TPF. MacKenzie Family Farm. Family Reunion Part 3

[dens_extra_pups]

Continued from here




that afternoon


dOptimus: *sitting on the driver side step of her main body, watching carloads of people disembark and laugh and talk all at once. Has Orion in her arms and is enjoying actually being able to cuddle her grandson*

Orion: *happy babby*

Rednecks in variations of the MacKenzie plaid: *milling about and socializing. A few are coming over to admire the shiny big rig that Denver and her family arrived in*

dOptimus: *watching them in her quiet but friendly manner*

Poe: *just caused a group of the older generation to burst out laughing by quoting Ratchet. Is currently perched on Denver's shoulder as he imitates the old medic*

tall, burly guy with reddish blond hair: *tilts his head slightly, trying to figure out what make and model the shiny semi is*

dOptimus: *quietly* Hello. Which cousin are you?

guy: *quietly* 'M J-Jake.

dOptimus: *face brightens* I'm Optimus Prima. How are the twins?

Jake: *slight smile* G-Good. M-Mom and D-Dad're h-home with them...

dOptimus: *smiles* *softly* How is Dixie doing?

Jake: *quietly* Better. *very glad for that*

dOptimus: *is too, and it shows on her face* That's very good.

Jake: *small nod of agreement* *attention going to Orion when the baby makes a sound* *soft chuckle*

dOptimus: *turns that tiny, curious face toward the young man* This is Orion. Orion, this is your cousin Jake.

Orion: *cuts a grin*

dOptimus: *delighted glance at Jake to see if he saw that*

Jake: *grinning now, and it's a very similar expression to how Beau grins*

dOptimus: *quietly* You both have the same grin.

Jake: *blinks. Is very confused now* Huh?

dOptimus: You and Orion. Your smiles are identical. And Beau has the same one. *glances toward where dKnockout is being totally charmed by a little MacKenzie cousin*

Jake: Oh. *chuckles and glances where dOptimus is looking* ... *raised brow*

dOptimus: *still quiet* Dallas' husband and Beau's daughter.

Jake: *surprised to hear that Dallas is married... and in attendance* *softly* Ah r-remembah D-Dallas.

dOptimus: Do you hear that man's voice crying out in pain?

Jake: ... Yup.

dOptimus: *wryly* That's Dallas.

Jake: *snerk* N-Not s-surprahsed.

Poe: *glides over and sits on Jake's shoulder, then tweeks his ear* *Lori's voice* Step awaaay from the squeaky!

Jake: Awk! 'Ey! *frowning at Poe now*

Poe: Nevermore. Thrrpt! *hops to dOptimus' shoulder*

dOptimus: Settle down, Poe.

Poe: Shhh, Squeaky. Shhh.

Orion: *happy noises!*

Jake: Ornreh th'n. *amused though*

dOptimus: He was Denver's baby before Orion arrived.

Poe: Baby baby Squeaky. Awww, Squeaky!

Orion: *big grin!*

Jake: *chuckles and nods*

dOptimus: *and then her face softens again as a large though slender hand gently touches Jake on the shoulder* That's Denver's daughter, Nebulae.

Jake: *friendly smile for Nebulae* 'L-Lo.

Nebulae: *answering shy smile* *quietly, as her other hand fiddles with her skirt* Do you like my brother?

Jake: 'E's 'dorable. *nods*

Nebulae: Are you my cousin? *a bit shy as she asks*

Jake: *nods* Yep.

Nebulae: *perk* How?

dOptimus: *slight smile at the sparklet's curiosity*

Jake: 'Cause 'f y'ur Mama 'n me bein' cousins.

Nebulae: You share... a gran'ma?

Jake: *nods* Miss Hattie.

Nebulae: *perks right up* I love Gran'ma Hattie.

Poe: *Ratchet voice* Don't bother me, I'm busy!

Jake: *snerk*

Nebulae: Have you seen Gran'ma's beau?

Jake: *both brows up* Gran'Ma's beau?

Nebulae: Oh. You didn't know about him. *looks around, and then turns and runs away*

Jake: ... *moves to follow, curious*

dOptimus: *lifts her head as she hears a familiar engine approaching down the drive* Jake, wait.

Jake: *pause* Huh?

dOptimus: Hattie's coming now.

Jake: ... *not sure he understands, but will move to stand near dOptimus again*

Trailbreaker: *big SUV comes pulling into the yard, paint gleaming*

Hattie: *sitting in the driver's seat and looking quite pleased*

dOptimus: *chuckles as she watches the grey-haired woman refuse the parking place that was saved for her*

Hattie: *politely waving off the offer from the younger MacKenzie cousin who got assigned valet duty, will park and get out of the SUV on her own, wrapping her shawl around her shoulders after she's retrieved her handbag*

Trailbreaker: *big black SUV seems to quiver...*

MacKenzie cousins: *all the ones nearby stop whatever they're doing and start watching. Some of them are holding their breaths*

Jake: *smile just starting to creep across his face as he connects the dots*

Trailbreaker: *pleasant baritone speaks up then* I don't suppose some of you fellows would mind rocking me a little? I'm stuck again.

dOptimus: *smile fades into a wince of sympathy and concern*

Jake: *moving to help, as are several other MacKenzie men*

dBreakdown: *is heading that way too in response to a slap in the side from dKO*

Hattie: *fretting quietly but not getting in the way*

Trailbreaker: *groans softly as the brawny men shake him on his shocks, and then gasps* Step back!

