Friends of Old

Sorry for being gone for so long. I've been working

The sun touched the sky, basking the land below in its warm and loving light. The sky was beaming an extra radiant blue. The air so crisp…so clean…everyone was outside enjoying such a fabulous day. Farmers who had been awake since before light touched the sky were nearly finished with their chores, children rushed off to school happy and content, the working women and men raced off to their jobs almost looking forward to the long hours. Meanwhile others, who literally had nothing better to do with their day, decided to abuse the bliss and try to catch up on an extra few hours of sleep. What better time than when you have nothing on your agenda? Unless, of course, you happen to know one of those people who don't believe in sleeping in.

"Hey…HEY!" A hand nudged a deeply slumbering girl. "Wake up!" A semi-deep adolescent voice commanded.

"Ugh…" A body shifted under the sheet, facing the wall. Her middle of the back length purple hair wiry and knotted by sweat. "Leave me alone." The girl grumbled.

"Come on, Tsulena!" The person gave up on shaking her and went for her closet. Metal clasps restraining long raven hair in several tails clanked. "If you don't wake up soon, we'll be late!" He threw a black skirt, a turquoise high chest halter with attached bell sleeves and a hole in the chest onto the floor. He kicked a pair of boots out of the closet, and threw in a pair of white gloves. "You know how Denora hates it when we're late.

"Don't care…sleepy…" She waved a hand languidly, "Begone." The young man sighed resignedly. Tsulena, clearly, was not going to wake up at the behest of his pleas. Unfortunately a much cruder method must be used in order to remove her from her bed.

"Oh Tsu-Tsu~" The young man crooned, sauntering across the hardwood bedroom with his arms folded behind his back. Tsulena hid herself under the blankets. Yet to care. "I will give you until three to roll out of bed before I force you."

An angered growl muffled by the blankets rumbled. A quick, tanned hand grabbed a pillow and she covered her one exposed ear. "Do your worst. I'm not getting up."

"As you wish." The young man's shoes trudged heavily. "1…" He knelt at the foot of Tsulena bed. A slender, fair foot poked out of the blankets. A menacing smirk alit the glow in his dark blue eyes. "2…" The girl's body tensed. The man smirked wolfishly, "3!" He grabbed her foot by the ankle and put his face close to her foot. "Wake up already!" He ran his tongue from her heel to her toes.

Crimson red eyes shot open. "AAAHHH!" Tsulena flew forward. Her foot struck her attacker in the face, knocking him into the wall. A picture of three warrior figures atop a hill cracked beside him. "EWW!" Tsulena panicked, scrubbing her foot on her sheet. "GRR! DAMMIT, HAKUDO!" She bore her crimson glare into the dazed man. "YOU KNOW I HATE THAT!"

Hakudo pulled himself to his feet by her bed frame, groaning in agony massaging his throbbing nose. "Precisely…." He shook his head, ridding him of the haziness. "I needed to wake you up somehow." He sauntered to her bedside. His black pants crinkled as he sat beside her. His green vest wrinkled as he turned to smirk at the disturbed girl. Forearm vambrace donning his arms. "Had you awoken on your own, you might have avoided my tongue lathering your sole."

"Give me one good reason why I shouldn't throw you out the window!"

With one quick motion, before Tsulena could even consider reacting, Hakudo gently pressed his lips to hers, enveloping the now dazed girl in a passionate kiss. Tsulena gave in to the kiss. Her body relaxed. Slowly Hakudo broke the kiss, smiling impishly as Tsulena gazed at him in a stupor. "I trust that is good enough reason." He teased, caressing her cheeks.

"Shut up."

Hakudo laughed her. "Now will you please get ready?" He meandered for the door. "The tram leaves in three hours."

"FINE!" She kicked the blankets off. Her askew nightgown fixed itself as she stood. "But just so you know, you don't get any breakfast!"

"WHAT?"

"Yep!" She shoved him toward the door. "Yer ass is eating elsewhere! Or starving! Whichever makes me feel better!"

"BUT-"

"NOW GET-OUT!" She literally kicked him out. His face planting into the wall. Tsulena shut the door, growling impatiently. "Bastard." She touched a hand to her lips, still able to feel his lips on hers. A warm smile crept to her cheeks. "Bastard…" She giggled.

Birds flew by, chirping happily. A hawk swooped to the ground, snatching up a snake. Cars drove down the narrow residential area. A couple sped through like the drivers lives depended on it. People wishing to enjoy the fresh air walked along, gabbing on and on with friends or on their phones about their plans or the plans that got cancelled for other plans. At – what – 11 in the morning? There was plenty of time for plans. However…others were a little preoccupied with important matters. Like school projects.

