KATNIP: One can only hope at least. Glad you're enjoying the story! :)

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CHAPTER 44
Suspension and A Visit

"Suspend me," Coulton shouted loudly, his voice reverberating through the hangar. "General Moreshower, sir, you cannot suspend me from my position!"

Mark watched as the tall, muscular general glared harshly into Coultons eyes. The man didn't seem to give the liaison any remorse either, only told him his orders stoically. "Temporary suspension, Coulton," Moreshower replied in a harsh deadpan. "After all the crap you pulled, your superiors and I want to makes sure you're in the right place." He then pointed straight at Mark. "And that you are not seriously considering hurting a child. Let alone one under strict government, and Autobot protection."

Mark watched as Optimus, who was to Hound's right took a step forward. The Autobot leader had been very angry to hear that Coulton had actually threatened Mark. And today, he looked no less angry, with his mouth curved into a frown and his optics somewhat-narrowed. "I can tolerate a great deal of things on my base," Optimus began, his voice low. "But threats toward a youngling. Especially an Autobot youngling-."

"He isn't even one of you!"

"I decide who is and is not an Autobot," Mark was startled by the way Optimus snapped. "And Markus Savoy has proven to me time and time again that he has earned a place in our ranks. He may not be a part of this war, but he is an Autobot," Mark felt a small smile tug at his lips as Optimus told the man that. "And as an Autobot, he is also protected by the revised NEST treaty. Which says that I have a say in the fate of a man who harms my Autobots," He crouched low, and looked closely into Coulton's eyes. "So know this, David Coulton. If you chose to ever follow through on your threat, you will not only be at the mercy of your superiors. But at mine as well."

Hound, who stood on the other side of Mark, crossed his arms and glared. It was clear that he wanted to say a lot of things to the man. He wanted to tear him apart, piece-by-piece in fact. Yet he knew that for the sake of the Autobots he needed to keep himself mostly calm. "You should feel lucky I don't have too much say in this," Hound commented. "As far as I'm concerned, threatening my youngling-." Hound began, but was quickly cut off as Optimus raised a hand. "Well, we'll just say the punishment I wanted for you was far less kind."

Coulton's eyes finally met Mark's, though the boy tried to avert them. "And what about you, boy?" The man sneered. "No quips to add to this? No snarks?"

Mark looked Coulton dead in the eye, holding his ground well. "Seeyah, don't let the door hit ye where the good lord split ye," He told him, almost childishly. "I'm sure that we'll all really miss your charming personality while you're gone." After that, Mark saw Optimus give him a warning glance and shut his mouth.

The look Coulton gave him made him tense, and even a little afraid. He looked livid, as if stunned that he had the guts to stand up to him like that after all this time. But Mark didn't care, Hound had now agreed to adopt him. This was his family, this was going to be his family forever if things went well. And on that note, they weren't going to let Coulton do anything to hurt him. "C'mon, David," Moreshower stepped forward now, grabbing his arm. "Let's go before you make yourself look any more like a damned idiot."

"No," Coulton shrugged the man off. "I can show myself out," He then stared between the boy and two mechs. "If you think you've gotten rid of me, you're wrong. I'll be back, and all three of you will wish you hadn't crossed this line." He told them with great anger before turning, and walking off in a huff.

Mark shuddered a little bit, hoping that wouldn't be the case. He was happy to hear that the man was gone, and there was no way that he wanted him back. Optimus took a step forward and stared down at Moreshower. "Does this mean we can expect the return of Charolette Mearing?" Optimus asked, hoping their best "main" liaison would be brought back on. "I know that she has expressed her desire to return in the past."

After a long moment, the man nodded in agreement. "I'll get on the phone with Mearing once Coulton and I touch down in DC," Moreshower explained, staring up at the mech. "For now, Robert Epps will handle things as best he can," He then looked at Mark. "Try not to let yourself get too worked up, kid. Coulton is a lot of talk, always has been."

"Yes, sir."

