CHAPTER 38

"What are you doing?"

Fracture hadn't returned since "Bounty" episode. At first, Drift had thought he had left to join his Minicons. However, he had been late. After two hours, Drift went to seek him. He was followed closely by the cat. Apparently, the animal took a liking in him. Why? He didn't understand. He found the purple Decepticon sitting under a tree. He was lying down on the ground and, when Drift got closer, he noticed the Decepticon was wearing a kind of mask. Fracture had his optics shut, a slight smile on his face. Drift asked him again but the Decepticon didn't reply. He knelt down near him to check the equipment.

He had never seen such a gadget. Near his rival, a Pad. Drift grabbed it.

On the screen, he could see Fracture on his ship, crossing through space, chasing after another ship. Drift frowned. Was it a simulation? A game? A training? Or just a way of relaxing? According to the Decepticon's expression, it looked pleasant. How could it be pleasant? Chasing after another ship? He wasn't sure if he wanted to know anyway. Fracture and Drift had got different senses of "fun".

Suddenly, Drift watched himself on the screen. His optics widened. What was he doing here? Then…why was he by Fracture's side? Both bounty hunters were on the same ship, at drive controls. Or rather…Drift drove while Fracture stood up behind him, yelling after the ship they tracked. Of course…

If it had been a simulation or a game, Drift should have been on the other ship. The enemy ship. Fracture wouldn't have allied himself with him. But that's what happened. Why? Anyway, the chase lasted a few minutes until Fracture pressed a button. Their ship sent a missile. One moment later, it blew their enemy apart right away. Smoke, fire, ship's remains floated around the space. Like in any action movie…

Back on their ship, Fracture put his servos over the samurai's shoulders, repeating that the bounty was his. Drift raised one eyebrow. Of course, of course, they definitely would team up in reality. However, he must admit it: the image quality was good.

On the screen, he could see Fracture kissing Drift on the cheek…then their image turned off. Fracture removed his mask. He blinked and turned around to face him, open-mouthed.

Truth to be told, Drift shouldn't have been surprised. However, he was. He put his servos on his hips.

"What was this?"

The Decepticon simply shrugged.

"I do it whenever I'm upset."

"And?"

Fracture wickedly smirked at him. He gestured him, inviting him to get closer. He handed his mask to him.

"That's a device. It shows you the place you want the most to be. What do you want the most…The ideal scenario of your life."

"So, are you telling me that your most cherished dream is chasing after a ship to blow it off?"

Fracture chuckled.

"I'm a bounty hunter. I told you: my dream is action, thrill…these feelings I get whenever I hunt."

"Why was I here too?"

He let out a sigh. This expression again…He smiled yet he looked upset at the same time. The same he had displayed sooner…before both of them were…

No, Drift thought. That wouldn't happen again.

"I think I offered you a partnership."

"Oh, please. You weren't serious."

"Drift, trust me. So many gadgets break down, have a glitch or anything else. But this one scans your mind. You cannot lie to it."

"Technology is not always reliable!" The samurai retorted.

"It doesn't change anything"

He must stop looking at him in such a way…But Drift couldn't help but feel awkward. He stared at the device. He didn't believe Fracture. He had probably tampered with it. How could such a gadget scan his mind?

Yet…did it mean that Fracture had been genuine in his offer?

Obviously, that's true. However, according to the illusion, it meant that Drift was working under him. He wasn't working with him. Yet, there was still the matter about the Decepticon's feelings. If that gadget truly showed the thing people want the most…it meant Fracture didn't play with him.

Drift felt…lost.

"Maybe you wish to try?" Fracture offered him.

"…No."

"Oh, please! This thing will not kill you! Yet, you shouldn't use it too much. Because it feels so great that we sometimes forget about the reality. Don't worry. For a first experience, I'll be there to keep a watch over you."

Drift said nothing. That's completely stupid…

A thing…showing him what he wanted the most…

But what did he wish the most? He didn't know it himself.

He finally grabbed it. It didn't seem deadly…even if it came from Fracture. The Decepticon knelt down over him to put it on his face. Everything went blurry around him. The samurai laid down in the grass. The Decepticon vanished. He was probably activating the Pad.

