Spiritimus Prime: Yeah, I was in a hurry to get this chapter done so that I could move on to my other stories as well. So yeah, we get to see what happens with Juliet, the Decepticons, and the Autobots. Jetfire might be a little bit out of character in this chapter, but everyone wonders why he's so cheerful in the most harshest of cituations, so now we get to find out why. And Wheeljack has a role to play as well as in a future chapter. :D Enjoy!

Chapter 10:

To Lose or Not to Lose

As Optimus Prime and his Autobot warriors returned to the base, the kids ran up to them to ask if they'd been successful or not, but the solemn look that Hot Shot gave to them was a clear sign that something had gone wrong. When Rad looked over at Optimus Prime for answers, they clearly understood that someone was missing, but who was the main question.

"Juliet got captured by the Decepticons," Jetfire said quietly, catching the kids completely off guard as the Vice Commander walked around the children and headed for his quarters. No one wished to pursue him for they feared that they would upset him even more.

"What do we do now?" Alexis asked, her brown eyes looking up at Optimus Prime.

"We will rescue Juliet, no matter the cost! I promised her I would keep her safe, but if we're going to rescue her, then we'll need the coordinates to the Decepticons' base," Optimus answered as determination set itself into his optics and they gleamed softly in the light like two miniature suns.

When Juliet's optics came online, she noticed she was in a dark room that had Cybertronian steel bars to prevent her from escaping. She felt her arms dangling above her and she looked up to see her arms and wings held tightly in cuffs with chains attached to the walls. She tried to slide her arms through the cuffs, but overwhelming pain shot through her systems and she hissed in agony. She then tried her wings, but she could barely even feel them. She even felt her ankles were cuffed as well.

Sighing, Juliet closed her optics, hoping to think that this was all a dream and that she was having a nightmare and being comforted by Optimus Prime or Jetfire. But when she opened them again, she sighed again, realising that it wasn't. She checked the time and noticed that it was 4:00pm. So it must still be in the afternoon on Earth.

Knowing that she couldn't possibly get anywhere, Juliet took a look around at her surroundings, but all she saw was dim darkness that threatened to consume her. Growling in a catlike manner, Juliet tried to stand up, but she fell back down on her tail as dizziness swept through her head. Somehow, that stuff that Megatron had injected had not completely worn off.

A bang rang across the holding cell area and Juliet winced from the sudden noise. The chains clanking against the metal wall as footsteps echoed across the silent room. Loneliness clouded Juliet's mind and she lowered her head, wishing that this would all end. Would her friends come and find her, or will they leave her to her death? She wasn't sure, but the more she kept on thinking about the negative thoughts, the more her hope began to diminish.

No! She couldn't think of such things! They'll rescue her, even if she had to wait a million years for them to find her! Optimus had promised her in her dreams that he would protect her, care for her, love her, and find her if anything happened to her. He was the only thing that was close enough to be her father, even though she'd lost her memories of losing her real family.

"So, are we finally awake?" a voice asked.

Juliet looked up and saw something in the dim blackness. She could faintly see the colours of the spoken mech, the colours of black, gold, silver and tints of blue, as well as blue optics that reminded her of Hot Shot. She turned her head away, her wings moving a little and making her wince again in pain.

"Uncomfortable are you?" the stranger asked, his voice emotionless and full of ice.

Juliet still didn't answer the stranger. Instead, she tried to wriggle free from the cuffs that contained her wrists, but they refused to budge. She heard the sounds of more banging and a squeaky sound as the door to the prison opened up and the stranger stepped in. Juliet tried to struggle harder against the chains in the hopes of escaping, but when the stranger stood in the dim light, she noticed the huge scar cutting across the Autobot symbol on his chest and the tiny Decepticon symbol sitting just underneath.

"You were once an Autobot weren't you?" Juliet asked as the stranger bent down in front of her, ignoring her question.

