Orion's Star

by mamabot

This ties Heart Wrenched and Red Star together. PAXTON sir name belongs to Bells of Eden/Blackwingrose Connie and Alexis raise their children together. So how do you raise three children sired by Cybertronian warriors in Canada? Part of my Prime Blood AU and begins Spark of Bots AU

1. Dr Mecano

Prime Blood: Orion's Star Part 1

You must read Heart Wrenched to understand Connie and Ratchet. And you really need to read Red Star to understand my Alexis. Oh, PAXTON sir name belongs to Bells of Eden/Blackwingrose to whom I had NOOOO idea owned that sir name at the time I wrote Red Star, Orion's Star or Bee-Ware. Paxton is vital to the three stories. I thought it belonged to Hasbro. She was kind enough to correctly me politely… and not make me pull it. If you want to read really good stuff, must read hers!

Alexis has an uneventful flight to Taranto per Prime's orders. It amused her that these most recent flights are so boring. Mostly because she isn't in the pilot's seat anymore. She almost giggles at her tension because she isn't in the cockpit. She is glad for this feeling as well, rather than the rollercoaster she has ridden the last couple days.

An easy trip through customs when she tells them she is here to see a friend at the children's hospital. She no longer tries to hide her slightly rounding belly containing her dead sparkmate's heir. Custom's official nods sympathetically. Then she heads for the taxis. Today, amazingly, the sky is clear and bright. So many times she had streaked through these bright blue skies and the black starry outer space. She will have to get used to being on the ground now. No more racing the clouds…. or Star.

No, no time for tears, she is at the children's hospital. The taxi driver offers to take her bag inside for her, but with a smile she shakes her head and tips him generously. Then she makes the tentative steps into the main entrance.

Approaching the counter she says it quietly, "I need to see Doctor Constance Mecano."

The receptionist eyes Alexis' military bag, "Do you have an appointment?" Alexis shakes her head. "I'm sorry, but with out an appointment…."

Alexis nods and takes a sigh, "Could you do me a favor? Could you page her with a simple message?"

"She could be in surgery."

Alexis nods, "I really have no other place to go. I can wait."

The receptionist can see Alexis' belly and military bag. Most everyone knows Dr. Mecano is married to a military medic. She takes pity on Alexis. "Sure. I can send her a message."

Alexis smiles in gratitude, "Tell her that I'm in the lobby. Our husbands," she swallows hard at the thought, "our husbands are in the same division and I need her prenatal medical advice."

"That it?" The receptionist asks.

Alexis nods, "Yeah. She'll understand."

"Okay honey. I'll send that. Why don't you get some water and have a seat? It could be awhile before I get a response." Alexis follows her suggestion.

~~ Connie was in surgery when the message came through. The nurse assisting read the message monitor when it pinged. Connie doesn't look up from her patient, "Please say it isn't Joaquin."

The nurse shakes her head and replies Alexis message. Connie freezes. The nurse looks to Connie, "Did you hear me Dr. Mecano?"

Connie shakes her head, "I don't think I heard you right, can you repeat it." The nurse does and Connie's instrument falls to the floor. "Dr. Mecano?"

Connie nods slowly. Oh Primus help us! Another human-sparkling. She swallows hard and turns her focus back to the child before her. As precisely as she can, she finishes the child. She leaves the assisting doctor to close up and then flies through her scrub down.

~~In less than forty five minutes from when Alexis first arrived at the hospital, a strawberry blond doctor in scrubs comes rushing down the hall and straight towards the receptionist's desk. The receptionist points to Alexis. Connie doesn't recognize her, and there's no reason she should. But she approaches carefully with her hand out, "Hello, I'm Dr. Constance Mecano. You paged me?" Alexis notices the Alabama southern drawl to her words.

Alexis' voice wavers also with her hand out, "Hello Dr. Mecano. My name is Alexis Paxton. I was part of Earth Marine Corps." Alexis can see the doctor is waiting for the key words. "Commander Prime said I should contact you." Then their gazes both follow Alexis' hands to her rounding belly.

