Note: this chapter contains mpreg.

.

. .

. . .

Today is the day.

Two weeks after the confrontation with Albedo, the machine is complete.

The Cybertronians are finally going home.

They just need to power the machine up with the dwarf star and then…

Well…

Hope and pray that it works.

The Cybertronians say their goodbyes, and provide the Plumbers and Khyber with the utmost amount of gratitude for all they've done.

Ben laments that he and Steeljaw never had a Round 2…

But Steeljaw promises, if possible, to repay the favor at a later date.

The Cybertronians step up the platform and stand in the center.

Max starts the machine.

The Cybertronians wave one final farewell before a bright beam consumes them.

As soon as the light disappears, no one remains.

Chaos.

Panic.

Darkness.

Pain.

The stirring of waking mechas disturbs the otherwise peaceful silence of a dimly lit room.

BB: "Mmm…"

Bumblebee is the first to awaken, blue optics blinking online. He twists and turns his helm, getting a layout of the area. Based on the medical tools and supplies, it is no doubt the med-bay.

BB: "The… Why are we…"

Then the realization strikes him. Bumblebee bolts upright and frantically feels and looks himself over. Shiny yellow and black plating, sleek and rough yet pliable protoform, specks of blue light here and there; yes, he's back to normal.

BB: "I'm… We're…"

KO: "MY FINISH! THANK FRAGGING PRIMUS I'M BACK!"

To Bumblebee's right, Knockout and Starscream are relieved to be back in their original bodies.

SS: "MY WINGS! MY GLORIOUS WINGS! OH, HOW I MISSED YOU SO!"

Knockout immediately locates a mirror and starts fawning over his complexion, while Starscream flicks his wings in happiness. Bumblebee smiles, then looks to his left, where Moonracer is sitting cross-legged on her berth, just watching the scene unfold.

BB: "So…"

MR: "Not the trip to Earth I was expecting, but it was still fun, I guess. Interesting, at most."

Bumblebee laughs.

BB: "You can definitely say that again!"

Moonracer nods. She seems sullen. Bumblebee senses this, but is unsure whether he should intrude. He doesn't have the chance to when the med-bay doors slide open and the lights turn on.

SW: "You are all awake. My calculations were correct."

SS: "Shockwave!"

One moment, Starscream is flaunting his wings, and the next, has his arms wrapped around Shockwave and helm buried in his neck. Shockwave's optic brightens in surprise. Frame, unmoving. He is unsure of what to do. After an awkward minute of just standing there, he relaxes and places his servo on Starscream's backplate.

SW: "It is… nice to see you, too, Starscream."

The silver Seeker chokes out a laugh through his tears.

SS: "You have no idea how happy I am to see you!"

Shockwave's servo clenches. The sudden, fixed pressure forces a whine out of Starscream, prompting Shockwave to relent. He loosens his grip and gingerly rubs small circles in the afflicted area. Starscream purrs and leans against his lover.

SW: "What happened?"

The unexpectedly open show of affection between the two kept the others from interrupting, afraid of the backlash. Now with a non-specifically directed question thrown out there for anyone to answer, they had no need to stay quiet.

KO: "That, my friend, is a very long story, one that will leave you with more questions than answers, and believe me, I am being completely serious despite my use of one of the most cliche and overused lines in existence."

Shockwave cocks his helm.

SW: "Then I suppose that I should clear my schedule for such an endeavor."

The room goes silent once again. Knockout doesn't add anything else, Starscream still clings to Shockwave, and Moonracer remains lost in her thoughts. Bumblebee is antsy and shifting in his seat. He wants to look around, but feels like he shouldn't.

Something is bothering him.

Someone isn't here.

With them.

Where they should be.

BB: "Err, Shockwave?"

The red glow of Shockwave's optic burns into Bumblebee's gaze. Uncomfortable with holding direct visual contact at this time, Bumblebee turns away and rubs the back of his helm.

BB: "Uh… You wouldn't happen to know where Steeljaw is, would you?"

Shockwave doesn't answer.

BB: "I need to make sure he's alright…"

Bumblebee shuts his mouth before he mentions anything regarding Steeljaw's pregnancy, which is easier said than done, considering how far along he is.

BB: "I just need my team-mate to be safe."

He thinks Shockwave isn't going to say anything, but is surprised when he does.

SW: "They're fine. Resting in another room."

The others exchange looks. While the news is of great relief, the way Shockwave worded his response is questionable.

KO: "When you say they're, do you mean…"

SW: "Steeljaw and his developing sparkling."

All mouths are open, each a little more than the last.

BB: "How… How did…"

SW: "It was part of my research during Project: Predacon, before I arrived on Earth. I can go into more detail at a later date. I have work to attend to, and I assume you want to see Steeljaw."

