"Fragger," Sideswipe snarls, leaning forward and clearly ready to throw himself at the prosecutor.

The prosecutor ignores him. "If the court won't take you down a notch, we will." His body ripples, elongates, until he's nothing I recognize. He's definitely not human.

"You're T'ava'u," Tal of the Krey snarls. "Your race is banned! What is the meaning of this?"

"I'm ending this farce," the prosecutor-turned-strange-color-changing-alien replies, still aiming his gun at Optimus. He's got another, smaller one in a holster on his left side. I can't imagine he needs it – the one he's got looks like it could blow a hole straight through anything. I'm frozen, staring at the barrel pointing straight at Optimus' chest. "They don't deserve to go home in peace. Not after what they did."

"You're jeopardizing everything!" Tal of the Krey shouts. He leans forward, as if meaning to stop the T'ava'u himself. "You'll restart the war!"

He sneers, contemptuous. "The war never ended."

I can see his finger move as he pulls the trigger. There's a flash and a crack, but it's not Optimus falling to the ground. It's Starscream, crashing to the floor in front of Optimus' pedes, a smoking hole in his chest.

Ratchet is over the railing and down at the defendant stand before I have even processed what happened. Sunstreaker's running towards the front door, all five Technobots hot on his heels. Runabout and Runamuck are now crouching defensively in front of Ratchet and Optimus.

The boom comes again, and I don't know what to do.

Groove pushes me to the floor. "Streetwise says we're under attack," he says, as close to a growl as I've ever heard. "Stay here, stay hidden. I'm going to make sure the humans get clear."

"Astrotrain, Skywarp, Thundercracker! Outside!" Kup shouts. "Bluestreak, you too, lad. Arm up!"

From the corner of my eye, I see Sideswipe shoot the T'ava'u in the head. So much for finding out what's going on. But the other aliens seemed to know.

Making sure to stay hunched down, I move over to the opposite stand.

"Cassettes: eject," Soundwave intones. Rumble's cursing up a storm as he hits the floor.

There's another loud boom, and the ceiling gives way, crashing down on us. Thankfully, it's much too flimsy to do any damage to a Cybertronian, and Groove's gotten the humans out. But with the building coming down, we can't stay here.

"Everyone out!" Optimus barrels past me, Starscream cradled securely in his arms and Ratchet hot on his heels. "Set up a defensive perimeter outside! We're under attack!"

I have an irrational urge to giggle. Talk about stating the obvious.

"This is no time to lose it!" Hot Rod pushes me toward the front door. "Get out of here, Cynns, before they get the drop on us!"

I don't have to ask who 'they' are. The alien fighter jets screaming over my head answers that. Bluestreak is already in position against one of the other buildings, sniper rifle in his hand, slowly and surely taking aim. My twins are scaling the wall behind him. I can barely hear them shouting something about jet judo.

"Ratchet, Skyfire, get Starscream away from here. Cliffjumper, guard them." Optimus' voice is terse, his focus on the fliers passing overhead. "Kup, get the Alliance. The T'ava'u are long-standing enemies of theirs as well."

"No need to ask us to fight, Optimus Prime." That's the Axxai, glaring up at the skies. "We have little kindness for the T'ava'u."

Streetwise comes in full-speed, drifting to a sudden stop next to us. "There's a full squadron of them. That size, they'd need transports to get here. We need the humans in on this, Prime."

"I got through to Ameryn Clarke," Jack says. I'd forgotten about him, but there he is, side by side with several alien races and aiming his gun at the skies. Brave, brave man. "Whoever they are, their signal-blocking's crap. The Earth defense batteries are coming online as we speak."

The fliers come in over us again, and I'm thrown to the ground by the impact as they fire. There's a heavy weight over me, shielding me.

As soon as the barrage ends, big hands pull me to my feet. "You're not built for this," Astrotrain growls as he straightens me. "You're no warrior. Hide. Stay near cover. Let us handle it."

It's almost upsetting, how quickly they're warriors again. How my twins are shouting in glee as they cling to two of the fliers, pulling on wings and circuitry. Thundercracker and Skywarp are deadly in their grace overhead, Blitzwing right behind them. And Optimus, dear, sweet Optimus, has a hard cast to his optics, his blast mask closed, blaster raised to fire.

I curl up in a corner where two buildings meet and try to stay out of the way.

Astrotrain transforms and blasts into the sky. A moment later, my comms crackle to life.

