Disclaimer: I don't own anything to do with Transformers. At all.
Summary: Bumblebee acts different when separated from his charge. Set after the 2nd movie, after Sam Witwicky goes back to college.
Heads up on the songs used:
Go Away – Eisley
That's what friends are for – rod stewart
Bumblebee gave a metallic groan as he settled into another position on the floor. Ironhide sent him a look with his optics, clearly telling him once again to just shut up and listen.
Bumblebee refused and instead let his mind wander to his young charge. Smoothly, he transformed and a dirty yellow Camaro was left in his place.
Optimus Prime, still not 100% after the Egypt battle, stopped his long wilting speech and looked at the younger autobot.
"Bumblebee," Came the strong voice, "Something on your mind?"
The lights of the Camaro flashed dully, the motor a pitiful whine.
Ratchet ran an eye over the dirt and dust covering Bumblebee. Frustrated he reminded him, "There's a nice high pressure wash here at the base, Bumblebee. Why don't you get that grime off?"
"Go away, go away, and leave me on my own…"
While Ratchet and Ironhide shared a significant look along the lines of 'lets get him', Prime simply remained silent, tilting his head to the surveillance room. Making up his mind, he began walking towards it.
"Hey, what's the old guy doin'?" Skid exclaimed, breaking out of his tussel with Mudflap.
Bumblebee immediately transformed back into autobot form and made a questioning noise.
"If you want to see the boy, come this way."
Bumblebee froze. Carefully, he stepped forward. "What do you mean?"
At once, Ratchet gave something of a growl. "You little-"
"Ratchet!" Ironhide interjected, putting a hand out to stop the medic.
Bumblebee ignored them and hurried after Prime, although when he reached the doorway he paused, hesitant. Vaguely, he heard Ratchet complaining about Bumblebee having his voice all along. Prime's voice spoke from within the chamber, inviting him in once again.
Bumblebee glanced at the frozen twins, before resolutely stepping into the room. His joints hissed as his eyes set upon the group of screens and blinking lights.
"Isn't that…?" Bumblebee lifted a finger to one of the screens.
"Yes. Sam's college." Prime didn't look at the young autobot as he continued. "As soon as Sam left, we hacked into the college security cameras and have been watching him ever since."
Prime tried to look at Bumblebee's face, but the autobot turned his head away. Prime placed his hands on his hips and the moment of silence continued until Bumblebee made a surprised noise. Stepping closer, Prime noticed Bee's gaze on the small pixels that were Sam.
"Ah, good. He's studying. Recently, he's been exhibiting the stereotypical functions of a male college student and-"
"You didn't tell me." The voice was low, unheard of.
Prime readied himself for the onslaught of pitiful looks and sad whines, but they never came.
"Me. His Guardian."
"There's been no activity of Decepticons for months. You know we all decided that they've fled-"
The small yet fierce machine whipped around and glared into Prime's eyes, his own optics alight with flames. For a moment, Optimus felt a rise of power in the room, before Bumblebee seemed to shiver, and immediately lower his head. He curled his fists, in a way Optimus remembered Sam doing once, before looking back at the screens.
"Yes. We – as in myself, Ratchet and Ironhide – have kept this from you. We've been watching Sam for six months, and nothing has happened for you to be concerned with. At the moment," Optimus hesitated, "There's really no need for you to be his guardian."
Now came the whining. Bumblebee used his most pitiful expression, and looked strangely alike to a puppy, when Optimus finally gave in.
"I wasn't saying you couldn't, I'm just saying that if you have had enough-"
"Knowing you can count on me, for sure, that's what friends are for…"
"Enough. Bumblebee, I've shown you this room. Do what you want." And with that, Optimus Prime moved towards the door.
"I'd follow you to the moon in the sky-"
Prime paused in the doorway. "No. Sam clearly expressed his want to be a normal human, and a transforming car showing up at his university isn't a mundane thing."
Bumblebee watched his boss go, before turning back to the screen.
"Bumblebee, if you don't get outta here imma gonna blow your rear end off with my cannon!"
A metallic tang echoed in the room and Ratchet came to investigate. Annoyed, his eyes alighted on the bent metal in both Bumblebee and Ironhide.
