Chapter 4: Meeting Grandma

"Cole, do you think he's going to stay?"

"No, mom said he was only staying the night; and it's morning now so…"

"But he can't go, I like him!"

"Why?"

"Because…he's funny."

"Oh so just because you think he's funny, that means he has to stay?"

"Yep!"

…

Voices were all around him as he slowly came online.

"Uh-oh. Uh Cole, he's waking up!"

"Then what are we waiting for, let's get out of here!"

As Optimus' eyes slowly opened, he could barely see a flash of purple and blue streak out of the room, but then the purple came back. "Hi Opmus!"

Sitting up, Optimus could clearly see that it was Kira in her purple sports jersey that was obviously too big for her and hung over her knees.

"Good morning Kira. Where is your mother?"

Putting her hands behind her back and swaying she sighed. "She's still sleeping'."

Nodding Optimus sighed. "Ah, I see. Well I suppose I best be on my way."

Slowly rising off the couch, Optimus carefully picked up the blanket off of the floor and folded it, placing it neatly on the end of the couch.

Watching him, Kira looked him up and down with glistening eyes. "You're leaving already? But why?"

Just then Cole walked into the room and stood quietly in the doorway. Optimus glanced at him but then stared down solemnly at the little girl staring up at him. "I have to go now because I have to go home."

Fiddling with her shirt, Kira squirmed. "Where's that?"

Slowly kneeling to meet her gaze Optimus managed a small smile. "Jasper."

Continuing to play with her shirt, she huffed. "Why can't you stay here in Phoenix?"

Chuckling softly, Optimus gently patted the little girl's head. "Because I don't belong here. I belong somewhere else."

Looking out from under his hand she pleaded, her little eyes open wide. "Can't you just stay for a little while longer?"

Looking at the little girl's glistening, pleading eyes; Optimus for once in his life found it hard to say 'no'. Why did she want him to stay? Was what Jackie said last night about him having something special true?

With a heavy sigh, Optimus turned his head away and rose to his full height. Regardless of how this child may feel about him, he didn't belong here. He had to find out what had happened to him and why it had happened.

He had to find answers.

Looking at Kira, Optimus sighed. "Kira, I have some very urgent business to attend to and cannot afford to remain here. I have to go."

Looking up at him, Kira pleaded. "But you'll stay for breakfast, right?"

Her eyes looked up at him glistening…pleading for him to stay.

How could he say 'no'?

Sighing and putting on a good fake smile, Optimus nodded. "Alright Kira. I will stay. But JUST for this 'breakfast'.

Much to Optimus' surprise, Kira immediately jumped and squealed for joy but not before reaching out to grab his hand and pull him into the kitchen.

...

…

…

Within a few moments Optimus soon found out that human children in search for morning nourishment are extremely amusing.

Kira was like an acrobat climbing up cupboards onto counters to get into the high cupboards in search of what they called 'cereal'.

After finding it she jumped down with the box in her hands and stood up on the tip of her toes in order to be high enough to put the box on the island in front of where Optimus was sitting. She then scrambled to the fridge in search of milk, and also had to stand on her toes to reach THAT as well.

Walking toward Optimus with the milk in her arms, Kira looked up and heaved the milk higher. "Opmus! Grab it pwease!"

Reaching down with one hand, Optimus lifted the gallon without struggle and set it beside the box. He then turned and watched Kira scramble up yet another cupboard onto the counter in search of bowls…which she found rather quickly. At the same time, she opened a drawer with a foot and then reached a hand in pulling out three spoons.

Sitting on the counter with three bowls to her left and three spoons to her right, she smiled and held out her arms. "Opmus?"

She wanted to be picked up.

With slight hesitation at first, Optimus slowly rose from where he was sitting and picked Kira up off the counter and gently placed her on the ground.

Giggling she pointed to the counter. "You grab the bowls and I'll get the spoons."

