Chapter 23- Decisions
Feeling a little over awed as he looked round at all the Autobots, Sam sent a look of distress towards Mikaela, who gently tapped Bee on the shoulder, "Bee?". Bumblebee chirped at Mikaela and she chuckled at his questioning tone as she gently stroked his cheek, "Let me down for a minute, I'm thinking Wonderboy needs a bit of moral support down there". Bee looked over at Sams panicked expression and found himself laughing along with Mikaela, "Not a problem beautiful, he does look rather worried, kinda reminds me of when everybody first met". Mikaela smiled softly as she too thought back to the night that seemed to have happened so long ago, "Its does rather. Anyway let me down please before Sam has a nervous breakdown". Bee held up a hand to his shoulder allowing Mikaela to climb down, and hurriedly cross over to where Sam was standing, squeezing his hand in reassurance when she reached his side.
Bumblebee looked at Mikaela with softly glowing optics, only half listening to Optimus thanking Sam for saving his life. As he watched Sam visibly relax with Mikaela by his side, Bumblebee found himself thinking that he too often felt the same when Mikaela was with him, she had the same calming effect on his spark too. As he listened to Optimus telling Sam that the Autobots place was here on Earth now, Bee couldn't help the sadness that crept into his spark as he realised he would never return to his home planet. However as he looked around him, he realised that everyone who was important to him; his Autobot family, Sam and most importantly Mikaela, were now here on Earth. 'That makes it home for me', thought Bee to himself with a smile, before another thought crossed his mind, 'And much as I love 'Hide and the others, I am not living with them again'. Bumblebee then took a deep breath, before he managed to get his damaged vocaliser to work reluctantly, "Permission to speak". Optimus looked over at Bumblebee, "Permission granted Bumblebee". Bee looked over at Sam and Mikaela, fighting back the laugh that was bubbling in his chest as he saw the shocked looks on their faces, Sam regaining his voice first as he looked up at Bee, "So what you can talk now?". Bee chirped, before continuing with his slow speech, wincing as the pain lanced through his throat, "I wish to stay with the boy..". Before he could continue, Sam snorted with laughter as did Ironhide, and they shared a sly look at Mikaela before Sam spoke in a voice that bubbled with laughter, "Why do I get the feeling it's not only me you wish to stay with huh?". Bee looked at Mikaela with eyes that glowed, and he felt his circuits warming as he saw the look she was giving him in return; before he looked back at Sam and chirped softly, ignoring not only the pain that it caused after he'd used his vocaliser but also the look he knew Ratchet would be aiming in his direction, "Yes I wish to stay with Mikaela too'. Sam looked over at Mikaela who, despite blushing furiously, was smiling broadly as she turned her gaze to meet Sam's, "You okay with me sharing your car Sam?". Sam looked at Mikaela, and then up at Bee, smiling as he did so, "Somehow I think he's all yours. So yes I'm fine with sharing, as if either of you would give me an option".
Optimus had watched the exchange between his youngest team member and the humans with a smile on his face, and as he looked over to where Ratchet and Ironhide were talking to the human soldiers, somehow the Autobot leader knew that they could indeed live in harmony with the humans. However as his gaze fell upon the fallen Decepticon, Optimus could not help the grief that echoed through his spark as he crossed over to where Megatron lay unmoving, "You gave me no choice Brother". He looked at Megatrons unmoving form for a few seconds longer before bending down to pluck the last remaining shard of the All-Spark from Megatrons still glowing chest, closing his fist round it gently, feeling the ache for Cybertron in his spark as he did so. Lost in his thoughts, Optimus was unaware of Sams presence until Sam began to speak, "I didn't realise destroying the Cube would mean you guys couldn't get home. I'm sorry". Optimus looked down at Sam, "You have nothing to be sorry for Sam, we knew that it was a risk when we came to your planet. Our planet has been next to destroyed by Megatron and your actions have prevented him from doing the same to this planet, and for that we must be grateful". Sam looked up into the reassuring optics of Optimus and felt a little of the worry lift from his shoulders, "That's okay then, as I couldn't destroy you. It would have felt wrong somehow".
