Bumblebee looked up with a smile when he saw Moonracer on the track. He ran towards her in an effort to escape the Twins who were determinedly following him. He was thinking of getting a restraining order on those two. As he approached Moonracer, he stopped when he saw the distracted look on her face. "Moony!" he asked. "You okay?"

She jolted back, blinking rapidly. "Oh, Bee! Yeah, I'm fine." She rubbed the back of her helm. "I'm just tired, and I have a lot on my mind."

He grinned. "I know what you mean," he confessed. He glanced at her. "It's crazy to think that we will be heading off to Kaon pretty soon."

She let out a forced laugh. "Yeah, crazy." She paused as the silence descended on them, and Bumblebee observed her with concern. "Bee, we're friends, right?" she asked suddenly

He blinked, taken by surprise. "What? Yeah, we are."

"And we'll always be friends," she stated.

Now he did not know how to reply. "I would hope so," he said. "I care for you, Moony, and I value our friendship."

She smiled softly. "I do too." She took in a deep breath. "This Selection, have you ever been happy with the situations?"

He paused. "Um, well, I never really thought much about it until the Decepticons arrived. But I haven't been really...content with them. I mean, I feel like the situation's very limiting, you know?" He finished that word awkwardly, not knowing what answer she was hoping from him.

But Moonracer just nodded. "Yes, I understand." She looked up with a small frown, wrapping her arms around herself. At that moment, she looked really small and unsure, and it was a look that Bumblebee was not used to seeing on his usually spunky and perky friend.

"Hey, Moonracer," he started, coming forward. "Are you alright?"

She looked up at him, optics uncertain. She let out a shaky breath. "I'm fine Bee, I just...I don't feel like racing today. Maybe I'll take a day off."

He nodded, reaching out to her. "Hey, maybe we could go somewhere else instead if you want?"

She let out a small smile. "Thanks, but I think Mirage wanted to...take me someplace this evening. It might be a good relaxation."

He stepped back, uncertain. "Alright, you relax, okay?" She nodded, preparing to leave. "You and Mirage seem to be really close," he noted suddenly.

She stopped for a moment, a hint of a smile on her face. "He's a good mech, Bee, and he treats me well."

Bumblebee smiled at her. "I should hope so. Take care, and don't strain yourself." He frowned thoughtfully. "You know you can talk to me, right?"

She hesitated. "I know," she said. "But, I feel like I need to get my thoughts in check before I talk." She looked at him. "I just need to figure out what is going on with myself."

Hadn't he been saying the same thing to himself and everyone? And yet, he felt like he could help Moonracer just by listening to her. The very thought sent a pain through his spark, and he found it difficult to speak as emotions and thoughts crashed together. "Right," he said. "I understand."

He saw the conflicted look in Moonracers face as she turned to leave, vanishing from view. He could only stare, his thoughts hazy as racers called his name as the race began.

Bumblebee honestly did not know how and why he was in such a state. He had questions that he knew possessed no answers. He wanted to ask for help, he wanted to ask for guidance.

He was just afraid.

"Bumblebee," he heard a voice say, snapping him out if his thoughts. He looked up with wide optics to see Optimus standing in front of him. The Prime's deep blue optics stared at him with curiosity and openness.

Bumblebee looked down, not willing to face the Prime. He was aware that if he did not leave immediately, the danger of spilling his unwelcome feelings would only grow, and he did not want that. He could not risk that, but at the same time, he was aware that he could not go on like this. He felt unarmed and unaware of what to do.

So instead, he swallowed, took in a deep breath, and adopted a neutral expression. "Optimus," he greeted politely.

Optimus tilted his helm as something flashed in his optics. Bumblebee could have sworn he heard the Prime let out a sigh as he rested his servo on Bumblebee's shoulder. "Walk with me," he instructed, gently guiding the younger mech in a different direction.

Bumblebee complied, following the older mech as they fell into step. They both stayed silent as they walked, and the silence was comfortable and peaceful. Bumblebee felt some of the tension leave his shoulders as he relaxed, enjoying the nice weather for a moment.

Soon, they left the building and emerged in the private courtyards. The light of day was bright and Bumblebee blinked his optics, feeling the warmth of the sun's rays on his armor. He closed his optics for just a moment, feeling content and safe.

