Chapter 24
A few notes before I post this:
Nightshade- You have a beautiful and special little girl, and thank you so much for your heartfelt review and sharing something so personal.
I want to sincerely thank everyone for his or her reviews, without you this would have not been possible.
I know it seems that making Orianna grow up so fast and leave was confusing, but I am just not the type to end a story with a happy little wrapped up package. Do not fear she will be back. The ideas are coming for her character. Also, I will be posting a Deserae one shot coming up, so look for that.
I do not own Transformers
Somewhere in Siberia a white light flashed from the sky scaring the locals around the area, though nothing seemed to come from it after many investigations.
The light easily destroyed part of the roof of the abandoned military facility, and went right into the chest of the body that lay there quietly.
Red Optics came to life, and quiet processors and circuits began to hum again as the healing process from the wounds were all but forgotten.
Barricade sat up and looked around confused as to what just happened. One moment he was watching from a distance he could not describe and in another moment he was back in the place where he perished.
He looked over himself and found everything was gone, and not a scratch on him. He didn't know how it happened, but he was back and grateful to be alive again.
"You have been given a second chance, Barricade. I would highly suggest you use it wisely," a female voice said from a distance that Barricade could not pinpoint.
"Who are you?" He asked looking around in confusion.
Then it dawned on him. He did see the white light when it brought him back online. He knew that light….
He shook off the confusion, and decided it was time to go and get out of this horrible human place.
His thoughts immediately turned to a certain blonde human, and wondered ultimately what became of her.
Taking heed of the words that ran through his processors Barricade transformed and left the building. He smirked at the confusion of the humans seeing a Mustang police car drive through their isolated little town. If they only knew.
He had to know. He had to know what became of the human and her baby.
….
3 months later
Optimus Prime knew grief, and it was the worst feeling in the universe no matter how many times it may hit a being. His daughter was now somewhere in the cosmos trying to re-build other worlds that were destroyed by evil. Though it was noble in every way possible, there was still the selfishness between him and Gabby that they wanted Orianna there and with them.
Gabby was inconsolable when they first returned to NEST base, and their home. She would cry for hours and would lay in bed for hours on end in her grief.
They did have a party for her return at NEST when they first pulled up and her family there to greet her, and she seemed fine for a little while, but it finally hit her after that.
Her and Optimus had gone to stay with her parents for a few weeks to help her recover, but it was still not enough. Her parents and brother fought to understand what happened to their grandchild, but Gabby could not explain anymore.
The holidays were especially hard. Gabby had thought she would have a new little girl to shower with gifts as is the human custom, but it was empty.
Optimus would hear from Orianna every so often to tell them she was all right, but it still was not enough. When he would go into recharge he would think about the little baby who he only got to hold for so little time, and then she was grown and gone.
Orianna gave no clue as to her return, and finally Gabby decided to go back to work as a distraction. Gabby, Que, and Ratchet were now working on a prototype weapon to battle Unicron when he finally made his appearance.
Deserae had decided to stay on with the Autobots as an advisor about Unicron. She had taken off her Decepticon symbols, but insisted she would stay neutral if battle came to pass.
Her and Ironhide had become good friends, though Optimus suspected more, but until they were ready to announce it, Optimus would not pry. Gabby would smile at them slyly, and Ironhide would growl at the teasing she did.
Finally, after the holidays Optimus decided to take Gabby for a drive to let her see where he known where she was after his vision of Primus.
So many memories on that road to the rest stop on the beach. Gabby was caught up in the sites of the Pacific Northwest as she had never been there before. The mountains combined with the beaches were amazing to her, and Optimus was enjoying her smile at the views.
She was slowly but surely returning to her old self again. She said physically she felt great, and was exercising again. If the mornings were warm enough Optimus felt good enough to let her go out on a jog alone while he was recharging to give her some space. Sometimes she would come home with her eyes wet over Orianna and sometimes she would be happy to be back to peak physical form.
Optimus didn't know how this would ultimately affect her and him, but he realized happily that Gabby and himself had actually become closer. They were each other's rock in human terms. They fed off each other's strengths to get through this time with Orianna.
Optimus spotted the driver of the hauler whom he had first had an encounter with when Gabby had been taken. He chuckled slightly at the guy wondering if he would remember him.
Gabby looked over at him in amused confusion.
The human did indeed remember him.
"Staying on your side of the road this time, huh," the human joked through the CB.
Optimus laughed, and answered. "This time I am wide awake."
"How was your holidays, bud?"
