(Please see all previous disclaimers)

Finally, all the precious little sparklings had been fed and laid down for a nap. Mirage could tell something was up with his mate, but Optimus hadn't wanted to say anything right away as the sparklings needed to be tended to first. "Beloved, I sense you are not telling me something" Mirage quietly stated, wanting to give Optimus an opportunity to explain himself.

Optimus sighed softly, as there were times that Mirage knew how to read his mate too well. "I must bring news that is not good" Optimus replied softly. He knew his mate would not like what he had to say.

Mirage sensed urgency and danger in that small statement. "What is going on?" Mirage asked, wanting to know. More like needing to know.

"It was brought to my attention that a con spy had infiltrated our base and found its location. To keep bots safe, I have arranged for three other bases to be used in addition to this one, to help keep others safe" Optimus carefully explained.

"And where am I and the sparklings to go?" Mirage asked, worried sick about his mate and the little ones, though more so the little ones.

"I have made arrangements so that we have quarters in each base, though you and the little ones will remain in one of the three other bases, while I will travel and live in all four locations. There will be times when I must leave you so I can lead our troops" Optimus explained.

Mirage was worried at first, but as Optimus explained things, Mirage felt better, though not completely. "And how will we remain safe when you stay here and we can't come?" Mirage asked, forgetting about his bodyguards and friends.

"Bee and Jumper will keep you safe no matter where you and the little ones are" Optimus reminded his mate.

Mirage sighed. He didn't like this idea, but he couldn't think of any other way to keep the little ones safe. "I do this under protest and only to keep our precious sparklings safe" Mirage stated, as he didn't completely like the idea.

Optimus didn't like hearing that, but he understood. "You must understand, Mirage, that I am a Prime of all Transformers. I must do what is best for all of them, even if it means being away from my family. It was not the life I chose, but the life Primus chose for me. You must understand that. I don't like this either, but we are at war and tough decisions must be made" Optimus answered.

Mirage nodded, as he couldn't argue with that. Mirage had only been a prince of another kingdom, not the Prince who would become Prime. "All I ask is that you don't forget about us as you try to save our world" Mirage replied, worried that his mate would so focus on the war that he would neglect his own family. Optimus looked at his mate after that comment. He wasn't sure at first why Mirage would say such a thing. "Optimus, my love. I may not have been sparked as a prince of the Prime, but I was a prince. I know when things are hard and when sacrifices must be made. I understand more than you give me credit for at times. I just want to make sure you remember that we have a family that needs attention too."

It was then that Optimus understood what Mirage was saying. Mirage wasn't telling the Prime not to protect the Autobots, but to remember he had a family who needed him as well. "I will do my best to remember that, my love" Optimus replied.

"That is all anyone can ask" Mirage stated, giving his mate a soft kiss on the cheek. "So, when do I need to move to another base?"

"In 40 hours, as I have sent bots already to prepare the other bases. You must take with you anything you need from here, as until this war is over, you will not be returning to these quarters" Optimus answered, not liking the timeline or the fact Mirage won't be coming back here, but he had to keep them safe. "Remember, my love, Megatron got a hold of you once. I refuse to let him get a hold of you again." Mirage merely nodded at that. Mirage remembered what that encounter had led to, and with that, Mirage began packing precious items up and preparing to head to whichever base Optimus had assigned him at this point. Optimus helped and got items ready for himself as well, so that Mirage could take them.

Mirage then called Bee and Jumper in from their post. "We must move" Mirage stated, "as it is no longer safe for the sparklings to remain here. I must take them to another base." Bee and Jumper both nodded, knowing now was no time to argue. They also helped Mirage get ready. Soon, Mirage, Bee, and Jumper would be ready to head out with the sparklings in tow.