Title: Parental Guidance

Summary: Sam and Optimus raises Ethan.

Disclaimer: I do not owe Transformers!

Author's notes: Another short chapter! At least I'm updating. I'm thinking that the rest of the chapters may be short also, this was only like 800+ words. There was a story called "The Break-Up" that's Sam/Optimus. I found it online but the link to the story is gone. Guess what? I actually printed the story out before and I have it physically in one of my folders! I was like... whoa. It was only 2 pages, but it's a good short story. Sorry for any grammar mistakes!

Sam sighed as he wasn't sure what to get for his son's birthday. He wanted to get something that says Optimus somehow, but with them in hiding, everything he has about Optimus is gone for the moment. Unless...

"Leo!" Sam exclaimed suddenly making Leo jumped in his seat. It was Friday evening. Sam was grading papers so that he can have the weekend to himself.

"What is it, Sam?" Leo asked annoyed as he had been daydreaming about him and Simmons doing exotic things to each other.

"Do you have a software program where you can change your voice to someone?" Sam asked.

"Your not going to use it illegally, are you?" Leo asked frowning.

Sam shook his head, "I have nothing of Optimus to show to Ethan. If I can just play around with it and somehow make my voice like his..." Sam said.

"I see, and that message you will be encrypting will sound like Optimus even though it's you," Leo said.

Sam nodded, "Yea, but Ethan doesn't need to know that. He just needs to know his father," he said.

Leo nodded as he stretched, "Let me get my laptop," he said.

"So what's this about? You suppose not to have a laptop, you know," Simmons said glaring at his lover.

Leo sighed, "Everything is registered under my fake name. Websites, programs, mail... Don't worry love," he said.

"Its not a big deal, Simmons. I have a cell phone that too is under my fake name," Sam said showing it to him.

Simmons rolled his eyes, "kids and technologies," he mutters as he got a kick from Leo.

"If I was a kid, I wouldn't be having sex with you now, would I?" Leo snapped as Sam huffed.

"I don't even want to know what goes on between you two," Sam mutters as Leo and Simmons began to argue.

It was the day of Ethan's birthday. Everyone wore their disguise until they were brought to a secluded room where they took everything off. Mikaela's friend was a waitress there, so she would be the one helping them out.

Ethan was excited to say the least. Mikaela's friend also brought her daughter over so that Ethan could have someone his age. There were balloons, streamers, music, gifts... Everyone ate pizza, drank soda until it was time for the cake and ice cream.

Sam was having a good time. He misses Optimus and the other Autobots, wishing that they were here, but at least they weren't alone. He smiles at his son as Annabelle was making funny faces and laughing at them.

After eating cake and ice cream, it was now time for gifts. "Whose gift do you want to open, love?" Mikaela asked with a smile.

"Daddy's!" Ethan squealed in delight.

Sam smiles as he took out Leo's laptop, "I got a gift from your other father, Ethan. I hope this will help you to remember him until he comes home to us," he said.

Mikaela raised an eyebrow as she looks at Leo, Leo zips his lips as he beams at her.

"Can you see the laptop screen, baby?" Sam asked. Ethan nodded intrigued. Sam clicked some programs, "listen to the message, baby. This is for you," he said as he turned the volume up so that Ethan can hear.

"Ethan,

I am sorry that I am not there on your 2nd birthday party. As you may know from your father, I am in the military and I am on a very important mission. I don't know when I will see you and your father again, but I promise you, I will see you soon as I can. I love you, Ethan. I hope you take care of your father for me, because he is hopeless without me.

You have plenty of unanswered questions that you are probably dying to ask. For starters, who is your mother? It is a long story and hard to believe that, your father gave birth to you. I am sure Sam will tell you the story during his nightly routines with you.

By the time I come back to you, I hope Sam would have answered your questions by then. For national security, I can not give you a photo of who I am yet, Ethan, but they allowed me to do a audio recording for you. I hope this message will stay with you forever, Ethan, because I am not sure when I will be in contact with Sam again.

Just be a brave little boy and be good to your father. Protect each other. Know that wherever I am, I will always love the both of you. I will try and send a birthday greeting or any holiday greeting whenever I can. Be safe the both of you. I hope to see you soon.

Hugs and kisses,

Optimus."

It was quiet in the room as Sam turns off the audio recording. "That's daddy's voice?" Ethan asked slowly.

Sam nodded, "He wishes he was here, Ethan," he said slowly.

"Daddy?"

"Yes baby?"

"I love you."

"I love you too, baby," Sam said as he and Ethan hugged one another for comfort as Optimus was not there at the moment.

TBC...

I think the next chapter will have a time skip to where Optimus returns. I am also back into reading Garak/Julian from the fandom Star Trek DS9. Is anyone else a fan? How do you guys like this story so far?