Frenzy spent most of the night fretting. He paced around the room long after the others had slipped into recharge.
He'd never had Twenty Three angry at him, and he didn't know how to fix it…
He had been so desperately concerned, but Soundwave warned him to give her some space.
He felt so on edge if he didn't know better, he'd suspect a virus. It felt as though his wires were twisting around each other.
"Frenzy?" Rumble peeked out of his creator's tape compartment. "You alright?"
He looked over at his twin and shook his head, pacing faster.
Rumble sighed, and crawled over to him. "Frenzy?"
"What?" he snapped.
"You're whipped," Rumble sniggered.
Frenzy hit him in the head.
"Ow…"
"I'm not whipped."
"You do whatever she tells you," Rumble pointed out.
"You should too. She outranks us," Frenzy countered. "She IS Megatron's daughter."
"I know…" he said, still in wonder. "I'm still amazed YOU of all people got some of that…"
Frenzy narrowed his eyes. "What do you mean 'some of that?'"
Rumble shrugged, "She's elite."
The depressed cassette sat down in dismay. "I know… That's why I try so hard. I know she deserves better than me, but I won't give her up to anyone. If I blow this… how could I live, knowing someone else had what was MINE?"
Rumble kicked him playfully. "Then don't blow it. She seems a bit of a push over to me – no offense – so just tell her how it is."
"It's… not that simple," Frenzy sighed, but his twin kicked him again.
"Isn't it?" Rumble grinned, and Frenzy felt his stress slightly relieved. Maybe, if he did just explain it was all in good fun, she'd understand. As she admitted multiple times, she wasn't good at interpreting social situations.
--
The next morning, Twenty here woke up alone and sad.
She felt like crying, unable to relieve the pain in her chest.
Why was Frenzy trying to hurt her friend? Was this a test of some sort? Did it even have anything to do with her? But why Starscream? Why not Cade or Thundercracker, or any of the others? It was obvious…
He blamed her for her mother sleeping with the jet.
And there was nothing she could do about it…
She curled up into herself and felt a sob escape.
This is pathetic… These emotions are destroying me… She sat up and willed away her tears, forcing calm upon herself. Think of your training. Ignore any emotions, evaluate the situation: What are the facts?
She took a few deep breaths, and cleared her expression, her eyes becoming dead.
I am Megatron's property.
I am Megatron's weapon.
I am a decepticon.
Only the decepticon cause matters.
The autobots are my enemy.
I must eliminate.
Target: Optimus Prime – leader of the autobots. Strongest fighter.
Target: Ironhide – armed with projectiles, weakness will be close range combat.
Target: Ratchet – Medic. Not a strong fighter. Weakness in close combat.
Target: Bumblebee – not much is known. Apparantly courageous, but takes risks.
Target: Wheeljack – Inventor. Weak fighter, used mainly as back up. Could have dangerous experimental weapons.
Target: Dinobots – at least five known. Impenetrable hides. Weakness in optics. High firepower. Stupid.
Conclusion: More research needed to terminate. Most efficient tactic – separate and destroy.
She barely noticed the door open and Frenzy slip in, and completely ignored him, knowing he wasn't a threat.
"Tee?" he moved his face within an inch of hers. She merely blinked in acknowledgement, and kept staring ahead.
"I thought I should explain, about our prank on Starscream," he took her silence as an invitation to continue. "It's not your fault: you obviously don't know about the history behind it."
She barely noted his explanations as she ran different battle plans over in her head.
"… So you see, the seekers and the cassetticons have had an ongoing prank war. We just got them back first… Uh… Tee? Are you listening?" Frenzy made an attempt to poke her, but she caught his finger in her metallic hand.
"Your conversation has been noted," she stared at him with emotionless eyes, and he recoiled.
"Tee! What's wrong, baby? Are you still mad at me?" he started to get uneasy. His plan had been so perfect when he went over it with Rumble, but she wasn't supposed to act like this… She wasn't acting like herself at all.
"Subject: Twenty Three. Weakness noted," she began out loud.