"Selena? Hey! Selena!"

"Huh? What?" Selena twisted in her seat by the window, an elbow on the sill. Rafael, sitting at his desk with his laptop, ogled the obviously distracted girl worriedly. "I'm sorry, Raf. Did you say something?"

Rafael sighed dismally, but humored her nonetheless. "I was asking you what you thought the next phase of my project should be."

"Right…" Selena trailed off. "Umm…" Selena tapped a finger to her chin, lost in thought. A nervous smile beamed, "What's your project about again?"

Rafael sighed irately. "The preservation of rural or wildlife areas." He pressed a button on the keyboard. An image of Manhattan and the Brazilian jungles sat side by side. "My project will demonstrate that by each state having at least 40 percent of its rural or plant life areas protected and maintained, not only would we have cleaner air but we'd also see a decrease in economic prices."

"Ooh." Selena crooned, strutting over to his giddily, "I sense an A in your future." She leaned to the computer, curious about his PowerPoint. Buildings in Manhattan were replaced with a few trees and the grumpy citizens actually seemed happy. "Wait? Weren't these projects due on Monday?"

"The teacher never expected us to take such an interest in our projects. So when she saw only 28 out of 35 kids weren't finished or were still putting final touches, she gave us an extension."

"Lucky for you." She congratulated. "Don't squander that time on me."

"It's not squandering if I multitask."

"Hacks computers, has genius that rivals Einstein's, and is able to face robots and not back down." Selena whooshed a hand over her head. "You sure you're not an alien too? Would explain why you can understand Bumblebee."

"I'm 100% sure I'm human." Selena shook her head, scratching her neck pensively. Humans continued to amaze her. She slowly returned to the window. The birds and cars passing by engrossed her. Her thoughts faded. Rafael exhaled audibly and returned to his project. "For someone whose powers demand focus, you have the attention span of a dog."

Selena's cheeks puffed heatedly. She sprouted to her feet. Rafael added a couple side notes to his powerpoint. He was suddenly yanked from his computer, chair twirled, bringing him face to face with a glowering Selena. "Umm…yes?" She pinched his cheek and pulled. "OW!"

"How dare you compare me to a common house pet!"

"YOW!"

"Lest we forget, junior, you called me over!" She pulled harder. His cheek practically separated from his face.

"OW-WOW-WOW-OW!"

"I could be on the nemesis RIGHT NOW abusing Knockout and Starscream as they accuse me of treason! But no! I'm helping a child with his project!" She gritted her teeth, boring a glare into the in agony boy. "So do not imagine for a moment I will sit hear and allow you to disrespect me!"

"OKAY! I GET IT! I'M SORRY!" Rafael wailed. "PLEASE LET GO!"

"HMPH! Fine." Selena released his cheek. Rafael moaned in relief, throwing himself to his desk. A massaged a hand to his face. His red cheek throbbed painfully. "Geez. I believe the expression is 'young people these days.'"

"Yeah. So?" He hissed passed his sore cheek.

Selena sat on his bed, pressing her back to the headboard, and stared sternly at the boy. "No respect for your elders!"

"Hmph!" Rafael turned his back to her. "Girl is almost 300 years old and thinks she's my elder."

"In hindsight I am." Selena retorted. "I'm two hundred and...1 ,2 carry the 4...58 years older than you."

"Two hundred and fifty-eight and three quarters older!" Rafael corrected adamantly.

"What's the difference?"

"I'm 12 and a quarter!"

"And yet you act like you're 11!"

"It better than acting like I'm five!"

"Are you insinuating I am less mature than you?"

"I'm stating you have the maturity of a preschooler!"

"At least I don't look like one!"

"NYEH!" Rafael stuck his tongue out.

"BLEH!" Selena stuck hers out.

For a long while the two engaged in a raspberry war. Finally, Rafael threw his head back, laughing heartily. Selena found it hard to resist and joined in. Rafael lied on the desk, pounding a fist in a fit. Selena held her hurting stomach. Her legs thrashing about. The two almost past out from laughing so hard. It had to have been the best moment of the week. Rafael hyperventilated trying to stop laughing. Selena had tears in the corners of her eyes.

"You know...I'm curious…" Rafael wheezed between laughs, "How did you convince Starscream to let you leave in the first place?"

"UGH! Don't even get me started!" Selena threw herself to the opposite end of the bed. The soft bed to her back felt heavenly. "Starscream and I practically threw punches it got so bad." She tilted her head back. Rafael was upside down. "And it was all because I shot that movie with you guys."

