Of Femmes and Sparklings

by Midnight De Levella

G1/Movieverse. A virus from Starscream turns the Autobot base into a place of romance and angst. But can the power of love conquer all? Multiple pairings, NO SLASH and lots of Oc's mixed with lots of actual characters. Sort of on-hold.

20. Party

Hold on, if you thought chapter 18 or 13 were long…wait for this one. I swear it's a story in its own right. I do not own the lyrics to Evanescence "Sweet Sacrifice," but I do own the lyrics to "Up, Up, Up." It's a song I wrote and is copyrighted to my real name. I don't own INXS (need you tonight) or Adam Lambert (For your entertainment). The rest of the disclaimers you know.

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Of Femmes and Sparklings – Chapter 20 – Party

Morning- Medbay

Two of the indomitable commander femmes of the Autobot army stood patiently in the early morning, waiting for the wonderful sparkling personality of their CMO to grace them. Elita-1, knowing no fear, was bored as she waited for the wrench-throwing medic. Chromia, however, was more wary. She had once woken Ratchet up in the middle of the night as a dare. She had never attempted anything of the sort ever again. Ratchet with not enough recharge was a force to be reckoned with.

Footfalls and a spark signature made itself recognized.

"Right, you both have about 5-6 days till your systems start signalling that your sparks have split from the spark of your sparkling," the chartreuse medic began brusquely, not even bothering to greet them. "Until that time, you may be feeling a 'heavy' feeling in your chestplates as the sparkling orb continues to grow. What I'm here to tell you about today is about the feeding latch that your spark energies will activate once the sparkling has been taken out of the spark chamber and on-lined. With me so far?" he asked the rose commander and her pale dusky blue 2IC. They both inclined their heads in a nod.

Pointing to his wrist, demonstrating, Ratchet said, "Just above our data exchange cables and ports, is a small closed metal plate, beneath which is a small tube with mesh on the end." Turning around, he pulled up a diagram on his data terminal and showed both femmes.

Continuing with his lecturing tone, Ratchet went on. "After it activates, your sparkling will feed from the tube for the first two weeks of being online until they can handle the sparkling-grade energon. As femmes, your systems have a datafile that activates once you have a sparkling – it causes the line that runs into the tube," tapping his wrist, "to refine the energon down to such a degree that it is fine for a newly on-lined sparkling to drink. After the approximate two weeks, then your sparkling can start to drink sparkling grade energon. It is an automated system with femmes, but mechs need the datafile downloaded by a medic for them to have the feeding tube actually online and extend. My question is: would you like me to download the files for Optimus and Ironhide?"

"Yes without a doubt," replied Elita immediately. She knew that Optimus would miss no opportunity to care for their little mech in any way possible, and that this would be no exception.

With a grin, Chromia also replied, "I'd love to see some of the looks on other mechs faces when they see a trigger-happy Ironhide feed his sparkling." Ratchet smirked at that, but knew that when the time came he'd not be the one to talk. He'd already downloaded the file.

"Very well. By my medical scans, both sparkling orbs are fine, and you are both free to go." The femmes were off, leaving Ratchet for his next appointment with the other expecting femmes. Not even a minute after Elita and Chromia had gone off to their light duty, Firestar and Flare-up walked in. Nodding a greeting, being a little more awake now and more courteous than earlier, he gave the same lecture as he had before to the two femmes.

When he got to the part about asked Firestar if she wanted Inferno to have the feeling line, he noticed Flare-up go unnaturally still. The small orange and red bike was usually in motion, at least one part of her. So when she was still, those who knew her noticed. Firestar shot a concerned glance her way.

"It's ok," Flare-up said softly, trying not to think of the secret rendezvous she and her bondmate had last night.

Firestar looked on concernedly for a little more, but turned back to the CMO and nodded her affirmation of the request. The red fire rescue femme wanted her large, loving, protective sparkmate to feel the closeness of what they, in their love, created. She felt the most spark-felt pity for her young friend, who would not have the pleasure of that one simple thing – to have her bondmate by her side.

After his lecture, Ratchet reached for the nearby spark scanner and switched it on, and asking kindly, "Are you ready to see what gender your sparkling is?"

The spirits of both femmes perked and Firestar nodded. Ratchet scanned over her chestplates, quickly deciphering the glyphs scrolling itself over the screen. Firestar was practically hanging on the edge now, wondering what the CMO had found. She was almost ready to beg him to let her know now before her building curiosity burst, when he smiled a genuine smile and said, "Congratulations to you and Inferno. You are having a femme."

Firestar thanked Ratchet briefly before sprinting out, wanting to find Inferno to tell him the news. Also leaving, before Ratchet could prompt her to tell him about her relationship with Barricade, Flare-up thanked him also and slipped out.

Stepping out from a private room, Moonracer came to her sparkmate's side and slipped her arms around his waist. "Don't fret Ratch…Flare-up is young, she will talk to Cancera or Tauri soon."

"I know, but you know me."

"Yes, I do," the pale mint green femme smiled as Ratchet drew a warm arm around her frame to reach her cheek ridge for a light peck. "Now sweet spark, I believe that we should find out the gender of this sparkling we have made."

"Yes, we should," Ratchet replied, a little teasingly, back. Picking up the scanner and running the program, he didn't look at the screen like he had done for Firestar's, but had his optics locked on Moonracer's, one hand intertwined with hers and rubbing soothing circles. The scanner beeped softly, drawing their attention. There was silence all around them as Ratchet flicked through the data. Then an overjoyed grin spread across his usually weary faceplates, much like he had when he had woken up the day after they had bonded.

"We're having a femme Moonie," whispered Ratchet reverently, putting down the scanner and tracing a hand over the smooth chestplates in rapturous wonder.

"We're having a femme," the femme breathed back, optics dimming as she looked down to where Ratchet's dextrous fingers were softly sweeping in the spot above her spark on the outer armour. The situation registered itself in her processor and she jumped up, legs wrapping around her surprised sparkmate as she shrieked happily, "WE'RE HAVING A FEMME!"

Ratchet recovered from his surprise and laughed, capturing her lipplates with his own, and feeding love through their bond, overwhelming her with the slide of emotions. Spinning her around, Ratchet whispered through their bond, 'I love you…so much.'

"Love you too sweet spark. What do you say we visit our little femme's Uncle Wheeljack?" suggested Moonracer, excited at the prospect of creating the protoform of their sparkling. Absorbing the excitement of his mate via osmosis through the bond, the medic nodded, and calling First Aid or Jolt for their shift, swept Moonracer out the door with him, nothing in his CPU now than the joy that sang through them both, a shining light in their lifestreams.

---

Prowl

The no nonsense 2IC was striding down the hall with Tauri to his office, drinking his morning ration of energon. His sparkmate was just walking with him, in silence, albeit not an uncomfortable one, simply taking the time to enjoy being with him. They hadn't seen each other yesterday, for Prowl had spent the day with Bluestreak, paying some much needed guardian attention on him.

After Bluestreak had come back from the attraction of Jazz's booths, Prowl had cleared his entire schedule, delegating much of his work of the day to Smokescreen and an underling. He and Bluestreak had gone to the shooting range, Prowl challenging Bluestreak to beat him by more than 10 points. While Prowl was a fantastic shot – he had been the one to teach Bluestreak – he did not have the same innate ability at targeting that the young gunner did. Bluestreak had accepted the challenge with his usual zeal and had risen to the occasion. He had beaten Prowl by 12 points. He had been 1 point away from perfect on all targets.

The tactician had planned it that way – for shooting to be the first activity. It would focus Blue's jittery mind, and make the healing stage easier when they talked. After the range, Prowl had taken his younger charge outside and had climbed on a small ledge of a short cliff. Sitting in companionable silence, the two Praxians had enjoyed the view before Prowl had prompted Bluestreak to talk.

And talk he did. Like Prowl had planned, Bluestreak was more calm and collected, and through talking, chased his demons away temporarily. The young gunner then mentioned that Aquaris wanted to talk to him. The black and white had encouraged him, knowing not all of the problem was out.

And now Prowl was with Tauri. Being with Bluestreak was always great, but it wasn't until he had seen the silver femme that morning with energon for him that he realised how comfortable around Tauri he was. And how attracted he had become. Something primal had been unleashed within him in his Praxian courting programming and in his own natural programming. Seeing her this morning at his door with energon had him fantasizing about knocking the cube out of her hands, pressing her to the wall and kissing her senseless until her kneejoints went weak.

But he had controlled it. Darting a glance towards her now, he found himself admiring her high cheekridges and lively sapphire optics. The grace in her walk, slim legs powering her, through the silver plated abdomen and chestplate. As far as chestplates went, it was slightly smaller than average, but it enhanced her personality as far as he was concerned. Too much bigger and it wouldn't suit her.

