Summary: Because of her involvement with a certain Autobot leader, Miranda Taylor receives a second chance at life. However, there are too many secrets that surround Optimus Prime including the one involving her, some causing a string of events to unfold that she was never prepared for.
Warning: M (language, violence, occasional dom/sub, sexual content, suicidal thoughts, abusive actions)
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One Secret Too Many
001
She sat at the cliff, her one leg pulled against her chest while the other hung free. The sea breeze danced across the water and blew her curls over her shoulder. Her hazel eyes looked to the sky watching as seagulls flew towards the horizon. Most mornings were calm and collected, allowing Miranda Taylor a chance to sit and reflect.
Arriving at a hidden base on an island within lush trees with beautiful views of the seas had not been Miranda's first choice. However, life had other plans for her. The crashing of the waves brought her attention down to the quiet beaches where soft white sand turned dark where water met.
Miranda had been the constant attention of both humans and Autobots for closed to five months, due to some reason on her surprising arrival. The Autobot commander, Optimus Prime, claimed guardianship on her without explaining his reason. When question, his silent stare proved to be enough of an answer for anyone.
Sounds of vehicles spinning at a quick speed pulled the young woman from the sea to cast a look over her shoulder. A bright yellow car and shiny silver car had driven by quickly, dirt and dust flying in her direction. She coughed, raising her hand to her face, and closing her eyes.
"Damn, those two." Miranda opened her eyes to witness as Major William Lennox approached her. He dropped down to lean against a fallen log, one leg bent while the other straight. The Major never questioned Miranda, but she could tell that he needed something, at least during certain times.
"What did the terror twins do this time?" chuckled Miranda as she brought her other leg around, tucking beneath her petite form.
Lennox cursed silently before nodding in the direction the two vehicles disappeared. "Thought teasing Ratchet would lighten the mood. Not a smart idea. Wrenches went flying and strange words were followed."
"Did anyone try to stop them?"
The older man grumbled, "Not exactly. Prime was somewhere else and Hide was in the medbay with Ratchet. It basically left me to deal with two teenagers."
Miranda laughed lightly. It was no surprised. During her first two months of staying at the base, Miranda learned that each of the Autobots, even with wide age differences from humans, had some similarities to certain ages of humans.
The terror twins acted like young adults or mostly around Miranda's age. Bumblebee and the chevy twins acted far younger which Ratchet told her was true. Ironhide and Ratchet were quite older with Ratchet being the oldest at the time. Optimus Prime, though, that shocked everyone including Miranda and Major Lennox. He was young, but older than the terror twins, just not by much.
For someone so young to be in such high regards on base, Miranda sometimes wonder how it was even possible that she landed in her situation in the first place.
Lennox pushed from the ground and stretched. "You should probably head back to base. Don't want Prime to get on you."
Miranda laughed. The first couple of weeks, Miranda tried to escape the base, only managing to make it a few miles away before a certain red and blue Peterbilt stopped at her side. The passenger door would open and the young would would climb in. Once back at base, Prime would explain that her connection to him would cause more harm if she left base. The few humans and Autobots that stood around became quite curious. They wanted to know what happened between a human and an Autobot.
"Yeah, you are probably right."
"Miranda," called out Lennox as the young woman started the small track back to base. "I am afraid that if you or Prime don't give me something, I won't have a valid reason to keep you here. The safety and secrecy of the Autobots is crucial, and I cannot risk a civilian to be involved."
Miranda nodded. She spoke over her shoulder as she continued her walk. "Ask Prime. I am sure he can help you. After all, it was him that said I should stay."
Metal against metal caught the young woman's attention when she arrived back between the trees. The base stood within a grove of trees giving the Autobots plenty of room to move about. One side had been dedicated as a training area. Miranda followed the noise and stopped.
The Autobot commander, Optimus Prime, stood before a bulky black mech. One energon blade drawn along with his battle mask. Ironhide had one cannon going while he tried approaching the leader. Optimus stepped back and Ironhide fell forward. Quick movement caught Miranda's sight as she watched the Weapon Specialist try and beat the Autobot leader.
Lennox stopped by Miranda's side as the woman crossed her arms and leaned against a metal pole. Hide went down with the energon blade tapping him on the helm. Ironhide laughed deeply as a black servo helped him to his pedes.
"Well, look who it is: our mysterious femme," chuckled the Weapon Specialist as he approached Miranda and the Major. Miranda eyed the black mech for a second before turning her attention on the red and blue mech. Optimus recalled his energon blade before following the black mech.
"Has everything been alright, Major?" asked the Autobot commander. Optimus slowly knelt upon the ground. Miranda watched as his deep blue optics stopping for just a second to look at her before glancing over at the human male.
