TPF. Lamont House and Autobot Outpost Omega One. Newborns

[dens_extra_pups]

Dixie: *tearfully dials Hattie's cell phone number*

Hattie: *answers on the second ring* //'Lo?//

Dixie: D'yu know wh't th'se machines've done now?

Hattie: //...Which machines, Dixie?//

Dixie: Y'u know wh't machines! They've gone 'n dragged Denver outta 'er nahce warm 'ome 'n brought 'er t' that drafty hole they live in. 'N the new bahbeh too!

Hattie: //...'F she went 'gainst 'er will, she'd'a called bah now, Dixie.//

Dixie: But...

Hattie: //She'd'a called, Dixie. Y'u're gonna drahve a bigger wedge 'tween 'er 'n y'u 'f y'u fuss 'bout 't.//

Dixie: *crying nearly too hard to be understood now* Oh wah d' Ah bothah? Y'u jes' don't care, Hattie Lamont.

Hattie: *quietly* //Ah do care, Dixie. Ah jes' don' want t' lose th' chance t' see mah greatgrandchahld.//

Dixie: *through her tears* Ah gotta go. Even though Ah maht as well jes' throw th' food in the trash now instead'a spendin' tahm fixin' it first.

Hattie: //Give 't tahm, Dixie. Y'u'll git t' see th' babeh soon 'nough.//

Dixie: *phone statics as she sobs* Bah, Hattie. *hangs up*

Hattie: *very soft sigh, puts the phone away for now, since she needs to focus on driving* *quick decision, gets off the interstate at the next exit. Quiet sigh as she thinks back over the past two decades, and how the loss of Dixie's twin daughters has affected the entire Lamont/MacKenzie family*


back in Alabama


Dixie: *slams the oven door shut, wiping furiously at her eyes. How can Hattie be so... so heartless at a time like this?!*

Matt: *doesn't look up from where he's bent over a box of newborn chicks in the corner of the kitchen, just continues to gently check each of the newly purchased fuzzballs to make sure they're all okay*

Dixie: *slamming pots and pans around, because it's better than dealing with the continued silence from Matt*

Matt: *slight sad sound as he sees that one of the little chickens has a slightly twisted leg. Turns and sets the little thing where Dixie can see it, knowing that she loves the hurt babies best*

Dixie: *attention going to the movement* *soft, worried sound, will move to fuss over the hurt chick*

Matt: *back to checking on the other little chickens* *looks up, blinking, as someone taps on the kitchen door*

Dixie: *also looks up, carefully cradling the chick close to her chest* Wh't th'...

Matt: *looks at her, and goes to the door, stops on the way to frown out the window as he realizes there's a truck out there, and they're unloading stuff onto a forklift pallet. Frown deepens, and he opens the door*

tiny voice: *squeals!*

man's voice: Hi, I don't know if you remember me. We met at Denver's senior prom. Jack Darby?

Matt: *gobsmacked silence*

Dixie: *frowns, nodding slowly* Th' 'un wit'out glasses, rahght?

Jack: Mrs. Lamont? Is that you?

little voice: *squeals again. Wait, there are two in chorus now*

Dixie: *hesitantly moving to get a better view, one hand gently smoothing the down on the back of the chick she's holding close*

Jack: *tall young man in an Air Force uniform smiles at her with twinkling dark eyes as two tiny Cybertronian baby girls wriggle in his arms and tug at each other's fingers while making cute at the frozen Matt* Hi. I just stopped by to drop these guys off.

Dixie: ... *so confused* Drop th'm off?

Jack: *softly* Yeah. When Optimus learned about your story... well, she wanted to ask you if you'd help us out by fostering some babies. She sent a letter. *lifts brows* When these two came out twins, I thought they'd be perfect for you.

Matt: *turns head and looks at Dixie, remembering the unopened letter she'd set fire to*

Dixie: ... *boggling as she remembers that letter*

Jack: *slowly* ...You never got the letter?

pink with silver baby: *has seen the chick. Is pointing, her blue eyes enormous*

pink with yellow baby: *trying so hard to engage Matt in conversation*

Matt: *biting his lip and looking away from everyone again. Would go back to his chicks if he weren't pinned here*

Dixie: ... *quietly, voice sounding a bit weak* D-D' th'y 'ave names?

Jack: *quietly* Crystal and Jem.

babies: *two sets of big eyes looking up at him quizzically*

Dixie: *soft little gasp*

Jack: *still quiet* Denver named them.

Jem: *squeals and reaches for Matt. Want to be acquainted with you!*

Matt: *still stunned, but automatically puts out his hands and takes the little pink and yellow being. Then turns away, his face crumpling to tears as the baby snuggles close and coos*

Dixie: *moves to tuck the hurt chick into a nearby cloth-lined napkin basket*

chick: *making little peaceful sounds as it sleeps*

Jack: *trying not to invade Matt's space by looking at him while his shoulders are shaking like that*

Dixie: *will gently tuck a clean dish cloth around the chick so it's kept warm, before moving to reach for the other baby*

Crystal: *blinks those big eyes, and then cuts a million dollar grin as Jack carefully hands her over*

Dixie: *does her best not to cry at the sight of that grin*

Jack: *quietly* I better go help unload their energon. Call me if you need anything. *turns and jogs away*

Crystal: *puzzled chirp as she sees her erstwhile mentor go away*

Dixie: *surprises herself by saying this* 'T's alrahght, 'on... *will gently babydance*

Crystal: *looks up. Again with that smile, then squeaks and clicks quietly and earnestly*

Dixie: *moves to see if she can figure out what Jack is doing, will glance towards Matt*

Matt: *still crying silently but stormily as he holds Jem close*

Jack: *unloading boxes of something onto the pallet. Is accompanied by a tall woman with close green fur and a tasselled tail*

Dixie: *boggles at the green lady*

Crystal: *looked at the sun. Kerchoo! Squeaks and rubs intakes on Dixie*

Dixie: *startles and fusses over baby*

Crystal: *soft coo*

Matt: *suddenly turns and looks directly at his wife for the first time in twenty years*

Dixie: *looks over her shoulder*

Matt: *expression searching as he tries to see if the girl he loved has finally come back to him*

Dixie: *eyes just a bit bright with tears that haven't fallen, though these tears are not in reaction to her earlier upset*

Matt: *hardly daring to hope that the withdrawn and angry stranger has gone away. Hesitantly holds out a hand*

Dixie: *moves a bit closer*

Jem and Crystal: *talking to one another and reaching, their tiny faces bright and happy*

Matt: *looks at the babies, and then looks at his wife. Pulls her close so that babies can reach one another*

Dixie: *trying not to wibble*

Matt: *arm around her and kisses her on the hair, hardly daring to hope that things will start to be better now, but unable to stop himself*

Dixie: *doing her best to keep her shoulders from shaking, so she doesn't scare the babies*

Matt: *quiet and hoarse* Y'u got anythin' fer bahbehs?

Dixie: ... Ah don' reckon we do.

Matt: *surprised look* Y'u were makin' s'methin'.

Dixie: ... Ah don' remembah wh're Ah put 't. *abashed*

Matt: *gentle frown* Y'u throw it awah alreadeh?

Jem: *kissie sissy!*

Crystal: *squeak! Wiggle*

Dixie: Ah dunno... *distracted by the squeak, will fuss over the babies*

Matt: *instead of turning away he looks around, then lifts Dixie's face so that she looks at him* Les' go fahnd out.

Dixie: *very small nod*

Matt: *arm around her as he leads her inside*


Out at the truck


Jack: *doesn't notice as he hears a trailer door close with a spring driven slam. Does, however, notice when a burly shadow falls over him. Looks up* Whoa! Big guy!

tall, burly guy with strawberry blond hair: *slight frown and a raised brow*

Jack: Errr.

Zeebin: *comes out of the truck. Grins at the big guy* Hi!

guy: *other brow raises to join its sibling* *quietly* 'Lo.

Zeebin: Who're you? *still the cheerful grin*

guy: *quietly* 'M Jake.

Jack: *face clears* Denver sent a letter for you. *leans down to open the pocket on the leg of his pants*

Jake: *frown fades to surprise* *still quiet* 'S she alrahght? *heard his mother's argument with Grandma from his trailer*

Jack: *is grinning himself now as he straightens and offers the fat envelope that contains the printed out letter and photo* She says to tell you that she, Raf, and baby Orion are fine.

Jake: *small smile as he accepts the offered envelope* *a bit louder* Good.

Jack: *looks toward the house, his smile fading into compassion* *quietly* Hopefully your folks will be soon, too.

Jake: *very small nod* *carefully opening the letter, soft chuckle as he pulls out a picture showing Denver, Raf, and baby Orion* *lips moving slightly as he reads* "Dear Jake, I hope this letter finds you well. Everything went the way it was supposed to, and Orion and I are enjoying maternity leave. I hope Jack didn't get lost trying to bring this letter to you, because if he did, that means that Crystal and Jem are probably getting fussy." *snerks*

Jack: *worried glance to his wife at the snerk*

Zeebin: *snerks at the glance*

Jake: *looks up* Crystal 'n Jem?

Jack: *rubbing the back of his neck and giving Zeebin a reproving look. Turns back to Jake and grins* Read on.

Jake: *raised brow, resumes reading* "Crystal and Jem are a pair of Cybertronian babies that Jack and Zeebin have been taking care of, that we're hoping Aunt Dixie and Uncle Matt will be willing to foster. They are about the same age as Flashpoint, who is another Cybertronian baby." *blinks and continues reading* "Flashpoint is technically my daughter, but she is also my sister due to Cybertronian family structures. Her spark was created from my DNA sequence. I can hardly wait to meet her and introduce her to Orion and the rest of the family." 0_0 *jaw drops*

Zeebin: *turns back from watching Jack walk to the cab in time to see that expression* *snerk* What?

Jake: There's 'nothah babeh?

Zeebin: *laughs* There are a lot of babies. Some of them are even on Earth.

Jake: *very slight grin* Cool.

Jack: *coming back, preceded by chirping, clicking, and little coos* Sure, Billy, whatever you say.

Jake: *attention going to the clicking, chirping, and coos*

Jack: *holding a blanket wrapped, big eyed baby bot in red and blue* *is talking to the tiny being as he comes over to stand by Zeebin*

Jake: Awww....

Jack: *looks up with a slight grin* This is my little twin brother, Bill.

