You should never be alone!

Chapter 9

Smokescreen was sure that his trip the second time around back to Jasper was longer and more boring; perhaps it was his own need to get back to his leader and Bella that made it so considering that he had left the red head with a deep passionate kiss. Of course the both of them had recently confessed to each other their love so it would be reasonable that he would distracted. His spark calling out to her now and never wanting to leave her.

Of course as he got closer to Jasper Nevada he had to be a bit more discreet, using the phase shifter to keep himself hidden from decepticon scouts and any other security Megatron had roaming around the surrounding area. That was when he mentally punished himself when his processor then began pondering over Isabella; he needed a clear head. To focus on the task at hand. Phasing up through the dusty ground Smokescreen set his optics on the warlord's fortress that stood tall in front of him, looking rather sinister. Looking to see if it's clear around he focussed on where he should look for the Forge of Solus Prime. "Cosy little place you've built for yourself, Megatron. Finding the Forge in there may take a while" he was talking to himself as he pondered over his options "then again; maybe you still keep your valuables in the usual place" his gaze shifted from the gigantic building to the warship that was docked to the fortress.

Smirking he moved up fully and crept his way carefully towards the dark fortress seeing as he would have to work his way up to get to the Nemesis. He could clearly see the weapon systems that the citadel was clearly set with which meant that it was clearly defensible should it come under attack. Using the relic that he was equipped with he phased through the bottom of the metallic structure being quiet as he observed the area inside being careful in case any patrolling decepticons would see him and give away his position. Moving forward he kept on his peds, moving quickly and refusing to stay stationary.

Phasing through solid walls was easier and much quicker for him to navigate thought unseen however. It meant that he could easily avoid being seen as he moved up to where the warship was docked. Occasionally he would see a couple of vehicons patrolling the corridors for security's sake but he would wait until they had passed before moving to the next wall to phase through. Going through another wall he found himself outside right where the Nemesis was docked and he immediately ran at it phasing through until he was in the dark and gloomy familiar corridors of the decepticon warship. As he took a step to move through the long twisting corridors he stopped when he heard a particular voice heading his way. "I'm sorry, over reacting. Easy for you to say Knock Out" Smokescreen acted in a moment of panic by throwing himself back through the all. Keeping his audio receptors against it as he heard Starscream and Knock Out talking to each other as they walked. The mumbles got louder before they began to drift away the further away the two decepticons walked from the rookies position.

Once he couldn't hear them anymore Smokescreen backed up not paying attention to where he now was. He ended up backing into something else and phasing through it and as he looked behind him he was met with the horrified face of Arachnid, the decepticon femme that the autobots had managed to trick. His spark jumped from the scare as he fell out to see that she was being kept as a trophy in a secured stasis pod. He ended up back flipping into a fighting stance but soon relaxed when he realised that he was alone. Strolling right up to the pod he smirked at the unfortunate situation the decepticon femme was in. Her face plates were still frozen in the surprised expression from when she was captured. "You don't scare me ugly" even in a place like this and in his current crisis he was still able to contribute a few seconds of his time for a little fun. After all it's not a life without even a little fun.

Hearing another hum from the protective shielding Smokescreen turned his helm to see his prize. The Forge of Solus Prime was just floating in the middle with lights shining upon it to show off the prize. Smokescreen moved over to it feeling quite content with himself that he had managed to infiltrate the decepticon death zone and find the Forge but now he had to get it out of there and get back to Optimus and Isabella. "Hello beautiful" he smiled as the word 'beautiful' rolled off his glossa and instead of thinking of his success thus far and what this could mean now his processor immediately went to the woman that was awaiting his return. Phasing through the shielding his servos clenched the forge tightly as he pulled it towards him and then heaved it over his shoulder that way it would be easier for him to carry it away.

