Chapter 19- Goodbyes.
Mikaela easily ignored Sam's shouts of concern as she sprinted across the street towards the abandoned recovery truck, however she found it far harder to ignore the worried chirps from Bumblebee but she managed somehow. Upon reaching the truck, Mikaela tried the door and slammed her hand against the door frame when she found it locked, "Oh you couldn't just make my life easy could you". Ignoring the cries of the fleeing pedestrians all around her, Mikaela focused on finding something to break the window as she knew that if she took too much time to concentrate on everything that had happened since they'd arrived in the city, she'd lose the tight hold she had her control. Finally she managed to find a hammer in the tool box on the back of the truck, and loosed a little of her frustration on the window of the truck. As the glass smashed, Mikaela reached in and managed to snag the door handle, wincing as her arm caught on the shards of broken glass. As the door opened she ignored the pain coming from her arm, focusing instead on getting the truck started without the keys. Mikaela found the wires she needed to hot-wire the truck and focused on them, trying desperately to get them to spark, "Come on, come on". At last the engine roared into life and as Mikaela climbed into the driver's seat, she couldn't help but smile triumphantly to herself in the mirror, "Who says having a criminal background is a bad thing?".
Sam and Bumblebee looked up as Mikaela skidded to a stop beside them in the recovery truck, "How? Where?". Mikaela looked at Sam from the driver's seat, "Don't ask then you don't need to worry about lying to cover me". Mikaela then looked at Bee who was looking at Mikaela with optics that danced happily at his girls resourcefulness, and she found herself grinning back at Bee, "Told you I would find a way to get you out of here big guy". Bee chirped happily at her as she spun the truck round and backed it up, so that Bee would be able to sit on the truck. Jumping out of the cab, Mikaela walked round to where Bee was still lying on the ground and knelt in front of him, resting a hand on the side of his face, stroking gently as she spoke, "Bee, this is gonna hurt I know but I really need you to try to get yourself up and onto the back of the truck. I could get you on with the chains but I'd prefer you to try to do it yourself, I'm figuring there's less chance of Ratchets repairs being damaged that way". Bee rubbed his head against Mikaela's palm, and looked up at her, and he felt his spark tremble nervously as he nodded in reply to her question, "I'll give it my best beautiful". Mikaela looked up at Bee and gently placed a kiss on his cheek, "Then that will be just enough".
Bumblebee took a deep breath before he began slowly moving towards the bed of the recovery truck, listening to Sam's quiet words of encouragement and focusing on Mikaela who was standing by the truck, her blue eyes radiating love and concern. Chirping softly as the pain crept through his circuits, and although thankfully it was nowhere near as painful as it had been after the blast thanks to Ratchet, Bee looked down at the floor sadly. Sam noticed the way Bee's body slumped and he moved round to stand in front of him, "Bee listen to me, you can do this. Mikaela needs you to, so we can get you out to safety". Bee looked at Sam, and chirped softly, "She shouldn't have to, I should be keeping you both safe". Sam looked back at Bee and suddenly understood why the situation was causing Bumblebee so much distress, it was his job to guard Sam, and Mikaela through choice, and he was now no longer able to do that. "Its okay Bee, you were protecting us when this happened. Mikaela knows that, and plus she's always been the protective kind of those she cares about, trust me I know". Bee looked back at Sam and found the worries in his spark lessening a little as he saw the certainty in Sam's eyes, "Thanks Sam".
"Its okay Bee, now let's get you up on this truck so we can get you out of here". With a renewed energy, Bee pushed himself through the pain until he'd made it up onto the bed of the truck. Mikaela jumped up onto the truck beside him, and gazed up at Bee with eyes that glowed with pride at the way Bee had fought through the obvious pain he was in, "Well done big guy, I'm so proud of you". Bee felt the look in her eyes warm his spark, and he smiled back at Mikaela, and once again he was amazed by the strength he saw in her eyes, as he gently stroked her hair, "It's only because.. I have you there beside me". Sam looked up at Mikaela and Bee, and tried to look offended as he shouted up, "Hey what about me, do I get to join in this love fest?". Mikaela turned to look down at Sam, and shared a mischievous look with Bee, before jumping down and planting a kiss on Sam's cheek, "Of course you do Sammy. We love you too". Sam looked up at Bee, as Mikaela began hauling the chains out to secure Bee whilst they were moving, "You sure you know what you're letting yourself in for?".
oOoOo
Still reeling from the appearance of the Decepticon leader which had caused them to fall back to a more protected area of the street, the band of soldiers had felt their spirits lift when they had seen Ironhide step in to save Jazz. Lennox had shared an approving glance with Ironhide as he'd returned to their side along with Ratchet, "Nice work big fella". Epps had also nodded in approval, as Ironhides act had well and truly made his mind up about the robots that were on their side. However he was still as determined to take as many of the red-eyed monsters out as he could, which is why both he and Lennox were now carefully watching the fallen Brawl through binoculars. Lennox peered over a pile of rubble before shouting across the street, "Whats going on?".
