I am going to be away this weekend and am traveling on Friday, so the chapter will be updated a bit sooner than Fanfic Fridays
Please Enjoy
Cathleen felt like she had been hit by a truck. Her head ached, her body was sore, and she couldn't breathe through her nose. She felt sluggish and still tired even though she knew she couldn't sleep anymore. She coughed, slowly sitting up from the bed she was laying on.
Wait, bed? Hadn't she fallen asleep outside last night?
That was when she opened her eyes seeing the inside of Optimus's truck. That's right, a handsome stranger had come out of nowhere and helped her more than she could ever repay. She rubbed her eyes picking up her water bottle to take a few more sips. She didn't want to drink too much in one go due to her need to save it. She had no idea when her next chance for water would be, so she didn't want to blow it all. She pushed the blanket off of her feeling the warmth of the cabin. She could tell it was damp and chilly outside due to the trucks windows being foggy and it was still early. The sun wasn't even fully up yet. Her clothes were dry and she didn't spot Optimus anywhere. This was a good chance for her to move on without too many questions.
Optimus was a nice guy, but she was never good with goodbyes. She shoved all her stuff into her duffle and grabbed her bag cringing every so often at the throbbing of her head. Her vision was a bit blurry but once she woke up it should be fine. She left the truck shutting the door lightly in case Optimus was nearby. She got to the edge of the station when she heard a voice call out.
"Cathleen." She turned seeing Optimus walking towards her. He looked tired but alert looking right at her. She couldn't tell if he looked mad or annoyed but it was not a happy look he was giving her.
"Morning." She attempted pleasantness. "I didn't see you there." She couldn't make it through the sentence without hacking and her voice sounded like sandpaper, but it wasn't like she was going to be talking much after they parted ways.
"Get back in the truck." Her eyes widened at the demand. "You are still sick. I am meeting my team and there is a physician amongst them that can help you."
"You already let me spend the night in your truck; that's more than I can ever repay. If I put anything else on my tab, I'll be in debt to you for the rest of my life." She attempted to joke to defuse his anger. She was useless if he became angry with her.
"I will not abandon you on the side of the road. You are in need of assistance and I can offer it to you." Cathleen rubbed her arms feeling a bit awkward.
"Look, I don't know what you want. I'm very grateful for the help, but you don't have to look after me. I can take care of myself." She went to take a step back but Optimus began talking again.
"You do not have to. I am unaware of what has brought you to this, but please allow me to assist you. If it will make you feel better, I will stop trying to help you the moment after my team's physician looks at you. Agreed?" He sounded so honest. He had to want something from her. Nobody was this nice.
"What do you want in exchange? I don't have a lot of money on me at the moment." She really hoped this wasn't going where she feared it might.
"Nothing." He stated simply.
"What?" She was scared she didn't hear him.
"I require nothing from you, nor would I ask. I simply want to help." She watched him while he spoke. He seemed sincere and nothing he had done up until this point had made her question him.
"You're just willing to help a complete stranger? I could be an axe murderer for all you know." She crossed her arms hearing him chuckle.
"Somehow I doubt that." He smiled to her making her pause. What did she have to lose? She would be getting a free lift to a populated area and a doctor would look her over without her needing to go to the hospital. She stuck out her hand.
"Deal." Optimus shook her hand and helped her back up into the Peterbilt. He motioned for her to get back into bed so she listened and curled up while he started the engine. He drove out of the station and back onto the highway heading east.
"So, what's this team of yours?" She didn't want to travel in silence.
"I cannot share much, but they are my team of soldiers." He spoke softly.
"Oh, I assumed you were a trucker. What's a military man doing with a fancy Peterbilt?" She asked running her fingers along the floor of the truck.
"Fancy?" There was a chuckle to his voice.
"I'm not sure if you are aware, but there are flames painted on this bad boy. That means this truck is fancy and I would go as far to say a bad ass. You have a badass truck, Optimus." She coughed making annoyed sounds at how dry her throat was. She smiled however hearing his laughter.
"Do I now?" If she didn't know any better she would say he was enjoying his own private joke.
"Anyway, military man and a fancy badass Peterbilt. What's the story?" She smiled curling up tighter in on herself.
