Another chapter for this story so soon? I must be on one heck of a writing binge! It's driving me insane to the point where I think I'm not going to keep my head together! Yup, I've gone completely insane!

Joking aside, this was perhaps one of my most emotional chapters I'd ever written regarding a birthday surprise that will surely change Jasmine's life for better or for worse! I apologise for the shortness of the chapter, but the next one is really worth every effort I put into it.

Let's see what happens, eh?

Chapter 22:

A Birthday to Remember

Five Months Later

Jason frowned as he stared at the clock up on the wall in the lounge room. It read 10:30AM. He crossed his legs nervously as the time ticked on by. He brushed back his brown hair out of his face, sighing deeply. Normally he wasn't this worried unless something was really wrong. He had every reason to be worried as today was his and Jasmine's birthday, but he didn't want to make it for him. No, he was making this day special just for Jasmine. Today it was going to be for her and her alone.

At least five months ago, when Optimus had gone to check on the other Autobots and make a few reports to the General, Optimus had called him and had discussed with him about arranging a special surprise for Jasmine on the day of the twins' birthday. Jason hadn't seen it coming, but when he had heard from Optimus on what the surprise was he had agreed to it nonetheless.

At the moment, he was sitting at home, waiting for Optimus and Jasmine to get back home. Three hours ago, he and Optimus had arranged for the party to be at their house and that Optimus would take Jasmine out while Jason got everything ready with a few extra hands added to it.

Sitting on the couch opposite from him, was Major Lennox and Epps, and on their left with their arms folded across their chests were Greg Boiling, Daniela Gonzalez, and the Cybertronian holoforms of Sideswipe, Ironhide, and Ratchet. The Arcee Sisters had to stay behind to watch the base as three newcomers had arrived a few days ago and they had to keep them in line.

All around the group, the entire lounge room and kitchen were decorated with party streamers, balloons, and a chocolate cake sat in the middle of the dining table aligned with glasses and soft drink. Midnight was lying at Jason's feet, whining softly.

"They're late," Jason sighed impatiently.

Ironhide frowned and shifted his weight from side to side uncomfortably. Sideswipe looked up from his thinking and Ratchet didn't so much as bat an eyelid, he just shrugged his shoulders and continued tapping buttons on his left arm.

The soldiers glanced at one another and Lennox emitted a sigh. "They'll get here," he reassured the boy. "Besides, the surprise doesn't get here until around 12PM. So I wouldn't worry about it too much."

"I guess so," Jason groaned. "Jasmine still isn't fully better yet. I can't help it if I worry so much about her."

"You have nothing to worry about," Ratchet said calmly, not taking his eyes off his task. "Should she have another seizure, Optimus will be there to look after her. I trained him myself on what he should do if it happens again without warning."

"I know, I know," Jason sighed, leaning forward and rubbing his temples. "It's not making it any easier for me."

"Jason, if Ratchet says they'll be fine," Greg spoke up, leaning on the wall behind him, "they'll be fine."

Jason emitted a deep sigh as he struggled to relax, but it didn't seem to come until the sound of a familiar horn blasted from outside. Relief washed over his face as he found himself scrambling to get to the door just as the Autobots' holoforms shifted into position alongside their human allies and everything became deathly quiet. Jason quickly switched off the lights and Lennox gave him a thumbs up to wish him good luck.

Nodding, Jason stepped outside to greet his little sister and Optimus.

Optimus gently leaned to one side to and Jasmine carefully slid out from the driver's seat, her cane in one hand, just as Midnight barked excitedly and rushed out to meet her owner. Jasmine's lips curled into a smile of glee as she wrapped her arms around the muscled frame of her beloved pup who had grown a lot in the past five months, but she still retained her protectiveness and devoted loyalty to the family. Optimus' human holoform projected itself from the other side of the cab, his head looking left and right to check to make sure no one was within his sights, and then he immediately shifted it to his human sized Autobot holoform.

"Welcome back, guys," Jason smiled as he wrapped his arms around his sister's shoulders. "How was the drive?"

