Chapter 27- New Faces.
"Mikaela wait". Mikaela turned to see Sam running after her as she walked across the seemingly deserted base, "Look Sam, I don't know whats going on but I want to see Bee and I want to see him now". Sam flinched as he saw the look in Mikaela's determined blue eyes and knew he wasn't going to be able to stall her for long, and he found himself hoping that Ratchet could sort out whatever it was that had caused the panicked comm-link message from Bumblebee before Mikaela got to him and the surprise was ruined. "Mikaela I know you want to see Bee, and trust me he really wants to see you too, but 'Kaela please you just need to hold fire for a few minutes. It's going to be worth it I promise". Mikaela looked at Sam, "Why can't you just tell me whats going on Sam?. I'm worried about him, as the last time I was separated from him like this it wasn't good". Sam knew Mikaela was referring to the night Bumblebee had been captured and pulled her into a quick hug, which she returned gratefully as the unwanted images flooded her head, "Its okay 'Kaela. You're going to love this surprise". Mikaela heard the enthusiasm in Sam's voice, and deep down she knew Bumblebee wouldn't keep her waiting unless he had to and he certainly wouldn't plan anything that was going to upset her. Pulling out of Sam's arms, she looked at him with a reluctant smile, "Okay you win. I'll hold fire til I get the all clear, but it'd had better be worth the wait, or you're all gonna get it". Sam grinned widely, recalling the moment the other Autobots had shown him their holoforms and how impressive they were, "Oh hell yes it's going to be worth it".
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"Bumblebee. Calm down. If you don't, then there is certainly no chance of your holoform working properly, not for the first time anyway". Bumblebee chirped plaintively at Ratchet, "I can't help it, what if Mikaela doesn't like it, me, whatever". Ratchet rested a palm on the roof of the shaking Camaro, "Listen youngster. I have seen more than enough sparkbonds to last me several vorns, and somehow you and Mikaela have created one far stronger than most I see. If she is unsure of the holoform she will still love the real you, which I am quite sure is much more important, so you have nothing to lose. Just trust in what you feel about the situation, and follow your spark". Bee took a deep intake of breath in through his vents and concentrated on steadying his racing spark as he did so. Gradually he felt it settle, and Ratchet patted his roof, "Well done youngling. Now try once again, focus on your image and once your spark has centered on it you will be all updated and activated again".
Bumblebee focused on the image he had created for his holoform, which he'd created with some help from Sam and Carly, and although the static tickled as it began to form, Bee ignored it and focused as he knew he had to do this, mainly as it would allow him and Mikaela to spend a lot more time together than they could now, provided she accepted this new version of him. As the holoform flickered, Bee heard Ratchets calm voice telling him to steady his spark, and as he did so Bee finally felt his new and improved holoform anchor itself to his spark.
"Well done Bumblebee. See that wasn't so difficult once you concentrated was it?". Bee had gotten out of his alt-mode and rested against it as he leant back to look up at Ratchet, as although his holoform was tall for a human, against the medic he was tiny, a smile lighting up his still bright blue eyes as he finally got to speak using his real voice, "Not really, though it's pretty obvious why 'Hide is gonna hate it". Ratchet smiled, it had been far too long since he'd heard the cheerful tone of Bee's voice, "His holoform is already the tallest we can make it without rousing suspicion and still he's not happy, but he'll adapt given time especially when he realises he's taller than probably most of the other humans on the island. He already has the height advantage on Optimus". Bee laughed, "Lets hope so, though I'm not convinced. Anyway thanks for the help Ratchet". Ratchet smiled down at Bee, "No problem youngling, it is about time you were allowed to enjoy yourself, after everything you have been through both here and back at home. Anyway I will go and find Sam, and hopefully Mikaela, and lead them over". Bee grinned at Ratchet, "Its okay Ratch, I'll go find them, may as well surprise her good and proper". The holoform disappeared as Bee raced out of the hanger in his alt-mode, and Ratchet shook his head with a smile as he quickly comm-linked the others to let them know the problem was fixed and he was on his way back.
oOoOo
Mikaela turned her head round as she heard the familiar roar of the Camaro's engine and a smile quickly appeared on her face as Bumblebee came to a stop just in front of her and Sam, "Hey big guy, you been hiding from me?". Bee chirped, and nudged her gently with his bumper, "Not at all beautiful, but I need you to close your eyes for a second, I have something I want to show you". Mikaela glanced at Sam, who had hurriedly turned his chuckle into a badly disguised cough, but looked back at Bee, "Well I guess it wouldn't be a proper surprise if I didn't have to close my eyes". As she closed her eyes, Mikaela heard Bee's chuckle, "No it wouldn't", and smiled to herself as she stood with her eyes closed.
