The Autobots remained to monitor the Milky Way galaxy for a while until they were sure that any remaining Decepticons had left or were destroyed. With the loss of Megatron, the war was all but won however there were still small bands of Decepticons out there. They finally headed back to Cybertron much to the relief of the crew and the excitement of Carly and Sam.

xxxxx

Smokescreen was going to recharge when there was a chime at his door. He opened the door to see Justice standing there. "My shift is over," said Justice looking uncertain. "Do you mind if I come in?"

Smokescreen moved back allowing her to enter. He could put off recharging for a while if she needed to talk. The door slid shut and he was abruptly pushed down on his berth. He scooted back in surprise as Justice climbed on top of him. "You'll have to run away faster than that if you don't want this," said Justice in a sultry voice. She was watching him closely trying to gauge his reaction. She ran her claws slowly against the seams in his chest and Smokescreen shuddered beneath her.

"It's not that I mind," said Smokescreen catching one of her hands and caressing it. "I simply didn't think you thought of us as more than friends." He caught her optics and held them.

"I've always held an interest and it's been developing ever since I met you," she replied. "It simply took someone pointing it out to realize that you might feel that way as well."

"You were testing me just now," said Smokescreen stroking her arm. "Did you get the answer you were looking for?"

"That ultimately depends on you," she purred softly.

"As much as I wish to be with you," he said. "I come with a lot of emotional baggage and there are things that I don't think I can talk about yet."

"I'm aware of that," said Justice stroking his face. "I do believe you said that we'd heal together. If we're bonded, you won't need to speak it out loud. My spark will always protect yours."

Smokescreen regarded her with wide optics. "My roommate could walk in at any time," he finally said.

Justice just smirked.

"What?" asked Smokescreen in surprise.

"Your roommate has been indefinitely detained," said Justice.

"You think of everything," said Smokescreen smiling slyly.

"I have a lot of friends," said Justice. "But I'd also like to have a mate."

"Do you mind if I volunteer for that position?" he purred.

"I was hoping you'd say that," said Justice moving closer to him.

Their chest armor retracted exposing their sparks. Smokescreen tentatively reached for hers feeling more vulnerable than he had in a long time. Justice was very gentle. Her spark moved to embrace his with a delicate touch until Smokescreen relaxed completely into the bliss she provided. Gentle delicate touches turned into more ardent embraces as Smokescreen completely let go of the last of his reservations and submitted to the rush of pleasure that blossomed within his spark and spread to his frame. The bond formed before either of them noticed it. Justice completely relaxed in the feeling of having found someone who could not only relate to her, but protect her both mind and body. Like she had promised, Smokescreen felt her support and love completely encompass his own spark blocking out everything that wasn't here in this moment. With her by his side he was sure that old hurts would finally heal and in this moment he felt completely whole. When they finally broke apart, Smokescreen immediately slipped into recharge. Justice quickly followed intending to greet him immediately when he onlined.

xxxxx

Mist sat on Prowl's lap with her head tucked under his while he finished up the last of his data pads for the day. No words were exchanged. They simply stayed near each other in comfortable silence.

xxxxx

Dawn was finishing her duty in the med bay. She sent a message to Wheeljack over the bond that she was headed back to the room. Wheeljack returned with a message that he'd be there soon and Dawn chuckled knowing that his soon amounted to a few hours.

xxxxx

Night let her fingers wander over the legs of the twins that were sitting on either side of her. She drew gentle circles on the legs closest to her. The movie that they were watching was good, but she didn't particularly feel like watching it right now so she turned her attention to the twins. Suddenly the screen flicked off and she looked over at Sideswipe to see him looking at her with an intense look in his eye. Suddenly Sunstreaker gripped one of her arms and Sideswipe took the other pulling her up and placing her gently on the berth. They quickly snuggled up next to her.

"You should have said something if you were bored," said Sideswipe.

"I wasn't," protested Night. "The movie was interesting. I just found the two of you more interesting."

Sunstreaker snorted in amusement.

"If you want to watch the rest of the movie, you can," said Night. "I'll stay here so I won't be so distracting."

"We'd rather be with you," said Sunstreaker caressing her back. "Anytime, anywhere."

"Well I'm not about to do anything risqué in the rec room or the hall," said Night. "So I'm afraid I'll have to disappoint you."

