When Slingshot powered up his visor, he was staring up at a twilight sky…and Skywarp peering down at him. He flinched and sat up, moving away. "What the hell?"

"You crashed," Skywarp pointed to a hunk of fuselage that lay crumpled in a pile not far off. "I don't think you're going to be able to fly home."

Slingshot stared at the remains of his rocket and then glared at Skywarp. "Thanks a lot, Skywarp! Why couldn't you just leave me alone? Go home!"

"I figured I should stay here until you woke up," Skywarp shrugged. "Your distress beacon is shot too."

Slingshot looked around for his rifle, only to spy it lying twisted and broken some feet away. Growling in anger, he grabbed up a handful of grass from under him and threw it at the Seeker, livid. Skywarp watched the grass flutter to the ground harmlessly. "You…idiot!"

"What, you were the one who shot me first."

Slingshot sprang forward, somehow managing to find his footing and launched himself at the Seeker. The two rolled, grass flinging through the air, until the momentum of the attack ran out and Slingshot began slamming his fist into Skywarp, who did his best to block the attack. The Aerialbot grabbed a hold of one of the blasters, intent on ripping it off. "Hey!" Skywarp kicked at him. "Those are attached!"

"So was my fuselage!" Slingshot gave up, as the blasters didn't seem to want to come off. He stood and delivered Skywarp a kick to the side. "How the hell am I supposed to get home now, huh? No one can hear me! No one knows where I am!"

Skywarp sat up and watched the Aerialbot fume. He shrugged. "You can come back with me."

"Oh, yeah! Let's go back to the Decepticons! Where I'll be locked up and held for ransom that, if paid, you'd kill me anyway!"

Skywarp thought on this and gave a nod. "You have a point." He shrugged. "We could stay here, until they figure out you're missing and come looking."

"I don't need you to stay here."

"Sure you do. If someone else comes along, like Screamer, and sees you, he'd kill you. I could at least say you have intel and make sure he took you alive."

"Thanks, but I'll take my chances."

"I mean your weapon is destroyed, you can't fly…who knows what's out here."

Slingshot froze. He frowned. "There ain't nothin' out there that could harm us."

"There could be. I mean…TC showed me what an elephant was, once. There could be some of those out there. They're ruthless, and have huge teeth…"

"I thought they only lived in the wild?"

Skywarp looked around. They were in a forested area. Crickets chirped, and the grass underneath was damp. There were no signs of human life. "Isn't this the wild?"

Slingshot hunkered down, suddenly hyperaware of the world about him. The place was only growing darker, and…he paused when he saw the grin on Skywarp's face. "What?"

"Elephants live in Africa. This is the American West Coast." He tried to conceal a laugh, but it escaped him in a mechanical whine.

Slingshot's expression fell. "And you wonder why you got left behind…" He stood and glowered down at the laughing Decepticon. "You know what? Forget it. I've got better things to do than waste my time hanging around you."

Skywarp grinned up at him. "Aww, c'mon. It was just a joke. Besides…you're kinda cute when you're angry."

Slingshot stuttered, then turned and began walking away. He heard Skywarp get up and hurry to catch up with him. "Go away, Skywarp." Skywarp tried to grab his arm, but he shrugged him off. "Leave me alone!"

Skywarp stopped, allowing the Aerialbot to stomp off by himself. Slingshot grumbled until he heard the Seeker. "Well, don't leave me here…"

Slingshot turned and looked at the Seeker. His wing was damaged from his shot, and he showed signs of damage as if he too had crashed. "What happened now?"

"Well I couldn't just let you crash…I mean, we weren't even in battle."

"Do you know how absurd that sounds?" Slingshot stomped his way back towards Skywarp. "You saved me? An Aerialbot? An Autobot?"

"Hey, you were the ones who said you'd be better off without the Autobots. I mean, who else can you relate to? Powerglide? Cosmos?" Skywarp smirked. "You deserve better than that."

Slingshot frowned and tried to hide his confusion at the compliment. "Well, yes, of course we do."

"I mean, I don't know what it's like to have a bunch of brothers, but I get sick of TC and Screamer hangin' out all the time. Who else can you talk to?" Skywarp tilted his head to the side. "I bet none of you guys have even interfaced with anyone…"

"That's none of your business."

"Why not? You act like its some taboo thing. Everyone interfaces. Even the mighty Optimus Prime interfaces."

"He's got Elita-One."

"He still interfaces."

"I don't wanna think about that!"

"You really haven't interfaced, have you?"

"Like I said…"

"Lighten up, Slingshot. Stick. In aft." Skywarp made a pulling down motion with his hand. "Or would you rather discuss this with Screamer?"

Slingshot shook his head furiously. "No, I wouldn't."

"You sure?"

"Yeah, I'm sure."

Skywarp smirked knowingly. "You are hot for Screamer."

Slingshot fidgeted.

"You know, we are both the same model."

Slingshot let his optics wander for a split second. This was true.

"And it's not like there's anyone around…"

"Are you propositioning me?"

"No, I'm asking you to interface with me."

The Aerialbot didn't know whether to protest or explain the stupidity of that statement. He fumbled for the right words, knowing in the back of his processor that Skywarp was deliberately trying to flatter him

"Well…"

Skywarp grinned, grabbed his arm, and pulled him in close for a kiss.