Jake: *stepping back alongside the men who came to help*

dKO: *groans as he watches Trailbreaker transform and land facefirst on the lawn* What are those Autobot medics doing over there?

Denver: *without missing a beat* Tryin' t' keep idiocy in check. Th's 's th' farthest 'Breaker's driven since 'e got 'is leg repaired, 'n Ratchet trahed t' c'nvince 'im t' jes' 'bridge in close.

dKO: *ducks* Don't let her slap me in the head, Goodie. You just brushed my hair.

Dallas: I'll stop her if she tries. *amused*

Denver: *rolls her eyes* Ah ain't gonna 'it ya. Ratchet ain't too 'appeh 'bout 'ow long 't's taken 'Breaker t' git bettah.

Cassie: Wh't's wrong wit' 'im? *shading her eyes with her hand and frowning toward the black bot*

Denver: 'E landed wrong 'n got busted up. Ratchet fixed 'is leg 'n 'ip, but poor 'Breaker's taken a whahl t' 'eal up fulleh.

Cassie: So it's jes' a bad break?

dKO: *watching with a frown* That looks like nerve damage.

Denver: ... *small frown as she watches Trailbreaker*

Trailbreaker: *meantime is trying not to groan with pain as his senses spin*

Hattie: *fretting and worrying* *to Trailbreaker* D' y'u want me t' call Ratchet?

Denver: *phone out, is going to call Ratchet*

Ratchet: *speak of the devil. Is pinging Optimus' comm*

dOptimus: *as she watches Trailbreaker try to comfort his wife to be* //Yes, Ratchet?//

Ratchet: *worriedly* //How is Trailbreaker?//

dOptimus: *quietly* //I think he overdid it. He's trying to keep it from Hattie, but I can see that he's in pain.// *sends visuals* //Knockout seems ready to go check on him.//

Ratchet: //Would he consent to Knockout working on him, at least until I'm able to visit?//

dOptimus: *face softens as she shares the sight of Knockout's drone walking over and speaking sternly but gently to Trailbreaker and the black man's obediently laying still*

Ratchet: //...I'll be there as soon as I can.// *wondering to himself how he could have missed nerve damage in his scans earlier*

dOptimus: *quietly, as she watches dKO send dBreakdown to ask the Predacon children to come move Trailbreaker to a more comfortable place and position* //I don't think you need to, Ratchet. I think Knockout has things under control.//

Ratchet: //...Alright.// *still going to worry*

dOptimus: //I'll keep sending you this feed. Stop fussing, you know what Pansy thinks of it.//

Ratchet: *grumble* //I'm not fussing.//

dOptimus: //You are too.//

Tidal Wave and Euroclydon: *gently bringing Trailbreaker over to a tarp covered pile of hay and then waiting as dBreakdown makes sure there are no little humans or other squishy things in it before laying the black bot down and making sure he's comfortable*

Hattie: *will move to join Trailbreaker on the tarp covered pile of hay once he's settled*

MacKenzie men: *hooting and raising a ruckus until various wives come to lay down the law*

Lamont men: *ditto that!*

Orion: *frowning in his sleep at all the noise, but doesn't wake*

Jake: *coming back to sit near dOptimus, quiet concern clear on his face*

dOptimus: *free hand on his shoulder* He'll be alright. Knockout cares about Hattie, and won't let her mate suffer if he can help it.

dKO: *is examining Trailbreaker's hip after applying a painkiller*

Hattie: *talking quietly and soothingly to Trailbreaker, is sitting where she won't be in the way of dKnockout, but is still close enough to be a comfort for the ailing bot*

Trailbreaker: *turns his head and looks at her, blue eyes pale with sadness* I'm sorry for messing up your party, Hattie.

Hattie: Y'u did no such th'n', Trailbreakah. *reassuring patpat for his hand*

Mason: *quietly, from where he's walked up beside his daughter* ...Wh't'm Ah lookin' at there?

Dallas: *forgetting to enunciate her words as much, is starting to drawl just a bit* Gran'ma's beau is hurtin' somethin' fierce. My husband's tryin' to help him feel better.

Mason: ... ... ... *turns to his wife* Cassie, d'yu heah what she jes' said?

Cassie: ... *looks at Dallas* Hattie's beau? *so surprised*

Dallas: *to Cassie* Yup. *slight frown* Why was th're a pile'a hay with a tarp on it right where we'd need it t' be?

