TPF. Tau Station and Autobot Base. Time Shifts and Rehab

[dens-extra-pups.livejournal.com]

Keepsake: *has returned to Tau, and now makes her way to a certain little lab that opens to the outside of the station rather than toward its corridors. Her spark is fluttering as it usually does when she comes to this place, but that happy and shy flutter is also weighted down with regret and determination today* *presses the door buzzer* //Percy? It's me. Open the door.//

Perceptor: *remotely unlocks the door for Keepsake, is currently elbows-deep in another project*

Keepsake: *comes in, watchful of stuff on the floor, or flying past due to improperly sealed airlock. Soon passes through the inner door as well and then stops with her hands on her hips* What the fraggin' pit, mech?

Perceptor: *sheepish* I do appear to be quite stuck..... *and it's clear he's tried to free himself through every means he could think of short of calling for someone to dismantle whatever the heck it is he's working on*

Keepsake: *steps over and ducks under his arm, then scowls a bit as she studies the project for a moment. Soon has him free* Fraggin' obsolete glitchhead...

Perceptor: *ducks his head, embarrassed*

Keepsake: *sighs, but goes onto her toes slightly to set her mouth to his* //Miss me?//

Perceptor: *gentle kiss, touches his forehead to hers as his arms go around her* //Very much so.//

Keepsake: *just stands there in the circle of his arms and makes no attempt to kiss him further* *quietly* Yeah, well...

Perceptor: *concerned* Is something amiss?

Keepsake: *makes herself look up and meet those blue optics that make her head feel funny, her own dark with sadness* You still got that time travel thing?

Perceptor: *more concern* I do..... May I inquire as to why you would require it?

Keepsake: *quietly* Because you decanted some runts in the wrong order. We have to make it so Clipsie comes out first.

Perceptor: *brow ridges up as he tries to figure out the logic in this* I don't understand, Keepsake.....

Keepsake: Wake needs her now. And not as an itty bitty thing. He needs a femme ta help him with the slag he's goin' through. So I gotta switch places with her. *leans against him a bit, but then stops and steps back*

Perceptor: *very slight frown as he thinks about this* *quietly, as he reaches for her* I wonder.....

Keepsake: *doesn't come back* Wonder what?

Perceptor: The other solar cycle.... I was going over some of my prior notes, from around the time you were decanted.... I had theorized about the possibility of spark siblings and whether twins were possible with the same processes that created the new sparks here.....

Keepsake: ... We gotta set of twins already, Percy. *resists slightly as he tries to pull her close again* And they're down on Earth slaggin' around all over the place.

Perceptor: Yes.... It was their creation, and my notes on their creation, which helped solidify the theorization.... The original needed only minor adjustments, and I've already had Fixer make certain that I was not missing data.... *wants to cuddle a bit, Keepsake!*

Keepsake: *slight push at his arms* We don't got time for this. And we don't got time for theories either. Wake needs 'Clipsie now.

Perceptor: *soft protest* *won't take 'no' for an answer on the cuddling, Keepsake. This is what you get for bullying him into loving you*

Keepsake: *little shiver as he pulls her close and sets his forehead to hers* ...It ain't like I'd be gone forever, unless you slag it up.

Perceptor: *quietly* I have no intention of 'slagging it up', Keepsake... I do, however, believe that there may be a solution that is more beneficial to all the involved parties....

Keepsake: *blinks, and then gives a soft little laugh that would make her friends stare* You just don't wanna let me go even for a little while, you stupid, misclocked, sap.

Perceptor: *nuzzle* Yes, because I am your stupid, misclocked sap.

Keepsake: *blushes and hides her face against his chest, her arms curled between them* *curses him out quietly and thoroughly*

Perceptor: *gentle nuzzles and cuddles*

Keepsake: *finally stops cursing and looks up at him* ...You gotta let go'a me ta work the thing.

Perceptor: *soft, reluctant sigh as he lets her go* This is true.... A most regrettable aspect of the device.....

Keepsake: *slight quirk of a half grin* Hey, if yer theory works I'll be here ta snog ya stupid when time finishes shiftin'.

Perceptor: *quiet little chuckle* Indeed.... I look forward to that, Keepsake.... *one last nuzzle, then he's going to get both the time travel device and his notes*

Keepsake: *looks around as he goes, frowning a bit* ...Have you even slept since I left?

