*Happy Monday everyone! Hope you all had a great weekend! We're already into Chapter 5! Let me know if you're liking the story!!

_

*A few more days later*

It was now a cool Friday afternoon. Snow has been tinting the little orange town of Jasper for about a week now. It had not been too heavy, but just enough to coat the ground in powdery white. Both the Autobots and Decepticons were at low activity outside of their bases due to the cold. Cybertronians never did too well in the ice or snow.

The Autobots were in their break room, watching a movie. The room was tucked away in the back and large, with robot sized furniture and an Evan larger TV mounted on the wall. In their free time they liked to come watch movies. Their favorites were either documentaries, as they liked learning more about the humans and animals of the Earth, or Sci-Fi movies of the humans interpretation of robots and aliens. The current movie was themed in an end of the world style. Robots had flown down to the earth and begun taking over, ordering the humans to do any of their dirty work and killing those who disobeyed. Sure it was dark and gorey, but the Autobots were almost humored by the horrible interpretation of alien life forms. Large ugly robots tretched around, not able to speak any English, and almost had a stupidity behavior to them.

"I can't believe this is what humans think of us...we're not just big buckets of bolts dragging around and being stupid" Arcee shook her head, a cube of spiked energon in her servo. Bumblebee snickers, his optics fixed on the TV "This is what the Decepticons act like though" a few humorous chuckles spread across the room at his comment then went quiet, gazing back to the movie.

Ratchet was leaned against the doorframe, his arms crossed and a permanent scowl was across his face... you could say he had what humans call... a Resting Bitch Face. His head was halfway turned back, listening for anything to come from the MedBay.

A small sigh escaped from Novas lips as she looked up at the ceiling, laying in the same spot she had for almost a week now. Her wounds were almost healed and Ratchet had even taken the time to weld and smooth out her injuries, leaving nothing but a smooth scar on several parts of her body. She was thinking about getting herself repainted, but that wasn't a priority. With a huff, she sat herself up off the bed and slowly stood up. Ratchet had allowed her to start standing and even walking, but always demanded he be by her side until she was more stable. A large scar across her thigh sent small throbs of pain through her body The wound there was the deepest of them all and almost caused her to lose her leg.

She shook her head of the pain, looking over towards the hallway "Ratchet..." her mouth frowned and she watched as the medic made his way over to her. She hated asking for help but also knew he'd be upset with her if she walked without him "are you wanting to go for a walk?" She nodded, letting him come over and take her arm, wrapping it over his shoulder "you can lean on me if you need, but try to walk on your own. If that wound hurts too much then stop" she nodded and slowly started walking her way to the hallway, leaning a bit of weight against him. He walked alongside her quietly, listening for any unusual creaking or groaning in her metallic joints.

After a few minutes she pulled her arm off his shoulder and started walking on her own, an occasional wince crossing her face as the scar ached but she continued on. She was so tired of just laying in the MedBay all day, everyday. She wanted to go out and explore the Earth more to add to her studies. It had been so long since her original visit to the planet and she wondered what had changed. Her thoughts were snapped back to reality as Ratchet stopped her "alright. You're doing well, let's turn back. Are you hurting anywhere?" She glanced over at him then shook her head "my leg is aching a bit but that's about it. I just feel so weak... Like I could just collapse" she held her servo to her head with a sigh "your body has been recovering, you've been pulling a lot of energon to heal yourself and your joints haven't been used much, once you get out and walking more you'll feel much better"

The two made their way back down the hallway, the sound of the movie growing louder as they approached the break room "what are they doing in there?" She blinked, trying to make out what the TV was saying "they're watching a movie, something about big robots taking over the world" she laughed softly then turned to him, looking at him "can I go watch with them? I'll just sit somewhere and rest"

For a few seconds his optics met hers. She had such a kind look in them.. but deep down he knew of her pain and painful story. He gave a small hum as a brief memory entered his mind and she noticed his eyes soften, giving a small smile. He had forgotten the beauty she possessed. Even for a battle beaten femme she still had the glow of a mother that was so welcoming and warm. Even just now, without saying a word she was able to find a soft spot in the old mechs heart. He brought his hand up, gently cupping her cheek "yes, just for a bit though" she closed her eyes for a second, enjoying his brief touch, then sighed and pulled away from his hand, her eyes darkening a bit in sadness as she started walking towards the room.

The mech hitched a breath, unsure what he did wrong. He grunted softly as he watched her walk into the room :Did I hurt her? She never has pulled away like that...is she that mentally hurt?: He stood wondering to himself for a bit then followed her into the room.

Nova gave a small smile, hiding her pain as she walked in "hey guys...is it ok if I join for a bit?" The group glanced over and a smile crossed everyone's face "sure! Glad to see you up and around!" Bulkhead stood from his seat, motioning it for her "here. You can have my seat" she was about to decline politely then realized if she sat on the ground she probably wouldn't be able to get up again. Taking the seat she sighed contently, rubbing her leg "thank you Bulkhead.." she nodded to him, looking up at the screen "what's this movie about?" Arcee was seated next to her "just some human movie about aliens and robots taking over the Earth.." the larger femme laughed for a second, shaking her head "them and alien life..." Optimus looked over at her, taking a second to look her over, noticing her holding her leg but keeping to himself "You had come to Earth before and done some studies if I remember right?" She nodded, looking over at him "yeah...a long time ago... came across this place by mistake..." He nodded, turning his attention back.

Ratchet stood once again in the doorway, watching her and occasionally at the screen, lost in thought. After a few minutes he turned and walked down the hallway, turning to his quarters and stepping inside, locking the door behind him. His room was large and fitted with a Cybertronian sized bed, a side table beside the bed, a table that was filled with an array of medical items, and a small fridge where his energon was stored.

He sat on the bed, sighing "why did she pull away...why is this bothering me so much...I know we had our fling on Cybertron but we aren't spark mated..." he slowly opened the drawer to his side table and pulled out a picture. The picture was of the two of them, the bright outline of Iacon behind them as the sun had set, leaving a gorgeous silhouette of the city. He had her stooped, dipping her and the two were sharing a kiss with a smile.

He gazed at the picture for a few minutes, his spark aching in his chest. How he missed the feeling of love... No other femmes could make him feel like she made him feel...even though most Primes didn't pursue a relationship, she was able to find time for both him and her duties. They were so happy, spending as much time together and always there for each other. She was so gorgeous...and even now she still was... they were both much older since the picture but she still had her beauty...her eyes...her figure...even just she shade of blue on her paint made him melt... he missed it...the happy days they shared. Was it ruined by the war? Had she been traumatized beyond affection? Or was she merely not interested in him anymore?.. He grazed his thumb across the picture, closing his optics as a singular tear slid down his cheek.