Chapter 4

Questions

And moments

Optimus let Bumblebee take Starscream to the park he wanted to ask Skyfire some questions about Starscream. If he wanted to learn more about the Sparkling then he must ask Skyfire, yet he didn't understand what can Skyfire know, since he met the shuttle in earth after Megatron unfreeze him. The Prime found him in the lab studying some plants of Earth. He looked focused and that made Prime regret what he will ask.

"Skyfire? Sorry to interrupt but I need to ask you something..."

The tall Mech blinked and turned around not expecting him. With a small smile he put down his examining tools.

"Yes, sir"

"Very good then..."Prime cleared his throat. "I wonder what Starscream was before the war, if that doesn't mind you."

Skyfire looked startled by his question and that made Optimus look the ground, yes something tells him he will regret it.

"Oh, not it doesn't" Skyfire responded. "Well, how can I start? Starscream studied in the science academy, he was one of the best students and he did a great job during his time in there... I met him in the academy and later I became his best friend"

"You were friends?"

Skyfire nodded letting out a sentimental sigh, remembering those times brought him chills.

"Yeah, unbelievable...huh?" He said." I must say that he wasn't that friendly and social... he found it hard to coexist with other Mechs. He told me once that he was very lucky to have a friend like me" As he said that Skyfire had to continue with his work. "He was my best friend and the only Mech I could count on, months passed and I wanted to go to an exploration with him and I must say that it was a bad idea."

Optimus nodded, Starscream did have a lot of secrets and it was worth to know. Smiling behind his mask as he imagined a playful Starscream experimenting on things with Skyfire, he won't deny that they had a good life, sad thing the war started...

"Starscream agreed on coming with me, we wanted to explore the planet". Skyfire sighed. "When we got there everything was good but unfortunately a strong snow storm broke my systems and I ended up crashing, I don't remember anything after that... I only saw black...I'm sorry"

"It's okay, thanks." Optimus thanked the Mech.

"Starscream wasn't likes this before, Optimus." Skyfire added. "He was kind and nice, I don't know what Megatron did to him but Starscream is not that bad, I hate Megatron for changing my friend."

"He has done terrible things."

Skyfire nodded in agreement and continued with what he was doing before Prime entered.

He didn't regret it, but he did find it sad. How war can break friendship and bring sorrow and pain. He walked back to the Rec room to see if Starscream was there but he found no one, the room was lonely frowning he contacted Bumblebee, hoping that the young mini bot is with Starscream, now he wanted to stay with the young seeker.

"Bumblebee, are you with Starscream? If so, can you bring him to me?"

"Sure thing, Prime"

Optimus decided to wait in his quarters, it was near midday and he didn't fuel up, but he will wait for Starscream. He wondered if Star was hungry, they have been in the park for hours and that worried Optimus.

When he heard a knock, the Prime let Bumblebee enter and with a nod he left leaving Starscream with him. The little seeker smiled brightly and hugged Optimus as a greeting, Prime smiled.

"Did you have fun?"

"Yeah, Bumblebee is too funny..."Starscream answered. "We walked and chatted, it was nice."

"I'm glad to hear that."

Starscream smiled again and tried to climb to the berth but his small stature didn't let him, finding it a little funny Optimus helped him up by grabbing him by his waist. Starscream yelped as he was placed softly to the berth and sighed when his body relaxed, he looked to Optimus' optics as a form of saying thanks.

"Are you hungry?" Optimus asked as he offered him a small cube of Energon.

"Hu uh" The little Mech exclaimed as he drank the Energon with delighted optics.

Three days has passed since the small accident, and Starscream have a new place to call home, he was happy with them and it appeared that he forgot what happened yesterday with Ironhide, he looked more peaceful. It was a surprise that the Decepticons have not attacked them yet, probably because Megatron thought Starscream was death or because he doesn't have a second in command anymore. On one side, it was a relief but on the other side was more complicated, he didn't imagine Starscream captured by his enemy...

