/I am waiting; Are you ready? I am waiting; Can you hear me? Can you hear me?\\
/…\\
/I wanna be inside your heart. Are you ready? I wanna love forever. Are you thinking? I wanna be inside our heart. What I'm thinking? I wanna know you're with me.\\
/Highways. Starways. Many ways to be open tonight. High time, look inside your life. I am waiting. I am waiting.\\
/Say you need me. I'm yours. Say you need me, just because.It's our freedom, hear me now. We are made to be here now. We'll be waiting for the word as the healing of the world. Make me promises, to be true, all my life my world is you.\\
/I am waiting; Are you ready? I am waiting; Can you hear me? Can you hear me?\\
I Am Waiting – by Yes
First off, I totally forgot to mention that Kacey has a new pic by LyricaBelachium. Also, there is a pic by TClover427. Both links are on my profile page. Have a look, Kacey looks awesome! Makes me wish I could draw! Thanks so much you two!
Second, I want to thank all of you for the reviews and for sticking with Kacey even after my hiatus. It gives me comfort to know her fans are still there! Thank you so much everyone, you rock! \m/
Finally, I want to address a few comments about the twins, more accurately Sunstreaker. I know in many fics he's very brooding and angry. For my Kacey stories I got his personality from this one episode in the Generation 1 series where he and Sides are doing their jet-judo. It didn't turn out the way they'd hoped but the banter between then left an impression on me and that's what I used for their personalities in my Kacey series. The two make perfect comic relief if you've seen that episode.
Finally, on with chapter 9! All from Bee's POV! Please enjoy.
Bumblebee
There was an excitement and a tension in the atmosphere this morning. Much preferred than the chaos of a couple of days ago when we made the big move to Autobot City. Holy Primus I never want to experience that again! I literally felt like I was being pulled in a hundred different directions. Not so now with the Axalon due to arrive in just under eight hours.
Today we're focused. We each have our assignments prepared to make the move in of the new Autobots and civilians as swiftly and as efficiently as possible. In effect, I'm to be working directly with Prowl and Jazz as the new officers and soldiers disembark.
Introductions of the officers will be tomorrow and the following days many of the new Autobots will go through orientation. There are so many that Optimus asked for volunteers from the ranks to help. He felt smaller groups on a more personable level will assist making the transitions much smoother, leaving less room for misinterpretations of protocal for living on Earth, and basically making them feel like they're home.
Jazz of course volunteered his and Prowl's services to brief the officers on Earths many cultures. And no one was surprised when Kacey was one of the first to volunteer right after him. The femme was always the first to volunteer for a task, determined to make her mark as an Autobot. Again, like many times I told her that she had nothing to prove to us. Except this time I noticed something is different about her when I told her.
A change that occurred only just recently and I pointed it out to her when she didn't argue her point like she normally did. Kacey finally reached an understanding of sorts with her position for she told me that while she may not have anything to prove to the others, she still had to continually challenge herself in order to grow as an Autobot and as a leader.
I smiled proudly at her which made her blush.
Primus, she has grown into such a lovely femme physically, intellectually, spiritually. She was definitely a top femme of many mechs fantasies that I've overhead over the years. Those mechs knew their place, that that's all she'd be…a fantasy. Not so with me. Not any longer. I believe I've finally found the perfect way for Kacey to see me as a mech worthy of capturing her spark. Something I know she would find romantic.
"Hey Bee, wait up!"
I turned at the sound of Sideswipe's voice to see him and his brother trotting to catch up to me. While Kacey may have matured and grown intellectually over the years, my two best friends have not. Not that I would expect them to as they are both rather happy and confident about the kind of mechs they already are.
In a word…incorrigible.
"So Bee, are you going to let us get you a femme or mech?" Sunny asked, throwing his arm around my shoulders. "With the Axalon arriving I'm sure there are going to be lots of femmes and mechs to chose from."
"Are you ever going to let it drop?"
"No," the twins grinned in unison.
"Then you already know my answer," I replied flatly.
"Ouch, you're starting to sound like Prowl," Sides commented.
"Yeah, a regular party pooper," Sunny added.
"I am not a party pooper! Who was up all night last night with you two celebrating and getting over energized?"
"I'm not sure," Sunny chuckled, rubbing his helm. "I don't recall much of last night or even what we were celebrating."
"That's coz you drink too much bro," Sides seriously said. "That's one bad habit Kacey picked up from you."
"He's right. I wish you'd tone it down for her sake," I told my friend.
"I know. I'm sorry. I'll try. I don't like seeing her get so over energized either. Especially after what happened with Derail."
I growled on impulse. Whenever I think about what he attempted to do to Kacey still gets my energon boiling!
"Sunny!" Sides hissed punching his brother in the arm.
