Simple Misperceptions

the Town

“Hey Dad, why don’t you an Mother join us on the town tonight?” Blacktop interrupted, as she confidently strolled into the Command Center. Her sharp amber optics easily caught sight of the big red mech talking with a group of his mechs.

Turning towards her, Hotshot nodded and grinned at his girlfriend. He was still amazed at how bold she was around his Commander. Granted, Prime was her sire – not her Commander – and the bold young femme didn’t seem to be afraid of much anyway.

As the entire group turned and nodded their greeting to the femme, Optimus groaned silently within. For while she was so like him physically – she was absolutely nothing like him in personality! He knew that if he tried to say ‘no’ then there’d be a hell of an argument right there in front of his men. For one thing Blacktop couldn’t stand – was not getting her way. So, with an internal sigh, he figured out how to avoid answering her directly, without causing an argument.

Shrugging, he answered the femme. “Ask Raptor, if she wants to, I’ll go.” This way, she’d have to convince her mother. Who didn’t have a problem going into a knock-down, drag-out fight in public - if she didn’t care to do something.

His daughter grinned and shrugged, “already asked her, she said to ask you.” She’d already gotten used to this game, and knew just how to play it to her own advantage.

The mech wanted to roll his optics, for it was obvious that Raptor was trying to avoid the same argument with the black femme that he was. But Blacktop was the type to keep pressing for a yes, even if the mech wanted to say no. “Well, I guess so;” he said as he nodded, pretty much accepting the fact that it was easier just to give into the young femme’s wishes.

----

“Any idea where we’re going?” Raptor asked as she buffed some dirt off of her leg. She was still silently snickering inside at just how manipulative her youngest daughter had become.

Optimus shook his head.

The Seeker sighed; “Well with those two, there’s really no telling, now is there?”

Prime put his face mask on and shrugged. “You can guarantee it’ll be exciting though.”

Raptor chuckled, for she herself was known for having exciting nights on the town with her daughters, but Prime was notorious for being an ‘all work no play’ type of mech. But he never said ‘no’ to his daughters, and since his breakup with Jetfire and subsequent move in with Raptor – their daughters had been taking advantage of this, and constantly got the mech to hang out with them. This also kept them from getting in trouble, since no one was going to ticket Prime!

“You really shouldn’t let them walk all over you,” she chuckled, as she checked her room mate’s cab for scuff marks. She really thought he was a terrible pushover indeed!

“They aren’t,” he snorted. As he cut her a quick side glance to emphasize his point.

This caused Raptor to break out in snickers; he was so typical of a father with a bunch of ‘Daddy’s girls’! Amazing, considering the amount of discipline he required of his troops.

He turned his head and regarded the Seeker. “You’re just jealous,” he accused.

Her sharp retort was cut off as the door buzzer went off. Authorizing their entrance, Optimus grinned in victory over his friend. For once, he had had the last word!

---

Hotshot and Blacktop strolled in, the black femme scanning her mother with critical optics. “I really need to hold you down and make you gleam,” she threatened the dull-painted femme. Unlike Raptor, every inch of the black femme gleamed, and her chrome was always immaculate.

The two males looked at each other with widened optics. For neither one had gotten used to the forwardness of these hybrid-sparked femmes. Optimus wondered if he was going to end up having to pull the two opinionated females apart. Glancing at Hotshot, he realized the yellow mech was thinking the very same thing.

Raptor merely chuckled at her daughter’s threat. “When you can actually manage to hold me down, then you deserve the chance to make me gleam,” she challenged. Not a trace of fear of the stronger ground femme showing in her red optics.

From the look in the young femme’s optics, it was obvious that she’d try that some day, and probably had a good chance of winning.

Interrupting the verbal sparring between his daughter and her mother, before it could end up in physical action; Prime shrugged; “so what is tonight’s fun?”

Hotshot grinned, “Figured we’d play some laser tag, sir.”

The room mates met optics in humor, since both of them were very accomplished marksmen – this could be highly entertaining.

Laser Tag

Raptor’s optics locked with Prime’s, he was across the mock battlefield. Grinning, she threw herself to the ground and rolled behind a low wall. Barely avoiding his well-aimed shot; suddenly her gun went black as one of the sensors stuck to her, was pegged by laser fire. Darting around a corner, she glanced up, just in time to see Hotshot snickering as he ducked back behind the wall he’d been using for cover.

Grinning, Raptor knew she had 5 seconds to reposition herself, before the sensors reset and she was back in the game. Crouching, she used the full force of her hydraulics to propel herself upward, her velocity carried her up to the third level where she quickly grabbed the arm rail and swung herself over. Her gun came back online as her thrusters touched the metal grating, rolling in a blur, she kept from getting pegged again as she sought cover.

Keeping her steps quiet and crouching under the cover of the wall, Raptor swiftly made it to a new position. Huddling against the wall, she peeked out, trying to spot one of the others. Optimus darted under her, too fast for her to draw a bead on him. Chuckling, she caught site of his quarry – and pegged Blacktop before he could.

