Hey, it's your friendly neighborhood ArcMaximal. Here to ask to you to please review, and be warned this chapter has lots of couples. Please let me know what you think. Thank you!

CH 2 Love in War

Her optics were barely able to process anything in front of her. She was in excruciating pain. Though she will never let him see her like this. She would try to fight, if she had any strength left. She had no honor left. She might as well run.

Silverbolt pushed himself out of his berth, quietly sneaking out of his room. Within a few clicks he was out of the Axalon heading toward Predator territory. With a running start, spread his wings and flew away.

As he flew, he saw Blackarachina waiting for him in their usual spot. Transforming in the air, he landed a few feet in front of her.

"Hello, my sweet," He said cautiously, taking her hand and kissing it softly.

"Oh, are all you Maximals this pathetic? But I love you." The black widow answered him with a wink. "So, bowser boy, how've you been with Maximals?"

"All is well with my crew, and yours?" The Fuzor questioned his secret lover.

She laughed nervously, "Well, we haven't been getting along well for a while now."

The maximal scout raised his eyebrow, "Is something the matter, my love?"

The black widow spider let out a sigh, "Something has been going on with old Megs, and it's kinda scary. I'm a bit worried, but it's nothing I can't handle."

"Well if you need anything, please let me know, my dark poison." Silverbolt stated dramatically, taking her hand in his.

"Awe, you big lug of bolts, you. Quit being so romantic, it's getting on my nerves." The black widow spider whispered, pulling Silverbolt into a kiss.

A rustle in the bushes put both Cybertronians on high alert. The two shoved each other away. "Did you hear that?" He asked.

The female spider nodded, "Is anyone out there?"

In answer to Blackarachina's question, a transformer ran out of the bushes. She was small, not much taller than the maximal spy. Her armor was badly damaged, covered in scrapes and dents. Dried Energon was covering most of her body. She stopped dead in her tracks; staring at Blackarachina and Silverbolt.

Of course, Silverbolt, extended his hand to the female, "Hello there, my name is-"

Drawing out a throwing blade, she pointed it at Silverbolt. "I don't care who you are, maximal, but just get out of my way." The small warrior hissed.

"I mean you no harm!"

She laughed, looking toward Blackarachina, "Is he serious? And what are you doing hanging out with a maximal?" The new comer hissed.

"He can help you hide." The widow stated flatly.

Lowering her blade, the rogue growled, "How can a filthy maximal help me?"

"He can tell you where maximal scanners can't pick up any signal." The spider explained, "And don't compare this maximal to the rest. This one is worth trusting."

"Are you?"

Silverbolt looked to his secret lover, after a nod from Blackarachina, "Yes, our scanners do not pick up anything 40 clicks southwest of here. But use this information to protect yourself." He was looking at Blackarachina now, "Please."

The black widow spider smiles, "You better get going before Megatron figures out you're gone."

The small female warrior nods, and runs toward the bad signal zone, disappearing into the forest of brush.

"Who is she?" Silverbolt questioned.

Pointing her cybervenom blaster at him, Blackarachina threatened, "The less you know the better. And don't you dare say anything about her to any of your maximal pals. Got it bowser boy?" She didn't wait for answer; she winked, then turned and ran back toward the Predacon base.

It was getting late. Dinobot was sitting silently watching the monitors in the command center of the Axalon. This was his punishment from earlier that same day. Though he wasn't alone, of course. His least favorite Maximal was sitting two seats over.

The Vermin! He hadn't spoken to (or insulted) Dinobot since the morning! Why wasn't Rattrap talking to the expred? Dinobot decided to take the initiative to start today's argument.

"Vermin!" Dinobot called, "Why don't you open your trap? Did you fill it with too much garbage? Well I enjoy the silence, but your stench still lingers in the air." Rattrap didn't engage in Dinobot's verbal sparring match. "Vermin? Are you alright?" The raptor stood from his seat and walked toward Rattrap. "If you are refusing to acknowledge me, I would like to know why." The transmetal rat continued with his silent treatment, continuing playing the card game on the monitor. Dinobot noticed that the spy's score was nowhere near the usual high. "Rattrap? Are you alright?" The raptor's voice showed he was obviously concerned that the rat wasn't talking.

Finally Rattrap paused the game, and stared at the taller bot. "Ya' called me Rattrap."

"That is your name, and it did get your attention, vermin."

After a few grumbles, the spy questioned, "So what da' pit do ya what?"

"I wanted to know if there was a particular reason that you wouldn't speak to me, after I clearly challenged you to an argument."

Rattrap stood up, his whole structure tense, "It's none of ya' business, ya' slag spoutin' saurian!" He pointed a finger at the larger bot. But Rattrap had no force behind his words. He was going through the motions, to get Dinobot to leave him alone. The Maximal spy's guard was high, ready to defend.

The Raptor didn't know how he knew, but he knew that something was wrong with Rattrap. "Vermin I am your comrade, don't you trust me?"

It was a stupid question, but he already opened his mouth. "Of course I don't trust you! You're a slaggin' Predacon!" Rattrap took another step to Dinobot. The spy had to look nearly straight up to stare into the expred's optics.

