Sorry for the delay, but here it is. Chapter 5!

~Love, ArcMaximal

CH 5 Nightmares and Sleeplessness

Optimus Primal stared at the ceiling of his private quarters above his berth. It had been cycles since this planet's sun had set, and even more since the rest of the crew had went to recharge. The maximal leader was wide awake for the fifth solar cycle in a row. His body wasn't tired, but his mind was a bit bothered by the Lack of recharge.

Sleeping alone is hard. Optimus thought to himself. Back on Cybertron, he hardly ever had any problems sleeping. Stress, that's what he decided to blame his insomnia on.

He hated this war. More than Rattrap, more than Tigatron. Everyday, he risked his friends and his own lives. It tortured Optimus, he wished it could all end.

I could hand over Razorgear. The thought invaded the leader's mind. He sat up immediately, shock and disgust filled him. She hadn't even been at the Axalon for half of a lunar cycle. Though, the Predacon femme was already a part of his crew, just like everyone else, he would protect her. He would never surrender her to Megatron.

Looking to his door, Optimus realized that he left the lights on and the door open. He sighed and slowly pushed up off the berth.

The sound of soft footsteps forced the leader to freeze. Please don't be Rhinox. Primus, please! He prayed silently, as they inched closer and closer.

The transmetal gorilla let out a breath he didn't realized he was holding when he saw Dinobot's head look into his quarters. "Primal? What are you doing up?" Dinobot inquired, barely above a whisper.

He laughed softly, "Can't sleep."

"You as well?" the raptor smiled and stepped into the maximal leader's quarters.

Optimus stood, walked to his desk, and then leaned against it. "Seems like that kinda night. Doesn't it?"

"Indeed, Primal." The expredacon warrior leaned against the wall opposite to the transmetal gorilla.

"How have you been?"

Dinobot snorted at the maximal leader, "Really, Primal? Small talk?" The leader shrugged as his response. "But, I have been well. Other then tonight, of course. Thing have been bothering me."

Smiling as he nodded, Optimus responded, "Everything has been rough lately." He noticed how drowsily the raptor held his head. The warrior was barely awake. "So, how is Razorgear doing?"

He shrugged, "Alright. She's never been fond of Maximals, but she seems to like you, Primal."

"I doubt that, Dinobot. She hardly speaks to me." Optimus Primal perplexity huffed.

Dinobot tiredly smirked, "Don't let her fool you, Primal. She believes you are a fine leader." The leader stared embarrassedly at the ground in front of him. "Though, do not take her for granted. If you give her anything, she will not think twice to use it against you."

Optimus glanced back at the raptor, "Blackmail? She would blackmail me?"

"She would, and will if you give her the chance." Dinobot warned, "But she won't do anything too serious."

Laughing lightly, Optimus reached across his desk and opened a drawer. Pulling out a canister of high grade energon, he offered it to the expredacon. "Want some?"

"No thank you, Primal. High grade is not a friend of mine." Dinobot declined politely.

A bit shaken by Dinobot's comment, Optimus took a large gulp of the high grade. A sip of high grade usually calmed the anxiousness of the tired leader. Though, he figured Dinobt to be keen of it as well. Optimus was pleasantly surprised knowing he wouldn't have to share. "Suit yourself." He placed the high grade back into its drawer.

"I did not think you would be fond of high grade energon, Optimus Primal." The raptor mused.

Optimus replied without a nanoclick of a pause, "I didn't think you'd be a bot to turn some down."

"Ha, funny, Primal." Dinobot huffed with annonyment. "I've seen what too much high grade does to bots. It is not a nice image to have."

Just as Optimus was to answer Dinobot, a scream echoed through the halls. Both mechs heads shot up. Dinobot had pure devastation covering his face; the raptor's breath quickened. he stared at Optimus, then spoke. "Razorgear," and he sprinted out of the leader's quarters with Optimus on his tail.

Within a click, they were at Razorgear's quarters. Dinobot punched in the command to open the femme's door.

