Infernal Fire: Chapter 1

Prime Blood Time line: Femmes have lost Elita to death and Chromia is POW/MIA. Currently, Moonracer is Commander of the covert base Rock Bottom (the femme underground base from G1) with Firestar, Strifer and a couple other femmes.

Definitions/credits:

Spark guard plate: a plate welded over the spark chamber to keep it emerging and accidentally bonding. (if you like, a spark-condom) As far as I know, I made this up for Megatron in my Tron story.

Cord: male/mech interfacing appendage emerges from a slit in the soft flexible underarmor skin just below the spark chamber on the center chest. (I'm not the only one who has used the interface appendage from the chest rather than the crotch.)

Tank: a tank in the pelvic region containing the code. Underarmor skin in that area highly sensitive. (if you must, internal testicles)

Code: Trans-fluid the male/mech fluid containing RNA code. MissSparkle1 and several others have used this term.

RNA: aka, DNA, I know for sure ZuperBuu used this term yet I think I've seen it several other places as well.

The One: When bond mates sparks merge, they are no loner two beings, but one soul… one essence... One life… One existence. One. Just like when I look deep into my husband's beautiful blue eyes just before he kisses me and I melt into a pile of goo in his arms. Time and space no longer exist. Nor do I care. You know what I mean?

Sparklink: The telepathic and empathic abilities only spark mates share.

Cast: (mine) Mindwipe, Timber, Flack, Strifer and a couple others

(Hasbro's) Moonracer, Firestar, Chromia, Powerglide, Inferno, Ironhide, Optimus & Roller, Jazz, Prowl, Skyfire, Ultra Magnus, Springer, Topspin, Roadbuster, Ratchet, Perceptor, Wheeljack…. And a few others.

Story Begins: Having stolen one of Shockwave's ships, they have come in hot to Earth to deliver news and seek temporary safety/recoup time. As soon as the crash registered on Teletran 1's security systems, Sideswipe & Sunstreaker, Jazz, Ratchet and Ironhide dashed out to investigate. Ironhide reported back to the command room, "Prime, the femmes are here."

Prime curiously replied, "How many?"

Ironhide, "All. Well, all currently on active duty at Rock Bottom." It was his way of saying his own beloved was still not among them. It still left questions.

Prime asks again, "Why?"

"Unknown. First priority is to bring them in. Some are in better shape than others."

"Understood. Do you need assistance?"

"No. We'll make it. Out."

Anxiously, Prime waited at Ark's doors for the returning party. Firestar, in her dully flatbed truck mode, carried two of her sisters, while Ratchet carried two more. Strifer along with Moonracer and the mechs, surrounded them in security detail. They headed straight for the med bay with Prime striding right behind them. He helped lay the injured on the gurneys. Ratchet nodded to Prime silently ordering: his duty was done, clear his med bay of all non-essential personnel.

Prime gave Moonracer, Strifer and Firestar curious looks as they limped out of the med bay. Ratchet slammed the door after Ironhide, last to leave. Prime turned to the three clearly exhausted femmes. "Shouldn't you be in there?"

Moonracer smiles weakly, "Prime, I might be scratch and dinged, but what I need isn't in the med bay."

Ironhide smiles tenderly to her, "He's on patrol. He should be back in a couple hours. You look like you could use some recharge." She nods and then staggers. Prime flicks a finger to Ironhide, who wraps an arm around her waist. "Come on darl'n, lean on me. You will be just the icing on his returning cake."

Strifer puts a hand on Commander Moonracer's shoulder, "I grabbed the data pads while you were helping with the extraction. Go. I'll debrief Prime. When you have a clear head, come." Prime nods his confirmation to take it as his order.

She sighs and leans her weight into Ironhide. Halfway down the hall, he gives up and just lifts her into his arms. She curls her arms around his neck and the tears trickle out. "I'm so sorry, Ironhide. I haven't found her yet. I've been looking so hard-"

Ironhide clamps his hand behind her helm forcing her face into his neck. He doesn't want her to see his own face hurting for her, or his tears also leaking out. "Hush dar'ln. It's just the exhaustion talking. Don't worry your pretty little helm about me. I've been through worse."

