A/N: Hey guys! … I know I was going to write something here, but I can't remember now, so oh, well! Gonna bug me all night, but I don't care. Hope you like this chapter! I do not own transformers, only Kate!

XXX

As the titan took a step away from the medic, who had turned back to the rather large computer, Miko suddenly lunged forward, pigtails bobbing as she moved. "Hey!" she yelled out, eyes shining in excitement as she grasped the metal bars. "What can we do?" she finally continued as his head turned to her. He seemed to think for a moment, silent and incredibly still, before he finally responded.

"Remain with Ratchet," he instructed, turning without a second thought and moving to join the group of assembled 'Bots.

"Aw!" she loudly whined, a scowl flickering across her features as she crossed her arms and stamped her foot slightly. Kate blinked faintly, giggling in amusement before her gaze darted to said Autobot, who had suddenly wheeled around. He scowled as well, though his was much worse than the teen's. He seemed to droop as he glared at his retreating figure.

"Ah," He grumpily imitated, groaning as he limply shuddered. Sitting Katie down on the balcony floor and moving to the edge as well, Jack watched in amazement, along with his fellow humans, as a previously overlooked tunnel slowly lit up, rings spaced out inside of it jumping to life and glowing neon blue.

Tendrils of fog-like light slowly appeared in between the bars, their appearance growing more and more rapid as a swirling sea-green vortex whirled to life, gently spinning. Kate, the only of the four standing back, yelped in alarm, eyes widening in curiosity as she darted to stand behind her brother's leg. They watched with rapt attention as all four collapsed into different vehicles, two of which were familiar. Where the red and blue leader once was rolled a semi of the same colors, and the bulky green Autobot so unsure around the rambunctious Miko easily collapsed into what appeared to be an armored truck. They were gone in a second, the lights flickering off in the same fashion in which they had appeared.

"What just happened?" Jack cried, not bothering to restrain his inquisitive sister as she easily moved forward, grasping the bars as best she could in her small hands. His wide eyes landed on the remaining robot as he turned, slightly, marching back to the computers.

"Where they?" she inquired, trotting behind the raven-haired teen as she shot admiring gazes back to the portal. The medical bot sighed in annoyance, growling slightly under his breath before answering.

"I transported them to the designated coordinates via the groundbridge," he responded. All four blinked, and Kate confusedly cocked her head, blonde pigtails bouncing.

"Huh?" she prompted, eyes shining as she frowned.

"What's a… Groundbridge?" Raf questioned, voice revealing his confusion as he released the bars. Ratchet grumbled slightly, optics dimming in frustration.

"A scaled down version of spacebridge technology," he drawled, voice sour and short-tempered as he turned his back on them, optics showing his annoyance.

"What's it?" Kate questioned, glancing up at Jack with bright eyes as her small frown deepened.

"It takes you places," he explained, smirking down at her small figure. She blinked for a second, face devoid of any expression before she lit up, a bright smile creeping across her face.

"Oh!" she exclaimed, giggling slightly.

"…Since we don't currently possess the means," Ratchet continued, shooting a dry glare at the small child and her brother. "Or the energon required for intergalactic travel," he explained, shaking his head lightly as his voice cracked.

"You're stuck here," Jack finished, tone breathless with realization as he moved forward, Kate crossing her arms and narrowing her eyes in annoyance, huffing slightly as she gave up on chasing after him. Miko snickered as she caught sight of the three-year-old's exasperated expression, eyes bright with mischief and amusement. Raf grinned slightly, taking pity on the toddler as he moved forward to stand beside her, taking her small hand in his own as she dropped her exasperated scowl and grinned up at him. "O-On Earth,"

"With the likes of you, yes," the med-bot bitterly snapped, optics showing his resentment as he leaned in slightly. "But I," he informed, tone switching to one of arrogant pride as he glimpsed at the portal. "Constructed the groundbridge to enable travel from here, to anywhere on your planet!"

