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The whole reunion was a lot more festive once my initial surprise over Optimus's return slowly calmed down. Optimus and I had spent our entire time together, catching up on everything he missed and catching up with everyone else.

O.O.O.O

"It's nice seeing you again, Prime," Lennox exclaimed, clapping the Holoform on the shoulder. Everyone had pretty much gathered around Optimus's Holoform, exclaiming their happiness over his safe return.

His arm was wrapped around my waist, keeping me close to his side. I had almost forgotten how he felt. That familiar musky, metallic smell that clung to him filled my nose and made my head feel fuzzy. The girls basically clung to him, happy their father had returned from space for them.

"I'm happy to be back," he rumbled softly. His arms gently tightened around my waist, bringing me a little closer to his side. "But I am so happy to be back with my family."

My heart fluttered at that, my cheeks lighting up a bright red. Ducking my head under the 'aww' of the women and the murmurs of the men, feeling slightly embarrassed by the attention they were giving, but feeling so giddy over what Optimus had said.

"We've missed you, Daddy!" Saoirse exclaimed happily. "I missed you the most!"

Optimus had chuckled, kneeling down to look at his firstborn. His hand gently stroked his hair, a big smile on his face.

"I missed you, too," he said gently, kissing Saoirse's forehead. "I missed all of you. Were you behaving for your mother?"

Saoirse nodded enthusiastically, trying to explain everything that happened since his departure. He just listened intently, smiling at his daughter. Eden clutched onto Optimus, babbling her own stories on what had occurred for her, as well.

I briefly saw the looks everyone gave Optimus as he interacted with Saoirse and Eden. The women were smiling brightly, murmuring how adorable they looked. The men tried concealing their emotions, but their eyes showed the respect and other emotions.

After a minute more of listening to his daughters tell their stories to him, Optimus kindly told them that they could finish later in the day, promising to spend time with them after he spent a little time with some old friends. The girls eagerly nodded, still clinging to their father as if their life depended on it! It made me smile that the girls had been reunited with their father.

O.O.O.O

I had awoken the next morning with the Holoform sound asleep next to me. Though, I knew the Holoform didn't actually sleep, it gave the illusion of sleeping. Optimus's arm was lazily wrapped around my waist; I felt his breath on the back of my neck; his chest pressed firmly against my back. I tried hiding my smile.

Optimus's usual metallic, musky smell that just radiated from his body when he was as a Holoform filled my nose and made me bite my lip to try and hide my smile.

I nestled into the embrace and gave a silent sigh. Feeling so relaxed was something I hadn't felt in a very long time.

Optimus's arm wrapped around my waist, tightening for a moment before loosening. He shifted behind me and slowly sat up. I rolled onto my back and watched as he blinked a few times before looking down at me. He smiled softly, giving me a kiss. I felt absolutely ecstatic!

"How are you feeling?" I asked softly, after the kiss.

Optimus brushed his lips against mine. "Tired," he murmured.

"Then dismiss the Holoform!" I sighed, cupping his stubbled cheek. "You've had it up these past couple days, I don't want you overworking yourself."

Optimus laid back down, resting his head on my shoulder. "Not yet."

It had been a few days since we had returned to Texas, and Optimus had been using his Holoform nonstop since his return to earth.

"You'll get sick if you keep doing this," I said, kissing his forehead.

"I don't get 'sick'," he replied. "I get system viruses."

"Then you'll get a virus," I said. "I don't want you getting a virus. I just got you back, I don't want you getting sick!"

Optimus chuckled, kissing my shoulder before rolling onto his back. His arm rested over his eyes as he took deep breaths, a smile still gracing his face. It made me happy to see him so relaxed.

"Everyone was happy to see you."

Optimus removed his arm from his face, looking at me with those sparkling blue eyes, a chuckle vibrating through his chest.

"I know," he murmured.

O.O.O.O

I watched as Optimus spoke with the Autobots. Bright smiles lit up his soldiers' faces as they spoke with him. I had taken the girls and decided to give him some time with his soldiers, a couple minutes of alone time so he could tell him what he'd discovered and just get caught up on the usual stuff that happened on earth.

