"Normal Talk"

"Bee's Talk"

"Bee's Talk Holoform"

"Other Side Over the Phone (Comms)"

'Thoughts'

~Bond communication~

~Telepathic communication~


Long Distance Babysitter Part 1

Ratchet's Berth Room, Ratchet's POV

It's been three days since Mariposa's birthday party. I've been able to hide the fact that I'm carrying from the rest of the team, mostly because I'm not as sick as I was then. With Mariposa now toddling around the base, it's difficult to get my work done, but Agent Fowler has a plan. The only problem is, we can't have Mariposa running around the base for the time it will take him and a few other soldiers build a fence near the computers. They plan to make it to where I can remove it when she is older, but for now, we need a way to contain her so I can get some work done.

"Up! Dada! Up!"

'Speaking of Mariposa…' I stand and cross the room to her before activating my holoform and lifting her out. She's wearing a pink sleeper with a white cloud print—something new Agent Fowler brought us when he came to tell us about his idea.

"Baba?"

"You know we have to get you dressed first."

She pouts as I set her on the changing table. I don't like seeing her like this, but sometimes there's no other choice. "Baba."

I shake my head before changing her into a light pink short sleeved onesie with a black Batsymbol, black tutu with attached leggings, light pink socks, her tiara, and white Velcro tennis shoes with pink trim—another present from Agent Fowler. After, I quickly get her a bottle, now having to keep a fridge in my berth room because she is too old for the formula. After handing it to her, I set her into her play-space, knowing that Agent Fowler will be arriving soon to start work.

I turn at a knock before returning to my normal form and opening the door. "Optimus? What—"

"I have found someone to watch Mariposa until tomorrow evening."

I give him a confused look. "I didn't know you were—"

"There is a family on an island in Maine who know of our kind. They are in rescue work, and I plan to have them as our assist should we ever find an active rescue team."

"Will they be able to handle—"

"The couple has four children of their own, Ratchet. Mariposa will be in good hands."

"Have you met with them?"

Optimus sighs. "I have met the couple several times, but I have yet to meet the children. We will not have to worry about them handling her care." He lays a hand on my shoulder. "I will have to take her to them myself, Old Friend. I cannot allow anyone on this team to go to the island in this form."

"But—"

"They are used to advanced technology, but the idea of aliens will cause panic."

I sigh. "All right. I'll get her things packed." I turn to her closet before turning back to Optimus. "They do have bottles—"

Optimus smiles slightly, apparently amused at how worried I am about Mariposa, though, as usual, it doesn't reach his eyes. Part of me hoped that having Mariposa around would change his view of the universe. "Their youngest is two, so yes."

I sigh before slipping several outfits into a bag. "And you're sure they'll be able to take care of her? If those monsters find her…"

Optimus lays a hand on my shoulder. "Mariposa will be fine, Ratchet. It's a small island town. They will know if anyone comes onto the island that they have not met, and I have shared the pictures Agent Fowler supplied us with so they know who to look for."

"Thank you." I turn back to the bag and slip the pictures inside with her schedule, just to be safe. "I have to finish packing her things and get her changed. When do you plan to leave?"

Optimus sighs. "In fifteen minutes. The soldiers will be arriving soon."

"I understand. And who will be caring for Sunset?"

"Cliffjumper. He is taking her and Bumblebee for a drive until I return."

I sigh as he walks out before picking my daughter up and heading for the energon storage to prepare her energon supply for the next two days.

"Dada? Go?"

"To get a cube of energon."

"No." She points to herself. "Go?"

"You're just going to stay with a sitter for a day or two."

She shakes her head and clings tighter to my thumb. "Dada!"

I sigh heavily. "Optimus would never send you somewhere where they could get you, Mari. They live on an island, and they have a little boy close to your age."

She tilts her head to the side.

"And it's only going to be for two days at the most. Optimus promised."

She nods. "Op." We both know Optimus would never break a promise.