Frenzy began to panic, thinking she was talking about him, but her next words just confused him.
"Improvements needed to shielding," she looked down at her body as if it didn't meet her expectations. "Flesh arm: Disposable."
Frenzy shrieked in terror as he watched his lover use her vectors to tear off her remaining arm, blood spraying all over the both of them, and gushing out onto the bed.
"Replacement needed," she walked over and placed her metallic hand on the door, changing the surface beneath her hand.
After some serious shifting in the materials, and a few unnatural noises, Twenty Three now had two matching arms, only one was a gun, and the other had metal plates that would slide into place to create a large shield.
"Weakness eliminated," she looked down at her newest upgrade with pride. "Re-evaluate subject."
"Twenty Three!" he shouted at her, but she ignored him. He was not of a high enough importance to gain her attention.
Screaming in frustration and terror, he ran down the hall in a frenzy, living up to his name.
"MEGATRON! MEGATRON! MEGATRON!" he shouted, until the leader emerged into the hall.
"This had better be impo-" he began, but was cut off.
"Twenty Three's gone crazy! She tore off her own arm! You have to help her!" he chattered in hysterics, banging his head against the floor.
Fear filled Megatron to the core, noting the red wet substance coating the shorter decepticon.
"Where is she?" he demanded, shaking the casetticon.
"H-her room," he stuttered, and ran back down the hall with Megatron in pursuit.
Soundwave was about to leave his room as he saw Megatron chase his cassette down the hall. Thinking he was in trouble, he joined the chase. He knew he could do nothing to his leader, but he could perhaps keep his creation alive. They were all shocked at what they saw, staring through where the door to her quarters once stood.
Twenty Three was using her vectors to stand, an arm and a leg lying on the floor beside her in a pool of blood. One of her legs had been replaced by what looked suspiciously like the bed frame, and she was in the process of pulling off the other
"Twenty Three!" Megatron cried in horror. He'd seen a lot of things, but he'd NEVER seen anything like this before.
"Master," she stood to attention, dropping her now useless leg with a wet 'thud.' "Do you have a job for me?"
She hadn't called him master in so long…
"What happened to 'dad'?" he asked, slightly hurt.
She simply blinked at him. "I do not understand the question."
He was speechless, and was about to call in Soundwave, but found he was right next to him.
"Relapse," Soundwave explained.
"Well, FIX HER!" he shouted at the mech, panicking.
"As you command, Lord Megatron," he walked slowly toward her, and picked her up gently, letting her blood soak into the joints on his fingers.
With much caution, he broke into her mind. The emotion and pain almost made him drop her, but he steadied himself, and tried to calm the torrent.
Twenty Three, are you there?
Subject Twenty Three: Reporting.
I don't want to speak to Subject Twenty Three, I want to speak with Person Twenty Three. Are you there?
A much weaker voice responded.
Reporting… Soundwave, why are you here?
You are going through a relapse, and causing yourself harm. I need you to snap out of it.
It's easier if I let her control it… She's my training…
Giving over control to her is the same as giving control to the Allspark. You are hurting the others.
Pain shot across both their minds as she began to cry. Soundwave was so shocked he was in the situation he didn't know what to do. Again, he attempted sending out calming brainwaves. It seemed to work somewhat.
What is the reason for your relapse? He asked her, curious as to what could put her in such a state. Was this about Frenzy and Rumble's prank?
Kind of… she shuddered, and let Soundwave search her thoughts to find an answer. It was too hard to explain it.
Frenzy does not blame you. No body does, he explained. The situation was impossible to react differently.
Then why did he hurt Starscream?
He did not hurt Starscream, they've been at this for a millennia. He blames Starscream for taking advantage of you in your weakness. If anything, you could consider him defending your honor.
Oh…
Twenty Three had completely calm now, and felt a little guilty. She slowly opened her eyes, and saw his red visor staring straight at her. He had saved her once again… She felt a wave of affection flow though her…
Which hit his still connected mind full force. He was shocked still, and felt his optics dull as he focused on the feeling. He'd never felt anything this strong, even from his own cassettes. But she was with one of them already…
He felt his spark ache. How could she possess so much love, as to share it with so many people?
