TFP: Youngling

Ch.30~ Mother

I clung to my son's shoulders as we rode his motorcycle, or should I call her Arcee towards a mountain cliff slowly. The cliff opened to reveal a building hidden within. I stared in awe as we drove through a curved hall, but I found a new sense of awe as we drove into a bigger room.

As we entered, I saw Stargazer who Jack introduced me to then and the red and yellow duo who arrived to save us with Agent Fowler. There was a larger built bot who was white and orange in colour. Two more were near a higher area where I saw two kids. In front of them were two bots, one was big and green and the other was yellow and black with doors on his back like wings. It was still hard to believe it all, I felt lost.

"Mom, meet my science-fiction club," Jack said, they all turned as loud footsteps approached.

Gazing up I saw a taller bot enter the room: he seemed to be respected as they all acknowledge his presence as if he were a superior. His colourings were red with blue, I watched a moment before Jack coaxed me off Arcee to stand. She transformed to her robot form and stood behind us as the large bot kneeled down in front of me examining me with his bright blue eyes.

"My name is Optimus Prime. It is a pleasure to meet you Mrs. Darby. We are Autobots, autonomist robotic organisms from the planet Cybertron and the being which attacked you was a Decepticon." he explained, Stargazer who was the smallest went to grab his arm smiling.

"You don't have to worry about the Decepticons getting you anymore," she said, smiling at me she reached out her hand for what I could call a handshake.

"It is very to meet you, all of you." I greeted, reaching out I grasped onto her fingers and we shook.

"I assure Mrs. Darby while the children have been under our protection their safety has been a top priority. Now that you know of our existence your safety is also a top priority." Optimus assured.

"I'll introduce you to everyone!" Stargazer cheered; running over to the large green bot she pointed to him ", the big guy here is Bulkhead he's a wrecker, and the girl with him is Miko." Then she pointed to the yellow and black bot, "this is Bumblebee our scout and the little guy is Rafael." Next, she went to the red and yellow duo who smiled down at her. "Red guy is Sideswipe and the yellow one is his twin Sunstreaker!" Then she ran over to the reddish-orange and white bot who appeared to be staring at his screens again, "this is Rat..chet, he's a medic."

"So, what do you do?" I asked absently.

"She is a child, far too young to do anything; in your human terms, she would be the equivalent of a seven-year-old." Ratchet explained, he almost seemed irritated by my misunderstanding.

"But I saw…" I began, the bot sighed.

"She's rather smart and was taken in by a trap by the humans and the Decepticon set up for Arcee and Jack. She simply was distracting them until we could arrive." He explained Star pouted at him, seems there is more to this.

"I do stuff, I can do medical treatment and I have some basic combat training." she huffed.

"Self-defence nothing more." Ratchet argued, she puffed out her cheeks.

"So, what do you think?" Jack asked I tried to think of a word to describe what I felt.

"I never imagined your club would be as, grandiose as this," I replied Stargazer smiled more brightly as Bumblebee buzzed and whirled happily. "Jack what is with Bumblebee's voice," I asked in a whisper.

"He lost it during the war, that's the only way he can communicate now, don't ask how but the other bots and Rafael understand him," Jack answered, in a whisper.

"Mrs. Darby, want to play a videogame," Stargazer called, Miko laughed at her.

"Star mothers don't play videogames," Miko said, Stargazer looked perplexed.

"So, what do they do?" she asked.

"They tell you what to do and look after you," Miko stated, quite a cut and dry way to explain it.

"Don't you have parents?" I asked her mouth formed an o as she seemed to realise what we meant.

"Oh, a mother is a Carrier, yep Rache and Opmis my parents, they took me in after my real parents died," Star explained, that sent a cold shiver through me, she lost her parents…

"Probably should have mentioned that too…" Jack muttered before we came, he gave me a quick list of things not to mention and some facts, so I wouldn't insult them.

"So, what do you do as big brother Jack's mother?" she stated.

"Big brother?" I muttered, raising an eyebrow.

"She calls just about everyone that," Arcee replied.

"Well, Star I do exactly as Miko said, I look after him and sometimes tell him what he can't do or should do. I also teach him and care for him." I answered she smiled.

"Just like Rache…" she giggled, I turned to see Ratchet look almost embarrassed and turned to focus more on his work not even glancing our way. "Are you a nurse?"

"Yes I am, you're very smart," I stated, she beamed at me.

"I see them in cartoons." She chimed, so she watched cartoons.

"So, what do you kids do for entertainment here?" I asked.

"Play games, watch TV, do our homework." Jack listed; I saw Stargazer point to Miko.

"Miko brings the best movies," Star added, seems she was very much just a young child.

I followed Jack to the upper parts of the base sectioned off for human use. Stargazer ran up to a stack of crates; she used it to climb up so that she was at a similar level to us. Unlike the others, she wore a blue colour visor over where her eyes should be. It was hard to tell if she was looking at you directly.

"You like my visor?" she asked, I smiled.

"It does suit you," I stated, she smiled and slipped it off revealing to gold eyes. "What pretty eyes."

"Thank you." she cheered, pushing her visor back on.

(Later)

The rest of my visit went by pretty normal, especially considering I was surrounded by giant alien robots. The twins seemed like older teens and bickered like anything. Arcee was a more serious woman, Bulkhead was a nice Uncle type. Bumblebee seemed like a more mature older teen. Optimus left early to go patrol and I could see Ratchet as the exhausted Dad figure. Stargazer seemed to act just like any young child, she was curious, playful, and very affectionate. Turning I saw her visor dim a bit, then she let out a mechanical sounding yawn; she must be getting tired.