::Heads up, Optimus. They have heavier support craft coming in!:: That's Skywarp, I think, and I track him as he flashes across the sky. Bluestreak is apparently watching his mate too, because the two fliers on Skywarp's tail are suddenly shot from the sky.

::Runabout, Runamuck, you mechs know how to do jet judo? We could use another pair of hands up here, if you know what I mean! There are enough of them to share!:: Sideswipe throws himself from one flier to another, nearly stopping my spark in the process.

"Technobots, flank us!" Optimus orders. "We need to make sure they can't come at us from the west. Jack, any word from Ameryn Clarke?"

"Negative." There's a steady pop-pop-pop as he fires. "They're on it, but it takes time."

Scattershot stands in front of Optimus, looking up at the skies. He doesn't show any sign of following orders. "If that's a T'ava'u support fighter coming in, you're going to need bigger guns, Optimus Prime. I think we can help."

"What –" Optimus begins, but he doesn't get the chance to say much more. In front of us, the Technobots are transforming.

In a manner I've seen before.

"HA!" Streetwise crows. "I knew there was something familiar about them!"

I stare as the Technobot combiner straightens, gazing up at the attacking aliens. "Computron: will handle the incoming fighters." He raises a pair of guns as big as I am.

::Get clear!:: Optimus calls over the comms. He's clearly quicker to gather hits wits than I am, because I'm still staring at Computron.

Another gestalt. Primus.

Computron fires. So does Jack, and Bluestreak. And the three lead fliers are shot out of the sky, spiraling down towards us.

Straight into the buildings behind me. Bringing the walls down over my head.

I have enough time to curse my choice of hiding spot before something hits my head and I black out.


When I wake up again, it's a slow process. Unlike last time I woke up after an injury, I remember everything this time. And I'm keenly aware of every ache in my body. There's a warm weight on my chest.

"You know, most people actually hide when they're told to hide." The voice is wry. "Not just sit down in front of the nearest building and watch."

"Was hiding," I mumble.

"Really? Then how come we dug you from the wreckage only a few steps away from where Optimus Prime was commanding the fight?"

I finally online my optics and look past Laserbeak, snuggled up on my stomach, and up at Sideswipe. "Did we win?"

Sunstreaker snorts. "Of course we did. You didn't actually doubt that, did you?"

"Two squadrons of light fliers, five heavier support craft." Sideswipe shook his head. "Against warriors with several million years' worth of fighting experience. I don't know why they even bothered."

"It could have ended quite differently if Ameryn Clarke hadn't come through for us when she did," another voice says, and I turn my head to see Ratchet standing in the doorway. He's smiling, which is a very good sign. "Hey, sparklet. How're you feeling?"

"Like a wall fell on me," I reply, because how often am I going to be able to say that and it'll actually be true?

"I suppose it's a good thing you're made of metal now." He comes closer and takes my hand, turning it to access the port in my arm. "And before you start worrying - which you will, don't bother denying it – everyone's fine. Starscream will make a full recovery and is already back to his arrogant self. The rest of them are mainly cuts and bruises, although you should have some words with this red devil here to make sure he knows the meaning of the word 'caution' and how it applies to fighting enemy fliers." He glances at Sideswipe. "I've been trying to get through to him about that for years, and it's clearly not working."

Sideswipe grins. "Hey, I'm too awesome to get seriously injured."

Sunstreaker smacks him in the back of the head.

I watch as Ratchet connects to my diagnostic port. I'm not seriously injured, I can tell that much, but I can also tell he's done something to my motor control. My legs won't move, and I can't actually feel him holding my fingers. "What about me?"

"You'll be fine too. Do you honestly think I'd allow anything less? I had to dampen your neural net because there was a lot of shattered glass, but it should all be out now. As soon as your self-repair has taken care of the damage, I'll fix that."

"Where's Groove?"

"Right here." His voice is right behind me, and wow, Ratchet really did a number on my sensor net. I should have been able to feel him lying right behind me like this.

That's kind of embarrassing.

"Hey." I snuggle in as best as I can when I can't move below the neck.

"Hey." He kisses my helm. "We're all fine."

"Good." I blink as one particular memory suddenly comes back to me. "The Technobots are gestalt."

"Yeah." Sideswipe snorts. "Got to admit, I almost fell off my ride when I saw that. But Computron was a massive help. I'm not sure we could have held them off until the humans got their afts in gear without him. Not without serious injuries, anyway."

"Computron and the humans fought the T'ava'u ships off," Ratchet explains. "The others handled the ones on the ground. It went as well as it could, really."