Moments later she felt a pair of hands rest over her eyes and she sighed impatiently, "Sam, you're not funny. Bee, tell him to stop". From where he was standing behind her Bee smiled at Sam, who grinned back and quickly left the two of them alone; before Bee returned his attention to Mikaela, "It's not Sam". Mikaela tensed, even though somehow she recognised the voice, "Well if it's not Sam, who is it?. Bee where are you?". Bee chuckled softly, "I'm right here beautiful, turn round and open your eyes". He quickly moved his hands before leaning against his far more familiar alt-mode as he watched Mikaela turn round slowly, her eyes widening as she rested her gaze on his holoform, her blue eyes full of confusion as she gazed at the young man leaning against the Camaro, "Yeah I can see you're there Bee but who's the other guy?".
"It is me beautiful, this is your surprise". Mikaela suddenly realised why she recognised the voice she had heard, it was a far clearer version of Bee's true voice, and as she gazed into his clear blue eyes, she saw the same love and affection she saw every time she looked into Bee's optics, "Okay so it is you, but how is it you?". Bee smiled softly as he heard the uncertainty in her voice, "Its my holoform beautiful. We use them occasionally so that it's easier for us to blend in, but because of the work Optimus and the others will be doing on the new base, Ratchet has upgraded them and Optimus has given us the all clear to use them more often". Mikaela reached out an uncertain hand towards Bee, before smiling as she recalled the night she'd first seen him transform and how she'd itched to reach out for him then, and how she'd felt far less nervous too. However as she took his hand in hers, and Bee pulled her into a hug, Mikaela felt herself relax into his tight embrace, feeling the same sense of protection she always felt when she was with Bee. Leaning back slightly she looked up into his blue eyes, and chuckled softly, "I'm used to you being so much taller, but I could get used to this". Bee smiled back at her, his spark full of relief that Mikaela had accepted yet another change, "I'm just glad you like".
"Of course I like, you look pretty damn good as a human, so what's not to like, but can we just get one thing straight". Bee looked at Mikaela with worried eyes, "Yeah, what?". Mikaela saw the worry and rested a hand on Bee's cheek, smiling as he leant into it just as he did when he was in his bi-pedal form, "It's okay its nothing major, I just wanted to let you know that although I am loving this all new you, it's not the you I fell in love with, so don't you go hiding your big metal self okay. That's how I will always love you best".
Bee felt his spark jump excitedly as he heard Mikaela's words and as he looked back into her blue eyes, he could see she meant every word. Resting his head on top of hers, Bee sighed contentedly before placing a soft kiss on the top of Mikaela's head, "You know what from the first time I saw you, I knew in my spark you were something pretty amazing, and that proves it". Mikaela pulled out of Bee's embrace, and looked up at him with a smile, "Oh I think you win on the amazing first impressions big guy, or should I say slightly shorter big guy". Bee heard the teasing tone of Mikaela's voice, "Oh so now we're making short jokes, I don't think so". Mikaela squealed as Bee grabbed her round the waist, picking her up and putting her over his shoulder, "So what were you saying?".
"Okay I didn't mean it, put me down please, its making me really dizzy". Bee grinned and spun round, causing Mikaela to squeal even louder, before he set her down on her feet. Mikaela wobbled alarmingly and rested against the Camaro, before looking at Bee through narrowed eyes, "Okay that's no ordinary human strength, something you're not telling me?". Bee looked back at her, the innocent expression on his face not matching the mischief that was shining in his blue eyes, "Maybe we get to keep one or two of our extra curricular powers".
"Oh really, like what?".
"Ah now that would be telling". Mikaela grinned up at Bee, "Guess I'm going to have fun finding out then aren't I?'. Bee nodded, a matching grin on his own face, "Yup, though not as much fun as I'm going to have learning all these new human things". As Bee pressed her back against the bonnet of his alt-mode, Mikaela smiled up at him, "Oh you seem to be learning pretty quickly to me", before their lips met in a searing kiss, which left both of them breathless.
oOoOo
"Well from what I can see, it's going great".
"Are you sure Sam?". Sam looked over at Ironhide from his vantage point on Jazz's shoulder, and as he felt Jazz chuckling below him, Sam grinned back at the concerned weapons specialist, "Trust me on this Ironhide, your boy is doing just great'. Jazz nodded his head in agreement, "Seriously 'Hide, Bee is doing just fine, and Mikaela seems pretty happy with the new adjustments". Sam snickered, and Jazz chuckled along with him for a while before pointing out that it was technically his car they were making out on, causing Sam to protest loudly about "Too much information dude" over Jazz's full-blown laughter.
