//I like to dream yes, yes, right between my sound machine. On a cloud of sound I drift in the night. Any place it goes is right. Goes far, flies near, to the stars away from here.\\
//Well, you don't know what we can find. Why don't you come with me little girl. On a magic carpet ride. You don't know what we can see. Why don't you tell your dreams to me. Fantasy will set you free. Close your eyes girl. Look inside girl. Let the sound take you away.\\
Magic Carpet Ride by Steppenwolf
This song just stuck in my head. It seemed like a song Jetfire would love to play when he's flying. Hehe.
Ok sorry it took so long. Holiday and family visiting got in the way. Here's chapter 7, a continuation of chapter 6. We open with Jetfire landing on Earth. Oh, I should warn you all I had a special request for Jetfire's love interest. This pairing is for you plenoptic! Also, the final POV was written while I was in a bit of pain so forgive any mistakes you may find. Keep your fingers crossed I can get in to see the dentist before Christmas! Ouch
Also, there is another Kacey AU fic! Woohoo! This one is my pikachu13 called When Hope Finds You. There's a funny bit in there when Kacey meets a mech who turns out to be Rox's brother! And more pictures of Kacey by lyricabelachium that look really cool! The links are on my profile page.
Author's notes: //…\\ denotes music playing, '…' denotes bond talk, italics denote comlink chatter. Also, this is the longest chapter so far! So get a pillow and be prepared for some laughs and possibly some tears! Thanks for reading and don't forget to review!
Jetfire
I was close to the coordinates now and transformed into my robot form, allowing my frame to soak of the heat from the sun's rays. This planet's sun was nothing like Cybertron's sun. Slag, the entire atmosphere wasn't even remotely close to Cybertron's cool atmosphere. I enjoyed the feel of air over my wings, the heat as it penetrated to my protoform through my armor's gaps.
It felt wonderful!
"I could definitely get used to this planet," I sighed, my sensors picking up a few recognizable energy signatures ahead on the ground.
I reversed my thrusts as I lowered my legs, going vertical to land on my feet. My flaps rotated on my back to help control my descent. Three mechs were there to greet me. One tall the other two shorter. Two of them smiled when I landed the other an emotionless looking fragger, although his small wings did move slightly as if testing the feel of the wind. Their faces looked strangely familiar yet their armor…I'd never scene armor like that before.
I liked it!
"Optimus?" I questioned walking up to the tall one.
"It's good to see you cousin!" he grinned taking my hand and pulling me into a hug.
"Primus, you look…different!" I commented as I took a few steps back then poked at his chest armor. "Are those…flames on your armor?"
"The femmes dig them," the silver mech snickered which prompted a quick but gentle smack from the black and white mech beside him. Optimus just rolled his optics.
"Jazz and Prowl. I must be moving up if you're here to greet me," I smiled, shaking their hands.
"You are the Air Commander now," Optimus smiled.
"And we're anxious to find out why you've arrived ahead of schedule," Prowl added.
"No time for bullslag as usual Prowl?"
"Sorry, it is good to see you once again," the mech smiled, shaking my hand.
"Here this is why I've arrived early," I said, handing Optimus the datapad as we made our way into the base. "The Axalon is dead in space and bleeding energy."
"Why not send a signal?" Jazz asked.
"We lost our communications ability," I frowned. "They have enough energy to acknowledge that they've received one final transmission. I'm to send them a message when help is on it way."
"We'll send a message from the Command Center. This isn't going to be a problem," Optimus smiled, handing the datapad over to Prowl. "See to it that Wheeljack gets whatever personnel he needs to make these repairs as quickly as possible."
"Of course, Optimus," Prowl said then he and Jazz hurried off talking to each other.
"How soon can Wheeljack and his team reach the Axalon?" I asked.
"Less than a day."
"Wow! Really?"
"Not as fast as you apparently," he said, raising an optic ridge.
"Seeker related…who knew," I joked, shrugging my shoulders.
Optimus turned towards the base and started walking as he continued, "Wheeljack is a genius the Decepticons wish they had. His advancements in shortening space travel are way ahead of the 'Cons. Of course they don't need it because they're using Quintesson technology."
"Right. Our spies informed us of the worm holes the 'Cons can create. We even thought of attacking the base to take control of it. Only that planet is heavily guarded. It'd be impossible."
"You can fill me in after we send a message."
"I couldn't help but notice how much of a warzone it looked out there," I said walking along side Optimus, my optics locking on a femme or two. I politely smiled at them when they acknowledge me.
"We've had many intense battles. Megatron is intent on wiping us from existence. How we've managed to complete the construct of Autobot City is a miracle."
"Sabotage…attacks…"
"Both," he sighed heavily. "Don't worry cousin. The City's defenses are now up. And in a few days time, we'll be making the big move."
"Enough of this serious talk! We can do that later. When do I get to meet this femme of yours?" I smirked, sensing the moment needed to be lightened up. I hated it when things got too serious. Oh I know, war is serious business. But that doesn't mean we stop living. "I want to see if you're full of slag about how beautiful she is."
