Disclaimer: All Transformers characters belong to Hasbro. Any made up characters were created by me.

Summery: (Set two months after 2007 movie) When a Autobot squad of six arrives on Earth after hearing the message from their leader, Optimus Prime. The old Cybertronian law enforcer of the group is determined to get in touch with his old partners even though they are part of the Decepticons.

Appearing Autobots: Prowl, Red Alert (an apprentice under Ratchet at one time), Inferno, Smokescreen, and Jetfire

AN: The Prowl in this fic is kind of like the Prowl in the old 80's cartoons but, since I kind of forgot his personally and such he might be a bit OC to those of you who do remember so please don't get mad at me. Plus his background might be changed to suet this fic.

"blah" – Normal human speck
"blah" – Cybertronian speck
blah – thinking

blah – Flashbacks

Once a Lawman, Always a Lawman
by Yami-Yugi

Chapter 3
To Join or Not to Join

Back with the Deceptions, Barricade was unsure what to do. The other Decepticons were happily telling him to destroy Prowl. At that moment Prowl stop twitching and notice the other Decepticons, even the one that injured him in the first place. Barricade stepped back in surprise at the look of complete and total fury on Prowl's face. "Starscream!" Prowl shouted piss off. Suddenly two shoulder mounted canons came out from their special hiding spots and took aim at Starscream. Barricade turned back into a cop car to get out of his one-time partner's way.

"Wait a sec..." Starscream started as he stare at Prowl "You look familiar somehow, do I know you?"

"You better. You the one that did THIS to me!" Prowl shouted, pointed to missing part of his face. Barricade drove around Prowl, not wanting to get hit and so that he could see when the other Autobots arrived. "Barricade! Get out of here!" Prowl shouted at him "I'll handle things."

Barricade didn't move. He tuned his radio so that it said 'We're partners, remember?'

"Yes but one of us have to survive and look for Frenzy." Prowl said "Now do as I say and get out of here." Barricade sighed and hinted at the others coming as backup via Bumblebee before leaving.

Just as he did the other Autobots rolled up. Bumblebee was very confused in the way the Decepticon he fought before was acting still. Barricade had a sudden idea. He drove in front of Optimus in such a way that he could speak quietly with him. Bumblebee was a bit shock and worried that the Decepticon was ticking them to get to Prime and hurt him. "Autobot." Barricade said urgently "If you want to save Prowl you better hurry. He's just up ahead and he's out numbered." Optimus nodded. With that said, Barricade drove away, his wheels screeching.

"You're just going to let him get away sir?" Ironhide asked confused "He's a Decepticon. He could just leading us into a trap." Bumblebee nodded in agreement.

"He was once one of my companions, you've never known Barricade before the war, he was a good friend and I think he still cares about Prowl, otherwise he would not have told Bumblebee to get us."

Ironhide and Bumblebee was still unsure about Barricade. "Let's stop talking and get going!" shouted Smokescreen "Prowl needs our help if it starts again while he battling Starscream and those Decepticons." The others nodded.

- - -

"Oh I see how about I finished the job then Autobot!" Starscream shouted and started to fire at Prowl with the same laser gun he used to damage the ex law enforcer. Starscream was shot suddenly.

Starscream, the other Decepticons and Prowl looked and saw Jetfire still in the air firing at Starscream. "Trust!" Starscream order "Get that wannbe fly boy!"

The other Decepticon jet smiled wickedly. "Right!" He transforms and started to go after Jetfire. Optimus shot Thrust.

"What are you doing here?" Prowl asked a bit confused just as Ratchet and Red Alert transform and stood on either side of them.

"We're helping you out sir." said Red Alert "And besides me and Ratchet still need to try and fix you up more."

Optimus said one word as he transformed right behind Prowl "Barricade."

Prowl sighed but there was a slight smile on his face. "Figures..." he said.

Optimus smiled. "He still cares about you..."

"Well at least I know some things never change." Prowl said as he turns his optics back on his main target, the Decepticon that injured him all those years ago. Optimus nodded.

"We should get out of here," Smokescreen said as he tried to doge Soundwave. Bumblebee agreed.

Even though Prowl didn't want to, it was going against his main function. "Smokescreen, give us cover!" he ordered.

Smokescreen nodded. "Yes sir!" Using one of his own weapons, a thick back smoke came out, blinding the Decepticons giving the Autobots a chance to transform and hide tail it out of there. The Autobots drove away as quickly as possible.

