Finally! About fraggin time, right? Hehe. Sorry for taking so long. I'm trying to establish this father-offspring or family relationship theme and its being a real pain in the behind. So please, let me know if it's totally sucking or not so I can improve it in the upcoming chapters.

Also, we will be learning about Optimus' past more during this story arc. At least, the past I dreamed up for him. Perhaps, if things turn out as I want them to, those Megatron fans will get to see him playing more of a brotherly role.

So please enjoy the chapter. As promised, the Optimus lugnut story is included! Yay! Again, I thank everyone for their reviews and for continuing to read Kacey's journey.

MOVIE SPOILER! DO NOT READ IF YOU DON'T WANT TO

As of June 30th, 2008, some new robots confirmed for the movie: Arcee (motorcycle, doesn't mention if it's a mech or femme), Jetfire (blackbird jet), the Twins (doesn't say if it's THE twins), a robot possibly named Stinger and another one possibly named Wheels or Wheelbot (described as a Go-Kart hmm, a possible version of Roller? hehe).

Optimus

"Dad, I'm really sorry for what I did to Magnus," my daughter said to me with tears in her optics. I could feel she truly felt horrible for hurting the mech. "I didn't mean to hurt him."

"I know," I smiled, sending her all the reassurance I had to give. "More importantly, Magnus knows. He understands you just got caught up in the moment. It happens to the best of us. Don't let it affect how you perform next time you spar with him. He will not let it ever happen again. He will not underestimate you next time, I can promise you that. And you can expect your next lesson to be much tougher."

"Thank you," she said, hugging me. "For everything."

"I'm your father," I smiled warmly, returning her hug. "Your happiness, as well as your brothers and sister, is always a priority for your mother and I."

"KACEY! KACEY!"

We turned to see Ratchet's little femme, Kayla, racing towards us as fast as her little legs could carry her. She was quite literally the sparkle of her father's optics. She's such a delicate, dainty little femme that absolutely adores her father as if he were Primus himself.

I honestly don't think I have ever seen Ratchet so…happy since Kayla was sparked. Seriously, his reputation as my cranky CMO is in jeopardy because of his little femme! Plus, the fact that she is such a good natured femme, always smiling and happy, the exact opposite of her father, only contributes to the downfall of his reputation.

Still, no matter what slag Ironhide or I give Ratchet about his reputation, we all agree that there is nothing more gratifying in the universe than our children. Well, except maybe bonding and interfacing with our sparkmates. But other than that, everything we do is for our children's well being.

"What is it?" Kacey asked, kneeling down to Kayla's level.

I smiled. I wonder if Kacey realizes just how wonderful a mother she's going to be when she has her own sparklings. Yes, her own sparklings. I'm realistic. I know one day, hopefully a long, long…long ways from now, she will bond with a mech and will have sparklings of her own. And I know she's going to be a wonderful mother because of how the younglings and even the human children respond to her.

She's a natural mother.

"I was wondering…can you make my daddy pink again? Because pink is my favorite color. And I'd really like my daddy to be pink again. So please, please, can you do it?"

"I think that's up to, Ratchet," Kacey replied. "See, he was mad at me last time I turned him pink. You don't want him to be mad do you?"

"No," Kayla replied, looking a bit spark broken.

I suddenly noticed Roller, in his travel mode, zipping down the hall towards us, presumably because Kacey called him. Prowl haggles me daily about the tiny bot breaking the speed limit in the hallways. I just smile as I listen, knowing I can't make Roller do anything he doesn't want to. Besides, the only one he really listens to is Kacey.

"Don't be sad," Kacey said, lifting Kayla's chin up. "I have something for you that will make you happy. And still be able to allow Ratchet to keep his true colors."

Kayla, and myself, watched curiously as Roller came to a stop next to Kacey. His top hatch opened up. And Kacey reached inside and pulled out a toy robot, similar to one Leo used to carry around when he was a sparkling. Only this one was pink!