"What does he mean 'making out'?". Ratchet looked over at Ironhide, "I believe it is the human term for what we would call interfacing". Ratchet saw Ironhide's eyebrows lift and hurriedly continued, "Though as with us there are different levels so don't look so worried. Bumblebee knows what he is doing, and I don't believe for one second that Mikaela is capable of hurting him either, so stop worrying about them. They will find a way to make this work". Ironhide looked back at Ratchet, "I know all that, but he's my youngling; and trust me Ratch, I know how hard having a relationship during a war can be".
"Chromia will be fine Ironhide, she'll be here before you know it. And Mikaela and Bumblebee managed to form their relationship during a war, which Mikaela was thrown into much faster than Bee, so I think they'll be fine with whatever else is thrown at them, as you know as well as I do, the Decepticons will be back at some point". Ironhide looked back at Ratchet with serious optics, "Of course they will, I just hope we're ready for it when they do come back"
"We will be ready Ironhide". Ironhide and Ratchet turned to look at Optimus who had walked up behind them, "I know they will be back at some point, Starscream will not rest, but hopefully with this new alliance with the humans we will be able to fight that threat when it occurs". Optimus then looked back out of the hanger to where Bee and Mikaela were walking towards them hand in hand, "However that is something we do not need to worry about at the moment, for the moment we need to concentrate on those things that are important to us in the here and now".
oOoOo
"Why do I get the feeling we're being watched?". Bee looked over at Mikaela, and grinned at her, squeezing her hand as he did so, "Yeah I kinda get that feeling too, but lets just say I was more than a little nervous about how you'd react". Mikaela chuckled softly, "So I don't freak out when I realise you're a giant robot but I'm gonna freak out when you've suddenly got a human side, honestly Bee you worry too much". Bee squeezed her hand once more, loving the feel of her skin against his, "I'm beginning to think so".
As they neared the hanger, Bee and Mikaela both hid a chuckle as they saw the rest of the Autobots trying to look like they were busy, with the exception of Jazz who stayed by the doors with Sam on his shoulder; grinning at the pair of them of them as they walked in, "Okay so we're busted, you caught us. Just making sure it was all going okay". Bee looked up at Jazz, and at Sam, before sharing a smile with Mikaela, who was also looking up at the grinning pair, "Yes its going fine, though I still can't believe you were all so worried about me having a problem about it". Jazz grinned at Mikaela, "Oh we weren't worried, it was just Shorty here over thinking things as usual". Bee chuckled, "Yeah yeah, so maybe I was worried about nothing". Mikaela squeezed his hand, "Just a little".
"Mikaela, I see you like your surprise". Mikaela turned and looked up at Ratchet, smiling as she did so, "Yes I love it, and Bee tells me its you I have to thank for it". Ratchet nodded, "I only created the upgrades and installed them, it is up to the individual whether they use them, although I'm sure as Bee has told you, we will be using them on base".
"Well you all might be, I'm only using mine if I really have to". Mikaela looked over at a scowling Ironhide, "Whats up 'Hide, you don't fancy being our size for a while?". Ironhide continued to scowl as he looked back at Mikaela, and his scowl only increased as he heard not only Bee's laughter but Jazz's too, "No Mikaela, I don't wish to be your size, I like myself just the way I am thank you". Mikaela hid her smile, but couldn't help wishing she could see all the Autobot's holoforms. Bee saw her thoughtful look, and leant down to whisper in her ear, "Just ask them beautiful, they won't mind and they've already shown Sam, even 'Hide". Mikaela leant back against Bee, and sighed contentedly as he wrapped his strong arms around her, "They won't mind?". Bee rested his head on Mikaela's shoulder, "Not at all, though some may grump about it more than others". Ironhide looked down at a grinning Bee, "I heard that youngster, don't forget I can still nail your aft in human form if I need to"
"Ironhide, Bumblebee, enough. Mikaela you wished to see our holoforms?". Mikaela looked up at Optimus, "If I could please, I know Sam's seen you all, and I'd kind of like to see the rest of the family too". Optimus looked down at Mikaela with optics that glowed gently, "Thank you Mikaela, we are glad to have both you and Sam as family too. Autobots, transform".
As she heard the familiar sounds of the vehicles transforming, Mikaela turned to look at Bee, "So how come you have to be in your vehicle mode to activate the holoforms?".
