I only own my OC's!


Labor Day Weekend: Friday

Friday, August 31

"Mariposa, it is time to get up."

I roll over and smile up at Carrier. "Good morning."

"How did you sleep?"

"Good." I slide off the bed. "We go Blueberry?"

Carrier sighs. "We will see. For now, come downstairs."

I step into the kitchen to find Sire setting a bowl at my spot. "Mornin', Sweetspark! How'd you sleep?"

"Good!" I start bouncing. "Can we go Blueberry?"

"I just told you we would have to see."

"But Carrier!"

Carrier crouches to me with a sigh. "You have school today, and none of us know if we can get the weekend off. Besides that, I am still waiting for a call from the police station about the interview."

"Oh…" I look around, suddenly remembering that Fixit wasn't in bed with me this morning. "Where's Fixie?"

Sire sighs. "Bathroom." He turns to Carrier. "Ah'll take the day off so ya can a' leas' try ta ge' ya work done 'fore the weeken', bu' we've gotta call Rosie."

"Fixie no comes?"

Carrier sighs. "Fixit is too sick today, Sweetspark."

I pout. "Aww… He bes okay?"

"He should. Aid said he'd come by to check on him at noon, just to be safe." Carrier sighs. "Meanwhile, I need to get you dressed, and you and Bluestreak off to school so I can head into work."

"Rosie?"

"You and Bluestreak will be picking her up."

"Otay!" I scramble into my seat and quickly start to eat—it's oatmeal with strawberries and blueberries mixed in.

"An' if ya're good for Rosie all day, we'll think 'bou' takin' ya to Indiana for the festival."

"Really?"

"Jazz…" Carrier shakes his head. "She crashed four days ago, and you want to risk running into her abusers again?"

I shrink back. I hadn't thought about that. "We'll have Smokey and Fix, Prowl, no' ta mention Blue." He huffs. "An' we can bring the twins if ya're scare', Prowler."

"I will think about it, Jazz."

We all look up at the sound of a door opening, and Sire rushes over to the bathroom door. "Ya feelin' any better?" Fixit shakes his head, and sighs as Sire picks him up before laying his head on Sire's shoulder. "Ah'll ge' ya settle' in on the couch, all righ'?"

"B-but…Mari…"

"We've already le' Rosie know she's go' Mari today. Don' worry 'bou' a thin'. Ya need ta jus' focus on feelin' better."

I slide off my chair and follow Sire into the living room. I stumble over something and look down to find Fixit's blankie. I pick it up with a smile and lay it over him once Sire has him settled. "I's gonna be 'kays today, Fixie. You just need to get better so we can haves fun this weekend."

"It's just the newspark…"

I nod and run a hand over his head. "I know, Fixie. I's jus' a bad day. You'll feel betters soon."

"Mariposa, you need to get ready for school."

I sigh softly. "I'll be back, Bitty." I run after Carrier, and rush into my uniform and shoes before standing impatiently as he French braids my hair. "Mommy, I wanna see Fixie befores I leave."

He ties off the last end and slips my tiara in. "You can say goodbye before you leave, if he is not recharging."

"Otay." I grab my backpack and run down the stairs. "Papa? Fixie still 'wakes?"

"Barely, Sweets." He motions me over. "Be quick. He needs his res'."

"Bitty?" He turns to me slightly. "I gotta go schools now, 'kay?" He nods. "You feels better. I no likes sees you sick."

"I'll be okay… Have a good day, Mari."

"I'll twy…" I turn to look up at Uncle Bluestreak, and run my arm over my eyes. "I's weady go school now, Unca Bwue…"

Bluestreak reaches down—we're both in holoform right now—and takes my hand as Uncle Smokescreen steps in from the kitchen. "Are you sure you want to send her to school today, Prowl? She looks…upset…and with her glitches…" I tested positive for PTSD, so I now have two glitches: a logic glitch and a trauma glitch.

Carrier looks at me before glancing to his brother. "You have a valid point, Smokescreen." He turns to me. "Sweetspark…" He crouches in front of me. "Do you even want to go to school?"

I shake my head. "Huh-uh… But… I no getta do skates if I no go."

"Usually, your Sire and I would not allow you to go to your extracurricular activities if you were not in school, but this is a special case, Sweetspark."

"Yeah." Sire steps over to us. "Ah wouldn' le' ya meltdowns keep ya from goin' ta skatin', an' this is jus' ya Carrier preventin' a meltdown from happenin' a' school."

