"Hey guys, how would you feel about a camping trip?" Miko asked one day. The kids were at base, bored out of their minds. They were off school for a week and had nothing to do.

"That would be fun," Jack replied from his spot on the couch. Raf looked up from his computer with an uninterested expression.

"No, thanks. I don't really like the outdoors," he replied.

"Oh come on, Raf! Where's your spirit of adventure? Miko replied.

"Anywhere I'm not, apparently," he replied, though he gave her a small smile. "But hey, if you two are going I guess I shouldn't spoil the fun, if my mom lets me."

"Where would we camp? Outside Jasper somewhere?" Jack suggested.

"Bo-ring." Miko yawned. "The woods of course."

"Driving up there would take hours. Are you sure?" Jack replied.

"Hours?" she scoffed before gesturing to the bridge. "Try seconds."

"Would the 'bots let us use it?" Raf replied.

"Are you kidding? I'm sure Ratchet would love to get rid of us," Miko replied.

"You're not wrong," Ratchet replied from his place at the computer. Miko blinked in surprise but looked back at the others and gesturing to Ratchet as if saying "see I told you".

"Fine. I'll ask my parents," Raf replied. "When are we going?"

"Well, we can get what we need tomorrow and whatever and then the day after we can go," Miko suggested. Jack shrugged. It sounded good to him.

***

It was a few hours later back at home before Jack received a text from Miko to both him and Raf.

"Host parents agreed though it took a lot of convincing."

"My parents want to go with us to buy the stuff but they'll let me go," Raf replied. Jack sighed and drug a hand across his face. He had already asked his mom and openly told her the plan since she knew about the Autobots.

"My mom refused unless one of the Autobots comes with."

"Well then," Miko replied. "I guess we'll talk with them tomorrow too."

***

Getting the Autobots on board with the idea of camping wasn't too difficult. Ratchet was more than pleased to get rid of them for a day or two. Arcee opted out of taking them after her past experience with the woods, and Jack didn't blame her. Bulkhead opted out because of his structure, he'd probably be knocking over trees. Bumblebee was interested, but everyone was surprised when Optimus was as well.

"You?" Ratchet asked in surprise.

"I am only curious about this human tradition of theirs. The Decepticons have been quiet as of late."

Bumblebee nodded. If Optimus wanted to go he wouldn't stop him. The kids exchanged glances with each other, unsure how to feel about it. At least they could go, but to have Optimus go with them seemed unnerving for whatever reason.

***

The next day came. Jack took his mother's car and picked up Raf and Miko before driving off, letting things appear as normal as possible. They had gotten what they needed yesterday after getting the all clear from Jack's mom, and Raf's parents tagged along to help them get the right equipment. They already had things themselves so they didn't need much, thanks to Jack, who enjoyed camping himself. They drove into the base before Miko got out and stretched.

"Why did we wake up so early if it doesn't take forever to get there?" she asked.

"Miko, it's only eight in the morning," Jack countered, getting out of the driver's seat. "And we're trying to get things to look as normal as possible."

"Whatever," she muttered and then yawned. Jack smiled a little. Raf sighed and got out of the backseat as Bumblebee came up to them. He warbled, asking if they were ready. Raf smiled and nodded as Arcee and Bulkhead followed.

"Jack, I trust you're prepared," Arcee smiled slightly.

"You know me, Arcee," he replied, patting the survival kit attached to his belt. "I also brought bug spray."

Arcee gave him a knowing look but didn't say anything.

"So...where's Optimus?"

"He had something to finish up, he should be out in a minute," Ratchet replied. As if on cue, Optimus entered the room. He looked at the three kids blankly, but then allowed a small smile to appear on his faceplate.

"Ratchet, activate the GroundBridge," Optimus said to him, and Ratchet nodded before moving to do so.

