Disclaimer: I do not own Transformers (2007). I also cannot take credit for the socket idea, history, or terminology. I had the first chapter of this fanfiction stored away before I started reading the stories on the Sockets account. Although I am not part of the socket community, the gateway for new ideas for this story that it opened was too good to give up or let go to waste. Therefore, I would like to thank Femme4jack, who gave me permission to post the story, and all of the authors who worked on any of the stories on the Sockets account. They include, but are not limited to (yes, I copied and pasted the list): Femme4jack, Aniay (the original co-creator with Femme4jack for the POV verse that helped spawn Dathana de Gray), Gatekat, Chai16, Wilderness, Zomgitsalaura, Fallentaiyoko, Prophetbot, Ace_of_the_arts, Antepathy, Laulun-siivet, sakon76, thepheonixqueen, Flybystardancer, baka_no_neko and Karl Wolfemann. I would explain what I like about the stories and why, but that would take too long and I'm sure you all came here to listen to me ramble when you can just go read them for yourselves. ;)

Warning: Mentions LBGTQIA (Lesbian, Bi, Gay, Trans, Questioning, Intersexual, Asexual), ProwlxJazz (They will be bonded, the Cybertronian version of married, in this fanfiction), some language, and conflicting morals...in the entire story.

Lillian POV

"What is it, Galloway?"

I should have expected this. I should have expected the unexpected with Galloway. I knew that I ran the risk of coming into conflict with him every time that I came to base...The subject matter just disturbed me. Actually, that's wrong. It didn't disturb me. The word used to describe the so-called "issue" did.

"Are you homosexual?"

I stared at him. "Why?"

"I am your superior. You answer to-"

"Not that," I said hastily before he could go into a rant. "I meant why is it important?"

"I do not allow fags on my base." I resisted the urge to snort. His base? He didn't own the place. Last time I checked, Optimus was the leader of the autobots and one of them was my family's guardian. I could visit them and my aunt if I wanted to. He couldn't force me out...Could he?

"That word is very disrespectful," I said as evenly as I could. "I expect everyone to treat each other respectfully as-"

Bam, pow, and down she goes, I thought sorrowly as Galloway stood up and basically pounded his hands once on his metal desk. Trying to have an adult conversation with Galloway is like walking on a floor made of egg shells. Galloway glared at me while I stared at him, waiting. "I honestly expected more from you, Wescott," Galloway began curtly. Okay, will someone please tell me what the hell I did to tick him off? I basically screammed in my head. Because I seriously have no idea. This guy is worse than Red Alert, and I say that with absolute certainty. Galloway sat down in a superior manner. Why hasn't anyone punched this guy yet? Oh, right, because that would mean victory for him. It would give him the right to kick the person who dared 'defile' him off the base. Maybe not for good, but it would prove his point. "Now will you please just answer the question in a respectful manner?"

I stared at him. If Galloway can't respect people, then I don't want his approval if I play along. It'll just come back to bite me in the aft later...But I don't want to get kicked off the base. I placed my hands behind my back and stared straight ahead. "Sir, I am exercising my right under the Fifth Amendment to remain silent." This got me absolutely nowhere, but at least it wouldn't get me kicked off the base. It was a added bonus that it allowed me to never be able to answer Galloway's question.

"Humph. Very well, Wescott. Just know that if I hear you utter a word in my presense, I will expect it to be the answer I desire."

And what answer would that be, Galloway? Do you want it to be yes so that you can kick me out, or do you want it to be no so that you can watch me like an eagle? Honestly. I nodded and left his presense, being careful to close the door silently so that he wouldn't put me in the brig for slamming the door. Okay, so he wouldn't do that. But that would mean victory for him for letting him get under my skin. I chuckled mentally as a smile graced my face in amusement. Maybe I am turning into Red Alert.

"What's up, lil' lady?"

I looked up at Jazz. Under normal circumstances I would have said 'you' but I couldn't since I was currently 'exercising my right to remain silent.' I didn't know where Galloway was every second of the day and I didn't know who reported to him. Granted, no one liked Galloway, but I still couldn't break the oath. Damn. My shoulders shook silently as I contained the laugh I was about to release. Who am I kidding? My designation might as well be Red Alert 2.0.I made a gesture to Jazz to lower himself to my level. He stared at me in what I could read as amusement. I tapped the socket on my neck before signing 'drive.' Jazz took the hint and transformed after chuckling. Once I was inside his alt mode and we were safely out of the base, I felt comfortable enough to relax against the seat. There's never anyone out in the middle of a desert, anyway.

"Where to, lil' lady? Or can you not tell me?" Jazz chuckled.

"Anywhere is fine."

"She speaks!"

I smacked the dashboard while Jazz laughed. "Yes, I can talk you idiot."

"Then what was with the silent treatment?" He asked teasingly.

"I can't talk in base 'cause of Galloway. That's why I wanted you to plug in. It would be easier to show than tell."

"Ya can show a little more while yer at it," Jazz purred.

I heated up slightly at that suggestion. Damn it, Blaster. What did you tell him? I smiled nervously. "I appreciate the gesture, Jazz, but I'm not quite ready for that yet."

"Suit yourself," he said as he extended a cable to me to plug in.

I brought the cable up to my neck and shivered slightly as it connected. I ignored the pleasure as much as possible and allowed Jazz to shift through my memories of the morning. "So is it possible?" I asked uncertainly when he was done. "Can he really prevent me from setting foot on base if I am homosexual?"

"Not that ah know of. Maybe ya should talk ta Prowler." I nodded as Jazz turned around. "Hey, Lil?"

"Yeah?"

"Would ya mind if ah cleared somethin' up?"

"Go ahead."

"Are ya?"

I hesitated. "I wouldn't know."

Jazz hesitated. "Are ya sure ya don't want meh to-?"

"I'm fine, Jazz. Really." I tried to softed my voice and eyes as much as possible.

"Right."

Jazz POV

"Prowl, Lillian wants to talk to you. I'm bringing her ta base."

"Can you ask her if another time is suitable? I'm in the middle of my shift."

Jazz felt that Prowl's tone sounded...off. That's not meh Prowler. "When does your shift end, Prowl?"

"When my work is done, of course."

Jazz withheld a sigh of frustration. Definently not meh Prowler. "Yer in yer emotionless phase right now, ain't ya?"

"It was-" That was enough of an answer since it wasn't a flat out no.

"Slaggit, you are, ain't ya? How many times have we been through this, Prowler? You can't-"

"My designation's Prowl."

"Don't you dare start that again," Jazz growled heatedly. "Yer my Prowler and that's it. It's a term of affection, Prowl. You know that."

"Affection is-"

"Slaggit!" Jazz shut off the connection with a huff. His bonded was such an afthead at times! He knows what shutting off his emotions does to him! What it does to me...Jazz commed Ratchet. "Ratchet, prepare the med bay for Prowl."

"What's he got himself into now?"

"He shut off his emotions again."

"Bot never learns, does he? I'll get him, Jazz. Don't worry."

"Right." He shut off the connection before focusing on Lillian, who was casually staring out the window. Her blood pressure was higher than normal, however, so he knew that something was wrong. Looks like meh Prowler ain't the only one practically incapable of asking for help.

Lillian POV

"It turns out that you can't see Prowl today after all."

"Is he okay?"

"Just being an aft."

I smiled slightly even though it wasn't the least bit funny. Prowl was in his office alot...Even more so than the average human workaholic. I frowned, getting serious. "I'm sorry."

"S'kay. It ain't yer fault."

I stared at him before staring out the window with my head casually resting on my hand. Can't do everything in a day.