Perceptor: *from where he's inspecting datachips to ensure he brings the right notes* I have.... 'Rail saw to that just the other cycle....

Keepsake: *gives his back a look that says she doesn't believe him* There's as much junk on yer berth as there is on the counter.

Perceptor: *a bit sourly, as he switches datachips in his datapad* 'Rail insisted on removing my person from the lab and forcefully escorting me to the repair bay.

Keepsake: Well it's not like you could'a slept in here. *walks over and starts pitching things off the berth*

Perceptor: *stows his datapad and goes to protest the pitching, just like he always does*

Keepsake: *gives him a Look* Get goin'. Snuggles after, remember?

Perceptor: *soft sigh* Yes, Keepsake... *one last, quick kiss, then he's going*

Keepsake: *turns away to hide her wibble* Make sure ya shut the airlock right, or somebody'll be cleanin' yer junk outta the debris field again.

Perceptor: *double-checks that he's shut the airlock tightly this time. Once he's certain of that, he's setting coordinates and the date properly in his time travel device's computer. That done, it's only a matter of pushing the correct button to go* *fully intends to do his best to ensure that the Keepsake he knows remains as she is. He has no desire to lose her, not after she so rudely bullied her way into his heart...*

Keepsake: *listens to the outer door slide shut, and then resumes throwing things off the berth, her mouth curling slightly at the corners as she makes note of the fact that nothing that was on the sleeping space was breakable, or essential* Miscalibrated dork. Think this is some kinda game or somethin'?

lab: *silent but for the soft whisper of one little filter*

Keepsake: *grouches and flops down on the berth, then curls up and cuddles down as she tries to keep from wibbling at the thought of Perceptor's unwillingness to let her go* *and then she's stiffening as she feels something shift and suddenly finds herself looking at two distinct and clear sets of memories, one in which she had a baby sister, and one in which she and her sister have always been a set. Optics go wide as her processor attempts to sort the data, and then go dark and vanish behind their shutters as her processor shuts down to reboot*

Perceptor: *returning to his lab, is a bit dizzy and disoriented from the shifting timelines. He can only hope that everything worked out.... And then he's hurrying over to Keepsake and calling her name, worry in his voice as he checks her vitals*

Keepsake: *small sound as she's shifted, and then blurry optics are blinking up at him disorientedly* *soft gasp* Quit fraggin' yellin'...

Perceptor: *relieved, will hold her close and nuzzle her helm* Oh, thank goodness....

Keepsake: *slight little nuzzle in return, and then just rests her head against him wearily* C'm... t'bed.

Perceptor: *will lay down beside her and pull her close* *softly* I believe we could both benefit from some rest, love...

Keepsake: *intakes deeply as she cuddles against him, her arm slipping around his middle* *too tired and blucky feeling to think of what she's saying* Love you too, scrapheap.

Perceptor: *will cuddle her, silently thanking anyone who is listening as he settles down to gently rub her back till he follows her into slumber*


Autobot base. Earth


Muhlisha: *yawning as she wanders into WakeJumper's room to check on him like Keepsake asked her to. Doesn't want to be up, wants to be cuddled next to cuddly and slightly muddy mate* Wake... you dork. Ya still here?

femme voice: *softly* Shhhh, don't wake him up....

Muhlisha: *blink blink. Still half asleep* Keepie?

orange and black femme: *peeks from the other side of the sleeping multichanger* *quietly* Keepie's visiting Percy....

Muhlisha: Clipsie. *frown* She don't even like Percy. What the frag's she doin' that for?

Eclipse: *quiet, with a little grin* Keepie doesn't dislike Percy... He's her friend.... *as an afterthought* Duh.

Muhlisha: Yeah, right. *rubs head again* Think I gotta stop tastin' things.

Eclipse: *soft little giggle* How muddy's Torky?

Muhlisha: Proly hungover too. *goes cross-eyed as she peers at her readouts* ...I'm goin' back ta bed. Don't needta check on this dork anymore.

Eclipse: 'Kay. *snuggles WakeJumper again*

Muhlisha: *wanders back to bed*

Optimus: *lifts her head to listen to the footsteps in the hall, her brows drawing together in a confused frown as she looks at two separate and distinct sets of memories involving the Wreckers who have come to her base*

Ratchet: *moving to sit up now, a frown on his face as he realizes he's looking at two distinct and separate sets of memories regarding the Wreckers* ..... Optimus?

