A/N: Thanks to everyone who's reviewed so far. I'm starting to get a bit of writer's block, so the updates may be a bit further apart than they have been. Also, any suggestions on where to take this story would be appreciated.

I don't own Beast Wars or Transformers, just a few Pride names. Enjoy.


Cheetor tried to go to sleep, but all he could think about was Prowl. When she touched his hand, he felt as if his circuits were on fire. All his life he was sure of what he wanted. Become a great Maximal soldier. Maybe even become a member of the high council one day. But now, these ideals didn't seem so absolute anymore. Cheetor tossed and turned in his bed.

For the first time ever, he began to give serious thought to Prowl's offer to join the Pride. It meant being a Predacon, but it would also mean a chance at happiness. Cheetor tried for that once when he tried to explain his feelings to Blackarachnia. Lot of good that did him. Silverbolt always watches Cheetor when he's around Blackarachnia now. He can't even say hello without Silverbolt overreacting.

Cheetor felt it was time to take a walk, maybe he'll be able to clear his head. He strolled through the corridors of the Ark and the broken Axalon. He entered the control room to find Blackarachnia sitting down by herself. Cheetor tried to be as quiet as he could, but Blackarachnia already knew he was there.

"Can't sleep, kitty-kat?" she asked.

"No," Cheetor replied, "Too many thoughts running through my head."

Blackarachnia turned around and stared at him. "Wanna talk about it?" she asked.

"Sure," he answered, "I could use your opinion. Where's Silverbolt?"

Blackarachnia silently chuckled. She knew that Cheetor always gets nervous when Silverbolt's around.

"Relax, Spots," she said, "He's sleeping. Have a seat."

Cheetor sat down and rested his head in his hands.

"I'm in love with a Predacon," he said.

For a moment, Blackarachnia withdrew from Cheetor. Cheetor saw this and laughed.

"Relax," he said, "It's not you."

"So, who is it?" Blackarachnia asked.

"Prowl," Cheetor responded.

"The Pride member?" Blackarachnia asked.

Cheetor nodded. "And there's more," he said, "She feels the same way. But, the only way for us to be together is if I joined the Pride."

"You mean become a Predacon?" Blackarachnia asked.

Cheetor slowly nodded. Blackarachnia chuckled.

"You're not seriously thinking about becoming a Predacon, are you?" she asked.

Cheetor said nothing, instead he just stared at Blackarachnia. She grew silent. For as long as she had known him, Cheetor was always the do-good Maximal enthusiast who wanted to see all Predacons in the galaxy scrapped. But that wasn't the same Cheetor that was sitting next to her. As a matter of fact, since the day he was attacked by Tigerhawk, he was never the same. He seemed darker now, more a Predacon attitude than a Maximal.

She looked into Cheetor's eyes and saw that he was serious. She also saw that he was in a lot of mental pain. She put a hand on Cheetor's shoulder.

"Whatever choice you make," she said, "Must be made from the spark. My choice to join the Maximals was made from the spark. I know where you're coming from. And if Bowser and I made things work, you and Prowl certainly can."

Cheetor smiled, causing her to smile. Cheetor gave her a hug and said, "Thanks for listening. I really appreciate it."

This was the first time either of them had been able to relate to each other, and they each felt that they were better friends now because of it. There was just one person who didn't know all the facts.


Silverbolt had been sleeping soundly when he began having a horrible nightmare. The Predacons had captured Blackarachnia and were torturing her, trying to figure out the secrets of transmetal 2 technology. Silverbolt awoke in a fright and realized it was just a dream. He turned over and found that Blackarachnia was not beside him. Silverbolt climbed out of bed and walked towards the control room. As he approached the control room, he saw Blackarachnia and Cheetor sitting together. He saw her laugh and put a hand on his shoulder. Then, he saw him hug her and grew furious. Silverbolt stomped into the control room and looked straight at Cheetor.

"So," he said, "I guess you did not get the hint before, Cheetor. Blackarachnia is my lady."

Cheetor stood up and put his hands up defensively.

"Silverbolt," he said, "I don't know what you're talking about, but I can tell you—"

Cheetor was cut off by Silverbolt striking him across the jaw. Cheetor stumbled back and shook his head. Cheetor lunged at Silverbolt and tackled him. Cheetor began hammering Silverbolt with rights and lefts. Silverbolt gained the upper hand and the two brawled around the room. Blackarachnia was in shock, trying to call off Silverbolt and explain what was going on. Silverbolt grabbed Cheetor by the throat and was choking him. Cheetor threw Silverbolt off and threw him across the room. Silverbolt climbed to his feet and fired a wing missile at Cheetor, nailing him square in the chest. Cheetor was shocked. His own team mate had fired on him. Cheetor pulled himself to his feet and drew his blaster. Just then, Optimus' voice echoed through the room.

"Cheetor, stand down!" he said.

Cheetor's eyes widened. "Why wasn't Silverbolt ordered to stand down?" he thought, "He fired at me first."

Optimus slowly walked into the room and surveyed the scene, followed by Rhinox and Rattrap.

"I want to know what happened," he said.

"It's very simple, Optimus," Silverbolt said, "I came into the control room and saw Cheetor trying to be physical with Blackarachnia. I got angry and I hit him, we fought, and he pulled his weapon on me."

Optimus turned to Cheetor. "Is this true?" he asked.

"Not completely," Cheetor replied, "You see, I was talking to Blackarachnia, she gave me some advice, and I thanked her by giving her a hug. Then Silverbolt came in and hit me. We brawled, and then he fired at me, so I pulled my weapon and that's where you came in.

"I see," Optimus said, "Well, you both are gonna be punished. Cheetor, you're confined to quarters until further notice. Silverbolt, you have four nights of scanner duty."

Cheetor was furious. "Are you serious!" he asked, "You're giving Silverbolt night scanner duty for hitting me first and firing at me and I'm getting confined to quarters for defending myself?"

"I know it doesn't sound fair," Optimus said.

"You're slaggin' right it don't sound fair," Cheetor said, "But then again, you've never been fair towards me. You never give me a chance to prove myself, and you take everyone's side but mine in an argument. I can't take it anymore."

"Calm down, Cheetor," Rhinox said.

"No, I won't calm down," Cheetor said, heading for the blast doors, "Not this time."

Cheetor transformed into beast mode and took off.

"It's good riddance," Silverbolt said, "Cheetor was not a very valuable member of the team to begin with."

Rattrap glared at Silverbolt. "You know something, bird-dog," he said, "You outta watch what you say, or you just might get a fragmentation mine up your tailpipe."

Optimus sighed heavily. "Maybe I was too hard on him," he said.

"Don't worry, Optimus," Rhinox said, "He just needs to blow off some steam. He'll come back."