Title: Keep It Together

Author: DeviousGypsy

Summary: Unbeknown to anyone else, Starscream is a young Seeker. So when he hits his first heat cycle, he has no idea how to handle it. His trine tries to help but the plan falls apart and brings Megatron and Starscream together in a strange way...only to have Starscream ripped from Megatron's servos.

Warnings: Slash, mech-preg, the like :P

Pairings: Megatron/Starscream, Thundercracker/Skywarp

Chapter: IV

Notes: Urg, sorry this has taken so long but I got sick and didn't really feel like getting out of bed to do anything. Unfortunately whatever illness took over me hasn't really left because now it's allergy season for me so my head is one giant pounding mess. So if this chapter sounds a little weird, I put all blame to the painkillers. That and when I'm not focused I tend to revert to my native tongue, German, so yeah, all blame to painkillers! Sorry ahead of time by the way, as you can guess by this apology it is a cliff hanger, however I tried to make this chapter a little longer and succeeded! Hope you enjoy!

Orn = Roughly 4.7 Earth days, Vorn = 83 Earth years, Breem = 1 Earth minute, Stellercycle = 1 Earth month

Cursing himself, Starscream struggled against falling into recharge right there in the rec room. He must have been away from his scientific works too long, his calculations had been off and he was already starting to feel the effects of their depleting energon rations. Skywarp and Thundercracker had been worried enough to give portions of their own rations to him, Seeker protocols putting the sparkling's needs above their own. Starscream had tried to deny them to the best of his abilities however, and though he wouldn't admit it out loud, it was probably the only thing that had let him last even this long.

Resting his helm against his hand, his optics dim as he stared at a data pad he held lazily between his servos. He minutely registered that someone else had entered the rec room, quickly catching the click of thrusters that gave away the fact that it was one of his trine mates. A black servo on his shoulder vent revealed it to be Thundercracker.

Sure enough Thundercracker leaned down into Starscream's line of sight, faceplates dropping at how exhausted his trine leader looked. Running a comforting hand along the line of Starscream's wing, Thundercracker offered a small smile. "Megatron spoke to Soundwave about attacking the Autobots this morning while I was on monitor duty. Should only take Megatron the rest of the day to come up with a plan, perhaps a meeting later in the night, an attack some time tomorrow."

Sub-spacing the data pad, Starscream stood with a slight frown that would have been missed had Thundercracker not known Starscream so well. However, Thundercracker did catch it, and allowed himself a small frown as well. Starscream's chassis was not noticeably descended if one was not looking to catch it, only being in his second stellercycle, however the extra weight took it's toll, the sparkling much heavier than it outwardly showed.

Turning to give a slight nod to Thundercracker, Starscream replied; "I'll be in my quarters, I'll respond to the com when I hear it." Thundercracker nodded in response and watched as Starscream left the med bay, his usual quick motions slowed a fraction by his lack of energy and added weight. Thundercracker let out a sigh, leaning against the chair that Starscream had just evacuated, optics turning to the door as Skywarp made his way through.

The purple Seeker frowned, "Starscream left?"

Nodding, Thundercracker allowed himself to slide down into the seat, "He needs rest, you know that."

Taking the advantage, Skywarp slid himself down onto Thundercracker's lap, nuzzling his face into his mate's neck. "Mhmm," he smiled, "I'm still excited to have little seekers running around," sighing, the smile slightly faded, "It'll remind me of home."

"Vos is long gone, Sky," Thundercracker muttered against his mate's helm, "Besides, I know Seekers are designed to have more than one sparkling, but because of the lack of energon, I'm sure Star's only having one."

Frowning, Skywarp leaned forward, "TC, what about when the sparkling gets older? He won't have a trine, he'll be the only Seekerling around."

Thundercracker couldn't help but frown at that as well, "I don't know, Sky, we'll figure it out."

Lips curling into an unintentional grin, Skywarp muttered, "We could have sparklings, TC, so that Screamer's Seekerling wouldn't be alone. I mean with all the 'acting like I'm sparked', I can't help but get attached to the idea, you know?"

As much as he too liked the idea, Thundercracker couldn't help but shake his head, "That'll only add fuel to the fire. We don't have hardly enough energon for Star's sparkling, it would be irresponsible of us to procreate as well." Allowing himself a small pout, Skywarp stayed quite after that, enjoying the opportunity of being alone and in the company of each other without having to worry about duties.

It was dark by the time Megatron gave out the com to meet in the Command Centre, voice rather gruff and proving that he had not rested until the plan was perfect in Megatron's mind. Starscream shifted off his berth, holding back a hiss as he felt different things in his chassis shift, adjusting to his change in position. Sighing and resting a hand of the hardly noticeable swell, he couldn't help but send waves of reassurance and comfort to the being in there.

