It's time for Firestar to return to Farside Beacon One, and Sari will go back with her, to talk with Bumblebee.

"So, did you have a good furlough?"

"Oh, it was great! Ratchet was kind enough to show me all of his equipment, especially some of the custom-made things he developed himself over his many, many stellar cycles of work. He really is a talented bot! He also told me how much he appreciates you, Sari. He'll never forget what you did for Arcee, when you used your mod to help him bring her processor back after Shockwave scrambled it."

"One other thing, though. Ratchet told me he can't wait until your Technorganic chassis is repaired and you're back to your old self."

"Really? Wow. I wonder why?" Sari responded.

"Well…" Firestar hesitated. "I know the answer, but before I tell you, I have to confess something."

Sari raised a metallic eyebrow. "Oh?"

Her friend sighed. "You see, when he told me that, I felt I needed to let him know that you were considering staying as an Autobot."

Sari raised a digit and was about to say something in protest, but stopped. She shrugged her shoulders. "That's OK. I'm sure he would have found out anyway. What was his reaction?"

"He didn't like the idea at all! He was flabbergasted! He said 'No way! She'd be giving up one of Primus' greatest gifts – a pede in two worlds!' He paced the sick bay and went on like that for a klik or two," she said. "Ratchet truly believes that your destiny is to be a bridge between Earth and Cybertron, and the AllSpark chose you for that very purpose. He said you can only do that as a human/Autobot Technorganic. He hopes you won't do it, Sari."

Firestar put her servo on Sari's shoulder. "He's so very fond of you!"

She then put her helm down and started chuckling. Sari looked at her. "What? What is it?"

Firestar looked back. "Ratchet told me about the time when he first met you and your first solar cycles together," she smiled. "He said, 'That girl was the gosh-darndest most annoying little thing to have under my pedes! Always getting in my way!'"

Sari rolled her optics. "Yeah, I was pretty annoying."

Firestar stopped laughing. Looking Sari in the optic, she said, "He wasn't finished, though. He also told me, 'but I wouldn't trade one nano-cycle of the time I spent with that kid for all the energon in the universe!'"

"Oh!" Her optics filled with emotion, Sari covered her mouth with a servo.

"Well, girl, that's one vote against," Firestar said, still holding Sari's shoulder. What did the others think?

"The talk with my Dad went really well. He helped me feel better about some concerns I had about the effect my decision would have on my human cultural heritage. Overall, he'd support whichever way I go."

"But I bet deep inside, he'd miss having you around in 'human', Sari."

"Yeah, you're right. And Optimus said something I didn't expect. The Autobot High Council is considering me for an ambassador post as soon as I complete my Cyber-Ninja training – but only if I'm a Technorganic."

"Hmm." Firestar tilted her helm and gave her a knowing glance.

"I know, I know! That just leaves Bumblebee."

"Well, you'll have your chance once we're back on the moon."

And the fembots transformed into their alt modes and drove back to Sumdac Tower. Taking the freight elevator up to the roof, Sari and Firestar met Isaac. "You ladies ready? Sandstorm is botting the space bridge for you at the other end."

"All set, Dad!" And Sari bent down to give her father a servo. He took a digit and lovingly held it against his head. "Goodbye, my Sari. You take care. I love you!"

"I love you, Dad!"

"Bye Professor!"

"Goodbye, Firestar! Glad you had a chance to spend some time down here with Ratchet!" And he powered up the space bridge. The blue orb formed, and they jumped in.

Coming out of the orb on the moon, they were greeted by Sandstorm. "Welcome back you two!"

"Hey, Sandstorm!" said Sari. "Nice to be back." Walking back to the station, Firestar said to Sari, "Good luck!"

"Thanks!"

The bots returned to Farside Beacon One. Sari went looking for Bumblebee. She found him in his office. "Hey, Bee."

"Sar!" He got up and gave her a hug. "How was your visit?"

"Really good. I visited with my Dad, and had a good talk with Optimus. I wanted to discuss something important with both of them. With you, too."

"Oh? Well, hey, have a seat!" and he closed the door.

Bumblebee sat at his desk. "So what's up?"

"I've been thinking," she started. "What if I stayed in this body?"

Bee sat up, a slight puzzled look on his face. "What…you mean, not go back to your old chassis?"