As the femme’s gun deactivated, Prime looked up to see who’d tagged her. This caused his shoulder sensor to be exposed for a brief second. Giving Raptor enough of an opening to pay him back for his earlier shots. Shooting through the grating, she snickered as Prime looked around him when his gun deactivated.

Out of the corner of her optics, a flash of yellow on the fourth level caught her attention. Throwing herself to the side, she barely avoided another hit from Hotshot. Then she was leaping through the air again, crossing the open space and making a grab for the rail on the fourth level. Hotshot pegged her again as she flipped up over the rail.

The chase was on! Raptor took her 5 seconds of deactivation, to run around the walk way, trying to get to the yellow mech’s position. Grinning as he got a bead on her, she finally managed to peg him right as her gun reactivated. Unable to slow down, she ended up tumbling over him, going right over the rail and back down to the first level.

Twisting like a cat, Raptor landed lightly on her thrusters, her gun suddenly deactivated as she got pegged. Rolling to cover, she caught sight of the red mech ducking back under cover on the second level. Snickering at her sneaky room mate, she darted quietly under his position. As he stalked Hotshot, she pegged him through the grating from below. Prime took his five second break to leap down and tackle the Seeker, using her as cover as Blacktop came around the corner aiming at him.

“Sneaky bastard!” Raptor yelled, as Prime threw her to the side and pegged Blacktop. Spinning, Raptor caught his legs with hers, bringing the big red mech down. Stepping on his gun, she pegged him right in the chest.

“Calling me sneaky?” he joked. Grabbing her leg with his other hand, he flipped the light-built Seeker across the level. Rolling, the red mech found cover in another section of the maze.

Suddenly, a yellow mech tumbled from the top level. Blacktop looking over the rail and grinning mischievously. Unlike the Seeker, Hotshot wasn’t quick enough to land on his feet – he ended up landing on his head. Then his gun deactivated, as his girlfriend took the opportunity to peg him.

Snickering at her daughter’s tactics, Raptor ran up the ramp back to the first level. Weaving to try to keep the pursuing red mech from pegging her again; suddenly, they were both deactivated, as Hotshot got them both. Grinning, Optimus nodded to Raptor and put his hands together next to the rail. Taking his offer, she ran towards him, put a thruster in his hands – then the powerful ground mech hefted her into the air.

Grabbing the top of the rail on the fifth level, Raptor kept herself from hitting the ceiling. Shaking her head in amazement at the sheer power of her friend, she quickly dropped and rolled, avoiding Blacktop’s shot. Darting around the level, she got a bead on the femme – but before she got her, the guns all deactivated and the main lights came on in the mock battlefield.

“Damn, that was too short!” Raptor joked as she jumped down to ground level. Her core temperature still high from the excitement of the game.

The gleam in Prime’s amber optics told her he had had as much fun as she had. Slapping each other on the back, the two Commanders congratulated each other on another fun round.

The group walked out and waited for the final shot tally to come up on the monitors. Laughing with each other as several other Mechs geared up and went in for their turn.

“Well, looks like I’m on top!” Hotshot joked, as his tally put him slightly ahead of Prime. He preened around like a prize rooster because he had topped the two older soldiers.

Prime and Raptor grinned at each other, for once again only one shot separated their scores.

Raptor slapped Hotshot on the back, “you just got lucky tonight!” She congratulated him with a wink and a nod. Her mischievous grin showing him that she was more than ready to pay him back the next time they played the game.

-----

It was now in the early hours of the morning, so the two couples went their separate ways. Optimus transformed and opened his trailer for Raptor. Since she was still grounded; this had become their method of traveling together. Retracting her wings, she slid in and lay down, enjoying the vibrating sensations of his tires against the road.

“You know, it’s so fun to fight – when you know everyone will make it home;” she mused, as she put her hands behind her head. The purr of her relaxed plasma engines showing her enjoyment of the entire evening.

“Very true,” Prime agreed. His core lightened as he enjoyed the fact that all of his sacrifices had finally given Cybertron the peace that it deserved. Now, the only time mechs fired at each other, was with low-powered laser guns during a game. Truly, his life’s dream - come true!

She felt the sensation of him taking a few turns, then an incline. Quickly, she realized that this was not the way home. Wondering where the mech was taking her, she decided to stay quiet and let him believe that he was surprising her. As he continued to drive, they joked with each other about the tactics each player had used during the game.

Prime finally stopped and Raptor slid out. She swiftly recognized the place that she had caught him sleeping, all those weeks ago. Watching him transform, she gave him a curious glance. Not saying a word, she simply cocked her head at him with her silent query.

Smiling at her, he casually took his mask off, and offered her a drink.

“I felt like drinking. But not alone,” he explained as he turned and sat down. His engine slowed down to idle as he relaxed and nodded to his room mate. A warm feeling flowed through him as she returned his smile and invitation. Yes, it was good to have a close friend like her.

Returning his friendly smile, Raptor accepted the offered drink and sat down next to him. She was glad that he had chosen to drink with a friend over drinking alone. This showed her that the healing process had truly begun within the red mech. A sense of accomplishment settled over her as she joked with him. For while she would never realize her own dream; as an immortal Soul Flyer she could find satisfaction in helping others realize their own. Yes, she’d always live through the lives of those around her. For this was the card handed to her by fate.