"Whoa!" Raf breathed out, looking back to the portal, now glowing once more, then back to the grouchy Autobot. "Does it work for humans?" he enthusiastically inquired.

"Naturally," Ratchet responded, hands on his hips as he gazed down at the boy.

"You mean, I could just… Shoot on over and visit my parents in Tokyo?" she queried, facing him as her eyes glimmered in hope.

"Within moments! In fact, allow me to send you there immediately, all three of you!" he excitedly offered, hand twitching with his eagerness. The teen scowled as she reached out and grasped the bars, leaning in to draw nearer to him.

"Watch it Ratchet," she threatened, eyes darkening as she scanned his features. He recoiled slightly, taken aback as his optics brightened before he simply grumbled, turning back to the computer screen.

XXXXXX

"What is this, anyway?" Miko questioned as she kneeled down, Katie already closely examining the many dials on the odd contraption, on her hands and knees.

"Broken, don't touch." He bluntly informed as he marched to the many screens. Kate recoiled slightly, falling back onto her bottom as she blinked. Miko glared in his direction before a slow, mischievous grin tugged at the corners of her mouth, eyes sparkling. Nudging Katie, she slowly crept her hand closer, walking it along the ground toward the device while the blonde watched in fascination. "Don't touch that either." He snapped, a growl evident in his voice.

She gaped at his turned back, eyes widening in wonder as she shot an incredulous gaze at her companion, who merely giggled, amused.

"Is there anything in here that we can touch?" Jack sarcastically drawled as he appeared behind them, a hand placed on his hip as he smirked. Ratchet turned slightly, a dark scowl masking his features. All five jumped as a loud, continuous beep resounded throughout the cavernous room, several white alert pop-ups framed by red appearing on the green monitor screens.

"How come you're using human computers?" Raf hesitantly asked, scrutinizing the blocks with interest and confidence. He braced himself on the safety rails, slowly leaning forward to get a better view.

"It certainly isn't by choice. It was handed down by the previous tenants when we inherited this former missile silo. I make modifications as I see fit," he testily explained, optics focused on the message. He dejectedly groaned as several more notifications, identical to the first ones, popped up.

"I think I can fix that," Raf softly offered, swiveling and dashing to an area by the screens. The medical bot turned to look at him in skepticism, optics bright.

"Really?" he drawled, tone dripping with disbelief. "You know this is complex technology, don't you? I mean, it isn't a child's toy!" he scoffed as the boy tentatively connected his laptop, which he had retrieved from his bag, to the hard drive.

Ignoring his crude remarks, the twelve-year-old quickly punched in an array of codes into a black window, before setting the changes into effect. "Now try," he pleasantly responded, disconnecting the two computers and hastily sliding his own into his bag. Rolling his optics, though choosing to humor the child, he smugly turned to the screen and re-entered the directions.

All watched in amazement as the blocks vanished with the same, annoying beeps, and Raf smirked as Ratchet turned to look at him in disbelief, optics wide and mouth agape. "How…"

"Kid's a computer whizz. Everyone goes to him when they have problems." Miko briskly explained, arms smugly crossed over her chest as she gazed up at the shell-shocked medic.

'Ratchet!' the Prime's voice resounded from the monitor's speakers, a brief summary of his profile flashing across the screen. 'Bridge us back! Use the arrival coordinates…. Now!' Dashing to the opposite controls and yanking a lever jutting from the side, the vortex flared to life.

All five turned in wonder as four engines of different strengths throttled closer, the familiar vehicle speeding toward them with what seemed to be an enormous, glowing blue cloud in pursuit. Sprinting over and grabbing Kate's arm, Jack quickly yanked her further out of the way as all four sped through, swerving to a stop once past the gateway. The eighteen-wheeler, however, had no hope of stopping in time.

