You all know the 2007 movie versions of Optimus, Ironhide, Ratchet, and Bumblebee. If you haven't read Hope's Journey here's a list of characters and their Earth vehicle forms that I chose for them. All these cars do exist if you car to look them up. I didn't pick them at random. I picked them based on their personalities.

Kaceystar – blue 2008 Mini Cooper S hardtop with black racing stripes on the hood

Elita - silver Mercedes 2008 ML63 AMG

Prowl - 2007 Dodge Charger Police Patrol

Sunstreaker - orange 2008 Dodge Viper SRT 10 with silver racing stripes

Sideswipe - red 2008 Dodge Viper SRT 10 with silver racing stripes

Chromia – black 2008 Ford Mustang

Wheeljack – white 2008 Nissan Titan Crew Cab Pro-4x

Hound – olive green 2008 Land Rover Ranger Rover Sport

Author's notes: italics denote radio type communications; also, I am keeping this a T rating but there will be some language from time to time (saving the M rating for the next story)

I will be using the multiple POV during most of the chapters.

Elita

We had to cut our vacation short because my energy levels had dropped too low when we reached California. Optimus and Kacey were both very worried and insisted we take the shuttlecraft home. I don't like being coddled one bit but I was too exhausted at the time to argue with either of them.

I honestly thought I could make the trip even though I was pregnant. After all, I had traveled much farther when I was pregnant with Kacey. There was a war going on. I couldn't relax. I was always on the defensive. I had to protect the little spark I carried. And I was too scared to notice how tired I was the majority of the time.

Only this pregnancy was much different.

Twins.

I couldn't believe it myself. I had suspected something was different about this pregnancy from the beginning which was why I went to Ratchet. Optimus, the worrying lugnut he was insisted on being there. It was worth having him there for I'll never forget him fainting when Ratchet announced I was pregnant with twins.

My little sparks, Orion and Ariel.

Here in the safety of the Autobot base on Earth I'm able to relax for the first time in so many long orns. And even though I'm tired I'm able to enjoy this pregnancy more than I could before. It's nice to actually tell everyone about it instead of keeping it a secret. But the huge plus is Optimus being able to experience what he had missed out with Kacey.

It brought me great joy to see that finally that smile on his faceplates when he felt our tiny sparks pulsing for the very first time. The love in his spark for me was overwhelming during that moment. He even fell into recharge that night with his hand protectively hugging my abdomen, has he held my body with his. It's how we've fallen into recharge every night since.

I sighed, sliding a hand over my extra warm abdomen.

I've noticed Kacey's uncertain what to make of her little brother and sister. She even appears puzzled by some our actions towards the little sparks. She only seems to understand that they make her father happy. Even though she's confused, I sense that she is happy as long as Optimus is happy.

The bond between father and daughter is much stronger than I had ever imagined it would be. Especially since they've only been together less than an Earth year. But then, I should have known as they are both so alike. Both of them yearned to be with the other to share their love for one another. And from what Optimus told me, the two of them had been through so much together since Kacey's arrival on Earth which in turn only brought them that much closer together.

I'm glad Optimus killed Starscream for removing my little sparkling's arm like that. I have even more of a reason to dislike Optimus' brother, Megatron, for assaulting my Kacey's spark as he did. If I ever come across him myself I will not hesitate to try and blow his fraggin head off for harming my little sparkling in such a manner!

The bedroom suddenly door slides opens and I roll over to see Optimus walk in, grumbling and using a cleaning towel on his armor.

"What happened?" I asked.

"Galen lubricated on me…again!"

I couldn't contain my giggles.

"Maybe he was trying to douse your flames," I suggested, unable to keep from smiling.

Optimus shot me a look of disgust.

"I think Ratchet handed him to me on purpose knowing it was going to happen."

"Payback for all the times you were a terror to him?"

"Probably," he smiled, tossing the towel aside. His smile turned into a fiendish smirk as he lay down beside me the recharge bed. "How are you feeling today?"

"Fine," I purred to him, snuggling against him.

"How are the little sparks doing?" he asked, his hand gently massaging my stomach.

"Calm for once," I sighed. "I was going to try to recharge while they were quiet."

I felt my love's intentions in my spark before he even kissed me.

"Where's Kacey?" I quietly asked.

"At her lessons with Trion," he breathed between his kisses. "Then she has her lessons with Ironhide."

"We really need to have a talk about her."

"Later," he simply said, leaving no room for discussion with his tone.

I wasn't going to argue with him anyway. I really didn't feel like arguing with him at the moment. Not while he was in such an affectionate mood anyway.