I set her in the fence before pouring her energon into six stainless steel bottles before capping them and setting them in the bottom of her bag. After that, I grab a couple pacifiers and the clip to keep her from losing them and slip the pacifiers into her bag before clipping the one that says "Princess Mariposa" to the clip. She toddles over with her teddy bear and the monkey she got from Stephanie. I nod before putting the teddy bear into the bag, as well as her favorite blanket in case she needs it, leaving her monkey out for her to carry with her.

I sigh before picking her up and turning to her changing table. "Time to get you dressed, little one." I help her into an orange cap sleeved ruffled T-shirt, white jeggings with a pink and orange print, white socks, and orange Velcro tennis shoes, then pin the pacifier clip to her shirt before slipping on an orange cardigan sweater and matching orange knit hat. As an afterthought, I slip her tiara into a pocket in her bag.


Main Room, Ratchet's POV

I carry her and her bag into the main room, where I find Agent Fowler waiting with a new car seat—a white car seat with a dark pink leopard-heart print cover and extra padding. "Optimus called me. I came a little early to help you with this." He lifts the car seat for emphasis. "It can be tricky sometimes making sure it's secured right."

"I understand. I have one built in, so we will only need that for the rest of the team."

Agent Fowler nods. "And we were able to secure a specially made one for Arcee to use." He climbs into Optimus' vehicle mode and fastens the car seat in before climbing part-way out and reaching for Mariposa.

"No!" She clings tighter to my thumb.

"Mari, Sweetspark, you can't stay here."

Agent Fowler chuckles softly. "Looks like she learned that one early."

I scowl down at the agent. "I don't see what's funny about this, Agent Fowler."

He sighs before prying her fingers loose. "It's just separation anxiety. Children get it all the time." He fastens her in before turning to me. "She's been dependent on you since you found her, Ratchet. This is the first time she's gone somewhere without you."

I give him a look. "I know that, Agent Fowler. I've made it a point to leave her with the other Autobots because she knows them, and she knows I'll be back the second she needs me."

"And look where that's got you." He pulls her off my hand before she has the chance to grab my finger again. He sets her in the car seat and fastens her in.

She starts crying and reaching out for me. "NO! DADA!"

I reach over and move Agent Fowler out of the way before leaning down to her. "It's going to be okay, Little One. You'll come back, Mari. It's just for two days, then you'll be back with us again. I'd never send you away. You mean too much to me."

She hiccups softly before turning toward the dash. "Op?"

"I will pick you up tomorrow night, Mariposa. We are not going to leave you like your old parents."

She holds her arms out to me.

I sigh and shake my head. "I can't take you out, Sweetspark. You have to go with Optimus."

"No." She holds her arms out again.

"Oh…" I step back and shift into my holoform before climbing into the semi. "One hug, but then you have to go. We've got something to build for you while you're gone." I hand her a pink "M" pacifier, then climb out before returning to my normal form.

She waves to me before Optimus shuts the door.

I step over to the ground bridge before setting the coordinates, thankful that Agent Fowler can't see my face from where he's standing. The streaks of coolant now on my faceplates would be difficult to explain under the best of circumstances. Now, with my carrying again and having lost Serenity two months ago, coupled with Mariposa being taken away for two days…at least one of the Autobots will be able to tell that something is up.


Maine, Mariposa's POV

I hate riding in Optimus. He doesn't have any windows in the back, and that Fowler guy won't put me in the front so I can see. I don't like him. He scares me. I don't know why, but he does. I didn't even want to leave Dada, but they made me anyway. Now I'm stuck in this seat and I can't move. Worst of all: Op doesn't have toys inside like Dada. I got bored with my monkey and stuck her in the seat, but I pull her out when I have an idea and throw her at the dash. I squeal when it hits the center of the wheel, right on the flashy symbol.

"Mariposa, what was that for?"

"Op." I scowl into the mirror when it faces me. I hate not being able to talk.

"I know you did not want to leave, Mariposa, but you could have gotten hurt."

I shake my head and hug myself. "Dada." I know my new Dada would never hurt me—not like my old Mama and Dada would. He loves me. I just wish Sissy had lived. He looks so sad now.