Flashback

"For the last frickin time," Selena got in Starscream's face, "I was NOT COLLABORATING with the Autobot humans!" Breakdown and Knockout kept their distance in the bridge. Starscream and Selena's quarrels usually got pretty ugly.

"If you were not collaborating, then why were-correction!" He pressed a talon to her lips. "Why ARE you spending so much time with them?" Starscream demanded to know. "Now that I think about it," He pointed an accusing razor sharp finger, "You spend a great deal of time with those humans."

"That's my choice! My life does not revolve around you or the others! Or have you forgotten that I befriended them before I did you?"

"No I have not!" Starscream retorted in disgust. "In fact I am well aware of the acquaintanceship you four bore. Though if I recall correctly, our meeting and theirs are only hours apart!" He added slyly.

"Be that as it may, I don't need to justify my personal life to you! Nor do I need to explain my actions!"

Starscream gritted his teeth. Rage burned in his circuits. "You do when there is a conflict of interest!"

"What conflict?"

"They are pets of the Autobots! You are MY lieutenant!" He erected a thumb, emphasising his superiority. "There is a threat of divulging secrets!"

A cynical guffaw boiled Starscream's energon. "Do you honestly believe those kids and I have nothing else better to talk about?" She questioned derisively between sniggers. "Despite what you and the bots might think, you guys aren't the hottest topic in our lives! We do have better things to talk about!"

"Like what, pray-tell!"

"Like the new Kingdom Hearts 3 game coming out and the GTA 5 game that just came out! Those are very fascinating."

"What is this...Hearts G Kingdom A 5 of which you speak?"

"Precisely!"

"Precisely what?"

"If you don't get it, then there's no point in my explaining!"

"I do not need to understand!" Starscream spat. "What you need to understand is I cannot have whispers of your alleged treachery growing louder than they are!"

Selena knit her brow resentfully. She needn't be reminded. Those whispers were not unknown to her. With Selena's close bond with the children of the Autobots, the Decepticons are under the impression Selena is allied with them. Incidentally or knowingly - it mattered very little to them. In their eyes Selena needed to make a choice. And so far they saw Selena leaning towards the Autobots.

"What I do with my personal time is no one's business but my own." A shrill grind reverberated the bridge. The room trembled. Knockout and Breakdown fortified their feet against the shaking. Starscream remained unmoved. "Let any who question me be wary."

"It is not a matter of question. But a matter of perception." Starscream stressed. "And the perception is you value those children over us."

A brazen grin slithered onto Selena's cheeks. "Careful, Scream. One might think you actually care what happens to me."

"And what if I do?" He snarled. Selena's flew open. Knockout choked on his own air. Breakdown's jaw fell. Starscream panted raspily, then slowly ruminated on his words. "Uh...I mean...erm...AHEM," He folded his hands behind his back, recovering from his embarrassment, "It would be...detrimental to my position if my lieutenant is thought to be a turncoat."

A sharp grunt ignited the glow in Selena's eyes. Breakdown slapped a 'unbelievable' palm to his face. "Oh boy…" Knockout shook his head, pinching the bridge of his nose.

"Well lucky for you I have plans this weekend. Plans that do not involve you, the kids, or anything that would be 'detrimental' to your position." An arrow labeled IDIOT plunged into his spark. "And seeing as our leech friends are gone as of three days ago," Selena slammed her phone into his chassis, "There will be no reason for you to even consider contacting me." The phone fell into Starscream's palm with a hollow thud. Selena floated past Knockout and Breakdown, arms crossed over her chest, eyes closed to everyone. "See you boys Monday."

"Selena! Wait!" Starscream implored. The doors closed. His words died in the hall.

Flashback end

"The next thing I know I'm spending all of Friday in Vegas toying with the slots, then I came back here and received your phone call."

"Wow." Rafael chuckled. "You and Starscream sound like a married couple."

"Then I'm filing for divorce on Monday." She folded her hands behind her head, crossing her legs, "That jet is trying the last bit of my patience."

"No wonder you come visit. We're like the salvation to your sanity."

"Oh trust me. You three drive me up the wall."

"You know you love us."

"Love to tie you guys to a pole. At least that way you won't sneak off to battle fields."

"AW! You do care."

"Pfft! Like I care about Scream." She snorted.

"Get real!" Rafael snickered. "You know you love him." He bounced his brow menacingly. A pillow smashed into his face.

"Shut it, boy wonder!" Selena retracted her arm. "You're far too young to be speaking of things like that."

Rafael scoffed. "I'm not that young." She protested, hugging the pillow.

"12 and a quarter is young."

"Well compared to you I'm young."