Instead, he shifted into a frenzy of sliding, shifting and twisting metal plates, flipping and transforming milliseconds from impacting with the hard concrete. A hand dragging along the floor and pedes braced as he slid, the armor above his shoulders clicked downward as his hydraulics hissed, slightly steaming. All four humans stood in awe, mouths agape as their eyes widened. Katie blinked owlishly before taking a few hasty steps backward. Seemingly unfazed, Ratchet stepped away from the monitor, optics bright.

"Cutting it a bit close," he casually commented, looking to each 'Bot in turn as they flipped, ground and twisted upward. "How 'bout Cliffjumper?" he asked, voice revealing his slight hope as he raised his hands slightly. All four Autobots visibly drooped, optics dimming as they skillfully avoided any eye contact with the medic. Surging forward before Jack could stop her, Miko darted to the edge of the balcony, eyes wide with keen interest.

"What was that explosion?" she eagerly questioned, gripping the metal bars tighter as her pigtails bobbed. "Was there a fight? Can I come with next time?" A low, frustrated and angered growl emanated from behind the Autobot leader, and the familiar blue motorcycle quickly stepped into view, a hand hanging in the air slightly.

"Look," she ground out, optics dangerously narrowed as she glowered. Sensing the impending storm, Jack hastily released his sister's arm, and she gleefully grinned, backtracking slightly to remain out of his reach. Not noticing, the teen moved over and laid a hand on Miko's shoulder.

"Hey, hey Miko! Let's… go see what the 'Bots hide in their sock drawers!" he off-handedly suggested, shrugging slightly as he led her away. She stared up at him in disbelief, eyes narrowed and mouth slightly open as she shook her head slightly.

"Seriously?" she drawled, though followed him, leaning away slightly as if trying to avoid contact. Taking her chance and scrambling to the latter, Katie precariously lowered herself down, perching on the edge with her feet dangling over.

"Arcee," Optimus spoke, optics bright in concern. "What did you see?" The blue femme glanced up at him, but quickly looked away, an arm wrapped around herself as all present Autobots looked to her.

"Not Cliff," she spoke, voice just above a scraggly whisper. "At least, not anymore. He was mutated, butchered… Like something from those 'Con experiments during the war!" she managed to force out, voice hitching severely.

All lunged forward slightly, optics brightening as she suddenly toppled sideways, crashing to her knees and leaning against a large white storage container. Bumblebee worriedly staggered forward, hands awkwardly held out to his side as he emitted a low, loud buzz. "I'm fine!" she snapped, clutching the side of the box. "Just… Dizzy,"

From the balcony, Miko's eyes brightened in realization. "Robots who get dizzy," she slowly trailed, the truth of the situation dawning on her.

"Robots with emotion," Raf added, pushing his red-rimmed glasses further up.

"Robots… Who can die," Jack gravely finished, the notion lingering in the air like an unveiled threat.

Sitting atop the crate, Arcee froze as Ratchet knelt in front of her sagging figure, revealing a scanner attached to his arm. Clicking it on and passing the light over her form, he gradually honed in on her left hand. "Ah-ha," he quietly hummed. "What is this?" he rhetorically required, lifting her smaller hand in his own.

"I don't know," she shakily replied, a hand on her helm. "Cliff was covered in it; leaking it." The medic grabbed a tool from a nearby shelf and gently scrapped some of it off and onto the flat of the object.

"Go take a decontamination bath, now!" Ratchet demanded, toting the odd purple liquid to a nearby microscope. Placing a supporting hand between her small winglets, Bumblebee gently helped her to her feet, bearing most of her weight as he led her off.

"Uh, O-Optimus," Jack began, seemingly uncomfortable with speaking up. "I hate to bug, but… No bars," he informed, whipping out his small flip-phone and lifting it up as evidence to his proclamation. Turning towards the group of humans, he calmly stared down.

"A security precaution," he informed. "The silo walls isolate all radio waves." Jack seemed to panic slightly, a hand flying up into the air as he glanced at the small screen.

