Author's note. WOO HOO, over 100 reviews. Thank you so much everyone, your contributions are what keep me going with this story. Also I'd like to thank DeathSidhe once again for a suggestion she made which I have used in this chapter. Enjoy and please review.
Skywarp frowned as he sat atop a skyscraper. He and Thundercracker had spent the day before and most of this day searching for Starscream, and had not managed to find the slightest trace of him. Skywarp could not understand it, the one thing Starscream was not, was subtle. How could he have vanished so completely?
Megatron was not happy. When Thundercracker and Skywarp had returned to the Nemesis the night before, Megatron had raged about their failure to find their trine leader. He had given them a mild beating for their failure, mild so that they could continue searching.
"How can you not find him?" Megatron had roared at them while they bowed their heads. "You idiots, do you even know whether he is still on Earth?"
"Yes sir, we're sure he's still on the planet. The Space Bridge has not been activated and Earth Satellites have not detected any one leaving their atmosphere. We, we just can't find or detect him. His comm is not responding." Thundercracker said softly keeping his head lowered.
Megatron snarled and turned his back on them, and started pacing his office. He could not believe Starscream's insolence in staying away from their base. Starscream had better have a good excuse for this, anything less than life-threatening injury was going to result in a good beating. Both of the Seekers before him knew exactly what was going through Megatron's mind and hoped they could find Starscream soon, to spare him too much of a bad thrashing.
"My Second cannot hide forever, he will need to fly soon" Megatron said aloud. "If you cannot find him during tomorrow, I will send the Cone-head Seekers to search during the night."
The Seekers nodded their heads, knowing Starscream, he probably would take to the skies under the cover of darkness. But there was still the question of why Starscream stayed away?
And so, Skywarp sat pondering the problem of Starscream. His search had become more concentrated, instead of soaring high above to cover as much ground as possible. He had been flying low, to scour each area more carefully. And still nothing.
Skywarp grumbled quietly to himself. This was going nowhere and Skywarp was getting bored. It was time to try something new. He was going to start asking people whether or not they have seen Starscream.
"How much longer must I stay in here?" Starscream grumbled as he tapped impatient fingers on his berth. Ratchet was bending over him, examining the wounds on his back while Skyfire stood close by. Skyfire sighed. Starscream had been grumbling most of the day, desiring to get out and fly. And poor Starscream, he had been shut up for rather a long time, especially after experiencing all that pain.
"You are healing up very well" Ratchet said approvingly as he carefully applied some reddish paste to Starscream's back. "Perhaps, we could get you in the Rec Room later, as long as you don't over exert yourself. And before ask." He said sensing Starscream about to speak. "You will not be bothered by the twins, Cliffjumper or anyone else who might provoke you."
"We'll both be with you" Skyfire said gently. Knowing that Starscream did not like to be smothered, he quickly said.
"As close or as far as you desire."
Starscream glanced at Skyfire in gratitude briefly before turning to glower at the opposite wall again. He fidgeted slightly as Ratchet started cleaning his back carefully. Ratchet sighed heavily, he didn't really want the Seeker to move from this room, but the twitching Seeker was unconsciously making it clear that this was impossible.
"I'm going to place gauze over your wounds to protect them when you move. They should hold and ensure that your wounds do not bleed. You will be very stiff however and movement will be difficult for the moment." Ratchet said briskly.
"We'll be able to have our evening Energon together in the Rec Room with Wheeljack and the others." Skyfire said with a smile.
"Can we go now?" Starscream asked, trying not to demand. Ratchet pointedly tapped Starscream's helm and said.
"Once I'm finished you may."
A short time later, but far too long for Starscream's liking, Ratchet finished his ministrations. Skyfire carefully lifted Starscream up and set him down. Starscream was determined to walk on his own without help, so the three of them set off at a slow pace. As they walked, they became aware of running footsteps and they stopped to allow Blaster past.
"Sorry" he said as he slowed to carefully skirt around them. "I've got to see Prowl, my reports over due."
As with that he raced off down the corridor.
