Chapter 5

I do not own anything from Transformers.

Deserae is my OC from story #2. I am introducing another OC this chapter.

Two years earlier.

Gabby sighed as Optimus and her went through another night of no signals from Orianna. She had no more tears to cry over it for right now. It had been six months since they heard anything from her.

She would usually reassure them she was fine, and that she was battling those that hurt other planets and species. Then she sent a signal in that she was locked in on her target…then nothing.

Optimus was in holoform and sat down on the porch steps next to Gabby and put his head in his hands and took a deep breath in frustration.

He looked up and rubbed his dark beard and thought for a moment.

"If only I could get a spacecraft," he wondered aloud.

Gabby breathed deeply again, and tried to smile, but failed.

"We do the best we can. I know my planet can be frustrating sometimes with our technology," Gabby said meaning every word. She would not question going into space to find their sparkling.

Optimus looked up at her and his blue eyes glowed in the night.

"I know she is out there, and who knows what she met up with. I can't protect her," Optimus said.

Gabby put her hand in his and said, "You know, now that I look back on it, if she wanted you there she would have taken you with her."

"I wish that made it better," Optimus said thoughtfully.

Gabby looked up at the night sky and said, "Me too."

….

Gabby and Optimus headed over to NEST base the next morning. Gabby had been working a lot lately to distract her from Orianna.

Optimus wanted to do something nice for her, and take her out this coming weekend. She needed a break from everything. Besides, he liked the human custom of a date. It was nice to spend some time together and just have a good time without the world on their shoulders.

Gabby had been healthy again since the birth of their sparkling. She showed no signs of any after effects of the baby after Orianna came into the world.

She had agreed to be tested from scientists from around the world who were sworn to keep the information classified of any findings.

However, the scientists soon discovered that besides the normal body changes in human females there was no difference in her body. It was almost like Orianna had never been there in the first place. Gabby often wondered about Orianna's true existence.

The only evidence was the scar from her caesarian section when she gave birth.

Ratchet and her continued to work on a prototype weapon with the military for when Unicron showed up to Earth and Optimus hoped Orianna would find him and destroy him once and for all.

Optimus sat in his usual spot in the corner observing everything around him as he recharged.

Gabby was teasing Ironhide about Deserae, and Deserae was shooting her green-eyed glares in holoform making Gabby laugh.

Deserae had become as asset to the Autobots. She had been a wealth of information about Unicron and his whereabouts. She was adjusting to life on Earth, and her and Gabby had become best of friends.

It was nice to see Gabby smiling despite their situation, and Optimus knew she was trying to hide her pain about Orianna.

Director Mearing approached Optimus and stood waiting for permission to enter the truck.

Optimus opened the door and sighed a little. The woman was insufferable sometimes, but she was on their side so he put up with her.

Gabby gave a glance his way with questioning eyes, but tried not to notice.

"Yes director?" Optimus asked.

Mearing adjusted her glasses and said, "The President is questioning the whereabouts of your baby again."

Optimus scoffed. "If I knew where she was, do you really think I would share information about MY sparkling?"

"I know, and I am trying to deflect the questions. I am running out of answers," Mearing said still going through her paperwork while talking.

"I have no answers either, and that is what you tell him," Optimus said annoyed at the humans for constantly questioning them. Gabby and him knew nothing more than anyone else.

"Another thing. A Dr. Richard Lockwood is requesting some testing on Gabby," Charlotte said looking out of the windshield to Gabrielle. "Think she'll agree to it? He does have clearance, and background checks out."

"What does he need to study? All of the others came up with nothing, and frankly, that makes me happy," Optimus said with satisfaction in his voice.

Mearing thumbed through some paperwork. "He was once an informant for the CIA before taking up residence at Princeton teaching genetics."

"Genetics? What can she possibly provide about genetics?" Optimus asked as he studied genetics through his processors.

"Apparently, he thinks the other doctors had it all wrong. He thinks something in her DNA allowed her to conceive with a space alien," Mearing said shrugging.

"He was in the CIA too? I find that a little odd," Optimus commented in thought.

"I remember him. There are all kinds of people in the CIA, Optimus. We come from all walks of life. He seemed more of a consultant from what I remember," Mearing answered.

"I just worry that he might use her information for something more….sinister," Optimus said still not liking all these tests on Gabby.

"They will do tests, but I doubt they would be able to create something from her DNA," Mearing said frowning.

Optimus had to admit he was a little worried about that. The technology the Autobots have provided the United States military in exchange for sanctuary was something Optimus had never really felt comfortable with. Humans were just not that developed for what they had to offer just yet.

Then Gabrielle and him conceived Orianna, which made most of the United States, and other world governments go crazy over it. They did not want that kind of attention. It was bad enough their daughter decided to leave Earth, but what the humans wanted from them was a whole new level of consciousness that no one could fathom.

In the end, he would leave it to Gabrielle to decide if she wanted to see this Doctor.

Mearing got out of the semi and spoke with Gabrielle on the side. Gabrielle shook her head furiously at first, but gave in after some coaxing from Mearing after a few minutes. Optimus knew she just wanted Mearing off her back. She was reassured this was the last of the testing, and Gabrielle said she would not agree to any more after this.

Lennox walked by and shook his head in disgust at the situation.

Ratchet made his way over to Optimus and went into vehicle mode.