- - -

A bit later on, the Autobots, knowing it was safe for now, transform back into their bots forms. Knowing that with Smokescreen's special weapons, the Deceptions won't be planning on anything any time in the near feature in a while. Bumblebee turned. "I have to get back to Sam."

"It is getting late." said Iornhide.

"That's why I have to get back to Sam's house."

"Go on ahead Bumblebee." said Optimus. Bumblebee nods and transforms. Though he was still greatly confused on the way Barricade was acting.

Barricade was acting really fickle today... Bumblebee thought as he drove through the city to get to Sam's house. And what's the deal with him and Prowl?

- - -

The next morning Bumblebee told Sam and Mikeala about the weirdness that happened the day before after he'd taken them home. "Wait you mean to say Barricade HELPED you guys?" Sam asked still very confused "He's a Decepticon."

"I'm just as confused as you are."

"Poor Bee." said Mikeala quietly to Sam. As they all headed back to see the other Autobots they saw something strange up ahead. They saw the Nevada Highway patrol car was going the same way with them with another familiar cop car. "I wonder where they're going..." said Mikeala.

"Is Prowl thinking of bring Barricade with him?" Sam asked worriedly. He had not a good memory with Barricade.

"Optimus said they were partners once..." Bee informed them.

"But how? Barricade is a Decepticon and Prowl is an Autobot." said Mikeala.

"It was before the war so... I wouldn't really know." said Bee.

- - -

When they got to the meeting place they notice Prowl haven't shown up yet. Sam and Mikeala shrugged as they got out of the car and sat on the grass in front of Bumblebee. The new bots they meet yesterday, minus Prowl was there too. And the group had at time was talking about Prowl when the teens and Bumblebee rolled up. "We saw Prowl." said Sam. "He was with Barricade."

"Figures he would do that." said Jetfire with a sigh.

Sam blinked. "Do what?"

"Yeah, Bumblebee said you said something about Prowl and Barricade being partners?" Mikeala added looking at Optimus.

"Before the war on Cybertron, Prowl was what you call a law enforcer on our planet." said Jetfire "But he didn't work alone. Barricade and Frenzy was his partners as well."

"Oh! So that's why he left in such a hurry..." said Mikeala quietly.

"Wait you mean to tell me Barricade and Frenzy were on the good side?" Sam asked still confused.

Optimus nods. "They were for a while." he said.

"You once asked about why Prowl have two different color optics?" Ratchet asked. Sam and Mikeala nodded. "Well when Megatron started to gather bots to join the Decepticon ranks. Prowl, Barricade, and Frenzy tried to keep the peace until it happen."

"Starscream, who was a new recruit, shot Prowl in the face with his laser gun." Optimus said.

The humans winced. "If something hits a human in the face there is a chance that they can go blind, from temperarily to permanently..." said Sam.

"The shot did a number on Prowl." said Red Alert "He was in long term stasis while me and Ratchet tired to save him. One of his optics was badly damage so we had to replace it with a new one. The shot also damage most of his memory processors. That what we are still working on."

"If only humans could do that..." said Mikeala "So before you replaced it he was blind in that...optic?"

"In a sense he would be. But we knew Prowl won't like it." said Ratchet "Prowl has the most sophisticated logic among us."

"So he and Barricade are looking for their other partner?"

"Yes." said Jetfire "Frenzy may be tiny but back then he was very good at what he did to help Prowl and Barricade with the jobs at hand."

"I hope they find him then." said Sam. "'Cause I know that if Mikeala and I were separated like that then I wouldn't stop looking until I found her."

"But what I don't get is why did Barricade and Frenzy join the Decepticons then when they were the good guys?" asked Bumblebee who was still very confused.

"Cause they were there when Starscream shot him." said Red Alert "Seeing that Megatron must have told them that Prowl was dead." Sam and Mikeala nodded in understanding.

At that moment they saw Prowl driving up, and he wasn't alone. The Decepticon, Barricade, was with him. "I wonder I they had any luck finding their partner..." said Mikeala quietly. Ironhide didn't want to take any chances with the Decepticon there so he got his cannons at the readily.

"Seeing the trend," Sam replied. "I'd say that Frenzy will probably be another kind of law enforcement vehicle..."

"But remember how small he was?" Mikeala said softly to him "He was almost the same size as us." Sam nodded.

