A/N: Thanks once again to my awesome Beta TFPKOFANGIRL for her work on this chapter as always!

AUTOBOTSBEYOND: Thanks! Glad you're enjoying it!

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CHAPTER 23
A Meeting with Prime

Prowl's home certainly was magnificent, in fact, Scott might even compare it to a Victorian estate. There were several large columns that held it up, with the metal being the color of a rustic red. That said, despite the Victorian-type architecture, it was smaller, and definitely humble enough, standing at two stories and about as big by Transformers-standards as a typical human home. Scott's room was right beside Prowl's on the second floor, which he knew would help if Scott had one of his episodes, or a nightmare. But Scott didn't spend much time in his room, most of it was spent getting ready for dinner and making sure that he was presentable for Optimus.

Prowl thought he was being silly, but for Scott it meant a lot. It meant making himself somebody that Optimus would find worthy of his father, who they'd said was a war hero. And so there he was, as the knock at the door came, dressed in a nice dress shirt, and black slacks that Bluestreak had bought him for special occasions. He fiddled quietly with his hair, which for once he had made a point of brushing nicely. He felt weak at his knees as he heard the voices in the foyer and watched Optimus enter the home. Even if he had met the mech before, this would be the first time Scott had the ability to have any lengthy conversation and it scared him.

"Well good evening, Scott," The boy jumped as he was jarred from his thoughts by Optimus's soft baritone voice. "How are you this cycle?"

Scott swallowed slightly, beads of sweat moving down his face. But the Autobot leader's gentle smile, and twinkle in his optics helped remind Scott that this was a friendly mech. "I-I-I-I'm okay," Scott smiled. "How are you do-o-o-o-oing Mr. Prime?"

"I do believe that is too formal," Optimus chuckled. "Here I am but a friend to you. Please, call me Optimus."

"A-A-A-Alright," Scott breathed out. "Optimus."

Optimus smirked a little more as Prowl re-entered the dining room in which they were speaking. Prowl's presence there seemed to calm Scott's nerves a bit, helping immensely. "Well then, Scott's dinner will not take long to prepare," Prowl explained. "I didn't think it was the healthy choice, but apparently the microwave dinner is easiest in this situation," Scott giggled slightly. "In the meantime, I figured we could get some "chit-chat" out of the way," He noted.

"I don't believe we will be talking business around the youngling," Optimus reminded him. "No youngling needs to be exposed to the darkness of a war. And therefore, I think a lot of the evening will be casual "chit-chat"," He explained.

"I-I-I-I can take it," Scott told him.

But Prowl and Optimus knew better, not wanting to scare him with thoughts of Bender. If nothing else, Prowl knew that Bluestreak would most definitely kill him. But rather than be overly strict as he would be with most other younglings, he simply took on a stern look and spoke calmly. "You are mature for your years, youngling. But I am afraid you're not that much more mature," He explained. "And don't be in such a hurry to hear things either. I often yearn for the ignorance younglinghood brings," He explained.

Scott seemed to huff a little, but nodded his head. Optimus however, simply smiled, and put his hands on his hips. "That's alright though, we can talk about other things," Optimus noted. "Tell me, Scott, how are things going with Bluestreak?" He questioned. "I hope you're finding it a better home than you previously had," He noted.

Scott smiled, nodding his head in response. "Y-Y-Yes si- Optimus," He replied with a smile. "B-B-Blue's really cool. And uncle Prowl and uncle Smokey are rea-a-a-a-a-ally cool," He commented, looking up at Prowl with a look Optimus rarely saw children look at him like. "N-N-N-Nothing like aunt Colleen and uncle Henry," He shuddered.

"That's because we love and cherish you," Prowl told him gently, knowing the boy needed reassurance often. "Or have you forgotten that already?" He questioned as he picked up the boy and set him on his shoulder to allow him to see Optimus from a bit higher up. "And I'd hope I was nothing like them," He vented slightly.

