Whew, guys. This is the end for Silent Romance. This is my second fic I've ever actually completed. I'm proud of myself, and you all have helped so much with that. All the positive feedback really made me want to keep writing this story.

As for the sequel, I'll start working on it sometime soon. But I won't be uploading anything till I work with it some. Also I'll have a big Christmas break, so that's probably when I'll start uploading.

The Whispering Sage: Thank you so much!

Guest #1: Thank you! I'll try my best to make it just as amazing as this one.

JJ: I'm sorry for making you cry but I'm so glad it was good enough to make you cry! You've very welcome! Thank you for being with me through this process!

TFPLover: Thank you so much! I can't wait either.

Guest #2: Maybe? It's definitely a good plot twist. We'll have to wait and see what my brain comes up with for AnnBee.

Optimus stood before his team, looking over them all. He then looked down at Bumblebee who was standing in between him and the others. He nodded softly before he began speaking. "We have endured bitter hardship and countless battles but at long last, our home planet has been restored. We would not be standing on Cybertronian soil were it not for the valiant efforts of both those assembled here and our absent comrades: Ratchet, who remains on Earth to safe guard our human friends. Anna, who remains on Earth to help Ratchet and is a major part of Unit E, and Cliffjumper, who made the ultimate sacrifice."

Bumblebee's joyous expression turned to one of sadness. He was finally graduating, but his intended sparkmate couldn't be there with him.. And they would be apart for quite some time.

Arcee looked just as heartbroken, her own partner having been killed in the disastrous war.

"But on this day, at the dawn of a new era, we gather to bestow a special honor. One earned by Bumblebee. Through his bravery and devotion to the cause of peace, long before he rid this universe of the scourge of the Decepticon warmonger."

Bumblebee smiled up at Optimus as he gently laid the tip of his sword on his shoulder. "Thank you, sir.."

Optimus smiled, nodding down at him. "You've earned it, warrior.."

{X}

Anna looked behind her, to where the families sat watching their children. She spotted Agent Fowler, June, and Miko sitting next to her own family. Raf was sitting up straight, grinning at her happily. Her mom, Martina, was beside Raf. Then it was her oldest brother, Diego. Pilar, the next oldest and their only other sister. Tomas, being one year older than Anna, was sitting next to their father, Ian. Her human family showed up at least.. Just not the one she needed most.

Anna sighed sighed as she looked back up at the choir that was singing their senior song, Hall of Fame. Then the speeches were given. Anna was the top of her class, but she didn't want to give the speech. So she let the second person give it instead. After that was over, everyone stood up, getting in line to receive their diplomas. Anna smiled when she heard Jack's name being called, clapping for him loudly. Then she realized what letter was after D. Her row was next.

She stood behind the others, frowning nervously as she saw her classmates walking across the stage. Then she was next. She waited nervously, shifting nervously.

"Anna Esquivel!"

Anna smiled faintly at the chorus of applause from her friends and family. She walked up to her principal, shaking his hand as she got her diploma. She walked back to her seat, standing in front of it. She turned her head around and grinned at the look Raf was giving her. She could at least be happy for him.

{X}

Anna parked her car on base, frowning at Hanger E. It still felt like home, but empty. It was empty, compared to the lively feeling it had before. Now, it was just Ratchet and the humans of Unit E. Anna sighed softly, shaking her helm. She walked into the hangar, frowning at the Autobot symbol on the floor. She couldn't count how many times the symbol used to make her happy, make her feel safe.

Now..

Now it brought back memories. It made her sad. It made her remember Bumblebee. And then she remembered that she wouldn't see him for a long time, probably years. And that pissed her off. So then she took it out on her work.

Anna smiled softly, seeing Ratchet tinkering with his new lab area. They had taken some of the necessary equipment needed to make more Synth-En. Anna walked up to Fowler's office, knocking on the door. "Sir.."