Turning his head slightly to watch her as she took a slow sip of her energon, Prowl found himself having to take control again. A trickle had found its way around her lipplates, crept down her chin and onto the chestplate he had been admiring not even a few seconds ago. The tactician found another fantasy popping up in his processor, of stopping her in the hallway to lick up every drop of that small spill from her body, not caring who saw.

"Oh damn," she swore softly, dabbing at the energon, unsubspacing a handy towel and wiping it up. Feeling Prowl's gaze, she looked up, seeing his expression and canted her head to the side, asking, "Prowl…you ok?"

Shaking his helm slightly to clear it, he replied, "Yes, thank you."

'Acting like a young mech who just discovered his interface array…hmpf!' he scolded himself. Upon reaching his office, they were met with a silver saboteur.

"Hey Prowl and Tauri, what's up?" greeted Jazz.

Confused, Prowl answered, "The ceiling, Jazz. What else would be up?"

To the tactician's continuing befuddlement, both Jazz and Tauri began to laugh. "Prowl, Ah didn't mean literally. It's Earth slang for 'what's goin' on.'"

"Oh."

Still giggling, Tauri pecked him on the cheek and said "I've got light duty on the monitors with Flare-up. I'll see you later." As Prowl looked after her silver form disappearing down the hallway, he felt Jazz nudge him, smirking.

"So…my mistletoe worked then?" asked Jazz, still smirking with glee.

"Yes it did, but I would like it if you wouldn't something like that again," replied Prowl mildly, though reaching up to deliver a light cuff to Jazz's helm. The silver mech followed his bond-brother into his office, gracefully falling into a seat. Prowl rounded the desk and sank into his own seat opposite, getting started on his work for the day.

Visor lighting up playfully, Jazz said, "Ah've got a real party goin' on tonight…you comin'? Ah've asked Muse 'n' Lyrica to perform a few songs and they agreed. An' besides, I reckon you 'n' Tauri'll like it."

"As long as I finish all my work-"

"Which you do anyway," interrupted Jazz.

"-then I may come to view the proceedings," finished Prowl, ignoring his companions remark. But in Prowl's processor, an idea formed and he changed his stance spontaneously (making his own battle computer scream in protest) on the party and he said, hand rising to halt Jazz, "Actually, I will be there, on the proviso that you play this track." The black and white reached into his desk drawer, to pull out a datachip from where he had placed it the day before, and gave it to Jazz.

Eyeing it curiously, Jazz asked, "Ya got a particular moment ya want me to play it?"

His mouthplates quirked at the side as he replied, "Yes. When I signal you. You'll know."

---

Bluestreak

Pressing the door chime to the aqua femme medic quarters a little nervously, Bluestreak wondered if he should be doing this. He had doubts whether she would be able to help him as well as Prowl did yesterday. Just the memory of spending time with his mentor sent warm feelings through his spark. The gunner started slightly when the door cycled open abruptly to reveal Aquaris sitting calmly on her own small couch, Cancera leaning on the arm rest by her side. Bluestreak froze momentarily, doorwings angling up in surprise. Aquaris had not mentioned bringing in her sister.

Amber optics fell on him and Aquaris called softly, "Come in please. I hope you don't feel too uncomfortable with Cancera here – I thought she could help."

Blue hesitated but still walked in, moving to sit down next to the aqua femme while eying off the grass green one. They sat down in silence for a long while, making Bluestreak do nothing but twiddle his thumbs and look everywhere in the room apart from the femmes, before Cancera said quietly, "I've got it."

"Uh, got what?" Bluestreak asked nervously. Cancera said nothing, but sat down in front of him on a low table, optics intense and searching – caring. Bluestreak got the impression like she had known him his entire lifestream.

"The most obvious thing that I can pick up is that any trauma you have had stems from the attack on Praxus, you were one of 27 survivors," the grass green femme began. A wide-opticed Bluestreak was about to babble questions, but Cancera shook her head for silence. "Please, let me finish my observations. Now, you have many friends, but you are close enough to discuss your problems with only a few. Night terror fluxes inflict you, mostly around times of battle and uncertainty. And with your trauma, you cannot control your vocaliser most of the time because of a need to get everything out for the bot you are talking to, just in case that it's too late for whom you are talking to. You want them to know that you cared just to talk, before they die…because…you never had the chance with someone you loved."

Bluestreak's optics widened to their furthest extent. It's like she had peered into his spark and read what had been engrained into him. As far as he knew, no-one but Prowl knew about...about….the names were too painful even now. A dam broke inside of him, and he dropped his helm into his hands, vulnerable and pained from having this femme find the key to unlock all his hurt, and began to sob.

He only dimly registered Cancera leaving the room and comforting arms curling around him to pull him into their side. Bluestreak continued to leak coolant tears from his optics while Aquaris had taken the shaken and distraught mech into her arms and rubbed his chevron, hoping to calm him down so she could talk to him just as a friend. She really didn't want to use the sedatives she had brought for 'just in case.'

However it seemed like Primus had a different plan for today. When Aquaris brushed his chestplates to embrace him, energy arced between them, signifying that their sparks were compatible…the virus had struck again. Bluestreak didn't seem to notice however, too much in shock from what Cancera had told about him. Aquaris however, tensed in surprise as she felt the discharge of energy leave her. Knowing that now was not the time, she ignored the phenomena momentarily.

Hoping to lighten his mood fractionally, Aquaris mentioned, "Cancera is good like that. In just observing, her empathy can unravel the most closed of sparks so they are like an open book to her. She makes herself feel what others do. Like an emotional telepathy."

"I…I can't believe she read so correctly into my problems, it's like you said like she has telepathy. Has she always been able to do that because it seems like she could help sort out everyone's problems all the time if that is true," said Bluestreak, tears slowing down to nothing.

Smiling faintly, Aquaris supplied, "She's always like that. Just by observing others, she knows just what ails them and what they need. In battle though, she uses it to her advantage, striking the weak places revealed by her emotional pickups. So yes, she does help us to solve our problem, but she cannot take others all the way. You have to find what's in here," she laid a hand over his chestplates, "and use it to chase your demons away."

Bluestreak shivered slightly, embarrassed by acting like a youngling in crying so openly with someone he didn't know particularly well. Bringing up a grey hand to dry his optics, the gunner wondered if he should tell her…after all…Cancera had already let out his greatest secret.

"Blue?" the femme asked softly.

"C-can I trust you?"

Making an undignified snort, Aquaris replied carelessly, sarcastically, "Sure. Medical confidentiality and all that. Otherwise I'd tell."

Realising upon seeing the mech's nervousness, she reiterated gently this time, "Bluestreak, the whole point of a secret is to keep it hidden, no matter how embarrassing or hurtful it is…and personally and professionally, as long as this secret is not putting everyone in danger, I will never tell another spark. Ok? I wouldn't do such a thing to another Autobot, I swear on the Well of Sparks."

Nodding into the aqua-coloured shoulder he was leaning against, Bluestreak began to speak, trying his hardest not to prattle on in his usual fashion. "The orn that Praxus was destroyed, I had an argument with my c-carrier and c-c-creator." The young gunner winced as he felt his vocaliser stutter again. "I was a y-youngling and I was a little fussy sometimes, and in this orn they didn't let me go out with my friends because I hadn't drunk my nutrient energon. It was really disgusting which is why I didn't drink it, though my fussy tank needed it. I yelled at them that they didn't love me c-cos they didn't want me to have fun." His vocaliser was beginning to wobble his words dangerously.

"So…I tell them that I don't love them anymore too…and leave the house trying to go after my friends. Th-that's w-w-when I heard the s-seeker engines and the b-b-bombs…" Bluestreak trailed off as his memory files flashed on his HUD, remembering the city klaxons blaring, the whoosh-BANG! of bullets and bombs as they went off. He recalled the alley walls he was in at the time – taking a shortcut to the park – shaking uncontrollably, his own screams as they collapsed around him in a protective cocoon as the city around him was destroyed.

Aquaris watched in alarm was Blue curled in on himself in memory and began to rock back and forth, soft keens emitting from his vocaliser – so different from his keens when she had been intimate with him. The aqua femme moved to him again, hugging him fiercely.

Feeling her touch, Bluestreak came back to himself and forced himself to continue.

"I…fell offline through most of the a-a-attack. I remember w-waking up amongst fogs of crystal dust settling. It was ho-horrifyingly b-beautiful. I felt deadness in my spark, where my creator and carrier were. I don't remember running through the c-city, through t-the puddles of e-energon of dead b-b-bots. I just remember c-coming to my h-house – destroyed c-completely. My c-creator and c-carrier were together…b-b-barely al-alive. T-t-together n-near the doorway. I…remember crying, flinging my body o-over theirs a-and just s-s-aying s-s-sor-ry over and o-over again. W-with their l-last s-strength in their sparks, they f-fed their l-love into me b-b-before finally d-d-d-de-activating," Bluestreak choked up, unable to cry anymore because of the anguish of the memory.