"You'll be eating those words. Elita is breath taking. She's recharging at the moment, Ratchet's orders."
"She's not injured or anything is she?" I asked worried.
"No. She's pregnant," he smiled proudly.
"Another one?! Why you're just a sparkling making machine aren't ya?!"
"Well, Elita and I missed having a sparkling around with the others no longer being dependant upon us. She's due to give birth next week."
"I don't know how you do it," I smiled, patting his heavily armored shoulder. "I know I couldn't handle being a leader, bonded, and sparklings. I have a hard enough time being a leader of some mechs that act like sparklings. Maybe you can give me some pointers."
"I'm sure you're doing fine otherwise Kup wouldn't have recommended the promotions. Besides, being in command isn't so bad. It does have its perks. And there is still time to settle down with a family."
I laughed, "Me? I'm a free spirit!"
"Maybe you just haven't met the right femme yet," he smirked, winking an optic.
I took the opportunity to look around. The few femmes I passed in the hallways didn't escape my notice. Even the ones in the command center were all very pleasing to the optics.
"I don't know. Maybe," I shrugged, smirking devilishly. "You do have a lot of lovely femmes here."
One femme in particular instantly captured my optics the moment she entered the command center. Not very tall but she had long, slender, lovely legs. She walked with a beautiful grace and determined confidence. Nice shapely figure too from what I can see as she paused at one of the stations. Primus, she had a smiled that could just make a mech drop to his knees and beg for her to do anything to him. She turned, still smiling, glancing towards Optimus and me.
Lucky me, she was coming straight for us too!
"Check out this beautiful femme coming towards us," I smiled, elbowing him gently. "She's definitely one that could make me change my mind about settling down. Although from the smirk on her face and glint in her optics, I could tell she's not the settling down type. Energy to spare, if you know what I mean."
"Jetfire, that's my daughter," he replied flatly, narrowing his optics at me.
"…"
I did a double take.
Ok, so I looked at her again…from a different perspective. It was then I noticed the strong similarities. Most definitely related to Optimus. Her optics even had that same quirky look when he was puzzled by something.
I was so fragged!
I did the only thing an honorable mech could do at that moment. I closed my optics, turned around and bent over, offering my aft for whatever punishment. No way was I gonna let Optimus bash my handsome face in!
"Just don't damage my aft too much, Optimus," I begged bracing for him to shoot or kick my aft. "I do happen to like my aft very much."
"Ah, Dad, is this some form of mech greeting I don't know about or something I probably don't want to witness?" the young femme asked as she came to a stop before me.
"The latter," Optimus commented and I cringed. "I'll let those…choice words slide this time Jetfire since I know you will never utter such things about my daughter ever again."
"Oh thank Primus!" I exhaled, rubbing my aft, ever so grateful it was going to stay intact. I even hugged the big mech for that! "Thank you Optimus. And you can count on me. I will never say anything like that about your daughter again. Ever!"
"Well then, let me formally introduce you to my eldest daughter, Kaceystar," Optimus beamed proudly, placing a hand on the young femme's shoulder. The femme was equally proud as she stood beside him. "Kacey, this is my cousin Jetfire."
"It's a pleasure to meet you," she smiled, brightly extending her hand.
"The pleasure is all mine. I know a lot of mechanisms who are anxious to meet you, Kaceystar."
"Yes, father has made me aware," she said, looking somewhat apprehensive.
I smiled at her, appraising her. I could not help but shake my head and chuckle.
"What?"
"I only just met you and I can already tell you're just like your father," I answered. "You keep your two feet on the ground and don't let things go to your head."
"Pfft, well I don't know about keeping her two feet on the ground but Kacey doesn't keep her head level," Optimus snorted.
"Oh right, rumor has it you're a flyer," I remarked, moving around to her backside. "These little wings don't look stable enough for flying though."
"Oh, she has wings," Optimus smugly said. "You can see them after we send the communiqué and after you visit, Ratchet for a quick check up, as required by all new arrivals. Kacey will then take you for a flight to find you a suitable alt form."
"Cool!" "Sweet!" Kacey and I both said at the same time.
"Oh no," Optimus groaned and I knew at that very moment I was going to love this femme as if she was my own.
"So it seems I finally have a flying buddy who can keep up with me," I commented.
"We'll see," she smirked. "Father, I'll see you later. Jetfire, it was a pleasure meeting you. I have a feeling we're going to be good friends."
"Likewise."
"Good. I have a few duties to attend then I'll head to the medical bay to collect you when Ratchet's done," Kacey smiled brightly. She bowed her head with respect before leaving.
"See you later, Kacey!" I waved as she walked away. Optimus just gave me a look. One I was probably going to have to get used to see. It reminded me of my father for some reason when I was caught doing something I wasn't supposed to be doing. "She's a lovely, intelligent femme, Optimus. I know she makes you proud and gives you fits at the same time. But I also know you wouldn't have it any other way."
