Disclaimer: I own nothing to do with Transformers.

Warning: the usual this and that.

Over the next few orn Prowl had formed a routine. He wakes up feed his sparkles then fuel himself. He watched them play before visiting Ratchet and cuddling Meister. After that he would return to his sparklings for their afternoon fuel. Then his frame would demand a round of interfacing with either Stepper, Ricochet, or Wing. One memorable time with all three.

Meister's recovery has gotten better. His frame was no longer heated and when Prowl cuddled him his arm had circled his waist and pulled his flushed against him. Prowl had let out a surprised squeak alerting Ratchet and Drift. The medic had said it was an improvement and could mean that soon the poly would online. Prowl had started bringing the mechlings hoping to encourage the older mech to online.

"He should be onlining soon." Ratchet crushed some dried sea creature in his bowl. "He'll be weak for a bit and he'll recharge a lot as his frame recovers."

"I don't see how his frame would need more recharge," Prowl said. "He has been doing nothing but recharging."

Ratchet shakes his head with a sigh, "there is a difference in the recharge a frame has when sick then recharge when in recovery. Recovery means the frame is resting after fighting off the illness. It recharges so the frame can fight off the illness but that doesn't mean that its resting." He hands Prowl the bowl, "Place that in his mouth. The recharging he's doing now will give his frame the rest it needs."

Prowl sighs, he gently helps Meister swallow the paste. Rubbing his throat so the act was easier. Lifting the bowl Prowl gives it a sniff and nearly gags, "What is this?"

"Octo liver mixed with grounded yellow algae and dried shok's blood."

Prowl nearly dropped the bowl and spilling its contents, "What!"

"Oh, please its not the worst thing mechs put in their bodies. The liver is full of nanites, the algae will help the frame cycle fuel, and the blood helps in the overall health of the body…or so I was told."

Prowl stared at the mech, "…you…aren't even sure!"

Ratchet rolled his optics, "I have very little to work with right now." He waves around at their small island. "As I said it's not the worst I had to use."

Prowl however looked a little green, "I rather not know what you put in stuff from now on."

A croak raspy laugh, "…it…ain't all bad Prowler."

Prowl whips his helm down a dark silvery blue hand was rubbing his thigh. A dim blue vizor was looking up at him and a matching grin. "Just be glad it ain't a live frog," Meister laughs weakly.

Prowl doesn't say anything to that. He leans down until his crest is touching Meister's. "You've finally online," he whispers.

Meister gives a tired smile, "yeah, sorry for leaving ya like that." He gives Prowl a chaste kiss, "sorry for ma words, didn't mean them."

"I know, I miss you."

Ratchet let them nuzzle each other for a little bit more before butting in, "alright alright that's enough. He's still recovering and can't be doing any strenuous activity." He shoos Prowl over. "You can pounce on him later."

Prowl sputters but Meister manages another weak laugh, "What do you say Love, want to help speed my recovery."

Prowl choke as his frame heated. "I don't think I can help with that." He smiles down at Meister, "since its you who will have to help me."

Meister tilts his head a little confuse, "huh?"

Ratchet snorts, "finally realized huh?"

Prowl huffs, he leans back, "Meister…I'm sparked."

For a instant, Meister's vizor brighten his mouth gap open like a fish. "…what?!"

Prowl's wings lowered thinking that he did something wrong, "I…that is…I'm carrying," he mutters.

"Really!" Meister squeaks.

"Oh for crying out loud, you sparked him you dimwit," Ratchet smacks Meister on the helm. "He just found out and your brothers have been taking care of him and the bitlits."

"I…"

Prowl shrinks in on himself, "Ratchet-

"How long?"

"Huh?"

"How long have you known?" Meister asks looking at Prowl.

"For a few cycles now, I…I didn't last long before Ricochet and Wing found me." He gives Meister a beseeching look, "you know that I…that I wouldn't…" he found himself unable to speak what he wanted to say.

Meister however seemed to know, he gave Prowl a gentle smile, "I know lover. I'm glad you had Stepper and Rico there to help. And even if I don't like em I glad Wing is helping ya too." He rubs the praxians thigh in comfort, "but once I'm able I'm stealing ya or an orn or two and having ya all to myself."

Prowl purrs a little, before remembering that they weren't alone. He gives the healer a side glance, "Oh don't mind me. Go on let the mech wear himself out and possibly have a relapse." The healer huffs, "stupid one-track mind kids," he mutters.