"You are," Scott assured him.

Optimus smiled, but knew that the subject was probably best changed. Looking at Scott, he decided to speak of what he was reminded of when he saw him for the first time. "You look a great deal like your sire," Optimus told him to which Scott smiled only faintly. "Tell me, did William Lennox and Robert Epps give you the information they were speaking to me about this morning?"

"Ye-e-e-e-e-eah," Scott nodded his head.

"That's good, I helped them procure it so I'm glad to hear it did make its way to you," He noted, his optics moving down to look at the young child. "I had a few questions for you that I hoped you might answer, while we have some time together," He commented. "I hope you don't mind. I simply do not have much time to visit Bluestreak as I do Prowl, so..." He explained.

Scott looked up again to Prowl for approval, which made Optimus's optic ridges furrow slightly. It wasn't uncommon for children to need approval like this though, no doubt he needed it constantly around his aunt and uncle. Finally, Scott nodded his head after seeing Prowl's own nod, and Optimus gave a friendly smile. "It came to my attention you may not have been aware of the inheritance your parents left you," Scott shook his head. "So I must ask a question of you that I believe only you can answer," He explained. "Did your aunt and uncle ever receive any... Money regularly through their mail?"

Scott blinked a little. "Were they su-u-u-u-u-upossed to? They go-o-o-ot a slip of paper. But aunt Colleen said it was her bea-a-a-auty money."

That answered the question Optimus had, in a way that made Optimus bristle a little. Scott, as the orphaned son of one of their own, was supposed to get a bi-monthly check to help his guardians with the care of the child. It was something Optimus, who had been dismayed by how many orphans the war made, had insisted upon sending out from the united NEST and Autobot front. And he made a mental note to bring this up in his next meeting with the government on this whole situation. "Not for her "beauty" I'm afraid," Optimus's engines rumbled. "But that answers any question I may have had left," He added rather calmly. "I had something else I did want to ask you on a lighter note though."

"O-Oh? What?" Scott asked.

"I had wondered if you would be interested," Optimus began. "In joining a little program that I was hoping to hold for children such as yourself," He explained. "That is, children who are either fostered or adopted by Autobots," He explained.

"A program?" Scott tilted his head. "What do-o-o-o-o you mean?"

Optimus smiled a bit, knowing that he would have to explain better. He put his hands on his hips slightly, and looked at Scott. "You may not know this little one, but there are a steadily growing number of you. Many from situations such as that of your own," He explained. "There are the three best known you have no doubt heard about. From NEST children mostly," He then added. "But I have been told that some are very recently applying from our faction as well," He explained.

"I was not aware of this," Prowl replied calmly. "How often does this happen?"

"I believe it has happened more now that we have integrated more into society," Optimus explained, uncertainty in his voice. "But over the last few months, I have received many reports. Mostly from those who live in the more civilian sectors," Prowl nodded his head slowly. "Most were guardianship statuses, or foster carers. Which was nothing too new, until they became longer placements. And three Autobots recently, to my surprise, have begun the adoption process," With a nod, he added. "Four including Bluestreak."

Scott's eyes widened, so the number of kids in his situation was growing? That was definitely a surprise, and by the looks of it, it was a surprise to Prowl too. "Essentially it would be a support group for those transitioning as Scott is. From a human family, to that of a Cybertronian one," Optimus continued. "Something I believe would especially hope those coming from dire situations like Scott's. As the confusion of a different species possibly showing more compassion to them than their "human" parents were is sure to... As I said, confuse the younger ones," He added.

Scott nodded, he knew that he was confused about that sometimes himself. Up to today, he'd almost given up hope in kindness in adult humans. But he'd never actually considered whether or not other humans in his situation might feel the same way. "I-I-I guess I get confused sometimes," Scott admitted. "Sometimes I just don't u-u-understand why this hap-p-p-p-penned," He sighed quietly.