"She's my first born and has a special place in my spark but I love all my younglings the same. Come on. Let's send the transmission and get you to the medical bay. We'll have plenty of time to catch up on family matters once things settle down at Autobot City."
"I have to tell you Optimus, all of us from the Axalon are all looking forward to settling in," I said, following him across the command center. "There are several of us, including myself, who have been going stir crazy from being confined and this ship has room to spare! I don't know how you and your team did the long trip in such a small ship!"
"It wasn't easy but each of us knew it was necessary," he sadly answered. "My only regret was not being able to save the All Spark from destruction."
"Hey, we all understand some sacrifices were necessary," I replied seriously. "The mechs and femmes on board the Axalon made this trip because they all believe in you as our leader."
"I appreciate it very much cousin. I know it couldn't have been easy for some of you. I still recall what happened to Marshall when I sent the All Spark into space. I could only imagine what happened once word of its destruction reached Cybertron."
"You'll never make every mechanism happy, Optimus. Yes some hate you and would love to take you to the pit with them. I can tell you for every one of those doom-bringers exists at least three or more believers," I said, lowering my voice as I continued. "Which brings me to a very important issue. Now, I don't want to alarm you or anything. However Kup, Marshall, and I agree, you need to know. There are a few extreme fanatics that believe in some kind of prophecy about Cybertron being reborn and that a young Prime will be our redeemer." I paused leaning closer so only Optimus can hear me. "Optimus, these individuals believe that Kacey is that savior."
"Great that's all Kacey needs. She's not going to put up with a security detail I can tell you that!"
"Actually, I was thinking more of you, cousin. Kacey cannot be Prime unless you're…um…shall we say out of the picture."
Optimus blinked in surprise and then his optics darkened and faceplates hardened.
"Magnus will need a list of names if you have them," he spoke quietly. "I will not allow anything to happen to my family!"
"Marshall has the list. Him, Kup, and I don't want to see anything happen to you or your family either," I smiled. "I know we haven't seen each other much but I would miss you."
Optimus smiled, patting me on the shoulder, "Primus, it is good to have you here."
"How about we send that message? I'm anxious to see your little femme in the sky. There are a few tricks this flyer can teach her."
"Actually, I believe she'll be teaching you a few of her own," he grinned so full of pride.
"We'll see," I smirked.
With that concluded, the message was sent and successfully received by the Axalon. Optimus however, didn't get a chance to escort me to the medical bay as his femme was pinging him something fierce over his internal communicator. I pretty much knew the layout of the base as it was standard for a smaller outpost. So I found the medical bay with relative ease.
And what I saw when I stepped across the threshold was something I was not expecting. I felt completely blindsided and stood there, mouth gaping slightly, spark pulsing rapidly. I didn't even blink as my optics were so focused in on…her.
Oh wow!
A femme. A beautiful femme! No armor. And what appeared to be a fully mature protoformed shapely feminine figure. I would have assumed she was here for an exam since she had no armor. Only there was no medical officer around, in fact we were the only two in the medical bay, and she was meticulously wrapping something and preparing a storage container for it.
"Can I help you?" she asked breaking my trance.
"Uh…" I stammered, unprepared for the sweet melodic tone of her voice. Primus, I never knew a femme's voice to be so captivating.
"Are you injured?" she asked. "I can get the medical officer on duty for you."
I blinked, shaking my head slightly.
'Pull your head out of the clouds, Jetfire!' I told myself.
I cleared my vocal processor before replying to her question.
"No, I'm here for a maintenance exam. Optimus Prime's orders. Ratchet is expecting me."
"Oh, ok," she smiled and I swear my knees buckled slightly. "He'll be back soon. You can wait over there if you like."
"Thank you," I said and headed over to where she was pointing.
The femme went back to what she was doing. I watched her for a few klicks, stealing up my courage, trying to figure out what to say to her. I actually could not believe that I could think of nothing to say to her. Me, Jetfire, the mech of infinite pick up lines and words for wooing femmes couldn't think of what to say to this particularly lovely femme!
'Come on Jetster, you've interfaced with lots of beautiful femmes! True this one is different and makes the spark flutter wildly like never before. Still, she's a femme. And the Jetster knows femmes!'
With that in mind, I casually walked over to where she was working.
"Do you need help?" I asked, knowing being helpful puts a mech in the good graces of a femme.
"No thanks. I'm almost done."
Frag! Strike one.
"May I ask what you're doing?"
"I'm making sure the sparkling protoform is securely packed for the move."
"You're being very careful about it. I mean it's not alive yet."
"This one is special," she smiled, gently placing the small body into the storage unit. "This is for the spark Elita is carrying."
Bingo! I just found my way in!
"Well, you know, I just happen to be Optimus' cousin, so this would be my little cousin."
"Really?!" she asked excitedly, facing lighting up making me smiling.
"Really," I replied cooling, leaning against the berth the protoform's storage unit was resting on and subsequently closer to the femme. "My name's Jetfire, Air Commander of the Autobots."
"My name's Kayla!" she perkily responded, extending her hand out. "Pleased to meet you!"
