Disclaimer: All Transformers characters belong to Hasbro. Any made up characters were created by me. This has TF Slash. This is the sequel to It's Now or Never.
Summery: (2007 Movie verse) *sequel to It's Now or Never* Prowl and Jazz get their own sparkling, but can they protect their "baby" from Decepticons?
Parings: ProwlXJazz, RatchetXWheeljack
"blah" – Normal human speak
"blah" – Cybertronian speak
blah – thinking
The Next Generation
by Yami-Yugi3
Chapter 12
Back at the Autobot's base, Ratchet was still working on Prowl as Jazz sat next to his mate's side. Both still greatly upset that their only daughter was dead. "...I...I can't believe it..."
"Neither can I," Ratchet stated. Jazz looked up at him. Prowl could not respond because he was in a medically induced recharge. "I don't believe she's dead."
"...B...But Prowler said..."
"Yes. Starscream DID have substantial evidence. However...I have not felt her signature distinguish. Can you honestly FEEL that she's dead? Prowl never stated he felt her spark die. Try and reach her. I bet you she's being hidden some how."
"I-If ya say so Ratch..."
"I say so. I mean it, reach out to her using your bond."
Jazz slowly closed his optics. H-Harmony, baby...? Harmony's blank expression refocused on the lab. "Opimus, no!" The machine sparked again.H-Harmony...? It's Jazz... "M-m...Mommy?"
Yes sweetspark.
Starscream stared at the pink femme. "What are you doing? You know you cannot resist."
"Mommy! Mommy's in my spark!"
"What? NO! That stupid spark bond! Soundwave! You forgot to install a damper!"
"Not my prime objective." Starscream growled.
"Mommy! Me...no...do this...no mores! No...fight! No...hurt!" Harmony yelled as she fought against the information exchange in her processor. The computer sparked a few more times.
"Computer going critical. Sparkling will must be contained. Overload imminent."
"Then make the firewalls stronger! I won't lose her! She's too valuable!"
"Not anymore!" Elita One yelled, firing at Soundwave. He was shaken, but continued to recalibrate the connection to Harmony. "Get away from her!" she yelled, firing again. The second blast knocked Soundwave unconscious.
"Miss Lita!"
"YOU! You will not interfere, Glitch!" He dived at Elita One, but was shot at.
"NO ONE HARMS MY BONDMATE!"
"Opimus!" Harmony cried out.
Starscream growled before falling unconscious. Elita One rushed over and carefully unhooked Harmony from the fritzing battle computer. She gently pulled out both cords. Harmony broke into frightened sobs and nuzzled into the metallic pink femme.
"It's okay little one, you're safe now." she said calmly.
"Is she alright?"
"She will be, especially once Ratchet takes a look at her. Sssshhhh, hush now. We're going home. You'll be alright now."
Harmony noticed Ironhide wasn't around. "Unca I'onhide?"
"Will be alright too. He's going to ride home with me. He got hurt, but ol' Ratchet will make him better," Optimus said gently.
She burst into new tears. "Me caused it..."
"It wasn't your fault little one."
"Uh huh... I's smart... smart hurts you..."
"You were being forced against your will. That computer was controlling you. You tried to stop it which was very brave," Optimus said as he rubbed her helm.
"Yes... You stopped it. You fought it and won. You didn't want to hurt us. It's alright..." Elita soothed.
"Your father would tell you the same thing." Optimus said "And you know he's smart like you."
"...Daddy...!" she sobbed, nuzzling into Elita.
"Ssshhh, we know, Harmony, we know. He's alright. He's with Ratchet, getting patched up. He's safe. Jazz is safe too."
"Let's go home." Optimus said. Elita One nodded. Optimus led the way out, picking up Ironhide in one of the halls. He moaned weakly as Optimus lifted him to his feet. "Strong enough to walk, old friend?"
"Y-Yeah..." Optimus smiled a bit. He let Ironhide lean on him for support. Once outside, Elita set Harmony on the ground.
"Sit tight. I have to help Optimus get Uncle Ironhide hitched up." Harmony nodded a bit. Optimus transformed and let his trailer, which had been left outside, hitch up. Elita helped lead Ironhide inside. "You just rest on the way home. Ratchet will get you patched up." Ironhide nodded, not needing told. He was too weak to refuse her offer. He settled down and let sleep overtake him. Elita closed the door and locked it before walking over to Harmony. She transformed into her Mustang form and opened her front door. "Hop in, little one." Harmony then climbed into her. She partially transformed an arm to boost her up into the driver's seat. She slowly brought the seat down. "You just go to sleep, little one. Miss Lita will take care of the driving," she spoke softly, turning her air onto a warm, yet comfortable temperature. Harmony yawns before she slowly went into recharge. Elita One smiled before following Optimus back to base.
