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Cover Me	By : Huronoryu Category: S through Z > Transformers (Movie Only) > Transformers (Movie Only) Views: 71978 -:- Recommendations : 3 -:- Currently Reading : 9
Disclaimer: I do not own the Transformers movie, nor any of the characters from it. I do not make any money from the writing of this story.

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Chapter Twenty-Nine: Whispering Worries and Welcomed Words

Following a quick after school snack, and the safe placement of Sam's new bat next to his bed, the three teenagers made their way back to the garage so Mikaela could do a new analysis on Barricade's condition. Miles had settled himself down in Judy's lawn chair while Mikaela had instantly shuffled back under the Mustang with a somewhat dim flashlight. Sam himself was leaning against his yellow car as they both watched the girl working under the silent Decepticon. 'Bee could already tell that Sam was nervous about the whole situation with Barricade possibly injuring himself and the 'Bot sighed in frustration. He always tried to keep a watchful scan on his human and right now he could clearly hear Sam's heartbeat increasing.

Just what was it about the 'Con that had Sam constantly changing moods? The only mood that 'Bee had felt since dragging the 'Con home from that slagging garage was an increase in aggravation. "Sam? Are you all right?" he whispered.

"Huh?" Sam jerked in surprise and turned to look back over his shoulder at the windshield. "Oh, yeah… 'M fine."

Bumblebee was silent for a while, watching the boy before he spoke up once again. "I'm sure he'll be fine," 'Bee tried to say this nonchalantly, but it was clear from his tone that he too was worried. Sam gave a small smile, but said nothing as he released a heavy sigh and continued to watch his ex work. Bumblebee thought frantically of what else to say when he realized that Sam was still not calming down. "Mikaela just tends to worry," 'Bee continue. "I'm sure it's nothing."

"I know… I just feel guilty," Sam finally admitted.

"What?" 'Bee cried out in surprise so loudly that everyone turned to look at them, even Mikaela peeked out from under the Mustang. Sam shook his head and waved his hand to indicate that nothing was wrong. The two humans gave him a searching look before Mikaela just rolled her eyes and disappeared under the other car while Miles stood and made his way over to the other two.

"What's going on?" he asked looking back and forth between the other boy and the still silent car.

Sam sighed again as he scooted over slightly so Miles could have some room to sit on the hood with him. "Nothing," he muttered.

"Nothing?" 'Bee repeated unbelievingly. "Sam, you just said you were feeling guiltily."

"'Bee!" Sam hissed, glancing at the mustang and shifted a bit embarrassed.

"Guilty about what?" Miles asked confused.

"Barricade," Sam muttered under his breath.

"What?" Miles’ brows creased in confusion. "What are you talking about?"

"Just…" Sam waved a hand in the direction of the damaged 'Con. "Stuff," he finally finished lamely. Miles was still a little confused at the confession but 'Bee was more concerned that his human was fretting over a 'Con.

"But why would you feel guilty?" Bumblebee asked him. "It wasn't us who damaged him. That was Starscream, and we all know Starscream is crazy. This wasn't your fault; it had nothing to do with you-" Bumblebee abruptly quieted down as he suddenly remembered what it was that Barricade told him about Starscream's search for Sam. 'Bee softly cursed in his own native language and hoped the boy hadn't noticed that 'Bee had halted mid-sentence.

It wouldn't do for Sam to learn that particular little tidbit of information. If Sam knew that Starscream was looking for him that would just put a whole other burden on the boy. Knowing Sam, he would immediately insist upon leaving to ensure that none of his family or friends would be in any harm's way. Sam was very stubborn in that regard. Almost exactly like Bumblebee could be. The Camaro suddenly understood how frustrating it was for his friends and commanders when he was being obstinate.

Sam was oblivious of 'Bee's sudden, hushed silence as he sighed in regret. "Yeah," he was saying, "but we've allowed him to drive all around the city knowing how damaged he was- like taking him to the drive in. Why did we do that?" he demanded bitterly, angry with himself for not noticing just how badly damaged the 'Con really was and for allowing himself to take Barricade's word that he was all right. "He could have been seriously injured at any time and I had no idea that…"

"Sam," 'Bee sighed. "It was the 'Cons own choice to leave the garage in case you've forgotten. And he was the one who wanted to leave the house and go somewhere."

"Yeah Sam, he's how old? He's not your responsibility," Miles said reassuringly.

"I know that," Sam frowned. "But I can't help but feel responsible. He came to me, me of all people, for help."

