This bunny was adopted from MynameisJag, the first chapter is completely hers and this chapter was written with her help and guidance. So HUGE Thank you to Jag!

Disclaimer: I don't own Transformers; if I did a whole lot of bots wouldn't have died

'Blah' thoughts

"Blah" talking

:Blah: commlink

'Primus on a pogo stick!'

Ratchet groaned in frustration as for the fifth time his servos started to shake as he pulled the wires out of his door lock. What he wouldn't give for a hard rod right now, pulsing, slaming into his aching empty valve...

Shaking head to rid himself of those thoughts, 'Later', he promised himself, 'I will get all I need once I OPEN THIS DOOR!' Snarling Ratchet ripped off the protective coating off the wires and threw a cleaner bottle into the door lock. The lock sparked and short-circuited throwing the door into emergency mode. Sliding open the door let the smell of possible donors engulf Ratchet. Taking a deep inhale he smiled, a wild uncontainable smile, 'Now it's time for fun'.

*Break*

Prowl moved quickly down the hall to the rec room after giving a emergency announcement over the comms. As he entered he went to stand at the centre of the room and waited for the rest of the mechs to show up. Slowly the rest of the room filled up with all the mechs that were at base with a few exceptions, Bluestreak and Mirage who were out on patrol, Skyfire and Preceptor who were on a supply pick up at a nearby metal shop, Red Alert who refused to leave the monitor room and Hound who was spending his orn off in the woods. Once Wheeljack returned with the list Prowl brought the rest of the Autobots attention to Prime.

Optimus nodded to his SIC and turned his glaze to his mechs, "Autobots I have some ah .unusual news. As you all know our numbers have suffered horribly during the war and energon shortage however with the recent influx of energon and help from our human allies a few mechs codes have decided that it is an opportune time to go into to heat."
At that word the rec room became awash of noise.

"Ah.. frag " came a moan from Ironhide. "Do we know who?"

Wheeljack piped up, sounding a bit too cheerful as he deliver his part, " We have one confirmed case, with several more possibilities to look into. However to be thorough everyone will have to see FirstAid and Hoist for a check-up."

"Why not Ratchet? He's CMO. came Sideswipe from the back of the room.

Wheeljack fidgeted and looked away from the bots as he spoke, "That would be our confirmed case."

"WHAT! was the harmonized the Autobots.

"The Hatchet in heat? I don't know if I want to be turned on or terrified.", Sunstreaker added, the look on his face stuck between being thoughtful on the whole subject or just being weirded out.
Optimus sighed as the room filled with murmurs, most on the possibilities of who was next and he watched as they all turned their helms to look at the mechs near them, wondering if any of them was about to start their own cycle.

He made a sound close to what a human would call clearing their throat, the sound was hushed as all optics were now focused on the leader, "I expect full corporation and take hope that you will be respectful of your fellow Autobots that are sickened with this heat."

Jazz shared a quick smile with the crew, "He means, don't go fragging where ya know ya ain't supposed ta."

"You should listen to the rules about this." Prowl growled, a warning look was sent to all of the crew available.
Ironhide nodded "Ya, there are guidelines for situation like this."

"How would you know?" barked Cliffjumper, ignoring the whisper that someone said about him not having to worry about cause not even a mech in heat would do him.

'Cause I'm old," someone giggled, he ignored it, "Now first off ya do not seek a mech in heat! Unless ya have a standing relationship with them ya back the frag up and don't try anythin'. ", the weapons specialist vented deeply. However if caught by said mech, ya better perform or else the mech could become damaged either by overheating himself or hurting himself over the rejection. Mechs in heat do not take rejection nicely, they either become enraged or start hurting themselves."

There was a muffled laugh coming from the red twin, "Your saying if they get pissed off if somebot can't 'get up' right sounds like a date gone wrong, besides Ratch has anger issues to begin with, what can be so bad if he gets rejected or," another laugh, "doesn't get his filling?"

Not that the twin was planning on rejecting the medic or another mech in heat that he comes across, pit if they want to take a ride on him, who was he to say no?