Obeying, Optimus grabbed the spoons and handed them to Kira's waiting hands and then grabbed the bowls and slowly followed the child back to the island.

Setting the bowls on the island next to the cereal, Optimus watched as Kira climbed up on a chair putting the spoons down.

Reaching forward she grabbed two bowls and then the cereal.

Slowly and ever-so cautiously she poured the cereal into each bowl, trying not to spill…but managed to spill a little anyway. She then grabbed the milk and did the same.

Putting a spoon into each bowl, Kira then slowly scooted both of the bowls over to Optimus and then jumped down. Optimus watched with curiosity as she disappeared around the other side of the island and then reappeared again standing right next to him. Without hesitation she scrambled up the chair he was sitting on and gently sat on his lap.

Pulling a bowl toward herself, she quietly began to feed herself.

Optimus didn't know what to say.

She just climbed up in his lap and made herself comfortable. Should he make her go sit in her own seat or should he just leave her where she is?

Just then Kira looked up to meet Optimus staring down at her. Even with small dribbles of milk on her chin and tiny chunks of granola on her cheeks, she still smiled.

Letting his gaze soften, Optimus quietly chuckled to himself. She was fine where she was. She wasn't hurting anything at all by sitting on his lap.

Quietly, Optimus leaned down over Kira so that their heads were side-by-side and slowly took a bite of the cereal and began to feed himself as well.

…

Without a word, Cole entered the room and stopped to look at the odd pair sitting at the island.

Optimus looked up to meet the boy's gaze only to see him look away.

Slowly he approached the island and took hold of the last bowl and spoon. He poured himself a bowl of cereal and walked out into the living room.

Looking up with her mouth plum full, Kira stared up at Optimus, more milk dribbling down her chin.

"Waf's his pwoblem?"

Merely shaking his head Optimus looked back down at his cereal and continued to eat. Looking down at hers too, Kira did the same.

…

…

…

Rubbing her eyes from a rough night's sleep, Jackie was a little surprised to see Cole sitting on the couch in the living room watching cartoons and eating his breakfast...when he should've been in the kitchen where food was MENT to be.

"Cole?"

Quickly turning around Cole met his mother's glance.

Crossing her arms she huffed. "Why aren't you eating your breakfast in the kitchen?"

Looking toward the kitchen and then back at his mother Cole sighed. "He's in there."

Unfolding her arms, Jackie started to walk for the kitchen. "Who? Optimus?"

Cole just simply nodded.

Scoffing Jackie shook her head at Cole. "And what is wrong with Optimus?"

Shrugging Cole looked back toward the television set. "I don't know…he's just kinda weird."

Pausing for a moment, Jackie looked at her son up and down. "Why do you think he's weird?"

Shrugging again, Cole put his now empty bowl on the coffee table. "He talks weird. Like a 'army general' or something like that. He just talks way to serious all the time."

Merely shaking her head, Jackie started to walk away toward the kitchen once again. "We'll talk about this later Cole. Okay?"

Glancing out of the corner of his eye and then back at the TV Cole sighed. "Okay mom."

…

As Jackie walked into the kitchen, she had to freeze and try hard to restrain herself from laughing.

Optimus was still hunched over his bowl with Kira still on his lap. Only now, Kira was finished eating and was attempting to help Optimus finish his bowl. Optimus on the other hand gently pushed her hand and spoon away from his bowl. Kira also tried to get Optimus to look away from his bowl so that she could sneak a bite when he wasn't looking. Unfortunately for Kira, Optimus was too smart for that.

THAT and Kira was laughing very hard because apparently Optimus had a little bit of granola in his mustache which he refused to believe was there. He thought she was just saying that so she could get at his breakfast when…in all honesty…she was telling the truth.

Pointing at the ceiling Kira suddenly shrieked. "OPMUS!"

Looking up Optimus glanced across the ceiling to see the problem only to suddenly realize that he apparently is more gullible than he thought. And those thoughts were confirmed when he looked back at Kira seeing her cheeks puffed out; filled with cereal from his bowl.