"Gabby only agreed to that if I am there," Ratchet said.

"Good. I would prefer that," Optimus answered relieved at Gabby using her mind.

Ratchet sat there and thought for a moment. "Genetics…..I don't think I like that. I just have a feeling they will use her DNA for something."

"Mearing assured me they wouldn't, but we know we can't always trust the humans that claim to be on our side," Optimus said.

…..

Gabrielle held her breath slightly as Dr. Lockwood extracted her blood into the vial.

He was a pleasant enough person with slightly graying hair and fierce blue eyes. Very polite, but very intense at the same time. He had to be over fifty, but only looked early forties. He must have been a health nut. His muscles bulged through his white jacket.

They were in the infirmary on NEST base in private quarters so the Doctor could conduct his tests.

His eyes did keep glancing at Ratchet who sat in the corner in holoform.

"I want to thank you for agreeing to do this. I am sure you have been pushed around enough," Dr. Lockwood said labeling the blood then swabbing Gabby's mouth.

"This is the last one. I have made that clear, but you're welcome," Gabby answered.

Dr. Lockwood nodded and asked Gabby to lie down while he pressed on her abdomen slightly.

"You are perfectly healthy from what I can see so far," he commented.

"I check her all the time, Doctor," Ratchet said a little annoyed.

"Of course ummmm sir," he answered. Gabby smiled, as Dr. Lockwood was clearly uncomfortable with Ratchet there.

He turned back to Gabby and asked. "So, please tell me about the birth."

Gabby sat up, and looked over at Ratchet who shrugged. He was giving her the decision on what to say.

"Well. She was actually only about six months in when she was born, but I did look full term at the time. Her growth drained my energy, but she would replenish it from time to time," Gabby answered.

"Nausea, vomiting, diarrhea in the pregnancy?"

"All of it, and throughout the whole thing," Gabby answered.

"Were you taking prenatal supplements?"

"Yes, and in heavier doses," Gabby answered.

Why would a genetics professor be asking all of these kinds of questions? Gabby thought suspiciously.

"Tell me about the birth. I hear you had a caesarian section," he commanded politely.

Gabby thought for a moment. "I don't remember much as I was sedated the whole time."

Lockwood's eyebrows rose in question and he turned to Ratchet.

"Did you do that?"

Gabby could see the anger rising in Ratchet. Gabby nodded to him to calm down a little.

"I did. I made that decision because her life was still in danger. I understand human female should be alert during the process, but Gabby had to be sedated to help the birth go smoothly," Ratchet answered getting defensive.

"Yet she lived, and had a healthy half human girl," Lockwood said.

"Yes, she did. It was not long after that I roused her. Immediately her health began to improve," Ratchet said through gritted teeth.

Gabby thought Ratchet was going to go after the doctor right then and there.

"He did what he had to do to save me," Gabby said. "There were moments that Optimus Prime and I didn't know whether we would be able to go through with it."

Dr. Lockwood made some notes ignoring Ratchet once more. "So, you thought about eliminating it once?"

"Only because the humans health was almost severely damaged," Ratchet said speaking up before Gabby could.

Lockwood ignored him again and turned to Gabby. His mouth turning down in thought.

"Where is the child now?"

Gabby felt her sadness and grief come back as she thought of Orianna.

"Somewhere in space," Gabby said with a far away look in her brown eyes.

"I heard that. Nothing like a human child who is with it's mother for quite a while," Lockwood said.

"No. Not at all," Gabby answered sighing.

"Did you feel any kind of bond with her?" He asked still taking notes.

Gabby was still suspicious. She wanted out of this room and to get some fresh air.

"Not enough. Though she did show plenty of affection towards myself and the father," Gabby answered.

"Have you heard from her?"

"No, not in six months. She stopped sending signals," Gabby said choking up a little.

"Do you expect her back?"

"I hope so."

"About what age did she look when she left?" He asked more sympathetically noticing Gabby's emotions.

"I would say about eighteen," Gabby answered relaxing a little.

"You are thirty one now?"

"Yes."

Lockwood stood quietly for a moment and took more notes. He examined Gabby again and said, "You are free to go. I am going to take your samples back to Princeton with me for more examination. I am suspecting there is something there that attracted the aliens to mate with you."

Gabby almost laughed out loud as Ratchet stood in anger, and how Optimus would have reacted to that comment.

Gabby could cut the tension in the room with a knife.

"I highly doubt you will find anything to your liking Doctor," Gabby said with a smirk.

"I have one more question," he said ignoring Gabby's deflection of his own conclusion.

"Sure."

"I know this will be personal, but do you still mate with this alien, and do you use protection?"

Ratchet almost blew a gasket and had to leave the room. Lockwood's eyes reflected the relief of the Autobot leaving.

Gabby tilted her head in thought for a moment and thought about how she should answer.

"Since you are a doctor, I will answer your question. Yes, and no. There has been no sign of any other conception since," Gabby answered with her own smirk at the look of disappointment on the doctor's face.

He nodded and shook her hand. "Thank you, Ms. Ryan. You have been extremely helpful. I will forward my results to you."

"I would like that," Gabby answered.

…

Less than a month later, an unknown enemy attacked NEST.

…

Sorry for the delay everyone. It has been crazy busy here, and I hope to have another new chapter out this week.

It will be another flashback.