CHAPTER ELEVEN

Hey guys! Quarantine has allowed me to post a little more frequently than usual, which is why I have been able to keep an almost weekly schedule with updates. :) I'm not sure what will happen after I graduate, which is coming up at the end of this month, however I hope that I will at least be able to update once or twice a month like I was before. Thank you to everyone who has left a review, I really enjoy reading them and getting your thoughts on everything! As for my personal life, I work in a hospital, however I have been doing very well all things considering. Thank you for all of the well-wishes, and I hope you all are safe and sound!

XXX

The ringing of a doorbell made Jack nearly jump out of his socks, Megatron hissing loudly in displeasure. Jack took a few seconds to calm his beating heart, groaning as the peaceful revere he had been pulled into was shattered. Peeling his face off of Megatron's chest he buried himself back into his cocoon of warmth and tried to slip into sleep, feeling the heavy arm readjust against him. But then again, there was that insistent ring, and he made another noise of annoyance. When his phone buzzed he sighed, rolling over to grab the device. The motion prompted Megatron to lift up his arm, allowing Jack to settle on his back with his phone in hand. Talons wrapped around his side as he flipped it open, the bright white text box burning his eyes.

Hey dude, we're at your house. Open up!

"Miko," he said aloud, mostly for Megatron's benefit, as he quickly typed out a message.

Coming. I was taking a nap.

"You need to go," he said, extricating himself from Megatron's grip. He sat up and held his head in his hands for a few seconds to dissipate the resulting dizziness, realizing he had slept well past the time to take another Tylenol. Outside of the comfortable heat he realized he was feverish again, burning up and feeling borderline overwhelming body aches.

"I have already made myself clear," Megatron growled lowly. "I am not-"

"Listen, I don't have time to argue," Jack felt too bad to offer even a sliver of patience. "These are my friends, the ones who know about the 'bots. If they catch you, it's game over."

"I will maintain stealth," Megatron told him again, his voice sounding almost flat. He was not arguing, not questioning, he was telling. "They have no need to enter your sleeping quarters."

Jack was going to snap again when his phone buzzed, Miko telling him to hurry it up.

"Fine. But if you get caught, you just leave. No fighting," he stood, gripping the side of the table and hissing softly. He cursed himself, wishing he had the foresight to set some kind of alarm. He was miserable.

Grabbing a Tylenol he took a glass of water and filled it at the kitchen sink, already forming an excuse in his head for why he could not come to the door promptly. Taking the medicine he then shuffled to the front door, opening it up to see Miko and Raf standing there expectantly.

"Took you long enough!" Miko huffed.

"Sorry, but I figured you would rather I threw up in a toilet than on your shoes," Jack grumbled, not really in the mood to hear her sharp, high-pitched voice sear through his head. His head did ache a bit, however he was unsure if it was a true headache or if he just hurt everywhere. "My nap took longer than expected and I missed taking a Tylenol."

"Oh, that sucks," Miko made herself at home immediately, rifling through his kitchen until she found the face-masks, snapping one around her own face before handing one to Raf. "Still contagious?"

"Not even sure," Jack shrugged. "Still have a fever, so maybe?"

Miko shrugged. "Whatever. If I get sick, no school!"

Both boys suppressed the urge to roll their eyes, though they were unable to help but smile. Of course Miko would have no issue with any excuse to play hooky, even if it did make her miserable.

"Let's go to the living room," Jack suggested, wanting to be as far away from his bedroom door as possible. "I need to sit, soon, or I'll throw up again."

"Sure thing," Miko shrugged in her muffled voice, the trio making their way into the living room. If she could tell her friend was cranky, she made no effort to not annoy him further. "See Sierra again?"

"No," Jack frowned at her. "She was just catching me up on homework for that day. Probably has cheer practice or something."

"I-I got some homework," Rafael said, trying to change the subject without making anyone angry - he hated confrontation. "For you, Jack. From your teachers."

The eldest boy blinked, surprised. "Thanks, Raf."

He had not expected the shy, socially-awkward kid to go from class to class and collect work. If anything, he should have expected Miko to do such a thing; however, he also knew she never did homework if she did not have to, so why would she bother gathering some up for him?

