C.M.D: The story of how these two end up together features in With Perfect Abandonment, but my love for them certainly doesn't end when their story there ended. Thus, I found myself writing snippets of how their lives continued, after the main fic.
Chapter 11: Soundwave and Tracks
Rating: PG

Tracks didn't know what he was going to do with those boys.

"Rumble! Frenzy!," the pomeranian yelled, turning away from the mangled mess on the floor. He just couldn't bear to look at the sight any longer. There was the pitter-patter of scurrying pedes, and Tracks could only scowl further.

Crossing his arms over his chassis, the autodog said aloud, "If you two don't come here right now, I'm grounding you to your rooms, taking away all your electronics, and you can explain to your father why Kaon is ready to terminate their contract."

Within a klik the twins were standing before him, grinning up at their creator weakly. "Hey mommy..."

Tracks narrowed his optics, changing position so that now his servos rested on his hips. If they were calling him mommy again, then they were aware of how much trouble they were in. "Please tell me why you had to play in this room? Surely you are aware of how fragile all these are, and how precious they are to me!," the pomeranian exclaimed. He glanced up at the remnants of his vast crystal sculpture collection; nothing more than pieces of shattered glass now.

Rumble and Frenzy pouted at the scolding, looking away from the older mech. "...sorry," they grumbled under their intakes. "...just wanted to play..."

Tracks sighed, lifting a servo and rubbing at his optics behind his glasses. "Fine.... go play some more then -outside please!," he added. He didn't need the two younglings making a mess of anything else this evening. It was already bad enough that they had almost completely destroyed the contents of this room.

The twins, fazed that they weren't being outright punished for all the destruction they had caused, began heading for the doorway. Frenzy paused though, looking back at the pomeranian. "You... you're not gonna tell dad that we were prank-calling his associates, are ya mommy?," the little kittycon asked.

Tracks fixed his son with a firm look, pointing to the door. Frowning, Frenzy adhered to his creator's silent command. When they were both gone, the autodog turned back to his beloved sculptures, sighing over their shards. Ears flat against his helm, the mech began to clean up the mess, shooing off the maid when she came to help.

xxXxXxx

When Soundwave returned home, it was to find his two sons squabbling away on the front lawn and his bondmate in a funk. Greatly perplexed and concerned, more so about Tracks' behaviour rather than the twins -Rumble and Frenzy fought quite often- the persian gathered his sons in another room, looking at them sternly.

"Inquiry: What did you do?"

The younglings scuffed their pedes on the floor irritably, mumbling incoherent things under their intakes. Soundwave attempted to push them for more information, but then Tracks was calling the three of them for dinner and the twins dashed off at the first available chance. Thinking perhaps the matter would resolve itself, the kittycon decided to put the issue out of his processor for dinner. But the rest of the evening was darkened by the nameless cloud hanging over his family, and Soundwave was further disturbed when Tracks retired to bed -fully clothed, and as far away from the other mech as was possible on the king-sized mattress.

Greatly displeased now, Soundwave had no choice but to lie down in bed, glaring up at the canopy above him. If Tracks even refused to talk to him, then there was nothing he could do. But, oh how the situation frustrated the kittycon! He had been looking forward to a warm greeting from his bondmate and sons; even perhaps a little romp with Tracks before they recharged for the night. By Unicron, he would have even settled for some of their usual cuddling at this point!

Still, Tracks refused to budge from his small corner of the berth, and Soundwave resigned himself to a cold night.

xxXxXxx

Tracks checked his reflection in his pocket mirror for the umpteenth time that orn, making certain that he still looked as stunning as when he had left the mansion that morning. His clothes were immaculate and frame-fitting; glasses cleaned to perfection and lips coated in a glossy wax. Even his fur had been fluffed and primped this morning. All in all, the pomeranian was hot. As he needed to be...

Governor Straxus was an oily slagger of a kittycon; cruel and mangy, just as he was equally short-tempered. As all mechs of his type did, they hungered for other more beautiful, appealing 'bots, and Tracks was certain that his very appearance would be enough to hook the furball. Still... it had been a long time since the autodog had fallen back on his escort training, and the thought of using it on Straxus made every bit of his circuitry crawl with disgust. In the past, he would never have even thought to consider the kittycon as a potential client, despite his money, and now he was striding into the mech's very office; looking for all the world that he should be tied up in somebot's room and violated most pleasantly.

