Author: And after more than a month, I present you with the second chapter of this fic. Perhaps I should have had more than one chapter written when I first published this story...

Disclaimer: If I owned Transformers and all things associated, I wouldn't be having the money troubles I am.

Chapter 2

"Remind me why are we doing this, Prime?"

"Because," Optimus panted as he climbed over a fallen tree-trunk, "you wanted to get stronger, and I wanted time to figure out our backgrounds."

"Your," Megatron paused as he scrambled to remain upright as he nearly tripped over a root, "desire is a stupid one."

"It's prudent," Optimus replied. "We need to be able to present a convincing front if asked questions."

Megatron snorted. "I suppose," he admitted reluctantly. "No need for us to be discovered before we get into that absurd Autobot/human team." Megatron paused. "The truth also might result in us being committed to a mental institution, which I would like to avoid."

"So. We come up with backgrounds," Optimus said through heavy breaths.

The two new humans stopped to rest, each drenched in sweat, clothes sticking uncomfortably to their bodies.

Megatron stood in the shade of a nearby tree and glowered at his arms, which were becoming bright red. "This is obnoxious."

Optimus couldn't restrain a smirk. "Can't take a little sun, Megatron?"

"Shut it, Prime," Megatron snarled.

"We obviously know each other."

"What?" Megatron asked, apparently briefly confused by the topic jump before connecting what Optimus was referring to. "Of course," he eventually drawled. "How else would you explain our thinly-veiled desire to tear each other apart?"

"How will we know each other, though?" Optimus mused.

"Rivals. Obviously."

Optimus's mouth twitched in a slight smile. "Obviously. Same town?"

"Lived near each other, at least."

Optimus nodded. "How do we explain our age, though? We're not exactly...young."

Megatron shrugged, unconcerned. "Will they ask?"

"Probably not..."

"There you go. Well, then, what are our reasons for enlisting?"

"Your answer is easy—rebellion."

Megatron's lip curled in a slight snarl. "Very funny, Prime." After a beat, a smirk formed on the Decepticon's face. "And you followed me into the military because you couldn't imagine a life without me."

"WHAT?! No!"

Megatron laughed, making Optimus frown. The Decepticon's laugh hadn't changed—it was still the same, with a feral, malignant edge to it that said he was laughing at the person unabashedly.

"Optimus, Optimus," Megatron chided with a grin, "you are far too easy to rile."

"Only you have ever managed that."

"I know," Megatron purred, obviously smug.

"Just do not forget—you were defeated by a young human and I've handed your ass to you any number of times."

Which translated into, 'so while you might have the emotional upper-hand, I can still grind you into the dirt if I want to.'

That caused Megatron to scowl.

The two started their hike again, Optimus looking at a map of the area (which they had discovered in the supplies they had been given). They had decided to take the very long way to the nearest point of civilization in order to be fully at ease with their bodies and work out exactly how they would find their place in their new world. It was...difficult...to get used to, being in a human body. Both of them still had trouble with balance, and having everything be suddenly so much larger, and...flatter, in a manner...was unnerving.

The travel, aside from testing their new human bodies, also tested their patience with each other. It had been eons since they had more than conflict-contact, and each was reminded why it was so easy to be enemies with the other:

They hated each other.

That they were forced to deal with each other on a daily basis and not allowed to tear the other to shreds grated on both of them— running low on food, water, and rest may also have contributed to the mutual ire.

Although the scenery was occasionally quite breathtaking.

'If only I didn't have to deal with this pain,' Optimus grumbled inwardly, shooting a covert glare at Megatron, who was resting in the shade of a nearby tree, growling and cursing about the frailty of his body.

"You don't seem to be having the same trouble with the sun I am," Megatron grumbled, glaring at the pigmentation of Optimus's skin.

"I think you might be an albino," Optimus replied.

Megatron blinked. "A what?"

"An albino. You don't have the same kind of pigmentation all other humans do, which makes you susceptible to ailments like sunburn—which is what the painful phenomena of your skin becoming bright red is called."

Megatron gave his body a look of extreme distaste.

"Look, that doesn't matter. We have to keep moving."

Megatron huffed and ran a hand through his hair, a habit that Optimus found amusing. It seemed there were a few human habits Megatron picked up instinctively. The Decepticon grumbled a few more uncomplimentary things but started walking anyway, Optimus falling quickly into step beside him.

"How do they survive in these?" Megatron grumbled as he idly picked at his peeling skin.

"They are a resourceful race," Optimus stated as he set his feet carefully. They were walking along particularly treacherous terrain, and Optimus had no desire to plummet to his death over the nearby ridge.

Megatron, of course, seemed to disregard his own safety in favor of progress—something about him that hadn't changed over the eons. He blazed a trail forward, never bothering to chart a course of least resistance—whatever got him to his goal fastest was obviously the best way.

'Such impulsiveness and pride was what always got him in trouble.'

It was no less true as a human.

Optimus watched Megatron teeter as he stepped down awkwardly on a rock. There was a moment of breathless anticipation before Megatron began falling over the side of the ridge they were walking along.

Optimus reacted without thinking, lunging forward and grabbing Megatron's hand, his own arm screaming in pain as Megatron's weight pulled at it. He scrambled for a brace, and just barely kept himself from falling over with Megatron.

For a moment, their eyes locked.

'You could let go and no-one would hold it against you,' came the thought, unbidden, into Optimus's mind. 'Look at him—he almost expects you to.'

Optimus inwardly shook himself. 'No. That's a very Decepticon thing to do, and while I am many things, I am most definitely not a Decepticon.' He found a better foothold and clasped his other, free hand on Megatron's arm and pulled him up until Megatron found hand- and footholds, the Decepticon pulling himself up the rest of the way. They were both panting slightly as they regarded the other.

Megatron gave him a wry smirk. "I would have let you fall."

"And that is why you are a Decepticon and I am an Autobot."

Megatron snorted and shook his head. "Your heroics will doom you one day," he told Optimus, brushing off the dirt that had accumulated on his shirt and pants.

Optimus sighed softly before staring ahead. "Walk where I do—you won't fall that way."

"You dare to—"

"Do you want to die before you get your revenge on Starscream?"

That quieted the Decepticon, although it did nothing to subdue the glare he was receiving.

The heat and exertion eventually got to them around midday, making them take a brief rest under a scraggly tree.

"So, which branch shall we join?" Megatron asked.

"Pardon?"

