Disclaimer: I don't own the characters I just enjoy writing about them.

Chapter 3

The comm screen was the only light in the room and Sunstreaker lay stretched out on his berth listening to Bluestreak chat away about what he had been up to. The time difference between Perihex and Iacon meant that while Bluestreak had just got home from his training Sunstreaker was almost ready for recharge.

"So then he says Bluestreak by rights you should have missed every shot you took you were shaking that much but look at that target…" Bluestreak continued, Sunstreaker could never have told him that he wasn't really listening to what he was saying but hearing his voice made him feel so content that it didn't really matter and it felt so good to see him happy again

He was well aware that the last ten cycles hadn't been easy for Bluestreak; he'd only met Jazz the once but he knew how important he was to him and how much his leaving so suddenly had hurt and Prowl throwing himself into his work wasn't helping any either.

On the few occasions he had questioned Bluestreak about how he felt he had denied being worried about Jazz. He had insisted that he was probably the most resilient and adaptable mech he had ever met, reminded him that even losing most of his sight hadn't slowed him down much and changed the subject.

Sunstreaker pulled away from train of thought and smiled lazily at the screen absently tracing the line of Bluestreaks jaw with his finger. He'd already promised himself that he would say goodnight soon but he saw no reason why he shouldn't enjoy himself for a little while longer.

Bluestreak moved a little so that his hand was on his screen too so it appeared that the two mechs were only separated by a sheet of glass and not several hundred mega-miles. "I know Sunny. I miss you too." He smiled fondly.

"Sorry Blue." Sunstreaker grinned. "I drifted off for a moment there."

"Don't be." Bluestreak said softly. "I don't mind." Suddenly he looked shy before he said. "Anything that makes you smile like that can't be bad."

Sunstreaker chuckled at him and looked at their hands again, he could barely believe that the two of them had only known each other for a short time and had only spent one night together and that had been curled up on Bluestreaks sofa where not all that much could happen. Yet somehow they felt so close and he couldn't remember that last time he had felt so happy.

"So when can you get a few days off so I can see you?" Sunstreaker asked but he never heard the answer. As he finished talking pain lanced through his chest-plate taking him so completely by surprise that he didn't even cry out as he doubled over.

"Sunny what is it? Sunny? Where'd you go?" Bluestreak called urgently.

"I'm still here." Sunstreaker growled through gritted lip components. It felt to him as if a second blow landed on his left arm at that point and this time he did let out a yelp of pain.

"What's going on?" Bluestreak asked him as his faceplate a mask of worry and confusion.

"I think…" Sunstreaker muttered as he stifled another cry. "I think it's Sideswipe." His voice shook with rage at the thought of someone hurting his twin. "I gotta go." He broke the link and ran out of his home without another word somehow more alert than he had ever been.

He was sure that there should have been more 'bots on the streets of Perihex but the city had felt strange to him for some time so he wasn't surprised. He just kept going.

Sideswipe was his twin, which meant that they shared a spark, in turn they could feel what the other was feeling but Sunstreaker had never felt anything come through the bond that strongly and he knew without doubt that his brother was in agony.

Another benefit of their link was the ability to know where the other was so he wasn't running blind and after a few breems he sank down at his brothers side.

"Sides?" he asked gently.

"Knew that you'd find me." Sideswipe whispered before he off-lined.

"Oh no you don't." Sunstreaker hissed shaking his brother but there was no response, as fast as he could he gathered his twin up into his arms and started running again silently thanking Primus that the nearest repair bay wasn't far.

The sun had already risen when Sunstreaker finally got back to his home, he was tired, angry and still in some pain although the medibot had assured his that it would fade as his brother recovered.

The apartment was silent and served as yet another reminder of how lonely he felt but there was a message on the comm screen from Bluestreak to call back no matter what time it was. "Blue what would I do without you?" he smiled fondly to himself as he pressed the call button.

"Sunny?" Bluestreak answered almost instantly. "You've had me so worried. What on Cybertron is going on?"

"Sorry Blue. It was Sideswipe someone beat him up…"

"Oh Primus is he okay?" Bluestreak interrupted.

"He will be in a cycle or so. I only left him because his medic ordered me to get some recharge but I'm wound up too tight so I thought I'd call you first and I've just realised what time it is in Iacon so I'd better go."

"It doesn't matter Sunny." Bluestreak said dismissively. There was a noise behind him and Bluestreak turned allowing Sunstreaker to see Prowl walk in.

"Are you still up Blue?" he asked tiredly. "Stupid question forget it. What a cycle. Is that Sunstreaker?"

"Yes."

"Good. Move."

"What the…?" Sunstreaker began angrily as he watched Prowl all but barge Bluestreak out of the way.

"Sunstreaker I need you to listen to me carefully and do as I tell you." Prowl snapped. "Get Sideswipe and get the pit out of Perihex, you're not safe there anymore…"

"But…" Sunstreaker began.

