Chapter 32

(Chromia's Story)

Part ONE of TWO

Disclaimer: I don't own Transformers in any way, shape, or form.

AN: I seem to be lying a lot lately. Forgive me? (The reason I'm even writing is because I've accepted that I'll probably get a 1 or less on the physics AP exam and I'm dedicating all of my time to Biology.) I thought I could post it as one biiiiig (and by biiiig I mean abso-fraggin'-lutely monstrous beast) chapter but then I realized that not even I would sit through twenty thousand words in one sitting. So, that being said, I chopped it up into two parts. Actually, there are 3 parts, but there is smut involved and I don't want that to detract from the actual story itself. So. If you want it, lemme know. It'll be in my LJ, like usual. Same old rules apply - if you're not 18, don't read it. Constructive criticism is always welcome as long as it isn't flaming. :)

Moving on. Expect part two by Sundayish. :) There are a few questions at the beginning which will be answered later on in the chapter, just an FYI.

Enjoy!

Chromia leaned into the wind, wrapping her arms around her frame. The night sky was brightly lit by thousands of stars, tiny pinpricks of ice cold light. The light blue femme scooted a bit further into the niche, fleeing from the frozen, whistling wind. Chromia shuttered her optics and let her head fall back onto the stone with a loud thunk. A million thoughts were whirling through her computing center, a maelstrom of memories long suppressed. Emirate was going to be making landfall within the next two days. Were those next two days her last as a free femme?

A loud clattering noise had Chromia leaping into a fighting stance, her reflexes honed by millennia on the battlefield.

"Gimme a hand, would you, Chromia," Nightshade grunted, holding her hand out to her friend. Chromia grabbed Nightshade's hand wordlessly and gave a hard tug, sending the femme onto her face. Nightshade ungracefully sank beside Chromia, landing on the cold ground with a loud clang and a yelp of pain. Chromia shot her an amused look before turning her optics back to the horizon.

"You shouldn't be out here, Nightshade," Chromia said, eyeing Nightshade's thin shell, "Your water lines are going to freeze again."

"I'll be fine as long as I'm not in the wind," the femme said, "And neither should you. Your joints are exposed to the cold…and you and I both know what Ratchet's like when he has to replace lubrication fluid."

"I won't tell if you won't," Chromia said, shooting her a grin.

"Whatever," Nightshade chirped, scooting close by Chromia, who had decided that Nightshade's shoulder was a headrest.

A few moments passed by in silence with them enjoying one another's company.

"What's the matter, Chromia," Nightshade asked softly. Chromia sighed heavily, burying her face into her hands.

"Just thinking," she whispered, shuttering her optics. Nightshade glanced at her friend, a small frown tugging at her lips.

"Don't hurt yourself," Nightshade quipped, smirking at her. The smirk soon disappeared when Chromia slugged her in the arm. Nightshade winced, fingering the small ding in her armor.

"That hurt, you fragger."

"I hope it did," Chromia shot back, a proud smile on her face. Nightshade rolled her optics and scooted closer to Chromia. Shivering slightly, she ran a discreet self-scan. The sparkling was glowing happily, ignorant of the cold. Good. Nightshade gently laid one arm across her abdomen and faced Chromia.

"Chromia…talk to me, please. I don't like seeing you so upset. I know…I know something happened with you and Ironhide…and that new mech."

"If I tell you our story, will you swear not to tell Ironhide that I told you?"

"I swear upon my honor as a medic," Nightshade answered seriously. Chromia nodded, taking a few moments to organize her thoughts.

"Well, it all started a few thousand years ago…"

- begin flashback -

"Chromia, isn't this banquet absolutely splendid?"

Chromia nodded, her bright blue optics wide in apprehension. Her femme-creator stood beside her. Their many orns of hard work finally paid off. Now, all they had to do was present their creation with her coming-of-age gift, and their little youngling would finally be considered an adult, ready to be bonded to a suitor.

"Yes, mother," Chromia said softly, bowing her head slightly, "it's beautiful."

The pearl-white femme beside her nodded crisply, pleased with Chromia's answer.

"I have duties to attend to. Your escort will be here shortly, so don't stray too far away."

