Precipitous

Chapter 35-Interruptions

Disclaimer: I don't own Transformers. They belong to Hasbro and Takara. I am merely taking them for a short spin.

There were times Sideswipe wanted to throttle his twin. Times like now. Reason wouldn't work. Never did when Sunny was worked up. Reason as it applied to their relationship. . .funny. The silver twin would've been laughing if it wasn't for the murderous gleam in Sunstreaker's optics. Then again, it was none of Sunny's business where he'd been and what he was doing.

"You just had to go and do it, didn't you?" Sunstreaker said.

"Sunny, slag off," Sideswipe said, rolling his optics. "I've told you already--it's none of your business."

He suddenly found himself pinned against the wall by his brother.

"Damn straight it is my business when you're 'facing the second in command," Sunstreaker hissed. "Are you out of your mind? I hope you get this out of your system fast, because when Prowl realizes you're just playing around, he's going to kill you."

Sideswipe shoved Sunstreaker away.

"I'm not playing around," Sideswipe said. "So slag off. It's not like we intended for it to happen. . .it just happened. Look--Prowl's angry with Jazz, I thought they'd talked things out, but I don't know. . .frag it. Sunny, just leave me alone, all right?"

He turned away from Sunstreaker, shoulder slumped, head hanging.

"'Sides. . ."

"Sunny, go back to Arcee. I just can't deal with you right now," Sideswipe said.

Sunstreaker started to reach out to his brother, but pulled back. He could suddenly feel how much his twin was hurting from what he'd said.

"I'm. . ."

"Sorry, yeah, I know, Sunny. You're always sorry. Let it go," Sideswipe said, walking away.

-----

:Where the frag are you? Back in your quarters? Because I just checked there. Get your aft to ops: Kup snarled.

Hot Rod was now fully awake. :I'm not in my quarters: he commed back. :What's up?:

:Not in your quarters?: Kup asked. :Slag it sparkling, three cometary forms just entered Earth's atmosphere:

:On my way: Hot Rod answered. He started to pull away from the recharging bulk of Optimus Prime, who stirred when he no longer felt a warm frame against his own.

"I'm needed in ops," Hot Rod said, giving Optimus' shoulder a squeeze. He waited a moment, watched as the other mech settled back into recharge. He exited Optimus' quarters, reluctant to leave, not wanting to walk away from the one comfort the Autobot leader was willing to share with him. Recharging together wasn't much, but it had to be enough. No matter. Hot Rod pushed it from his mind as he walked to ops, earning a glare from Kup as he entered the ancient mech's view.

"I thought I told you to comm me instead of coming to get me," Hot Rod said.

"What, sharing a berth with someone you don't want to admit to?" Kup asked.

"Kup, stow it," Hot Rod said. "What's going on? Have those cometary forms come down yet?"

"Less than 10 seconds ago on the North American continent," Kup said. "Southern Arizona, 57 miles southeast of Quartzsite. Before they entered the atmosphere, Blaster said the Xantium received a two-second data burst on a frequency used only by the Cybertronian Security Forces. I confirmed it--it's Hound, Mirage and Bluestreak."

"Does Prowl know?" Hot Rod asked.

"Not yet," Kup said.

"I'll tell him," Hot Rod said. "And sound the alert. We're wheels up in 20 minutes."

-----

Waking to find Sideswipe gone and an alert going off didn't help Prowl's already sour mood. Facing down a stubborn, insolent punk of a Prime wasn't helping. Prowl was anything but cool and logical as he bit back a retort while he listened to Rodimus explain his reasons for not letting him come on the retrieval mission.

"I need you here," Hot Rod said. "I trust you. Everyone, human and Autobot, trusts you. You know the routine, you can deal with Galloway and everything else until I get back. Prowl, you're the calmest, most logical mech on base."

"There's no reason why. . .it's Bluestreak. I thought he was gone. . ."

"I can think of plenty why you should stay here," Hot Rod said. "Now shut up and follow orders or I'll have you thrown in the brig for insubordination. I know you want to see your brother, but I like I said, I need you here. I promise I'll bring Blue back safe and sound."

Prowl shut his mouth, crossed his arms. "Who are you taking with you?"

"Ratchet, Jolt, Blurr. I don't want to leave you too thin if something else pops up," Hot Rod said. "And if Red gives you any problems and tries to get her aft back up to the Xantium, let Kup handle it. They've been avoiding each other for far too long."

"Anything else?" Prowl asked.

"No. . .well, yes. . .I'm sorry for how I handled everything with you and Jazz earlier. I had no right to interfere," Hot Rod said, clapping Prowl on the shoulder.

"No apologies needed," Prowl said. "But the sentiment is appreciated."

Hot Rod nodded, walking away.