Angel Heart: Awwww thank you very much. :)

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CHAPTER 45
Running

Jeff was silent that morning, but then again, he hadn't said much for a while. The last few days had taken their toll on him, in every way imaginable: physically, mentally, psychologically. But the fact that the Autobots, especially Prowl, seemed to be doting on him seemed to be getting on his nerves. Maybe he needed the fresh air, he had figured, that was why he had gone for a walk around the base with his backpack. "Where are you going?" Jeff nearly stopped in his tracks as he heard Optimus's loud and commanding voice as he turned his head towards the older mech "I believe your curfew has long past for the night." He noted.

Jeff frowned, he supposed he should get used to the Prime, now that he'd be staying. Prowl had already told him ahead of time that his close friend was a bit on the side of overprotective, and even though they barely knew each other, he already seemed that way. "How do you even know that I'm headed outside?" Jeff questioned "I just needed a walk." He added.

"You're headed for the front door." Optimus observed "Had you planned to run away?"

Damn, he's good. Was all Jeff could think.

Of course that had been what was in the back of his mind. After all, Jeff had never had anyone actually care this much, had them go out of their way to help. In a strange way it scared him that the Autobots cared so much, and his first reaction to fear was to run. "Maybe." Jeff shrugged "What does it matter to you? We barely know each other." He turned around to face the Autobot leader "If I left what would it mean to you?"

Optimus considered the child's question for a moment. It was true, he had no attachment of his own to the young man, but many others on base did. And in truth, he would have liked to find a connection to him too as he had the other Autobots, within time. "Everyone here cares about you, Jeffrey. Have they not proved that already?" Jeff shrugged his shoulders "I know how hard it hurts... Being orphaned." He told him gently "But you cannot push those still left in this world who care about and love you away because of it." He noted.

"They aren't my family." Jeff finally managed "My family should be here to take care of me... They should be here with the soup, with the meds." He felt tears sting his eyes a bit "Prowl might be the closest thing to family I have left. But what about the others? Why do they even give a damn? They're not." He shook his head "They don't want to be."

Optimus was silent for a long moment after that, his processor going through Jeff's response. Slowly, he crouched until he loomed over Jeff slowly. "Many Autobot soldiers grew up in this situation, Jeff." He explained "Bumblebee and myself included." He spoke softly "I know all too well, as the last of my kind, the Prime's, what it feels like. Familial ties can never truly be mended once they are severed." He explained "But I, myself know that if I had run away each time I wished too? I would never be the mech I was today." He added.

Jeff gave him a sideways glance, crossing his arms defensively. Optimus only looked at him as if he'd seen it all before and Jeff had no doubt that he had. Perhaps, centuries ago, the roles may have been reversed to Optimus and whomever was in charge at the time. "Do what you must, young one. But hear my words." Optimus's soft baritone calmed Jeff in an unusual way "They can never replace what you have lost, no one can." There was a pause "But what you have here, is a new family... A new start." He then added "We can be your family now, Jeff, all of us."

"You're at war!" Jeff replied in frustration "I could just as easily lose any one of you, and then what?" Optimus was silent at this "I'm tired of being alone, I'm tired of running, but if I stay here... All I'm delaying? Is the fact that any day I could lose all of you." He shook his head "I have to run because if I don't? What happens when that day comes?" He questioned.

"I cannot promise we will always be around, Jeffrey." Optimus replied honestly "But I can promise you that, if you should leave... Even after any of us may have passed on to the All Spark." He paused "These doors will always be open to you. With a warm bed, food, shelter, and yes Jeffrey... Love." He then added "Make your choice, son. But your place will always be here."

Sluggishly moving his backpack over his shoulder, Jeff stood, kicking the floor a bit. What Optimus had just promised him was something that even social services could never, once he was eighteen he was out. But now? He had somewhere he could stop into, say who he was, and go into any time from now until he was probably an elderly man. Shakily, he set the backpack down beside him, and nodded his head a bit. "I was about to do a very stupid thing wasn't I?" Jeff questioned.