He wanted more of her for himself. He knew it was selfish, and wrong, but he had never found someone so open, who could feel so much. And she had welcomed him open arms, into her mind. He knew her fully, so perhaps that was it. And she was entrancing.
You need to fix that wound before you bleed to death on me, Soundwave advised, concerned at how much blood she had lost.
She nodded, and stretched her gun-arm towards the wall, her abilities tearing a hole in the metal, which spun itself into an identical leg to her other.
Now she was better, Megatron expected his soldier to put his daughter back down, and give her back to her boyfriend, who was going crazy with worry on the ground. However, he just held her gently and remained staring at her, still taken aback with the affection she had bestowed upon him.
"Hey Dad! Give her back!" Frenzy was hopping frantically by his foot, but he simply ignored the cassette.
Twenty Three looked down, over Soundwave's hand to look at her lover. Stretching out her vectors, she lifted him up into Soundwave's grasp and held him tightly, as he hugged the breath out of her.
"Tee!" he sobbed into her stomach. "I was so worried!"
She stared down sadly at her boyfriend. "I'm sorry, Zee…"
He looked up at her, gripping her shoulders tightly. "It's okay, Tee… Just NEVER do that again…"
"Yes, Frenzy," she replied obediently, and began to slowly caress his cheekbones, attempting to calm him as Soundwave had calmed her. I promise I'll do better.
--
Soundwave and Megatron had left the couple alone to go and discuss her relapse privately.
"What was the cause?" Megatron asked him grimly. This would be the LAST relapse if he could do anything about it.
"A fight with Frenzy," he answered honestly.
The decepticon leader's expression immediately darkened.
"I want their relationship ended," he growled savagely. "I regret giving my permission in the first place. All he does is hurt her."
Soundwave put up his hands in defense. "Without Frenzy: Possible relapse," he warned.
Megatron punched the wall in anger, then turned on Soundwave as a wild idea hit him.
"You will replace him," he ordered.
"What?" Soundwave asked in uncharacteristic shock.
"You will replace him. You've managed to calm her down. You will stabilize her from now on. Can I trust you with this, Soundwave? I warn you: failure will not be permitted."
"Affirmative," the blue and white mech answered sadly. Frenzy was going to HATE him.
--
"I don't understand…" Twenty Three cried at a loss. "I said I was sorry. I promise I'll do better… What else can I do?"
She was in a meeting with Megatron, Soundwave, Frenzy and herself.
Megatron had just made his new announcement, and Soundwave had had to mentally restrain his cassette from attacking their leader. Twenty Three was having a harder time understanding what was going on.
"It's not your fault, daughter," Megatron tried to explain. "It's that little slagger. He's bad for you, so your relationship has to end. I have assigned Soundwave to be your new partner in case of relapse."
Frenzy sent his creator a death glare.
"Twenty Three is mine," Frenzy spat, but Megatron leaned forward threateningly.
"Twenty Three… is MINE, you piece of scrap, and don't you forget it."
"But… How does that work? Frenzy said mates or partners come together when both parties decide it they have mutual feelings for each other, or for a mutual benefit…" Twenty Three was mind boggled. Neither of them had made any such proclamation…
"Think of it as an arranged partnership," Megatron pinched the bridge of his nose in annoyance. As much as he cared for his daughter, she was infuriating.
"But Frenzy said-"
"WILL YOU SLAGGING FORGET WHAT FRENZY SAID!" he roared.
Twenty Three blinked in surprise, and looked down, tears filling her eyes.
"I'm sorry, Dad… I don't know about things like this… I'm sorry if I should…"
Megatron sighed, praying to Primus for strength.
"You don't have to decide, because I have decided for you. You will no longer spend any time with Frenzy unsupervised. Soundwave is your mate and responsible for your wellbeing," he shot a warning glance at said mech. "Failure will be punished by death."
