A/N: Surprise! A little early a return? Maybe, but lately my muse for this has been going crazy so I digress. Sadly, no Christmas chapter, I've lost my idea for that somehow.

Three fics does mean I will be updating a little less for each fic. But I personally feel it's better to keep all three going and update each when I feel the muse for them, rather than continue to put things on hold. Hope you guys will be okay with my new way of handling things. But hopefully this will cut down on canceling or hiatusing fics, and allow my muse to run free. :)

Thanks as always to my amazing beta, TFPKOFANGIRL for her work on this chapter!

...

CHAPTER 44
Changing Times

Christmas came and went without much activity whatsoever. And for his part, Trevor was thankful for it, after what had gone down with Barricade, he needed the break, desperately. Things didn't calm down much though, not as long as there were Decepticons around. And what was more, the Autobots plans to bring NEST stateside were only growing in speed. Though Optimus and Elita had needed to go to London on their own due to his recovery, they promised Trevor he was coming on the next trip. One to what could possibly be there new main base of operations, namely: Washington DC. The trip was scheduled for sometime in the next week, and in general he could barely contain his excitement, never having had the chance to go there in his young life.

What's more, the Witwicky's had been given their guardian, a young mech named Jolt. Which meant Jazz hadn't had to leave either, and had been officially assigned at Trevor's guardian. That had practically had the sixteen year old bouncing up and down like a five year old in response. But on the converse side of the whole situation, Trevor and Jazz had gotten into a few more pranks with the twins, and got into trouble as a result. It hadn't been anything too bad, and the punishment hadn't been too bad though, so he could handle this easily.

Bumblebee himself had gotten slightly busy over the last month as well. Trevor didn't know all about it, but he did know that he was getting more involved in training the recruits. The other part, though Bumblebee had refused to tell him, he was dealing with his biological father at the same time. It was at this point that he really wish that Michael Field would drop dead, as it had been a month of this, but there was nothing they could do for the moment. And that was something the Autobot scout hated, especially because the fact he was so far away from Trevor meant he was doing nothing illegal. Which meant they couldn't legally do anything to him and it sucked.

Yet life went on all the same, and what hadn't killed Trevor during the Barricade situation had, indeed, made him stronger. Maybe it was because he had encountered even more first hand just how bad the Decepticons were. He had seen them murder his parents, that much was certain. But now he had experienced first-hand that they could, and would torture/possibly kill anyone they could get their hands on, even including a child. It reaffirmed him more that the Decepticons needed to be stopped, and even moreso, really hammered home what his family was doing more than ever before.

It was for this reason that Trevor began to push himself harder in his training with Ironhide. He'd stopped his complaining, dropped his annoyance and began to push himself even beyond his training. Every so often, during the month, Ironhide would walk by Trevor's room to - (see) him forcing himself to exercise further, and push himself harder. To make himself a better fighter, and someone that could, and would be ready for the Decepticons the next time that they decided to rear their ugly heads. And for all they knew, it could have been any day now that, that happened.

And then there were nights like these, where Trevor would go into the training room alone. At least, after most of the others were busy with other things. Here, he'd develop his fighting style and his moves. He hadn't quite done much with it yet, after all, it had only been a month since the Barricade incident. But he could feel himself getting stronger, and faster every day. But tonight, he could also feel his body growing exhausted, sweat pouring down his face slowly. "I believe it's time that you took a break for the day," Trevor jumped, turning to find that Optimus had entered the training room. "Your energy levels suggest exhaustion," He explained.

"No pain, no gain, right?" Trevor muttered. "I've got to keep going gramps, I'm doing so well."

Optimus approached Trevor casually, smiling slightly. Indeed, he was impressed with his grandson's progress. But at the same time, he knew that every warrior, even in training had their limits. "As good as you are indeed getting, I insist," Optimus told him gently. "You've been at this three hours past your sessions with Ironhide. you've already gone beyond your limits. Take a rest, and grab something to eat," He added.

Trevor sighed, he knew that Optimus wasn't going to get off of this. After all, he and Bumblebee were two of the mechs that most watched over him like a hawk. And even if he wanted them not to, there was no compromising with giant robots. "Alright, alright, I'm stopping," Trevor commented as he grabbed the towel he brought inside and wiped the sweat from his face. "How're things going today, grandpa? I heard that dad and Galloway got into a fight again," He explained. "Everything okay?"

