Author's note. Sorry for the delay, been busy with University work.

Suggestions are welcome.

Enjoy and please review.

Megatron woke up slowly, feeling a glorious warm someone snuggled in his arms. He smiled, not bothering to online his optics and gave whoever was snuggled close nuzzle. He heard a female murmur as they moved in their sleep, pleasing him even more. His arms were a bit slack, so he raised them, wrapping them more tightly around his recharge partner.

Only to hear a growl and feel a sharp pain shooting through one of his fingers. He grunted in surprise, jerking his hands back as his optics shot open, what the frag? What the slag was biting him, treating his fingers like they were a tasty Energon snack.

As his optics found themselves looking at pink, he knew just who was snuggled in his arms, Elita. And that meant...

"Little monster," he growled as his optics met Starscream's, the little Seeker smirking up at him as he gnashed his surprisingly sharp teeth together.

Megatron examined his finger, it was dented but not bleeding. Primus, if that brat had really drawn blood, he would be in a whole world of pain right about now. Which then begged the question, why wasn't he giving that Sparkling precisely what it deserved?

"Come to daddy," Megatron muttered after making sure Elita was still in recharged, reaching around her and trying to grab hold of that little demon.

But the Sparkling dodged his claws, baring little fangs, optics positively gleaming with malice. Megatron in turn bared his fangs, as he stretched, still trying to grab the brat that was fast becoming a thorn in his side. He would show him just who was boss around here, once he managed to catch him that is.

But this Sparkling was wily, twisting to first one side and then another as Megatron struggled to catch him and avoid waking Elita. He knew that once she was awake, she would protest any punishment and end up being annoyed with him. That was something he didn't want, he was enjoying the way they were getting on.

Despite her dubious taste in liking that demon with wing, everything else was very appealing. She didn't fight him when he first took her prisoner, she accepted and made the best of it, in other words, she didn't constantly cry or whine. He hated listening to Femmes do that, it really drove him up the wall.

But it wasn't just the fact she didn't complain, when he saved her from that rock fall, she seemed genuinely grateful. Meaning she could forget he was a lowly Decepticon and appreciate that he was a Mech who'd saved her. She didn't seem to mind sleeping with him anymore, in fact, she appeared to enjoy it quite a bit.

He mentally chuckled as he swiped again at Starscream, he knew that sneaky a peak at her bare Chassis wasn't very gentlemanly thing to do but he was only a Mech. It wasn't like he openly looked or tried to touch, he just enjoyed a brief look. Any other Mech would have likely done the same thing, unless they had no ball bearings.

Her bare chest aside, Elita had actually looked quite nice feeding that little monster, like a natural mother. For a brief instant, he imagined Elita holding a little grey Sparkling with bright red highlights with maybe blue optics. Sadly, a flash of that demon's malevolent smirk banished this image to the back of his mind and he once again focused on catching him.

"Won't be able to sit down when I'm through," he growled, succeeding in grabbing a foot only for Starscream to let out a wail.

Megatron froze but before he could do anything, Elita stirred, waking up in another moment. She blinked her optics, wondering what the loud noise was, before looking down and seeing Starscream wailing miserably.

"Oh Starscream," she immediately cooed, scooping him up and resting him against her shoulder. "What's wrong sweet spark, did you have a nightmare?"

Megatron shook with fury as the Sparkling shot him a triumphant look while still crying. Elita rocked him back and forth, not noticing that Megatron was awake, all the while speaking in a gentle, soothing tone.

"There, there, it's alright, you're safe now, no one's going to hurt you."

"I wouldn't bet on it," Megatron thought to himself, he planned to thoroughly hurt the little brat when he got the chance.

Elita felt him shift and half turned to smile at him.

"Hello," she said softly, still rubbing Starscream's back.

He offered her a smile, and ignoring Starscream, placing his hands on her waist. He'd show that brat of a Sparkling who garnered most of Elita's attention.

"Have a good recharge?" he asked, rubbing her sides lightly.

"I did," she admitted with a smile. "It...it was nice sleeping with you and Starscream, my two Mechs protecting me."

Megatron almost grimaced at the mention of Starscream but decided to ignore it. Instead he smiled and said softly.

"I enjoyed being able to protect a beautiful Femme like you."

Elita blushed, giving him a smile. Starscream, who'd stopped crying, decided she was giving Megatron too much attention so that to grumble and wiggle.

"I think someone's hungry," Elita laughed, placing Starscream back on her lap, gently stroking his head as she started to undo her chest armour.