"Well, if I don't call my mom, like, now, I'm pretty sure the cops will be out looking for me!" he wearily informed with a small shrug. Leaning forward further, Optimus scrutinized him.

"Have you broken a law?" he gravely questioned, dreadfully awaiting the response.

"Uh, curfew… It's after ten P.M. And if I don't get Katie home soon, things are gonna go downhill… Fast." He half-heartedly responded, glancing over to the half-asleep three-year-old, an agitated scowl on her previously cheerful face.

"I better get home, too, or I'll be grounded for a year!" Raf quietly exclaimed, shaking his head slightly as he looked up at the giant cybertronian.

"Earth customs. I hadn't considered," he admitted, rising once more. "But the issue of your safety still remains." He turned slightly, facing the left as he stared at the bulky green wrecker. "Bulkhead, accompany Miko home," he instructed, leaving no room for argument as the olive-green mech nodded. Said teen's eyes widened, and she seemed to light up as her mouth fell open.

"Awesome!" she caterwauled. "My host parents will freak!" she finished, halfway lunging at Jack, causing him to lean backwards in surprise.

"… And maintain covert surveillance, in vehicle form," the leader finished, not missing a beat as he ignored the remark.

"Curbside duty," Bulkhead reiterated in relief. "Got it," Miko let out a disappointed huff, crossing her arm as her eyes dulled and her bottom lip jutted out slightly.

"Bumblebee, you'll watch over Raf," The two shared a small, pleased smile, 'Bee's optics zooming out as Raf grinned, eyes glimmering. Other than that, they were silent.

Both guardians swiveled to follow their leader's line of vision as he swiveled his upper half to view the monitors, optics brightening in surprise as they saw who he had in mind. "Ratchet-"

"Busy," he curtly interrupted, not turning from the screen as he raised a hand in denial. Seemingly put off, a second of silence blanketed the base before Optimus's optics landed on Arcee, who was just stepping out of the long hallway.

"…Arcee, you will accompany Jack," he resignedly informed, deciding against pressing matters with the notoriously grumpy medic. The teenager uneasily ran a hand through his hair, avoiding eye contact and sweeping Kate into his arms as the femme's head snapped up in disbelief. She placed a hand on the back of her helm, dimming her optics and breathing out.

"Still dizzy," she airily responded, voice light and floating as she 'swayed'.

"You're fine, says your physician," Ratchet moodily snapped, a smug air around him as he skillfully avoided the unwanted duty. She huffed slightly, shrugging as she marched away.

His bright, ancient optics fell on the small child now soundly asleep in her brother's arms, her head limply resting in the crook of his neck as her small hand automatically rested in her mouth. He vented silently, finally coming to a decision on the matter he had so greatly considered.

"I will also be accompanying you to the Darby residence, taking watch over Katie." He smoothly informed, tone unrevealing as he prepared for his teammate's reactions. It seemed for a moment to him as if the world had frozen, leaving only him animate, though only for a second.

Ratchet suddenly swiveled, optics wide and bright in disbelief as his jaw hung slightly. "But, Optimus," he protested, hands slashing through the air as he tried to heighten his point.

"Ratchet's right, Prime," Arcee stiffly informed, rigid as she hesitantly turned, feet remaining planted in the same position as they previously had. "No telling when you'll be needed around here. Plus, semi trucks don't exactly… blend." She finally responded, a hand on her hip as she slouched to one side, helm tilted. "I can watch them both."

Bumblebee warbled urgently from beside a shell-shocked Bulkhead, his doorwings nervously twitching and flicking as his optics 'dilated'. Arcee scowled and shot the scout an angry, disapproving glower.

