Hello again! This chapter is a little better than the last two, but I did stray away from Cass and the other a little bit. It had been a while since I brought Megatron into the mix, and once again having a hard time keeping his servos to himself… And I apologize to any Steve fans out there, but I'm going to be putting the devoted drone through a little bit of grief. Keep in mind though, I will be giving him a happy ending. I haven't written it yet, but there will be a part two to this and I will have it uploaded to MERCY: One Shots in the future. With any luck, I will have it done within the week… If my job doesn't kill me from exhaustion first. -.-

One more thing. An update for anyone that hasn't noticed yet. I went back to chapter nine and fixed a couple of things. I had mentioned that there was a way around the Decepticon law for bearers. I decided to take that out because I felt like it was taking away from the fear factor I was trying to build up. Take a glance at it later to see what I'm talking about and let me know if you think this change is better.

Another special shout out too everyone who and/or whom continues to read MERCY. Stay with me as long as you can because I have some pretty crazy ideas.

Feel free to read and review. I'm always happy to hear from my readers!

WARNINGS: If you are not into yaoi, slash, or mech preg, please do not read then try giving me a hard time in the comments and reviews. You were warned on the opening tab, and you are being warned just now. So, if I'm not your cup of tea that's perfectly alright, but please don't be shitty about it.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own any stocks, trades, or licensing from the Transformers franchise. All rights are reserved for HASBRO entertainment.

MERCY

Chapter 11

Replacement

Steve was having a very pleasant afternoon. Not only did he get to spend half his time off with Starscream wrapped in his arms, but he was going to have the chance to meet again with him tonight… And hopefully he would be able to finally ask his favorite seeker the most important question of his function, and if Primus answered his prayers Starscream would say yes.

"Primus, let the night come quickly." He prayed again as he walked down the halls to the Vehicon dormitories, and he would've made it back to his room without any issues. If it wasn't for a rowdy Eradicon running blindly down the other side of the walkway. Quickly, Steve shifted to his right just in time to avoid the frantic flier, and he reached outward to balance himself so he wouldn't fall on his back struts.

"Whoa!" The Vehicon snipped, angry that he was pulled so easily away from his pleasant thoughts. "Watch it! You nearly knocked me off my pedes!"

"Oh! Sorry Steve!" The Eradicon apologized breathlessly, and he stopped to gesture down the opposite end of the hall and then back to Steve. "I just heard that one of my friends had been sent to the med-bay and I was just trying to get there before my next shift in the Main bridge started…" His helm switched back and forward between the grounder and the adjacent corridor. Then he sighed as if he was defeated in some way. "But I guess I won't be able to make it down there and back without being late."

"It's alright Simon. No harm done." Steve had calmed himself and flexed a wave of empathy through his EM field. "What happened to your friend?"

"I'd rather not say and accidently spread more rumors, but it was nothing good." The depressed drone sighed as he shook his helm. "But I guess I'll see him later tonight instead. I hope he's okay."

Steve tried to be placid about this, but the way the flier hunched his shoulders and twisted his servos, the Vehicon couldn't help feeling sympathetic.

"What time is your shift?" Steve asked while he crossed his arms casually.

"About fifteen minutes." Simon snorted. "I will never be able to reach the Med-bay in time. From here it would take me five minutes to get there, but then I'd have to run all the way back to the loft and down the hall. That would be a collective twelve minutes. That's not including the time I would spend while I'm there visiting."

"That is a problem." The grounder nodded. His helm listed for a few seconds before he made a final decision. "I have some time off right now. If you like, I can cover your shift while you visit your friend. As long as you take over for me later on… Say an hour max."

Steve smiled as he heard Simon's optics widen behind his battle visor. "Really?" The flier asked in awe. "You would do that for me?"

"Yeah… You caught me in a good mood." Steve's servos were immediately scooped up by the other drone, and he squeezed them with vigor.

"Thank you!" Simon cheered happily, his EM field bursting with joy. "Thank you so much!"