Connie raises her eyes, "I think we should go to my office." Alexis picks up her bag and follows Connie towards the elevators. There are other people in the elevator so they stay silent. Both of them are nervous.

Connie shows her out on the fourth floor and down a hall of offices and into one. Connie shrugs off her lab coat and punches the intercom button while Alexis places the bag to the corner of the office. "Sarah, hold all calls unless it's STAT." Then she takes her seat across from Alexis folding her hands on the desk top. Connie is assessing Alexis carefully. "So….Where should we begin?"

Alexis' hands are folded in her lap. She doesn't know this woman and isn't sure how she would react to everything. She looks human, but her eyes… there's something different. Instead, Alexis looks around the office. Behind Connie's shoulder is a bookshelf. A lot of robotics and medical journals. But what catches Alexis' attention is the picture of five year old fraternal twin boys in front of a Rescue Hummer. Then Alexis sees Connie's wedding ring. It looks like an Autobot coupling ring separated.

Connie reaches her left hand out towards Alexis, "How far are you?"

Alexis finds her voice, "About four months."

"How long have you known?"

Alexis swallows hard, "I don't know how much you know about what is going on out there. But it's a war zone."

Connie nods carefully smiling, "Yes, I know. Far more than you may realized."

Alexis can see by the scared emotional shift across Connie's face, she knows something much more than Alexis could ever understand. So Alexis tries again, "I was a fighter pilot."

Connie nods and then asks the inevitable question, "Who and how?"

Alexis shakes her head. She doesn't want to answer. Connie pulls back and crosses her arms over her chest. There is a knock on Connie's door. "Enter," she frowns at Alexis' refusal to answer.

The door opens and Sarah hands over a padded envelope, "This just came. The military messenger said it was very important." Connie takes it and nods. Sarah leaves. Connie tears open the envelope and a flash drive falls out. But also a ring falls out. Connie looks at it curiously. There is a tag on it, "For Alexis: This is all I can give you back." Connie is very confused, recognizing Prime's mark. She hands the ring to Alexis.

Alexis sees the note and takes it off. Then she looks at the ring very closely. It is a piece of white metal, clearly used to be something else. Embedded in the metal is a green stone star. Alexis' fingers ever so carefully caress the remains of her lover's armor and chip of the stone he gave her. Then she slips it onto her left hand.

"Certainly not Optimus," Connie gasps. Alexis just shakes her head slowly, but says nothing else. Connie opens a locked desk drawer and pulls out a laptop. Then takes the flash drive and plugs it in. This is her secret research files. "By the All Spark," she gasps looking at the data.

Alexis' head shoots up. That phrase is never uttered by humans, only by the truly dedicated Autobots. "You're a 'Bot?"

Connie slides the laptop aside and leans into Alexis, "This file is about the orb. But it doesn't ask one vital question." She taps Alexis' ring, "Who is he?"

"Does it really matter?" Alexis asks very carefully. Connie stares at Alexis trying to read her. The staring contest is at hand. Will Connie pass judgment on Alexis? Will Alexis trust her?

"It's a 'Con, isn't it?" Connie's gaze narrows. Alexis covers the ring on her hand. Connie pulls her back up straight, "Just tell me it isn't Galvatron, Shockwave, or that demented Blitzwing. Please."

Alexis sighs heavily, "No, none of them." Then she says it slowly, "He's dead."

Connie smirks, "How can you be so sure?"

Alexis taps her chest, "I can feel it." Then takes a deep sigh, "I saw him… dissipate." Connie's face turns soft and reaches for Alexis' hand with the ring.

She looks at the ring carefully. "Starscream." Then she looks up at Alexis. She knows she guessed correctly. But more than that, Alexis loved him. "Did he know?" Alexis nods. "And…?"

Alexis smiles, "After the shock of how, he said this was a gift. We talked that maybe this blessing could mean peace between all three of us."

