This is it, folks... the last chapter of the story. I'm terribly sorry that I couldn't fit anything else in, but we know that there are some things that we can't always fit in to help form a bridge. This last chapter is designed to help bridge the gap between the 2007 Movie and ROTF.

This whole entire story was born out of one simple idea where Optimus would become the charge to a traumatised victim of the Autobot/Decepticon war, and then somehow it had spawned into something so much more. In the end, I cannot help but thank the many people who have stayed to finish the story.

Will it eventually be the end for Jasmine, Jason, and Silverflame Clark (yes, Silverflame has the surname because he's a member of the family now)? Perhaps it might be and perhaps it will not. You'll just have to read and find out, and that is all I can say. Final author's note is down below.

Chapter 24:

I'll Always Be There

14 Months Later

The morning sun's rays crept in between the cracks of the curtains. The sun's light became blocked as a gigantic figure peeked into the window, its soft blue optics twisting and shrinking with its emotions. It spotted the sleeping figure lying comfortably on the bed she occupied. A sly, playful grin worked its way to the giant's lips and it pulled away from the window, carefully snaking its massive arm through it. It extended to a great length until it reached the young woman's bed. Then, it used its index finger to poke into the woman's side. The woman emitted a groan and shifted slightly, but she never got up. Annoyed, the giant poked the woman again in the side, earning another groan that grew louder with impatience. The giant rolled its blue optics, huffing air from its intakes, and it suddenly pinched the bed covers, pulling them off. She let off a startled yelp as the giant then carefully picked her up by the back of her pyjamas and pulled her out through the window.

"Silverflame, don't!" Jasmine screeched as the red and silver mech grinned with triumph and placed her on his shoulder. Once she was securely onboard, he looked at her with mirth. "Why did you have to go and do that? You know that it's the weekend and that there is no work! We've been over this a thousand times."

The young mech let off a rumbling laugh, causing Jasmine to shiver and the hairs on her arms to stand up on end. "I'm sorry, Little One," he said once he had calmed down, his smile never fading from his lips. "I just wanted to get you up early because you promised that you would give me a nice, relaxing hose down today."

Jasmine smiled and she leaned forward to kiss her friend on the cheek guard, stroking him in a motherly manner. She then tickled the mech's chin piece with her fingers. "Oh, Silverflame," she sighed, "you know that I am not an early bird. Yet you do it to me every weekend, even when it isn't your bath time. I'll never understand how you can think like a child one minute, and then the next very much like an adult. You're unpredictable."

"I cannot help myself, Little One," Silverflame purred. "I love spending time with you in the morning."

She rolled her eyes in response, lowering her arm slightly and wrapping it around Silverflame's massive neck in her way of expressing her love for him. "I'll never understand how the other Autobots put up with your childishness," she groaned. "Now, would you be a gentleman and set me back into my room? I have to check my email today because no doubt Optimus would have sent his weekend greetings to us."

Silverflame made a pout with his lips. He had been spending far too much time with Jason these days whenever Jasmine was busy with certain things. He didn't mind the fact that his little human wanted to check up on the weekend emails with Optimus. Optimus was special to Jasmine, as far as he knew, and he had to be eternally grateful towards the Autobot commander and Jason for giving him a second chance in life. Optimus was like a father to Jasmine, a father that she always wanted since the death of her and Jason's parents.

Jasmine laughed when she saw his pout and she petted him lovingly on the cheek guard again. "Once I'm done checking through my emails, had a shower, and get into some old clothes, I'll come out and give you the best carwash you've ever had."

"That would be nice, Little One," Silverflame replied and he carefully picked her up and placed her back inside her room. He watched carefully as she stretched her good arm and hobbled over to her computer desk.