She sobs, "No you haven't, you big red liar."

"Well, shush anyways. We're here at your favorite spot." He punches in his override code and enters Powerglide's quarters. Nearly big as life, is a pin up poster of Moonracer beside the bunk. Ironhide chuckles seeing it. "Hum, I wonder what's on his processor every night?" Carefully he eases her down and pulls the heavy flight blanket over the beyond exhausted femme commander.

Her optics slip closed at the scent of her lover on the blanket comforting her and her breathing slows, "I'll never stop looking. I promise you, Ironhide." He can't help but press a kiss to her forehelm at her devotion. Slag she's a commander worthy to take Elita or Chromia's place.

He leaves silently, but puts a note in chalk on Powerglide's door. Warning: Sleeping Mate Inside. Yes, it's true they haven't spark-bonded, but in every other sense of the word, they were mates.

Striding back down the hall, he ponders them. They support, encourage, and love each other with every pulse of their sparkbeat for the other. In fact, neither Powerglide or Moonracer corrected anyone very often who called them mates.

{flashback} Powerglide had sworn Ironhide to secrecy when he found First Aid welding an extra strong piece of metal over his spark chamber straight to the underarmor. Ironhide quirked an optic brow, "Trying to be tougher than me?"

Powerglide shakes his head near tears. Ironhide knows from experience how sensitive the underarmor is in that area. "I'm not doing this to keep her out. I'm doing this to keep me in." Ironhide now knows, the tears are not from the physical pain. Powerglide has just put a burier between himself and Moonracer. They will not be able to spark bond. Powerglide's voice chokes, "I can't fathom the thought of Mooney baring my pain." Ironhide shook his head in disbelief of steps Powerglide would go to love his Moonracer. The fool. {end flashback}

Ironhide, turns down the hall, sighs heavily, and raises a prayer to the stars, "Please Primus, let me give my spark to Chromia. Let me take her pain away. She's waited too long. Forgive me?"

~~ Just as Ironhide had taken Moonracer out of sight, Firestar slumps against the wall for support. Optimus takes her arm gently making her turn and face him. "I'm alright. Just a rough flight. Probably near the top of ten worst."

Optimus also puts an arm around her and guides her down the hall, "Come on Firestar, you can barely keep your optics open."

She tries to pull away but is too weak, "But sir, the debriefing?"

He smiles, "Can wait until I understand you. Now come on." She makes it two steps and drops to a knee. He too lifts her to his arms.

Tears leak down her face, "I'm not a helpless weak helium-headed bim-bot femme."

Optimus smiles warmly lifting her higher into his arms, "No, you're not. You are a proud soldier and remind me very much of a stubborn pink commander." He holds her closer and she relaxes in defeat of his compliment.

By the time Optimus makes it to Inferno's personal quarters, Firestar is deep in recharging sleep. Optimus taps in his override code and opens the door to the darkened room. He barks a sharp whisper, "Inferno!" Only a grunt and a moan comes from the berth. Optimus tries again.

This time Inferno rolls over and growls, "Go away Sunstreaker." And the snoring begins again. Optimus takes two steps forward and kicks the berth from underneath with his big ped, making Inferno jump. His optics pop open sitting upright. "Optimus? Please, be kind. I've a patrol that was to the Pit and back."

Optimus orders, "Move aside, soldier."

Inferno's voice nearly squeaks, "What?"

Optimus chuckles softly, "I have a gift from Primus for you."

Inferno is still confused and can't see what Prime has, but does as his Supreme Commander ordered. He scoots to the side pressing his back to the berth wall and lifts the blanket. Optimus slips Firestar to her mate's side. As soon as they touch, the damaged link is complete. Inferno wraps his arms around his sparkmate tightly. "Oh my beloved Star," he cradles her tightly and a sob of happiness escapes.

