Author's note. Not much to say, hope everyone likes this chapter.

Enjoy and please review.

Previously...

"Your arm," Echo murmured softly.

Soundwave glanced down at his arm with its horrible gash that he'd applied a filed patch to.

"It is nothing," he stated as she frowned.

"You need medical attention," she insisted.

"Others need it more," he said gently, touched at her concern. "I will tend to it in our rooms."

"I'll take a look at it," she promised, holding her Sparkling close.

"Thank you," he said gratefully before falling silent. They passed a few beaten up Cons who looked tired causing Echo to give them sympathetic looks. She couldn't help it, while there were unsavoury characters on this base, most of them seemed alright and she dearly wished that neither side had fought today.

But of course, the big question was why they had been fighting?

Finally they reached his quarters and entered and she was able to tuck her daughter into her crib. She gave a sigh of relief at this, she felt much better having settled her sleeping child down, it felt much safer. But now that they were here...

"Soundwave," she said quietly but firmly. "You do know it's not because of Megatron or his cause that I stayed here?"

He was silent as she paused before continuing.

"If it wasn't for the fact that you are a loving Mech who has a wonderful family, I would have left with the others. I would much rather Aodie was in the Autobot base if truth be told."

"I will protect you and our daughter," Soundwave stated. "You know that."

"I do but Megatron scares me," she admitted with a shiver. "Why are the Autobots so angry at him, what happened?"

Soundwave paused, wondering how much he should tell his mate to be.

"It is because of his daughter," he said finally.

"Maple?" she said, not understanding.

"Elita," he corrected.

"Elita!" she exclaimed. "But...that's impossible."

"Not impossible," he said softly. "Improvable yes but not impossible."

She could only stare at him in disbelief so he explained.

"I once had a look inside her mind," he said quietly. "Her mother was a strong presence with but I could barely detect anything of her father. Except for brief flashes of something deep in her subconscious, a Mech whose image I could not see properly."

"What does that mean?" she asked with confusion.

"It means she could not remember him clearly," was the explanation. "Her clearest memory of him was panels on his head...which he usually kept hidden."

"So...," Echo said slowly. "Did she...recognise him...when he took them off?"

"I do not know the full details of how things transpired," Soundwave said softly. "But it would not surprise me if that was the case. How else could she know who he was, there was no reason to prefer a life force test otherwise."

She nodded as internally she felt rather sick. A sire abusing his own daughter sexually, she shuddered at the thought. If that happened to her precious child...well, she didn't think she'd be able to cope. Poor Elita, what must she be going through right now? Suddenly, she was starting to feel pangs of regret for staying, this was not the kind of environment she wanted her child to grow up in. Megatron might not have known who Elita really was but he had still been forcing her to please him and never taking no for an answer.

No, that was not a Mech she wanted near her daughter.

"Then Optimus knows about that?" she questioned. "He found out and that's why he attacked?"

This time, her intended really hesitated and she knew then that there was another reason for the Prime's rage.

"What is it?" she demanded something she did not normally do. "What do you know?"

"I...," he said, his tone evasive. "I do not want to distress you."

"I'm already distressed," she exclaimed. "What more could you say to distress me?"

"Echo," he said gently. "Please, do not ask me what it is."

"Soundwave, tell me!" she said angrily. "I will find out at some point so you might as well tell me now!"

He sighed heavily, it was true, she was going to find out the truth eventually.

"I am sorry," he said quietly. "But Megatron...attacked Chromia and Ironhide."

"Attacked?" she repeated, optics wide. "But...her Sparkling?"

"Born early but alive and relatively unharmed," was his reply.

"Relatively unharmed?" she repeated incredulously. "What does that mean?"

He sighed again; he wished he didn't need to tell her.

"When Megatron attacked Chromia, he caused her Sparkling to come early," he told her, his tone pained. "He...did not beat her."

"He didn't?" she said in confusion. "Then what on Cybertron did he do?"

He told her and her optics widened in horror and shock. For a moment, neither said anything and then she turned her back on him and strode into their shared wash room, locking the door behind her. Soundwave stared after her, knowing that as long as Megatron was on the base, she would not be happy about living here. And there was nothing he could do about it.

The Ark

"He wanted to hurt someone," Chromia muttered as they dwelt on what had happened. "Do you think he went looking for Ironhide and me?"

"Why would he do that?" Spike questioned. "You mean, he wanted to ra-attack a Femme?"

Chromia shrugged.

"He couldn't do it with Elita, he was frustrated, I was free and with my Autobot mate..."