Over the past eighteen months since Optimus had left, Silverflame had kept his end of the bargain by watching Jasmine closely for any signs that she might have a seizure. So far, in the past, she had only had at least one seizure every month, making it hard for anyone to predict when they would happen. The young mech had sworn he would look out for the signs that would mean an attack was coming. Thanks to his keen optics and the sensors Ratchet had equipped him with during his stay with the Autobots, he had helped her through them by making room to ensure that she didn't hurt herself. There had been the first time she had a seizure and he had been unprepared when she accidentally banged her head against the bed's wooden frame, earning a black eye.

During her recovery, Silverflame had gone through a stage of self-blame for what had happened to her. Jasmine told him many times that it was alright and that these things rarely happened. Since then, he took his job as her guardian a lot more seriously than Optimus did, making him almost overprotective. Jasmine had to scold him once for coddling her and making a big deal out of when she had nearly stumbled down the stairs. Now these days, he only grew worried about her when she was seriously injured or when she suffered a seizure. He had to learn this lesson the hard way.

As he watched Jasmine fumble through her computer and began to check for any emails, he wondered on whether or not he should take the twins to pay the Autobots a visit on Diego Garcia, but thought better of it. It was better to remain out of the line of fire while the Autobots worked day in and day out hunting what remained of the Decepticons.

Better to be safe than sorry, he thought with a smile.

"Silver, I just got an email from Optimus," Jasmine announced, snapping him from out of his daze.

Curious, he leaned forward to get a better view of the desktop. "What does it say?" he asked, lifting an optic ridge. "You know I cannot read computer screens because they are far too small for me. I could hack into it, but then you would kick my ass for sneaking a look into your private stuff."

Jasmine laughed as she read the email.

"My dear little angel,

I am writing to you as a way of apologising that I cannot come to visit you like I promised in the last email I sent you. There are many things I want to say right now, but I have to keep this brief. My Autobots and I have headed out on a mission in regards to finding Sam Witwicky. He along with Mikaela Banes and his classmate Leo Spitz were kidnapped by a Decepticon named Grindor. According to a news reporter, Grindor had taken them to an old, abandoned building that is completely isolated from the city.

I have tried constantly to contact NEST headquarters, but I have received no response.

The fact remains that I and my Autobot forces have had to take matters into our own hands and split up to find them by whatever means necessary. I am worried that Megatron would attempt to do a lot more than harm the children physically.

I hope that by the time we find the children and bring them back home safely I will be able to come and visit you and Silverflame.

Please, stay safe, Little One. I love you always.

Optimus Prime."

When Jasmine was done reading out the email, Silverflame was astounded. He had heard from Optimus about the human children Sam Witwicky and Mikaela Banes. They were his special friends, and Sam had saved his life by using the Allspark Cube to extinguish Megatron's spark forever. But, strangely enough, Megatron didn't stay dead and was back to finish what he had started.

Jasmine looked worriedly at the young mech. "Do you think he'll be alright, Silver?" she asked him, her eyes leaking with tears. "I'm scared for him."

Sensing the distress in his little human, Silverflame reached a hand through the window and rested it on her back. He used his index finger to stroke her comfortingly. "He'll be alright, Little One," he whispered kindly. "He always pulls through no matter what it takes."

The lips on the corner of her lips curled up into a small smile, easing Silverflame's concerns. He knew how much Optimus meant to her after everything they had been through in the past, and he couldn't really blame her for being worried about him. All he could do was ease her confusion and give her emotional support.

"How about that hose down I promised you?" she asked, snapping him out of his daze. "I'm sure you're dying for it."

Silverflame's chest plates rumbled with laughter. "Of course, I had completely forgotten about it. Go on and have a shower, I'll be waiting for you when you're good and ready."

Jasmine giggled as she carefully got up from her seat and grabbed the towel that hung on her bedside, and headed to the bathroom.

Once she had gone to get cleaned up, Silverflame pulled away from the window and seated himself on the dew covered grass that was beginning to dry in the warming sun's rays. Now that he had time for himself while he waited for Jasmine to be ready for his weekly wash, he could think for a while. While not a lot had happened since he had been given to Jasmine as her birthday gift, he had begun to notice a change happening in her.

