Disclaimer: We do not own Transformers Prime or its canon characters. We do however own our OCs. Blondie-moyashi owns the lovely Skye Shelsher and Dream'sRealm owns Darkstorm, Skybreak, Drift, Shiv, Jolt, Blackout, Air Raid, Caliber, Speedway, and Jetfire.

Theme Song: Figure .09 By Linkin Park

An incoming transmission was received from Scotland. Ratchet immediately worked to open the ground bridge.

Only one mech returned.

"Wheeljack? Where are the others?" Arcee inquired, already fearing the worst.

"The others are going to return in Ultra Magnus' ship, Miko included," Wheeljack replied, slight irritation laced in his voice.

"I wondered what was taking so long with those sodas," Raf commented to Jack, chuckling.

Before Arcee could ask what was eating at the Wrecker, another signal of Decepticon activity was reported in New Mexico.

"Flareup, Moonracer," Elita One turned to address the femmes. "Accompany Drift, Shiv, Jolt, Blackout, and the others to the site."

"Sure thing, Elita. We're only too happy to help," Moonracer smiled before turning to glance at Flareup. The femme's stone cold exterior never changed.

Elita's bright countenance faltered slightly. "Stay safe, everyone."

"Don't worry, Elita," Drift said. "We'll take care of them."

Flareup scoffed and rudely brushed past the others. "As if I need to be taken care of," she muttered before going over to the ground bridge platform.

"Well. . . slag," Jolt said. "Don't know about you guys but I am not going anywhere near her."

"Any idea what crawled up her tailpipe and died?" Caliber shook his helm.

Moonracer rubbed her left arm with her right servo and vented tiredly before she began to trudge towards the ground bridge. "Let's just go. . ."

The Vehicons and miners exchanged a look but chose not to upset the femme further. Before Moonracer could fully enter the ground bridge, she turned as a familiar rich baritone voice met her audial receptors.

"I wish you luck, Moonracer."

Moonracer's optics widened and her cooling fans subtly activated as she met the Seeker's crimson gaze. "Oh, u-uhm. . . thank you," she smiled.

She continued on her way a bit nervously and tripped on seemingly nothing once she reached the threshold of the ground bridge. Shiv caught her arm and supported her before her facial plating met the floor.

"Hey, you alright, doll?" Shiv asked.

"Oh, I-I'm so sorry! Primus, I'm such a spazz," Moonracer said rapidly, her cooling fans growing steadily louder. She began to walk backwards before she accidentally knocked over a pile of empty energon cubes. She jumped before groaning and burying her facial plating in her servos, muttering to herself as she finally entered the ground bridge.

The Vehicons and miners soon followed.

Once they left and the ground bridge was deactivated, Darkstorm turned to gaze at her childhood friend with a raised optic ridge. What in the Allspark was that all about?

As if detecting her gaze, he turned towards her. "Is there something amiss, Dar'sain?" he asked coolly with a matching raised optic ridge.

"Nothing, Dre'wan," Darkstorm chuckled. "Nothing at all."

"Thank you again, Agent Fowler, for the medical supplies you've so graciously provided," June smiled. "Lord knows we needed them."

"You're welcome and please," the government agent grinned, "Call me William."

Jack and Skye shared a look, both confused, though Jack's expression held more suspicion where Skye looked vaguely amused.

"Hey guys, I found another Predacon bone!" The group turned to Raf, who was sitting in front of his computer, a picture of a talon-shaped bone on the screen. "It's in a museum. Archeologists were stumped when they excavated it, so it's been in storage for decades."

Ratchet's attention drifted from his task to the humans' discussion. "Another museum?" He scoffed. "Having it on display is bad enough, but locking it away where we can't see it, let alone find it is going to make it difficult to retrieve."

"Maybe for a 'Bot. But it should be a piece of cake for a federal agent like yours truly." Fowler's tone seemed a bit more . . . arrogant than usual? But considering that June was in the vicinity, and what Skye and Jack were seeing, it was probably just him trying to impress Jack's mom.

"And if it's not too much trouble, I'd like to help, as well," June volunteered.

"But, Mom, it's way too dangerous. Why don't you just let-" Jack could not finish his sentence before his mother interrupted him indignantly.

