When the morning came around, Optimus was able to enjoy the sunrise as he sat in the barn. He was able to get some recharge during the night and he was feeling better now that he has had some rest. He was still in need of more repair though, so he was waiting for Cade patiently to come out from his house. Optimus did not pressure the man, as he knew that Cade had worked late into the evening and was very tired by then, so it was fine for him to enjoy his sleep as well. Optimus's mind never stopped thinking about Saphira. He missed her terribly, and he held onto the emerald again, knowing that it was the only thing he of Saphira currently.

Cade did make his way over to the barn while the few was still fresh on the grass, and he got to work straight away. For someone who has never dealt with an autobot, Optimus was impressed with how quickly Cade learned about his anatomy enough to fix him so that he was functional. Optimus was still unsure of the motive Cade had behind wanting to fix him, but he trusted this human.

Almost as quickly as he had trusted Saphira. He could not help but look back on the very first night she had met Saphira, and the night he, Ratchet, Ironhide and Jazz had arrived on the planet. He could not help but smile, remembering her curious, fearful expression when he had approached her and Bumblebee that night. That was the first time he saw her, and he remembered thinking his processor was fooling him as he first thought she was Elita's holoform.

But of course, that was not the case. It was just a moment of surprise, and Optimus was very glad that he had met her that night. She accepted their plight, and helped them. Optimus knew that Saphira was disowned by her parents as a result, along with not being able to go through college and having a normal life was no longer possible. Optimus felt a lot of guilt, as he knew if they were not here, her life would look very different.

However, Optimus did not know if she would even be happy, if her life was different. She would have still inherited her grandfather's wealth and estate, and she would have learned of the existence of transformers. But she wouldn't have gone through war and pain either. Especially with what Megatron had done to her. He will never forgive himself for not being able to reach her to stop him from violating her in such a way.

Cade looked at Optimus and noticed that Optimus was thinking deeply. "You should tell me more about your sparkmate." The autobot frowned and looked at Cade uncertainly. "She sounds like a keeper, based on what you said yesterday. But for some reason, the way you said it, almost made it seem like that your sparkmate is a human."

Optimus could see the curiosity in Cade's eyes, and he understood as he shared details about his wife. But he was still not sure if he should trust Cade with information about Saphira specifically. Cade might be wanting to know, since the two of them have bonded over having lost someone close to them, and it was understandable. But Optimus was not sure on whether he should admit it or not.

He pondered for a moment before he responded. "Listen, Cade, I understand you want to know more simply put of curiosity, but I don't feel I can speak more about Saphira at this time. If, in time, I feel it is information that I feel you have earned I will tell you. But I only met you yesterday, and I have yet to know your true intentions."

"I see." Cade seemed a bit surprised, but he shrugged as he realized that the leader of the autobots was right. "Understandable. I guess she must truly be special though. The way you looked at that emerald yesterday reminds me of when I look at my wedding ring. It's a symbol of our love and bond, and for you, that would be the emerald. I hope she has something to remember you by as well."

Optimus smiled slightly. He knew the only thing she might have was the necklace he had given her, but it might have been destroyed at the emerald field when they were first attacked. "I am afraid she only has our bond. You might have a gold band around your finger, Cade, but we have no need for suck trinkets. While I don't need this emerald, it is all I have of her right now. I…I carry a lot of guilt for the last several years I have known her."

"I see. You must feel like some things that have happened are partly your fault, right?" Optimus tilts his head slightly in surprise as Cade was right. The man smiled as he looked down while he focused on his work. "I must admit, there are times where I feel the same, Optimus. I look back to all those years ago, and there are so many things I would want to do differently." Cade sighed deeply as he paused for a moment and shook his head. "I also look at my daughter, and all the decisions I have made up until now. There are so many things that I regret. She looks at me often with worry and disappointment. While I have managed to get her this far…I know that I am not the father she wants me to be."

Optimus processed the words Cade had said silently and he smiled kindly at the man. "It is good to know someone understands the way I think and feel, Cade. You are right. There are many things I would change if I could go back, but I know that is not possible. I strived to do what I can to make things right, and I know that I have a lot to do when I do get to see her again. I have no doubt that she is going to be upset that I did not come back to her soon, like I had hoped."

"Yeah, unfortunately there is not much you can do. I am sure she'll understand, but the pain she would feel is also understandable." Cade looked at the bot with a smile. "I am sure you know this, but you got to listen to her when you find her. Dismissing feelings will only make things worse. While I know, from what you've said, Saphira is a great sparkmate. But that won't take away the pain. I honestly would expect her to try and push you away at first. And it will only be because she wants to protect her feelings."

