Chapter 25- Journeys.
As they left the base, Bumblebee sighed with relief as he felt the tarmac under his wheels and the warm breeze blowing over his alt-mode, and his spark swelled as he realised just how much this feeling meant to him, and he was exceedingly glad that Ratchet had been able to fix him as quickly as he had been, given the severity of his injuries; 'Glad my legs fixed easier than my voice', Bee thought to himself as he knew he wouldn't have been able to put up with a long stay in the med-bay, the memories that had been stirred up the short time he had been there had been bad enough. From inside, he heard the sound of Sam and Mikaela chuckling over something, which restored his good mood and chased away his blues, and he quickly scanned the quiet desert road. As he saw that there was nobody on the road, Bee gunned the engine, "I feel the need, the need for speed". When he heard Mikaela's delighted laugh and her call of "Good quote Bee", as he sped to speeds that were most definitely not legal, at least not on Earth, Bee's spark raced, both from the speed and from Mikaela's reaction. However a short while later Bee slowed as he heard Sam's squeal, mainly because there was no way he could keep up that speed whilst shaking with waves of laughter. Sam huffed as he heard and felt the Autobot's amusement, "Okay, so I'm not such a speed freak as 'Kaela. She probably had race cars on her mobile as a child". Bee swallowed back yet more laughter as he heard the faint traces of hurt in Sam's voice, though a few amused chirps still escaped from him as he slowed to a more sedate pace, Sam muttering a quiet "Thank you" as he did so.
A short while later Bee heard Sam's breathing change to a slower pace, and he chirped questioningly at Mikaela who looked over at Sam with a smirk, "Yup asleep again. Honestly I'm sure that boy could sleep standing up". Bee chuckled softly, and took the opportunity to stretch his wheels again now Sam was asleep. Mikaela smiled as she felt Bee's increase in speed, and she rested her head against the window, tracing patterns with her fingers over Bee's upholstery, her smile broadening as she heard his engine responding to her touch, "Guess you like that hey".
"Everytime we touch, I get this feeling... Everytime we touch, I feel the static". As she heard the song lyrics through the radio, Mikaela laughed softly as she felt the warmth coming from Bee's vents, and she knew that if she could see his face he'd be smiling just as widely as she was, as she quietly replied "Me too big guy". Bee chirped softly as he saw Mikaela's smile, and he was glad that she felt the same as he did, as his spark did indeed flare each and every time she was near him, and the feeling that ran through his spark at even the lightest of her touches was sometimes enough to fry a few circuits; 'Static indeed', he smiled to himself with a soft chuckle. Mikaela felt the rumble of Bee's laughter and settled back into the seat happily, though as she watched the scenery flash past she felt her mind drifting back to the events of the past few days. After a while, Bumblebee noticed how quiet she had become and at first he thought she was asleep, but then he noticed the silent tears rolling down her cheeks. Instantly he slowed and chirped worriedly, before voicing his concern quietly with his own voice, rather than through the radio, "What's wrong beautiful?. Why are you crying?". Mikaela sniffed back the tears, and Bee wished he could hold her as he saw the tears sparkling in her eyes. He did the best he could by tightening the seatbelt round her, causing Mikaela to smile appreciatively at the comforting gesture as she wiped the tears from her eyes, before replying quietly as she ran the back of her hand over the seatbelt, "Just thinking about everything, about how I nearly lost the two most important people in my world, and then thinking about being able to live with Sam's parents, and I just got a little weepy that's all". As she heard Bee's uncertain sigh, Mikaela rubbed his dashboard with a soothing hand, "I promise that's all Bee, I will be fine, I'm a tough cookie". As she turned her head back to the window, and gradually drifted off to sleep, Bee continued to watch Mikaela with troubled optics, knowing that his girl was far from fine, which made his spark ache painfully as he continued on through the darkening landscape.