"Compared to me you're a baby."

"WAH!" He wailed. Selena stifled a giggle. "BAH-HA-HA-HA!" Rafael howled with laughter. Selena held her stomach and fell victim to the laughing.

For a moment she found herself in her room back on Magtora. Her friends around her...laughing...making her laugh. Her expression softened. The laughing died on her breath. A little tear hung on the corner of her eye. She flipped onto her bottom, hanging her head. "I enjoy spending time with you three. You know that." Rafael rubbed his eyes, shifting his attention back to her. Selena's deadpan expression unnerved him. "But I don't need to tell you that being with me gets dangerous."

Rafael massaged the bridge of his nose. "I know…" His voice cracked. "But...I don't c-"

"You need to!" She boomed, frightening the boy. "Don't forget I'm not human! You are! Humans break easily! The last few times you've only gotten lucky!" Rafael turned away, dropping his head sadly. Selena hated speaking to him this way. But how else could she voice the sickeningly rising concern welling within her. "Silas and his men gassed you! The Cons captured you! You are a magnet for danger."

Rafael bobbed his head firmly. "And you're the one that brings them to me."

Selena shook her head, chuckling dryly. She had to give him that one. Danger and death followed her like stink on a bug. She took Rafael's hands in hers, cupping them gently. "You're friends with the bots. I can live with that." She placed a hand to his cheek, staring deeply into his eyes. Rafael swallowed a large lump. The sincerity glazing those crimson orbs surprised him. "But what I can't live with is you getting deep into trouble you can't climb out of. Trouble, Rafael, that seems to be attracted to me."

Rafael exhaled somberly. "You're right." Sometimes he forgot she was allied with the Decepticons. Moreover, she was a literal magnet for danger. No pun intended. "I'm sorry."

"Don't be. All four of us are bugged by the decks we have." Selena reassured him, spinning to a halt on the bed. "The only question is how we play the the cards."

"Well mine say I won't get through school if I don't finish this project." He pressed a button on the laptop. The screensaver replaced with a powerpoint of ever greenery and cities.

"Oh right!" Selena bounced her fingers off her head. She almost forgot why she was called over. "Does this display count the possible lack of traffic for those New Yorkers?"

"Yep." Rafael answered confidently.

Selena held up a fist. "The key to the world be in your hands should this be made real."

Rafael laughed adoringly, bumping the fist. "Maybe not the world. But I would like a lab with every super computer and an espresso machine in it."

A light bulb flashed in Selena's head. "You know I can probably snatch one of those for you." She teased, folding her legs.

"No thanks." Rafael circled back to his project. "I like EARNING my things. Not killing for them."

Selena gasped in false offense. She placed a hand to her chest. "Who said anything about killing? I can literally move the entire lab with the people in it."

"Again I say thanks and decline."

Selena shrugged indifferently, "Suit yourself. Keep your hands clean."

Rafael flared the fingers boastfully, "As a whistle." Selena shook her head. At first she believed Rafael like her old friend Denora. Must be because of the glasses. No. Miko and Denora were twins. Rafael...was...Just like Arikai

"THERE YOU ARE!" A bespectacled, emerald eyed girl frothed, patting an impatient foot atop of series of stairs. Her golden brown skin basking in the morning light. "GEEZ! YOU TWO ARE SLOW!" Her cut, wavy, red hair shimmered in the light of the two suns. The chains hanging off her baggy, tan capri pants jingled against a railing. The off the shoulder collar of her mid sleeve, white and pink crop top covered part of the stenciled wind tattoo stretching across the back of her shoulders. "What happened? You kiss and lose track of the time?"

Tsulena cleared the last 20 stairs, landing a foot from the girl. Skull decorated buttons were clipped to her hips. "Oh shut up, Nora!" Tsulena hissed. Hakudo nonchalantly walked up behind her. Hands in his pockets. Black feathers entangled in his long locks hung off the sides of his head. "We had to eat, you know! It is, afterall," Tsulena hooked a finger to his red choker, "MORNING!"

Denora grabbed her by the collar, drawing her in, "Then next time WAKE UP EARLIER!"

"Now, now, Nora, Lena. Let's be civil." A boy's voice remarked. The two girls glanced left. Hakudo breathed in relief.

"Yes. We wouldn't want words spoken that weren't meant to be." A girl chortled. A girl with long blue hair in a ponytail and a boy with short blue hair strutted for the quarreling two. Their smirking grey eyes admiring their friends.

