A/N: I just wanted to take a moment and thank everyone who has reviewed, favorite, and followed this story so far. You guys are the best! :D I love hearing your feedback, and I hope you all continue to enjoy it.

A/N #2: I know, I already posted this once, but I realized after posting it that I had left out a crucial scene at the end. In order for certain movie events to happen/make sense, this was of course needed, and so I have re-posted the chapter.

...

CHAPTER 5
Arrival

Despite the fact it was barely noon when they set off, Bumblebee let Trevor sleep in his backseat. It had taken a while to get there, as he had barely been able to stop himself from sobbing. Along the way, Bumblebee had driven by a newer, and sleeker, Camaro, which he scanned in an attempt to throw Barricade off his trail. So far, it had worked, but with his retained paint job, it would only work for so long. About six hours after he had started, Trevor slowly blinked open his eyes and sat up. "Not a dream," Trevor uttered.

"I'm afraid not," Bumblebee spoke through the radio. "I'm sorry, Trevor." He said for the eighth time. "I keep running it over in my processor, wondering what I could have done." Trevor hugged his legs to his chest carefully. "If I had just pulled my gun on him, if I could have just punched him away... Anything."

Trevor shook his head, laying it against his knees. "It wasn't your fault, it was mine," Trevor relied, his voice cracking. "He told me to run, but I couldn't... I couldn't leave you there after the way you protected me yesterday. I felt like I owed you and I had to help you."

Bumblebee was silent, knowing that wasn't true. It was Joseph's choice to throw himself in the line of fire, and take the blow for Trevor. And in the end, that was ultimately what killed him, it wasn't anyone's fault. Other than Barricade's, a thought which made him growl inwardly in anger. "It was Barricade's fault. You could have helped me, Trevor, and he could have lived," Bumblebee explained. "But it was his choice to take that blow for you, to die so that you could live." Trevor looked out the window thoughtfully at that.

Of course, Trevor knew that Bumblebee was right. His father died because he didn't want him to die, he wanted him to live. He'd always been told a parent would easily die for their child, he just never thought it would be his. "I know, I just... I don't know what I'm going to do," Trevor admitted softly. "I knew my mom was going to die, anyway. But I always thought my dad would be there forever. I always thought I'd never have to worry about that," He then added. "And now I'm alone."

"No you're not," Bumblebee replied gently. "You have me."

That was the one thing that Trevor was thankful for at the moment. That, and the fact that he knew the Witwicky's would also be there for him. But there was not much else that was trying to lift Trevor's spirits so far. Most of him wanted to go curl into a ball and disappear. Maybe even die and be with his parents. But deep down, he knew that was no way of thinking, and his parents would not want him to feel that way. "How long do we have until the rest of you show up?" Trevor asked once he finally found his voice again.

"About an hour," Bumblebee replied as he watched the sun slowly setting. "Don't worry, Trevor. They are going to be surprised, maybe even confused. But as long as you stick by me, Prime will let you run with us." He explained, knowing all too well that Trevor was worried about that. "At least until we can find the Allspark and end this."

That was an odd thought to Trevor in some ways. The thought of running around with a group of giant robots, for who knew how long. For all he knew, he could spend the rest of his life among them and they could never catch this guy. Unless, unless he had heard Barricade correctly. It hit him like a ton of bricks as he sat up a little straighter. "That guy, Barricade, he said he was looking for the Witwicky's didn't he?" He asked, his voice barely above a whisper.

"Yeah, we think they have a lead," Bumblebee replied, confusion in his voice. "Why?"

"I know them, I've been best friends with their son, Sam, since I was five," Trevor leaned forward, holding onto the back of the passengers seat. "You're telling me he's involved in this too?" There was silence, but Trevor knew the answer. "The car lot... The look on his face when I mentioned you... You were supposed to be bought by him, weren't you?"

Bumblebee revved his engine, this was a good thing, he realized. If Trevor knew who Sam was, and knew him that well, they could find him. They could end this sooner than he had anticipated. "That's the best news I've heard all day," Bumblebee muttered slightly, then spoke up. "Yeah, that's exactly what was supposed to happen. My mission was to protect him and get his grandfather's glasses, clearly that plan went south."

Trevor frowned a bit, wondering what would have happened if that had come to pass. Would Barricade have killed Sam's parents? He shuddered at the thought, after all, Ron and Judy were like a second set of parents to him. "Then we need to go find him," Trevor replied, shaking his head. "I don't know where we are, but I think we can find him back at his place. He hardly leaves the house-."

"Not yet," Bumblebee replied. "Not until the others arrive. I'm not risking someone else getting hurt when Barricade finds him too." Trevor nodded his head slowly, understanding. "I've already caused enough trouble without the others here. So I'm not risking yet another life," The boy frowned at that.