Seeing the governor's optics brighten with his entrance, Tracks was surprised to feel just a smidge of vanity bloom inside of him. How long had it been since he last reveled in the lustful gaze he could draw from a 'bot? Trying to remain serious -despite his current actions contradicting that- the pomeranian came to a stop just before the kittycon's desk; perching himself on the edge of the wood and smirking down on the other mech.

"Good day, Governor Straxus," he greeted smoothly.

Straxus actually flustered for an astrosecond, before he leered back up at the autodog, his lip components stretched back in a nasty grin; displaying his cracked and crooked denta. "Good morning, my dear," the ragged kittycon purred gravelly. "And to what do I owe this...lovely... surprise?"

Tracks pursed his lip components innocently, leaning forward a little. The action brought attention to the part in his button-down shirt, where Straxus' optics immediately alighted, gobbling down the teasing preview of the handsome chassis beneath. "Oh, nothing much...," the autodog replied breathlessly. "Just this little bit of bad news circulating the grape vine. 'Bots whispering that you are thinking of backing out of a contract with CaseDeck Communications. Even though you already signed the papers..."

"Yes, well...," the kittycon mumbled dazedly. His optics had yet to remove from their lecherous studying of Tracks' frame, and already servos were inching across the desk top to touch the gorgeous autodog. "I am not concerned..."

"Oh?," Tracks inquired. He leaned forwards an inch more.

Governor Straxus swallowed audibly, finally lifting his optics to Tracks' face again. "I have nothing to fear from that pitiful, lego-kingdom that young 'bot has," he grinned at the autodog. "My city doesn't need that up-start's communication network. I only signed those stupid papers so I could get access to his accounts. I'll leech my take before I sue that slagger for all his worth."

Tracks hummed at the words, lifting a servo and languidly trailing it down the side of the kittycon's helm. He tried not to grimace at the matted, patchy fur that brushed against his fingers. "Now why would you do that?," he asked, still playing up the innocent factor.

Straxus chuckled darkly. "Because that mech had the audacity to call my company repeatedly with wasteful, insulting messages. Besides... I could put that money to better use than he ever could. Speaking of which...," the mech trailed off, the perverted fervour in his optics growing brighter, "Why don't I simply show you what money and power can do?"

The kittycon dipped forwards, servo wrapping about the nearest wrist, intent on capturing those luscious lip components. Tracks immediately leaned back, placing his finger on the governor's lips. "Oh, no, no, no," he tsked, as Straxus shuttered his optics stupidly, looking at the autodog in puzzlement. Coyly, Tracks winked at the older 'bot, sliding off the desk and shaking off the other's grasp in one fluid movement. "I don't think so, Governor Straxus."

"Now, just what is the meaning of th-"

"This," Tracks quickly cut in, withdrawing a recording device out of his back pocket, "Is Blackmail, my dear mech. I come as a warning: don't you dare even think about backing out of this contract with CaseDeck Communications. And if there are any discrepancies in the financial archives, I will personally see to it that you are charged with Fraud, Embezzlement and the intent to ruin another 'bot's company."

Governor Straxus quickly rose in his seat, growling at the autodog. "You can't do anything, pup," he hissed, optics glowing a fierce red. "I was provoked! The court will see my plea!"

Tracks chuckled a little, making the kittycon freeze with shock. "Oh, Governor," the pomeranian cooed, "Do you really expect the jury to believe you were provoked? Better yet, can you even prove that CaseDeck Communications was the one making these prank calls?"

"T-the numbers-"

"Are from a public phone, in a rural area, near a mall," Tracks cut in again. He looked at his fingers in boredom, completely ignoring the furious mech standing behind the desk. "Your company's phone number is listed in the public records. Any mech could have gotten your number and called. I think there's a few displeased 'bots living in Kaon that wouldn't mind verbally harassing you, don't you?"

Governor Straxus was silent for a klik, before he was growling again; deeper and more menacing than last time. "Get out of my office," he ordered. "Get out now!"

"Oh, sure thing, sweetspark," Tracks frowned back. "But please remember my words. You entered into a contract with my bondmate... should you attempt to back out of it in any means illegal or obscene, you will be the one to pay; not the other way around. My Love does not tolerate liars or thieves."

Smiling again, the autodog blew a kiss to the shell-shocked kittycon, before turning on his pede and sashaying out the door.

xxXxXxx

The first thing Tracks did when he got home was shower. The contact he had with Governor Straxus was short, but it left him feeling incredibly filthy and he just had to wash all that dirt off of himself immediately. When he got out of the washracks, Rumble and Frenzy were waiting for him.

"Mommy, where'd ya go?," the blue one asked first.

"Yeah, you were dressed up all fancy, like when dad takes you out to those expensive places," the red one piped up.