"Yeah, that was a shocker…" 'Bee muttered as he watched the 'Con suspiciously. 'Why is that?' he wondered silently to himself. 'He knows that Starscream is searching for the boy, so why follow Sam around knowing the boy is literally a moving target?'

Bumblebee watched as Mikaela popped out from under the 'Con to retrieve a different tool before scuttling back under. Strangely enough, the 'Con had been completely quiet throughout this entire ordeal. 'Bee wondered for a moment if the 'Con hadn't slipped into recharge. With a sigh, he watched as Mikaela appeared once again and with a small frown made her way towards the boys. "I'm afraid that some of his framing is literally hanging on by a bolt," Mikaela announced with a small sigh.

Sam frowned as Miles handed her a small towel that he had been absently holding for her. "Do you need us to… um, retrieve anything from the base?" Sam asked hesitantly.

Mikaela's expression turned to a sly grin. "Lucky for you two, there are no covert missions required today."

Sam gave a small sigh of relief before his expression turned worried. "Does that mean that you can't do anything for him then?" he asked.

The girl shook her head. "Not without modified bolts for his framing, but I doubt that Ratchet would have those lying around anywhere."

Sam looked over at Barricade and soon Mikaela could see that he was biting his lower lip, a sure sign that he was beyond upset. "So, is he in danger of going back into stasis lock?" he asked nervously.

Mikaela blinked in complete shock. "What? No!" She shouted at him in astonishment. "Why would that happen?"

"You said that he shouldn't have been driving all around town and he's been going all sorts of places. I'm just worried that he might have damaged something vital or something…"

There was the sound of a soft snort echoing out from the garage and the group in the driveway all turned around surprised at the sudden sound of Barricade's small chuckle. "I do not die that easily, Ladiesman217."

Mikaela frowned at the sound of the nickname while Miles was smirking slightly, remembering how it was that Sam had come up with that particular handle. Sam however, just looked completely relieved. "I can't help it if I worry!"

Barricade made another sound of disbelief but said nothing more as there was a sudden hush from the smaller out building and apparently the 'Con had just gone back into recharge. Bumblebee let out a small scoffing sound, but it was really a show so he wouldn't reveal that he too was relieved that the thrice damn Decepticon was fine and dandy. "So what's the verdict?" he asked Mikaela instead.

"Well, if he couldn't go far before, he really can't do anything now. Small drives only and no further than the school. Even then, that's pushing it. Maybe every three days but with all the road construction starting up…"

Sam cringed and if he had the ability, 'Bee knew that he would have done the same. "What are they doing this time?" Sam asked glumly.

Mikaela shrugged. "Something about new pipelines or some such rubbish. It's just an excuse to raise taxes this year." Sam rolled his eyes before turning back to watch the Decepticon with just a small amount of worry while Mikaela was watching him with her own critical eye. "He's not your responsibility you know," she said softly. "I'm sure he can take care of himself. You don't need to make yourself ill with worry…"

Sam sighed again and dropped his head into his hands. "I'll just be glad when everyone else arrives and Optimus has a chance to speak to Barricade. All this sneaking around then the fact that he stuck in his car mode and then Starscream trying to get a hold of the other Decepticons…"

Mikaela shook her head. "Yeah, it sucks." Miles let loose a small chuckle at the bitter statement but all of them knew that Mikaela had hit the proverbial nail on the head. The situation did indeed suck. Mikaela sighed as she realized that Sam had only given the slightest smile at her statement and she looked back down at the Camaro helplessly. "Why don't we head into the house and make up some ice cream?" she suggested softly as she took Sam by the elbow and pulled him off of 'Bee's hood and onto his feet. "Though summer's over, it was still a scorcher today."

"Yeah, I hear that there are records being set all over the country." Miles began talking about the latest news as he and Mikaela maneuvered Sam into the house, leaving the two Cybertronions alone in the driveway.

Surprisingly enough Barricade had not been in recharge as they had all assumed but instead had been watching and listening to everything being said around him. It was a little disturbing to the 'Con that the young human was fretting about him of all mechs. He was the last mech that the boy should be worried about. More to the point, he should be more worried about himself then any of the Cybertronions, and he said as much to the Autobot.

"What?" 'Bee jerked in surprise as Barricade suddenly spoke to him.

"Hn." Barricade sighed in mounting annoyance. "I said that you should speak to the boy about his constant worrying," he repeated. "Or at the very least about how he should be more worried about himself than any of our kind."

Bumblebee huffed at the 'Cons decisive tone. "He's human," 'Bee insisted. "I've learned that they tend to worry about the most minuscule of things." Barricade responded with a sharp "hah!" and 'Bee resisted the urge to just transform right there in the middle of the driveway and whack the Mustang over the hood. "And you should feel honored!" 'Bee shouted in mounting anger. "That he cares for a slagging Decepticon is nearly a Primus sent miracle!"

