Chapter 50


Author's notes: This'll be my last update for a few days as I'll be out of town. The scenes you guys are waiting for are coming up in 51/52, however. Ah, torturing my readers, it's so much fun ...


Death pinged Fang from outside Fang's quarters on the Nemesis, and Fang responded with, :Enter,: unable to entirely keep the irritation he was feeling from transmitting in the form of a clipped and short transmission.

Death raised an optic ridge at Fangface, as he entered through the sliding door.

"What did you do with Rivet?" Fang asked, and winced when he heard the continuing edge to his voice. He didn't really want to let Death know just how truly upset he was by his partner caring for another mech. In an effort to hid his expression, Fang turned his attention back to his work. It was late, most of the ship was in recharge, and he'd finally escaped from hours of meetings with various officers on the ship. Death, meanwhile, with the help of Crowbar and a couple shock troopers, had been busy tracking down Socket's co-conspirators and friends and tossing them in the brig until Fang got a chance to do something about them.

Fang had one of Deathwheel's pulse cannons half dismantled on his desk as he serviced the weapon. He didn't trust anyone but himself to work on Death's guns. Death wasn't nearly as mechanically inclined as Fang was, and he'd yet to find an engineer or medic who had both the knowledge and loyalty needed. Anyway, Fang loved to work with his hands; it was a trait that went to the core of his spark. After a stressful day, it had felt good to do something he knew he was skilled at.

"I asked Thundercracker to keep an eye on him while we recharge." Death locked the door with a burst of code at it, activated the room's shielding the same way, then headed to the berth. Fang had claimed Megatron's suite for his own; the Megatron-sized berth was a bonus. It would fit Deathwheels. That realization had made Fang very happy. "TC's still not really enthusiastic about you, but he'll take care of Rivet. He's a good mech, and the war's been harder on him than many others. You know he loved Starscream. What happened to Rivet was because of Starscream's cruelty; Starscream abandoned Rivet after Rivet helped him. TC feels a little responsible for it, but was never able to help him before now."

"Optimus's speech should start in a moment," Fang immediately changed the subject away from Starscream. He closed the last panel on the cannon, rose from his seat, and carried the weapon over to Deathwheels. Death sat down on the edge of the berth. "Here, let me see your arm."

He was bolting the gun back into place when Death slowly trailed the fingers of his free hand over the cover to Fang's dataport.

"Shh." Fang shoved the hand away, feigning mild irritation at the distraction. The truth was that he didn't want to interface with Deathwheels when he was pissed off at him, or that he was this petty. He wanted Death to think everything was okay. It would be, if Death gave him time to cool down. "I want to see the speech."

"Optimus is really more interesting to you than me?" Deathwheels snorted. Fangface was done with the weapon, so Death suddenly grabbed him by the hips with both hands and pulled him gently down into his lap.

"What are you doing?" Fangface said, a little nervously. Their relationship was so very new, he didn't know what to expect yet. Letting any mech touching him with intimate intentions was not something he'd ever allowed before. Additionally, he'd always assumed he would be the aggressor in a relationship, and Death had made it very clear from the beginning that he had a pushy, almost dominating streak in this single area. He wasn't sure he entirely liked that. He didn't like giving control up to anyone. Fangface protested with an excuse, "I want to watch the speech. Seriously, Death."

"You were jealous, when I was caring for Rivet, earlier." Deathwheels said, voice very low. "I could tell."

"Yeah, well, I was." Fangface was now ticked enough to admit it, he tried to get up, and found that Death had other ideas. His partner's arms were tight around his waist, metal armor clinking against Fang's abdominal plating. Fang's voice hit a strident note that startled even him as he tried to get up. Panic started to rise. What was Death doing? "Death! I swear to Primus, I'm going to kick your aft end. You know I can do it."

"Shh." Deathwheels scooted across the berth, drawing Fang with him despite Fangface's minor thrashing. He leaned back against the wall, and then turned on the monitor on the wall. He flicked through several satellite channels before finding one that was showing a view of the stadium full of humans. "You can watch the speech later. Relax, Fang."

"... why?" He gave up on wriggling free. It was clear if he wanted loose, he'd have to do his partner some damage. Death had a firm grip on his waist, though notably, he wasn't actually defending himself from a potential assault by Fang's deadly claws.

"You were jealous earlier, and you don't have any reason to be." Deathwheels rearranged them a little bit, so that Fang was sitting on the berth between Death's spread legs, back to Deathwheel's chest. Deathwheels spread his hands across Fang's chest, a gentle touch despite Fangface's rigid joints, and said quietly, "I care about people, Fang. Maybe more than a 'con ever should."

"I interfaced with you last night, remember? I know." Fang snapped. Fresh in his memory, he recalled that Death had won the last wrestling match they'd engaged in. He demanded, "Are you done manhandling me? Let me up!"

