Jealous. Alexis felt jealous, incomprehensible disregard for other emotions escaping her attention. Just watched as Mika was suddenly flown back when the AllSpark shard made contact, Sam running after while jumping and rolling, somehow managing to catch Mikaela as they continued to slide across the smooth floor underneath.

Overhead lights flickering and turning off, Alexis watched as Mikaela convulsed. Light hovered under her flesh before she opened her eyes, beams of illumination beckoning through the darkness before dimming and fading away.

"What the hell was that?" Rad asked. His hand rising up, a flashlight brightened the once pitch black room. The wailing of the alarms stopped. Already Sam was picking up Mikaela, pulling her firmly against his chest.

"I'm not quite sure... I think, I think..." Sam spluttered, words crashing out of his mouth with uncertainty. Pushing the panic back he began to look around.

"Put me down, Sam," Mika spoke softly, voice firm. Sam did as he was ordered. Mikaela stood shakily then more firm, any signs of what had just happened fading away as strength radiated off her frame. "I know how to get us out of here."

Their escape being a rather long, seemingly never-ending ventilation shaft, the four made their way off the Decepticon base. So many ominous sounds were around, beneath and above them, that by the time they did happen outside they were prepared for the worse.

Finding themselves still alive they had no other option but to take off running. Fortunately, they were shielded from detection by some borrowed Autobot tech. But even still, the probability of nearly running into some Deception scouts was increasing, the forces after them obviously numerous. By the time they heard Megatron himself issuing a threat, they knew their chances of survival was decreasing. It was just a matter of time before the Decepticons deciphered their shielding frequency, just a matter of time before the four humans reached their limits.

Managing to make their way to a restaurant, a halfway point between safety zones, not only were they exhausted, but tense. Eating and drinking water they discussed their options. Now secure for the moment, they decided a rest was called for.

It was the moment they were settled, Sam taking first watch; that light appeared in the middle of them all, stabilizing and stretching upwards it took on form.

"On edge a bit?" Skywarp took a step forward, all the humans' weapons trained on his body. He looked down at Alexis, the corner of his mouth lifting. "I am here to assist."

"So gained another fragment of the AllSpark," Skywarp mused, the four having explained all that had happened. "But how long were you planning to be holed up here?"

None of the humans said a word.

Skywarp smirked, hands going through his perfectly messy dark purplish hair, fingers sliding down to his neck where he straightened the already faultlessly aligned collar of his sleek dress shirt. His fingers disappeared in his pants pockets as he stood casually alert. "You are stuck and pretty much surrounded. And have managed to gain Megatron's personal attention. All in all," Skywarp glanced over at Mikaela, "pretty much slagged now that he knows you have the AllSpark. Megatron will stop at nothing now." The humanized Seeker smiled, a rather arrogant brow lifting upwards.

"We can still get away," Rad spoke up, "Once we get a hold of the Auto..."

"Yes," Warp hissed. "Always so dependent on your Autobot masters. But they will not be coming for you this time. You should have killed Megatron when you had the chance." He rolled his eyes, shaking his head with contempt and open amusement. "Oh wait, countless Autobots have tried including Prime himself. Decepticons have ventured along that path, even entire planets and numerous species, but you, small, infantile, armor-less, yes you, surely you would succeed where all others have failed," the Seeker wailed with laughter and cackled with delight.

"I thought you said you came to help," Sam spoke, rising to his feet, arms dropped stiffly against his legs. Eyes narrowing at the Seeker, he complained bitterly, "This isn't helping."

Halting his laughter, Skywarp took a domineering step toward Sam. "Yes, I suppose I did. But first you humans will regenerate. You will be of no use to anyone in the current state you are in. Alexis, you are with me." Leaning down he brought Alexis to her feet. "And you, AllSpark carrier." He pointed forward.

"My name is Mikaela."

"AllSpark carrier," he repeated even more firmly, ignoring her completely. "You would be wise to rest as well. You are brimming with quite potent energy. If you do not control yourself, well..." He circled his hands in the air while motioning behind them beyond the chairs and tables and back at where all the electronic food service equipment was. "We could be surrounded by new life which would most certainly lead us to being discovered."

Skywarp began to pull Alexis away from the group, but not before she heard Sam speak with hushed caution and nervousness, "Uh, Mikaela, you want to hand over any electronics you have? Starting with that new gun of yours? No, stay where you are, I'll come to you."

If it was one thing Alexis was learning during her time with Skywarp, it was that unlike Thundercracker, he had no problems at all in touching her. Even now he had his hand wrapped firmly around her wrist. Ever since she lost Starscream, she was very sensitive as to who touched her, and while she was usually able to indulge Skywarp at the moment she was unable.

But he only tightened his grip when she tried to get out of it. Leading her through the back of the restaurant, he pushed the swinging door open as he led her into the kitchen. It was so dark that Alexis could barely see a thing. Stopping, Skywarp turned a small light on and the room brightening drastically.

"I brought her," Skywarp said. Letting go of her hand, he shifted to behind her, pushing her back gently as he motioned Alexis forward with a radiant, face filling grin.

Alexis stopped, turning to Skywarp, she watched him lean against a metal table, motioning once more with his hands for her to move forward; his bright brown eyes were heavy with expectation.

"Alexandra."

Her whole body stiffened and coiled, heart-rate increasing as she shifted around on her feet. She had thought she felt him, thought she felt his energy. But she ignored it, sick and tired of the hope that could come unexpectedly.

