Chapter 7: Guardian Angel

Optimus sat quietly in the living room watching the television. Optimus had turned down the volume as to keep Kira from waking; needless to say Optimus wasn't really watching.

Thoughts continued to pester him, eat away at him. They almost seemed to bring up an amount of stress that surprisingly to Optimus, was beginning to make him uncomfortable.

What if he couldn't return to his rightful dimension? What if it was fate that he be bound to this world, this form for the rest of his natural life? A couple short months ago Optimus would have shook that thought straight out of his processor and would have thought positively about the situation, Ratchet was a well trusted, loyal friend and had an above average intelligence. If anyone could figure out what had happened as well as discover how to return Optimus to his true form, it was him.

But now, cold, harsh reality was really starting to set in on Optimus. What if Ratchet couldn't find out what went wrong? Or even if he could discover the dilemma, could he even find Optimus' current location?! So many questions…and too much time to think about them.

What if Ratchet couldn't even do the first of the two, find out what went wrong? He would be forced to remain in this human form until death…

That single thought shook Optimus to his core.

DEATH.

As a Cybertronian you can live for millennia. But as a human, you're lucky if you live past the age of ninety years old. Truth of the matter was, by Optimus remaining in a human form, he's being deducted several thousand years off of his lifespan!

Heaving a heavy breath out of his longs Optimus looked away from the television screen, trying hard to think of the positive side to all of this.

The positive things.

Optimus sat quietly for a long time, desperately trying to think of a positive point of view in all of this. There had to be something…anything!

Just then a word came to mind…a name…

"Optimus?"

Looking up Optimus noticed Cole standing in the doorway with a look of concern drawn on his face.

"Are you alright?"

Looking at the television and then back at Cole, Optimus nodded. "I am quite alright Cole, I was merely thinking, that's all."

Cole was quiet and then soon nodded, understanding. He then started toward the kitchen without saying a word.

Walking into the kitchen, Cole threw his book bag down onto the island and ventured toward the counter. Placing his lunch box next to the sink, Cole reached up into a wire basket suspended above the sink to grab a banana. Turning away he slipped off his shoes on the rug and then climbed up into one of the seats.

Having gotten up off the couch and followed Cole into the kitchen, Optimus stood in the doorway and watched quietly.

Cole unzipped his book bag and pulled out a large green and blue book with a hard cover as well as a small green and blue book with a soft, flexible cover.

He opened the soft-covered book and flipped through the pages. Then opened his hard cover book and did the same.

Cole then reached into the pocket of his hooded sweatshirt and pulled out a pencil.

Optimus continued to watch with a slight fascination as Cole sat quietly at the table, reading out of the big book, and then would write in the smaller book.

Walking up behind Cole, Optimus watched curiously.

Displayed in bold lettering on the page that Optimus guessed Cole was reading was; "Looking Inside the Cell."

Looking up over his shoulder, Cole and Optimus' eyes suddenly met.

There was a moment of awkward silence that passed between the two before Cole finally sighed. "What?"

Resting his arms behind his back, Optimus continued to look the page over. "What are you doing?"

Looking away Cole shrugged and mumbled. "Life Science-"

Kneeling down slightly to Cole's side Optimus raised a curious eye brow. "What about Life Science exactly?"

Cole looked up slightly from his workbook and shrugged, a little unsure of Optimus' curiosity. "We're learning about cells; plant and animal."

Cole continued writing for only a moment before he suddenly stopped and looked up, not at Optimus just at the wall. He then put his pencil down on his work book and turned to Optimus. "Why do you want to know what I'm working on?"

Looking at Cole, Optimus just shrugged. "I was just curious."

Looking away Cole was quiet for some time. He just stared at his workbook, even picked up his pencil to attempt to start writing but stopped and looked at Optimus again. "Why are you curious about what I'm doing?"

Optimus shook his head as he continued to look over Cole's shoulder. "I just thought I would ask."

Optimus knew from the tone in Cole's voice that he was displeased with him being here, and concluded that maybe he better leave Cole to work on his homework by himself.

