Thank you so much for your reviews. I love reading them so much. I want to thank all my regular readers and reviewers. I really appreciate all that you do and the time you take to help me along with my writing. I am very pleased with how Ultra Magnus and Starscream are being received because this is not an usual pairing. I am also pleased with Shockwave because I normally portray him a very serious villain even among the Decepticons.

If this is your first time reading, please leave a review. I love to read them. Enjoy!

"You might feel a little pressure now." Ratchet said as he installed the spark inhibitor within Chromia's chassis. He was so please with her progress since accepting her situation, not because they lost, but because she had seemed to bloom since bonding with Shockwave. Ratchet knew that they would not have an easy time, but the three months of awful tension between the two and then the realization that her predicament was indeed very real, had made her stronger. Shockwave was exceedingly patient with his new mate and very happy, his joy clearly showing in his work, and his air of doom erasing to see a vibrant mech in the prime of his life.

"Ratchet!" She hissed out as she tried to stop squirming. His hands in her chest did nothing to ease her anxiety but Chromia held fast knowing that to move would only cause him to miss his intended target while installing the inhibitor.

"I am almost done… there!" He exclaimed the last part as his hand was removed before moving the tool that he laid near her side and then tapping her chest plates so that they would close on their own. "Shockwave seems happy." He said as he put his tools on the tray sitting on the medic's table before turning back.

"He is. I still can't believe that he listens to me." Chromia said and Ratchet smirked at the dreamy look in her optics.

"He is a good mech now. He has had a terrible life and he was our worst enemy during the war, but he will not purposely harm you." Ratchet told her seriously. He crossed his arms. "I will personally reformat him if he does."

Chromia laughed. "I will remember that if this is just a dream that turns into a bad recharge flux." Chromia stated and Ratchet laughed.

"You will be fine, but how are you going to explain it to Megatron?" Ratchet said. "I will have to notify him in my report."

"Shockwave said not to worry. He will handle our dear sweet warlord, besides Shockwave said he is ecstatic over Optimus carrying." Chromia smiled. "It's weird. I always thought of Optimus being a sire not a carrier."

"I know, but Primes are built for either possibilities as well as seekers." Ratchet said suddenly laughing as if he remembered a fond joke. "Speaking or seekers, have you heard?"

"What?" Chromia asked frowning at Ratchet's humor.

"I am going to be Starscream's adopted creator." He said laughing.

"You're kidding, right?" Chromia asked in shock. "I am going to have an adopted brother?"

"It's just for his bonding ceremony. I don't think he would like my influence as a grandgenitor." Ratchet said gruffly before turning his back slightly away from Chromia. She knew that he was thinking dark thoughts though he tried to keep his statement light.

"Ratchet, you would make a terrific grandgenitor. You shouldn't put yourself down." She stated softly. She reached her hand out and placed it gently on his shoulder feeling the tension in his frame. "Besides, you will be around when Shockwave and I are ready for some."

"I know." Ratchet said softly, "but it would have been nice if First Aid survived. I would have loved to have one or two that might have come out looking like me." He turned back after he said that looking directly at her.

Chromia smiled. "Well, if you adopt Starscream you will have several dozen or more little fliers flitting around your med bay."

"It's not my med bay and Knockout would have gone in spark arrest." Ratchet huffily stated before both started laughing hysterically.

The door opened to reveal Soundwave leading Arcee in, her abdomen protruding out quite well as the host steadied her gait with his hand in the small of her back strut.

"Soundwave, good to see you. Bring Arcee in and we will have a look." Ratchet said as he pointed to a clean med berth before getting up from his rolling stool to get the equipment he needed to check Arcee.

"Hey femme, why are you here?" Arcee asked snottily before giggling at her older sister.

"Just getting a check-up; and you?" Chromia asked smiling at Arcee with warmth and humor before jumping down from the berth that she was sitting on and wrapping her arms around her sister.

"Soundwave says that I am not recharging well and he decided that I needed an extra check-up." Arcee dryly said before rolling her optics and sticking her glossa out at her bondmate. Chromia watched Soundwave but saw nothing but his ever present stoicism. She wondered if Arcee could feel the difference and made a note to herself to ask later.

"Well I need to go little sis before Shockwave comes looking for me." Chromia said before she stepped back and gave Soundwave a sly look. "Can you walk me to my mate's lab, hot stuff?" She coyly asked giving Soundwave a come hither look. Arcee huffed before slapping her arm but Chromia ignored her.

Soundwave nodded once before offering Chromia his arm and turning with her. "Later everyone!" She stated as she left with tall dark and silent. Arcee just sighed.

