(Please see all previous disclaimers)

Several hours later, Aquaformer woke after her recharge. She was very surprised to find her loving sparkmate in the berth with her. She figured he would be out and about while she slept, after all she had been a leader of bots and understood what being a leader entailed, though she was only leader of her small troop, not all the Autobots.

Since Optimus appeared to still be in recharge, she snuggled closer into him and kissed him softly. She wasn't sure if it would rouse him, but she hoped it would show she loved her mate – goofs and all. And much to Aquaformer's pleasure as well as surprise, her mate soon roused after the soft kiss. Optimus, having been deep in recharge, took a few minutes to fully online, but once he did, he had a soft smile on his face.

"Are you well rested, my love?" Optimus asked as he gently rubbed her cheek with his hand.

"I am, but I didn't expect you to be home…" she admitted.

"Why is that?" He asked, wanting to know.

"Having been a leader for a small troop of bots, I know what the responsibilities of a leader are and what it entails. I know as leader of the Autobots that your leadership is necessary and vital, so I always make sure I'm on the back burner, so I don't interfere" Aquaformer revealed, showing a side Optimus had only rarely seen.

Optimus looked to his mate and lifted her head, as she had lowered it. As soon as Optimus was optic to optic with his mate, he told her, "Aquaformer, my love, I love you so much. I would stop the world for you, as you are my precious mate. Even my role as leader shouldn't push you always on the back burner. Granted, there will be times when I have to be a leader, but it doesn't have to and I won't let it cost me my family."

Aquaformer looked to her mate, a bit in shock. She hadn't expected what he had said, though she should have. "Thank you, love" she replied as she snuggled closer as she sought out his warmth and reassurance. Optimus held her close. He wouldn't lose her or the precious little ones if he could help it.

"I do have a question, my love. Has Ratchet checked on the little ones you are carrying?" Optimus asked softly as he held his mate close. He didn't want to scare her, but he wanted to know that things were being monitored.

"I have an appointment with Ratchet tomorrow. He will be able to tell whether they are me exactly how many and possibly if they will be mechs or femmes" Aquaformer revealed. She would make sure to ask about it.

"As long as they are healthy, I don't care which gender they are" Optimus kindly responded. He would love the little ones no matter what.

Aquaformer smiled softly at that. She knew he would accept them no matter what. She just hoped that this would soon end, as she didn't like how her body felt when she was sparked.