Hope's Return

Until we meet again

Hope soon settled in with Bumblebee's team for the night. The human boy Russell (not Rusty) had been an explosion of questions. He rather reminded her of Miko but without the purple hair. Idly she wondered what she, Jack and Raf had been up to since her supposed demise. She was shook out of her thoughts by Sideswipe.

"You're thinking to loud again."

"Sorry. It's been so long since I've talked through a bond.  I've almost forgotten what it was like."

"Yeah, me too. Have you encountered Sunstreaker yet?"

"No...do you know where the new base is? Maybe he's there."

"Pit no, Sunny and I didn't part on that good of terms. Neither one of us handled your death well and finally went our separate ways."

"I'm sorry Sides. I'll find him and make it right when I get the chance."

"I know you will. I'm just happy to have you back. You left a really big hole in us when you off-lined."

Leaning up, she kissed him on the face plate.

"I'll try not to do a repeat performance. Now I have a question.  Why is Strongarm glowering at me?"

They both looked at said bot in unison who when caught in the act of glaring, quickly looked away. Once again Hope sighed.

"I think I may have an idea. Please excuse me, I'll be back in a moment. "

Approaching the police bot, she sat down next to her and gazed into the bonfire also.

"What's on your processor Strongarm?"

The police femme seemed to be fighting with how to answer before groaning into her servos.

"It's just...ugh...nevermind."

As she started to get up and walk away, Hope caught her arm.

"You're wondering why Sideswipe and I have a bond."

Her quiet question caught Strongarm off guard and she found herself nodding. Hope patted the seat next to her. Almost hesitantly she sat back down and turned to face Hope.

"Are you two sparkmates?" Her optics full of trepidation, the words came out in a rush.

Hope had expected the question but still found it difficult not to laugh. Her mouth shut tight with mirth, she shook her helm no in response.  Finally she attempted to lessen Strongarm's confusion.

"He's my adopted brother. A bond formed when I healed his twin Sunstreaker and it spread to Sideswipe since they share a spark."

Strongarm's shoulders slumped in relief as she processed that it was a sibling bond and not the sparkmate bond she had feared. Then a thought hit her and her helm shot straight up to meet Hope's startled optics.

"Sweet Solus Prime, there's two of them?!"

At Hope's nod, Strongarm groaned before settling back against the log. Glancing over at Sideswipe,  she pictured two of him and wondered if the Earth could survive the collateral damage two Sideswipes would cause.

"You know, whoever sparkbonds with either twin, bonds with the other as well..."

"Oh slag..." was the muttered reply.

Hope just grinned and stood before returning to Sideswipe's side. He gave her a quizzical glance and asked, "Do I want to know what you two femmes talked about?"

"No. You'll find out soon enough." Hope snuggled into his side and off-lined her optics. Falling into a deep recharge and leaving the puzzled mech to his own thoughts.

**********

"Aww, why do you have to leave? You just got here!"

Hope looked towards the river before sighing. The pull had been growing stronger with each passing day.

"I told you Russell, I have to go where my spark leads me. Someone out there needs me and I can't ignore them."

"But, will we ever see you again?"

Kneeling down, she held a servo out for him to step on to. After he had settled himself, she brought him up to optic level.

"Of course you will. I just reunited with more of my family which includes you too. I wouldn't dream of leaving forever."

"Do you know where you're headed?"

Hope spread her wings in the warm sun and stood still for a moment. The light wind brushed against her form as she considered the pull in her spark.

"East. Someone awaits me in the East."

"There's a town called Griffin Rock about 400 miles East in Maine. A team of Rescue Bots have made it their home. Perhaps that's where you're heading."

Both of them looked up at Bumblebee's voice. He smiled sadly at her.

"It was good to see you again Champion."

Hope put Russell down and pulled Bumblebee into an embrace.

"I'd prefer it if you'd call me Carrier."  she whispered into his audio receptor.

Bumblebee pulled back and stared at her in shock.

"Optimus saw you as his own and he was my sparkmate, so in my optics, you are also my sparkling."

Bumblebee touched his helm to hers before whispering thank you and stepping back. His optics were suspiciously wet but he quickly changed the subject.

"Keep in touch and be sure to keep us posted on your journey."

She shot him a mock salute while laughing then sobered.

"The pull is getting stronger. I need to go."

**************

The rest of his team assembled to say their farewells. Drift bowed in respect and she mirrored the movement in response. Strongarm shook her servo.

"Don't worry, I'll keep an eye on slick for you."

Hope chuckled at Sideswipe's protest and turned to Grimlock. The dino-bot shuffled his peds before gently helm butting her. She petted him gently on the muzzle.

Sideswipe sent a warm rush of love through their bond. "Take care little sister."

Hope took in the group of Autobots and humans one last time before beckoning to Grimlock. Confused, he came up to her.

"Hey big guy, how about a boost into the air please?"

He knelt to the ground and waited. Hope ran towards him and stepped into his servo's before launching herself into the air. Her wings caught the breeze and the power overtook her. Transforming into dragon form, she winged away into the sky leaving a group of surprised bots and humans.

Sideswipe and Bee smirked at each other and waved until she was out of sight. Turning back to their teammates,  they waited for the inevitable questions. 

Grim just shook his helm and stared off at her fading form.

"We could've gone smashing together." he grumbled.