Twenty Three sat down in exhaustion. "I can still talk to Zee, though, right?"
Megatron shot her a hard look.
"You can talk to him, but if I hear of that unworthy slag pile so much as touching you, I will reformat him into a cleaning drone."
"You like saying 'slag' a lot, don't you, Dad?" she asked, absentmindedly.
"What?" he narrowed his eyes at her. Was she mocking him?
"Nothing… Just something I noticed… I don't even know why I said it," she yawned. "So I'm not allowed to touch Zee, Soundwave is my new mate, yes?"
Frenzy snapped his head in her direction, fearfully. Why was she taking this so lightly. He thought they loved each other…
"Correct," Megatron stated.
She looked over at the others.
"I can't do anything that will harm Frenzy, Dad. You know that," she told him tiredly.
Frenzy's optics gained a little brightness. He attempted to speak, but Soundwave was paralyzing his vocal processor – Damn their link!
"And I can't allow anything to harm you!" her father shouted back. "You will not disobey me in this!"
She shook her head in defiance.
"I love Frenzy, father… Somehow I don't think you can understand that."
"Frenzy will not disobey a direct order. I am ordering him now to stay away from you," he glared at his offspring.
"Father…" she looked up at him forlornly. "I don't want to kill you… I couldn't handle losing both parents…"
Megatron recoiled. Was she now threatening him?
"You would kill me to stay with him?" he croaked, knowing she could. She very nearly had, when controlled by the Allspark.
She thought about it for a minute, then shook her head.
"I couldn't… But please, Father, don't make me do this…" she begged.
He was feeling jittery now… He needed to get his way, but perhaps he could do it in a less hostile way, as insane as it sounded…
"How about a trial. You haven't yet been with anyone other than Frenzy. If Soundwave cannot make you as happy, you may return to your worthless boyfriend. You will live with these arrangements for one month, then it will be up for review."
She looked over at Frenzy for guidance. He was still immobile.
"Soundwave, can you let him go?" she begged, and Megatron reluctantly nodded his consent.
He came barreling into her, holding her in a death grip.
No no no no no no no! came his prominent thoughts.
"Zee… I can't disobey Dad… how about we give it a go for a month…" she stroked his cheek ridges. "And then you can have me back."
"If Soundwave doesn't make you happy," Megatron intercepted, giving his subordinate a glare that clearly said 'you better!"
"Right," she agreed. "I doubt he'll get any more accommodating."
"I'm not good at sharing…" he rubbed his face in her neck.
"But it's your Dad, so it's not that bad, right?" she tried to comfort him, but his reaction was a hostile glare towards his creator.
"It makes it worse!" he shouted.
"Zee…" she cooed, and he buried his face once again into her neck. She looked up hopelessly at Soundwave, who was looking away in discomfort. She could feel the guilt rolling off him.
"Zee… This isn't Soundwave's fault. He didn't ask for this. I don't want to come between you," she explained to him, stroking his head.
"Enough of this, Frenzy, get your filthy hands off my daughter!" Megatron growled, disgusted.
Frenzy stepped away, energon burning to be released from his optics.
"For the next month, you are not to so much as touch her on pain of death. Understood?" he threatened.
"Yes, Lord Megatron," he said, deadpan. This was killing him inside.
"Soundwave, for the next month, you are to take Frenzy's place as my daughter's mate. You will also keep her mind stable. If she so much as trips over a rock, it will be on your head. Understood?"
"Affirmative," Soundwave spoke for the first time since the meeting was called.
"Dismissed," Megatron snapped. "Twenty Three, remain behind."
They obeyed.
"Twenty Three, do you understand why I am doing this?" he asked her gently, once he had her alone.
"Not… really," she admitted.
