Hey everyone! I meant to publish this a few days ago but I guess I forgot. So if you remember from Grouchy's soft side, there was a mention of "Jade." This one-shot between her and Optimus is set a little under a year before Megatron "disintegrates" her.

TFP don't belong to me.

*doesn't

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"YEEEEEEEESSSSSSSS!!!! Swiiiiiiiinnnnnngsssssss!" Jade runs over to the swingset, her sparkling emerald eyes even brighter than normal. "Come on, Optimus!"

The Prime transforms into his human form as soon as she jumps from his truck mode. He follows her cautiously across the empty playground. "Jade, what are you doing?"

The eleven year-old girl laughs as she jumps onto one of the swings, pumping her legs to move higher faster. "Swinging! Hop on!" She points to the swing next to her.

Optimus racks his mental processor for a way to explain his dilemma. "I... would not know how to."

Jade gapes at him. "What?"

"I have never done it." The Prime looks at the swing dubiously. "We do not have these on Cybertron."

The girl shakes her head, disappointed. "I can't believe you've never been on swings before!" At his raised eyebrows she sighs. "Well, I can believe it. But we're going to fix it."

"Uh oh." Optimus tries to back away, but the strong child has his wrist in a death grip already. "Jade, is this really necessary?"

She laughs, pulling him closer to the swings. "Well, der! You haven't lived until you've ridden the swings!" Jade points to the swing again. "Now sit."

He grimaces as he looks at her. "I feel ridiculous."

Jade laughs again. "Sit on the swing, Prime." Her voice changes to a more menacing tone. "There's no one here to see you."

Optimus cautiously puts his weight on the swing, jumping up quickly when it moves under him. "Is it safe?"

"You're such a wuss." Jade sighs, "I'll hold it for you while you sit."

She grabs the chains and holds the swing steady. Nodding to the swing, she gestures for Optimus to sit. He sighs and complies. "Now what?"

"Okay, so, when you go back," The girl gently pulls the swing backwards, causing him to grab the chains tightly. "Easy. I won't let you fall." She grins at his reaction "When you go back, lean forward a bit and bend your legs in."

He tilts his upper body forward and tucks his legs back a bit. "Okay..."

She pushes the swing forward, and he yelps again. Giggling, she instructs him. "And when you go forward, lean back a bit and stretch your legs straight in front of you."

Optimus follows her instructions warily. "What exactly is the purpose of this exercise?"

Jade groans. "Does there have to be a purpose for everything?" At his blank look she sighs. "I guess entertainment? It's freeing, Optimus. The feeling of flying without being in danger... it's an amazing experience."

He looks back at her, an eyebrow raised. "Are we done now?"

"What? We haven't even started!" She pulls him back again. "Now, I'm going to give you a push to get you started, but then you have to do the work yourself." Jade pushes him forward, setting the swing in motion, and hops onto her own swing.

Optimus is hanging on for dear life, but he's trying to pump his legs like she told him. After a few false starts, he seems to get the hang of it, and the swing stabilizes. "Jade, are we done yet?"

Her eyes are closed, and she's going almost as high as the top of the swingset. Her smile has taken up her entire face as she experiences the true feeling of freedom. "Never! Not until you enjoy yourself!"

He sighs and keeps pumping. Glancing over at the young girl beside him, he decides to close his eyes.

A few minutes later, he grins. She's right. It does feel freeing. Optimus opens his eyes to see Jade grinning back at him, "Feeling better? I totally have to bring Daddy here."

"I doubt that Ratchet would be willing." Suddenly, Optimus realizes that he doesn't know how to stop. "How do I get off?"

Jade laughs, "Stop pumping, drag your feet." As he slows down, she adds, "And I'm very persuasive. I bet Switch, Mary-Anne and I could get all of you guys on the swingset."

"Even Arcee?" Optimus stands up from the swing carefully. "I wish you the best in your attempt."

She laughs again, "Hey Optimus, where were we going again?"

He winces. "To meet with your teacher at the school. Ratchet couldn't come because he's busy with Cliffjumper."

"That bot talks himself into trouble a lot." Jade slips her hand into the Prime's.

He grins down at her. "As do you, little gem."

She rolls her eyes, "I've told you a million times. Jade isn't a gem. It's a stone."

"Well, you're too sparkly to just be a stone." Optimus leads her back towards the school building. "Now, let's see what you said this time."

Jade groans. "I honestly can't remember. She gets upset about everything."

The two vanish behind the closing door, the swings moving slightly with the wind.

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So I hope you liked that! Comment and vote please!