Chapter 34: Gold Wave

Since M.E.C.H. had attacked the Nemesis, Scrap had been given a long and easy holiday, most of which she spent with her mech and as Soundwave was on an evening shift that day, they had spent the morning in Soundwave's room, on the berth together until exhausted and now they just drifted in and out of sleep.

The medic was leaning on his shoulder, her fingers running over his many battle scars. He never objected to her curious touch, he even quiet liked it and sometimes she would ask where each one was from and he'd tell her in a brief little story.

Today her fingers were reaching up as his head rolled back, the pillow having been thrown somewhere in their early morning fun.

Scrap's attention seamed fixated on the scars across his neck as she traced each interlocking one. Finally she stopped and sat up a little. "They are all the same." She said to herself.

Soundwave opened his optics and looked over at her. "Hum?" He asked, a little dumbly.

"The scars on your neck… I always through they were from different battles but… they are all from one, aren't they?"

The mech took a moment to stare at his love then closed his optics again. "Yes. But it was not from a battle. It was an explosion."

"An explosion?"

"One that… took everything from me… and gave me everything as well."

"I don't understand."

His hand slid up her spine to her shoulder, easing her back to his side. "I suppose it is time you knew. It started long before the war, back when there wasn't even talk of war." He sighed deeply, clearly remembering the time. "We called it the 'Golden Age' but in truth it was far from that. It was filled with corruption; the wealthy at the top, the others at bottom and that was all there was. I never really cared. After all, I was one of the top."

"What did you do?" His femme asked, curious. He had never spoken of his past before.

"In your terms… I guess you would call me a celebrity."

"Really?"

"Yes. I was a singer. Not like you. What I did was more… like what Breakdown sang at the party."

"You mean Eminem? You were a rapper?"

"Similar. It was an unusual trade which made me a very recognisable mech. There weren't many who didn't know my name or music. But, back then… my name wasn't Soundwave. It was Sound System." He shifted a little and went back to that time. When he was rich, famous and admired. It was so long ago.

~#~

The club was so loud; each note was undistinguishable from the last. The music was more tactile than it was audible. But the femmes and mechs loved it, shaking and laughing as they tried to dance in the tight, enclosed space, spilling energon over each other as they did.

Sound System would never be seen dead down there in the rabble, in the crowd. They weren't the 'common' people. They were his kind, just not his of 'level.' Instead, he was up in the private lounge, looking down on them. It was so natural to look down on them.

Behind him, a smaller, quieter party was going on, but he had no interest in that either. The bots in his lounge were business partners and sponsors. No one of importance for him to spend his time talking to.

A hand clamped on his shoulder and he looked over to see a slick, dark-skinned mech with a good, strong form. He was wearing an expensive shirt, but it was sticking out of his trousers and his general appearance was that of a tired mech who simply didn't care anymore. He had dark red optics and light green hair, leaning on the railing beside the musician. "Bored already, eh, Sound? Want me to find you something a little more fun?"

The purple optics glistened with agreement. "You know me too well, Cutoff." Of course, he had to. Cutoff was his manager and best friend as well as his body guard. Not that Sound System really needed a body guard; he could handle himself in a fight if needed.

Cutoff turned his attention to the dance floor below. "Well, what do you fancy tonight then? See anything?"

Turning his optics back, Sound System scanned the crowd below. It was getting late and almost everyone below was over energised, slumping over whatever they could get their hands on. Not what he was looking for. "Not here. Why don't we head over to Three Speed? There are always some good things there."

"And the energon's good." Cutoff said with a nod. "Come on then, let's slip out the back."

Grabbing their jackets, the pair slipped out of the private lounge, down an emergency exit, and out onto a back street. Cutoff took a moment just to inhale the air. "Ah, Cybertron is glistened tonight my friend."

His client nodded as he put a tinted, dark visor on. "Indeed, it is." And with that, they began at a brisk pace away from the loud, rebellious club and entered a quieter, but no less energetic location. Even with the cycle coming to a close, the Three Speed still had a long queue of people waiting to get in. A couple of robust, dangerous looking mechs guarded the door.

On seeing the two mechs, the bouncers quickly pushed the party goers to the side, making an entrance for the VIPs. Sound System smirked to himself at the groans of complaint from the pretty and petty frames he was cutting in front of. In a moment of self-admiration, when he passed in front of the line, he lifted his hand to his visor and removed it, shooting a smouldering gaze at those waiting.