They drank and reminisced until Cybertron’s star peaked over the horizon.

-----

Inner Strength

“Um, Mom?” Tigress’s voice suddenly filled the office.

Looking up in surprise, Raptor’s optics locked with those of her stray daughter whom had just teleported into her office. Standing up with a smile, she walked around the desk that was piled high with paperwork and embraced the deep blue femme. A warm feeling spread up from her core, for no matter what mistakes Tigress had made, she was her daughter – and Raptor had missed her deeply.

“I’m sorry Mom, I know I shouldn’t have. But- “ Tigress broke out into tears as she buried her face into Raptor’s intake. She was ashamed for what she’d done to her dad, so ashamed that she hadn’t dared come back until she had no choice.

Raptor stroked her daughter’s wing. “Shhh, things happen Tigress. You can’t help who you fall in love with,” she whispered. She understood the overwhelming passion of fresh love, hadn’t she almost destroyed an entire planet for it once?

“So how’s dad?” the blue Seeker asked. She feared that he’d never forgive her for stealing his bond mate.

“He’s getting over it. You know he’s my room mate now?” the older femme asked. Pulling away, she sat down and motioned for Tigress to do the same. She could see the shame running through every bolt of her daughter.

Tigress sat down heavily. She was a little surprised that Optimus would end up rooming with her mother, but then again, Raptor and he had been good friends. “Do you think he’d forgive us?” Her voice was filled with hope.

“I think so. Where’s Jetfire?” Raptor raised one of her optic ridges in curiosity.

“Well, um, he’s kind’ve waiting until I give him the ‘all clear’,” Tigress admitted.

Raptor leaned back and studied her daughter. “So why have you chosen to come back?” she asked.

Tigress looked down at the floor. “Well, um, I’m getting close to delivery.”

The older femme’s optics widened and she gripped her daughter’s shoulders. “You’re PREGNANT?!?” she exclaimed.

Tigress merely nodded, not daring to look up into Raptor’s optics.

“Well that’s great!” the gray/green femme exclaimed excitedly. For she was going to be a grandmother again! “Well, after we tell Prime – we need to start building, don’t we?” Standing up, she grabbed her reluctant daughter and began dragging her down the Embassy hall.

“But mom, I don’t think I can face him,” Tigress stammered. She tried to pull away from her mother’s grip.

Raptor looked at her steadily. “You can, and you will. And when Jetfire gets some kahuna’s – then he’s got to too!” she was using her disciplining tone that Tigress knew oh-so-well from her youth. Bowing her head, she followed her mother down the hall. Knowing she had no choice but to ask Optimus for his forgiveness.

-----

Optimus heard a rap on his office door, looking up, he nodded to his room mate as she poked her head in. Sliding in, the femme closed the door behind her.

“You got a few free minutes?” she asked him. The tone of her voice told him that something rather serious was going on.

Pushing his paperwork aside, Optimus nodded and leaned back in his seat.

Uncharacteristically, Raptor plopped herself down on his desk. Her leg rubbing his side as her crimson optics held a strange emotion. “Prime, we’re going to be grandparents again soon,” she informed him.

A smile crossed his face while happiness spread through his core. “That’s great!” he replied as he hugged her. But the hug she gave in return left something to be wanted. Pulling away, he realized that something was very, very wrong. Looking into her optics, he didn’t see the total joy that one should expect by the news.

“So what’s the catch Raptor? What’s wrong?” he asked.

She put her hands on his shoulders, rubbing her fingers lightly against his frame. “It’s Tigress that’s pregnant,” she said softly. Her optics spoke volumes.

His core felt like he’d taken a direct hit from Megatron’s cannon! Sinking down into his chair, Optimus shook his head in denial. He’d fought so hard to push those feelings back into the recesses of his mind. Back, where he couldn’t feel the pain of Jetfire’s betrayal every waking moment of his life – but now that betrayal smacked him in the face. His own daughter would again have Jetfire’s sparklings. And this time, it was because Jetfire loved her.

Yes, he was going to be a grandfather again. But could he honestly look at his daughter and tell her that he was happy for her? Could he look at the resulting sparklings as anything more than a testament to Jetfire’s disloyalty? His thoughts flashed wildly through his meta; As his emotional turmoil began to give way to confusion.
Then he felt arms surround his trembling frame. He gave no resistance as he was pulled into their safety. Smashing his helm tightly against her cockpit, he felt the warm vibrations of her idling plasma engines flow through him. Her lips kissed the top of his helm as she told him that she understood his pain. Those gentle hands rubbing his back in comforting circles. He wanted her to block the pain of reality, to pretend everything was like it once was.

“Optimus, our grandsparklings will be innocent of what Jetfire did. Don’t blame them, accept them, learn to love them,” she whispered into his audios.

He shuddered, trying to control his tears. She was so right. He had to look past the wrong, and accept the future grandsparklings. They were innocent, they were family, they needed to be loved and cherished – regardless of who the sire was. Gulping down his feelings, he nodded to her words. He would somehow accept and love the sparklings.