"Fang." Deathwheels's voice was serious, sober, and not at all joking. He wasn't rising to the bait of Fang's increasingly irritated tones. "Fang, I love you. We need to interface. Not because it's fun, but because you're ticked off at me. If you're going to bitch at me, do it in a 'facing."

"I. Want. To. See. The. Speech." He had no idea why Deathwheels wanted to move the argument into an interface session. It didn't make any sense to Fang.

"Later." Deathwheels was relaxed, motors quiet and pistons still, behind Fang's back. "The speech will be recorded. You can see it later."

"I could 'face with you later too. You're not getting any if you don't ..."

Deathwheels expertly flicked Fang's interface port open. "If you really want me to stop, Fang, I will, but I think we need this, right away. You're pissed at me."

"And getting angrier."

"Fang. I'm recording the speech. You're using it as an excuse. You know what he's going to say: pretty words, some humor, a plea for a home for the 'bots, and a promise to share Cybertronian technology. It's Optimus. He's predictable as hell." Deathwheels clicked a cable into his own port, then handed the end to Fang. Fang grabbed it roughly, grudgingly.

"Frag you."

"Do you trust me?"

By way of answer, Fang clicked the cable home in his own port. "Okay, fine. Happy?"

Deathwheels dropped his firewalls, and Fang uttered an oath of surprise and ducked as if expecting a physical blow. Death grabbed his torso higher up than his waist and roughly pressed Fang back to his chest. Apparently, it was entirely possible for someone to be filled with both a deep sense of love and completely and totally fragged off at him simultaneously. Deathwheels was pissed. Fang had not been expecting that, had not sensed the real anger from his partner, until Death chose to show him with his firewalls down, in the most intimate way possible.

"Oh, well, frag you too." Fang kept his firewalls up in reaction. If Death wanted to be angry at him, damned if Fang was going to give him a 'facing session. He reached for his port, intending to yank the cable out and stomp off. He'd kick his way free of Death's grasp if he had to, and damage to his partner be damned. Death was asking for it, and he could fix himself. Or get Rivet to do it, if he was so enamored of the little medic. He wasn't even sure if he wanted to continue partnering with Death if he was going to be bullied into 'facing and then hit with that much real anger.

:Fang.: Death, predictably, caught Fangface's hand. :I am hurt by your jealousy, and yeah, I'm very angry.:

"Let go of me, or I will take your hand off at the wrist."

Death's firewalls were still down. He was wide open to Fang's connection, even if Fang wasn't reciprocating. Fangface's words provoked a burst of real fear from his partner, though Death didn't physically tense. Death was afraid of him, truly concerned Fangface might attack him. Fang felt a stab of unaccustomed guilt, realizing he'd made Deathwheels frightened. He stopped himself from uttering an apology, however, and simply said, somewhat sullenly, "I wouldn't actually hurt you."

:I don't always know that,:
Death's response was tinged with continuing concern. :Sometimes you're really scary, Fang.:

"Then why do you love me?" Fang responded, needled into a barbed response.

Death snapped his firewalls back up, though not before Fang felt a level of grief and anger like he had never experienced before. "This might have been a bad idea," Death said, finally, aloud. He started to unclick his own cable, then hesitated, hand resting on his own port.

Fang was stunned into silence for a moment, and real fear. He said finally, "Wait. Why did you want to argue with me in a 'face session?"

"Because we can't lie, and you have issues with telling the truth." Death sighed. He hadn't yet unplugged himself. Fang kept his own hands between his knees. Death ground out, voice box crackling with static as strong emotions caused some output errors, "Obviously, you don't want to cooperate, however."

"You're angry at me." Fang couldn't believe how hurt he was by that. He wanted Death's approval, and it made him nervous and uneasy to know that Deathwheels was ticked off. What if Death grew angry enough to betray him -- or simply walk away, deny Fang's new but very real love for him, and leave Fangface bereft and alone?

"Yes, I am angry." Death shifted his weight. "I'll leave. You can watch the broadcast."

"You didn't answer my question," Fangface snapped. He was scared. He hated being scared. Worse, he was confused and off-balance, and he desperately wanted to make it better, but he didn't know how. He didn't understand why Deathwheels was so pissed at him. "You got angrier."

Death's firewalls dropped again. :I am very angry, Fang, and I think you need to see why.:

"Yeah? Why?"

:I am willing to devote my entire life to you. You know this. You can see the truth of this in the emotions and words I sent you when we interfaced, and I cannot lie. And yet you ask for more, still, of me.:

"I did not!" He didn't understand what Death was saying to him. He was baffled and confused, and responded defensively, "You're not making any sense."

