About an hour later Optimus returned, "Optimus, we must hurry." Ratchet pointed to seats on the craft, "you all are in compliance?" They all nodded, Strongarm glanced over at bee, she couldn't get over what she saw. Seeing their strong leader like that, it made Strongarm feel guilty, guilty in that fact if she should have been up sooner, went faster, anything. A small shiver creeped up her spine, how could even Steeljaw do this? Sideswipe sat straight "let's do this" he stated.
Ratchet went to each bot, taking a small sample of Energon from then. Grimlock sat watching, eyeing the needle. "So uh, do I have to?"
"Grimlock!" Strongarm yelled, "its for the liu..." Optimus held his hand up, "No Grimlock it is your choice." Grimlock squirmed, "im just not a fan of needles." Ratchet smirked, "oh my what a fastinating moutian!"
"Here where? He looked out the window, allowing Ratchet to sneak up on him. "Never mind it flew away." Grimlock sat down with a disappoint look on his face. "Awh" a few moments later when Ratchet was testing each Energon sample Grimlock stood up, "wait a minute! Moutian cant fly! You trick me!" Ratchet rolled his eyes, "about time you caught on." Sideswipe sat nervously in the corner. He hated seeing bee like this, specially when he could do nothing to help, fear ran through him, fear of losing Bumblebee. The first male figure in his life to have actually cared about him. Sideswipe hugged his knees as Bumblebees words rang through his head, "I won't leave you." Strongarm had preoccupied herself studying her homework for the academy, while Drift the minis simply sat there. Sideswipe stood up, "not to sound impatient for anything but what gives?" Ratchet waved his hand, "its almost...done!" Ratchet looked at his energon sample and then to Optimus, Optimus looked directly at the young red mech standing impaintly. "Well?"
"Sideswipe you appear to be the match. If you are willing we..."
sideswipe walked forward," whatever it take to get Bee back."
Optimus nodded in approval the rest of you, please go and get some rest. Strongarm reluctantly agreed, with Grimlock groaning. Drift lead them out. "Sit here." Sideswipe sat down next to bumblebee, his breathing was labored and the yellow mechs spark monitor beeped slowly. "I can't lie and tell you that you won't feel weak after this." Sideswipe nodded, go for it. I can handle whatever side affects there is. I just want bumblebee to be ok." Ratchet nodded, and began hooking up the equpiment to Sideswipe, connect tubes from his arms to bumblebee. Sideswipe flinched with the pinch of the needles. "Hold still " ratchet chastised. Optimus laid a hand on Sideswipes shoulder, "you are doing fine. " sideswipe nodded, grimacing as the the transfusion began. A few moments later, bumblebees breathing seemed to even out, Ratchet disconnected the transfusion. Sideswipe, slowly stood up, "ooh" he wavered grabbing onto Optimus's arm for stability. "Take it easy." Ratchet pushed him back down to sit. "You are going to feel lousy for a while you just need to relax." Sideswipe nodded, too tired to argue. Optimus helped him restand and navigate to another berth near by.
Ratchet sighed as SideSwipe drifted into sleep, "I'm going to get some air." He spoke to Optimus whom nodded in return. "I shall remain with Bumblebee. Ratchet nodded heading out of the exit, being greeted immediately by Strongarm
"Is he going to pull through?" Strongarm asked Ratchet as he came outside for fresh air, "we won't know for a while, didn't Optimus tell you all to go and get rest?" Strongarm shrugged "Wr can't leave the lieutenant, Hows the punk?" Ratchet shook his head "Hopefully this energon transfusion will help."
Strongarm chuckled, "what do you know he actually did some high right for once. Ratchet smiled, remembering Optimus telling him of her love of war stories. "Strongarm you like war stories do you not?" Strongarms eyes lite up, "I love them!" She scooted closer as Ratchet began to tell her a tale, to which Drift and Grimlock both listened as well.
Optimus heard Ratchet telling a story, pleased that perhaps their minds would be taken off the situation. He sat next to Bumblebee, it pained him to see the young warrior fighting for his life. Optimus watched Bumblebees chest move slowly up and down, he had always been like a son to him. Fixit, as per Ratchet, kept a close eye on the monitors.
