Author's note. Just had my second exam today and to celebrate I'd thought I'd write another chapter for this story. Does anyone know what kind of things pregnant women go through, I've never had any one close to me pregnant to know what happens. Any suggestions would be a huge help, I know I can look up stuff, just some first or second hand experience would be good.
Note that a Spark is the equivalent of a human embryo, a Sparkling will refer to when it's reached the foetus stage.
On with the story, Arcee experiences the joys of pregnancy while Megatron hides from vengeful mothers and aunts.
Enjoy and please review.
Continued from last chapter.
Thundercracker smiled happily at his mate who was lying down on the grass and cuddling Arcee. He wasn't jealous, in Skywarp's case it was completely harmless, he simply wanted to be closer to his Sparkling.
Make that their Sparkling thought Thundercracker as he came over to sit next to the two. Meanwhile the Autobot First Aid stood there a little awkwardly, not knowing what to do. In the end, First Aid went to sit in a sunny spot a few metres away, far enough to give them some space but close enough in case they needed him.
As Thundercracker sat next to Arcee, he suddenly felt a spark of warmth in his Spark and his hand shot to his chest. He saw that while Skywarp had one hand on Arcee's chest, he had his other on his own. Her face plates blushing gently, Arcee placed a hand on her own chest, rubbing the spot where the Spark was located.
"It knows you're here" she said softly causing both Seekers to beam broadly.
"Of course it does" crooned Skywarp placing his head against her chest, trying to feel the Spark. However at the moment, only Arcee could physically feel it.
"Content."
The emotion flowing through the parental bond was nothing like Skywarp or Thundercracker had ever experienced before. It was one of the most wonderful feelings they had ever felt. Both had rather goofy grins of contentment but they didn't care.
Arcee couldn't stop a smile crossing her face as the Seekers lay back snuggling up to her on the sun kissed ground. How could she feel uncomfortable with two strange Mechs beside her when the Spark was feeling so happy? It made her think, when she had her own child how wonderful it would feel. And so she decided to enjoy the rest of her time spent in the Seekers company. Maybe this wouldn't be so bad after all.
Three weeks later, aboard the Nemesis.
"All systems fully functioning, Lord Megatron" Soundwave announced as he checked a console.
Megatron nodded, there had been problems with their computer over the past few solar cycles but now everything was back to normal. In fact things overall were pretty normal.
"Thank you Soundwave" he said as he turned to his Second who was sitting at another console in the Control Room.
"Nothing new to report Megatron, the rest of the base is functioning well, we have enough equipment to last for at least a lunar cycle and training among the teams is going well" Starscream said turning to face his leader.
"Excellent" Megatron said, smiling in satisfaction. Soundwave gave a very small cough causing Megatron to glance at him, with a raised optic-brow. However it was Starscream who spoke.
"We have managed to accumulate a good store of Energon this past lunar cycle, in fact our storage is almost full to bursting with cubes" Starscream started carefully.
"So, that is a good thing, it means we will not run out for a good while" Megatron said, offhandedly.
"Yes but we have more than we need for ourselves" Starscream pointed out. "Most of it could easily go to Cybertron, except the Space Bridge is still out of action."
There was an awkward silence. Soundwave had turned back to his console though he was likely still listening. Megatron had turned his back on Starscream and was examining a report in his hands.
"Megatron" Starscream said slowly. "Is there any particular reason why you are not having the Space Bridge fixed? After all it is the quickest and easiest way to transport Energon, it means you don't have to lose Astrotrian or Blitzwing."
"Hmm" Megatron mumbled, not appearing to be listening. Starscream rolled his optics as he asked.
"This...reluctance wouldn't have anything to do with a certain pink Femme, would it?"
"Why in Primus's name would the Space Bridge status have anything to do with Prime's daughter?" Megatron said turning back to glare at Starscream who wasn't fazed.
"That wasn't the Femme I was thinking of" Starscream said with a slight smirk. Megatron reply but walked over to Soundwave and peered over the blue Mech's shoulder to see what he was doing. Starscream shook his head at his Leader's ability to ignore a situation he didn't like.
"Megatron, you do realise that if we don't fix the Space Bridge the Autobots will" Starscream stated firmly.
Megatron stubbornly ignored this so Starscream played his trump card.
"The longer that Femme is denied seeing her daughter, the worse she will be when she finally gets here. Not only that, but we don't want the Autobots getting to knowable about our Space Bridge technology" Starscream said, watching his leader closely. "Besides" he added. "Once Elita is here, she will be too busy fussing over her daughter to worry about wrecking any kind of revenge upon you."
"Bah" Megatron growled as he turned to glare at Starscream.
"Starscream" he growled. "How is it that no one is blaming those over sexed trine mates of yours? How is any of this my fault?"
Starscream smirked.
"Why, because it so much more fun to blame you" Starscream said with a slight sneer. "That's the cost of being a leader, oh leader, my leader, anything goes wrong, it's your fault."
Megatron gave him a nasty glare before, suddenly looking thoughtful and then giving Starscream a very evil smirk.