Ever since Optimus had left to be with the other Autobots, Jasmine had been depressed, almost as though she missed him a lot more than Silverflame originally thought. He knew that Optimus had a special place in her heart, but he wasn't sure exactly how special that bond was. While he couldn't exactly read her thoughts like a psychic normally would, her body language whenever he asked her about her former guardian suggested that her feelings ran deeper than he expected.

It worried him greatly, but he knew that there was nothing he could do except provide emotional comfort and give her his love no matter what decision she made. She was his charge and he would do everything in his power to protect her until his spark extinguished.

Whoever she chose to be her boyfriend then he could gladly stand by her side. He knew that she wasn't interested in a romantic relationship yet, but something told him she could be considering the thought of having a potential human mate that would be just as understanding and as loving as him and Optimus.

Silverflame let his optics offline for a brief moment. It was a moment that allowed something wet and soft touch him on the toe. He turned them back online to see Midnight looking up at him with happy brown eyes and a furiously wagging tail. She licked him on the toe again, tickling him. The mech shook his head, laughter vibrating in the ground beneath him, and he offered his hand to the young Labrador to climb up on.

Instantly, Midnight was on the palm of his hand and he carefully lifted her up until they were at eyelevel. She licked him on the nasal plate with her sloppy tongue, earning a twitch in response. "Good morning, Midnight," he rumbled to the dog. "Did you sleep well?"

Midnight barked in reply, her tail wagging again.

Silverflame grinned. "I am glad to hear it," he chuckled and gently placed the young creature back on the ground just as Jasmine came out of the house in bare feet, dressed in a blue tank top and grey pleated shorts.

Midnight barked excitedly and rushed over to her master, tongue lolling out to one side. Jasmine laughed as she bent down and gave the young dog a warm hug. Her hair was neatly tied back in a ponytail and she continued to wear her sling around her paralysed arm, even the limp in her leg was still there but she no longer required the walking stick thanks to therapy and exercise.

Silverflame was secretly pleased that she was ever so slowly rebuilding her life again.

Jason followed right behind her wearing a black t-shirt, old grey jeans and worn out sneakers, a teasing grin on his lips. He whispered something to Jasmine in her ear, gesturing to Silverflame. Jasmine grinned in response and nodded, making her way over to the hose while Jason slipped into the shed to grab the washing products used to clean vehicles.

Jasmine picked up the hose and turned it on. "Anytime you want to transform, big guy," she said.

Silverflame snorted smoke from out of his vents and did as he was told, allowing his entire body to collapse in on itself until he was once again in his Peterbilt form. He detected Jason just as he came from out of the shed, carrying a few bottles, a bucket and a few sponges that he placed on the grass. He picked up one of them and poured the contents straight into the bucket, leaving Jasmine to fill it up with water until it was nothing but soap suds. She then turned off the hose and she and Jason dipped their sponges into the soapy water.

"Ready?" Jason asked their large friend.

The large vehicle's entire chassis shook in response. "I'm ready," he replied.

Without waiting for further response, the twin siblings dosed Silverflame's body in cold soap. He shivered, but in the end he grew used to it as laughter escaped from his dashboard. Never had he enjoyed such a wonderful wash in his entire life. They pressed the sponges against his metallic skin, the white bubbles dripping down his sides until he was completely covered in them. Even his tyres were carefully washed by using a toothbrush to get into the hubcap, and it tickled him even more. It was both a pleasant and enjoyable experience.

For every time he was given these baths it just made the bond between the siblings, their guardian and their little canine friend even stronger than ever.

Once he was covered in soap suds, Jasmine reached for the hose and grinned maliciously at her large friend. Uneasy, he backed away from her a few inches as she aimed the nozzle at him. "Jasmine, what are you doing?" he demanded, his wheels shifting left and right. "Don't tell me you're about to..."

