So close to being done with this. For the second time, of course. It has certainly been interesting to go through this story again from such a different perspective. I hope you enjoy this little moment between Bumblebee and Sam, as much as you did the first time.

Original comments: Hello my lovely peoples! It is I again with another chapter. It is sad, really, but...the idea came out pretty good. If any of y'all have suggestions, I'll be happy to hear them. Please enjoy!

And again, thanks to my beta, SkyHighFan.


Sam stood behind the trees and watched his guardian's still form stare out over the ocean. Lennox and Epps had gone to tell Optimus they were back and not to disturb Sam or Bumblebee for a while. Bumblebee looked sad and contemplative, his optics staring out at nothing in particular. Sam felt a wave of guilt wash through him; he knew that this was his fault. He'd been standing there for a few minutes, but couldn't seem to get up the nerve to go out there and face his best friend.

Berating himself for his fear, he finally took a deep breath and walked out of his hiding place toward his guardian. The sun made his hair shimmer brightly, catching Bumblebee's optics. The yellow mech turned to look at him, but Sam felt his spark sink when Bumblebee's face remained blank instead of breaking into the smile he was used to seeing.

"Sam," Bumblebee stated before turning back to look at the ocean.

"Hey, Bee," Sam said quietly, walking up to stand next to him. "Um, you got a minute?"

"What do you want? To tell me something else you kept from me? To tell me more lies?"

Sam flinched and looked away. "I'm sorry, Bee."

"Sorry. That's all you can say? You wanted to keep who you were a secret, when I thought you were dead for two years. I mourned for two years for you. You're nothing but a lying ass."

Lowering his head, Sam replied, "I deserve that."

"You deserve a lot more than that. I was happy you were back home, different, but alive. I didn't give a damn that you were different, just that you were you. But I was wrong."

"Wrong?" Sam asked hesitantly.

"Yes. I was dead wrong about you. You're not Sam! The Sam I knew told me everything. He talked to me! You're nothing like that anymore. When I found out who you were, I kept you close and waited for you to talk to me about your life on Cybertron. I waited for you to talk about your changes. I waited for you to tell me about how you felt, but you never did! You kept it all to yourself! I don't know what the hell you went through on my home planet, but whatever it was it changed you. You're not you anymore! You-you're not my Sam!"

Bumblebee's optics flashed in anger and hurt, and he turned away from Sam. The boy lowered his head and whimpered, sinking to his knees. Had he caused his best friend to turn away from him? Was he really acting so different? Warm, wet tears slipped out of his eyes and down his face as a long whine slipped past his lips.

He couldn't lose Bumblebee. He just couldn't. The mech had been his best friend for years, always listening and understanding, never judging him for his mistakes. Sam's breathing was ragged as he pressed into Bumblebee's side, rubbing and nuzzling the metal and crooning. It wasn't human, he knew, but he couldn't remember what he would do in this situation if he were human. Bumblebee remained cold to him, ignoring him completely. Sam pulled back and sobbed.

"I-I'm sorry, Bee! P-please," Sam gasped.

Bumblebee shook his head and stood up. Without even looking at the crying boy, he turned and walked away silently. Sam watched him go, unable to move or call out. When the yellow mech was out of sight, Sam trembled and collapsed onto the ground. Great, heaving sobs left his body as he broke down completely. When his tears were spent, he just lay there on the ground curled under his cloak. That's how Blaster found him around midnight. The red mech gently picked Sam up, cradling him to his chest. Blaster carried him inside while gently stroking Sam's back. Exhausted by everything, the boy fell asleep in the gentle metal hands.

Weeks later, Kup looked over at Sam. The boy hadn't spoken to anybody since his confrontation with his guardian. He wouldn't eat, wouldn't drink, and he was getting weaker every day. The worst part was that they couldn't do anything about it. None of them even knew why Sam was like this, except that it had something to do with Bumblebee. The yellow mech wasn't talking either. In fact, he was ignoring Sam as completely as he was ignoring Kup's team.

