The New Kinda Family

Prologue

Author's Note: I do not, under any circumstance, own any of these characters, places, or ideas that are created by whoever own Transformers.

The sound of a sparkling's cries echoed through the small home in the city of Metroplex. A very tired medic squeezed his optics and rolled over, trying to ignore the little one's crying. He knew that his new son was just looking for attention at this hour, and really didn't need anything. Ratchet had raised a few little mechs in his day, and could tell an attention cry from an important cry.

Ratchet finally couldn't take it any longer, and decided to take pity on the tiny mech. Walking into the nursery, he turned on the little light by the side of the cot. The tiny bot inside of the berth was coughing, trying to comfort himself. The old doctor picked up the sparkling, cradling him to where his old spark laid. "There there young one…Ratchet's here."

The medic's words were just what the little one needed. His shiny, light blue optics opened wide and met Ratchet's. One of the sparkling's digits found its way into his mouth as the two made their way back into Ratchet's berth room. The doc bot laid them both down on the berth, covering the sparkling with the thermal blanket he always kept in the berth. The only sound throughout the home that could be heard was the quiet beating of two sparks, finally at rest after a long time of worry.

Bumblebee yawned, getting off of his berth. It was going to be a long day according to his adopted Carrier, Ratchet. Opening his door, he walked into the new hall of their new base. The location: Detroit Michigan. This town was full of old warehouses and factories that people have long forgotten about. Ever since Optimus Prime and Megatron became bonded, they decided that both sides would live as one in one 'home'. Since the Autobots and Decpeticons followed their respective leaders and now that their leaders became bonded, they decided to go with them. Bee walked into the new rec room and saw Bulkhead setting up some new TV's with Ratchet, "You're up, come help us!" The doc said, motioning for the young scout to help. The yellow mech walked over and held the side Ratchet was currently holding. The medic hooked up the wires and cables into the plug.

Ratchet wasn't happy about what was going to happen, he still was against Con's as old habits tend to die hard, but he respected his leader no matter what choice's he made. Once it was set up, the younger mechs went to get some morning energon. The Decpeticons were supposed to be arriving today along with more energon. Arcee was already in the storage room, grabbing herself a cube, "Hello mechs."

"Arcee." Bulkhead said, grabbing a cube and leaving for the rec room.

Bumblebee brought Ratchet a cube of energon as well, and four out of the five members of Team Prime were making themselves comfortable. There wasn't much in there yet, but that would change. Ratchet and Arcee had an idea of what they wanted for the lay out. A couple of couches, some reclining chairs and maybe an energon table*.

Heavy footsteps came from the hallway away. Turning around, Bee saw his Sire figure coming down the hall. During the last stages of his youngling years, Optimus came into the 'family'. Now he was wondering if Megatron would be his step-Carrier or step-Sire. "Good morning Autobots." The large leader said with a smile gracing his face plate.

"Morning boss." Bulk said. Arcee waved, sipping at her cube. Bumblebee took his empty cube and went to dispose of it. That's when he heard the sound of familiar jet engines coming closer. He beeped and whistled, warning the others.

Optimus smiled to himself and headed for the entrance while the rest of the team followed. Three jets, two cars and a helicopter landed then transformed. "Orion Pax, so nice to see you again." Megatron said, walking up to his new mate.

The Prime smiled and hugged his mate, placing his servos around the Decepticon's neck, "It has been so long."

"It was one night." Starscream said, ruining the moment.

Airachnid elbowed him in the chest, "Knock it off Screamer." Knockout and Breakdown came closer to the crowd of Cybertronians along with Soundwave.

Optimus stepped back and cleared his throat, "Welcome to our new home." He said, heading for the entrance, with the other's following him. They walked into the rec room and stood there, "Since we are still working on renovating rooms and getting them to accustom Cybertronians, we are forced to share quarters." Bee closed his optics and mentally groaned. He didn't want to share a room with anyone, Bot or Con. But then again, who wants to share?

