Sorry for taking so long. RL has been rough for the entire family. I am still writing and ask that my readers please be patient. My stories will continue slowly for the time being.

So here's Poker Night as we start off with Bumblebee.

a/n: italics denote Optimus' dream sequence.

Bumblebee

It'd been a couple of weeks now since Kacey started up her training again. Already, she's returned a bit to her old self. A bit cocky, devilish, with a smirk on her face, and she has that bounce back in her step. And she's gotten back to doing her pranks again. Ratchet being the latest victim.

Just yesterday the CMO came into the briefing room for our weekly meeting fuming that his entire office, floors, walls, ceiling, had all been repainted a hot pink. We of course had to check it out. Ironhide broke down laughing. Many of us couldn't help but laugh too. Not even the twins went that far to include everything in the office, even the furniture. Optimus smiled and only gave Kacey a couple of hours in the brig.

The femme never denied any of the pranks she pulled and gladly accepted the punishment. It was spark lifting to see her so happy again. Primus, knows how difficult it's been for me, even more so when Kacey was depressed and there's not much I could do about it. Seeing her happy makes it easier for me to be near her.

"I've got a feeling tonight," Kacey smiled from across the table. Sunny was shuffling the deck as Sides handed out the chips. I gave the twins their cups of high grade and then took a sip of mine. "I'm gonna beat my dad."

"May we ask how you know?" Sides asked.

"I believe I've figured out his tell."

"His tell!" Sunny snorted. "Kacey, the mech's face never changes. Neither does the temperature in any of his systems. There's nothing to indicate he's bluffing or not. The mech has nothing to tell."

"Oh yes he does," she smirked.

"So, what is it?" I asked.

"Pfft, I'm not divulging anything to either of you three. Besides, you haven't even figure out my tell what makes you think I'm going to give you an advantage against my father?"

"That's cold, Kacey," Sunny said, pretending to be serious.

"That's poker," she smiled. "If you can't play with the big mechs then maybe you should go play with Leo and Orion. They're getting really good at it. Soon you won't be able to bluff them either."

Sunny narrowed his optics at Kacey. And Kacey just kept smiling back at Sunny. The showdown last a few astroseconds before Sunny tackled Kacey out of the chair and onto the floor, laughing hysterically.

I shook my head as the pair wrestled around. There was never anything mean in their banter or wrestling. They loved each other like brother and sister. And Kacey, well she was like one of the mechs since she was as strong as many of us.

"What are we going to do with them, Bee?"

"My first response would be to let them grow up," I answered, grabbing the cards and shuffling them. "Unfortunately that is impossible for Sunny. There's still hope for Kacey since she's not a mature femme yet."

"OW! Ok…I give up!" Sunny yelled, after Kacey had him handicapped with both his arms behind his back.

"You're never going to beat me in hand to hand combat anymore," she grinned, releasing her grip. "Magnus as stepped up my training. I'll be taking on multiple targets tomorrow. And he's volunteered the three of you for an aft whooping."

"Great! Sides and I can try our new moves," Sunny beamed, taking his seat. Then he put his cup up to Kacey's face. "Want a drink?"

Kacey immediately gagged but didn't spew her tanks. Thankfully. It's not the first time I noticed that she gets like that near high grade. Ever since the high grade incident before Elita gave birth to the little twins, she's had that kind of reaction.

I glared at Sunny who quickly moved the cup away giggling.

"Sunny, you know the smell of high grade upsets her tank," I chided sternly, passing out cards. "She beat you fair and square. Verbal cheap shots are one thing. But don't make her physically noxious."

"Bee, you need to settle down with a femme and get sparking so you'll lay off Sides and me. We are full grown and can take care of ourselves when necessary."

"Yeah, why haven't you settled down?" Kacey asked me. "You're a handsome mech. You'd make a good father. You've had lots of experience with the twins."