Turning away Optimus started for the living room when he heard the squeak of a turning chair. Looking back around Optimus' eyes met Cole's. Only now, Cole had a look of complete and utter confusion written upon his face.

For a moment Cole looked Optimus up and down. "Why are you like this?"

Lightening his expression, Optimus raised his head slightly. "Like what?"

Motioning to Optimus entire self, Cole huffed. "None of my mom's other boyfriends ever cared about anything me or Kira do, so why do you?"

Optimus was quiet for some time before he let a small smile appear on his face. "I know that sometimes it's nice having someone of elder age take interest in some of the things you do."

There was a long pause between the two of them. But eventually, a small smile seemed to creep onto Cole's face. There was something different about this man. Yes he was different. Yes he was intimidating. But nothing about him seemed to be dishonest, not like the others. Though his voice was deep and ominous like a summer thunder, there was still something comforting, almost soothing about him. He was a fierce man, everything about his physical being solidified that, but his eyes, his smile were nothing but friendly.

Optimus knew that Cole was unsure about him, and he had every right to be. Optimus was a stranger into his circle of loved-ones. He didn't know him nor did Optimus really know Cole. That's not to say Optimus' didn't want to get to know Cole, for there was something about him…about his personality…that truly reminded him of someone.

Optimus smiled warmly to himself in his thoughts. It was almost like looking in a mirror.

Clearing his throat, Optimus approached Cole again. "So, you had said that you were learning about cells, correct?"

Cole looked down at his book and then again at Optimus, then nodded.

Optimus nodded looking away slightly. "I see."

Optimus knew small-talk like this wasn't going to help him develop a better relationship with Cole. Not by a long shot. If he wished to get to know the boy sitting in front of him better, then he needed to get down onto his level. But how?

"O-Optimus?"

Looking up Optimus noticed Cole looking at him.

Cole looked down at his work book and then back at Optimus with gentle, pleading eyes. He smiled and spoke with a slightly shaking voice. "D-Do you think you could help me with my homework?"

Smiling warmly in return, Optimus found the opportunity to bond with Cole that he seeks, or at least, the first step.

"Cole, I would be more than happy to help you. Who knows, maybe you could even teach me a thing or two."

Pulling out a chair beside Cole, Optimus watched and smiled at seeing a smile appear on the young boy's face.

Resting his arms on the table, Optimus sighed and looked at Cole smiling. "Alright, let's get started, shall we?"

Cole nodded and flipped through the pages of his hard cover book, stopped on a page and looked at Optimus. "Is it okay if I read out-loud? My English teacher says I need to work on my reading skills."

Optimus nodded kindly. "Of course, I would be more than happy to hear you read."

Cole smiled, looked at the book and began to read.

As Cole read about the different structures located within the cell walls and the cell membranes of cells in animals and plants, Optimus couldn't help but yet again think about matters troubling him. Matters that would lately arise in his brain over and over again.

His Autobots…

His Human friends…

The Decepticons…

MEGATRON…

Why did these thoughts continue to taunt him? Nag at him?

"Optimus?"

Looking up Optimus saw Cole watching him. He chuckled shaking his head. "I apologize Cole; my mind was beginning to wander."

Tilting his head, Cole watched curiously. "What were you thinking about?"

Sighing Optimus let his solemn eyes fall on Cole. "About my home, and my family."

Tilting his head, Cole looked Optimus over. "You mean family like what I have?"

Looking at Cole, Optimus titled his head curiously. "What do you mean?"

Cole shrugged. "I know you and mom aren't really dating. I know you and her only say you are to fool grandma. I was there when mom cooked up the scheme, remember? I mean do you have brothers and sisters? A mom and dad? A wife and…kids of your own?"

Looking away Optimus was quiet but soon chuckled. "Not exactly Cole. I have close friends that I call my family."

Looking away Cole released a soft "oh" in a sigh. Looking back up, he raised his eye brows innocently, burning with curiosity. "Do you miss them?"

