Note: I wanted to let everyone know that I have, indeed, revamped the last chapter. I would strongly encourage everyone to reread that chapter if you haven't done so since it was first posted. Eowyn77 was awesome in helping me work through the weaknesses in the original post, so, many kudos to her!


Sam sat on Bumblebee's leg while he ate as the bright yellow Autobot quickly described both the subspace pocket and subspace pullers. It was not a detailed or technical explanation like Ratchet or Wheeljack might have given, but Sam was still having trouble wrapping his mind around the whole concept. Technically, advanced aliens or not, that was nearing the realm of magic rather than science. At least as far as Sam was concerned.

"For safety reasons, our subspace pullers are generally located in our hands or at least the lower portion of our upper extremities." Bumblebee was saying.

"That's why things always appear right on your palm rather than a couple of inches above or something?" Sam asked around a mouthful of chilidog.

"Eh. Not really. That comes with practice." Bumblebee whirr-clicked. "Though it does help. No. If the pullers were located too close to the generator – which is usually someplace on our chassis, it would risk destabilizing the subspace field when activated."

Sam thought for a moment, then nodded. Bumblebee continued. "Our subspace pockets are exactly that; pockets of subspace created around us… like a bubble."

"Oh." Sam said softly, working to keep the idea from overwhelming him.

"You don't have to understand the physics behind it to operate though." Bumblebee assured quickly. "It just takes practice to pull the objects to the physical site of the pullers rather than just out of subspace wherever they happened to be in the pocket."

"Which could be anywhere in the pocket?"

"Exactly." Bee was practically beaming at him. "Ready to try?" He must have felt Sam's hesitation. "I'll help."

With a sigh, Sam gave in and relaxed into the bond as Bee let him investigate his subspace pullers. He actually enjoyed these lessons with Bee, it brought them closer, cementing their bond.

After a couple of moments Bee queried him through their link and then coached him through the process of selecting an object to pull out. The task of selecting an object – which was weird – when viewed through the proper filters was not so much being able to see what objects were there as it was just knowing that they were.

Sam almost choked. ~Are those water bottles?~

~I told you I had learned to take care of you.~ Bee teased.

~Augh, Bee! That makes me sound like a baby.~

He caught the slight chuckle across their bond. ~For us, everyone is considered a sparkling for their first few vorns.~

~And a vorn is…?~

~Roughly eighty-three of your years.~ Bee answered with a smirk.

Sam's jaw dropped. "Wait. So it takes several of our lifetimes to just get out of the infant stage for you guys?"

Bumblebee just nodded.

Sam swallowed, looking down at his lap for a moment. No wonder Ratchet had called him a young member of a young species. He felt Bee's warm mental touch and looked back up at his brother.

The smiling optics were just as warm. Reassuring. ~But maturity plays an important role. We are well aware you are not a sparkling.~

That was right. ~Everyone calls me youngling.~ He acknowledged and asked simultaneously.

~And they will for the rest of your life. Get used to it.~ Be assured him with a rueful smirk. ~Trust me.~

Sam chuckled, then refocused on the task at hand.

Bumblebee easily and willingly followed his change of focus and he felt his brother release control over the subspace pullers to him. That made him swallow. He did not think he would ever get used to that trusting relinquishing of control.

He followed Bumblebee's directions for 'grabbing' an item – a water bottle in this case – and then pulled it out of subspace. He opened his hand in hopeful expectation. Only to hear a soft thump when it fell into the sand after bouncing off Bee's left pede.

Both brothers looked down at it, Sam peering over the two fingers that secured him to his perch on Bee's leg. "Oops."

"Like I said, it takes practice." Bee reached down and grabbed the bottle a moment before it vanished back into subspace.

They tried the exercise several more times with only marginal success. Sam was becoming frustrated. Bee calmed him – something it was easy for him to do this time, seeing how deep Sam was in Bee's processors for this exercise.

~Easy, Sam. It can take a youngling several orns to figure it out consistently. You can't expect instant success.~

~An 'orn' being…?~

~A couple of weeks. Give or take a little.~

"Are you kidding me?" Sam backed out of his brother's mind. "Weeks?"

