The look in Bumblebee's optics forced her to stay her hand and spare StarScream his worthless existence. The way he stared into her with such a look of pain and fear for what she was about to do. He watched her anxiously, begging her to stop.

He couldn't bear to watch the FemBot he had grown to love shed blood so cruelly, even when he knew the decepticon deserved it.

Arcee looked into his innocent, wide optics and then reluctantly dropped her hold on StarScream before she stumbled away in pain. She collapsed onto the dirt with a light huff and listened listlessly as younger bot slid down beside her, collecting her carefully into his arms. He buzzed lightly to her, making sure she was conscious, before he began to dial in Ratchet for a bridge. The two-wheeler remained silent, secure against the youngling's chest, as he helped Ratchet pull the other two bots through the bridge.

Bumblebee kept the motorbike close to his side as the medic worked on her damaged form. The moment he stepped away to work on Bulk and Optimus, Bee turned to look at Arcee.

"… why?"

She kept her gaze down, but slowly forced herself to look in those wide, young eyes, buzzing with questions.

"… I had a score to settle."

The broken crack in his electric croon almost tore her to pieces as he quietly whispered, "… Cliff?"

"…yes… StarScream was the one who terminated him," she spat, hugging her side lightly, barely acknowledging the gasps of a reawakening Bulkhead. Bee's optics searched the ground before he hugged her against his side and rested his head on hers. Arcee stiffened before she sighed and let the young bot hold her, letting her head fall to his chest.

"… Cliff'd be proud…" he quietly beeped, rubbing her shoulder lightly. "… about how you controlled yourself." She sat in silence and then rested her hand on his, taking some comfort in his youthful strength. After a few seconds ticked by, she suddenly felt a light spark on her forehead and she blinked in surprise as Bumblebee awkwardly pulled away and stood, rushing towards his father's side, beeping quickly about if he was okay.

The slight action of affection from the youngling lifted her mood slightly and she touched the tingling metal of her forehead with a quiet sigh, her optics flickering over to look at the jumpy scout, who had his hands nervously winding behind his back as he stared up at his father. He shyly peered at her before he hurried behind Bulk and Ratchet, avoiding her gaze.

"… thanks, Bee…" she whispered.