But he never finished his sentence.

"AH!" he screamed as the cold water splashed against his broad nose. Laughter erupted from the siblings as they rinsed Silverflame. He tried to back away from their assault, but it was no good. In the end, he had to give credit to them for putting the water on cold. The pressure tickled him, especially near his underside, but it was around his tyres where the coldness really struck him.

Without thinking, he produced his Cybertronian holoform and made a grab for Jasmine's arms, much to her surprise. He gently wrestled the hose free from her grasp and dosed her with the cold water. She squealed loudly and she attempted to run away from his nasty surprise.

Midnight barked excitedly, chasing after the two and nipping at Silverflame's heels while Jason looked on, laughing as he chased Jasmine all around the yard. Once Jasmine began to lose her breath, Silverflame stopped to allow her time to catch it again. Then, Silverflame turned and his cobalt optics rested upon the young man.

"Uh, Silverflame, what are you doing?" Jason questioned, lifting an eyebrow.

Silverflame twisted the hose in between his fingertips. "Giving you a taste of your own medicine," he smirked, and before Jason could stop him, he aimed the hose and high pressured water sprayed all over him.

Jason squealed like a little girl and ran for his life, now soaking wet from the hose. Silverflame chuckled evilly as he chased him around and around the backyard while Jasmine laughed at sight. Midnight yapped and rested her head upon her master's knee, enjoying the sight of her family playing together.

Finally, Jason collapsed from the chase and Silverflame aimed the hose at his chest. Jason begged for the silver-flamed mech to not squirt him, but he didn't listen. The water sprayed all over the boy until he was soaked to the bone, his cries of 'mercy' and 'uncle' went unheard until Silverflame pulled the hose away just as Jasmine switched it off, leaving a cold and wet family.

"Are you two done?" Jasmine asked as Silverflame's holoform vanished from sight.

Jason picked himself up off the ground and wringed out the water in his shirt. "Yeah, I think we're done," he grumbled.

"Good," she said as she put the hose away and picked up the bucket and sponge. "Now help me put away this stuff, because I'm pretty sure we just woke up the entire neighbourhood with all our squealing."

"I did not squeal!" Jason pouted, folding his arms across his chest.

"Like a little girl actually," Silverflame teased and he replayed the same sound that Jason made when he had chased him with the hose. Jason's face went pale and he backed away nervously. "Relax, Jason, I'm not going to use it for blackmail. That's just cruel and barbaric of me."

Jasmine giggled as he played back the sound a second time while Jason's face turned as red as a cherry. Silverflame rumbled with laughter and he couldn't help but take a picture of the sight before storing it away for future use. Should Optimus come around for his visit, he would show it to him and they would no doubt share a laugh together without anyone noticing.

Then again, Optimus would probably scold him like a father would to a child. He'd probably say something about being irresponsible and immature, but that never really bothered him. Optimus had told him off once when the Autobot commander had visited them last time. Jason had been teasing Jasmine about meeting some new friends during her working trip and Silverflame had got him to apologise by holding him upside down by the foot, this had caused Optimus to berate him for being so careless, but Silverflame had known he was laughing deep inside. He had no idea how, but he could tell by the twitch in his lips and the tilt in the inner corners of his optic shutters that he was struggling not to laugh.

"I think it's time for lunch now," Jason spoke up, clearing Silverflame of his memories. "Who's hungry?"

At the mention of food, Midnight began running around Silverflame's truck form and barking at the top of her lungs. Silverflame chuckled and produced his robotic holoform before his human charges, stretching its muscle cables to get some feeling back into it after having chased the twins around all morning. Midnight then bounded up to him and placed her paws upon his legs, barking intensively while continuing to wag her tail.

"I did some research on the Internet," he said as he stroked behind Midnight's ears, "and I wish to try out this new recipe that is both healthy and good for you."

"I hope you haven't been looking into Gordon Ramsey again, Silver," Jasmine said sternly, placing her good hand on her hip.

