Authors Note: Special thanks to MissCHSparkles and JetStorm the Sparkling for their advice.

It was late in the night when Trecx had awoken, his entire body was covered in condensation again. He sat up on his berth helm in his servos, he intaked hard trying to get his bearings. He listened to the rain on the roof and the lightning that struck around them to bring him back to the present. It was the dream that was not a dream again. It was a nightmare of a memory. Trecx stood up making his way to the door he paused listening for any sounds, hearing none he eased the door open and made his way out. He found himself in the now familiar hallway. Crysteel had converted the old storage room for him to use as his own and moved its original contents to under the old steel stairs. He trudged silently up the stairs trying not to make any noise. The first night he'd stayed here at The Den he had silently explored every nook and cranky of the building and its structural integrities. He wanted to make sure there was a not so obvious escape just in case he ever needed to leave in a hurry. As he crested the stairs he could hear Crysteels soft intakes from behind the door on the first landing, he paused for a moment to make sure she was safely asleep. After a few moments he continued to the next and final landing that lead to the roof. Placing his servo on the crude handle he paused waiting again, but for what? He shook his helm as he opened the door and stepped into the rain. As he walked farther out on to the roof, it cascaded down his frame in little rivers. Hollowness filled him as he stared at the grit filled roof, the little bit of wind there was gently swayed the roof door as he had left it partially opened to ensure a way back inside. His frame shook as anger and sorrow began to flood his systems, his silvery swords chinked out of his arms and into his servos. He gripped them hard as he moved into a sparing stance, one blade above his helm and the other extended out words from him but even with his chest and its twin. Lightning flashed and the faint yet familiar etchings shone on the blade that was even with his chest, Sideswipe. He closed his optics momentarily as he remembered his brother and some of their many sparing matches and so he began to go through the movements he and Sideswipe had perfected Yorns ago.

Back inside Crysteel's optics fluttered then on-lined, they quickly adjusted to the darkness in her room. Rolling over she stared out the rain slicked window watching the lightning as it struck various broken and crumbling buildings. Sighing peacefully she started to slip back into recharge, until she heard something. She sat up slowly as she stranded to hear it again, it almost sounded as if someone had left a door open. She eased out of her berth trying not to make a sound concentrating hard trying to see if she could hear it again, she waited but heard nothing but the wind and rain as well as a small bit of creaking. Opening her bedroom door she stepped into the hall, at first she saw nothing but as she turned to go back into her room the sound of creaking caught her audio again. Curiosity ceased her and she turned back around and began to look for its source. She felt a draft and at first looked down the stairs to see if the doors had been left open, but they had not. Looking to the roof door she saw that it was indeed open when normally it should be locked. Dread flooded her systems as images from years past washed over her optics and processor of the terrible night Mal-ice had taken her. She shook her helm to try to clear the images as she shackingly began to ascend the old stair case. Shaking she reached for the rust handle only to discover it was wet from the rain. She paused at the door where she was able to hear the soft crushing of pedes on the roof, it was not of walking it had rhythm. Carefully she opened the door and peered around it fearing Mal-ice or one of his mechs but to her surprise she discovered it was Trecx. She watched with what was at first shock that had quickly turned to fascination as he moved with a grace she had never seen before. She knew now were the speed and fluidity of the movements she'd seen earlier in the evening had come from, it was this. He moved with such grace, she was transfixed. After a time she began to recognize a pattern but something seemed to be missing as if it was only half of the routine. She now leaned against the doorframe as he seemed not to notice her, he was in his own world and it appeared as nothing would break him out of it.

-Palace of Predica-

In the gallery there was many an odd and curious plant or in some cases creature. But none was prouder then the mighty tree in the center of the gallery, this is where Styx called home. In the highest branches were few could reach was a hallow in a branch that lead into a lavish home. It was late and Styx was restless as she lounged on her balcony on a few pillows made from the leaves of her tree. Mal-ice sensing she was no longer on their lush bed onlined his optics. Seeing her sleek silver form laying delicately on the edge of the balcony wall he climbed out of bed and made his way to her. She had her head bent up looking at Cybertrons broken moons. He laced his hands around her waist and kissed her neck gently making her giggle. With her free hand she placed it on his cheek and pulled him up to her face and kissed him. Pulling away she smiled and rested her helm next to his and looked back up into the sky.

"Something bothers you my Love?" Mal-ice asked huskily as he knelt down beside her and began to rub her back. She leaned into his touch for a time enjoying the feel of it and trying to figure out how best to answer him.

"There is something about this new mech that intrigues me…I am not sure what it is yet but…you will help me figure it out wont you?" she asked him turning her helm to look at him, her optics sparkling in the moons light. He kissed her deeply and affectionately in which she equally returned to him and much to her surprise he lifted her off the balcony with ease well still kissing her.

