dens_tf_den | Scattersverse, Detroit, Family Chaos

First Aid: *ripping through traffic with Kathy and Josh aboard, answering an emergency call*

Kathy: *Getting as much detail from the dispatcher as she can, while Josh mentally prepares himself by going over standard procedures, just like every other call they've responded to*

First Aid: *slips past a schoolbus, and then makes a startled sound as a red and white jet dips low over the freeway* Oh! No, no, Fireflight! I can't play now. Go home to Optimus please.

Fireflight: *goes up, but follows instead of going away*

Kathy: What the &*#%^?!

Josh: *startled* Whoah...

First Aid: *slips between two rigs* It's one of Optimus' daughters. She probably misses me.

Silverbolt: *flies by overhead, dips her wings a bit in greeting as she moves to circle back so she can follow Fireflight and First Aid*

Kathy: ...Daughters?

Josh: Why would she be missing you, 'Aid? *curious, and then he's boggling* Whoah...that silver jet just buzzed us!

First Aid: That's Silverbolt. One of Fireflight's sisters. Yes, Optimus has three daughters and two sons, and they see me as their mother figure because Optimus and I are together. *weaving through traffic*

Kathy: ...*small chuckle, smirking a bit* So...when's the wedding?

Josh: *watching Silverbolt and Fireflight* They're acting like little kids...

First Aid: We haven't talked about that, Kathy. And they are, Josh. Haven't you met any of our younglings before?

Kathy: *another chuckle and then she's gently patting First Aid's dashboard* Well, when you get around to it, let me know...

Josh: *raised brow* Umm...aside from when we responded to that call a few months back...no...

First Aid: Oh... well, then, yes, Josh. They are little kids.

Josh: *small smile* Cool...

First Aid: *more quietly, a bit shy* I will, Kathy.

Kathy: *watching the two jets, a small frown crossing her face* They're going to follow us until you're off-duty, aren't they?

First Aid: *sigh* Yes. I'm sorry.

Kathy: Well...just make sure they know that they'll have to stay back while we're working.

First Aid: I don't think they'll come down after I've asked them to go away. *arrives at the scene and pulls up into the driveway of the beatup walkup*

Kathy: *Unbuckling and moving to get her field kit* They don't have to leave, I just don't want them getting underfoot...

Josh: *unbuckled and going to get the stretcher, just in case it's needed*

First Aid: I'm so sorry. I know children aren't allowed at work. *scans ahead* OH! Hurry!

Kathy and Josh: *Running to get inside the house*

Silverbolt: *circles overhead for a few moments, talking to Fireflight through inside talk, and then she's moving to land nearby, transforming as she does so*

First Aid: *gently but firmly* No, Silverbolt. Don't come near. I'm working now, and children aren't allowed at work.

Silverbot: *puzzled, but sits down after taking a few steps back*

First Aid: It would really be better if you went back to Optimus.

Fireflight: *circling* //Wanna stay. 'Aid here.//

Silverbolt: *nods in agreement with Fireflight* Wanna stay.

First Aid: Please make sure you stay out of the way. *perks and opens her back doors*

Silverbolt: *nod nod, quietly chirrs as she watches Kathy and Josh bringing a human out on a stretcher, before she's getting up and studying the scene. She doesn't take a step forward, even though it's clear she wants to*

First Aid: *engine coming on before the patient's even fully loaded, and then she shuts the doors on both her crewmates as she pulls out of the driveway on her own guidence and shoots toward the hospital*

Silverbolt: *Takes off and transforms, will follow First Aid, but will stay back a bit*

Fireflight: *next to sister*

Kathy: *Telling Josh what to do, even as she helps the patient*

First Aid: *zooming through traffic*

Fireflight: Oh oh oh! //Look, 'Bolt! Look! Trouble!//

Silverbolt: *saw it too* //'Aid! Trouble!//

First Aid: //What? At the plant?//

Silverbolt: //Road trouble!//

First Aid: *snap descision* //Which way should I go?//

Fireflight: *swoops low and then heads toward the right street for bypassing the mess*

Silverbolt: //Follow 'Flight!// *will also swoop low and follow Fireflight* //Follow, 'Aid!//

First Aid: //Thank you, girls!// *turns and follows*

Kathy: *holding on to the stretcher, and has a hand pressed against one of the cabinets* What's going on?

First Aid: There's traffic trouble up ahead. The girls are showing me the way around it.

Josh: *amused, even as he continues to work* Smart kids...