Optimus: *looks at him, then also sits up, her puzzled frown going from the space between them- where she remembers tucking her daughter- to the pile of blankets in that low crate there by the wall, where she also distinctly remembers tucking Panacea in beside a bright coloured Taubot child named Hot Rod* Something has happened.

Ratchet: *gets up and moves to check the low crate* I'd say so.... But what?

Optimus: *lowers her chin slightly as she sorts through the conflicting sets of memories* Is Panacea there?

Ratchet: *soft chuckle as he gently lifts both Panacea and the brightly colored Hot Rod, and holds them close* Here....

Hot Rod: *sleepy little protest, was cuddling with Pansy*

Optimus: *quiet sigh of relief, but then lifts her head* ...The major difference is in the composition of our pair of youngsparks.

Ratchet: *will offer the youngsters to Optimus* I seem to recall that one of the newsparks was Eclipse.... But at the same time.... I have memories of Eclipse and Keepsake both being adults.....

Optimus: Yes. *slowly moves herself off the berth, then absently accepts the youngsters and holds them against her chest as she pauses to lower her head and wince at the throbbing of it*

Hot Rod: *snuggles with Pansy and Pansy's Mama*

Ratchet: *rubbing at his forehead a bit as he tries to figure this out*

Optimus: *soft groan that Panacea crackles about grumpily, but then squares her shoulders and heads for the door* I think I need to speak to WakeJumper and Eclipse.

Ratchet: I'll come with you.... And then I need to check on Scattershot and Mistfire....

Hot Rod: *patpat Pansy's Mama, happy little clicks*

Optimus: *looks down at the colourful little bot, feeling her spark stir gently with affection for him* ...You take care of Panacea?

Hot Rod: *thinks about the words, nod nod, grin* Yup.

Optimus: *blink and then slight frown* And you intend to... 'marry' her when she grows up?

Ratchet: 0_0 *Look*

Hot Rod: *more thinking, wondering why Optimus is asking him about stuff he's already told her, nod nod* Yup. Love Pansy.

Optimus: ...I see. *pauses to tap on Eclipse and WakeJumper's door*

door: *opens after a few moments pause. Seems a certain someone rigged it to be remotely opened*

Eclipse: *sprawled over WakeJumper's chest so she can see who is at the door. Curiosity is clear in her optics, as is concern* *softly* Optimus? Ratchet? Is something wrong?

Optimus: So you are fully developed. *thoughtful frown as she studies WakeJumper's face*

WakeJumper: *recharging peacefully, without any of the stress or strain he was showing before* *just reached up and pulled Eclipse closer for snuggles without waking*

Optimus: *frown deepens slightly as she looks up to meet Eclipse's gaze* What happened?

Eclipse: *puzzled blinking, even as she's cuddled by an affectionate multichanger*

Optimus: I have two distinct sets of memories. In one you're as you are now. In the other you're a sparklet. Since you're the focal point of the most drastic difference between the two sets of files I'm assuming that you must know something about the phenomenon.

Eclipse: ... *small frown* *quiet, confused* I have two sets of memories too..... But.... I don't know how...

Optimus: *frowns and looks at Ratchet. Then puts out a general call for all bots to report to the control room*

WakeJumper: *awake! Ish. Holds Eclipse close with one arm as he moves to sit up, will rub at his optics with his free hand* Huh?

Optimus: Report to the control room, WakeJumper. Eclipse as well. *turns and walks down the hall, her attention going to the sleeping youngsters in her arms*

WakeJumper: *small nod, and then he and Eclipse are moving to head for the control room*

Ratchet: *heads to check on Mistfire and Scattershot, will be in the control room after he does that*

Rockface: *soooo not awake..... But at least he's trying?*

Optimus: *stops and blinks at the way the green mech's arm is around Arcee's shoulders. Hadn't thought the pair had gotten that far yet* *looks around, but everyone else appears unchanged, though for some reason all her team looks like they have the same kind of headache that she does*

Torque: *looks pretty hungover too, but that might be due to being kiss-drunk....*

Muhlisha: *rubbing her face and then squinting at Witchblade, who is hanging limply under Bulkhead's arm* ...I don't remember drinkin' nothin'.

