Birth - Chapter 9: Bumblebee

It had been five days since Hot Rod had pulled that stunt. Bumblebee couldn't help but feel responsible for giving him the high grade. Despite him and Sideswipe still being the youngling's guardians, Optimus had given him the third degree, lecturing him until his audio receptors burned. It not only made him feel low, but it also made him depressed over what he had done.

Now Hot Rod had become a laughingstock amongst the Autobots. Wherever he went, most of them would laugh at him and this left nothing but confusion for the youngling. Bumblebee had never felt so terrible in all his life, even he recalled what had transpired to cause this mess in the first place, he just kept on wishing that he hadn't given Hot Rod the high grade. He was supposed to be Hot Rod's guardian! He should've known better than to give him the stuff, but instead, he'd made things confusing for Hot Rod, especially when Mirage was nervous around him.

Rumours had spread around the base and, due to Hot Rod's confusion and no one telling him what he had done to make them laugh at him, the youngling had decided to keep himself cooped up in his quarters. Much to Sideswipe's and Bumblebee's surprise, Hot Rod had reprogrammed the key code that no one could work out. So no one could enter or exit the room unless Hot Rod came out himself.

Bumblebee wished he had Sideswipe alongside him to help him out with his problem, but the silver mech had wisely disappeared and had been avoiding him the last few days. Ironhide probably suspected that he knew what his old student was up to, but had refused to tell anyone until it did happen. This left the yellow scout on his own figure out how to talk with Hot Rod and coax him out from his quarters.

Unfortunately for him, Bumblebee hadn't realised that he'd ended up at Hot Rod's quarters without realising it until he'd lifted up his head and found himself at Hot Rod's door. His spark pulsed nervously as he stood there, his doorwings twitching in sync with his feelings. He hadn't felt this nervous since his first scouting mission.

Bumblebee sighed and raised a fist to knock on the door.

There was no answer.

"Roddy," Bumblebee called.

"Don't call me that," Hot Rod growled from within. "No one should call me by that name."

"Listen, Hot Rod," Bumblebee whispered low enough so that only Hot Rod could hear him, "I'm really sorry I gave you that high grade. I wasn't thinking when I poured it in the cube. All I wanted was for you to enjoy yourself, but, instead, I turned you into a class clown... a joke to be laughed at by everyone. Please, open the door so that we can talk properly. I just want you to know how terribly sorry I am for making you drink the high grade. If I have to wait for a long time for you to open the door, then so be it. I have the patience of a cybercat, and I'll wait forever if I have to."

Silence hung in the air for a long time.

The young scout sighed and leaned against the wall, waiting quietly for Hot Rod to respond. It was an anxious wait, but Bumblebee was determined to see it through. If his patience was good enough, the reward would be great. He never took his optics off of console, waiting for it to turn green.

Then, as if it had heard his thoughts, the console turned green.

The door opened, granting Bumblebee entry. He walked in slowly, his doorwings twitching a little. He wasn't surprised to find Hot Rod sitting on one of his couches. There was hardly any light, but from the looks of the youngling, he didn't look too good. Five days of not being in the sunlight and not consuming enough energon had taken its toll upon him. He looked like he'd wrestled with a random Decepticon. His armour didn't seem to have the lively glow, nor did his flames. Even his optics looked a little dull from lack of recharge.

Bumblebee approached Hot Rod and gently tapped him on the shoulder. Hot Rod didn't move, and Bumblebee thought for sure that he was in his own world until he finally turned his head to look at him with a long stare.

"What do you want?" Hot Rod croaked.

"To... apologise," Bumblebee replied as he sat down in front of Hot Rod.

The flame-coloured mech didn't move an inch, but his optics never strayed from Bumblebee. They sat there in the longest silence, but Bumblebee knew that his patience would eventually win out. After all, he had a lot more experience when it came to waiting, and again, he'd wait forever for his charge if he had to. For the moment, it was better to let Hot Rod think on what he wanted to say next rather than take it further without his acknowledgement. However, what Bumblebee didn't expect to come out of Hot Rod's mouth was a different question than what he'd expected.

