Chapter 26- New Beginnings.
The next few weeks passed happily for Sam, Mikaela and Bumblebee. Over the first few days, Bee had been given the grand tour of Tranquility, which as Mikaela and Bee had privately agreed was more of an excuse for Sam to show off his 'new car', which if anyone asked had been a gift from his grandmother which had caused Bee to break out in delighted laughter when Sam had mentioned it, as he remembered the sarcastic comment Trent had made on the day of the lake party when he'd first seen the Camaro, quietly thinking to himself 'Looking a damn sight better than your shiny truck now, and I got your girl too'. As Mikaela had noticed Bee shaking she'd raised her eyebrows but Sam, who'd quickly guessed why Bee was giggling to himself, had just shrugged and looked back at her, "I don't know 'Kaela. Somethings tickled him though". Bee had enjoyed the time cruising round the streets, his spark humming contentedly as he listened to Sam and Mikaela pointing out the various landmarks, and different things that had happened at certain places, and it has eased a little of the lingering homesickness that he'd been feeling as he soon began to feel at home on the city's streets.
Bee had also been introduced properly to Miles and to Mikaela's friend Carly. Sam had checked whether he could let a few select humans in on Bee's secret over Bee's comm-link, and Optimus had reluctantly agreed on the condition that 'the boy, and anyone else, must not say a word'. Sam had promised Optimus that he would make sure Miles understood this, and Mikaela had made the same promise for Carly. Mikaela hadn't been convinced about Miles's ability to keep quiet, worried that it would cause trouble for Bee and the others, but as Sam had pointed out to Mikaela in defence of his friend, "Mikaela, Miles is the king of conspiracy theories. If he thinks we're getting one up on the government, he'll keep it quiet". Bee had chirped loudly at this point, Mikaela raising her eyebrows as she heard the disgruntled tone in her bots voice, "Whats up big guy?". Sam had also looked up at Bee, and when he saw the annoyed look in his friends optics, Sam suddenly recalled the day at the lake party, "The paint comments? Seriously you can't still be grumpy about that". Mikaela looked confused as Sam explained Miles comments about Bee's first alt-mode through his laughter, trying to ignore the way Bee was sitting with his arms crossed, the annoyed look still glowing in his optics, as he did so. Mikaela listened patiently and although she found Bee's annoyance amusing and more than justified, she wasn't about to show that to him. Tapping his leg gently, she looked up at her 'bot and through the annoyance, she saw the flicker of hurt in his optics, "Let me up big guy". Bee reluctantly held his hand out and she climbed on, snuggling into his curled palm as he lifted her to his optic level, "I can't help it beautiful, he was mean about my paintwork, and he was mean about you". Mikaela hid her smile as she heard the hurt tone of Bee's voice, and she rested her palm on the side of his face, smiling as he leant into her touch with a soft purr, "He wasn't to know Bee, and me and Miles will never see eye to eye; and although I think Miles is slightly weird, he's also Sam's friend and it would mean a lot to him if Miles can share this with him. Come on Bee, Sam accepted your friends without question". Bee looked back at Mikaela, and nodded slowly as her words sunk into his processor, "Okay beautiful, but I still don't have to like him". Mikaela chuckled and placed a kiss on Bee's cheek, "Thank you, it'll mean a lot to Sam". Bee had then let Mikaela down and still grumbling to himself, he had transformed back to his alt-mode, allowing Sam and Mikaela to jump in so they could go and collect their respective friends.
Miles as expected had almost collapsed with excitement when Bee's secret had been revealed, "Oh My God Sam, this is like way too cool. Your car is a freaking robot, damn I'm jealous". Mikaela had seen the smirk on Bee's features, and silently guessed that Miles was on his way to being forgiven for the paint comments. Carly initially had been more than a little freaked by Bee's transformation, not that she had let it show as she'd somehow sensed that the robot meant a lot to her best friend and as the afternoon had gone on, and as she'd seen the way Bee and Mikaela had interacted with each other, she'd gradually lost her fear of him, and had even joined Mikaela up on Bee's shoulder at one point, smiling at her friend as she did so, "Have to say Mik, the big guy here is a big improvement on all the other guys you've dated". Bumblebee had chirped happily, "Thank you Carly, Sam thinks the same too". Sam had looked up at Carly and grinned, and she'd smiled back shyly, causing Mikaela to whisper to Bee, "Matchmaking are we?". Bee had chirped innocently, but Mikaela had seen the amusement sparkling in his optics.
