Title: Of Younglings and Leaders

Rating: K

Universe: Movie 07/09 verse (AU)

Characters: Optimus Prime, youngling Bluestreak, Prowl, Barricade, brief appearance by the twins, Major Lennox, Galloway and a mention of Jazz.

Pairings: Hinted ProwlxJazz

Warnings: Fluff, lots of, use of profanities, and Galloway bashing (he he can't help it)

Disclaimer: Sadly don't own Transformers nor a certain fuzzy little blue dude I absolutely love from Lilo & Stitch

Summary: A certain youngling shows Optimus just who exactly is in charge of the base.

Reading reports wasn't something Optimus Prime considered fun or enjoyable. In fact they completely bored him out of his main frame, but he knew it was one of the down sides of being Commander of the Autobots and the human alliance. He had so far managed to read through several of Red Alert's security plans although after the first few, he pretty much ignored the others knowing what they contained in their contents. The Prime had read Jazz's status update report as the head of Special Operations and his team were currently in Russia chasing up a Decepticon signal that had appeared there a few days ago, he was hoping that his 3IC would be returning home soon as he knew a certain youngling was missing his carrier terribly. Speaking of said youngling, Optimus glanced up from the tactical reports given to him that morning by Trailbreaker, to the young grey mechlet sat on the couch in the large office. Bluestreak was currently trying to solve the riddle of the rubix cube he had snuck out of the recreation room that morning when the Prime had taken the youngling to get his breakfast.

It had been unavoidable that that both of Bluestreak's parents would be away from Diego Garcia on short term assignments, normally the youngling would have been handed over to his guardians however Bluestreak had more than happily announced that he wanted a change and stated firmly that he wanted to stay with Optimus until one or both of his parents came back. Both Ratchet and Ironhide had laughed themselves stupid when they overheard Bluestreak's declaration, and although Prime wanted to say no, he couldn't find it in himself to refuse the youngling's 'request'. After all he found it was the perfect excuse to get away from his tedious work cycle.

The large red and blue mech heard Bluestreak whine in frustration when one side of the rubix cube refused to stay one colour whilst he shuffled the other colours around, Optimus decided that maybe it was time to take a break and allow the youngling to stretch his legs for a while. The Prime pushed himself out of his seat gaining the attention of the little grey mechlet, he watched as a curious expression appeared upon Bluestreak's facial plates and he cocked his head in the same manner a certain head of special ops would do when he was curious about something.

"Come on as I don't know about you, but I could go for a walk." The semi Peter-built said, the youngling nodded and scrambled off the couch forgoing any of his toys "aren't you forgetting someone?" Small but elegant sensory panels rose upwards but it quickly clicked in the mechlet's processor "Stitch!" He dashed back to the couch and collected the blue plushie that resembled one of Bluestreak's current favourite cartoon characters, Optimus smiled as the youngling clutched the toy close before opening the doors to his office. The Prime allowed the youngling to step out first so he could keep an optic on the mechling as he and the others knew how good he was at sneaking off; a trait inherited from his carrier, although his sire was just as good at disappearing under the radar when he wanted too. Bluestreak trotted alongside the large mech cheerfully waving and saying hello to the service men and women who smiled back at the youngling's enthusiastic greetings.

"Where we going Optimus?" The little grey mechlet asked as he glanced up at the Autobot leader.

"Where would you like to go?" Optimus inquired as they neared the entrance of the base.

"The Cove!" Bluestreak shouted excitedly, drawing the attention of everyone of the vicinity, the Prime chuckled at the sight of the youngling's sensory panels fluttering upon his back.

"Alright the Cove it is." The semi Peter-built replied as they stepped out of the base into the bustle of service men and women who had either just arrived upon the island or were waiting to depart upon the various air-crafts such as the Hercules, the C17's, or the AWACS which were sat upon the air strip. Optimus knew that those leaving could very well be heading out either on assignments or simply heading home to begin leave. The Prime knew there was every chance of losing Bluestreak so he picked the youngling up and set on his shoulders like he had seen the others do. The little grey mechlet settled himself quite comfortably upon the large shoulders as Optimus headed away from the base grounds and to the spot that was highly favoured by many of the permanent residents at the base.

Once they were a certain distance away from the military installation, the Prime set Bluestreak down upon the ground and watched him run off toward the sea, although he was handed the plushie first for safe keeping. The semi Peter-built had to call him back a few times when he ran too far or stayed out in the sun too long, he almost envied the little grey mechlet as Bluestreak was a care free spirit and didn't carry the burden of countless Autobots being killed in the long war that had followed them from Cybertron, nor aged through the worry of wondering when the next Decepticon attack was going to be.