"Is Optimus mad at me?" he asked.

Bumblebee felt taken aback. Nope, he definitely wasn't expecting that question. Usually he thought he was prepared for anything, but definitely not this. He sighed and let his doorwings droop slightly as he did his best to answer his young friend's question. After all, Hot Rod had the appearance of a full grown mech, but his processor was still that of a youngling. He'd been through a lot in his short life, and it was probably going to get worse from then on.

"Mad you?" Bumblebee asked. "No! He's not angry with you at all. He's just worried that's all."

"Worried that I screwed everything up?" Hot Rod asked.

Ok, now Bumblebee was starting to believe he was treading on thin ice. One wrong step and he would break the ice and fall to his death. "I'll admit he was disappointed, but not with you, Hot Rod," he answered. "He was disappointed in me for giving you the high grade. I thought your systems could handle it, but I was wrong. I'm the one who should apologise for what I did. I'm sorry I embarrassed you in front of everyone..."

Hot Rod sighed, his dull blue optics looking miserable. "Bee, from what I learned from Optimus' explanation on your history, I'm the next Prime in line should anything happen to him. There can't be any more mistakes. Everything I do is now a reflection upon your leader. What happened at the Recreation Room wasn't your fault, but mine. I should've known its side effects to those who are new to it."

Bumblebee bowed his head slightly, still feeling the sting of guilt in his spark, but he frowned as Hot Rod spoke. "Hot Rod," he sighed, "don't you remember what Sideswipe said earlier? Just be yourself. You don't have to worry about becoming a Prime just yet. At least not until something happens to Optimus, and it probably won't happen for a long time."

"Is that all you came to discuss with me?" the youngling questioned.

Bumblebee nodded. "Yes," he answered. "However, I'm still sorry for what I did."

"Stop it, Bee," Hot Rod grumbled with a smile, a smile he hadn't done in five days straight. "You've apologised enough. What happened happened. Though I am glad that you came to me to tell me how sorry you are. I know that you are. I've already forgotten what had transpired in the first place. Let's just finish kissing afts and make up for it."

Bumblebee blinked in surprise before he laughed. "You came up with that pretty quickly," he chuckled.

"What?" Hot Rod smirked. "I have to keep up my appearance!"

Bumblebee shook his head and gently patted Hot Rod the shoulder, grateful for his wittiness and his 'quick to forgive' attitude. Something told him that Hot Rod would make a great Prime someday when the time finally came for him to step up to the plate and take Optimus' place. But Bumblebee was a bit concerned with the way how Optimus had been acting since he'd learned of Hot Rod's Cybertronian name five days ago. He wasn't sure what was wrong, but he was determined to find out what it was.

"Well," said Bumblebee, "since you're feeling a little bit better, why don't we go get some energon, have a chat, and then I'll give you a tour around the base. You haven't had once since you arrived, and I think you should learn your way around in case neither Sides nor I are here to take care of you."

Hot Rod smiled. "That would be nice," he said, his legs wobbling as he stood up, but he remained balanced. "We should get going before the good stuff is gone."

The yellow mech frowned a little at Hot Rod's condition, but he knew that in order for him to get better, he'd have to have energon in order to replenish what he had lost. He stood up and led Hot Rod out the door and through the quiet corridors.

He was glad that no one was around to watch them walk side by side together, but his spark told him that things have settled down. Obviously someone had explained to everyone that Hot Rod was only young and shouldn't be laughed at just for that bad impression he pulled.

But as he walked into the Recreation Room, he noticed how Hot Rod glanced towards the femme known as Tomahawk. It stood to reason that Hot Rod had never seen a femme before and his curiosity of his species had grown somewhat. Bumblebee just laughed and gently led Hot Rod over to a spare table. However, the curiosity of Hot Rod grew some more and Bumblebee had to snap a finger in front of his face to take away his thoughts.