When they got back to the Autobot's base, Optimus helped Ironhide inside while Elita carry Harmony. Once they got to the Medical Bay, Ratchet was just finishing up working on Prowl. Jazz smiled happily when Elita brought his sparkling to him. "M-Mommy..." Harmony whimpered, still upset about what had happened.
Jazz took her into his arms. "It's okay sweetspark." He said gently as she held onto him.
"Hey Ratch, is it alright to wake up Prowl? He will be happy to know our daughter's okay."
"I guess it wouldn't hurt." The CMO said "I'm almost done anyway." Ratchet then stopped what he was doing to slowly bring Prowl out of recharge.
"J-Jazz...?"
"Hey Prowler, look who's here to see ya." Jazz said with a smile as he came over.
Prowl looked shocked when he saw Harmony. "H-Harmony...?"
"D-Daddy!" the little femme reached her arms out to her father.
Prowl weakly reached out and took his sparkling into his arms. "M-My precious little girl..." he sobbed happily.
"Why Daddy cry?"
"D-Daddy is just very happy...t-to have you back..." Harmony held onto Prowl tightly, nuzzling into his neck.
It was then that Ratchet noticed the back of her helm. "What in Primus?"
"The Decepticons were using her as a battle computer." Optimus said.
"WHAT?" Ratchet yelled, scaring Harmony. She held on tight to her father.
"Hey doc, calm down. Yer scarin' the kid..."
"...Ex-excuse me a moment..."
"...Watchet scawy..."
"H-He can be..." Prowl said to her "B-But it's how he shows he cares sometimes..."
Harmony didn't look so sure. "He's just upset about what they did to you, little one," Optimus explained.
"What DID they do?" Jazz asked, giving Optimus a no nonsense look.
"They...used her as a battle computer." Optimus said.
"...D...Direct linking with her processors...?" Jazz practically spat out in disgust, getting a good look at the new port in her helm.
"I believe so. She was restrained to it. Elita would know the specifics. She released her from it." Ratchet's ranting could barely be heard, coming from his office.
Elita One came back into the room. "Is the little one alright?" Harmony looked up at Elita. Prowl looked at Harmony with worry.
"...Elita...what...what happened...? Optimus said you would know..." Elita looked at Harmony being held by her father. She nodded. Elita then slowly told them what had happened.
"Well...when I found her...she was shackled to the computer. They had her...her directly connected to it through her helm. She WAS the battle computer... However..." she smiled. "She beat it. Thanks to her love for you both and the spark bond you have."
"M-My brave little girl..." Prowl whispered. She nuzzled against him.
Jazz smiled at her. "You are very brave." Ratchet came back in, much more calm and collected.
"Ratch? Ya okay?"
"...Yes... Sorry about earlier. Harmony...can I take a look at you, little one?" Harmony held onto her daddy a bit.
Jazz patted her back. "It's alright, Sweetspark."
She looked at Ratchet warily. "Watchet mad?"
The CMO knelt down a bit and smiled at her. "I'm sorry I scared you. I was just upset and worried about you."
"You worry?"
"Uh huh..."
Harmony stared at him and then smiled. "No yell no more, kay?"
"Alright no more yell." Ratchet said with a nod. She reached up her hands to him. Ratchet picked her up and took her to another berth. She looked back at Prowl and Jazz a moment before looking up at the CMO as he set her down. Prowl watched tiredly from the berth he was still on. Jazz smiled at her too. Ratchet did a few scans before carefully examining her helm. He felt around the new port with careful fingers. Harmony winced and turned her head away. "I'm sorry, I'm trying to be gentle." Ratchet said. He touched it again, being a bit lighter. She still winced and whimpered. Ratchet sighed. "I thought so..." He growled a bit. He turned to Harmony. "It hurts back there, doesn't it?" Harmony nodded. He rubbed the top of her helm gently. "I can make it all better, but you have to do me a favor okay? You have to go to sleep so I can fix it."
"Nap make it better?"
