Chapter 21: Back home

Three days later, Eleonor was at the med-bay early in the morning. Ratchet wanted to make her a check-up.

"How am I, Ratchet?" She asked, as the medic reviewed her health reports.

"You are fine, little one." He replied with a small smile. "You are strong. I still don't recommend you to strain yourself too much, but you need no more special cares and you can continue with your normal life."

"Yay!" She exclaimed and paused suddenly. "Although I must admit that my life is no longer ordinary." Ratchet chuckled softly. "Thank you, Ratchet. You saved my life."

"It's my job."

"But, still... you have been very nice to me, and I told you horrible things..." She regretted.

"It's understandable. Don't worry, what's past is past." He reassured.

"Oh, I have to tell Starscream!" She remembered. "See you later, doctor!" She beamed and exited the med-bay.

"And Starscream would have been very upset to lose you, Eleonor." Ratchet added to himself once she was out of the room.

Eleonor approached the solitary hangar Starscream had been using lately to recharge at night since she was healthy enough to sleep in her own room. The rest of the Autobots and humans at the base had been very relieved to put a little distance between them and their unsettling guest.

The door of the hangar was half open, and the nose of the F-22 was close to the entrance. Starscream secretly loved to recharge like that. He was protected by the hangar, but he could still see the night sky above him while he dozed into recharge. It was the perfect spot.

"Starscream, Sir. Are you awake?" She whispered.

The seeker smiled inwardly. It was no longer necessary for Eleonor to keep addressing him with such respect, but she did it anyway, and he secretly enjoyed it. He liked been treated with respect. He was, after all, a little self-centered at times.

"Of course, who could sleep with Bumblebee and Jazz racing in the salt flats since early morning?" Starscream spoke, still in his F-22 mode. Eleonor, meanwhile was looking intently at him. She had not have many occasions to see his alt-mode, and she found it fascinating. "What happens with you looking at me like that? Am I a giant alien robot from outer space or what?" He chuckled.

"You could say that." Eleonor laughed softly. "By the way, I bring good news..." She made a dramatic pause. "...Ratchet says I am healthy!"

"That's great!" The seeker exclaimed, transforming back to mech mode in a fluid and elegant motion.

"Yes!"

"I am telling 'Warp and TC through our comm. link... " He paused as he received the answers from his wingmates. "Skywarp says 'it's party time!' and Thundercracker says 'don't fly over 2 g-forces'... what is that?"

"Uhh... good thing to remember that if you don't want to kill me in your cabin. You should look it up on the Internet."

Starscream spent some minutes searching the Internet about gravity, acceleration and human tolerance to g-forces. His optics dimmed as he was reading through the files.

"Primus... You are quite fragile. Humans with no training should not exceed 2 g-forces, indeed." He said with concern. "We'll fly slower, it's no big deal." Eleonor nodded. "Well, what are we waiting for? I start to smell like an Autobot."

"Let me put on something nice for a party and grab some things! And we should tell Optimus that we are leaving or he would worry."

"You go prepare yourself. I'll call Optimus." He said with a soft commanding tone.

"Yes, Sir!" She saluted and trotted back to the base.

Starscream smirked and stepped outside the hangar.

::Optimus:: He called via comm. link.

::Yes, Starscream?:: The Autobot Leader replied politely.

::Do you remember what Megatron told you about leaving Earth?::

::Yes, I do::

::It is true. We are leaving. Stay out of our way and nobody will have to regret it:: The seeker warned.

::Understood. I don't want unnecessary battles either::

Starscream was silent for some seconds, gathering all his willpower to pronounce the next words.

::Thank you, Prime... and... say thank you to Ratchet as well. I still hate him but... he saved Eleonor's life, and I owe him that::

::Understood... And I am sorry, Starscream. For everything:: Optimus said with regret.

::Oh, please. Don't get sentimental on me. It was already quite difficult to be polite with you for so long!:: The seeker teased.

