A/N: The plot isn't mine. It's actually based on the two-part comic that Ghost Of The Dawn (aka Ty-chou) made over at DeviantArt, and I wrote it with her permission. You can find the comics here (just delete the spaces):

http: // ty-chou. deviantart. com /art/ TF-Mistletoe-72686698

http: // ty-chou. deviantart. com / art/ TF-Mistletoe-2-105461894

It had been Jazz's idea and, for once, Prowl had agreed to it. After all, both the second and third-in-command saw clearly that the mood of four particular Autobots had been sour as of late. Optimus Prime and Ironhide didn't really show it because they were officers and had to set a good example – that's what the weapons' specialist kept grumbling under his breath anyway. Inferno and Powerglide, on the other hand, had already snapped at several of their companions and shut themselves out from the rest of the crew.

The fact that Spike and Carly had officially declared they were an item hardly helped matters at all. That, combined with the fact that Christmas, a season of love and companionship, was fast approaching, reminded those four Autobots that their bonded ones were very, very far away. And, since Jazz and Prowl knew that that could also affect not only the four Autobots' moral, but even the moral of the rest of the Autobots, they decided to do something about it.

Prowl did the planning, while Jazz saw to its flawless execution. And so, in a single Earth day, the small team that Jazz picked for the mission – which consisted of himself, Bumblebee and Mirage – had located the Decepticons' space bridge, used it, passed through Shockwave's defence systems, and escorted Elita-1, Chromia, Moonracer and Firestar to Earth.

It was, as Jazz pointed out later while tending his singed backside, "a piece of oil cake". Still, what really mattered was that the mission was a success, and that the femmes could stay in the Ark for a few weeks, enjoying the attention of all the members of the Ark. Too much attention in some cases.

Optimus looked up when he heard the door of his office hissing open, and he blinked in surprise when Sunstreaker rushed in and hid behind the Autobot leader like a scared robo-dog.

"Is something the matter, Sunstreaker?" Optimus asked, raising an optic ridge.

"No, not really," Sunstreaker said in a matter of fact tone. "Just trying to stay alive, that's all."

"Hmm…" Optimus thought about that statement for a few seconds. "Is Ratchet after you again?"

Sunstreaker winced. "Not exactly."

Now that was new to Optimus's audios. The only Autobots who always threatened to bodily harm either of the twins – or even both of them – were Ratchet and… oh.

"And why is Ironhide after you?" Optimus asked, turning around so he could have a better look at Sunstreaker. The yellow Lamborghini was making an accurate Bluestreak impersonation in the nervous way he was shifting his weight and, curiously enough, he had a piece of wire around his waist so that a mistletoe with lots of thorny leaves hovered over his head, resembling some kind of odd antenna.

Optimus frowned. "Don't tell me you and Sideswipe pulled a prank on him."

"No, nothing like that," Sunstreaker replied, "I… uh… wanted to show Chromia the local customs."

Optimus looked at the mistletoe, then back at Sunstreaker, all the while searching his memory databanks for any information that would explain things further. When he finally found it, he could only shake his head in an amused manner.

"Sunstreaker… you realise that there are easier ways to die."

"Hey, it's not my fault Ironhide went all alpha male on me!" Sunstreaker said defensively, "It was gonna be a small, innocent, platonic peck on the cheek!"

"Of course it was," Optimus said, trying to keep his tone dry and professional and yet aware he was failing miserably. Apparently, Prowl was better at this than he would ever be. "Well, seeing that you are one of my best warriors and it would be a waste losing you, you are relieved from your duties so you can find yourself a hiding spot."

Sunstreaker sighed in relief. "Thanks, Prime, but… I was kinda hoping I could stay here. It'll be the last place Ironhide will look."

Optimus had to admit that Sunstreaker had a point.

"Very well," he said, "However, if I'm to be exiled from my office for the rest of the day, I'll have to ask you for a favour in turn."

The yellow Lamborghini tensed again and regarded Optimus warily. "Uh… sure. What is it?"

Optimus stretched a hand in Sunstreaker's direction. "The mistletoe, if you please."

Sunstreaker blinked, then grinned in realisation and removed the wire from his waist. "I hope your luck will be better than mine, Sir."

"At least I'll be safe from Ironhide's wrath," Optimus said with a chuckle, taking the mistletoe, and he walked out of his office.

Now… where was Elita?

TBC...