Disclaimer: I do not own Transformers, they belong to Hasbro.

Thank you to my beta, autobotmosquito.

Twelve Nights Before Christmas

By Nova Myth

Chapter 2: On the Second Night of Christmas

Shortly after the twins had a stern lecture and Sunstreaker's free time off the base was restricted until well after the Christmas break for his little stunt with tossing Maggie Optimus and Ironhide head out of the base. He left the others to continue decorating the tree but to wait for their return the following afternoon before the star was placed. Only Ironhide knew what they were up to and as far as everyone else knew they were headed out to pick up another alley they had gained during the previous year.

"I still don't see what the point is for this." Ironhide grumbled. He was going to have to haul a trailer along with Optimus.

"Neither do I, but I've been assured that Annabelle will be the one who will have the most enjoyment out of everyone." If Optimus was in his bipedal form he would have a small smile upon his face, the easiest thing to placate Ironhide was to use Annabelle. Not that is wasn't true; Annabelle was going to truly love the surprise they bringing in.

"As long as I don't have to carry that giant rodent." Optimus couldn't help but laugh over the com link as they headed south on the state highway before merging onto the interstate and heading east.

Inside the Ark buried beneath the mountains everyone was in the recreation room slowly decorating the tree and catching up socially. It was an interesting sight; Maggie was perched on Ratchet's shoulder, Sam and Mikaela on Bumblebee, while Glen was talking to Jazz and the twins. Will was holding a sleepy Annabelle and talking to Wheeljack with his wife.

"So everythin' goin' good at home?" Jazz asked Glen. He had only met the young man briefly after he was revived when Prowl and the others had landed.

"Yeah, I just hope my cousin doesn't kill my new metal DDR pad I got. Those things are expensive to get." Glen was slightly pouting a bit, he literally just had it delivered two days ago after weeks of waiting and he couldn't put it to use, had to spend the time getting gifts and shipping them to the Autobot base for Christmas.

"DDR?" The twins and Jazz stood for a second as they accessed the internet and found the information. Jazz has an almost evil smile as the twins practically leaped across the room to where Wheeljack stood talking to Lennox. "Wheeljack! You got build us a DDR!"

Ratchet's head jerked around, nearly causing Maggie to fall off, at the words Wheeljack and build. "Not without my approval you won't!" Ratchet walked around the tree to where Wheeljack was standing. "We really don't need an invention of yours blowing up where humans will be present."

Wheeljack began to rub his chin, a thoughtful expression on his face. "That's perfectly acceptable. I just need to have a copy of what I'm constructing to cybertronian size."

"Well great, that's what, ten grand?" The twins grinned.

"Acquired by legal means, you two." Prowl butted in, he knew those grins meant whatever they had planned was up to no good.

"Prowl, we're hurt. It's Christmas, what could you possibly be implying?" Sideswipe still hadn't lost his grin. Ratchet, Wheeljack, and Prowl just made doubting grunts. "Come on Glen, let's go see what's the best arcade model to go looking for." With that the twins and Glen walked over to the far wall where human sized computers and amenities were placed up scaffolding high tables so the Autobots wouldn't have to always be bending down or on their knees. Jazz choose to stay with his bonded to hang up more ornaments.

Eventually it was nearing midnight and by mutual agreement they left the rest of the ornaments for the next day. The Lennox went to their bedroom suite that was on the corner and therefore closer to Ironhide's chambers. Annabelle had a habit of leaving her room and going to him if she had a nightmare or dream than her parents. Glen and Maggie began to feel the effects of jet lag and headed toward their respective guess bedrooms. The twins went to their posts in the command center and watched Teletran One. Wheeljack and Ratchet retreated to their own chambers located near their own labs.

Prowl and Jazz sat on one of the Autobot sized couches while Bumblebee reclined on another with Sam and Mikaela on his chest curled up in blankets. "I understand this is your last year of your current schooling." Prowl was very curious of the two teenagers. The bond developing between them and Bumblebee was very easy to see, though the humans had a tended to be shy.

"Yeah, it's our senior year of high school. We're not sure if we're going to take the next year off or what just yet." Jazz nodded and keenly noted that it was we, and there had been no objections from the very independent Mikaela. It was no secret to the Autobots what was going on between the three and there was no indication that any of the other humans realized that Bumblebee was an equal partner in their relationship.

Jazz jerked his bonded closer to him, directing his attention to him instead of the children. "I believin' we're due for a chargin', hm?" Jazz slowly dragging his not so unwilling mate toward the door. Small giggles followed them as they left the room and the three remaining simply stayed where they were, enjoying the presence of each other as they gazed at the Christmas tree. Slowly but surely the two humans nodded off and Bumblebee gently held them to his chest as he made his way to his own quarters that he shared with his two very special humans.

