215

Tessa had been keeping me company for the majority of the day. When the voices outside had stopped, we only assumed it was Optimus and Elita coming to some sort of agreement over something. At least, we hoped it was some kind of agreement.

After a few more minutes of Tess and I talking, trying to keep ourselves occupied, there was a soft knock on the door.

The door opened partially, Optimus's Holoform peaking through. He gazed at Tessa and I nervously before Tessa gave me a bright smile and scurried from the bedroom without another word.

Optimus walked in, his hands folded behind his back. He sat on the edge of the bed, his usually vivid blue eyes looking heavy with emotion. I frowned slightly.

"Looks like you've had a rough day," I said, trying to ease his down mood. He gently held one of my hands, the Holoform's calloused thumb gently stroking my knuckles. I gave his hand a gentle squeeze. "Tell me about it," I said softly.

"Elita was...unhappy to hear I moved on," he rumbled softly. His eyes were downcast, a frown on his face. "I want her to meet you, but I don't think that would be a wise decision."

I gently gave Optimus's hand another squeeze. "I want to meet her," I said. "She was your girlfriend before me. And she sounds important." Shrugging nonchalantly, I tried for my best smile. "I'll be on my best behavior."

"I just worry she'll be even angrier when she discovers the Sparklings." Optimus looked at me worriedly. His other hand gently covered my sensitive stomach, causing me to flinch very slightly under his touch. "What if she hurts you?"

"She won't hurt me," I assured him. "If you want to stay while we chat, you can. If you told her we're Sparkbound, she can't hurt me. Right?"

Optimus gently kissed my knuckles. "Even though we're Sparkbound, you're not invincible, Desirée," he murmured. "Sparkmates can die, whether they're a regular Cybertronian's or a Prime's."

I frowned. "Oh." I swallowed thickly. "Well, I think everything will turn out fine," I said, forcing myself to sound calm. Optimus looked at me carefully, as if he wasn't convinced. "Where is she now?"

"Ratchet is installing the Holoform program into her system," Optimus said. "It will take some time for the installment to be complete."

Smiling, I scooted over slightly to give Optimus more room. "That should be enough time for us to spend some time together."

It took about an hour and a half for the Holoform installment to have been successfully added to Elita's system. After an hour and a half of talking, and Cade returning with the girls with a bunch of groceries, there was a firm knock on the bedroom door, causing Optimus and I to flinch.

We silently looked at each other, dreading the situation but hoping for the best.

Optimus stood up and walked to the door. When he opened it, a woman of average height, the same vivid blue eyes, pale skin, dark brown hair that ended a few inches below the elbows stood on the other side. In all honesty, even as an artificial human, Elita looked beautiful.

Optimus glanced back at me before he murmured something to Elita. She looked at him stoically, nodding when he finished talking. Optimus walked over and gently kissed me.

"I'll be right outside," he whispered, looking at me worriedly.

"You sure you don't wanna stay?" I asked, biting my bottom lip nervously.

He nodded. "If you need anything, just call." Giving me another kiss, he glanced between Elita and I before reluctantly leaving and closing the door.

Elita stood there for a few minutes, studying my room carefully before she looked at me, her stoic expression unchanging.

"It's, uhm, nice to meet you," I stammered, unsure on what to say. "Optimus spoke very highly of you."

Elita's eyes narrowed slightly. "I'm surprised he spoke of me at all," she said.

The friendly smile I tried to put on faltered slightly. She spoke venomously. There was a look in her eyes that made me uncomfortable, especially when it was directed at me. I wasn't sure if she was aware of the girls just yet. Certainly she had walked past them when she came to the bedroom.

"Optimus says you're his Sparkmate." She spat the word, as if it were disgusting.

I set my jaw. "Yes," I said firmly.

She gave an almost sarcastic looking bow. "Congratulations, Lady Prime," she muttered bitterly. "Impressive for a human."

My eyes narrowed. "I'm sorry, but I don't know what I did to have you act like this," I said, trying to keep my temper in check.

Elita crossed her arms over her chest, her lips pursing.

I held my hand up. "You know what, don't answer," I snapped. "I'm not about to get into some petty argument with you. Optimus wanted us to meet because he cares about us! He wouldn't want us fighting - especially over him. It's a pointless battle, and I don't have the energy to fight you over him."

"I hoped and prayed that Optimus would have a life together," Elita spat, "but he didn't wait for me." What looked like tears filled Elita's eyes. "I just wanted him to wait!"

