Sorry I'm posting this so late! Woke up and discovered I'd actually been abandoned. I may be 23, but I am autistic and dependent on my Dad, who left before I woke up, to move into another place without me. I cannot get him to answer me... I'm supposed to be writing abandoned, not being abandoned!


"Normal Talk"

"Bee's Talk"

"Bee's Talk Holoform"

"Other Side Over the Phone (Comms)"

'Thoughts'

~Bond communication~

~Telepathic communication~


Long Distance Babysitter Part 2

The Next Morning, Firehouse, 6:00 AM, Sage POV

I wake up when I hear Marianne crying. "She adjusted fast."

Charlie sighs. He had a late night on patrol, and is still half-asleep. "She's had to, Sage, with the life she had before Prime's medic found her."

"I know." I sigh softly. "I'll go get her before she wakes the others."


Mariposa's Room, Sage POV

"I'm here, Sweetheart."

She reaches up for me, her bear still clutched in one hand.

I reach down to her and watch her drop the bear to hold onto me. I set her on the changing table and change her before dressing her in an orange cap sleeved flowey shirt with white stitching and trim, white jeans, and white socks, setting the shoes aside, but slipping on the tiara. We're not going to leave the house until everyone's up, and she'll be ready for a nap then.

"Sa? Baba?"

I tickle her, causing her to giggle, then pick her up. "We'll get you one downstairs." I smile when I remember the old playpen in the storage room. I have a rig check to do, and I learned with Kade that I can't let a baby play in the rig while I work. Once in the kitchen, I fill a bottle and hand it to her.

"Go?"

"Down to the garage. I have to check the ambulances."

She points to herself. "Go?"

"Yes, you can come with me."

She squeals happily.

I forgot that Optimus had told us about his medic, and the rest of the team. Her guardian is an ambulance, so she'll feel safe just being around the rigs in the garage. She'll be content sitting in the airway seat while I work, but I'll take a couple of Cody's trucks just in case.


Garage, Mid-Rig Check, 8:00 AM, Sage's POV

"Mom? You down here?"

I lean out of the second and last ambulance to find Dani stepping out of the elevator. "We're in here."

Dani climbs in with me.

Marianne squeals, throwing the "Trauma Teddy" I'd handed her when she got bored with the trucks. "Dani!"

Dani walks over and unclips her from the child seat under the padding on the airway seat before turning to me. "Dad said you refused to have a baby in the rigs since Kade trashed the rig."

"Her father works in EMS on the mainland, and Marianne's much better behaved than Kade was as a baby."

"Gotcha." Dani smiles before turning toward the equipment elevator. "Can I help you with the 'copter?"

"Not today, Dani. I'll need you to watch Mari while I do. There's nothing up there to keep her from falling." I sigh. "Besides, your brothers will be up soon, and I need to get this done so I can make breakfast."

"Then Mari goes down for her nap."

I nod. "You're good with her, Dani."

She beams. "Mari just likes me, I guess."

"That's good." I sigh before turning to her. "Dani, Mari was abused for the first six months of her life, and abandoned soon after that. Our friend found her and took her in after that. She's only known love for a few months, and she's been afraid of people since then."

Dani looks up to me. "So he's your special friend—the one we're not allowed to meet."

I nod. Dani's the only one of our children who's paid any attention to our connections, and we've had to be creative coming up with ways to hide who—and what—he truly is. I sigh before turning to Dani. "Get Marianne inside. I'll be in soon to start breakfast."


After Breakfast, Dani's POV

I wash Mari's face and hands before taking one of the last three stainless steel bottles out of the fridge. Once I get her upstairs, I set her into her crib, then crawl under when I realize her bottle from last night and her sock monkey were both behind it. I hit the back of my head when I crawl out, and swear under my breath. "Damn it."

I look up when I hear laughter, and find her giggling. I sigh as I hand Mari her monkey, then cross my arms. "So you think that was funny, don't you?"

She nods.

I laugh softly in spite of myself. "I guess it was kind of funny." I stick the empty bottle into the diaper bag and hand her the full one.


One Hour Later, Dani's POV

I walk into Mari's room when I hear her cry, and shake the bottle before picking her up. "Hey, there, Sweetheart." I pick up her "M" pacifier and slip it into her mouth.

"Dani. Baba?"