Megatron fought to keep a smirk off his face, despite the less than good start to this cycle, it was suddenly looking good. Of course, he could only watch from over Elita's shoulder but it still afforded a good view. Plus, that little monster wouldn't be able to do anything, not when he was feeding. So Megatron would get a lovely view and some peace, perfect.

"Here we go," Elita cooed, locating her fuel line and pulling it out so Starscream could feed.

He instantly reared up and grabbed the fuel line to stuff it into his mouth. Elita winced slightly, she wasn't used to feeding Sparklings but as soon as Starscream started sucking, her systems instantly started allowing processed Energon to flow through the line. Starscream purred with happiness, relaxing completely in Elita's gentle grasp, contentedly sucking away.

"You'd better have some Energon or he'll drink you dry," Megatron said wryly, he didn't want Elita fainting from hunger.

Elita nodded and produced an Energon ration which she bit into straight away. Megatron watched her for a short while before bringing out his own cube. He was glad they'd found an exit to the surface even if it would likely take them at least a cycle to get out. They both had enough rations for now but with a Sparkling now in tow, they would soon start to run out.

"I think it would be a good idea to secure the brat to your back," Megatron now said, once his tanks felt less hollow. "You'll need both your hands for climbing."

She shot him a slightly reproachful look for calling Starscream a brat but she also nodded in agreement about his suggestion. She stroked Starscream's head, sighing as she said.

"What are the chances his Creators are still online?"

"I don't," Megatron said honestly. "It could be he wondered away and fell down during that earthquake, they could easily be on line."

"Will we be able to find them?" she now asked and he replied.

"We should be able to find out about them, we have his name, we just have to get in contact with some Seekers, they'd soon ascertain who is family is. Then, we can find out whether they function or not."

She nodded, looking anxiously at Starscream and Megatorn knew she was praying they'd find the Creators and that they'd be online. He knew he needed to comfort her, so he said.

"Elita, even if they are not, Starscream will be taken care of. Seekers are protective of the young, he'll be fine."

She now smiled up at him and leaning forward, pressed a light kiss against Megatron's lips before turning back to Starscream. Seeing the little monster's jealous look only made that kiss that much sweeter.

Elita's POV

After they had eaten, they'd prepared the journey up towards the very distant opening. Starscream was excited to be travelling, especially in that direction so gave little trouble as he was secured to Elita's back. As megatron had helped her, she'd noticed one of his fingers was a bit dented, yet it hadn't been the night before.

When she'd asked him about it, he'd only mumbled and changed the subject. She'd been confused about it but since it was only a dent, it wasn't worthy making a fuss over it. Once Starscream was safely secured to her back, they made a start. It wasn't easy, it was like climbing a vertical staircase, once that often crumbled under foot.

Megatron got Elita to go first, if she fell, he could catch her. Not to mention, it was better for her to land on him than the other way around, both she and Starscream would be crushed. She liked how Megatron was practical but explained things in a way that seemed quite sensitive.

Some bots she knew were so clinical about explaining things, you didn't feel they were doing it for you, only because it was the most logical way of doing things. But sometimes, you couldn't do the logical thing, you needed to think outside the box.

"Megatron," she gasped out as she found going any further very difficult.

"The rock's really crumbly, I think I'll bring it down if I try to climb higher."

Megatron made a noise of annoyance but it wasn't directed at her.

"Try moving to the right," he suggested. "It looks better over there."

"Alright," she said, her nerves were a little frazzled, they were quite high up now. Here and there, ledges jutted out from the almost sheer wall and Megatron had promised they could rest when they came to the first one. But it was still quite a climb to get there and Elita was starting to wonder whether they'd ever get there.

"Ah," she cried as she grabbed a piece of rock but it was loose so her actions sent it tumbling down and she nearly slipped.

She heard Megatron cursing but it didn't sound like he'd been hit. Starscream was now chirping anxiously, although he was enjoying going higher, he didn't like the rocks falling. Elita quickly soothed him with some gentle words and he settled down against her back and relaxed into his favourite activity that didn't involve feeding.

And that was annoying Megatron.

Elita had caught Megatron glaring up at Starscream a few times but she wasn't sure why. What she didn't know was, Starscream kept pulling faces and sneering down at the older Mech, knowing he couldn't do anything. He also had the naughty habit of grabbing bits of rock or rumble and dropping them down so that they bounced off Megatron's head and shoulders.

It didn't really hurt Megatron but it was as annoying as hell and he sworn that little monster would pay.

