Honest Fact: my biological mother shoved my hands in the cake, after learning I hated being dirty so much I wouldn't fuss when she changed me. I screamed like she'd killed me, staring at the icing and cake on my hands.


"Normal Talk"

"Bee's Talk"

"Bee's Talk Holoform"

"Other Side Over the Phone (Comms)"

'Thoughts'

~Bond communication~

~Telepathic communication~


First Birthday

Two Months Later (April 20th), Ratchet's POV

I glance over at my daughter in her pink sleeper with a yellow and teal butterfly print. She's grown so much since I took her in, and we haven't had any major scares since we discovered she was techno-organic. She still hasn't started walking yet, but none of us are too worried since she's been doing so well otherwise. She's got a few more teeth in now, too, which makes me hopeful that it won't be too much longer, and she weighed almost 20 pounds at her last checkup.

She pulls herself up using the bars on the side of her crib before reaching for me. "Dada! Up!"

I smile before shifting into my holoform and crossing the room to her. "Good morning, Sweetspark." I mix her bottle before handing it to her.

She reaches up to me again once it's empty. "Come on, let's get you changed." I change her, then dress her in a light pink short sleeved onesie that says "When I Grow Up I Want to be a Doctor or a Princess", dark pink pants, and light pink socks, with her tiara.


10:30 AM, Ratchet's POV

I look up when I hear the proximity alarm. The team save Optimus is on patrol. Since Optimus is working on a report for Agent Fowler in his berth room, I am also caring for Electro, who is recharging in a larger version of Mariposa's playpen on the other side of the room. Mariposa is in her playpen with a small stainless steel bottle with purple spots and a purple lid, drinking her energon. It took a while for her to get used to the taste, but she has come to enjoy it. Optimus walks over to the platform, expecting to be reprimanded for some mistake in the field. "Agent Fowler?"

"Ratchet. We need to talk."

I start and turn to him. "What happened? Are Mari's parents trying to get her back?"

Agent Fowler shakes his head. "It's about her birthday."

"Birthday?"

"She's going to be a year old in three days."

I sigh. "I know, Agent Fowler."

"Dada?"

I glance down at her before looking back up at Agent Fowler. "What about it?"

"I need to know how you plan to celebrate."

"What?"

Agent Fowler crosses his arms, obviously annoyed, and starting to get angry. "Are you going to invite anyone from her family?"

"The only true family she has is here. Her parents, and I use the term quite loosely, will never be welcome here, and her grandparents can't be allowed to come here for fear that they will alert her abusers to her location."

"I need to know your plans, Ratchet, soon."

"We will handle the femme, Agent Fowler." We both turn to Optimus. "We do not plan on bringing any other humans here, however, if you and Maya wish to bring Stephanie that is fine with us. Mariposa needs to have contact with children her own age, and the youngest on base who can play with her is Bumblebee."

He walks over to the elevator. "Let me know when to come, Prime."

Optimus turns to me after the agent leaves. "Ratchet, you need to relax. Agent Fowler is not going to take Mariposa from you."

"I—" I sigh softly. "I know that." I look down sadly. "I just—I can't lose her, Optimus. She's all I have."

"I know, Old Friend. She has become quite special to all of us."

"Which is why I have to keep her out of the hands of those monsters."

Optimus lays a hand on my shoulder. "I know how hard all of this is on you right now."

I glance over to Mariposa before turning to Optimus. "I'll be all right. Serenity wasn't the first sparkling I've lost, and I'm sure she won't be the last. I just have to protect Mariposa from her human family as long as I can."


Three Days Later, Ratchet's POV

I look over at the crib where Mariposa is standing by the railing in a pink fleece sleeper with a cupcake print and light pink collar and cuffs, watching me curiously. "Hey, Sweetspark. Why didn't you tell me you were awake."

"Dada. Up!"

"I can see that."

"Baba?"

"After we get you dressed, Mari." I turn at a knock on the door. "What is it?"

"It's me. I was hoping to see Mari."

"We'll be out in a few minutes, Bumblebee." I sigh heavily. "I don't know what was so important that you had to come to my berth room this early in the morning."

"I have something for Mari. I got it last night."

"It can wait for her party later today." I hear him sigh outside the door before walking away.

"Baba."

