A couple days pass by and Saphira kept going to school after the incident with Sophia and spending time with the autobots at the emerald field each day. However, as it was the last few days before the end of the week, Saphira insisted spending some alone time with Optimus. He was not sure of the reason, but her main reason was that the other autobots were using their holoforms, and they were able to play games with her as she had begun to teach the autobots how to play Chess, which has been really fun for all of them. And Optimus was not using his holoform, so she felt it was unfair to him that she gave attention to them and not to him. However, Optimus hid that he was rather thrilled to have alone time with her. Something about Saphira has caught his attention. He didn't know what it was though, but there was a spark in his soul he has not felt since Elita. He admitted himself that Saphira was beautiful for a human, she had a fire in her for wanting to belong somewhere. She has not come out and said it, but he has seen it. Especially when she stares at the sunset at the field, there is a longing in her eyes that he has been able to see.

Like right now, she was sitting on a picnic blanket with a basket full of biscuits, fruit and cheese she had been eating, while Optimus was sipping an energon cube beside her. She was laying on her back, staring at the clouds thoughtfully, wondering what it was like beyond the blue sky. She often imagined what escaping this world would be like, but she could not of course.

"Optimus, have you…uhh…have you ever felt like a spec of dust in a big world?" Saphira asked curiously as she took a bite of a red apple.

Optimus looked down at her when she asked the question, she had her right knee over her left knee and her left arm resting behind her head. "I have not, no. Is that how you feel Saphira?"

"I guess I do. To tell you the truth, I might act all confident and calm, but inside…" She paused and took a deep breath. "I am far, far from it. I'm a wreck. It hurts when I don't have a real family to go back to, the pain isn't as bad as it used to be, but…it still hurts."

Optimus's optics soften as he listened to her and props his elbow on the ground to rest his cheek in his palm as he gazed down at her. "I completely understand Saphira. I have lost so many comrades in the past. Believe it or not, Megatron was not always evil, I used to think of him as a brother."

"You did call him that as his eyes darkened," Saphira said, looking up at him with a smile. "What was he like before?"

The commander smiled sadly as he thought back to his days when he and Megatron were best friends. "He had a very kind heart. He was a lot more confident than I was before I became a Prime. I was the shy one honestly, he would be the one who would take me out to help me out of my shell. He and I fought alongside each other…until something happened. It is like someone had whispered into his ear, he changed. It was not sudden, it was slow and it took me so long to realize he was not the brother I remembered. It was than I had to fight him to protect…it was a hospital where sparklings were taking shelter from the war. He never expected it, that was what started my path to becoming Optimus Prime."

"You had a different name?" Saphira looked at him in surprise and he nodded at her. "What was it?"

"Orion Pax."

She blinked a little when she told him his name and she shakes her head a little. "Optimus suits you much better honestly. Although, do every Prime get a name change when they become a Prime?"

"Not necessarily, Primus simply gave me my new name as I was ascended to Prime. I miss being called Orion, but I am not that autobot anymore. I am not a dock worker, I am a warrior and I am proud of it." She definitely did not expect him to tell her what he was before he became a Prime, she could not imagine him being anything other than a warrior. "I know this is a shock to you Saphira, but believe me when I say I have had a long past too."

She smiled at him and took another bite of the apple and chewed on the piece thoughtfully before swallowing. "Yeah, I am getting that the more I spend time with you all. And I'll be honest, ever since you lot came into my life…I don't know. It's been quite an adventure."

"You can say that again," Optimus said in a slightly sarcastic tone that made Saphira chuckle lightly at him.

"I don't mean the fighting…although, being able to save the world like that…well, it means a lot." She sat up as she finished the apple and placed the core into a plastic bag while grabbing out a pack of crackers and cheese to lay back down with. "I've actually never had real friends before…so for me, it's an adventure. I am learning how to be a friend too…considering I fear that I am going to just be used again."

"I can understand, especially after what happened earlier this week." He gestured to her elbows, they were still bandaged and she had not yet removed them as she wanted to give it a couple weeks to heal. "It is too bad we cannot come with you to see the houses you are looking at renting on the weekend Saphira. I am afraid we leave tomorrow night after you go to sleep."

She grimaced and frowned at him. "Please, don't remind me, I would rather just enjoy the moment Optimus." She placed a cheese slice on a cracker to begin to eat. "At least I can come back here, imagine you're here with me."

He blinked and widened his eyes in surprise when she said that. "Why only me?"

She hummed for a moment before she shrugged. "I guess because you are the one who showed this place to me. So I think it is only fitting to imagine you are here with me Optimus. I might not be able to talk to you, but that doesn't mean I can't imagine you spending time with me. It will make it feel less lonely."

Optimus felt his spark warm at that, he was not aware he had impacted her already and that made him really happy. "I never expected you to feel that way about me. I am honoured you would imagine me being here with you and keeping you company."

She nodded with a smile, looking back at the sky. "Yeah, well, I see you as a great friend Optimus. Not just as a leader, I guess I kind of look past that fact honestly because of our friendship. I have considered making something for you to take along with you on your quests so a part of me is with you."