The sun was just beginning to peak its golden head over the horizon when Optimus and Ironhide turned onto the country road that ended in the driveway of the ranch. Turning onto the drive they were immediately greeted and escorted by Ironhide's giant rodent, Shadao the great dane. Her white and spot grey harlequin coat smoothed over the rippling muscles as she ran beside Optimus as he head past the house and to the barn where two trailers and their friend, Fiona Dawn.

Optimus turned beside the large black trailer and began to back up while Fiona stood between the two trailers. Ironhide did likewise backed up also to the cabin fifth wheel horse trailer. Fiona hooked up both trailers with easy before grabbing a few rolled blankets, and a pillow and towards Optimus. Optimus opened his passenger door as she approached and greeted her once she was in the cabin laying blankets over the bunk in back of Optimus' cab. "Its good to see you Fiona, no troubles?"

"If by troubles you mean Barricade, yes, I've heard news but it's not urgent, it can wait till we're on the road." With that she climbed back out, whistled for Shadao who quickly climbed it the cab. Optimus shut his door once the dane was inside and Fiona walked to the barn. A few moments later she walked out leading dancing Gypsy Vanner on the snow crust covered ground. "Easy Lee Jones, easy." His black and white coat glowed in the morning light. He stomped his white socked feet, tossed his white mane, and flicked his black tail before allowed being lead into the open horse trailer. After securing him and the door to the horse trailer Fiona called to Optimus and Ironhide to check the break and signal lights. Going once more to the barn she grabbed two bags, secured the barn doors, and headed for Optimus' driver side door.

Optimus opened his door for her and she climbed in quickly, sighing in pleasure at the hot air from his air vents as he shut the door. She quickly put her bags in the passenger seat before buckling up. Optimus shifted into gear and pulled ahead. Fiona yanked off her gloves and held them to the vents, rubbing them quickly. "Okay, Barricade showed up a few days ago at the firehouse. All I know is he was in a bad need of a wash and the only way to describe what he's been doing is he went on a sabbatical. He wandered aimlessly around, did some soul searching, yada yada, now he's back. Threat? Not anymore than he was before he disappeared. That's it. Mia was a little bit of an emotional wreck to give me more."

Optimus only rumbled a little, lost in his thoughts. Barricade had surprised them just before Prowl's group had landed, seeking him out for sanctuary and medical care for the human he declared 'his' from the American government. He had killed several human males who had assaulted his human, Mia. He asked for a truce, but did not denounce his ties to the Decepticon fraction. Shortly afterwards he disappeared and had been vaguely spotted across the US but with no contact to his human. "Teletran One detected two weak decepticon signals a few weeks ago. Do you think he will still honor the truce?"

"Honestly? I do. He's back with Mia, that counts for something, no matter how he behaves. Plus its Christmas, it's the time of year for hope." Optimus merely rumbled his agreement before slipping into silence. Fiona relaxed into his warm leather seats, listened to his engines steady but soothing rumble. She had very little sleep the last few days and she just wanted a nap before the first pit stop. She just hoped a certain fart machine sleeping soundly on Optimus' bunk didn't let a bomb off, knock on wood.

Morning in the Ark was un unusual precession to the only 'kitchen' set up in the corner of the recreation room on a raised platform. Will was by nature of a military man an early riser. He slowly got out of bed as to not disturb her wife or sleeping baby girl. He smiled as he looked down upon his sleeping angel and gave her a small kiss on her forehead before going to take his shower. After he was dressed he made his way up the steps to the kitchen for the first cup of coffee of the day. Sitting at the breakfast bar he turned on the flat screen next to the wall to see the headlines for the day. Half an hour later and one his second cup his wife came up the steps, kissed her husband good morning and began to make breakfast for all the humans inside the Ark, from scratch.

Just as Sarah put the last of the two dozen biscuits onto the cooking tray Sideswipe entered the room from the being relieved of duty by Wheeljack.

"Morning early birds! Where did that mess come from?" He leaned over a bit to look at one of the kitchen counters covered in flour.

"Biscuits, what does it look like?" Sarah opened the oven, slide in the two cooking sheets, and set the timer."

"Biscuits? Don't you just pop them out of a can?" Will nearly choked on his coffee, it was way, way, too early for that. "That's all Mikeala and Sam use."

"That stuff you drink, Energon, right? It's pretty much the same but if not made a certain way it doesn't taste the very good now does it? That is how it is with earth food. Its much better from scratch if you know how to do it." Sarah had cleaned all the flour from the counter and pulled sausage patties, beacon, and eggs from the jumbo fridge.

"Ah." Sideswipe left it at that and went to get his and Sunstreaker's energon ration for the day before leaving for their shared quarters.

