Crossbow had used a few contacts to silently get a hold of Mirage, who was now going to meet them in the rec room, just the Poker and Blade, as Bow wasn't planning to stick around, as he was due to train again. And soon, bow led his brother and Poker right into the rec room, which was deserted other than Mirage sitting on a couch. "Poker, Switchblade, I want you to meet Mirage. He can help you" bow stated and with that Bow quickly thanked Mirage and then headed out, the door quietly locking behind him, as Mirage didn't want any interruptions. "I was told that you and I have something in common, little one. My name is Mirage, and I grew up believing and being told I was nothing but a mistake" Mirage stated warmly and gently, making both Blade and Poker feel at ease.

Poker nodded his head slowly. "Yes sir'

"My creators were worthless, and they abused me. I didn't even know what love was until a kind mech found me, and adopted me after I lost my parents in the war. He raised me in all kindness, and even his mate was kind even though I often annoyed him. And through that love, I was able to see that I wasn't a mistake, that I deserved better. I still struggle with the ruminating thoughts, but I am able to, thanks to love, push them aside and move on. For a while, I was the mate of the Prime. Now I am the mother of the Prime" Mirage stated. Poker looked at Mirage in wonder.

"And you don't have to live your life believing that you are a mistake either, because Primus doesn't make mistakes, all his creations that he makes, he loves deeply" Mirage stated. Poker felt compelled told Mirage his story and his ending up in the program and why. Mirage felt his compassionate spark "break" at what Poker had told him. And before either bot knew what was going on, Mirage was holding poker like a sparkling and sitting next to Blade. Blade didn't know what to say or do, but it was strange to see the warm look on his mate's face as Poker, for the first time in so long, felt like he mattered to someone, other than his mate and his mate's family.

Poker buried his head in Mirages chest shaking a bit. "Let it out, son, let all that pain and anguish out. Trust me, you will feel better one you release it" Mirage stated, thankful the room was soundproof for the most part. Poker started to cry. Mirage held the bot tight, he had been through the before and knew what to expect. Poker was releasing everything he had stuffed, all the emotions and feelings. Blade was worried, but Mirage's gentle demeanor told Blade he had nothing to worry about but blade wasn't so sure. Poker cried until he had nothing left feeling drained, but ached.

"That ache will slowly lessen as you try to think of yourself as someone who matters, someone who is loved, someone who is special. Believe me, I have been working on it for years. I still have an ache, but it is small, and my adoptive parents as well as my sparkmates have helped me through this, as has other family and friends. You can change. It can be done. It won't be easy, but if you need me to be, I will be there to help you" Mirage stated warmly.

Poker shook his head wrapping arms around himself. "I don't feel good..."

Mirage quickly carried the small bot over to the rec room washroom and placed him near the "can." Mirage gently instructed Blade to get a cube of energon while Mirage applied a little counter pressure. Poker purged his tanks a little bit. Blade returned with the cube of energon, Mirage just held the small bot and silently commed Firesong to come. It wasn't that Mirage didn't trust his sons; he just wanted someone who was going to be gentler.

Firesong came and got let into the rec room. "Yes Mirage?"

"Can you please look over this mech for me? It is very important" Mirage stated silently comming his suspicions.

Firesong nodded and gently examined poker. "He's sparked." Mirage imperceptibly nodded, his suspicion had been confirmed. Now it was just a matter to see how young Blade and Poker would take it.

Both were in shock as they had been so careful. "We're dead..."

"Why is that?" Mirage asked, worriedly.

They told of the programs rules in regards to sparklings. "We're not officially in the other program yet"

"Did you pass your final test?" Mirage asked and both nodded. 'Then you are already officially in the other program. Chance and Buster made it a policy that once passing the final, the bot is part of the other program but will be given a three day pass period to decide what he or she wants to do and to see loved ones." They found out how far along poker was and they realized he had been sparked while they were still in the other program and chances words about sparklings.

"Both of you come with me, we will talk to Buster and Chance together. And we will see what we can do, as this is another unique circumstance" Mirage stated. They nodded and Blade helped poker.

With Mirage's limitless knowledge (or so it seemed) they easily found Buster and Chance. 'We need to talk' Mirage stated, having Blade and Poker in tow, hugging each other tightly. They nodded and asked what was wrong.

'Is it true that these two mechs I have with me have passed final and have been assigned to the officer's program now? Mirage asked.

"Yes...what did they do?"

"These two are mates, and apparently Primus had some fun with them, as one of them is sparked. Now it is my understanding that since they are no longer in the regular program, that is acceptable, am I correct?" Mirage asked, shocking both Buster and Chance, but they kept their composure.

"Depends how long has the sparked one been sparked?"

'It was just discovered that one of them is about a month along. This was not done intentionally, as they both told me that they were dead if they were sparked' Mirage stated, not very happy with Chance or Buster as the blanket policy left no case by case basis possibility. Chance and Buster looked at each other this was a difficult decision.

"They passed the test fair and square and have been granted into the officer's program, you can't be retroactive since you learned this after they had already, of their own merit, passed the difficult tests that you make. This isn't another Yellowjacket situation' Mirage stated.

"Mirage what do you want us to do?"

'Since they have earned it fair and square, I want them to be able to go into the officer program without regard to the fact that one is sparked and without harassment. I don't want you to deny their graduation into the program just because they got sparked. Is that too much to ask?" Mirage asked.

"This is a unique situation Mirage" Chance said.

"That your policy fails to allow room for" Mirage stated.

"We need to discuss this"

"We await your verdict. Oh, and if you want to know this, they have been mates for about 8 months' Mirage stated before taking the two young bots out to the waiting room with him. Chance and Buster started to discuss things.

"Ay don't know, chance, what do you think about all this?' Buster asked, hands rubbing his tired optics.

"I don't know buster, they technically broke the rules"

'But Mirage has a point. We said sparking – did we mean carrying or did we mean actually sparking? And Mirage also has the point that they did pass their tests before we found out about this" Buster stated.

Chance rubbed his face. "Yeah, I guess so"

"Let's call keeper in, see what he has ta say" Buster suggested. Chance nodded and commed Keeper.

Keeper soon entered by a door that would not allow Mirage and his two young friends to see that the Prime was there, helping to make this decision. Chance and Buster filled the Prime in. Keeper thought about all the information, as well as information only he could access. "I think that they should reap the rewards of their hard work. They have passed the test and you have already assigned them to the other program. That pretty much says to me that the rules of the regular program no longer apply, even if you learn this after the fact. It is not retroactive, it is only for bots currently in the program" Keeper stated, having committed the policy to memory.

They nodded. "Yes prime"

"Now after you two tell them the good news, I want you both to go home to your families, I have a couple of stand in bots that will take your place until I am able to find more bots to help keep this program up and running" Keeper stated, and with that he left, the replacements soon coming in. Chance was thrilled, as he had trained these bots, and he knew they would not fail them.

"You go rest chance sir, we got things covered"

"Buster and I have one more task to complete, but you two should go out into the yard, as you know the routine" Chance stated, and the two left so that Buster and Chance could give the good news to Poker and Blade. The two of them and Mirage looked up when chance and buster came out.

"So what's the verdict?' Mirage asked.

"There will be no punishment and they will be in the officer program"

"Thank you, Buster and Chance" Mirage stated, before encouraging the other two to thank their commanders. Blade and poker thanked them their voices soft. Chance dismissed them, and when the three were in private, Poker and blade revealed just how shocked and grateful they were, especially for Mirage's help.

"We thought..." Poker said.

"I couldn't promise you anything, but I was not going to go down without trying" Mirage said, hugging both, something that he didn't know was irritating a very moody Seaspan at the moment.

"I...we cannot thank you enough, we don't know what we would have done" poker said.

"Consider it a gift, son. Now why don't you head home and celebrate your new arrivals and new promotions with your family" Mirage said and off they went.

"I can sense you, my seekerling" Mirage stated as Seaspan approached, having no idea why Seaspan was so angry and having no idea what the seeker was going to do.

"Why were they hugging on you?"

"In gratitude, my seekerling. I helped make sure that they stayed in the officer's program since they had already passed the test. And don't be so jealous, I have more than enough love to go around" Mirage stated, confused, as his seekerling Seaspan had never acted like this and had never treated him like this.

"You're not their mother" Seaspan said.

'Seaspan, why are you being so selfish all of the sudden. You're usually so supportive and so loving" Mirage asked, and it was the wrong question.