Silverflame shook his head, knowing that if he had he would get the boot in the aft. Once, Jasmine had scolded him like a mother for swearing when he cooked a decent meal after picking it up from a Gordon Ramsey episode and she had even threatened him that he would be sitting in the rain alone and won't be able to watch any movies for a month. Silverflame, not wanting to disappoint her, had been careful about his use of human language ever since, but sometimes he let slip a word or two whenever she wasn't around or when he was around Jason, who never berated him for his choice of words. But both Jasmine and Jason had to give him credit for choosing healthy and tasty foods, especially when he had started trying out Jamie Oliver's recipes that left a lasting impression on them.

"I swear, Jasmine, this one wasn't from Gordon Ramsey. Trust me, you will love this one once I find all the ingredients in your home," he said, pretending to ignore her tone of voice. "It is quite healthy for the benefits of the human diet."

Jason lifted an eyebrow, but he said nothing as Jasmine gave in.

Taking that as his invitation, Silverflame trotted his holoform inside the house as the twins and Midnight followed after him. His eagerness to get cooking poured through his systems as he bounced along the corridors and arrived at the kitchen. He found the suitable ingredients and began the preparations. Everything had to be just right for the twins as he worked, chopping up vegetables, slicing up the meat, and pouring in together the oils to make a tasty sauce. He used his olfactory sensors to detect when the cooking was done inside the oven.

Satisfied with his work, he dished it up and placed it on the table as Jasmine finished giving Midnight her chicken necks. Both humans' eyes brightened at the sight of the delicious looking stir-fry and they quickly dug into it. Silverflame watched their eyes carefully, waiting for their reaction. His spark eventually soared when Jasmine turned and gave him the thumbs up he had been waiting for, a perfect sign that it was indeed the best food she and Jason had ever tasted.

With lunch sorted out, Jason helped Silverflame wash the dishes while Jasmine played with Midnight outside. The two males engaged in conversation, discussing about the events of the day until Jason brought up something about meeting this human girl that he liked a bit and had become determined to ask her out, but couldn't work out the courage to do so.

Silverflame paused in drying a second dish and he tilted his head to one side, puzzled. He had never known much about human encounters, especially when it involved a man with a woman. He asked, "Why are you afraid to ask her out?"

Jason hesitated, unsure how to answer as he looked away from his friend. "I don't know..."

Silverflame gently rested a hand upon his shoulder and gave it a light squeeze. "Jason William Clark," he said seriously, using his full name with careful precision, "if you like her so much, then it is never too late to ask. Take nothing for granted, because what we have now may be gone tomorrow."

The young man opened his mouth to say something, but then closed it again, as though he was considering his words with care. Finally, he grinned. "Thanks, Silver. How did you get so wise? You're a kid!"

Now it was Silverflame's turn to laugh. "I learned from the best," he said once he had calmed down and winked. "I've been doing research on your sayings as well, and it has rubbed off on me."

Jason rested an arm over his shoulder and gave him a quick squeeze.

Silverflame's face shifted into a quizzical look. "By the way, Jason, what is her name?"

Jason's entire face lit up and his eyes became far away as though he was daydreaming about the woman of his dreams, puzzling Silverflame even more. The answer came a short minute later, but it was the soft tone of voice that made him realise that Jason was indeed... shot in the rear by Cupid's arrow. "Her name is Amy, Amy Fletcher."

Silverflame eyed Jasmine from his vehicle form without her knowledge as she sat on the porch, stroking Midnight's head. His holoform had been put away after Jason had left to go for a walk, and now he found himself watching like a hawk.

He didn't mean to stare, but the way how she sat there, looking so calm and peaceful, and her dark hair flowed in the sunlight. He had no idea why he watched her so closely, but a part of him still felt responsible for not being a good guardian. Then again, the guilt never seemed to be far away. Perhaps he was trying a little too hard in making up being overprotective. He couldn't help himself at all, but looking away seemed as painful as looking directly at her. He had no idea why he felt like this, but his strong devotion towards her never swayed in the slightest. He had promised Optimus that he would look after her until his spark extinguished. Her protection was his top priority, even at the cost of his own happiness.