Groans of complaint almost instantaneously turned to squeals of joy and his name was whispered. Oh yes, he loved being famous.

The Three Speed was a dark but avid location with two long bars around the room, alcoves dotted around the walls with small tables where groups could sit and chat, some of them having curtains to give extra privacy, while in the middle was a dance floor with a great view of the live band as it played.

The pair hardly got to the dance floor before the manager of the place came out to greet them, two very attractive and scarcely dressed femmes on his arms. "Greetings, gents. How can I help you tonight?"

"Just the regular, Rich." Cutoff said, but his optics were on one of the femmes, sweeping over her frame. "And a little extra." He added, grabbing the girl by the waist and smiling very charismatically.

The other femme went to Sound System, grinning like she'd just won the grand prize over her partner, but it soon vanished when the singer held up his hand, dismissing her. The other one now wore the same smile as she, Cutoff, and Sound System were shown to a roped off alcove with a table set out with the best energon the club had to offer and some exotic snacks to be nibbled on.

Cutoff didn't hesitate in beginning to talk to and flirt with the femme, but his client just sat back and relaxed, enjoying the music. The Three Speed was special to him. It was where he got his first gig, on that very stage, and soon after that he had a data deal and from there it just went up for him. Returning as a star made it all feel so much more real to him.

He smiled, ignoring his manager as he practically undressed the femme, and looked over the club. It hadn't changed much over the years, to his delight. The odd painting on the wall had been updated and the colour of the curtains had been replaced, but everything else was the same.

Every little part of this place was familiar to him, had a memory attached. Good times. He thought as he remembered and picked up a glass of top grade energon, sipping it gently. Very good times indeed.

~#~

Leaning on his hand, bored put of his mind, Sound System looked over the frame of a femme as she stood before him, trying to look seductive and attractive. "No." He said at last, looking away as Cutoff escorted her out of the room.

With her gone, Cutoff sighed and closed the door. "Well, that's the last one."

"Come on, there must be something else out there."

"I've looked! There is nothing else to your normal liking."

The rapper pulled an unhappy face. "Well maybe I want something that isn't my normal. Try finding something… completely the opposite to what I normally like."

Cutoff nodded, accepting the challenge and turned to the door.

"Oh," Sound System added, leaning forwards on his seat. "But make sure she's still pretty."

The manager smirked. "You never change." He said, then slipped out.

He looked over the crowds again. He was so use to looking for Sound System's 'normal' that doing the opposite took a moment.

Normally he would look for tall, dumb, highly attractive, bold, and easy. He also knew Sound System liked the rarer optic colours and those who were more seductively dressed.

So the opposite would be…

Cutoff stopped in his search. There was a femme sitting away from everyone else, a barely touched drink in her hand as she gazed off into the dance floor.

The opposite to bold is shy… Cutoff thought as he made his way towards her.

She didn't seem to notice him until he was almost right on top of her. She looked up and he was taken aback a little. Rare optics. He thought as he looked at her. Very rare optics.

The femme blinked her dim, golden optics. "Can I help you, sir?" She said in a sweet, soft little voice.

Polite. "Yes, sorry to disturb you."

"Oh, it's no bother. I was just thinking about the music; it's a little fast for the speed everyone is dancing, but the base matches perfectly."

Smart. "Yeah, I guess it is. Are you here with anyone?"

Her optics turned back to the dance floor. "I was dragged here by my sister, but she appears to have run off."

"That's a shame." He said, easing in his motive. "I have a friend who I think would like to meet you. He's really into music, as well. Why don't you come talk to him while you wait for her?"

The femme didn't look at him this time. "No, thank you. I think I'll head home after this song."

"Will your sister be alright with that?"

"Copper Wave can look after herself. She's a lot tougher than she looks."

"Alright." Cut-off said with a nod, changing tactics. This femme was perfect for Sound System's sudden opposite kick. Her hair was long and red, curling over one shoulder while held back with an intergalactic orange flower, making her look cute and innocent. She had an orange dress on that covered most of her chest, arms and legs while also showing off her slender body.

Everything about this girl was sensible and calm. Cutoff just had to get her to the private room.

The femme shifted a little and took a sip of her drink. "Sorry sir, if there is nothing else, can I go back to enjoying the music?"