"Umm, well," they all looked at the engineer, "they tend to either take what they want if said no to, it seems the heat gives them a little more strength than normal. I'm guessing under the saying, 'if you can't have it, take it.' And if they go through the other way, they will inflect self harm to their own frames."

Seen it all before, start clawing at their own plating until they draw energon," the red van sighed as he looked down at his pedes, "their emotions are 10x what they should be, one reason why they can be so lustful imagine that ya hurt by a simple rude comment, ya will feel bad for a while but get over it. For them, it's like a mini-depression they go through, thankfully they get over as soon as it hits but it can get pretty bad."

Though the worst case was a mech by the name Soildgear, he had a full blown freak out; the mech hid himself away and refused to deal with his cycle. Hoist spoke softly staring off in no particular direction, It got so bad two- thirds of his internals had to be over-hauled.

All the mech's in the room went quiet at those words, most looking each other with worry in their optics. Some of the closer mechs like Springer and Hot Rod were touching each other reassuringly.

As you have heard there are reasons to careful with a mech in heat, Optimus' voice seemed to drown out the quiet so I want you all to make sure that if a mech in heat approaches you, you will do your best to help them.

Again someone snickered and it was ignored.

"So what will happen to the mechs that you know are going into heat?" asked Bumblebee "is there a way to stop it?"

Wheeljack shook his helm "There no way to stop a cycle if it's about to start however if the mech doesn't want the sparkling we do have the option of placing a charge disrupter by his reproduction tank. The disrupter will cause no damage but will stop the charge necessary for the formation of a new spark. We can only get mechs haven't began their cycles yet as by the time the cycle has started the mechs instincts have taken over and will refuse the disrupter, sometimes in..eh very unusual ways."

"Like Sparkride, who took the disrupter and tried to shove it up the medic's exhaust pipe!" laughed Hoist. "We warned the medic the mech wouldn't do it, he was too deep in his cycle, but the fragger went to try anyway! Ha! Funniest thing about that was after trying to shove the damn thing up, Sparkride went and jumped the medic and got sparked up by him!"

Some warm chuckles came from the room as everyone started to relax a bit.

"Oooh, question! What happens when two mechs in heat meet?" Sideswipe arm raised and grinning like a mad man, "I bet that's something to see!"

"Not really," chuckled Ironhide, "when mechs tat are in heat meet they give each other a once over, make sure the other is healthy and walk away from them. Their instincts know tat the other can't give them what they need so they leave each other alone, but get a desirable donor in there and you might have a fight on your servos."

"Slag, I was hoping to have a real show." Sideswipe grumbled.

"No such luck you perve." Sunstreaker grinned.

"You should talk Sun, you and your homemade porn!"

"What the Pit! Were you going through my stuff again?"

"And so what if I was? Worried that I'll give out your wax?" Sideswipe said as he gave his twin a shove.

"Don't fragging dare!" Sunstreaker shoved his twin back.

"Oh what are you going do about it Sunny?" Sideswipe grabbed his brother's helm fins and yelled into his face.

"Don't call me Sunny!" Sunstreaker's fist flew and connected into his brother's helm, which caused Sideswipe to turn around and tackle his brother to the floor.

"Ok, break it up you two!" came Prowl as he reached drown to pull them apart grimacing as his arms stared to ache. However as he grabbed on to Sideswipe, Sunstreaker bowled over the both of them causing Prowl to hit the ground hard, doorwings first.

"Ok that's enough!" Jazz growled as he pushed Sunstreaker over. Taking a protective stance over Prowl, he grabbed Sideswipe's helm and pulled him up. "Ya both need to calm the frag down before someone gets hurt!"

"Fine" huffed Sunstreaker as he stood up.

"Sorry about that Prowl." Sideswipe smiled sheepishly. Prowl nodded absently as he looked up at Jazz. Strange warmth filled him as he watched the saboteur protect him.

'He's so protective of me; he would make a good mate. He could help protect the sparklings.' Prowl quickly gave his processor a shake. 'Where did those thoughts come from? He is a good friend and fellow Autobot nothing more.'