Ratchet nodded. "Yes it will. Your daddy needs a nap too." he said as he looked over at Prowl. Prowl only nodded. Harmony watched him fall back asleep.
"Night night, daddy..." Ratchet made a quick, low dose injection while she wasn't paying attention. She smiled sleepily at Jazz before falling asleep. Ratchet helped her lie down on her stomach before going over to Prowl. He gave him a low dose injection as well.
"Out. Everyone out so I can work."
"Even me Ratch?" Jazz asked a bit worried. He wanted to stay with his mate and his sparkling.
"Yes, even you. I can't have you worrying over your daughter and bond mate." He noticed the disappointed look on his face. "I'll comm. you when I'm done." Jazz smiled a bit as he left with Optimus and Elita.
Just as the three left, Gadget came in with SkyFlyer. "I'm terribly sorry, but Sky insisted on seeing if Harmony was alright."
Ratchet sighed, not looking up from finishing up on Prowl. "She's in a medically induced recharge. Try to be quick."
Gadget nodded. "C'mon, SkyFlyer, you wanna see Harmony?" The little sparkling started clicking. Gadget smiled and brought her over. SkyFlyer smiled and gently pat Harmony's face. She whirred. "Yes, 'night night'," smiled Gadget. "Alright now, sweetie. We need to go. Ratchet needs to make her better, kay?" She clicked and whistled. Gadget smiled and they left. "Thanks, Ratchet." Ratchet just nods as he continued to work on Prowl.
"...There... Good to go," he said as he cleaned up some things. He put a thermal blanket over Prowl before walking over to Harmony. He rubbed her back gently and checked her vitals. The first thing he did was carefully pop off her helm. He sighed heavily at the mess that was her processor. He set the helm aside and began working. He removed the new port input section Starscream had put in. He carefully rebuilt the area and put new memory chips back in place. He connected her to a computer and helped back up her files and coding to bring her back to normal. He sighed in relief. "NOW it looks like a normal sparkling processor again. Stupid glitch head..." He turned to her helm lying there. He took out some spare metal pieces and refitted the helm to the way it was. He put a new finish on it before carefully placing it back over her head.
He put everything away and did some final check up scans. "There...that slag tars 'remodeling' is gone." He gently rubbed her forehead, smiling as she curled into the comfort. He was about to walk away, but she started whimpering. Her door wings twitched and drooped, showing her discomfort. Ratchet came back over to her. She whimpered more as memories from her recent ordeal stirred her unconscious.
She cried out and kicked. "...M-m...mommy..." Ratchet tried rubbing her helm to calm her. "...Daddy...s-scared..." Ratchet sighed a bit.
He rubbed her back too. "Calm down...you're alright..."
"...-cries- Daddy...I...I'm scared... -cries more-..."
Ratchet clenched his fists, cursing Starscream. "...mentally damaging a sparkling..." he grumbled. Harmony squirmed in her sleep and whimpered. She cried out, her door wings low and pressed against her. He ran a hand down her back to try and soothe her. "Calm down, Harmony...you're alright..."
"...D-Daddy...!" He sighed and took her into his arms, energon lines and all. He sat down on her berth and rubbed her back as he held her.
"It's okay...It's okay... You're alright, Harmony..." She still whimpered as he rocked his arms a bit. Ratchet wished Prowl wasn't in a deep recharge getting better. She whimpered more, choking on a sob. "Hey...hey...it's okay, little one..." Weak, weary optics blinked open as her nightmare woke her. She stared up at him before crying louder and nuzzling against him. She clung tightly as she shook in fear. "It's okay." Ratchet whispered.
"...S-scary...h-hurt..."
"I know, but that's all over now."
She sniffled as she looked around. She slowly calmed at the familiar surroundings. "...Okay..." She spotted Prowl sleeping on the next berth over. "Daddy..." she smiled.
"Yes see you're safe now." She smiled up at him. Ratchet smiled back.
"All better?"
"Yep, you are all better kid."
She smiled happily. "Want Daddy." Ratchet smiled and brought her back over to the berth. He carefully undid all the lines and connections. He picked her up more comfortably and carried her over to where Prowl was.
"Okay little one, your Daddy's still resting okay." he said. She nodded and carefully sat down on his chest. She cuddled against him. Ratchet smiled. She took a deep breath and closed her eyes. Ratchet smiled again and gently covered the both of them in a blanket. Harmony hummed happily and settled back to sleep. Ratchet smiled and walked away to go take a break.