Cassie: ... *blink* Oh! Th't's rahght. Y'u di'n't 'eah. Great Gran'ma Lilah ain't comin', so we's doin' jes' 'un picture, 'n ain't fussin' 'bout wh't people're wearin'.

Mason: *absently* Thank God's good merceh.

dKO: *meanwhile* *pat pats Hattie* He's fine, Gran'ma. *smirks as the freshly tranquilized Trailbreaker gives a soft snore*

Hattie: *snerks as she hears the snore* Alrahght, th'n. *will move to settle on the tarp next to Trailbreaker's hand*

young Lilah: *nothing like her namesake, thankfully. Except that she's nosy* *pats Dallas and KO's trailer and calls to Dallas, tossing her long black hair out of her eyes as she does* 'Ey, s'theah a car in 'ere?

Dallas: *glances toward young Lilah* Yep. *slight smile* If yer good, I'll bring it out later t' show ev'ryone.

young Lilah: *brown eyes flash with excitement* S't one 'o yer cahs y'u make?

dKO: *looks up from scanning Trailbeaker's hip to smirk over his shoulder* Oh, that's not just any car. That's my crowning masterpiece.

Ultra Magnus: *from where he's come to kneel nearby* Can you get any smarmier?

dKO: *sniggerfit*

Dallas: *blushing very faintly now*

Mason: *comes back out after rushing inside. Is holding the newest edition of 'Driving Today'* *proudly, to the cousins who are coming to ask Dallas about the car* Ah bet it's this 'un. *opens the magazine to an image of Dallas in an evening dress laying on the hood of a beautiful crystal blue car*

Dallas: *blush turns to smug* It's one of the currently unreleased models in the trailer right now.

Mason: *perks, and then turns the page to the image that Mira scanned for her alt-mode*

Dallas: *doing her best not to scowl* Same base model, with a few add-ons.

Mason: *sees her expression and hands her the book, the twinkle in his eyes showing his apology* Guess Ah need a paddlin'.

Dallas: *accepts the magazine, uses it to lightly swat Mason on the rear*

Mason: *comic squall that has several relatives laughing* Ah'm 'urt! Ah'm 'urt!

Cassie: *shakes her head at her husband's antics and goes to see what dKO is doing*

dOptimus: *watches all this, and then looks toward the driveway again* Ah, there's Beau.

cousins: *congregating to see who the latecomer is*

Beau: *getting out of the vehicle as soon as it's stopped. Waves to a few cousins, then turns to look for Optimus*

cousins: *whooping and hollering, and several are holding their sides*

dOptimus: *startled sound* Jake, please go tell him about his kilt!

Jake: *trying so hard not to snicker as he moves to comply*

dKO: *got there first and is tugging on the back of Beau's kilt* Hold still, you're bravehearting. *using the term his wife told him meant that blue under shorts were being displayed from under a kilt*

Beau: *over his shoulder* I know. *brat grin*

dKO: *surprised and doubtful look for Beau*

Beau: This is the first time in nearly ten years I managed to intentionally be the butt of a joke.

June: *groans as she stoops to meet Lori* Beau, that was terrible.

Jake: ... *headshake, moves to see Lori* *Lori is going to be on top of the world, aka on top of Jake's shoulders, very shortly*

dKO: *doubtful look as he turns away* If you say so...

Beau: *chuckle* If you hadn't tried, June would'a.

dKO: *turns back, and his expression says he's not sure if he's being mocked, or how to respond*

Beau: At least you were trying to be nice about it.

June: *gives dKO a big bowl* Look at what you get first dibs at.

dKO: *peers through the cover, and then smiles as he sees a green jelled salad with broccoli and raisins that he's partial to* Pond scum. Why thank you, June! *turns to go find a spoon*

Beau: *pouts at June*

June: *as she heads toward the house* Awww, are you feeling blue? *laugh*


A little while later


people: *have eaten and drank, and drank some more. Are now engaged in various activities, from gossip to attempted dismemberment to silly couples games involving breaking balloons or peeling bananas*

Mira: *accidentally headbutts Magnus as she tries to help him peel a banana without using their hands* Meep!

Magnus: Awk!

Dallas: *snickering*

Roger McKenzie: *from where he's sitting nearby playing bartender* Here, KO, this'll put hair on yer chest. *offers his cousin's husband a small glass of amber liquid*

dKO: *has been drinking hard iced tea and juleps all afternoon. Regards this offering with interest, scans it and finds it to be just more alcohol. Knocks it back...

and yelps and sputters* Gah!

Roger: *ded!*

Denver: *in between snickers* W's th't th' whiskeh 'r th' burbon?

Roger: Ah... *chortle* Ah gave 'im th' good stuff. *cackle*

dKO: *sputtering and looking wounded* I've tasted better drain cleaner!

Roger: *sobers* Y'u sh'ldn't say stuff lahk th't 'round th' kids. Th'y mahght th'nk y'u mean it.