The girl's black caped shorts wafted in the breeze. Her green laced black boots clopping on the cemented ground. Her slender arms hugged the stomach of her white, X strap halter. Clasps rested on her biceps and wrists. The boy was in a black vest donning a white shirt. A studded belt held black leather pants around his waist.

"Aari, you and Xansa stay out of this!" Denora frothed. "This lazy lump needs to learn that it's impolite to keep people waiting!"

Aari - or Arikai - sighed soberly and shook her head, unable to believe her friend's immaturity. "Honestly, Denora, you weren't exactly early yourself." Arikai countered indifferently. "Xan and I had to drag you out of bed, from your house to here, remember?"

"Uhh…" Denora gaped. Her cheeks flushing pink. Hakudo and Tsulena stared her down mercilessly. "What?" She turned away, hiding her shame, "My hands are clean in this matter. This about them further consummating their love for each other."

Tsulena opened her mouth to protest. Hakudo's hand gently landed on her shoulder. His other hand wrapped around her waist, pulling her to his firm chest. Her face reddened. "What Tsulena and I do in the privacy of a room is not fodder for insults." He declared impassively yet sternly. "And, just to clear the air," He put his smirking mouth to her ear, "We spent no more than a minute before she became...overwhelmed." He blew in her ear.

Tsulena squeaked, flinching at his breath. Chills scaled her neck. Denora and Arikai squealed fanatically. Xansa chuckled impishly. "Haku! Stop it!" She struggled in his hold. "This isn't the time!"

"You're right."

Tsulena arched a brow. "AH!"

In one swift motion Hakudo scooped up Tsulena like a bride. His grin widened at her cherry red cheeks. "Perhaps you and I should find a more private place." He brought his lips close to hers.

Selena shoved her hands to his face, pushing him away. "THAT'S NOT WHAT I MEANT EITHER!" She kicked and thrashed in his hold. His iron grip did not waver an inch. "NOW PUT ME DOWN!"

"Never, my love."

"NOW!"

"Kiss me first."

"NEVER!"

"Then I'll never let you go."

((If only fate fell in your favor. I would have stayed in your arms forever.))

Meanwhile on the Nemesis…

"You-complete-and utter-GLITCH HEAD!" Knockout boomed in the medical bay. Starscream plugged his talons into his audio receptors, impassive to the obvious disparagement. Knockout paced furiously around the jet who lied languorously on the slab. "It's bad enough when she's here you both are constantly belittling and berating each other. Enjoying it, by the looks of it!" Starscream couldn't resist the smirk. "BUT," He boomed, making the jet jump a little, "Then you open that well painted mouth of yours and a whole lot of sludge comes falling out!"

Starscream flew from the table in rage, "WELL PARDON ME, O WISE ONE! PERHAPS I SHALL SEEK YOUR COUNSEL BEFORE THE SLUDGE HAS TIME-TO-BUILD!" He shoved Knockout into a work table. The red mech gritted his grill. "But while we are on the subject," Starscream placed a curled hand to his hip, "I do not recall you lunging to her aide!"

"Have you not MET her?" Knockout gestured to the wall as if Selena were present. "Selena is more than capable of handling herself! On another note, not even Primus or Unicron could have foretold your insensitive comment!"

"What comment?"

"Oh gee, I don't know…" He trailed off sardonically, "The one where you say her personal life is detrimental to your position." The label IDIOT slapped on Starscream's forehead. That phrase sounded sickeningly familiar. "Silence." Knockout gasped tauntingly, a boastful smirk snaking across his face. "Admission of guilt?"

"There is no guilt!" Starscream hissed impatiently. However there was a small ache in his circuits. Not guilt. He...just needed a tune up. "I am guiltless! I have not done anything or said anything different than what I have been since two and a half months ago!"

"Aside from telling her that she's nothing more than a parrot on your shoulder!"

"BUAH-UGH-I...SAID...NO SUCH THING!" He sputtered, flustered by the insult.

Knockout shrugged indifferently, "That's what I heard." His smirk widened. "And I'm sure she heard it too." Starscream was taken aback by the comment. His expression frozen in dumbstruck. He actually staggered back a couple of steps. "Oh well. C'est la vie. This helps me in the long run." Knockout propped an imaginary collar. Starscream furrowed his brow. "The more of a crankshaft you make of yourself, the closer I am in receiving a kiss from the lovely lady."

Starscream growled disgustingly. "Might this overzealous confidence be born of the same belief you had with the Cyber Leeches?"

"HEY NOW!" Knockout halted him abruptly. "That was a...miscalculation on my part."

"To say the least." Starscream snorted. "I believe her specific words were, 'That's sweet, but I hate bugs.'"

"Nevertheless, at least I showed her admiration. Which, in the long run, puts me in her good graces."