"Well, yeah. I mean, suppose I stay as a full Autobot? I've kind of gotten used to it, and, I like it. Especially the transforming part." She was holding back talking about what it might mean for their relationship, not wanting to influence his reactions, but instead waiting to see if he would say something on his own.

"But Sar. What about all those things you do in 'human' mode? Won't you miss them?"

"Well…like what?"

"Like, dinner with your Dad and stuff. That place you guys always go to. What's it called, 'Bungle Bot'?"

Sari laughed. "Burger Bot."

"That's it! I don't know; I've never done that thing called 'eat', but I remember watching you do it when you stayed with us. You really especially enjoyed eating those…burger things."

"You go full Autobot and it's nothing but drinking energon from here on out."

He wasn't saying anything she hoped yet, and she was growing impatient. Sari finally decided to go for broke. She sighed, looked him straight in the optics, and said, "Would you like me better like this?"

That threw Bee for a loop! He sat there, mouth open.

They sat there looking at each other for several awkward nanokliks. Finally, Sari smiled. "I never thought I'd actually get you speechless, Bee!"

Bee laughed nervously and recovered. He got up from his desk and went over to her. Kneeling in front of her, he said. "Sar, I don't care what chassis you're in. I love you! The fact that you and I are sharing the same size frame right now is nice, but that's just a cool thing. It's temporary. OK, maybe it's what jump-started our becoming Spark Mates, but no; I don't like you better because you're a full-blown Autobot now."

Sari threw her arms around him. "Oh Bee! Thank you!"

He hugged her back. "So, do you think you know what you'll want when the time comes?"

She sat back in her chair. "I think so, Bee. I'll go back to my old body."

"When Perceptor's done repairing your Technorganic body, and completes the Spark transplant and processor download, I want to be there at your side when you wake up, OK?"

She smiled broadly. "You bet! Spark Mate!"

The rest of that day, Sari was on top of the world! She felt like a huge weight had been lifted from her shoulders. She walked around the base with a smile. Firestar couldn't help but notice this, and when they had a moment together, she pulled her aside and asked her. "So?"

"Oh, Firestar! He doesn't care what body I have. He loves me!"

"I knew it! So what are you going to do?"

"I'll go back to my old body when it's ready. It's my destiny. He said when I wake up after the transfer, he wants to be by my side."

"Congratulations, Sari. You've got a Spark Mate. It's rare." She gave Sari a hug.

"Thanks, Firestar. I appreciate your help. Well, it's time for me to return to Earth. You keep me up to date on your progress at the University."

"Will do!" And the bots bid farewell to each other. Sari stopped by the control center to say goodbye to the crew.

"Take care, Sari, and thanks for your help," said Major Fanzone.

"You are most welcome, Major!"

"Hey, Sari! Be seeing you!" said Airman Young.

"Take care, Athena! Hopefully in a few months I'll be back in my old body and will be joining you in the mess hall again," she smiled.

"Look forward to it!"

Sari went to Bumblebee. He was going to bot the space bridge controls. They walked outside together.

"Thanks for all your help up here, Sar. And I'll be down in less than a decacycle for a status meeting with Optimus. Let's plan on doing something!"

"It's a date, Bee!" And reaching the space bridge, they held servos. Sari gave him a kiss. "Love you!"

He kissed her back. "I love you, Sar! And I'm here for you, no matter what!"

He went to the controls. "Sari to return, Professor."

"Roger, Bumblebee. Ready at this end," said Isaac. And the blue orb formed. She waved goodbye to Bee. He waved back. "See you soon!" She jumped in.

Landing on the roof of Sumdac Tower, Isaac greeted her. "Welcome back, my Sari!"

"Hi, Dad! Listen, I've made my decision. Let's talk."

"Certainly, my dear!" And they went to the conference room.

"I've decided that when they're ready, I'm going back to my Technorganic body."

"Well, as long as that's truly what you want, Sari. I take it you had a good talk with Bumblebee?"

"I did. And he told me he loves me, Dad! He loves me no matter what body I'm in!"

"Oh, my precious daughter! I am so happy for you! May I be with you when you go through the operation?"

"Of course, Dad! Would you mind it if Bumblebee is there also?"

