-1I'm sorry this bit took so long…

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

A sudden shout broke the quiet moment, causing the couple to pull apart and shake their heads in mild frustration. Would they never get a moment's peace? The soldier who had called out walked closer. "Megatron, sir, the Decepticons have ceased their attack. Their leader says he wants to speak with you. And Zephyr too, although nobody really knows why." Megatron's eyes narrowed at that. He could guess why. Well, if Galvatron wanted to see Zephyr… His mind whirled with numerous thoughts of the things he wanted to do to his insane, perverted 'son'; at least until Zephyr stepped past him. "All right. I see no problem in listening to what he has to say… at least for a while." Surprised by this, all he could do was stare for a moment. "Zephyr?" Now it was his turn to sound stupid. Quickly shaking it off, he took the lead and headed for where he now realized the guns had fallen silent, Zephyr quietly following no more than a step behind him.

Sure enough, Galvatron was waiting for them. "Father," he said by way of greeting, smirking as he met the other Decepticon's gaze. Though the next words were directed toward Megatron, Galvatron fixed his gaze upon Zephyr as he spoke them. "Father, I have come for what is mine!" Zephyr stiffened, recoiling slightly. Megatron barely managed to refrain from stomping over and giving his 'son' the beating of a lifetime. He'd been denied that pleasure with Starscream… Surprisingly, it was Zephyr herself who replied first, her voice and eyes filled with pure, unbridled hatred. "I belong to no one, Galvatron." His only reaction was to step closer and give her a predatory smile. "You say that as if you're trying to convince yourself as well as me," he purred. That tone of voice always made her freeze with fear, and this time was no different. "You've been mine since the day that fool Seahawk gave his life in a vain attempt to protect you, Zephyr… you just won't admit it." The sheer boldness of that statement took Megatron aback and Zephyr's fear froze him in place for a moment as Galvatron came closer still. "I took you for my own that day… A part of you will always be mine." Face to face with her, he whispered his next words so she alone could hear them. "Give yourself to me and I'll spare your pathetic little friends. If you refuse, I'll raze this whole planet, kill all your friends and take you anyway. You know my Decepticons are powerful enough to do just that." She stood frozen in memory-spawned fear as he brazenly reached out to slip a hand between her legs. "There, do you see?" His voice, though soft, was triumphant as she shuddered in revulsion at his touch. The sheer boldness of Galvatron's actions froze both Zephyr and Megatron all the more. The fact that he would go this far on enemy ground completely blew their minds. "You are… and have always been… mine." The sudden rage that flashed through both of them freed Megatron from the mental prison of disbelief, and he wasted no time in proceeding to pick up and throw Galvatron as if he were no more than a sack of feathers, and a small one at that. "You shall not have her while I live!"

The fact that he'd gone so far as to grope her had been more disgusting than anything else, so Zephyr derived an absurd amount of enjoyment from watching the blue Decepticon land on his head. He recovered quickly, and all her amusement vanished as he smirked. "That suits me just fine, Father…" She then realized he'd meant every word he said to her. He truly planned to burn the whole planet to the ground and kill anyone he came across until he got her. It was then that she noticed the condition of the soldiers around her.

The battle had taken a major turn in the Decepticons' favor. The city's defenses are nearly broken, she realized. The battered soldiers were exhausted and there wasn't a single Autobot who wasn't damaged in some way. Even Optimus was injured. She could see him there, off to the side, letting his brother handle things since Galvatron didn't want to speak to him. They're all hurting seriously bad, she thought. And the way things are going, they're going to lose. And all the civilians in the cityAll the children… The way things stood, the Autobots would most likely lose, and, given what Galvatron had said, the Decepticons would massacre the lot of them, soldier and civilian alike. So many innocent lives, she thought. It was then that she realized what she had to do. This was the last thing she wanted, but what other choice was there? Surrender myself to Galvatron or let this losing battle rage on. What a choice! Is the universe against me or something? She sighed. It seemed almost unnatural that she should be the focus of so much attention and so many events, but it was all part and parcel of being what she was. Zephyr, you moron, why are you surprised? War raged unchecked for eons over the power you carry! A moment of bitter regret filled her. Why, oh why, did I pick up the Shard that day? I should have just let it lie. Then someone else would be here, facing this decision… She cast another look over the ranks of wounded and tired Autobots. They're soldiers. They knew the risk when they took the job. But the people in the city are civilians. They aren't involved, but the Decepticons will kill them anyway. And the children… And with that the choice was made; indeed, all thought of there even being a choice faded from her mind. I'll do it for the children. Turning, she walked over to where Megatron stood.

