When the next day came around, the excitement for Wheeljack's arrival could be felt from Bulkhead. He was very excited about seeing an old friend again, and it certainly was something that has not been felt for a long time. Azura wasn't sure how to feel about it though. When she got up that morning, she thought about asking Bulkhead more about Wheeljack. She was certain that there was a lot of stories that Bulkhead had of Wheeljack. The way he spoke about Wheeljack was clear that the wrecker was close to him and they had been great friends. Bulkhead even brought Miko to the base early due to how excited he was. He has at least made wanting to meet Wheeljack exciting.

Azura was in her room with Optimus at the moment as she was being fed. Optimus noticed she seemed a bit hungrier than usual, and he was pleased with that. It meant she was going to go through a growth spurt, and her body was simply needing more energon in preparation for the growth spurt. Azura didn't really notice she was hungrier, but that was okay. It was something that would come naturally as she grows. It would still be a few years before she can even try high-grade energon. It was too strong for her right now, and her system would overload. Even then, intake of high-grade was monitored, and she would still be on low-grade as she would only be able to have the high-grade in small amounts. It wouldn't be enough to keep her satisfied. But he did know that whatever procedure Ratchet wanted Azura to undertake could set that back a couple years.

Optimus turned his head as the door opened and Azura tensed in surprise, turning her body to face his chassis to try and hide from whoever had walked in. It was Jack. "Morning, Optimus. I am sorry if I am bothering you and Azura, but I kind of wanted to hide from Miko's excitement."

Optimus smiled at the boy as he understood how he was feeling. "It is why I brought Azura back into her room so she could feed without Miko's excitement. Bulkhead's as well, though he is more contained than Miko."

Jack nodded and looked at Optimus's arms. He smiled as he saw that Azura was trying to hide from him, and he noticed she had the Stitch plush tucked under her arm. He was happy she was so attached to it. He glanced at Optimus as he noticed he was kneeling. "I am surprised you don't have anything like a rocking chair in this nursery."

"A rocking chair?" Optimus questioned curiously. "What is that?" He glanced down at Azura when she grumbled unhappily as she continued to drinking the low-grade energon.

"It's a pretty simple chair, really. It is basically a chair that is designed to rock gently with a bit of pressure…" Jack knew he didn't have anything to show what one would basically look like. "It would probably be better than kneeling like that. You can sit and rock gently, though it might make Azura fall asleep. Especially while drinking."

Optimus pondered on the idea before he smiled. "It sounds like a simple, but nice thing to add to this room. I will definitely consider making one for me to sit on in this room. I will certainly make sure of it."

Azura couldn't believe that Jack had suggested that. Being rocked to sleep really did sound very nice, but she didn't expect Jack to make that suggestion to Optimus. She had not really thought of telling Optimus about that kind of chair, mostly because she was happy with just being held. But she knew she was also wanting other things, even if they weren't entirely necessary. And now Jack had gone and told Optimus about it before she could.

"I am also very glad that Azura loves that toy," Jack said with a smile as he walked over to take a seat on the couch. "I am suspecting she didn't let go of it last night." The leader shook his head and Jack chuckled softly. "I am glad that she loves it. I hope it will last for a long time. Sometimes stuffed toys can get ripped and dirty very quickly, but I do hope this will last for a long time."

"I do not think Azura will do anything to destroy the toy, Jack. The other toys are cared for, and she mostly leaves them in her berth. It just seems this one is special to her because you got it for her, and she loves the movie." Azura grumbled again and she was almost finished feeding, so Optimus slowed the flow of the low-grade and cut it off so she could finish up what was in the fuel line. "It is not unusual either. Sparklings will often cling to a particular toy given to them for many years due to a sentiment it might have to it."