Sideswipe burst out laughing, but his laughing turned into a gasp of pleasure as Night stroked his chest.

"I love you," said Sideswipe and Sunstreaker simultaneously.

"I know," said Night smirking.

xxxxx

Echo had finished her shift in communications and was headed to her room. Her empty room now that Night was with the twins permanently. Before she could get the door open, a hand dropped onto her shoulder and she startled.

"Hey sweetspark," said Jazz by way of greeting.

"Jazz," she replied.

"Blaster told me you were off," he said leaning against the wall. "Mind if I join you."

Echo nodded and he followed her into her room. As the door slid shut, Jazz reached around her and took one of her hands causing her to turn around and face him.

"There's something I want to say to you before we reach Cybertron," said Jazz looking her in the optics. "I know that a lot of things will change when we get there and we might even be separated by distance. You'll be able to meet so many new bots, but I want you to know that my affection for you won't change."

Echo could see where this was going and she looked down. "Did you want to break the courtship?" she asked softly.

"No," denied Jazz vehemently. "That's the last thing I want. I didn't mean it like that. I just wanted you to know that I'll find a way to be where you are no matter what."

Echo vented. She really didn't like the idea of having to separate from Jazz. Something could happen to either one of them and for all she knew she'd get left behind on Cybertron while the more experienced Jazz would head off to take out the rest of the Decepticons. "I understand," said Echo softly. "I can't predict what will happen in the future, but I'll wait for you if you leave me behind."

"I'm not planning on leaving you behind," said Jazz cupping her cheek.

"You're way more experienced than I am," said Echo logically. "If they go after the remaining Decepticons, you're more likely to get selected than I. I know first hand how protective bots can be of the newly sparked. They probably won't let me go with you."

"Then I'll make them," said Jazz pulling her into his lap as he settled on her berth. "Become mine and they won't be able to separate us."

"No," said Echo pulling away and standing up suddenly. "You didn't want me to bind you after being attacked by Soundwave and I don't want you to bind me simply because you fear them separating us."

"I'm sorry," said Jazz reaching for and grasping her hand. "I wish to bind you because I love you," he said retracting his visor so she could see his optics for the first time. "Everything else is secondary. I know I told you that I wanted to wait until you were ready, but I want you now."

Echo could see the sincerity in his optics. She straddled his legs pushing her chest against his as she embraced him. "I love you too," she murmured into his audio.

Chest plates parted and their sparks entwined becoming interwoven as the bond formed. Jazz lay back on the berth pulling her with him as their frames shivered from the waves of ecstasy flowing off their sparks. Two formerly lonely sparks were flooded with love and devotion from the other. Echo lay on top of Jazz after their chest plates had closed snuggling as pleasant aftershocks passed through their frames.

"We should have done that much sooner," murmured Echo into his neck.

Jazz burst out in laughter. "Want to try again?" he asked stroking her arms.

"Yes please," said Echo purring.

"Whatever you wish my spark," replied Jazz.

xxxxx

Rain and Ratchet showed up at the card game that night.

"We're here to replace Smokescreen and Jazz," she said. "And Ratchet needed a break from med bay anyway."

"I figured Jazz wouldn't be here," said Blaster. "What happened to Smokescreen?"

"Justice," said Rain smirking.

"Two new sets of sparkmates," said Ratchet shaking his head. "There must have been something on Earth to have caused this phenomena. I've never seen newly sparked bots become sparkmates so quickly."

"I'm sure you're not complaining," said Hound glancing over at Rain.

"That is one thing I will never complain about," said Ratchet meeting Rain's gaze.

"I'm dealing," said Rain grabbing the cards and shuffling.

"Are you any good?" asked Mirage from where he sat.

"You'd be surprised," said Rain winking her visor.

Ratchet merely shook his head and glanced at his sparkmate. He knew that Rain still had Audrey's memories and that Audrey was very good at playing cards. He wouldn't be surprised if she won the whole thing. She must have known what he was thinking because she sent a glance his way as she dealt the cards. "Win or lose, you'll still be winning after this game is over," sent Rain over the bond. She sent a burst of lust over the bond and Ratchet shivered. Oh he'd be winning all right. He'd won the moment she claimed him.