"We all make one." Optimus stated calmly "Don't let this be yours." He motioned "Come with me, I'll take you back to Prowl's quarters."

Jeff was silent a moment, but slowly picked up his backpack, and walked towards Optimus. Somehow, he didn't know how the mech had done it (though he suspected voodoo magic was involved), he had gotten through to him. Perhaps, sticking around wouldn't be so bad after all.

...

"Jeff!"

Jeff's eyes lifted as Ratchet made his way from the med bay. Both he and Optimus stopped in their tracks. "Bumblebee has just come out of stasis." Ratchet reported "I am trying to give him sedatives, but he's refusing to. He wants proof that you're alright." He grunted "Get in there before I put another dent in his helm, will ye?" He questioned with a growl.

Jeff peered up at Optimus, who merely nodded as the young man rushed into the med bay. Sure enough, the small yellow scout was seated on a berth, rubbing the back of his helm. Ratchet had clearly hit him a few times, but it hadn't exactly worked. "Bee?" The mech turned, with his optics widening with delight "Thank God, you're okay. I was scared you'd died protecting me or something." He breathed.

"I've taken worse." Bumblebee replied with a smirk "I'm just glad to see that you're alright." He shook his head "They got me in stasis lock before I could grab you." He added.

Jeff shrugged his shoulders as if it was nothing. Though inwardly, he still trembled at the thought of Tarantulas carrying him off. Taking a couple of steps forward, he allowed the scout to scoop him up gently. "It's okay, Bee. You guys got me out okay." Jeff told him, staring up at him "I got a little bruised and battered and shit, but you know, it kinda comes with the territory, huh?" He grinned "Have to get used to it."

Bumblebee nodded with a small wink at the boy as Jeff sighed a bit. Jeff was glad he'd stayed, if nothing else, at the realization that Bumblebee may never have had the closure. Closure. He knew that he didn't have that yet either, but someday, he hoped he would. "Bee?" Bumblebee stared down at the boy "Optimus said you were raised in the conditions I'm in now..." Jeff started "It isn't so bad... The whole, "this base is your family" deal, is it?" He questioned.

Bumblebee gave a mischievous smirk in response to that. With a shake of his head, he shook a finger lightly. "C'mon kid, we're only a little embarrassing." The scout replied "You're gonna love it here, since I take it you're staying...?" Jeff nodded a bit "Great, I've always wanted a little brother." He poked the boy a bit "Welcome aboard." He noted.

"Are you satisfied that he is functioning yet?"

Ratchet stood in the doorway, watching the two of them. Jeff only rolled his eyes as Bumblebee carefully set him down on the ground. "In a rush to get rid of me already, Hatchet?" Jeff teased.

"You need to be in bed." Ratchet snapped "You're still recovering!" He then added "Do I need to send more soup your way?"

"No more soup, big guy." Jeff patted the mech's leg as he walked by "Goodnight."

"G'night you little pit spawn."

Jeff could only smirk at the slightly playful tone to Ratchet's reply. In the back of his mind, he could tell quite easily that it was meant in a "loving" way, or at least, whatever the equivalent of "loving" would be to Ratchet. As Jeff left, Bumblebee smirked at Ratchet. "Well, looks like I won't be the "sparkling" on the base anymore." Bumblebee grinned "'Bout time I lost that title." He added.

"Don't get your hopes up. Jeff ages each year, not thousand years like us." Ratchet shook his head "Before you know it, he'll probably have his own kids."

Bumblebee seemed to slouch in disappointment at that, knowing he was full-well doomed to be the "child" forever. Yet at least for a while, he would get to play that "big brother" role that he had been practicing with Sam through his high school years. "Ouch!" He felt a sting on his door wing "What was that for?" He questioned.

"Stop slouching." Ratchet barked "I have work to do!"

From the hallway, Jeff only smirked even wider. He still had his small doubts, there was no way to avoid that, but he felt himself becoming more comfortable with being in this "family" by the minute.

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A/N: I figured it made sense for this chapter to deal with Jeff's feelings on being orphaned. As he literally has no family other than the Autobots now. :) Reviews make my day!