Several hours later, as they neared the outskirts of Tranquility, Bee knew for sure Mikaela wasn't fine. Both she and Sam had awoken a short while ago, and they had bickered with each other ever since Mikaela had asked to stop by where she lived to collect her things. "Are you sure about this Mikaela. You don't wanna leave getting your stuff til tomorrow?". When Mikaela heard the concern in Sam's voice and in the questioning chirp from Bumblebee, she shook her head, "No I don't and yes, I'm sure Sam. I want to get them tonight so when I wake up in the morning I know I'm not dreaming, and I really am living with you guys". Sam sighed, and Mikaela was pretty sure from the change in Bee's engine tone he was sighing as well. Shaking her head with sudden irritation, Mikaela jumped out of the Camaro, and shut the door with more force than was strictly necessary, causing Bee to chirp loudly and shift on his tyres. Mikaela glanced at the Camaro, her eyes softening slightly, "Sorry Bee, but will the two of you just stop worrying. I'm fine, really". Sam also got out of the car and watched Mikaela run up the stairs to the small flat, before looking at Bee who was still shifting uncomfortably,
"Oh yeah she's just fine. I'm thinking your door hinges aren't sharing that opinion".
'Understatement of the year Sam', thought Bee to himself as he finally got himself comfortable again. He then followed Sam's gaze to where they could both see Mikaela moving around inside, and as he'd sensed earlier Bumblebee could tell she was anything but fine. "Why won't she tell us whats wrong? I tried earlier but she wouldn't say what was hurting her". Sam looked back at Bee, his eyes softening as he heard Bee's worry for Mikaela leak through the radio, "Because that's the way she is Bee. She's been so used to looking after herself, even when her dad was around, that she sometimes finds it hard to accept that others do actually give a damn about her. Though I'm kinda hoping you can help change that". As he heard the questioning tone of Bee's chirp, Sam smiled to himself; maybe the two of them would be good for each other as Sam was pretty sure there were one or two issues the Autobot hadn't quite dealt with too. Gently leaning on Bee's roof, Sam answered Bee's chirp, "You'll be good for her Bee as she trusts you more than I have ever seen her trust anyone, and most importantly you were there for her when she needed help. I'm her best friend and have been for years and I've never been able to make her as content as you do. Plus you love her for who she is, she doesn't have to be someone else around you".
"I wouldn't want her to be any different, she wouldn't be my Mikaela then. Hey I found everything out about you, and still I chose you". Sam glanced down at the yellow paintwork as he heard the laughter in Bee's voice, his indignant expression reflecting back at him thanks to the street light they had parked by; "Cheers buddy, though I'm glad to hear it, on both counts. She just needs someone to look after her, and make her realise that not everyone she cares about will abandon her at some point". Bee's spark stirred in response to Sam's words. As an abandoned sparkling, Bumblebee completely understood how Mikaela must have felt when she was alone without her father, as Bee knew that if he was ever to lose Ironhide, his spark wouldn't be able to handle it at all; so how his beautiful girl had withstood all she had to come out as strong as she had just made Bee fall for her all the more. Sam jolted as Bee sunk onto his axles and let out a sigh causing Sam to chuckle, "Oh boy, you have it bad. Anyway just promise me you will always keep her safe and this happy, as Autobot or not, you hurt my best friend and I will find a way to hurt you". Bee nudged Sam by opening the door slightly, "I will Sam. I told you once before, I will give my spark to keep her safe if I have to, it belongs to her anyway".
"What belongs to me?". Sam looked up at Mikaela, before looking back at Bee, "More guy stuff". Mikaela rolled her eyes and sighed, "Fine, I don't have the strength to argue. Bee could you pop the trunk so I can put these cases in and then there's just a couple of boxes at the top of the stairs". Sam looked at the weary expression on Mikaela's face, and began to head towards the stairs, ignoring her protests, "Just get in the car 'Kaela. I'll go grab the boxes". Wanting to argue, but finding she really did lack the energy, Mikaela just nodded and climbed into Bee, sinking into his warm leather seats gratefully, "I'm sorry Bee, I didn't mean to hurt you back there. It's just its tough leaving home, even if that home isn't all that great. That's the main thing that was on my mind earlier". Bee gently tightened the seatbelt round her, for his own comfort as much as hers as her words had caused a flare of homesickness in his own spark; "Understand that feeling loud and clear beautiful". Mikaela realised as she heard the sadness in Bee's voice that he too had left home in a way, and that this was all new for him too, which made her smile to herself as she stroked a hand across his dashboard soothingly, "Tell you what big guy, let's make this a new start for us both. New home, new families, and each other. Sound good to you?". Bumblebees spark almost burst with happiness, and he couldn't help the exuberant revving of his engine, however much a returning Sam hushed him with "You'll wake the whole neighbourhood", as Bee couldn't help thinking to himself that he was certain this neighbourhood had heard far worse in the night that a car revving its engine loudly. However when he saw the contented look back in Mikaela's eyes, Sam guessed that Bee's excitement was linked and he sighed theatrically, hiding his smile as he did so, "You two kissed and made up then, I take it". Mikaela felt Bee's engine rumble mischievously, and she looked back at Sam with a smile, "Not quite yet"; before she leant across Sam and placed a kiss on the centre of Bee's steering wheel on his Autobot insignia, causing Bee's whole frame to shake and his engine purr contentedly. Mikaela looked back at Sam her eyes dancing happily, her own voice a low purr as she hadn't expected to feel quite such a rush of her own at the contact, and Bee's reaction hadn't helped her any either, "We have now".
