Chapter 1: When life gives you a lemon

"Will you stay this time?" Starscream's voice crackled over their link.

"Don't be ridiculous Starscream I'm not going anywhere," he hissed as they flew alongside each other over the desert landscape.

Starscream slowed down; falling back and transforming into his sentient form. He stood watching as his leader and mate stopped and did the same walking towards him. He towered over the flier; casting him into shadow. "What are you so worried about?" he huffed.

"Prime has had a long time to prepare for this; he and that human filth along with that bug probably have laid some sort of trap."

"That's not what you seemed to be worried about moments ago."

"Because it isn't important anymore." He hissed as his jet engines clicked online letting him hover. "Getting the Cube is important and I suggest we get a move on if you want Primes head on a silver platter." He transformed and began to fly off but Megatron narrowed his eyes and grabbed ahold of his wing violently pulling him back down. Starscream cried out as his body slammed into a massive rock.

"It's not important when it comes to us? Really Starscream I thought you cared more!" he growled harnessing much of his temper. "You will tell me." He gripped the flier's neck squeezing the energon lines that rested below the surface of his armor.

"Th-the bond! It's our b-bond!" he wheezed grabbing at the claws that pinched his lines. It was a half-lie but Megatron couldn't tell the difference.

Megatron's optics widened and he let the squirming bot go. "Oh… It has been a long time hasn't it?"

"Not that long," he whispered. It was true in Cybertronian years it had really only been what the time span felt for humans only 60 years. Key word felt. In reality it had been almost triple that. His claws rested on his flat abdomen.

"Then how about we rekindle our bond?" he whispered.

He was pregnant, it was very clear now. Hook had made that clear, in the presence of The Fallen no less.

Now instead of being the Decepticon Air Commander, as well as being by Megatron's side as Second in Command, he was resorted to being a pitiful "nanny." He scowled as he checked the sparklings temperatures.

It was Megatron's fault! He thought to himself. Of course you chose to re-bond with him! Another voice argued back.

But he decided he wanted to 'play' in celebration of his return! His internal voices bickered.

You submitted and you, being a scientist, knew the consequences!

But I thought he would be here to raise the sparkling if anything happened! The second internal voice whined.

He outwardly growled and the other "nanny," who he forgot was there, flinched and ran off.

"Great! Now I am stuck alone in this Primus forsaken job!" he hissed.

"Oh is Screamer complaining?" Thundercracker gasped sarcastically. Starscream glared but stayed silent, finishing up his task. "Stress is bad for the sparkling I hope you know. Why did you scare what's-his-name? He is in the hall and I think he pissed himself or however the humans call it. What is his name?"

"Don't know. Don't care." He simply stated writing something down in Cybertronian then flipping to the next page.

"your boring. Anyways The Fall- ," Thundercracker was cut off with a scream from his brother.

"Argh! Its pushing!" he hissed. "Get Hook the slag in here!"

"Wh-why? Are you okay?" Thundercracker was met with a glare and two null rays pointed in his face. "Okay going!"

"I wish Megatron was here." Starscream whimpered as his boisterous brother ran down the corridor calling for Hook on his intercom.

The sharp pain receded and he blacked out.

oOo

"Starscream you're alive!" T.C. said amazed. "You were passed out when I got back!"

"Starscream, you had what we call 'false labor'," Hook said scratching something down and adjusting the machines next to the former Air Commander.

"Which means?" he rasped. Hook looked at him seriously.

"You're nearing the end of your carrying session. Your sparkling could come at anytime maybe within a day or two. You best tell The Fallen."

"He probably already knows." Starscream whispered in Cybertronian. Hook whacked his head.

"Don't talk about our leader like that."

"Megatron is still my leader. I don't know about you." Starscream hissed at the two.

Thundercracker gave him an approving nod. Hook was solemn even though he wanted to cheer at the statement; but he figured the second in command could already tell.

"But please tell The Fallen or it will be my aft on the line." Hook began to walk away and as T.C. was helping Starscream up he paused near the door. "In the meantime I will follow you around."

"Why?" He whined like a youngling. Thundercracker stifled a laugh at his brother and Hook rolled his optics.

"Because I am the doctor and I said so! That's why!" Starscream grumbled to himself but got up, his swollen abdomen putting him off balance. He steadied himself to Thundercracker, with help from Hook. The resident 'doctor' left Scavenger (who was the only one, unfortunately, available at the moment) in charge of the infirmary.

The three walked in silence towards the huge "throne room" of the Nemesis. The previous second in command grew nervous and worried.

He looked down to where his sparkling was a feeling of content suddenly washed over him. He wrapped his arms possessively around his abdomen.

T.C. noticed and grabbed his brother's shoulder giving it a squeeze. Starscream looked at him with a look of bizarre feelings- sadness, worry, content, and something else. It looked like something was missing.

Hook stared at the two siblings. Thundercracker looked somewhat hurt and Starscream had a lost sort of felling about him. He sometimes wished his brothers would interact like actual siblings instead of animals. Okay; animals was a little over the top but they were a little wild.

They slowly reached the doors to the throne room. The sounds of their footsteps echoed heavily. The doors opened and Starscream gulped.

His spark pulsed quickly, the feeling of horror washed over him. He was more terrified now than he was when he confessed to Megatron.

TBC