Well my husband is off driving his truck so hopefully I will be able to start posting two chapters on my days off again. I think I have caught everyone up on my characters and I hope that you are enjoying the story. Like I said in earlier chapters this is a bit harder to write because I am taking my readers into new territory. In the next chapters I hope to bring my readers into the temple more and maybe you will understand why the femmes have evolved into what they are now. Please take a moment to leave a review. I really enjoy them.

The transport was loaded with everything that the couples could need for an outdoor activity. Allie had checked the weather and everything looked positive for the outdoor adventure that she was taking them on today. Allie had commed them to let them know that they would be leaving momentarily and as she walked to stand over to stand next to Optimus she couldn't help but feel settled and at peace that this would be the first picnic that she would go on with her mate. She smiled at Optimus as he supervised the loading.

"You know you don't have to work. You are on vacation here and you are a guest." She smiled. As she looped her arms around him as he smiled into her eyes.

"I know, but it is hard to let go of years of discipline, besides it takes some of the stress off of you." He bent down and kissed her on the hair. She ran her hands over his windshield as she felt him shiver from her touch.

"I have commed everyone. They are on their way. This was a good idea to have everyone bring their supplies down early for loading. It sure made things easier." She said to him. "Maybe if we ever go camping we will do the same thing."

"It had been a long time since I have camped, at least in my bipedal form." Optimus said thoughtfully. "We do it all the time in our alt mode on earth." He murmured into her hair as he kissed her again.

"You have been talking to Megatron?" She asked to change the subject.

"Yes, we have been talking. Are you sure you would want us here with you. It could pose problems." Optimus said to her.

"I want peace. I want you to be happy. There are so few Primes that had ever experienced happiness in our culture. Is it wrong to want peace and happiness for my mate?" She asked him as others began to mill around waiting to leave. Optimus just stared at her. In all his life he had never once thought about what she wanted for him. He always, always placed the needs of his people before his and now here he was with his love and she was putting him first. He didn't know how to answer her because his emotions were in turmoil and all because she wanted him to be happy.

Allie sensed his emotions and sent warm waves of comfort and support to her mate.

"I love you, Optimus." She said vary softly so that no one would over hear. "I want you to be happy and at peace." She buried her head into his chest as his arms came around her. His massive body easily overpowered her slim one but he was careful not to hurt her.

"I love you so much, Allie." Optimus said to her. "It scares me that I feel so strongly about you and I worry that you are making a mistake in loving me, but then I know that not to have you would be a physical agony within my spark." Allie looked up at him. "I was so lost and lonely all those years without you." He finished very softly.

"And I knew that I was missing something vital in my life." She replied back to his confession. "But now we have found each other and there is a chance that this war will end. It would really be nice to have you here in the Realm." Her eyes shone with the love that she felt for her mate.

"Yes, we have each other and maybe we might even be able to overcome this war." He softly said as he kissed her on the lips.

0o0o0o0o0o0o0

"Shalon, get a move on it!" Megatron roared as he waited for her to come out of the wash racks. They were scheduled to go to the picnic and the transport was leaving in minutes. They were still in their quarters since Shalon had insisted on delaying them, not that he had minded but he made sure that she was walking funny when they were through and it had been good that Allie and Optimus had already left because the screams that he had orchestrated from her would have scared the life out of the couple. He was definitely going to have to keep her on her toes and Megatron smiled as he thought of a few new ideas to keep her satisfied and exhausted.

"I'm hurrying!" She ran out of the wash racks grabbing her foot as she slipped her sandals on. She was wearing red knee pants with a striped red and white polo shirt. Her gold hair was pulled back into a single French braid and her face was scrubbed free of color except the eye liner and gloss she had put on. She looked divine, a forever youthful angel that belonged solely to him.

"Let's get a move on it then. Allie has commed everyone and the transport is ready." Megatron said as he helped her put her other sandal on but Shalon did the buckle since Megatron did not have experience with it.