I hesitated for a moment. Me the Jetmeister, hesitated to touch a femme! Ok, so it was only for a moment. But it was a monumental moment. This femme really got under my armor!
"Believe me Kayla," I purred, optics glowing as I gently too her hand in mine. "The pleasure is all mine."
"JETFIRE!" a familiar mech's voice shouted.
I jerked around in surprise, thinking she already had a mech or something and didn't want to bring the wrath down on me. Primus, it'd be a record. I haven't even been on the base for a full day yet!
Only the wrath did come. I distinctly heard it whistling through the air for a brief astrosecond just before it slammed into the center of my forehead. I was out cold in an instant, never knowing my assailant or what hit me in the forehead.
Jazz
Ok. I admit it. I can be an annoying pest at times. Honestly, I couldn't help myself. I mean the mech I love, whom I've been bonded to since around the time Optimus' interface systems came online, was willing to go through a huge bonding ceremony in front of Primus knows how many mechs and femmes. He was doing so, simply because he loved me and knew it was what I wanted.
You gotta love a mech even more for putting up with some of my eccentric behaviors. And believe me, no mech or femme loves Prowl as much as I do. I've always been open about my feelings, never one to hold back. Whereas Prowl is a private mech, holds back until we're behind closed doors where he lets all his inhibitions go.
Since my miraculous rebirth he has learned to let go…a little. He holds my hand more in public. He's not afraid to give me a kiss in front of other mechs of femmes if we're relaxing in the recreation room. He even allows me to stroke his back affectionately when in public, except wont let me touch his beautiful doorwings. Primus they are so tempting at times though.
However, there is one thing my love has never gotten over - the fact that I do find him utterly desirable and sometimes cannot take my optics off him. Some days it is the biggest turn on just to watch him working.
The way he stands so tall. How eloquent his voice sounds, even when he's mad! The way his doorwings sway to and fro when he's thinking or tremble when he's mad or flutter when he's happy. I can always tell what kind of mood he's in by how his doorwings are moving.
Right now they were twitching periodically as he was giving final instructs to Wheeljack before his team left for the Axalon. My mech didn't even hide the fact that he was getting annoyed with me as I could feel his poignant irritation over our bond. I ignored it. He couldn't stay upset with me for very long.
He could never resist my smile.
"Wipe that smirk off your face!" he hissed at me as he marched by.
"I can't babe, you know that," I grinned even brighter, almost skipping to catch up with his long strides.
"You always make me feel so self conscious when you're watching me. And it's embarrassing."
"After all this time, you still don't believe you're one sexy mech that any mech or femme would just love to frag, or be fragged by, senselessly?"
"Don't you have any work to do?" he countered, after rolling his optics at me and his mood improved as I felt it over our bond.
"Not for another hour," I responded, reaching up and caressing one of his doorwings.
"Oh no, we are not doing that! I'm incredibly busy, as you should be too."
"What's to do? All our stuff is already unpacked in our new quarters and office. I've got my guys helping Magnus with the sensor sweep at Autobot City. Optimus was thrilled when I told him we wanted to do a big bonding ceremony, although I wasn't sure his happiness lasted very long as I heard Elita going on a rant over his communicator. I managed to convince Ratchet to not castrate Jetfire for simply shaking Kayla's hand. I've got Kacey running around the base collecting everyone's status reports for you because we know how she likes to socialize with the mechs and femmes on the base. So…I figured we can have a little alone time to celebrate since you were being such a prude earlier after accepting my bonding proposal."
"We had a meeting, Jazz," he reminded me. But then smiled warmly, "Rather than having a quick interface because we didn't have time, I opted to wait so I could take my time showing how much I love you."
"Then what are you waiting for?!" I exclaimed grabbing his hand, dragging him. "I have an hour, let's 'face!"
"I can't. Not right now," Prowl insisted, pulling free from my grasp. "I love you Jazz. And I promise we'll get together later today. I'm needed in the Command Center to cover Bumblebee's shift since he and a quarter of our forces are at Autobot City."
"I thought boss bot was doing it."
"He was. But I told Optimus I would do it so he could tend to Elita."
"Slag, was she like this during her other pregnancies?"
"No. She wasn't half this bad. But I think it's mainly due to the stress of having to make this big move. It's taking its toll on everyone."
"Well, their timing did suck for planning on this sparkling," I commented as we turned a corner, the command center coming into view. I noticed Prowl chuckling beside him. "Alright, spill it. What do you know that I don't?"
"The sparkling was an accident," Prowl whispered, leaning close to me. "They were trying to get pregnant over a year ago and it just wasn't happening – remember how grumpy Optimus was?" I nod as he paused. "With the time of the Axalon's arrival getting closer Optimus and Elita decided to hold off. Then one day, I found Optimus in his office looking rather troubled and quite frankly, scared out of his processor. He dropped the bomb that Elita was pregnant."
"And being the dutiful second in command and good friend, you took pity and opted to help him out as much as possible so he could be there for Elita when she needed him," I smiled fondly at him. "I was wondering why you had an extra stack of datapads every week to go through."