"Wouldn't you prefer to dance?"

The golden optics turned to him. "I prefer to listen and be listened to."

In other words, go away. The manager realised, but had one last tactic. "Well, if you change your mind, we are over in the VIP lounge."

As expected, the word 'VIP' got her attention. "VIP lounge? I've never been inside one of those. Are they as nice as people say?"

While the reaction was expected, the reply was unexpected. Normally, when he dropped the 'VIP bomb,' the first thing asked was 'who', not the quality of the room. "Well, they are nicer than out here. The air is sweet as well and not filled with… smells."

The femme chuckled. "I see."

"You said you were going home? Why don't you come wait inside with us until someone can pick you up?"

She looked hesitant. "I don't know."

"Nothing will happen to you, I promise." He said with a smile to back up his lie. "It wouldn't be very gentlemechly of me to leave you out here all alone with this loud rabble."

The red haired female bit her lip, then nodded, standing up and grabbing hold of his arm. The action was a little strange but understandable in such a busy location. Carefully, the pair made it back to the VIP lounge and passed the men guarding the doors. The femme's optics widened a little as she looked inside. "Wow, it's so quiet in here." She gasped, reaching out for the wall to steady herself as she suddenly swayed on the spot.

Cutoff held her shoulder gently. "Are you alright?"

"My audios are ringing." She said, patting the side of her head. "I'm sensitive to sounds. Changes in them can… disorientate me."

"Do you need anything?"

"Just to sit down."

With that, he took her arm as gently as he could and eased her into a seat near his client who had been eyeing her since she entered the room. He gave an approving nod to his manager, then made his move. "Are you alright?" He said. "I know how it can feel going from loud to quiet very quickly. It's one of the reasons I prefer to stay out of the noise."

The femme chuckled as she continued to pat her audios. "Oh, I've been this way since I was created. I've come to live with it." Her head lifted and looked over at him. "You must be the music mech?"

Sound System tried to hold back his surprise. She was looking right at him, but had no idea who he was. That was about as rare as the colour of her optics. "Yes, I'm in the music business."

She smiled. "I was just saying to your friend the music was a little fast for the speed everyone was dancing. But, I guess in here you wouldn't have noticed."

"Sometimes it is the feel, not the sound that everyone dances to. It's called 'spark dancing'. When the dance is based on the vibrations, not the beat of the music."

"But, surely the beat of the music would be what causes the vibrations?"

Sound System smiled at her come back. "Not necessarily. Some artists will apply a 'sub base.' Something you can't hear, but effects the inners of the system."

The femme sat and thought for a moment. "I never thought of it like that." She said at last. "You certainly know your music… umm… I'm sorry, I don't think I got your name."

"You first."

"Gold Wave."

"Sound System."

She blinked and frowned. "Sound System?" She repeated. "Why does that name sound familiar?"

He tried not to smile. "Perhaps you read it somewhere?"

Gold Wave laughed softly. "Oh, I wouldn't have read it, Sound System."

"Why not?"

She waved a hand over her face. "Because I can't see."

Sound System's smile dropped as he looked at her closer. "You… you can't see?"

"A fault in my optics. I can see to a point, but it comes and goes. It's more… I can see shapes and forms." She grinned a little. "I can see you're waving your hand in front of my face, for example."

Sound System quickly stopped in his action. "Oh umm… my apologies."

"I'm used to it." Gold Wave said softly. "There aren't many cybertronians who have the same condition as me."

"Why don't you get them repaired?"

"My creator tried. I've had five replacements in the last vorn alone. But for some reason, Primus decided I was not to see the world like everyone else."

The rapper took a moment just to sit back and think. He was so use of things being normal, he wasn't sure how to deal with something so abnormal.

Gold Wave must have sensed his discomfort as her smile fell. "I'm sorry. I know it makes people feel uncomfortable." She stood up slowly and nodded. "I'll just head home."

"Wait." Sound System stated as she moved away. "Why don't I call you a ride?"

Gold blinked softly. "Actually… if you don't mind? I got a little lost on the way here; Copper was going far too fast me to keep track."

"Of course. Cutoff?"

Cut-off nodded. "I'll arrange it at once." He lied but he did leave the room.

Alone, Gold Wave sighed and turned to look closer at Sound System. "So…." She said, clearly curious and confused.

