Two years, four months and three days; Bumblebee didn't know when everything started to become measured by how long Starscream had been gone. However, he knew it surely had to do with Alexis, and the way she made him feel. Time did nothing for his feelings at all except make his devotion to her become fiercer. He didn't speak of his love to her anymore, not since after picking her up all those years ago. Starscream had officially made it discernible that she was his, marking and branding Alexis even stronger with his energy signature.

It was challenging in the weeks that followed the Seeker's departure, for Alexis became a strange creature, her moods increasingly erratic. Angry one moment, cursing the next, looking at him or any other Autobot as if he was an enemy who was in need of termination as Starscream's strong presence took over Alexis' personality. She had fought against it though, eventually finding her identity again as she acclimated and grew from the experience.

And then she waited. Hope spread around Alexis, her eyes always shifting to the horizon.

Months passed while building their new base, everyone working together until it was complete. Security was installed, and barriers put in place, holographic projectors used that made the haven of safety appear to be an open field. Measures were also taken so that the base's identity would remain hidden.

Going on several missions, a group started with just Bumblebee, Sam and his own hand-picked soldiers, ending up with Mikaela as well. They all made quite a team, their reputation growing as did their rate of success. Mika eventually opted out when Ratchet began to train her. Alexis began to learn electronics.

Optimus watched all the humans' progress. He took a couple of them on his diplomatic drives until only Alexis and a few others remained. Prime and a small batch from the diplomatic cores went out and brought more humans and soldiers to their cause. Because of Alexis, on one such occasion, a riot and near violent confrontation had been quashed when the girl stood between the angry humans and Optimus Prime. She calmed everyone down; her words were inspired, lifting the prejudice against the Cybertronians long enough for terms to be drawn. A more hopeful future left for that group when there might not have been any.

Beginning with that instance, Alexis gained respect that she believed she was unworthy of. Optimus scrubbing that out of her quickly enough as he showed her the results of their hard efforts.

And here they were over a year later with most of humanity on their side; many divided into cell groups and teams for their cause. More than a few Autobot/human bases around the world as their goal of expelling the Decepticon occupation came closer to a reality. Life continued as humans found the courage to thrive through it all.

The wedding was over. Bee had been to similar functions before, but not one so elaborate and that involved his closest friends.

Sam and Mikaela were now officially married. Optimus himself had walked Mika down the aisle where the two exchanged vows along with a rather exuberant kiss. Cheers echoed, a party following afterward that put all others before it to shame. The celebration was still going on well into the night and showed no signs of ending.

The moment Bumblebee saw Alexis in the dress she was wearing; he was unable to look away. She was more practical with her usual attire. And while she always looked nice to him, nothing could have compared to how a simple pale green dress pulled out her femininity and displayed it for all to see. Her curves were soft and apparent underneath the silken material with a modest neckline giving a view of her delicate collarbone, the fabric hugging at her waist before flowing downwards. The way the light fabric moved along with her body made Alexis appear as if she was floating along a billowy puff of air.

He forced himself to look away. Bumblebee was sufficiently distracted when a few women came and asked him for a dance. None of the dances were as perfect as the one he had shared with Mikaela, now Mikaela Witwicky.

"I told you that you would do just fine," Mika had told Bee when they circled around the dance floor. Her tan skin peaked out under the sharp cut of the white wedding dress. Many a jealous eye looked his way. "Now go find Alexis. Tell her she has to dance with the best man. It is a rule."

He handed the bride over to her husband, but not before receiving a soft kiss from Mikaela on his cheek and a strong hug from Sam. The three said their good-byes before the two went off to prepare for their departure.

Wandering off and slicing through the crowd, Bumblebee looked for Alexis. However, she wasn't in the area, and coming to think of it; he hadn't seen her for some time.

Leaving the function, moving down a path, he caught his reflection on one of the metal walls. He was wearing a tuxedo that Sam had helped him design for the wedding. By the response from the females, his friend was right. The outfit did do something for their hormone levels.

Bumblebee rounded a corner and bumped into the object of his search. Alexis dropped something, and it shattered at their feet. Liquid bled; some of it splattering against his pant legs and the bottom of her dress. She looked disappointed. A flash of anger followed, eyes digging into his with an edge that quickly softened.

