Final chapter for Called by the Matrix! Hope you guys enjoyed the story even though it took so long for me to write. I'm planning on writing a third one since many have voted on it. lol But not just yet. I wanna write a few other things too as well as catch up on my art. So, we'll see. Thank you all for staying with me and Clare for this long.

Happy reading and writing!

One Week Later

After all that's happened, I was finally able to go home. It felt like it's been decades since I last saw my house. Then I realized that my home was demolished...at my request. Lennox would constantly remind me that it was rebuilt. All in all, it felt very odd going back to my neighborhood. It was a long drive from DC to home, but we finally made it. The Autobots were obviously with me. I kept switching rides at every stop we made; first I was in Bumblebee, then Ratchet, Jazz, Ironhide and then finally Optimus. I was somewhat relived that I was able to spend some with each of them before we were separate again. But that didn't hide the fact that they were going to leave again.

Everyone was trying to be cheerful with me. Jazz and Bee tried to crack jokes. Ratchet tried to ask me random questions about Earth, which I knew he already had the answer for, just to take my mind off things. Even Ironhide tried to cheer me up by telling me exciting stories about his past battles. But we all knew that it was going to be the same as the other times they left for NEST. It was joyless.

All the preparations were made for my final year of high school. I was going to start the next day. In the past, I was never really nervous about a new school year. This time, however, I was terrified. After everything that has happened and everyone finding out about the Autobots and Decepticons, I don't know how I will survive this year. Especially without Caitlin or the Autobots by my side. I knew that everyone will treat me differently. I just don't know how I'll deal with it all. I hoped that I wouldn't lash out on anyone like I did to Caitlin at the camp. And I hoped that I won't make any enemies. Having the Decepticons for enemies was bad enough.

Optimus parked right in front of my newly built house. It looked the same, but didn't. It was too new. All the little flaws that were on the old building where nonexistent on this one. It depressed me a little. The rest of the neighborhood, I noticed, was mostly repaired. Even the street. Only a few houses were being finished up. Other than that, it looked like any old neighborhood. And yet, I felt so out of place. There was no one else here except for my mom and sister, who were just coming out from my...their house. I felt a little relieved by this. No one else from NEST came with us, which meant that if there was a mob we weren't entirely protected. Epps, Lennox, the second wave of Autobots, and basically everyone else from NEST already said their goodbyes to me at the base.

I silently watched my mom and Anna walk forward. Their steps were slow and hesitant. A few days ago, Anna called that they had already moved into the new house. She told me about all the new stuff they got; Furniture, appliances, clothes, etc. Apparently some of it was donated. I personally didn't like the fact that it was donated to us. It wasn't like we were poor or anything, but I didn't bother mentioning it. I watched Anna stop a few yards away from Optimus, but my mom still came forward. She looked determined. It was clear that she wanted me to get out so the Autobots could leave. I sighed heavily.

"Well...I guess this is it," I muttered without looking at either my mother or Optimus' hologram.

"You can still change your mind," the Autobot leader said gently. I felt him pet my hair.

"I just can't do that," I said. "I have to finish high school. I have to get this over with if I want to get into college." I turned and looked at him. His blue eyes looked bruised. He was also dreading this day. "I...I have to be brave and face all those people, Optimus. Just like you said, no more hiding," He gave me a slight nod.

"I understand," he said, almost inaudibly.

A knock came from my window. I turned to see my mom. She was standing right in front of the window, most likely on the step. It made things feel awkward to have her hovering around like that. She frowned at Optimus' hologram and motioned me to get out. She did not trust the Autobots anymore and it hurt to know that. It just wasn't fair.

"Clare," Optimus began softly. "No matter what your mother thinks...no...no matter what anyone thinks, I will always love you." Immediately, I turned and kissed him. I didn't care if anyone was watching, not even my own mother. Optimus growled softly and kissed back. We both ignored my mom's angry protests and banging.

"She will be more upset," Optimus said through the bond while his hand knotted itself in my hair.

"I don't care," I retorted then let out a moan as we both kissed harder.