The Vehicon laughed. "You are very welcome. Now get going, because I do have plans tonight, and I will need you to replace me."

"Yes, of course!" The Eradicon practically bounced down the hallway as he left for the med-bay once again. "I was posted at hard drive number twelve! It's one of the consoles connected to the main holo-screen. You can find it in the center of the room but try to keep your helm down! I think Megatron might make an appearance if he's not already there!"

"Got it!" Steve waved as Simon sprinted away. "Give your friend my regards!"

"I will!" The giddy flier called one last time. "And again thank you Steve!"

Twenty-four hours. It had been more then twenty-four hours since Megatron last saw Cass and it was driving the warlord crazy. His processor was swarming with thoughts of the small drone. He wandered what Cass was doing right now. Was he alright? Did he get enough rest? Was he resting now? Was he thinking about Megatron as much as the tyrant was thinking about him? Were those beautiful optics still fluttering with memories of the night before?

"Scrap…" Megatron whispered heavily on a drawn-out sigh. He had to try focusing on something else. He needed to focus on something else. Anything that could distract him from his thoughts of Cass. His briefing of the reconnaissance mission kept him distracted for a little while, but when it was finished the warlord had virtually nothing else to do that day except sit and wait for Breakdown's intel. There was a good chance that was going to take him at least another twenty-four hours to report back in, knowing how slow the giant oaf could be at times. It wasn't that often Megatron got time to himself, and often times when he did, he would go flying and clear his processor. He contemplated on doing just that but decided he would first stop at the Main bridge and see if there was news he should know about before he left. He was only a few hall lengths away, and perhaps viewing the giant holo-screen would be just the right distraction.

"Good evening Lord Megatron." A mixed group of Eradicons and Vehicons rose from there designated areas to salute their master respectively. When they all saw him walk into the bridge they bowed in unison and waited for him to give them the order to continue their work. They didn't have to wait long.

"As you were." The warlord gently bellowed through the large room and he stepped forward over to the main console. An average looking Vehicon was standing there, calibrating extra data and adjusting random controls. Megatron looked down at the drone and immediately regretted stopping into the Main bridge. He was really hoping that his mind would drift away from Cass. But being surrounded by a sea of lookalike mechs was probably the worst thing he could've done.

"Is there something I can do for you Lord Megatron?" The deep voiced Vehicon next to him asked.

"No," Megatron answered, "I am merely observing. You may continue your duties."

"My lord." The drone nodded and went back to fulfilling his tasks. He did his best to ignore the large silver mech behind him. Megatron was intimidating enough for across a room, but when he was leering over the Vehicon's shoulder he couldn't stop himself from cringing slightly under the warlord.

He stood there for a respective two minutes watching the drone do his job. Megatron took note of how much taller he was than Cass. His servos were larger, his struts were longer, and his waist, though slim, was a bit wider. But he was the same color and design. Megatron did everything to place his mind somewhere else. He tried to focus on the current mission at hand, or plans he was developing for intercepting the Autobots, but every path running through his processor routed itself right back to the small and desirable Vehicon. Memories of the night before flooded his line of sight and it caused his metal to warm. It became so bad that the tyrant had to suppress a discreet groan and force his cooling vents to stay quiet. This was beginning to become almost too overwhelming for Megatron, and he needed to find a way to relieve this tension. So he glanced back down at the drone standing in front of him.

"Vehicon." He practically barked, aggressively gaining the shorter mechs' attention. "I have changed my mind. I do require your assistance after all." He turned around and headed towards the exit. Every drone watched as he beckoned the Vehicon to follow him. "Come with me."

"Uh… With all due respect my Liege, I'm currently operating the main console so I can't—."

"Then have someone in here take your place." The warlord reared his helm to his left and gestured at a random Eradicon thumbing through a data pad. "You. Take his place for a while."

"Yes Lord Megatron." The second drone bowed and took control of the console without hesitation. The Vehicon jittered as he backed away and stepped in Megatron's direction with caution.

