Timeflip 14

War at Home: Josh Groban

I will not lie, I got the 'come hither' idea from something VampireQueenAkasha on fan fiction did with Red Alert…. Although she didn't use it on a spark. Also... not sure if or when the next update will be.

Ibuzz, buzz, buzz/I

The annoying device pulls her from her blessed sleep. "Barricade, I will kick you if you don't deal with that," a rarely heard grumpy-threatening Timeflip nudges her mate.

Blindly he swacks his hand out three times before he finds it and lowers it to the bedside where the display light will not antagonize his mate further. It takes him three tries before he can read the screen.

Numbers. A series of numbers. And dots. Numbers and dots. Dropping the phone to the floor, he knows he can not function enough to make sense of it. In the morning after a cup of Energon laced with sweetener he can figure it out. For now, that pillow has all of his attention.

Sinking into the softness and back under the blessings of unconsciousness, it hits him like a sledgehammer.

Coordinates!

His optics flare open and fully awake his body stiffens. He dare not let Timeflip know, but fully awake he also can not go back to sleep. He has to know what these coordinates go to!

Laying perfectly still, he waits until he is sure her breathing is heavy enough that his movements won't waken her. When he hears that sound, ever so slowly slips out of the berth scooping up his phone. No he was never a sniper or part of a sleek infiltration team, (brute force is more his style) but he has to try for her. Hitch in the hip or not, he has to try. Ever so carefully he tiptoes into the spare room that doubles as their den, and closes the door. Flicking on the light, he quickly gets to work on the computer.

Hours and hours into it, he has it narrowed down except for the last piece. That piece he is going to need an astrophysicist for. Yawning, he decides to crawl back into berth. Just as he rises, he hears her alarm go off. Oh no, if he doesn't move fast he will be caught.

Swiftly, he dashes to the kitchen and makes breakfast. By the time it is done, she still isn't stirring so he puts it on a tray and carefully makes his way down the hall. The limp is almost gone and he will be heading back to work next week. Which means he doesn't have much time to get this solved.

There he finds his sleeping beauty draping her wrist over her optics, "Ugh."

"Hey there 'Flip." He waits for her hand to drop and she looks up. "If it's that bad, don't go."

She scootches up and allows him to settle the tray over her lap, "No, I'll be fine. And you didn't have to do this. I'm not that pathetic."

He shakes his helm and settles down on his side of the berth, back to the footboard where he can see his beautiful mate in the morning light and taking his cup.

"Did your phone go off in the middle of the night?" She dives into her warm breakfast.

Thank goodness he is used to hiding his surprised expressions during interrogations and investigations. "Yeah, it sure did," he covers with the truth and then lies, "Wrong number."

"Oh good," she takes a bite then smiles, "Because I was not going to be happy with you taking calls in the middle of the night. You need your rest."

Swiping another 'berry' from her plate he tips back, "So do you and I would feel awful if I was the cause of your disturbed sleep."

Leaning back, her toes slip out from under the blanket and rubs his hip, "I know, but I also know you haven't completely stopped working either."

He chokes and blinks.

She smirks, "I saw the phone bill," his mouth flounders with no excuse now for his mate. She giggles seeing him trying to come up with something. Her toe wiggles it's way up his side to try tickling his soft spot. "If burning up the minutes keeps you sane and in action, then I don't care."

"Work?! Of course! What else would I be doing?" He downs the last of his cup and sets it on the floor to hide his expression. Timeflip sets her own tray aside taking the last berry in her teeth. She knows good and well her Barricade is up to something. He might be good, but she's known him a long time and he's up to some secret. But she also knows how good and loyal his dear spark is. Then again, he is just too much fun to play around with. She grins with that berry between her teeth and moves.

On all fours, she stalks her prey as he returns to his sitting position. His optics go wide to finding a blue-copper femme in his lap with a seductive look on her face and that red treat between her pert-perfect purple lips. She is no harlot, but damn! And then… she bites the tip off settling herself into his lap. Sucking on the bit in her mouth, she takes the larger piece and traces her mech's parted black lips, 'Dearest Barricade, if it's anybody other than work, you know I will warp them into the sun …"

Barricade's spark chills at her even contemplating him having an affair. She pushes the berry into his gasp continuing, "And I will show you the end of your time." With that, openly kisses his berry filled mouth before he can say a thing. The taste of his lips with the sweet fruit filling it is beyond sweet, it's delicious! It may have started as a tease, but as the fruit dissolves into his mouth with her tongue's help, so does the tease.