Another memory surfaces, of a human form growing and stretching into something completely different. "How on Earth did we miss that the prosecutor wasn't human?"

Ratchet sighs. "To be fair, everyone missed that. The T'ava'u aren't the best of fighters, which is probably why Megatron beat them so easily back when the war started to spread out from Cybertron, but they're almost unparalleled when it comes to stealth tech and camouflage."

::That's why Megatron took them out,:: Laserbeak explains. She sounds tired – and I don't blame her, man, this trip has been a trip – but her optics are bright. ::He saw them as a threat.::

"They are a threat," Sunstreaker says darkly. "Look how close they got. If Star hadn't moved when he did –"

"Yeah, I'm not going there," Ratchet interrupts with a grim cast to his mouth. He hands me three energon cubes. "And the Alliance are just as upset as us. This won't happen again."

"True." Sideswipe snags one cube off my stomach and downs it. "The Alliance aliens feel all horrible about the whole thing – apparently, that bug alien's species is big on rules and stuff, and he's adamant that the trial is valid despite their attorney being a T'ava'u in disguise. Optimus is taking full advantage of it, of course." He chuckles. "He's talking them into a treaty as we speak."

"And the humans are way excited, since the T'ava'u ships are full of tech they've never encountered before. Hopefully we can convince them to share." Sunstreaker glances at me over the edge of his drawing pad. "That origin species of yours is very opportunistic."

"I know." I hand one cube to Groove and take a sip of the other one. "So, when are we going home?"

"Soon." Ratchet sounds extremely happy about that. "Optimus is rounding things off with the humans as we speak. As soon as he gives the word, we're leaving."


It's weird. I'd never expected I'd have to say goodbye to Earth twice in one lifetime. Well, technically one lifetime. Honestly, human Isobel feels so far away from who I am now that she might as well be another person.

And then I look at Groove and Sunstreaker and Sideswipe and am reminded of how much of me is still in here.

Astrotrain, Skyfire and Blitzwing are transformed and waiting for us on the tarmac. All that's left is to say goodbye.

It's the least heartbreaking goodbye yet.

"I am honored to make your acquaintance, Optimus Prime." Ameryn Clarke smiles.

"The honor and privilege is mine," Optimus replies. "We are very grateful for your assistance. And we welcome the trade opportunities."

"As do we." She nods and takes one step backwards. "Safe travels, Cybertronians. You will hear from us soon."

When the formal goodbyes are done with, it's the informal ones. And they're a bit upsetting. I'm getting used to the fact that I'll never meet the same humans over again. So saying goodbye to Jack and Dominic and Rachel… Yeah, it hurts.

"I'm so happy to have met you," I murmur, my holoform hugging Rachel tight. "You're a credit to him, you know."

"Thanks." She smiles as she lets me go. "It was an honor to meet you, Cynosura. Isobel. Take good care of your family, 'kay?"

"You know I will."

Jack's hug reminds me of Alice in the best way, even though he's very different form his ancestor. "When you have kids, find a way to send their pictures to Cybertron," I insist. "I want to see your family thriving."

He grins. "Sure thing. If you field the cost of trans-galactic messaging."

Dominic just hugs me and smiles. I guess there's not much to say.

Sooner than I'd thought, we're back onboard the shuttles. Ratchet pulled some strings and got all three carriers together, which means I'm traveling with Blitzwing for the return trip. Sideswipe and Sunstreaker saunter onto Astrotrain like they belong there, and Bluestreak and Skywarp, Soundwave and Thundercracker all board Skyfire. Somehow I end up flying with Ratchet and Optimus, Groove, Starscream, Cliffjumper and, strangely enough, Hot Rod.

I think it'll be a good trip.

Blitzwing is different from Skyfire. He doesn't talk as much, and he doesn't want anyone but Prime and Ratchet in the cockpit, but he's got a friendly vibe to him and laughs easily at jokes. The dirtier the better, too. He's getting along great with Hot Rod, which doesn't bode well for anybody.

We're only a few days out when Ratchet insists on doing a check on the carriers. Blitzwing doesn't really have a medbay, per se, but he's got a big open lounge space. And there's no privacy to be had, so it's a good thing Groove isn't shy. Everyone can see his spark as his chest plates split aside.

I can't look away from my sparkling, though. I can see him there, spinning lazily around Groove's spark, a brilliant little flash of light that's suddenly the center of my existence.

"Great, you're healthy. He'll be a while yet, but you should probably get your driving needs fulfilled while you can." Ratchet pats Groove's shoulder. "Go ahead and close up. I just want to check the status of your gestation chamber and mineral levels. Arm, please."