Both Sunny and Sides blew raspberries at her. Thankfully distracting her from the flush of emotion I felt on my faceplates. I was quick to compose myself before they noticed.

"I'll settle down when I'm ready," I serious said and then thought, 'Or at least until you're ready, Kacey.'

"It's a shame you can't drink high grade, Kacey," Sunny said after drinking his cup down. I internally sighed with relief as the subject was changed. I wasn't sure if I could keep a straight face for much longer. "You're missing out."

"That's ok," she replied, picking up her cards. "Just be thankful we don't play with real credits or else you three would be broke and I would be able to by a space cruiser."

"Enough talk…let's play," Sides said, looking over his cards. "I want to get in some good hands before Optimus shows up and cleans house."

"Pfft, that's if you have any chips left when he shows," Kacey snorted.

An hour passed. We talked, played, told terrible jokes but laughed regardless. Basically our typical night of poker where we just had fun. Kacey's stack of chips steadily grew while the rest of ours dwindled down. I found it rather difficult myself to bluff Kacey. Of course, I was afraid if she stared at me too long she'd read right into my spark. So I rarely bluffed and folded when I didn't have a good hand.

"Can I ask you guys a serious question?" she asked as I finished shuffling the deck of cards.

"You can ask us anything, you know that, Kacey," I smiled, passing out the cards.

"When is it an appropriate age to get an inscribe?"

"I'm not sure," I answered honestly.

"Well, how old were you when you got yours?" she asked, picking up her cards.

"What…about twenty?" I asked, looking to Sunny and Sides. We got ours at the same time.

"Sounds about right," Sides answered.

"Why would you want one anyway, Kacey?" Sunny asked. "You can't have one. They're for mech warriors only."

I cringed in my seat, seeing Kacey's faceplates flush with that femme anger of hers. Primus, here we go.

"That's the most sexist thing I've ever heard!" Kacey spat, throwing her card on the table.

"Thanks," Sunny smiled.

I groaned inwardly, rolling my optics. What an idiot he could be at times.

"Not sexiest…sexist! As in degrading to femmes!"

"Kacey, it's always been mechs to have inscribes on their armor," Sides chimed in attempting to defend his brother.

"Only because mechs were the only warriors before," she fired back. "Now there are lots of femme warriors. I don't see any reason why I can't have one simple inscribe. Do you even know what yours means, Sunny?"

"Bumblebee picked ours out. I thought it looked cool."

"Do any of you even know our peoples' history?!" she asked in total disbelief.

"Uh oh, Kacey's on a rampage," Ironhide commented as he, Optimus, and Prowl entered my quarters.

"Will you three ever learn that you will never win an argument with Kacey?" Prowl teased.

"That depends on the argument," Sunny said. "She wants an inscribe and I told her she couldn't have one."

"An inscribe?" Ironhide muttered. "Why in the pit would you want one of them? Only mech warriors are allowed."

"No where is it written that only mech warriors can have an inscribe! It was meant for warriors to express their devotion to their people. I'm proud of being a Cybertronian warrior! Why is it so wrong for me to want to express that?"

"Oh no…the femme speech," Ironhide chuckled taking his seat.

Kacey threw her hands in the air and got up, tipping the chair over. She was pissed. And understandably so. It's no longer the mechs world it used to be long ago. Femmes have earned their place as warriors…as equals.

"What the slag is going on?" Optimus asked as Kacey stormed over to the door to leave. "Kacey wait!"

"Kacey was asking us questions about our inscribes and asked when she'd be able to get hers," I explained. "Sunny said she couldn't because she was a femme."

"Why did you say a thing like that?" Prowl asked.

"Because…I've never seen a femme with one. I was told only mechs can have them."

"Kacey, come here child," Optimus beckoned.

My spark instantly sank. She was crying and it was our fault. She was doing her best to hide by keeping her face pointed down. But I could tell she was really upset. Of course Optimus knew. He always knew when Kacey was upset.

"There's no need for tears," he smiled, lifting her chin up.

