Welcome back, dear readers! Enjoy the chapter :)
(A-POV)
I hopped out of Optimus' cab, beelining it for Lennox. Before I said my goodbyes, I wanted to get the information from the man himself. I heard the telltale mechanical sounds of Optimus transforming behind me, and I glanced over my shoulder, taking in his massive frame one last time while his attention was elsewhere.
"Will," I cleared my throat, "could I speak to you for a moment?" Lennox, who was now alone yet still near the hummers, turned around upon hearing my request.
"What's up, kid?"
"Mikaela told me you and the Autobots are moving to a secret base."
The corner of his mouth turned down. "Uh, yeah. We're being dispatched in just under 30 hours."
I nodded slowly, and a pang of sadness shot through me. "There's no way for us to contact them? I mean, I know Bee is staying with Sam, but..." I trailed and lifted my chin towards the rest of the Autobots. "What about them?"
Will must have seen the sorrow on my face because he sighed and laid a hand on my shoulder. "According to my higher-ups, contact is only allowed for absolute emergencies."
"And what happens if a 'Con shows up again, and it's more than Bee can handle by himself?" I knew I was grasping at thin air, and I knew he couldn't do anything to change this decision, but I wouldn't be able to sleep tonight if I didn't try.
He removed his hand from my shoulder and began fiddling with a pocket flap near his hip, unbuttoning and rebuttoning it as his eyes narrowed. "I don't know if I'm allowed to do this..." he muttered, "but here." He reached into his breast pocket and pulled out a scrap of paper. "This is the number for the emergency line that'll get you in contact with General Morshower's secretary. Add it to your contacts. If you ever need help and Bumblebee can't reach you, call this number, and say your name. They'll ask for a password: It's Big Buddha."
"Big Buddha?" I looked at Will oddly, and he chuckled.
"Yeah, Epps came up with it."
I quickly did as I was told, even letting him see the phone screen just to make sure I got the number right. He nodded, and I pocketed my phone. "Thanks, Will."
"Anytime, kiddo. I'm honestly surprised you couldn't worm your way into getting us on speed dial, considering you're an agent and all."
I laughed. "I have a fair share of government clearance, Captain, but not 'US-alien military alliance' kind of clearance."
"Well, for all of our sakes, I hope that changes. You've got spunk. It'd be refreshing to have you around."
I grinned and followed Lennox over to the rest of the team. Among them was Mikaela. She was laughing as Bee danced around Ratchet, who was noticeably not laughing. Ironhide was shaking his head in exasperation beside an observing Optimus with his hands on his hips.
"I think it's about time you've been properly introduced, don't you think?" He threw over his shoulder as we approached them. "Everyone, this is Alestia. She fought with us in Mission City."
"How could I forget?" Epps stood up to shake my hand. "Good to see you on your feet again."
"Glad to be back." I smiled and squeezed the Seargent's hand.
He looked down in shock. "That's a strong hand you've got there."
"Gotta make a good impression somehow, right?" I teased. At that, he matched the pressure and smiled.
"This is Special Air Service Forces Agent Graham," Lennox said as he pointed to a tall and stocky man.
"Nice to meet you. I've heard a lot about you from these two buggers." He motioned to Lennox and Epps, who smiled sheepishly. "They can't seem to shut up about how you whipped out a gun and started shootin' like you were one of us."
When I turned to look at the two and raised my eyebrow, Will lifted his hands defensively and replied, "Hey, it was impressive. It's not every day that a kid runs up to us, tells us she's an agent, and then saves the world, alright?" Epps nodded in agreement.
"So, an agent, huh?" The last man I hadn't been introduced to piped up.
"That's right."
He looked at me skeptically. "You got a specialty?"
"I'm afraid that if I told you," I drawled, "I'd have to kill you."
Amusement broke out on his face, and he snorted. "Right, like I've never heard that one before. Lieutenant Commander Darel Wagner."
I shook his hand as well. "Agent Alestia Barone, at your service."
I looked to Mikaela and winked. I knew I'd have to tell her something eventually; just enough to sate her curiosity without putting her in danger. For now, I'd mostly keep my mouth shut, clueing her in whenever I leaked a small amount of information. She would feel included, and, hopefully, wouldn't ask too many questions. There was a difference between not telling the whole truth and lying, and I desperately didn't want to lie.
It was a shitty move, yes, but for her own good. She wanted to be normal, she said so on the drive over here. Who am I to take that life away from her?
She blinked twice, looking surprised, and smiled slightly. She seemed almost relieved at my actions. Unease bloomed in my chest as I smiled back. I'd deal with that and what it might mean later.