"There are multiple sections to this country's military—I have found out that much. A sea-faring one, a flying squadron, a land-based one."

"The Navy, Air Force, and Army," Optimus supplied. "There are also the Coast Guards, who are sea-faring, in a manner, and the Marines."

"What do the Marines do?"

"I'm not sure. Specialists? I have had minimal interaction with them—they are not often recruited to NEST."

"Why not?"

Optimus shrugged. "I assume it is bureaucratic."

Megatron snorted. "Whatever. Which does NEST draw from most heavily?"

"I believe it's officially a branch of the Army."

"Then we enlist in the Army."

"If we can. I'm not sure of the process—which is one of the many things we have to investigate when we get to a city."

Megatron growled. "I do not want to learn how to be these creatures...but it appears I have little choice in the matter if I want to rend Starscream into scrap metal."

Optimus suppressed a smile. "Don't sound so put-out. As humans would say, 'know thine enemy'."

"Are you suggesting that learning how to be a human will teach me how to defeat them and claim dominance?"

"Whatever will make you cooperative."

Megatron snarled.

Optimus sighed. "We must work on your temper."

Megatron gave the Autobot a dark glare which Optimus shrugged off.

They began walking together again, Optimus taking the lead, Megatron following closely behind. A headache was slowly growing behind Optimus's eyes, a soft, low buzz permeating his mind along with the pain.

"Megatron, will you stop grumbling," Optimus said perhaps a little more sharply than he intended.

"I am saying nothing, Prime," Megatron replied equally sharply. Optimus stopped and turned, his eyes catching Megatron's, sapphire staring into ruby.

"Then stop thinking so loudly—it's giving me a headache."

"How would you be able to hear my thoughts?"

"It's a human expression for when a person is so obviously involved in their own thoughts that an observer can almost hear them think."

Megatron snorted and shook his head. "You have spent too much time around the base creatures." There was a pause before Megatron scowled. "I am tired of being hungry and exhausted. This is stupid!"

"And was in part your idea..and primarily your fault."

Megatron growled in warning.

Optimus turned on his heel and continued to make his way cautiously forward, finding good hand- and foot-holds so that neither of them courted gravity again.

It was strange, how he didn't feel too concerned about having Megatron at his back. The Decepticon was self-serving and manipulative enough to recognize when he needed someone to help bring his plans to fruition, and killing Optimus would render his chances at revenge exceedingly slim.

"You have spent time with these beasts."

"I have," Optimus replied, curious as to where this particular line of inquiry was going.

"What exactly is...routine behavior for them? Habits that the entire plague shares?"

Optimus sighed. "Well...they try to keep clean. They have specific areas for excreting waste—bathrooms. They shower daily. Well, mostly. When available..."

As they walked, Optimus slowly described everything he remembered about life at the NEST base as well as what he had gleaned from Bumblebee's descriptions of Sam's life. Sleeping, clothing, eating, cleanliness, living arrangements, jobs, families, schedules, legality of actions ("That means that you aren't allowed to maim someone just because they annoy you." "Pity."), government, recreation...

"They're also very...gender oriented," Optimus said, catching his breath as they looked out over a beautiful landscape.

"Oh?" Megatron asked from his station underneath a very shady tree.

"You and I were both assigned the male human gender...and there are certain behavioral expectations as well as social prejudices and norms that are specific to males—men. You will be glad to know that in most human societies the male carries more power than the female."

Megatron's eyebrows rose slightly and a smirk formed on his face. "So it will be easier for me to accrue power and influence?"

"Unfortunately."

Megatron chuckled darkly. "Mm-hm," he murmured, scratching at a bug bite on his arm. "So, tell me, Prime—what do you know of the history of this virus, not to mention current events?"

"Why so curious?"

"Prime, if I want to survive, we can't go into this completely uninformed."

"I think you just like learning something new, something beyond your former realm of experience."

Megatron snarled. "Do not presume to understand me. I am not the Cybertronian that you remember, and you should do well to realize that—after all, would the former me have stabbed you in the back?"

Optimus felt a chill go through him as he realized that Megatron was behind him and had that pocket knife...but something told him that he didn't have to worry about Megatron killing him.

Yet.

Still...he had a point.

"I...do not know as much as I feel I should, but I can tell you what I do know, and we can look up the rest of it in a library."

"A place where they keep their learning, correct?"

"In a number of forms—books, magazines, and electronic media."

Megatron made a noncommittal sound. "So, just how old are these creatures?"

"Not very..."

Optimus gave a general description of what he remembered, but focused primarily on the time since they discovered electricity and developed indoor plumbing ("Since that was the point after which the human population exploded and extended people's lifespan to the point where they could come up with the technology they have now." "Filthy creatures." "Megatron...").

Silence fell once Optimus finished speaking, Megatron obviously thinking quite hard, turning over all the new information he had gained in his mind. For a long time, the only sounds as they walked were the calls of birds, the buzz of cicadas, and their own harsh breathing.

Optimus found little comfort in the beauty of his surroundings, however.

'I can't believe that I'm traveling with my former enemy and long-time rival. What is even harder to comprehend is that I'm human!' The whole absurdity of the situation was finally setting in and Optimus found himself suppressing a slightly-panicked chuckle. Optimus Prime didn't panic—but, then again, was he really Optimus Prime anymore? Optimus Prime was a Cybertronian Autobot. Not a man of apparently African heritage.

'We will have to make pasts for ourselves—not just stories, but medical records, social security numbers, birth certificates, home addresses, e-mail addresses, phone numbers...Primus, how are we going to do this?'

"What is that sound?" Megatron asked, interrupting Optimus's musings.

"What?" he asked and tilted his head slightly, listening. It took a moment before he finally placed the sound: "That's running water," he stated, "which means we can wash off our accumulated grime if it's clean."

"If it's clean?"

"Not all water is. But...I believe this area's lakes and rivers are made of glacial melt, so while the water will be cold, it will most likely be clean."

"You hope."

"Well, yes."

"By the way, how cold are we talking?" Megatron asked casually, but Optimus could detect a tinge of tension.

"Not cold enough to incapacitate you," Optimus replied. He knew why Megatron asked, and from the angry glare he was getting from the Decepticon, he could tell that Megatron didn't appreciate the understanding.

"Let's get there, then. I dislike this stench radiating off me."

Optimus continued to lead the way, and within a half-hour they found the source of the running water—a small river. Optimus walked over to it and wished he had his sensors to tell him whether or not the water was clean.