"Well ya should be sorry. Now go sit down when this meeting over you and your twin knucklehead are going to the brig for a bit to make sure ya cool down." Jazz barked. Jazz then turned to Prowl and offered his servo. "Here Prowler let me help ya up, that was a nasty fall."

"Thank you Jazz." Prowl answered as he took the saboteur's servo. As he was pulled to his pedes Prowl's doorwings started to shake as a harsh spasm ripped across them. Prowl winced as the spasm worsened and arched his back to try and ease the pain.

"Slag Prowl, are ya ok?" Jazz worried as he saw Prowl's face plates twist into a grimace.

"My doorwings .. hissed the tactical officer as said wings went through another spasm, the delicate features vibrating harshly on his back as they jerked painfully.

"Gotcha!" the saboteur moved to the tactician's wings and started to send soft magnetic pulses to them to ease the pain. After a moment Prowl's doorwings fell into a complete relaxed position as the pain drifted away to the feeling of the gentle waves that were soothing the extra sensitive sensors, he's engine even started to purr in delight of the feeling.

"Slag Jazz, less than a minute to get the mech that relaxed?" Smokescreen chuckled, watching the usual stoic face of the SIC melt away into one almost dreamy like, "Me next!"

"Get your own Jazz," came a relaxed murmur from Prowl's lipplates, his panels pushing into the Porsche's servos almost mindlessly, getting a chuckle from the mech as the doorwings gave a flutter underneath his touches.

"That looks kinda hot."

The golden frontliner glared at his brother, who just merely shrugged it off, "Just saying."The entire the rec room stared at Sideswipe for a moment then burst out laughing at the mech.

'Sooo good, he's so caring. I want to BAD PROWL! BAD THOUGHTS!' Prowl gave his helm a shake to try to dislodge the thoughts from his processer. "Ah.. Thank you Jazz, for your accidence. I should be all right now." His faceplate burned slightly as he pulled away from Jazz's wonderful sevos.

"No prob, Prowler." Jazz came over and smiled at his friend "Anytime."

'Anytime? How about now?' Came a thought into Prowl's processor, a thought that he stubbornly ignored.

"Prowl maybe you should get some rest," came a soft request from FirstAid. "The meeting can continue without you and after that fall you could probably use it before we

"I'm sure I can handle the meeting FirstAid."

"Now Prowl don't argue with the acting CMO." Jazz chuckled, "Ya head to your quarters. I'll head over when the meetings over and give ya an update."

Prowl found himself torn, he had a duty as SIC to be at all official meetings for the Autobots but he wanted so much to rest as both Jazz and FristAid suggested. His whole frame ached as he looked over to Optimus, who gave him a smile and nodded his head.

"Go rest Prowl; we will be fine without you today."

"I think I'll do that then. FirstAid my comlink will be open, com me when you are ready to see me." Prowl turned and started to leave, as he did Jazz called out to him.

"Have a good rest Prowler; I'll be by later to check up on ya." Prowl turned slightly to Jazz and replied,

"Thank you Jazz." With a smile he left the rec room and started down the hall, the conversations of the bots within continuing with their questions and explanations. As he got further down the hall the strange quiet of the Ark seemed absorb all the sound, his almost non-existent pedefalls the only sound he could hear. His doorwings, still sore and aching, were too sensitive at the moment to give accurate readings of his surroundings. It left Prowl a little unnerved. Rubbing his sore arm joints, he continued down the hall towards his quarters, hoping a nice recharge nap would stop the strange soreness he had experiencing all orn as he refused it to be more then the lack of his care to his own frame, something he was used to doing..

As he turned the corner his optics caught a dash of movement going around the other corner. He also heard a soft sound coming from that end of the corridor; it was almost like a moan. Forgetting his aches and focusing on a possible intruder, Prowl moved quickly and as quietly as he could to the end of the passage. As he neared the corner the soft sound was identified as gasps and moans but he no idea on who they could belong to.

