"hey! don't go in there Reflect." Optimus frowns, but the sparkling is gone before he can grab him.

"Ratchet, Reflect crawled into the vents again."

"again? I told you guys to start screwing those damn grates on! what pissed him off this time?"

"apparently we're playing keep away with the sparkling. we are keeping him away from Jazz. Prowl refused to play so he said he'd keep himself away on his own and crawled into the vent."

"the vent from Prowls office? that only has two exists."

Ratchet heads quickly to the one nearest the medbay. he's hoping he can get the sparkling to come to him. he pops the grate off and crouches down.

"hey, get out of there." Ratchet calls into the vent. he gets a giggle in response. "Reflect. get your aft out of that vent." Ratchet warns.

"Reflect is!" Reflect calls back.

"I hate these industrial sized vents." Ratchet grumbles. Reflect crawls out and smiles at him.

"hi Ratchet." Reflect giggles. Ratchet frowns and picks him up.

"what did I say about those vents?" Ratchet frowns.

"to not to." Reflect pouts. "but had too! Reflect escape! Prowl stupid. keep away Jazz. Prowl no play. Reflect escape." Reflect frowns. Ratchet shakes his head, looking annoyed.

"yeah? and why didn't you go bother Wheeljack then?" Ratchet ask. Reflect frowns.

"Jack say no play, say hurt." Reflect mumbles. Ratchet raises an optic ridge.

"what do you mean? I just put him back together, he should be fine." Ratchet frowns.

"Jack say hurt, no play." Reflect mumbles.

"well I guess the game is over because now we have to go figure out whats wrong with Jack." Ratchet frowns.

"but Opmis teach Reflect fly." Reflect pouts.

"it'll have to wait... Bumblebee is back and he has Sam. we'll see them on the way to see Wheeljack, come on." Ratchet murmurs.

"Sam? Sam okay?" Reflect ask.

"yes Bumblebee says Sams okay." Ratchet assures. Reflect squirms to get free.

"lemme go!" Reflect whines. Ratchet puts him down gently and watches him run off.

"there you are, you ready to draw?" Jazz ask.

"NO! MOVE!" Reflect shouts. Jazz optic ridges shoot up in shock. "Reflect see Sam!" he growls, running past him.

"don't get in his way Jazz." Ratchet warns.

"I'll try not to." Jazz snorts.

"BUMBLEBEEEEEE!!!" Reflect screams, slamming straight into the front end of the camaro as he pulls into the base. he yelps and lands on his aft, groaning. he pouts rubbing his face.

"Reflect! are you okay?" Bumblebee ask, holoform getting out quickly to help the sparkling up. Reflect looks up at him smacking his holoform away.

"where Sam?" Reflect ask.

"I'm okay Reflect, I'm okay." Sam assures getting out. he chuckles a little, smiling at the sparkling. Sams got a shoulder sling on and his face is busted up, but despite the dry blood and the bruises, he looks fine.

"Sam!" Reflect shouts, scrambling out of the floor and running over to him. he's careful, but hugs Sam as tight as he dares. Sam smiles and wraps his good arm around him gently. the teen chuckles as Reflect picks him up in a hug, then puts him back down.

"glad to see someone missed me." Sam grins. Bumblebee smiles and grabs the toys Reflect left in his backseat. "I'm alright Reflect." Sam assures, stepping away from the sparkling. Reflect immediately turns to grab his toys.

"and what about the kid that Reflect bit? how bad was he hurt?" Ratchet asks, walking over.

"he won't be picking on anyone for a long time." Sam frowns. Ratchet looks over confused.

"he won't be doing much of anything for a while. last I checked he was still in surgery, but he may lose part of his arm. if he doesn't, he won't be playing football or beating Sam up anymore." Bumblebee says. "I got pictures of his injury and xrays from the hospital. not the best stuff, but enough for you to see what happened." Bumblebee says.

"Reflect go play." Ratchet says. Reflect nods running off. "what did happen?" Ratchet ask.

"Trent was beating on me." Sam mutters.

"I got out to help him and Trent hit me. I wasn't expecting it. Reflect must've unlocked one of my doors while I was getting up from the ground... I turned to make sure Sam was okay and Trent went to punch me again. Reflect came out of no where, latched on to his arm like... like..." Bumblebee trails.