"After you're changed, Sweetheart."

"Dada?"

"He's not back yet, Little One. Mom says he won't be until late." I change her before dressing her in an orange tank top tunic with frilled cap sleeves and a white waistband and flower, white leggings with orange bows on the ankles, and white socks.

"Go?"

"Down to the bunker so we can play. Dad's still sleeping."

She tilts her head to the side.

"He had patrol last night. We need to let him sleep while he can." I step out of the elevator and join my brothers on the couch. "Hey, boys. Whatcha watching?"

"Nothing. Cody is."

I look down to the normally wild two-year-old watching a cartoon about rescue work, seemingly engrossed. I set Mari down beside him and sit next to Graham. Kade's playing a 3DS game, while Graham's reading a book. With Dad asleep and Mom on a medical call, we've pretty much got the house to ourselves. Of course, to Kade, that means "sit on the couch and do nothing", which means Graham and I are left to care for the little ones. Usually, Cody's running around, and we have to take turns chasing him, but with him engrossed in the show, it gives us the chance to relax. Mari quickly gets dragged in as well, so I grab a book and start reading myself.


Two Hours Later, Dani's POV

Mom got back about an hour and a half ago, and she just called us up for lunch. After we eat, Cody and Mari will go down for their naps, and Kade, Graham, and I get to do whatever we want. I'm meeting a few friends in town, and Kade's taking his current girlfriend for a walk by the river. Graham usually sits in the bunker and reads, but he's going to be watching for the babies to wake up today, so he'll be reading in his room.

Once we're all done, I carry Mari up the stairs and set her in her crib for her nap.

"Dada?"

"Not yet, Sweetheart. Not till tonight." I pick her up when her lip starts to tremble. "It's all right, Mari. He won't forget about you. I'm sure he's missing you just as much as you're missing him." I sigh before laying her back in the crib and handing her the stainless steel bottle. "Just go to sleep, Little One."


Two Hours Later, Graham's POV

I look up when I hear Marianne cry. Since Cody's still asleep down the hall, I quickly get her before she wakes him, and hand her the pacifier. I shake the metal bottle in her crib as Dani had told me, something about some kind of weird medicine and that we need to make sure she drinks it all. After sticking it into her diaper bag, I pick her up and set her on the changing table with a sigh. I've only helped with Cody, and since I was the youngest for so long, I don't have the knowledge they do about caring for a baby, but since I've helped with Cody so often, I do know what needs to be done. I quickly change her before dressing her in an orange cap sleeved shirt with a frilled hem and an apple graphic, white leggings with a red, orange, and yellow apple print, and white socks, then set her on the floor and shut the door. Since I've got sensitive tech in my room, the safest place for her to play until Cody's up is in her room. I sit in front of her and lay out a few of Cody's old toys—the quieter ones, of course. I don't want her waking Cody before he's ready to wake up.

She toddles over and pokes me before giving me a curious look.

I quickly figure out that she's trying to ask me who I am. "I'm Graham."

"G'am."

I laugh softly. It's better than Cody could do at that age. "Close enough."

"Baba?"

I smile down at her before carrying her down to the kitchen to get her a bottle. I hand it to her before heading back up the stairs so I can listen for Cody. I let her down after closing the door, and watch her play, holding the bottle with one hand. She's quite advanced for only being a year old. I've heard her story, and I'm glad they found someone who can take care of her. I wouldn't mind having her for a little sister, but she's got a family now, and I know that if Dad trusts the man caring for her, he's a good man.

I turn to the door when I hear something fall, then stand and carry Marianne to Cody's room. Now that both babies are awake, I can take them down to the bunker.


Evening, Sage's POV

I look over to the kids before turning to Charlie. Once a month, we all go down to a little Italian place in town. It's kind of fancy, but not bad enough that it would be foolish to take children. I sigh before turning to take Marianne from Graham. I've already changed, as has Charlie, who has already started changing Cody's clothes. I send the other three upstairs to get changed, then head upstairs.

I change Marianne's diaper before dressing her in a white sundress with orange daisies and a pink waistband, white tights, and orange Mary Jane shoes. I slip her orange cardigan on for the chilly evening, then head down the stairs to meet with the rest of my family.