"Prowl is a bit of a stickler for regulations." Skyfire supplied as they started walking again.
"Much like Soundwave" Starscream mused. "Goodness, I've never met a more uptight mech in all my life. He takes his duties far too seriously as Third."
"But as Second, shouldn't you be the strict uptight one?" Skyfire said with a smile. Starscream snorted.
"Pah, can you see me being that boring? Besides I am strict enough with most of the men, I just don't go overboard." Starscream said tossing his head.
When they eventually reached and entered the Rec Room, Starscream was starting to falter in his steps. Ratchet and Skyfire were relieved as they both knew Starscream would allow no help even if he collapsed. The room wasn't very full but it wasn't very empty either. Everyone glanced at them and some whispered but most turned but to their drinks and conversation. Skyfire and Ratchet discreetly led Starscream to the officers table where Jazz, Prowl and Blaster were sitting.
Skyfire knew the lack of reaction to their entrance was because of Blaster, who had likely told Prowl who would then have ordered the room at large to behave. He wondered fleetingly where Optimus was, but didn't think much on it. He didn't notice Starscream's relived look. Jazz greeted them all warmly as they sat down, Blaster smiled cheerfully enough since he had not had much contact with Starscream and Prowl nodded unsmilingly but not unfriendly. This didn't bother Starscream as he was used to Soundwave's cool countenance.
Ratchet sent a glare in the twins' direction where they were sitting with Mirage and Wheeljack, silently warning them that he would tolerate no mischief, of any sort. Skyfire had steered Starscream so that his back was to them. He had done this so that Starscream would not have to endure stares or be reminded of their tricks. But of course this meant that Starscream's bound up back was in full view.
Sideswipe and Sunstreaker winced softly, remembering the horror of when they had poured paint stripper on Starscream's back and it had erupted with slashes that spewed energon. They had had to endure Optimus's and Prowl's angry disappointment and Ratchet's wrath. They had only been released that afternoon from the brig and the only reason they weren't spare parts was because Ratchet had had to concentrate on his patient. They were truly sorry for what had happened, it had only been a jest, no harm meant.
They were actually somewhat fond of the Seekers, they loved playing Jet Judo with them and they were sure the Seekers secretly enjoyed their spates. Well, Skywarp seemed to enjoy it anyway. So they both sighed sadly at the sight of Starscream's back and turned back to Wheeljack and Mirage.
"Guilty consciences?" Mirage said sardonically.
"Maybe" Sunstreaker said softly.
"I still don't understand how it happened, that remover couldn't have caused those wounds" Sideswipe said. He looked at Wheeljack.
"Jack, I know you were in the Med Bay, how did it happen."
"Starscream had some unhealed wounds that were reopened when you splashed him. That's all I can tell you" Wheeljack replied quietly.
Mirage looked at the Officer's table thoughtfully. The secrecy surrounding Starscream's stay and now these wounds, it meant something. Looking at the twins and Wheeljack he said.
"I heard there was some trouble when he was first brought in."
"Primus was there ever" said Sunstreaker. "Side's and I kind of crashed into the Med Bay before Percy could sedate Screamer and um, he woke up."
"And went totally ballistic" said Sideswipe. "You've no idea how hard it was trying to keep him restrained, only Skyfire was able to calm him down."
"That suggests something, all of it" Mirage said slowly. His three companions looked at him, the twins curious, Wheeljack wary.
"I think he's been beaten, possibly abused. How else do you explain his extreme reaction and the fact he had serious but untreated injuries" Mirage stated calmly.
Sideswipe and Sunstreaker stared at Mirage then turned to face Wheeljack.
"Is this true?"
Wheeljack sighed.
"Look, it's not my place to tell you anything, Prime's orders still stand. Ratchet will head of I say anything and he'll have yours if you cause any more trouble. I won't deny what you've said but I won't confirm it either. And guys" he said taking a deep breath.
"Please, don't try to find out what happened, because what I can say is, you'll be putting Starscream at serious risk."
