Adelaide typed on her laptop, writing her report for Fowler to send to the higher-ups.

She was alone in the cave that served as the Autobot base of operations, sitting on the ugly mustard-colored couch that Bumblebee had salvaged from the side of the road. His excitement when presenting it to her had been so genuine that the garish color meant absolutely nothing to her now—it was simply a reminder of his thoughtfulness.

The distant rumble of an approaching engine drew her attention from her screen. She looked up as a familiar semi truck rolled into the cave entrance, its red and blue paintwork catching the light.

Optimus transformed with a series of mechanical whirs and clicks, parts shifting and rearranging until he stood at his full impressive height. His optics focused on the human wrapped in a blanket with her laptop.

"Have any of the others reported in?" he asked, his deep voice resonating through the cave.

"Bulkhead was here about two hours ago. There was nothing in his sector, so he moved on to the next quadrant," Addie replied without pausing her typing. The rhythmic clicking of keys continued as she glanced up at him briefly.

Optimus nodded, a flicker of disappointment crossing his metallic features before he carefully masked it. The weight of leadership—of searching tirelessly for signs of their missing comrades—was something he bore silently.

"It's a good thing you're here, though. Fowler is on his way," the girl spoke up again, saving her document with a few keystrokes.

"Fowler?" Optimus's brow plates shifted in concern. "Is there a problem I am unaware of?"

Adelaide shrugged. "Honestly, not sure. He didn't tell me anything other than that he was en route."

"I will stay for his arrival then," Optimus responded, internally cringing at the thought of the government agent arriving with yet another list of complaints about his Autobots' activities on Earth.

Adelaide glanced up, noticing Optimus staring pensively into empty space, his shoulders slightly more rigid than usual. "Take a chill pill, Optimus. He's just a human. You could just flick him if he annoys you too much."

"I would never wish to harm Fowler, even if I do find him..." Optimus paused, searching for a diplomatic term, "...challenging at times."

"I was making a joke," Addie laughed, her eyes crinkling at the corners as she shook her head. "Lighten up a bit."

Optimus frowned at the human girl, his optics cycling as he processed her words. "I do not typically have the luxury of time to engage in humorous interaction."

"Well, make time." Adelaide closed her laptop with a decisive click. "Humor is good for you! Obviously there's a time for being serious and staying on task, but you don't have to live like that every second of every day."

Optimus listened attentively as he lowered himself to sit against the wall of the cave, the ground trembling slightly beneath his weight. The cave ceiling loomed just high enough to accommodate his seated form.

"Life is supposed to have joy in it, y'know?" Adelaide continued, her expression softening. "If you lose sight of that, is a war really worth fighting? What happens when it's over—will you just collapse the minute things get better?" She leaned forward, her voice earnest. "I'm not saying I understand the pressure you're under, but that pressure might feel less crushing if you allow yourself to smile once in a while."

The Prime considered her words carefully, processors working behind his thoughtful blue optics. There was wisdom in what this young human said—wisdom that reminded him of teachings from Alpha Trion long ago. "I have to be honest," he finally admitted, his voice quieter than usual. "I do not know what would make me smile anymore. It has been... a very long time."

"Well, what do you enjoy doing?" Adelaide asked gently. "I already know you don't give yourself free time, but if you had an hour, just one hour to yourself, how would you spend it?"

Optimus fell silent, genuinely considering the question. It had been vorns since he had thought about personal enjoyment rather than duty. Just as he was about to respond, the rumble of another engine echoed through the cave.

Ratchet transformed into his bipedal mode, his white and red frame straightening as he looked to his leader. "Optimus?"

Prime stood up from his position against the wall, joints hissing slightly with the movement. "No sign?"

"I'm afraid not," Ratchet replied with a weary frown, the disappointment evident in his voice. The search for their missing comrades continued to yield no results.

"Agent Fowler is on his way here. I am not sure what this meeting concerns, but he sent word ahead to Adelaide," Optimus informed his old friend and medical officer.

"I'm here, Prime," Fowler's authoritative voice called out. The agent marched purposefully across the cave floor towards the two towering mechs, his footsteps echoing.

Adelaide stood, setting her laptop carefully on the couch cushion. "Fowler."

"Adelaide," her boss acknowledged with a professional nod.

"Agent Fowler," Optimus addressed him formally. "What brings you here?"

Fowler straightened his suit jacket, tugging at his sleeves as he spoke. "Your new base is ready. I got word this morning that the outfitting has been completed. I'll transmit the coordinates to you, but I expect you out of this cave by the end of the week."

"We appreciate your accommodations, Agent Fowler. We are in your debt," Optimus replied with a respectful nod that made Ratchet scoff almost inaudibly behind him.

The agent then turned to Adelaide. "There's a house in the town near the base where you'll be staying now. Completely paid for, and you'll have a designated vehicle as well. Same deadline—I want you moved in by the end of the week."

"Understood," Adelaide replied crisply.

"Have you finished writing up the report?" Fowler inquired, all business.

"Almost. I was working on it when you arrived."

