Hello! It's been a long time, no? I don't know why, but I found inspiration once more! I also noticed a bunch of mistakes in my previous chapters which I'll fix whenever I find time to.

Sorry this chapter isn't the best, but at least it's something, right? :)

Change

Once they were inside the yellow Camaro, Marie new she owed her sister (and her sister's mechanical bestie) an explanation. The darker brunette sighed heavily when thick silence filled the car. Brielle was examining the alien weapon in her hands, flipping it over and running a thumb over the surface of the gun. Bumblebee was silent. Marie felt her stomach twist at the realization that Bumblebee didn't do much of anything when she was around. Pushing her negative thoughts aside, she finally gathered the courage to speak.

"I know I screwed up."

Brielle sounded completely uninterested. "Yep."

Marie rolled her eyes. It was physically painful to hold back her snarky remarks, but she knew she had to get her point across. "I, uh, discovered something. That's why that Decepticon came after me I think." she said. Brielle still didn't full acknowledge Marie. Okay, she had to bring out the big guns; something she knew would royally piss her sister off. "I made a backup of the frequency."

A low hiss came from the Camaro's radio and Brielle finally picked up her head.

"You what?"

'Well, that got their attention.'

"You heard me," Marie continued, "I'm sorry."

Brielle looked incredulous. "So, do you want every giant alien robot to kill you, or?"

Marie winced. Her thoughts filled with the image of Bumblebee stopping in the middle of the road and transforming into his bipedal form with her inside, crushing her body. She shuddered at the mental image.

"I found something that can help the Autobots. Frankly, I'm surprised they haven't thought of it already." Ah yes, she had to add a bit of snark in there somewhere.

Brielle fully turned around from the passenger's seat. "Well, what is it?"

Marie crossed her arms. "I want to wait so I can tell everyone at once."

Truthfully, Marie was nervous about telling the Autobots that there's a way to bring their friend back. What if she was wrong? Would they squish her? Oh God, she hoped they wouldn't squish her. She could only hope that what she proposed worked, and hopefully, she could slowly start to gain the Autobots' trust.

It took exactly thirty-three minutes to get everyone together in order for Marie to make her proposal, about fifteen minutes for her to fully explain her findings and just how it could be possible to bring Jazz back and only about three nanoseconds for Optimus Prime to respond. In that time, Marie had no idea that the Autobots had been conversing via comm. The girl had a hard time deciphering the mechs' expressions, but when their leader's voice interrupted the short silence and said, "For the sake of our fallen comrade, we must try."

Marie internally jumped for joy. It would take Ratchet, with the help of Mikaela, over a month to repair Jazz. "This planet's resources are inadequate for what we intend to accomplish, so it will take time." Ratchet explained.

It would also take a bit of time to receive clearance to the Naval Base that had the Cube fragment under tight lock and key. Once they got that, the Autobots would have to carefully slice off a small enough fragment for their friend (who knows what would happen if they used the whole shard).

After the little meeting, everyone in the room cleared out, eager to take this plan into action. Marie stayed behind, trying to avoid the inevitable medical examination she needed after being thrown around like a rag doll by Rumble. She didn't even notice that one more body stayed behind until the sound of metallic gears whirred from behind her. Marie turned around to see Optimus Prime, watching her thoughtfully. Marie let out a yelp in surprise, making Optimus adopt a warmer expression.

"I did not mean to startle you," his soothing voice explained, "I just wanted to thank you for what you have done for the Autobots, and for me."

Marie looked taken aback. She had hoped the Autobots wouldn't hate her as much, but she never thought it would actually work! "I—I—It's nothing. Really. With those Decepticreeps hanging around, you probably need all the help you can get." she uttered quietly, face growing hot with embarrassment.

Optimus continued to examine Marie, so similar to Brielle in appearance, yet different in many other ways. It is true that the Autobots did not particularly care for the darker-haired twin at first, but it seems that Optimus was too quick to judge with this youngling. The red and blue mech's optics did not leave Marie as she finally found the courage to look him in the eye.

Marie crossed her arms, a sign that what she was about to say would not be easy for her. "I'm sorry, by the way. Y'know, for how I acted when we first met. I guess I'm not very good with first impressions." She smiled up at Optimus, who returned her smile.

"It is alright, you have already been forgiven." he said. At that, Marie beamed. However, her genuine smile slowly faded into a melancholy one as another subject crossed her mind. She slowly began walking towards the stairs to the catwalk so she'd be on Optimus' optic level.

