Saphira smiled as the aroma of the food made her stomach growl. She had finished boiling the potatoes and moved them into a slow cooker before using a stick mixer to pull the potatoes and added the cheddar and herbs to the pot to cook. She loved the aroma coming from it while she worked on the other food. She was making up the cottage pie filling with pulled beef, gravy and vegetables. She had not started the pasta yet, but that was to happen soon.
Her phone buzzes as she added some basil to the filling and picked it up. "Hello, Lennox. What is the verdict?"
"It was definitely a good thing those cameras had speakers, we saw and heard everything," Will said in an excited tone. "When Theodore realized it, he became so squeamish. He has been fired from his position with no government benefit and he is no longer on the base."
"That is the outcome that we have wanted," Saphira said with a chuckle. "I am glad he will no longer be a problem." She hoped for that anyway, but she wasn't so sure. "That's one less problem to deal with."
"It certainly is. How's your cooking going? I can hear something sizzling, maybe I should drop in for a bite." Lennox was genuinely curious as he knew Saphira enjoyed cooking.
"It's going well. I'm about to finish the cottage pie filling and scoop it into a couple pie dishes, cover it with mashed potato and put it into the oven." Saphira breathed in the aroma with a smile. "It smells good. I'll be making the pasta next, and I'll pretty much be satisfied for today."
"That sounds delicious!" Will compliments enthusiastically. "I might stop by later today. I have some more news that you might be upset by, but I won't tell you over the phone." Saphira's mind immediately went to Optimus. "Don't worry, it isn't about your precious autobot, it is about something else. So don't feel too worried about it...just be prepared to get annoyed at some superiors."
Saphira frowned a little, not knowing what the man meant, but she guessed it was probably something ridiculous. "Okay...thanks for the heads up."
"No worries, I'll be there in about an hour," Will said gently. "I'm just glad we got rid of that son of a bitch." Saphira giggled softly at Will. "Ah, I gotta go. I need to sign some paperwork."
Will hangs up and Saphira placed the phone down and filled some pie dishes with the filling, covered the top with mashed potato and put them into the over to cook. She cleaned up what she was no longer using before she began making the pasta sauce, using parmesan, blue cheese, smoked cheddar and mozzarella as the four cheeses she chose for the sauce. She stood at the stove as she stirred the sauce, adding the milk, cream and flour needed to the sauce, and to ensure it would thicken without curdling.
She did wonder what Will needed to talk to her about. With Galloway gone…Saphira pondered if there had been changes to her arrangements. That seemed to be the most likely thing that she would need to discuss. She hoped the changes were not too drastic as she was only just getting into a routine with it all. She sighed a little, this was turning out to be a long, information filled day.
Especially as she knew that the decepticons probably won't be too thrilled to know that Galloway has lost his position, and it would be his own fault. Saphira shuddered at that thought. She wished she had some way to communicate with Optimus, she desperately wanted to talk to him with what is on her mind. He was on a mission.
I could talk to Ratchet again…
But it was not the same. Saphira found herself feeling very down suddenly. With no presence of her precious Optimus, she honestly felt like the days might just drag until the day he comes home. She wished she was with him and helping with the missions. She knew she was no soldier…but she well and truly has faced the decepticons head on and went outside the boundary of chain of command that the soldiers were bound by. Saphira hoped that someday there would be no military, no government that the autobots should listen to and that they could be free.
The next hour passes by and the sauce was almost finished, and she was almost ready to pull the pasta out of the boiling pot so she could add the sauce to it. She heard a knock on her door and she knew it was Will. She dashed away from the stove to open the front door for him as she wanted to get back to the stove as quickly as possible. Will smiled when he saw Saphira and breathed in the scent of the food she was cooking.
"Mmm, that smells good!" Will walked down the hallway towards the kitchen and over to stand by Saphira. "Will you need a hand with anything? Or do you have it covered?" He glanced at the pot that had the thick sauce simmering away in it and he breathed in the aroma.
"I have it under control, Will. How does four cheese, fettucine sound?" Saphira looked at him with a smile. "I'll be taking out a couple cottage pies to sit and let cool, I'll have plenty of food that will last for a couple weeks, which I am very happy about.". She turned the stove for the pasta of and picked up the pot, carrying it to the drain to pour into a strainer.
"That sounds delicious!" Will glanced at the table for a moment and walked over to the drawers. "I can set the table. Got any drinks in the fridge? I know you can't have wine yet, but you might need something to help you with the news I have for you."
So it was something for her to be worried about. He was just trying to make me feel better, I guess.
"There's coke in the fridge. You can put that on the table…" She glanced to him and pointed at a cupboard. "The cups are in there, feel free to take them out and set them on the table." She opens the oven door and smiles at the cottage pies. They were cooked. She turned the oven off and put some stands out to place the hot pies on to cool down.
She pulled them out one-by-one and closed the oven door, satisfied with everything she has achieved today. Having made a large batch of soup, cottage pies and there was enough sauce to make more fettucine during the week, it was quite the achievement. She piles the plates with the pasta before scooping up the sauce and pouring it over the pasta. She mixed the pasta around to spread the sauce before placing it back on the stove, turning it off so the sauce could cool. She rinsed off the utensils and the pot she used for the pasta. She would only have to clean a few items once this was all over.