He took a sip of his cube, it was nearly empty and Optimus glanced away from her. It moved him deeply that she wanted gift him something to remind him of her. "You don't have to do that Saphira. Remembering your face is all I need to see in my mind."

"Maybe not, but I do want to do that Optimus," Saphira said with a smile. "Don't worry, it won't be a floral bracelet or anything. It will be something else, that I can promise you. I know you will appreciate it when I give it to you."

Optimus had no idea what she was planning on giving him, however, he could not help but feel incredibly moved by her offer of making him a gift to give to him to remember her with. It was really nice of her, he just hoped that it wouldn't be something that could be destroyed easily. It was just another reason why Optimus liked Saphira. Plus, hearing her open up a little bit about her true, inner feelings to him was special. At least it showed she was becoming more comfortable around them, which was a good thing.

Saphira sat up with a sigh, stretching her limbs and arching her back, smiling as she gazed around at the field, watching the butterflies flutter around from the wildflowers. "I'll never get over how dreamy it is out here. I am glad you found it and showed me Optimus."

"I am glad I stumbled across it." Optimus looked at the sun, it was getting really low and the sky had darkened quite a bit. "Alright, I think we should head back."

"Why?" Saphira laid back down with a huff. "I don't mind watching the stars Optimus. I have not done that for a long time. It's simple, I know, but I am enjoying these simple moments. It just makes it beautiful."

"But you promised Bumblebee you would play Chess with him," Optimus said gently, smiling at her as he knew she did not want to leave. "He would be very sad if we stayed out longer and you didn't play Chess with him."

She groaned a little, she did make that promise to Bee that morning, she had actually forgotten about it. "Yeah, you're right…tomorrow will be the last day to spend with you…I kind of want to call up sick and just spend the whole day with you, Ratchet and Ironhide."

"That would be lying, even if you want to spend time with us. It would be best you continue going to school." Optimus finished off his cube and stood up slowly. "You can eat more of that when you get to the garage."

She nodded and ate another cracker with cheese before she put them into the basket and stood up to pick up the blanket and fold. Optimus transformed into his alt mode and opened the cab door for her. She felt sad she had to leave, but she made a promise to Bee, and she didn't want to hurt him by breaking that promise. She climbed into the cab and got comfortable as Optimus began to drive away from the field.

"Hopefully when you are finished with your missions, we can come here and camp out here. I would love to just spend a couple days here and forget about the world for a little while. Just you, the autobots and I." Saphira stared out the window as she spoke. "I'll get some camping equipment for that."

"You've said something like that before, but I do look forward to being able to do that," Optimus said in a cheerful tone. "I am sure you will have a marvellous time being here with us."

"Oh, I definitely will. I've never camped before, but camping with good friends really sounds…" Saphira paused for a moment as Optimus slowed down as a familiar Mustang cop car was facing them at the end of the road. "What is that idiot doing?"

"I do not know. Barricade knows he cannot beat me." Optimus came to a stop several feet in front of Barricade, they both just remained silent for a moment.

Saphira winds the window down and peers out. "What the hell do you want Barricade?"

Barricade did nothing for a moment before he transformed suddenly, but it was slow rather than aggressive like he was before. He held up his hands when he completely transformed. "I did not come to fight. I came to talk."

"Get out Saphira," Optimus ordered to her gently. "And stay behind me." She nodded as she climbed out of the cab and moved behind Optimus quickly as he transformed, towering over Barricade with a stern frown. "Why are you here?"

Barricade hesitated for a moment, clenching his hands for a second before speaking. "I…I don't know how you will believe me…but…uh, they are trying to find a way to revive Megatron."

"Can they do that?" Saphira asked curiously, gazing up at Optimus in surprise.

"They can if they have the right energy source." Optimus frown deepens at Barricade as he processed what he said. "Why are you telling me this? You are just another puppet to him!"

"Yes, yes I was." Barricade looked away and rubbed the back of his neck. "Hmmph, when you've been hating for so long, it gets real tiring. You know that Cube wasn't the only reason why Megatron came here right?"

The commander seemed a little surprised by that. "What other reason could he possibly have come here for?"

"Well, for one, he tried following Sentinel first," Barricade exclaimed and Optimus widened his eyes in shock when the decepticon mentioned the name. "But, when he lost track of him he came to Earth looking for the Cube, not for the energon in it, but to use it to lead him to where a great machine is to harvest the sun for energon."

"Wait, what?" Saphira was confused, all this information that she knew nothing about. "What is he talking about Optimus?"

"Sentinel Prime was the leader of the autobots before me," Optimus explained without glancing back at Saphira, he did not want to let his guard down with Barricade right in front of me. "He fled Cybertron with a technology that could have end the war on Cybertron. That was a long, long time ago. I do not know what became of my old mentor."

"And Megatron was going to stop him…right?" She folded her arms and looked up at Barricade with a frown. "You decepticons really just love war, huh? At least this is better than cornering me outside of Walmart the other day."

Optimus glanced down in surprise before glaring at Barricade. "What is she talking about?"