Looking into Aquaris's teary amber optics with his own, Bluestreak sobbed dry tears, "I-…I never told t-them I l-loved them b-b-fore they w-went. I never told them! I t-tried to s-speak quick e-enough, but i-it never got out. I felt l-like such a bad c-creation. They l-l-left without k-knowing I l-loved them."

"No Blue! They knew," stressed the medic, alarmed for the poor mech, "in their sparks they knew I bet. I don't know from personal experience of being a carrier, but they would have known that you loved them. Because you went back for them, even being as young as you were." Bluestreak curled into her slightly larger frame even more, seeking more of that comfort. Knowing his circuits would overheat from his continued anxiety, she reached over to the low table and retrieved one of the sedatives.

"I s-still feel horrible, a-after all these years," whispered Bluestreak, "and you may be right, b-but it doesn't ch-change that I d-didn't say 'I l-love you' in t-time."

"What were their names? I know it might be hard but…"

"Hotstreak w-was my carrier…while Bluewing w-was my creator, because he had blue doorwings," Bluestreak dutifully explained. Aquaris nodded, now stroking down his back. Bluestreak's emotional anguish dimmed in the slightest degree as another memory hit him, more recent than his childhood, of when the aqua femme had touched him like that before. In that back room, clean and ordered because Aquaris had never used it for the purpose they had…

"Blue, you've been very brave in telling me this, but I would like to sedate you if you would allow me. Your heating levels from anxiety are awfully high, because the hurt is from your spark. It will give you time to recover slightly. Will you allow me?" Aquaris explained patiently, softly. Bluestreak nodded. Medics knew best. There was emotional anguish, a slight prick in an energon line, and then the feeling of floating before his systems shut down exhaustedly.

The aqua femme medic eased the recharging mech off her frame, smiling sadly, "You've made progress Blue." She wiped the coolant tracks off the lax faceplates and drew a blanket around him, leaving a small cube of energon on the low table when he would wake. And then, and only then, did she let the gathering coolant tears of her own fall silently down her face.

Aquaris was also wondering what she would do. She was compatible with him and he didn't know. 'Should I tell him?' she thought leaving the room. She was glad to leave and go to the medbay. It would distract her from the poor grey and blue mech in her room.

---

Ultra Magnus

Steering the ship down into the hangar in the Autobot valley, powdered in snow, the large blue and white mech was relieved to see the signs of their new home. It had been excruciating to come back from Cybertron, for Springer and Hot Rod had ceased to speak to each other. He had warned Arcee, who saw him as a mentor, not to go for a mech's best friend. Did she listen to her processor? No. She had listened to her spark. But Magnus could not condemn her for that. When you were a simple soldier – like he was – then sometimes you just wanted to listen to your spark.

But it had made the inside of their vessel feel like it had been dipped in ice. Springer and Hot Rod had not even looked at each other, apart from when they had to. It had began after Springer had confronted Hot Rod about his relationship with Acree just before they left Cybertron, from the successful mission. It had escalated from there.

Seeing Prowl and Prime waiting for them to disembark had Magnus wanting to crawl out in relief and kiss the both of them. The tension was so thick between the two wreckers behind him they would have needed Ratchet's buzzsaws to crack through it.

Reaching the bottom of the gangplank, Magnus saluted his commanders sharply and reported, "Mission was a complete success, no injuries sustained and required quantity of mineral ores and metals obtained."

"Very good Magnus," acknowledged Prowl, checking something off with a stylus on his datapad, nodding to Optimus.

"Springer and Hot Rod, you can go into the main base. Magnus, please stay," ordered Optimus, faceplates, like Prowl completely neutral. The orange flamed young mech and the older green one left hurriedly in opposite directions, not even nodding a farewell as they hastened to get the pit away from each other. Magnus made an audible sigh of relief as soon as they were out of earshot.

"You cannot believe how unbearable the trip back to Earth was. I was ready to sing praises to Primus when we touched down," sighed the city commander, rolling his shoulders to ease the tension gathered there in the muscle cables. Optimus chuckled a little, saying, "Elita told me about it. While it is a little amusing, I hope Arcee hasn't bitten off more than she can chew with those two."

"Hmm. Magnus, Optimus, I will ask Red Alert to keep an optic on them. Magnus, I would like your report to be on my desk by tomorrow if possible," said Prowl, saluting his comrades in farewell.

Now that there was no-one around, the two large mechs embraced each other. "Ah, Magnus my friend, there has been no end to my adventures here on Earth." Optimus slung a friendly hand over Ultra Magnus's shoulders as he spoke, "I have good news. Elita and I are expecting a little mech."

The taller of the two mechs smiled and slapped his friend on the back. "All the more congratulations to you both. Is anyone else sparked and expecting?" Magnus enquired as they walked outside the base, wanting to talk in private.

"Yes. Ironhide and Chromia are due a day after Elita. Firestar and Inferno, Ratchet and Moonracer are around the same time. And Flare-up on the same day as Elita. Elita let a specialised team infiltrate the Decepticon base – and we now know it's location – where they found Flare-up with her bondmate, Barricade," explained Optimus, settling down on the powdered snow ground, Magnus doing the same actions next to him.

Antennae pitching forward in surprise, Magnus asked, "So the virus is deemed to be real? Well, in Flare-up's case, at least it's Barricade."

Frowning, Optimus replied, "Yes. But, what do you know of Barricade? He seems like a regular Decepticon to me and to Autobot intelligence files."

"Hmm, must remind me to update them. Hook and Barricade are the safest Decepticons in the ranks. Hook's gotten too jaded with war, and Barricade has some compassion. Nine times out of ten Barricade will perform mercy killings on those whom he fights or targets, but tries as hard as he can to completely avoid deactivating an adversary. Extended torture is not his thing. Also, whenever he visited the pleasure houses on Cybertron, the pleasure bots liked him the best out of any Decepticon that visited them. Not sadistic and respected them," informed Magnus leaning back on his hands, optics scanning the environment.

Wryly smirking, Optimus asked, "It was a rather clever idea to have some spies in pleasure houses wasn't it?"

"I'm surprised that Prowl actually came up with it and not crashing his processor."

"The move was logical. Only femmes who were paid would be with a Decepticon, and thinking they are safe in a pleasure house, might blab battle plans in the post haze. It was just surprising to Prowl himself that he didn't exploit that weakness sooner. But in any case, from what Elita has been telling me, Barricade actually cared for Flare-up. Apparently she pines for him. I find it slightly strange," mused Optimus, looking up at an icy blue sky.

Magnus retorted, "Love is a strange thing my friend. I still don't understand why you fell for the scary one, even if she is beautiful."

Playfully nudging a shoulderstack, Optimus chuckled, "When you feel it one day Magnus, you'll understand. Who knows, with this virus, there will be a femme for you, and we can have mini-Magnus's going around squeaking, 'I'm not the city commanders son, I'm just a sparkling!'"

Slightly affronted, Ultra Magnus said, "Just because I insist that I'm a mere soldier-"

"Should be your catchphrase," interrupted Optimus, snorting in an un-Primely manner.

"-doesn't mean I like the ridicule."

Optics still glinting with mirth, the Autobot leader ceased in his light teasing, and informed the slightly older mech, "You've missed two days of festivities. Come to the party tonight, no doubt Jazz is going to make it interesting. I think also he has planned a nature tour tomorrow and a meeting with a few of our human friends the day after. After such a successful mission, I'd like you to relax. Don't make me make it an order."

"No, wouldn't want you to do that. I wonder if a party will make this issue with Springer, Arcee and Hot Rod go away. It's getting me a processor ache," grumbled Magnus.

---

Arcee

'Oh slag oh slag oh slag oh slag!' Arcee thought, panicked, 'Silly fragging Hot Rod couldn't keep his mouth shut!' The pink motorbike had been warned by her commander that Springer had found out of her going out with Hot Rod after him. Although she and Springer had been completely broken up at the time, she knew he still considered her 'his.' She had broken up with Hot Rod too, but only because she really didn't have the time. Now that she did, she found herself wondering…if she had to choose, who would she pick?

It seemed like Primus had a sense of humour that day, or was simply bored, for at both ends of the hallway she was in came Hot Rod and Springer, determined on her form. Knowing that there was no way out of it, the pink femme waited for her ex's to join her.

"How come you didn't tell me you went out with him!" both mechs cried out in unison, pointing accusing fingers at each other when they reached Arcee.