There is no question to his love for her and she pushes back exactly how much she knows this. He takes her hand from his neck and makes her soft tips pull his spark-plates aside. Arching back over the footboard, her fingers slip in.

"Ohhhh Baaaaaabe. You know just the ahhhhh!" Inside his spark chamber, she curls her finger to the 'come hither' making him moan for more. Stoking him again, he cups her aft tightly to his lap. Yes he is clearly aroused physically, but right now his spark is taking all the attention it hasn't had lately. Yes he loves his budding sparkling, but this- "Ohhhhh…." the moan is long and deep as her licked lips make their way around the rim of his chamber. "Oh Primus 'Flip! I can't hold out much -nuh!"

White hot bliss takes over his vision and arching him further back. Overloads of burning oil singe his spark and a heady moan slides from her frame as well.

Slumped over the footboard, exhaustion takes him. Not just from the much needed overload, but from his midnight escapade. He groans, "I can die happy now."

"Or go back to sleep," she pulls his ankles so he is flat on the berth upside down. He looks up to her with his wonderful tired but goofy grin. Shaking her helm, she leans down and gives him a last lingering kiss. He doesn't need to defend himself or his actions, for he knows she was just teasing him, "Love you My 'Caide."

She turns towards the shower, but he takes her hand making her turn back, "Timeflip… You have to know… I've never let anyone touch my spark, I'm sor-"

Timeflip sits back down beside him and smiles taking his chin, "Barricade, we will never discuss this again. You will never feel guilty again for trying to find comfort after I was gone. It was war. It was hell. This is life, this is love. I got you now, and I will not let the past taint us. Nor will you, now go to sleep or I will put you out," she shakes a smaller fist at his bigger mug.

He doesn't let go right away, so she leans down and slicks her tongue into the crease of his spark chamber threatening to make it go over again. He shivers and she pulls back, "Get some rest you devoted ga-loot," tossing the blanket over his face with a soft giggle.

Hours later he awakens and knows he has to get this research done. It's going to be touchy, but there's one place he's pretty sure he can get the help he needs. Nothing like tiptoeing around an issue. Kind of like looking for a live grenade with out upsetting any of rest of them.

"Aw well, a challenge is always fun," he laughs to himself and gathers his notes.

Barricade makes his way to Sangria's desk as he enters. She seems to be in a tither pointing to a an image on her desk, "What is this?! No duh, I might be just a secretary but I do know where in the universe I am! Ugh, his arrogance is insufferable -"

"Sangria, that's not the universe."

The wine huffy femme turns to the soft grey and white feathery femme beside her, "Excuse me?"

Dovetail's smile is broad and wide, but not for herself, but for her friend. "Sangria, this is processor image. You know, like from and MRI."

That shakes the helm, "Are you sure?"

Dove laughs, "Yeah I am. My sister works repairs on medical equipment. I helped her study for her exams, yes, that's what this is."

Leaning an elbow on the desk, the investigating detective looks over the image below. Looks like a bunch of colored swirls and stuff to him, but there's one red dot and a line that shoots of saying, "You are here."

Sangria now has a completely confused expression, "Okay so why did Chamfer send me a processor-brain scan and this!" She thumps to the dot.

Dove understands the sweetness that Chamfer tried to slowly slip towards Sangria, but she's not getting it. Not wanting to tick of Sangria any further, she tries again, "Sangria, it's not just anyone's brain scan, it's his. That's the frontal lobe."

Sangria's forehelm goes even more wrinkled. Barricade gets it and smiles to the sly move by the romantic-nerd upstairs. To help the wine femme keep her dignity, he takes the tip of his finger to the center of his forehelm and then ever so slowly drops it to touch his spark. Sangria's face falls. She gets it now.

"I'm at the forefront of his mind…." Both the soft feathery femme and the Navy mech nod slowly. "I'm going to kill him." That perks everyone. "Why didn't he just flat out tell me-"

Barricade lays a hand over hers for just a second, "A mech has his pride when it comes to being put down and…," he gives her hand a squeeze, "He just complimented you on your ability to unscramble a sly puzzle. He thinks you are as brilliant as he."

Sangria's shoulders slump down in a completely undignified posture, "What am I going to do?"

"Do you like him?" Barricade smiles.