"Interesting that these statues have remained here, even during the war," he heard Optimus state, drawing him from his thoughts. Bumblebee looked up and saw that they were standing before the statue of Prima, the large, white stone gleaming in the sun as the copy of the Prime stood tall, wielding the Star Saber over his helm. A few yards back, the statue of Solus Prime stood, wielding her Forge as she was crouched down with her one servo outstretched. She either looked like she was reaching for something, or preparing for a battle; caught between two different options.

Much like how Bumblebee felt.

"But peace has been attained," Optimus said. "Despite all the sacrifices, battles and bloodshed, peace has finally been attained."

"Is there even truly peace?" Bumblebee found himself asking suddenly. He blinked, taking a moment longer to gather his thoughts. "I mean, when the Selection goes through, the Heirs will be united, but will there ever truly be peace?"

Optimus glanced at him, folding his servos behind his back. "There is never really peace, only those who are willing to fight for it. The Selection is more of a propaganda then anything. True, the Heirs will govern Cybertron, but there will be elected politicians elected by the people who will govern and advise the Heirs. It was a system that was put into works for many years."

Bumblebee frowned. "Propaganda?" he asked. "But those in the Selection earn a place in the Cybertronian government. Right?"

"Yes, but if they yield no results, then they will be evicted," Optimus answered. "Cybertron cannot suffer because of the selfish acts of one being.

Bumblebee felt a swirl of guilt fill him. Was he being selfish for even entertaining such thoughts about Arcee, a femme who was not chosen to be his mate? Was he putting all of Cybertron at risk because of his feelings? He had thought that Arcee's absence would help him make sense of his feelings. But if anything, he found his thoughts occupied with her every day. When he went racing, all he could think about was how fast she had been racing alongside him. When he had been reading, he found himself wondering what she was doing. When he heard music, all he could think about was how close she had been to him when they had danced, and how she had felt in his arms.

No, if anything, her absence made him feel worse. Was that the whole point? For him to feel terrible about himself as he thought of her?

"Cybertron is in need of leaders who will put the well beings of others above their own," Optimus said. "Yet, Cybertron needs driven mechs and femmes who know what they want and how to go about obtaining it. If a mech cannot maintain himself and his home, then he cannot maintain Cybertron and is not fit to govern. If he is not ready to fight for himself and his beliefs, then he cannot fight for Cybertron."

Now Bumblebee could see the crossroads that was being presented to him, and he just wanted it all to stop. He was aware of the bits of wisdom that Optimus was giving him, but they were all presenting different options.

He let out a sigh. "It all seems to be moving too fast," he confessed.

"You will meet your mate in due time," Optimus said. "But the end of the Selection is not for a while. You already know how to handle yourself in court, and you have taken over the governing of Cybertron. I am confident in your skills and ability to handle Cybertron and its laws."

Bumblebee smirked ruefully. "From behind the scenes," he said. "And it was not all me. I rely heavily on others as well."

"Which shows you are able to take advice and heed the words of others," Optimus said. He paused. "However, you do need to learn how to be more assertive and separate your own thoughts and ideas from the thoughts of others. You need to weigh your options, and make most of the decisions for yourself."

Bumblebee rubbed his helm. "I know, it all seems so daunting." He closed his optics. "I don't know where to go now," he confessed. "It used to make sense."

"It will be a long, tiring process," Optimus confessed. "But we are all here to help you."

Bumblebee barely resisted the urge to groan. "I know," he said. He stared at the statue of Prima without really seeing its magnificence. "I know," he said softly. He felt Optimus rest a comforting servo on his shoulder. "Bumblebee," he said. "What is troubling you?"

Bumblebee grinned. "Am I that easy to read?"

"I have learned to read many Cybertronians," he answered. "Your optics hold much anxiety." He said nothing more, waiting for Bumblebee to speak.

He felt his spark pick up speed. It would be so easy to confide in Optimus, so easy to speak to him. But then again, he was not sure about the outcomes.

