Title: Light of the Sun

Author: Lune Nightingale

Series: Transformers G1

Rating: PG

Notes: Here we go again! I hope you are all still dragging along with me. This chapter should be just as heart wrenching or fluffy or well… I like to be as sporadic as people generally really are in life. Please let me know how I'm doing! Implied Sunny/Sides, Sides/Blue, Hide/Ratch, Sunny/Prowl

Oh! And I'm closing the poll. Sideswipe is the winner! But no worries, I'll write one for Ratchet as well, Sides will just come first. Thanks to those of you that voted!

Warnings: Only that I may or may not play with your feelings. I've been told I rip out heartstrings and juggle them for fun. –Winks at Okami-

Disclaimer: I don't own the lyrics to "Savin' Me" nor the characters from Transformers. Sadly, those belong to Nickelback and HasTak respectively.

Heaven's gates won't open up for me
With these broken wings I'm fallin'
And all I see is you
These city walls ain't got no love for me
I'm on the ledge of the eighteenth story
And oh I scream for you
Come please I'm callin'
And all I need from you
Hurry I'm fallin', I'm fallin'

-Savin' Me by Nickelback-

Anticipation was nothing new. Many a mech, femme, and even human had dealt with the feeling. It happened the night before something important was to occur. He remembered feeling this way before his first field examination when being fully inducted into the Autobot ranks. There was even that night before his first art show that he'd lost hours of recharge thinking only on how it would go. If such things could keep him up a few hours and make him restless, the operation had him agonizing as he stared at the ceiling.

He really had tried to rest. Ratchet said it would be good for him and it would keep him out of his med bay before he absolutely had to see him the next day. It didn't help matters that Sideswipe had gone painstakingly quiet. Sunstreaker knew he was just as nervous, but there was something else that he was keeping to himself. If he placed when it started… it had been while he was standing in the presence of the SIC in his office. The Lamborghini found it odd… Sides had never finished what he was going to say. Whatever it had been, he'd not paid much attention at the time anyway. At the time, Sunny had been giving the tired strategist his full attention.

When had that started? Thinking back on it, he couldn't recall how or when he'd gotten so easily interested in everything Prowl had to say. Wasn't there a time he'd pretty much scorned anything the other had said for the general principle of the matter? Now he felt like everything would freeze up and stand on edge waiting for the tactician to speak or move. It was slightly disturbing, but not necessarily bad. But when? When had it started being like that? He just couldn't put his finger on it.

Groaning slightly, he checked the clock and realized it was a little before sunrise. He'd not even gotten a second of recharge. Why bother trying any longer? Pushing off the berth, he headed out of his quarters to take a walk. More than anything he wanted to clear his head. That was why he wandered aimlessly giving halfhearted acknowledgments to the night shifters whenever they passed him. It wasn't until he came to a lighted doorway that he stopped and glanced inside.

There was only one mech in the Autobot ranks that always kept his door open as long as he wasn't recharging or in a meeting. That was Optimus Prime. In the nicely sized office, the large mech sat with datapads in hand carefully looking over the information with a tight look of concentration. When he thought about it… it wasn't too different form what Prowl looked like when he worked. Only, the tactician looked serene or stoic while Optimus looked rather engaged in his reading.

For a moment he wanted to say something… but then thoughts of how often they didn't get along popped into his head. Finally sinking a bit, he turned to move on. He shouldn't bother the leader anyway with his pointlessness.

"Sunstreaker. Why don't you come in?"

Jumping a bit at the gentle voice, he felt the fatherly baritone go straight to his lazer core. Like a child he turned and headed into the room, optics locked on the countenance of the one mech he never thought he'd respect. That is… until recently. "Sir?"

"Sir? Well, you must be preoccupied." Chuckling softly, he set the datapad aside. "You were lingering in my door, so I figured I'd enquire as to what is on your processor."

"There's a lot on my processor."

"I would think so. Wheeljack came to me today and informed me of the events tomorrow to get my clearance. It's a big decision, are you sure in it?"

"Yes…"

"Then I have to give the go ahead." Nodding sagely, Sunstreaker was somewhat amazed by the value of his own decision on the Autobot leader.

"Why?"

"I will never stand in the way of my Autobots in their decisions in times like these. I can only give my support and hope for the best outcome."

"I mean why do you always seem to care so much?"

There was a fatherly look in those blue optics as he shook his head. "I don't think that is something that can be explained, Sunstreaker. As a leader you must know and protect your followers with all that you are."

