CHAPTER 32
Growing Strength

"I don't want to go out there, dad."

"Trevor, there's nothing to be ashamed of."

"Galloway's going to mock me!"

"Yeah, and I'll punt him if he does."

Trevor shifted uncomfortably in the wheelchair that Bumblebee had brought him that morning. His prosthetic leg had been sent out for repairs, and as a result, Trevor needed one to get around. After all, creating, and giving Trevor another on base would take longer than waiting for the repairs to bedone. But, as Bumblebee was quickly learning, the boy was very self-conscious about his now missing leg, and needing this assistance in getting around. Bumblebee sighed, looking upon his son for a moment before crouching low. "Hey, don't worry," Trevor looked over at him. "If people look at you differently, they're ignorant jerks anyway. I mean, remember what I told Galloway?" Trevor frowned. "Everyone here knows about your special needs, and seems to be empathetic to them."

"You don't think they'll look at me weird?" Trevor asked, and Bumblebee shook his head. "I guess I could go out there, it's just... I feel exposed," He admitted. "I'm sorry if I'm being silly."

Bumblebee shook his head, knowing that it was inevitable. He watched as Trevor carefully rolled along and out of his bedroom, trailing behind him protectively. He sure as pit wasn't going to let anyone look at him funny, if they did they'd have him to answer to. As soon as they were out in the main room, Bumblebee was thankful when Ironhide, who was headed in another direction, turned, and greeted Trevor with a simple, and playful. "Hey runt," He pointed at him. "I expect you for weapons training next week. No excuses."

Trevor blinked, admittedly stunned that he had not changed his tune with him at all. But he did smile, taking a deep breath, and turning towards Ironhide. "You got it you old rust bucket!" He shouted, turning the chair with some difficulty. "Why don't we go there today?" Ironhide looked surprised at that, turning his head. "I can still hold a gun!"

Bumblebee wondered how the weapons specialist would react to the test, as the gruff mech looked down at him. For a moment, Trevor tensed up before Ironhide finally chuckled, and shook his head. "With that shooting arm of yours, I don't doubt you could," He replied. "But it just so happens I've got to train some new recruits," He explained. "Ask me again tomorrow. I think I'm free then, if you really think you can handle it."

Trevor's eyes widened, surprised by the reaction that Ironhide had had. But all the same, he nodded his head, and grinned widely. "Count on it."

His eyes traveled up to Bumblebee as Ironhide continued on his way. With a smile that read: "I told you so", he shrugged his shoulders somewhat. "What did I tell you? The wheelchair doesn't make you any less than you were," He explained, pointing at him. "Like it or not, you're still Trevor Prime." He affirmed. "So, you had promised to meet Ratchet. And as much as I'd love to, I can't help you there... I really don't want a dent today," He teased, starting off. "So good luck."

"Dad, he wanted you too!"

Bumblebee groaned playfully, as if he had forgotten before backing up towards the boy. He gave a playful pout, and shook his head. "Done in by my own child," Bumblebee rolled his optics and sulked as they started the walk (and roll) to the med bay. "I swear, sometimes I feel like you're the adult in the relationship." He added.

"What brings you back to reality?" Trevor stuck his tongue out.

"When you act like that," Bumblebee joked.

Trevor shook his head as they finally made it to the med bay and entered, his eyes moving up to Ratchet. The mech was on the other side of the bay, looking over a data pad. "Hey doc bot," Trevor shouted, causing Ratchet to spin around. "You wanted to see me? Please tell me it's not a pop quiz or anything. Because it's Saturday, and I haven't really studied much." He admitted.

Ratchet shook his head, and walked toward him. "No, that is not it at all. I have a few things I wish to see you and your sire about actually," He explained, looking between them. "The first of which is taking a look at how your bond is doing," Trevor raised an eyebrow. "One between an Autobot and a human has not been attempted before, Trevor. I want to see if it is developing properly."

Trevor nodded, looking at a berth where he knew he'd have to get on. Bumblebee's holoform appeared beside him. "Here bud, let me help you out," He smiled.

"Dad, I can do it myself," Trevor argued.

"Stop being a stubborn glitch," Bumblebee rolled his optics as he carefully helped Trevor into his arms. "You don't do this all the time, and I bet it's tough," He stated as he settled Trevor onto the berth carefully. "I'm not saying you couldn't do it by yourself. I'm just saying I want to help you do it," He replied with a grin.