"Why, I believe it's your shift for patrol Starscream" he said sweetly. "In C section, which by remarkable coincidence, overlaps Autobot territory. So if you happen to run into any disgruntled Autobots, you can explain why their Femme's can't get through."
"Coward" Starscream sniffed, looking disgruntled. Megatron simply sneered, satisfied that he had avoided the issue of the Space Bridge successfully. Of course he'd have to have it repaired eventually, but when it came to either sooner or later, he chose the latter. The thought that Arcee might benefit from another Femme's presence like her mother's never crossed his mind.
Inside the Ark.
A long groan filtered down the corridors of the Arks sleeping quarters. Optimus paused, he had been making his way through to his own room when he heard that groan. It was a feminine groan, meaning it could only come from one bot. So he headed straight for said bot's door and rung the chime.
"Arcee, may I come in?" he called softly. A loud moan was his answer so he entered.
Arcee was sprawled on her berth, her blanket on the floor as she moaned again. Perspiration was running down her body in little channels as heat radiated off her body. She was breathing heavily. Optimus quickly hurried over and took her hand.
"Oh my darling" he said sorrowfully as he took in her pain scrunched face. "Why didn't you call someone?"
"Ohhhhh, I feel so sick" she said looking like she was going to purge. Optimus nodded sympathetically.
"Morning sickness" he said quietly. "Your mother had it too, I remember" he added ruefully.
As Arcee covered her mouth with her hands trying to force down the urge to purge, Optimus was very glad he was her father. In this state, Arcee would regard any Mech that wasn't direct family or a Medic as the enemy. Elita's way of dealing with it, or rather her way of punishing Optimus for getting her into that state was to withhold interface.
Of course when she had been acting as Carrier for other couples, it defiantly hadn't been his fault, it still hadn't stopped her. However he had understood, she wasn't really mad, it was just her overworked systems talking, she just felt too sick. He mentally smiled, Ironhide hadn't been quite as understanding resulting in him being chased by an irate light blue Femme threatening to castrate him.
"Come on, SweetSaprk" he said shaking himself out of past memories and focusing on the present. "Let's get you to Ratchet."
Saying this he scooped her into his arms, figuring the cooler air out in the corridor would do her good anyway. Arcee didn't even protest, she felt too ill for that and so he carried her all the way to the Med Bay.
"Ah" said Ratchet, smiling as Arcee and Optimus entered. "And how is the primigravida today?"
"Primigravida?" Arcee said in confusion as OPtimus carefully set her on her feet. Ratchet smiled.
"Primigravida is what we call a Femme pregnant for the first time" he explained. "Now why don't you lie back on the berth and I'll give you a quick scan."
Arcee did as she was told, collapsing onto the berth with a moan as another wave of nausea washed over her. Optimus sat beside her, rubbing her shoulder gently.
"I hate Mechs" Arcee grumbled, clutching her stomach. "Especially Seeker Mechs."
This caused Ratchet to chuckle as he examined her. When he had finished he reached for a small hose and lightly squirted her with water to cool down.
"Everything's fine with the Spark, and I'm afraid what you're feeling is completely normal and will continue for at least another month" he said wiping her face with a damp cloth.
Arcee gave the hugest groan to date, rolling her head with nausea.
"I'm never letting a Mech touch me, ever" she declared.
Seeing Optimus's far too pleased look, Ratchet said.
"I'll remember those words for when you and your partner come in telling me you're all knocked up" he said dryly.
"Partner? What partner?" Optimus instantly demanded causing Ratchet to laugh.
"Daaaad, he means in the future but that's never going to happen" Arcee, not bothering to open her optics which she had squeezed shut.
"So you say" Ratchet said, still chuckling. "So you say."
"Take all the time you want Arcee" Optimus said, ignoring Ratchet. "There's defiantly no rush."
"Right" Ratchet said briskly. "Now I know it's difficult and that you defiantly don't feel like it, but you must remember to feed regularly, after all the Spark doesn't suffer from Morning Sickness."
"Lucky Spark" Arcee grumbled.
"Some coolant will help calm your systems" Ratchet continued. "Try to take some before you eat, it will make it easier. Also I want you to get out and about, exercise and fresh air is good for you and the Spark."
"Also you need to start rubbing oil into your stomach area, this will make things easier for when you start to grow to accommodate the Sparkling."
"What" Arcee exclaimed, her optics shooting open. "But that's not going to happen for ages."
"You're already at the first month mark, Arcee" Ratchet said sternly. "Believe me, the time will fly before you know it. Speaking of which, aren't you meant to meet with those two over sexed Seekers tomorrow."
"Tell them I'm ill and can't make it" Arcee grouched lying back on the berth. "Anything else I should be aware of?"
"One word" Ratchet said calmly, absentmindedly cleaning a wrench. "Cravings."
To be continued.
Author's note. Primigravida is a real term, it's a scientific term for a first time mother. Next time Skyfire runs into Starscream and passes on Arcee's displeasure. Remember suggestions are very welcome, anything the Seekers could do with Arcee? Till next time.