"In a minute, Sweetspark. You have to get dressed first." I sigh before changing her and dressing her in White short sleeved T-shirt with blue tulle trim on the hem and a pink polka-dot "1" and blue birthday hat with rainbow ribbons, pink and white striped pants with flared legs and ribbons on the outside of the ankles and blue tulle at the hems, white socks, and white and pink Nike velcro tennis shoes, then slip on a special pink satin tiara with a 1. After, I quickly mix her bottle and hand it to her before carrying her out to the main room and setting her in the playpen.

"Can I see her now?"

I sigh. "Fine."

He steps over toward the playpen and pulls out a plush bumblebee. "Bee!" Mariposa takes it and hugs it close.

"I thought you'd like it, Mari."

"Bum-bee."

Bumblebee turns to me in shock. "Did she just—"

I nod. "She's learning fast, Bumblebee."

"I can tell. She's talking more everyday." He sighs. "Wait till she starts walking."

"I'll be lucky to get any work done with having to chase her around."

"I can watch her."

"I know, but you have training most days."

"It's all right. I'm sure Optimus will understand."

"Wait until we can speak with Agent Fowler. He should have an idea of what we can do to keep her under control once she starts walking."

Mariposa reaches up to Bumblebee eagerly. "Bumbee! Up!"

"Can I?"

I sigh. "Go ahead. I'll be able to finish working before Agent Fowler arrives for the party."


Ratchet's Berth Room, Bumblebee's POV

I set Mari into her play area before shifting into holoform. I then kneel beside her and pull out some of her toys. The time flies by, until I hear Ratchet's voice come over my comm. "Bumblebee?"

I quickly shift into my normal form. "Yeah, Ratch?"

"I'm right in the middle of something. Think you could feed her for me?" He sighs heavily. "And I told you to call me Carrier."

"Sure."


Ratchet's Berth Room, 10:00 AM Ratchet's POV

Mariposa looks up to me, a pink stainless steel bottle in one hand. "Bumbee! Dada!"

He turns to see me at the door. 'Good. He didn't forget her energon.' I sigh. "Bumblebee, it's time for her nap."

He nods before standing and shifting into his normal form. "Thanks, Ratch. Did you get your work done?"

I smile. "Yes, I did. Thanks for watching her."

"When is her party?"

"After her afternoon nap. Agent Fowler is coming about two in the afternoon."

"I'll be ready."

I shift into my holoform and tuck her in, then return to my normal form. I then sigh before sitting back on my berth. 'Slag that seeker. If I'm carrying again…' I sigh heavily. 'I'll have to check when everyone else is recharging. It's better no one knows, in case I miscarry again. I don't need them pitying me again—not when they're still hovering because of Serenity.' I shake my head before lying back on the berth. Maybe I'll feel better after recharging.


One Hour Later, Ratchet's POV

"Dada. Dada. Dada!"

I start awake before looking over at the crib. "All right, Mari. I'm up." I shift into my holoform before crossing the room to her.

"Dada! Up!"

I smile as I lift her out of the crib. "I know, Mari."

"Okay?"

"Yes, I'm okay."

"Slee'."

"I know, Sweetspark. I drifted off." I set her down on the changing table. "Let's get you changed."

"Ba-by?"

I look at her curiously before shrugging and changing her before dressing her in a white sleeveless dress with a light pink tulle skirt and pink matte gold satin trim on the skirt and neck, with "one" on the top, light pink and white striped leggings with gold matte spots, white socks, and light pink ballet flats. Once she's dressed, I hand her a bottle before carrying her into the main room.

Arcee walks over to the platform with Electro. "Hey, Mari."

"Cee! Dada! Cee!"

"I see, Sweetspark."

"She's really talking now."

I nod. "I know." I sigh softly.

"Ratchet?"

"I'm fine, Arcee." I shake my head. "Humans don't usually survive for more than a vorn. She's already a year old. I don't know how much time I'll have left with her."

Arcee lays a hand on my arm. "She's part Cybertronian, Ratchet. She'll probably be around longer than you think."

I sigh. "But I can only count on a little over 27 vorns."

"Cee! Up!"

Arcee shakes her head and slightly raises Electro before turning back to me. "She needs energon, Ratchet. Something tells me she'll be around for a while."