Making a mental note to ask Dinobot why he knew her passcode, Optimus Primal was slightly impressed of the speed Dinobot typed it and the door slid open.

The raptor flicked on the light switch as they rushed into the femme Predacon's quarters.

Razorgear was sitting with her legs pulled up against her chest and her arms wrapped around them. tears dripped out of her optics. Her breaths uneven, heavy, and rapid.

Slowly, Dinobot approached her berth and knelt in front of it. "Razorgear, are you alright?"

She shook her and then looked at the former Predacon. Though, instead she saw Optimus just inside her room; and again she screamed. "Get out!" She pointed a shaky hand at the Maximal leader. "Now!"

Dismayed, Optimus just stood still and stared at her. He didn't know what to do. he just wanted to help.

The raptor quickly stood and shoved Optimus out of Razorgear's room, "Get out, Primal. You are not helping the matter," and the door slid shut in the leader's face. Optimus stood and stared at the door. He gently placed a hand on it, and breathed heavily. He just wanted to help, what did I do wrong?

The leader turned back to his own quarters attempting to tune out Razorgear's muffled cries. He knew he wasn't going back to sleep.

Airazor tapped Optimus Primal on the shoulder, attempting to get his attention. "Optimus you wanted to talk to me?"

The leader turned his attention from the control table and looked to Airazor. "Yes, I did. Thank you for coming."

The bird of prey smiled, "Of course."

Optimus looked slightly embarrassed, "Well there is something I would like you to do." Sighing deeply, "I would like you to keep an eye out for Razorgear. I don't know how she getting around. And she seems to avoid me all the time, so I need someone who would let me know what's going on. Is that ok?"

Airazor nodded her head, "I'll see what I can do, but I don't know what she will tell me. She talks to Dinobot all the time. So maybe-"

The leader held up his hand to stop her, "That won't work, Dinobot hardly says a word to me. I doubt he'd say anything to me about her. So I just need you, to help her and such."

"I'll do what I can." Airazor nodded, turned and left. She walked down the halls of the Axalon, she turned into the weapons room.

Dinobot was training, and Razorgear was sitting and laughing on the far back corner. "I don't see how that is funny Gear!" The raptor exclaimed, lowering his blade.

"I'm saying that these maximal are so weird and so strange. I don't understand how you tolerate them? I mean seriously, do you like like them?" Razorgear smirked evilly.

Dinobot sword fell to the ground, "What would make you suggest something like that?"

Razorgear giggled, "Well because you do, don't you." She smirked.

Dinobot smiled and stepped in front of the young femme. "They are my comrades. They are I guess my friends."

Airazor stepped beside Dinobot. Razorgear shut her mouth as soon as she saw the femme scout. "Morning, you two."

"Hello Airazor." The raptor nodded to her. "What brings you here?"

The falcon smiled, "Nothing much, just was coming to talk. That's all." She turned to Razorgear, "Actually, I would like to speak with you. Alone." The femme scout glanced at the raptor and he nodded. He stepped out of the training room. Airazor turned back to Razorgear and asked, "So, how have you liked the Axalon?"

The smaller femme glanced at the taller, "Alright. Everyone is pretty nice. Just everyone is always really busy." She seems to be nice enough,Razorgear thought to herself. She decided that Airazor could be trusted. Razorgear always seemed to think other femmes could be.

Airazor laughed, "Megatron keeps us on our feet." Razorgear looked away at the mention of the Predacon warlord. Airazor noticed and continued to talk. "You get along with everyone so far. That's always good. Rattrap and Cheetor talk about you a lot."

The young femme's head shot up, "What do they say?"

After a pause, Airazor explained, "They talk about you and Dinobot, together, mostly."

"Ewwe, me and Dinobot?! Gross!" The Predacon femme had pure disgust washed over her face. "He's old!"

Airazor smiled, that was one thing to check off her list. Dinobot and the new femme were not together as a couple, well unless she's lying. I hope she's not. The bird of prey spoke, "Glad to hear that. He's a bit temperamental and I worry."

