I must apologize and beg forgiveness from my readers. There was an issue that needed to be dealt with before I could go into the sibling rivalry between Kacey and her little brother and sister. I had no intention of this issue taking up an entire chapter but that's how it came out. So please forgive me. I hope that once you read it you understand it was an issue that couldn't be ignored. Besides, it's a writer's prerogative to change their mind when a better idea comes along. :P

Bumblebee

It was a nice few day getaway from the base with Sunny and Sides. It was uneventful mostly except for one tiny incident. Sunny only dented his fender trying some stupid trick and Red Alert was able to mend it quickly. Still, we made the most of our time and had fun.

The main reason for leaving the base was to get Sunny out of Elita's targeting range as she was not happy with him for offering Kacey a sip of high grade. Optimus suggested it to me when the three of us came to visit Kacey in the Med Bay.

I have to say that was one of the most terrifying moments of my life when I found Kacey flipped over and leaking energon all over the icy road. She was going so fast and out of control that she knocked the tree over, damaging herself in the process.

I can only guess that it was because she was angry at me that she didn't notice how icy the road was. Kacey was normal acutely aware of the road conditions. Even now I still feel guilty for her accident as I believe it was my fault.

I cannot help the deep feelings I have for her. But I keep them hidden away deep within my spark until the day comes when I can express them to her. For now I remain her loving uncle for that's all she sees me as.

"Prowl, Bumblebee checking in. We're about five miles from the base."

"Copy that," Prowl responded. "You three might want to pick it up a little. Elita's giving birth to the little twins as we speak!"

"Yes, Sir!" I said excitedly. "Come on guys! The little twins are being born right now!"

"You know, Bee once those two are all grown up it's probably going to be me and Sides who are the little twins!"

"Got that right, Bro! They'll be giants like their parents."

"Let's just burn rubber!" I laughed picking up my speed.

We couldn't wait to get there. In fact, the three of us were more excited than ever as we burned rubber down the road to the base's main gate.

"Is that…Kacey?" Sunny asked after we transformed into our robotic forms.

I turned to see where he was pointing and sure enough, there was Kacey sitting all alone under a tree and crying. Of course, I didn't hesitate to go to her. I hated seeing her upset. Sides and Sunny followed me too. They loved and cared for her like a little sister. Plus, she was as crazy as they were on the road. Only she had the agility to pull off the stunts that Sunny could only dream about.

"Kacey," I called softly when she didn't respond to our presence.

My spark literally split in two upon seeing those sorrowful, teary blue optics look up at me.

"Bee," she wept jumping into my arms.

I held her close, comforting her as best as I could. Her trembling body caused me so much spark ache I had to fight back my own tears.

"Kacey, what's wrong?" I gently asked.

She only sobbed harder, clinging to me.

"Kacey, I can't bear to see you like this, tell me what's wrong."

"They forgot about me," she wept uncontrollably.

"I'm sure they didn't," I countered.

"They did! They said I could be there when the twins were born! I couldn't even get into the Med Bay there were too many in my way."

"Kacey, I'm positive Optimus or Elita didn't forget about you," Sunny reiterated, caressing her head gently.

"That's right, they love you too much to forget about you," Sides added with a smile.

"Then why didn't the send for me?" she demanded as tears continued to stream down her faceplates.

Of course, the three of us didn't have an answer. But for the sake of Kacey's spark and my own I was going to get her one.

"Take her inside," I ordered, handing Kacey to Sunny. "I'm going to go talk to Prowl and get to the bottom of this. Elita can disassemble my aft later if she chooses for letting you two be in charge of Kacey."

I headed straight for the command center knowing that's where Prowl would be. He practically lives there as he's been trying to find the Decepticon's new base.

"Prowl, what's going on with Kacey? She's outside crying her optics out."

Prowl groaned, rubbing his optics. Something I have never seen him do. I've never even seen him frustrated at anything!

"Prowl?"

"Things just seem to go from bad to worse for her," he frowned. "Where is she?"

"I left her with Sunny and Sides. Elita can blast me if she wants to for leaving her with them."