Bumblebee had also spent several hours coaching Sam how to get used to some of some of his more intense driving, as Sam's lack of confidence had worried Bee, and he and Mikaela had decided that he needed some help with increasing it. Using one of the deserted warehouse yards on Tranquility's outskirts, Bee had strapped Sam in, and run through his paces, coming to a halt when he'd heard Sam's screams the first time they had tried it. Sam had finally stopped screaming a full five minutes after Bumblebee had stopped, and had glared crossly at his friend, "That's not funny Bee. You know I don't like it". Bee had stopped laughing, and after popping the door open to allow Sam out, he had quickly transformed so he could look at Sam with optics that glowed seriously before replying to Sam's protests in a quiet but firm voice with "I may not always be able to drive for you Sam, particularly if I was to get injured whilst in my alt-mode, so I need to know you know enough to keep yourself safe". Sam had heard the plea in Bee's voice and had relented, especially after he'd watched Mikaela. She'd seen Sam's uncertainty, and she knew how worried Bumblebee was about it too, and she knew there was no way Sam would let her be a better driver of his car than he was, so she had jumped into the Camaro when Bee had transformed back down, settled herself into the driver's seat and asked for driving control. Bee had happily relinquished it to her and as they'd raced around the deserted yards, Bee's spark had raced with exhilaration as Mikaela had handled the driving with perfect control, even as he'd increased the speeds. When they'd finally returned to where Sam was still standing, he'd looked at Mikaela's excited expression with raised eyebrows, especially when he'd also heard Bee's racing engine even though he was now stationary, and shook his head with a sigh, "Seriously you two need to get a room, garage, whatever. Though that was pretty damn amazing I have to say, just don't expect me to be going that quick anytime soon". However after a few weeks, Mikaela's plan had worked and although Sam would never have her natural ability, Bumblebee had confessed to her as they sat together in the Witwicky's garage as they did every night that he was now far happier with Sam's driving ability than he had been.
Sam and Mikaela had also returned to school, and although Bee missed them while they were there, he enjoyed their rides to and from school. The first day back, Bee had almost off-lined himself trying to hide his laughter as he'd pulled up outside Tranquility High, and had seen the expressions of amazement and downright jealousy on the other students faces, especially Trent DiMarco's, who looked like he'd had his favourite toy taken away from him. Mikaela had climbed out of Bee first, surreptitiously patting the roof as she did so, as she whispered "See you later big guy". Bee had quietly revved his engine in response and Mikaela had smiled back at him, however her smile had slipped as Trent had walked towards her. Bee had seen the way she'd tensed and instantly tensed himself, Sam feeling the tension from where he was still sat in the driver's seat, "Hey easy Bee, don't think you squashing Trent will do the Autobot cover any good, much as I'd love to see it. 'Kaela will handle this, don't stress". Bee grumbled quietly through the radio, but watched closely as Trent reached where Mikaela was standing, thinking to himself, 'I'll think of a cover story if I have to, if he upsets her again'.
"So has my little bunny decided she's had enough of the geek yet?". Mikaela heard the rumble of Bee's engine and she knew he'd heard Trent's comment. Smiling inwardly to herself, she looked back at Trent with a cold expression on her face, "First up you refer to me as your little bunny again and I will hurt you and hurt you good. Secondly, no I'm still friends with the geek. Thirdly and most importantly, he lets me drive his shiny new car, which I have to say would literally kick your Escalade's ass, and I really mean that". She had then done no more than walk into the school, leaving a dumbfounded Trent staring at Sam as he too exited the gleaming Camaro, which unbeknown to any of the other humans was beaming at Mikaela's putdown. Another thing Bee loved on the school runs was that he often got to take on driving duties so Sam could finish his homework on the way to school, much to Mikaela's amusement, and it made her chuckle even more when Bee was supplying the answers to said homework, "Really Sam, it should be Bee getting the higher grades not you". However his favourite moment of the day was when Mikaela came out of the school building, and he would see her scanning the parking lot, her eyes lighting up when she finally spotted him, making Bee's spark race excitedly. Sam had learnt to allow Mikaela to get to Bee first, he'd sat through enough of their afternoon reunions, which suited Mikaela and Bee just fine as it gave them time to catch up on each others days, before Bee would carefully slide the seatbelt around her, his spark settling back into its familiar rhythm as soon as he felt her rest her head against the upholstery of his seats, and Mikaela would feel all the days worries fade away as she heard Bees quiet whisper of "Missed you beautiful".
oOoOo
6 months later...
"Hey Shorty, long time no see". Bumblebee grinned as he saw Jazz walking towards him, "Hey Jazz, good to see you too. All fixed up?".
"Yeah, Ratch did his magic. Good as new again". Bee saw Jazz's optics dim slightly, and Bee knew exactly how the older Autobot was feeling. Bee occasionally still woke during his recharges, his spark pounding as he imagined a dark red pair of optics staring down at him maliciously, even though he knew Megatron had been destroyed. Bee looked back at Jazz, his optics glowing sympathetically, "It'll get better Jazz. Anyway where is Ratchet seeing as he's ordered me in for a medical before you all ship out to the island in the sun". Jazz grinned broadly, "I'm guessing he'll be in the med bay, and sure you don't want to come with us". Bee looked back at Jazz, and although he would miss the rest of the Autobots when they left for Diego Garcia, where they would be helping to set up the new N.E.S.T base; Bumblebee knew he couldn't leave Mikaela, or Sam, and he gazed back at Jazz with a smile on his face, "Sorry Jazz but I'm staying right here, where I belong".
