Disclaimer: I own nothing... Only borrowing them for a ride...

Summary: When Wheeljack's latest invention go haywire in the middle of a battle, Starscream and Optimus Prime find themselves thrown in a completely different universe... One in which they both meet their worst nightmare.

A/N: This is from a RP I am currently doing with NightElfCrawler. SO it's still on the work^^ I'll try to post more chapters as they come along. But that shouldn't be too long between updates. In one evening we wrote 40 pages, can you believe it? We're apparently on a row XD

A/N 2: It's a crossover between Shattered Glass Universe and G1 Universe.

WARNINGS: Non-con, violence, torture, angst, adult and dark themes. That should cover it. So it is STRICTLY Mature/NC-17. I'm not responsible for anyone that's not adult who would read it...

Legend: -...- is for Bond talk; "..." Is for normal talk

EDIT: Thanks to my Beta The Starscream!

Chapter 12: A little bit of peace

The feeling was the same as the first time, but the pain was less. He felt his plating being torn, twisted and then rearranged in a matter of seconds before landing face first in the dirt.

"Fraggit..."

Starscream fell on top of him, world roiling and twisting, his tanks immediately hating it… but this time he didn't purge…. for it would have been very disgusting if he had purged on Optimus' head. With a whimper and groan, he sprawled over him, hot sun shifting from the cool of space they had felt previous. Optimus felt him land on his back and he groaned some, he wasn't heavy but he did weight something, and he landed right on a sensitive rib-part.

"Starscream... Love... I don't want to be a jerk but... Get offa me!" He started to move, a signal for Starscream to move to another spot then his back, and heard a sudden roar of engines coming their way.

"Sorry…." Starscream muttered in his audial, rolling over, grimacing in discomfort as his wing dug into the ground, but he lay flat on his back, clutching his stomach, audials twitching at the sound of engines, glancing up into the sky. "Skyfire."

Optimus looked up, seeing the large white shuttle as he landed nearby, opening the hatch to let a few Autobots out. Prowl, Ironhide, Jazz, Ratchet and Wheeljack. His optics narrowed some at the sight of the latest... They soon walked over to him and weapons were aimed at the prone seeker before he could gather his wits. But seeing this he jumped to his pedes and stood protectively in front of the seeker.

"Stand down Autobots! He's with me! And he's not to be harmed, understood?"

Prowl was practically running out of the entrance of the shuttle, gun ready but optics more trained on Optimus, immediately soaking in on the injuries.

"Optimus! Thank Primus….. Red Alert was not very specific on what he said…. What happened? Are you injured?"

Glancing down at Starscream, who was not moving, staying on the ground, half-propped up in case anyone got trigger happy, Prowl frowned at the temporary weld-patch over his chest, cockpit completely gone, and the dull worn paint they both sported.

Optimus smiled at his second in command, very glad to hear his voice yet again in such a normal, well-known fashion.

"Prowl, am I glad to see you... I'm alright, don't worry, only superficial injuries. But Starscream needs medical attention more then I do." He offered the seeker his hand, soothing him through the bond. -Steady now, they aren't going to slag you.-

Starscream warily stared over at the rest, accepting his hand and carefully climbing to his pedes, though the Autobots all seemed unconvinced and kept their guns trained on him. He didn't shoot them so much as a small glance, gaze all for Optimus, as he nodded in thanks for the assistance.

-I know.-

Prowl frowned, warily watching Prime as he helped the seeker to his pedes, but there was no doubt he was injured. Turning he gestured for Wheeljack to assist him.

"Sir. What is his status?" He asked briskly, even as Ironhide snorted in amusement and muttered 'you have to ask?'

Optimus had a slight smile for his mate and kept the bond fully open for him to be reassured. He turned back to his men, his expression straightening as he spoke.

"Prowl, He is not to be threatened, and he is not to be mistreated." He looked at Ironhide and added flatly. "That includes injures and threats, Ironhide." He looked at their shocked, almost funnily so, expressions and added. "I granted him asylum, and he is therefore not a prisoner."

"What?" Prowl asked in surprise, optics immediately going to Starscream in shock. "Asylum?"

"Yes, Prowl, Asylum. I am sure that you, of all mechs, knows what that means." His tune was calm but the sharp, hard edge in it was unmistakable.

Ratchet narrowed his optics, looking from Optimus to Starscream and back again with a little bit of suspicion.

