Unsurprisingly, the next bot to show up was Smokescreen. Paige had come into the main control room because she was bored just as he looked up from looking at the kids.
"They come in different sizes?" he asked. "Or are these younglings?"
"While they are indeed children," said Optimus. "The adults do not get much bigger. We are not aware of what caused Paige to become so tall."
"I'm shrinking though," added Paige.
"I don't recall a relic that could do that," said Smokescreen looking at her curiously. "But there were thousands of them after all."
xxxxxx
Oddly enough it was Smokescreen that took to Paige the most. It wasn't completely surprising. Three of the bots already had charges to keep track of. Bumblebee she couldn't understand, Arcee was more of the occasional sarcastic comment and Bulkhead was tied up with Miko most the time. Sure Cliffjumper would chat with her occasionally, but for the most part everyone was too preoccupied with patrols and other duties. Smokescreen was new and didn't fit in yet so Paige had taken him under her wing in terms of explaining Earth's culture and how to fit in. This alleviated some of the mishaps involving him being seen by humans though it didn't stop Jack and him from getting involved in the races. She also told him stories both real and from old movies when he had time. Some of the movies didn't exist here or maybe they would in the future. Regardless, it was an easy way to pass the time because she had absolutely nothing to do. Even when she offered her help, she was turned down unless it was cleaning.
xxxxxx
Paige was leaning against the wall in the main control room and Smokescreen had one hand against it next to her shoulder as he leaned next to her. He said something and she laughed. It was the first time the others had heard her laugh so genuinely.
"I think our young friend has matured a lot by befriending Paige," said Optimus to Ratchet as he observed them.
"She simply has the patience to listen to all his bragging," said Ratchet dismissively.
"Sometimes that is all that is needed," said Optimus turning back to his screen. "That someone is willing to listen. Though she did do us a favor when she informed him of Earth's customs. It was something that slipped my mind in my haste to decode the database."
"If it keeps him out of the med bay, then I'm fine with it," said Ratchet.
"Paige may not be a child, but she's still as fragile as they are. This situation has given her more than just the wounds that we can see," said Optimus. "Smokescreen seems to have taken her on as a charge even unofficially to their mutual benefit."
Later as Ratchet walked down the hall toward his room, he encountered Smokescreen stepping out of a room that he knew was not his. "Smokescreen, what were you doing in Paige's room?" asked Ratchet suspiciously.
"Just talking," he replied blinking. "Oh come on Doc, she's a friend and she's human," said Smokescreen.
Paige stuck her head out of her room and her face was bright red. "What he says is true," she stated. "Ratchet, next time you want to talk about me, might not want to do it in front of my door."
