Not much to say here as I don't want to take away from the suspense. Thank you again for the reviews!

Kacey

I never thought I could feel worse than I did right now. For three days I had tried to see what father and mother were talking about, how things would be alright for me. But all I could think about was my inability to function as an Autobot should function.

Of the all the Autobots on the base, my parents didn't see this. They assumed my depression was because I couldn't transform. Everyone thought so because everyone kept telling me it was only temporary and that one day I'd fly again, that one day I'd be racing through the halls again.

I won't deny that I missed transforming and racing on the ground or through the air. I just missed it for different reasons mainly.

No one seemed to understand my plight. I am the daughter of Optimus Prime and Elita one. I have always known the true meaning of duty and honor. My mother told me about how honorable a mech my father was. I was so proud of that fact and strived to be like him. She taught me about duty and responsibility. Trion gave me the knowledge the help me fully understand what it meant to be an Autobot.

My tears flowed rapidly as I read my brief letter of resignation. I saw it was the only way. I couldn't perform my duties to the best of my abilities. It's better to stand down and let someone else take my place. It is the…honorable thing to do. And all I could do for now.

I checked my internal chronometer. I had just over an hour to go. Plenty of time for me to make the trek down the mountains and to the lake. But first I had to deliver my letter.

As quiet as possible I headed out of my families quarters, making sure to lock the main door. The halls would be deserted at this hour as all the Autobots would be in recharge, except for a few on duty in the command center.

Along the way I had decided to give Prowl the resignation letter. He'd be up before my father. And he receives all reports before giving them to my father. It was his decision to remove me from my post in the command center. I just prayed he was in recharge so I could sneak the letter onto his desk.

I sighed in relief.

As luck would have it, Prowl's office door was wide open and he wasn't recharging in it like usual. Not wasting a moment, I hurried in and put the resignation letter on his desk. My optics caught sight of the Autobot symbol on his computer monitor.

I turned away from it, ashamed, no longer worthy.

On impulse I opened a drawer where Prowl kept a few minor maintenance tools. I grabbed the one I needed and revealed my own Autobot insignia. Tears flooded my optics. I remembered the day Trion showed me my insignia. I was so proud and honored that I ignored any minor discomfort I felt as he meticulously attached it to my protoform frame.

And now…I ignored the pain as I jammed the flat end of the tool beneath the insignia and pried it off. Energon flowed down the front of my frame and covered my hands. I ignored it knowing the wound would seal itself up in a few minutes. I then carefully and respectfully placed the insignia on Prowl's desk beside my letter of resignation.

My fingers caressed it one last time.

Then I left. I turned my back on it and ran through the halls. I used my key code to unlock the door and exited the base. A blast of cold air hit me, icy snow pelted my protoform. Undeterred I headed for the lake.

Trees zipped by as I ran through the forest. I didn't have armor but my form could still run fast as it was designed that way. The elements didn't bother me. Nothing could penetrate my despair. I just ran.

A snow covered log went undetected by me because I had no sensors, causing me to trip and fall. My form skidded helplessly through the snow. I lay there, weeping, wondering why I was so deserved of this cruel fate.

Gathering my strength I rose to my feet and bellowed to the heavens above.

"Why Primus? Why are you punishing me by stripping me of my abilities? Why punish me when I have always done my best to follow your teachings?"

Only the howling wind answered me.

Disappointed, I sprinted on. I reached the shore of lake with time to spare. On the opposite side I saw the vehicle lights where Jim was waiting. I frowned. They didn't bring me any relief as I had hoped. As a result, doubt crept into my processor.

"What am I doing?"

I glanced back in the direction of the Autobot base. My spark longed for comfort from my family and friends but I kept it shield as I've done the past few days. At the same time it ached because when I'm with them I didn't feel like an Autobot anymore.

The Autobots…

They were all so proud of me. So proud of the Autobot I was. I was proud of that. It was the greatest compliment they could have given me…they could have given my father and mother. I was living up to my place amongst them.

Ever since the procedure all I've gotten was…

Their compassion…

Their sympathy…

Their affection…

And their loyalty.

I burst into tears.

"Primus, what have I done?"

I knew the answer. I didn't need Primus to tell me how selfish I've been wallowing in my own despair. Every Autobot on that base has been selfless, giving, loving. And I rejected each of them. I even turned my best friend away…my brother Leo who only wanted to hug me and tell me he loved me.

Worst of all, I turned away my own father, a mech who was the epitome of an Autobot. He who was the most honorable, most selfless, compassionate and loyal Autobot I had ever known. He who has shown me nothing but his love and affection no matter what I have done.