"Don't bother with her, Hot Rod," he told him a little sternly. "She's way out of your league. Besides, she's going out with someone."

Hot Rod glanced in his direction. "Really?" he asked. "Like who?"

Bumblebee's cheeks formed his signature smile. "She's dating Strongarm," he answered gently. "Besides, she's too old for you, and I don't think she'd turn into a cougar-bot just so you could date her."

Hot Rod nodded. "I thought you were getting the energon," he joked.

"That I was," Bumblebee chuckled as he stood up and headed on over to the table to get two cubes of energon.

As he poured the liquid into the cubes, he watched Hot Rod from the corner of his optics. The youngling seemed so alone, sitting there all by himself with no one to talk to but himself. Then his optics wandered over to Tomahawk as she smiled when Strongarm entered the room and sat down on her left, wrapping his arm around her petite waist and snuggled into her, planting a kiss upon her lips.

And Hot Rod was watching them out of curiosity. It seemed to Bumblebee that the youngling had never seen or even experienced a kiss like that before. Not unless his human taught him all about what humans did. He shook his head as he imagined Hot Rod's human friend giving him the explanation of the 'birds and the bees', causing him to chuckle at the image.

When he had finished pouring the cubes, he returned to the table and handed Hot Rod his cube. Together, the two companions drank and chatted for a few hours until the entire room was filled with chattering Autobots. It wasn't long before they were joined by Optimus and Prowl. The two seemed to be in deep discussion before Optimus whispered something to Prowl and headed on over Bumblebee's and Hot Rod's table.

Bumblebee bowed his head in respect to his commander – which Hot Rod copied – and Optimus returned, as it was part of the tradition of greeting someone of higher status than you. "I see that you are doing well, Hot Rod," Optimus smiled. "How are you adjusting?"

"Fine thanks, Sir," Hot Rod answered.

"Do you mind if I join you?" Optimus asked, glancing in Bumblebee's direction.

"Actually, I'm going to have to decline, Sir," Bumblebee answered sombrely. "I promised to give Hot Rod the tour of the base."

"Ah," Optimus chuckled. "You've obviously had a lot on your processor over the past few days, youngling, and hadn't had the proper tour since you'd arrived here."

Hot Rod nodded and bowed his head until his chin touched his neck. Bumblebee sensed that he was a little bothered by Optimus' presence. He wondered if the youngling was afraid that Optimus was still mad at him for making that mistake and putting on the hysterical show for the Autobots. Bumblebee took that as his cue to speak with the Autobot commander via the private com-link.

"Sir," he said. "Hot Rod believes you are angry with him for pulling that stunt five days ago."

Optimus frowned. "Why would I be angry at him?" he asked.

Bumblebee hesitated before he answered, "He thinks that everything he does now is a reflection upon you. Like as if you expect him to the most perfect Prime ever."

Optimus shook his head. "I would never be angry with Hot Rod, Bumblebee. You know that just as well as I do that it takes more than that to get me... pissed off, as the humans say. While I was disappointed that it happened, I was not angry. I've become protective of him, Bumblebee, for I have seen something that is going to come to pass eventually."

"What?" Bumblebee asked. "What did the Matrix show you?"

"I'm sorry, but I cannot tell you."

And before Bumblebee could say another word, Optimus had closed off the private com-link. No matter how many times the young scout pinged him through the com-link, Optimus refused to answer his questions regarding his vision of the future. If Optimus knew something, then Bumblebee had a distinctive feeling he wasn't going to tell anyone else, not even his closest friends.

Optimus then bowed his head to Hot Rod and Bumblebee. "I must go now and talk with Prowl," he said softly. "Good evening, you two." He then turned and walked over to where Prowl was waiting along with Ironhide, Ratchet, and Hound at another table.