The green mech sighed and hung his head. He was afraid for Sam. A hand pressed against his shoulder, and Kup looked behind him to see Optimus. The Autobot leader was staring at Sam.

"Has he still not eaten? Talked?"

"Nothing. Nothing at all," Kup said sadly.

Optimus sighed, and turned away. "I don't want to have to, but I guess I have no choice."

"What are you going to do?"

"I'm going to order Bee to tell me what happened. We need to know why he's acting like this."

"Hm. Optimus?"

"Yes?"

"Please hurry. I'm afraid Silverstreak might try something otherwise."

An hour later, Optimus stared at Bumblebee in disbelief. He palmed his forehead and took in a deep breath to calm his frazzled nerves. He could not believe what had just come out of his yellow soldier's vocalizer. He looked plaintively at Bumblebee.

"How could you do that to Sam?"

"He's not my Sam," Bumblebee said quietly.

"Yes, he is, and he needs you," Optimus admonished.

"No, he doesn't."

"You haven't seen him lately, have you?"

"No. Why?" Bumblebee couldn't help a little worry slipping into his voice.

"Come with me."

Bumblebee was met with glares as he entered the room. He ignored them and looked around the room for Sam. His optics fell on the figure huddled in the corner, and he gasped. Sam's entire body, save for his head, was covered by his cloak. The boy's face was drawn and his optics were dim, staring at the floor. He wasn't moving, and didn't even glance up when Bumblebee called his name. The yellow mech felt a bit sick when he saw just what he had done to his charge. He was grabbed and spun around only to meet an angry pair of blue optics.

"Look at what you've done to him!" First Aid snarled.

"I-I didn't know," Bumblebee said, taking a step back.

The medic growled, "He won't eat. He barely sleeps. All he does is sit there! How could you do this to him? He's just a youngling!"

Bumblebee didn't reply, instead pushing past the others and kneeling down to pick up Sam. Sam didn't even respond to the touch. The yellow mech felt a twinge of guilt as he cradled the boy to his chest and hurried out of the room, past growls and snarls. Bumblebee stopped long enough to grab an energon cube before hurrying outside and finding a nice, secluded spot. The yellow mech set down the energon cube, holding Sam gently ask he sat down and projected himself with the modified holo-matter generator that Ratchet had forcefully upgraded in him. Bumblebee's human form was slightly taller than Sam with slightly tanned skin. His hair was bright blonde, cut neatly, but arranged messily, while his eyes were blue as the sky. He wore jeans and a black and yellow striped t-shirt that fit loosely around his body.

"Sam, drink," Bumblebee commanded, holding Sam up to the cube.

When Sam did nothing, Bumblebee snarled and a metal cup materialized in his hand. He filled it with energon before sitting down against his own leg, which felt rather odd, cradling Sam against his holo-form's chest. He placed the cup in front of Sam's lips.

"Drink," he commanded again, tilting the cup.

Sam gasped and coughed as energon soaked his face, cloak, and chest. He opened his mouth and automatically drank to stop from being covered by the liquid energy. He swallowed and the zing of relief that shot through his body made him sigh in delight. He drank the cup dry then Bumblebee filled it again, and set it against his lips. This time he drank willingly, slowly, but willingly. It felt wonderful to have energy flowing through his system again. Bumblebee continued to feed him until he couldn't hold anymore. He turned his face away from the proffered cup, nuzzling Bumblebee's neck.

"Sam," Bumblebee said warningly.

"No more," Sam murmured.

Bumblebee nodded, his real body drinking the remaining energon before setting the cube down out of the way. He looked at Sam, unable to help smiling softly. The boy's metal skin was stained with pink. Bumblebee took Sam's black cloak off and his holo-form walked over to a river, dipping the metal into the water. Once the cloak was clean, Bumblebee used it to scoop up some water and carried it back over to Sam. He gently washed the energon off of the boy, smiling as Sam shivered at the chilly water.

"Hold still now," Bumblebee laughed softly. "I'm almost done."

"Bee," Sam whimpered. "I-I tried, but I can't remember how."