Connie pats her hand and thinks back on her dealings with Starscream. Tactical, yes. Driven, absolutely. A warrior, no doubt. Loyal: to the cause. Peace, only if the Decepticons Seekers took control. But he was also no fool. But for him to give himself to Alexis? Alexis must have really done a number on his spark.

Alexis grips her hand, "Doctor, is there any hope for this child to live a successful healthy life?"

Connie glances to the photo of her own sons, "I think so. But this orb is new to me. I'll tell you what we should do. Let's runs some standard tests. It will take a couple days to get the results. Where are you staying?"

Alexis shakes her head, "I just arrived on Earth yesterday and Taranto this afternoon."

Connie smiles seeing how weary the ex-fighter pilot is, "Alright, then. Come home with me. You can stay with me until you figure out your next plan. Do you have any idea what you will do?"

Alexis swallows hard again, "He… he just died two days ago. I told him the day before. I… we… were still trying to figure out…."

Connie realizes this is all still a shock to Alexis and comes around the desk to embrace her. Connie knows the most important thing right now is touch and warmth. "You aren't alone. You won't go through this alone."

Alexis grips her tightly, "I don't need anyone. I never did. I was always so independent. I blew away anyone who got too close. Except him. He flew right through my defenses. And now, I can't let anything happen to his little Star. I actually need this person." Alexis looks up to Connie, "I needed him. How stupid, right?"

Connie give her a gentle smile, "The more we push them away, the more they dig into our sparks, right?" Alexis smiles. She doesn't know how, but she knows Connie was a 'Bot. And this 'Bot is going to take her in and help her. Her Little Star has a chance to shine.

Connie leads her out of the office and towards her nurse, "Martha, please start a chart for Alexis. She will be a special patient. Also see if you can find my OB, I will need her assistance. Alexis, go with Martha and I'll see you for lunch. I have a couple patients to check on." Alexis nods. Connie cups Alexis face making her look directly at her, "It's going to be alright. You can trust me." Connie lets go and walks away.

Chapter 2 After the routine test and extended tests, Martha leads Alexis to a roof top dining area. From all the lap coats, Alexis quickly sees this is the doctor's area. The ones who like to smoke are down wind from the terrace entrance. Martha points Alexis to a table, "Connie likes this one." Alexis takes a seat at the table by the edge of the roof. The view over looks the ambulance entrance. Alexis is curious why Connie would take this seat. Martha smiles, "She won't be long." Martha pats Alexis hand and walks away.

Alexis closes her eyes and sighs. The breeze through her red short cropped military hair cut is so light. Alexis is used to going faster than the speed of sound. Lately she has been going faster than the speed of light. And then in a blink, her life came to a slamming halt. It's not the flying that kills you, it's the stopping, her old trainer would tell her. And now she understands all too well.

The last couple years have been a whirl wind. Flying fighter jets with the elite was awesome and a chance to thumb her nose at everyone. Arrogance and cockiness pushed her to the top of her class. It also gave her a chance of a lifetime. One of the first ones they hand picked to join the Earth Marine Corpse for the fighter squadron. Flying armed space ships on another planet. Top secret. Alexis loved it.

The first six months were a jet jockey's dream. Kick'n 'Cons out of the stars. Spreading their scrap from here to infinity. And it didn't matter how you did it. Just bring 'em to the ground and make sure they don't get up. Oh-ya!

And then someone gave her a chance to fly even higher. Faster. More deadly. Oh yeah, she grabbed that brass ring. With only a slight hesitation. It wasn't the hesitation that grounded her. It was truth. She still had a heart. It took the slickest, most traitorous, and smartest 'Con to remind her of that fact.

To his own shock, he was surprised to find he had a warm spark too. Blamed it on her. And then, they became mates in a way that changed them even more. Bonded in body, heart/spark and soul. Saving the universe together and looking for a lost offspring of a shared beloved 'Bot friend. It only seemed to solidify their destiny together. And then when things couldn't get any closer… Here she was, grounded on Earth with his offspring. Now she was at a standstill with only a light breeze blowing through her unshielded hair.

