One Week Later…

Standing by the riverbank in front of the old factory, Saphira was working on another picture that she had decided to start working on earlier in the week. After hearing the much-needed words from the autobots, Saphira had well and truly decided to try and turn her life around. It wasn't exactly easy, of course, but it was never meant to be easy. Saphira managed to start eating more, and she was taking care of herself a lot more as well. Saphira managed to convince Optimus to take her to a laundromat so she could clean and dry her clothes, and she has also managed to eat fresh food more than she thought.

She bought a portable cooler, and used it to put things like unwashed eggs, long-life milk, bread, peanut butter, and fruit into. She couldn't really buy too much, but the eggs alone would be fine and last a while in the cooler, as long as they did not break. They haven't yet, as Saphira made sure that they would not. But she was eating them daily by making a simple omelette with garlic, basil, salt and pepper as her choice of breakfast. In fact, she mostly had just breakfast, and did not eat anything until night. She have a peanut butter sandwich eat night, even if that wasn't the healthiest option.

However, Saphira was putting on the much-needed weight back onto her body. It was taking a while though, since it has only been a week. But Saphira found herself literally being spied on by Mirage and Bumblebee whenever she ate her food. It annoyed her as they both literally get excited whenever she eats food. She was happy that Arcee and Optimus did not be that annoying. But Arcee did tell her that morning that she looked better today. Saphira had no idea how sickly she looked, but the autobots were giving her an idea.

She was standing to the side as she sketched the image she was drawing and she was almost ready to start coloring it in. She was glad she didn't have paint with her, as having to wash the brushes whenever the autobots come back to the factory to take her for a drive would be insanely annoying. So pencils were her best friend for art, and she was perfectly okay with that. She loved improving her skills with pencil colouring, but she also simply wanted to be able to create art regardless of its quality. And the picture she was currently working on right now was something she had already fallen in love with. It would be something she would show the autobots when she was finished. Not before.

Saphira looked up from her drawing when she sensed she was being watched. She noticed Optimus in his vehicle form in the doorway of the factory. She had no idea how long he had been there for. "You can come over to speak with me, Optimus," Saphira said with a smile. "I am not going to bite you. Not that I could...bad joke." She chuckled a little, though Optimus did not respond. "Alright, I will keep..." Saphira gasped and began to cough suddenly out of nowhere. She had accidentally swallowed some saliva, and breathed in at the same time. "Damn! Of course I had to do that."

"Are you alright?" Optimus asked as he rolled forward slightly. "You aren't becoming sick are you?"

Saphira shook her head, clearing her throat some more. "Nah, I just happened to breath saliva down the wrong way." She smiled at him and coughed a little more until her throat felt clear. "I do need water though." She walked away from the easel towards the building. Optimus backed into the factory to give her room as she walked in. "You do know you can just be here in your full mode. I am not going to mind."

"I am...needing time to think. I prefer to be in my alt mode when I am thinking." Saphira did not know if that was true, but she wasn't about to argue with Optimus if that is his chosen answer to her question. "We have been searching for Transit for weeks now. And I am starting to get frustrated."

Saphira softened her smile and she picked up a water bottle from the table. "I am afraid I can't help. I have been doing my best by looking at all the buses we drive by, but I am afraid I can't be any further help than that."

"I know. You do not mind if I share my frustration, do you?" She shook her head as she began to drink the water quickly to soothe her throat. "I know it is all a game for Transit. He is tormenting us, and it is frustrating to me. Now that he's blocked his signal again, I am not sure if he is still in this city."

"I guess that is true." Saphira pulled herself up onto a box to sit on while she listened to Optimus and contemplated a response. "But…while I don't know everything about your war with the decepticons, he knows that I am with you and the other autobots. He could be away from the city, but I don't think so. He could simply be planning."

Optimus pondered as he processed her response. "You might be right. Transit might have believed at the time we have a human friend. I suppose, he would be right about that now." Optimus went silent for another minute before he transformed suddenly, startling Saphira a little while she was in the middle of drinking the water. He looked at her before he sat down, making her raise an eyebrow as he has not been this relaxed around her, even in the last week. "Would it surprise you if I told you that I am worried he will do something to you?"

She shrugged and shook her head. "Nah, I don't think so." She smiled at him as he turned his head towards her slowly. "Optimus, I think you always had concern for me. Even if it was deep down. You don't seem like the kind of person who would go out of their way to cause harm to others. You did hurt me emotionally with some choice words, but I look back at it, and realize that you were just protecting yourself and your autobots. So I am not worried."