"Of course, mother."

Alamantia disappeared into the crowd, fluttering from each group of well-wishers and potential suitors. Chromia glanced around the room discreetly, picking out her friends and their families. Her spark gave a soft flutter, tugging gently in her spark box. She gasped softly, her optics widening slightly. What was that strange feeling? She had heard her mother talking to her father about her spark…was her spark mate nearby? Chromia peered around the room eagerly.

"The spark is blind to love and wealth, but we are not. You must uphold our traditions, even if your spark feels otherwise, my daughter…"

The words hung in the air, a silent but potent reminder of her duties as a femme of the elite upper alpha class. Dejected, Chromia squashed the feeling in her chest before it could grow any further. She could not risk her future for a spark-bond – besides, any mech that she was promised to had full rights to her, even if she was bonded. Her fortune would belong to him and his family and she would be expected to carry his sparkling, not her spark-mate's. The fluttering grew stronger and she peered around the room. Boredom emanated from the other spark. She giggled quietly. Apparently, he did not know that he was projecting the feeling.

Chromia tentatively looked around the room. Everyone looked so happy, though! Who could be bored at the banquet? The finest high grade twinkled merrily in crystal flutes, energon truffles overflowed dishes, and lively music poured from the speakers! With a devious smirk on her face, she reached through the bond, watching anyone in the room for a reaction. It wasn't anyone in the room, she decided. She bit her lower lip, contemplating. Her escort would be here in a few breems…it couldn't hurt to take a look around, could it?

Chromia excused herself from her table and made her way to the hallway.

"Ironhide, what the slag's wrong with you?"

"Don't use that tone with me, fragger! Just felt somethin' funny."

"I told you not to eat all them truffles, Ironhide - "

The black mech shoved the smaller green one against the wall, ignoring his yell of protest. The smaller green one spouted off a few curses before regaining his balance.

"Hey! Hands off the paint!"

"Shut yer trap," Ironhide growled quietly, strolling down the pathway.

"Now what were you going on about?"

"Somethin' funny," Ironhide repeated, "Like someone's reachin' to my spark."

"Aww, wittle Ironhide's got him a sparkmate!"

"Quiet, before you scrub wash racks for the next vorn!"

The green mech snickered and batted his golden optics at Ironhide, flinging himself into the larger male's arms.

"Oh, Ironhide! You big, strong mech! Whisk me away," he cried out in a falsetto, throwing an arm dramatically over his optics. Ironhide growled and dropped the mech onto the cobblestones beneath.

"I'm going to deactivate you, Theta," Ironhide said moodily, alternating between reaching through the sparkbond and waiting for a reply. Theta only laughed.

"Why'd you sign us up for this gig, Ironhide? We could be guarding something more interesting, like the races down in Ilystrion."

"Offline your vocalizers. Compute?"

"No thanks," Theta said between snickers, "I like teasing you."

"Theta…"

"Wait – what's that up ahead? Those two mechs-!"

Chromia wandered out of a door, peering around the alley. The light above the door flickered slightly. She jumped slightly, her optics wide with fright. A few old high grade cans rolled down the narrow alley, clattering loudly over the uneven cobblestones. The tugging in her spark grew stronger and she frowned slightly. Was her sparkmate a cleaning drone? She snickered at that one – her mother would have a fit!

She turned to go back inside, but she was stopped by a large hand on her shoulder.

"Well, lookee here," a loud voice drawled out.

"What's a pretty little femme like you doin' out here by herself," a second voice called out, leering at her. Chromia shrugged the hand from her shoulder, reaching for the door release button. The mech spun her around, slamming her against the door.

"Ah, can't have you leavin'," the voice drawled out smoothly. A large grey hand gently caressed her cheek plate, trailing down her throat until it came to a rest on the strand of gems wrapped around her throat.

"What pretty little rocks," the second male said, reaching for the large stones.

"Wait an astrosecond…you're Neutro's daughter, ain't ya?"

"I-I don't know what you're talking about! Leave me alone," she cried out, struggling against the hands that held her captive.