"It's because I care about you. I originally approved Frenzy to be your mate to quash any ideas others, such as Starscream would have had to turn you against me. But he has failed to protect you, and he has hurt you through neglect-"
"But-"
"No, he has. He didn't mean to, but he has. He was originally the only candidate of the time, other than Barricade, who I would have also approved, if he had only asked. Slag, even Blackout would have been a better option," he frowned, using his favorite swear word. "I cannot entrust you to Thundercracker or Skywarp as they are both unreliable, and directly beneath Starscream. Soundwave, on the other hand is loyal only to me. He has demonstrated the ability to keep you safe from harm, even if it is you yourself causing it. I believe Soundwave would be beneficial to you, which is why I want you to give this a try. I want you to forget about your infatuation with his cassette, and actually try to be happy with Soundwave. Can you do this for me?"
She bit her lip, and nodded slowly. "I will try," she promised.
"Good. You are dismissed."
--
"I can't believe you'd do this to me, Soundwave!" Frenzy shouted at him, as they made their way back to their room. Frenzy would be moving back in, after all.
"Megatron's orders," Soundwave explained, at a loss.
"You could have refused!" he sulked.
"Negative. Refusing Megatron: Inadvisable."
"Tee would have protected us… I could still get her to ask Megatron to take it back…" he said thoughtfully.
"Inadvisable," Soundwave repeated.
"Why?" Frenzy asked, accusingly.
Well… apart from the fact he wanted to see what all the fuss was about, having a mate…
"Megatron's reason for action: Frenzy caused Twenty Three harm. Status of Twenty Three: Unstable. Inadvisable for Frenzy and Twenty Three to remain together."
Frenzy kicked the ground, and began to sulk. He knew it was his fault, but what could he have done differently? He loved her, didn't that matter? It wasn't as though it was easy, loving someone.
"Guys, wait up," a female voice called from behind them.
"Twenty Three," they greeted simultaneously.
Frenzy made to move forward, but Soundwave stepped in front of him, reminding his cassette not to touch.
He bent down and gently picked her up, noting she was deathly pale.
"Status ailment?" he asked her.
She cocked her head at him curiously.
"None that I know of… Possibly blood loss?" she suggested. "I think I did lose quite a bit."
"Affirmative. Pain?"
"A bit," she shrugged. "I can deal."
"Course of action: Eat and sleep," he ordered her, and she giggled tiredly.
"Yes, sir," she performed a mock salute, but ended up losing her balance and falling on her butt.
Frenzy watched dejectedly as Soundwave walked off with his girlfriend. After a while of sulking, he made his way back to Rumble.
--
"How'd it go?" Rumble asked his twin, as he made his way back into the room. "Did you tell her how it is?"
Frenzy blinked, looking up at him in remembrance of the plan they had concocted just that morning, and burst into tears.
"Whoa!" Rumble shouted in shock, jumping down to support his brother. Even Ravage came over and nudged him with his head. They were unnerved to say the least… But this femme had changed Frenzy so much they were beginning to think nothing would surprise them. "What's going on, bro?"
Your girlfriend dump you? Ravage asked curiously.
Frenzy shook his head and composed himself. "Soundwave stole her," he rasped before breaking down again.
Rumble and Ravage looked at each other, then back to their sibling.
"He wouldn't!" Rumble denied, and Ravage also shook his head in disbelief.
Frenzy jumped up and punched the wall.
"She had a… a relapse when I was talking to her this morning… She tore off her own limbs and was replacing them with random parts, so I went and got Megatron… Soundwave followed, I guess… They said... they said… I hurt her, and I'm not allowed to so much as touch her. Megatron said Soundwave was to be her new mate," he sniffled. "And he didn't disagree. He didn't stick up for me at all. The glitch AGREED with him. He stole my girlfriend."
Perhaps you heard wrong? Ravage said, still doubtful.
"I didn't fucking hear wrong," he spat.
Well excuuuse me, Ravage said haughtily, and walked off.
"Ravage… I didn't mean it," he said hopelessly, but Rumble took him in a one armed hug.
"Frenzy, we know how much she means to you. It's understandable to be angry, but there isn't anything we can do," Rumble tried to reason with him. "If Megatron AND Soundwave agree, then maybe it's for the best? There has to be some base to it… Soundwave wouldn't just betray any of us."
