Disclaimer: I do not own any of the Transformer characters.
Summary: Can our two favorite army men survive a game of hopscotch with Annabelle?
A/N: I know there a couple different variations on how to set up hopscotch and play. The one that Annabelle plays is based on one my friends and I made up when we were young. I don't know if anyone else has ever tried it, but it's actually a challenge…as much as hopscotch can be a challenge anyway.
Epps looked lost as Annabelle looked pleadingly up at him, holding a small stone.
"Please!" she begged, sticking out her lower lip in a pout.
"Hey, Lennox, your daughter wants me to play hopscotch with her!" Epps called to the Captain, who was busy trying to scrub the mud caked on Ironhide's driver side door. He had the hose, some soap, and a sponge. All he needed now was some patience and luck.
Epps had come to his house for the afternoon, but he wasn't feeling up to helping Will clean the truck. Sarah had left as soon as he got to the house, saying she had to pick up groceries. That left them to watch Annabelle. Being the active little girl that she was, she wanted Epps to play with her.
"So?" Will replied, failing to see what the problem was. "Play with her then."
"I don't even know how to play it!" Epps answered.
Will scrubbed at the side of the truck, finally succeeding in getting all of the mud off. After hosing the soap away, he straightened up, cracking his back. "You're kidding, right?" When Epps didn't answer, he shook his head. "All done, Ironhide."
The truck thanked him gruffly before heading back toward the garage where he could watch the area for threats easier. Will went over to the hopscotch diagram that was drawn on the driveway. Annabelle happily handed him the stone she used to throw on the numbers.
"It's simple, Epps. Kids play this game."
Will threw the stone onto one of the numbers and showed Epps what to do. Epps was snickering as he watched the army captain hop through the pattern, skipping over the number the stone landed on. Annabelle was enjoying the whole thing immensely.
"Your turn!" she exclaimed, handing Epps the stone.
As he threw it, Ironhide made his way over. "Captain, it's not safe to allow your daughter to play where cars drive. What if someone turns in here while going at an excessive speed? She could be hit and seriously injured."
"You're right," Will agreed, keeping a straight face. "Why don't you watch out for speeders? That would make it safe then."
"Agreed, and Captain?"
"Hmm?" Will was too busy watching Epps complete his turn, and then Annabelle as well.
"This game is generally played by children up to the ages of nine and usually girls. May I inquire as to why the Sergeant and you are playing it?"
"It keeps Annabelle happy," Will answered as Annabelle finished her turn and came running back to his side. Ironhide seemed to be thinking about that statement as he headed off to make sure the driveway was secure enough to play in.
"Two people at the same time, daddy!" Annabelle requested, tugging on his hand.
"Two people at once?" Epps didn't like the sound of that.
"Yeah, one person starts at one end, and the other on the other side. Then, you have to work your way around each other," Will explained. Once more, Will demonstrated for him with the help of Annabelle this time. She was giggling and tugging Epps toward one end of the diagram.
"Your turn!"
"Uh, Annabelle, I don't think your dad and I can fit on the squares together," he protested.
"Mommy said I have to let everyone have a turn," the little girl replied. "Please?" She was back to begging.
They relented only to please her. She threw the stone for them, managing to get it in a complicated place. To complete the course, Will and Epps would have to be on the same square at one point, and then somehow get around each other on that square without stepping outside the lines or falling off one foot.
"No switching feet!" Annabelle said with obvious delight while watching them struggle.
"You know, Lennox, I've been in a lot of awkward situations, but this one definitely takes the cake," Epps commented. They were practically pressed up against each other in a five by five inch box drawn by a child.
"We're doing this for Annabelle, remember?" Will replied as they slowly got around each other. "Quit swaying. You're making me lose my balance."
"My ankle feels like it's on fire…"
"Oh my god!"
They both jerked their heads upright as they heard the exclamation followed by uncontrollable laughter. Sarah was doubled over outside her car now parked near them. She was holding her sides as she laughed. Will and Epps instantly stopped playing and put a little bit of a distance between them.
"Mommy's laughing at us," Annabelle pointed out innocently. Will reached down to swing his daughter up in his arms.
"I know, she's very rude, isn't she?" he asked with a serious expression. Annabelle nodded just as seriously.
"Man, I blame you for this," Epps said to him. "She is never going to let this go," he added, pointing to Sarah.
A/N: Thanks for reading! Comments are appreciated. I have written a couple different humorous scenes involving this group. If people want to read them, then I am willing to post some more.