Accepting the folder from his friend he glanced at everything, sighing in defeat. Yes, more work to do. His mind briefly recalled catching up on all of that work with Megatron, and he internally cringed. If they were going to have a repeat of today . . .

You should. It was a good idea. It's still a good idea. Besides, some positive reinforcement never hurt anybody. It will keep convincing him it's real.

And Jack had to admit, that was perhaps the best nap he ever had in his life.

"I'll start on it later," he said, leaning back into the couch cushions. "How is Arcee? I haven't seen her in a while."

Miko shrugged. "She knows you're at home, so she's been scouting," she explained. "But if you want her to visit, we'll pass on the message."

Jack shook his head. "No, I'm sick. She probably has better things to do than watch me be miserable."

"Like look for Optimus," Miko agreed.

"We haven't cracked the Spacebridge code yet," Rafael sighed, looking discouraged. "Nor have we found anything."

"Something is bound to come up," Jack said, trying to remain optimistic. "Sooner or later, the 'cons will do something. They have to. Maybe even Orion Pax - Optimus - will figure something out and make his presence known to the 'bots. We just have to keep trying."

"Easy for us to say," Miko grumbled. "We're just kids sitting around waiting. All while the 'bots do all the work!"

"What are you going to do?" Rafael asked her. "Try to give the Decepticons a phone call?"

Miko shrugged. "Maybe we won't have to. Since apparently Doc-Knock is looking for Vince."

Jack could not help his grimace, remembering that. That thing the Autobots had been led to conclude after the conspicuous Aston Martin revealed himself to them. It was the least suspicious of the theories, one that kept the Autobots from possibly getting on his back, but it meant that Vince was in their crosshairs. Yes, he could agree that anyone exposed to the Autobots and Decepticons would need protection, but that meant Vince would be at the base . . .

No way. Not if I can help it.

"I mean, he could want revenge for the racing, but it makes no sense," Rafael's brow furrowed behind his glasses. "Optimus was the one who ripped off his door. Vince was just . . . collateral."

"Maybe Knock Out thinks he's just an easy target," Jack suggested.

"But Orion Pax would be easier," Raf pointed out.

Jack paused, cringing for a moment. He was very, very sure that Megatron was listening in on their conversation, but he could not - should not - let it affect what he was going to say. He bit the inside of his cheek, knowing if he had to stand up to Megatron, he would. What would he do, hurt him?

"Maybe, if he wasn't under Megatron's protection," Jack countered. "If he and Orion Pax were friends, maybe they're still . . . kinda friends."

Miko snorted. "Yeah, like King-Con has friends."

Jack really hoped the Decepticon would keep his rage under wraps. "What does it matter? Knock Out showed up at the school. If it wasn't for Vince, who else would it be?"

"You," Miko's accusation sent absolute panic through Jack. He felt like his heart had just stopped, head whipping around to look at her while his throat caught his words, preventing the denial from bursting from his lips. "We all heard Megatron, Jack. You're some kind of . . . descendant?"

"Yeah . . ." Rafael's forehead wrinkled deeply as he delved into thought. "That was a weird thing for him of all people to say."

"I asked Optimus about it," Jack swallowed, trying to salvage the situation as best he could. "He said Megatron would do anything to get into my head and mess with me."

"And why would he mess with you?" Miko questioned, and suddenly Jack felt like he was placed under an interrogation lamp. "I'm the one that threatened him. Besides, when has he ever seen you to know who you are?"

Jack's gaze fell to his lap, trying to not chew a hole through his cheek. "There's something I haven't told you guys," he said slowly.

"Like . . . like what?" Rafael asked, worried for his friend. Whatever it was, Jack sounded serious. There was a long, painful moment of silence as even Miko held her breath.

"Something happened . . . when Miko and I were in the mine," he said, "with Arcee and Bulkhead, several weeks ago. 'Cee and I ran into Megatron, and it looked like he was going to execute Starscream. We must have startled him, because he began shooting at us. I'm not really sure what happened after that because Arcee had me get behind a wall, but after some massive shots the mine collapsed. We woke up separated from each other. I found some mining equipment and began drilling my way through the rubble, hoping I would find someone. I did."

