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

Chapter Five

The air suddenly became tense and hard for him to breathe. He stared at the man and felt anger rise inside him.

Why was he alive? How was he?

Bumblebee couldn't look away and shook his head angrily. Tears of rage filled his eyes and he clenched his fists tightly. It wasn't fair that this man was still alive and his parents were dead. He had killed them both.

He paled when he realized the man was probably out for revenge. His life or his family's could be in danger. No they were. Someone tapped his shoulder and he yelped in surprise. He whipped around and looked at the young woman. The waitress was startled and stepped back.

"Oh sorry sir. I was trying to ask you a question." She said. He blinked a couple times and looked at the table as he nodded slowly. He glanced back out the window and his eyes widened.

Megatron was gone. Of course.

He had to figure out where the man went, and how to stop him before he did anything to harm anyone. He looked at her and apologized before getting up and walking out of the building. He looked around frantically and saw him again.

He narrowed his eyes and quickly ran after him. He followed him for a few blocks but lost him. He growled angrily as he looked around for him again.

After a few minutes he sighed quietly and went back to the hospital. Ratchet needed his family right now. Especially if the doctors were right and he wouldn't last much longer. Bumblebee glared and shook his head at the thought.

No... Ratchet was too stubborn to die. But so was his dad.

Bumblebee ran back to the hospital and didn't stop until he got to the room. He stopped at the door and panted quietly as he stared. His siblings were already there talking to their uncle. The only difference was he seemed a little happier. The young man smiled a little as he walked into the room and spoke with the others.

No, he wouldn't let him die. He couldn't.

A few days later Bumblebee was sitting at his desk filling out paperwork. He sighed forcefully and rubbed his face tiredly. He hated doing this. He looked out the window and paled as he saw the mafia leader. He didn't take his eyes off the man and watched his every move.

Megatron looked at the window he was sitting by, and smiled wickedly. He was planning something, but what?

"Jazz..." Bumblebee mumbled and stared at the man outside. "Look outside." He muttered. His friend frowned and looked through the window.

"What am I looking at?" He asked as he looked at all the people.

"There... by the diners... it's-"

"Reporting for duty sir!" The two officers yelped in surprise, and looked at a rookie that was saluting them. She had a look of determination on her face and stared straight ahead.

"Oh no...." Jazz mumbled as he facepalmed and sighed in exasperation. Bumblebee stared at her with confusion then looked out the window.

Megatron was gone again. What game was he playing?

"Uh... Strongarm... right?" Bumblebee mumbled as he looked at her.

"Yes sir. And I must say it's an honor to be working with you." She said as she smiled brightly. Clearly excited to be in their presence. Bumblebee and Jazz stared at her blankly for a moment then looked at each other.

"I'm uh.... going to go talk to Chief Burns." Jazz mumbled and walked off quickly. Bumblebee tried stopping him then glared at him. He didn't want to train.

"So.... um.... ya...." Bumblebee mumbled and stood up as he looked at the teen, or young adult. She stared at him and stood straighter as if he was judging her.

"How old are you?" He asked as he sighed forcefully. He stared out the window again expecting to see Megatron. He didn't.

"I'm nineteen. Sir." She said and saluted. "Soon to be twenty... but that's beside the point." She mumbled. Bumblebee smiled slightly and looked at her file.

"May I say it's an honor serving with you sir." She said as she smiled again.

"Um... ya... you already said that before." He mumbled as he read. He stopped suddenly and looked at her. "Why?" He asked out of curiosity. She seemed to light up more and looked out the window.

"May I sit here?" She asked and pointed to a chair. He nodded slowly and sat down when she did. She stared at him for a few minutes as if meeting a celebrity. It made him a little uncomfortable.

"You were there." She said in awe and smiled. "You were actually there with Optimus, Ratchet, Ironhide, Chief Burns.... everyone." She said and he furrowed his brow as he listened quietly.

Was she talking about that night? The night that tormented him when he slept? He looked at her file but wasn't really reading it. After a moment he stared out the window and his expression went blank. His father died because of what happened. He and a few others were traumatized.

"You're a hero Bumblebee. You and everyone else that was there that night. Optimus saved-"

"Please stop." He said seriously and looked at her. She blinked in surprise and stared at him for a moment. "You don't know what happened... just stop-"

"Yes I do... forgive me for interrupting sir... but I was at the school with the bomb. Because of Optimus and everyone else, I'm here today. It's because of all of you I became an officer." She said seriously. Bumblebee stared at her for a few minutes then smiled a little. He stood up and gently gripped her shoulder.

"Thank you." He whispered quietly and walked away as Jazz came back.

"Where are you going?" He asked then sighed forcefully as he sat by her. Bumblebee walked over to the office and gently knocked. Chief Burns said he could enter and he did so.

"Bumblebee I'm not getting her moved to another partnership to get trained. Don't ask because Jazz already did." He muttered without looking up. The young man smiled a little and put his hands in his pockets.

"No sir I'll train her." He said and watched him for a moment. "How's Cody?" He asked quietly. The man stopped suddenly and looked up at him.

"He's... better... why do you ask?" He said as he furrowed his brow.

"I just haven't really heard from him... I know he was talking to Ratchet for a while... to sort things out. Plus I thought he should probably know Ratchet is sick." He muttered. The chief frowned and slowly stood up.

"I'll let him know... thank you... he's grown attached to him." He said as he smiled slightly and put a paper away.

"It's hard not to." Bumblebee chuckled softly and rubbed his face tiredly.

"Everything alright?" Burns asked as he watched him quietly. The young man nodded absentmindedly and stared at the clock.

"I... just need to sort some things out..." he mumbled and smiled sadly. The chief walked over and gently gripped his shoulder.

"Take the rest of the day off." He said seriously. Bumblebee furrowed his brow and was about to protest. "You have two hours before you leave anyway. Just go home." He said as he smiled slightly. Bumblebee smiled and nodded slowly then thanked him before headed out.

Jazz protested not wanting to show the rookie around the office. Bumblebee welcomed her in and shook her hand before heading out. He chuckled at his friend and headed home. He decided to visit Ratchet and did for a few hours.

When he finished he went to the diner to get something to eat. He sat by the window and stared out it, he thought long and hard about what to do.  He didn't order anything for a while and just stared blankly. He slowly zoned out and tuned everyone out.

"Hello little Bumblebee." A voice said and he snapped out of it. He looked at the man sitting across from him and stiffened. He would never forget those eyes. Megatron smirked darkly as he stared at the young officer.