Sorry, it took so long. I had a bit of writer's block there. It's all cleared up.

Wow, I thought it funny that a little kiss could cause such a stir. Have no fear, Bee and Kacey will get together, eventually. Hehe.

And now we begin with Kacey, age 18. This is the kissing scene. Just thought it'd put all your processors at ease if you all knew what actually happened.

Kacey

"Hey Kacey!"

"Just a second, Nitro," I grunted, cranking the wrench as hard as I could. Finally the bolt came loose. "Got it! Sorry. I need to finish repairs on this shuttlecraft. Keep talking, I'm listening. Roller, hand me that pry bar…damn thing's wedged in here."

I didn't even look from beneath the shuttle and just stuck my hand out and grabbed the tool placed in it. Roller was good at helping me or Wheeljack with repairs. Wheeljack actually gave him a repair program so he could do minor repairs on equipment around the base if necessary.

Honestly, I think Wheeljack was getting tired of fixing everything. He didn't have time for all the personal projects he wanted to work on. So Roller and I were often sent to repair whatever was malfunctioning.

Of course, Wheeljack made the mistake of sending me to repair the shower system in Ratchet's quarters one time. I put a dye in the cleaning solvent that turned him pink. And it took a week for the dye to completely wash off!

Dad had tried not to laugh when dishing out my punishment. But he just couldn't control himself with Ratchet standing right there behind me with his arms folder across his chest, looking pissed off at the entire universe, and every centimeter of him was a flaming hot pink color!

I only got off with a verbal warning. But I never made any repairs like that again and in fact was in charge of keeping up maintenance on all the shuttlecrafts from that point on.

"Thanks, little guy."

"You are welcome, Kacey."

"Kacey…can I ask you a question?" Nitro asked.

"Sure," I grunted, carefully removing the hydraulic stabilizer. Fluid suddenly started spurting onto my chest. "Oh, frag it to pit! I found the leak!"

Roller immediately slid under the shuttle next to me, tools ready and started mending the crack in the hydraulic hose. Within minutes the fluid stopped spraying all over me.

"Thanks Roller."

He blew a raspberry at me.

"Yeah, I know…you told me so," I chuckled shaking my head. "Can you handle the rest?"

"Of course."

When I stood up, Nitro had a cleaning rag ready for me and a worried look on his face.

"What's wrong?" I asked, taking the rag and cleaning the hydraulic fluid off my chest.

"I wanted to ask you a question. A very serious one."

"I'm your best friend. I'm always here for you Nitro."

My friend sighed, his shoulders slumped. Whatever was troubling him must be very important. I've never seen him like this. Then he steeled up his courage, looked me straight in the optics.

"I was wondering…what's it like to kiss a femme?"

"Shouldn't you be asking Ironhide about that? I'm not the sort to go around kissing femmes…or mechs for that matter. And why do you want to kiss femmes? You're too young to be doing that kind of stuff."

"Firestar's not."

Oh, I should have guessed. It all makes sense now.

"Nitro, she's crazy about you."

"But she can transform now, I can't. Her interface systems will be coming online in the next couple of years. Mine won't. And I see how Rox, Saberon and Hawk look at her. Makes my energon boil! They don't appreciate her the way I do!"

"Mechs, will you ever learn? A femme will chose who she wants to be with. Trust me. Firestar wants to be with you."

"But I want her to know I really like her."

"Then tell her you idiot."

"No, I want to show her. I want to kiss her. Only, I don't know how and I don't want to frag it up. I was wondering…if I could kiss you and you tell me if I did ok or not."

"What?" I shrieked. "Have you lost a few bolts in your processor?"

A spanner flew by and hit Nitro in the head.

"My thoughts exactly, Roller," I huffed, crossing my arms across my chest. "You're lucky he doesn't throw hard like I do else you'd be picking up the screws off the floor!"

"Kacey, please," he pleaded, rubbing his head. "You owe me! Remember?"

"Of course I remember."

I sighed. This was obviously very important to Nitro. His mechhood was at stake here. I suppose as his best friend I must do what I can to help.

"You'd better hope no one sees and you have to tell Firestar the astrosecond she comes back from her mission with my mom and Chromia! I know femmes, she's not going to like it if she finds out you did this and you didn't tell her."