Tracks felt nervousness overcome him, and impatiently shooed his boys away. "Go on, don't you have some homework or something to do?," he questioned, hoping that they'd let this topic drop. The twins refused to relent though.

"...And what about Kaon?," Frenzy shot back.

The pomeranian sighed, finally looking at his sons. "It's alright. I took care of the matter. Now, please...," he begged tiredly, "Go play or something."

The kittycons looked at each other, then at their creator, before glancing back at each other again. "Okay," they replied, turning and walking for the door. This time it was Rumble who paused, looking over his shoulder plating as he said, "Mommy... you still upset about us breaking all your crystals?"

Tracks did not answer.

Quietly, Rumble left after his brother.

xxXxXxx

Soundwave was surprised when his sons came to him in his study, their faces clearly displaying their guilt. "Rumble, Frenzy: what has happened?"

The two younglings padded over to their sire, refraining from the instinctual urge to crawl up into his lap. "Promise not to get too mad, okay dad?," Rumble began.

"But... we're the ones that made mommy upset," Frenzy went on. "We broke the glass figures in his office."

"We didn't mean to!," the blue twin tacked on, seeing the disappointed gleam come to the persian's visor. "We were just playing -like we were doing earlier when we were calling that jerk-bot Straxus. But he got mad at us too and kept saying how he was backing out of the contract..."

"Mom found out, and was angry as well. Not as much as when we broke all his things... but he was still very angry!," the red youngling continued. "But mommy said he'd take care of it all, so he got dressed up real nice, like he always does when you guys go for your 'dates'... and he's still not happy. Dad, we don't want mommy to be sad anymore. Can you cheer him up?"

Soundwave attempted to process everything that had been confessed to him, but the only thing he could really focus on was what Frenzy mentioned last. "Pardon: repeat last sentence," the kittycon demanded. The twins looked back in confusion.

"Repeat what? That mommy got all fancied up this morning?," they asked. "Don't see how that's really important... though he did say that everything with that Straxus mech was alright now. So, that's good, right?"

Soundwave wasn't quite certain who he should be more angry with. His sons, or his bondmate. "Rumble, Frenzy: return to your rooms."

They whined at the command, but it was quickly silenced when the persian looked at them sternly. "We're really sorry, dad...," Rumble mumbled.

"We didn't mean to cause so much trouble...," Frenzy murmured softly. Not waiting for the kittycon to scold them further, the younglings hurried out of the study and to their rooms. Normally, Soundwave might have been more considerate and concerned about his sons' dismal moods, but he was much more worried about the little bit of news that Frenzy had shared with him.

Tracks had gone out, all dressed up, and to meet Governor Straxus?!

The information didn't sit well with the persian, who was suddenly finding it difficult to beat back his rapidly rising anger. Soundwave slunk away from his office, heading for his berthroom. Tracks was still there, dressed in his silk robe and brushing the tangles out of his tail. "Yes?," he asked, glancing up at the kittycon venting in the doorway. In a few, short strides, the blue mech had crossed the room and towered threateningly over his bondmate.

"Inquiry: where have you been?," Soundwave questioned, his vocalizer a touch deeper and colder than it usually was.

Tracks seemed to notice this right away, for he shifted nervously on the berth, attempting to look anywhere else rather than at the kittycon. "Nowhere important," he replied. "Now if you don't mind-ack!"

The pomeranian bit his lip component as the kittycon grabbed his wrist suddenly, forcing the autodog to look up at him. "L-let me go. You're hurting me!" Soundwave ignored the slim mech's plea, visor turning to the clothes tossed in a neat little pile at the end of the berth. He recognized the deep violet slacks and wine-red dress shirt as some of Tracks' most favourite articles of clothing, and ones that he wore when he was feeling especially flirty. They were wrinkled from use.

"Explanation: now!," The persian growled, pulling Tracks to his pedes. "True or false: you've gone to see Governor Straxus. Dolled up."

Tracks flushed, dropping his optics guiltily. His silent confirmation to what the twins had told him, enraged Soundwave further. He reached for the pomeranian's other wrist, but the mech quickly fought him off, pulling himself away from the kittycon's grasp. "Have you been sleeping with him?," Soundwave demanded.

The autodog sputtered at the accusation, cheekplates burning with shame. "Is that what you think of me?!," Tracks shouted. "That I'm some sort of floozy! Th-that, that I would sleep around, when I have a bondmate and a family! A-after everything I-i ever said... I c-could have deleted Rumble and Frenzy after they were sparked. I could h-have run away from you, r-rejected you when you asked to take me as your bondmate... Do s-still see me as nothing but a simple escort; a lowly whore?!"

