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Author's Notes: Know how music inspires you? Yeah, it did it to me again. This time, the song is "Lullabye for a Stormy Night" by Vienna Tang. And yes, that is how it's correctly spelled. Starring Alpha and Sandblast (her son for those who don't know), and features Kit and HT (Sandy's daddy.) ^^ I love this song, and it's one of those I can see humming to her baby boy. So yeah. Here it is!

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It was his screaming that woke her.

She had been sleeping quite peacefully, actually, and dreaming about times before the war when his shriek pierced the silent night, causing her to jump and fall - err, roll! yeah, that's it - out of bed. Immediantly she grabbed her beloved Benelli, ready to shot the head off whoever dared to touch her child.

However, after a mere sweeping look, she realized no one person had caused her child to shriek such. Listening carefully, Alpha could hear the gently drumming of rain on the roof, and let out a sigh. If she could hear it all the way down there, then it must definately be a helluva storm. No wonder Sandblast was standing on his berth, hands on the rails and looking up at her with frightened sunset optics.

That made her slightly confused, though she still started over to him. The rain sounded light, with nothing more than maybe a two-second heavy sheet. Why would that-

A crack of thunder split the silence, causing Alpha's audios to ring and Sandblast to shriek. The sparklet reached for her then, frantically whimpering as he leaned over the railing to get to her. Alpha grabbed him up before he fell, tucking him safely in here arms; she gave his forehead a gentle kiss.

"Mommy..." Sandblast sniffled, burying his face in his chest. A light smile curved the tips of her lips.

"It's okay, Sandy." She murmured, stroking his helm. "I'm here. Mommy's here... Mommy'll protect you..."

Another clap rang out, and the sparklet squirmed slightly. He looked up at her, lip poked out with optics just about as big as any she had ever seen. Despite holding a terrified child, Alpha had to smile. She had been just as afraid of storms when she was younger, and so she was well-equiped to handle this.

"You want a snack, Sandy?" She asked, standing. Her son sniffled, nodded. "Alright. You have to promise to be quiet, okay? You don't want to wake the others. Then they'll be afraid of the storm, too."

It seemed to make sense to Sandblast, who nodded. "Otay, Mommy."

Alpha smiled, shifted her son so his head was up by hers. She let their helms touch for a moment, then left her quarters. She headed towards the rec. room.

Once there, Alpha walked over to the energon despenser, still holding her son, and dipped into her energon rations. After carrying him over to a nearby table, she let him sit on the table as she pulled up a chair. He took the energon cube in his hands, and Alpha had to chuckle. The cube was bigger than his head.

He bit the corner of the cube off abd tilted his head back. Energon began dribbling down his chin, and his mother quickly cupped her hand to catch the energon. She ate with one hand.

"Such a messy eater." Alpha grinned at her son. Sandblast paused his snacking to giggle madly. "Sometimes I think you do it on purpose. But that would make you too much like your daddy."

"Daddy!" He giggled, wriggling, then began to eat again.

"You'll be just like him." Alpha sighed, "Oh, that'll be fun when you get older."

As if Sandblast knew exactly what she meant, he made a noise that sounded suspiciously like a cackle. Alpha chuckled quietly, tapping his nose.

When their "snack" was over, Alpha cleaned up the energon on the table - and Sandblast's face - and took him in her arms. The storm had subsided just enough that no longer did the thunder make her son jump. Of course, that could just be because he felt safe around his mother. Either way, he no longer looked terrified.

Sandblast stood on the table as his mother walked back from the disposal, extended his arms. Alpha scooped him up easily, rubbed his nose with hers in a human custom called "Eskimo kisses."

"Momma, th' rain got louder." Sandblast's optics went wide as the comfortable silence between mother and son was suddenly filled by a wave of rain. "I don' like th' rain."

She got an idea, and began to walk towards the entrance to the Ark. All the while, she spoke. "You don't? Why, Sandy?"

"It loud." He pouted, pressing his cheek against her shoulder. "It don' let me sleep, an' it's scawie."

What was...? Oh. He meant "scary."

"Really? Well, I know how you feel."

"You do?"

Alpha smiled gently, "Of course. The rain once scared me. As did thunder, and bright lightening. I used to stay up all night so the rain and thunder couldn't get me. I was so tired the next day. But you know what?"

He seemed completely enthralled by her story. "What, Mommy?"

"My master was there, and so was my brother. Though he was just as scared as I was." Alpha smiled at Sandblast's giggle, "Just like I'm here for you. So I'm about to show you how Master helped me with my fear."

It was then she glanced up, and Sandblast did with her. He tensed in her grip, just now noticing that they were outside, with only the Ark's boosters keeping them dry. He began to whimper, burying his face in her shoulder. Her optics gentled; she kissed his helm.

"No, no, Sandy, look up. It's okay."

The rain was falling in sheets around them, making it impossible to see beyond a few feet in front of them. The lightening still cracked, rolling thunder accompanying it just a few seconds later. It was a frightening sight for any sparklet, and it even brought back some memories for his mother. But she was determined to help him.

Reaching out, Alpha cupped her hand to let it fill with rainwater. Sandblast whined, reaching out to try to pull her hand back inside the safety of their makeshift shelter. Alpha finally did after a moment, with a handful of rainwater. She held it up to him.

"See, Sandy? It's just water."

"Uh... Uh!"

He was reaching for her hand, so she pulled it closer to him. Sandblast then smacked the bottom of her hand. The water flew and hit Alpha in the face, sending Sandblast into a mad giggle-fit.

Alpha stared down at him, her face blank. "You are so like your father." She sighed, but smiled lightly. She grabbed another handful of water and tossed it into his face. "Two can play at that game, mister."