As she brought the plates over, Will poured the coke into their glasses. "So…is the news you bring going to change my current living situation?" He looked up at her and shakes his head, making Saphira smile as she didn't want to leave. "Good. I know you told me not to worry, but you kind of let on that it might be something to worry about."
"Actually, it's just stupidity," Lennox said with a light, annoyed chuckle. He looked at the plate in front of him, licking his lips as the food looked delicious. "You are a very good cook. It is a real shame that the autobots can't eat food. I am sure Optimus would love your cooking." Saphira blushed and nodded, she would believe that too. "But…their diets are different to ours I guess…I kind of wish we only needed one thing to survive. Not that it matters much now."
Saphira missed Optimus, she wished he was here. "I wish he was here."
Lennox, who had dug his fork into the pasta and begun twirling it around, paused and looked at her kindly. "You keep saying that, Saphira." She frowned a little at him and he smiled at her. "And it is not a bad thing. It also is not annoying. I know you and Optimus are very close. I don't know how far you have taken your relationship, and it is none of my business. But, I know these weeks will go by quickly."
"I know…still…" Saphira poked at the pasta a little bit and shakes her head. "I guess I should stop for a moment. I don't want to bring tonight down. Especially when there's good food." She twirled some pasta on her fork to eat. She licked her lips with a smile at the divine flavour of the sauce she had made. "So…I kind of want to get straight to the point. What changes are being made now that Galloway is gone?"
Lennox grimaced a little. "My superiors have stupidly decided that…ehh…you no longer need to learn self defence. Don't ask me why, I tried to argue the many reasons why you should finish the training. But…they wouldn't have any of it. However, since you have been trained to use a handgun, you are still allowed to have one with you."
She stared at him in surprised and shakes her head with a frown. "They're a little thick, thicker than the sauce I made for this pasta."
"They are. But…that is what I have been instructed, and I have to follow. Though…as much as I want to teach you more privately, now I am being instructed to leave tomorrow to join up with Optimus and the other autobots." She widened her eyes and nearly dropped her fork in shock, Lennox could see she was not expecting that. "I also believe that…as of next week, you will actually begin training recruits with your defensive driving. I don't think that is too bad, even if the course isn't quite ready. But…they're eager for the newer recruits to be taught. Aside from that…um…there isn't much else."
"Right…not terrible news, just a nuisance." Saphira did not think that it warranted Lennox from coming over to the house, he could have told her over the phone. "Is that the only reason why you came? I feel this information could have been told to me over the phone."
He shook his head. "Actually, there is another reason I came over. It has no relation to any of this at all…" His lips slowly curl into a smile as he pulled out his phone and pressed a button and placed it on the table in front of her, making Saphira looked at it curiously. "And don't worry, you won't be in trouble for this."
Saphira was about to ask what he meant when she heard his voice through the phone. "Evening, Saphira. I hear you gave Galloway quite the blow to the face." She gasped loudly when she heard him, feeling tears fill her eyes. "Oh, how I miss seeing you everyday, Saphira."
"Optimus!" Saphira squealed and she began to cry happy tears, grabbing the phone. "I didn't think I would hear your voice until you got back home! I'm so happy!" She looked at Lennox who had a big grin on his face. "Thank you, Will. This means a lot to me."
"Shall I give you some privacy?" Will asked, gathering the plate, knife, fork and glass. "I will watch some TV while the two of your chat it out."
Saphira didn't say anything as the man stood up and walked away to the couch to watch the TV. It wasn't entirely private, but it was a nice thought. "I have thought about you everyday since you left, Optimus. I wish you were here with me right now. I know you have loved watching me make the food that will keep me nice and fed over the next week or so."
Optimus chuckled gently. "I would have just been happy to hug you while you prepped and cooked, that is what I miss the most. And the sweet smell of your skin, the scent of your hair…I miss it."
She felt her cheeks blush and she wipes tears from her cheeks. "So…where are you? Don't worry about telling me any exact location, just want to know the country you're in."
"I wish I could tell you…but…it is best that you do not know of my location. I am taking a big risk talking to you. We both owe it to William for setting this up for us before he joins us in hunting down decepticons. And from what I hear, there will be new energon detectors being installed worldwide to help track any assailants down if they pick up hostile signals." Saphira nodded, she was impressed and did not know that was happening. "I will say we have been on the trail of a decepticon for a few days, he has been giving us a good chase and the soldiers have opted to take a short break. I guess even they need to rest their legs, despite their strong stamina."
"Fair enough, especially if you have fought that decepticon. I doubt any will reveal where Megatron is though. I assume that is what you're trying to figure out." Saphira did hope Megatron could be found and killed soon, she knew the world would be a lot safer if he wasn't around.
