Sorry for the long wait for an update. My plot bunnies took off and I had the worst time trying to catch them! *Catches breath* Whew! Now back to our story!

Op: Do I get to hold Elita yet?

Me: Wait and see…..

OP: …

Italics: thinking

It had been several Earth months since Elita's arrival, and she was adjusting to life on Earth rather well. Thankfully, the Decepticons had been quiet, but Primus only knew how long that would last. Optimus had continued to bring Elita energon every morning, and had even started sitting with her in the rec room while they drank their evening energon. One evening, as they slowly sipped their energon, Optimus was deep in thought as he considered taking the next step, and asking Elita on a date.

Should I ask her for a date? Will she even want to go with me? Is it too soon? Will I frighten her away? I would never forgive myself if I hurt her. But I have to try. Primus! She's so beautiful! It's almost more than I can bear being this close to her and not being able to touch her. I don't care, though! I'll wait forever for her, if I have to!

Unbeknownst to Optimus, Elita was having her own internal battle.

Why do I feel like a youngling with her first crush every time I see him? I get a fluttering in my spark any time he's near me. He's so handsome, and those optics of his are such a deep blue! I've never seen such beautiful optics! Get a hold of yourself! He's too busy with his duties to notice you! But he has been having his evening energon with me. Oh come on! He's just trying to be nice and make you feel welcome. He is Prime, after all. It is probably one of his duties!

Elita shook her helm a little to clear her processor, only to see Optimus eyeing her quizzically. "Is everything all right, Elita?" He asked

"Yes, everything is fine, Optimus. I was just thinking, is all, and I realized I was being rude to you". Elita said quietly.

"It's all right, Elita. I was doing a bit of thinking, myself," he said with a chuckle. It's now or never! he thought. "Actually Elita, I wanted to ask you something. I was wondering if you would like to take a walk with me. There is something I would like to show you", Optimus said softly.

Elita couldn't believe her audio receptors! Optimus Prime wanted to spend time with her! She must be dreaming! She opened her mouth plates to answer him, but nothing would come out.

Optimus saw her trying to speak, and his spark sank. Primus, I must have really upset her! I knew I shouldn't have asked her yet! I'm such a fool! Will she ever forgive me?

"I'm sorry I upset you, Elita. Please forgive me. You are in no way obligated to go with me. I think it's best if I return to my quarters for the night," Optimus said, as he began to rise.

"Please don't leave, Optimus!" Elita cried, having finally found her voice. "You didn't upset me at all, only surprised me. I would love to take a walk with you." she said softly, laying her small hand on Optimus' arm.

His spark soared with happiness at her words, but now HE was having trouble finding words with her hand on his arm!

"I-I will be at your quarters tomorrow afternoon at 15:00, if that is acceptable," he said, gulping.

"15:00 will be perfect," Elita said. Having finished her energon, she rose to leave, throwing the empty cube away. "May I see you to your quarters?" Optimus asked.

"I'd like that. Thank you very much," Elita said softly. Optimus offered his arm, and he and Elita made their way down the long halls to her quarters. Arriving at her door, Elita keyed in her code, and the door opened with a soft hiss. Optimus turned to face Elita, and taking one of her small hands in his huge one, he brought her hand to his mouth plates and placed a small kiss there.

"Until tomorrow, then", he rumbled lowly; and turned toward his own quarters.

Elita stood there, stunned for a moment, then regained her composure and entered her quarters. She let the door close behind her, and leaned against it, with a dreamy look in her optics. "He kissed my hand! Oh my Primus, he kissed my hand!" She almost squealed.

Elita awoke the next morning, and the only thought on her processor was that she was going to spend the afternoon with Optimus. She quickly showered and spent hours waxing and polishing her armor. It shone so bright, Sunstreaker would hang his head in shame! She checked her internal chronometer, and found she had two hours to go before Optimus would be there. She decided to read a holo novel while she waited, but she found it difficult to concentrate.

