Chapter 6: A New Beginning

They stayed at the Sky Café talking together until closing time. Both were surprised just how fast the time went by. Neither was typically much of a talker, but they found comfort in each other knowing that they both shared that trait, and their conversation eventually carried its own momentum. They shared life experiences and how they each got to be where they are today, and Prowl was taken aback by how many interests and opinions they had in common.

Prowl offered to escort Aileron home. At first she declined, saying it was already late enough that Prowl should get home and recharge before his next shift tomorrow, but then she graciously accepted when he insisted on being chivalrous.

They exited the café and proceeded walking the few blocks to the main roadway entrance ramp. The sky had grown dark now, an intense black only lighted by the distant stars and the moon. Cybertron's almost full moon was high in the sky, casting its soft moonlight onto the reflective buildings of Iacon. Prowl silently admired the way the now lit streetlights reflected off Aileron's carefully polished armor. He had always thought she was pleasantly beautiful, but seeing her outside of Autobot Headquarters in a more natural environment brought out her features even more so than usual. She was just a little shorter than him, but much lighter framed. Though light, she was built strong, but not so much as to overpower her natural feminine physique. Like Prowl, she had a pair of doorwings gracefully arching outward from her back. Her armor was not extravagant in design; rather it was smooth and simple, not extremely modified from her original creator-given form. She was actually quite average looking, but Prowl thought that was what separated her from other femmes and made her more beautiful. Unlike them, she did not strive to have the most elaborately decorated armor or the newest modifications; nor did she fall to the opposite extreme and not care about her form and appearance altogether. She was confident with what she had and took pride in taking care of it. When she walked, it was with a slight air of subtle independence, but not that of arrogance. Prowl loved the way she walked, and he stayed close by her side as they navigated toward the roadway. Once they reached the roadway entrance ramp, Aileron transformed gracefully, and Prowl admired her sleek alternate mode for just a moment.

Although she was rather an average looking bot, her vehicle mode was somewhat striking – a sleek and aerodynamic land vehicle obviously designed for speed and intimidation. Prowl smiled inwardly as he realized there was still so much more for him to learn about her. She playfully revved her engine a little and he transformed, and they merged onto the roadway. His engine was almost humming with excitement at how well this first date was going. They set off on the roadway towards their destination. It didn't take them long to reach Aileron's apartment complex.

Aileron transformed and Prowl did as well, and they walked to the entrance together. A chill wind blew past them, and Prowl noticed the sky was clouding up. Only a few stars were still visible, and the moon was a blurry white mass attempting to shine through a thick dark puff of cloud. It looked like it might rain later. He suddenly was very aware of just how late it was by the cold of the night coming in contact with the now exposed wiring cables of his neck and joints. But although the air was cold, he felt warm and tingly all over. This date tonight was the beginning of something very new for him, and Prowl had never before welcomed a change in his life as much as this.

"Well, I had a great time with you tonight," Aileron said, a sincere smile spread across her facial features.

"Yes, I did too." Prowl could feel his sparkbeat quicken in his chest as they approached the tall building's entrance.

"We'll have to do this again sometime." Aileron stopped at the doorstep and turned to Prowl. "Thanks for escorting me home. That really was very nice of you."

"You're welcome," Prowl said a little nervously. He wasn't sure what to do now; how should he say goodbye? He wanted to kiss her, but he knew it was much too early for that. A hug? No, that might be a little awkward too, since he was not a hugger anyway. A handshake? That would be way too formal.

Aileron could see he was pondering, so she initiated a polite goodbye herself. "Well, goodnight," She softly touched his hand with hers as she spoke. "I'll see you tomorrow." She smiled lightly.

Prowl smiled back at her, his mind racing and spark pounding just from the affectionate touch of her hand. "Yes, see you tomorrow. Goodnight."

Aileron entered the access code for the entrance, gave Prowl one last friendly glance, and left him alone with his thoughts.

After a moment's hesitation, he transformed and headed for his own complex, disappointed to be leaving her but overwhelmed with happiness that the entire evening had gone so well. He felt more alive than he ever had before. Even the drizzling rain which now thudded against his vehicle mode did not dampen his spirits.

He arrived home dripping with cold rainwater, and gently shook the droplets from his doorwings before entering his apartment complex. He took the elevator to his level and took a brief warm shower to wash off the dirty rainwater from the roadway, then toweled off and lay down in his recharge bunk for the night. Lightning flashed and thunder echoed and boomed in the distance as Prowl drifted into recharge, his processor still filled with thoughts of the femme he loved.