"I will follow your lead," Optimus said, and the kids nodded. They said goodbye to their respective charges before getting back inside the vehicle and driving through the bridge. Optimus transformed and followed after them. Ratchet hadn't picked a campground, per se, just a wooded thicket. The trees were spaced out far enough that Jack could maneuver through them and picked a path that Optimus could follow without transforming as well. They stopped at a clear patch, where trees surrounded them. They were tall enough that Optimus could stand to his full height and still not be seen.

"Okay, let's set up camp!" Jack exclaimed as he got out, looking around at the scenery and smiling to himself. Miko and Raf pulled one of the tents out of the trunk before setting down and then getting another one. That was one of the requirements Miko's host parents had created; Miko had to have her own tent. She understood their reasoning.

Together they found a spot for their tents and cleared the rocks and sticks from it before laying the tarp down and setting the tent up. Optimus simply watched in vehicle mode next to their vehicle, curious about what they were doing. Jack seemed to have everything down pat as he set up the tent with Raf and Miko. He was showing them where everything went, helping them though not necessarily doing everything for them. They quickly got the first tent set up and moved onto the second. The kids were joking and laughing with each other, and when the tents were set up they started to unpack their gear, going back and forth with duffel bags and sleeping bags. Eventually, it came down to the three having their own jobs and Jack left the campground to get firewood. Optimus trusted the other two with their tasks of unloading the rest of the car with what they needed and setting up the camping equipment. They had each other if something went wrong. He transformed, startling the two, which he apologized for before following Jack. When he realized what had happened he looked up at Optimus and smiled before continuing on. Optimus just watched him as he gathered small twigs off the ground, as well as dead grass and pine needles. When he had enough of that he went back to camp and then went out again to search for larger pieces of wood that he could find.

"Jack," Optimus started, making the teen jump slightly in surprise and drop the stick he was picking up.

"You seem to have a greater understanding of this activity than Miko or Raf, why is that?"

Jack picked up the stick before standing up straighter and looking at the Autobot leader.

"I've just gone camping a lot," he replied with a shrug. "It's something I like doing." he started walking back to the campsite, and Optimus watched him leave in thought.

"May I help with anything?"

Jack blinked in surprise as he turned around to look at him, silently surprised he wanted to help.

"We need enough rocks to create a fire ring," he suggested, glancing around before finding the rock he was looking for. He picked it up and showed it to him.

"Around this size."

Optimus knelt down and extended his servo, and Jack set the rock in it before walking away. Optimus nodded to himself as he looked at it. He wasn't entirely sure how many rocks would create this "fire ring", but decided he'd find out. He gathered rocks of similar sizes, which sometimes proved difficult with the size of his servos, but Jack entrusted him to the task and he wouldn't let him down.

A few minutes later Optimus returned to find the three working together and laughing again. He quietly set the rocks down next to the cooking equipment and Jack looked up at him before smiling. "Thank you, Optimus."

"I hope I gathered enough," Optimus replied. The pile of rocks was taller than Raf.

"Plenty," Jack replied with a chuckle. Satisfied, Optimus just sat to watch in further curiosity. Miko gathered a few rocks and placed them down in a pre-cleared area of burnable materials before arranging the rocks in a circle.

"Should we use all the rocks?" she joked. Jack smiled and rolled a few more over at her. They had built the fire ring but there was no fire. They didn't need to light one right then.

"Hike anyone?"

Raf looked less than enthralled. Jack noticed immediately.

"It won't be far, and I don't plan on going on any steep hills," he said. Raf reluctantly nodded. Miko grinned. They moved to head out, and Optimus stood to follow them. They headed out, Jack bringing a small backpack of essentials.

Soon into their hike, they realized they were, in fact, going up a steeper hill. They decided to try a different route but they were stopped by Optimus, who could see ahead. They didn't know why he had stopped them.

