Transformers Fan Fiction ❯ Fragments of Memory ❯ Reaction and Rescue ( Chapter 14 )

 

Chapter 14: Reaction and Rescue

 

 

“I'm sorry I hurt you.” He implored. Bumblebee could think of nothing else to break the uneasy silence. Arianna still had her eyes closed. “I needed you all to believe I'd lost it…” he reached out and touched her face. He couldn't imagine a more welcome feeling, finally being able to touch her like this. He had sacrificed so much to get this far, but it was worth it. But it would all be for nothing, the pain of transformation and betrayal, if she wouldn't even look at him.

“Please…” he implored, at a loss. Arianna's eyes opened slowly.

“I knew it.” She said. “I knew you would never really hurt me.” She was going slightly cross-eyed in the attempt to keep her vision from straying…elsewhere. Relief washed over his whole body. “Now what?” She asked him.

He glanced outside, knowing a huge battle was going on so close to his precious Arianna. He needed to get them out of there. Problem was, he couldn't really move well. Why was she staring at his face so intently? Did his human form turn out misshapen? He yelped and fell back as she started taking off what was left of her sweatshirt. Left wearing only a small tank top, Arianna plopped her hoodie over the boy's lap. There, now she could talk to him properly.

“Am I not acceptable?” he asked, glancing at the blue scrap of fabric draped across his hips.

“Are you kidding? You're the most beautiful thing I've ever seen.” She allowed herself another absorbing look of his whole physique. “But most boys don't…let it all hang out.” Her cheeks went aflame. Oh, he thought, his stimulus unit must not be hidden by any armor. Bumblebee peeked under the shirt. Nope. Not hidden. Complete humiliation in the first five minutes of being human; just fantastic. Well, now that he had completely exposed himself to her, might as well do the rest of the damage. He had seen this done on the `soap operas' that Ironhide watched frequently and learned that a male did this to a female he greatly adored. With effort, he sat up again, cupped her cheeks in his hands, and leaned in. Arianna was too shocked to do much of anything when she realized she was being kissed quite thoroughly.

 

Fusion's two wheels squealed as he left dirt for concrete. He entered the base and scanned, quickly locking in the coordinates of the nearest fleshling. Two? Ratchet said there was only one fleshling to save. Human, he corrected himself, one human. But two clearly blipped across his oculars. Ah well, he would have to be the hero twice over. Ratchet's realignment went well with the nature of the small Autobot. He loved the limelight, and was hardly even known amongst the Decepticons. His efforts would be more appreciated as an Autobot. He was almost there, one more corner, and a skidding halt announced his presence. It wasn't quite the entrance he had hoped, as the two humans he was supposed to save were clutching each other in intense fear, the male looking ready to kill him. The female peeked out from the male's arms (they must be mates) and he recognized her. Fusion quickly reverted to his regular state; a ten foot tall, silver bot. He walked forward, arms wide to show he was unarmed. He smelled pure fury emanating from the male.

“Aria Witwicky, I will not harm you. I've been shown the correct path, and with Ratchet's help, become an Autobot.” Fusion said, in a low and soft voice. “My name is Fusion, and I've been given orders by Optimus Prime to evacuate you from this battle scene.”

“My name is Arianna…” she said, her voice muffled by the male's bare chest. Didn't humans normally wear bits of cloth to hide their bodies? Fusion glanced over the male again.

“Arianna Walther, I know, but I need to get you out of here.” He transformed into his Katana motorcycle form. “Now get on!”