"I have to ask." He interrupted. "Can you actually see me?"

She shrugged. "I can see your face. I can tell that your optics are purple and your hair is blue. But… I can't make out any details."

"I see."

"I don't." She laughed then stopped. "Sorry, old joke my sister and I have."

He paused, smiling at her. "So… if I did this…" He said, taking hold of her hand and feeling her flinch at his touch. "Does it tell you anything about me?"

The femme moved her optics to his hand and began turning it over, playing with it and running her fingers over his skin. "You clearly take very good care of your hands. And you don't use them very much, not like a labourer."

He nearly scoffed at the idea of him being a labourer but he held it back.

"You're hands are very strong, fighting hands, but they don't do so very often, do they? And they are steady. I'd guess you play some kind of instrument."

"You would be correct. Although, I spend most of my time at the decks."

"Ah!" She laughed. "You are one of those musicians!"

"What's that meant to mean?"

"Well… I love listening to music. I love the music at places like this. But I find there is more skill and talent in knowing how to make music. Not taking what others have made and remixing it."

"And what if I told you I was a singer?"

That made her pause. "What?"

"I sing."

"Liar."

"I'll prove it if you want."

"How do I know you won't just play something? Taking advantage of my lack of optics?"

"I wouldn't do that."

"Well, I haven't stayed alive as long as I have by trusting people."

Sound System grinned, shifting closer to her. "Alright, how could I prove myself to you?"

Shuffling at his move, she bit her lip and looked up at his face which was much closer. "I… I don't know."

"Well then, you will have to take my word for it."

She huffed, frowning to him. "No way. I'll think of a test for you."

"Very well. But, if I pass it, as I know I will, you will have to pay a forfeit."

"What kind of forfeit?"

"I haven't decided yet. Have you made up a test yet?"

"I think I have."

He smiled at her. "Very well then."

"If you can sing the words I give you, if you can make them a song… then you win. If not, I win."

"Name your words."

The femme stood and began walking slowly around the room. "Alright. I see, I hear, I listen and I learn. I know and I work."

Sound System laced his fingers together, leaning forwards. It took a moment, but then he nodded, standing and walking over to the femme, taking her hands and began to sing. He wasn't used to such a small, short song and not in this tone either. He kept it slow and sweet, not his normal style. "I see… I hear. I listen and I learn. I know… and I work."

The girl blinked and bit her lip. "Ok… I believe you."

"That is a very good song, but I think… 'I know and I love' would be a better ending than 'I work.'"

"I was thinking on the spot, give me some credit."

"Indeed." He said, lifting her chin to look up at him. For a moment, he was sure her optics focused on him, but he didn't give her chance. He just darted forwards and snatched her up in a kiss.

~#~

Stretching out his back and arms, Sound System hummed, rolling to his side on the large soft berth, looking over the sheets for the femme.

He was a little amazed when he found himself alone. Normally, he had to kick the femmes out, often with force. This was perhaps the first time he had ever had a femme walking out on him.

But, it was for the best. He had no real interest in the strange little thing. Sure she was smart, funny… beautiful and… an extremely unique femme, but he wasn't that interested in her. He huffed, dragging himself off the berth and pulling on some pants, rubbing his head and leaving to the other part of his impressive sky scrapper apartment.

A perfect view of his home city greeted him, one wall nothing but panoramic glass to show the world for all it was.

Then, his optics caught movement and he looked to see the female from the night before, dressed and in his food area, cooking. "Gold?" He asked, catching her attention. "What are you still doing here?"

She didn't look at him, just carrying on. "I'm sorry, I'm an early riser. I always make breakfast for my sister and creator." She turned with a two plates of food. "So, I decided to make it for you instead. Come on, sit down."

Sound System sat and looked at the food as it was placed before him. "Looks… I mean… smells good."

The half-blind femme sat beside him and nodded. "Good to know. Come on, eat up before it gets cold. I hope you don't mind me using your kitchen. Then again, I'd say you don't use it very often."

"Hardly ever." He mumbled and began to eat, then stopped. "Wow, this is really good."

"Glad you like it. It's a… sort of thank you for last night."

Choking on his food, Sound System swallowed a few times, then looked at her. "Gold, last night was…."

"A one off. After this, I have to go home." She sighed softly into her food. "If she found out I spent all night out… let alone what we did… oh, she'd kill me."