In the Recreation Room, Wheeljack happily played with SkyFlyer as Gadget watched. Perceptor watched as well, cuddling next to Gadget. "I'm glad you decided to come out of your lab, Perceptor." Wheeljack said.
"Of course. Family first."
"Oh really?" Gadget said as she turned to him, cross.
"What?"
"You know what," she smirked.
"You think I don't put family first?"
"Not often enough..."
"...Gadget...don't be like that... I...can't help it..." She sighed and turned away. "Gadget...please. I try to come out of the lab as much as possible..."
"Well...okay..." She hugged him tightly and kissed him. He sighed happily and hugged her back.
"Peek-a-boo," smiled Wheeljack. SkyFlyer giggled as she walked up to Wheeljack's face. He covered his face again. "Where'd grandpa go? Where is he?" SkyFlyer pulled his hands away and chirped happily. He laughed. "You're a good guesser." He picked her up and tossed her. She giggled as he caught her. Ratchet soon came into the rec room. He smiled at the site as his mate played with his Granddaughter. "Wheee!" Wheeljack smiled as he tossed SkyFlyer again. She giggled happily. Ratchet smiled again. Gadget smiled at Perceptor. Wheeljack threw her up again. This time, Ratchet walked by and caught her in mid air. She clicked happily with a clap as he sat her on his arm.
"Oh hey Ratch, if you're out here that's mean Harmony and Prowl are doing better." Wheeljack said with a smile.
"They are," he smiled. "They're sleeping peacefully." SkyFlyer covered Ratchet's optics. Ratchet laughed. "Now where did SkyFlyer go?" She giggled. "I can hear her but I don't see her. Where are you?" Gadget and Perceptor laughed. SkyFlyer moved her hands. "There you are!" he smiled. She giggled and hugged him.
"Say, Ratchet...why don't we go spend some time together?" Wheeljack asked with a smile.
"Jack what about SkyFlyer?"
"Gadget and Perceptor are here. Please?"
"That's a great idea. Percie here needs to spend some time being a father." His facial plates grew hot for a moment.
"Very well." Ratchet said. He stood up and handed SkyFlyer over to Gadget. She reached for him and started to cry.
"Awww, did you want Uncle Ratchet to stay?" cooed Gadget. She nodded and cried more, still reaching for him.
"Well...she wants me to stay Jack," Ratchet sighed. "I can't say no to our granddaughter."
Wheeljack sighed. "Alright. Maybe later then." Ratchet took SkyFlyer into his arms. She stopped crying immediately, quieting to sniffles.
"...Hey..." pouted Wheeljack.
"Relax, Grandpa. She still loves you," said Gadget.
"Yeah, I know..." Wheeljack said with a sigh. Gadget smiled. Ratchet sat down and played catch with SkyFlyer. She caught with giggles and clicks and tried throwing it back. Instead of going to Ratchet it went to Wheeljack instead.
He laughed and threw it to Ratchet. He threw it back to SkyFlyer. "Try aiming for me this time." SkyFlyer toss it again, once again going to Wheeljack. Ratchet couldn't help but laugh. "That's Grandpa. Try again, little one."
She threw it to Wheeljack a third time. "click whirr p-play..."
Everyone looked shocked. "Did she just say her first word?" Perceptor started.
"I...I think so," smiled Gadget.
SkyFlyer smiled and crawled over to Wheeljack. "...Play..." Wheeljack just couldn't help but smile.
"I think she wants you to join in. See? I told you," Ratchet smiled. Wheeljack scooted close to them to create a triangle. He waited for SkyFlyer to go back to her spot before throwing the ball to Ratchet.
Gadget smiled and swelled with pride. "Our sparkling's first word... I'm so happy..."
"I thought for sure it would be Mother or Father..."
"Oh...it doesn't matter," Gadget smiled.
"I guess we have Wheeljack to thank for that." Perceptor said with his own smile.
"It will be awhile before she catches up to Harmony, but I know that she will," smiled Ratchet. "She's smart." Everyone smiled as the game of catch went on.
Jazz came into the room. "Ratch? Prowler and Harmony better?"
"Resting peacefully, so don't disturb them," he said sternly.
"Awww I wasn't going to disturb them..."
"You were going to go poke your head in there and try to..."
"They're my family, Ratch..."
"Right now, they're my patients. You can see them when I release them. Both need rest."