::After all, you are a spark-less Decepticreep::

::Don't get near me, Autoscum!:: Starscream severed the connection and chuckled lightly. On the other side of the base, Optimus was smiling too.

Right on time, Eleonor appeared coming out of the base. She was wearing a simple black dress, knee length. The upper part was like a sleeveless shirt with a modest cleavage. Completing the outfit she was wearing black low-heeled sandals and a small purse to carry her phone. She had her long curly hair pulled up with a hair-clip.

"Am I pretty?" She asked shyly, seeing that Starscream was staring intently at her, analyzing her new clothes.

"I am not familiarized with human beauty standards." He replied a little too dryly, but it was the truth.

"Oh... Don't worry... I understand." She said a little downhearted.

"Just tell her how pretty she is! Human females need compliments! You spark-less Decepticreep!" Mikaela shouted, peeking from behind a corner. Starscream unsheathed his null-ray and let his weapon capacitors whine loudly. Getting the hint, Mikaela squealed in terror and disappeared from the corner, looking for cover. With his point made, Starscream sheathed back his weapon and chuckled evilly.

Then he crouched and offered a servo to Eleonor, who took seat on it without hesitation. He raised his servo to be in optic level with her.

"Do you need a compliment?" He asked seriously.

"...It's not necessary, don't mind Mikaela, she just wants to bug you." She gave a weak smile.

"Hmm..." He was lost in his thoughts for some seconds. "I don't know anything about human beauty standards, but I know about intelligence, and I am 99% sure that you are the smartest femme on this continent right now."

Eleonor's smile grew wide and her eyes were shining.

"Thank you, Sir." She said softly. Starscream smiled briefly and nodded in response. Then, he lowered her again to the ground and transformed into is F-22 mode.

"Let's go!" He commanded, producing a step-ladder from one side.

Eleonor climbed easily and took seat inside his cabin, her hands shaking a little. She shrank slightly, looking around her in wonder as the cockpit glass descended over her.

"Are you alright?" He asked as the seat-belt glided around her and fastened.

"Y-yes... a little nervous. And I don't want to touch anything that could hurt you."

"Seriously, I don't think so." Starscream chuckled, his voice rumbling through the cabin.

"Alright." She relaxed a little. "I'm ready!"

The jet's thrusters came to life and they started to gradually gain speed until his landing gear left the ground. Little by little, they gained altitude. Starscream was being really careful.

Eleonor peeked through the glass. They were flying in a straight line over the landscape. Everything was beautiful from above. The mountains, the canyons, the dry rivers. There were small white clouds in the distance. The sky was the purest blue.

"This is beautiful..." She whispered in awe.

"I know, I am a very good-looking mech!" He crowed teasingly, although he knew she was talking about the landscape.

"Well, I don't know anything about Cybertronian beauty standards..." She replied with a smirk.

"Ouch."

"Aha! So it was true, I can hurt you!"

"Only my ego."

"Could you survive that?" She teased.

"We'll see... I'm feeling pretty weak..." He said and he turned off his thrusters. The jet began to lose altitude and descended describing ample circles to the ground. Eleonor squealed and grasped tightly the seat-belt.

"You are the most evil, smart and handsome mech in the universe!" She screamed.

"Ah, I feel much better... I think I'll survive a little longer." His thrusters came back to life again and he stabilized the course.

"You are mean..."

"Yep, that went included in the 'evil' part of your compliment."

Eleonor chuckled softly.

"Actually, I think it was not so bad... If you warn me beforehand. Can we do another slow barrel roll?" She asked, surprising the seeker.

"If you get sick and spill your contents inside me... I will kill you. Slowly." He warned with feigned seriousness.

"It would be worth it, I'm sure." She teased.

"You don't appreciate your life, do you?"

"You know I don't." She smiled.

Starscream chuckled darkly and began to make a slow spin. He was tired of flying in a straight line anyway. Eleonor could now see the sea above her head, they were flying upside down for some seconds until the jet completed the spin and stabilized again.