"I hope you're right."

"Optimus said Agent Fowler was coming at two."

I nod. "We're celebrating her birthday." I sigh. "Agent Fowler wants us to keep with human customs for her sake."

"I know." Arcee sighs. "I need to get him back into his berth before he wakes up."

I nod and watch her until she's out of audio range before sighing. "Thank Primus."

"Dada?"

"I'm fine, Sweetspark." 'I really need to get a scan in as soon as everyone's recharging. The only difference between now and four months ago is the severity of the nausea. Primus must have a sick sense of humor if he keeps letting these things happen. I don't even know if my spark can handle another miscarriage.'


2:00 pm, Ratchet's Berth Room, Ratchet's POV

"Dada. Up!"

I smile before crossing the room to her. I shift into my holoform before picking her up. I pull out her dress before laying her on the changing table. 'It's been six months since I found her, and I can't imagine life without her. I don't know what I'd do if I lost her.'

"Dada? O-k?"

I sigh. "I'm fine, Mari."

"Baba?"

"Not right now. We need to get you dressed."

She looks at her outfit before looking up at me.

"A different dress."

She gives me a look before looking at the dress in my hand.

"Calm down. It's for your party."

She gives me another look before sighing.

I shake my head before helping her into a white sundress with a pink hem and belt and a cake graphic on the bodice, a white long sleeved shrug, white tights, white Mary Jane shoes, and a pink satin first birthday tiara with a white 1 in a light pink heart, light pink trim with hearts at the peaks, and a pink satin wrap around headband strap.

I turn at another knock at the door. "Ratchet?"

'Optimus.' I return to my normal form and walk over to the door, Mariposa safely in my hand. "What is it?"

"Agent Fowler—"

"I was just on my way out."

"He has a package from Indiana."

"Oh…" I sigh. "It's more than likely a present for Mari." I shake my head before handing Mariposa to Optimus and turning back. "I'll be right out. I have to get her gifts."

"I understand."


Main Room, Ratchet's POV

I join the others after setting the packages against one wall. Bumblebee, Arcee, and Optimus are standing near the comm screen while Bulkhead and Cliffjumper are sitting on the low portion of the platform. Electro is recharging in Cliffjumper's arms.

Stephanie and Maya are sitting on the ground out of the way. Agent Fowler walks in a moment later with Mariposa's high chair from my berth room. I sigh heavily. "If you wanted her high chair, I could have brought it when I came in."

Agent Fowler shrugs. "Arcee told me you seemed tired earlier."

Maya looks over. "I thought Marianne was sleeping through the night."

"She is, Maya." I sigh. "I've been busier than usual, between Mariposa and my duties to the team. I haven't had much time to recharge."

Maya shrugs. "It's understandable. You're a single parent and you're still working with the team."

I nod. 'It's as good an excuse as any. I still want to get a scan once everyone is recharging tonight, just to be safe.'

We start with presents. I never knew such a simple joy could come from watching your child tear colorful paper off gifts. Once the packages from Agent Fowler's family and our team, I turn to the box that had come in the mail.

"Dada?"

"Just a minute, Sweetspark." I open the box to find a present wrapped in pink paper, and a card. After scanning the card, I can ensure the contents will not hurt her, and set the package on the high chair. Optimus and Arcee turn to me curiously. "It's from her great grandmother." I watch her tear the paper, revealing a stuffed baby doll.

I sigh heavily. "I'll be right back."

Optimus turns to me. "Is everything all right?"

I nod. "I need to get something from the med bay." I run in and quickly return. I shift into my holoform before clasping a tiny metal charm bracelet I had made, following Cybertronian tradition. Besides the signal beacon—in an Autobot symbol charm—it has a diamond girl charm—her birthstone, according to some chart off the internet, a pink and lavender butterfly—as her name charm, a blue and silver star, and a pink and silver tiara. After I return to my normal form, I turn to the humans. "We had certain traditions on Cybertron to celebrate spark-days. On the first, for a femme, it was customary to give them a special bracelet. It has a signal beacon as well as a data-pack containing any information that might be needed if she gets lost. A mech would get a similar data-pack, but it would usually be contained in something similar to a human soldier's dog tags. Both are made to grow with them so as to prevent injury."

"So… it helps you keep track of her."