Nodding slowly Optimus sighed. "Very much so."

Looking at his book and reaching for his banana Cole asked. "Do you think about them a lot?"

Again Optimus' nodded. "Every day, although I must admit, I wish I could think about them less."

Blinking in disbelief, Cole couldn't help but look at Optimus up and down. Why would he say that he wanted to think about them less? Could this have something to do with when they drove out into the desert to that big plateau a few weeks ago?

Looking at Optimus still, Cole leaned forward to look at his face. "Why do you wish you could think about them less? Don't you want to remember them? Mom says the best way to keep someone close to your heart is to remember them, so why are you trying to forget?"

Looking at Cole, Optimus shook his head and tried to chuckle. "I don't want to forget them Cole, I just merely wish I could focus less on the past and more on what's in front of me."

Pointing to himself, Cole tilted his head, confused about Optimus' previous statement. "In front of you? Do you mean Mom, Kira…and me?"

Looking at Cole, Optimus realized this was Cole trying to reach out. He was trying to find acceptance with him. Now it was just up to Optimus to except it.

Smiling warmly Optimus nodded. "Yes Cole, that's exactly what I mean. I need to focus more on your mother, Kira—,"

Just then Optimus gently rested his hand on Cole's head and shuffled his hair between his long fingers. "—and you."

Yet another moment of silence passed between the two of them. Cole made no attempt to move or pull away from Optimus' touch. Actually, the more Cole thought about it, the more he sort of liked having someone of the same gender to talk to, and Optimus was in no way, shape, or form like the others. He listened. He actually listened whereas the others would either pretend to listen of ignore him entirely. Not Optimus. Cole liked having an adult who actually spoke to him as an equal, not as a child. Not only that; Optimus' intentions were honest which that in itself made Cole happy.

It was now that Cole was starting to think that he had been very wrong about Optimus.

Very wrong.

Moving his hand from Cole's head to his shoulder, Optimus sighed and motioned with a glance back to Cole's Biology book and cleared his throat. "I know it may not sound very fun, but perhaps we best finish this homework."

Smiling Cole nodded. "Yeah, 'cause if I don't, my biology teacher is going to kill me."

Chuckling Optimus smiled and slid closer to Cole, looking at the book. "Then what do you say we get started?"

…

…

…

With a soft thud, Cole closed the book and heaved in silent victory. "Finally, we're done! Now I'm going to be thinking about nothing but a cell's nucleus, ribosome, lysosome and chromosomes."

With a soft chuckle Optimus nodded. "Look at it this way Cole, you have completed your work and have the rest of the night to yourself."

"What does Cole have to himself for the rest of the night?"

Turning around Cole and Optimus saw Kira standing in the door way of the kitchen holding her blanket rubbing the sleep out of her eyes.

Turning in his chair, Optimus smiled. "Well, look who decided to finally get up."

Stretching and yawning Kira fought to keep her eyes open as she gazed at Optimus and Cole. Kira then walked over to Optimus and motioned to be picked up. Optimus obliged, holding her gentle under the arm pits as he raised her up and set her on his lap. Cole laughed at Kira as her head seemed to fall against Optimus' chest and a haze of exhaustion filled her eyes. Optimus smiled, cradling her close to him, her warm, soft skin of her hands against his arm, holding onto him in dependence for protection and comfort. Her big blue eyes stared up at him tiredly waiting for a response to her question.

Cole shifted his weight on the chair and looked at Optimus. Cole then sighed softly but with essence of a groan behind the sigh. "Optimus, I need to ask you something."

Leaning back in the chair slightly, Optimus closed his eyes and nodded. "Alright—."

Cole fiddled with his fingers for a moment before looking at Optimus. "Why don't you have a wife or kids?"

Opening his eyes again suddenly, Optimus looked at Cole a little taken back by the question.

Looking away Cole cowered with a means of almost feeling like he might have insulted Optimus in some way.