"Second in her good graces actually." Starscream countered slyly.

Knockout's brow bounced. "Come again."

Starscream chuckled triumphantly. The upper hand was his. "Some time before your and Breakdown's arrival, Selena bestowed her gratitude upon me." He touched two fingers to his cheek, "A kiss…" Knockout growled in the back of his throat. Starscream's grin widened in triumph. "It appears I am one step ahead."

"Hmph." Knockout scoffed. He would not falter. "For someone who treats her like a drone, you seem rather...attached to Selena."

"She is a valued companion, and an even better warrior-"

"NOT what I meant." Knockout interjected abruptly. Starscream arched a brow in confusion. Knockout trudged to him, getting as close to his face as he could. The height difference created a gap but the point got across. "I MEAN you are attached. You plan to have her sit on your shoulder and whisper in your ear for a good long time."

"UGH!" Starscream flinched. Heat rose to his cheeks.

Now it was Knockout's turn to smile. "Did I hit the proverbial nail on the head, Herr Commandant?"

Starscream lunged centimeters to his face. "MISSED BY A MILE!"

"Have I?"

"YES! And I am no longer required to stand here and be a victim of this heinous line of false accusations." Starscream turned on his heels, storming for the door.

Knockout shrugged and returned to his tools, preparing to practice on the cadaver on his table. "You're only a victim if its wrong." He quickly added. Starscream stopped. The words piercing his pride. Knockout's menacing laugh burned his circuits. Starscream growled vengefully, curling a vengeful fist. He whirled around. The door closed in his face. Protest silenced. He slammed a fist into the door and he walked away.

"What a load of-GRR!" He rounded a corner. His talons thrust, inadvertently stabbing a Vehicon in the neck. Starscream never paused as the Con dropped dead. "Whispering in my ear…on my shoulder permanently...ATTACHED?" his talons drew deep gashes into the wall. A bone chilling screech howled as sparks flared. "I am not the one attached! She's attached!" He shoved two Eradicons out of his way, entering the Bridge. "She keeps coming back!" He swung a fist. A vehicon fell into the pit, piling onto two Eradicons. "She's attached to me!" He gripped the corners of the control panel, holding himself against the weighing humiliation. Heavy raspy pants revved heatedly. The engine whirred aggressively. His hard drive overheated to the point of combusting.

Starscream spied onlookers past his blurring optics. They attempted to shy away, pretend as if they weren't watching. A swift hammer to the panel startled their attention back onto him. "ALL OF YOU OUT!" He roared. "NOW!" Pushing, shoving, stumbling - the troops scrambled to clear out. Starscream massaged his throbbing processor irritably. Three seconds later it went dead silent. The troops' stations empty. The Jet commander was alone. A ringing filled his audio receptors. His mind cleared. Ramblings quieted. Steadily the steam cooled. Things...remotely...began to made clear.

"She's attached to me!" He prodded his fingers into his chest. "SHE...comes back...TO ME!" He put a hand to his head. None of it made sense again. Like there was a factor he didn't consider. Or refused to consider. "She comes back…" He trailed off, thinking of the times Selena left and returned. "Because…" Each time… "I've allowed her to return." The reality weighed on him like an anvil. A grudging sigh rumbled somberly. He leaned in on his hands, head dropped shamefully. "Despite respecting those humans highly, she comes back to me and I allow her in. Because...the loyalty she displays, the-the devotion to our cause…" Why did those words sound false? Why did Starscream feel as if he was lying to himself? "No more." He declared to himself. "I'm not thinking on this matter anymore." He spun on his heels and sauntered for the door. Something fell to the ground with a small thunk. Starscream veered, searching for the source. His attention lowered to the ground. Selena's phone rested at his toes. He knelt down and scooped it up. A small smirk tugged at his lips. Suddenly another issue came to mind. "I wonder what she's up to right now."

"Who were those people you mentioned?" Rafael quizzed out of the blue, not deterring from his project.

Meditating in mid air, Selena poked an eye open. "Excuse me?"

"You mentioned three people before."

"I did?"

"Last week." Rafael hit save on his project and turned to face Selena. "After Miko's video I heard you say three or four names."

"Did I?" Selena touched a contemplating hand to her chin, delving back to last week. "Oh yeah." It was a brief moment of nostalgia. She found herself thinking about old friends from her home planet. She was surprised Rafael heard her. "What brought this on?" She floated to the ground.

Rafael shrugged. He didn't really know. "I was just wondering who they were. You seemed really sad afterward."

