It took a week before the physically injuries Saphira had received from Arthur to heal enough that they were not of much concern. Saphira had worried they would get infected, but they did not. So Saphira was able to heal from them quite quickly. Her concussion was definitely evident the day after the incident, and she took the time to rest and recover, giving her brain time to heal. She didn't even paint or write in her diary. She knew she could if she wanted to, but chose not to. And it allowed her brain to recover quickly, and she was no longer dizzy or stumbling, and she was happy that she would be fine.

But Saphira found herself having nightmares every night. Every night she would dream that she was being chased by Arthur and her family through the city. And it would always end in them torturing and killing her with none of the autobots present. She would always hear them shouting for her, but it was like they could not hear her in her nightmare. And Saphira hated these dreams. She would always wake in Optimus's arms, but it seemed that it wasn't enough to keep the nightmares away. It made her tired everyday, but she did her best to keep a happy personality.

It also took two days before Optimus and Saphira revealed to the other autobots that they have finally confessed. Mirage and Bumblebee were absolutely thrilled. They both wanted to have a party, but as Saphira had still been recovering, they decided that could wait. Arcee was surprised, but she was supportive. She had not been sure if the relationship would even happen, so when it was finally verbalized, she was happy for them. The femme showed no signs of anger and resentment, so Saphira was relieved. Especially as Arcee mentioned she hoped she would be able to find that kind of relationship too.

They did find another place to take refuge, and they made sure to travel far from the previous location, and it was another old factory on the other side of the city. It was closer to the museum though, so that was good. But this factory was abandoned a long time ago, and people often kept away from it anyway. There were some old shipping containers here that were still in good condition, and Saphira felt that they could be used for storage. But she has yet to do that.

And now that Saphira knew which museum to bring the items to, she really did want to take them back. But it took longer than she would have liked to heal from the injuries, and as winter was coming to an end, there have been some days where the snow would melt and give them a sense of spring. Only for it to snow again. Saphira enjoyed the days when the snow would melt, because she enjoyed the fresh scent that came with it, and it just felt warmer too.

Optimus looked down at Saphira with a worried expression. She was flinching, whimpering and muttering words that he could not understand, but she was reacting as though she was being attacked by someone. He already knew what it was, and he held her against his chassis and rubbed the back of her head. "Saphira, you're having the nightmare again." She whimpered and tensed, letting out light sobs and began to say no in her sleep. "I'm right here, Saphira. Please, wake up." She shifted some more before she let out a scream and sat up abruptly, though found herself in Optimus's arms as she glanced around fearfully and looked at him with wide, fearful eyes. "I'm right here, Saphira."

She pouted before she burst into tears and hugged Optimus, placing her cheek on his shoulder gently as she sobbed. She hated the nightmare she was having every night, and she could not get a break. She has considered getting sleeping pills, but felt that would only make the nightmares worse. At least she had comfort knowing that Optimus would be there when she would wake up, as having him there when she opened her eyes made her relax a lot quicker. But that didn't stop her emotions.

Optimus rubbed the back of her head gently as he rocked her while she sobbed into his shoulder. He felt helpless on how to help her. He could not fend off the nightmares, and could not give her good dreams. He could only hold her and house her like he has been. And it was all that he could do. He knew she appreciated it, and she held onto him so tightly that it was like she feared that he would disappear from her arms. Luckily, that would not happen.

It took a bit of time before Saphira managed to calm down enough and she brought her head back from his shoulder. "Oh, I hate this nightmare." She sniffled loudly, feeling Optimus wiping her cheeks gently and brushing strands of her hair from her face. "I hate that Arthur affected me negatively to the point I see his ghost in my nightmares. It's not fun."

Optimus kissed her cheek gently and she smiled a little from the comfort it brought her. "I wish I could chase the nightmares from your mind, Saphira. Unfortunately, I believe it will take more time for the nightmares to go away. But they will eventually." He kissed her cheek again as she sniffled. He reached over for a moment to grab a water bottle and brought it to Saphira. She looked at it and took it. "I knew you would be needing this."

