Lean On Me

:Thoughts:

First Snow

Lean On Me

By Steph



Protection protocols flashed sporadically on and off in a wave of Cybertroian glyphs, lose characters sprung across the blank screen in a straight line before faltering and trailing off in error as each one was hit by a self induced firewall. Bumblebee groaned, tossing his metal body to the side of his berth trying to still his systems into a forced recharge.

Sam, missing…

Large strings of coding sprung up from the yellow mech's processor, flashing vivid images in a scrambled array of memories.

I wish to stay with the boy…

Sam's face, his eyes, his… charge. Sam's eyes gazing up at him in innocent wonder after seeing him transform for the first time. So trusting… so… unafraid.

You are the person I care for most.

FIRWALL INITITATED…

ERROR…

FIRWALL CODE DELETED.

PROTOCOL ONLINE…

We've gotta stick together!

Sam with Sideswipe laughing…

Sam gazing up at him with that hurt expression. The sight of him walking away without even looking back.

DATA CORRUPTION.

ERROR.

Sam's gone….

Not coming back…

Gone….

Sam!

Blue optics flashed to life as Bumblebee's huge metal body jerked upwards with a start. Glancing around the room Bumblebee focused upon his chest for a moment only to find it empty, he sighed loudly, turning his gaze towards the door. Turning on his sensors to their maximum output, Bumblebee managed to  faintly make out the signature of his charge, Sam's heartbeat was slow along with his breathing indicating he had finally succumbed to sleep.

"Primus" Bumblebee muttered to the still empty room. Being careful to not make a noise, Bumblebee silently made his way towards the rec room, creeping quietly with only the skill of a scout could managed, Bumblebee paced forward coming to a stop just outside out Sam's room. A faint band of light passed outwards from the mech's optics fanning the door in a sweeping motion, a deep voice startled Bumblebee in his mid scan, gears whirred in protest as his yellow metal body pivoted on the spot before turning only to come face to face with…

"Ironhide?"  The weapon specials was stood silently in the blackness of the room, his black ebony metal blending in with the surrounding darkness, only the faint glow of the black mech's optics could be seen in low light giving Ironhide a deathly surreal look. Bumblebee froze, standing stock still, waiting for the almost inevitable reprimand but it never came… Only the uncomfortable stillness of the night air, the silence was deafening and just when Bumblebee was about to speak, Ironhide shifted his massive shoulders, squaring them in a formal stance.

"Bumblebee, what are you doing out here? Shouldn't you be recharging?" The mech's low voice softened at the sight of Bumblebee looking so miserable, old protocols festered in the black mech's processor for a moment, from a time when Bumblebee was nothing more then a sparkling. At the moment he looked just that. Bumblebee's blue optics dimmed, he lowered his head turning it back towards the door.

"Yes, I am sorry if I disturbed you." Bumblebee murmured quietly, he turned to leave but was stopped in his tracks as he felt a hand fall upon his metal shoulder.

"All right youngling, what's all this about?" Ironhide's usually gruff voice was soft. Turning to face his former guardian, Bumblebee let out a sigh pacing over to one of the mech sized sofas before lowering himself into a sitting position. Ironhide watched, shaking his head to himself turning his huge body to follow in the direction of the much smaller mech, Ironhide stopped just in front of where Bumblebee now sat hunched over. The yellow mech had his face in his palms, a gesture he had adopted from Sam Ironhide recognised as sadness. Ironhide's optics blinked, going soft at the pitiful sight, something must have happened, Bumblebee was normally so much more… well, happy.

"Bumblebee?" Ironhide questioned softly, gently the black mech leaned forward once more placing one hand upon the smaller mech's shoulder. Bumblebee visibly flinched at the gentle touch, frowning Ironhide removed his palm, Bumblebee finally lifted his head, his bright blue optics a blaze with emotions. Ironhide was taken aback.

"Bee?" he tried.

"I fragged up big time, Ironhide. It's all my fault." Bumblebee voice spluttered off in waves of static as the void of emotions threatened to overload his already weakened vocal processor. Ironhide paced forward and took a seat beside the distraught mech, placing a metal arm over Bumblebee's shoulders.

"Easy, easy Bee, what is it? What's happened?" Bumblebee shuddered leaning against Ironhide whilst attempting to rein in some self control, Ironhide noticed and gently crafted his metal palm against the side of Bumblebee's head, an action the mech used to find soothing as a sparkling, it seemed to work as Bumblebee cycled a deep gust of air through his vents sitting up, gazing at Ironhide with wide optics.