"I know. I am somewhat fearing that to be the case, even though I am fully prepared to listen and help her. I guess…I am just not sure what else will happen when I see her again." Optimus sighed deeply and glanced down, noticing a bullet in his chassis that had not been pulled out. He grabbed a hold of it and twisted it out, flicking it away once it was out. "Cade, why are you willing to help me? You know that your military and government have outlawed my kind, and are actively hunting myself and the autobots. And that puts you and your daughter at risk. Why are you willing to help me knowing that danger?"

Cade just shrugged as he did not know what to say. "I guess maybe because you trust me to." Optimus was unconvinced as he watched Cade picked up a blow torch and prepared it for use. "Okay, maybe that isn't the best reason. I trust you, Optimus. And honestly, I feel like we are becoming fast friends. You and I seem to get along just fine. Besides, as far as I am concerned, the whole thing in Chicago was not your fault."

Optimus flinched when the man mentioned the name of the city. "That might be true, but the blame has been put on us, unfortunately. Majority of the decepticons have been destroyed, as has Sentinel Prime and Megatron. Without them, I suppose it was easier to blame us, then the ones that have already been killed. Nonetheless…that is one of my regrets."

"Understandable. I have never been in a war, so I don't know what it feels like. But I fully sympathise with you." He finished setting up the blow torch and turned it on. "At least you are feeling much better today than yesterday. I hope that means I have done a reasonable job getting you patched up at least."

Optimus smiled at Cade and nodded to the man, letting him know that Cade had indeed done a good job to get it patched up. Optimus was still unsure of the man's intentions, but knowing that Cade already trusted him was curious to him. Optimus knew that many people had trusted him quickly upon meeting him, but as there was a lot of news about him and the autobots being dangerous and banned from the planet, he did not know why Cade would want to trust him. But the two have spoken to each other a lot.

And they continued to speak as Cade worked on fixing more of his body. Optimus knew that Cade has done plenty, and he would be able to transform comfortably. The only things that needed repair were some of his internal systems, and that included his holoform system. That required autobot hands, and Cade wasn't able to help him with that. Optimus was able to repair his weapon systems, though they still weren't in the best shape.

They soon heard the sound of the mini cooper approaching the barn, and Cade knew it was Lucas. Optimus was still unsure about Cade's friend. The way Lucas acted before he left the previous day seemed to be out of guilt, so that made Optimus worry that Lucas had done something, and it caused the man to feel guilt and regret for something. And Optimus did not want Cade to believe his friend had done something, but Optimus did believe that was the case.

"I'm back!" Cade rolled his eyes when he heard his shouting from his car. "I got some more stuff for you, Cade! I figured you might have needed it, man!"

"Took you long enough!" Tessa shouts at the man, and Cade smirked as he put his tools down and walked towards the barn door.

"My head hurts, I had to go to the doctor." Optimus hummed as he listened to Lucas shout back his response, knowing it was his fault that Lucas had to see a medic for his head. "I got a welt on my head the makes me look like a fricking Star Trek character."

"I hope you didn't open your big mouth about how got it!"

Cade opened the door and saw that Lucas was grumbling as he was a little annoyed by Tessa's comment. "She's right, ya know, Lucas. The doctor would have wanted to know why you got that on your head. I hope you said nothing."

"Of course not, dude! Who would believe me anyway?" Lucas stepped into the door and glanced up at Optimus with a slight start. "Morning, man. I hope that, uh, yesterday was just a bad start and we can try and get along today."

Optimus smiled kindly at the young man while Cade checked the items that he had brought. "It was a bad start. Of course, no one here is to blame for it, Lucas. I am sincerely sorry that I caused harm to you enough that you had to seek out a medic. It was not my intention."

"I know that now. But I still had to do it." Lucas looked at Optimus curiously and saw how much work Cade had already done with Optimus. "Looks like Cade's magic has done wonders to your body, Optimus. It's not perfect, but I suspect he has helped a lot."

Optimus nodded, glancing down at his body and admiring the work that had already been done. "Your friend has quite the talent for his craft, Lucas. Cade has provided enough aid to allow my body to function comfortably until I find the other autobots. I am afraid there is still much needed work to be done, and it must be done by an autobot."

"No sweat, dude." Lucas looked at Cade with a smile. "Too bad you can't put that talent into making something that actually works." Cade glared at Lucas, and the man chuckled as he threw up his hands defensively. "That was only a joke, man. Don't take it seriously."

