We pick up shortly after where we left off in the previous chapter. Optimus, of course, is in the Med Bay. Don't worry. No permanent damage was done. This chappy has some fluff. Hope you enjoy it.

Elita

The faint sounds of Ratchet working on Optimus filled the private Med Bay room but did nothing to ease my processor. I knew not to interfere with the medic as he worked efficiently and quickly. Nor did I complain that he blocked my view, not allowing me to see where or what he was repairing.

However, I refused to wait outside.

How could I?

Not after I saw that they had to carry Optimus from the shuttle to the Med Bay. I was shocked. Too shocked apparently for Ironhide whispered to me that Ratchet slipped a sedative in with the last pain inhibitor shot he'd given Optimus shortly before they landed. As usual, my stubborn mech was fighting off the recharge.

In my spark I knew why he was so stubborn. He didn't want me to see him in such a state. My mech could be dying and he'd worry more for my well being than his own.

Regardless, I was so worried for Optimus. I was worried how Kacey was going to react. I had Prowl make sure to keep her unaware of what was going on with her father. She was still busy at the human habitat we built and hopefully would still be there for a few more hours.

"How is he?"

I pushed away from the wall, standing up straight.

"He'll be ok," I spoke softly, answering Chromia's question. "I was just worried. It's just a rare occurrence for Optimus to be that inured that Ratchet's forced to give him a sedative. I suspect his injuries were more severe than what Ratchet's let me believe. How's Hide?"

"Red Alert patched him up good. He was just happy to have his weapon systems back on line." Chromia gently grabbed my arm, giving it a reassuring squeeze. "I'm so glad Optimus is ok. "

"Thank you," I smiled.

As Chromia left, Ratchet turned to face me. I didn't hesitate to move across the room to be by my love's side as Ratchet delivered the news.

"I would like that he recharge for another few hours so his energy levels return to normal. Other than that, his injuries have been repaired and he can leave when he wakes."

"Thank you, Ratchet."

"That's not necessary," he smiled. "I'd repair the lugnut regardless. Now, if you'll excuse me. I'll leave you alone with your sparkmate…hands off for at least another day." I raised an optic ridge at him, making him chuckle. "I'll be in my office filling out reports for Prowl if you need me."

Ratchet left, closing the door behind him and leaving me alone with Optimus.

For the longest of moments I just stood there in relief as I watched him recharging. I very rarely got to watch him recharging as he was always up before me in the morning and watching the sun rise with Kacey. The way his chest moved slowly up and down, how peaceful his faceplates were. All brought such joy to my spark. Everything about him brought such joy to my spark.

I loved him pure and simple.

With as much as I loved him I knew I couldn't change him. I couldn't ask him to stop being the mech he was. It was just harder to live with the idea of him taking risks on the battle field now because of our children.

On impulse I reached to caress his face. Almost instantly his optics came online at the touch, startling me for the briefest of an astrosecond. Those gentle blue orbs immediately locked on mine. And he flashed that warm smile of his that always made my spark flutter.

"How are you doing?" I asked, continuing to caress his handsome face.

"Come here," he insisted, his hands gently pulling at me, lifting me up.

His lips were on mine before I could question his motives. Not that I had to. His spark's desire was calling to mine with a heated passion. And I was actually looking forward to finishing what we started in the hallway before he left on his mission.

Bumblebee

Sunny and Sides helped me deliver Sam, Mikaela and their families to the human habitat. There was so much to talk about with Sam that I didn't know where to begin. I just did my best to answer some of his questions during the drive through the halls.

"So, do you have a girlfriend?" Sam asked.

"No," I sighed.

"Why not? You seem like a handsome…guy," Mikaela commented.

"I…I'm waiting for the right one," I answered.

It wasn't exactly a lie. I was waiting. I was waiting for her to mature. Waiting for her to be the proper age before I asked her to be mine.

"Does it work like us when you find the right one?"

"Oh yes," I smiled to myself. "We love and feel the same as you do."

"And how does…that part work? The…loving part?"

"Sam!"

"It's alright, Mikaela," I laughed. "Our methods are not all that different from yours."

"So, the sparks fly…literally?"

"My spark is in its casing. It doesn't fly anywhere."

"No, not your spark. I mean sparks from…you know…the friction?"

This time Mikaela punched Sam in the arm.

"Ow!"