Feeling the sparkling settle, Starscream stood, exiting his quarters and making his way down to the Command Center. He walked beside Scrapper, the other mech frowning and looking disheveled as if he had been deep in the middle of recharge. Deciding he was too tired to think of any witty comments about either Scrapper's appearance or whatever terrible idea Megatron had now, Starscream kept to himself, knowing that he needed this energon terribly.

Upon entering the Command Centre, Starscream was slightly surprised to see that he and Scrapper were one of the first few there, having been beaten by Soundwave, Hook, and Astrotrain. It only took about five breems for the rest of the crew to get there though, knowing that if they were not there within a handful of breems Megatron would have their aft.

Seeing that his entire army seemed to be present, Megatron began laying the plan out in from of them. Tapping at the data pad in his hand with a stylus, Megatron projected a 3-dimensional hologram of a oil factory. "Soundwave has brought to my attention that there are high energy readings coming from this factory, Ravage discovered that these humans have recently tapped into a new oil well and have more than enough to create energon," a malevolent grin crossed his faceplates when he tapped the data pad again, this time figures appeared before them, proving that-either Megatron or Soundwave-had really gone all out on this one. "Enough energon to last at least fifteen stellercycles."

Starscream's head snapped up at that, fifteen stellercycles? That was enough to provide for him and the sparkling. Immediately Starscream was listening, all traces of recharge gone from his mind as he completely focused on Megatron and the plan before him. So far, Starscream could point out no faults, though he was sure Megatron had relied on Soundwave to help him, probably just to spite Starscream. However, he couldn't find it in him to get angry, the promise of fifteen stellercycles of energon was just too much to get angry over.

When Megatron seemed to be finished, he dismissed everyone, frowning when he noticed that Starscream had not yet said a word, and searching the crowd of Decepticons he found Starscream leaving with the rest of them. A frown appeared on his faceplates as he called out to Starscream, telling him to come forward. He could practically see the air escaping Starscream's vents in a sigh as Starscream maneuvered his way back to the center of the Command Centre. When Starscream finally stood before him, Megatron managed to hide his disapproval of Starscream's lack of input as it had surprisingly helped last time, and instead placed a cocky grin upon his faceplates. "No input, Starscream?"

Shrugging his shoulders, Starscream responded; "Seeing as you already requested Soundwave's input, I don't see as to what changes could be made."

Megatron bit back the growl that threatened to escape, instead he never let the smirk leave his face. "Soundwave is very precise in his calculations."

Not in the mood to fight or even argue Starscream remained blank, "Exactly, so I see no fault. Now, may I proceed to my quarters and recharge before your glorious victory?"

This time the smirk faded into his usual frown, "Very well, and inform Skywarp that he is to remain at base, Hook has threatened to remove his wings if he so much as thinks about fighting so far along in his carrying."

Starscream hid the inner frown, knowing that Skywarp was perfectly able to fight and that it was Starscream who was putting his-their-sparkling in danger. "Yes, Lord Megatron."

The morning before the attack, Skywarp-slightly upset that he could not fight-gave Starscream his entire ration, telling his trine leader that he wouldn't need it since he wouldn't be doing anything but relaxing in his own berth. Starscream took it with a thanks, greatly appreciating it as his processors kept buzzing a feeling that he should not be going on today's mission. However, he drowned the feeling away with his rations, knowing that if he skipped out Megatron would have his spark for either planning some sort of sabotage or being weak. Not wanting to bring anymore attention to himself, he steeled himself to go, promising Thundercracker that he would stay away from any fighting.

Seeing that he was one Seeker less and his trine would be hindered, Megatron instead based the attack on Devistator. Going for strength rather than the Seeker's speed, leaving Soundwave and his creations to gather the energon. Megatron wasn't pleased that one of his Seekers had sparked themselves, though with Skywarp he was slightly surprised it hadn't occurred sooner. He should have terminated the parasite, however it would have devastated the two creators, and with two out of three Seekers crushed, his trine would have been no used to him. Besides, if the sparkling was raised with the Decepticons, then he was sure that it would not be treacherous to their cause-he'd simply have to keep the blasted thing away from Starscream.

Landing at the oil site, Megatron punched through the wall, watching as the week metal fell apart around his fist. Grabbing their communications, Megatron squished the sparking machine in his fist, ceasing all contact the factory had. "Soundwave, start the energon collection!" Starscream and Thundercracker patrolled the air, keeping an optic out for any Autobots that happened across them. According to Megatron, an Autobot scout wouldn't appear in two human hours, giving them plenty of time to gather the energon they needed.

Within an hour and a half, they had enough energon for 9 stellercycles, and Astrotrain was almost full of the purple cubes. A glance to the west though showed that there was not only an in coming Autobot scout, but seemingly the entire Autobot faction. Thundercracker landed heavily, hurrying to alert Megatron. "Lord Megatron!" he called out, his thrusters slamming into the ground, "Several Autobot enemies located in the west, a human must have tipped them off."

Slamming his fist into whatever was left of the wall he originally destroyed, Megatron barked out orders. "Constructicons; form into Devistator! Soundwave; pick up the pace on the energon collection! The rest of you; on the defensive!"