"Is something wrong? Op..."

"No, I was just thinking."

"What were you thinking?"

"What I will do with you."

Starscream frowned, and panicked...there was no way that Optimus will throw him out.

"Wha...what do you mean with that?"

"Well, Bumblebee will be busy tomorrow so it's my turn to take care of you." Optimus explained surprised by the little reaction. "Do you want to go outside or stay here in the base? Probably you can help me with my data pads that I have to give to Prowl, what do you think?"

"Yes..." Starscream laughed as the panic subsided. "I would like that!"

Optimus noticed that something was wrong with Starscream when he told him that, he would discuss it with him tomorrow. For now he wanted to relax.

Optimus was right that Bumblebee would be busy, Starscream was a little sad about that. Bumblebee told him that if he finishes early he could play with him, but Starscream doubt it since the work looked quite hard. Starscream decided to leave him alone, as Optimus told him he helped him with the data pads and he must say it was hard since Prime have a lot of them.

"Take these two to Prowl, I'll call you when I'm done with the rest."

Without arguing he walked to Prowls' quarters, and kicked softly the door since his two hands were busy. The second in command of the Autobots opened the door with a glare, probably thinking that the twins wanted to annoy him, again.

"How many times I have to tell you that I don't want to see your faces anymore!"

"Excuse me? Optimus told me to give you this..."

Prowl gasped as he looked down, not expecting Starscream and he could feel guilt forming on his spark. Closing his optics in embarrassment he let Starscream enter his quarters, the seeker hesitated but he couldn't do anything else.

"Sorry, but I've been too busy to clean my room." Prowl said as he scratched his helmet. "I apologize for the mess."

To be honest, Starscream didn't care about the mess. Smiling he raised his small hands with the data pads and showed the reason of why he was here, Prowl understood immediately and grabbed them with a "thank you", the older Autobot placed the two data pads in the corner of his berth to make sure that he will watch them later, sometimes he can be a little forgetful.

"So, do you like it here? I mean the base." Prowl asked feeling a little awkward, he was waiting for Optimus anyway.

"Yeah." Starscream murmured.

Prowl nodded and cleared his throat. "Primus, How can I talk normally with the others and not with a little sparkling?" He didn't understand it, he had talked with the most important Mechs in Cybertron without any problem, he even talked with Ultra Magnus once but when it's about a sparkling, Prowl found it hard to talk, to form words.

"And did you found friends?"

"Only Optimus and Bumblebee." He answered.

"Oh."

It saddened him just a little, Starscream only have Optimus and Bumblebee as friends, maybe because Starscream haven't met all the crew.

"Sorry about earlier, it wasn't for you" Prowl apologized. "You see, Sideswipe and Sunstreaker are the prankster of the base and every time I met those two problems starts..."

Starscream nodded, "Don't worry."

Thundercraker groaned in frustration, he had looked everywhere for Starscream and there was no sign of him. He was tired and pissed, Skywarp have been complaining like hours and didn't help him with the search. what a day to look for Starscream, unfortunately Megatron grew more impatient and sent them to search for the "traitor" If Megatron hated him that much why he wanted Starscream back? Sometimes, he wondered if Megatron was using medicines...

"Any sign of Screamer?"

"No, you fool..."

Perhaps Starscream was injured and couldn't fly, that could be the reason of his disappearance. It was the most obvious thing that can came up with him, and if Starscream had followed the order of Megatron, nobody would be looking for him. Now, the trine leader was gone and if they don't find him before an hour, Megatron will take for dead Starscream. Not that he cared, but it would be terrible loss for the trine.

"Screamer, where could you be?"

"I think these two are the last one, Prowl." Starscream said as he gave the last data pads to the police car.

"Yeah, thank you"

Starscream went back with Optimus, which for his surprise was waiting for him outside. The Prime waved his hands to Starscream and entered their quarters. Optimus was grateful that Starscream helped him with the data pads, he was tired but had enough energy to stay awake. When he saw Starscream, he have forgotten how small was he and how innocent he looked, yet he wanted to know why Starscream panicked yesterday when he told him about Bumblebee.

