::Chapter Nine::
Bumblebee was standing on a plain surface, amidst the glow of a bright light. He didn't know what to make out of it, frankly. He sure hoped he wasn't going to join the Matrix already; he still had many years of life left. Then, he heard a giggle. Frightened, he turned around, only to see a sparkling version of himself. The sparkling Bumblebee smiled."You are a fuuuny one.", it said in a sweet voice. Bumblebee narrowed his optics."What do you want from me?", he asked. His sparkling self smiled slyly."Simple! I want to be you. I don't get out anymore...", it pouted, leaking fluid from its optics. The scout groaned."No. I can't let you control my body. I grew up and passed that phase of my life; I will not go there again.", he replied harshly. His sparkling self frowned and balled his hands into little fists."I. Want. Out!", he yelled, making Bumblebee wince in pain. For a moment, neither said anything. Then, Bumblebee sighed, and shook his head sadly. Part of him wanted to give in, but he knew better."I'm sorry. But I have to return to who I really am. Going through being a sparkling once was more than enough.", he replied quietly. His sparkling self growled."You're gonna regret this.", it snapped, before fading away to nothingness.
When Bumblebee woke up, he realized everything was dark. For a moment, he was confused. Then, he heard a whirr in his gears, followed by a small hiss. Coming out of stasis lock in three, two, one...All systems online. Energy readings: 35% of stored energon energy gone. Energon refill not necessary now. He sighed internally, then blinked as his optics got used to seeing light once again. The first thing he registered was the CMO Ratchet, and behind him was-"Buddy!", he yelped loudly. Sam smiled and gave him a pat on the back."Welcome back, 'Bee.", he said. Ratchet rolled his optics."Youngling...", he muttered. Bumblebee turned to face him, his optics showing gratitude."I thank you...very much...", he quipped. Ratchet only snorted in reply. Quickly, the mechling returned his attention to Sam, who was still looking at him with awe."Wow...Geez, I didn't think...Wow.", Sam muttered softly.
Ratchet scanned the scoutling and nodded."Yeah. He's around your size right now...But then again, that's to be expected.", he grumbled. Sam whistled."Wow...As bad as this is, it's actually kinda cool, 'Bee.", he said, trying to make the scoutling feel better. Bumblebee chirped. Suddenly, the doors to the medbay slid open, and Wheeljack walked in, his arms holding a device that looked awfully familiar to Bumblebee."Ratchet, I wanted to show you something...Ah, hello, Sam. Bumblebee, good to see you up again.", he said nonchalantly. Ratchet sighed."What now, 'Jack?", he asked. The civilian scientist smiled, his sidebars flashing white and yellow."I've managed to reconstruct what was destroyed in the blast. All I need are some wires here, a bit of tweaking there, and a few more vital parts before we can get it back up and running.", he replied. The medic nodded."Good work. I still have to figure out how to reduce the stress levels in the brat. Maybe some sort of program might help...", he said thoughtfully.
The word 'program' bought shivers down the youngling's back, and he whimpered. Wheeljack grinned slightly."I don't think he's still quite comfortable with all the attention we're giving him, Ratch. Let him rest for a few days, no check-ups, no scans. We can call it an observation period, if you wish.", he said. Ratchet twitched slightly, and he turned to glance at the mechling, who was pleading with huge, blue optics. He narrowed his optics, and returned to face the scientist."You do know that what you are asking for is for me to let my guard down on this twit...Right?", he said with no emotion showing through his voice. Wheeljack shrugged."Yes...Is there a problem?", he replied. The medic said nothing. Then, out of nowhere, he threw a wrench towards the other mech, his optics glowing slightly red." By Primus,Wheeljack, have you glitched? He is not stable enough to be left alone for a few minutes! Why should we let him be unsupervised for a few days?", he roared. Sam and Bumblebee flinched, and Wheeljack winced slightly, having barely missed the flying projectile."Um...Because...Because, um, Sam will be watching him! Yes, and so will I.", he replied quickly.