Miko looked at him with wide eyes, her jaw dropping as her lips moved silently. She knew what he was going to say next.

"Megatron," Jack took several deep breaths, now feeling sick from his nerves and the recollection of the memory. "I had drilled around his face. He tried to goad me into finishing him off with the drill but . . ."

"You couldn't," Miko finished for him quietly, sounding accusatory. "Because Optimus wouldn't."

"I just left him there," the boy finished his confession, burying his face in his hands. "I don't know how he managed to get out."

"But if you had finished him, no one could have helped us stop Unicron," Rafael assured him, placing a hand on his shoulder. "You saved our planet, Jack."

"I didn't know it at the time," Jack said, unable to help the bitterness. "And now he has Optimus."

"Who we're going to get back!" Miko shot to her feet. "We're going to find him, rescue him! Just because we don't have anything yet doesn't mean it's the end of the world!"

"But, guys," Jack looked at both of them. "Please, don't tell any of the 'bots about this . . . I don't know how they will react."

I do not know of what previous encounters you may have had with Megatron, but I understand that such an experience may have impacted you greatly.

"Your secret's safe with us," Miko assured him, taking a large weight off of his chest. He had no idea how any of the Autobots would have reacted . . . angry? Proud? Disappointed? Would they see it the same way Rafael had - or would they have been willing to entertain the risk?

Not like it even matters anymore . . . imagine how they would react if they knew about this.

Rafael jumped as his phone rang, taking it out and glancing at the number. "It's my mom," he said apologetically. "I need to head home. I'm glad to see you're feeling better, Jack."

The older boy smiled. "Thanks. Let's hope I can go to school by next week."

"Ugh, lame," Miko rolled her eyes, slinging her backpack over her shoulder, as she took it as her cue to leave as well. "I would be milking this thing until my host parents made me go back to school!"

"Yeah, well, my mom would send me to school as long as I didn't have a fever," Jack quipped back, escorting his friends to the door. "Besides, if I'm sick, I can't visit the base."

"True, and you wouldn't be able to -" Miko shrieked as she was suddenly tripped, stumbling and practically face-planting into the front door. Jack did not bother to catch her, but he at least acted surprised - and he did genuinely feel bad.

"Scrap, Miko, I'm really sorry about that," he apologized profusely, helping her stand and regain her balance. "I didn't mean too, I'm so sorry."

"It's fine," she said dismissively, red in the face and looking absolutely embarrassed about the trip; which was surprising, as she usually acted like she had no shame at all. "I'm fine. I didn't actually fall - the door caught me."

"Again, I'm sorry," Jack apologized while opening the door. He scratched the back of his neck, feeling a little flushed himself. "I'll see you guys."

"Oh, for sure!" Miko promised him with her usual enthusiasm, grinning again. "Raf and I will be around for company."

"Okay. I'll be here," Jack joked. Giving them a wave he closed the door and locked it, taking a deep breath.

That was close. Way to close.

He was lucky Miko had been too busy blabbing to realize he had intentionally stuck his foot out and got between her boots, interrupting her before she could spill everything right in front of Megatron. If she said something as bizarre as "going to Cybertron," either the Decepticon would think she was insane, or that Jack was hiding something from him.

And Jack was not in the mood to come with something distracting enough to stop him from prying.

Taking a deep breath, he checked the time. His mother was not going to be home for another few hours, plenty of leeway to convince Megatron to scram before June somehow sniffed him out.

The young man trudged back to his room, opening the door quietly and closing it. He looked in the corner, seeing Megatron hidden in the shadows, his red optics shining brightly. It was here Jack could prominently see the white rings which served like a strange iris, telling him where the tyrant was looking.

At the moment, it was like Megatron was staring straight into his soul.

"The femme has quite a lot to say," he said, his voice even, yet Jack wondered if there was underlying rage beneath it.

"Yeah . . ." he said slowly. "Miko talks. A lot." He sat on his bed, not sure what else to do. He was in no mood to do homework, and he doubted Megatron would want to watch him do nothing for a few more hours.

"You must be more foolish than I thought," Megatron continued, this time his inflection holding some sort of malice, "if you thought Knock Out was there for petty revenge."