My gaze softened slightly. "Listen, I don't know what kind of relationship you had with Optimus, but I know he was really upset when he thought he lost you," I said awkwardly. "I'm sorry things didn't go the way you planned, but you can still be friends with him. There's nothing wrong with that, right?"

Elita didn't say anything, just looking down, trying to hide her emotions.

"There's no need to act so tough," I said. "I'm sorry that things changed, but you can still be friends with the others. I'd like to get to know you and to be your friend, if that's OK."

Elita's gaze went to me. I still felt slightly uncomfortable under her gaze, but I was giving her the benefit of the doubt. I wanted to believe that she could be a new friend. We both cared about Optimus - that was one thing we had in common.

Optimus POV

The Prime waited anxiously for some sort of sign that Desirée needed him. He couldn't stand not knowing what was happening between her and Elita. It was eating away at him and he hated it! The girls were playing with some of their toys beside him, occasionally getting his attention with something they wanted to say, and he'd interact with them as if everything were normal.

What if she hurts the Sparkling? he thought worriedly. Ratchet said Desirée's in a weakened state right now. She wouldn't be able to fight Elita off! Oh Primus, I should be in there! Something terrible could happen...oh Primus what am I doing out here?! Desirée could be in trouble. Shaking his head, Optimus tried clearing his processors from all those negative thoughts.

"Having some trouble?" Optimus looked up and saw Cade looking at him, leaving the kitchen. Cade's eyes glanced to the closed bedroom door and back at the Prime.

Optimus shrugged halfheartedly, still distracted by his own thoughts.

"Desirée'll be fine," he assured Optimus. "She's a fighter. I'm sure whatever's going on will be just fine."

Optimus shook his head. "She's pregnant, I'm afraid of what will happen to the Sparkling and her."

The Prime saw a flash of worry go across Cade's face.

"I told Desirée that I'd only come in when she calls for me." Optimus wrung his hands nervously. "What if Elita tries something?"

"Daddy!" Optimus looked down at Saoirse and Eden. "Mama will be fine!" Saoirse exclaimed.

"Just fine!" Eden concluded.

He gave his Sparklings a small smile. Oh, if only he believed them.

QUICKY A/N:

I HOPE THIS UPDATE WAS DECENT. THANK YOU GUYS FOR SUCH LOVELY REVIEWS ON THE PAST UPDATES! IT MEANS THE WORLD TO ME, KNOWING YOU GUYS ARE LEAVING REVIEWS LIKE THAT.

I'M NOT SURE HOW OFTEN I WILL BE UPDATING THIS WEEK. I HAVEN'T BEEN FEELING THAT WELL LATELY, SO I MIGHT BE UPDATING LESS FREQUENTLY. BUT I HOPE YOU GUYS ENJOY THESE CH.'S ANYWAY.

I BELIEVE I MENTIONED IN THE LAST AUTHOR'S NOTE THAT I WOULD HAVE ELITA REALIZE THAT OPTIMUS AND DESIRÉE ARE PARENTS, AND IF I DID MENTION THAT, I'M SORRY I DIDN'T ADD IT IN THIS UPDATE! BUT IT WILL BE IN THE NEXT UPDATES, I WON'T SAY WHICH ONE THOUGH.

ANYWHO, I DON'T OWN THE TRANSFORMERS MOVIEVERSE. YOU GUYS KNOW HOW THIS GOES.

BUT, I HOPE YOU GUYS ARE HAVING A FANTASTIC WEEK SO FAR!

AND, SO FAR, I HAVE GOTTEN A FEW NAME SUGGESTIONS FOR THE UNBORN SPARKLING! IF THERE ARE ANY KINDS OF SUGGESTIONS YOU GUYS WOULD LIKE TO GIVE, OR IF THE ONE WHO SUGGESTED THE IDEA OF DESIRÉE AND OPTIMUS HAVING ANOTHER SPARKLING HAS A PARTICULAR NAME IN MIND, JUST LEAVE A REVIEW OR PM ME!

WELL, ENOUGH OF MY RAMBLINGS. HAD A LONG DAY AT SCHOOL AND ENJOYED GIVING YOU GUYS A NEW UPDATE.

STAY SNAPPY.

THANK YOU, ONE AND ALL.

READ, REVIEW, ENJOY!

YOURS TRULY,

~SMITHY