Meister laughs before coughing, "I think this time I'll listen to ya Ratchet," he says tirely.

"I think I'll let you rest. I must check up on the twins and Jazz. Sideswipe has been trying to join Jazz in the water." Prowl stands stretching out his wings. "I left them in Ricochets care."

Meister chuckles, "poor Rico." He watches as Prowl turns to leave, "Prowl," causing the mech to stop. "Tell those idiots that they better be treating right. And if they need pointers to come see me. Wouldn't want ya to go without."

Prowl feeling his frame heat nods and wouldn't look back as he beats a hasty retreat. Ratchet snorts, "lovesick fools the both of you."

"heh, I don't know. He's cute when he's fluster."

The medic rolls his optics, "lovesick idiots."

Prowl took his time returning to their side of the island. Though now, the idea of being able rejoin the others. Being separated was not a safe way to be, currently. He nods to Drift as he passes smirking at the large catch hanging over the mechs shoulder. No doubt to impress Ratchet.

Stepper and Ricochet were rolling in the sand with the twins and Jazz when he arrived. Sighing and thinking about the fun it will be when it was time to clean out the sand. Not wanting to stop their playtime Prowl sat and watch. His presence did not go unnoticed, Sideswipe chirped a greeting before rolling over to him. Chuckling, Prowl lifted his sandy happy youngling.

"Having fun spark?"

Chirp cheep cheep beep

Sunstreaker seeing his twin gone toddle over and pulled himself up into Prowls lap. Both sparklings snuggled up and fell into recharge. "How was he?" Stepper asks.

"He onlined this orn," Prowl smiles. "Ratchet assures me that he will gain strength back. If slowly."

Stepper hums, "I guess we can move back then."

"That's great!" Ricochet had Jazz slung over his shoulder, "Don't like being separated from everyone."

"I agree," Prowl leans back. "But I wish to wait and not overwhelm him with a trio of rambunctious sparklings."

The brother's snickers, "I wouldn't worry."

"Yeah he'll feel better if you and they are in his sights."

The sound of thrusters had them looking up. As always Prowl admired how Wing landed with grace, "Did you tell him your little surprise, yet?" though not his cheek. The smirk was damning, he most likely pried information out of Drift.

"As if you are not aware," Prowl lifted his wings. "How hard was it to get Drift to talk?"

A smirk and shrug of shoulders, "not much. Ah my cute little mech, so starry optic. So easy to tease."

"One orn he is going to get you back…or Ratchet will."

Wing smiles, "maybe but until then…"

"…so what was his reaction?" Ricochet asks with a grin. "Bet he flipped."

Prowl shakes his helm, "he froze and squeaked. I thought that Ratchet would have to put him down again."

The brothers laugh at their brothers' expense. Jazz wiggles trying to turn around and see what was so funny. Ricochet placed the wiggly youngling on the ground before he fell off. The black and white youngling made a bee line for Prowl and warble sadly that there was no room left in his lap. Seeing the coming trouble Prowl placed all three sparklings in a little nest. The twins only beep falling back into recharge quickly, Jazz yawns and soon joins them.

Prowl was suddenly grab from behind his headlights cupped. "Ya know," Stepper whispers, "we never got a chance to play with your energon sacks."

Ricochet starts trailing kisses and nips up his front, "The sparklings are asleep. Meister might want to see what you look like being ravaged by two handsome mechs."

"I-I'm s-sure he would be…" his voice and engine hiccupped when Steppers hand dipped under his hood, "would be surprised. Normally, I'm sure he would kill those mechs."

"Good thing we're his brothers," Stepper purrs.

Wing chuckles, "I'll watch the bitlits. Go on."

They didn't make far, Prowl's chest plates opened before he knew it and Steppers hands were messaging the filling sacks. Prowl looked down and gasped, they were larger then before or Steppers hands were smaller. Either way it felt good when the poly manhandled them. Squeezing pinching between sharp digits. He squealed when a hot wet mouth closed over one. He manages a weak glare at a smirking Ricochet.

The red poly lets go with a obscene pop before latching on the other. Prowl's engine coughed as Ricochet buried his face between the two large mounds. Stepper not wanting to be outdone slipped between white thighs. Prowl sirens blip when another hot mouth licks around his panel. Fearing he would fall Prowl locks his legs as Stepper mouths his panel.

