Transformers Fan Fiction ❯ Cover Me ❯ Discovered ( Chapter 22 )

Cover Me

By Black Dragon Queen

PAIRINGS REVEALED THUS FAR: Wheeljack x Ratchet, Inferno x Red Alert, Sunstreaker X Sideswipe, Past Prowl x Jazz

Font Index: “Speaking”, `Thinking', “-Radio Transmissions-”, “Cybertronion” “:Link:”

~*~

Chapter Twenty-Two: Discovered!

Judy Witwicky wasn't worried. She wasn't worried at all... She just happened to like her dishes really clean; which was why she was washing them again for the third time. It had absolutely nothing to do with the fact that the kitchen window overlooked the yard and subsequently the garage, no. That was completely coincidental… Sighing, she set down the now squeaky clean glass on the counter top and finally acknowledged to herself that she was watching for someone, anyone to come back home.

The discovery that the mustang had disappeared was worrisome enough, especially after the news that a few new “asteroids” had landed. Add to the fact that her son had arrived home the night before with two brand new Lamborghini's that he introduced as newly arrived Autobots was enough to concern her even more. That the two new Autobots drove them to school that morning had her really worried. She knew the gossip mills better than anyone. It was hard enough to convince Mrs. Selman that her son's new Camaro really was a prize he won. Now add the two new cars to the list that she was sure Mrs. Selman's daughter was sure to mention about…

Judy sighed once again. `Perhaps we should have taken that relocation offer Mr. Keller suggested,' she thought dismally. She truly loved her house and loved her garden but if it meant that her son could possibly be in danger, then it completely wasn't worth it. “What do you think?” She looked down at the little Chihuahua sitting at her feet. Mojo barked up at her and with a sigh she fished a dog biscuit out of the jar and set it down for the little terror to gnaw upon.

The sudden sound of a car slowing down and tires turning onto the driveway had Judy jerking upright and immediately looking back out the window. With a sigh of relief, she quickly darted out of the kitchen and made her way towards the garage and the two cars that were just pulling in. She slowed down however as howling laughter exited the Camaro along with her son and his friend.

“I still can't believe that you would actually go along with such a stunt!” Sam was saying to the yellow car. “I mean Trent is a prick but still!”

“Sam! Language!” Judy instantly snapped and both of the youngsters quieted down at her approach. “Bumblebee,” Judy nodded at the Camaro as she stomped past him and made a straight line for the damaged mustang. “Where have you been?” She shouted at him angrily. “Have you forgotten that you're grounded, mister? Commander of your own troops or not, at this house, I am the general! The last thing I need is to see you on the news getting stepped on by that insane jet or worse! Now get back in that garage and stay there this time!” she shouted as she pointed to the out building.

Both of the teenagers as well as the one Autobot just stared in utter amazement as one of the supposed ruthless Decepticons slowly slunk by the woman and scuttled quickly into the garage. The headlights blinked on and off once in an imitation of an innocent blink. “Sorry ma'am...” the `Con said meekly.

Judy nodded and turned back to the others. “So how was your day?” she asked them, “dare I ask what was the reaction to the twins was?”

Sam and Mikaela were still staring at her in shock as they glanced between her and the `Con. “Um…” Sam finally muttered. “Pretty typical,” he explained. “Everyone freaked out and demanded to know where they came from. I don't think a lot of people believed us when we said they were my cousins though…”

Judy sniffed as she spotted Mrs. Selman staring out at them behind her living room curtain. “Well it's none of their business,” she retorted angrily. `Honestly, the nerve of some people,' she thought as she glared at the woman. Mrs. Selman's curtains quickly slammed shut. “What were you laughing at when you came up?” she asked instead.

Sam and Mikaela began snickering again and a soft deep rumbling laugh exited the garage behind her. Oddly enough, Bumblebee sank down on his tires and looked for the entire world as if he wanted to be anywhere but where he was at the moment. Judy looked at them puzzled. “Well Mom…” Sam finally began. “You remember me telling you about Mikaela's other ex, Trent?”