"I will help you make this 'hike', I believe the end result is something you will enjoy," he explained. The glanced at each other and shrugged before nodding. Optimus set his servo out flat and they got on. Optimus started walking up the hill with little to no difficulty, and five minutes later they made the top. The kids gasped in surprise. The top of the hill was flat enough and abruptly ended as a cliff face. They could see the forest as it stretched out for miles.

"This is awesome," Miko whispered. Optimus smiled a little to himself before letting them down.

"How did you know?" Jack asked, looking up at him.

"Difficult paths often have surprising rewards," Optimus replied seriously. Jack smiled a little.

"That's a good quote," he replied, before turning back to the scenery and enjoying the view.

The four ended up staying there until the sun was barely dipping into the horizon. They had just been talking and enjoying each other's company, telling stories with each other about something they did and Optimus sometimes shared his own story or commentary, but mostly listened. They headed back down to finish up camp, Optimus carrying the three again. When they arrived at camp Optimus set them down before sitting down out of their way. Jack walked over to the fire ring and knelt next to it, arranging some of the things Optimus had seen him collect in a small bundle in his hand. He pulled out a pack of travel tissues in his pocket, opening it and pulling one out one-handed. He placed the kindling in it before Miko, ever the daredevil, lit a match and set the kindling on fire. Optimus was concerned that Jack was holding fire in his hands but didn't comment. Jack coaxed it further before setting it down in the arrangement of twigs and wood Raf had set up. The flame caught and soon the fire spread.

"Alright!" Miko cheered.

"Should we break out the marshmallows now?" Raf half-joked.

"Yeah, life is short, eat dessert first, right?" Miko added.

"Life will be short if you eat dessert first," Jack replied with a small smile. "But whatever. Smores it is."

Optimus watched as they pulled out long metal spears and stuck white round things on the ends of them. He wasn't sure what the purpose of this activity was and looked concerned when Miko's marshmallow caught fire. She shrieked in surprise before laughing and blowing it out. The kids broke out the graham crackers and chocolate, and Optimus watched quietly as they created their dessert. It was interesting to see the activities humans did to him. He risked his life to save them and yet knew so little about them.

***

A couple hours passed. It was cold now that the sun had gone down. The three were tired and about done. Miko had an idea though.

"Stargazing. Just for ten minutes, at least," she said, looking between the two. Jack seemed up to it. Raf was okay with it. Optimus stood to move with them. Miko had another idea.

"What if we went back up the hill? Optimus would you be alright with that?"

Optimus' only reply was a faint smile before he bent down to allow them to climb into his servo. He turned on his headlights and walked off, and a few minutes later they reached the top of the hill again. They were clear from mostly any trees blocking their view. Optimus set them down again before sitting down to watch them. They just lay down, and Optimus hesitated before joining them. He turned his lights off, and the kids just stared in awe. The stars were so bright.

"Optimus? We can see other planets from here...do you think you could see Cybertron?"

Optimus frowned slightly in thought and scanned the sky, coming to a conclusion in a minute.

"No, Miko, Cybertron is too far away to be seen here. However, I have a general direction of where it might be."

"Where is that?"

Optimus raised an arm to point. "Those three bright stars, do you see them?"

The kids quickly understood what he meant.

"You mean Cybertron could be between there?" Raf asked, adjusting his glasses. Optimus nodded. Jack smiled to himself.

"Ironically enough...those three starts are a part of a constellation. Orion, and those three stars are Orion's belt."

"Hm," Optimus simply replied, setting his servo back down. Hearing his former designation was a little strange, simply because it hadn't been used recently.

"What was it like on Cybertron?" Raf hesitantly asked, turning to look at the Autobot leader. Optimus looked over at Raf before back at the sky as he thought about how to answer.

"Before the war started...Cybertron was a thriving planet. It had its imperfections, but it was still our home. In some ways...it was similar to Earth."

The kids listened quietly, unsure what to think about how Cybertron was before everythung. They just remained quiet, letting the comfortable silence settle over them.