Cade shook his head in irritation at his friend and walked away from him. "You need to stop making jabs at my work, Lucas. Not everything has worked out yet, sure, but something will work and all of my problems will be solved."

"You keep saying that." Lucas sighed deeply and watched Cade for a moment. "Anyway, I can give you a hand, so that way we can do some more work. And by the way…" He looked up at Optimus with a curious expression. "I guess you'll leave as soon as you can, won't you?" Optimus nodded. "Uh…I guess you won't keep in touch, right?"

"It would be too dangerous for you if I do, Lucas. If your leaders knew that you are helping me, I can only imagine what they would do." Lucas did not have a comment about that, as he knew that Optimus was likely right. "It is nice that you wish to remain in contact. It will be for the best if we do not."

"Right. I get it."

Optimus could tell the man was disappointed, even though he would have thought that Lucas would prefer it if Optimus was not in contact with the injury the autobot had caused to the man. But it would seem that Lucas has already come to realize that Optimus had no intention of killing or hurting any of them. He had reacted the way he did simply due to the fact he had just woken up, and the first memory he had was being ambushed by humans.

Optimus made conversation for a while with Cade and Lucas, as he was curious about Lucas as well. Optimus like the man, though Lucas still seemed to be hiding something, but Optimus could not quite put his finger on it. He assumed that it was fear, and nothing more. Lucas was a good man to talk to anyway, so Optimus was happy to get to know Cade's friend.

However, after sometime, Optimus's scanners picked up multiple vehicles approaching the property, alarming him. He looked at Cade as the man finished with a piece on his arm. "Cade, I am sensing incoming vehicles to your property." Cade looked at him in surprise and he paused as he realized he could hear vehicles and a helicopter approaching as well. "It seems that they might have discovered my location. I doubt there is a place I could hide on this property, is there?"

Cade and Lucas glance at each other for a moment before Cade turned and points at the wooden board Optimus was on. "You might find space under there. There's a bit of a sinkhole under there, and it's there because of one of my inventions. But it might be deep enough for you." Optimus stood up and stepped off the floorboard and reached down to lift it, looking inside. "You get in there, and Lucas and I will try to make it as inconspicuous as possible."

Optimus eyed the sinkhole curiously. It wasn't terribly deep that it would cause the building to collapse, but it was deep enough for him to crouch in. Optimus was not sure how confident he should be hiding in this shed, but he stepped into the hole and crouched down, lowering the board over himself and ensuring that it did not look like something was underneath it as much as possible. He also made sure to be comfortable, and ready to spring into action if needed.

He glanced up as he heard Cade and Lucas hurrying to cover the board with random stuff to make it look like nothing was here before Cade crouched by a gap in the board. "Alright, I hope this will not take long and they will go away. I am sure you'll be able to hear everything. I am not really sure how they would have known you were here, but not much I can do."

"I will remain unless absolutely necessary, Cade. I am hopeful that these people will leave your property quickly as well. Cover up more of the gaps, we don't need them finding me while your back is turned." Cade nodded as he covered the gap quickly. "Try and do your best to not seem suspicious, Cade. I have no doubt that they will be watching for anything that might indicate your connection to me."

"I know." Cade jumped off the board and ran over to Lucas. "Come on, man! Let's see what these men want." Cade heard Tessa shouting for him as they run towards the door. "Oh, god! I hope this won't be too long. I wonder how they found out."

Lucas shrugged as they run out of the barn, glancing down the driveway to see multiple black vehicles driving towards the house. "Um, I don't know, man." Lucas glanced at the cars with a worried expression. "But those cars look scary. I hope the guys in those cars aren't scary."

Cade did not respond to Lucas as he knew that he could not really answer that for him. He was more worried about what was going to happen more than what the men are going to look like. Especially as he knew that Tessa could also end up being hurt, and Cade did not want that to happen to his daughter. He watched as the cars drove around him onto the grass in front of his house, and there were also vehicles outside the fence and he looked up at the helicopter that was above them. This really was serious, and Cade took a deep breath, waiting to see whoever the big boss was.

Lucas was standing by the tree, watching the cars nervously as he did not know what was going to happen. Plus, Lucas had a gut feeling as to why they were here, and he didn't want to say it out loud. He stared with his mouth open in shock, staring as armed men stepped out of the vehicles and began to spread out across the property. Watching the men, it was clear that the men were moving to ensure that they wouldn't be able to get away easily if something were to go down.