"Some days…it's just so hard being a femme warrior, father. I feel like I have to fight for everything I want."

"Why didn't you ask me, if it was that important to you?"

"Because a warrior inscribe is very personal to them. I wasn't sure when I would be of age. Even Trion wouldn't discuss the issue with me. So…I figured I'd ask Bumblebee and the twins. They tell me everything."

"Well, I see no reason why you can't have an inscribe," he grinned and her entire face lit up instantly.

Primus, my spark skipped a beat…she's so beautiful when she smiled like that.

"Do you know which one you want?" Prowl asked.

"Well, not really but I know where I want them."

Optimus raised an optic ridge at her.

"You have more than one, father," she smiled, taking her seat. "As does Ironhide, Prowl, Magnus, even Ratchet. Even Bumblebee has a few."

"When did that happen?" Sunny quipped.

"A vorn before I left for Earth. You were rather drunk as I recall," I chuckled.

"They hurt! I sure wasn't going to get one sober!"

"Enough jabbering, I came to play before Chromia starts hunting for me," Ironhide grumbled dropping into a chair he pulled over.

"Fair enough," Kacey agreed, gathering up all the poker chips to redistribute.

"I think Kacey and Optimus need to start off fewer chips than the rest of us," Sunny suggested. "Seems only fair since they usually win everyone elses."

"I have no problem with that," Kacey smirked, looking up at her father, daring him. "Can you handle it, father?"

"Of course," he smirked right back at her.

Primus, this was going to be a very long poker night.

Optimus

The evening had gone on longer than usual. It was already past midnight. The twins left hours ago having lost all their chips to either Kacey or myself. It was amusing and spark warming to watch my daughter just be herself and have fun. I need to remember to thank Bumblebee and the twins for having poker night weekly with Kacey. It does lift her spirits and gives her something to look forward too when she's having a rough time.

Chormia came to collect Ironhide in the middle of his best hand. I knew I'd hear about it later. No way was he going to complain in front of his femme. Not with the rest of us there to watch him get his aft chewed out or blasted if he made one small grumble.

Prowl and Bumblebee were holding their own well tonight. But still, as on other poker nights, it always came down to Kacey or myself. Who was going to come out on top with the most chips and who could out bluff who?

It was no secret that Kacey was always on a mission to beat me. I admit, to no one but myself, that it is getting exceedingly difficult to bluff her as she's gotten older. Tonight was no exception.

"I'll raise…1000," I said grabbing a stack of chips and putting them into the pot.

"Fold," Bumblebee groaned.

"I'll call," Prowl said, putting in 1000.

"Call and raise you 2000," Kacey replied.

"Pfft! Fold," my second in command snorted.

"I'll see your 2000 and raise you another 2000," I smiled at my daughter. The briefest of smirks flash across her face.

"Ok, time to see who really as the thick plated armor," Kacey said, her expression not changing one bit. She pushed all her chips into the pile and started at me, defiantly.

Was she bluffing? I couldn't tell. But I wonder if she knew if I was bluffing or not.

"All in," I replied.

Kacey didn't hesitate to throw her cards on top of the mountain of poker chips in the center of the table.

"Kacey, you're crazy! A pair of aces!" Bumblebee exclaimed.

"It's all I need," she smirked, her optics never wavering from mine.

"Show them, Optimus," Prowl said.

"Two of clubs, three of diamonds, four of hearts, five of clubs," Bumblebee read as I tossed over each card, one at a time. Kacey smirk only got bigger as I held up the last card and threw it down. "King of spades! You had nothing!"

My daughter had the biggest, proudest grin ever on her face.

"Ok, it's official, I've seen the impossible," Prowl chuckled. He reached over and patted Kacey on the back. "Congratulations, you finally beat him. And now we don't have to endure his boasting during our weekly officer briefings."

"You knew he was bluffing, didn't you Kacey?" Bumblebee asked.