"like some kind of rabid animal. it was awful... Trent was flinging him around screaming. there was blood going everywhere and Reflect was just hanging there." Sam trails.

"I thought he was going to rip the kids arm off, but then Trents arm crunched, pretty loudly. he went still and then Reflect just suddenly let go looking terrified. I wanted to check on him but Sam was bleeding and I thought he had a broken nose, I thought Sam was dying." Bumblebee adds.

"no broken nose, just a dislocated shoulder, twisted ankle, and a couple of fractured ribs." Sam mutters. "and you know, cuts and bruises. all that fun shit." Sam shrugs.

"just glad you're okay." Ratchet nods a little.

"yeah I'm fine. Reflect saves my life again." he smiles. Ratchet nods.

"well good. I'm glad he didn't just attack someone out of no where. he was pretty upset he bit that kid." Ratchet frowns.

"well, he probably saved my neck." Sam says.

"I'm gonna miss the game tonight, I'm going to take Sam back to his place so he can rest up." Bumblebee murmurs.

"just wanted to stop in and see Reflect, let everyone know I was good and make sure Reflect was okay. he's just a sparkling after all, that was probably pretty traumatising for him." Sam smiles. Ratchet nods a little.

"Reflect will be fine Sam." Ratchet assures. he looks at Bumblebee's holoform. "don't worry scout, let me check on Wheeljack before you leave and I'll get you a couple of cubes of high grade. you'll need to stash them if you don't want either set of twins drinking them." Ratchet says.

"thanks Ratch." Bumblebee smiles.

"high grade? I've heard that before. what is it?" Sam ask.

"its a high concentration of-" Ratchet starts.

"its like our version of alcohol." Bumblebee cuts in. "if you let Ratchet explain you'll be here for an hour." Bumblebee teases. Ratchet huffs, before turning to go check on Wheeljack.

"Bee take Sam home, Reflect want to go." Reflect says.

"no Reflect you have to stay with me. Bumblebee isn't coming back tonight." Ratchet says.

"then Ratchet go too. Reflect want go." Reflect frowns at him, annoyed.

"I can't just leave the base for a six hour trip Reflect. I can't leave like that." Ratchet murmurs.

"Reflect want see Sam go home!" Reflect whines.

"I'm sorry Reflect I can't take you. let me check on Wheeljack, he might be able to." Ratchet murmurs. Reflect nods a little and holds his toys tightly, following Ratchet over to Wheeljack. the inventor looks up confused.

"Ratchet?" Wheeljack ask.

"alright, whats wrong now?" Ratchet frowns.

"nothing I'm fine." Wheeljack mutters. Reflect huffs and climbs up into his lap, making the mech wince.

"Jackie liar." Reflect mumbles.

"I see that Reflect." Ratchet frowns, crouching down. "whats going on Jack?" Ratchet frowns, pulling Reflect off the mechs lap carefully. he doesn't want to hurt him anymore than the sparkling already has.

"its nothing Ratchet." Wheeljack mutters. Ratchet sets Reflect down gently, frowning at Wheeljack.

"liar!" Reflect shouts. Ratchet snorts a little and turns the sparkling towards him.

"go play. I'm going to get him to the medbay." Ratchet assures, patting his head. Reflect nods and runs off with his toys. he turns to watch Ratchet scoop Wheeljack up, not an easy feat for sure as Wheeljack and he are almost the same size, but definitely not the first time the Medic had carried him.

"Ironhide take?" Reflect calls after Ratchet.

"yeah sure whatever." Ratchet says. Reflect grins and runs off to find his favorite bot.

"where are you going?" Bumblebee smiles.

"Bee stay here. no leave yet. Reflect find Ironhide. go with. Ratchet say can." Reflect says. Sam frowns and looks at Bumblebee's holoform.

"I better call mom and let her know. she likes Ironhide but he's always just a little intimidating. better warn her he's coming to see me get home." Sam mumbles. Bee nods at him, before looking at Reflect.

"Ironhide Reflect is looking for you."

"I'm on my way to my room, I'm sure he'll find me."

"Reflect try Ironhides room." Bumblebee calls. Reflect nods and runs off happily.

"Ironhide!" Reflect shouts, running over. Ironhide looks down and smirks at him.