Optimus lightly orders, "Inferno, she's very tired. Very drained. You must let her sleep and make sure she refuels. Got it?"

Inferno caresses his mate, "I will protect her from even herself. After all, she shares my spark."

Optimus places a warm hand on the mech-mate, "I know you will. Take all the time you need. Debriefing can wait awhile."

Inferno chokes on his emotions, "Thank you, sir."

Firestar snuggles down groggily, "Where am I?"

Inferno and Optimus answer softly together, "Home." Optimus turns to leave hearing Inferno soothe his beloved back to sleep.

The empty half of Optimus' spark cries out to a lost mate. But the living piece lifts in delight at seeing a couple back together. He steps out into the hall re-securing the door. Yes, this is what he lives for, to see his mechs and femmes succeed in finding mates and lives full of love. Prime's footsteps to the planning room is light and hopeful.

~~As soon as Ironhide and Optimus had left with her teammates, Strifer turned to Jazz. "Please, take me to the war room. I must tell you something before they get back."

Jazz leads her silently to the room. Along the way, he reaches down entwining their hands. Her grip is nearly crushing with fear. Inside the room, he closes the door, and she latches herself around him. A sob escapes, "I found her."

Jazz doesn't let her leave his arms, but he does lift her chin, "What do you mean?"

"You can't let Ironhide be in the room during this meeting. I don't care what you do, but he can't be here."

Jazz shakes his head, "That's not going to be easy. He is one of the commanders. Wait!" He puts it together, "Are you saying you found Chromia?"

"I think I have, but I didn't like what I found. Ultra Magnus and I have been working on some secret information."

"Does Moonracer know?"

"Not much. Only that I have a hint of a hope. Magnus and I know we have proof, just not an exact location yet. Or an extraction plan. Or enough information to make one."

Jazz sighs and draws her back to his arms thinking, soothing her neck. "You don't seem as tired as the other two."

"Moonracer and Firestar piloted the ship the whole way. If you can call it a ship. She told us all to rest. It was a long horrendous flight, if you can call it that either."

Jazz smiles pressing his lips to her temple, "Well, you're home now, love." She snuggles deeper into his arms. He mummers against her against her helm, "I was going to try more romantically to ask you this, but after everything…" He lifts her chin once more, "Will you bond with me, take my spark with you when you go back? "

She smiles, "Do you seriously mean wild, partying, a mech's-mech is actually willing to reduce his spark to only one femme?"

He gives her a wild smirk and backs her up to the table, "No, not one femme. You. There is a whole universe of difference."

She lets her fingers wander up his chest plate, "Really?"

"Yes. Only you can handle this much awesomeness." He waggles his optic brows.

Her chin lifts to him, "Show me." He lowers his head and captures her lips, reeking havoc with her processor. Her fingers curl into his chest panel. His curl into her aft panels.

"Jazz, that's not the kind of de-briefing I meant," Optimus coughs from the doorway.

Jazz drops his head to her shoulder, "Scrap." Her chest giggles, and still flushed and running hot.

Optimus can see that heated dazed look in her eyes, "I'll go get the mugs, you two get the briefing prepared, like you were supposed to."

Jazz is clear headed enough to tell him, "Its about Chromia. Get rid of Ironhide."

Optimus locks the door and codes it so not even Ironhide can get in, "What do you mean?" His own spark flip flops between hope & delight and anticipation & dread.

Jazz backs away from Strifer so she can face Prime. "Ultra Magnus and I have been working on finding her."

"Why didn't just you come? Why did you risk everyone?"

Strifer bits her lip and takes a deep sigh, "Sir, please don't take this the wrong way, but after what happened to E-" quickly remembering not to say the dead commander's name before her mate, "Err, our first commander and then our SIC, our current commander decided that we stay together. She decided it was safer to wire the base with explosives and loose the whole base to self destruct than to risk a skeleton crew being captured by Shockwave trying to hold it down."