Selena was officially impressed now. To think human males are labeled as oblivious. Must be AFTER they hit - what's it called - puberty. "You're dangerously perceptive. You know that?" Rafael sank into himself fretfully. Did he step over a line? "Arikai. Xansa. Denora. Hakudo. My best friends from Magtora." Rafael beamed intriguingly. "Denora was my childhood friend. A genius if not a little eccentric. Arikai is mischievous. Indifferently so. Xansa was her brother. Hakudo…" Her cheeks shaded cherry red, "Hakudo was my...um…"

Rafael leaned in brow raised and smiling impishly, "Boyfriend?"

Selena shifted her shoulders bashfully. "Boyfriend implies we had a fleeting fling. We were...much more than that…" She curled further into her embarrassment. "We were...umm…." Her entire face lit up like a Rudolph's nose. Overwhelming excitement at the tortuous suspense built in Rafael. He felt like an idiotic fangirl unable to contain themselves at a concert. "I do not know what humans call it."

"Yes…" Rafael leaned in, wanting her to get on with it.

"But we were…"

"YES…"

"With the seal of a kiss and the exchange of finger bands," She fanned out her hand, displaying the ring finger, "He and I swore to spend the rest of our lives together."

"WHAT?" Rafael fell forward out of his chair. He crawled crazily, putting his knees onto her folded lap and slapping his hands to her shoulders. Selena wasn't sure, but she thought she saw steam whistling out of his ears. And angry swirls filled his eyes. I think I broke his brain. "YOU-YOU-YOU-YOU WERE ENGAGED? HE WAS YOUR FIANCE?"

"Is that what it's called?" Selena tilted his head innocently. "On Magtora its called those destined to be Bonded are known as Vowmates."

Rafael flailed his hands in her face, "THAT'S NOT THE ISSUE HERE!" He shook her violently by the shoulders, "YOU WERE GOING TO GET MARRIED!"

"I guess so."

"YOU GUESS SO?"

Selena knit her brow, growing impatient with his boisterous outbursts. "Why are you shouting? I'm more than old enough to be Bonded."

"I-DUH-UM-Hmm…" Rafael listlessly tilted back and fell onto his butt. "Right…Wow." He blushed, unsure how to recover from that blunder. "So…even you fall in love."

Selena's pink cheeks puffed. "You wanna hear the story? Or should I kill you with suspense?" Rafael slapped a hand to his mouth, then gestured with the other for her to continue. "Thank you." She cleared her throat. "As I was saying, the five of us were the best of friends growing up. Denora's a genius. Arikai was the mischievous one. Believe it or not Xansa I were the responsible ones. And Hakudo was the leader of our little crew. He sort kept us together and as well as our heads. It was his rational behavior that drew me to him. Plus his mischievous nature."

"Brilliant but mischievous." Rafael repeated, interested. "Sounds like Starscream. If I'm guessing correctly."

Selena giggled quietly, "Then you'd be right on the button. Hakudo and Starscream are remarkably alike." The resemblance was uncanny to the point Selena felt uneasy around him. "In fact the three of you are so much like my old friends I believed them reincarnated."

"We're that similar, huh?"

"You all could be related."

"Wow. The universe sounds small."

"You have no idea." Rafael scooted closer, hugged the discarded pillow to his chest, and ogled his like a puppy begging for a bone. Selena was taken aback by the pleading expression. She shook her head, chuckling in adoration. "Would you like to hear a story?"

"Please."

"Very well. We'll need snacks and all manner of drinks."

Rafael burst out the door. "MOM! MOM! GET THE CRACKERS AND CHOCOLATE!" He was heard shouting, storming down the stairs.

"Geez. You'd think I was going to reveal the secrets of the universe. Humans." Selena spied Rafael's phone on his desk. A jolt of realization struck her hard. She remembered her phone. She left it with Starscream. Actually she threw it at him. Demanding he not contact her. If she had to guess, he was going made with curiosity trying to figure out what she's doing. Not that she cared. But it would be a pain to return be forced to listen to him rant about those rumors. "Damn. He had a fit when we were at the desert. What would he do if he knew I was at Raf's house?" Trace the call and bowl this place over, that's what. "HEY RAF!"

"YEAH!"

"LET'S TAKE THIS OVER TO MY PLACE! I NEED TO MAKE A CALL!"

In Starscream's palm Selena's phone rang aloud and vibrated. It startled the Con. The phone leapt out of his palm. It twirled in the air. The lights flashed in sync with the blaring rings. That meant...AN INCOMING CALL! "UH-OOH-HA-HAA!" He scrambled, but finally caught the tiny device. Now! How to answer it? "GRAH!" He snarled irately, studying the still ringing phone. "Curse these humans and their primitive yet complex technology!"