Frenzy jerked away, and went to blow off some steam.
--
Soundwave entered Twenty Three's quarters once again, and made to place her on her bed, before realizing there wasn't one – it's current state was a leg.
Compromising, he spread out one of her thick duvets and sat her on that.
Silently, he observed her. She would have found it a little unnerving if it was anyone else.
Finally, he spoke.
"What do you eat?"
She burst out laughing. That was the reason for his silence?
"Not energon," she smiled up at him. "I can get it," she stood up, but immediately became light headed and sat back down again. "Er… maybe not…"
Let me help you, Soundwave's voice came whispering into her head. Tell me what to do.
You're the wrong size to use the microwave, or any of these things, she answered fondly.
Suddenly, a thought struck her. True, this idea was the original reason for her mother getting her in trouble, but it could still work…
Come here, she reached her arms out to him, and he slowly knelt down. You don't have any cassettes inside you do you? She asked, just to be on the safe side. He shook his head no, curious as to what she would do.
Carefully, she lay her hands on his tape compartment. He shivered as he felt the Allspark powers flowing through him.
Slowly, he felt himself shifting, shrinking.
Everything seemed so quiet. His hearing seemed to have decreased: he could no longer hear her heartbeat.
Twenty Three noticed him panicking, and realized in horror he wasn't breathing.
"Calm down," she said aloud, taking his face in her hands. "Breathe, like me," she demonstrated a few exaggerated breathes.
He attempted, but all he managed was a strangled noise.
Grasping desperately, she covered his mouth with hers, breathing through him, trying to excersize his lungs.
Neither noticed Frenzy staring in horror through the empty door frame, nor him running off in horror.
Slowly, Soundwave's rapid heart rate decreased, and Twenty Three retreated slightly, still looking into his blood red eyes in concern.
You alright? She asked him calmly.
I… Yeah…
I would have expected you to say 'affirmative,' she teased, and he managed a weak smile.
This is strange, he commented.
She wrinkled her nose at him, and used a vector to pull him forwards, sitting him next to her.
"Try speaking out loud Soundwave… I want to hear what you sound like," she prompted curiously, brushing his indigo hair out of his face. His skin was pasty white – he looked so much like himself, yet so different…
"Like this? … Is that me?" he asked in shock at the deep voice. He still spoke in a two-tone, but it wasn't as synthetic sounding.
"You sound very similar," she smiled at him. "But I like your normal voice better."
"You need food," he reminded her, standing up. To tell the truth, he was inexperienced and a little uneasy in situations like this.
"Right. Go to the fridge over there… there should be some microwave meals in the freezer – the bottom part," she directed him from the bed, and eventually she was brought her dinner.
He stood beside her, watching her eat her lasagna. The smells were foreign to him, and he found them intoxicating.
"You want some?" she asked, looking at him sideways.
"No," he denied. "It is your food."
She pulled him down next to her again, and offered him a forkful of mince.
"I wont miss one mouthful. Come on, I guarantee you've never tasted anything like this! Mother went a little overboard with the sensation. She made me go eat custards all the time, but I prefer savory," she rambled at him. "Give it a go, come on…"
He eyed the brown lumpy substance hesitantly… But it did smell good…
He took the fork from her and carefully placed it in his mouth.
His eyes widened in surprise and delight. It was so… different.
Chewing thoughtfully, he didn't even notice as he swallowed, and was shocked to find it all over. But even the aftertaste was good…
Twenty Three laughed, catching a longing look at her plate.
"Go get another fork and you can help me finish it off," she giggled again as he jumped at the offer.
When they'd polished off the plate, Twenty Three placed it on the floor to deal with later, and lay down to go to sleep.
Soundwave idly tried to pry off a vector that had earlier wrapped around his waist.
"Can you transform me back?" he asked. "I should get back to my cassettes…"
She looked at him wide-eyed. "You're not going to stay? But… you're my mate…"
"Ratbat can only recharge if he's in me," he insisted.
"Oh…" she sighed sadly. "I guess he doesn't like to sleep alone either…" she looked up at him hopefully. "Can I come too?" she begged.