Optimus sighs before stopping. "I did not mean that Ratchet would hurt you, Little One. We are going to have soldiers in the base to build something, and we are afraid you would get hurt if you are underfoot. I know the people who are going to be caring for you until they are finished, and they would never harm you. They have a little boy who is a little older than you are."

I tilt my head to the side and smile slightly. This may be a little more exciting than I thought.

Optimus pulls forward, and we rock slightly.

"Op?"

"It is a ferry, Mariposa. We are almost there."


Optimus' POV

I hated taking Mariposa from Ratchet so soon after he's lost Serenity, but leaving Mariposa in a place where she could be hurt was not an option. I watch her through the rearview as we ride toward the island. I have my holoform on, simply to hide my identity, and I have my signals shielded to protect this island. I have plans for it in the future—I simply hope that the rescue team that never returned to Cybertron is still alive somewhere in space.

I glance back to Mariposa again before turning my attention back to the ocean in front of us. I look down when my holoform bumps something before handing her pink monkey back to her. I may regret that, with her already aggravated at me, but I don't want to wind up returning to base with her toy when Ratchet sent it with her for a reason.

The ferry shakes when we dock. I pull forward carefully, knowing that my large vehicle mode could damage the pier if I move too quickly. Once we're off the pier, I stop long enough to dial their number.

"Hello?"

"Chief Burns. It is Optimus Prime. I have arrived on the island."

"We'll meet you in the tunnels."

I end the call and turn for one of the many tunnel entrances, deactivating my holoform once I am away from human eyes.

"Op? Go?"

"Underground." I pull to a stop and park.

"Op?"

"They are coming, Mariposa."

"Hey, Optimus."

"Hello, Chief Burns. Sage."

"Where is the Little One?"

"She is in the back." I feel Chief Burns climb up and open the door. I can see Mariposa wave to them shyly. "Mariposa, this is Chief Charlie Burns." I wait for Chief Burns to lift her car seat and bag out of the back and move back, then transform and kneel to him.

Sage is the first to speak up. "She doesn't look like your kind."

I nod. "She is not. She is techno-organic, born here on Earth. Her human parents were abusive and negligent. She has shown signs of being afraid of humans, however, the only humans she has met are Agent Fowler, his family, and her own abusive family. I am hoping we can change her mind about humankind before she must start school."

"And you're raising her?"

"My team is. Our medic is in the process of trying to adopt her." I look down at her. "She is royalty to our kind."

"Like you are?" I look down to Sage and nod slightly. As a prime, I am the leader over our race. "So she's a princess?"

"Her true title is the Star Healer, but the human term will suffice around your family and the town."

Chief Burns looks up to me. "Is there anything else we need to know?"

"She requires the same fuel as us. It is harmful to your kind, so I would be careful about your children around it. I have been informed that she has six bottles prepared in her bag, and that our medic has included instructions about her schedule. Make sure the bottles are kept cool until she needs them. Our fuel can be highly flammable."

Chief Burns nods. "We'll keep that in mind."

Sage stands with Mariposa after unfastening the car seat. "Does she have a human name?"

"Marianne. Our medic calls her Mari."

"And her abusers…"

"Should be in prison. There are pictures of the couple in the bag."

"I understand." He stoops to get the bag and car seat.

Mariposa looks over Sage's shoulder at me, waving weakly.


Firehouse, Charlie's POV

I set the bag on an end table before turning to take Marianne from Sage. Sage crosses the room and takes out the list and the six steel bottles, which she puts in the fridge before skimming the list. "This says she wakes up at six. They live three hours behind us, so it's almost time for her breakfast."

"Who does, Mom?"

Sage and I turn to see our second-youngest son walk in, followed by Kade and Dani, the latter carrying our youngest—a squirming two-year-old. "I'll start fixing breakfast."

I sigh. "No one, Son. If someone will take her, I'll get Dani's old high chair from the storage room."

Dani sets Cody in the high chair before turning to see Marianne in my arms. "Who's this?"

