LOL! I guess a lot of you don't read the author's note! Some of you thought the interlude was the end of MBRS. Well sorry to disappoint you but it's not! There's still much more to go! I promised lots of action and we'll get it in this story arc.

Now lets get the party started!

Kaceystar

"Kacey, your colorful use of words in any language is astonishing!" John snapped. "I'm not even going to ask how you learned some of those words."

"I know, I'm sorry," I groaned looking at the static on the view screen in the briefing room. It was like that because I got mad and ended the conference call. "They just pissed me off and I reacted. I'm not one for diplomacy. Orion is much better at it than I and he's a teenager now. Besides they're being unreasonable! We're not asking for much just a place where we can build a proper base for us to live and grow as a people. It doesn't even have to be on land."

"I told you that this wasn't going to be easy."

"For frags sake! Your people owe it to us!!" I yelled getting to my feet. I instantly felt bad. John wasn't against me. He was all for this idea and pulled every string he could to help make this meeting it happen. "I'm sorry. I'm just not good at this sort of thing. I don't understand why they wanted to talk to me and not my father or Prowl anyway."

"Because you are the face of the Autobots," he answered. "You know our ways and languages better than most of the Autobots. My kind trust you."

"But I don't trust all of them," I countered. "They're asking for technology they can't even comprehend. My father will never agree to such a demand!"

"I and many of my kind understand that. But you must be patient."

"This is fucking ridiculous!" I growled and then shouted in frustration.

"Kacey, what's bothering you?" he asked, staring up at me.

I turned my optics away, ashamed. For a human, John was very perceptive and could read many of us.

"I've watched you grow up. I know you well. I know you would rather argue your point than cut people off like that."

I looked back at him and sighed, "Today is my spark day. What you would call a birthday."

"Forgive me but isn't that supposed to be a good day?"

"Yes. Only…"

I grew silent. How could he possible help me? No one could understand my plight.

"Kacey, you can talk to me."

"Nitro's transformation systems came on line. Leo has grown taller than predicted. And I have a scheduled maintenance exam in an hour!" I answered. "And I have a systems upset!"

"Ok, first of all I know you were probably the first to congratulate Nitro on getting his armor," John listed off, pointing a finger at me. "Second I know you are ecstatic about Leo growing taller than predicted. Third, is being sick the reason why you're so irritable today? I know it's not because you have a maintenance exam. You've never complained about them before. So do you mind cutting out the bullshit and telling me what's really bothering your?"

I dropped back into my chair, doing my best to hold the sadness within my spark for fear of my father feeling it. Only I've been doing it for so long now I feel as if I can't hold back my anguish any longer. Perhaps if I told John it would take some of the pressure off.

"I'm not growing John. I haven't grown much the past six years. And I've now reached the age where I won't grow in height anymore. Once my transformation systems come online all my systems will reformat and adjust for the final development stage to maturity. How can I lead these people if I'm so short? How can I handle myself on the battlefield? I swear Primus just has it in for me!"

"My dear child, you are more than the sum of your parts," he said in a soft, fatherly tone he likes to always use with me. "One day you will see that, I promise you."

Before I could argue his cell phone rang.

"I have to take this," he said, looking sadly up at me.

"I'm sorry," I frowned hanging my head.

"Don't worry. I'll fix it," he smiled. "Go see Ratchet. And if you can get me some more water that'd be great."

"Are you feeling alright? I notice you seem…tired and you've been taking pills. Perhaps, I can have Ratchet take a look at you."

"I'll be fine," he smiled brightly. "You're concern is greatly appreciated. And no way in hell am I have that old codger scan me and tell me things I already know about! Now go on."

"Ok. I'll have Prowl see to whatever you need. And I will see you after my exam. For lunch maybe?"

He nodded as he answered his phone. I discretely left feeling bad that John had to clean up the mess I undoubtedly made.

"Finished already?" Prowl asked the moment I stepped outside the briefing room. The look on my face must have said it all. "That bad, uh?"

"I'm just not cut out for this diplomatic slag, Prowl. Orion would be better at it than me. But no I'm the face of the Autobots; I have to be the one. Sometimes I just wish I was a normal bot. Then everyone wouldn't expect so much from me. It's bad enough my expectations are already so high."

