HELLO! Sorry for shouting but I am literally on the fly. Lots to do this season so I'm going to have to make this quick!

This chapter has a bit of plot but is mostly filler. I am trying to hurry things along a little so excuse me if it seems a bit rushed… Because it is. Cass spends some quality time with Steve before spending more quality time with Megatron. And that's pretty much it… Sorry. -.-'

Special shout outs to everyone that still reads MERCY and is dedicated to see hoe the story ends. We will get there, but I hope everyone still enjoys the ride along the way.

DISCLAIMER: I don't own any stocks, trades, or licensing from the Transformers franchise. All rights are reserved for HASBRO entertainment.

MERCY

Chapter 33

"Because of what you have done

things will happen later which can't possibly be foreseen."

― Iris Murdoch, The Sacred and Profane Love Machine

"Thank you for escorting me back to Megatron's quarters Steve." Cass waddled over the far end of the living area to open the energon cabinet. He had finally stopped crying by the time they reached the doors and he was calm enough to invite his comrade inside. The taller Vehicon was surprised but could not believe his luck so he agreed to follow the young model.

"Are you sure it is okay for me to be here?" Steve wondered around the edge of the room and admired all of the antiquities upon the walls. He never knew such relics existed since this was his first time inside his master's living quarters. Eventually, the drone found himself listing over to the center of the room next to the seating area and took note of a large vase beside a couch. There was an inscription around its rim that he could not read because it was in a language he did not understand, but the delicate paint looked stunning to him regardless.

"Megatron… Or rather, Lord Megatron is hardly ever here lately, and if he shows up, I can always explain myself." The rounder mech carefully walked over to the opposite side of the couch and set the tray down onto a short table. "Oh!"

"Are you alright?" The other drone rushed to Cass's side. Out of the corner of his optical visor, it appeared that the tiny grounder was about to fall over.

"Yes, I'm okay." Cass smiled as he took hold of the arm offered to him and straightened himself. He sighed as he arched his back and stroked his black plating with half closed optics. "I just had trouble standing back up… Rather nasty case of sunken tanks as you can see."

"So the rumors are false?" Steve guided Cass to the couch behind them and sat next to him. "You're not carrying Megatron's sparkling?"

"That's quite an exaggerated rumor." The wide eyes of the smaller mech spun in a façade of his false statement. Cass and Megatron had actually spent a little time together planning an explanation for his changing frame. He smiled weakly as his mind reinterpreted the script, he rehearsed multiple times. "I've just been ill for a while. I just happened to pass out in front of Megatron and he surprisingly took pity on me."

"So that is why you have access to his quarters?" The taller Vehicon turned his helm over the width of the room, again taking the scenery in awe. "It is quite remarkable how easily the tyrant took pity on you instead of declaring you dysfunctional."

"He understood my ailment. He once had the same condition and related to my pain." The young drone stopped circling his servo when he realized Steve was staring at him. It did seem rather odd that he would continue rubbing his torso so tenderly over a case of sunken tanks. "My illness had actually progressed into an advanced stage. I'm not sure what really caused our master to be so lenient on me, but for now I just consider it good luck." Cass smiled and reached over to the tray he set on the table. Lifting a cube of energon he offered it to his new friend and then reached for the second glass for himself.

"I'm sorry I can't offer you any high grade. I have only been given access to the regular energon reserve."

"Oh no, don't worry about it." Steve waved a servo in the air and reached for a straw that was neatly placed over the tray. "I wasn't even expecting this… And you are sure Megatron won't mind?"

"I promise." Another sweet smile was flashed in Steve's direction and he understood then why their leader felt so entranced with the delightful mech, but this collective information was not enough. He didn't buy the sunken tanks explanation at all, not a single drone would. It was clearly a cover up to what was obviously a carrying scandal, but what didn't make sense was the mech that was carrying. Cass is a drone, so he would be created without a gestation chamber. Steve was no fool and he knew something was off, and if he wanted Arachnid's help to find his beloved, he would need to push to find out what.

"Sweet mineral?" Cass surprised the taller mech after he became lost in his thoughts. Quickly he shook his helm and adjusted his audios.

"Excuse me?" His optical visor blinked.

"Do you like sweet minerals?" The little mech laughed and lifted a small shaker that Steve didn't even notice was on the tray. "I have plenty if you would like some."

"Oh! Yes!" It wasn't the grounder's intention to sound so excited, but it had been a long time since he had such a treat. "By all means, thank you very much!"