Finally, after a few moments, I pulled away from him. I was panting while my heart pounded against my chest. The rest of my body felt hot and ready for more. I could feel Optimus himself wanted to continue as well, not by just the bond but by the hungry look in his eyes. But it was impossible now with my mom gaping outside the window. Without saying another word, I got out of Optimus' real body and faced my mother, who hopped down from the step to give me room. When I looked at her, there were daggers in her eyes. I didn't care. She had no right in acting the way she was. I passed right by her and went to the other Autobots who were using their holograms. Bumblebee wasn't facing me at all. Instead he was busying himself by slowly taking my suit cases out of his trunk. I sighed and turned to everyone else.

Ratchet planted a small kiss on my forehead and said, "Stay out of trouble." If that didn't startle me then Ironhide's peck on my cheek did.

"We'll all try to stay in touch," he mumbled then ruffled my hair. I was too stunned by how sad they looked to complain about him touching my hair. When I turned to Jazz, he chuckled softly and hugged me.

"We'll miss ya, baby girl," he said with a half smile.

"I'll miss you guys too," I answered. Finally, I looked back at Bumblebee, who was merely staring at the ground. He didn't bother trying to hide his sadness. My guardian pulled me against him when I went to him and held me close. No one bothered to pull him away, except my mom who merely cleared her throat. Bee tensed and began to pull away but I held onto him. There was no way that my mother was ruining this even more for me. "We won't be separated forever, Bumblebee," I said hopefully for the last time.

"You said that already," he muttered.

"I know. And you should know that's it's true," I said gently. Bee nodded then let go of me. I looked around and realized that Optimus' hologram didn't come out. The others noticed this as well. Ironhide growled something under his breath, stalked over to Optimus, and pounded on the driver's window.

"Prime! What are you doing?" he snarled, something that only Ironhide was able to do to Optimus without getting into any trouble. I guess you get some perks for being a very close friend to Optimus.

I couldn't even see his hologram in Optimus' driver's seat. But I knew what was wrong. Optimus was devastated about leaving me again. He was worried that I might get hurt again. All in all, he didn't want me out of his sight.

"Don't push it, Ironhide," I said, trying to push words through my closing throat. 'Don't cry,' I chanted in my mind. 'Don't cry.' "I think it's best if you all just go." 'Don't cry.' Ironhide didn't question it. He merely nodded and headed back to his body. 'Don't cry.'

"Alright, ya'll," Jazz said with a sigh. "Time to head back." Without another word, the holograms all disappeared and the engines roared to life. 'Don't cry.' Jazz, Bee, Ironhide, and Ratchet all drove off while Optimus stayed where he was. I stared at the red and blue semi truck.

'Go Optimus,' I said through the bond. His engine turned on. 'Go.' he crept passed me, close enough for me to reach out and touch his finish. "Goodbye," I whispered as he finally drove off. I stared after him silently. 'Don't cry. Don't cry. Don't cry.'

I felt a pair of arms wrap around me. My mother kissed my forehead and said, "It's better this way." She held me closer and stroked my hair. "Now you are truly safe from those hellions."

"Mom!" Anna exclaimed. I ignored them. I just picked my suite cases up and went inside my new temporary house.

I felt like a stranger. Like the outside, the inside was almost exactly the same except for the blatantly new furniture and the smell of paint thinner that still lingered faintly. I went up to my room and felt my heart drop even more. It was empty of everything except for a small bed with a plain sheet-less mattress on it. It made me remember the last time I came here. All of my things...gone. Even my panda bear, Walter. All of it. Gone. Like the Autobots. Like Optimus.

I dropped my things onto the ground and fell onto the bed. The tears immediately poured out. I cried. Sobbed, was more like it. It was the hard ugly sobbing that made me hiccup afterwards. I probably would have been embarrassed if someone was in the room with me watching, but I didn't really care. It felt like hours went by until I finally began to wind down. Emotionally, I was exhausted. It took me a while to realized that someone was stroking my hair. When I finally looked up, I saw Anna. She looked sad and I did not know what to make from that.

