A lone shadow approached, growing in size, its golden optics staring right through them. Those orbs, the color of a warm honey, and yet a raging flame, seemed to peer into the depths of the soul.

Then, those optics flickered, as if finding what it was looking for. It drew back, uncurling its large, mighty wings before letting out a thunderous roar that shook them to the very core.

The wind around them was stirred by the mighty flapping of the wings. The warmth of the air slapped their faces and moved anything that was not meant to stay.

There was a purpose in those golden optics, a purpose that this winged creature would see through.

It was brief, and it was unclear, yet they all shared it through the bond. They remained focused and alert because of that creature, that creature that was sent for them.

It was dangerous, it was beautiful, and it was coming for them.

Hunt, Texas:

Orion's spark clenched with worry as he watched Ratchet hover over the three children. Jack, Raf and Miko were unconscious, their faces pale. Through the bond, he could feel the turmoil inside the three and the amount of discomfort they were going through. Their bodies had ceased shaking, but their fevers had yet to go down.

That had been four hours ago, and they had yet to awaken.

It reminded him of a different time and place. A different planet to be precise. He remembered Raf, his Melchnie, shaking and feverish as he had rushed the children to Ratchet. He had not known what to do at that time. He had been nothing but a simple clerk in Iacon with three sparklings whom he saw as deformed. The fever and sudden weakness to their bodies had shocked him to the core and he had not known how to react.

Now, it was almost as if he was back on Cybertron. He watched his memories flicker by as he recalled holding Raf, who was unresponsive. The tiny human had been so frail and Orion had feared the worst. The look of horror and desperation in Lechnie's and Nelchie's eyes back then had urged him on.

He had been relieved to find a solution then. He just hoped they could find one now.

His gaze was drawn to June, the mother of Jack hovering over her son and holding his hand. He felt a twinge of guilt as he saw the worry inside the woman's eyes, yet her calm facade was in place.

It was that air of calmness that caused him to take a breath and push the anxiety away.

Hearing movement, he turned around sharply when Ratchet approached him, his holoform an inch or so shorter than Orion's.

"They are fine," the medic said, easing Orion's immediate fears. "They have a fever, but the presence of a spark or parental signature seems to be calming them down." He glanced at Orion knowingly. "The symptoms are similar to what they experienced back on Cybertron."

"Cybertron?" June asked suddenly, her eyes narrowed as she looked up.

A sharp intake of breath from Ariel was the only sound in the room. Ratchet had gone stiff, realization dawning on him when he made the connection. June, however, stared at Orion, demanding answers.

Orion winced, knowing that they had been caught. Juen placed her hands on her hips, the only movement she made as she had not left her son's side. "What is he talking about?"

Orion closed his optics briefly, gathering his thoughts in an orderly fashion. He let out a breath, before looking back at June. "Back on Cybertron, our home planet," he started, already forming an explanation that would best fit this situation.

The truth.

He gathered all the main points; the explanation of Cybertron, how he and Ariel had found the children, his accounts on what went on. He explained it all carefully and slowly, his tone calm and clear.

At some point, Ratchet placed his arms around June and guided her into a chair he had pulled up. The nurse didn't even seem to register what she was doing, as all the blood had drained from her face and she grew as pale as her son.

Silence drew on as soon as Orion finished speaking. Now that he had a moment, he realized just how much his voice had filled in, keeping the grim silence at bay. Now, he was just waiting for a reaction.

"They saved us," he stated softly. "They saved our world from perishing." He looked at the children who were still unresponsive. "Whatever they had faced before is no more. My only regret is that they do not remember us."

June let out a shaky breath. "I've often wondered," she said softly. "I always wondered the reasons behind your arrival."

"We did not want to keep this from you," Orion stated. "But we were unsure how to broach the subject." He frowned. "My regret is that you had to find out this way."

"Jack had been complaining about his headaches," June said thoughtfully. "I gave him some pills to help with the pain, but I didn't know something like this...something like this could happen." Her voice trailed off, eyes alight with worry.

