A/N: Okay, so this is inspired by a photo I saw on Facebook of a mech with a human baby. Ad for the child, his name shall be Timmy. Pretty much all of it is AU. The Last Knight never happens. One-shot.
Warnings: mentions of character deaths, mentions of torture, love, bonding moments, cuteness, and anything else I forgot.
Disclaimers: I do not own Transformers. Only Hasbro. Nor do I own Careback or the baby. They belong to Craig H.
Careback was so alone. The order for all Cybertronians to be killed by the humans had forced those remaining to separate. The mech wasn't able to contact the other Autobots. His communication link had been damaged in his escape. Careback had changed his disguise to an abandoned truck, small and old to blend in better.
He had been driving for hours. Pulling off to a parkling lot of an abandoned building in a deserted town, Careback finally rested. He was sure he wasn't being followed. Cemetery Wind was after Optimus, so he doubted that he would be a target. But he still had to be careful. Any human could report his whereabouts.
A loud wail startled the mech. Careback transformed, weapon at the ready. Scanning the area, Careback didn't see anyone, but there was crying. It was almost like a sparkling. He cautiously moved around, looking for its source. In a wooden crate was a small human sparkling. Careback's spark went out to the child he had found. The poor thing was all alone, just like him.
Carefully, Careback reached his servo into the crate, holding the baby in his servo. The little human looked to be about 2 or 3 years old. The baby stopped crying, sniffling as it gazed up at the mech.
"Hello, little one," Careback said softly. "Where did you come from?"
Once more, the mech scanned the area. There was no other life besides him, the child, and a lizard. Looking back down at the child, Careback smiled. He quickly made the decision to take care of the child and raise it.
"Now, let's see if you are a mech or femme... well boy or girl in human terms," Careback said, moving the blanket the child was wrapped in. "A boy. Well, we will have to call you something."
Sitting down on an old car, Careback thought of a name. There was many that humans had used. One was particularly good and stood out.
"Timmy. Your name is now Timmy," said Careback.
Timmy cooed up at the mech, waving his chubby arms up. Careback chuckled, using a digit to tickle the baby. Timmy giggled and smiled.
~~~000
Careback had decided that the old town would be his temporary home. There was no telling when Cemetery Wind would find him. Luckily, there was more small towns nearby he could go to for items for Timmy. Food and clothes were the first thing he needed.
"Well Timmy, I'll be right back. I need to go find something suitable for you," said Careback. The baby didn't move from his slumber in the crate.
Careback knew he had to be quick. Transforming down, he sped off to one of the closer towns. He had searched the world wide web for information on what kind of things he would need. It was getting dark, so it was about closing time for most stores. He would wait until they were closed before temporarily disabling any security cameras and pick locking the back door.
The Autobot didn't want to steal, but he must if Timmy was to survive. He just had to make sure he never got caught. After waiting another hour, the last person left and the store closed. Careback didn't see any cameras, nor did his scanners pick any up. It was probably cause it was such a small town that they weren't needed.
Activating his mech holoform, Careback picked the lock of the door and went inside. He found some clothes and food easily. He gathered them up, got some water as well, before quickly departing. He couldn't risk being there for too long. Dumping his stolen goods into his vehicle form, Careback sped back to Timmy.
The child was just waking up when Careback transformed, his goods falling to the ground of the building he claimed. Sitting down, Careback took Timmy and cradled him gently. Timmy babbled happily. Careback grabbed an apple, breaking pieces off and feeding it to the baby.
Timmy ate the food with greed, almost like he hadn't eaten for days. Laughing softly, Careback fed the child and gave him some water. With a full belly, Timmy fell asleep. He curled into the mech's chest, listening to his spark.
Careback's spark melted. He vowed to protect Timmy. In a way, Timmy was now his son, despite being two different species.
"Recharge well, Timmy," Careback said, drifting off into recharge himself.
~~~14 years later
"Dad, are you sure?" Timmy asked, looking up at the larger mech.
"I am sure, Timmy. I'll only be gone for a little bit," said Careback.
"Be careful out there," said Timmy.
"I always am," said Careback.
The mech transformed down, going North to one of the farther towns. Timmy sighed, watching as his adoptive father drove off. Turning back inside their home, Timmy got to work on the little gadgets he had found around the town. He hated when his father had to go off to get more food for them both, since Cybertronians can eat human fuel and be just fine.
