Hey everybody. I'm glad some of you wrote reviews for me, bu I thought the last chapter deserved a few more than 4? Oh well, I think this chapter is entertaining enough to merit a few more. Please write a review! Even if you think that my story is missing something (not enough violence? action? sex?) then say so. I would be glad to have some constructive criticism. Thanks again and heres Chapter 17! -DD

A Separate Solution

Optimus was at a loss for words. Sitting there across from him was his yellow friend, a quizzical expression on his metal face. The larger robot was running out of time to present an excuse, and the prolonged silence told Bumblebee everything he needed to know. After a few more seconds of this, Optimus had no choice but to admit defeat, he spoke. "Bumblebee, I would have told you. It's just that since the feeling wasn't mutual I-"

"How would you know if it was mutual or not?" Bumblebee interrupted. He had always had a small crush, so to speak, on their leader. Yet, for some reason he had never acted. Bumblebee was really more of a second-move guy. The perfect example being that Sam had been the one to make the first move in their relationship, the one that was now in pieces. He figured that if Optimus ever wanted him in 'that way' then he would make the move, just as he'd done with Sam. Why had he never made the move? "I have had that 'feeling' for a long time about you, but it was Sam who finally replaced it." Bumblebee felt a little odd giving all this information away so easily, after having kept it a secret for so long. But now since everything was out in the open... "I got from him what I had always desired from you." He wondered if he should have said that last bit, because after saying it, something inside him wished he hadn't. It was one of the deepest feelings his spark had generated, and now it was out in the open, looming in the air as neither of them said anything. They endured another painful pause, though this time, it was Bumblebee who felt like he'd said too much. Thankfully, the moment was interrupted by something that the Autobots had not expected.

"Hello?" Sam asked as he walked into the clearing, sounding a little too much like he was picking up a phone. His robot friends came into view. "Listen," he started, "I need to ask you guys something." Sam didn't know where the words were coming from, but somehow they escaped his lips. The Autobots simply looked astonished that he had even acknowledged the whole police-man situation, but he continued. "I think I figured out why I've been attracting so many guys." Their astonishment turned to curiosity as both of them leaned forward.

"What is it, Sam?" Optimus said, knowing that it wasn't just because the boy was good looking. Sam was making it seem like it was something completely unusual. But their curiosity turned to confusion as he finally answered. "It's something about my eyes." So what? They liked him because his eyes were pretty? Why would Sam make such a big deal out of- "It's like they hypnotize people or something. And a few things are making me think it has something to do with you guys." Sam explained. Optimus pondered it for a second. Could there really be a side effect for humans from being around an Autobot? Also, how did Sam know where to find them? The human elaborated some more, "The moment I started noticing people giving me looks, and even bumping into me or somehow deliberately touching me, was right after I destroyed the AllSpark. I'm thinking that it has something to do with this." It seemed logical. The power that the Allspark had held was limit-less. The energy must have not all been taken in by Megatron, leaving some to reside in Sam, particularly in his eyes. The Allspark had likely left a trait on Sam that made it very easy for humans and Autobots alike to fall in love with him. Optimus remembered legends he had heard on Cybertron, of the Allspark granting inconceivable attractiveness to those who craved it. But he also recalled that there was some way to release the gift as well, so that there would be no further acceleration in attractions. Thinking hard, Optimus remembered the key detail. The beholder of the 'power' must concentrate on the Allspark at the exact time they had received the gift. It would then be released back into the Allspark, ready to plunge into the next being that craved. It was a long-shot, but it explained all of what Sam was going through. There was just one problem, with the Allspark gone forever, how would he release it? Nevertheless, he explained his theory to Sam and Bumblebee.

"So I'll be like this forever?" Sam asked, suddenly released by the trance that had brought him here. He still knew where he was and how he got there, the only thing that was missing now was the inert sense that led him to the area. He shook it off. "There's no way to stop everyone from becoming so attached?" The looks on the Autobot faces were grim. The incident before seemed to float away with the new realization. It really wasn't Sam's fault. But suddenly, Sam had an Idea! "Hey Optimus, what about that little shard of the Allspark? The one you kept after the rest of it was vaporized?"

A glimmer of hope reached Optimus Prime, it could work! It was definitely worth a shot! He retrieved the shard from a compartment somewhere inside of him. If he were a truck it would have been the glove compartment. He handed the piece of Allspark to Sam, before saying, "Time on Cybertron was different than here. You received the power at approximately 3:08 PM. The different orbit of this planet makes for a shorter day. Sam, you must concentrate on this at exactly 11:58 PM, if it works, you should be back to normal."

"Well, what time is it now?" Sam asked up at the blue robot towering above, but Bumblebee answered, "It is approximately 10:47 PM, we are not too late." Hmm, a little over an hour huh? Sam soon found himself wondering what happened to Mikaela. According to Adam, she had saved his life. He had to go see her. He had to see if she was okay. He needed to thank her. "Hey guys, lets go back to my house." Sam said to the Autobots, who were looking around, not knowing what to do. "I want to see what happened to Mikaela. The cops who are probably there will know where she is."

The robots obliged. Bumblebee transformed into his Camaro as Sam walked over, eager to hop inside. As he sat down in the driver's seat and the door closed by itself, the radio clicked on. Sam hadn't realized how much he missed Bumblebee's selection of music to relay his thoughts. He knew it had only been a couple days but it seemed like forever. The radio ended on a station when Bumblebee made his selection. Hoobastank soared from the speakers, "I found a reason for me. To change who I used to be." Sam liked the song, but it soon ended and they arrived at his house. Oddly enough it was quite empty. Only one person remained, and Sam was glad to see her.

Mikaela was sitting on the front porch, looking overtired and a little overwhelmed, but smiled as she saw Sam exit the car and walk up to her. "I'm so glad you're okay!" she said as they shared a friendly hug. "Right back atcha!" Sam said, now looking puzzled at his empty house. "Oh," Mikaela said, "They all left about five minutes ago. I guess theres something big going on at the mall." Mikaela was getting tired and stifled a yawn. "Wow, you look tired," Sam said, before adding, "Bee can drive you home if you'd like." She nodded and walked lazily towards the yellow car. Soon she was inside, and driving off towards her own house. Sam watched until they vanished from view, then shivered as he noticed how cold it was getting.

"I'm gonna go inside and get some warmer clothes on." he said awkwardly to the truck sitting next to him, before jogging to the door and walking inside, shutting the door behind him. Flipping on the lights, he saw the remnants of the fight that took place in the living room. Mikaela had left her purse here, oh well he'd give it to her tomorrow. Upon reaching the stairs, he saw a big dent in the wall where he suspected his elbow had hit. "That was a nasty fall." he sad to himself, before ascending the stairs and finally reaching his room. After quickly finding a hoodie and some long pants, he started his trip back down to the driveway to join Optimus Prime in their wait for 11:58. But something stopped him before he reached the front door.

That something had been the phone. Sam was starting to hate phones, always ringing at the most inconvenient times, but his curiosity got the best of him. He walked ever and picked up the receiver.

On the other line, a man was screaming. "Sam! We've been trying to contact you for the last hour! We have LOST Mathew Sable! We think he is headed to your house! We have two patrol cars heading your way but are still another five minutes from your house. You need to GET OUT of there NOW!" Sam was briefly stunned, but quickly hung up the phone, heading for the garage door, but something wasn't right, it was already open. And as Sam tried to recollect if it had been opened when he had first entered the house, he found his answer, literally staring him in the face. He had found Matt Sable.