My Falling Star Chapter 10

….:::~CHAPTER 10~:::….

"Uh, Bumblebee? I wouldn't let Kayda wander TOO far; I just don't know how the cattle across the road will react to her."

Smiling and giggling quietly, Mikaela casually pointed.

Bumblebee looked over his shoulder and jumped at the sight of Kayda crawling away toward the heard of Holstein cattle grazing in the field across the road. Jumping and catching Kayda off guard, Bumblebee swept her up and scolded her with a series of beeps and whistles. Kayda on the other hand merely smiled and gently kicked her stabilizing servos back and forth in the air as Bumblebee held her out in front of him.

Just then something caught Bumblebee's attention.

Out of the corner of his optic, Bee caught a glance of a dust cloud speeding down the road toward the acreage.

Mikaela quickly glanced over her shoulder at Bumblebee. "Bee, take Kayda to the barn and hide out there. I'll call you when it's safe now go!"

Bee nodded adjusting Kayda in his arms and sprinting for the barn door. Kneeling down he opened the door and then scrambled in shutting it behind him.

Watching through a small crack in the door Bumblebee watched as a close call was about to ensue.

Slowly an old Dodge farm truck from 1938 painted in bright red paint slowly rolled into the driveway and came to a steady halt.

Taking in a long steady breath, Mikaela smiled and approached.

"Good-afternoon Mr. Stinson, is there something I can do for you?"

Slowly, a large and some-what stocky man in his late 60's stepped foot on the gravel and gently slammed the truck door shut. He was a large man, both height and width wise. Bumblebee had never really seen a human quite like this! He wore large black cowboy boots and a black cowboy hat to match along with loose boot-cut jeans and a blue and green pled shirt. His face was somewhat chunky hidden behind a broad white mustache yet, he seemed sincere with eyes that right away seemed gentle and warm.

"Good afternoon Mikaela, how are you today?"

Mikaela bowed her head slightly and smiled in return. "I'm very good sir, thank you for asking."

Clearing his throat, the large man nodded and proceeded to pull a cigar case from his back pocket. "Is Samuel around this afternoon?"

Mikaela shook her head. "No Mr. Stinson, he had to work today."

Nodding, the large white mustached-man took a cigar out of its case, lit it and inhaled a large quantity of the cigar's contaminants. Blowing the smoke out slowly he coughed and cleared his throat. "And when will you be expecting him back?"

Mikaela shrugged, smiling sheepishly. "Probably around five or so…that is unless Mr. Kinsey doesn't make him stay longer."

Slowly Mr. Stinson nodded. Sighing Mikaela crossed her arms and rested her weight on one leg. "What is it that you need Sam for exactly?"

Looking up from his cigar, Mr. Stinson chuckled softly. "Well, a couple days ago I asked Samuel to move my tractor from out of the barn and park it in the drive-way so that I could get some work done, but seeing as it isn't out here I can't help but assume that he must have forgotten."

Mikaela smiled and shrugged. "And let me guess, the keys for your tractor are on the same key-ring for the house…the same key-ring that Sam has?"

Shaking his head, the man continued to chuckle. "Of course not, I have the keys right here…"

Pulling the keys out of his shirt pocket, he gently dangled them in the air for Mikaela to see, and then proceeded to put them back. "…I just wanted the tractor out so that I wouldn't have to fight with any of your belonging that you may be storing in the barn."

Slowly Mr. Stinson pulled away from Mikaela and walked away…straight for the barn.

Bumblebee hesitated and quietly tied to move both Kayda and himself away from the door.

Mikaela hesitated and jumped. "Uh, Mr. Stinson?"

Stopping and turning around, Mr. Stinson raised an eyebrow. "Yes Mikaela?"

Looking around for an excuse Mikaela stuttered. "Um, s-sir, I… I really don't think you should go in there."

Patiently listening he narrowed his glance. "Why should I not go in?"

Mikaela looked away and mumbled under her breath. "Oh great…" Looking back up she cautiously looked at the barn and then back at Mr. Stinson. "well… sir…because…"

"Because…why?" By now Mr. Stinson was losing his patience.

Sighing Mikaela spoke the first things that came to mind. "Because…because the other day, I- I saw a…a rat running around."

Remaining quiet for only a split second, Mr. Stinson burst out in heavy laughter. "Girly, a farm without a rat or two just really wouldn't be a farm! You're gonna have those no matter what!"

Shaking his head laughing he passed Mikaela and approached the barn door and rested a hand on the door handle.

Mikaela reached out. "Wait! Don't!"