"Although I would have willingly sacrificed myself to keep you safe, I am glad that my spark is still beating, so once again thank you Sam". Sam shrugged embarrassedly, still unsure of what to say to Optimus's gratitude, before he and Optimus walked back to the rest of the group, who had been brought together by the tiny shard of metal that now lay in Optimus's palm. Lennox and Epps crossed over to Optimus and Sam, along with Ironhide and Ratchet, Epps looking suspiciously at the shard in Optimus's giant fingers, "You sure that's all that's left?". Optimus nodded sadly, "I am sure. The energy that was created when the Cube merged with Megatrons spark would have most certainly destroyed it all but for this shard, which will need to be kept safe as although Megatron has been defeated, the Decepticons will never cease in their actions to destroy everything". Lennox looked back at Optimus with determined eyes, "Well we'd best convince those in the know that we need to stick together then so if any more of these guys come calling, we can kick their sorry asses". Ironhide chuckled, "I like this one Prime. Can I stay with him?". Optimus nodded, "If William wishes it?". Lennox looked up at Optimus, "First up, if we're doing first names, its Will. The only people who call me William are my mother and Sarah when they're pissed at me usually". He then shared a glance at the Topkick, "And sure, sounds good to me. I'm sure Sarah will appreciate someone keeping an eye on me".
"Hey do I get a ride out of this too? And no offence Ratchet but you ain't my style". Ratchet chuckled as he looked back at Epps, "None taken, though I do believe Jazz will be needing somewhere to stay when I have fixed him up". Epps grinned, "Hey he can come home with me, sure thing. I'll be the envy of the neighbourhood. Oh and by the way, name wise same thing applies. No Robert, its Rob or Epps". The Autobots grinned, as Optimus replied "Name changes duly noted". Will then looked over at where Megatron lay still and unmoving, before sharing a glance with Optimus, "So what we gonna do with him now?". Ignoring all of Ironhide and Bumblebees suggestions of what could be done with him, creative as they were, Optimus looked at Will and Epps through steady optics, "That my friend is for your leaders to decide".
oOoOo
"Optimus. Message from the Gods, the bag of bolts is being removed back to the dam while his fate is decided, and they want us to head to a nearby base if thats okay with all of you". Optimus shared a glance with the others, before looking back at Will and nodding his agreement, "That sounds agreeable to us, if only to see what your leaders have in store for us". Will and Epps looked over at the Autobots, "Oh don't you worry, we aren't letting you guys go anywhere". Sam and Mikaela nodded in agreement, and Will hid a smile as he saw the way Mikaelas eyes lit up defensively as she leant closer to Bumblebee, and he leant over to whisper in Epps' ear, "I'd love to see anyone trying to tell her that they're sending her boy home". Epps looked over at the pair of them, and chuckled under his breath, "Hell I want front seats, that will be some show".
Unaware of the amusement they were causing, Mikaela leant closer to Bee, trying to ignore the worry that her Bee might be taken away from her and vowing to herself that she would do all she could to keep him with her, and with Sam as Bumblebee wanted. Bee chirped at her softly, and she looked up at him, "I'm okay Bee, just thinking".
"What about beautiful?". Mikaela gazed at his steady blue optics, feeling her heart swell and she knew that she would fight tooth and nail to keep him by her side, "Just thinking about how I'm going to make sure you stay here where you belong, with Sam and with me". Bee's optics softened as he gazed back at the girl who had captured his spark, "I won't leave you Mikaela, I'm here for you always". Mikaela blushed and snuggled closer to Bee's legs, causing Sam to chuckle as he watched the pair of them, "I can't wait til we get back to school, and you explain your new squeeze to Trent". Bee narrowed his optics as he recalled the boy who had been with Mikaela when he'd first seen her, thinking to himself, "Oh don't you worry Sam I have a plan for him", and as he saw the expressions on the teenagers faces Bee was unable to hide his chuckles, as he was sure that Mikaela especially would appreciate what he had planned.
"Bumblebee". Bee chirped as he looked at Ratchet, his chuckles dying off as he saw the serious look in the medics optics, a nervous fluttering suddenly present in his spark as somehow he knew whatever Ratchet was about to suggest was going to hurt. Ratchet noticed the sudden tension in Bee, as did Mikaela and Sam, the latter turning worried brown eyes towards Ratchet, "Whats up Ratchet?". Ratchet looked at Sam, "It is time for us to move out of the city. We have been given use of a nearby military base but first we need to get there".
