Sorry for the delay, lost my internet only a couple of days after I posted the last chapter. We live in kind of a rural area and, well, lets just say that over a week with no internet at home is tough. Makes me wonder how I ever survived before the internet was invented :D

Anyway, this is the first chapter of a three-chapter arc in which I hope to deal with a couple of issues left unfinished from the first movie. Warning, it will get a little angsty. But, if you've read my stuff, you know I don't leave things like that.

These chapters will also be longer than most of the ones that came before. If you like the longer chapters, please let me know. Real life has been absolutely crazy the last two weeks and sleep depravation is an understatement, so my editing might be somewhat lacking. If you find glaring errors I apologize and please let me know about them.

Onward with the story!

/Sam?/ Wheeljack's reply was filled with surprised happiness. /Well, of course it's you Sam. What can I do for you?/

/Are you busy at the moment?/

There was a slight pause. /Well, I'm just in my lab right now. I'm not really doing anything important. Of course Sam, I'd be glad to help however I can./ Wheeljack's smile was almost audible in his transmission.

/Can you meet me in the rec room?/

There was another slight pause. /Of course, Sam./

The comm. signal went dead and Sam sighed. He pushed himself to his feet and made his way to the rec room, pausing briefly in the bathroom to make sure he was presentable.

~ Do you think 'Jack will go with you? ~ Bee asked him.

~ Doesn't hurt to ask. ~ Sam replied.

Most of the Autobots were attending to their duties or were out training with Ironhide and the human soldiers. For that reason he encountered no one on his way. A quick glance in the rec room revealed he had arrived before Wheeljack so Sam opted to wait in the hall.

He felt the slight tremble run through the ground heralding a mech's arrival before he saw Wheeljack. Interesting. Most mechs did not make that much noise when they walked. Sam pushed off the wall he had slouched against to wave in greeting to the white and green mech.

Wheeljack wiggled a couple of fingers at him before kneeling, the fins framing his face flickering lightly. "Good morning Sam."

"Mornin' Wheeljack." Sam could not help but grin at the inventor's perpetually cheerful tone.

"So… What did you need help with?" One white hand rested on a knee as the other braced against the floor beside Sam.

Sam hesitated, but what he had told Bee was correct. It did not hurt to ask. "I was wondering if you'd come with me to tell Ratchet what happened yesterday?" He held up the datapad by way of explanation.

Wheeljack's face went blank. "Ratchet?"

Licking his lips, Sam hastened to continue. "You're the one who figured it out and… well… Bee's busy training and I'm afraid that if I wait to long, I'll loose my nerve."

Wheeljack's head canted slightly and Sam looked up at him pleadingly. "I just don't want to be alone when he tells me how much I'm changing. Please?"

A gust of warm air brushed across Sam's face as the mech released a vent. Then he nodded slowly, though his fins lit brightly at Sam's relieved smile. The older mech seemed to hesitate then slowly let go of his knee to offer his palm. He did so in a manner that indicated he was not sure he should.

More grateful than he wanted to admit, Sam quickly scampered up onto the proffered appendage.

As they neared the med bay, Sam hesitantly asked if it would be wise to just pop in unannounced or if it would be better to radio ahead. Wheeljack paused in his movements and looked down at Sam.

"You haven't told him we are coming?"

Sam bit his lip. "Um… not really. I mean he is expecting me some time today, just not… right… now. Um… is that an 'oops?'"

Wheeljack's head canted to the side again. "I'm not sure exactly how 'oops' functions as a noun in your language, but it is polite to always notify a senior ranking 'Bot when you want to use part of their time. Especially Ratchet."

Sam blushed, looking down, belatedly remembering that Bee had always done exactly that. He mumbled an apology and was slightly shocked when Wheeljack softly brushed his back with a finger from his free hand.

"Now, don't be too upset there. We haven't walked in on the old Hatchet yet. You're learning." Facial fins brightened as he smiled down at Sam. "Can't expect a youngling to know all this stuff without having to be taught."

Swallowing, Sam smiled at the mech through his embarrassment, seeing in Wheeljack's words and mannerisms an elder teaching a young child. At first he was tempted to bristle at the implications, but then remembered that, comparatively speaking, that was exactly what he was. Not to mention just how ignorant he was of Cybertronian culture: like a child would be.

Wheeljack must have seen his reaction because the mech's finger brushed against his back again. "That's alright. We aren't there yet. Go ahead and contact Ratchet."

Sam nodded and hesitantly reached across his bond with Bee to access his comm. systems again, only to encounter his brother's warm amusement.

~ Thanks for the heads up, bro. ~ He sent to the yellow mech.

~ It's part of growing up. Was Bee's light-hearted reply.