"Whatever you decide, and despite my opinion on the matter, I want to examine the both of you once we are back to base. Those injuries are... familiar."

Starscream repulsed the instinct to say 'they would be' and kept his tongue firmly planted inside his mouth. Prowl looked uneasy, especially given who their guest was, but he didn't question Optimus.

"May I at least assign an escort for now, sir?" He asked, glancing towards Jazz.

Optimus expected that and he nodded, glancing at Starscream and sending him reassurance.

-This is merely standard procedure, Starscream. That wont be necessary soon.-

To Prowl he said, keeping his voice even and cool.

"Yes, Prowl, you can, but I assure you, this isn't necessary."

He saw Ironhide snorting in disbelief and Wheeljack was all but staring at them in shock. Ratchet was a little more sharp, and he looked like he was suspecting what was up between them.

-I know.- Was the response again, patience and relief from the seeker. He was not riled up or angry…. he just wanted to lay down and be fixed right now. Safe…. protected….

"We will discuss everything later sir." Prowl replied, gesturing for Jazz to take the guard position, then nodding to Ratchet allowing him to move forward to tend to the wounded as he saw fit. "Please, let's get back to the base first.

"Of course, Prowl. I'll be ready to talk to you at your leisure." Optimus replied and he let Ratchet scan and examine him quickly.

"Hum... There are some things in your systems that I don't like... What the frag happened to you, it is like you went through the Pit and back." He turned to Starscream, and examined him superficially too, scanning him for injuries, especially his chest. His hand suddenly stilled over his chest and his optics widened slightly. "Frag me..." he muttered and then louder. "Ok, they both need a trip to the med, so move it ASAP."

Prowl frowned slightly, worried of course at Ratchet's mutterings, but nodded, gesturing for them both to go into Skyfire's open cargo hold. Starscream went without a word, wings held high, shoulders square, but somehow not seeming proud or spiteful as he entered Skyfire's cargo hold and sat on one of the side benches, aware of the Autobots staring at him, and simply shrugging it off, tiredly shuttering his optics as his head leaned against the metal wall.

Optimus was tired and worn out, and he wanted a long dip in his tub and a full recharge cycle without worry or interruption. He sat on the bench next the Starscream and had to refrain not to get all amorous on his seeker, but he could feel Ratchet's knowing optics locked on him, and he looked back. The medic's gaze was cool, but kind, and he had a slight smile. It was a blur to Starscream as they flew back to the Autobot base, and he had to keep himself from slumping onto Optimus' shoulder, sitting upright and making sure he didn't put him in any undue odd situations. Fortunately this meant the Autobots didn't have to worry about his attitude or doing anything dangerous, he just sat there. As they arrived, he managed to rouse himself to his pedes, Jazz keeping ever watchful optics on them as they were escorted out, into the Autobot's main hangar. Many of the men were waiting, worried and eager to see Optimus. Optics shining in relief as the party unloaded.

Ironhide's optics were locked on Starscream's frame, disbelieving and mistrustful. He was holding his gun to his chest in a relaxed pose but he was ready to draw it to the treacherous jet's spark chamber if he made any suspicious moves. Ratchet spoke to him in a low, hissing tune for some time and when they reached the hangar, the big red mech was silent, but still tense and frowning. They left the shuttle and Optimus was glad to see the familiar faces of his Autobots, assembled there with worry. He was home and that was good... He brushed Starscream's spark with his own through the bond and smiled some.

The seeker returned the brush with a calm resigned response, his optics not meeting any of the Autobot's, nor giving anything away on his face. He did not wish to put himself in an awkward position, so he was staying neutral. Jazz was a calm but ever-present force as they moved past the gathered Autobots, each one greeting Optimus with relief and warmth, some glancing uncertainly at Starscream with dark looks, the twins in specific, but the return of their leader was more important than the appearance of the supposed enemy.

-Talk with them. I will be fine.- Starscream sent, urging him to remain with his men while he continued ahead with Ratchet. -It's important to them…. give them that

Optimus only spared him a glance as they left the hanger and he stayed behind to talk with his men. They were all expecting him to say something, this much was obvious, and even the Twins' dark looks couldn't put down his joy to be back. He nodded at Prowl and turned to face all of them.