Prowl shrugged a shoulder, grinning in his own way. Then he stooped down, kissed my lightly on the cheek before hurrying off to one side of the command center. Once again, he left me wanting more.
Sneaky fragger!
"Hey Jazz! Come here!" Sunstreaker hollered, waving for me to come over.
I headed for him at his station with his brother. Kacey was with them, dutiful as ever with the datapads ready for Prowl. I also noticed Rox at his station giving his armor a quick inspection before he moved over to stand beside her.
I swear that mech will never give up. I'd be rooting for him if I wasn't rooting for Bumblebee. Slag! Why'd I have to make that bet with Prowl?! It'd be so easy to get Kacey and Bumblebee together! They're so perfect for each other too.
All Kacey needed was a little nudge in the right direction and then I'm sure she'd be head over heels in love with Bee.
"Sunny I do hope you and your brother are going to behave for Prowl today, while on duty," I warned. "I have plans for him later and don't need you trying to glitch his processor."
"I already gave them a warning," Kacey said, glaring playfully at the twins who both just rolled their optics.
All the officers hated to admit it, but Bumblebee was good at controlling the dastardly duo when on duty. Hence he was always stationed in the command center when they were on duty. Then of course there was Kacey, the only one who had total control over them with that charm and wit of hers. Other than that, it was Sunny and Sides' lot in life to get the rest of us processor aches!
"Don't worry Jazz, we heard about the bonding ceremony," Sides smiled. "Sunny's even offered to give you and Prowl a proper wax job for the occasion."
"What you mean? My armor is always pristine and looking sharp," I smirked, pumping my chest out.
"Ok, well maybe Prowl then since he's always too busy to wax himself properly," Sunny remarked.
"I'll discuss it with him," I harrumphed, thinking how much more fun it would be if I gave Prowl a wax job. "So, what's up?"
"Dude, you have got to teach us some dance moves!" Sunny beamed enthusiastically. "Those moves Kacey pulled the other night…"
"She nearly gave Bee a spark attack!" Sides chimed in giggling.
"Guys, I was over energized! Sober I'd never dance like that with Bee or any mech."
"Pfft! Yeah right," Sides scoffed.
"I'm telling you, she was hotter than hot!" Sunny said to me and I knew he wasn't going to let the subject drop.
"Fellas, you either got it or you don't," I said bluntly. "Kacey just happens to be one talented femme with a rather flexible frame. So that kind of dancing is natural for her. And of course she'd be hot doing it. She's a femme and she learned from the master."
"Oh, come on Jazz, please," Sunny begged.
I glanced over at Kacey.
"You know they'll keep asking you until you give in," she told me.
"I don't give in so easily," I snickered.
"Then maybe you can just put them out of their misery," she said, making that one face she knew I couldn't say no to. "Please, Jazz. For me?"
Primus help me, the femme has me wrapped around her finger most times. We'd become the best of friends almost instantly as we both had a passion for music and dance. Plus, the fact that she was responsible for my coming back from the dead made it hard to say no to her. No amount of favors will ever repay Kacey for that.
"Alright!" I surrendered, making Kacey smile and the twins cheer loudly, high fiving each other.
"Hey! This isn't the recreation room!" Prowl snapped from across the command center. "Wrap it up Jazz."
"Ok, before I get locked out of my own quarters, I will tell you a secret to dancing. It's all in how you can move your hips. Femmes are more flexible than mechs so it comes naturally for them."
"Yeah, but I've heard you know all about flexibility and hip action, Jazz," Rox said, nudging Kacey with his hip against hers.
"You're invading my personal space, Rox," Kacey warned, sounding rather snippy which was usual for the young femme.
Woah! Something was off. Rox was annoying but Kacey never got mad at him! In fact, she usually let him get it out of his system. Only when he went overboard did she tell him to knock it off, at which point Sunny, Sides, Leo, or Bumblebee would kick him in the aft to make him back off.
Leo and Bee weren't here. But the twins were. Even they seemed a little surprised, especially when Kacey growled at Rox.
"Kacey, are you feeling ok?" I asked as Sides yanked Rox away from Kacey.
"She says it's a system upset but refuses to go see Ratchet," Sunny informed me. "She won't listen to Sides or me. I doubt even Bee could get her to go if he were here. Stubborn femme."
Kacey made a rude noise at Sunstreaker for his comment. And it was then that I really noticed the faint tremors in her doorwings signally that she was in some discomfort. I'd recognized it as I'd gotten used to Prowl's doorwing shaking like that when he was concealing pain of any kind from me.
I frowned. The femme had gotten really good about covering up some things. Too good it would seem. So much like Optimus it's frightening at times. She even sounded like him with her own reasoning for not going to the medical bay.
"Ratchet's extremely busy trying to be in two places at once with packing up and moving his equipment so a mild system upset isn't going to keep me from my duties," she protested adamantly. "I'm fine."