With a sigh, Sam found Ratchet's frequency. Then he hesitated. He had never contacted the testy CMO before. On second thought, he briefly accessed Bee's files regarding etiquette so he could find out how to properly communicate with someone of Ratchet's social status. No point in adding rudeness to his almost social blunder.

Taking a breath, Sam sent the medic a ping. /Ratchet, sir?/

/Samuel./ Ratchet greeted immediately with only a slight hint of surprise. /Is everything alright?/

/Oh… yes? I mean, I think so./ He face palmed and felt his neck flush as Wheeljack laughed softly.

Ratchet's light chuckle joined the inventor's /You should work on your sincerity, youngling./

/Yeah./ Sam glanced up at the mech holding. /Sorry about that. Um… do you have some time?/

/I am not currently doing anything of consequence. Are you ready for our meeting?/

/Yes. But… there is something new to er… show you too./

What seemed like amused excitement filtered across the signal. /Oh? A new development?/

Sam rubbed at his face. /Yeah, something like that./

/Very well. When will you be here?/

Sam eyed the closed door of the med bay less than 25 feet from where Wheeljack now stood. /Um… how about now?/

Silence.

Sam pressed his lips together nervously. Before he could inquire as to the medic's lack of reply, the med bay door hissed open. Ratchet took one step out, then froze.

Not knowing what else to do, Sam waved. "Hi, Ratch."

"Samuel." Ratchet blinked at Wheeljack who also waved with the hand not holding Sam. "Wheeljack? What the slag are you doing carrying Sam? What in the pit did you do…?"

"Ratchet. Ratchet!" Sam cut off the building tirade, patting the finger under his hands. "Wheeljack here is the one who figured out what was going on. I asked if he could come with me."

The chartreuse medic crossed his arms. "And exactly what, pray tell, is going on?"

Sam glanced up at and back at the mech holding. "You got that… that holo projector-whatcha-ma-call-it."

Wheeljack blinked, then his facial fins brightened in comprehension. Next thing Sam knew he brought his other hand up next to the one that held him, the smooth metal device appearing out of thin air in his palm. Sam slid over to his other hand.

He laid both palms on the polished surface and concentrated. This time he brought to life the display but kept it as the smaller version.

Hydraulics hissed as Ratchet sucked in air. "Is that…"

"Iacon." Sam confirmed, enlarging the projection. Curious, he tried to move the projection to the next stored image. The image wavered and then shifted, bleeding into the new picture.

It took Sam a moment to recognize the new image, as out of context as he remembered it. But there was no mistaking the nearly overwhelming beauty, the concealed power rippling through the metal cube now hovering before him. Sam felt his gut clench at the same time he heard what sounded like a hiss of pain from Wheeljack and a hitching of Ratchet's vents.

As painful as it was for him to see the AllSpark again, in all its dazzling brilliance, he could only imagine how hard it must be for them, knowing that with its destruction ended the future of their race.

"S…Sorry." He murmured, shutting the projector down, removing his hands. "I'm so sorry." He could not look at either mech and realized he was apologizing almost as much for unintentionally reminding them of the AllSpark's destruction as he was for being the one who destroyed it.

He felt reassurance from Bee brush across the bond at the same time Wheeljack gently touched his shoulder with his free hand. A moment later, another giant metal finger rested on his back. For just a moment, Sam felt worse for their offers of comfort and forgiveness.

"Samuel." Ratchet said gravely. "You have nothing to apologize for. The destruction of the AllSpark was not your fault. What is done is done and what would have happened if you had not acted as you did would have been far worse."

Worse than the extinction of a whole race? Sam was not so sure.

Hesitantly Sam looked up at the yellow-green CMO. "I'll always regret it, though."

Even after the events in Egypt he had not had the courage to make himself talk to any of the Autobots about the destruction of the AllSpark. Not even Bee. Even with the bond, he had skirted that topic like a plague, not wanting to feel the hurt and pain his brother just had to be feeling because of his actions. As for the others… he was not sure he could face their reactions and was just unspeakably glad and grateful none had treated him any different afterward.

"A fact to which we have not been ignorant, Samuel." Ratchet's usually brusque voice was almost soft. "I see now it was a mistake to leave the matter unaddressed this long."

Sam blinked as Ratchet shifted his hand from pressing gently against his back to hold his palm up and inviting next to Wheeljack's. With only a moment's hesitation, Sam scooted into the medic's palm.

A digit from Ratchet's free hand touched his shoulder briefly before he turned back to Wheeljack, plucking the emitter up and peering at it. "This is a standard, non-modified holoprojector…" He paused, optics widening as they dropped back down to Sam. "Was that you operating it, Samuel?"

Sam could only nod. "It started with the datapad you gave me."

