Two updates in one week, I'm on a roll!Thank you QuietRose-13 for the lovely review, I am so glad you are enjoying Bia's character. She has gone through so many revamps in the attempt to make sure she isn't two-dimensional and boring.
Another shout out to Bee4ever for reviewing as well!
"What are you and your sock full of dust going to do? Make the enemy sneeze to death?" Leo yelled, exasperated from his spot beside Bia, who was quickly growing annoyed as she was squished between the two men.
"Would you just stop yelling! He's working on it, dios mio!" She snapped at the boy whose constant exclamations were often accompanied by flailing limbs, which in turn had knocked her overly sensitive side more than once. Leaning forward she peered up at their stoic leader. "You are working on it, right Sammy?" Her response was a swat on the nose and she rocked back in her seat.
"Fine, see if I ever defend you again," she pouted crossing her arms. Catching his gaze in the rear view mirror she stuck out her tongue, a gesture which he returned. Both were startled from their childish antics at Mikaela's sudden outburst.
"Sam!" Snapping his attention forward, he let out a startled 'whoa', as a jet nearly clipped Bumblebee, who took a sharp right to avoid the collision. Unprepared for the change in direction Bia was sent tumbling into the waiting arms of Leo.
"I knew you couldn't resist my Latin charms." Bia scoffed pushing off of the hormonal boy and doing her best to distance herself in the cramped space.
"As if, viejo cochino!" She snapped back at him. The older boy let out an indignant noise and she grinned, mentally patting herself on the back.
"Those are alien markings, that plane ain't friendly!" Simmons warned from his spot on Bia's right. Mikaela stuck her head out the passenger window, unable to get a clear view in the car due to the amount of people in the small interior.
"He's coming back!" She warned re-entering the vehicle.
Bullets rained down on the convoy, with every miss the sand around them erupted into geysers clouding the air. Bianca shrieked as they weaved through the onslaught, narrowly missing each attack. Craning her neck back she attempted to peer out the back window, but was only able to catch a glimpse of the tail end of the jet as it shot over head.
Bullets came at them from the front this time as the aircraft circled back around, and Bia clenched her fists in an attempt to hold back another scream. Fear had bubbled up past her stomach and now sat in a hard lump in her throat. One wrong move by Bee and they were toast. A soft whimper broke her focus and she looked to her left to see a shaking Leo, lip quivering softly.
"Leo?" she asked softly, then all hell broke loose in the speeding Camaro. The boy launched into hysterics, causing everyone else in the car in turn to scream back at him. Sam had turned around in his seat and was slapping at his roommate, who in turn screamed even louder. Mikaela stayed in her spot, instead clamping her hands over her ears to try and drown out the ruckus, while rolling her eyes and tossing out a scathing comment here and there about the lack of manliness surrounding her. A crackle passed by Bia's ear and with a snarl she wheeled on Simmons, was waving the taser they had acquired back at the museum threateningly. Another poorly aimed jab almost caught her in the shoulder and with a quick yank she snatched the small device, before turning and jamming it into the hysterical boy's neck.
He seized for a moment, cries intensifying before going limp, head lolling against the window. Silence filled the vehicle as all eyes landed on the small girl who still held the crackling, popping device at the ready. Letting off the trigger the weapon quieted and she deposited it into her pants pocket with a raised brow.
"What?" Another volley of shots rained down on them, bringing everyone's attention back to the matter at hand.
Bumblebee swerved, his back end fishtailing in the loose sand as his tires fought for traction, sending the unconscious Leo face first into Bia's chest.
"Bee!" She whined, trying to push the boy back into a sitting position to no avail. She fought against his weight as best she could but every time she would get him into an upright position he would slump over once more, giving him a face full of cleavage. The added weight sat heavily on her damaged ribs and she grit her teeth as the dull throb intensified to a sharp ache, the slit in her side throbbing painfully in time with her heart beat.
As the effects of the taser began to wear off the boy started nuzzling into her chest causing her to cringe. "I call shot gun next time!" She spat bitterly, glaring up at Mikaela who sat comfortably in her seat.
With her attention drawn elsewhere she didn't notice the jet until it came crashing down to earth directly in front of them, transforming as it did. She screamed as Bumblebee skated through it's legs, narrowly avoiding a missile that had been discharged during the Con's decent to earth.
"The dust, hide in the dust!" Simmons commanded. The train of cars disappeared into the cloud of dust that had been kicked up by the barrage of attacks, before swerving to a stop once out of range of their assailant. Leo mumbled against Bianca's chest, and she felt his mouth curve into a grin.
"Ugh, Bumblebee!" The bot engaged the seat belt, wrapping it firmly around Leo and yanking him off the girl who quickly slid out of the back behind Simmons. Leo protested and struggled against the cars grasp who squeezed him tighter, before slamming the now empty drivers seat back against the boy's knees causing him to yelp.
