What?! A new chapter? I'm back!
******************************Sarah's Room*************************
The low constant hum of the ship as it glided through the star studded blackness of space was the only sound to be heard, as Sarah slowly began to wake up. Really it felt more like coming back into her body. She has been dreaming such vivid beautiful dreams but in that moment between sleep and waking they vanished.
Sitting up Sarah glanced around her dark room. She saw the dim duel blue glows piecing the dark. Optimus was sitting like a giant guardian stature along the far wall. She smiled and felt no fear. "Optimus?" She called out softly. The blue lights glowed slightly brighter.
"Sarah, how are you feeling?" He asked softly, muting his voice. At his voice, Sarah found she had the urge to be picked up and held, she settled for getting out of bed and standing beside his leg, feeling suddenly awkward at her own urge, she answered.
"I feel fine. What happened?...chirp." The chirp was so quiet Sarah didn't seem to react to making it as she waited for Optimus to respond.
If his optics could have widened in surprise they would have. Before answering her, he lowered the palm of his hand. Sarah climbed on without hesitation and he set her gently in his lap. His metal was so warm Sarah had to fight the desire to cuddle against his chest. What was the matter with her? The internal struggle showed on her face. Optimus smiled slightly in the dark and sent a message to Ratchet.
"You brought Hot Rod back to life. Do you remember?" He asked.
Sarah nodded, "But after that. It's all blurry. I think I was dreaming, but I can't remember it. Is Hot Rod? Is he okay? He was so smashed up…" She worried, absentmindedly putting her hand on Optimus's chest, feeling the comforting warmth there.
"He is fully functional again thanks to you." Optimus praised and Sarah blushed. She could get use to this, being the all spark thing.
There was a knock at the door and the lights suddenly came on causing Sarah to shield her eyes and look away with a chirp of discomfort. Optimus glanced at Ratchet and they shared a knowing look. A moment later Optimus ran his pointer finger gently down her back and though surprised at first by the touch, Sarah quickly calmed.
"She's…chirping?! She shouldn't be able to do that. It shouldn't be possible, she doesn't know our language. When did it start?" Ratchet exclaimed silently to his leader.
Optimus replied. "After she awoke, she begged me in chirp to hold her. Yet she seems unaware for now of these sounds. The more she is around us the more…sparkling like she seems to behave." Optimus sighed. "I am a bit concerned that she may become hurt if she keeps fighting between her human instinct and the all sparks instinct."
As they had been speaking Optimus had not ceased in his massage of Sarah's back and her eyes started to droop. Ratchet quickly scanned her in this relaxed state. "She will be fine, she just needs a little more sleep. And we need to find a planet with carbon based food for her soon." Ratchet silently added just for Optimus to hear.
Sarah for her part wasn't hearing them at all, almost half asleep as she was. She didn't register being tucked back into bed, the lights being turned off or the sound of two metal giants leaving.
And when the door opened an hour later, she didn't hear it.
Hot Rod stared at the small form sleeping soundly from the door way. That human, that little spark that had brought him back to life. He dared not enter her room for the moment contenting himself to check on her. She was in his mind the living embodiment of the closest thing they had to a god. Close enough to touch. Hot Rod nodded to himself and closed the door. He needed to talk to Optimus.
*****************************Main Bridge*************************************
Optimus? May I speak with you?" Hot Rod asked, glad to see only the leader was on the main deck.
"Of course Hot Rod, what is on your mind?" Optimus responded calm and listening.
Hot Rod shuffled from one foot to the other before speaking. "It's about the all spark sir; I would like to formally request to be her guardian."
Optimus sighed and fearing a no Hot Rod rushed to keep speaking. "I know I have been offline a long time but there are so few of us on board for her to pick from and I owe her my life. And I already know that being a guardian means more than physical well-being, it's mental and emotional too. I will take such good care of her."
"I don't doubt your abilities to be an adequate guardian Hot Rod, but I already asked Bumblebee if he would be willing to take up the mantle of guardianship again and he agreed." Optimus said.
"Bee? But are you sure Optimus? I mean, I died for my ward. Bee was neglectful. I mean Bee wasn't even around when Sam was…"
"Hot Rod." Optimus interrupted. "Bumblebee has agreed to be her guardian and unless he fails in his duties, this matter is closed."
