Thunderhoof got far away from the room before setting Metalsound down, "It's okay Metalsound. Just relax," he says as he kneels next to her.
Metalsound looked around cautiously, "He's not coming after us, is he?"
"No, I believe Strongarm stopped him before he could make any movement to attack or come after us."
Metalsound growled at herself, "I can't believe I got scared and started whimpering. So embarrassing."
"Well, he is like an alpha, it's only natural."
"Yeah, I guess you're right. Just promise me that if we end up getting into a fight at some point you won't intervene. I don't want to think of what could happen to you if you do.
"I won't intervene," he says with a smile.
"Thank you," she replied with her own smile, licking at his chin.
"You're welcome. I'm surprised Steeljaw turned on you."
"It's simple, if Magnus and Bumblebee had already left and he was still upset he saw me as a threat in his state of mind," she replied, "I should apologize when he's calmed down. But I'm still upset at Ultra Magnus."
"Understandable, that was wrong what he did."
"I can't stay mad at them forever, at least Bumblebee made his apology from the spark. I owe the others an apology as well, they didn't need to get caught up in the crossfire. I almost killed them," she said looking up at him.
"Yeah, you do owe them an apology because none of them knew about the plan they were just there for the party like we were, I think it was only between Bumblebee and Ultra Magnus."
"Then let's go find them," she said as she transformed back to her bot form. He just nods as they leave to go find the others.
They found the rest of the Autobots resting near the Alchemore, when Sideswipe saw Metalsound he ran off behind one of the shelves. The others see them coming and Arcee walks up to Metalsound, "Are you alright Metalsound?"
"I'm good, I wanted to apologize for my actions last night," she replied with a small bow.
"We don't blame you, you were provoked by Bumblebee and Magnus, they shouldn't have used you like that. They used me too and I'm still mad at them for it."
"But you did so willingly, they didn't say a word to me about it," she huffed.
"Yes, I did do it willingly and they owe me for it too."
"They owe you big time," Metalsound added as she looked to where Sideswipe was hiding, "You know you can come out, right?"
Sideswipe peeks out, "You're not gonna attack again?"
"No, not unless you give me a reason to."
He vents a sigh of relief and walks out.
"I'm sorry for last night."
"No worries I understand why you did it."
"And I'm sorry for zapping you," she added sheepishly.
"Are you alright Metalsound? You did not return home last night," Slipstream asked the femme.
"I'm alright, I just needed to be left alone for a while," she chuckled.
"But Thunderhoof was looking for you," Jetstorm countered.
"Yes, and I found her and spent the night with her. I was the only one she would allow near her last night."
"I see, thank you for looking after her," Slipstream said with a bow. Jetstorm mimicked his brother.
"Uh... no problem."
"Guys, shouldn't you be practicing some kind of battle tactics?" Metalsound asked gently. The twins looked at her for a moment before they left to work on their battle skills. Metalsound chuckled as they left.
"They really look up to you," Drift says as he walks up to them.
"I'm not entirely sure why, I figured that Jetstorm wouldn't come near me after the thunderstorm incident."
"You made a big impression on them, they like you."
Metalsound blushed, "I don't see how I made that much of an impression on them," she said quietly.
"I don't either, but that's the thing with young ones."
"I think you'll make a good mom one day," Grimlock put in making her blush even more.
"He's right you will," Thunderhoof says with a smile.
"Guys stop," she whined quietly as she transformed back into her beast form to try to hide her blush.
"I wonder what the kids would look like," Sideswipe whispered to Grimlock.
"Anyways, how's Steeljaw and Strongarm? Have you seen them?" Arcee asks curiously.
"They were doing fine until Bumblebee and Ultra Magnus came in," Thunderhoof replied, "Steeljaw's still mad about last night."
"Uh oh. What happened?"
"They apologized but he was so pissed off that he almost attacked them. Then he turned his attention to Metalsound because she was growling as well. He viewed her as a threat to Strongarm and he almost attacked her."
"Oh. His protective instincts must have kicked in," Arcee stated.
"Would seem so."
"I see, so Steeljaw's not in the best of sorts at the moment. But I must check on Strongarm. Fixit you coming?" Arcee asked as she turned to the Mini-Con.
