Warnings: Mushiness. Nothing explicit, nothing more than a few kisses.

Disclaimer: Just the story is ours at this point.

Jazz just sat in silence next Soundwave, glad they were together. Eventually he decided to bring up what Prowl had asked him to. "Soundwave, would you consider joining the Autobots?"

Soundwave stiffened, the cassettes right along with him. A conflicted expression crossed his face. Before he could say anything, though, it was Frenzy who spoke up. "I don't want to go back to the Decepticons..."

Soundwave placed a kiss to the top of Frenzy's helm. "Cassettes: No longer safe there. Soundwave: Disobeyed direct order from Megatron by leaving."

Jazz looked at him surprised. "Well, you aren't a Decepticon anymore that's at least a start. But they are going to ask you if you will be an Autobot."

A sharp pain ran through Soundwave's system at Jazz's words, but he pushed it aside. Now was not the time. "Soundwave: Not an Autobot."

"I understand. But would you be willing to help us stop the war, and work at it from this side?"

"Affirmative." It was all Soundwave could really get out. His systems were heating up and the pain grew more pronounced. He immediately clamped down on his bond with the cassettes, unwilling to allow them to experience this. Frenzy was looking at him worriedly, the concern of the others just as strong. Soundwave should have expected this to happen. He really should have seen it coming. He'd betrayed a charge, and now his systems were beginning to rebel.

Jazz could tell something was wrong with the way the cassettes were acting. "Soundwave, what's wrong?" He was really worried about him.

"Soundwave: Fine. Jazz: Need not worry." Unfortunately, though, his cassettes were not of the same opinion. Frenzy wiggled in his arms until the minicon could wrap his own arms around Soundwave's neck. "That's a lie, Boss Bot, and you know it!" He looked over his shoulder at Jazz. "There's something wrong with his systems, his codes are rioting! I just don't know why..."

"Soundwave!" The stress was clear in his voice. Just as he got Soundwave, it seemed like everything was falling apart. He didn't know what else to say or do so he commed Ratchet that there was an emergency.

The medical bot rushed out of the meeting with the other officers and down to the brig. "Jazz what's the emergency?"

"Something is wrong with Soundwave." He sounded panicked.

Soundwave hated this, hated causing his love to worry, hated being at the mercy of his enemy, hated the choice he'd been forced to make. Laserbeak and Ravage were staring at him with wide, fearful eyes. They were the only ones who had seen anything like this happen to him before. Ravage pressed his helm into Soundwave's side and began communicating quickly with Frenzy and Rumble. "He has betrayed Megatron and broken the Carrier bond between them. He chose us over him and now he's paying the price. Without a new bond to replace the old one, his systems will force him into stasis, and he will not come back."

Rumble looked at the feline bot shocked, "What? He's gonna offline just because he chose us over bucket head!" He was outraged. It took a moment for the rest of what Ravage said to register. "Wait, you said new bond. What kind of bond?"

Jazz was a little lost having missed Ravage's half of the conversation. "Soundwave, what are they talking about?"

"Soundwave: Forged Carrier bond with Megatron when Megatron spared Laserbeak in the Pits. Soundwave: Betrayed bond to save Frenzy. Offlining: Improbable. Systems shutdown and permanent stasis: Likely. Broken bond: Must be replaced or repaired." Soundwave didn't want Jazz to worry. He'd figure it out. Perhaps he could convince the Autobots to allow him to build another cassette. Blaster was an Autobot Carrier, they would likely have the materials needed on hand.

Jazz's processor was working overtime to find a solution. Soundwave was his. He would not lose him , not when he had just got him. Then it dawned on him Soundwave was 'his', and he was just as much Soundwave's. "You said replacing the bond would fix the problem, right?"

"Affirmative. Previous time a bond was broken: Soundwave built Frenzy and Rumble." He stroked their helms affectionately.

"What is a carrier bond like, is it anything like real bond between two mechs?" Jazz was trying to get all the information he could before deciding if that would work as a solution.