Apparently, it mattered little to his companion, for once Megatron determined he could see all the way to the bottom and had chased away all the fish and other wildlife, he stripped and stepped in.

Before yelping and retreating. "That isn't a little cold, that is very cold!" Megatron growled and glared at Optimus.

Optimus merely shrugged. "How was I to know?"

Megatron grumbled some uncomplimentary things about the Autobot before slowly walking into the stream, shivering as he used the water to wash the accumulated grime off of him, making the water that flowed away from him slightly brown.

Optimus found himself strangely reluctant to strip and join the Decepticon, but from how Megatron's skin was becoming a brighter shade of red—meaning that anything that had been clinging to it had been washed off—he felt he should wash as well. He stripped and put his clothes next to Megatron's before entering the water himself, the chill sending painful shivers up his legs and into the rest of his body.

"Primus," Optimus swore softly and began to rinse the dirt from his skin. "You were right when you said it was cold."

"I make no claim to be your supposed creator, but I'm glad you acknowledge that I was right," Megatron said rather smugly.

"Quiet," Optimus growled and flicked water at Megatron, who scowled and splashed back at Optimus.

Optimus sputtered as the water hit him in the face and glared at the Decepticon, who gave him a rather toothy grin.

Optimus reached out and shoved Megatron, making him teeter unsteadily and land in the water, creating a large splash. Megatron surfaced, he growling, eyes narrowed as he looked through a curtain of silver hair.

The Decepticon recovered quickly and lunged at Optimus, pushing him down into the water. Optimus held his breath and pushed Megatron off him, who was still glaring at him from his spot in the water, but it was slightly less fierce than it had been. The interaction deteriorated into a splashing and dunking war, until both of them were too exhausted to continue trying to best the other.

"Do you always have to have the last word?" Optimus grumbled, glowering at the Decepticon as he tried to shake water out of his ear.

"You tell me, Prime," Megatron drawled and walked to the bank, taking a handful of hair and wringing the water out of it, growling uncomplimentary things about it. "Since I cut it it has regrown to its original length!" he lamented before walking out of the water and picking up his clothes. He looked at them in mild disgust before going back to the water and attempting to scrub the grime off of them.

If anything, the water became even dirtier as a result of that. Optimus frowned and picked up his own clothes and began to wash them—he hated mimicking Megatron, but the Decepticon did have the occasional good idea.

Once the clothes were as clean as they could make them, the two of them set them out to dry in a shaft of sunlight, only wearing undergarments as they waited. There was a short silence that was broken by Megatron saying: "Prime."

"What?"

"You do realize the absurdity of this entire situation, don't you?"

"It has dawned on me, yes," Optimus replied dryly.

Megatron gave him a fleeting smirk before his face fell into a more contemplative expression. "How long do you think it will take to get what we need?"

Optimus sighed and rubbed his short hair, looking at the running water before them. "I don't know," he answered quietly.

Megatron snorted and shook his head. "Thought so."

But I wonder if, when we finally achieve our aims, we will still be Megatron and Optimus Prime...?

"Good question," Optimus murmured.

"What?" Megatron asked sharply, looking over at Optimus.

Optimus raised an eyebrow, "You had a good question—whether or not, when we finally achieve what we need to in order to return to our selves, if we will still be who we are."

Megatron frowned. "I never said that."

Optimus gave him an incredulous look. "Yes, you did—I heard it."

Megatron's face closed off for a moment before a look of disgusted astonishment flashed across it. "There is no way you could have heard that question—" Not unless you can hear my thoughts...?

There was a beat of utter, shocked silence before revulsion slowly crept through Optimus's being. Impossible.

Apparently not.

You do know what this means...?

To my utter horror, yes.

Optimus's shoulders slumped as his head found its way into his hands. How is it even possible?

I don't know, but it's just another reason to tear Starscream apart when I finally corner him.

Optimus couldn't agree more—it was one thing, being human. That was something he could deal with. But being connected to Megatron—of all creatures!—on an intimate level...well, that was less easily forgiven.

Sure, mental connections were not uncommon—Decepticons and Autobots both had their own frequencies that they communicated over—but it was more akin to human walkie-talkies than true telepathy. Each Cybertronian had their own personal frequency that fell in the spectrum of their respective chosen side with which they could communicate over, either en masse or individually. It required focus, but it was doable. Something such as what Megatron and he shared—something close to true telepathy—was an entirely different matter. It was a byproduct of literally sharing a part of one's Self with another. Because each contained an integral part of the other, they shared a connection far deeper than any radio frequency.

What they had forced upon them was uncommon for any romantically involved individuals, exclusive or not, to share something so fundamental, for, if one of the pair died or was separated and out of touch from the other, the surviving one was likely to go insane or die themselves. There were other, less invasive ways of declaring your relationship to another, and most opted for what was generally called spark-binding. What he and Megatron shared was different from a spark-binding in a few important ways, although the general phenomena was the same.

The main difference being that a spark-bound couple was able to survive the death of one of the members, as the part that was shared by the couple could be returned to the giver upon death of the recipient. What they had somehow acquired...well, Optimus was literally half-Megatron. If Megatron died, half of Optimus went with him, which was an incredibly disturbing and distressing thought. To keep himself alive, he now needed to make sure that Megatron also stayed among the living.

So now, no matter what they had wanted, they were bound to each other, body, mind, and soul...and absolutely hated each other.

Optimus heavily shielded his thoughts, now aware of what exactly that soft buzzing had been—their connection. As long as he blocked it and guarded against it, his thoughts would remain his, just as the opposite would be true for Megatron. Nonetheless, the situation was in general distasteful, and it didn't take reading Megatron's thoughts to tell that the Decepticon was equally revolted by it.

'As if the situation wasn't bad enough already...'

–

Optimus was barely able to suppress a snicker at the completely mystified look on Megatron's face as he was fussed over by the group they had come across in their travels. The two of them had been weak from exhaustion and lack of food and water, and had propped up against a tree, half-conscious in an attempt to conserve energy and resources. Both had been woken by a cry of surprise. There was a brief argument that neither of them entirely processed, but when Optimus found himself being resuscitated with water, he would have done anything in thanks. Instead, he had found both he and the Decepticon being mothered by a group of females that had run across them.