"Sorry. Come on Bee. It's time to give Kacey her sparkday present," Sunny said, shaking me gently. "She's waiting for us."
My anger faded instantly.
I'd been looking forward to today as it would be the first time in days since I last saw Kacey. The chaos of her little sister's birth and the move to Autobot City kept the femme busy. It kept us all busy which was my only comfort as it made the time pass quickly.
"Where is she?" I asked.
"Leo's quarters," Sunny answered. "Stardust has been giving her fits from what I gathered. Elita and Optimus are too busy with last minute bureaucratic slag to help right now and Leo is the only other mechanism that Stardust seems to like."
"Poor Kacey is upset about little Star always crying when she holds her too," Sides added.
"We need to hurry then," I told them picking up my pace. "I have one last security meeting with Prowl and Magnus shortly."
"Who's keeping their optics on Kacey today if you're helping Prowl and Jazz?" Sunny asked.
"Magnus and Jetfire will be close by but out of sight."
"Pfft! Jetfire…out of sight. The mech is as big as Optimus!" Sides laughed. "Not to mention his armor is all gleaming white now as he picked out his alt form."
"That may be but he's a skilled fighter, most importantly he knows which mechs and femmes are possible threats to Optimus or Kacey as they disembark."
"Oh, right," Sides frowned.
"I still don't like keeping this from her. You know Kacey's not going to like it once she finds out," Sunny commented.
"She'd better not. We have strict orders to not tell her."
"Yeah, but she's going to figure it out soon or later," Sunny countered.
"Until Optimus says otherwise, do your duty," I told them.
"Relax Bee, you know we'd do anything to protect Kacey," Sides smiled.
I vented a sigh, forcing myself to relax. I have been tense ever since finding out about these fanatics that might harm Optimus or Kacey. I care for them both deeply. Optimus was like a father to me. And Kacey…Kacey…Primus give me the strength to be a good sparkmate for her when we reach that point in our relationship.
"I'm sorry. The past few days have been taxing on my systems."
"For everyone," Sunny remarked. "I think we'll all rest easier once the Axalon crew has arrived and is settled in. The fragging 'Cons have been far too quiet."
"Now you're starting to sound like Prowl," I joked, making them laugh.
"It's good to know you still have a sense of humor, Bee!" Sunny exclaimed as we arrived at Leo's door.
"Where's the present?" I asked them.
"Slag, I left it on my berth," Sides cursed. "One sec."
"You'll love how it turned out, Bee," Sunny smiled proudly.
"I'm sure I will."
"Got it!" Sides shouted as he emerged from his and his brother's quarters a short ways down the hall across from my quarters. "I got this too."
I rolled my optics seeing the high grade container.
"And you say Sunny's bad," I grumbled. "You're both bad influence on Kacey."
"It could be worse," Sunny smirked. "Besides, she did pick up on one of our best qualities and surpassed us."
"Pranks and jokes?"
"Ha ha," Sunny replied flatly. "No, she knows how to look good."
"You aft," I smirked, shoving him aside before hitting the door buzzer.
Sideswipe, being less polite than me simply opened the door and let himself in.
"No…no…no!" Leo whispered, rushing at us but it was too late.
Stardust heard us stomp in and woke up hollering. Kacey looked less than pleased for a moment before a solemn look fell across her faceplates.
"I just got her to back into recharge," Leo grumbled, taking the tiny sparkling from Kacey's outstretched hands.
"She still not comfortable with you?" I asked Kacey.
"No," she replied softly. "I don't understand why either. I can't even hold her for more than a few seconds before she starts fussing or crying. I had to come down here and get Leo to help me."
"It's just like what mom said, Kacey," Leo smiled. "Once everything settles down, Stardust will settle. Too much going on."
"That or it's Kacey's energy field," Sides snickered.
"Uh?"
"Think about it, your energy field is all out of whack with your interface systems online now," Sunny grinned, making me smack my palm against my face. "A good frag will set it straight."
Kacey gave him the 'I don't have time for your bullslag' look.
"No? Oh right. No mech in your life yet. There's always the other option of self interfacing," Sunny beamed.
"Oh for pits sake! I'm leaving."
"No you're not," I said, gently taking hold of her arm before she stormed by while glaring at Sunny. "Sunny is going to apologize for being his usually idiot self. Then you are going to open your spark day present and have at least one small cup of high grade with us."
"You guys didn't have to," she said, genuinely surprised and touched, her anger gone instantly.
"No, we didn't but we wanted to," I smiled retrieving the carefully wrapped package from Sideswipe's hands. "Happy Spark Day Kacey."
"Yeah, Happy Spark Day and sorry about being my usual idiot self," Sunny said.
"You're forgiven," she beamed, taking the gift and sitting down.
"You're going to love it," Sideswipe grinned already pouring the high grade.
