Through Ash and Dust (ROTB)

Chapter 24

Optimus stood staring at the sunrise while he kept guard as Arcee tended to the injuries Mirage and Bumblebee had been inflicted by Transit. He had helped as much as he could, but his hands were too large for the smaller injuries that needed to be repaired, so Optimus stood guard. He was feeling a great sense of worry as they had not been able to locate Saphira since Mirage and Bumblebee had last seen her fleeing from Transit from the alley. They all were hoping that she was able to get away, and they would be able to find her sometime today. Especially as they knew that she would be cold with winter setting in, and after the light dusting of snow the previous night.

Though while they were worried about her, Optimus could not help but consider that Saphira could have taken the opportunity to leave them. But given that her important documents were with him, it was unlikely that she would do that. But a part of him did feel that way as he did not know if there were actual thoughts in her mind of wanting to leave. She might not have written it down in her diary, but that could be some of her true thoughts that she has.

"Ugh...he banged me up good..." Mirage groaned as he leaned against the wall as Arcee worked mending his injuries. "It's too bad Ratchet ain't here. We could really use a real doc to help repair us when we need it. No offense, Arcee...OW" He grimaced and glared at Arcee when she deliberately pulled at an exposed joint. "Sheesh, it was just a joke!"

"So was that," The femme responding with a slight smirk before she resumed fixing his injuries. "Just remember the next time you make a comment like that, you might have the wrong bot fixing you and you won't like what they might do to you."

Mirage rolled his optics at her. "Yeah, yeah, whatever. I just want to be fixed as soon as possible to go find Saphira and bring her here. I am certain she is quite lost right now. As well as hungry and cold...I deep awful that we cannot just drive through the city like this. Why don't you go, Prime?"

"Because someone has to stand guard while you and Bumblebee are getting mended," The leader responded without looking at him. "I am worried too, Mirage. But I am also not sure if we will see her again. She could have taken this opportunity to run."

"Pfft, and why would you think that?" Mirage barked in irritation, making Optimus turn to look at him with a frown. "Saphira has shown zero interest in wanting to run from us. Her important documents are also here, so I highly doubt she would run, unless she really wants to commit a crime." Optimus turned his head to look back over the water. "You should grab out the canvases she has been working on recently. You will see that I am right when you look at them."

Optimus frowned and looked at him in surprise. "But she said they were a surprise. She didn't want me to see it. When did she show you?"

"She told me about them before she started to sketch them. She only wanted to keep the paintings as a surprise for you, because they were meant to be gifts to you." Optimus seemed unsure, though he ran his hand over his chassis thoughtfully as that did make him wonder about the canvases "I know she will be upset that you saw them, but you need to stop doubting that she will come back. She cares about you, and all of us. You have absolutely no idea what she feels, even though she goes out of her way to spend the most time with you."

Optimus still did not know if he should trust Mirage, but seeing him seemingly serious about it made Optimus think deeper about it. He figured he should trust Mirage and he opened his chassis to reach inside and grab the two canvases Saphira had been painting. Mirage and Bumblebee watched as they knew that Optimus would like them. When he saw the paintings, Optimus widened his optics in surprise as he held each one in each hand. She had created one painting of all the animatronics with her sitting on Optimus's shoulder. He had not expected that one. The painting was not finished, but he could tell what she had sketched and painted already.