"She can be a fragger, can't she?" Ratchet stated flatly more than asked.

"She's Chromia. She will never change." Arcee said before leaning back until she was lying flat on the berth.

"So, what's the problem?" Ratchet asked before changing the lenses over his optics and turning his scanner on.

"I think it is Soundwave more than me. He stresses at the smallest change, and I don't know how to handle it." Arcee said worriedly. She looked at the doctor that had also been an adopted sire to her and her sisters after losing their genitors.

Ratchet hummed as he began his basic scanner before concentrating on the sparkling's spark beat. Arcee patiently waited as Ratchet huffed and hummed through his work before sliding the lenses back and looking directly in her optics. "The sparkling is fine. He is registering as very healthy by our standards even if he is somewhat large."

"Good." Arcee said but before she could continue she saw reflective pondering crossing Ratchet's faceplates.

"Are you relieving the excess charge before retiring for the night?" Ratchet asked. He started putting away his scanner before turning back to Arcee.

"Relieving what?" She asked blinking her optics.

"The sparkling is growing at a fast rate. Your body has to make the adjustments. It is why you run hot sometimes. It will also make you build up an excess of charge. How are you relieving it since you can't spar or train?" He asked waiting for her reply.

Arcee looked at Ratchet confusion still showing on her faceplates. She knew that she had not been feeling right at night but had no idea that it was excess charge that was causing it. She just thought that it was normal at this stage of carrying.

"I read at night before Soundwave comes in from shift." She asked it more than stated it because she didn't know if that was the answer that he was looking for. Ratchet huffed before crossing his arms getting ready to lecture her.

"Arcee, do you understand what I am saying?" He asked gently.

"I guess not since I seem to have answered the question wrong." She replied. Ratchet sighed again before uncrossing his arms and sitting down on the stool that was never far from him. He rolled closer before patting her arm.

"Well you femmes never were around carrying femmes when you were little. The war decimated so many young couples." He said before pausing a moment to collect his thought processors. Before he started, the door opened again and Soundwave silently slipped in, the tall bot seemingly gliding over to his mate without even a hiccup of noise and taking her hand in his. "You are running hot because you are not relieving your excess charge. This is very normal going into the third stage of carrying. Many couples relieve the charge by interfacing." Soundwave suddenly looked relieved as if he should have thought if this before but Ratchet mostly concentrated his stare at Arcee.

"You mean to tell me interfacing will help this problem?" She said incredulously suddenly rising up from the berth to glare at Ratchet.

"Yes and don't give me that look. This is your first sparkling and you didn't know." Ratchet glared back both holding their own until Arcee looked back at Soundwave who was standing at the head of the berth. He had moved back when he felt ire building in his mate but it was dissipating as she stood down from Ratchet.

"You could have told me this two months ago!" She said.

"I could have but it wouldn't be as much fun seeing your face right now." Ratchet retorted back watching a slow blush bloom along her cheek plates, the blue making her face features even more beautiful.

"Take her home to rest Soundwave. I will be at the lab this afternoon with Shockwave if you need me." Ratchet said as he turned to set up the rest of med bay for Knockout who would be back from his early morning race before long.

"Thank you Ratchet." Arcee said as Soundwave helped her off the berth. Her stance still wobbled since the sparkling liked to be primarily protruding in the front. Arcee groaned because the extra weight made her leg joints protest but Soundwave was there to assist her as she found her balance and slowly made her way to the door.

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"Are you ready?" Ultra Magnus asked as he slowly moved in his future bond mate's valve filling him very slowly causing the seeker to moan and squirm against him.

"Yessss!" Starscream hissed. "Please, harder faster." He demanded as he tried to speed his mates thrust but failing as Ultra Magnus licked up his neck before slowly sliding back as he claimed Starscream's mouth in a heated kiss.

They tangled almost violently as Starscream begged for more but Ultra Magnus deliberately kept the pace slow, even his glossa taking its time to explore every crevice and sensitive spot in the flier's oral cavity. Their bodies were touching on every level of intimacy as Starscream slid his legs up and down Magnus', his back arching into every slow thrust, and craving every little touch, caress that Magnus could give him.

"I want… I want… sparks!" Starscream sobbed as Ultra Magnus alter his thrust to angle it where his spike touched the back of the seeker's valve stimulating sensitive nodes causing Starscream to cry out and cling helplessly to his mate. He thrashed his helm on the berth trying to collect any thought but his processor and body was too sluggish with pleasure as Magnus stroked his hips, chassis, and then cradled his helm to keep him from harming himself.

