= Sweet Vibrations =

By Ayngel

Disclaimer: I do not own Transformers or any of the characters or concepts within. I make no money from this story or any other about Transformers.

Warnings: Adult themes, course language, slash, sexual references and descriptions.

Thank you so much everybody for continuing to read this and submit such great reviews, even when I am so slow. It encourages me greatly!

This chapter starts to bring things together, though there's a few more hoops to jump through yet.

Re Bumblebee watching TV - I wanted him to watch something with was on a lot in 1985 and it seemed to me that 'He Man and the Masters of the Universe' would have appealed!

The first part of this also refers to the Season 2 Episode "Sea Change" in which Seaspray 'transformed' into a mer-human.

~ Chapter 5

Mirage watched as a trolley bearing a mangled looking Powerglide, pushed by an annoyed looking Ratchet, disappeared in the direction of the medbay.

Seaspray shook his head. "Darned shame," he said in his throaty warble. "He nearly caught Lazerbeak, y' know! Kinda feel for him. I know he shoulda turned on his radar when the bird flew into that cloud, but the thing messes with your head like that. Darned silly place to put a building that high anyway!"

Mirage supposed he should have been more sympathetic. It was hard, sometimes, with Powerglide, that was all. And if the plane hadn't blown his 'capture attempt' it would have saved a lot of trouble. He cocked an optic ridge. "Did we learn anything?"

"Yeah - their elevator's outta commission!" said Seaspray.

Mirage frowned. "How did you find that out?"

"Lazerbeak yelled at him just before he crashed. Said if he wanted it he'd have to go to Con headquarters and he hoped PG could swim. "I thought that was weird, so I checked it out. Sure enough, that tower thing o'theirs was in pieces – Constructicons were workin' on it. That's why we haven't had any Decepti-shenanigans since the – uh …" he coughed. "Since the presentation!"

Mirage sighed. If Prime were really serious about finishing off the Decepticons, surely instead of him creeping around the base, a bomb dropped squarely on their HQ would be more effective?

"It don't mean you can't get in," Seaspray was saying. "If you go in the south side past the domes, there's an airlock near the control room. Must be if they need to get out in a hurry or something." He grinned. "Not that I've tried getting in! I was a bit - uh - preoccupied the last time I was there. Bit hard to concentrate when somebody's petting yer flippers!"

Mirage wished he had not just been given that information. It was bad enough that Seaspray had liked getting turned into an organic mer-human at all. But that? down there? Right next to the Decepticons? The racer's frame gave a small shudder. But he supposed Seaspray had always been weird.

Seaspray was frowning. "Too bad the Traalian king decided it violated their law to have anyone other than one o'them on their island, he grumbled." I mean - I am one o'them – well - kind of! Or I was …. "He sighed. "Mech we had some fun! There was this other time …"

"Any chance of some hardcopy directions?" Mirage cut in. Quite Apart from wanting to hear no more about Seaspray's 'mer-human' issues, the sooner he got this mission over with the better.

Seaspray caught on. "I'll give you a map!" he said. "Oh – and err…. Just one more thing?"

Mirage raised an optic ridge. "Yes?"

"I kinda miss Alana you know – relays have been feelin'a bit 'twitchy' lately. Is Bumblebee by any chance ….?

"No!" said Mirage sharply. "A map would be most helpful. Thank you, Seaspray!"

...

Bumblebee sat wistfully on the berth, alone again. The 'urges' had subsided after Mirage left – which was expected, and something Bumblebee understood to now be the 'calm before the storm.'

And, it was a relief - except that the minibot now found himself listless, and not really knowing what to do. He glanced aimlessly around, looking at the cubes and plates which lay on tables and shelves, along with weaponry and pieces of ammo - gear from ages ago which he hadn't put away.

He should tidy up. Yes, that's what he should do! He wanted his first 'partner' to be impressed, after all! But – the minibot sighed - he couldn't really be bothered. Besides, it would still be a little while before Mirage came back. He'd do it when the Alphamech's return was imminent. Perhaps he could 'decorate' his room to suit whoever it was.

Seating himself on the berth, Bumblebee looked down at his codpiece. He couldn't help smiling again, and it crossed his mind to play with it just one more time ….

But no! Not that either. Did he not just decide to give his equipment a break before the 'event?' And he should get some rest! Yes, that was it! After all, when Mirage returned with whoever it was, he wasn't going to get much, was he? He just had to be patient. With a resigned sigh, Bumblebee lay down.

