Pardon for the delay. This chapter needed a little refining. Hope you enjoy it.
For those of you who asked, Sam in the movies had Bee with him all the time and still wanted to be normal despite being friends with such an amazing person. In this timeline, he's had a little too much time to backtrack without constant reminders of his adventures and friendships. Working through that much denial will take time. One adventure isn't enough, but he's closer. :).
Thanks for the reviews: Savage Kill, Counting Sinful Stars, Khalthar, angel897.
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She woke with one question on her mind.
What was a carry hold?
She hadn't heard that term before from the Cybertronians.
Sarah sat up, then realized there were dark mutterings.
"Why would they paint a perfectly good cast? Because the education on this world is lacking," Ratchet grumbled.
"What are you talking to, Ratchet?" she moved so she could look over the edge of the pillow bed.
He straightened, looked at her, "The children came in to for their vaccine shots. Several of them graffitied your cast."
Switching her gaze to her cast, she read the words and messages written in shaky block letters.
"Get well!"
"May god protect you."
"Please bring cookies."
Sarah laughed.
"Why are you laughing? They pranked you," Ratchet huffed, "I don't have appropriate solvents."
"Ratchet, it's a human tradition."
His bafflement and suspicion made her grin as she added, "In America, if someone has a cast, others write messages of encouragement or blessings. If shows there are people who care for them."
He frowned, "Your first cast didn't have this."
"To be frank, I didn't want to give the soldiers opportunity to 'graffiti' me. They have some bizarre ways of showing concern. The children are young enough to not use this as a prank, even the one requesting cookies. This is heartfelt."
"Is it a dishonor to have no markings?" he pulled a chair over, then sat, "This tradition sounds complicated and I need the rules for it."
She opened her mouth to ask when a shout drew her attention.
"Where is she?" Mrs. Witwicky ordered.
Ratchet's expression amused Sarah. A mixture of "This again?", "Why me?" and "I'm not paid enough to handle this."
"Which she are you referring to Mrs. Witwicky?" Sarah sat up better.
"You! Where are you so I can talk to you, face to face."
"Now, Judy." Mr. Witwicky started.
"Ratchet, would you please help them?" Sarah could feel a headache coming on.
"Take these. I reformulated for your chemistry," Ratchet handed her a cup.
"Hunh?" she dry swallowed at his glare.
"Your biochemistry required a slight adjustment to the pain killers so they also addressed your helm. You could have said you were suffering."
"It only just happened. Sharp pain. Sorry about the yawn."
"Human biology is at times simple, others complex," he set both Witwickys on the walkway.
"Why does my son have a tattoo?" Mrs. Witwicky demanded, though her lips quirked.
Sarah sighed, "I'm afraid we have a prankster running around. They got me as well. Be grateful it wasn't as obvious as my rainbow hair."
"So that's why you have those colors."
"Yes. Should we catch the pranksters, they will be given recompense duty."
"How often does that help?" Judy resisted smiling.
Sarah grinned, "The rainbow culprits have't tried again. They look very busy when I come by."
"You've figured out how to control them?"
"Not control, just discipline," she smiled.
Mrs. Witwicky nodded brusquely, then hauled her husband away for more "skinny-dipping".
Relaxing, Sarah moved to ask about the carry hold, when a commotion rapidly approached.
Sarah sat up, looking to the door as Ratchet stood.
Ironhide and Sideswipe carried a limp Bumblebee in, followed by Optimus Prime and Prowl.
"What happened?" Ratchet demanded.
"No one saw, but the power shorted out in the repair hanger. The emergency lighting turned on then we heard a crash. Bumblebee was faceplate down on the ground," Ironhide summarized.
"Put him on the berth," Ratchet began his diagnosis.
Sarah watched him work, wondering what downed Bumblebee.
A prank gone wrong?
"Odd. This looks like an electrical burn," Ratchet growled.
"Ratchet!" Lennox called, "Mark's unconscious.'
"What?" Sarah turned to Lennox, saw him standing in Jazz's hands as Soundwave delicately carried Mark's body.
"Down on that berth," Ratchet powered up the screen, turning back to Bumblebee, "Diagnostics will run as soon as he's laid down. I can read he's breathing and his heartbeat is normal."
Sarah asked the universe what happened to them both.
Shouts and accusations filled her mind briefly before Primus whispered, "An answer is being formulated. Please wait."
Soundwave slid Mark onto the berth, stepped back.
"Soundwave, when you found Mark, where was he in relation to Bumblebee?" Sarah asked.
(Mark: on repair platform after painting Bumblee's shoulder plates. Bumblebee: Fell forward from the platform.)
"Thank the Great Spirits he didn't fall backwards," Sarah looked over as Mark groaned.
He blinked, looked at Optimus, Prowl then Ratchet, "What happened?"
"No one saw what happened. You and Bumblebee were unconscious," Optimus stated, glancing at Ratchet who returned to Bumblebee, plugging in cords, "We noticed Bumblebee immediately. Jazz, Soundwave, how did you notice Mark's situation?"
