I only own my OC's!

The Second Carrier

TWO WEEKS LATER

I groan softly when I feel someone shaking me. "Shey, wake up. You missed your alarm. You need to get moving."

I sit up suddenly. "I've gotta get Star dressed!"

Graham laughs softly. "Easy. Mako got her ready. There's a tray on the table, and Blue's ready when you are."

I rub the back of my neck. "Thanks."

"Don't mention it."

I glance over his stomach. "You didn't—"

"Dad brought it. You're acting like I felt a few months ago."

"I have to see Ratch today to see if it took, but I think it did." I yawn and climb out of bed before changing into a red sweater with a cornucopia knitted in, blue jeans, red socks, and white shoes. I've been living with Graham so long I don't care if he sees me. Besides, I know he'll turn away, and that he won't peek, so I don't worry.

I step into the entry space and sit at the table as Blue kneels to me. "How are you feeling?"

"I'm fine, Blue. Tired, but that's to be expected."

Graham walks in and sends me a fake glare. "I hate you."

"Come off it. Everyone goes through this differently, and even then, every time is different." I shrug. "Besides, I know you don't hate me. I've been here for you through this, and I can see in your eyes that you actually really like me." I point up to Bluestreak. "'Sides, ya need to watch what you say around Blue."

"Robo-bodyguard."

I nod. "But as long as he remembers you're carrying, you're safe. Praxians protect carriers and sparklings."

"Thanks." He sighs. "It's already starting to get obvious, though."

"I'll send Ratchet by to—"

"Boulder offered to take me around until this is over." He sighs. "I guess I'll see you there."

"I guess." I gather the three trays and turn back to our rooms. "Come on, Star! We're leaving!" I stop and drop off the trays before we head outside, and take off.

MEDICAL BAY

I turn from where I'm wiping down the medical berth to see Boulder and Bluestreak. We'd gotten the backlash from one of Sideswipe's pranks in. First Aid is washing down the counter while Ratchet is checking our supplies to see if he has to order new ones from Herc and Will. "Ratch! Graham's here!"

"I was about to—" He sticks his head out. "I thought you said Graham was here!"

"He's in Boulder. He told me he would be when he's out."

"Okay. Lock the door, Bluestreak." He looks at me with an eyebrow ridge raised.

"Blue, back in the storage room." I turn to Ratchet. "He's here for my checkup, which we're doing after Graham's, so I'm assuming he chose to follow Boulder."

Ratchet looks him over before nodding. "Everything looks good."

"Thanks." He climbs back into Boulder and the two leave.

Ratchet steps over and lets Bluestreak out of the storage room before turning to me. "Human form, on the berth."

I nod, and shift before allowing Bluestreak to lift me up. I sit as still as I can as Ratchet examines me, then smiles at me. "Good news, Star. You're carrying."

"Thanks, Ratch."

I shift back to my Cybertronian form as he sits beside me. "How have you been feeling?"

"Fine. Tired, but fine."

"No nausea?"

"None." I put an arm around him. "I'm fine, Ratch. I'll get through this."

"Just be careful in that jaeger. We need you."

"Trust me, I will be."

SHORELINE

I walk out in my Cybertronian form and sit on the wall. After a moment, Bluestreak follows. "Want to talk about it?"

I shake my head. "I'm fine, Blue. Nothing's wrong. I'm just looking out over the ocean, thinking about what I've been through since I met you all."

"Oh…" He sighs. "Want me to go back in?"

"You're fine." I turn to him with a smile. "Most of its good, Blue. Like…" I laugh softly. "Remember the first time I met Red?"

"He almost called an immediate lockdown."

I laugh. "Until I told him I was there because of Lennox."

Bluestreak shakes his head. "You used to be so timid."

"Scared." I sigh. "And you couldn't get me to talk unless I wanted to."

"Still can't."

I shrug. "Good point." I sigh softly. "But getting my past out of me proved difficult, and I know it did. I didn't want to remember him. I wanted a fresh start in a new place."

"And now?"

I look out over the ocean. "It doesn't bother me as much anymore. Lockdown and Galvatron are more scarring than Aaron ever could be." I sigh softly. "But having to watch Ratch… That's gonna haunt me for a while."

"I wouldn't doubt it. Praxus was scarring too."

I lay a hand on his arm. "Blue, you lost everything. I just lost a guardian."

"Who was all you had after Chicago."