Megatron's exotic looks and obviously painful sunburn had earned him a good deal of sympathy, and while he was overwhelmed by positive female attention, his reflexive charisma—even when out of it—had earned them a seat at a campsite, food, and new shirts, even if other articles of clothing could not be spared (Optimus was also relieved to have acquired sandals—while his feet had toughened as a result of walking mostly barefoot, it helped ease the cuts and blisters). Megatron also found himself being slathered alternatively in something called aloe vera, which one of the females insisted would help with the sunburn, and sunscreen, which might prevent said sunburn from getting any worse.

"How in the world did you end up like this?" one of the females ('Sarah?') asked.

Optimus shrugged sheepishly. "Well...you wouldn't believe me."

"No, go on. Tell me," the woman insisted as Optimus drank some more wonderful water.

Dehydration is such an issue.

Optimus must not have shielded his thoughts as well as he would have liked, for Megatron replied to his statement: Tell me about it—could you get these creatures off of me?!

No.

"Well...have there been any news reports of strange activity?"

"There was a story of a wildfire...oh, did you get caught in that?"

"Yeah," Optimus replied with a weary smile. I suppose that accounts for the damage from our weaponry.

Possibly. Optimus, stop them!

Stop them yourself.

You think I haven't been trying?

"We lost everything in the fire—supplies, clothes, you know, the things you need to survive," Optimus continued fluidly, the internal conversation having taken mere seconds.

"I'm sorry to hear that."

"We've had someone else help us, though, which is what accounts for our clothes and that backpack. But...charity only extends so far."

"How'd you guys meet? You're so...different."

"Kim! Don't ask questions like that."

Megatron rolled his eyes. "It's a valid question. We've just...always known each other."

"So, you guys're friends?"

Megatron was about to respond in the negative, but Optimus cut in, saying, "In a manner of speaking. We were actually with our families, who are friends, but..."

"We survived and they didn't," Megatron chipped in with a flat tone.

Why'd you say that?

Pity, Megatron said smugly. They'll be even more willing to help us now. It's the strangest reaction...

Optimus was astonished to find that Megatron had been right, and that the group fussed all the more after that proclamation.

By the time the sun went down, the Cybertronians had been given places at their campsite, which both gratefully took—it meant that they didn't have to worry so much about wild animals or their counterpart doing something to them as they slept.

Optimus settled against a tree, a light blanket covering his legs, and he sighed heavily as his body began to relax. He and Megatron had been lucky so far, finding two groups of people who were willing to help them. Optimus figured that they looked pathetic and earnest enough that people didn't see them as robbers or some such nonsense.

Even though, in a sense, they were, since they had technically stolen from that first campsite...

How do you know what you do about humans? Optimus asked his forced traveling partner now that he had time, Megatron's random bouts of insight confusing him.

Prime, what else do you think I had to do during all those years?

What?

After the ancestor of that brat partially woke me, I was dragged into a human laboratory—I wasn't entirely conscious, but enough that I could get bored. Whenever I was awake enough to be that way, I would observe what was going on around me, listen to the stories the workers told, began to listen to the radio once the overgrown bacteria got that down. Wireless internet was the most fascinating thing, however.

You kept yourself entertained, hm?

It was sporadic, but you tell me what you would do if you were in a forced semi-stasis for far too long.

Why did you ask me so much about humanity, then?

I told you—I was only partly aware. I picked up bits and pieces, not the comprehensive knowledge that I need to be able to survive as one of the fleshlings.

Optimus made a soft noncommittal sound. I suppose that makes sense...for a Decepticon.

Megatron obviously rolled his softly-glowing garnet eyes. There was a surprisingly easy silence as they both watched the stars through the heavy canopy of leaves.

'I must admit, I never expected something like this to happen when I first came searching for the All-Spark,' Optimus thought to himself, exasperated. 'Although I have to wonder what exactly Starscream used to transform us in this manner. It was certainly not a human weapon, and I haven't heard of a Cybertronian weapon that would create such an effect. How do Decepticons manage to find such damaging things?'

Optimus's eyes slowly drifted close, his mind slowing down, breathing evening, he descending gradually into sleep.

–

Optimus rubbed his temples, azure eyes glowing faintly as he nursed a wounded body, warily watching Megatron do the same.

There were very few things in the universe that made Optimus angry. Unfortunately for his sanity, he was stuck with one of them.

That he made Megatron equally unhappy was little balm for his spark. Soul. Whatever he currently had that contained who he was.

After a eleven days in the company of the Decepticon, Optimus's temper was frayed to the breaking point. Neither he nor Megatron dared to speak to each other anymore, for any conversation inevitably turned into a verbal spar that left them both seething and itching to pound the other's face in. Thankfully, things hadn't yet come to blows, but it was almost inevitable that it would eventually.

Of course, it was over something incredibly inane, but why shouldn't that have been the case?

Optimus stubbed his toe on a rock.

Megatron laughed at him.

Suddenly, Optimus found himself pinning the surprised Decepticon to the ground, his own fist raised back to punch.

This time, unlike during their brief splash war in the river, his aim wasn't off—he caught Megatron square in the face.

Megatron's head snapped to the side, following the force of Optimus's blow, a little bit of spittle and blood exiting Megatron's lips. Optimus raised his other hand to punch, but Megatron just barely intercepted the blow in time. Megatron used his free hand to catch Optimus in the gut, making Optimus grunt in pain and double over, forehead nearly touching Megatron's.

Optimus felt himself shoved off of his perch on Megatron's torso, Megatron scrambling to a standing position in time to kick Optimus in the side, making Optimus grimace. The next kick Optimus rolled away from, he getting onto his knees in time to block another kick with his forearms and shove Megatron off-balance long enough to get his own feet under him.

The two of them circled each other carefully, watching their opponent warily. Both of them knew how the other fought, but being human had changed things.

Optimus was distantly surprised at how fast Megatron moved, but was also surprised at how easily he himself absorbed the hits Megatron landed on him. He could tell from how Megatron winced that his reposes hurt significantly more.

The odd thing was that he also felt every hit he landed on Megatron, although significantly weaker. He wondered if Megatron was finding the same thing to be true, and, if so, if this was another side-effect of their unfortunate connection.

Megatron ducked under a punch from Optimus and caught the Autobot leader under the chin with an uppercut, making Optimus stagger. Megatron followed up the attack with a kick that sent Optimus into a nearby tree. The Autobot shook off the dazed feeling in time to avoid another attack from Megatron, which left the Decepticon open to a counterattack.