Jake: ... Li'l twin brothah? *trying to wrap his head around that concept*

Jack: Yeah. Our scientist friend translated my DNA into CNA, and Bill's the result. *slight squirm* Z2, that's Dad's shoulderblade*

Zeebin: *looks at his back and laughs*

Jake: ... Huh.

Zeebin: *carefully pries a little green goober with kitten ears and big green eyes off Jack's back*

Z2: *wriggles and squeaks and clicks*

Jake: D'awww...

Jack: *grins* Bill and Z2 are Seekers.

Jake: ... Seekers?

Jack: Yes, flying bots. *grins at the taller man*

Jake: ...Oh.

Jack: *lifts brows* Did you finish the letter?

Jake: *blinks and returns attention to the letter* *blinks a bit as he comes to a more in-depth explanation*

Jack: *talking to his babies till Z2 gets a finger hooked in the corner of his mouth. Then he's wincing and making funny noises as he tries to get her to let go*

Zeebin: *laughing. What? That helps!*

Jake: *looks up, snerks*

Jack: *sheepish look. His eyes are watering, but he's still happy*

Jake: *amused headshake* *indicates the letter* None'a this 's made up?

Jack: *blinks* None of it's made up.

Bill: *quizzical little warble from where he's peeking from his blanket bundle*

Jake: *small nod* Good 'nough f'r me then.

Zeebin: *wide grin* Are you going to go see your new baby sisters?

Jake: *small grin* Gotta git 'em lovies first.

Zeebin: *darts into the truck, comes back with a box* Those two haven't really shown any interest in lovies other than adults, but we have some dolls, toys, and blankets here.

Jake: Alrahght. Mahght 's well give 't a go

Zeebin: *grins and offers box*

Jake: *nods as he looks in the box*

Jack: *jumps as a cry comes from the cab* Quick, Zeebin, help her change mp3s. She's at the end of the race.

Zeebin: My hands are kinda full. *twitches tail at husband, then looks at Jake* Do you know how to change tracks on an iPod?

Jake: *nod, will move to head for the cab*

Flashpoint: *sitting in the middle car seat in the sleeper seat in the truck, wrapped in a blanket and scowling at the blank screen on the device that she's holding. There are no cars on it. No race, no car commercials, nothing. Shouts again*

Jake: *soothing sounds* *gently* Lemme see 'f Ah c'n fix th't f'r y'u, sweetie.

Flashpoint: *big stink eye from ocean blue optics as she holds her lovie close. That expression is probably very familiar, as is that tiny face despite its mechanical nature*

Jake: *very soft chuckle at the itty bitty stinkeye he's getting*

Flashpoint: *bitty growl*

Jake: *growls right back. Knows how to deal with Denver's attitude, can tell this little thing is just like his cousin*

Flashpoint: *startled into a belly laugh*

Jake: *smile* Le's get th't t' th' next race, hon. *holds out hand and waits*

Flashpoint: *studies him with a little not quite pout, but he is a big. He can work the lovie* *holds out lovie*

Jake: *will get the next track going for the little bundle of parts* There y'u go, sweetie. All set?

Flashpoint: *clicks a very distinct phrase as she reaches eagerly for the iPod, her big optics already focused on the screen*

Jake: *chuckles as he hands the iPod over*

Flashpoint: *leans back and watches the screen, frowning intently*

Jack: *calls* You can take Jem and Crystal's car seats. They're the pink ones.

Jake: *nods and moves to do so* *glances at the other car seat he noticed* *blinks and carefully backs out of the cab, pink car seats in tow* Whose kid 's th' otha 'un?

Jack: *looks over and grins* Bill Fowler's. He's helping Denver and Raf raise their little sibs.

Jake: *soft chuckle*

Jack: *finally gets Z2 loose and sets her down, then looks up as she clings cheerfully to his leg* We've got the formula for your little sisters unloaded, so we should probably get going after we show you guys how to use it.

Jake: *nod, quirking a grin at the sight of Z2 clinging to Jack's leg* Alrahght.

Dixie: *calling softly. Just remembered that she has a big strapping son out here somewhere*

Matt: *is that rattling noise from the shed where the baby things are*

Jack: *looks toward the sounds*

Zeebin: *shuts the truck, and then comes over to help herself to Billbaby and a peck for her husband. Sometimes going without helmets is fun!*

Jake: *heads over to where his parents are, holding up the car seats as he goes*

Dixie: *face brightens at the sight of him like it hasn't done in years* Wh't've y'u got?

Jake: Crystal 'n Jem's car seats. *small smile*

Dixie: *grins at him. Yes, Jake, your mother just grinned* We'd best put 'em 'n th' kitchen fer now. *looks down at what she's holding, her face softening. Then steps down the front steps and offers the two tiny beings to Jake*

Crystal: *"talking" up a storm as she catches sight of someone new!*

Jem: *shy little sweet smile as she noms on the fingers of both her hands*

Jake: *does a babbies for car seats swap*

Dixie: *absently holding the seats as she bites her lip and watches to see how Jake and his new sisters will react to one another*

Jem: *itty bitty silent flirt as she finger noms*

Crystal: *getting hold of the paracord bracelet on the new big* *talk talk*

Jake: *gonna baby dance now* *and grin like a loon*

Dixie: *sets down seats. Then softly, as she lays a hand on the tiny talker* Th's's Crystal. *moves hand to the quieter baby* 'N th's's Jem.

Crystal: Beeeee! *grins and tugs on bracelet*

Jem: *hides*

Jake: Awww... *more gentle baby dancing!*

Dixie: *bites her lip. Huskily* Denver named 'em.

Jake: *small nod* *quietly* Suits 'em.

Dixie: *face crumples into tears*

Crystal: *too busy playing to notice*

Jem: *sees Mamaface looking sad. Starts to whimper*

Crystal: *ack! Sissy crying! Wail!*

Jake: *meeps and does his best to comfort sisters and mother at the same time*

Dixie: *hugged by son. Hurt pours out in healing tears*

twins: *snuggling for all they're worth, little eyes wide with worry*

Matt: *pauses as he sees what's happening, then sets down the twin cradle and comes to put his arms around all his family*

Jake: *doing his best not to join his mother in crying*

Matt: *is crying, silently, but with shaking shoulders as he thanks God for this day and these baby girls*

Jack: *quiet and embarrassed throat clearing*

Dixie: *peeks from around children and husband*

Jack: *holds up a couple of soft sided containers of pale purple stuff with spouts at the end* I need to show you how to feed the babies.

twins: *suddenly both talking quietly but intensely as they spot the feeding bottles*

Matt: *looks up*

Dixie: *gentle nudge for Jake so she can see more clearly*

Jake: *moves just enough that Dixie can see, but he can still hug her and the babies at the same time*

Jack: Okay. *shakes leg slightly so that Z2 stops pinching* Now. Perceptor, our scientist, made this stuff as safe for humans as he could. But you still don't want it on your skin, and you DON'T want it in your eyes or mouth.

Crystal: *little pleading sound. Hungry babby, feed plz*

Jake: *nods*

Dixie: Alrahght.

Matt: *small nod*

Jack: What you do with these is take this thing. *lifts the special punch for them to see* And stick the spout in it. *little click sound* Then you put the spout here. *pokes it at Chrystal's mouth, and then winces as she squeals at him indignantly for feeding her first* Oops. I forgot.

Jake: *chuckle* Gotta feed Jem first?

Jack: *blushing slightly as he offers the drinking bottle to one of the Lamont parents* Yeah. Crystal's insisted on that since they were born.

Dixie: *will carefully poke the spout at Jem's mouth*

Jake: *chuckles* Aww.

Jem: *wriggles to try and lay on her back in the right position to drink*

Jack: They're only three days old, so they're going to need a little help. And they both tend to take in air, even though they're slow eaters.

Z2: *nomming on Daddy's pant leg*

Matt: S-so th'y n-need t' b-be burped?

Jack: Yes. But the energon formula won't go through a normal receiving blanket or burp pad, so you can use those.

Dixie: *gently fussing over Jem and helping her lay on her back*

Jem: *sighs and snuggles against Jake as she smiles around the bottle at Mama*

Crystal: *watches till Sissy is eating. And then squeals! Feed this babby now!*

Jack: Oh, and neither of them tend to move bubbles downward. Thankfully.

Jake: *snerks*

Matt: *chuckles and moves to get a bottle ready for Crystal*

Crystal: *such a sad little puckered up face as she wibbles with heart breaking pathos!*

Matt: *getting the bottle ready as quickly as he can*

Dixie: *breath catches in her throat as she sees the faces Crystal is making*

Jake: *slightly startled and questioning look to his mother*

Jack: *looks up from helping Matt* Is something wrong?

Dixie: *quietly* Jake's older sistah used t' make th't same face...

Jack: *brows up* Really?

Dixie: *small nod*

Matt: *will work on feeding Crystal now*

Jack: *looks at Dixie* Mrs. Lamont?

Dixie: *looks up from feeding Jem*

Jack: *holds out two envelopes* *quietly* My mom and Denver wanted me to give you these. Mom's wondered about you since that time you came to the base.

Dixie: *small nod, will reach for the envelopes*

Jack: Now I'd better get going. *shakes his leg to the sound of baby laughter, then salutes automatically and turns to go*

Z2: *happy squeals to the nice people*

Jake: *sad sound as Dad ganks Crystal from him*

Matt: *gonna baby dance with Crystal, and nod to Jack*

Dixie: Drahve careful.

Jack: *grins* I always do. Even when the vehicle argues about it. *jogs toward the truck, which just unmistakably razzed him*

Dixie: *blink blink*

Jake: 0_0

Matt: Huh?!


meanwhile, at Autobot outpost Omega One


Optimus: *gently checks Ratchet, who is sprawled on the emergency diagnostic bed after having had to be sedated due to a severe panic attack, then looks over at the hospital bed where Denver is laying tucked in with her newborn son. Optics are twinkling*

Denver: *bit of a muzzy grin. Glad she opted for painkillers, even if she's pretty loopy right now*

Optimus: *comes over and gently smooths her human daughter's hair with a finger* Jack just sent a message saying he's delivered your letters, and that he's not surprised that Orion is just like you. Though he thinks he could have waited till he was already born to start crashing parties. *grin*

Denver: *soft snerk* Jack's a good gah. Gonna be 'n awesome uncle...

Optimus: *glances toward where the soft sound of people talking comes from the mess, then looks back to Denver with a nod before poking the curly brown head that is resting on the bed beside Denver* He's going to have a stiff neck.