"IS THAT FOR ME?!" Kayla screamed excitedly, her blue optics as wide as they can be as she bounced up and down.

"It's all yours," my daughter smiled handing the toy over.

"Yippy! Thank you, Kacey!" the youngling grinned, hugging Kacey as tight as she could.

"Now you'd better hurry and get back or your daddy will worry."

"Ok!" Kayla smiled then took off running.

"I wonder if we should take her back. She got lost last time."

"I'll get Prowl on it. Prowl, this is Optimus. Lock on to Kayla's tracking beacon. See she makes it back to Ratchet," I said to my second over a private comlink.

"Acknowledged."

Again, I smiled watching my daughter send Roller back to his duties.

"What?" she asked, looking up at me.

"Nothing," I said, caressing the top of her head.

"So, are you going to tell me how you got the nickname, 'lugnut'? You said you'd tell me one day. After what Magnus said, I'm very curious."

"You're curious about everything," I laughed.

"I know. But I'm anxious to learn more about you father," she said in earnest

I sighed. When it was important to her, Kacey always called me father. Perhaps its time to tell her more of myself. Best for her to learn from me and not the corrupted stories about me from Ironhide or Ratchet.

"You know Ratchet or Ironhide would be more than willing to tell me with their own…embellishments," she smirked almost sensing my thoughts.

"Very well," I smiled warmly. "Only not here. We'll take a shuttlecraft. Less chance of someone accidentally listening in."

"Can I pilot it? Please! I still have worked on my landing."

"Ok," I laughed.

And as promised as I sat, comfortably, in the co-pilots seat, I began my story.

"I was almost three when we moved to Decagon to live. I was still a sparkling and quite the handful. I was often caught roaming the halls, away from my caretakers, looking for my brother. But it wasn't unit I was four that my curiosity started getting the better of me. With my brother always away fighting on some campaign, I had often slipped away from my caretakers to explore the base. Most base personnel didn't mind my presence. Ironhide found me a few times and would tell me stories. I think it was Prowl who often caught me exploring in places I shouldn't have been. He was very adamant about younglings not being on the base."

"Really?"

"Yeah. He was even more of a tight aft back then," I said making Kacey laugh. "Anyway, on this particular day, Primus was kind enough to send Ironhide to find me. The entire situation probably would have scarred me for life if Prowl found me."

I was small enough to go unnoticed as I moved around the base. I just had to keep my optics out for Prowl. He was a mean mech, always telling me I shouldn't be here or I shouldn't go there. He always had a knack for finding me too. Then he'd give me a lecture while escorting me back to my caretakers.

Megatron never got mad at me for sneaking away from my caretakers. He just told me to be careful and to stay away from the shooting range. He said he'd be mad at me if I was ever anywhere near the shooting range. I'd never go near the shooting range anyway. I didn't like guns. I had bad dreams about them hurting mother and father.

"Hey, Optimus, sneak away from your caretakers again?"

"Hello Hauler! Yeah, I did," I giggled.

"Well, you'd better head off in the other direction. Prowl is looking for you already."

"Oh, is he mad?"

"That's the rumor."

"Frag."

Hauler laughed rubbing the top of my head.

"You're gonna fit right in with the rest of us once you're mature enough to fight."

I shuddered. I didn't like fighting either. I hated it when Megatron had to go away and fight. I was afraid I'd lose him.

"Thanks for the warning," I replied politely. "I'd better get going."

Hauler sent me on my way. When I had just turned a corner I heard Prowl calling after Hauler asking about me. I took off running as fast as I could. Only I got kind of lost when I ran from one building to the next. This was an area of the base I'd never been.

I wasn't afraid. This was the Autobot base. Nothing would ever harm me here. These were all good mechs and femmes. Most mechs liked me. The femmes liked to pinch my cheeks telling my how cute and adorable I was and often hid me from Prowl if he showed up.

"Oh wow!" I gasped when I entered a large hanger.

Wow! I had never seen a ship before! And shuttles!

