More Than Meets the Eye

You've Changed Me

I smiled weakly at Bumblebee. My body was in pain, but the sight of him made me feel better. Bumblebee sighed in relief as he grasped my hand.

"Hey," he whispered. "H-how do you feel?"

"Like crap," I said bluntly. Bumblebee chuckled softly. "What about you?"

"Better, now that I know you'll be fine."

I frowned. "Is Barricade...?"

"He's dead," Bumblebee said darkly. "And he nearly took you down with him."

I took a moment to grasp what he said. Barricade was gone, for good. Now my aunt, and all his other victims, could rest in peace. But still...

"Was it hard?" I asked Bumblebee. "Killing him after... After you Bonded with him?"

Bumblebee looked at me in shock. "How did you-"

"Ironhide told me," I explained. "He told me that you and Barricade were friends, then you Bonded. But then you broke the Bond after he-"

"That's not the whole story," Bumblebee sighed. "I-I was different back then... I was young, stupid, rebellious, and angry at the war, and everyone else. I had just discovered that I was adopted, and I just snapped. I said... Horrible things to Optimus and ran away. I didn't know what I was thinking that day. I had no experience living out on the streets, or on my own for that matter. I-I bumped into a gang and kinda made them mad by trying to steal some energon from them. I thought I was a goner until Barricade showed up. He sent those scrapheads packing before helping me out. He let me say with him, and we started becoming friends. After awhile, we... We Bonded. I don't know what I was thinking, but I felt like he was the only one who understood me! But... But he was just using me to get to the Autobots. I tried to stop him, but he told me that if I chose them over him, our Bond meant nothing. It became clear to me that our Bond was already broken. After I chose my place... I broke the bond."

Tears ran down Bumbkebee's cheek. "You have no idea what it feels like," Bumblebee said softly. "I... I felt cold, and empty. I was never really the same after that... Until I met you."

I looked up at him in confusion. "M-me?"

Bumblebee nodded. "When we first met, I felt... Whole again. You gave me a reason to live, to be happy again. What you made me feel was nothing compared to my Bond with Barricade."

He hesitated for a moment. "I admit, it was hard to kill him. But after watching him hurt you, I knew that I had to do it."

I looked into his eyes, the same warmth and love washing over me like that day when I learned the truth.

"You've changed me," he whispered. "And know I now that I can never let you go."

I smiled before placing the gem in his hand. "Here. It was in the necklace you gave me. Frenzy broke it, but I managed to save... Whatever this is."

Bumblebee smiled softly as he looked down the gem. "Do you know what this is?" I shook my head. "It's a piece of my spark, basically my heart and soul."

I laughed. "You know how to make a girl feel special."

"I'm sorry to interrupt," a voice said. We turned to see the doctor enter the room. "But I'm afraid Ms. Parker is going to need some rest, sir."

"C'mon, dude. We were having a moment," I joked.

Bumblebee chuckled before standing up and kissing my forehead. I smiled as I felt his warm lips touch my skin.

"Get some rest," he told me. "I'll still be here."

I watch the doctor start to escort him out of the room.

"Bee..."

Bumblebee stopped and looked back at me.

"I love you."

A soft smile crossed his face.

"I love you, too."