Denver: *looks, soft chuckle* Best fix that th'n... *reaches with her free hand to muss up those curls*

Optimus: *gently lifts Raf and uses her other hand to push the hospital bed closer to the couch that unfolds. But then she's stiffening with shock as a pink sports car roars into the base, transforms and yells*

Scattershot: TEETH! TINY BITEY TEETH!

Denver: *brows furrowing* Bhuh?

Optimus: *quiet but stern as she recovers from surprise* Scattershot, don't shout.

Scattershot: *whimpering and trying to get the sparklet he's holding to quit biting his seatbelt*

Optimus: *finishes fixing the bed for Raf and lays him down, then comes over and reaches for the bright pink sparklet*

Magenta: *sees stranger reaching for her* *SHRIEK!*

Orion: *startles in his sleep*

Raf: 0.0

Denver: *jerks, groans*

Optimus: *sternly, in Taubot* [Quiet.]

Magenta: *curls up and hides on Daddy*

Scattershot: *fussing over baby now* *soft clicks and buzzing doorwings*

Optimus: *gentle hand on the high strung asteroid miner's back, and then braces herself as a tri-colour green, white, and black blur shoots past and tackles the femme that just transformed behind him*

Scattershot: *gonna go find Bumblebee, kthx!*

Witchblade: *talking a mile a minute about how Denver just had her baby, and she watched, and boy was it scary and great and she's so glad to see you, Misty*

Mistfire: *smirks* Just saw you yesterday, Witchy.

Miko: *emerging from the hall with a jar of Nutella and a spoon* *stops short when she sees Scattershot and Mistfire*

Witchblade: Seeing you on the screen doesn't count. *pout. Is clearly a bit cratered*

Mistfire: *sees the human* Hey, Miko. You named my nephew yet?

Miko: *around the spoon in her mouth* I'm trying, but Bulky's being picky!

Witchblade: Never mind that. Look at this! *drags sister over to where Mistfire can see Denver*

Denver: *sleepily* 'Ey.

Mistfire: *smirk* Hey. You look beat. But yer glowin'.

Denver: Givin' birth's hard work. *small smile as she looks at Orion*

Mistfire: *quietly* I bet. Those pipes ain't that big. *uncharacteristic hesitance as she gently puts a pinky finger toward the sleeping newborn human*

Denver: *very soft snerk, looks to Raf with a small smile*

Mistfire: *notices him then, and pokes him* What's he sleepin' for?

Denver: He's got exams... 'N I was feelin' pretty restless last nahght.

Mistfire: Exams? *picks up that knit blanket she sees and puts it over the sleeping Raf*

Raf: *moves slightly and murmurs something to Denver, but doesn't wake up*

Denver: Yup... Raf's got classes t' finish... *sleepy blinking* Gonna be valedictorian...

Mistfire: *cheerful insouciance* No idea what that means. *turns her head toward the echo of a mate squeak* I'll ask another time. See ya. *gone*

Denver: *soft snerk, lays back against the pillows and shuts her eyes*

Optimus: *gently fixes Denver's covers, then pauses and looks at her datapad, which is currently synced with Denver's cellular number* It's Hattie. Do you want to talk to her?

Denver: *absent sound, just wants to sleep at this point*

Optimus: *nods. Gently* Rest. I'll talk to her.

Denver: *soon fast asleep, only to wake if Orion wakes up*

Optimus: *pokes the screen of the datapad, which will stand in for Denver's crushed cellphone till that appliance is replaced* Hello, Hattie.

Hattie: //'Lo, Optimus. 'S Denver th're wit' y'all?//

Optimus: She's sleeping right now. So is Raf. *doesn't look around as a Torque burp echoes down the hall*

Hattie: //Alrahght. Ah'll call latah th'n. Dixie w's 'avin' a conniption fit earliah...// *trails off, considering what to say next*

Optimus: *frowns* Dixie was? Why?

Hattie: //Mainleh 'bout Denver movin' 'n wit' y'all.//

Optimus: *puzzlement clear in her voice* But you need to have your family around you when your children are born.

Hattie: //Yup. Ah tol' 'er t' not worreh, but we'll see 'ow th'ngs play out.//

Optimus: *shrugs* I think she'll be too busy taking care of her own newborns now to worry about Denver.

Hattie: //...Newborns?//

Optimus: *small smile as she sends one of the images that Jack collected to Hattie's phone*

Hattie: //Awww... D' th'y need anehth'n?//

Optimus: I don't know. I didn't want to disturb them. *a bit sadly* I know how Dixie feels about me.

Hattie: *gently* //Give 'er tahm. She'll come 'round.//

Optimus: *quietly* Jack says that they didn't even know that the twins were coming. She must have thrown out the letter I sent asking if she'd like to foster a sparklet.

Hattie: *a bit more firmly, but still gentle* //Give 'er tahm. She's been 'urt'n f'r a long whahl, Optimus.//

Optimus: *quietly* I know. *shutters her optics at her own memories of pain, but then exhales them away* Should we be expecting you?

Hattie: //Not t'day... Maybeh latah th's week.// *meaning, she's going to see Dixie and Matt today, to give Denver time to rest*

Optimus: *realizes* The twins are your grandchildren too, now.

Hattie: //Yup. *soft chuckle*//

Optimus: *chuckles herself* Alright. We'll see you then. *glances toward the sleeping family* Do you want a picture of Orion?

Hattie: //'F 't ain't gonna disturb Denver t' git 't, yes, please.//

Optimus: I've already got one. *pokes at the datapad to send the image of the dark haired newborn as he'd looked when she held him in her hand a few moments after his birth*

Hattie: //Awww... Lookit all th't 'aiuh. *chuckles*//

Optimus: He weighs six pounds, but Denver says he's built like a well rope.

Hattie: *chuckle* //'E's gonna be tall, like 'is ma 'n pa.//

Optimus: *also chuckles* I think sooner like his mother, instead of later like his dad.

Hattie: //Yeah... Raf w's a late bloomah, w'sn't 'e?//

Optimus: Yes. He literally grew overnight when it happened.

Hattie: //Oh dear.// *sounds so amused*

Optimus: The night before his senior prom. After he'd already bought the tux.

Hattie: //Oh, no.// *definitely amused now* //'Ow'd y'all fix th't?//

Optimus: Bill went out and bought him another one.

Hattie: //Aww. Th't w's nahce 'f 'im.//

Optimus: *quiet laughter in her voice* You know Bill. *more quietly* He and Eileen are going to be raising Raf's baby twin brother.

Hattie: //Aww...//

Optimus: Wheeljack and Calypso have got a new daughter.

Hattie: //Oh? Wh't're th'y call'n' 'er?//

Optimus: Calypso asked Liobreaker to name the little girl. Her name is Cat. He named her after his ship, the Captain's Daughter.

Hattie: //...// *and her facepalm is audible as she connects the dots*

Optimus: Yes. That cat. *wry*

Hattie: //Good grief.//

Optimus: I should mention that Liobreaker's not a Taubot. He's a privateer.

Hattie: //Th't 'splains a lot.//

Optimus: He's also Fixer's husband.

Hattie: //... Th't realleh 'splains a lot.//

Optimus: *touches the datapad and uploads an image to it, then sends*

Hattie: //... Eeesh.//

Optimus: Muhlisha had just punched him into a wall, Kriti tells me.

Hattie: //'Splains the dent.//

Optimus: Yes.

Hattie: //Ah'd bettah letcha go though. Got a bit 'f a drahve still.//

Optimus: Alright. It was nice talking to you, Hattie. *glances toward the main screen as it flickers and she sees Dallas' picture displayed. Presses the key to take that call*

Hattie: //See y'u latah, Optimus.// *hanging up*

Dallas: //Is this a bad time, Optimus?//

Optimus: Bad for what? *absently scoops CJ into her hand and rubs his head between his ears*

CJ: *waggatail, slarpahand*

Dallas: //I wasn't sure if you were busy or not.//

Optimus: No. I'm just sitting with Ratchet as he gets over a panic attack. *settles into her chair after listening to her mate sleep over their bond*

Dallas: //... Panic attack? Did something happen?//

Optimus: *glances toward where she can see Knockout's drone sprawled on the couch behind his wife, languidly playing with locking blocks with Rundown* He wound up having to deliver Denver's son when Orion came a week early.

Dallas: *blink blink* //... Are they both alright?//

Optimus: They're fine. So's Raf. *lifts her hand and displays a 3D version of Orion's picture*

Dallas: //Aww...//

dKnockout: *glances over and sees the picture* //What's that, Dallas?//

Dallas: //It's Denver's baby. His name is Orion.//

dKnockout: //Denver has a baby? How... lovely.//

Optimus: *snorts at the flatness of his voice*

Dallas: *apologetic look to Optimus before her attention's returning to her husband* //Be nice. It's not like we'll be asked to babysit.//

dKnockout: //I should hope not. I barely have time for this baby.// *pause* //You uncouth little scraplet, are you eating the blocks?//

Rundown: *laughs at funny Daddy*

Dallas: *acks and moves to try and distract Rundown from eating the locking blocks*

dKnockout: //No. He was only putting them in his mouth again. Here, put this in your mouth instead.//

Rundown: *obligingly gnaws his half eaten blue plastic cookie and tells his parents all about it*

Optimus: *slight smile as she watches*

Dallas: *headshake* //Little goober... Worrying me like that.// *smooths the sparklet's forehead a bit*

Rundown: *sighs and chats softly*

Optimus: How are your Pretender experiments going?

dKnockout: *lays back against the couch arm with a very smug smirk*

Dallas: *demurely* //They've been going well.//

Optimus: *looks back and forth between the couple and smirks slightly herself* I see.

dKnockout: *not affected by Optimus' amusement* //So has gran'ma gotten everything settled?//

Optimus: Oh. Hattie's not coming here.

Dallas: *raised brow* //She's not?//

Optimus: *slight head shake* She's gone to help Matt and Dixie with their new daughters.

dKnockout: *that was a sputter. He can't deny it*

Dallas: //... New daughters?//

Optimus: Yes. They're part of the Cybertronian foster program. Jack just brought them identical twin female sparklets.

Dallas: //Oh...//

Optimus: Denver named the babies Crystal and Jem.