"Alright then, I'll be going," Moreshower nodded in response. "I'll call you when I know the answer about Ms. Mearing."

"A very safe journey to you, General."

As Moreshower saluted them, both Optimus and Hound returned the gesture. After a moment, Mark realized it was directed at all three of them, and fidgeted slightly, finally saluting as well. Hound chuckled inwardly at the half-hazard attempt, but simply shook his head. He knew that his son would get used to it, within time, he'd probably be a champ among "military brats". Moreshower let them go at ease before turning, and heading off towards the direction Coulton went in. "You're free," Hound nodded to Mark. "Why don't you go find Sideswipe? You may have time to go catch that movie you were talking about."

"Good idea," Mark nodded. "I'll see you later."

Once Mark was out of earshot, Hound gave his leader a look of worry. One that was only matched by the look of concern in the mech's optics. "I have a bad feeling about that last threat, Prime." Hound told him uncertainly. "That look in his eyes was pure venom."

"I concur," Optimus replied, tensing a little. "From here on out, we keep the base on high alert at the arrival of any government official."

Hound couldn't agree with that idea more if he tried.

...

That night, Mark dreamt of home. But it was not his home now, no, rather it was his home of the past. The large, beautiful DC home that he and his father, James Savoy, had shared. It was open and spacious, with beautiful furniture and a breathtaking view of the city. Mark mused that it was as if he had never left as he walked from his old bedroom and out into the kitchen, where to his surprise - he found his father. He stood in a nice dress suit, not unlike the kind he'd often wear to work (when not in the field), and he leaned against the kitchen counter.

He took a cautious step back, as if expecting this to be like the last dream. A nightmare in which his father would scream at him, as if he were there and disappointed in him. But oddly, the man smiled, a little sadly, one might add. "Mark," Savoy took a few, cautious steps forward. "It's alright, this isn't a dream, not like the last one." Mark's eyes widened as the man seemingly read his mind. "If you want proof, I'll let you hit me. Give me your best shot, I deserve it with everything I've put you through."

Mark blinked, noting the look in his eyes and the sad expression in his features. There was no mistaking it, this was his dad. He didn't know how he was there in his dreams, or why, but he was. A number of emotions ran through him, he wanted to beat the man where he stood, he wanted to scream and thrash. But he did none of those things after he ran to him, instead, he wrapped his arms around the man and let tears fall. "How," Mark whispered quietly. "I don't understand, you're dead, you can't be here."

"I'm not, not really anyway," Savoy commented, hesitatingly wrapping his arms around his son. "Sometimes, we're allowed to visit. And I thought it was time I took my chance to talk to you," He paused, clearing his throat as he gently broke off the hug and moved him forward. "You must still hate me, huh? After everything you've learned, I wouldn't blame you." He commented. "The afterlife gives you a lot to think about - I even hate myself."

Mark looked up at him, his eyes saddened. "So it's true, what they said?" Mark asked. "You killed people? Kids, adults, Autobots?"

Savoy looked at the ground, guilt filling the pit of his stomach. He had always been glad he had died before Mark had found out. But now, he had convinced himself he was ready for this, to talk about it to him, rather than watch him from afar. But he wasn't, it was hard, seeing the pain in his face, the look of disbelief. "I did," Savoy nodded solemnly. "I was a very angry man, Mark. I did a lot of terrible things in those weeks I'd leave you with your sitter," He explained "Things I'm not proud of. Things I'm punished with the knowledge of every day."

"So you're... Down there?"

"Nah, up there," Savoy shook his head. "My faith gave me that much, the big guy really is forgiving." Mark was surprised at the fact he sighed with relief there, at least now that he knew for sure. "I don't deserve it though. I deserve hell, and I damn well know it," He explained. "I should be burning down there with Attinger, but I..." He paused.

"You weren't all evil," Mark told him. "I wouldn't have ended up okay if you were."

