Girlfriends….

Cliffjumper snuggled tighter against the red/orange femme, enjoying the fact that the defragging femme seemed to really get a kick out of hanging around him. He was sure that if they were back on Cybertron, he wouldn't have a shot at catching any of their optics. But here, on this pitiful rock of a planet, he was the only available Autobot mech around. It was a very good position to be in, to be sure! Being the small mech that he was, he knew it was most likely the only time in his life that he could ever hope to attract femmes like this.

He smiled mischievously, trying to picture Sunstreaker's and Track's faces if they saw him surrounded by five beautiful femmes like this. The two egotists would never in a million cycles ever dream that Cliffjumper would be 'popular' amongst the ladies. So it was a rather comfortingly smug feeling that flowed over the red mech. Yes, it was a really good feeling to be the center of attention for once. And not for screwing up in a battle either!

He knew that these five femmes really wanted to leave this rock. To have career opportunities opened for them. Although they had all done very well in surviving the mean streets as prostitutes, not a single one of them really enjoyed that line of work. Now that they had a possible chance for a new life, every single one of them was practicing with the target practice with a passion. Cliffjumper felt his chest swell up in pride, for he was positive that every one of them would pass the small arms test, All because he was their primary instructor.

But when the femmes did get accepted to the Autobot ranks, he knew that all those bigger, stronger and better looking mechs would most likely catch the dancers' optics. Then he'd once again be left alone. Watching from the sidelines as everyone else had fun. He really didn't like that thought. After all, it wasn't his fault he was built so small, was it? He was just as valuable in the ranks as the bigger mechs, wasn't he? But femmes always seemed to have looked upon him as somehow less of a mech than those bigger guys. It just wasn't right!

What if he was smart? What if he took this time he had alone with these femmes, to get one to fall for him? He thought he could do it. But he did still get that creepy, dirty feeling about bonding. Cussing the Decepticons again in his meta, he promised himself to aim for their freagin' codpieces the next time he met them in battle! He'd get them back a little bit for screwing his logic circuits up like this! The bastards!

However, the dancers were an understanding lot about mechs, and problems, and bonding – weren't they? They'd even offered to help him through his panic attacks if he wanted. Cliffjumper sighed, for there were advantages to the fact that these femmes had all been prostitutes. They did really understand male psyches' about it all, and didn't seem to take any offense when it came to that topic. In fact, they said some jokes that were so racy, so obscene, and so damned funny – that he found himself blushing even as he was on the floor in hysterical laughter. Perhaps he'd ask one of them to 'help him over it?' But who?

Turning over, he looked at the beautiful young sleeping femme pressed up against him. He did really like B'dec. She was young like him and had a similar impulsive streak as well. She was also the smallest of the femmes. More his size anyway. Cliffjumper smiled as his infrared sensors watched the dance of thermal images on her metal skin. Yes, he'd love it if he could catch her optic.

Slowly, B'dec reactivated her optics as she rebooted from defrag. She felt the familiar press of the red mech against her. Smiling, she was so happy that he seemed to prefer her 'to keep him warm', over the older dancers. Most male mechs preferred them over her. So it was nice for it to go the other way for once. She knew he'd get his armor replaced in just three more day cycles, and it kind've made her a little sad. For then he'd have his own insulation, and wouldn't need the other mechs to warm him back up periodically.

Her optics began to focused, and she realized Cliffjumper had turned around and was facing her. His blue optics watched her silently as she reactivated. She blushed a little bit, not that she was shy or anything, but because she wasn't used to a mech that she actually liked – watching her like this.

"Hey beautiful," he said. His voice seemed unnaturally soft as he scanned her with his brilliant optics.

Not used to Cliffjumper making compliments like that, B'dec looked down a little bit. But then she thought about it, realized that maybe this was a good time to make a move on the rich Autobot. After all, isn't that what the dancers had intended to do when they agreed to rescue his aft? Here she was, in the position to try it. She was a dancer wasn't she? She knew how to read the males. Boldly, she met his optics. "How you doing handsome?" she replied, using her most seductive tones.

It was Cliffjumper's turn to blush a little bit, for even though he'd decided to 'make his move' he still wasn't used to these dancers forwardness. Though it did feel good to have a femme call him of all mechs, 'handsome'. He figured he might as well be blunt. That way he'd know if she was even interested. "I've got a question for you B'dec.."

She cocked her head, her blue optics giving him a curious look. "Shoot," she simply said.

"Do you really like me, or are you just hanging out with me 'cus I'm an Autobot?" There, he said it. He'd know if it was him or his insignia that she was attracted to.