"No one expects you to be more than you are, Kacey. And I know for a fact that you are fully capable of reaching any expectation you set for yourself. Not every mechanism can do that."

"Honestly, I don't see it that way right now," I frowned.

"You will," he smiled, patting me on the shoulder. "Is there anything our guest needs?"

"Yes, he wanted some water."

"I'll see to it. Oh, and happy spark day, Kacey," he smiled, handing me a datapad.

"Prowl, you know I don't want any gifts," I said.

"It's not a gift."

"Oh," I exclaimed, glancing at what was on the datapad. "Oh, gee, thanks for the work! Inventory!"

He laughed, "Don't get mad at me. Optimus' orders. He doesn't care when you start as long as it's done by five this afternoon and to report to him at that time."

"Very well. I can't disobey my father's orders."

"Cheer up. The day will be here soon enough when you're out there in the field."

"How soon?"

Again he laughed and waved at me as he walked away. I turned and headed for the Med Bay. My tank was churning again and I felt hot. Frag! Ratchet was bound to know I have a system upset!

"Kacey, why are you so sad?"

"Ah! Roller! I told you stop sneaking up on a bot! Unless it's a 'Con!"

"But I didn't sneak up. I was waiting for you to come out of the briefing room."

"Oh…sorry," I frowned. Great! Someone else I've now messed up with. "What can I do for you, my friend."

"I just came to wish you a happy spark day," he smiled, standing up so proud.

"Thanks, Roller," I smiled warmly, kneeling down to his level. "You're a good friend. You help me with my pranks so very well. Just don't help Leo anymore."

"I was not there voluntarily that last time," he seriously said. "Sunny picked me up and refused to put me down. I would have called for your assistance except Leo said you needed to recharge."

"Roller, I'm your friend. I would not hesitate to help you if you need it. Understand?"

"I do. And I would not hesitate to help you. In fact, I am anxious for you to get your armor so that we can go out into the field together as Wheeljack intended."

"Pfft, you are the only one who is…other than myself. Everyone else keeps telling me to be patient that the day is almost upon me."

"But what they are telling you is the truth, correct?"

"Yes, it is," I sighed.

"Then perhaps you still need to learn patience," Roller smiled, making me laugh.

"Always one to point out the obvious!"

"And also to remind you not to be late for your maintenance exam."

"Thanks. I was on my way there now."

"Then I'll leave you to it and shall see you later."

With that he transformed and sped off, making a few Autobots jump out of his way as he beeped at them.

Normally I would have found that funny. Only not today. For a sparkday, nothing seems to be going my way.

"Slag, where's Bumblebee when I need him? He could always make me smile no matter how depressed I was," I mumbled to myself.

Ratchet

The surgery had to be done very delicately and quickly. And like all surgeries it took a steady hand and a focused optic. But thankfully it was just a simple re-attachment of the arm and it wasn't going to take that much of my time. Not that I was complaining about my time being taken up at the moment.

Sniffles sounded and I glanced to my left. I smiled giving Kayla my love and comfort over our spark bond. She was still crying but at least more quietly now. Red Alert and I thought she had injured herself when she came running into the Med Bay crying hysterically.

Kayla knew that I could make her…as she calls them…boo boos go away. Apparently that goes for toy bot boo boos too. I swear my spark was nearly in my throat until she held up her pink toy robot. Its arm had been detached from its body. She was too upset to tell me who and was more concerned with getting her favorite toy fixed.

"Almost done, sweetspark," I said, leaning over and giving her a quick kiss on the head.

Kayla smiled. Her gratitude filled me within. Moonracer chides me constantly for spoiling Kayla too much. I can't help it. I love my daughter very much. And at a whopping ten years old now she looks more and more like her mother.

"There we go, as good as new," I smiled handing the toy over to her.

"Thank you, daddy!" she cheered, hugging me tightly.

"You're very welcome," I grinned, lifting her up. She immediately laid her head on my shoulder and started purring happily, clutching her favorite toy close. "Now, are you going to tell me who broke it?"