"She probably will," he said as we left the command center.

I listened as Prowl explained what had happen to Kacey while we were gone. Things did indeed go from bad to worse for her and fast. First she gets into an accident for trying a sip of high grade, and then she gets herself and the other younglings violently ill on high grade. All her privileges have been revoked as punishment. Add what happened to her today on what was to be a joyous day for her on top of everything else and no wonder she's so upset.

"Her systems couldn't take much more," Sides said, nearly in tears, as we entered the twin's quarters.

"Her automatic recharge kicked on," Sunny added sadly.

"Did she say anything," I asked, covering her with a thermal blanket.

"No, she just wouldn't stop crying," Sunny answered.

"I'll take her for now," Prowl sighed, lifting Kacey into his arms. "Elita won't disassemble me for having Kacey in my office and watching over her."

"Pff, you're probably the safest mech on the base as you're second in command and the one Prime relies on the most," Sunny scoffed.

Normally, I would have found that someone amusing. Only my spark was worried for Kacey. After Prowl head off with Kacey I decided to pay a visit to the Med Bay.

Optimus

It was a bit overwhelming as I think every single mech and femme on the base tried to pack themselves into the Med Bay to greet Elita and me as we came out of the sterile room with Orion and Ariel. Of course, Ratchet blew a gasket and threatened to make everyone's next maintenance check up as uncomfortable as possible if they didn't get out.

Normally, I would have ordered them out as this wasn't the recreation room. But I couldn't deny my fellow Autobots the opportunity to see my little sparklings. They were both so beautiful and I wanted to proudly show them off.

A couple of hours went by, Elita was looking tired and the twins were in deep recharge still in my arms. But finally, the Med Bay was emptied out. I turned to see Ratchet glaring at me.

"It's a special day for me, Ratchet," I smiled at him. "I'll assign a crew to clean up the place for you."

"Will you be on that crew?" he asked in a threatening manner.

"No, I have a family to tend to," I grinned happily.

Then my smile quickly faded. For in that moment I just realized I made a mistake of astronomical proportions. My spark couldn't sink any lower than in that moment either. I actually felt sick in my gut as if I was ready to heave up high grade.

"What?" Elita quickly asked, sensing the sudden sadness in my spark.

"Take the twins," I ordered, transferring them to Elita's arms. "I really fragged up…"

"I'll say you did!" my friend's voice interrupted.

I turned to see Bumblebee standing there with his arms folded across his chest and looking rather pissed off at me.

"What is it?" Ratchet asked, helping Elita with the twins.

"Kacey," Elita frowned, her spark suddenly felt as badly as mine. "We had promised her she'd be here to see the twins born."

"She was outside, all alone crying her spark out!" Bumblebee snapped, which only made me feel worse. "It was all too much for her systems that her automatic recharge came on."

"I panicked when I went into labor and called you, Optimus…"

"No, Elita. There's no excuse for what I did to Kacey," I said firmly. "I shouldn't have forgotten, no matter what. Bumblebee, where is my daughter?"

"Prowl's keeping an optic on her," he answered.

I turned to Elita. Primus, she was so beautiful. I love her so much for the little twins. But frag it! I could just shoot myself in the aft for slaggin up as bad as I did with my daughter.

"Ratchet, help my family to my quarters, please," I requested. "I'm going to have a long talk with Kacey and apologize to her."

I quickly hugged and kissed Elita and the twins then left the Med Bay.

"Prowl, this is Optimus."

"I'm in my office, Kacey's here recharging."

"On my way."

The door was open when I arrived. There was Kacey curled up, in her protoform, and neatly covered with a thermal blanket on a recharge bed in the corner.

"Prowl, do you even sleep in your quarters?"

"When I need to," he answered getting up from behind his desk. He glanced from me to my daughter then back to me. "I'll leave you two alone."

I nodded in appreciation then sat down on the bed beside my daughter.

Sometimes I hated the fact that Prowl knew me so well. Other times I was grateful he did as I didn't have to explain myself or my actions.

