I hope I've done all you beautiful readers proud by putting up all of these, finally! Here's chapter 9 my loves, it's a sad one but don't worry - all of the pieces are being put into place! Hopefully, I'll be able to get the chapter 10 up by the middle of this week. It'll only get darker from here loves. THANK YOU ALL: for the messages, reviews, rates, follows, favorites. etc. It all means the ENTIRE world to me, truly, thank you!

Warning: May be a little graphic, or too violent in nature for anyone under the age of 15 or so.

Enjoy~

009

My figure quivered slightly from the plane, and the left over adrenaline of shedding tears. Sam and I sat across from Mearing, I staring emptily at the ocean below us, and Sam looking straight ahead. My thoughts drifted from Mikaela's safety, to Sam's level of sane, and then making a roundabout to Optimus – the one thing I did not want to think about. After what seemed like days, Mearing spoke up with a slight cough,

"If there's anything either of you two know – anything that could be of importance – now is the time to speak up." Mearing beady eyes traveled between the two of us.

"The Autobots don't have a way of leaving this planet." I mumbled, slightly ignoring her question.

With a brow raised, and a slight smirk on her lips she replied, "That's where you're wrong."

My eyes narrowed at her, "Don't look so cheerful Mearing – if I didn't know any better I'd say you're happy that the only source of protection earth has is fleeing our atmosphere."

She huffed slightly, her prim hands sitting properly in her lap.

"I follow what the government says, whether I like it or not."

"That's not too smart now is it?" Sam retorted, his lips curled in anger.

"You don't have to like it, but that's how this job goes. I follow orders from above, and those below me follow my orders – or else."

That ended the conversation between the three of us, until I could feel the rumble of the plane getting ready to land. I glanced back out of the window only to see a small island, and a enormous rocket sitting atop of it.

"It's name is the Xanthium, it's what brought the second wave of Autobots to earth." Mearing spoke up, seeing my shocked expression.

I said nothing, my heart only sinking further down into my chest; now the Autobots had a sure fire way of leaving this planet. Optimus was leaving for good. I could feel the little tears begin to drag themselves down in my chest as I studied the area, it almost felt like this was all too much for me. Sam rested a hand on my shoulder, and my head whipped around to look at him – eyes filled to the brim with tears. We gave each other knowing looks, we knew what we had to do.

We'd have to betray our friends, our family, in order to save ourselves.

Can I do that? I found myself wondering, I don't know. An overwhelming feeling of disgust washed through me as I thought of going against everything I stood for, all the effort we'd made to fight the Decepticons gone to waste, all because I didn't want to die?

~*~ Optimus ~*~

"Is everything loaded?" Optimus asked Ironhide, who was still recovering from his earlier wounds.

He nodded in response, "Yes Optimus, everything is set."

"What're you going to do about –"

"Report to your station Jazz." Optimus interrupt Jazz.

The smaller of the three could sense the tension radiating from his leader, but this 'bot didn't take hints too well.

"Prime, you might not ever see her again. Didn't you two just reunite?"

"Don't you think I know this information Jazz." Optimus half-growled.

"I'm jus' sayin', if Delyia were my femme I'd –"

"She's not your femme, and you're not me. Get back to your station." Optimus ordered.

Jazz threw up his hands in defeat, "Fine, but don't say I didn't warn you. You'll regret not waiting for her Optimus Prime."

With his last words, Jazz waltzed away leaving a very awkward Ironhide and angered Optimus Prime.

"Optimus –"

"Don't 'Hide, please." Optimus half-begged.

Ironhide nodded, knowing better than to push his leaders buttons. No one understood just what Optimus was going through. Never before had his spark been so attached to another being, he was consumed by her presence. But he couldn't afford to be, especially not now that he was leaving this world. Delyia surely go with him, her fragile human body would not survive in the great beyond. Thus there was only one option, no mater how hard it would be for him, he would have to let her go. His spark would forever be intertwined with her energy, but he would no longer be able to physically see her – he'd only be left with memories of her scent, wisps of her laughter. Optimus felt a tug at his spark at the thought of only having memories, he hoped that his plan would work – but if it didn't he'd have no choice but to stay away. He was a Prime after all, and they kept their word, no matter the cost. No sooner had those thoughts crossed his processor did he hear the rumble of earth vehicles coming to a halt nearby. Optimus turned to face the source of the noise, his optics caught sight of the source of his hesitation. His spark swelled with emotion as he saw her long dark hair billow in the slight earth breeze, he noticed her human optics were tinged with red. At that moment he felt like going to her, holding her in his palm, and making sure she knew that everything would be okay, that he would love her for eternity.

But he knew better, if he dared utter those binding words to her then he would bound to her side; his spark would make sure of that. However, he could not leave her in bad terms either, he had put her through enough as it is, and he did not want to cause her any more pain. His optics crossed the watch on her wrist, and to his surprise Sam had one wrapped around his arm as well. This puzzled Optimus greatly, as now they both seemed on edge and Mikaela was nowhere in sight, as well as the blonde that Sam had recently become involved with. Optimus's optic-ridge rose in suspicion, no I should not be suspicious of them Sentinel -, Sentinel turned out to be a double agent. Optimus reminded himself of that fact, and he then felt himself grow further confused. Could he really trust anything Sentinel said? He attempted to shake off the feeling of dread, as Sam and Delyia stood a few yards away, waiting for himself Optimus assumed.

