Author's Note: I bet ya'll just couldn't wait for this chapter. (Grins evilly) Just wait until you get to the end of this chapter. No skipping ahead now! And there is a bit of bad language in this chapter.

Chap. 2: In the Darkness Lies an Evil

Astrid got up from the chair and pulled a blanket off of the bed and wrapped herself up in it. She then went out to the private balcony and sat down on a bench that was out there. The femme only wrapped herself up in a blanket like this when she was in deep thought, scared, or worried. This time she was all three things.

Thunderblast's threat had scared and worried her. What was she to do? If she told Megatron what Thunderblast had said, she'd resurrect Starscream and her life would be on the line…again. The first time of dealing with Starscream had taken a heavy toll on her, but a second? She shivered at the thought.

So if she didn't tell Megatron, just what would happen? Would the threats continue? Would Thunderblast resurrect Starscream anyway? Would Megatron suspect something was wrong just by reading her body language and facial expression?

Astrid wasn't ready for all these questions right now, and she didn't know what to do. Megatron wouldn't let any harm come to her, so if she told him perhaps things would be alright. Groaning, Astrid decided not to dwell on it. Instead she decided to think about something she told Megatron she would think about. A child.

Astrid had never really considered the thought that transformer babies were indeed different than human babies. One thing was certain; you didn't have to buy them clothes, diapers, or food—unless energon counted as food. Without the extra chore of having to change a diaper and potty training, raising a child would seem like a breeze.

She and Megatron would still have to feed it and clean it, but that wouldn't be too hard. Besides, transformer babies are smarter than human babies. And Astrid knew that she wouldn't be raising the baby alone, Megatron would be right there with her and to help her.

But with these threats from Thunderblast, should they really be having a child now? Astrid didn't want to let Thunderblast know that she was afraid. So what was there to do? Have a child or not? Tell Megatron or not?

Astrid sighed feeling a headache coming on. She should've known that marrying Megatron would have its risks. He was leader of the decepticons, by marrying him she had put herself in harms way. She was Megatron's weakness, whoever wanted to get to him would get to her first.

The door to their quarters hissed open and closed. Astrid then realized a couple hours had gone by, but she didn't bother to see who had entered. Familiar footsteps sounded as they neared the balcony. Astrid cringed knowing who it was. The footsteps stopped at the entrance of the balcony.

"Something wrong?" came Megatron's voice.

Astrid wished to run into his arms and tell him what had happened, but she remained where she was and said, "Just thinking."

Megatron came over and sat down next to her wrapping his arms around her and pulling her against him. He then asked rather hopefully, "About?"

"Lots of things,"

"Was children one of them?"

"It was actually,"

"So, did you come to a decision yet?"

"I think so,"

"And?" Megatron questioned holding his breath in hope.

"I think I've pretty much talked myself into it," she stated.

Megatron had a huge smile on his face, "So then, when do you want to actually try for one?"

"Not right now, if that's what you're implying,"

"Later on tonight?"

"Maybe, if I'm in the mood,"

Megatron gently rubbed her back and then asked, "Astrid, is there something else bothering you?"

For a while Astrid didn't say anything since she didn't know what to say. Not wanting to lie she finally answered, "I can't tell you."

"Astrid," Megatron said sternly, "I am your husband, you don't need to keep any secrets form me."

"I know, but you don't understand, I can't tell you under any terms,"

"What sort of terms?"

Astrid hesitated before replying, "My life."

Megatron was shocked, "What do you mean your life? Just who threatened you?"

The femme tried desperately to hold back the tears, "I said I can't tell you."

"Just give me a name,"

"Thunderblast,"

Megatron slammed his fist into the bench, "I should've listened to you when you said we shouldn't trust her."

"But Megatron, you can't go and do anything to her without her suspecting that I told you,"

"Just why did she threaten you?"

"She wants you Megatron, like Starscream wanted me,"

Megatron shuddered at that thought, "Please, she's enough to make me vomit. I've got all I want right here in my arms."

Astrid felt better hearing him say that, "Don't let her know I told you."

"Don't worry, I won't. Now just what else did she say?"

"She threatened to bring back Starscream,"

Megatron fell silent. After a while her responded, "I'm going to kill her."