Night fell, it was cool summer night, the stars shone brightly. Ratchet had managed to put the three to sleep, intentionally, with his stories. Smiling that he had accomplished his goal Ratchet made his way back inside. Optimus had fallen asleep as well, his hand on Bumblebees chest. Fixit, was still awake. Watching the monitors and doing something on a data pad. "Good Evening Ratchet,". He whispered, "Optimus Prime has fallen asleep." Ratchet nodded, "I see that." He winced a little at the position Optimus was sleeping in, his one arm extended so his hand could reach Bumblbees chest the other supporting his head that was laid on the berth next to bumblebee. Ratchet wanted to wake him and shoo him to another berth but couldn't find it in his spark to do so.
He smiled leaving the Prime alone as he retrieved a blank for him from the shops cargo hold.
Early that morning, it was 2 am, darkness still enveloped the land, no one had awakened, Fixit had since fallen asleep. Ratchet sat nearby drifting in and out waking every so often to check BumbleBees vitals. It's was quite, but that silence was broke by a scream. Bumblebee bolted up right, "NO!" He shouted, "Leave me alone! Don't harm them!" He thrashed, Optimus jumped up pushing bumblebee down, holding the thrashing, kicking mech was harder then it looked. "Ratchet!" Optimus hollered, Ratchet was already on filling a vile with a liquid, shoving it into Bumblebees arm the mech slowly began to settle, flinching a little and mumbling before drifting back into sleep. Optimus's eyes were wide as he worked on bringing his own breathing back to normal. Ratchet, breathed, "He should rest now." Optimus blinked, "Ratchet what.." Ratchet cut in, "Shock, his body has had a traumatic experience. It's only natural that his mind is going to try and cope with it. Right now, however this happened to him, is the last memory he has. That is what his mind will use to explain the injury." Optimus nodded in understanding as the three from outside came charging in, "What happened?" Strongarm panicked, Ratchet held up his hand. "Bumblebee is fine." Sideswipe, whom had fallen off the berth in fear, looked to the ground, rising with a mad expression, "How is he fine when we just heard him cry out?" Ratchet looked startled, "I'm sorry?" Sideswipe marched right up to Ratchet, "I want to truth, you guys keep trying to push us away, not telling us the whole story." Ratchet looked over to Optimus, "sideswipe we have told you all we know. Bumblebee is in crictially condition, that is all." Optimus glared at the teen, Sideswioe backed down, throwing up his hands. "What ever I'm going for a drive." He transformed flying out of the ship, "I'll go after him," Strongarm sighed, Optimus placed a hand in front of her. "I will go to him." Strongarm nodded, "he's probably heading for the quarry where we first met, well me and him any way. He likes it there." Russel said from behind him, "thank you russel."
Optimus arrived at the quarry, his transformation echoed off the walls. "Sideswipe?" His voice bounced around the quarry's walls. Silence answered his back, he walked through hoping to spot the young mech somewhere. Turning a corner Optimus found sideswipe sitting on top a large rock, facing the sunrise. "sideswipe," he whispered but loud enough for the mech to hear him. "Oh hey OP. Sorry about that outburst back there." Optimus walked toward him, "Do you mind if I join you?" Sideswipe shook his head, "not at all." Optimus took a seat,
He spoke softly "Bumblbee will pull through, he is strong."
Sideswipe dropped his head, Optimus noticed his shoulders heaving, "Sideswipe are you ok?" Sideswipe brushed his hand against his face, "yeah I'm always cool, some wind blew dust in my eyes. That's all." Sideswipe curled his legs up, wrapping his arms around them. He couldn't cry in front of Optimus, of all bots he is the last one he wanted to cry in front of. Only femme cried, Optimus laid his hand on sideswipes shoulder. "It is alright to be concerned for Bumblebee, we all are." Sideswipe breathed heavily, he could cry, he wouldn't. "Bumblebee cares very deeply for all of you. I know he will pull through because of that." Sideswipe couldn't hold it back anymore. The tears began to stream down his face, "I...I can't lose him." Sideswipe quivered, "he's all I got." Optimus nodded in understanding, sideswipe continued, "he is the only ones that ever...well been there.
Most of my life I've been thrown around like a lob ball to different families. Nobody wanted me, then Bee came along and he actually cared. Now...now I'm scared I'm gonna lose him too." Optimus sat quietly, he did not interrupt. Sideswipe seemed to suddenly realize that he had just told Optimus everything he felt. "sorry, I don't know why I just told you all that." Optimus smiled, "I am glad that you did, in that way I now better understand you." Sideswipe smirked, "not much to understand about me." Optimus patted him on the shoulder, pushing himself back to a standing position. "I will see you back at the ship." Sideswipe jumped up, "wait," he said while giving Optimus a hug, Optimus's eyes widen, he wasn't sure how to react. It had been a long time since someone, other then his sister had hugged him. "Let's not tell anyone about this ok?" Sideswipe shrugged with a smile he transformed, "race you back to base!"
