This is a short chapter! Sorry. I really wanted to get this scene of Kacey going through a carwash into the story. I'm glad I got it to work. I hope you all like it. Also, this chapter is dedicated to Phoenix13, a die hard Ultra Magnus fan.

a/n: tissues may be required

Magnus

The lights were off in my quarters. I kept going over what Optimus told me within my processor. It made me numb and I couldn't move as I sat on the edge of my recharge bed. I couldn't fathom why Primus would allow something like this to happen to someone so special to all of us.

I didn't want to believe it. This was a youngling. I hated seeing younglings hurt in any manner. It tore my spark up when the youth sectors were attacked and decimated. Optimus made me remain behind at the base knowing how shaken I was.

I could take on a Decepticon of any size and in any quantity with no problem. Yet, I was rocked to my very core when I heard the cries of younglings dying over the communication lines. Their screams still haunt my dreams to this very day.

And now, once again, my spark has been shaken.

"Why Primus? Why must our younglings suffer for something that is not of their doing?" I asked the ceiling above.

Like on all occasions when I speak to our creator he never responds.

And like those occasions my mother's words fill my processor – 'Just because you do not see the solution my son, does not mean that Primus doesn't have one. We are not Gods. We are not meant to know what lies before us.'

It was my mother's way of telling me not to worry so much about the future. She taught me to live in the moment. Because once the moment is gone there is no going back. I used her ways in my fighting. I never knew if it was going to be my last battle or not. So I gave each one everything I had within me. If I was to die at the hands of the Decepticons then so be it. However, I wasn't going to make it easy for them to kill me.

And so it is now that I must set aside my agony for little Kacey and pray Primus knows what he's doing.

"You'd better not frag up Primus, or I'll kick your aft myself!"

With that said I rose to my feet and set out to do my commander's bidding. He wanted Kacey to have a wonderful time today and I was going to make sure she did.

Prowl had been told before me so all was arranged to make it appear I would sneak off with one of the shuttlecrafts. He even gave me the security override for the twins' door. Sunny still thinks Elita is going to disassemble him one of these days for opening his mouth about interfacing to Kacey.

"GET UP YOU FRAGGERS!" I shouted authoritatively.

Both of them snapped out of recharge quickly. Sunny actually fell onto the floor but managed to groggily get to his feet.

"Primus, Mags, it's not even noon yet," Sides whined.

"It's ten in the morning," I pointed out. "Now come on. Let's go."

"Go where?" Sunny yawned.

"I can't tell you yet because you'll ruin the surprise. Now we don't have much time so move it."

"What surprise?" Sunny anxiously asked as he and his brother hurried after me.

"Will we like it?" Sides asked.

"It's not for the two of you…it's for Kacey."

"Sounds like its racing time!"

"Shh, Sunny you aft! Why don't you just broadcast it to everyone's communicators!"

"Sorry, Mags," he replied dropping his head slightly.

"Just get to the shuttle bay and don't say a word. I'm going to get Kacey."

The twins headed off in their…not so quiet way…pushing and shoving each other as they ran down the hall. I shook my head, wondering if those two will ever emotionally mature. Then I caught myself praying that they wouldn't. Despite them being regular pains in most of the officers' afts, the twins had good intentions and even better sparks. I wouldn't want them to change who they are.

As I approached Wheeljack's workshop I prayed that Kacey wouldn't change after the procedure. I sighed, pausing outside the door and looking in and just watched her for a few astroseconds. The little femme found so much joy in everything she did. Would she continue to find the same joy?

I knew change was inevitable. I knew the procedure Kacey was going to go through was to be a life altering event. How could it not? I just prayed to Primus that it wouldn't affect her too much. I'd hate to see her personality change dramatically.

With a deep intake, I composed myself then marched in.

"Hey Magnus, how you doing?"

"I'm fine Wheeljack," I smiled.

"Is there anything I can help you with?"

"Well, I'm actually here to see Kacey," I said, glancing her way and giving her a wink. She smiled brightly in return. "I need her help with some computer issues. You don't mind if I steal her away for a while do you?"

"I don't mind," he smiled politely. "She can finish her project later."