A few seconds later, Drift was in the heart of the Sacred Mountain. The sun on the horizon, a perfect view on the lake, on the mountain…He could feel the wind on his face…water's noises…

That was extremely realist. For a gadget…he really felt like he was on the Mount Fuji right now.

Nearby, there was Wing.

And Axe.

And Jetstorm and Slipstream.

His group. The Circle of Light. They were there…they were training under the blue sky, enjoying the view.

He felt a spark's ache. Everyone smiled…everyone looked happy…

Autobots were present too. Grimlock cheered them on, Windblade challenged Axe…

That couldn't be happening…

He reached out for Wing. He only wanted to touch him…he wanted to touch him…but that was an illusion. He knew it deep down…Everything was made of pixels. He wouldn't feel anything…

Yet, he felt him. He felt his body when he put a servo over his back.

Wing turned around, a warm smile on his face.

His mentor…was back. And Drift felt a lump in his throat.

"Stop it" He said.

Nobody answered.

"STOP IT! FRACTURE! STOP IT!"

Everyone turned around.

Grimlock, Windblade, Bee, Strongarm, Sideswipe…

"Master?" Jetstorm said.

Then everything went off. He was back in the forest. Fracture appeared again. Drift looked down, removing his mask.

"It really works…"

"What do you think? I'm not the one using junk after all."

Fracture didn't smile anymore. He looked…concerned. Why should he be concerned? Drift wondered if that's because the Decepticon hadn't been present in the simulation. After all, it could be anything. The Decepticon stood up, taking the Pad. Drift gave him his mask back.

"…That's Wing, wasn't it?" He questioned him.

Drift nodded.

"…He seems nice."

He didn't add anything else. He was about to leave.

"Where are you going?" Drift frowned.

"I'm going to rest. You too, Drift…I think you need it."

No emotion in his voice. He talked…like what they were supposed to be. Machines.

Drift didn't move. He just watched Fracture vanish behind trees. The samurai touched his lips, thoughtful.

If he had said the truth about such a gadget, he had no reason to desire Fracture.

So…why couldn't he stop thinking about him?

"Strongarm!"

The blue cadet heard a loud noise behind her. She turned around and facepalmed.

"Sideswipe? What have you done again?"

"Nothing! I just wanted to help and everything just fell on me."

"Oh, please" She sighed. "Don't you think it's a bit late to work? Even I do not like extra hours."

She didn't know what to say. Even when Sideswipe wished to help – and that's rare- he was unable to do it properly. She headed for him, helping the red bot up. She checked the damage.

"Denny will kill you"

"I will tell him that was you" Sideswipe simply replied, arms crossed.

"You are annoying!" Strongarm scolded him. "What can't you be a bit responsible?"

She looked around. There was nobody else.

"Where are Jetstorm and Slipstream?"

"Oh…They probably went for a walk with Russell."

"Primus…Drift entrusted them to you, remember! Haven't you listened Fracture? Lockdown is after us!"

She was about to search for them when Sideswipe grabbed her arm.

"Oh, relax, officer! Nothing will happen to them. And maybe Fracture just told us a tale because he felt lonely."

"I want him to lie too! But we don't know anything yet. For crying out loud! You are completely dumb!"

Sideswipe rolled his optics. However, he still kept a grin on his face. Whenever he had such a grin, she wanted to punch him.

"Yes, yes" Sideswipe agreed. "I'm so dumb and you can't tear your optics off me."

"What do you mean again?"

"I think you already understood."

Strongarm blinked. Sideswipe didn't let go of her arm. Why…?

"…I don't have time. We must find Jetstorm and Slipstream now!"

"Okay, okay"

He stretched.

"We'll seek them together if you wish."

"You better. Afterward, you'll clean that mess."

Sideswipe sighed. She was about to leave the scrapyard when he suddenly was a few inches away from her.

"Sideswipe…?"

"Before searching them, I would like to do something before."

"What?"

She didn't have time to ask more. She wanted to yell at him to focus, but she was cut in by a pair of lips on hers.

Her optics widened. Wait…wasn't she recharging? Was she dreaming? Her first instinct was to push him back.

"What are you doing?"

Sideswipe's grin vanished. He moved back. Strongarm's spark was pounding. She could feel a warmth on her cheeks.