I shrug. The mech's got a point. "I found a new family. Charlie Burns, his kids, and the Rescue Bots." I turn back to the ocean thoughtfully. "Hard to believe the former bad boy of the Protectobots became my best friend."

"He did?"

I glance over to Bluestreak, only to find him looking hurt. "Hey, hey." I sigh softly. "Blue, you're important to me. You're my guardian, and the closest bot friend I'll ever have." I sigh softly. "Blades… he's different. He had to fill a void—he and Heatwave did, and…" I sigh before turning back to the ocean. "They're bonded. If I've got a guardian bond with 'Wave, I'll have one with Blades. He and I just got closer than I was able to get with 'Wave because I'm best friends with his partner. He and Bee just…filled the void you left. There's still room for you. Same as I have a crush on Optimus, but I love Graham."

He sighs softly. "Sorry. I didn't mean to—"

"You're fine." I turn to see Cody and Frankie with the jaegers, Ryder, and the pups. "Hey, guys!"

Cody runs over. "What's wrong? You usually—"

"Just talking with Blue. Everything's fine." I gasp in surprise when Zuma, Chase (the dog), and Marshall all jump in my lap. "Careful, guys."

"Sowwy."

"My bad."

I shrug. "No harm." I tap my metal leg. "I was more worried about the three of you."

"Oh. We're fine."

"That's good, Chase." I glance over to where the others are playing. "Why aren't you over with the others?"

"Chewno's puppy."

"I thought you liked her."

"We do. She just…"

I reach down and pet Marshall. "She's just too hyper right now, right?" They nod. "feel free to sit with us, then. We won't bite."

"But they might—"

I sigh before turning to Bluestreak. "Blue, they're trained rescue pups. They're not going to hurt me." I laugh softly. "Besides, we're metal."

He sighs softly. "I'm just trying to protect you."

"I know. I'm not mad at you, Blue. Trust me. Everything's fine." I set Marshall on his lap. "See? Just a puppy. Soft, sweet, and furry, but not dangerous."

"Why is he so pwotective of you?"

I smile down at Zuma. "I'm carrying, and he's the one I chose as the donor. It affects Praxian sires."

"Oh…" Marshall steps off Bluestreak's lap nervously.

I laugh softly. "Not that way, Marshall. He's just going to be protective of me, and then the little one. That's all. He thought you were going to hurt me."

"We're not going to hurt anyone."

"We save lives."

"We help people."

"I know." I run a hand over Marshall before setting the three back on the ground and getting up. "I'm heading inside. We'll have to go get Star soon."

"Can I come?"

I return to my human form and kneel to Zuma. "If it's all right with Ryder."

"Just be careful."

"We will." I smile. "Come on, Zuma." I shift back into my human form and carry Zuma behind Bluestreak, who transforms as soon as we're off the sand. Once he opens his door, I climb inside and put Zuma in the passenger seat.

"Awesome!"

"What's he—"

"Considering where he is, and what you are, I'd say, you."

Bluestreak laughs. "Sorry."

"Don't be, Blue." I turn to Zuma. "I know they're awesome, but I've lived with them since I was fourteen, so I'm used to it."

"You lived with them?"

"Well, after being abused for four years, I was more than ready to get away. I ran, using my powers, and I found Sam. His family took me in, but I was only there for three days, before Optimus had Captain Lennox get permission for me to live on the base. Will got me into a military academy, and I joined the Rangers when I was old enough to. I joined Herc's team when Optimus took off into space, so now I'm operating my own jaeger, and still working with the Autobots. I'll get through this, too. I'm pregnant, with a Cybertronian's child. It's just the next step. I'm already their leader, Zuma." I smile. "And Blue promised me that he'd wait until the end of time for me. I may have fallen for Graham, but I can have a bond-mate—but he won't be recognized by anyone but the bots. Graham and I can still have a relationship, because things like that aren't frowned upon like they are with humans."

"Awe you going to bond with him?"

"If he'll have me. I…" I look at my lap. "I got scared, in Chicago, and I cowered in the Willis Tower when Soundwave and Barricade were killing their hostages. Que was carrying, and we lost Blue too—almost lost Bee."

"You know I don't blame you for that. You're carrying my sparkling, Shey!"

I rub the dash lightly. "You may not blame me, but I blame me. I abandoned you, like a coward!"

"You'd never been in a city the cons had destroyed before. I survived Praxus, after all. I was able to handle it. You weren't. It was your first real battle as a Ranger, and as an Autobot."

I shrug. "You have a point."