OK. Let all be warned. There is a bit of mature content in this. Very tame, but mature none the less. If you find homosexual attraction offensive, I am sorry, but it is there. It won't be for very long, but the last thing I need is someone getting offended over a simple awkward scene.

You all have been warned. Now, onto the story! :)

Jack ran. His paws hit the scorching sandy, gritty ground in thundering force, carrying him fast and far, the pain from his healing leg utterly forgotten in his blind sprint. He felt the heated torrents of air tug insistently at his wings and fur. It wasn't enough to fully satisfy the intense hunger for flight, but somehow, it did do enough to help clear his thoughts and he slowly felt his mind come back into focus.

The farther he got from base, the more he began to realize what exactly he had done, though as it seemed, he didn't remember much. Everything was a fast passed blur of words, pictures and emotions lined in a haze of red and white; nothing really all that he did remember was enough to send a title wave of guilt and shame through him. He had attacked Ratchet… He had remembered the medic standing in front of him, arguing about… Something… Something about him not being able to do something that the winged panther felt he had a right to do, though for the life of him, he couldn't remember what…

Jack shook his massive skull in lingering irritation, and spotted a very large outcrop of mesas. Altering his course, he bee-lined for the shaded ravines. As he passed into the first shelves of shadow, his keen nose picked up the faint sent of water, and a bit of plant life. The natural scents were calming and instinctually familiar. Slowing to a slow trot, he roamed the expansive dusty tan walls, poking his nose into little alcoves and crevices.

It was in one of these crevices that he came upon what would become the physical version of his mental grotto. It was a deep basin-like cave that looked to be carved out from the rock face, like a large acoustical shell of stone. The ceiling curved and domed to a hole just big enough that when the sun was at its peak, the light that flowed through was precisely wide enough to outline the deep, crystalline pool that resided in the center of the half room. Sporadically spaced across the edges of the sandy, dusty floor were small cloves of a wide variety of flora; tiny flowers and tufts of grass, the pool in the center clear enough to see deeply to the bottom, reveling tiny, colorful fish and algae's living along its bed.

Awe and peace washed over him as he took in the glorious scene before him, and after a few moments the feelings intensified. Curiously confused, Jack sent out a pulse of similar emotions and listened for its course. He was amazed at what he found. The emotions echoed off the walls of the stone shell, then out into the ravine and from there, back into the shell, resonating like sound. He was amused by the sudden discovery, but as he enjoyed the new freedom, his thoughts drifted back to his friends, and in turn, to Ratchet. His mood immediately darkened, and with a shameful gloom in his chest, he settled by the pool and tried to think of a good way to apologize to the old medic, and a good explanation to his actions.

Road to Autobot Base 3rd POV

Raf looked out 'Bee's window to the expansive desert that bordered the small town of Jasper, mind roving from topic to topic. Miko had fallen from one of the larger half pikes and scraped up her legs quite a bit; giving the fourteen year old boy just the excuse he needed to head back to the base.

He had not only not wanted to go, but he had no reason to. He was no good at skating, biking, or boarding, and from what he saw of Miko's 'skills', he had come to understand that neither did she. He was thinking of the looks of the other teens that had been there, and though none of the ridicule had been directed to him (via him not participating), that didn't mean he didn't feel for the Japanese exchange student as they laughed and verbally jabbed at her. He didn't know how she did it. She took all of their snide comments in stride as well as shot a few back at them for their bad grammar (he swore that some of them could only talk in text lingo).

The only reason he had agreed to accompany her in the first place had been the fact that he had nothing better to do. Until the main frame finished downloading the most resent firewalls that he had recoded and improved, none of the internet based things on his to do list would be doable, due to the restart. That, and Ratchet had said he needed a bit of fresh air and sun. He could use the vitamin D.

The boy genius was pulled from his thoughts by a billowing dust cloud a couple hundred yards from the road. At first he thought it might have been a dust devil, but the longer he looked at it, the less likely that seemed. It almost looked like something or someone was driving through the desert sands. He saw brief flashes of black in the flying grit, but no more.

He lost sight of the phenomenon as 'Bee entered the base, and pulled into the main area. What they saw then was a shock to say the least, because there in the middle of the floor, was Ratchet, trying to pick himself up and holding one of many leaking wounds that were scattered across his frame. The two children immediately exited Bumblebee, and allowed the yellow mech to transform and help the red and white bot to his feet and toward his med bay.

/By Primus, Ratchet! What happened? / 'Bee twittered and chirped in worry.

"Jack! H-He's lost his mind!" the medic explained in a hurt and worried tone. "He attacked me, and took off! I know that he has been more irritated as of late, but I never expected him to harm anyone!"