They all headed down the only hallway were the rooms were cleared. It turns out that Optimus already made arrangements for the others rooms. Bulkhead, Breakdown and Knockout were sharing the first room on the left. Arcee and Airachnid next door to them. Ratchet and Starscream were across the hall from the femmes, with Soundwave and Bumblebee next to them. The med bay was on the right and the wash racks on the left. The last room on the right was Optimus and Megatron's shared room and across from that was an almost cleared out room.

The (former) Cybertronian leaders went into their rooms to get settled. The Prime and his mate went into their room and sat down on the large berth together. Optimus snuggled into his mate's large chest, "I love you."

"I love you too." He said, wrapping his arms around his waist and pulling him closer and placing a kiss upon his helm.

Megatron knew that Optimus was the right choice as a mate. The two used to be great friends before the stupid war that he didn't even want to be in any longer. Optimus was the only one to defeat him in a fight verbal or hand to hand combat. And, he was just right in everything that Megatron wasn't. The Prime was kind and caring to everyone, not just his mate.

Optimus looked into Megatron's dark red optics, trying to ask him something. He just didn't know how to say it. The war lord knew that his lover wanted to say something, "What is it?"

The Prime sighed, "It is not important now Megatron."

"Anything that forms in your processor is of importance." he said, looking right into the blue eyes of his mate. "Please tell me."

Optimus shifted in the position, resting his helm onto the larger mechs chest. "It's just…now that we are bonded and living together…I thought that we could…maybe…" he shook his head, "Never mind, it is a pointless dream."

Gently lifting Optimus's helm to get a better look he tilted his head, "You can tell me anything my love."

"Well…I have always wanted a family. But, since we are both Dominate Mechs and cannot carry it won't happen that way." Optimus spilled his dream. He lived with Bumblebee at the end of his youngling years and did a little bit of raising him. That motivated him to want one of his own, it didn't even have to be his own biology.

Megatron slightly tensed at what his mate said. Typically, he and young of any species didn't mix because he was a scary looking mech. But, he did want a child with is mate one day. "You, Orion Pax, are one big dreamer."

A small smile crept onto Optimus's face, "I love it when you call me that." Leaning into a small kiss, which quickly escalated into making up for the time the couple lost last night.

Megatron, still a little warry about Optimus's wish, decided that it would be a good idea to actually observe the young of the Earth. He and his mate, along with Breakdown and Knockout, left the base to visit a park that was in the middle of the town. Megatron was flying high above the clouds, while the three wheeled Cybertronians traveled together.

The park was full and very forested, yet many families were there that day to enjoy the beautiful day. Stopping a good distance away from where many humans were enjoying the weather, the Cybertronians turned on their Holoforms. Both Ratchet and Knockout had Holoforms created for the Autobots and Decepticons before their truce occurred. Optimus and Megatron were both well over 6 feet tall, with Breakdown just about 6 feet. Knockout, on the other hand, came just up to Breakdown's shoulder. All of the Holoforms had brown hair, nicely combed and groomed.

"Wow, I never would've guess Autobots could clean up so nice." Knockout whispered to Breakdown, looking over the former leaders.

Optimus was a lean, older looking man with little scruff on his face. Megatron was also an older looking man, but definitely more built than his mate and not one hair was upon his face.

Optimus, the ever careful listener, smiled at Knockout, "You Decepticon's do a find job yourself."

Breakdown was a bigger built guy, sporting an eyepatch over his missing eye along with a few scars on his face. His partner, on the other hand, had a small goatee forming on his chin along with a pair of black sunglasses covering his eyes.

Megatron led the small group from their vehicle forms to the populated part of the park, taking Optimus by the hand. "Who would have ever guessed that Earth could be so beautiful?" He asked to himself with a smile. The Prime agreed, nodding his head and just taking it all in.

The large area with children had many different types of playground equipment with many different types of children occupying them. All different genders. All different colors. All different ages, shapes, noises. The endless mixture of happy children caused a large grin to appear on Optimus' face. He gently squeezed his mate's hand and led him to an unoccupied bench near the swings while Knockout and Breakdown took a stroll towards the small pond.

