Ok, we are back on track with this story.

I actually really enjoyed writing the last chapter. It was kind of like a break before we get back into the action.

This one is set during the episode 'Partners', so you can make your guesses at how it's going to play out for Silver and Arcee.

Enjoy!

"I know what it is to want revenge, to make mistakes, to suffer disappointment, yet also to find the courage to go forward in life."

- Tim O'Brien.

Chapter Fourteen: Letting go and Holding back

I groaned and rubbed my helm as I walked down the hallway; It was the fourth night in a row I hadn't got any sleep because of the nightmares, and the effects were starting to get to me. Still I forced myself to carry on towards the main room.

My frame was nearly fully healed. But the scar on the right side of my face was still very much present. I had a bad feeling it wasn't going away any time soon.

"Morning, Silver," A familiar voice caught me off guard.

My processor was hurting so badly that I didn't even look at her, "Arcee."

She didn't take the hint, "Uh, mind stopping for a second?"

I sighed, shrugging groggily, "What do you want?"

"Hey," She reached out and turned me around to face her, "I just want to talk."

"I think you've already said enough," I responded sharply.

She placed her servos on her hips in annoyance, "Silver that was two weeks ago. I said I was sorry. Can't you let it go?"

I stared at her in shock. Arcee, the person who I thought knew me better than anyone, really believed that I would just forget everything she said?

"No. I can't 'let it go'. I can't because it happens all the time. When we were growing up, when you lost Tailgate, even now. You can't cope with actually facing how you feel, so you just lash out at anyone close to you. The only difference now is that I'm not taking it."

"Just because I get on edge sometimes does not mean I 'lash out'," Arcee defended.

I gritted my teeth, trying to hold back from saying something I knew I'd regret, "Arcee, do we really have to do this now?"

She shrugged, "Why not? You've been avoiding me for two weeks."

As I was about to reply, I felt my com-link activate. Apparently, so did Arcee's.

"All Autobots, report to the main room," Optimus alerted us, "A Decepticon energy signature has been detected."

I sighed and looked at her, "Saved by the bell."

My sister and I exchanged a mutually irritated glare with one another before heading for the main control room. We walked next to each other but in a tense silence and a few metres apart.

I finally breathed as we reached the main room. Optimus, Ratchet, Bee and Bulkhead were already there. I smiled warmly at seeing Bumblebee, but tried not to make it so obvious.

Bee and I had been hanging out with just the two of us a lot more lately. NOT in that way. We'd just been talking more, getting to know each other, finding excuses to go out for drives together. I was seriously surprised that we had managed to hide it from the others for that long.

"What's new on the 'Con front?" Arcee asked.

"Our scanners have detected a Decepticon energy profile," Ratchet replied, "Possibly dating back decades before we arrived on Earth."

I tilted my helm, "Why would a profile that ancient have only just reactivated now?"

Optimus stepped forward, "That is something we plan to investigate once we reach the site. Autobots, prepare to roll out."

Knowing that I wasn't apart of the warrior class, I just watched as the Ground Bridge activated. Bee smiled under his mask and subtly waved me goodbye before following the rest of the team through. I couldn't help as a small smile tugged at the corner of my mouth.

The portal closed as he was the last one through. I decided to make myself useful and began rewiring the medical-bay scanner.

It wasn't ten minutes later when a transmission came through from the team.

"Ratchet, we have obtained a Decepticon prisoner," Optimus informer us through the com-link, "Send the trailer. It may be a long journey ahead."

Both Ratchet and I exchanged a confused glance. It had probably been centuries since I'd heard of a 'Con being successfully captured by Autobots, back on Cybertron at least.

"Which Decepticon?" The medic asked.

A small silence lingered before Optimus replied solemnly, "Starscream."

--

I don't know why Ratchet sent me to deliver the trailer. Honestly, I did not want to see the Decepticon SIC after our last encounter. As I came out the other side of the Bridge, the team all turned to face me.

Bee and Bulkhead both had their weapons drawn and were standing cautiously near Starscream. My sister and Optimus were talking over what to do a small distance away from them.

I gestured to the vehicle behind me, "Someone order a trailer?"

