One Secret Too Many
008

Miranda found the Autobot leader out on the firing range with his Weapon Specialist. Ironhide kept showing off his large cannons as he fired at the training dummies. During her time spent at base, Miranda learned from Lennox that the Autobots constantly liked to train with their weapons so special dummies were made to allow that to happen.

Miranda watched as Ironhide fired at the dummy. It exploded into pieces before somehow being drawn back together. Miranda didn't know how it worked, but she figured Ratchet did something about it. However, recently a few other Autobots had arrived. One by the name of Wheeljack who worked closely with Ratchet. Maybe he had stepped in and created the dummies to self-repair.

Optimus took a step up. She watched as he pulled out his blaster and pointed. The dummy once again flew into pieces before repairing itself. When Miranda finally made it beside them, she saw that the two Autobots were not the only one at the scene.

Prowl stood to the side. His dissatisfaction of Miranda still shown even after Sideswipe and Sunstreaker talked with her. His response still triggered something within her mind and heart, something that scared her with an answer she wasn't sure she wanted to know.

The sound of the blaster firing caught Miranda to watch. Optimus' weapon blasted the dummy into pieces a second time. His armor shined from the blast. She saw how his optics held happiness as he returned the blaster to his subspace.

"Show off," commented the Weapon Specialist as he turned to sit upon the ground. Ironhide saw Miranda and waved his servo at her. "Look who it is: Fleshy with a Mystery."

Optimus turned and smiled. He approached Miranda and dropped to his knee. With his big form hiding Miranda, no one saw how Prime ran a single digit down Miranda's back and slowly curling the digits around her waist, lifting her to his faceplate. He pressed his dermas against her head and trailed them against her neck. Miranda only laughed quietly before pushing against the large mech.

If anyone had seen the interaction between the two, besides the few who knew, the secret between Miranda Taylor and Optimus Prime would have been spilled. However, could this secret actually have more hidden secrets buried beneath it?

.:%:.

"Who was she?"

Miranda sat upon the cliff, watching the sun set as red, yellow, and orange danced across the moving water. Once the fun had finished at the firing grounds, Miranda had asked Optimus to go for a drive which eventually led them to the cliff looking over the ocean. Prime had converted into his Peterbilt alt-mode. His human holoform sat behind her while she sat in between his raised knees. His arms were wrapped around her as she leaned back against him.

"Hmm?" He asked as he pressed a soft kiss against the top of her head.

"Megatron, when he had me, he mention that he would have had you if it wasn't because of her. Prowl said she was your last sparkmate. Who was she?"

Optimus eyes widen as he grabbed Miranda's shoulders and turned her to face him. "What did Megatron do to you?"

Miranda dropped her head, "Nothing. He didn't penetrate, at least it didn't feel like he did."

"Penetrate?" Miranda nodded her head. "If I didn't arrive, he would have…"

Again, Miranda nodded. Prime stood and started pacing. His hands dropped to his sides clenching into fists. Miranda stood and brought a hand to her face as she sighed deeply. "Prime, nothing happened. You saved me."

"Still, to get you that close to him, to almost lose you."

Miranda laughed lightly as she raised her head and rolled her eyes. "Lose me? You will never lose me. I am with you, not Megatron."

Optimus stopped and walked over to grabbed Miranda's shoulders forcing her to look him in the eyes, "If Megatron succeeded in claiming you in bipedal, you would have been his."

Miranda pushed away, "That is stupid. Yes, he would have hurt me, but that would not make me his. I am not someone's possession. I do not belong to someone."

"Miranda, you need to understand," stated Optimus. He let go of Miranda's shoulders and started pacing around once more. He stopped before her and dragged his fingers through his hair. "We are Cybertronians. To take a mate, we first choose our intended, ask them to bare our marks, and then interface. Megatron skipped the steps. He was going to make you his no matter what, forcing the last step on you."

"Wait, wait. Stop one minute," cried Miranda as she waved her hands before her and shook her head. "When you asked me to be your intended, you were asking me… Is that almost like asking someone to marry you?"

"I guess in your human words, it would be similar."

"So, your previous sparkmate?"