She smiled at him. "Thanks." She opened the bottle and began to drink it before pausing for a moment. "And I need to use the bathroom." She chuckled a little as Optimus started his engine and began to roll forward. When the sunlight filtered through the windows, Saphira looked outside and saw that the snow had melted again. "Another nice day." She smiled as she watched the birds fly in the sky while Optimus drove along the road. "If only it was warm enough to wear a dress and go for a picnic."

Optimus nodded in agreement, while giving her an amused expression. "Unfortunately, you would be the only one to enjoy the food on the picnic." She rolled her eyes at his response and chuckled a little. "But the weather has been getting nicer. I look forward to the spring. And it will certainly be nice to go outside the city to some national parks, as I am sure you would like that."

Saphira nodded in agreement. "I certainly would." Saphira hummed to herself as she thought about what to do today. "You know, since today is nice and I am feeling better, maybe I should take those things to the museum today." Optimus nodded in agreement, as they have held onto the items long enough. "I want to stop stalling on it, because I think we have kept them for too long. At least they are undamaged, and they are in the same box. So at least I won't be in trouble for that."

"Would you be in trouble if they were damaged?"

Saphira nodded. "It would show that the items have been tampered with. And I am not going to go to jail for that." Saphira also liked the idea of going to a museum, because she could sketch some of the pieces that were on display. "I might even hang around at the museum. There's always something interesting to see and read. I've actually never been to one, so this will actually be kind of nice."

"If that is what you wish to do, then you should do it." Optimus kissed her cheek again, and she turned her head so she could kiss his lips. Optimus hummed softly and Saphira felt vibrations around her as the vibrations roll through the cabin. This isn't the first time that has happened. However, feeling how Optimus's body reacts to her when they kiss brought joy to Saphira. "I am so glad that we finally…that we finally have allowed ourselves to love each other."

She giggled. "More that we have finally admitted to it. I think we both have loved each other for quite sometime, we just have not been sure on how to act on it." Saphira placed her hands on his chassis, rubbing gently as she gazed into his optics. "But I am glad we finally have. I have no regrets. I love you, Optimus. I hope that, in a thousand years, that my love will have remain an impact on your life in a positive way."

Optimus's expression faltered slightly and he sighed deeply. "You don't need to talk that way, Saphira. I do not want to think what my life will be like in a thousand years. I am hopeful that I can find a way to extend your life. I am thinking a spark bond might work, but…"

"What's a spark bond?" Optimus raised an eyebrow at her, and Saphira immediately felt bad for interrupting him. "Uh…sorry…I shouldn't have interrupted."

"It is okay. You have heard the term sparkmate before, so I will tell you what the spark bond is." Saphira blushed a little as she had heard the term, and she knew she was not yet a sparkmate to Optimus, but she wanted to be one. "A spark bond is what creates the bond between sparkmates. It is different to the ceremonies that humans have when they create bonds with each other, as your bonds can be broken and divorced. Ours can never be severed, except through death." Saphira was already intrigued as she listened to him speak about the spark bond. "When they are ready, the said sparkmates will undergo a unique experience. It is where we literally open up our sparks to the other, expanding it and weaving the very fabric of our spark into the veins of the other. Creating a permanent, solid bond where they can communicate, feel the other's emotions and so much more. It is a very intimate, sensual experience. One where they have to feel truly ready to take that step."

"That sounds wonderful…" Saphira could not help but imagine what it would be like. She knew she would only be able to speculate and imagine based on what Optimus had said, but it did sound wonderful. "Do you think we would be able to do it?" Optimus smiled at her and nodded. "Not now, of course, we have only just really started to…build on the bond we have."

"I would definitely love to proceed with the bond sometime, Saphira. And you are right. We are not ready for it. It is a lifelong commitment, and there is no going back once it is done. I know it might be different for a human, as far as I know, you are the first and only human to fall for a Cybertronian." Optimus had doubts that anyone from Cybertron would have been here before them. "So I am unsure of how it will go, considering I am the only one with a spark. But it should still work fine."