Closing his eyes only slightly in a playful scowl, he smiled mischievously. "Kira…do you know what happens to little ones who take my fuel?"

With a huge smile on her face she shook her head 'no'.

Letting his smile fade slightly, he edged his face closer to hers. "I'll show you."

Just then, as gently as he could he picked Kira up off his lap and heaved her over his shoulder. The cereal that HAD been her mouth then flew out as she squealed and shrieked in excitement and laughter.

As Optimus turned to carry her away, he stopped suddenly; seeing Jackie standing in the doorway.

Carefully Optimus placed Kira on the ground and pushed her out on her way and cleared his throat. "Kira perhaps you should go find something more productive to do."

With a look of disappointment, Kira pouted as she wandered past her mother out into the living room.

Jackie watched as Kira slinked past her, and then looked back at Optimus who was already starting to clean up the mess. Tilting her head slightly, Jackie laughed. "And here I thought you were the 'serious type'."

Looking over his shoulder only slightly, Optimus shrugged in obvious embarrassment. "Most of the time I am quite reserved, and strive to stay away from juvenile behaviors."

Crossing her arms smiling Jackie rested against the doorway frame. "and yet I just caught you getting into a fight with a five year old over cereal."

Keeping his back turned Optimus shrugged.

Jackie just laughed as she walked up beside Optimus, holding in her hands the two bowls from the table. "I know how you feel; Kira is just so darn cute that it's almost impossible to resist her pleas to be played with. I would know…I'm her mother."

Looking at her out of the corner of his eyes, Optimus mere nodded in return with a small but warm smile on his face. "Usually I try to restrain myself from acting in a playful manner…but seeing as that I need not worry about embarrassing myself in front of my team, or making myself appear un-leader like, I felt that maybe just this once, no harm would be done."

Laughing softly, Jackie merely shook her head. "Cole was right, you do talk way too serious all the time."

Looking up in surprise Optimus tilted his head ever so slightly. "By what do you mean?"

Crossing her arms Jackie slowly began to pace around Optimus, his eyes watching her intently. "Optimus, have you ever stopped and actually listened to yourself speak?"

Optimus looked away, pondering the question.

Smiling Jackie stretched upward and yawned. "Oh, I'm so glad that for once I actually do not have to work today."

Gently bending down, Jackie opened the dishwasher and placed the dirty bowls and spoons inside, closing it again behind her.

Turning back around to meet Jackie again to explain his reasoning for the way he speaks Optimus froze suddenly. Jackie was bent over in a way that was almost artistic, her body perfectly proportioned to the point that LOGICALLY would have aroused any human male. His eyes were almost immediately drawn to her waist and lower region. His eyes studied the gentle curvature of her body, the soft glow of her exposed skin, way her hair dangled down on one side of her face. It was almost impossible to look away.

Prying his eyes off of her, Optimus nearly slapped himself for having looked. She was human! He was a machine! Why now was he having a sudden fascination with her? He had been around female humans before but never felt any slight attraction to them once so ever, so why now was he developing this unhealthy attraction?

Snapping back up suddenly, Jackie looked Optimus over in almost a quizative manner. "Are you alright?"

Bringing himself back to reality, Optimus slowly nodded. "I am fine. Jacklyn, I thank you for your hospitality. But I believe I have worn out my welcome well enough and it is time for me to be on my way."

There was a moment of silence before Jackie nodded and returned with a warm smile. "I understand Optimus, and I hope you find what it is you're looking for."

Nodding in a polite intention of thanks, Optimus slowly trotted through the kitchen into the living room, heading straight for the door. With a sigh he reached for the door handle, thinking. It was better this way. He had had a sufficient amount of rest and fuel therefore he had what he needed. Besides, he needed to find out what had happened to him and why …and above all, he now realized he couldn't stay in this apartment…not with Jacklyn here. There was just something about her. Something he couldn't explain. She wasn't like Jack, Miko or Rafael. She wasn't even like June Darby who was also a nurse and single mother. There was just something different about this one human in particular.

