No joke, I have probably had this chapter sitting for like a year and a half because I forgot about it. I wasn't super happy with it after I finished the draft and planned to let it sit.

…for a little too long. It's here now! Enjoy the conclusion to the cliffhanger on Chapter 5 four years later. XD Thanks for reading!

Chapter 6

Wheeljack attached Goldbug's arm back into place with a loud crunch that twisted metal. It hurt less than the ache in his spark.

Sparkplug and Ratchet had been gone for two days with no sign of information concerning Spike. Goldbug didn't know what that could mean for any of them: Did his fellow Autobots get caught sneaking into the hospital? Had they not found him yet?

Was Spike dead?

His worst fear, thankfully, was the least likely. Sparkplug had made it clear if his son was dead that he'd kill Goldbug. Ratchet would jump at the chance to help and no doubt they'd have Prime's goahead.

Goldbug knew better than to say it, but it was clear that Prime was also worried for the kid.

The deadly calm around him kept everyone out of his way. Anyone that entered his radius found themselves with Wheeljack in the medbay, sporting injuries that made a torn arm look like a scratch.

In all his years of life and exploration of planets, Goldbug never thought they'd find another species that clicked so well with Cybertronians. He thought the humans' integration with their kind had been odd at the start, but now Goldbug couldn't picture the Autobots without them.

"You're good to go," Wheeljack said, shoving Goldbug off the medical berth. "Get out and send in the next one."

Goldbug nodded and left the bay. He shoved in the broken parts of the mangled 'Bot outside the door and returned to his room.

Spike would be fine.

He…he had to be fine.

Sparkplug and Ratchet returned one week after Spike had been injured and taken away. The unconscious boy didn't move as Sparkplug rolled a gurney out of Ratchet's alt mode.

Once he was clear, Ratchet transformed and stretched all his limbs out with a groan as he cracked his spine.

He snapped straight when he noticed the looming shadow of their leader over the group at the Ark's entrance.

Goldbug hovered close to hear the report they gave Prime on the matter.

"The kid wasn't safe to move until this morning," Ratchet said, holding his hand out over the kid. Sparkplug checked the straps on the gurney as Ratchet did all the talking. "Spike had massive internal bleeding that required more delicate care than my tender hands could provide. Think of it like having every energon line in your body crack and spotting leaks."

"I see." Prime's optics flickered as he focused on the boy. "Do you have an estimate to when he will have a full recovery?"

"Unknown. Humans are tricky little things–could be a week, could be a month." Ratchet said, almost chipper. He folded his fingers together and shrugged. "Sparkplug is going to get him set up all nice and cozy in medbay and we will keep you updated."

"See that you do."

Prime rubbed a finger over Spike's hair and left with long strides.

Goldbug's spark sank in his chest as Sparkplug pushed the gurney toward the medbay. He didn't spare Goldbug a look and Ratchet also happily ignored him.

They were both still angry.

Godlbug didn't blame them, but how was he supposed to see Spike if he was trapped with Ratchet and Wheeljack? If his dad wouldn't let Goldbug in?

"Be glad Spike is alive and in good hands," Goldbug told himself.

It was all he could do.

As it turned out, Spike came to Goldbug before he could figure out how to sneak in to see him.

"Don't panic. Dad knows I'm here." Spike tapped Goldbug's leg in the pattern that meant "Give me a lift up." Goldbug cupped the tiny human in his hands and set him on the table. Spike straightened his loose pajama pants and sniffed. "I rang my help bell so much dad practically threw me out of the medbay."

Goldbug lowered his shoulders. "Help bell?"

"I'm supposed to be resting in bed, so if I need something, I have a little bell I can ring to get dad's attention." Spike grinned and mimicked shaking his hand back and forth. He coughed twice and lowered himself to sit. "I might have overdone it today, hoping to annoy him enough into letting me out of bed."

"Devious." Goldbug sat on his berth and covered his face with his hands. Spike was alive and well. He was pale, but alive and well. Goldbug could let out his anger. "What the frag were you thinking to tackle Rumble like that?"

"I can't fix a shattered helm or neck strut," Spike said, too calm. He pushed a hand through his hair. "I didn't want you to see my dad or Ratchet for repairs."

"I would have been fine! You're the fragile one that cracked his head open! You would have died if the Decepticons hadn't helped!" Goldbug growled and his vocal box cracked. He lowered his hands and his intakes stuttered. "I couldn't do anything to help you."

"I know." Spike rubbed a spot on his chest under his ribs. "Ratchet said Prime ripped your arm off for it. I am so sorry, Goldbug. I did all that to keep you out of medbay and you still had to go."

Goldbug didn't want apologies.

He wanted the hurt he felt to go away.

"I will rip Rumble apart for the both of us to make up for it." Goldbug fell back on his berth and stared at the ceiling. "I might avoid Blitzwing for a while, though. His human pet is the one that helped you."

"The football coach?"

"Yes."

"I am so glad I was unconscious." Spike groaned and rested on his side. "The last time I talked to him, he kept lecturing me about the importance of all the school I've been skipping."

"You'd survive nagging." Goldbug reached up and pointed at Spike's face. "No more jumping into mech fights. Ever."

"That's my call, not yours." Spike crawled to the edge of the table to glare at Goldbug on his berth. "If anything, you should take advantage of the fact the 'Cons are going to steer clear of me on the battlefield. I doubt any of them want to put me in the hospital again."

"I don't want you back there." Goldbug sat up to gain his height back. He looked down at Spike and rested his fist on the table. "And now the 'Bots know you're a weakness of mine. The wimpy Decepticons aren't the only ones you have to watch out for!"

"Bee," Spike said, drawing out that accursed nickname. "Optimus Prime ripped your arm off for being in the same area when I got hurt. Ratchet sided with my dad to save me from the hospital. He let me stay in his medbay pain free. What Autobot would dare touch me?"

"That's true now, but Autobots hold grudges." Goldbug leaned in and hissed. He smacked his fist down, shaking the table. "You will not have Prime's support forever. Don't get cocky and think you have any power here."

Still injured and dressed in his pajamas, Spike got up on his feet and stood straight. He stared Goldbug right int he face, eye to optic.

"No one knows how little power that I have better than me," Spike said. He reached out with his hand in a fist and pressed his knuckles into Goldbug's cheek. "And right now, you're the one that's scared of the power I do have. Don't threaten me, Bumblebee."

Goldug leaned away and against the wall. He crossed his arms and tilted his head to the side. "I was warning you, not threatening you."

He didn't bother to deny the kid had power over him.

Spike smiled and his face twisted as he broke into a yawn. "Let's finish this fight tomorrow. I'm more tired than I thought."

The tension drained from Goldbug as Spike yawned again and scrunched his nose. That human would be the death of him.

He really would.

Spike asked to use Goldbug's alt mode car seat as a berth and he transformed without complaint. Spike crawled inside and passed out on his side, curled up and safe.

Goldbug fell into statis counting the kid's breaths and heartbeats.