A/N: In the back of my head, I always expected this to happen eventually. And I hope I handle what happens in this chapter well enough. :)

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CHAPTER 26
A Subtle Passing of the Torch

Jeff had not been surprised when Optimus made him hide upon the arrival of the four Decepticon prisoners. Yet once in individual interrogation rooms, curiosity killed the cat, after all, they couldn't see him, so why avoid the Autobots then? He quickly found the majority of the Autobots outside the interrogation room, and positioned outside of the window. "So, how bad is dad giving it to them?" Bumblebee was the first to turn his head "Hey Bee."

Bumblebee simply smiled, picking Jeff up and setting him upon his shoulder. Jeff could see as Prowl seemed to circle a silent, but massive and intimidating blue Decepticon. "He already got the other three to talk. This one's giving him trouble though." Bumblebee filled him in "You ever seen your old mech do an interrogation?" He asked, Jeff shook his head "Oh, bud, you're in for quite the show." He chuckled.

"So you're the fleshy lover, eh?" Prowl peered at the mech as he finally spoke up "The one with the human pet."

"He's my son, and I don't see how that's a concern of yours, Decepticreep."

The Decepticon sneered quietly in a way that Jeff clearly did not like. Leaning forward slowly, he looked Prowl in the optic. "Oh, that's simple, 'Bot." The Decepticon replied "I simply wanted to know whose reaction to look for after I was done snuffing out his screams for mercy." He told him darkly.

The Decepticon didn't know what hit him before he found himself thrown through the desk. Prowl wrapped his arm around the Decepticon's throat violently, holding him in a hard headlock. Jeff had seen an angry Prowl before, this was nothing new, but he had never quite seen him move that fast. "And whose reaction should I search for when I finish snuffing out your spark?" Prowl questioned, tightening his grip "Any of you make a move to touch him, and your spark will be ripped out quicker than you can say "oops"." He then questioned "Have I made myself clear?"

The Decepticon grimaced slightly, but soon regretted not answering. This time the flight that Prowl sent him on was clear across the room. Storming forward, he violently lifted the Decepticon by his scruff bar. "Are we clear?" Prowl barked loudly.

"Crystal!" The frightened Decepticon shrieked.

Prowl let the mech fall to the ground with a deafening thud, and no guilt for the beating he'd given him. It was a known fact that anyone who threatened or mocked Jeff in his presence was liable to bring the full wrath of the second-in-command down upon themselves. "Is that what Lockdown's planning?" Prowl questioned harshly "Because he should know that taking Jeff would be a big mistake." He then added "Even worse if he thinks he can take my father as well." He noted.

The Decepticon snorted quietly, his blood red optics stared at Prowl directly. "Oh trust me, Prowl. By the time you have any idea what he's planning, it will be too late to save either of them." Prowl looked ready to strike again "We don't even know what he has planned. All I know is that you're little pet has a pretty high bounty on his head put there by your enemies." He then added "Lockdown included." He noted.

Prowl vented out hot air slowly, trying to keep himself in control. He knew it was true, they all did, but he hated to be reminded of it. "What could Lockdown possibly want with him?" Prowl demanded "He wants Cable, and I understand his reasoning there. But Jeff is innocent of anything that took place on Cybertron." The Decepticon sneered "You want to be thrown across the room again?" He asked.

"Simple. We know how much the fleshling means to the Autobot higher-ups." The Decepticon leaned forward "Who wouldn't want the youngling as a hostage, Autobot? He is an asset of this base, the Prime himself even has time for him it seems." He leaned forward even further "Lockdown wants Cable, yes. That may be his main goal." He then added "But if he held your son in his hands he would-"

"Bring the wrath of everyone on this base down upon him." Prowl snapped "In either scenario." He slowly headed for the door "We're done here." He informed those behind the glass before turning his head towards their Decepticon prisoner "Enjoy prison, and should you escape, I ask you deliver Lockdown a message." He then added coldly "If he so much as comes within a foot of my family, it will be the last mistake he ever makes."

As Prowl stepped out, Jeff could only stare blankly at his father. It was the first time that he had seen the full range of the "working" side of Prowl, and it had been scarier than he thought. Of course, Jeff had seen the logical side, he saw it daily given it was Prowl. But beyond the fight with Tarantulas, the side of him that the Decepticons saw always alluded him. "We can no longer avoid this." Prowl tilted his head towards Jeff "Bumblebee, look after Jeff for a little bit. During which time I will discuss with Optimus a full time guardian for Jeff." He noted.

