GUEST: Don't know if there's much to explain. He's just Ironhide's dad. His birth dad to be exact. Though he is the adopted dad of another canon character to be mentioned here.

A/N: The family tree of Ironhide and Chromia is going to get a little wild here. LOL Just to make it clear. But I hope it comes out well!

Also thanks to everyone who has read/reviewed/Favorited/followed this fic so far! You rock!

CHAPTER 3
Shane's First Visit: Part 2

"Well hello there, Shane! It's nice to finally meet you!"

Shane shifted on his feet nervously as the older green mech entered the living room. The mech had a soft look in his optics, and a genuinely friendly mile on his face. Shane hadn't really ever seen an "old" Autobot, so it was a little odd seeing one that seemed to show signs of aging. But his warm smile, and twinkle in his optics made him, at least to Shane, very friendly and approachable.

It didn't make him any less nervous.

Still, he attempted to smile and then spoke to him in the most friendly way he could imagine. "Hi, you must be Kup. Ironhide told me about you! He said you're old as dirt, but really nice!"

Ironhide smacked himself in the faceplate. Of course, this precocious seven year old would up and use that greeting. Of course though, Kup had created him, and he had learned his sense of humor from him. And thus, the older mech merely threw back his head a bit. "Oh boy, your brother is going to get a kick out of him!" Kup noted to which Ironhide couldn't help but chuckle a little himself in agreement. "Yes, Shane, I suppose I am old as dirt. But that doesn't mean I ain't kickin' a much as Ironhide or Hot Rod."

Shane tilted his head. "Hot Rod?"

Kup of course gave Ironhide a look. It may have been odd in his mind, but Ironhide and Chromia had decided to ease Shane into their somewhat crazy and unusual family. On top of Ironhide's creator, Hound, he had an adopted little brother. This was, of course, Hot Rod, who was almost two vorns his junior, and rescued during the destruction of his home city. Ironhide had handed the sparkling off to Kup after finding him to raise, and while he didn't regret it, he was a bit of a troublemaker - and thus he wanted to have Shane meet him a little later.

On top of this, Chromia had her own niece and nephew-in-law. Arcee, her niece from a sister who had died in the war was not that big of a deal. She was tough as nails, sweet, and he got along well with her. But her sparkmate was definitely a different story entirely. Sideswipe was cocky, a goofball, and in some ways an entirely polar opposite to her. Why she bonded with him? He had no idea. But getting him in Shane's way before they'd gotten to influence him more? Also a bad idea.

But all the same, he knew that he couldn't keep him away from them forever. And before long, Hot Rod would of course come knocking wanting to meet his sure to be new nephew too. "Yeah, he'll get to meet Roddy after he's here full time. Probably take him to visit him on Earth. Since I have business down there soon," Ironhide noted, given Hot Rod was on Earth at the moment as he looked down at Shane. "Hot Rod is my little brother. Kup adopted him during the war. But he decided to go to work on Earth after all was said and done."

Shane seemed to brighten up a little. After all, he was going from having no known family at all, to actually having a large one. "So I'll have an uncle too?" Shane asked, Ironhide nodded, not feeling uncomfortable about admitting that since Shane himself used the terminology. "Wow, that's so cool! I just thought I might be getting a mom and dad. But I'm gonna have an uncle and grandpa too?"

"And a cousin and cousin-in-law in your human terms," Kup replied, of course, open as could be. "You're inheriting a mighty big and rich family history - Shane. It's so large we probably have many relatives all over Earth and Cybertron by now."

Shane looked big and bug eyed up at the old mech. Inside, Shane felt his stomach turn in knots as he really thought about it. This meant they had a big family - and what if he wasn't ready for that? He'd never been a part of a family before - ever, and now they planned to make him part of one that was more than just two people. What would happen if they didn't like him? What if he didn't get along with anyone?

Both mechs turned their optics towards Shane. Noticing the heightened fear in him that Ironhide had worried about. "Don't worry, you won't have to meet them all right away. Like I said, we'll probably visit Hot Rod when you've settled in properly," he explained. "And it'll probably be a while before we get to see your cousin's. They're typically of the busy sort."

Kup put his hands on his hips, and looked down at his soon-to-be grandson. "Don't be afraid, lad. We're a loving family and I look forward to getting to know ye," he explained, then made an "oh" shape with his mouth. "Hey! Before I forget, I brought you something."

Ironhide looked surprised, but noticed as, indeed, Kup dug through his subspace. After a long moment, he grinned widely, and then pulled something out. "Ah! Here we go!" he finally announced. "I've been hearing kids like this really love these! They're even replacing bikes!"

Ironhide looked at Kup in surprise as Shane's eyes widened in delight. Ironhide almost wanted to say that Shane was seven years old, and perhaps too young for a hoverboard. But of course, Kup was going to take the chance to spoil his new grandson regardless.

Chromia on the other hand... "Really? A hoverboard?" Chromia stated as she crossed over and Kup carefully crouched to hand Shane the large, green board. "I suppose it's OK... But he's only seven so you had better be doing it in front of Ironhide or I!"

The boy seemed too awed to really say anything in response. Given he was standing there, looking over his board in excitement. "Thank you, Kup! This is so cool!" he then hesitated for a moment, and looked up. "Are... Are you sure it's OK though? These are expensive..."

"Pshhhh. Expensive my aft," Kup replied. "Back in my day you learned the true meaning of "expensive". This is nothing when it comes to my family."