Though she tried to hide her uncertainty in a smile, the look in her eyes gave her away. "Zephyr, what is wrong?" Her voice was soft. "…It's nothing." She paused a moment before speaking again, her words confusing… and chilling. "No matter what happens, know that I will always love only you." He would have stopped her, asked her what was going on, had she not chosen that moment to wrap her arms around him and kiss him deeply. It took a moment for him to get over being surprised, but he wrapped his arms around her as well. //'Megatron, Galvatron told me that he will spare everyone if I give myself to him. Please forgive me.'// Even over the link, that unmistakable tone of command came through loud and clear. //'Stasis lock,'// she said, her voice resounding like the tolling of a bell, those two words filling his mind. //'Zephyr, what…'// That was all as he abruptly collapsed into her arms, having gone into stasis lock just as she had wished. Gently laying him on the ground, she made sure he would be comfortable upon awakening and gave him one last kiss. Her next words were solely in his deactivated mind, but she knew he would hear them upon awakening. //'I'm doing this to save them all… and to save you.'// She slowly stood up to find herself face to face with a none too happy Optimus. "Zephyr, what did you do to him?" Her explanation was simple. "Don't worry, Ratchet can wake him up easily. He's just in stasis lock for the time being. Optimus, Galvatron told me he'll end this battle if I hand myself over. For the sake of the soldiers and everyone in the city, I'm going to do just that." He would have objected to that, and loudly too, had she not cut him off before he could even start. "…Don't make me put you in stasis lock too." All objection died, for he felt he understood. After all, it was what he would have done in her place. "…May Primus watch over you, Zephyr." He could think of nothing else to say, so he left it at that. Though she tried to smile, she couldn't hide the sorrow in her eyes or her voice as she glanced down at where Megatron lay. "Look after him for me, please. I… don't know if he'll understand." He nodded. "I will."

Galvatron's eyes seemed to burn with an animalistic lust as she quietly walked up to him. He'd seen what she had done to his father, and he knew the desperate chance she was taking. "I'm glad I convinced you to see reason, my dear…" It took every ounce of courage and willpower she possessed to not flinch away from his touch. "You said you would spare my friends if I surrendered myself to you…" His voice was low as he roughly drew her to him. "Mine again at last," he purred, for the moment ignoring what she had said. A momentary thought passed through her mind… a realization that she was actually glad that Megatron was out of it for the moment. The thought left her mind in a hurry as Galvatron touched her again, but this time there was no one to stop him.

His smile broadened as she shivered under his touch. Her vulnerability was all but crying out to be exploited in that moment, her beauty begging to be marred… He could almost hear her noble, gentle spark calling to him. 'Corrupt me, destroy me, make me suffer,' it seemed to say. He'd taken her virtue long ago, destroyed her innocence, had very nearly extinguished her spark. What can I break next? he wondered. How would he crush her this time? What kind of torture hadn't he tried yet? Oh, how much fun this would be!

She repeated her statement and this time he listened, albeit halfheartedly. "Ah yes, your friends…" He abruptly tightened his grip on her, his claws puncturing her armor and digging deeply into the vulnerable area beneath, drawing a soft, whimpered cry and a stronger shudder. He chuckled to himself at the pain he knew she was feeling, then cast a quick glance toward the other Decepticons. "Kill them," he ordered. The look of shock in her eyes was utterly priceless to him in that moment. "But you said" It was all he could do not to laugh at her. "And you believed me? Little bunny, you are far too trusting. We're called Decepticons for a reason." The Autobot soldiers tensed. Optimus moved to shield his fallen brother. Ratchet got his own cannons ready.

---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

I'm sick of having nobody say a word about how this is going! Any suggestions as to how I can make this even better? Anything?

I'll put up the next bit after I get some reviews.