Chapter 13

It took about three days for both Bumblebee and Honeydew to be fully functional again, physically and mentally. By that time, SAW had apologized to everyone, helped Ratchet and Barricade fix Sunstreaker, and didnt say a word in his defense when Bumblebee gave him a tirade of his own, mostly about--and emphasizing upon--how how SAW nearly gave him a spark attack to go along with his mainframe meltdown, and that the next time SAW was going to run away, he might as well take a plasma cannon to Bumblebee's spark to save him the trouble of deactivating him so early in life from worry.

And after that tirade, Bumblebee hugged SAW and didnt let go for almost two hours. Honeydew had joined them about halfway through that time, and hugged them both.

SAW didnt even go outside during this time; part from worry and another from not wanting anyone else to worry. He was far from lonely, though. Arcee stuck by his side almost constantly, and SAW found that, despite her small size, she commanded a lot of respect from the taller mechs, especially Sunstreaker, who actually cowered at her anger, despite the fact she barely came up to his thigh. She liked to talk and tell stories, and SAW found that she had quite the sense of humor.

Chromia had been taken to be introduced to the Lennoxes by Ironhide, and from what he head later, Chromia had made quite the impression because she told Optimus that she was staying with the family permanently. That was SAW's first impression, but he found out later from Elita-One that that was not the full case.

"I dont suppose you've noticed how close Chromia and Ironhide are," she asked SAW, who was looking at the said femme and mech conversing outside with the Lennoxes. SAW blinked and looked at Elita-One.

"...I have," he replied. "...They seem...really close...almost like Will and Sarah."

"That's because they are," Elita-One replied. She smiled. "...Ironhide and Chromia are bonded spark mates."

SAW's optics widened. "...No kidding!" he said, looking back at the couple. "...I'd...I'd never've guessed..."

"No one would have," she replied. "Even Optimus was shocked when he found out. No one would have guessed that the old trigger-happy Ironhide would've found a femme that was his mate in every way. Chromia is brave, brash, impatient, trigger-happy, and has a low tolerance for stupidity." She grinned. "Sound familiar?"

"Right," SAW said, smiling. "...It must've really hurt...being so far away from each other for so long..." Elita-One put her hand on his shoulder.

"It was," she said softly. "Chromia, Arcee, and I are three of only ten femmes left in existence now. If we were to choose bonded spark mates, we would have to choose carefully, because as you know...if one dies, so does the other. Chromia is the toughest of us all, and so she bonded with a just-as-tough mech, making it just that more difficult to lose both. She did that without telling anyone, and even though we were upset, as soon as we heard it was Ironhide, the legendary warrior..." She laughed. "...None of us questioned her decision again." She sighed. "...But when they were separated by the war..."

SAW nodded. "...I see," he said. He watched on as the normally distant Ironhide put his arm around Chromia, who gave him a quick, loving look. "...They make a perfect couple," he said, remembering how gung-ho Chromia had been about rescuing him.

"They do," Elita-One replied, her voice and eyes soft. SAW felt her hand clench a little on his shoulder.

"...Elita?" He almost never used the 'One' part, which was just fine with her. She turned and nodded. "...Do you have anyone special?"

Elita-One blinked, and SAW swore her temperature increased a little. "...I do," she replied a little shyly. Her optics flickered over to Optimus for just a moment, and SAW smiled.

"...How long have you known each other?" he asked. Elita-One sighed.

"Since we were both younglings," she replied. "Before he was a Prime...before the big war..." She smiled fondly. "He was just a boy...not much older than Bumblebee, actually...he worked at the energon docks as Orion Pax." She paused. "...I was Ariel back then...and I suppose...you could say I was his girlfriend."

SAW blinked, but kept quiet as she continued. "...But that was about nine million years ago..." she said softly. "...When Megatron attacked the dock warehouse were Pax worked and I was visiting...we were both injured almost fatally...and we were separated. Pax became Optimus Prime, and I became Elita-One...we had heard that the other was alive...but this was the first time I actually met up with Optimus since that horrible day."

"...I'm so sorry," SAW said, feeling his spark clench in his chest. Elita-One smiled and gave him a small kiss on top of his head.

"You're such a sweet boy," she said, smiling. "...You remind me so much of Pax, it's not even funny. But that just makes you all the more special, because if you're just like Pax..." She hugged him gently. "...Then you're destined for greatness."

SAW was still in her arms for a moment, then he hugged her back, absently remembering this kind of hold as the comforting one his human mother used to give him. Without warning, he began to cry, feeling that pain well up inside of him, reminding him of what he had lost and was missing. Despite everything, he had ceased aging the moment the Allspark had entered his body, and above and beyond everything else, he was still pretty much just a kid.

And Elita-One knew this. She didnt even have to ask to know that he was just a kid who had suddenly been forced to shoulder all of this responsibility; as a protector, as a soldier, as the bearer to the new breed of Cybertronians. She knew that he was often only one mishap in his life away from having a total meltdown, and couldnt handle all of this. All this she knew, without even being told.