Savoy chuckled at his son's optimism, and nodded his head solemnly. After a moment, he looked down, and then at Mark. "It felt especially bad when you met that Autobot," Savoy explained, his face paling. "The damn thing loves you just as much as I did, after all that I did to them," He explained, uncertainty in his eyes. "I didn't even regret what I did to them before that. Before I saw how he treated you. How he looks at you."

"So you don't hate them anymore?" Mark asked.

"I'm not happy with what they did to our planet," Savoy admitted. "But they have earned my respect from what times I have checked in. I guess the short answer is that no, I don't hate them anymore. I just wish none of this had to happen." He shook his head. "I'd give anything to go back to just the two of us, Markie. Before all this crap happened." He told him, making Mark smile at the use of his old nickname. "You shouldn't have to grow up an orphan."

"Hound wants to adopt me."

"And you're not sure if that's a good idea," Savoy replied. "You told him you are, but you're still not positive." Mark looked away, yet again, his father read right through him. "And that's why I'm here. To make at least something right after all the wrong I've done," He told him, his eyes baring into his son's. "I want you to let Hound adopt you, Mark. I want you to stop focusing on me, and live your life."

"But if he adopts me, I'm letting go of you," Mark replied, tears stinging his eyes again. "I tried putting you behind me, but it hurts. It hurts to think that I won't be a Savoy anymore." He watched as his father approached him and cupped a hand over his cheek. "I don't want to let you go, dad. Before this happened it was always you and me. And I love Hound, but," He then added. "I-."

"Stop that," Savoy shook his head. "I didn't raise someone who makes stupid decisions," He explained as Mark frowned. "I'm always going to be here Mark. I'm always watching you, and I will always be watching you." Mark looked down, uncertain of how to take that. "But I can't be your family anymore. I'm gone, Mark. I'm on the other side, and its time you came to terms with that." The boy stiffened. "He loves you so much, Mark. He can give you everything I would have, maybe more because he doesn't have the side I developed after your aunt died."

"You mean you won't hate me?"

"I could never hate you," Savoy replied firmly. "You're my baby boy. You were my entire world." He told him gently. "I'm going to love you 'til," Savoy chuckled slightly. "Well, I guess until the end of eternity," He looked Mark in the eyes, and pulled him into another hug. "I may not have been the best man, but I'm still your dad. And I always will be that. But I think I've accepted even the Autobot can be too."

"You really have been watching," Mark laughed.

"Yeah," Savoy replied with a chuckle. "I was about ready to shoot the mech down at first. He's lucky he actually treated you well, or I might have never seen reason." He explained as Mark rested his head against his shoulder. "I'd say a few things about that Coulton guy. But I really wasn't much better on the job," He admitted, wincing at the thought. "That said, I'm kinda hoping that the one with the swords rips him to shreds one of these days."

"Sideswipe isn't allowed to," Mark chuckled, a silence falling over them. "I wish we could stay like this forever."

"I do too," Savoy told him. "But it's time for me to go," He explained. "Remember what I said, Mark. Take his offer, get adopted," He told him gently. "And know that you'll never forget me. Not as long as you keep me in that big heart of yours." He explained, pointing at Mark's chest. "And I'll always be watching, even when you don't know it." He then added. "I am so proud of the young man you are becoming," His smile widened "He's going to go on to do great things."

"I love you, dad," Was Mark's only reply as he squeezed tighter.

"I love you, too." Savoy said as he gave his son a gentle kiss on the head.

And with that, Mark found himself sitting back up in bed. The first rays of light were seeping through his window as he sighed quietly. It felt good to have at least some closure in his mind, to finally know that his dad was okay. That he was proud of him, and most of all, that he approved. For the first time, he smiled, and looked out into the deep blue sky. Knowing that he was on the right path, and he only needed to stay on it.

...

A/N: Woo, that last exchange has been a long time coming. But I thought this was the perfect time for Savoy to make an appearance. Of course, the OOC-ness of him is intentional, though I tried to keep him as in-character as possible. The OOCness is there to mostly show the side to Savoy that Mark has talked about since chapter one.