Optimus smiled as Sideswipe disappeared in a cloud of dust, he would give the teen a head start, Optimus activated his jet pack and took to the sky.
Sideswipe spun his tires as he came up on the ship, "I beat him!" He shouted when he did not see Optimus's vehicle mode anywhere. "Glad to see you have made it back in one solid piece sideswipe." Optimus appeared from the ships entrance, sideswipes mouth fell open, "but but how!"
Optimus merely smirked, firing up his jet pack, just enough for the engine to roar. Sideswipe threw up his hands, "cheater!" Optimus smiled, sideswipe seemed to be feeling better and for that he was glad.
A few more weeks went by as bumblebee began to recover, regaining consciousness and to Ratchet's annoyance trying to sit up and talk. He would push him back down with a stern voice, "Bumblebee quiet being stupid! You need to rest! Chatter comes later!" Bumblebee would look to Optimus for help to which Optimus would merely shrug with a smile that said, "you better listen."
Bumblebee would just sulk and lay back down, "I hate being like this." He grumbled, "Optimus laid a hand on his arm. "You have been through a traumatic experience bumblebee." Bumblebee shrugged, "ah I've been through worse, besides, Steeljaw and I need a rematch. This time no surprises." Optimus tapped his arm, "Revenge bumblebee..." bumblebee rolled his eyes, "I know I know, Revenge is the gateway to destruction. But this isn't revenge its...getting even." Optimus cocked his eyebrow, "same thing bumblebee."
After weeks of being laid up Ratchet found it time to get bumblebee back on his feet. Bumblebee was stubborn, Ratchet wanted him to take it slow but Bumblebee wouldn't listen.
"I can do it!" Bumblebee wobbly stood up with Optimus's help, "take it easy." Ratchet walked in front of them, Bumblbee didn't want to let on that it was really uncomfortable, "guys I got this" Optimus looked to Ratchet, "Alright bumblebee." He let go, bumblebee stood upright for a few moments before crashing to the ground. "Ouch!" He yelped, "my legs aren't injured! Why is this so hard!" He yelled, slamming his fist on the ground. Optimus looked to Ratchet, "Bumblebee you have lost a major amount of energon, you have been laid up for weeks, you must give your body time to recover." Bumblebee allowed then to help him back into the berth. "How much longer?" He thought to himself. He could stand it anymore, being weak and helpless. He closed his eyes with a sigh, he wouldn't give up.
Strongarm sat just outside the ship, her and sideswipe were listening in on the happenings, "You have lost a lot of energon bumblebee that your body will need to replenish, you have also been laid up for a few months. You needs to take it easy and relay on help from your friends for now. You are weak and need
To recover." Optimus spoke sternly but with concern, having to repeat Ratchets words in hopes Bumblebee would listen. Bumblebee shook his head, his anger was rising, "that's nice words Optimus when you aren't the one having to hear them, can you honestly say that if said to you, you would have listened!" Bumblebee narrowed his eyes at the prime, he was angry, really angry not at Optimus namely but at steeljaw for doing this to him he wanted payback. Optimus bent down laying a hand on Bumblebees shoulder, "I have many times, not to my liking." Ratchet crossed his arms, "trust me bumblebee if I hadn't practically held him down sometimes he would have been up running around again." Optimus nodded, "it is hard to show weakness when you lead, specially when you have a job that needs done. But your team is strong bumblebee, they will understand."
Sideswipe sighed, "I wish there was
Something we could do." Russel snapped his finger, "that's it!"
Sideswipe and Strongarm both looked dazed, "what?" Strongarm asked, Russel smirked, "we cheer Bee up!" Sideswipe rolled his eyes and crossed his arms, "how?"
"Come on I have an idea. But I need someone to drive." Sideswipe shrugged "sure why not." He transformed into a car and the two sped off, leaving the others behind completely confused.
Bumblebee was allowed to sit up now, he stared out of the ships door that was diganolly crossed from him. The breeze blew sending a warm smell into the ship. He just stared. Sure he had been injured before and felt usless, but this time was worse, this time he was the leader, the bot that they depended on and here he was just sitting, doing nothing. "Bumblebee!" Russel came walking in a big smile plastered on his face, bumblebee tampered down his anger for a moment, "Hey russell, how's it going?" Russel shrugged, "eh it's going pretty good, how you feeeling?" Bumblebee smiled a fake smile, "ill be up and at it in no time. Could be now but Ratchets over protective," he whispered, Ratchet yelled came from across the ship, "I heard that!"