I, on the other hand, was probably the only one who knew Kacey as well as Prowl or even Elita knew me. Even in her recharge I could feel she was hurting. Deeper still, where her mother can't reach, for some reason or another, I can feel she's even a little angry.

I don't blame Kacey one bit. I'd be hurt and angry too if a slaghead of a father forgot his promise.

"I'm so sorry," I whispered to her, caressing her lovely face.

Primus, she was so beautiful. I'm literally terrified for her when she's a mature femme. She's already so beautiful now and I'm not just saying that because I'm her father. But she'll be overloading mechs in the halls with as beautiful a femme she's going to mature into.

On the other hand, she is a bit spirited like her mother. Maybe I should fear for any mech who gives her a wrong look or, dare I say, touches her inappropriately for I know she'll handle them in a not so kind manner. I swear that if any mech ever did touched my daughter the wrong way I would blast them out of this universe. That is, if Kacey doesn't beat me to it.

I hope she doesn't want to blast me for forgetting my promise to her. Well, if she does, I deserve it.

"Kacey," I called, gently shaking her, trying to wake her.

"Optimus!"

I quickly turned to see Prowl rushing into his office.

"It's Megatron! The Decepticons are attacking Naval Air Base Pensacola in Florida."

"Assemble three teams, get Ironhide and Ratchet too," I ordered quickly picking up my daughter. "I'll meet them at the shuttle in a few minutes."

"Yes, Prime!"

Moving quickly, I made my way to my quarters. I tried waking Kacey on the way to tell her I would be back but she was too deep in recharge and wouldn't wake. Instead, I put her to bed and kissed her goodbye.

"I'll be back as soon as I can," I said to Elita as she came into the room. "Hopefully, before she wakes up."

"Did you talk with her?"

"No, she wouldn't come out of recharge."

Elita wrapped her arms around me as I held her close.

"I love you," I smiled, kissing her deeply. "Take care of our children."

"I seriously hope you don't expect me to be here waiting for you all the time," she said, with that look of hers.

"Of course not," I countered, smiling. "I'll expect you to be at my side. No one keeps an optic on my back as good as you, except for Ironhide."

"That's because no one is as interested in your aft as I am," she smirked, making me laugh. "And I'm much better looking than Ironhide."

"You got that right," I spoke quietly to her. "I'll be back as soon as I can."

"Take care of yourself, for our children's sake."

"I will," I seriously said then left quickly.

Kacey

The two moons of Cybertron where high in the dark sky. Yet, I still stumbled through the rubble calling for my father. I couldn't find him. I couldn't even sense him. The only feeling I had was the loneliness within my spark. I couldn't even pick up another transformer on my long range sensors.

I was totally alone on a planet that seemed to be void of life.

The ground shook violently beneath my feet again. My home world was now beyond repair and ready to die…as I was ready to die. There was no hope left for me now. The planet was literally coming apart before my optics.

I allowed the explosion to consume me. I didn't have much choice. And it was the only way to take away the pain in my spark.

A scream escaped from my vocal processor, waking me up. The loneliness lingered within my spark. The remnants of my dream lost from my processor like the majority of my dreams before. A moment later, I heard sparklings crying on the other side of the room.

Primus they were loud!

I realized I was in my recharge bed and the sparklings must be the little twins. I wasn't sure how I ended up here for the last thing I remember was Sunny telling me not to cry so much, that it was breaking his spark. Each time he said it I only cried more. I couldn't stop even when I tried.

"Kacey?" my mother's voice called as the light above came on.

"Sorry, I had a bad dream. I didn't mean to wake them," I said, curling back up under my thermal blanket.

I kept my back to her. My feelings were still hurt. I couldn't believe my own parents forgot about me on the most important day of our family's life. I felt her sit behind me on the bed. Her hand caressed my back.

"Can we talk?"

"I'm kind of tired," I answered honestly.

I felt as if I could just drift back into recharge at any moment despite the twins' crying.

"You're father and I feel terrible about what happened. We're both so very sorry."

I kept quiet and unresponsive, taking my optics offline. I don't know why, but I even shield my spark from her. I didn't want her to sense just how bad I was hurting because they forgot about me. There was even a part of me that was angry that they had broken their promise to me.