Arcee marched over to me, half-scared in her optics, "Silver? No, you can't be here. You...you need to go back to base. It's too-"

She was cut off as Optimus placed a light yet strong servo on her shoulder.

"Arcee, it is fine," He told her, "Airachnid is probably at the location by now."

My optics were now the ones filled with fear.

"D-Did you say 'Airachnid'?" I stuttered.

He nodded, "She was here, yes. But left soon after our arrival."

Arcee scowled, "Did my best to finish her story."

"And you were almost captured, or worse," Optimus told her, "Vengence will not help you, or Tailgate, or Silver Sun."

I sighed, looking at my sister, "'Cee, you can't just punch through all your problems."

"I'm not!" She shot back angrily, "I was trying to get payback for what she did to you!"

My frame shuddered at the memory. A lot of darkness. A lot of pain. And the lasting scar on my face.

"Revenge isn't worth losing my sister," I told her.

I'm sure she would've yelled some more in her denial of the real problem. But before she had the chance, a loud hinting cough came from where Bee and Bulk stood with Starscream.

"Excuse me, not that I don't love watching a family row," He rolled his optics, "But if you'd like to get to the coordinates before our common enemy, may we please get on with it?"

Optimus nodded, then turning to me, "You may return to base."

I shook my helm, "Thanks. But is it okay if I come along as backup? Just this once."

"Backup?" Arcee said in disbelief, "You can't be serious?"

"'Cee, we've been down this road before. I just want to keep an optic on you and make sure you don't do anything you'll regret."

I remembered exactly how it was after Tailgate was killed. She used to go out on every mission possible in hope that she'd find Airachnid.

"Last time you tagged along-"

"You don't have to remind me," I said warningly, "There are five of us this time. We'll be fine."

"Six, if you include me!" Starscream yelled as Bulkhead and Bumblebee shoved him into the trailer.

Arcee eventually conceded. Optimus agreed for me to join this mission as medical backup.

--

We'd been driving north of the crash site for about half an hour when Optimus finally stopped. Transforming, each of us looked around the canyon-like area, searching for any signs of Decepticons.

"Huh. Whad'ya know," Bulkhead murmured in disbelief that we weren't being shot at.

"Could still be a trap," My sister said warily.

Optimus transformed and walked up to us, "Starscream's loyalty to Megatron has always been questionable. If he has truly spilt from the Decepticons, our prisoner's knowledge of their agendas could make him a valuable ally."

"You don't mean permanently?" Bulk questioned, "As in keys to the base and everything?"

"However unlikely that scenario, every sentient being deserves the oppurtunity for redemption," He responded.

Arcee shook her helm, "Even 'bot-torturers? Even Airachnid?"

"Without that hope," He began solemnly, "We may never achieve lasting peace."

All I knew about Starscream was from files or our last encounter (not exactly a good first impression). But I didn't know if I agreed with Optimus.

Cybertronians like Megagtron and Airachnid had little to no remorse for all that they did. Just thinking about Airachnid brought backing flashing images of when I was her torture victim. Though, I knew I couldn't hold on to resentment forever.

Bulkhead opened up the trailer and dragged the Decepticon out, "Rise and shine, Screamy."

"We're here," Arcee told him, "Where's the ship?"

He glanced around before pointing to a rocky arch, "Though the arch, among the stones."

Optimus nodded, "Bulkhead, Bumblebee, Silver Sun, you're with me. Arcee, remain with our prisoner."

My sister tried to change his mind, "Optimus, please. For Tailgate."

I couldn't believe she was still pursuing it. It wasn't healthy for her to be this fixated on avenging those she'd lost. She'd get herself killed at that rate.

Optimus knew she wasn't ready, "Your desire to avenge Tailgate will only continue to cloud your judgement."

As Optimus and Bulkhead began to walk away, I turned back to Arcee reassuringly.

"Stay safe, okay?" I told her, "And...try not to punch Starscream."

No matter how hard that would be.

She folded her arms, "You stay safe. That's Airachnid over there. And if she sees you this time, she isn't taking any prisoners."