"Soundwave noticed," Jazz nodded to the other mech, "I crouched to look at the floor for evidence, when he hissed."
(Noticed: Scorch mark on wall behind repair platform. Investigation: Looked down from scorch to prone Mark.) Soundwave looked at Mark, (Concern: Liaison wounded.)
"All signs normal on Mark. Wheeljack will bring over your monitoring equipment later. It might have recorded what hit you."
The arguing stopped in her ears, then she stood amount the deities.
"So who pranked Mark?" she folded her arms, looking around the circle of animals and Cybertronians.
"Amalgamus and Coyote," Primus looked at the two contrite deities, "They didn't think it through. As such they have heaped more work on your shoulders and the Allspark."
"Allspark? What happened?" Sarah demanded, dread digging into her gut.
"Mark sparked Bumblebee," Onyx stated calmly before cuffing Amalgamus' helm, "He took something the Decepticons did to their shame and made it another way for sparking."
Her head whirled, "Wait. How did Mark spark Bumblebee? Ratchet said sparking requires a current between two Cybertronians," she blinked, "Scorched. As in electrical burn?"
Coyote smirked before snapping at Wolf and Snake who leaned into his space, "I got them together. It will be glorious."
Sarah growled, "You forced this on them? You raped Bumblebee?"
Coyote looked surprised then yelped when she leapt at him, her fingers curled into fists.
Solus picked her up, stopping her from chasing Coyote, who ran behind Amalgamus, "That is one of the views we argued. He should know how you would react this way."
"Hey! Mark wanted a partner who is like Bumblebee. You know they've been gaming and watching movies together," Coyote peeked at her.
"That doesn't give you the right to do that to them!"
"Bumblebee was considering changing his holoform to be female so he could be with Mark," Amalgamus stated calmly holding up a servo, "I see you are very upset by this, but we enabled them to be together."
"You will regret doing this," Sarah snapped.
"Sarah?"
She blinked, looked around in confusion, noting the worried looks from Optimus, Ratchet, Jazz, Soundwave and Lennox.
Her heart clenched and she hunched, trying to settle the rage before she lashed out, "Great Spirits. How could they do such a crime?"
"Sarah?" Optimus knelt, his face even with hers, "What happened?"
"Coyote and Amalgamus crossed a line they shouldn't have," she shook.
Ratchet gasped, "What the frag?"
She looked at him, "Bumblebee is sparked, isn't he?"
He stared back at her, "Yes. How did you know?"
"What should concern you is who the other genitor is."
Soundwave turned to Mark, all the others following his gaze.
"I didn't," Mark sputtered, flushing red, "I'll admit, I like hanging with Bumblebee and if he was human I'd..." his expression blanched, "Oh. I thought...right before."
"You didn't start the spark. Coyote and Amalgamus did. They took your thoughts as permission. Both you and Bumblebee's," she felt the tension climbing her spine.
"Chief? Could you take a few breaths?" Mark looked scared up at her, "I need my normal chief."
Putting her head in her hands, she breathed, trying to calm. Mark needed her calm.
(Is Mark alright? I heard from Wilson he was rushed to Medbay) Frank asked.
(Frank, I need you, John and Annie here now,) Sarah managed not to growl, but it was a battle.
(On my way.) Annie sounded concerned, followed by John's more business like (I'll swing by shortly. Paperwork was delivered for today.)
(Is Ratchet there?) Frank asked.
(I am) Ratchet replied without his normal grouse, (We have a situation that needs all your input.)
Sarah recited in her head the story of the Thunderbird, trying to distract herself from the insult, rage and pain.
"We will work through this, Sarah," Optimus' soft voice felt like a steadying hand on her mind, "This is manageable with us all. Until all are one."
"They knew," she put word to what hurt the most, "They knew this would bring up that pain. They only wanted the chaos and fun," she spat the word, "that would entertain them."
"Mark? Are you okay?" Annie's voice preceded human footsteps echoing in the Medbay.
"Chief needs the help," Mark shakily replied, tears in his voice.
"We are all here," John stated, "Do we need the door secured?"
"I got it," Jazz offered, the click like a gunshot.
"Sarah, what happened?" Frank asked.
She looked from her hands, slightly calmer, "The deities have caused a situation of harm."
Mark swallowed, "She says the two tricksters somehow got me to spark Bumblebee," he huffed, "It's kinda sudden."
Annie asked Jazz to put her on the berth, then she sat beside him, "Are you okay? How is Bumblebee."
Sarah looked at Bumblebee, noted he was still out.
"I will explain further," Primus appeared in the room, making Lennox jump back in shock.
"Primus," Optimus bowed his helm.
"Both tricksters saw Mark and Bumblebee desired the others company as their own kind. They thought to repurpose something the Decepticons used for ill, to help instead. They neglected how strongly this would hit our priest due to injustices that shouldn't be visited on anyone," he bowed his helm towards her, her heart finally slowing, "That was wrong of them to do. However, the sparkling is innocent in this."
"Jesus," Lennox rubbed his face, "No wonder she lit like a Roman candle."