"Well, I am surprised she failed to mention it, pfft, all I did was warn her something is coming just as I am to you now. Urgh! Don't you get it, I'm tired!" Barricade rubbed the back of his head and stepped back from Optimus. "I understand, you don't trust me. I have the decepticon badge, but I am tired. Now that Megatron is gone, I feel free. I don't have to fight anymore!"

"I…you want to stop being a decepticon?" Saphira asked him curiously with a frown.

"Yes! Yes, I do. I don't know everything my master was planning, Soundwave and Starscream knew more than I do. In fact, those two have been here longer than I have, they have their own human insect operatives working for them anyway." Barricade exhaled loudly, he was sounding a bit desperate to Saphira, but she did wonder why he wanted to tell Optimus directly. "Look, I know you don't trust me. I understand, but I really want to leave the decepticon life."

Optimus listened and processed what Barricade was saying with narrowed eyes. "Did Barricade say anything else to you when he cornered you Saphira?" He did not look at Saphira as he spoke.

"Um…yeeeaaaahhh, he did." Barricade grimaced and looked away. "He said he might be attracted to me. I think his insistence on leaving the decepticons is so he can pursue his crush, that would be me."

Optimus tensed a little when she told him that. "Is that true Barricade?"

"No! I mean…uhhh…I don't know." He stepped back from Optimus, cowering slightly from fear of being attacked. "She is…ummm…" Barricade hesitated to say anything further as he didn't want to get into a fight. "Look, I wish no more harm to her. I just want to help."

"It is going to take a lot more than words from me to believe you. And I will tell you this…" Optimus's right arm transforms into an energon sword, Saphira stepped back as she was surprised to see it. He lifts the sword towards Barricade's throat, making the decepticon tense. "If you ever try to make a move onto her that satisfies only your desires, I will kill you. No one shall have her in that way!"

Saphira looked at him in shock, his choice of words was odd. However, she did hate the idea of one of the decepticons assaulting her, that would not be something she would want to experience. "I promise I won't do anything Optimus, you have my word. I know Megatron wanted to."

Optimus narrowed his eyes and stepped back from Barricade. "Yes, I know, he hinted at that in the battle. But this is my warning to you, and any other decepticon. Megatron is dead, he cannot be revived without the right power source and you don't know the location of his body."

"I understand Optimus," Barricade said, relieved the weapon was no longer aimed at his throat. "I deeply apologize for disturbing your time together. I just needed to talk with you. What can I do to prove my worth?"

"First of all, stay away from Saphira," Optimus responded in a stern voice. "And I mean stay away, don't go to her using your holoform or bothering her when she is driving on her own. You should also cut communication with the decepticons, if you are still in contact with them the next time I see you, I will know you do not wish to change."

"Oh, I was thinking of keeping in contact to find out the next plan they have, but okay. Whatever needs to be done." Barricade shrugged, he glanced down at Saphira for a moment. "But when you do trust me, speaking with Saphira won't be an issue?"

"That depends on your motives. I am not going to let you in easily Barricade, if you wish to change sides, work for that approval and trust. Leave now, Saphira and I have something to do." Optimus dropped to one knee to prepare to transform, but he waited for Barricade to leave.

"Alright, I am going…" Barricade groaned as he turned to walk away. "I hope I will do the right thing Optimus. There are many decepticons who wanted to get out and fight Megatron, but his claws get too deep and we have no choice but to follow. However, do be careful. The human insects they have under their control might eventually come out to harm Saphira. And those humans will do it to keep themselves alive and rich."

He transformed and drives away, leaving Saphira and Optimus to process what he has said. Saphira wasn't sure if she should be worried about Barricade or not, but she did not have a bad feeling about Barricade. That still did not mean something bad won't happen and she knew it. She sighed and looked at Optimus as he transformed and she climbed back into the cab.

"That was interesting," Saphira commented as Optimus drove forward onto the road to head back to the garage. "I wonder if what he was saying was true."

"It probably was Saphira, he didn't sound like he was lying, except for him not admitting he has an eye for you," Optimus responded, his tone was no longer stern or angry, it was back to the calm voice she had grown used to. "However, I am still weary of Barricade. Do not trust him Saphira, not unless I have properly accepted him as an autobot."

"Has it happened before?" Saphira asked curiously. "Has decepticons changed to autobots before? And has autobots changed to decepticons?"

"Yes to both questions, although more often decepticons leave to become autobots than the other way around. Megatron is an example, he was an autobot many years ago before he became leader of the decepticons. Still…he chose a time to make me worry about you when we leave." There was a hiss sounding through the truck pipes, making Saphira nearly cover her ears from how long it was. "Bumblebee will be on higher alert now. I don't know how well Barricade will play by the rules."

"Yeah…hopefully it won't be terrible…" Saphira stared out the window again as she thought about Barricade and his words.

She couldn't help but wonder why he was telling them all this stuff. If these things come to pass, would it stand to reason that Barricade really wants to change. Maybe he does deep down, but shaking a life he has been living for so long wouldn't be easy. She just hoped he would not cause any extra trouble, she already had enough on her plate as it was without a decepticon on it.