"Alexis, I was looking for you. That is... I am supposed to..." Suddenly, the thought of asking her to dance seemed ridiculous and foolish. Bumblebee clamped down on his words, noticing as he looked at her more openly that something was off.

"I..." Alexis started, stopped and began again. "I have to find Rad... he is, I am. That is..." She shook her head, eyebrows bunching upwards, her words slurred and soft. "I promised I would dance with him." Alexis took a step forward and swayed. About to spill backwards, Bee gripped firmly to her wrists and pulled. She fell against his chest, Alexis' breath gushing out.

"You are inebriated," he observed.

"What!" Her eyes flashed up, her chin bumping against his when she tried to pull away. Somehow, he managed to hold onto her hands. "I am not drunk!" Alexis pulled one of her hands out of his, poking him in the chest and then bringing it up in front of her face. She swayed her fingers back and forth. "Although I never knew I had fifteen fingers on my right hand. Hey, that could come in handy. You wouldn't know how I have, wait... I wonder... do you think I have that many toes now? That would mean I would have to find some new shoes and..." She started to wiggle. Her right foot came out of one of the short heeled shoes she wore. Alexis looked at it. "No. Still only five," she said, "see!" Alexis rubbed her foot against the bottom of his leg. Bee's joints stiffened and his eyes widened.

"Alexis?" he managed. The simple utterance broke up halfway.

"What? Oh. Right. Rad... You're right. A promise is a promise and..." She made a move to get past. Bee stopped her, wrapping a hand around her arm, leading her away. Sideswipe walked by slowly and observed what was going on. A knowing look flashed through his optics, and he had the gall to chuckle.

Bumblebee went into the first door he could grab onto and pulled Alexis inside the building. Bee was not willing for her to go to the male that he recalled had been looking and watching Alexis that night with too much interest.

He turned around and found a long pool in front of them. Right away, Bee regretted where he had led them to. Leaning her against the white stoned wall, he studied her. The unlit room was covered in shadows. Alexis' face hidden, she looked away.

"How much did you drink?" he asked gently.

"Drink? I told you... oh, wait. I did have a glass of champagne. No, half a glass because you broke it, and it is now... why are you looking at me like that, mister? Are you calling me a liar? After all these years and you don't even trust me!"

She walked forward and pushed Bee repeatedly. The light in her eyes grew with each thrust. Bumblebee couldn't look away. Suddenly, her attention wasn't on the scout anymore but what was behind him. She unexpectedly leaned against him, her hand pushing firmly against his shoulder as the other reached behind her back. Bee became still. He watched with more fascination than he had allowed himself in a long while when she unexpectedly shimmied out of the dress. The article of clothing fell around her feet, allowing her to walk out of it and kick the dress away. By then, he was completely immobile, his mouth heavy with the need to drop open. The scout's eyes filled to the brim with white flesh and black satin. His pseudo heart was thumping so hard within his chest cavity that he felt an explosion was imminent.

She took off in a run. Hands coming before her, she dove. The water accepted Alexis with a soft splash, and she pushed herself to the bottom. Swimming underneath, the thin material of the long slip curled around her legs, making her appeared like a fabled mermaid under the dim lighting and moving waters.

At first, he was ready to dive in after. But despite her condition, she seemed all right. Alexis was absolutely delighted. She swam and played in the water with childish vigor. Bee planted his feet at the edge, mesmerized. He knew the performance in progress was far better than the dance he originally sought. Alexis eventually made her way toward the ladder and began to ascend. He averted his gaze. Eying a couple of towels not far from behind him, Bee went and got one. Alexis appeared right behind him. He held it out to her. She took it, wrapping the towel around her body. She sat down on the long bench lining the far wall, leaning and stretching, hands combing through her wet hair before she shook her head to and fro. Strands flew wildly back and forth, water droplets crashing outwards until she stilled, tendrils stuck to her face.

She smiled wide. "That was wonderful! Usually I have to get up way early to have the pool to myself. And it beats having to dance with anyone else tonight. One would think just because I was the maid of honor that it means I have to dance with every male friend of Mika's!" She turned to him. Her mouth suddenly curled up, and she leaned toward him. Her hand reached to grab his own. "You know... you would have been the one..." Alexis tightened her grip. Pulling her body upwards, she stood. She breathed in his ear. "...if Starscream never came along."