:Rivet is hurting, Fang. He hurts in ways that I do not think you fully understand.:

"His partner died. I know how I'd feel if I lost you." Fangface couldn't keep the irritation out of his response, and didn't try. Death prodded at Fang's firewalls, a silent request that he lower them, and Fangface stiffened and rebuffed him with a burst of irritated static. He wasn't about to let Deathwheels see the level of his own temper; that might escalate the argument.

:Yes. Smelter died. Fang, they were together, as best I can tell from personnel records, since the before the war began. That's been over a hundred thousand years. Moreover, Rivet is small and vulnerable and for the last few thousand years, banned from practicing his occupation. He's been doing the work of a maintenance drone, and has been treated like one by crew of whateve ship Smelter was assigned to. If not for Smelter, Rivet would have been fragged a long time ago. Smelter was his world. Smelter wasn't just his lover, he was his only friend, because Megatron's edict meant he was a marked mech and who wants to befriend someone who's earned Megatron's ire? Smelter probably protected him, cared for him, and very literally kept him alive.:

Fang was silent.

:And now Smelter's gone. He was not just Rivet's partner, he was his entire world.: Deathwheels ran one very large, somewhat clumsy hand down Fang's arm, fingers tracing the edge of Fang's armor. There was still anger in Death's words, but it was slowly fading. :Have you ever had to rely on someone like that? Have you ever been in that much fear for your life, with only one person in the whole universe who you could call a friend? I do not think so. You have difficulty even with something as simple as selfless love.:

:I love Wheelie. And you.: He couldn't bring himself to say this aloud, so he commed with a tightly encrypted burst.

:You won't even drop your firewalls with me now. You don't trust me, even now.:

"You're pissed off at me."

:Well, yes. And you're probably furious at me, as well.: Death's response actually held a thread of humor. :Are you worried I'd react to your anger and leave you? I won't. I've provoked this. I expected you to react with anger.:

"And yet you did it anyway." Fangface couldn't keep the resentment out of his response. "I don't understand why you would deliberately piss me off."

In reaction, Death sighed. :Because you were asking too much of me. Anyway, you were already fragged off.:

"I don't understand."

:I know. Fang, I love you.:

"Yeah. You've said it."

:It's true. However, I knew Rivet was hurting beyond anything I could even conceive of. I tried to offer what little comfort I could. He needs someone to be there for him, or he will follow Smelter to the Well from sheer grief. I offered to offline him not only because I fear he could be a problem for Bloodshine and for you, but also because it would almost be merciful. His pain is that great. And yet, you were jealous of the very small amount of attention I gave him.:

Fang started to protest over the radio. Death shut him up, rather effectively, by blocking his comm transmission. Fang winced at the screech of feedback that resulted, and shot upright in real anger. That was downright rude!

Deathwheels yanked him back down against his chest. :You listen to me, Fang. You would have had me turn my back on Rivet, to be cold and uncaring, because of your insecurities. I am many things, but uncaring is not one of them. It would hurt me to turn away from a mech in such great need. Respect my feelings in this, even if you do not care for Rivet beyond what he can bring to you. I am your dog, but I am not your drone. Either order me to kill him, or allow me to help him. Do not ask me to stand idly by while a mech suffers to the extent that Rivet is. I cannot bear to watch his pain. It is almost as if it is my own pain.:

Fang winced. :I didn't ...: He clicked off his comm, not trusting his response to be polite. His anger was at himself, as much as Deathwheels, now.

:You didn't understand, and I know that.: Death shifted his weight behind Fang, and wrapped his arms tighter around Fang's chest. :I cannot stand to watch others suffer when I have the ability to help them.:

:You're in the wrong damn army.:

:Am I?: Deathwheels released his hold on Fang. Fangface leaned forward, but didn't rise. Fang's words, backed by the undisguised emotions that rushed across the link between them, held Fang back. He did not try to get away. Death continued, :I sometimes say I should have been an Autobot, but I am a Decepticon by my free will now.:

:Why? I don't understand that.:

:I had no choice, in the beginning. I was given the option of joining or dying. Forced oaths are never valid; I would have had no moral qualms about defecting. However, once I was here, I ... had a partner. He's dead now. Even when I could have fled to the other side, I did not.:

:You had another partner?: Fangface felt a fierce flare of jealousy at that unknown mech. He wanted to be Deathwheel's only love; he wanted to keep the miracle that was Death all to himself and never share him. Even the thought of a dead mech receiving Death's attentions in the past made him seeth. In truth, had never really contemplated the idea that Death might love someone else. He hadn't asked. Really, he'd almost assumed Deathwheels had been spontaneously created out of the ether with no previous history before he'd found him broken and dying behind Soundwave's quarters.

:Yes. You are not my first lover. I have had several since the war began. All have died.: Death traced a finger down Fang's back. :You're the youngest, the brightest, the most damaged of all of them.:

:I am not damaged!: His fury redoubled at the insinuation that he was somehow lacking in some way.

