The two calls came almost simultaneously, one from the Ark, the other from Sparkplug. Carly was in labor and heading for the hospital, could Skyfire pick up Sparkplug and fly him to Portland?
Skyfire, in the middle of a New York City vacation, acknowledged both callers. It would be his pleasure.
He was sitting quietly in Central Park watching the human children playing on the playground. Once they and their parents had gotten over the odd sight of the giant jet, they'd ignored him. It reminded him of a time in his youth when he and his partner had observed alien cultures just like this. When the calls came, he rose smoothly to his feet, acknowledged the shouted good-byes from the children, and headed to Sparkplug's Garage.
Even though it only took him a few minutes to walk from the park to the small Autobot Base, Sparkplug, bald head glistening with nervous sweat in the sun, was pacing impatiently on the sidewalk. He hastily grabbed his bag when he spotted Skyfire turning the corner and ran to meet him. "What took you so long," Sparkplug asked, a tinge hysterical.
Skyfire grinned down at the impatient human, the first human he'd met along with the man's son. "I wouldn't say ten minutes was a long time."
He didn't even bother to ask if Sparkplug was ready, he just transformed and opened his hatch.
As Sparkplug secured himself, he chuckled ruefully. "Sorry, it's just that I've never been a grandfather before."
"Perfectly understandable," Skyfire replied and launched himself into the air, flight plan already filed, and headed west.
They flew silently for a while, then Skyfire's curiousity got the better of him. "Sparkplug, do you mind if I ask a question or two?"
"What? No, Skyfire. What's up?"
"I know that Carly wasn't due to give birth for another two weeks or so, is this abnormal or cause for worry?"
"No, Skyfire. It's not a problem. 9 months is just the average. Of course, a baby can come too early, that's always a problem but 2 weeks isn't anything to worry about. In fact, Spike was so impatient he showed up 3 weeks early. Doesn't surprise me that his son takes after him."
"A boy? I hadn't heard that."
"Spike and Carly didn't want it spread around. Believe it or not, Ratchet discovered it. He was curious and Carly let him scan her. Her obstetrician confirmed it later."
"It's amazing that it didn't get out. The Ark isn't the best place for keeping secrets."
"Ha, no kidding. Bunch of gossips," Sparkplug laughed. "But Ratchet can keep it zipped when he has to."
"Apparently."
They chatted quietly the rest of the way, Skyfire happily doing what he was trained to do; gather information and Sparkplug glad to have someone to talk with and keep his mind off of the impending birth.
When they finally arrived, Sparkplug nearly ran down Skyfire's ramp but at the last moment turned and patted his landing gear. "Thanks, Skyfire, I appreciate you taking the time to get me here."
"My pleasure, Sparkplug. I was happy to do it."