Feeling him nod, Raptor gently kissed the top of his helm and squeezed him. She knew that this would be the hardest trial that Prime would ever face. For she knew the true depth of his internal strife concerning Jetfire; but if he got through this, then he’d be whole again.

“Tigress is young, she didn’t think, she didn’t understand the pain she would cause you. She’s filled with shame for what she did. Can you forgive her?” Raptor’s gentle voice prodded him. “You’ve been young once, you know the stupid decisions made on a whim.”

He tensed, trying to fight his anger and outrage at his daughter’s actions. But again, the femme was right. He had been just as impetuous as Tigress all those years ago. Letting his emotions override his common sense, time and time again. And Tigress had thought he was off lined when Jetfire had approached her. She thought Jetfire was truly alone. And by the time Raptor had returned with Prime, Tigress had been in love with his bond mate. But even though he could conceivably excuse her part of the mess based on her inexperience – could he actually forgive her. Could he love her as his daughter again?

“I know it’s difficult. And no one expects you to forget. But Tigress needs her father right now. Can you forgive her?” the Seeker’s soft voice pleaded with him.

“I don’t know,” he whispered. His voice filled with pain.

“Can you at least talk with her? Tell her that you to can try to rebuild some kind of relationship?” Raptor lifted his chin with a finger, forcing his optics to meet her warm ruby orbs.

Behind his mask, his lip trembled. He knew it meant everything to Raptor to have the family strong. And both he and Tigress were part of that unit. So whether he liked it or not, Tigress would always be part of his life. Raptor had done so much for him, he owed it to her to try and forgive Tigress. “I’ll talk with her, but I just don’t know…” he answered honestly.

She ran her fingers down his cheek and the side of his facemask. “I know how hard this is for you Prime. But you’re going to have to face Jetfire again. You’re going to have to forgive so that you can truly move on.”

His fingers trembled as he considered the truth to her statement. Was he strong enough to do it? To face the one he’d given his core too – who had thrown it by the wayside?

“Shhhh, you won’t face it alone, my friend. I will stand with you throughout. Just as I promised I would,” Raptor kissed his cheek. Her optics gleamed with her concern over him. “Use my strength, Prime.”

Warmth flowed over him as he knew he wouldn’t have to face the terrible pain alone again. She was more than just a mere friend to him, she was family. “I’ll try, Raptor. I’ll try,” he said in a voice so low that the femme could barely hear it.

-----

Tigress fidgeted in both shame and nervousness. She stood outside Prime’s office door, facing the silently accusing glances of all of his officers in the Central Command. Keeping her optics leveled at her feet, she knew that she deserved every angry glare that came her way. She was no better than slag for what she’d done. She knew it – they knew it. And now she was here to face the music.

She prayed that Optimus could forgive her. Could one day joke and play with the sparklings now within her. But Raptor had warned her not to expect an overnight miracle. For Tigress and Jetfire had caused the big mech an immense amount of emotional pain. Tigress gulped in shame, trying to control the outward tremble of her wings.

“Tigress, come in,” Raptor said quietly as she opened the door a crack.

Gripping her hands together in nervousness, Tigress fought to control herself as she went inside.

Keeping her optics glued to the floor in shame, the blue femme couldn’t even glance up at her father’s face. Raptor left her side, to go stand behind Prime. She laid her hands comfortingly on both his shoulders as she showed her emotional support for him. “I believe you have something to say, Tigress?” her musical voice inquired.

Tigress gulped down the nausea rising from her primary core. Shifting nervously from foot to foot, she tried to build up her courage to say it. To admit she was totally wrong, admit she was totally in love, and ask Prime if he could conceivably ever forgive her. “Um, I’m really sorry for what I… uh… did…” she stammered, her voice breaking. “But .. uh.. I love Jetfire.. and I’m.. uh .. Pregnant..” She thought she was going to overload, her intakes came on, trying desperately to keep her engines within normal operating temps. “Um.. can you forgive me?... Dad..” There! She’d said it, she’d actually said it!

Optimus studied the ashamed young Seeker. His chassis tensed with his effort to contain his emotions. Raptor’s fingers kneaded his shoulders, giving him the strength to maintain his emotional control in front of Tigress. He knew what he needed to do, to say. He knew he had to move past this, to heal. But he’d rather face a dozen Megatrons, than do this – for that’d be far easier! But he’d promised Raptor that he’d try. And unlike Jetfire, Raptor wouldn’t abandon him – she’d stand by him and help him through it.

“I can’t say that I’ll ever truly forgive what you did,” he began. His voice was low with pain. “But I can forgive you.” With that he lowered his head, unable to say anymore to the blue femme.

Raptor nodded at her daughter to leave. The trembling blue Seeker, kept her optics to the ground as she slid out the door and slunk down the hall. Every optic in the Command Center locked with anger and disgust on her thin wings.

Putting her arms around Optimus, she felt how high his core temperature had risen. He was truly fighting an internal battle against his renewed pain again. “I’m proud of you Prime. You are a very strong mech,” she whispered in his audio.