"Optimus will be home as soon as he can, then we'll take, ok?"

"Ok," I replied softly.

"I love you, Kacey," she said, kissing my cheek.

Yes, I could feel that she did love me. But that didn't make up for what she and father did. It just made it feel worse.

If they loved me then why did they forget about me?

"Come on little ones, let's allow your sister to recharge," mother's voice cooed softly.

Once again, I was all alone. I sighed wearily. Thankfully recharge came quickly and I woke when my internal chronometer indicated it was time for me to wake.

My morning routine has not changed much since my very first morning I was awake on Earth with father. Only ever since mother returned, father doesn't join me to watch the sunrise any more. I was fine with that as I knew he missed mother but I always hoped that he would join me every so often.

I frowned outside my parent's bedroom door. This morning it appears he will not be joining me as I don't sense he is even in the room with mother and the twins. Not that it mattered this morning. I was plagued with questions. And I could barely watch the sun rise as I couldn't stop crying.

I had no answers to my questions.

How could they forget about me? I was their daughter. Didn't they love me? Does father love the twins more than me now because he missed out on the first ten orns of my life?

When it was time for my lessons with Trion I was grateful as they gave my processor something else to think about for several hours. Then he had to go and ruin it by asking about the twins. Of course, I had no answers for him as I hadn't even seen them yet.

At that point I asked if I could go play with the younglings as I didn't think I could handle hearing more about the twins. Bad enough that's all everyone was talking about in the halls as I walked by them. I was actually getting tired of hearing how cute and adorable they were by the time I made it outside.

"I can't believe my own parents forgot about me," I sighed as Nitro, Firestar and I headed for the trees. "Everyone is talking about the twins, like I don't even exist."

"They forgot about you?" Nitro questioned.

"What, do you have a lubricant in your audio receptors? That's what I said! I just can't believe they broke their promise to me."

"Get used to it, Kacey," Rox said.

"What do you know of it?" I countered, turning to face him and his friends.

"You said it yourself; it's all everyone can talk about. I hear them too. But believe me, this won't be the first promise your parents will break. It comes with the territory of being the oldest. I know…I had a little sister once. She was all mother and father could talk about after she was born. I wasn't even allowed to sneak into my parent's bed anymore as my little sister had taken my place."

"He's right," Nitro reluctantly agreed. "When my little brother was born my parents wouldn't let me into their bed anymore. I wasn't even allowed to hold him!"

"Face it…a newborn sparkling in the family means you've been replaced as the favorite," Rox added, smiling. "In your case, you have two…you're doomed!"

I looked to Nitro. He's sympathetic optics told me all I need to know. For once and though he pained me to admit it, Rox was right.

Just then the shuttlecraft flew over head and landed by the main entrance to the base. I watched as several Autobots exited the small vessel. My father was amongst them. I watched as he went straight into the base with most of the mechs except for one.

Ironhide came over towards us, grinning. My spark sank as he happily picked up Nitro and apologized for leaving without saying good bye.

If Ironhide could take the time to say he was sorry, why couldn't my father?

Ironhide

I didn't get to see my son this morning so I thought I'd make up for it now. It felt like the right thing to do and I was so glad I did it. It was worth it for the big smile on my little mech's face.

"Did you get them good, father?" he asked excitedly.

"Yes, we sure did. Shot two down myself. You're father shot down a couple and took on Megatron before they retreated, Kacey."

The little femme didn't respond. In fact she looked ready to burst into tears.

"Kacey, you ok?" I asked.

She took off running without saying a word.

"She's upset," Nitro was quick to explain. "Her parents forgot to get her yesterday so she could be there when the twins were born. They had promised her and broke their promise."

"I suppose I'd be upset too," I sighed putting him on the ground.

It suddenly dawned on me that I never even saw Kacey yesterday. I seriously doubted she could get into the Med Bay with all the Autobots that were in there. And to be honest, I forgot about her too. I wasn't even aware she was supposed to be there. If I knew I would have made sure she was. I love that little femme as if she were my own.