Bumblebee: *very quietly, as he holds his head* Wooooo...

Rockface: Did we have a party or something? *bleary blinking*

WakeJumper: *hand to mouth, yaaawwn*

Eclipse: Unless someone slipped us all something, nope....

Torque: *squints a bit at Eclipse, then shrugs*

Ratchet: *entering the control room*

Optimus: *frowns and counts heads* Where is Keepsake?

Muhlisha: *blinks and counts heads herself, then shrugs*

Eclipse: *surprised look for Muhlisha* I told you earlier that Keepie went to talk to Percy....

Muhlisha: *blinks again* Oh yeah. *looks at Optimus*

Optimus: *frowning* What did she go to speak to Perceptor about?

Eclipse: *shrugs* Dunno....

Ratchet: *small frown, goes to check the computer* *confused* There hasn't been any space bridge activity.....

Muhlisha: Nah. She teleports.

Optimus: *surprised look*

Ratchet: ...Teleports?

Rockface: Who? Keepie? Yeah.... Seen her do it....

Arcee: *raised brow ridge*

Eclipse: *nods* I dunno how she does it, but she teleports....

Bulkhead: *tired and feeling hungover, but that got his attention* Sparking gift?

Eclipse: *shrug* If it was, I must've missed the boat....

Muhlisha: Nah. She didn't start doin' it till recently. It's probably something she put together.

Eclipse: *more shrug* If she was working on it, she didn't tell me....

Ratchet: *slight frown, has noticed how Eclipse is pretty much being carried under one arm by WakeJumper.... Will move to scan the younger mech out of curiosity*

Optimus: *perks and watches him* What is it, Ratchet?

Ratchet: *both brow ridges up* *private comm* //They're sparkmates...//

WakeJumper: *groggy, confused look for the older medic*

Optimus: *startled, but then blinks* //Yes, in the second file of memories I can remember WakeJumper saying that he and his mate had bonded as soon as she was installed in her full size body.//

Ratchet: //I think... We may need to speak with Keepsake...//

Optimus: *nods* *then looks at the others* Dismissed. Get some rest.

Bulkhead: Alright. *turns and stomps down the hall,Witchblade still swinging limply under his arm*

WakeJumper: *nod, will carry Eclipse back to quarters*

Rockface: *snoozing with his optics on.... again...*

Arcee: *gonna herd Rockface back to his quarters, and make sure he doesn't run into anything along the way*

Torque: *manages a salute, will nuzzle Muhlisha's helm a bit*

Muhlisha: *salutes as well, then jiggles a bit to let Torque know that he's going to have to change how he's leaning on her so that she can bring them to bed*

Torque: *moves so he's not leaning so much*

Bumblebee: *watches the pair leave the room, then looks up at Optimus* Beebeeboo.

Optimus: *absently* You may go to bed, too, Bumblebee. Ratchet and I will man the monitors.

Ratchet: *moving to get Optimus' chair*

Bumblebee: Bweeeeerm. *comes over and peeks at littles, then smiles up at Optimus before slipping away to go drive to Raf's house and sleep nearby*

Hot Rod: *snuggle, purr*

Optimus: *smiles slightly as she settles into the chair, then turns her head to look at Ratchet*

Ratchet: *soft grumbling as he gets a bit of a zap from one of the consoles.... again*

Optimus: *concern* Is it shorting again?

Ratchet: It looks like it... *just a bit grump* *will start checking for frayed wires and shorts in the system*

Optimus: Do you think we'd be able to contact Perceptor?

Ratchet: *as he works on covering frays with electrical tape* It might be possible.... I'd need to re-route some of the communication equipment to take the coordinates....

Optimus: *frowns* Would we be able to keep it from being tracked by the Decepticons?

Ratchet: I'll work on that first.... *out of the console, moves to work on the communications equipment. Stops short* What the.....

Optimus: *sharply* What is it?

Ratchet: The rerouting.... All of it.... It's been done..... *so surprised*

Optimus: *blink* What?

Ratchet: The communication equipment's been modified... *will bring her over to show what he means*

Optimus: *frowns into the works of the computer, then looks at him* ...Eclipse.