"So whats the problem?". Mikaela looked at Sam, quickly glancing at a worried looking Bee before gazing up at Ratchet, "Let me guess, it means Bee's gonna have to transform and its going to be more than a little painful for him". Ratchet nodded, as Bee chirped plaintively, "Correct Mikaela, and it is the only way we can move you Bee. As it is you will need to stay on the truck for the journey back, the repairs I did earlier will not hold up to a long journey". Bee muttered grumpily in Cybertronian as he glared at Ratchet through narrowed optics, before thinking mutinously "Great yet again I get to limp back to base injured, how is that fair". He continued grumbling to himself, until he felt the soothing rhythm of Mikaelas fingers on his bodywork, and he chirped at her softly before he looked down at her, "Thank you".
"Its okay big guy, I kinda guessed that's what you were worrying about. Anyway Ratchet says once we've got the chains off, you should be okay to stand with some help so you can transform down, and if it's all good with you I'm riding with you on the way to the base". Bee smiled at Mikaela, "Of course its good with me, I could do with some quiet time with my girl". Mikaela blushed from where she was starting to unfasten the chains before she looked up at Bee with a soft smile, "Good, cos I want some time with my guy too".
As the last of the chains dropped, Bumblebee looked at Ratchet and Ironhide with apprehensive optics. Ironhide looked back at Bee reassuringly, "Its okay youngling, it's only going to hurt for a moment. When you get back to the base Ratch can fix you up good as new". Bee chirped softly, and Ironhide rested a gentle hand on his shoulder, "I know Bee, I know he can't fix everything". As he saw the sadness in his youngling's optics, Ironhide couldn't help the ache in his spark that it caused, although as he glanced over at Mikaela who was deep in conversation with Ratchet and Sam, the ache faded a little as he knew Mikaela had accepted Bee just the way he was and showed no sign of changing her mind, as even with his current injuries she was still by his side. Ratchet then crossed over to Bee, and along with Ironhide, they helped Bee to stand. As Mikaela watched Bee wobble unsteadily, she couldn't help the tears that sprang to her eyes, and Sam squeezed her hand, "He'll be okay 'Kaela. Ratchet'll fix him up".
"I know Sam, I just wish he hadn't got hurt again".
"I know, but he wouldn't be the Bee we know and love if he'd let us get hurt". Mikaela nodded, and as she heard Bee chirp softly before the sounds of a slow transformation filled the air, she looked back at Sam with a smile, "You got that right". As she heard the rev of an engine, her smile widened as she crossed over to Bee, running her fingers along the hood of his alt mode, laughing softly as she felt him shudder, "Easy big guy". Bee revved his engine, feeling more comfortable now he was in his alt-mode, though transforming down had been a lot more painful than he'd expected, and as he rolled forward onto the breakdown truck, he couldn't help the hiss of discomfort that escaped. Mikaela gently patted his hood as she allowed Epps to fix Bee onto the truck, as he'd be driving them back to the base, "Its okay big guy, its bound to hurt a little". Bee chirped, before thinking to himself, "It hurts more than a little beautiful", not that he was about to tell Mikaela that. As Epps fixed up the last of the chains, giving Bee a pat as he did so, "Lets get you back to base", before he jumped into the truck. Sam also patted Bee's hood, "Just wanted to say thanks for everything Bee, and I mean everything". Bee chirped softly, "Thank you too Sam", and once again Bee felt the connection he had felt when he'd first seen Sam in the car lot, "Cars choose their drivers". Sam laughed as he heard Bee's accurate impression of 'Uncle Bobby B', and patted Bee's hood once more, "And I'm very glad you picked me too. I'm also kinda glad you picked my best friend too". Mikaela grinned at Sam, "Not as glad as I am. Anyway we'll see you back at base". Sam nodded, before walking round to jump in the truck. Mikaela then jumped into the familiar interior of the Camaro, inhaling the smell of the leather as she closed the door, "Damn it Bee, you smell good". Bee chuckled and tightened the seatbelt around Mikaela as she curled into the passenger seat, "Why thank you". As they watched the rest of the Autobots roll out, Ironhide and Will in the lead, Bee couldn't help the jump in his spark but he soon calmed as when he heard Mikaela softly whispering to him, and as he concentrated on the sound of her voice the feeling of letting everyone down faded away. However after a while, Bee realised Mikaela was softly snoring and he found himself smiling as he gently lowered the seat back, his spark fluttering protectively as she softly whispered his name in her sleep, before he allowed himself to slowly drift off into a well deserved recharge too.