Optimus was drawn out of his thoughts when he heard a splash and was about to rescue one youngling from possible distress only to see Bluestreak attempting to skim some pebbles he had found upon the beach. However the youngling was having no success so far as each one plopped into the surf, although the Prime had to admit Bluestreak could throw them quite far out for his age. The little 'game' had been shown to the little grey mechlet once when he had been under the supervision of Ironhide, Bluestreak had been fascinated by the flat stones being thrown by Major Lennox and Sergeant Epps, skimming the surface of the water before disappearing with a soft plop! The youngling had wanted to try but after a few failed attempts (some of which pinged off a less than pleased Weapons Specialist's armour), Bluestreak had settled for throwing them instead.

Bluestreak quickly grew tired of his game and instead went about searching the beach for shells, in fact Optimus knew his sub-space was going to be full of them by the time they returned to the base as the youngling trotted back and forth sometimes with a handful of them. Finally they reached the small cove where Bluestreak immediately rushed toward the large boulders that were cluttered together, the Prime knew the youngling was intrigued by the rock pools which had been created when the tide had moved out. The semi Peter-built knew the little grey mechlet enjoyed his outings with Hound as the Tracking Specialist taught Bluestreak as much as he could about Earth's wildlife, but what Optimus found disheartening was that the youngling had never asked about Cybertron. Which was a shame as their old home world had much to offer in context of history, literature, art and music, however they all knew that once the Earth born mechlet had assimilated as much as he could about Earth's culture, he might possibly ask about Cybertron then.

The Prime was drawn out of his thoughts when he heard a clang of metal meeting rock swiftly followed by an 'oof', he started to make a move toward the rocks to check to see if Bluestreak was alright when the youngling scrambled to his feet.

The little grey mechlet met Optimus' concerned gaze "I'm alright but I think I dented my aft though." The Prime gave him a small disapproving look at the word 'aft' being used, realising his mistake Bluestreak clamped his hands over his mouth nearly upsetting his already precarious balance upon the rocks "oops."

"Your fine youngling, just don't use it around your parents or I might find myself being used for target practise." The semi Peter-built told him as he held his hands out for the youngling to take.

"They wouldn't hurt you would they?" The little grey mechlet asked in concern as he took the large mech's hands and clambered off the rocks.

Optimus smiled in reassurance as he checked Bluestreak over for any damage "No they wouldn't but Ratchet might."

"Daddy says olé Hatchet is one giant walkin' dictionary of bad words." The youngling said as he glanced up at the Prime "and so are Sunny, Sides, Uncle 'Cade an' Ironhide."

The large red and blue mech chuckled "Then remind me to tell them off when I see them." Bluestreak nodded, his sensory panels fluttering "come on I know there's someone at the base you'll want to see." The youngling cocked his head to the side, gaze curious whilst his back appendages waved back and forth, but none the less he followed the Autobot leader back to the base. However Bluestreak soon opted to be carried when the warm afternoon sun became a little too much for him.

The journey back to the military installation didn't take as long as going out to the cove, but it was enough time for one of their returning teams to land, Optimus knew Bluestreak would be more than happy to know one of his parents was back but refused to ruin the surprise. The Prime entered the base grounds once he and Bluestreak had been scanned by the security system, his azure optics falling upon the C17 they had been expecting as it taxied down the runway toward the hangars. The semi Peter-built watched as the cargo hold door opened before being lowered to the ground, the youngling in his arms chirped and whistled as the humans disembarked from the aircraft until Bluestreak recognised the familiar alt. mode of his uncle which meant only one thing … his father was finally home. The youngling squirmed to get down when he saw his Sire leave the C17, Optimus set him down on the ground a small chuckle leaving his vocaliser. The Prime watched as Bluestreak raced across the tarmac darting around the humans as he rushed to greet Prowl. His 2IC had just unfolded from his alt. mode when he was tackled by a small wrecking ball of grey parts.

However the semi Peter-built's attention was drawn away from father and son being reunited to the C17's gangway, Lennox was just making his way down with a small smirk on his face followed shortly by … and Optimus had to look twice when he saw a rather irate Director Galloway hop down after the Major. The man had his hands tied behind his back and a gag stuffed into his mouth although it hardly stopped the man from making any noise. Then to make things more difficult for Galloway, someone had bound his ankles together so he had to hop around, it was certainly a comical sight to see as the Director's normal crisp suit was ruffled and his glasses were askew on his face. The Prime reined in his chuckles as he made his way across to his military strategist whose aft was still on the floor whilst Barricade stood off to one side of his brother, gaze settled upon Major Lennox who was doing his best to ignore the livid Director hopping around after him demanding to be released, although it all came out garbled.

