Author's Notes: This story is actually a request from Kaekokat. She asked me to write the scene between episodes Past 1 and Past 2. I hope this is to your liking, Kaeko!

Kill Me Save Me

Sideswipe groaned in pain as he forced himself to get up from the ground. His whole frame was battered and sore but he knew he had to get out of there. Hot Shot was probably getting worried. Plus, he had no idea where that Decepticon was for it was certain that it had been a Decepticon that had rammed him off the road.

The was when he heard the gunshot.

The sound ripped through the air, slicing it in two. It also seemed to do the same to Sideswipe's spark because somehow he knew that it was either Hot Shot or the Decepticon behind it. And Sideswipe felt his oil turn cold at the thought of Hot Shot being the one injured.

Climbing back to the roead proved to be a much more difficult task than falling off of it. This hill was extremely steep and it was difficult to find suitable rocks and formations to grab.

When Sideswipe finally made it back to the road he almost collapsed from exhaustion. But the sight that the greeted him ontop gave him more strenght. Strenght of intense fear.

Hot Shot was lying on his back on the concrete, staring off to space. Sideswipe hurried his way to the yellow bot and fell to his knees.

"Hot Shot?" he called. "Hot Shot's are you ok?"

When Hot Shot didn't reply Sideswipe realized that the injury was serious. There seemed to be only one wound, though. But it was on Hot Shot's chest plate. If the energy from the blast had reached the spark Hot Shot might die. Fortunately the other seemed to be in shock, not dying.

"Hot Shot", Sideswipe tried once more but again in vain. Bright blue optics still stared at nothing at all, completely empty. Ever so carefully the blue bot brushed a pale cheek with his fingertips. The face remained lifeless.

Sideswipe's throat became tight as he observed the emotionless face. He forced himself to take a few deep breaths and think rationally. He needed to calm down and figure out what he would do next. He should not let himself get distracted by the fact that Hot Shot was like this mostly because of him. Completely because of him.

"Wheeljack..." Sideswipe's head snapped up at the silent whisper. He turned to look at Hot Shot to see them grow dim.

"Wheeljack?" Sideswipe muttered to himself. Was that the Decepticon's name? Why was Hot Shot calling for the Decepticon.

"I'm... sorry", Hot Shot breathed out quietly. "Truly am... Wheeljack..."

Sideswipe grabbed Hot Shot from around his vaist and hauled the yellow transformer to his feet. That done he crouched down and let the slightly taller bot fall on his shoulders. The only way to get Hot Shot out of there was to carry him.

"Sideswipe..."

Sideswipe turned his head, thinking that Hot Shot had woken up. When he noticed that the face hanging upside down on his right side was as emotionless as two inutes ago he let out a defeated sigh.

"Yeah, I know", he spoke to more himself than his burden. "This is all my fault."

"Wheeljack... hurt... Sideswipe..."

Sideswipe forced back a sob as he listened to his new friend babble almost incoherrently. Carefully he began to walk towards the Autobot base. Every now and then Hot Shot would breath out a name, either Wheeljack's or Sideswipe's. And Sideswipe had no idea how he should feel about that.

When Sideswipe finally made it back to the base he could not have been more relieved. He was ready to collapse under the combined weight of the throb of his injuries, the bot he was carrying and his own doubts.

Apparently everyone had guessed that something had gone wrong since as soon as he entered the underground base he was greeted by the worried gazes of the human children as transformer steps echoed down the hall.

The first one to get to them was Optimus. He picked Hot Shot from Sideswipe, cradling the yellow frame against his chest plate. Sideswipe did not question the tender gesture, only collapsed on the floor. He could finally rest.

"Sideswipe!" Blurr's voice came through the haze that had taken over his senses. He felt his own frame being picked up and he managed to choke out: "A Decepticon. I fell, Hot Shot shot. All my fault."

"Don't be ridiculous", Blurr muttered softly, so softly that Sideswipe was sure he imagined it. "What ever happened it was definitely not your fault. This is a war, things happen." There was a pause before the voice continued: "You're going to be alright. You only have a bunch of scratches and dents."

Sideswipe did not care anymore if he was only imagining Blurr's kind words and caring tone. He smiled brightly through the fog that surrounded only him. Then he lost conciousness.

The End