Origin of the BT Plushie

BT yawned as he flopped down into his bed.  His mind was still a buzz as he finished all his Christmas shopping.  He bought Tirestreak a picture frame for a certain picture she had wanted to put up on her wall, but just didn't have the time to really look for one.  For his half brother Charger, he found some polish for his weapons that really needed some cleaning up.  And for his brother-in-law LighteningRod, found some quality tools that he had been eyeing for the past month.  Everything was wrapped and ready to go for Christmas morning… but he hadn't really shopped for one very special little femme.  He sighed as he remembered the day that he first met her.  She was timid, scared and deathly afraid of mechs.  Even just the sound of a mech's voice had her cowering in fear, and hiding away so no one could find her.  It was then that Streak introduced them, and at first, she wasn't happy that he was around and consistently fled when she saw him.  It took a few weeks until she finally learned that he wouldn't harm her, and it took almost a full 2 months after until she allowed him to hold her.  But not long after, she called him a very special and sacred word to all mechs… "Dada".

Yes, he was thinking of his adoptive daughter Nightingale who Streak found and adopted on her own, then had him join the picture to make the femme's life whole.  Now, BT did love her with his entire spark, but there was something that did bother him every time she was put down for either a nap, or even for the night.  She always had horrible night terrors that left her not wanting to go back to sleep, and it would take hours until she would tire out, but even then, she still would cling to him or Streak.  She was then taking to LR who looked through her memories and found that she had be constantly left behind to endure beatings that could have left her in a coma, or ultimately dead.  The marks and scars that were etched into her body were only a small sliver of what she truly had to endure.  BT's spark broke in two as he saw that a sparkling had to live with what he had once been forced to suffer.  It was spark breaking, but it didn't stop him from wanting to become the dad she deserved.  Each day, he always set at least 3 hours aside for Daddy-daughter time.  Gale reacted well to it and both grew very attached to one another.  Even Streak was happy to see them getting along, and becoming more of a family.

BT smiled at the memories that he had made between him and his daughter, but his mind soon came back to a very important question.  What was he going to give her?  It was most likely her first Christmas, and he wanted it to be very special, and very easy going since she was still far too timid to suddenly be thrusted into an all out family get together.  He knew that his mom, Lola, and dad, Roadway, had been wanting to meet Gale, but it was still out of the question.  Until she was a little older, or started to become more comfortable around new and different mechs and femmes, he wasn't going to suddenly have to start back at square one to regain her trust in him.  Closing his optics, he continued to think of things.  "She's got plenty of stuffed animals… and she has toys that she can cuddle with," he thought to himself.  As he continued to run down a long list of things that might be worth looking into to get for Gale, he heard a faint, but very distinct sound come over the baby monitor.  Sitting up and looking over at the screen, he saw Gale, having another troublesome night terror.  Sighing to himself, he got up and took care of it before it grew too far out of control.  

As he held her and sung his lullaby, Gale calmed down and snuggled close to him, but again, she clung to him with all the strength she had in her tiny body.  He sighed and knew this would be a long night, as it was almost impossible to get her to let go.  As he walked over to the rocking chair, he sat down and let Gale sleep on his chest.  "What am I going to do with you?" he whispered.  As the night dragged on, he noticed that Gale didn't wake even once as she slept on his chest.  He had seen it before.  Many times as he grew attached to her, but didn't pay any mind to it… until now.  His mind went a buzz again as he thought about making something.  "I'll have to talk with Streak about this."  Looking back at his daughter, he finally decided to just sleep in the chair, and pray he didn't wake up with a sore back and neck that would haunt him until the next time he would have to sleep in it.

Morning came very quickly at the Decepticon base, but BT was not bound to get up yet.  Not until he had his 10 hours of sleep.  This was Saturday after all, and he was going to sleep.  At least until he smelled Streak making pancakes in the kitchen.  Opening one optic, he took a deep breath in, and sure enough… he smelled pancakes.  Carefully getting up, with his back and neck throbbing in pain from staying in one position for too long, he made his way over to the kitchen to find… LR and C?  "… What are you two doing here?" he asked.

"Streak had to run out and do some things," spoke C as he read the paper.  "She also told us that you have been having little to no luck with shopping for Gale.  Want any help?"