"Oh, yes you do. I wonder what your father will pay to have his daughter delivered back to him," the first voice said. The grip on her arms tightened considerably.

"Oh, yes. You'll do just fine," the second voice said. Chromia tried to pull away but it was in vain.

"Let's have fun with her before we hold her for ransom," the second voice said, chuckling.

"I saw her first-"

Chromia's optics widened. She had been warned about males like these two…why hadn't she waited for her escort? She screamed as the larger of the two grabbed her.

Ironhide and Theta approached the bickering males. He could barely see the frightened blue femme held between the two.

"Oi, what's going on over there," Theta shouted, glaring at the two males. The blue femme's optics widened and she began struggling, crying out for help. Ironhide growled quietly, reaching for his weapon. The two males stopped arguing long enough to look over at the approaching guards.

"Back off. We got her first," the larger one snapped, sending them a disdainful look. Ironhide's optics narrowed. What were these two slagheaps thinking? No real mech would have to kidnap a femme.

"Let the femme go."

"No."

A rifle was aimed dead between the ringleader's optics.

"Let the femme go," Ironhide growled out, stepping out from the shadows. The mech's optics widened.

"Let's get out of here," the larger mech said, dropping Chromia to the cobblestones. The smaller one held his ground firmly, tugging her close to his body.

"Why the slag would we do that? We've got a gem in our hands! You're just gonna let her go like that?"

"I'd rather lose her than fight him," the larger said, shooting a wary look over at Ironhide, whose optics narrowed as he held the rifle a bit higher.

"Let. The. Femme. Go."

The two mechs started backing away. Chromia scampered toward the guards. Ironhide grabbed her arm and pulled her behind his body.

"Shutter yer optics, little lady. Don't want ya to see anything bad," he said gruffly and kindly before stunning both mechs with a well aimed stun pellet from his rifle. Chromia gasped as their bodies clattered to the ground.

"Theta, restrain them and deactivate their motor cables," Ironhide said, before turning to the cowering blue femme behind him.

"Now, what's yer name, little lady?"

"Ch-chromia," she whispered softly, ducking her face away from him. A gentle black hand raised her chin. Her optics met his.

"Don't be frightened. I'll take care of you," he said, "Now. Where are your creators?"

"They-they're inside."

"Their names?"

"Neutro and Alamantia," she confessed quietly, biting her lip as the mech's optics widened. He let out a low whistle.

"Primus…we need to get you inside now," he said, wrapping one large arm around her waist and guiding her back to the door, "You're safe with me."

"Chromia! You know I warned you about being by yourself! That's why we hired an escort for you! Do you have any explanation whatsoever for why you were almost forced to bond with that male?"

"I'm sorry, mother," Chromia said dejectedly, bowing her head. Guilt made her sick to her tanks. Alamantia sighed heavily when she realized that her creation was truly sorry for her actions.

"There's nothing we can do about the past. You're not to be alone at all. You're going to be with an escort at all times. Am I clear?"

"Yes, mother."

Chromia fingered the gems wrapped around her throat, sighing as she peered into the highly polished sheet of metal on her wall. Her reflection gazed back at her. A small frown decorated her face plates. She smiled at herself, trying her best to look happy for the party, but it didn't work. The smile slid into a frown before she could stop it. Tonight was yet another party…another social circle she needed to be accepted into…

Chromia rose from her seat and made her way to the reception room. She had duties to attend to – she couldn't afford to waste any more time. What if her suitor was waiting for her? She couldn't keep him or her creators waiting any longer.

The party was small, consisting her only a dozen or so others. Chromia lounged in her chair, pretending to be absorbed in the conversation going on around her. She smiled as she felt the tugging in her spark again. Her bond mate was somewhere nearby! Chromia sighed gently, her thoughts drifting. I wonder what he looks like. Tall and strong…just like…just like Ironhide…Chromia stopped her musing, her optics going wide. Did she really just think that? She could remember the feeling of absolute trust that she had felt when he arrived on scene…his gruff voice was comforting, protective even. A second small smile crossed her face plates. Was Ironhide her sparkmate? Soft heat rose in her face as she remembered just how nice it felt to have his hand wrapped around her waist -

"-hear a word I just said?"