Raf felt a knot of concern build in his chest. 'That must have been Jack out there.' The boy looked from the medic to the base entrance tunnel and back, "I'm gonna go look for him." He stated loudly before stripping and morphing into his beast form. He was out of the base before any of the others could protest.

His paws felt light and airy as he flitted across the dry landscape, raising his nose to the sky and drawing in any scents that would lead him to his friend. What he picked up made the rabbit/fox start to the point that he almost lost his footing and fall face first into the gritty rock below foot. All thoughts of his friend left his thoughts at the scent that nearly overwhelmed him; a heavy musk rolled through his systems, setting all his nerves on edge and a wave of heat pooled in his stomach. He came to a complete stop and looked through the surrounding debris for the source of the intoxicating smell.

What he found was a fox's whole, and inside were a pair of said creatures that were… Mating. The one beneath the other was exuding a warm, sweet scent, but that wasn't the one that held his focus. No, the dominant animal held most of his attention. The heavy musk he was emitting sent his instincts to a point they were almost uncontrollable. He snapped out of his trance enough to high-tail and run. He stopped a good four hundred yards from the burrow.

'What caused that?' the boy though as he took up residence on a rock. His scientific side was going nuts. He knew enough about animal anatomy to know what the two of them were doing, and what the scents implied, but it took him a bit more thought to try and come up with a reason for why he might have reacted the way he did.

First it was the scent. Then he felt the pull to find the source of said scent. He wondered where the recognition of the scent came from, and pondered the possibility of his animal halves. The fox and rabbit in his new anatomy seemed to have melded to each other perfectly. His fox part recognized the scent, and the rabbit reacted. He knew that the fox that he came into contact with was male, and that his pet rabbit at home was female. It all made sense, and the scent of the actions between the two animals had sent his hormones into frenzy.

He still felt the pool of warmth in his abdomen, but it was at a tolerable level for now. So with a determined shake of his head, he ignored the musk scent, and picked up on his friend's still fresh scent. His paws thumped softy on the sandy ground as he followed the trail to an outcropping of towering mesas. He slowed to a steady trot, and made his way through the shadowy passages. It wasn't long before he found the onyx form of Jack.

The older teen looked miserable, if the very visible sag in his wings and ears were anything to go by, and the steady rumble that had been reverberating from the panther's chest for the past few days was nonexistent. So as not to scare his friend, he swung wide around the pool, and called softly to him.

"Jack? Are you OK?"

The ebon feline flinched and whirled around with his tail between his legs and his wings and ears pulled close to his body, though he relaxed when he recognized his young friend. "Raf," he said quietly and settled by the pool again' "Raf, I… I think I messed up big time…"

The younger boy's face held an understanding and sad frown, "Yeah, I saw Ratchet. Why 'd you hurt him?"

The panther's head bowed deeply and a pained sigh escaped his maw, "I… Don't know, Raf. I don't know why I attacked one of my closest friends, and I don't know how I'm even going to apologize… or explain. I… I can't even remember anything apart from a few blurry images... I just know I needed something and I needed it right then, and I knew that Ratchet was there keeping me from it. I felt a rush of rage and desperation… How the hell will I ever talk to him again..?" a lone tear slipped over his furry muzzle and popped into the crystalline pool, sending tiny, rippling waves across its glassy surface. He lifted his head and faced his young companion, his gray-blue eyes glazed and miserable, "I almost killed him, Raf" his voice vibrating with guilt and shame.

The smaller creature felt a twinge of sympathy well up in his chest, "But you didn't, Jack. He will forgive you, because that is how he is. You know that… It's obvious that there's something going on with your head, and we need to find out what it is. Why don't you come with me back to base? Try to explain what happened to Ratchet? I'm sure that if you try, everything will work out."

The ebon feline looked a bit apprehensive, and turned his massive skull back to the pool before solemnly nodding. The boy turned fox padded carefully up to his larger friend's side and nuzzled against his side. "What if I lose control again? What if I really do kill him, or someone else?"

"I think you don't give yourself enough credit. You are strong willed and determined. I don't think you'll do anything this time."

"But, how do you know? I don't remember wha…" the panther stopped midsentence, and his eyes lit with up with sudden realization. "I-I… Needed to fly… I was desperate and I needed it. It felt like my mind was slowly falling apart… And that has to legitimately be the worst excuse I have ever heard. I almost killed my friend over something so… Trivial!" he looked to his smaller friend, "I almost killed him over it!" he whispered, a thick tone of anguish and self loathing.

Raf's eyes grew wide and worried, "Are you even listening to yourself? You act like he won't forgive you."

"But why should he? Why would anyone want to be anywhere near someone who almost purposefully killed them?"