Ironhide chuckled, knowing better than to argue with that. He hadn't gotten his stubornness from nothing after all. "Well, we'll have to keep it here until you move in. No doubt it might go missing in your barracks," he explained. "Maybe tomorrow morning we can give it a run though. Before we have to get you back to the youth sector."

Shane's face fell slowly at the thought of it. "Oh yeah, the youth sector."

All three could notice the lowered excitement in Shane's reaction. Of course, it was to be expected. The boy had been returned before, and Ironhide and Chromia were sure that a part of him worried they'd change their mind. Especially since they still weren't one hundred percent prepared to take in a human, as much as they were trying - they had a lot of learning to do.

Surprisingly, it was Kup who came up with what to say. Though they guessed it wasn't too surprising, Kup always had a strange way with words. "Don't get so down, youngin'. It'll only be a short time before yer back I'm sure," Kup replied. "My son and his bondmate really care about you, I can tell. So trust me when I say you haven't got anything to worry about. Just think about it as having time with your friends before you get to come home for good."

Yep, Kup had a way with words.

Ironhide knew that was true, that Shane should take it as that. Especially with all of the friends he must have procured over his years there. After a moment, Shane finally agreed as well. "Yeah... I guess I'd be sad if I didn't get to say goodbye to Wheels, Alex, and the others," he explained. "Will I get to come back soon though?"

That, Kup left Ironhide and Chromia to answer. Chromia decided it was best for her to answer, and with a smile noted. "As long as you want to come back, I don't see why not."

That put a smile back on Shane's face.

"Now, Ironhide and I will be just next door if you need us in the night."

It was later that night, Kup had gone home, and with it nearing nine already, it was time to put Shane to bed. This was by far the hardest part for Ironhide. Memories of their special alone time with Cliffjumper before he recharged still fresh in his memory. Yet it warmed every ounce of his spark as Chromia carefully set Shane into his bed and pulled the covers over him.

The emotions mixed in a way that made him even more nervous about the whole thing. Would they be able to make sure he felt comfortable in the night? He had a glass of water by his nightstand, enough blankets to get him through the colder Cybertronian nights... He tapped his foot slightly, nerves wracking up as Chromia made quick notice of it, shooting him a glance to ask if he was OK.

Ironhide merely nodded, trying to calm himself down.

Shane yawned quietly in a way that pulled him from his thoughts. "We're gonna really try the hoverboard tomorrow, right Ironhide?" he asked with bright eyes. "You promise?"

The mech chuckled in response, of course his mind was still on that. Now that they had promised he'd be coming back, he imagined that his seven year old mind had latched onto the thoughts of that sweet ride. "Yes, Shane, I promise," he explained with a smile. "But that ain't gonna happen unless you get some shut-eye, bitlet."

Shane nodded his head in response, shifting a little to lay his head down against the pillows. Ironhide expected he may be a little restless from sleeping alone in a new home, but they were prepared. He'd even promised to take the first shift should Shane get up during the night unable to sleep. "Comfortable enough?" Chromia asked.

"Yeah, it's really soft!" Shane piped up excitedly. "Softest bed I've ever laid on!"

Ironhide chuckled, stepping forward to run a finger along his side gently. "Yeah, well, should be a great night's recharge then," he told him brightly. "Goodnight, Shane..."

He hesitated just short of the "we love you". He was so used to saying that before leaving Cliffjumper, but knew it was far too soon to use such a term. The social workers had of course warned them against that, at least until his placement was permanent. Such words, as he already knew carried great weight, and though he was very sure that he was, indeed, growing to love him, he still held it back.

Chromia, similarly, ran a finger along his back and noted. "Goodnight, sweetspark. Sweet dreams."

And that's when they each stepped out to leave him, and took a collective deep breath. Ironhide laughed a little as they started for the living room, his arms roped around her shoulders. "See, told ye it would be OK. Other than you nearly burning dinner," she slugged him in the chest for that. "What? We fixed it together, didn't we? And today was fun!"

His sparkmate gave a small laugh in response, but nodded in agreement. It had been fun after all, but a lot of work, about what they expected. "He's such a sweet kid. But a lot more nervous now that he's actually here," Chromia replied. "We're going to have to help him feel more able to be himself - like at the youth sector."

"He will, give it time," Ironhide told her. "This is all new to him. And he's been hurt before too. He just needs to get used to the idea that we're his parents and here to stay."

"Well he does seem to like us, so it shouldn't be hard," Chromia noted, which was of course exactly what Ironhide was thinking. "Have you still got Ratchet working on his arm?"

Ironhide smiled, of course he had. They intended to take Shane to pick it up and attach it after he moved in for good. He'd given the medic his proportions and he'd already set to work designing one for Shane's "welcome home" gift. One that was sure to surprise him - and hopefully in a good way. "He says he should have one ready in the next month, so we're still on time," Ironhide nodded as he responded. "Can't wait to see that kid's reaction when we give it to him. Gonna be so surprised."

Chromia smiled from receptor-to-receptor. "And you're the one who wasn't even sure about going to that youth sector to begin with."

Ironhide snorted, planting a kiss on her cheek. "Oh hush, I came around, didn't I?" he asked teasingly. "And I'm glad I did..."

"Me too."

And it was for that reason Ironhide hoped this would go as well as it seemed to be.

A/N: Woo! That was a fun chapter to write! Hope you all enjoyed!