"No, Sam. There are no so called sparks during interfacing. We shed our battle armor for such intimacies. Although, when a mech and femme merge their sparks there can be some arcing between the sparks but it is harmless and in some cases, I've heard, adds to the sensual pleasures of bonding."

"Bonding, what's that?" Mikaela asked.

I pondered for a moment. I like many didn't know much about what actually happened between two sparks while bonding. I just knew the basics. And I have a few of my own beliefs about it.

"Bonding is similar to what you call marriage. Only for us, bonding is much deeper emotionally, physically, spiritually. There is an almost telepathic link between a bonded pair. A femme's spark is synchronized with a mech's during bonding. This enables us to produce sparklings…what you call babies. Even the younglings of a bonded pair are part of the telepathic link."

"Can a femme bond with another if her husband is lost to her?"

"No. Bonding is permanent. Once a pair has been bonded it's for life."

I glanced ahead and noticed Kacey was anxiously waiting. I speed up. I too was anxious introduce her to Sam and Mikaela.

"We'll finish this later. I'll answer any questions you have and I look forward to hearing all the news about you both."

"Bumblebee! Did you bring him?" Kacey asked excitedly as I came to a stop. She knelt down and looked into my alt form. "Oh, cool! You did! Hi Sam! Is that Mikaela? Hi Mikaela!"

They laughed as did I. Kacey was still a youngling and had a youngling's enthusiasm about most everything.

"I think you'd better get out and I'll introduce you to the little femme," I instructed Sam and Mikaela. "Don't worry. Kacey won't step on you if she gets over excited. It's Leo, her little brother, you have to look out for."

"She has a brother? Bee you're holding out on me again!"

"I'll tell you everything Sam. I promise."

"Bout time! I thought you both were afraid of me," Kacey smiled in relief as Sam and Mikaela stepped out of my alt form.

A moment later I was standing. The families were together and I thanked Primus Sunny and Sides decided to head to the recreation room for some high grade. I'm sure they'll be back later to humiliate me in front of Sam.

"No, we were actually looking forward to meeting you since Bumblebee neglected to tell me he was an uncle!" Sam scoffed, making me roll my optics.

"I told you Sam. I had no idea at the time I was an uncle and Optimus had no idea he was even a father."

"I know. I was just pulling your leg," he laughed.

I blinked at him.

"It's an expression, Bee," Kacey informed me. "I doubt he could pull your leg anyway. You way some three thousand pounds. Anyway, Sam Witwicky, it's a pleasure to finally meet you and your family. Are these your parents, Ron and Judy?"

"Yes, we are," Ron said, holding Judy's hand.

"And this must be Paul and Stephanie, Mikaela's parents," Kacey said.

"Yes, they are," Mikaela smiled politely.

Suddenly, Mojo, the little Witwiky pet, who'd been quiet for most of the journey leapt from Judy's arms and charged straight for Kacey. I covered my optics waiting for the little creature to lubricate on her foot.

"Is this the infamous, Mojo?" Kacey asked. "The one who peed on Ironhide's foot!"

I slowly lift my hand from my optics to see Kacey gently cradling the little dog in the palm of her hand up near her face. He was wagging his tail and barking at her then started licking her faceplates.

"That tickles!" she giggled.

"He really likes you, Kacey," Sam said.

"Consider yourself lucky," Ron added. "He doesn't care for strangers and usually pees on those he really dislikes."

"I thank you then, Mojo," Kacey smiled. Stilling holding the dog in the palm of her hand, she stood up. The youngling in her faded as her more mature side came forth. "Now, if you will all follow me I have a special area set aside for you all. I understand you had no time to collect any belongings. Major Lennox can help you with immediate needs you might have like toothbrushes, washing supplies." She looked down at Mojo. "We even have food for you little on. The rest of you, ff there's anything else you require please make a list and I'll see we get the items by tomorrow."

I followed behind all the others. Listening and laughing as Kacey entertained our newest guests. I smiled as I could see how relaxed Ron and Judy finally were. They didn't like having to be suddenly evacuated from the home for a second time. Mikaela's parents seemed to take everything in stride. I was impressed with how mature Kacey was. She sounded like a mature femme, the perfect hostess. There were captivated by Kacey's charm. Me included.

Perhaps I was a little too captivated.

"You ok Bee?" Sam suddenly asked me as the parents were inspecting their temporary homes.

"Yeah, I'm fine," I replied, straightening up.

