AN- I know this took a bit long than it should have but oh well. I'd like to thank all of you who reviewed and sent in OCs. It turns out that two are actually going to be used but one isn't right away. now let me shut up and let you read this thing.

I only own Annalina and Kristy. TF belongs to Hasbro and Drifter belongs to Mademoiselle Juko.

Chapter 11

(Optimus POV)

"Ironhide, would you please ask Lennox to send me the files on the new recruits?" I requested of my weapon's specialist. We walked the hallways of the base headed outside. He, to go to the Lennox farm, and I, to find Annalina. Despite my increasing duties to NEST, I had tried to spend every moment I could with her. We parted ways as soon as we walked outside.

I continued on around the base. I saw many soldiers milling about. Some offered a friendly wave which I returned in good grace. Before long, I came across Sideswipe. "Sideswipe, have you seen Anna?"

"Sure Optimus, your girl's just around the corner with Sam and Bee." He winked cheekily at me. I simply sighed, shook my head, and followed his directions. Just as he had said there was Annalina, sitting on Bumblebee's shoulder with Sam talking about something. I nodded to Bee as a walked over.

"Hello my love." She jumped in surprise.

"Geez Optimus, scare me to death why don't ya?" I smiled as she chastised me.

"My apologies, fair lady. May I request your presence as I adjourn for a quiet walk?"

"Why yes, kind sir. I would love to accompany you." She laughed as she replied in kind. I had taken to speaking as such on occasion ever since I learned she was interested in medieval times. It never ceased to make her smile, so I continued to do it. I reached out and placed her upon my own shoulder as I started out.

"See ya later, guys." She called out to the two she had left behind. I chuckled as I heard Sam grumble about greedy boyfriends. Perhaps, he was right but I couldn't bring myself to care. "So what has you in such a cheery mood this fine day?" She then questioned me.

"Do I need a reason? Can't a mech just be glad to have his femme with him?"

"A normal mech, maybe. But you are no average mech, my love." She said. She leaned into my armor as much as she could. We bantered like that until we reached my unintentional destination. It was the section of beach we always seemed to end up at. I retrieved her from my shoulder and placed her on the ground so I could transform. As soon as that was completed, I turned on my holoform and stepped out to where she had seated herself in the sand.

"You seem to be in an equally good mood, my dear. Any particular reason?" I inquired as I wrapped my arms around her. She turned her head to smile at me before she replied.

"I woke up happy. But that could be because I woke up in the arms of the man of my dreams."

"Oh is that so. Who is he so I can tell him what for?"

"Well, I'll describe him. He's tall, extremely so, sexy, protective, and a great kisser. Hmmm… did I also mention that he's the robotic leader of an alien race? Got any ideas?" Oh she was good at this game.

"Oh, I have one or two." I smiled dangerously, then I captured her lips with my own in a heated kiss. Only to have our lovely intimate session interrupted.

"Alright you two. You can make lovey dovey later." Called my weapon's specialist from his place in the trees behind us. "Really, any more and I'm going to purge my tanks." He said in jest. I let out a sigh of defeat and turned off my holoform, allowing my true form to transform.

"What is it, 'Hide?" My Annalina asked from her place still in the sand.

"Well," He began walking toward us. "Will was thinking we should do something as a group. Like a… I don't know it was his idea." He finished with a flourish of his hands. I nodded in confirmation. Something like that sound like a good idea for everyone.

"How about like a beach party bonfire thing. We can roast hotdogs and make s'mores. And Ratchet won't yell at us. It'll be great!" Anna was jumping up and down with the force of her enthusiasm. I chuckled at the site, it was good to see her so happy.

"That sounds perfect." I spoke as I kneeled down to pick her up. The three of us continued to make plans as we made our way back to base.

"So Optimus and I will head into town to get the food, while the rest of you set up down at the beach. Okay?" Annalina confirmed while we were all together. We had been joined by Sam, Bee, Will, Epps, and Ratchet. They nodded in acceptance and we split ways to accomplish our tasks.

I took Annalina to the nearest supermarket so we could accomplish our half of things. It just so happened to be a Wal-Mart.

"Ugh, did it have to be Wal-Mart? This place irritates me so much." She grumbled as the two of us walked into said establishment. "Okay so, I'll get the S'mores stuff while you get the hotdogs. I'll meet you in the dairy section. Okay?"

"That's fine with me." And we separated.

(Annalina's POV)

I walked down the aisles looking for the candy section. I hate the way each store has its own personal set up. Finally after five minutes of irritated searching I finally found it. And a little surprise as well.

"Kristy, is that you?" I asked my one friend from New York. She turned around from conversing with the girl she was with to face me.

"Oh my gosh, Anna, girl, you seriously here?" Her shocked expression mirrored my own.

"Wow! It's so good to see you again." I walked up and gave her a hug. "But what are you going here? And who is this?" I asked pointing to the woman she was with.

"Oh right. Annalina meet my new friend Drifter. Drifter this is like my best friend from New York Annalina. Actually we're here looking for some friends of hers." Kristy finished as I shook hands with Drifter.

"It's a pleasure to meet you Drifter. I hope you find your friends. I'd be happy to help if you need it." I smiled at the two of them. It had been quite a while since I had seen Christina. She had been my only friend up in New York. She could be a bit peculiar at times but that was what made her special.

"It is a pleasure to meet you as well. Any friend of Kristy is a friend of mine. I will be sure to take you up on your offer of help should the need ever arise." Drifter replied eloquently. Something about her strongly reminded me of Kristy. It was probably a wonder that they got along.

"Well, it was great to see you and I wish we could continue talking but I have to get this stuff and head back. Lover boy probably already waiting for me." I said as I moved to grab not only the chocolate but the randomly placed graham crackers as well.

"Wait, lover boy? You get yourself a man?" She asked outrageously. I admit it probably was a bit shocking for her to hear.

"Yeah, His name's Tim. He's a great guy. You should meet him sometime. Let me give you my cell number and we can work something out to meet up again. Maybe they can help find your friends." I finished, nodding at Drifter.

"Perhaps." She said simply. My friend and I quickly exchanged numbers and I gave a hasty goodbye as a rushed toward the dairy section. Upon arrival, I predictably found Optimus waiting for me in his upgraded holoform. I was thankful they had let me upgrade the looks a bit and change some names.

"Sorry 'bout that. I ran into an old friend." I spoke quickly when I reached him.

"That's fine. Now is there anything else we need?" I looked down at the various things he had grabbed while waiting and found everything else I had thought of.

"Nope." I nodded curtly. "You got everything else. Now let's get out of here."

Twenty minutes and one huffy cashier later, we were on the beach with the rest of the gang. Autobots were everywhere, some in holo some not. The partyish thing we had going on was going well. Everyone seemed happier. I danced with various mechs, while Epps acted as dj. I was dancing with Ironhide to Paper Planes when suddenly the music cut out. Everyone's head shifted to look at the music station to see Sides standing there.

"Now people," He began. "We gonna make this a PARTAY!" suddenly Burn it to the ground by Nickleback starts blaring through the speakers. All the humans there, including myself, gather into a mob on the dance floor, screaming out the lyrics. From where I am I can see Optimus standing over by Ironhide and Ratchet. The two of them seem to be complaining about the music choice, but I don't think he really cared. I waved him over and he joined me in the mob.

"Just cut loose, babe." I whispered into his ear so he can hear me. The music changed to Riot by 3 days grace. I started dancing and singing along again, and now he was joining me. His hands were running along my sides, making me shiver with excitement. One thought crossed my mind at that point, Oh this is going to be a fuuuuunnnn night.