Author's note. Heh, Starscream's punishment last chapter was a bit much, I just don't like gory fights. But anyway, there's none in this chapter, don't worry.

Written me and ZabuzasGirl.

Enjoy and please review.

Celeste sighed heavily as Megatron escorted her through the gloomy base. She couldn't believe that she'd gotten captured, it just wasn't fair. Just because she was a Femme, all the Decepticons were having a go at her. And what was worse, she could only imagine the pain Optimus was going through right this moment.

Not that she blamed him or anything for what happened. It wasn't his fault, none of them knew the Decepticons would strike so quickly.

Speaking of Decepticons, Megatron now spoke.

"I hope you'll enjoy yourself here my dear, despite the rather basic facilities. We have much better ones on Cybertron and you'll be able to use them when we eventually return there."

"Oh really," she said.

She had decided to be civil for now, she still felt rough after that battle. But if Megatron put one hand wrong, she'd let him have it.

"Oh yes," he said with a slight purr. "Despite the War, our planet is still a wonderful place to visit. We have places where you can buy any sort of armour or weapon you're Spark desires. We have parlours where you're every need is attended to, I know you'd love your wings being taken care of."

He reached up and stroked the tip of one.

She gasped as a very familiar sensation went through her body again.

"Don't do that," she snapped, she was not going to let him make a fool of her again.

Megatron merely chuckled.

"What's wrong? You seemed to like it the last time I did this," he said, stroking her wings, still.

"No, I didn't," she lied, jerking away from him.

Seeing him about to deny this, she snapped.

"You only did that to humiliate me and taunt Optimus, I bet you knew Sideways was there, filming it all."

That seemed to surprise him for a moment but he quickly composed himself.

"Sideways filmed our encounter?" he questioned, sounding genuinely curious.

"Yes," she said, nodding.

He looked thoughtful for a moment and then smirked.

"So, that's why Optimus was so angry. He got to watch the whole thing, didn't he?"

She turned away, blushing but with a scowl on her face. She didn't answer him and she didn't want him to see the blush on her face.

Megatron chuckled, enjoying the situation a great deal.

"Poor Optimus, he so doesn't like giving in to his temper," he said with a laugh, watching her closer.

"Really? I wouldn't know," she said, casually. But Megatron wasn't fooled by that.

"No?" he said slyly. "Have you never seen Optimus deeply ashamed of himself after losing it?"

She couldn't look at him, giving him his answer.

"Poor dear," he said softly, touching her arm gently.

"It's not nice to have him yell at you, I know younglings find it quite terrifying."

She shook his hand off of her arm.

"I don't want to talk about it," she said shortly and starting to walk again.

"Very well," Megatron said, smirking. "But I'm always here if you do want to talk."

"Like that'll ever happen," she muttered as they carried on through the corridors.

Even though she spoke in a low tone he still heard what she said.

"Wait and see, Celestial," he said in a deep voice that nearly made her shiver.

"You may find yourself warming to me as the cycles go by."

"Don't count on it," she said through gritted teeth.

He merely smiled smugly, no doubt confidant that she would change her mind. A few minutes later, they finally arrived outside of two doors.

"This is your room," Megatron said, indicating the first door.

"What about that one," she asked, pointing to the second one.

His smile widened and she so didn't like that.

"That leads to my quarters," he said, looking highly pleased with himself.

"So I'll be close by if you need anything."

"What!" she burst out angrily. "I don't want you anywhere near me, especially if I'm sleeping."

Megatron chuckled. He had expected her to react like this.

"Perhaps you'd prefer the room near Thrust's quarters?" he asked with a small smile.

"That is the only other habitual room in this whole base, not counting the brig."

At the mention of Thrust her eyes widened in horror and she sucked in a breath. She didn't want to be anywhere near that creep.

Megatron opened the door and stepped back, raising a questioning eyebrow. With a heavy sigh, she stepped inside, it seemed she had no choice in the matter. The room was a decent size though it was very bare with just a berth and a small window that looked out onto a grey rocky surface.

It wasn't anything like her room back home but it would have to do.

She as she headed to the centre of the room, she realised Megatron had followed her inside.