"Know your soldiers… Prowl said that…"

"Yes… he's very good about paying attention to the strengths, weaknesses, and needs of those under him in rank. That is one reason why he is my second in command." There was a hint of pride in that tone that drew his curiosity.

"Did you hope he would turn out that way?" There was no accusation, just curiosity. The idea that he'd saved Prowl from his previous lifestyle was never far from his CPU. Now he wondered if maybe it had always been Optimus' intent to have the Datsun as his SIC.

"What do you mean, Sunstreaker?"

"When he… ya know… was re-designated."

There was a pause and the leader looked at him carefully. "So he told you?"

"Yeah…"

"I see. No… not exactly. My only hope for him was to learn what life was and have a chance to live it. I never hoped that the war would come to fruition so that he would have to return to such a lifestyle of fighting and killing." The baritone voice was soft and low, seeming almost sad. "I had hoped that I could take him in and help him, not utilize him…"

"Slag happens." Shrugging his shoulders, he looked off to the side to avoid that sharp gaze. He didn't see the point in Optimus sulking like that. Prowl seemed more than willing, even happy, to do as the Prime told him and serve him. There just wasn't a point in regretting it like that. "I think he's happy as is…"

"Hm…" Thoughtful this time, the leader leaned back in his chair and rubbed at his chin. "I suppose this is true. But it can't be helped…"

"You sound like a protective father." The tone was flat, but there was no true feeling about it one way or the other. He'd never had a 'protective father', only a brother for the most part.

"Protective…" Cutting off in his musing, he shook his head with amusement. "I do often feel as though he is my progeny at times. He's tried for vorns to emulate me…"

Something about the thought of a young Prowl emulating Optimus Prime made him smirk. It wasn't that hard to imagine. "I guess… I should thank you for what you did for Sideswipe and I…"

"It was the right thing to do." Right and wrong… Prowl had called the judgment of Optimus fair. "Everyone one has the right to live their life and they have a right to be happy."

Canting his head to the larger mech, he shifted as he felt a bit odd hearing that sentiment. It was so oddly close to Prowl's from even before meeting Optimus. "Yeah… I guess. Just don't say I never said thank you." It was a huff of indignation that caused his leader to laugh again lightly.

"Duly noted."

"Whatever…"

"So… how are your sessions with Prowl going, by the way? They must be going well if you managed to win him over enough to confide in you. Prowl doesn't even like opening up to me if he can help it."

Sunny felt like his internals were heating up on the inside and didn't know why. Shifting again in discomfort, he dropped his optics to the floor. "Yeah."

"Sunstreaker…" Lifting his head quickly at the address, he met the serious and steady gaze of the Autobot leader. "Be careful with what is given to you. I know that in the past you've never been on fond terms with Prowl, but I request now that you respect what has been given to you."

It was like being threatened, and yet not threatened. That protective father was back in that tone and it caused his spark to jump in its chamber. "Why would I purposely hurt, Prowl?"

"Sunstreaker…" The tone was warning once again.

"Listen up, Prime, and listen well. I like the fragger more than I even want to. So I won't slagging screw up like you're implying. Lay off." Sharp in tone, he frowned hard at his superior. He knew why he said all that, but he didn't know why his entire demeanor screamed protective in return. It was like a sudden battle of wills between the two of them as they glared.

"Very well." Sitting up straight again, Optimus took in a long gust of air through his intakes. "I'll hold you to that. And I'll remember that claim in exact verbatim…"

"You do that."

"Don't forget he exists when this is all over with."

"Excuse me?" He was feeling suddenly impatient with this entire conversation. If nothing else, at least he wasn't thinking about the procedure anymore. Instead he was wondering what had possibly possessed him to talk to the Autobot commander.

"Just think it over, Sunstreaker."

"Yeah, sure…"

"Go rest. Ratchet will pull you apart bolt by bolt with a rusty screwdriver if you go to him exhausted." The look in those optics was entirely too amused for his liking. Shrugging his shoulders, he didn't dignify Optimus with a parting. Turning on his heel, he left the office and walked out completely missing the pensive look that followed after him.

--+--

After that disgruntling run in with Optimus, he wanted nothing more than to purge his systems of the experience. Why was it, no matter how much his thoughts warmed up to the mech, he couldn't really stand to talk to him for very long. Maybe it was because Optimus was a synonym for optimist. That was another thing he really didn't care for. It worked out in theory, but never in reality.