"Excuse me? This coming from my son who went to Cybertron but won't let his mother go on a. . ."

"Milk run," Agent Fowler finished.

"A milk run!" June said.

"Mom, I-"

"That is enough, Jackson Darby. I am going and that is final," June told her son before she began to walk towards the exit of the warehouse. "Come on, Agent Fowler. We have some work to do."

As the two started walking away, Jack looked to Skye. "Hey, you wouldn't mind going on a little . . . 'milk run,' would you?"

Skye quirked an eyebrow. "Are you serious? You're asking me to babysit your mum and Fowler?"

"Not babysit so much, just . . . accompany?"

She sighed, half-smiling as she stood. "I'm tempted to make you owe me for this, Darby." She quickened her pace to catch up to the adults.

"And yet another success," Megatron smirked as he held the fossil Predaking retrieved from Scotland in his servo. He turned to praise Predaking. "Well done."

"Lord Megatron," Knock Out began as he walked up to the warlord. "Scanners are detecting another Predacon signature."

"Then by all means, retrieve it," Megatron tilted his helm. "And Knock Out? Do not return empty-handed."

"Moi? I don't know the meaning of the word."

"Isn't empty-handed two words?" Starscream asked arrogantly.

"You would know. Or did your missing armor turn up?" Knock Out replied, scoffing. The mighty Starscream lost the Apex Armor to the human femme and yet he thought me inept? he thought. Please.

"Starscream," Megatron barked and immediately, all arguing ceased. "Cease this petty bickering and take over Knock Out's duties until he returns." His optics narrowed dangerously. "Or do I need to be more clear?"

Starscream's wings flattened nervously as he chuckled. "Eh… not at all, my liege. I-I am more than happy to do as you have commanded."

Knock Out smirked triumphantly as he followed Megatron into the main part of the ship. Starscream growled to himself. "Is this the thanks I get? To be sent to monitor duty like a mere Vehicon? And with this beast-" Starscream turned and kicked Predaking's tail angrily.

Predaking's optics flared and he spun his tail around. The Seeker ducked before he could be seriously injured and instead, Predaking damaged the communications monitor just behind them.

"You insipid brute! Now look at what you've done!" Starscream screeched as he immediately commed some Vehicons to repair the damage.

Predaking simply glared defiantly at the Seeker, a deep growl emerging from his throat. He was the mighty Predaking and he would take no such abuse from anyone.

Two or three Vehicons soon arrived and immediately set to work in repairing the device. But with great difficulty. All of their skilled brethren had already left in some sort of mutiny and they did not wish to follow.

When the the satellite at least looked to be stable, Starscream punched in an override code to try to reaffirm communications. This only resulted in a shower of sparks and several displays of error messages in Cybertronian.

Starscream jumped back before turning to the Vehicons. "Get back to work! If this is not fixed, Megatron will have all our helms!"

"So, what's goin' on between you and ol' Dreadwing?" Jolt asked Moonracer as their company made their way through the desert, searching for the Decepticons.

Moonracer stopped short, her optics widening and her cooling fans activating. "M-Me and D-Dreadwing? N-Nothing! Absolutely nothing."

"Easy, doll," Shiv chuckled. "I was jus' wond'rin'."

The pair lapsed into silence once more. Moonracer felt dismay as her spark began to pound. She really needed to stop doing this to herself. Why would someone like Dreadwing like a femme like her? She may have had some talent in the Academy but all of her peers agreed that she was immature, childish, brash, and awkward in every sense of the word. The only sense of grace she ever showed was behind a cannon.

Nothing like Elita, Darkstorm, Arcee, or Flare.

She vented softly to herself before she looked up, a Vehicon addressing her. "You okay, Moonracer?" he asked kindly. Moonracer was a bit surprised. She had always thought that the Vehicons under Megatron's rule were sadistic and evil… but apparently, they had more free will and personality than anyone had ever previously thought.

"I-I'm fine," Moonracer smiled. "Thanks… umm, Air Raid, right?"

The soft-spoken mech beamed and nodded. "Yup, that's me." He paused. "But, are you sure?"

"Yeah, I'm sure," Moonracer replied. Everything was silent once more before Moonracer attempted to make small talk with Air Raid, trying to break the uncomfortable silence. "So… how're you liking being with the Autobots?"