Ratchet: *nod, looking perplexed*

Optimus: She's the more engineering inclined of the sisters. Keepsake's the medic.

Ratchet: True.... *rubs his forehead a bit more*

Optimus: *quiet and serious despite her own discomfort and weariness* We need to get to the bottom of this.

Ratchet: Let's try calling Perceptor....

Optimus: *nods in agreement and silent order that he do so*

Ratchet: *doing so, and hoping for the best*

Optimus: *frowning as she watches him, and then the frown deepens as odd sounds and flashes on the screen tell her that a hand held communicator has been dropped at the other end of the line*

Ratchet: *frowning at the screen* Perceptor, are you there?

Perceptor: *rerouting to his main communications console, is very sheepish looking as the view expands to include the room he's in* //My apologies.... This is Perceptor...//

Optimus: *sits up* This is Optimus Prima, Perceptor.

Perceptor: *optics go comically wide* //Optimus Prima! This is most unexpected.... To what do I owe the honor?//

Optimus: *bluntly* Do you know where Keepsake is?

Perceptor: *startled little squeak, and a bit of a 'meep' expression* //I do believe she was intending to check on Lockdown....//

Ratchet: *watching the scientist and making note of his sudden unease*

Optimus: *frown deepens and becomes stern as she wonders at Perceptor's reaction and obvious fabrication* Her sister informed us that she had gone to speak to you.

Perceptor: //Yes, and she also wished to converse with others dwelling on the station...// *so very nervous now*

Optimus: *very deep frown now, and so much sternness* What do you know about a shift in time?

Perceptor: *so surprised, and curious now* //You are experiencing a shift in time as well?//

Optimus: *still with the stern frown* I and others of my team are experiencing doubled memories in which certain events have been altered from one set of files to the other.

Perceptor: *intrigued* //Curious.... Most curious...// *doesn't seem to realize he's speaking out loud, as he's grabbed a datapad and is writing* //And quite similar to what I myself am experiencing....//

Optimus: *recognizes symptoms of immanent scientific meandering* *warning tone* Perceptor...

Perceptor: *looks up from his writing with a startled look* //Yes, Optimus Prima?//

Optimus: *studies his body language* What did you do?

Perceptor: *cringes as he realizes he's ratted himself out* *quietly* //I found... A solution to a problem...//

Optimus: Don't you think that changing time just to deal with one young multichanger's insecurity is a bit drastic?

Perceptor: *quietly* //Your communication is shielded against detection... And it is quite likely that any major glitches in your systems have been dealt with and repaired, have they not?//

Ratchet: .... *frowns* *quietly* He's right.... All I saw were some frayed wires when I was checking for shorts in the system....

Optimus: *still stern* You had no way of knowing that she would perform those modifications.

Perceptor: *seriously* //During her first days of existence, during final checkups, I noted that she had a stronger tendency towards engineering, Optimus Prima.... When I checked her coding after the fact, I noticed that tendency manifesting... I will gladly offer up my notes if you do not believe me.//

Optimus: Be that as it may. I know that wasn't your initial reason for doing whatever it is that you've done.

Perceptor: //How is WakeJumper functioning?//

Ratchet: *pinches the bridge of his nose*

Optimus: *stern Look*

Perceptor: *serious, and waiting for an answer, Optimus*

Optimus: Do not change the subject, Perceptor.

Perceptor: //It is related to the matter at hand....//

Optimus: Time is not something that should be altered, for any reason.

Perceptor: *quietly* //I cannot undo what has been done, Prima....//

Optimus: *deep breath* No. You can't. But I want you to dismantle the equipment that you used to do this. And don't build any other time manipulation or travel devices. *then frowns again, optics flicking to the side as she hears what sounds like a soft groan coming from behind him* ...

Perceptor: *'meep' expression is a go* *gathering his wits* //I'll dismantle the equipment, Prima.//

Optimus: *head lifts slightly, her optics widening just a bit with realization as she ponders that groan* Was Keepsake badly affected by the shift?

Perceptor: *panicked expression is a go as he realizes Optimus might know where Keepsake actually is*

Optimus: *slight sigh* Perceptor. She's not going to be punished. Please answer my question.

Perceptor: *quietly, still looking worried* //She was dizzy when I returned, though she did protest when I attempted to verify that she was unharmed....//

Optimus: So you weren't able to see if she's alright?