Sound System chuckled a little as he carried on eating. "Your creator sounds very protective."

"I love her so much, but… last night was the first time I've done anything… for the want of doing it."

"And you are just going to go back to it? You're free, live a little."

"But, I need her. Without her… I'm nothing."

"I don't think so." His hand reached out to hers, holding it tightly. "I think you could have anything your spark desires if you want it. You're a very intelligent femme, Gold."

Her cheeks turned a very bright blue before she broke away. "You don't need to be nice to me anymore, Sound System. I'll probably never see you again." She laughed and rolled her optics. "And I do mean 'see you.' My optics have decided to work properly today."

"You can see me?"

She looked at him, her golden optics bright and full of life, focused on him. "Not perfectly, as you might, but… better than last night. Enough to see the detail of your face."

The mech smiled, reaching out to her and rubbing his thumb against her cheek, just watching how she smiled and looked at him. "How long will it last?"

"Could be a whole cycle… could be over before we finish."

The Sound System kept rubbing his cheek for a moment then smiled. "Then, I better make the most of it." Leaning across the table, knocking over a glass in the process, he pulled her up and into his lips.

When he broke off from her, he sighed, looking down at her. "You could always… stay with me."

Gold Wave stared up at his dark royal purple optics. "I…I…." His lips graced over her once more, muting her. The small femme took a moment to recover, then sighed. "I… I…."

The loud, sudden burst of noise broke the pair apart, Gold looking to her wrist and the communicator there. Quickly she accepted the call. "Yes?"

"GOLD WAVE! By Primus! I've been so worried about you! Where are you? Are you hurt? Copper is here, in a right state again! She took you out, didn't she? Oh Primus, I knew I never should have left! Where are you? I'll come get you. Don't move, don't talk to anyone and don't… just don't move!"

Gold looked over to Sound System as he looked quiet amused. "I'm fine, Light Wave."

"I never should have left you in her care. You are far too delicate. Look, don't worry, I'll come and get you. Just… tell me where you are."

Sound System slowly leant over her audio, whispering to her. The femme nodded. "I'm at a restaurant called 'High Gallow'."

"THAT'S ON THE OTHER SIDE OF THE CITY!" Light yelled over the line. "What the frag are you doing there?"

The femme swallowed. "Light I…"

"Look, as long as you are unharmed… you are unharmed right?"

"Yes, Light."

"Thank Primus. Look, just stay there. Don't talk to anyone, don't look at anyone. Just stay still. I'll be there as fast as I can."

With the line dropped, Gold Wave sighed deeply while arms slid around her and her head found his chest. "I… I have to go."

"The Gallow is across the road. But, you weren't kidding, she certainly is very over protective."

"Please, Sound System… she'll be there in no time."

Holding her hand, the celebrity nodded. "I'll take you now. But, on one condition."

"What?"

"You give me your comm. frequency."

"She will never let me out after this."

"I don't care. I can still talk to you."

The girl thought for a moment, then nodded. "Alright." She tapped at the communicator slowly, bringing up her frequency and passing it to him. "Now please, get me to the restaurant. Please, I know Light."

Kissing her forehead, Sound System nodded and led her out of his apartment and across the road to the restaurant and entered, the place quiet at the moment. "I'll stay until she arrives."

"If she sees us…"

"Don't worry." He cut in. "I'll be across the room, just to make sure no one bothers you until she arrives."

Gold smiled as she leant on his shoulder. "Thank you, Sound System."

He nodded, leading her to an empty table, helping her into a seat and nodding. "I'll just be across the room." He sighed and held her hand for a little longer. "Thank you, Gold Wave. For everything."

The girl smiled and nodded, her optics pale and distance. "It was definitely fun. Thank you." She sighed softly. "We'll never see each other again, but… thank you."

Taking a moment, the star lifted her hand to his lips, gently kissing the back before letting go and walking to another empty table. He had barely been sitting long enough to order a drink before the door to the restaurant was thrown open and a femme he could only guess was Light Wave entered.

Her hair was light green, dangling down from a sky blue hat she was wearing that matched the rest of her outfit of a cropped hoody to show her mid drift and a short skirt, all of it dark and light blue.

Her optics were blue as well, scanning the room before locking on Gold Wave. "Gold!" She yelled, running over and grabbing her creation by the shoulders. "Gold, what the frag happened to you? How did you get here? Did anything happen to you?"