Did Sideswipe really…?

"If that's a joke again—"

"That's not a joke."

The red bot looked down.

"Sorry. I misunderstood."

"What are you talking about?"

Sideswipe bit his lips. She'd never seen him that awkward before…even not in Windblade's presence.

Speaking about her…

"I-if that's about Windblade…" She warned him. "If you want me because you can't have her, so…"

"No, no."

He sighed.

"I think I already felt something for you…even before her arrival."

"Aren't you serious?"

"Well. Yes."

She blinked. Her spark wasn't slowing down. Sideswipe's expression was so…out-of-character. That's so…new. So…strange…

"Think about it" He said. "I could have tried something with her after her breakup with Drift but…No. I think I had never been truly interested in her. She may be physically beautiful and she is—"

"…Go on"

He slightly smiled.

"Well. Would you like us…to walk a little ways together?"

"A little ways? You mean, in the scrapyard or—"

"You definitely are slow!" He rolled his optics. "I talked about trying something together…Together. Dating."

He was asking her…out?

Her cheeks went warmer. She gulped, staring at Sideswipe.

That wasn't good for teamwork…But she couldn't deny her feelings. She'd always felt something toward him. Deep down, after so many time working and arguing together…that's logical to feel something.

She thought it was one-sided though.

As she didn't reply, Sideswipe sighed. He was about to leave.

"Oh. Don't worry. I'll be fine."

"Wait"

She slowly went closer to him. She took a long breath before smiling at him.

"I haven't said no."

It made him smile back. Sideswipe turned around. She tilted her heard.

"Maybe could you show me again?"

"Of course, unfunny cop."

"Shut up, careless delinquent."

Then their lips met again. Strongarm wrapped her arms around his neck, deepening their contact while Sideswipe's servos massaged her back.

"FINALLY!"

They pulled back, sharply turning around.

Jetstorm, Slipstream, Russell were hidden behind bushes. They shouted with glee, raising their arms like if they were at the World Cup. They displayed a very obvious grin on their faces.

For one moment, she really thought it was another joke. But Sideswipe frowned and told them off.

"I swear: everyone will know tomorrow!" Russell cried out.

"Yes! In newspapers!" Jetstorm added.

"On Internet! Even Cybertron will know!" Slipstream chuckled.

"KIDS! GET OUT! GO TO SLEEP!" Sideswipe scolded them.

The trio walked away, laughing. Sideswipe rolled his optics before hugging Strongarm again.

"So…What were we doing?"

"Well I was an unfunny cop and you were a careless delinquent"

"Ah yes. I remember"

They didn't care about some other witnesses. They kissed again.

Not too far from the scrapyard, Divebomb and Airazor had isolated themselves. They followed their Master's orders. They must stay around, ready. They had laid down in the grass, stargazing. Divebomb thought it was quite nice to enjoy a private moment together. Yet he didn't understand Fracture's behaviour.

"I don't understand why we left Cybertron so soon…" He sighed.

Airazor nodded.

"Fracture wishes to keep Drift for himself. He doesn't want to leave him to Lockdown."

"Yes, okay" Divebomb agreed. "But still…we couldn't wait to return to Cybertron. As quickly as we came, we left."

He understood. Their boss's rivalry with Drift was an important part of his life. But to the point to come back on Earth…? Divebomb wondered if there was something else. Of course, there was another explanation but he couldn't believe in it.

No. That wouldn't be right…Fracture hated Drift with all his spark.

He caught Airazor's servo, holding it. His partner smiled, hugging him back.

"You know" Airazor said. "Even if it's Earth, it's still nice."

"At least, we are safe here. I mean. No one will look down on us because we are Minicons."

"And because we are Decepticons. No one will hurt us…" Airazor agreed. "Well. Beside other Autobots, of course!"

Divebomb chuckled, getting closer to him.

"I could stay here forever" He said.

"You don't miss Cybertron?" Airazor asked him.

"Yes, of course. It always will be our planet. But we are so used to travel, to explore other universes…"

He paused.

"Deep down I don't need Cybertron that much. Not really…as long as there is the boss. As long as I have you."

Airazor tore his optics off the sky to stare at him. He kissed him on the lips; a kiss Divebomb welcomed with pleasure.