"Alexis? Is everything alright?" the tender female voice with a southern drawl cuts through her thoughts.

Alexis opens her eyes, "Yeah, I'm alright. Just thinking."

The strawberry blond doctor before her in a lab coat smiles sympathetically, but says nothing else. She sets a tray down on the table. "I wasn't sure what you were in the mood for, but I guessed not anything rehydrated." Alexis grins. Connie places a plate of grilled chicken, red potatoes, steamed vegetables and a nice hot sweet roll before her. Her own plate has the same. Alexis bows her head for just a moment in prayer. Then she lifts her head and fork. Connie looks surprised.

Alexis grins, "My mother would kill me if I didn't pray. And I need all the prayers of support I can get right now." Connie returns the smile. They enjoy their lunch for a few minutes in silence. Alexis savors every bite. A good meal. Not as good as her mother's meatloaf, but still a thousand times better than a military meal she's lived on for years.

Connie looks over at her, "I saw the ultra sound. No sign of wings." Alexis nods with a grin. But Connie's tone was serious, "I wasn't sure what we would find." Alexis realizes quickly, that a successful birth might be the least of her worries. Appearance mutations hadn't occurred to her before.

But Connie's cell phone rings breaking the conversation. She pulls it from her pocket, "Hi, Sweet Spark. How was school today?" Alexis realizes that the photo was probably her own son. But who was the other boy in the photo? "How is Orion?" Alexis' fork slips from her hand and clatters to the plate. Connie looks over at her curiously. Alexis' face pales. "Sweetspark, let me talk to Mrs. Greaves." Alexis retrieves her fork and sits back carefully with her bottled water. Connie quickly finishes up her phone call. But Alexis can feel her blood pounding in her ears. This woman across from her has a son named after the leader of an alien race she just spent the last year in battle with. Foe to the father of her unborn baby. Alexis closes her eyes and tries to will this whole thing away. How could her life be so crazy? This all has to be a dream. It has to be.

The warm hand on her shoulder brings her to her senses. But she is still afraid to open her eyes, "Alexis?"

"I really need to go back to my bunk at Diego Garcia. Everything will be better when Captain Greg makes me wash all the cockpit covers. Yeah, that will be reality."

The hand pats her shoulder, "I'm sorry, Alexis. This is reality."

Alexis opens her eyes to the strawberry blond with the incredible tawny eyes smiling at her. Alexis whispers, "Optimus said… please tell me what he meant."

Connie nods, "I think it's time we left. I can go over the rest of these notes with you at home. Meet me in the lobby. I just need to check out with my staff and check on a patient." Alexis nods. Connie takes their trays away.

Some how Alexis made it to the lobby. The chairs were comfortable. But she wasn't used to sitting still. Her system ran ninety percent jet fuel, two percent adrenaline, and fifty percent arrogance. There was no room for human blood. She had no time for it. No need for it. Her mother used to say she was born running and tearing the world apart just to find a way to make it go faster. It was a relief to her parents that Alexis found a way to go fast. Yet they cringed every time a military sedan was seen going down the street. They were sure it was the chaplain headed for their house with news that Alexis had tried to out race the stars and lost. Little did they know, she tried to go Screaming through the Stars… and found him.

Alexis wasn't sure how long she had been contemplating life with her eyes closed, when Connie touched her arm again. Connie was wearing a military flight jacket with medic markings on it carrying the EMC bad in one hand and her briefcase in the other. Alexis is curious, but also afraid of the answers she will get. Alexis takes the bag and they head out the main door towards the doctor's parking.

Connie hits the release on her key chain, and the lights on a red and black H2 light up. Connie smiles, "Second to my sons, my pride and joy."

"Sons? More than one?" Alexis finds her voice.