"Sure, but first… would one of you mind holding Gale, and the other popping my back into place?" asked BT as he was having some trouble standing straight.  C took Gale and gently rocked her so she could continue sleeping, while LR helped BT get his back straightened out again.  As the last loud pop was heard in the apartment, BT let out a sigh of relief as he could finally stand up straight, and with no pain.  "Thanks LighteningRod."

"No problem, Backtrack," said LR.  "Just wish you wouldn't sleep in that rocking chair when Gale is clinging to you."

"No offense, but I'm not taking her to my bed and run the risk of rolling over onto her and killing her," said BT bluntly.  I'm not going to lose my daughter over something that can be easily avoided."  LR sighed as it was true that many infant deaths did occur if a parent let their sparkling sleep on their bed with them.

"Fine," said LR.  "But next time, Charger can put your back in order."  BT let out a frustrated moan as he knew that C wasn't as nice about putting ones back in order.

"Then tell me what I can do so I don't have to worry about it," said BT.  "I have been thinking about what to get for Gale, but nothing seems like it would help.  Her night terrors have gotten worse, and you know how hard it is to get her to let go of you once she feels safe."  LR shrugged his shoulders as he finished breakfast and served everyone.  As BT sighed again, he took Gale back from C, who was slowly starting to wake up from a long night's slumber.  As he slowly ate his meal, a sudden idea came into his head.  "Hey guys, would you mind watching Gale today?  I just thought of what I am going to get for her, but I don't want her seeing it in case she wants it right away."

"Backtrack… tomorrow is Christmas," said C.  "Most stores are probably sold out of any toys or soft things that Gale can play with."

"Not to mention, those last minute shoppers are worse than the 'Black Friday' shoppers," added LR.

"But I know where to go for the gift," said BT.  "Just keep an optic on her for just a couple hours, and I will be back as soon as I can."  Both bots sighed.

"Very well," said C.  "Just make sure you're back before too long.  I know Gale hates it when you're gone for extended periods of time."

"I will," said BT as he got up, handed Gale over to C, and left.

---

Only a couple hours ticked by, as Gale took BT not being there very well.  She giggled and trilled as C and LR took turns keeping the tiny tot occupied.  As they enjoyed playing and helping Gale learn patterns with clapping and patting her legs, BT came back from his small shopping trip.  "I'm back," he called out.

"We're in Gale's room," called C as he went back to the little game they were playing.  BT walked into see his daughter smiling and laughing at the game.

"Looks like you found a fun game for her to play," he said.

"We did," said LR.  "She's getting the idea of patterns down, but it may be a little longer until she finally gets it."

"She's still a sparkling," said BT.  "But other than that, did anything happen while I was gone?"

"Nope," answered C.  "Perfect little angel if you ask me.  Didn't make too big of a fuss when you were gone, and appears to be eating better since the last time we saw her.  Been keeping her on that feeding schedule that we gave you?"

"Every day," said BT.  "I have also been documenting how much she eats every time I feed her."

"That's good to hear," said LR, hoping that C doesn't go into any other bodily function that they don't need to really know about.  Sadly, he did, which earned him a good smack on the upside of his head.

---

The day soon came to a close as BT performed the usual routine to help Gale fall asleep.  C and LR decided to stay the night to help since Streak would be unable to come back for a few days, due to a sudden mission that popped up, and she had to lead.  LR was happy to see how far BT had come with raising Gale.  Going from a very nervous mech who was terrified that he might hurt Gale, to a very confident, and loving parent that the child needed desperately was a very big step for BT, but a well worth it step.  "Alright sweetie, let's get you dressed and into bed," said BT as he carefully plucked Gale from the tub.

"Hey Backtrack… did you ever think you'd ever become a father to a child?" asked LR as he watched BT dry Gale off.

"In all honesty… I didn't think I'd ever become a father," stated BT.  "But I have to admit, it makes me feel… whole.  Like everything is now complete."  C and LR both smiled as BT finished dressing Gale for bed.  

"Well, looks like you have everything under control, so we're going to go to bed," said C.  "Hope you don't mind us staying in the guest room."

