Smugglers 3: The Beginning Is The End
Chapter 15: Farewells
A/N: Heh, heh sorry but I forgot that there is more character death which will take place at the end of this chapter.
Bulkhead's funeral was a sad, somber affair. Bumblebee wrote a splendid five-page eulogy but barely made it through five words before he broke down and was unable to continue. Prowl and Ratchet both said a few words then Optimus said the closing prayer and all too soon it was time. They closed the lid to the stasis pod then jettisoned it into space and watched the coffin until it could no longer be seen then returned to their daily routine.
For the next several weeks the entire ship was on edge as if waiting for something to happen. Then one day something did. They had just reached Cybertron when Bumblebee suddenly announced that he wanted to talk to them. Which was how Optimus, Prowl and Ratchet found themselves in the rec room instead of buying supplies.
"What do you think he wants to talk to us about?" Prowl asked.
"I don't know," Optimus replied.
"Whatever it is he better hurry up," Ratchet grumbled. "I don't have all day."
I've dealt with my ghost and I've faced all my demons
The door opened and Bumblebee entered. He gave them a stiff smile then began to pack back and forth along a wall that boasted five windows. The three bots that sat at one of the tables waited patiently as he continued pacing for another two minutes before finally coming to a stop in front of the middle window, facing it. "I want you guys to do something for me." His voice was cold, flat, almost dead-sounding.
Finally content with a past I regret
"What?" Optimus asked, careful not to make any promises before he heard the question having learned that lesson the hard way not long after coming on board permanently.
I've found you find strength in your moment of weakness
Bumblebee appeared to be struggling with his words. "I want you to take me back to the Asylum that Bulkhead rescued me front," he blurted out quickly.
For once I'm at peace with myself
In the stunned silence that followed Optimus, Prowl, and Ratchet exchanged startled glances then Optimus worked up the courage to speak and asked the question that they all were wondering: "Why?"
I've been burdened with blame, trapped in the past for too long
Bumblebee turned to look at them and they saw sad, haunted optics staring out at them from a faceplate that was far too old and tired for its years. "No offense to you guys but Bulkhead was the only thing keeping me sane and now that he's gone I would really like to lose what little sanity I have left in private."
I'm moving on
Optimus nodded, resignation already beginning to set in. "If that's what you want," he said, wishing that he could just say 'no' but deep down he knew that he couldn't do that no matter how much he wanted to.
I've lived in this place and I know all the faces
"It is," Bumblebee didn't sound quite so lost anymore but Optimus realized with a sudden pang in his spark, they had already lost the little yellow bot so Bumblebee's next words didn't come as to big of a surprise. "I don't ever want to see any of you again," he said then he hastened to reassure them. "It's nothing personal, it's just that…" he hesitated, unsure of how to go on. Fortunately Prowl stepped in.
Each one is different but they're always the same
"We understand," the ninja bot said kindly.
They mean me no harm but it's time that I face it
Bumblebee grinned, it was a mere shadow of his usual exuberance but at least it was a step in the right direction. "I'm ready," he announced.
They'll never allow me to change
Optimus rose and stepped forward. "I will escort you there to ensure that you don't get lost," he offered.
I never thought home would end up where I don't belong
I'm moving on
I'm moving on at last I can see
"Thanks," Bumblebee bounded out of the room, pausing just as he reached the doorway to glance back at the three bigger bots. He felt a new sadness start to rise up in his spark but ruthlessly pushed it down. "I won't remember you here," he tapped his cranial unit, "but I'll miss you here," his servo moved downwards until it was directly over his spark chamber, tapping it for emphasis. "Take good care of the ship for me, ok?" then he smiled and disappeared through the door, Optimus right behind him.
Life has been patiently waiting for me
And I know there's no guarantees but I'm not alone
"We will, kid," Ratchet whispered. "We will," in a voice even lower, "we'll miss you too," then he rose and retreated to his med-bay even as Prowl sat perched in the rafters, neither of them moved for the rest of the day while they mourned the loss of two friends.
There comes a time in everyone's life
When all you can see are the years passing by
And I have made up my mind that those days are gone
Optimus knew sadness or at least he thought he did. He had never known true sadness until he stood on the street corner, watching Bumblebee enter the insane asylum, the heavy steel doors shutting behind him. That was the day he felt an already broken piece of his spark shimmer and then fade out of existence.
I sold what I could and packed what I couldn't
"I'm Bumblebee by the way and you're Optimus Prime. Your companions are Prowl and the grumpy one is Ratchet."
Stopped to fill up on my way out of town
"What do you mean 'just me'?"
I loved like I should but lived like I shouldn't
"Well that's true. I am pretty memorable."
I had to lose everything to find out
"What do you think? We're here to rescue you."
Maybe forgiveness will find me somewhere down this road
"I happen to know a couple of smugglers who could use, oh I don't know, maybe three new partners?"
I'm moving on
I'm moving on
How long he stood there with memories swirling in his processor he didn't know but at last he turned to go but just as he did so he caught a glimpse of yellow out of the corner of his optic. His cranial unit swiveled around and he saw Bumblebee sitting next to a window, his optics fixed on something that Optimus couldn't see. The blue-and-red bot gazed at him for a few moments before turning and walking down the street, a heavy burned having been lifted from his spark.
I'm moving on
That was the last time any of them ever saw Bumblebee alive.
A year or two later the asylum blew up leaving only a few survivors. Bumblebee wasn't one of them. Optimus, Prowl, and Ratchet positively identified his remains, or rather what was left of him including the strange, peaceful smile on his faceplate…
A/N/N: 15 reviews, will be satisfied with 10.
A/N/N/N: I bet none of you expected Bulkhead to die did you? Not with all of those hints I was dropping, which was my intended purpose.
A/N/N/N/N: I am very sorry about Bumblebee's death but it was absolutely necessary for the rest of the story.
A/N/N/N/N/N: Song is 'Moving On' by Rascal Flatts