"Father, has she been replaced?"

"Primus no! Who told you that?"

"Rox said that's what happens when a new sparkling comes into the family. That's the way I felt after little Sides was born."

"Rox has a few screws loose in his processor I wouldn't pay too much attention to what he says, Nitro. And your mother and I explained to you that a new sparkling sometimes requires a little more attention from the parents. But it doesn't mean you're replaced. We're all family. Or do you have a few screws loose too and have forgotten?"

"Then why did Optimus and Elita forget about Kacey? She's family right?"

Younglings shouting and laughing quickly got my attention. I blinked in surprise at what I was witnessing. I saw something I never thought I would see from Kacey. Rox threw a snowball at her and she retaliated.

She tackled him to the ground, punching his side. I rushed over, managing to pull her off the young mech before she could do any damage.

"I suggest you not do that again, Rox," I growled at the young mech as I yanked him up onto his feet. "Next time I won't be here to save your little aft."

"Yes, Ironhide…Sir."

"Now, go play," I ordered him and the others. "Nitro, give me a minute with Kacey."

"Yes, father."

"Are you going to tell my parents?" she asked, looking a bit scared.

"No. I understand you're upset. We all need to do that every now and then, which is why I go to the shooting range. If I did what you did there'd be nothing left of your father as I'd kick his aft every time."

Kacey was unresponsive, making me frown.

"That was a joke, Kacey."

She dropped her head, staring at the ground.

"Next time just walk away," I told her seriously. "If I catch you fighting again, I will tell Optimus. I don't tolerate such behavior from my son and I know Optimus wouldn't tolerate it from his own daughter."

"I understand," she said, looking back up at me. "Can I go now?"

"Go on then."

I nodded for Nitro to go with her. Like the good little mech he was he obeyed my orders. I watched as he put his arm around her shoulders for comfort.

After that, I hurried inside and tracked down Optimus. He had mentioned he was heading to the command center. Sure enough, he and Prowl were talking intensely going over a section of a map on the main view screen.

"Optimus, can I speak with you?" I asked, feeling as if the situation with Kacey couldn't wait.

I hated to see a youngling in any kind of distress. Especially that little femme. She's been through so much already for one so young.

"I'll see what I can come up with," Prowl said to Optimus then left.

"Why didn't you tell me or Ratchet that Kacey was supposed to be there for the twins' birth?" I quickly asked.

"I didn't think to involve either of you as she's my daughter."

I frowned, looking up at him. Sometimes I forget he's still so young compared to me. I may have been a father for only as long as him, but I've seen and experienced much more during my long lifetime.

"Optimus, I'm only going to say this once, never make a promise to your child that you can't keep."

"I know. I'll make it up to her, you know I will," he said sincerely.

"It doesn't work like that most of the time. Once a promise is broken there's no going back."

I nodded and frowned. I could see it was really bothering him that he broke his promise to Kacey. But I'm not the one who should be seeing it.

"Go to her. Tell her you love her and that you're sorry. She'll forgive you. That little femme's crazy about you."

"Thank you, Ironhide. I'll do that."

"Optimus, I think we found something," Prowl shouted excitedly stopping Optimus in his tracks.

I sighed.

Optimus always did what was best for the greater good, never caring for himself. It was one of the things that made him a great leader. He always sacrificed something for himself to do what was right for his people. For the first time I could see the hesitation in his optics. No doubt his spark was torn in two as he had to choose between his desire to do what was best for his daughter and what needed to be done for the Autobots and the humans.

I followed him as he walked across the command center to where Prowl was sitting in the hopes that this wouldn't take too long.

Elita

I had just finally gotten the twins to quiet down and put to bed when Optimus dragged himself into our quarters. He looked exhausted as he sat down in the chair.

"Did you talk to Kacey yet?"

"No, I've been in talking with Prowl the past few hours," he said. "We may have found the Decepticon's base. I'll be taking a squad tomorrow morning to investigate."

"Not unless you get some rest," I insisted.

"I know. But I wanted to talk to Kacey when she comes in."