Pfft, knowing femmes, she'll be mad at him anyway. But not for long. I know Firestar well, she'll understand if he explains it to her.

"You'll do it?!"

"Yeah, just hurry up before I change my mind."

"Sweet. Thanks so much. Can you lean forward? Oh put your arms down and close your optic covers."

"For frags sake, just kiss me and get it over with!"

Finally, Nitro leaned down, closing his optic covers. I closed mine to just before our lips met. It was interesting, I'll say that. His lips were warm. But that was about it and we parted.

"Well?" he expectantly asked. "Did you feel anything?"

"Was I supposed to?"

His head dropped and I laughed. I couldn't help it. He was so eager to make Firestar like him when he didn't have to be.

"I'm sorry," I said, wrapping my arm around him. "Look, if you were the mech of my dreams I'm sure I'd feel tingly all over. You have nothing to worry about."

"You mean..."

"It wasn't that bad. Now go, talk to you dad. If there's a mech on this base that knows how to woo femmes, it's your dad!"

"Thanks, Kacey! You're the best friend ever!" he grinned then took off running.

Plunk!

"Ow, what did you do that for?" I questioned, rubbing my head and grabbing the screw driver up off the floor.

"If he has a sparkmate you shouldn't have kissed him."

"For the record, he kissed me. Besides, I was just helping a friend. And if he doesn't tell Firestar, I will. Now, come on, we need to clean up this mess. I want to run a diagnostic on the shuttle before we give it the all clear."

"Still…"

"I know, I know. It won't ever happen again, I promise."

"What did it feel like?" he asked after we picked up all the tools.

"I don't know…felt like I was kissing my brother."

"Kacey, can you come to my office please?"

"Of course, dad. On my way," I replied via my communicator. "Roller, dad's calling me."

"I'll return your tools then see if Wheeljack needs my help."

"Thanks. See you later."

Roller had come a long way since Wheeljack fixed him up. He was a regular Autobot now. He'd actually gone on a few missions with dad when they needed some recon done in tight spots where only Roller could fit because of his small size. Plus, he could stealth and get close, giving my dad any information he needed.

Not one Autobot ever talked down to him because he didn't have a spark. Besides, Roller had attitude and the Autobots appreciated that more than anything.

"Keep an optic out for your tailpipe," Prowl smirked as I walked by. "I saw Ironhide get shot in the aft as he was running from Optimus' office."

"Thanks for the warning Prowl," I giggled. "I'm sorry I missed it though."

I wasn't worried. I could sense dad wasn't mad. If anything he was in a playful, jovial mood. It always made me smile when dad was happy. I hated it when he was upset because there was nothing I could do to make him feel better. Dad even had a big smile, matching the mood within his spark, on his face as I entered this office.

"Come…sit over here," he grinned, pulling mom's chair closer.

"Why is it you and I always have these talks in your office?" I asked as I sat down.

"What talks do you mean?" he questioned, blinking his optic covers innocently

"Come on dad, I know you. You want to discuss something very important with me. And you always do it in your office."

He leaned back in his chair and sighed.

"The truth is your mother and I should have had this talk with you a couple of weeks ago," he started. "Or sooner. Kacey, you're at a very interesting age now. You're in the final stage of your younglinghood. An age when you're curious about the changes your body is going to be going through in the next few years or so. And you're probably curious about the…dare I say…the opposite sex."

"Ah…shouldn't mom be talking to me about mechs?"

"She will. But as your father, I too would like to have a talk with you and perhaps answer any questions you have. I believe having a mech's perspective on things is as beneficial as a femme's. So don't worry, Elita will be giving the 'talk' to Leo and Orion too when the time comes."

"I guess that makes sense."

"Great! So, do you have any questions?" he eagerly asked.

"Well…to be honest…not really," I said slowly and immediately saw his disappointment. "I'm sorry, dad. I'm just not interested in mechs."

Dad shot me a funny look.

"There's no way I'd be interested in femmes. So you can relax. If and when I am interested in doing extra curricular activities it will be a mech. And as for having a mech's point of view on things, I think I already have a good idea what you mechs think about."

"Oh, really," he smirked, rubbing his chin. "Care to enlighten me?"

