Hey, thanks to everyone whose reviewed my story! It makes me feel so loved. If you keep it up, I'll keep it up!
Thanks to Mrs. Optimus Prime for the Halloween idea!
Chapter 12:Trick or Treating
Phoenix woke up early on October thirtieth.
"I'm going to make this a day to remember!" She whispered.
She looked down at Optimus, sleeping, or whatever it was transformers did, and briefly wondered how nothing was going on between them when they slept in the same bed! She sighed. She was quite sure that she was falling in love with Optimus. What she wasn't sure of was if the feeling was mutual between them. She had thought the other day that maybe he felt something, when he had held her around the waist, but it seemed that being a leader and warrior had taught him well how to hide his emotions…
Optimus opened his optics to an angel, or that was what it seemed like. Phoenix was leaning over him with the tiniest hint of a frown on her lips. She seemed to be thinking hard, and about him. He resisted the urge to pull her to him and kiss her, but what if she didn't feel the same way about him? One thing was for sure; Optimus was falling in love with Phoenix.
"That's not true…" He corrected himself; "I already have fallen in love with her."
"G'morning, Optimus." Phoenix said pleasantly.
"Good morning."
"Are you excited for today?"
Optimus decided to tease her a bit, "I don't know, what's today?"
"You can't have forgotten!" Phoenix squealed, "It's Halloween! And it's my birthday too!"
"Halloween? Birthday? I've never heard of them?"
"This is insane! What are you trying to pull?" Phoenix punched him playfully on the arm, and then stuck her fist in her mouth. It had hurt her more then it hurt him.
Optimus grinned, "Oh, you have no fun!" He pulled a face, but his optics were flashing with amusement.
Phoenix laughed. "Are you having fun?"
"I think that maybe I am."
A little while later, Optimus and Phoenix were seated in Ironhide, and on there way to the closest town. It was the same one that they had passed with the fire.
"Are you sure that this a good idea?" Phoenix asked remembering the way she'd just run into a burning building with all the people watching. She didn't want anyone to recognize her and cause a fuss. She already had one little girl who thought she was an angel…
Optimus understood her meaning. "I guess we'll have to cut off your hair. It is your most distinguishing feature.
Phoenix looked horrified. "My hair?" She squeaked, putting a hand to her gorgeous locks.
"Oh it won't be that bad." Optimus's hand retreated into his wrist and he pulled out a glowing blade. "I've lived for hundreds of years without hair and I'm perfectly fine."
Phoenix realized then, that he was joking.
"Ya, sure, you baldy. Now put that thing away!" She said, eyeing the sword.
Optimus chuckled, "You should have seen your face."
Ironhide pulled up behind an abandoned building, let them out and transformed.
"Ok kids, when you want me, call. We'll meet back here."
"Thanks Ironhide!" Said Phoenix.
"Watch the base." Optimus added.
Ironhide grunted his answer, transformed again, and drove away.
"All right, it's too early for trick or treating, and you don't want to be showing off your 'costume' yet. So stay here and I'm going to go shopping for my costume." Phoenix told Optimus.
"I don't want you to go off by yourself." Optimus argued.
"I won't be far! And there are people everywhere. Just stay put and I'll be back before you can say 'Autobots, transform and rollout!"
Optimus was about to protest more, but Phoenix was already gone.
She walked through the streets, looking for her best bet at finding a costume. She tried a couple costume stores with little success. Everything was sold out. Finally, thinking that maybe she could just be a princess or something, she tried a fancy bridal/prom dress store.
The sales woman was by her side the minute she walked through the door.
"Oh what a darling girl! What's the occasion?"
"Well, Halloween actually. I'm going to be a princess." Phoenix said.
"Wonderful!" The lady gushed, "You'll find something much more wonderful here than just the cheap costumes! I'll help you! Please, call me Darla."
Phoenix thought that the lady was a little smothering, but very nice.
"Thank-you, Darla. Now what have you got for me?"
Darla selected several dresses. Phoenix tried them all. They were all beautiful, but none of them were quite right.
"Do you have anything that's say, blue and red?"
Darla looked at her like she was crazy. "Wouldn't you rather have pink? Or how about purple? You'd look darling in purple."
"Maybe, but I'd really like to try red and blue. That is, if you have any."
Darla made a face, "We might have something." She disappeared into a back room and came out several minutes later carrying a slightly dusty bag hung over top of a blue and red dress. She pulled it off.
The style of the dress was amazing! Phoenix thought it was the most gorgeous thin she'd ever seen.
"Yes." Said Darla, "There's actually only one of these. We had one in to see if anyone would like it, but it never sold. Blue and red just really don't go together, don't you think?"
"I think they look amazing together!" Phoenix said, thinking of Optimus.
She fairly ran over to check if the dress was her size. It was!
"May I try it on?"
"If you really want to." Darla seemed shocked by how excited she was over what was supposedly the world's ugliest dress.
Phoenix tried it on and stood in front of the mirror.
"I'll take it!" She declared.