"We have our own television! Don't suppose you get the football games on it do you?" Paul asked as he came out of the large tent.

"I've tapped into a couple of the satellite television networks. You can watch any football game you want. If you're not into football there is a wide variety of other sports channels, movies, shows. And there is a DVD selection for you to choose from. Just don't tell Prowl as I illegally tapped into the network to get a feed down here for everyone."

"Primus, Kacey! Prowl's gonna fritz when he finds out!"

"If he finds out," she smirked up at me as she gently handed Mojo back to Judy. "Sam, Mikaela will you come with me. I got this especially for the two of you."

I rolled my optics and followed them to the eating area. I was curious to see what Kacey did now and hoped it wasn't anything illegal. I've really been a bad influence on her by sneaking her off the base and racing illegally on the streets!

"Bumblebee told me about your first date," Kacey started to explained. My processor quickly accessed the memory files trying to figure out where she was going with this. "And how you both were…getting frisky…"

"Kacey!"

"For frags sake, chill out! You sound like my mother," she said to me, making both Sam and Mikaela laugh. "I may be a youngling but I'm not totally naïve to what humans Sam and Mikaela's age do."

"I love this kid," Sam laughed.

"Thanks," she grinned. "Getting back to why we're here, Bee told me about how both knocked over your milk shakes and made a mess on the back seat of his alt form. He also mentioned how you were both more upset about your spilt milk shakes than the cold sticky mess they left on Bumblebee. Apparently, you really love milk shakes, so I got a machine here that will make them for you whenever you want."

"Ah, that's sweet of you, Kacey," Mikaela smiled.

"My dad asked if it was really necessary. I told him ice-cream in many forms was an essential ingredient to making humans happy."

"We'll have to make sure we thank the big guy…again. After he gets better," Sam said.

"What do you mean after he gets better?" Kacey asked worriedly.

"Megatron shot him up good…"

I was gesturing for Sam to shut up before he started to explain. By the time he noticed it was too late.

"Is it true?" Kacey demanded, tears welling up in her optics as she looked up at me.

"Kacey…I…"

"Is it true?!"

"Ratchet's making repairs right now…"

And like that she took off running. The moment she was in the hall I heard her tires screaming as she burned rubbing down the hallway.

"I'm sorry, Bumblebee. I didn't realize she had no idea."

"It's ok, Sam. Give me a sec. I need to warn Ratchet and the others."

Ironhide

I raised an optic ridge at Ratchet when he exited the private Med By room.

"You left them alone?"

"I had a sense that Elita needed some alone time," he sighed in response, glancing at the closed door. "I've never seen her so worried for Optimus before."

"I think we all worry about him more these days. I can't bear the thought of those precious younglings growing up without their father. Especially Kacey. The little femme's been through so much for one so young."

"It's nice to see she's really coming into her own this year."

"Things are finally looking up for her. She's become a regular part of the crew and the bases working activities."

"Yes, I'm proud of her too," he smiled at me. "She makes us all proud to be Autobots."

"Got that right!"

"This is Bumblebee, Kacey found out about Optimus! She's upset and racing to the Med Bay!"

"Did you…"

"I got it," Ratchet nodded. "I'll intercept her at the door."

"I'll make sure Optimus and Elita are decent."

"I'm sure they're not doing anything. Optimus was in deep recharge when I left them."

"But you left them alone, Ratch," I smirked at him as I reached for the door's controls.

"We're not all as dirty minded as you and Chromia!"

I opened the door to the private room without hesitation.

"Well, you aren't as dirty minded as the rest of us, Ratchet," I chuckled to myself.

The lovers were passionately entwined. Optimus on top with his beloved below him enjoying every pleasure he fed to her senses.

"Ok, put that away Optimus! No more time for interfacing!"

"Ironhide!" he snarled angrily at me.

His optics flaring as he glared at me. Elita's glare was equally threatening. I'm sure if she had her weapon she'd blow my interface appliance of for rudely interrupting them. In fact, one time she did shoot at me when I came barging in Optimus' quarters and interrupted a passionate interface session. Lucky for me she didn't have the weapon on the maximum setting.

"I wouldn't interrupt you without a good reason, you know that Optimus," I explained. "But you've got one little concerned femme racing through the halls to get here. I didn't think you'd want her to see you…engaged as such."

"Kacey?" he asked his tone and features softening.

As if on queue tires screeched indicating she had arrived.

