Prowl was doing his best to keep a decent pace, but his injured leg made it difficult. Smokescreen could tell Prowl was getting tired and uncomfortable.

"You wanna stop and rest a minute?" he asked.

"That would just give the Cons time to catch up". Said Prowl.

"They may have forgotten about us and went on their way". Smokescreen suggested.

"You don't believe that". Prowl stated.

"Well…I do believe your leg hurts and you need a break".

"We need to cover more ground". Prowl said, leaning more of his weight onto Smokescreen. "And we still need to find the energon".

"You're not seriously planning on continuing to look for it are you?" Smokescreen asked in disbelief.

"We could always use the energon".

"Well right now, my priority is you", Smokescreen said firmly. "After I get you back to base, I'll come back with Hound to look for energon".

Prowl didn't say anything else.

An hour later, Thrust was getting frustrated.

"Are you sure we're going the right way?" he asked.

"Positive. Look". Stinger pointed to a scuff mark in the ground made by Prowl dragging his injured leg. The mark was repeated every few feet. "They can't be far".

"That's what you said an hour ago". Thrust complained.

"I'm surprised they're covering this much ground with one of them being one-legged". Said Stinger. "Well, let's go. We've wasted enough time".

"Let's stop for a minute", Prowl said with a grimace.

Smokescreen helped Prowl sit on a boulder.

"Smokescreen, there's no sense in both of us getting captured", Prowl said. "I'm just slowing you down. You need to get out of here while you can".

"Are you cracked?" Smokescreen asked. "There is no way I'm leaving you for the Decepticons".

"That's an order".

"With all due respect, commander, I am not leaving". Smokescreen said. "You know the code - no one get's left behind. Besides, it's only two Cons, I can handle them".

"Thrust is a lot bigger than you". Prowl pointed out.

"But he's not smarter". Smokescreen said, tapping the side of his head.

"Stinger make's up for that". Prowl said.

As Prowl rubbed at his injury, Smokescreen took in their surroundings. He caught sight of a cave opening a short distance away.

"Hey", he said. "We can hide out in that cave for a little while".

Prowl frowned in the direction of the cave. He wasn't sure his knee would put up with the hike. Seeming to read his thoughts, Smokescreen helped him up.

"C'mon, you can do it". Smokescreen encouraged.

Halfway to the cave, Prowl let out a groan as he stumbled, but Smokescreen quickly helped him rebalance.

"Plenty of room in here!" Smokescreen observed as they entered the cave.

Prowl sat down on the cave floor and leaned against the wall with a sigh. Scrap, his knee hurt.

Smokescreen plopped down next to him. "We should be getting pretty close to Iacon. Once we have a comm signal, I'll call base for pickup".

Prowl was too tired to make a comment.

"Why don't you try getting some sleep while we're here". Smokescreen suggested, noticing Prowl's tired expression.

"This is no time to take a nap, Smokescreen". Prowl grumbled.

"But you need it", Smokescreen put an arm around Prowl's shoulders and pulled him in closer.

"What are you doing?!" Prowl demanded. "Let go of me!"

Prowl began trying to squirm away from Smokescreen's hug, but Smokescreen just tightened his grip. Prowl yelped in pain when his squirming caused him to jostle his injured leg.

"See, you're just hurting yourself", Smokescreen scolded. "Just relax, why don't you?"

After a few more unsuccessful attempts to wriggle free, Prowl finally allowed himself to be hugged.

Smokescreen smiled, feeling the tension fall out of his brother. "There you go. You used to let me do this all the time".

"You don't have to do this". Prowl muttered.

"Yeah, I do", Smokescreen replied. "You might be a pain in the neck sometimes, but you're my little bro and I love you".

Prowl leaned into Smokescreen's hug more. "I love you too, Smoke".

Smokescreen chuckled and patted him on the head. "Go to sleep, Prowlie". He said, hugging him tighter.

"Don't call me that". Prowl mumbled. "Just wake me up in five minutes".

"Whatever".

In a moment, Prowl was asleep and Smokescreen sat lost in thought. In a few more miles, they'd be at the edge of Tyger Pax where communication should work again. There was a very small possibility it would work now. Smokescreen tried it.

No signal.

Smokescreen growled with frustration. Two geniuses working with the Autobots - Perceptor and Jetfire - and neither one of them could invent a communicator that worked on the southern side of Cybertron.

Smokescreen rubbed Prowl's shoulder soothingly when the younger mech shifted, disturbed by Smokescreen's growling.

And there was still Stinger and Thrust to think about.

Smokescreen looked down at Prowl, who was now snoring and drooling down Smokescreen's chest. He had to smile. Prowl looked just like he did as a sparkling.

Smokescreen really didn't want to wake him up, but they needed to get moving before the Decepticons caught up. He carefully maneuvered himself into a standing position then gently hefted Prowl over his shoulder, Prowl not missing a snore.

Smokescreen then made his way out of the cave. Man, Prowl you've put on weight.

Prowl opened his eyes and sat up groggily.

Where was he? He wasn't in the cave anymore, he was under an overhang and he didn't see Smokescreen anywhere.

"Smokescreen?"

In a moment, his brother appeared.

