Disclaimer : I don't own it. I only own the imagination that came up with it.
Note : I want to thank Faecat whom did some research when I asked her about the noticeable size change Bella takes from bipedal form to human, and she mentioned that in G1 it happened quite a bit, with the Cybertronians who shifted into tiny items (ie: stereo, microscope, a weapon of some sort) from their usual massive bipedal forms. I have no idea how to even explain that, though, but I'll attempt to bring in the mention in the story...
As for the nanites, it's just a rampant thought and possible excuse. I'm so having a brainfart moment. XD lol
Oh! And it was brought to my attention that the title of this story was used on another. I didn't realize that, but until I think up a better title, it's going to remain the same. I honetly don't know what else to call it. -.-'
Review Replies...
Tenji - When I first started this story, I didn't know what to expect. I still don't, so I think we're in similar boats there. XD I'm glad you like it so far. :)
Legend :
"Cybertronian"
Thoughts
(????, Normal POV)
"What have your scans showed?" The large red and blue falemd bot turned to look at his bright yellow medibot and close friend. His optics were narrowed in concern and confusion, and he seemed almost worried about the possible answers.
Sighing heavily, Ratchet shook his head. "She's malnourished. She might not notice it yet, but she'll be too weak to support herself and the sparkling soon, probably by tonight. From what I can tell, she's full Cybertronian, with only the faintest hints of human DNA lingering in her energon lines. She's an adult, though her body seems to be small framed. There's something unusual about her signal, though. Well, perhaps not so much 'unusual' as just...something I haven't seen in a while."
"Yes...?" Optimus raised an optic ridge when Ratchet trailed off.
"Well... It's mainly her size. From what she's stated, she can transform into a larger being, and shift down into a small human."
Nodding a little, Optimus turned his gaze towards the sunset. "Yes. Megatron did something similar, transforming into a blaster Starscream was able to weild. Or Perceptor, whose been able to transform into a surprisingly small magnifying object, such as the humans would call a....'microscope'."
"Yes, it was made possible by altered nanites within their working systems. The microscopic bots were able to help them change on a more distinctive level. It was something those bots were born with, however, that we haven't yet been able to reproduce."
"So she's gifted..."
Ratchet joined his leader and friend in gazing out over the vast reds and oranges of the sunset. "It would appear so, but the sparkling..." He sighed, remembering her reaction to them.
"She cares for it." Optimus had gotten that much from the recorded conversations Bumblebee transmitted to him. "And if that's the case, she'll probably come with us willingly when she realizes it's in danger. We will head back to The Dragon's Den tonight, and see, one way or another." Shuttering his optics, he prayed to Primus that she'd listen to them.
Her life, and that of the sparkling, might very well depend on it.
(Bella's POV)
My house was out in the middle of nowhere. Usually, I liked that. It was peaceful and quiet, and at times, the world almost seemed to stand still.
Today, on the other hand...
Rubbing at my chest, where I could feel the sparkling whenever it shifted, I sighed and looked around. That little sonar screen was gone, and I had no way of telling if anyone else was nearby, and worst of all... Try as I might, I couldn't get the damned screen back.
"Bells?"
Looking down, I kelt and tilted my head a little towards Maur.
He was frowning. "What just happened?"
It was a few hours since we'd run from the two robots, after they helped me to figure out how to feed the little sparkling. I'd remained in robot form, and on alert since then, wondering just what was going to happen next. It didn't help, I was feeling more tired than usual.
I thought about it as I triggered my transformation back, rubbing at my stomach awkwardly when the little one shifted a tiny bit, before settling back down. Huh, well I guess now I know what it's like to be pregnant. "I don't know." I sighed as I looked around again, feeling too tense to relax. "I mean, they helped me with the sparkling. Uh, baby, that is. Then they were going on about us being in danger, like you heard."
"Uh-huh, and what's a 'Decepticon'?"
Raising an eyebrow, I turned back to him. "You're asking me...why? Remember, I was born human. None of their terms meant diddly squat to me."
"What about that...'sparkling'?" He looked at my stomach. "It's really a baby? And it's... It's inside you? I mean, you just transformed!"