Kacey was doing her best to hide the smirk on her face as we hurried through the halls. She knew what I was up to and had been looking forward to it. It was when we reached the shuttle bay that she reacted very much like a youngling with her excitement as she ran towards Sunny and Sides.

The two mechs actually have matured a bit emotionally. At least when it comes to Kacey. But then I shouldn't be surprised. The little femme has a way of bringing out the best in all of us even the twins.

"Father taught me how to fly a shuttle!" she said excitedly as I took my seat in the pilot's chair.

Those beautiful blue optics stared up at me with so much excitement and joy. How could I deny what she was implying?

"Alright, it's yours to fly," I grinned pulling her up onto my lap. "Course is already programmed in."

"Oh no! Do we have vomit bags on these shuttles? My waste tanks are churning already," Sunny joked.

"You're just envious because I can fly and you can't!" she countered, skillfully taking the shuttle out of the bay.

"We don't want Sunny or Sides flying anything anyway," I laughed. "I remember when they first tried, all on their own. You guys were what…nine years old?"

"Yeah. But it was actually Bumblebee's idea to steal a shuttlecraft and go for a joyride," Sunny quickly added.

"But it was your insufferable whining that made him let you try to fly," Sides countered.

"That sounds like something Sunny would do!" Kacey laughed hysterically.

"Hey!"

"Give it a rest, bro. You know she's right!" Sides grinned, slapping his brother on the back.

"So what happened, Mags?" she inquired.

"What else…Sunny crashed the shuttlecraft about fifty miles from the base! Primus, Prowl damn near blew a logic circuit when we got the radio for help from Bumblebee. He never imagined you younglings would ever do such a thing."

"Of course, the entire base was rocked when we learned our three younglings crashed a shuttle so far the base. Optimus didn't hesitate to get his best troops to head out and collect them."

"I remember," Sunny chimed in. "We heard his voice over the communicator that he was on his way. The three of us were so terrified that he'd be mad at us."

"Optimus was nothing like that," Sides continued. "He was just so relieved we were ok. I remember how he picked all three of us up and held us the entire ride back."

"Bee actually cried himself into recharge he was so upset," Sunny chuckled.

"He blamed himself," I commented. "He always felt the two of you were his responsibility since you couldn't look after yourselves."

"Yeah, we were always getting into trouble," Sides laughed.

"Nothing has changed," Kacey smirked. "You two still get into trouble and still cause Prowl's processor to ache!"

"Look who's talking! Imagine what would happen if Prowl found out we sneak you off to go racing!"

"Bee warned me that Prowl knew and to be careful. Should we tell the twins that Prowl already knows?" she asked me quietly.

"No, they may have a melt down," I whispered, making her giggle.

"Oh…you'd better take over Mags. Dad didn't teach me how to land yet."

"No better time then the present," I replied, rubbing the top of her head. "You can do it."

"Ok, might want to hold onto your afts back there," she warned.

"We're safer in your hands then we are in my bro's!" Sides assured her.

"Thanks bro!"

Whack!

"OW!"

"Fragger!"

"Slaghead!"

"Younglings, behave back there!" I snapped, when I heard them wrestling.

Primus, I felt like I was on sparkling duty all of a sudden.

"They do that all the time," Kacey giggled.

"I have no doubts. Oh, slow down a bit. Change your pitch angle. There you go. Now descend slowly. Don't forget to…"

The shuttle landed hard making the twins burst into laughter.

"What did I forget?" Kacey asked worriedly.

"My fault, I should have told you to use the thrusters to help control your descent more."

"Oh, I understand now! Like I use my plasma burners!"

"Right!"

"Enough chatter….let's race!" Sunny exclaimed opening the rear door.

Kacey leapt off my lap and chased after them. The three of them transformed the second their feet hit the hot Arizona desert.

"Whoa! What the frag? Those aren't your designated license plates!"

The three of them changed back to their robot forms. Each of them looking somewhat ashamed.

"Well, we don't want to get reprimanded by Prowl for racing so we change our plates when we do it," Sunny said.

"Kacey hacked into the DMV database and procured the numbers," Sides added.

"I got you a few license numbers too," she said to me.

"A few?" I questioned raising an optic ridge.