I wonder will he still love me after what I've done now? Will he still shower me with his affections knowing I did the worst thing imaginable?

Yes, I couldn't have stooped any lower than this.

I have dishonored my father. I have been disloyal to my fellow Autobots. It was a good thing I removed my Autobot insignia when I did for I have defiled it in the worst way possible by leaving them and seeking refuge from one who was not my kind.

My head hung in absolute shame and I fell to my knees.

I am the daughter of Optimus Prime and Elita One. I am their daughter first and foremost. I lost sight of that. Being an Autobot should be a far second to my family.

Primus, I don't even deserve to be their daughter or an Autobot right now.

My internal communicator suddenly beeped indicating I had an incoming communiqué. I opened the link knowing who it was.

"Is everything ok, Kacey?"

No. Everything was not ok.

"You promised you'd be here."

"I know I promised," I sighed. "And I will be there in a few minutes."

I did promise. I never break my promises. However, I did not promise I would go with him to his lab. As my friend Jim will understand that I cannot go with him. I may have screwed up royally, dishonored my father, been disloyal to my fellow Autobots. But I'm the daughter of Optimus Prime and Elita one…that has not changed.

Jim

The wind finally died down and the icy snow turned into soft flakes that continued to fall. With a break in the weather I exited the truck and called Kacey, reminding it of its promise. The youngling ended the call quickly and I had everyone take their positions.

I waited patiently, confident Kacey would show. Fifteen minutes passed. Then at last, I heard the heavy footfalls approaching from the darkness.

I grinned.

Everything was ready. Everything.

The majority of the guards were out of sight and would go undetected by Kacey now that it no longer has sensors. The trailer truck was warmed up to greet it so it wouldn't suspect anything.

All was going according to my plan.

"Stay calm," I ordered when a couple of the guards who remained with Hank took a few steps back as Kacey emerged from the darkness. "You made it. Had me worried there for a bit."

"I'm sorry Jim," it said as it walked right up to me. "I tripped and fell back in the woods."

"You're not damaged are you?"

"No, it would still take more than a simple fall to damage my structure. "

"Good," I smiled warmly. "I wouldn't want you to get hurt. We should get going then. I have the trailer all warmed up for you."

"I'm afraid I cannot go. I'm so sorry to have made you and your men come all this way for nothing."

I turned away from the mechanism so it wouldn't see my face. I was calm and prepared for this. I glanced at Hank who understood my intentions and discretely signaled one of his men.

So my original plan wasn't going to work. But as my father taught me to always be prepared I had another plan just in case.

"Jim, I am truly sorry. But my place is amongst the Autobots. As my friend, I hope you can understand this."

"I understand perfectly, Kacey," I replied, reaching into my jacket, my hand taking hold of the pulse disruptor. I turned to face the mechanism and smiled. "Come down here, Kacey."

"I really am sorry," it wept, kneeling before me on one knee.

"I know you are," I sighed, caressing its face with my free hand. "I'm sorry too."

Without a second thought I whipped out the pulse disruptor and activated it the millisecond it contacted with Kacey's neck. A jolt of energy crackled up and down the mechanisms form. Kacey's eyes widened in surprise as it jerked up to its feet.

But it was too late for escape or for anything.

Its eyes went dark, its form went rigid. I quickly moved aside as the mechanism fell onto its front with a heavy thud. Moving back, several of the men hurried in with strong ropes and cables.

"Hurry up! Get it in the cargo hold!" Hank ordered.

"Get the cargo hold as cold as possible!" I shouted. "Have the liquid nitrogen ready too. I don't want this thing waking up during the trip back to my lab!"

As I watched Kacey being dragged and pushed my mind raced with all the things I wanted to do. My lab wasn't quite ready to receive such a prized specimen. However, I could keep it in a cryogenic state until I had the lab ready. It was going to take long, a few days perhaps. I am anxious to continue the work I didn't get to finish when at Sector Seven when I was forced to resign.

And now, no one could stop me. Not even the Autobots.

Elita

A sparkling's shrieking woke me from recharge. I glanced over to see Optimus was still in deep recharge which was rare as he normally was the one up first at such sound. I let him recharge as I quietly got to my feet and left the room.

My love has been so emotionally exhausted each evening the past three days because of Kacey. I honestly don't know what to do about her depression. Neither does Optimus. I do know something must be done and done soon.

"Oh, Leo…what's wrong?"

"Mama!" he wept standing in his recharge bed, reaching his little arms for me.

Ever since his last escape that caused Kacey to be injured he has never attempted to climb out of his recharge birth. I felt terrible my little mech had to learn such a lesson the hard way. Especially when he has such a good spark and only means well.