Trevor looked him in the eye, nodding his head slightly. Ratchet looked between them carefully, a ghost of a smile crossing his own face. "And to think, I thought this was a crazy idea at first," Ratchet noted. "Who would have thought that the youngest of us would be such a loving, and strong caretaker," Bumblebee smirked proudly at Ratchet. "Don't give me that look, you proved me wrong. Don't be smug about it." He then added. "Now stand still while I run my scans, will you?"

Trevor felt a tickling sensation fall over him as Ratchet ran his scans. His heart gave a couple harsh beats, but quickly returned to beating regularly. "Well then, the bond is developing healthily," Ratchet noted. "Trevor's heart is responding like a spark would. Which, completely astonishes me." He explained, as Trevor raised an eyebrow. "Perhaps the similarities to our spark allow it to work nearly the same."

"So it won't do anything to me, right?"

Ratchet shook his head, looking at him. "Beyond the voices in your head, no," He joked lightly. "You will find that emotions may become a little stronger. If only because they will get a little boost from the emotions of your family as it develops." He noted calmly. "Any other abnormalities should be reported to me immediately."

"So, is that it?" Bumblebee asked.

"Not so fast!" Ratchet held up a hand. "I had some other things I need to address that I think you'd like to be here for. I want to see if Trevor has grown at all, in case we require a new prosthetic leg," Bumblebee raised an optic ridge. "I told them to hold off repairs until we knew that. Given when a child grows, they need a leg that matches the height of their physical leg," He looked over some mental notes. "Now, Trevor was 5'5" when we first met him," He then began a scan of his remaining leg. "And at this moment, he's grown two more inches, reaching 5'7"."

"Does that mean we'll have to wait later for a new leg?" Bumblebee asked.

"Perhaps, but it should still take the same amount of time," Ratchet shook his head. "Since I will be making it," Trevor's eyes widened, and he opened his mouth. "Trevor, don't give me that look, youngling," He noted. "I can make a finer, more refined version of anything the humans would make. So I'll be canceling the fixing of yours, and not be ordering a new one," He added.

Trevor sighed, but nodded his head, knowing the mech made a point. Even if he felt bad that Ratchet was going out of his way to do this, he knew the mech was too stubborn to take it back now. "Are you sure you can do that, Ratch?" Bumblebee ask, sensing Trevor's uncertainty. "I can feel his worry level, and trust me it's high." He added.

Ratchet shook his head, and looked at Trevor. "I thought we knew each other better by now," Ratchet explained to him. "I care about you, and I want to see to it you get the best prosthetic available. Our metals are different, but they are durable and incredibly hard to break," He then added. "Chances are you would not be needing a wheelchair for a second time. Unless something truly powerful smashed or cut it."

Trevor looked at the mech, surprised by how much he'd come to care about him. But at the same time, could see why. He was his teacher, and they'd gotten at least semi-close in the past few months. "I guess I just didn't really think you were that concerned about stuff like this," Ratchet looked surprise. "Don't take it the wrong way, Ratchet."

"You're the youngling of this base," Ratchet commented, stiffening a bit. "And the grandcreation of my Prime," He explained. "It goes without saying that your safety is chief among the things I think about from day-to-day," He explained. "And..."

"Ratch, why not just admit you like him?" Bumblebee leaned back against the wall and crossed his arms.

Ratchet frowned at Bumblebee, and crossed his own arms. Trevor wondered what the medic's reaction would be to that, but eventually, he grunted. "Very well, I do," He managed, barely above a mumble. "You're a good kid and if anything happened to you, it'd hurt. Which is why I don't want you out there without sufficient technology that will help keep you a step ahead," He then added. "What can I say, you're my student. And you're probably one of the tougher humans I've met of the "youth" variety. If the younger recruits are anything to go by."

Trevor smirked, and then spoke up. "Does this mean I can get out of that report you asked me to write?"

"You're funny too," Ratchet snorted. "That'd better be on my desk this Monday."

Trevor rolled his eyes, he supposed that not all of the Autobots would go "easy" on him. With Bumblebee's help again, he settled back into his wheelchair, and turned to face the medic. "So, we're cool to go?" He asked. "I have some chores to do, and I'll be damned if I let this stupid chair get in my way," He explained. "Even if people do end up staring."