"Autobots! You must have been wondering where I had been those last two weeks. In all honesty, I would rather not talk about it, but you deserve to know..." he waited for any reaction or anything, but they all stayed stoic and silent, if not curious. "The blast that hit Starscream and I in the last battle we fought sent us both to a parallel dimension. This is where we had been, until we could find a way to return here."

Starscream relaxed, sighing as they left the general populace, glancing sideways at Ratchet as they headed towards the Autobot medbay, Jazz in tow. He just hoped that they wouldn't bother him more than necessary…. he wanted nothing more than to just unwind and try to cope…. he felt tired, exhausted, detached….. and his processor was already wondering how he was going to deal with what came next...

Ratchet led them to the medbay and had Starscream lay on a berth.

"Private conversation, if you please. I'm sure he wont do anything, you know?..." He said to Jazz, optics narrowed, and waited until he retreated to the door, far enough not to hear.

He then looked at Starscream in silence for a moment, before asking, in a matter-of-factly tune.

"Prime's the co-creator of those sparklings, isn't he? I scanned you remember?"

Optimus was expecting questions and reactions, and the first to say something was Bumblebee.

"Another dimension? Is that even possible?"

Wheeljack was looking quite ashamed and he knew this was his fault.

"Yes, it is, Bee. There are lots of parallel dimensions."

Jazz studied Ratchet, glancing at Starscream, but shrugged.

"Be right outside, right?" He grinned, then stepped outside, giving them privacy.

Ratch could handle himself, he knew, and the seeker had been rather subdued. He had a feeling, which usually paid out. Starscream took his position on the berth, laying down as ordered, optics shuttering as he sighed heavily, relaxing as finally it felt light a heavy weight was relieved of him.

"Yes…." He murmured quietly, not even thinking of hiding the information from the medic. Despite his evil counterpart, Starscream was a bit better at separating the two, not reacting negatively from memories. "He is."

Ratchet narrowed his optics and rubbed his chin thoughtfully. He put a hand on the seeker's chest and asked, softly.

"Can I see? I want to make sure they are alright, that's all." He waited for Starscream to accept or deny his request, and either way, he'll be fine with it. "I suspected something was up the moment I saw you two together. But don't worry, I wont say anything unless you agreed to it. Medical secrets are always my foremost priority."

So different from the other Ratchet. Starscream took his hand away from the patch-plate that was installed loosely over his spark chamber, gesturing with a hand for him to have a look. At this point, he knew he had little say in who found out what, and if they had some reservations, fine…. as long as he had Optimus, that's all that mattered right now. His optics flickered back online, staring up at that hideous orange ceiling…. actually glad for it's puke-color.

"They're fine." He muttered more to himself than anything. "I protected them."

"I am the medic, I'll be judge of it, if you don't mind." Ratchet replied, but his tune was kind and teasing. He looked at the makeshift yet good patch-job and was quick to undo the plate and set it aside. The spark chamber was just as easy to open and he winced at the obvious damage it had suffered. "Wherever you had been... It hadn't been a vacation, hum? You have blemishes and injuries that are tell-tales for a medic." He peered inside the spark chamber and saw the three tiny orbs zooming about. His optics widened. "Triplets? By Primus, I have never seen anything like it in all my career."

Starscream simply sighed.

"It was the Pit." He said quietly. "In every sense of the word… the Pit." His gaze shifted down to watch as Ratchet worked, his golden spark pulsing slow, steady, comforting the little ones as they moved around it. He smiled gently despite himself, an almost dreamy look on his face. "He said we were special..."

Ratchet looked back at him, seeing the calm, quiet and deeply peaceful look on the seeker's features. He blinked some, and then used a hand to pat his shoulder gently, comfortingly, his rough exterior dropping to let up his softer, deeply caring side.

"You have changed, in more ways then I can see right now, but... For the better, I can tell." He tilted his head, and added, still in a calm, kindly warm voice. "You don't have to talk about it. I wont ask you to."

Starscream made a slight humming sound, optics re-focusing back on him, studying his face with a distant look.

"Optimus will tell you." He said finally. "I will not speak about it without him." He shuttered his optics, head tilting back up into a comfortable position. So different…. knowing he was safe, he felt…. calm. Something he'd never normally felt. Idly, his fingers reached up, touching the frayed edges of his open canopy area, as if trying to stroke the sparklings, more instinctual than anything.