"I love you"

"Who knows?" Airazor said. "Maybe once everything'll be over, we could move in together. All three of us."

"On Earth?"

"Wherever you want. Wherever the boss wants."

Divebomb hugged him tightly.

"…That's a good idea"

"Really?"

Grimlock put his cube of energon down. He moved closer to the two Minicons and Russell. An incredible excitation was obvious in his optics. He looked as happy as the trio. Slipstream chuckled.

"Yes. We walked in on them kissing."

"A quite passionate kiss" Jetstorm added.

"YES! Finally!" Grimlock cried out. "It was about time that these two get a room!"

If Jetstorm and Slipstream had been human, they would have blushed. Slipstream looked away. He wasn't used to hear about…these things. Their Master had never talked about these topics with them. He didn't like when they mentioned…private things. Like "interfacing". He watched their language.

Russell put his hands on his hips.

"Grimlock…"

"By the way, what about you and your girlfriend, Russell?" Grimlock grinned. "Did you already kiss?"

The boy blushed.

"No way! Not with Hank."

"But she is cute" The Dinobot pouted.

"She is only a friend!"

"Yeah, yeah" Slipstream whispered, unconvinced.

Russell glared daggers at him. Slipstream immediately understood he'd just committed a mistake. Then a devious smirk appeared on the boy's face.

"What about you, Slipstream? Do you like someone?"

"Beside…the beautiful pink stranger?" Jetstorm added, winking.

Fortunately, they couldn't blush. Fortunately, they couldn't blush. But Slipstream suddenly felt awkward.

"A beautiful pink stranger?"

"He met her in a bar" Jetstorm informed him.

"You actually went to a bar?" Grimlock cried out.

"Yes! With Master Drift!"

Grimlock and Russell exchanged a look, completely astonished. Master Drift, the honourable samurai…had actually visited a bar? Okay, he had told them not to saying anything…But Jetstorm couldn't hide anything from Commander Russell.

"Jetstorm!" Slipstream scolded him.

"Yeah! High-grade parties!" Grimlock chuckled.

"Let's move back to the matter" Russell kept on. "Who is this beautiful pink stranger?"

Slipstream wanted to stand up and leave. Yet, he couldn't do this. It wouldn't be honourable. He glared at Jetstorm, silently telling him not to go on. They would settle scores tomorrow, on the battlefield.

In the end, he smiled.

"Yeah. We still talk to each other."

"Really?"

"Yes. She is very nice. Jetstorm thought she was a Decepticon. It isn't true! She is like us…She was looking for energon."

He scratched his head.

"We partied, we danced and we—"

"Sheesh. I don't need the details" Russell cut him in, disgusted.

"You wanted to know! And we will see each other again soon."

"Great! Now, you just need Master Drift's blessing" Grimlock giggled.

"He will never accept it."

Slipstream sighed. He could just picture it right now. A very angry Master Drift, giving him this speech: "A romance? Never! Remember your oath! Training before romance!" followed by a sword pinning Slipstream to the ground. The Dinobot then faced Jetstorm.

"What about you, Jetstorm?"

"…Well-"

Jetstorm mimicked Slipstream. Now he was the one who was awkward. Hehe, Slipstream mentally chuckled. Serve you right. That's your punishment.

"I met a bot too. In this bar" He shyly smiled.

"Cool!" Russell cried out. "Tell us about him"

"Well…He plays in a music band. He loves earthling songs."

"Like, rock, metal?"

"Everything"

He proudly smiled. Now Slipstream tried to picture Jetstorm introducing this bot to Master Drift. A samurai and a singer. The result was quite cute. Grimlock let out a sigh.

"Come on. Everybody is in couple now…And I'm still alone like a fool."

"You'll find someone too" Jetstorm reassured him.

"Anyway" Slipstream chuckled. "I can't wait for our double dates!"

"My gosh, you two sounds like two teenagers."

They heard steps from behind them. That's definitely Master Drift who returned. Slipstream frowned. He will scold them again. They should recharge at such an hour. Both Minicons turned around.

"Master Drift?"

But that's not Master Drift.

That's an individual they didn't know. A bot with a black and white paint on his face, a green armour and a hook for a servo.