"NO YOU CAN'T GO OPMUS!"

Just then something soft hit Optimus with a quiet thud, and wrapped around his leg. It was Kira…and she was holding onto him as if her life depended on it. "NO, NO, NO, OPMUS YOU GOTTA STAY! YOU JUST GOTTA!"

With a look of bewilderment, Optimus stared down at the child. She was leaking heavily from her face, leaving the liquid stained on his pant leg.

Cole merely watched in the same udder bewilderment, mostly in astonishment for his younger sister's behavior.

Scoffing loudly, Jackie dragged herself from her spot against the door frame of the kitchen and kneeled next to Optimus' leg trying desperately to pry the sulking toddler from Optimus. "Kira, it's time for Optimus to go now. Sweet-heart let go!"

Digging her face into Optimus pant leg she screamed 'No' over and over again, the sound of her screams muffled by his pants.

Optimus didn't know what to do. Never in his life had he ever had a child clinging to him pleading in such a way. Human or Cybertronian. What was he supposed to do, pry her loose with his own two hands or continue to let her mother try to get her off?

Scoffing out of frustration, Jackie tried to pry each on of Kira's fingers free one-by-one. "Kira, Optimus needs to go now, you need to let go."

Looking up out at her mother, and then up at Optimus, Kira continued to cry as she dug her face against Optimus' leg in muffled sobs. "Mommy, I don't want Opmus to leave! I like him mommy! He's not like the others! He's nice and plays with me!"

Looking up to meet Optimus' gaze, Jackie couldn't help but shake her head and sigh loudly as she looked back down at her child. "Kira—."

"Jacklyn—."

Looking back up at Optimus, Jackie was surprised to see that Optimus had let go of the door handle and was ushering Jackie to stand up.

Standing up, Jackie watched as Optimus struggled to move away from the door into the living room with Kira still on his leg.

Staggering across the floor with Kira still attached to his leg, Optimus heaved himself onto the couch and remained quiet. Slowly, Kira peeked up over Optimus' lap to meet his gaze, and then quietly began to loosen her grip.

Gently leaning down, Optimus carefully took Kira and lifted her onto his lap.

Kira was silent, the stains of her tears still fresh on her face.

Leaning over, Optimus' face met Kira's. Optimus sighed shaking his head. "Kira, I do not understand why you insist on my staying here."

Using her own hand to wipe her nose, Kira spoke in both a shaken up and broken voice. "Because…you're *sniff* not like …mommy's other boyfriends. *sniff* you're nice! And you play with me! The others… *sniff* they never did."

With yet another look of bewilderment, Optimus couldn't help but look up at Jackie who was in turn covering her face to hide her obvious embarrassment.

What exactly was this term 'boyfriend'? What did it mean, and in what association with Jacklyn does it hold?

"Kira I—."

Suddenly there were several bangs on the door which flew open rapidly and hit the wall with a loud thud. "Jacklyn, sweet heart I know it's your day off so I thought—oh."

The women standing in the doorway was tall and lanky. She was dressed in what Optimus understood to be 'high-class' clothing obviously indicating she was of higher rank in human society.

Optimus could easily tell that this woman had a domineering personality just from the way she walked across the room. It was so easy to see just from the way she held her head up, nose pointed ever-so-slightly toward the ceiling. Even the way she carted her purse around was enough to give a well educated guess to the previous conclusion that Optimus had made about the women approaching him.

Over the shoulders of the women was draped the fur of an animal not native to this terrain of earth. Instead the fur was long, gray and heavy and was obviously native to a colder plain of this planet's atmosphere.

What she was wearing was also a good indicator.

