i only own Mariposa!


First Ice Skating Lesson

August 17, 6:50 am, third pov

"Prowl?"

The mech turns from washing his and Bluestreak's cubes to look at him. "Is something wrong?"

"Sort of…" He sighs. "Mr. Kingston said that he has one grade every year rotate through as a teacher's aide for the early elementary classes, and this year my grade's the one he chose. It's my turn today, and…" He sighs heavily. "I'm not sure I can do this…"

"What is your job going to be?"

"Helping teach the younglings, running messages and attendance to the office, taking them to the gym, to art, or the music room so their teachers can finish grading…"

Prowl sighs. "Bluestreak, you have been doing that and more with Mariposa."

"That's just one youngling. Prowl, I'll be in charge of thirty-seven younglings! What if I lose one, or someone gets hurt, or—"

"Relax. It will not be that bad."

"The homework tonight will be…"

"It'll be worth it, though. I think that girl may be hurting Mariposa again."

"Are you off today?"

"No, but I will be able to leave by two if your mechfriends do not decide to pull one of their pranks."

"Aren't they still on punishment duty for the last one?"

"They get off today." He glances at the clock. "I need to go get Mariposa up." He turns back to Bluestreak. "Do not be nervous, Bluestreak. If you must, rely on your coding."


7:00 am, Normal POV

"Mariposa, wake up Sweetspark."

I roll over to face him. "Do I hafta?"

"I am afraid so." He smiles. "Your Sire will be back tomorrow." I grin before jumping out of bed, only to grab the side of it a moment later. "Mariposa? Are you okay?"

I nod. "I jus' ge' dizzy sometimes, when I tire'. I's 'kay now."

"Okay. I will get your breakfast."

"I'm coming!" He sets a blue butterfly bowl of oatmeal with blueberries and walnuts in front of me before turning back to pack lunches. "Can I have apple samwiches 'gain?"

"Yes, if you really want them." He steps over to me with his cube. "I thought you did not like sandwiches."

"I no like bread. It makes my tongue feel funny." I push my bowl back, then finish my milk.

"You need to go upstairs and get dressed. If you need help, call Bluestreak."

"Blue's still up there?"

Carrier nods. "He is getting ready." He crouches to me and lays a finger on my shoulder. "Are you sure about tonight?"

"Carrier, it's jus' ice skating. I never gotta go before, an' now I don' jus' getta go, I getta learn!"

"All right. Hurry up and get ready."

I quickly change into my uniform, then slip my new binky over my head before sitting down to put on my shoes.


Freedom Elementary

I look up to where Carrier has his holoform activated in the driver's seat. "Would you like me to walk you in?"

I shake my head. "I can do i' now."

"Okay." He waits for me to get my backpack and lunchbox. "Have a good day."

I nod, and start toward the school compound. " So keep on climbing, though the ground might shake/Just keep on reaching though the limb might break/We've come this far, don't you be scared now/'Cause you can learn to fly on the way down "


Third POV

Prowl can't help but smile inwardly as he watches his daughter almost skip toward her school. It's such a change, from even just five days ago.

"She likes school."

He turns to find Bluestreak leaning on his vehicle mode. "I am aware of that."

"It's Daniella and Cayden."

"What?"

"The bullies. They've got a lot of followers. Half her class follows them, and the other half is…" He sighs. "There's three boys, and the rest are girls."

"And Mariposa told you this?"

"Not exactly." He sighs. "I had to take Annie home yesterday. She told me everything. They're calling her a baby because of the pacifier, but she's been really strong against it, so I'm not worried about her there. 'Ella told the others what you told her, and they're using it as a weapon."

Prowl sighs heavily. "I was afraid of that. How is she handling it?"

"I think having First Aid as a mentor is really helping her confidence." Prowl gives him a look. "She's doing fine, from what I can tell. The Miller sisters—they're Jason's siblings—are sticking close to her, and it's the same with Sergeant Epps' twins and Annabelle, and the Fowler twins."

"Fowler?"

