7

Saoirse POV

When they reached the farm, Mama was still really quiet and made Saoirse and Eden hurry out of the car and into the house. Uncle Cade and Tessie were in the living room watching Orion. Shane was pacing around the living room, looking a little distressed. Saoirse walked over to Uncle Cade and said something neither of them could hear and that made them nervous. Saoirse and Eden shared a look before looking back at their mother.

Saoirse and Eden watched as Uncle Cade walked out of the room and they were left with the others.

"What's wrong?" Eden asked. "Is there something bad happening?"

Mama walked over to Saoirse and Eden and knelt down, letting out a sigh. It was weird, how she was acting.

"Your father is on his way here, and when he comes, he has something very important to tell you." Mama gave a small smile.

"What's wrong with Daddy?" Saoirse asked.

"Nothing." They looked over and saw Optimus standing there. He was frowning, his eyes looking at his children sadly. "There's nothing wrong, I just have business I need to take care of."

Saoirse and Eden looked at their father, feeling scared at how serious he sounded. They knew he was serious during certain situations, but the kind of seriousness he was expressing was one they weren't used to.

"I'm going to be leaving for a little while," Daddy said, looking down. "There's something important I need to check on. I need to make sure it's still safe."

No one said a word for what felt like the longest time. Saoirse and Eden looked at their father for a moment before looking at their mother. Neither of them were making eye contact with anyone in the room.

"You're just leaving?" Eden asked. "Again?"

Optimus took a deep breath and closed his eyes, trying to compose himself. "I'll return," he said, "once I am certain that my mission has been successful. I don't want to leave, I really don't. But I've been receiving signals that there's danger near..." He cut himself off, sighing. "You're smart," he started again. "All of you are smart. I've tried teaching you as much as I could about being Prime before I discovered the information I know now."

"Are you coming back?" Saoirse asked, her voice becoming thick with tears.

"I'll always come back." Optimus walked over to them and gave a fierce hug. "I would never abandon my family."

Eden POV

Eden had gone to her room after everything her father said. She had cried for a little bit. She didn't want her father to go, but there was a tone in his voice that made it known he wasn't going to be arguing with them on the subject. If there was one thing she knew for certain, it was that when her father—even those few times it involved her mother—had a specified mission that needed handling, there was no possible way to talk either of them out of it.

When Eden's bedroom door opened, she frowned when she saw Ironhide walk in. His humanoid version stood at the entrance of her bedroom, his arms crossed over his chest.

"How're you feeling?" he asked. Eden shrugged. "I didn't tell your mother or father about what you told me. That's something you have to figure out on your own."

Eden's eyes widened. "I can't tell them!" she exclaimed. "They'll freak out."

"Your parents are very understanding when it comes to things like that." Ironhide nodded. "Your mother knows more than anyone on what it's like to suddenly have powers. She'll be the most help to you. If your brother or sister manage to develop abilities, well..." He shrugged.

Eden looked down, wringing her hands in front of her. She couldn't understand how her parents would be so accepting of what was going on with her. Eden understood that her family wasn't normal—she spent her entire life living in a dysfunctional family where alien robots were their fathers and they could disguise themselves as cars. That was something Eden and her siblings grew up with; something Musa and her cousins grew up with.

"But I don't know what I can do yet," she mumbled.

"You're able to change what technology looks like just by thinking it." Ironhide's eyes narrowed slightly. "I would say that's probably the early stages of your powers."

Eden shook her head. "I don't like this!" she exclaimed. "I don't like being different or having powers or Daddy going away!"

Ironhide went and knelt down in front of her. "You're going to be just fine," he insisted. "You and your siblings have all of us to help you through this. Your father's mission is very important—it's something that will keep this planet safe. He'll come back. Prime's never failed to keep a promise."

The whole idea of her father leaving caused a heaviness to weigh down on her chest. She loved spending time with her father—even when he as too busy to actually spend time with anyone, just being near him was enough. Eden sighed.

Desirée POV

I paced around the barn. Optimus's Holoform was leaning against one of the tables Cade had in there. We had spent the past half hour discussing what to do once Optimus left. We weren't sure how long he'd be gone, or what he would find out there. Whether or not he would run into those Creators on his way to secure the Seed's location or if there would be some other threat on its way to earth would remain unknown to us—all Optimus told us was that there was some kind of disturbance being detected near the Seed's location.

"Once I know the Seed has remained untouched, I will do an investigation on the surrounding area." Optimus looked at me tiredly. He had the Holoform going back and forth all day. "If I don't find anything, I'll come back. But if I do find something, I will stay longer to ensure it doesn't go near earth."

I nodded, rubbing my hands over my face in frustration.

"I seriously thought we were done with all this," I groaned.

Optimus walked over and gently hugged me. "We all did. But I will handle the situation the best I can. OK?"

I nodded wordlessly.

"You have the Autobots to help you out with the Sparklings," Optimus murmured, kissing the top of my head. "You have Cade and his family, too. Everything will work itself out."

"God, I hope so."

Optimus pulled back and offered a strained smile. "Stay safe."

I gently nudged him. "I should be telling you that," I said, giving a humorless chuckle. "Make sure you at least send a ComLink to one of the Autobots so I know what's going on out there."

"That could be dangerous."

I sighed. "It's the not knowing that's going to be killing me," I muttered. "The girls especially will be worried sick about you. Orion's too young to know what's going on."

"I promised Saoirse and Eden I'd return. Even if the trip takes longer than expected, I'll return for them. For you and Orion, as well."

Nodding, I gave the Holoform a peck on the lips. "Make good choices," I sighed.

Optimus gave a slight smirk and nodded.

QUICKY A/N:

WHAT IS UP, EVERYONE! SORRY IT TOOK SO LONG FOR ME TO UPDATE A NEW CH.! I'VE BEEN A LITTLE DISTRACTED WITH SCHOOL AND WORK LATELY, BUT THAT'S NO EXCUSE. SO, I HOPE YOU LIKE THIS UPDATE, EVEN IF IT'S SHORT AND BORING. I WILL BE INTRODUCING A NEW OC EITHER IN THE NEXT UPDATE OR THE ONE AFTER THAT.

stormrunner74 YOUR OC WILL BE INTRODUCED EITHER IN THE NEXT UPDATE OR THE ONE AFTER THAT!

THEN I WILL INTRODUCE THE OTHER OC'S THAT YOU, KIND REVIEWERS, HAVE OFFERED!

I DON'T OWN ANYTHING IN THE 'TRANSFORMERS' UNIVERSE! I ALSO DON'T OWN THE WONDERFUL OC'S THAT HAVE BEEN OFFERED FOR THIS STORY AND WHO WERE OFFERED IN 'AT LEAST WE MADE IT THIS FAR'! I ONLY OWN MY CHARACTERS AND MY FILLERS.

IF YOU GUYS ARE FINDING THIS STORY TO BE A LITTLE DULL, I APOLOGIZE GREATLY. A FEW WONDERFUL REVIEWERS OFFERED SOME AWESOME ARCS FOR THIS STORY AND I AM PLANNING ON USING THEM! HOPEFULLY YOU GUYS WILL HAVE SOME PATIENCE WHILE I WRITE THIS.

WELL, THAT'S ALL I'VE GOT TO SAY!

STAY SNAPPY!

THANK YOU, ONE AND ALL.

READ, REVIEW, ENJOY!

YOURS TRULY,

~SMITHY