They quickly walked out of the their quarters and hurried along the corridor and stairs. Megatron guided her by the waist as Shalon ran to keep up with his long stride. They made it to the tarmac just as the other couples were entering the transport. Megatron saw Skywarp escorting a femme, Spitfire, and Starscream was leading the quiet Kiki with him. Ratchet had Doc by the elbow and Hook was escorting Saraphina as well. Megatron raised his brow plate at the medic but he only shrugged as he sat down next to the femme. The Lambo twins came from the corridor behind him and Shalon and they were fussing over Raynie, and as they took seats next to the seekers, he saw the little Autobot scout, Bumblebee with his mate, Stargazer.

"Thundercracker and Aura have left and they are on their way and Soundwave and the cassettes are going with Cassie in her transport. Chelsea hasn't said anything yet, but Barricade said that they were planning on going." Allie yelled back from the pilot's seat. Optimus was sitting in the navigator's seat.

"Barricade commed me a few minutes ago. Chelsea had a bout of sickness but they are on their way." Thundercracker told the crowd. He looked over to see Skywarp talking quietly to the femme that had assisted him when they had run the rescue mission. He smiled as Skywarp looked up and grinned back. Spitfire hit him playfully in the chest drawing his attention back to her as she engaged him once again in conversation.

"Here they are. Prowl said. He was going but had no 'date'. He helped Chelsea on the ramp as a thankful Barricade offered his gratitude. Aura was next and as Prowl offered her his hand and Thundercracker held her by the waist as they felt the transport fire up. Bumblebee helped Prowl with the door but before they could close it, Ironhide and Mia ran toward the transport. Prowl stopped as Ironhide and Mia ran up the ramp.

"Sorry about that. We came in earlier than expected and rather than wait for another transport we thought we catch this one." Ironhide told them as Mia laughed at him.

"Yes, sorry about that. I was showing Hide some of the city yesterday and we got caught up in the sights so I showed Hide the townhouse that Allie keeps in the city and we stayed there last night." Mia said it out of breath as she found a seat next to Aura and Thundercracker.

"Hey Aura, how are you feeling?" She asked.

"I'm feeling good since Doc upped my dosage of nutrients. I hardly feel sick in the mornings or at night anymore." She said smiling at Mia. "Doc said I could also return to light duty so I will start after the concert. Thunder wants to make sure that I get plenty of rest although I am hardly tired at this stage, but Doc says that it will soon catch up with me."

"That's great. I'm sorry that Thundercracker hasn't seen much but I understand he is busy taking care of you." Mia said as Ironhide cam and sat next to her. Chelsea and Barricade moved over to give him room and soon they felt the transport lifting off the ground.

"It won't take long to get there. We are using the interplanetary gate to go from planet to planet for those who have never heard of it before." Allie said this as Optimus programed the coordinates that Allie gave her. She smiled at her mate.

"Okay, see the blue lever on your right?" Allie said to him.

"I see it." He replied.

"I programed the gate coordinates and when I tell you, you will pull that lever down." She said to her mate.

Olay. Did I input the coordinates correctly?" He asked her. The ship had similarities to their home ships but Optimus wanted to make sure everything was correct.

"You did fine my darling bond mate." She smiled at him as she finished inputting the navigational coordinates and then they were off.

"Hey Allie, did you check the weather? I forgot to." Shalon said remembering just why she forgot and her cheeks flushing as Megatron laughed and gave her a wicked look. The others looked at them curiously as some smirked and a few whistled at the couple. Shalon and Megatron ignored them.

"I did. Blue skies and warm winds today so I hope everyone packed sunscreen." She replied. She heard a chorus of yeses and laughed as she looked through her lashes at Optimus. His optics had a twinkle in them and Allie knew he was smiling beneath his battle mask.

"I hope that you and your mechs like this Megatron." Mia said as she smiled at everyone around her. "We always enjoy these picnics and the Meridians have them on private property so that we are not interrupted by outsiders or anyone that might crash the party. They even have swimming." Mia said excitedly.

"Transformers do not swim." This was said by Prowl dead panned.

"Yeah well Ancient Ones do!" Shalon said. "And we love the water so you can just sock it."

"Shalon!" Megatron reprimanded.