"Gears! Toss me that spanner!" a mech shouted, startling me.

I turned to see he was at the front of a shuttle I had walked near.

"I'm busy, get it yourself!" another mech across the way grumbled.

"Fragger…oh, hey you little mech, can you go get me that spanner? I can't let go of this."

"Ok," I smiled, happy to help.

The one called Gears was cursing so much, as he worked on something under the ship, which my audio receptors burned. Not even my own brother said those kinds of words and he cursed a lot!

"Don't mind Gears, he's always grumpy," the nice mech said, taking the spanner from my hand.

Since the nice mech didn't seem to need me anymore I started exploring around. I decided to stay away from Gears, he was cranky. I knew enough to stay away from cranky mechs.

In my eagerness to explore, I accidentally knocked over a small bin. The lid popped off and all kinds of small parts scattered on the floor. I cringed at the loud noise it all made. But luck was on my side. Thank Primus the two mechs were arguing and didn't seem to have noticed. I quickly started picking up the parts before they did notice.

"Cool," I chuckled looking at some of the parts.

Some of them could fit on my fingers like rings. Other fit on the tips of my fingers.

"So you're the little slag making all the racket."

I gasped and looked up to see Gears standing there with his arms folders across his chest.

"I'm sorry, Sir. I was picking them up."

"Hmm, curious little mech aren't you," he snickered. "You'd better hope those lug nuts don't get stuck on your finger tips. Do you know what will happen if you cant get them off?"

I shook my head. My spark was starting to race with fear.

"Old Ratchet the Hatchet is going to have to cut your fingers off."

"Leave him alone, Gears. He's still a sparkling," the other mech said as I tried to pull the lug nuts off.

Panic seized me. I couldn't get them off!

"Calm down little mech. Let me see if I can pull them off. But you need to relax, ok."

I nodded that I understood but started crying anyway. I didn't want my fingers cut off.

"Frag, you sure got them stuck on there!"

"What in the pits going on here?" Ironhide's deep voice bellowed. "Sentinel wants his shuttle fixed yesterday and your both not even working on it!"

"We had a little accident."

"Hide!" I cried.

"Optimus! Is he injured?" Ironhide asked, quickly picking me up.

"No, Gears told him Ratchet was going to cut his fingers off if he couldn't pull the lug nuts off his finger tips. And well…they're stuck on there good."

"I don't want my fingers cut off!" I cried.

"Gears, you have the manners of a torque wrench!" Ironhide growled. "I'll deal with you later! Just finish Sentinel's shuttle before he does a surprise inspection!"

"Sentinel never does surprise inspections," Gears countered.

"He just might if I tell him to," Ironhide smirked then walked off. "Now calm down Optimus, you're going to be ok."

I wept looking at my hand. I didn't see how I was going to be ok.

"Trust me. Ratchet is the best medic on Cybertron. He's fixed me up lots of times and I'm still in one piece."

"Then why is he called Ratchet the Hatchet?"

"Where'd you hear that?"

"That's what Gears called him."

"Well, between you and me, Ratchet's bark is worse than his bite," Ironhide smiled. "He's really a nice mech but he doesn't want anyone to know it."

"Why? That doesn't make any sense."

Ironhide laughed, "How can you be so smart to figure that out but then be dumb enough to get a lug nuts stuck on your fingertips?"

I shrugged my shoulders.

"First Aid, where's Ratchet?" Ironhide asked as he carried me into the Med Bay.

"In his office. Is there a problem?"

"Nope. Just a little case of stuckitis is all. Nothing for you to worry about."

I clung to Ironhide, trembling. I'd never been in this part of the base with good reason. I didn't like it. Too many bad memories from when I was in a Med Bay. Mainly, I remember Megatron yelling at the medics while I was in his arms. I felt how angry he was. When he was mad it frightened me.

"Hey Ratchet, you busy? I want you to meet a friend of mine."

"Oh, is this little Optimus, the one giving Prowl fits?" the medic asked, getting up from behind his desk and coming over.