Fumbling over his words, Bumblebee agrees and thanks Shockwave – never thought he would ever do that – for his hospitable treatment. As he leads them to the room he put Steeljaw in, Shockwave tells them what happened after they came through the portal.

Shockwave was just about to check the space-bridge, to make sure it was in perfect working order for the main crew's return, when they came flying/driving out of a portal that randomly popped to life, broke through one wall, and dented another. They transformed and fell unconscious upon impact, right in the middle of the hallway. Shockwave's processor was full of questions, but he focused instead on cleaning up the mess. He brought them to med-bay, then called for workers to come fix the damages. Shockwave treated them for wounds, viruses, and the like, but as soon as he realized that Steeljaw is carrying, he moved him.

They don't know where until Shockwave stops in front of a door in the Guest Wing. He inputs a code, unlocking the door. He pushes it open and allows the others entrance. The room is of decent size, with a workstation and shelving on one side, a kitchenette on the other, and at the very end, a large, plush-looking bed. Upon which a familiar face is resting.

Bumblebee vents, relieved to see his team-mate safe and sound. He senses the others feel the same way. So, quietly, they enter.

SW: "Don't stay long."

BB: "We won't, I promise."

Shockwave takes Bumblebee at face value. He steps back and leaves. The door slides shut after his departure.

SJ: "Who's there?"

Steeljaw shifts in place and opens his optics, his golden gaze brightening as he comes to his senses. He smiles.

SJ: "Oh, it's you guys."

BB: "Wow, never thought you would be happy to see us."

Steeljaw huffs, not taking offense to Bumblebee's words.

SJ: "I don't think I'm in complete control of my emotions right now, Lieutenant."

All optics flick to Steeljaw's distended abdominal plating. The carrier reaches over and rests his claws on the bulge. He flinches from the light touch, causing concern to flare in his team-mates.

MR: "Are you alright?"

SJ: "Fine, fine, just a little sensitive."

Steeljaw adjusts to the feel of his servos on tender plating and relaxes.

SJ: "So, we're back."

KO: "Yes we are!"

MR: "How's the sparkling? Is it healthy?"

KO: "Any idea when it will come out?"

SS: "Planning to stay here until then?"

The others glare at Starscream.

SS: "What?"

Knockout scoffs and rolls his optics.

KO: "At this point, Steeljaw won't be able to move much, if at all. This room is the only safe place for him and the sparkling, especially the first day after the birth!"

BB: "Not to argue with you, Knockout, but shouldn't Steeljaw and Ramulus…"

SJ: "He doesn't know."

BB: "Who doesn't know?"

SJ: "Ramulus. He doesn't know I'm carrying."

KO: "How does your mate not know that you're carrying?"

SJ: "Actually, I don't think he even knows that I'm back."

SS: "How does he not know that you're back?"

MR: "Okay, enough! We are setting things straight! You two…"

Moonracer points to Knockout and Starscream.

MR: "Are coming with me. Bumblebee, you stay here with Steeljaw. Make sure he doesn't do anything to hurt himself or the sparkling."

Ignoring questions, comments, and concerns, Moonracer ushers one pair of mechs out and leaves the other pair behind.

Bumblebee vents and rubs his temples.

BB: "Primus, this is going to be a mess."

SJ: "You shouldn't be the one to stress, Lieutenant."

Bumblebee turns around to look at Steeljaw. The Lupicon is lying on his side, arms cradling his bulging abdomen. His tail curls as far around his frame as possible, and normally fierce yellow optics are dulled by exhaustion.

It is still strange – unnatural – to see Steeljaw in a position of vulnerability, but this time is not like all other times.

This time, he has someone else to worry about besides himself.

Someone who, unlike Steeljaw, can not defend themselves.

BB: "I know."

Bumblebee takes a seat at Steeljaw's bedside, making no attempt to touch him, even if he means to be comforting. He knows Steeljaw will maim him if he makes a wrong move, and reaching out when he isn't his mate is definitely at the top.

BB: "I'm sorry. I shouldn't act like… like…"

SJ: "You have a place in this whole affair?"

BB: "Yes, that!"

Bumblebee laughs.

BB: "I just didn't know how to say it. I didn't want to upset you."

SJ: "That's never stopped you in the past."

BB: "Things are different now!"

He vents to calm himself down.

BB: "Believe it or not, I like how we are now. I want things to stay this way. I want us all to be together, to not be enemies anymore!"

SJ: "I wouldn't exactly consider us friends, either."

BB: "We are allies, team-mates, . . ."

Bumblebee pauses.

BB: "Family. We've come a long way, and we don't always get along or agree or any number of things, really, but despite that, we still look out for each other. We strive for something better, and I'd say we're doing a pretty good job so far."

Steeljaw allows Bumblebee a reprieve, then laughs.

SJ: "And here I thought you couldn't possibly become more soft-sparked as an Autobot!"

