Meme: Greedy

Universe: Pre-movie, and pre-TPWIP, so no familiarity required. Sequel to "Dominant."

Warnings: One-sided MegxElita, because this pairing jumped into my head and wouldn't let go. What can I say? I have a fascination with a dark Romeo and Juliet. If it's not your cup of tea, light as it is, feel free to not read.

You're going to come across reference to a mech named "Gigatron." He's completely made up. I just needed a name for the LHP preceding Megatron, and "Galvatron" would have been too confusing.

Summary: Megatron contemplates his former instructor, and finds himself "intrigued" by her hidden faces.

Orn: 1 day

Deca-orn: 1 week

Vorn: 1 year


Megatron did not give respect lightly, mostly because he rarely found anyone worth giving it too. It seemed like he was constantly surrounded by either sycophants seeking to ally themselves with a powerful mech as early as possible, or older mechs who looked down on him and his brother with condescension for their inexperience or with greed for what they will become, neither group being the least bit worthy of either his time or tolerance, let alone his respect. The only reason some of them even had his time was because they were his instructors (because as aggravating and distasteful as some of them where, they were fragging good at what they did). He'll give his respect grudgingly when talent and intelligence is demonstrated, even if he hated them personally, but genuine respect? He could count on one hand how many others he's gifted with it. It was about to get smaller, because as of late Sentinel Prime's repetitious preaching's of his future duty and responsibilities as both Protector and figurehead has been grating on his nerves, and even Gigatron had been becoming progressively weaker in comparison to himself, and how can he respect a warrior and fighter weaker than he is?

This is probably why Elita One had intrigued him so much from the get-go.

Even though she had been clearly frightened (which pleased him, because she had been one of the few to recognize and respect the power he held from the beginning, rather than having needed to be 'taught'), she had not resorted to flattery or kow-towing. Instead, she kept her head high and directly challenged him. When she gave him the freedom to dismiss her, she effectively took power away from him and took it for herself, by removing the threat and taking it in stride. He still didn't fully believe she had as much to offer as she advertised, but he had been willing to see where it would take them, and how long she would really last. He decided to be generous and guessed high: four orns tops.

Needless to say, she lasted much longer.

Every backhanded insult, cutting remark, veiled insult, undercutting attempt, and psychological attack that had left all the others trembling, shaken, and confused as to which way was up, she countered, answered, and deflected with speed and grace, never once losing her polite, formal tone that somehow still managed to convey as sense of warmth and even amusement. Megatron's had to respect her wit and intelligence, and he had to admit (only to himself) that he…enjoyed their little verbal fests.

Beyond the occasional borderline-snark fests, to his surprise the lessons weren't what he expected either: exactly as she had promised.

They weren't just lessons of persuasion and public speaking: they were lessons in history, psychology, government, culture, and debate all rolled into one. Elita would set up discussions and debates between the three of them, herself changing position as needed and even personalities, from the intelligent rational persona, to the unmovable militant, to the humorously hysterical extremist convinced the world would end if they did not take action RIGHT NOW. Instead of feeling annoyed with the tactic or finding it childish, he found it refreshing and engaging, a way to practice and apply what he was learning, and it wasn't unusual for the lessons to go over the time limit because all three of them had become so wrapped up in faux debates they lost all track of time. One of her favorite techniques was to have them argue for the opposite position, just to make sure they understood the entire issue and why they held the positions they did.

("We can't ignore the Gratorin's Civil war, Prime. They're massacuring their own people, and we're the only world with the power and resources to intercede and stop them from their own genocide. We need to reach out to their leaders and broker a peace, or at least a cease-fire. Failing that, Optimus, it's our moral obligation to help those refugee's caught in the cross fire."

"You're right Megatron, we can't ignore the war; whoever wins will affect our own interests in that region. But us going in only as 'diplomats' and 'peacekeepers' will be completely ineffective. When that fails, it'll make us look weak and ineffective. If we're going to involve ourselves, we can't be half-sparked about it. Megatron, the only way to protect our interests is to go in at full military strength and sure the right side wins."