"He drives me insane," she rests her own forehelm to her palm.

"She's got it bad.," Dovetail tells Barricade in a whisper. Barricade just smiles and pats her hand again.

Taking a deep breath, Sangria stows the image and brings up her regal persona. She will deal with Chamfer later, for now she is all smiles for her coworker's dear strong and devoted mate, "So are you here for Timeflip? Bit early for lunch don't you think?"

Now it's Barricade's turn to try hiding something. Rubbing the back of his neck, he wrinkles his nose and pushes on, "Is there anyone here who knows anything about stellar cartography?" One of the reasons he came here and not the University is because he knows he might be able to get someone to take him to the sight through the 'bridge as well.

Sangria gives out a sharp crack of laughter, "Of course!" Barricade frowns to her laughing at him. Noticing this, (after all he did just compliment her about her intelligence) she calms her laugh and tries again by laying a hand out to the spacebridge access, "Look, if you want to get from point A to point B in these things, yes, you have to know the 'address' or you will land somewhere random, like inside a cave or the middle of an ocean or something like that. Yes, these guys are very precise on their astrophysics and cartography." Then she leans in with her dead serious optics, "Why do you want to know?"

Pulling up his official ire, he goes serious, "I'm investigating a lead and need the best."

Sangria looks down at her pad, "The best is Shockwave, and he is not on sight. Looks like he will be out for a few days. Can it wait?"

Barricade bites his lip, time is running out, guess he will have to go with second best. "No, can't wait. Who is next?"

Sangria sags to her disgust, "According to their keeper, Chamfer," and rolls her optics. Barricade's lip twitches to calling Timeflip the 'Nerd Division's Keeper'. With another fake-huff, she turns to the light weight femme, "Would you mind holding the fort while I escort Officer Barricade to the Reining Nerd's loft." They all know she's playing it up to hide her true feelings. Barricade just gave her the perfect excuse to see the object of her sleepless nights. "Come on, Officer Barricade."

Dove shoots Barricade and amused smile as he is lead to the lift. Both of them are curious what is going to happen to the charcoal-amber mech in the gaze of the maroon-wine one.

Coming to the entry, Timeflip is curious to see her mate being lead by the lead receptionist. He puts a finger to his lips and she just cocks her brow continuing her phone call. Sangria knocks on Chamfer's door and then opens it without waiting for his permission, "Officer Barricade to talk to you about official business." Then she stomps forward and leans over the side of his desk, "As for us?" She flicks her knuckles hard on his forehelm making him flinch and then, presses her lips to the strike mark. Before he can blink, she is out the door and around the corner.

Chamfer flushes bright. Barricade chuckles lightly. Nothing like nerds in love and trying to figure out a femme. Femmes, right. He shuts the door and sits across from the brilliant mech.

"What I tell you doesn't leave this room, got it?"

Chamfer is not used to dealing with the cops, but knows enough about industrial espionage to keep his mouth shut. "Uh, sure. What's going on?"

Barricade shows him the coordinates and what he has figured out, "I'm looking for someone and apparently these are the possible coordinates to where they might be. I'm guessing what solar system and planet they are on, but hoping to get this narrowed down a bit more and…"

Chamfer takes the notes and begins plugging it into his system. "Hang on. Might take me a few minutes, for there's even more detail in here than you think. It's more than a simple planet location within a solar system, there is more here."

Pushing and plugging the numbers, Barricade has to encourage, "That was pretty slick with Sangria."

Chamfer shrugs but the slight tinge to his cheeks shows he is enjoying the compliment. "She's… difficult."

Barricade swishes the ankle plunked across his knee, "You scientists never do settle for the easy ones. You just HAVE to go for the complex ones, don't you?"

Chamfer stalls for a second, then turns his broad grin on the officer/jock. Thumbing back to the hallway, the charcoal one returns the tease, "That's no secretary, and you and I both know that, Officer."

Barricade's turn to blush back. Yeah, the officer is far brighter than many give him credit for and Timeflip is more than a file clerk. "Oh pasha! Now what do you have for me!" Chamfer chuckles and turns back to the task at hand.

By the end of the research, Barricade finds out he will have to go out and get his in-laws. For there is no space bridge on this planet. Maybe that's a good thing. The place looks pretty remote …safe. The other thing is, are they so well established in this new place will they even want to return to Cybertron? What will they say when they find out what has become of Timeflip due to the war? Will they blame him?