Like a mother.

Elita-One didnt even ask him what was wrong. She already knew, and she gently held him in her arms and murmured out a soft song in Cybertronian that was meant for upset sparklings. SAW calmed down after a few moments and let out a more mature version of those content click-sighs that Honeydew would make. Elita-One kissed the top of his head again.

"...Feel better?" she asked softly. SAW nodded. "Good." She petted his back. "SAW, I know that you'll do the right thing. You've been blessed with the gift of life; something no other Cybertronian has ever had. All you need to do is find what method is right for you. You have a long time to decide, so no matter what...dont rush things."

SAW nodded again. "I wont," he said. "...Thank you." Elita-One smiled and petted his head again before sitting SAW up.

"You're welcome," she said, turning to look at Optimus again. The mech was currently scolding Bumblebee and Sunstreaker about roughhousing in the base and at Sideswipe for not being responsible and stopping them. "...You're lucky to have such good support here, SAW. And me and my sisters will help you, too." She gave SAW's shoulder another squeeze and walked over to help Optimus with the scolding.

"Hey, you okay?"

SAW turned to see Barricade looking worriedly at him. SAW smiled and nodded, then hugged Barricade. "...What was that for?" he asked, amused. SAW squeezed him.

"...Nothing," he replied. "...I'm just hugging you." Barricade blinked, but put his arms around SAW regardless.

"...Remind me to do this for no reason more often," he muttered to himself, making SAW smile.

About a week later, everyone was surprised when Mikaela unexpectedly showed up. SAW was playing an online game with Sunstreaker--who was under orders from 'Hatchet' to remain in the base for some follow-up work, much to the yellow Lamborghini's horror--and Bumblebee, who was kicking all of their afts. Barricade was aiding Ratchet with Perceptor, who, being the tender-sparked mech he already was, nearly had a spark attack while babysitting Honeydew when the sparkling jumped off of the side of the mountain. Perceptor had been unaware that Arcee had caught her as planned, and he had collapsed from the shock.

Mikaela had walked into the base, not really catching the attentions of anyone, and looked around. Optimus and Elita-One were currently looking after Honeydew. The three youngest mechs were playing an online game (which looked like they were doing nothing more than sitting on the floor and staring into nothing). Ratchet, Barricade, and Perceptor were in the lab. The only one who noticed her come in was Arcee.

"Can I help you?" she asked, looking at Mikaela. Mikaela stared back.

"...Are you a new arrival?"

"No, I've been here for about five years now...what can I do you for?"

"Oh...well, I was just wondering if I could talk to everyone. It's kind of important."

"Alright, hold on a minute, Sweetie," Arcee replied, then headed for Optimus' office.

"...Well that was weird," she muttered, looking at the three young mechs, then jumped when Sunstreaker jumped up from his place on the floor.

"YEAH!" he crowed, pumping his fist in the air. "WHO'S THE BITCH NOW!? BOOYEAH, MOTHA--!"

"Finish that sentence with Honeydew around, and your aft is mine, Sunstreaker!" Optimus growled, walking out to meet Mikaela. Elita-One trailed behind him, carrying Honeydew in her arms. Honeydew saw Mikaela and let out a happy shriek.

"MIKAELA!" she shouted, jumping down from Elita-One and running to hug Mikaela around the waist.

"I'm happy to see you too, Honey!" she said, smiling as she hugged the sparkling back. By this time, Sunstreaker's little shoop-da-whoop had gathered the attention of everyone else in the base, and they came out.

"Mikaela, what a surprise!" Bumblebee said, helping SAW up. SAW remained quiet.

"WHAT IN THE NAME OF PRIMUS ALMIGHTY IS GOING ON--oh. Hello, Mikaela," Ratchet said, the tool in his hand being flung back into the lab, where it obviously hit Barricade, who let out a string of Cybertronian curses.

"Hey, everyone," she said, petting Honeydew's head. "...I just came back to let you guys know that the wedding is set for the Fourth of July. The location and other details are on here." He held out a disc to Optimus, who blinked but took it.

"...How is Nathan?" Ratchet asked lightly. Mikaela sighed.

"Well," she said slowly, "when I got him back to my dad's place...he was still in shock. It took him about three hours to form a coherent sentence." She sighed again. "...I asked him if he was okay. All he could really say was 'holy um..." She covered Honeydew's audio receptors, making her blink. "He said 'holy shit, giant robots...giant effing robots, Mikaela, did you see?'"

Sunstreaker snickered, earning him a smack to the head courtesy of Ratchet.

"I told him that yeah, I did see, and that you guys were my friends. He just kinda...looked at me for a few minutes..." She sighed again, then grinned. "...And then he said 'your friends are giant robots? Fuckin' A!'"

"Is that a good thing?" Optimus said, confused.