"It's no problem at all. I don't mind." The minerals poured into Steve's glass until he said when, and like an enthusiastic youngling he sipped on it like it was his first treat ever. Cass added a few shakes to his energon and drank it slowly. There was a few minutes of silence aside from Steve's eager slurping and shallow happy mewling. However, the smaller drone stopped to swirl a digit over the edge of his cube and soon became lost in his own thoughts. He knew in the back of his mind that Steve wasn't buying his story and any Cybertronian that did, wasn't the brightest crystal in the cavern. Contrary to the belief of the higher officers, drones were a lot smarter than they believed. Of course he thought with the exception of himself, since he was sure he was the only drone that didn't even know what conception was until he conceived.

"Credit for your thoughts?"

"Nothing you would be interested in." Cass answered right away, not that far lost in his processor. "I'm just worried about Salem. He has been through so much, and while I was in the med-bay… Well, let's just say I didn't really receive good news." It was now a force of habit for the young model. Whenever he felt upset, he needed to caress his black plating for peace of mind. His little one always responded to his touches and just feeling she was there was very soothing. "I'm just hoping things will improve soon."

"Are you happy living here Caspian?" Steve set his glass aside (indicating it was empty through a subtle belch in his oral vent) and reached over to sympathetically patted his host's knee. It was a strange question, but it didn't really alarm Cass and he replied as honestly as he could.

"Yes, it was an adjustment, but Lord Megatron has been very kind to me. Hard to believe, I know, but he has gone out of his way to make me feel comfortable."

"So he hasn't… Tried anything?"

"Wh-What do you mean?" The next question was a little off putting, more so when his sparkling suddenly jolted to one side and made Cass gasped lightly. She never jumped like that before.

"I'm sure you're aware of the reputation of some of the higher officers," Steve continued and leaned in closer when Cass pulled back, "and Megatron is no exception. You are a very nice mech Caspian, and I just wish to know you are not being harassed… Or forced into doing anything uncomfortable."

"Oh!" Again another sharp jolt inside of him alerted Cass to a new pattern. Every time Steve got closer to him and started asking odd questions, the sparkling would do whatever he could to get his carrier's attention. As if she knew that something wasn't right about the other drone, and she was trying to warn Cass.

"I think it is time that you leave." He stood as quickly as his large frame would allow him and he backed himself away towards the berth room. If he needed to escape, he could lock himself inside since Steve was blocking the exit. "Lord Megatron will be back any moment, and it might be best if you leave before then."

"I thought you said it was alright for me to be here?" The closer the taller mech stepped towards Cass, the further the shorter mech stepped away. The swimming in Cass's tanks began to churn as the atmosphere changed from hospitable to alarming, and it was making the young model shiver in fear.

"I did, but now I have changed my mind." He set the glass in his servo on a random table as he backed further away. If he needed to run, it would be best if he didn't have anything in his hands. "It… It is time for you to go. Now…!"

"But…"

"The young model said to leave." A deep bold voice surprised them both since the drones were so distracted, they didn't hear the main doors open. Megatron's large and imposing frame slipped out from the shadows. The angry scowl on his face told Steve that if he wasn't careful, he could die in that room where he stood.

"L-Lord Megatron…!" He stammered as he tried to slip past the giant on an over exaggerated bow. "Forgive me for intruding! I never meant to overstay my welcome and—!"

"The only reason you still draw intake is because I vowed I would never be violent in front of my berth mate ever again." Megatron growled and glared down at Steve with an intent to damage him with a glare. "Get out of my sight before I break my promise…"

Noticing the clutching of the warlord's servos at his side, Steve knew he was being serious. "Yes my Lord!" The Vehicon quickly scampered past the silver mech and whirled himself out the door while feeling a strange inkling of déjà vu. This didn't feel like the first time he left a tiny comrade alone with an agitated higher official. Of course this higher official just happened to be the highest of officials and was visibly in a very bad mood. "Primus speed kid…" He whispered before the doors closed tightly behind him.

A solitary hiss lingered in the room from the doors properly sealing and Megatron stood above his mate-to-be with a dark yet unreadable expression. It had been a long time since Cass had felt that unpredictable feeling of apprehension in his gut. Why was Megatron just standing there and just staring at him? Was he angry? Did the little mech do something wrong?

