Author Notes: I hope you have been enjoying things so far. I know I been enjoying this and really hope all those that stop in have as well. Please let me know what you think in a review.

Things are starting to heat up and coming closer to an end!

"Bumblebee, this needs to stop."

Not even looking at Optimus in the optics, Bee wore a frown across his face and arms across his chest. He knew what this was about, and he didn't feel the least sorry about it.

"I ain't sorry. Powell is slag. We both know it. He shouldn't be doing this in the first place."

Doing what? Destroying his best friend's name.

Bulkhead had been missing for weeks, and no one had seen helm or servo of him. Not a word at all ever since Bulks ran out of the base during his freak out over a stupid art show. They all thought nothing of it and that he would come back when he had calmed down.

That didn't happen.

The team all headed out the following day to search for him. Bumblebee figure the big bot was so embarrassed by his actions that he decided to hide out somewhere or something like that. So they would find Bulky back to the base and all calm down, back to doing whatever art thing he was doing before.

But again, that didn't happen.

There was no sign of the big bot anywhere. Bulkhead wasn't answering his comms, and Bee started to become more worried when even Ratchet claimed he couldn't pick up Bulkhead's signal anywhere in the city. His search turned frantic as dark thoughts came up in his processor. Bee thought up so many horrible ideas. Maybe Bulkhead ran away and got hurt and couldn't get in contact with them? Maybe Meltdown got him?! Or worst…

Maybe the Decepticons got him.

There were no signs of the two Decepticons, but who to say they wouldn't be back. Maybe they kidnapped Bulkhead in some attempt of revenge? Offline him?! Maybe they thought he knew something about Megatron or whatever stupid reason!? He didn't have a clue! Bumblebee didn't know how Decepticons think!?

But reality didn't give any of them a chance to find out.

Soon, the Decepticons were back and with a newly revived Megatron.

It turns out Sumdac had the warlord's head the entire time and built his whole business on reverse-engineered Cybertronian tech.

Bumblebee didn't know how to feel about it. He didn't have time to think about it.

They fought against the Decepticons, blew up the AllSpark in the end and won the day.

It didn't feel like much of a victory after everything was said and done. All the humans were now scared of them after the fight. Sumdac had gone missing too, and Sari was kicked out of her home cause that jerk Powell said she didn't even exist. Bulkhead was still missing, and then Ultra Magnus decided to show up finally.

And he brought with him that afthead Sentinel Prime.

Who accused Bulkhead of either going MIA or joining the Cons.

Bee knew neither of them was true. That wasn't Bulkhead. That had ended in a screaming match with Prowl and Ratchet dragging him away before he shoved his stinger up Sentinel's aft.

The team spent their days rebuilding the city, being friendly with the humans, and handling the AllSpark fragments that popped up. Dealing with all that, plus the Elite Guards had put trying to find Bulky on the backburner. Something Bumblebee didn't like.

Then Powell launched his slagging insulting Bulkhead cars! Even using images of Bulkhead as a fraggings spoke model.

He tried to let it go. Bee honestly tried not to let that slimeball get under his armour. Today was just a horrible day. Sentinel would get off his back for something pointless, got some tar on his paint after helping pave some roads, and some humans threw some trash at him, so he wasn't in the best of moods.

All he wanted to do was chill on the couch and watch some mindless TV. He didn't want to process anything for a cycle, how nothing seemed to be going right, how he didn't have his best buddy with him.

So when Bumblebee saw one of those stupid commercials, he snapped. He stomped his way down to Sumdac Tower and gave that slaghole a piece of his processor. It got into a shouting match, and Bee was about to break every rule of being an Autobot to squash Powell if Optimus and Prowl hadn't shown up and drag him back to the base.

And now Optimus, looking so tired and at a loss of what to do, stood in front of him.

