These Paths We Tread (Autobot x OC)

XVIII. Home

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One week later and it was time to go.

Catherine wouldn’t admit it, but she was nervous. She really shouldn’t have been—Lennox had been training her well, and so had his wife—but she was. Yes, she could keep up with the exercises and was doing well enough in her liaison lessons, but could she really keep up with actual soldiers who had been fighting and training much longer than she had? The anxiety was mounting, and although it wasn’t going to keep her from going, it did make the heat of unease well up in her stomach and tie knots into it.

Sarah didn’t make it any easier either, being unusually silent and ignoring of the redhead during breakfast. If she did speak, the comments were short and sometimes sharp. If Catherine hadn’t known any better, she might have been hurt, but she could see in the blonde woman was just upset and the attitude was just a way of keeping her emotions in check. The redhead went along with it, not saying anything back besides the bare minimum needed, and continued to go about her day preparing.

She didn’t have to exercise, which was wonderful, so she had plenty of time to pack everything Lennox said she could bring. It wasn’t much—namely just her workout clothes, a few civilian clothes, her more “professional” clothes which Sarah had bought for her, and then she was allowed her laptop and music. The rest of her things she was to keep in her room at the house, which was to be another reason for her to come back during vacation time. She was going to bring Teletraan as well, but that was a given. Ratchet wanted to see him, too, according to what Ironhide told her. When she’d finally opened up her messaging system last night she’d found the docbot had left her similar messages. There were some from Jazz and even Bumblebee, as well, but she decided she would answer them when she got to NEST.

There were a few other messages, like those from her parents. Teletraan had shown he’d received calls, but hadn’t answered them just as she’d asked. The messaged were deleted almost right away. Whatever was in them—even if it was an apology—she didn’t want to hear it. She also noticed a lack of messages from a certain someone, but she quickly shook the name from her head.

 That name was better off remaining in the darkest and farthest reaches of her mind.

Once she had finished and brought everything down, Lennox called her out to help pack the guns and some of the NEST gear they would be taking with them. The bulk of it was Lennox’s, as hers was going to be at the actual base, but some of it was old armor of his that managed to fit so it automatically became hers. Ironhide was to be their driver and cargo carrier, but that wouldn’t be until they’d finally said their good-byes to Sarah and Annabelle.

It was a bittersweet parting, particularly with Lennox and Sarah. Catherine stood off to the side, watching as the man touched his wife’s arm gently and spoke in soft whispers that she couldn’t make out. The two smiled sadly, but sincerely, and though Sarah’s eyes watered, she didn’t breakdown as he kissed her on the lips and then held her tight. They stayed like that for a good long while, neither really wanting to let go, but in the end it was his wife who pushed away first, motioning for him to get going. He grinned with a touch of humor before kissing her once more and then stepping over to his baby girl, lifting her up, kissing her on the forehead, and telling her he’d be back before she knew it and that he’d bring Catherine and Ironhide with him. The redhead couldn’t help but smile and feel her own eyes tearing up a little.

Then it was her turn and she walked up to Sarah who looked at her, arms on her hips, in that motherly kind of way that made it seem like she was wondering what to do with the redhead. Catherine wouldn’t have been surprised if the woman suddenly asked that, but she ended up embracing her tightly, kissing her forehead, wishing her good luck, to call, and to come back whenever she wanted. She would always be welcomed here, and if she ever needed her husband to be put in his place the redhead just had to call and there wouldn’t be any more problems. Catherine laughed at that, and thanked her, saying she would, and that she would be careful. She picked up Annabelle next, whom giggled and tried to grab at her ponytail, which had become a favored from of play among them. She would miss the little girl and told her so, and asked her not give her mother any trouble—she should save it her for her meanie of a father. The baby just giggled, and then squealed with delight when their noses became pressed together.