Note: Chapter one was mostly an introduction, so the tone in this chapter will be different.

Chapter 2: The Little Questions

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Why.

It is a simple word in and of itself, it can become complex, however, when it is used with the context of a sentence to make a full question. For the most part, Sunny had always thought that most questions were answered simply. One example: why are seekers such slaggers? Because they can fly overhead so they think they are above everyone else in more than one way; that's why they need to be brought down to earth every once in a while. Why is Prowl such a tight aft? Because he hasn't been laid in a few to may eons. What is the answer to the universe and everything? Forty-two. Why are femmes so rare? Because so many die young with high-heel related incidents.

Yet, not all questions were easily answered. Sometimes Sunny wasn't even sure if some questions actually had answers. The biggest too him was why he liked Ratchet? Which was followed with equally confusing questions like why he couldn't express this warmth in his chest whenever the medic touch him; or why he replayed his first memory of Ratchet over and over again as if it were more important than any other time he had been shot; or why he was, presently, laid out on the floor, pretending to be dead as his brother leaned over him with his 'materials' for his newest mastermind prank.

Sunny sighed as he looked away from the encroaching grin on his brother's face and turned off his optics, a kind voice resonating over his mind from an old memory on the battlefield. It wasn't as old as his 'secret' memory, but it was just as important. It was a time not so long ago, when he was reunited with his admiration. Yet, that memory was nearly drowned when coolant suddenly seeped between the plating of his shoulder. Sunny sat up so quickly that he nearly banged helms with his brother.

"What … are … you … doing!" growled out Sunstreaker as he gripped his brother's wrist, eyeing the cube of coolant wearily.

Sideswipe rolled his optics and started to pry Sunny's fingers off his wrist, "Making it look realistic. How are we supposed to fool Ratch' if you don't look dead? Now lay back down, dying mechs don't sit up and bitch about gettin' a little coolant in their wiring."

Sunny merely continued to glare at his brother, wondering if he should hit him.

Quickly, a wicked grin pulled itself on Sideswipe's face as he pull in closer to his brother's face, "Now, now, Sunstreaker keep your temper. How else are we, I mean you, supposed to attract Ratchet's attention? He'll never fall for the dead mech prank if you don't look like you're dead?"

Despite the thought of having coolant, and Primus known's what, collecting under his plating, the thought of Ratchet touching him was just too tempting. Yah, it would just be 'work' to Ratchet, but Sunny just wanted to have the other touch his armor, to feel his spark warm as Ratchet's fingers drew upon his chest as if he were … a lover? Sunny tightened at the thought. It wasn't love. No, no. It had to be infatuation and not love, that was the answer. The only being he could possibly love was Sideswipe. Primus had cursed him to never love. It had to be infatuation, praise to a hero and to the only person that had helped him as a child. It was hero's praise and nothing more or less.

Well … it could be love. Sunny wasn't sure. He had never loved before. Yet, the real question was, could he? If what he was feeling for Ratchet for the past few millennia was more than infatuation, could he say it? Would he want to? Should he? Perhaps Ratchet would merely laugh. Sunny wouldn't be surprised by that action. It seemed like something Primus would do to him, false security. Here he'd fall for the love trap god had laid out, only to have it turned into a horrible hoax where he'd get his spark broken if only for the amusement of Primus.

Sideswipe sat there, his optics dimmed as he stared at his brother with a pouty lip. He had cheered 'I'm done!' like a kindergartener that had just finished a finger painting, but Sunny hadn't noticed. The big idiot hadn't even flinched at the noise … he had to be thinking. Not uncommon since his brother had a thing for loathing and brewing, but Sunstreaker didn't have that usual frown on his face and his spark seemed … excited.

Sideswipe smiled slightly. If this prank went as planned, perhaps there would be one more warm body in the berth … and someone that Sunny actually liked. In fact, the more Sideswipe dealt on the thought, the more he wanted the Hatchet as well. But, he was more than willing to allow his brother have a turn first. Perhaps, his brother would than see that Primus didn't hate him as much as he thought the god did. He actually loved Sunny the most for sparing his spark so long from heart break, unlike him.

"Yo," interrupted the red twin, "Sunny, I'm –"

"Don't call me that."

"-done with your cosmetics," continued the hellion, not even phased by his mannequin's interruption. "Now, remember, Ratchet usually abandons his post around this hour so he should be by shortly. You just have to pop up and scare him and as he trips backwards in shock, I will push the button that activated the trapped door to the pit o' doom. Got that?"

Sunstreaker glared at his brother for a moment, trying to convince himself that Ratchet wasn't worth the brig time … but he was unable to convince himself of that, for even a moment. So, he turned off his optics and started to chill his body as he turned systems to their lowest outputs, his vents almost completely silent. What was the point of acting, if you weren't going to make it as realistic as possible?

Sideswipe merely smiled as he got up to go to his hiding place. He loved games, but this one had been dragged out entirely too long.

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It was a nice day, not that Optimus Prime ever thought of any day was a particularly bad day. In fact, any day without Decepticon interference was a good day in his books. So, it was of no, or little, surprise that the leader had decided to leave his office for a little time to himself. He hadn't decided what he was going to do quite yet, but he was sure it would come to him as his hulking form wandered down the halls.

He could play a game of one-on-one, Basket Ball, with Jazz.

He could go take a drive with Sparkplug or Spike.

He could head down to the lake and take a quick recharge in the sun.

He could head to the Rec. room and check out these 'Soap Operas' that Perceptor found so interesting.

He could see if Sunstreaker was still alive.

He could – Wait! What?

The leader's feet came to an abrupt stop as he leaned back to glance back into the nearly empty storage room. His CPU was automatically chilled as he pulled his rifle from his subspace pocket. There was Sunstreaker, lying in the middle of the floor in a pool of his own fluids like he had been the victim of a horror movie slasher.

With agility someone wouldn't expect for a mech his size, Optimus made his way into the room in a very guarded manner since he expect a trap to be sprung by the perpetrator, but he was willing to take the risk. Sunstreaker wasn't a dull grey yet, but by the look of energon spilled on the floor, he didn't have much longer to live if someone didn't do something right now. So, with that thought in mind, Prime's foot made a sickening splash as he kneeled down in the energon, ready to assess the damage of his fallen soldier. Yet, his hands froze right above the yellow front-liner's chassis when a flash of red caught his optics, Prime only had time to look at Sideswipe in confusion before he let out a small yelp, gravity latching onto him as he fell downward.

However, quite unexpectedly, as the commander was hurled into the dark pit, he didn't land with a resounding crash, but a collection of squeaks. For a moment, Prime sat there in the darkness to afraid to look, but despite himself he turned on his headlight and looked to see what had caught him. There were thousands of them, and each one squeaked. Prime was sure he'd hate rubber duckies after this, whatever this was. But one thing was sure, Sideswipe would regret this.

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Sunny quickly onlined his optics and looked to his side in question. He was sure he had just heard something … like a yelp and then a thousand strange squeaking noises.

-Sideswipe … did someone just come into the room? – questioned the twin over their link, afraid that Ratchet had caught on and just left.

- No- answered the red hell-fire a little too quickly as he glared at the spot where he had just dropped Prime – now, close your eyes and keep acting dead.

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Paw07: This chapter was a little less drama-tastic, but I hope it was enjoyed nonetheless.