"I believe that too. There could be decepticons who are not fully loyal. We have seen this with Barricade, Wheeljack and Jetfire, so there will always be a chance of a worm telling us Megatron's location. I believe he is hiding in a part of world where there is as little civilization as possible." Optimus paused for a moment and his voice lowered a little. "I have heard that he could be in Africa or South America somewhere, though it isn't confirmed as there have been no sightings."
"Those are possible…I highly doubt he'll go back the Arctic as well, given his experience last time." Saphira didn't know how quickly the bots even froze, but it definitely did not kill them, just put their systems into a stasis. "Or, if he was strong enough, left the planet to lick his wounds elsewhere. He'll be back, I'm sure of it."
"Barricade keeps mentioning Sentinel Prime as part of the plan, and I don't really see how," Optimus said, his voice remaining soft and low. Saphira suspected he was making sure no ne suspected him talking through a phone to her. "He doesn't know the full reason either, which makes it hard for me to believe him. I understand he is trying to show he is still good…but…it doesn't make sense."
"I guess so." Saphira didn't have a comment about Barricade's reasoning behind his thoughts about Sentinel, nonetheless, she did believe him to an extent. "How are the other autobots?"
"They are keeping everyone busy. The twins are currently entertaining the soldiers, thankfully no one is getting hurt. Yet, anyway." Optimus sounded like he was smiling as he spoke to her about the others. "Ironhide had an interesting encounter yesterday. Would you like to hear about it now, or when they we get back?"
"Probably when you get back. I am sure I will get told the story anyway when you get back." Saphira would love to know the story, but she knew some things were better left unsaid for the time being. "Any stories you have should wait. The last thing we need is being caught that we even spoke."
"You are right. I am glad though, our mission finishes before your birthday. I intend on making your birthday very special, Saphira." His voice purred as he spoke to her, making her shudder in delight. "We all do. Bee's already been making plans. Of course, they will be a surprise for you."
"Now I will be expecting a surprise," Saphira said sarcastically. "At least Sideswipe hasn't been driving me up the walls. And Wheeljack is working on the synthetic energon. I think he'll get the mixture right soon, and you'll have something to refuel yourselves in no time."
"I am looking forward to seeing what Wheeljack manages to create. It will make our lives a lot easier on this planet without having to worry about fuel. I imagine Ratchet has been involved with it. And that reminds me…how is our newest medic going? Have you been learning a lot?"
"Sure have! I love learning about it, honestly," Saphira said enthusiastically. "I think I have covered all the basics with it, and I am very happy about it. Ratchet will go into other things at some point, he's happy about my progress."
Optimus was very impressed with what Saphira has achieved in a short time. And he could not wait to return to hear all about it in person. She heard a gentle rumble roll through the phone and she held it as if she was holding his hand. "I know I will enjoy every moment when you tell me all about it."
"And I will definitely enjoy hearing all about your stories as well." Saphira made a kissing sound into the phone, knowing Optimus would hear it. "I love you, Optimus. I dream of the day you return."
"As do I." Optimus paused again before his voice hushed to a very soft level. "I need to go. Ironhide and Dino are approaching, and I do not wish for anyone to know about this. Just you, Will and I."
"I understand. See you soon." Saphira waited for the click so she would know that Optimus disconnected and she placed the phone down. She looked at her pasta, it was still warm thankfully and she began to eat it. She looked over her shoulder as Will walked back over with an empty plate and cup. "Thanks Will, I really, really appreciate that. That made my whole day."
"I know. Normally I would not have…but…I figured it would cheer you up. After all, I know what it is like to not have contact with a loved one while on a military mission. I miss my daughter every day." Lennox walked over to the sink to wash up his plate and cup. "Plus, Optimus had the chance of talking to you, so I snuck this call in. No one will know."
"I hope not. I don't want you getting into trouble…nor do I want to be in trouble and not being able to see them again." Saphira took a deep breath and thought about the next day. "Now I don't know what I'm gonna do tomorrow. Maybe prepare for online classes or something."
"Good idea. Without the self defence, you might do better with it." He finished washing up his plate and placed it in the drainer. "Even though I still think you should finish it. However, I will advise you to keep practising. It will not hurt if you do."
Saphira nodded thoughtfully about that. "Good idea…I'll do that. Even if I have to do it right in the living room." She finished off her food and drank the coke. "At least I feel I can be happier for the rest of the week…at least until I go back to sulking and missing Prime again. Hopefully, when the mission is over, he will stick around a bit longer."
"I can't promise that." Will lingered so he could help Saphira clean up the kitchen, even though he didn't have to. "But I will try to make it happen for you."
Saphira believed Will because she knew he hasn't let her down yet. He remained behind for a little longer, helping her clean the kitchen and move the cottage pies into the fridge now they have cooled down. It took a little bit, but she and Will had a great time talking and she invited him to play some pool with her afterwards. He did not deny it and spent an extra hour playing with her, beating her in the game as a result. She felt a lot happier now. And yet…at the back of her mind, she knew that Galloway had a sinister plan for her, if he wasn't dead right now. Or at least, the decepticons did, now that they knew that Optimus was not protecting her and Megatron still wanted her.