"We have a surprise for you." Russel smiled, "bring it in guys!" Sideswipe came in carry a monitor and Strongarm carrying cords, "we though while you are laid up we could make you happy, sir." Strongarm smiled, "yeah" sideswipe quipped, "like old west happy!" Bumblebee cocked his head, "I'm confused."
Optimus watched as the bots and human set up a tv screen and wires, "we are connecting to a satellite that plays old western films!" Russel stated, "we know you love cowboys!"
Bumblebees eyes lite up," awesome!" He fist pumped
Optimus watched happily as they as crowed around the tv, Grimlock and drift with the minicons included. He was glad that they had found a way to take Bumblebees mind off things, he worried for him. Bumblebee was at a low, leaving Optimus feeling helpless to relieve the pain he was feeling. Ratchet noticed Optimus's distraction, "it's not your fault, isn't that what you always say to me?" Optimus smirked, "indeed old friend." He sighed, "I just wish that I could help him in some way." Ratchet sighed walking to join him, "he will recover, he is at a low right now due to the energon loss. It's not uncommon." Optimus nodded, "for the moment, he seems to be content."
Bumblebee watched the screen, cowboys and Indians running back a forth, shooting and whooping. He loved these shows, it was his favorite earth era. The others had crowded around the monitor as well, though they weren't as into the cowboys as he was, they were there. Bumblebee smiled a little looking around at the others, his spark felt warm knowing that his friends were here for him. He looked over to Optimus who was chatting with Ratchet, but why did he still feel like a failure? He dropped his head, everything they had been through, everything they had accomplished and yet somehow with Optimus standing there, knowing he had seen him in such a weak state he felt that he had somehow let Optimus down.
That night when everyone was asleep, Optimus walked about the ship making sure that the team and Ratchet had fallen asleep, Ratchet had insisted on staying a few extra days to ensure Bumblebee was healing and progressing. Bumblebee had tried to insist that he could go with his team but to no avail, Optimus smiled looking at bumblebee resting, bumblebee was very persistent. Optimus turned to walked away when he noticed bumblebee flinch, Optimus stopped he flinched again. "Bumblebee?" Optimus whispered, bumblebee jerked hard before bolting to an upright position, "No Steeljaw!" Optimus jumped back, as bumblebee jumped up guns drawn, "get away from me!" He hissed, Optimus put his hand up slightly, "bumblebee you need to wake up," he spoke softly, "it is a dream." Bumblebee shook his head, "No your tricks won't work on me!" Bumblebee lunged forward, Optimus stepped to the side grabbing him, "bumblebee, listen to my voice." Bumblebee fought a little, his body relaxing. "Please Steeljaw no!" He whimpered a little before waking, realizing he was being held by Optimus. "Optimus? Wha..what why are you holding me?" Optimus sighed in relief, "you are awake." He released the tension. Bumblebee shook himself stretching his arms, "I had the worst nightmare I...oh no" bumblebee gasped when the realization hit him, "did I hurt you?" Optimus shook his head, "you were yelling at Steeljaw, asking him not to harm you." Bumblebee turned his back, he hadn't told Optimus about what Steeljaw had said to him about losing his voice. That was the first time in a long time that bumblebee had been completely paralyzed by terror. Bumblebee looked around, somehow no one else had woken up, he felt tears brimming his eyes, he couldn't cry, not here not in front of Optimus. Optimus laid his hands on his shoulders turning him around, "Bumblebee look at me." Bumblebee kept his head down, but turned around, Optimus picked up Bumblebees head, his spark ached to see him hurting, one he considered a son. Bumblebee let him lift his head, the tears began to slowly fall. "I was scared, Optimus, he...he threatened to take my voice away again." Bumblebee took a shaky breath, "that was the first time since the war that I had been truly terrified." Optimus's face showed with sympathy and compassion, "I do not blame you for being afraid bumblebee, that was a traumatic experience for you. You have a right to be fearful." Bumblebee tried to drop his head but Optimus's gaze made him keep his eye contact, "what do I do Optimus? I keeping having these nightmares, what do I do?" Optimus took his hand from Bumblebees chin and moved it to the side of his face, "how did you overcome it before?" Bumblebee furrowed his eyes in deep thought, "an anchor..." he whispered, Optimus nodded, "I created an anchor for myself, when my fear and aniexty begin to rise I can use my anchor to pull me back." Optimus nodded again, "Use that anchor to control your fear, you controlled it once before, you can do it again." Bumblebee nodded smiling, though it faded quickly, "Why do I feel like I have failed my team? And...and you?" Bumblebees shoulders dropped. Optimus's face held the same gaze, "you did not fail Bumblebee me nor your team. Injury in war is inevitable, it is how we respond that shapes who you are. Your team has become stronger because of your strength during this time. " bumblebee nodded. "thank you Optimus. I needed to talk to you." Optimus smiled, "I am always here for you bumblebee." Bumblebe sighed a sigh of relief, "Can we not tell anyone about this?" Optimus smiled, "yes Bumblebee I will tell no one, though know this speaking your feelings does not show weakness but strength. ." Bumblebee smiled, "Got it, Oh and Optimus?" Optimus titled his head, "yes?" Bumblebee embraced Optimus, Optimus returned it, having had practice from his talk with SideSwipe "You are the closest thing to a father I've ever had, and for that I thank you." Optimus smiled, "and you a son, and I thank you."