"Leo did but it was an accident. Sidewinder took it from me and Leo was just trying to get it back."

"That's very chivalrous of him."

"Then Sidewinder started making fun of Leo so Leo knocked him on his slaggin aft! It was funny, daddy! Sidewinder started crying like a sparkling!"

I groaned to myself as my daughter giggled hysterically. As hard as I've tried I can't get her to stop using such words. I'm not sure whose younglings were to blame – Ironhide or Optimus. Both are equally guilty I'm sure of it.

My optics narrowed at one of them who I just realized had been standing in the Med Bay for a short while now.

"Honestly, Ratchet, I don't recall you ever repairing any of my toys when I was a youngling," Optimus smirked at me, arms folded across his chest. "Nice to know you have a career you can fall back on if you decide to quit the medical field."

"If I do that you can be assured that whomever you get to replace me might not be as efficient at re-attaching limbs as me," I countered gently setting Kayla back on the floor.

"I came as quickly as I could! Is everything ok?" Moonracer asked worriedly as she rushed into the Med Bay.

"It was just her toy that got damaged."

"Yeah, daddy fixed it, see mommy?"

"Luckily for you daddy is very good at fixing mechanisms," Moonracer cooed, lifting our daughter into her arms and holding her close. "I'll take her back."

I watched them leave, my thoughts lingering on about how much I loved them. I would have kept thinking about them too if some big mech hadn't been standing there grinning at me.

"What do you want?"

"I can't drop by to see my guardian?" he questioned, following me into my office.

I sat down, narrowing my optics at him.

"Optimus you never come into the med bay unless you're dying or you want something from me. And I do hope you talked to Leo about making other bots cry."

"That's Elita's area of expertise," he grinned, sitting in the seat across from me. "I handle the more drastic transgressions like pranks or sneaking out of our quarters in the dead of night. Even Kacey got mad at Leo for that one when she found him outside. Turned out he was with Sunny and Sides and they were getting snow for a prank on Prowl."

Upon the mention of Kacey's name I noticed a change in Optimus' demeanor. He was no longer a cocky mech but a concerned father. Then it dawned on me why he was here.

"I'm sure Kacey will pass her maintenance check up with flying colors. She's passed all of them. Her systems are developing as they should. She's going to be ok."

"I still worry about her. She's depressed about today. She's even hiding the fact that she has a systems upset from me. I'm not even sure this surprise party is going to be a good thing for her."

"First of all, I should have been notified immediately of her system upset!"

"Cool it, Ratchet. I didn't tell you anything before because I wanted to give Kacey some space and the opportunity to do it herself. She gets mad if I treat her like a youngling now."

"Technically, she still is a youngling."

Optimus glared at me.

"Ok, ok. I won't tell her you told me."

A knocked sounded and we both looked to see Red Alert standing in the doorway.

"Kacey has arrived for her maintenance check up. I put her in the private exam room."

"Thanks, Red. I'll be right there," I told him.

"Private exam room?" Optimus questioned, raising an optic ridge at me.

"It's necessary with Kacey and the mature femmes," I answered. "Last year Bluestreak was in the med bay recovering when I was performing a maintenance exam on Kacey. The moment she removed her cloak the mech fritzed on the spot and fell off the recharge birth, re-injuring himself after I had just patched him up. You have one very beautiful daughter, Optimus. Mechs have to be dead to not notice it."

"All my younglings are beautiful in my optics. But believe me I have noticed how mechs look at Kacey. It gets my energon boiling."

I laughed, rising to my feet, "You have nothing to worry about. Kacey can handle herself just fine. Now, if you'll excuse me. I have an appointment to keep."

"Oh…Ratchet…"

"I know, I won't tell her you were here," I said. "And don't worry about the party. She'll be surprised and she'll be happy about it and thank you later."

"If you say so," he sighed.

"I know so. Now get out before I have Red give you a maintenance exam since you skipped out last month on your scheduled visit."

"That wasn't my fault!"

"Honestly, I'll only accept the 'interfacing with my femme' excuse just once! You two can't be interfacing that often."

"Pfft, speak for yourself old timer," he smirked and walked out.