oOoOo
"It has been decided by the president that Sector Seven will be closed down and he has ordered that the remains of the dead aliens are to be disposed of. They will be sunk in the Laurentian Abyss. It is seven miles below sea level, and the deepest place on our planet. The massive depth of pressure there coupled with the freezing temperatures will crush them there, leaving no evidence that they were ever here". As the broadcast finished, Optimus looked over at Keller and at General Moreshower with a serious expression upon his metal features, "We are glad that you have decided to dispose of the Decepticons, however I must make you aware of the fact that even though Megatron has been disposed of, there will always be those who wish to carry on his fight, and it may be that they will come looking for him, or as the case may be his remains". Keller looked up at the giant Autobot leader, before sharing a glance with a smiling General Moreshower, "We have thought about this Optimus Prime and as you know we received some very favourable reports about the Autobots from some very determined soldiers, who seemed very sure to let us know that you were the good guys in all this. We also received the report from Mr Witwicky who also backed up this story as did Miss Banes, who let us know most emphatically that you were not to be sent back to your home planet, which we understand is now no longer possible". Optimus shook his head sadly, his optics dimming slightly as he thought of his lost home planet, "That is correct, we are no longer able to return home. We are bound to remain here, though that is only if you wish it". General Moreshower looked up at Optimus and he could see why he'd had his ears chewed off by Lennox and Epps about this guy, something about the giant radiated leadership but in a good way, "Well seeing as we had all these wonderful reports about you and your team, and as you say we could still face an onslaught from these Decepticons, the powers that be have decided that you can stay here on Earth, as harsh as it sounds, you guys will be the only things we will have that'll be capable of taking them out. However we need you to keep a low profile, so we've arranged to set up a new unit. It will be called NEST and we want you to head it up with some of our hand-picked guys, some of whom you will already know. However it wont be fully functional for a while, so for now soldier, you're at ease". Optimus looked at the two humans and once again he found himself thinking that Megatron was so very wrong, there was real good in them if you looked hard enough, "Thank you for that offer and I will accept the offer on behalf of me and my team. However there is just one thing..". Keller held up a hand, refusing to look at the chuckling general beside him, "I think I know what you're about to ask, and yes it's perfectly okay for Bumblebee to remain with Sam and Mikaela. Especially Mikaela, we had that made pretty clear to us by Miss Banes herself". Optimus was unable to hide the smile that crossed his face, his voice rumbling with laughter as he replied, "That is not what I was about to ask but it has answered my other question, it seems they have formed quite the attachment". Keller shared a look with Optimus, recalling the young brunettes very passionate defence of the Camaro almost with a shudder, "You're telling me. Anyway what were you going to ask?".
"There are still Autobots trapped on Cybertron who need our help, and a place of safety. Please allow me to contact them, and tell them that they are welcome here on Earth. If they come, if they are able, I will ensure they follow those rules you have given us and they will be more than happy to help protect a planet that they will come to see as home as we have, of that I am sure". Optimus watched as the two humans conferred, trying to ignore the concerned jumping of his spark as they turned to look up at him, their faces giving no hint as to whether he would be able to carry out his wish.
"As long as they abide by the rules, we do not see that being a problem. The more of you guys we have on our side the better". Optimus felt his spark sag with relief, "Thank you both. Thank you for giving us a home again". Keller and Moreshower both nodded in reply, "You helped us, its our turn to help you. Don't make us regret it".
"We won't. We promise". Optimus then quickly transformed back down to his alt-mode, quickly sharing the good news with the others over the comm-link, unaware of the smiles on the faces of Keller and Moreshower as they began to leave the giant hanger, "Strangest damn place I've ever had a meeting". Moreshower turned to look at the defence secretary, "If we're going to be in a team with these guys, I think we're going to get used to it pretty damn quickly".
oOoOo
A/N: Hi guys, first up hope you all had a wonderful Christmas or holiday of your choice ;) Mine was fab, even though I had to work which is why I am sooooo late updating, trying to arrange everything for Christmas and working crazy hours is not a productive combination, although it was definitely worth it ;) I didn't quite get my own Camaro, will try again next year, but I did get a talking toy Bee from my bestie, and a Kreo/Lego Bee and Transformers Prime on DVD from my husband... LOVE THEM BOTH :) xx Anyway as I said sorry for the late update, hope it's worth the wait, and as you can tell we're nearly at the end of the first film... but don't panic I will be carrying on to ROTF, and there's a hint in here that I think one of my wonderful reviewers will really like... yes you Miss Makkenna Witwicky (Happy Birthday btw xx)... anyway thanks for your patience, love you all lots and hope you have a wonderful New Year xx