"But sir…."
"That is all Hot Rod." Optimus said with a sigh as Hot Rod transformed and raced down the halls to his room.
Hot Rod's room was nothing fancy but the ship was rich in spare rooms. A testament to how many had been lost. Changing back, he turned on the light and sat in the desk. He felt angry. Why would Optimus not even consider him? He was a better fighter than Bee and could be just as loving and sweet to his human. Even if Hot Rod could make Bee doubt his abilities, Bee wouldn't change his mind. Perfect little scout. Hot Rod rested his face in his hands when an idea struck him. Optimus has asked Bee but nowhere in the conversation did he indicate he has asked Sarah. And she could refuse! She could request someone else to be her guardian. Being the all spark, Optimus would have to approve any request she had.
Hot Rod smirked. Okay so now he just had to convince Sarah that he is the better bot to be with. The fun bot, the kind bot, the best bot.
He could do that.
******************************Sarah's Room*******************************
Yawning Sarah and stretched. Grabbing a piece of absorbent cloth and some "soap" made by Ratchet she made her way down to the refresher. Ironhide and Ratchet were still in the process of building her own little bathroom but they seemed to argue as much as the built and it was taking time.
The refresher was so very big it could have several bots in it at once. It reminded Sarah of Japanese's bath houses. There were several shower systems along the walls and several large jacuzzi like tubs. Bee had explained that these tubs were often filled with water much too hot for her skin or in some cases chemicals. Though the chemicals baths had been drained for her protection. Autobots didn't need to breath but humans did and vats of chemicals giving off fumes were not safe to inhale.
Sarah took care of her bathroom needs before she undressed, folded her towel and turned on one of the shower systems. Bee has been kind enough to tie the level with a rope she could easily use. The shower was like getting caught in a sudden downpour but Sarah had become use to it. She lathered up the "soap" and began to wash. It has become routine to find the refresher empty in the morning so when a voice spoke in the quiet it was a jolt.
"Good morning little spark." A voice called out making Sarah chirp in fright and turn half covering herself with her hands.
"Hot Rod!" She squeaked looking at his head, the rest of him was under the super hot water of a bath. "I'm like, naked here." She hissed at him.
He smiled at her. "So? No need to be embarrassed. We bots are naked all the time if you hadn't noticed." It wasn't exactly the truth but they didn't wear clothes like humans did. "Want to join me for a nice soak? It's way better than a shower."
Sarah rinsed quickly, turned off the shower water and grabbed her towel wrapping it around her body. "No, that water is way too hot it will burn me. Bee said so."
Hot Rod tried to keep his smile fading at the mention of his rival's name. "Not this bath, I turned it down. Right now it's only 80 degrees Fahrenheit…or 26.6 degrees Celsius."
Sarah took a few steps closer. It was not bubbling or steaming like normal. And it did seem inviting but…she shook her head. "It's too deep. I could drown."
Hot Rod lifted his hand out of the water. "I would Never let anything happen to you. Come on, what do you say?"
Sarah smiled, adjusts her towel and stepped onto Hot Rod's hand sitting down upon it as he slowly sank his hand into the water.
"That's deep enough." Sarah said once the warm water reached her waist. Hot Rod had been right this was heavenly. She sighed. "Are you sure you don't mind holding me up like this? Won't your arm get tired?"
"Nah, I'm a tough bot little spark."
A content chirp escaped her lips as Sarah sigh again in the warm water. Hot rod snorted, trying to hold back a laugh. "What?" She asked.
"You chirp." He stated as if the statement was supposed to mean something.
"Chirp? No I don't." She shook her head.
"Don't worry, its cute." He assured.
Sarah was about to argue when the door to the refresher opened. "Sarah?" Bee called.
"Hey Bee, over here." Bee looked up and seeing Sarah in the burning water with Hot Rod, he whirled in fright, dashed forward and went to grab Sarah from the water, Hot Rod moved his hand and in the confusion Sarah was dropped into the deep water. She was only under for a moment before a hand closed around her pulling her up. She sputtered and coughed, her towel having been lost as she sat naked upon Hot Rod's open palm.
"Bee you nearly drowned her!" Hot rod accused.
"What?! No! She was going to be burned." Bee countered. Hot Rod stood, Sarah still protectively in his palm.