He curled his fingers around her arm and leaned back into the comforting embrace. It wasn’t him that was strong. He was so weak that he doubted he could even stand up right now. It was her emotional support that was strong. It seemed to lift him and carry him along. “Thank you for standing by me through this, you don’t know how much this means to me,” he admitted to her.

She kissed the top of his helm. “Yes I do, Prime. We are friends, we are family. I told you once that family stands together. Don’t ever forget that.”

-----

Facing the Ex

Optimus tried to stop his left hand from twitching as he checked himself over for scuff marks. It had started twitching this morning, after Raptor had told him of the arranged meeting with Jetfire tonight. He knew it was the nervous fluxing in his systems which were causing it, but he just couldn’t seem to get his internal strife back under control.

He didn’t know what the hell he was going to say to his former bond mate. Part of him wanted to beat the slogger into a new alt mode for his infidelity. To make Jetfire feel some of the pain that he’d felt for the last couple of months. But he knew that wouldn’t be a highly productive way to go about it.. Even though there’d be some satisfaction afterward.

No, Raptor was right, he’d need to handle this like the mature mech and leader that he was. No matter how much it hurt inside to look at the freagin’ bastard and say he’d try and forgive him. Yes, years from now, Prime knew he’d feel more satisfaction if he handled this like the strong and mature mech that he wanted to be. Granted, he really didn’t feel like that mech right now.

He felt a light hand on his shoulder. Tearing himself out of his thoughts, Optimus turned around and met the optics of his loyal friend.

“I know its going to be very hard,” she said softly. “But I know you can do it.” Her optics showed her belief in him, her faith in his inner strength.

Reaching up, he curled his fingers around her hand. “I hope you’re right. Because I’m still wanting to beat him into a new alt mode.”

She patted his shoulder with her other hand, as her optics locked with his. “But you’re stronger than that Prime. Believe in yourself.”

Giving her a friendly hug, he prayed that he was truly as strong as she seemed to think he was.

“I’ll admit that part of me, wants to see him in a new alt mode,” she snickered in his audio.

Pulling away from her, he looked at her a little confused. Seeing her grin, he knew she was just trying to lighten the mood a little. Relaxing slightly, he shrugged. “Guess we’ll see how it goes then.”

She opened the door as she held her hand out to him. “Shall we?”

------

Waiting on the solitary hilltop, Raptor and Optimus watched as Tigress and Jetfire banked around them. Prime felt the older femme squeeze his hand in support, as the shuttle transformed and landed about one hundred feet from them. Turning to her briefly, he nodded, and then left her as he strolled up to Jetfire.

Tigress landed next to her mother. Her optics still focused on the ground in shame over the whole situation. With drooping wings she accepted her mother’s arm around her shoulders.

“We stay out of this. It’s between them now,” Raptor whispered to her.

“But what if dad tries to kill him?” Tigress’s whisper was full of fear. Her whole frame trembled at the mere thought of it.

Raptor looked steadily at the young femme. “Then Jetfire just has to deal with the beating. He deserves it.”

Tigress gulped in trepidation, she knew that she deserved one as well. But Raptor and Optimus seemed to blame Jetfire more than her for some reason.

---


“Hey Prime, long time,” Jetfire said. His normal cockiness seemingly somewhat subdued.

“Yes, you could say that,” Optimus agreed. His amber optics gleaming in controlled anger.

“Well, guess you heard, huh?” the shuttle shrugged as he nodded towards Tigress and Raptor.

Optimus stayed quiet for a second, trying to keep his anger under control. “Yes, I guess I should congratulate you – but I’ll admit I’m not pleased in the least.”

Jetfire’s engines pulsed a little in anxiety. He knew that tone of voice very, very well. And a Decepticon was usually given a new alt mode afterward. Granted, now he was Prime’s target – and he knew the mech had every right to beat the living daylights out of him. While Jetfire didn’t think any Seeker could ever match him in the sky, he knew that there was no way he could even hope to hold his own against Optimus.

“Ya, guess I owe you an apology for that,” Jetfire said dismissively.

Ok, that was the last straw! Optimus hit his ex with an upper right hook so fast that Jetfire never saw it coming. The big shuttle flew backwards and ended up sprawled on the ground. Glaring at him, Prime stood still and watched his old comrade slowly sit up.

Spitting out energon from his split lip, Jetfire was amazed to find his facemask heavily dented. Taking it off, he threw the twisted metal on the ground. Sitting up slowly, he shook his head to try and reset his balance sensors. “Well, guess I deserved that one,” he admitted to Prime.

“You deserve a hell of a lot more than that Jetfire – and we both know that,” Prime growled. He was still trying to control his violent instincts, for he knew Raptor was watching. But the feel of his fist against Jetfire’s face – sure had felt good!

Jetfire slowly stood up. Holding his hands out from his sides, he cocked his head at the big ground mech. “Well Prime, I guess we might as well get this over with. I’m a piece of cheatin’ slag. I know it – you know it. But I’m in love with her, and I ain’t taken that back.” His optics locked with Prime’s, the slight cockiness back in his voice.

Jetfire’s words pushed him past his ability to contain his rage. Without a second thought, Prime hit him again and again. The big shuttle staggered under the onslaught, but managed to stay on his feet. Jetfire didn’t offer any defense, knowing he fully deserved what he got. Finally, Optimus stopped punching him and stepped back.