"hey squirt. whats up?" Ironhide ask, crouching down. Reflect grins up at him and hugs his calf, giggling.

"Ratchet busy. Wheeljack hurt. Bumblebee not come home, take Sam home. Reflect go with, Ironhide take?" Reflect ask. Ironhide raises an optic ridge.

"Ratchet-"

"yes take him. leave me alone I'm busy."

Ironhide shrugs and stands up.

"sure. come on kid." Ironhide mutters. Reflect lights up immediately.

"thank you!" Reflect squeals, hugging his leg tightly.

"of course squirt, grab your toys, I'll get you a cube. its gonna be a long trip okay?" Ironhide ask.

"okay!" Reflect grins, running off. Ironhide shakes his head and heads to get the sparkling a cube.

"you guys coming?" Sam ask. "mom says its all good." he adds.

"yes. I'm getting him a cube and his drawing stuff first. its a long trip for a little sparkling." Ironhide says.

"not that far. he's been out to the farm." Bee frowns.

"yes and he gets restless and squirmy or sleeps the entire trip. can't let him do that today. no nap. Ratchet wants him to sleep all night." Ironhide frowns. Bee nods.

"you sure you can handle him all sleepy and stuff? he was a serious handful last time." Sam frowns.

"yes Sam. I can handle an over tired sparkling. I handled him last time too." Ironhide scoffs.

"yeah the wrong way. Ratchet had to come get him." Sam frowns.

"keep talking and I'm going to handle you the wrong way. see how far my cannon can blow you across the desert! I can handle the sparkling." Ironhide glares. Bee pushes Sam behind him, nodding quickly.

"we'll wait for you guys." Bumblebee assures. Ironhide nods. Reflect beats him back to the Camaro, not to anyones surprise. he's clutching all three of his toys, bouncing with excitement.

"go!" he squeals.

"we have to wait for Ironhide." Bumblebee chuckles. Reflect huffs.

"Hide slow." Reflect grumbles.

"I am not. I just had to grab a couple of things." Ironhide frowns walking up behind him. Reflect turns and grins up at him. "yeah yeah, pretend to be cute." he grumbles.

"no pretend. Reflect cute." Reflect grins. Bee grins at Ironhide, who heaves a sigh, before transforming around Reflect.

"come on." he grumbles.

Ironhide does his best to keep the sparkling busy, playing games and loud music, letting him draw and bounce in the seats. he even lets the little mechlings holoform hang out the window, like Will used to do, as he blasts music. it all works until Sams house comes into view.

"Ironhide?" Reflect ask, his holoform ducking down a little.

"yes little one?" he ask.

"who that?" Reflect asks, pointing.

"those are Sams parents. they're his version of Ratchet and Wheeljack. humans call them parents or mother and father. we generally refer to them as carrier instead of mother and creator instead of father. well, you don't technically have those, but if you did, Wheeljack would be your carrier, I assume. since he carried Nitro. Ratchet would be your creator." Ironhide explains, pulling into the driveway behind Bumblebee.

"which is who?" Reflect ask.

"the femme is his mother, Judy. the mech is his father, Ron." Ironhide says. "use your holoform to come here." Ironhide says activating his own and getting out of the driver seat. Reflect nods hesitantly and climbs over his console, hugging Ironhides neck. the holoform steps back as Ironhide closes the door. Reflect drops his head on Ironhids holoforms shoulder, cuddling up to him. Sam walks over and pats Reflects back gently.

"you update your holoform? looks good." Sam smiles. Reflect lifts his head up off Ironhides shoulder, smiling. the holoform looks 3 or 4. he's got white hair, like Wheeljacks holoform, with streaks of red and green like Ratchets hair. he's got freckles and bright blue eyes. Ratchet and Wheeljack must've helped him look up childrens clothing because he's got dinosaur covered clothing on and dinosaur themed light up sneakers.

"Ratchet fix. make cute." Reflect grins.

"you were always cute." Bumblebee smiles.

"Sam! Sam are you alright? look at you! you're limping and covered in bruises!" Judy shouts, running over to hug him.

"leave the boy alone." Ron mutters. Reflect looks at Ironhide.

"thats his mother Judy." Ironhide murmurs, watching her hug Sam.

"oh Bumblebee, you and Ironhide come on... who is this?" Judy asks, looking at Reflect. the sparkling immediately whines and pulls back, clinging to Ironhide.