She was dressed in a black knee length skirt and blouse that matched. A sapphire jewel hung from around her neck, dangling loosely on a silver chain. Her hair was bright blondish red, short and slightly curled at the ends accenting both her age and personality.

Optimus watched and listened as the heels she was wearing grew quiet as she stopped in front of him, and let her purse hit the coffee table with a soft thud.

Stepping between Optimus and the strange woman, Jackie spoke kindly with a forced smile. "Mom I can—." Suddenly the woman held up a hand hushing Jackie instantly.

Looking at Optimus while crossing her arms, the woman smiled fiendishly. "And just who might you be?"

Lifting Kira off of his lap and setting her on the couch beside him, Optimus slowly rose. "My name is Optimus Prime, madam."

Raising her forehead in surprise, the women tilted her head slightly. "Optimus Prime? Well…that's certainly a…unique name."

"Well, I'm quite sure you've heard of me."

Looking the woman over once more, Optimus' gaze drifted down and then up again to meet her eyes. "I apologize, but I do not believe we have met before."

Taken a little off guard the woman stepped back and looked Optimus over, confused in a way that she almost seemed as if she had seen something vile. She then smiled with a smirk. "Caroline Helms, top realtor of this county as well as the seven surrounding. I'm also head of six of the Maricopa County Banks and I also was mayor of Phoenix for four years before retiring."

For a while there was nothing but silence.

Clearing her throat, Jackie stepped forward while quietly gesturing Cole and Kira to leave the room. "Mom, what a…pleasant surprise that you decided to stop by. Now, what was it you were saying as you were walking in the door?"

Continuing to look Optimus over, Caroline slowly returned her gaze to Jackie. "Oh Jacklyn dear, I just thought since you had a day off today that you and the children would like to go out to lunch with me."

Crossing her arms, Jackie looked her mother over with skeptical eyes. "And then what mother?"

Smiling in fiendish manner Caroline merely shifted her stance. "and then maybe afterward we can go out and look for a new apartment for you dear, because you just know how much I despise this little cubical you call a home."

Scoffing quietly while turning away, Jacklyn had to force herself to bite her tongue. "Mother, this apartment works just fine for our needs. As I told you before I don't need a new one, and I don't need your money."

Huffing, Caroline stiffened. "Well Jacklyn dear, when you were getting that divorce with Clay you were more than willing to borrow money from me, and—."

"Just stop mother!" Jackie barked whipping around to face her. "It seems like every time you come over here you strut in here with what you call 'good intentions' but then turn around and criticize me for how I'm living and raising my own children!"

Smiling with a look of horrible intent written on her face, Caroline merely shrugged. "Do you really want me to get onto the subject of your children, Jacklyn?"

Scowling, Jacklyn lowered her gaze. "Do you have something you wish to say to me mother?"

Nodding Caroline frowned. "I do."

"Well come on mother, if you have something you want to say, then say it." Jackie again had to restrain herself from yelling.

Looking Jackie over and then looking Optimus over, Caroline grinned once again. "Oh Jacklyn dear, I would hate to bring up such 'family issues' in front of your … guest."

Again there was an awkward silence as Jacklyn and her mother stared one another down…with Optimus right in the middle.

Looking between the two, Optimus was strongly debating to himself whether or not it was justified that he stay or rather continue on his way.

While keeping eye contact with her mother, Jackie turned her head slightly. "Cole, come here please!"

Casually walking into the living room, Cole was dressed in a blue and black hoodie, white graphic T-shirt and slightly worn blue jeans.

Strolling into the room in his socks, he stared up at his mother. "Yeah mom?"

Looking down at Cole, Jackie sighed. "Go get Kira dressed please, and make sure she's wearing something—."

"MOMMY! MOMMY!" Suddenly Kira came running out from the other room and latched to Optimus' leg again with a soft grunt. "YAY! Opmus is still here!"