Reaching out, he flicked on the TV beside the berth. A human with pink legs appeared on the screen, holding a sword. "I have the power!" he proclaimed. Ah- now this would take Bee's mind off things. This show was cool! There'd be a flash in a minute, and the human's legs would change colour. Then his voice would go all deep, and he'd be wearing armour, and he'd go charging off on his 'battle cat' to take out villains.

Bumblebee sighed. It was a pity humans couldn't transform and do things like He-Man. He would have been handy to have around. If Spike could do that they'd have more in common ….

Spike! Bumblebee cringed. He'd hardly thought of his friend in the last few days, much less tried to contact him. He should have called, asked how Chip was at least. Nobody had forbidden him to do that.

Staving off uncomfortable feelings of guilt, Bumblebee studied He-Man. He now battled Skeletor – who had a laugh like Megatron's. And now, He-Man was hammering at the walls of Castle Greyskull - which was kinda like the Decepticon base. The whole castle shook, then fell apart. Carnage! It was a bit like – well – like that purple punk Rumble caused for the Autobots.

Bumblebee frowned. Fancy thinking of him! How many crevasses and ravines had he fallen into because of him?

Yet, for some inexplicable reason, it came into Bumblebee's processor that - destructive though Rumble was - he was not as bad as some other cons. And that purple – it was quite a nice colour! He was handy with a gun. And then - to the minibot's amazement – came the revelation that Rumble was really not that bad looking! No - not bad at all!

Bumblebee was aware of Skeletor getting buried, still cackling evilly and swearing revenge. But only vaguely. His mind seemed suddenly fastened on the cassette.

Yes …. Rumble was actually quite attractive. And when he was banging away with those piledrivers, the dust rising in a flurry, that was really veeery sexy! It was, of course, a pity the cassette was a Decepticon …. but maybe he just needed to see how to do good with his piledrivers. Like He-Man did good with his fists.

Bumblebee could not help but once more visualise the cassette. He saw him poised over a crevasse, his broad shoulders working as metal pounded the ground . A ripple went through his interface relays, and his spike shifted, emerging a little. He put a hand on his codpiece. It glowed warmly as for the first time ever, Bee's energy field crackled with a small flare.

The minibot sat bolt upright. His processor reeled in shock! Where in the universe did that come from? He shouldn't even be thinking such things, let alone – flaring his field? That was reserved for his first! With whom Mirage would be here, very soon, and who was not going to be a Decepticon.

And how could he even compare Rumble to He-Man? It had come to this! He must call Spike. Right now!

Sitting on the side of the berth, intaking heavily, the minibot activated his comm. But before he had a chance to put it in 'human phone' mode, there was a knock at the door.

Bee froze. Surely it couldn't be Mirage. Not already? No! He needed to get properly cosy watching TV, get silly thoughts out of his head. This was – too soon!

Another knock, louder this time. Bumblebee sprang up, glancing around in alarm. He should have tidied up! To his horror, purple bodies and piledrivers swept again into his processor. "You'll never get away with this, He-man!" cackled Skeletor.

Bumblebee panicked, imagining laughter in the rec room. "Weird!" he could hear them say. "Heard his place was a tip, he had the TV on, and his mind seemed kinda – elsewhere!"

He-Man disappeared from the screen as Bee feverishly flicked the 'off' switch. Frantically, he surveyed himself in the mirror. Well at least he looked all right! His codpiece jutted out impressively, as before. But he still could see an image of Rumble!

Bang bang bang!

Heat swept through Bumblebee. This was terrible! Amazingly, he was now 'ready.' But not for whoever was out there!

Well there was no time for self recrimination. Besides, surely as soon as he opened the door, all thoughts of the Decepticon would vanish once and for all?

"I'm coming!" Bumblebee hollered, aware of the static in his vocalizer.

...

In the video room annexed to the main rec room, an argument had broken out.

"Give it!" hissed the Reflector triplets together as Spyglass made a grab for the Lazerbeak, now compressed to cassette form in Frenzy's hand. "This is our show!"

"This is Lazerbeak!" Frenzy hissed back, holding the tape out of reach. "And I set this up. Get lost! This is cassette business – unless you wanna have it out with Soundwave!"

"You still need us to activate the equipment!" said the Reflector triplets together. "We're the experts. How do we know you've adjusted the controls right! It will come out all fuzzy!"

There was silence in the main room, interspersed with the odd shuffle and snicker and the steady tap-tapping of Megatron's finger on the arm of his chair, which increased in loudness as the Decepticon leader grew impatient. "Starscream!" he snapped.

The Seeker sprang up and turned, picking his way through the waiting Decepticons and to the video room. "What the heck is going on?" he hissed as he burst in. He lowered his voice. "You know how Megatron is about 'waits.' You wanna see my helm caved in again?