Optimus did not seem to know how to respond to that and looked away to look out the door to look at the water. "Maybe you are right, Saphira. Maybe a part of me was concerned for you deep down. It was not until the last several weeks when I realized that I did care about what would happen to you. And, I did not say this, but the way you responded to Arthur that day was handled very well." She frowned as she did not wish to be reminded of that day. "I know that you don't want to think about it. But you were very brave, Saphira. And your voice was strong when you dealt with him."

She shrugged and tried not to think about it. "I don't think so. I guess, thanks, but I don't think so." She smiled at him with a light chuckle before she suddenly gasped. "Out of curiosity, is it possible to learn more about you? Now that you seem to trust me more." He frowned at her and she chuckled softly. "Alright, alright…you'll tell me in your own time. I am still curious about you. Like, the one thing I have noticed, when you speak about your hearts, you use the word spark. Why is that?"

Optimus shifted a little to turn his body towards her as he lifted his hands to his chassis. "Because, unlike you with hearts that pump blood through your body, we have sparks." She widened her eyes as he opened his chassis, and she saw it. The pulsing, bright spark within his chassis. "This is my spark. It contains the full essence of my being. Memories, life, personality…everything." He closed his chassis and saw her curious expression. "And we have energon flowing through our veins. We do not have blood."

Saphira stared at his chassis thoughtfully for a few moments and looked at his optics. "You know, we would call that a soul." He hummed and looked away from her. "And, this might sound weird to you, but your spark is quite beautiful." She was right, that was weird to him as he side eyes her with a frown. "Looking at your spark kind of makes me think of the stars in the sky. Which is quite ironic…but I still think it is beautiful."

Optimus eyed her quietly as her admittance into thinking that his spark look beautiful was something he did not expect anyone to tell him. He guessed because she is a human, she saw it differently to him. "I suppose I should thank you, even if I do feel strange knowing that you think that way. Our sparks are not easily compared to with stars, considering stars are stronger and brighter." She chuckled a little as she was aware of that, but she still thought that way. "I haven't really considered much to be beautiful for a long time."

"Understandable." Saphira realized that she was also set to spend Christmas with them. That was not far away either, and she could not help but smile about that. "And I just realized something." Optimus looked at her curiously. "I am not sure if you notice, but we are getting closer to December. And soon the streets will be aligned with decorations."

"I have noticed. Something called Christmas…I am not sure." Optimus hummed softly as he pondered on it. "What is Christmas?"

She was extremely glad that he asked her about it. But she did not want to go in depth on the origins of Christmas, just what it was about. "Christmas is a time of year where people gather on one day to celebrate. Christmas's meaning has changed a lot over the many hundred years it has existed, but it always comes around once a year. And it is a time of giving."

"Giving?"

She nodded. "Yes. Giving. We give each other gifts on Christmas. It could be something as small as a snow globe, or something as big…as a surfboard…but that depends on the person you are gifting. Though, I will admit, I have never spent Christmas with anyone." Optimus softened his expression as he knew all about her story. "Christmas was always a bad memory for me. So…I do get jealous of other people. Seeing them smile, seeing the Christmas lights…when I was a kid, I was made to walk the streets on Christmas day. And luckily, nothing bad happened. But I would often see through the windows of the houses." Saphira sniffled a little as she thought back to her childhood. "And…I would see them opening presents, laughing and eating their delicious, roasted meals that were prepared with love. I wanted nothing more than to have what they had. It made me feel selfish. But I never could enjoy Christmas…I still can't. Just like my birthday."

"Would that not mean you would dislike spending Christmas with us?" Saphira shrugged as she did not know how to answer that. "Hmm…well, we may not be human, and we may not have a house with those special decorations, but we can try and make do with what we have. Would that be fine?"

She nodded. "That would be enough. I don't need a Christmas tree, stockings or any kind of decoration. You guys are enough to me. We could easily just go around checking out the different Christmas lights. That would be fun."

"You seem to like simple things." She nodded as she appreciated a lot of things in her life. Optimus watched as Saphira brushed a strand of hair from her face and saw folded her arms with a shiver. "Would you like to come with me to drive through the city?" She shrugged and glanced towards the easel outside. Optimus followed her gaze and saw what she was looking at. "I guess you must be having a big creative moment if you desire to remain here to keep working on that image."

Saphira stared at the easel for a moment before she looked at Optimus. "You never told me why you had come here, Optimus. It can't be just out of frustration over not finding Transit. You were watching me before, and I don't know how long you were watching me for. But I will assume that you had been there long enough until I noticed you were there. I am curious as to why you were just watching me."