"I'm tired of everyone thinking they can have you anytime"

"Son, I have been offering to help others since before you were sparked. I give love to my children and I show love to those who really need it…." Mirage stated, unable to finish his thought as the seeker knocked him out cold. Seaspan realized after what he had done and put a comm out before running away.

Keeper, Flasher, and Fader were walking down the hall talking when they saw their mother, Mirage, knocked out cold and just left in the middle of nowhere. Mirage was leaking energon from several places – an obvious indication he had been attacked, but none of the three could figure out why, as they knew their mother had no known enemies. Seaspan felt horrible and started to do harm to himself but his seeker side wouldn't let him because of the sparklings. Spartan came home and Seaspan curled into him in fear. Spartan didn't know what was wrong, but figuring it was a mood swing, he gently held the seeker.

Meanwhile, Keeper, flasher, and Fader got their mother to the med bay. Firesong and another bot were called over to help. It was as Firesong saw the damage, he said something that sent chills down the three bots spinal units. "This…. This is seeker damage" Firesong stated, limiting the bots Keeper would have to talk to.

Keeper nodded and started checking cameras with red for the seekers locations in the last few hours. There were only two bots that for some strange reason couldn't be accounted for, and keeper swallowed hard as the two were Seaspan and Bluefire – his own brothers. He commed them both but only Blueflair answered out of breath as he had been interfacing for the last few hours.

That was when Keeper made a horrible discovery – Seaspan, his brother who had taken Mirage's sparklings and their brothers and or sisters and was sparked, was guilty for this offense. Keeper was as dumbfounded as he was angry and he went to talk to his father, who had no idea this whole altercation thing had even happened, as he and pincer were watching the sparklings, waiting for Mirage to get back. Optimus was upset but he wanted to know if Mirage was alright and he wanted to know why Seaspan had done this. "Mama is out cold, but nothing vital has been damaged" Keeper stated.

Optimus nodded and went to see Seaspan. Spartan sent the code to open the door as he held his bawling mate, who was curled up into him so tight that some of Spartan's metal was bending out of shape. Optimus went to them and he rubbed Seaspan's helm gently. "Son, baby seekerling was it a mood swing?" Optimus asked gently.

Seaspan nodded. He felt so lost and he felt terrible for hitting his own mother. "I just wanted some of his attention and I got jealous….I am so sorry, daddy" Seaspan stated as he cried, not telling anyone he had tried to offline himself out of guilt.

"Shhh, it's alright baby" Optimus said and took Seaspan into his arms. "Mama is gonna be fine, would you like to see him?"

Seaspan nodded, but stated, "Only if Spartan and I… can go alone with you."

"Okay baby" Optimus said and picked his son up. Spartan followed quietly. Optimus carried his son and had Mirage's section cleared out. Spartan was nervous, as while he had met Optimus and he had met pincer, he had never met Mirage. Mirage was coming too.

"Uggghhhh…." Mirage quietly let out, trying to hide the obvious pain he was in.

"Mama...I'm sorry..." Seaspan said.

"Come here, my seekerling" Mirage stated, his voice warm and gentle. Seaspan approached slowly. Mirage gave the bot a light but firm swat on his aft before embracing the seeker.

"I'm so sorry" Seaspan said in his mother's arms.

"I forgive you, and I understand" Mirage stated as he gently rubbed his seekerling's helm and hugged him tighter.

"Mama..." Seaspan said and confessed what he had tried to do but couldn't.

Mirage hugged Seaspan tighter, as Mirage knew what that feeling felt like, but he also knew it was not the answer. "Son, nothing you do is ever worth killing yourself for. I want you to promise me that you won't ever try that again" Mirage stated, spanking Seaspan's aft several times firmly to get his point across.

"Yes mama..." Seaspan said.

Mirage then kissed his son's helm and nuzzled the seeker before asking, "Are you going to introduce me, my seekerling?"

"Mama, this is Spartan"

"Nice to finally meet you, Spartan' Mirage stated, drawing the bot to him and hugging him as well. Spartan was surprised but accepted the hug.

"I am sorry that we didn't get to meet sooner, but I tend to keep a very busy schedule, though I always do my best to make time for my family' Mirage stated. It was easier said than done as Mirage had lots and lots of "babies."

"That's alright" Spartan said.

"I hope you will become part of our family soon, through bonding with this son of ours" Mirage stated, embarrassing Seaspan.

"We've talked about it" Spartan said

'There is no rush, you should both bond, if you agree to even be bonded, when you both are ready and able to handle it" Mirage stated gently, though he was starting to fall back asleep as the attack had taken quite a bit of his energy out of him. Seaspan kissed his mother's cheek. Mirage smiled before falling back into recharge.

Optimus kissed Seapsan's helm. "Come on you need some energon" Optimus said.

"Yes dad" Seaspan stated, "and I am sorry, as I love mom dearly, but it has kinda of screwed with my systems not only carrying my siblings, but also finding out …. You're not my other creator' Seaspan stated quietly.

"Son, I may not be the data donor but you are still my son" Optimus said.

"I know dad. Uncle Wingspan has been helping me with this and Spartan has supported me for so long" Seaspan stated, hugging both his father and his lover.

Optimus kissed his son's helm. "Come on let's get you some energon." Seaspan went with his father, glad that he had such loving parents. Optimus made sure Seaspan got enough energon and then rested. Spartan and Seaspan snuggled close to Optimus and soon fell into a pleasant recharge, which was sorely needed by both parties. Optimus kept watch over them letting them rest.

Elsewhere, wingspan and his mate were dealing with three femme sparklings, defiant femme almost younglings. Wingspan loved them dearly but they were starting to try even his patience. Runway wanted to do something, but the girls just would not listen. Wingspan had had enough and commed his father, TC, he and his mate needed help like there was no tomorrow.

TC came, with Starscream in tow. They knew femmes could be stubborn, but they, being older, also had learned several ways of getting through to said femmes. TC and Screamer soon arrived and took the obnoxious three femmes with them, much to the relief of Wingspan and Runway, who still had other sparklings to take care of. Wingspan and Runway tended to their other little ones glad for the peacefulness since their daughters weren't there. He hoped his father and Starscream could help them.

The first thing that the older seekers did was place the three defiant femmes in a very dark room that was just big enough to handle the three of them. They had done this with some of their own sparklings, as seekers hated to be trapped in a place like this. Seekers always wanted to be out in the sky and where there was plenty of room. They weren't going to leave them in this room very long, about 15 minutes, but by the 2 minute mark it started having its desired effect. The three femmes wanted out of there and they lost sense of time.

Slowly for the femmes and quickly for TC and Screamer, the minutes ticked by and the 15 minutes were soon up. TC carefully opened the door. It was obvious to him that the femmes had never used their lights as he would have caught them with their lights on, as he had caught many of their sparklings. TC could see that this might be all he needed to do to get the femmes to behave. "Are you three going to behave?" he asked as he called to them, unintentionally scaring them.

The femmes nodded quickly and said they would behave. TC gently guided them out. "Now tell us why you don't want to listen to your parents. I have had more than enough of my own sparklings to know that this is more than just normal rebellion" TC stated, Star right next to him, looking pretty intimidating, as it was another part of the punishment, as these two older seekers wanted the young ones to learn to respect those older than them.

"They treat us like we're babies still" the older of the three said.

"Well, do you act like babies or do you act like younglings that they could trust?" Starscream stated, making the three think.

"I guess we could do more" the youngest said.

"Well, that is a start" TC stated. "Now you three come with me, and the moment one of you doesn't listen, you don't get to participate in the activity we are going to do." Starscream smirked, as he knew that TC was going to punish them by making them watch the others fly if they misbehaved when outside. It wouldn't be for more than 5 minutes, but it would be enough to get the point across. The three nodded and followed behind.

Once outside, all five transformed and took off, and while TC and Starscream merely flew, the femmes proved yet once again why their parents weren't treating them as responsible younglings. Starscream flew ahead of them and stopped them. "To the ground. Now!"

All three femmes, scared of Starscream's angry demeanor, immediately landed. Starscream landed with them, turned off their ability to fly, resetting it to turn on automatically when 5 minutes was up. And while the three femmes watched, TC and Starscream had fun in the sky, flying free.

"I can understand why Wingspan and Runway were starting to lose it" Starscream told TC.

Meanwhile, on the ground, the three femmes watched, wanting desperately to join in, but it had only been a minute, and they had four minutes to go. The two played up the flying more and soon enough the five minutes were up and the femmes could fly again

TC confronted them. "So far you three have shown me no reason why your parents should treat you as anything more than spoiled sparklings" TC stated, and that hurt, all three femmes.