They stood silently for a few moments. Then Razorgear's face turned red as she asked Airazor a question, breaking the silence. "So are you and the tiger mech a thing? Like a couple?"

"You mean Tigatron?" Airazor looked startled by the question but still answered, "We're not bonded, but we are together. Why do you ask?"

Razorgear smiled, "Cause you're cute together."

"Awe, thank you!" Airazor truly was touched.

Razorgear smiled, then jumped off the counter. Airazor extended her hand to the smaller femme. "You look stunning in your new form."

Razorgear looked down at herself, "Really? Thanks, I really like it too!"

Airazor smiled back, "You're welcome!"

The two femmes talked for cycles. Airazor really got to know Razorgear during that time. The Maximal scout found out quickly that Razorgear did not like to talk about certain things, and would completely avoid a subject if she was uncomfortable. They were sitting in the middle of the training room when Tigatron walked in and sat beside his lover. Razorgear giggled childlike when the peaceful scout pressed a kiss on Airazor's cheek. "How are you?" He asked.

"Oh, just talking with Razorgear here." Airazor answered.

The white tiger smiled at the smaller femme, "Hello, Razorgear."

I like him. Razorgear thought to herself. The white and blue-green mech gave off a calming vibe. He was very much like Dinobot. Tigatron stretched his arms over his head, yawned, and then laid flat on the ground. He sprawled out his body with exhaustion.

"How was your patrol, sweetspark?" Airazor asked the tired mech.

Raazorgear watched the two talk so lovingly, even though they were not alone. Tigatron described the beauty of the planet and compared it to Airazor. Though, he mentioned that it would have been better if she was with him. The femme scout wasn't even slightly embarrassed by the mech's flattering words. Airazor just smiled at him every few moments.

This must happen a lot. Razorgear thought to herself. The Predacon femme wished she had a mech like Tigatron. She had the worst luck with mechs. First, there was Dinobot, and he wasn't interested in her at all (but that's a different story). Then, there was him. That evil mech, Razorgear had terrible luck.

"Hey, Airazor?" Razorgear spoke, interrupting the white mech.

"Hmm, yeah." the older femme looked to the younger smiling softly.

Tigatron sat up, and noticed that Razorgear was extremely uneasy, something was bothering the small femme. Her optics dropped to the ground in front of her. "Could I, umm. You know what, nevermind." She finally said, and then stood. "I'm gonna go read or somthing. Bye." Razorgear walked quickly out of the training room and headed to the private quarters.

The maximals turned to each other; they had no idea what had just happened.

Cheetor waited patiently as Razorgear continually asked Optimus if she could join the patrol with hm. The Maximal leader was hesitant. Cheetor didn't understand what could be the problem. Both him and Razorgear were great fighters, so they would be able to defend themselves, in case the Predacons decided to attack. But Optimus Primal once again refused her.

"Come on, Optimus! I'm with Cheetor!" The femme begged.

Optimus glanced back toward Cheetor, and then back to Razorgear. "I don't think so; there has been a bit more Predacon activity in that sector lately."

"All the more reason for him to not go by himself!" She pleaded, and then she saw Dinobot walking into the command center. She pointed at him, who was in his beast mode. "Dinobot would come with us!"

The raptor stopped dead in his tracks, "What am I doing?"

The Maximal leader nodded, "OK," he turned to face Dinobot, "Would you like to go on patrol with Razorgear and Cheetor? You don't have to." The leader explained.

Razorgear stared at Dinobot, her optics begged him to agree. Cheetor did the same, and Dinobot sighed, "Fine, I'll go." The youngest Maximal cheered, and Razorgear hugged Optimus Primal.

"Thanks!" She let go of the leader and ran to the lift. Dinobot and Cheetor where already there. "See you later." Razorgear called, as the lift lowered from the Axalon.

Cheetor transformed and bolted in front of Razorgear and Dinobot, "Come on, you slowpokes!"