Before I was able to tell her to leave, she said, "I'm sorry, Clare." When I didn't answer, she continued on. "I know that I, we, don't understand what happened to you or how you feel about the Autobots, but I can tell that you belong with them. It's...it's as Optimus said, it's your destiny." I knew that Anna wasn't entirely against having me being with the Autobots, but I never knew that she was all for it either. "That, for a fact, is true. No matter what anyone says. Not even mom. And I...I'm proud of you. I'm proud that you can never be beaten down." I kept silent, but I knew that she really had no idea what happened to me. Then I realized, that that was my fault. I was too selfish to tell them anything about what happened. Too selfish to actually talk to mom and Anna so they would understand better. That realization slammed in harder when Anna pulled me close and held me. I've missed her hugs. I've missed my sister. After meeting the Autobots, I have completely ditched my family. Well, my biological family. My mom and my sister where the only ones I had. So stupid of me. Stupid and cruel.

"It may have been my destiny," I said quietly. Throat felt raw from crying so hard. "but that doesn't mean that I should forget about you and mom." I hugged her back tightly.

We stayed like that, clinging to each other, for a long time. Then all the words came out. I told Anna everything. And I mean everything. It was hard at first, to go through the first assualt with Megatron, but I found more strength as I continued talking. I felt that warmth in me. Optimus was listening in too. And he was helping me. I still cried at some parts. Me and Anna both did. But the more I talked about it, the easier it became. I even felt a little rejuvenated when I was done.

"You'll be able to go back to them, Clare," Anna said after blowing her nose. Thankfully she had brought up a box of tissues with her. She pointedly avoided mentioning what happened with Megatron. She was really shaken up by that. But she knew better than to treat me like a poor defenseless victim.

"Yeah, after I finish this school year," I mutter. Anna smiled and wrapped an arm around me.

"Don't worry. You'll get through it. It's just one more year," she said and pinched my arm playfully. "Besides, I'll be here with you to get through it."

8 Months Later

School had been...miserable. The fact that the Autobots existed and that I had connections to them was well known throughout the school let alone the entire world. I avoided leaving the house, other than going to school, because of that. Even if Optimus and the others were with me, I think school still would have been miserable. Thanks to the cell phone Simmons gave me, I was able to complain to the Autobots and Caitlin. Whenever Lennox or Simmons would call to check up on me, I would complain to them too. The funny thing was, they actually listened without telling me to shut up. Anna got fed up with my bitching after every couple weeks. When I'm not talking to her, I'm talking to everyone else.

I'd told the others about all the crap I've gotten from the people at school. Not just the students but also from a lot of the teachers. It was down right obnoxious. A lot of people hated me for a few reasons. Some were probably jealous of me being friends with the Autobots while others just thought I was some alien freak who should be condemned. Some hated me because they were afraid of what I can do and who I'm "connected" to and some just hated me for reasons unknown. Some of my old friends ditched me while others tried to be my best friend. Whenever I would tell Caitlin about them she would just laugh. They were the people both Caitlin and I hated during high school and middle school. So it was pretty obvious that they just wanted to get attention. Then there were those random losers, who knew about my abilities, that came up to me only to ask if I could fix their cell phones, came consoles, computers, or whatever other electrical device they had. I really wanted to punch those people in the face. When I told Ironhide this, he asked why I didn't do so. I had no answer for that.

As much as I complained, I had to admit that the year wasn't completely horrible. There were some people who were genuinely very nice to me. Most would just tell me that I was a hero. One of them was my Jewelry teacher. I was happy to have at least one favorite teacher on my side. Surprisingly, the paparazzi weren't harassing me at all. After telling Lennox this, he told me that the government have warned the paparazzi to keep away from me. That was also a great relief.

As more time went by, the less I was able to hear the Primes. At times they would randomly start talking to me about something. Other times they would just talk to each other while I would hear bits and pieces of their conversation. Optimus told me the same thing was happening to him. Soon, their voices stopped all together. A few days after I stopped hearing the Primes all together, Optimus told me that he could only talk to them through the Matrix. I guess the Primes didn't have any more reason to stay in our heads anymore.

Because of the bond, Optimus and I were able to talk to each other 24/7. I was getting better at reading him through the bond. Of course, since he's a naturally aware of what spark bonds can do, Optimus was able to give me little surprises at times. Especially during the night when I'm asleep. He would come into my dreams and...have a little fun. It would feel so real and I would wake up in the morning wrapped in his warmth. Sometimes during school, if I was really down, I would feel a faint embrace as if he was right there beside me or if he wanted to tease me he would give me a slight caress. Those were the kinds of things that kept me going. My Autobot friends, my human friends, my family, and my Optimus Prime.