That was why he was sitting on the couch in the rec room aimlessly flicking through stations for something, anything to focus on. He should have been trying to recharge, but truthfully, he knew it would be pointless. Rubbing at one of his audio receptors, he finally flicked the TV off sending the room into silence. It was dimly lit at this time in the morning, but in a few hours that would change. Sitting back in the sofa, he stared at the blank screen and let his mind wander back to the operation.

What if something went wrong? What if one of them did completely fade into the matrix? Wouldn't it be better if it were him and not Sideswipe? But then, why did he keep hearing that protective tone in his head telling him not to forget Prowl? Leaning forward, elbows rested upon knees and hands covered his face as he groaned lowly. This was all too complicated and Sideswipe choosing that time to be introverted was just a pain in the aft.

That was when all of his dermal plating felt like it had been hit by static electricity as a hand slid slender digits softly over his neck. Jerking his head up, he turned to see the solemn figure of Prowl bending low to look at him. There was a look of concern on his faceplates and Sunny felt that familiar heat internally again. A gust of air left him as his lips parted trying to say something. Only, Prowl beat him to it.

"You should be resting."

Lowering his optics, he grumbled in return. "Not gonna happen."

"I see." Lowering onto the sofa beside him, he watched Prowl set his energon aside. "I suppose that makes sense."

"You've not gotten any recharge either, have you?"

"No."

"Has anyone ever told you that you're a fraggin' work-aholic?"

"Maybe not in those words, but I've heard it many times."

"Is that all you care about?" Sunstreaker felt himself wince along with Prowl as soon as he asked the question. There was a slightly disquieted expression on the SIC's face as he leaned forward and stared at his energon cube.

"No…"

"I shouldn't have asked." It was a sorry cover up, but he wanted to get that look off the other's face by any means necessary. "You did say it was the only way you could vent…"

"My chosen method…" The tone was quiet this time as though hesitant to say anything further than that.

"Chosen?"

"I prefer… to practice Diffusion." It was so soft that Sunstreaker felt himself leaning closer just to hear it. He remembered watching those graceful motions as the mech carried out the art of Diffusion in the cave. To put it bluntly, it had been beautiful.

"I wouldn't mind… watching you do that sometime." It came out awkward and he looked like he'd been slapped when Prowl lifted his head and their faces came within a foot of each other from when he'd leaned over. After a few airless minutes, he saw the faintest hint of a smile sweep over Prowl's face.

"I could teach you."

"You could?" There was a childish excitement in that voice and he didn't even realize he was leaning closer.

With a slight nod, the Datsun reached up and carefully placed his hand on the back of his neck again. "But you can't do anything if you don't rest."

"What was it the human's say about a pot and a kettle being black?" He couldn't help but smirk as his fans kicked in. Why were his systems getting so hot?

"Touché." This time the Datsun smiled lightly and finally moved away to lean back against the sofa. "But I'm also not going to be under the knife like you are later."

"Che… I'll live. If you are so determined to make me recharge, do something to make me forget all the stuff overloading my processors."

"And what would you suggest I do?" There was a hint of amusement in that serene voice and he followed the sound leaning back as well to stay close.

"I don't know…"

Get him to tell you a story!

"A story..?" Sunny didn't even realize he'd said that out loud. Granted he didn't expect his brother to break his long silence right then either.

"Story?" Prowl looked like he was actually trying not to laugh. "Aren't you a bit old for that, Sunstreaker?"

"No!" Puffing up indignantly, he glared weakly at the other before tacking on a pouting addition. "Sunny."

"Ah… right… Sunny." The strategist was smirking as he tilted his head back to look at the ceiling thoughtfully. "What kind of story?"

"I…"

A love story!

Sunstreaker nearly choked at this idea from his twin. Coughing to clear his exhaust, he saw the look of worry on the Datsun's face. "Sorry… Sideswipe's being a glitch…"

"What did he say?"

"Nothing…" On a lower grumbled key he went on. "Something bout a love story…"

Prowl looked at him curiously as though trying to decipher the strange string of words. Shaking his head slowly, he answered softly. "That isn't a topic I'm familiar with."

"Don't you think that's a bit lonely?" Dropping his head back against the sofa, he lolled it to the side to watch Prowl's profile.

"This from the anti-socialist."

