Bumblebee came out of recharge slowly, for a moment not remembering why there was a tiny sparkling cupped protectively in one hand against his chest plate. Then his processor caught up with his optics.

With a very human sigh of more than resignation the scout carefully sat up on his berth. He gently shifted Sam into his hand, the sparkling chirping sleepily as the movement woke him.

The sight of the half asleep youngling brought a soft hum of amusement out of Bee's abused vocal processor. The minibot just blinked at him, cocking head with a quiet chir, utterly relaxed in his guardian's grasp.

-Morning Sam- Bee stroked a gentle finger down his charge's back as the minibot stretched and gave a soft click in reply.

-Come…let's go see how Ratchet is progressing with your original form.- The scout was glad he wasn't having to speak. The tone of his voice would have betrayed that he already knew the verdict...and that it did not bode entirely well for Sam.

The minibot in question just churred softly, nuzzling his guardian's fingers. He knew that Bee was tense, that something was very wrong, and he was trying rather desperately not to think about it.

Bumblebee sighed again, picking up on Sam's distress easily, but he couldn't say anything to comfort the tiny mech, not when he knew the problem already and knew there was no changing it. So they walked to the med bay in silence, Sam clicking in surprise at the fact that the rest were already there and waiting.

-Samuel,- the minibot's gaze flickered to Optimus, who's expression held quiet sorrow, -I am afraid we have some…distressing news for you. But be assured that you are not alone in this. We are all here for you and will assist you in away possible.-

The tiny mech stared at him for a lone moment, optics wide. He started shaking, wings vibrating fitfully and a thin whine rising from him as he read beneath Optimus's words.

-I…I'm stuck like this…aren't I?- He shrank back in Bee's hands even as he sent the text.

The assembled Autobots winced at the raw fear in the sparkling's optics.

-I tried everything my processor could come up with to restart you organic form,- Ratchet's own optics were pained, -Nothing has worked, ,and after a certain amount of time…- He trailed off for a moment, agonizing over his failure. –There is nothing I can do. I am sorry, but I cannot return you to your original form.-

Sam shuddered, armor rattling like rain on a tin roof. A soft, soul tearing cry escaped him as he curled tightly in Bumblebee's hands, shaking in fear and a little despair. Had he been capable of crying he would have been sobbing uncontrollably.

Bee winced, cradling the tiny form to his chest plate, just above his spark. He hummed softly in an effort to sooth the terrified sparkling.

-It'll be alright Sam…We're here, you're not alone in this.-

The others winced at the cry from the minibot, automatically reaching out to connect to and try to comfort the mechanical child. Ratchet reached over and with deft and gentle instruments connected a few wires, and Sam could suddenly feel them carefully brushing across his systems. They offered comfort, silently giving support, and wordlessly letting him know that he would never be alone.

The sudden contact to his mind startled Sam for a moment, but Allspark written programming kicked in and he latched onto them, anchoring himself against the despair that threatened to drown him. With that anchor he was able to let the storm of emotions roll over him without drowning him beneath them. Eventually the pain and grief faded into quiet exhaustion and the connections with the other minds grew uncomfortable.

-Ill be okay- he'd forgotten punctuation again but it really didn't seem to be that important at the moment. The tiny mech shivered slightly as the others cut off their connections to him, leaving him alone in his head but for Bumblebee's faint presence.

"-We can discuss other issues later youngling, rest now. Give yourself time to adjust and heal.-" Prime's words were both spoken aloud and texted.

-We'll take everything 'once step at a time'.- The private text from Bee backed up the reassurance and the tiny mech warbled, curling in a tight ball in his hands.

-Would you like to go back to my room now?- A tiny nod was the scout's only response. With a nod to the rest of them Bumblebee left, returning to his room and settling down on his berth with the tiny mech cradled in his hands. The tip of his thumb oh so carefully stroked down the minibot's back, tiny transparent wings shifting out of the way.

-It will be alright Sam.- His response was a thin hiss.

-Not alright-

"No, but it will be." he spoke aloud and the tiny mech stared up at him, processor whirring as he deciphered the words. Sam shook his head slightly.

-dont know if I can do this Bee- That Sam remembered to capitalize was a good step in the right direction.

"I didn't know if I could save you either...when you look back in 50 years don't you want to say you had the guts to try?" Once Sam understood the words he gave a shrill whistle at him, sitting up in his hand.

-line stealer- Bumblebee chuckled at the mocking accusation in the tiny mech's face.

"Appropriate though." His voice held his amusement and Sam finally relaxed. It seemed that his lowered mental processes were already easing him through this new hardship as the tiny mech was clearly no longer in the throws of despair.

"One day at a time," He chuckles softly, "You could be my partner now, if you wanted." Sam stared at him, head canting over sideways as he thought about that.

-And do what? I'm too small to do much of anything- His size was one of the biggest issues he has having, aside form of course, dying and suddenly changing species. The shiver that accompanied the words had Bumblebee cupping the tiny mech closer.

"Do not underestimate yourself or your abilities. Small does not mean weak, in fact, your size could be rather useful in a great many ways as you would not have to open plating to get inside and either do repairs on smell, delicate internals, or do a great deal of damage."

It took Sam a good two minutes to puzzle through Bee's words, but when he did he nodded, curling into a joint in his hand.

"It will take time, but you can learn, and be a great asset to the team if you choose to do so." The scout kept his voice soft, carefully hiding emotions. The tiny mech sighed and chirped.

-ill try. Not much I else can do.- At least he was starting to remember to use punctuation again, even it was slightly sporadic. Bumblebee churred.

"You could be very useful to Ratchet." The scout didn't particularly want the minbot to go to the medic, but if that was where Sam would rather be he wasn't going to stop him. Sam just blinked at him and shook his head.

-I'd rather be with you.- Bumblebee didn't even try to stop the pleased purring warble that left his throat at the words and he patted the tiny mech's head.

-Get some rest Sam.- The words were entirely unnecessary as the minbot was already drifting off into recharge, crooning his little staticy warbles in Bee's hand.

Bumblebee watched him sleep, fingers a comforting cage around the tiny mech, and barely manged not to startle as Ratchet pinged him.

How is he doing? The medic sounded rough, but it was hiding a great deal of concern.

Resting now, it took a little while to calm him. He is going to have a great deal of trouble adjusting, but humans are adept at adapting quickly. the scout stared down at the tiny life in his hands, and made sure he was warm enough.

He wants to stay with us, with me. There was no embarrassment in telling Ratchet that, the medic was well aware how much he cared for his charge.

Of course he does. Where else would he go? Ratchet's tones held rough amusement.

Get some recharge yourself Bumblebee, the next few weeks are going to be...interesting. With a wordless affirmative the scout closed the connect and settled back more comfortably. It would take Sam days, weeks, months, years even, before he was completely comfortable with his new self, but Bee would be with him every step of the way.

Okay guys I know its been a...while, and I know this is a really short chapter but I've got gaping holes in this fic that I can't quite fill. It was a rp between me and a friend, though not the same person as IS or GnG. So I'm putting it up for adoption. If you want to have a go at it, let me know. And if you want the actual rp the story is written from let me know about that. If no one takes it up then its officially on hiatus until I can get back into it to get it written.