Smiling in a glance of forgiveness, Optimus shrugged. "I just have not found the female I wish to spend eternity with."

Reaching up, Kira tugged at Optimus' shirt. "What about mommy?"

Looking down, Optimus raised an eye brow in curiosity. "What do you mean Kira?"

Raising her hands up, Kira sprawled out her fingers. "Maybe mommy is the girl you should spend the rest of your life with!"

Looking at Kira a little shocked, Optimus was at loss for words. He was about to say something along the lines of how that scenario would probably never work, but then a thought hit him. Was in even a possibility that he could somehow manage to truly court Jacklyn? And even more to the point, was there some flame in his human heart for Jacklyn that burned to have her affection?

Shaking the thought from his mind, Optimus slowly rose from his chair and place Kira on the floor. Smiling sheepishly he shrugged and started for the living room. "Alright you two, what do you say we go and watch some television for a while?"

As Optimus walked away, both Cole and Kira sat in a daze. They sat this way for some time before looking at one another only to comply to each other's glance with a shrug. What was Optimus hiding that concerned their mother?

…

…

The night wore on as the trio of misfits sat on the couch watching Cat Wars, a cartoon that both Kira and Cole seemed to enjoy. Optimus couldn't quite understand how a lion, tiger, cheetah or any large feline could talk, walk on two legs, wear clothing or even master highly evolved technology like weapons or ships, but alas, the miracle of human imagination was becoming more and more evident to Optimus as the night's broadcasts of cartoons wore on.

Three small plates were stacked on one another with remnants of pizza crust on the top plate sat at one side of the coffee table while a pizza box labeled: "Joey's Delivery Pizza" sat on the other side. Various cans of orange soda sat on the coffee table as well only to illustrate the beverage that was consumed with the three cheese, meat lovers, double stuffed crust pizza that Optimus, Cole and Kira had consumed.

All three of them sat quiet and content as the cartoon of interest wore on. Looking up from Optimus' lap, Kira stretched and reached down to the floor to grab a blanket that she had previously brought out into the living room. Pulling it up she draped it over herself, Optimus and Cole who was lying beside Optimus.

Leaning up against Optimus' chest she yawned and rubbed her face into his warm, soft shirt.

Optimus smiled as he gently reached for the remote and turned the television off. Bolting upright Kira looked at Optimus. "Whadcha do that for Opmus?"

Looking at the clock to verify that his assumptions were correct, Optimus smiled motioning to the clock that read 8:35 pm. "Looks like it's time for you two to go to bed."

With simultaneous groans, Kira and Cole huffed. Looking up with a jutted out bottom lip, Kira pleaded with her eyes. "Pwease Opmus, I don't wanna go to bed."

Cole nodded in agreement. "I don't want to go to bed either. There's another episode of Cat Wars up next!"

Standing with Kira still in his arms, Optimus shrugged not heading their desperate pleas to remain awake longer. "I'm sorry children, but I have strict instructions for your mother that you were supposed to be in bed at 8:30. I could be in trouble already having allowed you to stay up five minutes past your curfew."

Waving dismissively Cole hacked mockingly. "Mom wouldn't get mad at you for letting us stay up five minutes past bed time. Now if it was an hour or two that would be different."

Walking away in the direction of Kira's room with Kira still in his arms, Optimus looked away smiling. "Maybe so, but I will not be responsible for you two not receiving enough rest. After all, I am well aware that you two have school tomorrow. I would hate for you two to not be in your highest malady for what the day may bring tomorrow." Glancing over his broad shoulder, Optimus smiling. "Come along Cole, it's time to go to bed."

Slumping off the couch, Cole groaned, dragging himself along in following Optimus.

Setting Kira down in front of her room, Optimus motioned with a nod of his head toward her bed. "Go on Kira, I will return shortly. Walking a few steps ahead, Optimus watched as Cole rounded Optimus and slinked into his room. Watching for only a moment Optimus turned around and peered into Kira's room, only to stop and look away with a red face.

