In the Hall of Records, a particular blue femme was gathering a handful of datapads for her students who would be having a class with her the next solar-cycle. She could barely open her optics and felt her helm throbbing. 'Not now, Arcee. You still have a class tomorrow.' As she shook her helm to remove the aching feeling - or tried to - she proceeded to check her datapads out with the clergy and made her way to the exit. With one last look, she found it rather fascinated how the library was newly renovated. The datapads stacked perfectly on shelves, tiny blue lights floating around the room brightening the area, metallic columns aligned with each other, all the 'bots inside reading or doing some research quietly. The femme felt like her helm was coming to ease. As she exited the room, she went to her teaching room where she would be organising and marking loads of datapads for her students. This was going to be fun, she thought.

When she had finished with her tasks, she went to stand on the balcony outside her room, trying to clear her thoughts. As the radiant sun shined upon her, she closed her optics, reminding her of how it was like back on Earth. She could not help but miss her human friends, especially her human partner Jack. How was he doing? Was he well? Those were the questions Arcee would ask herself every now and then. One thing she had missed about Earth was its sunset. She would admit that the sun on the terrestrial planet was more calming and vivid than the one here. Nostalgia hit her as she started thinking about more memories she had back on Earth. How she used to have rides with Jack after school and almost every weekend, how she would spend her time at the top of the base appreciating the sunset and talking to her late partner Cliffjumper's grave. How was he doing in the afterlife? Was he still chatty, annoying the pit out of any 'bot he would encounter? Arcee laughed softly at the thought. Suddenly, something hit her spark like a blade as she began to think of her partner. Their bond may not be as what many 'bot would think. It never reached up to that stage as they valued their friendship very much. But Cliffjumper always had a special place in her spark. Without him, she would have been devastated. She wouldn't have anyone. A family. She forced a smile, acknowledging that he was the reason why she was in this position. Somewhat happy. Maybe... just maybe. If he were still alive, they would consider taking their friendship into the next stage. Or they would stay friends and continue viewing each other as siblings while they settle down with whoever they want. The last thing she needed, though, was to be with someone. Despite the war had ended, Arcee could not help but feel that something traumatic could happen yet again if she opened up her spark for someone once more. What if they died due to an accident? Or become severely injured that there was no other way to be healed so they ended up suffering throughout their life? The femme tried to push those thoughts away. Maybe it would be better if she chose to be by herself for how long she could take.

...

As Arcee arrived at the Iacon base to discuss matters about her new role as a lieutenant next cyber-week, he was nowhere to be found. She wondered where he could be. It was a cyber-weekend after all. She decided to wander around the building with 'bots greeting her as they walked past her. The femme stopped walking, praying to Primus, as she saw Knock Out, whose optics were focused on a datapad he was holding. Ever since he became an Autobot, he had been giving her some flirtatious advances in which she felt disgusted. Unlike Wheeljack who stopped himself from doing so much to her lack of interest - at least he respected her feelings, she would say, the medic had not given up yet. However, the former 'con kept walking, grumbling, making Arcee feel a bit curious. How strange. He did not even acknowledge her presence. She sighed in relief, thanking her Creator in a whisper. On the other hand, the femme knew that something had been bothering the 'bot. She saw it in his optics. Well, there may be only one way to know where the commander could be.

"Hello, Knock Out," greeted the blue femme with lightness in her tone. "I was just wondering where Ultra Magnus could be. I have an important meeting with him about my new job next cyber-week." Knock Out just blinked at her, confused about her unusual behaviour towards him. Yet he liked it deep inside.

"He has an urgent meeting with the rest of the High Council members, dear. Sorry to disappoint," answered the red 'bot cockily with a smirk displayed on his face plates as the two-wheeler almost shuddered upon hearing one of the many nicknames for her. Dear. 'Typical.' she thought.

"Glad to know. Thanks," she responded, forcing a smile. As she was about to walk away, he began to speak.

"Arcee, do you mind assisting me in my medical room?" her optics widened as he used his unusual normal tone on her. The smirk was no longer on his face plates. And somehow, he sounded... friendly.

"Why, of course. Anytime," she replied, and they both headed to Knock-Out's medical room. They stayed silent for few minutes as they walked. The medic decided to break the silence by asking the femme how her solar-cycle was. She told him it had been great but it could have been better. It was the first time that the two had a real - and also their longest - conversation they had with each other.

...

When the blue femme finished helping the red mech sorting his medical equipment to its proper place, Knock Out went on to have a conversation with her, which she allowed it considering that she did not want anything further to do with him. However, everything became different when he asked a question that shocked the two-wheeler.

"Do you find me irritating?" questioned the medic innocently. This made Arcee raised an optic ridge.

"Well, apart from your coquetry, I think you're fine," she answered, shaking her helm. It was true. She did not mind him at all other than his flirtation.

"Good to know since I feel like every 'bot I encounter is not at ease whenever I'm there," he grumbled. Her optics laid on him who was still putting few syringes into their labeled place. She frowned at what he just said.

"What makes you say that?" She asked, putting a servo on her hip. There was a strange feeling hitting her spark about Knock Out, which she was trying to ignore. But she could not help but feel it.

"It's no big deal. I'll get over it," he replied with a forced calmness in his voice. Arcee knew that he was trying to hide something. After all, she was smart. She knew quite much about hiding emotions.

"Knock Out," she began as she sighed. "If there is a problem, you can tell me or anyone. After all, you are a part of our team. You're an Autobot now. If you have any doubts, get rid of them. But it would help if you have someone to talk about your problems."

The mech started talking about the unfair treatment he had been receiving from a lot of 'bots, particularly Ultra Magnus. He had been trying his best to show everyone that he had changed and that he was truly an Autobot. Arcee could not help but feel the heaviness in her spark. She had been too much focused on his annoyance that she was aware of how he was trying to show everyone that he had changed. The femme knew the mech was feeling as his voice was slightly shaking. However, she reassured him by letting him continue. Despite his flirtatious behaviour that she disliked, he hadn't done anything to harm anyone. That was when she had to say something. She had to make him feel that the world was not against him.

"Listen, Knock Out," she vented deeply, carefully choosing the right words to say. Then, she began. "I admit, I have doubts about you at first since I found it odd that you joined the Autobots at the very end. Pit, you've been annoying me because of your... obvious personality. But overall, you are truly an Autobot. I've seen how you work well with your patients and your team. You should be thankful that Ratchet put you in charge. With all honesty though, this is the challenge you have to face. Many 'bots have doubts about you due to your past. But don't let your past define you. You have to prove much harder." Afterwards, silence filled within the atmosphere with Knock Out staring at her with widened optics. He did not know what to say. Who knew that this femme - this hardly emotional femme - would have a heart-to-heart - or spark-to-spark - with him? After few minutes or so, he had to say something, clearing his vox.

"I must say, you are the last 'bot I expected to offer me some advice," he teased with a smirk. Arcee rolled her optics as her response.

"Your welcome," the femme replied sarcastically. The medic let out a laugh. He felt his worries coming to an ease a little bit after talking to the two-wheeler. Although he saw her no more than as a friend - or at least an acquaintance, he could not help but...

"Would you like to go out sometime?" he offered, still a smirk on his face. The femme then groaned.

"I must go," she said. As she took a step, he started speaking, preventing her from walking any further.

"I was just joking. But thank you. Talking about it to you quite helped me." The femme turned around as he was smiling sincerely. Not the kind of creepy smile she would often receive from him. She then nodded, smiled back a little, and left.