Family Affairs

Sam paced back and forth in the forest clearing in front of the two building sized Autobots. Occasionally he would pause to stare at them. Each time he stopped he would open his mouth, apparently wanting to say something, but would close it again when he could not find his voice. He would instead start to pace again.

Bumblebee, his legs miraculously restored by Ratchet, turned to look at Optimus Prime. Optimus returned his gaze and merely shrugged his massive shoulders. He then turned his glowing blue eyes back on the young human pacing in front of him.

Sam finally spoke. "This is crazy. This is even more insane then all the things that happened in Mission City. I mean, me fighting building sized, shape-shifting, robots was crazy. Me throwing a cube into Megatron's chest and killing him was insane. But what you want to do now… it's the icing on the cake!"

"Icing? Cake?" Optimus asked aloud, confusion on his face and in his voice. "I don't understand." Sam didn't answer. He continued to pace, muttering under his breath. It was now the leader of the Autobots turn to glance at Bumblebee. The yellow and black Autobot simply tilted his head to the side. It was his way of saying that it was a "human thing" and that he didn't understand any better than Optimus.

Sam spoke again. "I just don't think it is a good idea. We almost died in Mission City but we just got out of there alive. If you want to tempt death again in just-"

"Sam," Optimus replied cutting across him, "your parents deserve to know the truth. They were taken by your government because of us and our connection to you. Do you not think they deserve to know what their son went through? We will, of course, leave the final decision up to you but I believe that you should tell them."

Sam scowled at the looming Autobot. "I told you before that my mother has a temper. She would flip if she found out how many times I was almost maimed, squished, shot, or killed. Dad would not go better, especially when he finds out that it was you who destroyed his lawn. You're asking for trouble!" Neither robot said anything but Optimus gave Sam an odd look. Sam immediately felt like a small child being reprimanded by his parent for a wrongdoing. Still scowling, but slightly red in the cheeks, he muttered to his feet, "I'll introduce you to them and we can tell them all that happened. But if they do go ballistic, you can't say that I didn't warn you!" He looked up just in time to see both Optimus and Bumblebee smile.

"You made a wise choice, Sam," Optimus rumbled in his deep voice. "Our next destination: your house." Sam merely looked like he was going to be sick. Both Optimus and Bumblebee backed up. In a whirl and clatter of twisting and folding metal both Autobots seemed to fold in on themselves. In a matter of seconds a truck and car sat gleaming in the sunlight, exactly where two humanoid robots had stood before. Bumblebee opened the driver's door for Sam. When Sam was secure inside of Bumblebee both Autobots took to the road.