Sandblast made a face and slapped the water off, but Alpha wasn't concerned. She saw laughter in his optics, and knew he was being just like his father. So, she took a step towards the rain. He tensed, but didn't make a noise. She took another step, letting her left shoulder get wet.

Gently, Alpha took his hand and held it out, so he could feel the rain. Sandblast squirmed for a moment. Alpha stayed persistant and kept holding his hand. Finally, after a long minute, he relaxed - and even giggled.

"It tickles."

Alpha smiled, and held him close to her chest as she stepped out into the rain fully. "It's just water, Sandy. Only water." She assured, kissing his helm.

Sandblast stared up at the rain pouring down on him. He opened his mouth and stuck out his glossa. As soon as he got a mouthful, he made a face, shutting his mouth. "It not taste right."

"It's not energon, sweetie."

"I know dat."

A crack of lightening disrupted everything, and had Sandblast squirming desperately. Alpha stepped back into the dry space beneath the boosters. He calmed almost instantly, though he continued to watch the rain out of the corner of his optics.

"I'm here." Alpha murmured, and headed back inside. Sandblast rested his head on her shoulder, burying his face in her neck, "You know I'm here, Sandy."

"I know, Mommy."

As she walked towards her quarters, Alpha reguarded him quietly. She would have to do more if she wanted to break this fear of his. But she wouldn't push it. Oh, no, she would never push her child to the point of him screaming and kicking. Besides, kids didn't have to grow up immediantly. Even if he was born during a war, he could still have some sort of innocence.

She kissed his helm, keyed in the code to her room.

"Sandy, you know the trees and animals outside?" She asked, carrying him over to the crib. He nodded slightly, "Well, the rain helps those things grow. I know it sounds scary now, pounding on the roof as lightening illuminates the sky."

"It shows me 'Cepticons."

Ah. Like a human child, he saw monsters in the shadows. That helped her understand.

"They're not real, baby. Understand that. I know they look scary, but I can promise you they're not." Alpha sat on her berth, letting him sit in her lap. "They're just shadows. No monsters, no Decepticons waiting to grab you. Megatron and the others can't touch you when you're here with me."

"Bu' they've tried."

"And they've failed every time." Now Alpha whispered. She cupped his face in her hands, looking down at him gently. "I know for a fact the seekers hate storms, like your Uncle Omega. They're afraid of getting struck by lightening."

"I wish they woul'!"

Ah, she was most definately her child.

Alpha wrapped her arms around her son, and just hugged him. "Do you wanna sleep with me tonight, Sandy?"

"Boat!"

"Boat...?"

Sandblast looked at her like she had just said two plus two equaled fish. "You an' Daddy."

"Oh! Both."

"Tha's wha' I said."

"Let's go see if he's awake." Alpha picked him up as she stood, and threw him. He squealed. She caught him, and let him climb onto her back. After making sure he was on tightly, she headed towards Hammertread's room.

------

He was snoring up a storm when they got there, and both poked their heads in there. Alpha glanced up at Sandblast. Sandblast looked down at her.

"I think he's asleep."

"No, weally?"

Obviously he had inherited her sarcasm.

She crept inside the room, letting the door shut and lock behind her. She stood before his berth, gently prying Sandblast off her back and placing him between Hammertread and the wall. He cuddled against his father as Alpha struggled to climb over Hammertread without waking him.

"I can move you know."

Alpha anime-fell. She stood up carefully, coughing. "That would be helpful."

Hammertread scooted back, and Alpha squeezed between Sandblast and the wall. The sparkling giggled as he snuggled between both parents.

The door opened again.

"..."

Hammertread opened an optic. "C'mon."

Kit bounded over. She leapt up, and managed to get between her mother and Sandblast. Now they were completely squished, with Hammertread halfway off the berth. He placed his elbow on the berth and propped his head up to give Alpha a look.

"Hey, your son." She chuckled, then groaned when Hammertread pushed them all against the wall. Both sparklings giggled. "You are so slagged in the morning."

"....SNORE!" Hammertread.

"Snerk." Kit.

"Yawn." Sandblast.

Alpha rolled her optics, then closed them. One of these days, they would either A) find some way to fit all of them in a single room, or B) get the tank a bigger recharge berth.

"Amen."

"Shut up." Pause. "And get out of my head."

"....SNORE!!!"

--------------------------------------------------- Lyrics

Little child, be not afraid
The rain pounds harsh against the glass
Like an unwanted stranger
There is no danger
I am here tonight

Little child
Be not afraid
Though thunder explodes
And lightning flash
Illuminates your tearstained face
I am here tonight

And someday you'll know
That nature is so
This same rain that draws you near me
Falls on rivers and land
And forests and sand
Makes the beautiful world that you see
In the morning

Little child
Be not afraid
The storm clouds mask your beloved moon
And its candlelight beams
Still keep pleasant dreams
I am here tonight

Little child
Be not afraid
The wind makes creatures of our trees
And the branches to hands
They're not real, understand
And I am here tonight

And someday you'll know
That nature is so
This same rain that draws you near me
Falls on rivers and land
And forest and sand
Makes the beautiful world that you see
In the morning

For you know, once even I
Was a little child
And I was afraid
But a gentle someone always came
To dry all my tears
Trade sweet sleep the fears
And to give a kiss goodnight

Well, now I am grown
And these years have shown
Rain's a part of how life goes
But it's dark and it's late
So I'll hold you and wait
'til your frightened eyes do close

And I hope that you'll know
That nature is so
This same rain that draws you near me
Falls on rivers and land
And forests and sand
Makes the beautiful world that you see
In the morning

Everything's fine in the morning
The rain will be gone in the morning
But I'll still be here in the morning