Disclaimer: not mine

Does no one like this? Only one review over on archive and none on ffnet. I've noticed a drop in reviews in all my stories, why?

Many fics use various kinds of bonds and I will be using bonds too cause I think they're neat.

Chapter 2

They all straightened as the heavily reinforced doors opened and Ratchet emerged, looking exhausted. He looked at the group and nodded. "Hoist didn't make it. The others are stable," he informed them.

"Bumblebee will be alright?" Cliffjumper asked. "the damage…"

"Didn't reach his Spark case, thank Primus."

"But?" Optimus knew his old friend was holding something back.

"His vocoder has been crushed beyond my ability to repair. Even if I could we do not have the necessary parts. It needs a full replacement and the only way to do that at the moment is with the vocoder of a fallen soldier. I can't see Bumblebee agreeing to that," Ratchet admitted and they all stared in horror. Their entire society was built on communication and Bumblebee had been chattering away since he was a Sparkling, even if back then it had been chirps, clicks and whistles.

Optimus leant heavily against the wall, why had he sent Bumblebee? But they had all though Tyger Pax was the safe option, as the most secure approach no one had thought Megatron would attempt that route. "His internal comm?"

"Suffered only minor damage, which is reparable. He lost most of his Energon, but he responded well to transfusions," Ratchet assured them. "Now, anyone not injured and awaiting repairs, get lost. My patients need peace to recover."

They quickly scattered, not wanting to risk his wrath, all but Optimus and Ironhide. Ratchet sighed and nodded, waving them into the ward. They both moved directly to the berth where Bumblebee lay unmoving, being kept in medical stasis for now.

Ironhide reached out and rested a hand over his Spark, relieved to feel the strength of it, using the now weak Guardian bond to reassure himself that his Sparkling would survive. Bumblebee was so young, before the war he would still be living with his Guardians as he settled into an occupation, barely an adult. The war had forced him to grow up fast, taught as a Sparkling what to do during an attack, who to run to in an emergency and then as he'd grown up the lessons had intensified until he was able to learn how to fight. He'd been such a cheeky, sneaky little Youngling who was a natural at stealth. When the time came for him to go into an adult frame, that of a Scout had been the obvious choice, beyond the fact that they had limited supplies with which to build his frame. He might be taller than Jazz, which made him very happy, but Bumblebee was still a minibot. Ironhide was just relieved Chromia was not here to see their Sparkling in such condition, then again it might end the war if they told her who had done such damage. Even Megatron knew to be wary of an angered Femme.

Optimus stared down at the battered body of his best Scout, of the mech who had brought so much joy to his faction since he had been found. He knew he would never forget the sight or forgive himself. Bumblebee had volunteered but he had still agreed to the division of forces. He had made many decisions in the Vorns since becoming Prime and leader of the Autobots that he regretted, but the events surrounding the launch of the AllSpark were the worst. If he had been a better Prime perhaps the launch would never have been necessary at all. He feared his Brothers reaction to what he had done, he had looked over the reports, Megatron had nearly killed Bumblebee in his rage, torturing him instead. What else would he do to make Optimus pay?

'Prowl to Prime.'

'Optimus, what is it Prow?' he answered the comm call.

'We have confirmation, Megatron has left Cybertron to track the AllSpark,' Prowl answered.

Optimus was surprised, he had assumed Megatron would go after it eventually, but so quickly? 'Understood. Send out the call to all Commanders recalling them here.'

'Yes sir.' With that the communications link was cut.

Ironhide looked up at him, questioning and Optimus looked back down at Bumblebee. "Megatron has left in search of the AllSpark. I have ordered all commanders to return to Iacon."

"Humph, better hope Bumblebee is up before Chromia gets back."

Optimus nodded and then left the medbay to return to his office, he had much to consider before his commanders arrived. He had not expected Megatron to leave so swiftly, without taking time to fully plan for future events. So different to the once thorough mech he had called Brother. Megatron had always had a temper but so did Optimus under the right circumstances. He hadn't known Megatron until he had been revealed as a Prime and Megatron had been named Lord High Protector at the same time, as his equal. Megatron had led the Militia while Optimus had overseen the Priests and sciences. They had worked well together for decavorns, had shared a brother bond and then…Megatron had torn their bond apart, blocking him out before turning on him. It had been a shock and to this day Optimus was sure something or someone had influenced his brother, making him into the monster he was now.

,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,

He came to awareness slowly, Processors slow and fuzzy but he soon realised he wasn't alone, there was another presence with him. Ratchet…it was Ratchet so he was probably injured, he accessed his memory and could feel Ratchet simply observing for now. He accessed the most recent memory file and fought not to panic, feeling Ratchet help sooth him. The AllSpark was lost to space and Megatron…

'Easy Youngling,' Ratchet soothed.

'My vocoder?' Bee asked, not sure he wanted to know.

'Crushed, we couldn't repair it,' Ratchet admitted, keeping the younger mech calm using medical overrides. His systems had undergone enough stress over the last joors, he would not risk losing him. 'Your internal comm was damaged but repairs are almost complete. We will help you adapt,' he swore. As Bee calmed he began slowly bringing him out of medical stasis until blue optics flickered on and Ratchet withdrew from his Processors, removing the hard-line cord.

Bumblebee blinked as his optics on-lined, staring up at the ceiling of the medbay. He was sore, able to feel fresh welds crisscrossing his frame, but he didn't feel as bad as he knew he should which meant he had a pain chip in. he looked around, seeing the Energon line running into his main port.

"Don't even think of moving yet," Ratchet warned as he checked the monitors again. "Be good and you can be released to your quarters in three joors." He patted shoulder armour gently before going to check on his other patients.

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Jazz paused as he spotted the yellow and black form sitting in front of the large window overlooking the Iacon skyline. He ducked into the rec room to grab two cubes of Energon and then went back to the observation room and sat beside him, holding out one of the cubes which Bumblebee slowly took from him. "How ya doin?" he asked, and Bee tried to answer, a grinding noise coming from the area of his vocoder before he activated the comm.

'Fine,' he sent, hating the blandness of a comm.

"Liar," Jazz grinned and then flipped his visor up to make eye contact with the younger Autobot. "You know, I looked it up, other mechs have been injured like this in war. Wanna learn?" Jazz offered, and Bumblebee blinked before nodding.

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Optimus stood in the hanger, keen optics locked on the approaching shuttle, and the growing warmth in his Spark as she got ever closer. It had been almost a Decivorn since the AllSpark had been launched and with this arrival all his commanders would be on base, allowing them to meet and plan. The shuttle touched down lightly and then the ramp lowered and he saw his beloved for the first time in over two Vorns. Her white and pink armour was a bit dented and dirty, but she was still the most beautiful being he had ever seen. Chromia appeared behind her and grinned before slipping past them and out of the hanger to where her own Spark mate awaited. He wrapped his arms around her and she rested her head on his shoulder, both just enjoying the moment.

"Rumours are flying everywhere Optimus. Now you have recalled us… is it true? The AllSpark?"

"There was no other way my love, Alpha Trion himself suggested it. Megatron has already gone after it."

"Then we have a lot of work ahead of us. But there is time alone first?"

"The meeting is not for a three joors."

"Good," she grinned, and they walked to their quarters.

TBC…