Author's note. Sorry for the long wait, hope you all enjoy.

Written for tiedwithribbons.

Enjoy and please review.

"Okay, that's enough," Longhaul barked as Thundercracker was about to heave another heavy crate up. "You're done for this cycle, come back tomorrow."

"Alright," Thundercracker said softly while sighing in relief. He was absolutely exhausted, not because they'd worked him to that state but because he'd worked himself to that state.

He wanted to please the Constructicons so that they'd do a great job on Skyfire while doing enough work to cover all their expenses. Skyfire had to be space worthy, it was essential for their journey. But not only that, but he needed to be able to last as they were planning on living away from civilisation for quite a while. So, they couldn't risk Skyfire experiencing any problems while they were away.

He stretched out some of his stiff joints before heading to where Skyfire was located. The Shuttle was just where he'd left him and still in his vehicle form where three of the Constructicons where working on him. Thundercracker came over while keeping a respectable distance.

"Skyfire?"

"Thundercracker," came the Shuttle's warm voice. "How are you?"

"Good," Thundercracker said with a small smile. "I've finished up for this cycle. How are you doing?"

"Very well, a lot of progress has been made," Skyfire replied happily which made a couple of the Constructicons smile. "But I will be remaining here, I'm afraid, you must give my apologies to Starscream."

"I will, don't worry," the blue Seeker replied, knowing his brother would be disappointed. "Do you need me to get you some fuel?"

"We'll refuel him," Scrapper said gruffly. "Don't worry about that, we're going to work on him longer to get him ready in time for your flight. We should be getting some deliveries later and he'll need time for his systems to calibrate the new equipment."

"Okay," Thundercracker said with a nod, glad everything was okay. "I'll be back first thing, is there anything I can bring?"

"I left Starscream a list of what I wanted brought from my home," Skyfire replied softly. "It's not much but I don't want to lose certain keepsakes. Would he be able to collect them for me?"

"Of course, he'll enjoy getting out for a bit," Thundercracker assured the Shuttle. He knew what he meant, they certainly didn't have much but they didn't want looters to get their hands on them.

"Thank you," Skyfire said, his tone full of warmth. "You'd better get going before it gets too late."

"I'm going," Thundercracker laughed, amazed at how easy the banter was between them.

He couldn't wait to get to the planet where they could all relax and take their time getting to know each other. And possibly not just as friends, Skyfire was quite attractive and the Seeker already knew Starscream liked him...well, who knew what would transpire on the deserted planet.

Thundercracker departed from the crowded workshop in good spirits although he kept an optic out for anymore muggers. He spotted a couple of shady looking characters skulking in an alleyway but they made no move to approach him. He stayed well clear of where they were and quickened his pace, not wanting to become a potential target.

But even though he wasn't bothered by anyone on his way home, he was getting a strange prickling feeling running down his back. It was as though he was in danger and yet he wasn't. Like there were watchers who meant him harm but as yet, were not planning to act. It made him feel very uneasy and he was extremely relieved when he eventually got to the tower block.

"You're back!"

Thundercracker smiled tiredly as Starscream just about barrelled into him as he finally made it through their front door. Patting his younger brother's back, he said.

"I'm fine, Star, you needn't have worried."

"You've been gone so long," Starscream murmured as he led Thundercracker into the room. "I was starting to get concerned."

"Everything's fine," Thundercracker repeated soothingly. "Skyfire's staying for the night cycle so the Constructicons can continue working on him. By this time tomorrow, we should be well on our way."

"Good," Starscream said seriously, glancing nervously towards their bedroom. "TC, Warp's getting steadily worse, he won't last much longer."

"I'll go in with him," Thundercracker said softly, knowing Starscream needed a break. "Skyfire asked if you could collect a few things from his place so we don't have to go back there. Can you go now while I watch Warp?"

"Sure, but I'll get you a cube first," his brother replied firmly. "You go and rest with Warp."

"Is he managing to eat at all?" the blue Seeker asked quietly as Starscream made for the dispenser.

"Just," was all Starscream would say and Thundercracker let the matter drop.

The Seeker slowly walked into the bedroom, his steps a little unsteady with tiredness. He paused as he beheld the shivering, unconscious form of his youngest brother lying sprawled on their berth. Thundercracker sighed unhappily before making his way over and carefully climbing beside Skywarp.

There was no reaction but he hadn't expected there to be one. He simply lay down beside his brother, wishing that he could cure him now. But all he could do was hold him and offer his little brother as much comfort as he could. Granted it wasn't much but it was all he had to offer.