Judy looked at the two children puzzled but beginning to feel a growing suspicion. “The football jock?” she asked. “The one who isn't too bright?”

Mikaela threw back her head and let out a loud laugh as she fell back and sat down on `Bees hood. “That's the one!” she giggled.

Judy looked at the two children before a figurative light bulb clicked overhead and she turned to stare at the mustang. “What did you do?” she asked him dryly.

“Me?” Barricade cried out in mock surprise. “What makes you think I did anything?”

“Simple,” Judy said. “Sam wouldn't dare skip class, if he knew what was good for him and I highly doubt that Bumblebee would do anything against a human so that leaves you. What did you do?” The two kids and the `Con began laughing again and with a sigh, Judy made her way towards the one who she knew would answer her. “Bumblebee?” she asked.

“Oh Primus, I don't even want to think about it,” he groaned and now Judy was really interested.

“Oh please, it wasn't that bad,” Barricade snickered.

Bumblebee just let out a dramatic wail. “Yes it was…”

Judy sighed and turned back to the car. “Okay, if you don't want to tell me what you did could you at least tell me the why?” she demanded. “Or is this something else I'll learn about on the news?” she turned a pointed glare to Sam who promptly sobered.

“For the last time Mom, we didn't know that they were going to land in the college!” Sam protested.

“I had cooking classes all set up and now that the building's been roped off; they've been canceled since it was the only one with ovens!”

“You did get your money back, didn't you Mrs. Witwicky?” Mikaela asked.

“That's not the point!” she growled before whirling back to the mustang. “Well?” she asked. “Care to tell me why you decided to pull what obviously was a prank on a human? What did he do to you?” she asked.

Barricade huffed. “It wasn't me as much as he insulted Mikaela,” he explained. “Whether or not I like it, she saved my life and I do have some loyalty, no matter what some may think.” Bumblebee actually managed to look chastise, which was surprising since he was still in car mode.

“So is anyone going to tell me what they did?” she asked turning to the two teenagers. “Or do I eat that platter of brownies all by myself tonight?”

“What?” A new voice shouted as Ron made his way out into the drive. “You made brownies? When? I would have known if you made brownies!”

Judy rolled her eyes at her husband. “You were taking a nap, dear,” she said in exasperation. “You never wake up for anything.”

“I would for brownies! I would have smelled them!” Ron stated as he looked around eagerly. “So why are we all in the drive? Any more of those expensive… `cars' showing up?”

Sam rolled his eyes. “They went back to the base dad.”

Ron deflated instantly. “And I was going to ask if one of them would be willing to drive me to work tomorrow… dang it,” he muttered as he turned back towards the house. “Now I'm depressed.”

“Ron, don't you touch those brownies!” Judy shouted after him and Ron just shrugged as he disappeared into the house. Judy sighed again before calling out, “at least bring me one!”

“Me too!” Mikaela called.

“Me three!” Sam added.

“You two are young and can go get your own brownies,” Judy scolded. “Besides, you haven't even had dinner yet.”

“Well, neither have you,” Sam protested.

“Well then, we should go and have some,” Judy stated cheerfully. “And then you can tell me all about what went on at school today, starting with what `Cade did to the jock.”

Sam chuckled again as he and Mikaela were ushered into the house, before turning quickly to give a small wave to the two cars in his drive. “Be good!” he called out. The sound of two horns followed him into the house and Sam couldn't help but smile.

Mikaela noticed the look and gave a grin of her own. “What do you suppose they talked about when they were hauling Trent's truck around?” she whispered to him.

Sam grinned at her. “You noticed it too?” he asked.

Mikaela snorted. “It was kind of hard to miss,” she said. “They were almost… friendly to each other.”

“Well why shouldn't they?” Judy asked as she shoved assorted dinnerware into their hands. “I keep telling you that `Cade is a very nice person. Why is it that everyone is so quick to judge just because he was on the other side of a rather large war?”