First Aid: They are. *quiet pride and mother love in her voice*

Kathy: I just hope they know where they're going...*small chuckle*

First Aid: *hits an empty straightaway and shoots forward like only a Transformer can* I think they do. We're practically in the hospital's back yard.

Josh: Awesome! ^_^ The sooner we get this guy inside, the better. *nod nod*

Silverbolt: *transforms and lands on a nearby rooftop, watching with concern*

First Aid: *zips up an alley, transforming partially to get past a dumpster, and then goes across the back lot and stops in front of the emergency entrance*

Fireflight: *circling overhead*

Older Paramedic: ...*Mutter* Shoulda stayed in New York...*getting the rest of the response team and moving to help Kathy and Josh move the patient inside the hospital*

First Aid: We love you too, Norman.

Kathy: *All but barking out orders, as the paramedic team hustles to get the patient inside and to the ER*

Josh: *manages a quick pat to First Aid's side, before he's rushing off to do as ordered*

*and afterward, as the surgeons come out of the OR, they let it be known that if that man had taken only a moment longer to arrive they wouldn't have been able to save him*

Later in the day

Fireflight: *tired, and whining over the comm as she tags after First Aid and her crew*

Silverbolt: *Starting to whine a little bit as well*

First Aid: Only two more hours, girls. Then I'll be done. *says it aloud as well as over the com*

Fireflight: //Too much! 'Aid! Aerialbots need you! Please?//

Silverbolt: //Yes! Need 'Aid, please?//

Kathy: They're getting antsy, aren't they?

First Aid: *turns attention back to her crew and starts a bit as she realizes the comm communications have been playing over her radio* Yes. I'm so sorry, Kathy. Let me call Optimus or Ratchet and see if they can come and get them now.

Fireflight: //Noooooooooo! No Op. No Ratch. 'Aid! *whimper*//

Silverbolt: *Putting up a real fuss over the comms now*

Josh: Maybe it'd be a good idea to take a break for a little bit...*Hopeful. Why no, he doesn't want to secretly play his gameboy and try to beat that one level, not him...*

First Aid: But we've already had all our breaks for the shift, Josh. *starting to feel a little flustered and torn with the continuing woe of her wards*

Kathy: Maybe you should think about taking some time off...I bet if you put in for it as maternity leave, the hospital'd allow it...

First Aid: ...What does 'maternity leave' mean?

Fireflight: *really kicking up a fuss now, has landed on a rooftop and transformed*

Kathy: Maternity leave is when a mother takes time off from work...usually because she's almost ready to have her child...and usually it lasts for a few months after the child is born, so the mother has time to establish a routine and to take care of her child...

Silverbolt: *has transformed and landed next to her sister, and is putting up the same amount of fuss that Fireflight is*

First Aid: ...But, Kathy, they're not my children. They're Optimus'

Fireflight: //AIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIID!//

Josh: *Snerk* I think they disagree with that...

Silverbolt: *starting to cry, wants 'Aid, NOW PLZ*

First Aid: .... *pulls over to the side of the curb, shaking slightly and nearly crying herself* //Optimus, I need you.//

Slingshot: *kicking up a huge stink for attention.*

Skydive: *ditto. Optimus, love us NOW*

Air Raid: *Also throwing a fit, and wanting attention NOW*

Optimus: *Apologetic* //I'm kinda being clung to by Slingshot and Skydive...Ack! Air Raid! Let go of my leg!//

First Aid: //Is Ratchet busy?//

Optimus: //He's trying to get Showtime down from the rafters...She somehow got duct taped up there, and nobody's sure how she managed it...or if they do know, they're not talking...*sigh*//

First Aid: *shaking worse*

Kathy: *Telling Josh to get out, and then turns her attention to First Aid* You. Are going on maternity leave.

First Aid: *breaks down and cries*

Fireflight: Aiiiiidddd!

Silverbolt: *Whimpers, and then she's jumping down to snuggle First Aid, and no, she doesn't care that the older femme is still in vehicle mode*

Kathy: Shhh...it's okay...you need the time off, and your kids need time to adjust to a new routine...*gently patting First Aid's dashboard again*

First Aid: *staticky* I've taken so much time off already. *slight grunt as Fireflight finally follows her sister and glomps onto her*

Kathy: If the bosses try to fire you, I'll give 'em hell. Right now, it's more important that you and your kids get used to a new routine...and I think it'll be better in the long run for them if you're with them for now.

First Aid: Yes... yes, Kathy. *static sounds, but her shaking is lessening as she starts to talk softly to the youngbots holding onto her* *gently* Kathy says I should bring you home.