"Pardon," Chromia said, turning her gaze to the orange femme beside her.

"Oh, Chromia. Were you dreaming about a mech," a sly voice asked. Chromia leveled a glare in the direction of the voice. A perky yellow femme gazed back at her, a smirk on her face plates.

"I was not," she shot back.

"Oh, she's embarrassed! Who is it, Chromia?"

"I am not dreaming about a mech!"

"Right," the silver femme in front of her said slowly, winking at the other femmes around the table. Chromia sighed and excused herself from the table, wandering about the room until she came to her creators.

"Father, mother," she said politely, once they had finished conversing. Alamantia gave her a soft smile, placing a gentle hand on her shoulder girdle.

"Chromia? We've found you a suitor."

Chromia's optics widened. Was she doomed to be nothing more than a trophy on some mech's arm? Mistaking Chromia's fear for joy, Alamantia wrapped her arms around her in a rare display of public affection. Chromia froze, shuttering her optics. So it was true what the femmes at her table had said. Neutro had finally found his daughter a mech to settle down with.

"He's right over there. He will be visiting in a few cycles."

Chromia nodded mutely, silent at her mother's declaration. The mech she presumed to be her suitor approached, his optics grazing over her body lecherously. She became sick to her tanks when she recognized him as one of her father's business partners. He brought her hand to his mouth components, purring out a greeting.

"I'm pleased to know that you've accepted my offer," the mech said, nodding toward Neutro, who nodded. The mech's optics roved over Chromia's body once more.

"Very pleased."

- end flashback -

"Is that where Emirate comes into play, Chromia?"

"Unfortunately..."

"He's the suitor mech? But...was the alliance severed completely?"

Chromia's downcast optics and silence answered Nightshade's question. Nightshade wrapped an arm around Chromia's waist, pulling the femme close to her.

"Oh, Chromia…he can't say anything, can he? I mean, those rules are ancient. Optimus is our Prime. He doesn't need the entire council to revoke that law, he only needs a majority of the thirteen," Nightshade said gently, stroking Chromia's shoulder. Chromia didn't speak. She only shrugged slightly.

"Nightshade, I know for a fact that Emirate is very…influentialin his politics…The only way to revoke that law is if the new council is made up entirely of Prime's circle," Chromia said softly. Nightshade sighed.

"Wait a second…"

"What is it?"

"I think Ratchet knows more on the subject…you do remember that he was Prime's right hand mech before the war, right?"

"What are you talking – oh. Oh! Do you really think he'd…he'd do that for me," Chromia asked quietly, latching onto Nightshade's hands. Her bright blue optics were silently begging for an affirmation.

"Yes, he will, Chromia. He would never turn his back on anyone, especially on you and Ironhide," Nightshade said gently. Chromia choked slightly before throwing her arms around Nightshade's waist.

"Th-thank you, Nightshade."

-start flashback-

Chromia ended up leaving the party early, feigning weariness. She picked up a holocube and made her way into a seldom used room. The room was stuffy and hot, making her shell itch uncomfortably. Instead of using environmental controls to cool the room, she decided to open the bay doors and sit outside. The porch wrapped around the domicile, a perfect place to rest on the particularly hot days. Chromia sat on a bench and turned the holocube on and began reading the holographic spirals.

"What're ya reading?"

Chromia almost leapt out of her shell, whirling around. Ironhide was resting his massive forearms on the railing, leaning against the support struts. She cycled air through her systems before speaking.

"Oh, just studying for my astrophysics test tomorrow," she said nonchalantly, setting the cube down. Ironhide raised one optic ridge.

"I don't even know what that is."

"Oh, I'm sorry…"

"That's alright," he said gruffly, "And you're supposed to be inside."

"Wh-what do you know about that?!"

"I'm yer new escort, Chromia. Now get inside," he said, clambering over the railing and ushering the femme inside. Chromia protested weakly, cradling the fragile holocube to her chest. Ironhide shook his head, planting himself in the doorway. Chromia tried to go around him. One massive arm shot out, effectively blocking the doorway.

"But, it's hot in here-"

"Turn the environmental controls on, then."