Kira was standing in the middle of her room with nothing on but pink princess underwear and her pajamas stuck over her head. Looking up through the hole in her pajamas where her head was supposed to go, she saw Optimus watching, shying away in embarrassment.

Stumbling over to him, Kira whimpered and pleaded. "Opmus! Help! I'm stuck!"

At first Optimus felt hesitant about helping her out of her predicament. But, on the other hand, Kira is just a child, practically an infant in some sorts. Why should HE be embarrassed? Kneeling down and looking through Kira's peep hole, Optimus smiled. "How did you manage to get yourself into this mess Kira?"

Flailing her arms wildly Kira groaned. "I don't know! Help Opmus, help!"

Shaking his head Optimus obliged and gently pulled the twisted, mangled shirt off. He untangled it and shook it out, being careful as he placed the proper openings for Kira's head and limbs where they should be. He pulled the shirt down over her tiny body and looked her over, nodding his head in approval.

Looking up to meet his gaze, Kira smiled and giggled before leaping up into her bed and snuggling under the pink blanket draped over her bed. Rising from his spot on the floor, Optimus walked to the edge of the door way and turned off the light and close the door, as he's seen Jacklyn do countless times.

"Opmus?"

Turning around Optimus stopped to meet Kira's gaze. "Yes Kira?"

Sitting up under her covers she pointed to an electrical outlet across the room. "You forgot to turn on my pink flower night-light. Mommy always turns it on."

Flicking the light switch back on, Optimus crossed the room and carefully plugged the small plastic night-light into the outlet. He rose to his feet again and crossed the room to turn the light switch off and close the door.

"Opmus?"

Turning back around Optimus noticed Kira was still sitting upright. Leaning against the frame of the door, he smiled. "What is it Kira?"

Looking at the chair at her right, just beside the window, and then back at Optimus, she pleaded with her eyes. "Will you tell me a bed time story?"

At first, Optimus was a bit hesitant but then with a gentle smile, he chuckled and entered the room again, pulling the chair up beside Kira's bed. "Kira, aren't you a bit old for bed time stories?"

Giggling Kira shook her head. "No! Pwease, Opmus Pwease? Just ONE bed time story?"

Leaning back in his chair, Optimus thought about it, thinking of something that could possibly merit the attention of a five year old. Sighing he rubbed the back of his neck for a moment and then began. "Many millennia ago, very far away from here in the far corners of space lived a race of sentient machines—."

Scooting down under her covers, Kira watched and listened with intent eagerness. "OOooo, I can tell this story is gonna be good!"

…

…

Several minutes later, Cole sat quietly outside Kira's door, listening with eagerness.

Kira was sitting upright in her bed with her eyes as wide as saucers, listening to ever word Optimus spoke. Optimus swallowed and continued from where he had left off.

"—but after Megatron found that by bringing change to Cybertron through the gladiatorial pits would not work to his favor, he fashioned himself a plot to go before the grand council of Cybertron itself. Knowing full well of the possible outcome of this action, he thought it wise to bring with him a close friend and ally, Orion Pax, to support him and even speak to the council if need be—."

Pausing Optimus looked away. Leaning forward Kira bounced excitedly. "What happened when they went to the council Opmus? What happened?!"

Looking back to Kira, Optimus smiled sheepishly. "After being allowed an audience with the grand council, Megatron had proposed his vision for change in Cybertron's caste system, but thus revealed his true identity as being corrupt and sinister. But Orion stood before the council and delivered a speech that supposedly moved the sparks and minds of every sentient being. Because of this, the council had made the decision that this clerk from the Iacon Hall of Records had all the desired qualities of a Prime."

Tilting her head in curiosity Kira looked at Optimus. "What was the speech he said Opmus?"

…

For quite some time Optimus was silent. Shifting slightly, Kira leaned forward looking at his face, wondering if she had said something wrong that made him mad. "Opmus?"

Looking up Optimus smiled and shrugged. "I don't know that I remember the entire speech little one."

Looking up with pleading eyes, Kira practically begged.