Opening the door, a soft ray of sunshine flowed in through the doorway and pigments flew out of the hay loft, the barn was quiet…and…empty.

In utter shock Mikaela looked around corners and behind equipment. Mr. Stinson looked up from his tractor dumfounded. "Mikaela…"

Looking up Mikaela froze. "Yes?"

Mr. Stinson slowly shook his head in confusion. "What in the red rock river valley are you doing?"

Mikaela looked around confused and flabbergasted. "I...I was just…"

Waving a dismissive hand, Stinson smiled warmly. "Oh don't worry about those rats; I'll have my wife Kimberly pick up a cat or two from the animal shelter to take care of it."

Climbing on top of his green John Deere, and with a roar of life as the engine turned over, Stinson smiled as he pulled out and yelling over the loud hum he grinned. "In the mean time, just set out some Coke, trust me; it get's 'em every time!"

Mikaela nodded and waved back. "I'll be sure to do that!"

As the green tractor drifted down the driveway and around the corner out of sight, Mikaela smiled and sighed. "Okay Bumblebee, you and Kayda can come out now."

*THWACK*

Suddenly the ground shook violently. Mikaela wheeled around only to see Bumblebee lying on the floor face down with Kayda sitting triumphantly on his back giggling and clapping. She thought that was fun and wanted to do it again!

Looking up at the rafters Mikaela noticed small scrapes in the wood, were Bumblebee's hands and stabilizing servos HAD been.

Shaking her head she giggled softly. "Did you learn that trick from the big bot Bee?"

Looking up Bee shrugged before letting his face again sink back into the dirt.

….*****….

Later that evening as Mikaela and Bee sat around in the hay talking about Kayda, the gentle hum of an engine entering the yard caught Mikaela's attention. Peering through a crack in the barn door, Mikaela sighed and swung the door open. "Sam! It's about time you come back!"

Slowly rising out of a small grey cavalier, Sam groaned and gently kissed Mikaela on the cheek. "For a while Mikaela, I wasn't sure I wasn't going to come back at all!"

Taking Sam's arm Mikaela talked seductively. "Oh, and why is that?"

Groaning Sam shook his head, completely oblivious to the fact that Mikaela was slowly leading him to the barn. "Mr. Kinsey made me stay longer so that I could finish filling out these stupid business forms."

Sighing in relief Sam gently nuzzled into Mikaela's neck. "But at least I can come home to you, kick-back, relax and let my worries just fade."

Laughing slightly Mikaela pushed the barn door open. "Yeah…Sam…about that…"

Just then Sam froze and face turned blank. Looking up Bumblebee hesitated and shrugged sheepishly trying to look innocent.

Sam was lost for words until he swallowed hard. "Bumblebee? What are YOU doing here?"

Lightly tapping Sam on the shoulder, Mikaela pointed down into the hay. "Uh…Sam? You're answer to THAT question is lying right in Bumblebee's lap in the hay."

Looking down, Sam froze at the sight of a little maroon red and purplish blue figure sitting quietly in Bumblebee's lap watching Sam with the uttermost fascination.

Slowly lifting a hand and pointing Sam's jaw dropped. Then looking at Mikaela he choked.

Mikaela laughed resting a hand on Sam's. "Sam that's Kayda…"

Looking back up at Bumblebee who watched with innocent optics, Sam swallowed hard and growled still pointing. "Oh, HELL NO!"

…

…

…

….*****….

Mikaela, Bumblebee and Kayda remained quiet and still waiting for a comment. Sam sat in the hay with confusion written all over his face. Looking over the note from Lennox for the 7 billionth time, Sam scoffed shaking his head. "So… this is…Prime's kid? And he wants' us to hide her out here?"

Slowly Mikaela nodded. "I know…I couldn't believe it at first either."

More bewildered than anything, Sam stuttered. "How…did…THAT…happen?" Just then Sam motioned toward Kayda who was nestled quietly in Bumblebee's lap.

Sam groaned with a slight laugh to his voice as he looked over Major Lennox's note for the tenth time. "Okay, how can Lennox expect us NOT to be curious as to how this little bot came into existence?"

Mikaela laughed and shrugged. "Who knows…but…we've got more important things to worry about than the reproductive nature of alien robots."

Scowling, Sam leaned back in the hay and scoffed. "Okay, what's more important?"

Mikaela glared coldly. "Sam, this is serious! Prime asked us to make sure that Kayda stays safe and hidden!"

Lifting a finger, Sam smirked. "If I recall correctly; it was Lennox who asked, not Prime."