Optimus did not seem to expect that question from Saphira. He had not thought of an answer to her curiosity. "I guess I was just worried. I am sure you have noticed that I come by more often than I had before." She nodded as she definitely could agree that he has been doing that. "When you walked to the edge by the water, it made me realize just how much pain you went through. I know it is not fair to compare your situation to mine, because it is too different. But I have lived many centuries compared to you. I handle loss differently. Without support like I have, you just felt trapped."

Saphira smiled as she listened to him. "Are you worried that I am going to jump into the water?" He did not respond, though she could not help but chuckle. "That's sweet of you to feel that way for me, Optimus. I really, thoroughly appreciate that you are concerned about me. At least you aren't like Bumblebee and Mirage." Optimus smirked slightly and nodded in agreement. "They hover over me like flies whenever I am eating. I kind of wish they would relax."

"But you do understand why they watch like that, don't you?" Optimus asked and she nodded affirmatively. "I myself am happy to see that you are getting healthier. We don't have to worry about our weight like humans do. And as long as we take care of our joints and our system, especially as we don't have a medic now, we are fine. You humans have much more to worry about."

"I wish we did not. It would be so much easier to not have to worry about them." Saphira sighed deeply before sliding off the box. "And to answer your question, I will happily come with you through the city, Optimus. I am more than happy to do that with you." She walked towards him as Optimus was happy to hear her say that. "If this is kind of your way to say you want to, maybe, just spend time with me and get to know me…even though I am kind of an open book at this point, since there isn't much about me, but I suppose there's no harm in trying to know more."

Optimus was amused as he understood what she was saying. She felt like she could not say much more than what she has told, but Optimus knew that she did not know everything about herself. People usually did not. He transformed and opened the door for her to climb into the cab. "And you are right, in a way. Spending time with you is my main goal." She smiled as she climbed into the cab and settled in the seat, pulling the seatbelt on. "I guess because I had been so protective, I've kept my guard up."

She shrugged as she relaxed inside the warm cab. "Yeah, I know. You don't need to keep saying it." She smiled as Optimus began to drive out of the factory and she actually felt like she was going to enjoy the ride this time. "But now we can relax, and just enjoy our time together. It actually makes you strong, when you think about it. You are still protective of yourself and your autobots, but now that you have learned enough about me, you realized that I am not the enemy. So now you want to, I suppose, make amends…if I am right."

"That is one way to be looking at it," Optimus said softly in amusement. "And it is fair though you should not feel afraid of us. I know you were afraid of me for a few weeks. So I hope that has passed on." Saphira nodded as she did not feel as afraid of him as she used to. "Good. I know I can be very forward when needed, but you already know the other side of me." She knew that as well. "Did you need anything while we are in the city? Perhaps new clothes before the cold really sets in?"

"I am surprised you are asking me that. My jackets are fine…but since I don't have an apartment to go back to, I think it might get something else before the end of the season, like some gloves and maybe another blanket…but you are warm enough that I won't need another blanket." Saphira pondered and turned a little to look at the bags she kept in the back of the truck. She sighed a little as she stared at the bags. "Nah, I don't need anything. It would be more of a want. Besides, shopping isn't really spending time with you, now is it?"

"True, but I want to be sure you are comfortable. While we autobots will be fine, as the temperatures are still tolerable to us, you need the layers to keep warm. I more concerned when we leave you alone in the factory. I am going to sound like a broken record, but I do believe you should not be left alone in the factory all the time like you have been," Optimus said as he turned onto the street to drive towards the city. "Just until spring comes."

Saphira groaned as she didn't really want to be made to drive around with them. "But it does get boring hanging around in your cab after a while, Optimus. The city hasn't changed much, and you take the same streets a lot of the time when searching for Transit, so I am kind of hoping that I can stay in the factory. I can find a small room to set out a fire in to stay warm. That won't be a problem at all."

"But the factory is not insulated. You already know this, but the evidence of the factory suggests it used to manufacture parts needed for ships and vehicles. Based on what we have found about it anyway. And most factory building we have observed don't seem to be designed to keep the comfort of humans in mind. Though I suspect that is just how factories are built. I won't ever understand." Saphira understood Optimus's concern about that, but she felt like it would be fine. "I think you might just have to accept coming with us instead of laying around in the old factory, Saphira. Especially as there are many walls with holes in them which allow the wind to pass through and drop the temperature even further."

Saphira was still unhappy about that, but she accepted it. "I guess I'll put up with it. Anyway…" Saphira shifted to move her knees onto the seat as she looked at the dash. "What did Cybertron look like before the war? I am curious about what your world…" Saphira paused as the dash glowed for a moment before a hologram image formed in front of her, showing the planet Cybertron. She was surprised as she did not expect it. "Wow…this is cool." She looked as the image changed from the blue to a full image of the grey planet. It looked like it was glowing based on what she was seeing. "Wow, the whole planet is metal. That is incredible. I don't see plants, or water."