"Sunny and Sides talk constantly about their interface conquests, Rox wants nothing but to interface with me, and Nitro has been planning his first interface since we were eleven. So yeah, I think I know what is always on a mechs mind."

"We're not all horny, groping fiends," he countered. "But some times when a beautiful femme passes by, a mech can't help but look. Do you notice the young mechs looking at you as you pass by?"

"No, I'm always so focused on what I'm doing I don't pay much attention."

Dad leaned forward, caressing my face.

"My sweet child, you are so beautiful it is frightening," he said, making me blush. "And I'm not saying that because I'm your father. I'm speaking as a mech. And I have seen how Rox, Saberon, Hawk all look at you. Then there's…Nitro."

"What about him? He's my friend, nothing more."

"Ironhide said he saw you both kissing."

"Oh Primus," I groaned sinking in my chair. "He didn't tell anyone else did he?"

"I don't know. You want to tell me what happened? Because Ironhide's about ready to welcome you into his family."

"It was nothing. Nitro came to me for help as a friend and I helped him. He…he wanted to know how well he kissed so when he kisses Firestar for the first time it will be perfect."

"That was all?"

"Yes. Look, Dad, I think I know where you're going with all of this. Believe me I can take care of myself."

"I know that, you're your mother's child as well as my own. I know exactly what you are capable of. However, you have been out of training for five years now. You've grown. You're as tall as Bumblebee now. Five years ago you were a third shorter than him. That kind of growth change does change how your body moves."

"I suppose your right," I sighed, trying to forget that I should have been even taller, trying to forget I couldn't transform.

Most days I was fine. But lately…

'Patience,' father's voice said over our bond, sensing my thoughts, his love spreading within me.

"I'm trying, father," I frowned.

"I know," he smiled, lifting my chin up. "And I know ever since Rox and Firestar gained the ability to transform it has been difficult for you. Which is another reason why your mother and I had that talk. We reached a decision. We both feel the time has come for you to resume your training. But training only."

"Really?!" I exclaimed unable to contain my excitement. Then I quickly calmed myself down. "I mean…really?"

Dad laughed heartily at me.

"Come on, Magnus is waiting to teach you your first lesson."

"I heard he trained you in hand to hand combat," I said as we got to our feet.

"You'll find Magnus trained most of the mechs on this base. And a few of the femmes. But Magnus won't be your only teacher. Ironhide and Chromia will be in charge of your weapons training. Prowl will instruct you how to fly the shuttles. There isn't a better pilot alive. So pay attention to everything he says. And Ratchet is going to teach you some basic field medical training."

"Oh goodie," I groaned, rolling my optics. "I'm sure he hasn't forgotten the shower incident."

"No, he hasn't," dad laughed.

"What…what will you be teaching me?"

Dad came to a stop and stared down at me.

"I mean, you've been through so much I'm sure you have some wisdom you can pass down to me. If I might be Prime one day I need to learn all I can from you. Right?"

"Of course," he smiled, rubbing the top of my head. "We'll have a lesson each day after sunrise. Now that you no longer have lessons with Trion you can continue with me."

"I admit that I was disappointed when Trion told me he had nothing left to teach me," I sighed as we continued walking. "He's been my teacher ever since I was a sparkling."

"He tells me you still drop by, having long discussions and debates with him."

"Yes, my processor craves that kind of stimulation from time to time. Just like when Prowl and I still play chess for hours at a time."

"And poker."

I smirked up at him, "I will beat you one of these days."

"I'm sure you will," he grinned, pulling me close as we walked on.

Bumblebee

Laughter made me glance up from the report I was putting together for Prowl. I took a long drink of my high grade musing about how Primus has blessed us by doubling our numbers over the past five years. Over a hundred strong now.

The recreation room, when most were out on patrol used to be so quiet. Now it was full of laughter and cheer. I was so glad I had made the decision to have remained on base and no longer be Sam's guardian to have witnessed it all.

Perhaps what I enjoyed most was being able to see the bond between a father and his daughter grow stronger and stronger each year. I had often witnessed Optimus and Kacey strolling through the halls together talking, joking, always having a wonderful time. It didn't matter what they were doing, one could see how much they loved each other by their smiles or their hugs.