Thundercracker ignited his thrusters, shooting into the sky while transforming back into his alt-mode, meeting his trine leader in the air. "Starscream, remember what you said, stay in the back, fire only if you have a clear shot, stay hidden!"

"I understand, Thundercracker! I have the same protocols as you!" Starscream shouted back, irritated at being treated like a sparkling himself.

Bursting from the clearing, Optimus Prime transforming from alt-mode to stand in front of Megatron, blue optics shining brightly as he gazed upon Megatron's carnage. "Hand over the energon, Megatron," Optimus ordered, voice deep and yet slightly muffled by his battle mask.

Megatron simply scoffed, "We need our energon too, Prime, you take our sustenance away and yet you call us the 'bad guys'."

Prime's optics dimmed in disapproval, "There are other ways to get energon, ways they do not include the spilling of human blood."

Laughing, Megatron started his fusion cannon, "Ah but Prime, it's so much easier." Blasting at his foe, Optimus just barely rolled out of the way. The first shot having been fired, the battle began, Autobots ducking behind objects, firing when the opportunity arose while Devistator protected Soundwave, flinging any Autobot that got too close back.

Knowing that the Seekers had to have been there somewhere, Sunstreaker and Sideswipe went on the look out for them, making it their mission in this battle, to find and bring down the Seekers. Sideswipe quickly pointed out Thundercracker, the blue Seeker firing down at the Autobots hidden in the trees. Calculation the Seeker's direction, speed, and current location, Sunstreaker helped launch his brother towards the Seeker, Sideswipe making a desperate grasp for Thundercracker's wings. Grabbing a hold of one, he was able to pull himself onto the top of the jet, knocking off Thundercracker's calibrations.

Just as predicted, seeing his trine mate in trouble, Starscream banked the corner coming to aim his null rays at Sideswipe while Sunstreaker aimed at his wing. Firing a single shot, the yellow twin managed to hit the seem of Starscream's wing, where the wing met his back, knocking the Seeker off balance and into a spiral towards the ground. Thundercracker, ignoring the annoying twin still riding his back, hurried to catch up to the spinning speed Starscream had fallen into. Tapping Starscream's wing with his own, Thundercracker managed to stop the spinning and Starscream's speed dropped. Knowing that a fall like that could still damage the sparkling, Thundercracker dove under Starscream, the air he split also slowing Starscream as he rested most of the other jets weight on top of him, practically squishing the red twin and causing him to fall.

Once Starscream hit the ground, Thundercracker did a quick check to make sure he was still functioning and the sparkling was in no danger. The quick scan told him both were currently fine, though Starscream had fallen offline during his spiral, knowing that the Seeker was fine and Autobots were too kind to shoot at an offline mech, Thundercracker took to the air again, making a beeline for the twins, anger raising steadily.

Not long after Thundercracker left, Starscream's systems began to come on one by one, his spark calming after realizing that his sparkling didn't seem to be in any distress. Standing on shaky peds, Starscream reached a hand to where he was hit, wincing as he pulled back energon coated fingers. He rubbed his fingers together, the consistency was slightly thin for a Seeker, since they were jets, they needed to consume more energon in order for it to become the richer jet fuel. Because he was carrying it was typical for his energon to be thinner, though it was dangerous if it wasn't welded soon, for the leaking wouldn't stop as quickly.

Making his way to the trees, Starscream took a view point, easily seeing the entire battlefield while staying almost completely hidden. He was wounded already, leaking energon, and didn't want to press his luck with the sparkling in his chassis. Movement behind him caught his attention though, and his turned quickly, crimson optics immediately spotting the Autobot called Hound.

Hound looked furious, walking in on the scene, he had observed the seeker for a second before realizing that from this view point, Starscream would have a clear shot at the Prime. "Oh no you don't, you metallic pigeon!" Leaping into the air, Hound went to jump on Starscream, intent being to knock the Seeker away from their Prime. The two rolled around a few times before Starscream managed to push himself a few feet away from the smaller Autobot, vents heaving from exhaustion. However, his spark skipped a beat when he watched as the Autobot pulled his gun out, aiming simply at Starscream's legs, trying to keep him from moving so they could take him captive or at least prevent him from doing any more damage.

Starscream immediately held a servo up to stop him from making the foolish mistake at firing a weapon at him while they were both covered in jet fuel, which was very explosive. Thinking that Starscream's raised servo was another attack, Hound immediately fired his weapon, missing Starscream but hitting the ground between them and igniting the fuel there, sending both mechs flying, the fuel on the both of them as well. Starscream landed on his side, crushing his wing beneath him, feeling the cracks of his thrusters as most of the fuel had fallen around them and they had taken the brunt of the explosion. His vision was going, optics fizzing out as his systems forced him into emergency stasis. Before he became over come by the stasis lock though, he could hear the static filled com of Megatron calling a retreat.