Moving on chapter 9
He had done what he could to explain what had happened. Sure, a letter wasn't the best way but it had been the first thing he had thought of doing. While Sideways was listening to music and singing along somewhat badly, Sentinel had taken out a data pad and a big pencil (don't ask where he got it). He then began writing out everything that he would say to Peaches if she were there.
The Prime had to admit that she had a lot of nuts and bolts for a femme, immediately going against him whereas the other Autobots had been too shocked by Ironhide's death to do so. Sure, she had lost the fight and had no strategy as she was running on pure emotion but he was still impressed. He continued writing, while getting a horrible processor ache and a lot of guilt eating at his spark. When he finished it, and added a 2nd message just for Optimus, he hid it in a random human location, under rubble that had resulted from the Decepticons first taking the city.
Now, Sentinel could only watch as Peaches recharged with her family. Being a Prime himself, he had sensed her bond with Optimus and that the former protégé of his was showing her some memories but he himself could not see them. What surprised him was that she seemed to be slowly letting go of her hatred of him and trying not to think "I'd do anything to have my teammates back" thoughts. He only wished that only good would come to her not for his sake but for the sake of her and everybody else; they did not deserve what he had done to them and shouldn't have to go through anything worse, if there was anything worse than what had happened in Chicago.
"I can't call you anything other than an idiot as your plan really wasn't going to work when you look at it from a scientific standpoint" Jolt sighed sadly, now that he had finally heard from Wheeljack what exactly had happened.. He hadn't expected for Sentinel to have passed on here to the Well of All Sparks only recently. "There's nothing any of us can do now to make it right but it's not too late for her to move on when she is ready. Knowing Peaches, I can say that she's been through so much and yet is still the strongest Cybertronian that I've seen; she will be okay."
Sentinel didn't reply; he just walked off, alone with his thoughts…
(Peaches' bond dream with Optimus)
She had been shown what it had been like when Optimus and Megatron were sparklings. Peaches couldn't help but remark when they returned to the beach "It's hard to believe that someone that cute grew up to be one of the most feared mechs of all time."
"Just remember, it is our choices that determine who we are; you do not have to choose to be a certain way just because you grew up in a certain situation." Optimus Prime said to her.
Peaches gave him a hug. "Thanks for showing that to me; you playing with him reminds me of Abby and Crystal when they play together. It's weird but in a good way."
The Autobot leader had a sad smile on his face but sent a wave of comfort the Pretender's way. Now they would have to leave and go back to reality…
(End dream sequence)
Peach had awakened and was ready to spend time with her family today, and then go shopping with Ashley that night. Hopefully, she'd find a good dress that she liked and would not be ashamed to wear as a human.
"Peaches, I need to show you something." Someone said.
Peaches turned around and saw Mirage standing outside of her door. "What is it?" she asked.
The red Autobot led her to the basement, where Wheeljack's lab full of inventions had been left behind. Since no one had been on base until 2 days ago, it had remained untouched. The Pretender didn't like that she was feeling horrible all over again but then saw Mirage picking up something that looked like a Transformer-sized iPod.
"Wheeljack wanted to give this to you as an early birthday present; he finished it about 2 days before the mission to Chernobyl." He said, handing it and a note to the orange and red femme.
Peaches read the note and got tears in her eyes
Hey Peach,
I don't think I'll be able to give this to you personally but I hope you enjoy it. I've been working on it since Christmas and it's finally finished. I've found a lot of your favorite songs and put them on there. Don't break it or lose it; it's the only Cybertronian sized iPod in existence.-
Wheeljack
"I can't believe he was working on a birthday present 2 months early…oh, I've got to get something for Crystal when I go out tonight with Ashley!' Peaches remembered. "That random reminder aside, thanks for giving this to me; I think he would have wanted you to do that."
She then parted ways with the sometimes speaking in Italian Autobot and put the big iPod in subspace. She poured cereal into bowls for Abby and Aaron and gave Crystal a small cube of energon and got 2 others for herself and Sideways.
"So how is my beautiful femme this morning?" Sideways asked after he had taken a sip of energon and put the cube back down.
"Fine thanks for asking." She replied.
The day went relatively well until the middle of the afternoon when Prowl came in and told Peaches something she did not want to here.
"Optimus wasn't actually successful with killing Barricade; the latter is in the brig mainly as a precautionary measure." He said.
Peaches stood there in shock. "Does he want any visitors?" she finally managed to ask.
Prowl said yes and then took the Pretender down to the basement where the Cybertronian brig was. While watching them walk away, Crystal asked 'Uncle Oreo bad boy?"
"Yes, he was being bad." Sideways knew that what had happened was not Barricade's fault; he had been controlled by Soundwave to seemingly ensure that the former interrogation officer was really coming back to their side. This had been explained over a comlink to him shortly before Optimus had shot the black and white Cybertronian.
The small sparkling of course was too young to understand it; she was safe in her own world instead of the harsh reality that her parents had to deal with…
Barricade was slightly surprised that Peaches did actually come and visit him. Although she wasn't showing any emotion, he could tell that she had mixed feelings after finding out the truth.