"Thanks guys," she responded as she started peeling away the wrapper.
"What'd you get her?" Leo asked me over a private comlink, gently bouncing Stardust who had quieted back down.
"You'll see," I told him.
"Wow!" Kacey exclaimed as her fingers traced the pattern sewed into the fabric.
"Hey, that's like the scribe on your back," Leo pointed out. "'Till all are one."
"I made sure they stitched it in perfectly," Sunny said. "Anything less than that wasn't good enough. Not for your spark day present."
"And you old cloak was looking rather…worn," I smiled. "It was time for a new one."
"Help me put it on?" she eagerly asked optics bright with such joy.
Of course I obliged taking the cloak into my hands. It brought me such joy to see that I made her happy. Then my smile quickly faded when I noticed Kacey grimacing as she folded her doorwings down.
"Kacey, what's wrong?" Sunny asked before I could.
"I'm fine," she grinned nervously.
"She is not fine," Leo growled.
"Oh hush. Nitro and Firestar already gave me an audio full."
"Holy Primus, Kacey what'd you do now?" Sides asked, turning her around so I could see the scrape marks on her back side.
"I was on the track racing with Nitro and Firestar when I decided to try something new. I…I wanted to go faster so I activated my thrusters while in car mode," she explained sheepishly rubbing her neck. "And well…I kind of lost control and skidded on my back side. It's mostly healed up and will be fine by the time the Axalon arrives."
"Still, it looks rather tender," I observed, watching how she flinched when I barely touched one of her door wings.
"Will you still put the cloak on, please?" she pleaded and I immediately knew why.
"You haven't told anyone else have you?" I chuckled, shaking my head.
"No. Mom was in such a rush she never saw when I went to pick up Stardust. Firestar did tend to my injuries as she's had basic field repair training."
"Kacey, we've all had that training," Sunny retorted.
"What's done is done, here…to wash away some of the sting," Sides smiled, handing Kacey a cup. "And don't worry, we won't tell."
"Thanks guys," she smiled as I gently wrapped the cloak around her shoulders. "I didn't want to trouble my father today. He's stressed out enough as it is."
"We all are in a way until the Axalon arrives," I said, clasping the cloak's collar into place and I stepped back to inspect her. I even gave her a hand gesture to do a 360 turn.
"Absolutely beautiful," Sunny grinned, sipping his high grade.
"I agree," I added. "You look stunning."
Kacey blushed, thanking us.
"So, Kacey, I hear Nitro has a list of mechs for you to choose from," Sides smirked and immediately one of my antenna twitched, almost choking on my high grade.
"What list?" Leo and I asked at the same time.
"An interface list," Sunny answered and my other antenna started twitching.
"Hey! It is not an interface list!" she exclaimed slapping Sunny's arm. "Perve. Is that all you think about?"
"Pretty much," he replied making her laugh wildly.
Meanwhile I was still trying to figure out what this list was for!
"How'd you guys find out about it?" she asked, slowly sitting down and looking embarrassed as pit.
"Ironhide had it on the table in the recreation room while he was having is morning energon," Sides replied. "We kind of overhead him talking to Nitro about it."
"Great! That means my dad knows!" she cried out, burying her face in her hands. "I'm never going to get a date!"
"Oh, I see it was a list of compatible mechs for you to go out with," Sunny deduced.
"You know, Kacey, we have to approve them before they can ask you out," Sides said jokingly.
"For once can't I have something for myself?" she snapped, bolting up to her feet. "After all, it is my life!"
With that Kacey stormed out of the room, leaving us all a bit stunned.
"No, let her go," Leo said when the twins made a move to chase after her. "You'll only make her madder. She wasn't thrilled about how you two spread the word about her interface systems coming online. And this…will this is another sensitive issue with her. Has been for the past year."
"We didn't mean to upset her," Sunny softly spoke. "I'd do anything for her."
"She knows that. She's just frustrated. It will pass as she's going to be very busy once the Axalon arrives," Leo explained. "She'll be fine."
"If you say so," Sunny frowned.
"Let's go bro. Our shift starts in a few minutes. See you guys later."
"See you," I said as they left, still lost in thought. Then I noticed that look on Leo's faceplates. "Don't give me that look."
"Well, if you'd asked her out by now we wouldn't be having this discussion."
"No, but I probably would have blown any chance of having a serious relationship with her if I had asked. She doesn't see me as a potential suitor. Not yet."
Leo sighed, gently setting a now recharging Stardust down on the couch. I waited patiently as he meticulously covered her with a thermal blanket and made sure she couldn't accidentally roll off the couch.
"In a way you're right," he finally said. "I overheard her and Ariel talking last night. Kacey admits that she has no idea what she wants in a mech but she is very eager to found out. Hence the list Nitro came up with. As her best friend he's just trying to help." He paused then smirked fiendishly at me, "However, you do have two features that catch her optics."