"It's him!" said the triplets and three index fingers pointed at Frenzy. "He won't give us Lazerbeak!"

"Me?" Putting his hands on his hips, Frenzy pouted in indignation. They won't turn on the friggin' machine!"

Starscream grabbed the tape from Frenzy's hand and shoved it into the machine. "Do it!" he snapped at the triplets. They hesitated, and looked at each other. They snickered in unison. "Yes, mighty Starscream!"

Frenzy rolled his optics. "Sycophants!" he muttered.

Viewfinder opened a panel on his wrist and pulled out a connector. The others looked on smugly as he plugged it in. The machine whirred into life.

"Now that wasn't so hard, was it?" Starscream snapped.

The Seeker strode back out, the smirking triplets following. A sea of impatient looking faces looked up. "Technical hitch!" Starscream announced. "All fixed now!" Sitting down, he tried not to take too much notice of the glower Megatron gave him.

Frenzy watched them go, still cross. How dare Starscream 'manhandle' Lazerbeak like that! Well – he'd show them. He looked at the machine. Black and red plugs connected it to the power source in the wall. Grinning, cheered again, Frenzy unplugged two of them and swapped them around.

And then he shrugged. Ah well, he wasn't sure what that would do – but if it did something, then it might teach those smarftafted freaks a lesson. And if it didn't? Well – he got to watch the show again, didn't he? And as the only one who's seen it before, he knew which 'bits' to pay attention to.

"Heheh! Hold on t'ya cables!" he said to Rumble as he re-joined him in the main room.

...

Mirage tried to be patient as the water drained from the airlock. In it floated seaweed, and a collection small sea creatures which he'd managed to dislodge from his seams. Mirage winced as small fish brushed his leg and yet another crab crawled out of his left foot. Primus he hated this underwater stuff!

He thought of Seaspray happily chugging around the ocean bed, and right now it didn't matter whether the boat had a fishtail or rudder, Mirage was jealous. It was at times like these that Mirage cursed at being the only one able to use an electro disruptor.

Still, he reminded himself, this was a mission of – some importance. Perhaps not to be trusted to – well – to mechs who thought it good fun to interface in mer-human garb and who were friends with planes that crashed into buildings.

Looking around, Mirage noticed a small shower attachment on the side of the wall. Turning it on, he doused himself, wincing at the temperature. They could at least have provided a heated jet! Mirage couldn't believe that things were that desperate down here. Surely Megatron and Starscream had their own private heated airlock shower? Oh well, maybe they didn't. It was one more good reason not to become a Decepticon.

Satisfied that he'd washed as many of the organics out as he could – although he could still feel things in his joints which shouldn't be there – Mirage let the last of the water drain away. Then he activated the electro disruptor and pulled the door opening lever, stepping over the carpet of now flapping, gasping seacreatures and up the step, into the main corridor.

The door hissed slowly shut. Mirage did a quick scan. Nobody about!

Mirage eyed the chamber flood switch. Best to leave it unflooded so he could make a quick getaway. But he had a sudden vision of the floundering creatures. If he didn't flood the chamber they'd die. With a sharp "Tch!" Mirage pulled the lever. Damnit, he really was an Autobot these days. He'd gotten as sentimental as Beachcomber!

Well never mind, perhaps I'll just open it and flood the whole darned base! Mirage reasoned as he crept along, keeping the dart gun poised. In the distance he heard noise, laughter. A quick look at the map Seaspray had downloaded told him the sound was coming from the direction of the rec room.

A voice spoke – something about Megatron – then everything went quiet.

A crowd in the rec room with Megatron? Mirage had a pretty good idea he knew what for! He cursed Powerglide's ineptitude again. How the heck was he supposed to get the footage now? Keeping his weapons on standby and cursing, Mirage sprinted down the corridor.

He didn't see the only Decepticon who wasn't in the room – the one with the special cat optics who could see through the shield – emerge from the store cupboard under which she'd been hiding and stalk after him, her belly to the ground.

…

"You gonna let me in, or what?" The voice sounded as though its owner didn't like being kept waiting.

All the excitement and arousal rushed out of Bumblebee, the minibot deflating like a popped balloon. It was only – Gears.

The heat went well and truly out of his codpiece, his spike retracting back into its sheath; but to his surprise, this was strangely relieving. Oh well, thought Bee, as all other thoughts went mercifully out of his processor. Back to the original plan!

Although he wished it wasn't his cousin. This was bound to be another dressing down! Hadn't Gears said enough? And then, he froze. No – this would be worse! This would be the 'pep talk' Gears had promised, the lecture about how minibots were supposed to 'do it.'

