This chapter actually all takes place away from the party. We'll get back to the party towards the end and chapter 54 will be all drunken bots and good fun.

Before we begin, I wish to thank all of you for your reviews and for sticking around with Kacey for so long. Hope to hear from you more as we continue with this story arc and for the final fic of my Kaceystar Trilogy.

Now…on with the show!

Sunstreaker

Sides and I waited patiently for Kacey to finish. Elita was right. The recreation room was no place for humans right now. We wouldn't want them to accidentally get stepped on by some drunken mech…or femme.

It was actually a joy for me watching Kacey interact with her human friends. She was such a lady, to use a human term. So polite and proper. But then she could suddenly change and be such a brat! So full of slag and joke with the best of us. Whatever joke she said to Will Lennox and the others had them practically falling on the floor laughing.

"I'm afraid I still won't entirely understand human behavior," I commented to my brother.

"Same here bro. They do make good action movies though."

"You got that right," I said as Kacey said her goodbyes.

"Thanks for letting me give my thanks to Will and the others," Kacey smiled coming up and standing between my brother and me.

"It was the least we could do. It is your sparkday," I smiled back, hooking my arm around hers and started walking.

"Have you guys seen John anywhere?" she asked, looking a bit sad.

"Last I saw he was in a meeting with Prowl just before the party was to start," Sides answered.

"Probably still trying to fix the mess I made this morning."

"Hey, chin up, Kacey," I said, gently lifting her face up. "We all make mistakes. Some of us more than others." She giggled looking at me and Sides on that one, as was intended. "But you can't dwell on them. No one is perfect. All you can do is learn from what happened and move on."

"I know. I just feel like I let John down…like I let everyone down."

"You'll make it right," Sides said, wrapping his arm around her shoulders. "You always do."

Kacey nodded.

"Enough of this slag for now," I insisted. "This is a happy day. So let's be happy and celebrate!"

"So, why are we in the crew's quarters' section of the base then? My party is in the recreation room."

"Orders," I grinned, barely able to contain my excitement. Kacey gave me a baffled look. "This is a big year for you Kacey, I can feel it. You're transformation systems will be online soon and…Sides…"

"Tada!" Sides exclaimed holding up the datapad for Kacey to see.

The femmes optics widened in surprise and excitement. Her two hands snatched the datapad from Sides.

"Really?!" she asked excitedly.

"That's right babe! Time for your inscribes!"

"Wow! These are so beautiful! I don't know which one to choose!"

"Mind if I make a couple of suggestions?" I asked, not wanting to impose upon her if she didn't want it.

"Sure!"

I took the datapad and pulled up my two favorites and showed them to Kacey.

"These are the two I'm most proud of."

"They're beautiful," she gasped.

"Very feminine with long sweeping curves," Sides commented. "Not like what mech wreckers get. Ours are thick and blocky."

"These two designs were…inspired I guess you'd say," I added.

"Wait…did…did you draw these?" Kacey asked me.

"Yeah, it's been kind of a hobby of mine. Hound actually got me into it one day when he caught me drawing obscene pictures of Decepticons on a wall. Told me I needed to use my imagination for something more constructive instead of destructive and got me drawing supplies. I'll also be the one to etch the inscribed into your skin."

"Sunny drew several designs of the two Cybertronian phrases Optimus said you wanted," Sides pointed out. "These are it, correct?"

"Yeah," she answered, her optics glued to the datapad still.

"How did you decide upon them?" I asked, punching the code to mine and Side's quarters.

"Father helped me. He didn't want me just copying his which was fine by me. I believe in the inscribe he has etched on his face."

"Strength and Honor," I recalled. "Two words that epitomize Optimus."

"Epitomize? Isn't that word a bit out of your vocabulary?" she joked.

"Yeah, keep laughing femme," I smirked. "Just wait until you feel the etching in you're your metal soft skin begin."

"It's going to hurt so bad! You might start crying!" Sides teased.

He and I both knew Kacey was one tough femme. But she was fun to play around with.

"Yeah, right," she snorted at us, playfully shoving Sides away.

"It's up to you, Kacey," I said, picking up the laser needle I planned on using.