Cade glanced over at Tessa with concern as one of them men walked over to the house and stepped up to the patio before looking back at one of them who had grey hair on his clean-shaven head, wore sunglasses and left his jacket unbutton, letting it flap in the wind as walked over to him. Cade could see the weapon in the man's belt, which he knew that it could get used at any time. Cade kept his mouth shut, as he knew that if he said something stupid, it would be a dead giveaway.

The man walked over to Cade, brushing off his jacket lightly, while his sunglasses gave off a glare from the sun. "Mr Yeager, my name's James Savoy, I'm a federal agent." The calm tone that the man was taking with him was slightly eerie, as Cade knew it was a way to try and get his trust. "My men and I are trying to track down an abandoned truck." Cade said nothing as James glanced around with a smug expression. "It's a nice spread you got here. Too bad she's for sale."

"Well, thanks. She's not." Cade responded with a slight shake of his head and glancing at the other men. He gestured to one of his rusted down trucks casually. "Is that the truck you mean?"

James shook his head quickly without looking at it. "Afraid not." The man paused for a moment before looking at Cade. "You know, Mr Yeager, we received a call from someone concerned about this truck."

Lucas widened his eyes as he heard what the man had said, and he knew exactly what that was about. "Oh no…" He kept his tone as soft as possible, but he did receive looks from the men close to him.

"That wasn't you?" James concluded without looking at the man.

Cade frowned a little as he was not appreciating the words being spoken to him right now. "Only thing I'm concerned about is you being on my property without my permission." James just scoffed in amusement, completely not caring about what Cade had just said to him. "You know, we got a rule about people messing with people from Texas." Cade turned his body to face the man in slight irritation. "And I don't know what truck you're talking about."

"The kind that cost American lives!" James snapped, turning his head sharply to glare at Cade. He glanced at his men and shouted at them. "Search the property!"

"What do you mean, search the property?" Cade demanded, keeping a sharp eye on the man in front of him while James's men hold up their weapons to begin searching the property. "You don't have a warrant."

James gestured to his face. "My face is my warrant."

Cade glanced around with worry as he knew that it was possible that the men could find Optimus. He made sure to not make it obvious, but Cade glanced at Tessa as he could see that the soldier was still on the patio, and he had not moved. That made Cade worried as he did not know if they would try to use Tessa against him. He had no doubt that they would, but he hoped that would not be the case. He did not know how to deescalate the situation at the moment.

Lucas backed away from the tree with his hands up, glancing around with worry. "Wait, but if you guys do find a truck, we get a reward, right?"

Cade could not help but roll his eyes at the stupid question that his friend had just asked. He knew that there would be no reward, because the men were currently looking at them like they were criminals. Cade did not know who would have called the government about the truck, as he did not think anyone in town would have cared. But someone did, and somehow knew that the truck would be on his property, despite he could have towed it anywhere.

He watched as strange, dragonfly shaped drones were thrown into the air to navigate and scan around the property to locate the autobot. Cade was a little intrigued by the technology, as it was something he would have liked to invent himself. But he remained alert as he watched the men approach the barn, knowing it was the only place that would hide the autobot. Of course, the military would know this, given his property wasn't that big.

Optimus had been listening in on the conversation that was happening outside the barn, and he could tell it was not going well. Even though Cade had not made a mention of any truck, it was clear that this James Savoy was going to check the property thoroughly for his existence. He heard the door of the barn opening and the soldiers walking inside. One of the robotic dogs reacted to the men, and the men did not seem to react much to the robot. They even made fun of Cade when they realized that he was an inventor. So far, they had not noticed him.

But Optimus kept a close eye as they approach the board he was hiding under. He knew that holding it up would keep it solid, so that none of the men would slip through and find him accidently. But as he could see through the gaps of the board, he was uncertain if Cade had covered it enough to keep the humans from finding him. After all, if he could see them, they could probably see him. And there was no way he would be able to remain hidden if that were the case. Even though the men looking through the barn seemed to believe nothing was here.

Outside the barn, one of the men had noticed something in a barrel and pointed at it. "Sir, we have a live armed missile in the trash."

Cade was surprised as he thought the missile was a dud. Lucas was even more surprised. "Live?! I carried that to the trash! You said it was a dud, dude!" He glanced around when he noticed the men were looking at him with scrutiny. "I could be dead, right?"