"I thought you were my friend! What sort of friend goes out with his friend's ex?" yelled Springer, balling up his fists.

"Hey! You guys were WAY over, and any bot could see that, and I liked her anyway so I thought I'd take a chance! You should of held on if you wanted her that badly!" the younger mech argued back, optics beginning to blaze in anger.

They stepped towards each other, and Arcee jumped in between them to prevent them from coming to blows. Snarling, the bigger green mech said, "Doesn't matter. You don't go and frag a friends ex, even though all the times I talked to you about regretting the decision to break up? I confided in you, Hot Rod, and it can't be forgiven."

"It's not like I didn't treat her right! And-" Hot Rod's angered retort was cut off when he found himself, along with Springer, crashing to the floor.

Arcee found her assertiveness, and looking uncharacteristically irritated, said, "If you two don't stop acting like a big pair of sparklings fighting over a dummy, I will blast you both into next week! And if there is one thing you both forgot in your petty little argument, it's that I was the one to get it on and break it up with you both. I was the instigator. My choice, not yours, who I wanted to be with. Now leave me the Pit alone, unless you want your interface hardware cut off!' With a growl, the smaller pink femme stalked away, leaving two very surprised and confused mechs behind her.

---

That night – the party

Stepping on the stage with his sparkmate, Optimus felt excited anticipation rise within him as he looked over the crowd of Autobots, only a few missing to do patrols just in case. Elita was next to him, also observing the crowd like the proud commander she was. The chattering of the Autobots ceased as the leader's stood, waiting for quiet. Once they were, Optimus amplified his voice in his regal baritone and began to speak.

"I hope that tonight will be a night of joy, laughter, contentedness, and peace. We have all gone too long without a good party." Chuckles followed the statement. "But this is not just a celebration tonight for enjoying the culture of Earth music and dance. We are also celebrating the beginning of a month of truce, of peace without Decepticon interruption!"

Whistles and cheers roared from the assembled crowd. Raising his arms for silence once more, Optimus gestured for Elita to speak. Stepping forward smoothly, the rose coloured femme beamed out at her comrades. "Also, unknown to most of you, we have sought and found the retaliation deserved for Starscream due to the virus." Also holding up a hand before the Autobots could cheer, she went on, mirth colouring the tone of her voice, "Three days ago, a select group of femmes managed to infiltrate the previously hidden Decepticon base and…" pausing for effect, "turned Starscream…into a femme!"

As shocked gasps and choking laughter and giggles echoed around the rec-room a large screen slid down from a ceiling near the wall. All the bots turned toward it, as Leo-Rah and Jazz caught each other's optics with gleeful grins. The screen started playing footage from a small camera that Leo-Rah had placed on the wall opposite Starscream's berth. Shocked and gleefully wide optics watched as a newly femme Starscream woke up, watched Elita's message, came to the realisation that she was now a complete femme, and ran into another room. Some bots had their jaws open in disbelief, while other were laughing uproariously at the expressions and actions of the Seeker. It only got better when Megatron, Soundwave, and Starscream's two trinemates came in and saw Starscream.

Even Delira, who hardly ever laughed in pure mirth, Huffer and Gears were laughing. The laughter increased when they heard and saw Soundwave crash from the shock of seeing a femme Starscream.

Over the laughter and shock, Ultra Magnus boomed out, "Three cheers for the femmes!"

"Til' all are one! Til' all are one! Til' all are one!" the room echoed and shook with the force of with which it is said. As the screen slid up, Jazz bounded onto the stage next to his commanders, calling for silence.

"Ah know that we have already got ya guys in a good mood, so let me keep the good stuff comin', as I introduce, for the first time in a long time, the musical twins, Muse 'n' Lyrica, performing for ya tonight!" Jazz called, to even more cheers. As he and the two satisfied commanders made their way off stage, Muse and Lyrica stepped on, the spotlights Jazz had set up glinting off the high-quality wax they had used.

Grabbing her microphone confidently, Muse pumped a fist in the air and shouted, "Are we feeling good tonight bots?" Hoots and hollers rushed at her from the crowd. The red swirled femme grinned at Lyrica, her purple swirls enhanced by the wax. They had missed the feeling of performing, of the crowd chanting their names as they sang.

"We have a new song for you tonight, and it describes how Muse and I felt when we first discovered the news of Starscream's virus. This is one of our darker songs, and it's called, 'Sweet Sacrifice,'" introduced Lyrica, optics unconsciously searching for Sideswipe in the crowd.

The lights dimmed, causing the assembled Autobots to wait quietly in anticipation. The music started, Muse beginning in a haunting voice;

'It's true…we're all a little insane,'
But it's so clear,
Now that I'm unchained.

Lyrica broke in to sing with her twin: Fear is only in our minds,
Taking over all the time.
Fear is only in our minds but it's taking over all the time.

Restrained anger filled their shared chorus as Muse bent over, singing into the crowd, rage on her face as she felt the music.

You poor sweet innocent thing.
Dry your eyes and testify.
You know you live to break me. Don't deny.
Sweet sacrifice.

Muse stepped back, letting Lyrica take the next verse.

One day I'm gonna forget your name,
And one sweet day, you're gonna drown in my lost pain.

The higher sweetness in Lyricas voice was harmonious, though different, from the deeper tone in her twin. Sideswipe watched, enthralled, as Lyrica swayed slightly, optics shuttering as she reached the higher notes against the heavy beat of rock. Sunstreaker, too, was enraptured by the fierce performance of Muse as the emotion carried so perfectly in her vocaliser. His gaze was intense as their optics found each other momentarily just before the pre-chorus.

Together: Fear is only in our minds,
Taking over all the time.
Fear is only in our minds but it's taking over all the time.

Together: You poor sweet innocent thing.
Dry your eyes and testify.
And oh you love to hate me don't you, honey?
I'm your sacrifice.

As Lyrica continued in a long, high, drawn out note, Muse sang the overlap:

(I dream in darkness
I sleep to die,
Erase the silence,
Erase my life,
Our burning ashes
Blacken the day,
A world of nothingness,
Blow me away.)

Together: Do you wonder why you hate?
Are you still too weak to survive your mistakes?

Together: You poor sweet innocent thing.
Dry your eyes and testify.
You know you live to break me.
Don't deny.
Sweet sacrifice.

After finishing the last note, the sisters took each other's hands and raised them, as the 'bots below them cheered and stamped their feet in honour of the new song. "Thank you!" Muse shouted to the applause. Before the crowd could quiet down again, new song music started, the song that had began the twins career: "Up, Up, Up."

Grinning at Muse, Lyrica waited for the guitar intro to finish and sang. Just by the beginning notes, you could tell this song was pure pop rock.

'Get me up, get me jumpin'

You got me movin' around.

Sound of a bass guitar to rock 'n' roll ground.

Flows through my head,

Flows through my spark.

E-lect-ricity waiting to start!'

Raising both of their voices, they rocked out.

'Up, up, up, that's what I wanna say,

Out with the old,

In with the new.

Beats thrumming through me,

Drums thrashing with me.

And I say, I say!

Rock away!'

Muse took the second verse, hand in the air.

Starts as flame, grows to inferno,

You keep pullin' me with that rock 'n' roll sound.

Invades my head,

Screws up my spark.

E-lect-ricity waiting to start!'

The femmes came together for the chorus again, before both alternating the lyrics on the third verse as they put on a show, joyously dancing across the stage as they sang.

'Kaleidoscope of many sounds

Entraps me, controls me

I'll be a different Autobot tomorrow…

But hey…

I say, I say, I say, I say baby,

I say, I say, I say, I say baby,

ROCK AWAY!

They sang the chorus once more, Autobots who knew it joining in on the song now, filling the room with a crescendo of rock.

'Up, up, up, that's what I wanna say,

Out with the old,

In with the new.

Beats thrumming through me,

Drums thrashing with me.

And I say, I say!

Rock away!'

The song finished to even more raucous applause. There had been so much that night that the sound of metal hands clapping seemed to be engrained in their audios. Muse and Lyrica stood on the stage triumphantly, identical grins on their faces as they stepped down. Sideswipe was at the base, waiting for Lyrica to give her a delighted hug.

"That was amazing, both of you!" praised Sideswipe. Lyrica hugged Sideswipe back as Jazz, meanwhile, swung himself back up onto the stage, trademark grin in place as he rolled out a DJ booth.

Visor bright, Jazz announced, "Let's get this party started!" He started to play Usher "DJ got us falling in love" and while many of the older bots and a few of the younger ones went to sit at tables and booths, others embraced the music, let it guide them and began to move. Sideswipe immediately whisked Lyrica away into the dance floor, leaving Muse to glance around, strangely hoping for Sunstreaker to claim her…although she had tried to avoid him ever since their last conversation.