"The one and only. Go on, say hi to Ratch."

"Hi, Ratch," I said shyly.

"Why he's still a sparkling," Ratchet smiled.

"I'm not a sparkling. I'm almost five!"

"Well, he needs to work on a few things before battling Decepticons," Ironhide said, holding up my hand.

"I see."

I felt nervous as Ratchet examined my hand.

"Are you going to cut my fingers off?"

"Good Primus no!" he exclaimed. "Where on Cybertron did you get that idea?"

"Gears told him. Frag, here, take him. Sentinel's calling me."

"Hide…"

"It's ok, Optimus, I'll be back," he quickly said patting my head. "I trust Ratchet like a brother. And Ratch, you'd better take good care of the little lugnut or I'll rip your aft."

"You'd just better get going before Sentinel rips you a new one."

Ironhide grunted then left me alone with Ratchet.

"He'll be back, Optimus. You should feel lucky. It usually takes vorns to get on Ironhide's good side."

"He really likes me?"

"Yes, he does. Now, come on you little lugnut. Some oil lubricant will get those lug nuts off your fingers."

"After that day every time I ended up in the Med Bay, which was a lot, Ratchet always called me lugnut. The nick name stuck. But after Megatron had tried to kill me everyone, except for Ironhide and Ratchet, stopped calling me lugnut. And when Hide or Ratch did it was with affection and not to make fun of me."

"Like they still do," she smiled.

"Yup," I replied noticing some commotion on the ground below us. "Is that…"

"Magnus, chasing the twins and Bumblebee."

"Drop down lower, I'd better go help. I owe that much to Magnus! Make sure…"

"I know, I'll relieve Hound of his duty and get my brothers and sister."

"Good, femme. See you in a while," I smiled.

Ratchet

After a brief visit to the Med Bay to warn Red Alert that Magnus was on the warpath after Bumblebee and the twins and to expect some dings and dents to repair I headed straight for my quarters. I walked in to find Moonracer was in Galen's room where I had left them. My son was having one of his worse system upsets ever. Thank Primus he doesn't get them often.

It just breaks my spark when my son is so uncomfortable and there isn't much I can do medically to help him. I love him too much and find it difficult to keep an objective, medical point of view. On the other hand, I can't let Red Alert tend to my son because of how much I love him. Red is a good back up medic despite the fact that it's not his area of expertise. But until a more qualified Autobot medic lands on Earth, Red's not going near my son unless I'm laid up on a medical bed dying!

"What was the emergency?" Moonracer asked quietly as she met me in the doorway of Galen's bedroom.

"Kacey proved her femme warrior prowess and poor Magnus was the one who suffered for it. Although, when I told him no interfacing for a day or so, I was shocked to find out he'd been dating some femme for almost a week now."

"Oh yes, Akima. She, Tracks, and Skydive were the last Autobots to land a couple of months ago. She and Magnus actually make a cute couple. They're both capable warriors."

"As are you when you want to be," I smirked, pulling her into my arms. "You're aim is deadly. I'm grateful you're not like Chromia chasing after Ironhide with her rifle when she's mad at him."

"Behave yourself in front of the youngling or you'll be sleeping in your office tonight."

"Sorry," I said, kissing her on the forehead.

"I'm going to go pick up Kayla from her caretaker."

I nodded then headed into Galen's room. He was curled up on his side beneath a thermal blanket. Again, my spark ached to see him have to suffer even just a little bit. I have to say though that Galen takes it all in stride. He's always so understanding, never gets too upset, never over reacts like some younglings, or even matures, do when their sick.

"How are you feeling?" I asked, sitting beside him on the bed.

"I'm ok," he sighed as I caressed his head.

I sensed he was telling me the truth. But I could also feel something was troubling him. I knew my son well; I had a very good idea what it was.

"If you're feeling up to it would you like a visitor?"

His optics brightened slightly as he turned to look up at me.

"I know Ariel is probably worried that you're not feeling well. I'm sure Optimus wouldn't have any problems letting her visit you."