Looking at the former love of his life, now standing there covered in his own energon, Optimus realized that he didn’t love the mech anymore! He saw the shuttle for the pathetic mech he really was. Jetfire was so cocky, because he had to hide his own insecurities! And being around Prime had only made these insecurities grow. Jetfire had taken up with the young Tigress, partially because he had found someone who had finally looked up to HIM.

While Optimus had always looked at their bonding as one of two equals, Jetfire hadn’t. This realization staggered the big red mech. And as Jetfire wiped away the dripping energon from his face, Prime started to feel sorry for him.

“So do you really love her, or is she simply a piece of aft until you find something better?” Optimus challenged him. He had to know, for if Jetfire did the same thing to Tigress, the big mech would have a very hard time not off lining him for it.

Jetfire spit some energon out of his mouth. “No, I’m in love with her one hundred percent. I won’t leave her,” he answered.

Optimus got up in the shuttle’s face. “You said that to me once.”

Meeting Optimus’s optics with his own, Jetfire gave him the honest answer he was looking for. “I thought I was in love with you. I was really in love with the excitement of being next to you in battle; of thinking of myself as your equal. I’m nothing but a flyboy. I can’t lead like you. I can’t be your equal. I know that now.” Jetfire looked down in shame. “I’m sorry I hurt you Prime, but I do love Tigress with everything I’ve got.”

Prime felt his anger cool slightly. He now knew that it wasn’t because of his own weaknesses that Jetfire had left him – but Jetfire’s own. But he could truly never entirely forgive Jetfire for his actions. He could just accept the mech for the pathetic mech that he really was. Grabbing the shuttle by his throat, Optimus almost touched his facemask to Jetfire’s bared lips as he glowered at him. “I’ll forgive you Jetfire, but not your actions. And if you EVER do the same to Tigress – you’d better never come back.”

With that, he dropped the mech. Turning swiftly, he strode up to Raptor and roughly grabbed her hand. Pulling her along as he marched away from his former bond mate and his daughter.


---

“Shhh, you don’t need to explain anything to me,” Raptor said softly. Her gentle hand lay across his grill, her fingers doodling comforting circles on his armor.

Optimus lay on the couch with his head in his best friend’s lap. She had listened as he had drank and bemoaned about how blind he had been for all those years. Her understanding optics and kind words, slowly began to calm him down.

Now, the over-energized haze began to settle over him. Looking up at the femme, he studied her as she calmly watched TV. He still couldn’t quite believe that after everything he’d done to her back on Earth during the war – that she would stand loyally by his side as a friend. Her inner strength just amazed him.

Yes, he could see how Starscream had gotten so attached so quickly to this femme. That confused Seeker had seen the femme’s mental strength, and had sought to use it to help his. Just as Prime was now doing. Optimus sighed, for if it hadn’t been for the war, he knew Raptor would’ve probably been bond mate to that red Seeker by now. But the war had taken everything from her – including Starscream.

Despite this, she had the strength to rebuild her life. Even to build a nation of Earth-born mechs without any help from Cybertron. And here she was, quietly helping him rebuild his own life.

No, she was probably never going to be interested in a bulky ground mech like him. But he hoped she’d eventually find someone. For if any Seeker deserved that – she did.

He just hoped that he’d find someone like her to call his own one day.

----

As Optimus’s optics dimmed as he de-activated, Raptor looked down at him and smiled. He was truly on the road to healing now that he had faced his ex, and accepted the break up. She traced his helm with her fingertips, enjoying the feel of his living metal.

Moving her fingers down to his bared face, she traced his lips. Yes, one day another mech would take these again. Make Prime’s lips his own. And Optimus would again be happily bonded.

Yes, she did find herself attracted to the big ground mech. His intelligence and maturity made her enjoy every minute that she spent around him. But sadly, he wasn’t attracted to femmes – and she knew better than to ever try to force it.

Deciding not to get up and go to her room for defrag, Raptor just shut down while she sat there with his head in her lap. For this was the only way she’d get to hold him like this.

----

New Life

Striding up the stairs to the observation room, Optimus walked to the clear plexiglass wall that overlooked the building bay. His hands gripped the brass rail tightly as he watched Raptor helping Tigress put the finishing touches onto the new chassis’s. His emotions were conflicting, for he did thrill at watching Raptor as she built new life. In his meta he could imagine that these were her first brood – those first daughters of his, that he’d not had the opportunity to see born. In a sense, he was getting the experience that he’d missed. But on the other hand, this new life was testament to his ex’s infidelity – and though he’d promised himself that he wouldn’t treat these sparklings any differently than the others – it was still a bittersweet feeling.

“It’s beautiful isn’t it Prime?” Alexis’s voice asked. Her voice filled with wistfulness as she stared down at the femmes.

Looking down at the woman, Prime nodded thoughtfully. “Yes it is Alexis,” he agreed.