"Barricade, are you alright?" Dovetail asks seeing Barricade looking out over the back lot where the major transport bridge is. A larger version of the one down stairs that only transports bots, this one transports full trains and shuttles.

"Hum? Yeah, just… thinking." He breaks his gaze from the transport being unloaded.

"Nervous about being a father?" She presses a cup of warm Energon into his hands.

He has to hitch a puff of amusement to that. It's the last thing on his mind and yet here she brings it up. "Something like that."

"You'll be fine. I just know. Besides, it's not like you are being a parent alone."

Barricade looks down into his cup. Parent, alone. Like poor Bezel has been doing with Bell. The lump in his throat is tight and hard. Oh Primus, how is she?

He presses the cup back into her hand, "I have to go. Let Timeflip know I'll meet her back at home tonight."

Barricade heads into the Kaon Police Department and straight for the Chief's office. Closing the door, he pulls his back up straight and looks right at the former Autobot. Not just any Autobot, but Prime's right hand mech. Closing the door, he flips the lock which also activates the glass to smoke thus giving the room visual privacy as well.

"I have never said this to anyone since the Armistice, but I am now. You owe me Autobot!" And points a deadly finger at him. "Most certainly YOU!"

Prowl stares. What the FRICK?! "Have you lost your mind, Barricade?"

"No, but my mate lost her father."

Prowl doesn't rise into the fight but does try to reason, "Look, a lot of fathers died. So did-"

"Save it, Second in Command. Just stow it and listen."

Barricade takes the chair across from Prowl and lowers his tone and temper to a more rational a calm one trying again. "When the uprisings began, -I know you were not in charge at the time, but I'm sure that detailed processor of yours could find out,- but that's not the point." He waves his hand for his own benefit trying to get back on course. "Anyone who could read or write Decepticon-tongue was executed. They were supposed to be questioned and interrogated not shot on their doorstep before their mates and sparklings."

"Primus…," Prowl gapes to the atrocity. Yes, he knew this stuff went on before he became a military officer. It was done before even Orion was made Prime but still, it doesn't bring back the dead. Most certainly one important in this Peace Officer's life.

"How about their mate's and sparklings targeted as well to be made examples of?" Barricade is trying hard to keep his anger and grief under control. Didn't help with the images of his mother and father's deaths before him as well. He scrubs his face and presses on.

Prowl has to give the former Decepticon credit, he does seem to be controlled although trying to black mail him as well. Most certainly his curiosity is piqued.

"I need to find my mate's mother and sister. I think I have figured out where they are, but I can not reach them by bridge. I know I've already been on medical leave, and haven't been here that long, but I'm asking for a personal leave so I can see if they will come home to their daughter, sister and … our sparkling. I want Timeflip to have her family with her at this time."

"What of your family?"

Barricade's optics narrow, "You know good and well. My mother was killed in the streets by the Elite, and my father was interrogated to death by AUTOBOT enforcers." His fist clenches, "You owe me, Prowl."

"Barricade…." Prowl's tone maybe soft but it's still cold-logic, "I can't bring back the dead. I can't change the past."

The navy mech cants his helm and snarls, "Prowl I'm not stupid nor pathetic. Am I really here to avenge the dead? Shit, if I was, there would be a blade twisting between your perky little door wings, but no." He huffs, "I'm here to make the future. I serve WITH you to make this a new home. My parents died for what you and I are giving us all now. All I'm asking for is a little time to try righting a wrong. Alright?"

Prowl considers all Barricade has said. Sure by rules and regulations, he shouldn't. By standards and procedures, he should not let any officer (former Autobot soldier or anyone else for that matter) try to manipulate the system. But what is Barricade asking for? Time and hope.

"Make your plans. See me for final sign off. I might have a couple cold cases that need your touch of investigation in that sector."

Barricade smiles and nods his head silently. With that, Prowl returns to the files before him silently telling Barricade to go away. The mech understands all too well and rises. As he unlocks the door, the glass clears and Prowl speaks again.

"And Officer, you ever speak to me in such a way again, I will have your badge. Permanently."