Bumblebee joins in.

He would have punched Steeljaw, too, if he wasn't afraid of losing an arm.

And they are too busy laughing to notice the door opening.

"STEELJAW!"

Ramulus is standing in the entryway, blocking everyone out in the hallway from entering. His ragged vents reverberate throughout the suddenly silent room, and pinkish-red optics inspect Steeljaw from a distance.

SJ: "Oh… uh… hi, Ram."

Bumblebee side-eyed Steeljaw, both concerned and amused by his awkwardness.

RAM: "'Hi… Ram?' IS THAT ALL YOU HAVE TO SAY?"

Faster than an optic blink, Ramulus is across the room and all up in his mate's personal space.

RAM: "DO YOU KNOW HOW WORRIED I'VE BEEN? AND DON'T SAY YOU'RE SORRY 'CAUSE THAT AIN'T GONNA CUT IT!"

Despite the situation, Steeljaw manages to keep his cool and find his voice.

SJ: "Ramulus, calm down! I know you're upset, but yelling isn't making things any better!"

Ramulus huffs and leans back on his heels.

RAM: "Whatever happened to you messed up the bond. I couldn't feel you, and I panicked. All this time, I couldn't think straight, and I didn't know what to do. You're the one who knows these kinds of things. That's why you're always in charge, 'cause you know stuff and can handle it. The nanoklik I realized that somethin' was wrong…"

TH: "He tore up everythin' in his path till he found Shockwave."

Surprising both Steeljaw and Bumblebee, Thunderhoof is next to approach. He keeps a few paces behind Ramulus, but is close enough for Steeljaw to see and hear him clearly.

TH: "I's would a been impressed if I wasn't busy tryin' to stay out of his way."

Steeljaw scanned the cobalt blue frame before him.

SJ: "Nothing looks out of place. I assume you behaved yourself?"

TH: "Huh?"

RAM: "Don't worry, he didn't cause any trouble."

SJ: "Good."

RAM: "Your brother, however, . . ."

SJ: "By the Allspark, what happened?"

TH: "We ain't goin' there!"

SJ: "And why is that?"

PJ: "Because it's embarrassing!"

Bumblebee jumps, startled. He only just noticed that Phantomjaw is leaning against him, helm resting on top of his, and arms wrapped around his shoulder plates.

PJ: "Embarrassing for 'Hoof, anyway."

Thunderhoof bristles.

TH: "I wasn't joking when I threatened to tear you apart if you so much as mentioned what you did!"

Phantomjaw, to absolutely no one's surprise, is undeterred by the threat.

PJ: "Whatever you say!"

He looks to his brother.

PJ: "So, what's new with you? Aside from the obvious!"

Steeljaw averts his gaze from his brother's. He turns his attention away from Thunderhoof. He chooses to focus on Ramulus, who hasn't moved at all. Except for his optics, solely focused on his mate's bulging abdomen. Where their sparkling is developing.

SJ: "You want to feel?"

Steeljaw's voice breaks Ramulus out of his stupor. He shakes his helm and looks at his mate.

RAM: "I… I don't think that's such a good idea. I don't want to hurt 'em, or you."

SJ: "You won't."

He reaches out and grabs Ram's servo.

RAM: "How do you know?"

SJ: "Because I know you!"

He brings the servo closer.

SJ: "And if there is one thing I can say for certain, it is that you will never hurt me."

He places the servo upon sensitive plating.

SJ: "You will never hurt us."

He gives the servo a gentle squeeze.

SJ: "Trust me."

He releases the servo, giving free reign to Ramulus.

At first, Ramulus was uncertain.

Nervous.

But, as if a hidden set of protocols has just been activated, tends to his mate.

Ramulus starts by running his servo across the surface of the bulge, determining which areas were more sensitive than others, which spaces were safe to touch, forcing his processor to save this information for the future. He doesn't want to risk hurting Steeljaw or the sparkling, not if he can help it. Once he feels comfortable with his assessment, Ramulus shuffles closer, and after a little trial and error, pulls his mate into a protective and comforting embrace.

Having their best interests at spark – in other words, keeping their sparks and not going offline anytime soon – the others keep their mouths shut.

For a while.

Shockwave returns to check on things and is none too happy when he sees a room full of bots.

SW: "I believe I said that you couldn't stay long."

KO: "We know! We just thought a little family reunion would be fun! Say, since everyone is here, and there's an Energon dispenser in this room… You wouldn't happen to have anything important going on right now, would you? I mean, something more important than us?"

Shockwave takes a second too long to answer.

KO: "Great!"

Knockout grabs Shockwave by the arm and drags him into the room.

KO: "Now we can recount that whole fragging ordeal we suffered through!"

SS: "You enjoyed most of it, Knockout."

KO: "Shut up, Starscream!"

And so the retelling begins.