"It's… a lot better than what I, or any of us really, are used to," he smiled. "And everyone…" he paused, glancing at Flareup out of the corner of his optic. "Mostly everyone is very kind to us."

"Of course. It's the Autobot thing to do. Besides," Moonracer grinned. "From what I've seen, y'all aren't so bad yourself."

"Moonracer!" a voice barked. "Hurry up or those 'Cons will get the fossil. You'll have time to socialize later."

Moonracer vented and nodded, quickening her pace. "Why do you let her do that to you?" Jetfire asked her softly.

"Do what?"

"Yell at you, treat you like scrap. Why don't you tell her to stop? You deserve far more respect than that."

"She… She's been through a lot more than you think because of this war. I understand why she's angry," Moonracer answered hesitantly.

"Oh, we know," Drift replied. "I was there, remember? I know all about Shockwave and what he did to her. But that still doesn't give her a right to live the rest of her life with a giant chip on her shoulder plating."

Moonracer vented. "Maybe…"

"All I know is that if she tries to shoot at any of us again, I'll give her something to be angry about," Blackout muttered darkly.

Their attentions were diverted as they finally spotted the Decepticons. Insecticons, to be exact, scavenging for the Predacon fossil.

Flareup smirked. "Come on, bugs. Make my day," she said before running forward, cannons firing.

Fowler and June walked towards the car, Skye following close behind. She knew exactly why Jack asked her to accompany them-to make sure nothing went on between his mom and the agent-but it was fun to watch.

A thought hit Skye as the other two discussed former relationships. She would likely have to inform her mum of her own . . . situation? If not per anyone's input, but for her own ease of mind. But how to explain it? How far into detail should she go? And Lord forbid it should go as far as what Darkstorm had hinted at . . .

She brought a hand to her face as it got warmer. This whole thing was a problem for another day. At the moment she just needed to get the lovebirds back to base before Jack suspected anything.

A red sports car sped towards them, screeching to a halt directly in front of the group. "I have a bone to pick with all of you."

Skye's eyes widened as she recognized the voice. Fowler told the other two to run as Knock Out activated a weapon, still in his alt mode. They tried to get away, but didn't get more than three steps before blacking out.

Jack sat on the couch next to Raf, his heart pounding slightly out of worry. Why were they taking so long? It couldn't take them that long to grab a Predacon fossil out of a museum… Could it?

He nearly jumped due to his nerves when Miko called his cell. He sighed and answered it. "Hello?"

"Hey, Jack. I was just wondering… Have you seen Wheeljack? Me and Bulk' are getting kinda worried."

"Yeah. He just went on a scouting mission with Arcee."

"He replaced Bulk' already?! That's cold!" Miko exclaimed. After a few moments of silence however, she chuckled. "But I knew it was only a matter of time before our two lone wolves hooked up."

Jack took on a deadpan expression. Leave it to Miko to think of match-making at a time like this. "Well, I've got to go. I've got to keep the lines open in case Mom decides to call."

"Okay. See ya later, bro!"

Jack hung up before glancing at his phone nervously. That's it, he thought as he began to dial his mother's phone number. I just need to know that she's alright. The phone rang several times but no one answered.

"What are they doing?" the teen muttered.

"Maybe they went to a movie?" Raf suggested, trying to calm his friend down.

It didn't work. Jack walked up to the ground bridge portal. "Ratchet, I need a bridge. I think my mom's in trouble. She isn't answering her phone."

"But surely you don't expect to go alone," Ratchet said.

"I shall go with him," Elita One volunteered.

As the ground bridge activated, Jack watched in mild surprise as Optimus' brow creased in concern. "If there is any trouble, do not hesitate to contact me."

"And I thought you knew by now that I can take care of myself, Orion" Elita grinned before entering the portal.

"Knock Out to Lord Megatron. I am in possession of one vintage Predacon talon. Plus three of the Autobots' pets to employ as hostages, lab rats-well, whatever you prefer."

Skye groggily opened her eyes, moaning at her pounding headache. She tried to raise her arm, but found it was pinned against her body. She looked down to see a seatbelt tightly wrapped around her midsection, securing her to a passenger seat.

"Ah, it's awake."

