TF-Moon Shadows Ch3-Return

DISCLAIMER: I do not own Transformers, or any of the song/movie quotes used in this story.  However, the idea for this story does, indeed, belong to me.

HERE'S YOUR TRADITIONAL, FRIENDLY NEIGHBOORHOOD REMINDER THIS IS NOT A SLASH FIC.

NOTE: DO NOT READ THIS FIC UNLESS YOU HAVE SEEN DARK OF THE MOON!!! MAJOR SPOILERS ABOUND!
Moon Shadows 3/7
Title: Return
Rating: T (Just to be safe)
Words: 825
Characters: The Wreckers, Bumblebee, Ratchet, Optimus, Sam,  Epps
Pairings: None
Takes Place: During Dark of the Moon
Spoiler Warnings: Major Spoilers for Dark of the Moon
Other Warnings: ANGST
Teaser: The journey is long and silent, and gives Bumblebee plenty of time to think.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

BEING IN THE ESCAPE POD OF THE XANTIUM IS a terrifying experience for Bumblebee.  It is like being in a freefall, and there is no way to see what the pod is falling towards.  The Wreckers insist that it is safe; they are falling towards the ocean.  They will land in it as planned, and from there, they will all make the journey to Chicago to help eradicate the Decepticon threat.

Their confidence does not make Bumblebee feel any better.  He hates not being able to see where he is. He hates being unable to know what is going on around him.

It reminds him too much of being captured.

In the absence of Ironhide, Ratchet has more or less taken charge of Bumblebee.  He puts a hand on the younger Autobot's shoulder, trying to dispel some of the nervousness Bumblebee is feeling.  Bumblebee appreciates it, but he still tenses as he waits for the impact that will soon come.

When it comes, it is with a terrible shuddering jolt, and then the sense of falling resumes, but it is much slower.  They are sinking in the ocean.

Optimus stands and the other Autobots follow suit.  The pod's doors open.

Ocean water pours in, but it cannot harm them.  One by one, they exit the ship into the ocean.

The first part of the plan is complete.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

The drive to Chicago is long and quiet.

There is too big of a risk that the Decepticons will be able to pick up their comm frequencies, so Optimus orders everyone to maintain silence for the duration of the trip.  They are also not traveling together as that would arouse suspicion.  They are all taking separate roads, alternate routes, but are traveling at a speed that will allow them all to arrive in the city at relatively the same time.

The silence the lack of communication and traveling alone brings gives Bumblebee time to think.

He has no doubt in his mind that Sam is in Chicago.  He knows that Sam, even believing that the Autobots are gone, will not stand by and let the Decepticons win.  That makes him proud to call the human his friend; proud to call him his brother.

But…

Will Sam be happy to see them after what happened?  When he learns that they never left, that they had hidden the truth from him, would he want anything to do with them after that?  Would he be angry at Bumblebee, just like he had been angry a scant few days ago because it had been so long since the Autobot had seen him?

There is a huge difference between not visiting and not telling the truth when the resulting lie hurts your friend, Bumblebee knows.  It was for the greater good, yes, but it still hurt Sam, and Bumblebee can never forgive himself for that.

I'm sorry, Sam.

Day turns to night and then back to day again, and eventually the skyline of Chicago comes into view.

Bumblebee screeches to a halt, dread filling him at the sight that meets his optics.  

He has been to Chicago before.  Once, on a trip with Sam.

It looks nothing like what he remembers.

Some buildings are still standing, yes.  But many are toppled, or are in the process of collapsing.  Smoke fills the air.  The city is burning.

Decepticon warships patrol the city's border.  He sees a few human fighter jets make a brave attempt to rush the patrol, but they are shot down instantly.  They never even get close.

His spark clenches in pain and fear.  If Sam is there, is he even still alive?

Bumblebee notices that he is picking up Autobot signals.  The others are here.  He backs away from his position, still looking at the ruined city with sick dread.

Sam, if you are in there, hold on, just a little longer.  I'm coming.

………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………

It is the greatest feeling in the world when Bumblebee sees Sam standing there, alive, with Optimus, Epps, and some other humans that he does not know, while the Wreckers make short work of the Decepticon that had tried to kill the brave humans as they tried to enter the city.

He does not hesitate.  He drives up as fast as he can, Transforming into robot mode before he even reaches Sam, kneeling down to look at his friend at eye level, forming his faceplates into a smile as best as he can.

Sam looks up at him, and to Bumblebee's relief, it is not anger that he sees in the human's eyes.  It is happiness, love, and relief, and as Sam rushes forward and hugs him as well as a human can hug a giant robot, Bumblebee's spark no longer feels broken.

And amid the ruins of a fallen city, despite the grueling battle that surely awaits them, he begins to hope, that maybe, just maybe, they will all come out of this okay.