He watched as the older femme seemed to lovingly caress the fuselage of one of the unsparked chassis. All the new sparklings would be flyers - Stealth Seekers; to be more specific. Earth Mech Command had imported in the jet fighters from their home base, so that they could be modified for the sparklings. The Earth Command femmes had comandered this bay, and the Cybertronian medics could only stand back and observe in curiosity as they built these Seekers to the same alien specs that the Earth Seekers all were.

Alexis continued to watch them, her curiosity as strong as the Cybertronian’s as to why the femmes were so specific about how they retrofitted the chassis. “I wonder why the Earth mech’s continue to use Raptor’s general specs? They’re so different from your Seekers.”

Optimus shrugged, for he really had no idea why this was either. But though the Earth Seekers were of a completely different design than the Cybertronian Seekers – they all still had the same natural sleekness. This trait Prime had always secretly found irresistible. So different from the bulkiness of ground mechs like himself. He caught himself studying the gray/green femme intently, wishing he was the chassis that she was currently perfecting. Her fingers running lightly over sensitive circuits… Caressing hidden servos…

Shaking his head, he brought himself back into reality. Just why in Primus’ name he’d fallen into that line of thoughts – he just didn’t understand. For he knew Raptor wasn’t interested in him that way. He’d known that when he had first moved in with her. So why was he now catching himself thinking about her like that?!

“So is it really true that Tigress’s sisters are going to adopt the sparklings?” Alexis asked quietly. She just couldn’t believe that the blue femme and Jetfire would just leave their children like that.
The big mech nodded solemnly. “That is true Alexis,” he said in a low voice. Because of the hostility the couple had felt from all the mechs on Cybertron, they didn’t feel comfortable staying. In a sense, Optimus felt sorry for them, but they had dug their own hole with their decision – so now they had to live with the consequences. And those consequences meant that until the sparklings were ready to truly live-on-the-wing, that other family members would be raising them.

Her lip trembled with emotion, for Alexis knew why the couple felt they had to do this. “It’s just not right Prime. Why can’t everyone just forgive them? You did,” she said softly.

“It takes time, and right now they must face the consequences of their actions. No matter how hard it is to bear.” His shoulders drooped slightly, for he did feel horribly for his daughter. On the other hand, he still didn’t feel that much pity for Jetfire.

Warmth spread through his core as he watched the dull gray/green femme inspect the circuitry of the three Seeker chassis yet another time. She was as thorough and careful with her work on them, as she was in helping him through his emotional healing. Such a strong and loyal Matriarch of the Earth mech family, Prime felt truly blessed to be included in that family!

-----

“It’s time,” Raptor said softly. Putting her arms around Tigress, she gave her daughter a warm embrace.

“Do they all have to watch?” Tigress asked. Her wings trembled in apprehension as she looked up at all the gathered Cybertronian medics watching from the observation decks. Many others also watched; those mechs all dating her sisters. She had never liked being the center of attention, and now every mech that watched knew that she was nothing but a cheating piece of slag for who she had taken as her bond mate. Those accusing optics felt like they were drilling holes right through her fuselage.

Raptor squeezed her daughter’s slumped shoulders. “The medics need to know how this occurs, since they will be the ones assisting Earth femmes here in the future.” She glanced around at the other watching mechs, those that she considered her future son-in-laws of a sort. “And the other mechs will all be sires one day, so they need to understand as well.”

The blue femme shivered, she knew her mother was right. And as much damage as her actions had caused, perhaps some of them would begin to forgive her now. “Can we come home to Earth one day? Will they treat us better there?” she asked hopefully.

Smiling warmly, the older femme nodded. “You know family will always welcome you, and forgive you.”

Relief flooded over Tigress, for if she could eventually convince Jetfire – they’d have a home again. With mechs that wouldn’t stare at them with accusations in their optics. Her wings straightened with that thought, her spark feeling stronger.

Tearing herself from her mother’s arms, Tigress walked up to the first Seeker chassis. Connecting the cables, she smiled at her hovering mother and sisters. She felt happy that the warm circle of her family; was blocking out some of the hostility that was around her.

As the connection was complete between herself and the chassis, she felt a pulse within her spark. It seemed to grow, to overwhelm her – and then part of it split off and flowed through the cable. As it flowed, her cores connected to those of the chassis. The Seeker’s empty optics began to activate slowly. The amber glow filling them with life, as the sparkling looked into Tigress’s optics with a questioning emotion. Tigress gently caressed the side of the sparkling’s face, as she felt her battle processor being accessed. Files being copied and downloaded as the sparkling learned even as she was born.

“Mother?” the sparkling asked, her voice filled with fear and wonder. She looked around her at all the faces, and trembled in anxiety.

“Shhh, it will be ok,” Tigress said softly as she surrounded the youngster with her arms. Looking over the sparkling’s wing, she locked optics with IceOwl and nodded. “Don’t be afraid, Auntie Ice will protect you,” she whispered to her daughter. Disconnecting the cables, she stepped back as her sister surrounded the youngster with her arms. IceOwl gave Tigress an understanding nod, silently promising to raise her niece as her own.