But, during the last couple weeks of school before graduation, Optimus stopped talking to me. He could feel him, but I couldn't exactly read what he was thinking. I would occasional feel excitement but that was about it. Whenever I asked the others about it they would deny knowing anything. After a while, I assumed that he was just excited that my school year was almost over. However, I still found it weird that he wouldn't talk to me.

Finally, though, it was the end of May which meant Graduation. Thank the lord that I passed everything I needed to pass to graduate. Seniors got out earlier than the other suckers still in high school. It was a warm day with a good breeze and I was still very hot in my robes. But then again, I was sitting in the middle of a group of 573 seniors outside in the football field. With my last name being Roberts, I had to wait a long while for my name to be called. After waiting for nearly an hour, they finally got to my row. As we stood and went to the podium I heard his voice.

"Clare. We are here."

I froze on stage just as my name was called. I looked out into the crowd who looked back at me. My eyes drifted to the middle of the audience and I saw him. I saw them. Right next to my mom and Anna sat Bumblebee, Jazz, Ratchet, Ironhide, and Optimus. All five of the first wave in their holograms. They acknowledge me with a nod or smile. Tears welled up in my eyes. I was about to leap off the stage and run to them. But someone cleared their throat. I looked back at my school principal who was still holding my diploma.

"Is there something wrong, Clare?" he asked dryly.

"O-oh. No. Sorry," I stuttered then grabbed my diploma and trotted back to my seat. I was disappointed that I couldn't see the Autobots anymore from my seat but I could hear Optimus chuckling in my head.

It felt like forever for everyone else's name to be called. At least I was closer to the end of the group. After the last diploma was given and our principle declared us graduates, we threw our hats into the air as the crowd cheered. Instead of trying to catch my hat, I bolted off the stage and into the crowd. I saw Optimus stand and hold his arms out. He caught me as I literally threw myself at him. My legs wrapped around his waist as his face buried into my hair. I felt hands patting my back and squeezing my shoulder. I let the tears flow out. No one could ruin this moment for me. I didn't care if people were staring at me or moved away. I did not care. I was too overwhelmed to speak so I just cried. When Optimus finally set me down, Jazz and Ratchet both gave me a bear hugs while Ironhide merely threw an arm around me and held me close. Bumblebee was hugging me and grinning.

"I missed you guys," I said and wiped my tears away.

"We missed you too, kid," Ironhide said with a half smile.

My mom quickly moved in and hugged me. I was a little startled by the fact that she didn't give any hostile looks to the Autobots. She merely smiled tearfully and congratulated me. Anna did the same and added a playful smack to the back of my head. Even after the talk I had with Anna, I still felt a little wary about them and the Autobots being around each other. During the year, I avoided talking to my mom about the Autobots. I didn't know how to talk to her about them. At least, not without arguing and making her angry.

"Come on!" Bumblebee said suddenly and tugged my arm.

"What's the hurry? Do you guys have to leave soon?" I asked, a bit baffled.

"Well, yeah," Ironhide retorted gruffly.

"Aw..."

"Baby girl, you're coming with us," Jazz added happily.

"Really? Already?" I asked stunned.

"You said you wanted to finish high school then come with us to our base," Bee said, still tugging on my arm.

"I know that I agreed to going to DC after graduation but I didn't exactly mean right after!"

"You don't want to come with us?" Jazz asked disappointedly.

"No. No! It's not that! I just meant that it's so soon and...," I looked at mom and Anna. They were both smiling. Mom was smiling, though rather sadly.

"Clare," she said gently. "Everything has been taken care of."

"What do you mean, taken care of?" I looked at Optimus suspiciously. He merely shrugged but I knew better. I planned all this...whatever it was.

"Let's just say that...Optimus and I had a little heart to heart." My mom hugged me tightly again. "You...you should make your own choices. And if you want to go with the Autobots then go on ahead. I will always love you no matter what."

"Oh mom...," I whimpered and cried again. Anna hugged onto us and cried as well. The Autobots patiently waited for us to regain ourselves before leading us out of the now empty football field and into the parking lot. Bumblebee drove us home while the other 'bots followed. When we arrived, I saw Lennox and Epps both grinning and waving at us. They had my suitcases out on the yard with them. Mom told me that they already packed my stuff while I was at school getting ready for graduation.