And I'm glad to say I'm still Kacey's favorite uncle and good friend. Since Sunny, Sides, and I can no longer take Kacey racing the four of us have a weekly poker game in my quarters. It's funny how Sunny and Sides fold every time Kacey bluffs. They can't bluff to save their own afts.

Besides, only one other bot on the base can bluff better than Kacey. That bot being her father, Optimus. Once a month he, Ironhide, Prowl, and Ratchet join our poker night. We play for hours and often through the night until sunrise. Kacey still has yet to beat her father. And she hasn't given up on trying.

Primus, she's so beautiful. More beautiful than ever. Especially when she smiles. My spark flutters every time she smiles. It is difficult for me to be so close to her and not tell her how I feel. But I've learned to live with the fact that I must keep my love for her hidden. I'm a friend to her nothing more at this point in her life and have fully accepted that and can live with it…comfortably.

"Bee! You are not going to believe it!" Sunny exclaimed dropping into the chair across from me.

"What now? Did you find a new polish that makes you even shinier?" I snorted, taking another drink of my high grade.

"I'm still working on that," he seriously said.

"Did you tell him?" Sides asked, grabbing a chair and joining us.

"Was just about to," Sunny smiled.

"Tell me what?" I asked.

"Our little femme is growing up so fast," Sides sniffled, wiping a fake tear.

"Seems Kacey and Nitro were spotted kissing each other…on the lips!" Sunny cheered.

I laughed. I had to. I couldn't help it.

"Oh Primus, you two dopes are as bad as Ironhide! I'm sure it was harmless. Everyone knows Nitro has it bad for Firestar and she has it just as bad for him."

"But why would Kacey and Nitro kiss then?" Sunny asked, looking very confused.

"I don't know," I answered. "But I'm sure there is a very good explanation."

"Bee! Bee! Bee!"

I turned to see Leo running towards us, ducking between the legs of a mech who had just stood up. The mech was startled, lost his balance and fell.

"Oops, sorry…my bad," Leo grimaced as the mech muttered and cursed getting to his feet.

"It's ok Leo. You're too cute. No one can stay mad at you forever," Sunny smirked.

Leo blew a raspberry at Sunny. That was something Leo never did unlearn after Roller taught him. He just never does it in front of Elita anymore.

"What's up little mech?" I asked, seeing he was excited about something.

"You have to hurry and come with me!" he grinned, his optics as bright as they could be. "Magnus is going to teach Kacey how to fight! Her first lesson is in a few minutes in the training room! I want to go see. But dad says I can't go in the training room unsupervised. Can you take me, Bee?"

"Holy Frag! Magnus is giving Kacey lessons! This I gotta see!" Sunny exclaimed. "Come on bro."

"Please Bee!" Leo pleaded, jumping up and down on his tippy toes.

"Yeah, Bee. You'll break his little spark if you don't take him!" Sides teased.

"Sure, why not," I smiled.

"Woohoo!" Leo cheered.

I chuckled, grabbing Leo and plopping his little aft up on my shoulders.

That was an unexpected friendship that happened over the past five years. Leo. I guess it shouldn't have surprised me. He's always with Kacey when not doing his studies. Even when we're playing poker, Leo's there…until he falls into recharge. Although I'm not sure hanging around Sunny and Sides is the best thing for the little guy! He listens to everything they say!

"Did I miss anything, Kacey?" Leo asked as we entered the training room.

"No," she smiled. "You gonna cheer for me, Leo?"

"Yeah, I wanna see you kick Magnus' aft!"

Magnus simply chuckled shaking his head at Leo's comment.

"Leo…language," Optimus chided but not very harshly.

"Oops, sorry dad."

"Now that Kacey has a cheering section, Magnus you may proceed," Optimus said.

Leo climbed down and stood with Optimus while I stood with the twins. We were actually very excited. Magnus taught us hand to hand combat. He even trained Optimus. And Kacey...well she looked eager to learn as she stood before him. She had that twinkle in her optics like she was up to no good.

"I've seen you spar with drones," Magnus started. "You have some good moves. But drones, no matter how well you program them, don't put your skills to the test like an opponent with his or her own processor. For now, we'll just do a few basic moves to warm up. You haven't trained in five years and I don't want you to get hurt. Your dad will dismantle me."