"State your designation!" Prowl called out, back to the wall. All that answered him was a soft grunt. Prowl frowned as brought his doorwings up in an aggressive V stance, blaster at the ready, it would figure that perhaps one of Soundwave's symbiotes got in during the meeting.. As he turned the corner he brought his weapon up only to drop it in his shock at the scene before him.

There was their CMO, his back to the wall, legs spread opened with his servos in his valve playing with himself in attempt to reduce the charge in his systems. His head was thrown back and his jaw slightly open as a stream of soft pleasured sounds poured out as his servos pulled out of his valve only to be pushed in hard , causing transfluid to splurt out with each hardened thrust. Ratchet turned his head to look over to his shocked SIC, the sound of the weapon clattering against the floor drawing his attention, his glossa swiping over his lip plates as Prowl continued to stare in shock.

The SIC's doorwings were standing on end and for once his battle computer seemed to have shutdown on him as the medic let out a purr that vibrated into the overly sensitive panels sending what felt like hot liquid into systems and heating himself up quite nicely. Oh, this could not be happening, this was not going to happen and...the ambulance was starting to move toward him...

The Datsun felt like his pedes were made out of lead as the other reached him and circled him much like a predator about to devour its prey, the fluid still continuing to flow out of the CMO's valve and dripped out onto the ground with light patters that only echoed to the trapped mech's audio like a ticking clock. His intakes hitched as he the servo that he knew was just recently used in self-service trailed along one of his back appendages, the liquid still warm in the places where it touched. It shouldn't have felt that good...

Another purr and he was suddenly aware of deep blue optics staring at him as pearl lips broke into a smile worthy of a demon. The grey chevron nudged him under the chin as Ratchet seemed to wrap himself around the other, one leg coming up to wrap around a black waist, spreading the lubrication on him in the move as denta nipped at the neckcables. He could feel the fans of the white and cherry frame against his, the heat radiating off in waves, affecting his own inner workings.

And then suddenly...it was gone...

Shuttering his optics he watched as the medic pulled off of him and gave him an odd look, the once enticing smile disappearing for the small frown that took its place. A light snort escaped the white mech and he briskly brushed past him, not even bothering to explain his actions.
Leaving Prowl standing in the an empty hallway with fluids and paint transfers from the medibot's rubbing up against him and the feeling of complete confusion, "What the pit just happened?"

Without the temping medic in front of him, his battle computer began to work once more bringing up Ironhide's words.

'When mechs tat are in heat meet they give each other a once over, make sure the other is healthy and walk away from them. Their instincts know tat the other can't give them what they need so they leave each other alone', remembering that started to make Prowl's processer buzz with the unpleasant tingle. As the tingle started he raced for his quarters, desperate to get there before he crashed; he did not want to explain why he was covered in white paint and transfluid.

As he entered his quarters he turned to the door to make sure it was locked, not that ever stopped Jazz or the twins when they really wanted in, his tanks gave an odd twist. It was only there for less than half a click but it was there. His processer's tingle became a rough pound as stumbled into his berthroom, doorwings failing as he crossed the passage. Prowl sat himself down on to his berth and took a few long inhales. The pounding was stronger now as more information poured in from his battle computer. 'Soreness in the joints and lower region, abdominal pain and with the recent reaction of Ratchet to me there is a 90% chance' ..Prowl shook as his processer finally gave up and crashed with one thought going through his head.

'Oh Primus, I'm in heat'.

*Break*

Red Alert's tanks twisted for the third time this breem, whatever the twins slipped into his energon it was doing a number on his tanks. They would not stop twisting, not to mention he felt he could vent a ton of exhaust that wasn't there.

'I swear I'll get those two for this prank if I have to wring the confession out of them myself 'he growled as the snaking pain got worse, his only relief was the surveillance footage he was going through to find his evidence.

The Security Director pillowed his helm in his arms as he leaned heavily on the console, making a sound like a human sigh. 'If this doesn't go away soon I'll have to go to the medbay and then who will watch the monitors as they rip me apart for spares? No one! Inferno might be able to for a while but he would be overrun in a matter of orns, his too soft sparked to say no to anybody!'