"You're free to go," Ratchet pointed out. "But you," He looked over at Bumblebee. "Skipped your last check-up. So get on that berth, and let's have a look at that battle damage you got a few weeks back."

Bumblebee muttered some choice curses in Cybertronian before seating himself on the berth. He put his hands underneath his chin, and stared down at his son a bit. "Looks like I'll be seeing you later on, kiddo," He added. "If I survive the examination of doom!"

"You're such a sparkling," Ratchet rolled his optics. "Onto your stomach."

Trevor chuckled. "You need me to hold your hand, dad?"

As Ratchet snorted at Trevor's joke, Bumblebee looked over at Ratchet. "How soon before we move to the mainland? I think you're becoming too much of an influence on him," He groaned out in pain as Ratchet smacked him upside the helm with a wrench. "Ouch! Ratchet! That is patient abuse you know!" He added with frustration.

"Then stop acting like an idiot!"

Trevor only rolled his eyes before rolling his wheelchair out the door.

...

"I swear, every time I turn around it's something new with him."

Trevor turned his head from the motorcycle he was working on as Galloway approached. His mouth formed into a grimace, as he leaned back slowly. Reminding himself of how Optimus told him to act, he simply put on a small smile. "Mr. Galloway, always a pleasure," He forced that last word out. "What, pray tell, can I do for you?"

"Short of vacating my base?" Galloway snorted. "Nothing really," He approached slowly. "I hope that the chair won't be an issue for long."

Trevor wanted to jump out of his chair and punch him for that one. Of course, he HAD to be the one to make a comment like that about his using a wheelchair. He looked towards the motorcycle, and slowly turned his wheelchair to face Galloway. "My chair isn't a PROBLEM, Mr. Galloway. Did you forget that they fitted this place to accommodate one?" Galloway frowned a bit, chewing his lip. "And besides, Ratchet's working on a new, practically indestructible leg for me." He explained.

"Still doesn't change the fact you have a disability," Galloway noted. "One people could expose just by taking that leg off."

Trevor looked down at the ground, crossing his arms. "Listen Galloway," Trevor looked up at him. "I get it, I have a disability. In fact, I have quite a few of them," He explained, glaring. "But I am just as capable as anyone on this base. Or are you forgetting I do pull my weight around here?" He asked, tensely. "And by the way, this isn't YOUR base. It's Will's, and my grandfather's."

He spun his wheelchair back to focus on the motorcycle, as Galloway frowned at him. Noticing he'd finished, he began to roll towards where Lennox was standing. "Such a lost cause," Galloway muttered to his assistant. "Why couldn't these robots just take in a three legged dog? At least that would be more normal," He added coldly.

Trevor stopped, taking a deep breath, and trying to take the high road. But slowly, surely, he turned back around, and looked Galloway in the eyes. He was NOT putting up with this anymore, no way, no how. "In case you haven't noticed this place runs on "abnormal"," Trevor stated loudly, grabbing the attention of several nearby soldiers. "And quite frankly, I'd rather be the way I am and a good person," He pointed at him. "Then be a stuck-up prick who's just angry because he's overcompensating for a very little something."

Galloway looked dumbfounded, but Trevor didn't wait for a response. Rather, he spun around, rolling towards Lennox, who waited for him. "Good job, kid," Lennox stated once he was close enough to speak quietly. "I was about ready to come over there and say something. But I like that new fire in you," Trevor smiled a bit. "You get that bike done?"

"Yes, sir," Trevor saluted. "Anything else you have for me?"

Lennox nodded his head slowly, motioning him forward. "Yeah, I actually do," Lennox told him calmly. "Thanksgiving," Trevor raised an eyebrow. "You're closest to the 'Bots, and we've been talking about our on-base plans for it," Trevor nodded his head slowly. "And we're wondering if you could bring up the idea to them. Just kind of talk it up to them," He then added. "We'll all be celebrating of course, but I want to make sure they at least know what it is we're celebrating."

"Sure," Trevor nodded. "So we're having Thanksgiving here? Missing Halloween really bummed me out."

Lennox nodded his head, putting a hand on his shoulder. "Oh yeah, we get set up with a whole buffet curtosey of USO. Since we're a top-secret group, they're going to just send a group up here and everything," He explained, Trevor's mouth gaped at that. "It took a lot of favors, but they were given the go-ahead to know about the 'Bots. Or at least the higher-ups and the ones that are coming to help set-up," He explained, to which Trevor nodded. "They're doing us a big favor given we're taking the extra risk with the Decepticons and all."