"Former Ranger. Retired. His twins are in her class." He glances toward the school for a moment. "Them, and Brian, are all she has, but with the class split like that, none of the bullies have been able to get her alone, so Jason and I are hopeful. His youngest sister's sick, though, so we'll have to wait and see what happens." He glances toward the school again, then at his watch. "I gotta go. I've barely got enough time to get my work before I have to be in Ms. Jacob's room."

"Try to keep an optic on Mariposa today."

"I will. Bye, Prowl!"


Freedom Elementary

As usual, class starts with the Pledge of allegiance, then singing America. As we sit down, I notice Daniella glaring at me from her seat on my left. I shrug it off and slip my Binky in. I think she's jealous of me, but I can't figure out why. I haven't got anything she doesn't—both her parents are home right now, her uncles don't have trauma… She gets to be on stage! Me… I'm an autistic, alien femme with family trauma out the wazoo, an MIA Sire, and a Carrier who won't let me—

"Marianne!"

I start before barely glancing at the addition question on the chalkboard. "Eight plus five is thirteen."

"Good. For a second there I thought you hadn't been paying attention." Ms. Weaver smiles. "At least you don't fall asleep in class." She glares at Daniella, who has fallen asleep, and is drooling slightly onto her desk. "Unlike some students!"

Daniella starts awake. "I wasn't asleep!"

I shake my head and turn away to hide my smile. I don't usually get to be the cocky one. 'The drool on your desk begs to differ with you, 'Ella.'


When lunch finally arrives, I sit next to Annie and the Miller girls. Today I've got apple, peanut butter, and chocolate chip sandwiches again. I eat quickly, then drink my energon before heading out to the playground.


'Back to class. Joy.' The rest of the day drags on, as it usually does for me. It's not that I don't like school, because I do, but I don't like being bullied. I feel better when I'm with Carrier, but Aid's been helping me with my confidence, so I can at least pretend they don't scare me.

Besides, I'm too happy about Sire coming home tomorrow to really care what they say to me today.


I quickly change for gym. We're doing scooters this week, and I love them, so I can't wait to get out there. I wanna try and get a yellow one this time. 'Ella always gets it first.

Thankfully, I'm first out, and I quickly run to the yellow scooter before sitting on it.

"Marianne…"

I look up to Mr. Clark. "'Ella's got it all week, an' it's my favorite color…"

He sighs. "I'll see what I can do. Meanwhile, get to your spot for warm ups."

"Yes, Sir."


"Why does she get the yellow one!?"

I look away so she doesn't see me roll my eyes. It's my turn, after all.

"You've used it all week. It's Marianne's turn." He turns to the class. "Now, we'll start with a backward relay."


"You think you're so much better than everyone else, don't you!? First you show up here like you own the place, you're allowed to interrupt the teacher, make noise with that stupid little toy, throw a fit when you get a little bit of paint on you, and get taken home like the spoiled little baby you are!" I lean back against the wall, wishing I could either blend in or phase through. I'm already dangerously close to a meltdown. She huffs. "Then you come back with a binky! Now you got me in trouble in math class today, and you take my scooter in gym!"

"No, she doesn't, but you do."

I recognize that voice. "B-Blakey?"

He turns to me. "It's all right, Mari-Beary. Go ahead and cry if you want to. No one's gonna pick on you." He sighs. "Mr. Kingston's been sending someone from my grade over every day as a teacher's aide for the younger grades. It was my turn today. I've got a crapload of homework, but it's worth it if I can keep you safe." He picks me up, then turns and takes Daniella's hand. "You're coming with me. We're going to Mr. Savage, right now."

"You soun' like Daddy."

He blinks. "I guess I do." He laughs softly. "Now, there's only twenty minutes before school lets out, or I can call Peter now, and he can come get you." He stops in the office. "Ms. Osorio?"

She looks up. "Blake, right?"

He nods. "I caught Daniella Mearing tormenting my niece in the hall."

"Thank you for bringing her down here." She nods to me. "Want me to call your brother in?"

Bluestreak glances at me, then shakes his head. "Na. He'll be here in…" He looks down at his wrist. "Fifteen minutes. I'll just get her things and keep her with me."