"Really?" he asked barely able to contain his excitement.

"I'm certain of it," I smiled. "You really like her, don't you?"

"Dad, I don't just like Ariel, I love her."

He meant it too. I could feel it.

"Just don't say that around Optimus," I warned him. "He's very protective of his femmes."

"Just like you are of Kayla and mom," he giggled.

"Precisely."

"Daddy! Daddy!" Kayla's voice sounded.

I was immediately concerned as it would have taken Moonracer a lot longer to collect our daughter.

"I'll be right back, Galen."

"Your daughter was caught roaming the halls," Moonracer informed me the moment I stepped out of the bedroom. "Prowl found her. She was a little lost."

Kayla smiled, her face so sweet and innocent as she looked up at me. It was difficult to get mad at her when she looked that way up at me.

"You're not to go roaming the hallways, honey," I said gently to her, lifting her up into my arms. "Your mother and I would worry about you."

"I'm sorry, daddy," she immediately sniffled, her bottom lip puckered out slightly.

I held her close, caressing her back. Kayla has always been a bit of a timid and sensitive little femme. The slightest thing can send her into tears. That was partly my fault. Because of the spark Moonracer had lost, and that whole fiasco with Kacey, I have been a bit over protective of Kayla from the moment of her birth.

However, I have noticed Kayla has gotten a bit bolder lately. This was the third time she was caught roaming the halls. And I can only thing of one reason why.

"Were you looking for Kacey again?"

"Yes, see what she made for me daddy!" she beamed holding up the toy robot that had an all too familiar tint of pink. "I asked her if she'd turn you pink again but she said you'd get mad. So she gave me this instead."

I groaned rolling my optics as Moonracer tried unsuccessfully to contain her giggles. I have tried in vane to keep the memory of that day Kacey's prank turned me all pink. I had come out of the washroom to find my mate laughing hysterically, my daughter as giddy as could be and my son giving me this look of absolute disgust.

"Well, Kacey's a very smart femme," I smiled, sending my sparkmate a bit of an annoyed, but not to annoyed, feeling over our spark bond. It only made her laugh harder. "She's right. I would have gotten mad at her."

"Why don't you go show Galen your toy and see if you can cheer him up," Moonracer suggested, taking Kayla from my arms and setting her on the ground.

I watched her run into Galen's room, her voice sounding so excited as she told him about her toy.

"Thank you," I sighed, pulling Moonracer into my arms.

"For what?" she smiled.

"For falling in love we me, for bonding with me…for our two perfect younglings."

"You're most welcome," she said, nuzzling her nose against mine. "But as far as our two younglings being perfect…"

"Galen! Give it back!" Kayla screamed in distress. "DADDY!"

I rolled my optics.

"Ok, maybe they're not perfect," I giggled.

"I guess Galen is feeling better," my love said, taking my hand.

We walked in to see Galen standing on his bed holding Kayla's new toy just up out of her reach.

"Galen, give it back," I said calmly.

As always he obeyed me, handing Kayla her toy back.

"Sorry, Kayla," he said, sitting down and holding his little sister on his lap.

"That's ok," she sniffled, wiping away her last tears. "I still love you."

"Love you too."

"No, you were right the first time, my love…they're perfect," Moonracer happily smiled.

Ironhide

I hadn't found Nitro yet and actually had to put my search on hold for a short while in order to finish the weapons depot inventory. But when I resumed my search, I did find Leo roaming the halls and had to return him to Hound. The little pit spawn loved to go exploring and always gave whomever caretaker he was with the slip, me included. None of us worried too much because Leo always ended up with Kacey at some point. Only I knew she and Optimus had left the base for a short while. So I had to make sure Leo was taken care of.

Besides it gave me an opportunity to check on my second son who has insisted upon being called SW now. Can't say I blame him. He's grown too big to be called little Sides now anyway. Chromia says at the rate he's growing he'll be bigger, or at least wider, than Nitro once their full grown. She also says SW is just like me in everyway and has been put off the idea of having another sparkling for fear we'd have another mech.