Sighing, Bumblebee gently tugged on Hot Rod's arm and led him away from everyone else. He felt his hesitation in his body as he dragged him out of the Recreation Room, but he wisely ignored it, determined to push Optimus' concerns out of his processor. From a chat with Swerve, Sideswipe was still out on patrol with Cliffjumper and Bluestreak and probably wouldn't be back for another few more hours.

"Where are we going?" Hot Rod asked, bringing Bumblebee from out of his thoughts and causing him to stop in his tracks. "You said you'd give me the tour around the base."

"I did?" Bumblebee asked before he realised what the youngling meant. He mentally slapped himself for being so incompetent. Instead, he forced himself to put on a smile. "Oh, of course I did. My apologies, Hot Rod. I just had a lot on my processor, that's all."

Hot Rod nodded in understanding. "Don't worry; I tend to do that sometimes too."

Bumblebee thought for a very long moment, trying to think of something that would make his charge feel better. Normally he always knew how to make Sam feel better, but his new charge was different. It had to be something that Hot Rod could enjoy doing, and not sit around feeling sorry for himself and miserable at the same time.

Then, as if Primus had answered his thoughts, an idea hit him.

"Tell me, Hot Rod," he said. "Do you like looking at sunsets and up at the stars?"

Hot Rod blinked and laughed. "Yes," he answered. "I used to do that all the time a few years ago before..." He hesitated for a moment and Bumblebee wondered if he would withdraw back into his walls.

"What made you stop?" he asked.

The youngling frowned and, before Bumblebee realised his mistake, removed his arm from Bumblebee's grip. It seemed that Hot Rod had a lot more going on than he deemed. Something was going on, and Bumblebee was determined to find out what it was. He just had to be patient, which was all. In order to make up for his hurting of Hot Rod's feelings, Bumblebee bowed his head and apologised for not noticing.

"If you're implying that I do it with you," Hot Rod said a little coldly, "you're sadly mistaken."

"I'm sorry," Bumblebee said. "I didn't know it would upset you. Why not just talk to me about it?"

Hot Rod shook his head. "I don't trust you or anyone else with what lies in my spark. What happened was a long time ago, and I don't want to talk about it with you or anyone else for that matter. Not yet, anyway."

Bumblebee nodded his understanding.

"It's alright. You don't have to talk about it if you don't want to. Why not I just give you the tour instead? Maybe that might take your processor off of things."

"That would be much better, Bee."

Bumblebee's doorwings stood up high as he gave Hot Rod the tour of the base like he'd promised. He showed him the command centre where they monitored for any Decepticon activity or anything that was related to Decepticon sightings. Bumblebee had watched closely as Hot Rod displayed interest in the consoles. He'd obviously never seen computers like these before, not even human computers. It was strange enough watching his every reaction as he was introduced to the other mechs that sat at the consoles.

With each of them he encountered, they greeted Hot Rod as if he was one of them already. Some of them apologised for laughing at him, but he shrugged them off and told them that there was no need for apologies and that he'd do well to not drink high grade until he was sure he could handle the stuff properly. However, a few of them pointed out he'd put one heck of a show for them and they'd like to invite him to have a sit down and party one day. But Hot Rod declined and said he will when he had more time to get acquainted with everyone else around the base.

Then Prowl had to come and shoo Bumblebee and Hot Rod out of the command centre because civilians were not allowed in it unless they had an officer on duty with them, and Bumblebee was not on duty. So Bumblebee had to take Hot Rod elsewhere.

Over the next few hours, Bumblebee and Hot Rod were chatting and laughing together as Bumblebee continued to show the youngling around, drilling everything into his processor so that he would remember where everything else was if he or Sideswipe were not around to help him out.

It was during a conversation about how Bumblebee faced off against Megatron to prevent the Allspark from falling into his hands that Sideswipe showed up by skating right around the corner and slammed into Bumblebee, causing both mechs to fall flat on their afts.

"Sorry, Bee," Sideswipe apologised as he stood up on his wheeled feet and helped Bumblebee to his feet.

