Oops

Chapter 2

Disclaimer: I don't own Transformers. They belong to Hasbro and Takara. I am merely taking them for a short spin.

Rodimus sat parked in the driveway, not surprised when Spike came running out the back door of the house, hoodie and cell phone in hand. The young Autobot opened his driver's side door for his friend, who scrambled in.

"Get me the hell out of here," Spike said.

Rodimus complied, throwing gravel as he backed out, flying down the alley.

"What happened?" Rodimus asked.

"I think Uncle Ron's gonna find out because Aunt Judy pretty much threw me out of the house," Spike said.

"Considering her temper today, do you think we should go back and. . ."

"No way," Spike said. "This is between them. I know things are gonna change, but I can deal with that."

"You've proven time and again you can handle change," Rodimus said.

"Yeah, no thanks to you," Spike said. "C'mon. Let's go out to the lookout."

-----

Judy kept looking at Ron while he watched the evening news, tried catching his eye. He was engrossed in baseball scores, not paying her any attention. She sighed. How he hell was she going to tell him?

"Hey Ron, why don't you get out the convertible and we'll go for a drive. We can go out to the lake. . ."

"Shh, wait until the news is over," he said.

Judy shot him a dirty look, counted backwards from 10. Didn't help much. Trying to keep from smacking her husband in the head with one of the couch pillows, she scooped Mojo up off the floor and into her lap. Scratching the Chihuahua's ears and belly helped calm her down, and at least the dog was paying attention to her. And finally, the news was over, and maybe she could get Ron to listen.

"Honey, what did you say?" Ron asked.

"It's nice out. We could go take a ride in the convertible, go out to the lake," Judy said, throwing her best smile at Ron.

"Sure. Tomorrow," Ron said.

"Why not now? We haven't done anything spontaneous in months," Judy said. Oh wait. Check that. Their last bout of "spontaneity" was responsible for her current condition.

"Judy, it's late. I've had a long day, so I'm going to bed," Ron said. He stood, walked over to her, kissed her on the cheek. "Good night."

Judy didn't answer, throwing herself down on the couch. He thought *he* had a long day?

-----

Rodimus stared up at the stars, sparing Spike a glance. He was texting someone on his phone. The Autobot switched his gaze back to the sky, allowing himself a few moments to relax. As a guardian to a human, and befitting his duties as a Prime, vigilance at all times was paramount. If only Ultra Magnus and Kup could hear me now, Rodimus thought. He snorted. Even Optimus would agree taking a few moments to himself were necessary now and then. Springer would concur with their leader, and then smack him. Rodimus smiled. He missed his twin, and he knew Springer missed him, so he decided to do something about it. Rodimus offlined his optics, concentrating on his bond with his brother.

It didn't take long to feel the touch of Springer's mind.

What do you want? Springer asked, but it didn't come across as gruff.

I only wanted to see that you're keeping yourself out of trouble. Rodimus replied.

You know me. I could ask the same of you, aft head. When are you coming back? Ultra Magnus is driving me crazy, so you need to come help me put him in his place, Springer said.

You have Optimus for that, Rodimus said.

Not the same. Besides, I'm not the only reason you need to come, when you can. You two need to sort things out, Springer said.

Not yet, so quit talking about it, and you know I've been told to *not* use my abilities unless absolutely necessary. Do I need remind you of what happened the last time? Rodimus said.

No. Springer said. Rodi, it's good to hear from you. Stay safe, slagger. I have to go.

"Hey, you there? Anyone home?"

Rodimus' snapped around, looking down at the offending human beside him.

"What? I was talking to Springer," he said.

"Sorry to interrupt, but we need to head home. It's late, and I want to see if the house is still standing," Spike said.

He watched as Rodimus transformed, climbing in.

-----

Judy lay on the couch, staring up at the ceiling. She knew Spike was late, which was one of the reasons why she was still up. And the other. . .too much to think about, so much to deal with. She was pregnant. Forty-five and pregnant. She'd already done this once, yes, 20 years ago.

She sighed. Funny, how she'd mentioned this very thing to Ron in Paris a year ago, about maybe having another child, since they were both not looking forward to an empty nest. They didn't have one now, with Spike, and having him around, giving him a home, meant so much to her and Ron. But how was he going to take the news he was going to be a father again? What about Sammie? Though he wasn't home all the time now, a new brother or sister would affect him. And Spike. She hoped he wouldn't feel like they would love him less with the addition of another child of their own. Well, Spike was theirs. None of the rest of the family had wanted him after Irving's death, and they were ready to put him into foster care before she'd intervened.

Judy shuddered at that memory, and at everything that came after. Not a pleasant few weeks over the summer, but she pushed it from her mind. Spike was safe, he had a guardian (a pain in the ass, but a guardian nonetheless, one Optimus Prime vouched for, on his life), and things would work out the way they were meant to.