"Optimus," I whispered.

"Yes, Elita?" he asked, looking into my optics.

"Lock the door and get out of your battle armor."

"Yes, Ma'am!" he happily saluted, making me laugh.

Kaceystar

"Kacey, we shouldn't be in here," Nitro hissed at me as we entered my father's office.

"Don't worry. Father and mother are busy interfacing. At least that's what I assume as the door was locked to their bedroom. They'll be at it for hours."

"How do you know? My parents don't take hours."

"According to Sunny, mine still have lots of interfacing to make up for," I said as I shut the door and locked it. "Besides, this isn't the first time I've sneaked into my father's office. Come on. I found this totally awesome movie on the internet for us to watch."

"What's a movie?"

"A fictional visual recording the humans make for entertainment," I answered as I typed in my father's password on the control panel.

The monitor lit up. I typed in a few more commands.

"I saw it once already. So I know you'll love it because it has guns and explosions."

"Really?" Nitro asked excitedly.

"Come on, there's room for both of us in father's chair."

Nitro climbed up and we sat together watching the movie Die Hard. I loved it for the action and knew Nitro would. Sure enough, his optics were locked on the monitor the entire time. We even liked that same action sequences and lines.

"What does yippy kiya motherfucker mean?" he asked me when the movie ended.

"It's a human form of slang. We use slag or frag. They use words like shit and fuck."

"Can we watch another movie since father had an emergency and cancelled our target practice today?"

"Sure," I said, typing in another command on the control panel. "How about Mortal Kombat? It's one of Sunny and Sides' favorites to watch. I like the fighting in it."

"Fighting's fun!" he said with his usual zeal.

"Oh…I have a better idea! Let's try to spar like they do in the movie! You've seen Sunny and Sides sparring. We can do it too!"

"Ok!"

I quickly powered down my father's computer before we headed outside for our playful sparring. The weather was cold even though it was midday as the snow thickly covered the ground. Most Autobots, especially the other younglings didn't like to go out in the snow too much. Nitro and I loved it as we had our own snowball wars.

One time we even managed to sneak a bunch of snowballs into the base and pelt Sunny and Sides with them as they relaxed in the recreation room with the other mechs. They chased us around the base pretending to be angry.

I like the twins as they're the most playful out of all the mechs and would often join us if their duties allowed them. Around them I can always be myself like I can with my uncles. Some of the other mechs get so uptight and over protective around me.

I know I'm the daughter of Optimus Prime and the potential leader of the Autobots, but for now, I'm just a youngling for Primus sake!

"OW!" I shouted when his foot unexpectedly hit the side of my face.

"Sorry, Kacey! Are you ok?"

"I think so," I answered pulling my hand away from my face. I groaned as I noticed energon on it. "Shit!"

"You're optic's bleeding. I'll take you to Ratchet."

"I can take myself just fine," I growled yanking my hand out of his.

I sighed as he frowned at me.

"I'm sorry, Nitro. I appreciate your concern. There's nothing wrong with my legs so I can manage to walk to the Med Bay. I may be a femme but I'm not helpless. Now, if you wish to follow me there, I have no problem with that."

"I just feel bad. I didn't mean to hurt you," he sincerely said as we headed for the base.

"I know. You're starting to get better at sparring," I smiled to him. "I'll have to be on my toes next time."

"Thanks, you're the best Kacey!" he grinned.

Of course, the moment we arrived at the med bay, we both weren't smiling. Ratchet didn't look happy at all as Galen was wailing away as usual. That sparkling was never happy unless his mother was holding him.

"Maybe you're not holding him right," I suggested getting Ratchet's attention.

"Primus, Kacey! What happened to your optic?" he shouted over the cries.

"I accidentally kicked her," Nitro said, dropping his head low.

Ratchet looked around as if he was undecided about what to do with Galen. I knew Red Alert was out responding to a fender bender call with Ironhide piloting the shuttle.

"Where's Moonracer?" I asked.

"She's recharging and I don't want to wake her. Galen had her up all night."

"I'll hold him," I smiled. "I need the practice if I'm going to be a big sister soon."

"Ok, get up on the exam table."

I quickly climbed up. Ratchet gently placed the squalling sparkling on my lap. I made sure I held him securely as Ratchet looked like was about to blow a gasket as he let go of his sparkling.

"Don't cry, Galen," I cooed to him. "You're father may be a cranky mech, but he's really nice when you get to know him."

Galen's cries almost immediately started to die down. His teary blue optics blinked at me.