“Mom,” Sam gapped at her, surprised by her attitude as well as words about the `Con.

Judy just rolled her eyes once again. “Samuel Witwicky,” she said in her all powerful mother voice. “Don't tell me you don't feel the same way. I know that you like him too. Otherwise, why else would you help him?”

Sam quickly looked down at the yellow plates in his hands and fidgeted slightly. “That's not the point Mom,” he started and Judy sighed again.

“I know that you're in a bit of a bind,” she said softly. “Trying to do the right thing and at the same time trying not to hurt your friends but you saved his life Sam.” She wrapped her arms around his shoulders and gave him a tight squeeze. “I don't think he'll ever forget that, and I'm sure Bumblebee understands too. I mean,” she pulled back and smiled down at her son. “The garage is still standing, isn't it?”

Sam smiled back up at his mother gratefully. “Thanks Mom,” he whispered.

Judy nodded as she pulled out the silverware tray and plopped it down onto Sam's pile. “Now go set the table so we can eat,” she ordered and the two teenagers quickly obliged. With a grin, Judy turned back towards the counter to fetch the food. “What the…? RON! I SAID ONE! NOT HALF THE PAN!”

~*~

Barricade watched the rain clouds in the distance slowly rumbling closer to Tranquility City later that evening before glancing back out at the Camaro in the driveway. “You know, you're in for quite a soaking tonight,” he told the disguised Autobot.

“I'll live through it,” `Bee grumbled but Barricade couldn't help but notice that the Camaro was even closer to the building than before.

“Oh for crying out loud,” Barricade growled. “It's a two car garage. You are allowed in here.”

“Um, but I think that Ron should have his own car in-” `Bee began only to have Barricade interrupt him once more.

“What is more important? The inanimate car? Or the live one?”

“Still,” `Bee began and Barricade sighed at the Camaro's stubbornness.

“Look, I took your spot and believe it or not, I am sorry about this whole mess. So the least you can do is get in here before it pours and you get spots on you paint job.”

Bumblebee stared at the other car for a long while before he sighed and began backing down the drive. Quickly doing a three point turn he once more back into the driveway and into the garage next to the dented mustang. Once inside, Barricade sent a signal to close the door behind the Camaro. “There, isn't this cozy?” he mocked sarcastically.

“This was your idea,” Bumblebee growled and the `Con chuckled.

“Admit it. You're just as fond of this planet's weather system as I am…” Bumblebee snarled but said nothing and the `Con sighed. “So… how are things going at that base of yours?”

“Why do you care?” Bumblebee retorted, instantly suspicious.

“I'm just trying to make conversation,” Barricade retorted. “Honestly… Every time I say anything you act as if I'm up to something or trying to gain something out of it.”

“Aren't you?” `Bee bit back.

“Oh for Primus' sake, no!” Barricade snapped. “I'm actually really just trying to have a conversation. Is that too much to ask?”

“Why would you want to talk to me?” Bumblebee asked guardedly.

“Because you're the only one here, obviously,” Barricade sneered. “Come on, I'm bored out of my circuits. You're the ones who dragged me to this box, the least you could do is entertain me.”

Bumblebee chuckled. “I think you had enough entertainment for one day…”

“Come on, you have to admit the punk deserved it!”

“Of course he deserved it!” Bumblebee agreed. “I just never would have thought to do something like that.”

“Ah the perks of being a patrol car…” Barricade chuckled. “Instant access to the police data banks.”

Bumblebee instantly turned serious. “Isn't that why you chose that form?” he sneered. “To get access to the human's data?”

Barricade sighed. “Primus, you're a stubborn one.” Bumblebee just waited. “What do you want me to say? Yes?”

Bumblebee let out a human-like snort. “Just wanted to see if you would admit it, `Con.”

Barricade huffed. “Honestly, of all the Autobots to get stuck with, I get the bumbling bug of the group.”

“Hey!”