Mikaela growled motioning to both a bewildered Bumblebee and Kayda. "THAT makes no difference Sam; the point is that Kayda needs to be hidden and our acreage is the best place to hide her! Besides…you OWE Prime!"

Standing up Sam laughed abruptly. "I OWE HIM! HA! More like HE OWES ME!"

Mikaela stood up getting in Sam's face. "Oh really…how does HE owe YOU?"

Sam smiled. "Simple…first, I killed Megatron for him and second I brought him back to life with the Matrix. I saved his ass…twice!"

Mikaela smiled back, in an evil kind of way. "True as that may be Sammy, you also have to remember…who was the one that caught you from falling off a ten story building, fought Megatron, was willing to blow himself up with the All-Spark and DIED for you while fighting Megatron and how many other Decepticons, and in the process of all of this he may have very well saved the entire universe from Decepticon cruelty AND—!"

"OKAY! YOU MADE YOU POINT MIKAELA!"

Sam stared coldly at Mikaela who just stood against the wall as content as can be. "Fine, I OWE PRIME…I'll admit that…but—."

"But what? Sam, whether you like it or not Kayda and Bumblebee ARE staying here. Besides…I think Kayda is kind of cute."

Mikaela smiled warmly at the small bot nestled in Bumblebee's lap.

Giggling Kayda smiled and cooed in return.

Mikaela smiled and then passed an 'its-my-way-or-the-highway' face. Looking away and groaning Sam growled. He knew he had been beat.

Mikaela smiled and gently slipped out the barn door. "I knew that you would see things my way Sam."

Looking up at Bumblebee Mikaela smiled. "Goodnight Bumblebee…"

She then looked down at Bumblebee's lap to Kayda who was watching with curious optics and smiled warmly. "…goodnight Kayda."

Kayda smiled and as if by instinct waved. "Bye-bye!"

Mikaela laughed and slowly moved out the door into the night.

Sighing Sam shook his head and groaned. "Sometimes I wonder why I even wanted a girlfriend."

Bumblebee and Kayda both beeped curiously and watched Sam.

Turning around Sam scoffed as he moved toward the door. "What are you two looking at?"

…

Night had fallen. The air was cool and crisp and nocturnal animals sang there nightly hymns into the moonlit night.

Out in the barn Bumblebee gently laid an almost recharging sparkling in a large mound of hay and carefully laid a thermal blanket on her that her sire had took the liberty of packing along. Sighing Bumblebee sank back against a corner and chuckled. He never knew that taking care of Kayda would be this easy! All he had to do today was refuel her a couple of times, play with her and then put her down to recharge. It was that simple! Laying his head back on one of the barn walls, Bumblebee suddenly found himself slowly drifting into stasis. If this was going to be the way things operated with Kayda around then the next few days or so would go by like a breeze…he hoped.

….*****….

Morning.

Most humans refer to it as the awakening of life, of hope and is the start of new beginnings. For Bumblebee, it was the start of hell.

Opening her optics suddenly…Kayda felt this weird unsettling feeling in her tank…not like the other times…not like when she wanted fuel, no…this me was different; her tank hurt. It really hurt.

Looking up from her spot in the hay, she saw Bumblebee deep in stasis against the wall.

Looking around, Kayda started to feel uneasy. This wasn't home. Where was here berth; and her toys? But more importantly…where was daddy? Trying to sit up and get a better look, Kayda stopped suddenly and dropped back into the hay. That really hurt just now! Whimpering Kayda pawed at her mid-plate, trying to understand why it hurt but couldn't. Looking over at Bumblebee Kayda whimpered with a pleading tone to her cries, but Bumblebee wouldn't rise. Trying to sit up again Kayda stopped and fell back into a fetal position…screaming.

…

…

…

"NO PRIME, STOP! YOU CAN'T LEAVE WITHOUT HUMAN CONSENT YOU KNOW THAT!"

IronHide, Sideswipe, Jolt, and the twins struggled to hold the raging commander back. Trying to push the large red and blue flamed mech back, IronHide snapped. "WHAT IS IT THAT'S GOT YOUR CIRCUTS IN A KNOT PRIME!"

Not even acknowledging his soldiers attempts to hold him, Prime stared off into the distance with horror written on his faceplates. "It's Kayda! She needs me IronHide! LET GO, ALL OF YOU THAT'S AN ORDER!"

Watching from a distance all three femmes watched in confusion. Apparently the commotion also merited the attention of some passing humans as well.

Lennox stopped near Chromia's wheel and awed. "What on earth has gotten into Prime?"