Groove is a good patient. I guess he'd have to be, since he has a medic for a brother.

I can't wait to get home and tell First Aid everything. Pit, I can't wait to get home to First Aid, period.

"Um, Ratchet?"

"Not now, Optimus. You're next."

"Ratchet!" There's almost terror in Optimus' voice, which I've absolutely never heard before. Worry, sure. Apprehension, definitely. Plain, true fear? No. "Ratchet, look!"

Ratchet isn't the only one turning. So we all get to see Optimus' chest plates slide open right there. And judging from the expression on Optimus' face, he's not the one controlling it.

"Slag!" Ratchet yelps, darting over the floor to connect to his mate. "He's not supposed to emerge yet! What are your protocols saying?" He's got hold of Optimus' arm, sliding the cover to his medical port aside. "Hang on, I'm going to stall the process, try to override the routine, okay? We don't want him born yet, he's not – wait a minute, that's not…"

"Not what?" Cliffjumper asks. He's standing defensively in front of Starscream for some reason, as if he needs to protect him from the scares of premature emergence.

"It's not the sparkling," Optimus says, wonder and disbelief in his voice. "It's – it's the Matrix."

I bet that later, we'll all have different theories on what actually happened. Different stories we tell. But for now, the truth is strange enough. And the truth is that the Matrix is detaching from Optimus Prime.

And considering that we're all there, staring, it's almost strange that Hot Rod is the only one to react when the artifact slips free and falls to the floor.

The moment he catches it, I'm blinded. The flash of light is so intense, I have to turn away. And the voice, wherever it comes from, is loud enough and deep enough to vibrate right through my struts.

"Arise, Rodimus Prime."

The light fades, slowly. Hot Rod is still there, though he seems to have matured suddenly – and unless I'm wrong, he's a little taller. He looks stronger, too, older, but the shocked expression on his face is all Roddy. "What – what happened?"

Predictably, Ratchet's the one to find his voice first. He pats Optimus' now closed chest distractedly, still staring at Hot Rod. He sounds as dazed as I feel. "Well, you did say you'd like to retire and have more time for your family."

Optimus just nods, clearly shell-shocked.


Dear diary,

Hot Rod is Rodimus now, and he's a Prime. He's probably the most surprised by that out of all of us. The Matrix fused with his spark chamber, just like it had Optimus', and now it won't come out.

It's by far the weirdest thing that's happened on this trip, and that's actually saying something.

Roddy tried to get it out. He tried to say that he wasn't a Prime, he's just a kid. But that damn relic is stuck in there.

I don't blame him for feeling a bit overwhelmed. A lot overwhelmed. I'll keep my eyes on him, but I think he'll cope. He's got this indomitable spirit. And he's got Optimus and Ratchet looking out for him. Optimus still looks the same, which confuses Ratchet – apparently, he used to look different before he got the Matrix, just like Roddy, and he hasn't reverted back. Then again, there haven't been that many cases of the Matrix just up and leaving a fully functional Prime.

Which means that, right now, we have two Primes. Or a Prime and a Prime-in-training, I guess. They're going to have some sort of job-shadowing arrangement until the sparkling is born, and after that Optimus will stay on in an advisory capacity. Rodimus won't be left on his own.

Honestly, I think this could be good for everyone. Rodimus is young, yeah, but he's a sweetheart. He'll do well. And Optimus has been the leader through an entire war. He deserves to retire and spend time with his family.

Maybe the Matrix actually heard his wishes somehow.

We're almost home. We'll be back on Cybertron in a few days' time. I can't wait. I can almost feel First Aid coming closer when Groove and I merge. When we do get home, I'm taking both of them home and we're going to hide away for a few days.

Optimus commed ahead, letting Ultra Magnus and the rest know we're on our way back and safe. He's told the Council about Rodimus, too. I'm curious what they'll make of him.

I can almost picture Ultra Magnus' face when he learned. Good thing Roddy will get some training before he has to take over.


It's the first time I get to watch as we approach Cybertron. Last time, I was unconscious. It's very different from when we approached Earth. Earth is a sapphire gem in space. Cybertron is this brilliant, gleaming, lit-from-within orb, reflecting light back out into the darkness.

"Pretty, isn't it?" Ratchet nods towards the planet we're approaching. "You should have seen it in its heyday. Bright lights everywhere, Iacon and Vos and Praxus and the other cities shining like sparks on the surface."