"Any time you want sparkling duty, you're welcome to it," Ratchet smiled at me.

"I may be too busy with Orion and Ariel. Mother and Father are going to need all the help they can get."

"You're right, of course," he chuckled. "Now, let me see about your optic."

I sat still as Ratchet repaired my optic. But my attention remained focused on Galen. I even got him to smile and make a few chirping noises at me as I tickled his belly.

"There, all fixed."

"Are you going to tell my father?" I asked worriedly.

"I have to put it in my daily report but Prowl usually reads them and only give Optimus brief highlights of everyone's daily reports. This little incident won't be worth mentioning."

"Good, I don't want Nitro to get into trouble."

"Just make sure Nitro keeps his two feet on the ground next time."

"I will," Nitro quickly said.

"Go play you two," he smiled, taking Galen back into his arms.

The sparkling was quiet for about two astroseconds before he started up again. I grabbed Nitro's hand and took off before Ratchet could call me back for sparkling duty!

"Where are we going now?" Nitro asked when we slowed down.

"I'm going to the recreation room. You're welcome to come too."

"But it's off limits to younglings."

"Pfft, I go in there all the time," I boasted. I grabbed his hand again. "Come on, you can come in with me. If you're parents get mad I'll just tell them I made you go in with me."

"What do the mechs do in there anyway?"

"They drink high grade and tell war stories mostly."

"Father let me try a sip of high grade once," he said enthusiastically. "I really liked it!"

"You would, you're just like your father."

"Yours drinks it too!"

"I've never seen him drink it. I've never seen him in the recreation room for that matter."

"That's because he and father had some in our quarters. It was before you arrived on Earth."

"Well, maybe I'll have to try some then," I smirked as we reached the recreation room. And I saw just the mech who would let me try some. "Hey, Sunny! How are you and Sides doing?"

"We are doing well, Kacey," he smiled. "Hey little mech, you and Kacey behaving?"

"About the usual," Nitro answered honestly.

"Nitro was telling me about how he got a sip of high grade, can I try a sip?" I boldly asked.

"I don't know, Kacey," Sunny replied nervously. "You're mother will probably disassemble me if I give you some."

"I won't tell. Nitro won't either."

"Kacey, it's not a good idea," Sides said. "High grade isn't meant for little femmes."

My optics flared. I felt my spark pulsing furiously. I was pissed! Will mechs ever learn that just because I'm a femme it doesn't make me any weaker than they are?

"Oh, but its ok for little mechs?" I growled at him. "I can do things none of the other little mechs can do and do them better! Primus, I've even killed Decepticons, though I'm not really proud of that fact. I think I've earned one little sip!"

"One little sip can't hurt, can it?" Sunny asked looking at his brother.

"The two of you promise not to tell Elita?" Sides seriously asked both Nitro and I.

"We promise!" Nitro said firmly.

"Ok, just one," Sunny sighed then reluctantly handed me his glass.

I took the glass. I could smell the aroma of the high grade and was about to take a sip when…

"Whoa! I don't think so!" Bumblebee exclaimed, taking the glass from my hands. "Looks like I arrived just in time. Kacey you're too young for this stuff."

"Oh, come on Bee, I only wanted one tiny sip," I said, giving him the look.

I usually get what I want when I give any mech that look. Only, not today.

"No," he said firmly. "And you two know better!"

"But Ironhide gave Nitro some," I continued to argue.

"How Ironhide raises Nitro is no concern of ours," he countered. "You however, are the daughter of Optimus Prime. We have to look after you. You're precious to us all."

I threw myself into the empty chair and sat with my arms folded across my chest. I can't believe Bee of all the mechs was opposed to me having one tiny sip of high grade! This was so not fair!

"I think you just lost uncle points, Bee," Sunny teased.

"I don't care. I'm more concerned for her welfare than my ego."

I got up and stormed out. Sometimes being the daughter of Optimus Prime was a real pain in the aft! All the grown mechs worried obsessively about me whenever father wasn't on the base. Only a few actually let me have fun.

"Kacey!" Bee shouted after me.

I transformed and peeled out down the hall. I was mad and needed to blow off some steam by going for a quick drive. Not like Bumblebee could catch me anyway. He tried. Once I was outside I could sense his vehicle form chasing after me as I sped up the mountain road.

I wasn't planning on going too far. I was allowed to roam only a certain distance from the base. However, today I wasn't going to let my boundary stop me as I turned on the speed.

Only problem, I was too angry to notice the icy road up ahead.