"Where's my father?"

"Be calm, Kacey! He's fine!" Ratchet answered.

"That's not what I asked you stupid aft!"

I glanced back to see he was trying to hold her back. Needless to say, Optimus and Elita were up on their feet in record breaking time.

"How come no one told me?" she asked, bursting into tears. "He's my father!"

"The decision was mine, Kacey," Elita said as she and Optimus hurried past me.

"Father!" she wept leaping up into his arms.

Primus, she made my spark clench as she clung as tight as she could to Optimus. Her body trembled in his arms as he held her close.

"Shh, my child. I'm ok."

"That's not the point!" she snapped, glaring through her tears at Elita. "Why didn't you tell me father was injured?"

"You were busy and I didn't want you to worry."

"I'm never too busy for my family! Never! Just like you or father are never too busy when Orion, Ariel, Leo, or myself are in the Med Bay. One or both of you are always there for us! I just wanted to be there for you father too!"

Kacey buried her face in Optimus neck and wept.

"She does have a point," I mentioned. "And Kacey learns her lessons well."

"Kacey, I'm sorry," Elita cooed, caressing the youngling's back.

"I always worry mother," she youngling sobbed. "Always. I love you all so much. I cannot help but worry for my family or my friends?"

I smiled. Little Kacey wasn't afraid to speak her mind like her mother and she worried obsessively like her father.

"What?" Optimus asked me as I was still grinning.

"Nothing, just admiring the little Autobot we've got here. Make's me proud to be present during such moments as this."

Optimus

It took me an hour to calm Kacey down. I sat alone with her in the private room of the Med Bay. I thought it best that I be the one to reassure her everything was ok. She clung to me like a frightened sparkling through most of it. But in the end she had a sweet smile on her face before she returned to her duties.

Her reaction was exactly the reason why I suddenly found the strength to defend myself when all hope seemed lost. I refused to allow my children to grow up fatherless. I couldn't bear the thought of my sparklings, especially Leo growing up and never getting the chance to know me. And my precious Kacey I know would be devastated if anything happened to me. Our loving bond was strong…I couldn't break it by allowing myself to be killed.

"Where are you going?"

"To collect my sparklings," I answered Ratchet without even a backward glance as I exited the Med Bay.

He was going to have to strap me to an exam table to stop me. Besides, my children were infinitely better than any medicine Ratchet had to offer for my aches at the moment. Just watching Leo trying to tackle Orion down for taking his toy brought me so much happiness that I forgot my discomforts.

"Daddy!" Ariel squealed then came running over as fast as her little legs could carry her.

"How's my little angel?" I grinned, bending down and scooping her up into my arms.

"Orion took Leo's toy again."

"I can see that," I smiled at her, giving her a quick kiss on the cheek. "Have you been a good little femme today?"

"Yeah."

"AFT! Rion give!" Leo shouted, making me chuckle.

"He's been using that word repeatedly today," Moonracer informed me.

"Get it yourself, monkeybutt!"

I rolled my optics.

"I'm not even going to ask where Orion heard that one," I commented, my optics locking on Ironhide's youngest mech who was playing with Galen. "Ok, my little mechs. Enough is enough. Orion, give Leo his toy back. It's time to go."

"Yes daddy. Here you go, Leo."

"AFT!" Leo growled, snatching the toy from his brother's hands.

"Leo, that's not nice," I told him firmly. "Now apologize to your brother."

"Sorry," my youngest mech huffed.

"That's a good mech. Now come here."

Leo was all smiles as he hurried to me. I quickly lifted him up and placed him on my shoulders. His little hand grabbed hold of one of my antenna while the other held tightly onto his toy. I cradled Ariel in one arm and Orion in the other then made my way back to our quarters.

It wasn't often that I had this alone time with my sparklings. Despite my fatigue and aches I played with them in their room. I was either a climbing apparatus for them or I gave chase, crawling after them making them giggle with excitement as I tickled their little bellies.

Elita walked in when I was laying flat on my back with all three sparkling sitting triumphantly on my chest. At first they didn't notice her as she was trying to not laugh out loud. I laughed. I was glad to be entertaining to her and my children.

'I love you,' she said over our bond.

'Love you more,' I replied back.

"Mama!" Leo shouted as he leapt off my chest and bounced across the room to her.

Ariel and Orion were close behind. I turned on my side, propping myself up on an elbow and watched the joy in her face as she knelt down and hugged our sparklings.

