Crash and Burn
Chapter 3-Hush
Leo suffered through breakfast, listening to Sam and Mikaela bicker. Sounded like there was trouble in paradise, and according to Bumblebee, there had been since Thanksgiving. Even though Leo was friends with both of them, he wasn't getting in the middle of that argument. He stood, excused himself, made for the living room to get his jacket and the helmet Mikaela dropped off.
Ron caught him standing there, contemplating the helmet.
"You be careful out there," Ron said. "If you have any trouble, or want a ride in a vehicle with four wheels, just call? OK?"
"Thanks, Mr. Witwicky, but I think I'll be pretty safe with Arcee," Leo said.
"Suit yourself," Ron said, clapping Leo on the shoulder. "When you get back, want to help me finish putting up the rest of the Christmas lights outside? Usually, Sam helps, but he's meeting his friend Miles this afternoon so. . ."
"I'd be happy to fall off the roof for you," Leo said.
"Good. Remember--you need a ride, call."
Leo nodded, headed back toward the kitchen, where Judy stopped him.
"You. Be careful, understand? No speeding, showing off for the girls," Judy said.
"I don't think Arcee will let me show off," Leo said. "I'm only going to the mall and straight back. Nowhere else. And I will call if I need anything. Arcee will be with me. I don't think she'll let anything happen to me."
"See ya later," Sam said.
"Bye Leo," Mikaela said.
"Yeah, later," Leo muttered, walking out the back door to the garage, where Arcee was waiting.
-----
Diego Garcia
Ratchet stood outside the hangar, waiting for Optimus. His leader needed a little sorting out, and he decided it might as well be from him.
"Have a nice evening?" Ratchet asked as Prime pulled up. He transformed, glaring at the medic.
"What are you doing out here? I don't want another confrontation with Galloway," Optimus said.
"I wanted to talk with you," Ratchet said.
"About?" Optimus said, suspicious.
"You know what," Ratchet said.
"Tomorrow," Optimus said.
"All right," Ratchet said.
Optimus glanced past Ratchet, taking a look inside the hangar.
"He's not back yet?" Prime asked.
"No," Ratchet said. "Why don't you go talk to him? He's down the beach a mile."
"It'll only encourage him," Optimus said.
"He doesn't need any encouragement," Ratchet said. "And besides, I think you're being a fool. You should at least consider the possibilities. Might do you both good."
"Ratchet, he's young," Optimus said.
"He's no longer a sparkling," Ratchet said. "He's an adult, has been for quite some time, and he's developed into a fine mech. Prowl did a good job with him, considering. You, my friend, are just being stubborn."
"And what kind of example would I be setting for the humans?"
"Last time I looked, you don't answer to them, we fight along with them as equals. And you're the leader of our race," Ratchet said. "You're running out of excuses."
"It's only been a couple of months since he got here," Optimus said.
"And you've known each other a long time," Ratchet said. "Quit arguing. He's out there alone, probably moping. And when he mopes, we all suffer. Fix it, or you'll answer to me."
Prime scowled, transformed, took off.
-----
Leo leaned against Arcee, who was in her vehicular mode. He was sipping a a cup of Starbuck's finest, just hanging out, enjoying Arcee's company. Fortunately, sometimes, the Autobots seemed to understand the occasional need for no words. But then again, they could communicate non-verbally, Leo thought. A few hours with no drama was good, especially like the breakfast table drama. The tension had been palpable, but Mrs. Witwicky kept up a pretty one-sided dialog the whole time to keep Sam and Mikaela from being at each other's throats. He didn't know the reason for it, just that they'd hit a snag, hopefully temporary. He just hoped Sam didn't muck it up. Girls like Mikaela came along once, maybe twice, if a guy was really lucky.
Sam. Hah. His friend was off on a mission. Sort of. Leo wondered how it was going, but he knew he was sure to get a report from both Sam and Bumblebee. Maybe only Bumblebee if it didn't go well. Sam's old best friend, Miles, was getting introduced to Sam's non-human best friend. There would later be an introduction to the new other human best friend (himself) if the non-human meeting went well.
One thing was certain--his life hadn't been the same since Sam Witwicky walked into his dorm room.
-----
Optimus saw the familiar silver and black form sitting on the beach, gleaming under the moonlight. Bluestreak didn't look at him when he sat down beside him.
"You should be inside, you know," Optimus said.
"You're not," Bluestreak answered.
"I would be if you were," Optimus said. "It's late. We should head back."
"I'd rather not," Bluestreak said. "It's peaceful out here. I can hear myself think. And so much water. . .how can one planet have so much water? Do these humans know how lucky they are? And they're so illogical. . .not like I'm logical, but this place is going to drive Prowl nuts when he gets here. . ."
Prime put a hand on his shoulder. "He'll be here soon enough," he said.
"Yeah, but I wish we knew when," Bluestreak answered. "I miss him. I miss everyone that's not here. . ."
"As do I," Optimus said.
Bluestreak met his optics a moment, then shifted his gaze back to the ocean, silent. Not a good sign, Optimus knew. Bluestreak almost never stopped talking. Ever. He talked to fill in the silence. Optimus knew this. A quiet, broody Bluestreak was never a good thing. It meant he was sad, unhappy. The only time Blue was voluntarily quiet was when he was lining up a target. The young mech was probably the best sniper the Autobots had, but it was a function clearly at odds with Blue's personality. Friendly and easy-going, that was Blue. But when it came to the Decepticons, Bluestreak was feared, and could be as fierce and cold-blooded as they came, as the humans said.
"Blue, what is it?" Optimus said. "What's wrong?"
No answer.
"Bluestreak. . ."
"You know, sometimes I do stop talking," Bluestreak said. "Sometimes, like now, I just want to listen. To the wind, the ocean."
Oh, Prime thought.
"Then I will listen with you," he said.
-----
Arcee watched the two human boys with interest while Bumblebee laughed silently, shoulders heaving.
"Do you need any assistance?" Arcee offered helpfully.
Sam shot her a look, but didn't say anything. Leo leaned against a nearby tree, arms crossed, waiting for Sam's next move.
"We need to get out of here before we get caught," Leo said.
"Yeah, well, if smartass over there will transform, you can help me shove Miles in the back seat," Sam said.
"And then what?" Leo asked.
"We take him home," Sam said. "Leave him on the porch or something."
"Some friend you are," Leo said. "He just fainted when he saw Bumblebee?"
"Pretty much," Sam said.
"Maybe you should have started with something small, like Arcee," Leo said.
"A promise is a promise and I kept it," Sam said. "He's been wanting to know forever what I'm hiding, I get permission and here we are."
"Your mom's gonna kill you," Leo said.
"She'll hurt both of us if we don't get back," Sam said. "C'mon Bee, cut it out."
Bumblebee looked at Arcee, shrugged, transformed, opening his passenger door.
"You know, putting him in front would be easier," Leo said. "Just strap him in and you're good to go."
"Whatever," Sam said, leaning down, picking up Miles' feet as Leo got his shoulders.
Leo rolled his eyes as he helped strap in Bumblebee's unconscious passenger. It sure beat being home for the holidays.