"I hope it doesn't bother you too much. I am sure it would make you happier if it were a toy you have given her, and not me." Optimus shook his head and Jack was surprised. "Really? I would have thought…"

"I am not that kind of mech, Jack. Azura is free to feel a connection to gifts she receives from anyone she knows. I haven't given her anything yet that she might feel that way. And I am still learning her likes and dislikes, if I am being honest." Azura finished feeding from him and she was looking up at him curiously while licking the energon from her lips. Optimus smiled at her as she listened to him. "I do intend on giving her a gift…"

"Daddy, you already have." He looked at her in confusion and she held up the crystal. "I know it wasn't you specifically who made this, but you did give it to me. And it has been with me before my protoform even formed. And it is the only thing I don't take off unless I need to." She looked at the crystal with a smile. "It might not be a toy, but I knew this was from my family. I cherished it, and made I took care of it. No one knew I had it. No one. And I am just glad that none of the places I went to during my younger years stole it from me. Even when I was very helpless."

Optimus's smile softened as he listened to her. "I suppose you are right. Sometimes I forget that was the first gift I gave you, a symbol that I had hoped you would have knowing that it was from us. I know you only found out three years ago…and you removed it when you left…but I know you never stopped wanting it back."

"You are right about that. I missed having it with me. It took a bit of time to get use to, but I never stopped trying to grab it around my neck." She smiled as she looked up at him. "Daddy, I want you to know that having this crystal around my neck will always be a reminder of you. And I might love this Stitch…" She moved the stuffed toy and held it in her hands. "But it is mostly because Jack got it and Stitch is quite a relatable character…at least to me."

Jack couldn't help but be amused, though he understood. "I guess when a fictional, alien character like Stitch is created in a lab with no parents, and he searches for a family, and finds a family…yeah, I can see why you relate to Stitch. It is quite a story. Along with other things that happen in the movie, but I can fully understand why Stitch is a relatable character."

She nodded with a smile before stretching her limbs. "Can you put me down, please?" Optimus didn't respond, he simply lowered her to the ground and Azura was quick to step onto the ground. She walked over to Jack with a smile. "Do you think maybe I could get Angel too?"

"Angel?" Jack chuckled in amusement and nodded. "Sure, if that is what you want, you might as well have Stitch and Angel." Optimus did not know what Azura was talking about, so he simply listened quietly. "If there are any specific stuffed toys that you would like, I will gladly get them for you."

"Thank you, but that's really all I want is Angel," Azura responded with a smile. "And hopefully Miko has calmed down a bit, but knowing her, she probably has not." She chuckled a little and looked up at Optimus. "Do you think Wheeljack would make a good bot to join the family?"

Optimus nodded. "He is a brave soldier, Azura. He may have a much more rugged style of fighting than I do, but wreckers are more likely to do tasks that other bots are unwilling to do. Which is why we had wreckers in the ranks." Azura listened and she understood, though Bulkhead seemed less that way. "And we could always use help against the decepticons."

"And should I be worried about how much he loves sparklings?" Azura asked curiously. "I do not know what games sparklings played on your planet. And I guess…"

"Do not be concerned, Azura. I have no doubt that Wheeljack will treat you with the utmost care. I will keep a close eye on you when Wheeljack does interact with you. You do not need to fear." Optimus stood up as Azura shrugged and still seemed unsure about Wheeljack. "You are allowed to not want him to hold you, Azura. Sparklings are treated very well by all autobots, you will see."

"I hope so." Azura tightened her hug on the toy and looked at Jack. "I guess we should head back. I am quite full and satisfied."

"Won't you need to use the bathroom before you go?" Jack asked curiously and she gave him a surprised expression. "I am just trying to think of your needs."

She didn't know how to respond to that other than shrug. "I was just kind of surprised. That is something that I would expect a parent to say to their kid." She glanced at Optimus when he hummed in amusement as he overheard her. "You know I am not kidding either, daddy. But to be fair, I don't go as often as you. It's the morning and night that I go."

"Oh, okay." Jack immediately seemed embarrassed by asking the question. "Sorry. I guess I am kind of in the middle of…well…"

"You are treating me as both a toddler and a teenager, I know, it is confusing," Azura interrupts with a light giggle. "I…well, we are all still getting used to it. It's been…a month…or more? I don't know, I don't know how much time has really gone by, but it hasn't been that long."