Wheeljack nodded. "He and Bee were with the rest of us in the rec room the other… well, last night and it was noted that Sam hadn't scrolled to the next page. Well, he insisted that he had and speculated there might be sensors that…"

Ratchet waved a hand briskly, quieting the inventor. "The short version is you can use our technology without modifications needing to be made for you."

"Apparently so, yep."

"How?"

Sam shrugged, looking up at Wheeljack.

Taking his cue, Wheeljack launched into a rapid-fire, highly technical, doubtlessly rambling explanation of his current theory. Sam was only able to follow that the basic theme was that it had something to do with his being able to manipulate energy fields to affect sensors designed to respond to certain energy patterns.

He was vaguely aware that it was the part of his mind that now rested solidly in Bee's processor that was translating the little bit of the techno-babble he was able to understand. It was interesting to process information in such a combined yet fragmented manner.

He was distracted from his musings as Ratchet addressed him again. Having handed the holoprojector back to its owner, he was holding a couple of fingers near Sam's head. "May I, Samuel?"

This time Sam nodded without hesitation. He wanted to know what was going on too, and that desire was stronger than any reticence he might have about the medic.

Expecting this scan to be just like all the previous ones he had endured, Sam stiffened as a creeping, itching sensation raced across his body while simultaneously it felt like the skin on every inch of his body was suddenly scalding and an almost ringing static bombarded him.

"What the frag!" He demanded, moving away from the fingers still hovering near his head, shuddering.

Ratchet's fingers withdrew instantly, the whole thing having only lasted a handful of seconds. "Samuel?"

"Whatever you just did. It was making my skin crawl and my ears buzz." Sam glared up at the genuinely puzzled face of the Autobot's CMO. "What the heck were you doing?"

"Running a simple scan, as I have numerous times before. I don't understand…" His voice trailed off as he glanced at Wheeljack – who was looking on with concerned confusion himself. Then Ratchet's optics lit with comprehension. "Of course. I should have anticipated this."

Ratchet looked back at Sam. "Once again, I offer my apologies, Samuel. I have grown used to running medical scans on humans using the same strength I do on my fellow Autobots, as none of you seemed bothered by them before, even though it is hardly necessary from a technical perspective. May I lower the intensity and try again?"

Sam stared up at Ratchet's earnest expression and sighed. "I'm not saying no, I just want to know what happened right there before I say yes."

"I do have an hypothesis, but I would prefer not to say anything until I can either confirm or refute it." Ratchet glanced at Wheeljack again.

Sam felt the soft flicker of Bumblebee's spark against his soul and could tell his brother trusted Ratchet and was encouraging him to give the CMO another chance. At length he nodded. "Okay, Ratch. Go ahead."

With a soft sigh of air hissing through his systems, Ratchet seemed to relax and lowered his hand again. This time it took all of Sam's self control not to wriggle as he waited. He could feel it again, though it was not nearly as intense or uncomfortable as it was the first time.

As usual the scan only lasted just over half a minute, then it was done.

"Well, that is truly interesting." Ratchet stroked his chin thoughtfully as he looked down at Sam. "It seems like your brain's efficiency was not the only thing affected. Your sensory perception has also been significantly heightened."

"What does that mean?" Sam asked, unable to entirely subdue the tremor in his voice.

"As I am sure you are aware, there is much about human physiology that is actually electrical in nature. Your kind calls it bioelectricity: the movement of electrolytes across the cell membranes making up your body." Sam was not particularly aware of that, but he just nodded. "It appears that your body's efficiency in sensing and manipulating the bioelectric fields it produces, or other electrical fields it comes into contact with, have also been greatly increased."

Sam swallowed. "What does that mean?" He asked again, feeling like a broken record.

"You mean I was right?" Wheeljack asked simultaneously, his facial fins flashing distractingly.

"Well, it is the most likely explanation for not only how you are able to control our technology, but also why you felt my initial scan." Ratchet said in a manner that was much like a teacher, completely ignoring the inventor.

"I felt your second scan too." Sam pointed corrected. "It just wasn't nearly as painful."

"Painful?" Ratchet's facial plates dropped into an abashed frown.

"Yeah." Sam rubbed a hand through his hair, wishing he had not said anything. "Felt like my skin was burning and tingling and not to mention the ringing in my ears."

Ratchet's optics shuttered several times in quick succession. "I had no idea it had been that uncomfortable." The chartreuse mech looked down in a way that just screamed contrition, at least for Ratchet. And that was just… odd. "My apologies, Samuel. I know you were concerned about that type of thing before. I am truly amazed you allowed me to continue. Please forgive me for not anticipating your new sensitivity. I assure you it will not happen again."

