A/N: So as for characters on the Ark to expect. Thus far, I've got Team Prime on there along with a few small additions! So there will be lots of Team Prime stuff to see here.

CHAPTER 2

ONE YEAR LATER

"Bumblebee!"

A year ago, the first thing he would have wondered was what he had done now. But something told him that, as per the new norm, it had more to do with a small, mischievous mop of brown hair. In the year that had transpired since he'd first gone on that mission in Jasper, Scott had gone from timid and shaky... To a pranking partner the twin terrors had inevitably loved and practically adopted as a surrogate little brother.

On one hand, Bumblebee was glad his son made friends. On the other, he hated being the tough parent.

"Son". The concept was still new to the scout, given it had seemed to happen in the blink of an optic. One moment he was singing up for a short-term guardian gig. And the next, he was helping input Scott into the database of the Ark's current permanent residents. There were no courts to make a "legal" adoption, not anymore, but at this point Bumblebee had accepted that Scott had bonded far too much to his Autobot saviors to relinquish him to anyone else.

Sure... He hadn't called him "dad" yet. But Bumblebee also knew he had once had parents. Had a life before the Decepticon occupation of Earth, even if he had still been young when it had started. And Scott would be ready to address that when he was ready. Or so he hoped. "And good orn to you too, Ratchet," Bumblebee replied as he crossed his arms and addressed the medic (a few shades pinker than he'd last seen him" from the doorway to his quarters. "Love the new look -."

"Save it!" Ratchet snorted before producing the precocious eleven year old in question and dropping him in Bumblebee's waiting servo. "Next time, he's getting five hours in the brig. And extra clean-up duty! This is the third time this solar cycle that I've woken up... Like... Like..."

"A My Little Pony reject?"

Bumblebee had to hold back a snort, but had to agree with Scott there. Ratchet snorted for him, but not in a "funny" type of way. Rather he pointed a digit to the boy and added. "I'll let Bumblebee deal with you. Consider yourself lucky," Ratchet managed as he began toward the wash racks. "This is going to take forever to get out! Primus!"

Bumblebee let a small smirk cross his face, but it was nothing compared to the small giggle fit Scott was giving. Honestly, looking at him now, you'd never have believed where he'd come from. His hollow features and tattered threads now replaced with a scrawnier, but more healthy look and a pair of commissioned Autobot-official fatigues. And that was enough for Bumblebee not to scold him too hard - after all, a few months ago those and the smile on his face were a dream.

"I really should ground you for that one. But honestly, can't. It's too classic," Bumblebee announced as he entered their shared quarters. Depositing Scott on the ground as he went for his morning Energon. "Just lay off him for a while, OK? Ratchet's not getting any younger... Or more patient."

Scott only gave a small smirk in response. "Come on, Bee. I learned from the best," He told his guardian with his usual smarmy response. It was true, Bumblebee had been the best, once upon a time. "Oh! Oh! Guess what? Guess what?" He asked, this time with enthusiasm.

Bumblebee only smirked as he prepared Scott's daily human rations. "Do tell."

"Arcee let me up on the command deck today. I got to see the moon!" He replied. Bumblebee was surprised, they were that close to Earth already? Placing the cereal near Scott, he let the boy begin eating before he continued. "Optimus says we're touching back down to Earth in like... A couple of hours?"

Bumblebee eyed his charge carefully, wondering how he would take that. Their team hadn't been back to Earth since... Well, since they'd found Scott. In that time, the boy hadn't been around other humans - let alone near his home planet. "And you're, still OK with that...?" Bumblebee asked in a calm tone. "Though I mean, it's like I told you... You don't have to leave The Ark if you don't want to. We're mostly there to bring supplies."

Scott looked up from his food quietly, spoon limp in his hand. "I uh... Dunno," The boy was almost as silent as he had been when they first met for a moment. "Will they try to take me away?"

Bumblebee shook his head reassuringly. "They get our reports. They know that you're permanently stationed with Autobot Ark I. That's not what I'm worried about," It was true, after all. To take, or even attempt to take, Scott away at this point would cause a great shake-up in their alliance. "I was thinking more... Mentally. Y'know. Where your head's at. I know going back to Earth wouldn't be easy for you."

Scott felt a pang of fear, Bumblebee could tell. But at the same time the boy looked him dead on, with such trust that it spoke volumes... "If you're with me I'll be OK," he told the mech calmly. "You're my protector, Bee. I don't forget that. No matter what happens you wouldn't... You wouldn't let anything bad happen to me."

Bumblebee wished he could guarantee that nothing bad would ever happen to him. But stopped himself short of saying that. In the world they lived it one could never be sure, all he could do was be just that: his protector, his rock, his dad.

"You got that right Scotty," he used his affectionate nickname for him as he waved to himself. "As you know, your old man is more than just a pretty face, he's a warrior too."

Scott couldn't help but giggle again at that, especially when the scout reached out to tickle his ribs ever so gently. Honestly, he'd never get enough of that giggle: a small, hopeful light in the dark times they lived in. It made him so glad that he had Scott to be just that.

"Now get eating. If we're hitting Earth soon I think the last thing you want is to do this on an empty stomach."

But maybe he should, since even through this all Bumblebee felt like he was going to be sick with worry. Even if Scott would never know.

Scott Turner wasn't nervous.

After all, it was like he had told Bumblebee - he knew he was safe with him. With all of Team Prime really. But he'd be lying if that little pit in his stomach hadn't grown a little more by the time they'd touched down on the giant blue planet he'd once called home.

Being in space a year now, he'd almost wondered if he'd ever see Earth again. And given what had happened, he might have been just as fine without ever seeing it again. But all the same; the time had come for him to face the world that he only saw in his darkest nightmares again.

"Are you alright, Scott?"

No matter how often he saw him, the eleven year old would never get used to Optimus Prime's deep baritone. Nor his intimidating presence. The mech always made him feel small and weak... Even if his intentions were the opposite.

Yet he always seemed to know how to sneak up on him. As he did while the others were near the main entrance, preparing to disembark. "I'm... OK," Scott managed with a squeak. "Just nervous... I don't even know where we're going."

"You? Nowhere," Cliffjumper, who was close by them spoke up. Optimus shot him a look. "What? Aren't we gonna make sure it's safe first? Scott's our base kid. Last thing we need is anything going wrong."

Optimus turned to Cliffjumper, then back to Scott. A part of the child wanted to agree, while the other didn't want to look so weak. Scott had been through a lot, grown up a little more than most eleven year olds... The last thing he wanted to do was look like a wuss...

"If you go, you will stick close to Bumblebee," Optimus finally offered, his voice stern. But not angry. "Only as a precaution. I assure you."

Scott wondered why they were so worried. But at the same time could vaguely recall the Bots speaking about what the humans would think. As far as he knew, he was the only human in an all-Autobot team. Others were among a mixture - and some people... Would some frown on that? Find it an abomination? Bumblebee had said he wouldn't let him be taken away...

"Scott?" It was Bumblebee who spoke this time when the door hissed open and the steps lowered. "No ones going to take you, I promise."

Sometimes that big mech did too good a job of reading him. Scott shifted his weight on his feet a moment as Bumblebee lowered a hand. He knew exactly why: Bumblebee wanted him to face this fear. Knew he needed to... Or maybe he was just encouraging him.

Either way, he climbed on board and allowed himself to be deposited gently on the mech's shoulder. They exited the ship together, Scott's stomach tightening more as they stepped outside.

A/N: I know this fic skipped forward a bit. But I'm trying to change up from my usual formula for this one. There will be some flashbacks to the first year and earlier though!