Besides, family always looked out for each other, even if it meant hurting those that you loved in order to make the other happy.

Happiness.

The very thought seemed to plague his processor strongly. Would he sacrifice everything just to make Jasmine happy? The thought caused him to shiver a bit and he hoped that Jasmine hadn't noticed it at all. Optimus had sacrificed a piece of his people's future in order to make this human happy, by bringing him to life so that he could continue on with his duties. What good was Silverflame to Jasmine if he didn't think of anything else but her own well being?

A vent escaped his engine and he wished that he could do so much more for Jasmine, but all he could do was watch over her and her brother until the day they both died.

Then what?

He would be doomed to live a solitary life of loneliness without his humans. That was the difference between him and these organic beings. He would continue to live on while those that he loved will wither and die, lost to the edges of time except live on in his memories. A part of him hated being immortal to time, but he knew that he would keep on going just for the sake of them.

"Silverflame, are you ok?"

The familiar voice jolted him from out of his thoughts and he realised that Jasmine was standing before him, her soft eyes looking at him with deep concern. He slowly shifted himself into his robotic form until he was towering over her like a building. He then crossed his legs, sitting down on his aft, and bowed his head. He vented deeply, unsure of what to say.

Her hand rested upon his knee and he found himself staring down into those charming eyes of hers, eyes that he always seemed to get lost in. "Yes," he answered hesitantly, "I am well, Little One."

She probably knew it was a blatant lie, but he knew he couldn't hide anything from someone who had known him since he had been nothing more than a piece of machinery that had been given to her as a birthday gift from her father.

Much to his surprise, she did not push him like she normally did when she wanted answers. Instead, she crawled up his legs and onto his left hip, she then rested her head against his warm metallic body. He slowly raised his hand and pressed it against her back in the form of a hug. They stayed that way, enjoying each other's presence and never once speaking a single word. No words were needed between them.

When weary
Tell me will you hold me
When wrong, will you scold me?
When lost, will you find me?
But they told me
A man should be faithful
And walk when not able
And fight to the end
I'm only human

His audio receptors detected the halt in her breath as he played the song and he slowly rocked back and forth, humming deeply in his chest. He felt her nuzzle into his chest and he attempted to warm himself up just for her sake. She was a lot more sensitive to the cold than Jason was, so keeping her warm was his top priority.

In our darkest hour
In my deepest despair
Will you still care?
Will you be there?
In my trails
And my tribulations
Through our doubts
And frustrations
In my violence
In my turbulence
Through my fear
And my confessions
In my anguish and my pain
Through my joy and my sorrow
In the promise of another tomorrow
I'll never let you part
For you're always in my heart

The song faded away and Silverflame realised that Jasmine was no longer shivering from the cold, warmed by his chassis. He was never going to let go of this precious human, not for as long as he lived. She and her brother meant everything to him and he would see to it that she would be protected from anything that might harm her. She was his Little One. His and no one else's.

He glanced up at sky and realised that time had slipped by. How long they had remained this way, he had no idea. He shook his head and gently prodded her with his finger, causing her to stir as he picked her up carefully in his hands, followed by Midnight and walked over to the window that led inside her bedroom. He rested his hands there and both Jasmine and Midnight slid inside where the canine hopped onto her bed and Jasmine sitting herself at her computer desk.

"You're going to check emails again?" Silverflame teased, lifting an optic ridge as she logged onto her computer.

"I have to, Silver," she said, never peeling her eyes off the desktop. "I have to know if he is safe."

He nodded in understanding as he once again recalled the bond Jasmine and Optimus shared with one another, though a slight pang of jealousy crept into his spark. He didn't know why he felt it, but he couldn't help himself. He grumbled something inaudible and leaned in closer for a better look, but realised that he couldn't fit himself in there unless he put up his holoform.