"I am not sure what is even troubling me," he started. He paused for a moment. "No, wait, that's a lie. I do know what is troubling me, but I am not sure how to put it to words. I know what I want, but I am not sure how to obtain it, or even if I should obtain it. I was going to wait it out and see what came out of what it is that I am going through, but that doesn't seem to be working out too well." He paused, feeling his jumbled up words tumble out. "I don't know what I should do. I know what I want to do, but I am afraid to act." He cringed, dreading the reaction Optimus would surely have. Even in his confusing words, he was certain the Prime could pick out the important pieces.

He did not bother to look up and face Optimus as the silence stretched. He squeezed his optics shut before forcing himself to look up and see Optimus staring upwards thoughtfully.

"I see," he heard Optimus mutter. "You are unsure about acting on your desires, despite knowing what you want."

Bumblebee quickly nodded.

"Very well," the Prime said. "Then let me ask you this: If you know what you want, but are unwilling to fight for it, then what good are you to Cybertron? If you cannot keep what you have and maintain it, then you will never gain more."

Bumblebee felt his spark stop. He could not ask Optimus outright about his feelings, but what he was hearing sounded positive. But then again, Optimus did not know the full story, and he was sure the Prime would give him a very different answer if he saw the entire picture.

"Something to think about," he muttered, looking down. This conversation left him more confused than ever. But that was the story of his life at this point "What if I hurt someone with my actions?"

Optimus cocked his helm. "Do you believe that your actions will hurt others?"

"I believe," he hesitated. "I believe that if I do not do something about any of this, that there will be consequences."

"Then do something about it," Optimus said. "What outcomes do you fear?"

"Failing," came the hoarse whisper. "I am afraid of damaging all that you built and fought for. I am afraid of failing you all, and failing myself." He sunk down onto the bench behind him, helm in his servos as the fight drained out of him. "I am afraid of everything not working out."

He felt Optimus's warmth as the Prime wrapped an arm around him, and Bumblebee stiffened up when he realized that this public display of affection would raise some questions. Despite the fact that he desperately wanted to curl up in Optimus's arms like a sparkling, he was aware of the dangers of doing so.

"No one is around," Optimus said gently. "The surveillance made sure of that."

With that, Bumblebee relaxed into Optimus's arms, feeling very much like a sparkling again. "You could never fail me," Optimus said. "You have already done so much. Nothing could damage what we have built, I can assure you that. We have created too many backup plans for such an important event like this to fail."

Somehow, Bumblebee doubted that, but Optimus sounded so sure that he could not help but believe those words himself. Instead, he clung to Optimus as he tried to banish his heavy thoughts that troubled him as the statue of Prima stood watch over them.

"He seems conflicted," Elita noted.

Optimus nodded as he watched the view of the nighttime city streets. "Yes, he does."

"But he seemed to absorb your words," she commented. He sensed the hesitency in her tone. "Would you have told him any different, if he was in a different situation?"

Optimus was wondering the same thing himself. Would he have given Bumblebee different advice if the femme he was involved with was not the Decepticon Heir? Honestly, Optimus was not sure. Actions would have been taken, of that he was certain of. But he knew he would have handled the situation differently.

"I could not outright say to him that what he was feeling was to be encouraged," he said. "I could not urge him to pursue his feelings without compromising the Decepticon Heir's identity."

"But would you have reacted differently?" Elita prodded.

He turned to look at her, his optics weary. "I believe I would have, though I am not sure how."

Elita let out a deep breath. "At least we do not have to face such a situation," she said. She frowned, crossing her arms. "Still, what we are doing is deception. We are toying with their emotions and putting them through the Pit and back. They are torn between their affection for eachother and their loyalty to their cause." Her optics looked grim. "There will be consequences in the end."

Optimus nodded. "I know. I never dreamed that something like this would happen between the two Heirs. It was a miracle."

"It is both a blessing and a curse," she said.

"Very much so," Optimus said. "Nothing will ever remain the same, and there are affairs that must be dealt with." He could feel a processor ache forming at the thought of the work waiting for him in the morning, and he had no doubt that Elita felt the same. He still had to deal with the troops tracking down the rebels, including the escapee, Dirge. Such thoughts concerned him, along with reports of raided Decepticon laboratories.

But at the moment, he would focus on the events closer to home, such as Bumblebee's complicated love life.