Trevor opened his mouth to speak again, but a loud beeping noise cut him off. "What was that?" He questioned.

"They're on the arrival path," Bumblebee replied, shifting gears and pulling a seatbelt over Trevor. "Hold on tight, I'm going to need to move fast, since they're early."

As Bumblebee floored the gas, Trevor frowned a bit, he could only wonder how this would go.

...

When Bumblebee finally stopped and he got out, they were in an alleyway. Immediately, Trevor didn't notice the approaching vehicles, but rather looked over the new 2007 concept Camaro that was Bumblebee. "Wow, you got yourself an upgrade, huh?" Trevor asked.

Bumblebee didn't answer, but rather transformed, his robot form now appearing more sleek. By the time Trevor had realized why, he had to back up a bit. They were being surrounded on all sides by a Topkick, a Pontiac Solstice, a rescue hummer, and finally, right before them, a Peterbilt truck. Trevor breathed out, looking from one vehicle to the other, unsure of what to expect. But what happened next nearly sent him to the ground, surprise and shock filling him as each one began to transform slowly. And to say the least, his first experience with Optimus Prime was made only more intimidating by the sheer size of him.

At once, the titan of an Autobot leader lowered himself to the ground, and stared at him. "Are you Samuel James Witwicky, biological descendant of Captain Archibald Witwicky?" He questioned.

By the look of hope in the leader's optics, Trevor wasn't sure how he could tell him "no". Luckily for him, it was Bumblebee who stepped forward, and addressed his adoptive creator. "Not... Exactly," Bumblebee spoke up, as Optimus turned his attention to Bumblebee with a raised optic ridge. "Prime, there's... There's been a bit of a situation."

Trevor backed up slightly as Optimus slowly stood to his feet, turning to the young mech. For a long time, they all stood in silence, both him, and the many Autobots that now surrounded him. By the way Bumblebee was staring at Optimus, and the way he looked back, Trevor had to wonder if they were having some sort of silent conversation. It was a thought that was confirmed as Optimus stared over towards Trevor with a look of sorrow, and sympathy mixed in his optics. "Autobots, it would seem the boy before us was caught in the crossfires of our war," Optimus spoke, his voice low as he addressed the others. "I owe you my thanks, Trevor Ridley, for saving my son."

"I just bought him from a scrapyard, it was nothing," Trevor breathed out.

Optimus nodded his head slowly, but his optics never left him. "And you have paid a terrible price for it," Optimus replied as Trevor lowered his eyes to the ground. "I promise you, youngling. I will do everything in my power to make sure your creators murders do not go unpunished," Trevor looked up at Optimus who seemed very serious. "Autobots," He once again acknowledged those around him. "From this point forth, this boy is under our protection until further notice. We will guard him with our lives until such time we can be certain that he will be safe."

The one that had been a Topkick stepped forward at that. "Prime, our mission is to find the Allspark," The mech rumbled. "We cannot take a stray orphan-."

"His creators are dead because he tried to help me, Ironhide," Bumblebee told the burly black mech calmly. "And what's more, I promised his sire that he would be safe and protected," He explained, as Ironhide's optics began to soften. "So, he sticks with us, period."

"As Bumblee has said, Trevor has done much to help our comrade," Optimus put a hand on his adopted creation to settle him a little. "And for that, he has my gratitude. And yet, he has nowhere to go, and no one to take care of him because of these actions. He is an orphan now because he helped us," He then added, rather firmly. "And therefore, there will be no further discussion," He explained, his voice low and commanding. "The boy comes with us."

Ironhide took a moment, crossing his arms, and finally nodded. "Very well, the boy comes with us, then," He spoke up, then looked down upon the child calmly. "My designation is Ironhide, younglin', either that or 'Hide. Call me anything else and you'll meet these babies..." He motioned towards his cannons that were attached to his arms. "In a most unpleasant manner."

The hummer stepped up next, and Trevor felt a tickle go up his body as it scanned him over. "The boy seems relatively unharmed despite many scrapes and bruises," The yellow mech announced, then frowned. "But his mind remains in a state of shock, understandably. No doubt he saw everything take place?" Bumblebee nodded in confirmation. "He's going to be dealing with the trauma of it all for a while, but his mind will recover."

"He a doctor or something?" Trevor asked.

"Ratchet is our resident Chief Medical Officer," Optimus nodded as Ratchet gave a curt nod of his own. "And the mech to your right is Jazz, my first lieutenant."

Trevor turned to greet the mech that had transformed from the Pontiac Solstice. The mech nodded, and jumped onto a car, leaning back on it rather relaxed. "How's it going, li'l homie?" Jazz greeted, trying to earn a smile from the boy. "This looks like a cool place to kick it!"