A sigh of contentment escaped me. My spark was no longer lonely as before after my brother tried to kill me then abandoned me. I no longer felt rejected or neglected. My family filled the emptiness within me.

"Ok, ok, my little babes. It's time for recharge. Give your daddy a kiss goodnight."

My children may have dirty vocal processors, but they are obedient and always do as their told. I held and kissed each one, filling their little sparks with the love I have for them. The gesture was always returned in full.

"Goodnight, my little pit spawns."

A smile split my faceplates as I watched Elita tucking in our children. Her form was always so appealing to my optics. I really never do get tired of watching her. She always got my interface systems revved up.

"You gonna lay on the floor all night?" she asked with a bemused smile, staring down at me. "I'm hoping we might be able to finish what we started earlier."

A deep laugh rumbled through my chest as I rolled onto my back.

"Perhaps later, my love. They wore me out. I feel my recharge systems wanting to come on."

"Ratchet said you needed to rest," she said, her face concerned, kneeling beside me, caressing my face.

"I know what he said. But I just felt the need to be with my children today."

"Speaking of children," she said, shaking her head. "I checked on Kacey a short while ago, she's got her own little fan club. Those children adore her. She was telling them a story, adding sound effects and everything. Reminded me of you when you used to tell Bumblebee and the twins bedtime stories when they were tiny younglings."

"Primus, that was so long ago," I chuckled getting to my feet. "I had forgotten about that." I paused, taking her hand in mine as we walked out into the hallway. "I didn't realize you were listening in."

"The first time was by accident," she blushed. "I was on my way to tuck them in. You were already there. I never forgot how their innocent faces lit up or how their wide optics stared up at you as if you were Primus himself."

It was my turn to blush. I'd never in my life been compared to Primus.

"You frightened me the way you interacted with them," she whispered, coming to a stop and dropping her head down.

"Because you thought I'd insist we bond to have sparklings of our own?" I gently asked. When she didn't answer, I slowly lifted her chin. Her optic covers blinked back the tears quickly. "I knew you weren't ready to be bonded or be a mother at the time. I knew to be patient with you. I loved you so much and would wait for ever how long it took for you were the only femme I wanted to bare my sparklings."

"I'm sorry I made you wait so long."

"Nonsense. I wouldn't have changed the way we bonded or the way Kacey came to be. I admit that I'm sorry for missing out on the first ten years of her life and for not being there for you to help you through the pregnancy. Nothing either of can do will bring that time back. I'm just grateful for every astrosecond we're together now, as a family."

"As am I. And I thank Primus everyday…for you coming into my life by knocking me over and squishing me on that battlefield."

I laughed heartily recalling how ridiculous I must have looked. A grown mech, stumbling and nearly crushing an unaware femme.

"With my large size I couldn't stop my momentum fast enough. And you were rather rude, calling me an aft. But you were so beautiful too. Kacey loved it when I told her about that day we met and how you came into my office reporting for duty."

"Poor dear, she trips over her own feet much like you do," she laughed.

As if on queue, I heard the main entrance open and Kacey's feet sliding across the floor. A moment later she appeared in the hallway and looked thoroughly exhausted.

"How was your day with the humans?" I asked, knowing the answer anyway.

"Those children are so exhausting!" she yawned wide. "I'm not sure I can make it for ever how long they're on the base. I'm going to bed. I'll see you in the morning for sunrise, dad."

"Good night, Kacey," Elita and I said together.

A long moment after Kacey disappeared into her room we heard a crash. Rushing in, we found Kacey lying face down on the floor, still in her battle armor…snoring. She was too exhausted to even reach her recharge bed.

I didn't hesitate to gently lift my child up and place her on her bed. Elita covered our daughter up with a thermal.

"Good night, my child," I whispered, caressing her head.

From there I lead my love to our own room, allowing my battle armor to retract fully as I recharged more comfortably in my protoform. Not to mention Elita preferred not to sleep with me when I was in full armor.

"What are you doing?" she asked, when I suddenly rolled over onto her.

"Picking up where we left off," I murmured, rubbing my chin against hers.

"I thought you needed to recharge."

"I do. But I can recharge later."

Sorry, no steamy scenes for Optimus and Elita during this story. Must keep the pg13 rating. Up next we'll follow Kacey around as her friendship with Jim develops. And a...hehe…unexpected reunion for Ironhide.