A ping came to his internal comm with an almost happy sound, causing the Lambo to sit up straight. He glared at the air in front of him as he quickly traced the comm, to his relief it was Inferno calling from the rec room. With a relaxed look he sent his own comm, on a much more secure line, to the fire truck with a ping.

:Yes Inferno?:

:Hay Red, how ya doin' up there?: The firetruck sounded overly excited as he chuckled over the comm. :Yer tank still at ya?:

:Yes Inferno it still is 'at me' as you put it. Though it will be a lot better once I have the evidence I need to put those two in the brig for the next megacycle!: He growled as he surfed the footage again,

:Messing with an officer's ration is a huge insubordinate action and should not be taken lightly!:

:I agree with ya Red, but it's looks like they went got themselves stuck in the brig for ya.:

:What do you mean Inferno?:

:Wha'? Ya didn't see their fight in the rec room just now? I know you can't get every word but they were very much in the shot of camera 4, ya should have got a first class shot of the whole thing!:

:..what?: came the soft question from the shell-shocked Security Officer, he never would miss something like that and yet he had oh Primus

:Are you sure yer ok Red?: His closest if only friend's worry clear over the comms, : it's not like ya not to catch something like that.:

: I don't know anymore : came a very distraught whisper.

'How could I've missed something like that?' Red Alert thought as his servos came up to his helm, grasping it with tense fingers. 'I've been compromised! I can't do my job if I'm compromised! I'll be melted down for scrap!'

He moaned as his horns started to spark, the tingling feeling reaching everywhere on his helm as the sparks flew in a dramatic display, this wasn't right, this wasn't supposed to happen! He had slipped in his duty and and oh, he was going to be seen as nothing poor then a failure! A easily disposable failure!

:Red?: came the sweet southern drawl of the fire truck, : Red just try ta relax! I'll be up there in klick!:

Red Alert whined as he started to shake, he looked around the monitor room and ran to the corner furthest from the door. He sat down with his back to the wall, whimpering as he curled himself up into a ball as his horns started to give a very impressive fireworks show. 'Maybe they'll keep me for the fireworks hahaha Primus knows I can't do much else!' Hysterical laughter filled the room as the curled up form of the security director began to rock back and forth, his processor now starting to overheat and twisting his thoughts into those of his impendent death due to his malfunction and obvious failure.

Moments felt like vorns as the chief of security sat there watching the door, waiting for Prime or Ratchet to come in, declare him useless as a mech and throw him in to the nearest smelting pit. With the sweeping sound of the door opening Red Alert started to babble never noticing the near silent click of the door locking.

"I don't why I didn't catch it just didn't see wasn't paying attention but I always pay attention don't know why I wasn't paying attention tanks feel bad but that's no excuse for failing in my job without my job I don't have anything worth keeping me around don't send me away I don't want to go I want to stay I want to stay..."

"Shhh Red no one goin' to make ya leave, ya'll just havin' a bad day, it happens." Came the sweet coo of Inferno as he kneeled before him. "Here I brought some medical low-grade, checked it myself; yer just undercharged thanks to yer tanks being all wonky."

Placing the cube out of the way the larger mech slowly inched his way over to the security director, hoping the movement didn't cause the panicking bot more stress.

"Shouldn't matter! I'm the Chief of Security! I must remain vigilant at all times!" he cried as Inferno's large strong servos took his shoulders and pulled him into the fire truck's embrace.

"Now don't be like that Red, yer the best Security Director we ever had. No one can do a better job then ya but yer not Primus ya can't see everything and know everything at all times." Inferno shushed shivering Lambo as he tucked him under his chin. "Yer just a mech and sometimes mechs will fail but it's my job to be there for ya Red, be there helping ya to feel better when yer sick or when yer hurting."

"Because you're my bodyguard?" came the muffled question from the slightly shaking Security Officer as he buried his faceplate into rescue vehicles chassis, inhaling the calming scent and if he wasn't panicking so much, he would have been purring at the slightly ashy smell when did Inferno smell so good.