I guess one of me is more than enough to handle!

"You lost something, Hound," I said holding up Leo for him to see before setting the little mech on the floor.

He took off and joined in whatever game Orion was playing with my son. Ariel was quietly reading a datapad, probably some medical journal or something. She was serious about becoming a Medic.

"I was tracking his movements," he smiled looking up from his desk. "Wish I had one of those tracking devices when my son was a youngling. He was always off exploring."

"Yes, but Marshall could always find his way back home even if he got himself lost."

"That's true," he sighed with a far off look.

"I'm sure he's alright. He's a survivor like his father."

"I know that. I pray every day for him. But seeing all this little ones…" he frowned. "It can be difficult at times. I miss him."

"Listen, I helped train Marshall myself. Have confidence in your son. He won't disappoint you. Besides, if I were you I'd be more worried about how many little sparklings he'll turn up with. He always said he wanted a big family."

"Maybe I'm not the one to be worrying about becoming a grandfather. It's all over the base that Nitro kissed Kacey. Does Optimus know?"

"Oh yeah, he knows because I told him. He gave me a good scorch mark on my aft for it too. Speaking of Nitro, have you seen him?"

"He was in here a short while ago checking on his brother then said something about working on his targeting skills."

"I should have known," I smiled, shaking my head. "I'd better go have that talk with him."

"I don't envy you on that one," Hound chuckled. "Been there, done that, hope to never do it again!"

Before leaving I quickly gave SW a hug and kiss, reminding him to be a good little mech. Along the way, I was nearly knocked over by Bumblebee, Sunny and Sides. The three idiots were laughing about something as they ran by. Then about a minute later Magnus went tearing by.

Primus, what did they do now?

"GET THEM GOOD MAGNUS!" I shouted.

"I INTEND TO!" he shouted just before turning a corner.

It's nice to see some things are finally getting back to normal. With our increased numbers Optimus and Prowl aren't burning out their processors trying to figure ways to protect the base and the planet's population. Even a few more femmes have joined our ranks giving hope that our species will continue to survive.

Why just yesterday, I spotted Magnus, of all the mechs, kissing a femme. I'd never thought in a million years that fragger would ever take time from his duties to settle down and raise a family. Seeing him and other mechs with femmes gives us all hope for our future.

Then there are our younglings that are growing to maturity so fast I can't believe it. It won't be long before they'll start producing sparklings of their own. I tease Optimus relentlessly about how many grand baby sparklings he's going to have to deal with! If his progeny are anything like him, he's in trouble!

"Hey Dad! Up for a game?" Nitro asked as he approached him.

"Not right now, son. Come, walk with me. I want to have a talk with you."

"Ok," he smiled then made sure the safety on his rifle was on.

I smiled as I watched him. Primus, he was already taller than his mother with some more growing to do. The next few years he'll probably reach my height. Chromia always goes on about how our sons are like me. She's wrong about Nitro. He has her smile and thankfully her manners. Even his build was more slender, but not too much slimmer, than my own.

"What did you want to talk about?" he asked as we headed off to be alone.

"I think it's time we had the talk," I seriously said, putting my hand on his shoulder. "You're at that age now."

"Actually, I'm glad you brought it up, Dad. I have some serious questions to ask."

"You do?" I responded a bit surprised.

"Yes, I have a situation. You see…Firestar's older than me. She can transform already and soon her interface systems will come online. I still have a ways to go for either to occur for me. I want your advice on how to make…to make sure some other mech doesn't go interfacing with my femme! I want to know how to keep my femme happy until I can actually interface with her."

Ok, my processor just glitched! What I had imagining him asking me and what I heard him ask were two completely different things!

"You and…"

"Firestar," he said seriously then straightened up proudly. "I love her."

"What about Kacey?"

"It was her idea for me to ask you for advice."

"But…I saw you kissing her!"

Nitro drew in a sharp breath!