"Kaon like a sore," Blitzwing says. "It might have been pretty on your end, doc, but it sure wasn't on ours."

"I'm not saying I want a return to the Golden age," Ratchet replies. "There were a lot more things wrong than right. Besides, I'm enjoying the peace." He puts a hand on Blitzwing's bulkhead. "I think we all are."

"Yeah." Blitzwing's voice is quiet, subdued. "Ya know what would have happened if I'd gotten sparked under Megatron's rule?"

"I don't want to think about it."

I'm still curious about Blitzwing's sparkling. But I know better than to ask. If he wanted it known by everyone, he would have said.

"We're coming up on our approach vector now," he says abruptly, and I don't blame him for changing the topic. "Go sit."

Approach vector.

We're almost home.

I barely feel Blitzwing moving. But I notice when he banks sharply, showing the buildings of Pax Novum outside the portholes. And I notice when he lands.

It's torment, having to sit still and wait to be told I can get out of the shuttle. Groove laughing at me doesn't help.

"He's right outside," he whispers, leaning in. "Waiting for us. He's almost vibrating."

He's not the only one.

"Okay," Blitzwing says finally. "Get out of me so I can stretch my legs."

He doesn't have to ask me twice. I'm pulling Groove out with me at a dead run before he's even finished his sentence.

I dart past Starscream and Cliffjumper. Speed down the ramp. Vaguely notice a welcoming committee, and wave at Jazz and Prowl and Arcee, and then he's there.

First Aid's bracing for impact. It does him absolutely no good. I crash into him so hard I knock him over, and we hit the ground with a crash.

"Isobel." His arms tighten around me. "Primus, I've missed you. Hey, bro."

"Hey." Groove sounds like he's smiling. "Please tell me you have the rest of the day off."

"The rest of the day, tomorrow, the day after… Hook threw me out for the rest of the week." First Aid grins. "Seems he thought I would have other things on my mind."

"Sounds like he knows you." Groove takes my hand. "Come on, let's go home."

Oh, definitely. But I can't just run off like that. "We can't leave yet. I need to talk to Optimus first, maybe there's some form of debrief or something. And I need to make sure Starscream's okay, and –"

There's a snort from behind me. "Like you could focus on any of that right now."

I frown. Or, it's supposed to be a frown, but judging from the look on Ratchet's face it's probably closer to a pout. "I could. If I had to."

"Precisely. And you don't have to." He smiles at me, taking any sting out of the words. "Go home, sparklet. Starscream'll be fine. Optimus will probably call a meeting in a few days' time, that's more than sufficient to plan anything. You're not the only one who's been ready for some peace and privacy."

Well. He's probably right about that. And First Aid and Groove, traitors that they are, take the chance to just grab me and pull me away. Not that I fight very hard. But I manage to shout a goodbye in Optimus' general direction, at least.

His optics crinkle, and I get the distinct feeling he's laughing at me. I don't care.

I lean in to First Aid's hold on me and purr in his audial. "Take me home."


Someone should probably talk to First Aid about using sirens outside of emergencies. It got us home really fast, though, so I'm not complaining.

As soon as the apartment door closes behind us, First Aid drops to his knees and pulls Groove close, nuzzling his chest plating. "Hi, baby. I'm your other sire, and I love you."

I can't not smile at the sight. "Guess you've been waiting for that, huh? When did Groove tell you?"

"I told him as soon as I was sure." Groove has this incredibly dopey fond look on his face.

"You didn't tell me as much as completely fail to hide that something was up," First Aid says, still with that baby-talk voice. "And I'm a medic, so I knew what was up when he let it slip that his spark ached and he was tired, didn't I, sweetling? Yes, I did. Your carrier is very kind and very brave and very good, but I'm smarter than he is."

"Marginally." Groove smiles and rests one hand on First Aid's back. "It's good to be home, Aid."

First Aid kisses Groove's plating and stands back up. I yelp when he snags me, pulling me in until we're flush against each other. "I did miss you. All the time. And I realized something."

Groove steps up and presses against my back. "I agree with you."

I have no idea what we're talking about. "Care to enlighten the ex-human? You have the benefit of being in each other's head already, I don't."

"That's just it." First Aid smiles, nuzzles my cheek. "I want you in my head all the time. I never want to be away from you without knowing if you're okay ever again. I want you in my spark."

I stare at him again. "Are you saying…?"

Suddenly, he drops down on one knee. "Isobel Cynosura Harrison, will you bond with us? Will you join your spark to ours, making us one for all eternity?"