Fowler turned to her, nodding his head. "Come in, come in." He didn't wait for her before continuing. "I have all the paperwork filled out. My friend at Fort Sill is part of Unit E, and is minutely aware of what's happened. So you're going to groundbridge outside of the town, and they'll pick you up. Then they'll bring you on base."

Anna nodded softly, looking down at the papers he handed her. "Thank you." She looked up at him and noticed the expression he gave her. "What is it?"

Fowler stood up, placing a hand on her shoulder. "I just think you've been so strong lately, and I'm proud of you. And I'm so proud you're becoming a soldier."

Anna smiled up at him, nodding her head slightly. "Thank you.. I've tried. It's been tough, especially being here.. I still haven't been in our old room.." She looked off into the distance, frowning. "It's like one day I expect him to be here when I walk in."

Fowler rubbed her shoulder gently, "One day he will."

Anna smiled bitterly. "When I'm thirty?"

Fowler snorted, "As if there's something wrong with being thirty, or older?"

Anna laughed softly, shaking her head. "No.. It's just a long time to be without the other part of my heart."

Fowler sighed, nodding softly. "Speaking of... Ratchet heard from them."

Anna looked up at him, her eyes going wide. "Really?" She quickly walked out to the platform, leaning on the edge. "Ratchet? You heard from them!?"

Ratchet paused from examining another bit of the code Anna had entered. "Yes." He turned around and smiled softly. "They celebrated Bumblebee's graduation to warrior class. Optimus is looking for the AllSpark, the others are looking for the missing 'cons."

Anna sighed softly as she looked down at the Autobot insignia. "He finally graduated.. I wanted to be there for him, when it happened.."

Ratchet walked over to her, smiling sadly. "You're going to be graduating to warrior class soon yourself."

Anna leaned forward and hugged his helm. "I'm going to miss you. Don't go crazy and leave me too, okay?"

Ratchet gently rubbed her back, venting softly. "Of course not. I'm going too busy working with this formula!" He leaned back and smiled. "I'll be here after you return from BCT."

{X}

Anna stood in front of her friends, the rest of Unit E in Jasper. "Okay.."

Jack handed her bag over to her, smiling sadly. "You're going to be great."

Anna smiled at him, "You better stay in college."

Jack smiled, ducking his head. "I will, you survive training."

Miko hugged Anna tightly, leaning back to talk to her. "Kick their butts for me! Show them women are just as kick-ass."

Anna smiled and squeezed her arm. "Lookout for my brother, and try not to get into so many detentions."

Miko winked at her, "I'll look out for my buddy, Raf. No promises for anything else."

Anna smiled and then looked down at her little brother, "Enjoy your summer break, Raf. I'll be home soon."

Raf hugged her tightly, frowning. "You better come back... If you and Bee both leave..."

Anna kneeled down, hugging him tightly. "I'm still here on Earth, Raf. I'm only a couple of states over. You'll come see me in ten weeks! I promise."

Raf nodded softly, squeezing her. "See you soon, sis."

Anna stood up, looking to Ratchet and Fowler. "See you two soon. And let everyone know I'm going to be okay."

Fowler nodded, saluting to her. "See you soon, solider."

Ratchet nodded his helm, activating the ground bridge for her. "I'll let him know."

{X}

Anna walked through the groundbridge to a secluded area beside Lake Lawtonka, Oklahoma. She looked over and saw a woman standing beside the lake, looking out over the water. Anna walked up to her slowly, "Hello?"

The woman turned around, revealing that she was wearing a drill sergeant outfit. She appeared to be in her middle thirties. She had short black hair, brown eyes and tan skin. "Anna Esquivel?"

Anna nodded softly, holding out her hand. "Yes, it's nice to meet you."

The woman shook her hand firmly, nodding back at her. "Drill Sergeant Nokes." She looked her over before nodding. "Let's go. My truck isn't far from here."

Anna followed her down the path, pulling her hair back into a tight ponytail. "Does it make a difference that I'm not arriving by bus?"