Carrier nods. "And we do not wish for you to crash in school because you are upset. I am sure that would scare your friends, just like it scared Jazz when I was a youngling."

"Seri don' needs ta see me cwash…or Annie…or Mika…" I look up to Sire. "Bu'… I wanna go bwuebewwy…an' you sai' be good for Rosie all day…but if I not wif Rosie…"

Sire sighs heavily before crouching to me as well. "Can you be that good for me today?" I nod. "Then we'll think 'bou' takin' ya even if ya stay home, 'kay?"

I think about that for a moment. "M'kay…"

"All righty then. Ah'll ge' her changed. Ya need ta go."

"I have to get to the base for my shift. Make sure she brushes her teeth, and try to stick with her Saturday schedule as much as possible. I will handle calling the school."

"Ah'll handle things here. Go on, Blue. Ya're gonna be late."

"All right. Keep me updated, though. I worry about her."

"Ah will, Blue. Have a good day!" He turns to Carrier. "Don' worry 'bou' Mari. Ah've go' this, Prowler."

"I will call at lunch to check on the two." He crouches to me. "Be good for your Sire today. I will see you when Jazz brings you to the base at 5."

"I still do med'cine?"

"Yes, you will still be coming for your medical training. Fixit has been called off, but Ratchet still wants you there for your lesson." He smirks. "Especially since we will not be having lessons of any kind on Monday."

"Oh…"

Sire pats my head lightly. "I's for the holiday, Sweets."

"I knows." I watch Carrier step out the door. "Mari?" I look up to Uncle Smokescreen as he crouches to me. "Let your Sire know if you need to call me or Prowl, okay? We're right here for you. Don't try to hold it in."

"Otay."

"That's my good little niece." He stands and turns for the door. "I'll try to come back over lunch so I can see how she's doing. If I can't…"

"Ya can sen' Aid. He's her Big Brother mentor, an' Prowler already wan's ta have him check Fix."

"All right, if I can't come, I'll send First Aid."

We watch him leave, then Sire leads me back upstairs. "Le's ge' ya changed so ya don' mess up ya uniform." He helps me out of my uniform, and into a red T-shirt with red, white, and blue tulle cap sleeves, "American Cutie" in silver and blue, and silver stars, a red layered tulle skirt with a silver star print, and red sandals. He puts in plain hair ties, then clips red bows with white stars onto the ends of my braids. "There. Now, ya need ta ge' ya chores done 'fore ya can play, all righ'?" I nod, and run downstairs after the dustbuster.


Base, third POV

"Prowl?" Prowl looks up to find Hot Spot standing in the doorway. "Could we talk?"

"Come in, and shut the door." He sighs. "What did you need, Hot Spot? Did something happen with Blades in the field again?"

"Not this time." He sits in the chair Jazz usually uses and leans forward with a heavy sigh. "Remember when I mentioned that Mari…seemed like she was gestalt when we met?"

"Yes."

"I was wondering…if you had been carrying a single spark with Mari, or…"

"Or if her spark had split."

"Yeah." Prowl sighs heavily. "If you don't want to answer—"

"I never told anyone…not even Jazz… I thought the others had just…been reabsorbed…"

Hot Spot is floored at that. "How many?"

"I felt at least three, but there may have been more. I never even brought it up with Ratchet."

Hot Spot's eyes widen. "She was gestalt."

"She had to have been, with the way she has been reacting to Fixit this morning. I had to leave her home with Jazz this morning because Fixit had gotten quite sick overnight, and she did not want to leave him—probably would have refused to if she had not been afraid to go against us because of the human who had found her." He sighs heavily. "I have never had the…the courage…to bring this up with Ratchet before… He thinks she was a single carriage…but I consider her my miracle sparkling… Because she survived when her siblings did not."