"Well, yeah. You have to change it to throw the cops off," Sunny replied, standing protectively in front of Kacey.

I saw her glance up at me, seeking approval.

"Ok, if that's how you do it. Let's have some fun then," I smiled. "Kacey you take lead and we'll follow."

I transformed into my alt form. My vehicle form, a Chevy Trailblazer SS, was designed more for the desert. Yet, Kacey and the twins had no problems kicking up the dirt! We chased her around as she led us up hills, down into dry riverbeds, took us for as many jumps as she could find.

Primus, she loved being in the air. She'd always do some aerial acrobatic in her vehicle form while in the air that made Sunny and Sides whistle and cheer excitedly. Bee was right, Kacey was a natural in her vehicle form.

Then I decided to let her loose and watched from a high vantage point.

Seeing is believing!

Wow!

I was told Kacey was fast on four wheels but today was the first time I saw her speed with my own optics. The twins tried in vein to stay close to her dust cloud as she tore across the desert.

The entire time I could hear her laughing over our communicators. By the tone of her voice as she teased the twins about being slower than sludge I could hear how much joy she got from racing.

Her excitement got the better of her. She couldn't resist changing into her jet form. She stayed close to us and put on an amazing aerial show for the twins and I. Some acrobats she would do in her robotic form.

I have never in my long life seen an Autobot who loved to transform as much as Kacey did. And the look on her face plates when she'd come in for a landing after a flight…she loved to fly.

It saddened my spark knowing she was going to lose these abilities soon. I promised Optimus she would have the time of her life and that I would take care of her as if she were my own.

"Can we go into town?" she suddenly asked, her optics staring expectantly up at me.

"I think it's time we should be getting back," I answered.

"But we can't go back looking like this," she said, pointing out how dirty the four of us were.

Each of us must have been covered in several layers of dirt.

"You must have something in mind otherwise you wouldn't mention it," I said to her, resting my hands on my hips.

She smiled boldly, "Of course, I know exactly what we can do."

"Lead us then," I smiled to her.

"Sweet! Use your proper designations boys!" she shouted then transformed.

We raced until we neared a highway. Once there Kacey drove at the designated speed limit. Sunny and Sides griped about it the entire time. All Kacey did was laugh back at them. I told them each privately, without Kacey hearing of course, to put a socket in it or I'd shove their heads up their afts.

I wasn't too comfortable taking Kacey into the city. But Optimus told me to make sure she had a good time. I did my part by contacting Prowl and alerting him to the situation so he could have a team on stand by just in case.

"What are you looking for, Kacey?" I asked when we'd been driving around the streets for half an hour.

"We're here," she replied, pulling into the driveway of business where humans get their vehicles cleaned.

"Whoa…Kacey…we can't go in there!"

"Why not?"

"Well, we don't have money to pay."

"Pff, leave everything to me."

"Oh, is this where we get a massage like you were talking about?" Sunny asked.

I of course had no idea what he was talking about. I'm not sure I want to know everything Sunny and Sides talk about anyway.

"Yeah. It's a hand car wash. We get pampered," she giggled.

"Kacey, we passed by several of these," I pointed out. "Why this one?"

"Give me a moment."

That was all she said. I nervously sat in my vehicle form as Kacey pulled up near the front of the building and honked her horn and revved her engine.

A long moment later, two humans came out. A male and a female. I had my transformation systems ready to transform into my robot form just in case there was trouble.

"Are you the owners of this establishment?" Kacey asked them.

Both nodded, looking wearily at Kacey's vehicle form.

"I wonder if you'd be so kind as to help my fellow Autobots and myself," Kacey continued.

"Autobots?" the male questioned.

Then Kacey transformed, kneeling before them as they both jumped back in surprise.

"My name is Kaceystar," she smiled at them. "I noticed the logo of your facility is a star and was curious if my friends and I can get a hand wash."

"Right on! It's an Autobot!" people cheered as they rushed over surrounding Kacey.

I nearly freaked out. I wasn't anticipating any of this to happen.

"Relax Mags," Sides snickered.

"Kacey's a celebrity now. Get used to it," Sunny added.