Optimus nodded once more as he received a deep sigh, "Yes. In your human terms, she was my previous wife, killed by Megatron. Her name was Elita One."

Miranda looked up at Optimus before dropping to look at the ground. "I see," she murmured quietly. Prowl's statement started racing through her mind. She tried blinking her eyes to make the possibilities disappear. Is this what the black and white mech meant? Would it be wise to reject Prime's offer and decline a chance to marry him? Would this actually protect him more?

Optimus walked towards Miranda and placed one of his hands on her shoulder while using the other to lift her face, his thumb tracing small circles against her cheek. "Is something wrong?" He asked cautiously.

Miranda tried shaking her head and even voicing the word no, but nothing seemed to actually work. Her body felt frozen from the amount of information she just received in a short amount of time. She figured she must have taken too long on responding for Optimus dropped his hands and took a step back.

Miranda watched as Optimus released his holoform and revved the engine of the Peterbilt, the passenger door opening. The young woman swallowed hard before climbing into the semi. The drive back to base was quiet, and the young woman knew probably why.

.:%:.

Laughs echoed out of the main hangar as the custom red and blue Peterbilt rolled to a stop. The passenger door opened and Miranda stepped down. She watched as the door closed and Prime drove over to the Autobot's hangar. Ratchet stepped out of the Med Bay with a confused look upon his faceplates. Tears pooled and fell from Miranda's eyes as she wrapped an arm around her waist, her body remain poised and calm, but inside she felt nothing like that.

Hanging her head down, the young woman walked towards the human's living quarters. Looking around the base, Miranda disappeared inside to her room. She pulled out her small bag and packed what little she had before stepping out. Stepping outside, she glanced around the small hidden base before crossing over to the vehicle hangar. She rolled a motorcycle out and revved the engine before disappearing out of the base and down the black road.

Tears flung off her face as she pulled each silence gasp, the motorcycle racing down the black asphalt towards the small town the island had been named after. She stopped at a small run-down inn and laid the motorcycle upon the ground. An older man sat behind the counter when she walked through the door.

"I need a room for the night and any idea on leaving the island," asked Miranda as she pulled out a few paper bills.

The older man took the money and reached for a key. "Room three. Tomorrow morning, a plane stops to bring supplies. If you have the right cash, they might take you to Europe, Asia, or even North America."

Miranda thanked the man and stepped outside, only to shortly gasp. Major Lennox and Ratchet stood before her, or at least the Autobot medic's holoform. The woman rolled her eyes and walked over to Room Three. She opened the door and allowed the two men to follow. The room contained one queen size bed. The room felt old and stale.

Miranda sat upon the bed just as Ratchet closed the door. "Why are you here?" asked the young woman. She crossed her arms and legs before narrowing her eyes at the two men.

Lennox placed his arms on his hips and bent forward, eyes narrowed, "We should be asking you that question."

Miranda scoffed before rolling her head away, "It's better this way."

"Really," retorted Ratchet, his eyebrow raised high. He stood leaning against the wall. "Bumblebee overheard what Prowl said to you. Are you really taking his words to heart? Are you really going to just abandon Optimus?"

Miranda sighed deeply as she shook her head. She saw her reflection, eyes red and face blotchy as she looked within the cracked mirror. "Wouldn't it be wise?" She asked quietly as she glanced over her shoulder to the Autobot medic. "No human wife to worry about."

"Wife?" asked Lennox unexpectantly as he turned to look at Ratchet. "What is she talking about?"

"Cybertronian cultures and relationships. When a mech finds a femme he wants to bond with, certain steps are taken: state the intention, request the mark, interface to join the spark," replied Ratchet as he moved to sit beside Miranda. Miranda adjusted so that she could bring her legs up to her chest. "Prime stated you were his intended. Is that why you ran?"

"It would be easier. He said Megatron came close to taking me away from him."

Ratchet nodded, "If Megatron had penetrated, he would have. By Cybertronian laws, you would have been mated to Megatron. He would have concluded it by joining you to his spark with or without your saying."

"I'm human, though," complained Miranda. She slammed her hand down upon the bed causing dust to fly. "I am not someone's possession. Megatron couldn't keep me away from Optimus if something like that would have happened."