"Perfect." Fowler's expression softened slightly. "Listen, if you need help with moving your stuff from your apartment, I could hire a moving team."

Adelaide smiled at the unexpected consideration. "Thank you—"

"I am certain we could provide sufficient assistance to Miss Adelaide," Optimus interjected, stepping forward slightly.

"Do whatever you feel is necessary," Fowler said with a dismissive wave. "I have field training in an hour, so I'll be on my way. You know how to reach me if anything comes up."

With that, Fowler made his exit, clearly not wanting to spend more time there than absolutely required.

"Looks like we're moving!" Addie exclaimed with a mix of excitement and weariness. "Fun."

"We will help you with moving your belongings," Optimus offered, looking down at the human with what Adelaide had come to recognize as his version of kindness.

"I appreciate the offer, Optimus, but other than maybe using your trailer, I don't know how much help you guys would be," Addie reminded him with a lopsided smile, gesturing to his massive form. "You can't exactly fit through my apartment door."

Ratchet rolled his optics, a gesture he'd picked up from his time on Earth. "We'd simply use our holoforms. Problem solved."

Adelaide's eyebrows shot up. "I'm sorry? Holoforms?"

"A solidified matter hologram," Optimus explained patiently. "Ancient Cybertronians developed them for interaction with other species. We don't often find use for them, but Agent Fowler required us to generate them for identification documentation needed for our vehicular forms."

"Three months working together and no one showed me this?" Addie shook her head in disbelief. "I feel like you guys were holding out on me." She chuckled. "Though it does make sense for the driver's licenses. Alright then, some help would be nice, though I'm not sure how I can return the favor."

Optimus shook his head, the movement gentle and deliberate. "That is not necessary, I assure you."

Adelaide just smiled, warmth blooming in her chest at his consistent kindness. "Thanks, Optimus."

---

Addie pushed her hair out of her face and wiped the sweat from her forehead, which was ironic considering the snow falling steadily outside her window. The contrast between her overheated apartment and the winter wonderland outside made her chuckle despite her exhaustion.

Boxes stacked up in her living room covered an entire corner, though all her furniture remained untouched. She'd been packing for hours, sorting through possessions accumulated over years of living alone. Some things she'd keep, others would be donated—a fresh start in her new home.

There was a knock on her door, three precise raps that echoed through the apartment.

"Just come in," she called out, setting down the packing tape.

The door opened and three unfamiliar men walked into the room, closing it carefully behind them. Despite never having seen these faces before, there was something immediately recognizable about them—an essence that was unmistakable.

"Oh, wow," Addie breathed, studying them with undisguised fascination. "So these are the holoforms?"

Bumblebee stood to the right, a solid 5'8", with yellowish-blond hair falling boyishly over his forehead. Freckles dotted his youthful face, which lit up with a bright smile that almost matched the intensity of his startlingly blue eyes—the only feature that hinted at his true nature. He wore a fitted yellow shirt with black stripes zigzagging down the sides, paired with khaki pants and black skating sneakers. The outfit perfectly captured his energetic personality.

To the left stood Bulkhead, around 5'10", with black hair that held an almost greenish tint under the apartment lights. His skin tone was darker than the others', and his build was solid and powerful even in human form. He wore a green army jacket over a black undershirt, with matching black cargo pants and heavy combat boots—practical and utilitarian, just like the mech himself.

Adelaide found her gaze lingering on Optimus, her curiosity piqued by this human version of the Autobot leader.

He stood taller than the others, just as he did in his true form, probably around 6'3". His navy hair complemented his sharp, distinguished facial features, which somehow managed to convey both strength and gentleness simultaneously. He wore a red plaid flannel over a black undershirt, paired with well-fitted blue jeans. The overall effect was commanding yet approachable—perfectly capturing Optimus's essence.

"Yes. Agent Fowler provided guidance regarding appropriate attire," Optimus replied, glancing down at his clothing with what might have been uncertainty.

"I like it. Suits you guys," Addie said with an encouraging smile, genuinely impressed by how well their human forms reflected their personalities.

"Thanks!" Bulkhead spoke up, his voice carrying the same enthusiastic timbre it did when he was in his true form. "So, we moving or what?"

"Yeah! I've got everything boxed up," Adelaide said, gesturing around the apartment. "All that's left is moving the furniture and loading everything."

"We will take care of it, Miss Adelaide. Please, rest," Optimus said calmly as he walked further into the living room, assessing the task before them.

Adelaide laughed softly to herself. She had repeatedly told Optimus that the honorific wasn't necessary. At first, he had simply ignored her remarks, but lately he rarely used "miss," which made it oddly endearing when it occasionally slipped out.

"I appreciate the offer, but I can't just stand by while you do all the work. I'd feel guilty," Adelaide protested, already reaching for a nearby box.

"If you insist," Optimus conceded with the hint of a smile—so slight she almost missed it.

As they began working together, Adelaide realized that this move represented more than just a change of location. Surrounded by these beings who had become her friends, she was stepping into a new chapter—one that promised to be anything but ordinary.