Perceptor: *blinks a bit* //She responded as is her norm to my attempts to ascertain such a status....// *wait for it....* 0.0 *just realized what he said*

Optimus: *frowns at him again as she tries to figure out his reactions to her questions concerning the young femme* *then wonders if his excessive nervousness is being caused by headache* How are you being affected by this?

Perceptor: *glad for the slight change in subject* //Aside from a bit of minor disorientation accompanied by slight discomfort, I am functioning at full capacity...//

Ratchet: *just figured out why the scientist looks so nervous, soft snerk*

Optimus: *doesn't believe you, Perceptor. Something is bothering you* Hrrrm. Get some rest. Optimus Prima out. *nods to Ratchet to cut the connection*

Perceptor: *quick nod* //I shall do so, Prima.... Perceptor out.//

Ratchet: *trying so hard to keep a neutral expression as he closes the connection* *snickering softly once the connection's been cut*

Optimus: *blinks and looks at her boyfriend* ...Ratchet?

Ratchet: Perceptor was trying to keep from telling us that Keepsake was asleep on his berth. *so amused* I'm honestly surprised.... I don't recall him being very social....

Optimus: *blinks again, and then a soft sputter escapes her* As though we'd suspect him of ulterior motives. Especially with a girl like Keepsake.

Ratchet: *chuckles* It may be that they don't want anyone else to know yet.....

Optimus: *huh?* ...Know what?

Ratchet: About their relationship....

Optimus: *snerks* I think you've been watching too much 'As the Kitchen Sinks'. Perceptor was just letting her rest.

Ratchet: *raised brow ridge* Then why was he so nervous? Why not just tell us that she was resting on his berth?

Optimus: Perceptor has always been sensitive to appearing improper, and you know it. *chuckles softly and checks the little ones, then looks back to Ratchet with twinkling optics*

Ratchet: *headshake, so amused* I suppose so.....

Optimus: You being in an unexpected relationship doesn't automatically mean that everyone is, Ratchet. *still laughing at him gently*

Ratchet: *soft huff* *snerks when Hot Rod imitates the huff*

Hot Rod: *grownups are being noisy* :P

Optimus: *chuckles again and looks down at the little boy* Do you want to go back to your bed, Hot Rod?

Hot Rod: *thinking long and hard about this, headshake, snuggles Panacea*

Optimus: We're probably going to be talking now. We're on monitor duty. *soft smile as she sees how her daughter's little face is smushed against Hot Rod's chest, nearly hiding the sparklet's peeved sleeping frown*

Panacea: *smushes her face and holds her dolly. Eeesh, sleeping here, Mama!*

Hot Rod: *soft huff, returns his attention to loving on Panacea*

Optimus: *quiet chuckle, then looks up at her CMO* Will you set them on the couch?

Ratchet: *soft chuckle, nods* I will. *moves to gently take the youngsters*

Hot Rod: *bhuh?* *blink blink*

Panacea: *quiet crackles and slight squirm*

Ratchet: *quietly* Let's get you two situated where you won't be disturbed..... *putting action to words, will bring the youngsters to the couch and make sure their blankets are covering them*

Panacea: *feels herself laid down and tucked in and assumes that means that Mama and Dad have brought them back to bed. Will settle and sleep now despite talking*

Hot Rod: *snuggles and clicks softly, vanishing completely under the covers*

Ratchet: *very soft chuckle, will move to return to Optimus' side*

Optimus: *tilts her head slightly to look up at him, is still laughing at him gently for his assumption about Perceptor and Keepsake*

Ratchet: *touches his forehead to hers, optics shining softly* *is quite certain about what he's assuming, thank you very much*

Optimus: She's less than a sixth his age, Ratchet. And they're totally unmatched. *shutters optics with a peaceful sigh at the touching of foreheads*

Ratchet: Unmatched in what way, Optimus? *nuzzle*

Optimus: *leans back a bit to look at him funny* Think of their personalities, characters, and interests.

Ratchet: *optics sparkling with a hint of mischief* They're both stubborn, scientifically-minded individuals, and their differences compliment one another.

Optimus: Perceptor used to raise glimmer sprites for a hobby, and he blushes if someone so much as snorts. Keepsake curses worse than the proverbial human sailor and blows things up in her spare time.