"I hope so. I have…never really known what love is, if I am honest. No one taught me what it was. Except you and the other autobots." Saphira smiled at him as she was happy to be with him. "And yet, my past still haunts me." She bit her lip as tears fill her eyes. "The horrors of my past…it…I guess it will always be there."

Optimus pulled her closer against him and she leaned against him, yearning for his touch and comfort. "Would it maybe help by telling me about it?" She tensed and looked at him with worried eyes. "I might be wrong, but telling me about it could even help to alleviate your nightmares." Saphira knew that was possible, but she still didn't want to talk about it. "You don't have to tell the full story. Just little pieces."

Little pieces of her past sounded better than telling the full story. Saphira knew that Optimus would not tell the others, so she knew she could tell him and not worry. "Okay...well...I guess I should speak about my family in a general sense...well, former family." She swallowed nervously while she kept her cheek rested on his shoulder. "The earliest memories that I have were from when I was three, maybe four, and I remember that my parents were not good people. I didn't know it back then, but my parents...they were, and still are, part of a group of people who smuggle illegal substances into the country." She shuddered as she thought about them. "I never knew what the substances actually were, and I probably could have gone to the police when I escaped, but I never did. I still don't want to because my parents have connections to people who can easily make someone disappear."

Optimus was already troubled by what he was hearing from Saphira. He had known she had been abused from childhood, but he never knew that there were other evils happening as well. He did wonder why they decided to abuse the girl, but he knew that no matter the reason, it was not an excuse. He kept his hug tight and comforting as she spoke, knowing that speaking about her past was hard. And he wanted her to have the support

"And unfortunately...partly the reason why I was treated the way I was...it was because my parents had sold me before I was born..." Optimus widened his optics as that information was not expected. "And I only learned this before my sixteenth birthday. I learned I was sold, and set to marry a strange man in exchange for money. I still don't know why I was mistreated, but...maybe they thought because I was sold, I was technically not human to them." She sniffled as the tears fell from her eyes. "I am just glad that I got out of there."

Optimus kissed her forehead gently. "It seems that I really had misjudged you when we first met. You have been through horrors your whole life, and it is no wonder you were...agreeable." He frowned and immediately felt guilty. "I'm sorry for the way we met. I hope that my actions never made you think of your past."

She shook her head. "No, you didn't. Honestly, I was still in shock of losing my job the way I did. My past had nothing to do with how agreeable I was. I was just shocked, and I actually liked the refuge, even if you had made it clear I was unwanted." She smiled as she could see the guilt in his expression. "But we have moved past that. We are here now, and there is nothing that could ever separate us."

Optimus nodded slowly as he pondered on the information. "Hmm...do you still believe that your parents are alive?" She grimaced and frowned a little. "From what you have told me, they were connected to dangerous men. As you escaped, would that not mean they have failed?"

Saphira sighed softly and shrugged. "I don't know. They might be. My father won't be, because he's too important. But my mother and sisters...possibly, unless they sold one of my sisters in my stead." She shuddered as she knew that would be bad regardless. "I know that they are out there, but...I do not think I will see them again. If I do, you will be here to save me."

"That certainly sounds awful with how they live their lives. I don't think I will understand it." Saphira agreed with him. Optimus certainly wouldn't hesitate to protect Saphira if anyone of her biological family, or the illegal business dared to try and kidnap her, they would wish they hadn't very quickly. "Thank you for telling me more about your family." She shrugged and looked at the window as Optimus pulled over to park by a public bathroom. "I know now how hard it is to tell, and it is okay. But you should go to the toilet before you end up having an accident in the cab." She giggled at him as she grabbed a jacket and a change of clothes before kissing Optimus. He hummed softly and watched her crawl over to the passenger side door. "And you will have to tell me what you want for breakfast too. The museum probably won't be open for another hour or two."