The relic was heavy so he had to be careful when phasing back through the solid wall back the way he came particularly now that he was a bigger target than before and he had something more to lose should he be found. It took a bit longer for him to navigate back to ground level particularly when he found himself back inside Dark Mount which was unfamiliar to him and there were more decepticons inside there than there was in the warship. Even when he was outside and running away from the fortress he was still not safe he moved to using the same tactic as before; ducking in nearby rocks and then running away again.

Once he was a safe distance away he transformed with great difficulty considering how big the Forge was and it just about fit in his interior though he could feel himself stretching uncomfortably which he would probably complain about later but at that moment it wasn't the time. There were more oppressing matters to deal with than his clean and perfect interior of his alternative form. As he drove he noticed the emptiness of the roads and hated that he was alone; was this what it was like to be Isabella? Being alone all the time with no one to talk with but yourself. He hated the silence but wanted to maintain cover and a talking Indy 500 was definitely not fitting in not to mention though there wasn't anyone around he didn't want to look like he was losing his mind with being alone. If anything he wished Bella was with him. Even if she was quiet and didn't talk he still preferred it – that was probably a result of his newly found feelings that he had towards her though but then again he was drawn to her immediately or more precisely her voice.

The sound of her sweet voice that could break sparks. His speed was out of control now as he went over the speed limit at the thought of his red haired femme. His processor heating up that he felt as though he would be forced into stasis from overheating. But all that was cut short as he recognised a familiar rock formation that signified where he had hidden his commander for safety. Slowing down suddenly, his tires burning up from the heat of the friction. He had to be careful as he transformed; his body and metal plating shifting around the relic making sure it didn't get caught as he moved from his interior of his alt-mode to his servos. Not bothering to lift it over his shoulder again seeing as the cave that Optimus was resting in was only so big. He activated the phase shifter on his servo and pulled the Forge of Solus Prime back with him into the solid rock; the both of them passing through it easily. Smokescreen couldn't actually believe how heavy the thing was, the sound of the metal scraping along the rock hurting his audio receptors, considering how easily Optimus was able to lift and wield the thing.

Finally phasing into the cavern that Optimus lay in the rookie felt quite proud of himself having retrieved it without being spotted. Struggling Smokescreen set the relic down next to Optimus's lying form on the rock. The autobot leader looking weaker now as he tried to keep himself awake. "Optimus, I have the Forge. You can use it to repair yourself" the rookie spoke softly as he knelt next to him.

It took a moment for Optimus to find his strength to speak but Smokescreen was patient "That…is not the reason…I had you retrieve the relic"

At those words the young bots optics widened in confusion "What? I don't understand"

"The power of the Forge…is not unlimited, its energy has already begun…to end"

He could see now that the Forge could only be used for a limited amount of times and the energy was wasted in the creation of Megatrons Dark Star Saber but that didn't mean that Optimus using it to repair himself was out of the question. They needed him. The planet needs him. "So it's running low, who cares, all we need it enough juice to get you back into fighting shape"

"What ever power remains must be used…to rebuild the Omega Lock…to restore Cybertron" it was clear that Optimus was only just holding on now. His optics a pale white that kept flickering signifying that his body was ready to give.

"But that would mean…" Smokescreen didn't want to finish that sentence; it was too horrifying.

"The fate of all our kind is more vital…than that of anyone of us…including me" Optimus went silent as he rested some more. Smokescreen bowing his head in defeat. If the Prime wouldn't heal himself with it then they were all lost.

The war would surely be won by the decepticons without Optimus Prime there "Optimus, the Forge is the relic of the Primes – we can't use it to restore Cybertron. Not without a Prime" his voice cracked at the end upset with the closeness of losing his commander. "Not without you"

"There will be…a new Prime"

Sighing Smokescreen picked himself up "You can worry about that after we get you patched up and take down Megatron" as Smokescreen went to move away from Optimus's side to the Forge the weak leader brought his servo up and placed it on the rookies arm which stopped him immediately.