Sam swallowed. He had almost forgotten about his initial fear of being treated like Bee was by Sector Seven and was amazed that not only had Ratchet remembered, he was taking it so personally. He knew he had hurt Ratchet when he confessed that fear back in the Prime's office… was it just yesterday? Or was it the day before? He could not remember. Regardless, he had not meant to then and he did not mean to now. The thing of it was, considering what little he had seen of S-Seven's 'study' of Bumblebee, Ratchet's first scan probably felt much the same way that had for his brother.

But Ratchet had stopped immediately as soon as he had let his discomfort be known. That was the difference.

He smiled weakly. "Yeah, I know Ratch. It's okay. I'm sorry."

"Why do you apologize?" Ratchet sounded truly at a loss.

Sam swallowed. "'Cause I know you didn't mean for it to happen like that."

"But still…"

This time Sam's sigh was somewhat exasperated. "You didn't know I'd be able to feel it. It was an accident. I accept your apology, please don't worry any more about it. Okay?"

Ratchet just stared down at him and Sam could also feel the heavy weight of Wheeljack's optics on his back. Finally Ratchet canted his head to the side as if confused, but he did not give voice to that confusion. Then he smiled slightly. "Your brother has always been quick to forgive others as well. You two are truly a lot alike."

Sam could not help but smile at that, sending a quick, happy nudge across the bond to the 'Bot in question. "Thanks Ratchet." Then his initial trepidation edged back in. "So, what's the verdict? Am I still human?"

Ratchet's head jerked back. "What else would you be? Of course you are still human. The changes that have occurred to date have only heightened physical and mental capabilities your species already possesses in a latent form."

The relief Sam felt at that statement could not be put into words, he simply sat down heavily in Ratchet's hand. The CMO whirred with concern, but Sam waved off Ratchet's hand before another scan could be performed. "I'm fine just… you have no idea how glad I am to hear that."

A soft grunt of understanding came from the medic. "You thought you were being transformed into something other than human?"

"Something like that."

In the silence that descended, it took Sam a moment to realize what Ratchet had just said. He had called him and Bee brothers. First Optimus, then Ironhide, Sideswipe, Wheeljack and now Ratchet. Sam was amazed at how quickly the 'Bots were adapting to this rather unprecedented situation and how accepting they were. He hoped the humans would adjust as quickly. But he doubted it would happen that way.

Another moment of thoughtful silence passed then Ratchet continued. "Hmm. Well, you are just as human now as you were before. Just different. 'More,' perhaps. Just don't let that go to your head. You are still a squishie."

"Gee, thanks." Sam couldn't keep the grin off his face.

"Um… Sam?" Wheeljack's tentative inquiry brought Sam's attention back around.

"Yeah, Wheeljack?"

"When you have a moment I…" He fiddled with his fingers, facial fins flashing softly. "That is, what I mean… if you get a moment can you come… I mean, only if you want to… uh…"

Sam considered the white and green mech, trying to figure out what the kindly inventor might be wanting to say. Then it hit him. Wheeljack was as much a scientist as Ratchet was.

He sighed. "You want to study me too?"

Wheeljacks' fins flashed in alarm. "Not like that no… I mean…" He looked helplessly at Ratchet who was simply staring at him as if he had randomly attached a third arm to his frame for the joy of it.

The absurdity of the situation almost made Sam laugh. "Just spit it out."

Wheeljack took in a deep draft of air. "Well, I was just thinking, if you can use the datapad and the holoprojector, there might be other things you can use."

"Wheeljack…" Ratchet warned.

"What?" Wheeljack looked up at the CMO. "He's one of us now, isn't he?"

"This is not a decision to be made on the spur of the moment. Give the youngling a chance to adapt to his new abilities before you go slapping upgrades on him will you?" Ratchet was sounding like his usual gruff self. "Besides, he's mine for the next couple of hours at least. Go. Scat." He flicked his free hand at Wheeljack in clear dismissal.

Wheeljack looked so remarkably like a kicked puppy that Sam called out to him. "Wheeljack, thank you for your help." The happy flicker of facial fins was enough to prompt Sam to continue. "We'll talk later."

Sam watched the now mollified inventor amble back down the corridor. He glanced back up at Ratchet, who was considering him with curiosity.

"You said you were ready to go over the information you have read?"

Sam nodded, brandishing the datapad again. "Ready. Much more now that I was before."

"Right." Ratchet started back for his med bay. "And just how much have you managed to read through."

"All of it."

"All of it?" Ratchet stopped dead in his tracts and looked down at him, incredulous. "Impossible."

The two just stared at each other, Sam quirking an eyebrow challengingly.

Another moment passed.

Sam just laughed as Ratchet buried his face in his free hand.

Once again, let me know if you liked the longer chapter set up. Other than that, I really appreciate your input so please review.