Chapter 168 – For a Change

(WPOV)

Will watched in shock as Optimus straightened suddenly. His optics were glowing far more brightly than they usually did. The baritone hum of his spark had changed somewhat. It was deeper, almost... threatening! Then, without a word or backward glance, Optimus turned and charged out of communications.

By the look of Ironhide's cannons and stance alone though, the bots were on high-alert, and he had no idea why. They weren't under attack... he didn't think so, anyway. The bots generally, you know, informed him when they were under attack.

Regardless, he pounded his way down communications central catwalk and raced after the titan.

Only to be blocked by Ironhide's hand.

"Better not do that, Will," his guardian rumbled gruffly.

"What? Why?" Will demanded.

"Kae's bringing Lena back." Ironhide rumbled.

Will blinked. Once again, Ironhide had given him the auto-bot explanation. You know, when the mech forgot that Will didn't have the same knowledge of tradition and whatnot as his guardian. Which was flattering... sometimes... but it still didn't help. Or explain.

"Define?" he sighed.

Ironhide looked down at him and rolled his optics.

"Lena's changing, Kae's bringing her back, which means her body is registering as being sparked, you know, pregnant. Which in turn has tripped Optimus' protective circuits. As far as he's concerned, Kae's just gone from very capable of beating the scrap out of an offending bot, to being very pregnant."

"So the circuits devoted to guarding his mate have now snapped into being very, very fiercely protective of her?" Will hazarded the guess.

"See? You're starting to pick this stuff up!" Ironhide grinned at him. "So before you go chasing after him, you better get it through them human channels of yours that Optimus ain't gonna be thinkin' too straight for a bit there. There's only two things goin' through his processors."

"What?" Jerry called out curiously.

"Find mate, guard mate." Ironhide snorted. He straightened and began striding toward the doors.

"Where you going?" Will called out curiously. 'Hide paused.

"Jerry, you can do the communication thing, 'mon Will," his guardian grinned down at him, leaning down and idly plucking Will from the floor and depositing him on his shoulder.

"Where are we going?" Will changed the statement.

"Gonna go make sure Kae doesn't get pissed at her mate, and make sure that youngling rip don't leave the base to find her when she's moving faster here than he could hope to."

"And you plan on doing that how?"

"Optimus!" Ironhide roared the next second.

Will almost laughed to see Optimus freeze, looking up curiously in the middle of transforming his flight deck.

"Kae's gonna get here faster than you can fly that thing to her. So rather than trying to meet her en-route and slowing her down getting back, stay put." Ironhide commanded flatly.

Optimus just stayed frozen, obviously mulling that over.

"Put the flight-deck back," Ironhide rumbled slowly. Optimus obeyed. Will watched curiously as the femmes all gathered in the entrance bay, Ratchet close behind.

It was somewhat more shocking when Chromia immediately wound herself around Ironhide, and Arcee jumped into Ratchet's arms.

Ironhide glanced at him and snorted.

"It's a re-establishment of non-hostility," he rumbled in explanation. "Optimus has gone into a more primal state, an un-bonded mech is competition. Potentially a danger to an expecting mate. 'Mia and 'Cee are making sure Optimus knows to not consider us bad."

Will nodded musingly and tucked himself somewhat more securely into Ironhide's shoulder, just in time to watch the entrance bay doors open. Another minute and Kae landed, Soundwave close behind her, seeming to be supporting her, actually.

For good reason, it appeared. Kae looked... different... shorter, her chest was wider.

What happened next was a study in Cybertronian behaviour that Will simply couldn't tear his eyes from.

Optimus rushed toward his mate, gathering her into his arms. But the sounds! Optimus was speaking in Cybertronian, Will was certain of it. Rapid, deeply baritone notes and clicking, the very effect sounding as though he had been deeply worried, inexplicably managing to sound both gentle and tender, but with powerful, dominant overtones... stressing dominant overtones. Will leaned forward in fascination.

Kae was murmuring to Optimus, it sounded like an entirely different language, or rather, different... frequency? Her manner of speech was almost musical, gentle, flowing, soothing tones. When Optimus glanced up and around, Will managed to catch sight of the threatening challenge flowing through the bot.

Challenge for any to attack his mate. Threat of what would happen.

It. Was. Awesome!

When Optimus caught sight of Soundwave? Will couldn't help but be afraid for the bot! That deep, threatening tone emanating from Optimus? Whoa.

"Guardian Prime: protective circuitry tripped by mate's condition." Soundwave stated in that same monotone. He began moving slowly. "Soundwave: yield Femme Prime to Mate's guardianship. Soundwave: report to communications station."