"Perspective, Sam. That is hardly any time worth mentioning."

Sam took in a long breath of air. He was going to be living hundreds of thousands of years now – assuming he encountered no Decepticon road blocks to that future. A couple of weeks really was nothing. Then an idea struck. He looked back at Bee.

"How about instead of telling me what to do, I just follow you?"

Bee thought for a moment, then nodded. Sam pushed himself back into his brother's processors, smiling at the scout's warm welcome. This time he 'watched' carefully, feeling what Bee was doing and how he was doing it. Bee, for his part, went slowly, pausing at each step so Sam could catalog and store what he was experiencing.

It finally clicked in Sam's mind, however, and he knew what he had been missing. He knew what it felt like to actually pull an object to a certain location before pulling it from subspace. He was grinning as the bottle appeared in Bee's open palm.

"Let me try." Sam looked up to meet bright blue optics.

With a nod, the bottle vanished and Sam felt Bee give him control again, almost like they switched positions. Disregarding the bottle that was still 'hanging' where Bee had left it, Sam reached for a different one.

Proceeding just as slowly as Bee had, Sam coaxed the bottle closer to him until he was fairly confident it was where he wanted it, then pulled it out of subspace.

And winced as it fell a couple of inches, hitting him on the head. But he managed to catch it.

Sam started laughing as he looked at the little plastic object. It was a giddy laugh, tinged with awe and a hint of surprise. Still deep in Bee's processor, he was almost overwhelmed with his brother's own happy excitement and pride.

Letting his eyes ghost over the retrieved bottle one last time, Sam beamed up at Bumblebee. "Awesome!"

… … …

Somehow Sam managed to finish reading the new material Ratchet had sent him. He and bee had spent several hours on the beach working on his ability to use the 'Bot's subspace pullers. He had not learned how to put things in Subspace yet, thinking it best to master one skill before complicating matters. It was almost dark by the time they had returned to the base and they had opted to go straight to their quarters so he could study.

As expected, Bee had indeed been dragged off by Ironhide earlier than usual. The large black mech had affectionately tousled his hair with a finger before depositing his breakfast in his lap. Then the weapons specialist had propelled Bee out of the door with a none to gentle shove.

Sam had then headed toward the med bay, silently going over what he had just finished reading. Ratchet had given him the systems specifications for every Autobot currently on Earth.

It had been a fascinating read to be sure, but Sam definitely intended to ask why he had been asked to read it. He was learning this Cybertronian medicine stuff to help Bee. He was human, after all. What Autobot would actually want him tinkering with their insides? Other than Bee, of course. And that only in case of emergencies.

Perhaps it was one of those, 'the-broader-the-knowledge-base-the-better-it-is thing.

Still, it felt like a rather serious violation of privacy to know that much about the other Autobots. Not to mention it was just strange to know – for example – the exact location of every cog, line, weld and wire and exactly how tight every gear should be tightened on Optimus Prime's frame. Seriously.

It was almost like knowing the exact size and location of every mole and freckle on his father's body. Awkward.

Not to mention how all said 'Bots might react when they learned he knew that much about them. Had Ratchet received their permission to share that info? Most likely. Which brought him back to his original question. Why?

Sam entered the med bait to again find Ratchet was not alone. He frowned.

Jolt was there with Ratchet and both turned to look at him as he entered. Sam briefly looked over the blue warrior, but saw no obvious damage. Quickly concluding this was a private meeting, he started to apologize for intruding only to see Ratchet lower himself to his level, extending a hand.

"Good morning, Sam." Ratchet's smile was almost smug and it put Sam on the alert.

Smiling politely, Sam swallowed the words on his tongue and stepped forward to the waiting limb. "'Morning Ratchet. 'Morning Jolt."

"Good morning, Sam." Was Jolt's soft reply.

He was lifted up to the repair berth the two mechs were standing next to. "Did you read the files I sent you?"

Sam nodded, stepping off the medic's hand. "Yes, sir."