"I do," I replied, swallowing nervously and suddenly feeling very self conscious.
"Apparently doorwings and a cute aft really get her attention."
"Really?" I asked, perking up my doorwings and antenna.
"Oh yeah," he grinned. "I even recall her saying you had a cute aft."
I blushed brightly. I was never as vein about my appearance as Sunstreaker.
"But I need more than looks with Kacey," I pointed out, recalling my plan for getting her to fall madly in love with me.
"As you should. I have no qualms about kicking a mech's aft, even if that mech is my friend. Kacey deserves to be treated properly, with respect and honor. Any mech after a quick frag with her will see my fist up close."
The door buzzed.
"Come in," Leo called, glancing to make sure Stardust remained in recharge.
"Sorry Leo," Kacey spoke softly as she came in. "I didn't mean to leave Stardust with you. She's my responsibility."
"It's ok. I don't mind taking care of my baby sister."
"I wanted to apologize to you too Bee."
"Think nothing of it," I smiled. "We all get frustrated from time to time."
"Pfft, yeah no kidding," she snorted. "Still, it was rude of me. I didn't give you guys a proper thank you for my gift. I really like it and I'm going to wear it when the Axalon arrives."
"I wanted a different color but Sunny insisted the stitching would look perfect on this shade of blue."
"It's perfect," she grinned brightly. "I do like how the outside is my blue and the underside is paler. It's even softer than my other cloak."
"And the Cybertronian glyphs along the trim," Leo commented as he let the edge of the cloak slide through his fingers. "Same silver as the symbol's design."
"Do you know the prayer?" I asked him.
"Of course. Trion taught us the book of Primus among many things," he answered and then proceeded to read the prayer spelled out in Cybertronian glyphs. "O Primus, creator of us all, help us to draw near to thee. Make us choose the harder right instead of the easier wrong. Teach us to never be content with half a truth when a whole can be won. Endow us with courage that scorns to compromise with vice and injustice. Help us to know no fear when truth and right are in jeopardy. Kindle our sparks in fellowship with those of a cheerful countenance. Soften our sparks with sympathy for those who sorrow and suffer. Help us to keep ourselves physically strong, mentally awake, and morally straight until are bodies are but dust and our sparks return to thee, 'til all are one."
"'Til all are one," Kacey repeated softly.
"I've been on Earth too long," I commented, giggle. "I thought the prayer would be too long and wouldn't' fit."
"Not so with our language," Leo smiled proudly. "A single symbol can be a small sentence in our language."
"And Sunny's calligraphy is as good as his artistic talent," I added.
"Which I already told him when he chased me down to apologize. I don't mean to be so sensitive lately. I don't like feeling so…out of control."
"Tell me about it," Leo huffed. "I keep getting hot flashes and urges."
"Temperature regulating will all settle down once your interface systems have finished acclimating with your other systems," I told them. "If Sunny was here he'd tell you to…"
"Don't say it!" Kacey exclaimed, covering my mouth.
"Kacey, I'm going to be interf…"
Kacey tossed the cloak aside on a chair and then tackled Leo to the ground trying to cover his mouth as he chanted 'Interfacing' over and over. They wrestled and laughed much like I'd seen them do when they were younglings. I lost count of how many times I found Kacey and Leo play wrestling because of a joke or jibe at one another.
"Yes, they are certifiable, little Stardust," I cooed, lifting her up into my arms since the commotion obviously woke her. She made an inquiring beep at me. "Your big brother and sister are crazy. See?"
"Ok, ok…you win!" Leo cried out, still laughing even though Kacey had him pined to the ground.
"Oh hey look! Star is letting Bee hold her," Kacey grinned excitedly coming over.
"And she's not crying," Leo added.
"Give her a minute and she'll start," Kacey snorted.
A few minutes passed and Stardust still seemed content in my arms.
"I guess she likes me," I smiled, rubbing the sparkling's belly with a finger.
Stardust rolled her optics a little and yawned before cramming her fist in her mouth. Muffled cooing sounded that made me giggle softly.
"Oh yeah, she definitely likes Bee," Leo said.
"As cute as this moment is, mom is calling for her now," Kacey said, reaching her hands out.
I allowed her to extract the sparkling from my arms. And less than a moment later Stardust started wailing.
"The kid hates me I swear," Kacey muttered as her doorwings sagged in disappointment.
To add insult to injury, Stardust made a sudden choking noise then spewed partially digested energon all over Kacey's front side. Her optics instantly shot a deathly glare at Leo who was trying to keep his composure.
"Laugh and you die," she threatened to no avail as Leo started cackling wildly.