"Optimus, I know what my sister wants," she began, referring to Brielle's eagerness to assist the Autobots out on the battle field, "and I know that if she really wants it, she's going to do it no matter how reckless it is."

The ancient mech knew all too well the price of recklessness. He knew how much Ambrielle meant to her sister, as well as to Bumblebee. "Brielle has proven to be a warrior. She is resolute, strong, and just," Optimus caught the knowing look in Marie's eyes.

"Yes! She is all of those things, plus a million more." Marie interjected, her arms out wide. "She's also freaky-scary when she gets mad and hilarious when she wants to be, and . . ." tears threatened to well up in the girl's eyes, "the best sister in the world. My only sister." She sniffled, trying her damnest not to cry in front of the Prime. With a look of fiery passion, she gazed into Optimus' optics. "Please, take care of her. Protect her. Be a better father to her then ours is to her. Please."

Optimus' optics widened as Marie recited her plea. It was impossible for him to deny her this request, for it is something he's done for all of his comrades—his family.

"Marie, you have nothing to fear. I will take care of Brielle to the best of my abilities. Don't worry."

The mech's voice made Marie feel so safe, how could she not believe him? Her genuine smile returned, and she profusely thanked the Autobot leader.

It seemed that a lot of things would change now, even more so than before. The promise from Optimus consoled Marie. She knew that her sister had Bumblebee too, and she honestly believed that the crazy yellow mech would die for Brielle. Marie had no idea just how deep their relationship went. The funny thing is, Bee and Brielle didn't know either. Not yet at least.

"Well," Marie began, dusting her pants, "I guess we should be on our way then. I probably have a concussion or something after that little adventure."

Optimus smiled when Marie took on a more casual tone. He offered to escort Marie to the med bay, which she eagerly accepted.

'A gentleman too!' Marie thought. She had sorely underestimated the humanity that these creatures possessed. She was indeed dreading the trip to the med bay, but as Optimus lifted her and placed her on his shoulder, she somehow felt a little bit braver.

Even though the sun had vanished from the sky, the day was not over for Brielle. She sat at a metal table in one of Area 51's hangars along with Bumblebee, Optimus, Ironhide, Lennox, and Epps. Mikaela was currently assisting Ratchet with Jazz's repairs, and Sam was silently watching with a bandaged Marie. Sam expressed more than once that he wanted to go home (it's a school night dammit!), but Bee explained (lied) that Optimus wanted him to stay for this meeting.

Brielle tipped the chair back with her feet resting atop the table, arms crossed, waiting for Lennox to begin. From behind her, Bumblebee's radio chimed in, "You'll break your neck sitting like that."

Brielle clicked her tongue. "How do you manage to even find those sound clips?"

"It's a gift . . . and a curse." A voice uttered from Bee's radio.

"Okay," Lennox finally began, sitting down next to Epps. "Simmons is gone. The weapon Sector 7 created will be destroyed."

"A damn shame. That thing is cool as hell." Epps interjected.

Brielle's brow furrowed. She knew why Optimus didn't want humans to have their technology, but if she was going to even have a chance at fighting against the Decepticons, she'll need more than what human technology can provide.

"Do you have to destroy it?" Brielle asked, finally sitting herself correctly in her seat. "I mean, it could be useful . . . for me." She muttered the last part. Lennox rolled his eyes. He knew this was going to come up.

"You'll blast yer eye out." Ironhide's interjected, his voice gruff as ever.

Brielle huffed. "Will not!" She blew a few strands of hair from her eyes, contemplating exactly how she was going to win the argument. If she knew anything, it was that acting like a child would get her nowhere. So, she sat up straight with her hands neatly clasped together and resting on the table.

"Look," she began, directing her statement at the one being she felt it mattered for the most: Optimus. "I absolutely understand why you don't want humans to have your technology. Frankly, humans ain't too smart, and all most want is power." She heard Ironhide cycle air through his vents in agreement. "You want me to train. To fight. I know I can, but to be honest, I'd really rather not get stepped on in the midst of a battle—"

"And who says you're going to be in battle?" Lennox interrupted, but Epps jabbed his side and muttered, "Let 'er finish."

Brielle gave Epps a small smile in thanks. "I'm not saying you should allow humans access to your technology because that would be stupid. What I'm saying is," she took a moment to word her next statement correctly, "What I'm saying is, allow those humans who you trust to better equip themselves against the enemy. Like 'Hide says, we're incredibly squishy."

A metallic grunt from Ironhide signaled that he agreed with her last statement.