Optimus leans in nodding. It was a great risk to move all five half way across the galaxy. "How did you get here? That hunk looked like it could barely fly before it crashed."

Strifer rubbed her head in a new dent, "Yeah, that's true. We stole it from Shockwave's repair bay."

Jazz scoffs, "Repair bay?"

She rolls her eyes to him, "Well, duh. If we stole it from the main line, he would have noticed. This gave us a few leaps head start. But it also made it one of the most wild and challenging rides of my life." She turns to Jazz and smirks, "Kind of like going rally racing with you." He chuckles with her.

Optimus rubs his head. His femme soldiers risked a lot for just one more. He looks carefully between the couple sharing a loving moment. Optimus drops his eyes to the underside of his palm where Elita's name is secretly engraved. He rubs it tenderly. No, the femmes didn't risk all this for Chromia. They did it for Ironhide & Chromia. They did it for love to continue. Something the Decepticons wouldn't understand. Hope.

Looking up from his mate's name, he brings the conversation back on track, "So what information do you have?"

Strifer pulls a chip from her gauntlet, "This." A knock at the door makes them all jump.

"Prime, what's going on?" Ironhide asks.

Optimus tucks the chip into his own gauntlet and asks quietly, "Any other news?" She nods. "Alright. Proceed with that, and I'll look this over privately afterwards." She nods. Optimus unlocks the door letting Ironhide in.

"What's the big deal?" the weapons commander asks again.

Jazz curls Strifer closer, "I need to ask Prime privately if he would certify our bonding ceremony before we announced it to everyone."

Optimus, the master of façade, nods. "And I remind him that I will certify it, but it should remain secret to keep Strifer or Jazz from being a pawn with the Decepticons."

Ironhide nods solemnly knowing that was a key reason Elita had been killed. Then lit's a smile, "You were going to have me as a witness, right?"

Jazz reaches a hand out to his dear friend, "Wouldn't have it any other way, Dion."

Ironhide clamps a hand on each shoulder of the couple. "Strifer, he's going to make your life pit. Jazz, she will make your life … well, an improvement." Everyone in the room laughs.

Ironhide reaches into his subspace withdrawing the high-grade. Optimus puts his hand on it and shakes his head. "Save it for later. Right now, we still have business. Strifer, what have your risked life and servo for?"

"Ultra Magnus wanted me to send you a report of his findings." She goes over to the computer and slides a different chip in. Optimus and Ironhide take their seats. Jazz brings the cups of warm herbal Energon over. A huge one for Strifer, knowing how depleted she is. He spoons a couple drops of honey into it as well. Optimus shares a smile with Ironhide. Elita's Earth-influence. Ironhide takes the honey jar from Jazz before he can put it away. Slowly, Ironhide drops two into Optimus' mug and then his own. Strifer turns just in time to see Optimus silently clink his mug with Ironhide. A silent prayer for their two lost beloveds.

Strifer slips into the chair beside Jazz and squeezes his hand tightly under the table. The screen comes on showing a map of Cybertron and several of the underground passages. Her finger trails across the lit war table making a purple line.

"We know that this is a fuel line to a Con lab. But it isn't Energon."

Ironhide narrows his gaze, "What is it?"

Optimus is silent as he draws his own finger across the table while the others speculate. He tunes them out. Closing his optics, he reverts back to his Orion days and following the grid data. Fire. There was a fire in this area. It was a bad one. And then a slow cheeky smile comes across his face.

"Care to share with the rest of the class, Optimus," Ironhide teases him taking a sip of his mug.

Optimus leans back and sips his own. His gaze narrows in on Strifer. She tries to look away quickly. Optimus smerks out loud. She looks back and lets out her own cheeky smile. He tips his mug to Strifer, "Oh, you femmes are sneaky bots."

Ironhide looks between Strifer and Optimus, "Mind letting the rest of us know?"