After several minutes of uncomfortable silence, the stranger reached forward and roughly grabbed the cuffs before he used a key to loosen them up a little. The unbearable pain that had been sweeping through Juliet's wrists faded away.

The stranger then stood up and turned to walk away when Juliet's voice stopped him. "Wait, I didn't get your name," she said.

The stranger looked over his shoulder, a tiny smile tugging at his lips. "It's Wheeljack," he replied and he left the cell once again, closing the door right behind him and his footsteps faded into the distance.

Juliet lowered her head once again, letting Wheeljack's name play over and over again in her head. She hoped that he might come back and keep her company. The dreadful loneliness was beginning to return, but she kept her thoughts in check. She would continue to believe that her friends and father would come for her. No matter what happens.

Optimus Prime had his arms folded across his chest and his silvery white fingers tapped impatiently against his metallic arms. He bit his bottom lip behind his silver mask as annoyance swept across his systems. In front of him, Red Alert was busy trying to get the coordinates up on the monitor with Sideswipe's assistance, but to no avail.

Scavenger and Blurr were at the back of the room, they too had their arms folded across their chests. They may seem to look patient, but deep down, they were just as anxious as Optimus was. Hot Shot and Smokescreen were quietly chattering away on their plans should be if they were to rescue Juliet, but obviously, the conversation was not getting anywhere. Jetfire was still in his quarters and the kids were sitting on the floor talking to their Minicons.

Without Jetfire to lighten up the mood, none of the Autobots could ever hope to get a plan into motion. And with Optimus Prime starting to get even more impatient, things were beginning to get harder for everyone.

Finally, Optimus lowered his folded arms and sighed deeply. "That does it," he said gruffly, catching everyone's attention. "If Jetfire's going to sulk in his room like this when we need him, then I'm going to have a word with him whether he likes it or not!" And without another word, he turned and left the room, leaving his friends in stunned silence.

"Jetfire, open this door!" Optimus called as he stood in front of Jetfire's quarters.

No answer.

"Jetfire, if you don't open this door, then I'm going to come in there and drag you out!" Optimus threatened. Normally he was not one to make such threats, but at a time like this, he did.

When there was still no answer from Jetfire. Optimus instantly typed in the code to the room and the door opened with a slight hissing sound and he stepped inside.

The room was dark with barely any light to brighten up the room. A sudden wave of depression hit the Autobot Commander like a tonne of bricks and his golden optics flickered brighter so that he could see in the dim darkness of loneliness and sadness. His optics settled onto Jetfire's berth and he mentally gasped when he saw him lying on his side with his back turned to him.

Slowly, Optimus walked towards the Vice Commander and gently placed a hand on his shoulder. A shudder was felt underneath his silver fingers and Optimus knew that Jetfire had been crying because he could faintly see the tiny pools of Energon coating the berth and Jetfire's cheeks were covered in the streaks.

Optimus knew that Jetfire always hid his emotions behind a cheerful personality to lighten up the mood when things were down. Optimus was the only one who'd seen this emotional side before, and it was not the second time that he had. He'd seen enough to know that Jetfire was a lot like everyone else. He was always one to hide his true feelings behind that golden mask and keeping that happy personality whenever he was around everyone else and the whole world.

"Jetfire?" Optimus asked gently, his hand giving Jetfire's shoulder a tiny reassuring squeeze, hoping to get his attention.

Jetfire, at first, didn't answer his commander, and friend. The ever increasing silence began to consume Optimus mentally, and if he didn't get Jetfire back onto his feet, then the hopes of rescuing Juliet would be very slim. Biting his bottom lip, Optimus sat down on the berth beside Jetfire and continued to keep his squeezed hand on Jetfire's shoulder.

"Jetfire, I know you can hear me. We cannot rescue Juliet if you're going to act like this. I know what you see in her and you've wanted to tell her about your feelings towards her this morning. I've known you since the day we first met and I can tell that you're hurting about losing her. But we haven't lost her because we haven't given up yet. But if we're to succeed on getting Juliet back, then we're going to need your help if we're going to save her from the Decepticons."