"Mark, I hope you will take our apologies for this interference," Primus directed to Mark, "Along with the symbol you bear."
Mark blinked, then looked at his back.
Sarah saw the edge of the same tattoo she carried, knew he had the glyph for "love", like a scandalous sign.
Optimus touched her back with a finger tip, "Easy."
"Bumblebee will be in recharge for a few joors," Primus spoke softly, "He will need your support as he will view this like Sarah does."
Sarah stared at Primus, her tone dangerously soft, "What?"
"The ravages of war," he replied gently, "You will be of greatest help to him, Sarah. He needs the warm fire, not the shield and spear."
She nodded her understanding, the tension draining from her back, body.
"We will help relieve what burdens we can, but we cannot stop all dangers coming towards you. That is the price of free will. We will hasten the arrival of some mechs you need," he looked into Sarah, "and will recommend that those mechs and femmes here form a Cybertronian liaison team to complement the human one."
Jazz slumped, "So obvious."
Sarah felt each parts ashamed and tired, "I will have to work on the love aspect of this."
"To be frank, Amalgamus is not an easy mech to work with. He can be capricious and cruel at times as he can be gracious and benign."
Sarah nodded, "I allowed myself to forget Coyote's similar nature."
"I will not keep you further as the humans outside are wondering what has happened," he turned as if to leave, then paused, looking beyond the room, turning back to Sarah, "You had a question that is plaguing your mind even now, Sarah."
Foolishness filled her as she knew what was plaguing her, "Carry hold. What is it and why would it be marked with this tattoo?"
He smiled, "We carry our sparklings and hatchlings in our holds, hence the name. This is to protect them until they are old enough to explore on their own. Our high priests marked it as a reminder that all Cybertronians are in their care as individual sparklings are in their genitors care. You and those who are being called to be priests are caretakers of their love, peace and protection. Just remember that not all of us are as careless with our wards as the two who caused harm this orn."
He vanished in light, blinding her.
Optimus turned back to her, "Are you alright, Sarah?"
"Calmer, just not sure I'm solid enough to be a welcoming fire," she sighed, exhausted.
Mark chuckled nervously, "At least you are the chief I need."
Ratchet set his servos on his hips, "This is a fragging mess. Between the hatchlings that need rescue, those on the way from both natural and interfered methods, and the human baby, I don't want anymore excitement."
Soundwave cocked his helm, (Query: Human baby?)
Annie shyly raised her hand, "I'm carrying a baby. Maybe my baby will be friends with all the sparklings and hatchlings?"
Exhaling the last of vestiges of her rage Sarah listened to the universe, noting the clearer answers, "We'll see, but I suspect they'll be fast friends."
Coyote and Amalgamus better not come around for a while, she thought darkly. She wouldn't hold back next time. No one took away her tribe's choices, regardless of their thoughts. They should have the dignity to offer the solution.
"Settle, granddaughter," the voice whispered in her mind, "No matter the pain, you will grow a beautiful harvest."
A pang hit her heart, missing him.
"Call your father, Bobcat," he chuckled, "That will set things to rights, even with the cracks. You will find some needed peace from his words."
Bowing her head she exhaled forcefully, then said, "Fulton is outside the door. To keep this calm, we will say this was a misguided and ill-conceived prank. Bumblebee took the brunt to spare Mark lasting harm, which is why he is out for a few joors."
Lennox huffed, "And the big teleporting mech wasn't here?"
"What mech?" Sarah looked at him evenly, then smiled slightly.
"Epps is going to be out of the loop on this," Lennox shook his head, "Crazy business."
Sarah slowly stood, leaned on the railing, "Ratchet, how soon can we get all liaisons and Sam covered with monitoring devices?"
"A few orns. I need to test Wheeljack's inventions first," Ratchet folded his arms, "I wish I had more medical trained mechs. Jolt is barely sufficient."
(Soundwave: moderately trained.)
Ratchet glared, "For your symbiotes?"
Soundwave nodded.
"You are on my team then until further notice. If you work out, we can see about returning Ravage," Ratchet nodded to Optimus who incline his helm in agreement, "This should also ease Sarah's tasks should an emergency come in."
She sighed, "I feel really useless with my leg like this."
"Why don't you go help Starscream with his optics?" Frank suggested, "He may enjoy that."
Jazz opened the door, looked down at Fulton, "Sorry about the lock out. Needed Ratchet ta confirm everything is A-okay."
"Is everyone alright?" Fulton scowled.
"A prank gone wrong," Optimus stated gravely, "Bumblebee saved Mark from being seriously hurt. We'll investigate who caused it and ensure they do not make this attempt again."
"Tell them all if there's another prank, I'll yank approval of the movie project," Fulton marched off.
"Off you go," Ratchet picked up Sarah set her down in her wheelchair, "Go make rules or something. Just not in my Medbay."
John pushed her wheelchair, "We have tons of paperwork to deal with before dinner."
"It's dinnertime?" Sarah sighed, "Sleeping through meals sucks."
She left with her tribe to do the work that needed to be done. To return for Bumblebee as the fire, not the weapon