"Just go to her. She's usually in Wheeljack's lab this time of day."

"I did, she wasn't there," he frowned. "She wasn't at the shooting range nor was she with Trion. I even tried locating her using Teletran 2 but that was useless too. She's somewhere on the base as I can sense she's close to us when I called for her through our bond. She pulled away. And now she's shielding her spark from me. So I thought it best to let her come to me when she was ready."

"She's still upset with us."

"She has every right to be," he said adamantly. "I mean I broke my promise to her."

"We both did."

"But you at least had an excuse. I didn't. I wasn't the one in labor!"

The door buzzer sounded before I could continue. I held up my hand making Optimus stay in his seat as he looked too exhausted to even get up. Upon opening the door I was surprised to see Bumblebee with Kacey in his arms.

"She came to me crying a little while ago," he said. "I tried to convince her to allow me to bring her to you. But she refused, nearly threw a fit when I tried and begged me not to call either one of you. I'm sorry. I didn't know what to do. She was so upset. She cried herself into recharge in my arms."

Of course, Optimus was up and taking Kacey into his arms.

"Thank you Bumblebee," I smiled, then shut the door after he left.

"Primus, I can't do anything right with her lately!" Optimus grumbled. "Ironhide had gone to see Nitro after we landed. He even mentioned it. I should have followed him to see Kacey too. Only I went straight to Prowl to give him the new information on the Decepticons instead. No wonder she pushed me away when I reached out to her."

"Optimus, you're Prime. You do have a duty to all the Autobots and the people of this planet. Kacey understands that."

"Are we so certain she does?" he questioned, cradling her close. "She knows I have my duties to attend to. But will she understand when I choose my duty over her? It's even difficult for you to accept at times, Elita. You're very good a putting up a brave face, but I know you're spark. Deep down inside a part of you feels hurt when I choose my job over you. Why do you think when we're alone and I'm finally all yours that I pour so much of my love into you? I don't like hurting you because I'm Prime. I love you too much."

"I admit it does bother me some," I told him truthfully. "But I do understand the importance of what you do. I've accepted that part of you long ago. If I couldn't handle it, I wouldn't have bonded with you. And Kacey will come to understand too."

"For our daughter's sake I hope you're right," he said, looking down at Kacey. "I'm going to take her to see Ratchet. I'm sure crying herself to recharge isn't good for her systems."

I nodded, opening the door for him. I could literally feel the turmoil within his spark. My poor Optimus, he loved us all so much. It actually caused him physical pain at times when he unintentionally hurt those he loved.

I supposed I don't blame him for being that way. From some of the stories Ratchet told me about Optimus when he was a youngling, I gathered that he did everything he could to not be like his older brother. And that is how he still is today. Optimus would never willingly hurt anyone he loved. And it tore him up if he did on accident.

Ratchet

Optimus was right to be concerned. It isn't even good for a mature mech or femme to have their automatic recharge systems come on repeatedly. Nor is it good for a little femme to be crying her optics out repeatedly.

"Why didn't you tell me Kacey was to be here for the delivery?" I scolded Optimus.

He looked down at the floor, avoiding optic to optic contact, reminding me of when he was a youngling and had done something he wasn't supposed to. He always had a hurt look on his face whenever I disciplined him. I noticed he was hurting now but not because of me.

"What's wrong?" I asked him gently.

"I'm a terrible father," he answered.

"You are not a terrible father, Optimus. You fragged up is all. But you've acknowledged it. Now pull your head out of her aft and apologize to your daughter!"

"I wish I could! She's either in recharge or I'm tending to my duty as Prime! If I can't even do anything right with Kacey how can I with the twins?"

"Ok, ok…calm down!"

Primus, this wasn't working. I'm only upsetting him even more. That was not my intention. I could see this was tearing him up on the inside. But for pits sake he wasn't a terrible father!

"Optimus, do you remember the day Sentinel adopted you?"

"Yes, I have never forgotten when he took me into his office and told me," he sadly answered. "He said it wasn't going to be easy for me being his son. But at the time I didn't care. I just wanted to be loved and he showed that he loved me."