Kacey just continued smiling, "I'm not saying a word."

"It's late everyone," I said, rising to my feet, everyone else getting to their feet as well. "I'll see you all tomorrow."

"It was fun. Congratulations Kacey. Sunny's going to be mad he missed it."

"Thanks Bee. See you guys tomorrow for you aft whooping."

"Night everyone," Prowl said, already by the door.

We said out goodnights as we left too. My daughter's giddiness could be felt through our bond. When I looked down I could see she was still smiling.

"So, how did you know I was bluffing?"

"I'm not saying a word," she smirked up at me. "Not even if you torture me."

"Not even tickle torture?"

Kacey giggled, "Dad, don't you think I'm a bit old for that?"

My answer?

I picked her up, tossed her over my shoulder and tickled her side. Her reaction, as always, was one of a youngling, laughing out of control, spark filled with so much happiness, mischief, and love.

"Primus, you're getting heavy," I joked.

"Hey! That's not funny!" she shouted, slapping me playfully in the back.

I merely laughed at her, setting her back down on her feet. She gave me that look as she stood there hands on her hips. One that reminded me so much of Elita. My Kacey definitely had her mother's beauty, and then some.

"Come on, it's past your recharge time," I smiled, pulling her close.

Kacey rolled her optics at me, leaning into my affections. We walked like that to our quarters and as always, I tucked her in.

"Father, will you help me pick my inscribes?"

"Of course, but after I discuss it with your mother," I said, adjusting the thermal blanket over her.

Kacey looked worried as she nodded her head. She knew some things needed both Elita and I to agree upon before they happened.

"We'll discuss it in the morning," I smiled, caressing her head. "Now, get a goodnight's recharge. You have a big day tomorrow."

"Yes, dad," she yawned, her optics already dimming. "I love you."

"Love you to, my child," I whispered, kissing her forehead.

Before I had even stood up all the way she was snoring softly. Smiling, I headed out of Kacey's room and moved down the hall to check on my other children. Somehow, seeing them recharging peacefully always calmed my processor after a long hard day of work. Plus, my spark always filled with so much pride and joy each time I looked in on my children.

Ariel, in her own room now, was always so tidy. Her room never cluttered. Even the way she recharged was calm and serene. She always lay on her side, the thermal blanket pulled over her shoulder and neat. I always made sure to fix the thermal blanket if it was slightly out of place as I kissed her audio receptor, whispering my love for her.

Orion and Leo shared a room. They were mech and didn't care just like any other mech on the base for privacy. And they were far too young to be concerned with femmes and such yet. Orion's side was much like Ariel's room. Cleaned and well kept. Leo's side looked like Unicron himself came through. It was a disaster zone.

But both my little mechs…well they were mechs and recharged like mechs too. Orion's thermal blanket often was on the floor when I came in and Leo was always tangled up in his. I always thanked Primus for it. It gave me something to do as a father for my sons when I kissed them goodnight at the end of a long day. It made me feel better on those days I wasn't there to tuck them in with Elita.

Even if my days were busy and I missed the chance to tuck them in, I always made time for my precocious sparklings at some point during the day. More so if Elita was out on training missions with Chromia and Firestar or other young femmes.

Which was why I was looking forward to tomorrow. I was scheduled to be off duty. I was going to attend Kacey's training session with Magnus in the morning while my other children were in their studies. Then I would pick them up from class and just be with them, playing, taking them for a ride in the shuttle, basically do whatever their little sparks' desired.

"How was it?" Elita mumbled as I snuggled up against her, pulling her protoform close to mine.

"Kacey beat me, called my bluff," I sighed heavily, recharge was almost upon me.

"Good for her," she yawned, turning in my arms. Her dimmed optics focusing on mine. "Recharge well, my love. I have something planned for just us tomorrow evening."

"Oh really?"

"Get your processor out of the pit," she giggled, her playfulness and love felt through our bond. "We'll have lots of time for that after the surprise I have planned for you."