Jazz sighed sadly. "Okay..."
He flopped down on the couch next to Gadget. "He means well, Jazz," she smiled.
"I know..."
She put an arm around him. "Look at him..." she smiled as Ratchet continued to play with SkyFlyer. "How can someone so sweet be an angry, scary old rustbucket?"
"Ya don't see him when he's pissed."
Gadget laughed out loud. "Oh...yes I have..."
SkyFlyer stop rolling the ball and looked towards Jazz. "Play." She said with a smile.
"When did she start talking?" Jazz asked.
"Just a couple of minutes ago," said Gadget full of pride. "It's her first word too."
"Play?" SkyFlyer said again.
"I guess you better join us, Jazz." Ratchet said with his own smile.
"All right then," Jazz said as he got off the couch and joined the three on the floor. SkyFlyer clapped happily and rolled the ball to him. Jazz couldn't help but smile. He rolled it to Wheeljack. Wheeljack rolled it to Ratchet. He then rolled it to SkyFlyer. SkyFlyer clap happily and rolled the ball back to Jazz. He smiled and rolled it back. SkyFlyer clapped happily.
"Can I play too?" said a familiar voice from a familiar pair of arms. Jazz smiled happily at the site before them. "Mommy!" little Harmony said happy seeing Jazz. She wriggled and fought to get out of Prowl's arms. He set her down and she practically jumped to the floor. She ran to Jazz, knocking him down as she nuzzled against him.
"Hey sweetspark." Jazz said with a laugh and a smile.
"Mommy," she smiled. Ratchet just shook his head with a smile.
"You told us to rest, Ratchet." Prowl said with a small weak smile on his own "Didn't say anything about staying in the medical bay and Harmony wanted to see Jazz."
He laughed. "I'll have to be more specific next time," he said with mock seriousness. Prowl headed over to a near by chair.
He happily sat down and reclined. He sighed and smiled as he watched Harmony move into position on the floor. SkyFlyer clapped excitedly. "Play."
"Ooo... You said your first word, Sky," smiled Harmony.
"Play," she clapped again.
"When did she start talking?" Prowl asked, a bit surprised.
Gadget beamed. "About twenty earth minutes ago."
"She cannot speak yet. Play is her only word. I expect she will learn more words at a more normal pace," said Perceptor. "However, she is quite smart. I'm very proud of her," he smiled. Prowl smiled back.
He sighed, closing his optics. "Prowl, you switch with Percie and I. You need the rest. We can both sit in a chair."
"I'm fine were I am..." Prowl said.
"You sure, my friend? I wouldn't mind moving at all. I want you to be as comfortable as possible," said Perceptor.
"I'm sure." Gadget smiled and let Prowl drift back into recharge. Harmony rolled the ball to Sky. SkyFlyer giggled and clapped, happily rolling the ball to Jazz. Wheeljack sighed heavily as the game continued. Harmony noticed this.
'Jack...what's wrong?'
'This is fun an all...but...'
'But what? You sick?' Wheeljack shook his head, continuing to play. He would look at Ratchet from time to time. 'Please tell me what's wrong?'
'I...I...want one...' he replied as his ears glowed pink.
'One what...?' Ratchet started then soon figured it out. 'Are you sure?' Wheeljack nodded in an innocent manner. Ratchet was unsure. Could they make a sparkling together being as old as they were? He took a deep breath and sighed. 'Alright...we'll try...' Wheeljack smiled behind his mask, his ears glowing blue.
"What are you two smiling about?" Jazz asked.
"It's nothing, Jazz," said Ratchet.
"Something between us," Wheeljack smiled.
"Oh, got ya." Harmony and SkyFlyer played with the ball, ignoring the grown mechs. SkyFlyer stopped when the ball got to her. She got up and walked off. "I guess Sky want to play something else." Jazz said. She went over to Perceptor and clicked, waving her little arms.
"Or her father," said Ratchet. Perceptor smiled and picked his daughter up.
She nuzzled against him. "Awww," smiled Gadget. SkyFlyer whirred and chirped, wanting Perceptor to tell her a story. Perceptor smiled.
"Story huh? Well..." he took a deep breath and began to tell her a story about a cybertronian princess.
Gadget smiled as SkyFlyer listened intently. "Daddy must be tired," smiled Harmony as she noticed Prowl sleeping.
"Come on Sweetspark." Jazz said with a smile "Lets let Daddy sleep."