Barricade flicks two fingers off his helm, "Got it, Chief." Exiting the room, that old proud stomp-sway returns to him with no hint of a hitch. Still got it!

~~~ Days Pass ~~~

Timeflip pokes her head into the slightly opened office of the Senior Designer, "Do you have a minute, Shockwave?"

Closing up a files, he nods. Softly she shuts the door and tucks her hands behind her back. "Unofficially, I have become a social secretary as well. Some of the team and their families are getting together for the Armistice celebration." His hands still, he can already anticipate what is coming so she takes two steps forward, "Look, I heard loud and clear what Megatron said about hanging out with soldiers after the war, but I figured it would be best if I came and asked you before the others did and made things… difficult for you to say no. Maybe even if you could stop by for-"

Shockwave turns and faces her honestly, "I have plans to take him out of town for our anniversary and no I don't want anyone to know."

Timeflip stops and thinks about this. Their bondhood is VERY private to them. He is waiting to see if she will argue with him, instead she smiles in a cute little smirk giving him an out, "Oh so you already have plans with family?"

Shockwave huffs, "Family?" Not really a term he is used to using when it comes to his relationship with Megatron or Puncture. But then he seems to stop and ponder that for a moment.

Her body sags a little at his quietness, "I'm sorry, I'm sure the Armistice is painful."

Shockwave shakes his helm, "No, actually it's not." A bright expression comes to his normally reserved face, "Those first few weeks were long and hard in trying to get troops to stand down, comply and to understand the goal had been reached successfully even if it wasn't completely the way the Decepticons had planned. Autobots were not so easy to comply either," he makes it clear both sides had their rough patches in the early lunar-cycles.

"Barricade said he pulled a lot of overtime feeling like a bouncer at a bar."

Shockwave gives puff of amusement, "Yeah he would, and we appreciate everything everyone did to ease the integration and rebuilding of our home." Looking up he sees the others outside gathering a chatting. "I'm not hiding, I just need our own renewal. There's a few out there that know of Megatron's new life and I need to get him out of town so he isn't taunted or feeling watched. So, this will take him away from all media, potential spies and hunters from those who won't let go and move forward."

Timeflip gulps to that thought, "Hunters?! Bounty hunters!"

Shockwave grimaces that he revealed that, "Don't worry about it. Things are in place and I'm sorry I brought it up." She starts to say something but he raises his hand ending to conversation, "Don't. Neither of us has gone soft in our civilian days." With a narrow beam to his optic, Timeflip gulps. Her boss is still that skilled warrior and now that he is bonded to his former leader, more than ever he will not hesitate to strike to protect. She saw him kill an infiltrator to their lab with his bare hands once. One knee to the small of the back and he snapped the neck all the way round before she had a chance to transmit what she downloaded. The femme was still plugged into the console as she slumped to the floor with a pistol trained on one of the other unarmed lab assistants.

Timeflip looks to the polite being before her now with an ire of an office worker with sweet disposition that clearly is skilled in more ways than one. Guardian. Guider, mentor and protector. Guardian, isn't that what Lord Megatron wanted too in a way? A new life for every citizen of Cybertron? He gave up his plans of world (and galactic) domination so Cybertron could heal after all.

Timeflip takes a couple steps closer and smiles warmly, "Would you give Lord Megatron something for me?"

His helm tips curiously to the old title and even more curious to what she has for their former leader. She gives Shockwave a light kiss on his cheek, "Thanks for the new life, Megatron." Then she kisses his other cheek, "That one's for you Shockwave for giving our wonderful leader a chance at new life too." Shockwave flushes bright to the anniversary gift from a fellow bonded one who understands what it means to have someone special to share a new life with. Clearing his throat while she pulls back and heads for the door, he rubs his forehelm. Opening it she smiles, "Have peaceful renewal with your family, Shockwave."

He tweeks his antenna in compliment and she closes his door heading back over to the accumulation of Wave Industries employees. Template, Chamfer, Dovetail, Counterbore and even Button are there. Low and behold a tall athletic green leafed and black-swathed mech bearing his CyberEx badge sidles up to the soft grey femme with a package for her to sign for, "So what's going on here? Secretly planning something nasty, like stealing all the paperclips?"

Dove flushes looking up to him, "No, silly. We are talking about getting together this weekend for the Armistice. Are you doing anything?"