Looking down, I felt a tiny pin prick of worry shiver down my spine, before the contentment, happiness and love hit me, and I found myself smiling. Even the cold was gone, replaced by a warm heat where the little on sat. "It's a newborn, and it's fine." Then I frowned. I should have asked the doctor what gender it was.
"You don't even look like you have it in you." He reached forward, brushing fingers against my still flat stomach.
I laughed a little, a tiny bubble of hysteria working its way into my system. "Maur, remember, I don't have a lot of my organs anymore." Which had been a really terrifying thing to realize when it happened. "I have more space inside me than I ever did, and that little one was tiny." I rubbed my own stomach, my fingers feeling the solid metal hiding underneath my artificial skin, and keeping the little one safe.
He nodded, almost reluctantly. "So? Now what?"
Walking over to the fence next to the two story farm, I sighed and sat down on the grassy lawn, more than aware of the awkward way I moved, and trying not to disturb the baby. Leaning back against the fence, I looked up and watched as Maurice walked over and sat next to me. "I don't know. Do we wait and see if they come after us? Do I take that Optimus guy up on his offer of going to their base? Do we go back to the club?" I frowned, drawing my fingers lightly over my stomach, and giggling when I felt my body vibrate with the purr.
"Well we need to be careful." I shot a him a look, and he swatted my arm lightly with a roll of his eyes. "I know, I know. That was pretty much a given day one." He looked away a long moment, before sighing himself. "I think...we should head back to the club, tonight. See if we can find any of those guys, and try to get some answers. If they answer us, then we decide if we wanna trust 'em."
Hesitating slightly, I slowly nodded. "We'll have to head back to the warehouse first, to get changed. And we'll have to keep an eye out, now more than ever I don't wanna get caught by the wrong guys." Leaning against him a little, I closed my eyes and allowed my body to relax.
(That Night)
I checked myself over in the mirror, for what felt like the tenth time, double and triple checking my outfit. I felt strangely, or perhaps not considering the situation, self-conscious.
I was wearing a short black jean skirt, with a black tank top and long, dark purple arm warmers. I matched that with a choker of the same shade of purple, and boots that were black with thigh highs in purple. My hair was left down, blown dry to look casually messy, and half falling over my face, and my eyes were lined with dark purple and black make-up, bringing out just how light they were. Topping it off with a purple tinted lip gloss, I sighed and made my way out of the room, feeling like I was looking a little too young, but pushing it aside as sheer nerves.
After all, I'd had a baby robot in my stomach all day, and I felt myself growing frighteningly fond of the little one. I'd only brought it out once, and it only served to make me care for it more, seeing those bright blue, innocent eyes, blinking up at me, even as the tiny little hand curled around one of my fingers. I'd been in human form at the time.
Now I was bringing the same innocent little baby to a night club, inside me, where Lord-only-knows-what could happen.
I suppressed a yawn, and frowned. Why am I so tired? I shook my head and made sure I had my things. Heading out of the room, I met Maurice downstairs, dressed in baggy black pants, and a black muscle shirt under a leather jacket. He gave me the once over, nodded with a smirk, then we headed out to the car, making our way to the club quickly and quietly.
"It's gonna be ok, you know." Maur put a hand over mine and squeezed slightly, before unbluckling his belt. "Remember, you're not alone."
Unfortunately, what he didn't realize was... I might as well be alone, for all the good he'd do in a human versus giant robot battle. With a small nod, I forced a smile, looking around the parking lot and feeling my heart hum in dread when I didn't see any familiar vehicles, or anything that looked out of place. The rather belated though of 'What if they're not here?' hit me then, but I stubbornly pushed it aside, crawling out of the car, and slipping into my role as Maurice and I walked towards the entrance.
I nodded to Larry, who simply nodded back, and headed down the stairs. Once there, I turned and leaned against Maurice, startling him with my abrupt actions. Before he could say a word, I placed a light kiss on his lips before patting his arm and walking off. The entire time, I couldn't hold back the smirk.
Walking across the club, I kept an eye out for the faces that were slowly becoming familiar. Rika was across the room with a new sub, relaxing a little without even seeming to notice us. I checked out the dance floor, admittedly, for the two good looking twins who had been dancing there before, and then sighed in disappointment when they weren't there.