Ratchet just chuckled and took some scans of each sparkling, and of Starscream's own spark, letting him be as he worked. He felt that the seeker was serious about not telling without Prime and he respected his wish.

"Optimus will come here soon, and then maybe the two of you can tell me. For medical purpose alone, I will need to know exactly what happened to you two."

He grimaced slightly at that. Medical purposes. That…. send a shiver through his frame, wings prickling, as his optics flared slightly, glancing at him with a sudden dispassionate cold look. Then, he physically had to stop himself, blinking slowly, stopping the reaction where it was before he lashed out.

"Yes…." He managed slowly. "Of course….."

That reaction didn't escape Ratchet and he looked a bit surprised. Was it what he said or does it have something to do with him, in particular? They said they'd been to another dimension... That meant they probably met other versions of themselves and the Autobots and Decepticons. Thinking of this was giving him a slight headache... He had the feeling he wouldn't like the final answer.

"I didn't meant to upset you."

"You didn't." He replied, jaw setting. He slowly pushed himself up into a half-seated position, propped against the wall, but not meeting his optics. "It is not you." He frowned, optics dimming. He had to separate out his experiences. "It is not personal."

"I see... It's alright, Starscream. I'm not angry. I was... surprised, that's all."

He finished scanning him, and he started to work on properly repairing his spark chamber and his chestplates. A few minutes later, there were sounds of talking in the hallway and Optimus walked in with Prowl, Jazz stepping in stride behind them. Starscream stayed quiet, optics dim, letting Ratchet work. But as he heard Optimus' voice, a flash of relief flickered across the bond, and he looked up in time to see the others enter the room, keeping his face neutral, but happiness at seeing him swelled over the bond. Optimus couldn't help but smile under his facemask, and his optics softened. He walked to the berth and looked at Ratchet.

"How is he, Ratchet?" The medic tilted his head, and smiled, pointing at the almost-repaired chest. "He's alright, in every way." He looked at Prowl who was narrowing his optics at them both with a little suspicious look.

Starscream snorted slightly.

"That's a phrase I never expected to hear." He muttered more to himself than anything. His optics glittered with amusement, shifting slightly, not enjoying the idea of the group seeing his spark and sparklings.

Prowl was too far to get a good view, and he saw how Starscream had shifted to partly hide his opened chest. Optimus just chuckled and shook his head.

"I get it that he has been well-behaved, hum?" Ratchet nodded but then his optics were serious.

"I think we need to talk seriously, Optimus."

Starscream flinched slightly at that, glancing subtly at his mate, then glaring at Prowl with narrow optics. Jazz was staying calm bouncing on his pedes, though his optics were keen on the seeker from behind his visor. Not that he could see that. Ratchet looked at Jazz and Prowl with hard optics, but the SIC kept his ground.

"Whatever it is, I need to know the details as well. And I'll know it anyway, from Optimus, later." He said firmly and crossed his arms. Optimus didn't want anyone to get into a fight, and an argument was the last thing he needed after the barrage of questions he had to go through with the troops...

"It's fine." Starscream spoke up, though his voice had a hard edge to it. "They're all going to find out eventually. Might as well make him fritz now while he's in the medbay."

Jazz snorted.

"Knows Prowl, does he."

Prowl frowned and looked at Optimus, then Starscream, and finally Ratchet, ignoring Jazz.

"What is the matter? Starscream has been too quiet and tame since he got here, and you, Prime, had been too reserved and closed. What is happening?" Ratchet rolled his optics and put up a screen in which the interior of Starscream's open chest cavity was displayed in full view. The three tiny orbs were clearly visible, and Prowl's mouth fell open in shock. Optimus and Starscream's sudden tension added to this, the conclusion was easy enough. "You... are carrying... Prime's sparklings?"

"Not just his." Starscream muttered. "They're mine too."

Jazz stepped forward, optics wide.

"Well I'll be…." he blinked again. "Three….. that's gotta be new."

Optimus decided to throw his last sense of reserve to the pit and walked to his mate protectively looming oer him.

"They are ours, Prowl. We made them together. And..." He put a hand on Starscream's cheek, rubbing softly. "I will not let you insult my mate."

Starscream's optics shuttered, leaning into the touch slightly. Slag them all. He was too tired and sick of the hate to even bother to hide his emotions anymore. His wings sagged slightly, still distressed, but enjoying the comfort of his mate. Optimus opened the bond fully and soothed his mate with his love and affection.-See, they wont eat you.- He chuckled but his optics were firm and his voice unwavering when he spoke again.