Arcee smirks. "And it's a way of knowing that you will always be important to someone, no matter how small you feel. I still have mine."

While the others talk about Cybertronian traditions, I turn to Mariposa.

"Dada?" She shakes the wrist with the bracelet on it.

"It's a charm bracelet. There's a signal chip on it, so if you get lost, I can find you quickly."

"Dow'."

I sigh. "I'll get you down in a few minutes. It's not time yet."

"Dow'!"

I sigh heavily. "Agent Fowler, we need to hurry with the cake before she starts crying. I can make her a bottle to calm her for now, but we need to get her out soon."

He sighs. "Are you guys even able to eat?"

I sigh heavily. "We can, but there isn't very much on your planet that is safe to consume."

Agent Fowler nods before looking from the cake to me, and back to the cake. "Then why did you have me get that?"

"Because we can't use energon in our holoforms." I shake my head. 'You'd think that would be obvious. He knows energon is harmful to humans. Wouldn't it follow that it's damaging to our holoforms as well?' I set a plastic bottle on the tray as Maya walks over with a small cake with white icing and pink and white around the base. A light pink 1 candle is stuck in the top. "What is—"

"It's just for her. Gives her a chance to make a mess if she wants, and we still have the big cake." She motions to the two tier white cake with white fondant icing and a pink bow around the joint between the first and second tiers, pink fontant butterfly and white glitter fondant tiara on the top, with pink and white hearts on sticks above the cake. There is a 1 on the top tier, and pink polka-dots on the bottom tier.

Bumblebee eagerly bounces on his pedes. "We've never had the chance to try human foods."

I laugh softly. "Calm down, Bumblebee. I still don't know how this will affect us, even in our holoforms." I shake my head. "Besides, I don't think you need anything sweet right now. You're already too hyper."

"Come on, Ratch, lighten up! It's her birthday!"

"He's been that way all day, Bee."

"Why?"

Arcee crosses her arms. "Something about the short life span of humans, and how he could lose her because of old age before he's ready to."

"But she's—she's part Cybertronian! You don't—" Bumblebee turns to me. "Do you…really think that will happen?"

"I don't know what to think, Bumblebee. I want to believe Arcee is right, and that her Cybertronian half will take over, but I need to be realistic. I…can't be certain, at this time."

"Ratchet? You okay?"

I sigh before turning to the human family. "I'm fine, Maya." I turn to Agent Fowler. "Cut the cake. Stephanie shouldn't have to wait because of me."

Bumblebee quickly shifts into his holoform. "I want to try some!"

"Hold on, Bumblebee." I sigh before scanning over the cake. I sigh heavier. "Go ahead, but only one piece. We don't need you to start acting like a sugar-crazed sparkling."

He simply nods before running to Agent Fowler. I sigh as the others follow Bumblebee at a slower pace, activating their holoforms before they reach him. Optimus steps up beside me. "Are you sure you are all right?"

I sigh heavily. "Not really, but I can't change anything, so I have to accept it."

"This isn't just about Mariposa."

I sigh before shaking my head. He's caught me red-handed.

Optimus lays a hand on my shoulder. "I am here if you want to talk about it."

"I know." I sigh heavily. "Now isn't the time. I need to focus on Mari."

"I understand, Old Friend. Just know that you can come to me anytime you need to talk."

"I know." I turn to Mariposa to find her a lot cleaner than I had epected her to be at this point, especially with Maya handing her a cake of her own. "You can join the others, Optimus. I'll be fine."


The party disbands soon after, with Arcee, Bumblebee, Bulkhead, and Cliffjumper heading off in different directions for their patrols—Cliffjumper taking Electro with hope that it will make him recharge—and Optimus returns to his berth room to finish some paperwork.

"Ratchet?"

I sigh, and turn my attention to the agent. "Yes?"

He sighs. "I don't know if you want to have Mari in church or not—"

"Everything we've seen up to now has led us to believe we have the same creator, just different names for him."

Agent Fowler waves a hand in the air. "Doesn't matter. Our church is having a baby dedication tomorrow. Anyone younger than two—"

I turn to him, confused, and mildly worried. "Your church is having a what?"

"A baby dedication."

"And that is?"

"It's a public statement that you'll raise your kid to follow God."

