Following the yellow Camaro through the city, Optimus observed they were heading towards a part of the city that had more open areas, homes with large acres and it seemed to be a far quieter, nicer neighbourhood than the one Saphira had lived in before. It was really nice, and he looked forward to seeing the place she now called home.

"I see you found a place to get away from the city," Optimus commented throw the speakers. "It seems like a really nice area. A little further than I would like from the emerald field though. You and I should go there."

"That sounds really nice," Saphira responded, really happy by the idea of spending time again with Optimus. "And since I don't have any school anymore, and I don't move to Princeton for several weeks, we have plenty of time to spend with each other. Unless…" She placed had hands on her hips with a curious expression. "I am wrong. I was told we would talk about it more when we get to my home."

"That is correct, Lennox wishes to talk to you about it himself." Optimus did not sound to thrilled about that. Bee turned off the road into a driveway that lead through an opened gate and ahead was the two-story home. "Wow, very nice."

"Yes, it is really nice. Private too, so transforming won't be a problem for you." Saphira chuckled softly as the approach the house. She glanced towards the garden where the eight garden beds were. "Too bad you weren't here when I was growing a lot of food."

"Growing food huh?" Optimus sounded rather surprised by that. "That would have been fascinating to observe." He came to a stop as they reached the entrance to the garage. "I see there is a shed big enough for me."

Saphira nodded with a chuckle, opening the door and climbing out of the cab. She stepped away and Optimus began to transform. "Well…this is where I have been living for the last year."

Lennox and Robert step out of the GMC cab, looking up at the house with smiles on their faces. "This is really nice. Not very modern, but it is a modest house. I see you have some garden beds over there." Lennox points towards the raised garden beds and Saphira nodded. "Did you get into gardening huh?"

"Yeah, it also helped a lot with the food bill," Saphira said with a smile. "Bee had a great time learning about it too. It took some trial and error for me to get used to gardening as well."

"I bet it did." Lennox hummed for a moment and noticed an outdoor sitting area of the house. "How about some lunch huh?"

She grinned and shrugged. "Sure, I have a salad made up and ready to eat, hope you don't mind. It has lettuce, tomatoes, walnuts, apples and chicken in it with balsamic vinegar."

"That sounds delicious," Robert said with a smile. "I think that will be just fine."

She chuckled and walked towards the front door to head to the kitchen while the men and autobots relaxed outside. She walked over to the fridge to grab out the large bowl of the salad, plates, forks and she grabbed out three sodas for them to have. She walked out to the patio area where they were waiting.

"I hope you don't mind coke," Saphira said, placing the cans on the table as she laid out the plates and utensils. "I am not yet old enough for beer."

"This is completely fine." Will picked up a bowl as Saphira uncovered the bowl and he filled his plate with the salad. "That smells really good." He filled the bowl and sat back down to relax. "Princeton huh? Did you always want to go to an Ivy League college?"

Saphira shrugged. "I didn't really set a goal for that. I knew I would get in regardless anyway. But…I will be studying astronomy while I am there. I have considered Spanish…but I don't want to pay money for something I can learn on my own."

"Fair enough, fair enough. Are you aiming to work for somewhere like NASA?" Lennox asked curiously and Saphira shakes her head.

"No, KSI actually." The men raised their eyebrows when she spoke about KSI. "Well…that is if I can. They work with many different divisions such as NASA, so technically I will be working with them. Just not for them…but…I don't know. My grandfather left me clues of what he's left for me to do…but if I had to choose…KSI would be my choice."

"I've met that guy, Joshua Joyce, he's the owner of the place…" William began as he chewed on the salad. The autobots sat around listening to them, only Optimus was in his bipedal mode while the others were in their holoforms. "I don't like him. He's got all this money, and he seems to think he can do anything. Plus, he acts like a scaredy cat whenever someone points a weapon at him."

"But he built a good company," Saphira responded with a smile. "He makes robotics for the military. So, he's not all bad. He might be a rich asshole…but…aren't most rich people like that anyway?"

The two men chuckle in agreement with Saphira as they eat. "Yeah, they tend to be that way," Robert said with a grin. "This is a pretty good salad, everything tastes so fresh!"

"Well, most was harvested recently that is why," Saphira responded proudly. "It will always taste better than what you buy anyway. So…" She paused for a moment as she thought about her next question. "How many decepticons did you manage to track?"

"Ten, we managed to kill seven," Ironhide responded with a huff, and Saphira did not think that was bad at all.

"I suppose there might be more, right?" Saphira asked curiously and they all nod. "What about the ones hiding in the US? Barricade and Grindor are still here, right?"