***

"Night, Optimus. You know where to find us if you need us," Jack said, giving the Autobot a two-finger salute before heading inside his tent. He had already changed into pajamas and had just gone out one more time. He looked up at the sky, where clouds were now covering most of the stars. Optimus was parked next to the Darby vehicle in his alt.

"Goodnight, Jack. I will see you tomorrow," Optimus replied, and the teen smiled back at him before heading in. Raf poked his head out of the tent after Jack went in and waved. Miko did from her own tent as well and bid him goodnight from there cheerfully. Optimus bid them both goodnight before settling on his tires, prepared for the night. He watched as the lights in both tents went out, and the woods were peaceful as a breeze went through, rustling the trees. Optimus found himself falling into recharge, and he didn't fight it.

***

He was interrupted from his recharge by a strike of lightning illuminating the area and a loud clap of thunder following. A few seconds later what he recognized to be small droplets of rain turned into a heavy downpour of it. The wind picked up almost immediately, causing the rain to fall almost horizontally. Optimus wasn't sure if the three were alright and debated waking them up. He didn't have to when he saw lights turn on and move around. Obviously they were awake. He waited to see what they would do. The tents were being moved around by the wind quite a bit. He didn't want them to fly off, however unlikely it seemed. He also knew it was cold. He had a heater. He weighed the options and decided to act. He drove over to the tents and honked briefly, knowing they couldn't hear him over the sound of the rain. Miko ran out almost immediately and Optimus opened the door for her, closing it immediately after she got in.

"Thanks," she said, out of breath and already drenched. Optimus replied by turning on the heater, to which she let out another breathless "thanks".

Another clap of thunder sounded and with it Raf and Jack ran out of their tent. Optimus opened the door for them as well and they scrambled in. Miko moved out of the way to let them sit.

"Cozy," Jack muttered. "Sorry Optimus, we're kind of getting your seats wet."

"It is quite alright, Jack," Optimus replied. The rain pounded steadily around them for a few minutes of silence.

"Hey, we should tell scary stories." Miko suggested with a grin.

"In this weather?" Raf replied, looking out the window nervously. It was pitch black outside and inside unless lightning struck.

"Especially in this weather!" Miko replied. Jack rubbed the back of his head. "I sort of have one."

"Go for it, then!" Miko replied, turning on her flashlight and handing it to him.

"Do I have to stick it under my chin?" Jack ask. The light that shone on his face revealed he did not look amused.

"Yes Jack-Rabbit, tha'ts part of the fun. Now go."

Jack sighed before starting his story.

"Fine. Okay. There's this young woman named Callie. Callie was extremely tired and stopped at an old house with a sign declaring, "The Oaks Inn - Bed and Breakfast." The room was very comfortable and she fell asleep as soon as she lay down on the bed. Callie woke up in the very early hours of the morning to the sound of a pianist playing Beethoven's Moonlight Sonata. Callie was a pianist herself, traveling to the next town for a concert, and was very impressed with the skill of whoever was playing. She glanced at the clock and wondered who and why someone would be playing the piano at 2:00 in the morning. She couldn't go back to sleep while the music was playing, so she finally decided she needed to ask whoever was playing the music to stop so she could get some sleep.

"As she entered the dining room on the first floor of the inn, she saw a man seated at a piano in the corner. He was extremely handsome and dressed in a tuxedo. With his thin mustache and slicked-back hair, he looked like someone from the roaring twenties, y'know? The man looked at her and said, 'Well, Callie, here you are. I have been waiting for you for a long time.' Callie was surprised that he knew her name, but felt 'enchanted' by his tone of voice. When she didn't reply out of shock, he spoke again. 'Come sit with me, Callie.'

"Unable to resist his command, Callie moved to the piano and sat next to the man. 'Now, Callie, play with me,' he said.

