Chromia hadn't been in the Autobot base for long, but she had never seen it so busy as it was that morning. What was killing her was that she couldn't do anything to help.

Optimus had arrived with the rest of the team during the night and had immediately proceeded to organize a second rescue mission, after being told the story of their escape by Ironhide. And now all of the Autobots that had been recruited for the mission, which was basically everyone except First Aid and Chromia, were running around trying to prepare for this last minute mission.

With the pain medications First Aid had given her, Chromia was able to sit up, fold her arms, and even glare at all of the other bots. They got to go on a mission and do something useful, while Chromia was forced to sit in a berth like an old sack of potatoes. She was pretty sure if she tried to stand she would pass out, but First Aid wouldn't let her find out what would happen.

While Chromia sulked, Ironhide approached the busy Prime cautiously, "Sir?"

"Yes Ironhide?" Optimus sighed wearily

"I wanted to ask ya if it'd be alright if I stayed behind for this one?" Ironhide rubbed his neck uncomfortably, "You know me, I hate to run from a fight. But I kinda promised Chromia I'd keep her occupied."

"Occupied?" Optimus asked, remembering the last time two of his bots had messed up their duties because they were 'occupied', "Are you and Chromia….?"

"NO!" Ironhide almost shouted, his optics widening, "No, Primus. I just-ahem-she asked me to-"

"I understand." Optimus smiled a little, "You may remain here and monitor Chromia to ensure she does not strain herself, as I suspect she will attempt to do. First Aid will be stationed in Prowl's office, monitoring the commlinks and Groundbridge, so he will not be in the Medbay to assist Chromia if she needs it."

Ironhide nodded, relieved, "Thanks Prime."

He headed down to the Medbay, where Chromia and First Aid were in the middle of a heated argument, as the medic was trying to leave to report to his station.

"You can't seriously plan to make me stay here! I need to be out there fighting!"

"Chromia." First Aid said sternly, "Prime has specifically ordered that you stay here. I'm not going to go against his orders and let you mosey around. Furthermore, you can't even stand on your own two peds, let alone fight."

"We don't know if I can stand or not because you won't let me up." Chromia replied tersely

First Aid closed his optics, beginning to understand why Ratchet was always so irritated, "Let me rephrase that. I am ninety percent certain that if you attempt to stand up, your systems will be overwhelmed with pain and your systems will temporarily offline."

"And what about the other ten percent?"

"Chromia!" The medic burst out angrily, "The answer is no! Now stop arguing with me so I can report to Prowl's office, where I'm supposed to be."

Chromia glared at the back of his helm as he walked towards the door, stopping at Ironhide. He said in a low voice, "Watch her, will you? And comm me if anything happens."

Ironhide nodded and the medic left, casting a worried and annoyed glance back at Chromia before he disappeared through the door.

"What are you doing here?" Chromia asked glumly as Ironhide sat heavily in the chair next to her berth, "Come to gloat?"

" 'Bout what?"

"You get to go on the mission." Chromia eyed him, "And I don't."

"Actually." Ironhide grinned, "Neither of us will be going on the mission today."

She stared at him, "You're not going? Why? Don't they need you?"

He shrugged, "Kinda. But Optimus decided I would be more useful here. Ya know, makin' sure ya don't go batshit crazy."

The silver and blue femme's faceplates twitched into a smile, "Prime just decided that, huh?"

"Sure did."

There was a silence for a moment and then he coughed, "So, I wanted to ask ya-"

"Hey, you wanna play a game?" She completely cut him off, "How 'bout Truth or Dare?"

He stared at her, realizing that she was avoiding talking to him on purpose. "Fine Chro-mo." He said evenly, "I'll play yer game. Truth or Dare?"

"Dare." Chromia said impulsively, "I can never resist a good dare."

"Okay." He folded his arms, "Dare ya to let me talk to ya and say what I wanna say."

Apparently he isn't as dumb as he looks, Chromia thought and said hesitantly, "Uh…. Truth?"

He leaned his elbows on the rails of her berth and gazed at her with an unwavering stare, his steel blue optics intense. Chromia kind of felt like she was freezing and melting at the same time, looking into those optics. "Tell me why ya don't want me to talk about this." He said

"Dammit 'Hide." Chromia sighed, drawing her knees up to her chassis, "I was trying to spare you some pain. Short answer is no."

"No? Wait, just to make sure we're gettin' it right here, ya know what I was tryin' to ask ya right?"

"You want to know if I'm…. interested in you." Chromia sighed, "If I would want to go out with you. And the answer is completely, absolutely no."

"Oh." 'Hide swallowed the lump of disappointment, "Ya don't like me at all?"

Chromia closed her optics, "Don't make me answer that question please."

"Why not?"

"Because I'll have to lie. And I don't want to lie to you."

"Lie to me, please." He asked, his optics saddened

"Fine." Chromia said, annoyed, "Ironhide, I absolutely despise you and I wouldn't even dream of going out with such a sexist, macho, and downright irritating mech like yourself."

Ironhide's mouth twitched into a smile, "That was the most convincing lie I've ever heard."

"Drop the subject." She warned, "I'm not getting into anything with anyone right now, so don't even ask."

"Fine." His optics shone mischievously, "I'll get ya someday Chromia. So, ya wanna keep playing the game?"

"Might as well." She leaned back against her pillows, "Primus knows there's nothing else to do in this hellhole. Truth or Dare, 'Hide?"

OooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooO

The Autobots that were not currently at the base were advancing somewhat stealthily on the looming tower that was Darkmount. The only non-stealthy thing about it was that the twins kept running up to random bots and sticking out their legs so the unfortunate Autobot would trip over them. One of these bots happened to be Jazz, but he disappointed the twins by leaping nimbly over their outstretched legs instead of tripping.

"Ya really thought that would work?" He asked them, "I'm a fraggin' ninja bot, fer cryin' out loud."

They shrugged and ran off to hound some other poor bot, and Jazz nudged Prowl, who of course was marching right next to him.

"Never thought I'd be right back here, marchin' towards Darkmount again, a fraggin' day later."

"Yeah?" Prowl inclined his helm, "I'm just glad I'm here to keep an optic on you this time."

"Keep an optic on me?" Jazz asked, "Why? Ya can already hear everythin' I'm thinkin' anyways."

"That was the wrong phrasing, I meant more like make sure you don't get yourself horribly injured."

"Oh, so only slightly injured is alright?" Jazz teased, "I'll have to be a little careless fer that."

"Don't, Jazz please." Prowl sighed, "Don't even joke like that. You know how I worry….and you are normally quite reckless anyways."

"Aw, I'm sorry babe." Jazz slung his arm around Prowl and twanged his nose playfully, "Yer just so adorable when yer concerned. I'll be extra careful, promise."

"You'd better."

Their conversation stopped when Optimus signaled the team to halt as Darkmount came into view in the distance. "Here comes the rousin' speech." Jazz thought, and Prowl almost chuckled

"Autobots." Optimus said, in a loud, clear voice that immediately made everyone shut up and pay attention, "Today, we take the fight to the Decepticons. They have captured, tortured, and killed our soldiers, and they will pay for it now, when we liberate those captives." He paused and then added, "This will be costly fight, and there will be casualties. Some of you may not make it back to base online. But we must always remember our duty, to each other and to Cybertron. Autobots, roll out!"