But for now, he just had to put up with Starscream's bratiness though this was getting harder and harder to do. It didn't make it better than Elita was so absorbed with climbing that she wasn't seeing what Starscream was doing, though it would have been hard for her to gauge Starscream's expression when he twisted away from her.

Half a joor later and they finally reached a ledge and were able to have a break. Megatron glowered as Elita talked to Starscream, making sure he was alright.

"Look how far we've come, sweet spark, it won't be long till we're out of here," she said happily to the Sparkling who giggled as he snuggled against her shoulder.

Megatron grumbled but didn't say anything, there was no point. Elita now stared up at the seemingly never ending cavern wall, wondering how long it would take them to climb out. At least there seemed to be a much bigger ledge further up, they'd be able to have a proper rest then.

"Megatron," she said softly as she watched him shoo Meko away, the little Mecho-Mole didn't have as much trouble climbing as they did, and in fact he seemed to enjoy it.

"Hmm?" he said, turning to look at her.

"What do you think we'll find when we get to the surface?"

Megatron considered his question before answering.

"I've no idea, although chances are, it'll be Decepticon territory."

As Elita nodded, Megatron said gently.

"You know I'll protect you Elita, you might be my prisoner but I won't' let anyone harm you. Not even my Sire."

This made Elita give him a smile, she'd been worrying about what would happen when they ended up with the main Decepticon force. She was an Autobot Femme and therefore, would be a target. Especially with Galvatron's reputation towards Femmes, she did not relish being in his company.

But if Megatron said he'd protect her, then she was sure he would. He wasn't the kind of Mech to bother with subterfuge, if he wanted to have her, he'd have done it and wouldn't bother with tricks. It was unlikely he'd just let her go but she somehow didn't think she'd mind spending more time with him.

Eventually, they had to start climbing again and very soon, their joints and cables began to ache. This wasn't like walking through the long mine corridors, they were using all whole body for this. Not to mention the fact they had to constantly hang onto the rock to prevent themselves falling, something you didn't have to worry about when walking.

Sometimes, Elita felt like she couldn't go any further and Megatron had to encourage her not to give up, to keep going. There were a couple of occasions where they had to climb back down a few feet before moving some distance to one side before being able to climb up again.

At long, long last, they arrived at their first milestone, a massive ledge that fell back into the rock face, gouging out a dark looking cave. Elita immediately collapsed, before untying Starscream from her back so he could stretch his legs. Megatron just sat down, his red optics staring into the gloom as though he saw something Elita didn't.

"Everything alright?" Elita asked as Starscream came running into her arms, chirping happily.

"I'm not sure," Megatron said slowly, it was like he could sense something beyond her senses.

He glanced at her before saying.

"I'd better check it out, keep a hold of that brat."

"Megatron," she groaned as he stood up and walked into the gloom.

Elita let out a sigh, hoping her body would stop aching soon but knowing that even if it did, it would all come back once they started climbing again. To distract herself, she looked up toward that distant speck of light, although it was slightly bigger than before. She could wait to be above ground again, away from all the monster that dwelt down here.

But just as she was stroking Starscream's little wings, he suddenly hissed and growled in the direction Megatron had disappeared. Frowning, Elita looked up only to gasp out as she suddenly beheld several glowing red orbs in the darkness. No, not orbs, they were optics and they were coming closer.

"Well, what is it we have here?" a raspy voice growled out and a moment later, a massive dark purple coloured Mech stepped out of the shadows, a large orange tinted cannon strapped to his right arm.

"Galvatron," she said in a whisper as more Mechs emerged, including Megatron.

"So Megatron," Galvatron rasped, turning to his son with a rather grim smile. "I thought I'd lost you to the mines, yet here you are with a pretty Autobot Femme in tow and..."

His gaze fell on Starscream who hissed and bared his teeth threateningly.

"...that," he finished silkily as his men sneered.

"It's a Seeker child we found," Megatron said softly as he stood to one side of his father.

Galvatron didn't look the slightest bit interested, instead he gestured for Elita to stand up. She did so, holding Starscream tightly in her arms, he was still growling at the group of Mechs. She held her gaze steady with Galvatron even though inside she was afraid. There were so many of them and none of them looked pleasant.

"I found here," Megatron now said with a growl as Galvatron stepped closer to the pink Femme.

"She's a Decepticon prisoner," Galvatron shot back before adding with a smirk. "Or can you not bear to give up your little berth warmer."

Elita's frame shook with anger and embarrassment as she stood there while the Mechs laughed. Megatron gave his father a hard look and said quietly.

"Not all of us are lecherous pieces of scrap."