My family and I got out of Bee and merely stared at each other for a moment. Suddenly my mom pulled me into a tight hug then kissed my cheek. My sister also hugged me. They helped me load up my suitcases into Bumblebee. We said our goodbyes then I climbed back into my yellow guardian. We knew that this was the moment where I will leave them. I'll be off on my own...sort of. It was best to keep it short and sweet.

The two soldiers climbed into Ironhide as Bumblebee's hologram waved at my family. After a final goodbye we all drove off. I took one good look at the neighborhood as we passed by the houses, and realized that this was my only home. I've been in that very neighborhood since I was born and I knew that I probably wouldn't come back. I felt a little choked up about it, but Bumblebee smiled hopefully and held my hand. His radio turned on.

"On the road again...sing it with me Shrek! I can't wait to get on the road again."

I couldn't help but smile at Bumblebee. I was going to be alright.

2 Days Later

Traffic wasn't in our favor but we finally made it to DC. In the last stop I switched Autobots and was in Optimus. For the rest of the trip, Optimus' hologram held my hand in a possessive grip. His thumb made slow circles on the back on my hand. It sent tingles up my arm. To be wanted that much by someone made me smile. He gave me a soft caress through the bond and I shivered. God I wanted to be in his arms so badly.

I saw the base immediately. There was nothing on the outside of the building that made it obvious that it was the NEST base. It just looked like any old factory. It still made me miss our old base. At least I was able to live in this one with the 'bots. But when Optimus passed right by it, I got confused.

"Why aren't we going to the base?" I asked, watching the 'bots behind us turning into the base themselves. "The others are."

"I am showing you where you are going to be living," Optimus said matter-of-factly.

"I won't be living in the base with you guys?"

"No."

"Aw," I muttered. "But Bumblebee has all my suit cases."

"He will bring them over later."When I looked at Optimus, he was smiling. The teasing boyish smile. I wasn't sure if I should trust that smile of his.

A couple blocks down the road, Optimus turned into the parking lot of a condo. My jaw dropped. It was big and looked amazing. And expensive. The building itself wasn't very tall but took up a good chunk of the block and it was impeccably designed. The outside walls were white and looked clean. Large windows allowed us to have little glimpses of the rooms inside. It was all so...classy. The Autobot climbed out, came around, and helped me out from his truck self. I looked at Optimus in disbelief. It must have been a joke.

"This is where you will live," he said. When I said nothing he chuckled and lead me towards the door.

"You're...actually serious about this?" I asked.

"Why wouldn't I be?" Optimus asked back and continued leading me inside. We walked down a hall stopped in front of the last door. Optimus pulled out a key and unlocked it. He looked at me and smiled. I hesitantly opened the door then gasped. The space inside was...perfect. It wasn't too small nor was it too big. It was perfect for my personal taste and comfort. Pale wooden planks covered the floor. The clean flawless walls were painted a soft baby blue. I ran into the small clean kitchen which was in the corner of the condo apartment. It already had a silver refrigerator and stove/oven. It already had some pots and pans as well as some food in the fridge. A small bathroom was in the opposite corner. In the main room against the wall was a small stairway that laid up to a little platform that held a twin sized bed on it. Around the platform, thankfully, was railing. Other furniture was already inside as well. A white couch with dark blue cushions was right under the platform. Against the wall opposite from the bed was a flat screened tv. A small black coffee table sat in front of the couch while next to the tv was a table with a laptop and tablet, all already plugged in and ready.

"Oh..Optimus," I whispered. "How...how did you know...?"

"Clare, we are bound," he said gently and held me close. "I have learned so much about you. All of your likes and dislikes." He chuckled. "Even your taste in 'design'. But your mother and sister helped as well." He kissed me before I could say anything. "Do not thank me," he whispered in my head but his voice became husky when he said, "At least...not with words."

I moaned as he kissed harder. The heat and desire immediately coursed through us. No matter how many times Optimus touched me in my dreams, it was never the same as having his holographic body against mine. His warmth enveloped me. His hungry kisses demanded more. Optimus backed me against the couch and fell onto it with me in his arms. We pulled our clothes off while trying to keep our lips together. He growled as he pierced himself into me while I cried out helplessly. There was no holding back. There was no fear. No Megatron.

There was only me and my Optimus Prime