162

The grill warmed up a little. I tried to hold back a small smile.

"Yes, Desirée?" His voice was soft, making my heart sink. I closed my eyes, I wanted to mentally prepare myself.

"I'm sorry," I murmured. "I didn't mean to upset you back there."

There was a moment of silence. I wondered if Optimus even accepted it. The silence made me nervous; the heaviness that seemed to fill the space between us made me feel less confident. I told myself that whatever Optimus said, I deserved. He didn't need that kind of treatment from me. Not after everything he's done.

"Why?" he said after a few minutes of silence.

"Why what?" I felt nervous, shifting on the balls of my feet.

"Why are you apologizing? Every time one of us apologizes, a new argument breaks free."

"I'm apologizing for being a bitch," I said. "I wasn't being fair to you. I could've broken the Bond and your Spark. You deserve someone who's grateful for everything you've done and won't go and bitch at you over every little thing."

The Holoform activated and stepped out of the driver's side. He stood in front of me, a solemn look on his face. I held eye-contact, trying to show that I meant what I said.

You deserve whatever he gives you. Optimus needs someone who's supportive, reliable, and trustworthy. What've you done? You made Optimus even more miserable. He doesn't need that kind of stress on him. You'd be lucky if he even allows you to talk to him anymore.

Optimus's vivid blue eyes softened just a fraction. The tiniest fraction. His hand gently cupped my cheek; I felt the teensiest bit of hope flutter in my chest. I didn't dare think he forgave me that quickly.

"We have a lot to work on," he rumbled, his voice oozing seriousness. "I hadn't noticed how troubled our relationship had become; but I'm willing to fix it. Are you?" I nodded. Optimus leaned down and kissed my forehead. "I'll try and get to know the humans caring for you and the others. What are their names?"

"Rosalyn and Emilia," I said softly.

He nodded, dropping his hand from my cheek. He gave a small, soft smile.

Ratchet POV

The medic Autobot was getting close to Mexico City. He thanked Primus that he was able to make it over without any trouble. Though he expected the trouble to arise eventually, he wanted to bask in the moments of calm.

Ratchet wondered how many of the others had made it to Optimus in one piece. The thought hung restlessly in his processors from time to time, making his Spark rattle with worry. Occasionally he'd wonder about the human companions. He wondered about Blossom and Abby. There was the other human companion for Dino...Marli! He wondered if they made it as well.

In a time where no one can be trusted, it was difficult to understand why those humans would stick around. Desirée, however, was a different story. She stuck with the Autobots no matter what.

She detested the idea of betraying the Autobots. She despised humans who treated them with no respect. He remembered in great detail the day she told Galloway off. He hadn't felt so proud for a human in a long time.

She's a different kind of human, Ratchet thought. The kind who isn't afraid to be seen with the alien friends...the alien Sparkmate. She's shown more loyalties to the ones who matter, than I've ever seen in a human.

He wondered if he should send out a ComLink, telling Optimus he was on his way. He thought against it. Last thing he'd need is being tracked down and killed in a foreign country.

Mya POV

"I still think you should just walk over," Mya said. She and Ironhide had contemplated multiple ideas on how to get over the border. Cemetery Wind agents, along with the border patrol, walked and secured the border, making sure no potential threats make it to the other side.

"How well do you think that will work?" Ironhide muttered.

"Better than shooting the place up," Mya said, giving the radio an 'are you kidding me' look. "They're still human."

"Humans that will kill you and I in the blink of an eye," he countered. "You have to think this through. All humans are the enemy at this point."

Mya didn't dare say anything. She just let Ironhide ramble a little; sometimes that's just what he needed, a good ole rambling. Mya knew if she interrupted Ironhide's ramble, he'd get irritated.

Once he finished, Mya still didn't say anything. She just sat in her seat, looking at the radio blankly.

"Is something the matter?" Worry laced Ironhide's voice.

"I'm just going to miss it here," she said softly. "Texas is a pretty nice state. Spent a long time here."

"I'm sorry, Mya."

The apology caught the human femme off guard. She wasn't expecting Ironhide to suddenly apologize over something. It was...strange, hearing those words.

"Don't apologize, really." Mya gave a strained smile. "I guess this could be fun! I've never been to Mexico before."

A chuckle came from the radio. She was certainly one-of-a-kind in Ironhide's optics.

Desirée POV

Optimus decided he'd come back to Rosalyn's house with me. I asked Bumblebee and Sideswipe if they wanted to come, but they were pretty exhausted and said they'd rest for a little bit.

Keeping the Holoform activated, I told Optimus everything I knew on Rosalyn and Emilia (minus Rosalyn's abusive ex-fiancée). I told him how Rosalyn mothered three beautiful kids, Emilia's her twin sister, neither of them are currently married, and they're both the nicest people that we met.

"They seem admirable," Optimus stated after I finished.

"They are." I smiled. "Emilia's the more outspoken on, in a sense. Rosalyn is the nicer, 'sees-the-good-in-everything' kind of person. She's always helping people."

Optimus nodded wordlessly. I could tell he was thinking over what I told him, processing it.

"Just talk to them," I said, "get to know them. They're really nice. Emilia's wonderful with kids, Rosalyn is too, obviously."

"They're the ones watching over the girls?" Optimus glanced at me, those vivid blue eyes glittered worriedly.

"Yes." When I looked more closely, I saw the faintest glow of doubt in his eyes. "Optimus," I sighed, "I wouldn't have left the girls with them if I didn't think they could handle it. I trust them. They know how to take care of children."

He nodded.

When we got closer to Rosalyn's home, I tried to muster all the confidence I could. Hopefully I could explain why I brought Optimus back, and explain to Abby the plan for the rebuilding of the relationship.

QUICKY A/N:

HOW IS EVERYONE DOING! I HOPE YOU GUYS ARE DOING WONDERFULLY. ANYWHO, I HOPE YOU GUYS LIKE THIS UPDATE, AND I APPRECIATE ALL THE WONDERFUL REVIEWS I GET FROM YOU LOVELY PEOPLE!

IF I DIDN'T HAVE YOU GUYS, I PROBABLY WOULD'VE ENDED THIS FANFIC A LONG TIME AGO!

NOTHING IN THE TRANSFORMERS MOVIEVERSE IS MINE AND NEITHER ARE THE FOUR OC'S. THOSE OC'S BELONG TO THEIR RESPECTIVE OWNERS! I ONLY OWN MY FILLERS AND MY CHARACTERS.

I STILL NEED TO FINISH THAT HOMEWORK I SHOULD'VE STARTED A LONG TIME AGO! SO THIS WILL PROBABLY BE THE ONLY UPDATE I DO TODAY. AND THIS UPCOMING WEEK IS PRETTY BUSY FOR ME BECAUSE I HAVE A BAND CONCERT THIS THURSDAY, TWO AFTER-SCHOOL STUDY THINGS MONDAY AND WEDNESDAY, AND THEN WINTER/CHRISTMAS BREAK STARTS THIS WEEK AS WELL AND I STILL NEED TO BUY PRESENTS FOR THE FAMILY.

I HOPE EVERYONE WAS A WONDERFUL HOLIDAY SEASON! WHATEVER YOU CELEBRATE, MAY IT BE FANTASTIC.

THANK YOU, ONE AND ALL.

READ, REVIEW, ENJOY!

YOURS TRULY,

~SMITHY