Lennox shrugged. "As best as it's going to be. Need to do something about those twins, though." started the Major before raising his hand and dragging it through his hair. He sighed deeply, "I am afraid to tell you, Prime, but if we don't have a reason regarding Miranda, she will be kicked from the base when Galloway arrives."
"I have stated my reason, and that should be enough," responded the Prime. The Autobot commander stood back to his full height. With a nod of his helm, he ended the conversation and started walking towards the Autobot hangar.
Miranda watched as both Lennox and Ironhide turned to look at her. Miranda only rose her hands with a shrug. She wasn't planning on saying anything, not without Prime agreeing.
Miranda watched as Lennox went to speak with Ironhide regarding Sunstreaker and Sideswipe. She took this chance to walk across the open space of the small base. A small chuckle escaped the woman's lips. If she was honest with herself, the secret wasn't really anything important for them to know. It was something she wouldn't mind keeping between her and a certain red and blue leader. However, if what Lennox says is true, that secret might have to finally come out.
Miranda kept walking towards the living quarters for the humans. She saw Prime leaning against the wall, arms crossed over his massive chassis. His optics lit up as a smirk danced across his face. Miranda just shook her head and continued walking down the hallway. It didn't matter what happened when the Director arrived. She would deal with the problem when it happened.
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Miranda woke the next morning. She showered and dressed quickly before walking out of her small room and towards the mess hall. Soldiers sat among the many tables, some with trays of food while others held cups of coffee. Miranda waved at Epps as he called her over. She grabbed herself a cup of coffee and soon joined the men.
"Mornin Andi," spoke the Sergeant as he took a sip of his drink. "Sleep good?"
Miranda nodded before taking a seat. Major Lennox nodded towards the woman as he joined the men at the table. "Fair warning, Director Galloway is on his way."
"You are really that worried he isn't going to like me," laughed the young woman. She looked at each of the men as both shrugged and turned their heads away. "Wow. Serious guys, do not worry about little ol me."
"We worry about you because you are a civilian, not a soldier," spoke Epps as he pointed his fork at the woman. His tone showed that he wasn't mad but concerned for the woman, all the men were.
Miranda took a sip of her drink before standing. She patted Epps shoulder before walking away. The men had nothing to worry about. Prime had already told her the day after she met him and decided to become her guardian. No one would remove her from base if he had anything to do with it. She smiled on that thought. If it wasn't for him, where would she be? A shiver raced up her back. It was one thought she didn't want to think about.
"Ol fleshy, you gonna give us a clue on what's happening between you and the Big Guy?" Miranda stopped and looked up at Sideswipe and Sunstreaker. She watched as both rolled over to her. Sunstreaker occasionally tried to flirt with Miranda, but she ignored every advance even from the human men on base.
Miranda crossed her arms and leaned upon her leg. "If Prime hasn't said anything, what gives you the idea that I will?"
Sunstreaker started laughing as he circled around the young woman. "Femmes. They are always the same. Never can keep a secret. Just ask Arcee and Chromia."
Miranda rolled her lips in and bit them as she smirked. From the left side of her vision, she noticed the red and blue Autobot commander. He stood with arms crossed, his optics narrowed. Miranda started laughing causing both mechs to stop. "You boys keep forgetting one thing. I am a human woman. We can keep secrets better than anyone."
Miranda continued laughing as she walked away. Loud thundering steps echoed behind her forcing the woman to stop and look up. She smiled at the red and blue mech before continuing on her walk. Most mornings she would hang in the mess hall with the soldiers before following them out. Eventually, she made it towards Ratchet's medbay watching as the Autobot medic worked on many projects, some regarding certain mechs and femmes when they rolled in for repairs and such.
Since Miranda started staying at the base, Lennox has tried working with her, trying to figure out some type of job that could work for her. Miranda was a smart young woman, graduating from college at the top of her year. However, it was her mother that didn't care too much about what Miranda studied. Actually, nobody asked Miranda what she went to school for. She kept part of her life a secret even more than what happened between her and Optimus Prime.
Just as the young woman started walking towards the medbay, Major Lennox ran out of the mess hall dragging his army jacket on. Two helicopters had landed outside the hangar featuring communication central. "Looks like the government has finally arrived."
Miranda looked over her shoulder. Epps stood with arms crossed. He nodded towards the men in suits as they stepped out of the helicopters and began running towards the catwalk containing communication central. Epps grabbed Miranda's shoulder and forced the woman to follow.
Communication central sat in the middle of the huge hangar upon a catwalk almost thirty feet in the air. Multiple screens of different size sat against the rails where communication analysts worked on finding information on the Decepticons. It also served as a way to reach people outside the hidden military base. Miranda and Epps took the back stairs arriving just as Lennox and Director Galloway.