Dallas: *brief flash of emotion flickers across her face for a moment before she nods*

Optimus: Would you like to see a picture of the whole family together? *notes that Knockout's already lost interest in the conversation and is busy snapping blocks together again*

Dallas: *quietly* //Yes, please.//

Optimus: *hits keys and shares this image by sending a copy* *hears it coming from the printer*

Dallas: *moves to get the picture from the printer* *soft sound when she sees the happiness on Dixie, Matt, and Jake's faces, and the tears*

Optimus: The girls are only three days old.

Dallas: *quietly* //They're so tiny...//

Optimus: *pauses to consider what the human woman is saying with those words* They're the same size as Rundown.

Rundown: *chirps and chatters about hearing his name*

Dallas: *small nod* //Thank you for sending me this, Optimus.//

Optimus: You're welcome. Oh. You might want this picture too. *hits more keys and hears the printer again*

Dallas: *looks to see what's printing now*

picture: *little miss Magenta in full blown pout*

Dallas: //... Whose kid is this?//

Optimus: *slight grin* Look closely at her face and body. *then calls down the hall* Miko, stop making Yamato cry.

Dallas: *snerk* //Knockout, your brother's got a kid now.//

dKnockout: *looks up with a sharp frown* //What?//

Dallas: *brings the picture of the pink baby over*

dKnockout: *actually stares* //It's made from their code.//

Dallas: //So she's your niece then.//

dKnockout: *aghast* //They let that misfire pass on his coding? I thought the Taubots had some sense.//

Dallas: //Hey, he's been getting better, from what I've seen each time he's visited.//

dKnockout: //But that kid will be starting from the beginning. And have Lockdown's glitches mixed in with Scattershot's.//

Dallas: //Maybe, but remember how good Scattershot is with Rundown. It might not be that bad.//

dKnockout: *snorts and lays back with a hand over his eyes*

Optimus: *slight smile* Wheeljack and Dreadwing are having an in depth discussion with Keepsake.

dKnockout: *stiffens and groans, puts whole arm over his eyes*

Dallas: *MASSIVE stinkeye for Optimus*

Optimus: *small cheerful smile for Dallas, her optics twinkling*

Dallas: //Don't pick on my husband.//

Optimus: *tries to keep the smile from becoming a grin* I don't know what you're talking about, Dallas.

Dallas: //If you expect me to believe that...// *eyes narrowed and showing her irritation clearly*

dKnockout: //Oh let her have her fun, energon goodie. It's not like those morons are going to use their precious explosives on us.// *lowers arm and smirks at her, his angst already faded into amusement*

Dallas: *frowning just a bit. Still has a hard time trusting the Autobots, even after ten years*

dKnockout: *and then stretches luxuriously in his burgundy silk shirt*

Dallas: *distracted. Grin*

Optimus: *amused as she glances toward her own cranky and unbeautiful favourite source of distraction* I should let you go. You're sure you wouldn't like to come over for snacks? I'm pretty sure they haven't eaten all the Nutella yet.

Dallas: //... How about no thanks.// *at least she's being civil on the phone, and not hanging up right away*

Optimus: *gently* Alright. Have a good night, Dallas, Knockout, Rundown.

dKnockout: *snerks as Rundown explodes into happy yap*

Dallas: //You too.// *hanging up*

Optimus: *looks over her shoulder as she hears a little girl laughing* She's still wide awake, Beau?

Beau: *muffled from where he's laying face down as an energetic five year old tries to get him to play with her* Yes, she is.

Lori: Up, up, little pup! *trying to get Daddy to play horsey for her*

Optimus: *presses a key on the computer, and then turns and walks over to kneel by her partner and his little girl* Lori, do you remember what I said about being gentle to old men?

Lori: *looks up and blinks big blue-green eyes* Um... I forgot.

Optimus: *gently touches the child's soft black hair* Try to remember.

Lori: *itty bitty frown* But Daddy's not old...

Beau: I'm old enough, Lori.

Optimus: You need to be gentle with anyone whose hair has started to change colour. You know what Grandpa and little Fixer say when your Daddy gets hurt.

Alana: *vituperation echoes down the hall from the mess*

Optimus: *calls down the hall* Fixer, put a sock in it.

Alana: *vituperation dies down into grumbling*

Optimus: *sets CJ down as he yips softly* Thank you. *turns back and gently scoops Lori into her hands*

Lori: *getting comfortable on Grandma's hands*

CJ: *gonna kissie Beau! SLARP*

Beau: Ack!

Optimus: *holds Lori close* Are you excited about Orion?

Lori: Uh-huh. *nod nod*

Optimus: *smiles* He won't be able to play for awhile.

Lori: Aww. *pout*

Optimus: *glances at Panacea as her daughter comes crawling down the hall, then looks back to Lori* Though he'll like to hear you talk to him before he can play.

Lori: *considering this*

Panacea: *crackles and gripes softly as she crawls over and lays her little head on Beau. Big sigh*

CJ: *kissie for babby, too!*

Beau: *trying to turn so he can offer a hug to Panacea*

Optimus: *reaches with one hand to help her partner as her daughter rolls over to gently mug CJ's muzzle* *to Lori in the meantime* He's going to be a lot like a doll.

Lori: Ooooh... *thinking this over now*

Optimus: And he's very soft. Like your mouse. *speaking of the tiny, frail white mouse that Raf gave his little sister in law*

Lori: Aww... *and there's that innocently sweet grin she does sometimes*

Optimus: Though thankfully Sam won't be able to kidnap him. *checks on Panacea and finds her sound asleep cuddled next to Beau*

Lori: *nod nod*

Beau: *soft sigh, is being affected by sleeping baby magic*

Optimus: *grins and shows Lori what her dad, CJ, and Panacea are doing*

Lori: *looks, hands to mouth to muffle her giggle*

Optimus: *grin widens as she pings June's phone with a request for the woman to come to her location*

June: *trotting up a few minutes later, a Lumen conked out in the Chinese baby carrier on her back* *sees husband and puts hand to mouth* Awww.

Lori: *muffled giggling*

June: *kneels and gently touches husband face* You can't sleep yet, honey.

Beau: *groggy blinking*

June: *smiles at him* You'll miss meeting the new sparklets when Jack and Zeebin get here.

Beau: *moving to sit up carefully* 'M up...

CJ: *yaawn, strettch, trot over to June! Lookit that tail go! Swishy tail*

Panacea: *soft crackling at the abandonment, then looks up at Optimus and squeals softly*

June: *gently tugs a CJ ear, and then shoves him aside to pick Panacea up and bring her to her mother*

Optimus: *takes her youngest daughter* Thank you, June. Where's Hot Rod?

June: *shakes her head* Having a burping contest with Torque.

Lori: *hugs for Pansy!*

Optimus: *looks toward the mess as she makes sure Panacea is comfortable. Shakes head as she once more hears "Torque music"*

Beau: ... Whatever Perceptor brought, it's making the Wreckers tipsy.

Optimus: *mildly* He didn't bring it. That's been brewing down in the silo for weeks.

Beau: ... *facepalm*

June: Well wherever it came from. They're drunk.

Optimus: Thankfully, they're not disorderly. *can hear Bulkhead donking Rockface's head on the floor down there. But for Wreckers, that is mild play*

Beau: *moving to get up* Right now.

Optimus: *chuckles as she responds to CJ's request to be picked up and lays him in the nest between her hand and her chest with Lori and Panacea* They won't get out of hand with new babies in the base.

Beau: True... But that won't stop them from heading out to party elsewhere.

Torque: *suddenly exclaiming dismay at being urked on by little Cat*

Calypso: *laughing her butt off now*

Optimus: *reaches for Beau to give him a gentle poke, but then scoops him and June up onto her shoulder as she hears the computer signal a call*

Beau: *on alert now*

Optimus: *rises gently to her feet and goes to press the key* Optimus here, WakeJumper. What is it? *brows lift as laughter is her first reply*

WakeJumper: *laughing too hard to form coherent sentences, shares footage of one of the Drachenschwarm ladies beating the snot out of a massive Cybertronian that just erupted from a mountain of rubble and roared at her*

Optimus: *shock on her face and in her voice* That's Shockwave's pet Predacon!

Lockdown: *amused smirk from around WakeJumper* //'N that's Sharpshot's sister Frieda.//

June: *eyes wide as she watches*

Beau: Whoah.

Frieda: *is a pretty, golden Drachenschwarm teenager, clad in a brown riding habit complete with boots and richly embroidered leather gloves. Her helmet covers her entire head, but her face can be seen through the clear bubble, which means her annoyance with the Predacon is obvious*

June: *winces at the pounding the primitive Cybertronian is receiving as he tries to continue his attack* Don't let Lori see this.

Optimus: *isn't letting CJ see it either. The last thing Denver needs right now is to be wakened by a protective and angry border collie*

Lori: Aww, Mom! I wanna see! *sulk*

Optimus: Something is being hurt, Lori.

Lori: *more sulk* Aunty D, Uncle Raf, 'n Jack got to see stuff...

Beau: They were older than you by a lot, kiddo.

Lockdown: *hisses through his dentae* //Glad I ain't a Pred.//

Optimus: *wincing and averting her eyes herself*

WakeJumper: //Ouch. That was painful watching.//

Frieda: *just ripped the Predacon's arm off. Is currently using said arm to beat the Predacon upside the head*

Optimus: *involuntarily* Does her mother know what she's doing?

WakeJumper: //Yup. Can't you hear her giving Frieda pointers?//

Optimus: What? *looks back to the screen and listens*

deep alto: *shouting encouragements not just to Frieda, but to everyone who has been helping destroy the late Shockwave's laboratory* *and then Banshee herself is coming into view as she smashes yet another piece of Shockwave's equipment*

Beau: Whoah!!!

June: *mouth falls open as she sees her penpal for the first time* That's Banshee? She's enormous!

Lori: I wanna see!!! *trying to get a peek at the screen*

WakeJumper: //She's a DrachenSchwarm. They get pretty big if they don't get killed at a young age.//

June: *sternly* Lori, keep your head down.

Deluge: //You think Bans is big, you should see her mate.//

Optimus: Is Senaiji with you too? *last wince as the Predacon collapses, sparking*

WakeJumper: *aims the view skyward* //Yup.// *and the silhouette of something BIG can be seen flying by overhead*

Optimus: *lets Lori see that*

Lori: Whoah. Cool!

Optimus: *as she shields the little girl again* Do you know what that was?

Lori: A dragon?

Optimus: That was Magistrate Senaiji. Remember, you've learned about him.