"It's not much at the moment," he admitted softly. "But we can easily fill it with anything you want or need."

Celeste said nothing, she just stared out the window.

He came closer to her, running a hand down her wings.

"I know you don't like being here but I can give you everything you need, including happiness. Just give me a chance to do so."

Celeste took in a deep breath and let it out slowly.

"Please leave me," she said tiredly, not able to cope with him at that moment.

Megatron sensed now wasn't a good time to push so he simply nodded.

"Alright, but I'll be back later with some Energon for you. And then I can show you around the base so you'll know where to go for things."

She nodded.

"Enjoy your rest," Megatron said before leaving and closing the door.

Celeste felt hot tears start to form but she angrily pushed them away. Instead, she went over to the berth and lay down, curling up into a ball and trying to control her feelings. She lay like that for a very long time.

Megatron stood there for a while but after a few moments he moved off. He idly wondered if Starscream was about, he had a feeling they would end up in another fight.

He let out a sigh. He couldn't keep Celeste hidden from him forever so he was going to have to deal with him sooner or later.

He considered his earlier actions concerning Starscream, how he'd utterly humiliated the red Seeker. Perhaps he'd been a little hard on him, after all, getting a mate was very important to him and Megatron had esseintally stolen her. Well, he'd try to be a bit more understanding towards the Seeker, it was the least he could do.

But that didn't mean that he was going to give the girl up. She was his.

Starscream was just going to have to understand that, and hopefully, it wouldn't take too long for that. He decided to leave Celeste for an hour or two and then he'd go back for her. He didn't want her lying around depressed, he wanted a mate with a strong will.

And that was what he was gonna get.

Sometime later, Celeste lifted her head to the sound of someone knocking at her door. With a sigh, she said.

"Come in."

Megatron strode in, carrying a welcome cube of Energon. She sat up properly as he came closer and handed her the Cube.

"Thanks," she said as started sipping it.

"Your welcome, my dear."

She was hungry and the taste of the Energon was a nice relief to her.

Megatron smiled as she gulped it down, it was a shame it was ration Energon. Once he had her on Cybertron, he's introduce her to proper Energon, delicious sweet Energon created from mined minerals. There were several kinds he wanted her to try, just to see her expression. She'd never experienced Energon until just a few short weeks ago, it would be fun widening her taste.

She quickly finished off the cube and let out a sigh of satisfaction when she did.

"Enjoy that?" Megatron asked, briefly regretting that they couldn't speak easily yet.

"It was lovely, thank you," Celeste said with a small smile but her tone indicated she was mostly just being polite.

"Are you ready for a walk around the base?" he asked, hoping she'd say yes.

She thought about it for a moment. Then she said, "All right."

He grinned, pleased by this and offered her his arm. She hesitated, biting her lip before taking it, albeit rather stiffly. But this didn't bother him, she'd melt soon enough. He led her out of the rather gloomy room and along the corridors.

"This is the Rec Room," he said when they came to the first room which contained Wheeljack and Cyclonus.

"This is where the men relax and also contains an Energon dispenser."

She looked inside to see the two Decepticons drinking energon.

Cyclonus grinned at her while Wheeljack simply nodding, his scarred Autobot insignia standing out sharply. She wondered why he still had it, was it simply a reminder of what had happened to him? It was funny that Megatron didn't mind or insist that he also wear the Decepticons insignia.

"Can I ask you something?" she said softly as Megatron began to lead her away.

"Why did you save Wheeljack?

He looked down at her.

"Why?" he said slowly.

"Yes," she replied. "He was an Autobot solider, at your mercy, you actually didn't need to do anything, and he would have died on his own. Why did you do it?"

His expression neutral, he said.

"I'm not completely Sparkless as to leave a young Mech to burn to death when he'd done nothing to me."

Embarrassed at her own words she blushed and turned her head away.

"I'm sorry," she muttered but he merely chuckled.

"It's not easy seeing me in a merciful light, I know."

She couldn't help but smile a little bit at that. But before they could say anything else, there was a sudden noise from inside the Rec Room. Celeste turned her head as a familiar voice spoke.

"What the hell are you laughing at Cyclonus?"