At that moment Prowl return to his bot form. His two different color optics looked worriedly at Ratchet and Red Alert. "Ratchet. Red Alert." he started, even his voice sounded worried "We need your help."

"What is it, sir?" asked Red Alert. Prowl gently open a special compartment and took something gently out. There being gently held in his huge hand was the familiar smaller bot that looked like it was badly damage, not functioning to well either.

The human's eyes widened. "I hope that didn't happen at the Dam..." said Sam quietly "If it did I am going to feel really guilty..." Mikeala nodded in agreement.

"Do you know what happened?" Mikeala asked Prowl.

"Not sure. But we fallow his weak energy signature to a place you humans call "Hover Dam"." Prowl said still a bit worried.

The two humans looked at Prowl guiltily. "I remember that..."said Mikeala "I think he almost lost his head..."

"I know you two don't usably help Decepticons but can you do it just this once?" Prowl asked.

The two Autobots looked at each other and nodded. "Barricade is the only one we are willing to help though." The two Autobots came over and gently took Frenzy from Prowl. Sam went over to look at the small bot and winced. Prowl nodded his thanks just before his body started to twitch again. Barricade transforms into his bot form and gently catches the twitching bot. The teens looked worried.

"How badly was he hurt?" asked Mikeala.

"Badly... Starscream did a number on him," Barricade said.

"Is he going to be alright?" Sam asked as he still watches Prowl twitch.

"I don't know... Has it gotten worse?" Barricade asked Jetfire and the others. Prowl's squad nods. Mikeala and Sam frowned solemnly.

Bumblebee grew worried as the twitching didn't seem to stop. "...Prowl..." Barricade sighed.

"Ratchet, Red Alert...change of plans. Prowl is more important."

The two med bots look over. "Don't you want Frenzy fixed?" Red Alert asked the Decepticon in confusion.

"Yes...but Prowl is getting worse. I'd rather have an old friend back than take a risk fixing a minicon." The two med bots was unsure. Sure when Prowl get like that it would pass in time. The two bots looked towards Optimus for guidance.

"All I will say is which one is more important to you. The same goes for you Barricade. Will you risk loosing your minicon?" Barricade looked over at the barely functioning Frenzy then towards his still twitching friend. Bumblebee just watched, finding it hard to keep his opinion to himself.

"Well..." Ratchet started as he looked at his old apprentice "If we hurry we might be able to help the both of them."

"Let's hurry with Frenzy and focus on getting him functional. Focus most of our energy on Prowl," replied Red Alert.

Ratchet nods. "Barricade, bring Prowl over here." he said. He nodded and helped lead the now still Autobot over. "Okay Red Alert," Ratchet said "Let's do this." He nodded as Barricade made sure Prowl was okay before walking away.

Sam slowly near the Decepticon. "Hey...don't worry. I'm sure Ratchet and Red Alert can help the both of them." he said in a stutter.

"Thank you human..." he said "Your words of encouragement mean a lot."

"What are you going to do when they get fixed?" Mikeala asked.

"...I don't know. Starscream will start putting two and two together..." he sighed worriedly. "If he finds out...it won't be good for me. Especially for Prowl."

"Why don't you come to our side?" asked Smokescreen "I'm sure Prowl would like that."

"I'm sure he would..." he sighed, looking over to where the two medical bots were working diligently. "I suppose I could, now that Megatron is dead. I will have to think about it..."

"Give it as long as you need." Optimus said.

Barricade turned to the Autobot leader, surprised a bit by his sudden statement. He stared at him for awhile before looking away. "I'm surprised you would even consider it after the things I've done."

"It's okay Barricade." Optimus said "What's done is done. But we all know, even Prowl, that being a Decepticon isn't you." Suddenly there was this shout and Frenzy was up and about. He looked a bit surprised and had his weapons on hand while he stares at the Autobots around him. He muttered some angry gibberish and started to fire.

"Frenzy hold your fire!" Barricade shouted. The small bot shouted, muttered more gibberish, and stopped. "Now that's better." Barricade said "Now say you're sorry. It was the Autobots and Prowl's help that you are functioning right again."

He muttered angry gibberish but did so anyway. "...Sorry..." Then Frenzy gave a confused look at Barricade. "...Prowl...?"

Barricade nods. "He's alive." he said and looked a bit sad "But he's being worked on right now..."

Bumblebee watched worriedly too. "Prowl...please be okay..."

"Primus..." Red Alert was heard saying "This is taking longer then I though."