:Oh, Fang.:
Death no longer felt angry. He just felt sad. :You've never known anything but this war. I wish you'd been born during the Golden Age. With your mind, and your courage, you could have been one of the best of us. You are a Prime, and that alone says something about the nature of your spark. And yet you are broken in ways I'm not sure can ever be fixed, or that you will ever truly believe need fixing. I love you, Fang, but it is very true that you terrify me more than any mech I've ever known.:

:Oh, don't go sappy on me.:

:Open your firewalls for me. Please.:

:No.: Fang drew his knees to his chest.

:Please.:

Fang rose up on his knees, ignored a twinge of pain from his damaged hip, and turned around to face Deathwheels. He rested his hands on Death's shoulders, and the interface cable swung lightly between them. "This isn't supposed to be this way!" He ground out into Death's face. "We're partners! You're not supposed to say things like this to me!"

"How is it supposed to be?" Deathwheels said, softly. "You've never had to think about the feelings of anyone but yourself, have you, Fang? Never once in your life."

"Screw you. Strip your bolts!" Still he could not tear himself away, not even when his angry words provoked a flash of anger from Death again.

"You want me to be happy?" Death explained quietly, punctuating his response with a wave of emotion that mixed love with anger again, "You're going to need to adjust your responses a bit."

"I can't help being jealous!" Fangface slammed the palm of one hand against Deathwheel's shoulder. "I can't help it! You're all I have, and I don't want to lose you, and I don't want to share you, and ..."

Death touched a finger to Fangface's lip plates, silencing him. "Lower your firewalls."

"No!"

"Yes."

"I can't help it! I'm always going to hate it if you so much as glance at another mech!" Fang couldn't keep a wail of grief from his voice. "I know you'll hate it, but I can't help how I feel!"

"Lower your firewalls, Fang." Death's emotions were swirling one way across the cable.

"No!"

"This is not a one-sided relationship." Deathwheels emotions were strongly tinged with frustration and fury again. He tensed, and shifted his weight forward, one hand dropping to rest on the berth. Fangface had never actually seen Deathwheels really and truly demonstrate his anger. It felt as if Death was getting pretty close to that point.

"I'm scared." It was the naked truth, torn from Fang's spark, and he whispered the words. "I'm mad at you. You won't like it."

"We're having an argument," Death relaxed suddenly. "Being mad is allowed."

It was Deathwheel's humor, and the implication that Deathwheels would accept Fang's own strong emotions, that finally convinced Fangface to very hesitantly lower his own walls. At the same time, his anger lessened a bit. Behind his rage had lurked the root cause, which was fear of rejection. Still, he was surprised when Death reacted to the remnants of his anger, his very real frustration, his fear of being repudiated, and his raging jealousy with a physical hug and a wave of shattering love and acceptance.

:Neither of us are perfect,: Deathwheels words seemed to sing through Fang's processor core. :We should be able to be angry at one another without so much fear. Fangface, I've been in relationships before ...:

Fang reacted with a predictable burst of ferocious jealousy, now nakedly on display for Deathwheels to sense. Death winced, and anger raced back across the link at Fang. Death snarled, :You have no idea what I had, you fragger.:

Ah, there was the temper that Fang had sensed. He snarled back, :I don't want to share you!:

Death slammed an impression at Fang of a laughing young seeker, a lover with a snarky sense of humor, arrogant competance, and a hidden softness to his spark. Across their connection, Fang felt Death's real love for the long dead mech, and an echo of the memory of that mech's love for Deathwheels. Death snarled, :You would deny me ten thousand years with Falcon. I loved him with all my spark, and he loved me, and I cannot nor do I want to forget what we had. Would you like to meet the others as well? There are nine of them, total.:

Fang heard the pain he was causing his partner, but he simply couldn't stop the waves of resentment from rising up. :I'm sorry,: he said, finally, contrition mixing with irritation :you are right, and I am being a complete aft, but I cannot help my feelings. If it helps, I won't act on them. If you want to tend to Rivet, or any others who come along, I won't stop you. I won't say a thing, promise. We can even say it's my orders, so you don't blow your cover. And I can't help my feelings about your past partners. I just can't.:

Death leaned back against the wall slowly, and reached his hands up to Fang's shoulders. Very reluctantly, Deathwheels said, :I sense the truth of that.:

:I'm sorry.: He felt small, somehow. He wanted to be more open, and less insecure but he just couldn't figure out how. :I really and truly can't help it.:

He leaned against Death's chest, shuttering his optics and feeling horribly inadequate. He knew he was reacting irrationally and he didn't know how to stop it, but he also knew his irrational reaction was hurting Death. Death wrapped his arms around Fang's shoulders, and tucked Fang's head under his chin. :I think we need to make a fair compromise, then. I will not be angry with you for being jealous. I hear, now, that it is not a choice you are making. It is simply something you cannot help.:

:You're right about me being broken, I guess. I don't think normal mechs feel this way.: Fang sighed aloud, and tried to withdraw from the connection.