It was fascinating to watch the way Soundwave presented himself, his chest thrust forward, hands well away from his sides as he edged along the wall. Optimus watched with narrowed optics until Soundwave had disappeared.

Ratchet chose that moment to slowly approach, hands well away from sides, and chest well forward. Different tones were coming from the medic, a cascade of deep commanding tones, and placating trills with several clicks thrown in for good measure.

"He's command-requesting Optimus to take Kae into the med-bay," Ironhide murmured quietly. Will nodded, watching the drama playing out in front of him. It made him smile to watch the way Optimus led his mate, hands that he had seen crush metals into scrap gently covered Kae's chest-plates. An arm wound gently around her body, supporting her as they walked.

So cute.

(JPOV)

::. All call, Optimus' processors have switched into the Mate's Protection protocols.::

Ratchet's voice was sounding over the primary. Jolt drove faster, faster than he ever had come to think of it. He wasn't really much of a speed-bot. Not like Bee or the terror twins.

He was hot on Bumblebee's bumper, the scout leading the way to headquarters. Which was a relief, Jolt would find his way back, yeah, but Bee was guaranteed to do it better.

The Prime's protective circuits had been tripped by Kae bearing his Lena to her body.

That was... actually that was kind of weird. Lena wasn't a sparking. Jolt wasn't entirely sure how Kae bearing Lena had switched her into registering as with spark. It made him feel a great deal better though, his Lena was going to be okay.

But that didn't stop him from driving like a mad-bot, harrying after Bumblebee as they sped for the base.

Then the next problem crowded it's way into his processors, if Optimus was in full protection mode, how was Jolt going to get anywhere near his Lena?

It was an hour's drive, and Jolt was grateful that Bee was leading. But finally, they made it into the entrance bay, transforming at high speed and fairly running for the med-bay.

Immediately, they were both met with a warning growl. Jolt observed the situation as best he could.

Kae was wound deeply into Optimus' arms, barely visible from the door for all that she seemed to be cradled on his lap. Kae clicked to him gently, no words, simply the comfort.

Ratchet was feverishly working on a spark-chamber, it looked like it was almost complete, at that. Soundwave was nowhere to be seen, no doubt having taken his leave.

He was an un-bonded mech, after all.

Jolt could feel his Lena, somewhat, she was calm, relaxed. It calmed him, allowing him to take two steps into the med-bay and sink down against the wall. The femmes were everywhere, fetching this, bringing Kae a cube of energon, patting Optimus' legs...

It was a hive of soothing activity, Jolt stayed right where he was, allowing the calm spark-hums around him to calm him as much as it was evidently calming his intended.

(MPOV)

Soundwave was close behind me. That was a relief, I felt so... vulnerable at the moment. Transforming was out of the question, Arcee would manage it just fine, but this was the first time I had ever changed like this. I could feel energon rushing to my chest, it was throwing my balances off. Lena was still scared beside my spark, I could feel her changing, feel the increasing power of the spark beside my own.

Miles away, across our bond I could feel the changes affecting my Optimus. His spark was calling to mine, fairly demanding my presence beside him.

I used that, my telemetry was getting messed up. Rather than try to follow my slowly degrading sensors I followed that pull.

Because anywhere my Optimus was. That. That was where safety was.

It took me some time to recognize the programming responsible for that, though. Finally, I figured out why.

My body was now convinced I was sparked, pregnant. Not simply pregnant, but due to bear a sparking to the hatcheries. And soon.

::. How close is Lena to the total change?.:: Ratchet sent to me worriedly.

::. Soon father.:: I whispered on the primary. In this moment, I desperately needed the soothing presence of my mate and family.

::. I need a couple of hours, daughter, try to keep her calm.:: my father sent gently.

::. How are your systems holding up, my sister?.:: Arcee sent to me gently.

::. My systems are going haywire sister.:: I sent with a light tone of petulance. ::. There's energon flooding into my chest and it's throwing my balances!.::

::. It does that.:: my sister chuckled ::. you're doing just fine, sister. Follow the signal of your mate.::

That was easy. I redoubled my concentration on the pull of Optimus' spark, following the signal straight back to base. The moment I caught sight of the familiar building I almost cried out in relief, struggling to land as gently as possible.

Soundwave was close behind me, gentle hands catching hold of my wings and supporting me as I struggled to find my balances again. I took a few steps forward and sighed in relief as my mate rushed forward.

In a matter of moments, I was wound deeply into my Optimus' embrace. Safe.

Without a doubt, the humans would assume the soothing, wordless deep tones coming from my mate were yet another frequency. They weren't. It was nothing more than the sounds a father would hum to his child, guardian's sounds, the wordless promise that he was right there.