"Our planet does have water, it just is not in the surface of the planet, but we do have it. Water is useful, even on our planet, Saphira. While we don't ingest water like you need, we still use it in the technologies we have invented over the many years." Saphira stared as she listened to Optimus quietly. "This is what my planet looked like before the war." The image changed suddenly, and Saphira watched as it changed perspective, and she soon could see the many buildings of the planet. Even the other autobots. "Before the war, we were all just Cybertronian. Autobot and decepticon were names we did not form until the war began." The image changed and showed a devastated world, full of fire and razed buildings, making Saphira soften her expression. "I did not show this to you before because it is painful. But that is our past."

Saphira nodded as she listened to him and she reached to the dash to place her hand on the surface. "We all have hard pasts. Thank you for sharing this, Optimus. I know you did not want to before, and I understand why. Hopefully…your future will be good. Just like I am hoping for my future to be just as good."

Optimus did not know how to answer that as he knew that hoping for a good future was something had definitely had. But he did not know if it was something that he really should hold onto. And while he has now shown her what his world looked like, and her reaction let him know that he was not wrong in showing it to her, it made him happy to know that she was happy to listen. Even with everything she is going through.

"I wish I could say my hope is strong, Saphira. It isn't like it was when we first arrived on this planet. Especially as Transit is not the only decepticon that we have had to deal with on this planet. And each decepticon I have dealt with…they never give up the location of their ship. If they still have one. Finding Transit, as far as I am concerned, is the last hope we have in going home." Saphira knew that all too well. She felt her eyes filling with tears, knowing that this was something they had to deal with. "I have not thought on what to do if we don't find anything. I know we will be stuck on this planet, and…I don't know how we will find peace."

"I get it. It is the unknown. But I can help you in that way. Maybe I can find a house with a big enough garage, or at least, enough space for a big garage or shed to house you. That way you don't need to hide as vehicles." Saphira knew that would take time as she would need to scour the real estate for that. "And I would need to consider a new job, but I could help you. We are friends now, so I think that would something we can do."

"I know…and I know you are wanting to try and help, Saphira. I really appreciate that a lot." She was glad that he was appreciating her offer. But she knew he might not be happy if that were to happen. "I am not sure if I should say this, but I am not sure how happy I would be. Even with you as our human friend. I know that seems extreme…but we have fought that war for so long. I even lost someone whom I loved…or, thought I loved…many years ago."

She raised an eyebrow at that. "You had someone you loved? I never knew that. I had guessed you might have, but I wasn't a hundred percent sure." Saphira was intrigued and wanted to know more. "Are you comfortable talking about this autobot you liked? What was it about them that got you interested? And what makes you think that you thought you loved them?"

"It might be best not to. I…It is a painful part of my existence. However…I have long accepted that fact. Her death was so long ago." Optimus went silent for a moment before pulling over suddenly, making Saphira tense in surprise. "Bumblebee is behind me right now." She glanced at the sideview and saw that Optimus is right. "He just notified me that he wants to take you for a drive."

"He does? Hey, but that is what we were doing." Saphira placed her hands on her hips. "We should keep doing that, shouldn't we? Or…did I strike a nerve? I really am sorry if I did."

"No, you did not. But Bumblebee was insisting." Saphira sighed and shrugged as knowing that he insisted, she should go. "Do not disappoint him, Saphira. We can continue our drive a little later. Go and spend time with Bee. Seems like he was getting bored."

She chuckled softly as she opened the door and climbed out of the cab. "I guess we can't have that. We don't need our Bee getting bored. I'll do my best to entertain him." Saphira jumped to the ground and turned to walk to the camaro. She saw the door open before she reached him and she giggled, running over to it and climbing inside. "Hello, Bee. What has made you decide to take my attention away from Optimus, huh?" She watched Optimus drive away now that she had climbed into the car, which was fine. "Did you find some other movie for us to watch?"

"Nope. But I think you're gonna love it!" Bumblebee responded as he began to drive from the sidewalk. "Trust me! I haven't even told Mirage about it."

That made Saphira intrigued. He seemed excited, though she did not know what had him so excited. She could only make a guess of a few things, but she was intrigued by what he wanted to show her. She wanted to ask, but it seemed to be a surprise. And if Mirage did not know, then she hoped it wouldn't be dangerous. She didn't know if even Optimus was informed, but regardless, she would humour Bee and see what he wanted to show her.