"All of it?"

"Yes."

"Good." Ratchet was smiling wider now. "Jolt was slightly injured in a training exercise yesterday." He said by way of explanation, gesturing to the other mech.

Jolt shifted slightly and took over. "Ironhide mentioned you had been training under Ratchet." A tiny smirk lit his face. "Sounded as proud as a creator receiving his first Sparkling."

Sam couldn't help chuckle at that description of the massive weapon's specialist, even though he knew his mental image of a 'proud papa' was probably nothing like the reality.

However, that brought his mind back to the current situation. Ratchet had said Jolt had received minor damage. But he had not see anything noticeable.

Sam frowned. "Ratch said you were damaged. What happened?"

"Several scratches to my right dorsal plating as well as some minor dents to the same plate." Was Jolt's answer. "Sideswipe was practicing a new wrestling move. I didn't land to well."

Sam almost chuckled again, though Ratchet's irritated huff quelled that impulse. Then his frowned deepened. That was truly minor and hardly worth mentioning let alone coming to med bay – no more than it was worth going to an ER for a scraped knee. Unless…

"Your auto-repair systems haven't taken care of it?" He asked slowly.

That tiny smile reappeared. "They did. But I thought it would be a good idea to let you look at it to make sure."

Sam's jaw almost dropped as he realized what Jolt had actually said. The mech was fine. The only reason Jolt had come to the med bay was to give him the chance to perform a medical check. So that Sam could learn more.

He swallowed. "I appreciate that Jolt."

Jolt nodded once in acknowledgement as Ratchet handed him the scanner. Sam accepted it, his mind already sorting through and prioritizing everything he had read about the specifications of Jolt's systems.

Before he even took a step toward the blue mech he remembered his unique system modification that tied into the electric whips that were his melee weapons. The same electric field generator that both made his armor very sensitive to the touch as well as making him glow ever so slightly to his new visual sense.

It would also interfere with the scanner.

"Now Samuel." Ratchet started. "With Bumblebee we performed a routine maintenance check. For Training purposes we are going to treat this as an emergency assessment and eval."

Sam nodded his understanding as Ratchet continued. "That means that our first step will be to determine vital functions and determine risk of either off-lining or entering emergency stasis. Then you will treat the most life threatening injuries first. In this case once you determine Jolt's overall status you will focus on the localized injury. Do you feel comfortable getting to that point on your own?"

Sam nodded. "Pretty sure."

"Very well. If you have any questions…"

"I won't hesitate to ask." Sam confirmed with a smile, then turned back to Jolt. "Can you turn off your EF generator?"

Jolt nodded again and a moment later the slight aura that had had surrounded him disappeared. Sam stepped toward him raising the scanner. Ratchet stopped him.

"Are you not going to confirm the field's been off-lined?"

Sam looked up, frowning slightly. "It has been. I saw it."

"Ratchet started to say something, then stopped. He backed up a step, a rueful look crossing his face. "That is right. I forgot. Most humans are not able to see that with their eyes. Please continue."

"You can see the electrical field?" Jolt asked with a cocked optic ridge.

Sam nodded even as he activated the scanner. "Yep. So far I've gained the ability to see, feel and smell more than the average human. Just waiting for the other two."

"That must be… awkward." Jolt offered.

Sam felt his face flush as he remembered Lennox's discomfiture, adjusting the scanner and logging the results as they came in. Then his embarrassment deepened as that memory reminded him just how easily these giant metal beings could read his physiologic response.

"Yeah, a little." He said.

Then he looked at Ratchet quickly to change the subject. "Vital systems are within normal parameters."

Ratchet leaned forward to read the results himself then nodded. "So they are. Now. In this scenario we are dealing with an injury to his right dorsal plating. Therefore, the next step is a level three diagnostic scan of the damaged area. Starting with the most vital systems."

With a nod Sam turned back to Jolt. "Can you turn so I can reach your right dorsal plating please?"

Jolt nodded, his face carefully composed, though something about his demeanor hinted at concern. The blue mech lowered himself as he turned so that Sam could easily reach the indicated area.