"It is my own personal mode of transportation." He answered simply making her eyes roll.
"And a simple pickup just wouldn't cut it?" She was smiling and meant it in good humor.
"No." The way he answered so seriously had her laughing and hacking for a good five minutes.
"Alright, so you work for a secret branch of the government on some secret mission, and you decide to pick up a homeless girl?" She chuckled at how ridiculous it sounded.
"You are homeless?" He asked.
"Recently, possibly more in the category of runaway. I'm figuring this out as I go. Isn't it obvious?" She attempted joking but the bitter tone in her voice could not be mistaken.
"I had come to a few different conclusions as to why you were alone in the rain." Optimus responded.
"Oh? Any good ones?" She beamed at him in the rearview mirror. "Like I've escaped from a traveling circus or I'm a mythical creature?" Cathleen relayed heavily on humor to get her through her hard times.
"Nothing quite like that, but I will not lie. I am curious." There was a clear smile in his voice but his curiosity was there.
"Well, it's a bit of a long and sad story leading up to the homeless bit. I wouldn't want to bore you with the details." Cathleen winked hearing Optimus chuckle.
"I will listen if you need to talk about it." There was that sincerity again. Cathleen wondered where he got his seemingly limitless levels of kindness.
Cathleen was quiet for a bit after that coming to a decision. She wanted to tell someone that didn't know him. Cathleen needed someone to believe her. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes.
"He was my friend, or at least he started out that way. We met three years ago and hit it off well enough. The first time he asked me to go out with him I refused because I didn't want to be in a relationship at the time, but he persisted. At the time, I thought it was cute instead of seeing it as the warning sign that it was. Last year I finally agreed to go on a date and he seemed so perfect. He was always fun and seemed interested in what was going on in my life. He wanted to be friends with all of mine and had seemed to just want to be an active part of my life. Three months into the relationship I noticed that he began making comments about how I should change this or not spend time with this person. At first I thought it was just jealous boyfriend and concern talking, but when it didn't stop I knew I was in trouble. He took away a lot of my freedoms and I wasn't able to do anything outside of work and being at home without him looming over my shoulder." She coughed every so often and felt tears beginning to brim her eyes.
"I tried telling my friends that he was controlling and that I wasn't allowed to do anything but they just brushed it off. They couldn't believe that such a nice guy was so horrible. Three weeks ago, he got physical with me and that was it. I packed my bag while he was at work and left and have been on my own since then." She opened her eyes but closed them again feeling tears fall. "Told you it's a bit of a bummer."
"He hurt you?" There was anger in Optimus's voice that surprised Cathleen.
"He almost broke my arm but I was able to talk him down." She smiled softly. "He always did like when I listened. I was his pet in that way."
"Do you not have a safe place to go?" Optimus glanced back at her but she shook her head.
"This is the safest I have felt in a very long time." She took a deep breath covering her face in the pillow for a moment. "You're a good person, Optimus." Cathleen felt herself becoming a bit emotional. "I . . .I really needed my faith in humanity restored and you've done just that." Her voice got quiet not noticing the look on Optimus's face. "Thank you."
"You are welcome." She smiled and felt herself beginning to drift off again.
Optimus watched Cathleen return to sleep. He had been surprised this morning when she had attempted to slip off without saying anything, although from hearing her story he knew why. She was on the run to protect herself. She had given up everything for her freedom and Optimus felt his spark reach out to her. He knew what it was like to abandon everything you knew to continue to live. He dismissed the holoform knowing that she would be asleep for some time. Her cold was beginning to disturb him. Her fever had returned as she had been speaking and her voice sounded as if it was giving out. He knew she was in trouble.
:Ratchet.: He activated his commlink knowing that his medic would be awake by now.
:Is everything alright?: Optimus thought of how to respond.
:I am in route to the rendezvous location, however Cathleen's condition worries me.: Optimus once again scanned Cathleen and sent the results to Ratchet.
:She will need medication and rest. She will also need a steady diet to help her recover from the illness.: Ratchet reported.
:She does not have access to any of those things.: Optimus was becoming frustrated. He wanted to help Cathleen, now more than ever, but how?