"oh remember how I told you Ratchet and Wheeljack found the Cybertronian version of a baby? well, he's a little older now, but thats him. his name is Reflect." Sam smiles. Reflect buries his face back into Ironhides neck, refusing to look at her now that she's put her attention him. he whines quietly. Ironhide shifts him immediately, rubbing his back gently.

"its okay Reflect." Ironhide soothes gently.

"oh thats right! you three come on in!" Judy says, leading them inside.

"be easy, he's not very good with humans... he's shy and nervous around them." Bumblebee murmurs gently.

"oh, alright. come on. lets get you all inside. come on." Judy murmurs. Bumblebee follows Sam in, Ironhide following up behind them, still carrying Reflect. "Sam you didn't say he was so little." Judy smiles at Reflect.

"we'll thats just his holoform. he got an update recently and its taller than I am. but his holform reflects his human age, like Bumblebee and Ironhide. though, he's technically only a year old, but his holoform is like three or four." Sam chuckles. Reflect cuddles Ironhide whining quietly. Ironhide rubs his back gently.

"in his Cybertronian form Reflect stands just under 10 foot tall, about 5 foot shorter than Jazz or so." Ironhide mumbles.

"so even your kids are giants." Ron mutters. Reflect looks over at him then at Ironhide.

"thats Sams father, Ron." Ironhide murmurs. Reflect looks at him a moment, then leans forwards to whisper in Ironhides holoforms ear. the weapons specialist snorts a little. "knock it off squirt." he chuckles, putting the boy down. the sparkling looks around, before ducking behind Ironhides leg quietly.

"like Will house." Reflect murmurs. Ironhide tenses a little.

"yeah." he frowns. "a little. but most humans live in house, not on a base like us." Ironhide murmurs.

"all human?" Reflect ask.

"most of them. some soldiers live on base full time with us, some are like Sam. they live on base and at home. they go back and forth." Ironhide explains.

"he's so cute. aww Ron remember when Sammy was that little?" Judy grins.

"mom don't. just stop it." Sam mutters.

"leave the boy alone Judy." Ron mutters. Reflect looks around before looking up at Sam.

"Reflect see Sam room?" Reflect asks.

"you mind Hide?" Sam ask. Ironhide shakes his head.

"no. Ratchet and Wheeljack want him to sleep all night. wear him out." Ironhide shrugs. "shout for me when he's ready to go. I'm shutting this thing off." Ironhide adds holoform fizzling.

"no! Ironhide stay with!" Reflect shouts, grabbing his hand. he gets back in front of Ironhide, throwing his arms up and bouncing up and down. "pick up! pick up! stay! don't leave!" Reflect cries. Ironhides holoform solidifies and he crouches down carefully in front of the sparkling.

"go explore with Sam and Bumblebee. I'm old, I need a nap if I'm going to have to deal with you on the trip back to the base you little fragger." Ironhide says, ruffling his hair gently. Reflect smacks his hand away.

"am not fragger! tell Ratchet!" Reflect pouts.

"Ratchet says your a fragger too. now go on. over there and leave me be." Ironhide mutters, standing back up. Reflect sticks his tongue out but looks over at Bumblebee. the best path for him to take would be to walk in front of Ironhide and straight to Bumblebee, but Judy is in front of Ironhide and so is Ron. he would be walking through grabbing range of two humans he didn't know. theres no way he'd ever do that. Judy seems like the type to just grab him. Reflect frowns a little. he decides its best to walk behind Ironhide, away from their grasp, so he shoves the man. "hey! you titanium munching fragger." Ironhide snaps when Reflect shoves his way behind him. Reflect ignores him and walks over to Bumblebee and Sam, reaching for Sams hand. Sams laughing as he takes the sparklings hand.

"Reflect thats not nice." Sam chuckles.

"don't curse at him." Bumblebee frowns. Ironhide growls, before his holoform fizzles out.

"Reflect see now?" Reflect ask.

"right of course." Sam smiles.

"does he want any juice or anything?" Judy asks. Sam frowns, looking over at Bumblebee.

"he'll be alright for now." the holoform assures. Judy nods and watches Sam lead the sparklings holoform upstairs. "don't forget about Mojo. Reflect probably won't like him." Bumblebee frowns as they get to Sams door.