 

Arianna hesitated. This was her place, in Bee's arms. She could hear his heart fluttering wildly. But Fusion was right. Both of them would be killed if they didn't get out of here. She stood with great effort, her legs screaming in protest. The feeling was coming back to them in the form of a thousand pinpricks. Bumblebee grabbed her hand. He couldn't believe it, but the bot was telling the truth. Ratchet had finally managed to bring him online and change his orientation. He tried to stand and fell over halfway to his feet. Bumblebee didn't know how long it would take him to master his human body. It would be so easy to scoop her up and run them both out of there as a transformer. But that was the essence of sacrifice. Arianna crouched and looped his arm over her shoulder. With a grunt she lifted his dead weight and half dragged him to his feet. Fusion scooted over to them and she hoisted herself on, pulling Bumblebee with her. She ducked down to grab her sweatshirt and he hastily put it over himself again. Despite himself, Bumblebee was thoroughly impressed with Arianna's strength, physically as well as emotionally. No normal girl would get back on the contraption that put a sickle scar on her forehead the last time she met it. Primus, he loved her more every time he looked at her!

“Hold on!” called Fusion, as he roared his engines to life. Arianna gripped the handlebars tightly, and Bumblebee grabbed her waist, squeezing himself against her back. The motorcycle shot off and they were quickly out of the Decepticon base, and out of danger.

 

Prime sustained enough damage that he needed to shut himself down to keep his spark from fading. By the time Hot Rod had dispatched the attackers, the Autobot leader was a sorry sight. Starscream and Soundwave were still battling several hundred yards away. Ratchet had never seen such a fierce tangle of missiles, bullets and plasma blasts. Ironhide was the only one strong enough to lift the Autobot onto his shoulders in a fireman's lift. Hot Rod was furiously jamming his fist into the mangled face of Treadshot, cursing so creatively, Ratchet couldn't believe his receptors. He pulled the transformer back gently.

“He's dead.”

“But Thundercracker got away!” Hot Rod hissed. Both their gazes fell on Wheeljack, who was cradling the mangled body of Bluestreak.

“You're injured yourself, son.” Ratchet motioned to several Energon-leaking holes riddled in Hot Rod's armor.

“I do feel rather weak.” He suddenly realized. His defensive responses had kept him going so long. Hot Rod leaned on Ratchet heavily. “We need to get out of here before they turn that battle on us. I'm in no shape, and without Prime, we'd be screwed.”

“Then call it, captain.”

“Autobots! Transform and roll out!” Hot Rod shouted. His troops complied the best they could, Ironhide still supporting the enormous hulk of Optimus Prime, and Wheeljack refusing to leave behind Bluestreak's remains. Arianna's fate would have to remain in Fusion's duty.

 

They had made dozens of miles progress before Fusion started weaving wearily. Bumblebee shouted for a halt as they came across a decent line of brush land, and drove a ways into it. Fusion was confused as the male ordered him into shutdown. How did the fleshbag know he needed rest desperately? He was a small bot, and just repaired; his energy was critically low. No matter, Fusion thought, and powered down. Their new comrade had brought a blanket and a small amount of provisions, and the two now sat atop the blanket, the food and water finished. Eating was an odd experience, but the boy managed to get through it without too many spills. Bumblebee noticed that this new body had a heightened sensory system. He was cold. He had never experienced cold, save for the deep chill that slowed his circuitry in space, or when the government restrained him. But this cold was so -complete-. He started shaking, much to his dismay. His startled expression was lost on Arianna, who was staring to the side.

“W-what's w-w-wrong with m-me?” Bumblebee thought he might be going into overload. Her eyes snapped to him, concern etched across her face. The concern morphed to a small smile, and a gentle laugh.

“Bee, it's the middle of the night and you're naked. The shivering is your body's way of warming itself.” She rubbed her arms up and down his own briskly to help warm him. A blush crossed his face and he wondered why his cheeks were warm so suddenly. She was still slowly rubbing his arms, and then leaned in, taking him in her arms. Arianna couldn't believe it was Bumblebee's head that now lie gently in the hollow of her shoulder. She caressed his face with a finger.

“Why did you do this?” she whispered.

“I wanted to be with you.” He said, simply.

“But we could have figured out a way, had I changed.” She argued.

“Your humanity is the most beautiful thing about you.” Well, maybe not physically, he thought with an unobtrusive glance at her cleavage. He was suddenly glad for the scant covering he had in the blue sweatshirt. This human body was so odd.