Chicago. The Last Chance Garage. Carbine had just finished going over the books with Silverdawn, when Harley walked into the office.
"How's everything so far, concerning the books?", Harley asked.
Carbine and Silverdawn looked up at Harley. "Everything is up to date, Harley", Carbine said.
"That's good. I'm glad we're not losing money. I can't imagine how Charley was able to keep this place afloat with the guys constantly breaking her garage doors", said Harley, as she shook her head back and forth.
"Heh, they never knew what the doors were for, Harley. One thing is for sure though. They kept the city safe from Limburger and his goon squad", said Carbine.
"That's true. My boy was the best fighter and had some great friends with him. I miss him so much. And I know that my daughter-in-law misses him, too", Silverdawn said, as tears were starting to streak her face.
"I know how you feel, Silverdawn. Throttle was a great guy. He will be missed greatly by all", Carbine said.
Oregon. Autobot base. I had called my mom in Chicago to see how she was doing since getting the bad news about Throttle.
"Last Chance Garage. Harley speaking. How may I help you today?", asked Harley.
"Wow! That was very professional. How's it going, Harley?", I replied.
"It's going well, Wolf. Would you like to speak to Silverdawn?", Harley asked.
"No. I need to speak with my mom, Carbine. Is she there?", I replied.
"Let me check. Hold on", said Harley. Then she laid the receiver down on the table and went to see if Carbine was available.
While I was waiting to speak with mom, I let my dad use my shower and maybe find some clothes that weren't incinerated.
I was sitting on my sofa, flipping through channels and still waiting to hear if mom was available.
"Wolf? She's busy at the moment. I can have her call you when she's free", Harley said.
"Naw, it's ok, Harley. I'll call her tomorrow morning. Have a good night", I said. Then I hung up the phone.
Prime had just gotten out of the shower shortly after I hung up the phone. "Did you get a hold of Carbine?", Prime asked.
"No. I got Harley. Mom was busy, so I told Harley I'd call Carbine in the morning. You know, she wasn't much of a mother. Vinnie's mother raised me better than Carbine. But since I have you, baby, I don't need a mother", I said, walking up to Prime. I wrapped my arms around his neck and he wrapped his arms around my waist. We hugged each other tightly.
We separated from our hug and Prime smiled at me. I returned the smile. "I'll always be there for you, beautiful. And I'm glad you want to spend your life with me and have more children with me, too. I haven't been the same since we lost Little Modo and Little Throttle. And I know Little Vinnie hasn't been the same since he lost his brothers", Prime said.
I stepped back and walked over to the fridge and grabbed a beer. I popped open the bottle and chugged down the beer quickly. Then opened the fridge and grabbed 2 more.
Prime walked over to me and grabbed the bottles of beer out of my hand. "You know I don't like it when you drink", said Optimus.
I looked at him with a sad look in my eyes. "I know you miss Throttle, but drinking isn't a good coping mechanism. Take it from someone who knows", Prime said.
"Are you implying that I have a drinking problem?", I asked in total shock. I just couldn't believe that Optimus would even imply that I have a drinking problem. My former father turned boyfriend thinks I have a drinking problem.
"Yes, I am. After all the beer I saw you consume a while back plus the little bottles of liquor you drank, yeah, I am saying you have a drinking problem. You have no idea what drinking will do to those around you, including me and our son", said Optimus.
"Then how do I deal with what's wrong with me?", I asked.
"I should have seen the signs sooner. You're depressed, aren't you? That's why you're drinking", Prime said.
I nodded my head yes. "I feel like I'm grieving by myself", I said.
"You're not grieving alone, Wolf. Everyone is here to help you, especially me. I know what you're going through. I've lost friends over the millenia. It hurt every time I saw an Autobot die in front of me", said Optimus.
The next couple of days went fast. Before I knew it, it was Tuesday. The day I was putting my dearly departed Throttle to rest for all eternity.
I was standing outside, waiting for everyone to show up. The funeral was set for 12 noon. I looked at my watch and noticed that it was 9a. The only thing I had left to remember Throttle by was the bandana that he had tied around my wrist when I had tried to commit suicide. I never took it off. Even during my showers.
By 11:30a, everyone showed up from Chicago. By that time, Prime was standing outside with me, too. So was every Autobot on the base. Brawn had personally brought out Throttle's casket with him in it.
"I'm glad you all made it. It looks like Silverdawn couldn't be here, though. Why? Throttle was her son", I said.
"There was no room in the truck and Vinnie couldn't bring her on his bike", Carbine said.
"And where's Modo and Charley? They should be here, too", Vinnie said.
"I don't know if the hospital has released her yet. She had her baby a week ago", I said.
Prime put his hand on my shoulder. "After the funeral, you and I will go find out. We'll bring another Autobot with us in case they release her and her newborn", Prime said.
"Thanks. I appreciate it", I said, smiling.
Vinnie had helped me get Throttle ready, then he went inside and got ready for the funeral. I knew I didn't have time to get changed again, so I just asked Brawn to give me a hand digging a 6' casket size hole before 12 noon.
It was 5 min. before noon and Vinnie was already back outside in his black suit and tie. He looked real good, too. I was glad he didn't give me any problems about wearing it for Throttle's funeral. I walked up to Vinnie and straightened his tie just a bit.