"Callie felt a chill in the air and shivered. Unable to resist the man's command, she placed her fingers on the piano and they began to play the sonata together. As they played, they both faded out of sight as the music became softer and softer. At the last moment before completely disappearing, Callie realized she had just played her last performance."

Jack finished his story and shut off the flashlight, leaving them in the dark. They were silent for a few minutes as they listened to the rain.

"Creepy." Miko finally broke the silence. "That was-"

A flash of lightning and a crack of thunder caused all three of the kids to yelp in surprise. Optimus felt them shivering slightly and wasn't sure if it was because they were cold or because they were frightening themselves. He turned the heater on a little higher just in case. He personally did not want June to scold any of them about a possible sickness.

"Sweet," Miko said after a minute. "Wish I brought my blanket. Anyway, I have a story." she took the flashlight and turned it on, revealing her excited grin.

"Okay. A young lady was driving home after a long vacation. Sometime after midnight, a very heavy storm kind of like this one begins as she notices she is almost out of gas. She sees a sign for a gas station and convenience store and pulls off the interstate to fill her tank. The place is obviously open, but deserted, run-down, and old. She almost drives on, but concerned she might run out of gas, decides to stop and just get gas. As she pulls in, a tall man with a badly scarred face comes running through the rain. He pumps her gas and the girl rolls her window down just enough to hand him her credit card. He grabs it and runs back inside."

"The scarred man comes back, tells her she will have to come inside, because her card was denied, and hurries back inside without allowing her to respond. She really doesn't want to go inside and considers driving off without paying. However, she decides to go in very quickly, take care of the bill, and leave as soon as possible."

"Well she's dead," Jack muttered. Miko smiled.

"When she gets inside, the man grabs her arm and tries to talk to her. His voice is rough and difficult to understand and she thinks he may have had his voice damaged in whatever accident scarred his face. The man gets increasingly excited and the young girl becomes more frantic. She finally wrests herself from his grip and runs back to her car, leaving the station as quickly as possible. She sees the old man through her back window yelling and gesturing her to come back, but she keeps driving.

"She turns on the radio to help her relax and sees something move behind her. She looks in the rear-view mirror, just as a man appears in the back seat holding an ax. That is the last thing she sees in this life. The scarred man at the gas station had been trying to warn her."

"...Oh," Jack replied after a minute of more silence. Miko chuckled at his reaction and was about to say something when they heard a skree coming from the front. The kids screamed again and Miko grabbed Raf and Jack in a hug.

"Wh-what was that?" Raf asked.

"My apologies...I did not think the windshield wipers would create such a noise," Optimus replied, though the tone in his voice suggested that he knew exactly what he had been trying to do, and he succeeded.

"Optimus," Miko whined. "That wasn't funny."

"I dunno," Jack replied, laughing a bit to himself. "I thought it was pretty great."

"However, as it is rather late, I do believe these stories of yours should end, and you should try to recharge," he advised.

"Sounds good to me," Raf replied immediately, curling into the fetal position on the seat. "Goodnight guys."

Miko wasn't exactly sure how they'd sleep in there but decided to not complain, it beat being out in the storm.

"Night Raf. Night Jack. Night Optimus."

"Night Miko."

"Goodnight, Miko," Optimus replied. He sat there for a few minutes as he felt the kids' breathing eventually even out. He felt pleased with himself. He adjusted his mirrors to look at them easier, making sure they were alright. They looked peaceful.

"Optimus?"

His mirror looked in the direction to where the voice came from, which was, surprisingly, Raf. He had thought he had fallen asleep first.

"Thank you for coming with us."

"You are welcome, Rafael," Optimus replied quietly to not wake the others. "I rather enjoyed it."

Raf smiled before closing his eyes again and falling asleep to the sound of the rain still hitting the car.

~~~
Based off of this:

I just added like 2000+ words of extra stuff because I had more ideas and I had to provide background xD

Thanks for reading, and happy new year guys! I hope you enjoyed this, because I enjoyed writing it :D