To demonstrate, I turned it on and made an etching in the table. Of course, Kacey had no idea that I turned it onto full capacity so that it'd make the table smoke as I drew a line. For an inscribe I would only use it at half its power setting. But her reaction was priceless. It was very rare to see Kacey nervous!

"So, where do you want them?" I asked with an evil grin on my face.

"Uh…maybe some other time!" she yelped and turned to leave.

Only Sides was there and blocked her escape route and actually grabbed hold of her, lifting her off the ground.

"I'm only teasing you Kacey!" I laughed as my brother carried her to the chair I had set up. "It's not going to be too painful. As a precaution, I have something to help dull the pain. Sides, will you pour the sparkday femme a drink?"

"It'd be my pleasure, bro," he smiled, setting her down.

"Optimus said you wanted one on your right cheek just like him," I said. "And the other one on your back."

Kacey nodded.

"We'll do the back one first. The faceplates are more sensitive. Takes a really mech like Optimus, Ironhide or Magnus to get one there. I won't even try that," I said as Sides came over with a cup. "At least not sober anyway."

"Here you go, Kacey. Our special brew we had made just for you."

"What is it?" she asked, taking the cup and sniffing the liquid contents.

"Try it first and then I'll tell you, unless you're scared to try it."

Kacey snorted, putting the cup to her lips. The femme was never one to back down from a challenge.

"Wow, this is really good!" she grinned, after draining the contents of her cup.

'Ah, Sunny…might not want her to drink it so fast,' he said over our bond.

'I know,' I responded. 'Relax bro. We'll pace her consumption. Don't want her to have too bad of a hangover.'

"So what is it?" she asked, holding out her cup.

"Wait for it," I said, knowingly. "It should hit your systems any moment now."

I'm not being sexist when I say that Kacey was light weight when it comes to high grade consumption. She's just young and her systems aren't used to it. So I give it about until…now.

"My fingers feel kind of tingly," she giggled.

"Great, you got her buzzed before you even started!" Sides snapped.

"Better that way, trust me. Besides, it wasn't like I poured it down her throat!"

"Can I have more?" she asked, holding out the cup.

"In a little bit. I want to let that one settle in your systems."

"Ok," she sighed sounding very disappointed. "What was it anyway?"

"That was high grade."

Kacey optics widened in surprise.

"Wheeljack helped Sunny and I make it. He knew a few tricks to hide the taste and odor since both upset your tank. Engineers are well known for making their own special brew and dying with their secret recipes. Jack proved to be one stubborn mech and wouldn't tell us how he did it."

"It was the least we could do for you, Kacey. I couldn't let my favorite femme go though life and not experience the joys of high grade," I smiled at her making her laugh.

"Thanks…I think," she giggled.

"So, are you ready?" I asked, holding up the laser needle.

"Let's do it," she replied, removing her cloak.

"I'll take that and keep it safe," Sides said, taking hold of the fabric and folding it very carefully. He like me knew how much Kacey valued it.

I don't think I've thanked Bumblebee enough for giving that cloak to Kacey. Kacey is very beautiful and I see how mechs look at her when she's not looking. It gets my energon boiling.

Ok so I'm a bit protective of her. She's like a little sister to Sides and me. We're both fiercely protective of her. I know she can handle Rox and his friends. They're actually harmless because of their inexperience. I'm more concerned with those fully mature mechs who know exactly how to get what they want from a femme.

"Frag, Kacey, you get more beautiful by the day," I smiled fondly. "Are you sure you don't want to interface with me?"

She laughed. She always did. It was our little joke with each other. I knew long ago that Kaceystar was a femme way out of my league. Plus, I knew I would be blown to bits if I so much as tried to lay a hand on Kacey in such a way by Optimus or Elita or both. I couldn't do that do my brother and leave him all alone. Besides, I would never give up the friendship Kacey and I have with each other. Never.

Prowl

"Thank you for driving me to my quarters," Mr. Keller said, sounding extremely fatigued. "It's such a long walk."

"It was not a problem, Sir," I frowned, quickly kneeling down and allowing Mr. Keller to use my hand to help steady himself.