"No buts on this one Sunny. We've received intelligence that The Decepticons are moving on your city and we don't have the mechs to protect it."

"But…" Sunstreaker tried again.

"Sunstreaker!" Prowl shouted. "You've got no time. Move."

"Get to Iacon if you can." Bluestreak added quickly.

That idea appealed to Sunstreaker but he had no idea how he was going to manage it with his wounded twin in tow and if Sideswipe couldn't travel he knew he wasn't going anywhere. "I'll try Blue." He said trying to sound reassuring.

"So what are you waiting for?" Prowl demanded. "Get gone."

"Yes Sir." Sunstreaker barked with a ghost of a smile on his lip components, he turned off the comm and reluctantly headed out of the door again.

The med-bay was quiet when Sunstreaker arrived, the only medic he could see was recharging at his desk and Sideswipe was in a similar state on one of the berths. "Hey Sides." He said softly and his twin stirred.

"Sunny I thought he told you to go home and I know I haven't been out that long." Sideswipe observed.

"I know bro', listen I know you're feeling like slag right now but I need to ask you something." Sunstreaker replied.

"What?"

"If I told you that we need to get out of the city right now what would you say?" Sunstreaker asked.

"I donno." Sideswipe mumbled before a look of slight amusement lit his faceplate. "What did you do?"

"Nothing." Sunstreaker snapped. "Stop fooling around."

"So tell me what's going on." His twin retorted.

"While I was at home I spoke to Prowl. He told me that we're in danger here and to leave. You know the mech as well as I do and he doesn't joke about much let alone something like this."

"It isn't gonna be easy but I can do it." Sideswipe said seriously.

"Okay then up you get." As gently as he could Sunstreaker hauled his brother to his feet and the stream of curses that followed was enough to on-line the medibot with a start.

"Where are you going?" The medic demanded to know.

"You helped my brother and for that I'm grateful so I'll give you the same warning I got." Sunstreaker explained. "The Decepticons are heading for this city, find the 'bots you love and run."

The medibot stared at him for a moment before he spoke again in a much friendlier tone. "May Primus be merciful to you both." And without another word he was gone.

As they made their way through the streets to the docks a distant explosion shook the ground and they both stumbled. "Sounds like Prowl wasn't exaggerating." Sunstreaker mused giving himself a shake. "Are you alright?"

"No worse than I was. Don't worry about that just keep moving." Sideswipe ordered.

For a while they jogged without speaking, the screams and blasts spurred them on until they realised at the same moment that the sounds of battle were not just behind them but also ahead.

"Any ideas Sunny?" Sideswipe inquired.

"We take one shot at the docks, it'll be chaos, maybe we can slip through and if that doesn't work we head for Antihex, it's not that far really and we can get a shuttle from there." Sunstreaker explained. "Are you with me?"

"Always." Sideswipe nodded grimly. His twin knew that he was still in pain and that his left arm was close to useless but determination was a trait that they had shared since they had been sparked.

The docks came into view soon after, several small fires filled the air with smoke and although Sunstreaker tried to see them as nothing more than an advantage but the details of the grisly scene made it difficult. Keeping his brother close behind him he skirted a burned out fuel tanker and peered around the corner. "There's a shuttle off to the left that looks undamaged. All we've got to do is get aboard and hope that we can make it fly. Stay close."

Halfway to the ship Sideswipe spotted a pair of mechs who had not been as lucky as they had and caught Sunstreakers attention. Both of the mechs still had their side arms. "Sides no." Sunstreaker said firmly. "Let them be."

Sideswipe ignored his brother and picked up one of the guns, he handled it gingerly but he refused to put it down despite Sunstreakers warning glare and they moved on again.

They were almost there when a savage looking mech dived at them from behind one of the many storage containers, a good hook to Sunstreakers jaw sent him sprawling before he leapt at Sideswipe with a feral snarl. The gun that Sideswipe had been holding skittered across the landing bay and came to rest close to Sunstreakers hand, seeing no other option he snatched it up, aimed as best he could and fired.

The strange mech froze for an instant then crumpled to the ground with sickening finality. Sunstreaker dropped the weapon as if it had burned him, grabbed his brother by the wrist and hauled him into the shuttle.

"Don't shoot, don't hurt me." A mech who was cowering under the main console screamed as soon as they boarded.

"Ain't got a weapon, ain't gonna hurt you." Sunstreaker growled. "Can this thing fly?"

"Yeah but the Decepticons are shooting down anything that tries to escape. I didn't know what else to do so I hid." The new mech replied.

"If we stay they'll kill us anyway." Sunstreaker pointed out. "Personally I'd rather die trying."

The mech rubbed his faceplate in obvious uncertainty before he let out a long blast from his vents and nodded. "Alright." He said reluctantly.

Sunstreaker sat Sideswipe down in one of the passenger seats, strapped him in gently and took the co-pilot chair for himself. "Tell me what to do." He ordered.