Lori: Whoah... *boggling*

WakeJumper: //He's not even that close to the surface. He's flying in the bottom layers of the stratosphere.//

Optimus: *whimsically* I feel small.

Alana: *pauses from where she'd come out for a breather to give the Prima an incredulous look*

WakeJumper: //... Optimus, compared to Maelstrom, you are small. Banshee makes US look small.//

June: *eyes wide as she watches the DrachenSchwarm man fly*

Beau: ... I feel like an ant now.

Senaiji: *just swooped down on something below the horizon*

WakeJumper: *brings the view back to ground level things* //We've been pretty busy.//

Optimus: So I see. *then blinks at a voice in the background*

Bullet: //Downrush, mon, get outta my face. I'm not givin' you any kisses.//

Optimus: *facepalms*

WakeJumper: *snickerfitdie*

Deluge: //I don't blame you, Bullet. Wouldn't wanna kiss anything that ugly either.// *yet here she comes to sock Lockdown and snog him!*

Lori: Ewwww! Put your hand back, Grandma.

Optimus: 0.o *looks down at granddaughter*

Lori: *covering her eyes*

Beau: *laughs*

June: *is also laughing*

Optimus: *covers her handful of children and pet*

Lockdown: *sees the covering, and cheerfully makes a rude, but not crude gesture at the screen without breaking his kiss*

WakeJumper: //Eclipse, get the hose.//

Eclipse: //Gladly.//

Optimus: WakeJumper, you're all aquatic capable. I don't think that will do anything.

WakeJumper: //It's still funny to watch 'em jump.//

Eclipse: *aiming her water cannon for a spot between plating* *fire*

Optimus: *as June shakes her head* *quietly, but with a smile threatening to bust out* We have news.

WakeJumper: *as Deluge cusses Eclipse out in field sign* //What sort of news, Optimus?//

Optimus: *gravely* You and Saelen will have to share the jar of jelly beans.

WakeJumper: 0_0 *grin* //How are Denver and the baby?//

Optimus: *grin breaks free* In much better condition than Ratchet is. Orion was born here, this morning.

WakeJumper: *laughs* //Ratchet panicked, didn't he?//

June: Only after Orion was safely born and dried off. *mouth twitching at the corners* He was a very competent midwife.

WakeJumper: *snerk* //Sorry we missed all the fun.//

Optimus: *as someone bowls him over with a squished Insecticon* I think you're having your own party.

WakeJumper: *as his feet wave on the screen* //Can I get back to you later?//

Optimus: Alright, WakeJumper. Please tell Banshee hello for June and me. *pokes the sniggering Beau*

Beau: *squeaks as he's poked*

WakeJumper: //Will do. WakeJumper and team Maelstrom out.// *closes the connection*

June: *perks at sound of another call being announced*

Optimus: Base Omega One out. *presses the key to bring up the next call*

Jack: //Ready for space bridge, Optimus!// *cheerful grin in his voice*

June: *hands to her mouth and tears to her eyes as she hears her son's voice on Earth for the first time in four years*

Beau: *grinning and moving to give June a hug*

Lori: *grinning and hugging Panacea* *missed her big brother while he was gone!*

Optimus: Alright, Jack. *goes and shifts the lever. Coordinates were set earlier*

Panacea: *snores softly and frowns as the space bridge flares to life*

Fowler: *hurries in as he hears that sound, getting sotto voce cursed at by Alana in passing*

Lori: *leans carefully to watch the space bridge open* *always likes watching that happen*

Lumen: *sleepy little sound, is starting to wake up*

Optimus: *watches Buster emerge from the bridge, her grin growing as Fowler turns and runs back down the hall calling for his wife*

June: *eyes shining as she watches her husband's best friend*

Beau: *grinning ear to ear now*

Optimus: *and then she's setting June on the floor so that the slender woman can run to hug Jack as he emerges from Buster's cab*

Jack: *hugging his mom. Don't mind the tears*

Zeebin: *can be seen moving around in the cab, collecting sleepy sparklets*

Flashpoint: *is that bitty grumble and crackling*

Optimus: *surprised look toward the sound, which she's never heard from any sparklet but Panacea before* Which baby is that, Zeebin?

Zeebin: *grinning as she comes from the cab butt first and tail curving happily* That's Flash. She does it all the time.

Flashpoint: *grumble, crackle, complain*

Buster: *transforms once everyone is out of his cab, then stretches, grins at the red sparklet, and heads toward the sound of party after saluting Optimus*

June: *has Flashpoint now. Is hurrying up the stairs and over to the balcony to tuck her in beside Raf*

Sam: *lifts his head from where he's come to lay on Denver's feet and sing to them. Ears perk with interest as he sees a baby he doesn't know!*

Flashpoint: *grumble, crackle, annoyed huff. Snuggles this big 'cause he's warm*

Raf: *sighs in his sleep and rolls onto his side to cuddle those little sounds and movements*

Flashpoint: *puts her audio to this big's chest, snuggles more as she hears one of the heartbeats played to her while she was in her tank, purrrr*

Raf: *hugs the bitty and settles back to sleep*

Optimus: *gently touches Denver's face to see if she'll wake*

Denver: *turns her head slightly* Hm?

Optimus: *softly* Flashpoint and Raf's little brother are here.

Denver: *bit of a smile, will move to sit up after she's got Orion in her arms*

Optimus: *turns and gets the little male sparklet from Jack, then brings him up to where Denver can see him* *quiet reminder* You won the toss for naming him.

sparklet: *sleeping there in his blanket*

Denver: *small nod, considering look*

Raf: *nuzzles Flashpoint in his sleep and turns to face Denver and Orion, the red sparklet held closely in his arms*

Flashpoint: *issa sleepin' babby now*

Denver: Apollo. Like the moon mission ships.

Optimus: *smiles and nods, then glances toward Raf's peaceful sigh* *softly* Flashpoint sounds like Panacea.

Denver: *very soft snerk*

Fowler: *hurrying back now, his full-bodied and beautiful wife being led by one hand* Where is he? What's his name? *big but slightly shaky grin*

Eileen: *has a serene smile and a brightness to her dark eyes*

Denver: *quietly* His name's Apollo.

Fowler: *hears that quiet voice, and his expression softens as he tows his wife up there. The two of them are soon standing by the bed*

Optimus: *offers sparklet*

Fowler: *reaches, but then hesitates and looks at Denver* *softly* Are you sure?

Denver: *nods, a small smile coming to her face* I'm sure.

Flashpoint: *grumbles about something in her sleep*

Fowler: *chin didn't tremble, you can't prove anything. Turns to take the tiny sleeper into his arms*

Apollo: *sighs and snuggles, his little hand going to his mouth*

Eileen: *wide, soft smile as she touches the sparklet's head* *quietly* He's beautiful. Thanks, Denver.

Denver: *just as quietly* I know y'all'll be a good family for him.

Eileen: *nods, then wipes away the tears that streak softly down her dark face* It's an honour to be trusted with him. The kids will love him. *smiles as she mentions the tween aged son and daughter from her first marriage*

Fowler: Hey, what are you crying for? Whoops. *hides face on sleeping babby*

Eileen: *laughs softly and hugs her husband*

Denver: *chuckles*

Jack and Zeebin: *over there now, peeking to try and see little Orion as Z2 clings to Jack and Bill sleeps in Zeebin's arms*

Optimus: *peeking at the babies, don't mind her*

June: *over to one side, smiling and glancing up at her husband*

Beau: *small smile as he watches the family interacting*

Denver: *introducing Orion to Zeebin and Jack*

Jack: *awed* He looks like you, but he's got Raf's old baby face too.

Denver: *soft chuckle* Here's hopin' he's got Raf's temperament...

Zeebin: *so softly* Eeee. He just stretched his head!

Denver: They do that... *chuckles*

Jack: It's still cute. *big grin, and then a meep as little fingers get him where he's ticklish* Z2, calm down.

Z2: *quiet quiet talkin'!*

Lumen: *sleepy little sound, squirms*

June: *reaches back to pat a little bottom as she starts to baby dance*

Optimus: *reaches up to get Beau, then sets him by his wife. Is still watching the interactions with Denver*

Denver: *chuckles* Feisty li'l thing.

Jack: *winces again* She's just like her big sister.

Denver: She doesn't look like the other sparklets...

Jack: Huh? Oh. *slight grin* She's a Seeker.

Denver: ... *and then she's snickering* Oh, wow.

Jack: What's so funny? *bit of a frown*

Zeebin: You. *gives him a peck*

Jack: *snerks and pushes wife gently, then peeks at Bill before turning back to Denver*

Denver: *teasingly* Eww, mush.

Jack: *shakes head slightly* Like you can talk. But seriously. What's so funny about Z2 being a Seeker? Bill is too.

Denver: Y'all are gonna have fun once she starts climbin'.

Jack: *soft snort* Starts? She did that right after 'Rail took her out of her tank.

Z2: *nommin' on Daddy hand* *big eyes*

Denver: *snerk*

Z2: *squeak squeak!*

Lumen: *groggy clickstorm*

Jack: *softly* Shhhh. *and then he's ducking as a screech echoes from down the hall* ...What's wrong with Scattershot?

Z2: *talkin' to the yell!*

Denver: *trying to sit up more* No idea... *frown*

Lumen: *clickstorm, fuss!*

Optimus: It seems Magenta was born with teeth.

Jack: What? She's not a Seeker. *leaning to try and see down the hall*

Zeebin: *gently pushing Denver back down on the bed with one hand*

Denver: *protesting*

Lori: He got bit earlier...

Jack: Wow. *turns back and gives Denver a worried frown* Should you be doing that?

Optimus: Do you need to pee, Denver?

Jack: *ack!*

Denver: *nod!*

Optimus: Jack, take Orion.

Jack: *scoops up baby and steps back*

Optimus: *sets CJ and Beau down and then gives Lori and Panacea to Beau. Gently picks Denver up and heads away down the hall*

Jack: *watches her, and then looks at Beau* Hi. Your hair's standing up.

Zeebin: *snerk*

Beau: I was playing with Lori earlier.

Zeebin: Lori doesn't lick hair.

Sam: *stretches and walks over to snuggle Raf since Denver went away* *big purr*

Raf: *smiles in sleep*

Flashpoint: *itty bitty grumble, sleeeeeeep*

June: *looks at husband and reaches to smooth him down* You let CJ play hairdresser again.