I wasn't sure if I could get used to these humans. On the other hand, Kacey was a natural with them. She had charm, personality and grace. She talked with them as if they were her best friends. She even posed for pictures holding some of them in her hands.

And in the end, she got the owners to give us free hand washes and total body wax jobs. Of course, I wasn't sure what that meant but was about to find out.

Back in her vehicle form, Kacey led the way in with me right behind her. Sunny then Sides were behind me. Ok, I was fragging nervous! I was being pulled in! I had no idea what to expect.

Then Kacey erupted in a fit of giggles when white foam sprayed on her and several humans on each side started spreading it around her armor.

"Make sure you take special care of her!" one human male said. "She's the daughter of the Autobot Leader, a princess by all rights."

"You hear that Kacey, you're a princess!" Sunny chuckled.

"No, I'm just an Autobot."

Her tone was so serious…for about a moment. Then she started giggling again. I nearly did to. The foam spray did tickle a bit. Sunny was right, it felt like a massage as the humans spread the foam, cleaning the dirt off.

But that was just for starters. Next was thick foam that was slowly spayed on completely covering me. I heard one of the humans explain to Kacey that the foam will help give her a nice shine. I'm a mech wrecker, I didn't need to shine! However, I didn't complain as it did feel rather pleasant.

After that came the hard spray of the water to rinse off the foam. Now that made my armor tingle so much that I couldn't help but laugh. I laughed even harder when the blasting warm air meant to dry me surprised me when it contacted with the underneath side of my vehicle form.

That was one updraft I was not expecting!

Up ahead of me, Kacey was still laughing and having a good time. She had four human males pampering her while the rest of us only had two each. I noticed all the normal cars only had one. And just about every human was taking pictures of us, especially Kacey making sure to get the right angle showing her proper license plate too.

Sunny was right. The wax job was more like a deep massage and designed to make our armor really shine. I constantly heard Sunny and Sides groaning in content as they were got waxed. I must admit, it did feel good. Not as good as a femme's touch but still pleasant just the same.

Finally, after a few more pictures and exchanged emails between Kacey and the owners we were on our way.

"So, how do I look guys?" she asked, pulling to a stop in front of the three of us.

Her armor glinted in the sunlight. Even the black tires shined. I could literally see my own buffed and waxed vehicle form in her hub caps they were so shiny!

"Wow, very nice, Kacey. Very nice."

"More like sleek and Sss…."

"Don't you say it Sunny!" I interrupted.

"I was going to say shiny!"

"Bullslag, Sunny. You were going to say sexy. I'm too young for that description. At least wait until my interface systems come online before giving me that compliment."

"Primus, child! I seriously hope you don't talk like that in front of your parents."

"Why? They're mature enough," she countered, making Sunny and Sides roar with laughter.

"That's our little femme!" Sunny complimented. "She can and will say anything that's on her processor!"

"Let's get going," I chuckled.

We made it back to the shuttle without getting in trouble and stayed clean. I noticed Kacey was yawning. It was a long day for her as it was now nearly nightfall. I said nothing but let her fall into recharge in the co-pilot's seat.

When we landed I almost didn't have the spark to wake her. I ached within knowing what was to happen to her.

"You ok, Mags?" Sunny asked quietly.

"Yeah," I answered, quickly composing myself. "She just looks so peaceful recharging. It'd be a shame to wake her."

"We'll take her to her quarters," Sides said, gently lifting the little femme into his arms.

Kacey's optics immediately came online.

"We're home?" she asked, yawning.

"Yes. Sunny and Side are going to take you to your quarters."

"Magnus," she called, reaching her arms to me.

I didn't hesitate to take hold of her, hugging her close. Her small arms firmly wrapped around my neck returning the gesture.

"Thanks, Magnus. I had a lot of fun today."

"You're very welcome, Kaceystar. Now go with the twins. I'll see you later."

It took everything within me to wait until they were completely out of sight before I slid down the wall of the shuttlecraft and broke down into tears. Out of all the missions that have ever been assigned to me, this one was the hardest…because of her.

Up next: Optimus breaks the news to Kacey and we get everyone's reaction to this life changing procedure. This chapter is going to be long. So please be patient.