He lifted the scanner then paused. He looked up at Ratchet. "I've never ran a level three scan before."

Ratchet's lips quirked. "I was wondering if you were going to remember." The CMO then walked him through the process. For his part, Jolt did not so much as flinch and waited patiently as Sam worked his way through the diagnostic procedure."

Even so there was something about Jolt that seemed… off. Like the mech was preoccupied. Sam devoted as much concentration as necessary to learning the task in front of him, but the rest of it he used to ponder over the… vibe… he was getting from Jolt for lack of a better word.

It had only started when the mech had commented on how awkward it must have been for him to develop more sensitive perception. But why then?

Sam had become very embarrassed realizing how easy it was for the Autobots to tell how embarrassed he was. He straightened slightly with realization. The Autobots could easily tell how uncomfortable he had been. Jolt would have seen/felt/smelled whatever his reaction. Was that it?

He and Ratchet had already discussed his reaction to being able to detect that much info about another human, so he would have understood.

Jolt gave the barest hints of a minute wince as the scan cycled through its most penetrating, highest intensity sweep. It was not so much that the warrior actually moved as it was that his sensory wires gave a tiny pulse, the energy of which he could almost see move through his plating.

Remembering how uncomfortable Ratchet's scan had been, Sam did not doubt that had been… less than pleasant. And, as this was the first time he had done one of these diagnostics, it had taken longer than normal.

Logging the results as quickly as he could, Sam powered down the scanner. "Sorry about that Jolt. I know that was uncomfortable."

"Level three scans always are slightly unpleasant, Sam." Jolt looked over his shoulder. "It is a fact of life and not something you should feel guilty about."

"Indeed." Ratchet intoned. "You will get faster with time. I am curious though: how could you tell Jolt was uncomfortable

Sam blinked back his own surprise though he answered quickly. "I could see the slight – and I mean very slight – change in the energy patterns of his sensory lines."

Sam reached out to softly touch the indicated plate in illustration, completely oblivious to the looks the two mechs exchanged over his head. As his fingers brushed over the still slightly scraped and dented metal. He unconsciously reached for the energy patterns that flowed beneath the armor. If he had to try and describe what he was feeling, he would say it was as if the energy flowed in different levels of intensity. If he focused he could almost sense different types of energy: energon, electric, sensory and so forth.

The softly warm, yet undeniably powerful and steady thrum was Jolt's spark. The one that felt like a rushing river of pure energy must be energon. 'Beneath' and 'around' that flow was a more sharp resonance that Sam took to be electric systems. Surrounding all the above in what he imagined felt like an ever shifting network of tiny tendrils of energy was the mech's sensory systems.

It was in this outermost energy field that Sam could detect a slight variance. Part of that variance was generalized over Jolt's entire frame and – even though it was rapidly fading – it matched the output waveform of the scanner. The other aspect of that variance was more stable and was localized around the mildly damaged plating.

Not really thinking about it with a concern as to what it meant, Sam explored the variance with his own senses rather than the handheld scanner. Then, as he had with every piece of Cybertronian technology the 'Bots had let him play with, he gently coaxed the energy patterns into something more closely resembling their natural structure.

As he did so, air hissed through Jolt's vents and armor plating moved over his frame. The blue warrior stepped away, turning to him with shock.

"What did you just do?" Jolt demanded though it was asked more with surprise than anything else.

Sam swallowed a gulp, jerking his hand back. "I… I'm sorry. I didn't mean…"

Sam could feel Ratcht's gaze intensify, bearing into his back as Jolt's head jerked back slightly. Then the warrior crouched back down so that he was close to optic level with Sam.

"I'm not angry, youngling. I only want to know what just happened."

Sam swallowed, well aware both 'Bots could tell how nervous he was. "I… I could feel residual disruptions in the electrical network making up your sensory grid. I… was only trying to harmonize the patterns. I… I didn't mean to hurt you. I'm sorry." He finished lamely, looking down at the table he stood on.