"That's great," Trevor nodded.

"Yeah, it is. They've even agreed to fly in the families they can for the feast," He explained with a nod. "For that portion the 'Bots will have to stay in their holoforms, obviously," Trevor nodded his head slowly. "And before you ask, Prime knows all about it," He explained. "He just needs a little help explaining it all."

"Alright, sounds good," Trevor replied. "I can't wait though, it sounds awesome."

Lennox nodded his head a bit, finally stopping, he put a hand on Trevor's shoulder. "Anyway, I should get going," He told him calmly. "But you're dismissed for the day. I haven't got a lot for you to do right now," Trevor nodded again, taking a deep breath. "But as for that jerk, Galloway? Just ignore him. You're doing a damn good job with that wheelchair. And besides, that crap doesn't define you," He explained.

Trevor looked to the side, and then slowly, surely nodded his head. "You know," Trevor paused. "I think I'm starting to see that too."

He began to roll away, his eyes traveling back to where Galloway was still glaring. But for once, he didn't even really care. He was tired of letting this man make him feel small, and he wouldn't care anymore. In a way, the wheelchair was actually empowering in its own way. It gave him a reason to stand up for himself more than his disability had before. A fact which only made him smile wider.

...

That night, Bumblebee was yet again at his bedside. This time, Trevor convinced him to let him get onto his bed on his own. It took some struggle, but he carefully got himself onto the bed, carefully settling himself. Bumblebee smirked a little, crouching by his bedside. "So you really said all of that to Galloway?" He questioned with a grin as Trevor smirked back. "That's my boy! Don't tell your grandsire I said that, but I'm proud of you for that one," He then added. "It's about time Galloway got a mouthful from you."

Trevor smiled a bit, pulling the covers over his body. "You know, I'm just as surprised as you are," Trevor admitted. "I don't know, I guess... I mean I was scared to go out there in the chair," He explained. "But when someone actually mocked me about it. I just didn't want to hear it," He added. "I know grandpa wanted me to be the bigger man, but I just..."

"Sometimes you have to stand up for yourself," Bumblebee told him, stroking his cheek slowly. "Just don't get yourself into much trouble, kiddo. I'd hate to see that jerk have something against you," He smiled widely, then nudged him against his armor. "And you know, one leg or two, you're stil the most awesome human I know." He added with a purr of his engine.

"You're my dad," Trevor grinned. "You're supposed to say that."

Bumblebee shook his head, making a few noises. Trevor took it as soothing noises in Cybertronian, which he did like to hear. "True," Bumblebee spoke in clear English. "But doesn't make it any less true. In case you haven't noticed, I'm quite fond of you. And was long before I signed any paperwork," He explained, as he released Trevor to let him lay his head against his pillow.

Trevor looked up at his father calmly, holding the stuffed bear he'd once given him. "You know, some days I wonder what I'd do without you right now," Bumblebee smirked as Trevor said that. "I don't think I'd have gotten the courage I did, that's for sure." Bumblebee nodded his head slowly at him. "Thanks... For making me get out there today, dad," He explained. "I appreciate it."

"I have your back," Bumblebee told him. "Always."

Trevor smiled as his holoform appeared on his bedside, allowing him to gently kiss his forehead. But disappeared soon after, replaced by the gentle, cool touch of his finger as it stroked his hair and face. "I love you, dad," Trevor replied.

"Love you too," Bumblebee retracted his finger, standing to his feet. "Sleep tight."

As he strode out the door, Bumblebee made extra certain that the alarms were all set. Calmly, he left with a look back at the boy, who slowly fell asleep. Inside, he knew that Optimus would have been proud too. Trevor was growing in more than just height, he was growing as a person, and in confidence. And though he knew he could hardly take all the credit for helping him get there, he was more than glad to see that he was getting to see that growth unfold. "Ye done tuckin' the little guy in?" Bumblebee turned to see Ironhide. "We've got a meeting with Prime in ten, or are you forgetting we have a mission tomorrow?"

"The first action in a while?" Bumblebee chuckled. "You know I haven't forgotten." He then added. "Just... Thinking things over."

As he followed Ironhide towards the meeting, he could not help but continue to smile. He had a feeling this was one bit of pride he would not soon get over.