"That was fun. And safe." She said with a small smile of relief.

"There is no safer plane on Earth to be right now, my little assistant."

[One hour later.]

Soundwave was at his usual terminal in the Nemesis' control bridge when he received the ping from Starscream.

"Starscream ETA: ten earth minutes." The dark blue mech announced.

"Excellent. Tomorrow we are leaving for Cybertron. At long last." Megatron replied. His Third in Command nodded briefly.

The beige jet descended and landed on the Nemesis' upper deck. The cockpit opened and Eleonor took in a deep breath of the salty marine air, so different from that of the desert.

"This feels like home." She whispered.

Suddenly, a loud crackling sound could be heard and Skywarp appeared on the deck, hugging a not-so-ready-to-teleport Thundercracker.

"Skywarp! Don't do that again without warning me!" The blue seeker complained.

"Eleonoooor! Are you alright?! I was scared for you!" The black seeker beamed as he approached the beige jet and offered a hand for the young woman to climb up.

"Skywarp! Thundercracker! How are you two?" She greeted.

"Sincerely bored." Thundercracker admitted with a friendly smile.

"AHEM... I am also happy to see you two..." Starscream huffed as he transformed into mech mode. "... Ungrateful glitches..." He added with a grumble.

"Oh, 'Screamer, when did you arrive?" The black seeker smirked teasingly.

"Ha. Ha. Very funny."

Thundercracker and Eleonor chuckled for a while.

"Should we go inside before soundwave decides to give us a free salt-water bath?" The blue seeker asked finally.

"Yes. And I have to report to Lord Megatron." Starscream added, back to business. "Come on, little pet." Skywarp offered the human back and she hopped from one servo to another.

The doors of the control bridge opened to reveal Starscream with a triumphant expression, holding his human on his right servo, Skywarp and Thundercracker flanking him.

Megatron regarded the new-comers with a stern glare for a long moment before he spoke.

"It's good to see you again, Starscream." He said with coldness.

"I'm glad to be back home, Lord Megatron." The seeker nodded.

"And I am pleased that your small assistant is again... functional." The Decepticon Leader added, trying not to show any emotion, dedicating a disinterested glance at the human.

"Thank you, my Lord." She said humbly, making a small curtsy.

"You are dismissed..." Megatron said. "... and one more thing." He paused. "Skywarp was very persistent about making a small celebration tonight. Not that it would be to honor a puny human, Primus forbid me." He made a dismissive motion with a servo in the air. "It would be more to celebrate our return to Cybertron. However, you are invited if you wish to assist."

"I am very grateful, Lord Megatron." She replied with a smile.

The Decepticon Leader nodded briefly and Starscream and his trine-mates left the bridge. As soon as the door was closed, Megatron turned to Soundwave.

"I don't know what is more worrying; the fact that I just told a puny human that I was happy to see her healthy, or the fact that it is actually true." He ran a servo down his helm.

"Miss Eleonor: valuable ally." Soundwave justified.

Starscream left Eleonor in her quarters. It was lunchtime, and the party would not start until night. Skywarp left to prepare something in the rec. room, and Thundercracker went to his quarters to enjoy a short recharge-nap, now that Skywarp was busy.

Eleonor sighed and went to the kitchen to have a light meal. There was still something good in the freezer. She decided for some vegetables. She cooked them and ate in silence. After all the days spent in the Autobot base in company of Mikaela, Sam and the rest of the Autobots, her quarters in the Decepticon ship seemed suddenly very empty and silent.

She smiled at the memory of Mikaela and Sam. Eleonor was not too much older than them, only seven years older, but she had much more experience in life. The kids were always cheerful, contrasting with her usually calm mood. She liked them. And she had to admit that despite the harsh beginning, the Autobots were not so bad. She still hated what they did to Starscream and his wing-brothers, but the beige seeker had admitted himself that both factions had done terrible things to each other during the war.