"What's tomorrow, on the Cybertronian calendar?" Optimus takes another drink waiting his reply. Ironhide shrugs. He points to Strifer, "We will have to wait for Firestar and Inferno to come round." He taps the depot at the end of the purple line, "Come on Dion! Look."

Ironhide gawfs at his old name and leans in to the map. Then turns it around. "Hey! Isn't that…?"

Jazz leans over to Strifer smirking, "That's why he's not the tactician."

Ironhide raises a fist, "No, but I can still flatten your nose." He turns back to the map, "What's in there?"

Strifer pipes up, "Firestar wanted to confirm with Inferno. She has a sample. Moonracer wanted to get Powerglide's perspective of this area." She pulls up another side of the other end of the purple line. Optimus is looking closely at the end point of the line. He shares a secret look with Strifer. She nods.

Optimus turns to Ironhide, "After, Jazz and Strifer bond, I want you to take some time doing a complete over haul of the femme's weapons. Find out if there is anything we can do to help them. And find Skyfire. I want them going home safely in one piece. Got it?" Ironhide nods.

With that, Optimus shuts down the table and smiles broadly. "So, ready?"

Jazz turns to Strifer and takes both her hands, "Ready?" She nods.

The group stands together under the Autobot insignia painted in gold on the wall with the mark of Primus even higher. This room is more than a war/planning room. At times it became the chapel and prayer room as well.

Optimus puts a hand on both his friends' shoulders, "I'm sorry." They both look at him curiously. "I should have had my two best friends present when I took my vows… but…" He smirks to Jazz and Strifer, "I was too impatient and greedy." The mechs laugh lightly knowing how much in love Orion was with Ariel.

Strifer on the other hand just gapes at patient, calm, controlled Optimus Prime before her? "You?" The other two nod in agreement. Optimus smirks the old Orion light-sparked smirk.

Then becoming regal, Optimus Prime stands back up straight and takes their hands laying one each other's sparks and holding it there wit his own. "A spark bond was a gift Primus granted his children. The most sacred union ever. From this moment forward it will no longer be Jazz or Strifer. You will be One." Optimus takes a sigh and drops his tone for a moment, "You'll never be who you were before." Then back to his Primal tone, "From this moment forward you will encourage, support, grieve and pain together. You will be forever… One. Until All Are One. Strifer, to you accept Jazz's spark to join yours? You vow to guard it, encourage it, support it and love it with every last…" Optimus chokes a whispered prayer for himself, "Primus help me." Ironhide puts a hand on his grieving friend's spark chamber. Jazz and Strifer are seeing first hand the other have of this bonding. When one dies, the other is half empty and struggles to continue forever reaching and longing to be reunited with it's other half. Some never recover from the silence and either go insane or give up and die shortly after their mate. Only the very, very strong can push through the pain and keep existing half-sparked. They touch Optimus tenderly knowing he is doing exactly that for the Autobots. They have all become his surrogate other half he lives for.

Strifer curls her fingers into Jazz's chest panel facing her love, "Jazz, I love you. And I would be honored to cleave my spark with yours. No matter the risk."

Jazz can see that Optimus is still finding it hard to breathe. "Strifer, the sweetest sexiest thing in the universe. I would be delighted to have your spark mingle with mine. Together, our sparks will make the most beautiful music Primus could ever imagine. Come, make music with me." He taps her chest lightly and the outer armor plate covering her spark retracts at the same time as his.

Optimus has regained himself at this point, and smiles at his friends' unconventional vows but just as meaningful. "As Prime, I hereby certify that Jazz and Strifer are now bonded sparkmates. Primus bless you with a long and bright future." With that, he and Ironhide turn their backs letting the two sparks emerge from the underarmor and bond in a flash of blue light whiting out their optics, even with their backs turned.

As the light finally dissipates. Ironhide and Optimus swiftly turn catching the two bots before they hit the floor, euphoric grins on their faces. The newly bond couple are settled into the chairs still grinning at each other. It's obvious they are using the new sparklink to communicate with each other.