Optimus smiled at her in amusement. "You might find it has been longer than you have realized, Azura," Optimus said gently as he proceeded to the door. "Nonetheless, I do believe Jack has done a wonderful job of keeping your interests in mind. Miko and Raf are still learning, but I know Miko is having a harder time getting used to it. But I know things will get easier as time passes by."

"It is probably a lot easier for Miko now that I no longer look human, and she hasn't really made any stupid remarks about it. And maybe when I get my first coverings too. But she will get there. I don't blame Miko for her still trying to wrap things around her head." Optimus nod in agreement and Azura watched the doors open and she knew he was heading back to the lobby. "When do you think Wheeljack will arrive?"

"I believe he should be entering the atmosphere of this planet within the hour," Optimus responded with a smile. "You are welcome to join us in the lobby at any time, Azura. You and Jack can do what you wish." She nodded as Optimus walked away and the doors closed behind him.

"You know…" Azura turned to face Jack as he began speaking. "You could have other things in here to do. I know you have your art out in the lobby, but why not have something in here? You don't have a great lot in here."

"Well, I don't need a lot. And I still cannot believe you told him about a rocking chair." She placed a hand on her hip as the boy smirked and shrugged at her in amusement. "I am serious, Jack! I had thought about telling daddy about a rocking chair, but I didn't see the point."

"I am sure you would love to be rocked to sleep. Can you deny that?" She didn't react to him straight away before sighing and shaking her head. Jack chuckled softly at her. "I felt like I was doing you a favor. Anyway, that is why I was thinking about other things we could add to your room."

"Maybe. But I do know that sparklings probably have different nurseries to mine as well, and daddy wants me to ensure that this room is comfortable for me. He does not want me to create it into something where I am trying to be different…yeah know." Azura looked around the room with a smile. "I still want those fairy lights, and I might think of something else as well. But I really want nothing more. I am sure you have good ideas and all, but for the moment, I wish to not worry about things like that."

Jack nodded as he listened to her. "I guess that is fair. I don't want to overwhelm you, but I guess I am kind of acting excited about all of this, aren't I?" She nodded with a roll of her optics. He chuckled a little. "Just so you know, I kind of am excited because I…I don't know actually. Maybe I am excited because you are the only sparkling I know, and since you're considered very young, I kind of…"

"I see, you are going to be the type to spoil babies and toddlers, right?" Azura interrupts with a bird grin on her face. Jack just shrugged at her and Azura laughed at him. "I see, well, I am amused and flattered at the same time. And now I see why you got me this Stitch here, and I am very grateful for it, but you do know you do not need to be doing that." He didn't say anything and she simply hugged him with another giggle. "This is very amusing to me, Jack. I didn't think you would be like this and I think it's very endearing. But do know that I am still considered mature for my age, according to the autobots. Which I am not surprised, I still act like a teenager at times. But I wonder, would that not mean I am going through the phase of terrible twos?"

"Terrible t…" Jack could not even finish his surprised response before he burst into fits of laughter. "I cannot believe you just said that! Of course you are not!" He kept laughing because he was so amused. Azura smiled before she giggled a little as well. She had just assumed it might have seemed that way. "Oh my gosh! That was funny, Azura. Although I can kind of see why you might think that. But you are not exactly throwing tantrums. I kind of think Optimus would be pretty scary if you did throw one."

Azura bit her lip for a moment and looked away from him. "I…uh…I have thrown one or two already…and he can be a little scary."

The boy didn't react to that other that he didn't seem surprised, but he was a little surprised. "Well, I guess I wasn't sure if you had or not. But I guess that there must have been reasons. Optimus is quite the father. You are lucky he is your dad."

"I guess." Azura shrugged a little and turned around, looking at the door. "The thing is…well…my sire…he could be…"

Jack softened his expression and placed his hand on her shoulder gently. "Hey, I know you are still struggling with that part about you. Just because a decepticon is your sire, does not mean you are going to be a decepticon."