"Um… M' Lord…?" Cass Lowered his helm to stare at his pedes. His frame tightened and upon instinct he tried to make himself look smaller, but it was difficult to do so with a big round belly. "I… I'm sorry if inviting my comrade inside was inappropriate in anyway. He was my escort today and I was just trying to thank him for his time."

"Did he try to hurt you?" The tyrant closed the gap between them and cautiously grazed the back of his digits over his lover's cheek-plating, noticing the little mech was still shaking nervously. "Did he touch you in anyway?"

"No… He didn't get that close." The young model shivered from the heat resonating from Megatron's frame, the type of heat that usually followed his fury. "Nothing happened and—Mm!" He was not expecting a kiss at all, so Cass briefly pulled away but Megatron was not going to let him escape.

His large arm curled under the lithe mech's back and lifted Cass almost a foot off the ground. The moaning over the silver mech's lip-plates was not unappreciated in the slightest. Megatron devoured every tantalizing sound as he swirled his glossa around his lover's oral cavity. When he was sure Cass was calm and lucid from the kiss, the warlord swept him off his pedes and embraced him tenderly. Then he confessed something to the little drone that he wasn't expecting to hear at all.

"Forgive me…" Megatron whispered over Cass's forehelm and chastely lingered his dermas over the smooth metal. "I have left you alone for so long… I have been so preoccupied with my latest plans I haven't been close enough to protect you. I'm sorry for leaving you alone for so long."

"I wasn't really alone M' Lord…" Cass closed one optic when a trail a gentle nibbles kissed down his cheek. "Officer Knockout and Breakdown have been taking very good care of me, and Commander Soundwave has chosen wonderful escorts to help me through the ship… But…"

"Yes?" A small peck followed the slight pause and Megatron nuzzled closer into Cass's neck cables. "But what?"

"But… I did miss you." The violet mech hid his blushing face in his lover's chest and hugged him tight. "The only time I had the chance to see you when you returned to the chamber to recharge."

"The best part of my day is when I get to crawl into the berth next to you again." The Vehicon in Megatron's arms didn't even notice he was being led into the berth chamber until his back hit the mesh cushioning. The warlord crawled over the tiny and rounded frame and hovered above him with a new look of admiration. "You are beautiful."

"Um…" Cass's blush brightened and he turned his helm away. "Do… Do you mean it?"

Megatron quirked his optical ridges. "What do you mean by that?"

"Well… You haven't touched me in nearly a month." The tiny mech squirmed awkwardly. "My frame has changed so much, and I can't help but think… You didn't find me attractive anymore."

"Never!" Megatron's mate-to-be was now smothered in more kisses and caresses. "I'm sorry if I ever made you feel such away! You are my treasure! The carrier of my sparkling… My love…"

"Wait…" Cass whimpered when his master's digits dug into his seems. "As happy as I am to hear you still desire me, we must discuss something before anything escalates."

"I know about the dark energon in your systems." The giant mumbled while lathering his glossa over the collar of Cass's neck, then lightly bit his shoulder. "I have given Knockout and Breakdown strict instructions to send me reports on your visits and checkups. That is why I rushed over here so quickly, Breakdown told me he had no choice but to send you back to my quarters with an undesignated escort."

"Then you should know that we shouldn't interface until I get the test results back from the doctor." His statement was bold, but Cass was cautious with his words. He didn't want to deny his lover and he was regretful for pulling away, but the wellbeing of his sparkling came first. "Forgive me Megatron, but until I know how this substance affects both me and our young ones… We cannot… Um… W-Well…"

Megatron chuckled and reached over Cass's helm towards a nightstand beside the berth. He rummaged through the top drawer blindly before he found what he needed. He showed it to his little lover and adored his expression of curiosity. "If you wish to continue, I can always put this on top of my spike. It will prevent any of my transfluid from entering your valve. It is called, as suggested, a spike cap."

"Yes, Commander Soundwave discussed contraception with me last month… Better late than never I suppose."

The room filled with the roar of Megatron's laughter and in turn encouraged Cass into a giggle fit of his own. Slowly the laughter began to quiet, and the little drone was the first to start kissing again. Whether things escalated beyond that, Cass didn't care, but he knew he wanted to be touched. He missed that feeling of security in Megatron's arms and that exciting thrill of his powerful yet tender embrace. His master, now his lover, was his greatest comfort in his time of trial, and he needed it now more than ever.

"Lord Megatron: Presence requested. Location: Communications Bridge."

