Disclaimer: I do not own Transformers (2007) or Transformers: Generation 1. I do not own Cold Slither. This song is from episode 37 (Blaster Blues) of Transformers: Generation 1. It was the song that played in the beginning when Spike, Carly and Blaster went to a concert. The song is used often in Transformers: Generation 1...according to the Transformers Wiki. The "music is the universal language" line is not mine...It's Blaster's. If I remember correctly he said it at the beginning of Blaster Blues also.

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 (once again) 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: 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 have no problem with labor as long as no one is hurt in the process." I hesitated when her hand twitched at my opinion.) This is a reference to the socket history when Cybertronians used to torture organics before they realized that organics were sentient and that their 'life energy' can be gained from mutual pleasure as well as pain.

The following songs were used in this chapter:

If You Play Your Cards Right by Alicia Myers

Where have you been by Rihanna

Scream by Usher

Turn Up The Music by Chris Brown

International Love by Pitbull ft. Chris Brown

Lady Marmalade by Christina Aguilera/Pink/Mya/Lil Kim

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.

LillianxShannonxBlaster in this chapter. Skip that section if you don't like.

~0~

I groaned as I placed my head in my hands. "Why the hell did I agree to this?" I was blindsided. Yeah, that's it. I was blindsided...By what? Her beauty? Dear God, I groaned. I sound like a love-struck teenager. What's worse is that I have no idea how to behave on a date...or at a club. Why did I agree to this?

"Ya okay, Lil?"

I sighed and rubbed my head. "Hey, Jazz."

"Looks like a tornado struck yer room," Jazz said in amusement. I blinked at him. "What?"

I shook my head. "I just forgot that you've never seen me be a nervous wreck before."

"Ah've seen it." I tilted my head at him. "Ah'll explain on the way to the club."

I blinked again. "What do you mean? Why are you here? You were supposed to be part of the prank tonight."

"Yeah...'bout that..." He trailed off as he leanned against my dresser. His holoform was a miniature version of his robot form on earth. "Prowler wasn't too happy 'bout it. He told meh ta wash it off or he'd do it for meh."

I raised an eyebrow. "Your reply?"

He smiled. "Make meh."

I rolled my eyes. "'Course." I huffed in irritation after looking at the clothes on my bed. Maybe I should just go in shorts and a tank top, I grumbled mentally.

"Seriously, Lil, are ya okay? Yer muscles tense an' ya look exhausted."

"I'm nervous when I shouldn't be. It's just a friendly outing." I looked at Jazz. "Why are you here?"

"Ah'm yer ride, o' course."

I raised an eyebrow. "Did Blaster lead you up to this?"

"The mech may have mentioned it," Jazz said with his trademark grin.

I snorted. 'Course he did. "Well, while your standing up...Long sleeve or short sleeve?"

"Short will give ya more room fer conversation. Long will irritate yer arms."

"Casual or formal?"

"It's a club, Lil. Go with comfortable. Its gonna be hot."

I slapped my forehead. "Right."

Jazz chuckled. "Lil, have ya ever been on a date?"

"Never," I said as I studied two dresses before just picking one and going to the bathroom in my room. I calmed down significantly when I heard If You Play Your Cards Right by Alicia Myers playing in my bedroom. Good ol' Jazz, I thought fondly before putting my blond hair in an french style updo. No reason why I can't be formal and casual. When I came out there was a black belt and black gladiator shoes on my bed. I took the hint and put them on before going outside. I stared at Jazz's alt mode momentarily and flinched when Jazz honked his horn.

"Couple things ya need ta know," Jazz said in amusement once I got in the driver's seat. "One: Starin' is rude. Sneak casual glances if ya can't help yerself. Two: Being late can ruin the date. 'Fashionably late' does not apply ta the first couple o' dates. Three: Ah know ya ain't used ya club dancing but this is important. No grinding on the dance flo'."

My jaw dropped at that before squeaking something incoherant, momentarily sounding like Blurr high on sugar. Jazz laughed while I collected myself. "I would never grind against a dancing partner," I said indignantly. "Especially not in a public setting."

"Jus' checking, Lil," Jazz said after chuckling some more.

I huffed before staring straight ahead for a few seconds. "Jazz, when have you seen me be a nervous wreck?"