"This is Marianne. We're watching her for a friend from the mainland. He's trying to adopt her. He said she's a princess."

"For how long?"

Sage shakes her head. "It doesn't matter, Kade."

Mariposa pushes against me, trying to get down. "Dow'!"
Dani walks over to take the baby. "I'll take her, Dad."

"Just don't upset her, Dani. She's still a little scared of us."

"I won't."


Sage's POV

Charlie returns with the high chair as I turn to serve the others. Dani stands and puts Marianne into the high chair before returning to her seat. I step over and set a bowl on the tray before starting to feed her.

Once everyone finishes eating, I start cleaning up, letting Dani take her out and clean her up while Charlie cleans Cody

Up and sets him free to play. I shake my head and sigh. "Kade, Graham, take Cody down to the bunker with you, and make sure the door to the tunnel is closed. Dani, she needs to go down for a morning nap, after you brush her teeth." I hand her one of the bottles from the fridge. "Make sure she drinks this, but be careful not to get it on yourself."

"Where do you want me to take her?"

I sigh. "Your father and I set up the room across from Kade for her."

"You're sure Kade won't wake her?"

"We sent the boys to the bunker. I'll need you to listen for her in case we get a call."

"I'll go up to my room."

"Just keep an ear out for Mari."

"Mari?"

I shrug. "It's her nickname."


One Hour Later, Dani's POV

I look up when I hear a cry. With the boys downstairs and Mom and Dad on a call, I'm the one in charge of Mari.

I switch on the light, causing Mari, who is standing in the crib, to look at me curiously. "Dada?"

I pick up the bottle first, and shake it, smiling when I find it empty. "He's not back yet, Sweetheart." I slip her the "M" pacifier and lift her out of the crib. "I'm Dani. Can you say Da-ni?"

"Da-ni."

"Good job, Cutie Pie." I tickle her, causing her to giggle, before sighing. "You are a stinky little girl. Let's get you changed." I set her on the changing table before getting into her diaper bag and pulling out a diaper and a clean outfit.

"Baba?"

"Let's change your diaper first, Sweetheart." I change her before dressing her in an orange sundress with a white waistband and orange flower, white short leggings, white socks, and white strappy flats, then slip on the tiara I had found in her bag, and clip the pacifier holder to her dress. I then pick her up and start down to the kitchen.

"Dani. Baba."

"I'm getting it, Sweetheart." I fill one of Cody's old bottles with milk before handing it to her. I carry her down to the bunker and set her beside Cody on the floor. Kade is playing a video game, and Graham is playing pinball, leaving Cody to play with a fire truck on the floor. Mari drops her bottle and toddles over to where I had left my stuffed elephant before reaching for it. When she realizes she can't, she starts to cry, her pacifier falling out. I run over to her and hand my elephant to her before picking her up and cuddling her.

"Baba?"

I set her back beside Cody. "Right here, Sweetheart." I sigh and pull a book off the shelves before sitting by the two and starting to read to my brother and Mari.


Bunker, Ten Minutes Later, Charlie's POV

Sage and I walk into the bunker to find Dani reading to the babies while Kade and Graham each play their own games—Graham with pinball and Kade with his PlayStation.

Dani looks up to us. "Hey, Mom, Dad. I put the bottle in her diaper bag."

Sage nods. "Good."

"What was that stuff, anyway? It looked like it was glowing blue."

"He didn't tell us anything but that she needed it."

"So it's some kind of medicine?"

I sigh. "I guess so…" I turn to the boys. "We're going on our yearly fishing trip this afternoon."

"Why are we waiting so long?"

I sigh heavily. "Because Marianne and Cody need their naps before we can leave."

"She's taking over our house!"

Sage sighs. "She's only going to be here until tomorrow night, Kade, so come off it."

Dani slams the book shut, scaring Marianne, before standing and whirling to face Kade. "What do you have against the babies, Kade?"

Kade rolls his eyes and opens his mouth to speak, but a glare from Sage silences him. "Marianne will only be here for a couple days. It's not going to kill you to help out with her until she has to go back home."