Optimus listened carefully to Brielle as she referred to the weapon that he had in his possession at this very moment. Brielle did make a good point, but it was very possible for the weaponry to get into the wrong hands. As Brielle spoke, he crossed his arms, taking in the conversation as his processors recorded it and stored it in his internal archives.

All the while, Bumblebee remained strangely silent. Optimus decided to open his private channel with the scout. :You seem oddly quiet, Bumblebee: It was more of a statement than a question.

Bumblebee, also never taking his optics away from Brielle, answered, :Well, it would keep her safer with such a weapon. Perhaps it wouldn't be a bad idea to allow her to use it. Just in case:

Somehow, the yellow mech's response did not surprise Optimus. :Would it put your processors at ease?:

Bumblebee felt almost ashamed to say so. :Yes:

At that, the Prime closed his channel with the scout. It was settled.

"You have a valid point, Ambrielle. I will allow you the use of the weapon only when necessary." Optimus said. A huge smile graced Brielle's lips. His scanners showed the tension leaving her bioenergy field.

"Yes! Thank you, Optimus!" Brielle chimed, profusely thanking the Autobot leader just as Marie had done earlier. Optimus chuckled at yet another one of the similarities the twins shared.

The Prime's answer also roused confusion and frustration from two other beings however. Ironhide and Lennox quickly tried to interject, but the finality in the Prime's voice told them it was no longer up for debate.

"Hope you know what you're doin', big guy." Lennox grumbled.

"As do I." added Ironhide.

"How come she gets to use it?" Epps teased, grinning at the teen, who in turn stuck her tongue out playfully.

"Alright, alright." Lennox huffed, utterly defeated. "Time to get the kids home."

Of course, Bumblebee was the one to take the exhausted teens home. By the time Marie first set foot in the base, she gushed to Mikaela about how wickedly awesome Brielle was when she took down Rumble. Sam listened, only half interested. "Still wasn't as cool as taking out Megatron." he joked.

Mikaela was dropped off first, followed by Sam, next was the twins. Marie sluggishly got out of Bumblebee and trudged to the demolished front door. Before they left, Lennox told Brielle that her parents and brother were informed of the situation. No doubt that they'll be chewing Marie out in the morning, but it was unlikely that Marie cared. She was exhausted after today and felt like she could hibernate through the school year.

Brielle stayed slouched in Bee's driver's seat. The two stayed silent for a long while, unable to initiate a light-hearted conversation after all that had happened today. Brielle still had her purchased items from earlier that day, but the feeling of whimsy she had when she first saw where Bee had taken her was like a far away dream after the flood of fear that filled her when she discovered her twin was in danger.

Finally, Bumblebee spoke. "Prime has suggested I should double my patrol around your home. Soundwave has plenty more where Rumble came from."

Lately, it felt as if his guardian protocols overrode nearly every of his actions. No, that couldn't be it. It felt different. Something he has never experienced before. It is something he cannot rightly put into words; therefore he hasn't spoken of it.

"Bet you'll enjoy the break from Sam's mom, yeah?" Brielle asked as she cocked her brow. A string of clicks and whirs from the radio answered Brielle's question. Brielle giggled at Bee's response and the scooped up her bags and exited the mech. "C'mon," she said, setting her things on the front porch and then tiptoeing to the backyard. Bumblebee eagerly followed in his alt mode.

Once they both were in the privacy of her backyard, Bumblebee quickly shifted into his bipedal form and in one enthusiastic movement, scooped Brielle up and set her on his shoulder while he sat himself down softer than what should be possible for a being as large as he.

One of their favorite pastimes was just sitting in Brielle's backyard on a clear night and watching the stars. Brielle loved listening to Bee's description of his home planet. She often heard the sound of whimsy in his alien-yet-human voice and it pained her to know how dearly he missed Cybertron. She leaned against his helm in affection, stroking the top of his head.

"Bee, I have the feeling that things are gonna change." She said, her voice a soft whisper.

Bumblebee felt the same way, although he could not pinpoint how. He knew Brielle would be training with Major Lennox at the Autobots' temporary base. Perhaps he could assist her in her training, if she allowed it that was.

"You've got a friend in me . . ." Randy Newman sang. Brielle smiled.

"My best friend: an autonomic organism from the planet Cybertron. Couldn't get better then that." She teased, nuzzling his helm.

Bumblebee used the word 'friend,' but he somehow felt that it wasn't the right word. It wasn't strong enough. The resonance his spark emanated when Brielle was near was like nothing he'd ever felt before. He had only an assumption of what this could be, but knew it could not happen between an organic and himself . . . could it?

For now, it did not matter. Things may be changing, but at least they have right now.

X X X

As always, thanks for reading!