Optimus

I lay there watching Elita as she recharged in my arms. My hand never lingers far from the little sparks she carries. I missed out on so much with Kacey from the time her spark first formed until the day she arrived on Earth. I didn't want to miss out on anything with the twins.

I had to enjoy this time. I knew it would be a long while for Elita to want another sparkling as she's made that perfectly clear to me shortly after we learned she was pregnant with twins. I'm content with what I have anyway. And I'm so glad to see how happy Elita is at being a mother. I always knew she'd be a wonderful mother.

"Hey," I whisper as Elita's optics come online.

"Hmm, how long was I in recharge?" she asked, snuggling closer.

"Only an hour."

"A much needed hour," she sighed. "I feel much better now."

"Good," I smiled, kissing her forehead.

"Optimus, we do need to have a long talk about Kacey," she said, staring intently at me.

"What's there to talk about? She's a good little femme. Doesn't get into too much trouble."

"You need to discipline her more. I've noticed that you've let her get away with too much since her arrival on Earth."

"I don't see any harm in what she's doing. She doesn't disobey the rules I've set for her. And the entire base looks after here when I can't."

"Optimus, we're going to have two more in our family soon. If we let them all have their way we'll never even have this bed to ourselves. I don't mind sharing it from time to time with our daughter, but Kacey has been wedged between us every morning since we got back together. The only mornings she hasn't been with us is when we've locked the door."

"Elita, she misses you. Primus, she thought you were dead. And she still has nightmares. I can't blame her for wanting to be with us and feel safe. Besides, I don't have the spark to tell her not to after everything she's been through."

"I've been back for nearly two months now. I really think it's time she start staying in her own bed."

"Ok," I sighed, even though I was reluctant about it. But I didn't want to upset my pregnant bonded sparkmate either. "I'll talk with her."

"Also, I want Kacey to have somewhat of a normal younglinghood. She didn't get that on Cybertron. She hasn't gotten it here with you. I want her to interact with the other younglings, make friends…"

"Kacey's rather sociable already and has many friends," I smiled confidently. "She has no problem speaking her mind to any of us."

"Hanging out with Sunny and Sides and the rest of the mechs in the recreation room isn't the socializing I want for my daughter. She's only 11 orns. She has a chance to be with other younglings. I want her to make the most of that."

"She hangs out with Nitro and he's a youngling."

"Nitro is just like his parents. And being on the shooting range isn't like playing with other younglings."

"Elita, we can't ask Kacey to be something she's not. She loves the shooting range. She loves the friends she's made. I've already removed her from patrol but I refuse to make her give up her post in the command center. Nor will I stop her from training. She's already returned back to her studies with Trion. Isn't that enough?"

"I just want what's best for Kacey. Interacting with the other younglings will be good for her. I'm not saying she can't be with the matures but we can limit her time with them. At least after her studies, when the other younglings are done with theirs I want her to play with them."

I sighed heavily. I couldn't argue with Elita in her condition. Some of what she said made sense. But I grew up on a base; my friends were mature mechs and femmes. I honestly didn't see the problem with raising Kacey that way. But I will abide by my loves wishes even though I don't entirely agree with her. I love her too much.

""Very…"

"Optimus! This is Prowl!"

The sound of Prowl's frantic voice from the inter com link interrupted our conversation. I quickly reached over and hit a button.

"Go ahead."

"There's been an accident. It's Kacey. Ratchet's on his way to her now."

"What do you mean an accident? Is she hurt? What happened?" I demanded as I got up, my battle armor sliding into place.

I instinctively reached out to Kacey but she didn't reach back. My spark palpitated in fear.

"I don't know, Optimus. Bumblebee just called it in a few astroseconds ago and asked for Ratchet to hurry!"

"Where is she?" Elita asked, sounding as worried as my spark felt.

"She's just up the road from the base."

"I'm on my way," I said as I was half way out the door.

I stopped and turned looking at Elita.

"She is my daughter, I can't stay behind," she insisted as she came to me.

"I wasn't going to suggest anything of the sort," I said, taking hold of her hand.

Together we hurried through the base. If Elita was tired she didn't show it as we quickly transformed and raced up the road. My sensors indicated that Kacey was about five miles from the base. Bumblebee was with her and Ratchet was getting closer and we weren't actually too far behind.

Only I didn't dare try to go any faster. My tires already slipped a few times on the icy road. So much so I decided it was safer to run. I told Elita to do the same. Last thing we needed was for her, in her condition, to get into an accident too.