Zeebin: *snicker*

Beau: Yes, I did. *pet the puppy*

CJ: *waggatail!*

Panacea: *grumbles in her sleep, then realizes she hasn't got her doll baby and wakes up with an angry crackle*

Lori: Whoops! *hurries to help Panacea find the dolly*

Beau: *lets Lori go, but keeps Panacea for cuddles and babydancing*

Lori: *scoots off to the last place she saw Pansy's dolly*

Jack: *watches his little sister run down the stairs and then across the control room to the hall, and notes the way she stays in the human lane on the side of the hall once she reaches it* *quietly* She's totally at home here.

Beau: *quietly* Almost as much as Denver is.

Jack: *slight head shake* No. She was born here. She's even more than Denver.

Beau: Times change...

Jack: *looks down at the baby in his arms as he realizes that what he said about Lori being born here in the base was literal, and that Orion too was born here* *and then he frowns and looks up* Where's Ratchet?

Beau: *points towards the emergency infirmary* In the infirmary, recovering from a panic attack brought on by over-thinking things after Orion was born.

Jack: *stops short, his eyes widening* ...Who delivered Orion? Mom?

June: *slight grin* No. I was the doula.

Beau: Ratchet was fine before and during the whole labor. But once Orion was born and dried off, he realized everything that could have gone wrong.

Jack: *winces* He crashed?

June: Optimus sedated him.

Jack: *more wince as Zeebin snerks*

Beau: He'll be alright.

Optimus: *back, using both hands since Denver's reclining comfortably and also hauled off a good pile of the goodies from the mess after asking to be brought in there after the washroom*

Denver: *nomphing a piece of deep dish macaroni and cheese pizza*

Lori: *following after Grandma, has Pansy's dolly, and also ganked a Hot Rod from Saelen!*

Hot Rod: *is that happy crowing from Lori's back*

Optimus: *over to the balcony and lowers her hands near Denver's bed so that the new mother can unload her self and her supper* Or do you want to move to the A frame now?

Denver: Here's fahn. C'n keep 'n ah on everythin'. *grins and nomphs more pizza*

Zeebin: *will come over to help with the food unloading, her tail showing her amusement*

Optimus: *smiles* Alright. *watches till the last of the food has been arranged on the foot of the bed, and then looks at Jack and Zeebin* You should go eat. There's a lot, but there'll be less variety if you wait.

Jack: *automatic salute, and then a blush*

Zeebin: *saluted too, but will laugh at husband anyway*

June: *ganks Orion*

Denver: Gowan, git. *grins at brother and sister-in-law*

Jack: *snorts at her quietly and goes, Z2 a happy squeaking in his wake*

Zeebin: *points to one big wedge of stuff in Denver's collection* What kind of pizza is brown with white lumps?

Denver: *looks* Nutella and marshmallow.

Zeebin: :p That sounds worse than that "Treatsa Pizza" that Miko got for my birthday the year I came to Earth.

Denver: *snerk. Mouth full of pizza, can't comment*

Zeebin: Are you going to eat that?

Denver: *looks, raised brows asking "Which 'that'?"*

Zeebin: *points to the marshmallow pizza*

Denver: *finishes her bite* Maybeh. *grin*

Zeebin: Ewwwwww! *turns and bounds down the stairs, then runs off toward the hall*

Optimus: *shakes head with amusement as June does the same*

Denver: *laughs heartily*

Beau: You enjoy tormenting her far too much, Denver. *not that he's not amused by Zeebin's reaction*

Optimus: Torment? They both give and take equally. *walks around to check on her bond mate*

Ratchet: *looks so peaceful now... Is even snoring quietly!*

Optimus: *considers him for a moment, and then gives in to the urge to poke him*

Ratchet: *turns his head a bit in reaction to the poke* *mumbles nonsense*

Optimus: *looks up and sees Beau watching. Then pokes her mate again*

Beau: *snickerfit as Ratchet grabs the poking hand and tries to turn over while holding it*

Optimus: *slight grin, and then shakes her hand*

Ratchet: *sleepy grumblings*

Optimus: *decides he's not going to wake up, and tries to take her hand back*

Ratchet: *doesn't want to let go of your hand, Optimus*

Optimus: *quirks a brow, and then tugs again, shaking the hand slightly*

Beau: *shoulders shaking as Ratchet steadfastly refuses to let go of Optimus' hand*

Optimus: *amused glance at her partner, and then uses her other hand to tickle Ratchet's side*

Ratchet: *squirrrrm* *shares the ticklish sensations!*

Optimus: *chuckles* Ratchet, aren't you going to check on Denver while she has supper?

Ratchet: *quiet grumbling about thwarted snuggle attempts as he moves to sit up*

Optimus: XD *pat pats him on the shoulder*

June: *looks at Lori* Yes, I know where you get your habit of faking sleep in the morning.

Lori: *giggling muchly now as Grandpa gets up*

Ratchet: *snorts a bit, moves to scan Denver*

June: *picks up a piece of pickled herring and offers it to Denver, still grinning*

Denver: *reacts the way she did before she was pregnant: wrinkles her nose. But then she's reaching for the offered fish*

Optimus: *looks at the food, and then looks at Lori* Isn't this the salted salmon that you like?

Lori: Denver got gravid lox? *perks up*

Denver: *teasingly* So wh't're ya gonna do 'bout it, Lori?

Lori: *moves to give Panacea her dolly, then she's heading over to get some of the noms*

Panacea: *hides face on dollbaby without waking. Crackles a bit more. Sleeeep*

Beau: *small smile as he looks to Panacea*

Optimus: *softly* I think she'll sleep the rest of the night now.

Beau: Here's hoping...

Lori: *busy getting gravid lox fed to her*

June: *looks at Ratchet and smiles* Beau and I can mind her tonight.

Optimus: *knowing look for her mate*

Ratchet: *nods* Thank you, June, Beau. *satisfied that Denver is alright. Will turn his attention to getting fuel for himself, since his tank is reminding him that he didn't refuel before Denver went into labor* *as he heads for the hall* And can you really blame me for wanting to snuggle with my wife?

June: *hand on forehead as she laughs silently*

Denver: *snickerfit*

Beau: *chuckles and shakes his head*

June: Men of every race are the same, I think.

Optimus: *distracted as she watches her husband with amusement*

Lori: *discussing noms with Denver now*

Optimus: *and then her brows are lifting as she hears the result of one of the soldiers choking due to putting too much food into his mouth at once* Little Fixer has found your newest KP duty contributer, Beau.

Beau: ... *sigh* *can't facepalm with babby in arms*

Denver: *rolls eyes at cousin vituperation echoing down the hall* Good grief.

June: I never asked, honey. But did you know your cousin before she was stationed here? *walks over and leans against Beau, holding little Orion close*

Sam: *laying on his back and admiring what's left of Denver's dinner*

Beau: Not as well as the Lamont side of things. I know Alana grew up sheltered because of her dad and brother seeing her as something fragile that needed to be protected from the big, bad world, but that's about it.

June: So you don't know how she wound up getting to lieutenant before General Bryce decided to send her here. *leans down to kiss Panacea's little head*

Beau: I always figured it was by sheer intimidation.

June: *straightens up and quirks a brow at her husband* She's not even tall enough to fulfill regulations.

Beau: Would you want to tell her that to her face?

June: *other brow lifts* I have.

Beau: How'd she react?

June: She shrugged.

Beau: ... Someone check for the four horsemen?

Optimus: *looks at him curiously* She does respect some people.

June: That. *nods, looking slightly amused*

Beau: ... I suppose so. *still a bit scared of his cousin, and it shows*

June: *shakes her head at her husband* She's just a small military doctor, Beau. Saelen's not afraid of her either.

Beau: ... Must be a medic thing.

Optimus: Denver and Zeebin aren't medics. *turns her head back toward the hall as everyone clearly hears an exchange of words between Alana and Ratchet*

Denver: Naw. Zeebin 'n I pwned her butt, so she knows we're not scared of her. *nomphs Nutella and marshmallow pizza*

Optimus: *mildly* I think that being afraid of her is the thing that makes her angriest.

June: *nods*

Beau: Well, if she wouldn't have kneecapped me when she first arrived, I wouldn't be as scared of her.

June: That was ten years ago. *notices Denver looking at her and goes over to gently lay Orion down beside his mother's mixed meat sandwich*

Beau: It still hurt. And then I had to go to the infirmary so Sae could wrap my knee.

Optimus: *shakes head. With amusement* Big baby.

Beau: :P

Denver: *finishing her noms*

Muhlisha: *comes running out of the hall, and then turns and tosses something back toward someone still outside the room*

Optimus: *starts forward* What have I said about using the humans as lob balls?

Muhlisha: *pauses and looks over her shoulder* Not t' do it without body armour.

Optimus: *stern look*

Muhlisha: We're playin' football. *lazy grin*

Kriti: *can be heard trash-talking just down the hall. Surprisingly, she's not cussing as she does it*

Alana: What freaking ever. If you toss me again I'll toss my cookies.

Optimus: *shakes head* No using the medics for any sort of sports equipment.

Kriti: *as she heads down the hall towards the main room* What happened to our normal lob ball, anyway?

Bulkhead: Rocky's sittin' on it.

Kriti: Ah. Gotcha. Thanks, Bulky. *goes to shove Rockface off of the ball*

Alana: And don't bloody forget there are new babies in this hole in the ground! Take the fraggin' ball to the gym!

Kriti: Is it dark enough out that we can play outside?

Muhlisha: *snorts, but then turns with a frown as the computer beeps* Hey. *walks over to call up a readout* Somethin' jes' broke atmo comin' down.

Optimus: *sharp look, every line of her body suddenly radiating protectiveness*

Denver: *looks up* ...

Beau: ... *moves to head for the console* Any radio chatter?

Kriti: *letting everyone else know about the potential new arrival*

Wheeljack: *strides down the hall, a frown on his face and Keepsake's head under his arm*

Dreadwing: *following, his own expression serious* Autobot or Decepticon?

Muhlisha: Autobot. *types rapidly, frowning* It's not replyin'.

Arcee: *frowning as she and Rockface follow Wheeljack* They could be injured.

Rockface: Where's it landin'?

Optimus: It's headed right toward the base. *visibly bristling* *but then stops* Wait. I know that wing waggle.

Wheeljack: *growls a curse and drums his fingers on his cursing daughter's helmet* Not that loser.

Dreadwing: *quizzical scowl for his friend*

Kriti: *headtilt at Wheeljack* Which loser is it?