"Nope," said BT as he rubbed Gale's back.  "I'll catch you two tomorrow."  With that, C and LR went to bed while BT put Gale down for the night.  Once she was asleep, he quickly took out the gifts and placed them under the tree, including a very special gift for Gale.  He then retired to bed, but again, went through the same routine with the never ending night terrors.  Instead of sleeping in the rocking chair, he went to the couch and slept on it, with Gale snoozing right on his chest.

---

The next morning, C and LR found BT and Gale on the couch, snoozing away.  "Do you think we should wake him up for the opening of the gifts?" asked C.

"No," replied LR.  "We can let them sleep.  Plus, we still have to wait until Gale is awake to do any of that.  And I personally don't want to wake her when she needs her sleep."  C only shrugged and began to make breakfast for everyone while LR prepared a bottle for Gale once she woke up.  As the aroma of breakfast waft its way through the apartment, BT smelled it and woke up to see pancakes being made once again.

"You didn't have to guys," said BT as he slowly rose to his feet.

"Yes we did," said C.  "You were tired, plus, it's not easy making food with a sleeping sparkling on your chest."  BT looked down to see his daughter waking up slowly from last night's slumber.

"Well, she's not sleeping anymore," said BT.  LR only sighed and finished preparing the bottle.

"Hey, why don't you go and get her changed, and we'll sit down to an easy going breakfast," said LR, trying to keep things calm.  "And after that, we can do Christmas gifts."  C and BT didn't argue as breakfast was quickly finished, and Gale was changed into a fresh diaper.  As they sat down, they talked about little things, such as work, future plans, and other light hearted things.  As breakfast was finished, Gale now content with a full belly, and nothing much else to do, they decided to sit down for some presents.  Gale, having no clue what was going on, sat on BT's lap, and looked at the tree that was brightly lit and decorated.

"So, who gets to go first?" asked LR.

"How about you, LighteningRod," said BT.  LR only shrugged and grabbed the gift from BT.  Before too long, all the presents were handed out.  All… except one.  "Hey Charger, could you hand me that bag with Gale's name on it?"  C looked over and saw it.

"Here you go," he said as he grabbed it and gave it to BT.

"Gale, this is for you," said BT.  Gale's optics grew wide as she saw the package set right in front of her.  She looked up at BT, unsure of what it was for.  "That's yours Gale."  He smiled at her to let her know that it was okay, and sure enough, she grabbed it and looked in to find a lot of brightly colored tissue paper.  She grabbed at it and pulled most of it out, thinking that was her gift.  "Keep going."  Gale looked back into the bag… and saw something that C and LR would have never thought BT would get her.  Dropping the paper, she pulled out a large plushie of BT that was just a little bigger than her and snuggled close to it.

"You made a plushie of yourself?" asked C, rather surprised.  BT only nodded.

"She has so much trouble sleeping at night, that I thought this would be a very appropriate thing to give her," he explained.  "Also…" He gently squeezed the hand of the plush and everyone heard his spark beat.

"Now that… is perfect for her," said LR, smiling.  BT smiled as Gale snuggled it with all her might and enjoyed it.  "Which reminds me, Charger and I got you something just in case of emergency."

"What do you mean?" asked BT.  C and LR smirked and pulled in a very comfortable rocking chair with ottoman.

"Just in case the batteries run out on that thing," said C.  "Don't need your back and neck hurting anymore that they have."  BT smirked and thanked them for their gift as he then turned his attention once again to his daughter.

---

As Christmas day wound down, television specials were watched, and dinner was finished, everyone was ready for bed.  Even Gale was ready for the night as she continued to yawn and snuggle close to BT.  "Time for bed kiddo," he said sweetly as he laid her down with her new plushie.  Sure enough, she fell right to sleep, snuggling close to the plush.  BT smiled, leaving Gale to sleep, and finish talking with C and LR before all of them retired to bed.  As BT lay on his bed, he sighed and tried to sleep.  But something was amiss.  He thought, and he thought, and he realized what was missing.  Getting up and going to Gale's room, she was still asleep, listening to the recorded spark beat from the plushie.  "LighteningRod is going to kill me for this," he thought to himself.  Gently picking Gale up from her bed with the plushie, he walked over to the new rocking chair and made himself comfortable.  "Just one more night.  One more night, and we'll work on you sleeping by yourself."  With a smile, he closed his optics and fell into a deep sleep, with Gale on his chest, and the plushie right at her side.