"It's Sam." Bumblebee said softly, turning his gaze towards his charge's room. "I was just trying to make sure he was all right, he was with Sideswipe when he started coughing but when I tried to get him to go to bed, he got mad with me, saying he just wanted to be left alone."

Ironhide narrowed his optics slightly as he stared down at Bumblebee. "Your not telling me everything." The black mech accused, having raised Bumblebee, Ironhide knew when the yellow mech was hiding something…

"I don't believe Sam would become angry just over that." The black mech pinned Bumblebee with a stern look. "What aren't you telling me Bee?" Bumblebee flinched back slightly under the intense gaze, his shoulders sagged like a toddler being caught trying to raid the cookie jar.

"I..I got jealous." Bumblebee admitted, shamefully staring down at the floor. "When Sam was with Sideswipe… it's always just being me and him, and then out of blue Sideswipe comes along asking me if he could spend more time with Sam. What was I suppose to think? Then I find Sideswipe with Sam in the middle of the night, I was worried out of my processor when I came out of recharge to find Sam was gone." Bumblebee trailed off, shaking his metal head in frustration.

Ironhide hummed in understanding, Bumblebee was fiercely protective of Sam, especially now with the boy being ill. He have to have a talk with Sideswipe about it… Ironhide gently patted Bumblebee's arm in a friendly gesture.

"It's all right youngling, I understand. You care deeply for Sam. Optimus made the right choice when he appointed you as Sam's guardian. You are dedicated to him in a way you are to no one else, I understand your frustration but you need to tune down the overprotective guardian role, I am sure Sam is feeling frustrated and no doubt even smothered, but right now he needs you to be his friend and yes when the time arises his guardian."

Bumblebee stared wide eyed at Ironhide, the black mech just shook with laughter at Bumblebee's dumfounded expression he raised one hand, waving it wildly in the air before gesturing it towards himself.

" Hey I'm more then just a pair of cannons on legs you know. I raised you if you don't remember." Ironhide chuckled loudly, clasping a hand towards Bumblebee's chest in a banter like push. Bumblebee laughed rolling his optics in a sarcastic manner.

"How could I possibly forget." Bumblebee murmured softly, humming happily in remembrance, Ironhide's optics brightened, he laughed, a deep rumble within his ebony metal chest, Ironhide stood pacing towards the door, he turned pausing at the entrance which lead to his quarters.

"Even the best guardian needs a little help Bumblebee I didn't raise you alone, the others all helped in someway. Give Sideswipe a chance, the bot doesn't mean any harm. I'll admit he can be a slagger when he wants to be but he's just lonely."

Bumblebee optics narrowed slightly but he gave a grudging nod. "I'll try, but I'm not making any promises." Bumblebee restrained himself, trying to keep the growl out of his voice, Ironhide noticed, he sighed loudly.

"That's all I ask." Ironhide rumbled before disappearing  from sight.

Bumblebee turned his gaze back towards Sam's room as he contemplated on what to do, somehow, he had to earn Sam's trust back….

………………………………......................................................................................................

Bird song began to fill the cool morning air with their melodious chorus as low bands of sunlight beated down upon the snow filled landscape, painting the world in a wondrous blanket of white. Small icicles clung to the bare branches of the trees, dancing out rainbow colours all around as the sun hit their icy surface.

A chilly, wintry breeze whipped through the base through one of the open windows, Sam shivered, feeling the cool air, pull him away from his slumber. He felt the encroaching awareness of the outside world pull him away from the world of sleep, Sam yawned as he stretched his body outwards, working out the knots in his achy muscles. He sighed to himself, ironically the bed wasn't as comfortable as his normal sleeping place, Sam shakily stood feeling his head spin at the sudden change in position the young teenager fumbled to get his clothes on, it took a while but Sam was finally ready. Sam paused at the door, feeling his own hand tighten upon the door knob, the metal surface dug uncomfortably into his skin. He had to face Bee sometime, it ether now or never. Taking a deep breath Sam stepped out of his room and walked through the human area of the base before finally reaching the main rec room. Upon entering, Sam came face to face with ebony black armour, tipping his head up, Sam found himself gazing into the bright blue optics of Ironhide.