I looked back at the men standing before me. "If you don't mind, I'd like to excuse myself to say goodbye to the Autobots. It was nice to meet you all. I hope the relocation goes smoothly. Thank you for risking your lives in Mission City, and for every time after that." I dipped my chin respectfully and aimed for the Cybertronians not too far away.
"Oh Bee!" I called in a singsong manner. "Have you been bothering Ratchet?"
Bee chirped excitedly when he realized I had been watching, and he chirped loudly as he did one last dance around Ratchet. The Medical Officer grumbled and crossed his arms. I laughed when Ironhide cuffed him lightly on the helm and chided, "Leave the old mech alone, Scout. You're making me dizzy just by watching."
Bee rubbed the back of his head. "Playful bot," I murmured affectionately.
He whirred and scooped me in his hands. "Wanna play with me? None of these old bots are fun."
"Course I will. What did you wanna- woah!" Bee threw me lightly in the air and caught me. He did so again and laughed as I shrieked.
"Jeez, Bee, do you wanna give me a heart attack? You like to cause mischief, don't you?" My stomach somersaulted from the experience.
He looked at me playfully, his eyes turning a lighter shade of blue, and motioned to throw me again. "Alright, alright!" I squealed. "I'm sorry!"
I heard a deep chuckle and looked over to where it was coming from. With a start, I realized it was Ratchet who laughed.
"Oh, it's funny now that you're not the focus of his antics, huh?
Ironhide snorted as Ratchet grinned and replied, "Precisely."
"Fine, you wanna play, Scout?" Bee chirped in answer, and I smiled wickedly. "On one condition. You activate your holo to make things even."
I jumped from his hand to his shoulder and climbed down his body. By the time my feet met the ground, Bee's holo had already materialized. He had shaggy blond hair that fell into his eyes, which were bright blue like the rest of the Autobots. Adorned with a black bomber jacket, a bright yellow shirt, and black jeans, he looked just under twenty.
"I like your gloves." I motioned to the holo's hands, which had fingerless black gloves with holes over the knuckles.
Bee lifted one of his hands and flexed them. "Thanks!"
"Your holo can talk?"
He shrugged. "The sound isn't coming from my voicebox. I manipulate the soundwaves around me when my holo is activated, so you all can hear what I want you to."
I walked closer and said, "Why don't you do that all the time?" I glanced up to his full form, which was standing idle above me.
"Waste of Energon. It's not worth the-ay!"
I poked his side and he flailed slightly. I laughed and did it again. "What are you doing!?"
"I'm tickling you."
"That feels-" he cut himself off with a boisterous laugh, "weird!"
"It's supposed to, Bee," I added another hand to his other side and he began to giggle uncontrollably.
"Stop stop stop!" His knees gave out from under him. I crouched and watched as tears began to form in his eyes.
"I'll stop when you say I win.
"You win you win!" He cried, and I stopped. He flopped onto his back, chest heaving. "That was definitely a new sensation."
"That's what I thought." I offered him a hand up.
Bee pouted and accepted it, hoisting himself back to his feet. "That was cheating."
"Alright sparklings," Ironhide announced, "time to go home. It's getting late, and you both need to recharge."
I sobered quickly, remembering why I'd joined them in the first place. "'Hide's right, Bee. We should head back." I said softly. The holo disappeared and the true Bumblebee transformed.
"I guess this is goodbye, for now." I looked at the three bots with sorrow.
"Don't be too sad about it youngling," Ironhide responded gruffly. "I'm sure we'll see each other again."
"Grumpy old mech," I murmured fondly. "I'll miss you, 'Hide. I'll miss all of you dearly."
Optimus bent down to my height. I was so familiar with the movement that I didn't blink as Prime gently tucked his pointer finger underneath my chin, lifting my head ever-so-slightly. "We'll miss you too, Alestia."
"And get some actual rest," Ratchet added. "The pain in your side is growing by the nanosecond. Take some acetaminophen and go to sleep."
"How did you... you know what, I'm not even gonna ask. I swear you have a sixth sense for this shit." I grumbled.
"There's a reason I'm Chief Medical Officer, young one." Ratchet crossed his arms, the epitome of nonchalance. I snorted and climbed into Bee to join Mikaela, who had been patiently waiting for me to finish the conversation. Before the Scout could shut the door, I heard Ratchet say, "Remember the acetaminophen!"
"Will do, Ratch!" I called back. With a last parting glance and wave of farewell, Bee, Mikaela, and I headed back to Tranquility.
Hope you all enjoyed this lighthearted chapter! While it is shorter than I'd normally like my chapters to be, I figured a short and sweet chapter would be perfect after everything that happened in the first movie.
