A/N: I'm glad for the feedback I've gotten on this little story of mine. I'll try to incorporate as much of your suggestions as possible.

Chapter 2

As the Autobots went about their business, Jack continued to play with Arcee's servo, enamored by the appendage. Not that Arcee was complaining; as long as he was distracted, he wouldn't get into any trouble. Besides, it wasn't like the femme was doing anything of worth at the moment. The energon was processed and there was no sign of further Decepticon activity today. Still, she kept her guard up for anything that might happen.

"'Cee'Cee," Jack brought her out of her thoughts. "Wanna play a game?"

The femme tilted her head slightly, "What kind of game?"

"Hide n' Seek!" he replied.

"Okay, what's that?" she asked.

"Put your hands over your eyes and count to 30!" Rather than question, Arcee did as he asked and started to count to 30. She hoped no one would see her like this because an Autobot scout with her servos over her face looked silly. She thought about pausing for a moment to look up this "Hide and Seek" before continuing, but decided against it. Once she was done, she removed her servos and looked around for Jack.

"Jack?" she called, wondering where the young boy had gone, fear slightly gripping her. She received no answer from the boy, causing her to panic. "Jack!" She walked down the halls, making sure to watch her step with a five-year old running around. She ran into the command center and was me by Optimus.

"Is something wrong, Arcee," the mech rumbled.

"I can't find Jack," she said quickly, still looking around the area. "He asked me if I wanted to play a game, but when I opened my optics, he was gone!"

"Arcee, calm yourself," the Prime replied. "What game did Jack wish to play?"

"Something called Hide n' Seek," she replied, still looking. "Who knew humans knew magic. I counted to thirty and he was gone." She could already hear June yelling at her for losing her son after she promised to keep him safe. She would have suggested another game had she known just what she was getting herself into. Optimus was deep in thought, realization hitting him as to the nature of Jack's disappearance.

"Arcee," he called.

"Not now, I have to find Jack," she replied curtly.

"That is what I wish to-"

"Optimus, with all due respect, let me search for my partner and please don't distract me," the femme said while still looking. The Prime merely respected her wishes, somewhat amused by the eventual outcome of it all.

Child's Play

As Arcee continued to search for her missing partner, she was overcome by several emotions at once. She was angry with herself for allowing Jack out of her sight, even if he had asked her to. She was worried that he was probably in trouble, having no idea how to maneuver around the base. Most of all, she was feeling guilty that she let her pride keep her from calling June or accepting Optimus' help when he offered. She decided that it was best she swallow her pride and dialed the number for June's cell phone.

After a few rings, she picked up, "Hello?"

"June," the femme replied, "It's me."

"Arcee, is something wrong? Is Jack okay?"

"I don't know," she sighed. "I can't find him!"

"WHAT!"

"I'm so sorry June, but we were playing a game and he told me to count to thirty and close my optics and-"

"What kind of game were you playing?" she growled out.

"Something called Hide and Seek," she replied. On the other line, there was nothing but silence until she heard the most unbelievable sound; June was laughing. Arcee was tempted to curse out the woman for laughing at when she should be worried about her son, but she was too shocked by it all. "Uhh, Are you okay, June?"

"I'm fine," she regained her composure. "Arcee, In Hide and Seek, one person hides and another, well 'seeks'. It's the point of the game. I'm sure if you'd gone to Optimus, he would have figured it out." That's when it hit the femme; she remembered Optimus trying to talk to her when she was looking for Jack but she brushed him off. He must have been trying to explain it to her, but she wouldn't listen thanks to her attitude. Right now, Arcee wanted nothing more than to go to her quarters and crawl under her berth, but she still had to find Jack.

"Thanks for the heads up, June," the femme replied. "See you later."

"Goodbye," the woman chuckled, hanging up. The femme went back on the hunt for her human partner, determined to find him now that she knew his life wasn't in any danger. She'd tear him a new one when she found him, that's for sure. She went back to the beginning of her search and thought about where Jack might have gone. It was only thirty seconds so he couldn't have gotten that far on foot.

She thought for a moment before her optics caught something rustling beneath the tarp. Kneeling down to lift it up, she was met by her target, "You found me!" The young boy started laughing uncontrollably, earning an exhausted smile from the femme. Jack was really lucky that he was so adorable right now or she'd tear him a new one for sure.

"I think Hide and Seek is a little to… crazy for us to play right now," the femme smiled. "How about I tell you a story?" The boy nodded, making a gesture to be picked up, which Arcee complied with as she began her story. She took into account the boy's age and made "adjustments" to the story. She told him of how she and her sister, Chromia and Elita-1 snuck into a Decepticon camp and rescued the prisoners. The whole time, the young boy's eyes sparkled with excitement at the tale.

Once she was done, he had a million questions for her, but one caught her attention, "Are your sisters as pretty as you?" Arcee's optics widened at the statement and the innocence in which it was said. She hadn't expected that kind of question, but she smiled nonetheless. Even at five years old, he was still a smooth operator.

Child's Play

Once she finally got Jack to settle down, he was much easier to deal with until he asked for something to eat. She looked up all the stuff five year olds eat, but she didn't expect it to be so bad for his teeth. She finally settled on some celery; thankfully, Jack knew where to get it. As he ate in silence, he asked another question, "Did Mommy tell you when Daddy was coming home?"

The femme tilted her head in confusion, "What do you mean?"

"One day, Daddy left and Mommy was sad, but she told me he'd come home soon." Arcee looked down at the small boy in slight shock and pity. She'd been told by Jack herself that his father had abandoned him and his mother. She had no idea why June would lie to her son and give him such false hope. She'd give the nurse a piece of her mind once she got back, but noticed a certain Prime watching from the doorway.

Making sure Jack wouldn't run off, she got up and walked over to Optimus, who gave a rare smile watching the boy, "The young of Earth never cease to amaze, do they Arcee?"

"I guess not," she replied. "I'm guessing you overheard." He merely gave a nod in confirmation. "Then why are you so calm about this? She lied to Jack about his father and that's probably the reason why he gets so angry every time he's brought up."

"I do not believe it was Nurse Darby's intention to instill hatred in her son, but to spare him of such anger at a young age. Had she told Jack the truth, he would have lost the very innocence he displays at this moment. As his mother, she could not allow that and chose to reveal the truth to him later. Either way, Jackson would have still been left with feelings of anger and hostility."

As much as she didn't want to admit it, she understood what Optimus was saying to her; it was choice between sacrificing her son's youthful innocence or telling him at an age where he could handle it. She didn't agree with it one bit, but she understood the reason behind, thanks to her leader.

Child's Play

June finally returned from work and was ready to hit the hay, telling Jack it was time for bed. He complied, but before making another gesture for Arcee to pick him up. She did so and was met with his tiny lip on her metal cheek, "Night 'Cee'Cee." She set him down and he left for bed with is mother, leaving a smile on the femme's face.

"Smooth operator, indeed," she chuckled to herself.

Child's Play

A/N: Any suggestions for the next chapter. Category: Miko and Bulkhead. I decided to do them together since I couldn't imagine Jack being left alone with either of them.