"Great, I'm so glad. Though I'm telling you now, the rule about flirting extends to any smootching, or anything else while I'm in the car. I so don't need to know where my cars hot spots are, I don't even need to know you have them, and I definitely don't need to know that my best friend knows how to find them. It's just wrong". Mikaela felt Bee's rumble of laughter, and chuckled herself, smiling happily once again as she rested against the cool glass of the window, safe in the knowledge that she might finally get her happy ever after, even if her Prince Charming was a little unconventional.
A short while later Bumblebee finally pulled in the driveway of the Witwicky home, and Mikaela felt his sigh of relief. She ran a finger over the stitching of the seats, "Tired big guy?". Bee quietly chirped, "Just a little". Mikaela smiled, the tiredness in her bots voice echoed by the now slow rhythm of his engine, as well as the way his headlights had dimmed, "I'm guessing you're more than a little tired. I know I am, and as Sam's been snoring again since we left the flat I know he's tired". Bee chuckled, and slowly rolled into the garage before cutting his engine, Sam's snores now sounding even louder, "I'll be fine beautiful. Maybe I overdid it a little on the drive back, once I've recharged overnight I'll be fine".
"Good, don't make me snitch to Ratchet". Sam awoke with a start as he heard Bee's indignant chirp, and looked at Mikaela with sleepy eyes, "I'm with Bee, that's mean and sneaky". Mikaela shrugged, "Don't care. I want my guy all fixed up, and I know what you men are like when it comes to looking after yourself". Sam huffed, as did Bee, causing Mikaela to chuckle as she undid her seatbelt, instantly missing the comforting feeling of it, "You've gotta get past your mom yet Sam, and I'm thinking Ratchet will be a pussy cat compared to her. I saw his impressed look when she was grilling you back at the base". Sam looked at Mikaela, his eyes narrowing, "That's not funny, though you'll get the same treatment 'Kaela". Mikaela tried to look disappointed, but as Sam saw the hidden smile in her eyes, he laughed softly to himself as he got out of the car, "Right well, I'll take the first wave of the motherly fussing, leave you two alone for a moment. If you pop the trunk Bee, I'll take the boxes in". Bee popped the trunk and Sam got the boxes out, Bee closing the trunk again as he saw Sam balancing the boxes on his hip, "Thanks Bee". Bee chirped softly, and Sam turned to look at his gleaming Camaro with a fond smile of his own, "That's a thanks for everything Bee, and as I haven't already said it, welcome home".
As Bumblebee watched Sam walk into the house, he felt a flare of contentment run through his spark, which only increased as he felt Mikaela shift in her seat. When he'd landed on this small planet only days ago, Bee never would have thought that he could find a home which felt so right, especially after the wobbly start he and Sam had gotten off to, and he certainly hadn't dreamed of finding his sparkmate, as she had claimed his spark just as thoroughly as any sparkbond could have. Sighing contentedly to himself, Bee chirped softly at Mikaela and when he got no reply, Bee realised with a smile she'd gone to sleep. Gently reclining the seat, and setting his heaters to warm, Bee softly whispered "Goodnight beautiful" before he closed his optics for his own well deserved recharge.
oOoOo
As the morning sunlight filtered through the gaps of the wooden garage, Mikaela opened eyes that were momentarily clouded with confusion. However as she looked around her, she soon realised where she was and she smiled happily as she realised that she hadn't been dreaming, she was still with Bumblebee. As she absent mindedly traced the stitching on Bee's seats, Mikaela grinned when she heard the soft chirp coming from Bee's radio, "Sorry big guy, didn't mean to wake you".