If Barricade had any, he would have definitely rolled his eyes at that statement. As it was, he just snorted unimpressed. "From what I can figure out about your dear, precious human, if Starscream showed even the slightest hint of any caring, he would welcome the slagger with open arms!"

"He would never!" 'Bee shouted indigently. "Sam hates that nut job just as much as I do! As much as we all do!"

Barricade let out another huff as he started running his system checks in preparation for recharge. "We'll see… we'll see…"

Ratchet sighed as he straightened and looked down at his handy work. "Remind me again how tripping Ironhide with the I-beams was a good idea?" he frowned at the red mech.

"Well, he was getting grumpy again and when Ironhide gets grumpy then he just becomes a… what is the human term? Sourpuss? Well he just makes the rest of us completely miserable and I thought that maybe he just needed a good laugh."

There was a scathing snort from the third mech within the hanger. "If you think that I'm just going to forgive you for this one then you're sorely mistaken."

"What?" The mech on the exam "table" screeched. "What did I do to you?"

"What did you do?" the other mech repeated and he stood up and off the wall he was leaning on and marched straight over towards the other mech.

The mech on the table quickly whirled around and gave Ratchet a pleading look but the EMT just grinned at him as watched the proceedings amused. Even he was not one to get into the middle of an Aligned couple’s argument. No sir. "What are you looking at me for?" He asked innocently, and the other mech just about deflated in defeat.

"I'll tell you what you did!" the angered mech continued heatedly. "After Ironhide shot you full of holes, it took the others three hours to calm him down and by then, no one wanted to work! The watchtower's construction was supposed to be completed, today! Today Inferno!" Red just glared at him and crossed his arms with a huff. "And now it'll be another whole day before it's done and we can move on to the other improvements!"

Inferno proceeded to shrink more into himself at Red's continuous glare before he peeked upwards at the infuriated Security chief. "'M sorry," he muttered and graced his spouse with a rather pitiful look.

Red sighed before dropping his hands and shaking his head in defeat. "What am I suppose to do with you?" he muttered.

Inferno instantly perked up at the light tone and Ratchet could have sworn that if Inferno had a tail, it would be wagging. "Take care of me?" he pleaded as he leaned forward and snatched Red's arm, pulling a rather unresisting Avalanche towards him in a hug.

Red snorted but allowed the other mech to pull him close. "What am I? Your babysitter?" he asked with a chuckle.

Inferno tilted his head, confusion practically radiating off of him. "What's a 'babysitter'?"

Red gave Ratchet a helpless look, and Ratchet just gave a small wave as he ducked out the door. He knew that the couple was dying to be alone as he made his way towards the yard. If it wasn't for the fact that the base desperately needed to be completed before any of the Decepticons arrived planet side, Ratchet knew that without a doubt the two would have fortified themselves in a bunker and not come out for at least half an Earth year. 'Ah, young love,' he thought with a grin as he looked about the deserted construction sight. 'Speaking of…'

Ratchet couldn't suppress a smile as he began making his way towards a back hanger, which had been temporarily dubbed headquarters for "operation fortify". As he made his way towards the main door he slowed as he could hear hushed voices floating out of the slightly open doorway. With a frown, he took a moment to move into stealth mode as he slipped towards the door and cast a quick look through the small crack.

He was surprised to see Perceptor standing next to the silver and green Skyline, both conversions in quite tones. 'When did he come out of his hidey hole?' Ratchet mused as he watched the two look over some data pads spilled out over the "desk". He could only just barely make out what was being whispered and without even realizing it, he turned his outside microphones almost all the way to full volume as he strained to listen. Some part in the back of Ratchet's processor was yelling at him that he shouldn't be eavesdropping and that he really should let the other two know that he was there, but Ratchet quickly stomped that voice down and turned his attention to the conversation at hand.

"So what were the results?" Wheeljack was asking somberly. It surprised Ratchet. Usually, no matter what the situation was, Wheeljack usually was always so cheerful about everything, one of the main reasons that he was so grateful to be linked to such an easygoing mech. As a medic in the middle of a civil war, there were time that Ratchet would have thought that he would have a melt down at all the dark things he had witnessed and, in certain cases, been a part of.

That Wheeljack was speaking to Perceptor in such a quiet, fearful tone had Ratchet trying to suppress the need to throw open the door and just run to his intended. Ratchet amazingly enough, managed to stay put to hear Perceptor's answer. "As I continually have to keep repeat myself," Perceptor muttered before he glanced over at the agitated mech and sighed. "Relax Wheeljack, all of the tests were negative... Again."