Looking down at the human, Chromia shrugged worriedly. "We're not sure, just a little while ago he was fine…and then he just…"

Arcee suddenly threw her hands up. "Snapped! He started screaming Kayda's name and tried to leave the base compound that was before IronHide and Sideswipe tried to stop him and calm him down…when he refused, they had to call in Jolt and the twins as reinforcements to completely sedate Prime."

Lennox's eye widened as his gaze sifted to a new sight of five mechs trying to wrestle Prime to the ground. "What crawled up his tailpipe?"

Flareup shook her head and sighed. "Who knows, but whatever it is, it must be serious."

Suddenly Ratchet moved past the triplets and Lennox and shouted to the five that now had Prime on his mid-plate on the ground. "HOLD HIM STILL!"

Pulling out a long needle like tool, Ratchet carefully pierced the sensitive muscle-cabling in Prime's neck. With a slight yell of shock, Prime stared coldly at those holding him down and at Ratchet.

"ALL OF YOU LET ME GO! DON'T YOU UNDERSTAND? KAYDA NEEDS ME! KAYDA— Kay—."

Slowly the sedative started to take affect and within minutes Prime's head dropped. He was gone.

Slowly getting up IronHide huffed in astonishment. "Wow Ratchet, what did you give him?"

Standing up Ratchet groaned and shook his head. "It was a stasis sedative, extremely powerful and extremely lethal if given a large enough dose."

Jolt slowly rose from his place on the ground with raised optic ridges. "How much did you give him?"

Ratchet looked up suddenly. "Probably enough to kill an Autobot the size of Sideswipe."

"WHAT?" Sideswipe shot back suddenly. "Prime needed THAT much?"

Slowly Ratchet nodded. "He's not a weak mech by any means…I got lucky in the calculations as to how much I gave him…if I would have had any less, he probably would not have gone down as fast as he did."

IronHide nodded sarcastically rubbing his chassis. "Oh yeah Ratchet…you couldn't have speeded up the calculations ANY faster."

Glaring at the black topkick Ratchet hissed. "Would you have rather that I not I would not have given him any sedative at all? Maybe then you five could have wrestled Prime for another…oh I don't know…hour or so."

Stepping in Sideswipe separated the CMO and weapons specialist from starting a fight. "None of that is really important now guys, we need to focus on the problem; what made Prime lose it?"

Looking away from IronHide and the others Ratchet kneeled down next to the motionless commander. Skids sighed and groaned. "Well…he WAS yellin' somethin'."

Standing up abruptly Ratchet looked at the small green mech. "What was he yelling?"

Mudflap jumped in suddenly. "Kayda! He was yellin' for Kayda!"

Looking down at Prime's mass he shook his head and groaned worriedly. "Something's wrong…Prime wouldn't just lash out like that if he didn't have a legit reason. There is something seriously wrong."

Looking up suddenly Ratchet handed another dose of sedative to IronHide. "If he wakes up and tries to leave again…give him that sedative dose."

Looking down at the liquid filled needle in his grasp, IronHide's smile turned dark and mischievously evil. "Can I shoot him with it now?"

All at once a chorus of "NO's!" blared out at IronHide. Sinking slightly IronHide growled. "I was just asking."

Moving swiftly into the command center of the base, Ratchet opened the private link to Bumblebee, the one that supposedly only Prime was suppose to have access to.

"—Ratchet to Bumblebee: do you copy—?"

There was no answer; only static. That was strange of Bumblebee. Bumblebee was usually the kind of mech that if hailed by a message on his comm. link frequency, he would usually respond in record time, but the line was frighteningly silent.

"—Ratchet to Bumblebee: Bumblebee are you there—?"

Again there was nothing but awkward silence in the form of static.

"—Bumblebee, answer your comm. link—!"

Again…nothing.

Closing the link Ratchet literally ran out onto the tarmac and found Major Lennox.

"Major, requesting permission to leave the compound."

Lennox looked up raising an eye brow. "Where are you going to go?"

Ratchet looked away shaking his head. "Bumblebee is not answering to my attempted calls…something is not right and I have to find out what it is."

IronHide scoffed folding his arms. "But you don't even know where he is!"

Ratchet laughed stepping away slightly. "That's what a GPS is for, luckily enough for me; I can track Bumblebee using the homing beacon that the humans put on us when N.E.S.T. was established."

Looking back at Lennox Ratchet continued. "Major, am I—?"

Without hesitation Will nodded. "Hell yes! If something is up, GO…don't worry about the gritty little details just GO!"

Ratchet nodded transforming into his alternate for which consisted of an H2 Fire Search and Rescue vehicle, and without hesitation, the CMO activated all available sirens and was out the gate before anyone could speak.

…

…

….*****….

