-1Sweet Child of Mine Chapter 3
Two months later
Sunstreaker walked into the wing of the medical bay where Stormfire's protoform was being built. Or… he should say… being completed. Prowl was there, inputting the final coding that had to be in place before the spark was placed inside the chest walls. Prowl looked up as Sunstreaker walked in and smiled at him before turning back to what he was doing.
Sunstreaker came closer and brushed fingers along Stormfire's arm gently. The protoform was perfect, just as Sunstreaker had drawn it. As a scout, she had cannons on both arms, smaller versions of what Ironhide carried. Her alt form had yet to be finalized and the twins had decided to let her choose for herself when she came online.
Prowl's coding was unique, significant in the fact that he was not using only basic coding and nothing more. He was implanting already learned knowledge into the coding as well. Stormfire would come online with the same amount of knowledge a three hundred year old youngling would have rather than only the knowledge of a sparkling. Prowl had done this because they were at war and there were no other femmes to guard Stormfire if things got worse. He'd had to practically beg Prime for permission before the leader had agreed and had helped in the writing of the code.
"How much longer?" Sunstreaker called up to him.
"About two hours," Prowl replied, looking at the yellow mech for a moment. "Where's your twin?"
"He's helping Bluestreak with something. Prime pulled us off rotation the rest of this week, least until Storm's up and around and able to function with just one of us here with her. I'm not all that crazy about leaving her."
"It'll get easier," Prowl said with a quick smile before turning back to the coding. "You know, Ironhide had trouble leaving you two behind at times, too. That's why there's so many of us around. We can all help out, you know."
"I know, Prowl. Thanks." He brushed fingers across Stormfire's arm once again then stepped away, moving to a chair he'd been using almost every day for the past two months. He sat down in the chair, optics dimming slightly. He simply enjoyed just being in the room… he knew the spark was elsewhere but still… this was as close as he could get to his daughter at the moment. He'd take what he could get.
Prowl put in a few more lines of code then looked down at Sunstreaker, watching him for a moment. He'd never thought to see the day when the cold-hearted warrior could sit so still for so long with such a look of complete and utter peace on his once hardened features. Prowl watched him now, saw the hands and arms that folded across the yellow chest, the artic blue optics that dimmed slightly, giving the idea that he was recharging, but Prowl knew better. Sunstreaker was bonding with his daughter even though she wasn't yet online. Prowl smiled softly and went back to his coding. He had a feeling this new Autobot child was going to bring a lot of changes to their growing faction.
Sideswipe and Bluestreak were headed for the infirmary when Red Alert came from his quarters and stopped in the hallway just ahead of them. Sideswipe had never heard what Red Alert had said two months ago when Sunstreaker had returned home. Bluestreak, however, didn't trust the young medic and had made damned sure he'd never been alone near Stormfire's spark since her creation.
Red Alert, for his part, had stayed away from the twins over the last two months. Oh, he'd heard about the creation of the new spark; knew Ratchet and Wheeljack had built the protoform and that Prowl and Prime had worked on the coding for it, but he did not approve at all. Especially when he learned the sparkling was a femme. Red Alert had no use to femme's at all. They were weak and required constant supervision.
Bluestreak kept on hand on Sideswipe's back, pushing him past the younger medic, his own gaze hard and steely as he met Red Alert's optics with his own. The message was clear: Stay away. Red Alert merely nodded once and turned, walking in the opposite direction. Bluestreak relaxed a little, hand sliding away from Sideswipe as they entered the infirmary.
Sunstreaker was already there, along with Prowl, Prime, Ratchet, Wheeljack and Smokescreen. Mirage and Ironhide appeared a few minutes later along with Bumblebee. Sideswipe walked over to his twin who reached out and took the red mech's hand in his own, holding it tightly. Jazz was in the next room over, still able to see all that was happening, but watching security feeds as well. None of them wanted anything to go wrong.
Ratchet picked up the gold casing that held Stormfire's spark and handed it to Sunstreaker. The yellow twin let go of Sideswipe's hand, taking the casing and holding it tightly. Sideswipe reached over, resting his own hand against the small box as well. For a moment, both twins seemed to offline, their optics darkening and then immediately coming right back online. Sideswipe withdrew his hand and nodded at his twin.
Sunstreaker moved towards the protoform and Ratchet reached out, pushing the chest plates back enough that Sunstreaker could slide the casing into place. Sunstreaker gently pushed the casing into Stormfire's chest walls and then stepped back. Ratchet closed the chest plates and backed away as well even as he kept an eye on the monitors above the femme.
It took several moments before monitors began beeping and systems slowly began to come online. Sideswipe drew closer to his twin, wrapping an arm around him, holding on to him. Sunstreaker felt his twin's worry and pulled him closer.
"It's fine," he whispered softly to Sideswipe.
