Part 7 - Hammer

Three things gently nudged Poppy to wakefulness on the morning of Xmas Eve.

The first was the rich smell of hot chocolate - with whipped cream and marshmallows if she could trust her nose. The second was the silence - a thick, heavy, feathery silence. The third was the extraordinary whiteness of the light filtering in through her bedroom window...

She bolted upright, suddenly fully awake, and dived for the window.

Outside everything was white, a soft, gentle mantle of snow covering the land as far as she could see, with large flakes still drifting down. Poppy shivered and jumped back into bed, pulling the quilt up around her and gratefully cupping the mug of hot chocolate - with, yes, swirly cream and chocolate and vanilla mini-marshmallows - in both hands. Livewire twinkled at her as she sipped.

"It's so pretty! We never had much weather on Cybertron. Here there's so... much..."

Poppy giggled and patted the little transformer.

"It is fun, isn't it?"

"Are you going to build a snow-person?"

"If there's enough snow... we could build a snow-'bot!"

Livewire tilted his head to one side.

"That would be interesting."

Poppy slurped down the last of the chocolate. "We'll see."

xxx

Down in the kitchen Phil and Bob were tucking into the cholesterol heaven that usually went by the name of 'full English breakfast' - much to Steamy's dismay.

"You aren't going to have anything that unhealthy, are you?" He asked anxiously as Poppy headed for the fridge.

She grinned over her shoulder.

"Actually, a bacon butty with fruity sauce would go down a treat. I'll grill the bacon." she added before the little transformer could object. Phil chuckled.

"Browbeaten by your 'bots. A sad state of affairs."

"Ah, they only have my best interests at heart. I mean spark." She put the bacon under the grill and sliced the loaf. "Anything planned today?"

"The usual. What about you? Is there anything we can do for you?"

Poppy smiled over her shoulder.

"Actually, yes. I'm heading into town to try to pick up a little something for Angela to open tomorrow, so she's not left out - any suggestions?"

Phil turned to Bob, who frowned and shrugged.

"Um..." He was silent for a few moments. "I... don't know."

Poppy planted her hands on her hips and scowled at him.

"She's your fiancée . You must have some idea of what she likes." She waited expectantly as Bob's face went redder and redder, then humphed, "Honestly. You can spot a sniper at half a mile but you don't know what perfume she wears? Men!"

Phil laughed outright and slapped Bob's shoulder.

"Oh, you're in trouble now!"

Bob looked utterly dismayed. Poppy glowered at him.

"Right. You obviously have no idea about perfume, which I suppose includes bath stuff and cosmetics as well. Books? Music? Films?"

"I know she likes comfortable underwear..."

Poppy raised her eyes and hands to heaven.

"I can hardly buy your fiancée underwear, can I?"

"... s'pose not..."

"What have you bought her?" She scowled. "I trust you have bought her something?"

"Yes, a pair of earrings and a bracelet she admired when we were out last."

"Oh good, that's something at least. What sort of earrings?"

"Dangly blue ones."

Poppy eyed him for a moment, then rubbed at her forehead and tried again.

"And the bracelet?"

"A silver charm one."

That was more promising. "What charms have you already got on it?"

"A grenade. And one of those medical signs - the staff with the two snakes around it."

Poppy stared at him. A grenade? Riiight. He was obviously going for meaningful symbolism rather than romance...

"Anything else?"

"A ring, and it came with a heart."

"So, would it bother you if I bought a charm for it too? Assuming I can find something appropriate."

"No, of course not!" He grinned, obviously relieved at being let off the hook. Phil caught Poppy's attention.

"Could you look for something for me as well?"

"You could come with me and choose one yourself."

"I could, but you're bound to be better at it than me, and I've just remembered there's something I need to do today."

She eyed him suspiciously, but he seemed genuine. She sighed.

"Oh, OK then. Any preferences?"

"She likes cats. Can't have one herself, because of her hours, but she did mention she'd love one."

Poppy nodded - cat charms weren't too hard to find. "I'll see what I can do..."

xxx

The snow had stopped by the time she'd eaten breakfast and was ready to head out, but it was lying quite thickly and there was ice underneath it in places. 'Beat hastened to reassure her they'd be safe - by extruding metal spikes from the fabric of his tyres. Poppy blinked.

"That's impressive!"

"Given the weather here, we thought it might be useful."

"Ratchet?"

"And Ironhide."

"Good thinking..."

But he still drove slowly, not wanting to draw attention to himself, and it was four hours before they returned home.

It had, however, been a successful trip.

"Those are great!" Bob peered at the small boxes with Phil looking over his shoulder: Poppy had found a cat and kitten charm at one of the jewellers in town, and scouring her favourite antique shops had turned up a robin and - of all things - a tiny silver robot, both of which she'd snatched up without even asking the price. "They're perfect!"

"Excellent. I'll get them wrapped and stashed under the tree." Poppy closed the boxes as Vault helpfully laid wrapping paper, tape and scissors on the table. "Do we know what time she's arriving?"