Fireflight: Home. *nod nod nod* :(

Silverbolt: *SnuggaFirst Aid* Yes. Home...

First Aid: Alright. But you have to let go of me and transform, so that we can go. Can you do that for me?

Fireflight: Home?

Kathy: *scolding Josh for gawking* Start walking, and stop staring!

Silverbolt: *nod nod, lets go and snuggles sister instead*

Josh: *makes a face, and calls one of the other paramedics* Oy, Gunther, I'll need that ride after all...

Fireflight: .... *confused* Fly?

First Aid: *gentle and patient* Yes, Fireflight. Fly home. I'm coming too.

Silverbolt: *Snugga'Flight, and then she's moving to transform* Home! :D

Fireflight: *follows sister!*

Kathy: *gently*This is the first time you've been a mother, isn't it?

First Aid: *quietly, as she turns toward the plant* Well... yes. None of the other younglings have imprinted on me.

Kathy: *nodding a bit, and gently patpats First Aid's dashboard again* You'll be alright...I know it's a bit overwhelming right now...but it will get easier with time...

First Aid: It's never been like this before. Though the first night that more than three of them were awake was, well, a little scary.

Kathy: *raised brow* How so?

First Aid: They all wanted Optimus to sleep with them. *sigh* But they weren't all in the same bunk.

Kathy: *small snerk* They sound like a real handful...

First Aid: *softly* Now that everyone's awake it's not so hard for them to understand things. And most of the time everyone but Fireflight even speaks in complete sentences.

Kathy: ...Okay, now that...I'm not sure what you mean...

First Aid: They're all from one spark, and it divided after it had been online for some time. So the link between them is very strong. *turning up the last way leading to the plant*

Kathy: ...sort of like conjoined twins...

Silverbolt: *Gleeful sound* Home! :D

First Aid: All Transformer twins have spark bonds, but... I think Blitzwing might be a conjoined spark.

Fireflight: *bellyflops in the front yard and lays there*

Kathy: *Raised brow* Blitzwing?

Silverbolt: *Happy noise as she gently flops on her sister*

Skydive: *bursting out of the building and shooting for the roof!*

First Aid: He's the Decepticon with three faces.

Kathy: ...Oh. *attention goes to Skydive* ....

Silverbolt: *GLEECHASE*

First Aid: *stops in the yard and opens her door, watching the young ones*

Skydive: Ack! *flails and laughs, then falls back and narrowly misses Fireflight, who is too worn out to pounce on him*

Silverbolt: *HAPPY! Has sister and brother, and now will snuggle sibblings!*

Kathy: *chuckles as she gets out, and nods to Optimus, who is getting dragged out by Air Raid*

Slingshot: *shoves past Air Raid and Optimus and dives onto snuggle pile* Slaggin' jerks, where'd you go?

Skydive: ... *bop*

First Aid: *transforms and watches them*

Silverbolt: *lightly baps Slingshot's arm* Don't say 'slagging'!

Slingshot: *says worse*

Silverbolt: *Tackles Slingshot* That's even worse! >/

Air Raid: *Razzes sisters, before giving Kathy a "WTS?" look*

Skydive: We won't snuggle you if you talk like that!

First Aid: Air Raid, this is Kathy, part of my team at work. Kathy, this is Air Raid. He woke up second to last and found his own way home. *gentle smile for the tall youngling*

Air Raid: *Curious, lets go of Optimus to crouch down so he can give Kathy a good looking at*

Kathy: They're like toddlers...*chuckles*

First Aid: *softly* You have to be very careful with Kathy. She's not technoorganic like Sari is.

Fireflight: *asleep*

Slingshot: *bawling*

Air Raid: Oooh...gotta be careful...*nods and very carefully picks Kathy up, before giving his siblings a O.o;; look*

First Aid: Ohhh. And you should ask before you do that, Air Raid.

Air Raid: *clicking a bit to Kathy, before giving First Aid a puzzled look*

Kathy: It's okay... but First Aid's right... next time ask first...*patpats Air Raid's hand*

Optimus: *sighing a bit as he moves closer to First Aid* I don't know what's gotten into them...

First Aid: Kathy thinks it was my being gone. *turns toward him and lays her head on his chest, her hands between them as she leans against him wearily*

Optimus: *small frown* We'll have to get them used to it... *gently rubbing First Aid's back*

First Aid: *nods* Kathy wants me to take 'maternity leave' first, though.