Denver: *snort*

dKO: *hotly* I DO mean it!

Roger: ...Y'u ain't 'ad 'nough t' be th't drunk.

Dallas: Roger, c'mere. *intends to explain things*

Roger: *turns to her, his strong face showing his concern and confusion* Yu ain't gonna 'it me again?

Dallas: Naw. Jes' gonna explain a few things.

Roger: *gets up and leans on the end of the makeshift bar nearest her*

Dallas: *seriously, to the volunteer firefighter* My husband, 'n both'a my bodyguards aren't human.

Roger: *slowly* Then what are they?

Dallas: Cybertronian.

Roger: *blinks, and then it clicks* Lahk Miss Optimus' avatar... *stands up straight* Y'u're marriehed t' a Cahbertronian?

Dallas: Yup.

Roger: *looks like he's thinking this over, but then facepalms and glances toward where a row of babies are sleeping on a blanket in the shade of an old oak under the careful guardianship of young Lilah* Th't's wah y'u 'ave th' li'l gah.

Dallas: *headshake* Knockout brought him t' me when we were still datin', as a gift.

Roger: *can't help it. He's got to lean on the bar and chortle at that*

dKO: *meanwhile, has given the whiskey bottle to dBreakdown* Here. Drink this.

dBreakdown: Okay. *chug*

Dallas: *moving to comfort husband*

dKO: *snuggles wife* It's gone now.

Jeb: *rowdy cheer*

Cassie: *disapproving noise as she watches dBreakdown*

dKO: *looks toward the sounds* The stuff was nasty. It had to go.

Roger: *laughed himself down behind the bar*

Dallas: *amused snerk*

Cassie: So y'u gave 't t' y'r friend? *disapproving nurse disapproves*

dKO: Well, it can't hurt him.

Roger: *from behind the bar* They's Cybertronians, Miss Cassie.

Cassie: *both brows UP*

dKO: *wicked twinkle* Oh, you didn't think Gran'ma was the only one attracted to a shiny finish?

Dallas: *pokes husband chest* Could say th' same about you, ya know, *fond amusement*

Roger: *peeks over the bar* Dallas ain't shaneh.

Jeb: Y'u di'n't see wh't she 'rahved 'n, Roger.

dBreakdown: *lowers bottle and burps, then looks at dKO* Zit time for the surprise, boss?

Roger: *fell over at the burp* *pulls himself up again and shakes his head* Well, th't w's well brought up. Too bad...

Dallas: *stinkeye for Roger* I'll hit ya if ya finish that.

Roger: :D

Dallas: *to dBreakdown* In a little bit.

dKO: Hmm. I don't know, Goodie. *gives her that teasing look* Everyone's been telling Magnus' wife how pretty she is. I'd love to show them the original.

Dallas: *blushing now* I still need to get suited up...

dKO: *teasing smile grows* Don't you want to knock them all dead?

Dallas: *more blush, small nod*

Jeb: *is going to go see if he can't convince Darla to be a little mushy in public*

dKO: *watches the old man go from the corner of his eye, then snerks very softly as Cassie clears her throat* PDA?

Dallas: *SO much blush, but nods*

dKO: *PDA!*

Roger: *whoops!*

Cassie: *clears her throat again*

dKO: *hears no throat clearings*

Dallas: *ditto that!*

Magnus: *looks over toward the increased noise from where he's trying to wipe smashed banana off his mouth* *to his wife* It seems that David's sister is disturbing the peace.

Mira: *looks that way from where she's trying to help wipe smashed banana off of her husband's mouth* *snerk* Let Cassie sort 'em out.

Magnus: *as the last of the banana is removed his eyes suddenly take on an unwonted twinkle* *smiles at Mira* I have another idea.

Mira: Hm? *looks up*

Magnus: *is more affected by his wife's drinking today than she is* *PDA!*

Mira: *squeak! SNOG!*

dOptimus: *looks around at a wave of PDAs that is sweeping the area, then looks over her hand of cards at Beau*

Beau: *not giving away whether he has a good hand or not, is trying to ignore the PDA*

dOptimus: *dry humour* Do I want to know?

Beau: *dryly* Blame it on the booze.

dOptimus: Magnus wasn't drinking. Neither was Denver or Raf.

Beau: ... *looks up from his cards* Magnus is doing PDA?

dOptimus: *nods in that direction*

Magnus: *is dipping his wife!*

Beau: *looks* ... *facepalm*

dOptimus: *looks around at the squeals of laughter and other expressions of approval or disgust that are coming from the peanut gallery* At least it's entertaining the kids.