"We got ya Prowl," Ricochet says into his audio. He moved to behind the Praxian so he wouldn't get tangled up with Stepper. His hands continue to play with the sacks. "I wonder what you would do if we kept your chest plate open. Let everyone see how big your sacks are. They would be jealous that any sparkling suckling off ya would be strong, well fed." He squeezes them forcing some energon to drip between his claws. "I almost is jealous of Meister, he gets to taste ya whenever he wants."

"Which is way we are going to enjoy our meal now," Stepper said. He smirks up at over bright optics, "When we're done, you'll never be able to move."

"Meister will get a show when we place you over him. Working you up."

"Giving the sparkling more." Someone kisses his middle, "you'll be beautiful when your belly is full of sparkling," hands roam over the still flat plane.

His legs unlock and they fell in a control fall with Prowl sandwich between them. His panel has snapped open and his frame felt molten. He keens when he is spiked and sets a slow motion despite the frustrated growl of his engine.

"Online those pretty blues Prowl," Prowl opens his optics. He hadn't noticed that he had close them. "There they are," Stepper was the one currently filling him thrusting into him. "I want to see em as you overload."

Prowl moaned and whines as Stepper drags it out. Begging for him to go faster harder. Stepper chuckles but gives him what he wanted. The sudden shift had Prowls sirens blaring as overload crashes soon after. They didn't wait for it to end for as soon as Stepper sends him another followed by his own Ricochet is there. Prowl hadn't had a chance to come down before the red poly is thrusting in him. pulling his legs over his shoulders going deeper then his brother. Prowl couldn't tell who was thrusting into him as the brothers switched between overloads. The last overload pushed him into stasis as his frame arches under the sound of twin engine roars.

When he comes to, he was still sandwiched between two warm frames. His valve sore and overstimulated. His lower back ached from being bowed his chest tender from being squished and pinched. The sacks thankfully deflated and pulled back into their compartment though the sensors still active. Snuggling back in the warm sand Prowl sighs closing his optics. It was still light out the twin suns still high in the sky. The heat was pleasant on his aching frame.

Then, his frame seizes.

He cries out in pain as his spark flares and his protoform contracts. His cry has Stepper and Ricochet up knives drawn. Prowl curls in venting deeply as the pain ebbs before it comes roaring back. Like waves on the shore the pain comes and goes but never leaves him. Stepper and Ricochet were at a lost they could not see what was wrong.

Ricochet ran back to get Wing. Stepper stayed with Prowl trying to get him to speak or uncurl. But Prowl was lost in a world of agony. Everything was hurting and he was scared. So, lost he did not notice when Wing arrived and scooped him up. He barely registers different hands on his frame the sense of flight then the drop when they landed. After another wave of pain ebbs, he opens his optics and sees Meister. Frame on autopilot, Prowl scrambles to the familiar sense of safety. As another wave crests it soon was stopped as light engulfs his vision. A familiar presence and cooling sensation run through his frame. He lets it fall over him, engulf him, sweep him away from the hot pain that was running through him. Then the numbness of force stasis.

Ratchet stood scanning over the unconscious mech. He huffs when he got feedback from the mech holding him. The old medic knew what had happen to Prowl and had shoved the mech on top of Meister chest plates open sparks touching. He snarled at himself for not seeing this coming. Prowls spark had started going out of alignment. Add on the tiny spark circling his own the panic it caused sent Prowl into a tailspin. Only the closeness of Meister spark put Prowls back in sync and calmed the tiny newspark.

The pain that Prowl had felt was from the newsparks panic and the push of forcing itself down into his gestation tank. Meister was awake holding his mate like a lifeline. Ratchet sighed at the small dents the mech was causing but didn't say nothing about it. Small dents were a small price to pay to keep Prowl and the newspark alive.

"Is he going to be okay healer?"

Ratchet looks at the offline mech again, "yeah. Soon we can close your chest plates. He should spend the rest of the day next to you." Ratchet tilts his helm, "probably the next day too."

"Ain't complaining mech," he adjusts Prowl. "Could stay like this all day," he grins.

The medic snorts, "yeah yeah its all fun and games until we can't tell who's who. Your two sparks would merge into one." He looks over watching the others play near the water, "I really don't want to have to deal with that."

Meister looks aghast, "that actually happens."