"Che…" Crossing his arms over his chest, he snorted. "Whatever… least I know I love my brother, stupid glitch that he is." He regretted it the moment he said it. Straightening as soon as it left his vocalizer he didn't miss that quickly hidden look of hurt. "Hey Prowl, I didn't mean…"

"Try to get some rest, Sunstreaker. I'll see you later." Rising to his feet, the tactician made a move to take his energon cube but he found a yellow hand grasping his wrist. Sunny refused to let go as he looked up into that blank façade. "I need to go finish my work if I want to be there today."

His spark all but sank in his chassis. "I know… but…"

"You need to let go."

Sunny! Don't let him leave!

He didn't want to. Primus, he didn't want to. Staring into those glacial blue optics he could only imagine the pain that was being hidden behind them. He didn't want to let go… but slowly his hand released its hold according to the tactician's wishes. "Yeah…"

Prowl seemed to hesitate before he gave a nod and moved to walk away. Following him closely with his optics, Sunny felt the pain grow exponentially when he was completely gone. Why did it hurt so much? Why? Why did it feel like… he'd regret that later?

--+--

"You mean to tell me that you've not had any recharge at all?" Slowly the tone climbed in octave as the medic seethed at the yellow twin. Cowering back a few steps, he held his hands up to placate the other and be at the ready to block flying projectiles.

"I tried to Ratch! Seriously!" Try as he may, he had given up all hope after watching those doorwings fade from his sight in the rec room. Frightening as it was, Blue was the mech that came in and distracted him from that pounding pain in his chassis.

"You can't blame him, Ratchet! This is really serious business! Didn't you feel restless all night thinking about it? I mean it's only natural—!"

"Can it, Bluestreak. I don't need to hear your pointless rambling! You!" Pointing at Sustreaker, the Lamborghini rose his hands again just incase. "Get in there before I kick your aft in there myself!"

Without hesitation he ran into the room that was indicated hearing Ratchet stop Bluestreak. "But!"

"I don't want to hear it. Stay here and watch through the window." Not looking back, Sunny found his eyes glued to the tables standing close together at the center of the operating room. There was a form on one and he felt a wave of melancholy seeing it.

So… he really did rebuild it.

Mutely he nodded and walked closer. Looking down on the prone figure of his twin, he felt extremely impressed by the craftsmanship. There was so much love evident in the act that it was sparkbreaking. Reaching out, he lightly brushed his fingertips over Sideswipe's shoulder.

"I'm still the better looking twin."

Ha! As if!

He could feel the excitement in his own chassis and realized that it was tempered with nervousness. Both of the twins felt a bit morbid staring down at the lifeless mech and he could only imagine what Sides was thinking about all of this. Filling his intakes with air, he let out a sigh and offlined his optics. There was no turning back.

Are you ready, Sunny?

"Ready as I'll ever be."

"That's not quite the spirit I was looking for there, youngling." The lighthearted chuckle drew his attention to Wheeljack who carefully placed a hand on Sunstreaker's shoulder. "But then, this is risky even with both of us working on ya."

"Stop scaring him, Wheeljack." Gruffly, the medic chastised the science officer and waved a hand to the empty table. "Climb your aft up there."

"Heh… seems he's the only one eager to get started." Sunny nodded to the scientist and quickly did what he was told to do. As he settled on the cool surface, he felt that pang in his spark again. That pang was due to the absence of one particular mech. Lifting his optics to the long window, he saw Bluestreak pressed up against the glass sending him an encouraging smile.

Attempting to return the favor, he fell short as he searched for any sign of the other Datsun. Hands gripped the edge of the table as he began to wonder… had he lied to him? Or had he really hurt him that badly?

"Something wrong, youngling?"

Shrugging his shoulders, he caught the exchanged look between the two elder mechs before Ratchet approached him. "Are you having second thoughts?" It was oddly calm and gentle for the medic to be addressing him.

"No… that's not it."

"Then stop lousing around you rust bucket and lie down before I tie you to the berth." Grumping as per normal, the yellow warrior hesitated.

I'm sure he's coming, Sunny… you know Prowl… he's always busy.

Right. Sure, that's all it was. Granted he wasn't convinced. Finally turning to lie on the berth, he stared at the ceiling a moment. This wasn't exactly how he'd wanted this to go…

"Well looky there, seems Prowl did make it after all." Wheeljack chuckled causing him to jerk slightly in order to look at the window.

"Huh… didn't think he'd actually leave his office or his duties. But he's always managed to surprise me in the past in different ways..."

"You mean like the time he took a swing at you when he came online and you were working on his wings?" On a normal day, he would have laughed at that mental image, but for now, his optics were stuck on the imposing figure of the SIC as he bid the gunner welcome. Giving him a curt nod, Prowl finally turned to look at him and their gazes met.