Dallas: *realizing that the majority of the attention is shifting to Ultra Magnus and Mira, will move to break the kiss she and dKO are sharing, intending to slip away to go get changed*

dKO: *smugly* -That's my clever Goodie.-

Dallas: -I'll be back soon.- *still blushing as she slips away and heads for the trailer*

dKO: *affection, approval, and admiration of her lines as he watches her go*

Dallas: *sashaying a bit as she enters the trailer*

dKO: *SO SMUG*

dOptimus: I win, Beau. *puts down cards*

Beau: Aww. *sigh* *considering* Let's play again.

dOptimus: *so amused* This was the tenth hand. Don't you want to do something else while you're here?

Beau: Well, I've already sat with the family for the picture... *which was taken with family on and around Trailbreaker as the mech rested* And I don't feel like drinking and being rowdy with the younger crowd.

dOptimus: Mason and Jeb are older than you. *so amused at her partner*

Beau: They don't act like it. *reaching for the cards so he can shuffle them again*

dOptimus: *shakes her head* We can do this at... home? *turns her head as dKO stands up on the bar and whistles for attention*

Beau: ... *looks to where dKO is* What's going on?

dOptimus: I think he's making an announcement. *frown of interest*

Beau: ... *frowning and watching now*

cousins, aunts, and uncles: *the ones who are still awake and outside with everyone are now watching dKO*

dKO: -Ready, Goodie?- *smug smile for everyone*

Dallas: -I'm ready.- *pause* -Did we remember to set up the remote sensor for the door?-

dKO: -Breakdown and Eve are over there.-

Dallas: *will ask the pair to open the door for her* -We need to get that sensor installed.-

dKO: -Yes. I'll have to stop getting distracted.- Ladies and gentlemen, may I introduce the most beautiful woman in the world, my delectable wife! *dramatic gesture as dBreakdown and dEve sweep the trailer doors up and down*

dOptimus: *gasps as she hears the soft, warm, whir of a Cybertronian engine*

Beau: *on his feet*

Dallas: *pulls out of the trailer*

cousins, aunts, and uncles: *surprised murmuring*

Dallas: *pulls away from the trailer* *in the rays of the low evening sun her paint gleams dark crimson and seems to almost shimmer. And while her lines are very similar to Mira's, it's clear she's got a few visual differences and details*

Roger: A... cah?

dKO: *smile widens* Show them, Goodie.

dOptimus: *sucks in her breath as she realizes that the beautiful car has no driver* No...

Beau: *startled curse, fumbles for his phone so he can record this*

Dallas: *still for a few moments, then she transforms. Parts shift and relocate until she's in root mode, standing at a height that is noticeably taller than Mira's. She's also more slenderly built than the Wrecker. Where Mira has her doors arranged as "wings", Dallas' doors arrange to protect her upper torso*

Ultra Magnus: *face palming with one hand as he holds his wife in the other arm* I knew we'd forgotten to tell Optimus something.

Mira: ... Ooooh. Right.

Ratchet: *is that incredulous shock through his and Optimus' bond*

Cassie: *does something she very rarely does: curses*

David: *dropped his drink on the ground in shock*

Hattie: Wh't 'n blazes?!

Mason: *unprintable as he stares at the being his daughter has become*

June: *confused expression as she gazes at the beautiful red Transformer from where she's standing at the first aid station*

dOptimus: *winces as her husband responds to what he sees on the feed she's still sending him*

Dallas: *optics powering on the instant she finishes transforming, and lo and behold, they're green. But not the green of someone doped up on botched synthetic energon. Instead they're a softer green, one that seems blue at some angles or some moods.*

dOptimus: *on her feet and over to the bar* Knockout, this is wrong. I sense a spark reading from that being.

dKO: *frowns down at her* Of course she has a spark. I made one for her.

Ratchet: *flat-footed SHOCK*

dOptimus: A young spark will start taking on the identity of someone it works with so closely, Knockout.

dKO: Well, it's her anyway.

Dallas: Knockout translated my DNA sequence into CNA.

Denver: *frown* Lahk Ratchet did f'r Jack, Raf, 'n me?

dOptimus: But why would you put a young spark into this arrangement?

dKO: *loses his temper and jumps off the bar* Oh yes, that's easy for YOU to say! You've been bonded to YOUR mate for years now!

dOptimus: *mouth open with shock*

Ratchet: -...He doesn't want there to be the possibility that he could lose her.- *so surprised*

Denver: ...

Raf: *softly, as he pokes his glasses up* Wow...

dKO: *handsome face actually looks stern* Besides, Rundown is going to need her for a much longer time than that meatbag body will last.

David: *wide-eyed and starting to shake a bit in reaction to the amount of tension in the air*

Mason: *frowning muchly*

Cassie: *moving to confront dKO*

Ultra Magnus: *is a big form stepping around David and then stooping to loom over him protectively. Mira is still held under one arm like a doll*

dKO: *startles and looks at Cassie*

Cassie: *moving to grab dKO by his shirt collar so she can look him in the eye* Wh't did y'u do t' mah daughtah?! *angry and protective Mama*

dKO: *eyes narrow* I've made it so that a part of my wife will be nearly immortal.