Optimus looked over at Gabby who smiled back at him. "I couldn't have asked for anything better. I have the best present in the universe sitting beside me."
Gabby's eyes softened at her mate.
"Damn, I need to find me a girl. Tell her I said hi, and she better keep you on your side of the road."
Gabby laughed at the other driver, and Optimus thanked him for letting him know about the cop hiding out a few miles ahead.
"What was that?" She asked.
Optimus shrugged and said, "I almost hit the man when I was looking for you."
Gabby's mouth dropped, and the look on her face was shocked.
"Oh my God, that wouldn't have been good."
Optimus chuckled. "No, it wouldn't have been."
They arrived at the rest the stop with no other issues. The cop that the driver had spotted was nowhere to be seen.
Gabby looked around in amazement at the views.
Optimus reveled in seeing her reactions.
Then Optimus realized something when they exited the vehicle mode. Gabby had on the white jacket and jeans that his vision had and her blonde hair blew in the wind just like the time when she was kidnapped.
He also realized something else; she had that same look of content on her face as she watched the ocean from that time as well. She was finally at peace again.
They stood there for the longest time not saying a word, when finally Optimus could not stand it anymore he had to do it.
He was nervous once again, but he knew the answer.
He turned to Gabby and she smiled up at him.
"Are you cold?" He asked.
"No, I am good. I was just thinking," she answered.
How did he ask? He went over it in his processors for human engagement, but it was still hard.
"About?"
Gabby looked up at him serious. "Do you think she will ever come back, Optimus?"
"I have no doubt about it."
Gabby smiled, and he could see her eyes wet. He took her in his arms and they stayed like that for a long time.
He finally took her hand and she looked at him in question.
He then decided to keep it simple and no words were needed.
He put the ring in her hand.
Gabby gasped at the ring, and her mouth formed an O.
Optimus did not want to react, because he was waiting for her reaction.
He was nervous as the emotions played across her face for a few moments, but dared not a say a word.
She then looked back up to him, and he could see her brown eyes were soft, and she was smiling.
Oh Thank Primus!
"Yes," she whispered, and then laughed a little. "Once again, yes."
Suddenly, Gabby looked down and burst out laughing.
"What is it?"
"I would kiss you, but I'm stuck in the sand," she said. "You have gotten really tall."
Optimus laughed, and helped Gabby out of place she was stuck.
They were both wet and sandy by the time they reached the Semi again.
"You're going to clean this up when we get back to NEST," Optimus joked.
Gabby scoffed. "Says you. Already starting and we haven't even walked down the aisle yet. Men! No matter when you come from, you are all the same."
Optimus laughed, and they drove off. Yet, in the back of both of their minds, their daughter would always be in their thoughts.
….
Gabby sat on her porch enjoying the unusually warm weather for this time of year in Chicago. The Autobots and herself were still working on their prototype weapon, and Gabby was finishing up her drawings on Brains.
It was a lazy Sunday, but Gabby wanted to get this done and present the plans to Ratchet on the next day. Optimus was out patrolling. They had gotten a sign of Energon in the area, but it wasn't anything major.
Of course, her thoughts turned to Orianna. She put Brains down and got up to into the sky at any signs of her daughter as she always did.
I will be back for you mother, I promise.
Gabby smiled sadly at the voice in her head. Whether it was just her imagination, or really her daughter she did not know, but it still gave her some comfort.
Suddenly, Brains transformed, and readied his tiny guns.
"What is it, Brains?" Gabby asked worried. He glock and emergency caller were on the bench next to him.
Optimus should be back soon, she hoped.
"I sensed a peak in energon," he grunted.
Brains and Gabby looked around, but saw nothing.
Then Gabby turned to the end of the street and gasped.
There was no doubt about it. She knew that transformer well.
The mustang looked exactly the same as it had when she watched him get shot.
Her mouth dropped, but she recovered quickly enough to get her gun ready, and was about to call Optimus when the mustang sped off.
How was he alive?
"Are you going to call Optimus?" Brains asked. He had spotted Barricade as well, and he was just as shocked as his human mistress.
Gabby shook her head at her little friend, and said, "No. He won't do anything."
"Gabby…." Brains scolded lightly.
Gabby looked down at him again, and laughed in amusement.
"It's ok Brains. I will let Optimus know when he gets here," she said quietly.
Brains didn't agree with her decision, but Gabby knew it was the right one.
All of this was still far from over for all of them.
Gabby sighed, and finally got Brains to relax so she could get back to work.
Finally, the Peterbilt Semi pulled into the driveway. Gabby went to greet her mate.
The end.