I stay quiet until we're alone. "Do my tangles really make that much noise?"

"Nope. 'Ella's just being a meanie."

I nod. "She's a meanie-butt."

He sets me down in the doorway. "Now, go get your backpack and jacket. I'll be right here, and I'll make sure no one gets to you."

I hug him. "Thanks, Blake." I run into the room and put my stuff in my backpack before running to him. "Daddy here yet?"

"Blake, what are you doing?" She looks around. "And where is Daniella?"

"Daniella is in the office for bullying my niece out here in the hall, and I am comforting Mari." He stands with me in his arms. "This is out of control, Miss. Mari is autistic, and 'Ella is doing everything to make her time in school worse than the pit. Trust me, I've been through a lot more than you think I have, and I know when someone's getting to a dangerous point. My brother—her father—has the same condition. I may not have witnessed it, since I'm younger than him, but he went through a lot of crap before he met Jazz, and we've all been through worse since."

Ms. Weaver sighs heavily. "Her mother is CIA, and her father is a stage parent. He keeps pushing her to be the best, and she's average at best in my class.


Outside

I run to Carrier and jump into his arms. "Daddy!"

He sighs, then turns to Bluestreak. "What happened?"

Bluestreak sighs. "I came back from taking a note to Mr. Savage for Ms. Jacobs to find 'Ella screaming at her in the hall." He sighs. "Ms. Weaver says her Sire's a "stage parent"."

Carrier sighs. "She means he puts her in several activities in an attempt to become famous because of her, when she doesn't want to."

I look at my shoes. "I want to…"

"I am aware of that now." Carrier kneels to me. "I chose to put you in an activity at the psychologist's urging, but I am glad to know you are looking forward to it."

I nod, and start pulling him toward the sidewalk. "Then let's go! I no wanna be late!"

"Slow down before you fall."

I pull harder on his arm. "I's gonna fall anyway!"

He stops me before crouching in front of me. "What do you mean you will fall anyway?"

"I clumsy, an' I's gonna be on ice. It' slickery. I's gonna fall down, go boom!" I giggle. "An' I love skatin', an' I can' wai'!"

Carrier gives me a confused look. "Slickery?"

Bluestreak sighs. "She means slippery."

"She cannot wait to fall…"

"No, Prowl. She can't wait to skate. There's a huge difference. Falling, at this point, is unavoidable, but she'll learn how not to fall within a few weeks."

"I am not even sure this is the right thing for her…"

"If she doesn't like it, she can quit. She always has that option."

"I guess you are right." He reaches forward and opens the door before letting us in. Once the door closes, he leads me over to the changing rooms, then takes me into one of the stalls. Once he turns around, he sets two boxes on the bench. One is wrapped in pink paper with silver snowflakes, with the lid wrapped separate, while the other is wrapped in dark blue paper with light blue ice skates.

"What' this?" I reach out for the lid before pulling my hand back.

He nods. "Go ahead."

I lift the lid off the snowflake package, revealing a light pink, long sleeved, velvet dress. "It' a dress…"

"It is for your skating lessons, so we can keep your uniforms in one piece." I nod and strip before pulling it on. I take the tights he hands me before pulling them on too. "The other box holds your practice skates." I lift the lid to find white and pink snowflake skates. "Pwetty…"

"Put them on. I will help you to the group."

"Okay…" I pull them on, then tie them, before fastening the clasp at the ankle. I look up as he swaps my school tiara out for a plain white one with a butterfly on the front, then slips a pink and white pacifier tied to a ribbon around my neck. I stand before wobbling, and instinctively reach out for Carrier, only managing to fall into his arms. "Oof!" I giggle. This time I made the funny noise.

"Hold on to me, and do not let go."

"Yes, Sir."


We finally make it to the edge of the ice, and I sit on the bench. "Phew…"

"You!" I glance beside me to find Daniella wearing a dark green skating dress. "You're gonna steal my show here too?"

Carrier crosses his arms. "It is not your show to steal."

Bluestreak and I share a look. "He 'minds me of Papa righ' now, Unca Blake."