"Couple o' times. Mostly when you first came ta base an' had ta get used ta giant robots an' our personalities. Ah once heard ya tell Ironhide ta shoot ya when Blurr hugged ya with Blue. First Ah thought it was the way they talked, but ya were one o' the only humans on base who understand them."

"Well first off, Bluestreak was touching me somewhere I'd rather not say, Blurr rubbing my back and neck was just plain weird and...I'm sorry, but that was so not a hug. More like a feel up in disguise." I shivered at the memory. "Not pleasant."

"It didn't hurt, did it?" Jazz asked, concerned.

"Not comfortable. I had to get used to the electric current set through my system whenever I was around you guys."

"Current? That ain't right."

I shrugged. "Any others?"

"There's the fact that ya have become a mini Hatchet," Jazz chuckled. "That wrench o' yers is deadly."

"It's tiny and I can't throw for my life."

"Don' matter. Still feel the impact at ah close range."

"Good ta know. I'll aim at a decepticon when I see one."

"Bad idea, Lil. Stay away from the 'Cons."

"'Kay...Hey Jazz?"

"Yeah?"

"You got any other dating tips?"

"We're almost there, Lil."

"Please? I'm clueless at flirting."

"Ah dunno...Blaster said ya did pretty well once ya found the right girl."

"I was mindless. I swear some otherworldly force took over my body while I was talking to her." Jazz hummed. I narrowed my eyes at the amusement laced in it. "What?"

"That's called attraction, Lil. Ever feel it with a human?"

"No."

Jazz stopped immediately. "What?"

"Ow." I rubbed over my heart when the seatbeat let me move. "What'd I say? Why'd you stop?"

Jazz pulled over two blocks from the club. "Let meh get this straight. Ya never felt attracted to ah human?"

"No. Well...Okay, not instantly like that. A spirit has never possessed my body and turned me into some flirting machine before. I've never looked at a human and thought 'ooh la la. Now that is one smokin' hot'...whatever. You get the point. It usually takes me months or years to feel attracted to someone, depending on how much time I spend with the person. Mind you I've only ever felt that attraction once, but it didn't last long once the person severed the connection and went to live somewhere else. Jazz?" I asked when he didn't respond.

"Years?" Jazz asked in astonishment. "Ain't most humans supposed ta feel attraction instantly based on looks or personality?"

"When I am attracted to a person, it is only when I know the person and they know me...At least, that's how it was with her. I've never felt attracted to another human besides the person I am meeting with tonight. I feel a certain gravitational pull with her. She feels familiar. The connection was almost instant...I suppose that's how someone is supposed to feel when they meet someone that they're sexually attracted to, right?"

Jazz hesitated. "Lil-"

"I have to go. Thanks for the ride, Jazz."

"Lil, wait-!"

"Can't be late, remember?" I said teasingly before running to the entrance.

I walked into the club in the middle of Where have you been. I stared at my surroundings for a minute, trying to take it in. I had vastly underestimated how huge a club could be...or how easily it was to get lost in one. I finally found Shannon at the bar once Scream played. I grimaced at the lyrics when I came up to Shannon.

She noticed and frowned slightly. "Are you okay?" She placed her hand on my arm and rubbed it gently once I sat down.

I desperately tried to ignore the lyrics and focus on the rhythm, but they made me so uncomfortable...The atmosphere changed suddenly when the dj threw in a remix before setting the song on instrumental. I nodded before smiling. "Perfect. How have you been?"

"Good!" she screamed when the volume was suddenly turned up.

"I like your dress," I said as I leaned in close to her ear.

"What?" she screamed.

"I-!" I rolled my eyes before grabbing her hand and pointing behind me. She followed me with a grin. I basically dragged the poor girl to a table on the side away from the speakers, but I wanted to talk to her. Maybe I should have arranged a small date at a coffee shop or something before going to the club? I thought as we sat down. "Sorry about that," I said more calmly. "I didn't mean to drag you away from the bar."

She winked. "I didn't mind."

I smiled before waving one hand casually, gesturing to her outfit. "I like your dress."

"Thanks. Yours is just as impressive. Diggin' the snake skin. It's not real, is it?"

"Its fake, don't worry. I'm guessing you like snakes?"

