Metalsound was in the same spot she was while waiting for Thunderhoof that afternoon. She felt like her spark was breaking, as much as she wanted to stop the lubricants from falling she couldn't, she felt betrayed for some reason. Was this why he didn't want to talk about why he didn't like Glowstrike? Was he just toying with her?

She hit the back of her helm into the tree trying to process what she had seen, but it only brought more hurt, "I'm such an idiot."

Thunderhoof finally catches up to her, "Metalsound..."

Metalsound didn't look at him, "Go away," she choked out.

"Metalsound, please let me explain."

"What is there to explain? You had a past with her. And I had to find out with you two about to go at it," she replied bitterly.

"I was going to tell you but I had to find the right time. It was arranged by our parents that we were to be together and sparkbond and I'll admit I actually started to like her at some point but then I got to know her better and saw how she is, and that all faded away and I started to despise her. Then I met you and I started getting feelings for you, you're the one I want to be with. I was just following my father's wishes but that's all changed and I want to be with you now."

Metalsound listened to Thunderhoof's story, she felt like he was telling the truth but, "You didn't even try to stop her."

"I was just about to before we heard the Energon cube slide across the floor, I was just getting ready to tell her."

"It didn't look that way," she said quietly as she turned her back to him, "Just go, you need to get some rest."

"It didn't look it but I was," Thunderhoof sighs, "I love you Metalsound," he turns and heads back to the island feeling hurt and sparkbroken by what just happened.

Hearing those words only made her hurt more, closing her optics she let the lubricants fall down her cheeks.


Strongarm was sound asleep when she was awoken by the sound of Steeljaw growling and then, "Strongarm! What are you doing with this 'Con criminal!?"

She jumps up out of Steeljaw's lap and stands up, "Bumblebee, I can explain," she says as she stands between the two hoping she could keep them from harming each other.

"Alright, then explain how you're sitting and nuzzling with a criminal you're supposed to be arresting and taking in!"

"Um..." How could she explain this? It wasn't like she could cover it up, especially since Bumblebee caught her red-handed.

"Well?"

"We love each other and we want to be together!" Steeljaw puts in.

"Out of the question! Come Strongarm, we'll discuss this back at base! The away team is back, you need to come to greet them, and we'll decide what should be done."

"But," Strongarm struggled to get the words to argue but she couldn't.

"And how is this different from Metalsound's situation?" Steeljaw asked. "Did she not attack you in order to protect Soundwave?"

"Because Strongarm is my responsibility, I promised her father I would look after her during her training as a cadet and I mean to follow that promise and not allow her to get caught up with a criminal like yourself! This is your last meeting, from now on the only time you will see her is on the battlefield when we're fighting you and your posy, and when we lock you back up," he then grabs Strongarm's arm, "Let's go!"

Steeljaw growled in anger, "We'll just have to see about that, lieutenant," he poised himself like he was about to strike.

"Steeljaw just go! I'll be fine," Strongarm assured as she left with Bumblebee.

Steeljaw watched in silence as they left. Once they were out of sight he let out an enraged roar. He transformed as he raced back to HQ.

Strongarm could hear Steeljaw let out an enraged roar and felt a piercing feeling in her spark. She looked at Bumblebee and could tell he was very upset, more upset than she has ever seen him.

Bumblebee was conflicted about what was going on. How could a good academy student such as Strongarm, one who had all her hopes and dreams of becoming a cop, just go and have an affair with a criminal like that?

"I'm very disappointed in you Strongarm. I can't believe you would go and throw away all your hopes and dreams of being a cop for a low-down criminal like Steeljaw."

"I'm not throwing anything away, and Steeljaw's not a criminal. He just made some back choices, you're starting to sound like Ultra Magnus."

"Just made some bad choices? He was locked up for instigating rebellion and messing around with sub-sonics, not to mention the stuff he has done after his release from the pod here on earth. Did you forget when he attacked our base and took Danny and Russell captive? He almost killed them!"

"I was there, lieutenant! I managed to stop him by myself while you and Grimlock were fighting Scorponok. And who was it that brought Steeljaw into the base? You did."

"That too, but I was talking about the first time he attacked our base and kept us out. He can't be trusted."

"Metalsound was a Decepticon and you trusted her. The second Soundwave got out of that Shadow Zone she attacked you and helped him escape."

"I know that! And I know now not to trust her so easily!"

Strongarm flinched at Bumblebee's shout, she glanced to the ground as she transformed driving onto the main road. Bumblebee transformed and drove after her. They soon reached the base and were greeted by the away team.

Sideswipe naturally had to make a remark to Strongarm, "Hey Strongarm. Missed me? I certainly didn't miss having you around to boss me around."

Strongarm didn't say a word, she just drove to a spot where she could be alone.

"We have a situation team," Bumblebee says looking at the away team and Grimlock.

"What's going on?" Grimlock asked as he looked at Strongarm.

"I just caught Strongarm in the woods with Steeljaw."

"So? Was he beating her down again?" Sideswipe asked in a joking way.

"Sitting and cuddling with him."

"WHAT?!" Sideswipe and Grimlock looked to Strongarm in shock.

"Is this true cadet?" Optimus asked the femme as he looks over at her. Strongarm transformed and just looked to the ground not wanting to say anything.

"Have you been having a secret affair with Steeljaw, Strongarm?" Bumblebee asks with a hint of anger in his voice.

"I haven't been telling him about our operations if that's what you're implying."

"Have you been getting romantically involved with him is what I'm asking."

"Yes," she says as she looks back to the ground hoping they wouldn't see her blush.

Bumblebee sighs, "How long has it been going on?"

"We are not judging you Strongarm. All we want is to make sure that you do not get hurt," Optimus tells her gently.

"Yeah, I mean for all you know he could be tricking you," Sideswipe added.

"Has he done something to you Strongarm? Is he forcing you in some kind of way?" Windblade asks feeling concerned for her friend.

"No," she felt like she was being pushed into a corner.

"I think it would be best if we discuss this in the morning. We are all tired and stressed," Drift put in.

"Yes, good idea. Windblade, I want you to sleep with Strongarm tonight just to play it safe."

Windblade nods, "Yes sir."

Strongarm sighed, she knew this was going to happen. Transforming she went back to her spot.

Bumblebee leaned in closer to the team to whisper so Strongarm couldn't hear him, "Steeljaw seemed mighty angry after I told him he couldn't see Strongarm anymore, I have a feeling he might try to sneak in here and take Strongarm so let's keep a watchful optic out for him."

"Alright," Windblade said as she went to join Strongarm.

"The rest of us will take turns on the lookout, we can not let Steeljaw into this scrapyard or anywhere near Strongarm. I'll take the first lookout."

"Yes sir," they all said before they parted to go their own ways.