"You're not the only one…"

"Hi, 'Ella!"

I turn at the overlapping voices to find Addie and Cori. "Not them too…"

Carrier turns to me. "Not who?"

"They're with 'Ella. They lik-a pick on me, 'cause I diff'rent…"

"If you do not wish to stay, I can take you home."

I shake my head. "Wanna learn…"

A blonde woman storms over to us before glaring down at me. She's wearing a black suit with a blue top. "You got my daughter in trouble!"

Carrier steps between us. "I do not believe we have met."

She glares at him. "Charlotte Mearing. CIA."

"Peter Tranquilli, NEST Second in Command." Carrier crosses his arms. "Your daughter has been bullying my only child in front of several witnesses."

I look up at her nervously. "All I do is tell the t'uth, Ma'am. I no do nofin' w'ong…"

"Dani tells me she acts like she owns the school, that she's allowed to interrupt the teacher and play during class." She scowls. "That you pick her up when she throws a tantrum, when she should have to finish out the day, and give her a pacifier when she's six!" She glares at Carrier, who simply stares her down. "She got her in trouble in math class this morning, Mr. Tranquilli!"

He looks down at me, his glare softening. "All I do is answer Ms. Weaver. 'Ella wa' 'sleep…"

She turns her glare on me. "And about her scooter?"

"I' 'longs to the school, no' 'Ella. I' my turn. I likes yellow too…"

Her look turns murderous. "And throwing a fit when you spilled the paint, then blaming it on her?"

Carrier gives me a look this time. "I wa' pain'in' a pwetty castle, an' she walk' by an' knock'a pain' in my lap. I' go' all ovew my 'nifowm, an' mak'a mess, an' I hav'a mel'down."

"Yes. That little autism Fairy Tale."

Carrier pulls out the results of the tests Ratchet ran before showing them to her. "She was formally diagnosed."

I look up at Bluestreak with tears in my eyes. "B'ake… they figh' 'gain…"

He hugs me. "It's all right. He'll come out on top. He's great at this kind of thing. He's not Orion's SiC for looks.

Charlotte throws the papers back at Carrier. He's taken by surprise, and barely manages to hold onto them. "Whatever. I don't have time for this." She huffs. "I'm going to be in D.C. for four months, and this is my last day to spend with my daughter. You'd better not screw it up!" She turns to Daniella. "I'll be right outside when you get done, Baby. Try to have fun."

"Okay…" I turn away from her pitiful look. She's acting like she's the innocent one while her mother's around.

"Behave, and have fun."

"I will, Daddy. Love you."

He kneels and hugs me. "I love you too."


Outside, Third POV

"Don't think I can't see right through your daughter's innocent act, Peter."

Prowl sighs heavily. "Mrs. Mearing, I doubt you are seeing this for what it is worth. My daughter—"

"Is selfish, inconsiderate, and rude."

Prowl scoffs. "All of which are synonyms of symptoms—and two of those are synonyms of each other." He sighs. "You need to accept that your daughter has done more in the last week to harm mine, than my daughter has done to yours."

"She's been in the principal's office twice this week, and she never has been before."

"Because my brother and I will not let my daughter be mistreated, unlike some other people around here."


Normal POV

The teacher gets us all out on the ice first thing. She starts us going forward, making sure we're using the right techniques, before having us skate in circles around the rink. It's not long before I fall on my butt. "Ow!" I shrug, then stand back up, only to fall again. This time, I growl and glare at my skates.

"You okay?"

I blink up at the teacher, Ms. White, before sighing. "Help?"

She holds a hand down and helps me back to my feet before helping me get moving again. "Better?"

I nod. "Thank you."

"You're really sweet. I don't see what they have against you…"

I look up to where Daniella and the twins are laughing at my falling, then look down at my skates, before finally sighing and shaking my head. I'm just gonna have fun. Daniella's being forced into this, and the twins seem determined to win some competition for some reason. Winning isn't everything, but I'd like to compete, just for fun. I wanna be in front of people. I got Sire's love of performing, after all.


The class ends too soon, in my viewpoint. I really don't wanna take off my skates yet, but I gotta get home, and Carrier's waiting outside.