"Remember how to what?" Bumblebee asked as he finished cleaning the boy.

"How to act human. I know that's what you want, but I can't remember!" Sam suddenly clutched onto the holo-form.

"What? You don't have to act human! What gave you that idea?"

"Y-you told me that you wanted me to be like I was. You know, when I was human," Sam muttered.

"No, I didn't! Oh, Sam, is that what you were doing that whole time? Trying to remember how to be human?"

Sam nodded. "I-I thought that was what you wanted."

"No! I just want you to talk to me. We used to talk and have fun together, that's what I was saying. That's what I want now. For us to be like we used to. Not you to be like you used to!"

"Oh," Sam muttered softly suddenly feeling embarrassed. "I, er…"

Bumblebee stared down at Sam and laughed. "I can't stay mad at you, Sam. You're just so…you! What with all your silly mistakes and assumptions." Sam felt his face warm at the words, but Bumblebee wasn't done yet. "Yet, you learn from them, most of the time. You're smart, intuitive, and wiser than most humans your age."

"I am?" Sam asked, pushing himself up to look at Bumblebee's metallic face.

"Yes. And I wouldn't have you any other way, my friend. You're the most amazing thing in the universe."

Sam smiled and hugged Bumblebee's holo-form. "I'm not nearly as amazing as you."

Bumblebee chuckled and held Sam an arm's length away from his body to look him over. "You know, you look different from this angle."

Sam shifted under the intense gaze. "I do?"

"Of course. You know, whatever happened to you sure made you more attractive. At least by Cybertronian standards."

Sam bit his bottom lip and looked at Bumblebee. He wasn't sure if he could tell the mech about his other big secret, but…Bumblebee had always listened to him. If any mech would understand and believe him, Bumblebee would.

"Um, Bee. There's something else that I haven't told you. That I haven't told anyone, really."

"Oh?" Bumblebee asked.

"Well…if I tell you, I don't really want you to tell anybody else. It's kinda weird and they'd think I'm crazy."

"What is it?"

Sam suddenly found himself at a loss for words. How could he tell his guardian that he had easy contact with the Primes? The mech would think he was insane! Wouldn't he? Maybe it would be easier to just show him. He blinked and sent a thought to Stellar and Vector.

"Yes?" Vector asked as they both appeared.

"Is it possible for me to get anyone else into that dream world I go to?"

"Yes it is," Stellar said dreamily.

"How?"

"Well first you must trust them. Then you fall asleep together and pull his mind in with you," Stellar smiled down at Sam.

"How the pit am I supposed to do that?"

"It's not that hard. You basically just touch him and fall asleep and you'll take him with you," Vector said, amused.

"But…I've touched a lot of mechs and fallen asleep. Why would it work this time?"

"Because you want him to be in your dreams. Oh, and one more thing," Vector said with a smile. "Bumblebee's been trying to get your attention for the past couple minutes."

Sam gasped. "I-I'm sorry, Bee!"

Bumblebee looked annoyed and amused. "Are you going to tell me or not?"

"It'd be easier to show you," Sam said nervously.

"Then show me."

"I need you to offline your optics and relax."

"Alright," Bumblebee said with a bemused smile.

The yellow mech leaned back against the tree and did as Sam requested. Sam slipped off the holo-form's lap and pressed against his guardian's real body. It was easy to descend into slumber, as he was so tired. To his delight, he felt something following him down. When he opened his eyes in the dream world, he squealed. Bumblebee had come with him and was now looking around him in confusion.

"Sam? Where…are we?" Bumblebee asked warily.

"We're in my dream," Sam replied happily. "Boy, I didn't think it would actually work."

"Your…dream," Bumblebee repeated.

"Yeah. Why?" Sam asked looking up at his guardian.

"Little one, he isn't used to it as you are," the amused voice of Aqueous said.

Bumblebee spun around at the voice and gasped. He stared at the gathered Primes in disbelief. He took a few steps back and looked at Sam.

"What's going on? How are they in your dreams?"

"Well…you know that thing I wanted to show you? This is it. The Primes are the ones who changed me, made me metal. I come here every time I sleep. I can talk to them any time I want or need to."