Skye looked at the dash and her stomach dropped. She was tied up in Knock Out's alt mode? But-

"Where are Fowler and June?" She tried to sound aggressive, but the fear canceled it out.

"The happy couple are bickering in the back. But you shouldn't worry about them so much as yourself. Now, if I remember correctly, we have a score to settle." The glove compartment opened and a device appeared, sporting two sharp tips in a fork formation. It extended, spanning half the distance between Skye and the dash.

Knock Out hit the breaks and Skye's seatbelt loosened just enough to let the momentum carry her forward. Her right cheek made contact with one of the blades, forming a long gash from next to her nose to an inch from her ear. She gasped and instinctively reached for it, but the belt tightened again before her hand could get free.

Knock Out resumed speeding along the road and Skye could all but see his smirk. "That was for our little encounter on the Nemesis. It took me a long time to buff out the damage between your effort and the medic. Consider us even."

She fought against the restraints. "Darkstorm will have your head for that!" She tried to shake her head to get the hair out of her eyes, but one lock passed through the fresh blood and was plastered to the side of her face. It was a most irritating feeling, and between it and the blood running down her cheek, she was finding it hard to keep her cool.

"Mm yes, I'm so scared." His tone changed from sarcastic to annoyed. "This is Knock Out requesting a space bridge again . . . Okay, is anyone receiving me?"

Movement in the rear-view mirror caught her attention as Fowler squeaked through the hole created by the removed middle back seat, albeit barely.

"There's one thing you didn't think about." Skye smirked as she thought of a way to distract the vain 'Con. "Bloodstains are nigh impossible to get out of upholstery."

"You wouldn't dare!"

Skye quickly snapped her head to the right, sending a few blood drops flying. They didn't have much speed, but there was enough to speckle the door with a few spots of crimson.

While Knock Out was too busy ranting about his upholstery, Fowler took the opportunity to act, diving towards the console and latching onto the steering wheel. He turned it aggressively to the right, leading them down a dirt road towards a railyard. With their captor's attention otherwise engaged, Skye was able to move slightly in the loosened seatbelt.

Knock Out came to a screeching halt. "You will pay for that, fleshies!"

The humans acted quickly to escape. While Fowler jumped out the driver side door, Skye slipped under the belt and hit the ground on her knees. June made out with the box containing the fossil behind her and the two ran in the opposite direction as Fowler, making their way towards the multitude of train cars.

"What is it, Jack?" a voice asked from inside a rose and violet Lotus Evora.

"It's my mother's phone… There must have been a struggle because the screen's broken pretty bad," Jack replied, looking around the parking lot for any other signs of his mother.

He found nothing except several skid marks.

"Elita One to base. Agent Fowler, Skye, and Jack's mother are missing. I am en route. Send backup at the first opportunity," Elita One commed the base. Jack got into the car and Elita immediately stepped on the gas, searching for any Decepticons in the area. Once she honed in on the signal, she began to follow it.

Meanwhile, Jack looked out the window, worry consuming him again. Please, God. Please let her be alright.

It was nerve wracking as the humans scurried around, through, and under train cars to avoid detection. Skye had always hated Hide-and-Seek, she always got freaked out when the "seeker" would almost discover her, or whenever she had to run to a new spot. Throw in a 20-some foot Decepticon that already had it out for her, and she would be lucky if she could shake this mission off. Or survive without having a heart attack.

Thankfully though, she was close to her destination. She climbed a ladder to a car filled with gray stones, talon in tow. She and June had split up, June taking the box and heading towards where she'd last seen Fowler as Skye took the fossil to the cars. She hoped if this all fell apart, the talon could at least blend in with the rocks.

What she hadn't planned on though, was that the train on which she was standing would start moving.

She was making her way back towards the ladder after dropping the talon among the stones, and almost lost her balance as the train car lurched slightly. Her stomach followed suit as she saw Knock Out a good distance away . . . approaching June. Fowler was in one of his servos, trying to pull one of the digits back to no avail.

By the time Skye turned her attention back to the train, it was moving too fast for her to jump off, even with the improved suspension in her new prosthetic. One perk of having a robotic part created by Cybertronians, they knew their stuff on comfort.

In any case, she was now stuck on a moving train until it came to a stop or one of the 'Bots-her phone! Why hadn't she thought of it before? Well, probably because she was tied up and her hands were pinned. Then she was playing the worst game of Hide-and-Seek known to man.