But he wanted humans to understand that Cybertronians are not bad. He had to figure out a way. He knew his father missed the other Autobots. Twice a month, Careback would try to communicate with his fellow Autobots, hoping they were still alive. Cemetery Wind would torture their kind before eventually killing them off like they were nothing.
"How can I make the humans listen?" Timmy pondered out loud. In his thinking, Timmy didn't realize he drifted off.
~~~000
Careback got back a bit late. He had more food that should last them about a week or two. He had even tried again to contact his leader with no luck. He feared that he was the only Cybertronian left.
Taking out the food, Careback put it on a small table. He smiled at seeing Timmy asleep. The mech didn't want to disturb his son, but he had no real choice. He poked the human.
Timmy jolted awake, looking up at his father. His eyes wandered to the food, going over to it and grabbing a protein bar and a bottle of chocolate milk.
"Any luck yet?" Timmy asked.
"None. I just pray that they are all safe," said Careback. "Let's fuel before we recharge."
"Okay dad," Timmy said.
Careback and Timmy ate their dinner before retiring for the night. It was pretty late. Yet, for some odd reason, Timmy felt too uneasy to sleep. It was like something was going to happen, but he didn't know what. The feeling remained all night, growing worse as morning came.
Careback onlined, smiling down at Timmy. He was unaware of Timmy not having slept at all.
"Morning dad," Timmy said.
"Good morning," said Careback.
"Dad, I want you to know that I love you a lot. And thanks for saving me all those years ago," said Timmy.
"I love you very much, Timmy," said Careback.
After they had breakfast, Careback became on the alert. He looked outside, seeing familiar vehicles racing towards him. Stepping outside, Timmy close by, Careback cursed. Military as well as what was known as NEST. A shot hit his shoulder. Crying out, Careback stumbled back. His shoulder was bleeding pretty badly.
"Dad!" Timmy shouted in alarm.
"Timmy, get out of here! Go run and hide!" Careback ordered.
"I'm not leaving you!" Timmy protested. He crouched when gunfire battered the ground near them.
"Go. I'll be fine," said Careback.
Timmy didn't want to, but he knew his father needed to protect him. Timmy ran to one of the nearby buildings, staying close enough to watch, but far enough to stay out of the way. Tears went down his cheeks as he watched Careback get shot down. Soldiers with guns kept their aim on Careback, should he try anything.
Not able to take it any longer, hearing his father's pain, the young teenager raced out. He stood in front of his father, arms spread out.
"The hell? What is a kid doing here? Take him out!" a man ordered.
"Lennox, don't! Please, I am begging you, don't hurt my son," said Careback.
"Son? Hold any fire," said Lennox.
"It is true. Careback is my adoptive father. He saved me 14 years ago when he found me alone and starving. Cybertronians aren't bad. Please, I beg of you, don't hurt him. Stop hunting them down. Their planet is gone. Where else are they supposed to go? They have fought to save and protect Earth. The least we humans can do is live in peace with them," Timmy said, shaking in fear, but not showing it. "End this now, while we still can. Do you think an evil alien would raise a homeless orphan like myself? Don't do anything and live to regret it. Please Lennox. Please."
Lennox stood there, stunned. He looked at his men, seeing that they were touched by this boy's words. Sighing, Lennox looked back at the drone that had followed.
"Sir, what do we do?" Lennox asked the drone.
"The kid is right. We made a terrible mistake in trusting Cemetery Wind. Disable that organization. It is time we brought our allies home."
"Yes sir," said Lennox. "You heard the man. Let's go take care of Cemetery Wind. Send out a message for Optimus and tell him about the peace."
"Yes sir!" the soldiers cried out.
Timmy relaxed and fell to his knees. He was shaking so badly. He wasn't sure they would listen, but he thanked God and Primus above that they listened and changed their minds. Looking back at his dad, Timmy nodded. Careback smiled, so proud of his son. Cybertronians will now be able to live in peace once more on Earth. And Careback can go back home to his family, and he wouldn't have to steal anymore to keep him and his son alive.
"I'm so proud of you Timmy," said Careback.
"Thanks dad," said Timmy.