"I don't want to. I want to go outside –"

"Open a window. You can see outside then."

"But – "

"Your aft. Inside. Now. Compute?"

Chromia growled quietly. She was not used to having her will defied. She was just about to let Ironhide know exactly what was on her computing center when the door opened with a loud bang. She leaped slightly. Ironhide shot the door an unaffected look. Afamiliar mech entered the room without asking permission. Chromia bristled, opening her mouth components to let this new mech just how rude he was when he beat her to speaking.

"Ah, Chromia! There you are! And who are you," the mech said, turning his nasal plate up at the guard. Chromia's mouth plates snapped shut, shooting Ironhide an unreadable look. One optical ridge on Ironhide's face quirked slightly in amusement.

"The name's Ironhide. I'm her escort," Ironhide said, jerking his head in the femme's direction. Emirate's nasal plate curled in slight disgust before he turned his gaze over at Chromia. The femme was seated on a couch, studying the holo-cube in her hands. The mech reached over and took the cube from her, ignoring her protests.

"Advanced astrophysics? Pah. You don't need to be filling your computing center with silly things. Leave the science and mathematics to me. You need to be learning how to rear sparklings, Chromia," the mech said, tossing the cube onto the seat. Chromia's optics narrowed dangerously but Emirate did not notice.

"Now, come along. We're going on a walk," the mech said, grabbing her arm and tugging her out of her seat. She growled quietly, trying to pull out of his iron grip.

"Let go of me! You're hurting me!"

Ironhide acted immediately. He wrenched the mech's hand from Chromia's arm, twisting the limb up behind Emirate's back. Chromia whimpered quietly, rubbing at the small dents in her arm. A few vague crackling noises were heard from where Ironhide's massive fist trapped the other mech's hand.

"Keep yer hands to yourself," Ironhide rumbled ominously. Emirate snarled quietly.

"You keep your hands to yourself, commoner – "

"This is yer last warnin'," Ironhide growled.

"She's my intended and she'll do as I say," Emirate snapped. He continued, ignorant of the thunderous look growing on Chromia's face plates, "She has no right to tell me what to do, I'm her lord and master –"

"You have no authority over her. I suggest you leave," Ironhide said pointedly, motioning toward the doorway. Emirate bristled at being interrupted, but wisely followed Ironhide's advice once the massive mech reached for his weapon. Ironhide waited until Emirate had disappeared before speaking to Chromia.

"You alright," Ironhide asked, turning his attention to the femme beside him. Startled, she turned her acidic glare from the doorway. At his concern, her face plates softened. Chromia nodded, letting air escape from her vents with a sigh.

"We're going to go and see your creators, Chromia. That fragger has no right to say those things to yah," he said gruffly, gently leading her toward the door. She nodded, allowing him to guide her back to the room where the celebration was held.

Neutro almost lost control when Ironhide relayed the story to him. The alliance was severed instantly. Unfortunately for Chromia, her creators severed the alliance temporarily, which meant that Emirate was still listed as her suitor. After the incident, Chromia and Ironhide became close friends. The fluttering in her spark ended up disappearing entirely. Chromia didn't know what was happening. Since she and Ironhide were so close, there was no need for their sparks to call to one another. Chromia knew that Ironhide was going to be in her future forever, even if they were only friends.

But then one day, all of that disappeared with a letter.

A letter from the Autobot Army.

"Chromia, I'm sorry. I have to go," Ironhide said gently, rubbing the femme's back. Chromia shook her head, wrapping her arms around his waist more tightly.

"Ironhide, I don't want you to leave, you're my best friend," she whispered, sniffling. Ironhide's massive chest rumbled quietly as he tried to soothe her.

"Chromia…I know you don't want me to leave. But I have to. I swore my allegiance to Optimus Prime…I swore to respond to a call of arms. I can't turn my back on him," Ironhide said as gently as he possibly could. Chromia nodded mutely, shuttering her optics. Her spark stirred slightly before flaring painfully at the mere thought of losing him. Brushing aside that strange fluttering, she turned a steady gaze up at him.

"Ironhide?"