Dallas: *moving to rescue husband* *sternly, optics seeming to shift toward red* Ma, that's enough. He didn't do anything until I started asking about things.

Cassie: *shocked look for her youngest child* Wh't?!

Dallas: *quietly* He made the drone to interact with me... I asked him one night, after we got engaged, if there was a way for me to interact with him that didn't involve him having to worry about how he held me.

Cassie: ... *lets go of dKnockout's collar and seeks husband side for comfort as she tries to work through this*

Mason: *studying dKnockout, expression unreadable*

dKO: *is trembling slightly, but isn't afraid. He's holding in the urge to fight and destroy and defend his wife*

dOptimus: *softly, as she watches* -Ratchet?-

Ratchet: -I have a bad feeling about this...- *concerned*

Mason: *small nod* *quietly* Ah'm jes' glad Dallas met s'me'un willin' t' c'mit.

dOptimus: -What should we do? By rights that spark is a separate being, but she's already been trained to think of herself as part of Dallas.- *watches as dKO turns to walk over to the beautiful red Transformer and rest a hand on her leg*

Dallas: *crouching carefully to talk to dKO*

Ratchet: -If I could scan the spark...-

dOptimus: -Ground bridge your avatar. Maybe they'll let you do it.-

Ratchet: -Alright. I'll be there shortly.-

dOptimus: *moves closer to dKO and Dallas* *softly* Will you let Ratchet scan you, Dallas?

Dallas: *frown for dOptimus* ... Why?

Raf: Because he's worried about you.

dKO: *scowl*

Raf: He knows you wouldn't do anything to hurt Dallas on purpose. But it's always good to have a second doctor on an important case. He might see something the first one missed.

dKO: *falters and looks up at his wife, worry in his eyes now despite the scowl*

Dallas: ... *more frown* Fine. *has total faith in her husband's abilities, but if this gets the Autobots to back off...*

young Lilah: *comes jogging over and offers a softly fussing bundle of bitty*

Dallas: *distracted by that, will reach for Rundown*

Rundown: *woke up and didn't see you, Mama! Didn't see Daddy either. Was scared. Sooo happy to see you!*

Dallas: *soothing sounds for the baby bot as she gently cradles him close to her chest*

dRatchet: *it's with a flash of green light that he arrives*

dOptimus: o.0 You've got Perceptor's teleporter.

dKO: *just yeeped and wound up halfway up his wife's leg at that appearance*

Dallas: *startled and reached for husband, intending to protect both him and Rundown*

dRatchet: Before you ask, no, I didn't bully him into loaning it to me.

Denver: *snerk*

dKO: Oh. It's just you. *indicates that he'd like to go back down, please*

Dallas: *careful as she sets dKO on his feet* *stinkeye for the Autobot Medic's drone*

Denver: *quietly pleased that Ratchet kept the long white wig she got for his drone to wear*

Mira: ... *snickerfitdie, has to hang onto husband* That's Ratchet's drone?!

dRatchet: *annoyed huff, stinkeye for Mira as he puts his hands on his hips*

dKO: *hands on his hips* You're a sore sight for eyes in any form, Ratchet.

dRatchet: *attention to dKO, then looks up to study Dallas, blue-green eyes narrowing slightly as he frowns*

Raf: *turns to take Orion from young Lilah without taking his eyes from his mentor's avatar*

David: *hiding with Meezer and his dolls behind Ultra Magnus' leg and being patted by the young cousin who brought the kitten and toys*

dRatchet: *boggling as he finishes his scans*

Raf: *before Optimus can ask* What is it, Ratchet?

dRatchet: The spark isn't an immature spark... It's lacking in programming. *lips pressed thin for a few moments*

Raf: ...How did you make a mature spark, Knockout?

dKO: *arms folded over his chest. Flatly* I'm Batman.

dRatchet: *got that reference. Will NOT snerk*

Raf: *frowwwn*

dOptimus: -Ratchet, what aren't you saying?-

dRatchet: *quietly* -The spark is bonded to Knockout.- *out loud* At any rate, she's healthy.

dKO: *withering look* Of course.

dRatchet: *calm LOOK for dKnockout* *KNOWS what you did, mech*

dKO: *upset and in full defencive mode*

dRatchet: What I'm most curious about is the nanobots.

dKO: *eyes narrow further* What about them? *without turning* Bike, down.

dRatchet: What are the limitations in terms of treatment of injuries?

dKO: *grim smirk as a beautiful drone the colour of Dallas' bike slinks over to stand behind him and Dallas* What limitations?

dRatchet: *blink. BLINK. Definitely intrigued now, and considering the applications in his own infirmary*

dKO: I think it's time we went home now. *looks up at his wife*

Mason: *frown* But y'all ain't even been 'eah a day.

dKO: *startled scowl* What?

Dallas: *quietly* I think we should go. Sorry, Pa... It was good to see everyone again.

