Author's Note: I am so sorry for vanishing on you guys with not just this story but all of them. Hopefully I'll be able to update with some consistency now. Thanks to Riptide2, XxJazzxX, and Decepticon Skywhip for reviewing the last chapter! I own nothing but my OCs.

Forbidden

Chapter IV

"Roland: God love you William

William: I know, I know. 'Cause no one else will." -A Knight's Tale

Shimmer was restless, pacing back and forth as she waited for their trine leader to return. "Will you sit down already?" Claret asked, exasperated. "You're driving me up the wall."

"Sorry," Shimmer apologized, sinking down on her berth. She managed to sit still for a few moments before she was standing and pacing again.

"Shimmy," Claret said, sounding exasperated, and for once Shimmer didn't complain about the hated nickname. Instead she apologized again, sinking down next to Claret now as if that would keep her still. "It's not your fault," Claret said with a sigh, sitting up and swinging her legs over the edge of the berth so she could sit comfortably next to her trine mate. "You're just making me nervous."

"Sorry," Shimmer apologized yet again.

"Stop apologizing," Claret admonished, half annoyed and half amused. "And don't apologize for that," she added quickly when Shimmer opened her mouth. The younger flier giggled and Claret managed to hold on to her composure for a few moments longer before laughing as well.

"What is going on here?" A familiar voice rang out from the doorway, stunning the two femmes into only periodic giggles. "I'm only a few kliks late and I come in here to find you both cackling like hyenas." Echo glanced between her two trine mates and was startled when they both cracked up again. She couldn't help but giggle as well before she swept into the room. "Glad none of you are moping," she chirped, sinking down on Claret's side.

"And you obviously are," Claret returned, finally getting her giggles under control. "What's wrong? You just said good-bye and you're already down."

"I have a little secret to tell you both," Echo said, lowering her voice slightly. "I'm carrying."

"You are?" Shimmer squealed, leaping to her feet and jerking her trine leader up to hug her. "For how long now? Why didn't you tell us sooner?"

"Breath Shimmer," Echo replied with tolerant amusement. "I haven't been carrying for very long and I didn't tell you until now because I wanted Starscream to hear from me and not someone else."

"Congratulations," Claret said with a smile, prying Shimmer off her trine leader and hugging Echo gently. "And that does explain the sudden melancholy."

"It does, doesn't it," Echo said with a half smile, sitting down on Shimmer's berth this time. "Now girls isn't it about time we caught up with each other."

Starscream took to the air reluctantly. He didn't want to leave Echo, especially not after just receiving the news he had, and his reluctance showed. "You okay?" Skywarp prodded, angling his wings slightly so he could swoop forward next to his trine leader. "You're looking a little down."

"And you're not?" Starscream couldn't help but tease. Claret was a blessing most times when it came to dealing with Skywarp but the teleporter could mope like no one else when they had to be separated from their mates.

"Hey!" Skywarp yelped, looking as if Starscream had mortally offended him. "Are you trying to imply something 'Screamer?"

"Maybe I am," Starscream returned, scowling slightly at the use of his least favorite nickname. "And don't call me that."

"Why not 'Screamer?" Skywarp taunted. "Who died and made you boss? Obviously not Megatron." Starscream growled and took a playfull swipe at Skywarp who yelped and swooped away to hide behind Thundercracker.

"I am not your personal shield," TC grumbled but both Seekers could hear the amusement in his tone. "That's Starscream's job."

"And why am I his personal bodyguard?" Starscream asked, drifting back to join his trine mates.

"Because you're the trine leader," Skywarp piped up. "It's your job." TC and Starscream exchanged amused but exasperated looks.

"No," Thundercracker corrected. "Because I'm not shielding you. It's a good thing we like you Skywarp."

"Why?" the purple and black mech questioned, glancing between his two trine members. "Come on! Don't leave me hanging."

"Because no one else does," Starscream finished, trying not to laugh.

"Hey!" Skywarp yelled after them as they uped their speed. "That's not true! Meanies!" TC and Starscream exchanged smirks before slowing their pace and waiting for Skywarp to catch up.