Connie pops the back and tosses Alexis bag in, "Yep, twins. Orion and Jazzol." Alexis doesn't say anymore as she rolls the names through her head, getting into the passenger side. Connie doesn't say much. Instead she is humming along to the country and western music from the CD player.

Chapter 3 A short drive through the Taranto suburbs, and Connie pulls up to a town house. Out front, are two five year old boys kicking a soccer ball around. An older woman in her front porch rocker waves as they pull up. Connie jumps out of the driver's side and the boys run over to her. Connie kneels down as they latch on. "Oh my sweetsparks. I missed you so much." Alexis carefully steps down from the tall car and goes around to the back and pops open the trunk. She pulls out her duffle bag and briefcase, coming around to the other side. Connie carries a giggling son on each hip as she approaches the older woman. Connie speaks to her in French. Then Connie says something to her sons in a different language. Alexis' feels a lump in her throat. It was Cybertronian. This was all really happening. One of the boys runs back into the house and comes back with two backpacks. Then they give Mrs. Greaves a hug and follow their mother to their own front door. The deeply red haired boy gives Alexis a curious look.

Connie unlocks the door, "Orion, Jazzol, I'd like for you to meet my friend Alexis. She is going to be staying with us for awhile. Why don't you show her to the guest room. I need to put my briefcase away." Connie takes the briefcase from Alexis.

The boys grin. Jazzol grabs Alexis' hand, "Come on Alexis! You'll love it! We decorated it with mom." Before Alexis knew it, the little boy was dragging her up a set of stairs and around the banister. The other boy pushes open the door. Connie has to gasp as soon as she sees the room. The ceiling is covered with glow in the dark stars. One wall is a bay window with a box seat tucked into it. The top two shelves of the bookshelf are filled with models of military ambulances. The bed is covered in a beautiful bedspread of stars and planets. There is a small desk tucked next to the bed with a desk lamp. The room is small and cozy.

"Do you like it?" Jazzol asks.

Alexis lets her bag slip to the floor, "It's wonderful."

Orion, a little shier asks softly, "How do you know Mama? Do you have a sick kid?"

Alexis looks down at the very sensitive and compassionate face. She swallows hard. The eyes are as blue as his name sake but with strawberry blond hair like his mother. She's never seen a human with such aqua blue eyes. This child has a nature as tender as his name sake, as well. Alexis can only shake her head. She reaches out and touches his cheek softly, "I hope not."

Connie can see the look on Alexis face, "His name sake is not his father. Just in case you are wondering."

Jazzol is now jumping on the bed, "I bet you I can reach Saturn."

"Not if you want to taste dinner," his mother warns. The boy moans. "Now, I want you to put your lunch boxes up and wash up for dinner."

"What's for dinner?" Orion asks.

"I was thinking spaghetti. Could you help me with the garlic bread?" Orion beams a smile. "Then hurry up." The boys take off.

Connie leans on the door jam, "Let's get through dinner and after they go to bed I'll go over everything."

"What do they know about their father?"

Connie lowers her head to her wedding rings, "As far as they and anyone else knows, their father is a medic/surgeon with an elite squadron. Every now and then they get email from him."

"Have they ever met him?"

Connie shakes her head, "I haven't told them that they never will." Connie takes a hard breath.

"Have you seen him since?"

The tears are brimming in Connie's eyes. Alexis reaches for her, "I'm so sorry, Connie."

Connie chokes back a laugh, "I feel sorry for you. You never will. I at least have a chance."

Alexis feels her own emotions choking up, "Maybe it's for the best. At least for me."

They pull back and give each other tearful smiles. "At least you won't be alone."

Jazzol bellows from the stairwell, "Mama! I'm hungry." The women laugh.

~~ Alexis helps Orion with the garlic bread while Jazzol sets the table and helps with the sauce. Alexis and Connie keep dinner conversations centered about the boys and their friends. After dinner, Alexis gets settled in her room and Connie gets the boys tucked into bed. It takes two books to get them settled down. A new guest is always exciting for them.