"Your parents care for you deeply but if you do not change you will suffer and so will they" Starscream said.

None of the three femmes had realized just how much their own behaviors had dictated how their parents treated them till now. "Be glad you have such loving parents. For not all are as fortunate as you" TC stated, remembering back to the war and also remembering Wingspan's brood from his mate that had died. The three femmes nodded things becoming clearer for them now.

After a little more time flying, it was time to head in. And though they didn't want to, the femmes followed what they were told. "Baby steps, little ones. You need to show your parents that they can trust you and that you aren't sparklings any more" TC stated, hugging the three.

The three femmes hugged their grandfather back. "Yes grandpa"

"and remember, neither your parents nor I expect you to be perfect, as even we screw up, but we do expect you to try" TC stated, much to the relief of the three femmes who soon headed home and, seeing that their parents were overwhelmed with sparklings, joined in to help out. Wingspan and Runway were surprised but didn't say anything right away but let their daughters help out.

After the younger bots were all placed down for a nap, the three femmes pulled their parents into the main family room in the quarters. "We want to apologize. We are sorry for the way we have been acting, and if you will let us, we would like to earn your trust in us back" the oldest stated, her two sisters nodding their head.

"You can understand why I'm hesitant to believe that" Wingspan said.

"Yes mama" the youngest one stated. "But we want to try."

"Alright, one chance you hear me" Wingspan said.

'thank you mama" the three stated, and before Wingspan knew it, they all gave him a hug and then rushed off to clean their shared room.

"Maybe we should have called my dad sooner" Wingspan said in shock.

"But we wanted to try everything before we resorted to that, as we don't want to place a burden on your father, as he is busy enough with his own babies" runway stated, hugging his mate tightly, unknowingly triggering his mate's interfacing need.

Wingspan moaned. "Run...mmmm..." Runway smiled, as he loved it when he made his mate react in that fashion. "Please...I need you..." Wingspan moaned.

"you go back to our berth room love, I will be back there soon, as I have one thing to do really quickly' runway stated as he patted his mate on the aft. Wingspan panted slightly before he went to their berth.

Runway quickly went to their youngling daughters. 'You wanted a chance, here it is. Your mother and I want some alone time. That means you three are in charge of watching your siblings. If we find that you can be trusted to do that, maybe things will improve for you" Runway stated, quickly getting a nod from all three before going to join his mate. The three femmes knew this was their big chance to prove to mom and dad that they could do this.

Wingspan was completely open and stroking his spike. "Need you..."

'Ah ah, love…' runway stated, removing the hand, 'I'm in control this time" and with that, Runway teased both spike and valve, preparing both for fun.

Wingspan moaned and bucked needing more. "Please..."

Runway was devious though, and he quickly grabbed a vibrator and stuck it deep in Spanner's sensitive aft while he carefully prepared the valve for entry from his spike. Wingspan let a startled cry as the vibrator was shoved into his aft. Runway set the vibrator to low, knowing that his mate's aft was sensitive and then began prodding gently at the valve with his spike. 'Are you still doing ok, love?" Wingspan's response was to pant as his aft quivered around the vibrator. Runway was careful still even as he thrusted his stiff spike deep into his mate's valve and teased Spanner's spike.

Wingspan whimpered ever so slightly and panted. Runway, fearing something was wrong, removed the vibrator and gently took is mate. Wingspans body relaxed once the vibrator was gone and he relaxed a bit. Runway noted this and made sure he would never make the mistake again. Wingspan was soon moaning and writhing. Runway wanted another set, as it had been several years, but he didn't know if Spanner was ready to carry more. Wingspan wasn't aware of what runway was wanting so lost in pleasure he would agree to anything.

Runway decided to go for it. 'Babydoll, I think it's time for you to carry more of my babies" Runway stated, continuing to pleasure his mate. Wingspan moaned a yes he wanted babies.

"Gonna stuff you full baby' Runway stated, glad to hear his mate agree to having more. Wingspan of course at that moment had no idea what he had agreed to. It didn't take long for sparks to be released and for Wingspan's spark to change colors, but instead of his normal three, this one set would have four. Wingspan was wiped out afterwards and cuddled. Runway cuddled, hoping the femmes had handled the sparklings. Wingspan slept for a while before waking and went to check on things.

Wingspan was surprised to find the place clean and the sparklings under control. The three femmes had everything under control. "How are things girls?" Wingspan asked.

"Everything is under control here, mama" the youngest femme stated.

Wingspan nodded approvingly. "Good girls." The three smiled, realizing that the path they were on now was much better than the one that they had been on.

Meanwhile, Mirage was recovering in the med bay. Nothing vital had been hit, but the medics still wanted him in the med bay to be watched. Optimus snuck past the medics and visited with his mate. Mirage kissed his mate, just wanting to be held. Optimus kissed back and moved so he was holding Mirage. "Mood swing?" Mirage asked, regarding Seaspan's attack.

"And he feels terrible about it" Optimus said.

'I should have seen it coming as my mood swings always threw my systems completely out of whack" Mirage stated, blaming himself once again.

"Not your fault, he is seeker too." Silently, over their private comm, Mirage sent exactly what he wanted his mates to do to him when he got home – and it was enough to make Optimus almost overloaded on the spot.

"Oh you wicked bot" they sent to Mirage.

"I may be wicked, but you know you both like it' he sent back to them.

"You keep this up I'm going to kidnap you" Optimus said.

'You and what army' Mirage quietly replied, sending more horny messages to both his mates.

Pincer ran from home. "You get one side I get the other." Firesong watched as the three left. It wasn't his responsibility to make sure Mirage stayed, but he knew Mirage was safe with his mates. Soon, the three were home, Mirage having continued to pulse horny images all the way home. Optimus and pincer did everything to Mirage that he had wanted them to. Mirage was happily satisfied, and though he was tired, he lazily licked Optimus's spike. Pincer was long since deep in recharge, not having the stamina that Optimus and Mirage had. Mirage intended to give his older mate one more overload before cuddling. Optimus moaned and rubbed Mirages helm as he sucked. Mirage stuck a finger in Optimus's aft, hoping to bring the bot to overload sooner. Optimus moaned and tried to get more. Mirage worked his magic and soon Optimus had one more overload. Optimus pulled Mirage to him and kissed him deeply.

'So is this worth freaking the medics out for?" Mirage asked, kissing back.

"Like you wouldn't believe"

"I think we wore Pincer out" Mirage stated with a tired laugh.

Optimus smiled lazily. "I think we did, poor thing"

"Maybe if we have this fun more often, he'll learn how to be able to last longer like you and I' Mirage stated.

"We can certainly give it a go or several" Optimus said.

"That sounds good to me" Mirage said before he and Optimus joined pincer and fell into a pleasant recharge.

Elsewhere Soundwave was resting a bit as he had been so drained lately. Blaster and Grimlock were doing their best to help the bot out. Soundwave loved them for it. Right now Grimlock was holding Soundwave and gently rocking the bot while his engines let out low growls. Soundwave curled into Grimlock's chest sighing. "Wave tell me Grimlock what bothering mate?"

"Statement I don't know" Soundwave said. "Feel odd"

'Anything me Grimlock or Blaster do to help?"

"Statement, I don't know"

Grimlock pulsed love and just continued holding his mate, as it seemed like the right thing to do. Blaster came and sat on Soundwave's lap, and the three were rocking in the sturdy chair. Soundwave held Blaster as Grimlock rocked them. Grimlock wished he could do something, as he felt so frustrated at being unable to solve Wave's problem.

Soundwave kissed Grimlock's cheek. Grimlock kissed both of his mates, showering them with love. Soundwave rested for a while before going for a walk on his own. Grimlock stayed behind, and held Blaster back, and Grimlock knew Soundwave needed some time to himself. Soundwave didn't know where or how long he walked. He had needed time to think and once again, he was grateful to Grimlock who knew the boombox needed some time alone and that Grimlock held back Blaster.

Soundwave didn't know what was bothering him he couldn't figure it out. "A little lost, son?" Radiowave asked, having found his son staring out into space just in front of his and his mate's quarters.

Soundwave nodded. "Statement, yes"

"Maybe I can help you" Radio stated.

"Query, how?"

"Because, and correct me if I am wrong, if I read you right, you are having some trouble with your telepathy" radio stated. Soundwave nodded.