"I've never seen you look so happy." Looking up, I saw Simmons standing beside me. He looked significantly older from the last time I had seen him. He still had that lively feeling about him, that natural interest in alien affairs. Simmons made sure to keep in contact with Sam during the whole five-years-of-trouble the rest of us had endured, giving him as much information as he could about everything that was occurring with KSI and Cemetery Wind.

That was all Sam had told me, anyway.

I chuckled. "I finally have Optimus back," I said. "I can't help but feel happy."

Simmons chuckled. "Last time I saw you look this happy," he drawled, "it was during the Egypt fight, after you brought the big man back to life."

I nodded wordlessly, the dull pain from being reminded of Optimus's death all those years ago being resurfaced. That was a time I didn't like to remember, but I knew having that experience, knowing what it was like with Optimus being dead, made me stronger. Every experience I had with the Autobots and Decepticons made me stronger.

"That felt like such a long time ago," I murmured.

"Now look at you, kid." I looked at Simmons. "You haven't aged a single day. I swear, being around those Autobots keeps you youthful."

I laughed. "Trust me, I should have some gray hairs by now," I joked.

"I guess I shouldn't be calling you 'kid' anymore," Simmons said, smirking at me. "You're a mother now."

I scoffed. "That's what you've always called me," I said. "You don't have to stop!"

Simmons nodded. We looked back at Optimus, who was still smiling at the Autobots, talking amongst themselves quietly. His eyes found mine and they lit up like the sun. I felt my heart flutter.

He gave me a smile, I smiled back.

"Why don't you go talk to him?" Simmons suggested.

I shook my head. "He needs to spend some time with the others," I said. "He and I can have some time together later. You wanna go talk to him?"

"I might," he replied. "It's been a while since I've seen him."

"Then go!" I exclaimed. "Pretty much everyone's killing each other to get some time in with him."

A laugh erupted from Simmons.

"I've missed you, kid," he said, "I really have."

O.O.O.O

Optimus and I continued talking as we got out of bed, Optimus watching me as I got dressed. Cade had taken the girls the night before, allowed Optimus and I a night to ourselves (despite the time we spent at Sam and Carly's house).

Even though the time Optimus and I spent together behind closed door left me feeling a little sore and tender, I started feeling a queasiness in the pit of my stomach. Just a really sensitive, really uncomfortable feeling settling in the pit of my stomach. I didn't want to tell Optimus about it, I didn't want him to worry. I just wanted us to enjoy our time together.

Over the past few minutes, I realized Optimus had become quiet. Really quiet.

Looking back at him, I frowned. "Is something wrong?" I asked worriedly.

A stoic look came upon his face, as if he were concentrating really hard on something.

"I..." he trailed off. "I thought I received a transmission..."

"Transmission?" I gave him a wary look.

"Like a ComLink," he explained. "But it was scrambled...I-I couldn't get a good signal. Or, maybe they didn't have a good signal."

"Was it one of the Autobot's?" I asked, feeling frightened.

He shook his head. "I would have gotten a better understanding," he said firmly. "This one...This one was scrambled. I couldn't make out what was being said..."

I felt my heart beating painfully in my chest, my sensitive stomach flipping. Swallowing thickly, I turned away from Optimus.

Having sensed my discomfort, Optimus gently wrapped his arms around my waist. I tried to hold back a flinch.

"Don't worry," he rumbled, kissing my cheek. "I'll figure this out."

Forcing a smile, I looked up at him and nodded.

QUICKY A/N:

HERE'S THE LATEST UPDATE. I HOPE YOU ENJOYED THE FLASHBACKS, AND THE BEGINNING OF THE ELITA-1 ARC. I PROMISE THAT IT'LL INTERESTING!

I THOROUGHLY ENJOY THE REVIEWS YOU ALL LEAVE FOR THIS STORY! IT GIVES ME MORE MOTIVATION TO KEEP UPDATING THIS FANFIC. AND NONE OF THE TRANSFORMERS THINGS ARE MINE, AND THE FOUR OC'S ARE NOT MINE EITHER. I ONLY OWN MY FILLERS AND CHARACTERS.

STAY SNAPPY.

THANK YOU, ONE AND ALL.

READ, REVIEW, ENJOY!

YOURS TRULY,

~SMITHY