The man in the black suit stared at each man and woman, his round glasses sitting barely on his nose. He looked over the rail watching as the Autobots moved about, some in alt-mode while others were heading out for training practice. A custom red and blue Peterbilt had rolled forward. Miranda smiled as she watched the transformation. Optimus Prime soon stood at the height of thirty-feet, eye level with everyone on the catwalk.
"Hello Optimus, hope your day is going well," spoke the young woman as she jumped up on a crate.
Prime nodded to the woman as he moved to stand behind her, his servo grasping the rail so that the metal of his digits just touched the lower back of the woman, hidden from everyone's view before stepping back. "It has been well. Let's just hope it continues like that."
Miranda laughed lightly just as Lennox and Galloway stopped before her.
Director Galloway narrowed his eyes as he looked at Miranda. He turned to Lennox and pointed at the woman. "I do not recognize this woman. When did she arrive? Who's team does she follow? Why is she not in a soldier's uniform and out running with the rest?"
Lennox coughed to clear his throat. "Miranda Taylor arrived about five months ago with the Autobots. She is not a soldier."
"A civilian?" questioned the Director. He turned to Miranda and leaned forward. Miranda narrowed her eyes and leaned back. Prime stepped closer, something that Miranda didn't fail to notice. "You shouldn't be here. Wait down by the helicopter."
"Miranda Taylor will not be leaving Diego Garcia," spoke the deep baritone of the Autobot commander. Director Galloway looked up. Prime narrowed his optics as he stared down the man. "She is under my guardianship."
Galloway turned around and started laughing. Miranda crossed her arms, a frown appearing across her face. "So, this young woman has the same guardian power as the young boy back in Tranquility. That doesn't give her rights to stay on military base."
Optimus brought his other servo to the rail. He slowly leaned forward, his voice deeper than most heard. "I will say this only once, Director Galloway. Miranda Taylor does not leave my sight."
"You have no authorization to make that decision, Autobot," demanded Galloway as he turned, hands on his hips. "You work for the government. This woman has no rights here." Galloway turned towards Lennox and pointed at Miranda. "Please escort her out of the hangar, now."
Lennox rose his arms in a shrug as he approached Miranda. Prime removed his servo and brought it flat up against the rail. Lennox nodded to Miranda. The young woman slipped over the rail and onto Prime's hand. He rose his servo to his shoulder where Miranda slipped off, hiding within the metals that formed his shoulder.
"Sorry Director, but the young woman had already left," spoke the Major.
Director Galloway turned in a circle before glancing up at the Autobot commander. His face formed a quick frown upon seeing the woman but swallowed and stepped back upon seeing the look upon Prime's face.
"We will discuss this another time, Major." Director Galloway turned and marched down the catwalk stairs, disappearing quickly with the helicopters the same way he came in.
Lennox leaned over the rail and started laughing. Even Miranda started laughing. Prime turned his helm and narrowed his optics causing the young woman to shortly gasp and stop.
"Prime, this is truly going to be a problem. We need a reason before this gets too far."
Optimus stepped back and crossed his arms over his metal chest. "I stated my reason. I am her guardian and need her within my sight. No other questions are needed."
Lennox shook his head but stayed quiet. Prime rose his servo to his shoulder allowing Miranda to slide back down. He deposit the young woman on the rail before turning away. Miranda leaned against the rail with a smile on her face. She turned left and sat up straight.
"What?" she asked.
"I don't understand. What is this big secret that you and Prime are keeping?"
Miranda shrugged, "Lennox, if Prime wanted it to be known, he would have said something. Right now, let's just leave it be."
Lennox rose his hand to drag it through his hair. "We can leave it alone for a little bit, but if this comes back to bit us, we will need to know."
Miranda nodded before turning towards the catwalk stairs. "If it comes to that, I will tell."
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A/N: If you have recalled the story from before, don't worry. It is not copied. I just took it down to revamp some of the chapters especially since they were heading a different direction. I also thought it deserved a new title focusing on what the story is about: secrets between Miranda and Prime along with certain past secrets.
I thought I let you know, this story will have a lot of fun moments in it. The first secret will not be held out too long, but it will be interesting to see what other people guess. However, I do plan on moving the story through the movies except there will be some major AU changes such as who survives and who doesn't, which Autobots are on the base, along with certain secrets regarding past relationships. I hope you enjoy the changes for I am sure it is going to be quite a bumpy road but a fun road too.
Don't forget to read, review, like, favorite, and leave kudos. They help a writer write more. Till next time, ~MM