Connie changes into her favorite jammies: fleece with band-aids and nurse's hats. Alexis finds a pair of sweats and a t-shirt that still fits. Connie leads her to the living room with cups of hot tea and fudge. Then she opens Alexis' medical file.

"Okay, let's get down to business. The radiation readings from the 'Bots exposure is starting to drop off. It doesn't look like you are retaining any of Starscream's radiation readings. That is good, because neither 'Bot nor 'Con should be able to track you with a fly over. In a matter of a few more days, you should loose all 'Bot readings."

Alexis is a little shocked by the thought a 'Con would be tracking her. She points to the floor above where the boys are sleeping. "Do they retain anything of their father?"

Connie sips her tea and laughs. "Lets step back a moment, what do you know about me? What did Optimus tell you?"

Alexis shakes her head, "I can tell Optimus was mixed about me after I broke the news. Somewhere between anger, shock and sympathy. He told me to go to Taranto find Dr. Constance Mecano. That your husband was in my husband's regiment. But from the look on his face, I'm going to guess, your husband isn't a 'Con."

"Primus, no!" Connie gasps. "No offense to you, but if I ever see another 'Con, after what they did to me, I will not hesitate to destroy them." Then Connie leans in very carefully and her eyes narrow to a forceful warning, "What is your allegiance?"

Alexis' hands begin to shake. She can tell, Connie is not kidding. Carefully she sets her cup down and sits back in military style. She wants Connie to read her clearly and honestly, "Look, Doctor, I know nothing about you. All I know is that I asked Prime for help and he gave me your name. I can understand wanting to protect your children. I don't blame you. I do not blame the Autobots if they hate me. I'm shocked that Prime helped me. I do not blame the Earth Corps for letting me go. I hold nothing against either one of them. I do blame Galvatron for slaying Starscream instead of listening to reason. Power has clearly plugged his logic circuits. Starscream and Prime had a reason to unite. I do not agree with Starscream's plan for the Decepticons to take control of Cybertron, though. Seekers maybe."

Connie also leans forward in interrogation mode, "Then what in Primus were you doing with him?"

Alexis' shoulders sag, "Nothing that made sense. We were out for a good time. We drew the line at talking about work. We were a couple jocks talking smack to each other and racing the stars. And well… things went… spiraling out of control." Alexis sinks her head into her hands, "I had no business hanging out with him. He screwed up my world, big time. Even before the baby. I know so many things I shouldn't know. Prime and my commanders have no idea where I've been and what I've seen."

Connie sits back and ponders everything Alexis just said. "He killed your friends."

Alexis lifts her head, "Yeah, and I killed more than a few of his as well."

"He's tried to kill Prime. Many times."

"And Galvatron. He also risked everything to help his best friend Skyfire, Seeker turned Autobot, find his son. So who's side is he really on? His own!" Alexis feels the last remains of his armor wrapped around her finger, "And let's see where that got him? Not the best plan to come between them both in order to prove his point about Unicron. But you know what, it worked. Not the way he planned, but it still worked."

Connie leans back in, "What worked?"

Tears stream down Alexis' face, "The 'Bots and 'Cons have joined forces to take on Unicron. He died for the right reason." She looks down at her slightly rounding belly, "Maybe this child has a chance to go to Cybertron under a peaceful flag someday." Connie looks over to Alexis with a doubtful look. Alexis lifts her chin, "I have to believe he gave his life for peace. I can't believe his death was all for nothing. I have to believe he wanted peace for his child. Because that is the Starscream that I knew and loved. No one else knew or loved him like I did." A sob sneaks out.

"Oh Alexis…," Connie sighs with sorrow afraid to tell her that this war has gone on for eons and probably eons more. Connie's own grief goes back to why she was parted from her mate. It was for the same reason. Ratchet had left her in order to fight for a peaceful future for her and their children. "I'm sorry if I came across…"

Alexis reaches over and takes Connie's hand, "Please tell me…"

Instead Connie grips her hand tightly, "Ratchet. Ratchet has my spark and I have his sons. I can never return to him and he can never come to us." The two women hold each other tightly while the tears flow freely for their lost love. Nothing else is said that night.