Jasmine brushed her long hair out of her face. "Not bad," she replied as Optimus' holoform stepped up beside her and stroked behind Midnight's ears. "Optimus insisted that we see all the sights and do some exercises at the park. You would not believe how boring that was!"

Optimus quirked an optic ridge and shook his head in amusement. "Jasmine, you did say to me that you wanted to have a look around the city and go shopping. What made you think that was boring?"

The young woman laughed and she picked up a plastic bag from behind the passenger's front seat in Optimus' cab. She turned and handed it to Jason. "That's for you, Jason," she said and shot a look at Optimus. "Besides it was boring after we left the city! And I swear though, Optimus, you sound like dad."

The three laughed as Jason looked inside the bag to see what Jasmine had bought him, only widening his eyes when he saw what it was. "Seriously?" he asked, looking up at her when he pulled out a white mug from the bag. "You got be a mug?"

Jasmine nodded. "But it's not just any mug," she insisted. "Look on the side."

He did as she ordered and he felt a trickle of tears rolling down his cheeks. On the side of the mug, written in blue and red lettering was: 'Keep calm and be the best brother you can be.'

He hugged her tightly, surprising her, but he kept his strength in check in case he upset her old injuries.

Optimus stepped closer, concern written all over his faceplates. "Jason? Why are you leaking lubricant from your eyes?" he asked, his deep baritone rumbling softly.

"I'm fine, Optimus," Jason told him. "Just happy."

Optimus looked confused for a moment, but he didn't question the matter any further.

"Thanks, sis," Jason sighed, wiping the tears away. "You really have come a long way."

Jasmine winked at him as Optimus eventually guided them inside. Once they stepped through the door, Jasmine immediately hesitated at the sight of the dark room. Jason turned to her, concerned. "What's wrong?" he asked.

"Why is it dark?" she asked. "It's…"

Optimus' warm venting breath calmed her nervousness and his massive fingers found the switch. He flipped it.

"SURPRISE!"

Jasmine let off a loud squeal and she leapt into the warms of Optimus as everyone jumped out from so many hiding places at once. Jason and Optimus both laughed with amusement while Midnight barked happily. "Happy birthday, Jasmine," Jason said as Optimus gently set her back on her feet.

"You… this is why Optimus kept me away from the house?" Jasmine gasped once she found her breath, clutching her chest. "You nearly gave me a heart attack!" She punched Jason in the shoulder very roughly, earning some laughter from both Ironhide and Optimus.

Ratchet quirked an eyebrow. "Humans cannot get a heart attack unless an artery gets clogged up with blood…"

"Ratchet… not now," Sideswipe huffed a little impatiently as he rolled out from behind the lounge chair along with Ironhide and the other humans. "This is supposed to be Miss Jasmine's birthday. I do not think she needs to worry about medical issues right now."

"Then that will give me the perfect opportunity to give her biology lessons," Ratchet persisted.

"Ratchet…" Optimus rumbled from afar.

Ratchet took a nervous step back at the warning from his Prime. "Fine, fine!" he sighed. "No medical talks unless it's an emergency."

Shaking his head, Jason picked up a party hat and placed it on Jasmine's head. "Just ignore him, sis," he chuckled. "Today is your special day, as well as mine, but you're more important right now."

A soft smile crossed her lips and she embraced him and then Optimus. "Thank you both for this wonderful day," she said. Optimus' own lips curled softly and he gently took her hand in his. Jason watched as he led her over to the soldiers who all handed her birthday cards while the holoforms of Sideswipe, Ironhide, and Ratchet watched with amused expressions.

For once in his life, Jason felt that everything was going to be alright.

For the remainder of the day, the entire group chatted, ate (for the humans at least) and drank, completely enjoying themselves and being nothing more than friends and family. Optimus couldn't help but feel at ease, knowing that eventually he would no longer be needed. Watching Jasmine enjoying herself with her brother, the soldiers and the other Autobots made him realise just how precious life had to be.

He used his internal camera in his optics to record every special moment he had with Jasmine Clark and twin brother, who had grown both physically and mentally since he had first met her. No longer was she a frightened or suspicious young woman, but rather she was returning to the way she had always been long before he had met her… before the war of his people had tainted her heart and mind: warm, friendly, trusting, and kind.