He missed the look the two mechs exchanged and nearly jumped out of his skin when a gentle black and blue finger touched his shoulder. "You did not hurt me. Quite the opposite, in fact."

That brought Sam's gaze back up. "What?"

Ratchet took up the explanation. "Damage to any part of our frames causes a disruption in our sensory lines – they act much as human pain receptors, letting us know damage has been sustained. Those lines remain disrupted so long as any damage is present. While Jolt' does not require medical assistance, he would feel the sensory variance until the scrapes and dents completely healed.

"Like a superficial abrasion on a human." Sam recalled.

"Exactly." Ratchet confirmed.

This time Sam caught the look the two Autobots exchanged. "What is it?" He asked.

"That time of ultra-fine manipulation is not something easily achievable by mechs." Ratchet said slowly.

Sam felt his eyes widen. "Really?"

Was it even possible that there was something he could do none of the Autobots could?

Ratchet nodded, humor dancing behind his optics. "Indeed."

Sam could not stop the silly grin that split his face. "Cool!"

Sam felt Bee's curiosity about what his amazement was about and gave him a quick glomp over the bond along with a 'tell you later' signal as the two 'Bots physically present with him chuckled softly at his reaction.

Then Ratchet shook his helm. "We have used too much time. You have just completed the level three scan. What do you do now?"

Frowning slightly as he refocused his thoughts, forcing them back on what he had been doing. "Prioritize repairs?"

"Analyze the results and then prioritize repairs." Ratchet corrected. The yellow CMO pulled up the results and walked Sam through the data.

Jolt waited patiently as Ratchet ran Sam through a series of hypothetical scenarios and what he would do in each.

"Now is when you would start repairs." Ratchet ended that portion of this lesson. "Obviously, we have no repairs to attend to. But if we did and you had completed them you would now do what?"

Sam swallowed. No step after doing the repairs had been mentioned yet. It must be painfully obvious, he realized. Then he brightened as it hit him. "Check my work?" He asked hopefully.

Ratchet nodded with a pleased smile touching his optics. "A level three scan."

Sam went cold, but he understood. Only a level three scan would reveal any damage missed during repairs. It was necessary because even something 'small' could lead to major complications.

Sam glanced at Jolt, who was regarding him expectantly. "But since repairs weren't needed…"

Ratchets optic's narrowed and Sam gulped down what he almost said. "Samuel." Ratchet's voice while sharp, sounded more like an elder admonishing a disruptive youngling. "Jolt is here to give you much needed experience. He has been injured enough times to know the procedure and thus what he volunteered for. You will honor his choice by taking advantage of it. Understood?"

Sam felt about two feet tall. "Yes, sir."

Ratchet gestured towards Jolt expectantly and, reluctantly, Sam picked up the scanner and walked closer to the blue mech. Jolt gave him an encouraging nod and obligingly turned so that Sam had access to the plating in question.

With a hesitant swallow, Sam obediently ran the scanner over Jolt's dorsal plating. He was able to complete the scan with marketable increased efficiency, conscious that Jolt again flinched imperceptibly during that last phase of the scan.

With a wince of his own, Sam snapped the scanner off. He waited and the silence stretched.

"Evaluate the results, Samuel." Ratchet ordered, his voice still chilled.

The CMO's tone made Sam's blood run cold and he instinctively feared his ability to train with Ratchet was on the line. Fingers turning suddenly clumsy, Sam pulled up the results. Under the watchful cerulean gazes of both Autobots, he compiled the data. He looked over it to confirm it was identical to the original scans.

Finding his hands shaking slightly – and painfully aware the mechs observing him knew how worried he was – Sam found he could not look at either of them.

"All damage has been resolved." He spoke quietly, suddenly feeling like a little squishy before towering, giant metal aliens.

The silence stretched again until finally Ratchet broke it, his voice a touch softer than it had been, though still much more formal that he had adopted recently.

"Samuel, why were you reluctant to run the scan on Jolt?"

Sam swallowed, his mouth dry. Bumblebee tried to calm him down and Sam accepted the offer, though it really did not help.