"Prowl…" Hot Spot sighs. "Maybe…" He trails off for a moment. "I know she's really young, but maybe…maybe…"

~Out with it, Hot Spot.~

~It shouldn't be that hard. You're just—~

~He's nervous, Guys. Think about…what he's asking…~

~Mari was supposed to be gestalt?~

~I'm trying. This isn't easy either, Street, and where the frag have you been, Groove? Yes, Prowl had been carrying multiples and lost all but one of them. Mari's acting like she's gestalt, which means they were a gestalt.~

~Um… Sorry…~

~He pulled a Fireflight on us, Spot. Just tell Prowl what we came up with. It's in Mari's best interests.~

~Don't be, Groove. It happens, and we know your mind wanders sometimes. Blades, I know. Please don't "round it out" by pulling a Slingshot on him.~ Hot Spot sighs. "We were thinking…maybe having the bonds…would help her with her trauma…or…or maybe…make her feel safer when she's away from you…"

"Hot Spot… I am still nervous about carrying again, and Jazz is already pushing for another child…"

"No, no, no…" He huffs. "Prowl…I meant us."

"Us?"

"Defensor. We're offering to take her in, as a baby sister, so she can feel safe when she's alone." He sighs. "Prowl… I know how hard it is, when you're born as gestalt, and you can't feel a sibling… Aid knows even better than I do about being the last of one, and… We wouldn't wish that on Menasaur, let alone on an already traumatized femmeling. First Aid almost died because our bond snapped back then. I don't want him going through that again because of someone who is already like a—a little sister to us."

"Hot Spot, I know the five of you care about her, but you have to realize what you are asking of me as a Carrier, or of her as a youngling who does not even know she had siblings." Prowl sighs as Hot Spot looks down at his lap. "But, I have seen how she reacts to the five of you…and she is very…eager, to be close to you…almost like she knows she is missing something important." Hot Spot looks up to him. "I believe the five of you could really help her, Hot Spot, but she will need to understand all that is involved, and…I know a merge is required for that level of a sibling bond…"

"We would never hurt her, Prowl…especially not like that. Aid's researching it—he has been since you guys took Fixit in. He says he's found another way." He smiles. "And we'll make sure she understands gestalt bonds before we do anything. Trust me."

"I will." Hot Spot stands to leave. "Hot Spot." The mech turns. "I was not finished." Prowl sighs. "I am sure the five of you are going to be busy with your rescue work over the weekend, but I do have a request."

"Yes, Sir?"

"Mariposa is insistent on going to a festival in Indiana, and…we are afraid to have her so close to her abusers. Jazz mentioned asking the twins, but after what you have brought to my attention…how would the five of you like to come instead?"

"I'd have to ask—" Spot glances away, the bond full of excited voices pulling him away from his conversation with the SiC.

~He's taking Mari to a festival in Indiana? Well of course we should go. She needs us, Spot!~

~He wants us as bodyguards for our almost-sister? Of course we want to go!~

~I'm in, Spot, but it's your choice. If you think we'd help more by being here…~

First Aid's soft voice somehow makes itself heard over the cacophony. ~Spot…can we? Please? She needs us…~

~Yes.~ He nods to Prowl. "We're in."

"Thank you. Now you are dismissed. Please send First Aid in."

"Yes, sir."


Prowl nods when First Aid steps inside. "You wanted to see me?"

"Yes. Sit down, please."

"Prowl…"

"You are on your feet all the time as a medic, and you are carrying. I will not make you stand for this."

"Oh…" He sighs before leaning back into the chair. "Thank you. Now…"

"I need you to run by the house and check on Fixit. If the five of you wish to visit Mariposa while you are at it, you have my permission, but she is home to avoid a lot of stimulus because she is scared for Fixit, so try not to overwhelm her in the process."

"So…"

"The five of you have the rest of the day off to spend with Mariposa and Fixit. Report this to Ratchet. You are dismissed."


home, normal POV, Noon

Sire sets a chicken nugget Kid Cuisine meal in front of me. It's got green beans, mac-and-cheese, and a brownie with sprinkles inside. He sighs heavily as I start to eat. "I' looks like ya Uncle ain' gonna make it, Mari." I look out the window when I hear engines. "Or maybe…" Sire steps over to the window. "He sen' Aid… No…"

"Papa?"

"He sen' all five? Wha' was he thinkin'? Ya've been upset all mornin', an' he sends everyone?" Sire steps over and lets them in anyway. "Aid, Wha's goin' on?"

"Prowl sent us to check on Fixit, and Spot needs to talk with Mari."

"Ah ge' i'. Fixit's in the livin' room on the couch. Spo', ya can take Mari up ta her room if ya wan'."


I follow Hot Spot up the stairs quietly. "What's wrong, Little One?"

"Fixie's sick…"

"He'll be all right, Little One." He sits on the bed before patting the spot beside him. "Sweetspark. We need to talk."