"Do you remember what he did next?"

Optimus shrugged his shoulders.

"He took you to see Ironhide and me."

"He said you were my guardians when he was busy tending to his duties as Prime."

"Exactly, he knew his responsibilities would at times get in the way of being a father to you. But he made sure that you were well cared for. Don't be afraid to allow others to help you Optimus. Its bad enough you try to carry the weight of the entire universe on your shoulders. But you're not just Prime anymore. You're a father now. You know Ironhide and I are always there for you and Elita. All you have to do is ask."

"Then help me by waking my daughter up for me so I can apologize to her," he pleaded desperately.

Optimus

Ratchet slowly inserted the needling into Kacey's neck. He was reluctant to wake my daughter up with a stimulant but I implored him. I couldn't risk going another day without seeing my daughter and talking to her.

"It will only take a few astroseconds then she should wake up," he said as he injected the stimulant. "But she may not be up for very long. I didn't want to give her too strong of a dose."

I nodded as I stared down anxiously at Kacey. Her optics slowly came online and she glanced around the room looking a bit dazed and confused.

"You're in the Med Bay," I quickly told her as her optics focused a bit more. "I was worried about you."

Her optics locked on mine. In that moment I felt all her frustration, hurt, and anger as they swelled up within her spark.

"Why did you forget about me?" she demanded without hesitation, her optics flaring even as tears formed.

"I honestly don't have an answer," I told her.

"But you promised me! You promised!" she wept, her anger gone completely and only the hurt filled her spark.

"I'm so sorry, Kacey," I said, taking her into my arms and holding her close. "I fragged up. I'm sorry."

"Don't you love me anymore?" she asked, her optics pleading with me.

My spark clenched at such a question from my child. I truly am a terrible father if my child has doubted my love for her.

"I have never stopped loving you," I told her, sending her all the love I have for her over our bond. "You are my daughter, nothing in the universe will ever change that or change the love I feel for you. Nothing."

Her small arms clung desperately to me as her spark absorbed my love for her. I was very much relieved to feel the hurt slowly fading from her spark. It was truly the most terrible feeling in the universe when my child's spark was hurting like that.

"I'm so sorry, Kacey," I whispered.

She continued to cry. I wrapped my arms tighter around her.

"Can I take her to our quarters?" I asked Ratchet.

"Sure. Just call me if you need me again."

"Thank you," I sincerely told him.

Kacey was back in recharge by the time we reached our quarters. Once again I didn't have the spark to put her in her own bed. My own bed that I shared with Elita was looking a bit crowed as she was there with the twins. I quickly retracted my battle armor and climbed quietly onto the bed, gently nudging the twins closer to their mother. I made sure Kacey was comfortably perched on my chest and covered neatly before I allowed myself to drift into recharge.

When I woke I felt Kacey's small protoform trembling. Her spark was racing within her chest. Soft whimpers even escaped from her vocal processor.

"Shh," I cooed, caressing her form, reaching to her spark to calm it with my own.

It took a few minutes but she calmed down and returned to a more peaceful recharge.

"She's never had bad dreams before back on Cybertron," Elita whispered, the back of her fingers gently stroking Kacey's faceplates.

"She's been through a lot from the time she left the Badlands to when she arrived on Earth," I sighed. "I'm wondering if we should get her some help for her dreams like Ratchet did for me when I was a youngling."

"She doesn't talk about them?" she asked me, her optics so full of concern.

"She doesn't remember them," I frowned.

Just then I felt my little sparklings stir. I could feel their tiny arms and legs moving slowly about against my side. A moment later they both burst into loud wails. Elita immediately sat up started cooing to them to settle them down. It seemed to work for Ariel as she calmed down. Orion's cries only grew louder and more persistent.

Kacey suddenly sat up looking groggily around. When she realized where she was I felt how happy she was to find herself in my arms.

"Are they always so loud?" Kacey yawned, snuggling against my chest.