After what seemed like forever, blue optics flashed once… twice… then came online. The entire room seemed to hold it's proverbial breath as the femme slowly glanced around then looked directly at her parents, a small but noticeable smile crossing her features.
"Hi," she whispered softly and the Autobots in the room let out the collective sigh and excitement began to buzz around them all. Sunstreaker let go of his twin as they both moved closer to their daughter.
"Do you know who we are?" Sides asked quietly. Stormfire nodded and reached up a hand to touch Sideswipe's face. She was a good foot or two smaller than they were and Sideswipe leaned down just a little.
"Sideswipe," she whispered softly then turned to her other parent, reaching out to touch him as well. "Sunstreaker."
"Very good," Sunny whispered, a smile on his face. "And you?"
"Stormfire," the femme answered quietly. Sunstreaker nodded and pulled his daughter into his arms, hugging her tightly. He looked over her head at Sideswipe who stepped in and hugged them both.
Behind them, Prowl looked up at Prime, watching his leader cautiously. Prime watched the scene play out before him and smiled before looking over at Prowl.
"I'm fine," he said quietly. "This is good, Prowl. It really is." Prowl nodded and turned back to the twins and their daughter.
Slowly, the twins pulled away from each other and from Stormfire, but Sunstreaker never left her side, never once pulled too far away from her, at least one hand on her at all times. They let her move around the room, slowly at first till she stabilized herself, allowing her to meet the others in the room. When they came to Optimus the femme stopped, looking up at him with something akin to fear in her baby blue optics. Sideswipe chuckled softly.
"Seems she has inherited Sunstreaker's fear of our leader," he said quietly causing Prime to look at him worriedly before turning his attention back to the younger femme. Prime had never realized Sunstreaker was truly afraid of him.
"Not afraid," Stormfire said softly. "But you're much bigger than everyone else…" Prime smiled at her and held his hand out to her. Instead of taking his hand, however, the femme threw her arms around him, hugging him tightly. Sunstreaker flinched for a moment and Prime caught the movement. He'd talk to the yellow mech later. For the moment, though, he merely hugged the femme back until she was ready to step away from him. When she looked back up at him, she smiled and Prime could see so much of the twins inside of her that he knew he was going to have his hands full in the years to come.
"Storm," Sunstreaker hissed quietly, pulling her away from Prime. "He's our leader. You don't just go around hugging him."
"Why not?" she asked, the childish innocence shining through in her voice. "He didn't mind."
"You just… don't…" Sunstreaker said quietly as he looked around for his twin. Sideswipe was caught up with Mirage at the moment and Sunstreaker frowned slightly but then shook his head and turned his attention back to his daughter. He'd talk to Sides later.
Ironhide watched Sunstreaker with his daughter and then looked back at Sideswipe who was standing close to Mirage, talking with him quietly. Ironhide frowned a moment but didn't have a chance to say anything as Prime tapped him on the shoulder. Ironhide turned to look up at his leader and friend.
"Hey, Prime. So… what do you think?" Prime smiled, watching Sunstreaker and Stormfire as they talked with Bumblebee. Sunstreaker actually seemed at ease around the little scout and Prime figured it was because Bumblebee and Stormfire were the same class and size. Maybe that was a good thing…
"I think the twins will make very good parents," he said quietly as he looked back at Ironhide. "They had a good teacher." Ironhide chuckled softly.
"Lots of good teachers. I wasn't always around. Between missions and wars and everything else… I'm just lucky they still acknowledge me as their father from time to time." Prime nodded slowly.
"When you have time, I'd like to ask you a few questions about Sunstreaker," Prime said softly. It really bothered him that Sunstreaker actually feared him, but it also explained a lot as well. He just wished he knew why.
"Sure things, Prime. I'll come by later today?"
"That would be fine," Prime said, dropping a hand on Ironhide's shoulder before turning and walking away. Prowl watched the interchange, watched Prime leave then turned his attention back to the twins. Bluestreak had kept him apprised of Red Alert's actions ever since the issue two months ago. He was glad to see that Red Alert had chosen not to be there this afternoon. Prowl wanted nothing to disturb the twins and their daughter and he would make damned sure nothing ever did. He looked up as the young femme in question walked over to him, Sunstreaker not far away from her. Prowl watched her as she stopped just in front of him then looked over her shoulder at Sunstreaker.
"What about him? Can I hug him?" Prowl stifled a laugh as Sunstreaker sighed and shook his head.
"Sure. Why not. I'm sure Prowl could use a hug, too." Stormfire turned back to the sub commander and the look on her face… the smile… was so beautiful and bright, her eyes so full of childish wonder and innocence that Prowl knew he was completely done for. She wrapped her arms around him, her face pressing just against his the insignia on his chest. Prowl returned the hug, but his gaze was on Sunstreaker. The yellow mech looked at him then quickly averted his gaze. Prowl frowned at that but let it go for now. When Stormfire stepped back he smiled at her.