"And if he doesn't we will," I Sides snickered, wrapping his arms around me and Sunny.

Magnus glared at us. I'd seen that glare often when we spared with him. To this day the three of us, together, still haven't taken him down.

"I'll take care of the three of you later," he smirked.

"Oh, we're so scared!" Sunny mocked, hiding behind his brother.

I shoved them both hard to the ground. Honestly, they need to grow up!

"Magnus, you trained me," Optimus smiled, wisely ignoring the twins' antics and their griping as they got back to their feet. "I'm fully aware of the dings and dents that come along with training. As is Kacey. I would expect you to teach her as well as you taught me."

"Of course, Sir. Ok, Kacey. I'm aware that I'm taller and bigger than you but I need to know what you know in order to properly teach you. So I want you to attack me. Don't worry about hurting me. I can take the hits…if you hit me."

Primus, he shouldn't have said that! He basically just challenged Kacey. I've never seen Kacey back down from a challenge. She is so much like Elita when it comes to mechs challenging a femme's prowess.

And sure enough, Kacey didn't hesitate! She charged in under control and calculating. With a jump, she did a roundhouse kick. Magnus had to jump back quickly to avoid the foot that was swinging at his head.

"I see you have your mother's aggressiveness. That's good," Magnus smiled, back stepping and preparing for another attack on from Kacey. "You just have to learn when to be aggressive…" he masterfully countered her next move and threw her to the floor. "and when not to be."

"Don't you hurt my sister!" Leo growled charging straight for Magnus.

It was actually kind of sweet how Leo, who barely stood as tall as my knee joint, was fiercely protective of his sister by punching Magnus in the leg. I would have been right there with him if Kacey was actually injured.

"Leo, I'm fine," she said, getting to her feet.

"Leo, if you can't control yourself then you can't watch," Optimus said, grabbing Leo's hand.

"Sorry," he sniffled, bowing his head.

"You pack a punch Leo. I'll have to keep my optics out for you when you're older," Magnus said, making Leo hold his head up high and his little wide chest puff out with pride.

He settled down as the sparring continued. Although I saw it was difficult for Leo to remain calm each time Kacey hit the floor. After the fourth time, Optimus had to put Leo up on his shoulder so the little tyke wouldn't try to charge in.

And by this time, Magnus and Kacey were really going at it. She did get in some good kicks and punches in on him. And I could tell he was holding back his punches so as not to hurt her but he was hitting her.

Only Kacey was a quick learner and learned how to avoid any of Magnus attacks. Primus, she was graceful and elegant in all her moves. Many of them were the martial arts moves she loved so much.

"Ow!" Sunny exclaimed when Kacey went down hard face first.

Magnus didn't let her recover and pulled Kacey up to her feet in front of him, holding her in a choke hold with his arm.

"This is one of the most difficult positions to find yourself in. But not impossible to get out of," Magnus smiled, tightening his hold just enough to prevent her from escaping or countering him. "One day I will teach you how to get out of it."

"Who says I need you to teach me," she grunted struggling to work his arm off.

"Cocky like your father, aren't you!" he laughed.

"Yes and no," she smirked. "I learned a few things from my mom. She told me to never take any slag from a mech!"

Kacey did something none of us were expecting. Magnus certainly wasn't expecting it as Kacey, with all her strength threw a hard, fast elbow right into his…oh Primus.

Optimus and I winced. The twins actually started cheering!

"Ow…that's gotta hurt!" Sunny laughed as Magnus fell over grabbing his groin, groaning loudly.

"Optimus, should we call Ratchet?" I asked, actually feeling really bad for Magnus rolling around in pain.

Optimus didn't answer. When I looked up I realized he was trying not to laugh and failing miserably. When I thought about it too, it was actually kind of funny. A femme, Kacey's age and size taking down one of our best warriors.

"Frag, Magnus, I'm sorry," Kacey said, kneeling beside him. "I just got too caught up in fighting I didn't…I…"

"It's ok," he grimaced, rolling onto his knees with his forehead on the floor. "Ow!"

"Kacey, why don't you go get Ratchet and be discrete about it," Optimus said, smiling and still trying not to laugh. "Leo, go with her."

"I want to see Kacey kick Magnus' aft again!" the little mech whined.