"…This is quite possibly the most surreal moment of my life, gentlemechs.")

Phase Out, the instructor after Elita, was starting to get really tired of coming down every few orns to remind them all that yes, they DO have another lesson after hers, so would they please wrap it up already before they ate up any more of his time?

More than that, she was consistent. The face she showed them during the lesson was the same face she showed everyone else (except when she was working – she joked she had a dozen different faces depending on who she was talking to and what she wanted, and Megatron suspected she hadn't been exaggerating by much).

In short, Instructor Elita was making it really, really hard for Megatron to only have a strictly "grudging" respect for her.

But there was something else, something subtle that had been niggling in the back of his mind about her, and it wasn't until nearly half a vorn in that he realized what it was – and then he was ready to kick himself for not noticing earlier.

Elita was strongly principled, intelligent, quick-witted, disarming, polite always, patient, and charming. But interwoven in the faux debates and casual discussions, he could see a streak of sharp cunning, ruthlessness, and a cold operative that would not hesitate to use more insidious methods to get what she wanted, one willing to step on whoever she had to in order to further her agenda. She was a powerful ally, and could prove herself a dangerous enemy.

Megatron checked the records, and wasn't terribly surprised to find that the senators and business mechs who double-crossed or disregarded her found themselves being shoved aside or having their agenda's suddenly disappear, until they threw their support into an issue Elita herself just so happened to be behind. Then, all of a sudden, the political quagmire they had been trapped in would miraculously evaporate.

What an intriguing series of coincidences.

("You know, you're not nearly as nice as you pretend to be Elita."

"Hm?"

"I've noticed a pattern regarding what happens to anyone who crosses you. I never would have guessed you could be so ruthless."

"Well, I do not appreciate others trying to force my hand or twist my agendas to further their own goals. 'Compromise' can be more harm than good sometimes, more-so when you allow yourself to lose your power or for your original goals to be warped and lost in the process. 'Compromise' is well and good in it's proper place, but it is not always the best solution. Consider that your lesson of the day.")

That hidden face of hers fascinated him. More so because Optimus, who was usually better at picking up the subtleties and nuances of character, seemed oblivious to their shared instructors darker side. It left him wanting to see more of it, see what other faces she kept hidden from everyone else.

So he started seeking her out outside of lessons. Not every orn, of course, just occasionally bumping into her in the halls, or chancing upon her in a rare free moment of time, striking up casual conversation about, anything really. They didn't just have philosophical discussions of politics and history, but also about arts, literature, experiences, and mechs they knew…they talked about anything and everything, likes, dislikes, what they've done, what they hoped to do. In the process Megatron learned more and more about the red colored femme, and while they didn't always agree, she defended her views with intelligence and made him think about his own.

She never ceased to be fascinating to him. With all their talks, they were relaxed and could banter and joke back and forth, and no matter how often she lightly teased him (something that – literally – no one else but Optimus had been allowed to get away with), he never found himself the least bit annoyed, only genuinely amused.

It didn't escape his notice how her optics would light up for him in a way they didn't for anyone else, or how she always seemed to have just the right amount of free time available to talk, or that she was never too busy to take a break from what she was doing even for just a little while. It gave him an odd sense of...satisfaction, dare he say pleasure.

When he and Optimus fully inherited their roles as Prime and Lord High Protector at the long awaited Ascension Ceremony, she had been right there alongside Ironhide and his bondmate Chromia, looking prouder than he had ever seen her as she saw them in their final forms for the first time. In his huge new form, Megatron felt incredible power and strength, a sensation he relished for as long as he could, a sensation that nearly doubled when Elita came over and he saw just how much he towered over her now, how that, when she offered a handshake, his hand completely swallowed hers, her hand just slightly bigger than his palm.