"Not yet my sweetspark. We will have the rest of our function for sparks." Ultra Magnus rumbled as he kept the slow torturous pace waiting for the seeker to go over the edge from the building charge. He licked his neck before gently biting down. It was hard to keep control, but he wanted Starscream to know that pleasure didn't have to always hurt.

Starscream panted as he thrashed and squirmed in Ultra Magnus' arms. "Please Magnus!" He whispered but Magnus held firm as he continued his passionate assault on the seeker's senses. He kissed him again and pulsed the flier as Starscream cried into the truck former's mouth before gasping into sudden overload constricting his valve around his mate's spike and sending him into overload.

When both had calmed their cooling systems somewhat Magnus gently kissed Starscream.

"You better watch that. It was started this whole episode." Starscream whispered brokenly still trying to recover his equilibrium. His processor was dazed though his systems were quite relaxed.

"We have to finish our duties." Ultra Magnus stated softly. "Soundwave will be looking for me and you have an armada to command."

"Then get up. I am, after all, under you." Starscream smirked. Ultra Magnus slowly leaned back before pulling the flier up into his arms.

"What… what are you…?" Starscream sputtered as his arms went around Magnus' neck to keep him from falling back.

"You said we have to get back to our shifts." Ultra Magnus smirked back at the arrogant seeker. His valve would be tender but not sore. Ultra Magnus made sure to be gentle as he kissed the seeker once more before smacking him on the aft causing the seeker to squawk before pushing him to his feet and standing up to help clean off their armor from the transfluid that was leaking out and streaking down their legs. It would be part of the life force that would create their sparklings and it excited Ultra Magnus to know that his long dream of a family was finally seeing fruition.

"We were only gone a breem." Starscream smirked but then hissed as Ultra Magnus pinched a line beneath his hip armor to make him behave. "I refuse to use earth time. It is beneath me." The seeker arrogantly stated and Magnus had to smile. His life would never be boring with the red and silver flier but then boring was over rated most times.

"Tonight I intend to make love to you all night so don't overdo it while flying." Ultra Magnus smirked. He looked up to see a truly evil glint enter the seeker's ruby optics and brighten as he leaned down from where Ultra Magnus was wiping the last of the transfluid from his thrusters.

"Oh, I don't overdo anything when I fly and you better be prepared to be jumped from all the excitement that flying does to my systems." His voice had gone down to that sexy decimal that Magnus loved to hear and shivers flowed through his armor as he envisioned the quivering flier coming unglued in his arms. He would do his best work today, waiting patiently for his mate to come in from flying and then he would throw the seeker against the wall of their quarters and ravish him until he could no longer walk straight. It would be worth the wait.

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"Soundwave, do you need the reports from the American government?" Optimus asked as he walked over to the console that Soundwave was working on. The silent mech looked up before nodding and holding his claw out for the data chip. Optimus handed it to him.

"Thank you Soundwave, I appreciate what you are doing. By the way, how is Arcee? I hear she had an extra appointment this morning." Optimus observed how the silent mech stoically thought about what he was saying and deciding if it was worth his time to answer. He liked the tall navy mech with purple highlights that made him seem mysterious and dangerous.

"Arcee: doing fine; false alarm." Soundwave said surprising Optimus with his real voice. He could feel a smirk from the silent mech. "Soundwave superior. All others inferior."

Optimus laughed. "I should know. You were the hardest to defeat during war." He slapped the mech on the shoulder like he did all of his soldiers feeling the navy mech twitch from the touch. "Get used to it. I am the consort to your chosen leader."

Soundwave nodded before looking over the data chip he inserted in the console. Special Agent Fowler appeared on the screen and started outlining an agreement from the president from their government. Optimus listened though he already knew what the outcome of the report was. Soundwave would be negotiating for them since Megatron did not trust any humans to come in contact with his bond mate. It was irritating but Soundwave was kind enough to allow Optimus' opinions and it would have to suffice.

Je left Soundwave to analyze the file as he walked to the private lift. Megatron had flown with the patrol earlier just to get out and stretch his wings and Optimus enjoyed the feeling of freedom that had flooded their bond. He stepped into the lift and allowed it to take him up to their private apartment before opening onto the opulent hallway that would lead him into the open floor planned area. He walked to their quarters before seeing Megatron walking out from the wash racks as he walked into their berthroom.

"Soundwave get the file?" The warlord asked as he adjusted the armor over his hands and arms.

"Yes. He seems calm. It was a false alarm with Arcee." Optimus said as he walked over and sat in the plush chair made to support a large mech.