:Lennox has asked if you know the females last name.:
:Cauldern. Cathleen Cauldern is how she had introduced herself.: Optimus responded.
:Lennox is running her name through their government system. The team will meet with you by this evening. Try and get her to hold on for that long.:
:Very well, old friend.: And with that they ended communications.
Cathleen could feel herself drifting in and out of sleep before she finally decided enough was enough and she got herself up. Sitting up she saw Optimus just watching the road but she noticed that there were a lot more trees than what she had last recalled.
"Where are we?" She asked cringing at how ridiculous her voice sounded.
"We are an hour outside of the state of Tennessee." Was his simple response. "We will be meeting my team in four hours."
"I slept the entire time?" She had assumed it had been a few hours, not the entire day.
"Your cold has moved into flu symptoms. You needed the rest." Optimus gave her a small smile in the rearview mirror but she could hear his worry. She was worse than she thought.
"I see." She moved the blanket off of her and took another drink. This time she drank about half the bottle but she still felt parched. She took a deep breath and put it down knowing that it was better to hold off a bit for now. Reaching into her bag Cathleen pulled out one of the many small packets of tissues she had. She was lucky the last shelter she visited was giving them out for free. Blowing her nose she cringed and made disgusted noises hearing Optimus chuckle.
"Don't laugh!" She whined coughing at trying to clear out her nose.
"You seem so disgusted by something that is natural for you." Optimus was smiling at her but she rolled her eyes.
"There is nothing natural about a clogged nose." She put her used tissues in a zip lock bag then put that back in her bag. There was no way in hell she was leaving tissues on the truck floor. Cathleen wrapped the blanket around her shoulders and leaned forward so she would be able to see Optimus better as he drove.
"Am I allowed to ask where your base of operations is?" Cathleen asked suddenly.
"Washington D.C., however I cannot give you anything more." He answered her not seeing the harm in it. She knew nothing about him or his Autobots and she would likely stay in Virginia where they were meeting his team rather than traveling all the way to the capital with him.
"You must be very important to be stationed in the capital. Only the bigwigs are there." Cathleen smiled. "I'm not breaking any top-secret government laws just by knowing your name, am I?"
"And if you are?" She had no way of knowing how close she was to breaking many intelligence laws by knowing his name.
"Well," She smirked to him, "I can just say it's only polite for strangers to introduce themselves." She closed her eyes again but she didn't feel like sleeping. She was jolted away however when the truck hit a pothole and Cathleen's head slammed against the roof of the bunk.
"Are you-"
"Ow." Cathleen interrupted Optimus with a chuckle, rubbing her head. "Optimus I think your truck hates me." She reached up and placed a kiss where her head had hit. "I hope that's a good enough apology for spreading my germs and causing injury to metal."
"I can say with certainty that the truck does not hate you, Cathleen." She smiled to him seeing an odd look on his face.
"You okay?" She asked moving forward again this time running her fingers along the leather of the seat. Optimus's hands flexed on the steering wheel before he answered.
"Fine. My medic informs me that you require more liquids." She still couldn't get over how formal his speech was.
"That may be, but I only have three water bottles and they need to last me until I can get to another clean water source." She attempted to sass back.
"Drink, we will get you more in the city." Optimus answered, not taking the bait. Cathleen huffed dramatically but picked up her water and finished off the first bottle. She noticed a sign for a travel rest stop and it wasn't just a gas station but one of those where there was a food court and small shops.
"Hey Optimus, I know you're on a really important mission and have to get back to your team, but can we stop at this next place? I can grab some really cheap food and hopefully a sweatshirt or something warmer than just my jacket." She tried her best to look convincing but Optimus was frowning.
"Are you well enough?" She smiled knowing he was genuinely concerned for her.
"I won't take longer than ten minutes I promise. The air might be good for me." She was still cough and sounded horrible. She wasn't fooling anyone but she was freezing and had to pee.
"Alright." He agreed and she was happy to see him take the exit.
"You're the best." She smiled to him and grabbed her wallet crawling up to the passenger seat so she could get out easier. Optimus parked the Peterbilt in the section that was blocked off for rigs. Cathleen made her way out surprised to see Optimus walking over to her side. She closed the door gently then looked to him.
