Chapter 49: Goodbye

It took a while and it wasn't easy. The peace between the two factions was made of smoke, one wrong movement and it would all disappear. The Nemesis had been docked in some human airfield and the Bots were welcome to walk around it while the Cons were free to move without conflict but some, like Arcee and Airachnid, would never forgive each other.

It was understandable.

But at the same time, the two had been seen together in a civil conversation. Of course this was due to the company the two had been in.

No longer going by her 'nickname', Eleanor was the peacemaker and image of the truce. No matter what was going on, from pranks to name calling to a four way standoff, the moment the female entered the room, all of them would smile and forget what had been happening. And if they didn't, the mech less than three steps behind her would. However, his method was not a simple smile and a 'what's going on here?'. Taking on Megatron had revealed the extent of Soundwave's skill and no one wanted to be on the receiving end of it.

Optimus Prime had to admire the bond the pair had, the love they showed and had for each other. The pair were always ready to drop whatever they were doing to help in the hunt for peace but when they could, they preferred to be alone, curled up in their quarters together. The Prime called for peace in his men but even he failed in comparison to the human.

He would have to talk them down.

She just had to enter the room.

And it wasn't all conflict; Ratchet, Knockout and Shockwave had formed a slight think-tank and were working together to perfect Shockwave's cyber matter formula.

A year on earth passed, the peace becoming more and more stable with each passing day, trouble happening less and less and the former Decepticons and Autobots were learning to get along.

Then, one day, all of the major members of the joined Cybertronian forces and a few of the human representatives were called to a meeting.

El and Soundwave were sat towards the back, as they always where, on a large sofa so the mech could hold her tight and feel her comfort. It may look like the pair weren't paying attention but they worked better when near each other. Soundwave was brushing her hair back as the last representatives took their seats and chatted as they waited. "Any idea what this is about?" He asked softly.

"I heard Knockout saying something about a breakthrough. But it could be anything."

He hummed and went back to cuddling her, listening as Ratchet, Shockwave and Knockout took the front of the meeting hall.

He barely said a word before everyone's attention was fully on them.

Shockwave had placed a vial of glowing blue liquid on table before him. Ratchet lifted his head and nodded. "After careful study of the ancient texts and experimentations with several formulas, we have finally stabilised and perfected the formula for the syndetic cyber matter."

"We are in the middle of producing the substance on mass but…"

Shockwave nodded calmly in response to Ratchet. "We are sure that within an earth week, we will have enough."

"We finally have a way to restore Cybertron!" Knockout burst out, grinning like a mad mech. "We can bring Cybertron back to life! We're going home!"

The whole meeting whispered with excitement but the Prime stood up first. "Ratchet, old friend, are you certain this formula is correct?"

"Certain Optimus. The three of us wouldn't have come to you if we weren't sure. We have been testing this substance for weeks now and it has remained stable. We can restore Cybertron, Optimus. We can… go home."

The Prime looked at the small, seemingly unimportant vial on the table. "Home."

Everyone in the room suddenly stood up to go and hurried to congratulate the team of scientists. Soundwave managed to grab his 'Father-in-law's hand and shake it before realising there was something wrong. He turned and looked to see his mate was gone.

Concerned, he left the room and went looking for her, spotting Ravage briskly walking down the hall before turning and leading him to her. She was in a hallway with her head pressed against the wall, her eyes closed as she cried.

"El?"

She sniffed and her hands closed into fists. "I should be happy." She sobbed. "I should be happy that they did it. That you're planet will be saved. I… I should but… I can't. I can't stop… crying."

He frowned worryingly and stepped over, wrapping his arms around her back and pulling her to his side. "El, please, don't cry. Everything will be alright." He stroked her hair back as he held her tight and listened as she cried. He knew what was wrong. It was her deepest darkest fears come true. He was leaving her. He sighed in exhaustion and pulled her back a little, leaning over and kissing her lips. "El, you know I'll never leave you. I don't have to go back home."

The femme stared at him but then wiped her eyes clear. "Yes you do." She sniffed. "Cybertron is your home."

"My home is with you." He vowed, holding her tight to prove it. "I love you El, more than anything else."

"And I love you. But you belong on your own planet, with your own people." She turned slightly away. "As I belong on mine."

"I won't just go."

"You can always come back." She said, forcing a smile. "You could go and help then come back to me."

He frowned but then looked away. "It will be a while before Cybertron is restored. We can think it over until then."

