Blue Monday|Transformers.

Chapter 14: American Pie.

[Title: American Pie - Don McLean.]

The ride to Clara's and her mother's apartment with Optimus was quiet. The young doctor kept to herself during the ride, just watching Optimus's radio dial go back and forth. She didn't know what he was doing but she was curious about what it was. Of course, she knew Optimus was still partially in a mood after everything and gracefully she decided not to get angry about him blaming Noah and herself for the loss of part of the key. Part of her couldn't blame him really. When Optimus pulled into the alleyway next to her apartment building, Clara didn't waste any time opening the door to his cab and stepping out before either of them could or would say anything. She started heading toward the door inside when she paused for a moment and took a breath, glancing back at Optimus. "I am sorry for not saying anything about the nightmares or seeing the key's energy earlier...I didn't know what to do." She sighed apologetically and there was nothing but silence from the autobot leader in his vehicle mode. Of course, she expected that and wouldn't blame him for that. "I'll be back down soon." was all Clara said before she rolled her bottom lip and headed inside. She climbed the steps to her and her mother's apartment, unlocking the door when she reached it and stepping inside.

"Theodora! You're back!" Rose gasped at the sight of her daughter when she stepped inside. The older woman stood from her seat in the kitchen and walked over to Clara concerned. She looked her daughter over until she stopped on the bruise on her forehead and the band-aid on her collarbone. "Mi cariño, what happened? Where have you been?" She asked worriedly. Curiosity got the best of Optimus surprisingly at that point and the Prime transformed into his bipedal form. He was more than tall enough that he could see through the cracked window into their home where he spotted the young doctor with whom he assumed was her mother.

"I..." Clara found herself at a loss of words as her eyes watered. This was probably the one place and one person in the entire world she could let herself crumble in front of. If she wanted to be honest with herself, everything with Bumblebee still ached, it was still painful. No matter how much she said they had a job to do, how much they planned. All of it was there. "I'm...I'm not sure..." Her voice was nearly inaudible as it broke and trailed away and Rose's face fell while Optimus felt a frown growing on his metallic face. She let out a shaky breath before the dam broke and small sobs left her lips.

"Oh, sweetheart." Rose breathed, her heart breaking for her daughter as she took her into her arms. "What's wrong? What happened?" She murmured while comforting her daughter. Optimus's optics shifted with sympathy and admittedly surprised when the young doctor told her mother everything that had happened. He had seen her pain at Bumblebee's death, but now he was truly seeing it. Optimus could hear the pain and see it in her much clearer than before. He felt guilt rumbling in his chassis for how he blamed her for the loss of the key. Her guilt in her expression had marked itself in his mind. Optimus was beginning to feel maybe he had misjudged her. "So, you leave for Peru with them, Noah, and this girl Elena?" Rose asks softly when she pulls away from the hug. She brushes some hair out of Clara's face and wipes away a tear when Clara nods.

"I have to. They need my help, our world and their world need my help." Clara tells her mother and Rose lets out a sigh but nods.

"It's not like I could stop you at all. If I had been around when everything happened with Bumblebee, I wouldn't have been able to." She says gently with a smile and light chuckle. Clara lets out a small chuckle of her own and takes a deep breath. "All I ask is you stay safe. That you, Noah, and Elena come back safe. All of you come back safe." Rose demanded but with no harshness in her voice. She wanted what was best for all of them. Optimus found himself blinking with surprise at her words. He could see now where Clara got her openness, compassion, and kindness from.

"We'll try, I promise." She assures her mother who hums.

"And I'd like to meet this Mirage. He seems like an interesting one." Rose remarks which makes Clara chuckle before the older woman glances over in the corner of her eyes. "I'm sure he's just as kind as his boss." She called out and startled Optimus. So, she knew he'd been listening to them the entire time. Clara looks over surprised as her mother peers over to see the large autobot looking through the window. "I didn't realize until now, that none of you are really conspicuous in these forms." Rose hummed curiously while Clara winced at Optimus getting caught.