Ratchet: Perceptor wouldn't have dared set foot outside of his lab when I knew him last..... Wouldn't have even looked directly at the person addressing him.... I can tell he's still not comfortable doing so, but he's at least making optic contact....

Optimus: He's had to interact with Fixer. She hates it when people act afraid of her.

Ratchet: Didn't he also used to stutter when he was nervous?

Optimus: Fixer would have frightened that out of him too.

Ratchet: *soft 'Hmmm....'*

Optimus: *gentle amusement* You're the one that told me about those traits in her, Ratchet.

Ratchet: True.... But I also seem to recall another pair, many vorns ago, who had people saying similar about them.... *amused look for Optimus*

Optimus: We were the same age, and the only thing that separated us was caste. *reaches up to gently brush dust off his nose*

Ratchet: *wrinkles that nose* Yes, but I know I heard people wondering why I fell so hard for you....

Optimus: Because I didn't kick you out when you got lost and wound up on my berth. *wonders how the company loving mech survived all those long vorns after she'd left him*

Ratchet: *chuckle* True.... *nuzzle*

Optimus: *hand going to his face again when a voice from the balcony startles her*

Ratchet: *looks* *blinks a bit when he sees Beau*

Beau: *a bit sternly* Should you be up, Optimus?

Optimus: *frowns back at him* It's one o'clock in the morning. What are you doing here?

Beau: That's not important right now. *looks a bit like he's had a rough night so far, but it's clear he's sober*

Optimus: It is. Humans require a certain amount of peaceful rest... *leans toward him, her frown deepening. Voice now worried* Have you been crying, Beau?

Beau: *tense, and now finding himself unable to meet the Prima's optics*

Ratchet: *frowns*

Optimus: *rises slowly from her chair and steps toward her partner, concern showing in every line of her face and body* Beau? Is Denver lost again?

Beau: *quietly* No....

Optimus: *walks over and offers him her hands* *softly* What is it?

Beau: *hesitates for a moment before moving to sit in Optimus' hands. Thinking about what his CO said about his friendship with the Prima* *quiet* Bill.... is in rehab.... Denver and I only found out because the hospital called....

Optimus: *as she brings him close to her chest* What does that mean, Beau? Is he badly damaged?

Beau: *quietly* Not all damage is physical damage, Optimus....

Optimus: *nods, her concerned expression unchanging* Yes, I know that.

Beau: *somewhat shaky breaths as he tries to put words to his thoughts. Is reminded yet again of how grateful he is for Optimus' friendship. She protects him, and even mothers him.... And Denver, when the teen lets her*

Optimus: *upper hand goes against his back protectively* *very quietly* Will he recover?

Beau: *quietly* He checked himself in.... But it's hard to tell right now....

Ratchet: *also quiet, where he's walked over* Can you explain what's happened? We... aren't sure what you're talking about, Lt. Col. MacKenzie.

Beau: *deep breath, will begin explaining as well as he's able how his friend has been struggling with day to day life, and how Bill has been trying to cope.... *

Optimus: *deep frown over optics bright with sympathy and distress as she listens*

Beau: *shoulders shaking by the time he finishes explaining. It's clear he sees Bill as a brother, and is very worried*

Optimus: *exchanges a glance with Ratchet, and then looks back down at Beau and tightens her grip in an incredibly gentle squeeze* *will not speak yet. Only be supportive*

Beau: *and that's all it takes for him to start crying again*

Optimus: *rocks on her feet and rumbles as she raises her optics to meet Ratchet's again*

Ratchet: *slightly absent expression as he communicates with Denver through the teen's cellphone, small nod. Will move to get one of the tarps*

Optimus: *returns her attention to Beau and gently rubs his back with one finger, still offering silent support*

Beau: *shaking a bit as his crying winds down*

Ratchet: *back with one of the softer tarps, will carefully wrap it around Beau and click quietly*

Optimus: *starts to tuck the blanket around her partner, but then stops* Ratchet, this is the pink tarp.

Ratchet: It's soft. *yes, he knows it's pink*

Beau: *shaky sigh*

Optimus: *quietly* But Beau says that human males don't like to use pink tarps.