That helps…some. "And…"

"Our church is holding one tomorrow. Pastor Wyatt said any child two or younger could be dedicated to the Lord, and I wanted to know if you wanted to start taking Mari…"

"Bill?"

"Just a minute, Maya." He turns back to me. "Think about it. Hope you come. I have to—"

"Go, before your femme gets too angry." I watch as the three leave, then glance down to Mariposa. As a femme prime, she'll need to be closer than most to the deity. I should have thought of it before now, but Agent Fowler's invitation gives me the opportunity to start her on the right path.


I take my icing-smeared daughter into my berth room to clean her up, then change her into a sleeveless white onesie with a pink 1 and tulle bundled on the shoulder with dark pink bows on the shoulders, a light and dark pink tutu, white bobby socks with pink lace, and white Mary Jane shoes, leaving the tiara. Once she's changed, I give her a cupcake pacifier and carry her into the main room and set her in her playpen so I can monitor the comms. The second I do, she cruises closer to me.


Jasper, Nevada, Bumblebee's POV

I sigh heavily as I drive down the road. I hate being alone. It's too easy to think about the day I lost my voice to Megatron.

My signal detector just beeped. Maybe I've found some energon. Primus knows we need it. We can't ever find enough for our team, and with Mari now needing it too and Arcee having a sparkling, we need it more than ever. I pull up to the coordinates and transform before looking around. I gasp when I find the source of the signal.

'A sparkling.'

I kneel to get a closer look. She's battered, and leaking energon badly. When I roll her over I see a faction symbol.

'Decepticon. I should have known. Those monsters hurt this little one. She's one of their own.'

I look over the rest of her frame.

'Seeker, Starscream's patterns…'

"Oh, Primus!"

'I bet Megatron or Starscream did this. Guess Ol' Megs is fragging Starscream. This little one must have escaped her Sire's wrath before she was sparked… Or, more likely, he's been beating her since she was sparked because she wasn't a mech. He probably wants an heir.'

I move to activate my comm when the little one wakes up. She sees me and tries to back up, but instead falls to the ground as pain flares in her red optics.

I kneel to her, trying to look less threatening. "Don't be afraid, little one." 'There's got to be something I can do for her.' "My name's Bumblebee. What's yours?"

"I Venom. Siwe hurt me, Bumbee."

'Bumbee. She sounds so much like Mari. I can't leave her out here.' "I know, little one. I'll get you some help, okay?"

She nods slightly. "I sleepy."

"Don't try to recharge now. You're too hurt." I sigh as she falls over, unconscious.


Base, Ratchet's POV

"Ratchet?"

"What is it?"

"I found a Decepticon seeker—a sparkling. She's hurt, badly."

"I'll open a bridge. Bring her through, quickly." After opening the ground bridge, I take Mariposa and set her into a play area similar to the one in my berth and prepare my medical tools for the no doubt trying procedure. Optimus is right about one thing—I am very sensitive to abused, abandoned, orphaned, or neglected younglings—sparklings in particular—because I'm a carrier with Praxian coding. That's why I took Bumblebee in, and why I'm currently caring for Mariposa.


Bumblebee bursts through the base, holding the small seekerling against his chest, being careful of her damaged wings. "Ratchet!"

I call to him from the medical bay. "Bring her in here, Bumblebee."

He runs in and lays her on the berth, then watches as I examine her. "How bad is it?"

"She'll survive, but it's going to take a lot of work. Why don't you go back to your patrol. I can take care of the little one now."

"I'd rather wait for her. She knows me."

"Then go try to get Optimus on the comms. He needs to know about the seekerling."

"Her designation is Venom. She told me."


Bumblebee's POV

I hear Ratchet scoff as I leave the medical bay. Once out, I run to the comms. "Optimus."

"Yes, Bumblebee?"

"You need to come back. I found a sparkling—a seekerling."

"Activate the ground bridge. Use my coordinates."

"Will do." I turn to the ground bridge controls and quickly open the bridge. Once Optimus pulls through and transforms, I close it and turn to him. "She's with Ratch in the medical bay. She said her Sire beat her."

Optimus closes his optics silently.

"Venom needs someone who loves her, especially after what she's been through."

"Venom?"

"Her given designation."

Optimus sighs. "Let's go see this little one."


