KATNIP and POISONIVYKITTEN: Thanks! Glad you liked it!

A/N: Only a few more filler chapters left before the big battle! :) I'd say there will be two more including this one. Just wanted to get a few more fluffy chapters in there before this becomes action-packed. LOL

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CHAPTER 52
Promises and Therapists

The next week was full of paranoia. Most of the base was on high alert, wanting to make sure that nothing and no one got through. As a result, Alexis was now allowed to visit Mark rather than the other way around. If only because the Autobots were simply terrified to let him out. Which was understandable, because after all, he would be the perfect hostage in case another battle really happened. It was restricting, and for the most part, Mark hated it. But he also knew that he was safest with them, and didn't need to walk out on the streets constantly looking over his shoulder.

For his part, Hound was with him nearly every hour he could be. He watched movies with him, kept him around, and even walked him to bed at night. He knew it was mostly because he was scared, but he also enjoyed it. If only because it felt good to have his father at his side on a constant basis. That night, they were in front of the television, with Mark introducing Hound to his favorite movie of all time. Of course, it was something that Hound thought that he might like, as it involved cars, family, and science-fiction.

"It's still gross that his mom is trying to sleep with him," Hound shuddered, as he watched the adventures of Marty McFly. "I understand she doesn't know he's her child. And I also understand how complicated the whole situation is," He added, though he made another motion with his hand to the screen. "But come on, he should just tell her at this point!"

Mark rolled his eyes, knowing how badly that would end. He'd seen enough time travel movies in his life to know it never worked out well. Something usually went horribly wrong with your future if it happened, after all. "Dad, time travel's complicated. Look up The Butterfly Effect, and you'll see what I mean," He added, taking a handful of popcorn.

"Isn't that a movie you showed me?" Hound asked.

Mark laughed, and patted the mech's leg directly to his right, given he was in his massive lap. He sighed quietly, leaning back against his body calmly. "Good job, dad," Mark told him with a smirk. "You remembered for once." He felt Hound poke at his chest. "What? You always forget the names of movies! This is like, a miracle!" He then added. "Do you remember what it was about?"

Hound looked thoughtful, and Mark chuckled a little. Hound was good with a lot of things, but remembering movies, as much as he liked watching them, was not one of them. Mark chuckled quietly, but Hound looked down with only a playful pout. "Give me a break," Hound laughed himself, narrowing his optics playfully. "My processor ain't the same in my old age. And that's nothing for ye to laugh about."

Mark rolled his eyes, watching the movie closely again. But after a moment, he looked back up at him. "Wait, you're old? I thought the "grumpy old mech" things was kind of an act," Mark laughed a little bit. "How old are you, anyway?"

Hound rolled his optics, wishing he had simply kept his mouth shut. He rubbed the back of his helm, and then looked up at the ceiling for a whole two minutes. "Well, in human terms... I'm around fifty-six," Hound explained rather politely, much to Mark's shock. "Yes, I know. I've been around for a long time, but I'm not even the oldest Autobot there is," He then added. "One of our ranks, Kup, would be in his seventies in human terms."

Mark shook his head, unable to grasp that. Those Autobots, including his foster father, must have been around for an impossibly long amount of time. It was hard to believe that with his jovial personality, Hound came even close to being one of the older ones. "Wow, dad," Mark shook his head. "You're old enough to have known a couple of dinosaurs then, huh?"

"I'm not that old you little punk."

This time, Hound began to tickle his ribs, forgetting the movie for the present moment. Mark laughed loudly, falling back onto his leg (though Hound carefully cushioned it by propping his head up), and squirming. "Dad! You are way too playful for a tough mech!" Mark laughed, throwing his head back as he laughed. "And I am way too old to be tickled!"

"Ah, give it a rest," Hound smirked. "You like being tickled, just like Coldsteel did!"

Mark grinned a bit, but his laughs died down as Hound finally stopped. Mark did have to admit, he still liked this. He knew a lot of fourteen year olds would probably consider themselves too old for cuddling, and playing around with their parents. But then again, Mark was not a lot of kids, Mark was himself, the crazy kid with the Autobot for a dad. And when he got older, and had his own kids, he knew he would miss this time, so he savored in it now. "Dad?" Hound looked down at the boy. "I want you to promise me something."

"Oh?"

"No matter what happens, with all that's going on," Mark began, chewing his lip slightly. "That you're going to be around for more nights like these. Just the two of us..." He stated, his voice getting low and serious. "Promise me whatever happens, you won't..."

"Die?" Hound finished, to which Mark slowly nodded. "I'll do everything I can to stay safe, and stay here for you." He told him, his optics looking quietly down at him. "Mark, I," Hound wasn't sure if he could promise that and mean it. "I promise..." He finally decided on, knowing it was what Mark needed to hear. "I promise I'm going to be here to see you grow up. No matter what it takes."

And despite the dangers he knew he would be put in, it was a promise he planned to keep.

...

Of course, with all that was happening, social services decided to make a visit. This time, Mark was thankful it was Dana, his main social worker, that came to visit. The woman was nice, and very much supported the idea of Mark living with the Autobots. And as a result, most of the time, she and Mark had more civil and calm discussions with one another than he did when he was defiant with the other social workers. It was the reason that Dana had been the only person Mark and Hound had mentioned their intention for the adoption to. It was better that way with all the chaos that was happening, the rest could find out once they were in the clear, it made things easier.

And that was, unexpectedly, the topic of discussion as they walked along the halls of NEST. She looked at him with a smile, and brought up the conversation rather calmly. "So are you sure you're ready for adoption still?" Mark looked at her with a raised eyebrow. "I just want to make sure everything's still going well, Mark. With all the attacks, and... The tragedies, I feel like your mind could change in an instant."