"You saw?!" he asked in a panic. "You didn't tell anyone did you?"

"I…"

"Primus, dad! What, does the entire base know too?!"

I didn't answer. I was still trying to get over the fact that my son was not in love with Kacey!

"Oh no…Firestar's going to kill me!"

"What the frag were you doing kissing Kacey if Firestar's your femme then?"

"I didn't know what it was like to kiss a femme and I wanted my first kiss with Firestar to be perfect. Kacey's my best friend. We always help each other out. Like I said before, she told me to come to you for advice, that there wasn't anyone better to help me with my situation. And now you've told the entire base I kissed, Kacey!"

"First of all, I only told Optimus. Which means someone else saw…a couple of someone elses probably. With as fast as the rumor went around the base I only know of two deviants capable of such a task. Second, you're not in love with Kacey?"

"NO!"

"Ok, ok, calm down, son," I said, rubbing my forehead. Primus, my head hurt. "So how long have you and Firestar been…"

"Since I was eleven."

"That long? Well, I suppose I should be grateful you're not like me and that you stick with one femme."

"She's the one, dad. My spark flutters every time I'm near her and we hold hands. She says it's like that for her too."

Primus, help me he meant it!

"What I'm about to tell you stays between us," I told him. "Not one word to the other young mechs. And you'd better not say anything to your mother! She'll probably kill me for telling you this. However, you are my son and I will not have you act like a groping moron with a femme. First of all, stop thinking with your interface appliance. There are many ways to let a femme know you love her without even using it."

"Really?! Like what?"

"Telling her how you feel is as, if not more, important than showing her. And you don't have to interface to physically express your love. Holding her hand is a good start. Kissing is fun regardless if your interface systems are online or not. Cuddling is another thing femmes love to do."

"But what do I do when her interface systems come online. I won't be able to interface with her for years!"

I laughed, "Primus you sounded like me when I was your age! I thought interfacing was everything. I did it a lot and in many different ways once I was capable. As long as the femme was willing, I would try any thing! But most of it was meaningless, nothing like how it is with your mother."

"Oh gross, dad! I don't need an image of you and mom doing it!"

"Hey, if you can't handle hearing something like then you're not ready to for everything I have to say about interfacing. Listen, son. There are many ways to pleasure a femme without even using your interface appliance. When you're able to act mature enough about the topic, then come ask me again. For now, all you and Firestar need to be doing is kissing and cuddling, and keep it private. I will not have my sons' acts of love be on display for the entire base to see!"

"Yes, dad," he sighed, looking and feeling a bit disappointed.

I stand by my decision. He's not quite ready to hear all my sorted secrets. Even when he is ready, I'm not going to tell him everything. Some are meant for only Chromia and me.

"Just remember, Nitro. Femmes are intelligent bots and need to be treated with respect. If you remember that, you'll never have to worry about having your interface appliance blown off."

"Thanks, dad…I think," he replied nervously.

I laughed, slapping him on the back just as a shuttle flew low over our heads. A moment later the back door opened and Optimus dropped down.

"I'll see you inside, son."

"See ya, dad!" he shouted at me as I ran off after Optimus.

"What's going on, Optimus?" I quickly asked.

"Magnus' honor is in jeopardy and I'm off to make sure it stays intact for his femme!" he answered, slowing down so I could catch up.

"Primus, what did the twins and Bumblebee do now?"

"I'll explain later! Move your aft!"

"Moving my aft as fast as I can!"

Up next: We'll see Kacey interacting more with her brothers and sister so you can see how the three younglings have grown up.

Also, FYI, there will be an Ultra Magnus one shot story tying into chapters 32 and 33. There you'll find out what the twins and Bumblebee did to get Magnus to start chasing them all over the base. And what happened when Optimus and Ironhide joined in the chase. This one shot story is in response to a personal request from Phoenix13. She's dying to know about this date Magnus is going on. So that will be included in the one shot as well. So, keep your optics open that story will be coming soon.