A/N You should know the times table by now.

Ch 4:

Opening my comm. link I input the frequency Starscream would be on. "Starscream are you there?"

"I'm flattered you're calling so late Prime but I'm busy reprimanding my charges."

"I assume you're missing one."

The comm. link goes silent except for the sound of filtering air. "Please tell me she's in your custody." His voice sounded so hopeful.

"I need you down in med bay." The link shuts off abruptly and a few clicks later Starscream was indeed exploding through the doors.

"What the pit happened?" He demands, his voice elevated into a scream. "Where is she?"

"Well, you're certainly not going to see her in that state." A new voice adds in. Turning I see Ratchet coming from the emergency room. He was drying his servos with a cloth but he still had flecks of dried energon on him. "The damage was extensive. You're lucky they avoided hitting her spark after her cockpit glass broke. If they hadn't I assume daddy Soundwave would be up in arms. Give her a few orns to wake up. She's not allowed to fly for a Decacycle though." This seamed to calm Starscream down a bit but I could tell he was still angry by the way he stood and how his wings hiked.

"I understand you two would have tried to stop the fight. I thank you for your efforts." Is all he says as he walks back out the door. Jazz and Hotshot look at each other in confusion. Had Starscream really just thanked them?

Walking out after him I see him pacing just outside of the light from the building. Drawing closer I could see trails of energon coming from his optics. He catches sight of my and turns his back. "I'm doing my best not to overreact."

"And you're doing a good job." I add.

"I know it might not seem like it but personally, right now, I want to blow Iacon off the face of Cybertron."

"She means that much to you?"

"She's my best friend. I hold her in higher esteem then I hold my own trine. Want to know a secret? If not for her then Megatron would still be alive. She acted as decoy so I could strike from behind. I knew I could only pull it off with one blow and she distracted him long enough so I could line up the perfect shot which blew off his head."

Carefully I reach out a servo to touch his shoulder plate. Instead of jerking away like I expected he just collapsed to the ground, knees drawn up to his helm. Cautiously I sit down next to him and draw him in for a hug. Shock registers through my processor as he willing hugs me back.

-Three Orns Later-

Starscream sits sideways in on of the chairs, optics distant. We were in my office, sitting in complete silence. Both of us had finished the day's work, him assisting me since he didn't really have all that much to work on. My comm. link jumps to life and Starscream looks up expectantly. He had started to stick close to me seeing as he didn't have the frequency to Ratchet and Ratchet wouldn't give him it.

"Prime? Tell your seeker friend his apprentice just woke up."

As I turn towards Starscream I give him a thumbs up and he scrambles from the chair. I follow after him as he heads to med bay at a fast pace. As we enter the door I see Ratchet at the main desk, checking data files. "Room 92." He supplies without looking up. Starscream regains his composure and starts looking for the designated door.

As the door slides up I spot the little seeker tilted forward to avoid damage to her repairing wings. She twisted and tore gently at something in her servos, bright lines of diluted energon streaking her face. Choking sobs racked her hastily repaired frame.

A glance at Starscream told me he was becoming distressed. I expect him to launch into the room but instead he walks in calmly and sits in the chair next to the berth. "I'm sorry boss bot." Skyseam chokes out, her voice now acquiring a scratch to it. "Please say you didn't tell Soundwave. He'll take it out on you and it's not your fault. Explanation: I said I was designated as Decepticon. Explanation: All my fault, I deserve to be punished." Starscream places his servos on top of hers and keens to her quietly.

"If anyone is to be punished it's those trine mates of yours." He finally says. This seems to put the femme in more distress.

"Pleading: You can't do that, it's my fault as well. I should have lead better. Reasoning; I'm their leader, give me their punishment."

"What use is being leader if they don't follow your orders? And they deserve the punishment for breaking one of the oldest seeker rules; never abandon one of your trine in enemy territory."

"Distressed: Are we enemies? All I see is the good on both sides!"

"And now you're blind to the Autobots that nearly killed you?" Starscream was keeping his voice surprisingly calm as Skyseam seemed to become just a bit louder.

"Desperate Explanation: They are good too. They are just angry for the bad they have seen. If I were to meet them tomorrow I would still offer them my servo in friendship." Starscream places a digit on her lip plates to hush her and stands up, pulling her gently forward for a hug.

"You'll be a great leader someday. I could never be disappointed in you." He lightly strokes her helm and she calms down, air filtering through her systems rapidly. "I'll tell you what, I'll send someone by later with some projects to entertain yourself. Would you like that?" She nods her helm, the scene reminding me of a creator comforting a sparkling and promising something enjoyable.

I lean in the doorway and wait for Starscream to exit before I do. As we walk down the hall he says nothing and keeps his optics straight ahead. Upon turning the corner we come face to face with Thundercracker and his charge, a white, black, and light blue seeker. Without a warning Starscream whips out a servo and grasps the younger seeker by the neck cables, slamming him into the wall.

Too shocked to react I just stand there and watch the scene unfold. "You make me sick Freefall. If I had my way I'd be doing to you what they did to Skyseam. I'd revel and laugh as I ripped your wings from your back and smashed in your cockpit." Starscream's voice was a dangerous hiss rather then his full screech and it only made him more menacing. "You sure as the Pit better thank Primus that your leader told me you should go unpunished for your insubordination." Abruptly he drops Freefall and starts walking, his thrusters giving him extra speed.

As I prepare to head after him Thundercracker grabs my arm. "Forgive him for his actions. If the same had happened with Freefall then I would react in much the same way as would any bot." It was whispered, meant for our audios only. He let's me go and I resume walking but losing my hurried pace.

Immersed in my thoughts I pass by the other two seekers. The smaller orange and grey one had a bent wing tip and Skywarp was fuming. Apparently Starscream had gotten to them as well.

I head back to my office to find the lobby empty. Bluestreak must have headed home. I'd just grab a few things before setting off as well. But as my door slides open I find an unexpected surprise.