~*~ Delyia ~*~

As I stepped out of the government sedan, I tried in vain not to look directly at Optimus. My eyes stung from crying earlier, and the pain only worsened as more tears sprung to life. I had come to the dreaded realization that this would be the last time I would physically be able to look upon Optimus's visage. He would be leaving forever, and I wouldn't be allowed to keep a single thing that could remind me of him. There was never even a single picture taken, since he was a government secret.

"Make your goodbye's quick Sam, Delyia. They need to be off soon." Mearing muttered, turning to make preparations for the Autobot's flight out.

"Delyia, Sam!" We heard a familiar voice yell out.

Sam and I turned to see Epps running at us, a wild grin on his face. I felt myself, surprisingly, give a small smile as he wrapped his arms around the both of us.

"Really sucks about the Autobot's huh? I can't believe we won't be working with them anymore." Epps groaned, Sam nodding in agreement.

"Yeah, they're making a mistake. I just hope they realize it before it's too late."

"It's not lookin' so good right now then." Epps rubbed his head with a hard sigh.

"Yeah." Sam sighed, scuffing his shoes against the earth.

"Look, I gotta get back to work now, but let's catch up soon okay?" Epps waved before he turned to run off back where he came from.

"It's now or never." I muttered, my voice sounding hoarse.

Sam nodded, and placed a gentle arm around me.

"Stay strong okay?"

Taking a deep breath, we walked over to the bridge as Optimus approached us, Jazz following shortly behind. The thirty-two foot Autobot leader kneeled before us, his ocean optics shifted back and forth between Sam and I.

"What your leaders say is true – this was all my fault."

"Optimus! Don't you dare –"

He held up a hand to stop me from continuing,

"I told them whom to trust, I was so wrong." He solemnly huffed, running a hand over his seemingly exhausted face.

"That doesn't make it your fault – just makes you human for a change." Sam consoled, his hand was planted firmly at his side.

No sooner had I noticed Sam, did my own arm begin to twinge with pain. I nearly winced but attempted to conceal as much as I could. I would bear with the pain for as long as possible, making sure the Decepticons didn't get what they wanted – I had decided I wouldn't betray my family over something like this. The pain only increased with those thoughts running through my head, but I bite down and gritted through it.

"Remember this: You may lose your faith in us, but never in yourselves." Optimus gave us a half-Autobot smile.

Bee came up and chirped, Optimus looked at him and nodded, "Make it quick."

Bee and Sam walked a little ways away, leaving me, Jazz, and Optimus standing together.

"I'm gonna miss you little girl." Jazz grumbled, running a gentle thumb on my back.

"I –" I couldn't get the words out without choking up, "I'm going to miss you both, so much." Towards the end I let out sob, my hands rushing up to hold myself.

"You humans are so emotional." Jazz joked, waving his hands about as if to shoo away the feelings.

I half laughed, half cried as he knelt down as well.

"What am I going to do without you two here?" I wept into myself, not trying to compose myself any longer.

"Live." Jazz shrugged, and Optimus shot him a look.

"Well look at the time, I should go say good-bye to Sam too, huh?" Jazz grinned before stomping off to Sam and Bee.

My eyes turned to Optimus's, we stood together for a few moments in silence.

"Delyia, I –"

"I know Optimus, you have to do what is right." I whispered.

He let out a groan, running his hand on his face for the second time in five minutes.

"Delyia, please do not make this harder on me than it already is."

I feebly attempted to wipe away tears with my shaky hands,

"I know, I'm sorry – I'm sorry I just –"

I shrugged, not knowing what to say.

"You must learn to live without my for now, Delyia. There's nothing to be done, your government had made their choice."

"What if I don't want to live without you though? You've been a part of life – off and on – for over five years. What if I don't want to live in a world where I can't be with you?"

"Please, do not ever let those words cross your mind again. You must learn to move on Delyia, and though it hurts my spark to say this, it is the truth."

"Yeah – I know you're right, but love is not something I can control as you obviously can tell." I gestured to my tear stained cheeks.

I looked over to see Sam, Bee, and Jazz walking back over to us, with each step they took, the stinging pain in my arm intensified. I felt my eyes bulge out of her sockets, and I was sure my face was red as a beet by the time they joined us.

"Are you al –"

"We've got an Energon reading!" Someone screamed.

"Optimus – It's Megatron!" ''Hide bellowed from somewhere in the rocket.

No sooner had he yelled his name, did Megatron swoop down and land behind Optimus.

"Watch your beloved perish, Prime." Megatron glowered, raising his gun in our direction.