"The time…for a new leader…is upon us. In my spark…I believe that leader stands before me right now" If Smokescreen had the time and opportunity to faint from what Optimus was proposing he would but they couldn't afford that right now. There was no way he was ready or worthy of such a position. He began pacing in the cave over Optimus, his processor feeling fried from the whole endeavour.

Optimus Prime was really considering making Smokescreen a Prime in his place. He was really giving up even though things looked bad surely things had been worse before. If the others were with them he was sure that Optimus would have picked one of them to become a Prime in his place. But even if he didn't then they would have something to say about his new higher rank. In his spark Smokescreen called out to the one he loved and told him that he was too inexperienced to take such a position. Surely if Optimus knew this and if he knew of his new found love for a young female woman then he wouldn't be thinking this of him. Putting such a pressure on his shoulder plates. Smokescreen wished Isabella was with him; he wanted to know what she would say to him in this instance. Would she stand by him or tell him that he wasn't ready.

"I…I can't do this. I mean sure who wouldn't want to be a Prime but I'm really not ready for that kind of responsibility" as he saw it, loving another being was a bigger responsibility that he gave into. He was putting her at risk by that – he already had when she was attacked and captured. As well as when he had revealed himself and then left her all alone. But then again he learned from that and knew to never leave her like that ever.

"Smokescreen…the choice is neither yours nor mine to make…when it is time the matrix of leadership will present itself only to one whose spark…is worthy" and he didn't think that that was him. Now he really wanted Bella by his side eve if it was just to sooth his pulsing spark in this little panic of his.

Sitting back by his commanders side Smokescreen decided to stay. It seemed like Optimus was at war with himself as he tried to remain awake so that he wouldn't die just then but his form was giving up already wanting to rest. I think everyone could agree that Optimus Prime deserved a good rest – him being one of the most skilful warriors ever that has fought for so long that it must have taken its toll on him. They both remained silent now. Optimus trying to rest his weak for while Smokescreen watched over him.

His spark told him to return to Bella and be with her but he had to abolish those desires knowing that his leader needed him more and giving in to those desires would be unfair and interfere with his duty as an autobot. He wondered what the other members of the team were doing, they too having charges of their own to protect from the decepticons that he no doubted were hunting them. He knew too well not to contact them as the decepticons would pick up their signals and transmit their position; more or less inviting Megatron to kill them. A huge amount of air was pushed out of his vents as he too couldn't help but think about giving up at this point but he wouldn't. He didn't have that kind of luxury; he would carry on fighting for peace even if Optimus was too weak to carry on. Smokescreen would carry on in his honour and fight.

The rookie would happily admit that whatever the future held now scared him. Would Optimus not be in it? Was the war already won?

"Who…Stands…before me?" Optimus spoke out but his voice was different and his words didn't make sense like there was no recognition of who was with him.

"What? It's me, Optimus. Smokescreen" his voice was saddened. With nothing for him to do to help his commander but remain at his side, giving him company.

"Who…beckons…" the sentence was never finished as Optimus's once blue optics flickered more vigorously and his whole body began to sound like it was powering down for good though.

"Optimus, no!" Smokescreen sounded desperate as his leaders optics flashed and then offlined, his helm falling still. But before the rookie could do or say anything more the Prime's chest plates opened up revealing the matrix of leadership inside that glowered with power shocking Smokescreen as he could see what Optimus had been talking about. The matrix calling out to him "this isn't how the story is supposed to end" He didn't know what to do now, he had watched Optimus die before him – helpless to do anything – and now responsibility for leader his friends was put before him. But he had no choice? He didn't want to believe that. If there was something Isabella had taught him that was that there was always a choice.

A sudden thought then came to his processor and his confidence returned. Turning to the relic on the ground behind him he picked it up and dragged it to the offline corpse of Optimus putting the handle of the Forge in the open servo.