She suddenly stopped and shook her head.

"Or maybe he just wanted to beat up some bots and just happened to get inspired when he saw me," she suggested bitterly and Optimus knew what was happening. Chromia was trying to explain why such a horrible thing had happened to both her and little Dynamite. Just like with humans, rape was not a like light thing in Cybertronian culture.

Optimus hoped Megatron's actions did not mean open season on those Femmes that still remained on Cybertron. Chromia had previously mentioned that the Decepticon leader had been thinking of bringing more Femmes to the Nemesis and he wasn't picky about their faction. He could easily put that idea into very forceful action.

"Ah don't know what his reasoning was," Ironhide now said, moving closer to his mate. "Might not have even had any reasoning at all, just wanted tah cause some mischief. And when he saw us, his sick, twisted mind couldn't resist it."

"That would be my conclusion as well," Prowl spoke up in a cool tone. "Megatron could not emotionally deal with the revelation that he has spent several months being sexually attracted to his own sparked offspring. So he lashed out although he seems to have had the presence of mind to leave his ship so none of his soldiers would suffer."

"That is true," Optimus agreed, giving Chromia an apologetic look, he said. "Echo and her child were unharmed; he didn't attack Firestar or any of the others...at least..."

"What?" Chromia said sharply, looking up at him. "What happened?"

With a heavy sigh, Optimus explained.

"Megatron knew we wanted to rescue the Femmes so he had Skywarp take a shield, Moonracer. And when we were trying to escape, he threatened to have Skywarp rape her unless we gave back all the Femmes. And he also made it clear to Skywarp that he would do it if the Seeker couldn't."

"He would have raped Moonie?" the blue Femme exclaimed horrified, clutching Elita tighter to her.

"Yes if not for Wheeljack intervening he might of," Optimus said grimly as Ironhide snarled.

"Damn fragger," he said furiously. "Ah swear I'm gonna tear ah new hole in 'em."

"He's crazy," Spike declared, clinging to Ironhide's shoulder. "I wish I was big enough to slug him one."

"I'm sure that will be the general view of our soldiers," Prowl said calmly. "But we cannot allow our emotions to get the better of us. Megatron knows how angry we will be and he shall attempt to use that against us."

His expression softened as he surveyed those before him.

"Megatron has not hurt me like he has you," he said gently. "You are all my friends and while I am outraged at what has transpired, it was not my mate or children that were attacked. So I won't pretend to know what any of you are truly feeling but I am going to do all I can to ensure that Megatron does not get away with this. And that includes him trying to take advantage of your fully justified outrage."

Ironhide cracked some of his knuckles, ignoring the brief sting of pain from his still recovering joints as he declared.

"Ah hear yah, that slagger'll try anything now. But ah still want ah piece of him."

"Of course but make sure he doesn't use that against you," Prowl said simply.

"Ah'll try," the red bot said ruefully, reaching up to cup Spike's back. "What yah say Spike? Yah keep meh on tha straight and narrow?"

"You bet," Spike said with a grin. "And dad and the others will help too."

"Great," Ironhide said in a only slightly forced upbeat tone as Dynamite suddenly made a small sound.

"Son," Ironhide exclaimed, moving instantly to his son's side as Spike desperately clung onto his shoulder.

"Is he okay?" Chromia said worriedly, her whole body tensing up in Elita's arms.

"Ah...ah think so," Ironhide said slowly, scrutinising his son's entire body. "Ah think he was just dreaming."

"I hope it's a good dream," Chromia murmured, her body slumping with relief.

"Ah'm sure it is," Ironhide said comfortingly, gently touching his little Sparkling.

"He's cute," Spike stated, trying to be encouraging.

"He most definitely is," Optimus agreed, gripping Ironhide's free shoulder. "You're a lucky Mech, old friend."

"Yeah," Ironhide agreed with a small smile as his son yawned in his sleep before settling down again.

"You need some peace?" Elita murmured to Chromia, seeing her friend looked tired. The blue Femme nodded and Elita gave her a hug before going over to her mate.

"Optimus, why don't we take Spike along to the Rec Room?"

"Good idea," he agreed, giving Ironhide's shoulder a squeeze, saying. "Call us if you need anything."

"Ah will," Ironhide promised, not taking his optics off his little son as they left.

Sometime later, Optimus was leading Elita to his room. There was nothing more for them to do, Ratchet and his team had managed to save the worst cases and now it was just a question of patching up the rest. Optimus had agreed with his officers to assist first thing in the morning, for now it was better he get some rest and recover.