"Yes, Chromia?"

"There's something I'd like you to see," she said quietly. He nodded, his optical ridges furrowing together. She took him by the hand and led him down the hallway and up a flight of stairs. His frown grew more pronounced. Where was she taking him? She pushed a pair of white doors open, revealing a very feminine room.

"This is my room," she said, shutting the doors behind her firmly. At the soft clunk of a lock engaging, he whirled around. Chromia stood a few feet away from him, her optics darkening. Ironhide backed away, wary of what she wanted.

"Chromia, what-"

He was silenced by her mouth on his, kissing him desperately. Ironhide's optics widened and he gently pushed her away. The femme frowned slightly.

"Chromia, we can't do this-"

"Yes, we can," she said quietly, "You're leaving and I might never see you again, Ironhide."

"Chromia, I can't do this," Ironhide protested weakly.

"Why?"

"I…I ah…"

"Then come here and make love to me before you leave…I don't know if I'll ever see you again," she said, motioning over to her berth. Alarms were going off in his computing center, warning him to walk away from the femme, begging him to reconsider what he was doing. However, his spark gave a mighty leap in its box, lunging toward the femme. Ironhide's optics widened even further- she was his spark mate!

Ignoring the warnings from his computing center, he obeyed his spark. Ironhide nodded quietly, advancing toward her. Chromia wrapped her arms around his neck, tugging him down for another kiss. He thrust his glossa through her parted lips, caressing hers gently. He deepened the kiss, slanting his mouth over hers. Chromia overcame her shyness and began kissed him back just as fervently, pulling him towards her berth. Ironhide's hands roamed over her body, exploring each and every curve they came to.

A joor later found them in Chromia's personal bathing area, soaking in the large steaming tub of oil. Chromia's body was curled up in Ironhide's arms, her head resting against his shoulder. Her legs were strewn across his lap. His arm rested on her legs, his fingertips stroking her hip joint. Chromia reached up and captured his lips in a second kiss, deepening it when he offered no resistance -

She heard a soft knock at her door and she gasped quietly, pulling away from Ironhide.

"Chromia, are you in there? Why is your door locked?"

"Oh, mother, I'm sorry! I didn't realize that I locked it. Let me out of the bath and I'll be there immediately," she called out. She wrung her hands worriedly before gently shoving Ironhide out of the bath. She handed him a towel and pushed him into a storage unit. She slid the door shut, leaving a crack so that he could hear what was being said outside.

"Alright, dear," the femme called out, waiting patiently for the femme. Chromia wrapped a large piece of fabric around her body. Looking at her berth, she winced slightly. There were streaks of black and blue paint on the metallic surface. She bit her lower lip – if her mother saw those marks, she would know exactly what she had done and with whom. Chromia covered the berth with a few cushions, hoping that her mother wouldn't think to look underneath. She opened the door and stepped back, allowing her mother to step into the room. Chromia hoisted the thin fabric around her chassis, picking the trailing end up off of the floor.

"Where's Ironhide, Chromia? He's leaving in a few cycles," Alamantia said, noting that the mech-turned-fixture was missing. Chromia shrugged gently.

"I sent him to go and have a few minutes to himself…it must be difficult to fight," she said, taking a seat on her berth. Alamantia took a seat beside her, sighing gently.

"I know it's going to be hard for him to leave you, Chromia. I know you two have become close friends…that's why we've decided to bond you to Emirate, after all. He'll be by to collect you in a few cycles."

"What? Why?! He hurt me! You can't bond me to him!"

"Chromia, I knew you were going to react this way…there's a war starting – you can't be by yourself any more. You need a mech to protect you…binding him to you will ensure your safety. I'm sorry, Chromia, but my word is final. You're to be bonded to him in one orn. Begin packing your things."

"Mother, how could you do this to me," Chromia whispered quietly, turning a tearful gaze up at her creator. At Chromia's watery gaze, Alamantia's face plates hardened.

"You've known your entire life that your duty was to form an alliance between two houses. I grew up knowing the same exact thing. Know your duties and your place," Alamantia snapped, glaring at her daughter. The femme turned and left the room, slamming the door shut behind her. Chromia scampered into the bathroom, pulling Ironhide out of the storage unit. Wordlessly, she collapsed in his arms and began sobbing quietly.