"Where we going?"
"Want to see what Uncle Ironhide is doing?"
"Yay!" she clapped. Jazz smiled as he picked her up in his arms.
She happily nuzzled against him as they left. "See ya," he said to Gadget. Gadget waved goodbye as he left. "Tell Prowl when he wakes up where we went okay?"
"Sure thing," she smiled.
Ironhide was in his room spending some alone time with Chromia. "I missed you..."
"I missed you more. It was hard hiding and fighting without you. I tried to find you as soon as I could. I'm glad we have a safe place to be together."
"Me too... If it weren't for Annabelle, I would have lost my processor without you."
"Speaking of children..." Chromia smirked. Suddenly there was a knock on the door.
Chromia sighed heavily from her position on top of Ironhide. "I'm sorry, Mia. Who is it?"
"It's Jazz and Harmony." Jazz's voice said on the other side of the door.
"...Now's not really a good time," Ironhide growled back, hoping to shoo them away.
"But Harmony wanted to see ya Hide."
"Pwease Unca Hide?"
"I'm very busy right now," he said sternly. Chromia only stared between him and the door, shifting her hands to stay in place.
"Aww come on Hide, ya don't want to upset her."
He sighed heavily and looked at Chromia. Harmony sniffled. "Unca Hide no like me no more?"
"No I... I'm just very busy..." Chromia looked at him and then at the door. She could hear Harmony's sniffles grow into cries.
She sighed and looked at Ironhide. "Poor thing. Let's let her in. She must be very fond of you. I can't handle the guilt of making a sparkling cry. We can continue later," she added with a smirk before getting up.
"Are ya sure Mia?"
"I'm sure," she smiled.
"Okay." Ironhide said as he open the door.
Harmony hugged his leg tightly. "Yay!"
Ironhide smiled as he patted the top of Harmony's head. "I can't say no to you, can I?" he said with a laugh.
"You and Prowl created a beautiful sparkling." Chromia said with a smile.
"Thanks," smiled Jazz.
Chromia knelt down to Harmony. "You sure do love your Uncle don't you?" Harmony nodded with a smile.
"Do you know who I am?" she asked with a smile, having not officially met the little femme yet. Harmony looked at her for a bit.
"C'mon, Harmony. I've told you about my mate haven't I?" Ironhide asked the still clinging pink femme.
Harmony look at Chromia again. "Auntie Mia...?"
"That's right," the blue femme smiled as she pat her head.
"Daddy's sleeping, Ironhide and Mia play?"
"What do you think Mia?" Ironhide asked.
"Why not? I could use the practice," she smiled. She went over to the couch area of their room.
"Practice?" Jazz said "You two planning on having a sparkling?"
Ironhide only smiled. Jazz took it as a yes and went over to Chromia. Ironhide followed. He took a few steps before stopping. "Are you going to walk on your own or not?" Harmony smiled and laughed happily, holding tight on his leg. Ironhide sighed and easily plucked her off. He held her with one arm and walked over. He sat down and sat her in his lap. "Now, what do you want to play?"
Chromia got up from the couch and rummaged through some cabinets. She found a pile of old data pads. She smiled as she found an old one. "Ah, here it is. One of my first data pads. Should have some nice puzzles and games on it."
"Thanks Auntie Mia." Harmony said with a big smile. Chromia smiled as she handed the data pad to Harmony. Jazz watched as Harmony become quickly absorbed in the games and puzzles. "Ooo, deez are easy," she smiled. Jazz couldn't help but smile.
"My she's a smart one," Chromia said as she watched her scroll, type, and tap the screen.
"She got it from Prowler of course." Jazz said.
"And you as well. You're not ranked as one of the top saboteurs for nothing," added Ironhide.
"Awww I didn't know you cared, Hide." Jazz said with a smile.
"Of course he does," smiled Chromia. "Besides, part of your programming created her. Prowl did not spark her alone. I don't even need to mention that YOU carried her."
Jazz only smiled. "Aunt Mia? I'm a bit stuck."
Chromia looked at the data pad. "Oh my... You made it that far already?" Harmony nodded. "My you are smart. It took me a few weeks to get that far." Harmony just smiled as Chromia guided her through a difficult equation.
Crying could be heard in the hallway. SkyFlyer was chirping and clicking in distress as she explored the hallway. "It's okay, little one," Perceptor said as he bent down to her. He picked her up and tried to calm her. "We'll find where Harmony ran off to."
