DISCLAIMERS & AUTHOR'S NOTE: I don't own Sideswipe and Sunstreaker. I'm just borrowing them from Hasbro for a bit. I'll give them back when I'm done with them. Andrea and Gwen are mine. To find out who they are, read my Close Encounter story. Based in my AU but could fit into G1. Enjoy!

What's in a Name?

"Okay kid, let's try it again. My name is Sunstreaker. Say Sunstreaker."

"Sunsticker." The little girl dutifully made another attempt.

"Sun-STREAKER."

"Sun-STICKER." And another.

"Not STICKER, STREAKER. SSTTRREEAAKKEERR."

"SSTTIICCKKEERR." And yet another.

Sunstreaker sat back in annoyance. He turned a glare towards Gwen. She smiled encouragingly at her daughter and kicked Sideswipe lightly to keep him from giggling too much.

"Don't be mad, she's really trying. This is the best you can expect. She's only three." Gwen tried to placate the warrior.

Sunstreaker was not mollified, but he hadn't given up yet. He turned back to the eager, adoring little face.

"Let's break it down. Say STR."

"ST." Andrea was anxious to please her new friend so she gamely tried again.

"STR. STR."

"ST. ST. STR." And again.

"Good you got it. Again. STR. STR."

"STR. STR." She squealed with delight under the praise.

"Good. Now say STREAKER."

"STRICKER." Said Andrea.

"No, no, STR-EAKER."

"STR-IKER." She tried again.

"Closer. Much closer. STR-EAKER."

"STR-IPPER." She blurted out.

Sideswipe couldn't hold back any longer. He burst into hysterical giggles. Sunstreaker glared at him, annoyed that he was being laughed at and wasn't making much progress and with some confusion as to why his twin found this last attempt extra funny. Gwen was trying not to laugh herself, taking deep breaths to smother the rising giggles. She rose and went to hug Andrea, who was getting frustrated and more than a little upset.

"It's okay honey, you're doing good. Hey Sunstreaker, as a concession to her age and still developing linguistic skills, how about a compromise?"

"What kind of compromise?" Sunstreaker was dubious.

"Andrea, can you say 'Sunny'?" His optics widened in dread.

Andrea sniffed, tears threatening to break loose. "Sunny."

"Uncle Sunny."

"Unca Sunny."

That was too much. "No, no, no, absolutely not. Only that bozo can get away with calling me Sunny." He pointed at Sideswipe, who was still snickering a bit.

"It's either that or put up with creatively mangled versions of your full name. And it would be just from her. Everyone else can call you Sunstreaker."

"Hmph." Sunstreaker was quite sure they were doing this on purpose.

"Hey Gwen, why 'Unca'?" Sideswipe was curious.

"Uncle is a title of respect for a brother of a parent or a male acquaintance."

"How do you know we're male? Ratch explained the gender thing to you."

"You call each other 'brother' and you don't act like girls. So whatever you are, male is close enough. Have to keep it simple for Andrea anyways," she explained

"Well, okay. Now that we have 'Unca Sunny's' name figured out," Sideswipe grinned at his sulking twin. "Let's teach Andrea my name. Andrea, say Sideswipe."

"Sai Sai." Andrea had calmed down and was willing to play again.

"Like this, SIDE SWIPE."

"Sai Sai." And again.

"'Unca Sunny' will be just fine, Gwen. But only for Andrea." Sunstreaker decided to take the compromise. At least she could say part of his name clearly.

"I'd thought you'd see it that way." Gwen just smiled.