As the metal of the Forge and Optimus contacted sparks flew and the forge of Solus Prime hummed to life. The top of it spinning as he showed its recognition of a Prime holding it. Standing back Smokescreen had to shield his optics from the growing light that engulfed Optimus's body and grew until a huge force pushed him back much like an explosion would. His body thrown against the rocky wall as a wave of energy was sent out.

Groaning out Smokescreen shook his head as he regained his train of thought. Letting the dust of the cave settle Smokescreen gasped out as his optics set on Optimus Prime standing tall in front of him with his servo out stretched for his to take. His mouth plates hung open as he took the servo and was hauled to his feet. The rookie not believing what he was seeing. Optimus wasn't just repaired but upgraded as well. His armour bulker and stronger, flight tech mounted on his back allowing him to access battle in the air now. The advantage of the decepticons was no more. Optimus nodded to his soldier "Thank you, Smokescreen" it seemed that the Prime wasn't ready just yet to join with the All Spark either. "I must get to Dark Mount quickly if we have any chance of saving the planet" nodding in understanding Smokescreen hauled the Forge over his shoulder and placed his servo on Optimus as phased them through the rock and into the open.

Optimus taking off quickly and heading straight for Megatrons fortress. Seeing this Smokescreen couldn't help himself as he shouted out in joy raising his fist into the air. Optimus soured through the air so fast he would be there in no time, Smokescreen took a glance to the relic he leaning on his shoulder and could see that it looked empty; devoid of any power that it once held which rendered it useless from being used to restore their planet. Sighing he hoped that the others wouldn't be too angry with him. But now he still had a duty to perform transforming and driving after his commander following him into battle. Though he wished he could just turn around and return to Bella but he pushed forward knowing that there was a battle to be had.

The whole concept of fighting now as he stood by his choice to being Optimus back was diminished by his disappointment as he rolled up just outside Jasper on the highway to see the fortress fall down, it being blown up and collapsing to ground as scrap metal. Optimus couldn't have done all that alone which meant that the rest of the team were well and had re-grouped and fought against the decepticons in his absence. Continuing to drive he met up with each of them as they found refuge at the nearest army base where a hangar had been contributed to them as they gathered around now all back together as well as the other humans that Smokescreen had gotten to know. He placed the Forge up against a wall as the Fowler moved to a catwalk and spoke to them with great gratitude. "On behalf of the President and the joint chiefs; I thank you all for selfless heroism in defence of this planet. I'm only sorry that the world cannot yet known of your undying dedication because I for one owe you my life, my liberty and my future" the human saluted in respect for their actions though Smokescreen didn't feel like he accomplished of contributed to much.

"Sir, I am honour to relinquish command of the autobots to you" Ultra Magnus addressed Optimus formally which the rookie wasn't too keep on but he didn't know Optimus's second in command as well so wouldn't think too much of it.

Optimus smiled "Welcome to Earth, Ultra Magnus and to team Prime" he gestured to everyone else in the room.

At which point Miko couldn't contain herself anymore "Okay, someone has to say it. Optimus 2.0 is rad. Imagine what the Forge could do for you" she looked to Ratchet knowing that he wasn't one for fighting out on the field unless it was completely necessary.

Smokescreen chuckled the young girl reminding him of the red head that was waiting for him quite some distance away but he knew she would understand. Optics then glanced to the Forge now all their processors thinking the same thing but Ratchet was the one of speak it aloud "Is it true that the forge has been drained of its power?" the old bot turned to the rookie who looked down in shame "then any hope of rebuilding the Omega Lock has truly been lost"

He didn't know what else to do than give over his excuse "I did what I felt was right"

"Your instincts have again proven to be quite sound" the young bot mech was surprised at what he was hearing. Praise for his actions of saving Optimus Prime. He smiled seeing that he had done the right thing. Even praise from Optimus himself made him feel better; if only they knew that he had the opportunity to be a Prime but somehow he gathered that they wouldn't believe that. Have to see it to believe it.