His posture becoming erect, he backed away from her in surprise. Shock snaked through his body. Alexis only edged closer, suddenly giggling, a jarring sound that rippled through his flesh.

"Of course, if I never met Starscream, I would have never met you. And I love Starscream, and he is obsessed with his love for me... and... well... just wanted you to know. Never know, I might die today or tomorrow. Or I could drop dead right now... and..."

Bee didn't mean to shake Alexis. But shake her, he did. Something broke within that he had forced to remain dormant for over two years. He started to feel heady. The air around them was suddenly thick.

"Why are you looking at me like that?" Alexis huffed. "As if a pig is behind us with a gold ring in its snout. Of course, I am not calling myself beautiful, but I still know about discretion and propriety and..." She suddenly shrieked. Turning around and away from him, she opened her towel a smidgen. "Bumble, where is my dress? And why am I wet? And..."

"Calm down. You went for a swim. Don't you recall?" he said, trying to ease her with his soft words.

She turned around, gripping the towel firmly. "A swim! But... didn't... I mean... a wedding... yes... Mikaela got married. And she gave me a glass of wine and... drunk! As if I would really be." She took a deep breath, and then much to Bee's amazement, Alexis started to sing. "...high as a kite I just might stop to check you out. Gotta go wild like a..."

Alexis flashed around, and the melody ended abruptly. Eyebrows rising high, she cringed. "What is going on, Bee?"

"You aren't drunk."

Alexis scoffed at that, "Of course not."

Bee's brows lifted. "However, it appears the alcohol did not mix well with the chemicals in your body. I will take you to Ratchet. Something is wrong."

"You will do no such thing!" Her eyes narrowed; fists formed. "I will not be poked and prodded! I am a human with rights, and I demand the fifth amendment, or is it the fourth or..."

The way she spoke, Bumblebee knew her moment of clarity was gone. She slumped suddenly; Bee rushed to her. Alexis stiffened. She stared hard before the glare died down.

"Bee," she breathed, hands meeting his arms. Alexis' fingers pressed against him as his muscles involuntarily pinched. "You look really good in a tux, but that doesn't mean you have any right to take my dress off."

"Alexis, I didn't..."

"Shh, it's okay," she whispered, pressing one of her fingers against his mouth. "I see how you look at me. It's okay to be curious, but I am not that kind of girl no matter how good-looking you are... human or car." Her fingers left his mouth, and suddenly she was leaning against him. Alexis' wet body pressed against his stiff tux. She pulled back. "But there are plenty of other girls who would love to have you. You'll pick one out soon enough. I am easily replaceable and..."

"No. You are not."

"It's all right, Bee. I want to be replaced. I want you to be happy. And I really, really want..."

"What?" he asked. His voice was low, and despite what they were talking about it was almost a pleasure to eject the word from his mouth.

"My dress, silly. How about you give it back to me."

Alexis' actions were amusing at first, even turned into a form of temptation. But when it was all said and done, he was relieved when she was dressed once more.

However, once her mouth clamped shut everything was replaced with looks, gazes and small lingering touches. When Alexis managed to squish him against the wall and stare up at him with those wide eyes of hers, leaning forward and soaking in his warmth, that was when, with her energy brushing out and along him, the soothing sensation of loss and then rocketing pleasure mounting, Bumblebee knew it was time to stop.

He just never thought the night would end up with him carrying Alexis to her quarters. Images came into play as he realized it was how many a groom took their bride over the threshold. Bee nearly dropped her when she started to lean up, nuzzling against him. Heated breath caused his body to respond. He felt heavy, his clothes tight, an unfamiliar ache building.

Getting Alexis into bed was a chore on its own. Her hands continually strayed, and her legs were pushing. By the time Bumblebee had her wrapped in a comforter, he was ready to terminate his holo-form. Ready to take a long drive and find an isolated place to meditate the stirring sensations away.

First, he made a call.

A knock followed not long afterward. He let Julia in and then quickly explained things. The girl was still attired in her bride's maid dress, but willing to assist by watching over Alexis. Fortunately, she looked up to the task, even though she had been at the wedding bash for hours. Thanking the young woman, Bumblebee made his escape.