Soundwave tried to step forward, but the multi-coloured mech retreated from him further, growling under his intakes. "If that's how you see it, so be it!," Tracks continued, static slowly slipping into his vocalizer. He marched over to his discarded clothes, pulling out a recording device from his pants pocket. "Here! Governor Straxus incriminating himself, should that rat attempt to break contract or steal from the company."

The autodog stormed toward the persian, slamming the device in his bondmate's servo. Glaring up at the kittycon tearfully, Tracks said, "If we're done now..." And he left, heading for the bathroom and slamming the door behind him. There was the click of the lock falling in place, and Soundwave knew he wouldn't be able to talk to Tracks anytime soon.

Quietly, the persian left the berthroom; visor fixed on the recording device in his servo.

xxXxXxx

It was quiet in his private room. Tracks sat in one of the plush chairs, wiping a cleaning clothe between the bends and folds of one of the few crystal sculptures remaining. It was late, but he could not sleep, and would rather be here than elsewhere. There was the creaking of the door, and the pomeranian glanced up from his work. Seeing it was only Soundwave at the door, he quickly turned away again; ignoring the kittycon.

Soundwave did not comment on the action. He was well aware that he deserved it. Instead, he gripped the box behind his back struts more firmly, walking into the quiet room.

"...What do you want?," Tracks demanded, once the persian had come to a stop at his side.

"Intention: Apologize for the events of the other night," Soundwave answered, kneeling before the autodog. Tracks tried not to look at the kittycon, but his gaze lifted somewhat when the blue mech revealed the present he had with him.

The pomeranian attempted to ignore Soundwave a little longer, but the kittycon made it difficult by inching closer, holding his gift out further. Sighing softly, Tracks set aside his crystal sculpture, finally reaching for the box. "What is this?," he asked, tugging gently at the gold bows. He opened up the box, gasping at the gift within. It was another crystal sculpture, glass strands extending upwards from a squarish base and twining around each before converging up at the very top. But that wasn't what had the autodog in awe. It was the pale blue glow that seemed to emit from within the very crystal, highlighting the rainbow sheen that flickered in and out of view.

"Rumble and Frenzy: sorry for what they've done. They wanted to give you a new sculpture to replace the broken ones."

"So... this is them buying me the present then?," Tracks asked skeptically.

"Negative," Soundwave replied. "They selected the item. I made the purchase."

A soft chuckle escaped the pomeranian. "I see..." The persian did not respond, but he looked on curiously, apparently expecting more from the autodog. "You don't know why I collect these, do you?," Tracks questioned quietly, lightly stroking the sculpture's curves.

"Answer: would be satisfactory," Soundwave nodded.

Tracks looked into the kittycon's visor quickly, before glancing away momentarily. "I started collecting them after I met you," he explained, smiling gently. His cheekplates were beginning to colour with a blush. "A different sculpture for every memorable moment we had together. When Rumble and Frenzy broke them... I was ridiculously upset. But I had poured so much of myself into them, that them breaking was like my spark breaking in turn."

"And Governor Straxus...?," Soundwave carefully pushed.

The pomeranian sniffed in disdain. "I would not let that slagger dare use my sparklings as his excuse to slander you or your company. So, I decided to pay the miserable, old coot a little visit to pass along a message."

Hearing Tracks say this made the persian's very spark swell with pride. He reached forward quickly, drawing the autodog into his arms. Tracks allowed the motion, shifting so that he could deposit the new crystal sculpture onto the side table before wrapping his arms about the kittycon's shoulders. "So I'm guessing you're no longer mad at me," he remarked, smirking slightly at his bondmate.

Soundwave nuzzled Tracks' neck cables, pleased to hear a breathless moan escape the pomeranian. "Affirmative. Additional information necessary: am I forgiven?"

"Of course!," Tracks answered. He returned the affection being showered on him, kissing the persian's mouth guard repeatedly. "I-i... I love you too much to stay mad at you for long. It's part of the reason I became your bondmate after all..."

Soundwave purred loudly. "Other reason?," the blue mech asked.

The pomeranian chuckled again, tail wagging behind him and blue optics shimmering playfully. "The other reason is because of how good you frag me," he smirked.

The kittycon rose to his pedes immediately, pulling Tracks with him. The autodog gasped at the motion, but did not stop the other mech when he began to grope his frame. "Berthroom," Soundwave rumbled lustfully, "Now."

"Of course, love," Tracks replied, licking his lip components quickly.