His shot rang out, resounding in my ears, and then he was gone, flying off into the blue abyss. I felt my body jolt, as if I'd been hit by a bowling ball, but I felt no pain. All my mind could comprehend was that I was falling backward, and I didn't know why. All too soon I felt my head hitting the floor, and my body sprawling and tumbling. I tried moving my limbs but nothing seemed to be working. I didn't understand, why couldn't I move anything?

~*~ No One's POV ~*~

Delyia laid, her small body spread out on the cool metal of the bridge, her form unmoving but her eyes wide open. The small green orbs darted back and forth, her mouth hanging wide open but silent. Sam turned to see his sister on the floor, and a gaping hole in her abdomen. Singed skin outlined the crevice, as her internal organs were on display for the world to see, blood squirted out in random places. The hole didn't stay that size for long, as seconds ticked by the gap only grew, and the remains of the body turned to ash in its wake.

"S-Sam, what's happening –" She managed to mutter as Sam fell to his knees beside her.

"Delyia, Delyia no! Someone do something please!" Sam shrieked, his hands plastered to each side of his face.

Bee whimpered as Sam yelled and howled for someone to do something. Jazz rushed forward to try to get to her, but Bee held him back. The silver bot cried out in anger and horror.

"Delyia? Wake up! Dammit move, do something!" Jazz cried, falling to his knees.

Delyia's eyes landed on Optimus's optics, his mouth was ajar, - she'd never seen him stand that still for so long.

"O-Opti-" she heaved, foam bubbling up from her mouth.

Her eyes went dark then, her breathing slowed to nothing, and the twitching of her limbs was silenced. Sam's howls of agony could be heard throughout the area, and all stood frozen in horrified shock. How had Megatron gotten in and out so fast?

Delyia's body slowly ate itself away: her abdomen no longer existed, soon her legs, arms, and chest turned to ash. Soon there was nothing left to fizzle away, her hair, her eyes, lips, cheeks, everything dried up and laid in a pile of grey matter before them.

"W-what just happened?! Delyia no! Don't you leave me, God dammit all!" Sam roared into the silent air.

A small wind picked up shortly after, causing Delyia's ashes to drift away with the breeze; leaving nothing behind of her existence. In all of the commotion Sam caused, no one noticed Delyia's watch had released itself from her wrist, and crawled away, disappearing into the hills beyond.

~*~Optimus~*~

Time slowed down as Optimus turned to be face to face with his greatest enemy, Megatron.

"Watch your beloved perish, Prime." He gutturally sneered, and in a flash of blinding light he was gone as quick as he'd came.

By the time he has looked back to see what had been hit, the scent of burnt flesh had already entered his scent sensors. No, Primus let it not be so. Unfortunately, luck never seemed to be on the Autobot leader's side, and there laid the remains of his once sparkmate. Her fragile body he'd come to adore was spread out, with an enormous fissure in her midsection. Once his processor understood what had happened, it froze. Optimus could not move, he could not utter a single word, he was frozen. And he didn't move, not as her body slowly burned away in front of him, not as she attempted to utter his name one last time, and definitely not as the remains of her body drifted away in the breeze.

Then all at once, his body seemed to snap back together, everything coming to him all in a rush of emotions.

"No!" He bellowed, falling to his knees, drips of Energon escaped his optics.

Optimus felt his spark being torn to shreds for the umpteenth time this lifetime.

"My Delyia, my sweetspark, my love," Optimus muttered to himself, his hands wringing themselves.

"I cannot bear this, I cannot – I cannot bear this –" He mumbled to himself, slightly rocking back and forth.

"P-Prime?" Jazz came up behind him, and laid a hand on his massive shoulder.

"Do not touch me!" Optimus cried out, more Energon spilling over. "Nothing will ever be okay now! There is no point now, I c-cannot bear this pain, it is too much."

"Prime, get yourself together!" A loud crack was heard, and Optimus fell to the floor, green Energon spilling from his lips.

Ironhide stood responsible, his breathing heavy with anger.

"Remember what is going on at this moment, you can grieve in the rocket." Ironhide seethed.

Optimus's optics bore blankly into Ironhide's, after what seemed like an eternity, Optimus nodded and stood up.

"W-wait!" Sam cried out, his body twitching and tears still gushing forth. "You must have a plan of attack! Tell me, I need to know this isn't over!" Sam stopped for a moment to choke back a sob, "Y-you can trust me, no human will ever know."

Optimus numbly turned to face Sam, he shook his head.

"No, there is no plan."

"So h-how are we supposed to live with ourselves?! D-Delyia just –" Sam began to cry again, his shoulder violently shaking.

"Your leaders have spoken, from here on the fight will be your own." Optimus blandly replied.

Sam narrowed his eyes, his lips spitting with hatred.

"How dare you! Don't you care?! Delyia just died! S-She's gone, for fucking ever! And you're just going to leave?! You never loved her, I know that now. And you never deserved her, not even one ounce of her love. You are the reason why she died! This is all your fucking fault!" Sam heatedly shouted at the Autobot before turning on his heel and running the other way.

"You are right, I did not deserve her, and this is all my fault." Optimus muttered before mindlessly heading towards the rocket.

This was not a love Primus would grant in this lifetime.