"Unless Optimus has started his claim upon you, any Cybertronian would have known that you belong to Megatron. A certain field released from his spark would be traceable on you letting others know."

Miranda wanted to say something, but her eyes froze in memory. Inside Prime's alt-mode when she first saw his human holoform, when he stopped her from using the gun, Miranda wanted to feel loved, even if it was from a complete stranger. She reacted pushing up against Prime and kissing him. Pent up emotions lead one action to another.

When she woke, a blanket had been placed on her bare skin. Clothing sat folded on the passenger seat. She had dressed quickly and stepped out of the vehicle, only to meet Lennox, Epps, and a few of the Autobots before Optimus transformed and introduced himself. He claimed Miranda under his guardianship and the reason became a mystery.

Miranda swallowed hard and dropped her head to look at her hands. "Optimus has already started his claim, if what you said is how it is done."

"What?" asked Ratchet quickly.

A deep blush danced upon the young woman's face as she looked at Lennox and Ratchet. "Remember how I first met Optimus?" Lennox nodded his head slowly while Ratchet just listened. "After he talked me down, I promptly kissed him. Well, one thing led to another and before long, I was on Diego Garcia being introduce to you all."

Lennox fell back against the wall, his hand dragging down his face. "Before even knowing who he was, that is the big secret between you and Prime?" Miranda nodded her head, a dusting of red still covering her cheeks. "No wonder he demanded his reason was enough."

Ratchet nodded, "I knew something had changed, but since Miranda and Prime showed no affection between each other, I could not be sure. Did you accept his mark?"

Miranda shook her head, "He never asked me only if I would be his intended. I said yes, but I didn't know what it meant. What is the mark?"

"It is not a physical mark but an energy reading that Cybertronians can see. It tells another mech that this femme has been chosen and the steps are in motion. That reading hasn't been applied, however. I could only tell that something had happened, just not what."

Miranda fell back upon the bed, her arms raising above her. She groaned lightly before sitting up. "I didn't understand anything and when Sideswipe and Prowl talked to me, I didn't know what to think. Was Optimus in love with Megatron?"

Ratchet started laughing forcing both humans to look at him with confused looks. He slowly stopped and waved his hand, "No. Quite the opposite. Megatron grew deep feelings for Optimus and wanted more with him and even tried but only during his time as Orion Pax, the data clerk within the Halls of Iacon. When Orion became Optimus Prime, things changed. Optimus only had eyes for femme, and one femme at the time: his past sparkmate, Elita One."

"I take it there is more to the story," commented Miranda as she stared the Autobot medic's holoform.

Ratchet chuckled, "Oh yes. Stories regarding Optimus when he became a Prime and his life before when he was Orion Pax, but that is getting off topic. You need to return to base with us."

Miranda froze before shaking her head. "I am human, Ratchet. What life could I give him?"

"Does Prime give you attention? Does he show you that he loves you? If you can say yes to these questions, then you already have your answer. A life without love is a life not worth living," spoke Ratchet.

Miranda watched as he looked around the room at Lennox before landing his blue eyes upon her. He had a strange look within his eyes, almost as if he was lost in a sad memory and not wanting it to repeat.

"When he lost Elita, most Autobots thought the war was lost. Prime didn't have the motivation to carry on. He blocked all emotions and fought head on against any Decepticon. When the Allspark left Cybertron, Prime thought of doing it on his own. I knew it was a suicide mission hidden in a task for Cybertron. Ironhide and I decided to go with him to prevent that. He still tried to take that path if it wasn't for Sam."

Miranda swallowed hard before standing, her hand in a tight fist before her chest. She looked at Major Lennox and then at Ratchet before slowly nodding. "I will return. I still love him, Ratchet, and that is a feeling that will never change, even if I am human."

.:%:.

The lights of the base illuminated the buildings in shadows. A few of the soldiers stood outside the main hangar along with some of the remaining Autobots. Optimus still had not emerged from the Autobot hangar since he dropped Miranda off. Miranda wondered if Optimus would ever speak to her again, especially since she reacted so wrongly.