She was no longer the authority figure, and while she wasn't exactly an 'equal', she was closer to being one in his optics than anyone else aside from his brother. Even though her services as their instructor were no longer needed, she stayed around with her work, and to his pleasure the conversations did not stop. They didn't happen as often as they used to – the realities of their duties saw to that – but they didn't stop. For which, Megatron was grateful. And why not?

She was intelligent.

She was strong-willed.

She was a little mysterious.

She was respectful, but never subservient.

And, she was very, very beautiful.

The last realization came a mere few deca-orns after the Ceremony, and startled Megaton so badly he actually crashed into a wall before he could catch himself. He practically had to flee to his quarters as fast as dignity would allow, avoiding Optimus' concern and the embarrassing questions that would have been sure to follow.

To his unmitigated shock, somehow or other his young Instructor had become…"special" to him in a way he hadn't anticipated, in a way no one else has. He wouldn't say she had become more "special" than his brother was to him, but she had become important in a completely different way.

He had a feeling he knew what word Optimus would have used to describe it, but Primus forbid Megatron used it himself!

Still, now that he thought about it, it explained several things. Such as why seeing Elita speaking to other mechs in a friendly manner at first never bothered him, then became annoying, and then almost started to anger him that she could derive enjoyment from being with someone else. He was the Lord High Protector! Why would she every possibly deign to grant a lesser mech even a scrap of her attention outside of her work and duties? It got so bad he would become sorely tempted to just attack them on the spot if he saw it, especially if they had the blind luck of making Elita laugh.

But the only thing that would upset him more than seeing Elita enjoying herself with another mech not worthy of her attentions, he later discovered, was seeing Elita being insulted or berated by one – such as when Phase Out became jealous that Elita continued to "monopolize" their time even after her services were "obsolete".

Had he known Megatron was within hearing distance, he might not have spoken so freely of his grievances.

("You're just a go-between for snooty spoiled Tower mechs and the politicians. You're so far down the ladder you're barely even on it. Just what gives you the right to even be in the same room as the Prime or the Lord High Protector?"

"I will not bother to justify my job to you, though I commend you ability to present such an honest evaluation of your own peers. Your family is one of the oldest lines living it the Towers, yes?"

"That's beside the point! You were brought in as a rhetoric instructor only. You did your job adequately, I'll give you that. Now you're just leeching off of them! What, you think you're so special because those two still fancy you?"

"If either one of them did not wish to continue association with me, they are certainly free to say so. Primus knows Megatron would not hesitate to say as much, and even if Optimus were too polite to say anything, Ironhide would happily tell me off instead."

"That, we can agree on. But I think we both know why neither of them has said anything."

"Because they consider me a friend and I do not abuse my friendship with them to get what I want?"

"Hardly. Tell me Elita, when they were still your students, which one did you seduce first?"

"….I beg your pardon?"

"It was Optimus, right? He'd have been easier, and he was always the more naïve of the two. How long did Megatron take? I bet you had to work extra hard to get him into your berth."

"You are sick and perverted, Phase Out, to even entertain the idea that I would ever try such a thing with my own students!"

"They were practically still younglings, young and inexperienced, and the only instructor they ever took a shine to was the young, pretty femme who hoarded their time and attention. Don't think I'm the only one who's connected the dots, Elita. For someone who's supposed to be so smart, you are embarrassingly obvious about it."

"I will not dignify that with a response. Get away from me Phase Out, and do not speak to me ever again.")

Fortunately she didn't have to tolerate him for long. Shortly thereafter Phase Out had mysteriously and suddenly transferred to another tower for an indefinite amount of time, or so everyone assumed.

Come to think of it, it had been nearly an entire vorn now. Megatron should probably check up on him, just to make sure he was still alive.

Or perhaps not.

In any case, once Megatron finally realized the probable implications of his…possessive defensiveness of the red femme (and recovered from smashing himself into a wall – again), he did the logical, mature thing any intelligent and able-minded mech would have done in a similar situation – avoid the problem (Elita) like cosmic rust.