The dress was boxed and she strode out of the store quite proud of her discovery. She stopped at an accessories store and bought an intricate silver tiara, as well as some nice earrings and bracelets. She looked for a necklace to complete the ensemble, but couldn't find anything appropriate. Oh well, she decided it didn't matter too much.
Once everything was purchased, she wandered back to Optimus. It was getting dark outside.
"There you are! I was about to come looking for you." Optimus said.
"I'm all right, but wait until you see the costume I found! Just turn around so I can change."
Phoenix quickly pulled on the dress and donned her jewellery. She turned back to Optimus, who was facing the other way.
"Well? What do you think?"
Optimus looked at her and his jaw almost dropped. She was so gorgeous! And she was dressed to match him. He took a moment to compose himself but Phoenix had already seen his reaction.
"You like it?" She asked a little awkwardly.
"I LOVE it!" He said firmly. "You look beautiful Phoenix."
Phoenix blushed and stepped closer to him.
Optimus cleared his throat, nervously.
"Uh, before we go, I did some research on birthdays and found out about how humans like to give gifts, so I, uh, made you something…"
"Really?" said Phoenix. "You didn't have to go to any trouble!"
"It was no trouble at all!" Optimus assured her. "I just hope you like it."
He held out a small box for her. "Michaela said it was better to wrap it… she gave me the idea for what to get you."
Phoenix carefully unwrapped the gift. Inside the box was a slim silver necklace chain, with the Autobots insignia hanging off of it as a pendant.
"Optimus it's wonderful! And it even matches my dress! Will you help me put it on?"
Optimus nodded, pleased with her reaction. He took the necklace from the box and clasped it gently around Phoenix's neck as she swept her long hair aside.
"It's wonderful…" Phoenix said again. "Thank-you so much!"
She gave him a hug, which Optimus joyfully returned, trying not to bury his face into her beautiful red hair.
"We should get going." He said gruffly.
"Ya." Phoenix agreed, handing him a cloth bag.
"What is this for?"
"To keep your candy in, silly."
Phoenix took his hand and led him onto the now, dark street. Kids were running all over going from house to house. Cries of 'Trick or Treat!' filled the air.
"Isn't it great?" Phoenix laughed.
She pulled him up to the front door of a house.
"Ok, on the count of three, yell 'trick or treat!' Ready, one, two, three!"
"TRICK OR TREAT!!!" They yelled together.
A moment later a lady opened the door.
"Just a minute, Madi… Yes darling, we'll go in minute." She said over her shoulder.
Phoenix recognized her as the mother of the girl she'd saved. She looked exhausted.
"Hello. Oh wow, you have the best costumes I've ever seen!" She said. "Madi, come see these two!"
The little girl, Madi, came up shyly behind her mother. She was dressed as a bumblebee.
"Wow!" She said, in awe. She paused when she looked at Phoenix, and gasped, "Mommy! It's the girl who saved me! Look, she's not an angel, she's a princess!"
Madi's mother looked up. "Oh it is! I knew I recognized you." Tears formed up in her eyes. "I don't know how I can ever repay you! Thank you so, so much…"
"It was nothing!" Phoenix laughed nervously, "We're just here for some candy!"
"Oh yes, here you go." The young woman heaped piles of candy into both there bags.
Madi tugged on the fabric of her pants. "Mommy can we go now? Let's go with them!"
"Ya, honey we can go." Her mom sighed, "But we'll have to come back early… I have a lot of work to finish up…"
Optimus noticed the rings under the woman's eyes, and the tired way she smiled.
"Perhaps," He said, glancing over at Phoenix, "we could take your daughter trick or treating for you?"
"That's a great idea!" Phoenix beamed. "Could we?"
The woman thought about it for a moment.
"Please mommy?" Madi asked, hopefully. "Let me go with the princess and the robot! She'll keep me safe I know she will! She's my guardian angel!"
Phoenix blushed.
"All right, you may go." The woman seemed relieved. She turned to Phoenix and Optimus. "I'm Lily." She extended her hand to both of them. "Are you sure this is ok?"
"Yes, we would love to take her out!" Phoenix assured her.
"Would you mind having her home by ten thirty?"
"Of course." Optimus cut in. "Don't worry, we'll take care of her."
"Thank-you so much! You have no idea what this means to me… I'll pay you both!"
Looking inside, Phoenix could tell that that the little family was tight on money.
"Don't even think about it!" She grinned, "We'll see you later!"
"Bye Mommy!" Madi called out.
She took Phoenix's hand on one side, and Optimus's on the other.
"Let's go!" She said happily.
Optimus and Phoenix and Madi spent awhile going door to door. At almost every house they got the same reaction. Everyone loved their costumes, especially Optimus's. Several people complimented them on what a wonderful family the made as well.
"Oh, aren't you just the cutest couple?" One lady said. "Your daughter is just adorable!"
"She's not ours. She's just a friend." Phoenix would explain.
"That's a shame! You look like a wonderful family! Oh well, I bet you'll have lovely children when the time comes." She winked.
Phoenix blushed several times that night. Everyone seemed to automatically assume that her and Optimus were married or engaged. She couldn't help but want to go along with it, imagining her and Optimus with a child. He had taken to the girl as quickly as Phoenix had. And Madi had taken to him. Phoenix watched him swing the girl around as she giggled and shrieked ecstatically.