Bob nodded. "She rang while you were out. She'll be here about seven."

"In time for dinner - good!"

"And would you mind if we went to Midnight Mass?"

Poppy eyed him, surprised. "Of course not - you don't need to ask me."

"Don't suppose you'd like to come with us?"

She chuckled.

"No thanks. But we'll have mulled wine and mince pies waiting when you get back."

xxx

Angela arrived at half past six, parking her Audi as close as possible to the porch. Bob grabbed her small case and hustled her in out of the snow, which had begun to fall again. Once inside she shrugged out of her jacket and smiled at Poppy.

"Hello. I'm Angela. You must be Poppy - it's great to meet you! And thank you so much for the invitation. It will be wonderful for us to spend Christmas together."

Poppy returned the smile, eyeing her new guest. Angela was tall, a little taller than Bob, in fact, and well-built, with short dark hair and a brisk, no-nonsense tone which presumably came with the job. Her handshake was decidedly firm, and Poppy didn't miss the way her gaze darted swiftly around the entrance hall - presumably looking for transformers but too polite to ask about them this soon. Poppy grinned.

"They're staying out of the way until you're settled, then they'll come and say hello."

Angela stared at her host for a second, then a hint of pink coloured her cheeks.

"Sorry. I didn't mean to be rude."

"You weren't. I know you're looking forward to meeting them - Bob said you would be." She gestured towards the stairs. "Let me show you to your room..."

Bob hastily raised a hand.

"That's OK, Poppy, I'll take her up."

Oh, of course, they hadn't seen each other in weeks... Poppy nodded.

"Can I get you anything to drink?"

Angela smiled gratefully.

"A coffee would go down a treat. It's getting colder out there."

"I'll have it ready when you come down."

xxx

Midnight, and the snow had stopped falling. Poppy stood at the lounge window, gazing out for a few moments, then turned to Phil.

"I'm going out, just for a bit. It's been so long since I've seen snow like this - I want to just enjoy it for five minutes."

"Want me to come with you?"

"No, I'll be fine." She chuckled. "Besides, 'Beat will probably follow me - he usually does."

"Takes his duties seriously, does Upbeat."

"It's rather sweet."

Phil smiled.

"Well, if you aren't back by 1.30 I'll send out a search party..."

xxx

Poppy stopped on the slight rise at the back of the house, under the trees that the transformers sat beneath in the summer. Now, with the branches bare, the snow lying thick and soft, the sky cloudless and the gibbous moon bright, the scene before her really did resemble a Xmas card. She leaned back against 'Beat, who with his engine running and his arms loosely, carefully wrapped around her was wonderfully warm, and for a few minutes there was a contented silence.

Then Poppy sighed. Seeing Angela and Bob together, restrained in public but with an undercurrent of affection, made her wonder if she really was missing out on something important in life. She'd been completely honest - she never had found anyone she'd want to be intimate with - but...

But she wasn't lonely. She was quite content, especially this last couple of years with her new 'job' and her wards. She'd never felt the need to matter to anyone. Did that make her a freak?

Did she care?

She snorted quietly. That was a definite no.

"Are you all right?" 'Beat's voice was low and rumbling, and she nodded.

"I'm fine." She shivered a little: it was getting colder. "We'll go back in a minute."

"There will be mulled wine. Bob and Angela are on their way back."

"That'll be nice." She pulled away and grinned up at him. "Come on then. Let's get back. A drop of wine will be very welcome."

xxx

Poppy woke early and made her way down to the kitchen before any other human was awake. Steamy and 'Spin were already at work, organising themselves, Vault and Sinewave and the ingredients for the day's meals: Poppy had been told in no uncertain terms she was to take it easy today, they'd be doing all the work. 'Spin hustled her through to the lounge then brought her a mug of hot chocolate and a plate of butter biscuits.

"Livewire ith going to wake up the otherth."

"Oh, he mustn't do that! Let them sleep in for once."

'Spin hesitated, then vented a sigh.

"Oh, all right. But no more than an hour!"

Poppy nodded. When 'Spin was in this mood there was no point in arguing. An hour would bring it to 8.45, which really wasn't too early...

But Phil arrived ten minutes later, kissed her cheek, got himself a mug of tea and dunked a couple of Poppy's biscuits in it, spluttering when they melted half into his mouth. Poppy giggled as he hastily caught a soggy bit before it slid off his chin.

"Such elegance!"

He mumbled something that could have been "elegance be damned" before taking a long swallow of the tea and grinning at her.

"Merry Christmas, happy Yule, season's greetings! I think that covers everything."

She chuckled.

"It'll do."

"I heard the others... waking up as I came down. They should be here in twenty minutes or so." He smirked. "Then we can open the presents."

"You're a big kid really, aren't you?"

"Yup!" He stretched out on the sofa. "Never quite grew out of playing with guns."

Poppy rolled her eyes.

"And we entrust the country's security to you lot."

He laughed.

"Aw, you know you love us really."

"Riiight..."

They watched the TV for a few minutes, then looked up as Angela and Bob came into the room.