"Maybe we should never have found them," Orion said in a choked whisper. He was not meant to be heard, as he was mainly thinking out loud.

June heard him, and her reaction was immediate as she turned her sharp gaze on him. "No," she said firmly, strength returning in her stance. "Finding the children, my son, is the best thing that could have ever happened to them. To Jack." She pointed at Jack, who was still asleep in the large bed. "Ever since you came into his life, you filled a void. A void I could never fill for him. You became a father figure, someone he looks up to and can model his behaviour after."

"But this bond," he argued. "It is causing more damage than good. It was not something I even did intentionally! I don't know what kind of affect a Cybertronian bond has on a human."

June frowned as she stared at him. She then let out a tired sigh, running her hand through her dark hair. "I do not know about this bond," she confessed. "But it does not seem like you can do much about it, so there is no reason to fret over what could have been, or what could be changed." She paused. "There's no way to break it, or remove it. So all we can do is accept the bond with its blessings and consequences."

"Actually," Ariel spoke up. "The bond can be broken. It is a painful process and can only be done during an act of betrayal and other strong, negative emotions."

"Half the time, if not tended properly," Orion said. "A broken bond could lead to death if the spark is not strengthened."

June's eyes widened in horror, her previous hope vanishing. "No," she said. "You will attempt no such feat."

"Never even crossed our minds," Megatron spoke up as he entered the room. "A bond is to be cherished and never to be taken lightly." His gaze sharpened. "And we cherish what we have."

"You may not even need to dwell on the thought of 'bond-breaking' anymore," Ratchet said, grabbing their attention as he strode towards them once more. He held up a small, silver object in his holoform hand. "I found this on Miko, and I am willing to bet that I will find the same thing on the boys."

June frowned. "What is it?"

Ratchet shook his holoform head. "I am not sure, but it was emanating painful electric waves. When it comes into contact with a solid, moving being, it is activated. My theory is that these harmful waves helped to cause the children to react this way."

"Remove them immediately!" Megatron bellowed frantically, staring at the device in Ratchet's hand in shock.

Ratchet scowled. "I was getting to that," he snapped. "I just wanted you to be aware of what was going on and that this may or may not have anything to do with the bond. This would go a lot faster if I had some help."

"You are the only medic we trust," Orion said, his spark returning to normal. Now that he had an object to blame, instead of the bond, he felt a bit better.

"And Knockout is not getting anywhere near the children," Megatron retorted.

Ratchet just grunted. "I'm just saying, having another set of professional optics and servos would be useful."

"I have eyes and hands that can be put to use," June said, rushing forward. "Just tell me what to do."

Ratchet glanced at Orion, unsure if he should let a human involved in such complicated affairs, but the spark in June's eyes left no room for argument.

"Where did those devices even come from?" Ariel asked, folding her arms with a frown as the nurse and doctor tended to Jack, Raf and Miko. "How did they get on the children?"

Orion shook his holoform head. "I am not sure," he said, which did not make him feel any better now. Something had harmed his sparklings, and he was unsure how to prevent it.

"I will have Soundwave perform a perimeter search," Megatron said suddenly. "He might pick up on something."

Orion nodded. "Good, then at least we can be on the lookout."

Orion sat down at Jack's bed side, clenching his holoform hands. This form allowed him to feel, to touch without his Cybertronian form. He enjoyed running his hands through the children's hair and being able to live almost like a human being.

It had been a tiring three hours of waiting for the children to wake up. June was in the large bed with Jack, asleep with one arm around him. Looking at the two, with their dark hair blending together, he could see the family resemblance. He could see the identical fire within them, the compassion and strength they shared. He saw the love they possessed for others and for each other, and it warmed his spark that he had managed to find such people.