Ratchet twitched."You've gone mad. You have finally lost it. If Ironhide can't even keep an optic on him, what makes you think the human boy will? Not to mention, you? Besides, you can't guarantee me that the twit isn't going to glitch again!", he ranted. Wheeljack sighed and sagged, his optics losing some of their glow."I...I guess you're right, Ratchet. Many apologies for even suggesting this...", he mumbled weakly."No. I think that maybe Ratchet should reconsider.", replied a voice. The three mechs and the human turned around to see Optimus standing in the doorway of the medbay. He motioned to Sam, who instinctively stood up straighter."Ratchet, the boy has something that not even Ironhide possesess...Do you know what it is?", he asked gently. The medic swore under his breath, and mumbled something unintelligible. Optimus cocked his head and tried not to grin."Ratchet, my friend, you know what I'm reffering to...", he persuaded. Sam knit his eyebrows together and frowned."W-w-what do you mean, Optimus?...Seriously, I'm totally lost here...What do I have that Ironhide doesn't?", he asked.
Everyone returned their gazes to the medic, who crossed his arm and glared in return."Slaggit, Optimus. Fine, I admit! Sam has the ability to comprehend and understand Bumblebee! But that's not enough!", he said sourly, his hand grasping another nearby wrench. Wheeljack flinched, and Optimus nodded, his optics glowing warmly."Old friend, you should know that comprehension is important among us because that's how we get others to join our side of the struggle. That little detail is what makes us different from our Decepticon foes; whereas they force and submit, we give a choice, to see if others comprehend our cause.", he said softly, his regal baritone rumbling smoothly. Ratchet snorted and rolled his optics while muttering another string of curses."Fine, fine, I get the picture. Don't get all leaderly on me right now, Prime. Bumblebee can be supervised by Sam and Wheeljack,", he said grudgingly. Sam and Bumblebee exchenged hi-fives, making Ratchet glare at them again. "but only if Ironhide does as well.", he added. Optimus winced and cleared his vocal wiring."Ahem...Ratchet...Ironhide is out on a mission with Major Will Lennox; he won't be back for three days.", he said.
A sudden whistle pierced the air, and all of the beings in the medbay barely had any time to duck before two more silver wrenches barely missed their targets."ALRIGHT, ALRIGHT, ALRIGHT! NOW GET OUTTA HERE! I HAVE WORK TO DO!", Ratchet thundered to the mechs and the human, who all but ran out of medbay. Bumblebee snickered and ducked yet another wrench."See ya later, alligator!~", he played over his speakers, before he too, scurried out. Once outside of medbay, he chuckled, his whole frame shaking from mirth. Optimus shook his head sadly."That medic has to learn to be nice to his patients...Too rough.", he said. Wheeljack nodded with a grimace."You're not getting a complaint from me...", he groaned. Sam shuddered."I'm so glad I don't have a doctor with his temper.", he agreed shakily. The Autobot leader nodded again firmly, then he turned to face Bumblebee, who was tapping his foot impatiently, almost like he were expecting something."Scoutling, if I were you, I would do my best to avoid Ratchet for these two days you have been granted. However, you will report to Wheeljack every hour, and Sam will follow you everywhere. Do not try to shake him off, or your privilege will be revoked; Is that understood?", he asked.
The mechling chirped and bobbed his head enthusiastically, his optics glowing brightly."Sir, yes sir!", he replied. Sam grinned and patted his helm."Alright, 'Bee. Let's go have fun.", he said. Wheeljack raised an optic ridge."You humans and your queer sayings...They certainly are amusing...", he quipped thoughtfully as he followed both human and scout down the hallways. Prime sighed in relief, and smiled when he felt another presence."Prowl, don't worry. I trust Wheeljack and Sam. Everything will be alright, my friend.", he said in a reassuring tone, turning to face the mech behind him. The second in command sniffed and drooped his doorwings, concern creeping into his voice."I don't know, Optimus. Something still unnerves me...And even if you protest, I will stick to my opinion; Wheeljack is not the guardian Bumblebee needs right now. The mechling needs someone with experience, and Ironhide has it.", he countered, crossing his arms across his chestplate armor. Optimus smiled softly."You worry too much. Go and rest, you've done enough today. And don't dare contradict me; it's an order.", he replied. Prowl rolled his optics."Using your commanding power over me is unjustified.", he sniffed, before walking away and grumbling to himself. The Prime only smirked in return, before he too walked away.
Hah! I finally finished the ninth chapter, and it only feels like I've started the story yesterday...Anyways, what happens when Sam and Bumblebee are left alone, with only an easily distracted Wheeljack as a guardian? Utter chaos! And Ironhide is gonna flip out when he returns from his side mission with Lennox! I can already see him rampaging around the base. Unfortunately, this little scene will hvae to wait until a future chapter...*grins wickedly* Well, Ciao for now, and you know what to do!