"Been a long day," he murmured to his mate.

She nodded, saying softly. "Firestar commed me, Arcee's asleep."

"Good," he said as they finally entered his quarters.

Elita looked around with interest, this was Optimus's room. For what seemed like so long, she'd been forced to reside in Megatron's room and was so glad to finally be away from it. But it was hard to focus when so much had happened.

"Optimus," Elita said slowly, looking into her mate's optics. "Will you...just hold me tonight?"

"Of course," he said softly.

No doubt like him, his mate had imagined what it would be like to be finally reunited. He'd dreamed of it for so many nights, especially after Megatron had allowed him to see her over a viewscreen. At this reminder of how Megatron had held her prisoner and abused her despite being unaware of who she truly was, Optimus felt himself burn with anger. Megatron had spoiled so many things already and it appeared he wasn't done yet.

"I do want to be with you," his mate quickly reassured him. "I want you to make love to me and I want to feel your Spark and mine. But right now I..."

"I know," he interrupted, gently placing a finger against her lips. "I feel the same way. But now that we're together, we don't have to do anything we don't want to. I just want you to be happy and if you just want to sleep in my arms, then I am more than happy to oblige. Just having you...and Arcee safe again makes me so happy."

He leant down and kissed her forehead, holding her close. She rested her cheek against his broad chest, closing her optics and soaking in just the feel and scent of him. It was so familiar and yet there was a hint of difference thanks to all his time on Earth with its varied organic life. Even being a prisoner in the Nemesis, she'd picked up traces of organic material, replacing the grime of Cybertron bit by bit.

They stood there for several breems, just wanting to be connected and not break the moment, not remember how bad things were. Finally, Optimus half released Elita and said.

"This has been hard on both of us," he began. "But as soon as you want more, don't be afraid to ask for it. I will wait for as long as it takes."

She smiled slightly, saying. "I don't think it will take that long. I just don't want that right now. I want to be with a Mech I know will not try to pressure me into anything."

"Never," Optimus swore, gently caressing her cheek. "I swear on my spark."

She smiled, reached up to kiss his cheek before leading him to the berth. He climbed onto it and as he lay down, gently pulled his mate to his chest so that she could snuggle up against him. He heard her sigh happily as her cheek rested once more against his broad chest and he gently stroked her back. Things were about to get tough but at least he had his family back, safe and sound.

The Nemesis

In the middle of the night, Skywarp woke up and groggily looked around. His gaze fell on Moonracer snuggled up to him as usual and realised she was completely naked. What had happened previously suddenly flooded back to him and he smiled at the memory. Moonracer was sleeping soundly and looked very relaxed; she always did after she'd been drinking. Of course, the interface had also tired her out and it was unlikely that she would wake.

As he admired her form, arousal started to pool within his groin and he groaned aloud. Thankfully, Moonracer didn't wake up, she barely even stirred. And this caused an idea to bloom and grow within Skywarp's mind as he realised he had an opportunity he probably wouldn't get again. So very slyly, he realised Moonracer and moved down her body, running his hands lightly over her.

Slipped a hand between her legs, he started to caress and gently rub. He soon got a reaction, while she remained in a deep sleep; her body began to respond writhing beneath him. He grinned; he could be so wicked at times.

Her lips parted and she let out a little moan.

"Uh!"

"Oh yeah," he chuckled, imaging that she really was his Femme and that they interfaced every single night. He satisfied him so easily and she was so cute and sweet, they made a perfect match.

"Mine," he murmured softly as he now bent his mouth to her moist port and started to kiss and lick.

This got an even better reaction; she visibly squirmed and moaned long and hard. Feeling a little giddy with glee, Skywarp started to probe with his glossia, stimulating the sleeping Femme for all he was worth while making sure she wasn't about to wake. But all she did was groan and squirm, something that was making him very hot indeed.

"I'm going to give you the best dream you ever had," he whispered before kissing her again.

Her only response was to moan making him even more excited; he could feel his spike hardening to an almost painful extent. Deciding he'd stimulated her enough, he pulled away from her things and moved up her body to kiss her lips. With a happy sigh then groan, he slipped into her making her give a little whimpering cry.

What followed was an exceeding hot interface session until Skywarp was completely sated.

Not even bothering to pull out, Skywarp rolled onto his side and cuddled Moonracer close, feeling more sated than in such a long time. If only every night could go like this.

Author's note. How does Moonracer react to Skywarp's actions? What about Ivory and Megatron? Find out next time, until then.