Hotshot: Here it is, the holiday special...sorry if it isn't that good, didn't know what to put into it. Anyways enjoy! Happy Holidays and have a Happy New Year!

Remember to review!

TRANSFORMERS: Between
Chapter 6

NEST base, Diego Garcia
3 Months after Egypt
2009

"Hey," Matsuri chirped as she jogged over to Will and Robert, both whom were putting finishing touches of the Christmas tree. It was agreed throughout the base that they would celebrate Christmas and the New Year properly this time around- they deserved it, or so the general said. "I see you're almost done."

"Yep," Robert grinned. "Also, there's a surprise or two for you and Will."

Matsuri raised an eyebrow before shrugging and just watched as Will put a stop at the top of the tree. He stepped away from the tree, nodding at his handy work before looking at the woman with a slight grin. "Come on, let's go wait outside for the surprise."

Matsuri nodded and followed him outside, but it seemed that our surprises were already there, waiting for them to walk out.

A blur suddenly ran over and crashed into Will's legs.

"Annabelle?!" Will gaped before scooping his daughter up and hug her close. The next was Sarah, his wife, walking over to him and pressing a kiss against his cheek.

Matsuri was engulfed in a hug with two bodies against her and a grin broke out across her face before she quickly hugged Mikaela and Sam back.

"What are you two doing here?" I questioned them once they pulled back and Sam pointed behind them, to Optimus who was walking up to them with Ironhide- probably their rides here.

"Optimus asked if it was okay for us, Sarah and her daughter could stay for Christmas tomorrow and New Year's. As you can see, the higher ups said yes."

She glanced over at the mech, feeling her heart warm that he would have thought about this before she took the two inside.

Echomix, who could get off work to spend time with his family, came skittering over and climbed up to Matsuri's shoulder, waving at his 'aunt and uncle'.

Matsuri rubbed the top of his head before nudging him slightly. "Go say hello to your Sire, Echo."

The little bot chirped before climbing down and head straight to Optimus. Matsuri shook her head before she heard the snickers of the two humans beside her. "What? I can't control who he sees as a father figure."

"Maybe you should get the hint." Sam teased, making her raise an eyebrow at him.

"Come on, don't play dumb." Mikaela spoke up. "It's glaringly obvious to us on who you like."

"Mikaela." Matsuri groaned.

"She's right." Sam hummed. "It is obvious- well, at least for the ones who know you pretty well."

Matsuri shook her head and sighed. "I doubt Optimus thinks of me the same way."

"Matsuri…"

The said woman shook her head. "Come on, let's get going."

The next day was Christmas day and, after breakfast, they had all near the Christmas tree including the bots who were using their holoforms. They were mostly scattered save for Ironhide and Ratchet, who took a seat on the floor on either side of their adopted sparkling and adopted grand-sparkling. Optimus stood a few feet away and Sam and Mikaela sat down next to Ratchet.

They had all began to open the presents and mostly, all of them got the usual things such as presents from their families, pictures and whatnot. Matsuri didn't get a lot though since she never really asked for anything.

The only thing she got from the humans was a new black beanie from Mikaela and a crimson red jacket from Sam. She didn't really mind though, just everyone being her friends and family is enough.

Her next present came from Ratchet and Ironhide. It was some type of small music box and when she had opened it, a melody began to play, and it was something she never heard before.

"I recorded the thrumming of our sparks and manipulated into what you are hearing here." Ratchet stated.

"I didn't know you could do that." Matsuri blinked before she closed and set the box down and then swung her arms around both of their necks, pulling them in. Their foreheads touched the either side of her head and she felt…connected with them, more so than ever before.

"Matsuri." The deep rumble of Optimus sounded, making her let her adoptive parents go and looked over at Optimus. The mech took a few steps closer before producing a long box, handing it to her. "This is my gift to you."

She glanced over before opening the box and laying there is what looked like a sword. She grabbed the hilt and lifted it, looking it over.

It looked like a medieval sword, but the blade was a little bit bigger. The whole thing was primarily black with a dark red hilt and guard. On the guard was written Cybertronian, but she didn't know what it said at all. She would have to ask him about it later.

He looked back into the box and saw a scabbard that was a grey color. On it was a red autoboot symbol.

"It is mad out of cybertronian metal." Optimus informed her. "Ratchet can show you how to properly maintain it."

"Thanks." She grinned at him before putting the sword back into the box and closing the lid before setting it down onto the ground.

"Don't go too far, everyone." Robert spoke up with a grin. "We'll be having chow time soon!"

"Optimus," she spoke up once everyone else and stood and walked away, probably doing their jobs until it was time to eat. "What did the writings on the guard say?"

"On one side, it has your name." Optimus stated before she crouched down behind her- she had yet to stand up. "The other side it has my name."

She blinked once, twice, before she turned her head to look at the mech. "Why does it have your name?"

"You'll find out soon enough." He stood up and then fizzled out, leaving her sitting there, confused.

It wasn't long until the New Years Eve came and the autobots had put a large monitor in the hanger where everyone had gathered. On the monitor was coverage of New York and the ball that was going to drop. The autobots were there as well in the holoform, all intermingling with the humans.

Matsuri was standing some ways away from everyone, watching them all talk and interact. She could see her brother and Mikaela standing close with Sam around her shoulders. Next in her sight was Ironhide and Ratchet, the former having his arm around the latter's waist.

She glanced up at the monitor and saw that it was getting closer to the time. She could already hear some of the others counting down. Then, Optimus was suddenly right there beside her, also watching everyone.

"Sam and I were talking earlier." Optimus spoke. "About traditions and so on."

"What traditions you were talking about?" She questioned.

"Just for Christmas and New Year's."

The countdown went down to the teens and then…

10…

"Sound's like a fun discussion." She chuckled.

9…

"Yes, well we got on a tradition of a specific one."

8…

7…

6…

"And which tradition is it?"

5…

4…

3…

2…

She felt him hook his fore finger under her chin, making her turn her hand and look at him. "A New Year's Kiss."

1!

Warm, metal lips pressed against her own just as the others began to cheer and throw whatever papers they could find.

Matsuri payed them little attention and, instead, closed her eyes and began to kiss the mech back. She felt him wrapping an arm around her waist, pulling her flush against him, nipping at her bottom lip before he slowly broke the kiss, pulling away to look into her eyes.

"Finally!" She heard Sam shout and then there was another round of cheering, this time for a completely different reason.

She felt her face heat up and she quickly hid her face in Optimus' neck, causing him to chuckle at her shy behavior. She felt his other hand being placed on the back of her neck, making her shiver.

She closed her eyes and silently basked in the other's hold, feeling the final puzzle piece in her life slipping into place.