Raising an eyebrow at Optimus, Caroline laughed in almost a mocking manner and then turned to Jackie. "So for once your children actually APPROVE of a man you bring in here? So what number is this one? Third? Fourth? ….Tenth? Eleventh?"

Twisting her head around Jackie looked insulted enough to the point that she appeared about ready to start a screaming match with her mother when all of a sudden Kira screamed out in a fit of laughter. "No grandma, Opmus is the bests boyfriend that mommy has ever had! He's really funny, and he plays with me too!"

After those words escaped Kira's mouth, you could have heard a pin drop on the floor.

Caroline had a look of pure shock.

Jackie looked as if she was suffering from a serious sunburn on her face from how red she was.

Both Optimus and Cole were suffering from udder confusion,

…and Kira…just grinned waiting for someone to speak.

Swallowing hard Caroline spoke. "Oh…"

Turning away to clear her throat, Caroline tried to smile. "WELL…I guess I have no need to continue is saying what I was GOING to say."

Laughing, Jackie huffed as she crossed her arms. "You?! Not finish an insulting sentence?! Now I've seen everything!"

Returning Jacklyn's comment with a laugh of her own, Caroline grinned and beamed. "Well, if you're in a relationship with this… gentleman … then there is no use in my telling you that you're a complete and udder failure in successfully finding a husband."

At that very moment Jackie was about to come back and be sarcastic and then return with a comment of how 'she doesn't need a man to be happy', but then the idea that her mother would have had more grounds for criticism came to her mind. Then…an idea struck her.

Grabbing Optimus by the arm; Kira still holding onto his leg, Jackie smiled in the best fake smile that she could muster and held Optimus' large masculine body close to her smaller more petite one. "Well, now you know mother. The secret is out. Optimus and I are dating so I would appreciate it if you would quit hounding me."

Looking down at Jacklyn who was holding his arm and resting against his side, it suddenly dawned on Optimus just what the term 'boyfriend' actually meant, and having heard the term 'husband' been used earlier only confirmed what he was already thinking.

She was referring to them being in a romantic courtship.

She was talking about them spending time together in a trial to see if they were a compatible pair for mating.

Quietly but quickly leaning down to Jacklyn's side Optimus whispered with a worried intent. "Jacklyn what are you—?"

Just then without warning Jacklyn's foot came to rest on top of Optimus' with an unkindly force. Grimacing in pain, Optimus fought the urge to yell out in agony, but remained silent.

Looking up at him, Jacklyn scowled and whispered. "Just play along and follow my lead."

Looking back up at Caroline, Optimus forced a sheepish smile onto his face. It was hard to think about fooling a human when your own pad was throbbing with pain.

Looking the odd pair over, Caroline studied Optimus more carefully then she had before, everything from his broad, powerful shoulders to the contours of his legs. All of which made Optimus incredibly uncomfortable.

She was studying him.

A look of vile disgust was slight but noticeable on her face. She looked at him as if he was a bug…a dangerous bug…one that needed to be squashed, and quickly.

Returning her gaze to Jackie, Caroline smirked and then reached down and heaved her purse over her shoulder. "Well…seeing as how you two obviously have plans…I'm obviously not wanted here. All well, I'm over-do with a visit with my girlfriends anyhow."

Walking out the door, Caroline held up a hand as if nothing had happened in a greedy arrogance. "If you change your mind about this apartment love, be sure to let me know. Revoir darling!"

The door slammed shut behind her knocking one of the pictures off the wall.

Only for a moment was the room quiet until Jackie erupted in a fit of anger.

"That woman! THAT WOMAN! Who the hell does she think she is?! Coming in here and telling me what to do! She acts like she runs this place!"

Sitting back down on the couch, Optimus watched with curiosity as she paced the floor fidgeting.

Looking over beside him he was surprised to see that Cole was sitting next to him.

Looking at Jacklyn, and then back at Cole, Optimus pointed to her with a raised eye brow. "Does your mother always do this after your grandmother comes?"

