ch 8

Touching one's essence was like trying to touch a star. The stronger the personality, the brighter and larger the star. Barricade had always considered himself a nova. He had gone so long in the 'Con army without anyone breaking him, without destroying his own warped sense of morality. He had thought that no one was stronger than him, least of all an Autobot.

He had forgotten from the first time. If he was a nova, then Prowl was a supernova. Merging with Prowl was like jacking into lightning – dangerous, even though Barricade knew from the start Prowl had no intention of hurting him, electrifying, and downright addictive.

Prowl was still in recharge, cuddled up to Barricade's side while Barricade himself lay on his back looking up at the ceiling. He could still feel Prowl's spark against his own. A contented smile crossed his face.

His mate shifted against him. /I feel this smug sense coming from you./ Prowl murmured, onlining his optics and looking up at Barricade. Barricade grinned at him.

/Hey – I snagged myself an Autobot. It was an accident, but I still did it./

Prowl laughed silently through their bond. /You think you could have if I didn't want you to?/ he asked slyly. He leaned up so he could nip at Barricade's neck. Barricade shivered, his systems revving up for another go. /I didn't think you would like it rough./

It was Barricade's turn for a silent laugh. /I'm a Decepticon, Prowl. We all like it rough – some rougher than others. You, on the other hand - / He shifted so he could get a better view of Prowl and keep the tactician away from his neck. /You surprised me./

Prowl merely stared at him. /I suppose it is unusual for an Autobot, isn't it?/ he agreed mildly.

/Most of our prisoners seem to find the practice barbaric./ Barricade corrected. /You, on the other hand, seem more like a Decepticon than an Autobot./ He ran his claws down Prowl's doorwing, taking care not to damage the still-healing appendage. Prowl's optics brightened, his core temperature rising a few degrees. Barricade smiled faintly. /I wonder why./

/You'll just have to find out, won't you?/ Prowl teased lightly.

/I have nothing more to go on./ Barricade protested, still smiling that faint smile of his. /How am I supposed to guess with no clues?/

Prowl pretended to think that one over. /You are absolutely right./ he agreed. /So – a clue it is./ He leaned closer, nuzzling Barricade's shoulder as he spoke. /I was once a spy./

A knock on the door disturbed them. "Prowler, ya awake?"

"I am now." Prowl responded, his voice giving no indication of the fire in his optics. He never looked away from Barricade as he spoke. "My shift hasn't started yet, has it?"

"Nah." Jazz responded, his voice slightly muffled from the door. "Jus' the Twins actin' up agin. Sunstreaker's in th' brig; figured ya might wanna talk t' him 'fore he decides ta use Red as target practice."

Prowl's optics darkened as he cast the door a glare. "I'll be right there." he said. Once again, Barricade heard no hint of his clear irritation. Jazz made an affirmative sound and left. Prowl dropped his head back to Barricade's shoulder. "I swear, I'm the only one who knows how to get through to those two." he muttered darkly.

Barricade chuckled. "Feeling put upon?"

"Not really. Jazz wouldn't bother me unless it was important, especially when he knows I'm on medical leave." Prowl pushed away from Barricade and got up from the berth. "And the day starts a bit earlier than I anticipated. You should have Ratchet look at your wounds."

Barricade nodded. /Does Ratchet know?/

/He knows./ Prowl assured him. /No one else./

/Good. I'd like to keep it that way for a while longer./

/I'd like to keep it that way for as long as possible./ Prowl said dryly. "Mirage will escort you there. Make sure no one else gets any ideas. I'll be in my office when you get done." With that Prowl left. Barricade fell back against the berth with a sigh.

So much for another round.

/-/

Prowl found himself once again crouched down in front of Sunstreaker. Sideswipe was outside of the brig, as always never far from his brother, while Red Alert had turned off the security cameras at Prowl's request. The yellow twin refused to look at him. Prowl sighed.

"This again?"

"It always comes back to this." Sunstreaker growled. He sighed. "Cliffjumper's right, you know."

"He may be. It matters little." Prowl replied.

Now Sunstreaker looked up at Prowl, optics pale with anger and confusion. "It matters a lot." he retorted. "Why should I stay somewhere I'm not wanted?"

Prowl's doorwings flicked in a shrug. "I want you."

"You don't belong here anymore than I do." Sunstreaker almost laughed. Almost. "Now that you got Barricade, you'll go back where you belong." He looked away. "I should go too."

"Sideswipe needs you here, Sunstreaker." Prowl said softly. "Why do you think I brought the two of you with me? Sideswipe could never survive there. He was almost dead as it was."

"I know." Sunstreaker hunched his shoulders, as if trying to escape Prowl's words. "Slag it, Prowl, how do you do this? How do you pretend like everything's okay when you know damn well it's not?" He once again met Prowl's gaze. "How do you pretend you're something you're not?"

"I was a spy, you know." Prowl reminded him. "Pretending is what I do."

Sunstreaker chuckled weakly. "You should have been a spy here."

"And deprive Jazz of his only sense of entertainment?" Prowl retorted gently. "I'd rather not. I find planning suits me."

"Fighting suits me."

"I know. It's in your programming."

"I need to fight."

Prowl leaned back, considering. "I may be able to help a bit better with that now."

Sunstreaker gave him a look. "Seriously."

"Seriously. I cannot spar with you now, but Barricade can. I'm sure he'd enjoy the chance to pit his skills against yours without worrying about getting killed. And you won't have to worry about holding back."

Silence fell between them. Finally, Sunstreaker smiled. "Thanks, Prowl."

"I'll come get you tonight." Prowl said, standing up. "Next time the programming becomes too much, you need to call me. You know my private comm.."

Sunstreaker smirked. "And I know better than to interrupt at night." he teased.

Prowl merely smirked and left the brig. Sunstreaker was unlikely to know how true his jibe was, but even if he did, he would keep his mouth shut. Prowl knew too many of Sunstreaker's secrets for the yellow twin to risk pissing him off.

Ratchet wasn't the only secret keeper in the Ark.