There were many smaller children by the swings today. Optimus watched as a young couple took turns pushing a small toddler. The little one was smiling and laughing. Asking to go higher and higher. The light sounding giggles were music to the Autobot's ears.

"Do you see yourself here?" The Prime questioned after a short moment of silence. There was no verbal response, so Optimus just continued. "Can you not hear a child, our child, laughing here? Do you see their small smile as you push them on the swings with the other children? Can you feel them tugging at your hand, asking you for one more ride down the slide?"

Megatron's gaze went from the swinging children to Optimus. The Prime had a look he had not seen in some millennia: hope. Yes, the Prime always hoped this war would end, but this look of hope was a selfish look almost. "Your eyes are the same shade as your optics." Was all he could say.

The Prime looked to his lap, closing his eyes. "I understand that humans are not Cybertronians. They are not an advanced species, but is that not what makes them great?" After a few moments, he stood, finally gaining the courage to look Megatron in the eye once more. "If I could give you a child of our own, do you not think I would have said that? I just want a child, our own energon or not." On that, he left. Optimus knew from past experience that if he was going to stay any longer, he would become too upset to have a genuine conversation.

It was Megatron's turn to feel bad. He wanted nothing more for than Optimus to be happy, but a human sparkling? A sparkling even?! They had just gotten bonded and just moved together in a spot on Earth. Well, the couple did have the resources to have a human child if they really desired. "Maybe…maybe we could do it." He whispered to himself. Looking towards where Optimus went, Megatron took in a deep breath and made himself stand up.

He walked towards the most flowered part of the park, full of many flower beds and Willow trees. With the little information Megatron had on human customs, especially when it involved romance, he remembered something about flowers. Quickly and carefully, he plucked a few of the yellow ones with many petals. After following the path made of stones, he found Optimus observing a sign that was placed in front of a statue.

The former warlord cleared his throat, causing Optimus to turn around quickly. Megatron held out the flowers to the Prime, a look of regret gracing his features. "I hear that flowers are not only used for romance on this planet, but also as a way to apologize." The Prime just stood there, arms crossed across his chest with one eyebrow raised. Megatron continued, "If a child is what you want right now, then I believe we have much research to begin on."

Optimus, without warning, ran into his arms and planted a kiss upon Megatron's lips. A large smile formed on the Prime's face, "You do not know how happy you've made me Megatronus! We can take as much time as you need to feel comfortable, and I agree research is what we need to do first, but just the knowledge of you being comfortable with this is all I needed to hear."

)()()()()()(

On the other end of the park, Breakdown and Knockout were taking a stroll around the park. Breakdown was enjoying his time around the park. It was his idea to join the bonded couple for their outing. When everyone was settling in at the base, Breakdown happened to pass by the couple's room and caught the private conversation that they were having. Now he could not get it out of his head.

A sparkling, a youngling even, to raise and call his own. That would be the goal, and if he had a mate, that would be the cherry on top. Currently, he was watching a little girl throw bread into the water for some kind of organic animal; a baby duck. The girl's parents were helping by making sure the child did not fall into the water while also handing her the appropriate amounts of bread.

Knockout was trying to have a good conversation with his medical assistant about the new paint and wax that he ordered the last week, but he could tell that Breakdown was too distracted. The warriors gaze was focused elsewhere, instead of on the medic. Knockout finally noticed that Breakdown's attention was on the child by the small body of water. "Organics, right?" Knockout smirked, nudging Breakdown in the shoulder a little.

Breakdown snapped out of it, looking at the medic. "Yeah, they're a strange and disgusting species." He stuffed his hands into his pockets, "But…raising life, isn't that the point of our existence?"

The medic was quiet for a small moment to think about his answer carefully. "Well, technically yes. Before the war our main focus in life was to have an occupation, find a mate and bond with them, have as many sparklings as possible, and then once they were grown and the cycle of life began again, we were ready to move on to the Well of AllSparks."

"But what about now?" The taller man finally stopped walking.

"What about now?"