Cassie: *hides her face so that Dallas can't see her heartbroken look*

David: *speaking up* P-Please d-don't leave, D-Dallas....

dKO: *expression goes from defencive and angry to concerned*

dOptimus: *quick, worried look toward Magnus' partner*

Raf: *winces and looks too*

dRatchet: *also looking, and scanning David out of habit*

Dallas: *small frown of concern for how spooked David sounds*

David: *trying so hard not to tremble* *quietly* D-Don't l-leave.

Cassie: *is now going to go and try to comfort her son*

Magnus: *lets her come, though he's looking toward Dallas and dKO with pleading on his face*

Dallas: *torn between not wanting to upset David and set back the progress he's made, and wanting to go where the Autobots aren't*

dOptimus: *deep breath, and then elbows her husband's avatar* *quietly* I'm sorry, Dallas, Knockout.

dRatchet: *soft "oof" as he's elbowed* *quietly* I apologize for upsetting you as well, Dallas, Knockout.

dKO: *looks up at his wife. He's ready to accept the apology. And he knows Rundown was having fun*

Dallas: *silent and still for a few moments, then she's giving a small nod*

Magnus: *sets Mira down and then gently offers a David and Cassie to Dallas*

Cassie: Oh merceh... *looking down, unsure of how she feels about this*

Dallas: *will carefully cradle her mother and brother close to her chest with the hand not supporting Rundown*

Meezer: *stops talking and kisses the baby*

Rundown: *stops in mid whimper to squeal with glee*

David: *taking deep breaths*

Cassie: *carefully moving to comfort David, softly murmuring reassurances*

dOptimus: *grabs dRatchet by the collar as he heads for the bar* Home.

dRatchet: *awk, huff* Oh, alright. *might be sulking*

dOptimus: *gives him a peck* I'll see you tomorrow.

big MacKenzie cousin with a very respectable beard: *moves to offer dRatchet a glass of what Mira'd been drinking earlier* One fer the road, lad.

dRatchet: *surprised* Er... Thank you. *will accept the offered drink and sip at it politely*

Denver: *totally not snickering. KNOWS Hardy saw what the drink did to Mira, and KNOWS her cousin heard the stories she, Raf, Beau, June, and dOptimus were sharing earlier about the medic*

dOptimus: *distracted by a girl cousin's question and so doesn't see her husband's glass of blue*

Raf: *also distracted. One of Alana's kids just got him with a flying tackle*

Alana: *distracting her husband*

dRatchet: *surprised by the flavor, forgets that he's supposed to be sipping this drink. Will knock it back*

dOptimus: *turns back in time to see him hit the ground* 0.0 *wobble*

dRatchet: ... *hic*

dOptimus: *very carefully sits on the ground* Ratchet... you're *not writing it*.

dRatchet: ... I think you're right, Optimus.

Raf: *jaw is hanging. He heard what dOptimus just said!*

dKO: *kind of in a similar state here*

Denver: *trying so hard not to laugh*

Dallas: ... So she does know how to cuss. *not sure whether to be impressed or not*

Ultra Magnus: Of course she does, though I haven't heard her use that one before. *shifts his scowl from his sister's drone to her main body as that unfolds and faceplants* She's usually got a better head for her energy, though.

Mira: *sniffing the air, snerks* Doc's drone got some'a the stuff I had earlier.

Ultra Magnus: *frown goes to her* That can't be worse than Nightmare Fuel or Old Corroder.

Mira: Ethanol and blue paint. *Wanna re-think that statement, Ultra Magnus?*

Optimus: *quiet vituperation as she tries to get her arms under herself*

dKO: ...

Dallas: ... *making note of the words*

Optimus: *faceplants again and changes languages*

dKO: ...Isn't that Prime Era vernacular?

Raf: Whatever it is, it's swearwords.

Dallas: ... *snerk*

Denver: *Look for Hardy, who gives her an innocent grin*

dRatchet: *muttering under his breath about falling on his aft*

Ultra Magnus: *calling for an assist in getting Optimus, her drone, and her husband's drone home*

dRatchet: *falls silent*

Beau: ... Aneh'un gotta fork?

June: *punches him on the shoulder*

Optimus: *muzzy stink eye for her partner, and then a meep as a ground bridge opens in the road and a massive form with folded wings steps through*

Ultra Magnus: *stands to attention* Magistrate. I never thought they'd send you.

Senaiji: *massive blue dragon winces as a few of the more drunk MacKenzies blurt out obscenities. Looks to Ultra Magnus* Bathilda and I were visiting, and we got the call for assistance. I made Bathilda promise to rest, and promised she could gossip with Optimus tomorrow.

Optimus: *still in the old language* [If I can tell my *bleeping* head from my *aft* by then.]

Senaiji: ...I'm not sure what you said, but I'm pretty sure Kae Yau would approve.

dRatchet: *snore*

Dallas: ... *optic roll*

Optimus: *stink eye for her husband's drone* [Not saving you from Jazz this time.]