Third POV

~Try to keep it child-centered, Spot. She's only six, and she's special needs.~

~Got it, Aid.~


Normal POV

I look up to Hot Spot nervously. "I do somefing wong?"

"No, Sweetspark. You didn't do anything wrong." He sighs softly. "Mari…" He squeezes my hand lightly, as if he's dealt with sensitive hands before. "Did your Carrier ever talk with you about…what happened when he was carrying you?"

I tilt my head to the side. "Somefing happen?"

"I guess not." He sighs. "Mari, you act like part of a gestalt because you were supposed to be part of one."

You means…I wosted sistews?"

"Or brothers, yes." I look up at him sadly. "He never told anyone before, Sweetspark, and I don't think your Sire should know until your Carrier tells him, okay?"

"Bu' I no wanna wies… Gotta be goo' girl, wanna go bwuebewwy."

"He'll tell him, Mari. Aid's very persuasive."

"What that mean?"

"Hmm…" He sighs. "It means he's very good at getting people to do what he wants them to, in this case, get your Carrier to tell Jazz what happened almost seven years ago."

"Oh…" I look up at him. "So…what I s'possed to do now? I's 'stalt wif no bwothers or sisters…what I do now?"

Hot Spot smiles. "That's why we all came to see you. You're not so young that losing the bonds would…be dangerous for you…but you are still young enough that it would hurt and be scary to lose them."

"Part of trauma…is lose brothers and sisters?"

"Possibly. Not even Smokescreen was aware of what I told you, Sweetspark." He lays a hand on my shoulder. "Mari, we asked your Carrier if we could be your siblings instead."

I look up at him with tears in my eyes, all but crawling into his lap so I can look up to his eyes—even though it scares me to look into people's eyes. I just learned that I wasn't supposed to be born all alone…but someone out there wants to be my brother even though I've been hurt and abused. "You…you really wanna be my bwovers?"

"Of course we do, Little One."

"Hot Spot? Is she okay?"

His head snaps up toward the door, only for him to relax after he sees who it is. "Yeah. I was just about to call you guys in. Come on."

I scramble into Spot's lap and watch as Aid settles beside us, while the other three simply stand around us. They're all staring at me, which makes me curl into Spot. It's creepy.

"All right, Guys, cut it out. You're scaring her." How did he know that? "Aid…"

Aid sighs. "Okay…from what I read, she may still be young enough for contact alone to form any kind of family bond. If what we noticed between her and Fixit is any sign, she's still in that range." He sighs. "But she would need to understand what the bond would entail. I brought it up with Jazz downstairs, and he's fine with it."

"Aid—"

"I didn't mention the other sparks, just that you and Prowl thought it may help her because of her gestalt tendencies."

"Good. Prowl needs to tell him that in his own time." He sighs heavily. "Aid…she needs to know…what this entails…"

Aid nods. "Mari, Sweetspark…" He turns to Hot Spot. "Can't she just find it out like we did? I don't think I can do it…and she already knows about some of it…"

Hot Spot sighs and pulls him closer with one arm. "I've got it, Aid. I know…how hard this part is for you…" He pulls me a little closer to his spark. "Sweetspark…gestalts…they usually all die at the same time. You and Aid… You're kind of exceptions to the usual…way things go with Gestalts… Your Carrier actually called you his miracle sparkling today because of it…"

"Miracle?" I look up to him as that sinks in. "I shouldn't be alive, huh? Mommy should have losted us all?"

He smiles sadly, while Streetwise looks utterly shocked, and he knows I'm this aware by now! "He should have, but you're still here with us, even after what you went through with the humans."

"I's a fighter…well…" I pause to think about that. It doesn't sound like the right word. "Not the beat-'em-up kind, but the keep-on-going-through-hurts kind."

"Like Aid is…" He sighs. "You'd get our feelings, and you'll be able to talk with us as well." He sighs softly, and smiles down at me like he's trying not to laugh. "It's a good thing we're older than you, though."

"Why?"

"If we were your age, with your glitch…"

Aid nods. "We could still crash if she does, Spot."

"But it's not as likely."

"True." He sighs. "But if one of us gets sick, you probably would too."

I roll my eyes. "Already got that issue. Not a problem."

"Groove?" He turns to Hot Spot in confusion. "Mari's not in the bond yet, and I won't close her out. I need you to let Jazz know we'll have Mari for the rest of the day." He turns to me. "Anything planned before medical training?"