She sighed again. After all, they all were Cybertronians. She should not discriminate them for their factions. The Autobots didn't know it, at least not for sure, but the Decepticons had a new Allspark and they were going back to Cybertron to revive their planet. If only they knew... but she would not say a thing without Megatron's permission. Her loyalty was for the Decepticons.

Eleonor let herself drop onto her bed, having finished her lunch. She groaned, trying to put her thoughts in order. The Decepticons were leaving Earth. Tomorrow. It was difficult to assimilate. What would she do now? Where would she go? After all these months out of the game, she was surely declared dead. That was going to be a mess to explain to the authorities.

The Decepticons. Gone. Her mind turned again to that bit of information.

"I am going to miss you..." She whispered to herself.

"Who are you going to miss?" A new voice asked suddenly. Eleonor flinched slightly and straightened herself on the bed.

"Oh, Starscream, Sir. I didn't hear you coming... How long have you been there?" She asked hesitantly.

"Long enough to know that something troubles my little assistant." He said with a knowing look as he came closer to her bed.

"It's alright, don't worry." She managed to give a small smile. Starscream reprimanded her with a scowl. She sighed in defeat. "It's just... I am very happy that you finished the new Allspark and that you can go back to Cybertron. Honestly. But I feel also a little sad... because... I am going to miss you all... especially you." She admitted, blushing slightly.

"Me?" He asked in disbelief. "After almost killing you... I lost the count of how many times..."

"Well, you didn't." She chuckled softly. "I have spent a lot of time here at the lab with you and I think I've grown attached."

"We are quite a team, aren't we? My little lab assistant." He said with a smirk.

"I agree." She said with a sincere smile. "So, what brings you here?"

"Skywarp is preparing the party and can't stop still in our quarters. I needed a rest and your quarters seemed quiet. Do you mind if I stay here for a while to have a small recharge-nap? I'm afraid that the party will be long."

"Of course you can. Actually, I was about to do the same." She admitted. "I woke up too early this morning and I'm already a little tired."

"Good." He said, transforming into his jet-mode. Eleonor watched him transform with endless curiosity.

"That's the most bad-ass thing I've ever seen. I swear." She said marvelled. She didn't get tired of watching any mech transforming. "Cybertronians are so different! There is nothing on Earth like you. Not remotely similar. It defies everything we hypothesized about alien life forms." Her scientific side was taking control of her.

"I'm bad-ass." He chuckled at the compliment.

Eleonor stood on the bed and inspected him closely. Except for the different color, it was indistinguishable from a conventional jet. She reached up a hand, but stopped hesitantly.

"...May I... touch you?"

"What am I? Your pet?" He said with feigned indignation.

"Sorry... that was disrespectful." She apologized.

The jet chuckled in amusement. "Fine, I think I'll survive a little petting."

Eleonor grinned happily and reached her hand again. She touched the tip of the right wing and run her hand by the front border.

"I can't tell the difference with a human plane, except for the colors, and the fact that you are warm. Besides that, your disguise is perfect." She came closer and caressed the underside of the wing. The jet shuddered slightly.

"Hey, stop that. It tickles!" He protested.

Eleonor laughed softly. A jet with ticklish wings was the last thing she was expecting. Cybertronians and humans were not so different.

"Sorry!" She said still giggling. "I'll better let you rest." She said, letting herself drop onto the bed and rolling on the sheets. She needed to get a good rest before the party. And what could Skywarp possibly had prepared? She wondered. Eleonor glanced one last time at the jet, probably in recharge by now. She was going to miss him.

Starscream smiled inwardly, still receiving faint signals from his superficial receptors under his right wing. The wings of a seeker were full of very sensitive receptors to pick up the variations in the air pressure, indispensable for flight. It was also the reason because it was so painful to receive injuries there. And he would never admit it, not even under torture, but the light touches of the soft and warm human hands felt absolutely wonderful.

"Primus... I now understand Ravage." He muttered.

"What...?" Eleonor was half asleep. Only half asleep.

"Scrap. Did I say that aloud?"