Saphira chuckled softly as she was hungry, and she certainly would want something to eat. She would have to buy it though, as she didn't have any bread or eggs, so she would likely have Optimus take her to a café or a McDonald's to get something. Not that it mattered too much, as long as she was full and satisfied for the morning. And it would give her the time to waste before the museum would open. Saphira was a little nervous about it only because she worried about how the museum might react to her bringing the items to it. She knew it might be silly, but she certainly didn't want to be made to feel like she has done something wrong.

Saphira made use of the toilet and changed into some fresh clothes, and tidied her hair to make herself feel better for the day. Once she felt freshened up, Saphira smiled to herself in the mirror and hoped that she would seem presentable enough to Optimus. She knew he would like her appearance regardless, but she still wanted to ensure that she felt pretty enough in front of him, as it gave her a good feeling when she would do so.

Once she was satisfied, Saphira made her way out of the bathroom and walked over to the truck with a smile. She climbed back into the cab and got herself comfortable on the passenger seat. She looked around to see Optimus's holoform was not present, so she looked at the dash. "As per your curiosity on what I would like for breakfast, there might be a café nearby so I can go and grab something from there. Not sure what I will have yet, but I will figure it out when I am there. I at least will get a coffee."

Optimus started his engine again and backed up before driving away. "I believe there was a café that we passed by on the way here, so I can definitely take you to that." Optimus was unsurprised that Saphira would want to get coffee, as it seemed to be something most humans had in the morning. "You look nice as always, Saphira." She smiled and blushed at his compliment. "So when I take you to the museum soon, do you want me to just drop you off?"

She nodded. "Yeah, since I'll spend the better part of the day looking around at the exhibits, so I don't want you to get bored out of your mind, Optimus. That would seem unfair if I did that to you." She threw out her arms with a light groan and relaxed in the seat. "Ugh…I really need coffee. This lack of sleep that I have had from these nightmares is really starting to get to me, Optimus…" She rubbed the bridge between her eyes with a grimace and sighed deeply. "Hopefully, the coffee will me the perk up that I need."

"If you wish, you could try and take a nap later." Saphira widened her eyes and shook her head immediately, knowing she could possibly have another nightmare. "Saphira, I know you are afraid of sleeping, but you still need it. It may bring another nightmare, but you will still get some sleep." Saphira was not sure if she wanted to do that, but she understood why Optimus was telling her that. "Maybe it won't be so bad either if you just take light naps."

"With how I am feeling, light naps will end up being deep sleeps, and that will end with me having another nightmare. Though…it is an idea I suppose. I can't keep going on without sleep, because I'll only be hurting myself." Saphira hoped that if she did try to nap, she wouldn't get the nightmares, but she would not put it past her mind. "But I don't know if I will do that today, since I'll be spending the day at the museum, so it is unlikely that I will want to sleep until I get back."

"That I can believe." Optimus was curious about the museum and what it would have inside it. He knew that museums, based on what Mirage and Bumblebee have told him, was a place where people can learn about the history of eras and areas they visit. It held information people could read, and exhibits for people to look and take photos of. He wondered what would be in the museum Saphira had to go to today. "I imagine it is nice to learn about the history of humanity when you visit a museum."

"I imagine it is." Saphira smiled, as she already said to Optimus she's never been a museum, but that was okay. "And I didn't really do much school either, so I missed out a lot. My parents only sent me to school so they wouldn't get in trouble, and I still missed days. I wish I hadn't, but that's just how it was." She shrugged and turned her head to look out the window. "But it will be nice to learn. I am not sure what history the museum will hold, but it does not matter. I get to learn about it, and it makes me kind of excited."

"That is good to here. You might find it interesting that we also have a place to learn about our planet's history on Cybertron." That did interest Saphira, even though he had no way to reach their museum. "It is more of an archive of history rather than a place with visual exhibits. It is easier for Cybertronians to go through the log of the archive to learn about our history rather than going from one place to another. Though I imagine it would still be good, even if we had that."