"You want to come in too?" She asked but he just chuckled.
"I am going to keep an eye on you. I fear you are pushing yourself." Optimus spoke as they entered the building. Cathleen was surprised to see there were a few food places, restrooms off to the side, and her luck, a small gift like shop where she would be able to purchase a few necessities, like a sweatshirt and cold medicine.
"I'm going to use the restroom quick. Want to meet me over in the shop?" She asked seeing him nod and walk over as she entered the women's restroom. After getting herself sorted she splashed some cold water on her face and neck after washing her hands. She coughed and finally got a good look at herself. Her eyes were bloodshot, she could tell she lost weight, and her hair needed a good wash, but not here. She glanced around seeing that there wasn't anyone else in the bathroom so she pulled up her shirt. She hadn't been completely honest with Optimus. There were a few bruises along her sides and one on her stomach. He had tried to break her arm, but that was after he had beaten her to the ground. Cathleen tugged down the shirt and glared in the mirror. She didn't have time for this and Optimus was waiting. Exiting the restroom, she hurried over to the shop spotting Optimus looking through the sweatshirts.
"Find anything?" She coughed throwing off her attempt at humor.
"Will this do?" Optimus held up a zip up sweatshirt that was a simple black. "It will allow you to regulate the temperature better than those without the zipper function." Cathleen took the hoodie and checked the price seeing that it wasn't bad. She would still be able to pay with cash and have plenty left for Mcnuggets.
"It's perfect, thanks." She smiled to him and hurried over to the register seeing that they did in fact have cold medicine behind the counter. She pulled out her card knowing it was for the best, but something next to her grabbed her attention. She started laughing adding the bumper sticker to her pile as the casher grabbed the medicine for her.
"Something amusing?" Optimus asked having stopped being distracted.
"I'm getting your truck this!" It was a bumper sticker in cursive silver font that said 'fancy'. Optimus joined her small laugh.
"You do not need to." He smiled to her but she shook her head.
"I can't pay you back for everything, but at least I can give you something so you won't forget me and what you've given me." The two looked at each other just smiling before the girl at the register chuckled and said her total. Cathleen handed over her card and paid before asking the girl for some scissors to cut the tag off. Once that was done Cathleen slipped on the jacked and the two made their way over to the McDonalds. Cathleen ordered and grabbed her chicken nuggets and a new large water bottle and then they headed back to the truck.
"Twelve minutes." Optimus said when they left the building. Cathleen paused before laughing again but it turned into a hacking fit. "Cathleen?" She could hear the panic in Optimus's voice and she suddenly felt very dizzy. She felt herself being picked up while she coughed. Optimus put her down by the truck and she finally began to calm down.
"Sorry." She muttered but only half the word came out. She looked to Optimus to see his concern but she pulled out the bumper sticker and moved to the back of the rig.
"Cathleen you need to-" Optimus was cut off as Cathleen slapped the bumper sticker onto the back part of the rig.
"Come on, I'm going to fall asleep again in this fancy truck." She smiled reaching out to rub his arm. She had to grit her teeth and force on a brave face. She felt awful. "I'm okay." She climbed up but when she laid back down she could tell something was very wrong. Optimus moved to the space between the seats to help her get comfortable but he wouldn't let her lay down.
"Take this and eat." He ordered and she was too tired to give a response. She ate slowly but she could only force herself to eat four before she felt ill and she didn't want to push it. She drank the entire water bottle then laid down. Optimus had begun driving again once he saw her eating but he had been very quiet.
"Optimus?" Her voice was hardly coming out anymore.
"Are you alright, Cathleen?" He was still worried.
"I am so sorry." She felt tears slip as she passed out.
:Ratchet!: Optimus didn't like how she passed out like that. She was having difficulty breathing and she had lost her appetite.
:Optimus, has she gotten worse?: Ratchet was still back at NEST with Lennox.
:Her fever is too high and she refuses to eat what she requires. She took medicine but has collapsed.: Optimus had begun to grow fond of Cathleen. It was rare for him to be allowed simple moments that she had given him and the chance to interact with a human this closely amazed him. However, she was very ill and if she didn't get help soon, he was very afraid for her.