"What? I was just stating a fact. Even Allie swims! We all do and Aura makes it part of our training." Shalon said loudly as she looked at Aura.

"I do make it part of training since we could have an aerial attack over the water. I make swimming as part of survival training." Aura said as she grabbed Thundercracker's hand. She could tell by the transport leveling off that they were close to the gate and Aura hated using the gate even in the best of circumstances. This would be the first time going through carrying a sparkling. She couldn't help but be worried about how the gate could affect her children. Thundercracker patted her hand to let her know he was aware of her discomfort and to not worry.

"Hey, Allie said that you are still going to work on the tarmac, but Phoebe will be taking over training until you have the sparklings." Spitfire said. "What about my third level training?"

"I'm sorry Spitfire, you will have to wait until Doc clears me. We still can do the defensive/offensive forms but I can't do any hands on or sparring right now." Aura said apologetically.

"I understand but it still sucks." She replied.

"Hey, watch your language." Mia told her with a frown. "Aura can't help it if she is carrying."

"Oh yes she could have. You do know how one gets in that position." Shalon cackled.

"Hush or you may be next." Chelsea said as she swatted at the femme. Megatron glared daggers at both Shalon and Chelsea and Barricade laughed at the femmes.

"Well you are one to talk. You show more than any of the others." Mia said. She and Ironhide had been hoping but nothing yet and Allie and Optimus were still negotiating whether they wanted one or not.

"Well the best part is the trying." Shalon stated and Megatron did place his hand on her mouth as the mechs roared with laughter.

"Shalon!" Everyone said at the same time.

"Baby, even I heard that! This is a family picnic and as a family picnic you need to remember not to be so outspoken!" Allie shouted from the front. "Do I make that clear?"

"Yes ma'am." Shalon said cheekily. Everyone else groaned. Megatron just rubbed his face plates with his hands. If a hole had opened up then he would have shoved her in it.

0o0o0o0o0o

The planet that they were landing on was a bright biologic planet very similar to earth. It had the green flora that Optimus and the mechs were used to seeing on earth and the time frame for the planet was the equivalent of spring and although the flowers were somewhat different than the earth species they neon purples, pinks, and yellows were spectacular to see. Optimus saw the spring fed river that Allie told him about as well as picnic tables and a pavilion for the food. Optimus could see a fire ring with metal benches which he assumed that Allie must have contributed to the area. She had told him that they had added some mech friendly features so that there would be no accidents or equipment broken. In all Optimus thought it was a lovely spot for an afternoon and early evening of entertaining.

"Hey, Sides, they have a zip line so you can swing across the river or jump in!" Sunstreaker exclaimed. They could all see other human like creatures getting out of smaller transports and Optimus assumed that these were the Meridians who had invited them to come.

"Welcome. I am Optimus Prime…" He started to say leader of the Autobots but if they were negotiating peace then would there still be cons and bots? Before Optimus could finish Megatron spoke up.

"And I am Megatron, Lord High Protector." Well that answered that question in Optimus' CPU. They were here united, not as bots or cons, but as Cybertronians seeking refuge from a dying world. Hope swelled in Optimus as he realized that Megatron just might want peace after all.

"I am Lord Krolos, ambassador of the Meridians and counselor to the emperor. Thank you for accepting our invitation. The Leator and Ancient Ones have long since been our friends and allies and we appreciate their work to safe guard our world." He spoke in a humble tone that was perfect for an ambassador.

"What's a Leator?" Sides asked Raynie very quietly.

"That's Allie's official title in the Realm. She is also known as the Empress of the Northern Territory since our hall and temple is located there." Raynie told him and Sunstreaker. "Ancient Ones are what we are considered because when the oracle changed us we became a part of it and that was what the first protectors were called."

"So that is what you are called here?" Sunstreaker asked to confirm.

"Yes we are called that." Shalon interrupted as she came to stand next to the trio.

"So Raynie, are you going to join me on the zip line or are you going to be boring today and stay with the twins?" Shalon asked her as even Kiki was eyeing the contraption. Raynie smiled at Shalon.