It was then that he noticed that ratchet possessed a remote for control of the ground bridge that the autobots were able to take advantage of on the crashed decepticon ship the Harbinger. Smiling he knew where he wanted to be that moment and considering that they had just returned from a terrible time separated and a huge battle it didn't seem like he was needed that moment with them. Any amendments that they were to make to the hangar to suit their needs could be made without him as well and as far as he could see he was needed elsewhere and was tired of ignoring his desire to somewhere rather than where his team needed him to be.

Miko seemed to notice the absence of young woman as well seeing as Bella was the only person missing. The girl looked up to him seeing as he was Bells guardian "How's Bella?"

Hearing her name ring in his audio receptors his spark hummed and a load of heat radiated from his body that he was sure Miko felt "She's healing" the other's where interested too as they heard his reply. Looking up to his leader he continued "Permission to continue my duty of guardianship, Optimus"

He nodded and looked to Ratchet as the medic used his little control and pressed a button activating the ground bridge with it appearing behind him. "Can we come too" Raf ran up to him before he could walk through it.

"Bella has been looked after for a couple of days now, believe me she'll probably be returning with me" he reassured the young teen. He desperately wanted to tell them that she needed him and only him right now but reframed from doing so as they seemed to understand as he transformed and drove through the green portal coming out just outside the hospital that was completely deserted for the moment. The ground bridge disappeared quickly and he parked up trying not to draw attention to himself from anyone inside.

Activating his holoform it formed right next to her bed. His eyes widened with worry when he saw the bed was empty and the hospital gown had been folded on top of it. Smokescreen worried that she had been forced to leave in his absence and she was now alone somewhere but as his eyes searched the room he was caught by surprise as two arms wrapped around his middle squeezing him tight within their hold. The right arm in particular was held in a firm cast which he recognised immediately a smile forming on his lips. Turning around in her grip he saw Bella dressed in new, clean clothes her hair framed around her face nicely. He returned her embrace as her head leant into his body feeling his warmth. Bella moaned in content while Smokescreen moved his hand to stroke through her clean hair.

"I missed you, Smoke" her voice was soft and calm.

"I missed you, Bells" the rookie kissed the top of her head. The two finding it difficult to move away from each other but they had to in order to looked into each other's eyes "I'm always coming for you" she nodded before forcing her lips onto his though he didn't hesitate to return the gesture as he caressed her cheek. Bella could feel the warmth of his lips and in the silence swore she could feel the thrumming of his spark that echoed through his holoform. Struggling for air from the passionate kiss Bella had to remove herself from him and she could see that he was smirking from the experience.

"Don't let any of this go to your head" she pushed a finger to his temple giggling. It was then that she remembered why Smokescreen had left "Optimus?" she couldn't help but ask about him, knowing that that he was really bad the last time she had heard about him.

Seeing her worry Smokescreen couldn't help but admire her more. "He's back, bigger and better than before" It didn't seem to matter to her of her own well-being as she worried about everyone else. Even risking her life for the three teens as they were attacked by decepticons; the thought of that angered him a little but the feeling of Bella grabbing his hand intertwining their fingers made him calm. When he got the chance he would make sure to make Starscream paid for what he did to the beautiful woman in front of him. "I've been discharged with some new medication" she motioned to why she was out of the bed and dressed and the medication that she kept in her pocket.

"The others will be relieved to see that you're alright" he offered her his right arm to which she looped her left through as he led her out of the room and down some stairs passed a few doctors and nurses tending to other patients on the main ward. As they went out of the building and moved towards Smokescreen's alt form he spoke in a more lustful tone. "But they'll have to wait their turn" he whispered in her ear and his passenger door swung open by itself. His holoform helped her in before keeping up appearances by moving to the driver's side and climbing in pretending to drive in the human form. The Indy 500 reversed out and drove out onto the main road towards the nearest town that he could find.