And he really did not think he could take hearing about Gears' spike again. The very thought of this drained any last remnants of passion from both the minibot and Bumblebee's 'equipment. '

With a resigned sigh, the minibot opened the door. Why did everything have to be so hard? "Hello!" he said in a flat voice.

But the red minibot bounced into the room. He looked Bumblebee up and down and grinned. "Don't sound so sad!" he said.

Bee was taken aback. Gears was – cheerful. And he looked – different. There were none of the usual scratches and dints which the red minibot usually liked to sport as 'an indication that someone on this darned base at least did some work.' The red panels were polished to a high shine, the grill at the front a gleaming white, and his optics sparkled blue. Bumblebee thought he caught a whiff of something aromatic, which blended interestingly with the smell of diesel. It smelt like – afterwash.

Bumblebee's mind boggled. Gears was wearing afterwash? " I'm er …. fine!" he murmured, still finding it hard to believe this apparent transformation.

Gears beamed at Bumblebee in a way he hadn't seen since his cousin was reprogrammed by the Decepticons. He didn't look like he was about to get cross – or give a peptalk. And now, Bee had a bad feeling about this. He looked – excited. Surely – oh surely not - Gears couldn't be presenting himself as a hopeful?

A chill went through Bumblebee's circuits. Much as he was fond of his cousin, he could not even imagine doing 'that' with him! Even if they weren't related. Which they were – mercifully – which meant that, of course, that this was impossible.

"I guess you'd be wondering why I'm here?" Gears was saying brightly, as he plonked himself on the chair. Opening a compartment in his arm, he produced two cubes. Bumblebee's optics widened again. They were vintage high grade, of an exclusive variety only brewed in the golden age of Cybertron.

Gears handed one to him. "Been saving these!" he said. "Thought this called for a celebration!"

Bee took it slowly. "You mean – a celebration that I've popped?" he asked. "You mean you're not mad about – how it happened – any more?" The bad feeling intensified. After Gears former recriminations, this made no sense.

"No!" Gears said cheerfully, cracking his cube. "That Brawn and I uncovered the Clan Records of Gard Nordic!" He took a sip, visibly savouring the taste. "Had them in my memory banks for eons, it turned out. Just never really had a need to retrieve 'em!"

And then, horror of horrors, he gave Bumblebee a wink.

Bumblebee was having trouble intaking. "What do records have to do with anything?" he tried to keep out the squeak which had entered his vocalizer.

Gears shook his head. "My my, Bumblebee. Never were the sharpest tool in the box, were ya? Never mind! Open that thing up and have a drink. Cos here it is – if you hadn't guessed already! Turns out we ain't related after all. Different clan strains – the colour, you know – shoula realized. You're one of Brawn's lot!"

He took an extra large swig. "And that settled the matter! I spoke to Prime and he's in total agreement - I'm gonna be your first!"

…..

Spyglass seemed intent on rubbing it in. But he looked nervous. And with good reason, Rumble thought. Megatron's finger was tapping the arm of the chair again.

"It is our very great pleasure to present, on behalf of Soundwave, Lazerbeak, Rumble, Frenzy and all fellow Decepticons, in a special presentation, shown on our brand new video viewing equipment which Viewfinder, Spectro and I have put together ..."

There was muttering. For a bunch of Decepticons couped on the base for three days, half charged and drunk and now having to sit still, this was wearing thin. "Get on with it!" somebody yelled. Megatron's optics flared. "Indeed!" he roared. "And this had better be worth my while!"

"Er ... right ..." Viewfinder opened the wrist panel and pressed a button. The lights dimmed. An expectant hush fell. A white rectangle appeared on the wall, followed by a scene of Autobots standing in a group with humans watching – obviously some 'official' occasion.

Rumble yawned. He tried to remember what Frenzy had said this was. Probably the prelude to some battle scene which would have them all roaring and cheering within minutes. The Autobozos would be saving the humans whilst the Cons trashed the Autobozos. He, Rumble, was probably even in it - though he couldn't recall this part.

Oh well, at least Megatron would soon be in a better mood. The leader loved it when his Decepticons 'got into' images of Autobots getting smashed up.

And normally Rumble would have been cheering right along there with them. But today ... he just couldn't muster the enthusiasm. He just hoped it would be over soon, so he could get back to his moping.

The tape chugged on. There was no fighting. It was evidently some presentation thing. Optimus Prime appeared, and started banging on. The assembled Decepticons stirred, and angry mutterings rose, an impatience running through them which Rumble sympathised with.

But then, just as Rumble was convinced that he really should have stayed in his room, something happened. An object of interest came on to the screen. An object of great interest. The cassette's optics widened. He sat up. Then his spark swelled as though it might burst in his chest, as there right in front of him was none other than – his beloved.