"They are, but both are in areas where civilians are at most at risk," Lennox explained. "We try to go after targets that are in areas where there is as little risk to civilians as possible. After all, those two are easy to keep track of. Although, Barricade has been all over the country, strangely enough."

"Really?" Saphira was surprised to hear that and turned her head to look up at Optimus, he was gazing back at her with a calm expression. "Why do you think that is?"

"We are not sure. I did confront him two months ago about it…" He exhaled through his vents and glanced away for a moment. "He simply told me that the Fallen shall rise again. I still don't know what that means…even though I fear something terrible is coming."

"Did he say that in a menacing way, or…"

"No, he was warning me. He said the Cube shard is not safe anymore, the decepticons will get it as well." He turned his head towards Lennox and Robert. "Major Lennox here organized the relocation of the shard into a more secure location. Hopefully, the decepticons will not get their claws on it now. However, it is curious to me Barricade has stayed away from you. I think he might be trying to get information, though I cannot confirm that. I still do not know where his loyalty stands, although at this point, neutral is likely the most reasonable position he is in right now."

That was interesting. Saphira knew that this Fallen had been mentioned before, though it seemed the autobots did not know what that meant. She suspected maybe it is an old transformer. One who is not so friendly, and most likely a decepticon.

"Which brings us to the next thing…" Lennox began, his face changing to guilt and Saphira was surprised when she saw that facial expression. "While I did keep my promise we would be here for you graduation, I wasn't able to get a lot of time. Robert and I will just be here for a couple days before we go and see our families for a short time. The autobots…well…" He glanced up at Optimus who looked away sadly. "Our superiors want the femmes, twins and Ironhide back in about three days for a mission, while Sideswipe and Ratchet go back in a week. Optimus has been granted two weeks."

Two weeks...

Saphira hated the times was so short, however…she was happy that Optimus would be here for two weeks. The first week she could spend time with the other autobots, and in the last week, she could have alone time with him. Proper alone time. And that excited her, she might be able to convince Optimus to camp out at the field the whole last week. That would be really nice.

"The military don't like giving much time, do they?" Saphira commented with a slight chuckle.

"Sadly, they do not. They also seem to believe that the transformers don't need to have a break, but I have convinced them that they do. I don't see them as machines like some do, that is why." Lennox sighed deeply and shakes his head. "There is one asshole who has been particularly vocal about his dislike for transformers."

"Theodore Galloway." The way Robert said the name with such disdain told Saphira everything she needed to know. "He's a real, asshole. He's even suggested we throw you to the decepticons."

"Wait…why?" Saphira frowned in confusion. "Is he serious?"

"Apparently, because you were the one to meet the autobots, you are the reason all this had happened. That is his logic." Lennox scoffed and shakes his head, he didn't like it either and it was pretty clear. "He's an idiot in politics, that is all I can say."

Saphira did not disagree with that at all. "Hopefully I do not get the pleasure of meeting this guy."

"I doubt it. You'll be at college anyway." Lennox looked over at Bee who was sitting quietly and listening. "Does this mean you will join the rest of the autobots for missions?"

Bee looked at him in surprise and shrugged. "I do not know."

"It is just that Saphira is moving on with her life, Bee, she may no longer be needed and, while you can still be friends, I think it is best she has as normal of a life as possible," The man explained while the autobot's expression changed to sadness. "I hate to tell you, bud, but that is the way it is looking."

"Normal…it will never be normal," Saphira responded with a chuckle. "Personally, normal is boring. I like that I am not like everyone else. Bee is like my big brother, and there is no way I would stop talking to him simply because I am going to college. That would be unreasonable. It does mean I will have less time to…but that is something I have to deal with. But, to be honest, I haven't really worked everything out with college, so at the moment…Bee and I have not sat down and discussed anything about him coming to college with me."

"Fair enough. Also, we do apologize for not being there for your birthday…" Lennox placed the plate down and walked towards the GMC. Ironhide smirked slightly as he walked away. "But we did not forget about presents."

"Aw, Lennox, you don't need to do that!" Saphira exclaimed, watching the man walk towards the truck and open the back down to reach in. She glanced at Robert in surprise. "Wait…did everyone get me a gift?"

"Just Ironhide, Ratchet and Optimus," Sideswipe said, answering the question for the man. "The twins, myself and the ladies here don't really know you well yet, so we felt your friends give you a gift."

"That is nice." Saphira had her birthday several months ago, the party Bee through definitely was a night to remember. "You should have seen what Bumblebee did…"

"Please…it was embarrassing, so don't tell," Bee said, hiding his face with his hands which made the group laugh when they saw the embarrassed expression on his face. "Oh…you're gonna tell it anyway…"

"Yes, of course I will." Saphira grinned at him and glanced up at Optimus with a grin. "So…he thought it was a great idea to get a big, inflatable that looks a little bit like your alt form."