She stared at him with a surprised expression. "Don't tell me you're jealous."

His optics widened and he pulled away so quickly that his cranium hit the roof above the window, tearing a massive hole in it. Wood pieces fell everywhere and one of them hit him on the sensitive antenna. He whimpered with pain, while groaning in embarrassment. He was never this clumsy! He shook his head to clear the dizziness and looked down as Jason came outside to see what the fuss was all about.

"Seriously?" Jason sighed when he saw the mess of wood everywhere. "How many times are we going to have to keep on fixing this roof? This is the second time this month! Do you know how much it costs just to fix this up?"

Before Silverflame could answer, Jason turned and stormed inside. He forced himself to look Jasmine in the eye and he could see her disappointment. "I'm sorry... I didn't mean to do it again..."

"Silverflame," Jasmine said sternly but not unkindly, "this is the third time in two months and it's always the same result. The last time I asked you that very question regarding Optimus, you coughed and smashed into the fence behind you. What's wrong with you? Are you really actually jealous of my friendship with Optimus?"

Silverflame looked away, unable to answer.

"You're giving me that silent treatment again, Silverflame," Jasmine scoffed a little harshly. "Now I'm going to ask this one last time, and I want a straight answer: are you jealous of my friendship with Optimus?"

He found himself nodding.

Jasmine shook her head, resting her good arm on her hip again like before. He knew he was going to get the biggest scolding of his life, but instead... she lowered her arm and sat back down on the chair, rubbing her forehead. "Silver, you have nothing to worry about," she explained. "As much as I appreciate Optimus for saving my life in the accident, I am not interested in him romantically. He is nothing but a father to me. Besides, we're two different species, it would never work anyway."

A small pulse of hurt washed through Silverflame like a wave pushing up against a cliff, but he didn't show it.

"It would never work anyway."

He shook his head and nodded, relieved that Jasmine had no feelings towards Optimus. Why had he been jealous anyway? It was not like as if he had feelings for her. She was his charge and their species' age and physical differences would never make it work. Nothing would work between them.

"It would never work anyway."

They were friends.

Nothing more.

"Thank you for answering that, Jasmine," he smiled, coming in a little closer. "And I'm sorry for wrecking your home once more. It won't happen again, this I swear."

Jasmine waved it off and sat back down in her chair, stretching her good arm. Silverflame could tell that she was a little tired, but he sensed that her thoughts were elsewhere. He didn't question it, but he hoped she wasn't really angry at him for once again breaking the very same spot again. It cost a lot of money just to fix these things, something that neither Jasmine nor Jason had at this time. Working as a truck driver was only ever enough to pay the bills, shop for food and new clothes as well as a bit of entertainment. But that was it.

If only Silverflame had a job of his own, then money wouldn't be an issue for his family at all.

"Let's check my email again, shall we?" Jasmine's voice once again cut through his thoughts and he leaned in closer towards the window in an attempt to peek at her computer's screen, though he watched her carefully. His optics never strayed from her until he realised she had brought up the email. He wasn't surprised that there was another message from Optimus Prime, but the moment Jasmine's eyes made contact with the desktop and she began to read it... he noticed a change in her.

One minute she was bubbly and excited that she got another message from him, the next minute tears began to creep into her eyes.

"Jasmine?" Silverflame asked, leaning for a closer look, but he couldn't go any further much to his frustration. He shifted into his vehicle form and produced his Cybertronian holoform. He stood behind her and gently turned her around to face him. She was crying, leaking lubricant from her eyes and her body was beginning to shake. Was she having another seizure? Did she require medical aid? He kneeled down and placed his hands upon her shoulders, looking her straight in the eye. "Jasmine, what's wrong? What did the message say? Why are you crying?"

She remained silent and Silverflame looked more carefully at the message and his whole body froze.