"Oh. Hey… Hide, err good morning."  Sam stuttered, this was the first time he had spoken to the black autobot since the snowball incident. To Sam's relief Ironhide just nodded his head in Sam's direction in acknowledgement, he bent down slightly offering a hand to the young teenager. Slightly taken aback, Sam quickly scrambled upon the sleek metal surface feeling himself being lifted. Before he could register what was happening Sam felt himself being lowered, he let out a huff as he was plopped into a much smaller metal palm, this mech's grip was much gentler as Sam was carefully tucked up against a familiar metal chest, he felt himself relax a yellow finger gently began to stroke down his back relaxing all of his achy muscles. Sam sighed appreciatively as the warm digit began to warm, lightly trailing down his back. After what seemed like hours the stroking suddenly stopped as a gentle voice filled Sam's ears.

"Hello Sam."

Sam turned his head upwards coming face to face with the caring gaze of his guardian.

"Hey Bee." Sam murmured softly, unsure of what else to say, Sam felt Bumblebee shift from underneath him, adjusting his position on the huge sofa, Bumblebee began to hum softly in his chest, he chirped loudly as he used to when he couldn't speak. Sam smiled in  understanding recognising Bee's unspoken apology. Gently Sam patted the metal just above his head in reassurance.

"It's ok Bee." Bumblebee's optics brightened at his charge's acceptance, leaning back Bumblebee tucked Sam a little closer towards his chest, shaking his head to himself.

"I am sorry Sam about last night. I was being a fragger, I should trust your judgement, you perfectly know how to look after yourself, if you wanted to go with Sideswipe that was your choice and I should have just accepted that. Heck if you want me out of your life, with Sideswipe as your new guardian I will understand, especially after the way I have been acting.

Sam stared wide eyed up at Bee, he motioned up with one hand indicating he wished to be closer to Bee's face, Bumblebee obliged. Lifting his charge and settling him upon his shoulder.

"You're an idiot Bee, you know that?" Bumblebee tilted his head to the side glancing at Sam with bright optics, he was so sure Sam wanted him out of his life. He let out a questioning whir, carefully watching Sam's expression.

Sam shook his head, his mind was made up.

Bee is my best friend, nothing is ever going to change that.

"I don't want Sideswipe as my guardian, I want you. You're my best friend, yeah, you can be a complete pain in the ass with the homework, getting in on time, making sure I'm as healthy as possible, but you're my guardian and absolutely nothing is going to change that, and the sooner you get that into your processor the better."

Bumblebee stared dumbstruck at Sam for a second and before Sam could react, Bumblebee had puckered the young human from on top his shoulder and crushed him against his chest.

"Thank you Sam. I promise I will try to dim down 'my pain in the ass' traits as you say."

Sam laughed at the bluntness of Bumblebee's declaration, leaning forward, Sam lent his head against Bumblebee's chest feeling the familiar spark thrums through the many layers of metal. Bumblebee shifted as though uncomfortable in his own exo-skeleton, Sam noticed and turned his gaze back up at the yellow mech.

"What is it Bee?" he asked.

Bumblebee let out a sigh before speaking, he shifted his yellow shoulders, feeling the familiar twinge of jealously flare up in his spark chamber, he fought to suppress the emotion, he had to get a grip.

Sideswipe means no harm.

Bumblebee repeated to himself over and over, Sam patted the warm yellow metal as if to prompt Bumblebee into speaking.

"Bee?" he questioned softly. Bumblebee seemed to snap out of his self induced stupor, the yellow mech quickly blinked his optics before staring down at Sam.

"What about Sideswipe?"

Sam shook his head and smiled reassuringly at his guardian. "You're the only guardian for me." he said softly, once more leaning back against Bumblebee's warm metal chest, feeling his body become heavy. Bumblebee smiled softly down at his charge, gently covering a hand over Sam's small body to keep him warm. Bumblebee chirped happily as Sam's eyes slowly began to close, and as he so often did, Bumblebee resorted to song, it echoed through the mech's speakers in a low flow of voices, a soothing melody as Sam succumbed to sleep.

Sometimes in our lives we all have pain
We all have sorrow
But if we are wise
We know that there's always tomorrow


Lean on me, when you're not strong
And I'll be your friend
I'll help you carry on
For it won't be long
'Til I'm gonna need
Somebody to lean on

If there is a load you have to bear
That you can't carry
I'm right up the road
I'll share your load
If you just call me
I'll be there.

Lean on me, when you're not strong
And I'll be your friend
I'll help you carry on
For it won't be long
'Til I'm gonna need
Somebody to lean on.

So lean on me…

Hope you guys have enjoyed this chapter. The song is ' Lean on me' by Bill Withers, I feel much better now, leave a review!

WB