"Arcee," Bumblebee spoke from next to me, "I promise, I won't let anything happen to her."

My sister narrowed her optics, warily looking the scout up and down for a second.

"You'd better hope so," She muttered, turning back to me, "Just stay with everyone else."

I nodded. She was treating me like an eight-orn-old, but I just wanted her to keep safe. And if that meant her babysitting Starscream then so be it.

Turning around, Bumblebee and I began heading to where Optimus and Bulkhead were walking towards. We walked in quiet, not really sure of what to speak about. Thank Primus, Bee broke the silence.

"Silver, I hate having to ask you this, but...are you sure you're gonna be okay?" He asked, "Last time either of us saw Airachnid wasn't really fun, especially not for you."

"I'll be fine. Really," I half-smiled, but turned my helm slightly away to try to hide my scar, "Wh-what about you? I mean, Airachnid almost..."

I trailed off, not wanting to finish the sentence.

He knew what I meant, "Almost offlined me?" I turned back to him a little, "Silver, we're in a war. You've seen my past. You know that isn't my first near-death experience. And to be honest? Probably won't be my last."

I admired his bravery, but it did scare me knowing that each of us was one plasma bullet or one sword away from becoming another war casualty.

"Right," Was all I said quietly.

He noticed my tone and reached out his servo, lightly touching mine with it. Making sure no one else was watching, I accepted and subtly held his servo in my own.

Optimus and Bulkhead were a little way ahead and Arcee was too far behind to have seen us. Though I quickly let go as the Autobot leader turned back to face us.

He drew his blasters, "Be alert. Airachnid is known to attack from below ground."

"Riiiiiiiight," Bulkhead too drew his weapons.

So did Bee. I was reluctant, not really up for another target practice. But Airachnid was dangerous. I unsheathed my blaster-rifles, waiting for the attack as I followed the group.

We continued on, arriving at the other half of the ship. My senses seemed to heighten as I heard the low rumbling sound of a weapon powering up. I looked up to see a beam of light headed for Bumblebee, totally unaware of the impending danger.

With no time to really think, I just yelled 'look out!', tackling the confused scout out of the way before the beam could hit him. We helped each other up and looked around to check the others were okay.

Looking back to where the light had come from, I saw the distant silhouette of the eight-legged 'Con.

"I got her!" Bulkhead charged towards her, firing as many rounds as he could.

But before he could get far another light beam came. Able to see the object she held better, I recognised the relic. We had to study artifacts in school and this was one of the most dangerous when it came to battle.

As the beam hit Bulkhead, he stopped moving. Not offlined, but rooted to the spot as a statue. Frozen in time and place.

Airachnid laughed, "The Immobiliser. True to its name."

She continued to fire at us. Optimus dove behind a nearby boulder as Bumblebee continued to shoot. I ran towards the same boulder, unable to think of anything other than that there was an ancient relic in the servos of a Decepticon.

"I-I can't believe this," I exclaimed out loud, "The Immobiliser was supposed to be in Iacon, not a 'Con transport ship!"

Bumblebee too ran to hide behind the behind the boulder, "That thing'll freeze us before we can get a shot in."

I shook my helm, "It may look strong, but the weapon itself is delicate. All you need is one or two blast shots to break it. Just need away to get close enough..."

Nodding, Optimus leapt up and aimed his blaster at where Airachnid had been moment before.

Oh no, I thought.

I looked over the boulder to see nothing. She wasn't there. A drilling sound came from behind us as I spun back around. Sure enough, there she was.

"Freeze," She sneered, firing at Optimus.

The Autobot Leader tried to shoot back, but quickly became still as the beam hit him, just like Bulkhead. I transformed my arms into rifles again and began shooting at her. She dodged with ease, laughing at my efforts.

"Ah, Silver Sun," She smirked with the same evilness as always, "You're looking better than when I last saw you."

"Hand over the weapon, Airachnid!" Bee warned, aiming his guns at her.

She smirked at him too, "Oh, I see. The boyfriend's come to save you just as before." She pointed the Immobiliser at him, "No rescues this time."

"No you don't!" I yelled, automatically setting off both of my blasters.

