More Than Meets the Eye

Separate Ways

"Optimus, what's wrong?" Elia asked as we entered the bunker. All the Autobots looked at Optimus, waiting for an answer.

"It's Barricade," Optimus growled.

"He's back?" Jazz asked. The Autobots exchanged worried glances.

"Yeah," Bumblebee growled before looking down at me. "And he wants~her."

Dead silence filled the room as all optics turned to me.

"What do you mean?" Chromia asked slowly.

"It would appear that Barricade is quite taken with Alyssa," Optimus said as he looked down at me. "And has now abandoned his mission in the hopes of claiming her as his mate."

Barricade wanted me to be his mate? I shuddered at the thought.

"Well," Dino snarled. "If he wants her, he'll have to get through me."

"You mean us," Jazz corrected as he and the other Autobots, minus Ironhide, stepped forward. "If Barricade wants her, he'd better be ready for on hell of a fight... 'Cause that's what we're gonna give him."

"Yeah!" Mudflap said. "Nobody messes with the Autobots, or their friends!"

"And if you do, ya get your ass whooped, yo!" Skids added.

I smiled as the Autobots shouted in agreement before frowning slightly. Even before I knew who they were, the Autobots had given me everything I wanted: a home, a family, friends, someone to love... And even now, they were prepared to fight for me. What had I done to deserve any of this when I gave them nothing?

"That will have to wait," Optimus said, pulling me from my thoughts. "As long as Barricade is here, Alyssa isn't safe. Our first priority is to get her out of harms way. Then we can begin our hunt for Barricade, and end him once and for all."

"But we need to find him first," Sunstreaker growled. "That sneaky bastard never stays in one place."

"We also can't do one thing at a time," Sideswipe. "That will give Barricade too much time to figure everything out."

"We'll split up," Elita said. "That way we can look for Barricade and take Alyssa somewhere save at the same time."

"But if we stay in one group, we can beat Barricade's ass!" Mudflap protested.

"Weren't you listening?" Chromia hissed at him. "If we stay in one group, it'll be easier for Barricade to take her!"

"If travel in pairs, we should be able to track Barricade down and contacted the others once he is located," Optimus said. "At the same time, one of the pairs can take Alyssa as far from the fight as possible and keep an eye on her until we eliminate the threat."

"Alright.~She's with me," Bumblebee declared.

"And that's just what he'll expect," Ratchet told him. "You are her lover, and his rival. That's plenty is reason for him to attack you first."

"He's right," Sunstreaker said. "If she goes with you, it'll be all for nothing."

"Are you saying... That the safest place for me to be is anywhere away from Bumblebee?" I asked slowly.

All optics looked down at me sadly, answering my question. Bumblebee looked down, clenching his fists in anger. I knew he didn't like this, but he also knew as much as I did that it was true: if I stayed with him, Barricade would win.

I jumped slightly when Ironhide cleared his throat and hesitantly stepped forward.

"I'll take her."

I looked up at him in shock. Did he, the Autobot who seemed to hate me, just volunteer to keep me safe? I was sure I heard him wrong.

"I'll take her," Ironhide repeated, as if to convince us that we heard him right. "Barricade won't even think of coming anywhere near me, if he knows what's good for him."

All optics turned to Bumblebee. He looked at Ironhide uncertainly before looking down at me. There was a moment of hesitation before he turned back to Ironhide.

"Promise me~that she'll be safe."

Ironhide nodded.

"I promise."

**

A few minutes later, we were prepared to carry out the plan. Each Autobot was paired up in the following order: Dino and Arcee, Sideswipe and Substreaker, Elita and Optimus, Mudflap and Skids, Bumblebee and Jazz, and finally Ironhide and Chromia. Ratchet had chosen to stay back at the base just in case Barricade was still lurking around. The Autobots were even kind enough to pack me some clothes, food, money, and a blanket.

I was seated inside Ironhide as we waited for Optimus to give us the order to go. To be honest, I was terrified. What if the plan didn't work? What if someone got hurt... Or killed?

"Hey."

I snapped out of my thoughts as Bumblebee pulled up next to me. For a long time, neither of us said anything. Finally, Bumblebee broke the silence.

"Everything's going to be alright," he said. "You'll be fine.~I promise.~I'll come~find you~when it's over.~Okay?"

A tear trickled down my cheek.

"O-okay..."

Bumblebee seemed to hesitate for a moment before speaking again.

"I love you."

Before I could say anything, Optimus rolled forward.

"Autobots!" He said in a strong, clear voice. "ROLL OUT!"

"B-Bumblebee?" I whimpered as the Autobots took off down the tunnel.

"Keep her safe for me," I heard him whisper as Ironhide and Chromia started their engines.

"BUMBLEBEE!"

That was all was able to say before Ironhide and Chromia took off down the tunnel. When we got out, I saw the Autobots heading in different directions with their partners. As I looked back, I could see Bumblebee adjust his mirror as he and Jazz took off in the opposite direction.

=Bonus=

I smirked as I watched those pathetic Autobots take off in different directions, oblivious to the fact that I was watching their every move.

I was able to spot my rival, Bumblebee heading northeast with his friend... Jazz, was it? It was so tempting to go after him. Oh, the thought of ripping his spark out and watching the light fade from his eyes... But that would have to wait. First I would have to find his lovely human pet, and I would make her mine. Then, I would finally have my revenge.

"Soon," I whispered as I watched Bumblebee. "Soon, I'll make you pay for what you did, and I will have your pet, brother."