Disclaimer: Transformers is the property of Hasbro and anyone they have sold the rights to. The original characters and plot are the property of the author. Unauthorized or acknowledged use is forbidden, (i.e. if you want to use it, ask first!) No infringement is implied nor intended. No financial gain has been received.

A/N: Hey all. I'm back. First let me assure you that I haven't abandoned Children of MegatronCoM, I fully intend to return to finish it before too long. Unfortunately, the final chapter of this story has popped into my head, and I just had to write it down before I lost it. It is completely independent of CoM, and will not be nearly as long (hopefully), so it shouldn't be too long before it's complete. Anyway, it takes place from just after RotF through and just after DotM. Hope you enjoy it. As always, let me know what I did wrong and what I did right. Tracy

-Prologue-

This was so hard for the both of them; saying "Good bye." They had become such close friends, but Bumblebee's duty was to Sam Witwicky. Even though his current "driver," Mikaela Banes, had become like a sibling to him, their relationship had to be severed.

"This totally sucks," Bumblebee admitted through a clip played on his radio.

"I know. It isn't easy for me either, but your duty is to Sam. Now that we've officially broken up, there's no legitimate excuse for us to interact."

"But you're the best fixer upper I've ever had under my hood," he lamented through radio clips.

"Better not let Ratchet hear you say that," she said with a laugh.

"Bee? What's that?" she asked, motioning down the road to the overlook.

"'Con! Hurry! Get out," he ordered as he opened his door.

Mikaela quickly complied as she retreated behind him.

"Who is it?" she asked when the sounds of his transformation ebbed.

"Soundwave. Spymaster extraordinaire, comm officer and third in command," he informed as he targeted the incoming vehicle.

"So why aren't you shooting him?" she asked fearfully as a royal blue Toyota Camry pulled up in front of them and stopped.

Before he could answer, the Camry's rear door opened and cable tenticles gently set down a couple of bags and a car seat with a wide eyed child strapped into it.

"That's why," Bumblebee answered as he visibly tensed further.

His wary stare turned to confusion as the 'Con deposited the child, a femme by the look of her, and then took off back down the road. Hesitantly, he started toward her, only to stop short at the frightened shriek.

The pair watched in amazement as small fingers fumbled with the buckles before figuring it out and releasing herself.

"Daddy! Don't go!" she said, chasing after the retreating comm officer. "Daddy! I'll be good! Come back!"

Bumblebee felt his spark shatter in his chamber as he watched the human sparkling chasing after one of the most feared Deceptacons of all. Sparing a quick scan for the discarded items, noting a data pad was the only technology, he hesitantly began following. When she tripped and fell, he hurried toward her with Mikaela hot on his heels. He watched in astonishment as Soundwave braked hard when she gave a pained cry, only to speed off again when the scout reached her.

"Daddy! Daddy!" the child sobbed, still reaching after the fleeing figure.

"Oh! You poor thing," Mikaela cooed as she picked up the crying child.

Tearfully, the little girl looked up to the being holding her, and gave a terrified shriek as a fresh wash of tears began flooding her eyes. In sheer terror, the little girl began to fight in desperation, kicking and scratching.

"Let go! Let me go! Daddy!" the child screamed.

"Ow! Stop it. Ouch!" Mikaela ordered before she sat the girl back down and stepped away.

"I was only trying to help, you little brat," the adult informed in surprised pain. She rubbed at the scratches welling with blood on her arms as she looked at the girl in confusion.

"She's just scared," Bumblebee advised before offering the sparkling his hand.

Both were surprised when she eagerly crawled on and sat still, the only movement coming from the sobs wracking her tiny frame.

"Well that's weird," Mikaela commented about the ease with which the child calmed under Bumblebee's care. "Unless she isn't human, she should be freaked out by you and calmed by me.

"Is she human?"

VVVVVBREAKVVVVV

Soundwave accelerated as fast as his alt would allow. She was in the care of the Autobot scout now, soon to be the entirety of the Prime's faction. He knew she would be safe with them, and yet his spark felt as if it was about to self extinguish.

Allowing himself a shuttering sigh through his vents, he comm'd his cassette, Ratbat, "Designation; Faith Melody. Status; entrusted to Autobot scout."

He was not surprised when the minicon interrupted him with a shrill cry, "What? You turned her over to the Autobots? Why? Wasn't I an adequate guardian? She did nothing wrong, it couldn't have been her fault . . ."

"Ratbat!" Soundwave finally got his creation's attention.

Ratbat's silence informed Soundwave of the cassette's state of processor; he was upset, hurt and angry with his creator's decision.

He allowed his own emotions over their bond as he audibly sighed over the comm. "She was in danger with us," the spymaster informed wearily, dropping his formal speech pattern. "My only choice to ensure her safety from Megatron was with Prime and the Autobots."

"You left her with the young scout?" the cassette asked to clarify and reiterate.

"Yes. He was also an orphan and has demonstrated a fondness for humans," the spymaster added to answer the young 'Con's next question.

"How long until they find me?" Ratbat asked as he got himself back under control.

He had been the one to pack her belongings, as per Soundwave's instructions, so he knew clues had been included to lead them straight back to their home.

"Within thirty hours," Soundwave answered. "You are not to engage," he finished.

"You want them to capture me? Why?"

"To keep you both safe, and to give your sister someone familiar to stay with her," he admitted.

"Understood.

"Dad?" Ratbat asked hesitantly.

Soundwave felt his spark warm pleasantly at the familiar address. "Yes, son?"

"I'll keep her safe, or give my spark trying."

"As would I."