Chapter 4

The next morning, Connie opens the guest room door. Alexis is curled into a ball and deeply asleep. Connie leaves her a simple note and heads out for her day.

Alexis is so worn out that she doesn't awaken until well after noon. She finds Connie's note telling her to use her shower to dodge the boats in the boys bath tub. Also that she should take her time getting acquainted with Taranto and Earth. She would be back at about four. It would be pizza night for the boys.

So Alexis pulls out her lap top and gets hooked up to the internet. There was a lot to learn. And she also needs to find an income. Her last military check wouldn't get her far. True she hadn't spent much of her other income and she had a heck of a lot of hazard pay coming to her. But what would she do for income? Where does a pregnant fighter pilot get a job?

Before that, she knew there was something else she needed to do. Taking the spare key Connie had left, Alexis walked the few short blocks to the stone church. Climbing the steps, it had been so long since she actually stepped foot in a church. She had to smile, it seemed so small and minimal in it honor to God after she had passed through his amazing universe. This Earth was so small compared to all the wonders out there. Yes, this was the only planet with human life. But she had seen His other creations.

Someone was at the pipe organ practicing for a funeral. She knew the words to the song. Rise my soul and stretch thy wings Thy better portion trace, Rise from transitory things, Toward heaven thy native place, Sun and moon and stars decay, Time shall soon this earth remove. Rise my soul and haste away, to seats prepared above.

Rivers to the ocean run, Nor stay in all their course, Fire ascending seeks the sun, Both speed them to their source, So a soul that born of God longs to view his glorious face. Forward tends to his abode to rest in his embrace.

Sinking down in a pew, she looked to the cross baring Jesus at the crucifixion. He had died that she may be free to honor God. He had died so that her sins would be paid in full.

She leaned forward putting her face in her palms, Please God forgive me for being callous and arrogant in the past. Please forgive me for taking everything so lightly. Please, I don't know if you manifested Yourself as Primus for them or what your plan is for their souls, but could you spare my mate from Hell? Could you protect our daughter? Can you teach me what to tell her? Can you give me the strength to keep going? Like you did for Skyfire and Igneous.

I believe you made this whole universe and everything in it. I don't care about semantics. I just know you are in charge and I need to put my complete faith in you. I will raise my daughter with that faith. I love you and thank you for gifting me with this tiny life. I will never regret her or forsake her. I will bring her here for her blessing. I will be faithful to you. Just …. Please God…. I need your help.

Alexis sat in the church for awhile letting God's peace wave over her. She also sent out her prayers for her fellow EMC and Autobot friends and their mates & children. She even sent a prayer out for Swindle, Ravage and Roller.

Walking home, Alexis found more peace than she had in days. Digging through Connie's fridge she had green salad waiting when they came home with the hot pizza.

As the boys were washing up, Mrs. Greaves comes to the door. She needed to go on an extended leave to take care of her daughter sick with cancer. Connie gave her a hug and told her not to worry. Alexis came over to ease the older woman's fears. "God works in mysterious ways. Looks like my timing is perfect." She rubs her belly, "Nothing like on the job training."

Connie giggles, "Are you sure?"

Alexis smiles, "Yeah, it's the least I could do." And so Mrs. Greaves left with relief. But she would miss the boys dearly.

At dinner, Connie asked Alexis, "So what did you do today?"

Alexis scrunches up her nose. How do you talk religion to someone raise on another planet. "I went to church."

Connie nods, "I understand. Prayer is a powerful thing. Saw me through some of my darkest times."

Orion asks, "Are you going back to the church?"