"Whoops," Bumblebee's radio played, though he didn't fool anyone. Bianca brought a hand up to her mouth to try and stifle the laugh that tugged at her lips as Leo struggled to slide out of the back. She gave Bumblebee's hood a gentle pat in thanks, before leaning against the car.
"We've got to split up. Bumblebee you're the decoy, lead the Deceptions away," Sam commanded. "I'm going to get Optimus," he had turned to speak to Simmons who was happy to assign himself a role.
"I'll help draw their fire with Hooey and Looey there," he motioned to Skids and Mudflap. "You need to get to those soldiers." a moment of silence fell over the group and Simmons shook his head with a sigh. "I hope that dust works kid."
Sam nodded and turned to leave, holding his hand out to Bia to take, only for her to not reciprocate the action.
"I'm going with Bee." She stated simply, causing Sam to stutter out a chorus of 'no's' while shaking his head frantically. Pushing off of the Camaro she planted her hands on her hips and her lip jutted out in a scowl. "Why not?"
"Because it's not safe! No, you're coming with me where I can make sure you're OK!" She rolled her eyes at his response.
"Sam, I can barely breathe. Yesterday I was spitting up blood and had to have a hole cut into my body!" she gestured to the haphazard bandages that were wrapped around her side. "Do you really think it's a good idea for me to run across the desert with you? You can't protect me if anything happens, and I'll just slow you down." She shook her head, crossing her arms in finality. "Nope, I am staying with Bee." Sam stomped towards Bumblebee who transformed and looked between the two Witwickeys staring up at him, each wanting a different answer.
"Tell her!" His charge commanded. "Tell her it's not safe and she can't go with you!" Bee looked to Bia who stared right back at him. She had changed since last night, she had made up her mind and her brown eyes held determination that wasn't present before. He couldn't deny her now, not when he was the one who encouraged the idea that she would get the chance to prove herself. Who was he to deny her after she had confided in him, looking to him for guidance. He groaned and looked to Sam.
"But Sam.." he whined, those two words sent Sam into a tizzy and Bumblebee looked to Bia for help. She smiled broadly up at him, sending a warmth coursing through his circuits. Uncrossing her arms she stepped forward and put a gentle hand on Sam's shoulder. He spun around to face her, before she quickly wrapped her arms around his waist in as tight a hug as she could manage. He returned the embrace and she smiled into his chest. He used to be so small when they were little. It was once a sore spot that Bia poked at growing up whenever they were arguing. Now he towered over her, having to bend slightly to reciprocate the hug.
"I know you're scared Sammy, I am too. But I have to do this. Everyone else has someone watching their back, except him. I won't leave him alone. He saved me, even after I ran from him. I have to repay him, you have to let me go." She whispered just loud enough for Sam to hear, but he didn't let go. In fact, her held on even tighter making her wince, yet she didn't complain. "Oh Sammy."
Bumblebee's advanced processors had been able to pick up on Bia's whispers and he gently bent down to rest a finger on the boy's shoulder. Sam looked over to his best friend, conflict clear on the young man's face.
"Sam, I will protect her...No matter the cost." Sam stared back at him still torn, and Bumblebee sighed. "For her...I would lay down my life." Bia's head shot up at that, and she stared at him, mouth open and eyes bewildered. Bee returned his full gaze to Sam. "I promise," and he did. He promised to himself right then and there that he wouldn't let any harm come to his newest charge as long as his spark still burned. Sam sighed and looked to Bia who had regained her composure and looked up at him from her place around his waist.
"Don't do anything stupid, OK?" She smiled up at him and gave his torso another quick squeeze. "Speak for yourself Sammy," he returned her smile and hugged her back.
"I don't mean to ruin the moment." Simmons chimed in, "but I think our friend is coming back to say hello." They looked up to where Simmons finger pointed, and indeed Starscream's figure was discernible in the clouds of dust. The two cousins split apart and Sam watched as Bia made her way to Bee, smile on her face.
"Bee!" Sam called out and Bia froze mid-step, waiting for him to take back his blessing. He surprised her when he instead cracked a grin, "have her home before eleven, and no funny business!" The girl couldn't help the laugh that sprang from her lips. Mirroring Sam's grin she turned back to Bumblebee who gave a salute and transformed back into his alternate mode, popping his passenger door open for her.
"Excuse me! I'm driving." Bee let out a whistle and he quickly opened the driver's door allowing Bianca to easily slide in.
Clicking on her seat belt Bumblebee revved his engine, and Bianca let out a 'whoop' of excitement as her foot slammed down on the gas. His tires spun for a moment, kicking up a cloud of dust before they found traction. Sam watched the duo rocket away from him, disappearing into the brownish fog of desert that had settled around them.
He clutched the sock that held the remains of the Matrix even tighter, praying for his best friend and baby cousin's safety. The weight of the situation they found themselves in was crashing down on him, causing him to freeze up. Mikaela stepped in, tugging on his arm and bringing him back to earth. With a nod the two turned in the opposite direction, heading towards their last hope of salvation.
Hope you enjoyed, reviews are love as always.