"right, Reflect go to Bumblebee let him pick you up." Sam murmurs. Reflect nods, letting go of Sams hand so Bumblebee can pick him up. the blond smiles, scooping him up gently. he hugs the little holoform tightly with a grin.

"what Mojo?" Reflect ask.

"Mojo is my dog. he's a pet. humans love pets." Sam assures gently. "he won't hurt you but he might bark are you, alright? so Bumblebee is going to hold you." Sam murmurs. Reflect cuddles into Bee, hugging him happily.

"see Bee room next?" Reflect ask.

"maybe. I stay in the garage. I don't really have a room." Bumblebee shrugs.

"I try to make it as comfortable as possible." Sam sighs softly, opening the door.

"oh I know Sam. I don't mind. I love you and I love staying with you. I don't mind staying in the garage, it means I get to stay with you. yeah its nothing like Wills old garage, but I don't really care. I'm not in there much anyway these days." Bumblebee grins. Sam smiles at him.

"hi Mojo. be good." Sam says scooping him up gently.

"rodentia." Reflect says.

"stop hanging out with Ironhide so much." Sam frowns, patting Mojos head.

"thats Mojo. he's a dog. he's a Chihuahua." Bumblebee says.

"Chai." Reflect mumbles.

"right. he's pretty nice." Sam smiles, holding the dog out towards Reflect. the holoform leans forward to look the dog over, but Mojo immediately growls, barking at him. Reflect pulls back and screams, clinging to Bumblebee.

"easy. easy." Bumblebee murmurs. Ironhides holoform immediately appears, looking ready to murder someone.

"what the hell did you two do?" Ironhide snaps, taking Reflect quickly.

"we didn't do anything Ironhide. Mojo barked at him. he didn't like it." Bumblebee assures.

"keep that stupid little rat away from him. if it bites Reflect Ratchet will squash it, if I don't first." Ironhide snaps. Sam pulls Mojo away from them quickly.

"rat." Reflect mumbles, clinging to Ironhide.

"I'll put him outside in the back yard. there's fence up now, he can't get to your alt form." Sam assures. Ironhide cuddles Reflect gently as Sam takes Mojo out.

"its alright." Ironhide murmurs, putting Reflect down on Sams bed. his holoform is gone by the time Sam gets back. Reflect looks around.

"Sam room boring." Reflect mumbles.

"well I'm sorry. its not like you're staying here anyway. you're just visiting." Sam snorts. Reflect looks around before getting up off the bed. "don't go snooping around." Sam says. Reflect scoffs.

"Reflect no snoop... different from Will room." Reflect says, turning to look at Sam. the man frowns a little.

"yeah. yeah. humans like different things. Will was older than me. he had a different taste of music and movies. he liked different things from me. he liked guns and explosives and... well.. Ironhide. he was almost like a human Ironhide. I'm not like that. different music and tastes, I don't like guns or explosives, I like video games and music. so my room represents me." Sam explains. Reflect nods.

"see Bee room?" Reflect ask.

"sure we can see the garage," Bee murmurs, picking him up.

"then go home with Hide." Reflect yawns.

"alright." Bumblebee smiles. he and Sam take the sparkling outside and to the garage.

"what are you two doing?" Ironhide mutters, rolling back in the driveway.

"he wants to see where I sleep." Bumblebee smiles.

"the garage? why would you want to see that?" Ironhide ask.

"Reflect want see." Reflect murmurs. "then Reflect want home. need nap." he mumbles.

"no naps yet squirt." Ironhide snorts. Reflect glares at him, but lets Bumblebee carry him into the garage.

Ironhide only lets them stay for about thirty minutes more, before making Reflect leave with him. the sparkling looks sleepy and Ironhide doesn't want him falling asleep.

the ride back is nothing like the ride there. Reflects kicking and aruging the whole time, trying to get Ironhide to let him settle down for a nap.

Reflect is screaming by the time they get back to the base and Ironhide grumbles, looking annoyed.

"whats wrong with him?" Jazz ask.

"Ratchet said no nap. so I haven't let him take one and now I feel like I need one." Ironhide snaps, dropping the sparkling in Jazz' arms. "there, he's your problem now. fuck off." Ironhide grumbles. Reflect screams, trying to push away from Jazz.