Optimus grabbed the long locks of Megatron's hair and pulled on it, causing the Decepticon to fall back towards him with a cry of surprise and pain. Optimus used the surprise and the leverage to dig his knee into Megatron's back, causing the man to arch up. Optimus moved his leg and then slammed the palm of his hand into Megatron's sternum, sending him to the forest floor, breathless and down for the count.

Dazed, angry ruby eyes stared up into equally irate sapphire ones. For a long moment, the two simply looked at each other before Optimus's legs gave out from under him and he found himself sitting not too far from Megatron, his entire body aching from the combined hurts of what Megatron had landed on him and echoes of the opposite.

"You feel it, don't you?" Megatron whispered hoarsely once he got his voice back.

"What?"

"My pains. You feel them."

Optimus nodded mutely.

Megatron swore.

Which lead to their current position, each lost in his own thoughts as they separately pondered the ramifications of the intensity of their bond.

"How?" Megatron whispered aloud.

"The better question is why," Optimus replied wryly.

Megatron snorted and winced at the movement. "That is easier—the universe has something against me. First I'm stuck on this rock, frozen for centuries until discovered by that brat's ancestor. Then I'm brought into a lab and forced to remain in semi-stasis while human scientists poke and prod at me, trying to divine my inner workings. Then I am killed and dropped into the deepest part of this planet's oceans. I'm resurrected through your faulty security and I finally manage to rid the universe of you and then that selfsame brat manages to find a way to undo all my hard work! Now I am here, stuck in this forsaken organic coffin while being bound to you." Megatron paused. "No. I'm not bound to you. Spark-binding is different, is not this intense. What is this...?"

Optimus shrugged helplessly. "The only one-word description is in Cybertronian and I cannot pronounce it using the human vocal system..."

Megatron growled and shook his head, muttering uncomplimentary things about humans, Autobots, and Optimus, which Optimus ignored. "You know what this is, though," Megatron said, almost accusingly, as if it was Optimus's fault that they ended up like they were.

Optimus's eyes narrowed. "I know of it. I have only heard of a few cases of it. Most do not choose to become...bound really is the best word in the English language...in this manner."

"What does it mean, Prime? Stop stalling."

Optimus growled a warning, which inexplicably made Megatron smirk.

'Decepticons are so strange,' Optimus grumbled inwardly. "You will like it even less than I," he said aloud.

Megatron cocked an eyebrow.

Optimus sighed. "Very well. We will always be conscious of the other—I will know where you are, what you are feeling, who you are with, what you are doing, and, if you do not shield correctly, what you are thinking. There is no option of being involved with someone else—faithfulness to me is assured, as the opposite is true. I am literally a part of you, physically and psychically. When you are hurt, I am hurt, and vice versa. We are capable of communicating with the strange telepathy we have acquired regardless of the distance—we could be on opposite sides of the world and still be in touch, as fast as thought." Optimus sighed. "Also, since we are so closely linked, it is...inadvisable...to be out of contact—physical and/or mental—for overlong. You run the risk of insanity if you do that. And if one of us dies..."

"The other will either die as well or go mad," Megatron finished flatly.

Optimus nodded glumly.

It was truly hateful, being so closely linked with his enemy. It would have been unwise to have what they were dealing with to someone on their own side—to do so to an opponent was unthinkable. Now Optimus found himself in that exact situation, he sharing half of his Self with his long-standing rival and antagonist.

"There is no way to break this," Megatron stated more than asked.

"Not without one or both of us dying."

Megatron scowled up the sky, arms crossing over his chest. "Why is my luck so poor?"

"I wish I knew," Optimus replied wryly, which transfered Megatron's glare from the heavens to him.

There was a long silence before Megatron sat up gingerly, rubbing his neck in pain. "I will find a way around this. I refuse to be linked with you in this manner."

"If you find a way, I look forward to ridding myself of you, too," Optimus replied, standing slowly.

Megatron heaved himself to his feet, his arms windmilling for a moment before he found his balance.

"Come," the Decepticon growled. "The sooner I can release myself from this ridiculous predicament the better."

Optimus watched Megatron stalk off and followed him at a more leisurely pace.

–

It took them about two weeks to get to the small outpost of a town near where Sam and his family had decided to go camping, the two having resigned themselves to being stuck with the other after their confrontation.

"At least there will be a place to rest that isn't the ground," Megatron groused as they walked down the street.

"With all the money we don't have," Optimus drawled, although he silently agreed. His back was one mass of pain from sleeping on the ground with no protection, and he was looking forward to experiencing a bed.

Megatron hissed his displeasure while glaring at Optimus.

"There are other things we have to worry about, first," Optimus told his companion.

"Oh?" Megatron asked, incredulous.

"Clothing, specifically. Then we can find a place to rest."

"Why does that matter more?"

"Because we look terrible and no place will give us lodging or food if we appear this way."

"That's incredibly superficial."

Optimus shrugged. "A failing of the race, but nothing major."

The two walked in silence, Optimus idly noting that they were getting pretty bad stares.

See why I think we need new clothes? People won't look twice at us, then.

Megatron merely made a noise of acknowledgement.

Optimus eventually found what he was looking for and nudged Megatron towards the shop.

This will have what we need, Optimus told the Decepticon.

What is this place? Megatron asked, obviously curious in spite of himself once they had entered.

A consignment shop. We should be able to get clothes on our...limited...resources here.

Megatron gave Optimus an utterly incredulous look. If you say so. How do we know what will fit us?

Trial and error? Optimus replied and went over to a rack that was clearly marked 'men'.

Trial and error it ended up being, as they wrestled with sizes and numbers until they found what would fit them, earning more than a few odd looks as they struggled. Optimus wasn't quite sure how people explained their behavior away, but from how no-one actually said anything, Optimus didn't bother to think on it too much.

As it was, he was fascinated by the different textures of clothing. Some were soft, others were rough, and a great many had textures he was incapable of describing because, well, he might know the human words, but because he didn't know what they represented, that was all they were to him—words. The lengths and cuts and colors, and how they were combined and interacted, were all equally fascinating

Eventually, Megatron decided on a few lightweight, long-sleeve tops ("I refuse to walk around with this shell visibly flaking off of me.") and equally light-weight, long pants, most in solid colors—although black looked the most striking on him, for obvious reasons. He also bought a baseball cap to keep the sun off of his face, and to perhaps hide his striking garnet-colored eyes.