"Elita's in the command center?" I asked getting a nod from Kacey. "Then I'll take her so you can get cleaned up. I'm headed in that vicinity for my meeting anyway."
"Thanks Bumblebee, I owe you," she replied sheepishly. "At least she didn't get any on herself."
"A little puke doesn't hurt," I said, cuddling Stardust close.
"Obviously you've never been puked on," Kacey responded, her sister's cries died down. "I give up. I don't understand why she doesn't like me."
"Give her time," I smiled. "She doesn't know what a wonderful big sister you are yet."
"I suppose," she frowned.
"Bee's right," Leo commented, having recovered from his laughing fit. "I love you. Little Star will to."
"Thanks you two. I'd better get going before it starts to stick. I'll see you guys later."
"See you Kacey."
"I'll see you, Kacey," I sighed, gently rocking Stardust.
"You'd better get going. Mom is getting rather insistent. I told her you were bringing Star but I didn't tell her why."
"Gee, thanks, Leo," I replied sarcastically.
"Just kidding, I told her Star was being her usual self to Kacey and left it at that. Anyways, I have to go help Orion with something. I'll see you later Bee."
I nodded then headed for the door with Stardust securely cradled in my arm.
"And oh by the way…" Leo said, making me pause before I exited his quarters. "That suits you. Just remember, I want to be informed you're bonded to my sister before I become an Uncle!"
I chuckled, shaking my head, continuing on my way. Life was kind of funny at times. It seemed like not too long ago the sparkling in my arms was Leo after I found him roaming about in his search for Kacey. He had been quite a lively sparkling. So much so that I had feared I'd drop him on a number of occasions.
I can tell already that little Star has calmness about her and it made me wonder…how my own sparkling would be. Would he or she take after me or Kacey?
"You know you should give your big sister a chance," I said to Stardust. "She loves you so much. She'd do anything for you."
The sparkling sighed contently.
"Can I tell you a secret?" I whispered. "I love your sister very much. I would do anything for her just as she would do anything for you."
Stardust yawned, seemingly bored.
"Come on let's get you to Elita," I chuckled.
By the time I reached the command center with my precious cargo, Stardust had fallen back into recharge. Several mechs and femmes found it adorable as it was their first glimpse of the newest addition to Prime's family. Then the sparkling femme started getting fussy. Elita was quick to show up, thanking me kindly for bringing the little darling before she disappeared in Prime's office to feed her sparkling.
Even after all that I still arrived a few minutes early for my meeting and found Jazz sitting on Prowl's desk. It'd been a common sight when I was growing up on the base in Iacon. And a most welcomed sight to this day considering the two were nearly lost to us.
"Jazz, I've always been curious; did you ever have an office of your own back in Iacon?" I teased.
"Oh he did," Prowl replied with a smirk. "I assigned it to him when he first arrived under Sentinel's command. I even escorted him to it."
"You forgot to add that it was the only officer's office that was smaller than a storage closet and didn't even have a window," Jazz added.
"As I told you then, it was all we had available at the time."
"And that I'd get a better one when one became available."
"At which point you turned down the new office when it became available."
"Magnus needed it more than me."
"And when you were promoted to third in command you even turned down the new office again."
"By that time I'd already found an office more aesthetically pleasing to my optics," Jazz smirked triumphantly.
Prowl didn't have a comeback and was actually blushing and looked flustered. Jazz pressed a chast kiss to the center of Prowl's red chevron.
"So to answer your question, Bee, yes I did have my own office back in Iacon. Prowl's office just ended up being the better option for me. And the only time I used my own office were times Prowl was out on a mission. It was the only room on the base no one would go looking for me when I wanted to be alone."
"Jazz likes to do his worrying alone," Prowl smiled fondly, affectionately caressing Jazz's forearm.
"We all have our quirks," Jazz shrugged. "As for you Bumblebee…are you ever going to settle down with a femme? Lots of available ones on the Axalon. I even hear Nitro has a list of mechs for Kacey. I can put the word in and get you on it!"
"What?" I choked.
"Jazz!" Prowl exclaimed.
"Alright, alright. Don't get your pretty doorwings in a twist," Jazz teased, patting Prowl's shoulder. "I'm feeling rather horny and want to play with them after your meeting so stay in a good mood."
"Primus please strike me down now to save me from this humiliation," Prowl muttered, covering his face with one hand while shaking his head and I distinctly heard Jazz revving his engine.
"Don't keep my stud muffin too long Bee. He's all mine until the Axalon arrives," Jazz smirked sauntering towards the door.
I instinctively turned and ducked when I saw the datapad fly. Jazz, even though his back was turned, suddenly hurried out the door lowering his head laughing wildly, taunting his bondmate with a 'miss me, miss me now you have to kiss me' chant. Magnus just happened to be walking in at that very same moment. Luckily for the skilled warrior his reflexes were quick enough avoid getting knocked over by Jazz and even quicker to snare the datapad from mid flight before it hit him in the face.