"He did?" Optimus glanced at Bee as the young autobot seemed to shrink with embarrassment.

"Mmm hmm! Anyway, I arrived home that night after a nice, big win at the race meet and I see the inflatable…" Saphira used her hands to explain what happened that night as Will sat back down with several bags with the gifts inside. "Bumblebee had put some lights inside it, which was nice. He had fairy lights hung up all around, nice music and a cake. The only problem was, the lights within the inflatable got too hot."

Optimus began to chuckle softly as he listened to Saphira. "He burned it, didn't he?"

"Yep…and some of that rubber melted onto his fender and hood…that took a long time to scrap off…" She grinned at Bee who kept his face covered and continued the story. "But the idiot tried to put it out with the wrong thing. He threw water at it, but it was mixed with energon…which, I didn't know was flammable. So, that inflatable really went up in smoke." She began to have fits of giggles as she finished the story. "The way he panicked and ran around like a chicken was hilarious. I could barely breath from laughing so hard that night. Thankfully, it was not dry or things would look a whole different for me."

Everyone broke into laughter as the story sounded so funny. Bee giggled along with everyone because it was funny, but at the time it was not. He had panicked that he was going to burn everything down, and he knew he had acted stupid, but he still had panicked.

"Boy, I wish I was there to see that," Arcee said, grinning at Bee and winked at him. "That would have really brought some joy for my optics to see."

"I agree," Ironhide said, nodding with a big grin on his face. "What an idiot! I can't believe you trust him to be her guardian when he pulls a stunt like that, Optimus."

"Bee is still a fine soldier, a little incident like that does not happen often. And thankfully, it should not happen again." He turned his head towards Lennox as the two men finished laughing and were drying their cheeks from the happy tears they had shed. "Should we give her those gifts we got for her?"

"Of course!" Lennox picked up the first bag, it was green and he brought it over to her. "Ratchet got this for you. And yes, Robert and I helped with the payments of this stuff that is here today."

Saphira opened the bag, peering inside. She blinked in surprise. "Ooh…" She reached in and pulled it out. "This is really nice, Ratchet. A set of new car tools…I will be sure to use these when the old ones get to a point of being useless."

"You are welcome, I figured something to use on your cars would be good," Ratchet said with a smile.

"This one is from me," Lennox said, moving the golden bag to her. "I don't know you very well, so…I hope I did well. I just know what women like from my wife…which I suppose is not a great example."

She giggled as she opened it. "You did good, Lennox." She pulled out a box which had body lotion, body milk and bath bomb that could all be used. "This is really nice. I only got into this kind of stuff recently anyway. Before, I didn't care much about what I use. Now, I do. That's why my hair is shinier and bouncier as well."

"I…" Will grinned before chuckling awkward. "I didn't even notice…sorry."

Saphira was not offended by that. She didn't expect nothing less. "It is okay. You have more important things to worry about than hair anyway. Alright, next late, birthday gift."

"This is mine," Robert said, handing her a silver bag. "I was as lost as Lennox, if I am honest. I don't have a daughter, so not really sure if I did good. But, I think you will like it."

"Aww…a loofah, dry shampoo and hand cream!" Saphira smiled as she opened the bag to see what was inside. "This is so nice! You guys don't have to be nervous when picking out these kinds of gifts…you didn't even need to get me anything."

"Maybe, but since you have no one else in your life to buy you a gift for a birthday, I figured we should." Lennox was so nice! Saphira felt lucky to know him. "Alright, Ironhide's next. Optimus has asked that you open his last."

She glanced at Optimus with a smirk before taking the black bag and peering inside. She frowned in confusion as she pulled out a silver bracelet with a single, blue stone on it. "This is nice…" She looked over it curiously as the material this bracelet was made of didn't feel like any metal she was familiar with. "Where did you get it?"

"I made it." Ironhide smiled proudly at her before pointing towards the stone. "Press that, you will see what it does."

She was curious as she press it, surprised it was a button and gasped when it began to transform into the shape of a P-90 gun. "A weapon?!" She looked at Ironhide in shock and chuckled softly. "I guess that suits your gift I suppose."

"She does not need a weapon," Lennox said, shaking his head as he looked at the gun Saphira held. "That isn't a good idea Ironhide."

"I am not going to be stupid with it, I'll only use it if I need to." She pressed the button again to transform it back into a bracelet. "As long as this isn't a sensitive button, I can probably wear this almost anywhere."

