Hi all! I'm back with the next installment of Jennie and Scamper's crazy adventures. There's a bit of a time jump in this one, but don't worry, it all gets explained as the story goes on. Not much of an author's note to start, so get to reading!

A Place to Call Home

Chapter 1

A new beginning

Jennie's eyes flew open. Her cell phone was going off, and only one call could make it sing like Josh Turner. She scrambled to grab it from the bedside table, nearly face planting in the process.

"Yes? Hello!"

"Jennie." Ironhide's voice was crystal clear through the speaker. It melted her heart to hear it. She glanced at her alarm clock; 2am.

"You woke me up." She mumbled sleepily, "I haven't heard from you in a month and you decide to call me now." It was just over a year since Ironhide's confession, and for the last three months he had been on assignment rounding up the last Decepticons still putting up a fight here on Earth.

She could hear his grumble before he spoke again, his voice playful. "Fine then, sleep. I just assumed you would want to meet me when we arrived."

"WHAT?" she sat straight up. There was a laugh through the other end before the line crackled, signaling that Ironhide had hung up. Hastily, Jennie jumped out of bed and threw on a pair of jeans under her baggy sleep shirt. She ran out the door of her room, sliding her sandals on and throwing her now shoulder length curls into a ponytail as she went.

Outside the tarmac was lit with stadium quality lights making it look like the middle of the day. It was unusually crowded with human NEST team members to help with the wounded and dead. It broke her heart to think of them, but she knew that losing members was inevitable in this field.

It took another fifteen minutes before the cargo plane came into view and landed. Jennie was anxious, jumping from one foot to the other as she waited. Human members unloaded first, looking worse for the wear. Their eyes were dull, as were their uniforms, their faces dirty. Autobots came next, looking as worn as their human companions. First came Optimus, then Ratchet, Bumblebee, the twins, Sideswipe, Jolt (who honked a tired greeting), and Scamper. She ran to him first, getting caught in a clawed embrace.

"Hello, love. Miss us?"

She placed a kiss on his nose plate and stepped back, purposefully standing on his left side. "Always. It gets boring here with you gone. Where's Ironhide?"

Scamper scratched in between the plating on his helm with a claw before answering. "With the Major. He should be coming out any second." As if on cue, she could hear the rumble of the Topkick's engine. She watched as he slowly rolled of the cargo plane, Major Lennox close at his side. He gave a quick pat on Ironhide's hood and a two-fingered salute in Jennie's direction before heading into his office.

She walked to Ironhide slowly, feeling that electrical pull that said he missed her just as much. The air crackled before she was swept into the holoform's embrace. Strong arms held her to him as she buried her face in his neck and inhaled. She had been so scared on this mission, going weeks or months without hearing from him. To have him back was the biggest relief of her life.

He pressed his lips to her hair before holding her at arm's length to examine her. Jennie took the time to do the same to him, noticing how the holoform reflected his feelings. It was dirty, like the human NEST members, and his normally clean-shaven face was dark with stubble. There were bags under his abnormally bright blue eyes. He placed a kiss on her forehead, then nose, then finally, her mouth.

"Missed you." His voice was gruff against her lips. Jennie sighed, curling her head against his sculpted chest. "Missed you." She murmured back.

Out of the corner of her eye she could see the simple pine boxes draped in American flags being unloaded from the plane. "How many?"

Ironhide sighed, embracing her tighter. "Twenty."

Jennie looked up, shocked. "Out of a 50 man team!"

"These last Decepticons will not go without a fight." His eyes blazed, making Jennie sigh.

"C'mon then, handsome, you need rest." She could hear his engine rev appreciatively behind her as the holoform disappeared. She placed a hand on his front quarter panel, instantly feeling static from his spark caressing her hand. Together, they walked inside for much needed time together.

"Oh, and 'Hide? You need a bath."

Just over a year ago

Scamper and Ironhide stared at each other. Jennie stood between them, looking up angrily.