"I'm lucky you weren't really mad at him," Magnus chuckled, returning the datapad to Prowl.
"How do you know he wasn't?" I asked, standing back up.
"Because Jazz would have had dent in the back of his head or my face would have. Prowl rarely misses. I take it he's all excited still about the ceremony next month."
"He's insufferable!" Prowl exclaimed but in an affectionate way because I could see the love he had for Jazz in his optics. "And he's only going to get worse the closer it gets too."
"And you wouldn't have him any other way," I smirked making him smile.
"Ok, let's get this over with before my bondmate starts taunting me over our bond."
"Right, I still think we should have more security on the launch deck," Magnus said as both he and I took our seats across from Prowl.
"Optimus was very adamant about wanting the civilians to feel welcomed and not feel like their entering a militarized zone," I commented. "This is to be home for them."
"We'll not be able to change Optimus' mind about this," Prowl continued. "However, as a compromise I will have Bluestreak and the other snipers placed in strategic, yet still discrete points along the upper observation walkway overlooking the launch deck. In conjunction with Jetfire giving us the heads up on whom to be looking out for I'm confident we'll be able to keep Optimus safe."
"What about Kacey?" I asked worriedly.
"Optimus is the primary target for assassination if an attempt is made."
"Remember Bumblebee, Kacey cannot be Prime while Optimus is still alive," Magnus pointed out. "Plus, Optimus has made it very clear that if anything were to happen Jetfire would get Kacey out of there as quickly as possible."
I sighed wearily.
"You can speak your processor here Bee," Prowl said. "You are an officer. I value any input just as Optimus does."
"I don't like this keeping Kacey in the dark. She's not going to like it once she finds out. And she will find out about it."
"Yes, I've said as much to Optimus," Prowl replied. "But I do agree with his logic. Kacey has been far too stressed out lately with all that has happened to her recently. She already carries a heavy burden. Optimus doesn't want her to worry about him more than she already does."
"Plus he said he'll deal with the fallout if Kacey figures it out before he tells her," Magnus added.
"So make sure the twins continue to follow their orders."
"They will," I assured him confidently.
"Good. Now is there anything else we might be overlooking with regards to security for the Axalon's arrival?" Prowl asked.
"I think you've covered everything thoroughly as usual, Prowl," Magnus smirked. "I'm not even sure why you called this meeting."
"There's always the x factor I can never predict," Prowl frowned. "I pray the Axalon arrives without incident."
"We've got long range sensor scanning for Decepticon activity and our patrols are keeping their optics out for anything unusual. I agree with Magnus, your plan is solid."
"We'll see. I have one more topic for discussion," Prowl continued, retrieving a datapad from his desk. "I have a copy of this list that Nitro put together. Any opinions?"
"I wouldn't worry about it," Magnus chuckled. "He's just trying to help his best friend. Something fooling younglings do all the time."
"Do we know anything about the mechs on the list?" I asked, resisting the urge the yank the datapad from Prowl's hand and see this 'list' for myself.
"I've talked with Kup about these young mechs," Prowl answered. "They've got spirit and are a bit rough around the edges. But they all have potential. He spoke highly about this Hot Rod, says he's officer material, a natural leader even if he's cocky and arrogant. The kid gets the job done. And…he's the same age as Kacey."
"Sounds like a perfect match for her," Magnus commented and my hands gripped the chair's arm rests tightly.
"Yes, well, Kacey is a mature femme now," Prowl smiled. "The decision rests with her as to which mech she decides to settle down with. I just hope Optimus doesn't blow the mech up."
"Could be a femme, you never know," Magnus countered.
"Oh, it'll be a mech," Prowl said and his optics ever so briefly flicked my way before they focused back on Magnus.
I tensed up even more.
Did he know my secret?
"If there's nothing else, then this meeting is over."
"I have nothing else to add."
"I have nothing further to add," I said, carefully observing Prowl for any hint that he knew my secret as his optics locked on me again.
"Very well, dismissed."
If he knew he gave no indication. Not that he ever would. The mech's poker face rivals Kacey's! Besides, he was smiling and talking excitedly with Magnus about his and Jazz's upcoming bonding ceremony when I headed in the other direction.
Maybe I'm just glitching because of the stress of the past few days.
"You need to relax," I mumbled to myself.
I pushed all thoughts of today aside for the time being. With several hours for myself before the Axalon arrived, I headed out of the main building the command center was located in. Once outside I transformed and drove at the designated speed towards the human sector of Autobot City.
