1Hey readers! So I'm gonna give this story another shot. Practically right after I got the first chapter out my personal life decided to take hold and kill my inspiration for this story. I've let it sit, but lately its been in the back of my head. Lets see if I can put it back into play. Hopefully I can start updating regularly again. Hang in there, all!

A Place to Call Home

Chapter 2

Family Matters

Present day:

Jennie woke up refreshed for the first time in almost four months. Knowing that her bots were just down the hall put a spring in her step. She dressed quickly and added a handful of gel to her now shoulder-length curls, hoping it would keep them tame. She practically bounced down the hall to breakfast, nearly running headlong into Jolt's leg in the process.

"Good morning!" She waved up cheerily, grateful that things would be getting back to normal.

"Good morning," Jolt replied evenly. "I assumed you would be in Ironhide's quarters. It has been three months."

Jennie flushed and kicked his leg playfully. "None of your business."

They chatted idly as they walked to mess, catching up on what had been going on around base. "They're building housing on base."

The two plates in place of eyebrows rose on Jolt's face. Jennie nodded at his unspoken reaction. "Its going to be well away from this side of the base. But they want to keep families together, I guess."

They stopped in front of the mess hall. "I promised Ironhide a bath today. You're more than welcome if you need one, too."

Jolt smiled. "I may stop at some point. Farewell, Jennie."

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8 months prior:

Four months. It had ben four months since Jennie had been presented to Optimus as Ironhide's "mate." It still shook her when she was referred to as "Lady Ironhide."

Currently, she was working with Ratchet yet again on Bumblebee's vocal processors. Her small hands were the perfect size for the delicate procedure.

"Okay!" She declared, running the back of her hand over her grease-stained forehead. "Wake him up, Ratch."

With a practiced hand, Ratchet flipped a few switches in Bumblebee's chest to pull him from stasis lock.

"Hey there, sleeping beauty." she said as Bumblebee's optics came back online. "Take it slow. Can you talk?"

The little scout looked around nervously. "I-I think so." His optics lit up quickly and he and Jennie exchanged excited looks. "I can! Ah, it feels so good. Hey ques-" Suddenly, Bumblebee's voice cut out. With a grinding noise, all of the wiring that had taken them hours to put in, came out in a giant heap.

Jennie's eyes flew to Ratchet, both horrified and scared for her friend.

"It is equivalent to a human throwing up. His frame rejects the wiring."

"Oh damn it!" Jennie was disappointed. "I'm so sorry, Bee."

The scout just shrugged good heartedly. "Well if at first you don't succeed..."

Jennie just smiled as her phone gave two quick beeps, signaling a text message. "Probably 'Hide." she mumbled as she wrestled it out of the case on her hip. "He hates it when I work..." her voice dropped off suddenly as she scanned the message.

"Jennie?" Ratchet began to worry as the little mechanic in training visibly paled before turning watery eyes on him. "What happened?" he demanded.

"My Dad had a heart attack."

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"Yeah, Momma, I'll be there as soon as I can. No, no, I can get time off. I told you, its not like the regular military. You know I can't tell you what I'm doing. Just give him a kiss for me, okay? I love you, too. Kay, bye."

Jennie hung up the cell phone with an audible sigh. She could hear the pistons in Ironhide's hands hiss as they clenched and unclenched with frustration. "He's stable." she said at length. "But they don't know if there's going to be any permanent damage. Or if he'll wake up." The last part came on a whimper as she leaned against the railing of the platform that put her at Ironhide's eye level.

"I will go with you."

"They need you here." she said softly.

The door to the bay slid open to show Scamper as he rushed in. "I came as soon as I could, love. Is he alright?" he wrapped clawed hands around the bars on either side of her.

"I don't know yet." she sighed honestly.

"When do we leave?"

"I am taking her." Ironhide was visibly tense as Scamper turned.

"Yeah?" the smaller mech challenged. "Says who?"

"I do. She is my bonded."

"She's my best friend! Besides, I know her Dad."

Ironhide scoffed. "Yes, because the man who has just had a heart attack needs a giant sentient robotic being standing over him when he wakes."

"You're scarier looking than me!" The two mechs continued to bicker as Jennie rubbed her temples tiredly. She could hear the bay doors open again and could tell by the gait alone who it was.

"Optimus." His name came out like a plea. The great leader took in the scene before him as they settled down. With sad eyes he turned to Jennie.

"I have received word of your father's condition from Ratchet." his tone was gentle. "You are both in my thoughts and prayers to Primus. I assume you will be traveling to see him." he looked from one mech to the other. "You are both accompanying her?"

"Of course." They said in unison, agreeing for the first time that day.

Optimus gave a nod of approval. "Bumblebee will accompany you as well."

Jennie gasped. "Oh no, Optimus! That's really too much. I hate taking them as it is."

"We can manage for a time without them. Bumblebee will serve as guard. You are one of ours now, after all."

Ironhide puffed out his chest, smacking it with a metallic clang. "I am more than capable of protecting her!"

"Yeah!" Scamper chimed in, only to duck his head when the great leader shot him a look. "With all do respect, Prime."

"Your main focus will be Jennie." Optimus said, ever the diplomat. "Bumblebee will worry about everything else."

Ironhide grunted, satisfied, and put a hand out for Jennie to clamber onto. "That is very kind, Optimus. It means a lot to me." she shivered as Ironhide put her close to the warmth of his chest. She hadn't realized how cold she was.

"If its no trouble, I'd like to leave first thing tomorrow."

Okay well its short, I know, but its up. Hope its good!

xoxo all, Aiden'sxThexName