I walked over to a massive pile of cusions, and crawled into an empty space, stretching out with my legs bent to one side, flat on my back, with my hands resting almost protectively over my stomach. My head was propped up on a higher cushion, and I used it to help me keep an eye out, as Maurice made his rounds. Before long, I felt my eyes getting heavy.
It was unusual. Though I didn't get tired as easily, anymore, I still felt myself slowly relaxing as the sounds seemed to fade. And what an odd place to feel sleepy in. Shaking my head a little, I forced my eyes wider, and squinted a moment when I thought I caught sight of a familiar head of salt and pepper hair marching his way through the crowd. Upon closer examination, however, and it turned out to be a kid with black hair, streaked with white, dancing under the black lights.
I sighed again, trying to ignore the uneasy drowsiness running through me. I had felt tired since some time after the baby settled within me, but pushed it aside as just having a much more active day than usual. Now, however, I was beginning to wonder.
Usually, my adrenaline was pumping high, keeping me alert and awake.
Allowing my eyes to close, I relaxed. I wasn't wearing a collar and wasn't holding a leash. Those that knew anything about me knew I wasn't a sub, and although I didn't feel necessarily safe in this place, the heat was on, and I was lying on a comfortable surface.
God, what's wrong with me? I slowly sat up, groaning a little when my body protested the move. Once I was sitting up, braced on my arms, with my legs still bent to the side, I took another look around. Hm, there you are. The twins were back, dancing closely, but this time a girl with long reddish hair, with what looked like a pink streak in it, was dancing between them, and they all seemed to be having fun. If they're here...
My eyes glanced around, even as I rubbed absently at my stomach and lay back down. Though I was tired, I kept my eyes open and spotted Maurice talking to Rika, her sub kneeling on the ground behind her. A fresh bubble of worry ran through me. Although we'd agreed he wouldn't tell anyone about me, what was he telling her? I shook my head, knowing they both had feelings for the other, though they tended to put them aside and not admit them.
Allowing them their privacy, I felt a hand on my arm. I didn't think much of it, pulling away from the grasp as I allowed my eyes to close.
I nearly jumped when a head of surprisingly soft hair rested in the crook of my neck, lightly. A warm body pressed up against my one side, and a faint, slightly metallic smell hit me over the musky, perfumed air of the club. I relaxed even more, even as the body moved, and my arm was nudged. "'m comfy." I muttered, swatting at the arm. The soft head of hair shifted slightly and I could feel the rapid puffs of warm air against my shoulder from silent laughter. Then the head pulled away, before a stronger set of arms wrapped underneath my upper back and the backs of my knees. "Hey!"
My eyes shot open as a surge of panic ran through me. Looking up, I just sat there and blinked as I was lifted into warm arms and pressed against an even warmer body. My vision spun for a moment, before stabilizing, and I gazed in what I was sure was shock at the familiar face. The familiar bright blue eyes, and short, unruly black hair caught me by surprise, considering I'd never seen him in here before, and somehow he didn't seem to suit the place.
"Bella! Hey! Put her down!"
"It's alright." The tone seemed grimer, and Optimus' face remained in the same mask of concern as he held me closer to him. "We mean neither of you any harm, but you must come with us." At this, he looked down at me. "Ratchet is my medic, and when he helped you with the sparkling earlier, he scanned you. Your body is currently too weak to support you and the child at the same time." His eyes seemed to shine with all kinds of mixed emotions. "If your body continues to weaken, it will have to chose who will survive."
"And..." At this, the doctor stepped forward, his eyes dark with anger and concern. "Survival instincts will ensure your body choses you, giving up on the sparkling within your chassis. I can help you both, but you must come with us."
"So, the question is, will you let us help you?"
I felt my body begin to shake while the thoughts ran through my head. "Is that...?" It all seemed impossible to believe. I found a baby robot, and I've been trying to take care of it, but now I'm finding out my body can't support us both. "Is that why...I feel so tired?" Even now, with my heart pressing hotly in my chest, I still felt so heavy. Myself, or the sparkling? A baby? If I had to chose between myself and an innocent baby... Turning to Maur, I pleaded with my eyes, completely bypassing Rika at his side. "I have to go."
I hated the idea of giving in, after running from these people for so long, but they'd done nothing to hurt me, and if the little one really was in danger...