Music to my audio receptors.

The reply to that sound was automatic in my processors, I enjoyed them, humming my assurances, I was here. I was safe in his arms.

As was fully instinctual, Optimus glanced up and around. The non-violent part of me would have been marginally irked to see the challenge in his optics. But the mate of the Prime?

I'd be marginally ashamed later that I so enjoyed the raw, primal challenge flowing from my mate. The challenge for somebot to harm me. Because inherent in that challenge was the knowledge of the sheer destruction that would be incurred.

The kind of male possessiveness that made a girl feel warm and fuzzy inside.

"Guardian Prime: protective circuitry tripped by mate's condition." Soundwave stated in his usual monotone behind me. I turned to look at him and couldn't help but smile somewhat. My advisor seemed to be even more intelligent than I had given him credit for, he was presenting his guarded spark to my mate.

Non-hostile.

"Soundwave: yield Femme Prime to Mate's guardianship. Soundwave: report to communications station." Very smart move. I nodded to him minutely, and sent the soothing promise to my mate. My advisor was not a danger to us.

Soundwave disappeared.

∂Optimus, bring your mate to the med-bay∂ my spark-father commanded gently, moving forward a few steps. Wound deeply into my Optimus' arms, a strong hand protectively covering my chest, my beloved mate supported me into the med-bay, settling down on the bench and pulling me almost on top of himself.

In that moment, I wanted nothing more than to present my mate with as many sparkings as he could ever want. I knew my body registering my 'pregnancy' was affecting my processors, but I didn't really mind. I was safe, cuddled deeply into my mate's arms and surrounded by my family.

I passed that comfortable, relaxed feeling to Lena, and felt her calm beside my spark.

She had not made the full change, yet, and if I could keep her calm enough, I doubted that she would. Not until the time was right.

(LPOV)

Kae hadn't lied.

Lena had been really, really cold for a while there. Painfully cold.

She didn't have any clothes anymore, Lena wasn't entirely certain where her clothes had gone. Not that she minded, really, they'd been dirty and covered with blood anyway.

She still had her human body though, mostly, she still felt fleshy, kind of. There was a mind beside hers, a calm, soothing presence. Kae was gently instructing her on what needed to be done, patiently pausing every time Lena's mind drifted back to the weird feeling of looking down at her hands.

They were glowing.

It was incredible to feel the difference between her changing and Kae's. Where Kae had surprised the bots – had changed before they were ready or understanding what was happening – they knew what was happening now. Lena floated in perfect contentedness, learning what she would need to do from her sister human-turned-bot.

There was no emergency, as Kae's onlining had been. Lena felt calm, safe, ensconced beside her sister-spark in the protective chamber much like the one she would reside in soon.

They both knew that she would likely feel more of the casting heat, though, Kae was not worried for her, not really. She simply reminded Lena of her inherent strength, and how beautiful her spark was. Lena was clinging to the feeling of her fleshiness quite well though.

She wasn't entirely certain how long she'd been in here, Kae wasn't being entirely forthcoming about the time, and Lena understood why.

This unhurried, patient feeling was holding her from changing somewhat. Kae remembered. She had felt first the surge of excitement and joy, her mate had returned, and then she had felt the burning cold.

So Lena waited, patiently listening to the world around her, listening to Kae as she gently passed bits of knowledge to her. More time passed, although Lena wasn't certain how much. It came to the time that she could feel the edges of Kae's excitement, and Lena wondered why.

Until of course Kae told her.

~Your body is ready, sweet Lena, and your Jolt is here.~

Jolt was here.

Her Jolt was here! He came! She'd just known her Jolt would come!

Lena didn't even notice her body disappearing, flesh and bone converted into energon. At least, she didn't notice until she reached somewhat toward the opening of the chamber.

She didn't have any hands.

Or lungs.

Or skin!

She looked back and started. There was a spark beside hers, far larger than hers.

~Go to your chamber, little one~ Kae's voice whispered in gentle amusement. Lena looked back and grinned. There was a chamber there, beside the one the larger spark remained in. She went to it, and immediately began investigating this new and fascinating thing! There were places for her to rest comfortably, so she settled into those places and watched with a bright smile as the chamber began changing around her.

Changing to suit her. It was very comfortable.

Then the next surprise. The chamber changed, began to glow and now she could feel it! She could feel the metals of her spark chamber! And hands! Gentle hands around her chamber, holding her, cradling her.

It was a nice feeling for all that she recognized it, she was very distracted by the sensation of fleshless-ness. There was a moment of a tingly feeling, it felt like the scans Ratchet did.