Air Raid: *Clicking to siblings, before deciding that the safest place for Kathy is with Optimus and First Aid, and then he's clicking to the two older 'bots and carefully holding Kathy out to them*

Kathy: *wondering what the heck is going on*

First Aid: Ohhh. *takes her friend* Thank you, Air Raid. Will you help Skydive take the girls inside to your room? *smiles at the youngster*

Skydive: *heard 'Aid. Is trying to dig the sleeping Fireflight out so he can carry her*

Air Raid: *nods and goes to fuss at siblings for a bit*

Kathy: *small smirk* Giant, metal toddlers...

Silverbolt: *SnuggaSlingshot, isn't mad at sister, just doesn't want her getting yelled at for saying bad words*

First Aid: Yes. *gently sets her friend down on the ground with an apology*

Slingshot: *finishes venting her frustration and grief and hunches up, but doesn't shrug Silverbolt away, just complains softly in the inside talk*

Kathy: *Waves off the apology* I'm not hurt, and besides, he was being careful... he's just gotta learn about personal space though...

Optimus: *bemused smile* We're working on it...

Air Raid: *clicks to Slingshot, and makes the suggestion that they all go inside where the blankets are*

Slingshot: *watches Skydive carry Fireflight off and thinks about tripping him, but instead just gets to her feet and asserts that her blanket is the best*

Silverbolt: *Snuggasister, and moves to guide Slingshot and Air Raid back inside* Blankets, and bed time...

Slingshot: You 'n Flight are hungry.

Silverbolt: Okay... Blankets, fuel, and then bed... *gentle nudge*

Slingshot: *goes, but makes it look like it was her idea*

Air Raid: *Follows sisters*

First Aid: *big sigh, and then forgets Kathy's there for a moment as she turns and looks up at Optimus*

Optimus: *gentle smile* C'mon... we'll have to make sure they don't make a mess... and that they don't wake up Sharpshot...

Kathy: ... Sharpshot's here?

First Aid: *nodding and sighing again* She and Hound are part of the team now. But she's... carrying, and it isn't going very well.

Kathy: ... Carrying what? *Even though she's got a feeling as to what Sharpshot is carrying*

First Aid: *softly as she draws closer to Optimus, her hand seeking his* A new spark.

Kathy: ... *Small frown* I didn't know... you guys have difficult pregnancies too? *Surprised by this*

Optimus: *gently holding First Aid's hand*

First Aid: Neither did I. But Ratchet's seen it happen before.

Kathy: *frown grows* How is the little one doing?

First Aid: He's healthy and growing normally. *slight smile, she's curious and excited for her friends*

Kathy: *nodding a bit* And Sharpshot?

First Aid: *sigh* Weak, and she's not feeling very well. But Ratchet says she'll recover once the sparklet has his own shell.

Kathy: Is it alright if I visit her?

First Aid: Let me ask Ratchet and Hound. *tilts head slightly as she coms the mechs in question*

Ratchet: //Ratchet here... Something wrong, First Aid?//

First Aid: //No, sir. Kathy's here, and she's wondering if it's alright if she visit Sharpshot.//

Hound: *listening before he speaks*

Ratchet: //Well... I think... as long as Kathy doesn't get Sharpshot excited... not that that's likely, but still... It should be alright.. .but double-check with Hound...//

First Aid: //I don't think she will. She helped me calm down today when Fireflight and Silverbolt had a melt down about my working.//

Ratchet: //Check with Hound... Sharpshot might not even be awake right now...//

First Aid: //Yes, sir.//

Hound: //I don't mind. Sky's in stasis, but I'll say hi.//

First Aid: //Alright, Hound. Thank you.// *looks down at Kathy* Hound says you're welcome, but she's asleep.

Kathy: *nodding a bit* I'll be as quiet as I can.

First Aid: *smiles and watches the human walk inside. When she thinks she's gone she turns to put her arms around Optimus and offer him a proper greeting*

Kathy: *Turns to ask where she should head* ...

First Aid: *pulls back from the small kiss and smiles at Optimus as he leans over her gently and protectively, her optics shining*

Kathy: *turns and heads inside, muttering something that sounds like "Get a room..."*

Blaster: *bops around a corner and comes face to face with Kathy* Ack! *scrambles to keep from dropping his cookie*

Kathy: *Startled, stumbles back a few steps* O.o

Blaster: *cookie secured, he looks up with a head tilt, and then grins and plays a very soft boom of dance music* Hey, Mrs. F. Sup wichoo?