"Wait, what? What if they're lying?"
I smiled, but I felt how shaky it was. That thought had also crossed my mind, but I didn't have a choice. I knew next to nothing about taking care of a baby, and it needed help. Curling up a little, I pressed my head against Optimus' chest, just under his chin. Stubbornly, I tried to ignore how nice it felt, the warmth his body gave off, and the same musky, metallic scent he had, as well as how safe I actualy felt in his arms."That doesn't explain why I'm so tired. I shouldn't be this tired, and it won't go away." I felt the strange tingling again, and a hand brushing against my stomach slightly. "I have to go, Maur."
"You mean 'we'."
"No." I snapped, before I could catch myself. If there was a chance this was some sort of trap, I didn't want Maurice to fall into it with me. Seeing Rika's uncertain look, I made a hard decision. "No. I mean, I have to go. You need to stay here." I forced my mask into place. I couldn't let him see the uncertainty within me. Knowing Maurice, he'd pounce on it in a second, and worm his way into going, whether I liked it or not.
"Bella, he-"
"No." I looked up at Optimus. "I'm willing to go, but he needs to remain free." After all, I technically didn't fall under human jursdiction or their laws. I hadn't done anything illegal, and as a Cybertronian, I knew they couldn't order me around and put that 'National Security' crap on me. Maurice on the other hand, would be in more danger. "Me, alone." I then raised an eyebrow. "Or rather, us." I patted my stomach slightly, before letting my head fall back against his chest.
There was a worryingly long moment of hesitation, then a sigh. "Alright. But beware who you talk to. We are the Autobots, allies to the humans. We won't harm you, but another faction of Cybertronians known as the Decepticons will, and they too are capable of taking on human holoforms."
"Autobots, and...Decepticons? Cybertronians?" Rika raised an eyebrow.
"A long story." I told her, forcing my voice to remain loud enough to top over the music playing.
She nodded slowly, looking for all the world like she was going to take Maurice home tonight and demand all the answers. I hoped, for both their sakes, that she let it go. Then again, if he really wanted to, Maur had his own ways of distracting her and derailing her train of thought.
"Primus, we need to get her back to my med bay. She's only growing weaker." The tone was low, but still carried clearly through the room. "The sooner we leave, the better." He seemed to be checking something on my stomach, and I swatted at his hands when he prodded.
"Stop that." I grumbled, torn between relaxing into the comfortable hold and trying to get him to let me down. I hated appearing so weak, but at the same time, I was so comfortable...
There was a hint of a chuckle from the form holding me. "Then allow us to go. You have my word, she won't be harmed." He nodded towards Maurice before turning, and I let my eyes slip closed as he turned around and began walking.
I was asleep before we even left the building.
(Normal POV)
Optimus gently loaded the recharging femme onto the holo-stretcher inside Ratchet, watching as the human holoform followed her in, digging around for a blanket in one of his many holds. "What do we know of the sparkling?"
"Other than the fact it's a miracle?" Ratchet shot back, raising an eyebrow as he turned and draped the blanket over the still form. "It's healthy. Quite possibly an early berth, or premature. It must have landed some time recently, because it wouldn't have survived long without nourishment."
"But where did it come from? Sparklings were thought to have been-" The leader shut his eyes, struggling to ignore the rage and agony that tore through his frame.
"Remember." Ratchet's tone was remarkably soft, and when Optimus opened his eyes, he spotted the medic resting his holo-fingers against the flat abdomen of the femme. "Some capsuls managed to escape, with sparklings within." He sighed. "I would have expected them to have starved by now, with limited energon, but... This truly is a miracle."
Optimus and Ratchet found themselves sharing a smile, both feeling the blessing for what it was. With that, their holoforms fizzled out of sight, and the back doors of the Hummer closed gently before they pulled out.
The sparkling was a miracle, but in a sense, so was the femme. She was only, currently, the fourth known femme in existence. A rarity.
No matter what, the Autobots would protect them!
Note : Special thanks to SKIDDY who reviewed one of my earlier chapters, 'demanding' to know where the sparkling came from. The end POV was added in response. Now you know. XD
Hope you like it
R+R Please
Thank you
Tenshi
