Ironhide looked down at the small mech holding onto the black armour of his thigh. Optimus was still half in recharge because of how early it was in the morning. The Autobot leader had to fight the urge to merely pick Optimus up and carry him, but the young Prime needed to get used to not being carried around. After all, Optimus wasn't tiny anymore. And Ironhide had to get used to not picking Optimus up.

Optimus stumbled, nearly falling. Ironhide paused in his steps to allow Optimus to regain his balance. The Prime tightened his grip on Ironhide, using Ironhide as a balancing point. He straightened and yawned, rubbing at his optics before nodding up at Ironhide. They continued on at a slower pace to avoid making Optimus faceplant. Ironhide stopped by the office the NEST team and Autobots had set up for him to grab a few datapads that he'd neglected the day before. Once he had them, he and Optimus set out to the rec room for some Energon so they could get on with the day.

Epps looked up from his newspaper and coffee when he heard the sound of a bot approaching. Surprise flicked across his face briefly before the look softened kindly when he caught sight of Optimus stumbling alongside Ironhide. "What're you two doin' up so early?" he called, drawing the attention of the two Autobots as well as every other human in the room, since it had been practically silent before. Optimus' optics blinked off tiredly, and he tightened his grip on Ironhide even as the older walked over to the Energon converter where there were a few cubes ready.

"Prime's training today, and I've got work to do," Ironhide replied after a long pause. Epps grinned and stood, abandoning his coffee and paper for a more interesting topic. He watched Ironhide pick Optimus up to make it easier on them both. "I think it's a little too early for 'im."

"He's a little kid," Epps pointed out. He approached when Ironhide took a seat at one of the Autobot tables, allowing Optimus to settle in his lap.

"We don't need a little kid. We need a Prime," Ironhide stated, gently stroking Optimus' back. He'd started to feel frustrated with the situation back on Cybertron, and that feeling had only grown with time. Optimus was a good bot; sweet, kind and playful, but he was still too much like his father for his own good. It made it hard for the Autobots who were trying their best to raise him, since there was a constant threat that if Megatron managed to capture him he could turn against them. The very idea of having to face Optimus in battle on day was enough to make his spark twist harshly in its chamber. Pain crossed his face and he held Optimus closer.

Optimus whined lightly, pushing away from Ironhide because he was feeling squished. "'Hide'," called softly. Once the grip on his frame lessened, he curled up against Ironhide, slipping back into recharge.

"He's gonna grow up on ya 'Hide. Will's gotta learn the same thing about his daughter," Epps said. He smiled at the sight, especially when Ironhide lifted the youngling up and held him close to his chest. Optimus whined lightly but didn't wake completely.

"That's what worries me," Ironhide sighed, "he could be like his sire when he gets older. Megatron was once a good bot."

"But you're raisin' Optimus," Epps said, a question in his voice. Ironhide nodded slightly with a sigh.

"Not always. Megatron had his son for hundreds of years before we got 'im. He was a youngling by the time he got away from Megatron," Ironhide replied. It showed just how different the humans were from the Autobots. The human lifespan barely reached a hundred years, maybe lasting a few extra if the person was lucky, but to the Autobots a hundred years was nothing. Epps gave a low whistle when he realized that, having only met the Autobots a year ago, and nodded.

"Guess he must've picked up some habits from Megs… Right?"

"That's what I've seen. And I knew Megatron personally."

"Whoa. I can see why you're worried," Epps said. He found himself studying the young bot's face. He could hardly recognize Megatron in Optimus, which was why he had been so surprised upon learning that the two were related. The knowledge had caused a few of the men that met him at first to suggest getting rid of him, probably through killing the poor mech, suggesting that Optimus could very well be on Megatron's side. It was hard to believe that the evil monster that had nearly destroyed the Earth was also the creator of such an innocent being as the one resting against his guardian's chest.

Ironhide didn't reply. He picked up his Energon cube and broke the seal, drinking a bit of it before lowering the cube back to the table. His optics were unfocused as he stared off at nothing, absently stroking Optimus' back still. After a long pause filled with no sound, Ironhide spoke, broaching a new topic. "The 'Cons are quiet."

Epps nodded, crossing his arms and looking at the Rec Room which had emptied out not long after Ironhide had arrived. Slowly Epps replied, "Yeah. Very quiet. What do you think?"

"That now is the perfect time to draw their attention and try to end the war. I know how to get them to pay attention."

"How?"

"Show them what they want. Where it is," Ironhide replied. He grabbed the cube and stood, careful to keep Optimus close.

Epps asked, "And that is?"

Ironhide took a moment to answer, as if coming up with the answer on the spot. He looked down at Optimus' peaceful expression as he said, "Megatron's son." And left the Rec Room, and a wide-eyed Epps behind.