I was confident my plan to lure Kacey's spark would work but I wanted assurances. Since my plan involved what I deemed to be romantic intents I could not ask for Ironhide's opinion. As long as I've known the mech, he and romance have never been associated with each other. Or at least the normal kind of romance; only Chromia would find a date with Ironhide blowing the slag out of drones romantic.
I couldn't tell Leo either. He has no experience yet. In fact, I overheard him and Orion having a discussion on approaching femmes and how to ask them out for a date. I almost laughed. They're both highly intelligent mechs but are utterly clueless when it comes to asking a femme out for a date. I was tempted to tell them to talk to Sunny but then Optimus showed up and rescued his sons from themselves.
Sam is probably my best option right now because what my plan involves is something very human. In fact, it was the most recent Valentine's day where I observed some of the human females, and a few males, had received love letters from secret admirers.
The idea is perfect!
Kacey is a romantic herself, just like her father. So I know she'd love the idea of having a secret admirer. Plus it would give me the perfect opportunity to speak my spark to her without glitching. True she wouldn't know it was me at first. But in the end she would see me as the mech I am…completely in love with her.
It would work. I had to work.
"Hey Bee!" Sam shouted as I pulled up and transformed.
"Sam, it is good to see you my friend. It has been far too long."
"Only a year. Besides I know you've been busy."
"Still, I wish I could have been there for support."
"Bee, it was a divorce. It happens. Mikaela and I had it good while it lasted. The kids are in college. I was ready for something different and she wasn't. I wanted to be a part of Autobot City, a part if the Autobots. You guys have been around for a good portion of my life and I can't imagine it without you. Especially you, Bee. You were my first car and you're one of my closest friends."
"I'm honored," I smiled, bowing my head.
"So what'd you want to talk about?"
"Get in," I said, transforming back into my vehicle mode. Once he was inside I drove off. "I've come up with a means to help win Kacey's spark and make her see me as a mech and not her uncle or friend."
"Cool. Let's hear it."
"A love letter from a secret admirer. I plan on giving her several love letters over a time frame, yet to be determined, or at least until I know I've captured her spark. The final letter would be for her to meet me in a romantic setting and reveal that I'm her secret admirer."
"You know it might just work," he said after several anxious moments of silence. "Some women find that romantic. Kacey and Mikaela used to watch those sappy chick flicks all the time together. So I know Kacey would find the idea of having a secret admirer alluring."
"I even wrote my first love letter to her! Would you like to read it?" I asked excitedly, encouraged by his response.
"Definitely. I wouldn't let you give it to her unless I read it first anyway. It has to be perfect."
"Thanks, Sam."
I retrieved the data and displayed it on the inside of my windshield for Sam to read.
"My Dearest Kaceystar,
I must apologize up front with you for I saw no other way to approach you. You are an exceedingly difficult femme to be alone with for fear of my wits leaving me or your father blasting me. Please do not be frightened or angered by this letter. It has taken all my courage to write this for you. What I have to tell you comes from the bottom of my spark and is revealed to you with the utmost sincerity.
That be said, and as I am a mechanism of few words, I will get straight to the point.
My life has been a whirlwind since I first saw you. I've been running round in circles in my processor. My spark flutters, flips and turns to just be near you. And now, I have reached a point where I cannot fight these feelings for you anymore. I'm sorry that I am still afraid and wish I had the strength to let them show.
There aren't enough words in any language to express the deepest respect, sincerest admiration, and humble affection I have for you. You are the strength that keeps me walking. You are the hope that keeps me trusting. You are the light of my life, the energy of my soul.
Without you I am incomplete. I'm nothing. I am an empty shell. I am one useless have of something whole.
I've often asked myself, how can I stand with you and not be moved by you?
You are the life of my spark.
You are my purpose.
You, my beautiful Kaceystar, are my…everything.
Affectionately, your Beloved"
"Wow! That's really good. You'll definitely get her spark fluttering. So what's the plan? How you going to get it to her without her knowing it came from you?"
I screeched to a halt making Sam nearly smack his forehead on my dashboard. Thankfully I was only driving about twenty-five miles per hour so he was able to used his hands on the dashboard to catch himself. Even luckier still that there was no traffic behind me so I didn't get damaged!
"I guess you didn't think that far ahead," he commented, leaning back into the seat.
I sank into my suspension feeling deflated and depressed. The love letter that took me hours to write was useless if I couldn't get it to her without her knowing it came from me! Primus, I couldn't just hand it to someone and have them deliver it. That'd be too obvious. I couldn't even leave it by her door as Kacey is a curious mechnoid and would look at the video surveillance.
Frag!
"Don't worry Bee, we'll think of something. I promise," he replied determinedly.
I let out a soft, pained whine then started to drive again…slowly.
"Don't be so hard on yourself," he spoke softly. "I hate it when you're depressed."