"I guess…but…" Azura paused as she thought about it before looking at him. "What if…w-w-what if…um…I-I am…" She knew she was struggling to say it, but she had to. "I…I have…what if Megatron is my sire?" The boy widened his eyes in shock. "The bots seem to know that my sire is a decepticon, and they are not doing a CNA to figure out who. And…well…that habloid machine w-was Megatron's idea…maybe…so…"

"So you naturally think he's used his own CNA to form the habloid sparks, including you, right?" Jack asked thoughtfully and she nodded. "Woah, that is kind of heavy to think about. But I am not sure why that bothers you. From what I understand, Optimus used to consider Megatron a brother. Which says to me that Megatron was not always evil."

"Yeah…still…" Azura looked at her hand for a moment. Seeing the connections of her protoform still intrigued her. While it was like seeing her naked, all of her important vines and internals were still within her protoform, even though it was weak without the coverings she will need. "I kind of wonder…"

"The autobots don't care who your sire is, Azura. They love you." Jack moved to stand in front of her, looking her directly in the optics. "I actually cannot believe you think that they would reject you if you look like your sire. Or have any blood, uh, I mean, energon related to a decepticon. I would have thought they would have made that clear."

"I still have doubts…it…I cannot really tell them." Azura looked away from him. "I am sorry, you're not a therapist, but I like telling you because…" She sighed paused before she walked towards the door. "You're not an autobot. It makes it a bit easier."

"I see." Jack didn't know how he felt about that, but he was happy she felt like she could come to him about stuff. He followed her to leave the room to head back to the lobby. "Well I am here for you if you want to talk about stuff you don't want to tell the autobots. I guess they…they don't know what it was like for you during the first fourteen years of your life. And to be honest, I only know the skim of it myself."

"And that is exactly why I am struggling mentally, Jack. I love them so much, I really do, and I now have an irrational fear of waking up one day to find they have left me. I know I wasn't abandoned, but my…my brain is still working on it…or processor, I should say. I am still getting used to the different words." She chuckled a little as the doors open in front of them and they turn to head to the lobby. "I am sure you know the feeling…with your father and all. At least you had your mother with you the whole time."

"And just because my dad did something doesn't mean I will turn out like him," Jack said gently as he walked beside her. "You know that. I could never be that cruel to anyone. But even if you suspect who your sire is, do you think you are even ready to know? I think the bots will find out for you if you truly want, but that depends on you."

Azura shook her head a little as she listened to Jack. "I…I am not ready to officially know…" She already knew the answer thanks to Alpha Trion, but she still could not help but talk about Megatron being her sire as though it was just a thought on her mind. "I guess a part of me really hopes to never know, but on the other hand, knowing would also take away the fear of not knowing."

"And the autobots will never hate you for it, Azura, and you know it. Optimus adores you. I see it in his face every day, and I know he loves you no matter the past. I know you struggle, but I am here to help you see it differently as best I can." He wrapped his arm around her for a quick hug. "I am going to get you something that might help. I am sure there are things you would not express to me either. But there is a place you can put those thoughts down."

Azura guessed he was as talking about a journal. She thought about the idea and smiled. "I think I like that idea. A journal would be nice. At least the autobots can't read English...I think."

"They might, but I highly doubt they will read through it. They don't seem the type of race that would go through personal things, unless it's about a decepticon. You should not need to worry. I'll get you one, and you can put it somewhere in your room." He hummed for a moment. "You still have drawers, so maybe you can use them. I don't know if Optimus can open them."

"He can, he just does not need to use a heap of strength though. The handles make it easier for him. But he won't have a reason now due to the fact there are no more clothes in the drawers, so I guess I could put it in there." Azura did not doubt Optimus would not go through her journal, but it was just to make sure. She knew a lot of people did that. "I like the idea, Jack. I have used my other journals to just sketch random things in them, so one for my thoughts would be best. I trust you won't read mine."

"Of course not. Believe it or not, I have my own journal in my bedroom at home, so I know why they are great to have." That surprised Azura, she did not think Jack had one. But it made sense if he was used to using them. "I am sure you didn't think so, but everyone goes through things, and having something to vent your inner thoughts without backlash is a nice thing to have."

"I guess." She looked ahead as they got closer to the lobby. "I supposed I confided a lot with Cliffjumper in that way. That is why I…I miss him as well, because he took the time to listen and he never said anything…at least, I don't think he did."