Sighing Optimus nodded, knowing he had been beat. After all, who could deny pleading eyes like Kira's?

Clearing his throat Optimus stared at the ceiling, thinking for quite some time before looking back down at Kira. "Do you want to hear the whole speech, or just part of it?"

Smiling broadly Kira raised her hands. "All of it!"

Staring up at the ceiling Optimus sighed and then began…

"If I remember correctly, the speech went something like this—

"Fellow Cybertronians, members of the Council, hear me. Megatron speaks harshly but true. He has seen the truth of life for many Cybertronians whose lives are all too often invisible, and if he is angry, it is anger born of love for an ideal and Spark-deep pain at our failure of the ordeal.

"The recent attacks were savage and inexcusable—yet they were only symptoms. The unrest spreading across Cybertron will not stop with these attacks because it is the natural expression of the people who for too long have been held in check, their potential forever unrealized because of the false constraints of caste and Guild.

"It is natural for a being born with spark to know that it should be free. And it is natural that Cybertronians, who are born to change from one form to another, should want to be able to change their roles within Cybertronian society as a whole. If castes and Guilds fight change, they fight our own nature—and the nature of Cybertron itself. The absence of change is not stability. It is entropy. Only dead things stay the same.

"No Cybertronian is simply the mechanical sum of his parts. From the smallest Minicon to the mightiest combiner, from the simplest data processor to the scientists who teach us the laws of the universe, each of us contains a living Spark that makes us who we are, not simply what we are. The Spark within us awakens us to the possibility of freedom. It makes us alive to the idea that we might choose what we shall become—as each of you did Councilors. Why should we not? One bot's freedom can never be given or taken away by another. This goes against the very nature of the Spark, the very nature of Cybertron itself.

"In the past, in times of great need, noble Cybertronians rose to become Prime and lead our civilization out of crisis. Most recently, Sentinel Prime—once one of this chamber's honorable Elite Guard—united all Cybertronians against a dire threat. High Councilors fought alongside smelters and data clerks then, to drive off an invader. What did this invader want? To enslave us, to turn us into property, to deprive us of our fundamental Spark-given right of self-determination. Have we driven the Quintessons off only to enslave ourselves by caste and Guild? And will we crush this new movement toward freedom, sacrificing freedom for order? I say no. Order achieved through force can never be a true peace. There can be no true peace through tyranny.

"The time has come for all Cybertronians to be united again, and I say we need a new Prime to unite us. We do not need a Prime who moves us as if we were parts of a great machine, who demands that we be drones and slaves as the price of a peace that is only stasis. The Guildmasters and Keepers of the Castes do that more than adequately, and look where they have gotten us. Cybertron needs a leader of the free, a Prime who recognizes that all Cybertronian Cybertronians are autonomous robots, owned by no one but themselves, masters of their own fates.

"I say it again. Autonomous robots!

"We will remember this moment, in this Council Chamber, as the moment where free robots broke the welds of oppression that had taken the beauty of the Spark away from us. We are all autonomous robots today—Autobots, if we need a name to rally around—and we Autobots declare that a Spark once freed will never again stand to be oppressed.

"You must choose a new Prime today. Choose well, for a Prime might either lead Cybertron to a new golden era in our history, or stand by as the dark energies of anger and resentment explode into planet-wide chaos and war.

"Members of the council, the choice is yours. I wish your wisdom."

Looking back down from staring at the ceiling, Optimus was a bit taken back by Kira's expression. With an awed look of bewilderment, Kira shook her head slightly. "How the heck do you remember all that?! That was a really long speech!"

Chuckling, Optimus nodded. "Yes, I suppose it is quite long, isn't it?"

Kira nodded but then tilted her head. "But that was the speech that made the council peoples see the truth, right?"

Optimus nodded. "Indeed it was."

Lying down in her bed, sprawling out her arms and legs Kira yawned. "So what did Megatron do after Orion's speech?"