"You be surprised. Some of the Lords of the Cities loved to use it as a punishment in their harams. If one of the concubines stepped out of line. They forced a merge with another fusing the two into one being. The newly combine sparks can't take it and explode." Something crosses his optics an old sadness, "I only was able to save one and that was because they escaped."

"What happen to them?"

He looks away, "they couldn't be separated. I…I butchered that spark until it turned into a spark for a sparkling."

"What?" Meister still didn't understand.

"I created a whole new mech that has to restart his life as a sparkling. But only after I cut pieces away. I tortured it." A distress whine escapes him, and Drift is next to him in an instant. Cooing at him.

Meister seeing how effected the mech was over his guilt nodded towards the speedster. Drift herds his mate away. Wing comes over watching the two walks away. "Old guilt," he says. "though he shouldn't have it. There was nothing else he could have done."

"He could'a let that being die," Meister says.

The flyer peers down at him, "true. His coding however would not allow him to leave it. If there is a chance it will force him to do everything in his power to bring it back to life."

Meister paled and hisses, "The Cities are that cruel."

Wing shrugs, "Its an old system that has thankfully no longer used. But Ratchet is old enough to had have it installed before earning his crosses."

Meister looks over in the medic's direction, "there's no way to get rid of it?"

Wing shakes his helm, "there's ways for get around it and partition off. Which I figured he's done already. But it'll stay with him until his spark extinguishes."

Meister clutches Prowl tightly. The Praxian whines and Meister loosen his hold. He nuzzles his mates helm in apology. Wing is smirking watching the two. Meister scowls, "I appreciated ya helping Prowl. But my sparkling better not have yer wings mech."

Wing laughs twitching his own wings in mirth. "What, don't want a bitty flyer buzzing around?"

Meister scowls, "No," he pets one of Prowl broader doors, "Prowls wings are cuter."

The laughter from Wing catches the attention of the twins. Sideswipe and Sunstreaker whistle curiously only to have their attentions taken by Jazz and his brothers. Meister watches them fondly. He pulls Prowl up when the mech begins to slide. Wing helps adjust them until Meister was sitting up against the rock with Prowl in his lap.

"Thanks."

"It is no problem." He turns to stare out at the ocean, "I have not told Drift this, but I soon will have to return to my clan. I been away longer then allowed."

"Really?"

Wing smiles, "ah yes Dai Atlas doesn't like it when I wander." Then he looks sadly at Drift, "more so when it involves Drift."

"Didn't like him."

"…more like didn't approve of him." the flyer huffs, "Don't get me wrong Dai is a good mech. Just…not as flexible. Drift and he didn't get along when I first brought him home."

"Drift wasn't from your clan? Where did ya find him?"

"Injured in the desert. A frowning scowling growling youngling," he laughs. "Now look at him. Total lovey dovey."

Meister looks over at the white mech, "right," he says snorting, he saw that hint of fang. He had his suspicions on where Drift came from. Not many clans in the desert have that sharp of denta. But he wasn't going to dig deeper. No point in bringing up.

"I didn't want to leave those two alone." Wing confessed, "its why I came with him."

Meister nods, "if they want to stay its fine. Prowl trust Ratchet and having your mechling around would help."

Wing bobs his wing in thanks, "I'll go fly patrol then."

Meister watches him fly off. He was a bit bored now that he was alone. He couldn't move due to still recovering and Prowl who had latched on like a limpet. Sighing he leans back getting comfortable, "Not how I saw us living love."

"not how I saw my life either," Prowl suddenly said.

Meister smirks down at his mate's helm, "you awake?"

"yes…what happen?"

"we got out of sync and our newspark panic." He answers, "Ratchet got your chest plates open and had us connect our sparks. How are you feeling?"

Prowl flicks his doors, and flex's his fingers and shoulders, "…sore, tired. Like I had a crash."

"Sounds about right. Want to rest some, Ratchet wants us to stick close until sometime tomorrow."

"Sounds good," he snuggles back against Meister, "Wake me if something happens."

Meister chuckles as he hears his mate's vents even out. Small hands pat his side, looking down he smiles. Sunstreaker had left the rough housing of his twin and the older mechs. "Don't want to play with the others anymore."

He laughs at the scowl the tiny face produces, "well you can sit with us but be quiet ya carrier is napping." He watches at the small yellow sparkling crawls over his frame to snuggle in a sparkling size depression between him and Prowl. "Cute little bugger."

