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

Chapter Eleven

A few days later Bumblebee was released from the hospital and able to go home. He was happier now and didn't have the nightmares as often. In a weird twisted way, Dr Scalpel had actually helped.

After another few day they went to the hospital again to visit Ratchet. They found out he was doing better, and would make a full recovery. The three boys spoke with him quietly for a while before Arcee and her family came.

"Uncle Ratchet!" Orion said as he ran into the room. Peregrine ran after him as she held her tiger. The little boy climbed up on the bed and sat by him then hugged him tightly. Peri gripped the blankets and struggled to pull herself up as she tried to keep a hold of her tiger.

"Hewp hewp." She said as she grunted and tried to get up. Ratchet chuckled softly as Smokescreen picked her up and set her on his other side. She squealed happily and snuggled up to the doctor as she played with her tiger.

"Aw that's so cute." Smokescreen pouted and said it in a way you would to a puppy.

Ratchet glared at him and reached for a pen to throw at him. June slapped his hand and took the pen away. Ratchet grumbled something under his breath and sat back. The others gave Smokescreen a look before staring back at the man.

They spoke for a while and discussed different things. Ratchet was angry when he heard about Dr Scalpel, but was glad he was in jail. A little later Bulkhead's friend came to visit.

"How ya doing Doc?" Wheeljack asked as he smiled slightly and walked into the room. Ratchet growled lowly and glared at him.

"Don't call me doc." He muttered and the young man smirked.

"Whatever you say... Sunshine." He teased as his smirk grew. June wasn't able to stop him fast enough, and he threw a pen at the man. Wheeljack easily dodged and laughed quietly.

"You need something bigger and heavier Sunshine." He teased as he leaned against the wall and folded his arms. Ratchet looked around for something he could throw, but only had the kids nearby.

"Don't give him any ideas." Cliffjumper chuckled as he picked up his son. The doctor ignored them and tried not to get annoyed.

Peregrine watched quietly and sucked her thumb as she leaned against the doctor. Ratchet looked at her and stared for a few minutes. She reminded him of Bumblebee when he did the same thing at that age. He smiled a little and laid back as he gently stroked her hair. He stared at her as he remembered Optimus and Elita.

"Ratchet?" He looked up as Bumblebee gently gripped his shoulder. Everyone was looking at him with concern.

"Are... you okay?" Smokescreen asked hesitantly. He furrowed his brow a little as he realized he was crying. He stared at each of the kids and could see their parents in them.

"Y-Yes...." he mumbled and looked at his lap. They weren't convinced and moved closer as they worried.

"Uncw Rawe?" Peri asked quietly and looked up at him. He furrowed his brow and stared at her for a moment. She gently wiped his tears away and hugged him tightly.

"Don cwy." She whispered quietly and kissed his cheek. "We wuv you." She said seriously and pouted cutely. He chuckled quietly and hugged her tightly.

"Yes.... I know." He whispered quietly and looked at them. "I see that now..." he mumbled and smiled a little. The adults looked at each other than him as they smiled. They all hugged him gently and he blinked in surprise.

"We all love you Uncle Ratchet." Bumblebee said as he smiled. The doctor stared at them then smiled a little as a tear fell down his face.

This was his family. He had just been too blind to see them, and too stubborn to accept the fact.

~

Bumblebee smiled slightly as he walked into the building. He stopped in the middle of the room and closed his eyes as he inhaled deeply. Paper, ink, metal and something no one could identify. He grinned happily and looked around for a moment.

"Man I missed this place." He said as he walked over to the main desk. He smiled brightly at the officers and waved to everyone. He went to his floor and the cops stopped suddenly as they saw him. The room fell silent as they stared blankly for a moment.

"Hey guys." He said as he smiled nervously and waved a little.

"Bee!!" Jazz yelled and hugged him tightly. "You have no idea how much we missed you." He said seriously.

The other cops laughed happily then walked over to welcome him back. Once they all finished saying 'hello' they went back to work. Bumblebee spoke with Chief Burns for awhile, and told him how he was doing.

"It's good to have you back Bumblebee." He said as he smiled slightly and stood up. The young man stood as well and shook his hand.

"It's good to be back sir." He said seriously and smiled a little.

"Just promise to take it easy." The older man said as he watched him head to the door. Bumblebee chuckled softly and looked at him as he stood in the doorway.

"When do I ever take it easy?" He asked and closed the door. Burns shook his head and chuckled softly.

Bumblebee went back to his desk and sat down slowly. He smiled slightly and ran his hands along the wood. His desk hadn't been touched other than a few papers.

"Yes she missed you too." Jazz teased in a voice you would use for a kitten. Bumblebee rolled his eyes and smacked his arm playfully.

"How is the training with Strongarm coming?" He asked as he looked through his papers.

"Oh Magnus didn't think I should train her on my own... so he and Chase have been doing that." He muttered and scrunched up his face. Bumblebee made a face and shrugged before looking at some paperwork.

"Well... she'll follow the book to the letter and number." He mumbled and felt bad they didn't train her.

"Ya... but Chief Burns said he wants us to be her partners in the field... for a while." Jazz said seriously. Bumblebee furrowed his brow in confusion and sighed forcefully.

"I don't know what she can learn from us, that hasn't already been taught... she has the best teachers already." He said as he smiled slightly.

"You mean the best boring teachers." Jazz mumbled so no one else could hear. The young man smiled a little and rolled his eyes again.

"Chase isn't that bad. He's actually a really awesome cop." Bee said seriously.

"Ya but Magnus is a different story." Jazz teased and looked up as Strongarm walked over with her things. She set her items down and made them neat and tidy.

"Reporting for duty sir." She said as she saluted with a look of determination. Bumblebee sighed quietly and smiled at his friend.

"Here we go again." Jazz mumbled as he set his head in his hands and smiled a little. Bee chuckled quietly and told her to sit down. He looked out the window at the little diner, but this time nothing was out of place.

Maybe things were looking up for them after all.