Crossing his arms, Optimus again leaned back in the chair he was sitting in, thinking about it. "In his rage of thought betrayal, Megatron no longer saw Orion as a friend, but instead as his mortal enemy. He looked at Orion as being a traitor who used him for his own purposes in rising to power."

Looking away, Optimus' voice suddenly became solemn. Kira watched him with some ounce of curiosity, but mostly out of concern. Optimus looked out the window seeing that it was raining now. "Something changed in Megatron that day. He was no longer a rebel gladiator fighting for freedom and equality among all Cybertronians. He became a monster. A hopeless Spark too wrapped up by his own greedy lust for power that he could not see what it was he was becoming."

Optimus was then quiet for quite some time.

Just then, very slowly Cole walked into the room. "What happened to Orion? Did Megatron get mad at him just because of the speech…or was it because of something else?"

Turning to meet Cole's eyes Optimus smiled mildly. "It wasn't so much the speech that truly upset Megatron, Cole; it was the Councilor's actions afterwards that sent Megatron into his rage."

Sitting down at the end of Kira's bed Cole stared Optimus in the eye, and asked again. "What happened?"

Shrugging casually Optimus turned away, again looking out the window, but more or less stared at his own reflection. "On that day, the High Council of Cybertron made Orion Pax a Prime."

Titling his head Cole watched Optimus' actions intently. "That's why Megatron got mad? He wanted to be the next Prime?"

Optimus nodded. "But the only way that Orion could truly earn the title of Prime was by finding The Matrix of Leadership."

Cocking her head to one side Kira scowled slightly. "The 'what'?"

Chuckling Optimus rose from his spot on the chair and moved it back toward the window. "The Matrix of Leadership. It is an artifact of great power, traditionally carried by the leader of the Autobots."

Cole straitened up eagerly. "What does it do?"

Tucking Kira in under her covers Optimus sighed. "It holds within its bearings a fragment of Primus' essence as well as the collective knowledge of the Primes."

Sitting up Kira chirped excitedly. "Who's Primus?"

Scoffing tiredly Optimus scowled playfully. "Don't you two ever stop asking questions?"

Cole jumped up blocking Optimus from leaving. "Optimus, at least answer this for us, whatever happened to the Autobots?"

Sitting up Kira nodded and chimed coherently with Cole. "Yeah Opmus, what happened?"

Sighing heavily Optimus shook his head. "Soon after the break-out of war on Cybertron's surface the planet eventually came to the point where it could no longer sustain life. Both Autobots and Decepticons, the Cybertronians that Megatron lead, declared an exodus as being the only course of action, thus they left their home planet, probably forever.

"Many scattered to distant planets by the masses, but a select few, the new Prime included went to one planet in particular, a planet that held significant stock piles of energon hidden away—."

Kira and Cole simultaneously glanced at one another before looking at Optimus, asking where.

With a soft smile, Optimus chuckled. "Right here…on Earth."

Again, Kira and Cole passed glances to one another before finally turning their attention back toward Optimus. Cole stared in astonishment. "Really?"

Nodding Optimus slowly stretched and started to move toward the door. "Yes. And now, before either one of you two ask me more questions, it is time for you to go to sleep."

Groaning in sync to one another, both Cole and Kira scowled and moped. Making his way toward the door, Cole stared up at Optimus, giving him a smile before disappearing around the corner.

Looking over his shoulder, Optimus glanced at Kira who was snug and warm under her covers. Her nightlight was on and she received her story. What more could she need?

As he turned off the light and started to turn away, Optimus stopped suddenly after hearing a tired voice call his name.

"Opmus?"

Turning around he smiled warmly. "Yes Kira?"

Looking up over the covers she yawned tiredly. "What about good-night kisses?"

Hesitantly, Optimus remained still for a moment considering what it was Kira was asking for, but…with an almost loving smile he crossed the dark room and kneeled by Kira's bed side. Brushing her hair away from her forehead, he gently rested his lips against the warm skin of her forehead. Pulling away just a few inches, he smiled caressing her cheek and whispered. "Good night Kira."