"I gots skating today…but it's at three, so…"

"All right. We got this." He stands with me. "Let's head out back."

"I swim?"

He gives me a nervous look. "Do you know how?"

"Uh-huh!"

"All right. We'll see what we can do."


He carries me downstairs, where we find Groove and Sire talking. "Jazz?"

"Hey, Spot. Ah go' no probs with ya spendin' the day with Mari. Jus' make sure she's back 'fore three so Ah can ge' her ready for skating."

"We were actually thinking about taking her to the pool out back, if you wouldn't mind getting her ready?"

"Course no'." He reaches over for me. "Come'ere Sweets." He turns back to Hot Spot. "Ah can' tell ya how glad Ah am tha' ya 'cided ta be here for mah baby. She's ha' so much happen ta her, an' Prowler an' Ah ha' no idea wha' we were gonna do ta help her…"

"We're here now, Jazz, and she's got Fixit too."

I look down to Sire from where I'm now sitting on his shoulder. "How's Fixie feelin'?"

"A bi' better now tha' Aid's go' some meds an' 'gon inta him, bu' Ah'm still watchin' him close for now."

"That's good." I smile. "I swims now?"

"O' course, mah Li'l Angel."

Hot Spot and Sire lock eyes. "Did Aid—?"

Sire shakes his head. "Prowler commed me a few minutes ago… Tha' sure 'splains a lo' 'bou' why he don' wanna carry again ye'…"


Sire sets me on the floor before digging through a drawer that's filled with swimsuits. "All righ'. How 'bou' ya wear this one?" He holds it up.

"Yes! Yes!" He nods, and helps me into it—it's a white halter dress with cherries and red trim, with matching bikini bottoms underneath.

"Okay. Ya're ready. Le' Spot know tha' Ah'm bringin' ya towel ou' in a momen'. Ah've gotta check on Fix, an' Ah need ta comm Blue. Ya pool toys are in the shed by the pool."

"Thanks!" I run out back, finding the five Protectobots already in human holoforms and swimwear. Aid's sitting on the edge of the pool, and Spot's rummaging through the shed for something, while the other three are already in the water. I run over and jump into Blades' arms. "Yay!"

He spins me before setting me on his hip. "Found anything yet?"

"I got these." He waves a pair of water wings behind him. "And a tube, but no life jackets."

"I knows how to swims, Spots. I no needs wife jacket." Blades walks me toward the shed before setting me on the cement.

"At least wear these, so you don't go under?"

I nod, and tug on the water wings before tossing the tube into the pool and jumping at Blades again. "Cach me, Bwades!"

He almost dives over to me, and barely grabs me. "Careful, Little Sis. You could hurt yourself if you do that when we're not ready."

"Sowwy…" I give him a sweet smile before pushing away from him and doggy-paddling over to Aid. "Why you no gets in?"

"I think he's playing lifeguard."

Aid sighs. "I just don't feel like it right now, Mari."

"You sicks?" He shakes his head. "You hurts?" Another shake, which causes me to pull myself out of the water and sit beside him. "You're sad, aren't you?" This time he nods, causing me to hug him. "Aw… Aidie… Is okay… We all 'gether."

"But you're alone."

My eyes widen for a second before I scramble into his lap. "No I not."

"Mari…"

"I gots all yous, an' I gots Fixie. I not 'lones, Aidie. I gots 'Fensor, jus' like you does."

That makes him smile a little. "You're not upset about it?"

"I no 'members have 'em, so why I be upset?" I sigh softly. "I's little sad that I no haves, bu'…bu' I be 'kays. I gots 'Fensor now, an' Fixie. I nots 'lones anymores."

"What was that?"

I turn to find Hot Spot beside us. "Um… I not 'lones anymore?"

"Were you feeling alone?"

I look down at my hands. "I not notice 'less I's round all yous…bu' I lived very 'lones, before I comed here wif Papa. I no haved fwiends 'cause I was 'bused an' no' 'lowed fwiends… I no haved happy times wif human brover, 'cause he wike dem hurted me… I no haved woves fwom no ones bu' Mammy…an' she w'acted to me weirds…"

"She reacted to you weird?"

"She say heart skip beat, and no beat wight since."

"Oh…"

"Maybe she was just able to tell who you really were."

"Maybe… I wanna swims now." I slide off Aid's lap and into the water. "Aidie swims?"