A short while later, Bumblebee had found Ratchet in the med bay, and had been given the all clear by the medic, who was pleased with the progress the youngster had made, "I'm pleased to say Bumblebee that all your injuries have healed, and healed well. There shouldn't be any further complications, so it doesn't bother me that you have chosen to stay behind. I have to say with the strength of your bond with Mikaela, I am quite glad that you have chosen to stay as it would probably be more than a little uncomfortable for your spark if you had decided to come with us". Bee chirped questioningly at the medic, and Ratchet looked back at Bumblebee with a smile, "When you create a sparkbond, it connects the two of you for life, and you each take a piece of the others spark. It is what makes the bond so strong, but it is also why it is so painful when the bondmates are separated". As he heard Bee chirp again, Ratchet shook his head, "Not as yet youngster. Still no word from any of the others, despite our efforts to contact them. However I am more than certain that Elita and Chromia will find a way back to us, along with Arcee and the others, so do not worry too much about Optimus and Ironhide, they both have their own way of dealing with it.
"However as I was saying, somehow your spark has bonded to Mikaela. How, even I do not know, but I think it has much to do with the fact that her heart feels the same for you, which appears to have sealed your bond. So that is why I am glad you have decided to stay, and although I am sure that at some point you will be needed on the new base we will try to limit the time you are apart". Bumblebee gazed back at Ratchet, his processors thinking through everything Ratchet had told him, and he found that it all made sense. His spark always felt uncertain when Mikaela wasn't around, and only really settled when they were together. Bee sighed contentedly, and Ratchet shook his head, hiding his smile behind a hand as he looked at the youngster who had hopped off the examination table, "Oh and by the way, Optimus thinks that your suggestion makes a lot of sense. I've adjusted the settings slightly but it is much the same rules as always, though I've given you a bit more distance which I'm sure you'll appreciate".
"Thanks Ratchet, though how come Optimus agreed to it?". Ratchet looked back at Bee, "He thought you out of all of us would find it the most useful, though I am sure we will be using ours whilst on the base, it will make interactions with those not familiar with our true form easier to begin with". Bee couldn't help the laugh that escaped from him, and Ratchet sighed, "You may laugh Bee, but we're the ones who will have to live with Ironhide, so forgive me if I don't share the amusement. He's already grumbling about it, and we're not even there yet". Bee chuckled, before looking up at Ratchet, a thoughtful expression in his optics, "Ratchet? Do you think Optimus would agree to one more request?". Ratchet shrugged as he went back to sorting out his supplies, "The best way to find out is to go and ask him".
oOoOo
"Whats the big surprise Sam, and where's Bee? No offence to you Jazz". The silver Solstice chuckled, "None taken little lady, but Bee is just fine. It's just he wanted to stay on base to say goodbye, and we thought you guys might want to say goodbye too, and it seemed silly for Bee to drive here and then back". Mikaela sighed, "Makes sense I guess, though I still think there's something you're not telling me Sam". However as Sam shook his head and Jazz reassured her that Bee was just fine, Mikaela felt her worries lessen slightly but she still couldn't relax in Jazz the same way she could with Bee.
A few hours later and they had arrived at the base much to Mikaela's relief and as she climbed out of Jazz's interior after Sam, Jazz quickly transformed behind them, leading them towards a large hanger, "Everyone is in here, and yes Mikaela that includes Bumblebee". Mikaela didn't see the smile that passed between Jazz and Sam, if she had of done she would have been certain that they were up to something, but she was more concerned about why he wasn't there to greet them. As they entered the hanger, Mikaela saw all the other Autobot's but she still saw no sign of Bumblebee and she turned to glare at Jazz and Sam, "Okay not funny, where is he?".
"Hello to you both. Mikaela, it is not the fault of Jazz or Sam that Bumblebee is not here, I needed him to go over to one of the other hangers for a short while. You may go and join him shortly". Sam waved a hello, but Mikaela looked up at Optimus, her blue eyes sparkling angrily as she gazed at the Autobot leader, "Oh can I really?. Well how about I just go and find him now as I'm not waiting any longer". As Mikaela marched back out of the hanger to go and search for Bee, she missed the laughter that rang out behind her as Sam looked up at Optimus through eyes that brimmed with amusement, "Well that couldn't have worked any better if we'd tried". Optimus returned Sam's smile, "I didn't think that Mikaela would appreciate being told to wait, anyway she will soon find Bumblebee, he isn't far away. I only hope she will be okay". Sam looked up at Optimus with raised eyebrows, and he noticed Ironhide was doing the same, "Oh come on, she'll be fine. She loves him as he is now, so this is going to be a piece of cake to accept after that". Ironhide nodded in agreement, "I'm with Sam on this, and trust me if Bumblebee wasn't sure Mikaela would be okay with it, he wouldn't have suggested it, so stop worrying. They will be fine, though we may want to leave them alone for a while so any ideas on how we can keep out of the way".
oOoOo
A/N: Hey guys still here... soz that its taken me a while to update but it took me a while to get into the flow of this chappie and its changed route on me several times! Anyway hope you all like, it's not quite as detailed as I wanted but I just don't have the time to do day by day chappies, and as I wanna get to ROTF, I thought this would be the easiest way to do it! Soz for the slight cliffie at the end here but the next chappie is going to be pure fluff... big old clouds of marshmallow fluff... and to Makkenna Witwicky, next chappie I promise so please don't hurt me x