"Hey," came Starscream's voice and he looked up to see his brother holding a full cube of Energon.

"Take what you need," whispered Starscream, obviously not wanting to disturb Skywarp. "I've already had my share for this cycle."

"Thank you," Thundercracker said gratefully, taking a long gulp of the Energon as soon as his brother handed it to him. "You'd better go now, I don't want you out too late."

"I will when you're settled," Starscream said firmly. "And you need not worry about me, TC."

"I always worry," Thundercracker murmured before saying. "There were a lot of shady characters about; I don't want you being targeted."

"I can take care of myself," muttered Starscream before saying. "I won't go near anyone TC and I'll keep my optics open, don't fret."

"You'd better," Thundercracker told him sternly even as he took another sip. "Or you're grounded."

Starscream scowled and pouted but accepted his brother's warning. He waited until Thundercracker had drunk at least half the cube before he finally headed out. The night was surprisingly cool but Starscream relished it. He had Skyfire's key and the data pad containing the list of items Skyfire wanted kept safe. Starscream had actually spent part of the cycle packing up the things he and his brothers wanted to take; it hadn't taken him very long.

It didn't matter that they didn't have much, as long as they had each other.

The young Seeker wished he could fly but he needed to conserve his energy as much as possible. If Thundercracker was right about muggers who were just waiting to attack a lone bot, then he needed to be ready. If he was attacked, he needed to be able to get away in a hurry and that might mean flying. Normally, he wouldn't complain about being able to fly but he knew that Thundercracker's frazzled nerves couldn't take anything like that.

So he resolved to be completely cautious on the journey to and from Skyfire's apartment. Once he was out on the streets, he saw why Thundercracker had been so worried. There did seem to be quite a lot of suspicious characters lurking about but none of them tried to approach him. He quickened his steps; he couldn't stand all the staring he was receiving and he briefly wished he had some sort of weapon.

Somehow, he made it to Skyfire's apartment which was depressingly similar to theirs; he even had his flat at the top of this building. The only real difference was that this building was made for larger bots as the ceilings were much higher and the doors much wider and taller. But they were still dark and dingy the stairways, the corridors and the rooms were probably much the same.

There didn't appear to be a shower but Starscream figured that the building might have a communal shower room. It would be much cheaper taking care of a single room for one or two Mechs at a time than installing a shower in every single room. Skyfire's apartment was tall enough so that he could stand but it was still pretty small overall.

Starscream started carefully loading things into the sub spaced containers he'd brought along. Most of the items Skyfire wanted were data pads but there were also a few crystals, holos and a few other odds and ends. Everything had been carefully taken care of but it was still rather depressing how empty it was.

Starscream searched the whole place from top to bottom, making sure there was nothing that Skyfire would miss. He also emptied the last of Skyfire's Energon stores; this would be shared among the four of them during the journey. Starscream smiled as he found a piece of Copper Candy left next to the berth and carefully stored it for Skyfire to finish later.

"We'll build a better future for yourselves," he murmured to himself just as he gave the place one last sweep before sub spacing the last of the containers.

As he left the building, he wondered how the large Shuttle was doing. He decided to make a quick detour to the Constructicons workshop and check on Skyfire's progress. He kept an extra careful optic on all the prowlers and skulkers who were hanging about. That prickling feeling was still there and he was very aware of the fact he was carrying quite a lot in sub space.

He started to take a less public and watched route so that there would be less chance of him being attacked. But just as he was approaching the workshop, he became aware of voice and slowed his steps until he wasn't making a single sound.

"How long do we have to watch this place?"

"Until we're relieved," came the gruff reply.

"My joints are freezing," complained the first voice and Starscream heard a snort.

"Yeah, why don't you tell that to Shockwave?"

Starscream froze, Shockwave was known to be one of Galvatron's top Mechs. Why would Shockwave and indeed Galvatron be interested in the workshop? He had to know, so he crept a little closer to listen to more of the conversations.

"I don't know what's so special about this Shuttle," the first voice was now saying.

"Who cares," the second voice stated. "Long as we get paid, I don't care if we have to watch a hundred Shuttles and Seekers. This is a good thing Brawl, so shut it."

The first voice grumbled but didn't raise any further objections. Starscream's mouth was open in horror, they were watching Skyfire. And there was only one reason why they would be interested in both Skyfire and the Seeker trine.

The secret of the AllSpark had been discovered.

Author's note. What will Starscream do now? Can he and the others escape from Cybertron? Find out next time, until then.