"Okay," he said, averting his eyes. "Frenzy should be there too…"
She nodded. "I know."
--
Rumble looked up as he heard the door open, half hoping it to be Frenzy. He was taking his time…
Instead, he saw Soundwave with Twenty Three in his hand, wrapped up in her duvet.
"It's true!" he gasped, and Ravage's head snapped up from where he was napping in the corner.
"What's true?" Ratbat asked from the desk, flying down to greet Twenty Three. The aerials had returned a few minutes previously, and had not been brought up to speed.
"Soundwave stole Frenzy's girlfriend," Rumble accused.
Laserbeak and Buzzsaw nearly fell out of the air.
Soundwave would never-! Laserbeak began, but Soundwave cut him off.
It's true. Megatron's orders, he explained.
Then you didn't have a choice, Buzzsaw put in.
"She was still Frenzy's!" Rumble shouted. "You know how much he cares about her!"
Twenty Three sat silently as they argued about her. She could tell they felt a deep betrayal – she could feel it rolling off them.
"Hey guys, leave Soundwave alone. He didn't have a choice," she defended him. "It's only temporary, anyway."
What do you mean? Ravage asked.
"Megatron wants us to have a one month trial, then I can go back to Frenzy," she explained. "But in the meantime, I have to be Soundwave's mate. Father thinks I will love Frenzy less in a months time."
"Frenzy never told us that…" Rumble said aloud. "But it still doesn't change anything. It was still a glitchy thing to do."
"Opinion: Not necessary," Soundwave said angrily. He didn't need his own creation telling him he was a glitch. Yet he still knew it was true. Fact: Already known, he added in despair.
Suddenly, the door opened again, this time revealing Frenzy. Seeing Soundwave, he turned and made to leave again.
"Zee, wait!" she called leaping down to the ground. She almost lost her balance, but righted herself with her vectors. "Rumble, come with me. I'm not allowed to be alone with him, she called desperately. The cassette obeyed, and helped her walk outside.
Frenzy was standing across the hall with his arms crossed, obviously sulking.
"Zee, please talk to me," she begged him, standing about a foot away.
He glared at her.
"Please Frenzy," she begged him.
"It didn't take you long, did it?" he spat.
"What?" she asked in confusion. "What didn't."
"Don't play innocent with me," he accused. "I saw you kissing him."
"Eh?" she still didn't get it.
"Soundwave, you tart," he shouted. "I saw you kissing him! You dump me, and within an hour your already with him!"
"Man, you get around," Rumble laughed, but was met with two icy glares.
"Frenzy, I wasn't kissing him. I was helping him breathe. He wasn't taking the change easily. He could have suffocated if I didn't."
"I wish he did!" he shouted, his spark tearing. "That thieving bastard! He knew you were mine!"
"Zee!" she chastised him. "You don't mean that."
"And you fucking turned him human. You never did that for me," he wailed.
"I never knew you wanted to!" she defended herself. "I would have if you'd have just asked!"
"You did it for Starscream," he sulked.
"That wasn't me! For Primus' sake, Zee! How many times do I have to tell you? I wasn't even conscious!" she turned on her heel and stomped back to Soundwave, who had heard the entire thing.
Twenty Three picked up his most prominent thought before he could suppress it: He wishes I suffocated…
He doesn't mean it, she assured him. He's just jealous. And a jerk.
She could feel amusement ebb out from him, and sighed, sitting down next to his foot. She was exhausted…
Soundwave collected his cassettes minus Frenzy and Rumble into his chest, and picked Twenty Three up gently, making his way to the recharge berth.
He placed her gently on his bed as he detached his shoulder cannon, and put it on his desk.
I will source you a bed tomorrow, he assured her, noting how uncomfortable the metal slab seemed to her.
"Thanks, Soundwave…" she sighed. She was still stressed over Frenzy. Would he ever forgive her for her mothers' sins? Somehow, as hard as it was to admit it, she knew the answer already…
--
The next morning, both Barricade and Starscream were pounding on Soundwave's door. Skywarp, Thundercracker and Devestator were watching from a safer distance.