"Merry Christmas!" Angela looked rested and happy, Poppy noted, pleased. The woman had looked tired and stressed last night. She grinned knowingly at Bob, who blushed and hurried through to the kitchen to get coffees and came back followed by 'Spin carrying a tray of tall glasses of Buck's Fizz. Angela's eyes widened.

"Wow. This is special!"

"Nothing but the betht for our Poppy."

Angela smiled at her host.

"You are so lucky. I don't suppose I can take them off your hands, can I?"

"Don't think NEST would go for it, I'm afraid."

"True, true... pity though." She accepted a glass from 'Spin and raised it in a toast.

"Here's to Poppy!"

"To Poppy!"

xxx

Presents were exchanged and opened over paté on toast: Phil and Bob seemed happy with their shoot-em-up game (Poppy knew nothing about them and had had to trust the sales assistant's advice), Angela was delighted with her jewellery, and Poppy pleased and touched when 'Spin handed her a disc and a rather large printout of Cybertronian history and traditions.

"It wath 'Beat'th idea. He thaid you were interethted tho we all got together to tell him what we remembered."

"Thank you, all of you!" She glanced around at her transformers. "I really appreciate it."

'Spin waved a hand. "You do tho much for uth, it ith the leatht we can do for you."

"We got you something too." Phil smiled. "But you'll have to come outside to see it."

Curious, Poppy pulled on her coat, shoved her feet into a pair of Wellingtons, and followed the two officers out of the house, Angela trailing just behind her. Phil gestured at them.

"You two go over to the pool - but don't watch us."

Frowning, the two women did as instructed and waited, facing away from the house. The sounds of uneven footsteps crunching on the snow - and the noise of two separate engines - soon broke the stillness...

"You can look now."

Poppy turned - and clasped her hands together in delight. The two men were staggering under the weight of a young, beautifully proportioned holly tree. Phil grinned.

"A good choice then."

She nodded and glanced at 'Beat and Muncher standing nearby.

"Oh yes. Did 'Beat tell you?"

"Yep. It's why I couldn't come with you yesterday."

"It's lovely!" Poppy reached out to touch the smooth, prickly leaves. "It's going to look beautiful by the pool."

"An' if you tell us where you wants it, us'll plant it f'r you." Muncher indicated himself and 'Beat. "Get it settled nice and firm."

"Thank you, all of you! This is fantastic."

Phil smirked.

"You're worth it."

"Why thank you, kind sir."

He tugged at the hair escaping from under his hood at his temple.

"You'm welcome, Milady."

Laughing, Poppy pointed out the space she wanted the holly tree to go.

xxx

"That was... huge. And delicious." Phil leaned back in his seat and patted his stomach. Beside him, Angela sighed happily.

"I can't remember the last time I enjoyed a dinner so much. Thank you, Poppy."

Replete with good food and good cheer, Poppy waved a hand dismissively.

"All I did was buy the food! Steamy, 'Spin and Vault did everything else."

"Such a pity they can't enjoy it themselves."

Poppy nodded. "They have energon, but it's not the same."

"Mmm..."

There were a few moments of contented silence, then Phil hauled himself to his feet.

"Better go get seated. Nearly time for the Queen's Speech."

Poppy rolled her eyes but didn't argue...

xxx

The afternoon rolled by contentedly. The humans taught the transformers how to play Charades - one of the few games where the 'bots didn't have an inbuilt advantage, although Poppy did have to remind them that only human subjects could be used. Watching Ramp trying to act out On the Origin of Species was hysterically funny (which was, Poppy thought, why he chose it in the first place. He of all of them knew how much more accepting humans would be of their alien immigrants if said aliens proved themselves both capable of humour and not averse to being laughed at...) At seven 'Spin and Vault brought through sandwiches, cake and trifle and more Buck's Fizz, and the group - even 'Beat and Muncher, who squeezed in and made themselves as small as they could at the back of the room - watched the usual old favourite films on the TV.

At ten Poppy was having trouble keeping her eyes open, partly the effect of the alcohol, partly because it had been a very long day. Mind you, the others looked fairly tired too, and soon afterwards Bob and Angela excused themselves, heading upwards with twin yawns. Phil sighed and pushed himself to his feet.

"I'm gone too." He eyed Poppy for a moment then lightly stroked her hair, bent down and kissed her cheek. "Thank you. This is one of the most enjoyable holidays I think I've ever had."

She smiled tiredly up at him.

"I've had a wonderful time. It's great having you here."

He made to speak, then shook his head and smiled.

"Sleep well, Poppy. I'll see you tomorrow."

xxx

One a.m. Poppy and 'Spin had locked up and Ramp had activated the automatic security systems, and the house was silent and still, the transformers in what they called recharge, the humans asleep.

All except for one, who slid out of the bed without waking the one sharing it and made their way silently to the window. Checking that nothing and no-one was visible, the human pressed the torch against the glass and began to flash out a simple, deadly signal...

xxx

© 25/12/11 JAT