The spider-con dodged with ease. She scowled at me before drilling back into the ground. I still kept my guard up.

Bumblebee turned to me, "We're probably gonna need backup."

I nodded and switched on my comm-link, "Arcee? Do you read?"

No reply came. I tried again, but still nothing.

"She's not responding," I told Bee with worry in my voice.

He glanced around, "Airachnid could appear at any second. I'll create a diversion. You drive."

My optics widened, "What do you mean 'diversion'?"

"Trust me. Get Arcee and we can help Bulkhead and Optimus out of here."

I reluctantly agreed, knowing there wasn't much time left. A drilling sound rumbled from beneath the ground. Bee urged for me to go.

Sheathing my weapons, I transformed and punched the accelerator, heading back the way we came. In the distance behind me, I heard several shots fire. I prayed to Primus that Bumblebee would be alright.

I swerved around the corner, back through the stone arch. My frame was a blur of yellow and silver as I neared where we'd left Arcee and Starscream, only for me to see something that I wished I hadn't.

I slowed my pace and transformed back, almost stumbling as I did so.

Arcee was fine...relatively speaking, anyway. She had the Decepticon SIC pinned, one arm blade to his throat cables, the other reared back to finish him.

"Go on. Do it," He said in a fake-pleading voice, "Megatron will only terminate me for treason if I dare return. You may as well be the one to finish me."

Her optics narrowed, "As if I needed convincing."

"What! No!" His voice grew more panicked as she prepared to deal the finishing blow.

My shoulders slumped as I saw what my sister had turned into. I'd tried to tell her in the past that vengeance wasn't the only way. She wouldn't listen. And it was no use now.

Then something weird happened. Arcee glanced up at me. I was stood a little way in front of her, just staring with regret. But I saw her expression soften. Like something inside had suddenly clicked.

Her stance weakened when she looked back down at Starscream. Sheathing her weapons, she pushed herself away from him as he gasped for breath. I noticed she had a limp and was clutching her side achingly.

I rushed down to her, but she barely made it fifteen metres before collapsing against the ground.

"Arcee?" I kneeled beside her, noting the bleeding wound on her hip, "What the Pit happened?"

She shook her helm, "L-Let's just say...you might have a point about me."

I helped her sit up, careful to not disturb the slash at her side. The injury didn't look life-threatening, but was clearly painful. She was begininning to look weaker and weaker.

She needed to get to the med-bay. Fast.

--

"The damage looked bad," Ratchet began as he showed the team the Immobiliser, "But was a snap to repair. You should regain your full range of motion before long."

Bulkhead and Optimus both stretched, glad to no longer be frozen. We were all just lucky that Bumblebee managed to get that thing off of Airachnid.

"And what of Arcee?" Optimus asked.

Ratchet shrugged, "She's rather resilient. For a two-wheeler."

I watched helplessly as my sister still clutched her side. She hated others seeing her injuries. Her back remained turned to us while she sat on the medical berth.

"It is the external wounds that heal the quickest," He explained, taking a careful step towards her.

"I thought settling scores would allow me to move on," She barely turned to face us, "But all I did was chase away our hope of winning this war any time soon."

Optimus sighed, "Wisdom cannot be granted, Arcee. It must be earned sometimes, at a cost."

My sister didn't respond. Instead, she stood up and began heading for the roof, for Cliffjumper's grave.

I didn't know Cliff, but I knew how important he was to Arcee, especially after she lost Tailgate. I'd hoped that maybe she'd moved past her mission for revenge. But she hadn't. I was going to follow her, but decided she probably needed some time for herself.

We all did.

Struggled a little with this one.

You'd think that in a fanfic about Arcee's sister, this episode would be a gold mine for potential plotlines. But it's really tricky to come up with one that suits the characters AND that I can actually write in a short space (below 3500 is my limit).

Nonetheless, I really hope you enjoyed this chapter! We're getting closer and closer to 'One Shall Fall' and BOY do I have ideas!

Thank you if you've actually made it this far to keep reading, BTW. As a writer, it's nice to know that the hours you spend on stories don't go to waste.

'Til All Are One,

GreyroseLegacy