"What's the matter, love?"

"I-I'm being bonded t-to Emirate!"

"No! Chromia, you can't be given to him!"

Ironhide wrapped his arms around her, his spark flaring painfully at the mere thought of Chromia with another mech. He buried his face into her neck plates, nuzzling her softly.

"Chromia…I won't let him hurt you again," Ironhide whispered against her audios, his grip on her tightening slightly. He remembered the pained look in her optics when Emirate had hurt her arm that day, the pleading look she had given him -

"Ironhide, I'm coming with you. I'm leaving," she finally said, wiping her optics and standing strong. Ironhide began protesting immediately, gently squeezing her shoulders, trying to make her see reason.

"Chromia, you can't, you're not trained to fight-"

"I can be trained to fight. The same way I was trained to pretend that everything in my life was fine the way it was. The same exact way," she said, glaring up at him. Ironhide finally relented, leaning his forehead against hers. The alarms in his computing center were going off again but he ignored them once more. The absolute agony of losing a spark-mate to another was enough to drive the most level-headed mech to rash decisions, and Ironhide was no exception especially since he was not level-headed to begin with.

"Chromia…if you leave with me, you'll never be able to come back here," he said softly, "I know you've grown up with all of your money. I can't provide that kind of life for you, Chromia, I just can't. I can't ask you to give up life as you know it for me."

"Ironhide, you're my spark mate. I'll follow you to the ends of Cybertron if I need to. Money isn't an issue; we'll manage. I love you with my entire spark," Chromia said, gazing into her soon-to-be mate's optics. Ironhide nodded slowly.

"Chromia…I want you to be absolutely sure that this is what you want. I don't want you to regret coming with me," Ironhide said, gently stroking the side of her face with one thumb. Chromia nodded, pulling his frame to hers tightly.

"Ironhide…I would regret notcoming with you. I couldn't live another day without you," Chromia said, shuttering her optics and leaning her head against his chest plates, "please…please let me come with you."

Ironhide sighed heavily, torn between what was best for Chromia and what he thought was best for her. He ignored the sirens in his computing center and nodded.

"We're leaving in ten breems, Chromia. That'll give you enough time to write your creators a goodbye message," he said gruffly. Chromia smiled against his chest plates, her spark soaring.

Alamantia sighed heavily, leaning against the door of Chromia's bedroom. She prayed that Emirate would not think to look through Chromia's memory files. Alamantia had seen distinct patterns of activities that normally did not involve a guard and a young femme. There were very distinct bite marks on her neck as well as a small streak of black paint on her arm. She knew exactly what Chromia had done and with whom – not that she didn't approve, Ironhide was a fine specimen of a male – but Emirate would be enraged to know that his soon-to-be-mate was not as pure as he thought.

Sighing once more, Alamantia turned away from the door. She could hear their muffled voices past the door. She only prayed that Chromia would not do something stupid.

Ironhide held Chromia closer, wiping at the tears that streamed down the sides of her face with his thumb. He made a soft noise, soothing her the best he could.

"We're going to figure somethin' out, Chromia, don't you worry about a thing…"

They heard soft footsteps coming up the stairs and froze. A male's voice rang out, echoing slightly in the narrow corridor that led to Chromia's quarters.

"Chromia, love, open the door."

Chromia gagged at the sound of Emirate's voice. After a few seconds of trembling in fear, she stiffened suddenly and narrowed her optics, placing a finger over Ironhide's vocalizers and muting his growl of anger. She opened her bathing room door.

"Just a minute, I need to finish my bath," she called out sweetly. Ironhide shot her an incredulous look. She shook her head slightly, motioning him toward the window. His optics brightened in understanding.

"Hurry up. You've got five breems to finish."

"Very well," she called out. Five breems? That was hardly enough time to get to the station! She silently made her way into the room, sliding open a leg compartment. Her various jewels went into the space, followed by the credits scattered across her desk. Her coming-of-age necklace followed shortly. The other leg compartment was filled with various other valuables.