He saw that in her as he kindly danced with her to the soft beat of human music. As shy as she was being with him right now, he found it strange to be in the arms of a human, even when he saw her as what the humans deemed as a surrogate daughter. He saw that in Jason too, as something he considered a son like he had with his bond with Bumblebee. Entering their lives had changed them for better or worse, and yet seeing Jasmine laughing, joking and playing cards with Sideswipe and Daniela, it made him believe that nothing was as it seemed anymore.

As the day eventually drew to a close his time with this young family, a ping crept its way into his processor and he knew that the time had finally come.

He stood up from the couch and silence fell upon the group, eyes and optics watching him intensively. "Friends," he said softly, "I believe the time has come for me to give Jasmine her final gift."

Jasmine remained respectfully silent, waiting patiently for him to continue.

"Please, if you would follow me outside the backyard."

Everyone did as he bided and they all followed behind him with Midnight staying close to Jasmine's side. The only ones who were unaware of what was going on was her, and Optimus ensured that everyone remain tight-lipped about it for good reason out of fear that Jasmine would be afraid of what was to come next.

Once they were outside, Optimus pressed a digit to the side of his head and he spoke a single word in Cybertronian that only the other Autobots understood: "Come."

It was all that needed to be said as Optimus watched Jasmine carefully for her reaction. The sound of a large approaching vehicle was enough to cause her to frown in a suspicious manner. The vehicle drew closer and closer, the high beams of yellow light illuminating the growing darkness that betrayed its presence.

A low truck horn blared as the vehicle finally came into vehicle: a large silver flamed and red Peterbilt 379. A loud gasp escaped Jasmine's lips at the sight of the vehicle and she became as still as a statue. Then, one word escaped her lips, "Silverflame?"

She reached out a hand to brush her fingertips over the silver painted flames.

"Yes, Jasmine," boomed a youthful voice from the vehicle, "it's me."

She leapt back with shock into Optimus' waiting arms as the truck immediately began to transform before their very eyes. A pair of two-toed feet and long legs stretched out from beneath the vehicle, a pair of arms spread out from the sides, the front windows and cab became a thin chest, and a red head with jagged antennae popped out from the top. Bright young optics shone beneath the red brow and the form very slowly turned to face them all.

He slowly got down on his hands and knees and everyone took one step back to give them room except for Optimus, Jasmine and Jason. The Cybertronian blinked his blue eyes at them slowly until they fell upon Jasmine, a soft smile curling at the tips. "Jasmine," he whispered, his voice filled with nothing but tender love and familiar assurance, "it has been so long since I last saw you."

Optimus watched Jasmine very carefully and he was surprised that she just stood there, hand placed over her mouth to silence her gasp of surprise and shock. He thought he caught a glimpse of water slowly leaking from the corners of her eyes. He gently let go of her as she took on step forward, her cane forgotten in her hand.

"S-Silverflame?" she whispered, her voice very soft. "Is that… is that really you, Silverflame?"

Silverflame nodded his broad head in response. "Yes, Jasmine, it's really me."

"SILVERFLAME!" Without warning, Jasmine started crying loudly and ran forward as fast as her bad leg would let her. Silverflame opened up one hand as she leapt into it and he stood at his full height. He brought her close to his face and she wrapped her good arm around his nose as best as she could, her tears falling and pelting on his silver plated faceplates. "Oh my god, Silverflame! Oh my god, it really is you…"

Optimus caught a faint glimpse of lubricant leaking from Silverflame's optics as he continued to hold his little human close to him, as though he was afraid to let her go again after what befell them all that time ago. The Prime turned to Jason and everyone else, his tone commanding, "Let's give them some time alone."

They nodded and left the two alone to get reacquainted after so long of being separated.

I'm very sorry to cut this chapter short, but the next chapter will be especially dedicated to Jasmine and Silverflame getting back together, as well as the final goodbye for Optimus to his little family. But is it really goodbye for him and the family? You'll just have to wait and see I suppose.

Until then, and maybe the next chapter will not take as long… I hope.