Sagittari was one of the first to begin to get the hang of the Earth music, having dragged Ariea and Override onto the dance floor, the red frames of the femmes beside her enhancing her own white and lavender as they moved. Shimmying up and down in time to the music Sagittari grinned at the red femmes as they slowly began to sway their own hips, moving their limbs in co-ordination. Over the din of the music, Sagittari asked Override, "I haven't seen much of you Miss Speed Demon. Where have you been?"

Shaking her shoulders rhythmically, Override smirked and said, "I've been having to run for a while every day to get rid of the energy that my speed matrix throws at me because I can't transform into alt mode. I've been sparring, running, anything to basically expend energy."

"And not the fun way either," winked Ariea. Sagittari and Override laughed, continuing to dance along to the new music as the song ended and switched to "Please don't stop the music," by Rihanna.

Rolling her hips, Sagittari twisted her head to her other side and caught sight of a mech who she hadn't seen since the introduction and who was looking so yummy. Ultra Magnus had just sat at a table and was obviously wearing his best polish for the party. His large white and blue frame had sunk down next to Optimus and Elita and was smiling at them. Sagittari wondered if she should go over there and re-introduce herself.

Ariea nudged her, "I know that look. Go on, ask him to dance!" Taking the encouragement, the Zodiac leader grinned and began to shimmy her way off the dancefloor.

After all, she had been trying to find someone to begin a relationship with – and had been busy making friendships. She wanted to be rid of the virus, and so she had become friends with many of the mechs, trying to see who would be a suitable companion.

So far, Hound, while nice, was too nature based. Mirage too quiet and guarded. Maelstrom too troubled. Blurr was seemingly intrigued by Scorpia, Drift by Capricornia. Perceptor, Wheeljack and Skyfire were too science based. Hoist was like a older family doctor. Cliffjumper…was Cliffjumper. Huffer and Gears she wouldn't touch with a 10-foot pole, Tracks was too self-obsessed and Smokescreen she just couldn't see as other than a friend.

Making her way towards the command table, Sagittari was hoping that she could find such a companion in Ultra Magnus. The white and lavender femme was almost there, full of confidence, when she felt her foot get caught on something, and she tripped…right into Ultra Magnus's lap.

"Ah! Oh, I'm so sorry!" exclaimed Sagittari, scrambling to get off the white hips, faceplates heating up in embarrassment.

Stoically, Magnus, reassured, "It's fine," and reached down to help her up to spare her any more embarrassment. In doing so, Sagittari pressed on his chestplate to get up, but the table was surprised by a bolt of energy fizzling between the Zodiac femme and the City Commander.

High pitched, mocking laugher came from somewhere off to Sagittari's left as she wanted to just deactivate. It was the most embarrassing thing to happen to her. Glaring at the bot who laughed, she was it was the smaller, malicious form of Delira, who was pointing and continuing to laugh at her. Sagittari saw red, however, when the small pink, purple and gold femme called out, "Watch your fat pedes next time!"

Growling, the white and lavender femme tried to go after the scorning femme, but was stopped by two large hands on her waist. Looking up, she met the optics of Ultra Magnus and immediately looked away again. The moment was too fresh and embarrassing for her to look at him now.

"Don't," Elita advised her sub-ordinate from her spot next to her mate, "It will just give her the satisfaction."

"Your commander is right," rumbled the city commander softly, gently placing Sagittari back on her pedes. While he too was embarrassed, Ultra Magnus was trying to keep impassive and unaffected for the femme's sake.

Getting back a bit of her bravado, Sagittari argued "But I'm her superior, and as if she'd do that sort of thing to Elita!"

Ultra Magnus patted her awkwardly on the back but it gave the white and lavender femme no comfort. She hated it when things went so fantastically wrong. Especially in front of Optimus and Elita as well! 'Slag it, frag it, and all the rest,' she thought disgruntledly. Not saying a word, Sagittari elbowed her way back into the centre of the dancefloor, where Ariea and Override were waiting for her and had seen the whole thing – where they comforted her and assured her they'd get Delira back.

---

Muse

Watching her sister on the dancefloor with Sideswipe was bittersweet. Because she knew she wanted Sunstreaker, and yet she had pushed him away. If she was the handsome golden mech, she would have not even bothered to keep trying. But it seemed that he was persistent in getting to know her better. Shuttering her optics, feeling the ebb and flow of the human music, Muse cursed herself for playing 'hard to get.' Maybe it was her stubborn sense of pride, or maybe it was because she wanted to be sure she wasn't seen as a plaything, but she had done it nevertheless.

It was odd that she didn't even want to dance by herself or even with Wildside- who looked to be having the time of her life – because Earth music was good, but it just wasn't inspiring her.

The track changed again, only this time Muse could feel it was trying to pull her in, with the blatant, steady drum beat. And then a sultry whisper, in time to the music, whispered from behind in her audio, "Come over here."

Spinning around, the silver and red-swirled femme came nose-to-nose with Sunstreaker. Before she could even utter a sound, the golden mech had taken her in his arms and manoeuvred her onto the floor, stepping in time to the beat. The guitar riff hit, and Muse almost moaned at the sensation of that wonderful guitar.

Sunny's bright blue optics were on hers, fierce, intense and wanting as her led her around the floor, not noticing the smirks from Sideswipe and Lyrica. Muse couldn't pull away, much like she couldn't of when he had painted her and kissed her then.

So slide over here
And give me a moment
Your moves are so raw
I've got to let you know
I've got to let you know
You're one of my kind

Muse could feel the strong, warrior shoulders beneath her hands and lost herself completely, letting Sunstreaker and the music take her away. "NNmmm," she hummed, shuttering her optics and leaning into the tough golden chestplates. Faintly, ever so faintly, her audio picked up the sound of Sunny's sparkbeat. She almost leaped up in surprise as she found it too was rhythmic, much like the feet of their owner as they gyrated together, completely in-tune with the other. It was magical. Intoxicating. It was, like the song said, raw, and so completely right.

"I need you tonight, cos I'm not sleepin'," Sunstreaker sang softly with the lyrics, only loud enough for her to hear. Unwillingly, she shivered.

The chorus repeated again, as did the same guitar riff that took Muse higher. As the song ended, Muse let out a small cry of surprise as she was dipped backwards and those wonderful lipplates landed on hers for a brief moment before Sunny whispered, "You're one of my kind."

Without a word, the daffodil bright mech pulled her up and pulled her to an empty booth, not heeding any other bots in their way. Sitting side-by-side, Muse and Sunstreaker said nothing, watching as a few more bots rose to join the mass of writhing bodies on the dancefloor. After awhile, Muse pressed up against him, giving him permission to slip an armoured arm around your shoulder.

"Giving in?" Sunstreaker asked quietly.

Sliding sly optics onto his frame, Muse answered, "I'm only denying the inevitable. Besides, I think, in a way, you have earned me. You haven't deviated from me, from wanting me."

Sunstreaker grunted, "About time." Gazing into her optics again, the toughliner growled, "Because I have never wanted another femme like this before. You are so Primus-damned perfect…you have no idea what affect you have had on me…and I am unflappable around femmes. I want…no…need you tonight." The last part was whispered so deliciously into her audio and she couldn't repress another shiver.

Feeling desired was such a heady rush, and Muse made a quick decision. Pressing her lips to his helm fin and licking a vent, she whispered, "Then I have one question for you: your quarters, or mine?"

---

Capricornia

"Drift, no."

"Please?"

"Drift-"

"Just one!"

"NO!"

"C'mon…what's wrong with a little dance?"

Capricornia turned away from her mechfriend. As charming and as handsome and she found him, she wouldn't dance. In public anyway. Shaking her head, the royal purple femme reiterated, "I'm sorry, but no. I just don't want to dance."

"Why?" implored Drift softly, still standing over Capricornia from where she was sitting.

Huffing softly, Capricornia said, "I'm not a good dancer in public."

Thinking it over, Drift merely shrugged and sat back down beside her. As she was going to protest him not having fun sitting down with her, Drift placed a finger on her lipplates, smirking calmly, "As long as you can dance with me in private, then I have no qualms just listening and watching."

Strangely relieved, Capricornia smiled back.

---

Cancera

It was hard to go to parties sometimes for Cancera. Because there was usually such an influx of data from the feelings and emotions of all the 'bots around her. It sometimes drove her mad. But now, it was tolerable. She could pick up feelings of lust and desire, joy and playfulness, shyness and uncertainty and a myriad of others. She had felt, more than saw, the incident between Sagittari and Ultra Magnus. While there was a moment of glee within herself at the hilarity of the situation, she knew that Sagittari wanted to make a good impression and had felt crushed.