"Starscream will be treated fairly, and not as a prisoner. He is my bondmate, and deserves to be treated well."

Prowl looked like he was about to fritz, one optic twitching and he said. "Your... Bondmate... How... when... where...?"

"Easy there Prowlie." Jazz urged soothingly, patting his shoulder, though his optics were narrow and suspicious as he stared at the seeker. "So I"m guessin' there's a story here, am I right Prime? Care ta tell it?"

He had been fearing this part and he looked at his mate, squeezing his shoulder tightly, asking through the bond.

-Do you want me to tell it, Starscream?-

Prowl seemed to regain a hold on himself and his frown deepened. "Yes, Prime, do tell. I must know how this happened."

-Yes. They won't want to hear it from me anyway…. best it comes from you.- Starscream replied quietly.

Optimus sighed and lowered his optics, feeling a stab of pain in his spark as he started to recall all that had happened.

"We were, as you know, pulled into another dimension by Wheeljack's canon combined with the blast from Megatron's fusion canon. But in this universe... Everything was mirrored from here, reversed, in the wrongest of ways possible... Upon arrival, we met some weird-looking Autobots that captured us and brought us to another Optimus Prime..." He shuddered, and closed his optics, a hard wave of pain, disgust and rage filling him at this memory. "Whom was the perfect opposite of me in every way."

Starscream's face remained calm, trying not to reflect any reaction to his words. His spark brushed against Optimus' in support. Jazz listened, brow drawn slightly.

"I have a feelin' where this is goin, and it ain't any good." He murmured.

"You have no idea how it was, Jazz..." Optimus said, his tune dark and laced with pain. He was doing his best to keep it bottled though. "This Prime was the incarnation of all things evil, ten times worse then Megatron himself, and I will be glad to see him, and his men, destroyed. You don't have to know all the details, I'll keep them for Ratchet, but suffice to say they did some... experiments on us, and this is how we got bonded."

Jazz blinked. "Whoa wait… you mean they forced ya into a bond?" His optics flashed in anger, and he immediately turned to Ratchet. "There's gotta be a way t' fix that isn't there?"

Ratchet looked from Optimus to Starscream and then back at Jazz and said flatly, crossing his arms.

"I don't think they want to have it 'fixed' Jazz."

Optimus's optics narrowed and he held onto his mate a bit tighter, his voice quite cutting when he said. "It was hard at first, but we had two weeks to... get used to it. I don't want it to be 'fixed' Jazz. it's not a illness."

Jazz frowned, glancing at Starscream critically. The seeker's optics were dim, wings slumping even more at the thought of being forced to separate from Optimus. It sent his spark jittering in fear, but he clamped down on it. They didn't understand, and likely wouldn't. Prowl twitched again and he looked like he would freeze, but he was keeping a hold on his circuits.

"If this was forced, how can you know what you're feeling is genuine?"

"He's got a point." Jazz said slowly. "Used to it or not… you think about what this really means…"

Optimus looked at his two superior and most trusted officers with a deep frown. He thought they'd understand, but he was apparently wrong...

"If this was not meant to be, I think the Matrix would've intervened. It's hard to explain... But It is how it should be."

Jazz jerked back in surprise at that.

"Ya think? So then…." He glanced back to the seeker. "If yer not going to undo it…. what are you going to do?"

Prowl still looked unconvinced and he stated coldly. "I am not sure I like to let a ancient artifact, as powerful as it is, dictate my Commander's actions. Your judgement may still be clouded."

Optimus looked at both his Lieutenants with a deep frown and narrowed eyes, and he covered his mate's chest with a hand protectively. "Would you also suggest I have the sparklings terminated?..."

Jazz jerked at that.

"NO! No, of course not." He looked highly agitated at the idea. "We couldn't terminate any innocent sparklings…. But…. well there's no way to dance around the issue Prime. I mean, he is who he is and that's a problem."

Prowl nodded, and looked between Starscream and Optimus with a frown.

"He has a point. Starscream is treacherous and untrustworthy. It's in his nature."

Optimus glared, hard, at his two Lieutenants and a low growl escaped his vocaliser.

"So, Prowl, you say that, because he is a Decepticon, and a seeker, therefore he can't be trusted, and can't change either. I did not know you had such a narrow-minded point of view."