Radio's telepathy, much more advanced than even Soundwave's, was able to repair the damage that had been done as well as straighten things out. Right away, Soundwave felt much better.

"Statement thank you" Soundwave said.

"Welcome son, now go back to your mates, I think they need you" radio stated with a wink before heading inside to take his own mate. Soundwave nodded and went home to Grimlock and Blaster.

'Me knew Wave come back" Grimlock stated. Soundwave hugged Grimlock.

"Feeling better?' a concerned Blaster asked.

"Statement, yes." Grimlock and Blaster both hugged Wave, happy he was home. Soundwave hugged them back. Grimlock growled in a low pitch, and Soundwave knew exactly what that meant. Soundwave rubbed himself over Grimlock.

"Me want…." Grimlock growled, and both his mates prepared, once the sparklings were sent away of course. Soundwave and Blaster were ready to submit to Grimlock.

"Me Grimlock take Wave's aft while Wave take Blaster's valve' Grimlock stated. They nodded and assumed the positions. Grimlock gently growled as he and his mates had fun. Soundwave and Blaster were tired. Grimlock gently cleaned off his mates and got both of them in the berth before kissing both on their respective helms and falling asleep, cuddling the two.

Elsewhere Sunny was starting to notice Rave and Chance acting a little oddly. Chance claimed he was just tired while rave just complained of not feeling well. Sunny and Sides teamed up together and dragged the two to the med bay. Chance went reluctantly while rave went eagerly, hoping that this was just a short case of energon "poisoning." Sunny and Sides stayed with them while the medics examined them. Rave was found to be sparked, but chance's tests were inconclusive, as the medics didn't realize the bot had a very thick layer around his sparkling development chamber. Sunny remembered and told them.

The medic scanned deeper, and just like ratchet, all they could say is, "Yes he is sparked, but we have no idea how many."

They told how many Chance had carried last time.

"It's highly likely that is what he will carry again" stated the medic. Rave and Chance were both shocked, and while rave was happy about it, Chance wasn't sure how he felt about it. He knew that no matter what he would have to have them, as his chamber was too thick to open and remove the sparks as well as neither of his mates could hold five sparklings safely. Quietly, he resigned himself to this.

Sunny kissed Chance softly. "It will be alright." Chance kissed back, as he needed the support right now.

"We will help you through this" Sides said.

Chance nodded, but with all that was on his plate, with bodyguard duty, running both sides of the program and just being a loving mate – chance felt overwhelmed with the addition of sparklings – or, more so, him carrying sparklings. Sunny and Sides got Chance and Rave home and Sunny commed Keeper asking if he could talk to him.

"Keeper here, who is this?" Keeper asked as Sunny called him.

"Keeper it's Sunny, can I talk to you"

"Certainly. How Can I help you out sunny?" keeper asked.

Sunny told the situation. "Is there anyone who can take over for Chance? I know Ironhide is getting close to being an adult if he isn't already"

"We are in the process of working on getting more bots to run it, as I would prefer Chance just be my body guard, but this program, which has been highly successful, is his and Buster's baby. But, right now, a couple of interim bots are running it, and I will have them run it for a while, and give Chance some more time off" Keeper stated. "Does that work for you, Sunny?"

"It's a start, thanks Keeper"

"Not a problem, please give Chance my best wishes" Keeper stated, "keeper out." Sunny went and told Chance what had been arranged. Chance nodded and then lay down on the berth. He wanted nothing more than to snuggle with someone, and try to sleep. Sunny held Chance close and hummed softly. It didn't take long for Chance, the big burly bot that he was, to curl into his smaller mate and fall into a pleasant recharge.

Sunny just smiled and held Chance while Sides held the sleeping rave. 'I guess this is our turn to watch over them" Sunny stated.

Sides agreed completely. "I think your right bro." Sunny smiled, as now that Chance and Rave were the sparked ones, it was going to be Sunny and Sides looking out for them.

"We'll get them some energon when they wake in a while" Sides said talking with his brother over their twin bond.

Sunny nodded. 'I just hope we are as good to them as they were to us" Sunny shot back.

"I know we will" Sides said and the brothers pulsed love to each other and their mates.

Elsewhere, Keeper called Ironhide to his office, as even though physically he was an advanced youngling, his spark was still of the old Ironhide, and Keeper wondered if he could stretch the rules a bit and have Ironhide help with the Program now that Chance had been given some time off.

"Ya wanted ta see me Prime?" Ironhide asked.

"Yes, I did Ironhide. I have a position that I need to fill. I know that you are not quite physically an adult yet, but…."And with that Keeper explained what Chance and Buster had done and that they needed another bot in charge to help run the program, especially now that Chance was sparked. "…I know we would have to get you cleared with the med bay, but what do you say?"

"Finally, I been needin something to do"

"First we have to have the medics clear you, as this will be a tough job, and once that happens, I will have you talk with both Buster and Chance, so you can understand how the program works, though that shouldn't take long, since you trained in Buster and Buster trained in Chance. And then, once that all happens, we will place you in charge of running it, so that Chance doesn't have to do as much double duty" Keeper stated.

"I'll go right now to the med bay" Ironhide said.

"I will go with you, as I want to hear what the medics have to say" Keeper stated, and the two headed for the med bay, and thankfully, Firesong was on. "Firesong, I need you to check Ironhide out to see if he can now be treated like an adult and take a certain position that he has been offered. Please remember, he is a returned spark."

Firesong nodded and did a full exam on Ironhide. "I see no reason for him not to do the job"

Keeper smiled, as this was good news for chance and Ironhide. "Well, Ironhide, it looks like from here, I will have you train in with Buster for now. Chance is off for a week due to being sparked, but he will be a resource for you as well, as it was Buster and Chance's baby to start the program. Now let me take you to Buster, who will be eager to train you in" Keeper stated, with a big smile as Ironhide seemed so happy about this.

"Hey bust" Ironhide said grinning.

"It's Buster" Buster stated, having a bot from the program in the room. "Now sit, be quiet and learn." Hide didn't like being treated like that, but seeing that authority needed to be maintained, Ironhide sat down and kept quiet until the reprimanded bot left. And once the punished bot left, Buster let his guard down just a bit. "I'm sorry for being short with you, Hide, but in this program, no one but no one disrespects me and my authority. Same way with Chance, and we hope that we can train you in so that Chance gets more time with his family, as they barely see him now." Keeper left as the buster began teaching how the program worked to Hide.

Ironhide told him it was fine and listened as things were explained and he wanted to practice a bit. "The bot you saw in here, Ziplock, is a bot we have had nothing but trouble with. He has been punished over and over and over. He has gotten into fights with other bots. You see, some bots come here by choice and some come here as punishment. If you are up for a challenge, I will leave Ziplock to you" Buster stated, knowing Hide liked a good challenge.

Ironhide grinned. "Do I have free reign?"

'He is Zip and Tracks son. Don't' harm the spark or sparking chamber and don't send him to the med bay where his parents have to be called. He is here because he refused to listen to his parents. Other than the above restrictions you have free reign" Buster stated. Ironhide nodded and went to put Ziplock through the ringer. Ziplock had no idea what was coming his way.

Ironhide found Ziplock. "You, come with me"

Ziplock blew the advanced youngling off, as He had no idea who he was actually dealing with. Ironhide grinned and went to Ziplock flipping him like it was nothing. Ziplock landed flat on his back from the flip. He wasn't injured, but he was pissed, and if he couldn't blow this bot off, he would fight him. Ironhide just grinned knowing what was coming.

It was obvious to Hide that this bot hadn't even made it out of the first level of the program, mostly due to the bot's own attitude. "Come on kid ya know how ta act"

"You're younger than me, why the hell should I listen to you?" Ziplock stated, having no idea he was talking to the one, the only Ironhide. Ziplock admired the old bot Ironhide was, via the many stories he had been told, but he wasn't going to mind his ps and qs for just any old bot, and definitely not one that he saw was younger than him. Primus, seeing the action, made sure the two were alone, and revealed something that scared the oil right out of Ziplock, as for an instant, Ironhide looked like he had in his prime. Ziplock was not so cocky now. And Ironhide pressed his advantage. He knew this viewing wouldn't last long, but it would leave enough of an impression on the younger bot that maybe, just maybe, Hide could whip this "sparkling" into shape.

Ironhide soon had Ziplock in a strong hold. "Kid I think ya know who I am"

Ziplock weakly nodded. And he stopped struggling, as it only made him feel like he was going to pass out. "Good now are ya gonna listen to me." Ziplock nodded, as he saw little other choice.