Nokes unlocked her truck, getting in the driver's seat. Once Anna was in, and buckled, she began driving back through the gravel road. "No. You'll just line up with the others." She then hit the main road, driving back towards base. "Fowler spoke to me about looking out for you, something about special circumstances. If anything unusual happens, I'm going to smooth it over. But do not expect any special treatment, private."

Anna shook her head quickly, "I made sure to tell him that. I want to do this on my own. I need to do this on my own."

Nokes looked over at her, noticing the determined look in the young woman's eyes. "Good. You'll need that drive to get through these ten weeks. Don't let me break you." She pulled through the gates of the base, nodding to the woman in the passenger seat. "Welcome to your home for the next few months."

{X}

Ratchet looked at the data readings on the console, hearing Ultra Magnus groaning behind him. "He is suffering from a multitude of internal injuries, most quite severe."

Arcee looked up at Bulkhead and Bumblebee, placing her hands on her hips. "So, anyone care to explain what two more Predacons are doing on Cybertron?"

Bulkhead tilted his helm. "I thought Optimus said new life wasn't possible without the AllSpark."

Bumblebee frowned, looking down at the ground. "I'm not authority, but something tells me cloning old bones doesn't constitute new life."

Bulkhead nodded. "Shockwave's been playing in his lab since the war. Why stop now?"

Smokescreen spoke up, leaning against the wall. "Doesn't matter where those beasts came from." He turned to the others, clenching his servos. "We got to take 'em down."

Bumblebee spoke up, motioning with his arm. "If Shockwave's back in business, there could be more of them. A lot more."

Bulkhead look at all of them, "We need to call Optimus."

Arcee sighed, "Really, Bulk? And interrupt his quest to save the future of our race on Cybertron?"

Bumblebee vented as he walked back over to Ratchet, watching him starting to work on Ultra Magnus' injuries. "Do you need anything..?"

Ratchet looked up at him, noticing the expression on his face-plates. "She's doing okay, Bumblebee. She's not the best, but she's making it."

Bumblebee slumped his shoulders, stumped at how easily Ratchet saw through him. "I'm worried about her.. I miss her like crazy. Whenever I have a minute to myself, she's all I think about."

Ratchet continued working as he talked to the 'warrior. "She said the same thing before she left."

Bumblebee moved closer to him, "Left? She left Jasper? I didn't want her to leave her family because of me!"

Ratchet snorted softly. "Temporarily Bumblebee. I would have said that if you hadn't cut me off."

Bumblebee grinned slightly at him before focusing back on the conversation. "Where did she go?"

Ratchet looked up at him, smiling softly. "She's becoming a warrior too, just like you. She entered basic training not too long ago. She wrote a letter home, and she's loving it. It's tough but she's glad to have something to focus on."

Bumblebee felt his spark thrum in his chest, also feeling like it was warming up even more. "She's going to be a soldier." He grinned at Ratchet. "She's so amazing..."

Ratchet smiled, "And hopefully one day she'll become your sparkmate."

Bumblebee sighed wistfully, looking out the window and to where Earth would be. "Hopefully.."

{X}

Anna looked over at the tents set up for the families, just being able to spot her family and friends. Her brothers, sisters and all of Unit E were there, except Ratchet of course. Anna stayed still before looking back ahead of her, to where her drill sergeant was standing.

It was finally Family Day, with graduation being the next day. She had done it, all on her own. She finished BCT and would be going onto AIT or advanced individual training. Even with Primus infused strength and endurance, it was challenging for her. That might be because Drill Sergeant Nokes pushed her harder than the others, making up for her enhanced abilities. Still, she excelled at training. It finally gave her something to strive for. In school she never really had to try, she was always very smart. And then after Primus changed her, she was even smarter. She could figure out almost anything in a matter of seconds.

This also meant she was almost an expert with the army's weaponry now. She easily disassembled them, put them together. She had to work on her aim, of course, but she soon became excellent at that too.

Overall, she had changed completely. She was still the same nerdy, geeky, quiet woman she always was. But now she had a fire in her, that was a result of everything that happened on the Nemesis that day. She wasn't going to be hurt again by some Decepticon, or another human. And she wouldn't let anyone hurt her friends, family or anyone else again.