"Um… nah I think he said that cause that's who he is, Optimus." Jazz defended. "Now look, we ain't been through what you been through, but you gotta see things from everyone elses' point of view here…. no one is gonna understand it, so you gotta tell us why we should and how….. cause we don't know."

Optimus was angry, and he could feel Starscream's anger and resentment through the bond too. He tried to soothe it, and he said, more calmly.

"I understand your point of view, and I will try to clarify things as best I can. We may have been bonded by force, but now we love each other. It hadn't popped out of nowhere as soon as the bond was created. I was defiant and he was too, at first. It took two weeks to soften the edges of our relationship, and even now, there's still some sharp edges to smother." Optimus started to explain, and he said to his mate through the bond. -I'm sorry for this, I'll try to soften it up.-

-They have a point you know. You can explain it until you're blue in the face but they won't understand…. we've been enemies too long.-

Jazz frowned, rubbing the back of his helm.

"So…. you want to stay like this….. and what, he'll stay here then?" He glanced at Ratchet uncertainly. "Not that I'm one ta say love don't cross boundaries, but….. this just feels strange."

Optimus sighed and shook his head, crossing his arms over his chest.

"And I suppose that saying he's changed in the last two weeks won't help either... Shame, really, to realise that hatred and mistrust runs so deep."

Ratchet, on his part, hadn't said a word until then but he thought he could put his two cents in it.

"Look, can't you all give him a chance, at least? I don't say to trust him, but... just give him a chance..

-Optimus….- Starscream warned. -Don't piss them off….- His wings twitched, fingers digging into the edge of the berth to keep his aggression from showing on his face. Jazz glanced at Ratchet.

"Well…. I mean if you want us to do this, Ops….. you gotta realize we gotta be behind you cause if we're not…. the men aren't going to see us as being a complete unit and you're off doin something strange… looks bad, poor morale. Ya know?"

"I know this Jazz, but it... annoys me, nonetheless. This will be a long process. Can I ask something of you, the both of you? Just... Give Starscream a chance. He's gone through a lot, and he doesn't want to return to the Decepticons. If you decide to turn him away, he'll be on his own and I honestly can't permit that."

-I know Starscream, but I won't let them have you locked in a cell 'for the greater good."-

Jazz sighed, but nodded. "Can I suggest for now at least…. don't tell anyone else he's here as a guest until we figure this out…. let's have the officers chat about it…. when we figure out a way to tell everyone…. then we can do that."

Prowl looked cold and totally disliking this idea, but he nodded sharply. "Lets say we do, I just hope that we won't regret it. He's what he is, a Decepticons, and Decepticons are untrustworthy and bloodthirsty. How long do you think he'll control himself? You could get hurt."

Optimus had had more then enough with Prowls obvious narrow-minded viewpoint and prejudices. He thought his first officer was more open-minded then that. But he couldn't start an argument, for Starscream's sake.

"Yes, it's the best I can ask of you. And Prowl... Please, do try to look above those prejudices."

Jazz glanced at the seeker, who was looking about as miserable as one could listening to people talk trash about you when you were in the room.

"C'mon Prowlie. They got stuff to do, let's talk about a plan and let Ops figure this out."

-Starscream... I promise things will get better.-

Optimus felt his mate's mix of emotions and he was feeling just as bad. Prowl narrowed his optics at them both and at Jazz, and looked like he gave up for the moment.

"Alright, Optimus, but don't tsay I hadn't warned you."

He was about to leave with Jazz when Optimus said.

"Prowl, just one more thing. Don't have him locked in a cell. That is no place for a carrying mech."

Jazz frowned, half-glancing at Prowl. He agreed and nodded slightly to encourage the other mech to agree.

"I can keep an optic out on him when no one else can."

Prowl finally agreed, but stated his condition. "He's to be confined to quarters until further notices. Can't let a Deceptcon roam our base freely."

Optimus would've biten him at this point and he had to control himself to not show his mounting anger.

A slight splash of panic gripped Starscream's spark.

-Fly….- was the only thought with a very strong desire accompanying it. -I need to FLY…. can't be trapped inside…. small space…. if I need to fly.-

Optimus looked back at Prowl, soothing his mate's sudden distress and fear, and said firmly.