"Docbot chasing you again, Sides?" Bumblebee snickered, causing Hot Rod to smirk.

"That, and I was looking for you two as well," Sideswipe answered.

"Whatever for?" Hot Rod asked, raising an optic ridge. "Is something wrong?"

Sideswipe shook his head. "No, there's nothing wrong. I just wanted to check up on you. I had to talk with six mechs in order to find you two. When you guys move, you move fast, and I mean very fast. Do you know how hard it is to navigate through these slaggin' corridors without any sense of direction?"

"Actually, no I don't," Hot Rod laughed. "But I suppose you're going to tell us anyway."

"Nah," Sideswipe answered. "It would take too long."

"So when did you get back from patrol?" Bumblebee asked, looking suspicious. "You'd been gone for quite a while."

"Just half a micro-cycle ago," Sideswipe replied as he skated up behind Bumblebee and Hot Rod and placed both arms around their necks, a smirk growing on his face plates. "I would've found you two a lot sooner if Docbot hadn't been so picky about checking me all over. We'd encountered a Decepticon that was on the hunt for our base, but I took care of him in five kliks flat."

"Not surprised, given the size of your ego," Bumblebee laughed.

"Right, that's it!" Sideswipe growled and tackled Bumblebee to the floor, causing the yellow scout to yelp in surprise as Sideswipe began to wrestle with him. Hot Rod just looked on and laughed at the pitiful sight of his guardians. "Take that back, Bee!"

"Nope!" Bumblebee laughed and Sideswipe held him in an arm lock, pinning his left arm behind his back. "I won't take it back!"

Hot Rod just sighed and shook his head as he watched the two have their fun. Soon enough, Bumblebee admitted he'd given up and Sideswipe released him. The two friends sat on the floor, laughing their afts off until their sides ached. The mechs who walked by, they just chuckled and went on their way, mostly ignoring their fun.

"You know," Bumblebee said, "we need to start teaching Hot Rod the ropes on how to defend himself."

Hot Rod glanced up in surprise. "Teach me?" he asked. "As in teach me how to fight?"

"I've been thinking about that," Sideswipe said. "And I agree with you, Bee. I think both you and I should teach Hot Rod how to defend himself should he decide to fight alongside us. I'm sure it wouldn't hurt to ask Ironhide to teach him how to use a weapon or two either."

"Shouldn't you guys talk to Prowl about this?" Hot Rod asked. "I mean, he's the one in charge of the public service record things. Remember what Optimus said? I can't fight in your war until I do it."

"Don't worry," Bumblebee reassured his youngling friend, gently petting him on the shoulder. "We can arrange a meeting for you with Prowl. He just needs details about you, your history, and the usual things you have to tell him."

Bumblebee wasn't sure whether or not he was imagining it, but he could've sworn he heard Hot Rod making a gulping noise inside his vocal processor. But he decided to dismiss it for the moment. He stood up and helped Sideswipe to his wheels. But he heard Hot Rod make a snorting noise. Bumblebee turned his youngling friend, blinking in surprise.

"What's so funny, kid?" Sideswipe asked.

"You," Hot Rod answered. "I've got a nickname for you."

"A nickname?" Bumblebee smirked, knowing that they had talked about it a short while ago.

"Stabby McWheelfeet!" Hot Rod laughed, suddenly falling onto his knees and laughing.

Bumblebee turned to look at Sideswipe, and much to his shock, there was a smile upon the silver mech's face. It had been a long time since he'd seen his friend smile. He hadn't smiled since the day his brother had been considered missing in action, and now... this youngling was bringing out the joy in all of them. For the first time, Bumblebee felt there was hope for them in this horrible war. Soon, loved ones would be reunited, and families would be brought up.

"Maybe there's hope for you yet, Hot Rod," Bumblebee muttered underneath his breath as he watched Hot Rod stand up and bring up a broad smile.