"Interesting…so…does that mean it is like a holographic, kind of archive?" Saphira asked him curiously as she tried to imagine it in her mind. "I am unfamiliar of that technology, since it is still considered science fiction, but that has me curious."

"Yes, you would be correct." She grinned happily as she was correct in her assumption. "Although, it isn't as you are probably thinking, as the holographic tool used in archives has more reading than visual representation of certain eras. If there are recordings that a Cybertronian can watch, it will be in the archive. But majority of what is in the archive, is written history." That made sense. Saphira has not even seen their language yet, but she assumed it was a lot more complex than the languages humans have created. "I had spent many hours there myself in my younger years. Unfortunately, it was short lived."

Saphira knew it was because of the war that had been started by the decepticons. She did wonder if Optimus will share more about his past, just as she has been opening up with him. As she did want to know more about the war to understand it, and sympathize more with his situation. Not being able to go home was more than enough, but she knew that there was more to that story as she has only been told a small amount of it. But she would not pressure Optimus into telling her.

Optimus arrived at the café that was near the public bathroom. She was happy, and Saphira went into the café to get herself a caramel latte, a ham and cheese croissant and a blueberry muffin, deciding they were the best things to go with for the morning. She had a few strange looks from people when they had seen her leave the truck, but she didn't may much attention to them, as Saphira knew that they should be minding their own business. So she ignored them.

Once she received her coffee and food, Saphira returned to the truck, and Optimus drove away from the café as she began to enjoy the coffee and the croissant first. Optimus was still learning about the different foods that humans could eat. He didn't really understand how humans had so many different foods to eat. It seemed ridiculous to him, and he did not even know how food was even produced. He has never really asked, though he knew that Saphira would gladly answer him.

Saphira enjoyed the drive around the city as she enjoyed her breakfast. Despite feeling tired, she still got into having a good conversation with him. She loved talking to him each day. She never got tired of it. And she knew that Optimus felt the same way. Even if sometimes the conversations were odd, as there were things Saphira would speak of, and he would not fully understand what she is talking about.

When she finished her breakfast, Optimus brought her to the museum. It was a little awkward getting a freightliner through the entry without a trailer, but it worked out fine, and Optimus dropped Saphira off at the front entrance so she could go in. She made sure to hide the items in a bag first, and made sure that her camera was ready so she could take pictures of the different artifacts in the museum while she explored it. But she needed to find someone first.

Saphira looked around to see who could be working behind the scenes at the museum. It was hard to spot, but she spotted a young woman with dark, curly hair walking through the museum with a worried expression. She was looking at her watch as she scurried through the museum, and she seemed to be heading towards a staff door. Saphira worried for a moment that she wouldn't catch up as she followed the woman quickly.

"Hi! Excuse me!" The woman stopped in her tracks and turned to Saphira in surprise when she had been addressed. "Sorry to bother you, but I suspect you work here. Right?"

The woman nodded. "As far as I am aware, I work here." She took deep breaths and looked at her watch. "Look, I'm sorry, but you will need to talk to someone else if it is in regard to an exhibit, so if you will…"

Saphira stepped forward as the woman backed away. "No, it isn't actually. I believe you lost something last year." That caught the woman's interest. "I'm just sorry it took so long for me to bring it, because I didn't know which museum to bring it to and I was sick for the last week…so…" Saphira opened her bag and brought out the cardboard box, and opened it to show the woman what was inside. "I want to bring it to you."

The woman was so surprised to see the items and she wasn't sure what to do. "Uh, well, that is not expected. Um…" The woman looked around nervously before she paused. "I'm sorry, I haven't introduced myself. My name is Elena…" She held her hand out to Saphira and Saphira quickly took her hand to shake it. "Nice to meet you…uh…what is your name?"

"Saphira."

Elena widened her eyes in surprise. "That's a pretty name. Suits you." Saphira chuckled a little at the woman's compliment, and Elena opened a staff door behind her and peered into it. "Hey, Jerry! A young woman has found the missing items that was lost last month. Do I just take…" She paused as a man responded to Elena. "Oh, okay." Elena turned to look at Saphira with a smile. "Follow me. We want to make sure that they are authentic, and not copies."