"Come on, Leo," Kacey said, grabbing her little brother's hand.

"Get up you two," I said, kicking Sunny in the aft. He and his brother were rolling on the floor laughing. "Just be lucky she hasn't done it to either of you."

"That's true," Sides chuckled, getting to his feet. "Besides, Magnus is tough, he has to be faking it. Why else would Optimus have sent Kacey off?"

I looked over at Magnus, groaning in pain on the floor. He didn't look like he was faking it. But then again, that mech can be full of surprises. And so was Kacey!

Magnus

That was probably the first time, in a very long time that I wasn't prepared for some kind of attack or counterattack. I thought Optimus was just being cute with me when he said Kacey's much stronger than she appears. Primus was I wrong!

Ow, was I ever wrong!

"Kacey left," Bumblebee said. "You can stop pretending now."

"Who says I'm pretending…frag it hurts."

"Ratchet's on his way," Optimus said, kneeling beside me.

"Good, I hope he can tell my I can still produce sparklings!"

"This is so cool! Kacey kicked Magnus' aft!" Sunny grinned. "Wait until I tell everyone!"

I shot Optimus pained looked.

"Sunny, you will do nothing of the sort, that's an order," Optimus bellowed. "Bumblebee, make sure him and his brother follow that order."

"With pleasure, Sir. Come on, we need to get our reports done before Prowl comes after us. I think we owe it to Magnus to leave him…with what's left of his dignity."

The three laughed and ran out as fast as they could.

"Oh, those runts are gonna get it," I growled, feeling comfortable enough to at least sit with my arms resting on my knees.

"I have no doubts," Optimus chuckled.

"As are you, Sir. I couldn't believe you were laughing at me."

"I seem to recall you standing over me laughing when I got nailed right in the crotch during a sparring match on a number of occasions."

"Touché," I sighed in relief. Finally the pain seemed to subside. "Seriously, Optimus, Kacey was much stronger than I had anticipated. And she's a natural fighter. And her reflexes…what exactly did Trion do to her back on Cybertron?"

"The protoform and programming my daughter was given upon her birth was the prototype for the next generation of Autobot transformers."

"Ah, like some of us she was born a soldier based on her programming. Only better."

"Yes, but Kacey would have been a soldier no matter what. She has too much of me in her."

"I don't know…she has a lot of her mother too," I replied, still feeling rather tender in that intimate region. "I don't think you have to worry one bit about any mech who treats her the wrong way."

"I apologize for not realizing Elita would have taught her a few things."

"What happened?" Ratchet asked as he came rushing in.

"Oh nothing," I chuckled. "My pride just got whacked pretty hard."

"Magnus, I'm so sorry."

"Kacey, please don't apologize," I smiled, getting to my feet with Ratchet's help. "You learn quickly. And you take the initiative. Those are both good qualities in being able to defend yourself against any Decepticon. You never want your opponent to dictate to you how the battle will go."

"Still…I'm so…"

"Kacey, Magnus has given you a rare compliment," Optimus said in a very serious tone. "Graciously accept it." Then he smirked, "And leave him with some of his dignity."

"Of course, dad," she smiled warmly. "Thank you, Magnus. I look forward to my next lesson."

"As do I. And oh, Kacey…" I grinned. Not to be totally humiliated, I knew how to get back at Optimus for laughing at me. "Have Optimus tell you how he got the name lugnut. Should make a nice story to tell your own younglings some day."

Optimus shot me the 'oh I am so gonna rip your aft apart' look. I only smiled wider at him.

"If you don't, Ironhide or I will one of these days," Ratchet helpfully added.

With a grunt, Optimus ushered Kacey along with him and left without saying another word.

"So, am I still in one piece?"

"You're still intact, physically," Ratchet answered. "Although, I wouldn't do any interfacing for at least a day."

"Darn, I had a date too."

Ratchet raised an optic ridge at me.

"Well, ever since coming to Earth and seeing Optimus with Elita and their younglings, I learned that some things are worth making the time for," I smiled.

"That they are, my friend," Ratchet said, patting me on the shoulder. "That they are."

Up next: I do have that lugnut story! At least my version of it. And we'll get to see some more father-daughter stuff between Optimus and Kacey.