"You have my word…" he breathed as he had finally pulled away leaving her slightly breathless. If anyone could see them as they were now so tender so openly passionate for one another they would never guess that these two were a pair of the most ruthless on all of Cybertron.

-The Den/roof-

It was bright and sunny and deep laughter rolled through Trecx's helm as memories flowed threw his vision, the laughter belonged to his Brother Sideswipe.

"What is the matter Sunny?" He teased as Sunstreaker puffed trying to ease his intakes as they worked to cool him. Sideswipes blade swung loosely as he twirled his wrists awaiting his brothers recovery. Sunstreaker had both servos gripped on a pair of his own blades of a soft yellow, he was bent over resting them on his knees.

He laughed lightly at his brothers antics and stood up, "You know Sides one day you'll find yourself a mate and she'll take away those blade and put you to work."

Sideswipe flung his left sword at his brothers helm, it spun end over end as it cleared the distance between them. Sunstreaker quickly dropped to the ground and covered his head as the blade came over. He knew better then to raise his head till he heard the blade wiz back by.

"Damn it Sides what was that for!" Sunstreaker yelled looking up from the ground.

"For breaking your focus by changing the subject." Sideswipe growled well stomping over to his brother. He stood over him and glared down, "What have I told you?"

"Always be aware of your surroundings and never hurt the innocent?" Sunstreaker asked looking up. Sideswipe had gone to school for the art of the blades and Sunstreaker when to the school for guns. They had each mastered their respective arts and had decided to teach one another to the end purpose of being masters at team work. Sideswiper laughed at this and quickly found himself flat on his back and Sunstreaker next to him. Sunstreaker had taken advantage of Sideswipes distraction and had tripped him up. They looked at one another and started to laugh again, they quickly helped one another up still laughing and then the memory began to fade and his movements slowed until all he could see was the rain, lightning and crumbled buildings around him. He had not noticed Crysteel in the door at all as his back was to her. He let his helm fall back and the rains cool his face, steam began to raise off his frame as the rains cool it too. He returned the blades inside his arms and turned around to return to his room, he was startled to say the least to see Crysteel leaning in the door way.

"Crysteel, why are you up here?" He asked cautiously as she walked out into the rain to join him.

"I should be asking you the same thing Trecx…where did you learn that from?" She asked politely the rain beginning to give her frame a slight shine. She took in his steam coated body and his challenging optics. They was both a longing and a wildness to them, she'd seen this earlier in the night but had not understood it then nor did she now. Trecx stared into her optics trying to figure out her true intensions but could only find curiosity and passive guardedness.

"School…" was all he was able to tell her. He did not want anyone around these parts knowing of Sideswipe and the…accident. He did not want nor need the stares and whispers behind his back again.

"Come let's get you out of the rain before you start to rust." She said gently grasping his servo and leading him back inside. She knew full well that his single word answer was not the truth but she had a feeling that if she pushing the subject she would never find out. He relocked the door as she began to decent down the stairs water dripping off her frame, a particularly strong lightning bolt illuminated her and for the first time he really seen her. The way the lightning shown off her body and made the green glitter astounded him, it was like he was seeing her for the first time.

"You are beautiful…" He said before he could stop himself. Crysteel turned around on the landing just outside her room and looked up the stairs at him attempting to figure out whether or not he was serious. The look on his face was as if he'd just realized he had forgotten something, "Thank you Trecx. You look tired from your exercises would you like a warm cup of energon?"

Trecx cleared his throat and nodded, "Yes that would be nice."

She walked down the stairs secretly smiling, 'He is such a strange mech.' she thought to herself. She unlocked the cupboard doors and retrieved two cubes placing them in the warmer.

"I am sorry if I offended you Crysteel." Trecx commented not looking up from his servos. She laughed at this and said, "Whatever gave you the idea I was offended Trecx?"

"I umm, well...I." He stuttered, trying to figure out the right words. She gently lifted on his chin and shut his mouth, smiling. "Don't worry about silly mech."

She took the cubes out of the warmer and shut it down, "Here you go." She said handing his to him.

"Thank you." He said embarrassed.

"It's late we need to rest. Take your cube to bed with you; it will be a long cycle tomorrow." She said as she led him to his door. He opened his denta to speak but she put a finger on it, "Go to sleep Trecx, good night."

And with that she walked away making sure to slightly weave her aft a little, as she crested the landing she turned and winked at him before disappearing inside.

Authors Note: Is Trecx starting to feel something for Crysteel? Will Mal-ice keep his word? Find out soon!

Please read and review and any and all suggestions are welcome!