"I knew why he was there," Jack countered, "though only after you showed up. But if I have to keep hiding this from the 'bots, I gotta come up with something. Vince was the easiest answer."

"And so the Autobots will obtain another pet," Megatron said in amusement, approaching his human with quiet steps. "They seem rather adept at it."

"Things get complicated when you guys get involved," Jack snipped back, forcing himself to maintain eye contact with Megatron even as he infiltrated his personal space.

"I will admit, I was not expecting your confession," Megatron admitted, Jack's heart nearly stopping again. "I thought I would have to do something . . . drastic."

"A deal's a deal," Jack glared at him. "And I'm not backing out of it."

"You want to," Megatron's digits came forward, Jack not resisting as they cupped his chin. There was silence as they looked at one another, the human's mind racing as he tried to figure out if it was a trick. Was Megatron waiting for him to tell the truth? Did he expect a lie? Was he testing him?

Miko had mentioned Sierra - did he hear that? Did he . . . know about her? Suspect something?

Jack resisted gritting his teeth or jerking his jaw from Megatron's grasp, instead continuing to gaze at him.

"Are you sure about that?" He asked, neither denying nor confirming, instead asking a question. That way he did not have to lie. When the tyrant's optics narrowed, he continued. "This takes work, Megatron. You expect me just to be like him, but I'm not him. I'm my own person."

He had no idea what else to say, not wanting to slip up and say something which would spark his rage, or imply the truth: he didn't want this. He wanted to be with the Autobots, maybe even pursue his crush with Sierra. Not pretend and act in front of the lord of Decepticons.

Megatron's digits loosened their grip ever so slightly, moving from his chin to stroke one of his cheeks. He swallowed, then reached up and grasped them, nestling the servo against his face as he maintained eye-contact.

"I need time, boundaries," he reminded the metallic titan, wishing he was not doing this. Wishing he would wake up from the nightmare. He felt sick, thinking about he had deceived Miko and Rafael, and was keeping it quiet from Arcee. His own mother had no idea that her son was sharing the nights with a mech who would kill her and the rest of the human race without a second thought.

I hope, maybe, I could change that. At least have some influence.

That was why he was doing it: to protect his friends and family. To maybe make a difference in this war, even if it was . . . like this.

He closed his eyes. Could he do it? Could he force himself to give up everything if it meant keeping humanity alive?

That was a question he still struggled to answer.

"I need to rest again," he said quietly. "This has taken a lot out of me."

Megatron acknowledged the request by dropping his servo, allowing Jack to slide under the sheets to get comfortable before joining him. Once again, Jack turned towards him, but this time it was done with less resistance. As much as he hated to admit it, Megatron's natural warmth was pleasant, especially when his body desperately needed it so. He almost - almost - wished he had done it sooner, relaxing immediately as digits ran through his hair. He had no idea if Megatron had an inkling of what he was doing, however the human was not about to complain or mention it for fear of him stopping.

He closed his eyes, ready for his second nap of the day.

XXX

The next time he woke up his bedroom door was opening, once again terrifying him to the point of near heart attack. He reached behind him, realizing his bed was empty with the exception of himself. Part of him wondered in bewilderment if it was all a dream, his mother walking into the room quietly even while his eyes searched for the second occupant.

"Hey sweetie. Feeling any better?" She asked, putting a hand to his forehead.

"I think so . . ." he said, heart beating wildly in his chest. Where was Megatron? "I'm probably due for a Tylenol."

She nodded. "I'll get you one. Have you had anything to eat?"

"Not since lunchtime," he admitted, sitting up and throwing his covers off. He was feeling a little less nauseated, though now he was going crazy wondering where in the world the Decepticon was.

Maybe he left. Maybe he finally got bored and went to do some work. Fine by me.

The only problem was, when he made his way into the kitchen he noticed it was dark outside. Megatron would never miss something like this, even if they spent the entire day together. He would take advantage of every second that could be spared.

Jack forced himself to not worry about it, sitting at the kitchen table slowly and putting his head in his hands. His body did not ache nearly as much, which he took to mean things were getting better.

"Jack . . . where is our Ibuprofen? And our Aleve?" June frowned as she rifled through the medicine box. "We're missing half of our medicine box!"