"Look at the temperature gage. It's well inside human toleration. In fact it was quite pleasant before you busted in and almost drowned her with your panicked response."
Bee whined slightly. Hot Rod had a point. Sarah coughed again. "Bee?"
Bumblebee wouldn't look at her. "It's okay Bee, I'm okay. Just got a bit more of a bath then I was expecting and Oh My Gosh!" Sarah has noticed her state of undress.
"Here let me take you back to your room to get dried off." Bee offered reaching out for Sarah. Hot Rod slightly curled his fingers, not trapping Sarah but making a rather possessive move.
"I'll take her back." Was all he said as he began to walk away. Once in the halls he pulled the now wet and shivering human to his chest close to his spark.
Hot Rod had to kneel to fit into the all sparks room. As Sarah dressed in her room Hot Rod decided now was the best time to ask. "Sarah?"
"Yeah Hot Rod?" she glanced over her shoulder as she brushed out her hair.
"There's something I want to ask you. You see…" Hot Rod spoke when a sub pulse reached him.
"Hot Rod my office, now. That is an order." Optimus's voice ran through loud and clear.
Hot Rod checked his internal clock; he was several hours late checking in for his duties.
"Rain check on that." He smiled at her. "Later little spark."
****************************Optimus Prime's Office**********************
Optimus Prime's office was in a little out cove on the main deck, but was quite sound proof, as Hot Rod entered he frowned at the sight of Bumblebee sitting at one of the chairs in front of the desk.
"Sit down Hot Rod. Bumblebee has told me what happened this morning but I would like to hear it in your own words." Optimus said from behind his desk. Hot Rod slid into the seat next to Bee.
So Hot Rod told his side of the story and couldn't help but emphasizing how Bee's overreaction had been dangerous for the all spark.
When Hot Rod was done talking, Optimus went quiet thinking. He was quiet for a long time. Bee has seemed slightly hesitant the night before, and Hot Rod did have a good track record for guarding but he was neglectful in his duties this morning.
"Bumblebee, do you still wish to be her guardian?" Optimus asked his young scout.
"Yes sir, with all my spark." There was no doubt in Bee's voice.
"And you Hot Rod?" Optimus asked his young fighter.
"Absolutely and if I may make a suggestion sir? Why not let Sarah choose who she wants as her guardian." Hot Rod risked speaking out.
Bee was about to argue when Optimus stood. "That is a good suggestion."
******************************Sarah's Room******************************
Sarah was tossing the ball around that Bee has brought her. She was daydreaming when she felt them coming. The door opened again without a knock. "You know one day I'm going to be changing in here or something. How hard is it to knock?" Sarah asked with a warm smile that faded when she saw the faces of the autobots. "What's wrong?"
Optimus spoke. "Sarah we autobots have a tradition. When we have humans in the cohort, er family, one autobot always takes over guardianship of that particular human."
"I don't understand." She said with a shake of her head.
Optimus addressed Bee and Hot Rod. "Each of you please explains to Sarah what being a guardian is about."
"Having a guardian is awesome little spark!" Hot Rod started excitedly, missing the look between Optimus and Bee at this new "pet" name. "Guardians make sure you have a lot of fun, and are happy and safe. They are like you super best friend you can talk to anything about! They become your one special bot as it were. And get you all kinds of cool things." Hot Rod spoke like a side show barker. "Sure you have a whole family looking out for you but your guardian is so much more. Guardians die to protect their charges." The last part was a small dig at Bumblebee and Bee knew it.
Bumblebee took a different approach in explaining. When Hot Rod was done Bee kneeled down on the floor and spoke softly to Sarah. "I'm not perfect Sarah and I can't promise you the stars but I can promise to love, to protect and to guard you like my own. I hope that is enough."
"Oh Bee." Sarah was moved by his words and reached out for him; he took her into his hands and brought her close to his face. She hugged his neck and chirped at him more than once. She pulled back slight to look in his deep blue optics. "Please be my guardian Bee?"
"Yes, I promise." Bee said as Sarah returned to cuddling him. "When can we hold the ceremony Optimus?" Bee asked.
"As soon as you both would like." He replied smiling widely.
"What ceremony?" Sarah asked and as all was explained Hot Rod quietly slipped out.
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