My dearest angel,

I send this message to you, to Silverflame, and to Jason. My time is very short as I can feel the life force within me fading away... I'm afraid I... I won't be coming to visit you like I had promised I would. Megatron had taken Sam, Mikaela, and his roommate, we rescued them and we escaped...

He almost couldn't read on, but he knew that he had to.

But our escape... never lasted long... I have fought Megatron, Starscream, and Grindor to my last breath, and now... I'm slowly fading away. I have ordered Sam to run for his life...

Please, Silverflame, I know you are reading this... protect Jasmine and Jason like you were meant to. Protect them with your life. Never lose sight of who you are. Defend these two humans like any guardian should. Continue on with your lives like normal. Do not grieve for me, you three... and cherish life like you've always done. Live life to your fullest, and never lose sight of who you are.

This is my final message to you...

Goodbye...

"He's gone..." Jasmine's voice pierced through Silverflame's audio receptors. "Silver... he's gone..."

He turned away from the message as she buried her face in the palm of her hands, sobbing uncontrollably. He didn't know what to do to make her any better. They had lost a friend and a father in one foul swoop.

Optimus Prime was gone... and he was never coming back to them.

He was never, ever going to come back to them.

Silverflame did what he had always done for her.

He wrapped his arms around her tiny form and pulled her close to his chest, holding her close as she wept her grief. He had to be strong for her now, he couldn't cry even if he wanted to. He couldn't let her see how hurt he was, hurt at losing the only father he had ever known.

Optimus was gone, and he was never coming back to them.

He rocked back and forth as Jasmine's arms wrapped around his neck. She buried her face into his shoulder, her tears falling like streams of waterfalls. He never let her go. He was never going to let her go, no matter what. He needed to be strong for her, for Jason, for Midnight. They were on their own now.

His radio clicked and hitched as he burst out into a final melody.

'Cause I'm broken when I'm open
And I don't feel like I am strong enough
'Cause I'm broken when I'm lonesome
And I don't feel right when you're gone away
'Cause I'm broken when I'm lonesome
And I don't feel right when you're gone away
You've gone away
You don't feel me here anymore

Jasmine's sobbing only grew stronger until she cried herself to sleep in his arms, her energy spent on her tears. And as she lay in his arms, broken both spiritually and mentally, Silverflame carefully picked her up and carried her to her bed. He lay her down and covered her up in her blankets. Midnight whimpered softly as she lay beside her broken master's head, licking her tears away.

Silverflame sat himself down upon the chair, its body protesting at the weight of his holoform, but he ignored it. He buried his face in his palms and he released his own tears of grief. Jason would have to be told on what had happened once he got back, but for now... all the young mech could do was weep and despair for his beloved human and their loss.

Optimus was gone... and he was never coming back to them...

And there you have it folks, Guardian Angel is all finished. Will there be a sequel? Hmm, I don't know. I have some ideas, but Age of Extinction kind of ruined that chance a little bit, although it would be possible to ignore it all together. We'll see how that happens.

But, honestly, I wish to thank all of you people for sticking with this story until the very end, reviewers included. It has been a long journey when I felt so afraid of writing a story in the Movieverse back in 2008. Now, I no longer fear the unknown and I never realised how far I had come since the very beginning of this story.

But the old saying never stops pounding through my head: when one door closes, another opens.

It means that there will be plenty more opportunities to write more stories. Everyone's support has given me a strong desire to keep on improving myself. Though when I look back on the first chapter of this story, I never realised just how scared and frightened I was at doing it. Never would I have thought in a thousand years that I would write something so special.

Guardian Angel will severe as a reminder for me that we all have our fears and doubts.

I am no longer afraid and I will always remember that.

Thank you again to everyone for all your reviews.

This story will one day continue, but for now... I wish for all of you to enjoy what I have now. Keep on reading everyone, live life to its fullest, and never, ever doubt yourself.

Till All Are One