Italian Restaurant, Sage's POV

I set Marianne in the high chair they bring as Cody climbs into the booster seat. After we place our orders, I hand the crayons I keep in my purse to the two little ones and let them color. Marianne takes a minute to figure it out, but quickly catches on when she sees Cody coloring.

Graham looks at her curiously. "She seems advanced. Why did she have trouble with the crayons?"

"Most likely because her guardian doesn't want to risk her chewing on them, or choking on them. He's quite busy as a medic as well as a single father, and she's still teething."

"Good thing you've got Dad to help." Dani grins. "And the three of us. We've been able to watch her when you and Dad are on calls."

I nod. "That's why Orion called us when he did."

Kade turns to me. "Wait. If he's been able to handle it this long, why is he only calling on us now?"

Charlie sighs. "Kade, they're working on a construction project that could have endangered her. Once it's done, she'll go home. I don't know if we'll be asked to watch her again or not, but we'll be ready if they do."

Dani sighs. "I hope they do. She's a Sweetheart."

"Baba?"

"Not right now, Sweetie. You need to eat."

She starts trying to get out of the high chair. "Dow'."

"No, Marianne." I sigh in relief when the waitress returns with our food, and help her eat before starting to myself. Once she's done, I hand her a bottle before turning back to my own food.


Night, Sage's POV

Marianne looks up from her last steel bottle. "Dada?"

I sigh softly. "He's going to come while you're asleep, Little One."

She yawns. "Go."

"I know you want to go home. He'll be here soon."

"Mom?" I look over at the door to see Dani.

"Just go back downstairs, Dani. Cody's already asleep for the night."

"Dad said that he just called, and he'll be here in an hour."

I nod. "I'll get her ready."

"Aren't you putting her sleeper back on her?"

I sigh. "He doesn't want her wearing pajamas in public." I walk over to her bag and change her before dressing her in an orange cap sleeved tunic with "cute" in a blue daisy fabric, blue daisy print leggings, and orange sandals, then slip her sweater and hat on, putting the tiara into her bag where Dani had found it. "Make sure we have everything. I don't want them forgetting something she needs here."


Tunnels, Optimus POV

I look over when I see Sage and Charlie walking in with her car seat and bag. Mariposa's head is leaning on Sage's shoulder, and she looks half-asleep. I know it's past her bedtime here, and she must be exhausted, but I promised her I would be back in two days, and I wasn't going to make her or Ratchet wait any longer than they have to.

I kneel to them once they reach me. "Mariposa? Are you ready to go home?"

She looks up sleepily before smiling. "Op!" She looks around. "Dada?"

"He's waiting for us back at the base."

"Dada! Go!"

I nod and transform, allowing Chief Burns to fasten her car seat in before buckling her into it. "Did she behave?"

"She was an angel, Optimus."

"We'll be here if you need someone to watch her." Sage smiles. "She even got Kade to play with her—though I don't think he'd admit it."

"I will remember, Sage. I am thankful that you are so willing to help our kind."

"That's what we're here for, Optimus."

"I am thankful just the same, Chief Burns." I pull out carefully and activate my holoform once I reach the end of the tunnels.


Base, Ratchet's POV

I turn the moment I close the ground bridge. "Optimus? Is she—"

"She is fine, Old Friend." Optimus opens his door and waits for Agent Fowler to get her out, then transforms.

I activate my holoform and run over before starting to undo the buckles, fumbling with them in my haste. Once she's out I hold her close. "I missed you, Baby Girl."

She hugs me. "Dada."

I return to my normal form and look up to Optimus. "Did she behave for them?"

"Yes. They are willing to watch her again in the event that we need them to."

"Thank Primus." I turn to find Mariposa asleep in my hand.

"She has had a busy day, Old Friend. Let her recharge."

"That's fine so long as she doesn't wake me before six." I sigh heavily. "Sunset is with Bumblebee and Arcee in the training room."

Optimus nods. "I will take her to my berth and have Bumblebee sit with Mariposa so you may finish your work."

"Thanks, Optimus." I sigh. "I'll take her to my berth room and get her settled in."


Ratchet's Berth Room, Ratchet's POV

I activate my holoform and change Mariposa into a yellow sleeper with a bunny appliqué, then tuck her into bed. She whimpers softly, but quickly falls into a deeper sleep. I return to my normal form and watch her for a minute before turning to let Bumblebee in.