Let's Roll Out, Mate! [BOOK 1]

CHAPTER 45: MY FAULT, NOT HIS!

"That was epic!" Smokescreen said as they walked through the groundbridge, still pumped after witnessing such an amazing feat.

Evelyn nodded in agreement.

"Epic? Epic?! After what you did is that all you can say?!" Arcee snapped angrily.

Smokescreen and Evelyn paled and they both gulped. 'Oh scrap.' They both thought.

"What were you thinking bringing Eve out with you?! She could've died! She nearly did! I thought you'd know better after all this time!" Arcee said.

Smokescreen looked down and hung his helm in shame. 'You think I don't know that?' he thought. He'd done all he could, he didn't want to put his partner in danger-that was never his intention. Sadly, that evidently wasn't enough.

Evelyn stepped in to defend him. "Arcee, it-" Arcee scowled at Evelyn cutting her off.

"We'll talk about this tomorrow. Go home." Arcee said before turning back to Smokescreen. "What's more you tried to face them off, on your own! You tried to face Megatron alone!"

"I didn't mean to face him alone. I was trying to buy you guys' time!" Smokescreen said. "I had to do something to stall; otherwise the Star Sabre would be in the cons' hands by now!"

"Smokescreen, we will not deny that you did the right thing preventing the Decepticons from gaining the relic. While that was brave and admirable, the fact remains that you endangered a life." Optimus said. "Disregard for human safety, or anyone's safety will not be tolerated." He finished firmly and planted the tip of the massive Star Sabre on the ground for emphasis.

Smokescreen nodded. "Yes, sir." he said and Optimus knew that the message had sunk in.

"You still put Eve's life at risk, you put your own human charge's life at risk! We need another Autobot in our ranks, not another child. You need to watch out for her, that's your main priority, not your pride! What kind of a guardian are you if you can't even see that?!" Arcee said.

That last sentence stung like a slap to the faceplate and Smokescreen winced. Then his door wings and shoulders drooped. "You're right, Arcee....I guess I'm not suited to be a guardian after all." He said.

Arcee took a small step back and her optics widened a bit as she realized she may have gone too far. "Smokescreen I-"

"Nah, its fine. I-It's about time Eve gets a better guardian than me anyways." Smokescreen said with a shake of his helm.

Evelyn gasped. "Smokes, no! She didn't mean that!"

"It's cool, Eve." Smokescreen said and after a bit of straining, gave her a forced smile. Evelyn could tell it was a fake even if she was blind. "You don't have to put up with me......I need some time alone. You can ask the others to give you a lift home if you want." Smokescreen before walking off but with his door wings drooped and without the usual cheerfulness in him. 'They'll probably be better guardians than me after all.' He thought bitterly as he finally realized the truth.

He wasn't suited to be a guardian....he never was and he'd been stupid to let himself believe he ever was.

Evelyn's heart was torn apart as she watched her guardian walk off dejected. Then anger flared through her and she whipped around and glared at Arcee.

"How the he!l could you say that!" she snapped.

"He put your life at risk!" Arcee defended.