Ironhide eased his hold. "Now we're gonna have a chat, you will listen or I will out ya on the floor again."

"Yes sir' Ziplock stated, following the bot.

Ironhide started talking to him then trying to get through to him since they had similar personalities. Surprisingly, Ziplock actually listened to the bot. "There's a time to fight and a time ta walk away" Ironhide said. "Ya have ta know when ta fight." Ziplock nodded, but in his mind he was thinking that if his mother had been more of a mother then maybe he wouldn't be so screwed up and he wouldn't be here.

"Now I see something on your mind what is it?"

"I am only like this because my mother was lousy and my father practically raised us because mom couldn't be bothered. Maybe if he had cared then, I wouldn't be here now" Ziplock stated with venom in his voice.

"Youngling, listen ta me well. It don't matter bout your parents mine were no good bots who left me ta fend for myself, but look at what I became. We are what we make ourselves."

"But mama changed and in that change, he wanted to be a good parent, and I refused to believe it. He tried hard to convince me, but I refused to let him, too angry for all the years he refused to be our mother. And when he couldn't handle me anymore, he sent me to this dump" Ziplock stated.

"Ya need ta give him a chance, if he can change so can you"

"To go from little or no contact to suddenly in your face all the time asking what is going on and such is hard to adapt to" Ziplock admitted.

"I know the feeling, just try if not for him then to improve yourself"

"Why should I care, no one cares about me" Ziplock stated, not realizing his mom had put him in here because he cared.

"Kid your mom does care else he wouldn't have sent ya here, I think deep down ya know that." Ziplock cried into Hide's shoulder, releasing many pent up emotions.

Elsewhere, Tracks was slowly recovering from the whole fiasco that had happened.

Hide just held Ziplock and let him cry.

Zip sat beside Tracks. Tracks still was trying hard, hoping to impress Zip, as he was trying to earn Zip's love. Zip did love tracks, but he still couldn't believe tracks had gone behind his back and had his chamber removed. Tracks was diligent in working with their daughter and their other son, and had mistakenly thought that when Zip had said "no more" this is what Zip had implied. Zip was glad when he had a double shift as it would give him a chance to think.

Dash caught his twin when they had a break at the same time. "Hey bro, how are you doing?"

"Not good Bro" zip said.

"You want to talk about it?" dash asked, knowing that he and his twin had always been close. Zip told his brother what had happened.

Dash was shocked. "I am sorry to hear what your mate did, but bro, you ought to know better not to tell him what you told him" dash stated supportively.

"I didn't mean them...I can't carry anymore Bro, I had such a bad time of it last time"

"I know, I know….you are still upset about losing those twin mechs. But bro, remember this, a sparkling development chamber is not the only way to have a sparkling" Dash stated. Zip nodded slowly, he knew.

'And if Tracks gets sparked that way, I would be more than happy to build you whatever protoform you want" dash stated, which made Zip feel a bit better.

"Thanks Dash" zip said rubbing his face.

"You aren't pulling a double again, are you?" dash asked, concerned about his twin.

Zip nodded. "Yeah, I am"

'Zip, you've got to stop doing that. Your mate needs you. You wonder why he took you seriously – have you ever listened to what you sound like from his perspective especially after you work a double and he tries to approach you?" Dash asked, having heard the yelling and screaming that his brother did, as he had come over to drop something off. He didn't think Zip had any idea what he sounded like.

"What do you want me to do? There is no one else to take the shift"

"Zip, I happened to check the schedule before you picked up the double. The same bot keeps calling in and is too lazy to work his shift, so I talked to your supervisor about a few things, and that bot is fired from his position, and tonight you will be training in a new bot, one that is more reliable – Hound" Dash stated.

Zip nodded. "Okay Bro"

'I am just doing what I can to watch out for my brother and his family" Dash stated.

"And hound wants to do this job?"

"yep, this is what he chose to do' dash stated.

Zip nodded. "When is he coming in?"

"I'm here" stated Hound, glad to have something to do now that his soon to be reunited mate had found his niche.

"Hey Hound, you're sure you want this"

"I was doing this before either of you were sparked" hound stated.

"Ok hound" zip said and showed hound around.

Hound quickly picked up the skills that he had had for millions of years, and Zip was impressed at how fast the bot caught on. 'I'm a returned spark, young'un" Hound stated.

Zip nodded. "Guess I'll leave you to it"

'Sucks to hear that you had to pick up so much slack" Hound stated.

"Yeah, it is" zip said.

"After tonight, you shouldn't have to worry about picking up so many extra shifts" Hound stated.

Zip nodded. "Maybe I can salvage my relationship with my mate"

"One's work should never take priority over one's family" Hound stated, wisdom he had gained through the years.

"Even before the extra shifts things have been strained between me and tracks"

'Sounds like you two have communication issues' Hound stated. "Hide and I fought a lot, but we still loved each other, and we still worked on our relationship, worked hard on it." Zip told hound what had been going on from the sparklings on till now. Hound listened, as he could sense that was what Zip needed. Hound didn't offer any judgment or anything else. He merely listened and let Zip talk. This is what Zip had really needed, to get his thoughts in order.

"I don't know what to do"

"Take some time off, leave your sparklings with someone you trust and then you and your mate go somewhere where you two can be alone and just enjoy each other's company" Hound suggested. "And make sure it is far from the base so no one can spy on you. Believe me, had it happen before to Hide and I." Zip nodded and looked to his brother.

"Be glad to take Sunrise and Sparkler" Dash stated with a smile.

'What about Ziplock?" Hound asked.

'He's already in a place where he is watched closely" Zip stated. Zip didn't go into details. Hound and dash just nodded, understanding and not asking anything further, much to Zip's relief. Zip finished the rest of the shift and went home. Surprisingly, Tracks was up and was waiting for his mate to come home, both Sunrise and Sparkler fast asleep in bed.

"This is a surprise" zip said.

"I just didn't want you to come home to a home where no one greeted you as you came in" Tracks stated, as he slowly got up and went to hug his mate. This was even more of a surprise, as Tracks was really trying to make the change he had committed to last and last. Zip returned the hug.

"Kids are asleep. What would you like to do, love" tracks asked lovingly.

"I would like to talk" zip said.

"What would you like to talk about" Tracks asked, trying to show he was willing to talk about anything.

"About us" zip said. Tracks nodded, as he had wanted this talk for some time now.

"You can start" zip said. Tracks started talking about how he felt and let his mate know about everything, from his failures to his small successes. Zip returned and told his side. The two chatted and chatted, and as they chatted they grew closer. Zip told of hound's idea and asked his mate's thoughts. Tracks readily agreed, and thought the idea was wonderful. Zip said they would rest now and go the next day. Tracks hugged his mate and they soon went to bed.

The next day, Zip had dash get the kids and he and tracks left the base. Tracks was glad that they were going to have time for just the two of them. They went far enough away within reason. Once they arrived, Tracks was the first to say, "Love, I am sorry about removing my chamber. I misunderstood what you wanted. Hopefully we will be able to have more sparklings if you want them."

Zip nodded. "Who knows love." Tracks smiled, and he gently ran his hands on Zip's thighs. Zip moaned softly. Tracks kept up the gentle caresses, having missed doing this to his mate due to his mate working so much. Zip moaned as tracks touched him.

"I've missed spoiling you, love, as you worked so much" Tracks stated, continuing to spoil his mate.

"The other guy...wouldn't cover his shifts..."

"Can we forget about that….and just concentrate on us?" tracks asked, getting a little closer to Zip's groin plating. Zip panted nodding.

"Tell me what you would like to do to me, right now" Tracks stated, keeping up his ministrations. Zip panted he didn't know what he wanted as he was so often the bottom.

"Would you like to put that nice, thick spike right in my hot little valve" Tracks asked, whispering into Zip's more sensitive audio, licking it as well. Zip moaned and nodded.

'then what's stopping you, baby" Tracks whispered, which caused Zip to open his optics and see that Tracks was dripping from his valve and waiting to be taken by him. Zip panted as he looked at tracks valve.

Tracks began teasing his own valve. 'So hot…. So hot for you baby" tracks stated, doing whatever he could to get his mate to take him. Zip moved and kissed tracks hungrily even as he pushed his spike into tracks.

"Oh take me…make me yours…. Remind of my place" Tracks stated, showing just how much he had changed. Zip was startled but kept thrusting.