But now something else caught her perception. Not too far from where she was standing, unnoticed, against a wall, the main scientists were sitting. Skyfire, Wheeljack, Picyries, and Perceptor were all chatting about some sort of chemical theory, but whereas the first mentioned three were content, it seemed Perceptor was troubled.

Shuttering her optics, letting the emotional data register in her processor, her optics re-opened quickly, almost popping in their rush as the realisation hit quick and hard.

The lanky scientist felt worthless. He was smiling and doing all the motions of being engaged in conversation, but in his spark he was definitely off. The brilliant scientist thought his contributions were not worthwhile at all, and by extension, he was therefore worthless.

Troubled by this realisation, Cancera realised that she must take a leaf from Tauri's book and make the scientist her 'project.'

Putting the troubles aside for now, the grass green coloured saboteur vaguely noticed Virgo leaving, and Quicksilver, being ever so shy, slipping out like a silver black wraith after.

---

Mirage

While it was nothing compared to the Towers, it could be said that Autobot parties were at least worthwhile to attend. He had obligingly danced with Delira for one song, honouring the request for she was of Noble blood, the spy had just sat at a table, occasionally smiling at Hound who was dancing with whoever wanted to. Now his tracker friend was dancing with Beta the archer.

That was another major difference from the Towers parties. Everything there felt so stiff and formal, and bots could only dance with those in their rank, unless in an uncharacteristic gesture of intermingling, they would dance with another of lower or upper rank. Frivolity and good cheer were frowned upon in such a setting as the Tower balls, and the more quiet and classic dances were seen. If his creators were still on-line, they would have been appalled at where he was and the company he was with too.

Quietly mulling over his thoughts, he didn't notice a quiet indigo femme coming up to him.

"Hello Mirage," greeted Libra, knowing his sensitive audios would pick up her soft vocaliser.

Glancing up and posture becoming a little more welcoming, Mirage replied gracefully, "And to you as well Libra. I trust you are well?"

Purple optics glowing in faint recognition at the hidden question (any other mechs try anything with you?), the Honda Accord nodded and said, "I'm good thank you. I saw you sitting over here and thought you would like some company. It's the least you could do after you got Slingshot off of me."

Mirage smiled faintly, "It was my pleasure."

Resting her weight on one leg and tilting her head to the side the femme tactician observed, "You're not really a party mech are you?"

"That I am definitely not."

"Well…actually, I came to see if you would like to come with me to the library? Hoist and Grapple only finished it up a few days ago so not many bot's know. I saw you just enjoying being a spectator and thought maybe you'd like to do something a little less loud," Libra described sweetly, kindly.

Tilting his helm to the side and thoughtfully considering the option, Mirage found himself perfectly willing to follow. Standing up, he gestured silently to the door and began walking, Libra just behind him as she realised he had accepted her offer. In a comfortable silence, Libra guided him to the library, a place that, when they reached it, Mirage knew he would see a lot of.

There were comfortable seats everywhere, and a large, sturdy variation of beanbags on the floor. There were shelves lining the walls. On three walls, thin bookfiles took up all the space, with one wall for fiction, the other two for non-fiction. On the fourth were human stories that had been transmitted into the bookfile form. Looking all round in awe, Mirage mused aloud, "I wonder why they decided to build it?"

"Apparently it's also a 'safehouse' area for sparklings when the time comes. It's got some sparkling puzzles and toys in that box there," Libra gestured to a box in a far left corner, "Hoist mentioned when I first wandered in here that they are also modifying Moonracer's quarters into a sparkling centre, because she, Chromia and Elita share with their mates. So here's just a space to relax I guess."

"Hmm," murmured Mirage, going up to the human reading section, "Have you read anything yet?"

Beaming in delight, the indigo tactician said, "Yes. There is this human playwright who lived a few hundred years ago whose name was William Shakespeare. I have been reading his plays and they are really quite brilliant and entertaining…would you like to read my favourite one? I think you will like it."

Raising optics ridges at her, Mirage nodded nevertheless. Standing on the tips of her pedes to reach the highest shelf, Libra pulled down the bookfile and handed it to him. Reading aloud the title, "Romeo and Juliet," the spy hoped it wouldn't be a sickly sweet story about lovers. Libra nodded and rested on a couch, obviously an invitation for them to read it together. Inwardedly sighing, Mirage acquiesced. It was a much better experience, at least, than watching bodies grinding on the dancefloor.

---

Wildside

She had a fetish for fliers. Not many other bots knew, but she did. And she was so lucky to be grinding against this hot flyer behind her, but careful not to get any of her black, green or gold paint on him.

She needed a good hard 'face, and from what she was picking up, Air Raid would be the perfect one to give it to her. Being frustrated in this way for too much longer would make her go truly insane. In her opinion, a casual hook-up was just the perfect remedy, and with just no strings attached. A song called "Sexyback" was playing, and Wildside rolled in perfect time, dipping her head back to look up at the flier's faceplates and lick her lips slowly.

With a low groan, Air Raid said, "That better be an invitation."

Wildside chuckled. "It's an invitation for a one-night showing…onboard big boy?"

Leaning down to nuzzle her audio Air Raid also chuckled, "Definitely."

---

Tauri

The silver sharpshooter was puzzled. In fact, she had been puzzled all day. Prowl had completely shut off his end of the bond, and yet she could tell it was not accompanied with any sort of negative intent. What even thoroughly confused her more was that every now and then Jazz would smirk at her from his place in the DJ booth knowingly. What was going on? As if to answer her question, a pulse came through her spark and she turned to face the doorway of the rec room…where her jaw promptly fell open.

For there was Prowl…polished and shined to perfection, the obsidian and white paint reflecting the low lights of the rec-room. And his chevron seemed to positively gleam in brilliance, the bright crimson a focal point on his frame. His majestic doorwings were held up high and proud, flared out gracefully for all to see. Tauri wanted to melt into a puddle of nuts and bolts right then and there at her bondmates appearance.

Tauri was only vaguely aware of everyone else in the rec-room copying her motions and staring at their usually bland second in command. Prowl, too, seemed to ignore the stares. He was fixated on her.

Prowl only deviated from her optics for one moment, to nod at Jazz, who slipped the datachip into the player, smirking wildly, knowing what was to happen. Smokescreen and Bluestreak knew it too, and as Prowl started forward, the two younger Praxians made other bots move out the way in a wide circle around Tauri.

The silver femme could only stand stock still as Prowl slowly moved towards her, body language displaying nothing, nor his emotionless faceplates. His optics, locked onto hers, told of a different intent – what it was, Tauri was not sure.

The Cybertronian music started softly, tantalising strings of Praxus reverberating around. The black and white then snapped his gaze from Tauri's and stepped to the beat around the edge of the gathered circle, optics now menacing as he passed any mech. A low sound made itself heard, and it took Tauri a few moments to realise that Prowl was growling! Tauri turned as she watched Prowl pace around to the slow beat, as the path became tighter and tighter, nearer and nearer to her. And then there was a cacophony of sound as the beat became slightly quicker, other stringed instruments rising in a crescendo, and Prowl, finally, looked back at her.

'Don't move now,' passed through their bond, and Tauri obeyed and promptly shivered when she saw Prowl's doorwings suddenly hiked up and seemed larger than usual, displaying his dominance over any other mechs.

Tauri admired the way he moved, no energy wasted, no step out of place. He then passed behind her, and she nearly jumped out of her protoform when she felt a doorwing scrape lightly along her shoulders. He passed her again, fluttering his doorwings gracefully, yet it was not a feminine gesture, it was strong in its masculinity.

Swaying his doorwings back and forth, again Prowl let the doorwing come into contact with the front of her body, lightly fluttering it and teasing a visual display. As he passed around a second time, Tauri let out a tiny sigh of pleasure as little tingles ignited wherever those tantalising doorwings touched.

The music abruptly changed, this time more driving and sensual and heavy, not unlike a human tango. Prowl reached out for her hands, and knowing his intention, took them.

As the handsome, emotionless facade-ed mech pulled her flush against his body, Tauri felt the world drop away around them as she trusted him to glide her around the floor. There was nothing but their frames in contact, the music, and Prowl's impassioned ice blue optics locked on hers. Tauri could feel the warmth of his frame, the ex-vents of air, the faint pulse of his spark, in time to hers, underneath his chestplates. They moved gracefully together, Tauri willing, Prowl masculine in all senses of the word as he moved one direction, checked and went in another, spinning around in perfect time to the beat.

If Prowl hadn't relayed his intent through their bond, Tauri would have yelped in surprise as he lifted her above his head, a small smirk touching his mouth, and brought her down in such a position that on leg was pulled up against the outside of Prowls own, while the other was spread out against the other of Prowls, perfectly straight.