"'Bee, just because I'm a femme doesn't mean I'm any better with sparklings," she ruefully reprimanded, optics darkening as she placed both hands on her hips. The yellow 'Bot seemed to shrink back, clicking apologetically. Venting once more, Optimus spoke,

"I understand your concerns, but I will not be swayed in my decision. Ratchet is more than capable of handling the base." He firmly responded, not giving any more room for argument before he moved forward and transformed, popping his door and allowing it to swing open. Jack shared an uncertain look with Raf, who gave him a gentle nudge toward the parked eighteen wheeler.

"Go," the twelve-year-old encouraged, Miko smirking. Jack shot them each a dry scowl, eyes narrowed as he realized that they would be of no help, and carefully scaled the set of stairs to the ground. Stiff and uneasy, he uncertainly moved toward the giant truck, uncomfortable and awkward in his movements.

Reaching the Prime, he forced himself to gently place his foot on one of the two steps jutting from underneath the door, leaning halfway in as he lowered the small girl to the leather seats, her tiny figure dwarfed by the truck. He leapt back in relief, feet making contact with the concrete as a seatbelt looped around her still form, gently tightening over her as the seat reclined slightly. The door swinging closed of its own accord, he gently rolled forward, accelerating with the second as he neared the tunnel, confident his team members were following.

XXXX

Pulling up beside the curb as Arcee rolled into the rickety garage, Jack dragging his foot along the concrete to maintain the illusion, the semi gently rolled to a stop, careful not to jostle the small toddler curled in his interior. Patiently waiting for her rather devoted brother to come retrieve her, he moved his sensors to the small shack, engine dying down as well as his headlights in order to attract less attention.

A small whimper drew him out of his assessments, his sensors darting back to his seat. Katie was now on her knees, electric blue eyes wide with fright and uncertainty as they roamed her surroundings. He, with dread, noted the tears welling in front of the cerulean, partly from fear and partly from exhaustion, giving them an oddly luminescent sheen.

"It is alright, small one," he softly informed, tone neutral though reassuring. "You are not alone, nor in the presence of an enemy." Mentally wincing as she merely jolted and blinked, he tentatively looked on as she cowered, his words detrimental to her short-fused emotions. She let out a thin sob, hunkering down in the seat and curling into a small ball as a tear escaped and flowed down her cheek. He puzzled slightly, though his attention was once again diverted as a small, short rap was felt on his driver door. Seeing, with more than a small amount of relief, the teenager standing patiently beside him, he quickly popped it, allowing it to hang open as the human swung it the rest of the way out and clamored up the small steps.

Jack smirked as he noticed how rigid the truck appeared, if a truck could appear so, seemingly raised higher than normal on his axels. His knowing grin grew as he laid eyes on his distraught, tired sibling. Quickly retrieving her, he slid off of the high steps and 'closed' the door. "Don't worry," he reassured, looking at a random spot on the windshield. "She gets moody when she's sleepy. Not anything you did,"

"Not tired," the small three-year-old grumped, rubbing her eyes with a loose fist.

"Sure you aren't," he doubtingly drawled, shifting her higher into his arms as his eyes glinted with slight humor. He then stole a last glance at the semi. "Night, Optimus,"

"Goodnight, Jack," he politely responded, now more doubtful than ever in his decision to take on the child. He watched as the duo disappeared into the rickety garage in which Arcee sat, relaxing slightly.

XXX

"A-Arcee," Jack slowly, softly stated, voice laden with pity as he moved into the shed, sliding around the cybertronian. "I just wanted to say, I'm really sorry for your loss," he earnestly whispered, voice just audible as he lowered Kate to the ground. The 'cycle seemed to flicker to life, raising up and balancing on its own.

"What could you possibly know about loss?" she bitterly questioned, rearview mirrors flicking slightly.

"Wh-What, you think you're the only one with problems?" he fired, green eyes narrowing in anger as he threw out his arms slightly. She abruptly transformed, grinding filling the air before she stooped in the shed, optics vivid in rage.

"I'm not sure girl trouble counts!"