'you feel so good inside … ugh nngh… inside me" Tracks stated, hungrily kissing his mate back and enjoying being spiked. Zip kept kissing as he pounded in and out of tracks. Tracks began begging for release, and that was when Zip found his dominant side take over.

"You close baby?" Zip said then nipped tracks throat.

"Ugh….Uh huh….ugh ngh" Tracks stated, not really able to answer clearly, but the answer was clear to Zip.

"Then overload for me." Tracks overloaded and overloaded hard as his mate continued to spike him. Zip overloaded as well pumping his fluid into tracks. Tracks smiled, as it wasn't so bad to sometimes be the one who was taken as opposed to always being the one doing the taking. Zip panted and kissed Tracks.

"What else shall we do since it is just the two of us?" Tracks asked, unaware his valve was milking his mate's spike back to stiffness again.

"If you keep what you're doing up we're gonna go another round." Tracks valve refused to stop and soon, it was difficult for Zip to think of anything but facing again. Zip soon started thrusting in and out again.

"Feels like someone wants more babies" Tracks stated, feeling his mate thrust hard and fast. All Zip could manage was a nod.

'Then knock my spark up, baby" Tracks stated, not even realizing what he had just stated.

Zip slowed down. "Are you sure?"

"Uh huh' Tracks stated, feeling that he wanted to be sparked really badly. Zip, though hesitant, sped back up. Primus, though, had wanted this, and so there was no way to stop it. He wanted to show Zip that Tracks could still carry and would be a good mother to the sparklings, like he had shown so far. Soon enough they released their sparks and Tracks was sparked. Three new little sparks were now growing on Tracks spark, and with that, Tracks and Zip felt satiated for the time being.

Zip didn't realize why he felt so sated for now. "I am glad we came here, love' tracks stated, kissing his mate before they curled up together and slept under the stars.

Meanwhile, Skyrider was cleaning up around the house his wings sore as he kept bumping them, he swore the quarters seemed smaller. Dash soon came in the door, and was worried when he heard his mate's frustration. What dash had seen but Skyrider hadn't noticed is that Sky had grown a little bigger in size, but not too much. He tried to stretch and ended up hitting his wings for the who knew how many time.

"Love, let one of the younglings or sparklings help you with that. You have grown a little and you don't fit in there as well" Dash stated.

Skyrider sighed. "I should be able to clean"

"No love, you're not sparked, you have actually grown a little" Dash stated.

"I know I'm not sparked" Skyrider said. "I don't understand how I could have grown"

"You must not have been quite done growing when we bonded love" Dash stated, taking his mate's wings and gently rubbing the sore areas.

"I'm going to keep damaging them...we need bigger quarters. I was told I was full grown"

"I'll talk with Prime, and see what he has to say. I don't think he will deny us, as you are a seeker" dash stated, which put Skyrider on the defense until Dash explained. "Larger rooms are reserved for seekers due to their sensitive wings. Everyone accepts this as the normal. It is not being disrespectful; it is done because that is what the bots need." That soothed Skyrider a bit. Dash soon left to go talk with Keeper, hoping he hadn't pissed his mate off with the comment, as it wasn't meant to be mean, it was just how things were done.

Keeper was in his office when Dash knocked. "Come in" Keeper stated.

"Prime can I talk to you for a minute"

Keeper motioned to a seat, "what's on your mind, Dash?"

"Well seems that my mate has grown a bit more and he keeps hitting his wings on everything, I was wondering if we could get bigger quarters"

"Let me see here…" keeper stated, looking at the rooms. "We do have an available one, when would you like to move?"

"That would be great and soon" Dash said. "Any ideas on how I can sooth my mate" Dashed and told what he had said.

Keeper just shook his head, as he couldn't believe what the bot had said to his mate. "I never say that, dash, all I say is that they are or aren't available depending on who is asking. You are going to have some serious work to do in soothing your mate. You need to talk with him, and I advise you never to say something like that again" keeper stated. Dash nodded and to start the soothing of his mate he got his mates favorite energon.

Back in the quarters, Skyrider was still angry - he couldn't believe his mate had said that. He sat on the couch, tired of hitting his wings and was in a foul mood glad the kids weren't home.

"Love" dash stated when he got home, his voice full of humility and regret. "Love, I am so sorry and nothing I can say or do can truly make up for the stupid thing I did, but I hope you accept this apology and this energon. I was wrong to say that, and I shouldn't have said anything. I do have good news, that Keeper says there is a bigger place for us, but if you don't want me there, I understand" dash stated, on his knees as he begged his mate for forgiveness. Even having a seeker mate, dash still didn't know everything, and he hoped his mate wouldn't reject him.

"You'll be sleeping on the couch for a while when we move"

"as you wish, my love' dash stated humbly, kissing his mate's feet softly.

"You can start packing things up" he added.

Dash started packing up and moving things – his back was sprained and neither knew he had a broken hip joint from a renegade invention. But Dash said nothing, hiding the pain as he moved everything over to the other place. By the end, he was in agony, but he said nothing. In fact, it wasn't until Sky noticed that Dash had a severe limp that Sky realized anything was wrong. Sky went and picked him up and took him to the med bay.

Dash limped along, hiding the fact that he was in excruciating pain, as he figured he didn't deserve any better after what he had done to his mate. He limped into the med bay, saying nothing, but every medic could sense the intense agony the bot was in and was flabbergasted that he was still online with as intense as the waves of pain were. "Help him please" Sky said getting Dash onto a berth.

Fader got the drip going while Razor helped the bot get on the med bay and gave pain medication. Firesong took over and scanned the bot, and what he saw needed to be fixed, and it would take weeks before dash would be on his feet again. "Skyrider" Firesong stated, once dash was sedated, "he has a strained spinal unit that is starting to crack and his left hip is completely out of its socket. I am surprised he is still online – as he must have been in sheer agony" Firesong stated to the young mech before working on Dash.

Skyrider nodded feeling horrible for not noticing and for making dash pack things up. "Will he be alright?"

"We will get working on him, pronto and keep you up-to-date as we work on him. His is in critical condition right now, especially with that crack in his spinal unit. Do you want me to call anyone to sit with you?" Firesong asked as his fellow medics prepped the sedated Dash.

"I guess his father" Sky said. Firesong called Dart and Dart soon was comforting his son's mate. Sky told him how horrible he felt as he rested against Dart. Dart comforted the bot, and helped him cope with this. Sky rested against Dart and after some hours tried to stay awake.

Meanwhile, the medics worked diligently on Dash.

Dart let Sky drift off as they waited for word on Dash.

It was a little more complicated than originally thought, but Firesong soon brought good news – Dash was out of surgery and was going to be ok. Dart gently woke Sky who sighed in relief when told Dash would be okay.

"Dash has been through so much. He kept me alive for 10 years when all I wanted to do was die and not realize that Primus had a plan for me. Dash has lost two mothers, both to war and his sibling was getting abused. I just know he will get through this" Dart stated, shocking Sky who hadn't even been aware that his mate had done this.

"I never knew..." Sky said softly.

'dash never liked to brag, he let his work speak for itself, as he always made sure to put every effort into everything he ever did" Dart stated, letting Sky know more about his quiet mate. Sky nodded and was soon asking if he could see Dash. Fire nodded and led the two to the slowly rousing dash.

Sky was right there when Dash's optics onlined and he kissed him lovingly. "I love you"

Dash shed a tear. "I love you...and I'm sorry" Dash stated weakly.

"I'm sorry too, I will take care of you. Don't worry about sleeping on the couch"

"I may have to anyway, if I can't get into the berth" dash weakly jested with his mate.

Sky smiled and kissed dash. "I will get you comfortable no matter where we have to put you"

Dash still tired, soon whispered, "I love you" to his mate and his father before drifting back to sleep.

"I love you" sky said and watched dash sleep and wanted more info from the medics on what to expect.

Dart went in with Skyrider to the medical conference. After all, he had decided, that it was a small way he could pay back Dash for keeping him alive for all those years, when Dart knew he had pretty much relied on Dash for everything. "How do we take care of him?" Sky was asking Firesong. Both Firesong and Fader told the two mechs the best way to help Dash and how much work it would take – which would be a lot, and dash would be slow to recover due to the fixed crack in the spinal unit.

Sky nodded and so did Dart. "We will do whatever it takes"

"And with having overheard your conversation about how he doesn't like to take credit and he likes to help others, he may not tell you of any issues, as he may see that he is being a burden. So it is important to not only listen to what he says, but also use your optics and other things to see if he really is doing ok. Try to let him be as independent and possible and don't tell him you are looking for subtle clues. Encourage him, and bring him by the med bay once he is up and mobile. Before then, we will come see him" Firesong stated.

