A/n: sorry it took so long people. I've been so busy lately at work and getting ready for the upcoming deer season. This chapter is short but I wanna apologize for my lateness. Hope you like.

Kit stood quietly watching her fellow pilots take off and land on the landing field. She was waiting for Starscream to return. The other bots were in their hiding form getting a rub down by a few brave soldiers. She found it amusing that the Decepticons willingly would allow humans to rub them down. She longed to be up in the air again feeling free and alive. There was no greater joy in her life than dancing through the clouds. Once Starscream came onto the scene she felt her joy escalate at having a friend and a true wingman that wouldn't abandon her because she could outshine them. Sure they had a rough start it made things worth wile in the end. Inwardly she knew the stirrings of her heart were telling her that she loved the stoic bot, like a brother, a companion, and a best friend. Closing her eyes, she let out a heavy sigh. The way he had acted towards her lately made her worry and fear for him. She'd never admit it out loud but she felt vulnerable again without the bot close by. Before Starscream, it had been easy to brush off the rejections of others with violence and sarcastic remarks. She punched the wall closest not even startling the two pilots nearby. There had been a great risk for her to open up to the Decepticon and worry began to over take her senses as if he was going to betray her like so many other best friends before him.

"You should probably get that looked at Lieutenant."

She looked over to see an officer she didn't know looking at her. Kit just nodded and headed towards the infirmary. The nurse there checked it over quickly. She hadn't broken anything just bruised and lacerated the skin. With care and gentleness the woman wrapped her hand up so that it wouldn't get infected. Sighing softly, she headed back out on the porch of the infirmary. Of course then her thoughts drifted to Thundercracker and Blackout. She hadn't completely forgive Blackout for her brother's death but there was this lingering feeling from her past to forgive. Some people would say it was her fault in life but others would consider it a good trait. Closing her eyes she ran her uninjured fingers through her thick dark brown hair. She'd definitely need a vacation after this. By the time she'd get this over with there would at least be twenty more gray hairs.

Deciding that maybe one of the other two would be able to tell her what happened back in the old base. With a determined walk her feet lead her to the hanger where both bots were. The soldiers were sitting there talking in a few folding chairs and the two bots were squeaky clean now. It was amazing what a bottle of cleaner and a bunch of elbow grease could make the Decepticon's shine. Thundercracker still boar the marks of battle. She knew that those marks defined him as a seasoned warrior from where they came from but in the eyes of his peers he was still just a kid. Of course with the F-22's attitude it was no wonder they thought of him like a kid. Their personalities made them unique in their own ways even if their forms didn't separate them.

Both soldiers rose to salute their superior officer.

"Head back to the barracks guys."

They both nodded getting the message loud and clear. They walked away talking about the current teams in the baseball leagues. She tuned them out and face the two Decepticons. She waited till the two guys were out of sight before she spoke to her companions. It wasn't like she was uncomfortable talking with them in front of other people. It made her feel at home when she could talk with the bots openly when alone.

"All right guys what happened back there?"

Blackout changed first followed by Thundercracker. The big bot sat down beckoning her closer. In true fashion she managed to get up to his shoulder and looked at Thundercracker. Sitting on Blackout's shoulder wasn't the same as sitting with Starscream.

"As you last saw we were in a battle against Soundwave and Barricade. Things were going in our favor until another Decepticon showed up."

"His name was Skywarp, Blackout. You weren't around when the Seekers were about," Thundercracker stated calmly.

"Let me guess what he had to say to Starscream. He should stop protecting me and just hand him over to Megatron and he'd be pardoned for his insubordination."

"How did…"

"I didn't but that's normally the way it is. So what's this Skywarp like?"

"Just like Barricade. We tried to sway him to our side but he wouldn't have it. He insisted that he would never protect or bow to a human."

Kit stood up on his shoulder and looked around. It'd be a long time before she'd get use to being amongst more than just Starscream.

"They don't get it do they? I don't control or force anyone to stay by my side. That isn't a friendship."

Before she could continue her rant the ground shook. Blackout reached up to steady her. She thanked the big bot with a look. Thundercracker turned to look out the hanger to make sure it was alright for them to go out.

"Thanks Blackout."

The bot nodded absently. There was something amiss both bots were strangely quiet. Blackout rose with a firm grip on Kit so that she wouldn't fall. They headed out onto the landing deck. In the middle of it stood a familiar hulking form, and Kit let out a sigh of relief. Starscream stood there looking towards the sky. Blackout put the girl down and she raced to Starscream's side. Before she could get to him something smaller than himself dropped in-between the pair. Kit barely dodged the scattering of rubble as the bot landed. She had to scramble backwards to avoid the big feet of the bot that decided to drop in without an invite, so that meant this bot was crashing a private party. When the dust cleared a bot she had never seen before stood there. From the logo it was an autobot and it looked like a giant eagle or hawk or something. The bot looked at her pointedly. Kit scrambled back until she bumped into a foot looking up she saw Blackout looking down at her. He reached down and picked her up carefully.

"Blackout who's this turkey?"

"Unhand the lady Decepticon," the bot said.

"Go stuff it autobot," she snarled. "I'm sick and tired of all this self-righteous bull shit."

She struggled to get out of Blackout's grasp. He sat her down and she moved past the new autobot towards Starscream. That required her walking underneath the body. She completely ignored the bot.

"Hey Starscream fly with me again?" she asked hopefully.

He turned his dark red gaze towards her. The bot rose and walked away from her leaving Kit disappointed and hurt. Starscream was distancing himself from her again, and that was like digging knives in her heart. She turned around with a sad face and headed back underneath the new bot. A large wing came down and blocked her path. This bot's calm golden gaze stared at her.

"My name Lady is Silverbolt."

"Leave me be Silverbolt."

The bot raised his wing and allowed her to walk away. Her shoulder's slumped in defeat at the F-22's rejection. Before she could make it to the barracks for a long nap Optimus pulled up. Jazz was with him. She couldn't even look at the silver Solstice without wincing. Both bots transformed and spoke with the new addition to the autobot's team. Frankly Kit didn't care anymore. A hand on her shoulder stopped her. Looking over at Storm Chaser she sighed sadly.

"It's getting close to that time Kit."

"I know."

She bowed her head in dejection. Though it wasn't much Kit had some hope that after this Starscream would stop this charade and hang with her like friends do. Even if they couldn't do things a normal human friendship star gazing was a lot of fun for her. Both of the men gathered her up in a hug trying to calm her frayed nerves.

"We'll tell Optimus that you'll speak with him later concerning this matter. Right now you need to sleep."

"Yes, mom," she said tiredly with a weak smile.

Storm Chaser shook his head and Mallard just laughed happily. They ushered her into their room and laid her down telling her to rest. They stayed in the doorway until the saw her fall to sleep. Starscream was going to get the tongue lashing of the century for what he was putting Kit through that was for sure and the two male pilots would make sure of it.