"But It's obvious that you didn't purposefully do it, or at least not in your right mind. There was something wrong, and you were not you. Ratchet will see that, and he will forgive you. That's just how he is. Yes, he is more than a little on the gruff side, and yes, he does lose his temper with some things, but if I've learned anything about him from the short time I have known him, it's that he wouldn't hold a grudge for something like this. If anything he is very worried about you, and wants to help in any way he can. So let him. Let that be your apology. Show that you didn't do that in your right mind and ask for help." The boy turned fox exclaimed as he got to his paws in a show of spirited resolution.

Jack looked at his young companion and saw the unwavering determination, and felt a wave of pride wash over him. He couldn't help but smile at the boy; his positive attitude very contagious. The winged panther got to his own paws, and curled his neck around the fox/rabbit's, resting it on the boy's shoulders and bringing his feathery wings around the both of them in a grateful hug. "Thanks, I needed that."

"No problem. Now, let's head back. The others must be worried sick."

Jack released Raf and nodded, feeling lighter and in more control. He only hoped that it lasted. The two of them trotted from the acoustical cave and out into the blazing Nevada sun, though with the tropical temperament of their animals, the heat was pleasant and exhilarating.

Raf got a mischievous glint in his eyes, and with no warning, he pounced onto his older friend, trying and failing to pin him to the ground. Though Jack, not wanting to pass up a chance to play with his young companion, rose to the challenge and began to tumble about the ground, their laughter ringing joyously across the sandy landscape.

Raf dodged and scampered over and around Jack's larger frame, all the while taking the time to marvel at the feline's agile (though not as agile as his own) movements, feeling the previously dormant heat that had resided in his abdomen flair as he watched the massive figure looming over him, trying to pin him down.

His thoughts moved to foreign topics that caused the pool of heat to intensify, and wondered what it would be like to be with his older friend. He was not all that innocent in the knowledge of sexuality, and had explored (he was a computer techy after all), though he had never given the thought of how he would feel towards another individual, let-alone a guy. And as his friendly sparing match continued, his thoughts moved to Jack's well shaped frame, and his powerful control, imagining the sensations he might feel when pinned under the large feline's bulk, feeling arousal build in his body.

Unbeknown to the fox/rabbit, the thoughts that lead to his arousal had triggered responses in his still developing body, allowing a sweet aroma leave him. This was, in turn, picked up by the winged panther he was sparing with, causing him to stop in his tracks.

The older boy stared in curious confusion at the younger, his senses fairing. He didn't know exactly what to make of the scent, but it triggered powerful emotions in him. He felt the need to claim and protect. The primal instincts that spoke a language that was becoming increasingly familiar and understandable with every passing day didn't take over (as it usually would), but coupled with his natural logic for once and allowed him to try and comprehend why he was feeling what he was.

He tried to interpret what it was that the youngling's body was trying to convey to him (because it was obvious that it was the older male that had caused it) and as he went over the things that he had learned of their animal parts, a voice in his head whispered primal heat. Then it donned on him. Raf was coming of age… and his body was broadcasting the declaration in the only way it knew how.

The sweet scent was alluring, but he wouldn't let that temp him (that is unless Raf engaged first, of course) and squelched the urge before it could take hold. So with a conclusive nod, he proceeded to try and inform his younger friend of his new development.

Raf, thoroughly baffled by the abrupt halt in the friendly spar, asked "What's wrong? Are you OK?"

"I'm fine Raf, but I think you should know that your scent has changed; drastically, in fact. I could be completely wrong in this, but I think that you are coming into a heat."

The younger boy just stared dumbfounded at his elder, not fully processing the words. Then his face lit up in understanding, and his ears and tail flattened close to his body in utter embarrassment, "Oh jeez, I and so sorry, Jack! I-I didn't mean to, but I-I, uh-"

The panther laughed lightheartedly, "it's fine Raf. It's nothing to be ashamed of. It's perfectly natural, and proving that you're healthy and developing well. I did a lot of research on the animals that we were fused with, and this is to be expected, though I wasn't expecting to be a trigger."

The youngling giggled softly, still a bit embarrassed, "well, I didn't expect this at all, so I guess were even, huh?"

"Heh, yeah."

Unknown to the two changed boys, several hundred feet up, a scouting fleet of seekers lead by none other than Starscream himself scanned over the barren landscape for traces of energon and any signs of the Autobot base.

"Hum. What have we here?" the flight commander drawled as the boys came into view, "quite large for pests around here."

He signaled for the wing to fly in for a closer look, and better judge their importance. The egotistical seeker immediately recognized the winged fiend that near off lined him before one of the last energon raids, and felt a knot of anger form in his tanks. Directing the wing to the ground, he transformed and landed before the two organic transformers. "Well, if it isn't the organic beast that interfered at the last raid. By the way the way you collided with the ground, I thought that surely you would have perished from your wounds. It appears that I was sorely mistaken."