"Starscream, why did you react like that when I told you that Bumblebee was going to be busy today?" Prime asked. "You panicked."

"Uh, well I'm" Starscream stutter. "I thought... that you would throw me out"

With a frown, Optimus sighed. So that was the problem the sparkling didn't trust him that much. But, Prime will change that.

"I won't throw you out." Optimus said. "I promised you that I will never leave you, right?"

Starscream gasped, as small tears started to form on his optics. Optimus didn't forget, and Starscream was happy.

"You haven't forgotten your promise..."

"When I promise something, I will make sure to do it."

What Optimus didn't expect was that Starscream ran to him and hugged him lovely, with a laugh since the little seeker could only hug his legs the larger Mech kneeled down and hugged Starscream properly. The seeker wasn't sad anymore and that good. Optimus checked the hour and saw that it will be sun set soon, so he carried Starscream and went outside the base. The Prime could notice a small sign of curiosity on Starscream's optics, wondering where he would be taken. But Optimus stayed silent until Star talked.

"Where are we going?"

"It's a surprise"

Starscream bit down his denta, but stayed calm. Optimus didn't want to concern the seeker so he soothed him by touching his wings. The tension subsided a little.

"Star, you're far too tense..."Optimus murmured on Starscream's audios receptors. "Relax I will be with you, I won't leave you."

Starscream shook his head and rested his frame on Optimus'; with a small sigh the Prime walked to their destination. He poked Starscream on his shoulders telling him to look, but the little seeker refused to do so.

"Star, look at me please." He pleaded with sad optics. "Why don't you trust me?"

It was like if someone has punched Starscream in his spark, the little seeker gasped and saw Optimus with surprised optics. With a small hint of guilt, his body trembled, as he looked Optimus.

" I trust you, Optimus!" Starscream clarified. "I trust you, you are the only Mech who have been nice to me following Bumblebee, and how could I not trust you?"

Optimus shrugged, hiding his small smirk, Starscream kissed his cheek trying to let him know that he was sorry. Optimus hushed him by hugging him, obviously understanding.

"I don't know, but I'm happy that you trust me Starscream." Optimus murmured. "Now, if you trust me why don't you look the beautiful sunset with me?"

"Sunset? Which sunset?"

Optimus answered his question by pointing it with his servo; Starscream turned around and looked in awe the beautiful landscape with the sun setting behind it. It was the first time that Starscream had observed the sun set behind the forest; the sky was different and beautiful. And the landscape...Starscream had no words to describe it.

"Amazing, huh?" Optimus smiled. "I always see this when I'm done with my work, it helps me to relax and think in hard situations."

"You watch all of this in your office?" Starscream asked stunned, Prime was lucky to have an office with a beautiful view.

Optimus chuckled.

"Yeah, but this time I wanted to see it outside."

Starscream was looking in awe the scenery; Optimus knew he would like it. Besides, spending all of his time indoors wouldn't make good to him. They saw it in silent, Optimus liked when Starscream smiled, it make him look nicer than when he cried or when he's angry. Prime liked Starscream like how he is now, but he wished that when he grows up he would be good as well, Optimus didn't want Starscream to become again a Decepticon, he had seen Megatron and him arguing and it wasn't that pleasant. Optimus will make Starscream enjoy his second opportunity by making him an Autobot; he will talk with the others and ask Ratchet for the removal of the Decepticon's insignia on both wings. That's all he can do for Starscream...

He felt Starscream frame on his windshield and noticed that the seeker was already sleep, smiling softly he caressed the little frame and stood there until the moon was up, Starscream have seen the sunset to its end and Optimus looked the stars as his arms protected the young seeker from the cold, when it was more late, Optimus went back to the base with a sleepy little seeker on his arms. Next time, Optimus will show him the stars and the moon, and then the dawn.

"Rest well, Star"