The quiet stretched for most of the day. Ratchet and Drift had come back looking better. His brothers and Sideswipe were in the water mock hunting bait fish. He thinks the red sparkling was enjoying the splashing more then the hunting. Prowl and Sunstreaker were still napping though the yellow spark did wake from time to time. It was a good end to a stressful day.

Until…

"Strangers incoming!" Wings shout had everyone freezing and it woke Prowl fully. One of his thrusters were smoking.

Instantly their small camp came to life, the Jazz and the twins were hidden behind Meister. He still was struggling to move though he forced himself to his feet. Stepper, Ricochet, Drift, and Wing took up positions along the shore weapons drawn. Prowl took to standing on the rock behind Meister calling out the number of boats bobbin on the horizon.

"I see twenty, no, twenty-five…there are more behind them," he shouts.

Meister growls, "if it's a raiding party we don't stand a chance." He grips his spear, "we may have to leave everything and run."

"Brother?"

Meister looks up at Prowl, "boats can be rebuilt. I will not risk our lives needlessly."

"that would be most wise," Wing says winching as Ratchet probs one of the wounds.

"Should we see if they are raiders before we start running into the ocean?" Ratchet huffs. Though Meister notes the wrench tapping on his arm.

"We can swim up close. Just close enough to see who they are," Ricochet offered. "They could be others from our island who left."

"Or they could be another tribe of polys." Stepper scowls, "which could still be trouble."

Drift moves closer to Ratchet, shielding him. "Trouble either way."

Meister glares out growling, "Stepper; you and Rico go see who they. Get back here at top speed without any new holes."

The two nods before diving into the waves. The next hour was spent in tense silence, Prowl reporting what he saw in more detail. With Wing sideline they had to trusts Prowls and Stepper and Rico to tell them. But his brothers hadn't return and it was making him edgy. From his position, Prowl could see their dark shapes under the water. They were too close to the strangers darting between the boats. They haven't been attacked yet, but Meister wouldn't stop worrying until they were back on land.

"They are getting closer," Prowl shouts. His doors were spread wide, "Stepper and Ricochet have turned back. They are not swimming fast."

That…was interesting. Meister taps his claws; it could mean that the strangers were no threat but. "Let me know if that changes."

"Understood."

His brothers made it back before he could get more detail on the largest boat. "They ain't here to fight," Meister looks over his brother's shoulders at the strangers, "you might be surprise who they are."

"who are they?"

Neither brother answered both had look at Prowl smiling. "Just wait."

Prowl gave them a confused look before climbing off the rock. The younglings getting tired of staying put crawl out of the hiding place. Meister had to corral them near the nest and firmly rumble his point at the tiny trio.

When the first and largest boat anchor Meister got his first look at its occupants. He could hear Prowls doors shoot up in shock as a large winged mech stepped off. Black as night with a golden faceplate the mech stared just as equally shock at Prowl. Thinking that there might be trouble Meister steps between them growling a warning.

It shakes the mech out of his shock. He blinks looking at the gather small group. He raises his hands fingers spaced wide. Over his shoulder Prowl could see more Praxian's peeking over the boats hull ranging from the smallest sparkling to the ancient mechs. They were dress in wraps and leafy skirts. Cloth in the brightest colors Prowl had ever seen outside a Polyhexian village. As the rest of the boats came to anchor more and more door winged mechs and femmes appeared. Prowl didn't know how to process all this; this was the most Praxian's he had seen before Praxis was razed.

Meister had seconds as Prowl collapsed. It sent his protocols into overdrive, his spark mate vulnerable in a surrounded by a unknown group. He growls a warning to the black and silver mech and ran. He whistles for Jazz and the twins to follow. His brothers could take care of the threat. He had to keep Prowl and the bitlits safe.

Back on the beach Stepper huffs in amusement. Ratchet however grumbles, "Laugh it up mech. This will continue until Prowl pops out that kid."

Ricochet was too busy laughing at the new mechs confused face, "no worries mech, he's just protecting his mate. He's usually very friendly."

Wing taking pity on the new mech smiles, "I will translate if you wish." The new mech nods though he still looks off in the direction Meister took Prowl. "That was Meister, these are his brothers. Stepper," he points to the green mech, "and Ricochet," he points to the red mech.

"Barricade," Wing translates as the mech identifies himself.