Tigress felt like her core was being kicked repeatedly, but she knew this was the only way. The sparklings couldn’t fly for a long time, and she and Jetfire did not feel welcomed here by the mechs. Gripping her fingers tightly in a fist, Tigress approached the second Seeker chassis. Telling herself that she should thank Primus that her sisters stood by her, and had eagerly volunteered to take in her sparklings.

She watched IceOwl slowly lead the sparkling away as she plugged into the next Seeker chassis. Her optics locked with those of her youngest sister, Blacktop. The big black femme was keeping her optics down, shifting uneasily from foot-to-foot. She had tried to argue with Tigress, offering to kick every mech’s aft who gave the couple a problem. But Tigress had been firm in her decision to leave. The young femme’s loyalty to her, had filled Tigress with warmth, and she knew that Blacktop and Hotshot would do their best to raise her sparkling right.

Her spark again swelled and separated. The amber optics activating and looking into hers, even as the sparkling drained more of her power cores and copied her system programs. Before the young male could ask, Blacktop’s arms encircled him, pulling him safely against her grill. As Tigress disconnected from him, Blacktop again looked at her with hopeful optics. The blue femme shook her head and patted her sister to leave with him.

Turning her back before Blacktop could see her tears of regret; Tigress gulped her sorrow down and plugged into the final chassis. She felt Falcon’s soft hand on her wing, and met her half-sister’s tear-filled red optics. “Are you sure?” the silver femme whispered.

As her spark began to grow, Tigress merely nodded and mumbled her thanks to her sisters. Falcon wiped away her tears and prepared to accept Tigress’s last sparkling – as her own.

The sparkling femme’s amber optics activated, but looked into Falcon’s. Even as she downloaded from her mother and pulled the last of the blue femme’s energy. As Tigress disconnected and slipped to the floor, the sparkling fell into Falcon’s embrace; believing her to be her mother.

Optimus and Raptor caught Tigress. Hefting his limp daughter into his arms, he carried her outside. The gathered medics, moved silently out of his way – as they glanced at each other with understanding optics. Looking down at his deactivated daughter’s limp air frame, his amber optics filled with grief over the decision that the young femme had forced herself to make.

Jetfire waited alone out on the shuttle landing area. His optics filled with concern for his mate. “Is she ok?” he asked, as Optimus handed her limp form to him.

“She’s drained to critical. You need to take her to a place where her solar cells can recharge her,” Raptor said quietly. Her optics solemnly studied the white shuttle, praying that he’d truly take care of Tigress.

The shuttle nodded, still trying to avoid Optimus’s optics, he looked pleadingly at Raptor. “How are the sparklings?”

“They’re strong. They’re now with their new families,” Raptor told him. Her gentle tone told him that she’d make sure of their proper raising.

He finally met Prime’s optics. “I’m real sorry Prime, real sorry.” His voice broke with emotion.

Optimus returned his gaze with a hardness in his brilliant amber orbs. “Prove it, take care of my daughter.” Turning around, Prime walked back to the bay.

Raptor nodded at the trembling shuttle, patting his wing in farewell. She was the only one to stand and watch, as the big flyer carried her blue daughter away from Cybertron.

-----

“We’ll never know if it was the right decision,” Raptor said quietly. She sat and watched the rambunctious play of the three grandsparklings she was babysitting. They hid and darted around the ruins of the bombed out building. Laughing and taunting, not even realizing that their surroundings had been caused by fear and hate.

“But it was the right decision – for them,” Optimus relied. He was still torn up about how Tigress must’ve felt, but the sparklings were growing strong in their minds and skills – under the loving guidance of their aunts and uncles. Their innocence and love, had helped Prime heal even further. For he had truly come to love them; more than he’d ever loved another mech.

“Yes, all sparklings need is love, guidance and protection. They don’t care who they call mom or dad – just that they have one.” Raptor sighed. She remembered fondly, seeing six sparkling Seekers playing; those first six that had been ‘born’ on Earth. It didn’t seem that long ago. Yet, here she was babysitting her grandsparklings.

Optimus looked over at his best friend. The most loving and loyal friend he’d ever known. He was glad that he could also call her ‘family’. But sadness fell over him, for he doubted that he’d ever find a mech to date – that was her equal. And he knew, Raptor’d never look his way like that. So even though he found himself thinking about her in that way, he didn’t dare even consider ever asking her out. That would just ruin their friendship, and he valued that friendship highly.

Raptor smiled as she saw that far away look in Prime’s optics, figuring that he was trying to picture his daughters when they were this age. She was a little sad that he hadn’t been involved in their raising, but at least he could now have the enjoyment with his grandsparklings. Chuckling a little in her meta, she thought how ironic life truly was. For if it weren’t for the very war that had kept Prime from knowing his daughters for so long – he’d have never gotten so damaged that she was forced to emergency bond with him.

Yes, if it hadn’t been for the war – the gay mech would’ve never had sparklings.. Much less grandsparklings… And she would always have those wonderful memories of feeling his spark pulsating as one with hers, his hands roving over her air frame, his lips on hers… She forced herself out of those thoughts and looked sideways at the big mech. Thanking Primus that his optics were locked on the playful antics of the grandsparklings. He’d have never welcomed that look of lust that must’ve just crossed her face…..