"I see. And I have become a substitute for that." She nodded and looked down at the ground sadly. "I am sure there were things you didn't tell him either, which is why I am going to get you a journal. I'll bring it back with me tomorrow after school."

"Sounds like a good idea," Azura said, smiling slightly before looking up from the ground as they enter the lobby. She looked over to see Miko and Raf standing on the platform, watching the screen as the other bots stand around. Bulkhead was pacing while glancing at the screen. "Let's go see how far Wheeljack is from arriving."

Jack nodded as they run over to the stairs. Azura looked up at Optimus as she approached and he had a sad expression on his face. That surprised her. He looked down and smiled gently at her and she simply gave him a curious expression. He did not say anything to her and she wondered what he was feeling. She decided she would ask later as she climbed the stairs, looking up at the screen curiously.

Miko looked at Azura and saw the Stitch in her arms. "I see you love carrying that around." The sparkling looked at the girl in surprise. "Don't worry, I used to do that when I was a kid. Except I had a Pikachu that I carried around with me everywhere. He's my favorite Pokémon after all."

Azura smiled at her and chuckled a little. "I haven't seen the show yet." The girl widened her eyes in shock. "But I have seen some of the toys, and I kind of want to watch too. I only know it is a show about a boy who wants to catch and train Pokémon…am I right?"

"That is pretty much the basic part of the story, but there's a lot more in it than just that," Jack responded to her with a smile. "Maybe we can watch it some other time. I have the full collection of the series, including movies, I am sure you will love it."

Azura was sure that she would like it. She had actually thought Miko was going to say something bad about her holding the toy, but she was glad that she did not. "I am sure that I will. I am glad that I can watch any kind of movie or show that I want now that I am here, and not at that orphanage."

Jack nodded in agreement. "Indeed. And the best friends you could ever ask for."

She giggled softly at him and nodded in agreement. "That is for sure." Azura looked up at the screen before turning to look at Ratchet. "How far away in Wheeljack now, Ratchet?"

Ratchet opened his mouth to respond to her when Arcee spoke up first. "Wheejack's ship is approaching the landing zone." Azura smiled and turned to look at the screen while she heard Miko gasping excitedly.

She watched the signal move across the screen and she was starting to feel excited and nervous at the same time as the anticipation was starting to get really real. Another bot to the family just sounded wonderful. Even though she worried about the prospect of losing someone else, as that did play on her mind a little bit. Nonetheless, Azura was looking forward to getting to know Wheeljack and have fun with a new family member.

Raf turned to look at Jack, Miko and Azura with a smile. "Do you think he's here to visit?"

"Maybe he'll stay!" Miko responded excitedly. "He did seem pretty happy that there is a sparkling here to meet…" She gestured to Azura who flinched and looked away shyly. "Hmm, he'll have to find his own human though." Azura chuckled a little as she knew that would be ridiculous.

She looked over at Ratchet to see he was preparing the ground bridge and she hoped it would work. After a few moments of typing, there was the sound of the bridge turning on and she smiled. "Ground bridge cycling up." Ratchet smiled before flinching as sparks flew from the console and he frowned before slamming his fist on the console in irritation. "Blasted scraplets! Equipment hasn't been the same since the infestation, and it is such a long and tedious task repairing it all."

"But you are getting there," Azura said positively with a smile. "It could even come back better." Ratchet appreciated the words of encouragement and looked back at the console to concentrate.

Jack looked up at Optimus curiously after looking at the screen thoughtfully. "So Wheeljack's gonna land halfway around the world and then you'll bridge him here?"

Optimus nodded affirmatively to the boy's question. "We can't risk revealing the location of our base. Just in case the decepticons are tracking Wheeljack's ship."

"That makes sense. We wouldn't want any other rats finding there way in here," Azura said with a smile, which made her receive a shocked expression from Optimus. "Hmm, rats wouldn't be the right description, so I think snakes would be better."

"I am in agreement with Azura. We already had rats in here, we do not need snakes on top of it," Ratchet said without looking up from his work. "Which is why vigilance is necessary, regardless if the arriving ship contained an autobot within."