Optimus: *as Ratchet wanders back into the room* Ultra Magnus.

Ratchet: *blinks* Ultra Magnus? What brought him up?

Beau: He's on his way here.

Ratchet: 0_0

Optimus: *leans over Muhlisha's shoulder and types a code in* Ultra Magnus, go park somewhere else.

Ultra Magnus: ...Optimus Prima? Is that you? *sounds bewildered*

Optimus: Yes. *gives him coordinates to the cave where the Jackhammer sits*

Calypso: *comes wandering in from the hall, Cat tucked into the crook of her arm* *will lean on mate* 'Sup?

Wheeljack: *looks down at her, his expression the same as it was the day he decided to taste the sludge from an exploded oil well* Ultra Magnus.

Bulkhead: *pauses in the entrance to the hall* What? No way!

Kriti: Way. *nods toward the radio* Optimus just told him not to park here.

Bulkhead: Bet that made 'im wonder. *snerk*

Ratchet: *excuse him while he snickers*

Beau: That would probably be an understatement, Bulkhead.

Muhlisha: Incomin'.

Optimus: *goes to stand by the tunnel and fold her arms over her chest*

CJ: *by bosslady's feet, his head lowered slightly as he senses the bit of tension in her*

Kriti: *visor down, is idly rolling the lob ball between her hands*

Arcee: *watching the tunnel with trepidation*

Rockface: *wondering just what kind of glitch this "Ultra Magnus" character is*

Wheeljack: Hey, 'Lisha, you remember how ya said hi ta Bulky that first day ya showed up here? *has heard the story*

Optimus: No.

Muhlisha: Yessir.

Denver: *snerks as she remembers the day the Tau Wreckers first arrived* That was awesome.

Beau: I'm seconding Optimus' "No.".

Denver: *more snerk, will reach to poke Raf's side*

Raf: *turns and catches the hand, then blinks at her with sleepy eyes before giving an adorable grin that invites her to come sleep with him and whichever baby it is that he's hugging*

Flashpoint: *grumbles in sleep*

Denver: We've got incomin', Raf.

Raf: *sits up and looks around, letting go of Denver's hand to put his glasses on* Who is it?

Perceptor: *looks in, Jack on one shoulder and Zeebin on the other. Has a curious and slightly amused look on his thin face*

Denver: Some'un named Ultra Magnus. *one shoulder shrug, will pick Orion up and hold the newborn close*

Optimus: *turns as a large, red and blue mech arrives at the end of the tunnel*

Ratchet: *watching. Is just a bit uneasy now*

Ultra Magnus: *stands to attention and salutes when he sees Optimus. Looks like a mech who knows how to smile despite being inherently serious. Also looks like something's really worrying him at present. Starts to speak, but then staggers backward as the lob ball sails past Optimus and hits him in the face*

Ratchet: *startles at that* What the?!

Arcee: 0_0

Rockface: *jaw drop, then starts cackling*

Wheeljack: *going to break something if he doesn't stop laughing so hard*

Keepsake: *sulfurous cursing at being dropped*

Dreadwing: *just watching with a frown*

Optimus: *turns to frown down at the culprit* Kriti...

Kriti: *innocently* What? He looked like he could catch.

Denver: *snickering muchly now*

Beau: *long-suffering sigh*

Ratchet: *has recollected himself and is grinning widely* Looks always have been deceiving, in his case.

Denver: *laughs* Nice burn, Ratch.

Bulkhead: *curious look for the medic* We never played lob around Ultra Magnus, Doc.

Optimus: *turns back to the newcomer* No. But Ratchet, Jazz, and my brothers played lob before we ever met the Wreckers. Didn't they, Dion?

Miko: *just about fell off Bulkhead's shoulder with shock* That's Dion?

Raf: *blinks* I thought Dion was cool.

Ratchet: *dryly* Yet he still thought I was fair game for pranks and hazing.

Ultra Magnus: *now wearing a confused and slightly dazed looking expression upon hearing a name that he hasn't heard in millions of years* I... huh?

Wheeljack: *chortle*

Ratchet: *leans against the chair Denver helped make for him a few years back* A lot has changed as of late, Ultra Magnus. *just radiating smugness, don't mind him*

Ultra Magnus: *confusion grows as Optimus takes his arm and leads him into the room* Ratchet? What do you mean?

Ratchet: For one thing, the war is over. *such a smug expression on his face*

Ultra Magnus: *confusion fades* I'd heard that.

Ratchet: *considering how to word what he wants to say next* For another, we have gained many allies on this world. *nods towards Beau, and then glances at Denver as she moves to cover herself and Orion with a blanket so the newborn can eat in peace*

Raf: *cuddles his wife and son with the arm not holding Flashpoint* *is quietly watching the newcomer*

June: So you're Optimus' brother.

Ultra Magnus: *startled look for the small organic woman* I was one of the commanders of her army. Leader of the Wreckers.

Optimus: And my brother. Don't you remember, Dion? *curious look as she lets go of his arm to go put her hand on Ratchet's shoulder*

Ratchet: *standing a bit straighter as he wonders if Ultra Magnus' memories are locked away and inaccessible the way Optimus' once were*

Ultra Magnus: Dion...? *hand to his mouth as he frowns and looks at his files*

Optimus: *absently slips arm around Ratchet as she watches the former Wrecker commander think*

Ratchet: *half-suspects he might need to run a diagnostic on Ultra Magnus*

Ultra Magnus: *looks up and sees how the Prime and her medic are standing. Brow ridges lift* I... do. *wonderingly* And you do too.

Optimus: *nods*

Ratchet: *quietly* As I said, much has changed.

Optimus: *reaches down and pulls a Hot Rod off her leg, then turns and takes Panacea from June* These are young Cybertronians. And this one is made from my and Ratchet's coding.

Panacea: *grumpy little face peers impatiently over her doll*

Hot Rod: *chirp chirp chirp!*

Flashpoint: *grumbles about the chirping*

Lumen: *clickstorm!*

Ultra Magnus: *turns his head. Sees the husky little being tucked in the crook of one of Bulkhead's brawny arms, and then spots the blanket bundle in the arms of the femme that Wheeljack has his arm around, and the tiny being on Perceptor's arm* *wonderingly* New Cybertronians. *asks Perceptor, indicating little Katana* Made from your coding?

Perceptor: *nods* And from the coding of my mate, sir.

Ultra Magnus: *quietly* Your mate?

Perceptor: *another nod* Yes, sir. *sticking his chin out ever so slightly* There are many Cybertronians who have also become mated pairs.

Bulkhead: *gruffly* Mine's down there sleepin' off too big a can of Percy's moonshine.

Miko: *snerk*

Perceptor: *frowning at Bulkhead now* If I may correct you, Bulkhead, "moonshine" requires sprouted corn in order to be produced to the proper standards.The fuel that was synthesized does not contain such matter, as it would not agree with our systems.

Ultra Magnus: *face palms* Perceptor hasn't changed, at least.

Keepsake: Oh yeah? *goes over to set Jack and Zeebin down and then kiss her mate stupid*

Optimus: *head shake* Stand down, Keepsake.

Calypso: *laughing now*

Wheeljack: *lazy grin at Ultra Magnus* That's one'a my older kids.

Ultra Magnus: *stops short* "One of"? How many new Cybertronians carry your coding, Wheeljack?

Wheeljack: Four! :D Two're all grown up.

Calypso: Nay, b'y. Lu's got yer codin', too.

Lumen: *chirp, sounds like a car alarm being armed!*

Wheeljack: I keep tunin' him out and forgettin' about him. *sheepish smirk*

Calypso: *snerk* Gotta quit doin' t'at.

Wheeljack: Can't help it. The kid makes so much noise.

Calypso: After bein' like 'is ma. *chuckles* 'Cept wit'out no boom.

Wheeljack: No. 'Clipsie has an off switch.

Calypso: *snerk*

Muhlisha: Even when Wake ain't kissin' her.

Calypso: Aye, 'n we's glad fer it.

Ultra Magnus: Wait. *looks at Perceptor* Wheeljack's a grandfather?

Optimus: *slight blink as she actually thinks about that for the first time*

Perceptor: *blink, nods slowly as this occurs to him as well*

Ratchet: ... *excuse him, he's going to hide behind his facepalm*

Bulkhead: Hey, Grandpa!

Wheeljack: *flips the bird*

Calypso: *cracking up*

Lori: That's not nice!

Muhlisha: Yeah, Grandpa. Don't teach the kids scrappy hand signs like that.

Lori: *grin* *hands creeping up to do the field sign Kriti taught her*

June: Lori, don't.

Lori: Aww.

Kriti: It's not anything too bad, June. *brat grin*

Optimus: Don't worry, June. It's insulting, but not vulgar.

Kriti: Yeah. 'Specially since it's the truth, if the old legends aren't BS-ing.

Beau: ... I'm not even going to ask.

Optimus: It means, "Unicron is a skidplate".

Magnus: *stares as he hears Optimus say that in that amused tone of voice*

Ratchet: It's no worse than some of the things Zeebin has taught her. I'm just glad that she also knows the more useful field sign.

Lori: *signs "All clear, no danger" and grins sweetly*

Ultra Magnus: Why did Wheeljack get so many kids?

Muhlisha: He's only got the same number Lockdown's got.

Mistfire: *soft snerk from where she's standing behind Perceptor* He's got the same number 'a grandkids, too.

Ultra Magnus: *brain break*

Ratchet: *sigh*

Beau: *startles as his phone goes off in his pocket* Ack! *getting phone out and poking at it* It's a picture message from Grandma.

June: Let's see. *turns head*

Beau: *will open the message, chuckling softly as he sees that the picture is of Crystal and Jem napping on Jake* Aww...

June: *soft gasp* I've never seen anything pink look that cute.

Mistfire: Heyyyy.

Scattershot: *is that soft, offended huff near the hallway*

June: *without looking up* Magenta's not pink.

Scattershot: Is pink. Dark pink.

June: Fine. Anything pastel look that cute. *takes the phone and walks over to drop it into the slot so that the picture may be seen on the big screen*

Ultra Magnus: *quiet and dazed* Magenta?

Muhlisha: Yup. One'a Locky's grandkids.

Ultra Magnus: *brain broken again. He knows who that pink mech is who is standing there holding the bright pink baby*

Scattershot: *soft clicks, cuddles baby*

Mistfire: Huh. They are cute, even if they are kinda pale. *considering look for the little twins sleeping there on their human brother*

Optimus: Leave them with their family.