"She's fully integrated into her chamber." That was Ratchet's voice. She liked Ratchet, he never gave pity. She felt the movement, heard the footsteps, then the sensation of being set down.

The feeling of being in a place where her chamber just... fit.

Something began poking at her, and Lena tried to see what it was. She couldn't really see very well at the moment, her vision blocked by the semi-transparent walls of her chamber.

"Try to reach out and integrate, Lena, like I taught you." Kae's voice murmured gently. She sounded so tired. Lena didn't want to disobey the femme, so she reached out as best she could.

More metals! She could feel them! Immediately, Lena began investigating these metals. They were in all sorts of shapes, some of the shapes were close, but they didn't seem quite right, and the moment she noted that not-quite-rightness, the metal would change, shape itself.

To be perfectly honest, it was fun!

There were bits and pieces changing on their own, without her supervision. Lena didn't really like that, then, then she discovered something absolutely fascinating. She could concentrate on all of the things!

Eventually, that realization was pressed into the back of her mind, because now, now her body was responding to her. She could feel it. Feel an immense heat that she hadn't noticed before.

What had Kae said? Her body had stated that a surge of energon – oh there it was! It came as a report! A surge of energon would cool her frame! Lena began to initiate that surge, then thought better of it. It hurt, it hurt a lot, but Kae had said that she'd withstood that heat for some time more, it tempered her frame, made her stronger.

Lena wanted to be strong for her Jolt.

So she held off, and noted a final couple of bits that could be a bit better. So she gritted her teeth... sort of... and changed those bits.

Much better.

It was beginning to hurt. A lot. So Lena initiated the energon surge and immediately felt herself cool.

She felt all rough, dirty.

She didn't remember Kae looking like that.

Lena looked around her body with her spark. It was a nice body, she liked it. But she was all rough and stuff. Hmm...

An energon surge had cooled her body down, and every now and again, when Sunstreaker didn't have time to repair the nicks in his paint with his brushes he'd do it with an energon surge...

Lena looked around her systems and found it, a surge of energon caressed her frame. It felt nice. And now, now she felt all smooth, like she used to right after a shower, when she'd finished shaving.

"Lena?" a voice whispered softly. She knew that voice, she loved that voice!

Oh. There was the next trick. Lena made to take a breath to answer, then realized something else: she didn't have lungs! Where was her voice!?

"Lena?" Jolt whispered. Her bot. He sounded so scared!

Lena began frantically looking for something that would make a sound! She began talking to herself as she did, that was a habit.

"That's not it, that's not it... how the fuck do I – Oh!" She shut up the second she realized she was saying it aloud. Okay, so just talk.

Now. Open eyes. No. Online optics!

It felt kinda the same, the desire to see, the function to open eyes. In moments, readouts were flashing in front of her vision. She had her own built in computer readouts, now those were cool!

"Sorry," she murmured contritely, glancing down the second the world appeared around her. She couldn't help the grin though. This. Was so much fun!

"Lena?" her Jolt whispered softly. Immediately, she was looking around for him. Then. Then she spotted him. He looked so much smaller now!

"Jolt?" she asked softly. Her bot looked so scared. Immediately, she rose to go to him, she wanted to touch his face, stroke his cheek the way she always did when he was sad.

Except her legs didn't really want to do that yet.

"Primus sake!" Ratchet's voice grumbled. Hands were supporting her the next moment. Lena looked up and grinned, her sister femme was gently supporting her on her feet.

"Jolt get over here so she's not trying to go to you already!" Kae chuckled gently. In a second, her Jolt was there, Lena relaxed and reached for him.

His hands swallowed hers. Just how small was she!?

"Back on the berth, you," Ratchet's voice commanded gruffly.

"Can..." Jolt whispered. Silence.

"What?" Lena murmured, looking up at him.

"Can I hug you first?" he asked shyly.

Lena laughed and hurled herself against him as best she could. Which was rather ungainly at the moment, more she was hauling herself onto him. But the point stood. And now she had a pretty good gauge of how much bigger her Jolt was.

Actually, it was really comfortable, Jolt's arms were around her, and there was a spot just below his shoulder that fit her head... helm perfectly! She didn't ever want to leave this spot.

"Fine, you've got your hug, back on the berth young femme!" Ratchet ordered.

"I'm not done hugging him yet," Lena pouted, turning her head slightly to glare at Ratchet.

"Primus sake," the medic grumbled. "We've got another one!"

But the pure, unadulterated joy humming from her Jolt's spark? Totally worth a Ratchet scolding.