"As long as they don't bite me," she said with a smile. "I like animals in general. Shame what's happening in Brazil, but..." She shrugged. "Have to make a profit, right?"

"I have no problem with labor as long as no one is hurt in the process." I hesitated when her hand twitched at my opinion. Odd. "I think people are more concerned about global warming and protecting wildlife than anything...Including politics."

"Democrat or Republican? Or are you not interested in politics?"

"During this day and age its sort of required to be, isn't it?" I shook my head. "Sorry. Let's change the topic. What do you do for a living?"

"Reporter."

"Do you tend to stay in the area or...?"

"I go wherever I'm needed. I make more money that way. You?"

"Waitress."

Her glaze fell to my arms. "Is that how that happened?"

I looked down and extended my arms. "Yeah. I tried carrying too many objects at once. I slipped on the wet floor and most of the stuff fell on my arms."

"May I?"

I looked up. Her hands were in front of her. She gestured to the bandages. I blinked. "If you want." Can't really see what's so appealing about- All thoughts stopped when she traced one arm with one hand while the other traced the pulse on my wrist. Don't move, I thought when my instincts told me to pull away. Be nice.

"Is it bad?" she said softly.

"The damage will heal," I said evenly.

She pulled away and looked at the crowd for a few minutes. I followed her lead and observed the crowd dancing before sneaking glances at Shannon once I relaxed and Turn Up The Music started to play. She was smiling as she observed everyone dance and put their hands in the air. Her head moved to the beat and tapped it out with her right hand on the small table we sat at. She took the opportunity that the turn it up (just dance with me) section of the song presented. She stood up and held her right hand out to me. I took the hint and followed her out on the dance floor. I stuck to fancy footwork and calculated arm movements with my hat when International Love played. Shannon sticked to graceful arm movements and showed that she could swing her hips as much as the next female. I snorted when Lady Marmalade came on. This dj is playing match maker with someone. Shannon once again flowed with music and used the change in pace to her advantage. She started dancing around me, hipping still swinging, and looked directly at me when she got the chance. I raised an eyebrow momentarily before lowering it when she brushed against me a few times.

Touch of her skin feeling silky smooth...Hey...

Color of cafe au lait...Alright...

Made the savage beast inside

Roar until he cried

More, more, more!

Gitchy gitchy ya ya da da

She twirled in front of me, placed her arms on my stomach, pushed me to the wall, and placed her arms around my neck before kissing me. "Voulez-vous coucher avec moi ce soir?" she whispered in my ear.

To anyone else the offer might have been tempting. Too tempting. I examined her eyes. "Cold Slither," I said in the sexiest voice I could muster. Her eyes flickered in recognition before dimming.

"How long?"

I crossed my arms with an evil smile on my face. "There were subtle hints. The music was one of them. It fit too well with my current moods. So where's the original?"

"Hiding under the driver's seat."

I snorted. "Figures." I stared at Blaster's holoform. "We need to talk about this." I gently traced the side of 'Shannon's' face. "Non. Je suis désolé."

"I figured as much."

"Just being clear." I grabbed Shannon's hand. "C'mon. Jazz isn't getting away with this either." I smiled slightly when Jazz flashed his lights at us as we approached. I was far too gone in the strange mix of amused and offended to really yell at anyone yet. Blaster and I sat in the backseat. I on one end, Blaster on the other. Our legs brushed against each other as we stretched out so that our backs each touched the opposite doors. "Yo Jazz," I said in deadly amusement as my eyes remained on Blaster. His holoform looked about ready to be sick. "Do you know a place with a view in the middle of nowhere? Water would be appreciated."

"On it," he said as he darkened the windows before moving.

I grinned at Shannon, in between deciding whether to laugh at the situation or attack the one responsible. "Although I must admit that your holoform is very appealing to me emotionally and physically, did you really think that I would just jump in if she was the one asking?" I held up a hand when Shannon was about to respond, too offended to even want to know. "How long?"

"Few vorns at most," Jazz answered for him. "Mech never tricks his socket with a seduction unless he's desperate. He's always willing to wait for full consent otherwise."

"He won't share?"

"Sharing's not enough at this point," Shannon said sadly. "Lilly, I'm sorry."