"Fine."


That Afternoon, Dani's POV

I walk into Mari's room and pick her up before shaking yet another metal bottle. "Empty. Good." I set her on the changing table and change her before dressing her in an orange cap sleeved, collared dress, orange bloomers, orange socks, and orange strappy flats, opting to leave her tiara in her bag. I then pick her up and start down the stairs.

"Dani?"

"What do you need, Sweetheart?"

"Baba?"

"We'll get you one before we leave."

"Go?"

I smile at her. "We're going fishing. We do it every year."

She tilts her head to the side.

I smile. "It can get a little boring sometimes, but we keep some toys on the boat for Cody in case you get bored."

I carry her downstairs, and get her bottle before putting her into her car seat in the back of Dad's cruiser. Kade's driving himself, leaving Graham and I to ride with Dad and the babies.


Darby Eva, Charlie's POV

I check the kids' life jackets before we step onto the pier, and help Cody into his. I turn to see Dani helping Marianne into her first life jacket, then check it too. Once I'm sure my family will be safe, we climb onto the Darby Eva and set off for an afternoon of fishing.


Darby Eva, Mariposa's POV

We're on the boat now. I don't see what's so fun about this. I whine and tug on the vest they clamped on me. It's pink and black, so I can't say I hate it because of that, but I still don't like the thing.

Charlie, the man Op left me with, pulls my hand off the vest. "Marianne, you have to keep that on. We don't want you to fall in and get hurt."

"No." I tug at it again. I hate this thing.

Dani kneels to me and holds out a toy boat. I like her. She's nice. I smile and take the boat before turning to their little boy. I think I heard Sage call him Cody.

"Tha's a boa'."

I nod and point to what he's playing with. It's some kind of red car, but it doesn't look like Op.

"Fiwe twuck."

I smile. I like fire trucks. Dada said that Fowler guy hasn't been able to find one big enough for me to play with, so I don't have one yet, but I want one.


Dani's POV

I turn to the two and watch them play when I feel a tug on my line. "I think I caught something!"


Mariposa's POV

I look up when Dani yells. Soon she's holding something, saying it's a rare fish. I shake my head. 'That's a boot, Dani, not a fish.' I watch her toss it back overboard before turning back to the boat in my hands. I don't know what to do with this, and I'm tempted to throw it at Kade, but I know it would go off the boat, and it's not mine to lose, so I can't.


Beach, Two Hours Later, Sage's POV

I meet the boat with a beach bag and take the kids to the beach. I change Marianne into a swim diaper, then help her into a pale orange ruffled one piece swimsuit with a skirt, a matching pale orange swim cap, and pale orange sandals as Charlie helps Cody into his, then we meet on the shore.

I set the sandals on the sand and lead her down to the shore. She giggles as the waves wash over her toes, then pats the sand before moving to crawl into the ocean. I reach for her only to have her use my arm to pull herself up. I stand and hold her hands as she toddles into the water, and sits in the shallow water near the beach before splashing and giggling.


Firehouse, Sage's POV

I slip off Marianne's swimsuit and bathe her before dressing her in an orange sleeper with a white butterfly print. Once she's dressed, I take her into the kitchen and dig out one of Cody's old bibs. After fastening it on her, I start to feed her as Charlie dishes our meal out to the rest of the family.

Once everyone's done, I take Cody and Marianne upstairs and get them to bed.

"Sa?"

I look over to where Marianne is standing in her crib. "What do you need, Marianne?"

She points to her bag, where the arm from a teddy bear is sticking out, and reaches for it.

"Oh. Your teddy bear." I pull it out to find a textured fuzzy heart blanket. "And your blanket."

She reaches for them as I hold them out.

I nod and hand them to her. "Go to sleep, little one."

Her lower lip trembles as tears start to roll down her cheeks. "Dada."

"I know, Little One. He'll be back tomorrow night." I wrap her in the blanket and pick her up, then settle into the rocking chair. "It's all right. He'll come back. But for now you need to get to sleep." I sigh and start singing softly.