Kathy: *isn't sure whether to pat the little guy on his head, or what* I've... been pretty busy at the hospital... I heard Sharpshot's not feeling so well...

Blaster: *droops and looks further down the hall* Nah... she ain't. But once that newbot comes out she'll be jiggy.

Kathy: That's what First Aid said...

Jazz: *looks out to see who he's talking to, one hand holding a ball of used duct tape* Hey, Lady Kat! Whatsnoo?

Kathy: *attention goes from Blaster to Jazz* The usual.. .Carmine's car got crushed again...

Jazz: o.0 Wow... he does it even when we ain't helpin'.

Kathy: *chuckles a bit* This time, it was parked in the wrong place at the wrong time... someone's piano that they were moving to a penthouse apartment... fell on it...

Jazz: 0.o *shudder* Where was Captain Fanzone?

Kathy: Across the street, getting a sandwich.

Jazz: Whoa. That's heavy, man.

Hound: *looks out of a room further down the hall, Sunhalo tucked in the crook of one arm*

Kathy: Needless to say, he's not too thrilled about it... *remembers why she's in here* You wouldn't happen to know where Sharpshot's resting, would you?

Blaster: In there, with Hound. *bit of 'nature music'*

Kathy: *looks up, and nods, before heading towards Hound and Sunhalo*

Jazz: *calls a farewell, and then throws the tape ball at Blaster's head before running out of the plant cackling with the youngster at his heels*

Hound: *smiles at Kathy* Hello, Mrs. Fanzone.

Kathy: *raised brow* I take it you're Hound?

Hound: Yes, Ma'am. *steps aside to invite her inside* And this is Sunhalo, Sky and my older sparklet.

Kathy: *Raised brow gets joined by its twin as she enters the room*

Sharpshot: *curled up, in deep stasis, and covered with a blanket or two*

Hound: *quietly* We adopted her after we found her and her first Mama floating in the asteroid belt around Tau.

Hound: *settles into his chair by the berth and offers Kathy a hand up*

Kathy: *softly* Oh... *nods a bit, and frowns as she spots Sharpshot, before climbing onto Hound's hand*

Hound: *sets her where she can see his mate, and then gently rubs Sunhalo's tummy as she stirs and clicks*

Kathy: *quiet* How long has she been like this?

Hound: She's been asleep for a few... er, hours, now. Nice and quiet.

Kathy: I meant, how long has she been weak like what First Aid was talking about?

Hound: Ohhh. *sigh* Sorry. It's been a couple weeks now.

Kathy: *patpats Hound's hand, even as she frowns and tries to come up with a comparison to human pregnancies* And how long do most little ones take to grow?

Hound: About thirty-five solar cycles.

Kathy: ... *puzzled look*

Hound: *puzzled look in return, then blushes* Days. Solar cycles are days. I'm sorry.

Kathy: Oh... and she's been weak like this for about fourteen?

Hound: Yes, Ma'am.

Kathy: *thinking about something, and then* And usually, you know if there's a little one... how many days after conception?

Hound: *blushes* I... well, I guess that depends on the sparklet. From what I've gathered the femme usually knows pretty soon after they're there because even if there's no morning sickness the new spark starts trying to talk.

Kathy: Hmm... *attention goes to Sharpshot as the femme shifts position slightly*

Hound: *soft, soothing clicks to mate*

Sharpshot: *soft noise as she gets comfortable again, before going back to the deep recharge she was in*

Hound: *gentle smile as he leans down sideways to kiss her on the forehead. Then he remembers Kathy and straightens up, looking down at her as his faceplates heat* Sorry.

Kathy: *watching with a nigh-unreadable expression, before she speaks, quietly* I hope everything goes okay when it's time for the little one to be born...

Hound: Ratchet says not to worry. *expression says he is anyway, a little*

Sunhalo: *opens optics and turns head to see who Papa's talking to*

Kathy: *nods* I'd be concerned if you weren't worried... *small smile* Then I'd have to find a way to knock some sense into you... *realizes she's being looked at, gives Sunhalo a small smile* Well, hello there...

Sunhalo: *hides slightly* Hi....

Hound: *sheepish grin at Kathy, and then he looks down at his little femme and his face just blooms with affection*

Kathy: *quiet chuckle as she watches Hound and Sunhalo*

Sunhalo: *feels braver and sits up to look at Kathy, and the woman will be able to see the model type that this little one belongs to*

Kathy: *raised brow. She recognizes that shape... but can't quite remember where she's seen it before*

Hound: Something wrong, Mrs. Fanzone?