"I'm sorry, Sam. I worked hard on the love letter, nearly wore out the datapad with the number of rewrites I did for it to be…"
"Wait as second…that's it!"
"Uh?"
"I remember Kacey talking about how you can lock the information on a datapad," Sam spoke excitedly.
"We use encrypted key codes. All the officers have their own codes basically enabling any officer to open the datapad no matter who locked it. Also, depending on the sensitivity of the information enclosed what kind of lock is in place determines what level of officer can open it. For instance something for Prowl or Prime's optics only I wouldn't be able to open unless I was the one that locked it. Why?"
"Well, you put your love letter on one and lock it so not anyone can just read it. Datapads are always exchanging hands often right?"
"Yes, they're used, reused moving from one department to the next. Most get passed up to the chain of command eventually making their way into an officer's office for review. But that wouldn't work because when I lock it I have to use my key code. Kacey would know it was me."
"Who said it had to be your key code?" he smirked.
"Sam, I don't know any of the other officer's key codes. We are given our own for a reason."
"We make one up!"
"I'm not very good at coding. Prowl, Jazz, Elita, Wheeljack, frag even Kacey are all excellent at coding and decoding."
"But it can be done right?"
"Yes but that would mean I'd need a coder to create a new key code."
"Don't worry about that. I know someone who's good with your guys's codes. He'll do it for me no questions asked. You remember that practical joke Jazz played on Prowl with the datapad?"
I laughed, "Yeah, I'll never forget the flustered look on Prowl's face each time he tried to unlock the datapad and some cyber porn pic would pop up and tell him 'Nope. Try harder' or the 'ain't overloading today' or my favorite was the last one, 'too bad lover, you didn't use the magic word'. Then he broke it and it wouldn't shut up so he obliterated it losing a month's work of information he'd compiled! He didn't talk to Jazz for an entire week after that! And even then it took Jazz some serious aft kissing and loads of groveling to get back on Prowl's good side."
"Who do you think Jazz got to help him so Prowl didn't suspect his was him right away? It was Glen Whitmann. The dude is the best. He can create a code that only Kacey would be able to unlock. And he knows how to not leave a trace so she'd never suspect him."
"The code is one thing. How do we get the datapad to Kacey is entirely different!"
"Don't worry," he smiled. "I got that worked out too. Now, come on. Let's go.
Glen's probably at home right now playing video games. I'm sure he'd love this challenge."
"I don't know Sam. That would mean we'd have to tell him about how I feel about Kacey. Ironhide is on the verge of pushing for me to tell her and Leo is bursting to tell her. I can't risk ruining this."
"Bee, you've always been there for me whenever I needed you. Now it's my turn. Trust me," he implored me with great conviction.
"Very well Sam," I sighed, pulling up Glen Whitmann's address information from Teletran's archives.
/I can't fight this feeling any longer. And yet I'm still afraid to let it flow. What started out as friendship has grown stronger. I only wish I had the strength to let it show.\\
/I tell myself that I can't hold out forever. I said there is no reason for my fear. Cause I feel so secure when were together. You give my life direction. You make everything so clear.\\
/And even as I wander I'm keeping you in sight. You're a candle in the window on a cold, dark winter's night. And I'm getting closer than I ever thought I might.\\
/And I can't fight this feeling anymore. I've forgotten what I started fighting for. It's time to bring this ship in to the shore. And throw away the oars, forever.\\
/Cause I can't fight this feeling anymore. I've forgotten what I started fighting for. And if I have to crawl upon the floor, come crashing through your door. Baby, I can't fight this feeling anymore.\\
/My life has been such a whirlwind since I saw you. I've been running round in circles in my mind. And it always seem that I'm following you, girl. Cause you take me to places that alone I'd never find.\\
/And even as I wander I'm keeping you in sight. You're a candle in the window on a cold, dark winter's night. And I'm getting closer than I ever thought I might.\\
/And I can't fight this feeling anymore. I've forgotten what I started fighting for. It's time to bring this ship in to the shore. And throw away the oars, forever.\\
/Cause I can't fight this feeling anymore. I've forgotten what I started fighting for. And if I have to crawl upon the floor, come crashing through your door. Baby, I can't fight this feeling anymore.\\
As I drove through the human residential district I felt my spark pulsed contentedly for the first time in a really long time. I knew in that moment that this was the right thing to do. This was the first step towards my destiny.
I know Kacey is my destiny for my spark calls to hers more so than ever now.
A/N: Bee's love note was inspired by two songs. 'Can't Fight This Feeling Anymore' by REO Speedwagon and Kacey and Bee's Theme (in my mind it is their song) song 'Everything' by Lifehouse. There is a method to my madness.
Up next: The Axalon arrives. We'll have multiple POVs. If it starts to get epically long I will break it up into two chapters.