Optimus hoped that Jetfire had been listening, and he also hoped that Jetfire would pull himself together and try to help him and the other Autobots on getting her back. When Jetfire still didn't say anything, Optimus sighed and stood back up, but as he turned and headed for the door, Jetfire's voice caught him completely off guard.

"I tried to keep her back," the shuttle mech whispered softly.

Optimus turned to face Jetfire, and he was a little surprised to see the young mech facing him without his golden mask on. Without it, the Autobot Commander could see his light grey lips that were quivering and trying not to shed anymore tears, but he could see the dried up Energon streaks that Jetfire had previously shed and he knew that he was broken inside. If they could rescue Juliet, then maybe she could heal him with her kisses. It was said that love had ways of healing those that had felt lost and uncertain, as well as broken.

"I know, Jetfire. I know you tried to protect her, but her concern for Hot Shot and others of wellbeing is far stronger than we realise. Come out and help us think of a plan to rescue her so that you can tell her how you feel," Optimus whispered as he turned his head down a notch, waiting for Jetfire to answer him as his golden optics glinted in the low darkness.

Jetfire seemed quiet for a moment, and he broke down again. This time, Optimus approached him, sat down beside him and took his head in his arms, bringing him close to his chest so that he could give the young shuttle mech warmth and caring that he'd given Juliet when she needed it the most. Jetfire's sobs continued for a long while as Optimus tried to hush him, rocking back and forth gently as he continued to provide him the fatherly love that he'd given to those that needed a shoulder to cry on.

"We'll get her back, Jetfire, you'll see. I can promise you that we will succeed. Megatron has gone way too far since he captured her and he will not get away with that. And that's a promise I'm willing to keep," Optimus said gently.

When Jetfire calmed down after several minutes, Optimus bent down and picked up his golden mask before handing it back to the shuttle mech, who placed it back on his face. "You ready?" Optimus asked.

Jetfire nodded bitterly as his hands clenched into fists. "They'll pay for this," he growled but Optimus shook his head.

"We mustn't be too hasty. Megatron could try and use Juliet as a hostage and if that happens, we need to have a plan set in motion, alright?"

Jetfire nodded once more and Optimus stood up with Jetfire following in suit. "Come on, let's go rescue Juliet before it's too late," said Optimus and he headed out the door with Jetfire right behind him.

Juliet was glad that the cuffs on her wrists had been loosened, and she was also glad of Wheeljack to be of assistance. But she wondered why the young ex-bot was no longer an Autobot, and it puzzled her greatly of what his story was and why he betrayed her friends. Did something happen to cause all of it long ago? Or was it before she met the Autobots? She wasn't sure, but the more she pondered on Wheeljack, the more her head ached.

"So, you're still awake?"

Juliet looked up at the familiar voice and she frowned a little at the sight of Wheeljack. "Why bother to keep coming down here when I'm nothing more than a prisoner to you Decepticons?" she retorted.

"I don't know. You're different. How I can tell, I don't know, because you do not matter to me," Wheeljack answered coldly.

"Why are you a Decepticon? Did something happen between you and your friends before I came onto the team, or was it way before you guys came to Earth?" Juliet asked.

Wheeljack winced when she mentioned 'long ago'. At first he didn't answer the question and he bit his bottom lip to prevent himself from answering it right away. But the way how this femme was looking at him in a curious manner was obviously bothering him to the point of annoyance. "Fine, I'm a Decepticon because Hot Shot left me to die and Megatron saved me. There, I've said it. Happy now?"

"Much appreciated," Juliet said with a slight snigger, earning a look of disgust from Wheeljack.

"I don't even know why I even bother talking to you!" Wheeljack snapped as his lips twitched in annoyance.

"Gee, sorry, Mr. Snappy," Juliet said with a groan and rolled her silver optics as she twitched her tail.