Medical bay, Ratchet's POV

"Dada! Op! Bumbee!"

I turn to Mariposa, then look up to see Optimus and Bumblebee walk in. "Optimus? Do you need something?"

"I wanted to see our new little one."

I nod and step away from the berth.

"Venom? Are you all right?"

"Bumbee?" She blinks before looking up into Optimus' faceplates. "AAAAHHHHHH!"

Bumblebee quickly pull her to his chest. "It's all right, Little One. That's just Optimus. He's not going to hurt you."

"You are safe here, Little One."

"I Venom. Who you?"

"I am Optimus Prime, Venom. Welcome to the Autobots."

Venom looks up at me, then turns to Optimus. "He no hurt me."

"Nope. He's safe."

She looks up to Optimus. "You be my guardian, Opt?"

He smiles slightly, and I can tell with just a look that he has already started forming a bond with her. "I can be, Little One." He sighs before looking up at me. "Finish her repairs and get her stats recorded."

"Under which designation? I'm sure you don't want to use her Decepticon one."

He looks at her thoughtfully. "Sunset."

I smile slightly. "From what I've gathered so far, she is the same age as Mari."

Optimus nods. "I will update Agent Fowler. With hope he will be able to locate supplies large enough for her."

I nod before sighing. "I still have a few repairs before she can be released."

Optimus nods. "Ratchet's going to finish repairing you, then I'll take you back to my berth room. Be good for Ratchet. I will be in the main room."

She nods nervously before turning back to me while pointing to Mariposa. "You sparklin'?

I nod. "She's my daughter, yes."

"No look like you."

"I know. She's part human. I saved her."

"Li'e Bumbee save me?"

I nod. "Like Bumblebee saved you."


Main Room, Optimus' POV

Arcee and Cliffjumper pull in from a shared patrol. Arcee takes Electro out of the back seat so Cliffjumper can transform. "What's going on?"

I turn to her as Bumblebee stands and walks over to the two. "I found an injured sparkling on my patrol. It's a seekerling, the same age as Mari."

"Has the little one got a guardian?"

"Ratchet believes she has begun to form one with me."

Cliffjumper turns to me. "A femme?"

Bumblebee nods. "A battered femme. She said her Sire beat her. She said that he called her Venom."

"What a horrible name."

"I have already changed it to Sunset. Bumblebee and I are under the impression that her creators were Megatron and Starscream because of her appearance."

Arcee smiles.

I turn to Bumblebee. "Bumblebee, why don't you go see if Ratchet has finished with the Little One?"

I nod. "Of course, Optimus."


Main Room, Bumblebee's POV

I return to the group with Sunset on my hip a few minutes later. Ratchet followed behind me with Mariposa. Sunset is clinging to me nervously, hiding her head in my shoulder. "She's really scared right now, so don't jump at her."

Arcee nods before stepping closer.

"Come on, Sunny. It's just Cee. She's an Autobot like Optimus and I. She's not going to hurt you."

I kneel so Arcee can get a closer look at her. "Hi, Sunny. I'm Arcee. This is my son, Electro."

"Hi Cee. Hi, 'Lec'wo."

Cliffjumper leans down to her. Arcee sighs when she sees Sunset bury her face back into my shoulder. "That's just my partner, Cliffjumper."

Sunset turns to look at him. "You can call me Cliff."

"Hi, C'iff."

The ground bridge suddenly roars to life, startling Sunset. She buries her face back in my shoulder, but not before I see the lubricant gathering in the corners of her optics. "It's almost like she thinks Megatron is coming through the bridge." I shake my head before turning to Sunset. "It's okay, little one. It's just Bulkhead. He's a friend of mine."

"Autobot?"

I nod. "Yes, Sweetspark. He's an Autobot."

Bulkhead pulls in and stops before transforming. I stand up with Sunset in my arms before handing her to Optimus. He takes

her and steps over to Bulkhead. "Bulkhead, did you find anything on your patrol?"

"No sign of cons, no sign of energon."

Arcee looks over at Bulkhead. "That's odd."

"I found both."

Bulkhead at the seekerling in Optimus' arms. "Is that a sparkling?"

"No, Bulkhead, it's a cybercat." Arcee says, her voice dripping with sarcasm.