"Don't start with each other." She warned, as if she could stop two giant alien robots from fighting. "I thought all this was done! You guys are friends now, remember?"

"It is." Scamper addressed her without looking down. "Just want to make sure he's good enough for you, Love."

Jennie sighed, exasperated. "Seriously! You know-"

"If Scamper feels I'm not worthy, then as your guardian he has a right to say so." Ironhide interrupted her coolly. "Though it is a Cybertronian custom for the guardian to approve, I hope he understands his opinion will not affect my feelings for you."

Scamper's face broke into his lopsided grin. "Was hoping you'd say something like that." He held out a clawed hand. "That's an old custom, anyway."

Ironhide grasped forearms with the little 'con, silently relieved for the blessing. "I'm an old mech." His response was gruff, not giving anything away.

"You've got a hard road ahead, you two."

"We know." Jennie's voice was soft as she leaned against Ironhide's leg. "But we're ready."

Scamper grinned again. "Did you present her to Optimus yet?" For the first time, Ironhide looked worried. "Not yet. I was waiting on that."

"Present me?" Jennie sounded apprehensive as the two mechs knelt down to her level.

"When a mech and femme bond, the femme must be presented to The Prime." Ironhide's faceplates were scrunched nervously.

"Another ancient custom." Scamper scoffed. "Hasn't been done in millennia."

Ironhide grumbled. "I like customs."

Jennie laughed, laying a hand in each of their larger ones. "I think it's a good idea. When can we do it?"

Scamper thought for a minute before smiling. "Tonight. This is all you have to do…."

OoOoOoOo

Jennie fidgeted nervously with the hem of her skirt. She had traded her usual wardrobe of worn jeans and threadbare t-shirts for a nice top and jean skirt that fell just above her knees. She wore her best wedge heel sandals. It was obvious she had made an attempt to tame her curls, though they were still wild.

"Relax," Scamper's holoform was next to her as they stood just outside of Optimus' office. They had thrown the rag-tag ceremony together last minute as soon as the Prime had agreed.

Jennie ran a hand through her curls and let out a breath. "Just hope all goes well."

Two sharp knocks came from the inside of the door. "That's our cue, Love." Scamper tucked Jennie's arm into his and smiled, his holoform's grin lopsided like his own.

They entered and Jennie gasped. All of the Autobots were there. In their holoforms. She gaped at Scamper as they made their way over to where the Prime was standing.

"Was easier for us to go down than for you to come up." He whispered in her ear.

Optimus looked just as regal in his holoform. Ironhide stood to his left, Ratchet to his right.

Scamper stood a little straighter, clearing his throat. "Optimus Prime. I Scamper, guardian of Jennine Ashley, present her to become the bonded of Ironhide."

Yeesh. She thought. I didn't think it would really be this formal.

Optimus considered her with an attentive eye. "How long has this been going on?"

Jennie shuffled her foot anxiously. "About a month."

"I see." The Prime turned to Ironhide. "Do you wish to court this femme? This human femme?"

Ironhide unfolded his bulky arms and gave a nod. "With your permission, Prime, I will."

Jennie could feel her heart do summersaults when Ironhide looked at her. Though his face looked impassive, she could see his eyes burn.

Optimus looked between the two for a moment before smiling warmly. "Who am I to stand in the way of a bond Primus has blessed? You have my permission."

Ironhide took three steps to Jennie and took her hand, blue eyes blazing into hazel. "Do you accept my courting you? I don't beg, remember?" he whispered the last part in her ear fiercely.

Jennie looked from Scamper to Ironhide, smiling. "Of course I do, you mean old mech."

Ironhide gave one of his rare smiles and looked at Scamper, who let go of Jennie's arm.

"She's in your care now, 'Hide. I trust you to keep her safe."

As an oath, Ironhide said, "I will."

Short first chapter, I know. Hopefully the next one will be out soon.

xoxo all, Aiden'sxThexName