:Wait.: Death said, then trailed his fingers down Fang's back. :I was too hard on you. I'm sorry, Fang.:

He was stunned by the apology. He snapped his optics open and regarded Death with real shock. Deathwheels gave him a somewhat shaky smile, an expression matched with feeling of contrition and apology. :I thought you were doubting me. I thought you weren't trusting me.:

:I was doubting you.: Fangface sighed. He ran two complete systems checks, striving for calm, and when he focused again on Deathwheels, he sensed amusement, relief, and quite a bit of respect.

:It's hard for you.: Deathwheels cupped the side of Fang's face in one hand. :Harder than I ever expected. I thought you'd feel how much I really do love you and we'd have a happily ever after. That was the way it was with most of my past partners. You're so ... damaged, and Fang, you are. Don't be mad at me when I say that. It's the simple truth, and I don't know if I can help you heal or not, or even if that would be a good thing if you did. You need a certain amount of coldness and detachment from the emotions of others to play your role.:

He growled. It was hard to hear Death's thoughts without getting angry again. It felt as if Death was saying he wasn't as good as those past partners. That hurt.

:Shh. I'm not say I don't love you. Fang, I accept you. Nobody is perfect. I accept you as you are. If you are jealous, or hurting, or angry, I accept you anyway. I knew, pretty much, what I was getting into when I pushed myself into the role of your partner. I accept you are not perfect. I accept that sometimes you will feel things I do not like, which are unfair to me. I accept this.:

Death's words were calm, and Fang blinked his optics a couple of times, as a slow realization settled. He was angry at Death. He was far from perfect, and some of his flaws were precisely in areas that pushed Death's own buttons. He was jealous of Deathwheel's past partners, and that bothered Death deeply because Death saw it as dishonoring the love he'd had for his late lovers. He didn't trust Death's faithfulness, he feared that Death might substitute another living mech for Fang. Deathwheels had multiple reasons to reject him.

:I love you,: Death said, quiet faith in his response. :I love you, I've chosen you, and I will not leave your side until one of us is deactivated.:

I love Deathwheels. I would do anything for him. I don't want to hurt him.

In the link, with firewalls down, it was impossible to lie or hide one's thoughts. Fang had not actually sent his thoughts to Death, but Death perceived them anyway. Deathwheel's response was a very relieved, He's telling the truth. Primus, thank you. I didn't know if it was possible to reach him, or for him to hold on to his feelings for me after the first time things got rough ...

The words were not aimed at Fangface, but he knew what Death was thinking just as well as Death knew his mind. And he saw, through Death's thoughts, how Death saw him. Death perceived Fang as young, spark-wounded, and yet very brave. Heroic, even. Troubled, but not to the point where Death was repulsed. Death had hope for him, bright and shining and beautiful to behold. Death saw him as a survivor, and Death thought Fang's scars had resulted in defensive coping mechanisms that were tactically brilliant in the Decepticon army.

Fang blinked his optics, then slowly reached down and disconnected the cable, but not before he said softly, :I need to think about this. I love you, Death. I am grateful for you. I just need some time alone in my head.:

Deathwheels nodded quietly. There would be no wildly pleasurable climax this time. Fang had thought that would always happen, with each and every session, but Death didn't seem surprised or upset to stop now. "Interfacing isn't always about pleasure, you know," he said, softly, tracing the line of Fang's jaw with his fingers. "Do you want me to leave now?"

"Stay." Fangface transformed, abruptly, into his alt mode. He was equally comfortable in either mode, but the feline shape was far better suited for what Fang had in mind. He sent an image to Death of Deathwheels lying down.

Death complied, sliding down to lie on his side. Fang curled up next to him, back to Death's chest, tail curled across his paws. Deathwheels draped an arm over him, protective and intimate all at once. It was a position Death would not have allowed anyone else to take, much less initiated it. "Do you want to recharge now?" Death asked. "It's getting late."

"I actually did want to see Optimus Prime's speech," Fangface said, "it could be tactically important. And I like studying him; I learn something about how to lead effectively every time I watch him."

"You're a good mimic," Death agreed.

Deathwheels turned the monitor on with a burst of code, and flipped through satellite channels until he found a broadcast of Optimus. The speech had already begun, but it didn't look very far along.

"We are the last remnants of a proud people ...."

Fangface tilted his head, studying the scene. Prime was speaking from behind a Prime-sized podium. Though the humans wouldn't understand the symbolism, Prime had his hands resting with their palms upright. I have no other options, or literally, I am unarmed.

