TFP | Spark Of Hope

Chapter Three: Wake up call

Ratchet stirred from his recharge, he felt something touching his cheek and groaned. "Go away" he grunted grumpily, and tried to roll over to get some more recharge, he only managed to roll onto his back before whoever had touched him climbed onto him.

A small chirp caught his attention.

Ratchet opened his optics and looked at the sparkling sitting on his abdomen.

"What do you want?" Ratchet grumbled as he stared at her.

She chirped again and gave a soft whine, only then did Ratchet hear her tanks rumble.

"You're hungry?" Ratchet sat up carefully, making sure to pick the sparkling up as he did so.

He got a soft chirp in reply.

"Let's go get you some energon then" Ratchet swung his legs over the side of the berth and slowly stood up, he looked around his room briefly before he made his way out of the room.

Ratchet walked out into the main area and was very happy to only see Optimus awake, the taller mech was standing in front of the ground bridge and was looking down at the Autobot symbol on the floor thoughtfully.

"Good morning Optimus" Ratchet greeted the mech as he shifted the fussing sparkling in his arms.

"Good morning Ratchet" Optimus replied, he looked up and smiled faintly at his friend "How is the sparkling doing this morning?"

"Fine, she's in need of energon though" Ratchet informed him and rolled his optics when the sparkling began chirping at the medic as she fussed.

"I'll let you get to it then" Optimus' optics sparkled with an almost amused glint, something which was beyond rare for the mech.

Ratchet gave a soft huff before he nodded at Optimus "Would you mind watching her while I go get her some energon?" Ratchet asked, he held out the sparkling for Optimus to take.

"Of course not old friend" Optimus took the sparkling and cradled her in his arms. He watched Ratchet walk out the room before he looked down at the sparkling, she was smiling up at him and kicking her let's outward happily. "You're quite energetic" Optimus commented, "Just like another sparkling I use to know" Optimus allowed a smile to creep onto his face as he thought back on the time when he had raised Bumblebee.

The sparkling cooed up at him and stuffed her small servo in her mouth and chewed on it.

Optimus gave a soft chuckle as he pulled her servo from her mouth gently. "Ratchet will be back with your energon soon enough" Optimus told her, before he looked back down at the Autobot symbol on the floor in front of him, his optics dimmed a little as his thoughts consumed him once more.

Bumblebee entered the main area rubbing his optics, his bright optics immediately locked into Optimus' figure, he buzzed in greeting as he walked over to the mech.

"Good morning Bumblebee, did you recharge well?" Optimus asked softly, his facial features relaxed and calm.

Bumblebee nodded "It was fine" Bumblebee shrugged his shoulders and pointed at the sparkling "Can I hold her?" Bumblebee asked, his wings flickering almost excitedly.

"Of course" Optimus carefully passed the sparkling to his scout and took a step back.

Bumblebee looked down at the sparkling in amazement, this was the first time he was seeing a sparkling. He'd seen pictures of himself as a sparkling that Elita One had took of him, but that didn't really count.

"She's so cute" Bumblebee beeped out as he offered his free servo to the sparkling, a soft buzz left him as the little femme took one of his digits and chirped.

"You've noticed her optics" Optimus asked, his gaze locked on to the femme in Bumblebees arms.

Bumblebee nodded, "I don't care if she has a Decepticon origin" Bumblebee told him, he paused for a moment before adding. "But Arcee... She might care"

Optimus nodded, "I know, but she will learn to accept it Bumblebee"

"I got the energon" Ratchet announced as he entered the main area, he stopped when he saw Bumblebee. "Would you feed her for me Bumblebee? I have some stuff I need to do"

Bumblebee's wings perked up and he nodded eagerly "Of course Ratchet"

Ratchet suppressed the urge to chuckle at the young mechs eagerness and he walked over and gave him the cube of energon. "We don't have any sort of bottles so you'll have to feed her slowly and carefully, don't let her waste this Bumblebee, energon is hard enough to find as it is"

"Don't worry Ratch, I'll make sure she doesn't spill it" Bumblebee walked over to a wall while carrying the sparkling and energon, he slowly sat down and sat with his back pressing against the walls. He moved his legs up so he could have the sparkling sit up in his lap with her back pressed against his legs.

The sparkling chirped curiously.

Bumblebee smiled at her, of course she couldn't see his smile though because of his mouth guard. Bumblebee opened up the cube and pressed the corner against her lips carefully. The sparkling started to drink the blue liquid slowly.

Cliffjumper and Arcee walked into the room together with Bulkhead just behind them, they all paused in the door way when they saw Bumblebee feeding the sparkling, small smiles crept onto each of their faces before they all turned to Optimus when the mech called out their names softly.

"What is it Optimus?" Arcee asked ask she walked over.

"I must talk to you about the sparkling" Optimus said, he looked at each of them carefully.

"Uh what's up?" Bulkhead asked confused, he tilted his helm slightly.

"We have discovered the sparkling is of Decepticon origin" Optimus told them, he watched each of them closely just in case one of them reacted badly.

"Well as far as I'm concerned she's a little Autobot now" Cliffjumper said, a slight grin on his face. "What do you say 'Cee?" Cliffjumper asked his partner.

Arcee had a frown on her face as she looked over at the sparkling, all she could think about in that moment was Tailgates death. Arcee gave a soft huff and shook her helm. "I'm going topside" Arcee turned around and walked away. Bulkhead started to go after her but was quickly stopped by Optimus.

"Let her have some time to clear her thoughts Bulkhead" Optimus told him gently, "You know as well as I that Arcee needs time to accept this, her hatred for the Decepticons will only continue to cloud her judgement unless we give her time"

"She'll come around" Cliffjumper said confidently.

"I know she will" Optimus agreed.