His mate nodded and hugged him tight. Soundwave couldn't lie, he was worried. He wanted to go home, to walk on his own planet but… El was human, she'd never survive there.

It was a choice he would have to face.

But not for a while.

~#~

Optimus and his people didn't have the ability to return to Cybertron, pardon Wheeljack's ship 'The Jackhammer' and the Dinobot's crashed ship but that would never get all of them there.

Soundwave on the other hand, had the Nemesis, the Draconem and spacebridge technology. Many of the bots had already been transported to the planet with supplies and a collection of the superiors to keep things in control and prepare the planet for life once again.

The Cybermatter was too important to risk transporting it via spacebridge so it was going with the Predacons under the human's insistence. Eleanor had told them that Fire Heart and his brothers needed to prove they were as much a part of the planet as any other Cybertronian.

The trio had humble accepted the task and left a few days ago with their precious cargo so that they would have time to reach the planet.

The last of the combined cybertronian forces were going to take the Nemesis as it stood before them, docked on the earth. Everyone was stood waiting for the ship to depart; the many humans that knew of the cybertronians were gathered around, hugging and exchanging gifts and making promises to stay in touch.

Finally it was almost dusk, the time when the group had decided to leave. Arcee waved to her friends as she stood by the hanger door, watching as the humans were evacuated from the area so the ship could take off safely. She sighed sadly at the sight then turned to call to the last mech inside when a hand closed around her shoulder. Airachnid shook her head. "Let him be." She whispered then pulled the Autobot inside.

The sun was setting behind the ship, sky a golden orange and white, a beautiful and simple light, a gentle breeze over the landing deck that matched the softness of the air. The landing deck was soon emptied pardon one car, one mech, one female and one jaguar.

The trio were stood staring at each other, the wind playing at their clothes and hair before Ravage broke the tension and stepped forwards, rubbing his head against his father's hand. The mech knelt and stroked him gently. "I'll see you soon Ravage." He promised, trying to keep calm. "You look after your mother."

The pet purred comfortingly back and licked his face slightly before slinking past him, going to the open door of the car and jumping into the passenger seat.

Eleanor kept her head lowered before swallowing and looking up, smiling softly at him. Soundwave let out a breath and walked over, brushing her hair from her face before leaning over and sealed her lips in a kiss. He didn't push, he just stood before her with his hand on her hip and the other on her cheek. There was more love and passion in the one kiss than either of them had ever thought possible.

Leaning away, his hand slowly ran from her brow to her cheek, brushing against her skin, wiping away a tear as it rolled from her eye. He opened his mouth to speak but the other shook her head, eyes closed as the tears fell. Her fingers trailed slowly up his chest to his neck, pulling away at the fabric to see the silver lock he wore. That he always wore. The first thing he had ever given her. Her eyes locked with his before slowly leaning forwards and kissing his cheek.

"No matter what, Soundwave, I'll never leave you. No matter where you are or how long you're gone, I will always be with you." She stepped back and placed a hand over her chest. "As you will be with me."

He looked at her before taking a deep breath and swallowing his words. He didn't want to say goodbye. He didn't want to leave. But as much as he wanted to stay with her, he was called back to his home. Wiping away another tear, he kissed her brow and held her tight once more.

She was sniffing and shivering, trying to stop herself breaking down but failing so he squeezed her, trying to calm her down, to tell her that he'd be back soon, that it wasn't goodbye but he couldn't bring his voice to work. Centuries of choosing to be silence and when he wanted to speak, words failed him.

As if to tell them it was time to leave, the Nemesis began to hum with life and the pair were forced apart. He brushed her hair back once more then smiled, leaning forwards and kissed her lips once more. "Always." He whispered before turning, looking to the floor as he walked slowly to the ship's open doors, stepping softly inside.

Knockout was stood waiting for him and gave him a comforting smile. "We'll be back before you know it."

Soundwave said nothing, listening to the defining clang as the hanger door finally closed. Then he let his shoulders sink and walked past. "Let's go home."

~#~

Standing beside the car, alone pardon Ravage, Eleanor Tripson let the tears fall down her cheeks, watching as the only home she had known for over three years, the Nemesis, gradually left the ground and soon vanished into the darkening sky, becoming one more dim light in the sky. "Come home soon." She whispered to the sky.

Next Week: It's not over yet.


A/N: *sigh* Only three chapters left.

The Sound of Scrap's Heart has been a wonder experience. I have loved writing it and I have loved sharing it with all of you.

But let's save the sob stories for the last chapter. For now, I hope you enjoyed this chapter. Anyway, see you next week.