"Now follow me." The large silver mech growled as he opened the bay doors.

"May I ask what you require of me, Lord Megatron?" The Vehicon asked as tranquil as possible.

"Follow me and I will explain upon arrival." They both stepped into the hall, but the drone timidly continued to prod his masters' motives.

"But why me—?"

"Just come with me now, Vehicon!" Megatron glared at his underling. "Or shall I take disciplinary actions for your insubordination?!"

"N-no! No my Lord!" The drone held up his servos defensively. "Please forgive me! I meant no disrespect!"

The bay doors snapped shut behind them, leaving the Vehicon alone with the volatile warlord. He wasn't unfamiliar with superior abuse. He would be hit or even beaten for the smallest reason almost twice a day, but he, like every other drone on the warship, avoided angering Megatron like a Cybertronic plague. His wrath was practically fatal every time. However, his leader eased himself back into a calming stance, and reassured the drone to walk behind him.

"Give me your designation," the silver mech ordered, "and by that, I mean your name. Not your serial number."

"I am called Steve, my Lord." The Vehicon replied as he timorously followed his master.

"Steve…" Megatron rolled the name over his glossa, pronouncing it through a cloud of dullness. He thought it was such a plain name, but he decided the drone's title wasn't the important thing of the moment. "I won't keep you long, Steve. I just need a little help with a… personal matter and then you may be dismissed."

It didn't take Steve long to piece together exactly what his master truly wanted from him and he promptly regretted taking Simon's place. Sadly, it was actually common place for drones to be used in such a way. There were rumors floating around that even Soundwave had indulged in such a practice at one point, but Steve had been incredibly lucky in this aspect. There were times where he was ordered to service a few higher-ranking drones with his servos, but he had never been placed in the acquired position of satisfying a superior beside Starscream… But he loved Starscream. Being asked to interface with him was like a gift from Primus himself, but now Megatron had taken an optic to him and there was no way he could say no to the tyrannical warlord… So again Steve prayed. He prayed that if Starscream ever discovered this happened he would be forgiving, prayed it would be over quickly, and hoped, beyond whatever hope there was left for the Vehicon to hold onto, that Megatron would be merciful… And he would not take what Steve had been holding onto his entire function.

Megatron had led Steve to a maintenance area that was nearly abandoned, and after he ordered the few remaining workers out of the room, he pushed over some random debris off a station area and placed Steve on top of it. He didn't bother asking the drone to remove his mask. Instead he just began exploring Steve's frame and pushed himself between the smaller mech's legs. Steve attempted to keep his struts together and prevent Megatron from resting over his panel, but the warlord was insistent. There was no way around it, because there was no chance any drone would get away with saying no to their master. Incredibly embarrassed when he moaned over Megatron's ministrations, Steve closed his optics and did his best to think about Starscream. He focused entirely on his lover in an attempt to make this experience less overwhelming, and for a while it worked. He even tilted his helm back to give Megatron better access to his neck cables and he imagined it was his commander kissing him. He envisioned Starscream slowly licking and nipping his way down his neck then back up all the way to his audios, teasing him sweetly as servos tucked themselves under armor gaps and transformation seams.

"Oh…" He moaned again when his imaginary lover found a sensitive wire under his chassis. "Lord Megatron… Do you not wish for me to please you instead?"

"Keep quiet." The silver mech growled. He was too busy trying to concentrate. Like Steve had been doing the entire time, Megatron had actually been focusing on his memories of Cass. That was actually the reason why he didn't order Steve to take his mask off. It made it easier to visualize the mech he really wanted to be with, but if he was with him right now Megatron was certain he would accidently hurt the young model. The only thing that was really off putting about his fantasy was Steve's voice. It was much deeper then Cass's and it was hard to ignore. Not that he didn't find the Vehicon's gasps of pleasure to be a little arousing, it just didn't have the same effect as Cass's light vocals.