Sunhalo: *looks up at Papa with a little frown*

Kathy: I know I've seen a robot with that same general shape... But darned if I can't remember where...

Hound: *quietly* Think of a purple badge.

Kathy: ... O_O That flying one!

Sunhalo: *Click and hide*

Sharpshot: *unshutters an optic to see what the loud noise was, before frowning a bit*

Hound: *uses his free hand to try and comfort his daughter* Shhh, Lady. It's alright.

Sharpshot: *Quiet* Hound... is 'Halo alright?

Hound: Yeah, Sky. Mrs. Fanzone just startled her a little. She's fine. You want her for a bit?

Sharpshot: *nods, and clicks quietly to Sunhalo*

Hound: *apologize to Kathy as he sets his hand on the berthside table* I need both hands to put Lady down.

Kathy: *also apologizing for startling Sunhalo and for waking Sharpshot as she steps down onto the table*

Hound: *gives her a slight smile, then gently lays Sunhalo on Sharpshot's chest, where she cuddles and clicks* There you go.... *his voice is tender as he smiles at his mate and their first little one*

Sharpshot: *Gentle clicking as she rubs Sunhalo's back*

Sunhalo: Momma okay?

Sharpshot: *nods* Momma's fine... *clicks and backrubs more*

Sunhalo: M'glad. *more cuddle*

Hound: *softly* Mrs. Fanzone came to see how you're doing, Sky.

Sharpshot: *lifts her head a bit to nod at Kathy, who nods back, and then she's moving to try to sit up*

Hound: *quickly moves to help her and get her propped against some rolled up blankets. He then carefully moves the table so she can see Kathy more easily*

Sharpshot: *Quietly thanks Hound, and cuddles Sunhalo, before giving Kathy a small smile* *quiet* It's been awhile, hasn't it, Kathy?

Kathy: *nods, not liking how tired Sharpshot looks, and is wondering to herself whether Sharpshot's farther along than Hound thinks*

Hound: *goes and gets a cube of sweet energon from the storeroom and sticks a drinking tube into it* You want me to get out of the way so you gals can talk?

Sharpshot: *headshake*

Kathy: *raised brow, is curious* What's that stuff?

Hound: Sweet energon. *waggles the drinking tube at Sharpshot enticingly*

Sunhalo: *gentle little pat pat for Momma, and then she gathers her courage to tell Kathy* Can hear baby brother.

Sharpshot: *makes a face, but there's an amused glint to her optics as she leans a little and snags the end of the drinking tube*

Kathy: ... You can hear him? *sitting down so she's a bit more comfortable*

Sunhalo: *lays head against Sharpshot's chest to be sure of the new tones to her spark song, then nods*

Kathy: *puzzling over this* Kinda like how after a certain point, people can feel when a baby is kicking inside his mother's womb?

Sunhalo: *blank look*

Hound: *similar expression*

Kathy: ... Er...

Sharpshot: She's talking about organic sparklets... they can't talk... but they can move around...

Hound: Ohh. Er... well, I guess it's something like.

Sharpshot: *cycling air suddenly* H-Hound... the bucket...

Hound: *whips Kathy's table out of the way, then gets Sunhalo out of the way and the bucket in it with the speed of practice*

Kathy: *Startled noise*

Sharpshot: *shaking as she purges*

Hound: *has set Sunhalo by Kathy and is supporting his mate as he clicks to her gently*

Sunhalo: *curled up, whimpering softly*

Kathy: *biting lower lip* Need me to get Ratchet?

Sharpshot: *once she's finished purging, she wearily leans against Hound and shutters her optics*

Hound: *gently rubs her side* No thanks, Mrs. Fanzone. *reaching onto the shelf for the bowl of energon moistened calcien as he calls for somebody to come take care of the bucket* Here, Sky. Have some of this instead.

Sunhalo: *dares creep over to sit on Momma's leg*

Sharpshot: *unshutters her optics long enough to get a little bit of the energon moistened calcien into her tank, before she's leaning against Hound again* *quiet* Sorry I'm such a burden, love...

Kathy: *frowning, even as Stiletto pokes her head into the room and frowns at the couple*

Stiletto: She's still having trouble keeping energon down?

Hound: *nods to the young femme without looking at her, instead gently rubbing his mate's back and moving to give her a very gentle kiss* You'll never be a burden, Sky.