"Well, I'm pretty sure my girl trouble started the night I met you!" he backfired, crossing his arms over his chest as he awaited her response. Her optics exasperatedly flitted to Kate as she released a soft wail, tears streaming down her exhausted face as she balled her tiny hands into tight fists. Knowing their senseless arguing would only upset the child further, she forced herself to bite back her next venomous retort as she scowled at the wall for a millisecond, posture rigid and optics flaring.

She whipped around as a motor revved, asphalt crunching underneath the tires as an off-white car rolled in to view, rolling around the corner and turning onto the drive. "Cons!" she screeched, ion blasters activating as she forcefully shoved Jack and Katie behind herself.

"N-No!" Jack yelled out in protest, charging out from her cover, eyes widening in distress.

"Mama!" Kate tiredly exclaimed, eyes brightening somewhat as she, too, sprinted from the garage. Realizing the situation, the femme quickly transformed down into her alt. The small car slowed to a stop, brakes squealing as the headlights blinded the three. The woman quickly reached over to the passenger seat, snatching her bag and hefting it onto her shoulder before stepping out.

"Katie!" she happily laughed out in surprise as the child tackled her knees, stooping down slightly. "What're you doing up?" Lifting her daughter into her arms with practiced ease, she shot an irate look at Jack as he sprinted over, frantic.

"M-Mom!" he exclaimed in surprise, dryly chuckling. "D-Don't freak, I can explain!" he insisted, hands batting at the air as he animatedly motioned to her.

"Can you?" she angrily questioned, settling Kate on her hip and positioning her other hand on her waist. Her stormy gray eyes dilated in anger as she dropped her arm and moved toward the garage, shaking her head. "Jackson Darby, we've talked about this!" she exclaimed, throwing her free hand into the air.

"I know, and-" Jack struggled to ensure, his mother effectively cutting him off.

"No, you don't know!" she reprimanded, grey eyes glistening with anger. "I worry about you enough when you're not here, and now I have to worry about you driving a motorcycle?" she incredulously demanded.

"Mom, I'm sixteen, I can't be riding a ten-speed forever! And it's also safer with Kate," he reasoned, laughing slightly.

"How did you even afford this?" she interrupted.

"I-It's used, It's, ah, abused, really. Needs a ton of repairs!" He quickly covered, silently hoping that said motorcycle would forget the cover story. "But the point is," he softly began once more, crossing the small room to the rickety wooden table shoved against the wall and laying his hand tenderly on top of the helmet sitting on it. "I may have been a kid when I bought this, but I'm not anymore. You're always telling me to make responsible choices. Well, I chose her," he revealed, throwing his hands out in front of him as he moved back toward them.

He reached Arcee once more, and hesitantly laid a hand on the small windshield between the handlebars. "And I'll be responsible, I promise!" June slowly strolled up, stopping on the other side of the vehicle.

"Her?" she mischievously questioned, something akin to disbelief lacing her tone. "I didn't think you'd be bringing girls home just yet!" she fondly teased, placing her free hand on her hip once more.

"I… like to think she brought me," he sheepishly stuttered, scratching his head awkwardly as he looked to the ground.

"Well," she resignedly sighed, absently clenching and unclenching her fist, almost nervously. "I'm glad you finally have a reason to wear your helmet," she gave in before her eyes suddenly hardened slightly. "Each and every time you ride!" she barked, glaring at him. Her tone softened as she moved to the door, her son at her heels. "You will take me for a spin every once and a while, won't you?"

"We'll see," he drawled, turning to glimpse at the 'cycle as her rearview mirrors adjusted to view them. "She's kind of temperamental." He flicked the lights, the dark blanketing her along with the thick silence as the door clicked shut, the garage door sliding downward with a mechanical whir.

XXX

Urg! I hated that last bit in between jack and June. Am I the only one that has trouble writing her? Anyways, please R+R! Open for suggestions! StarLight out.