"It's the tank sir... Its getting back up". Lennox heard the disbelief in the soldiers voice, and smiled wryly to himself, 'Been there before buddy', as he thought back to their battle with Scorponok in the Qatari desert, before muttering "Don't these things ever die?". Lennox then heard Ratchet mutter a low oath under his breath as did Lennox as he followed the medics gaze to the top of one of the city's skyscrapers, where Blackout had suddenly appeared, "Oh we are so dead". Ratchet rested a gentle hand on the soldiers shoulder, "Not just yet, we still have possession of the cube, so there is still hope, but I think we may need to get back to the sparklings as unfortunately Bumblebee will not be able to protect them against this, not in his condition".
Lennox heard the concern in Ratchets voice and he recognised the worried look on Ironhides metallic features, it was the same look he knew he would have had if his Annabel was in danger, and it made him all the more determined that when this was over he would make sure that everyone knew that not all of these mechanical giants wanted to rule the world. Nodding up at Ratchet and Ironhide, Lennox shouted over to the rest of his team, "Soldiers.. We have some new visitors as you can see. We need to get back to Sam, Mikaela and Bumblebee, and we need to get the cube to safety".
"How are we going to do that exactly?". Lennox heard the confusion in Epps voice as he looked back at Lennox with raised eyebrows, "Last time I looked, our yellow friend was out of action and can't go anywhere, I can't see Sam wanting to leave him, Mikaela sure as hell isn't going to. We could take it but that takes valuable covering bodies out of action, and I think these two might be a bit too obvious, no offence meant guys". Ironhide looked down at the soldier, "None taken, I am glad you have thought about the situation so carefully. However we will need some help from your other earthlings, if you can arrange somewhere we can get the cube to within the city, we will try to persuade Sam to take the cube to safety. We will aid him in staying safe with your help, and hopefully Prime will arrive soon to take care of the bag of bolts". Lennox nodded in agreement with the large black 'bot, "Sounds like a plan". He looked across at Epps, who gave him a thumbs up as he grabbed the radios, "Already on it boss", as he started the process of arranging some help with transporting the cube out of Mission City. Ratchet and Ironhide watched the efficient way the soldiers worked as a team, and Ratchet turned to look at Ironhide, "So are all the earthlings still a waste of space?". Ironhide looked back at Ratchet, and his features settled into a look of frustration, "Oh for Primus' sake Ratch, I had been stuck in a fragging pod that was hardly big enough for a sparkling for what seemed like forever, then had to try to get used to a new alt-mode and that's never comfortable, got peed on by a rodent, that has rusted by the way; so forgive me if I wasn't feeling all that generous towards Sam's parents when we first met him. Though in answer to your question, no they are not. I have been more than impressed by some of them". Ratchet saw the thoughtful look in Ironhides optics, and he was pretty sure that the weapons specialist was thinking about Mikaela, though he also knew 'Hide had been impressed by Sam and the soldiers who were still fighting beside them. However any further conversation was interrupted by Epps yelling excitedly, "The air force can get a chopper in to get the cube out a few blocks away". Lennox looked over at Ratchet and Ironhide, "You think we can get Sam to cooperate with this plan?". Ironhide heard the uncertainty in the young captains voice, and fought back his own concerns as yet again a sparkling would have to face the dangers of battle, and Sam was far less ready than Bumblebee had been, before answering in a very final tone of voice, "He will have to".
oOoOo
Mikaela was fixing the last of the chains round Bumblebee with Sam's help when Bumblebee chirped out loud. Mikaela looked up at her 'bot, "Sorry did I catch a sore spot?". Bumblebee looked back at Mikaela, his optics brightening as he saw the concern in her eyes, "No I'm fine beautiful, I was saying hello. We have guests". Both of them spun round with no real urgency, but when they saw the speed Lennox and the other soldiers, accompanied by both Ironhide and Ratchet, were heading towards them, they shared a worried glance with each other and with Bumblebee.
Lennox looked up at Sam, who was still on the back of the truck with Bee, and when Bumblebee saw the look in the soldiers eyes, he felt his spark begin to jump nervously as he somehow knew deep inside that Sam was going to have to be the one to get the cube to safety. His fears were confirmed when he heard Lennox ask Sam where the cube was in a sharp voice, and when Sam replied that he still had the cube, Bee felt his spark sink especially when he saw Lennox scouting the surrounding areas with a look of determination and purpose, and heard him call to Epps "Get those Black Hawks down here now".