Sky nodded. "When can I take him home?"

"In a couple of days, as he is too fragile right now to be let out of the med bay. If need be, we can give him a private room and help send your sparklings elsewhere so that you can stay with him" Firesong stated.

"We have ours plus his brother's right now" sky said.

"I am sure Dart could take those two, especially since he doesn't get to see them much" Firesong stated. Sky looked to Dart.

Dart smiled. "I wish I could take all yours plus Zip's, but with having several other sparklings I can't. But I know that there are bots willing to help out. You'd be surprised just how many friends Dash has" Dart stated smiling. He had called several bots that were close friends or family of dash, including Blackhawk and his two brothers and Crankcase and his family. Sky nodded and went to make comms, finding them not needed.

Crankcase smiled as he laid optics on his grandson who looked so much like Sentinel Prime and then smiled at the small seeker who was Dash's mate. Dart could see the happiness in his mother's optics. Sky was a bit nervous as he looked at Crankcase.

"Relax, little one" Crankcase stated, as he kneeled down so he didn't lord over the seeker, "Dash is my grandson. And I am happy to see that he is bonded to such a sweet bot as you." Bolt and Sling stood off to one side, watching as their mate welcomed the bot into the family.

"I'm not always sweet"

"No one is perfect" Crankcase stated, "All we can do is try to be the best we can be. We all fall short at times." Sky nodded and asked softly if he would take the sparklings.

'We'll take some of them, and Blackhawk and his mate will take the rest. You take care of Dash, that is your job, for now" the bot stated, sounding much older than he looked.

"Yes sir" sky said. And with that Crankcase smiled and went to go pick up the sparklings, taking Sunrise and Sparkler as well, since Dart was still being with Skyrider for the moment.

"Thanks mom" dart said.

"Not a problem" Crankcase stated, glad to be surrounded by sparklings once more.

Meanwhile, word had drifted to Mirage regarding Dash, and, with his new leg a bit on the fritz, Mirage made his way to the med bay to see Dash and make sure Skyrider was doing ok. "Hi Mirage" sky said.

With Mirage there, Dart decided to head out and get to know Zip's younger two sparklings better. Mirage nodded and then began comforting Sky. "Hi there. How are you doing, Sky?" Sky told Mirage what had been going on. Mirage sat next to the seeker, his experience with comforting seekers well known at least to the seekers. Sky curled up against Mirage. Mirage gently rubbed the seeker's helm. "Dash will get better, but he going to need your help" Mirage said gently and in a very motherly fashion. Sky nodded leaning into the touch.

Mirage noticed the leaning. 'When did you lose your parents, little one?" Mirage asked.

"Long time ago, I don't remember them"

'Dash has lots of family around here, including me' Mirage stated shocking Skyrider. 'Dash's grandma Crankcase is Optimus's older brother. And Optimus is my mate."

"I never knew" sky said. "After all this time, I'm still not fully used to a big family"

"I am sure Dash never told you as he didn't want to overwhelm you. But remember this, you have lots of bots to help and assist you as well as support you. And if you need us, we are never more than a comm call away. Now let's go visit Dash again." Sky nodded and went with Mirage.

Mirage walked with a bit of a limp, which had gone unnoticed so far. They went to visit Dash who was still out in recharge. "Follow me" Mirage stated, getting a couple of cool cleanser rags and showed Sky how to gently wash around wires and lines, and just talk to his mate even though Dash didn't really respond, other than Sky felt an increase in love pulses from his mate. Sky nodded and felt the love.

Mirage smiled as he could see that Skyrider was starting to feel better about being able to help his mate through this. And while they were helping dash, Fader walked by and noticed that his mom was favoring his leg that Dash had made for him.

"Mom what's wrong with your leg?" Fader asked.

"I don't know, son, it's been on the fritz a little bit lately – could you take a look at it?" Mirage asked as Skyrider was deeply involved with carefully cleaning and cooling off his mate.

Fader nodded and got his mother on a berth and scanned. "Just a few adjustments." Mirage put up with the adjustments, much of them highly painful, but soon the leg was functioning like normal. "Sorry mom, how's that?"

"Much better, baby. Tell me, how are Percy and EMT doing? How are the little ones?" Mirage asked, not as of yet having had a chance to see the new little ones that EMT had sparked, the youngest of which held Huffer's spark, though it acted much like EMT had when the bot was sparked.

"The little ones are fine...EMT doesn't do much with them"

That concerned Mirage, but he didn't press the issue, knowing he would just rile his son up. He walked off, disappointed and quiet. Thankfully, Skyrider didn't see it. Optimus felt Mirage and pulsed asking him what was wrong. Mirage replied, pulsing what he had learned from his son about their newest grandbabies.

Optimus sighed. "Want to pay a visit?" Mirage told his mate he did, but he wasn't sure if EMT would react well to seeing him. Mirage went on to explain what he had accidentally done in trying to show the bot love.

"Want me to go with you?" Mirage nodded, trying not to cry. Optimus came to Mirage quickly and held him.

The two slowly made their way to Fader's quarters, hoping that they would be welcome. Percy opened the door and smiled at them. "Come in." Optimus and Mirage stepped in, and instantly Mirage's optics met EMT's optics, and in a move that surprised the young medic, Mirage averted his optics first. Optimus put a hand on Mirage's back. "Come in, want some energon?" Percy asked.

Mirage nodded, and he was sad to see the three new little sparklings screaming and being ignored, as Percy was busy, but EMT just seemed to want to do nothing. Mirage normally would have read a bot the riot act, but too afraid to anger his son, Mirage said nothing, though Optimus felt it. Optimus nudged Mirage to get the little ones, EMT didn't stop them.

Mirage took the three sparklings into his warm embrace and they immediately quieted. They had just wanted love and attention. Percy nodded in thanks. EMT watched, unsure how to feel about all of this. EMT made the decision to leave. Mirage just cried even as he held the little ones, this was just too much for him to handle. If he hadn't been holding his grandbabies, he would have ran.

"Mirage he does the same with us" Percy said trying to sooth Mirage.

But Mirage explained why he was so upset, about what he had done to the young medic. And instead of understanding the mistake, Percy snapped and bitched at Mirage for his ignorance. Mirage handed his grandbabies off to his mate and left, this was all just too damn much. Optimus chewed Percy out and left after Mirage.

But Optimus was too late, Mirage was Primus knew where, emotionally unbalanced and vulnerable. Optimus cursed and tried to follow the bond. Mirage found a cave and entered, curling up in a ball, wondering if he was still needed, as it seemed like the last few of his own babies that he had seen – he had been yelled at. Fader's mate bitched him out, mirror had screamed at him for some unknown reason, Keeper had ignored him when he was trying to talk to him, he had just gotten out Seaspan knocking him out cold, Bluefire had shoved Mirage away when the bot went to confront the seeker, and last but not least, Mirage had had to throw Snowseeker in the brig, and Snowseeker now hated him. And for others, Sunny had slapped Mirage when the bot tried to approach and several others had laughed at him, even though they knew he was there and could hear their insults. Percy's things had just pushed him too far, but thankfully, all this was being pulsed over the bond. And Optimus was able to see why his mate had reacted so badly.

Optimus was going to have a long talk with all of them but first he had to find Mirage. Mirage's spark guided Optimus to him. Thankfully, Mirage had not harmed himself, but the tears that stained his face was enough to show Optimus that Mirage was too overwhelmed from being everything to everyone and nothing to himself. Optimus held Mirage close and pulsed love. "I'm sorry, love' Mirage stated quietly. "Seems like I have been a bit of a failure recently."

"Don't apologize my love."

"Can… can you…. Just take me home? I don't want to see anyone for some time unless….unless they come to me" Mirage stated quietly. Optimus nodded and took Mirage home.

Flasher saw Optimus and Mirage as they walked in, and Flasher wasn't happy that his mama looked so bad. And in asking, Flasher had learned about something his own twin had done that had hurt their mother and Flasher was determined to get to the bottom of this. And so, once his parents were by, Flasher pulled a move from his mother's book, and entered Keeper's office invisible and unannounced, before saying. "We need to talk" after which the angry flasher appeared right in his twin's face, startling Keeper.

"Flasher what the pit"

"You hurt mama and I won't stand for it" Flasher stated, and then proceeded telling Keeper how he had seen their mama look almost scared and sparkling like and what he had learned that specifically Keeper had done to hurt their mother. Keeper felt bad as he listened to his brother.