"There. That looks better. Thanks for not giving me a hard time about the suit, Vin. I really appreciate it", I said.
"Anything for you, Doll. I know this means a lot to you. I'm sorry you had to lose him this way. It's not fair to you. You both still had the rest of your lives ahead of you. If I wasn't with Harley, I'd date you and make you happy again", Vinnie said.
"That's a very nice thought, Vin. And you're right. Throttle and I had the rest of our lives ahead of us. If things go south with Harley, I'd be happy to date you, Vin, but right now, I need friends by my side. Friends like you, Vin", I said. Then I hugged him.
"We'll always be friends, Doll. You'll also be my biker sis always", said Vinnie.
"Bikers to the end, Bro", I said. Then I noticed everyone was assembled for the funeral. I let Prime start off.
An hour into the funeral and after Prime gave his eulogy, he noticed that I had been silent and standing next to Throttle's casket. He walked over and stood next to me. He kneeled down and asked in a whisper, "you ok, Wolf?"
I looked at him with tears rolling down my face. "Do I look ok to you?", I said in a sarcastic tone. Then I sighed. "I'm sorry, babe. I didn't mean to snap. Its been hard for me since Throttle was murdered. This wasn't suppose to happen. We were suppose to spend our lives together. Grow old together. Have kids together. Watch them grow up, get married and have kids of their own. Now, it's nothing more than a dream up in smoke cause of Limburger's deranged doctor, Karbunkle", I said, shaking in rage.
Prime put his hand on my shoulder to calm me down. "Getting mad won't bring him back, Wolf. You know that. He's resting in peace now. Leave him that way. And don't shut me out. My spark can't handle any more loss", Prime said.
"I know, but I feel alone", I said.
"You're not alone, beautiful. You have me, our son, your friends and every Autobot here to help you. Just please don't shut us out of your life, ok", said Optimus.
I smiled a little bit through the tears. "Ok. Any chance I can take a shower in your room? And maybe get some rest? I don't feel like being out here any more. I need time alone", I said.
"How does a nice full body massage sound after your shower? Cause I'm not leaving you alone. Not the way you're feeling", Prime said.
"I'm fine and yeah, the full body massage sounds good, babe", I said.
"Then let's go inside, love", said Optimus, as he lowered his hand down to me. I got on and he brought me up to his chest. I leaned against him and I could hear his spark pulsating. He was also very warm for someone made of cold metal. But I didn't tell him that. That was my little thought to keep to myself. Although, I think he knows that I wouldn't say something like that out loud.
As he headed for his room with me in his hand, Bumblebee stopped him. "I heard what happened, Prime. Is she going to be ok?", asked Bumblebee.
Prime looked down at me then back at Bumblebee. "It's going to take some time 'til she's over his death, but for right now, she'll be just fine. I assume that Spike is with you?", Prime replied.
"No, he's not with me. Sparkplug came back with me. Spike wanted to stay behind and finish up his work. He said Carly would bring him by later", Bumblebee said.
"That's fine. We needed someone to take over for Ratchet until First aid arrives to take over", said Optimus.
"What do you mean, Prime? What happened?", asked Bumblebee.
"No one has told you what happened to Ratchet? Hmm. Right now isn't the time to tell you. I have get Wolf to my room for a shower. Stop by my office tomorrow morning and I'll tell you", Prime said.
"Ok, Prime. Have a good day", Bumblebee said.
"You as well, Bumblebee. If anyone needs me, I will be unavailable for the rest of the day", said Optimus.
"I'll be sure to pass that message along for you", said Bumblebee.
"I appreciate that, Bumblebee. Now, if you'll excuse me. I have to get her to my room for her shower", Prime said.
Bumblebee nodded and went on his way to wherever he was headed to.
Prime arrived at his room. He woke me up as gently as he could without startling me. "Huh? What?", I said, waking up.
"We're here, Wolf. I need to put you down so I can enter my code", said Optimus, putting me down on the cold, hard floor. I stood there, still waking up and waiting to go inside and take my warm shower. I so needed to take this warm shower so bad.
As the door opened, he let me in and then activated his holoform and walked in after me. As the door shut behind us, he locked it so no one would disturb us for the rest of the day.
While I was getting ready to take my shower, Prime came into his bedroom to start the shower for me and put out a towel for me for after my shower.
I turned around and saw what he had done for me. I smiled. He turned around and smiled at me in return. "Thought you could use an extra hand while you were getting ready for your shower", Prime said.
"Thank you, babe. You and Throttle are a lot alike. Treating a woman with respect. Not many guys like that any more", I said.
"I don't mean to change the subject, but how would you like to go see your daughter on Cybertron tomorrow? I'm taking a personal day tomorrow and thought you'd like to go see her", said Optimus.
"And tell Magnus what I really think of him for denying me the right to see my own daughter. Who knows what he's telling her since he forced me to leave my home and he made sure his damn reputation stayed spotless. He is so going to get more than just a verbal tongue lashing from me. Ask Vince if he would like to go, too. I know he misses his step sister", I said, stepping into the shower. I shut the shower door and stood under the water as it cascaded down my body.
"After your shower I'll go ask him", Prime said.
"Go do it now while I'm in the shower, unless you had planned to join me. I do enjoy a strong man washing my back for me", I said.
Prime practically jumped out of his clothes and stepped into the shower behind me then closed the door behind him.