It was not something he was used to seeing a leader do. Most 'cons bluffed and blustered their way through problems when they didn't have a ready answer. Fang did, readily. It was important to look like you were in control, even if you were baffled or terrified. While the humans wouldn't understand what Optimus was saying, his own troops would get it. Why wasn't Optimus afraid that they would see him as weak?

"I know that many of Earth's people are afraid of us. We understand this fear. We are your first contact, and -- if you will pardon what I understand to be a bit of a cliche -- my species did not come in peace initially. It would be very easy for me to claim that we are not the Decepticons, that we are different, that we are not the ones who came and killed and destroyed. This would not be precisely true, however, as it was my species that came and tried to destroy your world. They are not my people, but they are my kind, and I am well aware of how this must appear to you. However, what I will do is promise you that I, and those under my command, will honor our promise to protect Earth and to obey the wishes of your leaders. We will follow both the spirit and the letter of your laws, and any among my people who do not will face my wrath. I can guarantee I am far stricter and demand a much higher standard of my behavior from my people than your legal establishment will.

"As we are currently located in the American state of Nevada, we will obey all reasonable requests made by both your President and state and local authorities. We will follow the spirit of this guarantee, not just the letter."

Death's fingers moved slowly, soothingly, over Fang's shoulder, and the big mech shifted himself a bit, finding a more comfortable position. "We need to clean your armor," Death murmured, "You've got some oxidization starting in a couple spots."

"Hush. I want to hear Prime." Still, he leaned into Death's touch. The steady vibrations of Death's hand on his plating felt surprisingly good. He'd never really thought before about curling up like this with someone. He was a little drowsy, actually, despite the earlier argument. He put his head down on his paws, and Deathwheels moved his fingers to Fang's head. Then Death's hand was replaced by the soft shoooshing feel of a cleaning cloth and polish. Fang sighed in pleasure, and stretched out to his alt mode's full length, no longer tightly curled up.

"I am standing before you today because we have been fighting a desperate battle for tens of thousands of years against a foe that has laid waste to countless worlds, and targeted Earth mere weeks ago for destruction. We were successful in saving your world, and for this I rejoice, as I have come to respect and admire humanity. It would be a tragedy on a scale that I have a hard time comprehending had the universe lost this world and the human race. Not in a hundred thousand years have I seen a species with so much promise as yours.

"We would like to to remain on this beautiful world, and this is the plea and appeal I bring to you. We are a dying species, struggling for our very survival, and at the very end of a long, hard road. If we do not find a home to call our own we will die as a race. We would like to make Earth that home, and we believe our presence here could be mutually beneficial, if humanity has the courage to accept us. We will aid you in your surveillance, both for the approach of our mutual enemies, and for other alien races who may be less friendly than we are. We will help you with your technology. We have ten million more years of scientific learning to draw upon than humanity does. In many areas, we can move the human race forward with quantum leaps of development."

He watched as Optimus scanned the crowd for a moment. The cameras cut away, showing the other mechs who had assembled behind Optimus, and a few dozen humans seated with them. Sam and Mikaela were there, and Sam's parents. The Secretary of Defense and a few foreign dignitaries sat in chairs, looking very tiny in front of the mechs, even though the rest of the Autobots were seated on a bench. Will Lennox was also there, though none of the other soldiers who Fang had seen either with his own optics or via recorded video from combat. Bee's organic protoform was at the far end of the line of humanoids, and a small flier type had taken a seat next to him in a human chair.

Wheelie was the last mech seated in a chair. Fang smiled, seeing him. Wheelie's optics were shining very bright as he looked up at Optimus.

"We have identified multiple areas where our science may benefit your species. The first is with our medical technology. We have millions of years of experience and vast amounts of data on organic life forms. I have summoned a mech with the designation of Doc to this world to help advance your medical knowledge. Doc is a skilled researcher and is already producing results. We have released some preliminary data to your academic institutions, and have conducted some early trials in cooperation with the military. We anticipate that we will be able to cure most cancers, treat most contagious illnesses, and stop or reverse multiple degenerative and auto-immune conditions within the next few years. People living with terminal illnesses today can have hope, as we will help you. Even should you cast us off from your world, we will continue to send research information to Earth for as long as we are able to do so. I feel very strongly about this. We have the ability to alleviate suffering, and we will do so. It is the right thing for us to do.

"In other areas, as well, we anticipate that we can better your lives with the knowledge we bring with us ..."

Fangface was impressed as Optimus eloquently explained a dozen ways that Autobot technology could improve human lives. He found himself hoping the humans were listening and believing. He had no doubt that Optimus would carry through on his promises. After several minutes of making his case that the Autobots wanted a home but planned on making it a fair exchange, the leader of the Autobots turned to what sounded like his closing words.