"Damn robots. Can't keep their cannons to themselves." He sent a fist towards both robots, effectively filling out the dent.
"Thanks" Ironhide answered gruffly, and eyed Bumblebee. "I've had enough. This youngun is wasting his charge sitting here all day."
"I agree. He refuses to recharge though, so perhaps he simply can't get up?"
Ironhide seemed enthusiastic, raising his heavy arm. "I can help with that!"
Bumblebee tore his eyes away from the screen and fixed them on the two robots like they were annoying bugs.
"Look, have a recharge and we'll watch the boy to make sure he doesn't get abducted by any aliens."
"Good one, Ratchet."
"Why thank you, Ironhide."
Bumblebee lifted his head to talk, but shook his head and decided better. Before his eyes could find his protégé, the screens went blank. He jumped up and looked around the room.
Ironhide held the end of a gigantic power cord. "Oops."
"Oh well, take a break. All those pixels can't be good for the Spark." Ratchet lifted the robot and pushed him out the room.
Bumblebee resisted, but the two bots overpowered him and sent him stalking past Prime towards his quarters.
"What's-"
"I'm going. Tomorrow."
That shut them all up.
"-But have you thought that perhaps Sam doesn't want you there?"
"Sam's not a freshman. He's allowed." Bumblebee flicked his visor and checked his energy levels.
Ironhide grumbled. "I think the kid wanted a normal life. A talking transforming robot is not the norm."
"I won't talk, I'll sing. Anyway, if he prefers it, I'll stay as a car forever." Happy with his check, Bumblebee shook his wings out and sent a happy look to the twins. Mischievous, they gave him identical thumbs up.
"Forever?" Ironhide repeated. "That's a rather long time."
Ratchet couldn't help but admire Bumblebee's loyalty, but he had a feeling that this little yellow robot was going to get that definitely not normal human in a fair bit of strife.
"Look, you might need a medic out there. I heard these male college students are quite…evil."
Looking back at his only past experience of college, where he went to pick up Sam at that 'frat' party, Bumblebee certainly agreed.
"I won't need a medic. Neither will Sam. I can handle a few thousand humans. Like bugs on my windshield."
And that finally depleted Ironhide and Ratchet's long list of reasons why Bumblebee shouldn't travel across the states to visit Sam.
"It is just a visit right?" Ironhide pointed out.
Bumblebee looked too innocent as he dodged right and snuck under Ratchet's arm.
"Bumblebee, I require you to give daily reports."
"Yes sir."
"Our cameras won't work with you in such close proximity, so you are our sole reliance. If you leave for any reason, make sure to get in contact so we can re-establish the internal connections with the college."
"Course."
Prime looked at the radiantly too happy Bumblebee and gave a sigh. "And remember, he is a college student. He's there to study. To learn the ways of human kind."
"Yeah – not go galvanizing across the country with a too bright transformer." Ironhide pitched in.
"And don't forget your recharge cycles! It's a must for you to get at least two human hours a night-"
"Yeah, yeah, yeah."
"Don't humans have recharge cycles too?" Ratchet asked himself. "Ah yes, here it is. Make sure Sam gets his required eight hours a night-"
"Ratchet."
"-Vegies, eight glasses of water, thirty minutes of daily exercise-"
"Ratchet!"
"-And – what?"
Iron hide pointed to the vanishing yellow Camaro. "He's gone."
"Oh." Ratchet turned and watched the yellow speck disappear.
"Ooh, that kid's gonna get in trouble!" Mudflap teased.
"There's gonna be some major whoopin' on Bee's end too, after all, that human kid and this robot bee equals a whole lot of galactic damage." Skid exclaimed, high-fiving his twin.
The early morning was silent, only interrupted by the clash of metal on metal, and the faraway sounds of an engine at full speed.
The three autobots stood with their backs to the sun, looking out across the horizon.
"Don't tell me, we're gonna follow him, right?" Ironhide said slowly, rubbing his shoulder.
"Give him a day or two headstart." Optimus smiled.
"Yeah," Ratchet sarcastically said, shrugging, "We don't wanna seem too untrusting do we, boys."