Chapter 2 What Friends Do

Disclaimer: I do not own anything except the characters I make up. Everything else goes to the creators.

Sam tried to come up with a convincing story as to why two driverless cars were pulled into the middle of the street but everything he said sounded more and more stupid.

"So you expect me to believe that some punk ran into you, jumped out of the car and ran," the police officer said skeptically.

"Look, I know it sounds weird but he really did," Sam said.

"So what did the guy look like?" another officer asked.

"Uh…well…I didn't really get a good look at him," Sam stuttered.

"Of course not."

"He just took off," Sam said again.

"Right."

"Maybe the car was stolen," Sam suggested, "maybe you should check the tags on that thing."

"Maybe I should check to see if you're on drugs," the officer said.

"No, no. I've already been through that," Sam said stepping away.

"Look kid, do you honestly want me to believe that someone just dumped their car after running into someone," the officer said.

"Well I…" Sam was cut off by a truck horn. Usually Prime's engine was a reassuring sound but right now Sam felt his stomach tighten. Prime wasn't going to be happy with either of them. What he hadn't expected was for his father to step out of the drivers side and Mikaela to step out the passengers side. Seeing his girlfriend made him feel a little better but then again, his father's disappointed face somewhat canceled the feeling out.

"Officer, if I could have a word," Ron Witwicky said coming towards them.

"Can I assume you are the father," the officer said.

"Yes and I can give you an explanation if you would step to the truck." Sam watched confused as the two officers followed his father to Prime where they talked in low voices. Bumblebee's radio fuzzed a little. Sam went to him and sat in the passengers seat, keeping the door open.

"Sorry," the radio said softly.

"It wasn't your fault," Sam answered.

"Sam, would you come over here?" Sam sighed before getting up.

"What were you thinking?" Ron said. Somehow the officers had been convinced that Sam was innocent and the white Camry had been taken away to a used car dealership.

"I don't want to talk about it," Sam said staring at the ground.

"I don't care if you want to talk about it or not," his father said angrily. It wasn't often that his dad was angry but he certainly was now.

"I can't believe you didn't handle this better," Prime said, in an equally angry tone, to Bumblebee. Sam, his father and the remaining autobots were in an out of the way field discussing the events where no human would see the giant robots. Actually, Ironhide was still in his black truck form and Sam was sitting on the tailgate with Mikaela. Bumblebee, who had been repaired by Ratchet before they left, was sitting on the ground out of some sort of respect but Sam could see he wished badly to be standing like the others.

"I didn't realize there was any danger," Bumblebee said looking up, "we were just taking a ride." Sam glanced sideways at his friend, wondering why he didn't say anything about the other transformer.

"You do know what this means don't you," his father said. Sam didn't look up. What could it mean other than he would be grounded for a week or so. "I told your mother that at any sign of trouble…" he hesitated, "we'd find something else." Both robot and boy looked up sharply.

"What does that mean," Sam asked jumping off the tailgate. Ron looked up at Prime before looking back at his son.

"Prime and I have agreed," he paused, "we think it's best if you and Bumblebee are separated."

"What?" Sam yelled.

"Prime you can't be serious," Bumblebee argued getting to his feet, "Sam asked me to stay with him and he needs protecting."

"And you think you are the best choice after what happened this evening," Prime argued back.

"I know him the best," Bumblebee said, "and…there were reasons."

"Enlighten me," Prime dared crossing his arms. Bumblebee hesitated. Sam didn't understand why he didn't just tell Prime that the other car was a transformer.

"The other car didn't have a driver," he shouted up.

"Most parked cars don't," Ron interrupted.

"It was one of us," Bumblebee said resignedly, "not necessarily friendly but of our species."

"Why didn't you tell us then!" Sam could even feel Ironhide, who was still a truck, jump at Prime's outburst.

"I…I…" Bumblebee couldn't seem to form a coherent sentence.

"I wanted to catch him on my own," Sam said quickly. Everyone turned to look at him. "Bumblebee noticed it was a robot and I went looking for it. He was just trying to get me back home." Sam looked down as if he were ashamed of his poor judgment. "Bumblebee was going to tell you before we did anything," he looked up at Prime. There was silence for a while. Sam looked at all the faces. Everyone seemed to have a mix of emotions crossing their faces except Mikaela who had remained silent throughout the conversation. Sam could tell by the way she was looking at him that she knew he was lying.

"Is this true," Prime asked calmly. Bumblebee looked at him and then down at Sam. They stared at each other for a while before Ratchet interrupted.

"If I may," he started, "it seems that Sam and Bumblebee have formed such a bond that to separate them would be like…" he paused searching for the right analogy for both species. "Like separating brothers from each other." Once again the silence slid over the area. "The health of both could be in jeopardy if they can't be together," Ratchet continued, "I've seen it before. Depression, lack of sleep, lack of appetite etc. Despite their actions I believe it would be worse to separate them considering how close they have become."

"Leave it to Ratchet to think of this like medical problem," Ironhide interjected transforming, "If you want my opinion they should be disciplined."

"Only your idea of discipline is firing cannons at the accused," Bumblebee said heatedly.

"Maybe it's not such a bad idea," Ironhide agreed charging his cannons.

"Alright!" Prime stepped between them, "I think we should decide this later. Right now we need to find this other robot. In the meantime I think it's best if they remain together unless further problems occur." Sam couldn't help but feel elated at the thought of not having to give up Bumblebee but he could see how much this had stirred up emotions. They were going to have to walk on eggshells for a while and he didn't even want to think about what his mother was going to say. Bumblebee lowered himself so he was eye level with Sam.

"Why did you tell them that?" he asked quietly.

"That's what friends do," Sam shrugged. Bumblebee nodded before transforming into his car form. With Sam walking beside him they moved to the road. Mikalea suddenly appeared at Sam side other side and linked her arm with his.

"Mind if I come with you?" she asked.

"Sure," Sam said grinning, "You don't mind do you?" He asked tapping Bumblebee's hood with the palm of his hand. The car honked in response and swung its doors open. Sam and Mikalea grinned at each other and climbed in. Bumblebee had barely pulled out onto the road when Prime, in semi-truck form pulled in front of him. Ratchet, also transformed, was behind him and Ironhide behind him.

"We don't need escort back home guys," he called, leaning out the window.

"They don't want you looking for more robots," Ron said getting into the back seat. Sam slumped back against the driver's seat. He had hoped for some private conversation with Mikalea but since his father was here it would probably be a quiet ride. Bumblebee gunned his engine signaling his impatiens to get moving. Prime's horn blared in warning but he began moving all the same. The four-vehicle convoy went single file towards the main road and then up the entrance ramp to the highway. As soon as they had all merged into traffic Ironhide got out from behind Ratchet and moved to Bumblebee's left preventing him from switching lanes. Sam sighed in frustration.

"What does he think we are going to do?" he asked aloud.

"Sam…" This was all Ron was able to get out before a giant white robot hand grabbed Bumblebee and dragged him off the highway and into the forest off the road.

Feedback people, I need feedback and a BIG THANKS to Tkaa and Burning Phoenix for reviewing and everyone who put my story on alert or favorite lists. Oh and sorry this is so short and it's a lot of dialogue.