"I've never seen them," Bumblebee said weakly.

"I'm the only one who can see them outside of my dreams. And inside my dreams, as a matter of fact…Unless somebody else is here."

"So, you're Bumblebee," Prima said with a gentle smile.

"Um, yes," Bumblebee muttered.

"Don't be afraid, young one. We're not going to harm you. It is very nice to finally meet you face to face. Sam has told us many good things about you," Prima smiled. "I do believe that you already know all our names."

Bumblebee nodded. "So…you're the ones who saved Sam?"

"Yes, and sometimes I wish we hadn't," Pyro said with a fond smile and picked up the boy.

"Oh, Pyro. You know you love him," Aqueous said, playfully punching the fiery mech and taking Sam away from him.

"Hey! Give him back!"

Pyro and Aqueous started to fight over Sam. Bumblebee felt the protective instinct that came with being a guardian flare up. He moved forward and lashed out quickly, striking Pyro in the chest. As the flame-patterned mech fell, he swept Aqueous's feet out from under him, grabbing his boy as the mech went down hard. He drew away from the Primes, holding Sam close to his chest and glaring at the mechs who were 'attacking' his boy. The Primes stared at Bumblebee for a moment before they burst out laughing.

"You've got some good moves, boy," Pyro chuckled as he stood up.

"Tell me, who trained you?" Nova asked, helping Aqueous up.

"Optimus and Ironhide," Bumblebee replied, still wary of them.

"Hey, Bee," Sam said softly.

"Hm?" Bumblebee asked, glancing down at his boy.

"Calm down. They aren't going to hurt me. Okay?"

Bumblebee smiled sheepishly. "Heh, okay." He paused. "So, you've been in contact with the Primes for how long?"

"Almost two years," Sam replied with a warm smile. "It's been fun. They've taught me so much about your culture, both ancient and modern. They're also the ones that taught me about your social structure. You know, the noises and touches."

"You taught him all that?" Bumblebee asked curiously.

"Of course. He was living up on Cybertron. We had to teach him how they live, as you and the other Autobots didn't," Telluric answered.

"We did, too! At least to a certain extent," Bumblebee said indignantly.

"Yes, but he needed intimate knowledge of how our kind interact. It wouldn't really be fair to let him wander around not knowing how to react to certain things," Beta said with a smile.

"Well, I can't really argue with that," Bumblebee muttered. He suddenly looked thoughtful. "Why am I not freaking out?"

"What?" Sam asked before laughing. "Oh, that one's easy. They won't let you."

"How can they not let me?"

Sam shrugged. "They control the emotions in here, to an extent. Right now, they're exuding a calming aura so that you'll be comfortable in your new surroundings."

"That's pretty smart," Bumblebee admitted.

"Yeah. They do things like that all the time," Sam agreed.

"Is there anything else I should know?"

Sam laughed. "Yes. Beware of Rodimus. He's wild."

"Ah. I'll bear that in mind."

"Are we just going to stand around here talking, or are we gonna have some fun?" Rodimus asked with a pout.

"Oh, keep your cool, Rodimus. Let the mech get comfortable with this first. Then we'll play some games," Metallon snickered.

"Oh! Fine! But can we skip the conversation you wanted to have with them? Huh, Prima? Can we?" Rodimus asked his leader.

"No. We're going to help them talk this out," Prima replied sternly.

"Talk what out?" Sam asked warily.

"This problem between you two," Beta said.

"But there's no problem anymore. We talked it out already," Bumblebee said, confusion filling his face.

"Oh no you haven't. You might not be mad at him anymore, but you're still hurt at what he did, or didn't do, as it were."

"I'll be fine," Bumblebee sighed.

Sam looked up at Bumblebee's face. "I have to agree with Prima. If you're still hurt, then I want to fix it. What do you want to know."

"Well," Bumblebee said with a small smile. "I'd like to know about your stay on Cybertron. Please?"

"Alright then," Sam replied with a grin. "It started with that battle…"