Trying to calm down a screaming, crying and moaning sparkling according the Bumblebee was worse than fighting a Decepticon with reinforcements. All he remembered was waking up abruptly to a horrific scream that Kayda produced. From that moment Bee had spent the last half an hour trying to calm the youngster but nothing helped. She was in pain. Horrific, unimaginable, excruciatingly painful agony. She wouldn't move from her fetal position in the hay and cried even louder if Bee tried to touch her let alone hold her.

Looking around rubbing his head in frustration and horror, Bumblebee couldn't understand what was wrong. Why was Kayda screaming like this? Why didn't she want him to hold her? What was causing the pain? All these questions and more ran through his already over-heating processor.

Suddenly the barn door opened and a concerned Mikaela peered inside.

"Bumblebee, is everything okay?"

Frantically Bumblebee shook his head 'yes' as to not alarm Mikaela. For a moment or two Mikaela watched as Bee tried to comfort Kayda with her toy giraffe (another thing that Prime made sure to pack along). But Kayda wouldn't take it. Her cries for a while softened as she stared blankly at the giraffe. But then she turned her attention away and pushed her face plate into the hay. With sagging shoulders, Bee let the giraffe drop. He didn't know what to do. He had tried to refuel her, she didn't want it…he tried to hold her, and she would scream…he tried to play and she'd look away and whimper. He DID NOT know what to do.

"Bee…"

Bumblebee looked up to see Mikaela looking more concerned than ever. "Are you sure everything's okay?"

Bumblebee couldn't deny it any longer. He promised Prime that he would take care of Kayda and so far he was doing a pretty lousy job. He couldn't just sit here anymore…he HAD to do something.

Slowly Bumblebee shook his head 'no'.

Mikaela nodded solemnly. "Is there anything I can do?"

Again Bumblebee shook his head 'no'.

Nodding Mikaela slowly turned away to leave. "Well Bee, if you need anything just call for me; okay?"

Slowly Bee nodded.

As Mikaela left Bumblebee stared both sadly and blankly at the suffering sparkling. What he wouldn't give just to know what was wrong.

…

…

…

….*****….

One after another, cars along the interstate moved aside as a Fire Search and Rescue H2 rushed pass them with its sirens blaring. Obviously that person was in a hurry! But what the people in the other cars didn't realize was that that was not an ordinary H2.

At record speeds (even for him) Ratchet moved swiftly down the interstate following the directions of the GPS. Whatever was going on with Kayda was serious, and time at the moment was not just crucial but precious, for all he knew Kayda could be dying, and if that was the case…well…then Bumblebee wouldn't last much longer as far as Prime was concerned.

Suddenly the GPS sounded across his interior: "Turn right at next exit and veer left for twenty miles."

The voice was synthesized to sound female which after awhile ratchet found to be somewhat annoying.

Barely slowing down Ratchet banked up the exit and more 'yielded' rather than came to a 'full-stop'.

Other horns honked and people leaned out their windows to curse only to stop and realize what kind of vehicle it was that went past. Ratchet at that moment just laughed to himself saying.

"This vehicle form does have its advantages."

Blaring down a scarcely used highway Ratchet listened closely to the sound of the rubber on his tires coming into contact with the tar of the road. And on top of that questions raced through his processer.

Was Kayda alright, or was she in serious trouble? What happened? Why hasn't Bumblebee tried to contact anyone or at least contact them after Ratchet's earlier attempts? These questions and others caused Ratchet to almost miss the turn, and I emphasize "almost". Barely slowing down, Ratchet slid around the corner rather than turning, and continued to (eh-hem) "hall-ass" down the vacant lonely highway. He was getting close.

Without warning the GPS sounded. "You have arrived."

Looking around Ratchet growled to himself. "There's nothing here!"

But that was until two farms came into view the one closest was fairly open and kind of cluttered. That couldn't have been his destination. From the way Sam had described the acreage they were renting; it was a large, enclosed, and clean lot with a house, a barn and several smaller buildings. The farm just ahead fit that description. Ratchet slowly came to a halt on the highway, and then turned in on the driveway.

"This better be the right place or else I'll be in deep slag."

Pulling up into the yard, Ratchet stopped…and listened.

"! !"

Now that cry was all too familiar. It was Kayda…and it was coming from the barn.

After making sure the coast was clear from any on-lookers, Ratchet transformed and slowly approached…listening.

Again Kayda screamed a 'Primus-awful' scream.

Literally kicking the door in, Ratchet screamed. "BUMBLEBEE, WHAT DO YOU THINK YOU'RE DOING?"