"I'll have you know, he's the reason I make sure no one else has the chance to hit me before I hit them." Growling that out, the medic seemed to be rather put out by the memory. To Sunstreaker, it was all background noise. Right then, he just wanted to jump off the berth and run into the other room to tell the tactician he was sorry.

Instead, he felt Ratchet tacking him down on the berth as a precaution eliminating the plausibility of that action completely. Frowning slightly, he wondered what was going through the strategist's mind as they held each other's optics. More than anything, he really wondered why it even mattered to him. Prowl had come and that was just going to have to do for now… See, you shouldn't worry so much, Sunny! Prowl isn't the type to break a promise.

Nodding once, he wondered if it was for Sides or for Prowl. The strategist really wasn't the type to break a promise. But after going the entire day without seeing another hint of the mech, he'd wondered if maybe he'd pushed the other away finally. Yet, there he was and he was suddenly feeling lighter. Taking in a deep breath, he let it out slowly and turned his head to look at the ceiling. For the first time that day, he felt ready for whatever was going to be thrown at him.

"Enough dawdling, let's just get started!"

"Ready, Sunny?"

"Yeah…"

Wheeljack had explained that it was vital for him to stay awake as long as possible. They wanted and needed to know how well everything was going. It wasn't easy since he was tired, but he didn't feel like sleeping. For now, all he could do was wait as the numbing agent was injected into his fuel lines. Little by little, he felt his body die away and it left him feeling helpless. That was why he'd kept his head turned to just the right angle to see the window.

At first he'd looked at Sideswipe's prone form, but he couldn't keep his gaze there. Where he was partially excited to get his brother back where he belonged, he also dreaded it. It would leave an emptiness in him that he'd never realized was there until Sides' spark had taken up residence in his spark chamber. There was also the fear of knowing that the first mech his brother would run to would be Blue and not him. Or so… he thought he was afraid of that.

Now as he sat there and truly thought about it, he wasn't as upset as he thought he'd be. Sideswipe wouldn't forget about him, he just wouldn't be his sole focus any longer. For Siders' sake, he would learn to live with that. That was when he'd looked back to the window and kept his gaze there. Prowl stood stone still with his arms crossed over his chest and his doorwings held high. Was it just his imagination, or did they seem to twitch now and again?

It was possible. He couldn't tell what Ratchet and Wheeljack were doing at the moment, and he really didn't want to look and find out. Movement was getting harder and harder, so he wanted to keep his gaze on the two Datsun's watching over the twins and their caretakers. They had been the only ones other than Optimus to know what was happening that day. Blue looked like a tightly strung bow that was quivering. Prowl on the other hand looked calm, but the frown that was etched into his faceplates betrayed his own dislike of the situation. He really wanted to talk to him…

Time was slipping by at a leisure pace making it hard to stay focused. It wasn't until Prowl jerked to look in a different direction that he noticed he'd been dazing out. Optics were drawn to his lips as the SIC spoke, his jaw tight. What was he saying? It wasn't Blue that was talking to him, for the gunner was facing the same direction with a worried look on his face.

Frowning, he saw the rise and fall of those wings before the SIC lowered his head and looked at him one last time. In tandem with the fall of his expression, the doorwings seemed to lower and hang in defeat. For a moment he saw sadness in that gaze and then he looked away. He was leaving…

Panic flooded his entire being as he watched the tactician walk out of his line of sight. Calm down, Sunny!

"What's going on!?"

"Slag it! His spark is getting unstable!"

Take a breath, bro! You can't get over excited!

There was a panicked quality to his brother's voice, and he was trying to calm for him. Ratchet had made it clear that he needed to stay calm and relaxed. But he was feeling suddenly helpless and the corner of his vision was slowly fading away to black. Everything was getting quieter and even the scientist and medic were no more than a mumble in his audios. Where did Prowl go?

Sunny… you have to…

Sideswipe? His voice was getting faint. Part of him struggled to grab onto him, but he couldn't get a hold. Slowly, second by second, his vision faded out and he sank into the darkness. There was a suffocating silence that swallowed him and soon everything was dark.

Sideswipe…?

Sides?

Prowl…

Show me what it's like
To be the last one standing
And teach me wrong from right
And I'll show you what I can be
Say it for me
Say it to me
And I'll leave this life behind me
Say it if it's worth saving me

Hurry I'm fallin'…

-Finé-