He shrugs, "Eh, got to work late tonight but then not really. Most of the team is going else where this time. What are you nerds thinking about?"

Timeflip narrows, "Nerds? I'll have you know, Officer Barricade will be there!"

Cooley fist pumps, "Awesome someone who DOESN'T know the square root of something! Sign me up!" He winks to Dovetail letting her know he will be there for her. She flushes and beams. "I'll bring the drinks, you bring the dessert," he touches her nose. He catches the tablet as she fumbles with it and then gives her chin that thumb rub-check as he turns away. Dove and Button watch that leaf covered aft stride away.

Template thumbs to the driver, "What's with all the leaves? There's no trees here."

Dove swoons as if retelling a fairytale about a prince, "He didn't grow up here. Early in the war, his parents' escape shuttle crashed on a jungle planet and he was hurt bad as a sparkling. It was solar cycles until medics found him. By then, the bio-botanical vines had infused themselves into his system. The results are what you see. Fauna highlights. I think it's kind of sexy. Have you ever seen any other Cybertronian with botanical attributes? I especially like that one leaf…," she squeaks out.

"Which one?" Timeflip leans in knowing all too well which large leave she is thinking about.

Dove gulps quickly face flaming red, "Um the one between his dreamy optics," touching the center of her forehelm and she dashes over to answer the ringing line, cheeks about to blister in heat.

To regain the situation, Cavalier thumbs to Shockwave's office, "So what about the boss? He and his mate going to make an appearance or are they too good for us?" It's a slight tease but also a test.

Timeflip flicks an hand in the air, "Hey, that was rude. By the way, they already have plans."

Cavalier snorts and Timeflip thrusts into his face, "Let me make this CLEAR to you CIVILIAN! Some of us SOLDIERS have another perspective on this weekend. It's not all BBQ's and Lobbing games. This weekend actually MEANS something to some of us."

Cavalier's turn to gulp and Template nods, "Yeah my brother is going to be there so I would appreciate it of you keep that in mind. He lost his mate in the war and its hard on certain days."

Button then shyly asks, "Timeflip, were you in the war?"

Everyone turns and stares at her. They know Barricade served and she knows none of them know exactly how old she really is and doesn't want to get into that mess today. Still, she hasn't quite figured out her story although knowing she will have to come up with an answer eventually. The silence is getting long and she is getting nervous with each passing second.

"Timeflip served with me during the war. Now, there is still work to be done, go." They all turn to the employee who has worked the longest for Wave Industries. Arms crossed over his chest makes him look proud as a commander to this day. One last glance between the secretary and the purple officer and they all head out to their tasks.

Timeflip flushes and turns to her own desk, but he inches a finger at her. At his side he whispers, "We need to work on your story."

"Umm, yeah, I know."

"Well figure something out by the end of the day so we both have the same story," with tip of the helm making it an order to quit stalling on this issue. She frowns pursing her purple lips, ugh sometimes Shockwave can be unreasonable. He returns to his office giving her no chance to counter the order. Taking her seat, she rattles her brain for an answer.

By the end of the day, the bots are all closing up and gathering to leave. Template comes to her just as she is clearing her desk. Shockwave and Chamfer come from the meeting room as well. "You were in the war? You had to have been an infant!"

Shockwave is looking to her for the answer. "I wasn't a soldier, I was a grunt in the labs." They all look to Shockwave who reveals nothing.

"There were several scientists I worked with," she quickly clears the air leaving Shockwave clean in their optics. "There was an explosion and well… I can't remember it all. Some of it is still hazy or missing. I try not to find the missing pieces because it just makes my brain hurt. So there, can we just leave it at that?"

The detailed mech Chamfer presses, "What kind of an accident? How old were you when you started and-"

Template puts a hand up to Chamfer to stop seeing how Timeflip is chewing on her lip to each passing question. With a soft touch to her arm, he smiles, "Don't try to remember. You are here and safe with us, alright?" She nods.

"And working with past soldiers?" he asks the careful question.

She smiles up to Shockwave knowing what this weekend is for him, "A sign of peace. Hope. Not all was lost and things were gained. A future is here and to be made whole again," this time she touches her spark were her new hope is growing.

Even the nerdy mechs can appreciate the poetry in that statement. "Good. So we will see you tomorrow?"

Timeflip nods once more, "Barricade and I are going to the service at the cemetery and then we will be by later."