He was Lord High Protector, he couldn't afford to be weakened with unnecessary ties and frivolous emotions! He had hoped that cutting down his interactions with the femme would be enough to starve the infatuation, and he'd be able to go about his life as normal again.

Except instead of dampening the infatuation he found himself…missing her, Primus frag it! And the more he missed, her the more the thought about her, which completely defeated the purpose of avoiding her in the first place!

The dreams she suddenly started starring in weren't helping either.

Instead, the infatuation was getting worse – now, just seeing her talk to any mech not himself, seeing her smile at any mech other than himself, was enough to infuriate him. The last time, he had been halfway down the hall ready to pull Elita away from the audacious mech and send him flying through the window for daring to speak to her, before he had been able to catch himself.

And whenever he thought of the possibility of her becoming involved with one…

Suffice to say, it had been a VERY bad day for the battle drones while he worked off his aggression.

Well, avoiding her wasn't working, and the infatuation wasn't going away, but he couldn't let it keep affecting him like this, and if he had to keep watching her with other mechs, he thought he might very well go crazy. At this rate, the only way he was ever going to have any peace of mind would be to lock her in a room where no one could see her!

Megatron actually stopped mid step at that thought.

No, he wasn't actually going to lock her up – he wasn't that crass – but there was another solution that he honestly hadn't realized before.

She was a talented negotiator and diplomat, able to argue, cajole, or strong arm just about anyone to get what she wanted. She would be a powerful ally, so there was the practical application.

He could admit he had been intellectually attracted to her almost from the beginning, and she was a refreshing change from the boot lickers and cowards he normally dealt with on a daily basis.

Relatively more recently, he had to admit to himself that he was physically attracted to her as well. No surprise really, she was quite beautiful and graceful, and the dreams didn't exactly leave much room for doubt or denial. Just remembering the dreams, the images of Elita panting, arching, gasping beneath him, was enough to get his systems running hot again (which is why he tried very hard to only remember them in the privacy of his quarters).

In any case, if the problem was that he couldn't stand to share any of Elita's time or attention, then he simply had to take her for himself. After that, it wouldn't matter who she worked with or talked to, he would be assured of her faithfulness and loyalty to himself and himself alone, that he alone would be the center of her world, and would forever remain that way.

He already wanted her. He might as well have her.

He had no doubt she would welcome his courtship. He was one of the most powerful mechs on all of Cybertron, for one, and he knew that she enjoyed his company, even looked forward to their stolen conversations. He wouldn't be surprised if she harbored a similar attraction, held back by social conventions or uncertainty if her feelings would be reciprocated. It would be up to him to make the first step, one she had probably been hoping for.

("I'm sorry, milord, but Elita isn't in her office right now. Would you like to leave a message for her?"

"No. Where does she usually go?"

"My guess; she's probably taking her lunch break on the roof. She told me once that she likes to go up there to relax.")

The only possible issue Elita might have, he mused as he headed to the elevator, was the fact that she had once been his instructor. Granted, that had been nearly four vorns ago, but as demonstrated by the feeble minded Phase Out, rumors would be certain to fly. Her reputation was important, and he wouldn't want it dirtied by slander. Still, he was reasonably certain he could convince her that it wouldn't be an issue.

Perhaps they could keep it quiet, he considered as he rode up. They would be able to see each other, he'd have her exclusively to himself, and she'd be able to keep her reputation untarnished. She'd probably want to take it slow – she struck him as the type – and he'd be willing to comply, to a point. He was hardly the romantic type, but he was pretty sure he could come up with something. Though, he might need to urge her along if she decided to drag her feet, he was only so patient after all.

Besides, he thought as he headed up the last set of stairs that opened to the roof, once she was his bondmate – and there was no doubt she would be eventually, he would settle for nothing less – no one would dare saying anything against her. If anyone tried…well, Phase Out would probably appreciate the company, he had been completely alone for a long time now.