Looking Optimus over for only a moment, Cole nodded and then looked back at his mother who was still fuming. "Pretty much. Her and Grandma have never really gotten along…at least not as long as I can remember."

Nodding Optimus also watched. "I see."

Standing up, Optimus slowly started toward the door and reached for the handle.

"Hey! Just where do you think you're going?!"

Turning back around, Optimus was a bit surprised to see Jacklyn facing him. Arms crossed, scowl on the face and foot lightly tapping on the floor.

Never in his life had Optimus ever really felt threatened by a female of any species. Human or Cybertronian, but the way Jacklyn was staring him down now…made him let go of the door handle.

Slowly Optimus spoke. "I must go now Jacklyn. I have dilemmas that need to be answered."

Lowering her gaze Jackie practically growled. "You think YOU'VE got problems?! MY MOTHER thinks I'm dating YOU! And If I tell her otherwise then she will never let me live it down for the rest of my life!"

Stomping over to the door Jacklyn grabbed Optimus by the ear and yanked him over to the couch, him howling the whole way.

Being grabbed by the ear was just as bad as being grabbed by the antenna…it was most certainly an intolerable pain.

Pulling him down to the point where she made him sit, she pointed a dangerous finger at him, only centimeters from his face. "I don't know you. You don't know me. But by you being here you given me no choice but to pull you into my messed up life. You have nowhere to go. You even said that yourself! And I need to fool my mother in thinking that I'm not a complete and udder failure, that way she stays off my back and out of my life! I have enough to worry about! And YOU are just going to roll with it until my mother decides to leave me the hell alone!"

Trying to stand up off of the couch Optimus sighed. "Jacklyn, I would help you, but I have enough problems of my own that require attention. I cannot afford to stay and 'pretend' to be courting you."

Putting her hands on his chest to keep him from getting up and leaving, she pleaded. "Optimus…"

Looking down, Jackie realized where her hands were and paused only a moment before pulling them away in a gasp. Swallowing heavily, she regained her thoughts and sighed. "Please Optimus, I—I didn't mean to yell. It's just…my mother has always torn me down…ever since I was a young girl. She would often take pleasure in seeing my pain. She'd always tell me that I needed to grow up, that I needed to take my place in life. She always told me that I was never the daughter she wished I was. That was my younger sister. And now my mother thinks I'm even more of a poor pathetic excuse for a daughter after Clay and I got a divorce."

Wrapping her arms around herself, Jackie sighed even more heavily. "Optimus…I have enough to worry about with Cole and Kira. They're my world. They're my everything. And I would do anything to protect them. Even if that means fooling my own mother into believing that I'm in a stable relationship. If I can fool her that way, maybe then that will keep her vile behavior at bay. I don't want my children be subjugated to her. Not like that. Not like the way I was."

For a long time Optimus remained silent, pondering the words that Jacklyn has just said.

Looking over at the couch Optimus' eyes met that of Cole's and Kira's. They just sat there quietly…watching him with innocent eyes.

With a heavy sigh Optimus looked Jackie over and then groaned. "Jacklyn…I do not want to be pulled into this web of lies that you've developed to manipulate your mother into thinking something false—."

Slowly Jackie turned away and whispered under her breath.

"However—."

Looking up Jackie watched as Optimus turned to meet her gaze. Optimus spoke slowly, being sure every word he spoke was heard the way it was meant to be intended. "—I do see justification if your way of rendering your mother to be dangerous to your children's minds, and if I can be of any assistance in making sure that they see no abuse then at least I can live with myself knowing that my intentions in this household were good."

Pulling her arms away from her chest, Jackie looked Optimus over. "So, that means you're going to help me?"

Nodding Optimus held up a hand. "On one condition."

Cocking her head slightly, Jackie looked at Optimus in a quizative manner. "What?"

Smiling ever so slightly Optimus shrugged. "If I assist you…you must assist me."