His small protoform trembled in my arms. He buried his face against my chest and continued to weep.

"Did you have a bad dream?" I asked, kissing the top of his head.

Leo just shook hard and wept louder.

Glancing over at the twins I could see they continued to recharge peacefully and planned to keep it that way. One upset sparkling was enough to deal with at this time of night…or morning. Primus, it was early.

"Come on my sparkling. You can recharge with dada and mama," I cooed, walking out of the room.

I frowned, noticing that Kacey's door was locked as I walked by. She used to always leave it open and very rarely closed it. Now, it's closed all the time when she's in there.

Yes, Optimus and I definitely need to do something to get her out of this depression. Of course, it might be easier if she'd talk to us. Ever since the procedure she doesn't talk much anymore.

She can be so like Optimus at times it's frustrating. She has his stubbornness and will to keep things to herself just like him. Both were so unwilling to share a worrisome burden.

"What's wrong?" Optimus mumbled groggily as I sat down beside him.

"I think he just had a bad, dream."

Optimus stifled a yawn, reaching to caress Leo's head affectionately.

"Did you have a bad dream, Leo?"

Leo rattled of his sparkling talk and as usual we had no idea what he was saying. Except, Optimus always seemed to know how to respond to Leo, making the little mech feel better.

"Poor little guy. That must have been scary," he responded. "Come here, dada, will keep you safe from the bad dreams."

I smiled as Leo eagerly went to Optimus' open arms. Leo's tiny hand patted my love's chest where his spark chamber was then snuggled up against it, purring contently.

"You're such a wonderful father. It's hard to think of you as an aft ripping mech during moments like these."

Optimus chuckled softly, one arm clutching Leo close, the other gently pulling me down beside him. I gladly welcomed his embrace, being careful to not squish the tiny sparkling between us.

"But I have you to thank for these moments," he smiled affectionately, delicate fingers caressing my face. "Without you I wouldn't have four such beautiful sparklings."

I exhaled slowly, my optics focused on the sparkling falling back into recharge.

"What are we going to do about Kacey?" I asked.

"I don't know. But together we'll figure something out. Now, recharge my love."

Prowl

For once I actually recharged in my quarters. Only because it was one place no one would find me. The one place no one would think to look because I very rarely took a break from my duties.

Yet, after my discussion with Kacey yesterday I needed to be alone. I saw the hurt in her optics when I had to reassign her to a…lesser…duty. Any officer would see it as a demotion and Kacey did exactly that. She did not say anything against it when I informed her. She simply nodded her head and sighed 'Yes, Sir'.

My spark sank at the moment. Whenever Kacey addressed me as Sir she always did so with a sense of pride. She understood duty and honor. Vary rarely did she address me by my designation when on duty. That moment was the first time I didn't see a proud femme before me…I didn't hear the enthusiasm in her voice when I issued her an order.

And now, I was having second thoughts about the decision I made…the decision I forced Optimus into letting me make. I only did so for Kacey's safety. I knew in an attack the command center would be hit first and hard. I didn't want to imagine Kacey being there when that happened. My spark couldn't handle her getting hurt again.

I groaned loudly, rubbing my faceplates as I sat up. I didn't know what to do. And the lonely darkness of my quarters only added to my indecision. I no longer had my sparkmate to confide in when I needed to talk about my doubts.

I suddenly laughed at a memory recall when I had a similar moment of indecision. My sparkmate, my Jazz, always knew what to say to me during such moments. I can just hear him now.

"Stop sulking! Get off your aft and go make the decision you know in your spark to be right."

Sulking wasn't going to get me anywhere. I knew in my spark what had to be done.

Eager to set things right, I quickly left my quarters and made my way through the quiet halls. It was still early yet. I only passed a couple of Autobots along the way. Optimus wouldn't be on duty for another hour or so. Kacey would be with Alpha Trion for her lessons around the same time.

And I would…

I abruptly came to a stop when I entered my office. My optics spotted the energon on my desk. Moving closer I saw the tool, its flat end covered with energon. Beside it was data-pad with words in Cybertronian written.

I ignored them both.

My optics focused solely on a more disturbing image…the blazing red Autobot insignia. Energon smeared across it. Tears rolled down my faceplates. My outstretched fingers trembled as I reached for the insignia. Only I couldn't touch it. I dared not touch it.

"What have I done?" I gasped.

'Pull you head out of your fraggin aft!' my inner self shouted.

I clenched my fist and ran out of my office. I didn't think. I just ran. I knew what had to be done and done fast.

"Scan for Kacey's energy signature!" I shouted the astrosecond I entered the command center.

"Wh…"

"JUST DO IT!" I snapped.