"It's because they were originally designed to be used whilst we were in our alt-modes as a disguise, or to blend in. Sam can you remember Barricade had a holoform that he used?". Sam frowned, before the confusion cleared in his brown eyes, "That's why the police officer didn't answer me right". Bee looked back at Sam and nodded with a smile, "You guessed it buddy". Sam looked at Bee, "One question though, why didn't you use this form to get to know me first, would have been way easier". Bee looked back at Sam with a serious expression, "It would have been, but would you have found accepting our true forms any easier if you'd have met us like this first". Sam looked back at Bee, and at the rest of the Autobots who were now standing by their respective vehicles, "Somehow that would have been way weirder. Robots to humans I can handle". Bee chuckled, as did Sam, before they turned as they heard Mikaela's sharp intake of breath as she finally saw the rest of the holoforms. As she gazed at the Autobots, Mikaela smiled as she realised they all fit their alt-modes perfectly, even Ironhide who she realised with a chuckle was taller than all the others, even Optimus, "Seriously you guys look great, even you at the back there 'Hide". Ironhide looked back at Mikaela, his blue eyes standing out against the dark tone of his skin, "Thank you Mikaela".
"And I have to say you are still sporting a pretty impressive set of guns". Ironhide looked at her with raised eyebrows and Mikaela quickly indicated to his heavily muscled arms, "It's another term for muscles, but have to say looking good". Ironhide smiled at Mikaela, before leaning on the hood of the Topkick far more easily than he had been before. "Damn it girl, how'd you do it. We've tried for days to cheer the grumpy aft up".
"Jazz I am warning you"
"Well she only told you what we've been trying to tell your dumb ass for weeks, but now you listen to her, whats different?".
"I trust Mikaela not to make a joke of it that is why, unlike you". Mikaela felt the static in the air as Ironhide's hologram disappeared and the Topkick roared out of the hanger. The tall dark-haired man standing by the Peterbilt watched the disappearing Topkick with troubled dark blue eyes, "Oh Ironhide, will you just learn to ignore Jazz for once". Mikaela smiled as she recalled Optimus shaking his head in much the same way the very first night when they had looked for the glasses that had begun their story, and when she saw Sam's smile she knew he was thinking the same, especially when he leaned over and whispered "Uncanny really isn't it". Mikaela nodded as she watched Ratchet; who even in his human form had a serious air and, she noted with a smile, a tidy goatee beard; talking to Jazz, who was talking animatedly with his hands. However it was still Bumblebees holoform that impressed her the most as she gazed at him talking to Optimus. He was still one of the shorter members of the group, but by human standards Bee was still tall, and although he didn't have the heavy muscled build of Ironhide, Mikaela knew he was solidly built. However the things she loved most was the dark gold of his short hair, and his clear blue eyes, that was what made him her Bee, although she knew she would always love his bi-pedal self most of all, and although she was enjoying the time with him now she found she was missing her 'bot tremendously, "Bee?".
"Yes beautiful?".
"Can I have the real you back?". Bee smiled at her, before his holoform disappeared with a flicker of static. Mikaela looked at Sam, and muttered under her breath, "Okay that may take some getting used to I'll admit". Sam looked at her with disbelief, "That's the only bit of this that is weirding you out, and you say I'm the geek". He then walked off to talk to Jazz and the others, as Mikaela heard a familiar chirp. Turning she looked up into Bumblebees glowing blue optics, "Hey big guy, can a girl get a lift up?". Bee happily held a hand out, which she climbed onto quickly, "So did you like the surprise beautiful". Mikaela smiled as she heard the well stitched radio clips that to her was Bee's voice, "I loved it big guy, but I meant it when I said I loved you like this best of all. To me this is the Bumblebee I fell in love with, so don't go changing on me too often, promise?". Bee chirped in agreement and as he felt Mikaela curl up his palm, he held her close to his chest, knowing that he was well and truly bonded to the small dark-haired human who from the first day he'd seen her, had captured his spark completely.
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A/N: Hello. I'm still alive! I am sooooooooooo sorry for the wait for this chapter, I feel so bad but we've had family staying over, more crazy work hours, a major dose of flu (which I'm still trying to shift, damn germs), plus my daughter is nearing having her first baby so I've been really pushed for me time to dedicate to this, but I've managed it at long last! I know I promised lots of fluffiness, but that may be next chapter, as I kinda wanted to introduce everyone's holograms as well. Hopefully I'll try and get some links up for the pics of those lucky peeps I've used for my holograms, but I'm not overly technical so it may not work! There will probably be one last chappie for this story, then we'll hit the ROTF timeline, and I will warn you now, I WILL be jigging around with some bits of that film as although I love it, boy its confusing! Anyway hope you all enjoy :) Love you all lots... and if any of you have time machines, time turners or any thing of the like, send them on over to me... 24hrs in a day is just not enough ;) xx