"Good. How are you feeling?" Megatron asked as he strolled over and leaned down to kiss Optimus on the helm. Optimus smiled up at his bondmate before answering, "Fine." Optimus reached over to a small reading table and grabbed a rust stick that Soundwave had issued made for both him and Arcee. He seemed to crave them more than the femme did, and Soundwave didn't mind bringing the bulk to Megatron's quarters. "I have an appointment with Ratchet in a few days and since I started the mid-grade, the queasy feeling has stopped. Ratchet says the purging could start unexpectantly but that is normal as my spark adjust to another feeding off of it. He says that I shouldn't purge enough that will take energy from the little one, but if I start and don't stop he wants to be commed so that he can check me over to make sure that I haven't contracted a virus."

"Good. I will make sure to check on you throughout the day." Megatron walked across from Optimus to a chair on the other side of the table. He picked up a rust stick. "I never had one of these until you gave me one in Kaon." He murmured almost to himself before taking a bite and chewing the sticky sweet stick in his mouth.

"They are my favorite as well as those cream energon pastries that they used to serve for diplomats when I first became Prime." Optimus said.

"I have been thinking. You need an assistant. I have asked Ultra Magnus to observe the drones to see if one would be a competent assistant for you." Megatron took another bite as he gaged Optimus' reaction to his words.

"I am fine, Megatron. I have you to look after me, and I don't need someone to wait on me." Optimus insisted as he brought another rust stick to his lips. They were so good and it took several to stave off the craving.

"No, I insist. I have the mech power and you don't need to worry." Megatron arrogantly stated.

"No, you want someone to watch me." Optimus said softly. Megatron leaned forward looking at the down cast features of his mate.

"Optimus, I want this as much as you. An assistant would not be a sparkling sitter, but someone for you to confide in when I am not here. It is why I suggested Ultra Magnus being in charge of choosing one for you. He knows you best and was there when I wasn't." Megatron sat back and closed his optics. "The assistant is not up for discussion. I have made my decision. You need an assistant and I need to know that you will be taken care of when I am not here."

"Very well, but I want Ultra Magnus to pick three and then I will interview them before I pick which one will fit me best." Optimus negotiated.

"That is not unreasonable and I am fine with it." Megatron said. "Now I need to talk to you about another topic." He stood up and walked to the cabinet before opening it up to reveal an energon dispenser. He filled two cubes that were stored above the dispenser before opening another small door to pull out a packet of additives before sprinkling them in Optimus' cube. He turned back and brought the cubes over and placed them on the table before returning to his chair.

"Ultra Magnus asked me to preside over his bonding ceremony." Megatron informed him. "He came to me just before I left for my flight." He took a sip of the cube before placing it on the top of his knee and looking at Optimus. "When were you going to tell me that they wanted a formal ceremony?"

"Probably tonight when we were settling for recharge. Ultra Magnus asked me yesterday in my office." Optimus replied before reaching for his cube.

"Well thank you for not denying it." Megatron said sarcastically.

"I wasn't planning to. Starscream does carry the title Winglord of Vos. It makes sense that he wants a formal bonding." Optimus said as he sipped his cube,

"You should have had a ceremony." Megatron said distracted by his thoughts.

"You wouldn't have lasted because you were too eager to get me in the berth and make me yours." Optimus returned dryly before laughing harshly. "I was the sacrifice to make this peace work so don't think that a ceremony would have made me happy. It is better this way."

"You are not a sacrifice. You are my bondmate and I will protect you." Megatron stated just as harshly.

"It doesn't matter, Megatron. I need to move beyond this so that our sparkling will be happy and healthy so let's get off of this subject." Optimus stated agitatedly before finishing his cube too quickly and having to hold his abdomen and praying that he wouldn't purge.

Megatron stayed there quietly brooding before leaning back once again in his seat as he watched his mate fight internally with his systems to keep from purging. When Optimus seemed to level out Megatron sighed. "I am not sorry that you belong to me. Our troops are adjusting positively and this ceremony is proof that we are slowly integrating back into one race."

"I agree Megatron, but I am still not comfortable staying here on earth." Optimus said sadly. "I want to go home. I want our sparklings to see their home planet flourishing with life."

"And we will, but I have unfinished business here." Megatron arrogantly stated. "We have mines that are still active, and this planet is as much a part of our history as it is the humans. When we have discovered everything that was sent here by our race then I will leave. I will not hurt the humans unless they try to harm us. I have given you my word and I intend to keep it. After all, you are carrying, and I don't want to stress you."

"Very well, Megatron, but I still want to go home with you as a family, and I will not be truly happy until that day comes." Optimus stated softly but firmly.

"We will; I promise." Megatron said equally quietly back.