However, this did not detour the larger mech and he continued making his way down Steve's now heaving chassis. He licked and scraped his sharp dental plates down hot metal and continuously massaged the wiring he left his servo on.

"AH!" Steve arched his back when Megatron moved his free servo down his shaking body and found another sensitive spot over the Vehicon's hip. He left his digit there and circled it attentively into the seam. 'Too close!' He shouted in his mind. 'That is too close! Please not there! Anywhere but there!'

"L-Lord Megatron…"

"I told you to be quiet." The warlord was becoming more irritated by the minute. He was just trying to find release through a quick thrill. In part, his thoughts of Cass were the cause of his clouded mind but trying to replace the lithe drone wasn't working. Steve wasn't Cass. They were the same drone design and make, but Cass was a different model all together. He was smaller, his voice was higher, he was shy and timid, and… All in all, Megatron was just more attracted to Cass and would rather be caressing him, and this Vehicon wasn't doing the trick.

"Damn it!" He finally gave up and pushed himself away from the work station. "Get out!"

"My Lord?" Steve breathlessly questioned as he lifted himself to a half seating position. "I don't understand—?"

"I said to stop speaking! Not to stop listening!" Megatron roared. "I don't find you satisfying, now get out of my sight!"

"Yes Lord Megatron!" The terrified Vehicon quickly collected himself and sprinted out of them without a second thought. Steve didn't know why his master decided to suddenly let him go, but he wouldn't push his luck and continue questioning it. He didn't even look back or wonder if Megatron was still in the room, or if he had followed him out into the hall. Steve just ran, sobbing behind his mask all the way to his commander's private quarters.

Starscream's day was uneventful after he left Steve in the storage room. He was still angry that Steve had been so reckless and left his battle visor in the hall where anyone could find it. Even if the reason the drone did so was because Starscream asked him to do it, and when he brought the mask back to Steve the seeker did take it in consideration. He pouted a little before giving the Vehicon his mask back, but he also kissed his lover's cheek before he left. Starscream knew his devoted drone would appreciate it. Though he would never admit it aloud, Starscream also gained a small delight in doing so.

But now that the heat in his systems had resided Starscream was now more focused to finish any non-essential tasks. He made his usual rounds around the ship and gathered information from any other loyal drones that still conversed privately with him. However, it had been a slow day and there wasn't a lot to go on just yet. There was a little time afterwards for him to check on the flight plans he had set out for his armada earlier that month, and he even tweaked and modified a few ideas he set aside for later.

After all that there wasn't much else to do. The second in command did think about going to the communications bridge, and again ask Soundwave why he was in such a hurry to leave it the other night. He also wondered what had the silent mech so distracted that he didn't think to use a ground bridge. Just to get to wherever it was he was trying to rush of too, but perhaps the seeker would look into it another time, since he was rather tired at the moment. It was close to the end of the day and decided he would call it an early night. He might even call Steve to come to his chamber and share his berth with him. Not necessarily to interface, but not necessarily to not interface.

While he strode down the halls the cheeky seeker smirked at the naughty thoughts that crossed his processor, and then he remembered the promise he made to his lover. He said he wanted to ask something of him. Something he had been considering for a long time, and the more the second in command wondered what it could be, the more excited he felt about it. He hoped it was something he would be able to do for Steve. The drone had definitely earned any reward his higher up could provide.

Starscream was about to call Steve over their private comm link but stopped when he finally reached his quarters. For some reason, Steve was already there, sitting outside the chamber doors. He was crouched over into himself, his knees covering his faceplate and his arms hugging his struts.

"Steve?" The confused seeker called out to the drone as he knelt beside him. "What are you doing here? You know you're supposed wait for me to call before you arrive at my…" Starscream froze when he noticed Steve was shaking violently in front of him. His EM field burst with angst, and it called out to Starscream for empathy and, for whatever reason, forgiveness. Without giving it another thought, the second in command opened the doors to his quarters and pulled Steve to his pedes. "Inside. Quickly."