When we arrived I wished I had made Elita stay behind. She didn't need to see our daughter's vehicle from, flipped over, front end smashed in with parts of a tree trunk stuck on the bumper, with energon leaking all over the ground. I can't imagine the sight of our daughter in such condition being good for her or the little sparks.

"She's unconscious!" Ratchet shouted. "Let's get her on her wheels."

"What happened?" Elita demanded as Bumblebee and Ratchet gently turned Kacey over onto her wheels.

"Kacey got mad at me because I wouldn't let her have a sip of high grade," Bumblebee explained. "She just took off racing. She was too fast for me. I couldn't stop her. I found her like this! I'm so sorry, Optimus."

"It's ok, Bumblebee," I told him as he sounded as terrified as Elita and I felt.

"Primus…I can't do anything until she transforms!" Ratchet muttered, continuing with his scans. "We need to get her back to the base, now!"

I said didn't hesitate to pick up my daughter.

My spark kept reaching to her, trying to wake her up. It wasn't until we reached the very worried crowd outside the base that I felt her reaching back. This was immediately followed by her cries of pain that reverberated through the halls of the base. Her sounds tore at my spark as they reminded me so much of the few days following the operation to reattach her arm.

"Shh, I'm here, Kacey," I cooed to her as we entered the Med Bay.

"Father, it hurts!"

"I know, my child. But you need to transform so Ratchet can help you."

"Set her on the floor," Ratchet ordered.

"Come on Kacey, you need to transform!" Elita insisted, her hand massaging Kacey's hood.

"I can't!" she wept.

"Optimus, she has to transform. I can't stop the bleeding until she does," Ratchet said quietly to me.

I knelt down beside Kacey. Her vehicle from was visibly trembling as she moaned in pain. My spark reached out to comfort her as I stroked the side of her form.

"We'll take it nice and slow," I spoke softly to her. "I want you to start with your legs first."

"I tried…it hurts too much!"

"Kacey, you are my daughter and you will listen to me, understand?" I said, using a firm but loving tone with her.

"Ok," she whimpered weakly.

"Now, start with your legs. Ratchet, your mother and I are here to help but you have to start your transformation first."

Ratchet gave me a worried look like we didn't have much time. Elita was nearly in tears. And my spark was racing as I couldn't take much more of my daughter's cries of agony.

"The sooner you get it done, the sooner Ratchet can help you," I told her as he felt her trembling even harder beneath my hand.

Kacey strained and moaned loudly as she slowly started to transform. She was doing everything she could to not scream in pain. Ratchet and I both helped to extend her legs. Her hands dropped but that's where she stopped.

"I can't! Father…make it stop hurting! Make it stop!"

"Ratchet…"

"Let's do it quickly," he told me.

"Kacey, it will be over soon, I promise. Try to pull you're head up as we pull out your arms."

"You can do it, Kacey," Elita said, kneeling in front of Kacey.

Ratchet and I didn't wait a moment longer. Kacey howled loudly in pain as we pulled her arms out. Once her head was up she lost consciousness again and her battle armor retracted.

I moved out of Ratchet's way as he quickly lifted my daughter up and put her on the exam table to tend to her. Elita looked more exhausted than ever so I held her close.

"She's not allowed in the recreation room," she told me barely able to hold back her tears.

"Elita…"

"No. I don't want her in there. What if they actually let her have some?"

"It wouldn't have harmed her any. Primus, Ironhide used to give me a sip when I was her age."

"But you couldn't transform! She could have harmed someone or done even worse damage to herself!"

Elita pulled away, wiping her tears away. Her hands were visibly shaking.

"What do you want me to do?" I asked.

"Father…" Kacey's voice weakly called.

"We'll talk about it later," Elita said quietly to me.

I set aside such thoughts as I moved to my daughter's side. My spark ached so see her head and neck covered with energon.

"You're mother and me are here, Kacey," I said to her, taking her hand in mine, my other arm pulling Elita close.

"You gave us quite a scare," Elita smiled through her tears.

"I'm sorry," she whispered, her optics flickering until they went offline.

"She'll be ok. The sedative took hold," Ratchet sighed. "Head and neck injuries are the worst but no permanent damage was done. I do want to keep her in the Med Bay until she fully recovers."

"Just take good care of my child," I said to him.

"I always do," he smiled back at me.

Later, back in our quarters before Elita went to be, we finished our conversation. I agreed with everything she wanted even though my spark felt uneasy about a few things. But then again, I'm still learning how to be a father to Kacey. Like everything in my life, I strive to do the best I can.

But as I sit beside Kacey in the Med Bay and watch her toss and turn from a bad dream, I wonder if I'm doing the right thing for her.