He sighs before sliding in after me. "All right, I'll swim with you for a little while."

I squeal and hug him before swimming over to find another one to cling to for a while. I've never had this many people who wanted to be around me because I'm me.


2:55 PM

I whimper when Hot Spot carries me out of the pool—I'd been floating beside where he and Streetwise had been playing catch with my beach ball, while the others floated around either in the spare tubes Carrier got, or on Blue's red lounger. Once or twice I wound up bopped on the head with it, but only giggled. It tickles!

I turn and glance at the abandoned water wings—I had ditched them about half an hour in for my goggles and nose plug so I could go underwater—as Spot wraps me snuggly in the strawberry towel Sire had brought me. It has a hood, so my head is covered too. "I wanna swims!"

Hot Spot sighs. "I know, but you have lessons in ten minutes."

"Awh…"

Aid huffs. "Not to mention, your lips are blue."

I can't deny that point—I'm freezing! "Otay…" Spot carries me inside, and sets me in front of Sire, who laughs. "Looks like ya had fun."

"Uh-huh!"

He sighs. "All right, le's ge' ya dressed for ya lesson." He sighs and glances at the couch. "Fix's still 'chargin', and I really don' wanna wake him. Think ya coul' take Mari ta her lesson for meh?"

Spot glances between me and Fixit, then between Sire and Fixit. "Sure. It's just past the school, right?"

"Yep." He carries me upstairs and helps me into my skate dress and tights before putting a pair of ruffled jeans under the skirt, then helps me into my tennis shoes. He carries me downstairs and sets me in front of where First Aid is checking on Fixit while the others watch. "Be good for the Protectobots, all righ'?"

"M'kay."

"And make sure you listen to ya'r teacher."

"Yes, Sire."

He hands Hot Spot a slip of paper. "Hot Spot, this needs to get to Damien Mearing. It's the theme for Sunday."

"Theme?"

"Our girls are doin' a competition. His is Mari's bully."

"Ah. I get it." He slips it into a pocket on his holoform's jeans. "I'll make sure he gets it." He turns to Aid. "Fixit check out?"

"Tired, but definitely feeling better."

"Good." He turns to me. "Ready to go, Mari?"

Sire hands me my pink skate bag. "Skates."

I hop up and grab the bag. "Got 'em!"

"There's a spare booster in the purple van if ya need one, and you'll have ta ge' some if ya plan ta take her ou'."

"Aid's got a child seat built in."

"All righ'." Sire pats me lightly on the back. "Have fun, Mari."


Base

"Mommy!" I run over to Carrier and jump into his arms. I'm wearing pink scrubs and my medbay tennis shoes in holoform, but right now I'm in my yellow bot form.

"How was skating practice?"

"Good." I glance behind me to the Protectobots before turning back to Carrier. "Dey's gonna be my weal brovers, Mommy!"

"I know, Mari." He sighs softly. "I will have to see if Ratchet will check for a gestalt connection." He sighs. "Which means I will have to tell them that you were just one of multiple sparks."

"Mommy… What if he gets mad, and no teaches me?"

"I'll take over his lessons for you, Little Sister." Aid smiles. "Maybe you could even learn some rescue work if that happens."

"'Cause you gotta job."

"Yep." Aid smiles, and takes me from Carrier before stepping inside the base, leaving Carrier and Hot Spot behind.

"How did she handle the news?"

"She seemed a little upset about the sibling thing at first, but she's really excited about having us as brothers."

Carrier nods. "You need to catch up with your brothers. I will be in the medbay in a moment. I need to comm Jazz about supper."

"When are you telling her about the trip?"

"As soon as you assure me you have the days off, Hot Spot."

"I requested them as soon as you told me. The general should let us know if they settled it within the hour."

"Good. Let me know. I need to get to Mariposa."


Medbay, 15 minutes later

I watch as Ratchet lays a hand on Carrier's shoulder. "Prowl, why didn't you tell me when you first felt her split?" Carrier simply looks at him sadly. I think he's taken it harder than I did when I found out. "I could have saved them, Prowl. We never would have wound up in this position." Carrier looks down at the floor. "Prowl… I'm not… I know you were scared—any parent would be in your position. I can't get mad at you over this, but it still stands that we could have done something for them…for you…" He sighs and turns to where I'm standing by the Protectobots. "It is admirable that you five want to take her in, and I am very proud of you for finding the proper method for adding a youngling, First Aid." He sighs. "All right, up on the berth, Little One. We need to check for these bonds before we can do much else. Hot Spot—"

Spot inches away from the berth. "Get out of your way?"

