Embarrassment

It was around lunchtime at the military base. Sam waited in the lunch line with about fifty other military men and women. As the line slowly progressed towards the food Sam mused over the news that the Secretary of Defense, John Keller, had given them just a few hours ago; the dead Decepticons and Megatron were now lying at the bottom of the Atlantic Ocean. The Autobots had been pleased. Ironhide had actually laughed in amusement. Apparently the treatment that the bodies of the dead Decepticons had been given was very cruel and degrading in Cybertronian standards. Sam remembered how Ironhide and Optimus had handled the body of Jazz with gentleness and respect while Megatron had been dumped unceremoniously into the water. It was the last thing that they could do to insult the fallen Decepticon leader.

It was finally Sam's turn to grab some food. He had grabbed two bowls of chili for himself and for Mikaela disregarding the sign that warned that the chili was made from very spicy chili peppers. He turned to reach for the last rolls of bread. At the same time a huge muscled man (who looked like he outweighed Sam by two hundred pounds) reached for the rolls at the same time.

The man swatted Sam's hands away from the rolls. "Those are mine! Get your hands off them pipsqueak or I'll turn you into jelly!" the man growled.

"Sorry sir!" Sam squeaked, frightened.

"Oh, wait," the man said. He gave Sam a good look before saying, "You're that robot kid. Sorry, didn't recognize you. Here take these." He dropped the rolls onto Sam's tray and walked away.

A startled Sam stared after him for a few seconds before turning to make his way back to the corner that he, Mikaela and the four Autobots claimed as their own. Mikaela smiled when Sam handed her a bowl of chili. Her fingers brushed his when she took the bowl and Sam suddenly felt hot all over. Trying to take his mind off Mikaela he shoved a huge spoonful of chili into his mouth only to instantly regret it. His mouth instantly felt like it was on fire and tears welled up in his eyes. He gagged and hurriedly took a sip of water. This did not comfort him and instead made it worse. Sure that he was going to die because of the chili Sam tried desperately to think of something that would save him. He suddenly remembered his mom telling him once that bread helped take away spicy tastes and quickly showed some bread into his mouth. Though it didn't completely cure him he felt a lot better.

After Sam's mouth felt normal he began to burn again but this time with embarrassment. Mikaela was doing her best to pretend that she hadn't noticed Sam's ordeal, trying to spare him from embarrassment. The Autobots didn't take her lead. Ironhide was frowning at Sam and both Optimus and Bumblebee were staring worriedly. Remembering Optimus thought that Sam might be going insane Sam tried to reassure them with a smile. Ratchet had cocked his head to the side and stared intently at Sam. He was clearly analyzing Sam with his sensors.

"Optimus," Ratchet said. "My sensors indicate that the human tried to ingest an energy source that severely irritated his taste buds. The result caused him much discomfort until he ingested another energy source that immediately began to relieve his discomfort. No lasting damage was caused. However, now he is highly embarrassed." Sam groaned. Trying desperately to make Mikaela forget about what just happened he told her about the huge military man that threatened him over the rolls and how he had called Sam robot kid.

"They call you robot kid because of the Autobots," a voice said. A quick glance revealed it was Lennox. Epps was at his side. "You are the one who has been around them the most. It seemed fitting to call you that. Your friendship with the Autobots intimidates a lot of people."

"The guy wasn't scared about that. He probably heard about how I ran around Mission City with the All Spark and didn't want to cross me. He was scared that the muscles that were used to carry the All Spark would next be used to wail on him," Sam replied in a brave attempt to try and impress Mikaela. "I mean, after all most of my body mass is muscle." He flexed his arms.

Lennox and Epps exchanged skeptical glances. They began to respond but Ratchet beat them to it. "Actually your body scans indicate that less than five percent of your mass is due to muscles. In comparison to other males of the human race you are quite small. In human terms you would be considered 'wimpy'."

Sam seemed to deflate. "Ratchet, dude, you're killing me."

"I think that Sam is a very impressive human specimen," Optimus said, clearly trying to make Sam feel better. "Not many could accomplish what he did. I think that he is very muscular and in human terms 'buff'."

"Oh, God, it gets worse," Sam muttered into his hands.

"Well, I agree with Optimus," Mikaela said. She leaned over and kissed Sam on the cheek. Sam immediately seemed to swell. He beamed at everyone, the chili incident forgotten.

Epps and Lennox laughed. "Oh, Lennox, look at that. Young love. Isn't it beautiful?"Epps asked, pretending to dab at his eyes.

"I have never seen anything so touching in my entire life," Lennox responded.

Sam didn't seem to mind their banter. However Mikaela seemed to. Blushing slightly she asked pointedly, "Did you two want something?"

Still chuckling Epps replied. "Yeah, we just wanted to congratulate Bumblebee. His dancing routine this morning caused quite a stir. Everyone loved the dancing robot with the moves."

"Uh, thanks, I think," Bumblebee said.

"Bumblebee's actions were not typical of our race. He-"

Ratchet was cut off by Lennox. "I believe that Bumblebee may have helped to strengthen the relationship between humans and Autobots. Bumblebee's joy over the restoration of his legs showed us, humans, that you, uh, Transformers, have emotions just like we do. Just because you are aliens and not even made of flesh doesn't mean that you are so different from us. Bumblebee proved that. Everyone here is proud to have fought by your side and would be honored if you chose to remain on Earth."

Silence fell until Optimus broke it. "Thank you Captain Lennox. Your words mean more to us then we can ever express. We are also proud to have fought alongside you. We have found some of the most honorable men and women on Earth. We are proud to entrust our lives," here Optimus glanced at Lennox and at Epps, "and our future," this time the glance was directed at Sam, "with you."