Another week later found Firewing in the command centre, having been cleared to return to normal duties. She had jumped straight back into her work the moment the medic had given her the go ahead, wanted to distract herself from her mates condition. She smiled as she heard her sparkling giggle, who was sitting on Megatrons chair with Ravage. She turned around to look at the small silver and red mechling as he played the mechanical panther.

"Careful my spark" she said, as the sparkling ran a servo down the panthers body. "Ravage is more delicate than us" she said, as she stepped towards the chair. Kneeling down in front of the two she reached a servo out to pat Ravage gently, earning a purr in response. "Make sure to be gentle" she finished, as she ran a servo over Firefalls small helm.

"They are cute together" Starscream said from behind her.

Firewing smiled as the sparkling wrapped his arms around the panther, causing said panther to curl up around the small mech. "Yes, they are" She stood up to resume her duties, when suddenly she felt dizzy. She swayed a little as a servo went to her helm, the other going to arm of the chair to steady herself.

Starscream moved to the femmes side, his servos gently grabbing her to stop her from falling. "Firewing" he started, as he helped her turn around to sit on the chair, being careful of the two bots already occupying it. "You need to rest" he stated. It was common knowledge that the femme had not been recharging or eating well, but the femme refused the help offered. She wanted to work as much as possible, to keep her processor distracted.

"I'm fine Starscream" she growled slightly.

Starscream frowned at this; he knew she hadn't properly refuelled in a while now. And he had enough of it. "No" he said lowly, gaining the attention of everyone in the command centre. "You need rest and energon" he said, standing at his full height, wings flared defensively. He wouldn't normally stand up to his commanding officer, but he could not sit back and watch her fall into depression… Not anymore. "I will not stand back and watch you do this to yourself" he growled, taking a few steps forward.

Firewing flared her own wings. "That's not your place to decide" she said, wings hiked high on her back. "What I do is my business, not yours" she yelled taking a threatening step forward, her fist clenched tightly.

She stopped as she heard a frightened cry coming from the command chair; the noise drawing the attention of everyone in the command centre. Her optics widened as she turned to find Firefall on the chair, large tears falling down his faceplates, his arms wrapped tightly around Ravage seeking comfort; simple not understanding why his carrier was yelling at the other. "Oh frag" she said, as she stepped towards the small silver and red mech as he cried loudly. "I'm so sorry" she cried, as she dropped to hers knees in front of the sparkling, reaching out to soothe her son.

Starscream knelt beside the femme, ignoring the other bots in the room, who were all staring at the two, not entirely sure what to do. "I'm sorry Firewing" he said, his servo hesitantly reaching for her shoulder. "I simply worry about you" he said, servos grabbing her shoulder gently; breathing a sigh of relief when the femme didn't pull away. "I know it's been difficult, but you have to take care of yourself" he said, as he listened to her pain filled sobs. "If not for yourself, than do it for him" he said, gesturing towards the silver and red sparkling, who was now patting the small panther. He grunted slightly as Firewing threw herself at him, though this time to wrap her arms around him.

"I'm sorry, Starscream. I just miss him so much" she whispered, thinking about her mate. "Please forgive me" she said.

"I already have" the seeker replied.

Firewing composed herself before pulling away from the larger seeker, to look back at her son; who had uncurled himself though still sobbed slightly. "I'm sorry Firefall" she whispered, as she reached a servo towards the little mechling. "I'm sorry carrier scared you" she said, running a servo over his helm. She smiled as the sparkling nuzzled into her servo. "Starscream" she said softly, as she turned back to the mech. "You are right" she breathed tiredly, exhaustion suddenly hitting her hard. "I never wanted to admit that I needed help" she said, gently bringing the sparkling to her chestplates. She stood up, noticing Starscream rising with her. "I have not handled this very well" she started, running a servo over the sparklings helm. "I need help, Starscream" she finally admitted, lifted her helm to look at him with tears in her optics.

Starscream smiled softly, reaching out to grasp her shoulder. "I am here for you" he stated, before gently taking the sparkling from her. "Tonight you will have the night off" he said gently but forcefully, leaving no room to argue.

Firewing opened her mouth to protest, but suddenly closed it again. She knew the larger seeker was right. "Alright Starscream" she started, tickling under Firefalls chin, knowing that he needed her now more than ever; in healthy working order. "I step down for the night, you are in command" she said.

"Good" the seeker said, before turning. "Cobalt, I need you to sparkling sit for the night" he said, as the smaller mech stepped forward.

"Yes sir" the mech said, as he took the sparkling from the seeker. He instantly brought the small mech to his chestplates, planting a small kiss to his helm. "You can count on me" he said, more for Firewings benefit than Starscreams.

Firewing nodded as she opened her mouth to say something, but suddenly stopped as she received a comm. "Firewing, I require your presence in the med-bay" she heard the medic say.

"I'll be right there" she answered. "I gotta go" she told Starscream as she ran out of the command centre.

XXX

She raced towards the med-bay, thinking the worst had happened, but would learn that was not the case. She burst through the med-bay doors, calling out to the medic. "Hook, what happened?" her whole frame filled with panic.

The purple medic approached her, wide smile on his faceplates. "He has been asking for you" he said, as he led her further into the med-bay.

Firewings optics widened as she saw her mate sitting up on the edge on his berth, small smile gracing his handsome visage.

"Hello my queen" the large mech purred sweetly, as he opened his arms to her.

Firewing sobbed in relief and happiness as she launched herself at the large silver mech. "Primus I missed you" she sobbed into his chestplates, hugging him tightly, not wanting to let him go. "I love you so much"

XXXXX