"I bet you that I'll be first!" Raynie took off for the line as she heard a "hey" behind her. Kiki giggled as she watched the two femmes fly toward the zip line as Raynie beat her by a foot and a half and everyone heard a splash followed by laughter.

Allie slid her arm through Optimus' and laughed as she looked up at her lover.

"I think we are going to have a wonderful time today." Allie said as she reached up and kissed Optimus on the cheek.

"Lord Krolos, thank you for having us. I think our younger ones have already started without us." Optimus Prime said and chuckled as he heard more splashes as Skywarp jumped into the fray and then yelped complaining that the water was too cold.

Shalon was yelling at everyone that was in the water as she climbed back up the bank. A few feet away on the next bank there were canoes and flat boats laid out for anyone that might want to take a trip.

"Thunder, care to take a trip up the river?" Aura asked. "I love being on the water and since Doc won't let me get fully in the water for risk of infection maybe you would like take a little trip?" She smiled coquettishly at him as he held out his arm for his mate.

"I don't mind at all. Ready?" Thundercracker escorted her down the bank taking care that she did not fall.

"Optimus, there are still three canoes left. Care to take one?" Allie asked.

"My lady, your happiness is my pleasure." Optimus held out his arm and Allie took it as they followed Aura and Thundercracker. Mia and Ironhide smiled as they watched the couple's pair off and find places where they could talk and flirt with each other. Kiki had climbed back up the bank with Shalon and Raynie who had already flew off the zip line several times to Kiki's one. She liked to get wet but was not as energetic as the other two. Starscream was there waiting for her.

"Having fun?" He asked. Kiki blushed prettily as he held out his hand to help her so she wouldn't slip on the incline of the bank.

"Yes, thank you for asking." She said as he pulled her into his arms. "Are you ready to spread the blanket so we can have some of the goodies that I have packed?" She asked him.

" I am ready for anything you want to do." Starscream told her.

"Good, maybe later you can take me on a romantic canoe trip." She said as he leaned close to give her a genteel kiss. Kiki accepted it and smiled shyly at him as he gentle led her to get their things from the transport.

"You are wet and I saw you pack a towel in your bag." He said and Kiki giggled at him.

"Are you saying you do not like the me being wet?" She giggled.

"Well, I don't care for rust on this beautiful seeker body." He said teasingly as he puffed up his chest and flared his armor.

Kiki laughed and hit him on the arm. "So are you the pretty one in this relationship?" She asked him laughing. Starscream loved to hear her laugh after the tentative start they had together. He was beginning to see Kiki's charm shine through and he loved it all the more.

"I may be pretty but you are celestial." He breathed it as if he was talking to Primus himself and Kiki blushed again.

"Hey, are you two finding a spot?" Skywarp ran up to Starscream. "Fire wanted me to get our blankets and stuff"

"Skywarp, can I make a suggestion?" Kiki asked.

"Sure." He replied.

"You get your blankets and basket and let Fire pick the spot. Trust me, you will get along better is you act the big gentlemech and let her be the sweet femme." Kiki said shyly as Starscream came back over with their items.

"Your wish is my command." Starscream bowed low to his rapturous mate and allowed her to lead him to a spot that she liked. She picked an area with shade and Starscream unfolded the blanket and spread it on the grassy ground.

"The grass here has a bluish color to it." Starscream commented.

"Yes, it does have a deeper green/blue color than on some of the other planets. Also, it is springtime here. Look along the walled canyon across from the river. See the blue and white flowers. They bloom all spring and then again in the fall just before the first cold spell of the fall season. I love them because they climb along the rocks and hang down." Kiki said quietly as her eyes took on a faraway look. Starscream thought she was magnificent as he watched her. In the distance, they could hear the laughter of the frolicking mechs and femmes and for the first time in many years Starscream felt at peace with his new mate.

They heard a transport arrive and Starscream looked up to see that Cassie and Soundwave had arrived. Kiki laughed as all of them filed out and then Starscream noticed that they had several extra younglings with them. They all scattered as Cassie and Soundwave piled out, unfolded a three way stroller, and Soundwave placed the sparklings in it. Cassie took the handle as Soundwave grabbed a lot of gear. He handed the bag to the cassette twins as he took out what looked like a large playpen. Cassie addressed some of the couples with a greeting as they walked toward Megatron and Shalon.