"You will convey my regrets for not attending Kacey's party. I'm just not as young as I used to be," he smiled weakly.

"I'm sure she'll understand, Sir. Your rest is more important to her than your presence at a party."

"Yes, I know she'll understand."

"Forgive me, Sir…but…"

"The answer is yes," he interrupted. "I am dying. It comes with the territory of growing old and all part of being human. Something you're kind doesn't have to experience from what I understand."

"That's not entirely true. We do feel our age at times," I smiled at him. "And we can die from extreme old age if our spark loses the will to live."

"I understand that," he said sadly. "Ever since I lost my wife last year, it has been difficult for me."

My optics dimmed slightly. I knew all to well what he was talking about. I too still miss the one I loved most in the universe.

"I too lost my bonded…my mate," I said to him, making him raise an eyebrow at me. "Some days I can deal with the pain that dwells in my spark. Other days it is most difficult. Jazz was truly one of a kind. A loyal friend, devote lover. I feel so…incomplete without him."

"Ah, yes," Mr. Keller smiled. "Kacey has told me about Jazz. Said he had one of those lovable personalities you couldn't resist even if you tried."

I laughed. That about summed Jazz up too! Primus knows I tried to resist! Tried and happily failed.

"What's so funny?"

"Kacey has never met Jazz," I answered. "Yet I find myself pleasantly surprised when I hear her talk about him. I have no doubts that the two of them would have been the best of friends. They both love life, music, and their friends."

Mr. Keller's smile slowly faded.

"Is everything alright?"

"Yes. I'm just worried about Kacey. She takes things so hard for one so young."

"Just like her father," I said proudly. "And like her father, she is strong enough to endure."

"I'm sure you're right," he smiled. "Well, I'm off to bed. I'll see you and Kacey in the morning for the conference call."

"I bid you good evening then and will convey your deepest apologies to Kacey," I said, rising to my feet.

With that, I made sure he made it safely into his quarters before heading down the hallway. While passing through the officer's quarters I heard a loud crash. Curious, I headed to an open door since that was where it originated from. When I reached the doorway I was surprised to see Bumblebee lying flat on his back with Sam using something to fan the scout's face.

"Oh, hi Prowl!" Sam waved with on hand, continuing to fan Bumblebee with the other.

"He's not over energized is he?"

"What?"

"Intoxicated. I've told all the Autobots they're not to be drunk around any of the humans."

"Oh, no, no, no! He hasn't had a drink yet. I…um…I just told him some shocking news that was all."

"What news would that be?" I curiously asked.

Sam suddenly looked nervous and actually tried to discretely kick Bumblebee in the head as if to wake him up. My normal instincts would have been to continue interrogating the young man until I got the necessary information. However, today was a celebratory day. And as Jazz often told me, 'Sometimes you just need to let things slide'.

"I don't really want to know, do I?" I asked.

"Probably better that you don't," he smiled, looking relieved. "You might end up like Bee if I told you."

I snorted to myself. Humans. They can be such funny beings at times. They certainly are unpredictable. And like Jazz they knew how to have fun.

"Very well, I leave you now," I chuckled.

"Ok…bye…see you later Prowl!"

Whatever was going on I didn't want to know. I didn't want anymore delays actually. I too wanted to attend Kacey's sparkday party. That and I needed to monitor a few mechs who had a habit of getting unruly after drinking large consumptions of high grade. Hopefully my presence with curb their appetite a little.

Of course, by the time I walked into the recreation room I realized I was far too late. Several on my list were already over energized. Even Optimus was drinking. Oh well, at least no one was being rowdy yet.

"Prowl!"

"Hey there, Leo."

"Have you seen Kacey? I want to give her the present I had made for her."

"I'm sorry. I have not seen her. I'm sure she'll be here shortly. Last I heard was that she was with Sunny and Sides. Sides promised me they wouldn't keep her very long."

"Ok," the young mech sighed, shoulders slouched.

Good Primus, he looked just like Optimus at that age. Just a smaller version of what Optimus was when he was a teenager. Leo even walked the same way as his father. Only difference was that Leo didn't have to experience the pain that Optimus had to endure.