"Samuel, look at me."

Sam's breath caught, but he knew that tone. He lifted his gaze to piercing blue optics. "What was the cause of your obvious reticence to follow standard procedure?"

With another swallow, Sam forced himself to answer. "I… I didn't want to cause Jolt any unnecessary discomfort." I've done enough already. He added to himself, thinking about the AllSpark.

Because he was still making himself meet Ratchet's optics, he saw that stern face soften slightly. "I see." The medic paused momentarily then flicked a finger towards the 'Bot in question. "Is Jolt still in discomfort because of that scan?"

Sam forced himself look at Jolt, who stood absolutely still for his inspection. Then he looked up to meet the warrior's optics in question. Jolt gave him a small shake of his helm to confirm what his eyes had told him.

"No." He squinted back up at Ratchet.

"No, he isn't" Ratchet confirmed. "If, however, you had done repairs or had missed something in the initial scan, what could be the results?"

"Disastrous." Sam whispered.

"Exactly." Ratchet nodded. "And that is something you need to remember. In Cybertronian medicine, as it is in Earth medicine, sometimes it is necessary to cause pain in order to fix a problem or prevent a worse one. And just like you know that when you visit a doctor, so do mechs."

Ratchet bent down to be closer to his level. "If we were dealing with a sparkling it would be a different story. But for any Autobot on Earth, they know you would have a job to do. They might complain, but they expect you to do what they know you must and you would be less than competent if you fail to follow protocol because of misplaced guilt."

Sam stared. Ratchet had warned him he would not tolerate incompetence. His coldness had not been personal. It had been professional. The medic was protecting all those who relied on him and those he trained. And Jolt did come knowing what to expect. The slow understanding he was gaining for Cybertronian society did back up Ratchet's earlier admonition to respect Jolt's decision to submit himself to this training exercise.

He straightened, nodding resolutely. "I understand ratchet." He looked at Jolt. "Thank you Jolt, for your help."

The blue and black warrior smiled slightly and nodded politely. "You are most welcome, youngling. I am glad to be able to be of assistance in your studies." He looked up at the CMO, who was standing at his full height again. "I take it I have full medical clearance to return to duty?"

Apparently mollified by Sam's response, Ratchet looked down at the young human. "You know Jolt's system parameters. Does his current status meet full operational requirements?"

This time Sam swallowed with surprise. Ratchet was letting him make this call? Not that there was much of a call to make. Jolt was duty ready before he ever walked in med bay. Nor did Sam hold any illusions Ratchet would not override him if he was wrong.

Even so, he appreciated the gesture.

That was why his smile had reappeared as Jolt and Ratchet looked at him. "Good to go, Jolt."

Jolt smiled and started to leave before he turned back. "Sam…" He seemed uneasy.

Sam looked up encouragingly. "Yes, Jolt?"

The blue mech looked away and it was a clear indication of unease that was strange for Sam to see. "I did not mean to make you uncomfortable earlier."

Sam blinked in confusion, then realized Jolt was referring to how uncomfortable he had become when they had discussed his new sensory acuity. He smiled, trying to reassure the 'Bot. "It wasn't you, Jolt. It just reminded me how much Major Lennox was embarrassed."

"You were embarrassed because another human was embarrassed?"

"I…" Ratchet chuckled softly and Sam shot him a look which the medic ignored. "Well sorta. I mean, it was embarrassing to realize just how much you guys … er know about us. But that doesn't really bother me much anymore."

"It doesn't?" Ratchet asked, optic ridge raised skeptically.

"A little bit, maybe." They just stared at him and he huffed a little. "Okay, it does, but not a whole lot. I mean, its always been that way, I just didn't know it before."

Jolt canted his head to the side then smiled. "Do not think that is a one-way thing, Sam."

"What do you mean?"

"While mechs do not produce chemicals such as hormones, if you were able to see that disruption in my sensory field you should be able to perceive indicators to our emotional states as well."

Sam's eyes were widening. "Really?" He glanced at Ratchet, who nodded.