"I know…but we need to keep in good standing with the humans. It's our fault that the Decepticons are here, that the city suffered from our fight," said Optimus, shaking his head as if he was scolding a sparkling. "I know Powell is a bit-"

"Slag aft! A frag-"

"Bumblebee! I know what he is doing has upset you, but-"

"If you say I should be the bigger mech, you're wrong!" shouted Bee, jabbing his finger into Optimus's chest. "That human screw with Sari, kicked her out of her own home and took over her dad's company as if he had a right to it! This stuff with Bulkhead is just the last needle that broke the spinal structure!"

"Bumblebee, you need to calm down."

Bee let out a hiss of frustration as he wanted to smash something. Why was Optimus being so difficult!? Wasn't he upset with what Powell was doing? He was walking all over them all without any consequence. It wasn't right.

"Look, we've been trying everything, but there's nothing we can do. The alt mode Bulkhead scanned does belong to his company…" said Optimus, with a face that looked like he was trying to swallow rancid oil. "I've been working with Fanzone and some helpful humans that know the law of the planet. They're handling Powell and his use of Bulkhead's name and likeness. We just have to keep out of trou-"

"Bee! Bee! You have to see this!"

The two Autobots turned to see Sari coming running into the room. She appeared to be in a panic with her shouting. Sari had been in the living area, watching some nature program with Prowl while the two had a little 'talk' outside the room.

"Sari, can you give us a-"

"No! Optimus, you have to see this!" demand Sari. "There's a new ad for those stupid Bulkhead cars, and they put Bumblebee in it!"

"What!"

The information Soundwave had gotten from the Autobot command ship that landed in the city had been quite a prize. The fact he was able to get anything from it was a surprise. They didn't seem to have much security as one of his Mini-Cons easily infiltrate the giant ship. Maybe his ability to block their signal was more superior than he thought?

Either way, Ravage returned with a treasure trove of data. So much that Soundwave spent many days, weeks going over and decoding his way through those encrypted files.

"Ah…Soundwave, could you take a look-"

There was so much data that opened a whole new world to Soundwave. He didn't know anything about Cybertron, but these files gave him a new impression of the planet. Made him wish to see it for himself one day. A whole world filled with other beings like himself.

Though, he could laugh at these foolish Autobots for thinking the organics were some type of threat to them. Yes, perhaps in large numbers, but nothing like the fear of catching some virus from humans.

There were the files on the ship about the Vanguard Booster as well the whole Space Bridge network. The material was such a fantastic find. Bulkhead would be so please with the network information. He was finally able to do what he always dreamed of doing.

Though, Soundwave wanted to give more time to these Sigma files.

"Soundwave?"

Most of the files belonged to the Autobot commander, the one called Ultra Magnus. They had his name written all over them. Soundwave only knew of him due to the human coverage of the Autobots' arrival to the planet. Many of the encrypted files were for the Magnus. That had to mean something, something that the Autobot High Command didn't want anyone to see. Soundwave pushed himself to get it done. Any data would be welcome, and he would take great pleasure in turning the Autobots' projects against them.

Project Safeguard seemed to one of those files to have such unlimited potential. But a dark undertone to it as Soundwave discovered from a video file.

' Expendable test-subject' ?

Such disrespect to their own citizens' lives.

That made Soundwave more please with himself that he was able to rescue Bulkhead out of-

Soundwave found himself rouse from his thoughts by a pair of heavy arms wrapping around his shoulders. He tilted his head upwards to the welcoming face of Bulkhead above him. The larger mech looked down at him with worry as he kept his arms wrapped around Soundwave.

This was more common than Soundwave would have thought.

When he brought Bulkhead in, Soundwave didn't think the former Autobot would be so affectionate. It was a surprise the first time it happened when Soundwave awoke Bulkhead in his base. The mech rose from the makeshift berth and wrapped him in an enormous hug.

It was a shock, but Soundwave found himself welcoming it. The warmth, tenderness and kindness that came from Bulkhead made Soundwave's spark grow and want to return the same affection that he was given.