"You didn't beautiful. I woke earlier when Judy came looking for you". Mikaela could still hear the tiredness in Bee's voice, and she smiled softly, "Get back to your recharge Bee, I'll go find Judy and let her know that I'm okay. I'll see you in a little while. Love you big guy". Mikaela heard Bee's chirp as she climbed out of the car, and as she watched the Camaro sink back down on his wheels, she smiled to herself as she was pretty sure Bee would already be back in recharge before she got into the house.
Still smiling to herself, Mikaela was unprepared for Judy's enthusiastic greeting as she entered the kitchen from the garage, "Good morning Mikaela, sleep well?". Mikaela blushed as she saw the smile in Judy's eyes, and the older woman chuckled, "It's okay sweetie, I know it's a little unconventional but its more than obvious how much you mean to him. Last night proved that". Mikaela frowned as she heard the chuckle in Judy's voice, and having seen Bee's protective side, asked worriedly, "Why? What did he do?".
"Don't look so worried, he didn't do anything. It's just I'm pretty sure he knew the moment I entered the garage, and he made it pretty clear that you were staying right where you were when he locked all the doors". Mikaela chuckled as she saw the amusement on Judy's face, "That would explain why he was so tired this morning when I woke. He's had a rough few days". Judy saw the shadows in Mikaelas eyes, and reached out to her, gently patting her hand as she looked at Mikaela with serious eyes, "As have you and Sammy. Why don't I show you to your new room, then you can go have a nice long relaxing shower, then I'll get some breakfast on the go". Mikaela smiled back at Judy, "Thanks again Mrs Witwicky, I really appreciate this you know". Judy patted her on the shoulder affectionately as she saw the sheen of tears in the young girls eyes, "Its okay Mikaela, if I'd known you were on your own all that time, you could have moved in long ago". As Mikaela was unable to hide the tears any longer, Judy scooped her up into a hug and gently stroked her hair, just as she had done with Sam when he'd awoken during the night after a particularly vivid nightmare, "Its okay baby, cry it out. After the few days you've had it'll make you feel better, then you can go for that shower and wash away all the evidence". Mikaela smiled gratefully at Judy as she wiped her eyes, before Judy led her to the room that was now hers.
Feeling much better as she made her way back downstairs, Mikaela smiled as she saw Sam chatting to his mother, before he turned to smile at her, "Hey 'Kaela. How you feeling this morning?". Mikaela pushed her damp hair out of her eyes, and looked over at Sam, "Fine why?". Sam wiggled his eyebrows, "You didn't come in last night". Mikaela threw her towel at Sam, who laughed until he saw the look his mother was giving him, as Mikaela replied, "Again mind out of the gutter Sam. I was sleeping and so was Bee". As she sat down at the table, her stomach growled when she saw the homemade pancakes, and Judy smiled at Mikaela, "Help yourself sweetie. The boys have already eaten their own body weight in pancakes, so they're all for you". Mikaela chuckled as she saw the expression on Sam's face, "I was hungry Mom, I didn't really have a lot of time for snacks while saving the world. By the way, where has Dad disappeared off to?". Judy smiled at the two teenagers, before glancing towards the garage door with a roll of her eyes, "He's bonding with the newest member of the family".
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Bumblebee couldn't hide his smile as he watched Ron Witwicky walk round him once again, admiring the new look of the Camaro, his brown eyes reflecting the same look of excitement that Sam's had the night he'd changed alt-modes, "I must say Bumblebee, I far prefer this paint job to the first one. Maybe Judy will get off my back now about being cheap, so thanks for that". Bee chuckled appreciatively, thinking back to that fateful day at the car lot, "Thank you". Ron's brown eyes then turned serious, "I also want to say thank you for keeping my son safe, and also for keeping Mikaela safe too. Sam told us what those agents did to you, and also about how you got injured trying to keep them from harm, and if there is anyway we can repay you we will". Bee felt the tension that had reached into his spark when he'd seen the serious look fade away as he heard the emotion in Ron's voice, and he chirped quietly at the older Witwicky male before replying softly, "You have repayed me enough by allowing me to stay, and it is my job to protect Sam, which I will do always, especially now he has become a friend. Mikaela however I need to protect as the thought of anything happening to her hurts my spark". Ron looked at Bee with confused eyes, so Bee elaborated for him, "Our spark is what makes us. It is what gives us life, Ratchet says it is much like your human hearts, however our sparks can communicate to each other and bond with those it chooses as our spark mate". Bee paused for a moment as he recalled the afternoon he'd first seen Mikaela, and how his spark had reacted so violently, and Ron chuckled as he heard the purr from the engine, which caused Bee to shift embarrassedly, "What I am trying to say is that from the first time I saw her, my spark fell for her, and somehow I am lucky enough that she returns those feelings". Ron smiled and patted the hood of the Camaro sympathetically as he heard the bemusement, but also the real affection in Bee's voice, "Its okay, we've all been there. First time I saw Judy, somehow I knew she was the one for me, took her a little while to come round to the idea but it all worked out for the best.