Freezing and falling backwards in the hay, Bumblebee held up his hands and played the first thing he had on his radio.

"—I swear officer, I didn't do it! I was framed! It wasn't me, I swear!"

Ratchet looked Bumblebee over for only a moment before turning his attention to a screaming, quivering sparkling lying in the hay.

"How long has she been like this Bumblebee?"

Getting up out of the hay, Bumblebee slumped his shoulders, choking out words through his damaged vocalizer. "Since this morning."

"Really?" Ratchet folded his arms, and rested on a stabilizing servo.

Bumblebee nodded.

Slowly nodding Ratchet approached and kneeled down next to Kayda. "I see…well…why don't we just take a look."

Carefully picking Kayda up into his hands, Ratchet proceeded to scan the squirming, crying sparkling.

After a moment, Ratchet looked up at Bumblebee through the corner of his optic. "Well, I'm not detecting any immediate threats to her primary systems…but that doesn't mean anything."

As Ratchet continued, a rising discomfort continued to boil up in poor Kayda…right up to the point where she couldn't take it anymore.

It was quick…disgusting…and…well, you get the idea.

Bumblebee almost lost it as well and had to turn away.

Coughing slightly Kayda shook uncontrollably and whimpered with fluid streaming from her optics. She didn't know what it was exactly she did and it didn't feel good, and at least her tank felt a little bit better now.

Looking down at himself, Ratchet shook his head remaining calm and composed. In human terms, Bumblebee looked as if he was about ready to gag.

Looking up from the liquid tank contents on his chest, Ratchet smiled looking at Bumblebee. "Well, at least we now know what the problem was."

Not even being able to look Ratchet in the optic, Bumblebee just nodded.

Despite the fact that Kayda openly purged all over his chest, Ratchet still found a way to chuckle. Looking up smiling Ratchet dropped his head slightly. "Bumblebee, do you think you could go up to the house and get me a few towels?"

Without even turning around Bumblebee quickly nodded and slipped out the door.

Ratchet merely shook his head and looked away as the door slowly closed.

Looking down at the trembling sparkling in his arms, Ratchet smiled. "It's okay Kayda, I know you didn't mean to."

Gently caressing the outside of Kayda's hand Ratchet laughed softly.

Letting her trembling subside as the aches started to recede, she looked up and sighed. Ratchet just scoffed playfully. "Yeah, I bet you feel better."

Looking Kayda over he stopped as something on the ground caught his attention. Just then the barn door opened and Bumblebee peered inside…then…went back out.

"Bumblebee get in here!"

Slowly, Bumblebee drug himself in and without looking handed the towels to Ratchet.

Taking the towels suddenly, Ratchet held up the object in question. "Bumblebee, do you know where Kayda could have possibly gotten this?"

Looking out of the corner of his optics, Bumblebee noticed Ratchet holding a small bolt covered with tank fluid.

Turning away Bumblebee shook. Just the smell alone was going to be the end of him…or so he thought.

Scoffing Ratchet growled. "Bumblebee, pull yourself together and concentrate; do you know where Kayda could have gotten this? I have a feeling that she probably swallowed this and it was this that upset her tank."

Again looking out of the corner of his optic Bumblebee carefully examined the object in question that Ratchet now held and after a moment, shook his head 'no'.

Letting a moment pass, Ratchet finally shrugged and looked away. "Either way Bumblebee, you HAVE to watch her. She's a sparkling…she'll put whatever she can get a hold of into her mouth."

Looking back Bumblebee slowly nodded.

"Good."

Looking away and gently laying Kayda back in the hay, Ratchet looked up. "I mean it Bumblebee, this is serious!"

Cracking up his vocalizer he scoffed. "Okay!"

Looking back down at himself, Ratchet carefully whipped the liquid tank contents away from his chest plate.

"You know Ratchet; it might work better if you had a wet towel to clean up that mess."

Without even having to turn around Ratchet looked up and smiled. "Hello Mikaela."

Looking over his shoulder, he smiled at the sight of the young female human with dark hair. "So you say a wet towel will do better?"

Smiling Mikaela walked in the door shutting it behind her, and handed Ratchet a wet towel. "I thought you might need this."

Carefully taking the towel from Mikaela Ratchet gently bowed his head. "Thank you Mikaela."

"You're welcome…you gotta have quick fixes for these kinds of things."

Nodding Ratchet wiped away the rest of the residue.

Mikaela smiled and then looked at Ratchet curiously. "Ratchet, how did you know to come out here?"

Smiling Ratchet shrugged. "Well, let's just say a little parent's intuition from Prime gave us a pretty good hint."