I switched to thermal imaging on my visor for a better look on whether she was 'fine' or not. I wanted to make sure it was just a simple system upset which I could tell by body temperature. If this was anything different and I would be immediately contacting Ratchet while dragging her aft down to the medical bay.
Let's just say what I saw as her core body temperature was steadily rising made me grin. I always found it rather amusing whenever Primus chose to intervene during life's monumental moments.
"Oh really?" I smiled, knowingly, folding my arms across my chest. "How are you feeling now?"
Kacey raised an optic ridge at me just before her core temperature sky rocketed upwards. The datapads fell to the floor forgotten. Her cooling fans kicked on at maximum power. Her entire body went stiff and rigid. A pained expression dominated her facial features.
"I suggest you not fight it, Kacey," I told her. "Relax, let it happen. Trust me."
Of course, typical youth, she ignored me. As a result she doubled over, crying out in pain. Which only made the pain worse, so she straightened back up, arching her back, grimacing.
"What's going on?" Prowl asked, rushing to my side with worried optics.
"Might want to get Ratchet up here," I replied calmly, watching as Kacey started panting heavily in an effort to cool her systems.
"Primus! I know what's happening!" Sunny shouted excitedly just as Kacey's optics widened as far as they could go.
I believe it just dawned on her what was happening too.
Only it was too late for her to do anything about it. Her core temperature peaked then started rapidly spreading outwards. It was too much for her systems to handle and they started powering down one by one. Her optics rolled upwards as she lost consciousness. I was quick to wrap my arms around her, catching her before she crashed hard onto the floor.
"This so cool!"
"This is not cool, Sunstreaker!" Prowl snapped, his worry strongly flowing over our bond.
"Relax, Prowl. She's ok," I told him while kneeling down and gently setting Kacey on the ground, being mindful of her doorwings.
"Kacey is better than ok," Sunny grinned madly. "Sides, she's finally a fully mature femme now!"
"You mean…"
"Yup, her interface systems just came online!"
"Jazz?" Prowl questioned, kneeling down on one knee beside me.
"No doubt about it. It's rare very rare for the mech or femme to actually overload as their interface systems come online. From what I've heard, it's not a very pleasant experience. I've only seen it happen twice before. Last time was…"
"Sunstreaker," Prowl muttered, pinching the bridge of his nose.
"Yup. So, which of us delivers the bad news to Optimus?" I asked.
"I'm not sure. Which of us is nimble enough to dodge his cannon fire?" he countered.
"Good point," I mused. "We could both go. With two targets to choose from…"
"It increases our chances of a hasty retreat!"
"And I wouldn't want anything to happen to my stud-muffin. So I'll cover your aft as we run away!"
Prowl winced, "Frag, Jazz! I thought you got over calling me that!"
"Love you too, babe."
Ratchet
I ran as quick as I could when Prowl called me to the command center, saying Kacey had collapsed. Optimus did send me a brief message that she was getting a system upset and was being stubborn about it. I was ready fully prepared to give the young femme lecture and good tail pipe flushing for measure for not coming to me sooner to prevent her collapse!
At least, that was until Prowl added an odd request, to not inform Optimus or Elita just yet of their eldest daughter's collapse. He told me it wasn't anything bad and that I'd soon find out his reasons when I asked why. Prowl always had sound reasoning so, despite my grumbling, I trusted his judgment.
Besides, I do not want to upset Elita today as she's having the foulest mood swings ever!
"Slag discretion this is too good to not share!" Sunstreaker shouted over his shoulder as he came racing out of the command center.
"Sunny!!" Sides screamed, chasing after his brother. "Don't do anything stupid!"
I managed to jump out of the way in time just as Sides leapt forward, tackling his brother down.
"Think of Kacey's feelings!"
"I am. The femme could use a good overload and now she can finally have one!" Sunny cheered, breaking free from his brother's grasp. The mech was shouting the 'wonderful' news as he ran.
"Oh Primus," I moaned then hurried into the command center. "It will be all over the base in record time now."
"We tried keeping him down and Sides wasn't helping that much. Prowl even threatened them both with night shift monitor duty and brig time!" Jazz exclaimed rubbing a minor dent in his chest armor.
"Which they are going to get!" Prowl snapped as I began my medical examination of the fallen femme. "Once their shift is over. I'd do it now except we're short staffed because of this move."
"Prowl and I were just debating on who should tell Optimus the 'eventful' news when Sunstreaker tried making an announcement over the PA system. I managed to shut it down before he could open his big mouth. Then he made a run for it."
"The problem still remains," Prowl commented dryly. "Who's going to go tell Optimus before its all over the base?"
"You younglings are so stupid sometimes. I'll tell the lugnut," I grumbled, my medical sensors determining that Kacey's interface systems were in fact, online and cooling down from a massive overload. Then I activated a private comlink with Optimus, noticing the looks of relief on Prowl and Jazz's faceplates. Silly younglings.
"What is it Ratchet?"
"Meet me in the medical bay in twenty minutes."
"Is everything alright?"