"He's a seeker, Prowl. He needs to fly regularly. Lock him in a single room for a long time and you'll really get trouble. Seekers are claustrophobic to the core."

Jazz nodded glancing at Ratchet for confirmation.

"Seen fliers go nuts…. drive themselves insane and injure themselves to get outside Prowlie…. He needs ta go, let another flier go with him."

Prowl frowned and nodded. "Agreed, we cant risk having a mentally unstable seeker locked in the base. Skyfire will be his escort, I trust him more then the Aerialbots for this task."

Starscream's spark seemed to jolt, his head jerking up at the name, a mix of panic, nostalgia, fondness, and dread in his spark this time before he squelched it back down. Optimus felt it and he knew why, so he soothed him softly with his own.

-It'll only be for short periods of time, and you don't have to speak to him, if you don't want to.- To Prowl he said, his expression softer now. "It's settled then. Thank you, both of you."

His wings twitched. -It'll be fine.- He grudgingly accepted. -I'll make it work.-

Jazz nodded, and saluted, then promptly steered Prowl out of there.

-I trust you to do this Starscream- he replied warmly and patted his shoulder. Now they were alone with Ratchet and that was good with him. "I'm sorry it goes this way Starscream, but it was to be expected..."

"It's better than I expected." The seeker replied, optics shuttering as he leaned back against the berth again. "I half expected him to throw cuffs on me, slap a silencer over my mouth and toss me in a small cell."

"I wouldn't have let them, Starscream." He replied firmly and rubbed his mate's cheek softly.

Ratchet had moved some distance away to give them some space. Optimus felt like he wanted to just hold his mate and make it all better... The seeker just smiled, relaxing a little as he gazed up at him, closing up his reinforced plates over his spark chamber now that Ratchet was done with it. He still needed a canopy, and felt too slim without one, but that would take time. Optimus leaned closer and kissed his forehead, knowing there weren't any security cameras around. Ratchet had never let Red Alert put them here in the medbay... He placed his hand over his mate's thin midsection and thought of the sparklings to come.

"All in all, it went well..."

"Yeah…. Now let's just hope no one blabs to Megatron that I'm not dead…." His optics turned distant. "I… might still want to get back in touch with my wingmates…."

"If you want to, I'll let you talk to them. But I agree that Megatron cant know you're still alive... That wouldn't do any good. I know my officers though, no one would go blab this out."

He nodded. "If they wanted to come… would you let them?" he asked, glancing at him. "They wouldn't tell him I'm alive unless I really tick them off again…. which I don't intend to do."

"I'm sure Prowl would blow a processor over it and Red even more... But Yes, I can't refuse you anything, love. I'll let them come talk to you, under supervision, of course. You never know... And that will soothe Prowl and Red, and the others somehow."

He smiled warmly up at him at that, optics brightening at the promise.

"Thank you. I know you know how much this means to me." He tugged his arm, to pull him closer and then pressed his lips against his. "I don't deserve you."

Optimus kissed him back deeply, closing his optics to enjoy the feeling fully. He tasted good and sweet...

"You got me nonetheless..." He chuckled, teasing him some.

"Lucky you." He purred. Then blinked. "Right. Something important to take care of." His head turned. "Hey. Hatchet."

Ratchet bristled at this nickname and his optics narrowed into two dangerous slits of ice as he walked closer.

"Watch your glossa! I don't like that nickname!" he grumbled and then asked. "What can I do for you?"

Starscream blinked, feigning innocence.

"I thought that was your name. My mistake." Completely dead serious. "High grade." he said firmly. "When do I have to stop drinking it…. and is there anything else I can have instead when I have to cut it off?"

Ratchet tilted his head, and sighed.

"You have to stop drinking any High Grade when the protoforms start to grow, that means at the end of the first month. And I don't even suggest you drink any before, but it won't damage the sparklings if you do." The medic replied, and then thought for a moment. "Well, if you like energon candies and goodies, this can do the trick..."

Starscream blinked, optics brightening slightly. "You can make those?"

"Yes, I can, but they won't be Cybertron-standards. Good enough, though, according to Bluestreak and Bee." he chuckled. "Have a sweet dentia, do we?"

He just stared at him. "I haven't had anything like that since I was a youngling. Trust me, you aren't going to be telling me it's bad."

"It's only bad for your dentia, Starscream" He stated with a grin and tilted his head, crossing his arms over his chest. "You Decepticons don't have things like this, I get? Shame really..."