Cade glanced around as he began to feel a little desperate, as the missile was a sign that Optimus was here. And Cade had not suspected they would find it. "Look, okay, yes, I found a truck, all right. I towed it back for the parts, I left it here last night. This morning, it's gone!" Cade threw up his arms to try and show he did not know where Optimus was. "When, where? I don't know, I swear to God! That's as much as I know about him!"

Cade turned around to try and walk towards the house, as he has had enough of this and wanted the men to leave. However, his choice of words did not go unnoticed, and James turned to face him. "Mr Yeager?"

Cade turned around with a huff and a frown. "What?"

"Excuse me." James removed his sunglasses, and Yeager saw the curious glare in the blue eyes looking back at him. "You just said him." Cade stared back at the man, tensing as he had not realized he had said it, but the men had picked up on it. And he had nothing to really say to defend himself. "Take them down!"

"What?!" Cade turned in shock as men ran towards him, and the soldier on the patio grabbed a hold of Tessa's arm and she screamed loudly as the man had grabbed her roughly, and forced her to walk towards the stairs of the patio. Cade looked back at James desperately as his wrists were pulled behind his back. "They don't know about the truck! I know! Just let her go!"

James did not care for Cade's words as he gave Cade a disgusted expression. "What kind of a man would betray his flesh and blood brethren for alien metal?" James glanced at the men who had a hold of Cade. "Get this guy out of my sight!"

"Let her go! They don't about the truck!" Cade repeated again, glancing over at Tessa fearfully as he watched her being handled roughly by the man. She was screaming and trying to get out of his grip, but the soldier was not letting her go. "Let her go, please!"

"Alright!" James shouted loudly, glancing at his men. "Load up! Search the perimeter!"

Tessa looked at Lucas with a glare. "Lucas, you called, didn't you?!"

Lucas flinched as he kept his hands up nervously. "No! I don't know any of these scary guys!" Lucas glanced around nervously as he was yet to be forced to the ground by the men.

Tessa continued trying to push the soldier off her, but she was unable to get out of his grip and he was clearly hurting her. Cade managed to push the soldiers aside to try and get to his daughter to protect her as best as he could, but he was set upon by the men rather quickly. He was forced to the ground while she watched fearfully, screaming for him to help her. Even Lucas tried to fight back, but he was quickly subdued, and he was forced onto his stomach with a gun pointed at his face.

Cade did not see what had happened to Lucas was watched Tessa get thrown over the red cart to the ground with a lot of force. He had no idea why the men had done that, and he was even more alarmed when they pulled out a gun and pointed it at Tessa's head. He struggled to try and get up from the ground, but James also aimed his handgun at Cade, showing that they mean business, and they were going to do anything that was necessary to get the answer they wanted.

"Now, you got ten seconds," James warned Cade sternly, glaring at him while watching the man struggle and ignoring the girl's cries. "Where's the truck?"

Cade did not look at James as he was keeping his eyes on Tessa. "You're gonna shoot my little girl?"

"If I have to."

"Please don't shoot me!" Tessa begged as she felt the barrel against her head. "Please!"

"Look, I don't know!" Cade shouted at the man in a pleading tone. "I you everything I know!" He glanced to his left as he saw the dragonfly drone flying closer to him, knowing that it was a camera keeping a close eye on him. "He's gone, he left! He was in the barn, I swear to God! Just let her go!"

Optimus listened to the pleadings from Cade Yeager, clenching his fists as he listened to the humans plead for their lives. Despite the fact that Cade and his daughter were being threatened right now, none of them were saying a thing about his existence, other that he was in the barn. Not that he is in the barn right now. That told Optimus what he needed to know about Cade. The man was a man of honour, and despite the fact he might lose his daughter, he was still prepared to protect his existence.

Optimus also knew that if nothing was done, Cade, Tessa and Lucas would likely be killed because of him. And these humans did nothing wrong, as far as he was concerned. He did wonder if Lucas had made a call though, as the man's body language had been of guilt, which could be a sign he had done it. But the man likely would not have expected this to happen, and would probably be regretting it. The man would have done it out of concern for his friend.

Optimus flinched when he heard a gunshot, though he realized it had been shot at the ground as he heard Cade cursing at the men and pleading for them to let Tessa go. Optimus growled and glanced up at the men who were still in the barn, looking around. Though one of them looked at one of the gaps in the board, and Optimus knew that the man could likely see his arm. However, Optimus was not about to sit down for much longer. Not when he heard this James Savoy order his men to shoot the girl, making Optimus roar and slam his body upward through the wooden board, causing the men standing on it to be thrown off as the large bot intended on showing his existence to save Cade Yeager, his daughter and his friend.