Okay yall...

PREPARE YOUR SELVES. That's all I'm gonna say... except, I don't own Transformers Prime or these characters, just this plot idea. Also:

Thanks for all your support thus far!

Starry Surprise

pt13

Location: Autobot base

Earth Time: 9PM

"Optimus, don't look that way..." Elita One pleaded, her eyes searching desperately into the Prime's stricken expression.

The rest of the Autobots, save for Ratchet, had already left to go be with their children wards over night, encamping either in garages or somewhere along the street to keep on high alert in case of dangers. Shortly after they had all left, Ratchet himself had retired, leaving the two commanders alone together. Elita One hadn't hesitated in opening conversation, completely un aware that she was beginning perhaps one of the most emotionally taxing, and spark-throbbing discussions she had ever had. She started off gently, stating that she had been contemplating deeply on the problem of her power being a major target to the Decepticons and how she feared her protection was putting too much strain on the Prime's shoulders along with his troops'. It was at that point that Optimus had tried to interrupt but she stopped him gently with the lift of a hand. Optimus had been able to tell right away what Elita had to say wouldn't be to his liking... but he kept quiet, letting her continue with this somber expression on his face. Turned out, he'd been right. He didn't like what she said. When the words had left her mouth about her decision to go back into stasis, his whole body had gone rigid, his spark he swore had gone cold and dropped directly into his tank. He offered not a single word, and remained totally silent for the longest minute in Elita's lifespan.

"Please... you must see this is the only way..." Elita said gently. Still, Optimus offered no movement or response. The truth was, she was right. That was what scared him. He hadn't wanted to go as far as to thinking about putting her back into stasis, for he knew he wouldn't be able to stand the separation once again, but now she'd forced the matter to his attention and there was nothing he could do. Nothing except attempt with all his spark to change her mind. Finally, the Prime snapped to life and reached out to arrest both her hands in his own, clutching them tightly.

"Elita... I don't know what to say..." he hesitated, and then soldiered on, "I'm perfectly aware this is your decision to make, and I have no right to protest otherwise. In the past, all your choices have been proven most brilliant..."

Elita found herself rather dissapointed in the Prime's complacent response. She hadn't been so sure of what she'd expected from him in the first place... What was he going to do? Drop down on his knees and beg her not to leave him? That was not behavior one should ever even associate with a Prime! But still... Elita was disheartened that he was offering no protest... Then, to her surprise and relief, he continued. He seemed hesitant, but he spoke anyway.

"...but none of your choices before have ever been this hard for me to... to accept," Optimus wouldn't look her in the optic for a while, seeming to find the wall easier to speak directly to than herself, "I understand that keeping you trapped within this base would become tiresome for you, and admittedly for even myself. It is painful for me to see you unhappy or in distress, unable to help the cause you've sworn alliance to, but I knew keeping you hidden was the only option I had to ensure your safety. However, as I've seen now with Lockdown's intrusion, not all plans are full proof..." he trailed off and gave a loud sigh through his cooling vents. Elita remained silent, completely touched by his words and looking up at him softly even though he hadn't been returning her gaze. Up until now. His optics swiveled to lock onto hers, and the sudden intenseness of his gaze sent Elita's spark pulsing hard in her chest.

"I will miss you... incredibly," he said, "These past long years have been torture on my spark, having been deceived in thinking you were off-lined," Optimus ventured onward, knowing he was testing shaky ground, but confident that if nothing was said, he would regret it for the rest of his life.

"When discovery was made that you were still alive, only in stasis, I felt a knew sense of hope and redemption wash over me. I had berated myself for a long time, believing I had failed you; that in my quest to destroy Megatron and all he stands for, I had sacrificed the only femme I've truly ever adored,"

Optimus Prime paused. He'd lain it all out, and for the first time in a long time, the Prime's optics shimmered with the tiniest glint of fear. Fear that he'd openly exposed himself to this incredibly vulnerable state, and that his affections would not be returned...

Elita One blinked in utter shock, her lips parted somewhat open to speak, but her processor not working out what it was she wanted to say. How could she respond to that? The Prime had very well just confessed his feelings for her... She couldn't answer him, even if she wanted to, her mouth was just not moving.