Just then Soundwave wandered in languorously. The replay of rampant voices and disgruntled complaints irked the already irritated Starscream. "SOUNDWAVE! I care very little about their ramblings!" He threw the phone. Soundwave extended a tentacle, catching the phone in a claw. "MAKE THAT RIDICULOUS DEVICE CEASE ITS INCESSANT WAILING BEFORE I GO MAD!" Using another claw Soundwave opened the ringing phone. A number displayed on the tiny screen. Soundwave scanned the image and made it appear on his face. "What is this?" A regional number and name written in Cybertronian made Starscream gape in awe."Selena? ANSWER IT YOU FOOL!" Soundwave answered the phone and patched the signal through him. Starscream swiftly collected himself. Clear his throat, gathered his composure, checked his breath. Alright. "Hello~" He slapped a palm to his face. How moronic he must have sounded.

"You had me worried." Selena's voice hummed monotonously. The voice recognition lines reverberating under her tone. "I thought you were ignoring me."

Starscream shook his head with a chuckle. "I am rather surprised myself." Soundwave locked onto Selena's call. Starscream nodded his head. Soundwave returned the nod and zeroed in on her location. "I did not expect a call after our quarrel." She did not have her phone. So how was she making this call?

"Pshaw. We've spoken after worse fights."

"True." He was pleased. Her sense of humor remained intact. Silent blips flickered on Soundwave's screen. The signal originated from Selena's residence. One signal. Hers. No one else. So she isn't with the humans. Starscream stated with a hint of relief. I wonder what she has been up to. "How, precisely, are you communicating with me?"

"Remember when you and Megatron first contacted me? Through my computer?"

"Ah. Yes." Starscream hummed reminiscently. "I believe you threatened to sue us should a virus invade your personal device."

"Good times! Good times!" Selena giggled childishly.

Starscream's spark warmed blissfully. "To what do I owe the pleasure of your call?"

"Just making sure I didn't hurt your feelings. I know how sensitive you can be."

"ME?!" He threw his head back in hearty laughter. "You must be suffering from a mental affliction! You are the hard one with the soft center! Or was I imagining the companions you possess?"

"No I'm pretty sure you, Breakdown, and Knockout exist."

Starscream put his hands to his hips, "Hardy har-har." His hips swung. "I mean the humans!"

"The humans whom I have not seen since that day in the desert!"

Starscream stepped back in astonishment. It was a simple assumption. But hearing it from her mouth. "You haven't?"

"Surely by now you've allowed Soundwave to run a trace." Starscream choked on his question. He hated how she could do that. "Clearly you've already determined I'm alone." Starscream slipped into shameful silence. His throat cleared nervously. "I thought so. Just figured I should give you some closure. No doubt you've been curious of my whereabouts. Or who I've been with."

"N-No. Not at all." His voice cracked.

Selena laughed menacingly, "It's not polite to lie, Scream. And it's even less advisable to lie to me."

"Right…" Starscream trailed off in a drone.

"Rest assured I've been alone, with my thoughts, and have been a very good girl." She purred.

Starscream's head filled with a haze. "When-AHEM-when are you returning?"

"I'll come back on Monday. Refreshed, revitalized, and ready to deal with you and the others."

"Then I will leave our conversation for that time. I expect you bright and early."

"Yes sir, Lord Starscream, sir. Take care of my phone until then. Tootles." With that the call came to an end. Soundwave detached the phone and returned it to Starscream.

"If Selena truly were a traitor, and she chose Bot over Con, not even Unicron himself would be able to stop her." Soundwave tilted his head, rather confused by the remark. "All these concerns about her loyalty are unnecessary." He turned his back to the Con. "Selena will return to us as she always does. Allow her to fulfill her weekend desire." He sauntered to the controls, hands behind his back. Soundwave studied the Commander incredulously. Where the confidence in Selena flourished was beyond even his knowledge. "Return to your post. Continue operation as planned." Starscream ordered. Without a word - as per usual - Soundwave bowed his head and excused himself, leaving Starscream alone with his thoughts. "Even if I were to deploy the entire Decepticon army upon her, no one could stop her. Not even me." He gazed down to his palm, transfixed in the little device still in his palm. He could still feel the tiny device slamming into his chest. Such a tiny girl. Yet the force behind her makes titans tremble. Starscream closed his fingers around the phone. A warm smile graced his lips. "We'd all be scrap before we launched a shot."

ALRIGHT! GOD! I'M SORRY FOR BEING GONE FOR SO LONG! I'll upload more chapters.