"Megatron, what if—

"I'll protect you, I promise. You have nothing to worry about with me here,"

"Pft, I've got plenty to worry about,"

"Just what are you insinuating by that?"

"Well if we're going to have a child…" Astrid trailed off.

Megatron got what she was hinting at, "Not tonight then, we'll wait. Now let's forget this whole mess for now and report to our duties."

"Fine," Astrid remarked letting the blanket fall to the ground.

"That's my girl," Megatron exclaimed pulling Astrid into a kiss.

After the kiss was through, Astrid and Megatron walked hand in hand to the throne room of the palace. Thundercracker, Megatron's new second in command and chief advisor, was in the room already. After the wedding, most of Megatron's men went on their merry way. Scourge returned to rule Jungle Planet, Ransack and Crumplezone had returned to Speed Planet, Starscream was dead, and Sideways was imprisoned. Soundwave, whose appearance had been brief, simply disappeared. Really only Thundercracker remained.

Thunderblast did help the armies out, but once she realized the two sides were not fighting anymore she dropped out of the effort, only to surface again as a housemaid hell bent on getting Megatron. Astrid greatly despised her and burned with jealously, even though Megatron was hers.

"Hey there sweetie, afternoon Megatron," Thundercracker greeted the couple as they came into the room.

The decepticon leader frowned, "Thundercracker, what have I told you about calling my wife that?"

"Uh," Thundercracker remarked trying to look as innocent as possible, "Don't do it?"

"So don't!"

"Yes sir,"

"Oh Megatron lighten up, he's not doing any harm," Astrid exclaimed.

Megatron ignored her and then asked, "So did anything interesting happen while I was gone?"

"No, other than Thunderblast coming in here and complaining about something, then she said she was taking the rest of the afternoon off and left. But you know, that's just her," Thundercracker explained.

"Just what was she complaining about?" Megatron curiously wondered aloud.

"Something about a stupid femme being in her way of getting something. She also mumbled something about resurrecting someone, but that's all I got," Thundercracker told.

Megatron balled his fists in anger, and Thundercracker noticed, "Sir, is something wrong?"

"Don't worry about it right now, just let me know when that wretched glitch returns,"

"Uh, as you wish sir,"

Megatron then left the room with a dizzy Astrid. The stupid femme Thunderblast was referring to was Astrid. The someone she planned on resurrecting was Starscream. To steady herself, Astrid leaned on Megatron for support.

He looked at her concerned, "Are you alright?"

"I feel sick," she admitted.

The decepticon leader lifted her in his arms and carried her to their quarters. He set her down on the sofa and then sat next to her. Astrid laid down resting her head in Megatron's lap. Gently he stroked her face.

"Megatron, I'm scared. Going through this once was enough, I don't want to do it again,"

"You'll be alright, I'm not going to let either of them hurt you,"

"How?"

"I'll do whatever means necessary to protect you,"

"But what about you?"

"Nothing's going to happen to me,"

Astrid groaned, "I don't want to think about this."

"Then don't," Megatron remarked, "It'd probably be best you didn't worry about this right now. Now sit up so I can kiss you."

Astrid smirked, "A little bossy now aren't we?"

"Just do as I say,"

Astrid sat up and Megatron caught her lips with his. After a few moments he broke away whispering, "I don't want you to worry about this at all. I'll take care of it."

"Just be careful," she whispered back.

Megatron leaned into kiss Astrid again when his comlink came to life. It was Thundercracker saying, "Sir, Thunderblast is back."

"Alright Thundercracker, I'll be right there,"

The transmission ended and Astrid asked, "What are you going to do?"

"Something that needs to be done," Megatron remarked, "It's getting late, why don't you get some rest?"

"I'll try, but don't be gone too long,"

Megatron gave her a quick kiss. "I love you," he breathed passionately and then left the room.

Astrid walked over and sat on the bed thinking about Megatron and hoping that he would be alright. She failed to notice the shadow of a figure on the balcony hidden by the night sky. Just as she was about to crawl into bed, a terrifyingly familiar laugh pierced through the room. Astrid glanced over to the balcony where the laugh had come from and nearly jumped out of her metal skin.

"Starscream!"

Author's Note: Ouch, that's a killer cliffhanger there. My sister even said so herself. But I got to keep you guys coming back for more somehow. Please leave a review!!!