Perhaps, that was why Leo has more confidence in himself than Optimus had at that age. Leo has grown up knowing the feeling of love within his spark. Optimus' spark was so lonely. It took him a while to gain confidence in himself.

However, it has been the same joy watching Optimus' sparklings grow as it was watching him. I think many of the officers and myself are especially proud of how Kacey has grown. She has developed into a fine femme, most worthy of being an Autobot.

"Hey Prowl! Get your aft over here for a drink!" Ironhide shouted.

"Sounds like a plan," I mumbled to myself.

Since Kacey wasn't here, I got my own glass of high grade and slowly made my way to Ironhide and Chromia, stopping here and there to chat with my fellow Autobots. Too bad Jazz wasn't here. No doubt he'd be the life of the party. His energy was always so infectious. Of course, with some of the mechs…namely Sunny and Sides, it didn't take much to get them going.

I wonder what was in store for tonight and how many mechs, or femmes, would be spending their night in the brig.

Bumblebee

"BEE!" Sam shouted and I snapped my optic covers open.

"What…where…oh frag!" I groaned grabbing the back on my head as I sat up.

"It's about time. What the hell happened?"

"Not sure. Everything got fuzzy…I think I fritzed!" I exclaimed, getting to my feet.

"Yeah, that's what it looked like to me. Dude you need to chill out. All I said was for you to tell Kacey how you feel! It wasn't like I was telling you to go have sex with her!"

"It was your fault that I got all flustered and had to leave the recreation room!"

"Ok, I know. I'm sorry. I messed up there. I almost let your secret out. But honestly, what's wrong with telling her how you feel?"

"It's not that simple, Sam. She's so beautiful and I'm…I'm an old timer!"

"Christ you are so sensitive! She was joking! Even Mike thought it was funny."

"What am I going to do? Primus, she changed so much in two years. She looks so much like a mature femme now."

"Ok, this is what you're going to do! Go out there, get her alone and just tell her how you feel!"

"I can't, Sam. She's still far too young. She hasn't even reached the courting age."

"I didn't say start dating her. Look, Kacey is more emotional mature than I'll ever be. She can handle it if you tell her."

"What if she rejects me? I can't take that right now!"

"For Pete's sake! Grow some balls and just tell her!"

My optic covers blinked in surprise at my friend. Then we both suddenly burst into laughter.

"Sorry, guess you can't grow those," he chuckled.

"No. Plus I think I'd look ridiculous," I smiled, relaxing for the first time since arriving on the base today.

It had been two long years since I saw Kacey. I talked with her at least once a week, sometimes more, during that duration. Still I was no way prepared for how beautiful she'd grown since I last laid optics on her. Sam actually shoved me from behind when we first entered the recreation room.

"Bumblebe…"

"Seriously, Sam, when the time is right I will tell Kacey how I feel about her. I promise you. Right now, it's not the time. I can't explain it…it's just a feeling I have. She's not ready for a relationship with a mech. From what Sunny and Sides tell me she's not even looking for a relationship right now because she's only focused on her training. And I am not going to force anything upon the femme I love. Not now, now ever."

"Ok. But you are going to have to go back to the party," he said.

"I know. I'll be fine. I've managed before. Come on, I'll escort you to your quarters."

"We can stay an extra day if you want. We don't have to leave tomorrow."

"No, it's best that we leave on schedule," I replied as we entered the hallway. "The more time I'm here the more difficult it will be. I cannot risk revealing my feelings to anyone. I slipped up once and was lucky that Ironhide was kind enough to not blab. He's normally as bad as Sunny when it comes to spreading rumors."

"Well, at least you have someone other than me you can talk to."

"Bumblebee! Perfect! Hurry, we need your help!" Sides shouted just after he exited his and his brother's quarters. "Oh, hi Sam."

"Hey, Sides. How's it hanging?"

"I'm lucky it's still hanging! Can't speak for my brother. He's still out cold on the floor."

"What happened?" I questioned worriedly, quickly following him into the room.

I instantly froze in my tracks.