He gently touched Jack's hand, feeling the warmth travel through him. "Forgive me," he said softly. "I was unable to protect you. I want to give you so much, but I fear that I have interfered enough as it is." He bowed his head, withdrawing his hand. "Forgive me," he said to the sleeping figure.

The silence threatened to swallow him in the large room, yet a voice broke through the haze. "It's not your fault," Jack whispered, his voice barely a whisper.

Orion blinked his blue holoform eyes as he stared at the younger boy. His spark clenched in horror as he watched Jack's eyes close once more. It barely registered to him that Jack could have been simply resting.

But Sentinel's words came back. Humans, although their spirits were strong, were very weak physically. Their strong, emotional souls were contained in such a fragile shell.

He bowed his head, shoulders shaking. "Stay with me," he heard Jack say. "Just until I...sleep."

Orion looked up with grim determination, carefully taking Jack's weak hand in his own. "Now, and forever. I will stay with you."

He ran his holoform fingers through her dark hair, traces of her pink hair poking through. Though his expression did not show it, he was truly worried. "I'm sorry," he said.

She looked at him, a small smile on her face. "It's not your fault, Megs. You didn't know."

He stared at her and noted her strong eyes and how her face contained such youth and openness, but there was a hidden depth in those orbs. She was a mystery with many layers that could only be revealed by the select few that she trusted.

"I keep having dreams about dragons," Miko started.

He raised a holoform brow. "Oh?"

She nodded. "Yeah. Sometimes, I am standing in front of him, staring into his gold eyes. Sometimes we're flying through the sky. It's so awesome!"

He grinned. "We call those predacons."

She frowned. "Predacons?"

"Fantastic beasts that were impossible to defeat," Megatron said. "Many brave, foolish Cybertronians would be slain to bring one down."

Miko grinned. "Does this place have a TV? Because we need to watch the 'Hobbit'."

"I have two mothers now," he commented weakly as he laid down in bed. "Mama, and you."

Ariel chuckled. "Which means you have twice the mothering to deal with."

Raf smiled. "Yeah. Two hoverers, two dominant females, two women in my life who are equally frightening when angered."

Ariel grinned. "Which means double the love," she commented.

"Nah, it's more then that," he pointed out. "I know how big my mom's heart is. It's huge. She's always willing to do everything for me. Her overprotection is just a sign that she doesn't want to lose me. It shows that...I am cherished." He looked at Ariel. "Your spark is deep and I can feel how much you...how much you treasure us."

Ariel's smile was warm as emotions surged through her. "It is that, and so much more, Raf," she said. She rose up from her seat and leaned over to gently kiss his forehead, brushing his brown bangs away. "Get some sleep," she instructed. "I'll make some tea for you."

"Can I help?" he asked excitedly, pushing the blankets off and trying to crawl out.

Ariel immediately put her hands on his shoulders, stopping him. "How about you sit down on the couches downstairs, and I will make you the tea."

It had seemed like a good idea. She and Raf tried to quietly walk downstairs, but the creaking wooden floors that she liked so much gave them away. Ratchet was upon them in an instant, almost as if he had on a specific sensor for sneaking patients. He directed his scowl at them as he barked out his loud instructions. By the time Ariel had explained what she had intended to do was harmless and that Raf was just going to rest, everyone was up.

Miko and Jack wanted to be downstairs where everyone was, so naturally, June, Orion and Megatron came downstairs with them.

She was glad that she and Orion had the foresight to purchase large couches before the children's visit. The living room was large enough to fit two large couches and three comfortable chairs with a fireplace in the room.

Megatron lit the fire while everyone settled in. Blankets were brought out, mostly for the children because the Cybertronians had no need for blankets.

Ariel smiled as she watched Jack and Miko snuggle together under the thick blanket. Jack was leaning against his mother while Raf was resting with his head on Orion's holoform lap. Megatron was rocking in the chair near the roaring fireplace, a content look on his face.

A perfect picture of a content family.