"Yes, I'm right behind you," Fixit replied as he followed after Arcee.
"Hope Strongarm got Steeljaw calmed down by now," Thunderhoof says watching them leave.
"If anyone can get him to calm down it's Strongarm," Metalsound stated.
"Yes, we all seen that, she can really calm him down," Grimlock adds.
Fixit knocked softly on the door, "Strongarm, Steeljaw, it's Fixit and Arcee," he announced.
"Come in!" Strongarm shouted.
They both slowly made their way inside, Fixit coming in behind Arcee, "We're sorry to intrude on you two but we needed to check on Strongarm," Arcee says cautiously not wanting to anger Steeljaw. The mech was watching Fixit and Arcee like a hawk. Fixit was nervous about being around Steeljaw, it looked like he was ready to pounce at any moment.
They look over Strongarm, "She seems to be healing up just fine, she should be able to move about in a couple of days" Arcee states after she finishes looking at her wound.
"That's good," Strongarm said, she was sure that Steeljaw would be happy.
Arcee looked at Steeljaw, "That's good news," she says trying to be cheerful.
Steeljaw stayed quiet but he nuzzled Strongarm's helm. That is good news.
It is.
"Steeljaw, I'm sorry for what I did."
"You are forgiven, just know that I will never hurt Strongarm, nor would I betray her spark," Steeljaw responded.
"Yes, I can see that."
"And I wouldn't harm anyone unless I'm provoked," Steeljaw added as he glanced at Fixit. The Mini-Con let out a small yelp before hiding behind Arcee.
"Yes, and they were wrong to provoke you like that."
"If they won't trust me how am I supposed to trust them?" He asked out loud.
"You have to look at things from their view, they went through decades of war against the Decepticons and lost those they cared for to them. So they're a bit bitter against Decepticons and the thought of their charge being with a Decepticon is not easy for them," Arcee explains before looking at Strongarm. She sees the sad look on her face, "He told you?"
"Who told you what?" Steeljaw turned to his mate in confusion, feeling her spark ache. He sent her a wave of comfort, unsure why she was sad.
"I'll leave you two to talk," Arcee says as she leaves with Fixit rolling out behind her.
"Strongarm?" He asked in worry. Whatever this was he knew it was serious.
"Father told me how my mother died."
Steeljaw felt a sudden chill. Should he even ask? "He did?"
"Yes. Have you heard of the D.J.D?"
"Every Decepticon knows who they are. But what do they have to do with how your mother died?" He asked as his spark dropped at the mention of the infamous group.
"They killed her. He said it was all due to a rivalry between them and the Wreckers, he said he got into a couple of fights with the leader. He beat him in one of them so they took mom and tortured her for revenge, he said by the time he got there to rescue her it was too late," she said as she buried her face into his shoulder.
Steeljaw gently pulled her into a hug, "I'm sorry," he whispered to her as he sent a wave of love and comfort.
"I think he's afraid they're gonna come after me next and that's why he sent me away to train and learn how to fight and take care of myself. It's why he wasn't around me so much, he was afraid they would find out about me and come after me, he probably still sees that as a possibility since they're still out there."
"Now I really understand why he was so cautious. It still doesn't excuse what he did, but I won't hold it against him. I think everyone is afraid of them, not just the Decepticons. They are all very dangerous. I've heard about their leader, and he's just as ruthless."
"I hope they don't come after me, I don't know what I'll do if they do. Arcee would be in danger too being Wheeljack's mate since he's one of the Wreckers that used to fight them."
"I know, but they could be in another galaxy for all we know. There's no way they'd be all the way out here."
"Yeah, you're right."
Steeljaw nuzzled her helm trying to take her mind off of the dangerous group of Decepticons.
"Now you see why he has such a hard time trusting you, he finds it hard to trust a 'Con, and Bumblebee too. They both went through a lot during the war, and it doesn't help that you and Bumblebee had all those fights where you tried to kill him."
"Yes. I'll be right back," he told her as he kissed her helm before leaving.
"Where are you going?"
"To find the lieutenant and Ultra Magnus."
She smiles at him, "Ok."
Steeljaw walks out and goes to find the two mechs.