She felt her pocket, sighing in relief as she felt the bulky item still secure in her pocket. She pulled it out and flipped it open, but her face and mood dropped once more as it displayed a black screen. She pressed several buttons out of desperation with the same result. It was dead.

"Scrap." She put it back in the pocket and looked at the canyon walls as the train thundered on. I guess I'm going to have to wait until the 'Bots find me, she thought. I swear, I'm never leaving the base again.

Meanwhile, Knock Out was zooming forward, attempting to catch the train before he lost the bone. Skye looked on, frightened. Please please pleeeaaaase let them find me…

Her hopes were raised as she saw a familiar rose and violet car race towards her, opening fire on Knock Out. The car swerved, trying to avoid the blows. And just when it seemed that the battle was in their favor, a Decepticon ground bridge opened, more Insecticons piling out of it.

Megatron must be truly desperate, seeing as how many Vehicons are on our side, Elita thought as she maneuvered away from them, trying to protect the humans inside her alt mode.

"Elita One to base, I-"

Before she could finish her assistance, Optimus, Bumblebee, Smokescreen, and the Seekers entered the battlefield through another ground bridge.

While the others were engaged in battle, Darkstorm flew towards the moving train car. Knock Out had already got there first. The Decepticon transformed and grabbed the bone before exiting the battlefield through yet another bridge. But, in truth, Darkstorm could care less. All she cared about at that moment was making sure her charge was safe.

She transformed mid-flight and grabbed Skye before reverting back into her alt mode. "Skye… Are you alright? By the Allspark, I was worried sick!"

The girl put her crossed arms on the console before resting her head on them. "Just . . . need some air. Not all rushing at me at fifty miles per hour. Though, I'll never look at seatbelts the same again." She sat up and brought a hand to her face, mind finally relaxing enough to remember the wound. As she ran her fingers across it, she felt the old blood was dry but the cut was still open. "Or glove boxes."

When the others reached the base, Darkstorm was able to fully inspect her charge amidst all the other reunions. Her optics widened when she saw the gash running across her face.

"Ski'ri, what in the pits of Kaon happened to you?!"

Skye bowed her head, watching her fiddling hands in front of her. "Knock Out . . ." She couldn't figure out how to word it. What she did know was that she felt oddly . . . ashamed?

Darkstorm said nothing but stood there, dangerously tense. Her wings were raised and her red optics glowed brightly as she clenched her servos.

"Dar'sain? It . . . it's fine. I made it back in one piece. It could've been a lot worse than a little nick." She smiled, even as it was a bit painful.

When Darkstorm did not answer, Bumblebee placed a servo on her shoulder plating. "Storm, I know you must be angry but... Skye is alright. There's no need for this."

"Indeed, Dar'sain," Dreadwing added, trying to soothe her. "Ski'ri ceart kwamba yale agus bhfuil an m'eid a'bhair." Skye is alright and that is what matters.

And that is when Darkstorm began to speak, her voice laced with fury and steadily growing in volume. "I have been on the Nemesis. I have seen what Knock Out does to his patients… He is cruel and sadistic… And could have done far worse and you all expect me to be calm and composed?! This is my charge! I will not sit back and be calm, knowing that that… d'ur had his servos on her! He cut her! He made her bleed! And you-" She whipped around to face her scout. "You dare have the gall to say there is no need for this?! If we had not come to her rescue, she would have been dissected… or experimented on… or who knows what else. I will make him pay for what he did to her! I may have been too weak in the past to stop him from having his way with innocents but I am no longer! I will make sure he suffers for this." And, everyone could agree, they had never seen the Seeker femme so angered.

Skye bowed her head again, placing a hand over the wound before turning towards her room. "I'll get out of your way." Everyone turned and watched as the human girl fled to her room, Smokescreen following after her.

"Storm, get it together. You'll only upset her more," Skybreak said.

"Upset? My charge was in the servos of a monster and I could do nothing to help! I am the one who has due cause to be upset," Darkstorm retorted back as she turned and began to walk away.

"Storm, wait!" Darkstorm paused and turned around slightly, meeting the gaze of her scout. "Please…"

Her hardened gaze never changed. She resumed her path towards the military base's training area. "I shall have 'no need for this' elsewhere."