"Just another Thursday when you think about it," Optimus teased slightly. "In general, things have been fine. Though I do worry, as I always do, that the Decepticons have been so quiet since the Barricade incident," He rumbled slightly, Trevor nodded, he could imagine he would feel tense about that. "What of you, Trevor? Or has this been what you were doing all day again?"

Trevor frowned a bit, taking a deep breath. Of course that wasn't the case, but it had been on other days. He crossed his arms slightly, looking up at the Autobot leader. "Nah, I was only training for five hours including these last three, I swear," Trevor held up his hands slightly. "The rest of the day has been slow as hell, though. I really can't wait until we get to DC, I need some non-Decepticon excitement. A change of pace, anything," He explained. "Not to mention I can finally scout out where I'm going to live," He explained.

"We're still not certain it is where we are setting up the main base," Optimus replied calmly. "And as it is the nation's capitol. I would certainly not get my hopes up," Trevor grimaced, knowing that Optimus was probably right about that. "However, I can imagine you are feeling isolated by this time. You haven't been off the island willingly since our visit to Tranquility," He mused.

"You still think dad's going to be okay with me going, right?" Trevor replied. "I know that he's been super jittery around me lately. It kinda has me worried," He admitted. "Who knows what a week away from me would do to him," The boy sighed.

Optimus knew better than to tell him about what was going on with Michael Field. Bumblebee would talk to him about it when and if he needed to, after all. But for now there was no reason to give Trevor any distress such as that. "Your sire will be fine," Optimus replied. "In fact, I think the separation will do him good. He needs to know you can go out and not be snatched like you were here," He told him. "What Barricade did took its toll on him. As did the fact it came down to terminating him. Since, though he'll never admit it, I know it bothered him," This was all very true.

Trevor wasn't surprised by that, after all, Bumblebee was a soft mech. He was a fierce warrior too, but his soft spark must have hurt every time it came to having to "terminate" someone. He moved the towel around his shoulders, and nodded quietly. "I get that, I do," He told the Autobot leader. "I just, I feel like there's something else..." He added. "Something he's not telling me."

Optimus did not reply as they exited the training room, making their way down the hallway.

...

Bumblebee was having a rough day, but luckily Michael Field was none of the reasons for it. He'd finally taken to training some of the recruits however, and that, in and of itself, was annoying as is. While many of them were, thankfully, mature and well-versed, several of them were not. And while Bumblebee, of all mechs, was understanding of the fact things could not be serious all the time, he did wish he got more respect from those few. And yet, those that were mature, he was having fun with at least, and even found to be fun to be around. The others were just something that was hard to overlook, especially when his sixteen year old son was more mature. Heck, it was a problem when HE was more mature than most of them.

And yet, he was now off, and thank Primus for that, he figured. He could now kick back and relax without threat of Michael calling, at least for now. And that alone was something to be happy about. "Hey dad," Bumblebee turned his head with a smile as Trevor entered the hangar he was currently in, Optimus right behind him. "Jeez you look beat, you're not letting the new recruits get to you, are you?" He asked teasingly. "I thought my dad was a badaft that didn't let stuff like that happen?"

"Of course I'm not, I'm just... Fragging exhausted," Bumblebee teased lightly. "I mean come on, some of these people I've been stuck with are real punks. Especially Fabery, slag he's been here less than a week and he's more insubordinate than I used to be," Trevor laughed slightly, finding great irony in his father's comments, and getting a playful glare in response. "Hey, you're my kid, aren't you supposed to be on my side?"

"I am, but you complaining about troublemakers is funny," Trevor teased gently, patting his father on the leg. "Your hypocrisy is almost as cute when you're directing it towards other people as it is with me," He added.

Bumblebee groaned slightly, giving Trevor a look. Even if the mech knew full well that Trevor was joking, he didn't like the point he was making. He then put his hands on his hips, and smirked a bit. "Watch it, or I might just decide to come on this DC trip on Sunday," Trevor's eyes widened slightly at the mere thought. "That's right, then you can kiss that independence goodbye. So I'd suggest you keep those comments to yourself," He joked.