("You seem to be in an exceptionally good mood today, Elita. Something happen?"

"Hm? Well, yes, now that you mention it, something quite nice did happen today."

"Really? Tell me then."

"I left to have a nice lunch on the roof, but instead found myself occupied by a tall, devilishly handsome mech who simply refuses to let me refuel alone. But he brought rust sticks, so I forgave the intrusion."

"Really? Well if he brought rust sticks, he must be a good catch. It also sounds like he enjoys spending time with you. He probably doesn't get many chances, since you're both so busy."

"Hm, maybe. We should probably come up with a few new ideas to rectify that, Optimus.")

All of Megatron's mental processes came to a screeching halt.

No…

No, this wasn't, this wasn't supposed to happen. This wasn't supposed to HAPPEN! She wasn't supposed to find someone else, she wasn't supposed to leave him behind, and she wasn't supposed to be with his brother!!

And yet there they were, Optimus with his arms loosely wrapped around her waist, her with her hands on his chest, both speaking softly to each other and completely oblivous to the tall silver mech frozen in the roof entryway. Even as Megatron watched, she lifted a small hand and touched Optimus' face with loving tenderness, and he nuzzled it with a smile.

Megatron retreated as fast as he could, before he did something drastic to one or both of them. They never even noticed him.

How dare she?

How dare she, how DARE she, HOW DARE SHE?!

Megatron slammed his fist against the wall of his office hard enough to leave a dent. How dare she make him think she valued him as more than a friend, how dare she seek another's arms, how dare she let another snare her spark that should have been his? He could have given her anything she wanted, anything she asked for, she could have been the consort of the most powerful mech on the planet!

But, she already was, wasn't she?

And THAT was what angered him the most.

If it had been anyone else, Megatron could have easily enticed her away with offers of something better. Anyone else, he could have forgiven her – how could she know he was finally coming for her? Anyone else, he could have made 'disappear' if the interloper was too stubborn to release what should be his.

But there was nothing he could offer, that Optimus couldn't as well.

The lamp on his desk went flying and shattered against the wall. The data pads nearly followed, but just as they were about to meet their end, Megatron stopped.

"I fully intend to teach you how to turn every situation, every negotiation, and every conversation even, to your benefit."

Can even this be turned to his favor? Probably the only reason Optimus had her first, was because he approached her first. That didn't mean they were ultimately compatible. Did he know her like Megatron did? Did he know of her darker side, her ruthless, ambitious, dangerous side? More importantly, would he be willing to accept them if he did? How long would it be before he rejected her darkness, or she his perpetual naiveté?

"You cannot break down all walls, but you can slip through the cracks."

Megatron put the data pad down.

He had heard nothing about this, not even rumors. Optimus and Elita were keeping a tight lid on this, probably for the same reasons he assumed Elita would have wanted had he been able to court her. So, as far as they knew, he still didn't know about them. He had no idea how long they'd been having this secret relationship, but they didn't seem particularly eager to let him in on it, so probably not that long. If they were keeping secret, it might be because they were testing the waters, making sure that they could work at all, without the scrutiny and judgment that would be sure to follow and hound them had they made it public.

So, if he was still ignorant, then he'd still believe she was available. If she was, then what could stop him from courting her anyway?

He'd have to be subtle about it – if he was too overt, it might prompt her to tell him about herself and Optimus, and he'd have to back off, since coming onto a femme already in a relationship, albeit a secret one, didn't make for a good impression. But if he did this right, he could insert himself into her constant thoughts, make himself an even bigger fixture in her life than he was already, make her realize that the Prime, for all his admittedly admirable qualities, was not the mech for her. Patience would be required, but the prize would be well worth it, and he suspected Elita, once all was said and done, would approve of his tactics. She was quite fond of the subtle, subversive approach.

With a grin, Megatron picked out a blank data pad and began to make notes, already anticipating the hunt.

He wanted her. He would have her.

Even if he had to take her.