The dance had taken 10 minutes. For Tauri, it had only felt like one. Prowl bent her back slightly just as the music stopped, and it was like the world came rushing back to her. There were whistles and applause all around them, and although he didn't show it on his features, Prowl was feeling very, very satisfied.

And just as suddenly as he had arrived, the tactician left, leaving a small package in her hand as he whispered in soft Cybertronian, "You are mine, Tauri."

Tauri was frozen, systems running on hot as arousal cascaded inside her. When she could move again, Prowl had disappeared out the door and Sagittari and Ariea were around her and exclaiming how they'd like to be courted like that. Opening the package revealed a full tub of fresh masseuses wax – it was a pure Prowl gift, personal and functional. Tauri wanted to go after Prowl, but knew it would be too obvious, and darted a glance to Jazz, who caught it.

"All right, simmer down bots! After that amazin' display, Ah reckon we should do some of our own. Here ya go, this is 'Tricky' by a band called Run DMC," Jazz called out, thumping out the legendary song, providing a handy distraction for Tauri to slip out.

Once out, Tauri looked furtively around to make sure no one was around and (subspacing the wax), she sprinted down towards Prowls quarters they shared, knowing that she wanted him. She…loved him and it was certain.

Reaching the door, she typed in the code faster than she had ever typed in a code before in her lifestream, and rushed in only to be encircled in a pair of strong black and white arms.

"Prowl, mphf-" Tauri got out before lipplates covered hers passionately, the door sliding closed behind her. The silver femme squeaked in surprise as Prowl nibbled on her bottom lip, leaving her mouth open for Prowl to flick his glossa inside and toy with her own. Being relatively new at the art of kissing, Tauri was cautious and shy, hoping not too mess it up as she tentatively stroked back with her glossa. Prowl hummed in pleasure and deepened the kiss, wanting to map out her mouth completely and ran his glossa along her top denta.

Tauri gasped and subsequently let out a small mewl as Prowl clutched her tighter to him, one sparkling white hand on the back of her neck, the other on the small of her backstrut.

The couple didn't even know they had moved into Prowl's berthroom until Prowl fell backwards onto the berth, dragging Tauri along with him and finally breaking the kiss. Optics deepened with desire, Prowl gasped out, "Too fast."

Tauri nodded, faceplates heating again from embarrassment and arousal as she panted, letting her cooling vents take over from the aftermath of that amazing kiss. She rested her head in the crook of Prowls neck, puffing into the neck tubing and cables. If Prowl had wanted to take her, she would have let him. She had complete trust in him not to hurt her and to treat her the right way. She felt Prowls hands move from where they were to rest on her waist, tenderly stroking the plating.

"You are a great dancer," the sharpshooter murmured.

"I had a fantastic participant," Prowl replied. He was trying to cool himself down completely – as he had too quickly lost control of his desire for his bondmate. He didn't want intimacy to be rushed…and he wanted to be a little more romantic than this at least. Dropping a soft kiss onto the top of the silver helm, the tactician continued, "It felt different from the first time I did that courting dance. It felt real this time, not contrived. I…felt it…if you can understand my meaning."

Speaking softly, Tauri said, "I can. We were in our own little world."

Prowl fully agreed, but wasn't sure that he, at least, hadn't left it. The moment was peaceful, content…loving even, the comfortable, pliant weight of Tauri resting on him, the slight noise of cooling fans as they controlled themselves…it was what Prowl would always be looking forward to.

Tauri shifted, and made as if to slip out to the spare room when Prowl grasped her wrist. "Stay," he pleaded softly, surprised at his own daring. Smoothing a hand out over his berth, he said, "Recharge with me…in my arms."

Worrying her bottom lip between her denta, Tauri hesitated…she didn't want to intrude or make their relationship awkward. But on the other hand, she really liked the idea of staying with him. Recently, her single berth seemed so cold and alone with just her there, knowing her bondmate was somewhere else. Nodding slowly, the silver femme eased herself back onto the berth, gladly curling up against Prowl's side as he wrapped and arm around her shoulders.

"Good night Tauri," murmured Prowl, initiating the sequences for recharge.

"Night Prowl, sweet dreams," Tauri muttered sleepily back, already halfway into recharge, lulled by Prowls sparkbeat and warm chassis against her own silver frame.

Prowl stiffened slighty, then relaxed and shuttered his optics, pulling Tauri closer. He could not believe that this moment felt so…right. Every tactical planning that he had ever done about anything in relationships could not have prepared him for the feeling of complete peace and bliss he felt when around Tauri. It seems their union was a gift from Primus himself. The silver femme even smelt good! A mix of sweet oils left from the masseuses wax she used as well as the faintness of clean metal was pleasing to olfactory sensors. Dropping another tender peck onto Tauri's helm, Prowl finally slipped into recharge, happy and content.

---

Scorpia

The temperamental black and orange femme had spent yesterday in the brig per Elita's orders for insubordination, and was now relieved to be out after one day when the penalties could have been worse. However, she was not so glad to be at the party. Before Virgo and Quicksilver had left, she had sat with those two femmes in a back corner watching the festivities. Now she was alone, nursing a single cube of mid-grade as she wallowed in her own solitary confinement. Unsubpacing the holo of the gift of the Cybertronian racing tracks, she sighed. She wanted to know for sure if it was Blurr who had given it to her.

'Speak of the pitspawn,' she thought as she felt a small gust of wind and looked up to see Blurr smiling face.

"Can I sit here?" he asked, gesturing at her table. Scorpia shrugged. She could use a bit of company. After slipping into the chair, the racer noticed that Scorpia was playing with the holo he had given.

"I'm glad you like it," he blurted, before he could stop himself.

Scorpia's optic ridges arched in surprise. "You…you were the one to give me this?"

A little grin on his mouth, Blurr shrugged. "Yeah. I admired your speed. I wanted you to have it."

Scorpia's optics were narrowed slightly, not wanting to trust. Blurr seemed to take no notice and asked, "Wanna dance?" A new song had been playing, and Blurr liked it. What he wasn't expecting was to be rebuffed.

"No." Scorpia said shortly.

It pulled Blurr to a halt.

"Why not? It's a party! You know, music, high-grade, fun…all that good stuff," insisted Blurr. He really wanted to dance with her. Scorpia had caught his optic from day one, a rarity for the usually 'one-night-stand' kind of mech.

Shaking her helm softly, the assassin said, "I don't really engage in these types of activities."

Now usually this sort of anti-social behaviour would have turned Blurr right off. But oddly, he found himself wanting to work out something fun for them to do so he could get to know her better. Thinking hard for a bit in silence, he finally came up with a solution that made him grin with glee. "Hey, since the whole virus thing, you can't transform, yeah?" Scorpia nodded warily. Blurr went on, "So I bet you are missing racing. Why don't I take you for a drive?"

The black and orange femme stared incredulously at the grinning racer. "And how am I going to do that? I can't exactly fit in you," she pointed out doubtfully.

"Easy. You will lie or sit on top of my alt mode and hold on for dear life as I race at top speed," suggested Blurr.

Strangely, Scorpia wanted to accept. "I….I'll think about it Blurr."

For Blurr, it was enough…it had to be enough.

---

Bluestreak

The talkative gunner was having a great time. As Sunstreaker had left, Bluestreak had spent his time on the dancefloor with Sideswipe and Lyrica, and occasionally Bumblebee and his femme friend Esperanza. It was refreshing to just cut loose after the pressures and the emotional rollercoaster of the past few days. Aquaris had been surprisingly sympathetic and comforting, and Bluestreak was hoping that she would seek him out more – she was good company.

Bluestreak looked up to watch Jazz perform some smooth moves up in the DJ booth, twisting his lithe body in the small area. The young gunner immediately got struck by an idea, and scanned the room with both his optics and systems to see if Aquaris was in the room. Pushing out of the tangled mass of dancers, Bluestreak found the femme medic by the energon dispenser.

"Hi! Isn't this a cool party? This is so much better than yesterday with the booths, which were interesting but not as fun as this. How are you?" Bluestreak asked excitedly.

Aquaris laughed softly. "It's good to see you happy Bluestreak." The words were sincere, for the femme medic was relieved to help the mech with his personal demons.

The young gunner became shyer now, and looked up into her amber optics sweetly, asking, "It would make me…really happy if I could see you dance again like you did back…back on Cybertron…" he trailed up, hope shining out of every metal plate of his being.

The aqua-coloured femme couldn't look away from his irresistible 'mechano-pup' look. 'Damn it…I don't want to see that hope disappear,' she thought, slightly irritated. Aquaris was not out of practise, having used dancing for exercise and to help perfect her kick-boxing skills, but she had not danced like that for a number of years in front of a crowd this big. Looking back into Bluestreak's pleading baby blue optics, Aquaris found herself nodding.