The boy's head shot up.

"And our Aspirin. What in the world?" The nurse frowned, looking at the small handful of medicines they did have. "Who would have taken these? Miko?"

"What, no!" Jack sputtered. "Miko doesn't do drugs, and she definitely wouldn't take something like Ibuprofen . . ."

He paused. The NSAIDs. Megatron . . .

He stole our medicine?!

The young man resolved to have a talk with him once dinner was over.

"This is strange. Maybe they expired and I forgot I threw them out?" June suggested, still unsure of herself. She put the box back slowly, handing Jack a Tylenol. "Feel like eating something more than just chicken noodle?" She asked, dropping the subject for now, yet she remained confused.

He thought about it. "Yeah . . . yeah. I could go for something a little more solid."

His mother's sparkled. "It sounds like you're getting much better," she said happily, beginning to pull ingredients from the refrigerator. "I won't make anything too complex. I still want you to be on a mostly-bland diet until you kick this thing for sure."

Jack nodded in confirmation, taking his medicine obediently with a smile. He loved his mom, and it was endearing to hear things like that, indications she still was looking out for him. She cared about him, and always strove to protect him. He hoped he was adequately returning the favor . . . even though it felt awful to lie to her.

XXX

"You stole our medications?!" Jack hissed at Megatron as soon as his bedroom door was shut.

The tyrant gazed at him from the bed, red optics dim in the dark room.

"It is the best option with the most beneficial outcome," Megatron answered him, his voice low and quiet. "Or would you prefer to explain to your mother why you cannot take those medicines?"

The human paused, gritting his teeth. He was right, because June would not ask so many questions, but still. Medicines did not go magically missing. It was a miracle his mother did not make the NSAID connection, but perhaps it was only a matter of time.

"I could have come up with something," Jack replied stubbornly. Picking out a fresh set of night clothes, he exited the room again to go shower and change, upset but not truly angry. His mother was not suspicious, for now. It was just . . . there was something unsettling about how Megatron helped himself around the Darby home. As if he owned it.

He stepped into the shower and let the water smack his face, letting its warmth comfort him. As he scrubbed his scalp he reminisced on the gentle touches of the dictator, closing his eyes.

The contrast was striking, and he found it hard to believe those claws were capable of much else outside of destruction. Surely there was nothing but rage and cold, slicing anger beneath the visage he put up for the human. If Jack could fake growing attraction, surely Megatron could fake softness. He was a monster, through and through, Jack needing to remember that.

Still . . . the attention was nice. As much as he hated the Cybertronian when they were doing anything else, those quiet moments were appreciated.

Focus, Darby. He hissed to himself as he rinsed off. "Keep it together. If you weren't related to Amicus, he'd have you killed."

That was the strangest part. If Jack had been anyone else, Megatron would have not given him a second glance. But because of one human, one man he met hundreds of years ago, if not thousands, he was giving Jack special attention.

Stepping out and finishing his routine, he cringed when he saw the crooked mirror. Either his mother had not noticed, or she had yet to accuse him of breaking it. Regardless, that was another thing to add to his growing list of excuses.

Slipping back into his room he trudged to bed, Megatron already waiting in the bed. Just like the past two times, Jack slid in and wiggled close to him. The Decepticon had come to expect this new routine, as there was no hesitation or pause to let Jack settle in before his arm wrapped around him.

Closing his eyes, Jack let out a deep breath. He was trying to take steps as small as possible, but the fact he enjoyed this terrified him. The mere admission of such a thing to himself made his stomach twist, even while the rest of his body relaxed. He had to be careful, before things got too out of control. Before things became real.

I have to convince him, but I can't let myself get caught up in it. He thought quietly. I have to-

He felt Megatron's helm settle against the top of his head, cradling him against his chassis gently. Jack felt his heart skip a beat, and he quietly cursed himself.

These aren't feelings. They're reactions. I have to stop reacting.

He bit the inside of his cheek, stressed out. Praying that his illness resolved quickly, he made a plan to interact with Megatron as little as possible tomorrow - whether the tyrant liked it or not.

We have to take it slow. I have to take it slow. For my own sake.