"Starscream," she cried out without thinking and silence descended in the Rec Room. And then.

"Celestial!"

Starscream had cried this and then a moment later, he came charging out of the room, his optics widening in shock at the sight of her. He took a step towards her as she automatically smiled at the sight of him.

Celeste then went to move towards him.

"How did," said Starscream, his optics wide.

"Starscream," she said, very pleased to see someone she 'knew' she could trust.

For a moment, it seemed Starscream would hug her but then he spotted Megatron's dark expression. His own expression melted until it was a scowl.

"What's going on?" he demanded, glaring right at Megatron.

Megatron sneered and said simply.

"Celestial is going to be our guest for the foreseeable future, Starscream. I was just showing her around."

"They captured me," Celeste murmured softly to Starscream.

"What?" he said in disbelief.

"Don't look so shocked Starscream, you surely knew what I was planning," Megatron said dismissively.

Starscream just stood there, shaking with rage until he forced himself to calm down.

"Well, I'm sure you won't mind if 'I' show her around then."

Without waiting for a reply Starscream stepped forward and held out his hand to Celeste.

She went to take it but Megatron reached forward and grabbed it instead. He then yanked her back to him as she let out a little cry.

"Hey!"

"No, Starscream," Megatron growled softly as his glaring Seeker. "She's coming with me."

"You haven't even made a formal offering," Starscream hissed. "You have no right to Celestial, none at all."

Megatron laughed.

"Oh, I'll make an offering Starscream, an offering Prime won't be able to refuse. But for now, I'll begin my 'courtship'."

Celeste tried to move away from Megatron and toward starscream.

"Let go of me," she demanded as Megatron held onto her.

"I'm not a toy, it's my decision, not yours."

Megatron smirked down at her.

"And I'm hoping you're going to make the right decision, my dear," he said, reaching up to stroke her face.

But with a snarl of anger, Starscream slapped it away. The two Mechs were now glaring at each other menacingly.

The atmosphere was getting tense.

"Stay out of this Starscream," Megatron growled. "If you' know what's good for you."

"You're the one interfering," Starscream hissed back.

"You just can't bear to see me have even a tiny bit of happiness, you just have to ruin everything."

Megatron sneered.

"Oh how tragic, poor Starscream, not getting what he wants. You sound like a child."

"While you're being a fragger," Starscream snarled in return. "Celeste doesn't even want to be near you, you're forcing her to stay close to you. And you really think she'll agree to be your mate?"

"Yes, I do," Megatron growled, forgetting he was still holding the young Femme.

"She'll see things my way soon enough. And unless you want another beating Starscream, I suggest you leave, now."

"Not without her," snarled Starscream.
Before anything else could happen Celeste decided to remind both mechs that she was there.

She turned to Megatron, a furious look on her face.

"How dare you imply such a thing," she said outraged.

She tried again to pull herself out of his grasp but he had too firm a grip on her.

"Let go of me!"

"No," Megatron said simply, pulling her closer.

"Let go of her," Starscream snarled, taking a threatening step forward.

He was angry at seeing Celeste being treated this way.

"Make me," Megatron sneered, jerking her just a bit closer to him.

Celeste stared pleadingly at Starscream, by now an audience had been attracted.

Cyclonus was grinning madly, eager for another fight between the two Mechs while Thrust giggled slightly in the background. Demolisher and Wheeljack just looked a bit grim and wary. Starscream took another step towards Megatron and growled.

"Let her go, Megatron."

He gave the same answer as before.

"Make me, Starscream."

Starscream let out a low growl, his hands balling into fists, his whole body tensing. Celeste froze, she'd been trying to tug her arm free from Megatron but now she realised what was going to happen.

"No...," she began. "Don't..."

But too late, Starscream lunged at Megatron as the Decepticon leader shoved her aside. She hit the wall but not too hard and watched as the two Mechs began to grapple.

"No," she shouted. "Stop!"

But they didn't listen to her.

She was horrified, this was ten times worse than the fighting she'd witnessed up till now. It was so brutal, so...personal as they fought each other in the cramped space. But she couldn't let them continue, she couldn't bear it.