"Pshyeah, it's a good thing!" Sunstreaker said, grinning. "It means that he thinks we're grade A awesomeness!"

"...In less mature words, he's right," Barricade said, still rubbing his head where Ratchet's tool had earlier hit him.

"I explained a few things to him, sorry, Optimus," Mikaela said. "But he wants to meet you guys...the real you. If you dont mind, that is..."

"No, it's perfectly alright!" Optimus replied, smiling. "We're just happy that no lasting damage occurred, is all." He turned around. "SAW, why dont you..." He paused. "...Where's SAW?"

"Jeeze, that kid dont listen!" Sunstreaker griped, turning to go find him. He was stopped by Arcee, who gave him one of her death glares.

"Leave the boy alone, Sunny," she said. "He has someone with him. Chill."

"...D'joo just tell me to 'chill', lil' girl?"

Outside, SAW sat on the edge of the cliff with Elita-One, ignoring the sounds of obvious pain from Sunstreaker inside. SAW's hands were wringing together and Elita-One had her arm around him.

"...You need to stop beating yourself up over this," she said softly. "You just heard them...Mikaela's fiance is going to be fine, and she still wants you there." SAW nodded.

"...I know," he replied softly. "It's just..." He put his hands to his face and sighed. "...It just brought back the whole memory...of TC...and Optimus..."

"SAW, Sweetie, you know that Optimus was angry because he was so worried about you," Elita-One said. "And you know that if you had spoken up earlier, then that ruckus wouldnt have happened."

"I know," SAW replied. "It's just....the more I try to help...the more I screw up...!"

"SAW, you dont screw up." She pulled the smaller mech into her arms. "You just dont handle situations very well because you're too afraid to open up to others. I could tell the first day I met you that you have so much bottled inside...things that not even your bonded spark mate knows...things you dont want anyone to know because you're afraid they will think less of you." SAW nodded. "...No matter what you tell me, SAW...I wont think less of you."

SAW let out a small shuddery sigh. "...Promise?" he asked softly. Elita-One nodded. "...I dont want to be the Allspark. I never wanted to be the Allspark. This was just thrown right into my face without warning, and...and people have died for it...gotten hurt for it..." He blinked back the tears in his optics. "...Frenzy died for it. Thundercracker...he cares about me. He went against Starscream and pledged his loyalty to me and me alone. He...he was raped by his own brother for it, Elita...!"

"Shhh...calm down..." She stroked her fingers delicately over SAW's head. "...I understand, SAW, I really do...but I want to ask you..." She waited until SAW gave an affirmative nod. "...Do you have feelings for Thundercracker, too?" She felt SAW freeze in her arms. "...I wont judge you, SAW, it's not my place. I am just honestly curious."

SAW made a soft sound in his throat, then nodded. "...I do," he said in a choked whisper. "I know it's wrong...! I have Barricade...and Bumblebee...!"

"It's not wrong, SAW," Elita-One cut in gently. "It's perfectly fine to feel polyamorous."

"...But is it normal?"

Elita-One sighed. "...It is very uncommon," she said. "But not abnormal. In rare instances back on Cybertron...there were some who had 'families'...three or more bonded spark mates. Three or more mechs all bonded to each other. It became even less common when the war started, because if one died, then most if not all of them died. But it is not an abnormality to feel this way, SAW."

"...I feel...about Thundercracker...the same way I feel about Barricade and Bee," SAW said slowly. "...But...it's only those three...it's like...when I'm around them...someone flicks on a switch inside of me that doesnt happen around anyone else...just those three." Elita-One nodded.

"And that's normal," she said. "Rare, but normal. You merely have feelings for just them, which means that your spark is compatible with theirs. You four have something in common that makes your sparks compatible." SAW nodded back.

"...It...it just feels weird," he said. "I mean...I THINK it's wrong...but I FEEL it's...right." Elita-One squeezed him and kissed the top of his head.

"And that's what you should go with," she said. "What you FEEL. If you deprive yourself of what you feel you should have, it'll eat away at you and make you miserable. Trust me...I know."

"...You and Optimus...arent bonded yet, are you?"

Elita-One sighed. "...I'm afraid not," she said softly. "I brought it up just a few days ago...he said that he didnt want me to suffer should he die." SAW felt her spark flutter a little. "...But I suffer every day I am deprived of that which should belong to me. Deep down inside my spark...I feel that Optimus is my one and only, and it's because of his insistence not to have me hurt that he wont bond with me." She shook her head. "...But if he should die...I would die anyway from a torn spark, because that's how much I love him."

SAW made a soft keening sound in his throat. "...I'm sorry," he said. Elita-One smiled sadly and held him tighter to her.

"Dont be," she replied. "...I'm content just being with him after all these millennia....I can wait for him."

SAW couldnt help but think that after all this time...after all she had done for everyone...she shouldnt have to.

Ooookeedokee. I'm thinkin' that next chapter, it gets stepped up a notch.