"I'll get us some drinks," she said softly, rising from her seat, remembering her first intention for coming downstairs. Orion smiled up at her as their gazes met. In this one moment, everything was perfect. She wished they could stay like this forever. If only she could freeze time and hold this moment.

She made her way into the kitchen, opening the nearly empty fridge. There was not much food, as the Cybertronians had no need to eat. They did, however, stock up on a bit of food for the children.

She grinned when she found what she was looking for. Grabbing the milk carton, she poured it into a small, silver pot. Then, she grabbed vanilla and honey from the nearly empty cupboards and turned the stove on before placing the small pot over the gas.

The next few minutes was filled with her rummaging for four cups for the children and June, while checking on the warming milk and adding the honey and vanilla when needed. The busy work kept her calm and at peace for the moment, and it was something she really needed.

When she checked on the milk once more, she saw movement outside the kitchen window. She frowned when she noticed a man walking up the front porch, his appearance looking rather out of place with a tailored suit and grim expression.

She rushed for the door before he could ring the bell, not wanting the noise to wake the children. She swung the door open with an apologetic expression on her face. "Can I help you?" she asked politely.

The man looked at her. "Yes, Ariel. You can start by inviting me in. There are some topics involving the Council that we need to discuss."

Her holoform eyes widened when she recognized who this man was, and her spark dropped with a feeling of dread. "Sentinel," she said numbly.

His frown grew. "Are you going to invite me in?"

"Why would you need to come in?" Megatron demanded, coming up behind Ariel and startling her with his presence. The former gladiator's expression was fierce as he folded his large arms. "Is there something you need us to take care of?"

Ariel immediately nudged Megatron away, aware that such insults would only get them in deeper trouble. Besides, she was the professional one who knew how to deal with politicians. "I am sorry, Sentinel," she said, opening the door a bit wider, yet still reluctant to let him inside. "But perhaps whatever needs to be discussed can happen out here?" she offered.

He frowned at her. "What is it that you hope to hide from me, Ariel? I already know about the children. I am just here to remind you of your duties to Cybertron, and how fragile humans can be."

It took Ariel a moment for her to realize that he was holding out a small, simple device. It took her another moment to recognize what it was.

In that moment, fury filled her.

"You were the cause for the children's collapse!" she hissed, holoform eyes sparking. She could feel Megatron go rigged, a growl escaping his throat and she knew that she was the only one holding him back from harming the mech.

Sentinel did not look fazed, however. "Just a simple reminder," he said. "We do not need you three to become distracted. You and Megatron are more then welcome to stay with the humans. It is Orion who is needed."

"He has not forgotten his duties," Ariel said, gripping the door. She was well aware that if one more wrong word was said by Sentinel, that she would launch herself at him as a Cybertronian. She also knew Megatron would be faster in completing the deed.

"Yet he seems to be easily distracted," Sentinel said. "Our people need him."

"And I will attend to my people," Orion said suddenly, pushing past Megatron and Ariel. "But on my terms. I cannot aid Cybertron with the restrictions of the Council."

"All that will have to be addressed on Cybertron," Sentinel said patiently.

Orion hesitated for a moment, and Ariel could sense him thinking deeply. "Give me a week," Orion said finally. "Then I shall meet you on Cybertron with my companions. We will present our terms and discuss what needs to be done."

By the twitch in Sentinel's holoform jaw, she could tell he wanted to say more, but he relented with a stiff nod. "One week," he affirmed. "Then we will meet to discuss the arrangements."

Orion nodded politely. "Thank you," he said.

Ariel did not close the door until Sentinel walked down the porch steps. She gently closed it, not wanting to make any sudden movements or sounds that would shatter everything around her. Finally, she just stared at the door, letting out a tired breath.

"Well," Megatron said suddenly. "Looks like the jig is up with the whole 'Prime' thing."

Ariel frowned, turning to look up at him. "He knows?"