The two Decepticons hurried inside the chamber and closed the door behind them. Starscream's quarters were not as luxurious as Megatron's, but his living area was quite comfortable, and he decided he would seat Steve there for the time being. Once they reached the couch, the seeker knelt in front of the drone and gently stroked his servos up and down Steve's thighs.

"What happened?"

Steve was still shivering so heavily his arms started rattling against his chest. The feeling of Megatron's servos against his metal plating was still lingering over him. Haunting him so much that he couldn't even look at his commander. The mortified drone just lowered his helm and continued to shake. Starscream took note of everything Steve did, and it became obvious that he was also crying when optical fluid started to seep through the base of his battle visor. The seeker reached up to unlatch the mask and was shocked when his lover flinched and pulled away. Starscream wasn't going to let up, but he moved slowly so he wouldn't frighten the shaking Vehicon some more. Slowly and gingerly Steve's commander slid his mask off, revealing the distraught faceplate beneath it.

Steve's faceplate was a common shape for his model, but he still had some slight differences that made him stand out from his other counterparts. His features actually made him quite handsome, or at least in Starscream's opinion. His optics were almond shaped, almost dragon like with the way they glowed a golden yellow. Below his right optic there was a long and thin crescent shaped welding scar, which add character to his prominent cheeks. He also had a strong chin that was decorated with a small accent piece, and every time Starscream gazed at his lover's rugged face he would swoon instantly… But when he saw the painful tears trickling down Steve's face it made the seeker's spark sink.

"Steve," Starscream whispered, "what happened?"

"F-forgive me…" Steve whimpered into his commander's servo as it grazed the side of his helm. "I… I let him… I let him…"

"Calm down." The seeker said while remaining unusually sympathetic. "Try to slow your intakes and then talk to me."

"Commander…" The Vehicon did take one long intake, but he still had a hard time stopping himself from shivering. "I'm so sorry… I… Please… Know that I love you…"

"Why would that change?" Starscream was still trying to remain patient, and that was hard for him. "Speak up if you can, because you are starting to frighten me as well."

There was a long pause, and Steve had to take in more vents of air before he could gather enough courage to say one more word. One word that said it all. "Megatron…"

He finally sobbed heavily into his servos and he could feel Starscream's EM field freeze. He still couldn't bring himself to look at his commander, so he closed his optics as tight as he could as if he was trying to disappear. The embarrassment and shame was so overwhelming Steve felt like he was drowning. Submerged so far in his own self-loathing that he didn't care if he ever emerged, and he didn't expect to be pulled from it either. He thought he must have disgusted his lover when he felt Starscream stand so abruptly in front of him. The Vehicon was terrified that he was going to be turned away and told to never come near the gorgeous seeker ever again. But after nothing was said Steve compelled himself to look up at Starscream and was amazed to see one of his lover's beautiful silver servos reaching out for him to take.

"Follow me." Starscream took hold of Steve and gently lifted him of the couch. The seeker slowly walked backwards with the distressed mech hand in hand. He never broke optic contact and his expression was unreadable. He didn't look angry to Steve, but his EM field was pulsing with obvious signs that he was upset. When they came to Starscream's berth chamber the drone hesitated and tried to pull his servos away, but the seeker held onto him.

"It's okay." Starscream said soothingly as he opened the chamber doors.

"Please commander…" Steve shook his helm. "I have never been worthy of you to begin with, and now…" The Vehicon cringed through his tears; the memory of Megatron gliding over his frame causing his spark to sink. "Now I have betrayed you! I am so ashamed—!"

"Which you shouldn't be." The second in command glared at his subordinate, being more aggressive then he intended to be. He calmed himself and reached up to kiss the corner of Steve's lip-plates and tasted a few tear drops. "You said you wanted to ask me something." He kissed his lover tenderly and noticed a glimmer of excitement in his golden optics. "Come inside Steve…" Starscream whispered seductively. "And tell me what you want…"

-END-