Groove's arms sneak around my waist as he nips gently at my throat. "What he said."

Holy epic everything.

My brain's not working.

First Aid seems to take my silence as reluctance. He takes my hand, kissing my palm and fingers. "I realize it's sudden. And we can wait, if you want. We haven't even talked about this before, and I don't know if you want a big ceremony or if you hate the idea of commitment like that, or anything. I just know I adore you. And I want us forever." He looks up at me, almost pleading. "Please say something."

"Yes," I say, because of course I do. "Yes, yes, absolutely, oh my God, are you serious!? Please be serious?"

He laughs at me, the slagger, and then he jumps up at us, pressing his lips to mine. And I can't vent, and I don't mind, because First Aid and Groove want to bond with me and I don't care about anything else right now.

Soon First Aid pulls back and it's Groove instead, holding me close and kissing me within an inch of my life, and I don't want him to ever stop. I don't want either of them to ever stop.

Somehow, we end up on the berth. I'm not surprised. They're both there, right there, kissing and touching and so, so real in front of me, and I'd be crying of happiness if I wasn't too busy reciprocating.

"Mine," First Aid whispers, lips tracing a path down my plating. "Mine forever."

"Ours," Groove counters, claiming my lips for his. "Love you so much."

I can't find my voice. It doesn't even matter.

"We can do whatever you want." Groove sighs, optics dimming as I find that point on his back that always just melts him. "Big ceremony. Small ceremony. Elope. Anything."

"Right now," I manage, arching as First Aid's clever fingers tease down my side. "Please. Bond with me right now."

First Aid's optics are bright in the dim room. "Really? You're sure?"

Of course I am, can't he tell? "Aren't you?"

"I'll bond with you in an instant." He kisses my hand again. "But I don't want you to feel like you're missing out on a celebration, if that's what you want."

"There'll be plenty of celebrations." I'm sure there will be. It's not like we've seen the end of bondings. And I don't know what Cybertronians do for sparklings, but I'm sure throwing a massive party for ours. "There'll be plenty of excuses for parties. I want this with you right now. No witnesses. No formal ceremony. Just us." I manage to grab their hands in mine. "I have no doubts. Please."

First Aid looks at me for a moment longer before groaning and almost throwing himself at me. His mouth is eager, devouring, and then Groove's there as well, and it's the clumsiest, strangest three-way kiss I've ever experienced, but it's perfect.

The click of First Aid's chest plates opening is almost drowned out by our cooling fans. But there's no mistaking that glow. Another click, then one more, and the light of all our sparks is blending.

"I don't know how to do this," I whisper. We've merged plenty of times, as the sparkling in Groove's chest is proof of, but I've never bonded anyone before.

"It's in the intent." First Aid settles over me, half on his side, until our sparks almost touch. "Focus on wanting to bond."

I haven't focused on anything else for the last few minutes. And now, as both First Aid and Groove slowly lower their chests over mine, all I can think of is that soon I'll be a part of those sparks. I'll be able to feel them in my mind, to know where they are and how they are and how much they love me at any given point in time.

I can't wait.

It's familiar, at first. Feeling them in my mind like this. Groove is bright and steady, First Aid eager and passionate, and there's a small flash of something extra that I'm suddenly realizing is our sparkling, thriving and dancing in the glow of all three sparks.

"Now," First Aid whispers, and as if on cue, the spark-touch changes. Suddenly there's a need behind the contact, searching and offering.

I lean into it, offering myself up. Instantly, the feeling of First Aid intensifies, until it's hard to tell where he ends and I begin. I yearn further, searching for the missing piece, and then Groove's there, slotting in as if made to fit alongside us. And then we're spinning together, faster and faster, blurring out the boundaries and slipping away from ourselves and going higher and higher and higher and –-


I come to slowly. Aware that I'm warm, comfortable, loved. I'm heavy, and my spark is singing, and I know I'll never be alone anymore.

I can feel First Aid stirring in my spark before his hand moves on my back. Feel Groove, still deep in recharge, and holding on to me even so. I can focus on my feelings for them, focus on the pulse of my spark, and a moment later, feel return pulses of love and adoration.

We're not three. We're one. And we can take whatever comes next, because we'll never be apart again.

Lulled by the sense of love and safety, by the two presences in my spark with me, I slip back to recharge between my bondmates.


A/N: I've had a song in my head for their bonding since… way back. So if you want to listen to the song that was on repeat while that scene was written, look up Daniel's joik on Youtube.