Barricade just chuckled as he settled down, doing his routine system check before he slipped himself into recharge. He had just finished doing his diagnostics when the garage door abruptly flew open and a beam of light instantly flooded the garage and the two cars situated there. Growling, both Cybertronions switched their optics to high resolution and both of them gapped at what they saw there.

“-This is not good,-” Barricade sent.

~*~

“So wait a minute,” Judy was laughing hysterically in the living room after dinner. “You mean to tell me that Barricade logged onto the Tranquility Police station's network to find the toughest meter maid he could and then subsequently he and `Bee towed this Trent's precious truck all over town just so he would get tickets?”

“You have to admit, it was original,” Sam stated with a laugh.

“Oh I'll say,” Judy laughed hysterically, actually leaning down on the couch's armrest to hold herself up. “But how did they manage it?” she finally asked. “They didn't transform in the middle of the city did they?”

“Well, apparently since the winch was still connected to `Bee from towing Barricade here, `Cade had to use his small grappling that he has hidden behind his headlights to connected it from `Bee to the truck.”

Judy was laughing hysterically once again. “Oh poor `Bee!” She laughed. “To have a `Con that close to his butt or what is it called? Aft? And tinkering around! Oh God! No wonder he was embarrassed!”

Even Ron was chuckling at this as he sipped his beer sitting in his recliner. Finishing off the can, he made his way towards the kitchen to fetch another one when he happened to glance out at the driveway. “Oh no,” he muttered as he spotted the very truck they had been discussing sitting in the drive. “JUDY! Better get your bat!”

~*~

Barricade and Bumblebee stared in utter surprise at the sight of Trent DeMarco standing there, staring at the two cars in front of him in disbelief. “What the hell?” Trent muttered as he stared down at the dented patrol car parked innocently next to the new Camaro. “What the hell is that ugly thing doing here?” he mused.

Barricade nearly pulled forward and ran the jerk over when Bumblebee sent a quick warning over their comm. “-Don't you even dare!-” he snapped.

“-Tell me this-” the `Con sent back to him. “-Have you even noticed what it is he's carrying?-”

Bumblebee turned his attention back towards the human and did a full scan. “-Oh no,-” he muttered as he finally saw the long, wicked looking metal pipe in the boy's hands.

“Well, whatever,” Trent finally shrugged. “I'll just trash `em both!” and he raised his arms, intent on bringing the pipe down squarely on top of Bumblebee's hood when Barricade suddenly revved his engine and jerked forward, aiming straight towards the startled human.

“-Barricade, you idiot!-”

Trent fell backwards in total alarm, dropping the pipe as he began crab walking backwards while the patrol car continued to pull forwards inch-by-inch towards the frightened football player. “What the hell?” Trent cried as the screen door flew open and the Witwicky's plus Mikaela spilled out into the yard.

“TRENT!” Mikaela hollered. “What in the world do you think you are doing?”

“Did you see that!” he shouted back as he scrambled off the pavement and into the grass. “That cop car was trying to kill me!” and he turned back and pointed at the patrol car when he blinked in surprise. The mustang was back in the garage. Lights off and no indication that it had been about to run him over just moments before.

Ron and Judy glanced at each other as Mikaela rolled her eyes. “I highly doubt that,” she muttered. “Just what are you doing here anyway?”

Trent clambered to his feet before he whirled around to point accusingly at Sam. “It was you!” he shouted. “I know it was! You did it!”

“Did what?” Sam shouted back. “What are you talking about?”

“My truck!” Trent screeched. “I know you had something to do with it! I just know it!”

“Oh come on!” Mikaela shouted. “How could Sam have done anything? He was in class with us the whole time and you know it!”

“I know!” Trent shouted angrily. “But he had something to do with it! I can feel it! He's responsible!” he whirled back towards Sam. “There's something really odd going on around here Witwilly! And I know that some how you're in the center of all this! First that patrol car picked you up and now it's in your garage! And suddenly you have these celebrity cousins that drive two brand new Lamborghinis? Impossible!” he scoffed. “There's something going on with you, and I'll be the one to learn what it is!”