'Tests? Is he speaking of the new mineral Wheeljack is trying to create?' Ratchet wondered quietly as he tried to get closer to the door to hear better.

Wheeljack was apparently a little unconvinced by Perceptor's answer as he shifted from foot to foot while examining one particular data pad. "You're certain of this?"

Perceptor let out an angered huff as he snatched the data pad out of the others hand. "Why must everyone question me?" he demanded irritable. "I am a professional, you know."

"And I don't doubt you," Wheeljack tried to reassure him. "It's just…" Wheeljack trailed off in obvious frustration. "I just worry about him, you know?"

Perceptor shook his head as he set a hand on Wheeljack's shoulder. Ratchet nearly broke cover right then and there at the sight. "I know you do," Perceptor said before Ratchet could barge into the hanger and forcefully remove the appendage from his intended… and consequently Perceptor's shoulder. "We're worried about all of them." Perceptor continued blissfully unaware of any danger surrounding him. "Did you see Optimus' reaction to Inferno's joke? He didn't say anything about it! In fact, he was right there in teasing Ironhide with the twins!"

Wheeljack wasn't facing him, not that it mattered with his constant faceplate, but Ratchet could instantly tell that Wheeljack was frowning. "Would it be possible for you to run the test one more time?" he asked the scientist.

Perceptor sighed once again. "I used up the last of the samples in the last three tests."

"I can get try to get you some more…"

Perceptor turned to Wheeljack with a frown. "And you don't think Ratchet will become suspicious?" he asked archly.

"I don't care!" Wheeljack suddenly shouted, surprising both of the mechs listening at the force of his tone. Perceptor took a small step back out of range of anything that might go "boom" but Wheeljack just slouched his shoulders as he placed his hands on the boxcar to steady himself. "As long as he's safe," Wheeljack muttered. "That's the only thing that matters is that he's all right."

Perceptor sighed as he began collecting the different data pads, clearly getting ready to leave. "I'll try and run them again, but I'll need a fluid sample first."

Wheeljack nodded. "I'll get it for you."

Perceptor turned to look back at the other mech with a surprising look of concern that Ratchet believed he had never seen upon the Scientist's face plating before. "Perhaps you should speak to him," Perceptor said softly. "After all, he is the medic. I'm sure he would know what to look for more than I do."

"Not until we're sure that this odd wave is affecting them," Wheeljack said firmly.

'Wave? Affecting me? What is he talking about?' Ratchet thought frantically, his microchips working in overdrive that he almost missed what Perceptor said in response.

"Well whatever. I'm just dreading all the re-testing that I know Prowl is going to make me do once he gets here and sees for himself how oddly they're acting."

'Acting odd? Who is? Us?'

"That's only if he manages to notice the situation before he learns of Jazz," Wheeljack muttered and Perceptor instantly went quiet for a moment as the two were once more bathed in the pain of the loss of their comrade.

"Then I'll leave you to your work," Perceptor said instead turning to head towards the door. Ratchet cursed and quickly ducked around the corner of the building opposite of the direction of Perceptor's "lab". As a result he completely missed the scientist's next words. "Ratchet is strong. Whatever this strange Energon-like wave is, if it is affecting them I'm sure he'll get through it." He sent the engineer a small smile. "The stars chose wisely for you."

Wheeljack gave a small smile as the red mech ducked out the door. "Indeed they did," he murmured as he turned back to his previous task that had been interrupted with Perceptor's entrance. Now if only he could get a working fuel source for the blasted transmitter…

Ratchet, meanwhile, waited until he was sure that Perceptor was halfway back to his lab before he straightened and walked confidently into Wheeljack's inner sanctum. It was a little bitter that Wheeljack and Perceptor had their own working space while he was still working out of the main hanger sharing it with Optimus and consequently everyone else. But it couldn't have been helped. When it had just been the four of them, it made sense for all of them to work out of the same building and now he had to wait for one of the other hangers to be restored before claiming one for himself. 'Or I could just move in with Wheeljack,' he thought with a smile as he watched the other mech hunched over the "table" working. 'But then again, it might be a little counterproductive to have the injured report to a building that's on fire more often than not.'

"How's the transmitter coming along?" he asked aloud and was astonished to see Wheeljack jerk in surprise. He thought the other mech had heard him come in. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to surprise you…" Ratchet trailed off.

"No, it's all right," Wheeljack's eyes brightened upon the sight of the medic and he took a step to the side to allow Ratchet to come up next to him to see what he was working on. "Is Inferno going to live?" he asked.