Trevor definitely looked horrified at the thought, even it was jokingly. There was no doubt he was relatively looking forward to getting out from Bumblebee's watchful optic. If only because after the incident with Barricade, even he had to admit he somewhat-hovered over the boy. Optimus and Elita would keep a very watchful eye on him, as would Jazz, who was obviously going with them, but there was a difference. After all they were talking about grandparents (who were liable to be more lenient and spoiling in general) and a guardian (and close friend) here, and compared to a parent it would not be anywhere near the same.

"Why are you covered in sweat by the way?" Bumblebee questioned as he noticed it. "Don't tell me you're going extra rounds of training again? Trev, we talked about this. You need to tone it down a bit. You can't push yourself quite as far as we can," He then added. "I don't want to come out of recharge one day to find you collapsed from overexhaustion."

"Contrary to popular belief, I can do it," Trevor replied. "Uncle 'Hide has taught me enough that it's easy."

Bumblebee snorted at that, looking at Optimus, who simply shrugged. "Your son is very hard to reason with, Bumblebee," Optimus admitted. "But I believe you should be proud of him. He's come a long way in his training. He may yet be formidable in the case of another Decepticon attack," He explained. "Should one ever take place on our base again."

Bumblebee's optics flashed, the last thing he wanted was to think about that. Yet, he knew his adoptive creator was right, Trevor was excelling, even moreso now, at his training, and he was proud. He was just also scared of the hot head that sometimes came with it. "Well, duh, I'm proud. I just want to make sure that he doesn't drop dead on me," He joked. "I mean, the kid didn't have an inch of muscle when he came here practically. The fact he's exercising so much is taking some getting used to," He explained.

Trevor blinked, he hadn't even noticed, but Bumblebee's point was obvious. He was definitely more fit than he had been when he first came to live with the Autobots. Back then, he'd been scrawny. But now he gaining some muscle, and his resilience was growing just as much. He supposed he hadn't noticed it due to how weak he'd felt facing down Barricade, but it was still something that made him smile. Maybe this training would pay off after all, he figured, beyond just being able to fight back. Because God knew that he was tired of being scrawny, and easily overpowered strength-wise.

"Wow, I kinda am getting some muscle, huh?" Trevor chuckled. "Maybe one of these days I might even get to take on your holoform in a fair fight."

Bumblebee chuckled, knowing it would be a long time before that, if ever. Considering their holoforms had a great deal of strength (the human equivalent to what their Transformer-strength was), and Trevor was only at the start of growing muscles. "Maybe one of these days. But kiddo, you've got a long way to go," Bumblebee spoke proudly. "Anyway, I'm off for the day, so, if you're done with your crazy training session," He carefully scooped the boy up, depositing his son gently on his shoulder. "So what do you say we both take a break, grab some dinner, and watch a movie?" He asked.

"Only if I get to pick the movie," Trevor commented. "You picked the last few times."

From where he stood, Optimus watched the two of them with a smile. It was times like these he couldn't help but feel reminded of his own time with Bumblebee as a sparkling. Though they had been through much, it was a reminder that their family would be okay, as it always was. "Oh I do, do I?" Bumblebee rolled his optics. "Fine, you can pick," He teased, then looked at Optimus. "You got work, or do you want to join in, Prime?"

"I wish I could, but I do indeed have a meeting in less than an hour," The leader rumbled. "You two have fun."

As Optimus left, leaving father and son alone again, they stared at one-another silently. Trevor was considering asking him then what else was bothering him, but quickly decided against it. So instead, he simply leaned into the crook of Bumblebee's neck, hoping for a good night where neither were worried and they could enjoy themselves. "So are we going to eat or not?" Trevor asked with a chuckle. "I'm hungry."

"Yeah, yeah, we're going," Bumblebee chuckled. "Just thinking over stuff."

But he could, and would put that away for the night, after all, they needed time alone like this.

...

A/N: I know, this chapter was mostly a chapter of playing catch-up. But next chapter will finally bring them over to DC! :D So hopefully, things will pick up again there!