"Believe it or not Kacey you were louder when you cried," Elita laughed, picking up Orion. "Except you only cried when you were really frustrated, which wasn't very often. You were more vocal than anything with your sparkling talk. There were times I couldn't get you to be quiet and often found you talking to yourself in your crib."

"So, she never hesitated to speak her mind even at such a young age?" I asked with a bemused smile, tickling Kacey's side gently.

She giggled softly much to my relief. It's been too long since my audio receptors heard her laugh. Yet, another sign I haven't been a good father to her.

"Would you like to hold him?" Elita asked Kacey.

There it was again, the confusion in my daughter's spark as she stared intently at her brother. It suddenly dawned on me that Kacey hasn't even seen them until now.

"I'm not sure they like me," she said as I sat up, holding her on my lap.

"It will take time but they'll get to know you," Elita smiled. "Don't hesitate to reach to them with your spark."

"I just did," she frowned. "They pushed me away."

"Be patient, Kacey," I said, kissing the top of her head.

"Yes, father."

I sighed inwardly as it was time for me to leave. I didn't want to but it was necessary. I had to find my brother and the Decepticons.

"What is it Optimus?" Elita asked, as Orion finally started to quiet down.

"I have to go. We leave for the mission in fifteen minutes," I answered and felt the sadness in my daughter's spark. "Kacey, would you like to walk me to the shuttlecraft?"

"Ok," she spoke softly.

"I'll see you later, my love and my little sparklings," I grinned, sending them all my love.

I quickly got up, putting Kacey down on her feet. Before leaving our quarters my battle armor was back up. I noticed Kacey remained in her protoform. She looked up at me and smiled, putting her hand in mine. I squeezed it gently.

I have to say I do miss our times together when it was just the two of us. Things seemed so much simpler then. Not that I'm complaining about having Elita back in my life. I had missed her so much and thank Primus for every astroseconds we're together now. And the little twins bring me so much joy I can hardly contain it and wouldn't give it up for anything

But I need to learn to be a better father now not just for Kacey's sake but for Orion and Ariel. I can't have my children doubt me. I'm their father. They're supposed to be able to look up to me for strength and guidance. Most importantly they should always feel and know how much I love them no matter what.

I saw the teams were ready at the shuttlecraft. I nodded for Ironhide to get them loaded then knelt down in front of Kacey.

"Remember your promise, father," she said seriously to me. "You said things would settle down after the twins were born. And you promised that everything would go back to the way it was before."

My processor blanked for a moment as I tried to recall when I told her that.

"You do remember, right?"

"Of course, I do," I smiled confidently at her as I did just remember when I promised her. She smiled brightly back up at me. "Be a good little femme today. Hopefully Ill see you this evening before you go to bed."

"I will," she smiled, wrapping her arms around me. "Take care, father. I love you."

"I love you too," I said, feeling her love within my spark as I held her.

I sent her on her way before heading to the shuttlecraft. Once inside, I took my seat beside Ironhide and groaned softly to myself rubbing my forehead.

"You didn't frag up again, did you?" Ironhide asked me quietly.

"I don't intend to. I can't break another promise to my daughter."

"I thought I told you not to make promises you couldn't keep."

"I made this one before you gave me that lecture. She was so sick at the time. I'm surprised she even remembered it. It took me a couple of astroseconds to recall it!"

"She's a youngling and an intelligent one too. Younglings remember every promise we make to them. And they will hold it against us if we continue to break our promises."

"I know," I frowned. "That's the last thing in the universe I want to happen. I love Kacey too much. I can't disappoint her again. But I honestly didn't know what I was thinking when I promised Kacey. I don't know how things could ever go back to the way they were. Everything has changed. Our family has changed."

"I don't see a way either. But you'd better figure it out, Optimus. Or you'll have one angry little femme on your hands," he said seriously then turned away.

Of course I couldn't see the solution to my problem yet either. I just prayed to Primus that I would somehow be able to keep my promise to my daughter. Then I pushed aside such thoughts for now. I really needed to focus on the mission. It was time to be Prime and not a father. The mechs inside the shuttlecraft relied on me. They're lives were in my capable hands. And as their leader I couldn't disappoint them.