I chuckled shaking my head as I headed towards the exam room. When I entered Kacey was already sitting on the table, cloak neatly draped over a chair in the corner. Unlike Bluestreak, I do not fritz on the spot when I see Kacey's protoform or any beautiful femme's protoform…well, maybe one, my sparkmate. Being a medical bot I have seen my share of protoform mechanisms.

Each of us grows differently. Most of us are not perfectly proportioned. Even Optimus isn't perfect but he's close. His arms and legs are a tad too long for his body. And when it comes to femmes, Elita is almost but not quite perfect either. So it didn't surprise me that the two of them produced a sparkling that did grow into one of the most perfect protoforms I'd ever seen.

Arms, legs, hands, feet. A torso that always stood tall and proud. Even the way her face was set. Gentle curves with optics perfectly balanced over a very feminine nose and delicate mouth.

A mouth that was set in a frown right now. Kacey hadn't noticed my entrance as she appeared lost in her own thoughts. But I could see Optimus was right, she was very depressed.

"Kacey, it breaks my spark to see you so sad. It's your spark day. You're supposed to be happy."

"I know," she sighed, sitting up taller as I walked to her. My medical scanners started their initial sweep of her systems. "I just can't help it today. Things aren't going well for me. I really messed things up with the conference call. Poor John is trying to fix it now. I over recharged this morning and missed sunrise with Dad. He had already left for duty so I haven't even had a chance to apologize to him yet. Leo thought I'd be excited about having confetti shot at me while I was in the shower. It took me half an hour to unclog the fragging drain making me late for the conference call! Then to top if all off…"

"You have a system upset," I said. "You're body temperature is slightly above normal and your energy levels are below optimum."

"I purged my tanks up a couple of times during the night and didn't get much recharge."

"Kacey, I'm to be contacted immediately if you're sick in anyway."

"I know. I didn't want my parents to worry," she answered on the verge of tears. "You won't tell them will you?"

"I won't," I answered, folding my arms across my chest. "Doctor patient confidentiality. Now, will you tell me what's really bothering you? I've haven't seen you this depressed in years."

Kacey stared at me for the longest moment mulling over my question. I could see the turmoil in her optics as she struggled to hold her tears back.

"I promise that whatever you say will not leave the confines of this room," I said to hopefully encourage her.

She was so much like Optimus whenever he was depressed as a youngling. I used to talk him into telling me what was the matter and he felt much better afterwards. The same can be said of Kacey only for some reason she didn't want to confide in Optimus this time.

"You won't tell my father."

"I swear as your Doctor and friend it will be our secret."

"I don't think Primus likes me," she said as the tears started falling.

"What makes you think that?"

"Because of the torture I go through every day. Primus saw fit to have my abilities taken away from me the way. But he never stopped my desire to be an Autobot. I was able to suppress it those first few years. But the past couple years, especially this year the desire burns within me. And I can't do anything! I feel as if my abilities will always just be out of my reach! Am I being punished?"

I refrained from laughing in relief. She was totally serious! Primus, the femme thinks way too much! Just like her father!

"My dear Kacey, you are one of the rare few mechanisms who wants their armor for a righteous reason! Most younglings can't wait because that means their just that much closer to their interface systems coming online. Some mechs are lucky enough to have theirs come online when they're transformation systems do. And I can see how eleven years without your transformation abilities is like torture for you. You are still so young. Despite all your training your anxiousness is normal. Primus has nothing to do with that."

Kacey started hiccupping from crying so much. I just hugged her much like I did her father when he couldn't contain his tears any longer.

"It's just so hard."

"I know. That desire to be an Autobot has always been strong within you. There is nothing in the multitude of universes that could suppress it. It's who you are. We've even…and don't tell Optimus I told you this because he wanted to surprise you…but we've already approved your return to our ranks once your transformation systems are online."

Her optics widened in surprise.

"That's right," I smiled wiping her tears away. "It's official. You just have to be patient a bit longer. That day is almost upon you. Primus, in another five or six years you'll be a fully mature femme too! I still remember the first time you called me a 'lugnut with a monkey wrench' and all those mornings where you threw snowballs to wake me up. You were so fully of it!"

"What do you mean were?" she countered, raising one optic ridge at me.