Bumblebee was relieved when Trevor seemed to crack the smallest of smiles. Jazz had always had a wonderful way with younglings, and humans seemed to be no different. "There's more to this, Prime," Bumblebee spoke up, grabbing most of the groups attention. "Trevor knows the Witwicky family personally, as he put it, they seem to be friends since they were sparklings."

"Is this true?" Optimus questioned, and Trevor nodded. "Then, can you bring us to them?"

Trevor stared around at he five mechs, in disbelief he had just asked him that. Did the leader even realize how bizarre the sight of al of these cars going down a residential street would be? "You're kidding right? What happens if that... That guy Barricade sees you?" Trevor asked with concern. "A line-up of cars going to one place doesn't exactly look normal. Maybe if Bee and I went there-."

"Out of the question, especially since you heard Prime. You're under our protection now," Ironhide snorted. "The last time you two were left alone, you saw what happened. For the moment, we need to stay in a group if we have any hope of helping both you and the Witwicky's." Trevor opened his mouth to argue. "Besides, we've already had too many casualties on Earth to risk any more."

Trevor frowned, guessing that Ironhide made a fair point. Who knew how many others the Decepticons might have killed trying to find Sam? His family couldn't be the only ones, that much he was sure of. "... Alright, I'll take you guys to Sam, or I'll try. I'm not exactly sure he's not going to look at me and think I'm insane." He shook his head. "You gotta understand this all sounds a little crazy."

"I understand," Optimus nodded, transforming as the others followed suit. "Bumblebee, you and Trevor will lead the way to the Witwicky home. Once we arrive, know that we will stay as close to your position as possible without arousing suspicion." Trevor nodded in understanding, though he tensed a little bit. "Autobots, roll out!"

As Trevor climbed into Bumblebee's drivers seat, the Camaro took off, leading the steady line of vehicles. Trevor blinked, and stared down at the radio. "What was that back there? You didn't even say a word to him, how did he-?"

"We have a telepathic link through a bond," Trevor blinked, scratching his head a little at the response. "We don't have time to talk about this, Trev. I need those directions. We are approximately at the corner of Third and Ford in the town you call Tranquility." Trevor nodded his head slowly. "Don't worry Trevor, we'll get to him before Barricade does."

"I hope you're right," Trevor breathed. "Keep going north and take a right on Broadway."

Inwardly, Trevor had a feeling he was in for the longest, and harshest, night of his life. But he said nothing about it to Bumblebee, simply letting the mech drive on. As his grip on the wheel tensed, he prayed that they were right, and they would soon get to Sam. The last thing he needed was to truly lose just about everything he had in one night. While, as if to lighten the mood, Bumblebee began to blast "Highway To Hell" from his radio loudly. "You got that right buddy," Trevor muttered.

He hoped the highway to hell would at least be a short one.

...

Agent Seymour Reginald Simmons of Sector 7 had only seen two targeted attacks in his lifetime by the alien robots. But the fact that both had been within twenty-four hours of each other had not helped to put him at ease. A military base? He could at least take a guess as to the reason. But why the family? Why a pair of innocent, hard working people who hardly had much to their name? It disturbed him, and worried him on many levels. Especially considering there was no sign of the family's fifteen year old son, Trevor, anywhere to be found. Had they taken him prisoner? As some kind of bargaining tool?

He turned his head quietly as his partner, Prior, approached him from behind. His eyes looked over at him with a look of uncertainty. "The neighbor that called the attack in saw the boy," Simmons raised his eyebrows, and turned to look at him. "They say he got into a yellow Camaro, a '77 by the sounds of it." He then noted. "We're thinking it was an NBE. But by the sounds of it, the kid went willingly, so it can't be the one who did it."

"He has no connection to them, then?"

"None, they were from a family of farmers and originated in Oregon," Prior shook his head, and put his hands in his pockets. "Relocated here when the boy was five, hoping to get better work. Going by the state of the garage the man was found at, I doubt it worked." He shook his head. "I don't get it, Reggie, what would the NBE's want with this kid? Why not take them all?"

Simmons shook his head, not all that sure himself. But he did know one thing: something was off, very off. "Get the witness to sign the NDA," Simmons finally spoke up. "Put an Amber Alert up over the entire city too. I want this kid found, and I want him questioned." He added rather firmly.

"Already on it," Prior nodded. "They won't get far with him. The kid just lost everything, he'll want to be with someone he knows."

"That's what I'm counting on."

They'd find the boy, it was only a matter of time.

...

A/N: Woo! The rest of the 'Bots are here! :D Been waiting for the chance to finally get them here. But of course, it had to be at the right time. XD