Flareup lowly whistled and muttered, "And they say I have anger issues. So much for being a calm and composed turncoat."

Elita One glared at her harshly. "What?" Flareup asked.

"Should we-?" Bumblebee asked Darkstorm's brother.

"No, just me. I've never seen 'Storm lose it like that… It'd be safer for me to go. Besides, I think I can calm her down better than anyone else. I am her brother, after all," Skybreak replied. "Let's just hope she doesn't decide to get angry at me," he muttered before leaving the building.

Skye pulled a first aid kit from the bottom of her pack atop the dresser, a little batch of emergency medical supplies that she always carried just in case. She never thought she'd actually have to use it.

There was a knock on the doorway as Skye walked toward the mirror. She turned her head to see Smokescreen's holoform in the door. "Mind if I come in?"

She nodded. "Can you get the door?" She turned her attention to sifting through the supplies as she heard the door gently close then footsteps approached.

"Are you okay?"

She looked at her shaking hands as she picked up the alcohol and cotton balls. She tried to apply some of the former to the latter, but soon stopped, resting her hands on the dresser as she bowed her head. "No. No, I'm not."

His right hand covered hers as his left rested on her shoulder. "Let me." He gently steered her over to sit on the bed before starting to gently clean the dried blood. "So, talk to me."

She sighed, trying her hardest to remain still so his task was easier. "It isn't so much the actual wound that's bothering me. I mean yeah, it was scary and hurt at the time-" she winced as the alcohol burned the raw flesh. "Maybe it still hurts. But I'm more worried about what we just saw. That . . . that rage."

Smokescreen held up the gauze and bandaging tape, his face showing he didn't know what to do with them.

"Gauze then tape." She pointed to each as she spoke and he nodded in compliance.

"'Storm'll be fine. She probably just needs to process things."

"For now." She averted her eyes. "But now every time she sees my face she'll be reminded of it. I . . . I don't want to be responsible if that rage becomes a part of her. Eats her from the inside out. And yet, it wouldn't be fair to her to isolate myself and never see her."

Smokescreen pulled away and set the supplies down. Skye didn't feel like checking the mirror to see if he'd done it right or even just bring her hand up to feel it. Rather, she just let her head fall against his shoulder, goosebumps crossed her arms as he wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close without missing a beat.

"I'm sure the right thing will come to you when it's time. What is it she always says, to have faith?"

Skye bit her lip as the day's events and her emotions started clashing in an exhausting manner. "Yeah . . . I guess it's easy to forget we never go into a situation alone, physical or otherwise." She looked at his shirt and tried to wipe the tears off it. "I'm sorry." She laughed lightly as more tears fell. "I'm not used to talking to other people about this stuff."

He smiled and lightly grasped her hand, halting her efforts. "I'm always here if you need to talk about anything. The color of the sky, the meaning of life, the great off-road vs. pavement debate." This warranted a fatigued giggle. "But I'm here whenever you need me."

Her hand curled up, catching some of the fabric of his shirt with her nails. "Can you stay for a little while?" Her voice suggested she wouldn't be awake much longer, but that didn't bother him at all. Smokescreen laid back onto the bed and moved into a position that was comfortable for both of them.

"Thanks" could be heard on her escaping breath before she fell into slumber.

He admired the girl's sleeping face, smiling slightly at the surprising peace he found in it. She never looked that content when awake, especially not today. And yet she still showed incredible strength, putting on a brave face for the group that broke only when her guardian's own spirit faltered.

One of the reasons why he greatly appreciated-dare he say . . . loved her.

Darkstorm slumped next to the makeshift Cybertronian training area within the human military's own training building, panting slightly as her cooling fans loudly blew. Needless to say, all the humans quickly left once they saw her state. She had been there for voors it seemed like… punching and kicking and swiping at invisible demons with her blades.

Now, she simply sat there, utterly spent.

Once her anger subsided, it was replaced with shame and guilt. She knew she was wrong for acting in such a way… Her scout, Dre'wan, and her brother were only trying to help and she simply railed at them.

In truth, Darkstorm scared herself… the way she lost control. But just the very thought of her beloved charge in her former mentor's grasp… her face being cut… it set her energon aflame.