Razorgear took a deep breath, and then transformed into her new beast mode. A slightly larger than life lynx, with streaks of light purple through her fur. "You won't beat me!" She growled and took after the transmetal cat.

"Of course, I get stuck babysitting." Dinobot snarled to himself and slowed padded after the two young tranformers.

Cheetor glanced behind his and saw that Razorgear was picking up speed and gaining on him. "Jumping gryos! She's fast." He smiled and kicked into high gear, "But, not as fast as this cat!"

"Slag!" Razorgear started to lose the stride she was on. She slowed down to a light jog, then a walk,and then stopped completely. She couldn't breathe, her breaths extremely even.

"Lost some of your touch? Hmmm?" Dinobot smirked evilly, as he stepped beside her.

"I haven't been myself recently." She huffed through gasping breaths. "We need to catch up with Cheetor!"

The raptor smiled at Razorgear, "Don't worry, the furball will figure out we are not behind him." The two walked slowly, until Razorgear regained her breath. The warrior glanced to her; she hasn't been herself at all. He noticed, so he decided to question her. "Razorgear?"

"Hmm? Yeah?" She looked up to the much taller mech.

He hesitated a moment, and then said, "I have been wondering, what exactly did Megatron-"

She cut him off, "Nothing." Razorgear snapped defensively.

"I know you, Gear. Please, something has been bothering you. What is it?" Dinobot stepped in front, blocking her from going any further. "Tell me."

"Fine." The femme took a deep breath. "He told me that Optimus killed you."

"That can't be the only thing bothering you. I am standing in front of you!" He snarled viciously.

Growling back, she shoved past him, "Just leave it alone, OK?"

Again, he jumped in front of her. "NO, I am not leaving it alone. It is obviously bothering you! So, tell me!" Dinobot exclaimed.

"Alright, I'll tell you!" She yelled her optics leaking, and then her voice went soft. "He . . . he . . . he did things to me."

Dinobot breathed in with a growl, "He did what?"

Do I have to tell him? . . . YES, I do. She thought to herself, and then said. "He forced me to *swallow* interface with him." She finally breathed out.

"What . . . he . . . didn't force a bond, did he?" The raptor stammered out.

"No, thank Primus. He didn't." She mumbled, "And, that, that was bothering me. A lot actually." Razorgear explained.

He nodded to her, and did not question any further. They walked for a few clicks before they saw Cheetor flying full speed toward them. "You've got Pred central coming your way!" Cheetor shouted through the comm. link. "Inferno, Waspinator, and Terrorsaur are on my tail!"

Dinobot and Razorgear transformed with their weapons ready. The predacon flyers were gaining on the young Maximal, who was barely avoiding their attacks. "We shall cover you, cat!" Dinobot called to Cheetor over the comm. link.

"Launch me!" Razorgear ordered. Dinobot stared her questionably, completely surprised. She repeated herself, "Launch me, into the air! I can take them out!"

The raptor growled, lowered himself to the ground, and then picked up Razorgear. "Be careful, Gear. Tell me when to fire." Razorgear smirked, pulled out two throwing blades, and watched patiently as the Predacon flyers approached. Just before Cheetor flew above them, she yelled, "NOW!"

Dinobot hurled the femme into the air with a grunt. She sailed gracefully through the air; Cheetor flew past her and Waspinator and Inferno were just in arms reach. She stabbed one of her knifes through the wasp's head and span around kicking the fire ant downward to the ground, where Dinobt was waiting to attack.

Razorgear jumped on Waspinator; she pulled out her gun and pointed it at his head. "Don't move bug, or you're slag!" She ordered.

"Wazzpinator, knowzz femme bot! Femme bot hurtz Wazzpinator'zz head." He held his head with his bug arms.

"Shut up! Fly me to Terrorsaur, or Wasspinator loses his head." Razorgear threatened pushing her gun harder into his head. He turned around and flew toward the approaching red pterodactyl.