She smiled; she knew from his tone exactly what he wanted to hear. "You. Is that a problem? Do you have someone back in the bots that you're dating?" Yes, better to put the ball game in the male's hands. They liked to feel in control…

"Nah, I'm single. So you really like ME?" His optics widened. He actually DID have a shot in 'catching' this femme. This was so cool! Almost made everything the Decepticreeps had done to him – worth it. Well, almost…

"Ya, do you like me?" she asked. Her optics scanned his face plate.

He nodded, even as he could feel a tension filling his core. He did want to kiss her as he tried to ignore that damned dirty feeling was starting to wash over him. But this femme was a dancer, surely she of all mechs – could help him past it? "Um, but, I got a problem B'dec."

"What's that?" She arched an optic ridge up as she asked. Although, she and the other dancers had already known he'd have issues arising from the torture he'd endured. Issues in areas that, well, were the specialty of prostitutes..

He swallowed hard as he prepared to admit his deep issues. It was hard to say it, but she was a dancer – she'd understand it. She wouldn't judge him. "Well, whenever I think of bonding, I feel, um, dirty…" he looked down in shame. Knowing a tough soldier like him shouldn't feel this way, but he just couldn't help it.

He felt her gentle fingers on his chin, lifting his head to meet her optics. "You know what I used to do, Cliffjumper. I've got no problem taking as long as you need to help you get over it. I promise." Her brilliant optics glimmered as she promised.

His optics searched her face plate. Locking with her understanding blue orbs, he dared to hope she would still be interested in dating a mentally damaged mech like himself. "You still want to hang out with me, even though I, um, can't right now?" he stammered.

She nodded, smiling warmly. "It's nice having a mech want to hang out with me, who just likes me enough to hang out with – not just to get a piece of aft." With that, she kissed his cheek and got up.

Cliffjumper positively beamed in happiness as he followed her lead. His entire chassis felt so light! Daring to reach out and touch her fingers, he breathed in quickly as they curled around his. Straightening up to his full height, which really wasn't all that impressive, the red Autobot felt a wash of pride go through his circuits. He had his very first girlfriend! He looked sideways at her beautiful red/orange paint job as they strolled hand-in-hand by a few of the other dancers. He could feel their optics on them. Feel their approval. His entire grid lit up with tingling sensations as he finally got to live his fantasy!

Man, he really couldn't wait to get back to the Autobots now! To show off the sexy young femme at his side! He squeezed her hand just to make sure he wasn't dreaming. His optics going wide in disbelief as she pulled her fingers from his and instead, wrapped her arm around his tarp covered waist. He lifted his chin in pride as he boldly slid an arm over her shoulder plates. The two of them making sure that everyone knew they were dating!

Droct and Bumblebee were playing a game of cards together in the main shaft. Hearing some cheerful voices and prancing metal feet hitting the stone lightly, they both looked up. Cliffjumper and B'dec trotted by them, guns in hand, going down to practice in the lower levels. They were hand-in-hand as they disappeared down the mine shaft. Their headlights danced crazily on the rock walls.

The two mechs met each other's optics as smiles spread over their faceplates. They had recently discussed Cliffjumper's possibilities in getting himself a girlfriend. Even dared to lay odds on WHICH dancers they each thought it would be. B'dec had been Droct's bet.

Bumblebee groaned and pushed a pile of chips towards Droct. "Looks like you won that bet Buddy," he said. A huge cheerful grin spread from audio-to-audio. He was just glad that Cliffjumper appeared to have 'caught' one. It would make his mental recovery a LOT easier to have an understanding femme to listen to him. To hold him tight when the echoes came. A femme who would be thrilled to have a mech need her for emotional support - not a mech who just wanted a piece of aft.

Droct grinned sheepishly as he accepted the chips. "Sorry Bee. Just figured he'd go after the young one. She's a lot like him in personality you know." His optics followed the happy pair as they disappeared around the corner. She was also shorter than the other dancers, so size wise fit the small red Autobot as well.

"Ya, you're right Droct. They do make a good pair," Bee agreed. He looked up at his bond mate and grinned, for their personalities also worked very well with each other. One day cycle, after Droct was rebuilt, he knew they'd physically match better as well. Though he'd stay with the garbage mech even if he decided to not get rebuilt. His beauty was in his very spark!

"So, do you think the Autobots will hire all the dancers?" the garbage mech asked. He knew the femmes were all desperate to get off this worthless rock of a planet, and he'd feel real bad if some of them were left behind. He didn't blame them one bit for wanting to leave the poverty behind. Part of him also desired that. Though he was still very uncertain what he could really offer a warrior faction like the Autobots. Bee kept telling him they'd have a place for him - but would they REALLY? He sighed as he pushed his uncertainty down. They were still a long way from even getting a messenger through to the Autobots. Much less having the Autobots land here!