Optimus momentarily panicked, perceiving how Elita said absolutely nothing. But he didn't let despair grip him just yet. He hurried on.

"Now that you have been here, I have felt more complete, more supported, and more confident than perhaps I have ever been before. If nothing else, just know that I admire you with my entire being, everything you are and everything you stand for. I wish, with all my spark, to please you in any way I can. If going back into stasis is what you deem most appropriate for these times, I will not fight you... Despite the pain I know I shall suffer in sending you from my sight once again. I will not be selfish," he finished somberly, now lowering his optics from hers once again. He'd said what he'd wanted to say, and it was over and done with. Slowly, he began to release her hands. However, the moment Elita had detected him pulling away, she'd gripped him all the harder.

"Optimus," her voice quivered. The Prime blinked and looked back over at her face just in time to see her optics brimming. His attention was all hers.

"I love you too," she said, smiling the faintest, but most beautiful smile he'd ever seen. Such tremendous relief, and joy coursed through the Prime that before he could stop himself he had pulled her into him, trapping her in a firm, but careful embrace. Elita's vents were circulating faster than before, her engine giving small hiccups, proving that she was in fact doing the transformer equivalent of crying.

"This is the hardest decision I have ever had to make," she whimpered into his audios, "But I must go into stasis tomorrow... And I must trust that you will hide me away somewhere safe, and that once I awake, we will be free of this war and free to live in peace together..." she breathed, clutching him tightly in spark-wrenching agony. It was a bitter sweet moment for the two, knowing that they both loved and respected one another with all their sparks, but that their happiness would have to wait till the end of the war. Optimus knew in that moment that he would not rest until he had Elita One in his arms once again. At least... they had one more night.

Location: The Nemisis

"I hope you know how displeased I am with you," Starscream said, leisurely standing with his back facing towards the bridge computers as Lockdown waited with a scowl on his face, glaring a line of fire at the Decepticon Lord's back.

"Trying to run after an incomplete mission was not something I expected for a hunter of your reputation..." Starscream hissed in displeasure.

It was unfair really. Lockdown hadn't expected Breakdown and Knock Out to be as prepared to follow him as they were. How was he to know they were waiting to escort him back to the Nemisis? He hadn't put that much thought into escaping after getting his aft kicked by the femme he was supposed to capture. Consequently, he hadn't put up much of a good fight when Knock Out whipped out his razor blade, questioning why he'd come back empty handed and Breakdown brandished his hammer. Lockdown had tried to run, sure, but had failed pretty miserably. Now he was paying for it by suffering through more of Starscream's completely meaningless blabbering.

"My reputation has got nothing to do with my success record, and everything to do with how I handle myself no matter the outcome. If you challenge me, you get beat. If you threaten me, you get killed. Elita One never challenged or threatened me, and as it turns out the price you wanted to pay was far too little in relation to the massive task you've put on my shoulders," Lockdown snarled.

"The recapture of Elita One isn't worthy the money you have resolved to give me, so you'll be doing her recapturing on your own," Lockdown thundered, throwing a finger the Lord's way and turning to storm out.

"I'm sorry you feel that way," Starscream responded with an evil chuckle. He did nothing but snap his fingers, and every guard in the room launched themselves upon the bounty hunter, arresting the free lancer before he could get away.

"As result of your unfaithfulness, you will be locked up until I deem your services useful to me. And you will preform, undoubtably, or you will die," Starscream snickered in vicious victory, "As of now, I will take the recapturing of Elita One into my own two hands!" he shrieked, waving the guards away as they dragged kicking, screaming and growling Lockdown away towards the cell blocks.

TO BE CONCLUDED...

OKAY, so the beginning was a bit fluffy, but idk, I think I pulled it off, don't you? Optimus didn't play too big of a sap and was rather respectable even while pouring his heart out, and I for one figure, that no matter how tough a guy you are, all of em get nervous when telling someone you love them.

So... no flames! PLEASE! I did my best! Also... the whole "one more night" thing wasn't meant to be suggestive, for those of you who may have thought so. IT was just meant in the light sense that, he had until morning to spend with her and talk and things. lol anyway! Thanks for reading! I know you've waited for a while just to get to this part!

Also! Warning! Next chapter is the beginning of the end! Repeat, next chapter is the beginning of THE FINALE! Part 1 of 2!