"Dare I ask?" Optimus inquired as he met his 2IC's gaze.

"I believe it would be best to ask Barricade about the situation regarding Director Galloway." Prowl replied as he attempted to get to his peds whilst Bluestreak was firmly attached to him.

The shock trooper gave the Autobot leader a side long glance and saw the expectant look upon the large mech's facial plates "The human was becoming an irritation so I took a few measures to silence him with a little help." The Prime couldn't the small chuckle escaping his vocaliser as he watched Lennox caution the irate Director with a combat knife before undoing Galloway's bonds, however as soon as the man's hands were free and the gag out of his mouth that he started his triad anew. The two black and white mech's groaned as they listened to Galloway berate the Major about insubordination, supposedly 'grievous bodily assault', threatening him with a weapon and for not keeping the Cybertronians under better control.

Lennox took it with a pinch of salt as he always did as the Director was all bark but no bite, and simply ignored him as he made his way over to where the equipment was being off loaded. The semi Peter-built turned his attention back to his 2IC in time to see a frown appear on Bluestreak's facial plates and his sensory panels droop as he too heard Galloway giving Will a lecture. The little grey mechlet left his father's side and made his way over to the two arguing men whilst ignoring his Sire and Optimus calling for him to come back. What happened next took them all by surprise as Bluestreak firmly planted himself between the Director and the Major, sensory panels flaring up in a high 'V' formation before planting his hands on his hips.

"Stop it." The youngling snapped which had the humans bottom jaws dropping in surprise "we're all supposed ta get along not fight each other, it makes us no better than the bad guys then. Now shake hands and make up." Galloway wanted to make a comment but wisely shut his mouth at the glare the small Cybertronian was shooting him. After all it would not be wise to upset him when on of the little one's parents was near by unless of course he fancied being squashed under foot or vaporised. Reluctantly both men shook hands before the Director stalked off grumbling to himself. Prowl couldn't help but gape at the scene that had just taken place whilst Barricade sniggered beside him, Optimus himself couldn't help but look surprised as Bluestreak trotted back to them, looking decidedly happy with himself.

"Maybe you should set him on the twins next time they decide to slag each other." The shock trooper suggested to his little brother.

"Well its true what they say, like father like son." The Prime said as they youngling return to his stunned Sire's side.

"Well frag me dead, did Blue just scare away that pit slagger Galloway?" Sideswipe asked as he and his brother approached the small group, then the red front-liner cringed when he realised moments later that he allowed his glossa to slip.

Bluestreak frowned at his guardian "Naughty Uncle Sides, not allowed to say bad words."

"Bluestreak's right Sideswipe, there was an agreement about the use of profanities when the youngling is within audio range." Optimus told the red Corvette who was still trying to comprehend the fact that he had just been told off by said youngling whilst his brother quietly snickered to himself.

"Appears I've been made redundant when it comes to disciplining the twins." The tactician said with a small smile.

"Frag." The red front-liner cursed under his breath, then quickly realised his mistake "I meant bugger … unless of course that's off limits too?"

The Prime chuckled "I better return to my office."

"I'll have a report on our findings to you by the end of the day Sir." Prowl told him as he picked his creation up and settled him on his hip.

"It can wait until tomorrow Prowl." The semi Peter-built replied "spend the rest of the day with Bluestreak, he's missed you." The Dodge Charger nodded before he turned his attention to his son who had blurted out that he wanted to go to the beach a few miles away, Optimus watched as the youngling wiggled to get down before goading Barricade and the twins into 'catching' him, a challenge they readily accepted although Sunstreaker was none too happy about going near the sand.

"Why don't you join us Sir?" Prowl inquired as he glanced up at his Commander. The Prime contemplated saying no at first as he had work he needed to get back too, but he decided that he really didn't want to be stuck in his office with only data-pads as company.

"Why not, after all the reports will still be there when I get back." The semi Peter-built replied, a small smile appeared upon his 2IC's facial plates before the pair followed in the wake of a certain energetic youngling and his 'pursuers'. After all one could not predict when the next down time might be, so it was best that they enjoyed it as best as they could without having to worry for a few hours about the Decepticons next strike.

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