~Star Light, Star Bright~
Chapter Eight: Fault
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Teach me to feel another's woe, to hide the fault I see, that mercy I to others show, that mercy show to me.
-Alexander Pope
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"I'm confused."
"Why's that, partner?"
"Well, for one, how the heck did the kid recognize Optimus and you, Bee? Even if he knew about all S7 and the bots, how could he now what you look like? I mean, have you seen him before, or….?"
Sam Witwiky and Mikaela Banes stared expectantly at Bumblebee's radio. The former 'jock concubine' was settled comfortably on Sam's lap, who seemed pretty happy with arrangement. Both were in the front passenger seat, so much like before. Bumblebee had just picked them up from Sam's house, and the three were now on the highway heading to meet up with the rest of the convoy.
Bee, much to their surprise, didn't answer with the radio this time, instead opting for his own voice.
"I did not recognize him, so how he knows of our forms I am unsure. He simply may have seen us at Mission City battle." Bee shifted on his shocks slightly, his own version of a shrug. "I don't know for sure though."
"Hmph~!" Mikaela slumped against Sam, mentally grinning at his gasp. "This just seems all odd to me. Nothing adds up. A babysitter and a kid, randomly appear without warning just knowing everything."
"Sounds like the beginning of a bad joke," mused Sam, scratching his chin. He leaned forward, eyes serious. "Are we about caught up with the rest of the bots? It would be probably be better if we all showed up together at once."
"Just up ahead –kssh– Ready or not!"
Sure enough, the bright paint jobs of Ratchet and the Prime stood out among the simpler paint of the surrounding cars on the highway. Even Ironhide's seemed to have a shiny sheen. Both Sam and Mikaela jumped when Bee's radio suddenly burst into life with loud static. Optimus's voice rang out, loud and clear.
"Samuel, Mikaela, can you hear me?"
"Uh, yeah boss bot, we hear ya loud and clear. You just, eh~" Sam faltered, and Mikaela picked her boyfriends slack.
"~scared us. A little warning next time would be nice."
"My apologies. I had asked Bumblebee to tell you that I wished to speak with the two of you before we reached the junkyard. I did not realize that he had not yet done so."
Sam and Mikaela gave Bee's radio a glare, and innocent tune came whistling out.
"But never mind that. I have far more important matters to discuss with you two. Lennox and Epps are also in this conversation, so do not be surprised if they jump in. I wish for them to hear this too."
"Okay."
"Sure thing, Prime."
"Very well then. When we arrive at the junkyard, I wish for all of you to be on your very best behaviors, no matter how suspicious this situation may seem. There is a very young child involved, who obviously cannot be held accountable for his actions. And whether he is being manipulated by this babysitter of his or not, it was very obvious from our conversation that he holds her in high regards. I do not want to do anything that will or may result in trauma in such an innocent child."
Optimus's voice suddenly hardened.
"This means no showing off cannons, or weapons of any kind." It was obvious who that was directed at. "Blatant threats are also counter effective to our purpose here."
"Ah, Prime?" This time it was Lennox's voice. "Just what is our main goal here?"
"Also, do you have a plan?" chimed in Epps.
Optimus seemed to pause before answering. "There is a human saying, "One attracts more bees with honey that vinegar."
"Close enough." Sam muttered, only to get elbowed be Mikaela. "Owch!" Whether or not Optimus heard Sam or not, he continued on as if he hadn't, much to the young man's relief.
"We will use this phrase to dictate our actions. As for our main goal, it to figure out just how these two know so much about us, and how to ensure their safety from the Decepticons. Any further questions?"
Silence greeting him.
"Good. We have just arrived."
Macy checked her watch, and shivered when the nighttime breezed washed over her.
The bots were due to arrive at any moment, and she had never felt any more exhausted in her life.
Not a good combo, at all.
She resisted the urge to shiver again, and clutched the snoozing Cody closer to her, trying to make sure he didn't wake from the cold. Shifting into a more comfortable position, she pulled him up against her chest so his already bundled form lay beneath her jacket, his cheek resting against her heart.
Yet another urge to shiver hit Macy, but this time, she knew it wasn't from the wind.
"Come on out now. Thanks to Ratchet's scan, I now know you're here."
For a moment there was no movement among the heaps of garbage, and then the sounds of a transformation sequence were unmistakable.
The humans stepped forward first, and Macy instantly recognized Sam and Mikaela. She also recognized Lennox, but it took her a moment to recognize Epps. By the time she realized who he was, the bots were stepping out of the shadows. Under the light of stars, their forms gleamed, and their optics shone bright upon their faceplates.
Macy scowled and ruffled her hair, suddenly irritated with the whole situation.
"Okay, okay. Before any of you lot say anything or ask questions, let me tell you this." She pointed at Cody, and got several raised eyebrows in the process. "This is all the brat's fault."
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End—Chapter Eight: Fault
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Authors Note:
Chapter 9 will be up real soon! So till then, review please. ^-^
Also, art of Macy and Cody - link is on my profile! And yes, I drew it myself. :3