Sitting on a nearby hay bale Mikaela smiled curiously. "What do you mean 'hint'."

Laughing Ratchet shook his head. "Okay, okay he threw an all out fit."

Laughing Mikaela shook her head leaning back on the bale. "What? Prime?Really?"

Nodding Ratchet smiled fiendishly to himself. "Yes, he basically went…well…in all honesty…he went insane."

Mikaela leaned forward dumbfounded. "Insane? Prime? No way."

Ratchet merely nodded. "For some odd reason Prime started acting abnormal and then tried to leave the confinements without human approval and then proceeded to leave by force. It actually took most mechs on the base having to literally hold him down."

Both Mikaela and Bumblebee looked up dumbfounded. Mikaela shook her head not believing what she was hearing. "How did Prime know?"

Ratchet shrugged smiling. "Well…it's somewhat hard to explain."

Folding her arms, she smiled. "Try me."

Looking away Ratchet simply shrugged. "The easiest way I can explain it is that Prime and Kayda share a physical bond or link with one another. If one of them feels something that deeply affects one's emotions, then the other feels it as well."

Mikaela looked up and laughed. "Really? It's that strong?"

Ratchet just nodded. Carefully placing her hands on her hips, Mikaela just shook her head. "Poor Kayda, if what you say is true Ratchet, then Kayda can probably feel Prime's pain now."

Glancing toward Kayda laying quietly in the hay, Ratchet just nodded. "It is s possibility, but I would think that—."

"R-Ratchet?"

Looking up over his shoulder, Ratchet saw bumblebee sitting quietly in the hay twiddling his digits. Looking up Bumblebee struggled to use his own vocalizer.

"Am…I…in trouble?"

Laughing Ratchet shook his head. "Now Bumblebee, you are not in trouble. You would've been if it was Prime that came out here instead of me though."

"Hey Ratchet…"

Again looking over his shoulder, Ratchet's optics met Mikaela's glance. "…how did you find your way out here anyway?"

Chuckling Ratchet folded his arms across his massive chest plate. "Simple. I just traced Bumblebee's private comm. link frequency and loaded the coordinates into my global positioning system that human NEST officials so gratefully upgraded me with."

Nodding mischievously Mikaela looked up. "Sooooo, say: if Optimus were to get loose he would be able to do the same thing?"

Freezing suddenly Ratchet groaned loudly. "Oh SLAG! No, Prime can't trace Bumblebee but he CAN trace me! I need to get back to NEST NOW!"

Mikaela cocked her head curiously, still laughing. "Ratchet, why don't you want Prime knowing where Kayda is?"

Opening the barn door Ratchet huffed. "It's for both Prime's protection as well as Kayda's."

Stopping suddenly, Ratchet turned and handed a small canister of fluid to Bumblebee. "Bee, if you have any more problems, contact me. But if her tank gets upset again, just give her that fuel mixture."

Ratchet then walked out the door. Looking out the door Mikaela waved and yelled. "Bye Ratchet and thank you!"

Ratchet just simply waved before transforming into his H2 self and drove quickly out the driveway and back the way in which he came.

…

Closing the door again, Mikaela watched as Bumblebee carefully lifted Kayda up and out of the hay.

Whimpering quietly Kayda looked up at the big yellow mech. She was feeling much, much better now that her tank didn't hurt anymore.

Pulling Kayda close to his chest, Bumblebee beeped and cooed.

Kicking and squealing, Kayda clapped and reached toward Bumblebee's face. Bumblebee just laughed and continued to coo softly as he rubbed his nose plates against hers.

Mikaela just laughed shaking her head. "Well, I have to hand to it Kayda…if she has the ability to make any mech give her Eskimo kisses just by looking at them…then she truly has a gift."

…

…

…

….*****….

As for Bumblebee, Kayda and Mikaela (poor Sam was at work…again) the rest of the day and the next week or so to follow went rather smoothly. Kayda had found a routine around the acreage and stuck to it.

Begin the day with a bottle of fuel and then chase the chickens and sheep.

Then it was scaring the fainting goats as many times as she could until boredom took effect.

After that she watched the horses in the pasture next door and the cattle across the road.

When noon would roll around, she'd go get another canister of fuel from Bumblebee and then would continue on her crawling spree.

Afterwards, she'd play countless games with Bumblebee in the barn until evening rolled around.

Then she would get washed down with the hose by Mikaela and after that would get yet another canister of fuel.

Evenings consisted of sitting in the barn in Bumblebee's lap as Bee and Mikaela talked and at the end of the day she would power down with her blanket and giraffe in the hay.