Azura smiled and looked at Bulkhead. He was still pacing impatiently, and Miko seemed to be intrigued by his excitement as she walked over and watched him. "Dude! I've never seen you so stoked!"

Bulkhead turned with a chuckle. "As I have been saying all day yesterday and this morning, you're gonna love Wheeljack. We were like brothers. And tonight, we are gonna party!" He pumped his fist excitedly with a bit smile on his face.

Miko gasped excitedly at the idea of a party. "Sweet!"

"I…I've never been to a party," Azura said in a quiet voice, though Jack and Raf overheard her. She looked at them curiously. "What are they like?"

Jack softened his expression as he listened to Azura, though Raf responded to her before he could. "Parties are different for different occasions, Azura. Not all of them have dancing and music, some parties are just food and talking. But they are always very nice and fun. I am sure that the party that Bulkhead is thinking will be fun and loud."

"Sounds exciting." Azura turned to Optimus with a smile. "What do you think, daddy? I have never had a party before, I am very excited about experiencing one."

Optimus smiled at her. "I think it will be a grand time for everyone."

"Aren't you going to tell her that Primes don't party?" Arcee asked him curiously, and Azura looked at the femme in surprise. "I think she should know…"

"I do not intend on leaving the base over a party, Arcee," Optimus interrupts gently. "I have attended parties before. But I do want my autobots to enjoy their time which is why I leave to patrol or do other things so that the party can go on safely."

That makes a lot more sense than Primes don't party. Sounds prejudice to me.

Azura flinched when there was a sudden alert and turned to look at screen, widening her optics as she saw there were signals of decepticons on the screen. "Oh no…" She whispered as she stared in disbelief.

Arcee narrowed her optics as she glared at the screen. "Bogeys closing fast on Wheeljack's position."

"Con scum!" Bulkhead sneered, glaring at the screen and turned to Ratchet. "Is the ground bridge ready yet, Ratchet? We need to get there now!" He stomped over to the tunnel, ready to leave the base to help his friend.

"I was in the middle of preparing the bridge when this happened, Bulkhead. Give me a moment…" Ratchet was concentrating hard as he worked on getting ground bridge up. "Almost there…" Azura didn't like the suspense and she just watched and waited.

Jack, Miko and Raf look at the screen with worried expressions. They watch as the signal comes to a stop, which they assume that Wheeljack had been shot down. Azura was more worried that they would lose someone new before they even got a chance to set foot in the base. That seemed very unfair in her mind. She held the plush tightly against her chest as she waited for Ratchet to fix the bridge.

She looked at Optimus and noticed he stood away from the tunnel. "Are you not going to go and help?"

He looked at her and smiled gently at her. "I will go if needed, but I do believe that Arcee, Bulkhead and Bumblebee will be able to handle the decepticons without me. Wheeljack is a capable warrior from his reputation, so I believe he will not require my aid unless necessary."

Azura didn't really argue about that, she was just surprised he had chosen to not go with them. Maybe he was right, and she assumed the bridge would remain open while the bots go through so they could come back. But she also guessed he didn't want to be in another situation where he is cut off from the base and be unable to return due to her. That would make more sense to her, and he simply did not wish to say it.

"Come on, open the bridge, Ratchet!" Bulkhead barked, looking at the medic with an impatient expression. "We're missing all the action!"

"Alright, alright!" Ratchet pulled the lever and the ground bridge was finally activated. "I'll prepare sick bay."

Bulkhead chuckled at the medic. "Who for, the cons? This is Wheeljack we're talking about."

That was the last thing that Bulkhead said before he, Arcee and Bumblebee run into the vortex. Azura noticed that Wheeljack had a lot of confidence in his friend. She knew that was a good thing, but she also hoped he was not overestimating Wheeljack's ability to fight. But she would find out soon enough, and she knew it. She walked down the stairs over to Optimus to stand by him. She was tempted to have him hold her, but she wanted to simply stand close to him while she and the others wait for Bulkhead, Arcee and Bumblebee to return with Wheeljack in tow.