"There's no need for that," I said gently. "I understand now, at least to some level." I placed my hands behind my head as I raised an eyebrow at Shannon. "I still don't get why you didn't just ask me to be your socket."

"Lilly, you've been questioning your sexuality for weeks. I wasn't about to take advantage of that."

"I appreciate your concern, Blaster," I said seriously. "But this is a serious situation. I don't care if Jazz is the one that hosts the parties on base or if Red Alert can run circles around any decepticon, your the only one who can deal with soundwave. The autobots need you and your upbeat attitude when everything goes to the dogs. And I'm not talking about Hound. Same goes for you, Jazz. Let me put it this way," I said when they both remained silent. "Music is the universal language. I don't care if Prowl and Mirage are silent and deadly, that base of yours need some tunes to update the mood. Once again, deadly wrenchs and pranks don't count. I'm saying that you all matter, and as much as death may sometimes be inevitable..."

"Ya need speech classes, Lil," Jazz added with a chuckle.

"Oh shut up. You know my point."

"Not really," Blaster said as he laughed.

I crossed my arms, not amused. "Jazz, pull over."

"The possibility of humans-"

"Are we in the desert region?"

"Yes."

"Then pull over. This needs to be discussed face to face."

Jazz did as told and stopped. I grabbed Blaster and gently put him on the ground before backing away. Once he transformed he lifted me up to his level. I placed my hands on the side of his face as we stared at each other. God help me, I whispered mentally as tears formed rapidly. Primus help Blaster. "Blaster, I'm sorry." I stared directly into his optics. "I can't love you like you need to be loved. Your my guardian. You protect me, make sacrifices and deal with me when I get violent...But I can't love you through intercourse. I can't love anyone through intercourse. I'm sorry. This fear of mine runs too deep for anyone to change. I'm sorry but I can't be your socket."

"Allow me time to convince you. I don't care how long it takes, Lillian."

"Blaster, you don't have the time it would take," I said desperately as sobs escaped my throat. I continued to hold onto Blaster's face like a vice. "I want you to survive. I love you but I can't love you. I can't give you what you need. I can't give you life. This has nothing to do with religion or society. Both can go jump in a ditch. This is about you and I. No one can change the way I feel about sex, no matter how caring and lovely the person is. I'm sorry. The fear runs too deep." Blaster kept me in place as I sobbed and clung to the armor above his spark. I'm killing him, I screamed in my head. I know I'm killing him by saying no but I can't do this. I can't. Call it selfish, but I can't. "Its not fair of me," I sobbed out. "I know its not but I can't. You deserve love, Blaster. Real hardcore love. You need someone who wants you. I can't..."

"I can change the holo-"

"Blaster, listen to me." I stressed each syllable. "I can't. This has nothing to do with the holoform. I can't love you, Blaster. Do you hear me? I can't and I'm sorry that I can't but I can't."

I heard Jazz's voice even as I clutched my head and sobbed in a position that in another culture would be considered a praying position. I may as well have been praying to Primus for Blaster to understand that I couldn't love him the way he needed to be loved. I needed him to understand that someone else could love him. Someone else will love him, I know it...But I'm not the one. I'm not. I can't.

This could have gone differently, the dark side of my mind whispered as I retreated within myself. This could have easily gone differently.

"Ya need speech classes, Lil," Jazz added with a chuckle.

"Oh shut up. You know my point."

"Not really," Blaster said as he laughed through Shannon...making me shiver and cross my arms. Even his holoform's laugh is musical. His very life-like, attractive holoform...

My heart stalled when Shannon kissed me full force and placed her hand underneath my shirt. I breathed in as much air as I could when she seperated. "Who the hell picks your holoforms?" It's really hard to sound threatening when you're completely caught off guard.

"We do," she said as loud at it was possible in her aroused state. She traced her hand across my face before caressing the side of it gently. "We can update it and its voice at any time based on what our socket finds appealing."

"Is this your way of telling me you accept?"

"Only if you are agreeing completely," Shannon said seriously. "Your a virgin and Ratchet will likely try to offline me for claiming you during your first time, but it's your chose."

"I always wanted my first to be my only," I said gently as I caressed the side of her face, looking into what was ultimately Blaster's eyes. "I would be honored. I trust you. You already know me through and through. I'm willing to learn if you'll be patient."