"You'd make a great father." Phoenix said going up to them.
'If it's your kids…' Optimus wanted to say.
"I wish I was your kid. I should have dressed up as a princess so I'd match you guys!"
"You look so adorable as a bumblebee though!" Phoenix said.
"One of my best friends is named Bumblebee." Optimus added.
"That's silly!" Madi giggled.
Optimus smiled at her and put her down on the ground.
"When will you guys have kids?" Madi asked. "Aren't you going to get married? Can I come to your wedding?"
She was so excited that Phoenix hated to dash her hopes.
"I don't know if we'll ever get married… but if we do, you'll definitely be invited ok?"
"Hooray! I just know you'll get married! You have to! Can I be your flower girl?"
"We'll see." Phoenix sighed, wishing that the girl would get to be their flower girl someday… "Let's do some more trick or treating. It's almost time for you to go home!"
By the time they made there way back to Madi's house, there bags were bulging with candy, and Madi had fallen asleep in Optimus's arms.
"She's so cute!" Optimus whispered so as not to wake her up. He sighed, "I hope I'll have a family someday." 'Actually, I hope I'll have yours!' He screamed in his mind, 'Phoenix will you marry me?'
"I'm sure you will…" Phoenix replied wistfully.
They returned Madi to her mother, still asleep.
"Tell her we'll visit sometime ok?" Phoenix asked.
"I will." Lily said. "Thank you again. Oh, and if you ever want my help with the wedding or anything… just call."
"Thanks." Phoenix said, not bothering to protest. It seemed that rumour of the coupe had travelled around the small town quickly.
Her and Optimus turned away and headed back to their meeting place. As they walked Optimus took Phoenix's hand and squeezed it gently. Phoenix couldn't take it anymore.
"Optimus, I have to tell you something!" She stopped, and took a step towards him. "I lo-
Suddenly a jet screamed past and landed directly in front of them in the street, transforming.
"I found you!"
"Starscream!" Phoenix gasped, backing away from Optimus.
"It's me! And you know what I want, don't you?" He hissed.
Optimus quickly stepped in front of the girl, shielding her.
"She doesn't have it Starscream! Leave!"
By now, people had heard the commotion, and a crowd of screaming people had gathered around the couple that had been the star of the night, The beautiful princess and robot being confronted by a giant robot.
Starscream was laughing maliciously. "Why Prime, is that you? Losing weight are we?"
Before Optimus could do anything, he was grabbed by Starscream and being crushed by his gigantic hand. Phoenix screamed. Starscream swung Optimus around smashing him into buildings and crushing him with his foot. Just as Optimus was about to be killed, Phoenix shrieked above the noise of the crowd-
"I need Optimus to be big again!"
The change was almost instantaneous. People screamed and Starscream was thrown off his feet. Optimus stood up, pulling out his sword and shaking. Starscream was horrified.
"Not so little now, huh?" Optimus growled.
Advancing on Starscream, he quickly had the upper hand, pushing the blade to Starscream's throat. Starscream pulled out a cannon and trained it on Optimus. Both glared at each other, neither able to slice or fire.
"I call a truce…for now." Starscream muttered, beaten.
Optimus, seeing that there was no other way, nodded curtly. He released himself from the death lock and turned away looking at Phoenix and the Autobots, who were now arriving behind the frantic crowd.
Phoenix watched as Starscream pulled himself up and inconspicuously loaded his arm cannon. He raised it behind Optimus and Phoenix's mind went back to the day she'd first seen them in the forest.
"Optimus look out!" She shrieked.
This time Optimus was ready for it. Before Starscream knew what hit him Optimus had whirled around and sliced him across the middle. Starscream gasped and fell back, panting.
"This…is…not… OVER!" he managed to get out before transforming and taking clumsily to the sky.
"Sir!" Said Ironhide, "Shall we follow him?"
Optimus turned to the Autobots. "Yes one of you goes. Follow him, see where he's staying, but do not attack! Roll out."
"Sir, what just happened?" Ratchet wanted to know.
"Just a minute, Ratchet." He said.
Optimus looked down at Phoenix.
"Phoenix, shrink me!"
"What?" Phoenix gasped. "I thought you'd want to stay big?"
"Just do it for a minute, please Phoenix!"
Phoenix did as she was told. Optimus stood before her, returned to human size.
"Phoenix?" He said breathlessly. He grabbed her by the shoulders.
"Yes?"
"I almost lost you tonight! I know… that we haven't known each other for a long time but… Phoenix I- I love you!"
He kissed her deeply. Phoenix sighed happily and leaned into him, wrapping her arms around his neck.
A collective sigh went through the crowd. Even Ratchet seemed pleased with the situation.
Phoenix pulled away after what seemed like an eternity of absolute bliss. Optimus wrapped his arms around her waist.
"I love you too." She smiled.
"Will you marry me?" Optimus asked.
Phoenix laughed. It wasn't your everyday proposal, but that didn't really matter to her.
"Of course!"