As soon as they were clear Smokescreen dissolved his holoform and couldn't help but shiver as he felt Bella snuggle into his passenger seat. Her finger stroking the soft material. "You are being quite selfish with not taking me back to the others"

"And proud of it. Tonight I'm not an autobot; I'm all yours"

She smiled hearing that he refused to leave her for the rest of the night "And I'm all yours"

Entering the town Smokescreen searched the web and found the best hotel it had to offer parking up and offering Bella his hand to help her out. "How do you plan to pay for an expensive hotel?" smirking he held out his other hand in front of them as they walked and in his open palm a credit card appeared showing that he had a way to cheat his way around human currency. "Optimus won't like you taking this for granted" she warned playfully.

"Optimus doesn't need to know. Besides I think I have the right to spoil my girl" her cheeks flushed red at the mention of her being his girl. Getting inside Smokescreen moved from her side for a moment to the receptionist and as he spoke to her Bella observed the beauty of the building that had been decorated to attract customers. The smell of it made her think that the place had just opened. Smokescreen soon returned to her with a key to a room he had asked for a huge grin all over his face which the red head didn't know if she should be nervous about.

He led her right to their room that seemed to be right at the top of a huge flight of stairs. Opening the room door Bella gasped at the sight before her. The room had only the small lamps on and it was bigger than she had imagined. Walking in she took in each and every part of it. A comfy sofa and television by the door while further in was a king sized bed that pointed in the direction of a wonderful en-suit bathroom. Isabella moved to the far end where there was a balcony looking over a beach view though it was dark out so she couldn't see much. A chill was sent through her from the absence of Smokescreen by her side, looking over shoulder she saw him messing around in the bathroom and moved in to see what he was up to. Catching him running a bath, steam rising up into the air as he didn't notice her presence behind him. For an alien he seemed to know what he was doing by adding in bath salts to the water and essence making the water smell irresistible.

He then moved to a cabinet and found some small candles that he placed perfectly around the edge of the tub. As he turned around to go find a lighter he jumped a little seeing her there watching him "What's brought all this on?" he couldn't help but chuckle seeing that she didn't want to be made a fuss of.

"I wasn't there when you needed me and considering everything you've been through I think you deserve to relax" he moved behind her and began to massage her tense shoulders that seemed to relax just at his touch.

"And how, may I ask, do you know how to do any of this" she gestured to everything that he was using to spoil her including the expensive hotel room as a whole.

"I searched through the web while I was doing it" he planted a kiss on her neck and kept going "I just want to treat you; my spark won't stop calling to you and I intend to make the most of all the time I have with you – if you'll let me" she smiled and blushed hard seeing as no one has ever been this way with her before.

Bella sighed remembering why and feeling the tub of pills she had been given to treat her disorder. "I don't think you really mean that; look at me Smoke even my parents think of me as a burden. Broken"

Hearing those words Smokescreen's spark pulsed hard it hurting him much like it hurt Bella to say such things. He moved to stand in her line of sight; his hands cupped her cheeks as a single tear fell from her eyes but he brushed that away with his thumb quickly like it had never been there "Listen to me Bells; you're not broken in fact you're complete. I couldn't imagine my spark belonging to someone other than you, I love you too much. It's your parent's loss if that's the way they think but don't let that affect what you want" he placed a hand over her chest where her heart would be. His words making her melt in his hold.

"You're too good to be true" he couldn't help but muster up a cheeky grin as she was feeding his ego.

"I've been told" Bella gasped hitting him playfully as she quickly kissed his cheek which left him wanting more.

She moved to the tub seeing it making her calm and relaxed already. Smokescreen followed her to stand directly being hind as his arms snaked around her waist. "You want me to have this relaxing bath or not? I suggest you wait your turn" her playful tone made him want her even more but he would wait. She needed let the warm water soak away her stress and it would do her good healing as well. Pulling her into him and running a stream of deep kisses from her cheek down her neck he slowly forced himself away and out of the bathroom closing the door behind him. He would wait for her lying on the bed to rest himself until she came out again.

He would always wait for her because she was well worth it for him.