"Well…it wasn't stated what was lost exactly in the news, so…" Saphira shrugged as Elena pushed the door open and Saphira walked forward awkwardly. "But I understand. You want to make sure I'm not here because I want the money. I understand." Saphira looked at the set of stairs in front of her and she was nervous. She looked at Elena and gestured for her to walk ahead of her. "After you."

The woman nodded with a smile and walked up the stairs. Saphira followed as she was unsure of where to go, but as she followed Elena, there were expressions from the other workers here who were looking at her suspiciously. Saphira swallowed nervously, as she felt uncomfortable with the glares, and she hoped that none of them would suspect her of wrongdoing, because Saphira knew that there was nothing that she had done wrong.

"Okay…" Elena lead Saphira over to an empty table and gestured to it. "If you don't mind…" She grabbed some gloves and put them on as Saphira grabbed the box out from her bag. "I'm very good at this stuff, so it shouldn't take me…"

"Elena!" The woman tensed as a stern voice barked from behind, and Saphira turned in shock to see a dirty, blonde woman walk over angrily. "What is this woman doing back here? This area is off limits to tourists!"

Elena smiled at the woman calmly, even though it seemed to be a forced smile. "It is okay, Jillian, Jerry said I could bring her back here. She claims she has found the South American items that was lost before Christmas last year."

Jillian looked at Saphira and eyed her off suspiciously. "Hmm…well, let us hope that they are authentic and you didn't actually try to steal them. Especially since they are worth a lot of money." Saphira did not respond to Jillian, only to move a little as a box was placed on the table and the worker reached into the box. "Be careful with that! We don't need another piece of art damaged by fools!" Jillian glared at the man before she walked away in a huff.

Saphira did not say anything, knowing it was best to keep quiet. However, as she saw what the worker beside her brought out of the box, she was intrigued. It was a falcon sculpture, that had clearly been sculpted by a tribal civilization. It looked old, but well cared for and preserved. Saphira thought it was pretty cool, until she noticed the symbols on the chest of the sculpture. She frowned, as she noticed immediately that one of the symbols looked Cybertronian. Except, it had horns and sharp teeth instead of the sharp, horns and central crown on the decepticon symbol. So it was not decepticon, nor was it autobot. It was different.

Saphira could not help but ask as she stared at it. "Where was that found?"

Elena looked up from taking a closer look at the items and she seemed just as surprised as Saphira. "Ah, that must be from a new shipment from Peru." She hummed softly as she eyed it off and looked back at the items in the case. "And these are authentic. They're undamaged, as is the box. Where did you find this?"

"Uh, it was on the side of the highway." Saphira shrugged as she didn't know how to respond. "I happened to notice it, and I thought it was rubbish at first. So I was going to throw it, until I realized it wasn't garbage. I knew it was going to be for a museum, but never knew until recently." She looked back at the sculpture as she eyed it curiously. "But that's a very cool sculpture."

"It sure is." Elena turned to walk away. "Wait here while I confirm these items with Jillian, and we can process your reward." She walked away quickly, leaving Saphira alone.

Saphira eyed off the sculpture and glanced around for a moment. No one was looking at her, so she grabbed her camera and brought it out quickly to take a photo of the sculpture and put it back in her bag. The strange symbols beneath the Cybertronian symbol were interesting too. They could easily be a language, but Saphira did not know if the autobots would know about it, but she would find out. She intended to. If this thing was from Peru, she needed to do some research.

It will be kind of cool to know if there is evidence of other Cybertronians on this planet. Hopefully they still exist, and we can meet them. And find out why they haven't gone back to Cybertron as well, as I doubt these Cybertronians even had anything to do with the war between the autobots and decepticons. I can't wait to show Optimus. I bet he is going to be so surprised, and hopefully they recognize the symbol too.