Less than a bream later the shuttle lurched into the air and started banking, a few more breams later the mech sat back suddenly. "I can't believe it but we're clear. Where do you want to go?"

"Iacon if it's not too far for you."

"I think it might be just far enough and I know a few 'bots there so sure."

Sunstreaker slipped out of his seat and moved over to his brother. "How you doing Sides?"

Painfully slowly Sideswipe looked up at him. "We killed him Sunny." He murmured.

"No." Sunstreaker snapped with a shake of his head. "I killed him and I had no choice."

"But I picked up the gun…" His twin started to protest.

"Sideswipe listen to me." He pleaded. "All that matters is we survived."

His brother nodded hesitantly and shuddered.

"Just take it easy bro'." Sunstreaker advised. "We'll be safe with friends soon enough."

Iacon was a long flight and by the end of it Sunstreaker was feeling the toll of all that had happened, he was exhausted physically and emotionally and just trying to get through each moment without even thinking about the next.

The shuttle landed and as soon as the hatch was opened Bluestreak bounded through it and straight to Sunstreaker catching him in a tight hug, which Sunstreaker returned for an instant before he realised that if he let his guards down he would be useless and there were still things he had to do. "Blue." He whispered.

"I know Sunny. I know." Bluestreak backed off a little but refused to move out of arms reach. "Hey Sides, How are you?"

Sideswipes glassy stare was the only answer he received.

"I think we'd better get him to Ratchet." Prowl said firmly. He had entered quietly a few steps behind Bluestreak and stopped at the red twins side.

"Who's Ratchet?" Sunstreaker inquired.

"An old friend of ours and the best medic in Iacon." Bluestreak answered. "Prowl spoke to him before we came here. He's waiting."

"Thank you." Sunstreaker said gratefully. "Let's move."

With thankful farewells to the pilot whose name they had never asked for, as all everyone wanted to do was forget all about what had happened to them the four mechs headed off.

Ratchet was waiting impatiently for them in his med-bay. "About time." He snapped without greeting any of them.

Sunstreaker glared at him as they lowered Sideswipe onto one of the berths. "We didn't plan any of this you know?" he growled.

"Do you think any of us did?" Ratchet bit back and anger flared in his blue optics. For a few moments he ran scans on Sideswipe before he looked up at the others again. "Leave him with me for a cycle and I'll have him as good as new." He said firmly but not unkindly.

For what was probably the first time in his life Sunstreaker didn't have the energy to argue and he let Bluestreak lead him out. Prowl left them at the buildings entrance saying that he was needed at his office but it wasn't until the couple were at the door of Bluestreaks home that Sunstreaker said. "I never thanked him for saving us."

"There'll be plenty of time for that later." Bluestreak said as he gently took his hand. "All you have to do for now is rest." He keyed in the code and let them both in.

"I'm not sure if I can." Sunstreaker admitted.

"Sunny you've been practically walking in recharge for the last three blocks." Bluestreak reminded him as he poured him a ration of energon. "So I want you to drink this and at least try."

Sunstreaker attempted to take the cup but his hands were shaking too badly and Bluestreak had to help him. "I'm sorry Blue." He whispered. "I… just…" he gave up unable to explain how he was feeling.

Bluestreak smiled warmly, took his hand again and guided him into his room. "You don't have to tell me what happened back there." He said as he made Sunstreaker lie down. "But if you want I'll listen."

"Later maybe. For now all I want is to hear you talking and pretend that this world hasn't gone crazy." Sunstreaker said fondly.

"That I can do. What to you want me to talk about?"

"Anything and everything but first I think you'd better tell me how Prowl's doing so I don't put my foot in it later."

"He's holding on." Bluestreak told him sadly. "But not by much, this is the most I've seen of him since J… since he left, Prowl won't say his name so I don't either, we haven't heard a thing from him in ten cycles and I think we've both accepted that he won't be coming back and even if he did right now I honestly don't know if Prowl would hit him or hug him."

"Can't say I blame the guy." Sunstreaker muttered.

"No I don't either." Bluestreak nodded. "I think that's enough on that subject." His voice wasn't much more than a whisper but there was something in his tone that Sunstreaker wasn't going to argue with. Gently he reached down and traced Sunstreakers jaw with his thumb. "I'm so glad you're safe Sunny. I was terrified that I was going to lose you." Thinking that Sunstreaker had fallen into recharge he was beginning to pull away when the yellow mechs hand caught his.

"Don't leave me." He murmured Bluestreak could barely hear him but he caught the pleading tone and nodded.

"I won't." He whispered back and after a moments thought he lay down beside Sunstreaker and wrapped his arms around him as best he could. It didn't take long after that for Sunstreaker to finally relax fully and drift into recharge with Bluestreak watching him closely.

I think I'd better leave it there so I may have to up the rating. 

That's it for this one but the next should be up soon. Thanks for reading and I'd love to hear what you thought of it.