"Hey Prowl, great news - I got through to the base, they'll be here soon". Said Smokescreen. "And - drumroll - we found the energon!"

Prowl stared at him blankly. "What?"

Smokescreen stepped aside and indicated a small geyser of energon behind him.

"I've already got the sample and recorded the coordinates".

"How did we get here? I don't remember hiking again", Prowl said, rubbing his face.

"Oh I just let you sleep and packed you the rest of the way". Smokescreen pretended to wince and hold his back. "Which wasn't easy",

"Why didn't you just wake me up like I told you to?"

"You needed the rest", Smokescreen replied. "Now all we have to do is wait here till the Autobots show up then you can get your leg patched up and have some Enjex, how does that sound?"

Prowl had to admit it sounded pretty good.

"Hey, thanks for leading us to the energon!" Stinger called.

The two Decepticons stood on the other side of the clearing.

"Stay down". Smokescreen ordered, pushing Prowl's head down behind some boulders.

"Smokescreen, i - "

"Stay. Down". Smokescreen's voice came out in a growl then he charged into the clearing to take on the Decepticons.

Prowl knew he wouldn't be any good in combat, but he could still shoot. He gingerly shifted over behind some other boulders where he'd have better range. Smokescreen would probably blow his top when he saw Prowl firing at the Cons, but Prowl didn't get to be second-in-command by hiding behind a rock when things got tough.

"You're outnumbered, Autobot!" Thrust said, knocking Smokescreen off his feet.

Smokescreen quickly rolled out of the way and picked up a fallen tree, bashing the seeker in the back of the head. Stinger moved in to attack Smokescreen but was halted by a blast from Prowl.

"Okay, no more Mr. Nice Guy", Stinger said. He then felt someone tap him on the shoulder. Turning around, he caught Cliffjumper's fist in the face.

Prowl and Smokescreen were pleased to see Cliffjumper, Ratchet and Jetfire had arrived.

Seeing they were badly outnumbered, The two Decepticons retreated.

"Hey, perfect timing!" Smokescreen said, giving Cliff a high five.

Ratchet was already tending to Prowl's wound while Jetfire went to investigate the energon.

"What's the word?" Smokescreen asked him.

"This energon is highly unstable", Jetfire reported. "If it were refined into cubes, they'd explode".

"I guess it's just as well", Prowl said. "The Cons wouldn't have let us anywhere near it again".

"They'll get a surprise when they try to harvest it". Jetfire smirked.

"Let's get back to base so I can finish repairing this". Ratchet said. He and Smokescreen helped Prowl up. Jetfire transformed into jet mode and everyone got on board.

Smokescreen sat down next to Prowl, glad they were heading back to Iacon.

To his surprise, Prowl flopped over onto Smokescreen's shoulder.

"You're the best, Smokey!" he said.

"Painkiller's kickin' in!" Smokescreen informed Ratchet with a laugh.

Prowl gave his brother a hug, which Smokescreen gladly returned.

"There's my little Prowlie! Go back to sleep, baby bro, I've got ya". Smokescreen said, hugging him tighter.

Prowl sank deeper into Smokescreen's hug, a content look on his face.

"Aw, that's cute", Cliffjumper said.

"Apparently I gave him too much", Ratchet muttered, clearly disturbed by the display of brotherly affection.

Smokescreen walked into Prowl's quarters with an Enjex.

Prowl and Bluestreak were sitting on the couch where Bluestreak was using Prowl's time off to force his twin into watching some reality show with him.

"Here ya go, Prowl". Smokescreen said, handing him the Enjex.

"Uh, Smokescreen? Thanks", Prowl said. "I'm not sure what I would have done if you hadn't been there".

"Don't mention it", Smokescreen replied. "It's my job to look out for my little bros. And besides, how many times have you saved our tailpipes?" he smirked. "But I guess a big brother still comes in handy once in a while, huh?"

While his brothers were talking, Bluestreak reached into the box of donuts sitting between the twins and took one. Taking a bite, he realized it was Energon-Jelly filled.

Yuck.

Bluestreak discreetly put the donut back and replaced the unchewed portion. He was sure Prowl wouldn't notice. Well, mostly sure.

"How long do you gotta wear the knee-brace?" Smokescreen asked.

"Five days", Prowl grumbled.

"Well until then, I'll keep you supplied with plenty of Enjex and donuts". Smokescreen said. He took the donut box and tossed in onto Prowl's lap then planted himself between the twins, putting his arms around them. "I love you guys!"

"We love you too, Smokescreen". They said together.

Prowl then looked into the box. "Bluestreak…"

Bluestreak avoided making eye contact with him but couldn't hide his guilty expression.

"What is the purpose of this show?" Smokescreen spoke up.

"I have no idea, Prowl answered. "It's an hour of people arguing and screaming at each other from what I can tell".

"If you two would be quiet for a minute and listen, you might understand what's going on". Bluestreak said.

Prowl and Smokescreen stared at him a moment then burst out laughing. Bluestreak of all bots telling someone to be quiet!

Smokescreen took one of the donuts, earning a glare from Prowl.

"I'll get you another box later, twerp". Smokescreen said with a smirk, giving his brother another flick in the head.

"Don't call me that!"