"Sounds like it's time bed" Arcee commented, Ratchet responded by walking over to Stargazer and picking her up.

"No fair, I'm not tired," she whined, squirming in the medic bot's arms.

"Small bots go to bed early," he stated, she pouted.

"I'm a big bot," she complained.

"Just listen to Ratchet sweetheart and go to sleep," I called letting my motherly-side kick in.

"See even Nurse Darby agrees." Ratchet said, setting her down. "Now go say your good nights."

"Fine..." she sighed and went to the twins. "Night Sunny, Night Sides."

The red twins scooped her up and nuzzled her cheeks a big goofy grin on his face, "You're so cute, sleep well little sis." He chimed.

"You're getting her all riled up." The yellow twin stated taking her from the red one. "Night Star."

She went to the others hugging them and saying good night, Bee who buzzed something to her. She then slowly made her way back over to Ratchet. Once he reached his side he knelt down and scooped her up, she leaned into him as he turned to me.

"See you again Miss Darby." He stated, then he turned and left the room.

"Now that was sweet." I cooed; Jack chuckled at my statement. "What, she's a sweet little girl?"

"Nothing mom, just you thought she was an adult when we arrived," Jack stated.

Bumblebee whirled and buzzed something, and I watched Rafael pack up his bag. Was he heading home? Looking at my watch I saw it was about half an hour till Jack's curfew. Seems the bots were doing a good job of making sure the kids all got home.

"Looks like it's time to go, Miko," Bulkhead called, I watched as the two robots transformed in the vehicle modes.

"See you, Jack, see you Mrs. Darby, bye Miko," Raf called and he hopped into his ride.

"See ya guys, bye Jack's mom," Miko shouted before hopping into her own ride.

"Do you guys want to head home now too?" Arcee asked.

"Yes, thank you, Arcee," I replied, I wish Optimus were here so I could thank him.

Heading down to the ground level I saw Arcee transform and Jack offered me my helmet. I took the helmet and watched as he got on and put on his own helmet. I will have to come back here sometime soon; I need to know more about the Science Fiction Club. I walked over and sat right behind my son.

"Hold on Mom," Jack stated, grabbing onto him we drove out of the base. I never thought I would be treated so kindly by alien robots, or that my son's motorcycle was one.

(Ratchet's POV)

"Lay down already," I growled, as Stargazer stood on her berth.

"Come on Carrier, I'm not tired, can't I stay up a bit longer," she whined.

"No, you need recharge to promote your growth." I argued, "Now lie down."

"Can you tell me a story?" she asked, I smiled and patted her helm.

"Yes, I can tell you a story," I replied, she sat down on her berth and patted the head part.

Chuckling I took a seat on the head of the berth and she laid down in my lap. I smiled as she got comfortable, reaching down I grabbed her thermal blanket and draped it over her. I was so glad that she had been brought home safe. I reached down to stroke her cheekplates, she leaned into my palm.

"Now what story should I tell you…" I hummed, moving my servo to stroke my chinplate.

"Can I hear a story about you and Sire?" she quizzed, I smiled down at her.

"Of course… Hmm… Did I ever tell you about how he confessed to me?"

"Nuh-uh."

"Well we had met a few times at the point, I had been visiting the Hall of Records to get some information to help a patient. He helped me look for the files I needed. When I came to return some files I borrowed, he came over to me. Now back then he was a bit more expressive. He was fidgeting as he helped me return the files. Just as I was about to leave, he grabbed my servo. He looked at me and asked me if I would join him for drinks after I finished at the hospital. I agreed and we met up later that cycle. We sat at a table in the back of this quiet bar. We talked for hours, then he reached across the table and touched my servos. He asked me if we could do this more, I said yes. He smiled at me but continued, he asked me if he could have the honour of courting me. I couldn't believe what he said, I was so busy with my work, I guess I had grown obvious to anything besides work. He was about to pull his servos away but I grabbed his holding them firmly. I may have been obvious but I knew I wanted to be with him. I had so much talking with him, he made me very happy. So I told him I would love to. He got up from his seat and walked over to me still holding my servos. Before I could think he leaned down and kissed me… I never expected to fall in love, but I did and now I am bonded to him. I couldn't be happier with who I fell for…"

Looking down I Stargazer I saw she was asleep, her helm resting on my thigh plating. I couldn't help the smile that formed on my faceplates; I can't believe I am able to raise such a loving feme. Sitting here with her made my worries slip away for a time. I reached down and rubbed her cheekplates, she nuzzled my palm in her sleep.

No matter what comes, I will be here for you my little one. I swear I will make sure you live a long happy life. I will make sure that you are safe… I felt tears building in my optics as I looked down at her peacefully sleeping frame. I love you more than words can express my little one.

(Optimus' POV)

I arrived back at base, oddly Ratchet was not in the main area, he usually would still be at the console. Walking down the halls I headed to our room, coding the door open I saw our berth was empty. He must be with Stargazer, heading to her room I keyed open her door.

I saw him sleeping his back to her wall as he sat at the head of her berth. Stargazer had her helm in his lap her thermal blanket covering her lower frame. She rolled on her side facing Ratchet, her small servos laid against his frame. He had one servo near her helm and the other laid over her frame.

I felt a smile spread across my faceplates; I need to make sure to save this image into my memory. Both of them looked at peace and it made me spark swell with love. Don't worry my loves both of you rest up… Keying the door shut I headed to the main area, don't worry I will make sure this war ends. I want both of you to enjoy a future without war. Whatever the cost…