"You are very lucky that I did not have to see Wheeljack's execution and then go berserk on you like I did when Sentinel killed Ironhide." The Pretender said angrily. "Do you realize how hard it is to stand there and watch somebody close to you have their life ended and you can't do anything about it?"
The ex-Decepticon did not reply; he just sat in silence and let the femme vent and explain what she was tempted to do to him if Optimus had allowed it.
"The only reason I am not going to do any of those things is because it wouldn't give me any satisfaction and I don't want my kids to want to resort to the same thing." She finished as she calmed down. "I never thought I'd say this but here I go with it anyways"
Peaches said 3 words that Barricade had not expected to hear.
"I forgive you."
He was very shocked upon hearing that and even more so when Prowl let him out. The Pretender wrapped up the ex-Decepticon in a hug, tears streaming down her face but these were tears of relief rather than sadness.
"I never thought I'd hear you say that to anyone other than Sideways." Barricade admitted. "Thank you Peaches."
"Well, I needed to get at least one thing off of my chest if I'm going to be able to continue with living life." She replied. "I know it wasn't intentional on your part and even if it was, I would still forgive you."
Soon, Optimus Prime had come down to see what the commotion was. When Prowl had explained it, the Autobot leader said "She is the stronger person for having done that. I can only hope that she will be able to handle the stress of packing up and moving to her new home in 12 days."
Peaches finally let go of Barricade and said "Optimus, moving will be a piece of cake compared to doing that. If you will both excuse me please." She went back upstairs to make sure that she had enough money to buy Crystal a birthday present.
Barricade turned to Optimus. "Prime, I don't understand how she was able to do that."
"Peaches has been taught her whole life by her human parents about forgiveness; it does not mean that whatever was done to her was made okay, it simply means that she does not wish to attempt to harm you in an act of revenge." The Autobot leader explained. "Perhaps someday you will learn this as well."
The ex-'Con was silent as he went back into his cell and Prowl locked the brig again. Optimus Prime left to help Ratchet tend to the hatchlings, trying to think of why he hadn't been as forgiving as the Pretender had been…
(Optimus Prime's personal log)
Perhaps Peaches could teach me a thing or two after I have witnessed what she was able to do today: forgiving one of our former enemies. Tonight she went out with Ashley to buy a birthday present for Crystal and formal clothing for herself, Aaron, Abby and the orange and blue sparkling to wear to the dinner that she has to go to. Sam and Carly will also be there as will I in order to help with getting back on good terms with Earth's people. I have the hope that we will be successful with that.
When she got back, Peaches walked outside; I followed her and listened as she began to sing the same song that she had first sung when we were taking Sentinel Prime on a tour of Earth.
When you were standing in the wake of devastation
When you were waiting on the edge of the unknown
With the cataclysm raining down, insides crying save me now
You were there and possibly alone
Do you feel cold and lost in desperation? You build up hope but failure's all you've known
Remember all the sadness and frustration and let it go, let it go
The only Autobot Pretender on my team had tears rolling down her face as she had finished singing the chorus; I couldn't help but smile sadly again. If she could slowly let go of everything that had caused her pain, could I not do the same thing?
"Optimus" Peaches sighed. "What are you doing out here?"
"I did not mean to interrupt you, my friend." I told her.
"I'm going to pretend you're not there while singing the rest of this." She said as she continued the song.
And in the burst of light that blinded every angel
As if the sky had blown the heavens into stars
You felt the gravity of temper grace, falling into empty space
No one there to catch you in their arms
Do you feel cold and lost in desperation?
You build up hope but failure's all you've known
Remember all the sadness and frustration
And let it go, let it go
Peaches sang the chorus one more time and then I told her "That is indeed a very beautiful song about moving on from past events."
"I think the reason why Sentinel mentioned it in his letter to me was because he knew that it would help me and possibly someone else in the aftermath of what happened." She explained. "That doesn't mean I'm going to say anything else good about him since I didn't know him that well."
I understood that and gave her a hug. "Remember, tomorrow is a joyful occasion and I wish for you to be able to wish Crystal a 'happy birthday'."
"I'll be able to Optimus; that's what every one of them would want." Peaches transformed into her human form and I grabbed her before she could hit the ground. She then fell asleep in my arms.
I did not understand why she suddenly felt the need to regress to a childlike state of mind but carried her inside to her room, as though she was a sparkling being put down for a nap.
"Prime, thanks for looking out for her." Sideways told me as I put his sparkmate down on a human sized bed and then put a blanket over her and moved her hair out of her face.
"You are very welcome; I am never one to break promises." I replied.
I left the room and returned to my own quarters. Elita had left a message saying that the clean-up in Chicago was going well. I am now in a more peaceful state of mind and ready to recharge but I cannot help but wonder why I have had a bad feeling about the "moving day" for Peaches and her family…
Author's note: Next chapter is Crystal's b-day and then Peaches' little family moving off of base, more or less. I will get to that chapter when I can.