THAT was a full day for our sparkling.

But as the days continued, something started to change in Kayda. Luckily for Bumblebee's sake, he discovered it rather quickly. There was nothing he could do about it but comfort her…but still.

It started almost two weeks after being at Sam and Mikaela's farm that Kayda started acting…different.

It was a Thursday morning. Everything began the same way as it had for the last two weeks.

As what came to be known as a usual, Bumblebee was the first to wake up. So…he got up and did the first thing that he had become accustom to doing. He prepped Kayda's fuel for when she woke up.

When she finally did, Bumblebee gave her a good ten minutes or so before taking Kayda into his arms, nestling her in his lap, and giving her, her morning fuel.

Now, USUALLY Kayda would almost seemingly inhale the fuel every morning in order to start on her routine…but today…she didn't.

At first, Bumblebee was a little shocked to see Kayda actually turn away from the canister.

Raising an optic Bumblebee carefully nudged the canister closer only to beep in surprised at having Kayda squawk suddenly and push it away.

For a moment Bumblebee was silent and still. He couldn't help but wonder what was wrong. Was it her tank again? Was she having some discomfort again?"

Reaching in a small cavern in his back plating armor, Bumblebee pulled out the small canister that Ratchet had given him before he left. Ratchet had given him strict instructions that if she was showing signs of tank discomfort, to give her this fuel mixture immediately. But…she wasn't crying and cringing in pain like before. She wasn't curled up in what the humans call 'the fetal position' and screaming whenever someone tried to hold her. So maybe it's not her tank. Putting the canister back, Bumblebee sat there and thought about it. What could it be? Was she just…grumpy? Leaning over and looking at Kayda's face plates closely and was a little surprised…and disturbed.

Gripping Bumblebee's armor tightly, Kayda just sat in Bee's lap quietly staring at nothing in particular…with tears slowly running down her face.

Bumblebee cooed softly making Kayda look up. Trying to make her smile Bumblebee crossed his optics and attempted to cover his face and then reemerge saying peek-a-boo…but…Kayda just remained quiet as she turned away and dug her face into Bee's armor and whimpered softly.

…

The entire day continued like that.

She didn't begin the day with a bottle of fuel and then chase the chickens and sheep.

She didn't then go scare the fainting goats as many times as she could until boredom took effect.

She didn't go watch the horses in the pasture next door and the cattle across the road.

She didn't go get another canister of fuel from Bumblebee at noon and then go on her crawling spree.

She didn't play countless games with Bumblebee in the barn until evening rolled around.

And at the end of the day as the sun went down, she absolutely would not let Mikaela wash her down with the hose and would not drink a canister of fuel.

That night both Mikaela and Bumblebee watched Kayda quietly. She just lay there quietly in Bumblebee's lap with her optics full of silent tears. Gently caressing her back with a digit Bumblebee felt in painful to sit and watch her cry and wondered…what could he do to make her pain go away?

"Hey…Bumblebee?"

Looking over at Mikaela who was sitting on a hay bale, Bee noticed that Mikaela was watching Kayda closely.

Looking up to meet Bee's optics, she smiled half-heartedly. "I think I might know what's bothering Kayda."

Bee looked up raising an optic, almost as if to say 'oh?'

Mikaela just vaguely smiled. "How long has it been since Kayda has seen Op—…"

Catching herself, Mikaela looked down at Kayda noticing that she was watching her like a hawk when she started to say Optimus. Clearing her throat she waved dismissively. "How long has it been since Kayda has been with the big guy? About two weeks, right?"

Thinking about it for a moment. Bumblebee looked up and nodded.

Mikaela shrugged. "Yeah. I think I know what's wrong."

Looking up Mikaela smiled. "Bee, she's home sick. She misses the big bot."

Looking down at Kayda, Bumblebee nodded. Mikaela could very well be right. The not wanting to refuel, explore or play…they could be her way of showing him how much she misses her father. But what could he do? Prime was a fair good distance, and he couldn't come anyway because Prime didn't know where the acreage was and wasn't supposed to know. But if Kayda keeps up this behavior of not wanting her fuel it could seriously hamper her systems and cause permanent damage and Bee didn't have the spark to force fuel to her. What was he supposed to?

"Bee…"

Coming back to reality, Bee looked up to see Mikaela standing by the door.

She forced herself to smile as she opened the door to leave. "Don't worry Bee, hopefully by tomorrow she'll be back to her old self; otherwise we'll figure something out, okay?"

Bumblebee looked down at Kayda who had now fallen asleep then back up at Mikaela.

"Okay."

…

…

…

….*****….