"No. If anyone mentioned sweet energon or treats, he probably would be gutted for being squanderous."

"Well, that's just a shame." He chuckled and shook his head at him, optics glinting with amusement. Optimus was rubbing his chest softly and smiled down at him. "You planning on getting some High Grade, aren't you?"

"Frag yes! Are you kidding? With the rate you lot toss around Energon here, I'm planning on getting good and sloshed right up until I can't do that anymore."

Optimus laughed and shook his head, fondness and amusement filling the bond.

"It'll be an interesting two weeks then..." Ratchet just grumbled about having to fix hangovers and went to work on something again.

Starscream just smirked. "You haven't tasted my high grade yet have you….. I did tell you I am a chemist, yes?"

"Yeah, I think you mentioned it once... You can make High Grade? I'm curious now." Optimus smiled to him, clicking his mask open when ratchet was away.

"Yes." He smirked smugly. "My high grade is smooth with none of the bite… but it will bite you the next morning if you chug it too hard."

"I'll have to put it to the test, then. It could be amusing, don't you think? I deserve a little rest after those two infernal weeks..."

"If you get me the equipment, or allow me to set up a lab and provide equipment… I will brew a batch specially for you."

"I'll see what I can do... But it may be possible for you to borrow some lab equipment as long as it's nothing dangerous. I'll see about it."

He kissed him again, tasting his lips and sighing in content. He was relieved to be back despite the little drama with Prowl and Jazz. And he didn't even want to think of Red's reaction...

"I don't do dangerous like some mechs." He rolled his optics. "I would love to have a lab again…." He mused. "Will I get quarters? I can set it up there..."

"Yes, Prowl'll get you a room, and then you can make requests for some things to put in it. I'll make sure they'll taken into consideration. It wont be anything far fetched, I presume? Basic lab equipment?"

He nodded slightly. "I can build most anything else I need. As long as you give me the supplies and tools."

"It'll be hard to convince Prowl and Red alert to agree to anything like that. Knowing Red, he'll more likely want you locked up in the brig and cuffed to the wall. But I'll see what I can do. I'm Prime after all."

His optics flashed. "I really don't want to have a conversation with that mech…. I have a feeling it won't go well for him when my fist greets him."

"And it wont end well for you if you end up punching him in the face either." Optimus replied, optics amused but slightly worried at the prospective. Because it was a very probable outcome...

"No. I'm sure it won't." He grimaced.

"So, I suggest you keep your temper in check, and I'll try to keep Red's glitchy processor from lashing up to you." He replied flatly but had a tight little smile.

"I will try." He muttered. "Can't completely promise I will, but I will try not to piss anyone off."

"As long as you don't tear someone's head off..." Optimus grinned and rubbed against a sensitive wing. "I think everything's gonna go fine."

"Hm… well I can't promise that. I hear sparklings make a mech do completely wild things." He mused, purring softly.

"Wild things, hum? This can get interesting indeed..." He purred back optics glinting, and nuzzled his cheek a bit.

"Hm… it could be. Then again, it may not be for you…." He snorted. "Especially with three..."

Optimus looked horrified and slapped his mouth in mocked horror. "Primus preserve us from carrying mechs!"

He grinned widely, prodding his chassis. "You have to help me you know. Pamper me, bring me anything I need."

'Spoil you like a sparkling. I get it." He laughed and tickled a wingtip evilly.

"Yes…." he blinked. "Wait… no!" And squirmed, smacking his hand as he tickled his wingtip.

Optimus laughed and took his hand back, rubbing it dramatically like he had been whipped with a nailed stick.

"Ouch, that hurts, little brat." He stated but his wide smile was giving him away.

"Uh huh." He rolled his optics. "Sure it did." But a fond smile passed over his features. "I think I'm done here…. right?" He asked of Ratchet with a glance.

Ratchet glanced back at him with a little snort and grumbled again, saying. "Yeah, you're done. I'll have a canopy for you in a week or so. In the meantime, you'll have to go without."

Optimus smiled and pulled him to his pedes, wrapping an arm around his shoulders.

"We can go now. I'll get you temporary quarters, and you can rest a bit."

He grimaced. "Great." But got up quickly. That wasn't about to stop him. He wanted to just get up and go…. as far from the medbay as possible. "Lead the way." he purred to his mate.

-TBC-