"Please, stop," she cried, about to step forward when she felt herself being grabbed.

"Don't interfere," came Wheeljack's quiet voice behind her as he gripped her arm.

She yanked at it, saying.

"Let me go, Wheeljack."

"No," he said softly, and dragged her away from the two Mechs.

As she continued to struggle, Demolisher took hold of her other arm and between him and Wheeljack, they were easily able to hold her. She could only watch as the fighting got worse.

Megatron had the advantage of power and size and he was shoving Starscream into the wall with incredible force. But Starscream was wild with rage and he was able to move faster than the stoically built Mech and land several blows. Both Mechs were bleeding and had numerous dents but neither noticed.

"Traitorous wretch," Megatron snarled, baring his fangs as he tried to punch the Seeker in the face.

Starscream managed to duck just in time. Megatrons fist just missed him.

As Megatron's fist buried it's self into the wall, Starscream started punching Megatron's midsection, trying to weaken him. But it wasn't as easy as it sounded.

Megatron was used to this tactic, Optimus Prime had used it against him many times. And Optimus Prime was a much bigger and powerful fighter than Starscream, meaning his hits weren't having the desired effect against Megatron. He heard his leader grunt before growling.

"Not...bad, Starscream but your technique leaves...a lot to be desired."

Megatron then lunged at the seeker.

Starscream desperately tried to dodge, if Megatron forced him to the ground, he'd be finished. But hand caught his wing and twisted it, causing Starscream to scream with pain. Megatron grimly dug his claws in, causing more pain for the Seeker as well as making sure he had a good grip.

Celeste didn't know how much more of this she could take.

"Stop it, please stop," she screamed between the two Mechs holding her as Starscream was forced to his knees.

Megatron looked at her with burning optics and said coldly.

"Starscream needs this lesson Celestial, turn away now."

With one hand holding Starscream's wing, he began to thoroughly beat the helpless Seeker.

"No," she shrieked.

She turned to Demolisher. "Please, you have to stop this!"

Demolisher looked down at her.

"I'm afraid I can't."

"There must be something you can do," she said, desperation in her voice.

"I'm sorry," he said, sadly.

She then turned to the other mech.

"Wheeljack?"

But he just shook his head.

"We cannot interfere. There's nothing we can do," he said.

Celeste looked to Cyclonus and Thrust. By the looks on their faces they were enjoying Starscreams humiliation far too much. There was no point in asking either of those two to step in.

Starscream tried to stand again but Megatron wouldn't let him. Celeste tried desperately to break free from the two Mechs holding her.

But they held her fast, her arms were held in vice like grips, while their other hands held her shoulders. She stared in horror at the sight before her optics.

Starscream was now bleeding from several wounds and looked like the only thing holding him up was Megatron. The Decepticon leader had yanked him back and was now cupping his head with one clawed hand. He glared down at the Seeker who weakly stared back up at him. One of Starscream's optics was cracked while Energon run freely from his mouth.

"Please," Celeste begged again, unable to come to terms with the fact that she'd caused all of this.

"Megatron, he's had enough. Please stop."

He glared at her but then glanced down at the beaten Seeker. Starscream didn't even look angry any more, he was just struggling to stay conscious. So Megatron bit out one single word."

"Fine."

Megatron released the seeker and Starscream, too weak to stand collapsed onto the floor.

"Starscream," Celeste cried, rushing forward as the two Mechs let her go.

But before she could reach him, Megatron stepped forward and grabbed her.

"I'm taking you back to your room," he said with a low growl and began to drag her away.

She tried to turn back to go to Starscream.

"No, he's hurt, you can't just leave him there," she protested as Megatron carried on pulling her.

He didn't say anything so she upped her struggles by thumping on his arm. He growled, then stopped to toss her over his shoulder. Gripping her legs so she couldn't kick, he continued on his way.

"NO!" she screamed, banging her fists helplessly on the Decepticon's back.

"I want to go to him, let me go, you monster."

Megatron ignored her, and she could only watch Starscream's unmoving form as Megatron took her away. She fell limply against Megatron's shoulder, tears leaking down her face. How could he be so cruel as to beat his own solider like that?