Ratchet let out a small snort. "From the bullet holes Ironhide left in him? Yes. For delaying the construction of the watchtower however…" Ratchet shrugged but his large smile gave it away.

Wheeljack responded with roars of laughter. "For such a little guy, Red Alert sure had Inferno on a short leash."

"Well, what do you expect?" Ratchet said with a smile. "They're Aligned."

Wheeljack just responded with a grin of his own and sent a small pulse over their link before turning back to his work. Ratchet actually pouted as his intended returned his attention to the transmitter instead of keeping it solely where it belonged. On him! With a small sigh, the medic turned around and leaned back against the boxcar as he just watched Wheeljack working.

Wheeljack glanced up as he felt the continuous staring and tilted his head in amusement. "Was there something else you wanted to talk about?" he asked, going back to fusing some wires together.

"Can't I just sit with you and watch you work?" Ratchet asked lightly, his smile never shrinking in size.

"Considering that things around me tend to explode loudly and violently, I'm a little worried about having you in any potential danger zones."

Ratchet sighed as he leaned over and placed his face right in front of Wheeljack's causing the engineer to lean back slightly or else they would have run into each other. "If I'm with you, would that be such a bad thing?" Ratchet whispered.

Wheeljack gave Ratchet a searching look. "Um, considering that you're the one who has to put me back together afterwards…"

Ratchet huffed as he sat back and Wheeljack was surprised when he found himself disappointed in the expansion of space between them. "Never mind…" Ratchet muttered as he turned to look in the opposite direction, no longer watching Wheeljack work.

Wheeljack tried to get back to his work but in truth, he was more focused on Ratchet then actually trying to get the transmitter back up and running. Was this something else he needed to speak to Perceptor about? Ratchet had never before been this… involved was really the only word he could come up with. "Um… maybe if you gave me a hint at what you want…"

Ratchet sighed at the hesitant yet hopeful tone in Wheeljack's voice and he turned back towards the other mech. "No, it's okay. I'm just being silly."

"'Silly'?" Wheeljack repeated as he quickly looked it up off the net. "Ratchet, the last thing you would ever be is 'silly'. I mean, you're the smartest mech here and I know that I could never match up to your professionalism-"

Wheeljack halted mid-sentence as Ratchet suddenly clamped a hand over his face plating. Not that it hindered his speaking capabilities but it was more the surprise that Ratchet would do such a thing that had Wheeljack stunned into silence. "Never mind," Ratchet gave a small smile. "I mean it more as in the human slang."

Wheeljack was obviously still confused, but thankfully for Ratchet, he let it drop. They were quiet for a while before Wheeljack gave a resigned sigh and steeped closer to his linked partner. "You know if there's ever anything you need to talk about; anything at all... Or if there's something that's troubling you that I'll always listen to you. You know that right?"

Ratchet turned and gifted Wheeljack with a large smile. "Yeah, I know." He leaned towards Wheeljack once again, and the engineer was suddenly worried about the throbbing pulse that immediately started within his spark at Ratchet's approaching proximity. With a small lean forward, Ratchet slipped his arms around Wheeljack's shoulders and pulled the other mech closer to his own person. Wheeljack was slightly tense at first but soon, he began to relax and hugged the other mech back as he looked down at Ratchet's head leaning against his chest plate. With a last squeeze, Ratchet leaned back and gave 'Jack his largest smile yet. "Thanks," he whispered.

Wheeljack was momentarily frozen as he looked down into Ratchet's endlessly blue optics. "Er, you're welcome."

The two stood there awkwardly for a moment before Wheeljack suddenly turned back to the new transmitter. "Shall we give it a test run?" he asked and winced as his voice came out in a near squeaky tone.

"Sure," Ratchet smiled as he pushed himself off the boxcar and moved to stand just slightly behind and to the right of 'Jack. Grateful for the distraction, though still worried about any possible impending explosions, Wheeljack moved himself more in front of the EMT unit and with held breath, flipped the switch.

"-Damn it all to the pits, where the hell are they?-"

Both Wheeljack and Ratchet jerked at the sudden voice the boomed out of the speaker system. Glancing at each other in surprise they turned back to the conversation still going on through the radio. "-Now calm down! We don't know how far they are.-"

"-I don't care if they're across the galaxy! Someone should answer me!-"

Ratchet instantly dove for the microphone and with a huge smile began speaking. "This is Ratchet!" he said with barely disguised glee. "And stop griping will ya Prowl, we hear you loud and clear!"

Cheering was the only response the two mech received from the now shockingly functional transmitter.
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