There was Kacey, kneeling beside Sunny, without her cloak on. My spark had never been so still in all my life. Primus, she was so beautiful. I had only seen a couple of mature femmes in their protoforms back when Sunny, Sides and I were teenagers. So I did have something to compare her form to.

Sunny thought it'd be cool to got peek on where the femmes took their showers after a long battle. During those times, communal showers were required do to energy conservation. Only a few officers, like Optimus, had his own shower…that he shared with Elita often, rumor had it.

I went to look because I was just as curious as Sunny and Sides. I had heard the mature mechs talking about how femmes relax around each other and retract all their armor when they shower. Other than that, they don't reveal their protoforms to just anyone. Their form was a treasure to be seen only by a special mech…or a medical bot. They always had some armor extended covering their slender forms. Most mechs don't give a slag if they're prancing around in their protoform or not.

And when I recall those femmes and compare them to Kacey…I swallowed hard. Oh yeah…Kacey was a rare, beautifully shaped treasure.

"OW!" Sam yelped after I felt something hit my foot.

I shook my head and looked down to see him hopping on one foot while holding the other.

"Are you ok?" I quickly asked, bending down closer to his level.

"I am…but you're not! You idiot!" he hissed up at me so only I could hear him.

He was right. I am an idiot! Only I wasn't expecting to see Kacey so I wasn't prepared. I'm probably lucky I didn't fritz again.

"Right…thanks Sam."

"Don't mention it," he grimaced as he started gingerly walking out the door. "I'll be fine. Go see what they need you're help for. I'll see you tomorrow."

Steeling myself up, and forcing my optics not to rove endlessly over Kacey's agile form, I stood and took deliberate steps over to where she and the twins were.

"So what happened to the idiot now?" I asked just as Sunny started moaning.

"Sunny started to do the first inscribe on my faceplate and I…reacted. He said it was going to hurt but I wasn't quite ready."

"And then BAM! Kacey nails Sunny in the crotch plate with her foot and he's out cold!" Sides added, giggling. "You should have seen the look on his face just before he passed out!"

"That wasn't funny, Sides," Sunny growled as he sat up. The mech stared down between his legs, rubbing his crotch plate. "Frag, I hope I can still interface tonight. I had a femme lined up."

"I'm really sorry," Kacey said, looking truly apologetic about it all.

"It was partly my fault," Sunny winced as Sides helped him to his feet. "I didn't warn you that I was about to start."

"It was a very sobering experience," she smirked.

Sunny laughed, "A femme after my own spark. Get her another drink, Sides."

"Oh yeah, Bee, Kacey can drink high grade now," Sides said excitedly.

I raised an optic ridge in surprise. Kacey and high grade? Two things that never mix well as the combination always ended up with her getting hurt.

"Its flavored and scented to my liking," Kacey grinned. A much bigger grin than normal. "Not sure if I'll ever be able to drink the stuff you guys do but after a few drinks of this version, I don't want to."

"Just curious…how much have you had to drink?" I asked, casting suspicious glances towards my two, soon to be, ex-best friends.

"Oh, stop being such a prude!" she giggled, playfully pushing me. "It's my sparkday."

"Prude? First old timer, now prude. Kacey I'm not sure how many more blows my ego can handle," I said, pretending that my feelings were hurt.

"First of all, Kacey," Sunny said. "Bee, though he is the most responsible of the three of us, knows how to have fun and not get totally hammered on high grade. Second, he…and I say this with the deepest of affection Bee…is almost as good looking as me. Third, with the amount of energy Bumblebee has…well lets just say he can probably interface all night long if he put his mind to it!"

I blushed making them all laugh. Even Kacey fell into the chair laughing wildly. After a few moments I laughed too. Only because Kacey pushed Sunny with her foot and he fell onto the floor.

"You know I'm only joking with you, Bee," she smiled. "All three of you are very attractive mech wreckers and can have any femme your…interface desires!"

I shook my head.

"Where did that little femme go that used to cry herself into recharge in my arms?" I asked, smiling at her.

"I've grown up," she said proudly. "Now, come on Sunny. Leo's calling me over our spark bond. He hasn't given me his present yet and is dying to do so."