"No Red, because yer my friend, my best friend and I don't care if ya fail at watching the monitors for a breem. Yer my friend and I care if yer too sick to take of yerself. Yer too important to me to lose Red". Was his answer as he began to rock the still upset mech back and forth. "Much too important."

Red Alert vented deeply as his paranoia began to calm at the sweet words from his friend and the soft rocking motion. The Security Officer felt as though some weight had been taken off his shoulders at the fire trucks words and actions.

'My friend' was his thought, 'my best friend Inferno'. As his faceplate broke into a contented smile he uncurled himself from his ball and started to stroke the mechs chassis. Inferno hummed at the stroking as he rubbed Red Alerts backplates in response, the calming effect of the rubbing helping the poor fritz out mech to calm down from his break down.

"Feelin' better now?" was the question after a breem.

A hum of approval and a nod of a helm was all the answer Inferno needed as he picked the small Lamborghini up and into his arms. The fire truck gave a chuckle as a small squeak came from the small mech as he was placed onto a chair and the cube of low grade was placed into his hands. "Drink up then Red, it'll settle yer tanks."

"Thank you Inferno, but the pain seems too abated for the moment."

"Still ya should drink it while ya can then, don't want ta worry the medics when they call ya down for the check up."

"Check up? I just had one not even an orn ago! Why do I need another one?" The sparks sent out a brief flare as he growled in to his cube.

"Not just ya Red, the whole base has ta go in for 'em, even me." Inferno chuckled at his friend's growl, it was adorable the way the Lambo tried to be tough," 'pparently there's this bit of coding that most mechs have that is causing a bit of a problem and they want ta nip it in the aft before it gets 'oo bad."

"A coding issue? Why would be coming into play now?"

"The code is linked ta a whole bunch of situations that trigger it." Using his servos to count out the triggers, the firetruck smiled reassuringly. "There has ta be lots of energon available, the mech has ta be a place they would call safe for a while, and then the population has ta be very low. So with the war and all, there was never a lot of energon stockpiled or it was never really safe enough."

"The War helped with the low population though." Red added grimly as he continued to sip his low-grade.

His friend nodded in agreement as he continued to explain, "But here we have lotsa energon and we're safer now then we have been for vorns, perfect time for the code to act up."

"Sounds like a perfect excuse for them rip info and blackmail material from our processors to me; I'm not going down there." Red Alert huffed as he glared at the cube as though it was it's fault for the check-up, "I'll take my chances with this coding bug, not that I think it exists, I'm sure I can handle it."

"I'm sure ya can Red, after all with yer paranoia ya probably don't feel safe enough for the code ta start up anyway." The fire truck brought up, a little sound of disappointment in his voice and he looked as though he was going to speak again but paused for a moment then shook his helm, "looks like their starting to call mechs down now, just got a ping from medbay."

"You're not going down there are you? It's some stupid ploy for them to get in to your head!" The SD exclaimed, what if they get a hold of Inferno and and did things to him!

"I'm not 'oo worried. I don't have anything they would want, so I might as well get it done sooner than later, maybe I can get some info about it to bring ta ya later." , the larger mech smiled as he turned to the door.

"It's stupid that's why! How can any mech feel safe here! We're in the middle of a war!" the fuming Officer grumbled, how can their own codes be so foolish enough to believe it was safe. It was all a conspiracy, a conspiracy to get vital information out of all of them!

"Maybe 'cause they know they have you watching their backs Red." Inferno turned back to his friend and smiled as he spoke. "I know I feel safe for tat reason."

Red Alert felt the metal on his faceplates heat up with Inferno's confession as well as a warm feeling inside his spark, it was nice to know someone appreciated all his hard work, "Inferno I.."

"Don't have ta say a word Red." the firefighter interrupted with a nervous laugh, "I'll see ya later tonight kay?" and he left with a wave before any more words could be spoken.

"But Inferno..." Red Alert got out before the door closed shut. "I feel safe with you too.." was said to the empty room, his safe but lonely empty room