"You are, without a doubt, every bit your father's child, little one," he told her softly. "I know you will make both of them very proud and very happy." Stormfire smiled up at him.
"Thank you, Prowl." Prowl nodded as she turned and spied Sideswipe, taking off for him. Prowl turned his attention back to Sunstreaker who suddenly looked very lost. Prowl reached out and rested a hand on the yellow arm, causing Sunstreaker to look over at him.
"Are you okay?" Prowl asked him softly. Sunstreaker nodded quickly and looked away again. Prowl wasn't buying it but he'd let it go for now. Something was bothering the yellow warrior and Prowl had a feeling Sunstreaker was going to need to talk about it soon. "You know where to find me if you need to talk."
"I know, Prowl," he answered quietly. "Thank you." Nodding slightly, he turned and walked towards Sideswipe and Stormfire. Sideswipe turned away from Mirage as Sunstreaker approached and smiled up at his twin. Sunstreaker looked at him then turned his gaze onto Mirage, one hand tightly wrapping around Sideswipe's arm as he did so. Mirage's gaze narrowed slightly just before he slowly backed off. Sideswipe frowned slightly but said nothing, even when Sunstreaker kept hold of his arm. Stormfire tucked herself against Sideswipe and Sideswipe turned his attention to his daughter. She was tired.
"We should get her to our quarters," Sideswipe said quietly. Sunstreaker nodded and looked around for Ratchet. Ratchet caught his gaze and nodded, walking over to him. The medic took one look at Stormfire and smiled slightly.
"She'll tire herself out easily the first few days," he told them. "Come on. I'll help you two get her back to your quarters." Stormfire let Ratchet pull her closer to him as they left the infirmary and walked through the hallways, Sunstreaker finally releasing the hold on his twin. Sideswipe said nothing as they got to their quarters and Ratchet helped Stormfire walk over to the nearest bunk and sat her down on it. She looked up at him and gave him a tired smile.
"Thank you," she whispered softly. Ratchet brushed a hand over the top of her head.
"Your welcome, little one. I'll see you tomorrow." Sunstreaker moved over to the bunk and sat down next to Stormfire, pulling her closer to him. Sideswipe watched them for a moment then walked out with Ratchet into the hallway. Ratchet looked at him curiously.
"Do I detect some jealousy in your twin?" the medic asked carefully.
"Yeah," Sideswipe said, shrugging slightly. "But I figure it'll wear off when he realizes she's not going anywhere and neither am I. It'll be fine." Ratchet nodded slowly.
"If you need me to talk to him, let me know."
"Thanks, Ratchet." Ratchet nodded and grinned before walking off. Sideswipe turned and walked back into his quarters, the door closing behind him. He locked the door and moved further into the room. Stormfire was already in recharge, lying on her side. Sunstreaker was sitting next to her, his fingers tracing along the side and back of her helm. Sideswipe stood and watched him for a moment before Sunstreaker looked up at him.
"She's beautiful," Sunstreaker said softly. Sideswipe nodded and walked over to him, brushing one hand down the side of his twin's as he looked at their daughter.
"Yes she is. And she's ours." Sunstreaker nodded slowly, looking back at Stormfire. "And she's going to be okay, Sunny. We'll make sure of that." Sunstreaker nodded and drew away from her, standing and pulling Sideswipe with him to their own bunk. He sat down and Sideswipe moved to sit next to him.
"What about us?" Sunstreaker asked quietly. He looked over at Sideswipe and Sides saw the fear in those artic blue optics.
"We're fine, Sunny," he answered softly. "Why wouldn't we be?"
"And Mirage?" Sunstreaker asked, the words harsh and almost painful. Sideswipe sighed heavily and looked away for a moment. "Sides?"
"What do you want me to say?" the red warrior said quietly, turning to look at his twin again. "You've always known…" Sunstreaker slowly shook his head.
"Yeah, I know and I've always looked the other way." He sighed heavily and looked back at Sideswipe, his gaze narrowing slightly. "I can't do it anymore, Sides. This… what you and I have gave us a daughter. I'm not going to share that with anyone else. I can't look the other way anymore." Sideswipe's gaze narrowed for a minute. He wasn't ready to give up Mirage but he had a feeling Sunstreaker wasn't going to want to hear that. After a moment, Sideswipe nodded slowly and leaned closer, brushing his hand down the side of his twin's face.
"All right, Sunny. I'll let him go."
"Thank you," Sunstreaker whispered softly just before he pulled Sideswipe closer, kissing him harshly. Sideswipe returned the kiss, pushing Sunstreaker back against the bunk, his thoughts lost for the time being…
TBC…