Ratchet had been watching the whole encounter from his berth, neither one had noticed him. He smiled to himself, ever since they had found a small yellow sparkling, lost and alone in a town that had been massacred Optimus had taking an immediate liking to him, though he had denied at first when Ratchet had asked him, but gradually he came to admit his favoring upon the sparkling. Ratchet closed his eyes, some things never changed.
A few days later Ratchet had become content with Bumblbee progression, "I think we better head backOptimus. They will be needing us." Bumblebees shoulders dropped, "you still can't tell me?" Optimus shook his head, "in good time, for now the less you know the better. For whom we are fighting they have incredible resources and power." Bumblbee nodded sadly. "I understand, and I trust you." Optimus smiled, "we will return, and when we do, hopefully I shall be able to tell you what we know." Ratchet and Optimus boarded the ship, "bye Ratchet and thank you." Bumblebee hugged Ratchet. To which Ratchet pushed back with a nervous chuckle, He laid a hand on his shoulder, "Optimus thinks very highly of you, he is very proud of you." Bumblebee smiled laying his hand on Ratchets arm, "Thank you Ratchet. And I of him."
Bumblebee watched with sadness as the ship departed, he watched until the ship was no longer in sight. He hated seeing Optimus and Ratheg go, he wanted so badly to join them but knew his place was on earth for now. "Where to Bee?" Sideswipe asked, Bumblebee looked behind him, "Back to the home base." Strongarm smirked " you mean the home cave." Bumblbee laughed, "yes the home cave."
The drive back was fantastic, Bumblebee could feel the wind, it felt great to drive after months of being laid up. He did notice however that sideswipe was sticking to him like glue, he swerved sideswipe swerved, he breaked sideswipe breaked . Bumblebee took a sharp right, causing the others, except sideswipe, to slide. "Whoa! Lieutenant" Strongarm skidded, "what was that? You ok?" Bumblebee transformed, "I'm fine. You and drift along with Grim go back to the cave, I need to speak with SideSwipe." Sideswipe transformed, "me?" He asked nervously seeing the annoyed look on Bumblebees face, "yes you." Strongarm elbowed sideswipe, "you did it now, what ever you did."
Bumblebee waited till the others were out of hearing range, his looks softened, "Sideswipe what's wrong?" Sideswipe swayed back and forth nervously, "nothing why would you ask?"
"Because you are sticking to my bumper like glue, every move I make you copy it, what gives?" Sideswipe dug in the dirt with his foot, "was I doing that?" Bumblbee crossed his arms, "Yes you were." Sideswipe shrugged," I must have..."
"Sideswipe the truth please." Sideswipe sighed heavily, "I'm worried that if you leave out of sight again something's gonna happen." Sideswipe looked at the scars on Bumblebees neck and chassis, "-and that something will happen to you." Bumblbee smiled, "I told you before sideswipe I'm not gonna leave you. I will be here for you." Sideswipe nodded, "I know, don't we have a cave to get to?" He smirked bumblebee smiled, "yes we do." Bumblbee smiled, sideswipe was someone who needed a father figure, someone to mentor him Bumblebee chuckled to himself, he had become not only a leader but also a mentor. "No pressure," he mumbled to himself as the two headed for the cave.
