A/N: This takes place in G1, so you don't have to read Secrets, Guilt, Naughty, or Flying. This will be the first of several one-shots that will take place in G1. Ask me if you have questions.

Running

Starscream was recharging on his berth, yes now was the perfect time. She opened the door, which he had forgotten to lock, of her cage and slipped out. She grabbed the rope made out of sheets and used it to climb off the table. She edged along the wall towards the door. She was almost there when a heeled pede appeared and blocked her way.

Crap!, she thought. The bastard was pretending to be asleep!

"My, my, what do we have here?," he asked mockingly. "Looks like my little specimen tried to get out again. How many times have you tried to escape? Two, three times?"

"Twenty times," she muttered.

"Of course," he said condescendingly. He picked her up and placed her gingerly back into her cage and this time he locked it.

"Do try to get some sleep," he advised, smirking. "Tomorrow, I'll finally have to ask you questions about your 'condition.'"

She winced. He was going to ask why she had wings. Her answers weren't going to tell him much and that meant that he wasn't going to be satisfied. And if he's unsatisfied…well he is a scientist, he'll just dissect her.

She didn't know why had kept trying to escape these last two months; all of her attempts were futile, she could never open the door. Maybe to keep her hope alive. But one thing that did bother her was that Starscream never threatened to kill her or even told her to stop. Maybe her attempts amused him. Yeah, that sounds about right.

XXX

The next day(?) she woke up to his tapping on her cage.

"Wake up Songbird," he said, sounding very amused.

"I have a name," she said. "It's Dia."

He ignored her and went straight down to business. "Were you born with these wings?"

"No, I wasn't."

"Then how did you get them?"

"I'm not sure. I think they were a dormant trait, until two months ago."

"Hmm. Are you a mutant?"

"I don't think I qualify as a mutant. I-I don't know."

"You're not giving me clear answers."

"How can I! I know almost nothing about these wings! I wish I could leave this place. I hate you and I wish you were dead!," shouted Dia, frustrated.

Starscream narrowed his optics. "Foolish organic, you shouldn't anger me unless you want to die."

"What's the point, you're just going to dissect me no matter what I do."

"Why would I kill my pet?"

"Pet?! I thought I was your lab rat," Dia said with disbelief. "Plus I'm always trying to escape, I'm rude to you, and I…I don't know."

"Are you trying to make me kill you?," he asked, smirking.

She didn't answer.

Starscream picked her up led her to a closed window. "This is why I let you run around," he said and opened the window.

All Dia saw was water and fish. "You were toying with my this whole time," she whispered, all previous hope and optimism shattered.

"See, Dia. No matter how hard you try, you can never leave. You are mine, never forget it," he whispered, saying her name for the first time. Starscream then took her away from the window and placed her back into the cage.

At the door he stopped for a moment, taking in the sound of her quiet sobbing, and left.

xxx

When Starscream returned later that day, he found Dia asleep, her face streaked from tears. He scanned her and smiled when he saw the results. Her body was, surprisingly, developing a spark right next to her heart thanks to her time with Starscream. Yes, Dia truly was an intriguing organic, but he could figure out the reason for this odd discovery later. Right now, he was tired and wanted to recharge.

Before he went into recharge, he glanced at the cage and thought, I know you're angry right now Dia, but you won't hate me forever.

A/N: Please review, but no flames.