"Oh frag…" Megatron huffed in aggravation and placed a servo over his audio receptor, while patting his other over Cass's torso just so the mech beneath him didn't feel abandoned. The silver mech smiled when he could feel a small energy flutter beneath him and lovingly squeezed over the top of the round plating.

"Lord Megatron: Copy you?"

"Yes Soundwave." He sighed but continued to grin when Cass slid his smaller servo over his. The loving look in the Vehicon's optics made him worry about having to leave, so he tried to talk his way out of it. He laughed at himself in the back of his mind, thinking how he felt like a much younger mech trying to get out of his studies to have fun. "Can this wait? I am… Preoccupied at the moment."

"Timing: Crucial. Last item on the list: Discovered."

"The ample power source?" Megatron's demeanor changed almost instantly, then he stood to walk away from the berth. Poor Cass was left alone on the berth, and he even sighed in frustration from the lack of attention he finally attained. But he hushed himself and listened to his master's less than subtle whispering. "You're sure you have found it? Right, I will be there within five minutes. Have all the information you have gathered prepared and call forth any and all high officers involved in your assistance."

Still a little dazed, the smaller mech needed to sit up to clear his processor enough so he could think clearly. Did Commander Soundwave mention something about an ample power source? There were a few things Cass was not privileged to help organize so he couldn't be sure. A lot had happened on the ship for the past couple of months, but there wasn't a whole lot the Vehicon could do about it since he was too preoccupied with caring for himself and his sparkling. Cass knew he was being left in the dark, but perhaps in this case ignorance was bliss considering the chaos he was already surrounded in. Tristian's murder, Salem falling ill, and the new scare with the dark energon in his systems was enough to fill his cube. So he did his best to understand that Megatron had his own issues to take care of that didn't need to involve the young model. His lover was still the leader of the Decepticon cause after all.

"M' Lord…" Cass stood and waddled over to the giant. He wrapped his arms around Megatron's waist and lovingly pulled himself as close as his sparkling bump would physically allow. "I will be here for you when you get back."

"You make this war bearable." Megatron chortled and hugged his mate-to-be in return. "I may even see to this mission personally so I may return quicker—Uhn!"

The taller mech knew he was going to fall to his knees, so he needed to push Cass out of the way. If he didn't, he was certain he would have fallen on top of the Bearer of his sparkling. Luckily, the Vehicon wasn't too far away from the berth and he landed on the cushioning but watched in terror as his lover heaved and convulsed on all fours.

"M-M' Lord?!" The smaller mech cried, feeling helpless when all he could do was reach out in fear. "Megatron?! What is happening?!"

"Stay…! Back…!" The silver giant managed to growl through clenched dental plates and his optics burned a heavy bright violet. Eventually the shaking in his frame calmed enough for him to sit back on his legs. Megatron lifted his helm to the sky and released his previous intake as if he was holding it for days. "It was… Merely… A vision… I have been seeing… Quite a lot of them lately…"

"May I approach now?" Cass received a weak nod before he rushed over to Megatron's side. His servos enveloped around the sides of Megatron's helm and pawed over him worriedly. "Can you hear me M' Lord?"

The larger mech's optics fluttered and rolled in the back of his helm. The first thing Megatron could clearly see when his vision came back to him, was the tear-filled optics of his beloved Bearer. He smiled weakly as he noticed the discoloration Breakdown had described to him in Cass's iris rings.

"Beautiful…" He whispered and passionately kissed Cass as if the little drone was his life source. However, Megatron broke the kiss before things escalated again and pulled himself back to his pedes. "I truly must go now. The sooner this mission is finished, the sooner I can return to you."

"Maybe you should let Lady Arachnid handle the mission?" Cass said with a full voice; his shyness forgotten for his master's health. "Stay here. Rest…"

"Not yet my treasure." Megatron smiled and traced a servo over Cass's black plating. "This mission could be the key to finally ending this war… And then I can fully focus on my current vision… Creating a future for our young ones. For Mercy."

"How—?"

"It was mentioned in the report Breakdown sent me on your current checkup. Rest assured my love… I approve."

"Oh Megatron…" The violet mech swooned and felt a rush of electricity wave beneath his metal plating. "Hurry… Complete this mission and hurry back to me…"

They both walked to the chamber doors, but that is where the two Con's said their good-byes. One last heavy kiss parted them and was followed with Cass's final, but near desperate words.

"I want you…"

-END-