Soundwave hesitated, suddenly realizing where Jazz was going with this. He didn't want to be responsible for forcing Jazz into something like that. Frenzy immediately answered for him. "Almost exactly, except it doesn't have to go both ways. Soundwave's bond with bucket head was totally one-sided!"

Jazz made up his mind. Maybe it wasn't the best situation to be bonded under, but he was sure they would have gotten to that point soon enough. "Please Soundwave, let me help you."

"Soundwave: Cannot ask this of Jazz."

"You aren't asking, I am. I want this Soundwave. I want you." Jazz pleaded with him.

"Soundwave:...planned to ask Jazz to bond with him once the war was over. Jazz: Does not have to do this."

"And I would have said yes without having to think about it. I love you Soundwave, and I would do anything for you."

"Soundwave: Loves Jazz, too." He grit his denta in pain and groaned. "Jazz: Absolutely sure? Soundwave: Could just form a Carrier bond..."

"I am absolutely sure, Soundwave. I wouldn't be anything without you anymore."

"Jazz: Will be bonded to cassettes, too. Bond: Will not be as strong with them, though."

"I don't mind if they don't." Jazz said, happy to be part of the family he'd grown to love.

Ravage sat up on his haunches and lifted his helm to stare directly into Jazz's optics. Frenzy grinned at whatever the feline was silently seeing. "He says that if you do this for Boss Bot, he'd be proud to call you family."

"Glad you guys approve." Jazz said with a smile, looking up as Ratchet just arrived in the brig.

He went straight to the cell and opened it. "Soundwave, Jazz commed me there was an emergency?"

Soundwave jumped at Ratchet's sudden appearance, but he wore a smile for the first time since he'd arrived at the base. "Soundwave: Believes the situation has resolved itself."

Ratchet just laughed. "New it would happen. You two already act like a bonded couple."

Surprise colored Soundwave's features and his cassettes joined in the laughter. Laserbeak lifted off to swoop around the cell. She landed on Jazz's shoulder and nudged him closer to Soundwave.

Jazz leaned in and kissed him passionately.

Ratchet averted his gaze. "Hey, before you decide to bond on camera for the officers to see, I have some news."

"News?" Soundwave's frown was back, brought on by the pain and now worry. He wrapped and arm around Jazz protectively, the other still keeping Frenzy in his lap.

"We have agreed to let you all use Jazz's quarters while we investigate."

Jazz stared at him stunned. "You mean the investigation into my act of treason." He never expected they would let them have that kind of comfort. And if they bonded, Jazz would never be found truly guilty. It would kill eight Cybertronians.

Soundwave took a moment to think before he spoke. He wished he could see. "Soundwave: Wishes to testify of Jazz's behalf. Request: Audience with Optimus Prime."

"I'll get you in to see him, but let's get you all moved into Jazz's quarters. The cassettes can stay there while you speak with Prime, and get some rest."

"Rest for cassettes: Would be good. Ratchet: Has Soundwave's gratitude." And he did. This kind of consideration would not have been given by the Decepticons.

Jazz stood and grabbed Soundwave's hand to help him up.

"If it's at all possible, you might want to consider docking the cassettes. We haven't told the crew yet, we were going to once you had privacy."

Soundwave nodded. It would be easier to navigate without them as well, less beings he would need to keep track of. He opened his chassis. "Cassettes: Return."

Jazz watched as the cassettes were stored away, then wrapped an arm around Soundwave's waist to help guide him through the halls.

Soundwave clutched his soon-to-be bondmate. He was in largely unfamiliar territory, unable to see, and surrounded by possibly hostile enemies. If they got to the room without incident, Soundwave would be amazed.

Ratchet took them back, glaring at any bot who tried to approach them. He did not want to deal with anything else right now.

A/N: Please read and review. Hope this makes up for the heart wrenching we've put you through in the past few chapters.