Mistfire: Whaddayou think I'm gonna do? *smirk*

Scattershot: Littles... Like Magenta. *nod nod, nuzzles baby's head*

Ultra Magnus: *frowns deeply* Scattershot?

Scattershot: Hm? *looks up and blinks*

Ultra Magnus: That is you. What happened?

Scattershot: *more blinks, confused expression is a go*

Mistfire: *puts herself in front of her mate* You got questions for 'Shot, you ask me.

Scattershot: *distracted by admiring mate's back*

Ultra Magnus: *confused frown* Is he alright?

Mistfire: *straightens as her mate pokes her in the ticklish spot right between her shoulders* He's fine.

Scattershot: *clicking softly as he gently traces armor seams with a finger. Likes looking at his mate's back almost as much as he likes looking at her front*

Ultra Magnus: *nonplussed look at Optimus*

Optimus: Have you eaten?

Ultra Magnus: *blinks* Fuel? Ah, no. Not today.

Kriti: ... *grin says trouble is brewing*

Optimus: Kriti, could you bring Ultra Magnus to the mess?

Muhlisha: *sudden grin of her own*

Kriti: Sure thing, Optimus. *moves to do so* *to Ultra Magnus* Stay on this side of the yellow lines in the hallways. *indicates the 'Bot lane* The narrow lane's for the humans.

Ultra Magnus: Alright... *looks to Optimus and receives a nod of dismissal*

Mistfire: *presses her mate and daughter against the wall with her back as Ultra Magnus passes*

Scattershot: *surprised sound, and then a soft, pleased rumble*

Kriti: *snerk* *teasingly* Ew. Pink mush.

Scattershot: *peek, soft razz, snuggles mate and sparklet*

Magenta: Thrrpt. 0.0 *who did that?*

Kriti: ... *cracking up*

Scattershot: 0_0

Ultra Magnus: *looks toward the sound as he passes*

Optimus: *watches them go, and then looks around the control room* Alright, people. It's ten o'clock. Time to turn in.

Bulkhead and Miko: Awwww!

Yamato: Awwww! *grin*

Muhlisha: *muffles a yawn* Yeah, my ol' man's started without me.

Beau: I'll be making pancakes in the morning, Miko.

Miko: Sweet! :D

Optimus: *over by Denver and Raf's bed* Beau, help them to their bed?

Raf: *rubs his eyes with his finger tips* Right. We get the A-frame. *grins and looks at his wife* I don't think we need any help, Colonel Mac.

Beau: *chuckles* Alright. Good rest, you two.

Denver: *small nod and a smile* Don' let Lori keep y'all up all night again.

Lori: *:P face at Denver* We've got 'n A-frame, too.

Denver: Yup. And now it's time for you to go to bed. :P

Lori: Daddy doesn't have Pansy yet.

Optimus: *looks down at her daughter*

Beau: *headshake at his daughter and sister's antics, will hold his arms out*

Optimus: *gives Panacea a little kiss on the helmet that makes her crackle quietly, then offers the same to Hot Rod after plucking the little guy off her leg*

Hot Rod: *clickstorm! BIG, squeaky yawn!*

Optimus: *kiss a bitty guy, and then offers both sparklets to Ratchet*

Ratchet: *will gently kiss Panacea's head, and give Hot Rod cuddles before crouching to offer Panacea to Beau*

Optimus: Hot Rod, do you need to get your car before you go to sleepover at Uncle Beau and Aunt June's?

Hot Rod: *blinks and looks around for the beloved plush* *clickstorm!

Dreadwing: *carefully offers the little thing, which Hot Rod had given him to hold onto earlier during the party*

Hot Rod: *happy crow, loves you, Dreadwing!!!*

Dreadwing: *slight smile for the little bot as he gives the toy and backs away*

Hot Rod: *cuddles his lovie. Will clickstorm until he goes to sleep*

Ratchet: *offers Hot Rod to June*

June: *takes the little guy and rubs his back. Knows that he and Panacea have their own blanket collection already in their bed in the new, larger, A-frame* *grins at her husband and then turns to walk toward her home* Come on, Lori.

Lori: Aww... Alright. *heads for the ladder to the lower levels of the stage behind the bot size computer terminal and screen*

Beau: *soft chuckle, will follow June*

June: *leads the way back behind the computer to where home stands beside the smaller one where Raf is standing at the door with a grin*

Optimus: *looks at Perceptor, who is being overcharged again courtesy of his mate* *throat clearing sound*

Denver: *amused snerk from the door of the A-frame she, Raf, and Orion will be calling home* *is making full use of one of the baby slings she received as a shower gift*

Flashpoint: *sleepin' babby*

Raf: *content to be there by his wife and watch the rest of the family settle down as he holds little Flashpoint*

Perceptor: *soft, startled sound, and then owlish blinking toward the throat clearing sound*

Optimus: *kindly and quietly* Time to turn in, Perceptor. Keepsake.

Keepsake: *sniffs and takes Katana* Let's go blow scrap up, Percy.

Perceptor: *just zonked enough for this* Yes, dear.

Keepsake: *grins and leads mate off down the hall* *passes Bulkhead, who is carrying his mate and son out to that nice space over behind the emergency medbay*

Ratchet: *small headshake, and a soft chuckle*

Optimus: Bulkhead, why aren't you going to bed?

Bulkhead: *amused and slightly annoyed* Because Torky 'n 'Lisha decided to sleep on my bed.

Ratchet: ... *facepalm*

Optimus: *ditto*

Sam: *quiet comment from where he's sprawled comfortably on the abandoned hospital bed*

Optimus: *looks toward the hallway* Saelen, you have the dogs?

Alana: *leaning back against husband and rolling her eyes at his insistence on hugging her when they're on duty. Will be sharing the night shift with Saelen*

Saelen: Yup. I've also got their leashes and everything else we'll need for the night. *smiles and rests his chin on Alana's hair*

CJ: *yawwwn, flops on floor*

Cody Sr.: *already laying on his side and sleeping*

Optimus: *quiet clicks for the three pets, and then looks at Ratchet* Ready?

Ratchet: *nods* Ready when you are, Optimus.


several hours later


Optimus: *lifts her head as someone crashes into the door of she and Ratchet's room, trying to understand what's going on past the haze of a kiss overdose*

Ratchet: *groggy blinking* Huh?

Ultra Magnus: *muttering as he tries to remember the instructions he'd been given to a place to go into sleep mode. Stumbles against the wall*

Optimus: *blink blink* Who's there?

Ultra Magnus: Dunno. Where's the bed? *thunk*

Ratchet: *snickering*

Optimus: *sigh* //Kriti? Bumblebee?//

Kriti: //Didn't do it!//

Ratchet: *so amused* Now he knows how I felt every time he, Jazz, and Aerial got me overcharged...

Optimus: -He knew anyway. He used to hate giving you all the fuel.- //Kriti, you and Bumblebee had better show Magnus the guest quarters before he damages something or someone.//

Kriti: //Mkay... 'Bee, lemme up. Gotta get Maggy pointed the right way.//

Bumblebee: *sleepy twittering of protest, wants to sleep there in the corner of the mess and hug Kriti*

Kriti: //I know, but Boss-bot gave us orders...//

Optimus: //And when you go back to bed, go to bed on your bed.//

Ratchet: //But before you do go to bed, get Smokescreen out of wherever he's been stuffed this time.//

Bumblebee: *oh yeah! He forgot! Smokie was supposed to jump out and surprise Wheeljack!*

Optimus: *sighs as she hears the young scout chirping excitedly from the mess*

Kriti: //...Where did we stick him, anyway, 'Bee?//

Optimus: *to Ratchet* -Smokescreen probably knew perfectly well they'd forgetten him in the fuel chest.-

Ratchet: -I don't think he'll be too upset about it. If he's even awake.-

Optimus: *as she hears Bumblebee and Kriti start to laugh* -Have you ever known that boy to turn down fuel?-

Ratchet: -No.- *chuckles softly*

Kriti: //Where'd I put my sharpie?//

Optimus: //Kriti. No. Put Magnus to bed.//

Kriti: //Huh? Oh, right. C'mon, 'Bee. Let's go put Maggy to bed. Maybe we'll find my sharpie on the way.//

Optimus: *sternly* //I said no sharpie.// *pings Perceptor's line*

Ratchet: -She'll forget about it soon enough, just don't remind her about it.-

Perceptor: *filling his line with a recitation of pi*

Optimus: //Perceptor!//

Perceptor: *startled* //Bhuh?//

Optimus: //Please lower the strength of your synthetic fuel.// *then turns her head* //Bumblebee and Kriti, that guest room's occupied. Use the other one.//

Perceptor: //... Yes. A recalculation of the formula is in order.//

Kriti: //'Kay.//

Optimus: //Thank you, Perceptor. And please remember not to feed Katana after you've sampled the current formula.// //Kriti, he doesn't go into the human barrack either.//

Perceptor: //Yes, Optimus.// *is that soft clunk as his testing of a new formula gets the better of him*

Kriti: //Oh... Right.//

Optimus: //*recites a list of other places Ultra Magnus may not be put to bed in, including all the storage bays, the silo, and the gym*//

Kriti: //... Gym's closer.//

Optimus: //No.//

Ratchet: *sigh* -Should one of us get up and help them?-

Optimus: -No.- *sigh* -If they keep making noise little Fixer will come straighten them out.-

Ratchet: -Then we should wait.- *snuggle*

Optimus: //Bumblebee, not in the supply closet.//

Bumblebee: //Bweee...//

Kriti: *squeaks as she trips over her own feet*

Optimus: //Kriti, help Bumblebee get Ultra Magnus out of the supply closet.//

Kriti: *muffled* //'Kay... Jes' 's soon as the floor stops tilting.//

Alana: *goes past the door in full cuss*

Optimus: *relaxes and lays her head back down* There we go.

Ratchet: *soft chuckle*

Bumblebee: *happy sounds from the guest room. Found it!*

Alana: *sulfurous instructions for putting Magnus to bed and going to bed*

Kriti: *scrambling to comply*

Bumblebee: *chattering away as he hurries*

Alana: *heads back to the control room, growling and cussing all the way*

silence: *falls after a few more minutes*

Optimus: *signs and and cuddles Ratchet close, then settles down like the silence*

((Written with random_xtras))