"Yay!" Blue cheered, and bear-hugged the astonished femme medic before pushing her gently across to the stage.

Gritting her denta, Aquaris sidled up to Jazz in the DJ booth and whispered something in his audio. He smirked, nodded, and stopped the music abruptly and chose another track and paused it, waiting until the femme medic was ready.

All the party goers looked up to Aquaris, standing proudly on the stage. "Good evening," she began, "I'm up here tonight, because a friend has asked me to dance. He has watched me dance before, and he wanted another showing." Gathering her courage, she decided to be open and honest. "You see, to pay my way through medic school, I had to dance. And before you get any ideas, I did nothing other than that," she glared at Cliffjumper who had dared to whistle.

Jazz dimmed the lights to almost nothing, and changed the colour on some of them to dapple blue and green over the crowd and Aquaris.

The song began, a song that had been danced to by humans around the world.

So hot
Out the box
Can we pick up the pace?
Turn it up,
Heat it up
I need to be entertained
Push the limit
Are you with it?
Baby, don't be afraid
I'ma hurt 'ya real good, baby

Aquaris burst with movement her whole demeanour changing from guarded to playful and charming, moving her arms in structured movements while she swayed her hips slightly, bringing her arms up and down, forming a square shape with them and then rolling her shoulders.

Let's go
It's my show
Baby, do what I say
Don't trip off the glitz
That I'm gonna display
I told ya
I'ma hold ya down until you're amazed
Give it to ya 'til you're screaming my name

She gave a saucy 'wink' and did a slow back-bend, trailing her hands over her abdominal plating, shimmying her shoulders at the same time, prompting the crowd to gasp at the balance she held, before when flipped herself up.

No escaping when I start
Once I'm in I own your heart
There's no way you'll ring the alarm
So hold on until it's over

She made an 'x' shape with her arms before popping her hands over her chestplates and rolling her lower body from the chestplates.

Oh, do you know what you got into?
Can you handle what I'm 'bout to do?
'Cause it's about to get rough for you
I'm here for you entertainment

Oh, I bet you thought that I was soft and sweet
'Ya thought an angel swept you off ya feet
But I'm about to turn up the heat
I'm here for your entertainment

Aquaris twirled herself around on the stage, kicking her legs high in front of her before she dropped to the gound, bounced up again to kick up with her other leg. She was a blur of shaking hips and a sly grin as she roamed her hands over her body, pretending to scratch at her abdomen in desire.

It's alright
You'll be fine
Baby, I'm in control
Take the pain
Take the pleasure
I'm the master of both
Close your eyes
Not your mind
Let me into your soul
I'ma work it 'til you're totally blown

She brought her hands to her helm and twisted it from side to side, before looking into the crowd at Bluestreak and playfully crooking her finger at him in a 'come hither' gesture. The gunner smiled and blushed.

No escaping when I start
Once I'm in I own your heart
There's no way you'll ring the alarm
So hold on until it's over

She turned to the side and held her arms above her helm and did a full body roll, undulating her muscle cables and pulling them back in before shaking her aft.

Oh, do you know what you got into?
Can you handle what I'm 'bout to do?
'Cause it's about to get rough for you
I'm here for you entertainment

Oh, I bet you thought that I was soft and sweet
'Ya thought an angel swept ya off your feet
Well I'm about to turn up the heat
I'm here for your entertainment

She turned frontal, swaying her body from side to side and draping her hands over her thighs and abdomen, moving her legs outward and forward.

Oh oh... mmmm
Entertainment...
Oh oh... Oh entertainment...
I'm here for your entertainment...

Oooohhh...
Do you like what you see?
Wooooaaaahhhh...
Let me entertain 'ya tell you screeaaam

She turned around and did another back-bend so that her helm was facing the audience and rolled backwards onto her hands so that she was doing a handstand and had her legs pointed towards the ceiling. This met a round of applause and she cart-wheeled into a standing position.

Oh, do you know what you got into?
Can you handle what I'm 'bout to do?
'Cause it's about to get rough for you
I'm here for you entertainment

Aquaris put all her energy into the graceful movement of dancing, feeling herself lift with enjoyment at dancing so freely as she shimmied and shook across the stage. Twirling around with her hands in the air, rolling her shoulders and kicking out gracefully, she was putting on quite a show!

Oh, I bet you thought that I was soft and sweet (bet ya thought)
'Ya thought an angel swept ya off your feet
Well I'm about to turn up the heat (turn up the heat)
I'm here for your entertainment

She finished, cooling fans kicking on at the exertions, to the cheers and whistles of the crowd. She was a little bashful at the attention, but then saw Bluestreak near the edge of the stage. His face was shining with laughter and of hope fulfilled. And as she saw his face Aquaris knew it had all been worth it.

---

Jazz

Admiring Aquaris's smooth moves as she danced across the stage, the silver saboteur decided to let the music play and hopped of the stage, seeking the flash of brown and yellow that was Leo-Rah. Jazz wanted to ask her for a 'date', plain and simple. She was cool, she was fun and entertaining and very willing to do whatever she could. His type to a T.

Seeing her alone (for once, he mused, for she always seemed to be with a friend), Jazz sauntered up to her with a small smile.

"How're ya likin' the party Leo-Rah?"

The femme grinned at him, rolling her shoulders slightly, "I'm lovin' it. It's amazing that you can plan all this!"

"Well, Ah've had too much time in the medbay lately," replied Jazz. Leo-Rah snapped her gaze to him and asked, "You mentioned the bed rest on our first day and now again. What happened to you?"

Although Jazz knew she was just being friendly in her concern, he wished she hadn't of remembered when he had said that, and he wished again he hadn't said his previous comment. This was not the way he planned on asking her out, so he improvised.

"Hmm," he murmured playfully, "Maybe Ah'll tell ya if ya join meh for a cube of energon on top of the base."

"Asking me out Jazz?" Leo-rah questioned playfully back, but inwardedly wanting to agree and squeal like a femmeling.

"Why yes, Ah am Cap'n' Obvious," Jazz teased back, pleased that he had turned it around so quickly. Leo-Rah nodded, optics twinkling with mirth as she did so.

"How about in two days time? I'd like to go on the nature thing you have set up for tomorrow," replied Leo-Rah in response to the unspoken question.

"Sure thing lil' darlin'," said Jazz. Perfect.

---

Ariea

The red femme was walking down the hallways of the base to the femme quadrant, contemplating the recent weeks since she had gotten the virus. The fifth sister, she was the best warrior, with flashing green optics and a bright, cherry red paintjob. And yet now, she felt strangely…hollow. She had left the party early, abandoning it after awhile because she was bored. She got bored easily, and often left certain projects unfinished.

She had seen Sagittari make an attempt on Ultra Magnus, and although she had encouraged her eldest sister, she had felt protective as well, and even more so after she tripped and embarrassed herself.

The red warrior was confused within herself. It felt like she was wandering around in a closed labyrinth and changed it path so she couldn't remember where she had been. It was a frightening and worrisome aspect. To be feeling so secure within herself before she came to Earth, and for it all to come crumbling down around her without her own being having a clue…it was processor boggling. What was missing? What was the virus doing to her?

It was making her think about her future.

She needed to be bonded…with a sparkling, a little one to call her own. She was too young damn it! For such commitment and she was out of action until she fell in love. It sucked.

Turing the last corner before the femmes quarters, Ariea was stopped by the sight of an old mech leaning on a wall, mouthing on a cy-gar. Systems scanned his spark-signature and turned up with his bio and stats. His name was Kup, one of the oldest Autobots in existence.

"I was kinda hoping you would leave the party. I've got somethin' I'd like to discuss with ya kid," said Kup nonchalantly, trying to make himself look as non-threatening as possible.

"Yeah? Like what?" the red femme mouthed off. Was he stalking her?

"Like that little virus of yours, now before you pipe up," he waved away her protest that was sure to be coming, a look of incredulousness on her faceplates, "I'm not that kinda mech. I'm old. I've lived my lifestream and this old pulser," he tapped his chestplates, "Ain't up to that kinda stuff even if I was so inclined. However, I got a proposition for you."

Scoffing slightly, she replied, "What make me so special?"

Old blue optics became wry and he said, "I saw you in battle and I saw your stats. A warrior like you isn't gonna be into commitment. So here's my proposition: you use my excess spark energy to make a sparkling orb. No bond, no lifelong commitment to a mech you don't really want. Just a sparkling to get rid of the virus. I'm old as I said. I'm slowly dying and giving off spark energy as I do so. This is the chance to get back into action and kick 'Con can."

Ariea took in all the information, letting her mental circuits toss around the idea. Ex-venting deeply, she gave the only answer she could.

"I'll do it."

.

A/N: Oh my….that is huge. 39 pages! That;s more than I've done on some assignments!