Gold smiled as she held her hands. "No, I'm fine. Copper and I got separated and…"

Light clutched her hands tighter. "And?"

Across the room, Sound System tensed. But, Gold Wave only shrugged. "This really kind femme looked after me. She took me to her home and let recharge on her couch."

Her creator didn't look happy. "What was her name?"

"El… something, I can't remember. She only said it once."

Sighing, then huffing, Light stood and pulled the girl with her, holding both her hands. "Come on, I'm taking you home."

Unable to struggle, Gold was pulled out of the restaurant and out of Sound System's business. But, all the same, he felt his spark twinge at her departure.

~#~

It was an… unusual relationship.

Sound System still maintained his way of life. Parties, femmes, and concerts, but sometimes he would just sit in the quiet, private booths and rooms of clubs and appear to talk to himself, chatting away happily to some unknown other person.

Almost every cycle he would be seen, talking into his communicator. He always started the calls and sometimes the other wouldn't accept them from him.

Only once did the other start a call.

"Sound?" She said over the line, her voice a little sceptical.

"What is it Gold?"

"Are… are you free at the moment?"

His optics looked over the sponsorship meeting he was in. "Yeah. Why?"

"Want to hang out? Light's got a meeting this evening. She's going to be out of town for the rest of the cycle."

"I'd like that."

"Great! Meet me at Three Speed?"

"I'll be there."

The pair met, went for a walk together, and had a light meal, before heading to Sound's place for a laugh and a dance before going to kiss and roll around in the sheets.

He had decided not to keep anything from her, and so in one of their late night talks he'd confessed everything, telling her his identity.

She had no problems with him being famous. She didn't expect anything of him because of it. She didn't treat him any differently. But, she did object when he started running around to avoid those who recognised him. Mostly because he just dragged her along behind him without explaining what was going on. He appeared to forget she couldn't see someone was following them.

It wasn't the first or last time.

Light Wave was a busy femme, often going away for meetings to talk to the high council. And as soon as she left the house, Copper Wave would run off to her own personal life and once she was gone, Gold Wave would call Sound System and if he was able, they would meet up.

Sometimes the pair would part in the street, sometimes Sound would walk Gold home, sometimes they would go back to his apartment.

They kissed, they toyed, they slept together, they cuddled.

He was happy with her.

He didn't even realise he was acting differently.

Cutoff noticed.

His client was no longer interested in femmes. No matter how beautiful the people he found were, Sound System turned them away, instead going to talk on his comm. with a stupid grin.

And while Sound had never been one for 'sticking around' in the boring stuff, he had always kept Cut by his side. Now, the star was sneaking off alone, often for ages on end.

It was both annoying and dangerous. Disappearing with him was one thing. Disappearing alone was another.

As Cutoff grew tired and concerned with the behaviour, he decided to stick a tracker into his client's communicator and followed him when he disappeared. And what he found was that femme with the long red hair and faint golden optics, the one who couldn't see.

And the pair were embracing, comfortable, and even from afar, the look on his client's face made everything so clear.

Later, he went to the mech's apartment and stood before him, asking what was going on.

Sound System frowned as he sat in place. "It is none of your business who I spend my time with."

"Oh, believe me, it fragging is. So far, only the three of us know about this. Do you have any idea the damage this would do to your image?" The manager sighed. "I sell you as a 'cold, sparkless mech who takes what he wants and doesn't care about the damage.' But, this… you being with this… girl! It will ruin everything we have worked for."

System had his optics closed. "You can't have expected me to remain single forever. Surely you knew one day I would want to settle down."

"Sound, you are at the peak of your career!"

"And I have more than enough credits to last me the rest of our lives comfortably." He shrugged. "Sure, it might not be the same level I'm used to, but… with her, I'd be happy."

Cutoff rubbed his forehead suddenly. "You… you make it sound like you are going to bond with this girl."

"Her name is Gold Wave. And yes, I am serious about her." He took a moment, then nodded, standing up and staring at his manager. "In fact, now that it's all out in the air, I am going to do the right thing. I'm going to call her and ask to meet her creator, finally introduce myself and ask for permission to go out with Gold. Frag, I might even ask for permission to bond with her straight out!"

