Nightshade was adjusting well. She had full run of the junkyard, and it never looked more organized. She paid attention to how Denny wanted it and she would do exactly that. He had a little more respect for the Autobots, and even for the Decepticons. But there wasjust one problem.

"Steeljaw's here?" Nightshade growled lowly. "Hysterical," she muttered. "I suppose he's out collecting buddies for his little club."

Strongarm tried to get her to settle down, but she couldn't do that very well with her massive belly. The mechling was growing surprisingly big. "You know Steeljaw?"

"Of course. Femmes would go after him for hours, trying to get him to sire a sparkling or six." She sat back down and sighed, scanning her belly and letting the femme take the scanner. She pointed out the helm, pedes, and winglets that were curled against its back. "It's healthy, alright, and it will be born in the middle of a war, yippee."

"Weren't you born in the middle of the War for Cybertron?"

"Of course. My carrier went to assassinate a mech, and she fell in love with him enough to let him sire a Seeker trine, me being the helm of it. Little Brother was next, and Starsong slipped out last."

"I'm sorry about your brother. I came from the Well. I didn't have siblings, or a carrier, or a sire."

"The Well, huh? That hadn't been active in a long time." She picked at her paint, peeling a long strip off before the colors rippled and the paint was restored.

"Why do you do that?"

"I make sure I'm still Amalgamous' great-great-great-great-granddaughter. There's probably more greats in there, but you get the point. Sometimes, Amalgami abilities fade, especially for us 'Night's."

"Why are you Nightshade? And why was he Nightstrike?"

"Tradition. I was the first born, he was the first born... My carrier had two sisters: Nightsong and Nightcry. They were sparked sparklings, so they were born at the same time."

Strongarm slowly nodded, then looked down at her belly. "I don't know what my mechling will be called."

"Mm. Sometimes, carriers fuse their names with their mates."

"Sidearm?"

"Sounds like he's mutated. Next?"

"Strongswipe?"

Nightshade was ready to knock that one down too, but she had to admit it was a nice one. "I kinda like that one," she said. "Let's see what the sire thinks, huh?"

"After we ask Bumblebee."

"Whoa, whoa, whoa," Nightshade said, holding up a digit. "Bumblebee's not going to hold your servo forever. He's not Prime. Optimus didn't die and make him leader, but, you know, he did die." She pulled Strongarm to her pedes. "Sideswipe is the only mech you have to report to concerning sparklings."

"But-"

"No 'but's. There are no 'uncle' dolphins taking care of the calves, are there? No. There are 'aunt' dolphins."

"But we're not dolphins. We're Cybertronians."

Nightshade sighed. "You're killing me, lovely..."

Sideswipe saved Nightshade. "How is my mate today?"

"We've come up with a name for it. Strongswipe."

He chuckled and knelt, kissing her belly gently. "Sounds like a fighter's name. I like it."

Strongarm stroked his helm. "Nightshade compared us to dolphins."

"And that is why I think you should stick around me," Sideswipe said as he got up. "Comparing us to fish. How could you?"

"Mammals," Nightshade coughed. Then she tapped her comm. "Yes, Starsong? Not coming down? Fine. We don't need you here." She cut the frequency with her sister and sighed. "She won't come down because Optimus isn't here."

Sideswipe shrugged. "Her loss."

Bumblebee joined them. "We could have used her. Fixit says there are more Decepticons around, but I think we should leave Strongarm here with Sideswipe. Nightshade, come with me and Grimlock?"

Strongarm whined. "But I want to come with, sir!"

"You are no longer seen fit for duty," he said and he touched her belly gently. "Your mechling will be here within a day, you know that."

Sideswipe rolled his optics. "Me and Fixit on femme-sitting duty? Harsh, sir..."

Bumblebee shrugged. "You got her carrying. Not my fault, now, is it? I didn't think so."

Nightshade swatted his helm. "You're being too hard on them..." She pulled him away. "You must remember when I carried sparklings."

Strongarm watched them go, wanting to follow but unable. She whined and sat back down. Sideswipe followed suit, holding her close. "He doesn't like us..."

"Bee? No, I don't think he likes anyone that's not Grimlock or Optimus." He kissed her cheek. "But we're not out to please him, are we?"

"No," she whispered.

"No, not at all." He smiled and kissed between her optics. "I'm glad you're still here with me."

Strongarm mewed a response, then nuzzled into her mate's side. She fell asleep, dreaming about the sparkling.