Optimus was having the same problem in his quarters. He too had showered, and though he rarely used wax or polish, he borrowed some of Sunstreaker's best wax, and waxed himself to a brilliant shine. He decided to get some work done while he waited, but that was easier said than done. He was working on a report that Prowl had requested of him, and as much of a stickler about deadlines as Prowl was, he would have Prime's tailpipe if it wasn't in on time. Finally, it was 14:55, just enough time to walk to Elita's quarters. At exactly 15:00, (Prime was a stickler about promptness, too!) Optimus knocked on Elita's door, and when it opened, Optimus thought his optics would explode from the unbelievable beauty before them. For a few moments, he was rendered totally speechless.

Elita was awestruck when she opened the door. She had never seen such a handsome mech. Just the way the light made his armor shine was enough to make her spark flutter wildly! She wasn't sure she could trust herself to speak coherently, so she opted to stay silent for the moment. Optimus, meanwhile, had recovered the use of his voice - somewhat.

"Y-you look lovely, Elita"; he stammered. "S-shall we go?" He offered Elita his arm and they walked toward the entrance to the base. He hadn't been this nervous in thousands of years, since the first time he courted Elita. Primus! I'm as nervous as a youngling on his first date! They left the base and walked through a thick forest. "Offline your optics, Elita. I have a surprise for you", he said softly. She did as he asked, and he guided her through the maze of huge trees for what seemed like an eternity, but was really only a few earth minutes.

"You can online your optics now, Elita", he said quietly. She found herself in a large clearing, large enough for Optimus to lie down comfortably. But that was not all. The clearing was overlooking a majestic stone cliff. The view was breathtaking. The forest continued just as thick on the other side, and far below, a rushing river could be heard. But that was not what caught Elita's optic. There in the center of the clearing was a small table, just large enough for the two of them, and it was covered with a white cloth. In the center of the table was a single rose made entirely of rose quartz, and polished to a beautiful shine. Next to it was two cubes of Wheeljack's finest high grade energon.

"Everything's beautiful, Optimus", Elita said, tears glistening in her optics. "Where did you find such a beautiful rose?" Elita said; gently touching the delicate rose.

"I made it for you. I'm glad you like it", he said quietly. He gently took Elita's hand and guided her to one of the two chairs that were placed by the table.

"You made the rose? For me? I-it's beautiful! Thank you!" She squeaked. Optimus set a cube by her, and took the other for himself. They sipped the high grade slowly, as they talked. "How did you find this place, Optimus? It's so beautiful here." she asked.

"I found it one day when I went for a walk to clear my processor. I come here sometimes, just to get away from the stresses of being Prime for awhile. I thought you would enjoy it", he said, his facemask hiding a small smile. As they talked and enjoyed each other's company, they watched the sun go down, and the stars come out. "I have had a wonderful time, Elita, but I believe we should be getting back to the base," Optimus said. He rose and offered Elita his arm, and they walked back to the base. He walked her to her quarters, and she opened her door, but before he could walk away, she stood on her tiptoes and kissed him on the cheek plate!

"I had a wonderful time tonight. Thank you, Optimus. I hope we can do this again, soon," she said; quickly ducking into her room and closing the door.

Optimus was floored by her kiss, and stood there, not moving, for what seemed like hours, but was only a few minutes. His faceplates flushed a deep crimson behind his battle mask, and he found himself hurrying to his quarters before anyone spotted him. The only thing his poor addled processor could come up with was WOW! He stood just inside his door in a haze, trying to clear his processor, but all he could think of was Elita's kiss. He would be lucky to get any recharge tonight, but he didn't care!

Elita stood inside her quarters, replaying the night's events. Optimus was wonderful, and such a gentlemech. She retrieved the rose he made her from her subspace and placed it on the table next to her berth. She lay down upon her berth, and pulled her blankets up around her, and fell into recharge, thinking about her evening with Optimus, and how her lip plates still tingled from the kiss she gave him.