"Sure thing, babe," Sunny said getting to his feet. "I'm going to have Sides and Bee hold you down, just in case."

"Ok," she said, looking a bit nervous now.

Sunny grabbed a cup of high grade and drank it down fast. I couldn't help but be shocked when Kacey did the same with her cup.

"What? It helps me focus," he grinned. "And Kacey needs it to dull the pain."

"Don't worry, Bee, that's only her third cup and they've been only half full," Sides said thoughtfully. "We're not going to let her get totally wasted on her sparkday. We do want her to remember it."

"Remember, hold still," Sunny seriously said. "It will only take a couple of minutes for me to do the symbols. Ready?"

Kacey nodded. That determined look I saw so many times fell upon her face. Sides and I moved into position. Only we weren't needed. The femme didn't even flinch. I did detect an increase in her spark rate but I'm not sure if that was due to excitement or the pain.

"So, what do you think?" she asked expectantly of me.

"Sunny did a good job," I answered, making her roll her optics. I laughed at her receiving a solid punch in the chestplate for it. Ow, the femme hits much harder than I remember! "Ok, ok, before you dent my armor. Hope…Courage…and Strength. Three words that most definitely define who you are, Kacey. Excellent choices."

"Check out her back?" Sides said, pulling Kacey up to her feet and turning her around.

My mouth dropped open. Without thinking I reached up, a finger delicately traced the symbol on the back of her left shoulder. It wasn't too big but it wasn't too small either. A circle overlapping a triangle, with three ellipses interconnected within the center of the circle. And around it in elegant Cybertronian lettering, a phrase from one of the first teachings of Primus – Til all are one.

"This is one of many Earth symbols for unity," Sunny explained. "And the phrase…well, I think every Cybertronian knows Primus' words. If they don't, they're an idiot."

"It's very beautiful," I commented, leaning closer.

Then I realized just how close I was to Kacey and that I was actually touching her. Only I fought the urge to jerk away pulled away slowly. Though they had all been drinking, Sunny was a mech who could be annoyingly observant. And even though they were my best friends I couldn't let them find out about my feelings for Kacey.

"Before we go," Kacey said in that serious tone I'm so familiar with from her. "Sunny, there is one more inscribe I would like you to do. But I would ask that only Sunny be in here for it is of a personal nature and meant to be for me only."

"Sure, we'll wait outside for you both," I smiled.

"Thanks guys. This won't take very long," she said, hugging Sides and me.

"I'll go get us a table at the party," Sides said.

"Sides…"

"I know bro, I'll have our drinks ready too!"

"That include mine?"

"Of course, Ma'am! Anything you wish, Ma'am!"

"Smart aft!" she shouted at Sides as he ran out the door.

I laughed slowly heading out myself. As promised, I didn't have long to wait. Kacey came out with her cloak on, neatly fastened like I was so accustomed to seeing her and thankfully covering the majority of her voluptuous form. She had a particular bounce in her step and sparkle in her optics…and a slag eating grin on her faceplates.

"So, exactly how much has she had to drink?" I asked Sunny.

"Not really that much," he seriously answered. "But she is a femme and it's her first time. Her systems will learn to cope with it as she gets older. Don't worry. We've taken good care of her while you're away. We're not going to stop when you're here."

"How about a race?" she said, turning to face us. "See you gets to the recreation room first."

"Kacey, don't you think we're a little mature for games?" I asked.

"Stop being a…"

"Ok!" I laughed, raising my hand in surrender to her.

Caught up in the moment, I gave Kacey a look, a smirk and then took off running. Only problem, Kacey was anticipating me doing so and started sprinting at the same time. Sunny, the slow poke, shouted that he was ready and gave chase.

"That the best you boys can do?" she laughed, looking back over her shoulder.

"Frag, she's fast!" I exclaimed.

"Oh yeah, no mech or femme can keep up with her," Sunny commented. "She can actually run faster. She's just toying with us right now. This is nothing though. You should see her sparring with Magnus. She's almost beaten him a few times. I think she will once she gets her armor."