"Ok, I guess I can wait," I sighed, pretending to be disappointed. I got a gentle smack on the head for it. "Ok, I'll be good and wait."

"Better," she yawned. "Love you."

"Love you too," I murmured, drifting into recharge.

I found Megatron where he told me to meet him. I missed my brother. He was gone a long time this last time. But as I approached I could sense…sense something was different about my brother. He seemed…distant…almost…cold.

"What's wrong, brother?" I asked looking up at Megatron.

"Nothing, Optimus."

"Something's wrong," I insisted. "I can feel it. And why are your optics red now?"

He didn't answer me. Instead he turned his back to me and walked away slowly. I was confused. He always had answers for me. Always.

"Megatron?" I asked, uncertain and afraid, reaching to him through our bond, needing his comfort.

My optics widened in surprise. I didn't even have a chance to cry out before the blast from my brother's weapon hit me in the chest. I was too stunned to feel the pain at first as I watched my energon flow heavily from the wound. Terrified, I reached for him, calling for him.

I felt…nothing from my brother. Nothing. No love. No hate. Not even the coldness I sensed earlier. It was as if he wasn't even there.

And then, he wasn't.

He left me. Alone. Scared of the pain spreading from my chest to the rest of my body. I was…abandoned. I did not understand why. I only knew my brother was gone now and I was left to die…alone.

The darkness was overwhelming. I had no strength…no will to fight it. I allowed it to consume me.

"Optimus!" Ironhide's deep voice shouted in a panic.

I slowly opened my optic covers. The battle was over…finally. But the damage was done. I could not look up into my friend's optics. I knew Ironhide was there before me, I heard his shouts and his heavy footfalls approach.

"I'm fine, Ironhide," I sighed wearily, my arms feeling so tired, my spark aching so badly.

"I'm sorry, I couldn't get to you sooner," he said, kneeling before me. "Here, give him to me."

"No, it is my burden to bear…alone," I replied calmly, my arms stubbornly clinging to my father's body as if I could will his spark back to life. "I am Prime now, am I not?"

"Yes, you are," he sighed, his hand lifting my chin up so I could see the worry and grief on his faceplates. "But you are not alone, Optimus. You are never alone."

I closed my optic covers and wept. Ironhide was wrong. In a room full of mechs and femmes, I was always alone…in my spark. No matter how many times Sentinel told me he loved me I could never feel it. I could never make him feel or understand just how much I loved him as well.

And now he was gone. And I was left alone.

'HELP ME!'

My optic covers snapped open as my optics instantly came online. I woke a bit startled. The cry for help was so prominent in my processor…within my spark. I wasn't sure if it was a dream or real. Regardless, all I could think about was my sparklings. But when I moved to try and get up, I nearly dragged a femme's body with me.

"Kacey, I think you're getting a bit too old for this," I gently chided, setting her back down.

"I had a bad dream about you," she yawned, snuggling up against her mother.

"Go back into recharge," I said but she already did.

'Help me,' the youngling wept again. I knew it was a youngling. The voice seemed like that of one so young.

I rushed to check on each my sparklings. Ariel hadn't moved and was recharging peacefully. No bad dreams from what I can tell. Orion was still as I had left him all covered and content. Nothing wrong with him either. Leo was tangled in his blanket again but he wasn't in any distress at all. In fact he was snoring softly and didn't even flinch as I righted him on the bed and covered him up.

'Please, help me,' the crying said again. I could feel it this time as more of my senses were awake. 'My father abandoned me. I'm scared and all alone.'

'Who are you?' I instinctively reached through my bond. My desire to help one in distress was so overwhelming that I didn't even think to question how this shared link was possible. 'Who is your father?'

'My name is Venom. My father…my father's name is…'

'Don't be afraid, you can tell me,' I replied softly, sensing this youngling's fear and hesitation.

'…Megatron.'

Up next: Optimus' reaction to finding out he's an uncle.