"I just thought you'd want to be there when Kacey wakes up."
"What happened?! Is she alright? She said she was getting a system upset earlier."
"She's fine. Once her systems wind down and return normal she'll wake up. And it's not a system upset. It's…its something else. Kacey's body temperature rose too quickly for her coolant systems to take care of. As a resulted, everything overheated from trying to compensate and she lost consciousness because it was too much for her systems to handle."
"That's funny. You just described how an over…no…that can't happen unless…slag no!"
"Congratulations. The race to be the first mech to interface with Kacey is officially now on. And thanks to Sunstreaker, I'm sure the entire base knows it by now."
I heard a distinct growl before he responded, "See you in twenty minutes."
"Well that went well," I said, lifting Kacey up into my arms.
"He knows?" Prowl asked.
"Oh yeah, he knows. I would suggest bracing the rest of the base for his wrath." I paused, glaring at a grinning fool named Rox. "I'd wipe that slag-eating grin off your face Rox. You'll be the first target Optimus locks onto. He won't hesitate to obliterate any mech who dares even to think lustful thoughts about Kacey. And I can promise you she has several Uncles all willing to do the same if he misses."
"Rox, you're on duty," Prowl growled, taking a threatening step towards the mech. "Jazz…"
"I'll track down the idiots and bring them back," Jazz said, then leaned snuggly against Prowl, who for once didn't rebuke the public display of affection. "Then you can punish me later if you like, loverboy."
"Frag it to pit! I didn't need to hear that!" I protested causing the two to laugh wildly. I made my way for the exit as quickly as possible after that.
Primus in a pit bucket, of all things to happen on this day!
It was laughable! I wish I could have been there to see Optimus' face when I told him!
How timely too with the Axalon arriving soon!
So many potential suitors for Kacey to chose from. Oh yeah, I know she'll be looking. Kayla may not be the brightest femme or have any sense of direction but she notices everything when it comes to a mech or femmes emotions and tells me about it every day. And she always seems to know what's going on with Kacey.
Of course I wouldn't expect anything less from Kacey. She's experienced the love her parents have for each other through their bond. A deep, enduring, everlasting love that any mechanism would want especially young femmes like Kacey. She's so eager to experience life and the joys…more accurately, the pleasures that go with it.
"What happened?! Is she ok?!" Jetfire asked, jumping off the berth I was ordered to place him on.
Place him on it was all I did. After I was lectured for overreacting, Moonracer ran the scans to make sure no irreparable damage was done to his processor after my wrench struck him. Unfortunately, the scan came back clear. No damage done. Slag!
"Hey, I'm her family too!" he said, determinedly standing in my way.
"She's fine, Jetfire," I sighed, remembering that while he made the 'moves' on my daughter, he was a part of Optimus' family. I did need to extend him some courtesy. Some. "I'm sure you'll be finding out shortly as the rumor is all over the base about Kacey's interface systems coming online. On the rare occurrence the interface systems actually overload as they come online."
"Oh," he replied, reaching out to caress her head. "Poor kid. I've heard about those rare occurrences."
I was surprised at his display of affection for someone whom it quite literally only met a short time ago. But then he reverted to the Jetfire I expected. Smirk and all.
"It's not fair for her to have her very first overload be one of pain because she didn't understand what was going on until it was too late!"
"For Primus' sake! Get out of my medical bay! You're fit for duty."
"Ok, I can take a hint," he saluted with a wink.
"And stay away from my daughter!" I shouted at him as he reached the door.
"Ratchet!" Moonracer hissed, glaring at me from across the medical bay.
I quickly retreated into the nearest private medical room. Since I was with a patient she wouldn't lecture me on how to treat mechs who pay any attention whatsoever to my daughter. Moonracer on a number of occasions has accused me of being worse than Optimus.
That might change now that Kacey's interface systems have come online.
Looking up at the medical display on the wall, I saw that all of Kacey's systems had returned to normal, interface systems included. My own personal medical sensors alerted me as such and that the femme was beginning to regain consciousness.
"Kacey, can you hear me?" I called, leaning over her relaxed form resting comfortable on the medical berth.
"I'm not sure," she groaned, one hand reaching for her head. "Did what I think happen, just happen?"
"What do you think happened?" I replied with a smirk.
"That I just had an overload in the middle of the command center. At least…that's what my interface systems are telling me."
"Congratulations. You're a fully mature femme now!"
"Why are you smiling?" she hissed at me grumpily. "That was totally embarrassing! Thank Primus my father wasn't in the same room with me."
"He knows and is on his way."
"What?!" she exclaimed, optics wide.
"The entire base knows by now thanks to Sunstreaker."
Kacey look absolutely mortified. Not that I'd blame her. For what was to be a special private moment in her life it was…as usual spectacularly out in the open. Unfortunately, that's how much of Kacey's life has been.
"This is so humiliating," she moaned and the suddenly vanished, having activated her cloaking device.
"Kacey, it's not that bad."
"Easy for you to say. It's not your life that's ruined," she answered, her voice in the far corner of the room.