“Oh for crying out loud! Trent! Go home!” Sam called out to him. “You're obviously delusional!”

“Or drunk,” Mikaela muttered as she caught a whiff of tequila on the wind. Trent just glared at her before he whirled around to face Sam.

“You!” His finger was obviously trembling as he pointed at Sam. “It was you! I know it! I just know it! You were behind everything! What's so special about you? You're just a little punk! A weakling! A nothing!”

“Shows what you know!” Sam snarled back. “Better to have an actual brain than brute strength!”

“Why you little punk!” Trent bellowed as he reached forward and snagged the front of Sam's shirt and actually began to lift him straight up off the ground.

“Hey! What the hell do you thin you're doing!” Ron bellowed as he finally left the porch and headed for the two boys but the sudden sound of an engine turning over and tiers squealing pulled everyone's attention away and they all gapped in shock as the mustang once again left the garage and drove in a complete straight line.

Trent bellowed as the mustang slammed into his beloved blue truck and actually managed to push the larger vehicle right up onto the sidewalk and all the way up against the trunk of the large oak tree. Bumblebee was groaning in the garage, wondering if he should go out after the `Con and activated his communicator instead. “-What in the Matrix do you think you're doing?-” he sent.

“-What I should have done in the first place,-” `Cade growled as he gunned his engine again and shoved the car once more for good measure.

“-`Cade! Get your aft back here!-” Bumblebee sent outraged at the Decepticons behavior as he too pulled forward out of the garage. Barricade did stop denting the blue truck but it was more out of shock rather than actually being convinced to. Did `Bee just call him “'Cade”?

Trent dropped Sam as he turned and ran across the street after Barricade had backed off and went around to the other side of the vehicle to check the damage. “What the hell did that rust bucket do to my car?” he screeched in disbelief as Barricade calmly and slowly backed back into the Witwicky driveway. “What the hell is going on here?” Trent continued. “Your… your car's are possessed!”

Sam really tried to suppress the urge to roll his eyes but managed to keep his temper back under control. Normally Sam had an calm steady temperament that resembled his father's even character but right now, he knew his feelings were all Judy. “Trent,” Sam managed to project through clenched teeth. “I really think that it's best that you leave now.” Trent turned to shoot a glare at Sam but both Sam's parents moved beside him and Trent actually backed off.

Trent huffed as he managed to yank open the indented door and started fiddling around with interior. Judy sighed as she clamped Sam on the shoulder. “Well, this had been quite a day, hasn't it?” she told him as she turned to go back into the house with Ron. Mikaela stayed on the porch though and watched as Sam

Sam just sighed as he made his way over towards `Bee and `Cade. He glared down at the mustang. “We'll discuss this after we drive Mikaela home…” he growled at the `Con. “I'm too tired to think right now.”

“What?” Barricade's tone held absolutely no remorse and Sam slumped even further. `Bee rolled forward and nudged him gently with his bumper and Sam smiled down and gave the hood a comforting pat.

“SAM! Look out!”

Sam whirled around at the sound of Mikaela's cry and his eyes widened at the sight of Trent charging straight towards him, the pipe held high over his head ready to swing. Ron instantly turned back around and headed back towards the two boys but unfortunately he was already too far away to reach them in time. Judy cried out as Sam's eyes flew shut as he brought up his arms to protect himself from the oncoming blow as the quarterback charged at him with a triumphed roar…

Only to squeal in terror, as a there was a sudden sound of gears turning and a large metal hand suddenly clamped around him and yanked him straight off the ground. Trent squeaked in fear as he looked up into narrowed blue optics that was glaring down at him. “I would think before you do that, if I were you,” Bumblebee growled at him. “I believe you own them an apology.” Trent squeaked again as he stared up at the large robot in front of him. “Apologies!” `Bee snarled again.

“I'm sorry!” Trent wailed. “I'm sorry! I'm sorry! I'll never do it again I swear! I'm sorry! I'm SORRY!”

