(Please see all previous disclaimers)

Optimus and Jetfire soon found themselves in the rec room. They spotted Lancex in a far corner that was somewhat private. Hoping this would go well, Optimus and Jetfire each picked up a cube of energon and then headed over to the table at which sat Lancex, who appeared to be reading a book. Optimus and Jetfire soon reached the table. "May we join you, Lancex?" Optimus asked politely, unaware being this close to Lancex always made his spark skip beats.

"Sure" Lancex finally answered, setting the book he had been trying to read aside. And as the other two sat down, Lancex thought about what Red Alert and Scavenger had said. "So I have to know something."

"What would you like to know?" Jetfire asked, not sure what they would be getting into.

"Do you two really have a crush… on me?" Lancex asked, desperately needing to know.

Jetfire and Optimus were a bit taken back by the question, as they hadn't expected it, but Optimus recovered from the shock first. "Like I told you in your home world, my spark started reacting to you and calling out for you the day you appeared in this dimension and we had to save you. And, to be honest, whenever I get a chance to spend time with you, my worries seem to lift and my spark feels lighter, which in turn makes me feel happier. I would happily and readily accept you as my mate and love you should you choose that" Optimus replied, making sure Lancex knew he still had the final say.

Before Lancex could response, Jetfire added, "I feel the same as Optimus. My spark started reacting to your presence the day we rescued you. We would love to court you and have you as your mate."

Lancex was shocked, and he still didn't feel he deserved them. "But, a run down bot like me doesn't deserve bots like you" Lancex let out, feeling the need to be honest.

Optimus looked to Lancex. "Who told you such a thing? They obviously know nothing. Primus decides who is worthy of who as a mate, if a bot is even to have a mate. And since, it would seem, Primus has brought us you, that makes you worthy in our optics." Lancex was touched, as almost no one ever told him he was valuable just the way he was.

"Optimus speaks the truth, Lancex. If Primus has made this decision, no one can stop it" Jetfire added.

Lancex could sense that they were being honest, but he had one more thing to say. "I don't want to do anything until the war is over. I wouldn't want to have a family and lose it, including sparklings, to a war when I don't have to." Optimus and Jetfire agreed. Then the larger pair surrounded Lancex and gave him a hug. At that moment, Lancex felt safe, and he felt himself submit to these two powerful bots. Optimus could feel his protective side kicking in even more, while Jetfire just felt his systems start to react and be more protective. Lancex snuggled in, not wanting this moment to end, but he knew it would in time. For now, he enjoyed the moment.

Meanwhile, after a few more hours, Red Alert and Scavenger finally realize that they indeed have finished repairing Smokescreen. Smokescreen woke from his induced stasis locked and thanked the bots for their help and their work. Red and Scavenger nodded and soon Smokescreen was headed off.

Elsewhere, nursing their wounds, Megatron and Wheeljack were trying to get repaired. But the unusual nature of the swords was making this a much more difficult task than usual. Now that they have seen what Lancex was ultimately capable of, they both knew he absolutely needed to be theirs and theirs alone. And so, as they were being repaired, they made their plans. In their minds, they knew failure to capture and corrupt the powerful yet submissive bot was not an option.