"Lie down and lets finish up the exam," I said narrowing my optics at her.

Kacey laughed and finally seemed to be in better spirits. Which was good. I hated seeming femmes so upset.

Optimus

Everything was ready. All of Kacey's human friends had arrived. Leo kept Kacey busy all afternoon so her inventory would take longer than necessary. Elita and I were get some work done and make sure everything for the party was in order. And now it was my turn to handle one final task – get Kacey to her surprise party.

"Here's my reports!" Ratchet harrumphed, tossing them on my desk as he dropped into the chair before me.

"Don't you knock anymore?" I growled, collecting the scattered datapads.

"Why? I can hear when it's safe to enter or not with as loud as you and Elita are. Besides, the door was wide open and I know how much you and Elita like to interface behind a closed door. You just don't have the decency to lock it!"

Normally I would have had a comeback for such a remark. Only my optics had locked onto his report about Kacey's maintenance exam.

"Kacey passed her maintenance exam with flying colors. You couldn't ask for a more healthy mechanism."

"Still no growth rate?" I asked, noticing that Ratchet made a small note about it but I wanted to hear it for myself.

"None in the past four years," he sighed. I set down the datapad recognizing that sigh. He wanted to talk so I gave him my full attention. "I think Kacey has been influenced by many of these human's customs. This 'bigger is better' attitude is very prominent and I think that's why she's so obsessed about not growing."

"Elita and I have constantly tried to tell her that her size will have nothing to do with her abilities as a leader. I'm afraid it's just going to be one of those things she needs to learn on her own."

"Stubborn just like her father," he smirked at me. "I seem to recall you were every bit as depressed around this age too. You and I had many conversations about you doubting in your own abilities to be a leader. You were so afraid you'd never be a good one. What a lugnut! Look at you now."

"I know, I know. I just wish there was something I could do for her."

"Try as we may, we can't fix every problem our younglings encounter. No matter how much it hurts us, some things they must learn on their own."

What he said was true. It was just so difficult for me. I always wonder if there was something more I could do for my sparklings.

"You're a wonderful father, Optimus. You've done a remarkable job raising four beautiful, spirited sparklings so far. So, quit doubting yourself! And don't look so surprised! I helped raise you and know exactly what you're thinking. I have such thoughts too about Galen and Kayla."

"We wouldn't be good fathers if we didn't," I countered, making him smile.

A soft rap on the door interrupted us. I smiled upon seeing my daughter and beckoned her in.

"Is this a good time, father?"

"Yes, come in, Kacey. You're right on time. Ratchet was just leaving."

"I can take a hint," Ratchet said, quickly rising to his feet. "Have to give Galen pointers on how to kiss a femme anyways!"

I shot up to my feet as he ran out laughing.

"Keep laughing rust bucket! The next time you turn pink it won't be because of anything Kacey does!" I threatened him over a private comlink.

All Ratchet did was laugh back at me through the link. I cut it off before he said something else to piss me off. No one messes with my femmes, not even as a joke!

"Sit down, Kacey," I ordered after calming down. I kept my tone serious and my feelings to myself. I returned my attention back to the datapad I'd been reading before Ratchet showed up. It was a progress report from Prowl about Kacey. I must say that I was so proud as I read it. "I see you're in better spirits than you were this morning."

"Yeah, I'm feeling much better. Sorry if I worried you."

"I always worry about my loved ones," I smiled. "I'm very proud of one particular loved one right now. Prowl gave me this report a short time ago. I must say Kacey you have done remarkably well in your training."

Kacey smiled shyly at me and the temperature in her faceplates rose slightly. Truly one of the few youngling like responses that I can get from her. I sighed internally. She is on the verge where one day when she receives high praise from me she will no longer react that way and will be in better control of her emotions. One day that was rapidly approaching.

"Ironhide says you beat him every time in target practice and gives high praise on your accuracy. Ratchet says you can patch up a bot like a real battle field medic. Magnus claims that you give him a good work out each time you spar with him. And Prowl has nothing but high praise on your flying abilities. Over all, you are shaping up to be one exceptional Autobot."

"Just not yet," she sighed. "I don't have my armor yet."