"Yes, Sir!"

"Huffer, check the security logs. See when Kacey last used her key code."

"I'm on it, Prowl."

"Hot Shot, you got anything for me yet?" I asked, moving up behind him.

"Nothing. Teletran 2 isn't picking up her signature anywhere, not even on the base," Hot Shot exclaimed in disbelief.

I couldn't believe it either. Kacey had no way of concealing her energy signal anymore.

"Frag! Get Hound up," I ordered. "Have him organize search teams."

"Prowl, the logs show that Kacey used her code almost three and a half hours ago," Huffer informed me.

Slag it to pit! There was no time to lose!

"Have Hound contact met he moment they're ready! I'll be with Optimus and Elita."

Optimus

From what Elita and I could detect with our sensors, nothing was wrong with Leo. Yet he continued to cry, clinging to my armor, totally inconsolable. Concerned we called Ratchet, hoping his medical sensors could detect what we couldn't.

My tiny sparkling continued to wail, shrieking loudly when I tried to lay him down on our recharge bed so Ratchet could get a better scan. Elita quickly took hold of Leo, cradling him close, cooing to him in her motherly way.

"Please Ratchet, do your best," I insisted. "It pains my spark to see him like this."

"How long did you say he's been upset?"

"He woke up a few hours ago crying," Elita answered. "Since then he recharges for a bit, wakes up crying, goes back into recharge, wakes up crying."

"Only this last time he refuses to go back in to recharge," I finished. "We thought he was just being cranky because he hadn't properly recharged. But he's never cried like this or for this long."

Ratchet nodded, processing what we told him. His hands ever so delicately turned Leo's head towards him. The little mech tried to fight off the medic and ripped of a high pitch screech in protest when Ratchet held him firmly.

"I'm sorry Leo. I need a proper scan of your processor. This will only take a few astroseconds, I promise."

Leo howled in response. His tiny hands tried pushing Ratchet's large hands away. His entire form was agitated as he tried to wiggle away.

"Shh, Leo, be a good little mech," Elita cooed.

As promised, Ratchet released Leo's head after a few astroseconds and stepped back.

"There's nothing wrong with him. He's perfectly healthy. His energy levels are a bit low but you said he hasn't fully recharged. I could give him a mild sedative to calm him so that he can recharge properly."

I sighed, my hand reaching and caressing Leo's head. I hated not knowing what was troubling my sparklings. Kacey wouldn't tell me what was wrong and Leo couldn't tell me. Orion and Ariel were now able to put into some words when they were troubled but even then Elita and I still had to decipher what was wrong when they cried.

"Give him the sedative," Elita said. "I want him to at least have a proper recharge."

"I just wish I knew what was troubling him," I frowned.

"I think I have an idea."

We turned to see Prowl standing in the doorway.

"Sorry, no one answered and I could hear Leo's crying out in the hallway. But I may have an idea why he's so upset."

From the look on Prowl's face I knew the news wasn't good.

"Honestly Prowl, what makes you an expert on sparklings?" Ratchet huffed annoyingly.

"I never said I was," Prowl countered. "But I know every Autobot on this base well enough. And I know Leo realizes something's wrong. Optimus, Elita…Kacey's no longer on the base."

"What? Where is she?" I immediately asked even as I headed towards Kacey's room, not believing what Prowl told me. I immediately noticed the locked door. So I pounded on it. "KACEY!"

"Don't suppose you could just unlock the door," Ratchet suggested.

"I haven't been able to hack the code she uses to lock it," Elita said, clutching to a now quiet Leo whose optics were wide and watching me.

"There are other ways," I muttered and smashed the locking mechanism with my hand.

With the lock disabled I was able to push the door aside so we could walk in and see that Kacey was not in her room. I instinctively reached out to her as I've done repeatedly for the past three days. I always gave her my love and reassurance despite the fact she shield her spark from me. But at least I could feel her. Right now I couldn't feel her at all.

Elita's hand instantly slipped into mine. I felt her trembling and pulled her into gently embrace all too aware of the little mech in her arms. We didn't need to speak to know the fear in each other's sparks. And we now understood what was troubling Leo.

"As I told you, she's not on the base," Prowl spoke softly. "Come with me…there's more."

"Ratchet…"

"Moonracer is on her way to watch over your sparklings," he said to me. "I'll catch up the moment she gets here."

I glanced at Leo in Elita's arms. She answered my unasked question.

"I don't think he's ready to let go of me just yet."

"Let's go then," I ordered.

"Hound is assembling search teams as we speak," Prowl explained as we hurried through the halls. "I don't understand why Teletran 2 isn't picking up Kacey's energy signature. She has no defenses capabilities."