"We just have to keep at it, Red Alert." Ratchet spoke.

He nodded. "Starscream must have done more damage than everyone originally thought." Ratchet sighed solemnly. Frenzy noticed Sam and Mikeala and glared at them.

"...Witwicky..." he scowled.

"Frenzy don't even think about it." Barricade warned. He spat gibberish at them angrily before walking away and sitting down nearby.

"Ahh... thanks..." Sam said.

"I don't want any unnecessary conflict."

A couple of hours later Ratchet and Red Alert pulled away from Prowl. "We did the best we could." said Red Alert "He's in stasis at the moment."

"We should probably get him back to base. We'll be able to do more and properly assess damages," said Ratchet.

"That's could be the best action." said Jetfire.

Barricade nodded. "I...guess we should part ways..."

"Are you sure?" Inferno asked "If Prowl comes out of this; he will start to worry about you if he find out you up and left."

"I know. But I can't be seen at an Autobot base. Not only will it lead the others to you, but Starscream won't like it."

"Barricade is right." Optimus said "It could be dangerous right now." The team sighed, but knew they were right. "We'll let you know what happens," he added. Barricade nodded and transformed.

"C'mon, Frenzy. Let's go." The smaller bot hopped into him with no reply but he looked happy to be leaving the Autobots. Bumblebee went over to Ratchet and Red Alert worriedly. Both carried Prowl over to Jetfire. Jetfire knew what was going on so he transforms.

"I'll lead. Try to follow closely in the air," said Optimus.

"Yes sir." Jetfire said. He waited for Prowl to be secured inside before carefully taking off.

"Roll out!" Optimus said as he transformed and sped off. As the others transforms Bumblebee looked over were Barricade was and saw the Decepticon had all ready drove away. He then transforms and opens his doors for Sam and Mikeala.

"I've never been to their base..." said Mikeala as they got in.

"Me either." said Sam.

"Well...it's...Big..." said Bumblebee. He sped off without another word.

- - -

Meanwhile Barricade was driving down the road. Frenzy was still happy about leaving the Autobots. I hope Prowl will make it... he thought to himself as he drove along. He unfortunately came across one of the other Decepticons.

"Well there you are Barricade. Where did you went off to?"

"Sorry, Thrust. I got lost when that Autobot attacked."

"Starscream is looking for you, you know. I think he's angry that you didn't finish off that Autobot when you had the chance."

"Oh..." Figures... "Where is he?"

"He went off to see if he can find some Autobots to beat the crap out of."

Barricade sighed in annoyance. "Alright. I'll go find him." Frenzy grew happy as Barricade sped off to find Starscream.

"...Frenzy wants to fight Autobots...!" the small bot said excitedly.

"No, Frenzy."

"...But why...? ...Barricade liked fighting Autobots..."

"I...I'm not so sure about that anymore..."

"...Frenzy doesn't want Barricade to turn Autobot..."

"But what about Prowl? He's an Autobot, Frenzy."

"...Prowl different..."

Barricade sighed. "Still he's part of the Autobots." he said. Frenzy couldn't think of a retort so he fell silent.

A huge jet plane flew past and landed in an open field nearby. "Well...we found Starscream..."

"Where is he?" Barricade turned down a dirt road to the abandoned field where he saw Starscream land. Starscream transformed as Barricade pulled up.

"You wanted to see me, Starscream?" he asked.

"Barricade... You disappoint me. Why didn't you blast that Autobot into oblivion when you had the chance? If Lord Megaton were here, what would he say?" Barricade tired not to growl at him. Mostly cause he knew it was Starscream's fault in what was going wrong with Prowl.

"Well, Megatron is dead. I'm sure that makes you happy, because now YOU'LL get to be the leader..."

Starscream looked a bit shock. "Me...? Happy? What made you think of something like that? The whole reason I'm here to take revenge on those Autobots for destroying Megaton."

"...Right," Barricade replied a bit sarcastically.

"The next time you run into that Autobot, I want you to destroy him!" Starscream commanded.

"...Why should I listen to you?"

"Cause even though Megaton is no longer with us, I'm still second in command of the Decepticons and what I say goes." Barricade sighed defeated.

Knowing you, you won't stay second in command for long. I know the truth behind your ways...

"I knew you'd see it my way," Starscream smirked as he transformed and flew off.

"...What we going to do...?" Frenzy asked.

"...I don't know..." Barricade sighed.