"You will," I smiled. "That time is almost upon you."

""It's just so difficult waiting for it to happen," she said and I could feel her frustration about the issue.

"Kacey, we've talked about this. I know it is especially difficult now that all your friends have their transformation systems online. But anxiously waiting for something to happen isn't going to make it happen that much sooner. All the hard training you have done will be rewarded, I promise you."

"I know," she said sadly and then smirked. "I think my patience was taken offline when my transformation systems were."

I laughed heartily.

It felt so good hear her joke about things that bothered her. My sparkling was just far too anxious to grow up while I could wait an eternity for her to. This past year hasn't only been difficult for Kacey but for me as well. I see less of her because of her training schedule and my duties. I savor every morning sunrise we have together. I even don't mind that she still sneaks into the recharge bed with Elita and me. Although such visits are less frequent now.

'Optimus, everything is ready,' Elita said through our bond.

I sent her my love and asked her to smack Ratchet for me when he arrived.

"Come with me," I grinned to my daughter, rising to me feet. I held out my hand and my daughter eagerly latched onto it. "I want to show you something."

"You haven't given me a lesson in a few days, father," she spoke softly as I lead her out of my office. My spark felt a twinge of guilt from her words. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have said that. I know you've been very busy."

"No, you were right. I should have made the time for you. Your little brother has been a pain in my aft of late and I'm constantly reprimanding him. I haven't had time to spend with all of you like I used to either with these Decepticon attacks."

"We all understand, father," she smiled affectionately up at me. "We're just so glad you and the others come home safely after a battle."

"It is wonderful to see my younglings when your mother and I get off the shuttle. Your smiling faces remind us of what we're fighting for. Which brings me to your lesson for today."

Instantly my daughter's face turned serious, her posture straightened up even more. She was eager as usual for her lesson.

"This is more a life lesson," I smiled at her as we continued our journey.

"Any lessons you have to teach me are valuable, father."

"Then answer me this question: why don't you spend more time with your friends? Or are you romantically involved with one and keeping it secret from me?"

Kacey laughed. She laughed so hard tears filled her optics. Honestly, I didn't see what was so funny about the question.

"Are you kidding father? Romantically involved! After you threatened Ratchet! I'm sure mechs are terrified to even ask me out for a date! Besides, I don't have time for that. I don't have much time for my friends as it is."

I frowned at her.

"What?" she questioned, looking confused.

"Some things are worth the time," I said. "You are still so young. I don't want you to be a workaholic like your mother and myself. The both of us had learned the hard way about making time for ourselves and our family. Your mother and I were so dedicated to the cause that at one point we nearly broke up."

"Only I refused to allow that to happen. And I refuse to let you revert back to that. You used to have fun all the time before your training started up again. Now, especially this past year, I don't see you having fun that often. And playing pranks on Ratchet doesn't count! No one doubts your dedication to the Autobots. You have nothing to prove to anyone."

"But I have things I need to prove to myself," she countered, pounding her chest.

Whether it was intentional or not, she hit right where her Autobot insignia used to be. Her metal skin still boar the scar. I tried to convince her to have Ratchet put it back on a few months ago. After all these years, she still feels she is unworthy of it.

"Very well, I know I cannot force you to do what you're not ready for. If you feel you have things to prove then go ahead. However, you will learn to have fun again! I will make it an order if I have to!"

"Is that why we're heading to the recreation room?" she asked, always one for being very observant.

"Yes, I thought you'd join your mother and I for a drink of high grade. You're old enough to consume it now."

Kacey visible shuddered.

"The smell of that stuff makes my tank churn."

"Then you can have something else," I smiled. "While there I want you to observe how everyone is having fun. I'll expect a report by eight in the morning. Understood?"

"Yes, father. Hmm…that's odd."

"What?"

"The lights in the recreation room are off," she commented.

I said nothing and continued to lead her for the last few steps into the doorway.

"SURPRISE!!!!!"

I swear to Primus that if I hadn't been holding my daughter's hand she would have jumped through the ceiling!

Up next: A Sparkday party! Woohoo! Anyone up for seeing Kacey drunk and having a good time?! Hehe.