Mark laughed a little at that, stuffing his hands in his pockets. He knew well enough that Dana knew his answer, but still, decided to humor her. "They're my family," He told her after several moments of silence. "I know that there's been a lot going on. But I didn't sign up for a normal, un-eventful life. Crap like this is going to happen," He added, with the last part said rather glumly. "I don't blame them for what the Decepticons and Coulton did."

"And you shouldn't," Dana shook her head. "Though handling this would still be easier if you went to therapy," Mark rolled his eyes, taking a seat on a bench as she said that. "I know you think you're mentally alright... But Hound told me about your little mental breakdown after the assault on your old neighborhood." The boy was silent. "Not only is it good for your mental health, but it'll give the naysayers less ammo. If you're seeking help for what you are going through, and what you might end up going through."

"What do you mean?"

Dana seated herself down, and looked at him. "You've already been abducted once. And I'm sure that's a scary thing," Dana explained, causing Mark to squirm a little. "If you see a therapist regularly, even if it's just to see how you're doing... They can help with the after-effects of things like that," He was silent, though he was seeing her point. "Or when your father, or the other Autobots... Or heck, even the soldiers gets hurt and is put in the med bay."

"You really think a shrink would help with all of that?"

"And more," Dana nodded. "I know despite what you say, you're not totally over your dad's death. You've come to terms with it, and you've stopped "hating" him," Mark was silent at that, waiting for Dana to finish. "But I see it every time it's brought up - you get uncomfortable. What he did makes you sad, and uncomfortable. Something that maybe if you open up more to someone will be helped."

Mark frowned, he didn't like how good this was all sounding. He didn't want to talk about the stuff he mostly kept to himself, they were that way for a reason. But he also couldn't deny that Dana was making a very good, and rather firm point that made him mull it over in his head. "Alright," Mark nodded finally, looking Dana in the eyes. "If you and dad really want me in therapy, I'll give it a shot. But I can't promise I'm gonna like it."

Dana smiled, and patted Mark firmly on the back. "You won't at first. But before long you'll realize you're doing the right thing," Dana told him, rubbing his back. "The woman I've recommended to Hound works with a lot of kids like you. Ones that are in "special" situations," Mark nodded in understanding. "I've told her the whole situation, and she says that she'd be more than willing to take your case."

Mark simply twiddled his thumbs as Dana said all of this. He couldn't believe he was agreeing to this, but at the same time how could he not? But he could do this, especially if it helped their case more. "What if I don't like her, though?" Mark asked, his eyes filled with interest. "Are there any other people willing to take a "special" case like mine?"

"Plenty," Dana nodded. "A lot of people don't care about the situation. They just like to help kids that need it." Mark sighed with relief, and looked at her with his eyes filled with relief. "If you don't like her, we'll keep looking until we find someone you do like." At this, she stood to her feet, and turned to Mark. "I'm glad you're still this willing to be with them, y'know," Mark smiled a little at that. "You two are the most perfect foster pair I've seen in a long time."

Standing to his feet, he followed her towards where Hound was waiting. It surprised him, given they were of different species, and his dad had been Hound's enemy. And yet, Dana's statement seemed genuine, and served in the back of his mind as reaffirmation that this was right. That somehow he was meant to be Hound's son, and Hound, his dad. "I'm glad too," Mark nodded. "I know it's weird with all that's happened, but I really feel like all of this happened for a reason."

"How so?"

"I could be bouncing around between foster homes right now," Mark explained, his eyes looking up at the ceiling. "And I probably would be, considering my age and what my dad did." Dana didn't try to deny that, not that he was surprised. "But instead, I'm here. Living with a dad who loves me, and the coolest family of oddballs you'll ever meet." That earned a chuckle from the social worker. "Point is, I don't believe that it was just luck most days, Dana. I think I was supposed to get to this point." He then added. "Why else would a boy who lost a dad, and a mech who lost his son find each other?"

Dana looked impressed by the way he said that. And in a way, Mark was too, he hadn't always been one for profound statements like that. Even if he did feel that it was true, it was too much of a coincidence for it not to be. It was as if a higher power had pushed them together, slowly, but surely. "Well, luck, or whatever," Dana shook her head. "I think you two belong with each other."

"Yeah, me too."

As they reached Hound, Dana cleared her throat. "He agreed to the therapy. I'll set up the first appointment and call you with the details in a few days," She explained, to which Hound nodded. "But for now, I don't see any reason for me to say. Mark checks out like he always does, and you do too." She then added. "I'm still trying to get them to stop doing these silly two visits every two weeks crap."

"At least they care for his well being," Hound motioned forward towards the exit. "Might I show ye out, Ms. Walsh?"

"I know the place by heart by now," Dana smiled, shaking her head. "You two be good. And call me if there's any emergencies, or... Oh you know by now."

Mark laughed as Dana left, and Hound turned his attention back to him. Once she was out of earshot, he crossed his arms and looked up at the mech. "Therapy, really?" He asked, an unamused look on his face. "Are you sure this is a good idea? Telling some random stranger about NEST secrets?" He questioned, but noticed the amused look on the mech's face. "What?"

"She's no stranger," Hound replied. "She's Lennox's wife."

Mark's eyebrows shot up in surprise, in disbelief about that. But still sighed, he supposed that was better than a stranger. "Okay then," Mark muttered. "I guess I could at least give her a chance. For Lennox's sake."

"You'd already agreed," Hound snorted. "I'm not letting you take this one back."

Mark's only response was to stick his tongue out at the mech. But in the end, he had a feeling, that this was going to be better for him than he was making it out to be.