Alexis nods, "I plan to. I had to go today because I couldn't go to a friend's funeral." Connie reaches over and clasps Alexis left hand warmly. Alexis smiles, "But it's okay. I know he is with the Creator now. I also went to pray for his partner who must be so lonely and scared." Connie grips her hand knowing that Alexis understands a minicon-master link. "And my other team mates." She takes a bite of her pizza, "So what did you do today?"

The boys chatted on about the finger paints, the lessons and reading. Connie told them about the children she was helping from their birth defects or accidents. Careful to leave out the gory stuff.

That night, Alexis tucked the boys in with a wild story about a father who didn't know he had a son because his wife had been in an accident and was missing. His best friend and he had been on opposite sides of the war. But when he found out about his son Igneous, he begged his best ex-friend to help him. And so the search began over the universe for Igneous. Alexis kept the story to an exciting but not so frightening level. The boys were upset when Connie knocked on the door for lights out. "You both have school tomorrow. Aunt Alexis will be with us for a while. In fact she is going to take care of you like Mrs. Greaves did. Okay? So you will obey."

Alexis smirks, "Don't make me use those techniques I learned in the Marines on you." The boys giggle and she leaves the room giving them both a kiss on the forehead.

Connie found it would be nice to have a friend she could talk honestly to about the war and find out about her other friends. Alexis found it a relief to be able to unload the secret of her relationship. Just left one little piece out for now. She had no problem telling her about Starscream being a human. That was apparent by the new life she carried. Alexis just wasn't ready to spill the other half …yet.

One night Connie was concerned when she pulled up to the house and it was pitch dark. True it was eight o'clock on a Friday night so the boys should still be up, but where could they be? She opens the front door and was assaulted by a flying glowing disk. "Mama! Close the door, you're letting the light in." Jazzol whined.

"Excuse me? What is going on?" Connie was surprised.

Orion giggles from the dark kitchen door way, "Alexis taught us a game she learned in the Nemesis Brig."

"ALEXIS!" Connie growled.

Lighting a single candle Alexis tries to back peddle, "I can explain Connie. Just not right now. How about taking a load off in the kitchen doorway with Orion. Jazzol and I have the curtains to guard."

Orion giggles scooting aside, "Come on Mama, help me. Alexis is pretty good."

Connie scowls at Alexis. But Orion takes his mother's coat, briefcase and puts them on the kitchen table. Alexis takes her seat on the floor beside Jazzol. "Okay we've got six glow in the dark bracelets out here. You have to keep them on the hard wood floor and scoot them past or around us. If it goes under the couch the boys will fish them out."

"Alexis said she and her friend Moonracer played this when they were on Nemesis on their way to a secret location. Glow in the dark hockey she called it."

Connie growls nearly in a mech fashion that sent a shiver down Alexis spine, "You and I will be talking tonight, Miss Paxton."

"Ah Mama, shhh. Lets go." Jazzol called blowing out the candle.

Connie had to admit, this was a blast. This looked like a good game they could play one night in the children's wing of the hospital some night too. The room pitch dark except for the Halloween glowing bracelets sliding across the floor trying to get them through the doorway or into the curtains. After nearly an hour of flinging and giggling, the women were bushed. They let the boys take the glowing rings to bed with the promise they stayed there.

Down stairs, Connie lit the candles got her dinner and pointed to Alexis, "Explain being in the Nemesis Brig." So Alexis did. "Please don't tell me you told the boys all that. Or what a brig was?"

"A brig? Well ah, er… kinda had to. Not the Nemesis' truth of course! But I explained that the ship was full and it was the only place left for us to bunk and the doors were open."

Connie grasped her forehead. "Anything else I should expect coming up in conversation?"

Alexis rubs the back of her head, "Ah… well… they might mention something about Ravage and paper airplanes." Connie started muttering things Alexis last heard coming from Sunstreaker after a shotty landing taking off stabilizers. "Ravage looked like he was enjoying himself for a change. Can you blame the cyber-cat?" Alexis was sure she saw the tawny eyes actually glow like optics. "I'm gonna hit the rack," she escapes.

(Part 2 coming)