"What do you want you metallic peacock? Come to flaunt your shiny wings and fluff your ego to the resident organics? What? Did Megatron finally get tired of your preening?" Jack taunted as he took a defensive position in front of his younger friend.

Thoroughly taken aback when his inquiries were not only answered by the furry pest, but laden with sarcasm and intelligence; Starscream's seeker nature to defend his honor, flared to life. Fanning out his wings in a show of dominant aggression, the Decepticon SIC Approached the massive organic.

Jack, instinctually recognizing the motions, flared his own wings and stood on his hind paws. The two stood not ten feet from one another, and proceeded to intimidate the other. Their wings flapping and expanding and the deep waved growls from engine and lungs rolled like an ominous thunder across the desert land.

Though the feline only came to the seeker's chassis, the SIC knew better than to assume that size was everything. They stared after one another, waiting, estimating, and judging. Trying to anticipate what the other might do.

Their audience backed off a bit, waiting for the fall out to begin. And then, the SIC lunged, aiming a sharp, talented servo at the organic's exposed belly. The feline dodged, beat his massive wings, bringing him above the seeker's helm, and landed gracefully between the flared metallic wings. The sight of Jack riding Starscream's back like a rodeo bull was thoroughly amusing to the seeker underlings and remaining organic; seeing the once dignified SIC bound around with a ball of feathery fluff attached to his back coaxing a soft wave of laughter from those watching.

Jack, growing very tired of the silly (in his opinion) antics of the seeker bellow him, beat his mighty wings enough to pull the two of them up a bit, and caused Starscream to fall on his face as his feet touched the ground once more. Wasting no time, the onyx feline latched his massive jaws into the sensitive neck cabling and clamped down just enough to dent the plaiting. The SIC froze immediately. Feeling the sharp teeth wrap threateningly around a main energon line, Starscream lay still hoping for no serious injury.

Jack dug his claws into transformation seams, and tore lightly at delicate cabling. "Do you yield?" Jack asked in a gravelly tone that was heard clearly to their audience despite his mouth being full of neck. When the SIC didn't answer, he repeated, "Do you yield?" digging his canines into the complex circuitry.

Finally, Starscream responded with an aggravated huff, "FINE! Just get off me you discussing flesh bag!"

Complying, Jack leaped gracefully from the downed form, and assumed his previous position of being a living shield for his younger friend.

Starscream got to his peds once more, and turned a glare at his 'superior'. He was furious. HE had never been beaten by anyone but Megatron. How was it that the pathetic organic pest was able to do so? His scientific side decided to rear its long dormant helm, and a wicked grin played across his faceplates. Faster than a flash, his servo was up, releasing a missile right at the feet of the two organics, throwing them back each at least a dozen feet. On contact with the ground, Raf was knocked unconscious, but Jack held on to it for a few seconds, just enough to see Starscream come into his line of sight before all was black to his eyes.

The Decepticon SIC approached the two unconscious organics, and knelt down to closely examine them. Running diagnostic scans, he searched the human internet to find the names of the species of the two. After combing through several documenting sites, and finding nothing that resembles anything comparing to the strange creatures at his mercy, he made his decision.

Turning to two of his four on-servo lackeys, he instructed for them to prepare them for ground-bridging. Bringing his servo to his helm, he called the TIC for pick-up.

Not a moment later, the green vortex opened up a few paces away, allowing the mechs with their prisoners' passage. In no time at all, all mechs were through, and the portal closed, leaving a silent wasteland once more, save for the large, smoking crater littered with flecks of spilled energon and blood.

Shadowy figures, previously hidden from view by large stone outcroppings, emerged and investigated the abandoned scene. One in particular knelt down by a small pool of blood that had partially fused with a few drops of energon and took a glass vile and a small pipette from a pocket on his green vest. With infinite care, the masked figure drew a sample of the blood and deposited it into the vile before capping it. Placing the now in-use storage device in its pocket, he scanned the area for a similarly sized pool of energon to sample, and saw the heavily armed form of one of his comrades collecting from one already.

The other figure finished the task, and turned to meet the first's goggled eyes. With a nod from each, a third figure drew a cellular device from his own green vest and placed it to his ear, "Sir, the subjects had a confrontation. We collected samples from the scene. The other party was unknown to our data bases. Observations: organic, intelligent, and recognized by subjects, permission to return to HQ."

The voice on the other end was deep and his tone was laced with intrigue, "Marvelous, permission granted. You all have done well to further the progress of MECH."

"Yes sir!" with an almost solemn air, the cellular device was placed back into its pocket, and as silently as the figures had appeared, they vanished behind the outcroppings. A distant rumble of starting engines sounded through the air and slowly grew softer as the vehicles retreated. All that was left at the sight was a few near undistinguishable wisps of smoke still wafting up from the missile crater. No trace of the shadowy figures to be found, by fellow humans or perceptive cybertronians.