She vented as she lowered her helm. She had thought she had left those dark years in the Decepticon med bay behind her. But she still couldn't shake the thought that she had failed her charge.

She should have been there… She should have never let Knock Out lay a digit on her.

Darkstorm did not realize that someone had entered the compound and was sitting next to her until that someone spoke up. "It safe for me to be here now?"

Darkstorm raised her helm wearily as she stared into her brother's facial plating. "Is it, Bruda?... I myself do not know," she whispered.

"Well, then it's official. We're all fragged." Darkstorm vented and averted her gaze in shame. Skybreak frowned. "Hey… it was just a joke…"

"It was no joke that I only furthered Ski'ri's pain… Did you see how she fled from me?" Darkstorm buried her facial plating in her servos.

"Hey, Sister, it was natural for you to be angry. Pit, I was too. We all care about Skye… and you have more cause than most to have a grudge towards Doc Knock," Skybreak vented and pulled his sister close to him.

"I was no better than he was when I lost control… H-How can the others stand to look at me again? How can Skye?"

"Whatdya mean? They love you, 'Storm. So does Skye. If you think that they have some sort of problem with you, you couldn't be more wrong," Skybreak half smiled. "So don't beat yourself up over this…"

A few moments of companionable silence passed between them before Darkstorm whispered, "I was frightened, Brother… Frightened of myself. I have not felt so angered since… Megatron took you away from me."

"Storm… all of us get angry. We can't ever get past that… And there is certainly no need to be frightened of yourself." When Darkstorm gave no response, Skybreak continued with a smile. "You know what I see when I look at you? I see a kind, compassionate, strong femme who is willing to protect and uphold her loved ones. You did what you did today because you love Skye." Skybreak's voice lowered and addressed the one dark thought that had been circling her mind as of that moment. "Never ever believe you are like them. You are not like Knock Out or Megatron and you never will be. That golden spark of yours would never allow you to be."

Darkstorm wrapped her arms around her brother's neck.

"I'm so sorry, Brother…" she whispered.

"It's alright, Sister. It's alright," he soothed.

The next morning, Darkstorm and Skybreak made their way back into the main room of the base, the former being too ashamed to go back and face her charge the night before. She averted her gaze once she felt the others' stares. She only felt slightly better as she felt her brother's arm wrap around her shoulders.

"It's alright, Sister," he whispered.

She vented before she lifted her helm, trying not to focus on any one 'Bot. "I... I wish to apologize for my terrible behavior. I let my own turbulent emotions cloud my judgment and for that, I am sorry..." Darkstorm bit her bottom lip component, fighting to stay in control, before she turned to her companions, the Vehicons and miners. "There is not a cycle that goes by when I do not wish that I had done more for each and every one of you." They softened at this.

"You've done more than enough, 'Storm," Drift said with a slight smile.

"And Dre'wan, Bumblebee... I know you were only trying to help me. Forgive me. I shouldn't have reacting in such a way."

Dreadwing smiled. "There is nothing to forgive, mo beag sain."

"Ditto. You were only scared for your charge... I'd have reacted the same way."

Darkstorm brightened, albeit weakly, at her friend and beloved scout's encouraging gazes before turning to her charge. "And Skye... I have only succeeded in causing you more pain and... fear."

The girl had her head bowed slightly, her hair now partially concealing the wound. After a second she shook her head before looking up at her charge, smiling with her eyes. "Dar'sain, my only fear was that my rashness would harm you. But . . . I do have something to ask of you, of all of you."

"Of course," Arcee said.

"Anything," Bulkhead added.

She hesitated, biting her lip as she tried to come up with the words. She brought her hand to her face as she looked around at all the faces in the area. "Chances are this wound will scar and turn into a constant reminder of what happened. And . . . it's all too easy to see it and allow the anger to come back. But I ask that no one looks at it any differently than my leg. If something small like a prosthetic doesn't change anyone's view of me, I certainly don't want something even smaller to do so."

"You are correct, Skye," Optimus smiled gently. "We shall persevere to not change our view of you due to this wound."

She smiled at Optimus thankfully, this time a full one, even as a slight wince showed it still hurt on the right side, before turning to her guardian. "I understand why you were upset yesterday, and you have every right to be. But I already told you I intend on not going out into the field again, so I don't want you to worry about me so much." She motioned to Bumblebee. "You have things to be happy about."