It also gave her an outlet for her volatile emotions about Bumblebee. She missed him terribly, so much she could sometimes feel her spark trying to reach out for Bee. That of course just pissed her off, so she would push herself physically, to try and block out her thoughts. Most of the time, though, she thought of Bee when she had trouble with something.

Bumblebee was an amazing warrior, and one of the strongest men she's ever known. He grew up in a war, watching countless friends and family die. He grew up a soldier and fought to save Cybertron from the Decepticons. When they lost Cybertron, he didn't give up. He continued fighting. Even though he had earned the right to graduate from scout to warrior, he didn't. He wanted to graduate on Cybertron. And he finally managed to achieve that...

If Bumblebee could do all that, then she could do anything. For herself, for him and for her family.

The soldiers who were earning their U.S. Citizenship finished up their little celebration, walking off the field. That meant the rest of the BCT soldiers were next, including herself.

Drill Sergeant Nokes began leading them through their chants, Anna easily echoing it back to her. She followed the soldiers in front of her out to the middle of the field, stopping when ordered. In unison they all turned to face their family, and the others. Anna looked straight ahead as another private sang the National Anthem, placing her hand over her heart. Afterwards she placed her hands back by her sides, keeping them still.

Then the host began speaking about how tomorrow all the soldiers would be graduating. They would be joining the ranks of the other honored soldier who fought and protected their great nation. He spoke about the great merits of the soldiers. He also spoke about a demonstration the soldiers were going to do for their families, to display their skills.

First went through the drill sergeant drill, another small group of soldiers displaying that skill in front of them. After they went through a few drills, the group walked off the field. The next was a group of soldiers displaying their artillery skills. Pair went off by the crowds to display the different guns the Army used, while the host talked about the history of the guns. The next group was soldiers displaying all the uniforms they wore during their training.

Then it was time to recognize individual soldiers for exceptional performance. Anna followed the other soldier who was receiving an award onto the field. She could see a flash of her friends, able to just see the shocked expressions on their faces. She stepped up to their commanding officer that would give them both their awards.

"The first award if the Private George Washington Award. This award is given to the soldier who displayed the most outstanding leadership skills during the cycle. This award is given to Private Mark Hall."

The crowd clapped for the soldier as he was given the award.

After the crowd calmed down, the host began speaking again. "The next three awards are all being received by the same private. These are the Distinguished Honored Graduate Award. This is for overall excellence in training and character development. The Basic Rifle Marksmanship Award, for receiving the highest score in training with the M16 Assault Rifle. This private scored a 39 out of 40 possible points. The last award is the High Physical Training Award. This private scored the highest on the final training exercise in this cycle. These awards are all being received by Private Anna Esquivel. Let's give her a round of applause."

Anna's cheeks warmed slightly from the praise but schooled her features. She nodded her head to her officer that pinned the awards on her uniform.

"Next, are the soldiers who will be receiving their new rankings. Please join them on the field."

Anna waited until the rest of the soldiers were in line behind her before she fell in. She quickly got in her spot, marching in unison with the rest of them. They turned, separating into two rows that both faced the front of the field.

"We will not promote our PV1 to PV2."

Anna smiled very faintly when she saw that Raf and her mother stood beside her on the field. She wanted to reach down and hug her brother to death, but she had to remain still through this last bit of the process.

Then the host began calling the privates names, including her own. He then asked for a round of applause for everyone after he finished speaking.

Raf gently touched her side before he quickly walked back to his seat with their mom. "Love you."

The front row, where Anna was, turned to face the stands and walked off the field. The same process happened for the last row of soldiers on the field. Anna had to repeat more chants from her Drill Sergeant before they were released for a short time with their families.

Anna quickly walked over to the stands, laughing when Raf saw her. His whole face lit up, and he ran over to her, hugging her waist tightly. Anna rubbed his back gently, smiling down at him. "Miss me?"

