Next chapter...here we go. I have writer's block majorly though, PLEEEZ help!

…...

~Sam's POV

I had been laid up for a few days, though I was itching to get up and around. My injury still pained me, but not as much to render me useless. I pulled myself into a sitting position when Ratchet came to check on me.

"Good morning Sam, it looks like you're feeling a bit stronger today..." Ratchet said idly while he checked my vitals and made me follow a light with my optics once again. Clicking it off, he gently felt around my abdomen, his touch running over the thick scar I would have for a long time to come. He stepped back, turning his back to me as he went to his terminal in the sick-bay.

"Well, Sam. Everyone has been anxious to see you up and about. Just don't strain yourself." Ratchet said. It took a moment to register, but then I swung my legs over the side of the table I had laid on for far too long.

"You really mean it?!" I said, a smile spreading on my face. Ratchet chuckled without looking at me.

"Yes, but as a medic's orders, stay in the base and do not overexert yourself." Ratchet said. I grinned wider, then grimaced briefly when I got to my feet. Unsteady, I remained still a moment before gaining my stability. I took a step over to Ratchet, laying my hand gratefully on his forearm.

"Thank you Ratchet, for saving my life." I said. Ratchet merely nodded, then turned away briskly. I walked out to the main hangar, greeted happily by those who were still there and not on recon at the moment.

"Hey Sam!" Smokescreen quipped when I walked in. Bee said something similar, and Bulkhead was wearing a relieved grin.

"Ratch says I'm good to go." I said. Ratchet called from the sick-bay when he heard me.

"Don't twist my words! You are free to roam the base but that is all." Ratchet said. Smokescreen nudged me.

"You wanna go for a walk?" he asked. I shrugged.

"Fine with me." I answered, walking next to him deeper into the base. As much as I hated to admit it, I was definitely slower than I had been before, and I apologized to Smokescreen.

"If I'm going too slow, I apologize..." I said. Smokescreen smiled.

"No problem, go at your own pace, I'm just here if you need me..." Smokescreen said. He paused then continued as we walked. "That was really brave of you, jumping in front of Optimus like that. I don't know if I could have done it..." he said.

"Sure you would've, for the same reasons I did. Number one it was instinct to protect anyone around me, secondly, I would not have let our leader die. As bad as it sounds, one Autobot lost would be a blow to us, but not as big a one as if Optimus himself were killed. With our leader gone, I think the Decepticons would slaughter us all." I said. Smokescreen nodded thoughtfully.

"Good point. I should probably say that I'm sorry for ripping that piece of metal out of you..." Smokescreen said uneasily. I chuckled.

"You're fine. Yes, it hurt like the Pit, but you were just doing what Ratchet ordered you. From what he's told me, you also helped keep me alive when he was working to repair me." I said with a friendly smile. Smokescreen rubbed the back of his neck.

"Yeah...Let's just say I'm glad I'm not a medic... I don't do so well around blood. No offense, but after the shock wore off and I noticed I was covered in your energon, I wanted to purge." Smokescreen said.

"Pfft. I don't blame you. The only reason stuff like that doesn't bother me is because my parents were both doctors and I was exposed to things like that at an early age. They trained me a bit in first aid, but then again, that was for humans..." I said.

"Lucky you." Smokescreen said, messing around absently with the relic he wore on his wrist.

"Hey Smokescreen, I've seen you wear that before, and heard the team talk about it, but what exactly is that and what does it do?" I asked. Smokescreen smiled.

"It's a phase shifter. As for what it does, well...hit me and find out." Smokescreen said.

"Are you crazy? I'm not going to hit you." I said. Smokescreen laughed.

"Trust me, just do it." he said. I shrugged, drawing back. I threw a hard jab, expecting my fist to collide with Smokescreen's armor. Instead, I nearly lost my balance and fell when my hand passed right through him.

"Wow, cool." I said, passing my hand through him a few more times. Smokescreen grinned, then caught my gaze in his and looked away.

"Something wrong?" I asked.

"No...I mean yes...I don't really know." Smokescreen said, shaking his head. "I'm just going to spit this out, please don't laugh at me." he said.

"I promise." I said. Smokescreen sighed.

"After you got hurt, when your Spark flat-lined, I realized something suddenly. I didn't want you to die because...because I didn't think I could live without you. I know I haven't been here even as long as you have, let alone the rest of Optimus' team, but...this is how I feel..." Smokescreen said, turning his head from me. I smiled, reaching over and making him look at me when I pulled on his chin.

"That's perfectly fine with me." I said. Smokescreen looked shocked.

"B-but I thought you liked Bumblebee?" Smokescreen said.

"We're close friends, yes, but that's why I think we wouldn't click together. As for you..." I said. Smokescreen started stuttering and I laughed.

"Smokescreen," I said.

"Yes?"

"Shut up." I finished, leaning forward and kissing him briefly.

…...Awww, cute moment, and I had to pick someone to pair Sam off with so there you go. Hope you all enjoyed, but I have hit a MAJOR block in this story, I might stop writing it until I can think of how to continue. This is especially because I'm hoping to start a collaboration story with TimeLordBud soon. Aurrawings out! ^~^