"If she were in trouble she would reach out to us," Elita mentioned. "We know she's not…"

"Elita's right, Kacey is alive and if she were in trouble she'd call for help," I continued when she stopped.

"Hopefully the search teams will find something."

"Prowl…what's wrong?" I asked.

Prowl stopped, his optics avoided my gaze.

"I'm sorry…this is my fault. If I hadn't insisted…"

"This is not your fault, Prowl. It isn't anyone's fault. We just need to focus on finding Kacey."

"Yes, Prime," he nodded. "But I'm not sure she wants to be found."

He paused outside his office door and allowed Elita and I to move in. She gasped loudly. I noticed it too. The energon…the red Autobot insignia…and beside them…

I read the note on the data-pad out loud. My spark twisted and turned within its chamber for failing to realize the true reason of my own daughter's depression.

"It has become painfully apparent that I can no longer fulfill my duties and responsibilities as an Autobot. It is with much regret that I must resign from my station to make room for some other more capable mech or femme. Respectfully yours, Kaceystar."

My little Kacey, so proud of being an Autobot. I didn't realize that taking away her abilities to transform would mean taking away her abilities to fully function as the Autobot she had become. I understood that. I too understood the need to help my fellow Autobots. For mechanism such as Kacey and myself the need was almost an obsession. And like Kacey, I myself would not be able to cope with the inability to perform my job to the fullest.

I failed her as a father by not realizing this.

"I can't believe she would just run away," Prowl said.

I turned to see face him, noticing that Ratchet and Ironhide were now standing behind him. The same worry on their faceplates that I felt in my spark.

"How would you feel if you were constantly reminded of what you could no longer be?" I asked.

"We always told her how proud we were of her being an Autobot," Ironhide said sadly.

"I had always thought she loved transforming because she was a youngling," Ratchet mumbled. "I was wrong. She loved being an Autobot and transforming was a part of that."

"We were all wrong to assume," I sighed. "But the fault lies with me. As her father and the one closest to her I should have known. I have always felt how proud she was of being my daughter. I just…"

I dropped my head in shame unable to finish. How could I have not known? What kind of father does that make me when I don't even know my own child?

'You have nothing to be ashamed of Optimus. You are a wonderful father,' Elita told me over our bond, her hand cupping the side of my face. 'You cannot expect to be perfect, no matter how hard you try my love.'

"Optimus…the search teams are standing by outside awaiting your orders."

'Go, find out sparkling.'

I nodded to my Elita, sending her my love through our bond.

'Be a good little mech for you mama,' I told Leo. To my love, 'I'll let you know the astrosecond I find something.'

'I know you will.'

I kissed Elita and my son before marching out of the office. My long strides covered the ground quickly causing my officers to pick up their pace in order to keep up with me.

"Prowl, what's the time frame…how long do you think Kacey's been gone?" I asked, just before we exited the base.

"Going on four hours now, Prime."

"Frag! Even on foot she could have traveled far!" I muttered.

I glanced at my officers, my most trusted friends. Each one appeared determined as I was to find my daughter. Taking that to spark I exited the base to address the two dozen or so Autobots. I'd like more but more than half our numbers were scattered about the globe.

Still, I'm pleased as our numbers have steadily increased of the past couple of years. We don't have a full army yet, but we enough to defend ourselves when necessary. And hopefully within the next year, once Wheeljack completes the assembly of the five new shuttle crafts, we'll be able to keep more Autobots on the base.

I don't like my Autobots so far from home and defenseless if overwhelmed by a Decepticon attack. We've been luck that has not happened. With more shuttle crafts we can dispatch teams from the base during such attacks.

"They're ready, Optimus," Prowl quietly reminded me.

"Thank you," I nodded well of aware they were ready.

I could see each one was eager for their orders. In each of them I saw their concern, their resolve to do whatever they must to find one of their own. Despite Kacey not being able to transform she was still more than just my daughter, she was still an Autobot.

"Hound, I want you to lead the ground teams. Concentrate on the surrounding southern area of the base all the way to the lake where Kacey likes to hang out. Prowl, I want you and Magnus in a shuttle searching for Kacey's signature to the north of the base. I'll take another shuttle and search further south beyond the ground team's perimeter."

I paused, glancing at each of my fellow Autobots.

"I don't have to tell you what's at stake. Kacey is more than just my daughter! She is more than just your friend. She is an Autobot. And we Autobots always take care of our own. Always…without fail…until there isn't an ounce of energy left in our sparks!"

Each of them roared in agreement. Each of them ready for the final order.

"AUTOBOTS! MOVE OUT!"