His manager chuckled blindly. "Oh, come off it Sound. This joke has gone far enough!"

System stepped right before the other mech, optics to optics. "I mean it, Cutoff. I want to be with Gold."

"This is just a phase." Cutoff begged. "A few drinks and some… really good company… you'll forget all about her." He reached out and placed his arm around his shoulders. "Come on, mate."

The other twisted quickly out of the grip. "No. I can't think of anyone but her. I'll still sing. I'll do my part… but no more fragging around." He sighed, heading for the door.

"This will ruin you!"

"Then, so be it." He said gently, leaving his home behind. Out on the street, he put his visor on to hide his optics and walked away, just wanting to get some air and think before finding Gold.

He walked all the way to her home, but it was locked and quiet. He sighed and lifted his communicator.

It rang a little.

"Sound, I can't talk. I'm out shopping with Light."

"Great, where?"

"What?"

"Where you shopping?"

"Over at the Skipper District."

"Who are you talking to Gold?"

The link was suddenly cut. But Sound had all the knowledge he needed and he headed off for the Skipper District. It wasn't too far away either, a large, popular destination with the richest and more powerful bots.

In his time getting to know Gold, Sound System had learnt that Light Wave was a very rich and powerful femme, a member of the high council. Just his luck, giving his spark away to a politician's creation. But Light really didn't look or act the part; she was more interested in caring for her two creations and did the least she had to for the council, acting more as a consultant than a real politician.

Arriving at the shops, Soundwave began looking around for the pair, scanning the square of the shopping centre, hoping to catch them between shops. It took him a while but finally he caught sight of a young female with red hair being lead from a shop by another.

"Gold!" He yelled, running towards them.

The pair both turned to look at him, and in seeing the pure joy and shock in the femme's optics, Sound System felt he could die happy right then.

The ground shook.

He hardly had enough time to look up before his ears suddenly popped with the loud ringing echoing. In a split second he found himself unable to see past the blinding light before his body was violently thrown across the space into a nearby wall. The ringing in his audios slowly died down, but as it did, he pushed himself sluggishly up, instantly realising that something was wrong. Energon was trickling down to the ground from his neck, dripping slowly to the metal by his hands.

He tried to cough but all that came out was a gurgled mess and he felt sick. He clamped his hand to the painful spot. His throat was a mess, every breath filled with agony and when he tried again to speak, nothing happened, more energon splattering the ground under him.

He remained where he was, on all fours on the ground, trying to think of what had happened. There was an explosion and…

Gold. He realised and looked up, trying to scream. Gold!

Jumping to his feet, he ignoring the tingle of pain from his body. Nothing could compare to the agony in his neck, the lack of his voice. And the sight around him. The shopping centre was a complete disaster, something from a war zone, shop displays thrown out onto the roads, metal twisted and people all over the place, screaming and trying to help others.

The explosive had ripped everything from its place, scattering people and rubble everywhere.

Sound System felt like crying, his spark almost breaking as he saw a familiar red haired femme across from him. Limping, he made his way over to her, trembling at the pain until he collapsed at her side.

Gold. He tried, picking her up in his arms.

She flinched at his touch. She was still alive.

He looked over her.

She wouldn't be for long. There was a large piece of broken metal poking out of her middle, energon flowing fast from the wound and staining her clothes a deep dark blue. Her optics were faint, flickering in and out of focus while there was a deep cut on her cheek.

Gold! He gasped again but all that happened was some of the energon leaking from his own wounds to drip on his love.

The contact appeared to rouse her, her optics focusing to the brightest he had ever known them to be. A burning, perfect gold. She smiled. "Sound."

He felt tears pooling in his optics at the sight. Gold. He tried with all his might to make his voice work. Gold… Gold please… hold on.

The woman flinched, her hand carefully lifting to his, holding it as tight as she could.

He was hardly aware of the commotion going on around him; the search, the fires, the loud screams for help. His attention was purely on the woman in his arms. He didn't want to face it, but he knew she was dying.

Her gaze paled again and Sound System felt her spark fading, shuddering in its attempt not to fail, but she was weak, she had no real strength. She couldn't fight long enough for help to arrive. He couldn't let her go. Not yet. He had to do something first.

Lifting her hand in his and placed her fingers over his lips. He might not have his voice anymore, he could still tell her.