Optimus found himself leaning more towards patterns and designs on the shirts that he picked out, and was partial to jeans of varying lengths and weights.

Underwear and socks were also acquired when they stopped by a CVS, as well as a few other items necessary for their well-being and acceptance into society. However, the greatest amount of time was spent in the food aisle.

What is all this? Megatron asked, slightly astonished. Can they eat all of this?

It's not a good idea, but theoretically, they can eat most of this stuff.

Fascinating...Megatron murmured and picked out a package labeled 'popcorn'.

In the end, Optimus had to drag Megatron out of the snack food aisle. All that stuff isn't good for you.

But it's cheap and looks...interesting, Megatron protested.

We can find cheap, interesting, healthy stuff elsewhere.

Megatron scowled as he waited for Optimus to pay for everything that they had decided to buy. They exited the store and both sighed in unison before giving the other a glare.

"Where now, Prime?" Megatron drawled, obviously annoyed.

"Don't call me that aloud," Optimus growled quietly.

Megatron rolled his eyes.

"For now, I think we need to find temporary lodging so we can clean up and change into the new clothes we bought."

"Cheap temporary lodging, correct? So, a motel or something?"

Optimus nodded, again filing away the random bouts of information Megatron seemed to have for later pondering.

The two of them meandered until they found a rather sketchy-looking affair that was cheap and asked no questions, which was a small relief. The room was small, cramped, and dark, but after sleeping on the ground, the beds felt like heaven. They both collapsed on the separate beds and were out like lights.

Optimus woke a few hours later and stretched, every ache in his back screaming for his attention, making him wince. He heard the tiny shower in the dirty bathroom running and smirked faintly. Megatron had obviously woken before him and was washing himself using the cleaning supplies they had bought.

Optimus looked up at the ceiling, his hands laced together over his chest.

It was funny, thinking that he had been human for two weeks. He was personally surprised that he had survived this long at all—if the situation had been posed to him when he was still Cybertronian, he would have bet that he wouldn't have lasted a week, let alone this long with Megatron.

Perhaps it was because of Megatron that he was still alive. Afterall, neither of them wanted to appear weak in front of the other, and dying before the other had a chance to kill them would have been disgraceful and distasteful. So they both pushed themselves to the limit of their newfound bodies, figuring out all the nuts and bolts that humans tended to grow up with. It was a small blessing that they had both, to an extent, lived with them, and so weren't starting entirely from scratch.

'Nonetheless, there is so much to learn. We know the basics, but very little else.'

At that moment, Megatron walked out of the bathroom, toweling his hair dry, fully clothed. "You can make it warm," Megatron murmured and picked up a small device that was resting next to their obviously run-down television before he plopped down on his bed.

Optimus figured that was as much recognition of his wakefulness he would get, and pushed himself to his feet, picking out an outfit for himself before entering the bathroom. The set-up was nothing particularly elegant, but Optimus wasn't about to be picky. There was a sink, a toilet, and a shower/bathtub combination. The slightly-cracked mirror was still misted over from when Megatron had taken his shower and the shower-head was dripping sporadically. Optimus regarded everything before him before sighing and stripping himself of the torn, dirty, abused garments that had been his covering for the past fortnight.

He gingerly stepped into the basin of the bath and discovered what Megatron's comment meant when he fiddled with the knobs set into the wall, which, when turned, caused water to come out of the shower-head above him. He jumped in surprise when the water first fell on him from above, but as his body slowly relaxed under the unsteady torrent of water, he came to appreciate hot water.

He stood for a long moment before picking up what they had eventually decided was used to clean the patch of overgrown fur on their skulls and looking at it. He turned it over and read the directions on the back, and made a mental note not to get it in his eyes or mouth. With the hand that was holding the bottle, he turned it over and squeezed a small dollop into the palm of the other, before carefully setting down the bottle. He looked at the viscous liquid resting in his palm before bringing it carefully up to his head and using that hand as well as the other to rub it into his scalp. He was surprised when he felt the texture change into something more...more...there was no Cybertronian word for the sensation, for they did not feel in the way humans did—much as they could not taste as humans did. Sure, they could see and hear and sense things no human ever could, but there was something to be said about feeling shampoo turn to suds as it interacted with friction and hot water.

He let the water rinse the shampoo from his short, wiry, oddly-colored hair, watching as it traced patterns down his body. Since that first day of adapting, he hadn't really taken the time to observe his own physicality, and now that he had a moment where he didn't feel that he had to watch his back constantly, he did. As far as he could tell, he was of muscular build, and from how close he was to the shower-head, it meant that he was probably taller than average. He knew already that his coloration was far from normal—typical african-heritage coloration was all shades of brown—but he had hoped his height wouldn't be another distinguishing trait. He already stood out as it was. Megatron was perhaps even worse, with his silver and red coloring. He was fairly sure that they made quite the sight, as out of place with each other as in society.

He picked up the poof—he believed that was what it was called—with one hand and used the other to pick up the body wash they had bought. It was a little harder to manipulate, but Optimus was proud when he didn't drop anything. He rubbed the liquid into the poof and found himself smiling as it sudded up. He heated slightly in embarrassment, even though no-one was around to see. He would have to learn to take such things for granted, but for now...

His sense of balance was unfamiliar with what he was doing, especially when he went to wash his lower legs while standing. He had to brace one hand on the wall to get himself entirely clean, grumbling quietly about how he still hadn't figured out balance entirely.

As he cleaned his genitalia a spike of...of...something raced through him, making him jerk in surprise. It wasn't a bad feeling, but, again, clearly different from anything he had ever felt while a Cybertronian.

'It hadn't felt like that when simply—oh, what's the word?—peeing. But, at those times, the contact was never extended...'

Optimus had the gut feeling that he was treading into dangerous, entirely unknown waters, and it was unnerving. He hadn't gotten where he was by being careful, though, so he felt it was something to be explored, if cautiously. This was yet another example of how different human and Cybertronian bodies could be, even though they appeared superficially similar.

Optimus thought for a long moment, fingers ghosting down the length of his penis, sending small shivers of...what was the word for this sensation?...something through his body. As he had listened to the male soldiers, he remembered a lot of crude talk had revolved around their genitalia, whether from jokes or otherwise was unimportant.

He also knew a great deal about the biology and function of the male reproductive system, but it was all academic. It had no application to him, so while he had filed it away as information, he hadn't bothered to give it a second thought.