"These things happened. I guarantee with the Axalon arriving soon all this will be forgotten."
"I doubt that. Nitro will probably double his efforts now with a list of mechs for me to choose from in the hopes of me getting my first interface. I'm sure Rox is now drooling! Maybe I should be grateful father won't hesitate to use his cannon to protect my 'virtue'."
I was about to comment on the list when I heard she was crying. Sighing, I decided that wouldn't be a good idea. I hated it when femmes cried. They could be some of the fiercest mechanisms to face yet when they cried, they seemed so vulnerable.
"Kacey, come here and uncloak so I can see you," I requested. When she didn't comply right away I asked nicely with a please. When she appeared, she was sitting in a nearby chair, sniffling. "Kacey, this is a part of growing up. You've wanted this moment to happen for so long."
"I know but my life is hard enough as it is without all of this extra stuff happening to me," she wept.
"You are far too young to think life is so hard."
"I'm the successor Prime, of course my life is difficult!" she snapped rising to her feet. "I don't mind the attention on most days when mechs and femmes are constantly watching me, judging me, comparing me to my father. I'm proud of who I am. But there are some days when I wish I could just be a normal femme with normal problems."
"It is true that you will never be that normal femme," I smiled kindly at her, understanding her pain having seen Optimus experience the same sort of thing when he was close to maturity. "However, that doesn't mean you cannot have the kind of life you wish for. If something is so important to you, grab it with both hands and don't let go…no matter what."
"Like my father did with my mother?"
"Yes. It took a long time, a long time for Elita to reach the point where she would bond with Optimus. Your father never gave up. It wasn't easy for them both. I'd been witness to some vicious fights between them, nothing physical except maybe Elita slapping him across the faceplates. But like any relationship, they had their ups and downs before reaching the point where they are now."
"Will I be there one day?"
"If that is what you want, then I know you will be there one day," I smiled rubbing the top of her helm. "Today is just the first step. And if you are anything like your father, which you are, I know you'll be putting your new quarters to good use!"
"Ratchet!" Optimus hissed from the doorway.
"Oh, right sorry," I cringed. "I forgot you were going to surprise her and the others."
"Surprise me…quarters? I'm getting my own quarters?" she shot up to her feet.
"Your mother and I thought it was time," Optimus smiled warmly.
"But…I was supposed to help you and mom with the sparkling once she's born," Kacey said in an absolute panic, which surprised me and even Optimus.
"Kacey, we felt it was time you and your siblings had your own quarters so you can start your own lives."
"But you are a part of my life!" she yelled but then immediately calmed down. "Are they at least nearby?"
"Elita and I are on the officers' suite level of the living quarters. You're near your brothers and the twins in section one of the crew quarters."
"That's so far away! What if there's a problem with the sparkling and you need me? What if I have a bad dream and I need you, father? How could you do this to me?!" Kacey wept then ran out of the room.
"Kacey! Wait!"
"Let her go Optimus. She'll come back," I said.
"What happened? Where's she going?" Elita asked worriedly as she entered the room.
"Kacey is upset about getting her own quarters," Optimus frowned, putting his arms around Elita. "I suppose it's my fault. I should have realized she wasn't ready."
"I honestly thought she would have loved it," Elita said.
"Some mechanisms have a hard time leaving the nest. Kacey is just afraid. It's a normal reaction. Of course, with her interface systems coming online it's put everything out of whack. It will take a few days for her systems to settle down. Give her time, she will adjust and such outbursts will cease."
"I hope so," Optimus sighed. "Because that didn't seem like Kacey out of sorts."
"Optimus, you can't blame yourself for her being upset. We didn't know she'd react like this."
"As her father I should have known."
"We are not perfect parents or guardians, Optimus," I argued. "If we were, we'd always be able to anticipate our younglings' needs. Besides, you were equally difficult as a young mech."
Optimus chuckled. He knew what I was talking about.
"What?" Elita asked, smiling at her mate.
"I actually reacted kind of the same way Kacey did when Sentinel gave me my own quarters after my interface systems came online."
"Optimus had this panicked look on his face like Sentinel was expecting him to 'take advantage' of having his own private quarters," I explained.
"I think he feared Ironhide might have had too much of an influence on me with regards to the femmes," Optimus laughed.
"You moved back in the very next day," I said to him.
"Yes, he allowed me to even though he kept hinting that I was mature enough now to have my own quarters. Something I have not discussed with Kacey. She doesn't talk about it like Leo and Orion do. Or even Ariel."
"Kacey will be fine," Elita smiled, caressing his face. "It's just a little separation anxiety. Once we all make this move things will, as Ratchet says, settle down. If not, I'm sure you wouldn't mind giving up your half of the bed to Kacey while you sleep on the couch."
Optimus gave her an 'as if' look which made us both laugh at him.
"I know for a fact you would do it for any one of our sparklings," she purred, kissing his cheek.
"Primus, I'm leaving!" I exclaimed. "It's bad enough walking in on my son and your daughter, kissing!"
part two up next