Parents
Optimus, Ron, and Judy watched Sam walking back towards the house.
"My lawn Sam!" Ron yelled. They all heard Sam groan as he jumped back onto the rock path. "Why can't that boy stay off my lawn?" Ron asked as Sam retreated into the house. "Kids these days don't understand how important lawns are."
"He will someday," Judy said. "Remember he once thought Archibald was insane."
"Well I always knew he wasn't insane," Ron replied, glancing at Optimus who blinked in reply.
"What adventure did you and Sam have?" Judy asked suspiciously.
"We went to an abandoned mining town."
"Abandoned," Judy repeated, looking horrified. "What if Sam had fallen in a hole and couldn't get out? What if the mine had collapsed and he was buried alive? What if a rock had fallen on his head and cracked it open? What if-"
"We never went into the mine," Optimus said quickly. "Sam was never in any danger."
"Which mining town did you go to?" Ron asked.
"Lucky Finds."
"I think my great uncle worked there," Ron said. "He claimed that a leprechaun lived in the mine and that it was out to get him. He then collapsed a section of the mine to trap the leprechaun. Then they threw him in the mad house," he finished sadly. "Any of you guys look like leprechauns?" he asked Optimus hopefully.
"No. Your great uncle's insanity was not caused by my kind," Optimus said gently.
"Oh," Ron said looking down at his wineglass. "I need more wine after hearing that. Judy will you hold my glass?"
"You know how I get when I have a little wine," Judy said. She waved her arms around imitating unsteadiness. "Whoops!" she said cheerfully when a little wine splashed out of the glass.
"Can you help a fellow out?" Ron asked, holding his wineglass out to Optimus. The Autobot knelt down and took the wineglass between two metal fingers. Ron reached under his chair and grabbed the wine bottle. He poured himself more wine. "So why you?" he asked.
"Why what?"
"Why are you watching Sam while Bumblebee is gone? Why not Hatchet?"
"His name is Ratchet," Optimus corrected.
"Or why not Ironskin?"
"It's Ironhide."
"Well?"
Optimus didn't answer as he handed the wineglass back to Ron. His optics shifted back and forth from Ron to Judy as he regarded them. "Sam saved my life," he said simply. "I am aware that I owe him much." Optimus lowered his head and stared at the ground. "I do not take lightly what Sam nearly sacrificed in order to save us all from Megatron. Trying to give him what humans call 'a good time' is the least I can do." Ron and Judy didn't know what to say.
"So," Ron said, trying to find something to talk about, "how do you like living on Earth?"
"It is a pleasant planet. A good place to call home," Optimus replied. His optics seemed to dim. "I did not imagine we would have to constantly hide our existence and true forms. I thought we could finally be free again," he murmured.
Ron and Judy looked at each other. "I'm sorry," Ron said awkwardly as Judy nodded sadly in agreement. Optimus looked startled.
"I did not mean for you to hear that."
"I can pretend I didn't if you want."
"It doesn't matter if you did."
"I have no idea what you are talking about," Ron said brightly. Optimus tilted his head slightly as he regarded the human in front of him. "Well, I'm off to bed."
"He needs his beauty sleep," Judy said, winking at Optimus.
"Come on Judy," Ron said reaching for her hand.
"When he was younger he got beauty and handsome sleep," Judy informed Optimus. "He was very good looking. I couldn't keep my hands off of him," she added grinning mischievously.
"Way to much information Judy," Ron said, trying to steer his wife into the house. She pulled free of him.
"Race you to the house!" she cried. She trotted towards the house, swaying as she did. "I win!" she called out triumphantly before disappearing into the house.
"Sorry about that," Ron mumbled as he picked up the wineglasses and wine bottle. "She gets a little funny if she's had wine."
"I understand," Optimus replied.
"Goodnight Optimus," Ron said, gazing at the still kneeling Autobot. "Thanks for watching out for Sam." He paused. "He's a good kid."
"Yes he is." Ron nodded and waved goodnight to Optimus before disappearing into the house. "He also has good parents," Optimus murmured. He paused. "Odd, but good nonetheless." The Autobot slowly rose to his full height and walked to the garage where he would watch over the Witwickys all night.