Now he wished he still had the limitless data retention of his former body, if just so he could review what he had discovered, remember the conversations.

'Again, driving blind,' he thought morosely.

He shivered involuntarily when a particularly strong flush of the sensation curled through him, and he reinforced the barriers between he and Megatron, not wanting the Decepticon to ask questions he didn't feel like answering.

He became aware of a change in the particular part of his newfound anatomy that he was exploring that accompanied the lazy swirls of sensation. It was lengthening and darkening...

Optimus blinked and then pulled his hand away quickly, embarrassment burning through him. It had taken a little while, but little pieces of information had congealed in his mind, telling him what was happening. He shifted awkwardly on his feet before reaching out and turning the hot water off.

He bit back a yelp as the water turned bitingly cold, and he was all too glad when his erection faded. He turned the water off entirely and stood in the shower for a moment, watching the water drain around his feet.

"Primus," he muttered as he stepped out of the shower, annoyed with himself.

He picked up a towel and briskly dried himself before figuring out boxers, applying deodorant (he and Megatron both had an intense dislike of the smell they emanated when unclean), and shoving himself into his new clothes.

Megatron was obviously engrossed in the television when Optimus finally made his way out of the bathroom, as he adjusted the belt around his waist.

"What are you watching?" he asked.

Megatron jumped at Optimus's voice and hissed in displeasure. "Don't startle me like that!"

"Then pay more attention to your surroundings," Optimus said archly, making the Decepticon scowl. "Again, what are you watching?"

"Why does it matter?"

"Megatron."

The Decepticon remained stubbornly silent, which made Optimus sigh. "Fine. Come. We should go to the library to get the information we need."

Megatron grunted in agreement and stood, stretching, a soft groan escaping his lips. "I hope to never spend another day sleeping on the ground like that."

"I'm afraid you might have to, given what I have seen of the armed forces."

Megatron growled in displeasure as they walked out of the room, locking the door behind them as Optimus slipped the key to the room in his pocket, since he had paid for more than one night. They headed off into the town proper after Optimus was sure their room was secure.

It wasn't a particularly large town, so they found the public library fairly quickly.

Do you know how to read their languages, Megatron?

What kind of question is that? Came the annoyed reply. Of course I can. How would I have been able to peruse their internet otherwise?

Point, Optimus admitted as they entered the building.

The library was cool and quiet and had the most interesting smell to it. Optimus was amused to observe that Megatron had unconsciously slowed down his walking pace, and had seemed to try and quiet himself.

I will explore the internet. It will be a ...unique...experience to browse it from this position.

Very well. I will go through the printed material.

You do that, Megatron told him dryly as he peeled away to examine the computers.

Optimus shook his head, went to the periodicals rack, and took out the latest issue of a number of national news publications. Might as well get caught up on current events before going through scientific texts—not that he suspected there would be many manuals on 'how to be human'. A lot of it would be conjecture and trial-and-error on his and Megatron's parts. It was sure to be a frustrating learning experience, and even though they both learned very quickly, going from being a Cybertronian to a human wasn't going to be an easy task.

Optimus had the bad feeling that it would take years to grasp the full complexities of the society, but they would have to have the basics down before applying to be in the armed forces.

'But what would be the best way to figure out these things?' he wondered as he idly flipped through Time magazine. 'There are so many levels to society, so many different sets of expectations ranging from class to age to gender.'

Optimus sighed softly and wished desperately that he had a users manual for the situation he found himself in. Instead, all he had was his intellect, observational skills, and luck.

'Perhaps movies that are set in present time? And popular fiction novels? Even television programs? Then there's always observing how others interact.'

Optimus felt a headache building behind his eyes and closed the magazine, running his fingers along the glossy cover.

'Might as well see what Megatron is up to.'

Optimus stood and searched until he found Megatron perched at a computer terminal.

Megatron, what are you doing? he asked, making Megatron look at him out of the corner of his eye and shrug.

I have discovered a site on the internet called 'Wikipedia'. It's...fascinating.

What're you reading about?

There was a surly pause before Megatron spoke: If you must know, I started out researching the United States Army and have now ended up reading about something called Star Wars.

Optimus did a poor job of smothering a grin. Sam has spoken about Wikipedia before. I wouldn't trust it entirely.

Megatron quirked an eyebrow. I only trust what I have personally experienced. Everything else is more likely than not a lie.

A very Decepticon thing to say.

A very true thing to say.

Optimus sighed and put a hand on the back of Megatron's chair. Have you put any thought into how we are to get accepted into the armed forces? If we can't act convincingly human—and we don't know half as much as we should in order to do so—they won't take us. Probably will believe that we're insane.

And that would hinder our plans. Very well, Prime—what do you suggest we do about our lack of humanity? Megatron's tone was dry and made Optimus give him a mild glare.

We watch what they do. We can also use popular culture as references. Not very reliable ones, but they will give us some idea of how people behave in certain situations.

Oh? What kind of references?

Movies. Television. Books. And, of course, the internet. But, I think we'll be better equipped to deal with all that if we're in a larger city.

Megatron scowled at the computer screen. I do not like that idea.

It doesn't matter—we're going to have to do it whether you want to or not.

Megatron's lip curled in a silent snarl. I am going to kill you in your sleep one day for daring to order me around.

Optimus couldn't help the small smirk that formed on his face. You will try.

Megatron bristled.

But that is neither here nor there. You want your revenge, I want to return to my companions. To do that, we need to work in tandem. You have seen me copy your actions—I only ask that you do the same, occasionally.

Megatron's eyes narrowed, but he seemed to calm slightly. So. What large city are we near and how will we get there?

Optimus hesitated and thought. I believe we are closest to New York city.

And just how to you plan on getting to said city?

Optimus paused. I suppose a combination of hitch-hiking and public transportation.

Why don't we just take a car?

Do you really want a criminal record?

Oh, right. Doing that would be breaking one of their stupid laws.

Just because you have no respect for rules...

Even if we take one from a junkyard that no-one wants?

Yes, Megatron, we'd still be stealing.

Megatron almost pouted, which made Optimus suppress a snicker.

Come. I have paid for today and tomorrow at the motel. We can use the time to watch the cable they provide and do some reading. Then we will head off to New York City.

Megatron sighed. Very well, Prime. We will follow this plan of yours—for now.

For now, Optimus agreed. If there was anything he knew, it was that plans had a bad tendency to change at the last moment.

You find your books. I intend on finding appropriate television programming.