Terrorsaur saw his fellow Predacon flyer and the missing rogue on him. He swaked with fear. The red pterodactyl attempted to turn and flee, but Razorgear had already threw herself onto him, ripping at his wings with her knifes.

The two began to plummet to the ground. She pushed herself away and rolled safely onto the ground.

"Predacons, Retreat!" Inferno declared, he was badly damaged, barely functioning.

Razorgear smiled, knowing that Dinobot tore the insect apart. The Predacons flyers fled as fast as their battered bodies would allow them to.

Cheetor landed and transformed back into his robot form; he smiled at Razorgear. "Nice job, Razorgear, taking out those Preds!"

She glanced at the transmetal cheetah hesitantly, then stared at the ground in front of her feet. "Thanks."

Dinobot walk to the two young transformers, "Remind me to never to allow you to do that again, Gear."

She frowned at him, "I took out two of the flyers and sent you the third! I did a better job than you did!" She snapped, pushing Dinobot viciously. Razorgear turned away from him, transformed, then began walking back to the Axalon.

She heard Cheetor say to Dinobot, "If it makes you feel better, I didn't take out any Preds today."

"Shut up!" The raptor snapped back at the young Maximal.

Razorgear's stride increased, in attempt to put some distance between herself and Dinobot. She knew what was going to happen next, Megatron was going to come looking for her. She didn't want that. Not ever again.

She was still tortured by the nightmares of what the Predacon warlord did to her. Razorgear was scared of him, she would wake in a cold sweat, with memories of Megatron's cruel "love," as he called it.

The young femme knew for a fact, that what happened, under no circumstances could be considered love.

And what is with Cheetor?She thought to herself. She was almost annoyed by the way he followed, complemented, and talked to her all the time. Almost. Though, she wasn't sure how to deal with all the attention the cheetah was giving her.

Maybe it was something to ask Airazor about when she returned from patrol with Tigatron.

. . . . .

Back at the Maximal Base: Dinobot had just in, and of course Rattrap was the only one on communicators.

::Vermin, this is Dinobot.::

"Way to state da oblivious dere, Choppa' Face." Rattrap joked back through the comm.

A snarl surprised the rat, ::We are on our way back to base. We ran into the flyers.:: The raptor stated bluntly.

Rattrap paused for a moment, and then responded. "Any injuries?" He was truly concerned,but made an attempt to keep it out of his voice.

::Minor. That's all. Gear sent them cowering back to Megatron!::

Rattrap frowned; could that be pride in the raptor's voice? Yup. It was. "Yeah? Dat's nice. See you back at base." He punched off the comm. and sighed heavily.

Rattrap was jealous of all the attention Razorgear was getting from Dinobot. It wasn't the rat's business who Dinobot was fragging, but he was ticked it wasn't him.

Razorgear hasn't even been with the Axalon crew for more than a lunar cycle and everyone was bent around her finger. Except for Rattrap. At first, he liked her, but not he despised her. She stole his friend away.

When Dinobot, Cheetor, and Razorgear arrived, Rattrap sighed and put on a brave face. The femme stormed in before the two mechs. She turned to Rattrap and then asked, "When is Airazor getting back?"

The transmetal rat shrugged, "Not exactly, sweetheart. Maybe da day after tomorrow." Cheetor and Dinobot walked into the command center, the femme glared at the raptor and stormed out, heading toward her quarters. Rattrap raised an eyebrow, "Everythin' alright dere, Choppa' face?"

"Fragging glitching femme!" The raptor growled and followed Razorgear out.

The two other mech stared at Dinobot. "What was dat about?" Rattrap questioned the young cat.

He shrugged, "I think they had an argument. I don't know about what though." Cheetor dragged himself to sit beside Rattrap. Dropping in his seat, the kid sighed heavily.

"Now, what's with ya'?" The spy inquired.

Cheetor looked devastated, "Are Razorgear and Dinobot together?"

Rattrap didn't answer. The spy knew the answer, but he didn't wanna think about it. At least, he wasn't the only one who isn't a fan of the pair.