"Please," she whimpered softly as Megatron took her around a corner so that she could no longer see Starscream.

Megatron didn't say anything until he'd reached her quarters. Opening her door, he went inside before finally letting her down. She pushed at his hands as he laid her on the berth, not wanting to touch him at all.

"Why did you do that?" she burst out, both angry and tearful.

"You didn't need to hurt him like that."

"Starscream did nothing wrong! He didn't deserve any of that!"

"He defied me," Megatron said with a growl. "He needed to be brought back into line."

She glared furiously at him.

"No, you were fighting over me like I was some kind of prize. I can make my own decisions and if I don't want to go out with 'either' of you, then I won't."

"You can't make me do anything I don't want to."

Megatron snorted but didn't comment on this.

"I want you to stay in your room," he ordered as she gaped at him. "I'll bring something to entertain you later, but I have things to do now."

"Like I actually care what you want," she snarled.

Megatron didn't say anything to this, he just turned on his heel and marched out the door. Celeste glared at the closed door before pounding her fists against the berth, screaming in anguish and misery.

Why? Why was he doing this?

She liked Starscream, she liked him a lot, why did Megatron have to beat him up? Was it really because he didn't want any competition? Frag it, was that how things worked on Cybertron? Males fought Femmes and the winner got the girl, meaning she didn't have a choice in it. Well, she'd be damned if she was going to follow their stupid rules.

If Megatron thought she was going to give in easily then he was wrong.

She collapsed on the berth, her angry energy seeping away. She wasn't really the victim here, Starscream was, he was lying alone and bleeding. Would any of the other Decepticons help him? Or would he be forced to remain like that until he worked up enough strength to drag himself to his room?

To hell with Megatron, she was going to Starscream whether he liked it or not.

She softly made her way to her door and to her relief, found he hadn't locked her in. Either he thought she'd obey him out of fear or because she was too upset to do anything. Well, time to prove him wrong.

Glancing left and right to make sure he wasn't about, she quickly retraced her steps to the Rec Room. Once there, she crept past, making sure no one inside had seen her. But Starscream wasn't where she'd last seen him but there was a trail of blood going up the corridor. It seemed Starscream had tried to drag himself away

She followed the trail and it wasn't long until she found him.

He was lying on his side, groaning softly as blood continued to sluggishly leak from his wounds. She gasped at the sight before rushing over to him.

"Starscream," she said, cradling his head in her lap. "Oh Starscream, I'm so sorry."

Tears were forming in her optics.

"C-Celeste...," Starscream gasped out, giving her a weak smile as she held him.

"I'm...sorry...you had to...see that."

"Never mind that," she whispered, staring down at him miserably.

"You need medical attention Starscream, you're bleeding all over the place. I have to get you to the Med Bay."

"If Megatron sees us...," Starscream began but she overrode him.

"I don't care about Megatron, I care about getting you seen to."

She glanced up to make sure no one was about.

"We'll be careful, if I can get you to that bath, you'll heal quickly. Come on, let's get you to your feet."

She got him on his knees and then wrapped one of his arms around her shoulder. Bracing herself, she pushed off the ground and somehow managed to left him onto his feet. He was leaning heavily on her but was still managing to stand and stagger slightly forward.

"Do you think you can make it," she asked, concerned.

Yes," he replied through gritted teeth. "As long as you can."

The smile she gave him was a weak one. It trembled on her lips.

"Of course, I can manage Starscream," she said softly, supporting him as they made their way to the Med Bay.

Starscream had to direct her where to go.

Eventually, they made it and Megatron didn't seem to be about which was even better. Celeste helped Starscream over to the bath and then into it, though she struggled a little with him. Starscream then shakily told her which buttons would activate it and she quickly turned the bath on.

"Ahhh," Starcream moaned as he settled into it, feeling his wounds heal up.

Celeste smiled sadly at him.

"I'm sorry you got beaten because of me," she said softly.

Starscream turned to her.

"It's not your fault, Celeste," he said quietly. "It was my decision to defend you and I don't regret that. I wouldn't deserve to court you if I hadn't."

"But if it wasn't for me, you wouldn't have gotten hurt," she said.