"What are you doing," Ironhide hissed quietly, watching the femme pack the compartments in her legs with valuables. She made a harsh motion with her hands, effectively silencing him.

"I'm securing our futures, Ironhide. Now wait just a fraggin' breem while I transfer my credits into another account," Chromia hissed quietly, shooing Ironhide away gently. Ironhide hovered anxiously.

"When your creators find out they'll hunt us down – they'll accuse us of stealing –"

"Ironhide, shut up! This account is in my name, we don't need to worry about a thing, so hush," she hissed once more, finalizing the transfer of money. Ironhide shuttered his optics.

"If you say so, Chromia. I believe you." Chromia nodded, taking him by the hand and leading him to the window.

"I've got a transportation unit waiting," the mech snapped irritably, tapping his foot against the floor and glancing up at a chronometer. Chromia silently waved at the window of the bathroom, peeking down at the ground. It wasn't too far of a drop. Only twenty or so feet, not much taller than she. Ironhide hefted a leg out, grunting softly. The rest of his bulk followed and he landed on the ground with an earth-shattering boom.

"What was that, Chromia?"

"What are you talking about?"

"Nothing. Hurry up."

"Just a few more breems! I'm still trying to get the cleaning fluid out of my joints!"

"You have five breems.Primus, you're going to need a vorn of obedience training," the mech sniffed disdainfully, crossing his arms over his chest plate. Chromia's optics narrowed at the statement – obedience training? The fragger had noidea who he was speaking to. A second loud sigh interrupted Chromia's computing center. It had conjured up some very interesting ways to tell Emirate to shove the idea of obedience training somewhere dark and normally accessible only by medics. Ironhide was making frantic motions up at the window.

"Are you ready yet, Chromia?"

Chromia had already lifted herself out of the window. Ironhide's hands around her waist gently guided her to the ground. The alley was darkened by the fading sunlight as they slipped silently down the path. They had just reached the end of the alley way when they heard angry shouts. Chromia froze – "Where is she?! I was promised that femme…going to regret leaving the moment I get my hands on her…" –Ironhide grabbed her around the waist and pulled her close to him, trying to block the words. But the damage had already been done – Chromia froze, her optics wide in fear.

"Chromia, listen to me, we've got to go. He ain't gonna stop lookin' for you until you're with 'im."

She broke from her frightened stupor and nodded, squaring her shoulders. Ironhide admired her strength. The femme calmly took his hand and led him to the edge of the narrow path.

"We've got to go," she muttered quietly. Taking the main roads was out of the question – they would have to stick to the alleys. Chromia froze as the emergency systems activated. Bright blue screens flashed to life all around the plaza, showing a picture of her and a picture of her family. A thin, reedy voice began speaking monotonously.

"This is a public announcement to all citizens of Iacon and surrounding estates – a young femme belonging to Neutro and Alamantia has gone missing, presumably an elopement. Any sightings of the femme should be reported to the family along with the proper law enforcement officials.

She is about twenty units tall and iridescent blue in color. Last seen with a black mech…

Twenty billion credits for her safe return.

Repeat: This is a public announcement to all citizens of Iacon…"

The femmes and mechs gathered around the televised message murmured quietly.

"Wasn't she here just a breem ago?"

The crowd began murmuring. Some of the mechs and femmes nodded enthusiastically. One femme turned slightly and made optic contact with Chromia. Chromia froze in her tracks. The femme gazed back at her and opened her mouth plates to speak.

"I don't know what you're talking about. I haven't seen Chromia. She's my best friend, I'd recognize her if she were here," the femme said, giving Chromia a slight nod. Chromia gave her a grateful smile and disappeared into the shadows, followed shortly by Ironhide.

That was the last time Chromia ever saw the femme.

Uh-oh! Cliffie!

2.54e123 thank you's out to everyone for their kind words for the previous chapters. I've done my best to answer all of the reviews I get, but there are some that I miss. (And yes, I'm a dork. I think the scientific notation kinda proves that!)

Inspiration? Why, yes!
"When it Rains" - Paramour
"Never Enough" - Epica
"Poison" - Groove Coverage