"It will be different for each mech as we are not like humans in that universal physiologic reactions based on genetic codes do not apply." Ratchet agreed.

"But you should be able to learn to read us as clearly as we have learned to read humans." Jolt's optics were twinkling with what Sam took to be amusement. "Though it will take a lot longer. Some mechs are so reserved it could take many of your centuries."

That idea baffled Sam. He knew Cybertronians had a different definition of privacy, meaning almost none from a human perspective. And yet apparently they could be so reserved in their expressions of their emotions it could take centuries (plural) to learn to read them accurately? But… all the 'Bots on earth were easy to read… Unless…

His eyes turned sharp as he glanced between Jolt and Ratchet. "But you guys… I've never had any problems."

The two looked at each other. "When we incorporated the language data for earth, it included body language." Ratchet was quiet for a moment. "We are not like humans, Sam. While expressing ourselves through the programming codes utilizing Earthen filters becomes second nature, as you would say, such things are more intentional for us than it is for humans."

Sam stared. It made sense, really. But he had never even considered the possibility that what he was seeing was not natural. Then he berated himself for the assumption; they were aliens after all. Still, it was disconcerting to realize what he had always thought was natural was really just for show. He thought about just burring the instinctive discomfort that caused, but actually felt a push from Bee not to do so. His brother wanted him to address the matter, not avoid it. At first he recoiled at the idea, then he remembered Cybertornians did not waste words and personal discomforts were not a reason to avoid discussing a troubling topic. It was what made Bee face Optimus and the others about their bond and then again when he had accidentally overrode his control in the mess hall. It was why Jolt had apologized just now.

Swallowing his nerves, Sam looked back up at the two. "You mean that what we've been seeing… that has just been an act?"

It came out more accusatory than he had intended, but at least it was out. He felt Bee's approval and sighed internally.

Jolt blinked, though he hastily shook his head. Ratchet drew back slightly, but also shook his head in denial just as quickly.

"No, not like that." Ratchet tried to assure. "It is not that the reactions you see are deceptive, they are only deliberate. Most of us are able to control how much emotion we display and, well, its like humans. If you were being bullied at school, you might be terrified but you would try your hardest to not let that show so instead, you might focus on how angry the bully is making you."

Ratchet thought for a moment then nodded. "Something like that, any way. Like humans, some of us are more reserved. Bumblebee wears his feelings on his doorwings, whereas Prowl might seem to most humans to have no emotion whatsoever because he chooses not to reveal much." Ratchet smiled ever so slightly. "Even so, you can rest assured that whatever emotion he does choose to share is what he is feeling."

"But for those who have learned to read Prowl, we can tell what he is feeling – with some degree of accuracy at least – even when he does not display it openly." Ratchet finished.

Sam frowned, thinking that over. It was rather logical, he realized immediately. He felt himself relax and knew the 'Bots would be able to detect that fact and so decided not to waste time reassuring them he had; instead, he focused on his question. "Prowl?"

"Our second in command." Jolt provided. "And Senior Tactician. He and several others should be arriving on Earth soon."

Sam nodded, then looked between the two. "And you are saying I can now pick up some of the same info on you guys that you can pick up on us?"

Both Autobots nodded.

Mollified, Sam smiled. "I think I like it better then. Thank you."

Jolt merely smiled with a slight dip of his helm, though the armor over his shoulders twitched slightly. Ratchet just chuckled.

The moment did not last long.

Ratchet clapped his hands together. "Alright. Thank you for your time, Jolt. Now scat. I have a lot to go over with Samuel and only two days left to do it." With that the CMO made a shooing motion towards Jolt.


This was another chapter that is primarily laying down the foundation of what is to come. Don't worry, they will be leaving the island and heading back to college soon. For any of you who might have thought I have forgotten about Bee, don't worry, he is going to be the primary player in the next chapter. I just had to get this lesson (about sometimes having to cause a little pain to help heal someone… like giving an antibiotic shot to a human) to Sam sooner rather than later.

So… more than 250 reviews! Thank you everyone! But please don't stop there; keep reviewing. LOL.