"We are the same species, my Autobots and the Decepticons. We pray to the same God, share the same origins, speak the same language. And yet, I have watched my own kind commit atrocities that have left me grieving in despair. Moreover, they are not alone in the universe. There are other races as equally savage as my own. I believe that humanity would be right to be cautious, even suspicious, of the intentions of any alien race as powerful as my own.

"It is with full awareness of this that I come with my hands out and my head bowed, asking for asylum for my people. Our own birthworld is a shattered ruin, destroyed by our enemy. Our colonies are gone, our civilization a ghost of what it once was. We are unable to even reproduce ourselves, we are ... dying. As a people. I ask that you have it in your hearts to accept us among you, and to trust me at my word that we come in peace, with no ill intent.

"I conclude this speech with a simple observation, and that is that our peoples are more alike than we are different. We love, we hate, we laugh, we mourn. We have families, and friends. We dream of bright futures for ourselves and our kin. We believe in a God, and the human soul is akin to our sparks. We want the same things you do: a home, safety, security, and a chance at a better future.

"That's got to be almost impossibly painful to admit," Deathwheels noted. "And some of his own 'bots are going to hate hearing it."

Fang blinked at the monitor a few times. He would never admit it to anyone, but he was envious of Optimus's role. While the leader of the Autobots was making a home and a future for his people Fang was dealing with mechs who had nothing better to do than kill each other. He sighed, feeling suddenly and acutely depressed.

Deathwheels started rubbing polish into Fang's shoulder armor, quietly and methodically working his plates to a high sheen. Fang shuttered his optics and focused on the soothing feel of Death's hands. A moment later, he slipped into recharge. He was safe, for the moment, and he desperately needed to defrag his cores. It had been a stressful, even disorienting, few days.


In the staging area behind the stadium, the Autobots assembled to head back to the ship. Optimus was unusually quiet as he stood between Elita and Ironhide. His gaze was distant, Sam noted, and he seemed to be looking off at some point several degrees above the horizon. He looked tired, as well as being deep in thought.

"I think that went well!" Windy chirped next to Sam, making him look sharply over. The flier had walked up without Sam hearing his approach. Over the noise of approximately thirty other mechs, the soft hum of Windy's fans and his light footsteps had been inaudible.

"Where's Bee?" Sam said, then realized that had come out a bit rude.

Fortunately, Manywinds seemed oblivious and his question only earned him a faint, sad smile. "He and Ratchet and Doc and Sunstreaker and your mom went to pick up some kid and her folks. Apparently she's sick. Dying, I guess -- they're giving her a few months at most. She wants to go to the ball, but they repossessed her family's car yesterday."

"Why Sunstreaker and my mom?" He knew about the kid with cancer, though he hadn't realized their financial situation was so dire. Repo'd her car? Huh?

"Sunstreaker -- and Bee's mech half -- for protection. The city's full of Nobots. Humanoid Bee and your mom for a couple extra sets of human faces to help her family feel at ease." Windy shrugged expressively. "Want a lift back to the ship?"

"Uhhhh ..." He blinked at Windy, trying to figure out a polite way to refuse.

Windy said lightly, "Don't worry, Sam. I won't make it nearly as scary going back as ..."

"Hi Windy." Mikaela joined them, interrupting Windy and linking her arm with Sam. She gave Windy a sharp look before saying teasingly, "You're not going to steal my other favorite guy in the whole world from me too, are you?"

"... steal?" Windy stared at her, clearly confused. Then his optics widened and narrowed in rapid succession. "Mikaela, you have no reason to be jealous. Just because Bee is interested in me does not mean he will lack time for you. I assure you that I will kick his aft for you if he neglects his human friends. Everyone I've spoken to about him tells me just how important you two are to him, and I could not and would not dream of interfering with his friendship with you. So please do not worry."

Mikaela sighed. "It's a human reaction, okay?"

"Humans tend to have many friends as well." Windy seemed baffled. "You're not pair bonded with him, you're bonded with Sam, right?"

"Yeah," Mikaela said, softly. "I guess I am. Bee's been pretty close to us for a long time. I guess ..."

"Do not worry. You will remain his close friends." Manywinds folded his arms. "It's very obvious he cares a great deal about you. And actually -- I think Sam's probably had enough flying for one day, yes?"

Sam shook his head and admitted, because his stomach was still a nervous knot of tension, "Yeah, I'm afraid I'll barf on you if I do any more."

"Enough said!" Windy both hands up, an index finger extended from each, and formed a cross of warding in Sam's direction. Sam wondered where Windy had learned that gesture. The flier grinned impishly and backed away, "In that case, you're grounded. 'Kaela, would you like to fly with me back to the ship? Sam, Optimus will give you a lift. He just commed me and says he wants to talk to you anway."