"Let's see if Ironhide or Chromia knows where she went," said Gadget. She knocked on the door.
"I'll get it, Mia." Ironhide got up and answered the door. SkyFlyer was crying again. "What happened?" He asked.
"Her Uncle Jazz and her favorite cousin, Harmony ran off. She's eager to find them is all," Gadget said as she rubbed the blue sparkling's back.
"It's okay little one. They are inside with me and Mia."
"Play play!" SkyFlyer smiled happily as she extended her arms.
"Well, isn't that cute," smiled Perceptor. Gadget could only smile as she set the sparkling down. SkyFlyer ran straight through Ironhide's legs and started clicking at Chromia and Harmony.
Chromia looked down from the couch. "Oh...well hello there."
SkyFlyer clicked and whirred. She started to cry again, raising her little arms up. "...Play...-sniffle-...play..."
"Aww, did I steal your playmate from you?" she said as she took SkyFlyer into her arms.
SkyFlyer nuzzled against her for a moment before noticing Harmony. She was still working through the games on the datapad. "Play! Play!" SkyFlyer said happily.
Gadget and Perceptor walked in as Ironhide closed the door. "Aww, isn't that cute?" Gadget smiled as SkyFlyer kept tapping Harmony on the shoulder.
"Play?"
"My, Sky is smart as well," said Chromia as she held the little blue femme in her lap.
"Oh, Sky. I didenn see you there," Harmony said as she finally responded to the constant tapping.
"Play!" SkyFlyer said as she forced herself out of Chromia's hold and glomped Harmony.
Harmony smiled. "Did I scare you when I weft?" SkyFlyer just nodded and hugged tighter. "I sorry..." Harmony replied as she hugged back.
"Well, those two are going to be inseparable when they grow up," smiled Chromia. Jazz smiled.
"Hello, Jazz," smiled Perceptor as he sat in a chair next to him.
"S'up?"
"Those two really love each other. I pity the mech that comes between them," smiled Perceptor.
"Oh, we don't have to worry about that for a little while yet," said Gadget. She sat down in the chair Ironhide offered her.
"Say...you two told Prowler right?" Jazz asked.
Gadget gasped. "Oh no... I was so concentrated on SkyFlyer..."
"That could be very bad," said Perceptor. "I'll have to-..."
"IRONHIDE! OPEN UP! I CAN'T FIND HARMONY! OR JAZZ!"
"Good call, Jazz," said Ironhide as he went to his door. Just as he opened it Prowl weakly burst in.
He ran over to Harmony. He snatched her up into her arms, leaving SkyFlyer to stare up at him in confusion. "Oh Primus...don't you scare me like that again..."
"...Daddy... I fine... I here whole time." Prowl started to nuzzle his daughter. Harmony smiled and hugged him back. Prowl turned to Jazz and glared.
"I'm sorry Prowler. I told Gadget and Perceptor where we went but..."
"You should have woken me, instead of giving me a spark attack."
"Daddy...why Mommy in trouble? He bring me here. It okay."
"Because Mom didn't tell me where you were going."
"...But...Daddy was sleeping. Mommy said not to wake you."
Chromia picked up SkyFlyer and started bouncing her with her leg. "Ride the turbohorse," she smiled.
"Mommy's sorry," Jazz said as he went over to Prowl.
"...Alright, Jazz. You're forgiven. Our daughter isn't hurt and you have been looking after her."
"Mommy not in trouble no more?"
Everyone else smiled. "Play!" smiled SkyFlyer as she continued to ride on Chromia's leg.
"Down, daddy," Harmony smiled.
"Okay..." Prowl said with a smile as he gently set her down on the floor. She ran over to her favorite cousin. She noticed SkyFlyer's door wings bouncing as she went up and down. She started copying the bouncing and flapping.
SkyFlyer noticed Harmony and stared at her. Chromia stopped. She watched and waited to see what SkyFlyer would do. SkyFlyer climbed down and hugged Harmony. "Play," she smiled. Harmony flapped her door wings again. SkyFlyer copied her.
The two giggled and did it again. "More copycat," smiled Jazz. "Say, when they gonna be able to properly use them Prowler?"
"When they're one vorn old. That's when the door wings fully integrate with their bodies." Both kept going back and forth. SkyFlyer and Harmony kept giggling and laughing. They would alternate as to who would start the round. Jazz started to laugh as he watched them.