The smells of cooking bacon drifted out of the recreation room and down the hallways. A few minutes later a very bed tumbled Sam came wandering in following his nose more than his eyes. Having woken up hungry with only the intention of grabbing a snack before going back to bed Sam's stomach growled loudly once he took a seat at the breakfast bar. Will took that as his cue to go get his daughter before she woke up to wander the halls and not find Ironhide in his room.

Sam sat watching as Sarah worked, his eyes never leaving the stove top as the food cooked. The timer rang and Sarah checked the biscuits before pulling them out and laying the sheets on cooling racks. Glen came stumbling in as he climbed the steps with Maggie on a more sedated pace in a large fluffy robe and kitty slippers. Glen was panting by the time he reached the top of the kitchen platform. "Got to work for you food, eh Glen?" Maggie said as he plopped down into the empty seat next to Sam.

"Shut up woman, this is muscle, Sumo muscle!" Maggie just rolled her eyes, getting the coffee creamer out of the fridge, and fixing herself a cup. Sarah's lips twitched the smile on her face. A few minutes to ten Bumblebee walked in with a very drowsy Mikeala in his hand. He set her slowly onto the platform before going to get energon for himself. Mikeala took up the spot Maggie had vacated in front of the coffee brewer and fixed herself a cup as well.

Will entered with his daughter sat her down at the large table next to the kitchen and fixed her a bowl of cereal. The bar could sit all four teenagers easily and the table could sit ten people with room to spare. Sarah took orders on eggs and soon everyone had a plate of fresh, hot food. The teenagers drifted, or in the case of Sam and Mikaela were carried, back to their rooms to get dressed. "Does he ever let them walk?" Sarah asked her husband. He only shrugged. He had his suspicions but that was not something to talk about in front of a four year old. A four year old who had a habit of asking some interesting questions. Like, Daddy, where Hide poo?

Morning and noon were spent decorating in the same manner as before and finally the hall garland was decorated with bows and ribbons. Nearing dinner time Prowl entered saying Optimus just radioed that he was entering the base. Everyone made went to get their coats from their rooms before heading to the main entrance to watch Optimus and Ironhide approach over the slow plowed road. More than one eyebrow an raised at the sight of not just one trailer, but a horse trailer. Will quickly went to Ironhide to set the trailer's legs down and unhitch him. Fiona climbed out of Optimus and did the same while Shadao leaped from the cab and began running around everyone and nearly knocking humans over when she nudged them. Except when she came to Annabelle who was hiding behind Sarah. She froze in place once she saw the child and only her tail swayed. Annabelle slowly reached out and touched Shadoa's ear, making her way up to her head and began petting the giant dog.

Ironhide transformed and watched the two for moment before walking off to the recreation room to get his energon, grumbling about giant rodents. "Hey, why does she get to bring Shadao while I have to leave Mojo at home?"

Sarah smiled, "Simple, Shadao doesn't lift her leg." She had heard all about the Witwicky rodent many times from Ironhide. Once Optimus was unhitched and the bags and blankets had been removed he transformed. Fiona went to Lee Jones' trailer and opened the bar window so he could stick his head out and watch. Fiona and Will then opened the cargo trailer that Optimus had been towing. Mikeala made her way over to help and they began to pull out the panels that would create Lee Jones' stall. The panels were picked up and carried by the Autobots to the wall be the entrance for assembly. Once all the panels were out the Autobots held them in place as Will and Fiona connected them together. Because Lee Jones was such a large horse, and they wanted him to have room to move, the stall was four times larger than a normal stall. Fiona added support braces to the back and side walls and across the top for safety incase Lee Jones kick them. Next they used the small wagon inside the trailer to move the dirt, bedding, water barrel and food bucket out and into the stall. Halfway through pulling out all the supplies, Mikeala shrieked and jumped Fiona, hugging her tight. There in the back of the cargo trailer was a red two seat sleigh.

At this point Lee Jones, ever the well behaved horse, began to make his protests known. "Oh hush, you big baby. I'll get you out in a minute." She would have taken him out earlier, but that horse was pretty good about undoing knots if no one was watching him, so she wasn't about to tie him outside the trailer. Finally Fiona was able to back him out of the trailer and walk him to his stall. It was well into the night by the time he was settled in and everyone made their way to have dinner. Everyone was already drawing straws to see who would get the first sleigh ride of the following day.

End of Chapter 2

P.S. please be patient with me on the original characters and any questions you have on Barricade. And just to end any confusion the characters are from a fan fic I have planned. I've got a note book full of notes and once I got it figured I'll be starting it, hopefully during winter break. Its going to mainly focus on Sam and the other characters of Transformers. All my original characters simply play a part in helping becoming 'ready'. Ready for what? You'll have to wait to find, won't you? XD

As always reviews are welcomed! Sometimes something someone says can give me more ideas. Thats how the mistletoe idea came about and how all of this got started!! If you see anything misspelled please let me know.