But it did look like Starscream who was leaning against a far wall. More beautiful than ever with his dark hair short once more, but unruly and spiked, bangs strategically dipping here and there upon his forehead, giving him a mysterious, dangerous look that left her breathless. And those alluring ruby eyes of his, Alexis had almost forgotten. And the clothes he wore, dark olive pants and multilayered shirts, all perfect upon his lean, muscular form. The precise simplicity of what he wore only multiplying the power that he was capable of exuding.

Starscream was just staring at her, awed yet determined. Unable to move, he came to her. Reaching for Alexis, he pulled her forcefully against him. Her small body landed hard against his body.

He was whispering to her, but she couldn't seem to focus on the words. Was this another dream? A nightmare? Had she fallen asleep? Yet she didn't normally dream as him being human, not near as much as his mech form. Remaining still she allowed him to hold her and touch her, to continue to breathe her in and speak. Pushing her a little back, his face hovered above hers, moving down slowly until his mouth caught her own.

Kissing electricity. That was what it was like. Knees wobbling and chest tightening, her eyes widened before her lids drew shut, blocking her in a world of ecstasy and truth. Flashes came with thoughts twirling and shifting around in her head that weren't her own, familiar whispers caressing her mind and easing her heart. This was Starscream. The energy, there was no denying that, nor anything else as the two joined minds. But this wasn't like the time in the tent nor in the hangar bay before Starscream's departure. This was heated pleasure and surging longing, despair and solace. She could feel his body pressing so close, yet her mind drifted and floated away. Finding the overpowering thumping of his spark, Alexis returned. Filled yet still not filled enough, that newly discovered need of hers was overshadowed by the desire and hunger of Starscream.

So she didn't understand, eyes opening as she blinked back the sudden brightness, why everything suddenly stopped. Pain grew in her belly as she breathed out tremors of breath.

"Why did you stop?" Alexis asked, breathless and focusing on standing. She was scared still of the intimacy that could be between them if they continued, unable to forget the pain from their first encounter in the cell of Megatron's lair. And yet, despite her terror if this was all she was being offered, she would take it.

"Because the way I feel, I am going to need you more than once, and we don't have time for that right now." Starscream was amused, his eyes dark with lust, that mouth of his holding her attention as she drifted along its desirable fullness. He was too much, far too attractive, and just touching him with her gaze was making Alexis' thoughts wander, her imagination take off.

Despite his words, he was back upon her in seconds. Pushing her against a large metal shelf, Alexis heard objects fall off it and crash down around their feet.

"Come with me now, Alexis, and I will lead you to me. We have been separated long enough, and I long to be one with you," he breathed restlessly.

"What about the others?"

"Abandon your altruistic nature this once. I need you." He lightly drew his fingers down her mouth and past her throat, landing gently on her heart. "The Autobots will find them eventually." His hand continued on its journey, landing on her hip where he rubbed small, distracting circles. He whispered in her ear, "Slag, femme. I have never seen you in all black, and its making me even more ruttish." He tugged on her jacket, unzipping it easily as his hands disappeared underneath. "Perhaps... perhaps..."

"Take her or don't, but you better make it quick. We don't have much time."

Alexis should have felt embarrassed; Skywarp had seen everything. She had forgotten all about him, an oddity in itself since all the Seekers had such presence, one that lingered even after they left the area she was in.

"Leave us, and make sure the other humans don't interrupt us," Starscream ordered. "Alexis needs to recharge."

"Recharge?" Skywarp chuckled. Jumping off the counter, he got to his feet, winking at Alexis. "Now there is a new word for it. Are you sure I can't stay? I really want to." Skywarp suddenly gulped, back straightening as he scampered out of the room from whatever threat Starscream delivered through their link. "OK, OK, I am leaving," he said, narrowing his eyes at Starscream. "No need to get so snippy."

"So you really did die?" It seemed like hours passed since Skywarp had left, and since she saw Starscream again. They had talked for a while, and now were on the tiled kitchen floor, lying with one another. Her back was firmly placed against his body; his arm wrapped around her waist tight, her head resting on his outstretched arm. Starscream wouldn't let her move, stating that if she touched him anymore than she already had that he would devour her. And while that both frightened and excited Alexis, she found her questions far outweighed the tightness in her steadily beating heart.

He shook his head. "In regards to how you humans classify it, yes. I feel your confusion, Alexis, but you have asked enough questions. You need to rest. In a couple of hours..."

Alexis interrupted, "You really can feel me? But why can't I feel you? I mean I feel your energy," she flushed and exhaled hard, desire coming back as it fluttered down her body. "But beyond that I..."

"Rest, Alexis. When we are bonded once more all your questions will be answered."

Several long minutes passed.

"I... With that other you... I..." Alexis whispered, her words strained, her tone bereaved.

"I know."

"Do you despise me?"

"No. It is how I am able to feel you now. And he was a part of me."

"So you remember?"

"Yes. Rest now."

"You won't leave me again?" Alexis was exhausted, and it was a challenge alone to keep her eyes open, but the paralyzing fear of not finding Starscream when she woke was enough not to give in to the much-needed sleep.

"I will need to soon, but that will be the last time," he tried to assure, a vow in his words.

"Where are you now, Starscream?"

Starscream caressed the side of her hip, fingers lightly brushing down her leg before folding over her waist once more and then curling over her offered hand. His voice beautifully low, he responded, "With you."

Hearing that was somehow enough, closing her eyes, Alexis drifted. Dreams were not forthcoming, but now she no longer needed them.

Starscream was back.