Senaiji: *moving to carefully lift dRatchet and dOptimus, intending to set them on Optimus' main body*

dOptimus: *rag doll limp with her hair in her face*

Raf: *worried* Is she alright?

Senaiji: WakeJumper is waiting to check her over.

Optimus: *now speaking her native language... and sounding like a dock worker's sister*

Mira: *laughs and replies with something equally rowdy*

Optimus: *looks up with fire in her eyes!*

Mira: *patpat husband shoulder* Lemme down.

Magnus: *calmly* No.

Mira: ... *clamps down on her side of the bond, jabs fingers in where she knows it'll hurt*

Magnus: *still calm* No. Magistrate, please?

Senaiji: You know it will be worse later, if Optimus remembers what Mira said. *carefully picking Optimus' main body up off of the ground*

Mira: *jab jab jab*

Magnus: *still calm, though he just threw his side of the bond wide open and sent his wife the sensation of her fingers* Optimus no longer brawls when she's sober.

Mira: *YELP* *SWEAR*

David: *flinch*

Magnus: *blinks as he feels a pleasant slight dizziness, accompanied by the awareness of another system besides his own* ...We need a nap.

Mira: *small shiver as her earlier overcharge is bounced back to her, and she can feel her mate*

Magnus: *looks around drowsily* David?

David: *peeking from where he and Cassie are being sheltered in Dallas' hands*

Magnus: *gravely* Mira and I need to rest.

David: *very small nod* O-Okay

Optimus: *quietly, from Senaiji's arms* [The bond's settling. Finally.]

dKO: 0.0 You mean to tell me that they've been running around this long with an uncompleted bond? No wonder they're both anal retentive!

Hardy: *ded*

Dallas: ...I didn't know that was possible.

dRatchet: *sleepily* [About time.]

Optimus: [... You wait till I get my hands on you, Ratchet.]

dRatchet: [Love you too, Optimus.]

Optimus: *calls him names*

Magnus: *face clearly says he's remembering a time and place long gone as he turns and carries his dozing wife toward the machine shed*

Mira: *snuggles and murmurs something she said a long time ago on one fateful night*

Raf: *softly, after Magnus has shut the machine shed door* Did he just sob?

Denver: *quietly* Ah th'nk so... *worried about the mech now*

Optimus: *eyes shut against dizzy and husband dizzy* *quietly* Memories can hurt if you ignore them too long.

dRatchet: *soft sound of agreement*

Denver: *silent now as she remembers how Ratchet was acting the time Optimus ended up with stress-induced amnesia*

Raf: *arm around his wife's shoulders*

David: *quietly* All'a us have scars...

Senaiji: *quietly* If necessary, Bathilda and I do know a therapist...

Optimus: He's got what he needs. Finally. *squeezes eyes shut* Ratchet, stop dancing.

Denver: ... *SNERK* *hides face against husband's shoulder and snickerfits*

Senaiji: ... *amused rumble, will move to bring Optimus, her drone, and Ratchet's drone back to the base*

dKO: *looks up toward the people in his wife's hands, a frown on his face*

Dallas: *quietly* -He's talking about emotional ones... I don't even know what all happened to him overseas...-

dKO: -Oh, I don't care about that. But his keeper's gone to have a nap. What's he going to do now?-

Dallas: *softly, worry for her brother coloring her thoughts* -I don't know...-

David: *careful peeking at cousins from where he's sitting in Dallas' hands* *quietly* Did Hardy make mint juleps?

Cassie: Ah th'nk so...

Mason: *frowns at the family members all around him* Wh't're y'all starin' at? Go play!

family: *rowdy comments, snark, and a few sniffs and snorts as they disperse back to whatever they'd been doing*

Darla: *laughs and goes to get a couple of juleps, one for David, one for Cassie*

Jeb: *snort* S'me th'n's nevah change.

dKO: *deep sigh of relief, and then a sudden smug smirk as he realizes that he actually did manage to knock all these rednecks back on their afts, if only for a moment. Looks up at his wife* You can put them down now, Goodie.

Dallas: *soft chuckle, will do so, keeping an optic on David*

Rundown: *scare is over. But it made him lose his lunch. Issa hungry, Mama! Talks!*

Dallas: *attention divided between tending to Rundown and keeping an optic on her brother*

dKO: Let's go sit over here under the canopy. *hand on his wife's leg*

Dallas: *nods* Yeah.... *still worried about David*

David: *drinking his drink and quietly talking to Hardy as Meezer crawls up on his shoulder and looks around*

Hardy: *happy Scotsman chatting up family, will reach to pet Meezer*

dKO: *relaxing somewhat. Will go get some julep for himself, and then come back and cuddle up to his wife*

Dallas: *sits quietly and feeds Rundown*

rest of the evening: *peaceful and quiet. Till David decides to show Alana's Minicon sons what to do with C4 and a pond*

((Written with random_xtras))