Feeling the sudden tension running through Bumblebees body, Mikaela paused with fixing the chains and gazed up at Bee, before looking across to Sam who was gazing at Lennox with a look of undisguised panic, "No I can't do this". Mikaela looked up at Bee when she heard Sams voice, who chirped sadly, "They want Sam to take the cube to safety". Mikaela shook her head, and Bee felt his spark ache even more as he saw Mikaela's eyes fill with frightened tears, especially as he was so used to seeing them glow with strength and fire, "Please don't cry Mikaela". Mikaela sniffed and swiped a hand across her eyes, "He's my best friend Bee, he's like my family. I can't let him do this". Bee looked over at Sam, who was still talking to Lennox before looking back at Mikaela, "He has to do this Mikaela, it is the only way". Mikaela looked back up at Bee, and without hesitation she climbed onto his offered hand as he brought her up to his shoulder, and she quickly made her way to the spot just by his face where she felt so safe despite everything. Clinging to Bee, Mikaela let his warmth seep into her suddenly cold bones, as a few more tears rolled down her cheeks. Bee felt Mikaela tremble as the silent sobs shook her small body, and he gently stroked her back as she continued to shake, "I don't like it anymore than you do beautiful, I should be the one taking it. I feel like I've let Sam down... and you as I can't keep your Sam safe". Mikaela heard the distress in Bumblebees voice and she realised that he was hurting just as much as she was, and although that realisation made her want to cry even harder, she swallowed back her tears, making a silent promise to herself that she'd shed them later in private; "Bee can you let me down?". Bee stopped stroking Mikaelas back and moved his hand so she could climb on, however before he lowered her to the ground, she quickly pressed herself closely to his face, "You haven't let anyone down Bee, none of this is your fault".
"Listen to your femme, youngling". Both Bumblebee and Mikaela jumped as they looked up at Ironhide, who was looking at them through optics that Mikaela could have sworn were slightly softer than their usual piercing blue. Bee chirped questioningly at Ironhide, who shook his head, "This is nothing like last time youngling. You have someone with you to protect you this time". Ironhide then switched his gaze to Mikaela, who swallowed nervously making the larger 'bot chuckle, "Its okay girlie, I just wanted to say a thank you for keeping my youngling here safe, and I want to promise you that I will return the favour and keep Sam safe". Mikaela saw the seriousness in Ironhides optics and knew the weapons specialist meant every word, "Thank you Ironhide, and say a thank you to Ratchet too, though where's Jazz and Optimus?".
"Jazz got injured by Megatron so I've discharged him from the battle to keep him safe, and Prime should arrive soon". Bee chirped worriedly, and Ironhide rested a hand on Bee's shoulder, "He will be fine youngling, Ratchet will be able to patch Jazz up far easier than he will be able to with you". Mikaela stroked the side of Bee's face as she heard his forlorn chirp, and once again Ironhide felt a sense of contentment when he watched his youngling with Mikaela, especially when he saw the way Bee calmed under her touch, his optics dancing happily as Mikaela whispered something to him.
"Mikaela?". Mikaela heard Sam's voice, and Bumblebee quickly set her down next to Sam, who she quickly crushed in a hug. "Need some air here, saviour of the world remember?". Mikaela pulled back from Sam, and looked at him closely. Although there were traces of the earlier panic, she was surprised at the calmness Sam was giving off, "What happened? How come you're so calm? Did they drug you or something?". Sam gazed back at Mikaela, before glancing over at Lennox, who was waiting impatiently, "Lets just say I got a lesson on how to stay calm under fire... plus its kind of cool to be the hero for a change". Mikaela grinned despite everything and crushed Sam in another hug, "I am so glad you're my best friend, and I love you".
"Love you too 'Kaela, and I'm glad you're my best friend too. Plus I'm kinda glad I got in the car with you". Bee chirped at Sam, and Sam looked over at the yellow robot who had changed his life so much, in such a short time, and smiled up at Bee, "Yes Bee, I'm glad you chose me too".
"Hey are we all done here? Can we please get a move on, we need to get that cube out of here". Bumblebee chirped angrily at Lennox, not liking the soldiers tone of voice one bit. Ironhide bit back a smile, as did the teens, "Easy youngling". Lennox looked back at Bee, "Sorry but we need to move as soon as we can, we haven't got time to waste". Bee looked back at the soldier through narrowed optics, and thought to himself, 'I never realised saying goodbyes to friends was a waste of time'. Mikaela sensed the upset to her 'bot and patted his side gently, soothing him a little. Sam also looked up at Bee, "Its okay Bee, I'll be fine. I'll keep myself safe, and if I can't I'm sure Ironhide will". Ironhide nodded and looked at Sam, who had fixed the cube under his arm determinedly, before sharing a last glance with Mikaela and Bumblebee, "See you on the other side guys", before he set off at a run with Ironhide and Ratchet following him, along with some of the soldiers. Lennox hesitated for a moment, looking at Mikaela with concern, "You need to get out of here, now". Mikaela looked back at Lennox, her blue eyes glowing fiercely as she looked back at Bumblebee, before she met Lennox's gaze again, "I've just watched my best friend run into God knows what kinds of danger, there is no way in hell I am leaving the guy I love behind as well, so until I have Bumblebee safe, I am going nowhere. Understand". Lennox nodded, "Keep safe then". Bee chirped angrily at the soldier, and as Lennox followed the rest of his soldiers, he was in no doubt that Mikaela was probably in the safest place of them all.
A/N: So so sorry this has taken me so long to get out, but I have had a crazy first week at work and haven't quite settled into a routine with work and home just yet :( This probably isn't my best chapter as it has taken me so long to do but I'm reasonably happy with it, so I hope you all enjoy it xx