The twins looked shocked but then they glanced back at Starscream and nodded. They swallowed the last of their drinks and headed out the Rec Room. Of course there was nothing to stop them discussing the matter between them but they resolved not to go further than that.
Meanwhile at the Officer's table, things were going amiably. Ratchet and Prowl were silent, drinking their Energon and listening to the conversation of Jazz and Blaster. Skyfire added the occasion comment, keeping a careful optic on Starscream who was for the most part silent. Starscream's silence indicated how tired he was though he gave the impression of animation.
A few more mechs left the room, as the evening wore on. Just as Skyfire was starting to think it would be best if he took Starscream back to their rooms, Ironhide and Bumblebee entered. Ironhide was fuming while Bumblebee was trying to hide a smile. Ironhide slammed into a chair and grabbed a mug of Energon while Bumblebee calmly sat down, smiling at Starscream.
"What's the matter?" Prowl asked evenly.
"Ah'll tell you 'what's the matter" Ironhide bristled. "That damn blue Seeker."
"Skywarp?" exclaimed Starscream looking up from his drink. "What happened?"
As Ironhide seemed incapable of answering, Bumblebee spoke.
"We were on patrol and Skywarp, um, snuck up on us and well, um."
"The slagger grabbed me by the tail end and lifted me up" he sent Starscream a glare. "To make sure you weren't hiding there. He also attempted to get into ma boot."
Everyone stared at him for a second, and then everyone burst out laughing. Ironhide looked even angrier as Blaster fell off his chair clutching his sides. Prowl was also chuckling softly.
"So what happened next?" Jazz managed to choke out. Bumblebee answered.
"Ironhide chased him all over the countryside, with me following. Thundercracker had to rescue Skywarp."
"Oh Skywarp" Starscream laughed, Skyfire's spark swelling with happiness at the sight.
But then Starscream froze, staring at the Rec Room doorway. Skyfire, frowning, turned to see who had entered. It was Optimus striding in, his optics smiling at the sight of his men laughing.
"Is everything alright?" he asked cheerfully as he sat beside Prowl and Ironhide, opposite Starscream and Skyfire. As Jazz happily retold the tale with his usual flare, Skyfire saw Starscream become steadily more uneasy. But before he could suggest anything, Blaster suddenly noticed Starscream's disquiet.
"Hey Screamer" he said turning to look at the Seeker who was looking slightly ill now. "You okay, you look a bit off colour?"
"I'm fine" Starscream muttered as Ratchet spun around to scrutinise him. But no one apart from Skyfire and Bumblebee had noticed this.
Unknowingly, Blaster continued on.
"Well least you're better off here then back at the Con base, I mean I'm sure your trine's okay and that, but I don't fancy the rest of them looking after me. Don't know how you put up with some of them especially that slagger Megatron."
"Blaster" Skyfire said started to say in warning, but Blaster didn't seem to heed his tone as he said.
"I know you've put up with a lot from him, he always seems to be picking on you. But at least he's done nothing worse than beat you, right? Starscream? Starscream, are you alright."
Starscream did not answer, his head was bowed, optics staring at the table top. By this time, the others at the table at noticed Skyfire's panic and Ratchet's growing alarm at Starscream's worsening condition. Blaster had started to realise he had said the wrong thing.
"Starscream" Optimus said quietly. And that's when Starscream lost it.
His head snapped up and he sprang to his feet, shaking off Ratchet's arm. His red optics were ablaze with fire and before Skyfire could do anything, he screamed.
"Worse? Worse? I'll give you worse. He raped me, yes that's right, raped" he screeched as everyone stared in shock at him.
"And do you want to know something else? He was thinking of your precious Prime as he did it."
And with this, he ran from the room, his optics streaming as everyone stared in horror after him.
"And now you know" Wheeljack said forlornly as Mirage gaped in horror. "Now you know."
Author's note. Next chapter will contain Optimus's reaction to Starscream's words and Starscream's thoughts. All will be explained as to why Starscream reacted like that. There will also be more Skywarp . For Grimlock fans, yes he will be in the next chapter, hope you all enjoy.