"It would be good for you," Prowl told his nephew in as gentle a tone as he could. "You'd likely meet other sparklings with whom you can relate. Make friends in the community before you enter school," He knew the latter was coming up quickly as the human "summer" was ending slowly. "It is something I'm sure Bluestreak would agree you should go to, too," He added, firmly.

Scott took all of it in, but knew that Prowl was right. It was already clear that his new family wanted him to work on his social interaction, and anxiety surrounding it. But what if he didn't relate with these kids? There would be kids from every background of life he figured, maybe even some who hadn't gone through any abuse or neglect. "O-O-O-Okay," Scott finally managed to get out, knowing that he'd eventually be talked into it anyway. "I'll join, Mr. Pr-," He stopped himself from using the "formal" name. "Optimus."

Optimus nodded his head, taking note of the boy's anxiety levels. But he knew that the boy had nothing to fear, and if he did have something to fear, he would be pulled by Bluestreak in a sparkbeat. "I think you will find it more enlightening than you are imagining," Scott looked up at the Prime with a small smile. "I myself will oversee it. And the more we learn from you, the more can be recorded in regards to what sparklings like you find harder to live with," He explained. "In hopes that perhaps we can help with the problem of the many displaced humans that reside in the child welfare system," He added.

"It'd really help both sides if we did," Prowl explained. "As we are having troubles creating families. Even with more femmes on Earth," He noted. "Creating a human family doesn't sound bad at all."

Scott never thought about that, but with the growing numbers of Autobots on Earth, it made sense. And the thought that maybe he could help other kids get out of the situation he came from definitely made him happy. He took a deep breath, and let these thoughts run through his mind, which the Cybertronians must have noticed, because Prowl was quick to change the subject after a few moments. "Well, I suppose I should go and check on that dinner," Prowl noted, setting Scott back on the ground. "I'll be right back," He added.

That left Scott and Optimus alone for the first time, a fact which made him nervous. Scott stared up at the Autobot leader for a long moment, wondering what to say, or if he should say anything. But finally, it was Optimus who spoke up, his optics softening. "You know, if you have any questions of your own," He began with a smile. "I'm more than happy to oblige. As you've made it no secret that you seem to be an admirer of mine," He added.

Scott's face went red, worried that Optimus thought him to be some sort of nerd. He crossed his arms slightly, and grinned up at him. "A fe-e-e-e-ew," Scott told him with a nervous chuckle. "B-B-B-But it's hard to just think of one," He added, to which Optimus tilted his head in a nod. "Do you l-l-l-l-like books? Mo-o-o-ovies? H-H-H-How fast does your truck go? My friend from my old sc-c-c-c-c-chool said you can fly sometimes. Is that tr-r-r-r-rue? I think that's s-s-s-s-s-s-so cool. "

Optimus chuckled quietly, finding it funny that the boy would ask such innocent questions. He calmly seated himself down on the nearest couch, and carefully, gently took Scott into his hand. The boy looked awestruck for a moment, but his grin simply widened, especially as the Autobot leader set him on his leg, and looked at the boy warmly. "In fact, that last part is true. As long as I have my trailer with me," He told him with a small chuckle. "And as for your other questions. I do love both, but mostly the classics as I understand you love. I am not much for violence," The next question took more time. "I don't think I can push myself any faster than the average truck though, I'm afraid," He added.

"Y-Y-Y-You have a trailer that helps you fly!?" Scott asked. "T-T-T-That's so cool!"

"Perhaps another day when we have more time together I'll show you," Optimus chuckled, rubbing the top of his head. "But that was your sire's reaction too. In fact, he was one of the first to witness it," Scott's eyes widened even more at that, disbelief in his eyes.

Unbeknownst to both, Prowl was poking his head through the doorway. His optics settled on the sight with a small smile of his own on his face. He could already tell that Scott and his "hero" were going to be good friends. A thought that could only warm his spark, given how close the Prime was to their family. And what was more, he knew that this would be something his nephew would never forget.