Nuzzling into his touch, she whispered sleepily. "Good night Opmus."

Rising to his full height again, Optimus stood for a few moments, watching as Kira slowly drifted to sleep.

But as the moments passed and Kira's slumber deepened, Optimus' smile slowly faded. Five words continued to taunt him, remind him of the inevitable truth.

'You're getting in too deep, Optimus. You're getting in too deep.'

Turning away, Optimus quietly shut Kira's door and started back down the hallway. Kira, Cole, and Jacklyn were good people…very good people. Ones whom Optimus had to admit were growing on him. Holding individuals whom he cares about close to his spark was important, Optimus knew that, but could he live with himself if he hurt them by leaving?

The more and more Optimus thought about it, the more and more the truth came to the surface.

These people, this family accepted him into their home, gave him food and shelter…even their affection. How could he just walk away from all that only to go back to fighting Megatron and the Decepticons?

Looking up Optimus realized he had only taken two or three steps from leaving Kira's room when these thoughts began to once again pester his brain. With a deep sigh he quickened his pace in direction to the living room.

"Optimus?"

Stopping, Optimus stepped backward slightly and looked into Cole's room, only to see him sitting up in his bed under the covers. He cocked his head slightly, looking Optimus over. "That story…that you told Kira…it was really good. You should think about writing it and publishing it."

Smiling, Optimus nodded respectfully. "I'd have to think about it."

Cole nodded in return as he sank down under his covers, but then stopped, looking back to where Optimus stood, or at least had been standing.

"Optimus?"

Peering around the corner once again, Optimus raised his forehead in tired curiosity. "Yes Cole?"

Looking away Cole grimaced in all nervousness, unsure that he should say the next few words that were about to come out of his mouth. "I'm sorry Optimus."

Maintaining his glance somewhat, Optimus tiled his head, looking at Cole curiously. "For what Cole?"

Shrugging Cole looked up, letting his eyes meet Optimus'.

"I'm sorry for behaving like such a brat to you for the past few weeks. I never gave you a fair chance and thought you were going to hurt my mom…..the way all the others did."

Optimus was quiet for only a moment before his glance softened and a smile appeared on his face. Moving away from his spot against the door frame, Optimus walked into Cole's room and gently sat on the end of the bed, letting Cole's eyes meet his.

"Cole, you had every right to be wary of me in considering my intentions toward your mother. After all, I understand the fact that most males that have been exposed to you and Kira have not been influential in a positive way. But…" setting a gentle hand on Cole's shoulder, Optimus' somewhat thunderous voice seemed to soften even more. "Cole I swear to you, I would never do anything to hurt you, Kira or your mother."

Cole's eyes watched Optimus' for some time. He was used to guys making blind promises to him and his sister, but there was something different about Optimus. His eyes did not look away or avert to something behind Cole as he was talking to him. He was looking directly at him, at HIM. That alone was something none of the other boyfriends have ever done. Cole couldn't believe just how blue Optimus' eyes really were, and the emotion they held. Everything else about Optimus physic gave the illusion that he was calm, cool and collected. That there was nothing wrong at all. But his eyes, told a different story. There was something Optimus was hiding from them, Cole could see it. He could see it in his eyes.

Looking down at his hands that lay in his lap, Cole yawned and stretched. Smiling, Optimus nodded to the gesture and rose from his spot on Cole's bed.

Walking slowly to the door, Optimus stopped and looked back at Cole. Cole looked up meeting Optimus' eyes one last time for the night.

Optimus smiled in return as he shut off the light. "Good night Cole."

Settling himself under the covers and letting his head rest on the pillow, Cole looked up and smiled tiredly. "Good night Optimus."

After quietly shutting the door, Optimus froze in mid stance staring at the door knob he had just let go of.

Now Cole was growing fond of him?

Turning away Optimus grew increasingly quiet only to groan quietly out of concern, whispering the words out-loud that now grew of higher concern. "You, Optimus are getting in WAY too deep."

…

…