"Stop it, Arcee." I turn back to Bulkhead. "She's a Decepticon seekerling. I found her leaking energon while on my patrol. Her name is Sunset."

"That doesn't sound like any Con name I've ever heard."

Arcee crosses her arms and glares at Bulkhead. "That's 'cause it's not, Bulk. Optimus changed it from Venom earlier today."

"Oh." Bulkhead rubs the back of his neck. "Sorry, Bee."

"It doesn't upset me any, but Sunny's scared enough right now. She's already been startled by Optimus and I. Ratch hasn't had a chance to change her faction symbol yet."

"And I can't until she's recovered."

Optimus nods before taking Sunset from me. "And she is not receiving any symbol until she is old enough to choose for herself."


Optimus' POV

We look up when we hear the proximity sensor. Sunset clings tighter to me as fear pulses in my spark through our new bond, causing me to glare at the elevator, knowing exactly who scared her.

"What's the problem, Prime?"

I shrug off the urge to sigh and calmly turn to the man on the platform. "We are in need of supplies to care for a young child." I motion to the sparkling clinging to me.

Agent Fowler seems shocked when he sees the small seeker in my arms. Sunset's curiosity overpowers her fear, and she turns to see the platform.

"Is that a Decepticon?"

"She is a seekerling, Special Agent Fowler. She never should have been given a faction symbol until she is old enough to choose a side."

Ratchet looks over from the computer console. "It's nowhere near as severe as the abuse her Creators have done to her. It was far worse than what we saw on Mariposa. Bumblebee brought her to me because she was badly hurt. He found her in the desert, alone."

"So her parents just abandoned her? Like Mariposa?" I nod. "I'll see what I can do, Prime." He sighs. "Try not to be as protective as Ratchet was."

"I will do my best." Once he's gone, I turn to Ratchet. "I need you to change her beacon for me. As soon as you can."

"I will when I remove her faction symbols." He smiles. "I'll even make a bracelet like Mari's for her."

"Thank you, Old Friend." I glance down when I feel Sunset shift, and move closer to Ratchet so she can see Mariposa better.


Ratchet's POV

Optimus and I set the two on the floor. "Bumblebee, watch them."

"Why?"

"I need to talk with Optimus. I'll be back in a few minutes." I sigh. "But with Mari crawling, I know better than to leave her alone."


Third POV

Bumblebee nods before turning to watch the two. After a minute, he sits on the low wall near the platform. He's about to doze off when Mariposa uses his ankle to pull herself up. "Mari? What are you—oh, Primus." He reaches up to his comm. "Ratch, I think you're going to want to come see this."

"What is it? Is something wrong?"

"No, it's just something a Creator doesn't want to miss."

Ratchet ends the comm before starting for the main room. Optimus turns to him nervously. "Bumblebee said nothing was wrong, Optimus. It's just something he wants me to see."


Ratchet's POV

The second we reach the main room, I stop in my tracks. Mariposa turns to me with a wide smile. "Dada!"

"Call her."

I look at Bumblebee, more than a little confused. "What?"

Bumblebee scoffs. "I'll do it." He walks a few steps away from her before shifting into his holoform. "Come to Bee, Mari. Come on."

She refuses to budge. I sigh heavily before following Bumblebee's actions and kneeling to her. "Come here, Mari. Come see Daddy." I sigh. 'This is never going to work, and I just feel silly.' I gasp softly as she toddles shakily toward me. "By the All Spark." She stumbles when she gets within arms' reach, so I quickly catch her and pick her up as I stand.


Bedtime, Ratchet's POV

I change Mariposa into a white sleeper with a pink and brown sprinkle print and a cupcake graphic before tucking her into her crib. Arcee put Electro down fifteen minutes ago, and Optimus is getting ready to tuck Sunset into her new berth. Everyone else is either on a late patrol or recharging, meaning it's the perfect time for me to do a scan.

I step into the medical bay and grab a hand-held scanner before running it over my plating, then turn it so I can read the results. 'Slag. Not again.' I close my eyes silently. 'Primus, please let this one go by without any trouble, and if you can't, help me accept it, and let me stay on-line. If for no other reason, than to make sure I can raise my Mariposa, and see her grow.' I smile sadly. 'Maybe even one day, see her bonded.'