"No, not at all! Sounds perfectly appropriate to me! So it sounds like your relationship with Bumblebee is like Ratchet's relationship with Arcee. Would you say that you two are Spark Mates?"

"Yes, yes, we are. I'm so happy!"

"Oh, Sari, you deserve it! Congratulations!"

"Thanks, Dad! Hey listen, I'd better be getting back to Autobot Central – they'll be expecting me. Thanks so much for your advice!"

"Any time, my Sari." And returning to the street, Sari transformed into her blue sports car and returned to Autobot Base. Walking towards her room, she passed Ratchet's sick bay. His voice came out. "Miss Sumdac, a word?"

Sari gulped. She had a feeling he might want to talk. She stepped into sick bay. "Hey Ratchet, what's up?"

"I heard something about you not wanting to go back to your Technorganic body. Is that true?"

"Well, it was true."

"Oh?"

"Yes, I did consider it. You see, I'm in a relationship with Bumblebee. We're Spark Mates. And I had convinced myself that I ought to stay a full Autobot to keep the relationship strong. After talking with him, I realized I was wrong."

The old bot tilted his helm and a loving, avuncular smile came over his face. "Aw, kiddo, don't ever think you need to modify what's on the outside to manipulate what's on the inside. Sure, Bumblebee's a pain in the neck, but in his Spark he's a really good bot. He would never take advantage of you."

"So, he said he loves you?"

"Yes."

Ratchet came and put his arm around Sari's shoulders. "Well listen, I hope you and Bumblebee have a relationship just like me and Arcee. It's real special when it happens to bots. You cherish it, ya hear?"

"I will, Ratchet, I will."

He chuckled, and walked toward his work bench. Then, turning back, pointed a digit at her. "And for Primus' sake, don't you ever think of giving up your Technorganic body, missy!"

"I won't, I promise!" She smiled.

"Well, OK then. I was about to give you one heck of a talking to. Glad it wasn't necessary!"

He looked at the young bot before him and smiled. "You are a very special person, Sari. The AllSpark chose you – do you have any idea how wonderful that is? You have a really important destiny, for both Cybertron and Earth."

"Thanks, Ratchet. I appreciate your guidance."

"Glad to offer up a helm slap when necessary," he winked.

"So, Sari, have you had a chance to think through your options?"

"Yes sir. When the time comes, I've decided to return to my old body."

"And how do your friends, and you father, feel about this?"

"I talked to my Dad about the cultural implications, and he helped me understand that either choice would allow me to honor my culture. In fact, he told me that, although he would miss my 'human' side, he would support me no matter which choice I made."

"I'm not surprised," Optimus smiled. "He only wants your happiness. How about Bumblebee?"

"Bumblebee said that we would be Spark Mates, no matter what I was on the outside."

"Well, that's wonderful, Sari! Congratulations! Again, I'm not surprised. Bumblebee is a very honorable bot. You two will be very happy together."

"Thank you, sir! I also talked with Ratchet. When he heard I was considering staying as a full Autobot, he was very upset. He believes that I have a very special mission as a Technorganic, and as a bridge between Cybertron and Earth."

"He's right! You know, Sari, when I first met Ratchet, I felt in my Spark that despite his cranky nature, he was a very wise bot, and my impressions proved correct. You be sure to heed his sage advice."

"I will, sir. Ratchet's a very good friend."

"Well, I'm glad you've come to a decision. While I am very appreciative of the abilities you have as an Autobot, I will look forward to the day when you can rejoin my team as a Technorganic."

"Thank you, sir. Proud to be a part of the team!" And Sari stood up, saluted Optimus, and headed toward her room in the Autobot quarters. Waiting for her was Sparkplug.

"Hey Sparky! You miss me?" Her robot dog let out a happy bark and wagged his doggy tail. She bent down and lowered her servo so he could jump up on it. She lifted him up and held him close. "I'll be able to give you hugs in a little while, boy. For now, I'll just pet you with my digit, OK?" And he barked back and panted happily while she stroked his head with her index digit.

So Sari has a Spark Mate; she couldn't be happier! And when the time comes, she'll return to her Technorganic body. Once her Cyber-Ninja training is complete, the Autobot High Council will appoint her as Earth-Cybertron Ambassador. Many new things await Sari! Thanks for reading! Please review.