But Starscream shook his head.

"No, Celeste, it's not your fault. Megatron is the one who has decided he's going to ruin everything, he forced you to come here. And he didn't even have the decency to listen to what 'you' wanted."

"I doubt he even will," she said.

Starscream smiled sadly but didn't comment. He just relaxed into his bath, enjoying its soothing feeling.

"How are your wounds," she asked.

"Their fine," Starscream said with a wide smile, he felt much better.

"I just have to rest after this, Megatron won't be expecting me to have healed so fast so he won't bother me.

"Let's hope so," she said softly.

Starscream smiled at her, his hand rising from the bath to take hers. He squeezed it gently, showing her it was alright.

She smiled back but it did not reach her eyes.

"You'll be alright," Starscream said quietly. "And if Megatron will allow me, I can teach you more about being a Seeker."

"I'd like that but...I don't know if Megatron is going to allow that."

"It may take time but I think he may," Starscream said. "After all, he does want you to be a proper transformer and for that you need to know all there is to being a Seeker. And I doubt he'll trust Thrust with that task."

Celeste shuddered at the very mention of Thrust. "You...you don't think Thrust will try anything while I'm here. Do you?" she said nervously.

"If he knows what's good for him, he won't," Starscream growled.

Seeing her expression, he said.

"I can guess where Megatron had put you Celeste, I doubt Thrust would dare try anything so close to Megatron. He fears Megatron's wrath too much. But I will watch out for you and make sure he doesn't try anything."

"Thank you," she said. Unconsciously she brought his hand up to her face and nuzzled it.

This really made him smile, it was exactly the sort of thing a normal Seeker would do. Maybe her programming was finally coming into play. Then suddenly the smile left her face.

"What is it?" he asked, slightly alarmed at this change.

She sighed. "It's nothing," she said. Turing her gaze away from him.

He raised an optic brow. "There's something bothering you," he said.

She bit her lip, not looking at him.

"Please," he said, squeezing her hand again. "Tell me what's wrong?"

"What if...what if Megatron never lets me go. What if he forces me to be his mate?"

Starscream sucked in a breath.

"That would go against all our laws and customs," he said gravely. "A Femme cannot be forced to mate with someone she does not wish to Bond with. Mechs are considered weak and primitive if they resort to force."

"Optimus said the same thing," she said, nodding slightly, "but what if he does succeed?"

"If you truly don't want him to, he won't," Starscream said softly but firmly. "Just don't forget what he's done to you and don't let him blind you to his faults. He's not an easy Mech to live with and though he could give you much, there are some things he couldn't give you."

"Like what," she asked.

"Freedom," Starscream said simply. "If you became his mate, you'd never truly be free. He would have you watched lest someone spirit away. He'd expect you to bare him many heirs and you'd need to look after them all. And you wouldn't be allowed to fight."

"That's not the life I want," she said, her lip trembling.

"I know it isn't," he said softly before hesitating.

"Celeste, I don't want to put pressure on you or anything, but...if you accept me, I'll never cage you. Together, we will soar above the clouds as equals.

"I know," she said softly.

He smiled widely at this before his expression became serious.

"You should probably go back to your room, I don't want Megatron capturing and punishing you. I'll be fine now, thanks to you."

"Are you sure," she said.

He grinned roughishly.

"Definitely. After all, if not for your help, I would have been in a lot of pain for a long time. Go now, before anyone comes."

She smiled. She nuzzled and kissed the back of his hand.

"Go," he whispered, wishing she could stay.

"Before we forget where we are."

She looked disappointed but she understood. She backed away from him, not wanting to let him out of her sight before finally turning and rushing away.

Starscream had on a look of regret as he watched her rush out of the Med Bay.

He so wanted to be with her but he knew with his jealous leader around, that wasn't going to be easy. But perhaps if they were smart, they could manage. At least she preferred him to Megatron, that was something at least. He sighed heavily as he settled back into the tub, he wondered when he'd next be alone with her.

Somehow he'd find a way.

Author's note. In the next chapter, Megatron allows Celeste to call the Autobots, but how does that go? Find out next time, until then.