Optimus reaches into his subspace and pulls out a special bronze trimmed data pad. This is one he keeps historical documentation on. He writes on the pad and then slides it to Ironhide to sign. He does. Then slides it to Jazz and Strifer to sign. They do as well, and then it is passed back for Optimus to seal with his signature. He takes the stylus, touches it to the Matrix, and then touches the data pad. The document has been permanently recorded by the reigning Prime. Under past rule, they never would have been allowed to bond: caste restrictions. Under past rule, data clerk Orion Pax would not have been permitted to court Superintendent Ariel either. Optimus smiles to the couple, "I am glad I could seal your bond for the records. Do you want a copy?"

Jazz grips her hand pressing it to his lips and cups her face with the other, "The only person I really wanted it certified by, was Primus. No offense, Optimus." Strifer leans in and presses her forehelm to his. Optimus smiles.

Ironhide lays a hand on both of them, "What Primus has brought together through all of this, just can not be broken." He looks up to Optimus supporting and encouraging the widower, "Ever."

Optimus whispers, "Until all are one…. Again."

Strifer reaches a hand out to Ironhide, "We'll find her."

Ironhide holds her hand sweetly, "Honey, today is for you. Don't even ponder us." He chucks a thumb between Optimus and himself. Ironhide then smiles to Optimus, "I think we should get these two out of here." The two commanders guide the dazed newly-bonds down to Jazz's quarters.

Jazz smiles to his friends, "Thanks guys. You know there will be a party later."

Optimus puts a hand on each one of their helms, "I good reason to party. A secret bond and then Inferno & Firestar's anniversary. It's a good day."

Strifer smiles to Optimus while grabbing Ironhide's hand, "Lets hope it only gets better." Optimus smiles and taps his gauntlet holding the secret information, nodding.

Ironhide and Optimus leave the quarters locking the door. Prowl coms Optimus, "Just a reminder, the UN is coming."

Optimus turns to Ironhide with a devious smile, "Prowl, could you please contact them. Tell them something has come up that consumes our attention."

Prowl carefully asks, "Ah, sir, like what? You know the humans will not be satisfied with a vague answer."

Ironhide snerks, "Oh come on Master of Words. Just concoct something that with take them a few days to translate."

"Lie?" Prowl gapes.

Optimus shrugs, "I think the proper term is, embellish."

"Are you going to let me in on the truth?"

"The femmes came back with a host of information that needs time to sift through. And…"

Prowl leads, "And… what, sir?"

Ironhide responds, "A significant spark bond anniversary for Inferno and Firestar needs to be celebrated tonight."

Prowl scoffs, "Jazz just wants to throw a party."

Optimus uses his serious tone, "No, not Jazz." He pauses and turns to Ironhide laying a hand on his shoulder, "I do." For a moment, Ironhide saw Orion, and smiled to him. He actually chuckles, "If that femme is going to fly that wreck half way across the universe to be with her mate on their spark bond-date, it's time for a celebration."

Prowl wait's a few moments as well. Ironhide is roaring with laughter. Prowl responds warm supportive, "As you wish, Prime. Out."

Optimus smiles to Ironhide, "We have work to do while the others rest." He turns to his office and locks the door. Ironhide goes across the hall to his own office and begins his own orders. Optimus plugs Strifer's chip into his terminal and then begins going over Strifer and Ultra Magnus' notes. Painfully, there are notes referring back to Elita's death. It was hard, but Magnus had respectfully included only the crucially needed details that apply to the situation currently at hand. It smelled of an inside job. Somebody who either knew the Wreakers or the femmes had been in on Onyx, Elita and Chromia's capture. Why?

~~Powerglide stomped down the hall towards his quarters fuming. Seeing the chalk mark on his door, he swiped a palm smearing it. "That was painfully cruel, Sunstreaker!" He yelled down the empty hallway. He was sure they were the twins were watching on the vid link.