Cheetor didn't seem to notice the rat's frustration, and continued talking. "Do you think I might have a chance with her?"

He snapped, Rattrap yelled, "I don't give a scrap! Leave me alone!"

Cheetor jumped a bit and backed away from Rattrap. "Geez, you don't have to be a spike." The young Maximal left the far alone in the command center.

Slamming his head on the console in front of him, Rattrap cursed himself. "I'm a slaggin' idiot."

It had been almost two lunar cycles since Razorgear had joined the Maximal crew, and Optimus Primal was surprised how well she had adjusted so far. She loved talking with Airazor, and seemed to always hang around Dinobot. The leader smiled whenever he saw Cheetor talking with her, but he also noticed the way Rattrap looked at her. Optimus thought to place the look as jealousy, but he had no idea over what it was about.

The Maximal leader stretched his arms over his head. He was exhausted, and his sleeplessness was not helping. He was still awake, and it was the middle of the night. Optimus again hadn't slept in days; he thought he should inform Rhinox, but he didn't want to bother the medic. The leader pushed the idea aside, for now at least.

Optimus Primal sat up in his berth and pulled his hands down his face. He stood up slowly, since he wasn't going to sleep he may as well take a walk. Silently, the maximal leader stepped into the halls of the Axalon. He let his mind wander with his body, and Optimus arrived at the command center.

He powered on the table and began grazing through the reports from the day before.

Nothing interesting.

Cheetor and Tigatron went out on a patrol into grid beta. The report was plain; Tigatron must have filled it out.

Optimus sighed, and closed the file. He left the command center and walked quietly back toward his quarters.

Just as he stepped past Razorgear's quarters, the door slid open. She stood in the doorway, her eyes wet with tears. "Optimus? What are you doing up?"

The maximal leader smiled, "I was about to ask you the same thing." The young femme wiped the tears from her eyes, and smiled a bit, but didn't answer."Are you alright, Gear?"

She shook her head, and the tears fell down her face faster. "No!" She tackled Optimus; she wrapped her arms around him. Optimus Primal hesitated for a moment, and then wrapped his arms around her gently.

"What's wrong? You can tell me." Optimus said softly placing one of his hands on her shoulder.

"Nightmare." She stammered between sobs; she squeezed the leader tighter.

He held her like he would a daughter. That's how he looked at her, Razorgear was basically his daughter. And he promised to do just that, take care of her. "Don't worry, don't worry. I've got you. You're safe. I've got you. Shh." He pulled her body closer to his own. She continued to cry in his arms. "I'm here. I'm here."

The Predacon warlord sat in his control chair turning Rampage's removed spark over in his hand. He didn't like that his crew was so stupid and clumsy. Terrorsaur, Waspinator, and Inferno had returned from patrol with major damage done to all of three of them. Only one'Maximal' could have done that. Dinobot. The traitor was clearly to blame for this. Megatron planned to question Inferno when he exited the CR-Chamber.

The warlord's lieutenant stepped next to him, "Lord Megatron?" Megatron placed the spark holder on the armrest of his chair, and the warlord glanced to Scorpanok. "Waspinator reported something that you would like."

Megatron raised his eyebrow with interest, "And what would be?"

Scorpanok spoke a single word, "Razorgear."

"Where?!" The Predacon leader jumped chair. Razorgear, his favorite Predacon warrior. And his lover. Megatron feared he had lost her.

"With the Maximals. Alive and well." The lieutenant took a step back.

The warlord grabbed Scorpanok's neck, "Repeat that, yesss!"

Swallowing his fear, Scorpanok spoke, "She's with the Maximals. She was with Dinobot and-"

"Dinobot? Hmm." Megatron smirk evilly, "Yeesss, this will be good. Yeesss." He shoved this lieutenant away. He will get his lover back, even if he has to rip our every maximal spark.

End of CH 5

~Well, well, well. What does Megatron have in store for the Maximals?

Please Review, and none of these characters are mine, other than Razorgear.

Love, ArcMaximal!