"OPEN UP YOU SLAGGER!" Starscream shouted, and was answered by a groggy Soundwave jerking the door open, spare gun in hand.
"State your purpose," he demanded. It was still early, and it was difficult to sleep next to a creature with a beating heart when you had super sensitive hearing. Her every breath was depriving him of well needed recharge.
"Where's Twenty Three? And what's this about you being her mate?" Starscream demanded, raising his own null ray.
"Twenty Three's location: Not your concern. Queries should be addressed to Megatron," he stated, ready to shut the door on him.
"I heard she was hurt," Barricade put his foot in the door so he couldn't slam it in their faces.
"Correct," was his only response.
Barricade's eyes widened. "Well? Is she okay?"
"Affirmative."
Barricade growled in frustration. This guy was impossible!
"Cade?" a tired feminine voice emerged from behind Soundwave. She climbed up, and sat where his cannon usually went. "I thought I heard you. Yo Screamer. What's going on?"
"What's going on?" Starscream yelled. What the hell happened to you? I heard you were tearing off your own limbs!"
"Don't shout at her, you scrap pile. Twenty Three, are you alright? Frenzy and Rumble told us what happened," he explained. "If you like, I can take you for a drive…"
"Who'd drive when you could fly, ground-crawler," Starscream sneered.
"Please guys…" Twenty Three pleaded. "Just stop… Thanks for the offer, Cade, but I'm really tired. I'll take you up on it later, I promise."
Barricade nodded. "Go back to sleep. Find me when you wake up." Soundwave, you lucky bastard…
"Don't think you'll get rid of me so easily," Starscream argued, not wanting to let her go just yet. "I want you to come with me. I'm second in command, Soundwave's only Communications Officer. I deserve you more."
She shook her head.
"Give it a rest, Star. Megatron gave me to Soundwave for safe keeping. If you have a problem, take it to him. He makes the calls around here," she reminded.
"I might just do that," ha said grimly, knowing his chances were slim with their leader. "Are you still up for target practice later?"
She looked up at Soundwave sadly. "I was going to go with Zee and Rumble," she explained. "Is it okay if I go alone?"
"You don't need to ASK for permission!" Starscream argued, outraged. "We've been alone together before!"
"Negative. Escort required," Soundwave glared at the air commander, knowing exactly what he tried when they WERE left alone.
"What the Pit!" Starscream cried. "We've been together loads of times. I wouldn't let you come to harm, or don't you trust me?"
"I trust you Starscream, whether I should or not. You've done a lot for me, and you're a good friend," she explained tiredly. "But Soundwave has been put in charge of my welfare, and I will not disobey. He wouldn't make me do anything wrong."
Barricade watched in understanding. He knew exactly what Twenty Three was thinking and feeling at that moment… He knew her so well it drove him mad.
While Starscream was spluttering in indignation, Barricade raised his hand in farewell.
"We merely came to see you were well," he elbowed Starscream roughly reminding him off this fact. "I'm sure Soundwave will look after you well, but if you get sick of him or the cassettes, just remember we're here, okay? Even if you only want to go for a drive. Take care of her Soundwave," he gave him a similar look to the one Megatron had threatened him with.
As soon as they closed the door, they heard another argument break out on the other side.
Twenty Three sighed. Although she was the 'bringer of life,' all she seemed to spread was chaos. She curled up tighter, next to Soundwave's faceplate. It was the same with all her close friends… She was fine with them all one on one, but as soon as a third party was introduced, all hell broke loose. Well, she was only one femme…
"That's it!" she exclaimed, making Soundwave jump.
"Proceed," he turned his head slowly to watch her.
"If I make them all girlfriends, then they won't be so obsessed with me, right? And I can just be their friends?" she looked at him for support.
His visor flashed in horror. He remembered some of the decepticon femmes. They were more troublesome, more conniving than the Seekers.
But Twenty Three was already planning…