With that, Sliderule holds the lift door open, and Shockwave cuts the lights to their floor. They all pile in and head out.

Timeflip teases Shockwave, "You better give him my message."

"I'll try to remember," he flicks a tease. Timeflip sniggers out a hearty laugh knowing there will probably be far other things on his mind as soon as he sees his mate.

At the Kaon National Cemetery at dawn, there are two circular plaques set flat into the ground surrounding Cybertron and Kaon's flags. Each states a promise and hope that not all was lost in this war. But the one surrounding Kaon's flag has a slightly different slant to it's wording. Clearly it was meant for the ones who died on the 'losing side' but that they were not the 'losers' for there was a reason for them to fight.

Barricade holds her hand and bows their heads into the priest's prayer of the souls lost and the ones that still ail. Then he adds another for those who have taken the lessons learned and made a promising future. Barricade pulls Timeflip into his arms burying his face into her helm top, "Thank you Primus for keeping her safe."

Timeflip chokes her own prayers back into his throat, "Oh thank you Primus for letting me come home. And thank you for letting him live to see the future he fought so hard for." She whispers for her former leader's soul.

Barricade nods into that one as well, "Thank you, Primus for he of all deserved to see this renewal."

The prayer concludes with a final hymn long used for past Elite Guard funerals. Barricade and Timeflip join in, tears streaming down their face.

Silently, the participants break away. Barricade lowers to one knee and presses his hand to the marker for Iacon for his parents and then to the one for Kaon for his fellow soldiers. Timeflip stands a his side with a lone hand between his strong and proud shoulders. Several others also come to the Kaon flag and also lay finger tips with their own silent pray for their fellow comrades they lost. One by one, a final silent prayer is laid at each marker and then withdraw so others can lay their own prayers.

Slipping her arm through his elbow, the two former Decepticons stride respectfully away from the tribute silently.

The further and further they drive away from the cemetery, the more and more they see the rebuilt home. Today is not to be a day to just wallow in grief. No, today is a day of hope as well. Yes lives were lost, but not for nothing. They died making a future and their ghosts would haunt them if they did not at least laugh once for them.

Winding along the way, Barricade notices the homes getting larger and more elaborate. "Just how much are these nerds getting paid?"

Timeflip chooses her words very carefully considering where they just came from. "More than you officers, but keep in mind, not all of these people lost everything in the war either."

Barricade's hands clench on the wheel for a moment, but hears the underlying words of warning. "Right," he hisses out.

" 'Caide…."

But he silences her with a warm grip to her hand and pulls up to the curved driveway. Rounding the other side he holds her door for her but takes her hand to his lips, "I love you more than anything. And if spending the afternoon with a bunch of nerds will make you happy…"

Timeflip giggles, "Oh darling, you are so sweet, but Cooley, who is on a lobbing team is going to be here so it won't be all numbers and computer program talk."

Exaggerating, Barricade rolls his optics to the sky, "Thank you Primus!"

She slaps his shoulder and they move to the front door. Ringing the bell, the sound of squealing sparkling voices can be heard racing by. "Holy FRICK!" Template's obvious voice catches, apparently he nearly stepped on one.

The door opens and there is slightly frazzled Template with a sparkling snuggied up to his chest with a blankie in one hand and the other sucking on his thumb. "Timeflip! Barricade! Good to see you, come in, come in."

"Sweet spark, the babysitter is here!" Template calls over his shoulder.

Timeflip gapes, Barricade chuckles and waves one crooked finger at the little one. Not letting go of his blankie, he gives the crooked-wave back. In a few moments, a stunning Elite Class femme strides into the room with a warning to the sparklings to take the ruckus to the back yard and not to climb on the furniture.

She holds her hand out smiling to Timeflip, "Timeflip? Hello, I'm Frenchcurve but everyone just calls me Frenchy."

Timeflip shakes her hand warmly, "I'm pleased to meet you."

Then the stunning femme takes Barricade's hand, "Officer Barricade, right?"

Slipping his arm around Timeflip he beams, "Not today. Today, just plain Barricade."

Frenchy pats his hand back and smiles, "Good, good. Now come on, there's a ton of food. Coolio is here and is aching to get a game going. But I swear if any of you bullies breaks any of these designer's fingers, I'll break your necks!"

Barricade grins even wider and shoots his brows to Timeflip. He can't help but laugh to when Lockdown called him whipped. Template stomps after the dominating femme, "Hey! I'm not that weak! What! Do I really look that housebound?"