"That Primus has chosen me to be the next Prime?" Orion asked. "Yes, he does. The alter ego of 'Optimus Prime' has brought hope to the citizens and done more for them then 'Orion Pax' ever could. Yet, I was still restricted to take some action in both areas."

"Maybe this is a blessing in disguise," Megatron pointed out. "Maybe as a Prime to the public, you can do so much more."

Orion nodded, though he still looked troubled. "Maybe."

"We will have to gather everyone to talk strategy," Megatron continued. "Barricade and Prowl are well equipped in the slums and we have connections. Besides, you have the people's audio receptors and you have their sparks. They hunger for change, and you are offering it."

A heavy silence descended on them, each lost in thought as they stayed in front of the closed door, not ready to move. It was only the sound of something boiling over that caught Ariel's attention.

"The milk!" she exclaimed, rushing into the kitchen in a blur of pink and leaving a confused Orion and a bemused Megatron.

"They're talking in those hushed tones again," Miko commented silently.

Jack shifted under the blanket. "Yeah, I know. I hate it when they do that."

"What do you think it's about?" Raf asked curiously.

"Maybe it has something to do with that visitor at the door," Miko suggested, moving around and kicking at Jack's feet. "Did any of you see the guy through the window?"

Jack shook his head. "No, but he was sharply dressed. That much I could tell."

"They will tell you when they are ready," June said gently, raising her head from where she had been resting.

At that moment, Ariel entered the room carrying a tray that held four steaming mugs of milk. Upon tasting the sweet drink, Jack let out a hum of pleasure. "Thanks," he said, raising the mug.

Ariel smiled as she set the tray down on a stand. "I'm glad it turned out alright," she confessed. "I have never attempted to cook before, or prepare anything for consumption for that matter."

"Well, we will have to take you guys out to eat sometime," Miko said as she sipped her milk and honey. She frowned. "Hey, can you guys take coffee?"

Orion and Megatron both frowned, the expression making them both look identical. "Coffee?" Megatron asked. "I have never thought of it. Why?"

Miko just grinned behind her mug. "Oh, no reason," she said simply, taking another sip. Jack, however, frowned, knowing that she was up to no good already. "Can't it wait till Spring Break is over?" he muttered, glaring at her.

"Will you guys be staying here a lot?" Raf asked.

"We will have to return to Cybertron for a time," Orion said. "There are some things that came up in the Council that demand our attention."

"But we will make time for you," Ariel said quickly. "We know where to find you."

Jack smiled. "You do what you have to do," he said. "At least we know you'll come back."

"But that does not mean everyone will be leaving," Megatron said.

Miko perked up. "Oh? Who will be staying?"

"My sister will be sticking around," Ariel said. "I also know that Bumblebee and Hot Rod want to stay."

"And Bulkhead?" Miko asked, leaning forward.

"He's eager to leave work and take a vacation," Orion said with a smile in her direction, causing her to let out a cheer.

"Arcee is coming?" Jack asked, eyes bright. Ariel nodded in response. "She is."

"Bulk and I are going to have a Slash Monkey marathon!" Miko cheered.

Megatron twitched. "Is there any possibility that we could leave before the marathon?" he asked in a hushed tone, leaning towards Orion.

The house was situated on a small hill, surrounded by fields in one direction and thick, deep trees in another.

It was those trees that hid the large beast that sought shelter. Even though he could not hear, or see them, he could tell they were in there. The fragile, little creatures would need protection, and he was there to give it to them.

He curled his wings and rested his helm, content for the moment.

To the Survivors of Hurricane Harvey, both Steelcode and I give our condolences for your losses. We also give thanks to God above for the safety of the people and to the rescue workers, and the community efforts that went into saving and rebuilding what was lost. Remember Me shows how important family is, and there is a saying in Texas. "Don't mess with family from Texas." Well, Hurricane Harvey messed with the people from Texas, but they are showing just how strong they and their families are.

A special well done to all Emergency and Volunteer rescue workers along with community volunteers for having such big hearts and warm souls.

God Bless you all.