"I'm not picky about sharing," Shannon said with a wink.

I heated up at that. You would announce that while we're inside Jazz of all people, I thought when Blaster connected.

Ain't no time to announce love like the present, Blaster thought in amusement. You know, we could be inside Prowl...

Who the hell tells you these things?

It isn't hard to tell, Lil, Blaster said as he sent several pleasurable impulses through my system to get me going. Plus Ratchet may have said something to confirm it...

I moaned and gasped at the sensations. Can't trust anyone at that base, I thought miserably.

Your the one with the open book for a face, he thought in amusement. It's not like your body helps either. Shannon traced my neck before tugging me down so that my dress rode up. She traced my hips when skin was visable. "Jazz, turn up the volume," Shannon murmured against my ear. International Love pounded through Jazz's inside speakers so that I could feel the soundwaves float across my skin. By the way Shannon shivered, I guess she could feel it too.

What origin did you choose? I asked after Shannon had removed her dress and began pulling mine down my body, tracing as she went.

You know it as native american.

Beautiful.

All beauty is rare and must be charished. That's why I chose this origin. I know you'll charish it without judgement or foreclaims. Why? Did you assume another origin?

I didn't want to assume. It wasn't my right to.

"Such a good girl," Shannon joked before accuping her tongue with my neck and her hands with my hips.

Well, love is love.

You are easily the cheesiest socket I have ever had.

I chuckled when allowed. "Woot for the epic win!" I mumbled in amusement as I brought Shannon up for a kiss. She lifted upward, moaning as I rubbed where Blaster's cassettes would normally be. She kissed me full force before bringing out the scissors, slipping her tongue in while she was at it. Where are the cassettes? I managed to ask in my foggy state. If you brought them, I'm leaving you in Ratchet's servos. No doubt he'd lecture you on traumatizing them.

Blaster sent a soul shaking pleasurable shock through my system. How are you still coherant?

Hanging on by a thread, I gasped. My mind stuttered as it tried to keep up with the pleasure my body was receiving. "Blaster," I said desperately.

You sure?

You wanna get hit?

Message received, he thought gently as Shannon lowered herself within my sheath. "Tell me when," she said gently as she caressed the side of my face and rubbed her nose against mine.

I ignored all thoughts of Ratchet being right about the pain as I tried to focus on the comfort Blaster was offering mentally. It was useless, of course. This is what happens when you wait thirty years, I thought miserably.

Sometimes it takes others twice as long, Blaster said thoughtly.

Ugh, I thought as I cringed from the pain and the horrible image Blaster's thought created. Don't go there. Just don't.

Point taken.

Move.

Are you sure?

It's obviously not getting better anytime soon.

I'll try to be gentle.

Don't bother. It's going to be painful either way. May as well get it over with quickly.

I could stop.

You need the energy. Pump it before I pumble you.

Can I imagine that happening? Logically. But only logically. I just imagined it, therefore, it could logically happen...physically. Physically, I could do what Blaster wants me to do. Emotionally? No. I can't. Throw the differences in religion, gender, species and anatomy out the window. I can't emotionally deal with sex. It's not possible for me. I wouldn't be able to deal with it.

I sobbed even more as a violent situation played out in my head briefly before I cut it off. I can't imagine Blaster reacting violently to this. He will later on but I can't...He can't force me. He's an autobot. He won't...

I clutched my head harder as I felt someone poke me gently. No touch, my primitive brain screamed as emotion took over. Don't touch me!

"Don't touch her!"

I jumped out of my position when I heard Blaster scream. It's happening! my mind screamed in horror. I zoomed into the expression on Blaster's face before numbly scrambling behind Prowl like a drunk person repeatedly tripping over their own feet.

"Blaster!" Jazz screamed at him. "Yer scaring her! Snap outta it!"

"Jazz, take Blaster to base," Optimus ordered. "Prowl, take Lillian somewhere where she can ease her mind. You both are off duty until this is settled."

"Yes, sir!"

Prowl transformed and opened the back door, giving up all attempts to touch me. I scrambled into the backseat, curled up, clutched my head, and forced myself into recharge as I focused on the sound of Prowl's engine and mother nature.