They had called the humans to clean up the mess… saying that they could study the two Decepticons all they wanted, but once done, they were responsible for destroying every trace of their lives.

Bumblee and Ratchett were back in their hidden cave, tending to Soundwave. He had woken up and started flailing around… the medic had to induce a heavy sleep to keep him still. Bee only watched and said nothing, obviously traumatized by the whole event.

We were just walking… it was so Calm.

And now he's insane and-

"If you look it on the bright side, the war is technically won."

But not by Prime's hands. Bee thought dramatically, making a sad little buzz.

Ratchett side, turning away from the computer that was in charge of Soundwave's vitals, "I know what you saw and felt out there was heavy. You weren't prepared as a soldier to deal with all of that…"

Bee said nothing.

"We're going to find Prime, and we're going to defeat any other decepticon that thinks himself worthy of trying to destroy this planet."

Nothing.

Grumbling, the medic turned back to working on Soundwave. He suspected that Bee knew what he was trying to do. The dark one had literally destroyed his mind chips and memory sensors with that episode. Weather it was before or after the dead was a question that could not be answered. But without this drug making him sleep- he'd still be in that destructive mode.

It was almost sad to Ratchett's eyes.

But right now that doctor could only worry for his leader, and the angry vengeful soldiers that Megatron left behind.

"It will get better," The doctor promised, "I know it will."

Soundwave had acted like their little miracle after all.

Once the medic was out to talk to Arcee and the human council over the whole thing (which would take days to calm the earth organisms down) Bee waddled himself over to Soundwave's side.

Look at yourself… how long were you holding that in? For that monster?

He listened to the low hum that still signaled Soundwave was alive and running.

I'm sorry we played a role in your self destruction…

Bee hadn't even noticed himself taking the bot's limp hand.

I do not know what will happen to you… or Knockout- or any of the Decepticons but.. but I think we won't kill you. Or turn you over to the humans.

I think.

Bee grips Soundwave's hand tighter.

You're silent, just like me.

…..

You didn't say anything while you were here. Infact- you were too nervous to make eye contact with me.

So why are you special to me. You shouldn't be anything to me…

Bumblebee just sits back, letting go of the dark one's claws and watching him sleep. He thinks… he thinks hard. What will happen from here? Where will this all end up? Only time would tell.

Jack, of course, was the one who found Orion. The Prime was wandering around in the desert, looking rattled… but managing. He asked lots of questions to the human- questions that Megatron never answered. The boy said that everything would make more sense if he came with him…

Arcee was there in a flash, not trying to hold in a smile when she saw her leader.

They led Prime safely to their base, filling him in on everything.

Orion franticly apologized for everything- and told the Autobots that the Vehicons and remaining Decepticons were off in space- some left and some still on earth… but without their leader, they were nothing. The artifacts were placed back on this land somewhere. The ones who ventured off into space didn't want any more war, which was a huge luck pile for the Autobots. Orion, in all his innocence, vowed to not tell them where Knockout was. They assumed he was racing with the humans- maybe hiding. Maybe he too would one day return to space. No one feared anything anymore…

And finally Orion was restored to Optimus Prime.

Bee was happy, of course, and his pals were rejoicing and partying- Mikko led the dance off. Yes, Bee was happy but….Soundwave had not woken up yet. Ratchett refused to let him up and off.

Not until Optimus said something about it all.

.

.

.

And when he did- he was not happy.

The war had come to a brutal end- one which Optimus did not intend to happen. He did not intend for his enemy to be beaten to a pulp of junk- or his minions to be broken and leaderless. It was a cruel way to end such… such a long battle.

Almost anti-climactic too.

But now the great one could do nothing but stare at the one who ended it all. Soundwave. Megatron's equal and right hand man.

"Whatever you want, we will take in stride, Optimus." Arcee said behind him, watching the dark one's face move ever so slightly. Was he dreaming?

Prime continued to stare- but not at Soundwave… but at Bee, who was right across from him. Bee was staring right at Soundwave's face and body, scanning him. He'd seen such a look before. He knew what Bumblebee may be thinking. He could suspect what happened while he was… away.

"Leave-" Prime ordered, sounding rather harsh. Arcee and Bulkhead turned to leave, as did Bee- but was stopped by a metal hand in his face.

Bee made a quick chirp but was hushed by the stern look Optimus was giving him.

Once the other two closed the door and were halfway down the hall, he began,

"What happened here while I was gone, Bee? I heard you were being a bit weird first off…"

Bee made an excuse- saying he missed Prime and was frazzled by not seeing his human friend.

"But then Soundwave came along, and you calmed. Infact- it seemed you took him under your wing…"

No excuse or response other than a glance to Soundwave.

"I don't mean this to sound like an interrogation… but… it's clear. Isn't it?"

Knowing he had no way out, Bee nodded.

Prime went closer to Soundwave.

"How long has he been asleep for?"

'Since we found you.'

"So how long."

'About 3 days.'

"Has Ratchett done anything to him? Anything at all?"

'He's tried to re-wire his brain… fix him.'

"Re-wiring isn't fixing, it's tearing something down and building on top."

Bee nodded, fists clenched.

"That bothered you, didn't it. So why didn't you say anything?"

'It wasn't my place-'

"Every soldier, no matter who, has a say in this team. That's what makes us a team. And that's why the Decepticons fell."

…..

"Is there another reason-"

'Soundwave is mad- Prime. Sir- he… he's better off asleep. He really is… I don't want to endanger the team—'

"You don't want him to wake up and not recognize you."

Fuck.

"So… why not wake him up?" With that Prime let out the drug wire that was in his body, plucking it as if nothing. Soundwave jerked- but was still out.

Bee made frantic noises.

"I'll wait with you, if you want."

More frantic noises from Bee.

Prime took a seat on a far end corner, relaxing himself.

Waiting.

.

.

.