"Whoa, you mean like a bodyguard?" Jeff asked nervously.

Prowl nodded his head a bit. "Lockdown is a dangerous mech, Jeff. If even one of us had to leave your sight to handle something..." Prowl shook his head "It just cannot be avoided anymore, son. I know you've wanted to avoid the need for a while, but that cannot happen any longer." He then added "I will send for you once I have settled some matters." He added.

Jeff could only wonder what that possibly meant.

...

When Jeff was called into Prowl's office, he felt a little nervous. He'd never had a bodyguard before, he'd never really needed one. So the thought of meeting the mech that would be responsible for his rides and protection outside and when needed, inside the base was nerve wracking. Yet when he was not greeted by anyone inside the room, Jeff felt mere confusion at the sight of Sam in one seat in Prowl's office. "Hey Sam." Jeff put his hands in his pockets "What's up?" He asked.

Sam stared over with a small smile on his face. "Just getting my new guardian assignment." Jeff looked at the man wide-eyed, confusion falling over his features "Don't say anything. Bee and I have talked about this for a while." He explained, shaking his head a bit "Bee misses being in the field, a lot, and I get that. He'd rather be here helping with the war effort." He explained.

"No way, I'm not gonna jack your bodyguard." Jeff insisted.

Sam stood his feet and gave a little wider a smile as Bumblebee leaned in the doorway. Jeff could only stand there for several moments as Sam handed the fake "keys" that Bobby Bolivia had given him all those years ago. "You're not "jacking" anything, Jeff. Bee asked me what I would think about him coming back and being your guardian a while ago. We talked about it." He pushed Jeff's hands closed "If you're gonna be protected, it should be from the best, after all." He chuckled.

Jeff turned his head to Bumblebee, who had a look of sadness in his optics. No doubt, the young mech did not like leaving Sam. But at the same time, Sam understood that his time for needing a full-time guardian trained as well as Bumblebee were long done. He'd gotten out of the world saving business, even if he worked for NEST. But someone like Jeff, who would always be a Decepticon target, needed someone as trained and dedicated as Bumblebee was. "Sam, I don't know what to say..." Jeff muttered.

"Don't say anything then." Sam shook his head "Just take good care of him, okay Jeff? He's still my first car, and my best friend." He looked at Bumblebee with crossed arms "Come by and visit us every once and a while, Bee. You know that Carly and I are gonna miss you." He added.

Bumblebee nodded his head affirmatively. "I will." Bumblebee finally replied "Just don't give me a reason to have to save your aft, kid. Hot Rod will do a fine job, but he's still new to this whole thing." He explained "Go easy on him."

Jeff stepped aside for a moment, allowing former guardian and charge a moment alone. He didn't listen in, rather choosing to watch him from afar. But at the very least, when the two of them were done, they both seemed content. Jeff himself just stood there, still stunned that Sam had just given him Bumblebee, that he was now the charge of him, of all mechs. "Close your mouth or you'll catch flies." Bumblebee chuckled as he stepped back over to him "You didn't think I was going to trust anybody else with the job of protecting my little brother, did you?" He asked.

"Bee..." Jeff shook his head "You don't have to do this."

"Yes, I do." Bumblebee nodded "I want to."

Jeff turned to Prowl, who simply nodded his head. Jeff clutched his newfound keys tightly, grinning. "I guess this means that I can finally go for my driver's license after that disaster with Sideswipe." Prowl grimaced a little "Unless you want me to get pulled over, it's only fair." He explained.

Prowl didn't like that he had to do it, but still sighed, and nodded his head. He peered up at Bumblebee, who crossed his arms, as if awaiting what he would say next. "Teach him, better than that knucklehead did, at the very least." Jeff snorted at that "I'm trusting you to teach him, protect him, and be there for him, Bumblebee." He noted.

"You have my word, Prowler." Bumblebee gave a two fingered salute "Come on kid, first things first, let's get you ready to get a learners permit."

As Bumblebee led him away, Jeff couldn't help but think that this whole guardian thing may not be so bad after all.