Bumblebee nodded. Between him and Cliffjumper, they'd pressure Prime into it and he was positive that all the femmes would have no problem passing the small arms test. Watching the dance of his headlights on Droct's frame, he was amazed at how his entire view on life and mechs had changed in the last few years. He felt that it had changed for the better! He saw the real worth of a mech now, regardless of what they were currently doing as a career – or what they looked like! He searched his bonded's optics. The gentle garbage mech who had now saved both him and Cliffjumper. He prayed with all of his spark that the Autobots would accept the pacifist. Learn from him of the plight that so many other mechs faced as casualties of a war they weren't part of!

Putting his cards down, he slid forward and took Droct's lips. It felt so good to have this wonderful mech to call his own! Made him feel like he truly was someone special!

…. Back on Cybertron….

They could feel all the optics on their armored backs as they strolled by on their way to small arms practice. Ironhide swore he could even hear a few whispers. Stretching his fingers, he enjoyed the fact that they were no longer curled around Inferno's. Glancing at the mech next to him, he smiled as they just happened to meet each other's amused orbs. "Workin' like a charm!" he snickered.

Inferno nodded his agreement. It had been a perfect plan to start the rumor mill with Bluestreak last off shift. The youngster had made sure to spread the fact that they had really never considered themselves bondmates - far and wide. He could even hear some of the younger mechs snickering at how more of their elders should 'experiment too' and chill out. "Looks like we're now considered the 'cool' older mechs," he chuckled.

Ironhide flexed his shoulder bearings a bit. "Hmmm, should I make Prowl feel worse about himself?" He mused in a low tone.

The firetruck raised an optic ridge in amusement. He knew exactly what the mech was thinking of doing. Make Prowl believe that it was Ironhide's little tryst with HIM - that turned him straight. Yeah, something like that would really ding a mech's ego. "Keep that as your trump card - for when he decides to be a real tailpipe," he advised.

"Yeah, good idea." The van winked at Bluestreak as they walked past him. "How's your meta doing today?" he joked.

Bluestreak frowned a bit and put a hand against his helm. "Man, I drank WAY too much last night!" he griped. Falling in behind the two, he reached out and tapped Inferno on his back armor. "You got anything I could take?" he asked in a hopeful tone. The mech was still a first responder. He should have some pain killers.

Reaching inside his cab, Inferno pulled out a small packet and tossed it to the youngster following them. "It'll take about half an astro hour for full effectiveness," he warned.

Pouring the dry contents into his mouth, Bluestreak gagged slightly as he swallowed it. "That tastes like scrap! But thanks!" he didn't really care HOW long it took - just that it would stop the pounding in his meta processor. He had a full shift to work, and really didn't want to suffer the hangover through it all! "It's so cool that you two have no problem hanging out together and all. You know…"

Ironhide grinned at Inferno, before glancing back at the younger mech. "We agreed to be each other's wing mech, you know, if we ever get to visit a planet that has some single femmes." He winked at the younger mech.

Bluestreak's lip components curled up in a knowing smirk. "Like have foursomes and scrap? Now THAT would be seriously cool!" He thought hard for a moment. "Think I could get in on that? Huh?" His optics had a hopeful gleam in them.

The two older red mechs glanced at each other and chuckled. "Sure thing Bluestreak - IF - we ever run across a bunch of single femmes," Inferno replied with a wink.

"Oh man! Thanks! That'll be so cool!" Bluestreak patted them both on their back armor. "Well, gotta go! If I'm late again, Ultra Magnus will never let me hear the end of it!" The sniper took off down a side hall.

"Hahahaha! Now Prowl's gonna hear that we've agreed to be bi! Hahahahaha!" Ironhide just about hit the ground he was laughing so hard.

"And that we had no problem inviting Bluestreak. He's gonna blow a cylinder!" Inferno snickered. He met Ironhide's optics as he also began to snicker.

"Yeah, now we just gotta get ourselves assigned to a deep space transport and find us some single femmes!" the red van's optics gleamed in mischief. He knew that opportunity was likely just a fantasy, but hey, it was a nice fantasy to have..

"You got that right!" Inferno agreed. He knew it was a long shot. Just a pipe dream. But at least both of them had the exact same dream. It'd make for some wonderful conversations during the off shift! Patting the slightly shorter mech's shoulder armor, he nodded that they should get on their way….

…

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