Kacey rounded a corner up ahead and I tried to run faster. To no avail. Sunny was right, she was fraggin fast! When we reached the corner, Kacey was standing by the door of the recreation room, arms folded across her chest, big grin on her face.

"About time you showed up," she said. "I thought I might have to Hound and a search party to look for you guys."

"Oh haha, very funny Kacey," Sunny retorted. "Come on, I'd like to see you try to out run me after more high grade."

"Is that a challenge?" she questioned making us laugh. Then she put an arm around each of us, pulling us close. My spark fluttered wilding at the close contact but I was quick to keep myself under control. "You know I love you guys, right?"

"Of course," Sunny smiled. "You've never left any doubts in my brother's or mine minds. And we love you too."

"With all our sparks," I added, hoping I sounded as playful as Sunny even though I was very serious.

"Good, because I have never forgotten how you guys have always been there for me. Never. And I can promise that if we're ever on the battlefield together, you can always count on me to cover your afts."

Kacey was serious too. I'd seen that look many times in Optimus' optics when he made a promise.

"Hey! There's the sparkday femme!" someone cheered and just like that, Kacey was dragged from us and into the crowd.

Sunny and I made our way in and found Sides had a table for us with our drinks ready. My optics followed Kacey as she was hugged and congratulated. The inscribe on her face inspected and approved by many. It took her a few minutes before she made her way back to us.

"Sorry about that, guys," she smiled bashfully.

"No worries," Sunny said, handing her a full glass of her special high grade. "It's your sparkday. You can do whatever you want."

"Bluestreak is passing out the drinks tonight and knows only you get the special brew," Sides told her as she glanced over her shoulder.

"Kacey, you can go be with your friends," I smiled, when I noticed Nitro, Firestar and Rox all beckoning her to go to them.

"Are you sure? I really wanted to spend some time with you, Bee," she said, looking a bit unsure. "I haven't seen you in so long."

"Kacey, my feelings wont be hurt. Go. Have fun."

"Are you sure?"

"Go, before we boot your aft over there," Sunny joked.

"Ok," she smiled.

Our optics locked and I smiled softly at her, nodding my head for her to go.

"I'll make my rounds again later and see you then," she promised and then left.

I settled back in my chair, watching as Kacey made her way across the room. Leo almost fritzed when he saw her making the three of us laugh. She actually had to gently slap his cheeks to get him to come out of it. Then he skipped by her side as they headed over to where Nitro, Firestar and Rox greeted her with a cheer.

Watching them made me think of Kacey's words she jokingly called me.

"Look at them," I commented. "They're the next generation and we are now the 'old' bots?"

"Speak for yourself," Sunny snorted, looking over the rim of his glass. "I'm forever young."

"Still, I can't believe how grown up she is," I said leaning forward, resting my arms on the table. "I still remember the daily snowball fights she'd have with Optimus those first few weeks after she arrived on Earth."

"Primus, that was so funny when she nailed him in the crotch plate," Sides laughed. "I never saw a mech go down so fast…until earlier tonight!"

"Hey!" Sunny protested, playfully shoving his brother.

"It was an accident," I chuckled. "She hid in my quarters for three days so afraid he was mad at her. Each day I tried to convince her that he wasn't mad. Each day she said she'll stay right where she was at, just in case. Of course, she made me promise to not tell Optimus where she was hiding each day too. It was a promise I never broke."

"How about we make a promise," Sunny suggested, holding up his glass. Sides and I followed suit, raising ours to his. "No matter if it's good times or bad, the three of us will always look after Kacey. And I'm not just talking about out on the battlefield of war, but the battle for her spark. Kacey's beauty will no doubt snare a few mechs as she grows to full maturity. We must protect her from those mechs unworthy of her, those mechs who only want a quick interface or only see her as a conquest."

"I'm for that," Sides agreed. "I don't want Kacey's feelings to ever be hurt by some afthead."

I felt nervous upon making such a pack with Sunny. And as we all promised, I wondered, would my best friend deem me a worthy mech for Kacey or not?

Up next: Kacey opens her present from Leo. Nitro shows off his alt form. Rox and Kacey make a kissing bet!