Raf nodded quickly, stepping back. "You look so different.."

Anna nodded softly. "Yeah. I had to cut my hair, and I've gotten a lot more muscular."

Miko popped up, hugging her. "You got guns!"

Jack sighed at Miko's comment as he walked up to her, shaking his head. "Miko.." He turned to Anna and grinned. "How did I know you were going to be one of the most decorated graduates?"

Agent Fowler walked over, saluting Anna. Anna saluted him back, smiling softly. "Because it's Anna we're talking about. One of the most exceptional people I've ever known."

Anna turned when the rest of her family walked over, her friends stepping back a bit. Anna quickly hugged her family, smirking at how jealous her brothers were of her. "Well, you could always join too."

Diego shook his head, chuckling. "I'm good staying a mechanic."

Tomas nodded, leaning on Anna's shoulder. "Oh yeah. You're the tough one in the family."

Pillar shooed them off of Anna, fixing her uniform. "They're just hiding the fact they couldn't make it through BCT."

Their father smiled and gently patted Anna on the shoulder. "I'm very proud of you, Anna. You've grown into an exceptional young woman."

Their mom nodded, kissing Anna's cheek. "Yes! I just wish that boyfriend of yours had been able to come. You used to seem so in love."

Anna's smile dropped instantly. It was like a switch was flipped. "Me too, Madre.. Me too." She looked down at Raf, feeling him squeeze her hand tightly. "I know he'd want to be here if he could."

{X}

Anna strolled into the hangar, smiling when she saw Ratchet. "There's a face I haven't seen in a while."

Ratchet turned around, a big smile forming on his facial plates. "Anna! You survived, I see."

Anna laughed softly, walking up on the platform beside his workstation. "Yes, actually, thank you."

Ratchet chuckled softly, laying the datapad he was look at down. "And you did very well, I heard."

Anna nodded, smiling softly. "I almost won all four Awards, but I didn't really feel like leading anyone. I just wanted to follow."

Ratchet nodded softly, "That's not a bad thing, though. Every leader needs good followers."

Anna hummed as she peered up at the screen Ratchet was looking at. "You're still having trouble?"

Ratchet sighed as he looked down at her, "I admit, working with you is easier than trying to decipher this all on my own again."

Anna smiled and hopped over to the table, looking at the datapad. "Well, that's because you've moved it all around. It actually needs to be moved like this.." She then moved pieces of the code around again, moving it to the right spots. "See?"

Ratchet groaned, rubbing his face. "It was that easy."

Anna smiled, patting his hand. "You've been stressed. Fowler said something about Ultra Magnus being hurt? Why are you back here?"

Ratchet nodded softly, "Yes.. I've been taking care of him. I just took a small break and to check back in here." He looked down at her and frowned. "Isn't it bothering you to talk about them?"

Anna nodded softly, looking back down at the datapad. "A lot. But he's family, and I'll always worry about my family." She looked up at him. "If you need anything don't hesitate to ask, Ratchet. I mean it."

Ratchet nodded softly, smiling slightly at her. "You'll be my first call."

Anna smiled before stretching. "I'm going to start setting up our tech center, so I'll talk to you later Ratchet.." She got down before looking back up at him. "Is he...?"

Ratchet looked down at her, his shoulders slumping. "Just as tore up still. But I can see you're both starting to handle it. It's going to be okay. You both know how much you love each other."

Anna nodded, rubbing her wrist. "Yeah.. I'm proud of him for stepping up. I know he can do it. He's an amazing warrior."

Ratchet smiled, "He's also very proud of you for graduating from basic training. I'll be sure to tell him about your awards."

Anna smiled bashfully, feeling her heart beating a bit stronger in her chest. "He is?" She smiled to herself before waving goodbye to Ratchet, heading to the command center. "He's proud of me..." She paused when she reached the doors, looking up at the evening sky. She could make out the moon, able to pick out where Cybertron would be. "I miss you, Bumblebee... Love you." She sighed before she opened the door, walking in. "First day on the job, huh.."