Author's Note: Sorry that this chapter is so short. It's sort of a filler to get to the next point in this story. Thanks to Exactlywhat and Autobot Firekat for reviewing the last chapter. I own nothing but Shadow and her brothers, Interra and her sister, my Jetfire, and Flashfire.

Aggressive Negotiations-Conference of Surprises

"I think I've discovered the secret of life-you just hang around until you get used to it"-Charles M. Schulz

That Optimus Prime called a conference of the higher officers of the Autobots at midafternoon wasn't exactly a surprise to anyone. Ratchet had left Shadow and Sideswipe discussing some kind of weapon they had both seen on their last fights at Cybertron. Ratchet wasn't too worried about them hurting each other soon and he was in a good mood when he slipped into the conference room. "We have good news," the Autobot leader said as soon as he, Ironhide, Prowl, Jazz, and Ratchet were settled. "We will be officially returning to Deigo Garcia in three days." Prowl smiled and nodded but Jazz and Ironhide exchanged glances before looking at a stunned Ratchet. "What?" Optimus asked, confused.

"What about Ratchet an' Shadow?" Jazz asked after a moment of silence.

"What do you mean?" the leader of the Autobots asked, more confused than ever.

"You mean you don't know?" Ironhide asked incredulously. Ratchet sighed as both Prowl and Optimus looked blankly at him. He knew that neither Jazz nor Ironhide had meant any harm and it was probably better to get this out in the open before something major happened. Shadow sent a wave of calm through their bond to him, sensing what he was going to do and Ratchet faced his leader.

"Shadow and I are sparkmates," he said calmly. For a moment there was dead silence in the room as the two formerly oblivious mechs let the information sink in.

"When did this happen?" Prowl asked finally, his voice one of disapproval.

"Yesterday," Ratchet said calmly. "Although some of your associates guessed before it happened." He glanced at Jazz and Ironhide, both of whom were hiding wide grins.

"I guess I should be used to things like these being sprung on me," Optimus said finally. "I offer my congratulations to the two of you and I'm sure Starscream and myself can work something out."

"But she's a Decepticon," Prowl protested.

"And she's done nothing to harm any of us since the treaty started," Ironhide injected calmly.

Prowl looked as if he was ready to protest more when Ratchet decided now would be a good time to stand up from his sparkmate before she ended up standing up for herself and wrecking the Second in Command's logic circuts. "Shadow was raised by Starscream himself. If she wanted to play the manipulation game there never would have been a treaty in the first place. They're tired of war and dying Prowl." The Autobot SIC sat there in silence for a moment before nodding.

"I guess that makes sense," he admitted reluctantly and Ratchet had to hide a wide grin at the SIC's reluctant tone.

"I will speak to Starscream," Optimus said and Ratchet nodded. "Meeting adjourned."