Ensconce Transformers Prime AU (Book 2) (Wattys 2017)

Chapter Two

Later that day everyone got together after work to have dinner at the house. The adults were talking to each other and laughing as they cooked. Miko hung out with them until the kids begged her to play with them. After dinner they sat down in the living room and talked for a while. Miko came back in and sat by Bulkhead as she listened.

"Can we go to the monster truck rally tomorrow?" She asked as she rested her head against his shoulder. He hesitated and looked at her for a moment.

"Don't you have school tomorrow?" He muttered as he raised an eyebrow.

"Maybe..." she said as she smiled innocently. He furrowed his brow and looked at Smokescreen. His brother made the same face Miko did.

"I... don't think it's a good idea." He said seriously. "I'll take you Saturday." He said as he looked at her. "If your homework is done." He said. She rolled her eyes and was about to say something when Orion came running in with a water gun.

"You'll never catch me!" He yelled and hid behind Smokescreen as he shot at his sister. Peri squealed happily and shot him with her tiny water pistol.

"Fweeze!" She yelled and walked over to him. She had her blanket tied on like a cape and an old police hat on her head. She had also found a badge and had used it to hold her blanket together.

"Aaaaah!" Orion yelled as he clutched his heart. "You got me officer!" He said and fell to the ground. Bulkhead chuckled quietly as Peri went over and flopped on top of her brother.

"Undew awwest." She said as she smiled brightly and hugged him. The adults laughed quietly and looked at each other.

"Where did you get the hat?" Bumblebee chuckled as he watched them.

"In one of the rooms. It was really dusty." He said as he smiled then handed him the hat. Bumblebee furrowed his brow and looked at the name inside. It was his dads. He looked at the badge and saw his fathers name. He blinked back tears and carefully took the items.

"We.... aren't allowed... in there." He mumbled and walked off as he carried the hat and badge. The others watched him disappear then looked at each other.

"Sowwy...." Peri whispered quietly and hung her head.

"No sweetie." Arcee said gently and picked her up. "You didn't know." She whispered quietly.

"Plus uncle Bee is really sensitive about this stuff." Smokescreen grumbled. "Makes him a kill joy." He mumbled bitterly. Bulkhead narrowed his eyes and looked at him. He quietly got up and went to make sure his brother was alright.

Bumblebee stood their quietly as he stared at the hat in his hands. He smiled slightly as he remembered his father. He carefully set it in its place along with the badge. He realized the room really did need dusting. None of them had touched it since their dad left. He stared at the items again and thought for a few minutes. He remembered when is father explained what he did and why.

"Daddy...."

"Yes Bumblebee?"

"Why are you a cop?"

"So I can protect others that can't help themselves. Every time I put on my uniform, I'm promising to keep the citizens safe. I'm promising to protect my family and this city no matter what."

"To... protect..." Bumblebee mumbled as the memory faded. "You did that..." he said quietly. "I'm keeping the peace, or trying to anyway." He said as he smiled slightly. Bulkhead watched quietly from the doorway and sighed.

"Bee..." he said making his brother jump. "You alright?" He asked quietly.

"Ya... I am..." he mumbled and silently walked out of the room and closed the door. "Just.... thinking." He muttered. Bulkhead gently gripped his shoulder and looked into his eyes.

"I'm worried about you." He said seriously and furrowed his brow. Bumblebee sighed forcefully and hung his head.

"Don't be... I'm perfectly fine." He said as he looked at him and smiled slightly.

"I need to talk to you about something... but not now. Can I come by the station tomorrow on your lunch break?" He asked quietly.

His brother hesitated then nodded slowly as he smiled a little. Bulkhead returned a sad smile and gently gripped his shoulder before walking off. Bumblebee sighed forcefully and stared at the floor. He wondered what was wrong with his siblings lately.

The next day Bumblebee was doing paperwork at the station. He thought for a while as he did and wondered what his brother wanted to talk about. He looked over at Jazz who had fallen asleep. He rolled his eyes and threw a waded up paper at him. Jazz jumped and glared at him before sitting up.

"I know the office is boring but the sooner we get this done the sooner we can go out into the field." Bee said as he smiled slightly.

"This is so bad for my ADHD." Jazz complained and started fidgeting.

Bumblebee smiled sadly and watched him quietly for a moment. He decided he would help him out later when he was done. He finished another file and smiled slightly as he saw Chase. The officer was collecting files that were completed.

"Hey Chase." Jazz said as he smiled and handed him a file. "How's the new team?" He asked. The man paused and looked at him for a few minutes.

"It's functioning properly if that's what you're referring to." He said seriously. Bumblebee smiled slightly and handed him a file.

Chief Burns had put Ultra Magnus in charge of the main functions of the station, while he worked with the new team they put together. He was still in charge of the station, but Magnus did a good portion of it when he was gone.

"Come on Chase, tell us about a few things you've done." Jazz said as he smiled slightly. The officer stared at him for a few minutes then walked off to turn the files in.

"Leave him alone Jazz." Bumblebee said while he rolled his eyes. "I'm sure it's about as fun as our missions." He smiled slightly.

They suddenly noticed Ironhide leading a small group of rookies through the office as he explained a few things. They watched quietly and once they left the others started talking about who might have to train.

"Pssht we have nothing to worry about." Jazz said as he smiled. Bumblebee sighed forcefully and continued working.

"I hope you're right." He mumbled and fell silent as he wrote.

~

Later that day, Bumblebee walked to the lobby and waved as he saw his brother. Bulkhead smiled slightly and stood up then walked with him out of the building. They talked about their day as they went to a restaurant for lunch. They sat by a window and talked a little more. After their food arrived they were silent for a few minutes.

"Bee... you know that we... want what's best for you, right?" Bulkhead asked hesitantly, referring to the others. Bumblebee stared out the window as he set his hands in his lap.

"Yes...." he mumbled. "But I have a feeling I'm not going to like this." He muttered. Bulkhead sighed forcefully and looked at the table.

"Bumblebee... I don't want to hurt your feelings... but you need-" He stopped suddenly as his brothers eyes widened and he grabbed his arm.

"Look." He said seriously as he stared out the window. His brother frowned and looked outside but didn't see anything.

Bumblebee jumped up and ran out of the restaurant. He looked around frantically and bit his lip. He swore he just saw him in the crowd. Watching them protectively like always.

Their dad.