:The team is half an hour out. They were instructed to meet at your location. They will find you.:
:Thank you, old friend.: Optimus was about to cut the connection when Ratchet spoke again.
:Lennox informs me that she has a missing person report filed on her. Lennox is attempting to get in contact with the one that filed it.: Ratchet responded and Optimus felt his energon run cold.
:Stop him. Cathleen is an abuse victim on the run from her abuser. He is most likely the one that filed the report.: Optimus felt anger once again.
:I will pass on the message. Ratchet, out.: The connection was broken leaving Optimus to his thoughts. He had promised to not force assistance onto Cathleen once their medic looked her over, however the more attached he became to her the more he wanted to help. Would she allow him to take her to the capital?
Her abuser was looking for her, no doubt under the disguise of a concerned lover. Optimus felt his engine growl. Even though they had only spent a short time together, Cathleen seemed to be the type of human that did not deserve what had happened to her. Optimus continued down the road, concern and anger brewing inside him until he saw NEST solder vehicles heading his way. There was a pull off exit that would do. He pulled into a spot moving the holoform to attempt to wake up Cathleen while the others pulled in around him.
"Cathleen?" He slowly sat her up feeling how hot her skin was, but she was shaking again. "Cathleen, wake up."
"Op-us-" She had attempted to get his name out but her voice did not cooperate. She still seemed asleep but she moved her arms to loop around the holoforms neck to help him carry her. He chuckled picking her up and taking her outside.
"Sir." Some of them responded seeing him but he ignored them in favor of the ambulance. Two medics rushed over to take a look at her.
"We'll get her hooked up and try and reduce the fever as we drive." Optimus placed Cathleen down on the stretcher in the vehicle. Before he could pull away Cathleen softly grabbed his hand.
"I'm sorry." She whispered again still locked in sleep. Optimus squeezed her hand before dismissing the holoform and they got under way.
Cathleen knew she was in an ambulance. She had still been out of it when Optimus had brought her in here but after being hooked up to a few things her fever was under control and she felt more aware. Her throat still felt like sandpaper and her eyes were heavy, but she was out of danger for now.
"I've never seen him that worried, have you?" One of the medics spoke to the other not realizing Cathleen was awake.
"Only with his Autobots, but never with a human." The other responded making Cathleen frown. Human? Cathleen didn't know how long they had been on the road again but if those watching out for her were able to talk about pointless things like this everything must be fine. She shuffled a bit to get their attention.
"Ma'am." One of them greeted, already checking vitals. "How are you feeling?"
"Gross." She smiled but it didn't last long. She didn't have much energy and she really wanted to go back to sleep.
"The fever has gone down but once we're able to stop in the next city we can get something into you. Medicine and bedrest will be the best to help fight this off." The other informed her.
"I hole up in a motel. Sleep it off." She smiled to them watching them go about their work.
"So, if you don't mind us asking. How did you stumble upon the commander?" The medic to her left asked.
"He more stumbled upon me. I owe him my life." Cathleen meant it.
"More than you know." The other muttered but was hit on the arm as if sharing too much information.
"Am I really that bad?" Cathleen asked wondering if she had slipped into the territory of pneumonia.
"You'll be fine. My partner is just being an idiot." The two shared a laugh.
A loud popping sound startled Cathleen and silenced the two medics. One of the medics suddenly slummed forward bleeding from the neck.
"GET DOWN!" The driver shouted from up front. Cathleen was suddenly pulled from the bed and brought to the floor. The medic that dragged her down, Tanner if his nametag was correct, was busy stopping the bleeding from his coworker. She looked out the windows of the doors watching the most bizarre thing happening. She saw vehicles turning into terrifying machines and they were shooting at the ambulance and the other military vehicles, but they were focusing on a specific Peterbilt.
"Optimus!" She yelled as best as she could but froze watching the truck that she had spent the last 24 hours in transform in motion on the highway into a massive robot. The Peterbilt quickly tackled one of the other robots when a stray shot hit the glass and shattered the window. Cathleen was flung back hitting her head hard and felt something lodged in her leg and side. She felt dizzy from the fever and the pain and felt herself slipping again. The last image she thought of was Optimus's smile and the massive flame colored robot.