Here comes Ch. 8; the next couple of chapters won't have much action in them per say. But they'll mainly add some fluff to the story as a whole. Anywho, onwards to the story!

Ch. 8

Optimus explained to June how the Autobots had arrived on Earth after the destruction of Cybertron and how they worked with the American Government to defend humanity from the Decepticons. He informed her also that her husband had worked with them, which she surprisingly handled rather well. "Just like Fred to want to fight for his country." The smile on June's face spread to everyone in the room until Optimus continued.

"He was a great warrior and a true friend to each of us, but…" Optimus gave a look over at Arcee who was looking down with sadness in her face, Optimus hated seeing Arcee like this, but he continued on regardless. "One day while on a mission, he and his guardian, Cliffjumper, were ambushed by a patrol of Decepticons; they were taken prisoner and interrogated for information."

June looked over to Arcee and could tell that she had been close to Jack's father as well as his guardian; she walked over to the blue femme and placed a hand on her leg armor. "Fred knew the risks of being a soldier and so did I. I'm proud to say he was my husband, and that he was able to fight for what he believed in." At this, Arcee looked down at June her face plates still holding a saddened expression, but she was able to manage a weak smile.

Arcee was about to speak but, much like Jack, June beat Arcee to the punch. "You can go and see Jack if you'd like, he was asking for you before I left." At this, Arcee felt a tinge of relief flow through her. Jack was alright and was able to see them. Arcee walked into the Med Bay to find Jack on the same medical berth she had seen him on.

He had been stripped of his shirt and was now wrapped with bandages on his chest, arms, and sections of his abdomen. Arcee suddenly found herself looking over the exposed skin of Jacks body and the toned muscles that lay underneath. 'Primus he's built, he's got a perfect…' Arcee suddenly cut off her thought as she realized where it was heading. 'Snap out of it Arcee!' Jack looked over to Arcee with a smile on his face. "How're you holdin' up partner?"

The smile on Jack's face brought a flood of relief to Arcee's spark, she walked over to the small bed that was on top of one of the medical berths and leaned down to be closer to her human. "I should be asking you the same question, all things taken into account." Jack looked up at Arcee with a small smirk. "Ah, aside from a few new scars, I'll be good as new soon enough. How's mom taking everything?"

Arcee knew how much Jack cared about his mom; it was endearing to the femme to see that underneath the hard features that were visible on Jack, there was a caring and affectionate son. "She's actually been pretty accepting of everything." The smile on Arcee's face brought a silent joy to Jack's heart. 'God, she is amazing...' Suddenly Jack felt himself begin to open up as he began to get closer to Arcee.

He was going to say something but suddenly, Arcee spoke up. "Jack, you risked your' life back in the woods; Airachnid is one of the most psychotic and disturbed femmes in existence and you could have gotten yourself killed. Why didn't you run?" Jack had admitted to himself that he could've been killed if things had turned out differently, and had Arcee not escaped in the nick of time, he would likely be dead with his head taken as a trophy by Airachnid.

"Arcee…I didn't want to lose you. We might not know each other as well as you knew your other partners, but I already considered you a friend and a partner even if you didn't see me that way… and…" Jack suddenly looked away as though something was troubling him. Arcee suddenly realized just how much Jack cared about her; he had been willing to put himself in harm's way so that she would be safe, a human she had only known for a few months, had risked his life to save hers.

Suddenly, an idea began to form in Arcee's mind. Arcee felt as though she needed some time to think and placed a hand on Jack's shoulder before speaking in a soft tone to her human friend. "You just rest up for now; you've had a long day." Jack looked back to find Arcee wearing a beautiful smile and her eyes seemed to sparkle for a moment before he registered what she had said. "A little rest… sounds pretty good."

With that Arcee watched as Jack closed his eyes and quickly fell asleep with a smile on his face. After ensuring Jack was safe and comfortable, she left the Med Bay to speak with Optimus. She walked through the base to the freight elevator in the back and rode up to the top of the base, she knew that at times like these Optimus would come up here to relieve himself of some of the stress that came with being a leader.

She opened the door to the elevator and saw her leader standing at the edge of the cliff with his hands on his hips and his head looking slightly upwards toward the horizon. She walked up to his side and stood there for a moment, taking in the view that Optimus would allow himself to indulge in when he came up here. "So peaceful and majestic; this planet. Unlike the final days of Cybertron."

Arcee could hear the regret in Optimus' voice; she knew he constantly blamed himself for failing to save their home planet. "Don't blame yourself over what's in the past Optimus, the Autobots have only survived this long because of your' leadership." Optimus looked down to Arcee and smiled deeply before speaking. "How is Jack now that he has been attended to?"

Arcee looked back out to the horizon with a smile on her face plates; a smile that didn't go unnoticed to Optimus. "He's doing well; he's resting right now, and after the day he's had, he deserves some rest." Arcee was happy to know that her partner was safe; she remained silent for a few seconds before hearing Optimus speak up. "I sense that you have something you wish to tell me."

Arcee looked up at her leader with a smile, he always seemed to know when something was on her mind, and he always confronted it in a way a father would. This is why she came up here; she had nothing to hide from Optimus because she knew that he would understand. "It's about Jack; he risked his life out there today; he drew Airachnid away to give me time to get free, he was even able to hold his own."

Optimus looked down at his young Lieutenant and spoke with a knowing voice. "I'm sensing that you've grown to care quite deeply about young Jack as of late." Arcee looked down for a moment, wondering if this was truly what she should do, but she knew she wanted to hear what Optimus thought about her growing situation.

"Optimus, at first he seemed like a burden, but after I learned about him and who he is, we became close; almost like brother and sister. And he still is but… after today, I can't help but feel like… like he's more than just a friend to me now." Optimus suddenly held a long smile as he spoke up once more.

"Love is something we all hope to find Arcee; it works in ways that not even the wisest of the Primes could completely comprehend. It can transcend anything, even species." Arcee suddenly looked up with an almost hopeful look on her face. "Optimus, are you saying that you…" Optimus continued to smile as he once again spoke.

"You need not worry about me Arcee, should you decide to be with Jack, you will have my blessing in it." Arcee couldn't help the joy that filled her spark as she walked up and hugged Optimus. Arcee then walked back to the freight elevator and decided then and there that she would ask Jack what he thought of a possible future with her in his life.

Holy scraplets! Ch. 8 up and running wild! Yaaaay! Lol. Anywho, you know the drill people. Read, review, the whole shibang. ROLL OUT! ;)

P.S. You might notice I had Optimus use the line that Sentinel Prime used in Transformers Dark of the Moon. The reason behind this is that it is an amazing line and I despise Sentinel for the fact that he betrayed the Autobots like that and FRICKING KILLED IRONHIDE! THAT GRINDED MY GEARS TO NO FRICKING END! For these reasons I rebuke Sentinel and find him unworthy of the title of 'Prime' and so do not see him as deserving of such an awesome line. That said, it was nice knowing that Leonard Nemoy was the one who did Sentinel's voice. That was pretty awesome. :)