Beau: *quietly and a bit dully* It's fine, Optimus. *normally, he'd be arguing against it as well, since he knows the Prima would back him up.... And he's well aware of how ridiculous the whole notion is....*

Optimus: *soft click of concern as she frowns and tucks the blanket around him* You need to rest.

Beau: *soft sigh, knows he's in no shape to argue*

Optimus: *gently rubs his back through the blanket, but then stumbles very slightly as she turns to bring him to the balcony with the couches*

Beau: *startles badly*

Ratchet: *moves to help Optimus* Easy, Optimus... I've got you....

Optimus: *small, frustrated sigh* Thank you, Ratchet. *moves toward the balcony*

Beau: *deep breaths*

Ratchet: *gentle concern for Optimus* You should rest....

Optimus: *intent on getting partner tucked in beside her children* I'll sit down again once I've got Beau settled.

Ratchet: *soft chuckle, will continue to support the Prima*

Beau: *slight jerk as he wakes himself up from starting to nod off*

Optimus: *softly* Shhhh. *lays him down beside the little bots on the newer couch, which folds flat, then makes sure all are comfortably covered*

Hot Rod: *sleepy sound, peeks to see who has joined in snuggles, soft, happy clicks as he cuddles against Beau and Panacea*

Panacea: *soft crackles and a tiny stretch, then goes still again*

Beau: *very soft chuckle as the youngsters get comfortable, is soon conking out due to sleeping baby magic*

Optimus: *hand on the railing as she watches over them for a moment, but then she steps back, trips over Ratchet, and nearly falls on her rear as a thin screech comes from down the hall* What??

Ratchet: *startles and looks down the hall, before moving to get Optimus to her chair. Will go investigate the screech*

Mistfire: *groggily pat patting her mate and murmuring to him* Shhh, gorgeous. Go back ta sleep.

Scattershot: *shaking and cycling air, saw something scary!*

Mistfire: *quietly* 'N stop starin' at my yellow patch.

Scattershot: *quickly looking for something on Mistfire's frame. Will relax slightly when he realizes that the darker color is actually purple...* *hides face on mate*

Mistfire: *rubs his back, and then realizes that she's seeing someone in the doorway* Uh?

Ratchet: Is everything alright?

Mistfire: *slight stretch and hugs her mate close* Hmmm. You tell me, Doc.

Ratchet: *moves to scan Scattershot, nodding when he sees that the pink mech is starting to calm from his earlier fright* Well.... Aside from a bit of minor stress, there's really nothing wrong......

Mistfire: *nuzzle mate* 'N outside? Locky figured out where we are yet? *soft snerk*

Ratchet: To my knowledge, everything is quiet..... We haven't heard from Lockdown, so I'm guessing he hasn't figured things out.

Mistfire: *looks up with a deep frown* If he ain't figured things out, then things ain't alright.

Ratchet: Well, it has only been about three or four days since you arrived, Mistfire.....

Scattershot: *just conked out again*

Mistfire: *impatient look for Ratchet* Go ask my sister if she talked ta him.

Ratchet: *will do so then*

Witchblade: *sitting on the mess counter, chin on chest and sound asleep*

Bulkhead: *nowhere in sight. Must have wandered off to find his berth*

Ratchet: *will carefully attempt to wake Witchblade*

Witchblade: *soft whine* Few more clicks.

Ratchet: Have you heard from Lockdown?

Witchblade: Today? No. *scrunches face up to squint at him foggily*

Ratchet: When's the last time you heard from him?

Witchblade: *thinks about this a bit* Three days ago. He wanted ta know if Misty found 'im.

Ratchet: Alright... Thank you. *will go to inform Mistfire of this*

Witchblade: *falls back to sleep and off the counter*

Ratchet: *as he returns to Mistfire and Scattershot* Witchblade heard from him three days ago, when he called to see if you had found Scattershot.

Mistfire: *frown smooths to her usual smirk, and she settles back and nuzzles her mate* Alright, then. Thanks, Doc.

Ratchet: *nods* Get some rest.... *will move to explain what happened to Optimus*

Optimus: *sitting in her chair in front of the monitors, plugged into the computer but sound asleep*

Ratchet: *soft chuckle, will settle down to check monitors after wrapping Optimus in a tarp.... He'll tell WakeJumper where the younger medic's partner is later, after the mech's had more rest*

((written with random_xtras))