The trembles were growing, her spark holding on to the last moment; Gold put all her strength in feeling his lips as they moved. Slowly, she smiled, she drifted her fingers from his lips to his cheek, holding on tight to his hair. "I… I love you too Sound."

Gold… don't… don't leave me.

But she couldn't see him anymore. She couldn't hear his voice. Her fingers slipped, lifeless. Her optics dark, her chest still, her body already cold.

Silent chokes filled Sound System as he leant over and kissed her forehead. I love you Gold Wave. Always.

The pain cut into him more than the first blast and he had barely enough strength to recognise that a second, larger bomb had gone off, taking out many of the people who had wanted to help, as well as collapsing the last of the shopping centre, burying the pair.

~#~

Scrap was still for a long time before wiping a tear falling from her eyes. "I'm so sorry, Soundwave."

The mech took a deep breath, his gaze turned away from her but his arm held her a little tighter. "When I finally came around, I was in this… makeshift hospital with the worst of my wounds tended to. There were so many others around me, hundreds, thousands of wounded. Some would say I was one of the lucky ones." His hand touched the underside of his neck. "All I lost was my voice. I could have lost my spark. Sometimes I wish I had. Sometimes I wish I had died with her."

"Soundwave." His femme said, looking up at him. "You… don't…."

"I don't think so anymore. I have you now. But, there were so many wounded, and since I was stable and the medics had so many others to see to, I was left alone. It gave me time to think, and when the medics came to check on me, they were so rushed that they had no idea who I was and when they asked my name… I wrote Soundwave."

"As tribute to Gold?"

"Yes."

"So, you faked your death?"

He nodded, turning back to her. "While I was waiting, I swore to find who was responsible for taking Gold's spark and make them pay. But, I couldn't do that as someone everyone knew. As soon as I was able, I left. I never went home. I changed my hair, my clothes… I began living as one of those I had once thought so little of. It changed me."

Snuggling into him, the human remained silent, arms around his waist and head on his shoulder.

His nose rubbed up and down the side of hers. "I was alone for a very long time. The lower levels were filled with violence… and struggle. I had to live off my wits to make it. I didn't have a voice back then so when it came to money, I started taking part in street fights. Then, I met him."

"Met who?"

"Megatronus. He was in this shop I went into, just sat at the back, talking about his idea of a perfect world and how things… should have been. He talked about the attack of Skipper District and how it was a sign of how things were changing. After the meeting was over, I went to him. And I was amazed."

His optics turned to face the woman. "He knew me. He knew about Gold, about what I was doing and he wanted to help me, but he wanted my help as well. I'd become quite good at collecting intelligence while living in the under sides of the planet. With his fame and my skills, we would be unstoppable. He even helped me create a new life for myself; he commissioned my armour, paid for my new voice, and had my new name confirmed."

"Did he know who you were?"

"I confided my true identity to him, but he stated it didn't matter. It was the past. I didn't… completely agree with him. It was the past, but it was my drive for the future."

Scrap sighed again, pressing her naked form against his. She suddenly wanted him to feel her there, supporting him, there for him. They lay in silence for a moment, comfortable in their private, secret time together.

"Did… did you ever find out who was responsible?"

Sound System blinked slowly. "No." His optics narrowed, as if just remembering. "And I won't give up. Cybertron may be gone, but I will find the person responsible."

His mate smiled, leaning up to his cheek and pecking it gently. "I know you will." She whispered while snuggling up to him.

"Thank you." He sighed, pulling her up to his lap to lie on top on him, running his fingers over her side. "You know, you remind me a lot of her. Not just your hair, but… your opinion on life… how… frail you are… but how determined you are as well." He chuckled, pulling her in for a kiss. "But, unlike Gold, you fight against those trying to control you. Gold always gave in to Light's orders. You…" He smirked. "You fight everything."

Scrap smiled, snuggling up with him. "I'll never leave you, you know that, right?"

"I know, sweetspark, I know."

Silence fell before Scrap began to shake with the giggles. "Don't call me that."

"What?"

"Sweetspark. You sounded like Knockout."

"Oh, Primus help me."

Next week: A special guest comes for dinner

A/N: You all wanted to know Soundwave's past. Now you know. He wasn't an assassin trained by some secert order, he was a singer who was caught up in an explosion that took the woman he loved from him. The Con's gave him a chance to find out who. Anyway, see you next week.