He just didn't know how to. With each attempt, Soundwave hesitates with his movement and actions. It came naturally to Bulkhead, but Soundwave found himself stumbling over his attempts to return the affection? It made him feel inferior, not worthy of his partner's feelings.

But his failures didn't seem to matter to Bulkhead. The mech stood there with a smile and said Soundwave had other ways to show how he cared. That it didn't matter if he didn't initiate any physical display of his feelings.

That Bulkhead knew how he felt, and that was enough.

But it wasn't enough for Soundwave. How could he feel enough for his partner when he was so willing to share? So, Soundwave developed ways he felt would be adequate to show Bulkhead how he felt.

The room became filled with a harmonic, rhythmic melody as Soundwave place a hand over Bulkhead's own. The worry on the other mech's face gave away to a soft look of happiness, such a warmth that gleam in those new red optics. Soundwave found himself to be lost in them each time he looked up into them.

"Soundwave, stop distracting me when I'm trying to be upset with you," laugh Bulkhead, leaning in to rest his head next to Soundwave's own.

"Inquiry for such feelings?"

"Because I don't think you have been recharging like you said you been."

Ah…so, that is why. Though, Soundwave didn't see the reason for such disappointment. He had so many things to do and only so much time to do it. They couldn't stay hidden forever and needed to get more of a plan before making a reemergence. Not recharging on a proper schedule was a sacrifice he was willing to make.

But it seems that Bulkhead wasn't willing to do the same.

"Negative, recharge enough."

His vision swirl around as Bulkhead swung his chair around, away from his computer. He leaned over Soundwave, optics to visor. He now could see the concern and disappointment on his partner's face. It was a horrible feeling to know that he was the cause of such emotions in the gentle giant.

"I know that isn't true at all. You're still up when I go to recharge, and when I online with you still up and working the next day," said Bulkhead.

"Nega-"

"Do I need to ask one of the Mini-Cons?"

Slag, he was caught, and Bulkhead knew it.

The city found itself litter with fragments of the AllSpark after it blew up from the battle between the Autobots and Decepticons. The energy of those fragments was of the same energy as the AllSpark Key, which brought Soundwave to life. Like the key, those fragments brought machines to life.

Soundwave could hear and pick up the fragments' songs throughout the city. He wasn't sure why this was possible. Maybe due to his creation by the AllSpark? Whatever the reason, Soundwave quickly collected his own set of fragments for the revolution.

From those he gathered, they became his Mini-Cons.

Who would rat their creator out to Bulkhead for the promises of extra treats or affection.

Not that Soundwave could blame them as he felt the same. If he could, Soundwave would feed off of all the devotion and tenderness that Bulkhead was more than happy to give out at any moment of the day.

Without much of a warning, Soundwave found himself out of his chair. Bulkhead took it upon himself to lift the sightly smaller mech into his arms and carry Soundwave out of his lab towards their share quarters. Soundwave did it only to save on space when he created the base and didn't think about what kind of partnership they would develop later down the road.

"Illogical, I can walk on my own," said Soundwave. He could feel his face heat up from a mixture of embarrassment and attraction. How easily Bulkhead could lift him, hold him tight, there was something of the action that always made his fans revved.

"I'm sure you can, but I can't seem to trust you to recharge without being dragged to the berth," laughed Bulkhead.

Entering into their room, it was a mixture of who the two mechs were. All their essential projects were in their workspaces, so everything inside their bedroom room was more personal. Shelves were brimming with all sorts of cassettes, CDs and records for Soundwave. Bulkhead had filled a spare corner with empty canvases, paint cans and all kinds of art supplies. One of Bulkhead's first art pieces, a billboard filled with warm colours, hung on the wall next to an enormous berth that could fit the two.

Bulkhead walked over to it, gently placing Soundwave down on it. "Now, you better shut down for a couple of hours. You can't lead an uprising if you work yourself offline."