Sam stared up at Bumblebee in complete disbelief that his guardian who was always so careful, to the point of almost paranoia, had actually transformed in front of a human! And Trent at that! And was Barricade actually cheering Bumblebee on from the garage? `How are we going to handle this?' he bemoaned as he watched `Bee give Trent a little shake. `How do we convince the idiot that this was all just a dream and that my car does not turn into a giant walking, talking robot?'

Trent was still blubbering in terror as he stared up at the large Autobot glaring down at him. “Oh help! Someone help me!”

“Do you think there is anyone who can save you now human?” Bumblebee growled at him, shocking Sam at the dark tone he used. Barricade just watched on in amusement.

“Oh please don't hurt me! I swear I'll never do anything again! I promise! I promise!” Trent was actually crying at this point and now even Mikaela was disgusted with the jock as she came up beside Sam.

“Oh grow some balls!” she shouted up at him.

Sam turned to stare at his ex in disbelief as Barricade's cackling grew even louder. “Oh this is priceless!” he was laughing.

“'Cade! Behave!” Judy snapped at the `Con though even she was having trouble not laughing.

“Really,” Mikaela turned back to Sam. “It's about time Trent got his.”

“How can you say that?” Sam responded. “'Bee just revealed himself to Trent!”

Mikaela sighed. “Well, what can we do about it now?” she asked him.

“But-” Sam gapped at her and turned towards his parents.

Ron just shrugged at him. “What can you do?” Ron asked him. “We all know just how protective that car is of you Sam. It was inevitable that something like this was going to happen.” Sam turned towards his father confused and Ron just smiled down at him. “We accepted the fact a long time ago son,” he told him.

“What fact?” Sam asked confused before Trent let out another piteous wail, ensnaring his attention once again.

“I swear I'll leave the little punk alone! I promise! I promise!” Trent was wailing.

“You swear?” Bumblebee growled.

“Yes!” Trent shouted back and Bumblebee nodded as he bent down and set the terrified jock on the ground.

Judy sighed as she watched the boy practically leap into his car and after a small fight to get the thing started, he finally got the truck off the sidewalk and peeled out of the driveway. “Well, at least the neighbors didn't see this,” she muttered as she glanced towards Mrs. Selman's house, grateful it was dark. “I think the Selman's went out to eat tonight, thank god!”

Ron glanced across the street at the little blue house opposite from them. “Well, that's a relief.”

“BUMBLEBEE!” Everyone turned in surprise at Sam's angry shout. “What in the world did you think you were doing? I can't believe you revealed yourself to Trent of all people! What are we going to do if he decides to tell everyone?”

“Oh honestly Sam,” Barricade said as he pulled out of the garage and next to the panicking boy. “Who's going to believe him?”

“He's right Sam,” Mikaela moved next to him as well. “I highly doubt that anyone will believe him.” She smirked. “Besides, he's drunk. Probably won't remember most of it.”

“You have to admit, it was a fabulous sight!” Barricade cackled again. “And I have the whole thing on tape too!”

“You do?” `Bee asked surprised. “You have got to send me a copy!”

“Will you two knock it off?” Sam snapped.

“Oh now Sam, there's no reason to get upset,” Judy told him gently. “I'm sure that everything will work out. You'll see.”

“Mom, my car transformed and threatened one of my class mates. How is this okay?” he demanded. Judy shrugged and Sam sighed once again. “And will you transform back already!” he shouted up at the `Bot. “Before anyone else sees you!”

“Sam!”

Everyone froze once again at the sound of yet another voice behind them. Sam gasped, not wanting to turn around but knowing that he had to. He knew that voice very well. With a deep breath, Sam and everyone else turned towards the direction it had come from and just started in disbelief. There at the end of the driveway stood Sam's best friend Miles Lancaster staring up at `Bee in utter disbelief.

There was silence for a while before Barricade finally let out a long sigh. “I'm going to get blamed for this, I just know it…”

-To Be Continued