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Chapter 2: Bulkhead

Mrs. Darby headed the in the direction of the only Autobot who seemed happy at the idea of Valentine's Day. She found him in a corner working on something diligently.

"So, Bulkhead, what you up to?" she questioned curiously.

He had a mop in his robotic hand and was busy marking a large poster with green, pink, and red paint.

"I'm making a card for Miko," he beamed as he proudly held up the poster depicting a crudely drawn Miko and himself reading 'Happy Valentine's Day, Best Friend.'

June smiled encouragingly as Bulkhead continued excitedly.

"I did some research and found that cards and presents are great things to give to friends and loved ones," he continued a little frustrated, "So, I've got a card, but I don't have a gift for Miko."

"Oh, I think I can help with," June remarked as she reached into her pockets and pulled out two identical slips of paper.

Bulkhead leaned over towards her, peering down at the two pieces of paper. She reached up to hand them to him, "Here."

"What are they?" he asked curiously, not taking them from her hand.

"Tickets to tomorrow's monster truck rally. A friend of mine gave me tickets, thinking that Jack might want to go. Well, then Jack told me how you and Miko love monster trucks so I decided to give them to you as a sort of Valentine's Day gift," she explained smiling.

"Uhhh, but I didn't get you anything, Ma'am," Bulkhead replied looking apologetic.

"I really insist, Bulkhead," she persisted, "I'd be upset if you didn't take them."

Bulkhead finally relented at this; taking the tickets as he spilled a chain of words of gratitude and grinning like a little kid. June smiled as she watched him; even Autobots can act like little kids opening gifts on Christmas.

"Thanks again, Mrs. Darby, this is the best gift ever," he thanked her once gain.

"It was nothing," she reassured the massive green robot.

"Miko's going to love this, and perfect time, Mrs. Darby, I just figured out how to use my holoform!" he said excitedly.

"I know, Jack told me. That's why I thought the tickets would be useful to you both," Mrs. Darby responded laughing at his enthusiasm as he was practically jumping up and down.

"If Ratchet could see you right now, he would be yelling at you about making noises," June rebuked lightly, "that or he'd throw a wrench at you."

Now that would be an interesting sight.

Bulkhead stopped his joyful movement, smiled sheepishly, saying, "Sorry."

"Nonsense, there is nothing to be sorry for," June answered smiling warmly, "You remind me of Jack when he was smaller. He would always run around laughing during the holidays. Back when his father was still around."

She finished this with a sad smile, and then noticed that Bulkhead went dark. June panicked until she saw a young man in front of her; it was Bulkhead's holoform. As she looked closer, Bulkhead's holoform looked more like a fifteen year old boy who was all and bulky for his age and he had brown mop of hair with bright blue eyes. He was dressed in army green clothes. He ran over to Mrs. Darby and wrapped his arms around her waist in a big, strong bear hug. Surprised at first, Mrs. Darby found her arms around him and felt very motherly.

"Thanks again," he murmured as she wrapped her arms around him.

"No, thank you. For cheering me up," she said softly as he let go.

He stepped back and June watched as his holoform disappeared and robotic Bulkhead stepped forward.

They remained in comfortable silence before he spoke, "If only there was something I could do for you Mrs. Darby."

He turned towards his card as he put on the finishing touches.

"Well, actually there is, Bulkhead," Mrs. Darby replied after a moment's thought.

"Really, what?" Bulkhead asked kindly.

"Well, you seem like the only one who is going to enjoy today and I fear it's my fault that I somehow upset the others," June sighed, "and I want to make it up to them somehow."

"It's not your fault, Mrs. Darby," Bulkhead reassured, "It's just some old wounds."

"Old wounds?" June repeated, hoping to get more out of the suddenly unusually wise green Bot.

"Well, Jack's probably already told you that Arcee lost her two partners; and Ratchet hasn't really been happy since the wars; he's seen things most of us can't even image," Bulkhead explained solemnly.

"And Optimus, the war too?" she inquired.

"Yeah, that and the fact that Megatron was like a brother to him. And it's also because Bossbot had to leave somebody behind because both had their duties to take care of," the green Wrecker continued, "She was his sparkmate, kind of like a wife for humans, and I hear from Bee that Bossbot's never been the same."

June took this all in.

Hearing Bumblebee's name, June remembered his sad face at Arcee, but decided not to mention it to Bulkhead. If she was correct about her suspicions, then the green Wrecker would be the last to know about it. She then focused back on Bulkhead and commented, "Bulkhead, you've helped make things much clearer. Thank you."

"No problem, glad I could help," Bulkhead replied.

He smiled and ran off to pick up Miko and surprise her with his card and the tickets.

June Darby, meanwhile, turned to find the location of the next Autobot she need a talk with, Bumblebee.

And with luck, she wouldn't need to wait until Raf arrived to do it.

End of Chapter 2

Note: Bumblebee is next on Mrs. Darby's list!

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