Darkstorm half smiled, slightly relieved at her charge's decision, and nodded. "I-I suppose…" she glanced at Bumblebee. "If he can learn to put up with me."

"Don't be like that, 'Storm. Like Skye said, you had every right to be angry and… nothing that has happened or ever will happen can change my feelings for you. You're one of the best things in my life… and I mean that."

Darkstorm gazed at her scout, disbelief in her optics before brightening slightly. "I feel the same, my beloved scout."

Miko crossed her arms. "Get a room already!"

Darkstorm's wings and Bumblebee's door wings raised out of embarrassment and their cooling fans activated. They both averted their gazes.

Darkstorm cleared her throat. "S-Skye? What say you to having me look at your wound? I-I want to make sure that it was bandaged properly."

Skye offered a gentle smile, her gaze quickly shifting to Smokescreen then back to Darkstorm. "Sounds good."

"And you did not deign to inform me that our communications network wasn't functioning for nearly half a cycle?!" Megatron yelled angrily to his Second in Command.

Starscream instinctively flinched, shaking slightly out of fear. "A-A minor setback, my liege. But Soundwave was able to fix the problem and Knock Out was able to retrieve the fossil successfully."

"Fortunately for you," Megatron glared dangerously. "Now, get back to work! Shockwave may require your assistance and I expect you to aide him without any complaint, am I clear? I refuse to give the Autobots any advantage."

"P-Perfectly, Lord Megatron..."

Meanwhile, Predaking stood by the now fixed communications control, carefully typing in the override code from memory with an extended talon. He inwardly smiled in triumph as he now had access to the network.

He immediately set to work.

Images of Predacons flashed across the screen as Predaking began to search for answers about both his kind and his origins.

Interesting... Predaking mused.

D/N: Well, there you have it! Another awesome chapter with plenty drama and romance. Just what the doctor ordered. Though I do admit, even I was scared when 'Storm blew up. But hey, it was an awesome opportunity to provide just a teeny bit of angst and broaden her chara even more. I mean, she can't be sweet and loveable all the time and she does have a grudge against Doc Knock :3 So, we hope you liked it. And the Skye and Smokes cuteness.

We wish to thank all of you for your continued support and all the reviews we received last chapter. We truly do appreciate it! And we hope to continue to receive such excellent feedback and suggestions.

"Why, my soul, are you downcast? Why so disturbed within me? Put your hope in God, for I will yet praise Him, my Savior and my God" Psalm 42:5

To Guest #1: Thank you so much for the compliment! It truly means a lot to us. I do agree that the show was so anti-climactic and that a lot more could have been done. And new show? Well, I can't wait to see it then! As for Skye having a longer life span, blondie and I both agreed to keep her human. And I thought this was as serious and realistic as it gets. God is real and so is His healing power and I did try to make every chapter relateable and real.

To Guest #2: You'll have to read more to see if we do :3

To Savvy Orion:

Bumblebee: *cooling fans activate* T-Thanks.

As for the wedding, it'll be soon xD Might be next chapter. Thank you for your lovely feedback! As for turning them into Cybertronians, we both agreed that the procedure would be too traumatic. I mean, Silas did it but… we all know how jacked up that was. And we felt it would be too unrealistic to have them spontaneously turn into one. And yes! Another Lennox and Ironhide fan! *hugs* As for Flareup… yes. Indeed. *shifty eyes* I have to seriously watch my back with her. You don't know how many times I've been shot at. If it weren't for 'Storm, I'd be a stain on the floor already.

To Guest #3: I'm sorry but me and my coauthor decided against it. We thank all of you for your suggestions though! They were really appreciated!

B/N: Aaaaaand here's my dark side showing again because this ranks high in my 'favorite chapters' list. And I swear it's not just because I love this episode of the series and I love Knock Out (though those two facts certainly don't hurt). But *laaaaaaaa* Skye x Smokes moment, and I got to be a little mean to my chara, hurhur. Plus, you know, we saw a different side of 'Storm, that was kinda neat, if a bit scary o.o as always, thank you for all the lovely feedback, and as for goodies . . . how about I loan out the pug puppy for a week or so? I need my sleep, man! xD