I make my way carefully into the changing room, and quickly change into a light pink cap sleeved mini-dress with a cat face graphic and a leopard print skirt with pink fuzzy trim at the top, middle, and bottom, and pink trim at the collar and cuffs, pink leggings, and light pink flats with cat faces on the toes.

Once I'm dressed, I pack up my dress and skates, then start for the door.

"How was your first lesson?"

"Fun. I love it, Daddy! I can' wait for nex' week!" I make a face. "Bu' my bottom hurt now…"

"I am glad you enjoyed it, and I would not doubt you would be sore." He takes my hand. "Come. We need to get home so your Uncle can get his homework done."

"Can we have 'fredo tonight?"

He smiles. "We will have to see."


Third POV

"Ugh. Just look at them! How can she be so happy?"

Charlotte looks down at her daughter. "What do you mean?"

"She's got two dads, and one's gone right now on some special mission. The one she has right now is so strict with her, yet she's still just as cheerful as ever. She's able to take everything from me without trying, and everyone likes her better." She huffs. "The worst part of it is, she stares at me, all the time, as if she's jealous of me—of Dad putting me in pageants, and dance, and skating, when all I wanna do is play. I wanna be a kid, she wants to be a star. You should've seen her, Mommy. She was down more than she was on her feet, but she never stopped smiling, as if she actually likes being forced into skating lessons." She shudders. "She's so weird, Mom!"


Home, Evening

Carrier sets a plate of alfredo in front of me before handing me a glass of apple juice. "You look tired."

"I's a goo' tire'." I rub at my eye before picking up my fork. "I ha' fun 'day, Carrier." I eat quietly. I know it's not easy on Bluestreak, but I'm too tired to care.

"Your Sire will be back in a few hours, possibly before you wake up."

"Really?" I'm too tired to get excited right now. I yawn before sliding my plate back. "Go s'eep now?"

Carrier runs a hand over my head. "Of course." He helps me upstairs and into my nightgown, then helps me brush my teeth before tucking me in. "Goodnight, Sweetspark. I will be downstairs if you need me."

"'Kay." I rub my eyes as Carrier slips my pink Binky in. "Love you."

"I love you too." He runs a hand over my head before leaving the room.


Third POV

Prowl walks back downstairs to find Bluestreak just starting on his evening cube. "Mari's in bed already?"

"She was barely able to stay awake long enough to eat her supper."

"Jazz should be back soon, right?"

"He is due in twelve hours, but he might be early."

"It'd be great if he got back before Mari wakes up. I know how hard it's been for her this last week."

"She has gotten through it quite well from what I have noticed. She has only had two meltdowns in seven days, and I have only had to leave work once."

Bluestreak looks up at him. "You expected her to be worse?"

Prowl sighs heavily. "I did not know what to expect, but the nightmare that first night did not seem like a good indication of what was to come."

"Thankfully, she doesn't stick with our expectations. I was sure she'd be begging to stay home by now."

Prowl shakes his head. "She is stronger than that, Bluestreak." He smiles slightly. "She does seem to have a lot of my traits, but she has several of Jazz's best points." Bluestreak stares at him, confused. "She has his love of music, first-off, which is helpful when I need to keep her quiet. She has inherited his vocal abilities, as well." He leans back in his chair. "And, she has inherited his determination."

"And his need to be entertained constantly…"

"That is one of his less enjoyable traits." Prowl sighs. "But, seeing as I passed my glitch to her…" He sighs heavier. "Her need to be entertained keeps her from being alone if she were to crash, which could help her in the future." He leans on the table. "Sometimes, I wonder if I would still be here without Jazz…"

"Probably…" Bluestreak sighs before putting his cube and Mariposa's plate and cup into the sink. "With Ratchet's help…" He sighs. "I'm going upstairs. Don't stay up all night. Mari's got lessons again tomorrow, and Jazz won't like it if you wait up for him."

"I know." He sighs. "I do not plan to, Bluestreak, but in case I do not make it up until late… Good night."

"Good night, Prowl."