Ratchet pulled to a stop. He opened both his driver side and passenger side doors allowing both Miranda and Major Lennox to step out. Ratchet transformed once both put some distance away from him. Ironhide walked over to Ratchet with a confused look upon his faceplate.

"Where did Fleshy with a Mystery disappear to?" chuckled the Weapon Specialist.

Miranda crossed her arms and turned to stare at the Autobot medic, "Are you really going to allow that nickname to stick?"

Ratchet narrowed his optics at the woman, "Are you planning to let all Cybertronians know what is happening between you and Optimus?"

Lennox started laughing forcing Miranda to turn upon the human. He waved his hand in front of himself as he inhaled and exhaled deeply. "I'm sorry, Andi, but Ratchet is right. If you want what happened between you and the Big Guy to remain just between you and him, that nickname will stick. It's your decision, though, after you speak to him first."

Miranda swallowed hard before nodding, "Yeah. If he will talk to me, that is."

Miranda ignored everyone's look and walked over to the Autobot's hangar. No lights could be seen penetrating from inside. She figured that either the Bots didn't need light or Optimus had been the only one to arrive. She walked around the hangar side, looking for that one switch. When she found it, a small light ate through some of the shadows.

The Autobot leader sat near the back within a lone corner transformed into his alt-mode. Miranda swallowed hard and calmed her breathing before slowly walking over to the quietly rumbling red and blue Peterbilt. She stopped before the hood, feeling as the warm heat drifted over her skin. She smiled softly as it reminded her of when he held her closely to him, protecting her from the elements when they sat together on the cliff.

Miranda traced her hand upon the grill, feeling the heat penetrate her hand. She followed the hood over the painted flames to the passenger door. Pulling the handle, the door opened with ease. She climbed the steps and shut the door behind her. Removing her shoes, the woman brought her legs upon the seat.

"I don't know if you are in recharge or if you can hear me," started the young woman as she traced her hand upon the leather. The vehicle hummed quietly, no sign if the Autobot leader sat awake or not.

Through the windscreen, she saw Ratchet and Lennox looking into the hangar. Again, Miranda turned to look within the cabin of the Peterbilt, her eyes directing themselves to the small radio that usually flickered with blue lights when Prime spoke. Water pricked against her eyes, but no tears seemed to fall, only a melancholy feeling as she smiled.

"I never meant to hurt you, if that is how you took it," continued Miranda as she glanced around within the cabin. The sleeper in back brought plenty of memories, but the closest had been the night she first met Prime's human holoform. "Sunstreaker and Sideswipe started teasing me again, but Prowl brought some topics up. He caused me to doubt myself, if I would be worthy enough to have the love of such a great Autobot especially since I am only human."

Miranda rose her head and sniffled quietly, tears threatening to spill from his eyes. A few fell and she brushed them off with the side of her hand. She looked once more out of the front windscreen. Ironhide now stood beside Ratchet along with the terror twins and Prowl. She could see Prowl talking with Ratchet. It almost looked like they were arguing. She figured it was regarding her and what Ratchet had learned.

Miranda returned her eyes to the interior of the Peterbilt and the small radio. "I actually thought leaving would prevent heartache for us both." The young woman started lightly laughing. "It was Ratchet and Lennox that stopped me, though. Ratchet explained some things, but if I am honest with myself, I don't care about any of that. If anything, it proved only one thing. I love you, Optimus Prime, and I would gladly be yours."

Taking one more look through the interior cab, Miranda reached for her shoes and turned to step out of the vehicle when a solid hand gently touched her shoulder. A few tears continued to roll down her cheek as she looked at said hand. It moved to wipe the tears away before gently causing the woman to turn around.

A human knelt beside her dressed in a red and blue t-shirt and dark jeans. His bright blue eyes shined throughout the cab as one hand gripped her own and the other wiped tears away. Miranda smiled softly before sliding from the chair. Optimus wrapped his arms around the woman as she buried herself against his chest.

His voice sounded muffled against her hair as he spoke, "I wouldn't have asked if I didn't feel the same. Miranda Taylor, I love you and want to spend my life with you even if you are human."