"It's strange seeing Lord Megatron here with all of these femmes, cons, and bots."

"It is." Cassie agreed with her mate; it was strange but it was a good strange.

"Hey Shalon." Cassie greeted.

"Hey yourself. Do you and Soundwave need help?" Shalon asked as the poor twins struggled to keep up and then glad that Cassie and Soundwave had stopped.

"No, this is the most that we have packed and Soundwave will go back to get our basket." Cassie said as she took out a cup. Shadow was already trying to drink from a cup even if he played with it more than actually drank. It was good for his motor skills so Cassie started packing one so he could play. The femme sparklings were still strictly nursing so Cassie had her nursing blanket for them. It was funny when Ravage and the twins had asked her if she had nursed them. She had to explain that she had nursed them the traditional way with a line from her arm. It was precious and when she thought about their inquisitiveness she still laughed at how cute the cassettes had turned out to be.

"Rumble and Frenzy, they have a zip line if you like getting wet. It's a lot of fun and I hear that they are already taking turns." Cassie said. "Soundwave, let's put the blanket down for the cassettes and younglings and we will take a picnic table. Shalon do you have an extra folding chair?"

"Yes, I brought it so you would have room for nursing." Shalon replied.

"Oh thank you. You are a life savior. I couldn't find mine anywhere." Cassie said relieved. She locked the stroller in place and turned to help Soundwave. Together they laid out the blanket, place a temporary table cloth over the picnic table, and settled the sparklings in the playpen.

"Well, I don't care to sit on the ground so can we join you and Soundwave?" Shalon asked.

"Sure the table it big enough and we have an extra blanket for the kids." Cassie said. "Will Optimus and Allie be sitting with us?" Cassie asked.

"Probably, but I think they went up the river. If Allie has anything to say they will be there a while. You know how she likes to go to the waterfall. Aura and Thundercracker are also on the river." Shalon said as she placed out her things for her and her master.

"I think everyone had found a spot. Lord Krolos is taking the next table so we will all be here and if they don't sit with us then they will sit with Lord Krolos. The kids can scatter around us." Shalon said. "I see that you brought four extra younglings. Are they the ones you have been rehabilitating?"

"Yes, they are doing much better and two of them will be going to special homes next week." Cassie said as Soundwave came to sit next to her. "Soundwave still can't believe that I work with kids. He says that I do an amazing job even if he thinks I am crazy to do it."

"Well you are very good with children, Cassie." Shalon said as she helped her set up the picnic table.

"When you and Lord Megatron decide to have some of your own you will be a good mother as well. You certainly have the energy for it." Cassie said teasing her.

"She certainly is a loaded pistol." Megatron said as he joined them at the table. "Are picnic always this crazy? I mean Rumble and Frenzy are tag teaming the Autobot Bumblebee to see if how long they can keep him under the water."

"It's a fun day for all of us. Allie will play politics. That's why she and Optimus will probably sit with Lord Krolos. Then we all will join with the Meridians later for a campfire." Cassie said. "I will probably at some point join in with the politics because of my position as Governess, put I try to put if off as long as possible. Lord Krolos will want to hold our sparklings, Soundwave, and I usually let him and his wife. I have a good relationship with their family." Cassie told them as they watched everything going on. Megatron hated biologic planets but he could see how much his mechs were enjoying themselves. He looked over at Starscream, his SIC, and he could see how much the little femme had captured his spark. A few feet away he saw Skywarp trying to woo the femme that had been on his team during the rescue mission and smiled at his goofy antics that made her laugh. With the exception of Ravage and the aerial twins all of the cassettes were splashing and playing in the water, and the Autobots were laughing at their antics. Megatron then looked at Shalon and saw how open her expression was. He could see the love and joy that exuded from her and his spark swelled with joy and he was proud to call her his mate even if there were times that her youth made her seem naive.

He could get used to this feeling.