Sunhalo: *wants Stiletto to take her too*

Stiletto: *frowwwwwn, retrieves the bucket, and also moves to pick up Sunhalo* C'mon, kiddo... let's go terrorize Blurr, Shia, and Showtime for a bit...

Sunhalo: *quietly, as she cuddles Stiletto* Don't wanna terrorize. Wanna snuggle.

Hound: Thanks, Stilletto

Stiletto: *chuckles* Not a problem, Hound... I think Ratchet'll be wanting to give her a check-up in the morning...

Hound: *nods and turns his head to give Sunhalo a grin, before turning back to Sharpshot and rubbing her back again*

Sunhalo: Bye bye, Mrs. Fanzone.

Kathy: See you, Sunhalo.

Sharpshot: *unshuttering her optics and making another attempt at feeding herself*

Stiletto: *leaves the room, handing the bucket off to Sunstreaker, who scowls for a moment, before taking it out back to be emptied and cleaned up... again*

Hound: *holding the bowl for her and clicking encouragingly. Then he remembers Kathy and looks up*

Kathy: *small frown, is eyeing the edge of the table, and wondering how she's going to get down without injury*

Hound: *sets the bowl down for a moment and apologizes to Sharpshot as he lays her back against the blanket rolls, then offers a hand to the human* Sorry, Mrs. Fanzone. I forgot you were here.

Kathy: You were taking care of your girl... *climbing onto Hound's hand*

Sharpshot: *quiet sigh as she shutters her optics again*

Hound: *quick glance toward Sharpshot, his optics full of feeling* Still shouldn't forget a guest. *gently sets Kathy on the floor* Thanks for coming.

Kathy: Thanks for letting me stay for a bit... *small smile* Carmine's probably worried sick about me...

Hound: *smiles at her. He doesn't know the Captain well enough yet to comment on that*

Kathy: *gently pats Hound's hand* You two take care... I'll stop by some other time, when Sharpshot's feeling better...

Hound: Thanks, Ma'am. *another smile, and then he's straightening in his chair to tend his mate again*

Kathy: *nods and then she's heading out into the hallway*

First Aid: *standing next to Optimus, his arm around her waist as she lays her face against his side. Both of them are looking through the doorway of the Aerialbots' room, watching the youngsters sleep*

*sound of Professor Sumdac fussing at Ratchet in the living room*

Kathy: *small smile as she notices Optimus and First Aid, before her attention goes to the living room. Then, she's frowning and moving towards the room*

Professor Sumdac: Ratchet, I caught her kissing Bumblebee! What am I supposed to do about this? She's only eight years old!

Ratchet: And Bumblebee's still a youngling... granted, he's almost an adult... but they're both still younglings...

Professor Sumdac: Exactly! They're too young to be doing something like that! *fuss fret! His hair is on end even worse than usual*

Kathy: *frowns, hands on hips* You're acting like you never tried to kiss a girl on the playground, Professor Sumdac.

Professor Sumdac: *blush* I... er... didn't. I was too busy trying to upgrade the computers in the high school lab.

Kathy: *headshake, moves into the room and ignores the O_o look Ratchet's giving her* Be glad they're not doing like Carmine and I did when we were that age... His arm still bothers him when the weather gets bad...

Professor Sumdac: Er... I beg your pardon, Mrs. Fanzone?

Kathy: *chuckles a bit* He put a snake in my lunchbox... and I kinda got a bit too rough getting even... accidentally broke his arm when I landed on him in the creek bed by the playground... I was trying to give him a black eye...

Professor Sumdac: 0_0

Ratchet: *Facepalming*

Kathy: We were about the same age as Sari... probably a little bit older... but we were just kids... and so are they...

Professor Sumdac: *afraid to say this but...* I do not understand how your story applies to my daughter kissing her best friend.

Kathy: *Gives Professor Sumdac an "Are you serious?" look* They're kids. They're curious... and unless someone explains why everyone's so upset, they won't get it... and things will only go downhill from here if you don't take the time to explain things.

Professor Sumdac: *slowly assuming a look of terror*

Kathy: Oh, and a word of advice? Don't use an outdated "Birds and Bees" book... as ironic as that'd be...

Professor Sumdac: *deep breath, must stay calm... deep breath, must stay calm... deep breath, must stay calm*

Ratchet: Well, there's one thing she's right about... we've got to talk to both of them... and explain why we're upset... They won't like hearing that they're both too young to be thinking about courting... but it's for their own good.

Professor Sumdac: *shaking with fear at the thought* Sari... Sari pointed out that she is older than First Aid and Mistfire.... *wibble*

Kathy: ...I thought Mistfire was older though...