Soundwave didn't know how tired he indeed was until Bulkhead placed him onto the berth. His systems flash warnings of low energy and the need to decompress his overworked processor. Maybe Bulkhead was right. Perhaps he needed to rest for a bit.

But…

Before Bulkhead could leave, Soundwave grabbed hold of his hand and attempted to pull the mech into the berth. "Bulkhead; Join me."

The only answer was a shake of the head. "I don't think you will get enough rest if I come into the berth with you."

"Negative, would rest better."

It didn't seem his plea worked as planned. Bulkhead gave him another smile before leaning over to give Soundwave a small kiss on his forehelm. "Just recharge, ok?"

Seeing he wasn't going to win, Soundwave let go of his partner's servo and watched as Bulkhead left the room. He was a tad disappointed that he wouldn't have the familiar warmth and weight of his partner next to him, but Soundwave would have to live with it. Shutting off his optics and welcoming the darkness, Soundwave allowed himself to drift off.

Until a loud crashing sound and screams. Then came the silence. That wasn't at all a good sign. Soundwave sprang up and ran out to see what had happened—recharging be slag if this was some surprise attack. He wouldn't let those Autobots get their hands on Bulkhead or any of his Mini-Cons.

He wouldn't let them take what was his.

It didn't take much time to find out where the sounds had come from. Their base of operation was limited in space after all. They had the two workrooms for Bulkhead and himself. Then there was their shared bedroom and a room for the Mini-Cons to share. Finally, there was what was called the 'Wreck Room'—a living area where they all tend to gather and waste time. Soundwave never found himself in the room too often as he was busy with his many projects. So the Mini-Cons took over the area, with Rumble and Frenzy leading the charge. There wasn't a moment of the day that didn't have those two fighting over the remote to watch the TV or something with one of their video games.

Soundwave had lost count of the number of times that their fights had to be broken up by himself or Bulkhead. Even Laserbeak and Ravage tended to meddle in stopping the two speaker Mini-Cons.

But they weren't the cause of the trouble this time.

Coming into the room, Soundwave stood in the door for a bit of a shock. Bulkhead stood there, his fans on high as he appeared to be on edge. His wrecking ball still stuck in the wall, right through what was once the television set. His optics were glaring at the devastation he had created with such hate, feelings Soundwave felt were unnatural on Bulkhead's faceplate.

Rumble and Frenzy appeared to be in shock, hiding behind the couch. Same with Ravage, Laserbeak and Ratbat. The three animal Mini-Cons hid themselves off to the side of the room, away from the wreckage. The Mini-Cons didn't dare move from their spots, fearing upsetting Bulkhead further.

What had happen here?

"Explain," Soundwave demanded, hoping someone would answer him.

"Boss! It was those car commercials!" said Rumble, the twin Mini-Cons poking their heads up from behind the couch, clearly feeling braver at the sight of the other mech in the room.

No need to explain further as Soundwave knew what commercial they were talking about. When they first appeared, Bulkhead had become quiet and depressed. It didn't take a genius to see how upset the gentle giant was over it. Why wouldn't he? These humans were using the fact Bulkhead's very name as a way to make money for these vehicles was disgusting. It made Soundwave want to go out there and destroy them. No one should get away with making Bulkhead upset like this.

"But it's a new one," added Frenzy. "Had one of those Autodolts in it, the yellow one. They made it look like he like those stupid vans even though anyone with half a processor could see he didn't."

That would explain Bulkhead's violent reaction to the TV. To see one of his former allies in such an insulting advertisement would set anyone off. It didn't matter if the Autobot was against it or not; they shouldn't have been a part of it in the first place. Instead, they should have made sure that these selfish humans didn't use Bulkhead like this.

Those Autobots failed. They allowed these humans to walk over them when it should be the other way around. They should be superior to the organics on this planet. The humans should be taking orders from them.

He would have to do something about it instead.

It was time to make their grand appearance.