Breakdown huffed, "What if I want to raise one now? The war is over. We've got plenty of resources. Maybe that's just what we need to help bring the two sides closer together…"

Knockout let out a laugh, "Breakdown, I understand that you only have one optic at the time, even though I still offer to replace it for you, but there are no sparklings on Earth!" Knockout, surprising Breakdown, hooked their elbows together and began to lead him back towards where they left the older mechs. "Besides, you're not bonded and can't carry sparklings anyways…what were you planning on doing? Kidnapping a human sparkling to raise on your own?!"

"Well, maybe not kidnap…" Breakdown muttered, following Knockout back to where Megatron and Optimus were sitting.

Everyone was in the rec room consuming energon. Optimus and Megatron, along with Breakdown and Knockout arrived a little over an hour ago, and alerted the base that they had important information to share. The Autobots and Decepticons seemed to have split themselves into their old fractions, with the Autobots standing by the entrance door and the Decepticons choosing to sit near the television set up. Megatron looked around the room, then he stood up from his spot on a metal crate that was left over from the previous owner. "Can I call attention?" At this, the Prime stood next to his mate.

The room was quiet and all optics were on him and his mate. "We have talked this over…" Optimus began, "…and, it is a dream of mine…"

Bee raised his optic ridges in confusion. Megatron continued, "We want to begin a family."

Ratchet spit out some energon into his hand. Optimus looked concerned, "Since we cannot carry and we do not want to put that burden onto anyone, we want to adopt."

Knockout squinted his optics, "There aren't any sparklings or younglings on this planet."

Megatron looked at his mate and Optimus looked at him, not really sure how to approach this topic. It was still really new to Megatron, and Optimus was getting that selfish look in his optics again. The newly bonded couple smiled, "We want to adopt a human." Optimus finally said, looking towards the crowded room.

"WHAT?" they all said in unison.

Optimus nodded, "We have done research and found that many human younglings and sparklings, sometimes even hatchlings, are not with their original Creators."

Megaton stepped in, "Instead of making one, we would like to give one of them a chance."

"We have already scheduled an appointment with a social worker." Optimus added, "He should be coming here this week."

The room was deathly silent. All of the expressions that were on the Cybertronian's faces were that of confusion, worry, and doubt. All except Breakdown that is. The blue mech was almost certain that the couple would be pro adoption for a human child, so this news was not so much of a shock. He walked towards his former leader with his hand out for a shake, "I believe this idea is a great one, and I fully support your decision."

Megatron smiled, shaking his hand in return. Knockout shook his helm in disbelief, getting up to dispose his empty cube. This had everyone else follow suit and go their own ways. Optimus and Megatron were the only ones left in the rec room, thinking over their announcement. Ratchet was the last to dispose of his cube and had to go through the rec room in order to get to his quarters. He cleared his throat in order to warn the couple of his presence.

The two of them looked over to the old doctor, the Prime had a look of worry in his optics. Ratchet sighed, approaching them, "Optimus, you know I trust your judgments and calls, but this time Prime…I'm not so sure." He met his leaders optics and continued, "I'm just not sure that you've given it enough thought and research."

"That is part of the reason as to why we asked a social worker to meet with us in a few cycles." Megatron answered, getting slightly defensive towards his mate.

Optimus held up his servo, beckoning for his mate to relax. "Old friend, I thank you for your trust, and hope that you will still trust this judgement. You, as a Sire and Carrier yourself should know this feeling all too well."

Ratchet let out a small laugh, "Well, adopted Carrier to be correct. I might be an older Bot, so perhaps I'm just not as acquainted with suddenly settling down so quickly after getting bonded. Maybe I just need to do my own research as well." The three older men shared a moment of laughter. "But, it does seem odd that Breakdown was so interested with the idea of taking in a human sparking…"

"Yes, I agree." Megatron said, "But that mech has always been a little odd."

ANOTHER REWRITE HOLY GUACAMOLE! LET THIS BE THE SUMMER OF REWRITES WRITING GODS!

Made Up Terms You Should Know:

Energon Table: Cybertronian coffee table

Dominate mech: A Cybertronian who was not built to carry young.