Rumble couldn't believe it. It just changed everything! The movie show was suddenly a wonderful idea, the best idea in ages! He wanted to hug Frenzy, do a jig, cheer! The cassette sighed happily. Bumblebee looked so cute and yellow and shiny standing there. Beside the others – the ugly others, who looked miserable and pissed off – Bumblebee shone like a star!

Rumble's sensors tingled as the minibot gave a cute little smile. Sigma, he was so – huggable. So ….

As I saw you standing there

I felt like I just walked on air!

Oh the joy! Rumble felt his spark lift; he glowed hot as almost unbearable desire engulfed him. And now he was happy - oh more than happy- that this wasn't a battle video. Because even though Bumblebee always seemed to emerge unscathed – Rumble marvelled some more as he thought this – seeing the minibot get pounded would have somewhat dampened his euphoria.

But nobody else shared his enthusiasm. There was a muttering and mumbling in the ranks. "Whadda we wanna watch this for? Yelled one of the Constructicons. There were other mumblings: "You gotta be kidding!" and "Dumb bird likes Autonerd shows now …" and "Boo-ring!"

"Naa – check out Prowlie's aft!" snickered somebody else.

"Silence!" roared Megatron. Although he looked less than impressed himself. Beside him, Soundwave shifted awkwardly.

Frenzy snickered evilly. "Just keep watching. Are they in for a surprise!" He whispered to Rumble. "Just watch Bumblebee's codpiece! Well – what passes for a codpiece!"

For a microsecond, Rumble wanted to clobber Frenzy. How could he be so – crude – in the face of such adorableness? Didn't he realize this wasn't just 'any' Autobot they were looking at? This was the love of his life!

'Get yer filthy optics off it!' Rumble wanted to snarl. But he found his optics, nevertheless, inevitably drawn to that part of the minibot's anatomy. And it was then that Rumble noticed - for the very first time - that Bumblebee had only a primary cover.

At first, the cassette's spark sank in dismay. That would mean Bumblebee couldn't 'do it' yet. But then, he had a happy thought. A very happy thought. That meant Bumblebee hadn't been doing it with any of those other bozos either! One day, Bumblebee would pop, and then he would pick a first. And who knew, that first could be …

This opened up whole new possibilities! Rumble imagined himself wooing the minibot, his hands sliding over the yellow panels as he kissed him and whispered: "I'm gonna made this REAL good for ya!" And maybe came out with some more poetry. Heat washed through him, as his interface relays burned with longing.

Frenzy nudged him. "Keep watching!" he snickered. Rumble did – but then his optics widened like saucers. For he saw what Frenzy was on about. "No!" he muttered.

If he hadn't been directly looking, he would easily have missed it – and indeed, from the snickers and remarks about doorwings, the others were too interested in others. But Rumble most certainly saw it. His spark spasmed in horrified realization. The cover was vibrating. It was unthinkable! Bumblebee was going to pop. Right there in front of Optimus Prime!

On the screen, Jazz dropped the medal. There was a cheer, and dirty laughter erupted from some of the Decepticons as the Porsche bent over. But Rumble rose from his seat. "No!" he gasped.

"What?" Said Frenzy. "The other cassette looked totally confused.

"Heheh! Never knew you had a soft spot for black and whites!" somebody snickered.

Megatron 's head snapped around, his optics ablaze as he regarded Rumble as furiously as he had that day he'd told Rumble to find a 'partner.' But Rumble wasn't looking. His optics were glued to the screen, transfixed by the cover, which looked as though at any minute now ….

"NO!" He wailed. And now the others were silent, all looking at him. Megatron opened his mouth to speak. But just then, several things happened.

There was a bang, and the screen went blank. A whine of equipment powering down sounded from the control room, as smoke drifted through the door. Megatron looked murderously over at it as Frenzy cackled – just as an alarm rang out shrilly. "Autobot intruder! Autobot intruder!" an automated voice declared.

There was a strange silence, as though time hung suspended. Then, everyone moved at once. There was a scramble and scraping of chairs, as excited chatter and clamour erupted and weapons clicked into readiness, the 'boring' footage forgotten .

"Everybody SIT DOWN!" Roared Megatron. Just as the door flew open and Ravage leapt in with a loud MEE-OWW!"

Everyone froze again as the cat stopped in front of them holding up a front leg. Energon dripped from where one paw dangled loosely.

"He got me!" she wailed. "Pitspawned Alphamech! Autobot fiend! Evil cat enemy. He got me!"

Sorry Ravage is so AU but I do like her this way!

Hope you liked - thank you for reading :-) 3