Dinobot stared at his challenger; the rat's optics lacked their usual glint. The warrior knelt in front of his smaller opponent, facing him optic to optic. Rattrap didn't keep the contact, his optic completely avoiding the raptor's. "Dinobutt, do ya' want me to be honest with ya'?"

"Of course I do vermin. Do you not think I care?"

Rattrap looked back at Dinobot, his optics brighten. Quickly, he wrapped his arms around the expredacon's neck, pressing his mouth against the raptor's.

Dinobot's whole structure reacted to the shock. The raptor couldn't believe that the vermin had his lips pressed against the raptor's. His processor was overloaded with questions. Why was this happening? Why did it feel so right? Dinobot didn't care anymore; he didn't care what his warrior code said. At that moment he cared for the rat. Caring may not be an advantage, but it wasn't a disadvantage either.

The moment only lasted a few seconds, but it felt like hours. Rattrap pulled away, his cheeks were bright with rush mech fluid. "I'm um err well," he stammered unable to properly form words. "I'm sorry I didn't mean-"

He didn't get to finish. Dinobot didn't let him. The warrior stood up, grabbing Rattrap, and lifting him off the ground. The spy's feet were far from the ground.

Panic filled Rattrap, he was going to be killed, by the bot that he had such strong feelings for. But then the grip on his shoulders wasn't painful, it just held him there. Rattrap swallowed nervously, "Choppa' face, I'm sorry."

"Answer me this vermin. Do your actions show what you truly feel?" The warrior questioned, staring into Rattrap's shinning red optics. The rodent was unable to speak; he just stared back, shaking slightly. "Well garbage eater? Do I get an explanation for your actions?" Dinobot's face was only inches from Rattrap's. He couldn't help himself, Rattrap leaned his head forward kissing Dinobot again.

This kiss was much shorter, and Rattrap's face burned even more. But Dinobot seemed to be smirking with enjoyment, baring his razor teeth into a toothy grin. "Well, you should have informed me before, we've could be enjoying each other's presences like this more often. Or we could have done more." Dinobot pinned Rattrap against the nearest wall, "What would you like to do? You've got my attention." The raptor's hands slid from Rattrap's shoulders, down his arms to pin the rodent's wrists above his head.

It was a clear invitation; Rattrap wrapped his legs around Dinobot's waist, pulling the raptor flush against himself.

This was new to the expredacon, such clear and obvious displays of emotion and affection. He didn't quite understand why his enemy would like him in any other way than a sparring partner. The warrior's own body was beginning to betray him. Did he really want this? The vermin? Rattrap?

Optics blown wide, Rattrap begged. "Come on ya' slaggin' saurian, frag me."

Dinobot's smirk faded, he wasn't ready for that. Unintentionally, his grip on Rattrap loosened and he fell to the ground, hard. Dinobot took a step back.

Getting to his feet Rattrap questioned, "What the pit was that for?"

Taking another step away, "I can't. I'm sorry vermin."

Rattrap reached almost desperately to the raptor, but Dinobot simply moved out of the way, "Choppa' face, what do ya mean?"

"I cannot continue this I'm not-" ready. Dinobot shook his head.

The spy's voice shook, "Fine!" shoving the expred out of his way. "You're such an afthole! I'm goin' to bed!"

"Let me explain!"

"SHUT UP!" and Rattrap left the command center, walking off to his quarters.

In frustration, Dinobot slammed his fists against the hologram projecting table. He wanted to scream. Dinobot had let his guard down, he had accidently let someone in. Again. He stiffened at his own realization. Dinobot had forgotten about the first bot he cared about, the first to slip past his guard of emotions. But Dinobot knew he wouldn't have to deal these conflicting feelings. He collapsed into a seat in front of a monitor.

As the night went on, the guilt in Dinobot's stomach grew. Nothing was interesting on the monitors. Well except the Maximal signature on the map quickly approaching the base. Silverbolt's.

Sentinel dropped the shield, and the lift lowered to bring Silverbolt into the Axalon. Stepping into the command center, Silverbolt froze when he saw Dinobot staring back at him.

"Why were you out so late?" Dinobot grumbled, taking a step closer to the fuzor.

Silverbolt hesitated, "Well, Dinobot, I was out . . . patrolling, um, enemy territory."

"Clearly." The look on Dinobot's said, come on really? "Optimus Primal informed me that no one was out on patrol, other than Airazor and Tigatron. Who aren't due back for two more solar cycles."

"You see," Silverbolt tensed, "I was just strolling. I needed some fresh air and time to think, that's all."

Drawing his sword, Dinobot pointed it at Silverbolt, "Then why were the scanners saying that your signal was near a Predacon's? A female Predacon to be exact." The Fuzor's head dropped in shame. "But Silverbolt, don't let me catch you again. Otherwise I'll skin you alive. Treachery is a crime." The raptor hissed.

"I'm sorry, it won't happen again."

Dinobot nodded, winking at the Fuzor, "I'll be watching your back." Silverbolt smiled, and started to his quarters. Dinobot smiled to himself, if his love life sucked didn't mean he should screw up Silverbolt's. Four and a half more cycles and he would be off to recharge. He couldn't wait.