"They're so cute," he smiled.
"Doesn't it make you want one of your own?" Chromia asked as she looked at Ironhide. Ironhide blushed.
"I think it's time to go," smiled Prowl.
"Yeah," smirked Jazz. Gadget went over and took SkyFlyer into her arms.
She pouted. "Play! Play!" she whined.
"I know, sweetspark," said Perceptor. "It's time to go and give Uncle Ironhide and Aunt Chromia some private time. They want to play by themselves okay?"
"H-...H-a...Hamplay..." she whined, reaching for Harmony.
"Aww, she just said her second word," Gadget smiled as she held her.
"Well, technically it's not a word. She can't quite say Harmony's name yet so she invented her own."
"It's still cute, Percie."
"Hamplay..."
"Harmony's coming too," smiled Prowl as he picked her up out of Chromia's lap.
Harmony nuzzled against her daddy. He smiled. "Sky comes too?"
"Yep," smiled Gadget. The six left the room.
In Ratchet and Wheeljack's shared quarters, the two were staring happily at each other. They had just finished trying for a sparkling. "You think we did it Ratchet?" Wheeljack asked.
"Only one way to find out," he said as he waited for Wheeljack to open his chest. He carefully opened Wheeljack's spark chamber as only a medic knew how. He sighed. "I'm sorry, Jack."
"Dang...wait, what if you became the carrier Ratch?"
"That's...that's impossible. I'm the CMO, I can't carry one."
"That's not a good excuse." Wheeljack said.
"Jack, there's no way. I CAN'T carry one. I have a very demanding job and I'm always in the path of danger. It would be far to dangerous for it, if I carried."
"That's still not a good enough excuse. Open your spark."
"J-Jack!"
"I can force them open," he warned as he sat up and put his hands on Ratchet's chest.
"Alright, alright," he sighed. "If it makes you happy. I'm telling you there's nothing there. We'll just try again later." He let his chestplates open and open his spark chamber. Wheeljack smirked. "What, Jack?"
"You can't have a sparkling you say?" he grinned. Ratchet just rolled his optics and looked down. There, pulsing next to his spark was a smaller spark.
"What in Primus..."
"It's a beautiful miracle, Ratchet," smiled Wheeljack. "We should be THANKING Primus."
"...B-But...I can't..."
"Looks like Gadget will be taking over for you. She'll be so happy for you and she'll jump at the challenge to be a full time medic."
"...I've...I've never carried..."
"There's a first time for everything, Ratch."
He closed up his spark chamber and his chest plates. "I...I suppose so..."
"Why can't you be happy?" Wheeljack asked.
"I'm the CMO..."
"You don't want one, do you...?"
"It's not that, Jack..."
"...Are...Are you scared?"
"I...I never pictured myself as a carrier..."
"Don't be afraid, I'll help you through this."
"I'm not scared, Jack. Just in shock. I've never had to carry before. I always thought it was for femmes or mechs with a more maternal nature"
"And being the CMO isn't maternal nature?"
"...Well yes...I just..." He sighed heavily. He thought for a moment then he smiled. "We did it Jack." Wheeljack smiled as he nuzzled against him. Ratchet smiled back and hugged him. He felt a happy pulse from the new sparkling inside him.
"Oh!" Wheeljack exclaimed happily. "I'm going to go start on the frame right away. You just lie down and get some rest."
"But Jack..."
"Now now, you're a new mother. You need to rest." Ratchet sighed but couldn't help but smile. The roles had flipped now. "Oh! Optimus would need a report of his CMO's current status." Wheeljack said happily. Ratchet couldn't help but burst into laughter.
"I'm glad I made you happy, Jack."
"More than you could ever know. Oh, there's a new rule now. No more high grade for you. And no more all nighters."
"But Jack..."
"Nope. You have to take care of that sparkling now. Gadget or I will be taking over your night shifts. Too much high grade is bad for the sparkling." Ratchet sighed, but the pulses he was getting from the new sparkling were worth it. "Ratchet, you stay here and get some rest. I'll be in my lab working on the frame." Wheeljack then left with a smile on his face. Ratchet smiled as he left. Wheeljack locked the door and put a "Do Not Disturb the CMO or Else" sign on the door way.
Ratchet settled comfortably onto the berth. "Maybe I'll just lie here for awhile..." He quickly fell asleep, not realizing how tired he was.