Probably more guest list issues. It never ends. Optimus had his back to Sam, and gave no clue what the discussion would actually be about, but Sam could guess.

"... Fly with you?" Mikaela squeaked.

"I promise, it's safe." Windy grinned. "Ask Sam."

"Oh, it was tons of fun," Sam said, rolling his eyes. "I only thought I was going to die fifty percent of the time."

Windy replied in a serious tone, "You only prayed to your God twice. I thought you were doing good."

"Were you deliberately screwing with me?" Sam gave Windy a suspicious look.

Windy's response was completely unruffled, and far too blandly innocent. "I stayed within human design tolerances and was monitoring your vitals the entire time."

Mikaela giggled. "Did you shoot video of his face?"

"I most certainly did." Windy bounced on his toes, innocence replaced with impishness. "Well? Want to come with me?"

Mikaela's face stilled, for a moment, and he could not read her expression. Then she hook her head, "Sorry, Windy. Maybe next time."

"Aww," Windy grinned, "c'mon. You know you want to. I'm completely safe, really. I haven't crashed in at least three days."

"No, thank you," Mikaela muttered, taking a step back.

Windy's expression went instantly sober and serious. "I'm sorry, Mikaela. I didn't realize you were afraid."

"Mikaela, afraid?" Sam shook his head in disbelief at that misconception. Whatever was bugging Mikaela, it wasn't the idea of flying. "She's got more guts than ten soldiers. Way more than me."

His girlfriend shook her head, said, "No, I'm not scared. It looked like fun, actually. I just don't feel like flying today, Windy. Maybe later. Anyway, I don't think my dress is up to that much wind."

Windy cocked his head to one side. "Are you okay?"

"Yeah, fine. I'm fine. Look, I'll see you two at the party. I'm going to catch a ride back with Wheelie."

"... Wheelie?" Sam said, incredulously.

"He does have an alt mode, and it's not like I've never ridden a motorcycle before," Mikaela said, but offered no other explanation about that choice.

"Oooh, burned," Windy said, cheerfully, teasingly, faceplate lifting into a real grin. "The motorcycle wins over the flier! The burn, the burn! I'll never get over the disappointment."

Mikaela patted him on the shoulder as she walked past Windy, in Wheelie's direction. "Later, Manywinds."

Both Windy and Sam watched her walk away. When she was well out of human earshot, Windy said quietly, and in a concerned tone, "Sam, did I do something?"

"Did you do something wrong? No." Sam shrugged helplessly. "Don't expect her to be all hearts and doves about you, though. She loves Bee."

Manywinds hunched his shoulders and said apologetically, "I didn't know that. I guess I should say something to her. She's known Bee a couple of years, hasn't she? And then here I am, walking in, knowing him just a few weeks, and we're talking about making a lifetime's commitment to each other. That's got to hurt. I didn't know how she felt about him or I'd have been a little more tactful. Bee says you two are really good friends, but he must not be aware she has any stronger feelings than that or he'd have said something to me."

Sam shrugged uncomfortably. "She'll probably get over it. If she's weird around you, though, that's why."

"And you?" Windy said, bright blue optics too sharp as Windy regarded Sam with keen interest. Sam's eyes widened until he realized Windy was asking about his relationship with Mikaela, not about his non-relationship with Bee. "Mikaela's your girlfriend. I thought humans pair bonded."

There were, Sam realized, three distinct questions in Windy's statements. He answered only one of them. "I'm not sure where I stand right now with 'Kaela, to be honest. Sometimes she's a bit hard to understand."

Had he realized just how perceptive Manywinds could be, he probably wouldn't have said a word, or would have lied through his teeth. Windy was silent for a moment, regarding him with his head tilted to one side and optics tightly focused on Sam's face. "You're having a rough time of it, aren't you?"

"Yeah." It was an easier admission than he might have otherwise thought. Still, he couldn't help but avert his eyes from Windy, and study the cracks in the pavement instead.

"If you need anyone to talk to ..." Windy hesitated, then shook his head, as a better plan seemed to occur to him. "Bee and I had planned tomorrow, you know, between us. Cementing bonds, if everything works out. But it's not like that's set in stone. You should talk to Bee ... everyone says you two are very close."

Pretty much the last person in the universe that Sam wanted to have a heart to heart with was Bee at this moment in time, and that was particularly true if it interrupted what would be effectively Bee's honeymoon. Sam hastily shook his head. "Mikaela and I will probably work it out, and I can talk to Bee any time next week, if I need to. Umm, uh, he's a good guy. I think you'll be happy."

"I know." Windy smiled a gentle, quiet smile that spoke of real feeling. "I'm so lucky, I think. I can't believe he's chosen me, of all the mechs in the universe. I've only known him a little while, but I can tell he's something special."