Wheeljack rolled his optics as well and he turned to walk away, but the femme's voice stopped him.

"Wait! Where are you going?" the femme called.

"Away. I'm sick of listening to your bitchy mouth," Wheeljack growled as he turned back to face the femme. The femme recoiled from his snap, but she made no attempt to open her mouth and give him another sharp retort. The silence hung in the dead air like snow in space. The sudden cold came over Wheeljack and he felt the need to shiver for no apparent reason. He eyed her suspiciously and lifted an optic ridge before saying, "Who are you anyway?"

The femme lowered her head and looked away. "I have no name," she whispered and looked back at Wheeljack. "I guess you think that Hot Shot will leave you behind again?" she asked.

Wheeljack winced at the name. "Of course I do!" he snapped. "The Autobots all left me behind, and I'm never going back!"

Juliet smiled a little. "I have no memories of my parents and I lost them in an accident, which Optimus told me about. The big guy took me in and treated me like as if I was his own. Even the others treat me like I'm part of the family. I know that they're going to come for me and will never leave me behind like you think Hot Shot abandoned you. And I can prove that to you when they come to rescue me."

"Think all you want, kid. They're never coming for you," Wheeljack growled.

"I'm keeping my hopes up. Optimus and Jetfire made me a promise, and I know that they'll never go back on their word."

"Pah! You Autobots are all alike!" Wheeljack growled and he left the room, leaving Juliet alone once again.

When Wheeljack stepped out of the door that led into the holding cell area, he found himself halted by the femme's words. Did she really believe that they'll come and rescue her? Why bother having so much faith in them? Hot Shot left him alone to die after he'd promised to come back for him. But now that the promise had been broken and Megatron had saved him, Wheeljack now had thousands of doubts in the Autobots.

But why does she have so much faith in them? They left me behind, and maybe they'll be bound to do the same for her? Wheeljack thought to himself. He bit his bottom lip and he shook his head. I'm becoming soft again, I'm not an Autobot, I'm a Decepticon now! His thoughts continued to swim around as his Autobot side begged him to do the right thing.

Finally, he smashed his fist into a wall, putting a dent in it. He'd given up arguing with his Autobot side, and he knew that if he didn't do it, then it would never shut up. If the femme was putting so much faith in her friends, then he might as well do something to bring the faith up even higher. Turning, he headed for the Control Room to do his work.

"Erm... Optimus, I've got something," said Red Alert as he looked over his shoulder when Optimus Prime and Jetfire into the Command Centre. Red Alert had been working for almost an hour to find coordinates to the Decepticon base, but he'd been unsuccessful until something had happened. Someone was sending the Autobots numbers and letters in odd hieroglyphics.

Optimus lifted an optic ridge in puzzlement. Something about those hieroglyphics seemed oddly familiar, but he couldn't remember where he'd seen them before. He turned to Red Alert and said, "Red, see if you can translate it. I have a feeling that these are coordinates."

Red Alert nodded and he instantly got to work with Sideswipe's help.

Jetfire looked at Optimus with a slight glint of hope in his golden optics and Optimus looked back at him. He nodded once towards Jetfire, and Jetfire's optics widened in surprise. Had someone sent the coordinates to the Decepticons' base? It was a possibility, but it was a slim chance that it could only be a joke.

When Red Alert was done translating, he turned to Optimus. "Optimus, they're coordinates to the moon!" he cried.

"Then that means someone sent us these coordinates to the Decepticons' base. We can only pray to Primus that this isn't a trap," said Optimus as he looked towards his Autobot comrades. "Autobots, let's roll out!"

"Yes sir!"

Spiritimus Prime: Yeap, another cliffhanger... good Primus, I'm so cruel when it comes to these! . I'm going to try and not do something like this again, but it can't be helped. you need suspence to keep everyone interested. Anyway, I wonder who sent the coordinates to the Autobots' base? One can only guess and I think you know who it is. First one to guess gets a cookie! W00t!