Timeflip covers her mouth to hide her giggle. Template is in a frilly femme apron with a drool rag on one shoulder, sparkling on his other and following his aggressive mate shooing the other kids out the back door.

Barricade smiles to his mate, "Oh boy, you will never get me in one of those aprons."

She teases, "Oh I don't know…"

Taking her chin lightly he's about to fire something else back when he sees the dark-devious look in her optics. "Ohhhh, okay maybe once."

The leading teasing kiss is broken by a dark green and black swathed mech clapping Barricade on the shoulder roughly, "Alright! Now we can get a game going. What position do you want?"

Barricade almost chokes on Timeflip's tongue in the clasp, but recovers and looks up. My this is an athletic mech! Tall, quite green and that debonair mustache of his just accents his warm smile even more. The leaves might look stupid on any other metallic-based Cybertronian, but the warm and yet studdly way this mech carries himself, makes him look like a 'solid oak' -to use the human term. Strong, supportive, a great smile of compassion and laughter. All round good mech that anyone can count on. Those damned leaves and swath-like 'tribal-tattoos' just … make a femme hurr. If Barricade didn't know how devoted Timeflip was to him, he might be jealous of this mech's physique.

A sneaky palm slides over his dark aft reminding him that he is the object of her desires. Sneaking a finger into the crease of his armor (over the healed patch) she makes him openly gasp, "Darling, you tear that weld and it will not be Dr. Cole welding your aft to a berth."

Firing back he smirks, "Is that a threat or a promise?"

Cooley-o sniggers to Timeflip's next retort, "Darling dear… it won't be just your aft that is welded down." With that she swishes away with a wink of warning.

"Oh crap," Barricade moans.

Cooley slaps him on the back, "Now THAT is a fine femme you have there, Barricade. I want her on my team."

Barricade crosses his arms be taps his chest, "If she was playing, on no she would be on my team but carrying our sparkling, she's stuck on the side lines."

Cooley smiles again, "Sparkling! Oh she's the one. I though it was that little one Button."

Barricade watches as Timeflip drifts to the fireplace mantel that has been turned into a memorial. Excusing himself, draws up to her side and together they look over the images of bots lost in the war. Another mech, obviously Template's older brother, comes to their other side and touches one of the images. Timeflip pales.

"Yeah that's my sweet mate. Went on a mission to rescue some sparklings and never came back. The bastards only sent back an image of her with a hideous broken neck. They didn't even tell us if or where they buried her. Barbarians."

Timeflip feels the world spin and leans heavily on her mate whispering, " 'Caide, get me out of here. Right now."

A bit fearful, the bulky mech wraps and arm around her shoulder and tugs her close, "Excuse us, she's not well."

"Probably because she is such and innocent young thing. Lucky she never had to see the battlefield like you and I, soldier."

"Something like that," Barricade nods and leads her out the back door. Under the shade he helps her sit then crouches down before her. Timeflip leans in to him holding onto his shoulders. "Timeflip…?"

"It was her," she gasps.

"Who?" He soothes up her spine.

"The one I saw my Commander kill. I would know that unique swirl on her forehelm anywhere as her dying optics looked up at me."

"Oh Primus," Barricade holds her a little tighter. He knows how much fresher these images are for her verses other soldiers that have callused their sparks with vorns more blood of past adversaries.

Today of all days might not have been the best day for Timeflip. "Do you want to go home? We can come up with several excuses."

"No, I just need a moment. It was first attack I ever witnessed and death by hands alone….just chilling.

"I know," his shivers a little with her. It's easier to use another device to use a buffer like a knife or pistol.

"It could have been me she held at gun point."

"Yes," he encourages her to work through this.

"And for him to not know what she was really up to…."

"Oh man…" Barricade breathes with her.

Timeflip lifts her head, "I can't tell him."

Barricade nods, "I agree. Let her memory lie as is." They wait and breathe for a few moments. He turns to sit on the ground beside her and hold her hand. Bringing her hand to his lips, lightly bites down on the ring. She lays her light-topped head to his. Waiting and pondering, his helm buds twitch.

"What is that?"

"Oh Primus no."

"Oh you brought it!" Dovetail dashes out into the back yard with Button. "This is going to be so much fun tonight. Karaoke and dancing!" the two femmes make their way to the brick elevated area by the pool.

"But not until AFTER the game. Barricade, come on you!" Cooley calls out.

Launching to his feet, Barricade kisses her, "Sorry Babe, but duty calls and those leaves are going to wilt."

Timeflip giggles watching his love frame jog out onto the playing area, "Alrighty Coolio, time to put your mustache on the line."