"Watch your gloassia, boy," Galvatron said warningly.

"How'd a Seeker brat end up down...youch! a solider yelped, he'd been leaned forward, ready to poke Starscream when the Seeker reacted.

"Little brat," the Mech snarled, holding his bitten hand to his chest.

"You need discipline, Megatron," Galvatron said sternly, reaching forward and grabbing Starscream.

"Let him go," Elita cried but another Mech grabbed her and pulled her away, as Galvatron held the hissing and spitting Sparkling high.

"Otherwise, you will never have control," Galvatron continued, using his other hand to hit Starscream hard.

The Sparkling burst into wails, causing Elita to struggle harder as her poor Sparkling was hit again. Megatron growled but another Con stepped forward and nudged him with a blaster, warning him not to do anything.

"Leave him alone," Elita demanded hotly, before biting down hard on the Mech with an arm around her throat.

He cursed and smacked her but she was already elbowing him hard, making him let go of her with another curse. But as she tried to grab Starscream, Galvatron tossed him away, allowing the Sparkling to land heavily, still wailing.

"What's the matter, my dear?" Galvatron asked, grabbing Elita before she could help Starscream and pulled her flush against his body.

"Let go of me," she hissed, shoving at him but he was too strong.

"Hmm, you know, you look an awfully like Prime's daughter," Galvatron now said with a leer, his free hand snaking down to her hip.

"Nuh...no," she gasped out as he started moving his hand between her leg.

"You'll fetch a pretty price," Galvatron now murmured. "Although perhaps I'll have to ask for less after I've...used you to satisfaction."

She froze, she knew this Mech meant every word and what's worse, he'd taken a dislike to Starscream. The poor Sparkling would likely end up as his punching bag and there would be nothing she could do to stop this.

But...

"Ahhh," the solider standing next to Megatron cried out, clutching at wound caused by the grey Mech's knife.

"What...?" Galvatron started to say but was interrupted by a heavy punch to his face plates.

"Argh," he cursed, barely holding onto Elita but a moment later she was ripped away from Galvatron and found herself in another Mech's arms.

"Get the brat," Megatron snarled, now using his blaster to start forcing his father's soldiers back.

He shoved her forward, she stumbled but then rushed over to where Starscream still wept. She scooped him up as Megatron came rushing back to her, grabbing her and tossing her over his shoulder. She had no idea what he was planning to do, all she could see was the soldiers and Galvatron struggling to their feet, snarling in fury.

But then she heard a strange noise from Galvatron and heard a sudden thud. But before she or the other Decepticons could react, there was a sudden jerk and the next moment, she and Megatron were flying upwards. Starscream squealed as they did so, though she wasn't sure if this was in fear or delight.

"What the...," she gasped as the air continued to rapidly rush past her, as the Decepticons cursed and started firing at them.

But a moment later, Megatron was scrambling over something and they disappeared from sight although she could still see the laser blasts. But as Megatron run across a short ledge to another wall, Elita suddenly realised that Megatron had somehow acquired a grabbling hook and cable, which was how they'd scaled the wall so fast.

"Megatron," she yelped out as he almost fell but then regained his footing before aiming the grappling hook again.

"Just hold him," he yelled back and she clutched Starscream tighter as they were suddenly jerked upwards once again.

She screamed, they travelled much faster and much higher this time, she barely managed to hold onto both Megatron and Starscream. But then they landed and she yelped as Megatron set off running, darting into a long tunnel before throwing Elita from his shoulder.

As she rolled on the ground, protectively hugging Starscream as Megatron started blasting away at the cave entrance. A load of rocks came crashing down, causing Starscream to cry even harder and Elita to try and comfort him.

Megatron stood there panting heavily, still clutching the grappler and his blaster. He finally turned and said gruffly.

"That should slow them down but we've got to get a move on now."

"Megatron," she gasped out, still rubbing Starscream's back urgently. "That...that was your father...you defied him..."

"He'll get over it," Megatron said with a shrug. "Not the first time I've done it, he'd rather I defied him than having a weak son."

Elita just stared, thinking about how that worked made her processor hurt even more than it did already. So she simply nodded, figuring she could ask later. Megatron held out a hand to her and as she was pulled out, she said.

"Thank you, for saving me and Starscream. He...he was going to hurt him."

Megatron only nodded, knowing she didn't want to think about what had almost happened to her. And holding her arm, as she lovingly held Starscream, they set off together.

Author's note. Megatron and Elita run into even bigger trouble in the next chapter but what is it? Find out next time, until then.