"And from childhood, Mikaela has always been a very determined young lady who very much knows her own mind, and I'm pretty sure that if her mind and her heart is set on you, nothing would stop her". Bumblebee chirped softly, and smiled to himself, 'See you're worrying about nothing, trust in your spark, and in your girls judgement'. However before he could reply at Ron's comment, his receptors pricked up as he heard the sound of Mikaela's voice bickering with Sam's as they neared the garage, and he found his spark was jumping excitedly. Ron noticed the Camaro bouncing slightly on his wheels and chuckled when he too heard the voices, guessing correctly what it was that had caused Bee 's sudden enthusiasm, "Oh yes my boy, you've got it bad".
Bee chirped in confirmation as Mikaela and Sam entered the garage, his spark jumping excitedly as he saw Mikaela smiling at him. Judy then entered the garage too, and smiled over at her husband and Bumblebee, "Finished your bonding session out here ?". Ron nodded as Bee chirped once again, "Yes dear, just having a chat about guy stuff". Judy held up her hands in frustration, "Oh how I hate that phrase, 'guy stuff', it's just you boys being secretive". Mikaela backed her up with a smile, but her smile became a full-blown laugh as she saw the matching expressions on Ron and Sam's faces as they both nodded, and as she looked at Bee, Mikaela was certain that if he had have been in his bi-pedal mode, he too would have nodded along with them. Ron looked over at his wife, "Don't I always tell you in the end though". Judy smiled back at Ron, and nodded, "Well yes you do. Anyway you come back into the house with me Ron, leave poor Bee alone. I'm sure he's had enough of people poking questions at him". Bee chirped quickly, "Its fine really, though can I show Ron just one last thing?". Judy nodded, and Sam looked at his father with confusion, who had an excited grin on his face. Mikaela however noticed Ron's expression, and guessed what it was that Ron had asked the Autobot, and she settled down on the steps to watch as Bee slowly transformed into his bi-pedal mode, the process never-failing to amaze her, the fluid movements making her own heart race excitedly as she looked up into the face and optics she loved so dearly, before she noticed with a smile that Bee only just fit in the garage, before chuckling even more as she saw the amazed expression on Ron's face. Sam leant over and whispered in her ear, "Please tell me I've never looked at Bee like that". Before Mikaela could answer, Bee voiced a girly scream through his speakers, and Sam winced, thinking back to the night in the warehouse yard, "Okay so it wasn't my finest moment, but it's not everyday your car turns into a giant robot Bee". Judy and Ron smiled up at Bee once more, before Judy looked over at the teens, "Just to let you both know, you have the next couple of days off school, then you're back after the weekend, so enjoy your free time while you can. I'm sure there'll be plenty of work for you to catch up on when you get back". Sam sighed as his parents left the garage, the joy of being off school tempered by the thought of the work waiting for him. Mikaela however smiled up at Bee, pleased that they would get a few more days together, before nudging a still grumbling Sam in the ribs, "Hey come on Sam. You now have your homework partner living with you, and I'm pretty sure Bee can find us answers to anything, can't you big guy?". Bee nodded and chirped, "Not a problem beautiful. So what have we got planned for today then?". Mikaela and Sam both chuckled at Bee's enthusiasm, Mikaela quickly claiming her familiar spot on Bee's shoulder when he held a hand out for her, whilst Sam sat on the step below as they began to plan their day, an well-deserved air of contentment settling over the small group who had been through so much.
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A/N: Hey guys, sorry this has taken so long to get out but my inner muse has been on strike for large portions of my spare time... so add that to my higgledy piggledy working hours and its been a nightmare :( Anyway here's the new chappie, it's as good as its going to get unfortunately, it's still not as good as I wanted but I'm 90% happy with it, and I think it's one of my longest yet. Hope you all like it and hopefully my inner muse will start behaving herself so next chappie wont take as long xx