Inside the quarters, Moonracer, deep in recharge with the heavy flight blanket pulled over her head heard the bellow, but didn't move. She just couldn't, nor did she want to, hoping to be a pleasant surprise for the red jet when he came in. But she was quickly disappointed.

Powerglide continued as he entered his quarters fuming and turning the lights up to full. Yanking his weapons off his armor, he tossed them on the shelf, "Ha ha, real funny you clowns! Threw scrap on my bunk just to finish off the joke. Well! Joke's on you! Now while I get cleaned, you two get that crap out of my bunk or I'll beat you with it!" He begins yanking his gauntlets, shin guards off as he headed for a door across the room.

Moonracer peeked out from under the blanket to see why he was in such a fowl mood. He was continuing to swear, while stripping the dirty armor from his body, "Fragg'n FAA." Tossing the helmet to the floor. "Stupid Air Traffic Control." Left shoulder panel "Slagg'n NSA!" Right shoulder panel. "Slagg-it, I was protecting your stupid White House and you shot me down!" His wings are singed. Powerglide slams open the door to the wash racks he shares with the Aerial Bots, and another large piece of armor hits the tiled floor.

The angry hurting red plane-bot, thrusts on the hot water. He tries yanking his wings off, but can't reach the clasp with pain and gunk in the way. Instead he rips the chest piece off and tosses it aside. The hot water sears his neck cables, dislodging some clumps of hardened mud.

Years ago, he had first hated the idea of sharing wash racks with the Aerial Bots, but once he saw how Grapple had constructed them so even Silverbolt could turn all the way around without brushing a wing against the wall, he had to bow to submission and gratitude. The flyers didn't have to share with the narrow width ground-pounders.

The feel of light hands on his wings, instantly irked him into the negative side of sharing wash racks again. "Skydive, if you don't get your hand off me, I will break your arm."

The hands don't stop. In fact, they reach the clasp he couldn't and slide the red wing kibble from his proto-form wing strut. And then the other side. Against his processor's wishes, Powerglide's body moans in deep relief and sags against the now hot wall. With the kibble released, the struts and now relax and lay straight down his spine. The tender hands trail down his now proto-form naked back and struts soothing and massaging. The underarmor skin is soothed by the softly soaped wash rag. And then the aft/pelvic panels are released. Powerglide clamps a hand over the palm trying to wash the area right over his erotically sensitive pelvic tank. "I'm not that kind of 'Bot." He removes the hand from his body keeping his optics closed, "I appreciate the help with the wing clasp, but please, leave now. I maybe tired, but I will pound you if you touch me again."

The other hand comes up his chest, pressing a naked femme chest to his back, making him gasp keeping his optics tightly closed. The finger tip slips over his spark-plate and into the groves of the engraved tattoo. Powerglide looks down to the sea foam green femme finger tip. He can't move with one hand braced against the shower wall, the other still clamped tightly over the intruder's other palm, he slowly watches the finger tip trace every single Cybertronian letter over the reinforced plate locking his now rapidly racing spark: Property of Moonracer

"Sunstreaker or Sideswipe, you better run for your life. I will never ever forgive you if this is a prank. This is your last warning." His voice is anything but calm. It's shaking near the verge of tears. The fingertips stop tracing the femme's name engraved over his life force. The body slips from his back. He closes his optics tightly sure the prank is over. But the body slides against his side, under his arms (now both braced against the wall for support) and pulls his face down into an open tender kiss. And that little nip she always does to his upper lip.

"I'm home, love," she whispers. He whimpers softly. She nips him again.

Opening his optics letting his tears slip free, "Please don't wash away, my beautiful hallucination."

She smiles to him, "I just clipped your wings, buddy. You aren't going anywhere." True to a flyer, he swoops down and clasps her body and mouth to his, surrounding and consuming her. His footing slips, and they both go crashing to the shower floor. Neither one notices the hard floor with the merging of limbs, lips, entwined fingers, sparks hammering in pain to entwine…

Chapter 2 starts with Inferno waking up…..