael laughed, "Huh, weird. I really don't feel hungry."

"Perhaps we should stop somewhere?" the Prime suggested.

"That would be smart. I don't need to wake up in the middle of the night starving," she smiled and traced the framework of the radio Optimus was speaking through, "Any fast-food joints nearby or do I have to scavenge for my meal?"

"I will ensure you don't have to go in search of your meal, Azrael," Optimus said lightly.

"I know, Blue. I was just having a bit of fun with you," she grinned. She pet the radio adoringly, "Hey, Optimus?"

"Yes?"

"Are we... what are we?" she wondered, "I know that seems cliché in a way, to ask what we are when we're already so far into a relationship, but what's the name for what we are?"

"As of currently, we are simply courting," Optimus began to explain, "There are many steps to creating a deeper relationship between partners."

"What kind of steps?" she asked curiously. If there was something she could do to become closer with Optimus, she wanted to do it. Perhaps there were some things she needed to keep to herself, but she was willing to do just about anything for the Prime, "What's the next level in a relationship?"

"Bonding is usually the next step in most situations, such as what we are doing now. However, because I am a Prime, relationships can quickly become deep and partners can become extremely involved with one another. Our relationship is very different compared to most others," Optimus said, "For you and I, Azrael, the next step is something I do not believe you are ready for."

"What do you mean?"

"According to Ratchet, the next step for most Primes is spark merging, when Cybertronian partners expose their sparks to one another and push them together. But, in our case, it is different. Because you are human, we would have to partake in intercourse,"

This left Azrael to wonder. What did he mean by intercourse? Was it a painful thing? Was it something she was willing to do? Azrael bit her lip as she thought of this. She noticed her body temperature rising as she continued to think, and an extremely uncomfortable pang shot between her thighs. She gasped slightly as she forced her legs together.

"Is something wrong, Azrael?" Optimus asked.

"No! No, everything is fine!" Azrael shook her head rapidly, "Uh, find anywhere to eat yet?"

"There is a truck stop with a Subway a block away. I would not mind going there if you would like,"

"Yeah. A sandwich sounds pretty good right now," she agreed quickly, "So, um... what do you think of the music?"

"What kind. Humans have many genres,"

Azrael shrugged, "I don't know. What do you enjoy most? Do you even listen to music?"

"Yes and no," Optimus said. Azrael braced herself against the door as he turned into the truck stop, "I process music, but it is not often that I actually listen to a song."

"That's... intriguing," Azrael hummed. She smiled at the haloform as it fizzled to life once again, "I'd like to hear more about it."

Optimus leaned over and pressed a kiss to her forehead, "When I return."

"Are we both not going?" she wondered.

"Azrael, I'm still here, technically," Optimus motioned to the semi-truck they sat in, "Don't worry. I'm still here, just not entirely. I'll return soon enough."

The woman lifted a brow in wonder, "Wait, did... did Ratchet manage to create haloforms that can go long distances? I didn't think he was able to do that yet!"

"Yes, the upgrade was done last Thursday,"

"Oh, that mech! He promised I could help design it!" Azrael fumed, "I'm gonna tear into him when we get back, I swear! That medic's got another thing coming if he thinks he can get away with this!"

Optimus shook his head as he chuckled. He opened the door to his alt-mode and stepped out. Azrael watched for a moment as he began on his trek to the Subway. She wondered if he even knew what kind of sandwich she wanted, but then again, he knew that she loved blueberry muffins and strawberry Pop-tarts without asking. She shrugged and got up from the seat. She figured she might as well move to the cabin for the night. It seemed like they were already in San Diego, so they would most likely go to Ocean beach the next day.

Azrael stretched as she made it to the back of the cabin where her suitcase was. She pulled the luggage out of the corner of the cabin and unzipped it, pulling out a large grey sweatshirt that read "Harvard" in large blue letters and a pair of black sweat pants. She took a moment to peer at the long, jagged markings along her legs. Some were shorter, some her longer, but most were deep and would never fade. She shook her head and peered back at her suitcase. Azrael looked at the sleep clothes she had packed - most of them having something to do with big shirts or sweat pants if not both. She chuckled to herself. She'd always liked to wear shirts that were too big for her when she was asleep - it felt as if it gave her room to breathe. Just as she was pulling her sweat pants on, the driver's side door opened and the scent of lightly toasted whole wheat bread and warm ham with melted swiss cheese wafted to her nose. Azrael squealed and flung her arms around Optimus' haloform when he entered the cabin.

"You are the best! I love you," she pecked him on the lips as she took the bag from him. She plopped herself down onto the bed as she dug into her late dinner. Optimus sat next to her, watching curiously as she took a large bite of the ham and swiss sandwich.

"W'aa't?" Azrael asked with a full mouth. She snorted and swallowed the mouthful, "What is it?"

"It's nothing," Optimus said softly as his blue eyes played over her face, "You seem happy."

Azrael nodded as she took another bite.

"Azrael... why are their scars on your legs?"

She froze as she was about to take another bite. Azrael looked up at the Prime whose eyes had darkened since he had asked. She gulped, setting down her dinner on the plastic wrapper. She blinked innocently as she bit her lip. She wanted to tell him, she wanted to admit it so badly, but at the same time, the memory itself was enough to remind her of what happened when she told people what happened at home. She groaned as she stood up and began pacing. She pinched the bridge of her nose as she tried to rid her head of the surfacing memories.

"I forgot you could see... I... Do..." she sighed in frustration as she paused in front of the Prime, "You have bad timing."

"Azrael," he soothed as he grabbed her hands gently with his own. He tugged her closer to him until their knees touched, "You don't have to recall any terrible memory on my account. I only want to know."

"Who do you think it was, Optimus?" Azrael shifted her weight under his darkened stare.

The Prime let out a low growl. He pulled on Azrael's hands, prompting her forward. She rolled her eyes and plopped herself down on his lap. She wrapped her arms around his neck as his arms locked around her waist. He nuzzled into her neck, reveling in her warmth. His thumbs rubbed slow circles against her stomach through her sweatshirt. Azrael shivered as she felt his breath slither across her skin.

"Your sire never loved you as he should have," he mumbled into her skin.

His hands traveled down to the hem of her shirt, playing with the ends of it as he tugged softly. Azrael felt her mind slowing, beginning to find a grey space, an area of peace. She felt his skin brushing against hers. She felt his lips against her jugular.

"Your whole life, you've been harmed,"

She felt her body rocking along with his. His skin was hot, so hot. She felt her skin lighting up everywhere he touched. She felt her heart thundering as he pulled her closer than before - it seemed impossible. She moaned ever so softly as his teeth grazed over her neck softly, lingering on her pulse point. His hands raked over her back and smoothed over her hips.

"Let me love you,"

She gasped softly as she felt his hot hands press against her stomach - under her shirt. It seemed as all logic left her as she slowly nodded her head.

"Okay,"