Optimus nodded and left Megatron clicking idly at Wikipedia, obviously not looking up TV shows. Optimus shook his head and headed into the fiction section, picking out books at random.

By the time they were kicked out of the library, Optimus had read through a dozen or so books. He had been astonished by the variety in writing skill and subject matter, and felt that a larger library might have even more to offer him. The books he had read had offered him more than just a look into the collective human psyche, some had also been fascinating.

'The creativity of humans is astounding,' he thought to himself with good humor.

You are smiling, Prime. What has you so pleased?

Optimus jerked slightly at Megatron's voice and he looked to his side to see the Decepticon regarding him with an unreadable expression on his face.

I've found out why some of the soldiers 'kill time' by reading novels. They're...very entertaining. Human capability for creativity is to be commended.

Mm-hm, Megatron murmured, the smallest of wry smirks forming on his face. As a species they are...Megatron paused, as if trying to find the right word,...contradictory, he finally settled on.

Optimus gave him a curious look.

I spent my time on the internet. While I most certainly don't trust all that Wikipedia contains, following the related links to other pages lead me to some...strange...topics.

Oh?

Megatron shook his head. It is...complicated. I have read about human popular culture, of their history, current events, scientific advances, medical procedures and diagnoses, laws, diseases, industries legal and not...Megatron fell briefly silent. They are twisted for such a young race.

They have made mistakes, but they are not beyond hope.

Optimus, please. They are not noble by any stretch of the concept. They have enslaved each other for no reason other than the color of their skin is different, killed each other in mass numbers in such a brutal manner that it's almost shameful, are ruthless to enemies and allies alike...Optimus, they are beasts.

It is nothing we ourselves haven't done, Optimus pointed out sadly.

Megatron glowered at the sidewalk as they made their way slowly towards the motel. They exploit each other. Some use addictive natural—and some not so natural—substances to make another human completely dependent upon them. Without something they call a 'drug', it is entirely possible that an 'addict' may die. There are entire industries around sexual exploitation, organ harvesting, illegal activities...they do things to each other that no Cybertronain would ever consider.

Megatron paused and a smirk flitted across his face. But, as you say, they are capable of great creativity and kindness—although by no means nobility. Some of their most renowned leaders were great peace-makers, although it has only been recently that peace has become a common goal among the creatures. They can be very, very shallow.

Silence fell as they walked before Optimus's stomach growling in hunger broke it. Megatron gave the Autobot a toothy grin. Food?

Food.

Finally something other than granola bars and trail mix

Optimus couldn't help but silently agree. He was looking forward to trying other kinds of food.

They changed destinations and stopped in what Optimus recognized as a food store. It was only through sheer willpower that neither of them stared wide-mouthed at the selection.

It's possible to eat all this?

Theoretically, Optimus replied distractedly, taking in all the edible things of varying shapes, sizes, colors, and prices. Oh, sure, he might know all of what he was looking at intellectually, but...

He caught Megatron's hand before he could squish what Optimus recognized as a tomato by squeezing too hard, earning a glower from the Decepticon, who yanked his hand away.

Stop touching me!

Then stop making it necessary for me to do so!

That was only the beginning of the silent argument that flew between them as they bickered over what to buy as they walked down the aisles.

In the end, they exited with a sandwich each and one bottle of iced tea and one soda, a surly silence between them.

They walked onto the street and began a leisurely trip back to the motel—it wasn't as if they had a set deadline. It gave them time to observe the architecture, the people, the businesses—everything that made the small town what it was.

Our coloration really sets us apart, doesn't it? Megatron mused over their connection. We are acceptable otherwise—clothed, clean, etc. This means that how we appear color-wise is truly that remarkable, Megatron commented when he caught a passer-by staring.

It is, Optimus affirmed. Which will undoubtedly make life difficult.

They are not very tolerant of difference, Megatron drawled.

Optimus snorted as they turned into the motel parking lot, headed to their room. The Autobot fiddled with the key, letting them back into the room they had temporarily secured for themselves.

Megatron retrieved the soda and one of the sandwiches, and set about figuring out how to unwrap the food item, sharp-nailed fingers making quick work of the plastic surrounding it. Optimus took a little longer to figure out how to open it, and the wave of surprise that flooded him from Megatron over their connection made him wince.

"What?" he asked perhaps a little too sharply, looking over at the Decepticon. What he saw made whatever temper he had fade entirely.

Megatron was looking at the sandwich in something close to pure astonishment. Optimus had never seen such an unguarded look on the Decepticon's face and it both baffled and amused him.

"This is..." Megatron started, but appeared lost for words.

Curious, Optimus finished opening his own sandwich and took a tentative bite.

He found out why Megatron was caught off-guard. The trail mix and granola bars had been good enough—filling for stomachs unused to food—but this was completely different. The textures were different, from the vegetables, to the cheese, meat, and bread. Then each of those components had their own flavors...it was almost a sensory overload for Optimus.

'But I must learn to not behave in this manner,' he thought sadly. 'I hate knowing I have to become jaded to this experience.'

He chewed carefully, and was almost sad to swallow, but at least there was more of the sandwich to look forward to. There was also the iced tea to consider as well—all he or Megatron had drunk before was water. Optimus set aside the sandwich gently and twisted off the cap of the plastic container ('bottle'). He took a tentative sip and was unable to restrain a surprised sound. He had thought the round, colorful bits they sometimes found in trail mix were sweet, but this was even more so. It was slightly tart, but incredibly sweet—almost too sweet.

He heard Megatron coughing and looked over to find the Decepticon giving the bottle of soda ('Mountain Dew') a wary look.

"What's wrong?" Optimus asked.

"It's..." Megatron sighed in frustration. "Here. Try it," he said and held out the bottle to Optimus, who took it suspiciously. "I have not had time or resources to poison it," Megatron said dryly when Optimus looked it over, considering the object. Optimus smiled faintly before taking a sip of the soda.

He found himself sputtering slightly as well and gave the bottle of fluid a purely incredulous look. "It says it's 'carbonated'. Does that account for the...the...effervescence? Bubbles?"

"It's very strange," Megatron commented and took the product back from Optimus. "But not objectionable," he finished in a murmur as he took a small sip.

Optimus shook his head and turned his attention to his own food.

Megatron finished before he and picked up what Optimus now recognized as a remote control and turned on the television.

Soon, the only sound in the room as the two watched the television with rapt attention was what came from the electronic appliance.