"Just cause you're Prime doesn't give you the right to treat bots anyway you see fit" Flasher stated. There was no excuse keeper could give. 'Come, let's go see mama" Flasher stated. Keeper nodded and went with his brother. Keeper was appalled when he saw how his mother looked. Mirage was curled up in a ball in the berth, and Keeper failed to notice his father coming up behind him until Optimus whacked his son upside the helm for what he had done to Mirage.

"You're lucky that's all I do for now" Optimus said.

"I am very sorry for whatever I did, dad. Was this all due to me?" Keeper asked, hoping that he wasn't the sole cause of this.

"You and your siblings"

Keeper sighed. How could he and his siblings treat their loving mother so poorly, he wondered. He wasn't sure what to do, but Keeper went up to his mama and, in a move that surprised Optimus and Flasher, laid next to Mirage much like Optimus might do and told his mama he was sorry and that he loved him. Mirage responded pretty well considering, and Optimus could sense it.

"I hope you can forgive me"

Slowly and carefully Mirage brought one hand up and gently stroked Keeper's helm. Mirage wasn't in a talking mood, but all recognized that this was Mirage's way of showing forgiveness to his oldest baby. Keeper nuzzled his mother. Mirage felt needed again and he nuzzled his son back. Keeper stayed right there with his mother.

Keeper didn't realize just how much he missed being with his mother, who had taught him to be self-reliant, who had taught him how to help out with his siblings, and who had taught him how to love without bounds. "I love you mama."

"Love you" Mirage stated quietly, humming softly the song he had sung when keeper was little to get the bot to sleep. It wasn't that mirage was trying to lure keeper to sleep. Mirage was trying to show Keeper he still loved him. Keeper snuggled closer and purred. He really did love his mama.

And while Flasher and Keeper watched over mirage and spent time with their mother, Optimus was starting his mission about tracking down all the bots who had caused his mate pain and put him in this predicament. Optimus took them one by one and started with whoever he found first.

He went to all of them and spoke to, none of the bots realizing just how their own actions had affected the bot. And the one who felt the worst was Sunny, as he feared that being adopted, Mirage would give up on him. And so, leaving their sleeping mates with Sides, Sunny ran and found Flasher and Keeper with Mirage. He feared he was too late, but when Mirage motioned for him to come near, Sunny snuggled with Mirage just like Keeper had, and flasher ended up on the other side of Sunny. Mirage didn't say much but his gentle touches and the gentle tune he hummed let them know he loved them.

Sunny sobbed he was so sorry. Mirage gently kissed his helm and wiped away his tears, as they snuggled between his two oldest babies. Mirage soon fell into recharge, completely surrounded by a few of his beloved babies. Each of the kids came bit by bit.

And when they came, which was after mirage's little nap, he showered them with love, each and every one of them. They all felt horrible and stayed with their mother for a good while. Mirage was a bit embarrassed by all the attention, but he gave time to each bot that came. They said if they did again for mirage to smack them.

Soon enough, Optimus watched as they slowly left, with the exception of Sunny, who was still scared that Mirage would refuse to be his mother. 'my little sunshine….you needn't worry" Mirage stated quiet, 'Once my son, always my son."

"I'm sorry...so sorry" sunny sobbed softly.

Silently, mirage commed for Optimus to grab a cube of energon while Mirage repositioned Sunny so he was holding him like a sparkling. Mirage hadn't spent much time recently with Sunny, and Mirage knew it. And so here he was, playing the game that usually helped Mirage and Sunny to bond as mother and son while Optimus looked on, a smile on his face. Sunny happily played the game with his mama.

Mirage soon fed Sunny via a specially made "cube bottle" and it was obvious to see just how innocent Sunny could be and just how much he saw Mirage as his mother. Sunny happily sucked on the bottle as he was held. Sick of just watching, Optimus went to sit beside his mate and rubbed Sunny's helm as Mirage played the game. It was unusual to have a third player, but Mirage didn't mind, and neither did Sunny, as he was happy that now he had such loving parents and he was glad to get an opportunity to bond with both of them. "I think we ought to design a special one of these bottles so Optimus can have it and you can bond with him as well. Don't you think so, little Sunshine?" Mirage asked.

Sunny happily agreed to that and cooed. And then Mirage moved, which started sunny, until Sunny realized what Mirage was doing – he was helping teach Optimus the way Sunny liked to be held and fed. Optimus smiled as he took the cube bottle and began feeding Sunny. Optimus knew he should have felt a bit silly, but he didn't, as this was in private and they were safe. Optimus soon got into his role, playing the dutiful father. Sunny looked up at his father with love in his eyes as he sucked on the cube bottle. He felt happy right then.

It was only now that Optimus could feel the love and feel the connection building with this adopted son of theirs that Optimus understood why Mirage enjoyed this game and why Sunny felt so off when he hadn't had a chance to be with Mirage for too long. Optimus smiled and showered the grown bot with love, and Mirage smiled as he gently rubbed Sunny's helm. Sunny purred he loved this new mommy and daddy time.

"Is baby still hungry?" Mirage asked, as he tickled Sunny's stomach gently, so as not to cause the bot to purge his tanks.

Sunny shook his head. "Not hungy"

"Does baby want anything special?" Optimus asked.

"Dada's arms" Sunny said looking up at Optimus so cutely. Optimus held the grown yellow bot closer to his spark, which was warm and felt warm especially to Sunny. Sunny was glad that Mirage and Optimus, as well as Pincer, had taken him in and made him feel like he really did have parents who loved him. Sunny purred contently in his father's arms. "Dada..." Mirage just watched with a smile as he saw Optimus's optics light up during this whole affectionate display that was part of the game. He realized that Optimus now understood just how important this game, silly as it seemed, was, especially to Sunny.

"Sweet baby boy" Optimus said in his rumbling voice.

Mirage came closer. "Our sweet little baby boy" Mirage stated, rubbing Sunny's helm. Sunny purred a bit louder and loved the affection.

Mirage could sense that Sunny was getting worried about his mates. "Are you ready to head back to your mates, baby?" Mirage asked, much to Optimus's surprise, as not having played the game enough, he didn't know how it ended.

Sunny nodded. "Yes mama, chance and rave are sparked" and just like that the game was over.

"If you need help, my little sunshine, let us know. And remember, you can always come to Optimus to play the game if I am for some reason unavailable, though you will have to teach him when the game ends" Mirage stated, kissing Sunny's helm. Optimus smiled and released the bot, kissing Sunny's helm as well, which was very reassuring to Sunny. Sunny nodded and kissed their cheeks before he left going home.

Now that all the babies were gone, Mirage was feeling frisky, and both Optimus and Pincer could feel it, even though Pincer was on Duty. Optimus smiled and let mirage lead. "You call the shots." Mirage smirked before gently teasing Optimus's audios with his tongue. Mirage wanted to warm Optimus up, as Pincer would soon come home. Optimus moaned and let mirage do whatever he wanted. It wasn't too much after Mirage had started, that Pincer came home, horny as hell. And Mirage, having felt Pincer's need, had begun preparing their oldest mate for fun. Optimus looked to them both somehow knowing he was theirs.

Mirage stayed at the upper part of Optimus's frame, leaving Optimus's thick spike sticking out for Pincer to play with. Optimus moaned when his spike was enveloped in pincers mouth. "Nnnnn..."

Pincer, unfortunately, was in his receptive phase, and he wanted to be sparked. Mirage was ok with this, but Optimus, though he was out, wasn't sure if they were ready for more. And, hoping to help things along, Mirage slid his hot thick spike right in Optimus's needy mouth, while Pincer placed his hot, dripping, needy, tight valve over Optimus's thick spike. Optimus moaned around mirage's spike as pincer rode Optimus' spike. A part of him knew what was coming and didn't think it was a good idea.

The problem was that Pincer's systems, having felt ignored, had gone into a sort of "heat" and the only way to break it was to make the bot sparked, which would mean Pincer would be getting all the facing he needed. Optimus, out of it, let himself be used and when told to release his spark he did so.

When the three merged their sparks, Pincer became sparked, with one large sparkling. Pincer, feeling his senses come back to normal, was surprised when he found himself snuggled in between Mirage and Optimus, but there was no place he would rather be and he fell into a pleasant recharge, surrounded by the two bots he loved the most. Optimus kissed them both. "Rest darlings" Mirage kissed Optimus back and then fell into recharge, followed by Optimus.