Ratchet: She's not... She's only about seven months old... if even that...

Kathy: ...*has to sit down like... NOW, PLZ*

Professor Sumdac: *looks ready to faint at her shock*

Ratchet: The difference between Mistfire and Sari is that Mistfire was created as an adult femme. Sari's still a youngling in protoform and processor...

Professor Sumdac: *mute nodding*

Kathy: And First Aid... she's about the same age... isn't she?

Ratchet: First Aid came online during the garbage strike... so yeah... just about the same age as Mistfire... *small frown* Even though I didn't really approve at the time of Optimus courting her...

Kathy: ...and they've both got families now... but First Aid said she and Optimus hadn't even begun to think about marriage...

Ratchet: *Scowl* Good. They can wait.

Kathy: ...*facepalm* And here I thought I had escaped the clutches of Pa...

Professor Sumdac: *looking wonderingly up at Ratchet, his fright temporarily forgotten*

Ratchet: *Grumbling and generally being a sourpuss about the idea of marriage*

Kathy: *headshake, amused smile* Pa said some of the same things about Carmine...

Professor Sumdac: *realizes that he'll have to someday deal with this too* *faints*

Ratchet: ...Oh, slag.

Kathy: *grabbing something to fan Professor Sumdac with*

Professor Sumdac: *remains insensate*

Kathy: *sighs* And here I thought I'd have one day without someone passing out on me... *makes sure Professor Sumdac is made as comfortable as possible, and goes to get her supply of smelling salts*

Jazz: *peeks inside, a Blaster on his back. Sees the Professor* o_0

Ratchet: *Still grumbling and cursing under his breath about the idea of Optimus and First Aid getting married*

Jazz: Hey, Doc, chill. They cool.

Ratchet: *grumble, gets out of Kathy's way as the paramedic returns with smelling salts*

Jazz: So what's goin' down with the Prof? *hand back as Blaster stirs and peeks sleepily over his shoulder*

Kathy: *As she moves the open container of smelling salts back and forth under Professor Sumdac's nose* Apparently, Sari's acting like a curious kid... and so is Bumblebee... and somehow, we got to talking about marriage...

Jazz: What they curious about? *tips head back and grins at his small buddy, who gives him a tired but happy grin right back*

Kathy: *Bluntly* Kissing.

Jazz: Ohhhhhh. *his laughter trails him down the hall*

Professor Sumdac: *coughs and then speaks in a most plaintive voice* I barely know anything about the human birds and bees... I shake at the thought of having to learn about robot ones.

Kathy: *Capping the smelling salts, but decides to keep them close, in case they're needed again* I don't think we're in any danger of having to worry about that for now, Professor.

Professor Sumdac: But... I must explain to my daughter.... *turns pale again*

Kathy: *glances over at Ratchet* Have the robots explain it.

Ratchet: *Startled blurt*

Professor Sumdac: I... I do not want to shirk... responsibility.... *yup, he's gone again*

Kathy: *sighs, gets the smelling salts ready again*

Bumblebee: *drives into the room and stalls*

Ratchet: *STINKEYES*

Bumblebee: *about as conscious as the professor, though for different reasons*

Ratchet: ... *frowns and scans Bumblebee*

Bumblebee: *wore himself out again. Is running a bit hotter than he should*

Professor Sumdac: *trying to sit up and muttering about his head*

Ratchet: *Sighs and moves to coax the younger bot into transforming, and if successful in that, to the medbay*

Bumblebee: *transforms, and wobbles* I'm... really sorry. I won't do it again. I.... *nearly falling down* ...Don't feel so good.

Ratchet: *Catches Bumblebee* Easy, Bumblebee... let's get you sorted out so you can rest...

Bumblebee: Professor Sumdac. I'm sorry. Got my stuff. Moved out... don't have to kick me....

Professor Sumdac: *horrified* I was not going to kick you out, Bumblebee! You are ill. *up and hurrying toward Ratchet and the small mech*

Ratchet: *quietly reassuring Bumblebee, and telling Professor Sumdac where the coolant is, even as he moves to carry the small mech to the medbay*

Professor Sumdac: *fussing away as he accompanies them out of the room*

Kathy: *headshake as she packs up, and heads for the door* Wonder if I can bum a ride from Gunther...*pushes the door open*

Captain Fanzone: *sitting in his new car, scowling darkly at the ball of duct tape stuck to his windshield* This is why I hate machines....

((co-written with

random_xtras))