Ratchet huffs and drags him closer. "Get over here. First Aid, you too."

"What?"

"Mari would more than likely have one with you or Aid first because of the amount of time the two of you spend with her compared to the others." I watch the scanner beam intently, and giggle when Ratchet's eyes widen before he scans me again. "Her readings…" He looks up to Carrier. "She obviously still has the glitches, but her statistics… Why didn't I see this before?"

"You did not know to look for the changes."

"I still should have noticed it, Prowl. Little oddities a sparkling should never have had, and I overlooked them because she seemed completely fine."

"Ratchie okay?"

He laughs softly. "Yes, Little One." He taps me on the nose. "And now we know for sure that you are as well." He turns to Carrier. "I won't make you house them by any stretch—I don't think you have the room for them—but they need to stay near her as much as possible over the next year at least. That means school trips, parties—everything—she needs at least one of them with her."

"I'll do it."

"Aid!"

"What if I wanted to?"

"I'll be going on leave soon anyway, and besides, I'll be able to slip out of medbay easier in emergencies than the rest of you can slip off the field."

Ratchet crosses his arms. "No battles unless we absolutely need Defensor."

Aid huffs. "Rescue field, Ratchet. We're not risking Mari like that."

"She's too fragile right now." Everyone turns to look at Blades. "What!? I know how to care!" He waves toward Aid almost violently. "I have a pacifistic medic for an older brother! Why do you think I don't know how to care?"

"Blades…"

"Hot Spot? What's going on in here? Did someone get hurt?"

Spot shakes his head. "Not exactly, Silver." He motions for him to come in. "We're just discussing Mari's…condition."

"Condition?" He turns to Prowl. "I knew she had your glitch, and I knew she'd been diagnosed with PTSD, but…what condition?"

Carrier sighs. "She was supposed to be part of a gestalt, but the others…didn't survive past the first period of carriage."

"Oh, Prowl…" He pats his shoulder on his way over to me, and crouches in front of me. "Are you okay, Little One?"

I nod. "I is now. Gots 'Fensor nows."

"Oh?" He turns to Spot in surprise, then back to me before moving back to Spot with a look of recognition. "OH!" He smiles down at me, but I can tell he's talking to Hot Spot. "You took her in!"

Hot Spot nods, picking me up when I turn to him. "As a baby sister, yes. She needs us."

"Good." Silver smiles before tickling me at the base of my wings, making me squirm. "She'll be fun to play with."

"Silverbolt."

Silver gives Carrier an annoyed look. "Prowl. I meant…" He scoffs. "We wouldn't hurt a youngling, Prowl. Flight's just…been wanting to play with her lately—you know, like with her toys—and now we'll get a chance, since she'll be with the Protectobots more often."

"Why did you not just ask for her to visit you?"

"You're…really protective of her."

"I had my reasons, Silverbolt, and I still do." He sighs. "She is not to fly with anyone but Blades." Carrier turns to glare at Blades. "But the moment I hear that she got hurt because you were careless, she is no longer allowed on flights."

"Yes, Sir."

"Mari, it is time for your lesson with Ratchet. First Aid, you are in charge of Mari, since I have a bit more work to do. Hot Spot, I believe Captain Lennox needs to speak with you. Silverbolt, you need to find Sergeant Epps to discuss your team's next mission."

I look up to Carrier as he turns to leave. "Mommy?"

He turns back. "Yes?"

"Did you getta job?"

He smiles down at me. "Yes. I start on Tuesday."

"We getta go Blueberry?"

He glances over to Hot Spot, who nods. "Yes, but not until Sunday, because we have a busy weekend already scheduled."

"YAY!" I run over and jump into Blades' arms, and squeal as he spins me. "I getta go Blueberry!"

"Thank you, Prowl. Now I have an over-energized youngling to teach." Ratchet huffs, but smiles over at me as he does. "It's quite difficult to keep her focused on a normal day, but you just made it harder."

"I apologize." He turns to Aid. "First Aid?" Aid glances over. "Fixit?"

"OH! Sorry!" Aid smiles sheepishly. "He's doing a lot better. I think he might have caught a mild virus, but he's feeling better now, and Mari hasn't shown any signs of having it."

"Good. Thank you."