Famiy Ties

by Phantom

Chapter Four

“Congrats, Roddy!” A large green hand came down, clapping Roddy on the shoulder. Roddy was propelled forward, nearly choking on the Energon he was trying to ingest.

“We heard the news,” Arcee said in her usual soft, soothing tone. She pulled out a chair and sat down across from the beleaguered young bot. Springer followed suit, straddling the chair backward. The rec center was a bustling hive of activity, with many Autobots coming and going, looking for a chance to relax off-duty. “You must be so pleased!”

“What's so great about it?” he grumbled, clutching his can of liquid Energon. He scowled as another group of Autobots waved at him. “Suddenly everyone thinks they're my best buddy. I don't even know half of them.”

“What's eating you?” Springer asked, direct, as usual. “If I found out that Op was my dad, I'd be thrilled. He's pretty much a father figure to us all anyway.”

“I dunno,” Hot Rod sighed, sloshing his drink in his hand. “It's just so weird -- I've been wondering ever since I can remember who my father could be, and now I find out it's the guy I've been in awe of ever since I was old enough to hold a blaster. It's like I stepped into the Twilight Zone, or even worse, a Star Wars film. Now I know how that Skywalker kid felt.” He shuddered. “Ever since Optimus came back and I surrendered leadership, I've wanted my life to be as uncomplicated as possible. I just don't know how to handle this.”

“I understand,” Arcee nodded sympathetically. “You think that since Optimus is your progenitor that everyone will expect you to take after him.”

“Exactly,” Roddy grumbled. “Now that I'm finally free to be Hot Rod again, everyone is going to expect me to be some mini-Optimus all over again. I just can't escape his shadow.” He looked glumly at his friends, the two robots that tried to stick by him through it all.

“Man, that's a real bummer.” Springer shook his head. “Still, maybe it won't be all bad. Maybe Optimus will give you some kind of privileges.”

“Please,” Roddy snorted. “He doesn't make compromises for anyone! I've known Alita and Magnus to make a misstep every now and then, and he didn't let them slide. He prides himself on being fair but firm. Believe me, I won't even be able to play music too loud and get away with it.”

“Don't worry, Roddy. It'll all work out for the best, you'll see.” Arcee patted his hand soothingly.

“I'm sure Optimus wouldn't want you to change who you are,” Springer said encouragingly. “He's new at this too, you know. I'm sure he'll be a great dad once he gets the knack of it.”

“I sure hope so,” Roddy sighed. “I just hope I can get used to being the son of the greatest Autobot legend that ever lived.”

* * * * *

“What's it like being a father?”

Spike's eyes narrowed slightly in concentration, chewing his lip as he pondered the question. “It's hard to describe,” he said slowly, shifting position on the edge of the Autobot leader's desk. “When Danny was first born, I felt a lot of things. Pride. Nervousness. I didn't know if I could be the father he needed.”

Optimus nodded. That was one thing that he was having trouble with. “How did you manage to get over your fears?”

“I just did the best I could. I tried to raise Danny to be a good boy. And so far, so good.”

“What does a father do, exactly?” Optimus wondered. “There aren't any Autobot fathers around that I know of, so I don't really have a point of reference. Alpha Trion was always like a father to me. Perhaps I can follow his example.”

“I didn't know that Transformers could procreate,” Spike said, a note of surprise in his voice. “I thought that you were all created assembly-line style with sparks from Vector Sigma.”

Optimus looked down, fingering another paper fastener. “That's usually how it's done,” he said, an 'I-don't-want-to-discuss-this' tone in his voice. “This was just a, well, an exception.”

“I see,” Spike replied tactfully. His many years as ambassador to Cybertron had trained him to work around sensitive issues. 'I can always ask Perceptor, although with him I may get more information than I'm asking for.'

“Spike,” the red, white and blue Autobot said gently, “what does a father do, exactly? I know about the feedings and diapers that human children require, but what is expected of me, exactly? What do I need to do to be a good father?”

“That's a good question.” Spike steepled his hands together and leaned forward. “Of course, Transformers are very different from humans, but from my observations, your emotional needs are basically the same. You have to discipline him when he misbehaves, provide a good example to him, support his accomplishments, and attend whatever functions he's involved in. And, above all, you must be there for him no matter what. You must offer him unconditional love.”

Prime stroked his chin thoughtfully. “Thank you for your help, Spike. You have given me much to think about.”

“Glad to be of service.” Spike grinned as he climbed nimbly on to the Autobot leader's hand and was lowered to the floor. “Good luck! Somehow I think you're going to need it.”


end of Chapter Four

go to Chapter Five
go to Table of Contents

return to Phantom's Fanfic Archive

1