"It isn't sensitive, I made sure of that." Ironhide was very proud of his creation, even though he was getting looks of disapproval. "What? She will need a weapon to defend herself against decepticons at some point. I am simply doing her a favour."

"I suppose we just have to accept it." Optimus rubbed his forehead with a slight frown before gesturing to Lennox to give her his gift. "I hope you will like mine. Like what you want to give to me, I have something for you."

Now Saphira was curious. The bag she was given was blue and she opened it, she was surprised to see a picture frame with blue and red crystals. Within the frame was a picture of Optimus, smiling back at the camera. She smiled, this was a beautiful gift. She did notice a black, velvet box inside too. "Hmm…" She pulled it out and opened it, widening her eyes in surprise. "Oh my…" Her mouth hung open as she stared at the necklace inside. "You're joking!"

"This is the one we don't know about, what is it?" Lennox asked curiously.

"It's beautiful!" Saphira carefully lifted the necklace, it is a white gold necklace, the metal is braided with floral, pattern stones on it. There were white diamonds between the floral patterns, though the floral patterns had leaf, shaped rubies, and sapphires at the centre. It was so beautiful. "This is…" She waved her hand a little as she felt like she was going to cry. "Optimus, this looks so expensive!" She looked up at him curiously. "How did you get this?"

Optimus was smiling, he was pleased she loved the gift. He felt good about giving her a gift, even if her birthday had already been. "If I told you, you would not believe me."

"I am curious about it too," Lennox said, staring at the necklace in disbelief. "That has to be worth at least fifty thousand. Put it on, see if it fits."

Saphira smiled as she unclipped the necklace and placed it around her neck, clipping it and placing a hand on the beautiful necklace. She kept her touch so delicate as she was afraid of breaking it. It might be expensive, but Optimus got it somehow for her to remember him by. That photo would be enough if she was honest.

"It looks beautiful on you," Bumblebee said, staring at Saphira with a gentle smile. "It is a mystery on how he got it. But, it is beautiful."

Saphira stood up and walked over to the commander, smiling at him as she stepped closer to him. "This means a lot to me. Thank." She gestured for him to lean his head down closer and kissed his cheek gently to thank him. He was surprised by the gesture and leaned back quickly. "I promise to take good care of it. Along with the photo."

"I know you will." Optimus lifts his hand to touch her hair gently. "Your hair is longer I see. I don't know how humans put up with such an annoying feature. But, it is a lovely asset."

Saphira felt herself blushing a little as she giggled. It was true, her hair had indeed grown some more. "It does get annoying, not gonna lie. But, I love it." She ran her hands through her hair, creating a wave motion through it. She turned around to look at the others. "Thanks for the gifts you all got me too."

"It is our pleasure," Ratchet said with a smile.

Saphira looked at the femmes and walked over to them with a smile. "So, since you're only here for a few days, maybe we should take up that girl time."

"I think that is a good idea." Arcee smiled and lifts a bag out to her, surprising the girl. "This isn't a gift, but Lennox insisted on giving this to you. He knew you would want to go for a spin,"

Saphira took the bag and opened it to find a helmet inside. "Thanks, I don't have one, so yes I need this. A nice long drive feels like a good idea, at least before evening."

Arcee nodded and walked towards the motorbikes. "I assumed you would have wanted to go shopping. But a long drive to chit chat is just fine. As long as Optimus is fine with it of course."

"As long as Saphira is not in harms way." Optimus glanced down as Saphira removed the necklace and put it back in its case. "You are not going to wear that?"

"Are you kidding?" Saphira shakes her head with a smirk. "I could lose it if I took it with me. It is safer here. Bee, can you take the bags up to my room. I'll deal with them when I get home."

Bee nodded and gathered the bags quickly to take upstairs. Saphira reached the purple motorbike, a beautiful BMW R 1250 RS, and swung her leg over, getting comfortable on the bike. She put the helmet on, she was not used to riding bikes so this was a good way to learn. Arcee already had melded with her alt form, she watched Moonracer and Chromia meld with theirs.

"Arcee, just so you know, I have no idea how to ride. So…I'm going to be learning with your help."

"You will be fine," Arcee reassured her. "Just listen to what I say, and you will not fall off. I am not going to fall down at least."

That was true. She heard the bike engine starting and she lifts her feet to the footrests and held onto the handles as Arcee drives away. The femme began to instruct Saphira on how to sit properly and to move with the bike so she would not lose her balance. Saphira quickly found this to be very fun, and she enjoyed learning to ride properly and she was soon in control of the bike after sometime as the girls ride along the road. Saphira had a great time getting to know them, talk about the guys and found a quiet park to relax and chat some more before returning home. Saphira had a really good day today.